‘Host!’

‘Your worship’s servant!’

‘Waiter!’

‘Your worship’s honour’s humble servant!’

‘I am going to alight!’

All four attendants immediately bowed, and extended their arms to assist this very great man; but Squire Mountmeadow, scarcely deigning to avail himself of their proffered assistance, and pausing on each step, looking around him with his long, lean, solemn visage, finally reached terra firma in safety, and slowly stretched his tall, ungainly figure.  It was at this moment that Dr. Masham’s servant approached him, and informed his worship that his master was at the inn, and would be happy to see him.  The countenance of the great Mountmeadow relaxed at the mention of the name of a brother magistrate, and in an audible voice he bade the groom ’tell my worthy friend, his worship, your worthy master, that I shall be rejoiced to pay my respects to an esteemed neighbour and a brother magistrate.’

With slow and solemn steps, preceded by the host, and followed by the waiter, Squire Mountmeadow ascended the staircase of the external gallery, pausing occasionally, and looking around him with thoughtful importance, and making an occasional inquiry as to the state of the town and neighbourhood during his absence, in this fashion:  ’Stop! where are you, host?  Oh! you are there, sir, are you?  Well, Mr. Host, and how have we been? orderly, eh?’

‘Quite orderly, your worship.’

’Hoh!  Orderly!  Hem!  Well, very well!  Never easy, if absent only four-and-twenty hours.  The law must be obeyed.’

‘Yes, your worship.’

’Lead on, sir.  And, waiter; where are you, waiter?  Oh, you are there, sir, are you?  And so my brother magistrate is here?’

‘Yes, your honour’s worship.’

’Hem!  What can he want? something in the wind; wants my advice, I dare say; shall have it.  Soldiers ruly; king’s servants; must be obeyed.’

‘Yes, your worship; quite ruly, your worship,’ said the host.

‘As obliging and obstreperous as can be,’ said the waiter.

‘Well, very well;’ and here the Squire had gained the gallery, where the Doctor was ready to receive him.

‘It always gives me pleasure to meet a brother magistrate,’ said Squire Mountmeadow, bowing with cordial condescension; ’and a gentleman of your cloth, too.  The clergy must be respected; I stand or fall by the Church.  After you, Doctor, after you.’  So saying, the two magistrates entered the room.

‘An unexpected pleasure, Doctor,’ said the Squire; ’and what brings your worship to town?’

‘A somewhat strange business,’ said the Doctor; ’and indeed I am not a little glad to have the advantage of your advice and assistance.’

‘Hem!  I thought so,’ said the Squire; ’your worship is very complimentary.  What is the case?  Larceny?’

’Nay, my good sir, ’tis a singular affair; and, if you please, we will order supper first, and discuss it afterwards.  ’Tis for your private ear.’