‘Gentlemen,’ he said, ’I humbly beg your pardon for disturbing you as I do.’

But with a sudden idea that a general address on behalf of a particular demand must necessarily fail, he let his eyes rest on one there, whose face was neither stupid nor repellent, and who, though he did not look up, had an attentive, thoughtful cast about the mouth.

‘May I entreat a word apart with you, sir?’

Evan was not mistaken in the index he had perused.  The gentleman seemed to feel that he was selected from the company, and slightly raising his head, carelessly replied:  ‘My bed is entirely at your disposal,’ resuming his contemplative pose.

On the point of thanking him, Evan advanced a step, when up started the irascible chairman.

‘I don’t permit it!  I won’t allow it!’ And before Evan could ask his reasons, he had rung the bell, muttering:  ’They follow us to our inns, now, the baggages!  They must harry us at our inns!  We can’t have peace and quiet at our inns!—­’

In a state of combustion, he cried out to the waiter: 

’Here, Mark, this gentleman has brought in a dirty wench:  pack her up to my bed-room, and lock her in lock her in, and bring down the key.’

Agreeably deceived in the old gentleman’s intentions, Evan could not refrain from joining the murmured hilarity created by the conclusion of his order.  The latter glared at him, and added:  ’Now, sir, you’ve done your worst.  Sit down, and be merry.’

Replying that he had a friend outside, and would not fail to accept the invitation, Evan retired.  He was met by the hostess with the reproachful declaration on her lips, that she was a widow woman, wise in appearances, and that he had brought into her house that night work she did not expect, or bargain for.  Rather (since I must speak truth of my gentleman) to silence her on the subject, and save his ears, than to propitiate her favour towards the girl, Evan drew out his constitutionally lean purse, and dropped it in her hand, praying her to put every expense incurred to his charge.  She exclaimed: 

‘If Dr. Pillie has his full sleep this night, I shall be astonished’; and Evan hastily led Jack into the passage to impart to him, that the extent of his resources was reduced to the smallest of sums in shillings.

‘I can beat my friend at that reckoning,’ said Mr. Raikes; and they entered the room.

Eyes were on him.  This had ever the effect of causing him to swell to monstrous proportions in the histrionic line.  Asking the waiter carelessly for some light supper dish, he suggested the various French, with ‘not that?’ and the affable naming of another.  ’Nor that?  Dear me, we shall have to sup on chops, I believe!’

Evan saw the chairman scrutinizing Raikes, much as he himself might have done, and he said:  ‘Bread and cheese for me.’

Raikes exclaimed:  ’Really?  Well, my lord, you lead, and your taste is mine!’