me what they are; for I like your situation--and I will tell
you my family--I have a wife, a good old woman--older than myself, by the
way, a pretty deal. She is in a bad state of health, and is advised into
the Hampstead air. She will have two maid servants and a footman. The
coach or chariot (I shall not have them put up both together) we can put
up any where, and the coachman will be with his horses.

When, Sir, shall you want to come in?

I will take them from this very day; and, if convenient, will bring my
wife in the afternoon.

Perhaps, Sir, you would board, as well as lodge?

That as you please. It will save me the trouble of bringing my cook, if
we do. And I suppose you have servants who know how to dress a couple of
dishes. My wife must eat plain food, and I don't love kickshaws.

We have a single lady, who will be gone in two or three days. She has
one of the best apartments: that will then be at liberty.

You have one or two good ones mean time, I presume, Madam, just to
receive my wife; for we have lost time--these damn'd physicians--excuse
me, Madam, I am not used to curse; but it is owing to the love I have for
my wife--they have kept her in hand, till they are ashamed to take more
fees, and now advise her to the air. I wish we had sent her hither at
first. But we must now make the best of it.

Excuse me, Madam, [for she looked hard at me,] that I am muffled up in
this warm weather. I am but too sensible that I have left my chamber
sooner that I ought, and perhaps shall have a return of my gout for it.
I came out thus muffled up with a dreadful pain in my jaws; an ague in
them, I believe. But my poor dear will not be satisfied with any body's
care but mine. And, as I told thee, we have lost time.

You shall see what accommodations I have, if you please, Sir. But I
doubt you are too lame to walk up stairs.

I can make shift to hobble up now I have rested a little. I'll just look
upon the apartment my wife is to have. Any thing may do for the
servants: and as you seem to be a good sort of gentlewoman, I shan't
stand for a price, and will pay well besides for the trouble I shall
give.

She led the way; and I, helping myself by the banisters, made shift to
get up with less fatigue than I expected from ancles so weak. But oh!
Jack, what was Sixtus the Vth.'s artful depression of his natural powers
to mine, when, as this half-dead Montalto, he gaped for the pretendedly
unsought pont