in black and Mr. Platitude were walking up and down the yard, Mr.
Platitude was doing his best to make himself appear ridiculous, talking
very loudly in exceedingly bad Italian, evidently for the purpose of
attracting the notice of the bystanders, in which he succeeded, all the
stable-boys and hangers-on about the yard, attracted by his vociferation,
grinning at his ridiculous figure as he limped up and down. The man in
black said little or nothing, but from the glances which he cast sideways
appeared to be thoroughly ashamed of his companion; the worthy couple
presently arrived close to where I was standing, and the man in black,
who was nearest to me, perceiving me, stood still as if hesitating, but
recovering himself in a moment, he moved on without taking any farther
notice; Mr. Platitude exclaimed as they passed in broken lingo, "I hope
we shall find the holy doctors all assembled," and as they returned, "I
make no doubt that they will all be rejoiced to see me." Not wishing to
be standing an idle gazer, I went to the chaise and assisted in attaching
the horses, which had now been brought out, to the pole. The postillion
presently arrived, and finding all ready took the reins and mounted the
box, whilst I very politely opened the door for the two travellers; Mr.
Platitude got in first, and, without taking any notice of me, seated
himself on the farther side. In got the man in black, and seated himself
nearest to me. "All is right," said I, as I shut the door, whereupon the
postillion cracked his whip, and the chaise drove out of the yard. Just
as I shut the door, however, and just as Mr. Platitude had recommenced
talking in jergo, at the top of his voice, the man in black turned his
face partly towards me, and gave me a wink with his left eye.

I did not see my friend the postillion till the next morning, when he
gave me an account of the adventures he had met with on his expedition.
It appeared that he had driven the man in black and the Reverend
Platitude across the country by roads and lanes which he had some
difficulty in threading. At length, when he had reached a part of the
country where he had never been before, the man in black pointed out to
him a house near the corner of a wood, to which he informed him they were
bound. The postillion said it was a strange-looking house, with a wall
round it; and, upon the whole, bore something of the look of a madhouse.
There was already a postchaise at the gate,