ness of thy white teeth."

"How, knave?"

"Become biting," replied Robin, bowing.

"Ah, Morrison! the Jew is too much for ye," said another youth, who was
just roused from a half slumber in a high-backed chair.--"Where got ye
yer wit?"

"Where you did not get yours, under favour," was Robin's ready reply.

"And where was that?"

"From nature; too common a person for so gay a young gentleman to be
beholden to," he retorted, bowing again with even a greater show of
humility than before.

At this reply, Sir John Berkstead, formerly a goldsmith in the Strand,
but gradually raised to the dignity of chief steward of Oliver's
household, approached Robin with his usual shuffling gait, and said,--

"Hey! young gentlemen--hey! young gentlemen, what foolish jesting is
this? what mean ye? It is his Highness's pleasure to receive the master,
and what for do ye treat the man with indignity? My worthy Samuel," he
looked closer--"but it is not Samuel," he continued, peering curiously
at Robin, "it is not Samuel. What ho! Gracious Meanwell! did this man
enter with the learned Manasseh Ben Israel?"

"Yes, please ye, Sir John," replied the page, humbly.

"Indeed!" he exclaimed, surveying Robin attentively. "But where is the
Rabbi's usual attendant, whom I have before seen?"

"He is sick even unto death, unless it please the God of Abraham to work
a miracle in his favour," replied Robin: thinking to himself, "he
remembers enough, at least, of his old trade to know all is not gold
that glitters."

Sir John Berkstead withdrew, only observing to the page, who stood back,
boy-like, longing for any frolic likely to relieve the monotony of so
dull a court, especially at midnight, "See ye do not treat him
uncourteously. The Rabbi has always been permitted to bring his
attendant, almost to the anteroom: a favour seldom granted--but his
Highness is gracious in remembering that his bodily infirmities need
support. So see that he is treated with all courtesy, for his Highness
is wishful that Christian toleration be exercised towards this and all
other Jews."

More than one Roundhead looked at another during this declaration; and
all but the two youngsters appeared more than usually intent upon
whatever they were employed about before the Rabbi's entrance. Youth is
a bad courtier, ever preferring frolic and amusement to sobriety and
attention. They had been at once piqued and pleased by Robin's
smartness, and resolved to whet their ow