merging from the shrubbery, feigned to
be very active in ordering them off, but this man put a crown into the
widow's hand, and whispering that his lady sent it, thrust them gently
from the gate.

This incident only suggested to the widow's mind, when they halted at
an alehouse some miles further on, and heard the justice's character
as given by his friends, that perhaps something more than capacity of
stomach and tastes for the kennel and the stable, were required to form
either a perfect country gentleman, a thoroughbred Englishman, or
a genuine John Bull; and that possibly the terms were sometimes
misappropriated, not to say disgraced. She little thought then, that a
circumstance so slight would ever influence their future fortunes; but
time and experience enlightened her in this respect.

'Mother,' said Barnaby, as they were sitting next day in a waggon which
was to take them within ten miles of the capital, 'we're going to London
first, you said. Shall we see that blind man there?'

She was about to answer 'Heaven forbid!' but checked herself, and told
him No, she thought not; why did he ask?

'He's a wise man,' said Barnaby, with a thoughtful countenance. 'I wish
that we may meet with him again. What was it that he said of crowds?
That gold was to be found where people crowded, and not among the
trees and in such quiet places? He spoke as if he loved it; London is a
crowded place; I think we shall meet him there.'

'But why do you desire to see him, love?' she asked.

'Because,' said Barnaby, looking wistfully at her, 'he talked to me
about gold, which is a rare thing, and say what you will, a thing
you would like to have, I know. And because he came and went away so
strangely--just as white-headed old men come sometimes to my bed's foot
in the night, and say what I can't remember when the bright day returns.
He told me he'd come back. I wonder why he broke his word!'

'But you never thought of being rich or gay, before, dear Barnaby. You
have always been contented.'

He laughed and bade her say that again, then cried, 'Ay ay--oh yes,' and
laughed once more. Then something passed that caught his fancy, and
the topic wandered from his mind, and was succeeded by another just as
fleeting.

But it was plain from what he had said, and from his returning to the
point more than once that day, and on the next, that the blind man's
visit, and indeed his words, had taken strong possession of his mind.
Whether the