re, indeed, I
thought he might have begun.

"The man Faa has been dischairged cured; and the two men, Sim and
Candlish, would have been leeberated long ago, if it had not been for
their extraordinary loyalty to yourself, Mr. Ducie--or Mr. St. Ivey, as
I believe I should now call you. Never a word would either of the two
old fools volunteer that in any manner pointed at the existence of such
a person; and when they were confronted with Faa's version of the
affair, they gave accounts so entirely discrepant with their own former
declarations, as well as with each other, that the Fiscal was quite
nonplussed, and imaigined there was something behind it. You may believe
I soon laughed him out of that! And I had the satisfaction of seeing
your two friends set free, and very glad to be on the causeway again."

"O sir," I cried, "you should have brought them here!"

"No instructions, Mr. Ducie!" said he. "How did I know you wished to
renew an acquaintance which you had just terminated so fortunately? And,
indeed, to be frank with you, I should have set my face against it, if
you had! Let them go! They are paid and contented, and have the highest
possible opinion of Mr. St. Ivey! When I gave them fifty pounds
apiece--which was rather more than enough, Mr. Ducie, whatever you may
think--the man Sim, who has the only tongue of the party, struck his
staff on the ground. 'Weel,' says he, 'I aye said he was a gentleman!'
'Man Sim,' said I, 'that was just what Mr. St. Ivey said of yourself!'"

"So it was a case of 'Compliments fly when gentlefolk meet.'"

"No, no, Mr. Ducie, man Sim and man Candlish are gone out of your life,
and a good riddance! They are fine fellows in their way, but no proper
associates for the like of yourself; and do you finally agree to be done
with all eccentricity--take up with no more drovers, or rovers, or
tinkers, but enjoy the naitural pleesures for which your age, your
wealth, your intelligence, and (if I may be allowed to say it) your
appearance so completely fit you. And the first of these," quoth he,
looking at his watch, "will be to step through to my dining-room and
share a bachelor's luncheon."

Over the meal, which was good, Mr. Robbie continued to develop the same
theme. "You're, no doubt, what they call a dancing-man?" said he. "Well,
on Thursday night there is the Assembly Ball. You must certainly go
there, and you must permit me besides to do the honours of the ceety and
send you a ticket.