ase and cheerful
regarding himself: and surely not without reason. While indulging in
these benevolent sentiments, Mrs. Catherine and her son arrived,
and found, somewhat to their astonishment, Mr. Hayes seated in the
back-parlour, as in former times; and they were invited by Mr. Wood to
sit down and drink.

We have said that certain bottles of mountain-wine were presented by the
Count to Mrs. Catherine: these were, at Mr. Wood's suggestion, produced;
and Hayes, who had long been coveting them, was charmed to have an
opportunity to drink his fill. He forthwith began bragging of his
great powers as a drinker, and vowed that he could manage eight bottles
without becoming intoxicated.

Mr. Wood grinned strangely, and looked in a peculiar way at Tom
Billings, who grinned too. Mrs. Cat's eyes were turned towards the
ground: but her face was deadly pale.

The party began drinking. Hayes kept up his reputation as a toper, and
swallowed one, two, three bottles without wincing. He grew talkative and
merry, and began to sing songs and to cut jokes; at which Wood laughed
hugely, and Billings after him. Mrs. Cat could not laugh; but sat
silent.

What ailed her? Was she thinking of the Count? She had been with Max
that day, and had promised him, for the next night at ten, an interview
near his lodgings at Whitehall. It was the first time that she would
see him alone. They were to meet (not a very cheerful place for a
love-tryst) at St. Margaret's churchyard, near Westminster Abbey. Of
this, no doubt, Cat was thinking; but what could she mean by whispering
to Wood, "No, no! for God's sake, not tonight!"

"She means we are to have no more liquor," said Wood to Mr. Hayes; who
heard this sentence, and seemed rather alarmed.

"That's it,--no more liquor," said Catherine eagerly; "you have had
enough to-night. Go to bed, and lock your door, and sleep, Mr. Hayes."

"But I say I've NOT had enough drink!" screamed Hayes; "I'm good for
five bottles more, and wager I will drink them too."

"Done, for a guinea!" said Wood.

"Done, and done!" said Billings.

"Be YOU quiet!" growled Hayes, scowling at the lad. "I will drink what
I please, and ask no counsel of yours." And he muttered some more curses
against young Billings, which showed what his feelings were towards his
wife's son; and which the latter, for a wonder, only received with a
scornful smile, and a knowing look at Wood.

Well! the five extra bottles were brought, and dru