and raised his head, to see
from whom it proceeded.

The voice, apparently, issued from a gentleman who had drawn rein in
the middle of the road, and was gazing at him with great good
humor and freedom. Verty returned this gaze, and the result of his
inspection was, that the new-comer was a total stranger to him. He was
a young man of about nineteen, with handsome features, characterized
by an expression of nonchalance and careless good humor; clad in a
very rich dress, somewhat foppish, but of irreproachable taste;
and the horse he bestrode was an animal as elegant in figure and
appointments as his master.

"Hallo, friend!" the new-comer had said, "give you good-day."

Verty nodded.

"You don't recognize me," said the young man.

"I believe not," replied Verty.

"Well, that's all right; and it would be strange if you did," the
young man went on in his careless voice; "we have never met, I think,
and, faith! all I recognize about you is my coat."

"Your coat?"

"Coat, did I say?--worse than that! I recognize my knee-breeches, my
stockings, my chapeau, my waistcoat!"

And the new-comer burst into a careless laugh.

Verty shook his head.

"They are mine, sir," he said.

"You are mistaken."

Verty returned the careless glance with one which seemed to indicate
that he was not very well pleased.

"How?" he said.

"I maintain that you are wearing my clothes, by Jove! Come, let us
fight it out;--or no! I've got an engagement, my dear fellow, and we
must put it off. Fanny is waiting for me, and would be dying with
disappointment if I didn't come."

With which the young fellow touched his horse, and commenced humming a
song.

"Fanny?" said Verty, with a sad smile, "what! up at old Scowley's?"

"The very place! Why, you have caught the very form of words by which
I am myself accustomed to speak of that respectable matron."

"I know Miss Fanny."

"Do you?"

"Yes."

"Stop!" said the young man, laughing with his easy nonchalance; "tell
me if we are rivals."

"Anan?" said Verty.

"Are you in love with her? Honor bright now, my dear fellow?"

"No," said Verty, drawn, he did not know how, toward the laughing
young man; "no, not with--Miss Fanny."

"Ah, ah!--then with whom? Not the lovely Sallianna--the admirer of
nature? Faith! you're too good-looking a fellow to throw yourself
away on such a simpering old maid. By Jove! my dear friend, and
new acquaintance, I like you! Let us be friends. My name'