pal! Truth, and no lie, brother.'

'It is strange that you should have known me,' said I. 'I am certain,
but for the word you used, I should never have recognised you.'

'Not so strange as you may think, brother; there is something in your
face which would prevent people from forgetting you, even though they
might wish it; and your face is not much altered since the time you wot
of, though you are so much grown. I thought it was you, but to make sure
I dodged about, inspecting you. I believe you felt me, though I never
touched you; a sign, brother, that we are akin, that we are dui
palor--two relations. Your blood beat when mine was near, as mine always
does at the coming of a brother; and we became brothers in that lane.'

'And where are you staying?' said I; 'in this town?'

'Not in the town; the like of us don't find it exactly wholesome to stay
in towns, we keep abroad. But I have little to do here--come with me,
and I'll show you where we stay.'

We descended the hill in the direction of the north, and passing along
the suburb reached the old Norman bridge, which we crossed; the chalk
precipice, with the ruin on its top, was now before us; but turning to
the left we walked swiftly along, and presently came to some rising
ground, which ascending, we found ourselves upon a wild moor or heath.

'You are one of them,' said I, 'whom people call--'

'Just so,' said Jasper; 'but never mind what people call us.'

'And that tall handsome man on the hill, whom you whispered? I suppose
he's one of ye. What is his name?'

'Tawno Chikno,' said Jasper, 'which means the small one; we call him such
because he is the biggest man of all our nation. You say he is handsome,
that is not the word, brother; he's the beauty of the world. Women run
wild at the sight of Tawno. An earl's daughter, near London--a fine
young lady with diamonds round her neck--fell in love with Tawno. I have
seen that lass on a heath, as this may be, kneel down to Tawno, clasp his
feet, begging to be his wife--or anything else--if she might go with him.
But Tawno would have nothing to do with her: "I have a wife of my own,"
said he, "a lawful rommany wife, whom I love better than the whole world,
jealous though she sometimes be."'

'And is she very beautiful?' said I.

'Why, you know, brother, beauty is frequently a matter of taste; however,
as you ask my opinion, I should say not quite so beautiful as himself.'

We had now arrived at a