thing which I would wish to press upon you--'

'Yes,' said the youth, eagerly bending forward.

'Is--' and here the elderly individual laid down his pipe upon the
table--'that it will be as well to go on improving yourself in German!'

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

THE ALEHOUSE-KEEPER--COMPASSION FOR THE RICH--OLD ENGLISH GENTLEMAN--HOW
IS THIS?--MADEIRA--THE GREEK PARR--TWENTY LANGUAGES--WHITER'S
HEALTH--ABOUT THE FIGHT--A SPORTING GENTLEMAN--FLATTENED NOSE--THAT
PIGHTLE--THE SURLY NOD

'Holloa, master! can you tell us where the fight is likely to be?'

Such were the words shouted out to me by a short thick fellow, in brown
top-boots, and bareheaded, who stood, with his hands in his pockets, at
the door of a country alehouse as I was passing by.

Now, as I knew nothing about the fight, and as the appearance of the man
did not tempt me greatly to enter into conversation with him, I merely
answered in the negative, and continued my way.

It was a fine lovely morning in May, the sun shone bright above, and the
birds were carolling in the hedgerows. I was wont to be cheerful at such
seasons, for, from my earliest recollection, sunshine and the song of
birds have been dear to me; yet, about that period, I was not cheerful,
my mind was not at rest; I was debating within myself, and the debate was
dreary and unsatisfactory enough. I sighed, and turning my eyes upward,
I ejaculated, 'What is truth?'

But suddenly, by a violent effort breaking away from my meditations, I
hastened forward; one mile, two miles, three miles were speedily left
behind; and now I came to a grove of birch and other trees, and opening a
gate I passed up a kind of avenue, and soon arriving before a large brick
house, of rather antique appearance, knocked at the door.

In this house there lived a gentleman with whom I had business. He was
said to be a genuine old English gentleman, and a man of considerable
property; at this time, however, he wanted a thousand pounds, as
gentlemen of considerable property every now and then do. I had brought
him a thousand pounds in my pocket, for it is astonishing how many eager
helpers the rich find, and with what compassion people look upon their
distresses. He was said to have good wine in his cellar.

'Is your master at home?' said I, to a servant who appeared at the door.

'His worship is at home, young man,' said the servant, as he looked at my
shoes, which bore evidence that I had come walking.