kable. He wore an enormous pair of green spectacles,
and complained much in broken English of the weakness of his eyes. All
about him, even to the smallest minutiae, indicated the German; not only
the large muscular frame, the broad feet, and vast though well-shaped
hands, but the brooch--evidently purchased of a Jew in some great
fair--stuck ostentatiously and superfluously into his stock; the quaint,
droll-looking carpet-bag, which he refused to trust to the boots; and
the great, massive, dingy ring which he wore on his forefinger. The
other was a slender, remarkably upright and sinewy youth, in a blue
frock, over which was thrown a large cloak, a travelling cap, with a
shade that concealed all of the upper part of his face, except a dark
quick eye of uncommon fire; and a shawl handkerchief, which was equally
useful in concealing the lower part of the countenance. On descending
from the coach, the German with some difficulty made the ostler
understand that he wanted a post-chaise in a quarter of an hour; and
then, without entering the house, he and his friend strolled to the
arbour. While the maid-servant was covering the table with bread,
butter, tea, eggs, and a huge round of beef, the German was busy in
washing his hands, and talking in his national tongue to the young man,
who returned no answer. But as soon as the servant had completed her
operations the foreigner turned round, and observing her eyes fixed on
his brooch with much female admiration, he made one stride to her.

"Der Teufel, my goot Madchen--but you are von var pretty--vat you call
it?" and he gave her, as he spoke, so hearty a smack that the girl was
more flustered than flattered by the courtesy.

"Keep yourself to yourself, sir!" said she, very tartly, for
chambermaids never like to be kissed by a middle-aged gentleman when
a younger one is by: whereupon the German replied by a pinch,--it is
immaterial to state the exact spot to which that delicate caress was
directed. But this last offence was so inexpiable, that the
"Madchen" bounced off with a face of scarlet, and a "Sir, you are no
gentleman--that's what you arn't!" The German thrust his head out of
the arbour, and followed her with a loud laugh; then drawing himself
in again, he said in quite another accent, and in excellent English,
"There, Master Philip, we have got rid of the girl for the rest of
the morning, and that's exactly what I wanted to do--women's wits are
confoundedly sharp. Wel