disordered, and the whole account he had given no more than a
mere chimera. This opinion, however, he could no longer retain, when he
arrived at an inn on the post-road, and found, upon examination, that
Timothy's lower extremities were covered with blood, and all the rest of
his body speckled with livid marks of contusion. But he was still more
chagrined when the landlord informed him, that he was thirty miles
distant from the place where he had left Aurelia, and that his way lay
through cross-roads, which were almost impassable at that season of the
year. Alarmed at this intelligence, he gave directions that his squire
should be immediately conveyed to bed in a comfortable chamber, as he
complained more and more; and, indeed, was seized with a fever,
occasioned by the fatigue, the pain, and terror he had undergone. A
neighbouring apothecary being called, and giving it as his opinion that
he could not for some days be in a condition to travel, his master
deposited a sum of money in his hands, desiring he might be properly
attended till he should hear further. Then mounting Bronzomarte, he set
out with a guide for the place he had left, not without a thousand fears
and perplexities, arising from the reflection of having left the jewel of
his heart with such precipitation.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

WHICH, IT IS TO BE HOPED, THE READER WILL FIND AN AGREEABLE MEDLEY OF
MIRTH AND MADNESS, SENSE AND ABSURDITY.

It was not without reason that our adventurer afflicted himself; his
fears were but too prophetic. When he alighted at the inn, which he had
left so abruptly the preceding evening, he ran directly to the apartment
where he had been so happy in Aurelia's company; but her he saw not--all
was solitary. Turning to the woman of the house, who had followed him
into the room, "Where is the lady?" cried he, in a tone of impatience.
Mine hostess screwing up her features into a very demure aspect, said she
saw so many ladies she could not pretend to know who he meant. "I tell
thee, woman," exclaimed the knight, in a louder accent, "thou never
sawest such another--I mean that miracle of beauty"--"Very like," replied
the dame, as she retired to the room door. "Husband, here's one as axes
concerning a miracle of beauty; hi, hi, hi. Can you give him any
information about this miracle of beauty? O la! hi, hi, hi."

Instead of answering this question, the innkeeper advancing, and
surveying Sir Launcelot, "Friend," said