!" cried Tomlinson, filling a bumper; "but I quarrel with the
wisdom of your toast. May fools be rich, and rogues will never be poor!
I would make a better livelihood off a rich fool than a landed estate."

So saying, the contemplative and ever-sagacious Tomlinson tossed off
his bumper; and the pair, having kindly rolled by pedal applications the
body of Long Ned into a safe and quiet corner of the room, mounted the
stairs, arm-in-arm, in search of somnambular accommodations.

CHAPTER XVII

That contrast of the hardened and mature,
The calm brow brooding o'er the project dark,
With the clear loving heart, and spirit pure
Of youth,--I love, yet, hating, love to mark!

H. FLETCHER.

On the forenoon of the day after the ball, the carriage of William
Brandon, packed and prepared, was at the door of his abode at Bath;
meanwhile the lawyer was closeted with his brother.

"My dear Joseph," said the barrister, "I do not leave you without being
fully sensible of your kindness evinced to me, both in coming hither,
contrary to your habits, and accompanying me everywhere, despite of your
tastes."

"Mention it not, my dear William," said the kind-hearted squire, "for
your delightful society is to me the most agreeable (and that's what I
can say of very few people like you; for, for my own part, I generally
find the cleverest men the most unpleasant) in the world! And I think
lawyers in particular (very different, indeed, from your tribe you are!)
perfectly intolerable!"

"I have now," said Brandon, who with his usual nervous quickness of
action was walking with rapid strides to and fro the apartment, and
scarcely noted his brother's compliment,--"I have now another favour
to request of you. Consider this house and these servants yours for the
next month or two at least. Don't interrupt me,--it is no compliment,--I
speak for our family benefit." And then seating himself next to his
brother's armchair, for a fit of the gout made the squire a close
prisoner, Brandon unfolded to his brother his cherished scheme of
marrying Lucy to Lord Mauleverer. Notwithstanding the constancy of the
earl's attentions to the heiress, the honest squire had never dreamed
of their palpable object; and he was overpowered with surprise when he
heard the lawyer's expectations.

"But, my dear brother," he began, "so great a match for my