n for the
fresh air, which, to the imagination of Mauleverer, was peopled with
all sorts of asthmas and catarrhs! Mauleverer got out of his carriage at
Salisbury, to stretch his limbs, and to amuse himself with a cutlet.
Our nobleman was well known on the roads; and as nobody could be more
affable, he was equally popular. The officious landlord bustled into the
room, to wait himself upon his lordship and to tell all the news of the
place.

"Well, Mr. Cheerly," said Mauleverer, bestowing a penetrating glance on
his cutlet, "the bad times, I see, have not ruined your cook."

"Indeed, my lord, your lordship is very good, and the times, indeed, are
very bad,--very bad indeed. Is there enough gravy? Perhaps your lordship
will try the pickled onions?"

"The what? Onions!--oh! ah! nothing can be better; but I never touch
them. So, are the roads good?"

"Your lordship has, I hope, found them good to Salisbury?"

"Ah! I believe so. Oh! to be sure, excellent to Salisbury. But how are
they to London? We have had wet weather lately, I think!"

"No, my lord. Here the weather has been dry as a bone."

"Or a cutlet!" muttered Mauleverer; and the host continued,--

"As for the roads themselves, my lord, so far as the roads are
concerned, they are pretty good, my lord; but I can't say as how there
is not something about them that might be mended."

"By no means improbable! You mean the inns and the turnpikes?" rejoined
Mauleverer.

"Your lordship is pleased to be facetious; no! I meant something worse
than them."

"What! the cooks?"

"No, my lord, the highwaymen!"

"The highwaymen! indeed?" said Mauleverer, anxiously; for he had with
him a case of diamonds, which at that time were on grand occasions often
the ornaments of a gentleman's dress, in the shape of buttons, buckles,
etc. He had also a tolerably large sum of ready money about him,--a
blessing he had lately begun to find very rare. "By the way, the rascals
robbed me before on this very road. My pistols shall be loaded this
time. Mr. Cheerly, you had better order the horses; one may as well
escape the nightfall."

"Certainly, my lord, certainly.--Jem, the horses immediately!--Your
lordship will have another cutlet?"

"Not a morsel!"

"A tart?"

"A dev--! not for the world!"

"Bring the cheese, John!"

"Much obliged to you, Mr. Cheerly, but I have dined; and if I have not
done justice to your good cheer, thank yourself and the highwaymen.
Where do these