ned with such doings, and that he was going to give his master
warning next day. So, as we were drinking and discoursing, up drove the
chariot of the Scotchman, and down got his valet and the driver, and
whilst the driver was seeing after the horses, the valet came and sat
down at the table where the gentleman's coachman and I were drinking. I
knew the fellow well, a Scotchman like his master, and just of the same
kidney, with white kid gloves, red hair frizzled, a patch of paint on his
face, and his hands covered with rings. This very fellow, I must tell
you, was one of those most busy in endeavouring to get me turned out of
the servants' club in Park Lane, because I happened to serve a literary
man; so he sat down, and in a kind of affected tone cried out, "Landlord,
bring me a glass of cold negus." The landlord, however, told him that
there was no negus, but that if he pleased he could have a jug of as good
beer as any in the country. "Confound the beer," said the valet, "do you
think I am accustomed to such vulgar beverage?" However, as he found
there was nothing better to be had, he let the man bring him some beer,
and when he had got it, soon showed that he could drink it easily enough;
so, when he had drank two or three draughts, he turned his eyes in a
contemptuous manner, first on the coachman and then on me; I saw the
scamp recollected me, for after staring at me and at my dress for about
half a minute, he put on a broad grin, and flinging his head back he
uttered a loud laugh. Well, I did not like this, as you may well
believe, and taking the pipe out of my mouth, I asked him if he meant
anything personal, to which he answered that he had said nothing to me,
and that he had a right to look where he pleased, and laugh when he
pleased. Well, as to a certain extent he was right as to looking and
laughing, and as I have occasionally looked at a fool and laughed, though
I was not the fool in this instance, I put my pipe into my mouth and said
no more. This quiet and well-regulated behaviour of mine, however, the
fellow interpreted into fear; so, after drinking a little more, he
suddenly started up, and striding once or twice before the table, he
asked me what I meant by that impertinent question of mine, saying that
he had a good mind to wring my nose for my presumption. "You have?" said
I, getting up and laying down my pipe. "Well, I'll now give you an
opportunity." So I put myself in an attitude, and we