TORY

Two days--three days passed away--and I still remained at the house of my
hospitable entertainer: my bruised limb rapidly recovering the power of
performing its functions. I passed my time agreeably enough, sometimes
in my chamber, communing with my own thoughts; sometimes in the stable,
attending to, and not unfrequently conversing with, my horse; and at
mealtime--for I seldom saw him at any other--discoursing with the old
gentleman, sometimes on the Chinese vocabulary, sometimes on Chinese
syntax, and once or twice on English horseflesh; though on this latter
subject, notwithstanding his descent from a race of horse traders, he did
not enter with much alacrity. As a small requital for his kindness, I
gave him one day, after dinner, unasked, a brief account of my history
and pursuits. He listened with attention; and when it was concluded,
thanked me for the confidence which I had reposed in him. 'Such
conduct,' said he, 'deserves a return. I will tell you my own history:
it is brief, but may perhaps not prove uninteresting to you--though the
relation of it will give me some pain.' 'Pray, then, do not recite it,'
said I. 'Yes,' said the old man, 'I will tell you, for I wish you to
know it.' He was about to begin when he was interrupted by the arrival
of the surgeon. The surgeon examined into the state of my bruised limb,
and told me, what indeed I already well knew, that it was rapidly
improving. 'You will not even require a sling,' said he, 'to ride to
Horncastle. When do you propose going?' he demanded. 'When do you think
I may venture?' I replied. 'I think, if you are a tolerably good
horseman, you may mount the day after to-morrow,' answered the medical
man. 'By-the-by, are you acquainted with anybody at Horncastle?' 'With
no living soul,' I answered. 'Then you would scarcely find stable room
for your horse. But I am happy to be able to assist you. I have a
friend there who keeps a small inn, and who, during the time of the fair,
keeps a stall vacant for any quadruped I may bring, until he knows
whether I am coming or not. I will give you a letter to him, and he will
see after the accommodation of your horse. To-morrow I will pay you a
farewell visit, and bring you the letter.' 'Thank you,' said I; 'and do
not forget to bring your bill.' The surgeon looked at the old man, who
gave him a peculiar nod. 'Oh!' said he, in reply to me, 'for the little
service I have rendered you I require no r