the demon aspect of suspicion again spreading his
corrosive murky hue over her furrowed front. The enlivening appearance
of my golden ambassador had for a few days procured me a faint smile of
complacency; but the spell is past, and I shall again be doomed to the
humiliation
~8~~
of hearing Mrs Martha Bridget's morning lectures on the necessity
of punctuality. Well, she must be quieted, (i.e.) promise crammed,
(satisfied, under existing circumstances, is impossible): I know it
will require no little skill to obtain fresh supplies from her stores,
without the master-key which unlocks the flinty heart; but _nil
desperandum_, he who can brave a formidable army of critics, in pursuit
of the bubble fame, may at least hope to find wit enough to quiet the
interested apprehensions of an old woman. And yet how mortifying is the
very suspicion of inattention and disrespect. I have rung six times for
my breakfast, and as many more for my boots, before either have made
their appearance; the first has indeed just arrived, with a lame apology
from mine hostess, that the gentleman on the first floor is a very
impetuous fellow, requires prompt attention, gives a great deal of
trouble--but--then he pays a great deal of money, and above all, is very
punctual: here is my _quietus_ at once; the last sentence admits of no
reply from a pennyless author. My breakfast table is but the spectre of
former times;--no eggs on each side of my cup, or a plate of fresh Lynn
shrimps, with an inviting salt odour, that would create an appetite in
the stomach of an invalid; a choice bit of dried salmon, or a fresh cut
off the roll of some violet-scented Epping butter;--all have disappeared;
nay, even the usual allowance of cream has degenerated into skimmed
milk, and that is supplied in such cautious quantities, that I can
scarce eke it out to colour my three cups of inspiring bohea.

(A knock at the door.) That single rap at the street door is very
like the loud determined knock of a dun. The servant is ascending
the stairs--it must be so--she advances upon the second flight;--good
heavens, how stupid!--I particularly told her I should not be in town
to any of these people for a month. The inattention of servants is
unbearable; they can tell fibs
~9~~
enough to suit their own purposes, but a little white one to serve a
gentleman lodger, to put off an impertinent tradesman, or save him from
the toils of a sheriffs officer, is sure to be marred in the re