ught that Lady Mary could prefer me. He tried his best to
believe it, but he would always end up by saying: "Well, _if_ Lady
Mary cares for you, the affair is not too difficult." Or, "Well, if
you are _sure_ Lady Mary loves you--" I could have broken his head a
thousand times.

"Bad luck to you, Doctor," I cried. "Don't you know such croaking
would spoil the peace of any true lover? Is ever any worthy man able
not to be anxious in such matters? 'Tis only foppery coxcombs who have
great confidence, and they are usually misled, thank the Lord! Be
quiet, now, and try to take everything for granted."

Then the spirit of the adventure came upon him, and he was all for it,
heels over head. As I told him, this sort of meddling was his proper
vocation. He who as a recreation revelled in the mere shadows of the
intrigues of people of quality was now really part of one, an actor in
it, the repository of its deep secret. I had to curb his enthusiasm.
He had such a sense of the importance of my news, and of his
distinction in having heard it, that I think he wanted to tell the
secret to the entire world.

As soon as the afternoon grew late I suggested a walk to that part of
London in which was situated the Earl's town house. I did not see why
we should not be moving at once on the campaign. The Doctor assented,
and we went forth to look for Paddy and Jem Bottles. We found them at
an ale-house which was the resort of the chairmen, footmen, and
coachmen of the grand people. The two rogues had evidently passed a
pleasant afternoon. Jem Bottles was still making love to a very pretty
girl, some part of whose easy affection or interest he had won; and
Paddy, it seems, had had a rip-roaring fight with two lackeys, worsted
them with despatch, and even pursued them some distance. To my stern
interrogation in regard to the pretty girl, Jem Bottles stoutly
rejoined that she was his second cousin whom he had not seen for many
years. To this I made no reply, for it does no good to disturb the
balance of a good liar. If at times he is led to tell the truth, he
becomes very puzzling. In all the years Jem Bottles has been in my
service I have never reprimanded him for lying. I would confuse
matters to no purpose, inasmuch as I understand him perfectly.

"And how," said I to Paddy, "did you come to engage in this
disgraceful brawl of a Sunday?"

"Your honour," answered Paddy, "there was two of these men with fat
legs came here, and says one,