essing on Clara and me, nearly eight years ago. He
insisted upon addressing me by the name of Valentine Bulmer, under
which I was then best known. It did not suit me at present to put
him into my confidence, so I cut him, Harry, as I would an old
pencil. The task was the less difficult, that I had to do with one
of the most absent men that ever dreamed with his eyes open. I
verily believe he might be persuaded that the whole transaction was
a vision, and that he had never in reality seen me before. Your
pious rebuke, therefore, about what I told him formerly concerning
the lovers, is quite thrown away. After all, if what I said was not
accurately true, as I certainly believe it was an exaggeration, it
was all Saint Francis of Martigny's fault, I suppose. I am sure he
had love and opportunity on his side.

"Here you have a postscript, Harry, longer than the letter, but it
must conclude with the same burden--Come, and come quickly."

CHAPTER IX.

THE FRIGHT.

As shakes the bough of trembling leaf,
When sudden whirlwinds rise;
As stands aghast the warrior chief,
When his base army flies.
. . . . . .

It had been settled by all who took the matter into consideration, that
the fidgety, fiery, old Nabob would soon quarrel with his landlady, Mrs.
Dods, and become impatient of his residence at St. Ronan's. A man so
kind to himself, and so inquisitive about the affairs of others, could
have, it was supposed, a limited sphere for gratification either of his
tastes or of his curiosity, in the Aultoun of St. Ronan's: and many a
time the precise day and hour of his departure were fixed by the idlers
at the Spa. But still old Touchwood appeared amongst them when the
weather permitted, with his nut-brown visage, his throat carefully
wrapped up in an immense Indian kerchief, and his gold-headed cane,
which he never failed to carry over his shoulder; his short, but stout
limbs, and his active step, showing plainly that he bore it rather as a
badge of dignity than a means of support. There he stood, answering
shortly and gruffly to all questions proposed to him, and making his
remarks aloud upon the company, with great indifference as to the
offence which plight be taken; and as soon as the ancient priestess had
handed him his glass of the salutiferous water, turned on his heel with
a brief good-morning, and either marched back to hide himself