Mr. W. said, "I believe, Sir, it is allowed, when the public funds are shifted." " Well, perhaps they may; but I can do nothing in a hurry; Jonathan Brownrigg never did any thing in a hurry." Protheroe Walker just drank his last glass and said, "I believe, Sir, I must do something in a hurry, or I shall be too late; so he gave Mr. B. his hand, who took it very cordially, making his best city bow; and they parted, mutually pleased with each other. They had but just got out of the gate, when Mr. B. remembered that he held the £20. He stepped back, took his hat and stick, and with long strides soon overtook them; and, pulling out his pocket-book, Pray, Sir, take this, and promise if I come to P, to introduce me to the redoubtable Mrs. Potter." Mr. Walker smiled. "I thought, Sir, you were already acquainted." "No; I have heard of her; and heard so much that I always kept clear of the coast while she was upon it." Mr. Walker. "I cannot blame you; good morning."

66

On Mr. Walker's return to P-, he requested his good lady to see Mrs. Potter, and to understand in what train her affairs were; and to drop no hint of the money, till she could learn, whether the affairs might not be settled without it; because it was going exactly

"The

contrary to the wishes of the donor, to let it go to the distiller; and, it was a fixed maxim of Mr. Walker, to uphold no sin either directly or indirectly. When Mrs. Walker arrived, she found Mrs. Potter down stairs, bustling about, as though nothing had happened. She began, before this kind-hearted lady could approach. "I have found a friend," said she. brewer says, while I continue to take beer of him, he'll see what can be done; and there's to be a pleasant meeting to-night, of all the creditors; and, if the distiller would but come in, there'd be an end of all this confusion. I dare say it will take me a week to have this house cleaned up, after all the bustle that has been here. Mrs. W. saw very clearly, that a public-house was what Mrs. Potter preferred; and, that all Mr. W.'s kindness would be thrown away, if she could but accommodate the distiller. So she only said, "Well, madam, I see your affairs are arranged; and, if it's for your happiness, I am sure we shall all rejoice in it. Mrs. P. said, "No doubt, it was for her happiness; it was the way of living she had been used to, and she should find any other very dull. I think,' said she, there's something so benevolent in providing for such a parcel of people, and making them all happy.'

66

H

Mrs. W. "Well, Mrs. P. I never had that idea of a public-house before; but it is well indeed, that some one is found who will think of the traveller; but, let me advise you, as soon as you have a sufficiency, to think of a retreat.' Retreat, indeed, madam; what am I to retreat upon?"

66

This unprofitable sort of dialogue, determined Mrs. Walker not to say a single word; when she was at once put off her guard, by the loquacious and keen landlady. She kept thinking to herself. "Well; Mr. W. has been to town; he is a meddling kind of man: I should not wonder if he had been and seen my uncle's old housekeeper, and perhaps he has got some money for me; for, to be sure, if I had the heart to go to law with her; if I could but pluck up a spirit; but I was always too meek." All this, uttered in a sort of soliloquy, while Mrs. W. was adjusting her veil, and tying one of her shoes. And so, Madam, I suppose you've something to say to me concerning my property; perhaps the old housekeeper's conscience is worked up at last." "Why, indeed," said Mrs. W. (and she made a pause, remembering that her husband had desired her to communicate conditionally). Oh, then," said Mrs. P. "Mr. Walker has seen Mrs. Tucker, has he,

Madam?" This excellent lady was exceedingly vexed vexed at her own want of management, and she resolved to repair the mischief she had done, by giving a true and yet disagreeable statement, which she knew would send the inflammable Mrs. P. at a distance from, that scent which she wished to conceal. "Mr. W. did see a person in London, who knew her; he told them your present distresses; they spoke highly of your uncle's housekeeper, and said, that she was a woman of excellent principles, and a great comfort to her late master." (Mrs. Potter.) "Oh, ma'am, she was an excellent nurse; she nursed every thing; she nursed his feet and hands in the gout, ma'am ; she nursed the money in his pocket; and after his death, ma'am, she nursed herself into the good opinion of every body." "Your uncle was a bachelor, I think.' Oh, yes, ma'am; and pray, ma'am, if I may make so bold," said Mrs. P., "who is so very well acquainted with my uncle, and his old housekeeper?"

46

What Mr. W. heard, Mrs. P., was quite accidental; and, as you are not in want, there will be no occasion for further exertions." "I have not said, ma'am, that I had no want. I shall be obliged to borrow money of my brewer, to pay my distiller; and perhaps, as I say, I may drink sour beer all next summer, to make the distiller look

Mrs. W. "Well, Mrs. P. I never had that idea of a public-house before; but it is well indeed, that some one is found who will think of the traveller; but, let me advise you, as soon as you have a sufficiency, to think of a retreat." 66 Retreat, indeed, madam; what am I to retreat upon?"

This unprofitable sort of dialogue, determined Mrs. Walker not to say a single word; when she was at once put off her guard, by the loquacious and keen landlady. She kept thinking to herself. "Well; Mr. W. has been to town; he is a meddling kind of man: I should not wonder if he had been and seen my uncle's old housekeeper, and perhaps he has got some money for me; for, to be sure, if I had the heart to go to law with her; if I could but pluck up a spirit; but I was always too meek." All this, uttered in a sort of soliloquy, while Mrs. W. was adjusting her veil, and tying one of her shoes. "And so, Madam, I suppose you've something to say to me concerning my property; perhaps the old housekeeper's conscience is worked up at last."

66

Why, indeed," said Mrs. W. (and she made a pause, remembering that her husband had desired her to communicate conditionally)." Oh, then," said Mrs. P. "Mr. Walker has seen Mrs. Tucker, has he,