mark made by the book on the wall of his prison
in Germany), besides running off with a nun, which no Protestant
clergyman would think it proper and right to do nowadays." Then he
added, with seriousness, "Look you, my dear sir, I should lose my
own esteem if I were even to listen to you now with becoming
attention,--now, I say, when you hint that the creed I have professed
may be in the way of my advantage. If so, I must keep the creed and
resign the advantage. But if, as I trust not only as a Christian but a
man of honour, you will defer this discussion, I will promise to listen
to you hereafter; and though, to say truth, I believe that you will not
convert me, I will promise you faithfully never to interfere with my
wife's religion."

"And any children you may have?"

"Children!" said Dr. Riccabocca, recoiling; "you are not contented with
firing your pocket-pistol right in my face! you must also pepper me all
over with small shot. Children! well, if they are girls, let them follow
the faith of their mother; and if boys, while in childhood, let them be
contented with learning to be Christians; and when they grow into men,
let them choose for themselves which is the best form for the practice
of the great principles which all sects have in common."

"But," began Mr. Dale again, pulling a large book from his pocket.

Dr. Riccabocca flung open the window, and jumped out of it.

It was the rapidest and most dastardly flight you could possibly
conceive; but it was a great compliment to the argumentative powers of
the parson, and he felt it as such. Nevertheless, Mr. Dale thought it
right to have a long conversation, both with the squire and Miss
Jemima herself, upon the subject which his intended convert had so
ignominiously escaped.

The squire, though a great foe to Popery, politically considered, had
also quite as great a hatred to renegades and apostates. And in his
heart he would have despised Riccabocca if he could have thrown off
his religion as easily as he had done his spectacles. Therefore he said
simply, "Well, it is certainly a great pity that Rickeybockey is not of
the Church of England; though, I take it, that would be unreasonable to
expect in a man born and bred under the nose of the Inquisition" (the
squire firmly believed that the Inquisition was in full force in all
the Italian States, with whips, racks, and thumbscrews; and, indeed, his
chief information of Italy was gathered from a perusal he ha