used, nay terrified, with these proceedings, how was I
overpowered when the next-breathed wish brought from his pocket three
riding horses. I tell you, three great and noble steeds, with saddles
and appurtenances! Imagine for a moment, I pray you, three saddled
horses from the same pocket which had before produced a pocket-book, a
telescope, an ornamented carpet twenty paces long and ten broad, a
pleasure-tent of the same size, with bars and iron-work! If I did not
solemnly assure you that I had seen it, with my own eyes, you would
certainly doubt the narrative.

Though there was so much of embarrassment and humility in the man, and he
excited so little attention, yet his appearance to me had in it something
so appalling, that I was not able to turn away my eyes from him. At last
I could bear it no longer.

I determined to steal away from the company; and this was easy for one
who had acted a part so little conspicuous. I wished to hasten back to
the city, and to return in pursuit of my fortune the following morning to
Mr. J., and if I could muster up courage enough, to inquire something
about the extraordinary grey man. Oh, had I been thus privileged to
escape!

I had hastily glided through the rose-grove, descended the hill, and
found myself on a wide grassplot, when, alarmed with the apprehension of
being discovered wandering from the beaten path, I looked around me with
enquiring apprehension. How was I startled when I saw the old man in the
grey coat behind, and advancing towards me! He immediately took off his
hat, and bowed to me more profoundly than any one had ever done before.
It was clear he wished to address me, and without extreme rudeness I
could not avoid him. I, in my turn, uncovered myself, made my obeisance,
and stood still with a bare head, in the sunshine, as if rooted there. I
shook with terror while I saw him approach; I felt like a bird fascinated
by a rattlesnake. He appeared sadly perplexed, kept his eyes on the
ground, made several bows, approached nearer, and with a low and
trembling voice, as if he were asking alms, thus accosted me:--

"Will the gentleman forgive the intrusion of one who has stopt him in
this unusual way? I have a request to make, but pray pardon . . ."--"In
the name of heaven, Sir!" I cried out in my anguish, "what can I do for
one who--" We both started back, and methought both blushed deeply.

After a momentary silence he again began: "During the short ti