eeded through
its narrow and winding streets to the Bear Inn, which Brinsmead usually
frequented.

"There is time to present your letters this evening," he observed to
Jack. "When there's business to be done there's nothing like doing it
immediately. It's provoking to find when you have delayed that the
person whom you wished to meet has left the town the morning after your
arrival, when you might have found him had you gone to his abode
immediately."

Jack, nothing loath, prepared himself to call upon Mr Gournay. He
liked old Brinsmead very well in his way; but could not help sighing for
more refined society than his late companions afforded. He therefore
put on his Sunday suit, and made himself as presentable as possible. He
had no difficulty in finding his way to Mr Gournay's handsome and
substantial residence, it being one of the principal mansions in the
place. The great merchant himself was out; but he was admitted into the
presence of the mistress of the family, who received him with a sweet
and matronly grace. She wore her soft brown hair without the addition
of any false curls, a rich grey silk gown woven by the Huguenot weavers
in Spitalfields, a Norwich-crape shawl, and fine Flemish cambric in her
cap, neckerchief, and ruffles. Although it was the custom for ladies of
rank to wear rouge as thick as paste, she wore none. She made many
inquiries after her esteemed friends Mr and Mrs Strelley, as well as
Jack's father and mother, and invited him to remain for their evening
meal, which was to be served as soon as Mr Gournay and the other
gentlemen inmates of their family returned. While they were speaking
four young boys came into the room, whom Mrs Gournay introduced as her
sons. They were followed by a tall and graceful lady in deep mourning,
no longer young, but bearing traces of considerable beauty.

"I must make you known to my friend and inmate Madame de Mertens," said
Mrs Gournay. "She speaks English perfectly, having resided with us for
some years, since she was compelled by the Popish Government of France
to quit her native country."

"Ah, yes; and I have found a happy and quiet home here," said the lady.
"If those I have lost could be restored to me, I would willingly abandon
all hopes of regaining the fortune and estate I once enjoyed. Ah,
Monsieur Deane," she exclaimed, after some further conversation had
passed between them, "how can any English people regret their Popish
king? I a