heck for
the full amount. The next morning, the packet was to sail at nine
o'clock. We were in good time, and as soon as Lady R--was on board she
went down into the cabin. Her maid asked me for the bottle of salts
which I had purposely left under the sofa pillow at the Ship Hotel. I
told her that I had left it, and as there was plenty of time would run
and fetch it. I did so, but contrived not to be back until the steamer
had moved away from the pier, and her paddles were in motion. I called
out `Stop, stop,' knowing of course that they would not, although they
were not twenty yards away. I saw Lady R--'s maid run to the captain
and speak to him, but it was of no use, and thus I was left behind,
without Lady R--having any suspicion that it was intentional on my part.

"I waited at the pier till the packet was about two miles off, and then
walked away from the crowd of people who were bothering me with advice
how to proceed, so that I might join my mistress at Calais. I returned
to the hotel for a portion of my clothes which I had not sent on board
of the packet, but had left in charge of the boots, and then sat down in
the tap to reflect upon what I should do. My first object was to get
rid of my sugar-loaf buttons, for I hated livery, Miss Valerie; perhaps
it was pride, but I could not help it. I walked out till I came to a
slop-seller's, as they call them at seaports, and went in; there was
nothing hanging up but seamen's clothes, and on reflection, I thought I
could not do better than to dress as a sailor; so I told the man that I
wanted a suit of sailor's clothes.

"`You want to go to sea, I suppose,' said the man, not guessing exactly
right, considering that I just refused to embark.

"However, I bargained first for a complete suit, and then sold him my
liveries, exchanging my dress in the back parlour. I then returned to
the tap, obtained my other clothes, and as soon as the coach started,
got outside and arrived in London. I called upon you at this house, and
found that you were in the country, and then I resolved that I would go
down to Culverwood Hall."

"And now you must leave off, Lionel, for the present," said I, "for I
must go out with Lady M--. Come to-morrow, early, and I shall have
leisure to hear the rest of your story."

The following morning Lionel returned and resumed his history.

"Miss Valerie, little things often give you more trouble than greater;
and I had more difficulty to f