lustre of the
Inn.

It was a numerous company there assembled. But their voices fell to a
man on the entry of a stranger. They scrutinised me, not uncivilly,
but closely, seeking my badge, as it were by which to recognise and
judge me ever after.

Mr. Mistrust, as I presently discovered my guide's name indeed to be,
was volubly explaining how I came into his company. They listened
intently to what, so far as I could gather, might be Houyhnhnmish or
Double-Dutch. And then, as if to show me to my place forthwith, a
great fleshy fellow that sat close beside the hearth this summer
evening continued in a loud voice the conversation I had interrupted.

Whereupon Mr. Mistrust with no little confidence commended me in dumb
show to the landlady of the Inn, a Mrs. Nature, if I understood him
aright. This person was still comely, though of uncertain age, wore
cherry ribbons, smiled rather vacantly from vague, wonderful,
indescribable eyes that seemed to change colour, like the chameleon,
according to that they dwelt on.

I am afraid, as much to my amusement as wonder, I discovered that this
landlady of so much apparent _bonhomie_ was a deaf-mute. If victuals,
or drink, or bed were required, one must chalk it down on a little
slate she carried at her girdle for the purpose. Indeed, the absence
of two of her three chief senses had marvellously sharpened the
remaining one. Her eyes were on all, vaguely dwelling, lightly gone,
inscrutable, strangely fascinating. She moved easily and soundlessly
(as fat women may), and I doubt if ever mug or pot of any of that
talkative throng remained long empty, except at the tippler's
reiterated request.

She laid before me an excellent supper on a little table somewhat
removed beside a curtained window. And while I ate I watched, and
listened, not at all displeased with my entertainment.

The room in which we sat was low-ceiled and cheerful, but rather
close after the rainy night-air. Gay pictures beautified the walls.
Here a bottle, a cheese, grapes, a hare, a goblet--in a clear brown
light that made the guest's mouth water to admire. Here a fine
gentleman toasting a simpering chambermaid. Above the chimney-piece a
bloated old man in vineleaves that might be Silenus. And over against
the door of the parlour what I took to be a picture of Potiphar's wife,
she looked out of the paint so bold and beauteous and craftily. Birds
and fishes in cases stared glassily,--owl and kestrel, jack and eel