ut what a dear little
child is that Fleta! She may exclaim with you--Who is my father?"

"Yes, we are both in much the same predicament, and that it is which I
believe has so much increased my attachment to her. We are brother and
sister in misfortune, and a sister she ever shall be to me, if such is
the will of Heaven. But we must rise early to-morrow, Tim; so good
night."

"Yes, to-morrow it will be juggle and tumble--eat fire--um--and so on,
as Mr Cophagus would have said; so good night, Japhet."

The next morning we arrayed ourselves in our new habiliments; mine were
silk stockings, shoes, and white kerseymere knee'd breeches, a blue silk
waistcoat loaded with tinsel, and a short jacket to correspond of blue
velvet, a sash round my waist, a hat and a plume of feathers. Timothy
declared I looked very handsome, and as the glass said the same as plain
as it could speak, I believed him. Timothy's dress was a pair of wide
Turkish trowsers and red jacket, with spangles. The others were much
the same. Fleta was attired in small white satin Turkish trowsers, blue
muslin and silver embroidered frock, worked sandals, and her hair
braided and plaited in long tails behind, and she looked like a little
sylph. Melchior's dress was precisely the same as mine, and a more
respectable company was seldom seen. Some musicians had been hired, and
handbills were now circulated all over the town, stating that Signor
Eugenio Velotti, with his company, would have the honour of performing
before the nobility and gentry. The bill contained the fare which was
to be provided, and intimated the hour of the performance, and the
prices to be paid for the seats. The performance was to take place in a
very large room attached to the inn, which, previous to the decadence of
the town, had been used as an assembly-room. A platform was erected on
the outside, on which were placed the musicians, and where we all
occasionally made our appearance in our splendid dresses to attract the
wonder of the people. There we strutted up and down, all but poor
little Fleta, who appeared to shrink at the display, from intuitive
modesty. When the music ceased, a smart parley between Melchior and me,
and Philotas and Timothy, as the two fools, would take place; and
Melchior declared, after the performance was over, that we conducted
ourselves to admiration.

"Pray, Mr Philotas, do me the favour to tell me how many people you
think are now present?" sai