go to dinner."

Nicholas Forster appeared in excellent spirits: and Newton, who did not
like to undeceive him, was glad to retire at an early hour, that he
might be left to his own reflections, and form some plan as to their
proceedings in consequence of this unexpected disappointment.

VOLUME TWO, CHAPTER TWELVE.

"Now, by two-headed Janus,
Nature hath framed strange fellows in her time;
Some that will ever more peep through their eyes,
And laugh like parrots at a bagpiper;
And others of such vinegar aspect,
That they'll not show their teeth in way of smile,
Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable."
SHAKESPEARE.

The next forenoon Nicholas and his son left the inn in good time to keep
their appointment. The weather had changed, and the streets through
which they passed were crowded with people who had taken advantage of
the fine weather to prosecute business which had admitted of being
postponed. Nicholas, who stared every way except the right, received
many shoves and pushes, at which he expostulated, without the parties
taking even the trouble to look behind them as they continued their
course. This conduct produced a fit of reverie, out of which he was
soon roused by another blow on the shoulder, which would twist him half
round; and thus he continued in an alternate state of reverie and
excitement, until he was dragged by Newton to his brother's chambers.
The clerk, who had been ordered to admit them, opened the parlour-door,
where they found Mr John Forster, sitting at his table, with his
spectacles on, running through brief.

"Your servant, young man.--Nicholas Forster, I presume," said he, taking
his eyes off the brief, and looking at Forster without rising from his
chair--"How do ye do, brother?"

"Are you my brother John?" interrogated Nicholas.

"I am John Forster," replied the lawyer.

"Well, then, I am really very glad to see you, brother," said Nicholas,
extending his hand, which was taken with a `humph!'--(A minute's pause.)

"Young man, you're ten minutes fast your time," said John, turning to
Newton. "I told you _one o'clock precisely_."

"I am afraid so," replied Newton; "but the streets were crowded, and my
father stopped several times."

"Why did he stop?"

"To expostulate with those who elbowed him: he is not used to it."

"He soon will be, if he stays here long.--Brother Nicholas," said
Forster, turning round, but perceiving that Nicholas had taken up his