ot invite your information."

"It is my duty to tell, sir; and I must speak."

With which words Jacques paused a moment, enjoying the dreadful
suspense of the concealed gentleman, who seemed about to verify the
proverb that listeners never hear any good of themselves. The closet
groaned.

"I refer to political courses," said Jacques, "and I have heard Tom
speak repeatedly lately of going to Europe."

"To Europe?"

"Yes, sir; in his yacht, armed and prepared."

"Prepared for what?"

"That I don't know, sir; but you may judge yourself. It seems to me
that the arms on board his yacht, the 'Rebecca,' might very well be
used to murder his most gracious Majesty George III., or the great
Grenville Townsend, or other friends of constitutional liberty."

The Doctor absolutely laughed.

"Why, you are too suspicious," he said, "and I cannot believe Thomas
is so bad. He has adopted many of the new ideas, and may go great
lengths; but assassination--that is too absurd. Excuse my plain
speaking," said the worthy Doctor, rising; "and pardon my leaving you,
my young friend. I have some calls to make, and especially to go and
see the young gentlemen who came near fighting a duel yesterday. What
a terribly wild set of youths! Ah! they give me much trouble, and
cause me a great deal of anxiety! Well, sir, good day. I am sorry I
did not see Thomas; please say that I called to speak with him--he is
wrong to hold out against the authorities thus. Good day--good day!"

And the worthy Doctor, who had uttered these sentences while he was
putting on his hat and grasping his stick, issued from the door and
descended.

Jacques put on his hat and followed him--possibly from a desire to
escape the thanks and blessings of Sir Asinus.

In vain did the noble knight charge him, _sotto voce_, from the
closet with perfidy and fear; Jacques was not to be turned back. He
issued forth and mounted his horse.

Sir Asinus appeared at the window like an avenging demon.

"Oh! you villain!" he cried, first assuring himself that Dr. Small had
disappeared; "I will revenge myself!"

"Ah?" said Jacques, settling himself in the saddle and smiling
languidly.

"Yes; you're afraid to remain."

"No, no," remonstrated Jacques.

"You are, sir! I challenge you to return; you have basely maligned my
character. And that duel! You have not condescended to open your mouth
upon that great event of the day, knowing as you did, all the time,
that circumstanc