rve, Ma'am, that we never fail in
our devotion to the fair sex," said Mr. Jackson.

"Never, Ma'am!" echoed Mr. Smith, "upon my conscience."

"My dear," said the hospitable carpenter, "I dare say Mr. Kneebone and
his friends would be glad of a little refreshment."

"They shall have it, then," replied his better half, rising. "You base
ingrate," she added, in a whisper, as she flounced past Mr. Kneebone on
her way to the door, "how could you bring such creatures with you,
especially on an occasion like this, when we haven't met for a
fortnight!"

"Couldn't help it, my life," returned the gentleman addressed, in the
same tone; "but you little know who those individuals are."

"Lord bless us! you alarm me. Who are they?"

Mr. Kneebone assumed a mysterious air; and bringing his lips close to
Mrs. Wood's ear, whispered, "secret agents from France--you
understand--friends to the cause--hem!"

"I see,--persons of rank!"

Mr. Kneebone nodded.

"Noblemen."

Mr. Kneebone smiled assent.

"Mercy on us! Well, I thought their manners quite out o' the common. And
so, the invasion really is to take place after all; and the Chevalier de
Saint George is to land at the Tower with fifty thousand Frenchmen; and
the Hanoverian usurper's to be beheaded; and Doctor Sacheverel's to be
made a bishop, and we're all to be--eh?"

"All in good time," returned Kneebone, putting his finger to his lips;
"don't let your imagination run away with you, my charmer. That boy," he
added, looking at Thames, "has his eye upon us."

Mrs. Wood, however, was too much excited to attend to the caution.

"O, lud!" she cried; "French noblemen in disguise! and so rude as I was!
I shall never recover it!"

"A good supper will set all to rights," insinuated Kneebone. "But be
prudent, my angel."

"Never fear," replied the lady. "I'm prudence personified. You might
trust me with the Chevalier himself,--I'd never betray him. But why
didn't you let me know they were coming. I'd have got something nice. As
it is, we've only a couple of ducks--and they were intended for you.
Winny, my love, come with me. I shall want you.--Sorry to quit your
lord--worships, I mean,--I don't know what I mean," she added, a little
confused, and dropping a profound curtsey to the disguised noblemen,
each of whom replied by a bow, worthy, in her opinion, of a prince of
the blood at the least,--"but I've a few necessary orders to give
below."

"Don't mind us, Ma'am," said Mr.