ng to go
there a month or two ago I was tempted to take up my quarters at the inn.
A very nice inn it is, and the landlady a very agreeable woman, and her
daughters very agreeable young ladies."

"Is this the first time you have been at Bala?"

"Yes, the first time. I had heard a good deal about it, and wished to
see it. So to-day, having the offer of a vehicle at a cheap rate, I came
over with two or three other gents, amongst whom is Doctor Jones."

"Dear me," said I, "is Doctor Jones in Bala?"

"Yes," said the stout man. "Do you know him?"

"Oh yes," said I, "and have a great respect for him; his like for
politeness and general learning is scarcely to be found in Britain."

"Only think," said the stout man. "Well, I never heard that of him
before."

Wishing to see my sleeping room before I got my dinner, I now rose and
was making for the door, when it opened, and in came Doctor Jones. He
had a muffler round his neck, and walked rather slowly and
disconsolately, leaning upon a cane. He passed without appearing to
recognise me, and I, thinking it would be as well to defer claiming
acquaintance with him till I had put myself a little to rights, went out
without saying anything to him. I was shown by the freckled maid to a
nice sleeping apartment, where I stayed some time adjusting myself. On
my return to the coffee-room I found the doctor sitting near the
fire-place. The stout man had left the room. I had no doubt that he had
told Doctor Jones that I had claimed acquaintance with him, and that the
doctor, not having recollected me, had denied that he knew anything of
me, for I observed that he looked at me very suspiciously.

I took my former seat, and after a minute's silence said to Doctor Jones,
"I think, sir, I had the pleasure of seeing you some time ago at Cerrig
Drudion?"

"It's possible, sir," said Doctor Jones in a tone of considerable
hauteur, and tossing his head so that the end of his chin was above his
comforter, "but I have no recollection of it."

I held my head down for a little time, then raising it and likewise my
forefinger, I looked Doctor Jones full in the face and said, "Don't you
remember talking to me about Owen Pugh and Coll Gwynfa?"

"Yes, I do," said Doctor Jones in a very low voice, like that of a person
who deliberates; "yes, I do. I remember you perfectly, sir," he added
almost immediately in a tone of some animation; "you are the gentleman
with whom I had a very int