The _deaf and dumb_, alone, are excluded from improvement; and surely their situation is not so enviable that we should imitate them." At this illustration, which awakened a startling echo in Peveril's bosom, the young man looked hard at his companion; but in the composed countenance, and calm blue eye, he read no consciousness of a farther meaning than the words immediately and directly implied.

He paused a moment, and then answered, "You seem to be a person, sir, of shrewd apprehension; and I should have thought it might have occurred to you, that in the present suspicious times, men may, without censure, avoid communication with strangers.

You know not me; and to me you are totally unknown.

There is not room for much discourse between us, without trespassing on the general topics of the day, which carry in them seeds of quarrel between friends, much more betwixt strangers.

At any other time, the society of an intelligent companion would have been most acceptable upon my solitary ride; but at present----" "At present!" said the other, interrupting him.