Mine shall therefore set forth the various schemes you have communicated to me, of landing ten thousand soldiers from the Isle of Man upon the coast of Lancashire; and marching into Wales, to join the ten thousand pilgrims who are to be shipped from Spain; and so completing the destruction of the Protestant religion, and of the devoted city of London.

Truly, I think such a Narrative, well spiced with a few horrors, and published _cum privilegio parliamenti_, might, though the market be somewhat overstocked, be still worth some twenty or thirty pieces." "You seem to know me, sir," said Peveril; "and if so, I think I may fairly ask you your purpose in thus bearing me company, and the meaning of all this rhapsody.

If it be mere banter, I can endure it within proper limit; although it is uncivil on the part of a stranger.

If you have any farther purpose, speak it out; I am not to be trifled with." "Good, now," said the stranger, laughing, "into what an unprofitable chafe you have put yourself! An Italian _fuoruscito_, when he desires a parley with you, takes aim from behind a wall, with his long gun, and prefaces his conference with _Posso tirare_.

So does your man-of-war fire a gun across the bows of a Hansmogan Indiaman, just to bring her to; and so do I show Master Julian Peveril, that, if I were one of the honourable society of witnesses and informers, with whom his imagination has associated me for these two hours past, he is as much within my danger now, as what he is ever likely to be." Then, suddenly changing his tone to serious, which was in general ironical, he added, "Young man, when the pestilence is diffused through the air of a city, it is in vain men would avoid the disease, by seeking solitude, and shunning the company of their fellow-sufferers." "In what, then, consists their safety ?" said Peveril, willing to ascertain, if possible, the drift of his companion's purpose.
"In following the counsels of wise physicians;" such was the stranger's answer.
"And as such," said Peveril, "you offer me your advice ?" "Pardon me, young man," said the stranger haughtily, "I see no reason I should do so .-- I am not," he added, in his former tone, "your fee'd physician--I offer no advice--I only say it would be wise that you sought it." "And from whom, or where, can I obtain it ?" said Peveril.