"Pray let me judge of your skill for myself." I was about to oblige him, when a loud dispute arose outside, French ejaculations mingling with English oaths.

Then came a scuffle.

With a hurried apology, the gentleman sprang to his feet and rushed out.

I went on with my supper, supposing that his servants had fallen into some altercation with the landlord and that the parties could not make one another understand.

My conjecture was confirmed when the traveller returned, declaring that the quarrel arose over the capacity of a measure of wine and had been soon arranged.