He pleaded headache; and his friend assured him that a mouthful of food, and a glass of wine, would mend it.

He stated he had business; and Touchwood replied that he could have none but composing his next sermon, and reminded him that it was two days till Sunday.

At length, Mr.Cargill confessed that he had some reluctance again to see the stranger, on whom he had endeavoured with such pertinacity to fix an acquaintance, which he was now well assured existed only in his own imagination.

The traveller treated his scruples with scorn, and said, that guests meeting in this general manner, had no more to do with each other than if they were assembled in a caravansary.
"So that you need not say a word to him in the way of apology or otherwise--or, what will be still better, I, who have seen so much of the world, will make the pretty speech for you." As they spoke, he dragged the divine towards the house, where they were now summoned by the appointed signal, and where the company were assembling in the old saloon already noticed, previous to passing into the dining-room, where the refreshments were prepared.

"Now, Doctor," continued the busy friend of Mr.Cargill, "let us see which of all these people has been the subject of your blunder.