My answer was frank--that the disappearance of a noble lady from the house of her friends had caused the greatest excitement in the metropolis, and that my employers were anxious to give the public every particular regarding an event so singular.
"'And do you mean to say, sir, that you have dogged me all the way from London, and that my family affairs are to be published for the readers of the Morning Tatler newspaper?
The Morning Tatter be -- --( the Captain here gave utterance to an oath which I shall not repeat) and you too, sir; you unpudent meddling scoundrel.' "'Scoundrel, sir!' said I.'Yes,' replied the irate gentleman, seizing me rudely by the collar--and he would have choked me, but that my blue satin stock and false collar gave way, and were left in the hands of this GENTLEMAN.

'Help, landlord!' I loudly exclaimed, adding, I believe, 'murder,' and other exclamations of alarm.

In vain I appealed to the crowd, which by this time was pretty considerable; they and the unfeeling post-boys only burst into laughter, and called out, 'Give it him, Captain.' A struggle ensued, in which I have no doubt I should have had the better, but that the Captain, joining suddenly in the general and indecent hilarity, which was doubled when I fell down, stopped and said, 'Well, Jims, I won't fight on my marriage-day.

Go into the tap, Jims, and order a glass of brandy-and-water at my expense--and mind I don't see your face to-morrow morning, or I'll make it more ugly than it is.' "With these gross expressions and a cheer from the crowd, Mr.
Silvertop entered the inn.

I need not say that I did not partake of his hospitality, and that personally I despise his insults.