THE THREE RAVENS. 483 



" Sir: I am instructed by my client, Mr. Simon Raven, to acquaint 

 you, that unless you instantly fulfil your engagements with Miss 

 L Niobe Raven, proceedings will be commenced against you. 

 " I remain your obedient servant, 



" CAYMAN STOAT." 



It may be unnecessary to state, that this epistle acted as an aperient 

 upon the linendraper's mouth and eyes ; indeed, so marvellously 

 were they extended by wonder, that his face for the time lost that 

 significant sagacity of expression which some have been pleased to 

 ascribe to it. His first impulse, however, when reason was partially 

 restored to him, was to re-peruse the document which, in the first in- 

 stance, had so strangely discomposed his equanimity ; and now he 

 became tossed about in a sea of doubts and fears, out of which he 

 emerged with a wet skin (for he was now perspiring copiously), to 

 wander in a mazy labyrinth of conjecture. What could this letter 

 mean ? what engagements had he ever contracted with Miss Niobe 

 Raven ? What proceedings were to be had against him in conse- 

 quence of his non-fulfilment' of this mysterious contract ? Oh ! it 

 was a joke a pleasant deceit practised upon him a funny thing, 

 contrived by that arch wag Raven, and that rum fellow Stoat. But 

 soft ! Raven was any thing but an arch wag, and not the least like a 

 rum fellow was Stoat. Conscience came to his aid at this juncture, 

 a powerful auxiliary at all times, but particularly efficient as an agent 

 to smooth down the ruffled soul of Nonsuch at the present moment. 

 " Never !" and he arose with dignity ; " never in thought, word, or 

 deed, have I trifled with the peace of Miss Raven ; never have I gone 

 about to blight the happiness of that young lady." 



Nonsuch was soothed and somewhat affected by the speech he had 

 just concluded ; and, taking his hat, he proceeded through the pas- 

 sage to the private door. " I will see Stoat, instantly, at all events," 

 said he, " and learn what this letter means." 



The fresh air slightly cooled his feverish gills, as, standing for a 

 moment at the door, he sucked in a draught of the salubrious ele- 

 ment ; and now he went his way towards the residence of the attor- 

 ney, with a studied and difficult steadiness, as of a conscious drunkard, 

 purposely avoiding a glance at the opposite window, where he felt 

 assured two evil eyes were employed in taking his likeness in one 

 minute upon their several retinas. It was, as I have said, a fine even- 

 ing; and doubtless the genial influence of the air and sky contributed 

 to calm his inward perturbation ; and by the time he had reached 

 the field, which it was necessary to cross ere he might arrive at 

 Stoat's door, a sentiment of tranquil peace was glowing in the bosom 

 of Nonsuch. 



It was a pretty paddock, over the sward of which he was now has- 

 tening ; and yet at times he lingered for the scene invited admira- 

 tion. A few cows were picturesquely grouped in reclining attitudes, 

 making, as it were, side faces as they ruminated ; standing silently 

 at right angles, the head of one resting over the neck of the other, were 

 two horses, looking like one clothes-horse ; and by the side of the 



