MATRIMONY AND MOONSHINE. 307 



eight the lady seventeen dark eyes clear complexion regular 

 features, &c." 



" Now, I'll be whipped/' cried the hostler, " if the gemman be* 

 an't after those as were robbed last night." 



" Hush/' whispered the more kind-hearted chambermaid, who 

 always sympathized with those travelling a road for which she her- 

 self felt an intuitive affection. "Don't spoil sport." 



But the arrival of the hostess decided the lover's fate. In deliver- 

 ing them over to the Philistines, she secured, as she thought, not 

 only the payment of her bill ; but put an end, at once, to their de- 

 mands upon her exchequer, which she had just listened to with any 

 thing but complacency. Mr. Robinson was accordingly ushered 

 into their presence ; and declaring the object of his journey, called 

 upon Jemima to accompany him to London, in obedience to her 

 mother's commands. 



What was to be done ? 



" Surely Mr. Robinson," said Jemima, taking him aside, and 

 lowering her voice to a whisper, " ma'ma cannot be in earnest !" 



" Why, then, has she sent me here ?" 



<e But she cannot be in earnest, depend upon it." 



" Why, to speak the truth," said Robinson, " such a suspicion 

 has crossed my mind ; but she insisted so peremptorily on my com- 

 ing after you, and seemed to dread so much the anger of my lord, 

 and Sir Pedigree " 



" It is her way, Sir !" interrupted the young lady. " Ma'ma likes 

 to talk so ; but she would be sorry to see me back, for all that, and 

 would feel but little obliged to you for your zeal." 



" But my responsibility ?" said Robinson, evidently shaken in his 

 purpose I cannot take it on myself breach of trust action will lie 

 damages quite impossible I am sorry ; but the responsibility '' 



" But, but," muttered Jemima, as she was beginning to concoct 

 in her fruitful imagination, some plan by which Mr. Robinson's re- 

 sponsibility and scruples might be removed ; when who should stalk 

 into the room but Sir Pedigree MacDusty himself! 



CHAP. IV. AN UNFRIENDLY RELATION. 



SIR Pedigree had arrived at the inn whilst on one of his periodical 

 journeys to the British Metropolis ; and soon learned enough of what 

 was going on up-stairs, to justify his interference. 



" So, Miss Jemima," said he, addressing his young relative, "you 

 were anxious to breath the keen air of the north it seems, and must 

 needs be accompanied by an adventurous knight. And pray, if I 

 may be so bold as to ask, what is the young gentleman's name ?" 



" Evergreen," answered our hero, " I am not ashamed of my 

 name." 



"Evergreen. It should be a durable one certainly," continued 

 the baronet, " though I don't remember to have met with it at the 

 Herald's College.'' 



" It is well known in the City, notwithstanding," interrupted 

 Evergreen. 



