1829.] a Legend of London. 28) 
At this observation, there was a general outcry, some declaring he 
would not do as he said, others that he could not ; and some, presuming 
on long intimacy with him, or on their greater advance in years, vowed 
he should not. 
« And we'll see that, my merry masters, in an eye-twinkle,” cried 
Lessomour, “for here comes the dame back as if to my wish;” and 
with that, to the no small wonderment of his friends, he started from his 
seat, and clapping his cap upon one side of his head, hurried out of the 
door, and posted himself on the middle of the path, whereon Dame 
Alice with a few attendants was returning: he staid there, till she came 
within two or three paces of him, and then drew back to make way for 
her—she looked up, and their eyes met, and, bowing as gracefully as he 
could, which was not indifferently, he drew hack still farther. Mrs. 
Alice turned with the intent to cross the road, but some horsemen riding 
by at the moment prevented her from doing sa; whereupon Master 
Lessomour, stepping to her side, said “ Fair dame, will you let a stranger 
do his poor duty here, and see you safe over.” She curtsied, and accepted 
the arm he offered her ; and after escorting her across the road, where 
they again exchanged courtesies, he left her, and joined his companions, 
who from the window had beheld with astonishment his bold gallantry, 
They conspired to attack him with a good deal of bantering and raillery 
upon his exploit; but he was in such high spirits at the good success of 
it, and so well pleased with the way in which he had acquitted himself, 
that he fairly turned the tables upon them ; or if, literally speaking, he 
did not do that, they pretty nearly did it for themselves ; for in the 
course of two hours there was not one of the party, with the exception 
of Master Lessomour, who was too merry to get drunk, and of Master 
Andrews, on whom liquor had no more effect than on a sponge, only 
making him heavy: with these exceptions, there wag not one who did 
not turn himself under the table. 
Martyn dreamed all night of the lovely widow, and rose next morning 
at the first break of dawn. He proceeded immediately to rummage over 
all his mails, a process he went through three or four times before he 
could fix upon what suit of clothes he should array himself in. Having 
at last chosen one, which he thought the handsomest, and the best cal- 
culated to show off his figure to advantage, he began to dress himself 
therein; but before he had got half through his toilet, it occurred to 
him that the suit he had chosen being a very gaudy one, was not the 
most suitable for the visit he intended to make ; he therefore picked out 
one of a more sober cast, in which he finally clethed himself to his 
heart’s content. It consisted of a sad-coloured doublet, breeches and 
hosen ; the greater part of which, except the sleeves of the former, were 
concealed by a long cloth coat or robe, of a deep claret hue, hanging 
down nearly to his heels: this outer garment was open up the front, 
and fastened at the top with three silver buttons ; there were no sleeves 
in it, but large apertures to let the arms through, which, together with 
the bottom, front and neck, were trimmed with a broadish border o. 
silver lace: upon his head he wore a high peaked hood, with a long and 
full tail hanging from it, of the same materials and colour as his robe ; 
and a pair of pointed shoes completed his dress. He then selected a few 
ieces of black and grey bombacyne, as the species of silk then chiefly 
ufactured in Sicily was termed, which he had himself brought home ¢ 
his last voyage, and tied them up with a silken cord—and having 
M.M. New Serics—Vo1. VII. No. 39. 20 
