THE MONK AND HIS SNUFF-BOX. 



227 



"'I should think,' said the lady, Mie is not likely.' 



I blushed in my turn ; but from what motives, I leave 

 to the few who feel to analyze. ' Excuse me, madam,' replied 

 I, 'I treated him most unkindly, and from no provocations.' 



u *'Tis impossible,' said the lady. 



"'My God!' cried the monk, with a warmth of assevera- 

 tion which seemed not to bel< ng to him, 'the fault was in 

 me, and in the indiscretion of my zeal.' 



" The lady opposed if, and 1 joined with her in maintain- 

 ing it was impossible, that a spirit so regulated as his could 

 give offence to any. I knew not that contention could be 

 rendered so sweet and pleasurable a thing to the nerves as I 

 then felt it. We remained silent, without any sensation of 

 that foolish pain which takes place when, iu a circle, you look 

 for ten minutes in one another's faces without paying a word. 



" Whilst this lasted, the monk rubb'd his horn box upon 



HORN SNUFF-BOXES. 



the sleeve of his tunic; and as soon as it had acquired a 

 little air of brightness by the friction, he made a low bow 

 and said, 'twas too late to say whether it was the weakness 

 or goodness of our tempers which had involved us in this 

 contest, but be it as it would, he beggVl we would exchange 

 boxes. In saying this, he presented this to me with one, as 

 he took mine from me in the other; and having kissed it, 

 with a stream of good nature in his eyes, he put it into his 

 bosom, and took his leave. I guard this box as I would the 

 instrumental parts of my religion, to help my mind on to 

 something better : in truth I seldom go abroad without it ; 



