124 CONVIVIAL RESOLUTION. 



in Bruar Lodge. But let us mend our pace, for foul 

 weather is coming on." 



" Ay, you may mend yours, but you will mar mine : 

 have at you, however. I am lighter than I was, and will 

 be more frugal at breakfast another time ; it was that which 

 touched my wind. I must be eating venison pasty and 

 mutton chops, forsooth ; catch me at that again in the 

 morning. I'll match you yet. But by all the gods above, 

 I will make such a dinner this night as shall content my 

 inward man, and distress your menage exceedingly." 



" Never fear, we are tolerably provided." 



And now they were before the rugged walls of old 

 Bruar. Out came a servant with a lighted candle, twink- 

 ling, and vainly contending with the rain and wind. The 

 door at the end of the little passage opened upon a blazing 

 fire of bog- wood and peat ; the table-cloth was invitingly 

 spread. Each before dressing drank a tumbler 



" Di quel buon Claretto, benedetto, 

 Che si spilla in Avignone." 



And here we leave our men to the performance of such 

 convivial deeds as Abernethy abhorred, and Cornaro was 

 an utter stranger to. 



