A PERFECT GENTLEMAN, 289 



The gentleman sat down with us, and 

 made himself very agreeable ; and I 

 made him as welcome as my house and 

 well -stored wine-cellar would admit. 

 While the wine was going round, he 

 took occasion to exhibit a handsome 

 gold chronometer, which two of my 

 visitors, one a considerable silversmith 

 in the town, the other my wife's brother, 

 who was a good judge of such articles, 

 pronounced to be most valuable; and of 

 course the owner was considered to be a 

 perfect gentleman. When the time arrived 

 he took his departure, telling me he would 

 come over in the morning, pay for the horses, 

 and take them away. 



He came according to his word ; and 

 as I fully expected was about to pay 

 for the horses, instead of which he asked 

 me if I had any objection to take a 

 bill. I certainly thought the request 

 rather an unusual one, but the beautiful 

 gold chronometer was fresh in my vision, 



YOL. i. u 



