150 IMPRUDENCE. 



to mark the favour I had done him by 

 partaking of his hospitality, and knowing 

 my time was limited, he finished the en- 

 tertainment with two bottles of excellent 

 claret. He requested me not to hurry my- 

 self, as he had ordered his gig, and would 

 himself drive me to Redbourn, a distance 

 of little more than a mile. Nothing loth, 

 I followed his suggestion, and swallowed 

 glass after glass with considerable gusto. 



Taking my leave of the fair lady, and 

 my friend the steward, I stepped into the 

 gig that was at the door; soon became 

 conscious that I had over-stepped the 

 bounds of prudence. I was, neverthe- 

 less, in full possession of my senses, 

 and in no fear of not keeping my equi- 

 librium. 



Arriving at the inn, I found the coach 

 there, the horses put to, and the passen- 

 gers seated the proprietor, who resided 

 there, looking very serious ; and the 



