176 A RENCONTRE. 



About two or three weeks after this, 

 I was proceeding one evening at a pretty 

 good pace through Highgate archway, the 

 spot where I usually met the mails, six 

 in number, coming out of London, when 

 one of them hailed me to pull up, as 

 he had done. I did so, and imme- 

 diately the door of the Holyhead mail 

 opened ; a gentleman got out, and, coming 

 towards me, placed one foot on my roller- 

 bolt, his left hand holding by my box- 

 iron, I instantly recognised my friend, 

 R. W. Elliston, who hurriedly said, " Give 

 me your hand : I have this day become 

 the lessee of Drury Lane, signed and 

 sealed not two hours ago; now, I look to 

 you to help me all you can so write me 

 a play, and set about it as early as pos- 

 sible." I could not restrain a smile, as 

 he grasped my hand ; though I wished 

 him all the success he could desire in 

 so gigantic an undertaking. He returned 



