INVITATION. 179 



it with every comfort, and formed a 

 respectable establishment. This was in- 

 tended only as a temporary resi- 

 dence, as he advertised in the provincial 

 papers that he wanted to purchase an 

 estate of some magnitude, in either 

 of the Counties of Oxon, Warwick, or 

 Bucks. 



As our intercourse was frequent, we 

 became on familiar terms ; and after 

 repeated invitations to accompany him 

 to his residence, I promised com- 

 pliance. Accordingly, on a stated day, 

 leaving a deputy to take the return 

 coach, I got off at Weedon, and 

 walked from thence to his house. I 

 met with a hearty welcome, and, after 

 showing me his horses, four in number, 

 apparently of the most valuable descrip- 

 tion, his lawns and conservatory, then 

 his library and cellar, we sat down to 

 a dinner, as recherche as such a distance 



N2 



