NEGOCIATIONS. 309 



bandied about, from one to the other, with- 

 out any satisfactory arrangement. At last 

 I went to my old friend the wine-merchant, 

 whom I have before spoken of, and at 

 whose house I always received the kindest 

 hospitality. I asked him to use the 

 power of his rhetoric with the principal 

 in London in my favour ; he entered 

 warmly into my feelings, for I explained 

 everything to him as regarded my future, 

 and he promised to do all I asked 

 him. 



" I shall be sure to see him," said he ; 

 " and you had better come and dine 

 with me on Sunday, when I will tell 

 you the result." 



Accordingly, I was true to my ap- 

 pointment, and met with a hearty welcome ; 

 but he first told me that he regretted 

 very much he had not been successful, 

 for the man was not going to leave. 



"Well," I replied, "it is very strange; 



