THE DOG. 87 



An unexpected meeting. 



and incoherent answers were made to common 

 questions; and soon after, a whispering took 

 place between the two aforementioned persons. 

 At length, however; the guest was shown into a 

 small parlour: a faggot was thrown on the fire, 

 and such refreshments as the house afforded, 

 were preparing; there being no appearance of 

 more favourable weather allowing them to de- 

 part. 



" As the servant-maid was spreading the cloth, 

 a visible tremor shook her frame, so that it was 

 not without difficulty she performed her office. 

 His lordship noticed a certain strangeness of the 

 whole group, but remembering to have heard his 

 servant mention the words ' my lord/ as he 

 alighted from his horse, he naturally imputed 

 this to their having unexpectedly A guest in their 

 house above the rank of those whom they were 

 accustomed to entertain. The awkwardness of 

 intended respect in such cases, and from such 

 persons, will often produce these embarrassments. 

 His lordship having now made up his mind to 

 remain that night, supper was served; when a 

 most unexpected visitor made his appearance. 

 c Good heavens!' exclaimed his lordship, ' is it 

 possible I should find my poor dog alive, and in 

 this place? How wonderful ! How welcome!" 

 He stretched out his hand to caress his long lost 

 favourite; but the dog, after looking earnestly 

 at his ancient master, shrunk from him, and kept 

 aloof, and took the first opportunity of the door 



VOL. 11. NO. X. M 



