VENISON 71 



I thanked him for his advice, deposited the usual fee, and 

 was about to depart — 



" What's the price of venison now — do you know ? " 

 he asked. 



I answered in some surprise, " No, I do not." 



" What ! have you not had a buck from Whittlebury 

 forest lately ? " 



" No, indeed, Sir Astley." 



He smiled again, as I did, when the cause of the ques- 

 tion suddenlv occurred to me. 



" Well, let me see you again before you go into the 

 country," he added ; and then wished me good morning. 



AVhen I returned and gave an account of my interview, 

 one of my sisters, who had attended my bedside at 

 Kingston, purchased the necessary supply of calico, in 

 which, with the assistance of my father's housekeeper, I 

 was tightly and speedily enveloped. A letter was then 

 despatched to my married sister in Hampshire, to know 

 if it would be convenient for me to take up my abode 

 there for a little time, which was responded to in the 

 same kind and affectionate spirit she had ever evinced for 

 my welfare and comfort. 



After taking a few days to dispose of my lodgings and 

 settle my affairs in St. Martin's Lane, where I had 

 furnished some apartments, I repaired again to Spring 

 Gardens. Sir Astley seemed pleased to see me, and con- 

 gratulated me on my improved condition, adding, I could 

 not do better than follow out his advice. I told him I 

 was about to leave town the following day for Hampshire. 

 " Not into Hertfordshire, then ? " he said, interrogatively. 

 I said, no — Hampshire was my native county. UjDon 



