CAMBRIDGE 91 



the latter. And my companion would not allow me long 

 to indulge in any such ruminations, but took me at once, 

 after passing two or three narrow, dirty streets, to a house 

 of a very mean appearance at no great distance. I did 

 certainly venture to ask the name of the hotel where we 

 Avere to discuss the promised meal, while looking round 

 to discover something like one ; but all I had in reply 

 was, " Never mind, young man, come along with me." 

 Entering the house, and ascending from the ground floor, 

 which seemed occupied by a noisy and not very sweet- 

 smelling community, we found a room fronting the 

 street, rather bare of furniture, but very clean, having 

 a table very neatly spread, and disclosing nothing ob- 

 jectionable to a man intent on — chiefly and primarily 

 — satisfying his appetite. The dinner was served, 

 and there was no necessity for asking me if it were 

 to my taste. 



We were waited on by a tall, matronly- looking woman, 

 about the age of forty. The remains of beauty, faded like 

 her dress, huno; about her, and there was a taciturnitv in 

 her manner very uncommon in females who occupy the 

 position of either mistress or maid in places of public 

 resort. I observed that my companion spoke to her in 

 very familiar terms, though they ^v^ere by no means 

 improper ; and 1 also remarked that she always answered 

 him with a monosyllable. There was something about 

 the female that interested me, and, when removing 

 the cloth, her staid and studied manner awakened mv 

 curiosity. 



This was not unobserv'ed by my companion. 



" Don't you know her, young man ? " he inquired. 



