OUTRAGE 163 



highest estimation by men of all parties in the county of 

 Herts ^ — had just bade me good morning, I replied in the 

 affirmative. 



•' I should like to sit beside you, sir," said he, getting 

 up. 



" I shall feel honoured with your company, although 

 not for the first time, I think." 



I knew his fine veteran features, though age, and long 

 service in the Navy, had wrought some few furrows in 

 his Aveather-beaten cheeks ; and, contrary to my usual 

 custom, I told him my name and the place of my former 

 habitation. 



" Oh, I know you," he exclaimed, " and all your 

 family : I ought to do, for I have frequently had you on 

 my knee when you were an infant. Pray, tell me, do 

 you know my son ? " 



" ]^o, Admiral, I cannot say I do, personally." 



" But yoLi know what has happened ? " 



"Yes," I replied, "and very sorry I feel for him and 

 his connections," 



" You know all about it, then ? " 



The young gentleman had been expelled the University 

 for knocking down one of the proctors when in the 

 exercise of his duty. 



" Do you know what has become of him or where he is 

 gone ? " he inquired. 



" No, I really do not, though the lamentable affair is the 

 general topic of conversation both of Town and Gown." 



He then asked me to stop the up-coaches from Cam- 

 bridge, and inquire if he were among the passengers, 

 ^ The sons of the late N. Calvert, Esq., of Hunsdon. 



