of the Old World. 73 



mony incumbrances did not seem to discourage her 

 she was as sweet on me as ever, and presented me 

 with betel-nut and some sweetmeats, both of which 

 I refused. She then offered me the identical flask I 

 had sent her in the morning, which I took, and, just 

 to show her that I was no afraid o' my ain drugs, 

 I raised the bottle to rny lips, lifted it higher and 

 higher, but de'il a drop o' the creature was there in it. 

 'Twas as dry as a bone. I gave the old lady a look 

 from the corner of my eye, but what was my astonish- 

 ment when I saw her apparently in a fit, on the 

 broad o' her back, almost bursting wi' laughter. 

 When she came to herself and could speak, she gave 

 me a gentle hint that a full bottle was better than an 

 empty one, and that the stuff was good, and agreed 

 with her constitution ; so I couldna do less than 

 promise her more. 



" We then got talking together quite familiar-like, 

 and she told me that her daughter was as beautiful as 

 a peri, and was about to be married to the Nawab of 



, at the same time asking me if I had ever seen 



her intended son-in-law. Determined to pay out the 

 daughter, whom I heard joking at my expense wi' the 

 ither lasses, behind a purdah (screen) in the next 

 room, and commenting on my personal appearance in. 

 no verra flattering terms, I pretended to be intimately 

 acquainted wi' the gentleman in question, whom I 

 described to be rather less in stature than myself, and 



