quote authorities, and statutes, to prove to mine host that an action upon the case would lie, if he refused to receive guests. But, luckily, his teeth chattered so with cold, that it was impossible to understand him; and he was so benumbed, as to be deprived not only of his usual technical volubility, but almost of the power of speech.

The landlord was one of those thorough John Bulls, that any thing like a threat would have so exasperated him, that nothing could have induced him to open his doors.

The postillions, however, judged better than Quill, as to the mode in which their suit should be carried on.-" "Why, Measter;" said one of them; "the gemman be very sorry to call ye up; but we ha' lost our weay over that eer common ! The fog be so terrible thick, there's noa zeeing the length o' one's noase ;-so we got upzet, and the gemman's as wet as muck. Besides, he woant gi nou trouble,

but what he peays for; aye, and peays like a lord!"

This last sentence of the post-boys made a considerable, though different impression, both upon the landlord and upon Quill. Upon mine host it was very perceptible in his altered tone. "Dear me; I be very sorry to hear his honour is wet through!-I should be worse than a heathen, if I did not let him in! If his honour will but wait a minute, while I strike a bit of a light, I'll be with him in a twinkling!" In short, the impression produced on the landlord, was, that he had got what he called "a monstrous good job."

But Quill began to suspect he had got what he called "a monstrous bad job!" Suppose, thought he, Mr. Willoughby has got scent of the affair without me; a precious nonsuit I shall have of it; and with all costs. I have been paying like a lord, thinking I was spending another man's money; and, I suppose, this rascally innkeeper will make me pay again like a lord!

The door was now opened, and after some little delay Quill was put into a warm bed. He took a glass of brandy and water; and then, fatigued and exhausted, soon fell asleep.

His sleep, however, was far from being composed and refreshing. After two or three hours' restless and agitated slumber, he awoke with a sore throat, pains in all his limbs, and very formidable symptoms of cold and fever. These continued to increase so much, that he was under the necessity of calling in medical assistance.

The apothecary of the town came, and made Quill almost crazy; as with a long face, he assured him, it would be impossible for him to travel in less than a week, or perhaps a fortnight; and that unless the greatest care was taken, the consequences might prove fatal.

After three or four days' confinement, Quill seemed to be going on as favourably as could be reasonably expected; when

a circumstance occurred which occasioned a relapse, and greatly retarded his recovery. The landlord, who was a good natured sort of man, and like the rest of his calling, not at all averse to a little gossip, generally came up every morning to inquire after the health of his guest, and to amuse him with the news he had collected. One morning, after the usual inquiry respecting Quill's health, he said, "I have a bit of news, Sir, that I think will give you great pleasure! Your friend there, Squire Willoughby, is a proper lucky dog!" "Mr. Willoughby lucky!" said Quill, raising himself in bed, with the greatest eagerness; "How? What do you mean?"

"Why" returned the landlord, imagining that Quill's anxiety arose from his friendship, and his interest in Mr. Willoughby's welfare; "Why, he has been informed that he is heir to all the grand estate of Squire Forbes; that they had found out a flaw in"

"It is all up! It is all up!" interrupted Quill, in a tone of despair; and then, springing up with a convulsive energy, thrusting his clenched fist close to the landlord's face, and looking fiercely at him, he furiously exclaimed; "Are you sure? Are you sure, you rascal? Or are you playing off some trick?"

Mine host was so alarmed at the lawyer's frantic gestures, and exclamations, that, jolly and corpulent as he was, he made but two steps to the door, and waddled down stairs, as fast as he could, roaring with all his might, "Here! help! Tom! Sally! Dick! help! the gemman's as mad as a march hare!" His vociferations soon brought up the ostler and the maid, and all the people drinking in the tap-room; the landlady ran over the way to call the apothecary. Quill, in the mean time, had sunk down upon the bed quite exhausted, and had recovered from the violent paroxysm into which he had been thrown. He was