CHAPTER XXV.

UXBRIDGE.-THE COUNTRY

MANAGER.

A REAL, thorough-bred man of business as he hies in the morning to his countinghouse, never deviates right nor left, but presses still onwards, leaving the quidnuncs to their enquiries and the idlers to their lounge; and when he has reached the destined spot, he, without preamble, enters upon the concerns of the day. Emulous of following so praise-worthy an example, as much remains for me to say and to do, I shall, without any preliminary discourse, treat the opening chapter of this volume as if it were a common one, and at once resume the thread of my narrative.

VOL. II.

SCARCELY had I concluded my meal, when the door of my apartment opens, and Ecce iterumCrispinus, in other words, the gentleman in the green coat and crimson pantaloons once more re-appears. The intrusion was to me far from pleasant, but he, unnoticing my frowns, with his usual impudence, steps up in as familiar a manner as if nothing had happened.

Well, Mr. Ererf, now that this little miff is over, I hope we shall be as good friends as before."

"I am sorry, Sir, you feel so little shame for the vile action you have committed."

"Poh, poh! don't talk of shame to a player; he can hardly live with all his impudence shame would quite starve him. But come, to shew you that I