KENILWORTH - Penn State University

Sir Walter Scottus.—Uds daggers! I tell thee, man, mine own stock of assurancewas too small to trade upon. I was fain to take in a ton ortwo more of brass at every port where I touched in the voyageof life; and I started overboard what modesty and scruples Ihad remaining, in order to make room for the stowage.”“Nay, nay,” replied Foster, “touching scruples and modesty,you sailed hence in ballast. But who is this gallant, honestMike? —is he a Corinthian—a cutter like thyself?”“I prithee, know Master Tressilian, bully Foster,” repliedLambourne, presenting his friend in answer to his friend’s question,“know him and honour him, for he is a gentleman ofmany admirable qualities; and though he traffics not in myline of business, at least so far as I know, he has, nevertheless, ajust respect and admiration for artists of our class. He will cometo in time, as seldom fails; but as yet he is only a neophyte,only a proselyte, and frequents the company of cocks of thegame, as a puny fencer does the schools of the masters, to seehow a foil is handled by the teachers of defence.”“If such be his quality, I will pray your company in anotherchamber, honest Mike, for what I have to say to thee is forthy private ear.—Meanwhile, I pray you, sir, to abide us inthis apartment, and without leaving it; there be those in thishouse who would be alarmed by the sight of a stranger.”Tressilian acquiesced, and the two worthies left the apartmenttogether, in which he remained alone to await their return.”[See Note 1. Foster, Lambourne, and the Black Bear.]41