to-night. His Lordship is very impatient of delay."
"Pray," said the Doctor, who had not much heeded this turn in the conversation, and was now 'on hospitable cares intent;'—"Pray, Sir, if not impertinent, are you visiting, or lodging in the neighbourhood; or, will you take a bed with us?"
"You are extremely kind, my dear Sir, but I fear I must soon wish you good evening. I have to look after a little property I have some miles hence, which, indeed, brought me down into this part of the world."
"Property—in what direction, Sir, if I may ask?" quoth the Doctor; "I know the country for miles."
"Do you, indeed?—where's my property, you say? Why, it is rather difficult to describe it, and it is, after all, a mere trifle; it is only some common-land near the high-road, and I came down to try the experiment of hedging and draining."
"'Tis a good plan, if one has capital, and does not require a speedy return."
"Yes; but one likes a good interest for the loss of principle, and a speedy return is always de-
