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THE BATTLE OF LIFE. 305
He might have pursued this metaphysical subject but for her catching a glimpse of a substantial fact behind him, in the shape of a gentleman attired in mourning, and cloaked and booted like a rider on horseback, who stood at the bar-door. He seemed attentive to their conversation, and not at all impatient to interrupt it.
Clemency hastily rose at this sight. Mr. Britain also rose and saluted the guest. " Will you please to walk up stairs, Sir ? There's a very nice room up stairs, Sir."
" Thank you," said the stranger, looking earnestly at Mr. Britain's wife. "May I come in here?"
"Oh, surely, if you like, Sir," returned Clemency, admitting him. "What would you please to want, Sir?"
The bill had caught his eye, and he was reading it.
" Excellent property that, Sir," observed Mr. Britain.
He made no answer; but turning round, when he had finished reading, looked at Clemency with the same observant curiosity as before. "You were asking me," he said, still looking at her—
"What you would please to take. Sir," answered Clemency, stealing a glance at him in return.
" If you will let me have a draught of ale," he said, moving to a table by the window, "and will let me have it here, without being any interruption to your meal, I shall be much obliged to you."
He sat down as he spoke, without any further parley, and looked out at the prospect. He was an easy, well-knit figure of a man in the prime of life. His face, much browned by the sun, was shaded by a quantity of dark hair; and he wore a moustache. His beer being set before him, he filled out a glass, and drank, good-humouredly, to the house; adding, as he put the tumbler down again :
"It's a new house, is it not ?"
"Not particularly new, Sir," replied Mr. Britain.
" Between five and six years old," said Clemency: speaking very distinctly.
" I think I heard you mention Doctor Jeddler's name, as I came in," inquired the stranger. " That bill reminds me of him ; for I happen to know something of that story, by hearsay, and through certain connections of mine.—Is the old man living ?"
" Yes, he's living, Sir," said Clemency.
" Much changed ?"
" Since when, Sir ?" returned Clemency, with remarkable emphasis and expression.
"Since his daughter—went away."
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