Had he been acquainted with the signification of that word, his triumph would have been intolerable, and we must have quitted the field first, or been worried with impertinence." Having thus gratified my curiosity, the old gentleman began to discover his own, in questions relating to myself, to which I thought proper to return ambiguous answers.

"I presume, Sir," said he, "you have travelled." I answered, "Yes." "I dare say you have found it very expensive," said he.

I replied, "To be sure, one cannot travel without money." "That I know by experience," said he, "for I myself take a trip to Bath or Tunbridge every season; and one must pay sauce for what he has on the road, as well in other countries as in this.

That's a pretty stone in your ring--give me leave, sir--the French have attained to a wonderful skill in making compositions of this kind.

Why, now, this looks almost as well as a diamond." "Almost as well, Sir!" said I, "Why not altogether?
I am sure if you understand anything of jewels, you must perceive, at first sight, that this stone is a real diamond, and that of a very fine water.