'If I have taken any uncommon course to get admission to you, I hope I shall be pardoned on that account.' 'Well! we shall see; we shall see,' returned Sir John, whose face cleared up when he saw who it was, and whose prepossessing smile was now restored.

'I am sure we have met before,' he added in his winning tone, 'but really I forget your name ?' 'My name is Gabriel Varden, sir.' 'Varden, of course, Varden,' returned Sir John, tapping his forehead.
'Dear me, how very defective my memory becomes! Varden to be sure--Mr Varden the locksmith.

You have a charming wife, Mr Varden, and a most beautiful daughter.

They are well ?' Gabriel thanked him, and said they were.
'I rejoice to hear it,' said Sir John.

'Commend me to them when you return, and say that I wished I were fortunate enough to convey, myself, the salute which I entrust you to deliver.