Let me now advance to particulars, and describe how I came to hear the first story in the present collection.

I begin with it because it is the story that I have oftenest "rehearsed," to borrow a phrase from the stage.

Wherever I go, I am sooner or later sure to tell it.

Only last night, I was persuaded into repeating it once more by the inhabitants of the farmhouse in which I am now staying.
Not many years ago, on returning from a short holiday visit to a friend settled in Paris, I found professional letters awaiting me at my agent's in London, which required my immediate presence in Liverpool.

Without stopping to unpack, I proceeded by the first conveyance to my new destination; and, calling at the picture-dealer's shop, where portrait-painting engagements were received for me, found to my great satisfaction that I had remunerative employment in prospect, in and about Liverpool, for at least two months to come.