CHAPTER XXIV.
The Alehouse Keeper--Compassion for the Rich--Old English Gentleman--How is this ?--Madeira--The Greek Parr--Twenty Languages--Whiter's Health--About the Fight--A Sporting Gentleman--The Flattened Nose--Lend us that Pightle--The Surly Nod.
"Holloa, master! can you tell us where the fight is likely to be ?" Such were the words shouted out to me by a short thick fellow, in brown top-boots, and bare-headed, who stood, with his hands in his pockets, at the door of a country alehouse as I was passing by.
Now, as I knew nothing about the fight, and as the appearance of the man did not tempt me greatly to enter into conversation with him, I merely answered in the negative, and continued my way.
It was a fine, lovely morning in May, the sun shine bright above, and the birds were carolling in the hedgerows.

I was wont to be cheerful at such seasons, for, from my earliest recollection, sunshine and the song of birds have been dear to me; yet, about that period, I was not cheerful, my mind was not at rest; I was debating within myself, and the debate was dreary and unsatisfactory enough.

I sighed, and, turning my eyes upward, I ejaculated, "What is truth ?" But suddenly, by a violent effort, breaking away from my meditations, I hastened forward; one mile, two miles, three miles were speedily left behind; and now I came to a grove of birch and other trees, and opening a gate I passed up a kind of avenue, and soon arriving before a large brick house, of rather antique appearance, knocked at the door.

In this house there lived a gentleman with whom I had business.

He was said to be a genuine old English gentleman, and a man of considerable property; at this time, however, he wanted a thousand pounds, as gentlemen of considerable property every now and then do.