He is like enough to mistake the inn, too, and I should be sorry it fell into Monsieur Martigny's hands--I suppose you know he is in that neighbourhood ?--Look after its safety, Solmes--quietly, you understand; because people might put odd constructions, as if I were wanting a letter which was not my own." "I understand perfectly, my lord," said Solmes, without exhibiting the slightest change in his sallow countenance, though entirely comprehending the nature of the service required.
"And here is a note will pay for postage," said the Earl, putting into his valet's hand a bank-bill of considerable value; "and you may keep the balance for occasional expenses." This was also fully understood; and Solmes, too politic and cautious even to look intelligence, or acknowledge gratitude, made only a bow of acquiescence, put the note into his pocketbook, and assured his lordship that his commands should be punctually attended to.
"There goes the agent for my money, and for my purpose," said Lord Etherington, exultingly; "no extorting of confidence, no demanding of explanations, no tearing off the veil with which a delicate manoeuvre is _gaze_--all excuses are received as _argent comptant_, provided only, that the best excuse of all, the _argent comptant_ itself, come to recommend them .-- Yet I will trust no one--I will out, like a skilful general, and reconnoitre in person." With this resolution, Lord Etherington put on his surtout and cap, and sallying from his apartments, took the way to the bookseller's shop, which also served as post-office and circulating library; and being in the very centre of the parade, (for so is termed the broad terrace walk which leads from the inn to the Well,) it formed a convenient lounging-place for newsmongers and idlers of every description.
The Earl's appearance created, as usual, a sensation upon the public promenade; but whether it was the suggestion of his own alarmed conscience, or that there was some real cause for the remark, he could not help thinking his reception was of a more doubtful character than usual.

His fine figure and easy manners produced their usual effect, and all whom he spoke to received his attention as an honour; but none offered, as usual, to unite themselves to him, or to induce him to join their party.

He seemed to be looked on rather as an object of observation and attention, than as making one of the company; and to escape from a distant gaze, which became rather embarrassing, he turned into the little emporium of news and literature.
He entered unobserved, just as Lady Penelope had finished reading some verses, and was commenting upon them with all the alacrity of a _femme savante_, in possession of something which no one is to hear repeated oftener than once.
"Copy--no indeed!" these were the snatches which reached Lord Etherington's ear, from the group of which her ladyship formed the centre--"honour bright--I must not betray poor Chatterly--besides, his lordship is my friend, and a person of rank, you know--so one would not--You have not got the book, Mr.Pott ?--you have not got Statius ?--you never have any thing one longs to see." "Very sorry, my lady--quite out of copies at present--I expect some in my next monthly parcel." "Good lack, Mr.Pott, that is your never-failing answer," said Lady Penelope; "I believe if I were to ask you for the last new edition of the Alkoran, you would tell me it was coming down in your next monthly parcel." "Can't say, my lady, really," answered Mr.Pott; "have not seen the work advertised yet; but I have no doubt, if it is likely to take, there will be copies in my next monthly parcel." "Mr.Pott's supplies are always in the _paullo post futurum_ tense," said Mr.Chatterly, who was just entering the shop.
"Ah! Mr.Chatterly, are you there ?" said Lady Penelope; "I lay my death at your door--I cannot find this Thebaid, where Polynices and his brother"---- "Hush, my lady!--hush, for Heaven's sake!" said the poetical divine, and looked towards Lord Etherington.

Lady Penelope took the hint, and was silent; but she had said enough to call up the traveller Touchwood, who raised his head from the newspaper which he was studying, and, without addressing his discourse to any one in particular, ejaculated, as if in scorn of Lady Penelope's geography-- "Polynices ?--Polly Peachum .-- There is no such place in the Thebais--the Thebais is in Egypt--the mummies come from the Thebais--I have been in the catacombs--caves very curious indeed--we were lapidated by the natives--pebbled to some purpose, I give you my word.

My janizary thrashed a whole village by way of retaliation." While he was thus proceeding, Lord Etherington, as if in a listless mood, was looking at the letters which stood ranged on the chimney-piece, and carrying on a languid dialogue with Mrs.Pott, whose person and manners were not ill adapted to her situation, for she was good-looking, and vastly fine and affected.
"Number of letters here which don't seem to find owners, Mrs.Pott ?" "Great number, indeed, my lord--it is a great vexation, for we are obliged to return them to the post-office, and the postage is charged against us if they are lost; and how can one keep sight of them all ?" "Any love-letters among them, Mrs.Pott ?" said his lordship, lowering his tone.
"Oh, fie! my lord, how should I know ?" answered Mrs.Pott, dropping her voice to the same cadence.
"Oh! every one can tell a love-letter--that has ever received one, that is--one knows them without opening--they are always folded hurriedly and sealed carefully--and the direction manifests a kind of tremulous agitation, that marks the state of the writer's nerves--that now,"-- pointing with his switch to a letter upon the chimney-piece, "that _must_ be a love-letter." "He, he, he!" giggled Mrs.Pott, "I beg pardon for laughing, my lord--but--he, he, he!--that is a letter from one Bindloose, the banker body, to the old woman Luckie Dods, as they call her, at the change-house in the Aultoun." "Depend upon it then, Mrs.Pott, that your neighbour, Mrs.Dods, has got a lover in Mr.Bindloose--unless the banker has been shaking hands with the palsy.