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 clown." William accordingly explained his proposition; that John should write an answer, declaring "that he would not admit a man of such behaviour to the privilege of a gentleman; but that he would personally chastise him, and would not suffer him to appear in any public meeting, until he had publicly asked pardon for his infamous behaviour."—John at last agreed to this expedient, and also to defer the answer till the following morning, when Blossom might have had time to cool and reflect on the exact predicament in which he stood.—Maria and her father regarded our hero with the most delighted gratitude, and the remainder of the evening passed in tranquillity.

Early in the morning Hamilton betook himself in quest of the esquire.—Blossom, being informed that a gentleman from young Mr. Mortimer desired