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240 the last time I saw you, you rather affronted me. Never mind. I dare say you did not mean it."

Encouraged by this affable reception from the highwayman, though a little embarrassed by Ned's allusion to former conduct on his part, which he felt was just, Dummie grinned, pushed a stool near Ned, sat himself down, and carefully avoiding any immediate answer to Ned's complaint, he rejoined:—

"Do you know, Meester Pepper, you struck I all of a heap. I could not have sposed as how you'd condescend now-a-days to come to the Mug, vhere I never seed you but vonce before. Lord love ye, they says as 'ow you go to all the fine places in ruffles, with a pair of silver pops in your vaistcoat pocket! Vy, the boys hereabouts say, that you and Meester Tomlinson, and this 'ere poor devil in quod, vere the finest gemmen in town; and Lord, for to think of your ciwility to a pitiful rag marchant, like I!"

"Ah!" said Ned gravely, "there are sad principles afloat now. They want to do away with all distinctions in ranks,—to make a duke no better than his valet, and a gentleman