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306 they entered a neatly-furnished chamber, that had that habitable look which the best room of a farm-house too often wants. Instead of the cast-off furniture of other establishments, at the same time dingy and tawdry, mock rosewood chairs and tarnished mahogany tables, there was an oaken table, some cottage chairs made of beech wood, and a Dutch clock. But what surprised Egremont was the appearance of several shelves well lined with volumes. Their contents too on closer inspection were very remarkable. They indicated a student of a high order. Egremont read the titles of works which he only knew by fame, but which treated of the loftiest and most subtle questions of social and political philosophy. As he was throwing his eye over them, his companion said, "Ah! I see you think me as great a scholar as I am a gardener: but with as little justice; these books are not mine."

"To whomsoever they belong," said Egremont, "if we are to judge from his collection, he has a tolerably strong head."

"Ay, ay," said Gerard, "the world will hear