Chapter 27

"--Did I tell this,
Who would believe me?"

Measure for Measure.

The time of the interview related in the close of the preceding chapter,
was in the early watches of the night. It now becomes our duty to
transport the reader to another, that had place several hours later, and
after day had dawned on the industrious burghers of Manhattan.

There stood, near one of the wooden wharves which lined the arm of the sea
on which the city is so happily placed, a dwelling around which there was
every sign that its owner was engaged in a retail commerce, that was
active and thriving, for that age and country. Notwithstanding the
earliness of the hour, the windows of this house were open; and an
individual, of a busy-looking face, thrust his head so often from one of
the casements, as to show that he already expected the appearance of a
second party in the affair that had probably called him from his bed, even
sooner than common. A tremendous rap at the door relieved his visible
uneasiness; and, hastening to open it, he received his visiter, with much
parade of ceremony, and many protestations of respect, in person.

"This is an honor, my lord, that does not often befall men of my humble
condition," said the master of the house, in the flippant utterance of a
vulgar cockney; "but I thought it would be more agreeable to your
lordship, to receive the a--a--here, than in the place where your
lordship, just at this moment, resides. Will your lordship please to rest
yourself, after your lordship's walk?"

"I thank you, Carnaby," returned the other, taking the offered seat, with
an air of easy superiority. "You judge with your usual discretion, as
respects the place, though I doubt the prudence of seeing him at all. Has
the man come?"

"Doubtless, my lord; he would hardly presume to keep your lordship
waiting, and much less would I countenance him in so gross a disrespect.
He will be most happy to wait on you, my lord, whenever your lordship
shall please."

"Let him wait: there is no necessity for haste. He has probably
communicated some of the objects of this extraordinary call on my time,
Carnaby; and you can break them, in the intervening moments."

"I am sorry to say, my lord, that the fellow is as obstinate as a mule. I
felt the impropriety of introducing him, personally, to your lordship; but
as he insisted he had affairs that would deeply interest you, my lord, I
could not take upon me to say, what would be agreeable to your lordship,
or what not; and so I was bold enough to write the note."

"And a very properly expressed note it was, Master Carnaby. I have not
received a better worded