wedding now-a-days. You never see the parents come with them. They
just get another couple, that are keeping company, like themselves,
and come sneaking into church, looking all over as if they were
ashamed of it--and well they may be!'

'Is it possible?'

'I say, sir, that God makes you gentlemen, gentlemen, that you may
see into these things. You give away your charities kindly enough,
but you don't know the folks you give to. If a few of you would but
be like the blessed Lord, and stoop to go out of the road, just
behind the hedge, for once, among the publicans and harlots! Were
you ever at a country fair, sir? Though I suppose I am rude for
fancying that you could demean yourself to such company.'

'I should not think it demeaning myself,' said Lancelot, smiling;
'but I never was at one, and I should like for once to see the real
manners of the poor.'

'I'm no haunter of such places myself, God knows; but--I see you're
in earnest now--will you come with me, sir,--for once? for God's
sake and the poor's sake?'

'I shall be delighted.'

'Not after you've been there, I am afraid.'

'Well, it's a bargain when you are recovered. And, in the meantime,
the squire's orders are, that you lie by for a few days to rest; and
Miss Honoria's, too; and she has sent you down some wine.'