And Verty took his way through the forest, still humming his low,
Indian song.




CHAPTER XVI.

MR. ROUNDJACKET MAKES HIMSELF AGREEABLE.


On the morning after the scenes which we have just related, Mr.
Roundjacket was seated on his tall three-legged stool, holding in
his left hand the MS. of his poem, and brandishing in his right the
favorite instrument of his eloquence, when, chancing to raise his
eyes, he saw through the window an approaching carriage, which
carriage had evidently conceived the design of drawing up at the door
of Mr. Rushton's office.

A single glance showed Mr. Roundjacket that this carriage contained a
lady; a second look told him that the lady was Miss Lavinia.

We might very rationally suppose that the great poet, absorbed in
the delights of poesy, and thus dead to the outer world, would have
continued his recitation, and permitted such real, sublunary things as
visitors to pass unheeded. But such a conclusion would not indicate a
very profound acquaintance with the character of Mr. Roundjacket--the
most chivalric and gallant of cavaliers.

Instead of going on with his poem, he hastily rolled up the