bondage! I do not think, at this moment, that I shall violate any
of the laws of the conventicle, like small-witted Brother Woodford;
though, so far as the woman is concerned, I should leave it without
argument to the free vote of all the Lads of Fancy that ever gather
round Murkey's round table, if my justification for turning traitor,
would not prove immeasurably more complete than his.

"So! so! There are bones enough for you to crunch, you professional
bandog. I had not meant to tell you half so much. There is some
danger that one may lose his game altogether, if he suffers his
nose to point unnecessarily to the cover where it lies. I know what
keen scents are in the club, some of which would be on my track
in no time if they knew where to find me; but I shall baffle you,
you villains. My post-town is fifty miles from the place where I pursue
my theological studies; you are too wise to attempt a wild-goose
chase. You may smack your chaps, Barney, with envy; bite them
too if you please, and it will only whet my own sense of pleasure
to fancy your confusion, and your hopeless denunciations in the
club. I shall be back in time for term--meanwhile get the papers
in readiness. Write to me at the post-town of Ellisland, and remember
to address me as Alfred Stevens--nay, perhaps, you may even say,
'Rev. Alfred Stevens,' it will grace the externals of the document
with a more unctuous aspect, and secure the recipient a more wholesome
degree of respect. Send all my letters to this town under envelope
with this direction. I wrote you twice from Somerville. Did I tell
you that old Hunks has been deused liberal? I can laugh at the
small terms, yet go to Murkey's and shine through the smoke with
the best of you. I solicit the prayers of the Round Table.

"Faithfully, yours, &c."