which he found himself. Doctor Grimshawe having taken it upon him to be
host,--for, up to this time, the stranger stood upon his own
responsibility, and, having voluntarily presented himself to the
Doctor, had only himself to thank for any scant courtesy he might
meet,--but now the grim Doctor became genial after his own fashion. At
dinner he produced a bottle of port, which made the young Englishman
almost fancy himself on the other side of the water; and he entered
into a conversation, which I fancy was the chief object which the grim
Doctor had in view in showing himself in so amiable a light, [Endnote:
3] for in the course of it the stranger was insensibly led to disclose
many things, as it were of his own accord, relating to the part of
England whence he came, and especially to the estate and family which
have been before mentioned,--the present state of that family, together
with other things that he seemed to himself to pour out naturally,--
for, at last, he drew himself up, and attempted an excuse.

"Your good wine," said he, "or the unexpected accident of meeting a
countryman, has made me unusually talkative, and on subjects, I fear,
which have not a particular interest for you."

"I have not quite succeeded in shaking off my country, as you see,"
said Doctor Grimshawe, "though I neither expect nor wish ever to see it
again."

There was something rather ungracious in the grim Doctor's response,
and as they now adjourned to his study, and the Doctor betook himself
to his pipe and tumbler, the young Englishman sought to increase his
acquaintance with the two children, both of whom showed themselves
graciously inclined towards him; more warmly so than they had been to
the schoolmaster, as he was the only other guest whom they had ever