battered old hat on the way, and bowing repeatedly to the assembled
company. My courteous salutation was not returned; but all, with
increasing astonishment pictured on their faces, continued staring at me
as if they were looking on some grotesque apparition. Thinking it best
to give an account of myself at once, and to apologize for intruding on
their mysteries, I addressed myself to the old man:

"I really beg your pardon," I said, "for having disturbed you at such an
inconvenient time, and while you are engaged in these--these solemn
rites; but I assure you, sir, it has been quite accidental. I happened
to be walking here when I saw you coming, and thought it best to step
out of the way until--well, until the funeral was over. The fact is, I
met with a serious accident in the mountains over there. I fell down
into a ravine, and a great heap of earth and stones fell on and stunned
me, and I do not know how long I lay there before I recovered my senses.
I daresay I am trespassing, but I am a perfect stranger here, and quite
lost, and--and perhaps a little confused after my fall, and perhaps you
will kindly tell me where to go to get some refreshment, and find out
where I am."

"Your story is a very strange one," said the old man in reply, after a
pause of considerable duration. "That you are a perfect stranger in this
place is evident from your appearance, your uncouth dress, and your
thick speech."

His words made me blush hotly, although I should not have minded his
very personal remarks much if that beautiful girl had not been standing
there listening to everything. My _uncouth_ garments, by the way,
were made by a fashionable West End tailor, and fitted me perfectly,
although just now they were, of course, very dirty. It was also a