He is a very passionate gentleman. He has got a French footman, who stands and shrugs, and lets him give him thumps, and kicks; and one morning, because one boot was brighter than t'other, he was going to horsewhip me. So I told him to keep his hands off, or I would knock him down. Why you are quite a fighting fellow. No, sir; I never fought with any body in my life, if they did not first meddle with me. So you quarrelled with your master, beat him, ran away from your apprenticeship, got a place, came into a foreign country, and then, because your master did not happen to please you, threatened to knock him down! The poor fellow was quite confounded, and I was half out of breath from an apprehension that Clifton had taken the wrong side of the question. But I was soon relieved--This tale is too artless to be false, said he, turning to me.--You cannot conceive, Louisa, the infinite pleasure which these few words gave me--I still continued silent, and watching, not the lad, but your brother. So you never meddle with any body who does not meddle with you? No, sir, I would scorn it. But you will not be horsewhipped? No, sir, I won't; starve or not starve. I need not ask you if you are honest, sober, and industrious; for I know you will say you are. Why should I not, sir? You have nobody to give you a character, have you? My master is still in Paris; but to be sure he will give me a bad one. Can you tell me his address--where he lives? I can't tell it in French, but here it is. Can you write and read? Yes, sir. And how long have you been out of place? Above seven weeks. Why did not you return to England, when you received your wages? I had no money. I owed a fellow servant a guinea and a half, which I had borrowed to buy shirts and stockings. And those you have made away with? Not all. I was obliged to take some of them to Mount Pity. _Mont Piété_, you mean.[1] [Footnote 1: The general receptacle for pledges. Among other monopolies and trades, government in France used to be the common pawnbroker.] Belike yes, sir. Well, here's something for you, for the present; and come to me to-morrow morning. The lad went away, with more in his countenance than he knew how to put into speech; and I asked Clifton what he meant by desiring him to come again. I intend, madam, said he, to make some inquiries of his master; and if they please me to hire him; for I want a servant, and if I am not deceived he will make a good one. Think, Louisa, whether I were not pleased with this proof of discernment. By this accident, I learned more of Clifton's character in ten minutes than perhaps I might have done in ten months. He saw, for I wished him to see, that he had acted exactly as I could have desired.