“Well, said I, I don't KNOW exactly, but I'm deucedly suspicious of it, and, more than that, there's some underhand work going on.” This made her more curious than ever; and her hands and feet, and indeed her whole body, got such a fidgeting, that I fancied she began to think of getting St. Vitus for a bedfellow. Her eagerness made her ask me two or three times what made me think so; and, seeing her anxiety, I purposely delayed in order to worry her. I wished to see how far I could run her up. When I did begin to explain, I went to work in a round-about way enough--something thus, old Kentuck--as I began: “Well, ma'am, this tobacco-chewing, as I said before, carried me, as you witnessed, constantly to the window. I don't know that I chew more than many others, but I know I chew too much for my good, and for decency, too, ma'am.” “Yes, sir, yes; but the young lady, and--” “Ah, yes, ma'am. Well, then, going to the window once, twice, or thrice, I could not help but see a young man standing beneath it, evidently in waiting--very earnest, very watchful--seemingly very much interested and anxious, as if waiting for somebody.” “Is it possible?” whispered the tabby, full of expectation. “Yes, very possible, ma'am--very true.” There he stood; I could even hoar his deep-drawn sighs--deep, long, as if from the very bottom of his heart.' “Was he so VERY near, sir?” “Just under the window--going to and fro--very anxious. I was almost afraid I had spit on him, he looked up so hard--so--” “What, sir, up at you? at--at MY windows, sir?” “Not exactly, ma'am, that was only my notion, for I thought I might have spit upon him, and so wakened his anger; but, indeed, he looked all about him, as, indeed, it was natural that he should, you know, if he meditated anything that wa'n't exactly right. There was a carriage in waiting--a close carriage--not a hundred yards below, and--” “Ah, sir, do tell me what sort of a looking young gentleman was it--eh?” “Good-looking fellow enough, ma'am--rather tall, slenderish, but not so slender--wore a black frock.” By this time the old creature was up at the window--her long, skinny neck stretched out as far as it could go. “Ah!” said I, “ma'am, you're quite too late, if you expect to see the sport. They're off; I saw the last of them when I took my last spit from the window. They were then--” “But, sir, did he--did you say that this person--the person you spit on--carried a young lady away with him?” “You mistake me, ma'am--” “Ah”--she drew a mighty long breath as if relieved. “I did NOT spit upon him; I only came near doing it once or twice. If I hadn't looked, I should very probably have divided my quid pretty equally between both of them.” “Both! both!” she almost screamed. “Did she go with him, then?--was there in truth a young woman?”