I was leaning on Mr. Wilson's arm, some paces behind you; and Malcolm and Alice were loitering still farther, I believe, behind us. Mr. Snughead slackened his pace and accosted Mr. Wilson, by saying, 'If you be not as happy as the turtles I have passed, you seem _more gay_, Mr. Wilson;' and he fixed his eyes with curiosity on me. 'A man must needs have a bad conscience indeed!' replied Mr. Wilson, with good-humour, 'if in so fine a night as this, and with such a companion as I have, he were not gay.'--'You say right!' answered Mr. Snughead, still looking at me; 'you say _right_,' repeated he, 'quite _right_,' laughing loud, and winking his eyes strangely at me; 'such a companion would make any night a _fine night_, without the aid of the moon!'--'That is a text, Mr. Parson,' answered Mr. Wilson, angrily, 'that suits _you_ better than your hearers. I wish you safe home.'--'You are _witty_ as well as _gay_, I perceive,' replied Mr. Snughead. 'I hope, Miss Howard, you will improve and retain Mr. Wilson's _bons mots_.'--'I beg your pardon, Sir,' said I, trembling, 'indeed I do not know what you mean.'--'Pretty innocent!' replied he, with another loud laugh; 'but you are in good hands, there is a time for all things!' So saying he spurred his horse forwards. I was alarmed, and told Mr. Wilson I feared he had displeased Mr. Snughead. He said he had got no more than he deserved; that he was a dirty rascal; and he believed he was then tipsy. Well, my dread of meeting my aunt put all this out of my head! You know, my dear Miss Cowley, how fortunately that business finished. My patience on Monday conquered my aunt's sullenness. On the Tuesday morning Mr. Snughead came to visit her. He staid a long time; and I, well knowing how he hates Mr. Wilson, became uneasy. At length my aunt entered my chamber, which is, as you know, over her's; and with a fury that made me tremble, she banged the door with such violence as to make that tremble also. 'A fine tale have I heard, my dainty minx!' exclaimed she; 'you can laugh and hoyden with the best of them, I find, with your own _set_! You can smile when a gentleman and a _clergyman_ is insulted by your bully!'--'Good Heavens! my dear aunt,' said I, 'what do you mean? Surely'----'What! the pretty _innocent_ has forgotten Mr. Wilson's '_bons mots_!' replied she, with provoking scorn.--'No, Madam,' answered I, 'I have not forgotten what he said, nor the speech which occasioned his resentment. He conceived, I presume, that it did not become a clergyman; and, to speak the truth, I was of his opinion; yet I was vexed at Mr. Wilson's answer, because I thought Mr. Snughead looked as if he had been dining in company.'--'Insolence!' exclaimed she, 'Mr. Snughead was neither tipsy nor blind. He heard your fine speech.'--She advanced.--'I will teach you to defame your betters. I will teach you to make me the subject of your conversation and mirth with your _Wilsons_ and their _crew_!--'Good God!' cried I, still more