I found the girls still unmarried, but they were yet young. The whole family appeared as contented and happy, and as friendly, as before. We sat down to dinner at six o'clock; the footman and coachman attended. The dinner was good, but not by the _artiste extraordinaire_. I praised everything. "Yes," replied he, "she is a very good cook; she unites the solidity of the English with the delicacy of the French fare; and, altogether, I think it a _decided improvement_. Jane is quite a treasure." After dinner, he observed, "Of course you know I have sold Belem Castle, and reduced my establishment. Government have not treated me fairly, but I am at the mercy of Commissioners, and a body of men will do that which, as individuals, they would be ashamed of. The fact is, the odium is borne by no one in particular, and it is only the sense of shame which keeps us honest, I am afraid. However, here you see me, with a comfortable fortune, and always happy to see my friends, especially my old schoolfellow. Will you take _port_ or claret; the port is very fine, and so is the claret. By the by, do you know--I'll let you into a family secret; Louisa is to be married to a Colonel Willer--an _excellent_ match! It has made us all happy." The next day we drove out, not in an open carriage as before, but in a chariot and with a _pair of horses_. "These are handsome horses," observed I. "Yes," replied he, "I am fond of good horses; and, as I only keep a pair, I have the best. There is a certain degree of pretension in _four horses_, I do not much like--it appears as if you wished to overtop your neighbours." I spent a few very pleasant days, and then quitted his hospitable roof. A severe cold, caught that winter, induced me to take the advice of the physicians, and proceed to the South of France, where I remained two years. On my return, I was informed that Willemott had speculated, and had been unlucky on the Stock Exchange; that he had left Richmond, and was now living at Clapham. The next day I met him near the Exchange. "Reynolds, I am happy to see you. Thompson told me that you had come back. If not better engaged, come down to see me; I will drive you down at four o'clock, if that will suit." It suited me very well, and, at four o'clock, I met him according to appointment at a livery stables over the Iron Bridge. His vehicle was ordered out, it was a phaeton drawn by two long-tailed ponies-- altogether a very neat concern. We set off at a rapid pace. "They step out well, don't they? We shall be down in plenty of time to put on a pair of shoes by five o'clock, which is _our dinner-time_. Late dinners don't agree with me--they produce indigestion. Of course, you know that Louisa has a little boy." I did not; but congratulated him.