"Yes, Mr. "Wat---- I beg pardon, Mr. What's-your name, I would say?" "Waters, as I perceive you know quite well. My recollection of you is not so distinct. I have no remembrance of the fashionable clothes and brilliant jewellery, none whatever; but the remarkable countenance I _have_ seen." "I dare say you have, Waters," he replied, reassuming his insolent, swaggering air. "I practice at the Old Bailey; and I have several times seen you there, not, as now, in the masquerade of a gentleman, but with a number on your collar." I was silly enough to feel annoyed for a moment at the fellow's stupid sarcasm, and turned angrily away. "There, don't fly into a passion," continued he with an exulting chuckle. "I have no wish to be ill friends with so smart a hand as you are. What do you say to a glass or two of wine, if only to keep this confounded wind out of our stomachs? It's cheap enough here." I hesitated a few seconds, and then said, "I have no great objection; but first, whom have I the honor of addressing?" "Mr. Gates. William Gates, _Esquire_, attorney-at-law." "Gates! Not the Gates, I hope, in the late Bryant affair?" "Well--yes; but allow me to say, Waters, that the observations of the judge on that matter, and the consequent proceedings, were quite unjustifiable; and I was strongly advised to petition the House on the subject; but I forbore, perhaps unwisely." "From consideration chiefly, I dare say, for the age and infirmities of his lordship, and his numerous family?" "Come, come," rejoined Gates with a laugh; "don't poke fun in that way. The truth is, I get on quite as well without as with the certificate. I transact business now for Mr. Everard Preston: you understand?" "Perfectly. I now remember where I have seen you. But how is it your dress has become so suddenly changed? A few weeks ago, it was nothing like so magnificent?" "True, my dear boy, true: quite right. I saw you observed that. First-rate, isn't it? Every article genuine. Bond and Regent Street, I assure you," he added, scanning himself complacently over. I nodded approval, and he went on--"You see I have had a windfall; a piece of remarkable luck; and so I thought I would escape out of the dingy, smoky village, and air myself for a few days in the Channel." "A delightful time of the year for such a purpose truly. Rather say you came to improve your acquaintance with the lady yonder, who, I dare say, will not prove ultimately inflexible?" "Perhaps you are right--a little at least you may be, about the edges. But here we are; what do you take--port?" "That as soon as anything else." Mr. Gates was, as he said, constitutionally thirsty, and although it was still early in the day, drank with great relish and industry. As he grew flushed and rosy, and I therefore imagined communicative, I said, "Well, now, tell me who and what is that lady?"