"You detain me, sir," said the Earl of Etherington to Mr. Cargill, who, bewildered and uncertain, still kept himself placed so directly before the young nobleman, as to make it impossible for him to pass, without absolutely pushing him to one side. "I must really attend the lady," he added, making another effort to walk on. "Young man," said Mr. Cargill, "you cannot disguise yourself from me. I am sure--my mind assures me, that you are that very Bulmer whom Heaven hath sent here to prevent crime." "And you," said Lord Etherington, "whom my mind assures me I never saw in my life, are sent hither by the devil, I think, to create confusion." "I beg pardon, sir," said the clergyman, staggered by the calm and pertinacious denial of the Earl--"I beg pardon if I am in a mistake--that is, if I am _really_ in a mistake--but I am not--I am sure I am not!--That look--that smile--I am NOT mistaken. You _are_ Valentine Bulmer--the very Valentine Bulmer whom I--but I will not make your private affairs any part of this exposition--enough, you _are_ Valentine Bulmer." "Valentine?--Valentine?" answered Lord Etherington, impatiently,--"I am neither Valentine nor Orson--I wish you good-morning, sir." "Stay, sir, stay, I charge you," said the clergyman; "if you are unwilling to be known yourself, it may be because you have forgotten who I am--Let me name myself as the Reverend Josiah Cargill, minister of St. Ronan's." "If you bear a character so venerable, sir," replied the young nobleman,--"in which, however, I am not in the least interested,--I think when you make your morning draught a little too potent, it might be as well for you to stay at home and sleep it off, before coming into company." "In the name of Heaven, young gentleman," said Mr. Cargill, "lay aside this untimely and unseemly jesting! and tell me if you be not--as I cannot but still believe you to be--that same youth, who, seven years since, left in my deposit a solemn secret, which, if I should unfold to the wrong person, woe would be my own heart, and evil the consequences which might ensue!" "You are very pressing with me, sir," said the Earl; "and, in exchange, I will be equally frank with you.--I am not the man whom you mistake me for, and you may go seek him where you will--It will be still more lucky for you if you chance to find your own wits in the course of your researches; for I must tell you plainly, I think they are gone somewhat astray." So saying, with a gesture expressive of a determined purpose to pass on, Mr. Cargill had no alternative but to make way, and suffer him to proceed.