“Exactly so, sir. But will you let me ask where you shall put up at W----? I will wait upon you, if you will give me leave, with some very curious and valuable articles, highly desirable either for yourself or for little presents to your friends.” “I thank you,” said Clarence, “I shall make no stay at W----, but I shall be glad to see you in town next week. Favour me, meanwhile, by accepting this trifle.” “Nay, nay, sir,” said Mr. Brown, pocketing the money, “I really cannot accept this; anything in the way of exchange,--a ring, or a seal, or--” “No, no, not at present,” said Clarence; “the night is coming on, and I shall make the best of my way. Good-by, Mr. Brown;” and Clarence trotted off: but he had scarce got sixty yards before he heard the itinerant merchant cry out, “Mr. Linden, Mr. Linden!” and looking back, he beheld the honest Brown putting his shaggy pony at full speed, in order to overtake him; so he pulled up. “Well, Mr. Brown, what do you want?” “Why, you see, sir, you gave me no exact answer about the plum-colored velvet inexpressibles,” said Mr. Brown. CHAPTER LII. Are we contemned?--The Double Marriage. It was dusk when Clarence arrived at the very same inn at which, more than five years ago, he had assumed his present name. As he recalled the note addressed to him, and the sum (his whole fortune) which it contained, he could not help smiling at the change his lot had since then undergone; but the smile soon withered when he thought of the kind and paternal hand from which that change had proceeded, and knew that his gratitude was no longer availing, and that that hand, in pouring its last favours upon him, had become cold. He was ushered into No. 4, and left to his meditations till bed-time.