I dined and passed the evening with them. I don't remember when I spent one so much to my satisfaction, for there was something more than courtesy, something beyond mere politeness, in their manner towards me; and I could observe in any chance allusion to the girls, there was a degree of real interest that almost savored of friendship. There was but one point on which I did not thoroughly go with Morris, and that was about Tiverton. On that I found him full of the commonest and most vulgar prejudices. He owned that there was no acquaintanceship between them, and therefore I was able to attribute much, if not all, of his impressions to erroneous information. Now I know George intimately,--nobody can know him better. He is what they call in the world "a loose fish." He's not overburdened with strict notions or rigid principles; he 'd tell you himself, that to be encumbered with either would be like entering for a rowing-match in a strait waistcoat; but he is a fellow to share his last shilling with a friend,--thoroughly generous and free-hearted. These are qualities, however, that men like Morris hold cheap. They seem to argue that nobody stands in need of such attributes. I differ with them there totally. My notion is that shipwreck is so common a thing in life, it is always pleasant to think that a friend can throw you a spare hencoop when you're sinking. We chatted till the night closed in, and then, as the moon got up, Morris strolled with me to within a mile of Baden. "There!" said he, pointing to the little village, now all spangled with its starry lights,--"there lies the fatal spot that has blighted many a hope, and made many a heart a ruin! I wish you were miles away from it!" "It cannot injure me much now," said I, laughing; "I am as regularly 'cleaned out' as a poor old professor I met there this morning, Herr Ephraim." "Not Ephraim Gauss?" asked he. "Did you meet _him?_" "If that be his name,--a small, mean-looking man, with a white beard--" "One of the first men in Germany--the greatest civilian--the most learned Orientalist--and a man of almost universal attainment in science--tell me of him." I told him the little incident I have already related to you, and mentioned the caution given me by the croupier. "Which is not the less valuable," broke he in, "because he who gave it is himself a paid spy of the police." I started, and he went on.