'Will my soul's idol forgive the tale I told Wilkinson, since it was devised in order to save her from his fangs? This Doctor Merrick, whom I mentioned to him, instead of being a swindler, is a mad-doctor; and keeps a private madhouse. I have just seen him, and have informed him that I am about to put a lunatic gentleman, my honoured uncle, under his care. I told him, that this dear uncle (who, you may well suppose is Wilkinson) has lucid intervals; that his madness arose from grief at an unfortunate amour of his daughter's, and shews itself in his fancying that every man he sees wants to marry her, and has her written promise of marriage. 'I have already advanced the necessary fees, and now is your time to wheedle Wilkinson out of money, by pretending that you will return home with him. A true heroine, my sweet friend, ever shines in deception. Good now, play one scene Of excellent dissembling.--SHAKESPEARE. 'Ever, ever, ever, 'Your faithful 'MONTMORENCI. 'P.S. Excuse tender language, as I am in haste.' This dear letter I placed in my bosom: and when I begged of the farmer to let me have a little money, he took out his pocket-book. 'Here, my darling,' said he, 'here are notes to the tune of a hundred pounds, that you may pay all you owe, and purchase whatever baubles and finery you like. This is what you get for discarding that swindler, and promising to return home with old dad.' Soon afterwards, our hero came back, and told us that his interview had proved unsuccessful. It was therefore determined that we should all repair to the Doctor's (for Wilkinson would not go without me), and off we set in a hired coach. On our arrival, we were shewn into a parlour, and after some minutes of anxious suspense, the Doctor, a thin little figure, with a shrivelled face and bushy wig, came humming into the room. Wilkinson being introduced, the Doctor commenced operations, by trying the state of his brain. 'Any news to-day, Mr. Wilkinson?' said he. 'Very bad news for me, Sir,' replied Wilkinson, sullenly. 'I mean public news,' said the Doctor. 'A private grievance ought to be considered of public moment,' said Wilkinson. 'Well remarked, Sir,' cried the Doctor, 'a clear-headed observation as possible. Sir, I give you credit. There is a neatness in the turn of it that argues a collected intellect.' 'Sir,' said Wilkinson, 'I hope that some other observations which I am about to offer will please you as well.' 'I hope so for your own sake,' answered the Doctor; 'I shall certainly listen to them with a favourable ear.' 'Thank you, Sir,' said the farmer: 'and such being the case, I make no doubt that all will go well; for men seldom disagree, when they wish to coincide.'