"Lord, sir," answered Argyle, anxious to prolong this ridiculous scene, "I can't give no guess; and do you know sir, the thieves have stolen a new water-butt out of our airy, not a week since, and my missis is more timbersome than ever!" "The devil!" vociferated Wellington, who could endure no more, and, muttering bitter imprecations between his closed teeth against all the duennas and old women that had ever existed, returned home to his neglected wife and family duties. That's all! But I am digressing from Fred Lamb! What is to be done? unless he turn freemason, and tie me to his apron-strings! I wish I had let him alone instead of handing him into my library; he is quite a weight on my mind! Perhaps the reader will allow me to cut the subject where it stands? But I should like to tell them about _The Cock_ at Sutton, too. Of course, you all know _The Cock_ at Sutton? or, lest any lady or gentleman should be so deficient in tact, so behindhand in topographical knowledge, so unacquainted with public characters, suppose I just mention that the celebrated athletic Jackson, the gentleman bruiser and prize-fighter, once shouldered and insinuated himself into the good graces of the fair widow who kept _The Cock_ at Sutton, which afterwards became his for several years by right of marriage and rights of a landlord; hence its celebrity. However, the story I have to relate, has nothing to do with Jackson, else I could about it straight: but there is a fatality attending on Fred Lamb, and, though I am bored to death with him, I don't like to miss telling you the story of _The Cock_ at Sutton! and so--here goes, to use mad Dr. Robertson's elegant expression. I could only get Fred Lamb out of my library, by promising him that we certainly should meet once more, if only to sign and seal my forgiveness of his former violence. "Well then," said Frederick at last, "I shall come up from Brocket Hall the day after to-morrow, and I will call on you on my way to town, and, if you do not desire and wish to see me, order your servant not to let me in; for I should be very sorry of forcing your inclinations a second time." The next day, being of course deeply affected with Fred Lamb's absence, I went to call on Julia, _pour me distraire._ "But where is your story of _The Cock_ at Sutton?" the reader inquires. I am coming to that by-and-by. Julia's spirits appeared much improved since my last visit to her. "I see very well by your altered look," said I, "that Sir H. Mildmay has been paying you a visit." "True," answered Julia with a deep sigh, which almost resembled a groan; "but I see very plainly that he is tired of me."