Smith was as deaf as a post, and never spoke without popping his ear against one's mouth, to catch the answer, and saying, "Hay! Hay!" long before one's lips could move to address him. I guessed at the motive for his visiting me on this occasion, for I knew that two of my promissory notes of hand for fifty pounds each had been returned to him on that morning, as they had also been three months before, when I made him renew them. Not that I was in any sort of difficulty during the whole period I remained with Lord Ponsonby, who always took care of me and for me; but Smith's scolding furnished me with so much entertainment, that I purposely neglected his bills, knowing his high charges and how well he could afford to give long credit. He came into the room, with a firmer step than usual and his bow was more stately. "Your sarvant, Miss." "Smith," said I, "those bills were paid to-day, I hope?" Smith shook his head. "Too bad, too bad, Miss, upon my word!" I laughed. "You are a pretty creature!" said Smith, drawing in his breath, his amorous feelings for an instant driving the bills out of his head, and then added hastily, with an altered expression of countenance, "But you really must pay your bills!" "You don't say so?" "If," continued Smith earnestly; "if you had but ha' let me ha knode, you see; but, in this way, you hurt my credit in the City." "What signifies having credit, in such a vulgar place as that?" "You talk like a child," exclaimed Smith impatiently. "Come," said I to Smith, "hand out your stamps." "And Miss, do you expect me to find you in stamps too?" I laughed. "But," continued Smith, growing enthusiastic all at once, "you look so beautiful and charming in your little blue satin dress. You bought that satin of me I think? Ah, yes, I remember--you do look so pretty, and so tempting, and so, so--oh Lord." "Mr. Smith, I really will speak to Mrs. Smith, if you will go into these sort of raptures." "Beg you pardon, beg your pardon! Have got a curious little article here to show you" (pulling something from his breeches pocket, which proved to be some embroidered, covered buttons). "Beg your pardon, but, bless you! You are so well made you see, about here"--touching his own breast. "There is never a one of your sisters like you, about here. I always said it. Hay? hay? I was a saying so, you see, to my young man yesterday when you came into the shop. Now, there's Miss Sophy, pretty creature too! very, but, Oh, Lord! you beat them all, just about here." "Mr. Smith, I really must send a note to your wife to-morrow." "Oh, no! I am sure you wont. You would not be so hard-hearted." He then proceeded, in a whisper, "The fact is, there's never a man in England as don't have a bit of frolic; only they doesn't know it you see. Pretty hair!----" "Mr. Smith, if you meddle with my hair, I shall seriously be angry, and ring for my servant."