Crime & punishment > Peveril of the Peak > Volume 2

210
1’EVERIL OF THE PEAK.
depart without leave-taking. I have left a token
for mine host, on the table of his apartment.’’
“It was unnecessary,” said Ganlesse; “the
rascal is already overpaid.— But are you not ra¬
ther premature in your purpose of departing?
My mind telle me that Master Julian Peveril had
better proceed with mQ to London , than turn
aside for any purpose whatever. You may see
already, that I am no ordinary person, but a
master-spirit of the time. For the cuckoo I tra¬
vel with, and whom I indulge in his prodigal fol¬
lies, he also has his uses. But you are of a dif¬
ferent cast; and I not only would serve you, but
even wish you to be my own.”
Julian gazed on this singular person when he
spoke. We have already said his figure was mean
and slight, with very ordinary and unmarked fea¬
tures, unless we were to distinguish thelighten-
ings of a keen grey eye, which corresponded, in
its careless and prideful glance, with the haughty
superiority which the stranger assumed in his con¬
versation. It was not till after a momentary
pause, that Julian replied, “Can you wonder,
sir, that in my circumstances—if they are indeed
known to you—I should decline unnecessary con¬
fidence on the affairs of moment which have call¬
ed me hither, or refuse the company of a stran¬
ger, who assigns no reason for desiring mine?”
“Be it as you list, young man,” answered
Ganlesse; “only remember hereafter, you had
a fair offer—it is not every one to whom I would