John Leech and other papers

128 Horce Subsecivcz.
wrote down both the directions, which he folded and
presented to her.
She now rose to take leave. The bell was rung,
and when the servant entered, his master desired
him to see if the Lady Pitlyal's carriage was at the
door.
He returned to tell there was no carriage waiting,
on which her ladyship remarked, 'This comes of
fore-hand payments — they make hint-hand wark. I
gae a hackney coachman twa shillings to bring me
here, and he 's awa' without me.'
There was not a coach within sight, and another
had to be sent for from a distant stand of coaches.
It was by this time past the hour of dinner, and there
seemed no hope of being rid of his visitors.
Her ladyship said she was in no hurry, as they had
had tea, and were going to the play, and hoped he
would accompany them. He said he had not yet
had his dinner.
' What is the play to-night ? ' said she.
' It is the " Heart of Mid-Lothian,' again, I be-
lieve.'
They then talked of the merits of the actors, and
she took occasion to tell him that she patronised the
Edinburgh Review.
1 We read your buke, sir.'
' I am certainly very much obliged to you.'
Still no carriage was heard. Another silence