Page:The Monastery, Volume 1 - Scott (1820).djvu/27

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INTRODUCTORY EPISTLE.
17

indicating and of recommending the course of conduct which Mrs Grinslees desired I should pursue. But I had not been knocked about the world for thirty years and odd, and lived a bluff bachelor all the while; to come home and be put under petticoat government by my landlady. Accordingly I opened my chamber-door, and desired my old friend David to walk up stairs.

"Captain," said he, as he entered, "I am as glad to find you up as if I had hooked a twenty pound saumon. There's a gentleman up yonder that will not sleep sound in his bed this blessed night, unless he has the pleasure to drink a glass of wine with you."

"You know, David," I replied, with becoming dignity, "that I cannot with propriety go out to visit strangers at this time of night, or accept of invitations from people of whom I know nothing."

David swore a round oath, and added, "Was ever the like heard of? He has ordered a fowl and egg sauce, a pancake and

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