Peace, who now paid a visit to the palace for the first time, was delighted with the attractive nature of its most noticeable and leading features. Apart from the world-renowned Blondin, he found numberless objects of interest to engage his individual attention.
He passed from court to court, examining objects displayed therein with an eye of a connoisseur.
He always found great pleasure in contemplating works of art, whether ancient or modern; and, although but little versed in history, he would linger lovingly over any choice or rare specimen of art workmanship of a bygone age.
This, indeed, was one of the many strange contrarieties of his character, which would lead us to the conclusion that he was destined by nature to cut a more respectable figure in the world than that which is but too plainly evidenced by his lawless career.
While in the Pompeian Court somebody addressed him by name.
He looked up and beheld Brickett, the landlord of the “Old Carved Lion.”
“Ye be looking at the wonders of this grand place all by yourself,” said Brickett, clapping his friend on the shoulder.
“Well, who would have thought of seeing you?” returned Peace. “I thought you never moved half a league’s distance from the old inn.”
“Neither do I as a rule, but I’ve been obliged to come up to London about a little matter, so I thought as how I’d just see this wonderful rope-dancing chap; but I go back agen to-night.”
“Ah, well, I’m jolly glad to see you, Brickett.”