"Ay, I go with the Duke of Monmouth, and you go with me, to Dover when the King goes."
Now, either Dover was on everybody's brain, or was very sadly on my brain, for I swear even this fellow's eye seemed to brighten as I named the place.
"To Dover, sir?"
"No less. You shall see all the gaiety there is to be seen, Jonah."
The flush of interest had died away; he was dolefully tranquil and submissive again.
"Well, what do you want with me?" I asked, for I did not wish him to suspect that I detected any change in his manner.
"A lady came here to-day, sir, in a very fine coach with Flemish horses, and asked for you. Hearing you were from home, she called to me and bade me take a message for you. I prayed her to write it, but she laughed, and said she spoke more easily than she wrote; and she bade me say that she wished to see you."
"What sort of lady was she, Jonah?"
"She sat all the while in the coach, sir, but she seemed not tall; she was very merry, sir." Jonah sighed deeply; with him merriment stood high among the vices of our nature.
"She didn't say for what purpose she wanted me?" I asked as carelessly as I could.