"We shall meet this evening, when we shall embrace each other—figuratively—and pledge everlasting friendship.
"Devotedly till death,
"Charles Hoffland."
Thus was the great affair which agitated all Williamsburg for more than forty-eight hours arranged to the perfect satisfaction of all parties: though we must except that large and influential body the quidnuncs, who, as every body knows, are never satisfied with any thing which comes to an end without a catastrophe. The correspondence, as we have seen, had been confined to the principals, and the only public announcement was to the effect that "both gentlemen were satisfied"—which we regard as a very gratifying circumstance.[(Back to Table of Content.)]
CHAPTER XV.
SENTIMENTS OF A DISAPPOINTED LOVER ON THE SUBJECT OF WOMEN.
Hoffland had just met and made friends with Jack Denis—"embraced him figuratively," to use his expression; and he and Mowbray were walking down Gloucester street, inhaling the pleasant air of the fine morning joyously.
Hoffland was smiling as usual. Mowbray's countenance wore its habitual expression of collected calmness—his clear eye as usual betrayed no emotion of any description.
"I feel better than if I was dead," said Hoffland, laughing, "and I know you are glad, Ernest, that I am still alive."
"Sincerely," said Mowbray, smiling.
"Wasn't it a good idea of mine to carry on all the correspondence?"