I had nothing to say to these representations—they seemed plausible; and though at first I had suspected that the man had only resorted to the buffoonery of his quotations in order to gain time for invention, or to divert my notice from any flaw in his narrative, yet at the close, as the narrative seemed probable, so I was willing to believe that the buffoonery was merely characteristic. I contented myself therefore with asking—
"Where do you come from now?"
"From Mr Trevanion, in the country, with letters to Lady Ellinor?"
"Oh, and so the young woman knew you were coming to town?"
"Yes, sir; some days ago. Mr Trevanion told me the day I should have to start."
"And what do you and the young woman propose doing to-morrow, if there is no change of plan?"
Here I certainly thought there was a slight, scarce perceptible, alteration in Mr Peacock's countenance, but he answered readily, "To-morrow? a little assignation, if we can both get out;—
'Woo me, now I am in a holiday humour,
And like enough to consent.'
Swan again, sir!"
"Humph!—so then Mr Gower and Mr Vivian are the same person."