94 DEEPER AND DEEPER.

now by the thought of the reckoning. At length the
unfortunate steed stopped at the gate which led to
his stable. It was not so late after all; it was only
eight o'clock. Their companions had arrived long
before and were all dispersed ; but the first person
whom Williams saw on dismounting was no other
than Reynolds, who, on his side, stared in amaze-
ment, and then looked reproachfully. He had then
been with that young actress to Alton! This was
what he wanted the holiday for !

Without, however, waiting for a word from him,
Williams called him aside, and putting the guinea
into his hand, said, “ Just run over, there’s a good
fellow, to Reeves’s”—this was a smal] druggist and
grocer’s shop opposite, which Mr. Osborne supplied —
“ and get me change,” for Williams knew that if he
offered the full sum to Evans he should get no change,
and change he must have to dismiss the peasant.

Reynolds, amazed as he was, yet thinking no
harm, for he had always seen Williams with plenty
of money, brought back the change.

‘* And now stop one moment with Miss Banner-
man, said he, “ whilst I get the fellow paid,” for
Williams preferred doing this alone. Reynolds,
though full of prejudices against players, both male
and female, could not refuse, and Williams soon after
joined them, when both young men having accom-
panied Jessie to the patten-maker’s door, went home
together, but not before Williams had prescribed
bandages and fomentations for the sprained wrist, and
had promised to bring her that very night an embro-
cation himself. ‘isa,

If Williams had before been unfit to attend to his
business, he was much more so now. J essie was never

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