That Mr. Hayes had some notion of the attachment of Monsieur de Galgenstein for his
wife is very certain: the man could not but perceive that she was more gaily dressed,
and more frequently absent than usual; and must have been quite aware that from the
day of the quarrel until the present period, Catherine had never asked him for a shilling
for the house expenses. He had not the heart to offer, however; nor, in truth, did she
seem to remember that money was due.
She received, in fact, many sums from the tender Count. Tom was likewise liberally
provided by the same personage; who was, moreover, continually sending presents of
various kinds to the person on whom his affections were centred.
One of these gifts was a hamper of choice mountain-wine, which had been some weeks
in the house, and excited the longing of Mr. Hayes, who loved wine very much. This
liquor was generally drunk by Wood and Billings, who applauded it greatly; and many
times, in passing through the back-parlour,--which he had to traverse in order to reach
the stair, Hayes had cast a tender eye towards the drink; of which, had he dared, he
would have partaken.
On the 1st of March, in the year 1726, Mr. Hayes had gathered together almost the
whole sum with which he intended to decamp; and having on that very day recovered
the amount of a bill which he thought almost hopeless, he returned home in tolerable
good-humour; and feeling, so near was his period of departure, something like security.
Nobody had attempted the least violence on him: besides, he was armed with pistols,
had his money in bills in a belt about his person, and really reasoned with himself that
there was no danger for him to apprehend.
He entered the house about dusk, at five o'clock. Mrs. Hayes was absent with Mr.
Billings; only Mr. Wood was smoking, according to his wont, in the little back-parlour;
and as Mr. Hayes passed, the old gentleman addressed him in a friendly voice, and,
wondering that he had been such a stranger, invited him to sit and take a glass of wine.
There was a light and a foreman in the shop; Mr. Hayes gave his injunctions to that
person, and saw no objection to Mr. Wood's invitation.
The conversation, at first a little stiff between the two gentlemen, began speedily to
grow more easy and confidential: and so particularly bland and good-humoured was
Mr., or Doctor Wood, that his companion was quite caught, and softened by the charm
of his manner; and the pair became as good friends as in the former days of their
intercourse.
