hero received with full force, and he began to see the enemy's
plan. He defended himself weakly, trying to think about his fair
Sophia. But his heart was soon captured by Mrs Waters, and we
will now politely leave the room.
•
Meanwhile, the couple upstairs were the topic of conversation in
the kitchen, where the landlord sat with his wife, Partridge, the
soldier and the carriage driver.
The soldier explained that Mrs Waters was the wife of a
captain, though some people said they were not actually married.
People also said she was a good friend of Mr Northerton's,
though the captain knew nothing about that.
The soldier then asked where Partridge and his master were
travelling. 'He's not my master,' said Partridge. 'We are friends.
Amicum sumus. I am a schoolteacher, and he is one of the greatest
gentlemen in the country.'
'Then why does such a great gentleman walk about the
country on foot?' asked the landlord.
'I really don't know,' answered Partridge. 'He has a dozen
horses and servants in Gloucester, but last night he decided to
walk.'
The soldier then began to drink to the king, and after a while
he suggested a fight. The carriage driver agreed to fight for a bet,
and the two took off their shirts and fought each other fiercely,
until the soldier won.
The young lady who had been resting upstairs now sent down
orders for her carriage to be prepared, as she was ready to
continue her journey. Impossible. To speak plainly, the carriage
driver was now completely drunk. So was the soldier. Partridge
was not much better.
The landlady was called to take tea upstairs to Mr Jones and
Mrs Waters, and she told them this news. 'She is such a sweet,