"Am I here, or there?" cried Robin, starting; for all at once, whenhis thoughts had become visible and audible in a dream, the long,wide, solitary street shone out before him.
He aroused himself, and endeavored to fix his attention steadilyupon the large edifice which he had surveyed before. But still hismind kept vibrating between fancy and reality; by turns, the pillarsof the balcony lengthened into the tall, bare stems of pines, dwindleddown to human figures, settled again into their true shape and size,and then commenced a new succession of changes. For a single moment,when he deemed himself awake, he could have sworn that a visage- onewhich he seemed to remember, yet could not absolutely name as hiskinsman's- was looking towards him from the Gothic window. A deepersleep wrestled with and nearly overcame him, but fled at the soundof footsteps along the opposite pavement. Robin rubbed his eyes,discerned a man passing at the foot of the balcony, and addressedhim in a loud, peevish, and lamentable cry.
"Hallo, friend! must I wait here all night for my kinsman, MajorMolineux?"The sleeping echoes awoke, and answered the voice; and thepassenger, barely able to discern a figure sitting in the obliqueshade of the steeple, traversed the street to obtain a nearer view. Hewas himself a gentleman in his prime, of open, intelligent,cheerful, and altogether prepossessing countenance. Perceiving acountry youth, apparently homeless and without friends, he accostedhim in a tone of real kindness, which had become strange to Robin'sears.
"Well, my good lad, why are you sitting here?" inquired he. "CanI be of service to you in any way?""I am afraid not, sir," replied Robin, despondingly; "yet I shalltake it kindly, if you'll answer me a single question. I've beensearching, half the night, for one Major Molineux; now, sir, isthere really such a person in these parts, or am I dreaming?""Major Molineux! The name is not altogether strange to me," saidthe gentleman, smiling. "Have you any objection to telling me thenature of your business with him?"Then Robin briefly related that his father was a clergyman, settledon a small salary, at a long distance back in the country, and that heand Major Molineux were brothers' children. The major, havinginherited riches, and acquired civil and military rank, had visitedhis cousin, in great pomp, a year or two before; had manifested muchinterest in Robin and an elder brother, and, being childlesshimself, had thrown out hints respecting the future establishment ofone of them in life. The elder brother was destined to succeed tothe farm which his father cultivated in the interval of sacred duties;it was therefore determined that Robin should profit by hiskinsman's generous intentions, especially as he seemed to be ratherthe favorite, and was thought to possess other necessary endowments.
"For I have the name of being a shrewd youth," observed Robin, inthis part of his story.
"I doubt not you deserve it," replied his new friend,good-naturedly; "but pray proceed.""Well, sir, being nearly eighteen years old, and well-grown, as yousee," continued Robin, drawing himself up to his full height, "Ithought it high time to begin the world. So my mother and sister putme in handsome trim, and my father gave me half the remnant of hislast year's salary, and five days ago I started for this place, to paythe major a visit. But, would you believe it, sir! I crossed the ferrya little after dark, and have yet found nobody that would show methe way to his dwelling- only, an hour or two since, I was told towait here, and Major Molineux would pass by.""Can you describe the man who told you this?" inquired thegentleman.
"O, he was a very ill-favored fellow, sir," replied Robin, "withtwo great bumps on his forehead, a hook nose, fiery eyes- and, whatstruck me as the strangest, his face was of two different colors. Doyou happen to know such a man, sir!""Not intimately," answered the stranger, "but I chanced to meet hima little time previous to your stopping me. I believe you may trusthis word, and that the major will very shortly pass through thisstreet. In the meantime, as I have a singular curiosity to witnessyour meeting, I will sit down here upon the steps, and bear youcompany."He seated himself accordingly, and soon engaged his companion inanimated discourse. It was but of brief continuance, however, for anoise of shouting, which bad long been remotely audible, drew somuch nearer that Robin inquired its cause.
"What may be the meaning of this uproar?" asked he. "Truly, if yourtown be always as noisy, I shall find little sleep, while I am aninhabitant.""Why, indeed, friend Robin, there do appear to be three or fourriotous fellows abroad tonight," replied the gentleman. "You mustnot expect all the stillness of your native woods, here in ourstreets. But the watch will shortly be at the heels of these lads,and-""Ay, and set them in the stocks by peep of day," interrupted Robin,recollecting his own encounter with the drowsy lantern-bearer. "But,dear sir, if I may trust my ears, an army of watchmen would never makehead against such a multitude of rioters. There were at least athousand voices went up to make that one shout.""May not a man have several voices, Robin, as well as twocomplexions?" said his friend.
"Perhaps a man may; but Heaven forbid that a woman should!"responded the shrewd youth, thinking of the seductive tones of themajor's housekeeper.
The sounds of a trumpet in some neighboring street now became soevident and continual, that Robin's curiosity was strongly excited. Inaddition to the shouts, he heard frequent bursts from many instrumentsof discord, and a wild and confused laughter filled up theintervals. Robin rose from the steps, and looked wistfully towards apoint whither several people seemed to be hastening.
