town, was damp, dark, cold, and gloomy. In that low and
marshy spot, the fog filled every nook and corner with a
thick dense cloud. Every object was obscure at one or two
yards' distance. The warning lights and fires upon the
river were powerless beneath this pall, and, but for a raw
and piercing chillness in the air, and now and then the cry
of some bewildered boatman as he rested on his oars and
tried to make out where he was, the river itself might have
been miles away.

The mist, though sluggish and slow to move, was of a
keenly searching kind. No muffling up in furs and broad-
cloth kept it out. It seemed to penetrate into the very
bones of the shrinking wayfarers, and to rack them with
cold and pains. Everything was wet, and clammy to the
touch. The warm blaze alone defied it, and leaped and
sparkled merrily. It was a day to be at home, crowding
about the fire, telling stories of travellers who had lost
their way in such weather on heaths and moors; and to
love a warm hearth more than ever.

The dwarf's humour, as we know, was to have a fireside
to himself; and when he was disposed to be convivial, to
enjoy himself alone. By no means insensible to the comfort
of being within doors, he ordered Tom Scott to pile the
little stove with coals, and, dismissing his work for that
day, determined to be jovial.

To this end, he lighted up fresh candles and heaped more
fuel on the fire; and having dined off a beefsteak, which he
cooked himself in somewhat of a savage and cannibal-
like manner, brewed a great bowl of hot punch, lighted his
pipe, and sat down to spend the evening.

At this moment, a low knocking at the cabin door ar-
rested his attention. When it had been twice or thrice
repeated, he softly opened the little window, and thrusting
his head out, demanded who was there.

"Only me, Quilp," replied a woman's voice.

"Only you!" cried the dwarf, stretching his neck to
obtain a better view of his visitor. "And what brings you
here, you jade? How dare you approach the ogre's castle,
eh?"

"I have come with some news," rejoined his spouse.
"Don't be angry with me."

"Is it good news, pleasant news, news to make a man
skip and snap his fingers?" said the dwarf. "Is the dear
old lady dead?"

-490-