 about it. We shine out
brightly in comparison with England, certainly; but hers is a very extreme case.
You complimented me on my frankness, you know,« he added, laughing.
    »Oh! I am not at all astonished at your speaking thus openly when my country
is in question,« returned Martin. »It is your plain-speaking in reference to
your own that surprises me.«
    »You will not find it a scarce quality here, I assure you, saving among the
Colonel Divers, and Jefferson Bricks, and Major Pawkinses; though the best of us
are something like the man in Goldsmith's comedy, who wouldn't suffer anybody
but himself to abuse his master. Come!« he added. »Let us talk of something
else. You have come here on some design of improving your fortune, I dare say;
and I should grieve to put you out of heart. I am some years older than you,
besides; and may, on a few trivial points, advise you, perhaps.«
    There was not the least curiosity or impertinence in the manner of this
offer, which was open-hearted, unaffected, and good-natured. As it was next to
impossible that he should not have his confidence awakened by a deportment so
prepossessing and kind, Martin plainly stated what had brought him into those
parts, and even made the very difficult avowal that he was poor. He did not say
how poor, it must be admitted, rather throwing off the declaration with an air
which might have implied that he had money enough for six months, instead of as
many weeks; but poor he said he was, and grateful he said he would be, for any
counsel that his friend would give him.
    It would not have been very difficult for any one to see; but it was
particularly easy for Martin, whose perceptions were sharpened by his
circumstances, to discern; that the stranger's face grew infinitely longer as
the domestic-architecture project was developed. Nor, although he made a great
effort to be as encouraging as possible, could he prevent his head from shaking
once involuntarily, as if it said in the vulgar tongue, upon its own account,
»No go!« But he spoke in a cheerful tone, and said, that although there was no
such opening as Martin wished, in that city, he would make it matter of
immediate consideration and inquiry where one was most likely to exist; and then
he made Martin acquainted with his name, which was Bevan; and with his
profession, which was
