Is the man mad ?' And then, as if already half-ashamed of my passion: 'I can take a joke as well as any one,' I added; 'but this passes measure.

Send my servant and the bill.' When he had left me alone, I considered my own valour with amazement.

I had insulted him; I had sent him away alone; now, if ever, he would take what was the only sensible resource, and fetch the constable.

But there was something instinctively treacherous about the man which shrank from plain courses.

And, with all his cleverness, he missed the occasion of fame.