It is with me in marriage as in duelling--I'll be any thing rather than a principal; and I have long since disapproved of either method as a means of 'obtaining satisfaction.'" "Ah, Harry, I shall not be discouraged by your sneers.

You've been rather unlucky, I'm aware; but now to return: Your office, on this occasion, is an exceedingly simple one, and yet that which I could only confide to one as much my friend as yourself.

You must carry my dearest Louisa off." "Carry her off! Where ?--when ?--how ?" "All that I have already arranged, as you shall hear." "Yes.

But first of all please to explain why, if going to run away with the lady, you don't accompany her yourself." "Ah! I knew you would say that, I could have laid a wager you'd ask that question, for it is just that very explanation will show all the native delicacy and feminine propriety of my darling Loo; and first, I must tell you, that old Sir Alfred Jonson, her father, has some confounded prejudice against the army, and never would consent to her marriage with a red-coat--so that, his consent being out of the question, our only resource is an elopement.

Louisa consents to this, but only upon one condition--and this she insists upon so firmly--I had almost said obstinately--that, notwithstanding all my arguments and representations, and even entreaties against it, she remains inflexible; so that I have at length yielded, and she is to have her own way." "Well, and what is the condition she lays such stress upon ?" "Simply this--that we are never to travel a mile together until I obtain my right to do so, by making her my wife.