Secondly, to speak candidly, with my present hopes and fears weighing upon my mind, I should not be the most agreeable travelling companion to two ladies with such pretensions as you speak of; and thirdly,--" "Confound your thirdly.

I suppose we shall have sixteenthly, like a Presbyterian minister's sermon, if I let you go on.

Why, they'll not delay you one hour.

Mrs.Bingham, man, cares as little for the road as yourself; and as for your petits soins, I suppose if you get the fair ladies through the Custom-House, and see them safe in a London hotel, it is all will be required at your hands." "Notwithstanding all you say, I see the downright impossibility of my taking such a charge at this moment, when my own affairs require all the little attention I can bestow; and when, were I once involved with your fair friends, it might be completely out of my power to prosecute my own plans." As I said this, we reached the door of a handsome looking house in Kildare-street; upon which Tom left my arm, and informing me that he desired to drop a card, knocked loudly.
"Is Mrs.Bingham at home," said he, as the servant opened the door.
"No sir, she's out in the carriage." "Well, you see Harry, your ill luck befriends you; for I was resolved on presenting you to my friends and leaving the rest to its merits." "I can safely assure you that I should not have gone up stairs," said I.
"Little as I know of myself, there is one point of my character I have never been deceived in, the fatal facility by which every new incident or adventure can turn me from following up my best matured and longest digested plans; and as I feel this weakness and cannot correct it; the next best thing I can do is fly the causes." "Upon my soul," said Tom, "you have become quite a philosopher since we met.

There is an old adage which says, 'no king is ever thoroughly gracious if he has not passed a year or two in dethronement;' so I believe your regular lady-killer--yourself for instance--becomes a very quiet animal for being occasionally jilted.