'Ehem!' I faltered at last,--'e-h-e-m! Some mis-take, I--I--' There I stopped.
"'Sir,' said the earl, regarding me with a grave sternness, 'you had better withdraw.' "'Bless me! what's all this ?' cried Lady Margaret, dropping my palsied arm, and gazing on me as if she expected me to talk like a hero.
"'Oh,' said I, 'eh-e-m, eh-e-m,--I will exp--lain to-morrow,--ehem, e-h-e-m.' I made to the door; all the eyes in the room seemed turned into burning-glasses, and blistered the very skin on my face.

I heard a gentle shriek, as I left the apartment,--Lady Margaret fainting, I suppose! There ended my courtship and my adventures in 'the best society.' "I felt melancholy at the ill-success of my scheme.

You must allow it was a magnificent project.

What moral courage! I admire myself when I think of it.

Without an introduction, without knowing a soul, to become, all by my own resolution, free of the finest houses in London, dancing with earls' daughters, and all but carrying off an earl's daughter myself as my wife.