'Mr.Wapshot,' said I, 'you are making love to an excellent lady now at the house of Mr.Brough: if you do not promise to give up all pursuit of her, I will expose you.' "'I _have_ promised,' said Wapshot, rather surprised, and looking more easy.

'I have given my solemn promise to Mr.Brough, who was with me this very morning, storming, and scolding, and swearing.

Oh, sir, it would have frightened you to hear a Christian babe like him swear as he did.' "'Mr.Brough been here ?' says I, rather astonished.
"'Yes; I suppose you are both here on the same scent,' says Wapshot.

'You want to marry the widow with the Slopperton and Squashtail estate, do you?
Well, well, have your way.

I've promised not to have anything more to do with the widow and a Wapshot's honour is sacred.' "'I suppose, sir,' says I, 'Mr.Brough has threatened to kick you out of doors, if you call again.' "'You _have_ been with him, I see,' says the reverend gent, with a shrug: then I remembered what you had told me of the broken seal of your letter, and have not the slightest doubt that Brough opened and read every word of it.
"Well, the first bird was bagged: both I and Brough had had a shot at him.