Let the wedding somehow first take place, and then--! and then!--for now he knew which way the wind blew; so the scheming youth calmed his rising triumphs, and counselled his progenitor as follows: "Well, governor, I never saw so green a blade in all my born days.

Can't you see, now, that it's all cram this, just to put you in spirits, old boy, in case of such things happening?
It was wicked too of me to tease you so--but I'm so jolly, governor; such luck in Jermyn street--I knew you'd like a joke served up with such rich sauce as this is, ey?
only look!" It was half a hatful of bank notes raked up at the hazard table.
Sir Thomas's gray eyes darted swiftly at the spoil; often as he had warned and scolded Jack about the matter of Jermyn street (for Jack was bold enough never to conceal one of his little foibles), the father had now nothing to object; for, in his philosophy, the end justified the means.

With most of this wise world, he looked upon success as in the nature of virtue, and failure as the surest sign of vice; accordingly his ire was diverted on the moment, and blazed in admiration of son Jack: and that estimable creature immediately determined it was wise to speak in tones of unwonted affection respecting his sister.
"Now, governor, I put it to you plump, isn't this hatful enough to make a man beside himself, so as not to stick at a white lie or two?
Dear Maria there is no more going to become a Mrs.Clements than you are; she cut the fellow dead long ago: so mind, that's a tough old bird, you don't say one word to her about him; it would be just raking up the cinders again, you know, and you might be fool enough to raise a flame.
No, governor, if it's any consolation to you, that pauper connection has been all at an end this month; not but what the beggar's got my mother's ear still, I fancy; but as to Maria, she detests him.

So take my advice, and don't tease the poor girl about the business.

Now, then, that this is all settled, and now that you 're the merrier for that silly bit of storming at nothing, just listen: the wedding's my own! isn't Jack Dillaway a clever fellow now, to have caught a Right Honourable Ladyship, with a park in Yorkshire, a palace in Wales, and a mansion in Grosvenor square ?" At this _extempore_ invention, the delighted parent rained so many blessings on his progeny, that John knew the tide was turned at once.
Our ex-lord mayor had high ambitions, dating from the year of glory onwards; so that nothing could be more prudent or well-timed that this ideal aristocratic connection.