Young Mortimer was a good-looking and well made young man; his features were animated and intelligent; his manners polished, though not quite so unrestrained as those which are to be acquired by an acquaintance with metropolitan associations.
"I am happy," said he, "to be introduced to any friends of your's, and shall be proud to number them among mine." "You may," replied Sparkle, "with great safety place them on your list; though you know I have already made it appear to you that friendship is a term more generally made use of than understood in London-- "For what is Friendship but a name, A charm which lulls to sleep, A shade that follows wealth and fame, And leaves the wretch to weep?
And Love is still an emptier sound, The modern fair one's jest; On earth unseen, or only found To warm the turtle's nest." "These sentiments are excellently expressed," said Tom, pinching him by the arm--"and I suppose in perfect consonance with your own ?" Sparkle felt 'the rebuke, look'd down, and seem'd confused; but in a moment recovering himself, "Not exactly so," replied he; "but then you know, and I don't mind confessing it among friends, though you are aware it is very unfashionable to acknowledge the existence of any thing of the kind, I am a pupil of nature." "You seem to be in a serious humour all at once," said young Mortimer.
~177~~"Can't help it," continued Sparkle--"for, "Let them all say what they will, Nature will be nature still." "And that usurper, or I should rather say, would be usurper, Fashion, is in no way in alliance with our natures.

I remember the old Duchess of Marlborough used to say 'That to love some persons very much, and to see often those we love, is the greatest happiness I can enjoy;' but it appears almost impossible for any person in London to secure such an enjoyment, and I can't help feeling it." By the look and manner with which this last sentiment was uttered, Tom plainly discovered there was a something labouring at his heart which prompted it.

"Moralizing!" said he.

"Ah, Charley, you are a happy fellow.

I never yet knew one who could so rapidly change '_from grave to gay, from lively to severe_; and for the benefit of our friends, I can't help thinking you could further elucidate the very subject you have so feelingly introduced." "You are a quiz" said Sparkle; "but there is one thing to be said, I know you, and have no great objection to your hits now and then, provided they are not knock down blows." "But," said Mortimer, "what has this to do with friendship and love?
I thought you were going to give something like a London definition of the terms." "Why," said Sparkle, "in London it is equally difficult to get to love any body very much, or often to meet those that we love.