lodgings in a genteel country-looking cottage on the Deptford
road. But I was never destined to find love there with Jemima."
"And what has happened to prevent your marriage?" said I, growing
impatient and wishing to cut his long story down to the basement.
"Many a slip, sir, between the cup and the lip. There's truth in those
old saws howsomever. Mr. Theophilus's French valet, poured such a heap
of flummery into the dear girl's ears, that it turned her 'ead
altogether, and she run off with the haffected puppy last night; but
let him look well after himself, for I swear the first time I catch
him, I'll make cat's meat of him. Ah! sir, the song says, that it's the
men who is so cruelly deceitful, but I have found it the reverse. Never
trust in vimen, sir! I swear I'll hate 'em all from this day, for
Jemima's sake."
"Consider yourself a fortunate fellow," said I. "You have made a very
narrow escape."
"Ah, sir, it's all very well talking, when you don't feel the smart
yourself. I loved that false creter with my 'ole 'art. But there's one
thing," brightening up, "which consoles me under this great
haffliction, the annoyance that it has given to Mr. Theophilus. This
morning, there was no one to dress him--to flatter his vanity and tell
him what a fine gentleman he is: I had to carry up his boots and
shaving-water. It was rare fun to see him stamping and raving about the
room, and vishing all the vimen in the vorld at the devil. But hark!
there's the dining-room bell. More wine. The ladies have just left for
the drawing-room."
The blaze of lights, the gay assemblage of youth and beauty which
arrested my eyes as Saunders threw back the folding-doors, sent a
sudden thrill of joy to my heart. But these feelings were quickly
damped by the cold and distant salutations I received from the larger
portion of the company there assembled. Persons who a few weeks before
had courted my acquaintance and flattered my vanity, by saying and
doing a thousand agreeable things, had not a friendly word to offer.
The meaning glance which passed round the circle when I appeared among
them, chilled the warm glow of pleasure, which the sight of so many
fair and familiar faces had called up.
What could be the meaning of all this? A vague suspicion dashed into my
mind, that my cousin was the direct cause of this change in the aspect
of affairs, and, sick and disgusted with the world, I sat down at a
distant table and began mechanically
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