m marked out for slaughter, for you cannot
convince me by words, and so, I suppose, you must conquer me by blows.
Adieu, this is my way to Lord Dawton's: where are you going?"

"To mount my horse, and join the parca juventus," said Vincent, with a
laugh at his own witticism, as we shook hands, and parted.

I grieve much, my beloved reader, that I cannot unfold to thee all the
particulars of my political intrigue. I am, by the very share which fell
to my lot, bound over to the strictest secrecy, as to its nature, and
the characters of the chief agents in its execution. Suffice it to say,
that the greater part of my time was, though furtively, employed in a
sort of home diplomacy, gratifying alike to the activity of my tastes,
and the vanity of my mind; and there were moments when I ventured to
grasp in my imagination the highest honours of the state, and the most
lucrative offices of power. I had filled Dawton, and his coadjutors,
with an exaggerated opinion of my abilities; but I knew well how to
sustain it. I rose by candle-light, and consumed, in the intensest
application, the hours which every other individual of our party wasted
in enervating slumbers, from the hesternal dissipation or debauch. Was
there a question in political economy debated, mine was the readiest
and the clearest reply. Did a period in our constitution become
investigated, it was I to whom the duty of expositor was referred.
From Madame D'Anville, with whom (though lost as a lover) I constantly
corresponded as a friend, I obtained the earliest and most accurate
detail of the prospects and manoeuvres of the court in which her life
was spent, and in whose more secret offices her husband was employed.
I spared no means of extending my knowledge of every the minutest point
which could add to the reputation I enjoyed. I made myself acquainted
with the individual interests and exact circumstances of all whom it was
our object to intimidate or to gain. It was I who brought to the House
the younger and idler members, whom no more nominally powerful agent
could allure from the ball-room or the gaming-house.

In short, while, by the dignity of my birth, and the independent hauteur
of my bearing, I preserved the rank of an equal amongst the highest of
the set, I did not scruple to take upon myself the labour and activity
of the most subordinate. Dawton declared me his right hand; and, though
I knew myself rather his head than his hand, I pretended to feel