Bel to this Dragon, and fell him from his high places.

"Pity me, my dear friend; I dine out to-day, and feel already, by an
intuitive shudder, that the soup will be cold, and the sherry hot.
Adieu.

"Ever your's,

"Guloseton."

Now, then, my triumph, my vanity, and my revenge might be fully
gratified. I had before me a golden opportunity of displaying my own
power, and of humbling that of the minister. My heart swelled high at
the thought. Let it be forgiven me, if, for a single moment, my previous
calculations and morality vanished from my mind, and I saw only the
offer of Vincent, and the generosity of Guloseton. But I checked the
risings of my heart, and compelled my proud spirit to obedience.

I placed Guloseton's letter before me, and as I read it once more in
order to reply to it, the disinterested kindness and delicacy of one,
whom I had long, in the injustice of my thoughts, censured as selfish,
came over me so forcibly, and contrasted so deeply with the hollowness
of friends more sounding, alike in their profession and their creeds,
that the tears streamed fast and gushingly from my eyes.

A thousand misfortunes are less affecting than a single kindness.

I wrote, in answer, a warm and earnest letter of thanks for an offer,
the judicious kindness of which penetrated me to the soul. I detailed,
at some length, the reasons which induced me to the decision I had
taken; I sketched also the nature of the very important motion about
to be brought before the House, and deduced from that sketch the
impossibility of conscientiously opposing Lord Dawton's party in
the debate. I concluded with repeating the expressions my gratitude
suggested, and after declining all interference with Lord Guloseton's
votes, ventured to add, that had I interfered, it would have been in
support of Dawton; not as a man, but a minister--not as an individual
friend, but a public servant.

I had just despatched this letter, when Vincent entered: I acquainted
him, though in the most respectful and friendly terms, with my
determination. He seemed greatly disappointed, and endeavoured to shake
my resolution; finding this was in vain, he appeared at last satisfied,
and even affected with my reasons. When we parted, it was with a
promise, confirmed by both, that no public variance should ever again
alter our private opinions of each other.

When I was once more alone, and saw myself brought back to the very foot
of the ladder I had so f