ed with the deepest scarlet: it was evident to see
that many a full bottle of "British compounds" had contributed to the
feeding of that burning and phosphoric illumination, which was, indeed,
"the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace."

The expression of the countenance was not wholly bad. Amidst the deep
traces of searing vice and unrestrained passion; amidst all that was
bold, and unfeminine, and fierce, and crafty, there was a latent look
of coarse good humour, a twinkle of the eye that bespoke a tendency to
mirth and drollery, and an upward curve of the lip that shewed, however
the human creature might be debased, it still cherished its grand
characteristic--the propensity to laughter.

The garb of this dame Leonarda was by no means of that humble nature
which one might have supposed. A gown of crimson silk, flounced and
furbelowed to the knees, was tastefully relieved by a bright yellow
shawl; and a pair of heavy pendants glittered in her ears, which were
of the size proper to receive "the big words" they were in the habit
of hearing. Probably this finery had its origin in the policy of her
guests, who had seen enough of life to know that age, which tames all
other passions, never tames the passion of dress in a woman's mind.

No sooner did the four revellers set their eyes upon me than they all
rose.

"Zounds, Bess!" cried the tallest of them, "what cull's this? Is this a
bowsing ken for every cove to shove his trunk in?"

"What ho, my kiddy," cried Job, "don't be glimflashy: why you'd cry beef
on a blater; the cove is a bob cull, and a pal of my own; and, moreover,
is as pretty a Tyburn blossom as ever was brought up to ride a horse
foaled by an acorn."

Upon this commendatory introduction I was forthwith surrounded, and one
of the four proposed that I should be immediately "elected."

This motion, which was probably no gratifying ceremony, Job negatived
with a dictatorial air, and reminded his comrades that however they
might find it convenient to lower themselves occasionally, yet that they
were gentlemen sharpers, and not vulgar cracksmen and cly-fakers,
and that, therefore, they ought to welcome me with the good breeding
appropriate to their station.

Upon this hint, which was received with mingled laughter and deference,
for Job seemed to be a man of might among these Philistines, the tallest
of the set, who bore the euphonious appellation of Spider-shanks,
politely asked me if