erring man in a very prosaic and homely world,--Clifford still mingled
a certain generosity and chivalric spirit of enterprise even with the
practices of his profession. Although the name of Lovett, by which he
was chiefly known, was one peculiarly distinguished in the annals of
the adventurous, it had never been coupled with rumours of cruelty
or outrage; and it was often associated with anecdotes of courage,
courtesy, good humour, or forbearance. He was one whom a real love
was peculiarly calculated to soften and to redeem. The boldness, the
candour, the unselfishness of his temper, were components of nature
upon which affection invariably takes a strong and deep hold. Besides,
Clifford was of an eager and aspiring turn; and the same temper and
abilities which had in a very few years raised him in influence and
popularity far above all the chivalric band with whom he was connected,
when once inflamed and elevated by a higher passion, were likely to
arouse his ambition from the level of his present pursuits, and reform
him, ere too late, into a useful, nay, even an honourable member of
society. We trust that the reader has already perceived that, despite
his early circumstances, his manner and address were not such as to
unfit him for a lady's love. The comparative refinement of his exterior
is easy of explanation, for he possessed a natural and inborn gentility,
a quick turn for observation, a ready sense both of the ridiculous and
the graceful; and these are materials which are soon and lightly wrought
from coarseness into polish. He had been thrown, too, among the leaders
and heroes of his band; many not absolutely low in birth, nor debased in
habit. He had associated with the Barringtons of the day,--gentlemen who
were admired at Ranelagh, and made speeches worthy of Cicero, when they
were summoned to trial. He had played his part in public places; and
as Tomlinson was wont to say after his classic fashion, "the triumphs
accomplished in the field had been planned in the ball-room." In short,
he was one of those accomplished and elegant highwaymen of whom we yet
read wonders, and by whom it would have been delightful to have been
robbed: and the aptness of intellect which grew into wit with his
friends, softened into sentiment with his mistress. There is something,
too, in beauty (and Clifford's person, as we have before said, was
possessed of even uncommon attractions) which lifts a beggar into
nobility; and there