ever he could: he swore I was such a brave fellow.

As I had received a number of attentions from Clopper, I determined
to invite him to dinner; which I could do without any sacrifice of my
principle upon this point: for the fact is, Dobble lived at an inn, and
as he sent all his bills to his father, I made no scruple to use his
table. We dined in the coffee-room, Dobble bringing HIS friend; and
so we made a party CARRY, as the French say. Some naval officers were
occupied in a similar way at a table next to ours.

Well--I didn't spare the bottle, either for myself or for my friends;
and we grew very talkative, and very affectionate as the drinking went
on. Each man told stories of his gallantry in the field, or amongst the
ladies, as officers will, after dinner. Clopper confided to the company
his wish that I should marry his sister, and vowed that he thought me
the best fellow in Christendom.

Ensign Dobble assented to this. "But let Miss Clopper beware," says he,
"for Stubbs is a sad fellow: he has had I don't know how many liaisons
already; and he has been engaged to I don't know how many women."

"Indeed!" says Clopper. "Come, Stubbs, tell us your adventures."

"Psha!" said I, modestly, "there is nothing, indeed, to tell. I have
been in love, my dear boy--who has not?--and I have been jilted--who has
not?"

Clopper swore he would blow his sister's brains out if ever SHE served
me so.

"Tell him about Miss Crutty," said Dobble. "He! he! Stubbs served THAT
woman out, anyhow; she didn't jilt HIM. I'll be sworn."

"Really, Dobble, you are too bad, and should not mention names. The
fact is, the girl was desperately in love with me, and had money--sixty
thousand pounds, upon my reputation. Well, everything was arranged, when
who should come down from London but a relation."

"Well, and did he prevent the match?"

"Prevent it--yes, sir, I believe you he did; though not in the sense
that YOU mean. He would have given his eyes--ay, and ten thousand pounds
more--if I would have accepted the girl, but I would not."

"Why, in the name of goodness?"

"Sir, her uncle was a SHOEMAKER. I never would debase myself by marrying
into such a family."

"Of course not," said Dobble; "he couldn't, you know. Well, now--tell
him about the other girl, Mary Waters, you know."

"Hush, Dobble, hush! don't you see one of those naval officers has
turned round and heard you? My dear Clopper, it was a mere childish
bagatelle."