also of that elevated method of
thinking which constitutes the true gentleman. 'For what is it,' I have
heard him say, 'that gives a superiority of manners, but the inclination
to sacrifice our own pleasures and interests to the well-being of
others?' An ordinary person might have pitied the poor soldier, or even
have assisted him, when he had first taken care of himself; but who, in
such a dreadful extremity as the brave Sydney was reduced to, would be
capable of even forgetting his own sufferings to relieve another, who
had not acquired the generous habit of always slighting his own
gratifications for the sake of his fellow-creatures?"

As Harry was conversing in this manner, the little company had left off
dancing, and were refreshing themselves with a variety of cakes and
agreeable liquors, which had been provided for the occasion. Tommy
Merton and the other young gentleman were now distinguishing themselves
by their attendance upon the ladies, whom they were supplying with
everything they chose to have, but no one thought it worth his while to
wait upon Miss Simmons. When Harry observed this, he ran to the table,
and upon a large waiter brought her cakes and lemonade, which he
presented, if not with a better grace, with a more sincere desire to
oblige than any of the rest. But, as he was stooping down to offer her
the choice, Master Mash unluckily passed that way, and, elated by the
success of his late piece of ill-nature, determined to attempt a second
still more brutal than the first. For this reason, just as Miss Simmons
was helping herself to some wine and water, Mash, pretending to stumble,
pushed Harry in such a manner that the greater part of the contents of
the glasses was discharged full into her bosom. The young lady coloured
at the insult, and Harry, who instantly perceived that it had been done
on purpose, being no longer able to contain his indignation, seized a
glass that was only half-emptied, and discharged the contents full into
the face of the aggressor. Mash, who was a boy of violent passion,
exasperated at this retaliation, which he so well deserved, instantly
caught up a drinking glass, and flung it full at the head of Harry.
Happy was it for him that it only grazed his head without taking the
full effect; it, however, laid bare a considerable gash, and Harry was
in an instant covered with his own blood, the sight of which provoked
him the more, and made him forget both the place and the compan