regard to Tom Tringle, who, if the matter be looked at
aright, should be regarded as the hero of this little history. Ayala
indeed, who is no doubt the real heroine among so many young ladies
who have been more or less heroic, did not find in him the angel of
whom she had dreamed, and whose personal appearance on earth was
necessary to her happiness. But he had been able very clearly to pick
out an angel for himself, and, though he had failed in his attempts
to take the angel home with him, had been constant in his endeavours
as long as there remained to him a chance of success. He had shown
himself to be foolish, vulgar, and ignorant. He had given way to
Bolivian champagne and Faddle intimacies. He had been silly enough
to think that he could bribe his Ayala with diamonds for herself,
and charm her with cheaper jewelry on his own person. He had thought
to soar high by challenging his rival to a duel, and had then been
tempted by pot courage to strike him in the streets. A very vulgar
and foolish young man! But a young man capable of a persistent
passion! Young men not foolish and not vulgar are, perhaps, common
enough. But the young men of constant heart and capable of such
persistency as Tom's are not to be found every day walking about the
streets of the metropolis. Jonathan Stubbs was constant, too; but it
may be doubted whether the Colonel ever really despaired. The merit
is to despair and yet to be constant. When a man has reason to be
assured that a young lady is very fond of him, he may always hope
that love will follow,--unless indeed the love which he seeks
has been already given away elsewhere. Moreover, Stubbs had many
substantial supports at his back; the relationship of the Marchesa,
the friendship of Lady Albury, the comforts of Stalham,--and not
least, if last, the capabilities and prowess of Croppy. Then, too,
he was neither vulgar nor foolish nor ignorant. Tom Tringle had
everything against him,--everything that would weigh with Ayala; and
yet he fought his battle out to the last gasp. Therefore, I desire my
hearers to regard Tom Tringle as the hero of the transactions with
which they have been concerned, and to throw their old shoes after
him as he starts away upon his grand tour.

"Tom, my boy, you have to go, you know, in four days," said his
father to him. At this time Tom had as yet given no positive consent
as to his departure. He had sunk into a low state of moaning and
groaning, in which he r