—let them defeat me, and I allow their right to destroy."[1]
"Passion," said Augustus coolly, "is the usual enemy of reason—in your case it is the friend!"
The pair had now gained the summit of a hill which commanded a view of the city below. Here Augustus, who was a little short-winded, paused to recover breath. As soon as he had done so, he pointed with his fore-finger to the scene beneath, and said enthusiastically—"What a subject for contemplation!"
Clifford was about to reply, when suddenly the sound of laughter and voices was heard behind—"Let us fly!" cried Augustus; "on this day of spleen man delights me not—nor woman either."
"Stay!" said Clifford, in a trembling accent, for among those voices he recognised one which had already acquired over him an irresistible and bewitching power. Augustus sighed, and reluctantly remained motionless. Presently a winding in the
- ↑ The Author need not, he hopes, observe, that these sentiments are Mr. Paul Clifford's—not his.
