me, my dear Lord, do not be too sure of her—she is a singular girl, and of more independence than the generality of women. She will not think of your rank and station in estimating you; she will think only of their owner; and pardon me if I suggest to you, who know the sex so well, one plan that it may not be unadvisable for you to pursue.—Don't let her fancy you entirely her's; rouse her jealousy, pique her pride—let her think you unconquerable, and unless she is unlike all women, she will want to conquer you."
The Earl smiled. "I must take my chance!" said he with a confident tone.
"The hoary coxcomb!" muttered Brandon between his teeth: "now will his own folly spoil all."
"And that reminds me," continued Mauleverer, "that time wanes, and dinner is not over; let us not hurry, but let us be silent, to enjoy the more—these truffles in champagne—do taste them, they would raise the dead."
The lawyer smiled, and accepted the kindness, though he left the delicacy untouched; and Mauleverer, whose soul was in his plate, saw not the heartless rejection.
