ave, strange as
it may seem to you, such a thing as a conscience? It is true I forget it
now and then; but in a public capacity, the recollection of others
would put me very soon in mind of it. I know your party well. I cannot
imagine--forgive me--one more injurious to the country, nor one more
revolting to myself; and I do positively affirm, that I would sooner
feed my poodle on paunch and liver, instead of cream and fricassee, than
be an instrument in the hands of men like Lincoln and Lesborough; who
talk much, who perform nothing--who join ignorance of every principle
of legislation to indifference for every benefit to the people:--who are
full of 'wise saws,' but empty of 'modern instances'--who level upwards,
and trample downwards--and would only value the ability you are pleased
to impute to me, in the exact proportion that a sportsman values the
ferret, that burrows for his pleasure, and destroys for his interest.
Your party sha'n't stand!"

Vincent turned pale--"And how long," said he, "have you learnt 'the
principles of legislation,' and this mighty affection for the 'benefit
of the people?'"

"Ever since," said I, coldly, "I learnt any thing! The first piece of
real knowledge I ever gained was, that my interest was incorporated with
that of the beings with whom I had the chance of being cast: if I injure
them, I injure myself: if I can do them any good, I receive the benefit
in common with the rest. Now, as I have a great love for that personage
who has now the honour of addressing you, I resolved to be honest for
his sake. So much for my affection for the benefit of the people. As to
the little knowledge of the principles of legislation, on which you are
kind enough to compliment me, look over the books on this table, or the
writings in this desk, and know, that ever since I had the misfortune of
parting from you at Cheltenham, there has not been a day in which I have
spent less than six hours reading and writing on that sole subject. But
enough of this--will you ride to-day?"

Vincent rose slowly--

"'Gli arditi (said he) tuoi voti Gia noti mi sono; Ma inveno a quel
trono, Tu aspiri con me Trema per te!'"

"'Io trema' (I replied out of the same opera)--'Io trema--di te!'"

"Well," answered Vincent, and his fine high nature overcame his
momentary resentment and chagrin at my reception of his offer--"Well,
I honour your for your sentiments, though they are opposed to my own. I
may depend on your secrecy