I accompanied her home.
You know, before morning we robbed Lord Mauleverer; the affair made a noise, and I feared to endanger you all if I appeared in the vicinity of the robbery.

Since then, business diverted my thoughts; we formed the plan of trying a matrimonial speculation at Bath.

I came hither,--guess my surprise at seeing her--" "And your delight," added Tomlinson, "at hearing she is as rich as she is pretty." "No!" answered Clifford, quickly; "that thought gives me no pleasure.
You stare.

I will try and explain.

You know, dear Tomlinson, I'm not much of a canter, and yet my heart shrinks when I look on that innocent face, and hear that soft happy voice, and think that my love to her can be only ruin and disgrace; nay, that my very address is contamination, and my very glance towards her an insult." "Heyday!" quoth Tomlinson; "have you been under my instructions, and learned the true value of words, and can you have any scruples left on so easy a point of conscience?
True, you may call your representing yourself to her as an unprofessional gentleman, and so winning her affections, deceit; but why call it deceit when a genius for intrigue is so much neater a phrase?
In like manner, by marrying the young lady, if you say you have ruined her, you justly deserve to be annihilated; but why not say you have saved yourself, and then, my dear fellow, you will have done the most justifiable thing in the world." "Pish, man!" said Clifford, peevishly; "none of thy sophisms and sneers!" "By the soul of Sir Edward Coke, I am serious! But look you, my friend! this is not a matter where it is convenient to have a tender-footed conscience.