But if I could get a wife, with fortune enough to pay off my debts and set me straight in the world--" '"To be sure," said I.
'"And sweetness and goodness enough," he continued, "to make home tolerable, and to reconcile me to myself, I think I should do yet.

I shall never be in love again, that's certain; but perhaps that would be no great matter, it would enable me to choose with my eyes open--and I should make a good husband in spite of it; but could any one be in love with me ?--that's the question.

With your good looks and powers of fascination" (he was pleased to say), "I might hope; but as it is, Huntingdon, do you think anybody would take me--ruined and wretched as I am ?" '"Yes, certainly." '"Who ?" '"Why, any neglected old maid, fast sinking in despair, would be delighted to--" '"No, no," said he--"it must be somebody that I can love." '"Why, you just said you never could be in love again!" '"Well, love is not the word--but somebody that I can like.

I'll search all England through, at all events!" he cried, with a sudden burst of hope, or desperation.

"Succeed or fail, it will be better than rushing headlong to destruction at that d-d club: so farewell to it and you.
Whenever I meet you on honest ground or under a Christian roof, I shall be glad to see you; but never more shall you entice me to that devil's den!" 'This was shameful language, but I shook hands with him, and we parted.
He kept his word; and from that time forward he has been a pattern of propriety, as far as I can tell; but till lately I have not had very much to do with him.