I did not know then how many owed all their advancement to a woman's influence, and my manly pride disdained to own the obligation.

I put him off by a story of a friend who wished to remain unnamed, and, after the feint of some indifferent talk, seized the chance of a short silence to ask him my great question.
"Pray, sir, have you ever heard of a lady who goes sometimes by the name of Cydaria ?" said I.I fear my cheek flushed a little, do what I could to check such an exhibition of rawness.
"Cydaria?
Where have I heard that name?
No, I know nobody--and yet----" He paused; then, clapping his hand on his thigh, cried, "By my faith, yes; I was sure I had heard it.

It is a name from a play; from--from the 'Indian Emperor.' I think your lady must have been masquerading." "I thought as much," I nodded, concealing my disappointment.
He looked at me a moment with some curiosity, but did not press me further; and, since we had begun to draw near London, I soon had my mind too full to allow me to think even of Cydaria.

There is small profit in describing what every man can remember for himself--his first sight of the greatest city in the world, with its endless houses and swarming people.

It made me still and silent as we clattered along, and I forgot my companion until I chanced to look towards him, and found an amused glance fixed on my face.