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122 my case too! Despite our labours for the public weal, the ungrateful dogs see that we are above them; a single envious breast is sufficient to give us to the hangman; we have agreed that we are in danger, we have agreed to make an honourable retreat! we cannot do so without money; you know the vulgar distich among our set. Nothing can be truer—

You will not carry off some of the common stock, though I think you justly might, considering how much you have put into it; What, then, shall we do? Work we cannot! Beg we will not! and between you and me we are cursedly extravagant! What remains but marriage?"

"It is true!" said Clifford, with a half sigh.

"You may well sigh, my good fellow; marriage is a lackadaisical proceeding at best; but there is no resource: and now, when you have got a liking to a voung lady who is as rich as a she Crœsus, and so gilded the pill as bright as a Lord Mayor's