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242 himself of this fact—(for there was a daring spirit about Clifford which few wished to draw upon themselves,)—that personage broke the pause by observing that no man, who pretended to be a gentleman, would intrude himself unasked and unwelcome, into any society; and Mauleverer, catching up the observation, said,—(drinking wine at the same time with Mr. Shrewd,)—that undoubtedly such conduct fully justified the rumours respecting Mr. Clifford, and utterly excluded him from that rank to which it was before more than suspected he had no claim.

So luminous and satisfactory an opinion from such an authority once broached was immediately and universally echoed, and long before the repast was over, it seemed to be tacitly agreed that Captain Clifford should be sent to Coventry, and if he murmured at the exile, he would have no right to insist upon being sent from thence to the devil!

The good old Squire, mindful of his former friendship for Clifford, and not apt to veer, was