Page:Paul Clifford Vol 2.djvu/90

82 sacrifice of present ambition to the difficulties of Government."

Brandon's proud heart swelled, and at that moment the veriest pains of Hell would scarcely have been felt.

While the aspiring schemer was thus agreeably engaged, Mauleverer, sliding through the crowd with that grace which charmed every one, old and young, and addressing to all he knew some lively or affectionate remark, made his way to the dancers, among whom he had just caught a glimpse of Lucy.—"I wonder," he thought, "whom she is dancing with? I hope it is that ridiculous fellow, Mossop, who tells a good story against himself; or that handsome ass, Belmont, who looks at his own legs, instead of seeming to have eyes for no one but his partner. Ah! if Tarquin had but known women as well as I do, he would have had no reason to be rough with Lucretia. 'Tis a thousand pities, that experience comes to us in women, as in the world, just when it begins to be no longer of use to us!"