Page:Paul Clifford Vol 3.djvu/46

38 fault on the road as it would be in house-breaking. I don't know a thing that requires so much coolness and self-possession as cleaning out a house from top to bottom,—quietly and civilly, mind you!"

"That is the reason, I suppose, then," said Augustus, "that you altogether renounced that career. Your first adventure was house-breaking, I think I have heard you say. I confess, it was a vulgar debût—not worthy of you!"

"No!—Harry Cook seduced me! but the specimen I saw that night disgusted me of picking locks; it brings one in contact with such low companions: only think, there was a merchant—a rag-merchant, one of the party!"

"Faugh!" said Tomlinson, in solemn disgust.

"Ay, you may well turn up your lip: I never broke into a house again."

"Who were your other companions?" asked Augustus. "Only Harry Cook, and a very singular woman"

Here Ned's narrative was interrupted by a dark