yet mentioned.

But the evil of it was I had no pistol that had already proved my misfortune. It was the most grievous error 1 ever committed, that I neglected to take a pair of pistols with me when Lavinia and I quitted Carlisle for Gretna. Had I only possessed these servicable implements, she and I had been by this time man and wife. I should, in that case, have instantaneously scattered, in a thousand directions, the brains of a couple of the trio of insolent intruders, when they presumed to lay their clumsy hands on Lavinia; and the third would, coward like, have taken to his heels. But regrets were unavailing now; the question was how to procure a pair of pistols for my present purpose? I could not, for the reason already mentioned, venture out myself in day-light to any shop to purchase the articles; and to have sent any other person would have awakened suspicions, and consequently defeated my object. I thought, in all the circumstances, the best way would be to wait until dark, when I might go out myself and procure the implements I wanted; taking care, while in the ironmonger's shop, to keep

my face shrouded, by means of my pocket-handkerchief, from the unhallowed gaze of the shopman. Evening came. I had left money to pay my bill, and was in the act of going down-stairs to procure the instruments wherewith to execute my rash purpose, when I heard the sound of a coach-horn. "Holloa! Holloa! Here's the London coach!" vociferated Boots to some hostlerlooking figure at the door. "The London coach!" thought I. It is dark; no one will recognize me in the coach: I will go to London, where I am all but utterly unknown, and perhaps I may after all, by observing a prudent conduct for the future, be a happy man. I ran up-stairs for the money I had left, inquired how far on the way to London the coach would be by daylight; was answered; took my seat for that place, and set off. By confining myself in a room in one of the inns of the respective towns all day, and travelling all night, I reached the metropolis after four days stoppages by the way.

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MISADVENTURES OF A LOVER.

CHAPTER IV.

I DID not venture out for some time after my arrival in the metropolis. The state of my face, it is unnecessary to say, was the cause of my being so much "at home.”

Time, which in every case works wonders, wrought marvels for my phiz. Traces are yet to be seen, in one or two places, of the tom-cat's talons; but I had not been long in town, when I found my frontispiece, upon the whole, tolerably fit to be seen.

I was so fortunate as to get employment the second day I went in quest of it.

In six weeks afterwards, woman, the cause of all my past disasters, brought me into another awful predicament. As I was walking one day up the Strand, arm-in-arm with a friend, we met

an excessively handsome young female with whom my friend was acquainted. "Miss Jackson,"

said he, making a polite inclination of the head from the young lady to me. "Mr. Snitch," said he, with a very pretty nod towards Miss Jackson. The half-minute's conversation which we had with the young lady only served to deepen the impression her charms had made on me at the first glance. My readers know, from what I have already told them, something of the remarkable facility with which I fall in love. A look, a nod, a word from an engaging female has not only captivated but conquered my poor heart. To be brief in this case, I was completely smitten. In parting with Miss Jackson and her mother— I ought to have mentioned before now that Miss J.'s mamma was with her-I inquired of my friend where they stayed. "Newman Street, Oxford Street, but do not recollect the number," was the answer. "Are you in love? Do you mean to call?" he inquired in a half jocular tone. Come, that's very fair," said I, assuming a little pleasantry at his his queries. The conversation was dropped.

66

Nothing farther passed that day concerning

the adorable Miss Jackson. To my ineffable surprise I next day received a card from Mrs. Jackson, inviting me to form one of a select company who were to drink tea on the following afternoon at her house. My immediate inference was, that in the interim my friend had met with Mrs. Jackson, and that the conversation turning by accident or otherwise on my humble self, he had spoken favourably of me as I may say, without incurring the imputation of egotism, he had every reason to do the invitation I received was the result. I of course willingly accepted the invitation, drank tea with Mrs. Jackson and friends, and spent a most agreeable evening. I sat opposite Miss Jackson on the occasion. I have studied Lavater with some care. I have been a specially attentive observer of female faces. The eyes, in particular, which Socrates, or some other of the ancients, calls the windows of the soul, have always obtained a very large share of my attention. Some words, but especially looks were exchanged between Miss Jackson and self, that made me most anxious for a private interview.