"Well then," continued Worcester, "I will throw myself on my knees----" "No, pray don't," I exclaimed, "I really must go to Astley's, I have not a moment to lose. My word is pledged to Leinster: but I believe that you love me better than he is capable of loving anything, and, since you are good enough to value my friendship, I will not cut you, indeed I will not," and I gave him my hand, which he covered with warm kisses and warmer tears. "You must go now," I added; "I never break my word, and Leinster will be here directly; but, when he goes to Spain,----" "Does he go?" interrupted Worcester eagerly. "Everything is settled," answered I, "and, in less than six weeks Leinster can torment you no more." Worcester appeared to be overjoyed. "And, when he is gone, there will be no man you care about left in England?" "None: except indeed a sort of tenderness, not amounting to anything like passion, for Lord Robert Manners: and then I have a great respect for Lord Frederick's morals, and that is all! So now, my lord, you must set off, and do be merry. You shall hear from me often, and as soon as Leinster is gone you are welcome to try to make me in love with you. If you fail, so much the worse for us both; since I hold everything which is not love, to be mere dull intervals in life." "I may not call on you then?" asked Worcester. "I will write, and tell you all about it." There was now a loud rap at the door. "I am off," said Worcester. "I cannot bear to sit here a single instant with Leinster. _En grace je te prie, mon ange, ayez pitié de moi et ne m'oubliez pas._" He dropped on one knee to kiss my hand, like a knight of old, and the next instant he was out of sight. "Was that the Marquis of Worcester who ran out of your home in such a hurry, as I was getting out of my carriage?" asked Leinster, as he entered the room, full dressed, his handsome leg, _en gros_, set off to the best advantage by a fine silk stocking. "Yes," said I, "but I have desired him not to come again; so pray don't be sentimental. I have had enough of that, this day, to last me my life." "You are very cold and heartless, which is what, from the expression of your eyes, I had never suspected," remarked Leinster. "I was in love enough once," I rejoined, "God knows, and what good did it do me?" After all, I arrived at Astley's just in time for my favourite harlequinade. The house was well attended. I thought that I observed the Marquis of Worcester, slyly glancing at us through the trelliswork of a stage-box; but I was not quite certain. After the piece was finished, I wanted to set Leinster down at his own door; but he declared himself so hungry, that he could not get further than Westminster-bridge without a slice of bread and butter, quite as thick as those his tutor Mr. Smith used to provide him with. This luxury his footman procured, together with a tankard of ale from a pothouse in the immediate vicinity of the theatre.