the least disturbed in his passion; and if he was not successful, at
least the little wretch could have the pleasure of HINTING that he
was, and looking particularly roguish when the Ravenswing was named,
and assuring his friends at the club, that "upon his vort dere vas
no trut IN DAT REBORT."

At last one day it happened that Mrs. Crump did not arrive in time
for her daughter's lesson (perhaps it rained and the omnibus was
full--a smaller circumstance than that has changed a whole life ere
now)--Mrs. Crump did not arrive, and Baroski did, and Morgiana,
seeing no great harm, sat down to her lesson as usual, and in the
midst of it down went the music-master on his knees, and made a
declaration in the most eloquent terms he could muster.

"Don't be a fool, Baroski!" said the lady--(I can't help it if her
language was not more choice, and if she did not rise with cold
dignity, exclaiming, "Unhand me, sir!")--"Don't be a fool!" said
Mrs. Walker, "but get up and let's finish the lesson."

"You hard-hearted adorable little greature, vill you not listen to
me?"

"No, I vill not listen to you, Benjamin!" concluded the lady. "Get
up and take a chair, and don't go on in that ridiklous way, don't!"

But Baroski, having a speech by heart, determined to deliver himself
of it in that posture, and begged Morgiana not to turn avay her
divine hice, and to listen to de voice of his despair, and so forth;
he seized the lady's hand, and was going to press it to his lips,
when she said, with more spirit, perhaps, than grace,--