I be damned,' said Figgins, 'if I think there is your fellow upon the face of the earth. Such prudence and discernment at your age is truly astonishing.'

The reader sees that Figgins did not want Charles to go to England, but as he well knew the right kind of argument to hold with mankind, the stronger Charles's obstinacy appeared, the more he argued against it. He shewed how easy it would be to undeceive Sir Sidney. He painted the beauties of Annette; the danger of losing her; the triumph of obtaining her from his rival; till at length, being highly exhilirated with wine, he had reason to repent of his warmth, for Charles, in the heat of his vivacity, said something that implied a determination to return.
Fortune however, envious perhaps of his having so narrowly escaped an untimely end, or thinking

the hero of such a history as this had not been long enough upon his probation, or bent upon bringing about his catastrophe, whatever it be, by the means of Mrs. Emma, her agent, or for some other equally wise and considerate motive, determined to give Charles good time to deliberate, before he should come to any resolution; for he was that night taken with a violent fever, which lasting him several days without the smallest intermission, and several weeks with but very little, he was at length left in a most emaciated condition, with all the symptoms of a gradual decline.
The moment he was able he wrote to Mr. Balance, without however dropping a hint of his illness, which precaution he enjoined Figgins also to observe, thinking, probably, it would look like an overture to a reconciliation, which, had he even wished, his pride would have forbid him to acknowledge.
Indeed he was pretty resolute as to his future intentions; for though his bodily strength was greatly impaired, his mental faculties were at least as strong as ever.
This was the only serious illness he had ever had in his life. It had given him excellent time for reflection,

and the more he reflected the less he saw to be ashamed of. In proportion therefore as he found himself wronged, he persisted in his firm determination to consider himself independant, and accountable to no man for his actions: and, as to enjoy the full possession of such principles he must not have many friendships, he resolved to continue his tour, that, by gathering a plentiful stock of accomplishments, he might be the better qualified to find a friend in himself.
This scheme he was also determined to pursue after his own