What,' said Ego, 'did not he boast of having served more people in real distress in six months, than ever Sir Sidney did in all his life?'
'Never,' said Mrs. Marlow, 'I will answer for him.'
'And did not he try to prove, by several instances, that there was no sort of comparison in his charity and that of the baronet?—for dam'me, said he, one day when he was drunk—'
'But I tell you he never gets drunk,' said Mrs. Marlow.
'Well,' said Ego, 'sober then: so much the worse: if he had been drunk he would have been excuseable. Dam'me, says he—'


Here Charles interrupted them.
'Ha! my good friend Hr. Hazard, I am glad you are come: I want my breakfast devilishly: I am the man for the hot rolls and butter. Here have this good lady and I been battling about you. Upon my soul she is a strong advocate; a staunch friend: never saw such an instance of attachment and fidelity. But, come, 'ent we to see Miss?'
'Miss!' said Charles, 'what Miss?'
'Why Lord now how strange you make of it,' said Ego; 'I mean the old gentlewoman's daughter: they tell me she is temptingly handsome: I am the man that is a judge of beauty.'
'I wish,' said Charles, 'you were a judge of good manners. I gave you a hint yesterday that, if we were to be friends, you must not attempt to glance at my actions in any way; for as I shall not think it worth my while to explain my motives for what I really do, so I give you warning you will not find me in a humour to pass calumny by quietly.'

Here Mrs Marlow brought in the breakfast, and the conversation became general.


CHARLES having taken an opportunity during breakfast of going out of the room, Mrs. Marlow begged Ego not to hint a single syllable of the conversation that had passed between them. She said Mr. Hazard was so tenacious of those resolutions he had taken of abiding by the truth of his intentions, without stooping to an explanation with any body, that she was sure he would break off for ever with any friend who should be unwise enough to stagger his determination;
'and as I am sure, Mr. Ego,' added she, 'he has a regard for you, it