you to meet me here, thinking, like a fool,
that I should want your countenance as bride's-man. Well - I state my
pretensions - they are not denied; the promises so repeatedly made, and the
patent granted - they are acknowledged. But I propose, as a natural consequence,
to assume the rank which the patent bestowed - I have the old story of the
jealousy of C-- and M-- trumped up against me - I resist this pretext, and offer
to procure their written acquiescence, in virtue of the date of my patent as
prior to their silly claims - I assure you I would have had such a consent from
them, if it had been at the point of the sword. And then, out comes the real
truth; and he dares to tell me, to my face, that my patent must be suppressed
for the present, for fear of disgusting that rascally coward and faineant -
(naming the rival chief of his own clan) - who has no better title to be a
chieftain than I to be Emperor of China; and who is pleased to shelter his
dastardly reluctance to come out, agreeable to his promise twenty times pledged,
under a pretended jealousy of the Prince's partiality to me. And, to leave this
miserable driveller without a pretence for his cowardice, the Prince asks it as
a personal favour of me, forsooth, not to press my just and reasonable request
at this moment. After this, put your faith in princes!«
    »And did your audience end here?«
    »End? O no! I was determined to leave him no pretence for his ingratitude,
and I therefore stated, with all the composure I could muster, - for I promise
you I trembled with passion, - the particular reasons I had for wishing that his
Royal Highness would impose upon me any other mode of exhibiting my duty and
devotion, as my views in life made, what at any other time would have been a
mere trifle, at this crisis a severe sacrifice; and then I explained to him my
full plan.«
    »And what did the Prince answer?«
    »Answer? why - it is well it is written, Curse not the king; no, not in thy
thought! - why, he answered, that truly he was glad I had made him my confidant,
to prevent more grievous disappointment, for he could assure me, upon the word
of a prince, that Miss Bradwardine's affections were engaged, and he was under a
particular promise to favour them. So, my