as i had anticipated considering the of the place i found it very from other country places and that it was not so easy to make a dash there sinner that i was the very dignity and decorum of the little community was to me i feared my past idleness and folly would rise in judgment against me i stood in awe of the of the cathedral whom i saw mingling familiarly in society i became nervous on this point the of a s shoes sounding from one end of a quiet street to the other was appalling to me and the sight of a hat was sufficient at any time to check me in the midst of my poetical and then the good aunt could not be quiet but would cry me up for a genius and my poetry to every one so long as she confined this to the ladies it did well enough because they were able to feel and appreciate poetry of the new romantic school nothing would content the good lady however but she must read my verses to a who had long been the critic of the place he was a thin delicate old gentleman of mild polished manners to the lips in classic lore and not easily put in a heat by any hot blooded poetry of the day he listened to my most thoughts and words without a glow shook his head with a smile and condemned them as not being according to as not being legitimate poetry several old ladies who had heretofore been my admirers shook their heads at hearing this they could not think of any poetry that was not according to and as to any thing it was not to be in good society thanks to my stars however i had youth and novelty on my side so the young ladies persisted in admiring my poetry in despite of and i consoled myself with the good opinion of the young ladies whom i had always found to be the best judges of poetry as to these old scholars said i they are apt to be chilled by being in the cold fountains of the still i felt that i was losing ground and that it was necessary to bring matters to a point just at this time there was a public ball attended by the best society of the place and by the gentry of the neighbourhood i took great pains with vol i a a my toilet on the occasion and i had never looked better i had determined that night to make my grand assault on the heart of the young lady to battle it with all my forces and the next morning to demand a surrender in due form i entered the ball room amidst a and flutter which generally took place among the young ladies on my appearance i was in fine spirits for to tell the truth i had myself by a cheerful glass of wine on the occasion i talked and rattled and said a thousand silly things slap dash with all the confidence of a man sure of his � and every thing had its effect in the midst of my triumph i observed a little knot gathering together in the upper part of the room by degrees it increased a broke out there and glances were cast round at me and then there would be fresh some of the young ladies would away to distant parts of the room and whisper to their friends wherever they it there was still this and glancing at me i did not know what to make of all this i looked at myself from head to foot and peeped at my back in a glass to see if any thing was odd about my person any awkward exposure any hanging out � no � every thing was i was a perfect picture i determined that it must be some choice saying of mine that was about in this knot of merry beauties and i determined to enjoy one of my good things in the i stepped gently therefore up the room smiling at every one as i passed who i must say all smiled and in return i approached the group and my chin like a man who is full of pleasant feeling and sure of being well received the cluster of little opened as i advanced heavens and earth whom should i perceive in the midst of them but my early and flame the everlasting she was grown it is true into the full beauty of womanhood but showed by the provoking merriment of her that she perfectly recollected me and the ridiculous of which she had twice been the cause i saw at once the cloud of ridicule that was bursting over me my crest fell the flame of love went suddenly out in bosom or was extinguished by overwhelming shame how i got down the room i know not i fancied every one at me just i reached the door i caught a glance of my mistress and her aunt listening to the whispers of the old lady raising her hands and eyes and the face of the yoimg one lighted up as i imagined with scorn i paused to see no more but made two steps from the top of the stairs to the bottom the next morning before sunrise i beat a retreat and did not feel the cool from my cheeks until i had lost sight of the old towers of the cathedral i now returned to town thoughtful and my money was nearly spent for i had lived freely and without calculation the dream of love was over and the reign of pleasure at an end i determined to while i had yet a trifle left so selling my and horses for half their value i quietly put the money in my pocket and turned i had 