"
"By my word, my lord duke," replied the earl, "it is easy for any one
to outstep boundaries, of the existence of which he was not aware. It
is neither to secure my protection nor approbation, that my son keeps
such exalted company."
"O, my lord, we know you, and indulge you," said the duke; "you are
one of those who presume for a life-long upon the merit of one good
action."
"In faith, my lord, and if it be so," said the old earl, "I have at
least the advantage of such as presume more than I do, without having
done any action of merit whatever. But I mean not to quarrel with you,
my lord--we can neither be friends nor enemies--you have your path,
and I have mine."
Buckingham only replied by throwing on his bonnet, and shaking its
lofty plume with a careless and scornful toss of the head. They parted
thus; the duke walking onwards through the apartments, and the others
leaving the Palace and repairing to Whitehall Stairs, where they
embarked on board the barge of the citizen.
CHAPTER X
Bid not thy fortune troll upon the wheels
Of yonder dancing cubes of mottled bone;
And drown it not, like Egypt's royal harlot,
Dissolving her rich pearl in the brimm'd wine-cup.
These are the arts, Lothario, which shrink acres
Into brief yards--bring sterling pounds to farthings,
Credit to infamy; and the poor gull,
Who might have lived an honour'd, easy life,
To ruin, and an unregarded grave.
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