George Borrow

“ Good, sir—very good!' as the voice of Francis Ardry declined gradually in vehemence. 'And now a little pathos, sir—try them with a little pathos. That won't do, sir—that won't do,'—as Francis Ardry made an attempt to become pathetic,—'that will never pass for pathos—with tones and gesture of that description you will never redress the wrongs of your country. ”

“ Not that I care anything about the matter; I merely obey the will of my guardians; my thoughts are fixed on something better than politics.'
'I understand you,' said I; 'dog-fighting—well, I can easily conceive that to some minds dog-fighting—'
'I was not thinking of dog-fighting,' said Francis Ardry, interrupting me. ”

“ That which at present engages my waking and sleeping thoughts is love—divine love—there is nothing like that. Listen to me, I have a secret to confide to you.'
And then Francis Ardry proceeded to make me his confidant. It appeared that he had had the good fortune to make the acquaintance of the most delightful young Frenchwoman imaginable, Annette La Noire by name, who had just arrived from her native country with the intention of obtaining the situation of governess in some English family; a position which, on account of her many accomplishments, she was eminently qualified to fill. ”