Arrived at home, he gave orders to his servant not to be interrupted, having resolved to pass the rest of the day alone, a circumstance very unusual with him, but then earnestly desired on account of the nature of his thoughts, solicitous to shun intrusion. Various were the conjectures he formed relative to the step he had taken; favoured as he had been in every affair of gallantry, might not good fortune still attend him? Ever inclined to indulge in the anticipation of success, he had seldom allowed himself to be depressed by the faintest possibility of disappointment. From never having assailed fair woman's heart in vain, never having been intimidated by her frowns, but always encouraged by her smiles, he still sported his blandishments; and, relying upon the favours he had gained, confidently looked forward to future indulgencies.
But now he felt that the object in view so greatly involved his happiness, that for the first time the dread of a failure triumphed over every other sentiment, and yielding himself to each suggestion it was in the power of his prolific imagination to form, he insensibly reverted to that period of his youth when he first entered upon the world. "I never", said he to himself, "can take a survey of my past life, and see the follies, the wild irregularities I have engaged in, without a feeling of vexation, or
