had as lieve go into the church as not--that's all I can say. And if my
genius were not for the military line, there's nothing I should relish
better than the living of Chipping-Friars, I'm sure. The only thing that I
see against it is, that that paralytic incumbent may live many a year: but,
then, you get your debts paid now by only going into orders, and that's a
great point. But if it goes against your conscience--you know best--if you
can't, you can't."

"After all, I can't go to jail--I can't let myself be arrested--I can't
starve--I can't be a beggar," said Buckhurst; "and, as you say, I should
be so easy if these cursed debts were paid--and if I got this living of
nine hundred a year, how comfortable I should be! Then I could marry, by
Jove! and I'd propose directly for Caroline Percy, for I'm confoundedly in
love with her--such a sweet tempered, good creature!--not a girl so much
admired! Colonel Hauton, and G----, and P----, and D----, asked me, 'Who is
that pretty girl?'--She certainly is a very pretty girl."

"She certainly is," repeated John. "This devil of a fellow never cleans my
gun."

"Not regularly handsome, neither," pursued Buckhurst; "but, as Hauton says,
fascinating and new; and a new face in public is a great matter. Such a
fashionable-looking figure, too--though she has not _come out_ yet; dances
charmingly--would dance divinely, if she would let herself out; and she
sings and plays like an angel, fifty times better than our two precious
sisters, who have been _at it_ from their cradles, with all the Signor
_Squalicis_ at their elbows. Caroline Percy never exhibits in public: the
mother does not like it, I suppose."

"So I suppose," said John. "Curse this flint!--flints are growing worse