"And I have no doubt，" said Mr. Lorry， "that I was right itheconversatiowe had. My opiniois confirmed， and I reiterate my advice."
"I assure you，" returned Mr. Stryver， ithe friendliest way， "that I amsorry for it oyour account， and sorry for it othe poor fathers account. Iknow this must always be a sore subject with the family； let us say no moreabout it."
"I dont understand you，" said Mr Lorry.
"I dare say not，" rejoined Stryver， nodding his head ia smoothing andfinal way； no matter， no matter."
"But it does matter，" Mr. Lorry urged.
"No it doesnt； I assure you it doesnt. Having supposed that there wassense where there is no sense， and a laudable ambitiowhere there is not alaudable ambition， I am well out of my mistake， and no harm is done. Youngwomehave committed similar follies oftebefore， and have repentedthem ipoverty and obscurity oftebefore. Iaunselfish aspect， I amsorry that the thing is dropped， because it would have beea bad thing forme ia worldly point of view； ia selfish aspect， I am glad that the thinghas dropped， because it would have beea bad thing for me ia worldlypoint of view——it is hardly necessary to say I could have gained nothingby it. There is no harm at all done. I have not proposed to the young lady，and， betweeourselves， I am by no means certain， oreflection， that I evershould have committed myself to that extent. Mr. Lorry， you cannot controlthe mincing vanities and giddinesses of emptyheaded girls； you must notexpect to do it， or you will always be disappointed.
Now， pray say no more about it. I tell you， I regret it oaccount ofothers， but I am satisfied omy owaccount. And I am really very muchobliged to you for allowing me to sound you， and for giving me youradvice； you know the young lady better thaI do； you were right， it neverwould have done.
Mr. Lorry was so takeaback， that he looked quite stupidly at Mr.Stryver shouldering him towards the door， with aappearance of show
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