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"And where is she?"

"Haven't the least idea However, I went down to beard le handed Great mistake! Had Clemency been with

me the flintiest of Roman P's would have relented, for who could

resist--Clemency? As it was, I did my best, Bev--ran over her

points--I o, Bev,

no go--things couldn't have gone worse!"

"How?"

"'Sir,' says I--in an easy, off-hand tone, my dear fellow, and it

was after dinner, you'll understand,--'Sir, I've decided to act

upon your very excellent advice, and get married I intend to settle

down, at once!' 'Indeed, Horatio?' says he,--(Rolorious woman in the world, sir!'

says I 'Of course,' says he, 'but--which?' This steadied ain: 'Sir,' says I,

'beauty in itself is a poor thing at best--' 'Therefore,' says my

Roman (quick as a flash, my dear fellow) 'therefore it is just as

well that beauty should not come--entirely empty-handed!' 'Sir,' says

I--(calmly, you'll understand, Bev, but with just sufficient

firmness to let him see that, after all, he was only a father) 'Sir,'

says I, 'beauty is a transient thing at best, unless backed up by

virtue, honor, wisdoe, truth, purity, nobility of soul--'

'Horatio,' saysme up short, Bev) 'you do well to