was too high, and she insisting that the taxes were moderate in proportion, and love at last reconciling us in the same choice.  I think at that time, moderately speaking, she might have had anything out of me for asking.  I do not, nor shall ever, regret that my character at that time was marked with a tinge of prodigality.  Age comes fast enough upon us, and, in its good time, will prune away all that is inconvenient in these excesses.  Perhaps it is right that it should do so.  Matters, as I said, were ripening to a conclusion between us, only the house was yet not absolutely taken.  Some necessary arrangements, which the ardor of my youthful impetuosity could hardly brook at that time (love and youth will be precipitate)—­some preliminary arrangements, I say, with the landlord, respecting fixtures,—­very necessary things to be considered in a young man about to settle in the world, though not very accordant with the impatient state of my then passions,—­some obstacles about the valuation of the fixtures,—­had hitherto precluded (and I shall always think providentially) my final closes with his offer, when one of those accidents, which, unimportant in themselves, often arise to give a turn to the most serious intentions of our life, intervened, and put an end at once to my projects of wiving and of housekeeping.

I was never much given to theatrical entertainments,—­that is, at no time of my life was I ever what they call a regular play-goer; but on some occasion of a benefit-night, which was expected to be very productive, and indeed turned out so, Cleora expressing a desire to be present, I could do no less than offer, as I did very willingly, to squire her and her mother to the pit.  At that time it was not customary in our town for tradesfolk, except some of the very topping ones, to sit, as they now do, in the boxes.  At the time appointed I waited upon the ladies, who had brought with them a young man, a distant relation, whom it seems they had invited to be of the party.  This a little disconcerted me, as I had about me barely silver enough to pay for our three selves at the door, and did not at first know that their relation had proposed paying for himself.  However, to do the young man justice, he not only paid for himself, but for the old lady besides,—­leaving me only to pay for two, as it were.  In our passage to the theatre, the notice of Cleora was attracted to some orange-wenches that stood about the doors vending their commodities.  She was leaning on my arm; and I could feel her every now and then giving me a nudge, as it is called, which I afterwards discovered were hints that I should buy some oranges.  It seems, it is a custom at Birmingham, and perhaps in other places, when a gentleman treats ladies to the play, especially when a full night is expected, and that the house will be inconveniently warm, to provide them with this kind of fruit, oranges being esteemed for their cooling property.  But how could I guess at that, never having treated ladies