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not to mind him； for it was quite involuntary： people do say indeed that
they were once engaged； but no … although she is a very fine girl； he was
so situated at that time that he couldn't possibly encourage the … 'but it's of
no use talking about it！' he adds； interrupting himself。 'She has got over
it now； and I firmly hope and trust is happy。' With this benevolent
aspiration he nods his head in a mysterious manner； and whistling the first
part of some popular air； thinks perhaps it will be better to change the
subject。
There is another great characteristic of the throwing…off young
gentleman； which is； that he 'happens to be acquainted' with a most
extraordinary variety of people in all parts of the world。 Thus in all
disputed questions； when the throwing…off young gentleman has no
argument to bring forward； he invariably happens to be acquainted with
some distant person； intimately connected with the subject； whose
testimony decides the point against you； to the great … may we say it … to
the great admiration of three young ladies out of every four； who consider
the throwing…off young gentleman a very highly…connected young man；
and a most charming person。
Sometimes the throwing…off young gentleman happens to look in upon
a little family circle of young ladies who are quietly spending the evening
together； and then indeed is he at the very height and summit of his glory；
for it is to be observed that he by no means shines to equal advantage in
the presence of men as in the society of over…credulous young ladies；
which is his proper element。 It is delightful to hear the number of pretty
things the throwing…off young gentleman gives utterance to； during tea；
and still more so to observe the ease with which； from long practice and
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study； he delicately blends one compliment to a lady with two for himself。
'Did you ever see a more lovely blue than this flower； Mr。 Caveton？' asks a
young lady who； truth to tell； is rather smitten with the throwing…off young
gentleman。 'Never；' he replies； bending over the object of admiration；
'never but in your eyes。' 'Oh； Mr。 Caveton；' cries the young lady； blushing
of course。 'Indeed I speak the truth；' replies the throwing…off young
gentleman； 'I never saw any approach to them。 I used to think my
cousin's blue eyes lovely； but they grow dim and colourless beside yours。'
'Oh！ a beautiful cousin； Mr。 Caveton！' replies the young lady； with that
perfect artlessness which is the distinguishing characteristic of all young
ladies； 'an affair； of course。' 'No； indeed； indeed you wrong me；' rejoins
the throwing…off young gentleman with great energy。 'I fervently hope
that her attachment towards me may be nothing but the natural result of
our close intimacy in childhood； and that in change of scene and among
new faces she may soon overcome it。 I love her！ Think not so meanly
of me； Miss Lowfield； I beseech； as to suppose that title； lands； riches； and
beauty； can influence MY choice。 The heart； the heart； Miss Lowfield。'
Here the throwing…off young gentleman sinks his voice to a still lower
whisper； and the young lady duly proclaims to all the other young ladies
when they go up…stairs； to put their bonnets on； that Mr。 Caveton's
relations are all immensely rich； and that he is hopelessly beloved by title；
lands； riches； and beauty。
We have seen a throwing…off young gentleman who； to our certain
knowledge； was innocent of a note of music； and scarcely able to
recognise a tune by ear； volunteer a Spanish air upon the guitar when he
had previously satisfied himself that there was not such an instrument
within a mile of the house。
We have heard another throwing…off young gentleman； after striking a
note or two upon the piano； and accompanying it correctly （by dint of
laborious practice） with his voice； assure a circle of wondering listeners
that so acute was his ear that he was wholly unable to sing out of tune； let
him try as he would。 We have lived to witness the unmasking of another
throwing…off young gentleman； who went out a visiting in a military cap
with a gold band and tassel； and who； after passing successfully for a
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SKETCHES OF YOUNG GENTLEMEN
captain and being lauded to the skies for his red whiskers； his bravery； his
soldierly bearing and his pride； turned out to be the dishonest son of an
honest linen…draper in a small country town； and whom； if it were not for
this fortunate exposure； we should not yet despair of encountering as the
fortunate husband of some rich heiress。 Ladies； ladies； the throwing…off
young gentlemen are often swindlers； and always fools。 So pray you
avoid them。
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SKETCHES OF YOUNG GENTLEMEN
THE YOUNG LADIES' YOUNG
GENTLEMAN
This young gentleman has several titles。 Some young ladies consider
him 'a nice young man；' others 'a fine young man；' others 'quite a lady's
man；' others 'a handsome man；' others 'a remarkably good…looking young
man。' With some young ladies he is 'a perfect angel；' and with others
'quite a love。' He is likewise a charming creature； a duck； and a dear。
The young ladies' young gentleman has usually a fresh colour and very
white teeth； which latter articles； of course； he displays on every possible
opportunity。 He has brown or black hair； and whiskers of the same； if
possible； but a slight tinge of red； or the hue which is vulgarly known as
SANDY； is not considered an objection。 If his head and face be large； his
nose prominent； and his figure square； he is an uncommonly fine young
man； and worshipped accordingly。 Should his whiskers meet beneath his
chin； so much the better； though this is not absolutely insisted on； but he
must wear an under…waistcoat； and smile constantly。
There was a great party got up by some party…loving friends of ours