I scarce should credit it.” “And yet ’tis true.”

“Ah, well, you double my desire to rise

To special favor with a man so wise.”

“You’ve but to wish it; ’twill be your own fault,

If, with your nerve, you win not by assault.

He can be won; that puts him on his guard,

And so the first approach is always hard.”

“No fear of me, sir. A judicious bribe

Will work a wonder with the menial tribe.

Say I’m refused admittance for to-day,