noon
The noble Henry Foker , of whom we have lost sight for a few pages , has been in the mean while occupied , as we might suppose a man of his constancy would be , in the pursuit and indulgence of his all-absorbing passion of love . I wish that a few of my youthful readers who are inclined to that amusement would take the trouble to calculate the time which is spent in the pursuit , when they would find it to be one of the most costly occupations in which a man can possibly indulge . What do n't you sacrifice to it , indeed , young gentlemen and young ladies of ill-regulated minds ? Many hours of your precious sleep , in the first place , in which you lie tossing and thinking about the adored object , whence you come down late to breakfast , when noon is advancing , and all the family is long since away to its daily occupations . Then when you at length get to these occupations you pay no attention to them , and engage in them with no ardor , all your thoughts and powers of mind being fixed elsewhere . Then the day 's work being slurred over , you neglect your friends and relatives , your natural companions and usual associates in life , that you may go and have a glance at the dear personage , or a look up at her windows , or a peep at her carriage in the Park . Then at night the artless blandishments of home bore you ; mamma 's conversation palls upon you ; the dishes which that good soul prepares for the dinner of her favorite are sent away untasted , the whole meal of life , indeed , except one particular _ plat _ , has no relish .