CHAPTER IX. If you would learn Death's character attend. YOUNG. THE interest with which Alice read this singular recital will be easily conceived. The result of her reflections, upon the whole, was any thing but satisfactory. Mingled feelings, sometimes of aversion for a person capable of doing the deeds she had been made acquainted with, sometimes of astonishment at such extreme depravity, and lastly, of pity for the deep contrition which had so entirely taken the place of those vices which had previously reigned paramount in George Shenstone's heart, were by turns uppermost in her mind; and though these last certainly had permanent pos · session, yet she began to regret having ever induced him to make the disclosure of his early history, and to question first whether she was justified in worming from him his secret, and next whether it had not been far better had she, like Mrs. Shenstone, remained in ignorance of it, and been content with liking him for his obvious merits, without seeking to know the cause of his evident depression. She had now subjected herself to the awkwardness of a meeting in which their mutual embarrassment would probably be so conspicuous to bystanders, as in all likelihood to elicit inquiries from Julia, whose sharp and penetrating glance could not fail to discern something unusual in their demeanour towards each other. It was some consolation that from her father she need fear nothing on that head. Mr. Graham never discovered what was not expressly pointed out to him; and indeed, when his attention was directed to any thing by his eldest daughter, who usually acted as the "flapper" on these occasions, he rarely under stood what was meant; and not seldom denied that the incidents and events his daughter pointed out to him, meant anything at all. Nor was he always, in this last opinion, so far wrong as his daughter was wont to believe. The wise and the clever in the ways of the world, or at least those who are considered, or consider themselves such, are not a little apt to overshoot the mark; to invest motions, smiles, and looks with an importance they are far from deserving. On so slight a foundation as these, theories have been built bearing upon feelings, dispositions, characters, completely at variance with reality, nay sometimes even with probability; and I have oftentimes sat by and laughed in my sleeve, at hearing adepts in the art of decyphering these looks and gestures, match them with thoughts and motives I have known to be entirely and completely at variance with the fact. On this occasion, I fear it must be confessed, that Alice was wrong in the course she had pursued. Calmly reviewing her recent conduct in this matter, she had candour enough It soon to see and own to herself her error. became obvious to her, that-avowedly not ignorant of the state of his feelings towards herself-the interest for George evinced by her desire to know what he seemed anxious to conceal, must be looked upon, and might operate as an encouragement of his attentions which it was most decidedly improper to give. It may, however, be questioned whether in all this business our heroine was not a little carried away by a growing interest for George Shenstone, which, if the truth must be told, might, had he been present, have excited some uneasy feelings in Arthur Ashmont's breast. But the perusal of his narrative had in a great measure changed the nature of those feelings towards him. Compassion was now uppermost in her breast; and, though we are told that "pity is akin to love," that kindred was still separated by a barrier which, unless removed, must ever prevent their being blended in one. That she had not acquired the means she fondly anticipated of lightening the burthen which pressed so heavily upon his mind, was also a source of regret and disappointment to her. The disagreeable truth had now become tolerably apparent, namely that (tell it not in Gath!) the gratification of her curiosity had a larger share than any other feeling, in her strong desire to be made acquainted with the mystery in which the character of her friend was enveloped. Another weighty matter still remained to be debated; should she return an answer to this long letter? or should she leave, until their next interview, any comment she might be disposed to make upon it? Then, again, should she notice his expressions of regard for herself, or should she pass them by, as upon the first occasion when he declared his attachment to her? It was a nice point, and in their relative situations towards each other, almost equally difficult either to advert to the subject, or to be silent upon it. After much reflection and cogitation, she |