"AsIhopetobesaved，"saidAntonio，"Imeantnothingwrong——butshouldhavepaidthelandlordthemomenthecamein"——butJuliaheardhimnot。
Hererrandwashappilyexecuted，andshewasalreadybythesideofheraunt。Onenteringthecarriage，JulianoticedtheeyeofAntoniofixedonherwithpeculiarmeaning，andshefeltthatherconducthadbeenappreciated。——FromthistimeuntilthedayoftheirarrivalatthehouseofMr。Miller，nothingmaterialoccurred。AntonioroseeveryhourintheestimationofJulia，andtheyoungladynoticedamarkeddifferenceinherlover’sconducttowardsher。Afewmilesbeforetheyreachedthedwelling，MissEmmersonobserved"To-morrowwillbethetwentiethofSeptember;
whenIamtoknowwhowillbemycompanionforthewinter，MissMillerorKatherine。"
"Ah！aunt，youmayknowthatnow，ifIamtodecide，"saidJulia，"itwillbeAnna，myAnna，surely。"
Hermannerwasenthusiastic，andhervoicealittlelouderthanusual。Antonioturnedhishead，andtheireyesmet。Juliareadinthatglancetheapprobationofhergenerousfriendship。MissEmmersonwasagooddealhurtatthisdecisionofherniece，who，shethought，knowinghersentiments，wouldbeinducedtohavebeensatisfiedwiththevisittoAnna，andtakenKatherineforthewinter。Itwaswithreluctancethattheauntabandonedthiswish，and，afterapause，shecontinued——
"Remember，Julia，thatyouhavenotmypermissiontoaskyourfrienduntilthetwentieth——wecanstaybutonenightatMr。Miller’s，butifAnnaistospendthewinterinParkPlace，wewillreturnthiswayfromtheFalls，andtakeherwithustothecity。"
"Thankyou，dearaunt，"criedJulia，kissingherwithanaffectionthatalmostreconciledMissEmmersontothechoice——whileCharlesWestonwhistled"Hail，Columbia！happyland！"
JuliasawthatAntoniopitiedherimpatience——forthemomenthearrivedinsightofMr。Miller’shouse，heputhishorsestotheirspeed，anddashedintothecourt-yardinthespaceofafewminutes。Foralittlewhileallwasconfusionandjoy。Annaseemeddelightedtoseeherfriend，andJuliawasinraptures——theyflewintoeachother’sarms——andiftheirpartingembracewasembalmedintears，theirmeetingwasenlivenedwithsmiles。
Witharmsinterlocked，theywentaboutthehouse，theverypicturesofjoy。——EvenAntonio，atthemoment，wasforgotten，andalldevotedtofriendship。Nay，asifsensibleoftheimproprietyofhisappearanceatthatcriticalinstant，hewithdrewhimselffromobservation——andhisdelicacywasnotlostonJulia。Happyaretheywhocanactinconsonancewiththeirowndelicatesentiments，andrestsatisfiedwiththeknowledgethattheirmotivesareunderstoodbythosewhomitistheirgreatestdesiretoplease！——-Such，toofortunateAntonio，wasthylot——fornoemotionofthysensitivemind，noactofthyscrupulouslyhonourablelife，passedunheededbythyJulia！——sothoughtthemaiden。
IthasbeenalreadymentionedthatthefamilyofMr。Millerwaslarge;andamidthetumultandconfusionofreceivingtheirguests，noopportunitywasaffordedtothefriendsforconversationinprivate。Theeveningpassedswiftly，andthehourforbedarrivedwithoutanyothercommunicationbetweenJuliaandAnnathanwhisperingsandpressuresofthehands，togetherwithathousandglancesofpeculiarmeaningwiththeeyes。ButJuliadidnotregretthissomuchasifAntoniohadbeenunknown——shehadbeeninhiscompanyforfourdays，andknew，orthoughtsheknew，already，asmuchofhishistoryasAnnaherself。——Butonethoughtdistressedher，andthatwas，thathisresidencemightbefarfromthehouseofheraunt。
Thisreflectiongavethetender-heartedgirlrealpain，andherprincipalwishtoconversewithAnnainprivatewastoascertainherfuturelotonthisdistressingpoint。Noopportunity，however，offeredthatnight，andJuliasawthatinthemorninghertimewouldbelimited，forMissEmmersondesiredMr。Millertoorderhercarriagetobeinreadinesstostartsosoonastheyhadbreakfasted。
"When，dearaunt，amItogiveAnnatheinvitation，"saidJulia，whentheywereleftalone，"ifyoustartsoearlyinthemorning？"
"Thepropertimewillbe，mychild，immediatelybeforewegetintothecarriage，"saidMissEmmerson，withasighofregretatthedeterminationofherniece;"itwillthenbemorepointed，andcallforanimmediateanswer。"
ThissatisfiedJulia，whoknewthatitwouldbeacceptedbyherfriend，andshesoonfellasleep，todreamalittleofAnna，andagreatdealofAntonio。
ThefollowingmorningJuliaarosewiththesun，andherfirstemploymentwastoseekherfriend。Annahadalsorisen，andwaswaitingimpatientlyfortheother’sappearance，inthevacantparlour。
"Ah！dearJulia，"saidshe，catchingherarmanddragginghertoawindow，"Ithoughtyouwouldnevercome。——Well，arewetospendthewintertogether——haveyouspokentoyourdear，dearaunt，aboutit？"
"Youshallknowingoodtime，myAnna，"saidJulia，mindfulofthewishesofheraunt，andspeakingwithasmilethatgaveAnnaanassuranceofhersuccess。
"Oh！whatadelightfulwinterwewillhave！"criedAnna，inrapture。
"Iamtongue-tiedatpresent，"saidJulia，laughing;
"butnotoneverysubject，"shecontinued，blushingtotheeyes;"dotellmeofSt。Albans——ofRegulus——
whoishe？"
"Whoishe？"echoedAnna——"why，nobody！——onemusthavesomethingtowriteabout，youknow，toafriend。"
Juliafeltsickandfaint——hercolourlefthercheeksassheforcedasmile，anduttered，inalowvoice——
"ButAntonio——Stanley？"
"Amanofstraw，"criedAnna，withunfeelinglevity;
"nosuchcreatureintheworld，Idoassureyou！"
Juliamadeamightyefforttoconquerheremotion，andwildlyseizingAnnabythearm，shepointedtoheraunt’scoachman，whowasatworkonhiscarriageatnogreatdistance，anduttered——"ForGod’ssake，whoisHE？"
"He！"criedAnna，insurprise，"why，yourdriver——andanuglywretchheis！——don’tyouknowyourowndriveryet？"
Juliaburstfromhertreacherousfriend——rushedintotheroomofheraunt-andthrowingherselfintothearmsofMissEmmerson，weptforanhourasifherheartwouldbreak。MissEmmersonsawthatsomethinghadhurtherfeelingsexcessively，andthatitwassomethingshewouldnotreveal。
Believingthatitwasaquarrelwithherfriend，andhopingatalleventsthatitwouldinterrupttheirintercourse，MissEmmerson，insteadoftryingtodiscoverherniece’ssecret，employedherselfinpersuadinghertoappearbeforethefamilywithcomposure，andtotakeleaveofthemwithdecencyandrespect。Inthisshesucceeded，andthehappymomentarrived。Annainvainpressednearherfriendtoreceivetheinvitation——andhermothermorethanoncehintedatthethousandpitiesitwastoseparatetwothatlovedoneanothersofondly。
Noinvitationwasgiven——andalthoughAnnaspenthalfadayinsearchingforaletter，thatsheinsistedmustbeleftinsomeromanticplace，nonewaseverfound，nordidanyeverarrive。
Whilerestingwithherfootonthestepofthecarriage，abouttoenterit，Julia，whoselooksweredepressedfromshame，sawafluidthatwasdiscolouredwithtobaccofallonhershoeandsoilherstocking。Raisinghereyeswithdisgust，sheperceivedthatthewindhadwafteditfromthemouthofAntonio，asheheldopenthedoor——andthesameblastthrowingasidehisscreenofsilk，discoveredafacethatwasdeformedwithdisease，andwantingofaneye！
OurtravellersreturnedtothecitybythewayofMontrealandLakeChamplain;norwasituntilJuliahadbeenthehappywifeofCharlesWestonformorethanayear，thatshecouldsummonresolutiontoownthatshehadoncebeeninlove，likethousandsofhersex，"withamanofstraw！"
=================================
=
HEART。
——-oOo——-
"Someliveinairyfantasies，Andinthecloudsdomove，Andsomedoburnwithinwardflames——
Butfewknowhowtolove。"
ANON。BALLAD
CHAPTERI。
ONoneofthoseclear，colddaysofDecember，whichsofrequentlyoccurinourclimate，twoveryyoungwomenwerewalkingonthefashionablepromenadeofNew-York。Inthepersonoftheelderofthesefemalestherewasexhibitednothingmorethantheusualindicationsofyouthandhealth;buttherewereadelicacyandanexpressionofexquisitefeelinginthecountenanceofhercompanion，thatcausedmanyaploddingoridlepassengertoturnandrenewthegaze，whichhadbeenattractedbysolovelyaperson。Herfigurewaslight，andpossessedratheracharacterofaerialgrace，thantheusualroundedlinesofearthlybeauty;andherfacewasbeamingmorewiththesentimentsofthesoulwithin，thanwiththeordinarycharmsofcomplexionandfeatures。Itwaspreciselythatkindofyouthfullovelinessthatachildlesshusbandwouldpausetocontemplateastherealityofthevisionswhichhisthoughtshadoftenportrayed，andwhichhisnaturecovetedastheonlytreasurewantingtocompletethesumofhisearthlybliss。Ittrulylookedabeingtobelovedwithouttheusualalloyofourpassions;andtherewasamodestingenuousnesswhichshoneinherair，thatgentlyimpelledtheheartsofotherstoregarditspossessorwithaspeciesofholyaffection。Amongstthegaythrong，however，thatthoughtlesslyglidedalongtheBroadway，eventhisimageoffemaleperfectionwassufferedtomoveunnoticedbyhundreds;anditwasowingtotheobstructionofferedtothepassageoftheladies，byasmallcrowdthathadgatheredontheside-walk，thatagentlemanofuncommonpersonalendowmentsenjoyedanopportunityofexaminingitwithmorethanordinaryattention。Theeldestofthefemalesdrewhercompanionawayfromthisimpedimenttotheirpassage，bymovingtowardstheoppositesideofthestreet，andobserving，astheycrossed，withanindifferenceinhermanner——
"Itisnothing，Charlotte，butadrunkenman;ifpeoplewilldrink，theymustabidetheconsequences。"
"Hedoesnotseemintoxicated，Maria，"repliedtheother，inavoicewhosetonescorrespondedwithherappearance;"itissomesuddenillness。"
"Onethat，Idaresay，heisaccustomedto，"saidMaria，withouthavingeventakensuchalookatthesuffereraswouldenablehertoidentifyhiscolour;
"hewillbewellenoughafterhehasslept。"
"Butisthepavementaplaceforhimtosleepon？"
rejoinedhercompanion，stillgazingtowardsthemiserableobject;"andifheshouldbeill！——whydotheynotraisehim？——Whydotheysufferhimtoinjurehimselfashedoes？"
Thespeaker，atthesametimethatsheshrunkinakindofsensitivehorrorfromthisexhibitionofhumaninfirmities，nowunconsciouslystopped，withaninterestinthemanthatshecouldnotcontroul，andthuscompelledMariatopausealso。Thecrowdhadwithdrawnfromtheman，givinghimsufficientroomtorollover，inevidentpain，whiletheyyetstoodgazingathim，withthatindefinablefeelingofcuriosityandnervelesssympathy，whichcharacterisesmanwhennotcalledontoact，byemulation，vanity，orthepracticeofwell-doing。Nooneofferedtoassistthesufferer，althoughmanysaiditoughttobedone;somespokeofsendingforthosewhomonopolizedtheofficialcharityofthecity;many，havingsatisfiedtheircuriosity，andfindingthatthemomentforactionwasarriving，quietlywithdrewfromatroublethatwouldinterferewiththeircomfortsortheirbusiness——whileafewfeltanimpulsetoaidtheman，buthesitatedinbeingforemostindoingthatwhichwouldbehonourabletotheirfeelings，butmightnotaccordwiththeircondition，ormightseemastheostentatiousdisplayofunusualbenevolence。
Wheremenarecongregated，conductmustberegulatedbythetouchstoneofpublicopinion;and，althoughitisthefashionofNew-Yorktoapplaudactsofcharity，andtodothemtooinaparticularmanner——itisbynomeansusualtoruntotheassistanceofafellowcreaturewhoislyingindistressonapavement。
{thosewhomonopolizedtheofficialcharity=in1821theonlyofficiallysupportedcharitableorganizationinNewYorkCitywastheCityDispensary——municipalaidtoothershavingbeencutoffin1817onthegroundsthatcharitytothepooronlymadethemlazyandimprovident}
Whatevermightbetheimpulsesofthegentlemanwhomwehavementioned，hisattentionwastoomuchabsorbedbytheconversationandmannerofthetwoladiestoregardanythingelse，andhefollowedthemacrossthestreet，andstoppedalsowhentheypausedtoviewthescene。Hewasinwardlyanddeeplyadmiringthemostyouthfulofthefemales，forthenaturalandsimpledisplayofthoseveryqualitiesthatheforgothimselftoexercise，whenhewasrousedwithafeelingofsomethinglikemortification，byhearingCharlotteexclaim，withaslightglowonhercheek——
"Ah！thereisGeorgeMortoncoming——hesurelywillnotpassthepoormanwithoutofferingtoassisthim。"
Thegentlemanturnedhisheadquickly，andnoticedayouthmakinghiswaythroughthecrowd，successfully，tothesideofthesufferer。Thedistancewastoogreattohearwhatpassed——butanemptycoach，whosedriverhadstoppedtogazewiththerest，wasinstantlydrawnup，andthemanliftedin，andfollowedbytheyouth，whoseappearancehadeffectedthesemovementswiththesilenceandalmostwiththequietnessofmagic。
GeorgeMortonwasfarfrompossessingtheelegantexterioroftheuneasyobserverofthisscene，yetweretheeyesofthelovelyyoungwomanwhohadcaughthisattention，fixedinevidentdelightonhisperson，untilitwashidfromviewinthecarriage;
when，drawingalongbreath，asifrelievedfromgreatuneasiness，shesaid，inalowvoice——
"IknewthatGeorgeMortonwouldnotpasshimsounfeelingly——butwherearetheygoing？——notfar，I
hope，onthiscoldday——andGeorgewithouthisgreatcoat。"
Therewasaplaintiveandnaturalmelodyinthetonesofthespeaker’svoice，asshethusunconsciouslyutteredherconcern，thatimpelledthelistenertoadvancetothesideofthecarriage，whereashortconversationpassedbetweenthegentlemen，andthestrangerreturnedtotheladies，whowereyetlingeringnearthespot，apparentlyunwillingtodepartfromascenethathadsodeeplyinterestedoneofthem。Raisinghishat，thegentleman，addressinghimselftothemagnetthathadattractedhim，said——
"Yourfrienddeclinestheofferofmycoat，andsaysthatthecarriageisquitewarm——theyaregoingtothealms-house，andIamhappytoinformyouthatthepoormanisalreadymuchbetter，andisrecoveringfromhisfit。"
{TheNewYorkCityAlmshouse，atBellevueontheEastRiver，housedover1，500inmatesatatime（withannualdeathsapproaching500），andservedasalastrefugeforthedestituteofallages}
Charlottenowforthefirsttimeobservedthespeaker，andablushpassedoverherfaceasshecourtesiedherthanksinsilence。Buthercompanion，arousedfromgazingatthefineryofashopwindow，bythevoiceofthestranger，turnedquickly，andwithverymanifestsatisfaction，exclaimed——
"Blessme！Mr。Delafield——Ididnotobserveyoubefore！——thenyouthinkthepoorwretchwillnotdie？"
"Ah！assuredlynot，"returnedthegentleman，recognizingthefaceofanacquaintance，withananimationhecouldnotconceal："buthowinadvertentIhavebeen，nottohavenoticedMissOsgoodbefore！"——Whilespeaking，hiseyesrestedonthelovelycountenanceofherfriend，asif，bytheirdirection，hemeanttoexplainthereasonofhisremissness。
"Wewerebothtoomuchengagedwiththesufferingsofthepoorman，foruntilthismomentI
didnotobserveyou，"saidthelady——withthatkindofinstinctivequicknessthatteachesthefairtheimportanceofanamiableexterior，intheeyesoftheothersex。
"Doubtless，"returnedthegentleman，gravely，andforthefirsttimewithdrawinghisgazefromthecountenanceofCharlotte;buttheprecautionwasunnecessary：——theyoungladyhadbeentoomuchengrossedwithherownsensationstonoticetheconductofothers，andfromthemomentthatthecarriagehaddrivenoutofright，hadkepthereyesontheground，asshewalkedsilentlyandunobtrusivelybythesideofhercompanion。
"MissHenly——Mr。SeymourDelafield，"saidMaria。
Thesilentbowandcourtesythatfollowedthisintroductionwassucceededbyananimateddiscoursebetweenthegentlemanandhisoldacquaintance，whichwas，butseldominterruptedbyanyremarkfromtheirmoreretiringcompanion。
Whenevershedidspeak，however，thegentlemanlistenedwiththemostflatteringattention，thatwasthemoreremarkable，fromthecircumstanceofhistalkingfrequentlyatthesametimewithMariaOsgood。Thetriotookalongwalktogether，andreturnedtothehouseofMr。Henly，intimeforthenecessaryarrangementsforthecomingdinner。ItwaswhenwithinashortdistanceofthedwellingofCharlottethatthegentlemanventuredtoalludetotheeventthathadmadethemacquainted。
"ThefearlessmannerinwhichyoupredictedthehumanityofMr。Morton，wouldbehighlygratifyingtohimself，MissHenly，"heobserved;"andwereIofhisacquaintance，itshouldbemytasktoinformhimofyourgoodopinion。"
"IbelieveMr。Mortonhasnotnowtolearnthat，"
saidCharlotte，simply，butdroppinghereyes;"I
havebeenthenextdoorneighbourofGeorgeallmylife，andhaveseentoomuchofhisgoodnessofheartnottohaveexpressedthesameopinionoften。"
"Butnottohimself，"criedMaria;"so，Mr。Delafield，ifyouwishtoapprisehimofhisgoodfortune，youhaveonlytoattendmymusicpartyto-morrowevening，andIwilltakeparticularcarethatyougetacquaintedwiththehumanehero。"
Theinvitationwasgladlyaccepted，andthegentlemantookhisleaveatthedoorofthehouse。
"Well，Charlotte，youhaveseenhimatlast！"criedMaria，theinstantthedoorhadclosed;"andIamdyingtoknowhowyoulikehim！"
"Tosaveyourlife，"saidtheother，laughing，"Iwillsayagreatdeal，althoughyousooftenaccusemeoftaciturnity——butwhoisHIM？"
"Him！why，Delafield！——SeymourDelafield！——thepatternforallthebeaux——themagnetforallthebelles——andthedelightofalltheparentsintown！"
"Hisown，too？"inquiredCharlotte，alittlearchly。
"Hehasnone——theyaredeadandgone——buttheirmoneyisleftbehind，andthatbringshimfathersandmothersbythedozen！"
"Itisfortunatethathecansupplytheirlossinanyway，"saidCharlotte，withemphasis。
"Tobesurehecan;hecandomorethanyouorI
could，mydear;hecanpickhisparentsfromthebestinthecity——and，therefore，heoughttobewellprovided。"
"Andcouldhebebetterprovided，asyoucallit，inthatrespect，thanourselves？"askedMissHenly，alittlereproachfully。
"Ohno，surelynot;nowifhewereawoman，howsoonwouldhebemarried！——why，child，theysayheisworthatleastthreehundredthousanddollars！——
he’dbeabrideinamonth！"
"Andmiserable，perhaps，inayear，"saidCharlotte;
"itisfortunateforhimthatheisaman，byyourtale，orhiswealthmightpurchasemiseryforhim。"
"Oh！noonecanbemiserablethatiswellmarried，"
criedMaria;"Heigho！theideaofold-maidismistooshockingtothinkabout！"
"WhydoesnotMr。Delafieldgetmarried，then，ifmarriagebesoverydesirable？"saidMissHenly，smilingatthecustomaryrattleofhercompanion：
"hecaneasilygetawife，yousay？"
{rattle=trivialchatter}
"Itisthedifficultyofchoosing——therearesomanyattentivetohim——"
"Maria！"
"Mercy！Ibegpardonoffemaledelicacy！——butsincetheyoungmanhasreturnedfromhistravels，hehasbeensomuch——muchcourted——nay，bytheoldpeople，Imean——andthegirlsbeckonhimaboutso——
andit’sMr。Delafield，haveyoureadSalmagundi？——
and，Mr。Delafield，haveyouseenCooke？——and，Mr。
Delafield，doyouthinkweshallhavewar？——andhaveyouseenBonaparte？And，inshort，Mr。
Delafield，withhishandsomeperson，andthreehundredthousanddollars，hasbeensomuchofall-
in-alltotheladies，thatthemanhasnevertimetochooseawife！"
{Salmagundi=aseriesofcomicessays（1819-
1820）byNewYorkCitywriterJamesKirkePaulding（1778-1860），emulatinganearlierseriesbyWashingtonIrvingandothers;Cooke=probablyThomasPotterCooke（1786-1864），anotedEnglishactor;Bonaparte=NapoleonBonapartediedonSt。
Helenain1821}
"Ireallywonderthatyounevertooktheofficeuponyourself，"saidCharlotte，busiedinthrowingasidehercoatandgloves;"youappeartohavesomuchinterestinthegentleman。"
"Oh！Idid，amonthsince——themomentthathelanded。"
"Indeed！andwhowasit？"
"Myself。"
"Andhaveyoutoldhimofyourchoice？"askedtheother，laughing。
"Notwithmytongue：butwithmyeyes，athousandtimes——andwithallthatunspeakablelanguagethatfemaleinventioncansupply：——Igowherehegoes——
ifIseehiminthestreetbehindme，Imoveslowlyandwithdignity;stillhepassesme——ifbeforeme，I
aminahurry——but{"}——
"Youpasshim？"interruptedCharlotte，amusedwithhercompanion’shumour。
"Exactly——weneverkeepanequalpace;thisisthefirsttimethathehaswalkedwithmesincehereturnedfromabroad——andforthishonourIamclearlyindebtedtoyourself。"
"Tome，Maria？"saidCharlotte，insurprise。
"Tononeother——hetalkedtome，buthelookedatyou。Ah！heknowsbyinstinctthatyouareanonlychild——andIdobelievethatthewretchknowsthatI
havetwelvebrothersandsisters——butyouhadbettertakehim，Charlotte;heisworthtwentyGeorgeMortons——atleast，inmoney。"
"WhathavethemeritsofGeorgeMortonandMr。
Delafieldtodowitheachother？"saidCharlotte，removingherhat，andexhibitingaheadofhairthatopportunelyfellinrichprofusionoverhershoulders，soastoconcealtheunusualflushonher，ordinarily，palecheek。
Thisconcludedtheconversation;forCharlotteinstantlylefttheroom，andwasoccupiedforsometimeingivingsuchordersasherofficeofassistantinhousekeepingtohermotherrenderednecessary。
CharlotteHenlywastheonlychildthathadbeenleftfromsixwhowereborntoherparents，theothershavingdiedintheirinfancy。Thedeathsoftherestoftheirchildrenhadoccasionedtheaffectionofherparentstocenterinthelastoftheiroffspringwithmorethancommonwarmth;andthetendernessoftheirlovewasheightenedbytheextraordinaryqualitiesoftheirchild。Possessedofanabundanceofthegoodsofthisworld，thesedoatingparentswerelookingaroundwithintenseanxiety，amongtheiracquaintance，andwatchingforthechoicethatwastodeterminetheworldlyhappinessoftheirdaughter。
Charlottewasbutseventeen，yetthecustomsofthecountry，andthetemptationsofherexpectedwealth，togetherwithherownattractions，hadalreadyplacedherwithinthenoticeoftheworld。
Butnosymptomofthatincipientaffectionwhichwastogovernherlife，couldeitherofherparentseverdiscover;andintheexhibitionsofherattachments，therewasnothingtobeseenbutthatquietandregulatedesteem，whichgrowsoutofassociationandgoodsense，andwhichissoobviouslydifferentfromtherestlessandvaryingemotionsthataresaidtobelongtothepassionoflove。
MariaOsgoodwasadistantrelative，andanearlyassociate，who，althoughasdifferentfromhercousininappearanceandcharacterasblackisfromwhite，wasstilldeartothelatter，bothfromhabitandherunconquerablegoodnature。
GeorgeMorton，theyouthofwhomsuchhonourablementionhasbeenmade，wasthesonofagentlemanwhohadlongresidedinthenextdwellingtoMr。Henlyinthecity，andwhoalsopossessedacountryhousenearhisownvilla。
Thesecircumstanceshadinducedanintimacybetweenthefamiliesthatwascementedbythegoodopinioneachentertainedofthequalitiesoftheother，andwhichhadbeensolongandsooftentriedinscenesofhappinessandmisery，thatwereknowntoboth。YoungMortonwasafewyearstheseniorofCharlotte;and，atthetimeofcommencingourtale，wasbutlatelyreleasedfromhiscollegiatelabours。Hisgoodnessofheartandsimplicityofmannersmadehimanuniversalfavourite;whilethepeculiarityoftheirsituationbroughthimoftenerbeforethenoticeofCharlottethananyotheryoungmanofheracquaintance。——But，notwithstandingtheintimationofMariaOsgood，noneoftheirfriendsintheleastsuspectedanyotherfeelingtoexistbetweentheyouthfulpairthanthenaturalandveryobviousoneofdisinterestedesteem。Asthefamilyseatedthemselvesatthedinnertable，theirguestexclaimed，intheheedlesswaythatcharacterisedhermanner——
"Oh！Mrs。Henly，Ihavetocongratulateyouontheprospectsofyoursoonhavingason，andonesoamiableandattractiveasyourdaughter。"
"Indeed！"returnedthematron，comprehendingtheother’smeaningintuitively，"andwhatmaybetheyounggentleman’sname？"
"Youwillbetheenvyofallthemothersintown，"
continuedMaria，"anddeservedlyso。Twosuchchildrentofalltothelotofonemother！——Nay，donotshakeyourhead，Charlotte;itmustandshallbeamatch，Iamdetermined。"
"Myfriendshipforyouwoulddetermefromthemeasure，shouldnothingelseinterfere，"saidCharlotte，goodhumouredly。
"Ah！Ihavealreadyabandonedmypretensions——
twelvebrothersandsisters，mydear，areadreadfuladditiontobringintoafamilyatonce！"
"IamsureIdonotthinkso，"returnedCharlotte，timidlyglancinghereyeathermother;"besides，I
feelboundinhonourtorememberyouroriginalintention。"
"ItellyouIhaveabandonedit，withallthoughtsoftheyouth。"
"Andwhoistheyouth？"askedMrs。Henly，affectinganindifferencethatshedidnotfeel。
"Youwillhavethehandsomestsoninthecity，certainly，"saidMaria;"and，possibly，therichest——
andthemostlearned——and，undeniably，themostadmired！"
"Youquiteexcitemycuriositytoknowwhothisparagoncanbe，"saidthemother，lookingatherhusband，whoreturnedtheglancewithoneofequalsolicitude。
"Idonotthinkheismorethanfourandtwenty，"
addedMaria;"andhisblackeyeswouldformacharmingcontrasttoyourblueones。"
"TowhomdoesMissOsgoodallude？"askedMrs。
Henly，yieldingtoasolicitudethatshecouldnolongercontroul。
"ToMr。SeymourDelafield，"saidCharlotte，raisinghermildeyestothefaceofhermother，andsmiling，asshedelicatelyparedherapple，withasimpleingenuousnessthatbanisheduneasinessfromthebreastofherparentinaninstant。
"Iknowhim，"saidMr。Henly;"butIdidnotthinkyouhadeverseenhim，Charlotte。"
"Wemethiminourmorningwalk，sir，andMariaintroducedhim。"
"Heisthoughttobeveryhandsome，"continuedherfather，helpinghimselftoaglassofwinewhilespeaking。
"Andveryjustly，"returnedthedaughter;"IthinkhimthehandsomestmanthatIhaveeverseen。"
"HaveIyourpermissionfortellinghimso？"criedMaria，withalaugh。
"Ihavenottheleastobjectiontohisknowingit，onmyownaccount，exceptfromtheindelicacyofcomplimentingagentleman，"saidCharlotte，withperfectsimplicity;"butwhetheritwouldbebeneficialtohimselfornot，youcanbestjudge。"
"Youthinkhimvain，then？"observedhermother。
"Notintheleast;or，rather，hedidnotexhibitittome"——wastheanswer，withthesameopenairasbefore。
"Hehasalsoagreatreputationforgoodsense，"
continuedherfather，avoidingthefaceofhischild。
"Ithoughthehadwit，sir。"
"Andnotgoodsense？"
"AmIajudge？"askedCharlotte，rising，andholdingalightedpapertoherfather，whilehetookanewsegar。
Herclearblueeyesrestingonhiminthefulnessoffilialaffection，assheperformedthisoffice，andtheopenairwithwhichshebentforwardtoreceivethekissheofferedinthanks，removedanyapprehensionswhichthenameoftheirmorning’scompanionmighthaveexcited。
Mr。Henlyknewnothingconcerningthisyoungmanthatwouldinducehimatalltoavoidtheconnexion，butstillhehadnotyetexaminedhischaracterwiththatsearchingvigilancethathethoughtduetotheinnocenceandmeritofhischild。Determiningwithinhimself，however，thatthiswasataskthatshouldnolongerbeneglected，herose，andtellingtheladiesthatheleftthebottlewiththem，withdrewtohisstudy。
ThedoorhadhardlyclosedbehindMr。Henly，whenGeorgeMortonenteredthediningparlour，withthefreedomofanoldandfavouritefriend，andtellingMrs。Henlythat，inconsequenceofhisfamily’sdiningout，andhisownengagements，hewasfasting，andbeggedhercharityforameal。Fromtheinstantthatheappeared，Charlottehadrisenwithalacrity，andwasnosooneracquaintedwithhiswants，thansherungtoorderwhatherequired。
Shebroughthimaglassofsparklingwinewithherownhands，andpushingachairnearertothefirethantheoneheoccupied，shesaid——
"Sithere，George，youappearchilled——Ithoughtyouwouldmissyourcoat。"
"Ithankyou，"returnedtheyouth，turningonheraneyeofthemostopenaffection;"Idofeelunusuallycold，andbegintothink，thatwithmyweaklungsitwouldhavebeenmoreprudenttohavetakenasurtout。"
{surtout=overcoat}
"Andhowwasthepoormanwhenyoulefthim？"
"Muchbetter，andinextremelygoodquarters，"saidGeorge;but，turningquicklytoMissOsgood，headded，"So，MissMaria，yourbeauhascondescendedtowalkwithyouatlast？"
"Yes，Mr。Impudence，"saidMaria，smiling;{"}butcome，fillyourmouthwithfood，andbesilent。"
Hedidasrequested，andtheconversationchanged。
CHAPTERII
NOTWITHSTANDINGtheplenteousgiftswhichProvidencehadbestowedontheparentsofMariainthewayofdescendants，Fortunehadsufficientlysmiledonhislabourstoenablehimtoeducatetheminwhatiscalledagenteelmanner，andtosupporttheminacorrespondingstyle。ThefamilyofMr。OsgoodexhibitedoneofthosepictureswhicharesofrequentinAmerica，wherenootherartificialdistinctionsexistinsocietythanthosewhicharecreatedbywealth，andwhereobscurityhasnootherfoetocontendwiththanthedemonofpoverty。Hischildrenwereindulgedinluxuriesthathisdeathwastodissipate，andenjoyedanopulencethatwasonlyco-existentwiththelifeoftheirparent。Accordingly，themusicpartythatassembledonthefollowingeveningatthehouseofMr。Osgood，wasbrilliant，large，andfashionable。
Sevengrown-updaughterswasamelancholysightforthecontemplationoftheparents，andtheybothfeltlikevendersofgoodswhowereexhibitingtheirwarestothebestadvantage。Thesplendidchandeliersandlustresofthedrawing-roomwerelightedforthesamereasonasthelampsintheglitteringretailstoresofBroadway;andthebrillianteffectofthetasteoftheyoungladieswasintendedmuchlikethenightlylustreofthelottery-
offices，totemptadventurerstotrytheirchances。
>Fromthispremeditatedschemeofconquestweought，injustice，however，toexceptMariaherself，who，fromconstitutionalgayetyandthoughtlessness，seldomplannedforthemorrow;
andwho，perhaps，fromherassociationwithCharlotte，hadacquiredadegreeofdisinterestednessthatcertainlybelongedtonoothermemberofherfamily。
Whateverweretheviewsofthefamilyincollectingtheirfriendsandacquaintancesonthisimportantevening，theywerecompletelysuccessfulinonepointatleast;for，beforenine，halfthedilettantiofthecitywereassembledinGreenwich-street，inamostelaboratestateofmusicalexcitement。
CharlotteHenly，ofcourse，wasoftheparty，althoughshewasabsolutelyignorantofasinglenote，norknewhowtopraiseascientificexecution，ortomanifestdisgustatsimplemelody。But，herimportanceintheworldoffashion，andherfriendMaria，obtainedheraplace。TherewasareasonthatsecretlyinfluencedCharlotteinelectingherevening’samusement，thatwasnotknown，however，eventoherfriend。——GeorgeMortonplayedontheGermanfluteinamannerthatvibratedonhernerveswithanexquisitethrillthatsheoftenstrovetoconquer，andyeteverlovedtoindulge。
Hismusicalpowerswerefarfrombeinggenerallyapplauded，astheywerethoughttobedeficientincompassandvariety;butCharlotteneverdescendedtocriticisminmusic。Sheconceivedittobeanenjoymentforthesensesonly，or，rather，shethoughtnothingaboutit;andiftheroundsfailedtodelighther，sheunhesitatinglyattributedthecircumstancetoanabsenceofmelody。ItwastolistentothefluteofGeorgeMorton，then，thatthedrawing-roomofMrs。OsgoodwasadornedwiththespeakingcountenanceofMissHenly。
Amongtheguestswhomadeanearlyappearanceinthis"TempleofApollo，"wastheyouthwhohadattendedtheladiesintheirwalk。SeymourDelafieldglancedhiseyeimpatientlyaroundtheapartment，assoonashehadpaidthecustomarycomplimentstothemistressofthemansionandherbevyoffairdaughters;butalookofdisappointmentbetrayedthesearchtobeanunsuccessfulone。BoththelookandtheresultwerenoticedbyMaria;and，turningaglanceofrathersaucymeaningonthegentleman，shesaid——
"Iapprehendyourflute，which，bytheby，Iamgladtoseeyouhavebrought，willberatherinthePENSEROSOstylethisevening，Mr。Delafield。"
{penseroso=melancholy}
"Unlessenlivenedbythecontagiousgayetyofyoursmile，"returnedDelafield，endeavouringtolookexcessivelyunconcerned;"but"——
"Oh！myverylaughismusical，Iknow，"interruptedMaria;"butthenitisoftenshockinglyoutoftime。"
"Itseldomfailstoproduceanaccompaniment，"
saidthegentleman，nowsmilinginreality;"but"——
"WhereisCharlotteHenley？"saidtheyounglady，againinterruptinghim;"shehasaperfecthorrorofthetuningoffiddlesandthepreparatorythrummingsonthepiano;soendeavourtopreservetheharmonyofyourtemperforthesecondact。"
"Well！itissomerelieftoknowsheiscomingatall，"criedSeymour，quickly;andthen，recoveringhimselfwithperfectbreeding，headded——"foronewouldwishtoseeyouashappyasallyourfriendscanmakeyou，onsuchanoccasion。"
"Iamextremelyindebtedtoyourunboundedphilanthropy，"saidMaria，risingandcourtseyingwithgreatgravity;"donotdoubtofitsbeinghonourablymentionedat"——
"Nay，nay，"criedtheyouth，colouringandlaughing，"youwouldnotthinkofmentioningmyremarksto"——
"AtthenextmeetingoftheDorcasSociety，ofwhichIamanunworthymember，"continuedMaria，withoutlisteningtohisremonstrance。
{DorcasSociety=lady’sgroupatachurch，devotedtomakingandprovidingclothesforthepoor}
SeymourDelafieldnowlaughedwithoutanyaffectation——andexchangingalookofperfectconsciousnessofeachother’smeaning，theyseparated，asthepreparationsforthebusinessoftheeveningwereabouttocommence。ForashorttimetherewasaconfusionofsoundsthatperfectlyjustifiedtheabsenceofMissHenly，whenthemusicbeganinearnest。Withinhalfanhour，Mr。Delafield，whohadsufferedhimselftobedrawntothebackofthechairofaprofessedbelle，turninghisheadtoconcealayawnthatneitherthelady’sskillnorhisgoodmannerscouldrepress，observedCharlottesittingquietlybythesideofherfriend。Herentrancehadbeenconductedwithsuchtact，thathadshepossessedthemostmusicalearimaginable，itwereimpossibletodisturbthepartyless;acircumstancethatdidnotfailtoimpressSeymouragreeably，fromitsnovelty。Hemovedtothesideofthefairvisionthathadengrossedallhisthoughtssincethemomenttheyhadfirstmet，andtookthechairthatthegoodnatureofMissOsgoodofferedtohisacceptancebetweenthem。
"Thankfortune，MissHenly，"hesaid，theinstanthewasseated，"thatbravurahasceased，andIcannowinquirehowyourecoveredfromthefatigueofyourwalk？"
"Isufferednofatiguetorecoverfrom，"repliedthelady，raisinghereyestohiswithanexpressionthattoldtheyouthhehadbettertalkstraightforwardatonce;"Iwalktoomuchtobefatiguedwithsoshortanexcursion。"
"Youcameheretofavouruswithyourskillontheharp，MissHenly？"
"No。"
"Onthepiano？"
"Onneither——Iplayonnothing。"
"Yousing，then？"
"Notatall。"
"What！notwiththatvoice？"exclaimedtheyoungman，insurprise。
"Notwiththisvoice，andsurelywithnoother。"
Seymourfeltuneasy，and，perhaps，disappointed。
Hedidnotseemtohaverousedasinglesensationinthebreastofhiscompanion，anditwasseldomthattheelegantpossessorofthreehundredthousanddollarsfailedtodoso，whereverhewent，orwhateverhedid。But，inthepresentinstance，therewasnothingtobediscernedinthecountenanceormannerofCharlottethatindicatedanythingmorethanthesweetnessofhernatureandthepolishofherbreeding。Hechangedthesubject。
"Ihopeyourfrienddidnotsufferyesterdayfromhishumanity？"
"Isincerelyhopesotoo，"saidCharlotte，withmuchsimplicity，andyetwithagooddealoffeeling。
"Iamfearfulthatweidlespectators，"continuedthegentleman，"sufferedinyourestimation，innotdiscoveringequalbenevolencewithMr。Morton。"
Charlotteglancedhermildeyesatthespeaker，butmadenoreply。
"Yoursilence，MissHenly，assuresmeofthetruthofmyconjecture。"
"Youshouldneverputadisagreeableconstructionontheactsofanother，"saidCharlotte，withasweetnessthattendedgreatlytodissipatethemortificationMr。Delafieldreallyfelt，atthesametimethathewasunwillingtoacknowledgeit，eventohimself。
Theywerenowagaininterruptedbythemusic，whichcontinuedsometime，duringwhichGeorgeMortonmadehisappearance。Hiscoatclosebuttonedtohisthroat，andanextrasilkhandkerchiefaroundhisneck，whichheremovedonlyafterheenteredtheapartment，immediatelyarrestedtheattentionofCharlotteHenly。TurningtoMaria，shesaid，inthosetonesofrealinterestthatnevercanbemistakenformanner——
"IamafraidthatGeorgehassufferedfromhisexposure。Donotaskhimtoplay，forhewillbesuretocomply。"
"Oh！thechickenhasonlytakencold，"criedMaria;
"Ifhedoesnotplay，whatwillyoudo？youcameheretohearhimonly。"
"HasMissHenlyearsfornootherperformer，then？"
askedSeymourDelafield。
"MissHenlyhasasmanyearsasotherpeople，"
saidMaria，"butshedoesnotcondescendtousethemonalloccasions。"
"Rathersay，"criedCharlotte，laughing，"thatthewantoftasteinMissHenlyrendersherearsofbutlittleusetoher。"
"Youarenotfondofmusic，then？"askedtheyouth，alittlevexedatthinkingthatanaccomplishmentonwhichhepridedhimselfwouldfailtomakeitsusualimpression。
"Passionately！"exclaimedCharlotte;then，colouringtotheeyes，sheadded，"atleastIsometimesthinkso，butIbelieveIamthoughttobewithouttaste。"
"Thosewhothinksomustwantitthemselves，"saidSeymour，inalowvoice;then，obedienttothebeckofoneofthepresidingnymphs，hehastenedtotakehisshareintheperformance。
"NowCharlotte，youlittleprude，"whisperedherfriend，theinstanthewithdrew，"ishenotvery，veryhandsome？"
"Very，"saidCharlotte;"moresothananyothergentlemanIhaveeverseen。"
"Andengaging，andagreeable，andgentlemanlike？"
"Agreeable，andgentlemanliketoo。"
"Andgraceful，andloveable？"
"Graceful，certainly;and，verypossible，loveable，tothosewhoknowhim。"
"Knowhim！——whatmorewouldyouknowoftheman？Youseehisbeautyandelegance——youwitnesshisbreeding——youlistentohissenseandinformation——whatmoreisnecessarytofallinlovewithhim？"
"Really，Ipretendtonoreasoninguponthesubjectatall，"saidCharlotte，smiling;"butifyouhavesuchanintention，indulgeinitfreely，Ibegofyou，foryouwillnotfindarivalinme。——But，listen，heisabouttoplayasoloonhisflute。"
Amanwiththreehundredthousanddollarsmayplayasolo，buthenevercanbealonewherethereareanytolisten。Theheartsofmanythrobattheverybreathingsofwealththroughaflute，whowouldremaincalloustothebitterestsighsofpoverty。ButDelafieldpossessedotherattractionstocatchtheattentionoftheaudience：hispowersontheinstrumentgreatlyexceededthoseofanyofhiscompetitors，andhisexecutionwasreallywonderful;everytonguewassilent，everyearwasattentive，andeveryheadnoddedapprobation，exceptingthatofourheroine。Delafield，perfectlymasterofhisinstrumentandthemusic，fixedhiseyeonthecountenanceofCharlotte，andheexperiencedathrillathisheartashewitnessedherlovelyfacesmilingapprobation，whilehisfingersglidedovertheflutewitharapidityandskillthatproducedanastonishingvarietyandgradationofsounds。Atlength，thoughthe，Ihavesucceeded，andhavemadeanimpressiononthischarminggirlthatisalliedtoadmiration。Theideagavehimspiritsforthetask，andhisperformanceexceededanythingthecompanyhadeverwitnessedbefore。
Onlayingdowntheinstrument，heapproachedtheplacewherethefriendsweresitting，withanexultationinhiseyesthatwasinferioronlytomodestyinthepowertocaptivate。
"Certainly，Mr。Delafield，"criedMariaOsgood，"youhaveoutdoneyourownoutdoings。"
"IfIhavebeensofortunateastopleasehere，thenIamrewardedindeed，"saidtheyouth，withabowandanexpressionthatrendereditalittledoubtfultowhichoftheladiesthecomplimentwasaddressed。Atthisinstant，GeorgeMortonapproachedthem。
"Mr。Delafield，letmemakeyouacquaintedwithMr。
Morton，"saidMaria，glancinghereyeattheformerinamannerthatheunderstood。
"IhavegreatpleasureintakingMr。Mortonbythehand，"saidSeymour，"ifhewillexcusethewantofceremonyinthiscompany。Thelessonthatyougavetomeyesterday，sir，willnotsoonbeforgotten。"
"Inwhatmanner，sir？"inquiredGeorge，withalittleembarrassmentandaconsciousblush。
"Inteachingme，amongothers，Mr。Morton，thedifferencebetweenactiveandpassivehumanity——
betweenthatwhichissatisfiedwithfeeling，andthatwhichpromptstoserve。"
TothisunexpectedcomplimentyoungMortoncoulddonomorethanbowinsilence，foritwastooflatteringforareply——andtootruetodeny。AsDelafieldturnedhiseye，atalittlelosstoknowwhethertobepleasedornotwithhisownhumility，hemetalookfromCharlottethatmorethanrewardedhimfortheeffort。Itwasamild，benevolent，pureglance，thatspokeadmirationandheartfeltpleasure。Heforgothissolo，andtheexpectedcompliments;and，fortherestoftheevening，thatthrillingexpressionfloatedinhisbrain，andwaspresenttohisthoughts;itwasworthathousandofthestudiedglancesthatwerecontinuallyaimedathimfromallsidesoftheroom，andwitheveryvarietyofeye——fromthepiercingblack，totheoglinggray。Itwasalookthatcamedirectlyfrom，andwentto，theheart。Ifyoungladiesalwaysknewhownicelynaturehasqualifiedtheothersextojudgeoftheiractions，whatmultitudesofastonishinglyexpressiveglances，andartfullycontrivedgesturesandmovements，wouldsinkdownintolooks，thatindicatedfeelingsandmotives，thatwereadaptedtotheoccasion！Whattroubleincreatingincidentsthatmightdrawoutcharmswouldbeavoided！And，inshort，howmuchextralabour，bothofbodyandmind，wouldbespared！
ThisagreeablecontemplationofMr。DelafieldwassooninterruptedbythecheerfulvoiceofMariaOsgood，whocried——
"Blessme，George，youreallydolookill。"
"ItisseldomthatIhavemuchhealthtoboastof，"
repliedtheyouth，inafeeblevoice，andwithastillfeeblersmile。
"But，"saidMaria，withoutreflecting，"youlookworsethanusual。"
Therewassomuchtruthinthisremark，thattheyoungmancouldonlysmileinsilence，whileSeymour，surveyingtheveryplainexteriorofhisnewacquaintance，turnedhiseyeswithadditionalsatisfactiontowardsamirrorthatreflectedhisownformfromheadtofeet。
"Youwillnotattemptthefluteto-night，George？"
saidCharlotte。
"IbelieveImust，ornotfulfilmyengagementtoMrs。Osgood。"
"Surely，"continuedCharlotte，inalowtonetoherfriend，"Georgehadbetternotplay，lookingsoillashedoes。"
"Certainlynot;besides，hisperformancewouldnotshineafterthatofMr。Delafield。"
Seymouroverheardthisspeech，whichwasreallyintendedonlyfortheearofCharlotte，andhewasinstantlyseizedwithanunaccountabledesiretohearthefluteofMr。Morton。Seymourwasconsciousthatheplayedwell，andcouldhehaveforgottentheindifferencethatMissHenlyexhibitedtohisperformance，wouldhavebeenabundantlyflatteredwiththeencomiumsthatwerelavishedonhisskill。
ArequestfromthemistressofthemansionnowcompelledGeorgetomakehisappearanceamongthemusicians，andinafewminuteshisflutewasheardalone。TherewasavacancyinthelooksofCharlotte，duringthescientificexecutionofthedifferentindividualswhohadbeenlabouringattheseveralinstrumentsinthecourseoftheevening，thatdenotedatotalindifferencetothedisplay。
But，themomentthatGeorgewascalledontotakehispartintheentertainment，thisrestlessnessdisappeared，andwassucceededbyanexpressionofintenseinterestanddeepanxiety。ThemelodyofGeorgewassimpleandplaintive;heaimedatnoextraordinaryexhibitionofskill，anditwasdifficulttocomparehismusicwiththatofSeymour。Thelatter，however，studiedthecountenanceoftheyoungladynearhimasthebestindextotheircomparativemerit，andhewassoonabletoreadhisownwantofsuccess。Forthefirstfewminutes，anxietywastheprincipalexpressionportrayedinherlovelyface，butitwassoonsucceededbyadeepandpowerfulemotion。Thereissomethingcontagiousinthenaturalexpressionofourpassions，thatinsensiblyenliststhesympathiesofthebeholder——andSeymourfeltasoftmelancholystealingoverhimashegazed，thatwasbutafaintreflectionofthetendernessexcitedinthebreastofCharlotte，whileshelistenedtosoundsthatpenetratedtoherverysoul。Thereisnomistakingtheeffectofmusicthatdependsonlyonitsmelody。Itsappealtotheheartisdirectendunequivocal，andnothingbutcallousindifferencecanresistitspower。Themostprofoundsilencepervadedtheapartment，andGeorgewasenabledtofinishhispiecewithaspiritthatincreasedwiththeattention。Asthelastbreathingnotesdiedontheear，Delafieldturnedtomeetthoseeyeswhichhadalreadysecuredanunconsciousvictory，andsawthemmoistenedwithalustrethataddedtotheirnaturalsoftness。Beautyintearsisproverbiallyirresistible——andtheyouth，bendingforward，saidinavoicethatwasmodulatedtothestillnessoftheroom——
"Suchmelody，MissHenly，captivatesthesenses。"
"Doesitnottouchtheheart？"askedtheyounglady，withalittleofunusualanimation。
"Thehearttoo。ButMr。Mortonlooksexhaustedafterhislabours。"
AllthepleasurewhichhadshoneinthecountenanceofCharlotte，vanishedinstantly，andgaveplacetodeepconcern。
"Oh！itisunjustifiable，thustopurchasepleasureattheexpenseofanother，"saidshe，inatonethatSeymourscarcelyheard。
Howtenderlywouldthemanbeloved，thoughttheyouth，whosucceededinengagingtheaffectionsofthisyoungcreature！howdisinterestedisherregard——andhowconsiderateareherfeelings！HerewillItrustmyhopesforhappinessinthislife，andherewillIconquer，orherewillIdie！
NotwopersonscouldpossiblybeactuatedbysensationsmoredifferentthanCharlotteandSeymourDelafield。Hehadbeensolongpalledwiththeattentionsofmanagingmothersanddesigningdaughters;hadseensomuchoffemalemanoeuvring，andhadsoeasilyseenthroughit，thatthenaturalandinartificiallovelinessofCharlottetouchedhissenseswithafreshnessofdelicacythattohimwasascaptivatingasitwasnovel。Uponunpractisedmen，theartsofthesexareoftensuccessful，butgenerallytheyarealliesthatincreasethenumberoftheassailants，withoutpromotingthevictory。ItiscertainthatmanyafaironeplayedthateveninginorderthatMr。Delafieldmightapplaud;thatsomesighedthathemighthear，andothersogledthathemightsigh：butnotonemadetheimpressionthatthequiet，speakingeye，andartlessbutpeacefulnatureofCharlotteproducedontheyouth。WhilethisnovelfeelingwasgaininggroundinthebosomofMr。Delafield，Charlottesawnothinginhernewacquaintancebutagentlemanofextraordinarypersonalbeauty，agreeablemanners，andgracefuladdress——qualitiesthatarealwayssuretoplease，and，notunusually，tocaptivate。Buttoherhewasastranger;andCharlotte，whoneverthoughtorreasonedonthesubject，wouldhavebeenastonishedhadoneseriouslyspokenofherlovinghim。Theroadtoconquestwithherlaythroughherheart，andwasbutlittleconnectedwithherimagination。
"Heigho！George，"criedMaria，asheapproached，"youhavegivenmethedolefuls。"
"Andmebothpleasureandpain，"saidCharlotte。
"Whythelatter？"askedtheyouth，quickly。
"Surelyitwasimprudentinyoutoplay，withsuchacold。"
Thelipoftheyouthquivered，andasmileofmournfulandindefinablemeaningpassedoverhisfeatures，buthecontinuedsilent。
"Itistobehopedithadonegoodeffectatleast，"
continuedMaria。
"Suchaswhat？"
"Suchasputtingthelittledearstosleepinthenursery，whichisdirectlyoverourheads。"
"ItiswellifIhavedonethatlittlegood，"saidGeorge。
"Youhavebroughttearsintoeyesthatnevershouldweep，"criedDelafield，"andmelancholytoacountenancethatseemsformedbynaturetoconveyanideaofpeacefulcontent。"
Mortonlookedearnestlyatthespeakerforamoment，whenapainfulfeelingseemedsuddenlytoseizeonhisheart——forhischeekgrewpaler，andhislipquiveredwithanagitationthatapparentlyhecouldnotcontrol。Charlottealonenoticedthealteration，and，speakinginalowtone，shesaid——
"Dogohome，George;youarefarfrombeingwell——
toobligeme，gohome。"
"Toobligeyou，Iwoulddomuchmoreunwelcomebiddings，"hereplied，withaslightcolour;"butI
believeyouareright;and，havingdischargedmydutyhere，Iwillretire。"
Herose，and，payingthecustomarycomplimentstothemistressofthemansion，withdrew。WithhimdisappearedalltheawakenedinterestofCharlotteinthescene。
InvainwasSeymourDelafieldattentive，polite，andevenparticularlyso。Thatdevotednessofadmirationforwhichsomanysighed，andwhichsomanyenvied，wasentirelythrownawayuponCharlotte。Shelistened，shebowed，andshesmiled——and，sometimes，sheanswered;butitwasevidentlywithoutmeaningorinterest，until，weariedwithhisfruitlesseffortstomakeanimpression，andperhapswithahopeofexcitingalittlejealousy，heturnedhisattentiontohermorelivelycompanion。
"Yourmother’snursery，MissOsgood，"hecried，"oughtonsuchanoccasiontobetenantless。"
"Youthinkthereareenoughofusheretomakeitso，"returnedthelady，withanaffectedsigh。
"Ireallyhadnotobservedthenumberofyourcharmingfamily——howmanyarethereofyou？"
"Abaker’sdozen。"Charlottelaughed，andtheyouthfeltmortified。Thelaughwasnatural，andclearlyextorted，withoutathoughtofhimself。
"Whenyouareallmarried，"hesaid，"youwillformalittleworldinyourselves。"
"Whentheskyfallsweshallcatchlarks。"
{Whenthesky……=anoldproverb，foundinEnglish，French，andevenLatin，meaningthattheideaorproposalisabsurd}
"Surely，youintendtomarry？"
Mariamadenoreply，butturnedhereyesonDelafield，withanaffectedexpressionofmelancholythatexcitedanotherlaughinherfriend。
"Youcertainlyhavemadenorashvowonthesubject，"continuedSeymour，pretendingtoaslightinterestinheranswer。
"Mytrothisnotyetplighted，"saidthelady，alittlearchly。
"Butthereisnotellinghowlongitwillcontinueso。"
"Iamafraidso——thirteenisadreadfuldivisorforasmallfamilyestate。"
AgeneralmovementinthepartywasgladlyseizedbyCharlotteasanexcusetogo，andDelafieldhandedhertohercarriage，withthemortifyingconvictionthatshewasutterlyindifferenttoeverythingbutthecivilityoftheact。