第4章

CHAPTERIII。

ITwasquiteearlyonthefollowingmorning，whenMr。DelafieldrungatthedoorofthehouseinwhichthefatherofMissHenlyresided。Thegentlemanhadobtainedthepermissionoftheyounglady，theprecedingevening，toputhimselfonthelistofhervisitingacquaintance，andacasualintroductiontobothofCharlotte’sparentshadsmoothedthewaytothisintimacy。Itiscertain，that，muchasMr。andMrs。Henlylovedtheirchild，neitherofthementertainedtheselfishwishofmonopolizingallofheraffectionstothemselvesduringlife。Itwasnatural，andathingtoheexpected，thatCharlotteshouldmarry;andamongthewholeoftheiracquaintancethereappearednoonesounobjectionableashernewadmirer。Hewasagreeableinperson，inmanners，andintemper;hewasintelligent，witty，andamanoftheworld;and，moreover，hewasworth——threehundredthousanddollars！Whatparentistherewhosejudgmentwouldremainunbiassedbythesesolidreasonsinfavourofacandidateforthehandofhischild？orwhatfemaleistherewhoseheartcouldbesteeledagainstsuchattractionsinhersuitor？ManywerethehoursofcarethathadbeenpassedbytheguardiansofCharlotte’shappiness，inruminatingontheeventthatwastoyieldtheirchargetothekeepingofanother;frequentweretheirdiscussionsonthisinterestingsubject，andinnumerabletheirplanstoprotectherinexperienceagainstfallingintothoseerrorsthathadblastedthepeaceofsomanyaroundthem;buttheappearanceofSeymourDelafieldseemedasthefulfilmentoftheirmostsanguineexpectations。Tohisrefinementofmanners，theyboththoughtthattheycouldyieldthesensitivedelicacyoftheirchildwithconfidence;

inhistravelledexperiencetheyanticipatedthepermanencyofacorrectedtaste;nor，wasitadisagreeableconsiderationtoeither，thatasthesilkencordofpaternaldisciplinewastobeloosened，itwastobesucceededbythefettersofhymencastinpolishedgold。InwhatmannertheirdaughterregardedtheevidentadmirationofMr。

Delafieldwillappear，byherconclusionofourtale。

Onenteringtheparlour，DelafieldfoundGeorgeMortonseatedinachairnearthefire，withhispersonmorethanusuallywellguardedagainstthecold，asifheweresufferingundertheeffectsofaseriousindisposition。Thesalutationsbetweentheyoungmenwerealittleembarrassedonbothsides;

thefaceofGeorgegrowingevenpalerthanbefore，whilethefinecolouronDelafield’scheekmountedtohisverytemples。Afterregardingforamoment，withmuchinwarddissatisfaction，theapparenteasewithwhichGeorgewasmaintainingpossessionoftheapartmentbyhimself，Mr。

Delafieldovercamethesuddenemotioncreatedbythesurprise，andspoke。

"Iamsorrythatyouappearsoill，Mr。Morton，andI

regretthatyoushouldhavesufferedsomuchinthecauseofhumanity，whenonesomuchbetterabletoundergothefatigue，byconstitution，shouldhaveremainedanidlespectator，likemyself。"——

ThesilentbowofGeorgemightbeinterpretedintoadesiretosaynothingofhisownconduct，orintoanassentwiththeself-condemnationofthespeaker。Delafield，however，tookthechairwhichtheotherpolitelyplacedforhim，andcontinued——

"But，Sir，youhaveyourreward。TheinterestandadmirationexcitedinMissHenly，wouldcompensatemeforalmostanyprivationorhardshipthatmancouldundergo。"

"Itisnohardshiptorideafewmilesinacomfortablecoach，"saidGeorge，withafeeblesmile，"norcanIconsideritaprivationofenjoyment，tobeabletoassistthedistressed，"——hehesitatedamoment，andaflushgraduallystoleoverhisfeaturesashecontinued，"Itistrue，Sir，thatIprizethegoodopinionofMissHenlyhighly，butIlooktoanotherquarterforapprobationonsuchasubject。"

"Andveryjustly，George，"saidthesoftvoiceofCharlotte，"suchapplauseasminecanbebutoflittlemomenttoonewhoperformssuchactsasyours。"

Thegentlemenweresittingwiththeirfacestowardsthefire，andhadnotheardthelightstepofMissHenlyassheenteredtheapartment，butbothinstantlyaroseandpaidtheirsalutations;theinvalidbyasilentbow，andbyhandingachair，andDelafieldwithmanyagracefulcomplimentonhergoodlooks，anddiversprotestationsconcerningthepleasurehefeltatbeingpermittedtovisitatherhouse。Notwothingscouldbemoredifferentthanthemannersofthesegentlemen。Thatofthelatterwasveryhighlypolished，insinuating，andalthoughfarfromunpleasantlyso，yetslightlyartificial;

whilethatoftheformerwassimple，ingenuous，andinthepresenceofMissHenlywasapttobeattimesalittleconstrained。Charlottecertainlyperceivedthedifference，andsheascertainlythoughtthatitwasnotaltogethertotheadvantageofGeorgeMorton。Theideaseemedtogiveherpain，forsheshowedseverallittleattentionstoheroldfriend，thatbytheirflattering，butunstudiedparticularity，wereadaptedtoputanymanathiseaseandassurehimofhiswelcome，stilltheembarrassmentofGeorgedidnotdisappear，buthesatanuneasylistenertotheconversationthatoccurred，asifreluctanttostay，andyetunwillingtodepart。Afterafewobservationsontheentertainmentoftheprecedingevening，Mr。

Delafieldcontinued——

"IwaslamentingtoMr。Morton，asyouentered，thatheshouldhavesufferedsomuchfrommywantofthought，thedaybeforeyesterday;itrequiresagoodconstitutiontoendureexposure——"

"AndsuchIoftentellyou，George，youdonotpossess，"saidCharlotte，kindlyandwithalittlemelancholy;"yetyouneitherseemtoregardmywarningsonthesubject，northoseofanyofyourfriends"——

"ThereisawarningthatIhavenotdisregarded，"

returnedtheyouth，endeavouringtosmile。

"Andwhatisit？"askedCharlotte，struckwiththemelancholyresignationofhismanner。

"ThatIamnotfitcompany，justnow，forheartsasgayasyoursandMr。Delafield’s，"hereturned，andrising，hemadeahastybowandwithdrew。

"Whatcanhemean！"saidCharlotte，inamazement，"Georgedoesnotappearwell，andlatterlyhismannerismuchaltered——whatcanhemean，Mr。

Delafield？"

"Heisill，"saidDelafield，farfromfeelingquiteeasyattheevidentinterestthattheladyexhibited;"heisill，andshouldbeinhisbed，insteadofattendingthemorningleveesofevenMissHenly。"

"Indeed，heistooregardlessofhishealth，"saidCharlotteinalowtone，fixinghereyesonthegrate，whereshecontinuedgazingforsometime。

EveryeffortofSeymourwasmadetodrawofftheattentionoftheyoungladyfromasubject，that，howevermelancholy，seemedtopossesspeculiarcharmsforher。InthisundertakingthegentlemanwouldnothavesucceededbutforthefortunateappearanceofMissOsgood，whocameintotheroomveryopportunelytokeepalivethediscourse。

"What，tete-a-tete！"exclaimedMaria;"youshoulddischargeyourfootman，Charlotte，forsayingthatyouwereathome。Ayoungladyisneversupposedtobeathomewhensheisalone——withagentleman。"

"IshallthenknowhowtounderstandtheservantofMr。Osgood，whenIinquireforhisdaughter，"criedSeymourgayly。

"Ah！Mr。Delafield，itisseldomthatIhaveanopportunityofhearingsoftthings，forIamneveralonewithagentlemaninmyfather’shouse"——

"AndisMrs。Osgoodsorigid？"returnedthegentleman;"surelythegravityofherdaughtershouldcreatemoreconfidence"——

"MosthumblyIthankyou，Sir，{"}saidMaria，courtseyinglowbeforeshetookthechairthathehanded;"butitisnotthecautionofMrs。Osgoodthatpreventsanysolosinhermansion，unlessitbeonaharporflute，oranypossibilityofatete-a-

tete。"

"Nowyouhaveexcitedmycuriositytoadegreethatispainfullyunpleasant，"saidDelafield，"I

knowyoutobetoogenerousnottoallayit"——

"Oh！itisnothingmorethanamagicalnumber，thatfrightensawayallapplicantsforsuchafavour，unlessindeeditmaybesuchaswouldnotbeverylikelytobesuccessfulweretheytoapply;andwhichevenwouldrenderitphysicallyimpossibletohaveatenderinterviewwithinthefourwallsofthemansion"——

"Itisacharmednumber，indeed！andisitonthedoor？isitthenumberofthehouse？"

"Oh！notatall——onlythenumberofthefamily，thebaker’sdozen，thatImentionedlastevening;nowinvisitingMissHenlythereisnosuchinterruptiontobeapprehended。"

Charlottecouldnotrefrainfromsmilingatthevivacityofherfriend，who，perceivingthatherwishtobanishthelookofcarethatcloudedthebrowoftheotherhadvanished，changedthediscourseasabruptlyasshehadintroducedit。

"ImetGeorgeMortonatthedoor，andchattedwithhimforseveralminutes。Heappearsquiteill，butI

knowhehasgonetwomilesinthecountryforhismotherthisrawday;unlessheismorecarefulofhimselfhewillruinhisconstitution，whichisnoneofthebestnow。"

Mariaspokewithfeeling，andwithamannerthatplainlyshowedthatherordinarylevitywasassumed，andthatshehadatthebottom，muchbetterfeelingsthanthetriflingintercourseoftheworldwouldusuallypermithertoexhibit。Charlottedidnotreply，butherbrighteninglooksoncemorechangedtothatpensivesoftnesswhichsowellbecameherdelicatefeatures，andwhichgavetohercountenanceanexpressionsuchasmightbesupposedtoshadowthegloryofangels，when，fromtheirabodeofpurityandlove，theylookdownwithpityonthesorrowsofman。

ThequickglanceofDelafieldnotonlywatched，buteasilydetected，boththerapidtransitionsandthecharacteroftheseoppositeemotions。Underthesuddeninfluenceofpassions，thatprobablywillnotescapeourreaders，hecouldnotforbearuttering，inatoneinwhichpiquemighthavebeentooapparent。

"Really，Mr。Mortonisahappyfellow！"

TheblueeyesofCharlottewereturnedtothespeakerwithalookofinnocentinquiry，butshecontinuedsilent。Maria，however，notonlybestowedaglanceattheyouthfromherlaughinghazelones，butfoundutteranceforhertonguealso。

"Howso？"sheasked——"Heisnotofastrongconstitution，notimmenselyrich，noroverandabove——thatis，notparticularlyhandsome。Whyishesohappy？"

"Ah！Ihavediscoveredthatamanmaybehappywithoutoneofthosequalifications。"

"Andmiserablewhohasthemall？"

"Nay，nay，MissOsgood，myexperiencedoesnotextendsofar——Iamnotquitethepuppyyouthinkme。"

Maria，inherturn，wassilent;butshearosefromherseat，andmovedwithanabsentairtoadistantpartoftheroom，andforashorttimeseemedtobeparticularlyoccupiedinexaminingthebeautiesofaport-folioofprints，witheveryoneofwhichshewasperfectlyfamiliar。Theconversationwasresumedbyherfriend。

"YouhavemortifiedMissOsgood，Mr。Delafield，"

saidCharlotte;"sheistoogoodnaturedtojudgeanyonesoharshly。"

"Ishergoodnature，inthisparticular，infectious？"

theyoungmanratherwhisperedthanutteredaloud——"Doesherfriendfeelthesameindulgencefortheinfirmitiesofafrailnaturetowhichshereallyseemsherselfhardlytobelong？"

"Youcomplimentme，Mr。Delafield，attheexpenseoftruth，ifitreallybeacomplimenttotellmethatIamnotagirl——afemale;forifIamnotawoman，Imustbesomethingworse。"

"Youareanangel！"saidDelafield，withuncontrollablefervour。

Charlottewasstartledbyhismannerandhiswords，andunconsciouslyturnedtoherfriend，asiftoseekherprotectingpresence;buttoherastonishment，shebeheldMariaintheactofclosingthedoorasshewasleavingtheroom。

"Maria！"shecried，"whitherinsuchahurry？I

expectedyoutopassthemorningwithme。"

"Ishallseeyourmotherandreturn，"repliedMissOsgood，closingthedoorsorapidlyastopreventfurtherremark。Thisshortspeech，however，gaveCharlottetimetoobservethechangethatsomethinghadproducedinthecountenanceofheroldcompanion，where，inplaceofthethoughtlessgaietythatusuallyshoneinherfeatures，wastobeseenanexpressionofpainfulmortification;andeventhehighglowthatyouthandhealthhadimpartedtohercheeks，wassupplantedbyadeath-

likepaleness。DelafieldhadbeenendeavouringtoperusethecountenanceofMissHenlyinavainefforttodiscovertheeffectproducedbyhiswarmexclamation;andtheseobservations，whichweremadebythequickeyeoffriendship，entirelyescapedhisnotice。

"Mariaisnotwell，Mr。Delafield，"Charlottesaidhastily。"IknowyourgoodnesswillexcusemewhileIfollowher。"

Theyoungmanbowedwithamortifiedair，andwassomewhatungraciouslybeginningtomakeapolitereply，whenthedooropenedashortspace，andthevoiceofMissOsgoodwasoncemoreheard，sayinginaforced，butlivelymanner——

"Ineverwasbetterinmylife;IshallrunintoMrs。

Morton’sfortenminutes;letmefindyouhere，Mr。

Delafield，whenIreturn。"Herfootstepwasheardtrippingalongthepassage，andinamomentafter，thestreetdoorofthehouseopenedandshut。

Charlotteperceivingthatherfriendwasdetermined，forsomeinexplicablereason，tobealone，quietlyresumedherseat。Hermusingairwassoonchangedtooneofsurprise，bythefollowingremarkofhercompanion：

"Youappear，MissHenley，"hesaid，"tobesensitivelyalivetotheailingsofallyouknowbutme。"

"Ididnotknowthatyouwereill，Mr。Delafield！

Really，sir，Inevermetwithanygentleman’slookswhichsobeliedhim，ifyouareotherwisethanbothwellandhappy。"

AsmuchexperienceasDelafieldpossessedinthetriflingmanoeuvresofmanagers，orperhapsinthemanifestationsoffeelingsthatareexhibitedbyevery-daypeople，hewasanabsolutenoviceintheemotionsofapure，simple，ingenuousfemaleheart。Hewasalivetothecomplimenttohisacknowledgedgoodlooks，conveyedinthisspeech，buthewasnotabletoappreciatethesingle-

heartednessthatpromptedit。Perhapshishandsomefacewasasmuchilluminatedbytheconsciousnessofthisemotionasbythedeeperfeelingheactuallyexperienced，whilehereplied，——

"Iamwell，orill，asyoudecree。MissHenley;itisimpossiblethatyoushouldliveintheworld，andbeseen，beknownasyouare，andmusthavebeenseenandknown，andnotlongsincelearnedthepoweryoupossessoverthehappinessofhundreds。"

ThoughCharlottewassimple，unsuspecting，pure，andextremelymodest，shewasfarfromdull——shewasnotnowtolearnthedifferencebetweenthelanguageofordinarytriflingandgeneralcompliment，andthattowhichshenowlistened，andwhich，howevervague，wasstillsoparticularastoinducehertoremainsilent。Thelooksandmanneroftheyouthfulfemale，atthatmoment，wouldhavebeenastudytothosewholovetodwellonthebetterandpurerbeingsofcreation。Shewassilent，aswehavealreadyremarked，becauseshecouldmakenoanswertoaspeechthateithermeanteverythingornothing。Theslighttingethatusuallywasseatedonhercheekspreadingoveritswholesurfacelikethefaintestglowofsunsetblending，bymellowdegrees，withthesurroundingclouds，washeightenedtorichness，andevendiffuseditselflikeareflection，acrossherpolishedforehead，becauseshebelievedshewasabouttolistentoadeclarationthatheryearsandhereducationunitedtotellherwasnevertoapproachfemaleearswithoutslightlytrespassingonthedelicacyofhersex。Hermildblueeyes，beamingwiththeglowonherface，roseandfellfromthecarpettothecountenanceofDelafield，butchieflydweltinopencharity，andpossiblyinanxiety，onhisown。Infact，therewasthrownaroundherwholeair，suchatouchofexquisiteandshrinkingdelicacy，soblendedwithfeelingbenevolence，andeventenderinterest，thatitwasnowonderthataman，handsometoperfection，young，intelligent，andrich，mistookherfeelings。

"Pardonme，MissHenley，"hecried，andtheapologywasunconsciouslypaidtothecommandingpurityanddignityofherair，"ifIoversteptherulesofdecorum，andhastentodeclarethatwhichI

knowyearsoftrialwouldhardlyjustifymysaying;

butyourbeauty，yourgrace，your————your————whereshallIfindwordstoexpressit？——yourloveliness，yes，thatmeanseverything——yourlovelinesshasnotbeenseenwithimpunity。"

Thismighthavedoneverywellforasuddenandunprepareddeclaration;butbeingalittleindefinite，itfailedtoextractareply，hislistenergivingarespectful，and，attimes，aratherembarrassingattentiontowhathewastoadd。Afterashortpause，theyouth，whofoundwordsasheproceeded，andwithwhom，aswithallothers，thefirstspeechwasthemostdifficult，continued——

"Ihaveknownyoubutashorttime，MissHenley;

buttoseeyouonceistoseeyoualways。Yousmile，MissHenley，butgivemeleavetohopethattimeandassiduitywillenablemetobringyoutosuchastateoffeeling，thatinsomedegree，youmayknowhowtoappreciatemysensations。"

"IfIsmile，Mr。Delafield，"saidCharlotteinalowbutdistinctvoice，"itisnotatyou，butatmyself。I，whohavebeenforseventeenyearsconstantlywithCharlotteHenley，findeachdaysomethingnewinher，nottoadmire，buttoreprehend。"Shepausedamoment，andthenadded，smilingmostsweetlyasshespoke，"Iwillnotaffecttomisunderstandyou，Mr。Delafield;yourlanguageisnotveryintelligible，butitissuchthatIamsureyouwouldnotusetomeifyouwerenotserious，anddidnotfeel，orratherthinkyoufeelwhatyouutter。"

"ThinkIfeel？"heechoed。"Don’tIknowit？CanI

bemistakeninmyownsentiments？Imaybemisledinyours——mayhaveflatteredmyselfwithbeingabletoaccomplishthatatsomedistantday，whichyourobduracymaydenyme，butinmyownfeelingsIcannotbemistaken。"

"Notwheretheyaresoverynew;nay，donotstartsoeagerly——wheretheyMUSTbesoverynew。

Surelyyourfancyonlyleadsyoutosaysomuch，andto-morrow，ornextday，yourfancy，unlessencouragedbyyoutodwellonmyunworthyself，willleadyouelsewhere。"

"Now，MissHenley，whatImostadmireinyourcharacterisitslovelyingenuousness，itssimplicity，itsHEART;andIwillownIdidnotexpectsuchananswertoaquestionput，likemine，insincerityandtruth。"

"IfIhavefailedtoansweranyquestionyouhaveputtome，Mr。Delafield，itisbecauseIamunconsciousthananywasasked;andifIhavedisplayeddisengenuousness，wantofsimplicity，orwantoffeeling，ithasbeenunintentional，Idoassureyou;andonlyprovesthatIcanbeguiltyoferrors，withouttheirbeingdetectedbyonewhohasknownmesolongandsointimately。"

"Myimpetuosityhasdeceivedmeanddistressedyou，"saidDelafield——"IwouldhavesaidthatIloveyouardently，passionately，andconstantly，andshallforeverloveyou。Ishouldhaveaskedyourpermissiontosayallthistoyourparents，toentreatthemtopermitmetoseeyouoften，toaddressyou;and，ifitwerenotimpossible，tohopethatintimetheywouldconsenttointrustmewiththeirgreatesttreasure，andthatyouwouldnotopposetheirdecree。"

"Thisiscertainlyaskingmanyquestionsinabreath，"saidCharlottesmiling，butwithouteitherironyortriumph;"andwereitnotforthatword，breath，Ishouldexperiencesomeuneasinessatwhatyousay;Ifindgreatsatisfaction，Mr。

Delafield，inreflectingthatouracquaintanceisnotaweekold。"

"Aweekistimeenoughtolearntoadoresuchabeingasyouare，MissHenley，thoughanagewouldnotsufficetodojusticetoyourmerits。Say，haveI

yourpermissiontospeaktoyourfather？Idonotaskyouyettoreturnmyaffection——nay，IquestionifyoucaneverloveasIdo。"

"Perhapsnot，"saidCharlotte;"Icanloveenoughtofeelagreatanddeepinterestinthosewhoaredeartome，butIneveryethaveexperiencedsuchemotions，asyoudescribe——Ibelieve，inthisparticular，youhaveformedajustopinionofme，Mr。Delafield;Isuspectsuchpassionsarenotinthecompassofmyfeelings。"

"Theyare，theymustbe，MissHenley：allowmetoseeyouoften，tospeaktoyourfather，andatleasttohope——mayInothopethatintimeyouwilllearntothinkmeamantobetrustedwithyourhappinessasyourhusband？"

ThequietwhichhadgovernedthemannerofCharlotteduringthisdialogue，wassensiblyaffectedbythisappeal，andforashorttimesheappearedtoomuchembarrassedtoreply。Duringthisinterval，Delafieldgazedonher，indelight;forwiththesanguinefeelingsofyouth，heinterpretedeverysymptomofemotioninhisownfavour。

Finding，however，thatshewasdistressedforareply，herenewedhissuit——

"ThoughIhaveknownyoubutafewdays，IfeelasifIhadknownyouforyears。Thereare，Ibelieve，MissHenley，spiritsintheworldwhocommunewitheachotherimperceptibly，whoseemformedforeachother，andwhoknowandloveeachotherasbyinstinct。"

"Ihavenopretensionstobelongtothatclass，"

saidCharlotte;"Imustknowwelltolovealittle，butItrustIfeelkindsentimentstothewholehumanrace。"

"Ah，youdonotknowyourself。YouhavelivedallyourlifeintheneighbourhoodofthatMr。Mortonwhojustwentout，andyoufeelpityforhisillness。

Hedoesindeedlookveryill——butyouhaveyettolearnwhatitistolove。Iaskthehighfavourofbeingpermittedtoattempttheofficeof——of——of——"

"Ofteachingme！"saidCharlottewithasmile。"

{sic}

"No——thatwordistoopresumptuous——toocoarse——"

"Hearme，Mr。Delafield，"saidMissHenleyafterashortpause，duringwhichsheseemedtohaveexperiencedsomedeepandperhapspainfulemotions——"Icannotundertaketogiveyouareasonformyconduct——verypossiblyIhavenogoodone;

butIfeelthatIshouldbedoingyouinjusticebyencouragingwhatyouarepleasedtocallhopes——I

wishtobeunderstoodnow，assayingthatIcannotconsenttoyourexpectingthatIshouldeverbecomeyourwife。"

Delafieldwascertainlyastonishedatthisrefusal，whichwasgiveninthatstill，decidedmannerthatadmitsoflittleopposition。Hehadlongbeenaccustomedtoapprehendasuddenacceptance，andhadbeeninthehabitofstrictlyguardingbothhismannerandhislanguage，lestsomethingthathedidorsaidmightjustifyexpectationsthatwouldhavebeenoutofhispowertofulfil;butnow，when，forthefirsttime，hehadventuredadirectoffer，hemetwitharejectionthatpossessedallthecharacteristicsofsincerity，hewas，intruth，utterlyastounded。Aftertakingasufficienttimetocollectinsomedegreehisfaculties，hecametotheconclusionthathehadbeentooprecipitate，andhadurgedthesuittoofar，andtoohastily。

"Suchmaybeyoursentimentsnow，MissHenley，"

hesaid，"butyoumayalterthemintime：youarenotcalledonforadefiniteanswer。"

"Ifnotbyyou，Iambytruth，Mr。Delafield。Itwouldbewrongtoleadyoutoexpectwhatcannever——"

"Never？"saidDelafield——"youcannotspeaksodecidedly。"

"Ido，indeedIdo，"returnedCharlottefirmly。

"Ihavenotdeceivedmyselfinbelievingyoutobedisengaged，MissHenley？"

"Youhavearighttorequireadefiniteanswertoyourquestions，Mr。Delafield;butyouhavenorighttoexactmyreasonsfordecliningyourveryflatteringoffer——Iamyoung，veryyoung——butIknowwhatisduetomyselfandtomysex——"

"Byheavens！mysuspicionistrue——youarealreadybetrothed！"

"ItwouldbeeasytosayNOtothatassertion，sir，"

addedCharlotte，rising;"butyourrighttoareasoninamatterwhereinclinationissomaterial，isexactlythesameasmyrightwouldbetoaskyouwhyyoudidnotaddressme。Ithankyouforthepreferenceyouhaveshownme，Mr。Delafield。I

havenotsolittleofthewomanaboutme，nottorememberitalwayswithgratitude;butItellyouplainlyandfirmly，foritisnecessarythatIshoulddoso——Inevercanconsenttoreceiveyourproposals。"

"Iunderstandyou，madam——Iunderstandyou，"saidtheyoungmanwithanoffendedair;"youwishmyabsence——nay，MissHenley，hearmefurther。"

"Nofurther，Mr。Delafield，"interruptedCharlotte，advancingtohimwithakind，butunembarrassedair，andofferingherhand——"wepartfriendsatleast;

butIthink，nowweknoweachother’ssentiments，wehadbetterseparate。"

Thegentlemanseizedthehandsheoffered，andkisseditmorewiththeairofalover，thanofanoffendedman，andlefttheroom。Afewminutesafterhehadgone，MissOsgoodre-appeared。

CHAPTERIV。

NOTWITHSTANDINGtheearnestinjunctionthatMariahadgiventoMr。Delafieldtocontinuewhereshelefthim，untilherreturn，sheexpressednosurpriseatnotfindinghimintheroom。Thecountenanceofthisyoungladyexhibitedadrollmixtureofplayfulmirthandsadness;sheglancedhereyesoncearoundtheapartment，andperceivingitwasoccupiedonlybyherfriend，shesaid，laughing——

"Well，Charlotte，whenisittobe？IthinkIretiredinverygoodseason。"

"Perhapsyoudid，Maria，"returnedtheother，withoutraisingherfacefromthereflectingattitudeinwhichshestood——"Ibelieveitisallverywell。"

"Well！youlittlephilosopher——Ishouldthinkitwasexcellent——that——thatis——ifIwereinyourplace。I

suspectedthisfromthemomentyoumet。"

"Whathaveyoususpected，Maria？——whatisityouimaginehasoccurred？"

"What！whySeymourDelafieldhasbeenstammering——thenhelookeddoleful——thenhesighed——thenhehemmed——thenhesaidyouwereanangel——nay，youneednotlookprudish，andaffecttodenyit;hegotasfarasthatbeforeIlefttheroom——thenheturnedtoseeifIwerenotcomingbackagaintosurprisehim——thenhefellonhisknees——thenhestretchedouthishandsomehand——

itistoohandsomeforaman’shand！——andsaidtakeit，takeme，takemyname，andtakemythreehundredthousanddollars！——Nowdon’tdenyasyllableofittillItellyouranswer。"

Charlottesmiled，andtakingherwork，quietlyseatedherselfathertablebeforeshereplied——

"YougothroughCupid’sexercisesodexterously，Maria，oneisledtosuspectyouhaveseensomeservice。"

"Notundersuchanofficer，girl！Ah！ColonelDelafield，orGeneral——no，FieldMarshalDelafield，isanofficerthatmightteach"——asMissOsgoodspokewithshortinterruptionsbetweenherepithets，asifinsearchofproperterms，shedweltamomentonthelastwordinsuchamannerastogiveitaparticularemphasis——Charlottestarted，moreperhapsfromthemannerthantheexpression，andturningherglowingfacetowardsherfriend，shecriedinvoluntarily——

"Isitpossiblethatyoucouldhaveoverheard——"

"What？"

"Nothing——whatnonsense！"

"Letmetellyou，MissPrude，itisinsuchnonsense，however，thatthehappinessormiseryofuspoorsportsoffortune，calledwomen，inagreatmeasurebloomsorfades——nowthatIcallpoetical！——butforyouranswer：firstyousaid——indeed，Mr。Delafield，thisisSOunexpected——-thoughyouknewwellenoughwhatwascoming——thenyoublushedasyoudidalittlewhileago，andsaidIamsoyoung——I——

ambutpoorseventeen——thenhesworeyouwereseventy——no，no，——buthesaidyouareoldenoughtobehisrulingstar——hisdestiny——hisidol——hisobjectofWORSHIP——ha！Idohittherightepithetnowandthen。Well——thenyousaidyouhadparents，asifthepoormandidnotknowthatalready，andthattheymustbeconsulted;andhedesiredyoutoaskthewholecity——hedefiedthemalltosayaughtagainsthim——hewasregularatchurch——subscribedtothewidow’ssociety，andtheassembly;andinshort，wascalleda’good’youngman，eveninWall-

street。"

"Allthisisveryamusing，Maria——but——"

"Itisallverytrue。Thenhewaspressing，andyouwerecoy，untilfinallyheextortedyourdefinitiveanswer，whichwas——"Mariapaused，andseemedtobeintenselystudyingthelooksoftheother——MissHenleysmiledassheturnedherplacid，ingenuousfeaturestohergaze，andcontinuedtheconversationbyrepeating，"Whichwas？"

"NO;irretrievable——unanswerable——unalterableNO。"

"Ihavenotauthorizedyoutosuspectanypartofthisrhapsodytobetrue——Ihavenotsaidyouwererightinasingleparticular。"

"Excuseme，MissHenley，youhavesaidall，andSeymourDelafieldtoldmethesameaswepassedeachotheratthestreetdoor。"

"Isitpossible！"

"Itcouldnotbeotherwise。Hismouthwasshut，itistrue，andhistonguemighthavebeeninhispocket，foranythingIknow：buthiseyesandhishead，hiswalk，andevenhisnoseweredowncast，andspokemortification。Ontheotherhand，yourlittlebodylooksaninchhigher，youreyeslookresolute，asmuchastosay，’Avaunt，falseone！

yourwholeappearanceisthatofdetermineddenial，mingled——"

"Mingledwithwhat，trifler？"

"Mingledwithalittlesecret，woman’spride，thatyouhavehadanopportunityofshowingyourabsolutecharacter。"

"Youknowthesefeelingsfromexperience，doyou？"

"Nochild，myverynatureischarity;iftherequesthadbeenmadetome，Ishouldhavesentthedespondingyouthtomyfather，andifherefused，tomymother——"

"Andifsherefused？"

"WhythenIshouldhavesaid，twonegativesmakeanaffirmative。"

Charlottelaughed，andinthismannertheseriousexplanationwhich，betweenfriendssointimatemighthavebeenexpected，wasavoided。Maria，atthesametime，thatshefellandmanifestedadeepinterestintheTETE-A-TETEthatshehadpromoted，alwaysavoidedanythinglikeagraveexplanation，andwehavefailedingivingthedesiredviewofthecharacterofMissHenley，ifourreadersdeemitprobablethatshewouldevertouchonthesubjectvoluntarily。

Thewinterpassedbyintheordinarymannerinwhichotherwinterspassinthisclimate，beingamixtureofmild，delightfuldays，clearsky，andinvigoratingsun，andofintense，cold，rawwinds，andsnowstorms。ThetwolatterseemedtotrytheconstitutionofpoorGeorgeMortontotheutmost。

Theseverecoldthathetookinhischaritableexcursionlingeredabouthimthroughthecoldmonths，andbeforethegenialwarmthofMayoccurredtorelievehim，hisphysicianspronouncedthathislungswereirremediablyaffected。Duringtheperiodofdoubtandapprehensionwhichprecededtheannunciationofthisopinion，andofdistressandagonywhichsucceededit，thefamilyofMr。Henleywarmlysympathizedinthefeelingsoftheirneighbours。ThelongintimacythathadexistedbetweenGeorgeandCharlotteandtheirparents，removedallsuperfluousforms，andthelatterpassedagreatdealofhertimewithMrs。

Morton，orbythesideoftheinvalid。Herpresencegavehimsuchmanifestandlivelypleasure，thatitwouldhavebeencrueltohavedeniedhimwhattheotherappearedtograntspontaneously。CharlottehadgraduallywithdrawnherselffromsocietyastheillnessofGeorgeincreased，andhisdangerbecamemoreapparent;andattheexpirationofthemonthofApril，shewasseldomvisibletothosewhoarecalledtheworld，withtheexceptionoftheimmediateconnexionsofherfamily，andherfriendMaria0sgood。InthebeginningofMaybothMr。

Mortonandhisneighbourwithdrewtotheircountryhouses，andthustheretirementfromtheworldandtheintercoursebetweenthetwofamiliesbecamemorecomplete。

DelafieldhadmadeoneortwoeffortstorenewhisaddressestoCharlotte，butfindingthemineveryinstancefirmly，thoughmildlyrejected，heendeavouredtodiscoversuchimperfectionsintheobjectofhisregardasmightjustifyhimindislikingher。Themorehereflectedonherconduct，however，themorehebecamesensibleoftheproprietyandsimplicityofherdeportment;andhadnottheimpressionshehadmadeontheyoungmanproceededratherfromtheeffectonhisfancy，thanfromhavingtouchedhisheart，theconsequencesofhisconvictionofherpurityandtruthmighthavebeenmorelastinganddeplorable。Asitwas，hisheatedimaginationgraduallyceasedtoglowwiththebeautiesofanimagethatwas，howeverperfectinitself，extravagantlycolouredbyhisownyouthfulimagination，andintime，ifhethoughtatallofCharlotteHenley，hethoughtofherasabeautifulobject，itistrue，butasofonethatbroughtsomewhatmortifyingreflectionsalongwithit。Thismightnothavebeenmanlyorgenerous，perhaps，butwebelieveitisthemannerinninecasesoutofteninwhichsuchsuddenemotionsexpire，especiallyiftheardouroftheyouthhasprecipitatedadeclarationthatthemorechastenedfeelingsofthedamselarenotyetpreparedtoreciprocate。WhiletheimageofCharlottewasstilllingeringinhismind，hewasinthehabitofvisitingMariaOsgoodalmostdaily，toaskquestionsabouther，andperhapswithasecretexpectationoftheirmeetingheratthehouseofherfriend。ThegaytriflingofMissOsgoodaidedgreatlybothincoolinghisspleenandremovinghismelancholy，tillinthecourseofamonthheevenproceededsofarastomakehertheconfidantofwhatshealreadyknew，thoughonlybyconjectureandinference。Delafieldatthistimewassourgent，andsecretlysodeterminedtoprevail，inorderthathisprideifnothisaffectionsmightbesoothed，thatinanunguardedmomentheinducedtheinconsiderateMariatobetray，wewillnotsaytheconfidenceofherfriend，butsuchfactsascouldonlyhavecometoherknowledgebytheintimacyofunaffectedassociation。IftherewereanythingtoextenuatethisbreachofdecorumbyMaria，itwasthemannerinwhichitwaseffected。MissOsgoodhadjustreturnedfromoneofherfrequentvisitstothevillaofMr。Henley，whenDelafieldmadehiscustomarymorningcall：theabsenceofMaria，andtheobjectofhervisit，hadbeenwellknowntohim，andasitwasatimewhenhebegantospeakofMissHenleywithoutmuchemotion，andbutlittlelove，hecouldnotavoidyieldingsofartohispiqueastoexpresshimselfasfollows：

"So，MissMaria，youhavejustreturnedfrompayinganothervisittoyourbeautifullittlefriendwithoutanyheart。"

"Mylittlefriendwithoutanyheart！Ofwhomdoyouspeak？andwhatdoyoumean！"

"IspeakofMissCharlotteHenley，thenun，——shewhohasallofheavenaboutherbutitslove——thatbrilliantcasketwithoutitsjewels——thatwoman——

yes，thatYOUNGwomanwithoutanyheart。"

"Uponmyword，sir，thisisaveryprettypoemyouhavebeenreciting！butinmyopinion，yourconclusioniswrong。Assherefusedtogiveyouherheart，itisthemoreprobablethatshehasityetinthatbrilliantcasketyouspeakof——"

"No——sheneverhadone。Shewantsthegreatestcharmthatnaturecangivetoawoman——awarm，grateful，andaffectionateheart。"

"Andpray，sir，"saidMaria，bendinghereyesinquisitivelytowardtheyouth，"ifshewantit，whathasshedonewithit！"

"Sheneverhadone，MissOsgood。Iwillgrantyouthatsheislovely，exquisitelylovely！pure，gentle，amiable，everyepithetyoumaywishtoapply，thatindicatesnothingbutacquiredexcellence：butastonaturalfeelings，sheisascoldasanicicle——inshortsheisdestituteofHEART——thethingofallothersI

mostprizeinawoman，andforwhichIadmireyousomuch。"

Marialaughed，butshecolouredalso。Ithadlongbeenobvioustoherself，andtotheworldtoo，thatDelafieldsoughthersociety，nowthathewasnotadmittedatMr。Henley’s，muchmorethanthatofmyotheryoungwomaninthecity;butshethoughtthatshewellunderstoodthesecretreasonforthispreference，thoughtheworldmightnot。Howgratifyingthisspeechwastothefeelingsofthegaygirl，thesequelofourtalemustshow。Theyoungmanhoweverdidnotjudgehertoofavourably，whenhesupposedhertopossessthosekindredsensationsthatuniteuswithourfellow-

beings，andhemighthaveaddedagooddealofgenerositytothecatalogueofhervirtues。Afterapauseofamomentshereplied——

"IsupposeImustthankyou，Delafield，fortheprettycomplimentyouhavejustpaidme，butIamsounusedtothissortofthing，thatIreallyfeelasbashfulassweetfifteen，thoughIamatmaturetwenty。"

"ThatisbecauseyouDOfeel，MissOsgood;ImighthavesaidasmuchtoCharlotteHenleywithoutexcitingtheleastemotioninher，orofevenbringingonetingeofthatbrightblushoverherfeatureswhichmakesyoulooksohandsome。"

"Mercy！mercy！havemercy，Ientreatyou，"criedMaria，avertingherface，"orIshallsoonbeasredasthecook。ButIcannot，Iwillnotconsenttohearmyfriendtraducedinsuchamanner;sofarfromwantingfeeling，CharlotteHenleyisallheart。Touseyourownlanguage，"sheadded，turninghereyestowardshimarchly，"itisforherheartthatI

mostloveher。"

"Youdeceiveyourself。Earlyattachment，andlongassociation，andyourowngenerous，warmfeelingsdeceiveyou。Sheisaccustomedtoshowgentleandkindcivilitiestoallaroundher，andyoumistakehabitforaffection。"

"Sheisaccustomedtodoallthat，Iown;buttodoitinamannerthataddstoitsvaluebyhersimpleunaffectedfeelings。Sheisnot，Imustacknowledge，likecertainpeopleofmyacquaintance，abundleoftindertotakefireateverysparkthatapproaches，butshelovesallsheshouldlove，andIfearshelovesonetoowellthatsheshouldnotlove。"

"Loveonethatsheshouldnotlove？"criedDelafield："what，isherheartthenengagedtoanother！IsitpossiblethatMissHenley，thecold，prudishMissHenley，canindulgeanimproperattachmentafterall？"

"Mr。Delafield，"saidMissOsgood，gravely，"IamnotapttobetraywhatIoughttoconceal，althoughIamthegiddycreaturethatIseem。ButIhavespokenunguardedly，andmustexplain：inthefirstplace，IwouldnothaveyousupposethatCharlotteHenleyandItalkofourheartsandourloverstoeachother，liketwogirlsataboardingschool。IfI

knowthatshehassuchathingasaheartatall，itisnotfromherselfbutfrommyownobservation;

andasforlovers，thoughshemayhavehaddozensforanythingIknow，toMEtheyareabsolutelystrangers。——Don’tinterruptme，Iamnotbeggingone。AfterthisexplanationIwillsay，trusting，Delafieldentirelyinyourhonour，whichIdobelieveyoutopossessinahigh——"

"Youmay——youmay，"interruptedtheyoungmaneagerly："Iwillneverbetrayyourconfidence——youmighttrustyourselftomyhonourandgoodfaith——"

"Iwishyouwouldnotbebringingyourselfandmyselfconstantlyintotheconversation，"saidthelady，compressingherlipstoconcealasmile;"wearetalkingofCharlotteHenley，andofheronly。ShewasbroughtupinthedailyhabitofseeingmuchofGeorgeMorton，who，Ibelieve，evenyouwillownhasaheart，foritwillcosthimhislife。"

"Hislife！"

"Ifearso;nay，itiswithouthope。Thecoldhetookincarryingthepoorsufferertothehospitallastwinterhasthrownhimintoadecline。IdobelievethatCharlotteHenleyisfondofhim;butmind，Idonotsaythatsheisinlove——ifappearstobelessofpassionthanofintenseaffection。"

"Yes，suchasshewouldfeelforabrother。"

"Shehasnobrother。Idonotintendtodefinethepassions：butIdobelievethatifheweretoliveandofferhimself，shewouldmarryhim，andmakehimsuchawifeasanymanmightenvy。"

"What！doyouthinksheloveshimunasked，andyetrefusemewhobeggedherhandlikeherslave。"

"Itisnotunasked;hehasknownherallherlife——

hasevershownapreferenceforher——hasbeenkindtoherandtoallothersinherpresence——hehaslonganticipatedherwishes，intrifles，and——and——inshort，hehasdonejustwhatheoughttodo，togainherlove。"

"ThenyouthinkIerredinthemannerinwhichI

mademyadvances？"

"Youradvances，asyoucallthem，wouldhavesucceededwithninegirlsinten，thoughnotwithMissHenley——besides，youaretoolate。"

"Certainlynottoolatewhennodeclarationhadbeenmadebyanyother。"

"Iamnotabouttodiscusstheproprietiesofcourtshipwithyou，Mr。Delafield，"criedMaria，laughingandrisingfromherchair。"Come，letuswalk;itisasintoshutourselvesuponsuchamorning。Thesubjectmustnowhechangedandthescenetoo。"

Heacceptedherchallenge，andtheyproceededthroughthestreetstogether;butsheevadedeverysubsequentattempthemadetorenewthediscourse。Perhapsshefeltthatshehadgonetoofar——perhapstherewassomethinginitthatwaspainfultoherownfeelings。

Theexplanation，however，hadagreattendencytodestroytheremainsofwhatDelafieldmistookforlove。InsteadofhavinghisaffectionsseriouslyengagedinashortintercoursewithMissHenley，ourreadersmayeasilyperceivethatitwasnothingbuthisimaginationthatwasexcited，andwhichhadkepthisbrainfilledwithimagesstillmorelovelythantheoriginal：butnowthatthewanfeaturesofGeorgeMortonwereconstantlybroughtintothepicturebythesideofthedeityhehadworshipped，thecontemplationofthesefanciedbeautiesbecomehourlylesspleasant，andinashorttimeheceasedtodwellonthesubjectaltogether。

Aconsequence，however，grewoutofhisshort-livedinclination，thatwasasunlookedforbyhimselfasbytheothersinterestedintheresult。HebecamesomuchaccustomedtothesocietyofMariaOsgood，thatatlengthhefellitwasnecessarytohiscomfort。Tothesurpriseofthewholecity，thehandsome，rich，witty，andaccomplishedMr。

SeymourDelafielddeclaredhimselfinformbeforethespringhadexpiredtooneoftheplaindaughtersofMr。Osgood，amanwithalargefamily，andbutlittlemoney。Mariahadadifficulttasktoconcealthepleasureshefelt，asshelistenedto，notthepassionatedeclarationofheradmirer，buttohiswarmsolicitationthatshewoulduniteherdestiniestohisown。Shedidconcealit，however，andwouldonlyconsenttoreceivehisvisitsforatime，ontheconditionthathewasnottoconsiderherasatallengagedbythepermission。

CHAPTERV。

WHILEsuchhappyprospectswereopeningonthefuturelifeofherfriend，thetimeofCharlotteHenleywasverydifferentlyoccupiedinthecountry。

Thereis，however，atendencyinyouthtorisewitheventsthatdoesnotreadilyadmitofdepression，andthedisorderofGeorgeMortonwasoneofallothersthemostflatteringwhennearitsclose。Eventhemorematureexperienceofhisparentswasmisledbythedeceptivesymptomsthathiscomplaintassumedinthecommencementofsummer。Theywhosofondlyhopedtheresult，begantobelievethatyouthandtheblandairsofJunewereovercomingtheinexorableenemy。Thatthestrengthoftheyoungmanlessenedwitheverysucceedingday，wasaneventtobeexpectedfromhislowdietandprotractedconfinement;buthisbrighteningeyes，andtheflittingcolourthatwouldattimesaddtotheirfieryradiance，broughttotheyouthfulCharlottethemostheartfelt，thoughsecret，rapture。Thisstatebetweenrevivinghopeandmomentarydespondencyhadprevailedforseveralweeks，whentheaffectionategirlenteredanapartmentthatcommunicatedwithGeorge’sownroom，whereshefoundtheinvalidrecliningonasetteeapparentlydeeplycommuningwithhimself。

Hewasalone;andhisappearance，aswellastheheavensandtheearth，unitedtoencouragethesanguineexpectationofthepureheartthatthrobbedsoardentlywhenitsownerwitnessedanyfavourablechangeinthecountenanceoftheyoungman。Thewindowswereraised，andthebalmyairofaJunemorningplayedthroughtheapartment，lendinginrealityanelasticvigourtothedecayingorgansofthesickyouth。Thetingeinhischeekswasheightenedbythemellowglowofthesun’sraysastheyshonethroughthemediumoftherose-

colouredcurtainsofthewindow，andCharlottethoughtsheoncemorebeheldthereturningcolourofhealthwhereithadbeensolongabsent。

"Howmuchbetteryouappearthismorning，George，"shecried，inavoicewhosemelodywasevenheightenedbyitsgaiety。"Weshallsoonhaveyouamongusoncemore，andthen，heedlessone，bewarehowyoutrifleagainwiththatbestofheaven’sgifts，yourhealth。Oh，thisisablessedclimate！oursummeratoneswithitsmildnessforthedrearinessandperilsofourwinter;ithasevengivenmeacolour，pale-faceasIam——Icanfeelitburnonmycheek。"

Heraisedhisheadfromitsmusingpositionatthefirstsoundsofhervoice，andsmiledfaintly，andwithanexpressionofanguish，assheproceeded;

butwhenshehadended，andtakenherseatnearhim，stillkeepinghereyesonhisvaryingcountenance，hetookherhandintohisownbeforehereplied。Agooddealsurprisedathismanner，andatthisact，whichexceededtheusualfamiliarityofeventheiraffectionateintercourse，thecolour，ofwhichMissHenleyhadbeensoplayfullyboasting，changedonceortwicewithrapidtransitions。

"SeemIsowell，dearCharlotte？"heatlengthsaidinalow，tremulous，andhollowvoice，"seemIsowell？Ibelieveyouareright，andthatIshallshortlybebetter——muchbetter。"

"Whatmeanyou，George？feelyouanyworse？haveIdisturbedyouwithmypresenceandmythoughtlessgaiety？"

Theyoungmansmiledagain，buttheexpressionofhisfacewasnolongermingledwithalookofanguish;itwasakindbenevolentgleamofgratitudeandaffectionwhichcrossedhisghastlyfeatures，likearayofsunshineenliveningthegloomofadayinwinter。

"Youdisturbme，Charlotte！"heanswered，hisveryvoicetremblingasifinsympathywithhisframe："I

dobelievebutforyouIshouldhavebeenlongsinceinmygrave。"

"No，no，George，thisistoomelancholyathemeforusbothjustnow;letustalkofyourreturninghealth。"

Hepressedherhandtohisheartbeforehereplied——

"Myhealthwillneverreturn;Iamlosttothisworld;

andinfactatthismomentIproperlybelongtoanotherinmybody：wouldtoGodthatIwaspurelysoinfeelingsalso。"

"Surely，George，youarealarmingyourselfunnecessarily。"

"Iamnotalarmed，"hereplied;"Ihavetoolongforeseenthisevent，tofeelalarmedatmyapproachingdissolution——no，forthat，blessedbemyGodandmyRedeemer，Iaminsomedegreeprepared;butIfeelitimpossibletoshakeoffthefeelingsofthislifewhilethepulsecontinuestobeat，andyettheemotionsInowexperiencemustbeinsomemeasurealliedtoheaven;theyarenotimpure，theyarenotselfish;nothingcanpartakeofeither，dearCharlotte，whereyourimageisconnectedwiththethoughtsofafutureworld。"

"Oh，George！talknotsogloomily，socruelly，thismorning——yourwholecountenancecontradictsyourmelancholyspeech，andyouarebetter——indeedyouare;——youmustbebetter。"

"Yes，Iambetter，Iamnearlywell，"returnedtheyouth，pausingamoment，whileastruggleofthemostpainfulinterestseemedtoengrosshisthoughts。Asitpassedaway，hedrewhishandfeeblyacrosshisclammybrow，and，smilingfaintly，resumedhisspeech，——"onthebrinkofthegrave，atamomentwhenallthoughtsofmemustbeconnectedwiththeimageofdeath，therecannolongerbeanynecessityforsilence。Youhavebeenkindtous，dearMissHenley，asyouarekindtoall;

buttomeyoursympathyhasbeentreblydear，forithasbroughtwithitaconsolationandpleasurethatyoubutlittleimagine。"

MissHenleyraisedhertearfuleyesfromthefloortohiswanfeatures，thatnowappearedilluminedwithmorethanhumanfires，andherpalelipsquivered，buthervoicewasinaudible。

"Yes，Charlotte，Imaynowspeakwithoutinjustice，orthefearofbeingselfish：Ihavelonglovedyou——

howtenderly，howpurely，nonecaneverknow;butcouldI，withacertaintyofmyfatebeforemyeyes，withtheknowledgethatmydayswerenumbered，andthatthesunofmylifecouldneverreachitsmeridian，wooyoutomylove，tomakeyoumiserable！No，dearest！yourgentleheartwillmournthebrotherandthefriendtoomuchforitsownpeace;itneedednotthestingofastrongergrief。"

"George，George，"sobbedtheconvulsedgirl，"thinknotofme;speaknotofme——ifitcancheeryouatsuchamomenttoknowhowmuchyouarevaluedbyme，nocoldreserveshallbefoundonmypart。"

Theyoungmanstarted，andfastenedhiseyesonherfacewithanindefinablelookofdelightmingledwithsorrow。

"Charlotte！"heexclaimed，"doIheararight？amI

somiserable！amIsohappy！repeatthosewords——

quick——myeyesgrowdim——mysensesdeceiveme。"

"Live，GeorgeMorton，"saidCharlottefirmly："youarebetter——yourwholefacebespeaksit;andifthetendercareofanaffectionatewifecanpreserveyourhealth，youshalllongliveablessingtoallwholoveyou。"

AsCharlotteuttered，thusingenuously，herpureattachment，theyouthextendedhishandtowardsherblindly。Shegavehimherown，whichhedrewtohisheart，andfoldedtohisbosomwithawarmpressureforaninstant，whenhisholdrelaxed，hisformdroppingbackwardonthesofa，andinthatattitudeheexpiredwithoutastruggle。

Weshallnotdwellonthemelancholyscenethatfollowed。AtthefuneralofGeorgeMortonMissHenleywasnottobeseen，norwasitgenerallyunderstoodthattheyoungpeoplehadbeenconnectedintheclosesttiesoffeeling。Shemadenodisplayofhergriefinherdress，unlesstheslighttestimonialsofafewbrightribbandsonthevirginwhiteofherrobecouldbecalledsuch，andtherumourthatwasatfirstpropagatedoftheirbeingengagedtoeachotherwasdiscredited，becausethetracesofsorrowwerenotparticularlyvisibleintheattireofMissHenley。Whentheseasonofgaietyreturned，sheappearedasusualinherplaceinsociety。Thoughhercheekswereseldomenrichedwiththefaintglowthatoncerenderedhersobeautiful，andshewaslessdazzlinginherappearance，yet，ifpossible，shewasmorelovelyandattractive。Inthecourseofthewinter，severalgentlemenapproachedherwiththeevidentintentionofofferingtheirhands。Theiradvanceswerereceivedwithgreaturbanity，butinmostinstanceswiththatunembarrassedmannerthatisfataltohope。Oneofheradmirers，however，perseveredsofarastosolicitherhand：thedenialwasmild，butresolute;likemostyoungmenwhothinktheirhappinessdependentonalady’ssmile，hewishedtoknowifhehadasuccessfulrival。Hewasassuredhehadnot。HiscuriosityevenwentsofarastoinquireifMissHenleyhadabjuredmatrimony。Theanswerwasasimple，unaffectednegative。Amazedathisownwantofsuccess，theyouththenintimatedhisintentionofmakingafutureapplicationforherfavour。

Inthemeantime，SeymourDelafield，aftercastingonelonging，lingeringlookatMissHenley，becamethehusbandofherfriend，andmadethefourteenthintheprolificfamilyoftheOsgoods，wherehiswealthwasnotlessagreeabletotheparents，thanhispersontothedaughter。

Manyyearshaverolledbysincetheoccurrenceoftheseevents，andMissHenleycontinuesthesameineverythingbutappearance。Thefreshnessofherbeautyhasgivenplacetoalookofintelligence。

anddelicacythatseemsgraduallyfittingherforherlastandmostimportantchange。ThenameofGeorgeMortonisneverheardtopassherlips。Mrs。

Delafielddeclaresittobeasubjectthatsheneverdarestoapproach，norinherrepeatedrefusalsofmatrimonialoffershasCharlotteeverbeenknowntoalludetothedesolationofherownheart。Herfatherisdead;buttohermotherMissHenleyhasinagreatmeasuresuppliedhisloss。Withherfriendssheisalwayscheerful，andapparentlyhappy，thoughtheinnocentgaietyofherchildhoodissensiblychecked，andtherearemomentsthatbetraytheexistenceofagriefthatisonlythemoredurable，becauseitislessviolent。Inshort，shelivesapatternforhersex，unfetteredbyanyromanticandfoolishpledges，dischargingallthenaturaldutiesofheryearsandstationinanexemplarymanner，butunwillingtoincuranynewones，becauseshehasbutoneheart，andthatwaslongsincegivenwithitspurity，sincerity，andtruth，tohimwhoisdead，andcanneverbecomethepropertyofanother。

WhenCharlotteHenleydies，althoughshemaynothavefulfilledoneoftheprincipalobjectsofherbeing，bybecomingamother，herexamplewillsurviveher;andthosewhostudyhercharacterandintegrityoffeeling，willfindenoughtoteachthemwhatpropertiesarethemostvaluableinformingthatsacredcharacter——whileherownsexcanlearnthat，thoughinthecaseofMissHenley，Providencehasdeniedthefullexerciseofherexcellences，ithasatthesametimerenderedherastrikinginstanceoffemaledignity，byexhibitingtotheworldthedifferencebetweenaffectionandcaprice，andbyshewinghowmuchimaginationisinferiortoHeart。