\"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。
