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。
