tenderly indulgent towards the object of his
affections than I to you; and, on the other hand, let me hope that my
more experienced years and graver habits of reflection will be no
disparagement in your eyes, as I shall endeavour to make them all
conducive to your happiness. Come, now! What do you say? Let us have
no young lady's affectations and caprices, but speak out at once.'

'I will, but only to repeat what I said before, that I am certain we were
not made for each other.'

'You really think so?'

'I do.'

'But you don't know me--you wish for a further acquaintance--a longer
time to--'

'No, I don't. I know you as well as I ever shall, and better than you
know me, or you would never dream of uniting yourself to one so
incongruous--so utterly unsuitable to you in every way.'

'But, my dear young lady, I don't look for perfection; I can excuse--'

'Thank you, Mr. Boarham, but I won't trespass upon your goodness. You
may save your indulgence and consideration for some more worthy object,
that won't tax them so heavily.'

'But let me beg you to consult your aunt; that excellent lady, I am sure,
will--'

'I have consulted her; and I know her wishes coincide with yours; but in
such important matters, I take the liberty of judging for myself; and no
persuasion can alter my inclinations, or induce me to believe that such a
step would be conducive to my happiness or yours--and I wonder that a man
of your experience and discretion should think of choosing such a wife.'

'Ah, well!' said he, 'I have sometimes wondered at that myself. I have
sometimes said to myself, "Now Boarham, what is this you're after? Take
care, man--look before you leap! This is a sweet, bewitching creature,
but remember, the brightest attractions to the lover too often prove the
husband's greatest torments!" I assure you my choice has not been made
without much reasoning and reflection. The seeming imprudence of the
match has cost me many an anxious thought by day, and many a sleepless
hour by night; but at length I satisfied myself that it was not, in very
deed, imprudent. I saw my sweet girl was not without her faults, but of
these her youth, I trusted, was not one, but rather an earnest of virtues
yet unblown--a strong ground of presumption that her little defects of
temper and errors of judgment, opinion, or manner were not irremediable,
but might easily be removed or mitigated by the patient efforts of a
watchful and judic