haw's would have been
very unfortunate to Mr Farquhar (who was innocent of all connivance
in any of the plots--indeed, would have been as much annoyed at them
as Jemima, had he been aware of them), but that the impression made
upon him by Ruth on the evening I have so lately described, was
deepened by the contrast which her behaviour made to Miss Bradshaw's
on one or two more recent occasions.

There was no use, he thought, in continuing attentions so evidently
distasteful to Jemima. To her, a young girl hardly out of the
schoolroom, he probably appeared like an old man; and he might even
lose the friendship with which she used to regard him, and which was,
and ever would be, very dear to him, if he persevered in trying to be
considered as a lover. He should always feel affectionately towards
her; her very faults gave her an interest in his eyes, for which
he had blamed himself most conscientiously and most uselessly when
he was looking upon her as his future wife, but which the said
conscience would learn to approve of when she sank down to the place
of a young friend, over whom he might exercise a good and salutary
interest. Mrs Denbigh, if not many months older in years, had known
sorrow and cares so early that she was much older in character.
Besides, her shy reserve, and her quiet daily walk within the lines
of duty, were much in accordance with Mr Farquhar's notion of what a
wife should be. Still, it was a wrench to take his affections away
from Jemima. If she had not helped him to do so by every means in her
power, he could never have accomplished it.

Yes! by every means in her power had Jemima alienated her lover, her
beloved--for so he was in fact. And now her quick-sighted eyes saw he
was gone for ever--past recall; for did not her jealous, sore heart
feel, even before he himself was conscious of the fact, that he was
drawn towards sweet, lovely, composed, and dignified Ruth--one who
always thought before she spoke (as Mr Farquhar used to bid Jemima
do)--who never was tempted by sudden impulse, but walked the world
calm and self-governed. What now availed Jemima's reproaches, as she
remembered the days when he had watched her with earnest, attentive
eyes, as he now watched Ruth; and the times since, when, led astray
by her morbid fancy, she had turned away from all his advances!

"It was only in March--last March, he called me 'dear Jemima.' Ah,
don't I remember it well? The pretty nosegay of green-house f