d seen
his thirty-seventh birth-day, and was still free. He had known Jane
slightly before his introduction to her home, and he soon evinced a
deep and tender interest in her welfare. Her character was a new study
for him, and he delighted in calling forth all the latent enthusiasm
of her nature. He it was who awakened the slumbering fires of
sentiment, and insisted on her cultivating tastes too lovely to be
possessed in vain; and when she frankly told him that the refinement
of taste created restless yearnings for pursuits to her unattainable,
he spoke of a happier future, when her life should be spent amid the
employments she loved. Ere many months had elapsed his feelings
deepened into passionate tenderness, and he avowed himself a lover.
Jane's emotions were mixed and tumultuous as she listened to his
fervent expressions; she reproached herself with ingratitude in not
returning his love. She felt toward him a grateful affection, for to
him she owed all the real happiness her secluded life had known; but
he did not realize her ideal, he admired and was proud of her talents,
but he did not sympathize with her tastes."

"Months sped away and seemed to bring to him an increase of passionate
tenderness. Every word and action spoke his deep devotion. Jane could
not remain insensible to such affection; the love she had sighed for
was hers at last--and it is the happiness of a loving nature to know
that it makes the happiness of another. Jane's esteem gradually
deepened in tone and character until it became a faithful, trusting
love. She felt no fear for the future, because she knew her affection
had none of the romance that she had learned to mistrust, even while
it enchanted her imagination. She saw failings and peculiarities in
her lover, but with true womanly gentleness she forbore with and
concealed them. She believed him when he said he would shield and
guard her from every ill; and her grateful heart sought innumerable
ways to express her appreciating tenderness."

"Mrs. Lynn saw what was passing, and was happy, for Mr. Morris had been
to her a friend and benefactor. And Jane was happy in the
consciousness of being beloved, yet had she much to bear. Her want of
beauty was, as I have said, a source of regret to her, and she was
made unhappy by finding that Everard Morris was dissatisfied with her
appearance. She thought, in the true spirit of romance, that the
beloved were always lovely; but Mr. Morris frequently ex