ned for the first week to his long, egotistical harangues, with
tolerable patience, hoping that the theme of self would soon be
exhausted, and the Frenchified dandy condescend to remember that he was
an Englishman; but finding him becoming more arrogant and assuming by
listening to his nonsense, I turned from him with feelings of aversion,
which I could but ill conceal. It must have been apparent even, to
himself, that I considered his company a bore.

The sympathy which exists between kindred minds, all have experienced
at some period of their lives; but the mysterious chords of feeling
which unite hearts formed by nature, to understand and appreciate each
other, are not more electrical in their operation than those which have
their origin in the darker passions of the human breast.

How repugnant to a sensitive mind is a forced association with persons
in whom we can find no affinity; and whose sentiments and pursuits are
at utter variance with our own. I was acutely alive to these impressions,
whenever I encountered the sidelong, watchful glance of my cousin.
There was nothing straightforward in him; he never looked friend or
enemy honestly in the face. We mutually understood each other. Though
he scrupulously avoided addressing his conversation to me, yet it was
chiefly intended for my edification; and was replete with satirical
observations.

I detest this covert manner of attack; it is mean and unfair in the
highest degree, as it deprives the person attacked from taking his own
part, and boldly defending himself. Theophilus was a perfect adept at
this dastardly species of warfare.

I tried to treat his conduct with silent contempt; but his provoking
remarks galled me exceedingly; and often, when I appeared unconscious
of their being levelled against me, and earnestly engaged in the
perusal of some dull law-book, I was listening to every word he
uttered, and quivering with indignation. Theophilus enjoyed my
discomfiture, and I found his powers of tormenting greater than I had
at first imagined.

The second day after his arrival, he sent a message up to my room, to
inform me that he required that apartment for his valet, and I could
remove to a chamber in the next story.

I returned for answer, "That I should not quit the occupation of the
room that had been allotted to my use by his father, until I received
positive orders from him to that effect. But I should only require it a
few days longer, and then he c