s at which you have hinted, and which I
am rather surprised, that with all our brotherly intercourse, you never
mentioned before, will not increase your chance of success in gaining
him over to your wishes. But if I live, Philip, you will have little to
fear from his opposition. Charlotte and myself are both above the
common prejudices of the world, and prize you for your worth, which we
consider more than places you on an equality with us, and my little
sister here (and he fondly patted her head) has too high a sense of
honour to encourage hopes which she never meant to realize.'

"I took Charlotte's hand--our eyes met. Her face was again hidden on
her brother's knee; but my drooping heart began to revive, and I turned
to listen to the long harangue of my good friend with more interest and
attention, especially, as Charlotte's small white hand remained firmly
clasped in mine, to repay me for its dullness and prolixity.

"Now, my advice to you both is, not to enter into any engagement, and
to keep the matter of your affections known only to yourselves.
Confidence reposed in a third party is always hazardous, and generally
betrayed. This will lull Moncton's suspicions, for he can greatly annoy
you, should you marry Charlotte without his consent, before her
minority expires. Her property, which is considerable, would then go to
a distant relation.'

"'I have enough to support us both handsomely--why should our union be
delayed on that score?' I cried.

"'Softly, my dear friend. Lovers always talk in that strain--husbands
think differently. Why should Charlotte lose her just inheritance to
gratify the ardour of your passion? You are both young: Charlotte far
too young to marry. Four years is not such a great while to wait. At
the expiration of that time you can meet on equal terms, without making
such an enormous sacrifice. Am I not right?'

"We said he was, and tried to think so; but I am certain that in the
estimation of both his listeners, that that four years which seemed to
him so short, with us spread over a period as long as the life of
Methusalah. We tried to look forward, but shrunk back to the present.
Everything in prospective looked cold, blank--nay, even ugly and old,
at the end of the long vista of four years.

"We promised, however, to abide by his advice. I was sad and
low-spirited; and Charlotte, pleading a bad head-ache, kissed her
brother, received one from me, or, what in _his_ estimation, only
p