e communication possible, to
the most disagreeable person to whom such a communication could be made.
Still, I was regularly in for it; there was nothing left for me but to
"go a-head"; and as I thought of Clara and her sorrows, the task seemed
to lose half its difficulty. However, it was not without some hesitation
that I began:--

"When you learn the object of my visit, sir, you will perceive that I
have not intruded upon you without reason". I paused; but, finding he
remained silent, added--"As you are so much occupied this morning, I
had better perhaps enter at once upon the business which has brought me
here. You are probably aware that I have had the pleasure of spending
the last few days in the same house with Miss Saville." As I mentioned
Clara's name, his brow grew dark as night; but he still continued
silent, and I proceeded. "It is, I should conceive, impossible for
anyone to enjoy the privilege of that young lady's society, without
experiencing the warmest feelings of admiration and interest. Towards
the termination of her visit, accident led me to the knowledge of her
acquaintance with Mr. Cumberland, who I then learned, for the first
time, was your nephew. I would not willingly say anything which might
distress or annoy you, Mr. Vernor," continued I, interrupting myself,
"but I fear that, in order to make myself intelligible, I must advert to
an affair which I would willingly have forgotten."

"Go on, sir," was the reply, in a cold sarcastic tone of voice--"pray
finish your account without reference to my feelings; I am not likely to
alarm your sensibility by any affecting display of them."

As the most sceptical could not have doubted for a moment the truth
of this assertion, I resumed: "From my previous knowledge of Mr.
Cumberland's character, I could not but consider him an unfit
acquaintance for a young lady; and, on hinting this, and endeavouring to
ascertain the extent of Miss Saville's intimacy with him, I was equally
shocked and surprised to learn that she was actually engaged to him, and
that you not only sanctioned the engagement, but were even desirous that
the match ~299~~ should take place. Feeling sure that this could only
proceed from your being ignorant of the character of the class of
persons with whom your nephew associates, and the more than questionable
reputation he has thereby acquired, I considered it my duty to afford
you such information as may enable you to ascertain for yoursel