s and
chivalrous expression of countenance. Poor Cousin Latimer!

"Look at that, Kate," said Lady Scapegrace, in low chilling tones;
"the last time I saw him that was his very image. Thank God, I never
beheld him when those kind features were cold and rigid--that white
neck gashed by his own hand! O Kate! 'tis a sad story. I have not
mentioned it for twenty years; but it's a relief to _talk_ of it now.
Surely I was not altogether to blame; surely he might have given me
time; he need not have been so hasty--so desperate.

"Listen, Kate. I was one of a large family of girls. All my sisters
were beautiful; all were vain of their charms. As I grew up, I heard
nothing talked about but conquests, and lovers, and captivations. I
thought, to dazzle and enslave the opposite sex was the noblest aim of
woman. Latimer was brought up with us: we called him 'cousin,' though
he was in reality a very distant connection. Poor boy! day by day I
could see he was growing more and more attached to me. Latimer always
brought me the earliest roses. Latimer would walk miles by the side of
my pony. Latimer helped me with my drawing, and did my commissions,
and turned the leaves when I played on the pianoforte, and hung over
the instrument when I sang. In short, Latimer was my slave, body and
soul; and the consequence was, Kate, that I cared very little for him.
My sisters, to be sure, joked me about my conquest; and I felt, I
confess, a proper pride in owning a lover like the rest; but of real
affection for him I had then very little; and I often think, my dear,
that we women seldom value devotion such as his till too late. I was
not old enough to think seriously of marriage; but Latimer was
convinced I should become his wife, and (poor fellow!) made all his
arrangements and schemes for the future under this idea, with a
forethought scarcely to be expected from one so young.

"Well, years crept on, and I 'came out,' as you young ladies call it,
and was presented at court, and went to balls, and began to make the
most of my time, and enjoy life after the manner of my kind. Of
course, I was no wiser than my elders. I danced, and smiled, and
flirted, as I had seen my sisters do; and the more partners I could
refuse the better I was pleased. One day Cousin Latimer came to me,
and spoke out honestly and explicitly. He told me of all his hopes,
his misgivings, his future as I had the power to make it, and his
love. I was pleased and flattered. I f