able, sometimes,
indeed, delightful, and so far sustains me when I am inclined to be
gloomy. But believe me, Agnes, I could love Charles Osborne even if he
were not handsome. I could love him for his mind, his principles, and
especially for his faithful and constant heart."

"And for all these he would deserve your love; but you remember what you
told me once: it seems he has not yet seen a girl that he thinks more
handsome than you are. Did you not mention to me that he said when he
did, he would cease to write to you and cease to love you? You see he is
constant."

"Yes; but did I not tell you the sense in which he meant it?"

"Yes; and now you throw a glance at yourself in the glass! Oh Jane,
Jane, the best of us and the freest from imperfection is not without a
little pride and vanity; but don't be too confident, my saucy beauty;
consider that you complained to William yesterday, about the unusual
length of time that has elapsed since you received his last letter,
and yet he could, write to his fa---- What, what, dear girl, what's the
matter? you are as pale as death."

"Because, Agnes, I never think of that but my heart and spirits sink.
It has been one of the secret causes of my occasional depressions ever
since he went. I cannot tell why, but from the moment the words were
spoken, I have not been without a presentiment of evil."

"Even upon your own showing, Jane, that is an idle and groundless
impression, and unworthy the affection which you know, and which we all
know he bears you; dismiss it, dear Jane, dismiss it, and do not give
yourself the habit of creating imaginary evils."

"I know I am prone to such a habit, and am probably too much of a
visionary for my own happiness; but setting that gloomy presentiment
aside, have you not, Agnes, been struck with several hints in his
letters, both to me and his father, unfavorable to the state of his
health."

"That you will allow, could not be very ill, when he was able to
continue his travels."

"True, but according to his own admission his arrangements were
frequently broken up, by the fact of his being 'unwell,' and 'not in a
condition to travel,' and so did not reach the places in time to which
he had requested me to direct many of my letters. I fear, Agnes, that
his health has not been so much improved by the air of the continent as
we hoped it would."

"I have only to say this, Jane, that if he does not appreciate your
affection as he ought to do,