ndon the lectures for the future, for, I
perceive, that to complain to a gentleman of his using compliments, only
induces him to make a dozen more, in order to atone for his first
offence."

The young people's _tete a tete_ was interrupted by Miss Dorothea, who
hated to hear any one talk but herself, asking Mr. Anthony, "If it were
true that he was studying for the Church?" On his replying in the
affirmative, she continued: "Your father, Mr. Anthony, is determined to
let nothing go out of the family. One would have thought that you could
have afforded to have lived like an independent gentleman."

Anthony, who was unfortunately very sensitive on this subject, colored
deeply as he replied,

"My choice of a profession, madam, was not so much in accordance with my
father's wishes as with my own."

"Well, I must say that I think it a strange choice for a young man of
fortune."

"I made choice of that mode of life, in which I hoped to be of most use
to my fellow creatures. The fortune to which you allude, Miss Whitmore,
may never be mine."

"Yes, yes; I see you are determined to look out for the main chance,"
continued his ill-natured tormentor. "But, to do you justice, young man,
I think nature made you for a parson."

This speech was greatly relished by Godfrey, who burst into a loud
laugh. He secretly enjoyed poor Anthony's mortification; and, though he
detested the old maid himself, he had successfully wormed himself into
her good graces, by paying her some judicious compliments, in which the
graces of her person and her youthful appearance had been the theme of
praise.

"By the by, Tony," he said, turning suddenly to his cousin, "you have
received a letter from your father, and never told me one word about it.
Was it a kind epistle?"

"Better than I expected," returned Anthony coldly. "But I never discuss
family matters in public."

"Public! Are we not among friends?" said Godfrey, persisting in his
impertinent interrogatories.

"But you inherit a good deal of the suspicious cautious character of
your father. When you grow old, I believe that you will be just as fond
of money as he is. Did he offer to advance a sufficient sum to settle
you in life?"

"No, he did not."

"Astonishing! What excuse can he give for such unreasonable conduct?"

"The old one, I suppose," said Colonel Hurdlestone, laughing--"poverty."

"Ha! ha! ha!" reiterated Godfrey.

"Godfrey!" said Anthony, with much severity of look a