nd tone: "how can
such a lamentable instance of human weakness (madness, I might say)
awaken your mirth?"

"Is it not enough to make one laugh, when an old fellow, rich enough to
pay the National Debt, refuses to provide for his only son, and suffers
him to live upon the _charity_ of a brother?"

This unexpected though oft-repeated insult was too much for Anthony to
bear at such a moment, and in the presence of the woman he loved. The
proud flash of his dark eye told how deeply his gentle nature was moved.
His indignation did not escape the watchful eye of Juliet; but he
mastered his passion, and answered his cousin in a calm low voice.

"Godfrey, I understand you. You need say no more on that subject. You
know how painfully alive I am to the obligations I owe to my uncle, and
it is ungenerous to take such an opportunity of reminding me of them.
The debt, I hope, will one day be repaid."

He rose to take leave. A pleading look from Juliet made him abandon his
intention. "Sit down," said Juliet, in a persuasive voice, "I am sure
your cousin meant no offence. Delicacy of mind," she added, in a very
low tone, meant only for his ear, "is not always an inherent quality; we
should pity and forgive those who are destitute of it."

"I will do any thing to please you," returned Anthony; and Godfrey, pale
with disappointed malice, saw him resume his seat.

"I have provided a little treat of strawberries and cream," continued
Juliet; "they are the first of the season, and were presented to me this
morning by that strangely-interesting girl, Mary Mathews. How I regret
that her father's injudicious method of bringing her up should so
completely have spoiled a girl whom Nature formed to be an ornament to
her humble station."

"Mary is a beautiful girl," said Anthony, "and has a mind of no ordinary
cast. Her failings are the result of the peculiar circumstances in which
she has been placed. With such a kind monitress as Miss Whitmore to
counsel her, I feel assured that she might soon be persuaded to forsake
her masculine employments, and feel a relish for more feminine
pursuits."

He spoke with much earnestness, until perceiving that Juliet regarded
him with a peculiarly searching glance, he colored, hesitated, became
embarrassed, and, finally, stopped speaking.

"When I first saw Mary Mathews, some months ago," said Juliet, "she was
very pretty, and as blithe as a bird; I used to envy the exuberance of
her animal spirits,