t
general esteem only for a good one."

"From this distinction," said Ellen, modestly, "may we not draw an
inference, which will greatly help us in our consideration of vanity;
may we not deem that vanity, which desires only the esteem of others to
be invariably a virtue, and that which only longs for admiration to be
frequently a vice?"

"We may admit your inference," said Vincent; "and before I leave this
question, I cannot help remarking upon the folly of the superficial, who
imagine, by studying human motives, that philosophers wish to depreciate
human actions. To direct our admiration to a proper point, is surely
not to destroy it; yet how angry inconsiderate enthusiasts are, when we
assign real, in the place of exaggerated feelings. Thus the advocates
for the doctrine of utility--the most benevolent, because the most
indulgent, of all philosophies--are branded with the epithets of selfish
and interested; decriers of moral excellence, and disbelievers in
generous actions. Vice has no friend like the prejudices which call
themselves virtue. La pretexte ordinaire de ceux qui font le malheur des
autres est qu'ils veulent leur bien."

My eyes were accidentally fixed on Glanville as Vincent ceased; he
looked up, and coloured faintly as he met my look; but he did not
withdraw his own--keenly and steadily we gazed upon each other, till
Ellen, turning round suddenly, remarked the unwonted meaning of our
looks, and placed her hand in her brother's, with a sort of fear.

It was late; he rose to withdraw, and passing me, said in a low tone,
"A little while, and you shall know all." I made no answer--he left the
room with Ellen.

"Lady Roseville has had but a dull evening, I fear, with our stupid
saws and antient instances," said Vincent. The eyes of the person he
addressed were fixed upon the door; I was standing close by her, and
as the words struck her ear, she turned abruptly;--a tear fell upon my
hand--she perceived it, and though I would not look upon her face, I
saw that her very neck blushed; but she, like me, if she gave way to
feeling, had learnt too deep a lesson from the world, not readily to
resume her self-command; she answered Vincent railingly, upon his bad
compliment to us, and received our adieus with all her customary grace,
and more than her customary gaiety.

CHAPTER LXIX.

Ah! Sir, had I but bestowed half the pains in learning a trade, that I
have in learning to be a scoundrel, I might have