Lucy," he added, "nor alarmed at these sentiments;
for I tell you, that rather than be defeated in the object I propose for
your elevation in life, I would trample a thousand times upon all
the moral obligations that ever bound man. Put it down to what you
like--insanity--monomania, if you will--but so it is with me: I shall
work my purpose out, or either of us shall die for it; and from this
you may perceive how likely your resistance and obduracy are to become
available against the determination of such a man as I am. Compose
yourself, girl, and don't be a fool. The only way to get properly
through life is to accommodate ourselves to its necessities, or, in
other words, to have shrewdness and common sense, and foil the world, if
we can, at its own weapons. Give up your fine sentiment, I desire you,
and go down to the drawing-room, to receive your brother; hem will be
here very soon. I am going to the assizes, and shall not return till
about four o'clock. Come, come, all will end better than you imagine."

The mention of her brother was anything but a comfort to Lucy. Her
father at first entertained apprehensions, as we have already said, that
this promising youth might support his sister in her aversion against
the marriage. Two or three conversations on the subject soon undeceived
him, however, in the view he had taken of his character; and Lucy
herself now dreaded him, on this subject, almost as much as she did her
father.

With respect to this same brother, it is scarcely necessary now to
say, that Lucy's feelings had undergone a very considerable change.
On hearing that he not only was in existence, but that she would soon
actually behold him, her impassioned imagination painted him as
she wished and hoped he might prove to be--that is, in the first
place--tall, elegant, handsome, and with a strong likeness to the mother
whom he had been said so much to resemble; and, in the next--oh, how her
trembling heart yearned to find him affectionate, tender, generous,
and full of all those noble and manly virtues on which might rest a
delightful sympathy, a pure and generous affection, and a tender and
trusting confidence between them. On casting her eyes upon him for the
first time, however, she felt at the moment like one disenchanted, or
awakening from some delightful illusion to a reality so much at variance
with the beau ideal of her imagination, as to occasion a feeling of
disappointment that amounted almost to pai