not satisfied with myself; and when
I am away from my Circe, I strive all I can to drive her from my memory.
By change of scene, absence, and occupation, I contrive to forget her
indifferent well. Add to all this, I have not committed myself by word
or deed. I have now been three years in this way; but the moment I find
myself within two miles of my fair one, as the towers of my home rise
upon my sight, so rises the passion in my bosom; and what I supposed I
had reasoned away to a mere dwarfish penchant, becomes at once a mighty
sentiment.

_Capt. Mer._ That looks very like attachment. Three years, did you say?
My dear brother in affliction, make me your confident.

_Capt. Eth._ I intended to do so, or I should not have originated the
subject. My father brought up the daughter of our steward, Bargrove,
with my sister Agnes. I have therefore known Lucy from her infancy; and
ought I to be ashamed to say, how much I am in love with her?

_Capt. Mer._ Etheridge, this is a point on which, I am afraid, my advice
would not be well received.

_Capt. Eth._ Of course you would imply that she must be renounced.

_Capt. Mer._ Most assuredly; that is my opinion on a _prima facie_ view
of the case. You have your father's example.

_Capt. Eth._ I have, but still there are many points in my favour.
Bargrove is of a very old, though decayed family. Indeed, much more
ancient than our own.

_Capt. Mer._ I grant you, there is one difficulty removed. But still
your relative position. He is now your father's steward.

_Capt. Eth._ That is certainly a great obstacle; but on the other hand,
she has been really well educated.

_Capt. Mer._ Another point in your favour, I grant.

_Capt. Eth._ With respect to Lucy herself, she is----

_Capt. Mer._ As your father thought your mother--perfection. Recollect,
the soft paw of the cat conceals the talons.

_Capt. Eth._ Judge for yourself when you see and converse with her. I
presume I am to consider myself blind. At all events, I have decided
upon nothing; and have neither, by word or deed, allowed her to suppose
an attachment on my part: still it is a source of great anxiety. I
almost wish that she were happily married. By-the-bye, my mother hates
her.

_Capt. Mer._ That's not in your favour, though it is in hers.

_Capt. Eth._ And my father doats upon her.

_Capt. Mer._ That's in favour of you both.

_Capt. Eth._ Now, you have the whole story, you may advise me as you
please: but