Intendant could not tax him with want of
confidence altogether. He had now analysed his feelings towards
Patience; and he felt how dear she had become to him. During the time
he was with the army she had seldom been out of his thoughts; and
although he was often in the society of well-bred women, he saw not one
that, in his opinion, could compare with Patience Heatherstone; but
still, what chance had he of supporting a wife? At present, at the age
of nineteen, it was preposterous. Thoughts like these ran in his mind,
chasing each other, and followed by others as vague and unsatisfactory;
and, in the end, Edward came to the conclusion that he was without a
penny, and that being known as the heir of Beverley would be to his
disadvantage; that he was in love with Patience Heatherstone, and had no
chance at present of obtaining her; and that he had done well up to the
present time in concealing who he was from the Intendant, who could
safely attest that he knew not that he was protecting the son of so
noted a Cavalier; and that he would confess to Patience who he was, and
give as a reason for not telling her father, that he did not wish to
commit him by letting him know who it was that was under his protection.
How far the reader may be satisfied with the arguments which Edward was
satisfied with, we cannot pretend to say; but Edward was young, and
hardly knew how to extricate himself from the cloak which necessity had
first compelled him to put on. Edward was already satisfied that he was
not quite looked upon with indifference by Patience Heatherstone; and he
was not yet certain whether it was not a grateful feeling that she had
towards him more than any other; that she believed him to be beneath her
in birth, he felt convinced, and therefore she could have no idea that
he was Edward Beverley. It was not till several days after he had made
up his mind that he had an opportunity of being with her alone, as Clara
Ratcliffe was their constant companion. However, one evening Clara went
out, and stayed out so long, carelessly wrapped up, that she caught
cold; and the following evening she remained at home, leaving Edward and
Patience to take their usual walk unaccompanied by her. They had walked
for some minutes in silence, when Patience observed--

"You are very grave, Edward, and have been very grave ever since your
return; have you anything to vex you beyond the failure of the attempt?"

"Yes, I have, Patience. I