shionable circles? But, excuse me; perhaps I am
stepping on dangerous ground."

"By no means, sir; you wrong me if you believe my pride to be of such a
nature. But I have not only reference to both the motives you name, but
to many others, when I assert my opinion of the resentment Miss Clinton
would probably cherish if your remarks should reach her ears."

"Mr. Sullivan," said Mr. Amory, "are you sure you are not standing in
your own light? Are you aware that undue modesty with false notions of
refinement has oft prevented many a man's good fortune, and is likely to
interfere with your own?"

"How so, sir? You speak in riddles, and I am ignorant of your meaning."

"Handsome young fellows, like you, can often command any amount of
property for the asking; but many such chances rarely occur to one
individual; and the world will laugh at you if you waste so fair an
opportunity as you now have."

"Opportunity for what? You surely do not mean to advise me----"

"I do, though. I am older than you are, and I know something of the
world. A fortune is not made in a day, nor is money to be despised. Mr.
Clinton's life is almost worn out in toiling after that wealth which
will soon be the inheritance of his daughter. She is young, beautiful,
and the pride of that high circle in which she moves. Both father and
daughter smile upon you; you need not look disconcerted--I speak as
between friends, and you know the truth of that which strangers have
observed, and which I have frequently heard mentioned as beyond doubt.
Why do you hesitate!"

"Mr. Phillips," said Willie, with embarrassment, "the comments of mere
casual acquaintances, such as most of those with whom Miss Clinton
associated in Saratoga, are not to be depended upon. The relations in
which I stand towards Mr. Clinton have been such as to draw me into
constant intercourse with himself and his daughter. He is almost without
relatives, has scarcely any trustworthy friend at command, and therefore
appears to the world more favourably disposed towards me than would be
found to be the case should I aspire to his daughter's hand. The lady,
too, has so many admirers, that it would be vanity in me to believe----"

"Pooh, pooh!" exclaimed Mr. Phillips, "tell that, Sullivan, to a greater
novice, a more unsophisticated individual, than I am! It is very
becoming in you to say so; but a few reminders will hardly harm a youth
who has such a low opinion of his own merits. Pray, wh