in general terms."

Willie looked at Mr. Amory wondering, and was anxious to learn further
particulars. Mr. Amory went on without giving him a chance to speak.

"This Gerty, Sullivan, will be a dead weight upon your hands--a constant
drawback to all your efforts to attain fashionable society, in which she
cannot be fitted to shine. You yourself pronounce her to be without
wealth or beauty; of her family you know nothing, and have certainly
little reason to expect that, if discovered, it would do her any credit.
I believe, then, that I only speak from the dictates of common sense
when I bid you beware how you make, in the disposal of yourself, such an
unequal bargain."

"I am willing to believe, sir," said Willie, "that the arguments you
have adduced upon a question most important to my welfare are based upon
calm reasoning and a disinterested desire to promote my prosperity. I
confess you are the last man, judging from our short acquaintance, from
whom I should have expected such advice, for I had believed you so
indifferent to the applause of the world that they would weigh but
little with you in forming estimates for the guidance of others. Still,
though your suggestions have failed to change my sentiments or
intentions, I thank you for the sincerity and earnestness with which you
have sought to mould my judgment by your own, and will reply to your
arguments with such frankness as will, I think, persuade you that, so
far from following the impulses of a blind enthusiasm, to plunge with
haste into a course of action hereafter to be deplored, I am actuated by
feelings which reason approves, and which have already stood the test of
experience.

"You speak truly when you impute to me a natural taste for good society;
a taste which poverty, and the retirement in which my boyhood was
passed, gave me little opportunity to manifest, but which had some
influence in determining my aims and ambition in life. The fine houses,
equipages, and clothes of the rich had less charm for my fancy than the
ease, refinement, and elegance of manner which distinguished some few of
their owners who came under my observation; and, much as I desired the
attainment of wealth for the sake of intrinsic advantages, and the means
it would afford of contributing to the happiness of others, it would
have seemed to me divested of its value should it fail to secure to its
possessor a free admittance to the polite and polished circle upon which
I loo