passions?--I could control
them. Her obstinacy?--I could break it. Her poverty of intellect?--I
cared nothing about her intellect. What I wanted was youth and beauty;
she was young and beautiful and I was sure of her.

"Yes; sure. Her showy person, showy accomplishments, and showy manners
dazzled all eyes but mine--Of all the people about her, I alone found
out what she really was; and in that lay the main secret of my influence
over her. I dreaded no rivalry. Her father, prompted by his ambitious
hopes, kept most young men of her class away from the house; the few who
did come were not dangerous; _they_ were as incapable of inspiring, as
_she_ was of feeling, real love. Her mother still watched me, and
still discovered nothing; still suspected me behind my back, and still
trembled before my face. Months passed on monotonously, year succeeded
to year; and I bided my time as patiently, and kept my secret as
cautiously as at the first. No change occurred, nothing happened to
weaken or alter my influence at North Villa, until the day arrived when
Margaret left school and came home for good.

*****

"Exactly at the period to which I have referred, certain business
transactions of great importance required the presence of Mr. Sherwin,
or of some confidential person to represent him, at Lyons. Secretly
distrusting his own capabilities, he proposed to me to go; saying that
it would be a pleasant trip for me, and a good introduction to his
wealthy manufacturing correspondents. After some consideration, I
accepted his offer.

"I had never hinted a word of my intentions towards her to Margaret;
but she understood them well enough--I was certain of that, from many
indications which no man could mistake. For reasons which will presently
appear, I resolved not to explain myself until my return from Lyons. My
private object in going there, was to make interest secretly with Mr.
Sherwin's correspondents for a situation in their house. I knew that
when I made my proposals to Margaret, I must be prepared to act on them
on the instant; I knew that her father's fury when he discovered that I
had been helping to educate his daughter only for myself, would lead
him to any extremities; I knew that we must fly to some foreign country;
and, lastly, I knew the importance of securing a provision for our
maintenance, when we got there. I had saved money, it is true--nearly
two-thirds of my salary, every year--but had