the sudden and involuntary sigh it occasioned, how much the image of his
cousin had lately gained ground upon his heart.

Nothing of any note occurred during dinner, until the appearance of
the second course, when Elmore, throwing himself back with an air of
content, that signified the first edge of his appetite was blunted,
observed, Sir, the second course I always opine to be the more dignified
and rational part of a repast--

"'Quod nunc ratio est, impetus ante fuit.'"
[That which is now reason, at first was but desire.]

"Ah! Mr. Elmore," said the lady, glancing towards a brace of very
fine pigeons, "I cannot tell you how vexed I am at a mistake of the
gardener's: you remember my poor pet pigeons, so attached to each
other--would not mix with the rest--quite an inseparable friendship,
Mr. Lester--well, they were killed by mistake, for a couple of vulgar
pigeons. Ah! I could not touch a bit of them for the world."

"My love," said Elmore, pausing, and with great solemnity, "hear how
beautiful a consolation is afforded to you in Valerius Maximus:--'Ubi
idem et maximus et honestissimus amor est, aliquando praestat morte
jungi quam vitae distrahi;' which being interpreted, means, that
wherever, as in the case of your pigeons, a thoroughly high and sincere
affection exists, it is sometimes better to be joined in death than
divided in life.--Give me half the fatter one, if you please, Julia."

"Sir," said Elmore, when the ladies withdrew, "I cannot tell you how
pleased I am to meet with a gentleman so deeply imbued with classic
lore. I remember, several years ago, before my poor cousin died, it was
my lot, when I visited him at Knaresborough, to hold some delightful
conversations on learned matters with a very rising young scholar who
then resided at Knaresborough,--Eugene Aram. Conversations as difficult
to obtain as delightful to remember, for he was exceedingly reserved."

"Aram!" repeated Walter.

"What, you know him then?--and where does he live now?"

"In--, very near my uncle's residence. He is certainly a remarkable
man."

"Yes, indeed he promised to become so. At the time I refer to, he was
poor to penury, and haughty as poor; but it was wonderful to note the
iron energy with which he pursued his progress to learning. Never did I
see a youth,--at that time he was no more,--so devoted to knowledge for
itself.

'Doctrin' pretium triste magister habet.'"

"Methinks," added Elmore, "I can