ed the idea of bringing the two young
people together, it was not so much with the mere wish to be the means
of accomplishing a ceremony, as to see them happy. For she had a
sincere desire for the welfare of Eleanor, for whom she felt a
compassion on account of her dependent condition, and an attachment for
her virtues and affectionate manner to herself; besides the esteem, we
have already said, she felt for our hero. She, however, determined,
without a violation of her husband's commands, to sound Eleanor upon the
subject of her engagement with Smithers; and if she perceived any
disposition to break off on her part, to give John a hint of the
probability of his success, if he renewed his suit.

In the meantime, Mr. Rainsfield took the opportunity of which he spoke
to his wife, and communicated to John the utter hopelessness of his
persevering in his attentions to the young lady; informing him that her
affections were already engaged; and recommended him, for his own peace
of mind, that he should banish all thoughts of an amative nature. Mr.
Rainsfield further remarked, that he felt himself in justice bound to
give his friend that caution, before he allowed any warm feeling to
take a firm possession of his heart; at the same time, he assured him
their conversation was unknown to the lady herself, as was also, so he
had reason to believe, the state of his feelings towards her. Therefore,
John need not consider the annihilation of his hopes of obtaining her
hand, a decree of banishment from Strawberry Hill.

Before the conclusion of this little exordium John had become perfectly
unconscious; and, at its termination, mechanically shook the hand of his
interlocutor, while he took his departure. All the communication that he
could comprehend, was, that it was intended to dispel all the bright
illusions love's fancy had conjured in his mind. All his momentary
visions of prospective happiness were swept away, like the misty canopy
of the mountain before the morning breeze. His ariel palaces of
imaginative grandeur, lay shattered at his feet; and he stood like the
last of a defeated host, viewing destruction and desolation around him.
His fondest hopes were blighted; he felt as one robbed of his very soul;
he was wretched and dejected, and turned from the spot with the feelings
of an outcast, an alien; or as a once powerful courtier, removed from
the presence of his sovereign, to a perpetual expatriation. Strawberry
Hill had f