breast. But I knew not--alas! who can
know?--the impulses that govern woman. Wold accompanied me that night
to Mrs. Arras's. He seated himself at Laura's side, and poured forth a
flood of flattery. They smiled in unison and returned glance for
glance. Wold exhibited his fine person and exerted all his captivating
powers of intellect. Laura scanned the one and listened attentively to
the other. Still I sat by in satisfaction, and strove to repress every
rising fear that my supremacy in Laura's heart might be endangered.
That evening, as we returned homeward, in answer to my questions, Wold
stated that my 'intended' was _pretty enough_ for any young man, and
would, without doubt, make a _very good wife_. So far from exhibiting
the extravagant admiration I expected, he seemed to speak of the
object of my adoration with comparative indifference. But a few
evenings afterwards, I found him with Laura when I arrived! I started
back on beholding them seated on the same sofa as I entered the
parlour. Mrs. Arras was present, and wore a thoughtful expression of
features. Laura smiled on me, but I thought it was not a happy smile.
It did not render me happy. Wold bowed familiarly, and made some witty
remark about taking time by the forelock. I sat down in silence, with
a compressed lip, and an icy chillness in my breast. An embarrassing
pause ensued. At length Mrs. Arras rose, and opening a folding-door,
beckoned me into the adjoining room. After we had been seated a few
moments, during which her brow assumed a more grave and thoughtful
cast, she observed--

"'You seem to be excited to-night, Charles.'

"'I have cause to be so,' I replied.

"'I cannot deny it,' said she, 'when I consider every thing that has
transpired. You doubtless have an attachment for Laura--I have _seen_
it--and I confess it was and _would_ be with my goodwill had I control
of the matter. I was acquainted with your family, and acted with the
best of motives when I permitted, perhaps encouraged, the intimacy.
But I thought not of the austere and passionate nature of my
brother-in-law. Neither did I think that any man could object to your
addresses to his daughter. But I was mistaken. Judge ____ has written
that your interviews with Laura must terminate.'

"'Has he given any reason why?' I asked, in tremulous tones.

"'Yes,' she replied, 'but such as mortify me as much as they must pain
you. He says that your fortune and family connections are not
suffic