man, whose affections are set upon an
unattainable object, be otherwise than unhappy?" asked Vernon in a
solemn tone, no bad imitation of Macready; indeed the speaker, whilst
uttering these sentiments, thought it sounded very like it; for he had
often seen that eminent tragedian, and greatly admired his style of
acting.

"But how have you ascertained that the object is so unattainable?"
demanded Frank. "Come now--have you ever yet asked the young lady the
question?"

"Asked her!" repeated Vernon, perfectly amazed that his friend could
have supposed such a thing possible--"How could I presume that so
angelic a creature would love such a fellow as me--or, even supposing
such a thing were possible, what would our good friend the squire say to
my ingratitude for his great kindness; and to my presumption--a mere
younger son without a profession, and scarcely a hundred pounds a-year
to call his own, to think of proposing to one of his daughters, who
would be an honour to the noblest and richest peer of the realm?"

"Well, well, Vernon--one thing first--and you shall have my answers to
all. First, then, as to the fair lady liking you--that I must say,
judging from your looks, is what no one would have thought a very
probable circumstance; but then your poetical talents must be taken into
calculation."

"Oh, don't mention them!" said Vernon. "Worse than good-for-nothing.
_She_ esteems such talents very lightly, and I shall even lose the small
solace to my sorrows I had hoped they would have afforded me. Even this
sad consolation is denied me. My Mary is indifferent to poetry--she
holds sonnets upon hopeless love in utter contempt--entertains no higher
opinion of the writers of them--and considers publishing any thing of
the kind as a downright ungentlemanly act; bringing, as she says it
does, a lady's name before the public in the most indelicate and
unwarrantable manner."

"But is she really serious in these sentiments?" asked Frank. Oh, Frank,
Frank, you're a sad fellow to pump and roast your friend in this way!

"Serious," repeated Vernon, and looking very so himself, "serious--ah!
indeed she is--and expressed herself with more warmth upon the subject
than I could have supposed a being so mild and amiable was capable of."

"But how came all this?" asked Frank--"what were you talking about that
could have caused her to make these remarks?" and this he said in a very
grave and quiet tone of voice, trying to entrap his