hen been usually so flippant of speech--a
trifler--when we have spoken together before?--the self-assured fopling,
with fancied superiority, seeking to impose upon the vain spirit and the
simple confidence? Surely, I have never given you cause to think of me
so meanly!"

"No! no! forgive me! I know not what I have said! I meant nothing so
unkind--so unjust!"

"Lucy, your esteem is one of my most precious desires. To secure it, I
would do much--strive earnestly--make many sacrifices of self.
Certainly, for this object, I should be always truthful."

"You are, Ralph! I believe you."

"When I praised you, I did not mean merely to praise. I sought rather to
awaken you to a just appreciation of your own claims upon a higher order
of society than that which you can possibly find in this frontier
region. I have spoken only the simple truth of your charms and
accomplishments. I have _felt_ them, Lucy, and paint them only as they
are. Your beauties of mind and person--"

"Oh, do not, I implore you!"

"Yes, I must, Lucy! though of these beauties I should not have
spoken--should not now speak--were it not that I feel sure that your
superior understanding would enable you to listen calmly to a voice,
speaking from my heart to yours, and speaking nothing but a truth which
it honestly believes! And it is your own despondency, and humility of
soul, that prompts me thus to speak in your praise. There is no good
reason, Lucy, why you should not be happy--why fond hearts should not be
rejoiced to win your sympathies--why fond eyes should not look gladly
and gratefully for the smiles of yours! You carry treasures into
society, Lucy, which society will everywhere value as beyond price!"

"Ah! why will you, sir--why, Ralph?--"

"You must not sacrifice yourself, Lucy. You must not defraud society of
its rights. In a more refined circle, whose chances of happiness will be
more likely to command than yours? You must go with me and Edith--go to
Carolina. There you will find the proper homage. You will see the
generous and the noble;--they will seek you--honorable gentlemen, proud
of your favor, happy in your smiles--glad to offer you homes and hearts,
such as shall be not unworthy of your own."

The girl heard him, but with no strengthening of self-confidence. The
thought which occurred to her, which spoke of her claims, was that _he_
had not found them so coercive. But, of course, she did not breathe the
sentiment. She only sighed,