he Curlings, was mournful and dreary to her imagination.
Rural business was irksome, and insufficient to fill up her time. Her
life was tiresome, and uniform, and heavy.

I ventured to blame her discontent, and pointed out the advantages of
her situation. "Whence," said I, "can these dissatisfactions and
repinings arise?"

"I cannot tell," said she; "I don't know how it is with me. I am always
sorrowful and thoughtful. Perhaps I think too much of my poor father
and of Susan; and yet that can't be it, neither, for I think of them but
seldom; not half as much as I ought, perhaps. I think of nobody almost
but you. Instead of minding my business, or chatting and laughing with
Peggy Curling, I love to get by myself,--to read, over and over, your
letters, or to think how you are employed just then, and how happy I
should be if I were in Fanny Maurice's place.

"But it is all over now; this visit rewards me for every thing. I wonder
how I could ever be sullen or mopeful. I will behave better, indeed I
will, and be always, as now, a most happy girl."

The greater part of three days was spent in the society of my friend, in
listening to her relation of all that had happened during my absence,
and in communicating, in my turn, every incident which had befallen
myself. After this I once more returned to the city.

CHAPTER XLIV.

I now set about carrying my plan of life into effect. I began with
ardent zeal and unwearied diligence the career of medical study. I
bespoke the counsels and instructions of my friend; attended him on his
professional visits, and acted, in all practicable cases, as his
substitute. I found this application of time more pleasurable than I had
imagined. My mind gladly expanded itself, as it were, for the reception
of new ideas. My curiosity grew more eager in proportion as it was
supplied with food, and every day added strength to the assurance that I
was no insignificant and worthless being; that I was destined to be
_something_ in this scene of existence, and might some time lay claim to
the gratitude and homage of my fellow men.

I was far from being, however, monopolized by these pursuits. I was
formed on purpose for the gratification of social intercourse. To love
and to be loved; to exchange hearts and mingle sentiments with all the
virtuous and amiable whom my good fortune had placed within the circuit
of my knowledge, I always esteemed my highest enjoyment and my chief
duty.

Carlto