said I, "has infected me with her own sadness.
There is a letter I have just received." She took it and began to read.

Meanwhile, I placed myself before her, and fixed my eyes steadfastly
upon her features. There is no book in which I read with more pleasure
than the face of woman. _That_ is generally more full of meaning, and of
better meaning too, than the hard and inflexible lineaments of man; and
_this_ woman's face has no parallel.

She read it with visible emotion. Having gone through it, she did not
lift her eye from the paper, but continued silent, as if buried in
thought. After some time, (for I would not interrupt the pause,) she
addressed me thus:--

"This girl seems to be very anxious to be with you."

"As much as I am that she should be so." My friend's countenance
betrayed some perplexity. As soon as I perceived it, I said, "Why are
you thus grave?" Some little confusion appeared, as if she would not
have her gravity discovered. "There again," said I, "new tokens in your
face, my good mamma, of something which you will not mention. Yet, sooth
to say, this is not your first perplexity. I have noticed it before, and
wondered. It happens only when my _Bess_ is introduced. Something in
relation to her it must be, but what I cannot imagine. Why does _her_
name, particularly, make you thoughtful, disturbed, dejected? There
now--but I must know the reason. You don't agree with me in my notions
of this girl, I fear, and you will not disclose your thoughts."

By this time, she had gained her usual composure, and, without noticing
my comments on her looks, said, "Since you are both of one mind, why
does she not leave the country?"

"That cannot be, I believe. Mrs. Stevens says it would be disreputable.
I am no proficient in etiquette, and must, therefore, in affairs of this
kind, be guided by those who are. But would to heaven I were truly her
father or brother! Then all difficulties would be done away."

"Can you seriously wish that?"

"Why, no. I believe it would be more rational to wish that the world
would suffer me to act the fatherly or brotherly part, without the
relationship."

"And is that the only part you wish to act towards this girl?"

"Certainly, the only part."

"You surprise me. Have you not confessed your love for her?"

"I _do_ love her. There is nothing upon earth more dear to me than my
_Bess_."

"But love is of different kinds. She was loved by her father----"

"Less than by me