ir
pleasures and employments, and always with an affection Pendennyss thought
exceeding that which they manifested for their son's wife; and Mrs Ives,
the evening before, to remove unpleasant thoughts, had given him a lively
description of her person and character. The earl's curiosity had been a
little excited to see this paragon of female beauty and virtue; and,
unlike most curiosity on such subjects, he was agreeably disappointed by
the examination. He wished to know more, and made interest with the doctor
to assist him to continue the incognito with which accident had favored
him.

The doctor objected on the ground of principle, and the earl desisted; but
the beauty of Emily, aided by her character, had made an impression not to
be easily shaken off, and Pendennyss returned to the charge.

His former jealousies were awakened in proportion to his admiration; and,
after some time, he threw himself on the mercy of the divine, by declaring
his new motive, but without mentioning his parents. The doctor pitied him,
for he scanned his feelings thoroughly, and consented to keep silent, but
laughingly declared it was bad enough for a divine to be accessory to,
much less aiding in a deception; and that he knew if Emily and Mrs. Wilson
learnt his imposition, he would lose ground in their favor by the
discovery.

"Surely, George," said the doctor with a laugh, "you don't mean to marry
the young lady as Mr. Denbigh?"

"Oh, no! it is too soon to think of marrying her at all," replied the earl
with a smile; "but, somehow, I should like to see what my reception in the
world will be as plain Mr. Denbigh, unprovided for and unknown."

"No doubt, my lord," said the rector archly, "in proportion to your
merits, very unfavorably indeed; but then your humility will be finally
elevated by the occasional praises I have heard Mrs. Wilson lavish on your
proper character of late."

"I am much indebted to her partiality," continued the earl mournfully;
then throwing off his gloomy thoughts he added, "I wonder, my dear doctor,
your goodness did not set her right in the latter particular."

"Why, she has hardly given me an opportunity; delicacy and my own feelings
have kept me very silent on the subject of your family to any of that
connexion. They think, I believe, I was a rector in Wales, instead of your
father's chaplain; and somehow," continued the doctor, smiling on his
wife, "the association with your late parents was so connected i