dear Sir, to come down and reason with her
and console her. Although obliged by poverty to earn an honourable
maintenance by the exercise of her splendid talents, Miss Costigan's
family is as ancient and noble as our own. When our ancestor, Ralph
Pendennis, landed with Richard II. in Ireland, my Emily's forefathers
were kings of that country. I have the information from Mr. Costigan,
who, like yourself, is a military man.

"It is in vain I have attempted to argue with my dear mother, and
prove to her that a young lady of irreproachable character and lineage,
endowed with the most splendid gifts of beauty and genius, who devotes
herself to the exercise of one of the noblest professions, for the
sacred purpose of maintaining her family, is a being whom we should all
love and reverence, rather than avoid;--my poor mother has prejudices
which it is impossible for my logic to overcome, and refuses to welcome
to her arms one who is disposed to be her most affectionate daughter
through life.

"Although Miss Costigan is some years older than myself, that
circumstance does not operate as a barrier to my affection, and I am
sure will not influence its duration. A love like mine, Sir, I feel, is
contracted once and for ever. As I never had dreamed of love until I saw
her--I feel now that I shall die without ever knowing another passion.
It is the fate of my life. It was Miss C.'s own delicacy which suggested
that the difference of age, which I never felt, might operate as a bar
to our union. But having loved once, I should despise myself, and
be unworthy of my name as a gentleman, if I hesitated to abide by my
passion: if I did not give all where I felt all, and endow the woman who
loves me fondly with my whole heart and my whole fortune.

"I press for a speedy marriage with my Emily--for why, in truth,
should it be delayed? A delay implies a doubt, which I cast from me
as unworthy. It is impossible that my sentiments can change towards
Emily--that at any age she can be anything but the sole object of my
love. Why, then, wait? I entreat you, my dear Uncle, to come down and
reconcile my dear mother to our union, and I address you as a man of the
world, qui mores hominum multorum vidit et urbes, who will not feel any
of the weak scruples and fears which agitate a lady who has scarcely
ever left her village.

"Pray, come down to us immediately. I am quite confident that--apart
from considerations of fortune--you will admire and a