he McElvinas when the expected arrival of
Captain M--- was announced, now felt what pain it would be to part with
Emily. The intelligence was communicated in a letter from Prose, when
he was sitting alone with McElvina, and the bare idea of separation
struck him to the heart.

McElvina, who had often expressed his opinion on the subject to his
wife, had been anxious that our hero should be sent on a foreign
station, before he had allowed a passion to take so deep a root in his
heart that, to eradicate it, would be a task of great effort and greater
pain. Aware, from the flushed face of Seymour, of what was passing
within, he quietly introduced the subject, by observing that in all
probability, his favourite, Emily, would be married previous to his
return--pointing out that an heiress of so large a property would have a
right to expect to unite herself with one in the highest rank of
society.

Seymour covered his face with his hands, as he leant over the table. He
had no secrets from McElvina, and acknowledged the truth of the
observation. "I have brought up the subject, my dear boy," continued
McElvina, "because I have not been blind, and I am afraid that you will
cherish a feeling which can only end in disappointment. She is a sweet
girl; but you must, if possible, forget her. Reflect a moment. You are
an orphan, without money and without family, although not without
friends, which you have secured by your own merit; and you have only
your courage and your abilities to advance you in the service. Can it,
then, be expected, that her parents would consent to an union--or would
it be honourable in you to take any advantage of her youthful
prepossession in your favour, and prevent her from reaping those
advantages that her fortune and family entitle her to?"

Seymour felt bitterly the justice of the remark; a few tears trickled
through his fingers, but his mind was resolved. He had thought to have
declared his love before his departure, and have obtained an
acknowledgment on her part; but he now made a firm resolution to avoid
and to forget her. "I shall follow your advice, my dear sir, for it is
that of a friend who is careful of my honour; but if you knew the state
of mind that I am in!--How foolish and inconsiderate have I been!--I
will not see her again."

"Nay, that would be acting wrongly; it would be quite unpardonable,
after the kindness which you have received from Mrs Rainscourt, not to
call and wi