d all the pride of his race--nay, in him it had been increased
by poverty; for poverty, except in minds of the highest class--that rare
class who estimate justly the true value of human life, and the true
nature of human dignity--is generally allied either with pride or
meanness. Of course when I speak of poverty I mean comparative
poverty--I allude to those who are poorer than their station. In a
retired part of one of the eastern counties, Colonel Sherwood struggled
upon his half-pay to support a wife and seven children, and as far as
possible to keep up the appearance he considered due to his birth and
rank in society. Emily had been for two seasons the belle of the country
balls; and the admiration her beauty and manners had everywhere excited,
had created in the hearts of her parents a hope that she was destined to
form an alliance calculated to shed a lustre on the fading glory of the
Sherwoods. But, alas! as Burns sings--

"The best laid schemes of mice and men
Gang aft ajee."

During a visit to some relatives in London, Emily became acquainted with
Philip Hayforth; and his agreeable manners and person, his intelligent
conversation and devotion to herself, had quickly made an impression
upon feelings which, though susceptible, were fastidious, and therefore
still untouched. Then, too, the romantic ardor with which his attachment
was expressed, the enthusiasm he manifested for whatever was great,
good, or beautiful, aroused in Emily all the latent poetry of her
nature. Naturally imaginative, and full even of passionate tenderness,
but diffident and sensitive, she had hitherto, from an instinctive
consciousness that they would be misunderstood or disapproved,
studiously concealed her deeper feelings. Hence had been generated in
her character a degree of thoughtfulness and reserve unusual in one of
her years. Now, however, that she beheld the ideas and aspirations she
had so long deemed singular, perhaps reprehensible, shadowed forth more
powerfully and definitely by a mind more mature and a spirit more
daring than her own, her heart responded to its more vigorous
counterpart; and at the magic touch of sympathy, the long pent-up waters
flowed freely. She loved, was beloved, and asked no more of destiny. It
was not, it may be supposed, without some reluctance that Colonel
Sherwood consented to the demolition of the aerial castles of which his
beautiful Emily had so long been the subject and the tenant, an