it cordially, as
I did a refinement of discretion about him that kept him from brushing
good taste while launched in ostentatious displays. He had a fine tact
and a keen intuition. He may have thought it necessary to throw a little
dust in my eyes; but I doubt his having done it, for he had only, as
he knew, to make me jealous to blind me to his faults utterly, and he
refrained.

In his allusions to the young lady he was apologetic, affectionate; one
might have fancied oneself listening to a gracious judge who had well
weighed her case, and exculpated her from other excesses than that of
a generous folly. Jorian DeWitt, a competent critic, pronounced his
behaviour consummate at all points. For my behoof, he hinted antecedent
reverses to the picture: meditating upon which, I traced them to the
fatal want of money, and that I might be able to fortify him in case
of need, I took my own counsel, and wrote to my aunt for the loan of as
large a sum as she could afford to send. Her eagerness for news of
our doings was insatiable. 'You do not describe her,' she replied,
not naming Miss Penrhys; and again, 'I can form no image of her. Your
accounts of her are confusing. Tell me earnestly, do you like her? She
must be very wilful, but is she really nice? I want to know how she
appears to my Harry's mind.'

My father borrowed these letters, and returning them to me, said, 'A
good soul! the best of women! There--there is a treasure lost!' His
forehead was clouded in speaking. He recommended me to assure my aunt
that she would never have to take a family interest in Miss Penrhys. But
this was not deemed perfectly satisfactory at Riversley. My aunt wrote:
'Am I to understand that you, Harry, raise objections to her? Think
first whether she is in herself objectionable. She is rich, she may
be prudent, she may be a forethoughtful person. She may not be able to
support a bitter shock of grief. She may be one who can help. She may
not be one whose heart will bear it. Put your own feelings aside,
my dearest. Our duties cannot ever be clear to us until we do. It is
possible for headstrong wilfulness and secret tenderness to go together.
Think whether she is capable of sacrifice before you compel her to it.
Do not inflict misery wantonly. One would like to see her. Harry, I
brood on your future; that is why I seem to you preternaturally anxious
about you.'

She seemed to me preternaturally anxious about Miss Penrhys.

My father listen