ny--I have thought, that if, notwithstanding the difference in
our ages, and other differences, he had preferred me, I should have
preferred him to any person who has ever yet addressed me. On our first
acquaintance, I clearly saw that he was not disposed to pay court to my
fortune; and I had also then coolness of judgment sufficient to perceive
that it was not probable he should fall in love with my person. But I
was too proud in my humility, too strong in my honesty, too brave, too
ignorant; in short, I knew nothing of the matter. We are all of us, more
or less, subject to the delusions of vanity, or hope, or love--I--even
I!--who thought myself so clear-sighted, did not know how, with one
flutter of his wings, Cupid can set the whole atmosphere in motion;
change the proportions, size, colour, value, of every object; lead us
into a mirage, and leave us in a dismal desert.'

'My dearest friend!' said Miss Nugent, in a tone of true sympathy.

'But none but a coward, or a fool would sit down in the desert and
weep, instead of trying to make his way back before the storm rises,
obliterates the track, and overwhelms everything. Poetry apart, my dear
Grace, you may be assured that I shall think no more of Lord Colambre.'

'I believe you are right. But I am sorry, very sorry, it must be so.'

'Oh, spare me your sorrow!'

'My sorrow is for Lord Colambre,' said Miss Nugent. 'Where will he find
such a wife?--Not in Miss Berryl, I am sure--pretty as she is; a mere
fine lady! Is it possible that Lord Colambre! Lord Colambre! should
prefer such a girl--Lord Colambre!'

Miss Broadhurst looked at her friend as she spoke, and saw truth in
her eyes; saw that she had no suspicion that she was herself the person
beloved.

'Tell me, Grace, are you sorry that Lord Colambre is going away?'

'No, I am glad. I was sorry when I first heard it; but now I am glad,
very glad; it may save him from a marriage unworthy of him, restore him
to himself, and reserve him for--the only woman I ever saw who is
suited to him, who is equal to him, who would value and love him, as he
deserves to be valued and loved.'

'Stop, my dear; if you mean me, I am not, and I never can be, that
woman. Therefore, as you are my friend, and wish my happiness, as I
sincerely believe you do, never, I conjure you, present such an idea
before my mind again--it is out of my mind, I hope, for ever. It is
important to me that you should know and believe this. At least I