ay it comfort and console us ordinary mortals, who
advance no pretence to superior wisdom and ability, to see the huge
mistakes made by both these very sagacious personages,--Dr. Riccabocca,
valuing himself on his profound acquaintance with character, and Randal
Leslie, accustomed to grope into every hole and corner of thought and
action, wherefrom to extract that knowledge which is power! For whereas
the sage, judging not only by his own heart in youth, but by the general
influence of the master passion on the young, had ascribed to Randal
sentiments wholly foreign to that able diplomatist's nature, so no
sooner had Riccabocca brought his speech to a close, than Randal,
judging also by his own heart, and by the general laws which influence
men of the mature age and boasted worldly wisdom of the pupil of
Machiavelli, instantly decided that Riccabocca presumed upon his youth
and inexperience, and meant most nefariously to take him in.

"The poor youth!" thought Riccabocca, "how unprepared he is for the
happiness I give him!"

"The cunning old Jesuit!" thought Randal; "he has certainly learned,
since we met last, that he has no chance of regaining his patrimony, and
so he wants to impose on me the hand of a girl without a shilling.
What other motive can he possibly have? Had his daughter the remotest
probability of becoming the greatest heiress in Italy, would he dream of
bestowing her on me in this off-hand way? The thing stands to reason."

Actuated by his resentment at the trap thus laid for him, Randal was
about to disclaim altogether the disinterested and absurd affection
laid to his charge, when it occurred to him that, by so doing, he might
mortally offend the Italian, since the cunning never forgive those who
refuse to be duped by them,--and it might still be conducive to his
interest to preserve intimate and familiar terms with Riccabocca;
therefore, subduing his first impulse, he exclaimed,

"Oh, too generous man! pardon me if I have so long been unable to
express my amaze, my gratitude; but I cannot--no, I cannot, while
your prospects remain thus uncertain, avail myself of your--of your
inconsiderate magnanimity. Your rare conduct can only redouble my own
scruples, if you, as I firmly hope and believe, are restored to your
great possessions--you would naturally look so much higher than me.
Should these hopes fail, then, indeed, it may be different; yet even
then, what position, what fortune, have I to offer