My pretty Lotty knew perfectly the power they
gave her over the restless and inconstant heart of man, but she did not
abuse it.

"My passions, Geoffrey, by nature, are as warm and impetuous as your
own, and they soon betrayed me into love; and I thought that the fair
girl to whom I had lost my heart was not insensible to the passion she
had inspired. But when I recalled my obscure parentage, of which
Cornelius was perfectly ignorant; and the uncertainty of my future
prospects, I felt that it would be dishonourable in me to advance my
suit to the young lady. To remain in the house and keep silent upon a
subject so important to my peace, I found would be impossible; and I
feigned a letter from Mr. Mornington, whom I called my uncle, requiring
my immediate presence in York.

"My departure caused great regret to the family. Cornelius
remonstrated; Mrs. H---- questioned the necessity of my journey;
Charlotte said nothing, but left the room in tears. Strongly tempted as
I was to stay, I remained firm to my original purpose, and bade adieu
to my amiable friends, without breathing a word even to Cornelius of my
attachment for his sister.

"On my way to York I called at my old home, and was received with the
most lively demonstrations of joy by Alice, whom I found a blooming
girl of fifteen. Old Dinah told me, as she scowled at my handsome dress
and improved appearance, 'That she supposed I was now too fine a
gentleman to call her grandmother, or Alice sister?'

"I assured her that my improved circumstances had not changed my heart,
nor made me ashamed of my old friends. Something, I fear, in my looks,
contradicted my words, for she turned from me with a scornful smile:

"'The world,' said she, 'was a good school for teaching people the art
of falsehood.'

"Her sarcasms made me very uncomfortable--for my conscience convicted
me of their truth--and turning to Alice I begged her to tell me the
news, for I was certain a great deal must have happened in the
neighbourhood during the four years I had been absent.

"'No,' said Alice; 'we go on much as usual. Sir Alexander and Margaret
are very kind to me, and I go every day up to the Hall. But she is Miss
Moncton now, and I am plain Alice Mornington. Mr. Theophilus is often
there; and he is so much improved, Philip, you would never know him. He
is no longer proud and disagreeable, but so affable and kind, and
always sees me safe home to the Lodge. People say that he is to marr