, which often gave to the very
virtues of Maltravers an unamiable aspect, occasionally irritated one
who felt he had incurred to him an obligation of honour and of
life never to be effaced; it made the sense of this obligation more
intolerable to Legard; it made him more desirous to acquit himself of
the charge. But on this day there was so much cordiality in the greeting
of Maltravers, and he pressed Legard in so friendly a manner to join
him in his ride, that the young man's heart was softened, and they rode
together, conversing familiarly on such topics as were in common between
them. At last the conversation fell on Lord and Lady Doltimore; and
thence Maltravers, whose soul was full of one thought, turned it
indirectly towards Evelyn.

"Did you ever see Lady Vargrave?"

"Never," replied Legard, looking another way; "but Lady Doltimore says
she is as beautiful as Evelyn herself, if that be possible; and still
so young in form and countenance, that she looks rather like her sister
than her mother!"

"How I should like to know her!" said Maltravers, with a sudden energy.

Legard changed the subject. He spoke of the Carnival, of balls, of
masquerades, of operas, of reigning beauties!

"Ah," said Maltravers, with a half sigh, "yours is the age for those
dazzling pleasures; to me they are 'the twice-told tale.'"

Maltravers meant it not, but this remark chafed Legard. He thought it
conveyed a sarcasm on the childishness of his own mind or the levity of
his pursuits; his colour mounted, as he replied,--

"It is not, I fear, the slight difference of years between us,--it is
the difference of intellect you would insinuate; but you should remember
all men have not your resources; all men cannot pretend to genius!"

"My dear Legard," said Maltravers, kindly, "do not fancy that I could
have designed any insinuation half so presumptuous and impertinent.
Believe me, I envy you, sincerely and sadly, all those faculties of
enjoyment which I have worn away. Oh, how I envy you! for, were they
still mine, then--then, indeed, I might hope to mould myself into
greater congeniality with the beautiful and the young!"

Maltravers paused a moment, and resumed, with a grave smile: "I trust,
Legard, that you will be wiser than I have been; that you will
gather your roses while it is yet May: and that you will not live to
thirty-six, pining for happiness and home, a disappointed and desolate
man; till, when your ideal is at last foun