TER IX. Chase of the White Hare.

"Hark, forward, forward; holla ho!"

The next morning our friend Harry appeared at the breakfast table rather
paler than usual, and in one of his most abstracted moods; for it may be
said here that the frequent occurrence of such moods had not escaped the
observation of his family, especially of his step-father, in whose good
grace, it so happened, that he was not improving. One cause of this
was his supercilious, or, rather, his contemptuous manner towards his
admirable and affectionate brother. He refused to associate with him
in his sports or diversions; refused him his confidence, and seldom
addressed him, except in that tone of banter which always implies an
offensive impression of inferiority and want of respect towards the
object of it. After breakfast the next morning, his father said to
Charles, when the other members of the family had all left the room,--

"Charley, there is something behind that gloom of Harry's which I don't
like. Indeed, altogether, he has not improved upon me since his return,
and you are aware that I knew nothing of him before. I cannot conceive
his object in returning home just now, and, it seems, with no intention
of going back. His uncle was the kindest of men to him, and intended to
provide for him handsomely. It is not for nothing he would leave such an
uncle, and it is not for nothing that such an uncle would part with him,
unless there was a screw loose somewhere. I don't wish to press him into
an explanation; but he has not offered any, and refuses, of course, to
place any confidence in me."

"My dear father," replied the generous brother, "I fear you judge him
too harshly. As for these fits of gloom, they may be constitutional;
you know my mother has them, and won't speak to one of us sometimes
for whole days together. It is possible that some quarrel or
misunderstanding may have taken place between him and his uncle; but
how do you know that his silence on the subject does not proceed from
delicacy towards that relative?"

"Well, it may be so; and it is a very kind and generous interpretation
which you give of it, Charley. Let that part of the subject pass, then;
but, again, regarding this marriage. The principle upon which he and
his mother are proceeding is selfish, heartless, and perfidious in the
highest degree; and d---- me if I think it would be honorable in me to
stand by and see such a villainous game played against so excellent a