led an engagement; but ever since the
death of his cousin, and the estrangement of our families, he seems to
have forgotten me. It is very strange; when I was a portionless girl he
was ardent and tender, but, ever since this unfortunate property came
into my hands, he seems to have joined in the hard and unjust feeling of
his family against me. I have certainly met him since at parties, and on
other occasions, but we met almost as strangers; he was not the Charles
Lindsay whom I had known when I was comparatively a poor girl; he
appeared to shrink from me. In the meantime, as I have already confessed
to you, he has my heart; and, so long as he has, I cannot encourage the
addresses of any other man."

Woodward paused, and looked upon her with well-feigned admiration and
sorrow.

"The man is blind," he at length said, "not only to the fascinations of
your person and character, but to his own interests. What is he in point
of property? Nothing. He has no rich uncle at his back to establish him
in life upon a scale, almost, of magnificence. Why, it is since you came
into this property that he ought to have urged his suit with greater
earnestness. I am speaking now like a man of the world, Miss Goodwin;
and I am certain that he would have done so but for one fact, of which I
am aware: he has got into a low intrigue with a peasant's daughter,
who possesses an influence over him such as I have never witnessed. She
certainly is very beautiful, it is said; but of that I cannot speak, as
I have not yet seen her; but I am afraid, Miss Goodwin, from all I hear,
that a very little time will disclose her calamity and his guilt. You
will now understand what I felt yesterday when you made me acquainted
with your pure and virtuous attachment to such a man; what shall I say,"
he added, rising, and walking indignantly through the room, "to such a
profligate?"

"Mr. Woodward," replied Alice, "I can scarcely believe that; you must
have been imposed on by some enemy of his. Depend upon it you are.
I think I know Charles well--too well to deem him capable of such
profligacy; I will not believe it."

"I don't wish you, my dear Miss Goodwin, to believe it; I only wish you
to suspend your opinion until time shall convince you. I considered it
my duty to mention the fact, and after that to leave you to the exercise
of your own judgment."

"I will not believe it," replied Alice, "because I place his
estrangement to a higher and nobler motive