spoiled of the little all, which your own good sense and your own
good conduct have procured you--for, apart from good sense and good
conduct, there is no such thing in the world as good fortune--would not
only be positive insanity, but positive ingratitude to the Giver of all
good. My advice to you, therefore, is to remain altogether passive, to
pursue the career which you have chosen, and, without yourself taking
any steps to disclose your present situation, to authorise your brother
fully to reveal to your father so much of it, as shall appear necessary
and desirable to him when on the spot. I should not recommend that your
place of residence, or exact circumstances should be communicated even
to him, at least for the present; and should he desire to write to you,
the letters should pass through your brother's hands, and be forwarded
under cover to me, which will prevent the gaining of intelligence
through the post-office. The rest we must leave to the effects of time,
and of that Providence, which has been displayed so singularly in your
behalf already, and which never deserts those who believe humbly, and
endeavour sincerely to deserve Divine favour. So this," he added with a
smile, "is the end and sum total of an old lawyer's counsel, and an old
man's sermon. And now, think over what I have said between you; for I
believe you will find it the best course, although it may now hardly
suit your excited feelings, and, in the meantime, let us go on the lawn
and join the ladies, who seem to have got some new metal of attraction."

"Indeed, Judge," I replied, "I am quite convinced of the wisdom of what
you propose, and I thank you sincerely for your advice as for all your
other goodness towards me. No father could be kinder to an only
daughter, than you have been to me; and God will bless you for it; but,
to say the truth, I do feel very sad and downcast just at this moment,
and am not equal to the joining that gay party. I will go up to my own
room," I added, "for a little while, and come down again so soon as I
can conquer this foolish weakness."

"Do not call it foolish, Valerie," returned the old man with a benignant
smile. "Nothing that is natural can be foolish--least of all, anything
of natural and kindly feeling. But do not yield to it--do not yield to
it. The feelings are good slaves, but wretchedly poor masters. Do as
you will, my dear child, but come to us again as soon as you can. In
the meantime,