have therefore already directed my servant to
secure me a house and provide the necessary establishment; and I make
no doubt, as he is a quick fellow, that within three days all will be
ready. You must then be the magnet of my abode, Lucy; and meanwhile
you must explain this to my brother, and--for you know his jealous
hospitality--obtain his acquiescence."

"But--" began Lucy.

"But me no buts," said Brandon, quickly, but with an affectionate tone
of wilfulness; "and now, as I feel very much fatigued with my journey,
you must allow me to seek my own room."

"I will conduct you to it myself," said Lucy, for she was anxious
to show her father's brother the care and forethought which she had
lavished on her arrangements for his comfort. Brandon followed her into
an apartment which his eye knew at a glance had been subjected to that
female superintendence which makes such uses from what men reject as
insignificant; and he thanked her with more than his usual amenity, for
the grace which had presided over, and the kindness which had dictated
her preparations. As soon as he was left alone, he wheeled his armchair
near the clear, bright fire, and resting his face upon his hand, in the
attitude of a man who prepares himself as it were for the indulgence of
meditation, he muttered,--

"Yes! these women are, first, what Nature makes them, and that is good;
next, what use make them, and that is evil! Now, could I persuade myself
that we ought to be nice as to the use we put these poor puppets to, I
should shrink from enforcing the destiny which I have marked for this
girl. But that is a pitiful consideration, and he is but a silly player
who loses his money for the sake of preserving his counters. So the
young lady must go as another score to the fortunes of William Brandon.
After all, who suffers? Not she. She will have wealth, rank, honour.
I shall suffer, to yield so pretty and pure a gem to the coronet
of--Faugh! How I despise that dog; but how I could hate, crush, mangle
him, could I believe that he despised me! Could he do so? Umph! No,
I have resolved myself that is impossible. Well, let me hope that
matrimonial point will be settled; and now let me consider what next
step I shall take for myself,--myself, ay, only myself! With me perishes
the last male of Brandon; but the light shall not go out under a
bushel."

As he said this, the soliloquist sunk into a more absorbed and silent
revery, from which he was disturbed