s leisure, in order that in age the
mind, the all-conquering mind, should break its way at last into the
applauding opinions of men, I should be an effeminate idler indeed, did
I suffer, so long as its jarring parts hold together, or so long as I
have the power to command its members, this weak body to frustrate the
labour of its better and nobler portion, and command that which it is
ordained to serve."

Lucy knew not while she listened, half in fear, half in admiration,
to her singular relation, that at the very moment he thus spoke, his
disease was preying upon him in one of its most relentless moods,
without the power of wringing from him a single outward token of his
torture. But she wanted nothing to increase her pity and affection for a
man who in consequence, perhaps, of his ordinary surface of worldly
and cold properties of temperament never failed to leave an indelible
impression on all who had ever seen that temperament broken through by
deeper though often by more evil feelings.

"Shall you go to Lady--------'s rout?" asked Brandon, easily sliding
back into common topics. "Lord Mauleverer requested me to ask you."

"That depends on you and my father."

"If on me, I answer yes," said Brandon. "I like hearing Mauleverer,
especially among persons who do not understand him. There is a refined
and subtle sarcasm running through the commonplaces of his conversation,
which cuts the good fools, like the invisible sword in the fable, that
lopped off heads without occasioning the owners any other sensation than
a pleasing and self-complacent titillation. How immeasurably superior he
is in manner and address to all we meet here! Does it not strike you?"

"Yes--no--I can't say that it does exactly," rejoined Lucy.

"Is that confusion tender?" thought Brandon.

"In a word," continued Lucy, "Lord Mauleverer is one whom I think
pleasing without fascination, and amusing without brilliancy. He is
evidently accomplished in mind and graceful in manner, and withal the
most uninteresting person I ever met."

"Women have not often thought so," said Brandon. "I cannot believe that
they can think otherwise."

A certain expression, partaking of scorn, played over Brandon's hard
features. It was a noticeable trait in him, that while he was most
anxious to impress Lucy with a favourable opinion of Lord Mauleverer, he
was never quite able to mask a certain satisfaction at any jest at the
earl's expense, or any opinion derogat