"No, dear uncle, I am not fatigued; the wind was cold, and it makes me feel
stupid."

"Why did not Walter come in?" asked Mr. Weston. "I saw him returning with
you by the old road."

"He said he had an engagement this evening," replied Alice, as she raised
her head from her uncle's shoulder.

"Poor Walter!" said Cousin Janet; "with the education and habits of a
gentleman, he is to be pitied that it is only as a favor he is received,
among those with whom he may justly consider himself on an equality."

"But is not Walter our equal?" asked Alice. Cousin Janet held her knitting
close to her eyes to look for a dropped stitch, while Mr. Weston replied
for her:

"My love, you know, probably, that Walter is not an equal by right of birth
to those whose parents held a fair and honorable position in society. His
father, a man of rare talents, of fascinating appearance, and winning
address, was the ruin of all connected with him. (Even his mother,
broken-hearted by his career of extravagance and dissipation, found rest in
the termination of a life that had known no rest.) His first wife, (not
Walter's mother,) a most interesting woman, was divorced from him by an
unjust decision of the law, for after her death circumstances transpired
that clearly proved her innocence. Walter's mother was not married, as far
as is known; though some believe she was, and that she concealed it in
consequence of the wishes and threats of Mr. Lee, who was ashamed to own
the daughter of a tradesman for his wife."

"But all this is not Walter's fault, uncle," said Alice.

"Assuredly not; but there is something due to our long established
opinions. Walter should go to a new country, where these things are not
known, and where his education and talents would advance him. Here they are
too fresh in the memory of many. Yet do I feel most kindly towards him,
though he rather repels the interest we take in him by his haughty coldness
of manner. The attachment between him and my son from their infancy draws
me towards him. Arthur writes, though, that his letters are very reserved
and not frequent. What can be the meaning of it?"

"There was always a want of candor and generosity in Walter's disposition,"
remarked Alice's mother.

"You never liked him, Anna," said Mr. Weston; "why was it?"

"Arthur and Walter contrast so strongly," answered Mrs. Weston. "Arthur was
always perfectly honest and straight-forward, even as a little child;
though quiet i