hing of what took place at our last interview; or you did not
listen rather--for if my memory does not deceive me, I told you all."

"I did listen."

"And you now doubt that she is lost to me?"

"Seriously."

"Charles, you are either the most inexperienced or the most
desperately hopeful character that has ever been created."

"I am neither," said Hoffland smiling. "I am rational, and I know what
I say."

Mowbray suppressed an impatient gesture, and said:

"Did I not tell you that she made me the butt for her wit and
sarcasm----"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes; and more! She scoffed at me, as a mere fortune-hunter, and gave
me the most ironical advice----"

"You are convinced it was ironical?"

"Convinced? Have I eyes--have I ears? Truly, if I had failed to be
convinced, I should have verified the scriptural saying of those who
have eyes and see not--who have ears and do not hear."

"Are the eyes always true?" said Hoffland, smiling.

"No: you have not succeeded, nevertheless, in showing me that I saw
wrong."

"Are the ears invariably just?"

"For Heaven's sake, cease worrying me with general propositions!" said
Mowbray.

Then, seeing that his companion was hurt by his irritated tone, he
added:

"Forgive me, Charles! I lose my equanimity upon this subject; let us
dismiss it."

"Very well," said Hoffland, smiling mischievously; "but remember what
I now say, Ernest, and remember well. The eyes are deceptive--the ears
worse than deceptive. You truly have eyes and see not, ears and hear
not! I think it highly probable that your lady-love, who is an
excellent-hearted girl, I am convinced, intended merely to apply a
last test; and if you have bounded like an impulsive horse under the
spur, and tossed from her, the blame does not rest with her. And
remember this too, Ernest," Hoffland went on sadly; for one of the
strange peculiarities of this young man was his habit of abrupt
transition from merriment to sadness, from smiles to sighs; "remember,
Ernest, that your determination to see her no more has probably
inflicted on this young girl's heart a cruel pang: you cannot know
that she is not now shedding bitter tears at the result of her trial
of your feelings! Oh! remember that it is not the poor and afflicted
only who weep--it is the rich and joyous also; and the hottest tears
are often shed by the eyes which seem made to dispense smiles alone!"

Mowbray listened to the earnest voice in silence. A long paus