s."

"Very likely not. There are old men whose manner and bearing are
infinitely more attractive than the self-satisfied, self-relying
composure of our modern young ones. Any thing, however, even boyish
awkwardness, is preferable to your middle-aged gentleman, who, with a
slight bald spot on his head, and a very permanent flush on his cheek,
adds the stately pomp of his forty autumns to a levity that has no touch
of younger days."

"Heaven help us! what are we to do from thirty to fifty-five or sixty?"

"Marry, and live in the country. I mean, do not be young men about town.
_Apropos_ to nothing--are we not, this instant, in the very scene of
Manzoni's novel, 'I Promessi Sposi?'"

"Yes; the whole of our journey to-day lies through it, from Lecco to
Como; or rather, more to the northward again--what they call here, the
'Brianza.'"

"The scene deserved better actors, in my opinion. I have always thought
it a very tiresome story, even among that most tiresome class--Pure
love-tales."

"What say you to the 'Bride of Lammermoor?'"

"That it is only inferior to 'Romeo and Juliet.' But how many interests
are there brought up before the reader in either of these--all
subordinate to the great one--but all exciting mingled and conflicting
emotions! The author, in neither case, was satisfied to dwell on the
daily and nightly sighings of a love-stricken pair. He knew better than
to weave his web of one tissue. In fact, the Master of Ravens-wood is
more the slave of his own blighted ambition than of his love, which, at
best, was only an element in his feeling of abasement."

"And yet, how faithfully was his love returned! Nothing short of a true
passion meets such requital."

"If you said, that no heart incapable of feeling ever inspired such, I
would agree with you; but I fancy that women are often imposed upon,
by supposing that they possess the entire affection of those they know
capable of strong attachments."

"That may possibly be true; but I suspect that in the world--in the
middle of that life where we daily meet and form friendships--there is
very little time or opportunity for any thing above a passing feeling of
admiration, that seldom reaches esteem. The Honourable Miss Tollemache
meets Captain Fitzherbert of the Guards. They are introduced and dance
together--the lady is pretty--the Captain amusing--they have a large
number of mutual acquaintances, whom they quiz and praise by turns,
with sufficient agreeme