for unmeaning acknowledgments.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Absence is said to increase strong and virtuous love, but to destroy that
which is weak and sensual. In the parallel between young William and
young Henry, this was the case; for Henry's real love increased, while
William's turbulent passion declined in separation: yet had the latter
not so much abated that he did not perceive a sensation, like a sudden
shock of sorrow, on a proposal made him by his father, of entering the
marriage state with a young woman, the dependent niece of Lady Bendham;
who, as the dean informed him, had signified her lord's and her own
approbation of his becoming their nephew.

At the first moment William received this intimation from his father, his
heart revolted with disgust from the object, and he instantly thought
upon Agnes with more affection than he had done for many weeks before.
This was from the comparison between her and his proposed wife; for he
had frequently seen Miss Sedgeley at Lord Bendham's, but had never seen
in her whole person or manners the least attraction to excite his love.
He pictured to himself an unpleasant home, with a companion so little
suited to his taste, and felt a pang of conscience, as well as of
attachment, in the thought of giving up for ever his poor Agnes.

But these reflections, these feelings, lasted only for the moment. No
sooner had the dean explained why the marriage was desirable, recited
what great connections and what great patronage it would confer upon
their family, than William listened with eagerness, and both his love and
his conscience were, if not wholly quieted, at least for the present
hushed.

Immediately after the dean had expressed to Lord and Lady Bendham his
son's "sense of the honour and the happiness conferred on him, by their
condescension in admitting him a member of their noble family," Miss
Sedgeley received from her aunt nearly the same shock as William had done
from his father. _For she_ (placed in the exact circumstance of her
intended husband) _had frequently seen the dean's son at Lord Bendham's_,
_but had never see in his whole person or manners the least attraction to
excite her love_. _She pictured to herself an unpleasant home_, _with a
companion so little suited to her taste_; and at this moment she felt a
more than usual partiality to the dean's nephew, finding the secret hope
she had long indulged of winning his affections so near being thwarted.

B