ture of his wealth,
he rendered himself odious by avarice,--a vice the more contemptible, as
it was unexpected at so early an age.

But, much as he was an object of abhorrence, he was more an object of
pity. With a handsome exterior, and with fascinating manners, of high
birth and connections, with a splendid fortune,--in short, with every
supposed advantage that the world could give,--he was, through the
injudicious conduct of a fond mother, whose heart he had broken, the
most miserable of beings. He was without society, for he was shunned by
the resident gentlemen in the neighbourhood. Even match-making mothers,
with hearts indurated by interest, and with a string of tall daughters
to provide for, thought the sacrifice too great, and shuddered at an
alliance with Captain De Courcy. Avoided by the tenants of his large
estates, whose misfortunes met with no compassion, and whose inability
to answer the demands of the rent-day were followed up with immediate
distress and seizure,--abhorred by his own household, who, if their
services were not required, vanished at his approach, or, if summoned,
entered the door of his room trembling,--he was an isolated and unhappy
being, a torment to himself and to others. Wise, indeed, was Solomon,
when he wrote, that "he who spared the rod spoiled the child."

The monotony of a life whose sole negative enjoyment consisted in the
persecution of others, induced Captain De Courcy to make occasional
excursions to the different watering-places; and whether that, to a
certain degree, he was schooled by banishment from society at home, or
that he had no opportunity of displaying his diabolical temper, his
prepossessing appearance and well-known riches made him a great
favourite in these marts for beauty. An amiable girl was unfortunate
enough to fix his attention; and a hasty proposal was as hastily
accepted by her friends, and quietly acquiesced in by herself. She
married, and was miserable, until released from her heedless engagement
by death.

There are those who excuse a violent temper in a man, and consider it no
obstacle to happiness in the marriage life. Alas, may they never
discover the fatal error in their own union! Even with the best-hearted
and most fondly attached, with those who will lavish every endearment,
acknowledge their fault, and make every subsequent effort to compensate
for the irritation of the moment, violence of temper must prove the bane
of marriage bli