Basil

s usual-and still I remained ignorant of Mr. Mannion's history and Mr. Mannion's character. He came frequently to the house, in the evening; bu

t as resolutely and respectfully the many attempts made on my part to lead him into conversation and familiarity. If he had really been trying to excite my interest, he could not have succeede

h to my surprise, to care little about Mr. Mannion; and always changed the conversat

absolutely incomprehensible. It was only after great difficulty that I induced her to confess her dislike of Mr. Mannion. Whence it proceeded she could never tell. Did she suspect anything? In answering this ques

n which more or less affected her when she spoke on any subject, I soon ceased making any efforts to induce her to expl

something of his habits and opinions; and so far, t

roll of distant thunder sounded faint and dreary all about us. The sheet lightning, flashing quick and low in the horizon, made the dark firmament look like a thick veil, rising and falling incessantly, over a heaven of dazzling light behind it. Such few foot-passengers

just as quietly and deliberately as usual-"

a door with his own key; and the next inst

k, thick curtains were drawn close over the window; and, as if to complete the picture of comfort before me, a large black cat lay on the rug, basking luxuriously in the heat of the fire. While Mr. Mannion went out to giv

e of the same colour; the carpet was brown, and if it bore any pattern, that pattern was too quiet and unpretending to be visible by candlelight. One wall was entirely occupied by rows of dark mahogany shelves, completely filled with books, most of them cheap editions of the classical works of ancient and modern literature. The opposite wall was

prodigal in two things," he said; "an epicure in tea, and a prodigal (at least for a person in my situation) in books. Howe

when they stand on their own hearths, in their own homes, instinctively alter more or less from their out-of-door manner: the stiffest people expand, the

m it into the cups-thus preserving all the aroma and delicacy of flavour in the herb, without the alloy of any of the coarser part of its strength. When we had finished our first cups, there was no pouring of dregs into a basin, or of fresh water on the leaves. A middle-aged female servant, neat and quiet, came up and took away the

rattled heavily against the window. The thunder, bursting louder and louder with each successive peal, seemed to shake the house to its foundations. As I listened to the fearful crashing and roaring that seemed to fill the whole measureless void of upper air, and then looked round on the calm, dead-calm

or talk of anything but the storm. And yet, when he spoke, it was merely on a subject connected with his introduction to me at North Villa. His attention seemed as

that my conduct towards you, since we first met at Mr. Sherwin's hou

I asked, a little startled by

sions, in trying to better our acquaintance. When such advances are made by one in y

that my advances sprang from curiosity to know more about hi

nowing how you were situated with Mr. Sherwin's daughter, I thought any intrusion on my part, while you were wit

spected, and really impressed by his delicacy-"let me assure

he thunder pealed awfully over the house

ve the long, retiring roll of the last burst of thunder-"may I feel justified in speaking on the subject of your present p

fied-observed by a man of his age, to a man of mine-made me feel ill at ease. He was most probably my equal in acquirements: he had the manners and tastes of a gentleman, and might have the birth too, for aught I knew to the contrary. The difference between us was only

o be positively useful, as far as I can. In my opinion Mr. Sherwin has held you to rather a hard engagement-he is trying your discretion a little too severely I think, at your years and in your situation. Feeling thus, it is my s

warmth of feeling were what I had not expected from him. My attention insensibly wande

suspicion, at first. I can only explain it, by asking you to remember that I have known the young lady since childhood; and that, having assisted in forming her mi

t time, be softening his iron features, animating the blank stillness of his countenance. If any such expression had been visible, I was too late to detect it. Just as I look

ght. Our life is not much; but it was made for a little more than this. My former pupil at North Villa is my pupil no longer. I can't help feeling that it would be an object in existence for me to occupy myself with her happiness and yours; to have two young people

tones-there was nothing to show outwardly whether he felt what he said, or whether he did not. His words had painted such a picture of forlornness on my mind, that I had mechanically half raised my hand to take his, while he

n making you understand my explanation as I could wish, we will change the subj

t I would not put trust in him. "I am deeply sensible of the kindness of your offer, and th

had partially lulled. How drearily it was moaning down the street! It seemed, at that moment, to be wailing over me; to be wailing over him;

rather discomposes my ideas; and partly to a little surprise-a very foolish surprise, I own-that you should still b

surprised to hear a tradesman's clerk talk in this manner; but I was not always what I am now. I have gathered knowl

s early life? No: he dropped the subject at once, when he continued. I longed to ask him to resum

ere to watch over her in your real character, without disclosing a secret which must be kept safe; and you could not know what young men she might meet, who would imagine her to be Miss Sherwin still, and would regulate their conduct accordingly. Now, I think I might be of use here. I have some influence-perhaps in strict truth I ought to say great influence-with

At any rate, he was right;

hich I could use if you wished it. And more than that, if you wanted longer and more frequent communication with North Villa than you now enjoy, I might be able to effect this also. I do not mention what I could do in these, and in other matters, in any disparagement, Sir, of the influence which you have with Mr. Sherwin, in yo

e faintest smile on his face, or had heard any change in his steady, deliberate tones, as

interfering officiously in your affairs, you have only to think that I have presumed impertinently on the freedom you have allowed me, and to tr

use they impressed me, as out of the common? Did I know how much share the influence of natural infirmity, or the outward traces of unknown sorrow and suffering, might have had

han grateful feelings. You will find I shall prove this by employing your good offic

t of wind fiercer than usual, rushed down the street, shaking the window shutter violently as it pas

ng to solid and attractive points in his character which I had not detected. What he said of Mrs. Sherwin appeared to be equally dictated by compassion and respect-he even hinted at her coolness towards himself, considerately attributi

gh of Mr. Mannion to assure me, that any attempt on my part at extracting from him, in spite of his reserve, the secrets which might be connected with his early life, would prove perfectly fruitless. If I must judge him at all, I must judge him by the experience of the present, and not by the history of the past. I

t all that remained. He followed me into the passage to light me out. As I turned round upon his door-step to thank him for his hospitality, and to bid him good night, the thought came across me, that my manner must have appeared co

fault if Margaret and I do not thankfully employ your good

h a hideously livid hue, such a spectral look of ghastliness and distortion to his features, that he absolutely seemed to be glaring and grinning on me like a fiend, in the one instant of its durati

good night-first mechanically repeating wha

. That night had given m