A Simple Story

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ward was not young or handsome; old or ugly; but immensely rich, and possessed of qualities that made him worthy of the happiness to which he aspired. He was the man whom Dorriforth would have chosen before any other for the husb

Whenever he addressed her there was an unusual reserve upon his countenance, and more than usual gentleness in the tone of his voice; this appeared the effect of sentiments which her birth and situation inspired, joined to a studied mode of respect, best calculated to enforce the same from her. The wished-for consequence was produced-for though there was an instinctive rectitude in the understanding of Miss Milner that would have taught her, without

warmly in his praise, then plainly said that he believed she possessed the power of making so deserving a man happy to the summit of his wishes

er taste, than thus pointedly

ood taste, when Sir Edward, whom you consider with such high

ompliment she seemed to have sought for, an

to that quest

be just, yet Sir Edward will not suffer by the suggestion; for in cases where the heart is so imme

per justification of Sir Edward-and when I fall in l

your heart is in that state which I

nd not consent to marry a m

way, Miss Milner, what can make you s

nts, and yet trembled for what he should find there. She blushed, and her looks would have confirmed her guilty

away; and yet I can venture to declare, Si

you part with a thing so precious-the dangers, the sorrows you hazard in bestowing it, are greater than you may be aware of. The heart once gone, our thoughts, our actions, are no mor

experienced all its dangerous allurements, all its repentant sorrows; than like one who has lived his whole time secluded in a monastery, or in his own study. Then he speaks with such exquisite sensibility on the subject of love, that he commends the very thing which he attempts to depreciate. I do

speech with the tenderest concern, cried, "Al

herefore that al

you will never b

lling me he will no

e from experience," answered Miss Woodle

erience," replied Miss Milner, "b

ty of heart, as if she had been asking a favour that depended upon the will of the pe

efficacious prayer, but promised