"But this gentleman, madam, who is her
gallant this evening,--is his character unexceptionable? Will a lady of
delicacy associate with an immoral, not to say profligate, man?" "The
rank and fortune of Major Sanford," said Mrs. Richman, "procure him
respect; his specious manners render him acceptable in public company;
but I must own that he is not the person with whom I wish my cousin to
be connected even for a moment. She never consulted me so little on any
subject as that of his card this morning. Before I had time to object,
she dismissed the servant; and I forbore to destroy her expected
happiness by acquainting her with my disapprobation of her partner. Her
omission was not design; it was juvenile indiscretion. We must, my dear
sir," continued she, "look with a candid eye on such eccentricities.
Faults, not foibles, require the severity of censure." "Far, madam, be
it from me to censure any conduct which as yet I have observed in Miss
Wharton; she has too great an interest in my heart to admit of that."
We now went into more general conversation. Tea was served; and I soon
after took leave. General Richman, however, insisted on my dining with
him on Thursday; which I promised. And here I am again over head and
ears in the hypo--a disease, you will say, peculiar to students. I
believe it peculiar to lovers; and with that class I must now rank
myself, though I did not know, until this evening, that I was so much
engaged as I find I really am.
Pages:
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52