in all respects, and daily to read for him. until she was hoarse and fatigued; that she would be a great assistant to her in her household cares, and in reading for him too, if he would permit her; she would also, she added, be a companion for herself, for she was obliged to be almost constantly at home; that from such close confinement her health had suffered so much, she had made this excursion for its benefit, and that it had produced the desired effect. She told Justina, that she herself would not be so confined, that a great portion of her time would be at her own disposal, that she could walk abroad every day if she pleased, and that Mr. Cavendish had an extensive library, to which she could have constant recourse; she added, that Philadelphia was a beautiful city, and that though it was warm in summer, their house was spacious, the street they lived in very wide, and daily washed and cooled with water from the aqueduct; and that in winter the climate was mild and delightful. Mrs. Hastings presented so many inducements, that Justina began to feel a strong inclination to accompany her. She had never been in Philadelphia, and from all she had heard of that city, she imagined she should like to reside there; indeed, in her present state of feelings, she would prefer going to a place new to her, and where she was unknown. Mrs. Hastings, when she suspected her of having any misgivings on the subject, added, "if you do not like the idea of staying with me, I have not the least doubt but that I can procure you such a situation as you are in quest of; indeed, I heard just before I left Philadelphia, that Mrs. Grafton was inquiring for a governess for her daughters." Justina, after reflecting on the project for some hours in her own room, with a heart that sought heavenly direction, accepted the offer of Mrs. Hastings to take her to Philadephia. She then wrote an affectionate letter to her aunt and sister, informing them of her intended journey, and residence with that lady. CHAPTER X. "Say that you love me not; but say not so Whose heart the accustom'd sight of death makes hard, 66 SHAKSPEARE. "WHY do you go to live with an old whimsical valetudinarian, dear Justina ?" said George Ranmore, the next day after this arrangement was made; "one would suppose that a young man who loves you, would be a much more agreeable companion;" he advanced as he spoke to her, and continued. My feelings to you are the same as they were when I last saw you, only that they are more tender and more confirmed; for I have looked in vain through all my female acquaintance, to find something approaching your excellence." Justina smiled and said, "I imagine you have not looked very earnestly, or you would have been more successful in your discoveries." "I believe, Miss Melross," returned he," were I to search every region of the globe, I should find no woman like you." "Not exactly, perhaps," replied she. "One thing, however, is certain," said George, "that I shall never find another I can love as I love you." Justina looked grave and 66 disturbed. "Let me not offend you, Miss Melross, but permit me to finish what I have begun to say. I have been engaged in mercantile concerns for more than a year, and have prospered in business beyond my expectations; therefore, I am well able to support a matrimonial establishment, and if you will accept my heart and hand, it shall be the endeavour of my life to make you happy; what say you? may I dare to hope?" Justina was a little at a loss how to frame a reply; she did not hesitate about her own decision, but merely as to the manner of expressing it, so as to give the least possible pain. "You need not give an answer immediately, Miss Melross; reflect on my proposal, and may your reflections be propitious to my vows. He was going to leave the room, when she said, "stay a moment, Mr. Ranmore; my hesitation to answer does not proceed from indecision, but from a desire to give such a one as may be expressive of my personal esteem, and of my deep sense of the high honour you do me; and yet at the same time to inform you, of my entire inability to reciprocate the affection of which you have just made so unequivocal a declaration. I shall always rejoice in your prosperity, and shall be happy to hear that you have chosen some amiable woman to share it with you." "You will never hear that, Miss Melross, I shall die a bachelor, unless you should at some future day change your mind, and be so generous as to reward my faithful attachment." "You must not expect that, sir; time will not change, my purpose, but it will, I hope, lead to a transfer of your affections to some object more worthy of you." She then advanced to the door; he made an effort to detain her, to urge his attachment and devotedness, to persuade her to delay her final decision; to see if time, and the trial of all his efforts to gain her affections, might not produce some revolution of her feelings in his favour. She assured him, again and again, that it would not, that it could not, with such increasing strength of expression, that he at length, in much displeasure, yet far more in sorrow than in anger, permitted her to pass to her own room, where she mournfully indulged her reflections. "Here, then," said she," is another instance of the caprice of affection; here is a young man whose qualities would satisfy half the girls in New-York; excellent morals and understanding, prepossessing appearance and manners, frank, honourable, upright; how very few there are, but would prefer his open and ingenuous character to the solemn Arlington, as Augusta calls him. Yet so wayward is my heart, that it can only feel indifference for the one that loves me, and is for ever doating on the image of the one that slights and scorns me. "This last idea VOL. I. 9 |