CHAPTER XX.

LEFEVRE had naturally a taste for domestic pleasures. He was the favorite of children, and, by many obliging attentions, discovered an interest in the female sex. He had, however, never seriously deter mined on wedded life. In the first instance, he was deterred by his circumstances; and afterwards, by his irregular habits: for his generosity would not allow him deliberately to unite himself to an excellent female, with the fear of exposing her to the ills of poverty, or the anguish of neglect. Now, indeed, as his resources were improved, and he had retreated from excesses which cost him so much, his eye turned involuntarily towards domestic life, but he could not permit himself to dwell on it.

He had lately been introduced to a family near Sevenoaks, in which was a young lady, of whom he could not think with common sentiments of esteem. He had the

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highest opinion of her. "She is," thought he, every way qualified to make me happy.-But-no-I must speak in the past time. Once she might have made me so-now it is too late! And if she could, I could not render her happy. I am unworthy of her. Miserable as I am, I should make any one so, who was connected with me. I will never sacrifice a worthy woman to my wishes! No! I will keep my wretchedness to myself."

Wallis knew the state of Lefevre's mind; and he was desirous of raising his hopes to the object, in which he was evidently interested. Altogether of a weaker character, Wallis was never tempted to follow up a worldly course to extremity. His passions were busy, but not impetuous -unruly, but not daring. He loved himself above all things; and pure selfishness generally supplied him with sufficient sagacity to know, in the pursuit of any object, when the punishment was palpably greater than the gratification. Whenever this was the case, he immediately relinquished the pleasure; and he was pleased to dignify

the act with the name of self-denial. In one instance, the influence of Lefevre's example had caused him to trespass on the usual limits, he prescribed to himself; but he instinctively perceived the danger, and as instinctively retreated. From this time, though his inferior in every thing, he looked down on his headlong course with pity, with wonder, and even with contempt; and his friendship for Lefevre, though it had lost much of its power, was rather beneficial than otherwise, as far as it went. He certainly loved Lefevre, as much as his superficial heart could be said to love any thing, that was distinct from himself; and his best efforts were in requisition to recover him from his violent

excesses.

With this view he had at first brought him into the presence of Miss D—, the person in question; and he now endeavoured to make her the object of hopeful attention. He dwelt on her accomplishments-alluded to her fortune-ridiculed his sense of unworthiness-and assured him he had every encouragement, Yes,

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yes," said he, "trust me - I know how the game lies-the prize is your's if you will but take it. I can tell. Women are deceitful creatures, sure enough-but never deceive me! I can feel their pulse-I have felt hers-and rely upon it, it flutters like the breast of a new-caught robin at the name of Lefevre."

Wallis's rodomontade had not all the effect he thought it deserved. The most it did was to make Lefevre waver in his purposes. He, for a moment, thought he might be happy and render others so; but, again he fell under the conviction, that nothing remained to him, but the dregs of that cup he had so long been drinking. He purposed, and reversed his purpose, and continued undecided.

While the fluctuating passions of Lefevre were thus attracted and repelled by the allurements of vicious, and the loveliness of innocent, enjoyments, Douglas, by his first letter, informed him of his opening prospects of domestic felicity. This slight allusion to his own hopes, had a surprising influence on the expectations of

Lefevre. From having thought conjugal happiness incompatible with his state, and at the most having wavered for a moment on the subject, he placed it within the sphere of possibilities; and immediately resolved, though with hesitating steps, to pursue it. It is not, perhaps, easy to account for this, but so it was. It might arise from that spirit of emulation, of which Lefevre was powerfully the subject. And, if not ascribed to this source, it must be classed with those sudden turns of the mind, of which all are conscious, but which none can explain.

Hope, being permitted to live, soon became vigorous and ardent. Lefevre hastened to Wallis to reveal his change of sentiment, and to devise the best method of proceeding. Wallis was full of surprise and pleasure-ascribed the change, without scruple, to his own arguments,-and agreed to attend his friend the next day, on a visit to the family of Miss D—

Miss D young ladies.

was of a superior class of She was possessed of a

sound understanding and warm affections,