Sidebilder
PDF
ePub

NETTERVILLE.

CHAP. I.

[ocr errors]

He's truly valiant that can wisely suffer

The worst that man can breathe, and make his wrongs

his outsides,

"Wear them like his raiment, carelessly,

"And never prefer his injuries to his heart, to bring it into danger."

[ocr errors]

1

OUR hero had scarcely put the memoirs of Blanche into his pocket, before Latimer entered the room; and after conversing for some time on indifferent subjects, he turned the discourse to the only one which appeared to occupy his thoughts. Lewisham attempted to rally him on the inconstancy of his nature, and the sudden transfer he had made of his affections. Ah, my friend!”i replied

VOL. II.

[ocr errors]

B

replied he, laying his hand on his heart

"None without hope, ere lov'd the brightest fair. "Love calls for love- "

"Not all the pride of beauty;

"Those eyes which tell us what the sun is made of; "Those lips whose touch is to be bought with life; "Those hills of driven snow, which seen are felt;

All these possess'd are nought, but as they are "The proof and substance of an inward passion, "And the rich plunder of a taken heart!"

"And then do you really think, Latimer, that Blanche loves you?" Latimer coloured, hesitated, and at length replied" I hope time and assiduity on my part may awaken an interest in her heart-let me die if I do not think her handsomer than Clara!" Lewisham shook his head- Ah, my friend, your sentiments are strangely, altered; O would to God that it was in the power of woman to overcome my at tachment

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

tachment to Miss Walsingham; but I am made, I fear, of very old-fashioned materials, and an impression once fixed never to be erased."" I hope," said Latimer gaily," you do not mean to die in despair, to convince Clara of your fidelity?" Lewisham smiled

"Men have died (continued Latimer) from time to time;

And worms have eaten them-but not for love.

"Well, Constancy' is my motto," said Lewisham, "and only with life can I lose the remembrance of Clara's virtues".

Let no mortal sing to me

The stupid joys of constancy; "Nature bids her subjects range, "All Creation's full of change."

Ibwish, dear Latimer," said Lewisham, "that I could persuade you to be serious for only one half hour-I wish I could

B 2

mne question which I mean to — Name it," said

but beware how you

eactant in de Fiendship between *—* i bare done," said Lewisham ; ** mara, 1 s T, right either to ammar det I wish you a jeware Jew red commit an acca visi varsagainst every manly, ever too. being your heart is not Janet är de dominion of vice."“I mà n ke, Mr. Netterville, what has given you a right to question #condizer-Friendship, the most sincere and disinterested-the right with every man has to succour the inzocent, and to protect the weak-the

right of chiming

made in my

voluntary promise

"And pray,

ying his hand

st,” asked"

his sword ever did

[ocr errors]

mise?"—" I hope in God you never will," said Lewisham; but why all this anger? you know I am actuated solely by the wish of rendering you happy, and, in your cooler moment's, you will allow it.""I am cool now," said Latimer, walking about the room, perfectly cool, when I assure you I will answer no impertinent questions-your friendship, Mr. Netterville, I disclaim from this moment;" and he walked towards the door" Your Quixotic right of protecting fair damsels in distress you may exert," continued he, sarcas tically; "but with regard to any promise made by me, I am sufficient to vindicate my own honour, and shall perform it or not, as I think proper, without once stopping to consider what your wisdom may think of it." The entrance of an officer now put a stop to the conversation for some moments, and Latimer retired, but immediately returning,

B 3

« ForrigeFortsett »