the human countenance during the brief period that intervenes between
the years of the thoughtless boy and those of the confirmed man: and
whilst his white brow beamed with intellect, it was easy to perceive
that the fire of deep feeling and high-wrought enthusiasm broke out in
timid flashes from his dark eye. His modesty, too, by tempering the
full lustre of his beauty, gave to it a character of that graceful
diffidence, which above all others makes the deepest impression upon a
female heart.

"Well, I do think," said William Sinclair, "that young Osborne is
decidedly the finest boy I ever saw--the most perfect in beauty and
figure--and yet we have not seen him to advantage."

"I think, although I regretted to see him so, that he looked better
after he got pale," said Maria; "his features, though colorless, were
cut like marble."

"I hope his health may not be injured by what has occurred," observed
the second; "he appeared ill."

"That, Agnes, is more to the point," said Mr. Sinclair; "I fear the boy
is by no means well; and I am apprehensive, from the deep carnation of
his cheek, and his subsequent paleness, that he carries within him the
seeds of early dissolution. He is too delicate, almost too etherial for
earth."

"If he becomes an angel," said William, smiling, "with a very slight
change, he will put some of them out of countenance."

"William," said the father, "never, while you live attempt to be witty