William Dalzell, do not be hurt if I give you one friendly piece of
advice on parting--try to make your own way in the world too. Shake
yourself clear of your own embarrassments by your own industry--a far
better way than by marrying a rich wife."

She looked very kindly at the young man as she spoke, but he did not
take the advice in the friendly spirit in which it was given. He
answered rather shortly, that he dared to say he would do as well as
other people, and then began to ask what she knew about the heir, if
she had ever seen him before, or heard Mr. Hogarth speak of him. She
answered----

"No, never; but I cannot answer questions. I cannot converse rationally
any longer. You had better go away, Mr. Dalzell, and let me have a
little rest, for I am rather weary."

The young gentleman stumbled down stairs, and rode home ruminating over
the downfall of all his cherished expectations; while Jane said to
herself, "It is over, and it is better so. He really is a smaller
character than I thought he was."




Chapter II.



Disappointment and Hope; Prose and Poetry