conquest--humble in the feeling that this conquest had not been
made, but at the expense of some portion of her own independence.
Hitherto, her suitors had awakened no other feeling in her heart
but vanity. Now, she felt no longer able to sail on, "imperial
arbitress," smiling at woes which she could inflict, but never share.
That instinct, which, in the heart of young Hinkley had produced
fear, if not antipathy, had been as active in her case, though with
a very different result. The first glimpse which she had of the
handsome stranger, months before, had impressed her with a singular
emotion; and now that he was returned, she could not divest herself
of the thought that his return was a consequence of that one glimpse.

With a keener judgment than belonged to her neighbors, she too had
some suspicions that religion was scarcely the prevailing motive
which had brought the youth back to their little village; for how
could she reconcile with his present demure gravity and devout
profession, the daring which he had shown in riding back to behold
her a second time? That such had been his motive she divined by her
own feeling of curiosity, and the instincts of vanity were prompt
enough to believe that this was motive sufficient to bring him
back once more, and under the guise of a character, which would
the readiest secure an easy entrance to society. Pleased with the
fancy that she herself was the object sought, she did not perceive
how enormous was the sort of deception which the stranger had
employed to attain the end desired. With all her intellect she had
not the wisdom to suspect that he who could so readily practise so
bold an hypocrisy, was capable of the worst performances; and when
their names were mentioned, and his eyes were permitted to meet
and mingle their glances with hers, she was conscious of nothing
farther than a fluttering sentiment of pleasure, which was amply