chances of wealth, of distinction,--all that had burned from the years of
boyhood into my very heart. I chose poverty, obscurity, humiliation; but
I chose also love. What was my reward? Lucy Brandon, I was deceived,--
deceived!"

Brandon paused; and Lucy took his hand affectionately, but did not break
the silence. Brandon resumed:--

"Yes, I was deceived! But I in my turn had a revenge, and a fitting
revenge; for it was not the revenge of hatred, but" (and the speaker
laughed sardonically) "of contempt. Enough of this, Lucy! What I wished
to say to you is this,--grown men and women know more of the truth of
things than ye young persons think for. Love is a mere bauble, and no
human being ever exchanged for it one solid advantage without repentance.
Believe this; and if rank ever puts itself under those pretty feet, be
sure not to spurn the footstool."

So saying, with a slight laugh, Brandon lighted his chamber candle, and
left the room for the night.

As soon as the lawyer reached his own apartment, he indited to Lord
Mauleverer the following epistle:

"Why, dear Mauleverer, do you not come to town? I want you, your
party wants you; perhaps the K--g wants you; and certainly, if you
are serious about my niece, the care of your own love-suit should
induce you yourself to want to come hither. I have paved the way
for you; and I think, with a little management, you may anticipate a
speedy success. But Lucy is a strange girl; and, perhaps, after
all, though you ought to be on the spot, you had better leave her as