"That he likes you--and yet he never proposed for you! Do not believe
it--a man may coquet as well as a woman, and often more; but till he
makes his proposal, never, if you have any value for your own happiness
or dignity, fancy for a moment that he loves you."

"But he cannot marry, because he is so poor."

"True--and if so, what stronger argument can be brought against your
thinking of him?"

"I do not think of him--I endeavour not to think of him."

"That is my own girl! Depend upon it, he thinks not of you. He is all in
his profession--prefers it to every woman upon earth. I have heard him
say he would not give it up for any consideration. All for glory, you
see; nothing for love."

Amelia sighed. Her mother rose, and kissing her, said, as if she took
every thing she wished for granted, "So, my Amelia, I am glad to see you
reasonable, and ready to show a spirit that becomes you--Sir John Hunter
breakfasts here to-morrow."

"But," said Amelia, detaining her mother, who would have left the room,
"I cannot encourage Sir John Hunter, for I do not esteem him; therefore
I am sure I can never love him."

"You cannot encourage Sir John Hunter, Amelia?" replied Mrs. Beaumont.
"It is extraordinary that this should appear to you an impossibility the
very moment the gentleman proposes for you. It was not always so. Allow