Page:Modern literature (1804 Volume 1).djvu/176

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girl, though thoughtless and giddy, possessed both sense and feeling. Hamilton, who had conceived her addicted to intrigue, was now convinced he had totally mistaken her character, and that he had done her an irreparable injury. Her peace of mind he saw was gone, and felt with poignant remorse that he was himself the cause. Her fondness for him increased almost to distraction, while regret and pity gave a softness to his conversation and attentions, that her wishes and hopes construed into reciprocal love. As the time approached in which he must depart for Cambridge, finding that not only the heart of this young woman was torn asunder, but that her reputation must eventually suffer, he himself became a prey to dejection, contrition, and remorse. His parents did not fail to remark his altered countenance and spirits, but without being