a fortnight afterwards read every article headed “Interesting Suicide," in the newspapers; and though they were all "interesting," they did not interest her. Cecil arrived at his uncle's, who commenced the conversation by declaring he would cut him off with a shilling, and ended by paying his debts and making him an allowance. The next week saw two different announcements in the Morning Post—one was the marriage of Elizabeth Temple to Charles Forsyth, Esq.; the other the departure of Mr. Cecil Forrester for Naples.
A friend had offered to take him thither in his yacht, and for that reason only he had gone. Of course he ascended Vesuvius—visited churches, pictures, statues, &c.; but, alas! these are tastes which require cultivation—and at present they appeared to Cecil in the light of duties. Not speaking the language of the country, he was excluded from all enjoyment of Italian society, and English he had entered an inward protest against. Two friends had refused to cash a draft for him: one because he could not, the other because he would not—one from inability, having no money to spare; the other from principle, as he made it a rule never to lend. A lady, with whom he had been quite l’ami de famille, with four pretty daughters, had actually avoided seeing him in the Park before it was known that his uncle intended arranging his affairs. Cecil was therefore persuaded of the heartlessness of artificial society. Still, he had no innocent beliefs
