it is equally certain that I never was so ill-treated by any. On the contrary, I have always found your sex the kindest, and most tender and obliging of God's creation, till now. (Think of the conceited fellow saying that!) And the novelty and harshness of the lesson you have taught me to day, and the bitterness of being disappointed in the only quarter on which the happiness of my life depended, must excuse any appearance of asperity. If my presence is disagreeable to you, Miss Murray,' he said, (for I was looking about me to show how little I cared for him, so he thought I was tired of him, I suppose,) 'If my presence is disagreeable to you, Miss Murray, you have only to promise me the favour I named, and I will relieve you at once. There are many ladies—some even in this parish—that would be delighted to accept what you have so scornfully trampled under your feet. They would be naturally inclined to hate one whose surpassing loveliness has so completely estranged my heart from them and blinded me to their attractions; and a single hint of the truth, from me to one of these, would be sufficient to raise such a talk against you as would seriously injure your prospects,
