Confession

leading influence, my mind preserved the tone which it acquired beneath it, long after the cause of provocation had been withdrawn. This earnestness of character-amounting to intensity-gave me an h

used-could I look the feelings of the lover, which, neverth

med, "I did not t

chful, as she suffered me to take her hand in mine, and lead her back to the parlo

Julia? What should lead you to fanc

very miserable. What is this they tell me? Can it be true, Edward, that you are

d. I fixed my eyes

s. They have set you in waiting to meet me here, and speak things which y

oes not matter whether I was sent here, or sought you of my own free will. They tell me

enemies, equally unjust to me, and hostile to themselves. Yet I can readily conjecture some things which

her head

o not

me; ask

hold me worthy of your love, your confidence. Spe

s; but I did not

ay!-did

I did,

was not to

-have none, dear Edward! I knew th

it was

A

story. Nay, more-had they told you all the truth, dearest Julia, that part

Can it

life is a series of long doubts, struggles, griefs, and apprehensions, which break down the strength, and lay the spirit in the dust. I will now tell you, in few words, what is the relation in which I stand to your father and his family. He, many years ago, committed an error in business, which the laws distinguish by a harsher name. By this error he beca

he do

t first he consented that I should arrange i

t w

he entire amount of property which they

we this money? If he does, surely he can not r

ntioned, was made to me, on the express condition that I should exert my influence as

s slowly gathering, dropping from them, one, by one. Meanwhile, I explained, as tenderly as

l not consent. She refused positively the moment father said it would be necessary to sell out, and move to a cheaper

I owner of the necessary amount myself,

ain and again-for I think that father knows the danger, though mother does not; and I think-I ho

not, Julia.

at they are anxious to have your support-they said as much. Nay, why should

be a villain. Julia! Julia! did you think to do th

h desire had a place, even for a moment, in my mind. No! I knew not tha

I do not think that you would

, Edward, you will save my father! Y

endship and integrity, which is the constant language of your mother

her's sake!" she

ok my hea

hen-for mine

e with her father. I used every argument, resorted to every mode of persuasion, but all was of no avail. Mr. Clifford was

ls and chronic

"the glorious uncertainties of the law" afforded a possibility of his escape with less loss. The loss of money was, with her, the item of most consideration; her mind was totally insensible to that of reputation. She was willing to make this compromise with me, as a sort of alternative, for, in that case, there would be no diminution of attendance and expense-no loss of rank and equipage. We should all live together-how harmoniously, one

factory assurances of success. It was the confident assurances of this person which had determined Mr. Clifford-his wife rather-to resist to the last the suit in question. Through the sheer force of impudence, this man had obtained a tolerable share of practice. His clients, as may be supposed, lay chiefly among such persons as, having no power or standard for judging, necessarily look upon him who is most bold and pushing as the most able and trustworthy. The bullies of the law-and, unhappily, the profession has quite too many-are very commanding persons among the multitude. Mr. Clifford knew this fellow's mental reputation very well, and was not deceived by the confidence of his assurances; nay, to the last, he showed a hankering desire to give me the entire control of the subject; but the hostility of Mrs. Clifford overruled his more prudent if not more honorable purposes; and, as he was compelled to seek a lawyer, the questionable moral standing of Perkins decided his choice. He wished one, in short, to do a certain piece of dirty work: and, as if in anticipation of the future,