Ernest Maltravers, Book 1

na Dam

convers

Teatro Espa

e held a gallan

ut not so in regard to women: with them he was the creature of the moment; and, driven to and fro by whatever impulse, or whatever passion, caught

. If she had been less handsome, he would have been equally grateful; and her dress, and youth

rost had set in: the air was clear, the stars were bright, and the long shado

ew, or its object, half chanting old verses, German and English,

y; he felt that he was young and alone with beauty. "Sweet girl," he said, with involuntary and me

her hand to his

said he, bending hi

e Dar

father,-/is/ he, in

my father an

tention to murder me? Has he

And when I saw his eye, and when afterwards, while your back was turne

girl-g

ere for some time; and I watched him from above. The place where he was opened to the field by the back-way. After some time, I heard a voice whisper him; I knew the voice, and then they both went out by the back-way; so I stole down, and went out and listened; and I

did you

nd-and-frightened me; and when he was gone to bed, I put on my clothe

a den of vice you h

n, s

me. Have you been taug

h

ught, at least, to say your cat

d to father n

to

r-what i

tion of right or wrong, very uncommon, as our police reports can testify. In the /Examiner/ for, I think, the year 1835, will be found the case of a young

ed his wisdom. He had read all the disputes of schoolmen, whether or not the notion of a Supreme Being is in

girl, we misunderstand each oth

, s

made the stars you now survey-

N

ever thought ab

as that to do with be

ou see that great building, with

sir,

is it

a ch

never go

N

people

lks nonsense, and the o

Good heavens! what shall I

ce, catching at the last words; and the

nd Alice such as he might reasonably have expected, he now felt that there was a kind of sanctity in her ignorance; and his

ked with girls w

like to go

sir, pr

. I owe you so much, that I should be too happy to

her eyes, which were fixed earnestly on his, there was so much artlessness in their soft, unconscious gaz

y, in which, being bolder and madder than most of them, he had been an active ringleader; it was, indeed, some such folly that had compelled him to quit Germany sooner than himself or his parents desired. He had nothing of the sober Englishman about him. Whatever was strange and eccentric had an irresistible charm for Ernest Maltravers. And agreeably to this disposition, he now revolved an idea th

you would like to live with me? But, Alice

underst

d Maltravers, a l

shed to go i

H

uld be a ki

was half di

he safer for us. Well, Alice, it shall be as you wish.

N

do not in

oise, and I like to be

er was reconciled a

you to read and write and say your prayers, and know that you have a Father above who loves you be

girl, "I am so happy, and I sh

; and he walked away with a quicker pulse than

t him; he waved his hand, and she moved o

edifices, with verandas and monthly roses, a conservatory and a lawn, which justify the English proverb about a cottage and love. It had been built by a mercantile bachelor for some Fair Rosamond, and did credit to his taste. An old woman, let with the house, was to cook and do the work. Alice was but a nominal servant. Neither the old woman nor the landlord comprehended the Platonic intentions of the young stranger. But he paid his rent in advance, and they were not particular. He, however, thought it