The Parisians, Book 9.

d in Graham's hand, was in strange coincidence with the subject that for t

life which, concentrating so much that is vague in the desires and aspirations of man, leaves his heart and his mind, made serene by the contentm

form of affliction. For in youth, the genial freshness of his gay animal spirits, a native generosity mingled with desire of display and thirst for applause, made me somewhat alarmed for his future. But, though he still retains these attributes of character, they are no longer predominant; they are modified and chastened. He has learned prudence.

ift; it makes him so tenacious of his word once given, so cautious before he gives it. Public life to him is essential; without it he would be incomplete; and yet I sigh to think that wh

, not taken individually, uncommon in Engl

ll distinction in his. You have met in the world men who, marrying professed beauties, or professed literary geniuses, are spoken of as the husband of the beautiful Mrs. A---, or of the clever Mrs. B----: can you fancy Graham Vane in the reflected light of one of those husbands? I trembled last year when I thought

name he would make, and for the dignity of which he alone would be responsible,-if that were the town talk, he would curse the hour he gave

Graham abhors, in the girls of our time, frivolity and insipidity. Very rightly, you will say. True, but then he is too likely to be allured by contrasts. I have seen him attracted by the very girls we recoil from more than we do from those we allow to be frivolous and insipid. I accused him of admiration for a certain

l have nothing to do, but who, from the little which Lady Janet had seen of her, might possess

estates she inherited were in the county of-(viz., the county in which the ancestors of D'Altons and Vanes had for centuries established their whereabout). Miss Asterisk was pretty enough to please any man's eye, but not with the beauty of which artists rave;

Miss Asterisk pointedly in view. Miss Asterisk had confided to her friend, that, of all

y dear aunt divined what is weakest in me!" the Duchess replied quickly, "Miss Ast

nes with me; but 'tis no matter, for I shall never fe