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Hoffland colored, and said with bitter abruptness: "I believe you despise me, sir!" "Despise you! Why?" said the astonished Mowbray. "Because because you call me an inexperienced youth; and and Ernest, it is not friendly in you! no, it is not! it is unjust to treat me so!" And Hoffland turned away like a child who is about to "have a cry."
Men should be strong." "Yes, yes." "And yet you are weak." "In my heart, very weak." "You love her still?" "Yes, yes; deeply, passionately, far more than ever!" said Mowbray, unable to repress this outburst. Hoffland seemed to be frightened by the vehemence of his companion, for he turned away his head, and colored to the temples. "Can you not conquer your feelings?" he said at length. "No."
Mowbray's invitation or Ernest's: I call him Ernest, and he calls me Charles." "You seem to be well acquainted with him," said Denis. "Oh, we are sworn friends! of four days' standing." Denis looked at his companion with great curiosity. "Mowbray the most reserved of men in friendship!" he muttered. "Ah," replied Hoffland, whose quick ear caught these words; "but I am not a common person, Mr.
Mowbray, with an unconscious movement, took from his pocket the letter left by Hoffland in the post-office, on the morning of the ball. Philippa took it from his hand and opened it. "Pardon, Ernest!" These words were all it contained; and the young girl pointing to them, dropped the letter and burst into a flood of passionate tears.
"Yes," Hoffland said; "and applying this reasoning to the present subject, you cannot fail to understand my motives for refusing Mowbray's kind invitation. Once in love with my shadow, Lucy will not fall in love with me. To tell you the truth, I could not afford to have her " "Mr. Hoffland!" "Why, Mr. Denis did any thing hurt you? Perhaps " "It was nothing, sir!" said Denis, with a flushed face.
A thick-legged table, littered over with papers black with the accumulation of ancient dust as though they had been smoked, occupied all the space between the two windows; on the walls hung Turkish firearms, whips, a sabre, two maps, some anatomical diagrams, a portrait of Hoffland, a monogram woven in hair in a blackened frame, and a diploma under glass; a leather sofa, torn and worn into hollows in parts, was placed between two huge cupboards of birch-wood; on the shelves books, boxes, stuffed birds, jars, and phials were huddled together in confusion; in one corner stood a broken galvanic battery.
If you feel so to-day, the ball to-night will restore your spirits; and there you may restore your handkerchief with perfect propriety." "How?" "Get an introduction." Hoffland's lip crimped; but nodding his head "Yes," said he, "I think I shall be introduced, for I wish very much to be present at that Arcadian festival." "You heard, then?" Hoffland colored.
"Oh yes pardon me," Hoffland said; and turning aside his head, he murmured, "Men men! how blind you are! yes, high-gravel blind!" and looking again at Mowbray, Hoffland perceived that his face had become calm again. "I promised Lucy to bring home some little articles from this place," he said calmly; "go in with me a moment, Charles." Hoffland drew back.
"Did you?" asked Hoffland; "I am afraid this is only a ruse on cousin Lucy's part to get rid of me." "Are you not ashamed, sir, to charge me with untruth?" said Lucy, nearly bursting into laughter. "Untruth!" cried Hoffland; "did any body ever! Why, 'tis the commonest thing in the world with your charming sex, Miss Lucy, to indulge in these little ruses.
Hoffland raised his head; his face was full of smiles. "But suppose she does not look thus at you?" he said. "I do not understand " "Suppose Philippa was not that her name? suppose she smiles when you bow to her: for you will bow, won't you, Ernest?" "Assuredly; but to reply to your question. I should know perfectly well that her smile was the untrue manoeuvre of a coquette. Ah! Charles!
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