Alice, or the Mysteries — Book 05

								

had loved, what might be her destiny, what her danger!
"Miss Cameron," said Maltravers, "let me for one moment detain you; I
will not trespass long.  May I once, and for the last time, assume the
austere rights of friendship?  I have seen much of life, Miss Cameron,
and my experience has been purchased dearly; and harsh and hermit-like as
I may have grown, I have not outlived such feelings as you are well
formed to excite.  Nay,"--and Maltravers smiled sadly--"I am not about to
compliment or flatter, I speak not to you as the young to the young; the
difference of our years, that takes away sweetness from flattery, leaves
still sincerity to friendship.  You have inspired me with a deep
interest,--deeper than I thought that living beauty could ever rouse in
me again!  It may be that something in the tone of your voice, your
manner, a nameless grace that I cannot define, reminds me of one whom I
knew in youth,--one who had not your advantages of education, wealth,
birth; but to whom Nature was more kind than Fortune."
He paused a moment; and without looking towards Evelyn, thus renewed,--
"You are entering life under brilliant auspices.  Ah, let me hope that
the noonday will keep the promise of the dawn!  You are susceptible,
imaginative; do not demand too much, or dream too fondly.  When you are
wedded, do not imagine that wedded life is exempt from its trials and its
cares; if you know yourself beloved--and beloved you must be--do not ask
from the busy and anxious spirit of man all which Romance promises and
Life but rarely yields.  And oh!" continued Maltravers, with an absorbing
and earnest passion, that poured forth its language with almost
breathless rapidity,--"if ever your heart rebels, if ever it be
dissatisfied, fly the false sentiment as a sin!  Thrown, as from your
rank you must be, on a world of a thousand perils, with no guide so
constant and so safe as your own innocence, make not that world too dear
a friend.  Were it possible that your own home ever could be lonely or
unhappy, reflect that to woman the unhappiest home is happier than all
excitement abroad.  You will have a thousand suitors hereafter: believe
that the asp lurks under the flatterer's tongue, and resolve, come what
may, to be contented with your lot.  How many have I known, lovely and
pure as you, who have suffered the very affections--the very beauty of
their nature--to destroy them!  Listen to me as a warner, as a brother,
as a pilot who has passed the seas on which your vessel is about to
launch.  And ever, ever let me know, in whatever lands your name may
reach me, that one who has brought back to me all my faith in human
excellence, while the idol of our sex, is the glory of her own.  Forgive
me this strange impertinence; my heart is full, and has overflowed.  And
now, Miss Cameron--Evelyn Cameron--this is my last offence, and my last
farewell!"
He held out his hand, and involuntarily, unknowingly, she clasped it, as