Alice, or the Mysteries — Complete

								

wealthy, is that pleasant vice, beggary,--which privilege is proudly
entitled 'patronage and power.' Are we the things to be gay,--'droll,'
as you say? Oh, no, all our spirits are forced, believe me. Miss
Cameron, did you ever know that wretched species of hysterical affection
called 'forced spirits'? Never, I am sure; your ingenuous smile, your
laughing eyes, are the index to a happy and a sanguine heart."
"And what of me?" asked Caroline, quickly, and with a slight blush.
"You, Miss Merton? Ah, I have not yet read your character,--a fair page,
but an unknown letter. You, however, have seen the world, and know that
we must occasionally wear a mask." Lord Vargrave sighed as he spoke,
and relapsed into sudden silence; then looking up, his eyes encountered
Caroline's, which were fixed upon him. Their gaze flattered him;
Caroline turned away, and busied herself with a rose-bush. Lumley
gathered one of the flowers, and presented it to her. Evelyn was a few
steps in advance.
"There is no thorn in this rose," said he; "may the offering be an omen.
You are now Evelyn's friend, oh, be mine; she is to be your guest. Do
not scorn to plead for me."
"Can you want a pleader?" said Caroline, with a slight tremor in her
voice.
"Charming Miss Merton, love is diffident and fearful; but it must
now find a voice, to which may Evelyn benignly listen. What I leave
unsaid--would that my new friend's eloquence could supply."
He bowed slightly, and joined Evelyn. Caroline understood the hint, and
returned alone and thoughtfully to the house.
"Miss Cameron--Evelyn--ah, still let me call you so, as in the happy and
more familiar days of your childhood, I wish you could read my heart at
this moment. You are about to leave your home; new scenes will surround,
new faces smile on you; dare I hope that I may still be remembered?"
He attempted to take her hand as he spoke; Evelyn withdrew it gently.
"Ah, my lord," said she, in a very low voice, "if remembrance were all
that you asked of me--"
"It is all,--favourable remembrance, remembrance of the love of the
past, remembrance of the bond to come."
Evelyn shivered. "It is better to speak openly," said she.
"Let me throw myself on your generosity. I am not insensible to your
brilliant qualities, to the honour of your attachment; but--but--as the
time approaches in which you will call for my decision, let me now say,
that I cannot feel for you--those--those sentiments, without which you
could not desire our union,--without which it were but a wrong to both
of us to form it. Nay, listen to me. I grieve bitterly at the tenor of
your too generous uncle's will; can I not atone to you? Willingly would
I sacrifice the fortune that, indeed, ought to be yours; accept it, and
remain my friend."
"Cruel Evelyn! and can you suppose that it is your fortune I seek? It is
yourself. Heaven is my witness, that, had you no dowry but your hand