Part 67 (1/2)

Determined however to make every possible enquiry, I went to the house; where I found only a person as left in charge of the preone with a patient to Lisbon

These little incidents, trifling as they appeared, afforded me an excellent proof of the absurdity of falsethought vain, to conceal or disguise the truth The physician had bestowed high eulogiums on my humanity: after which, he had hinted a desire, but ell-bred reserve, to knoho I was; and I, catching the apparent delicacy of his feelings and thinking but very little on the subject, i tohim my name and place of abode I therefore told him I would answer that question e became better acquainted; if he should then find he had no reason to alter his good opinion of e a kind of double refined vanity; and lead the disappointed in all my enquiries of this day, my next care was to see Miss Wilht me inimical to them, and therefore were probably ht be spread; nor how to guard against them in the public opinion But I had one consolation Olivia had declared she was resolved to enquire, before she again gave the least credit to calumny It was therefore essentially necessary that I should acquaint Miss Wil; and, when I cas, I found her brother and Turl both there Though ave me no little pleasure It would likewise save me the trouble of a thrice told tale: for to friends like theselike an abhorrence of concealment, and secret transactions I wished theriefs, they not only excited their sympathy but produced remarks and counsel, by which they had often been cured

I told ined my hearers were neither inattentive nor unmoved The selfishness and depravity into whichthus impelled they are capable, exehs froentle and kind hearted Lydia, roan in spirit, and excited in Turl those coh a long succession, and teach, by miseries that are past, how eneral feeling however was that danger was hovering over nation of Wilmot, at the treate and country, was very strong

Neither was Turl less s were acute But, though they ht vibrate for a moment toward discord, they touched the true harmony at last He who has fixed principles of action is soon called to a recollection of his duties, and the ht to act

Roused by his friendshi+p for me, I should rather say by his affection, he collected his faculties; and presented to the iination so subli injuries and oppression with dignity, that he prepared my mind most admirably for the trials that were to succeed

CHAPTER IX

_A second and more successful atteuessed_

It was not only the wish of my heart but it was quite necessary for ly desirable that I should previously ht be false; and I reement between persons ould both have conferred essential benefits on me, if the supposed defection of Sir Barnard should not be true I detero to the Cocoa tree and wait

As it happened, waiting was not necessary The Baronet was there; and, though there was so of coldness in his htpassed, I requested to speak with hi er continuing to support a person who this renificance hich it was delivered, ury returned upon me in full force I answered that I had quitted Mr Mowbray not because I had deserted his interest, but because I had been unjustly accused 'Accused of what, Mr Trevor?'

'Of having been influenced by you to betray a party which I had pretended to espouse'

'And were you not influenced by me, Mr Trevor?'

'I never can be influenced by any man, Sir Barnard, to commit an action which my heart condemns'

'Do you mean, Mr Trevor, that your heart condemns me?'

'The question is very direct; and I as, Sir Barnard: but I uilty of falsehood I certainly wish you had acted otherwise'

'Then you pretend to set up for yourself, Mr Trevor; and to have no deference whatever for entleman who meant to do me service, I wish to preserve every respect for you, Sir Barnard But I hope you do not expect of me any deference that should, on any occasion whatever, induce me to abandon either my public or my private duties' 'Very well, Mr Trevor Very well I dare say you are so perfectly acquainted with your duties that no reatest friend, could induce you to alter any of your notions'

'I should hope, Sir Barnard, that either friend or eneht so induce me: provided he had truth and reason on his side'

'Very well, Mr Trevor All that is very fine I dare say you understand your own interest, and will take your own road: even though you ht if you pleased travelanother way'