CHAPTER IV. And now, fair dames, methinks I see Your waving locks ye backward throw, Of two true lovers in a dale. THE LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL. ELIZA hitherto was not very curious to learn from her brother, the definite character of St. Clyde; all she had heard of him was, that he was descended from a respectable Highland family: she thought he was so, because his father lived in Bute; but the manner in which he acquitted himself in the argument with her papa on the preceding evening, and the lecture her mother had read to her on the propriety of avoiding his company, determined her to take an opportunity that very evening of questioning Augustus respecting the family of St. Clyde, and the estimate put upon his character and abilities by the professors under whom he studied at the college. Of the former, Augustus could speak only from the report of Levingstone ; "And is he, Augustus, the son of a Highland laird? Is his father not a chief?" "I do not know, Eliza, whether we can in strictness call him a Highlander; his father lives in the island of Bute; and his popularity is so widely extended over the island, that, I am told by Mr. Levingstone, our fellowstudent, the name of the Laird St. Clyde is authority for any thing, and the fear of his frown is enough to check the most audacious; his virtues are not exercised to procure mere esteem, and gain blind obedience; Levingstone tells me, they have resulted from a pure philosophy, and that they are not confined to the selfish principle; they embrace the entire range of the people amongst whom he lives; and the urbanity of his manners at once conciliates the ill-disposed, and reconciles to their duty the refractory and disobedient." "This good man must certainly be a fine model for his son; but, Augustus, what is St. Clyde thought of at college?" "Why, of that I can speak from personal observation: there is no one I would prefer to him as a fellow-student and intimate companion. But why do you put so many questions to me about him?” "I really don't know." "You must have some reason; and if you act by me with the same in genuousness that he does, you have no reason to fear the disclosure of any secret by me." What, has he been confiding any secrets to you that involve me in their consequences.Secret! I have none, sir !" "Eh! what! come, Eliza, no co quetry!" "You know I have none,' you have told me so before; and you only upbraid me now with it, in order to tease and vex me.-But, but, but—”’ "What is the but? Out with it, Eliza." "Augustus, what could make you serious? I hope one day to see you→→→ sober and sad. Now don't laugh, you are a tiresome creature." "Well, I will be serious, if my mirth gives you pain, only tell me, àre you' "There now, you are off again. Oh! Augustus, I am greatly afraid you will never be steady in your attachments, you treat me so lightly." "Pho, pho!-tell me what you have to say." "Well then, if you will have it, our mamma lectured me so to-day about St. Clyde, and Heaven knows we never spoke to each other but in the presence of some of our family; and though I have attempted to stifle the recollection of even his name, there is a secret pleasure in remembering he is your friend, but▬▬ Again a but: you will never be able, nor our mother either, to make him your butt; he is too great a philosopher, young as he is, to be carried away by your pretty face, my elegant sister. I beg pardon; do not frown; you are handsome, you know you are; and St. Clyde looks, as a philosopher, with calm admiration on a girl of your D 2 |