"Riches often weigh more heavily on talents than poverty; but," he beautifully continues, "Just Providence preserve the old man from want, for hoary years have already bent him low, and he can no longer stand upright with the youth, and bear the heavy burden on his head. The old man needs rest on the earth, ever while he is upon it, for he can use only the present, and a little bit of the future, and the past does not reflect for him as in a glass the blooming present." * * * * * It was not till the middle of September that Eugene Trevor returned. Mary saw him first again at an archery _fête_ given in the grounds of Morland, the scene of their former meeting and acquaintance. But that it would prove a day coloured by the same bright remembrances, appeared at first unlikely. For some time, Mary feared that the expectations of his being present at all were doomed to disappointment, for he did not make his appearance till very late; and Mary walked about with her cousin Louis (who on this occasion proved a better _chaperon_ than on the former), trying to look more cheerful than she really felt. An hour before dinner, he was discerned among the gay throng, but as Mr. de Burgh did not direct his course that way, he remained--as Mary was too easily inclined to imagine, coldly aloof--either she thought offended, or discouraged by the recollection of the coldness of manner she had shown towards him on his parting visit, or--(why should she imagine it otherwise?) the new pursuits and scenes of interests in which he had been engaged, had effaced all traces of any slight impression she might have made upon his mind or feelings. No greeting passed between them until, on their way to the _déjeûner_, Eugene passed her with another lady on his arm, and the one they then exchanged was necessarily slight and hurried, signifying nothing. His companion was young and beautiful, and Mary, with pardonable curiosity, inquired who she was of the gentleman who escorted her. She was told it was the young Lady Darlington, lately married, and we will not say that the substance of this communication was not a relief to Mary. They sat at the same side of the table, not very far divided, and Mary's companion must have found her rather an absent neighbour, she so often discovered her attention directed to what was being said by Eugene Trevor, though there was nothing very particular to interest an indifferent listener in his conversation with the young Countess.