that I saw them together, that William and Maria Mortimer are fondly attached to each other. She is a charming girl; but William, who is so very fine a youth, might certainly do a great deal better in the way of fortune.” “He certainly might,” said Doctor Wentbridge; “and besides, he is a youth of great talents, and might so connect himself, as to be the means of rising in the state.--What say you, father?” “I say, that what you both say is true; he might acquire riches, as you, daughter, observe; or power, as you, son, observe; but is he thereby to attain happiness? besides, neither of you have practised as you preach: you, Eliza, married a man you loved, though of small fortune, and would not marry a suitor that you did not love, though of great fortune; you, Edward, not having succeeded with the lady that you did love, would not marry at all, even though you once had opulence in your power;--I acted upon the same principle, and was happy.” “What then, sir, would you wish your grandson to marry this young lady?” “Not immediately; I would wish him called to the bar first; though I must confess, I should like very well to see a great grandchild before I die.” “As we are on the subject of love,” said Dr. Wentbridge, “I think young Mortimer is well affected to Charlotte; that would be a very good marriage for our girl, sister, and I should rather see a great grandson to you, father, in that way, than by so early a marriage of my nephew.” “Mortimer,” said Mrs. Hamilton, “is only a year older; besides, you know he is going abroad as secretary to our ambassador in France.” “I think,” said Wentbridge, “of late, he does not seem to relish that appointment, and frequently enlarges upon the pleasures of agriculture, and a country life. I observe, both he and my nephew are particularly bent on ingratiating themselves with the captain, who is the supreme director of the Mortimer family.”