“I am sorry, sir,” replied that gentleman, “that you should think it necessary to apply the word imposture to any' proceeding of mine. You ought to know my mother's outspoken way, and that her heart is kinder than her language. The fact is, from the first moment I saw that beautiful girl I felt a warm interest in her, and I feel that interest increasing every day. I certainly am very anxious to secure her for her own sake, whilst I candidly admit that I am not wholly indifferent to the property. I am only a common man like others, and not above the world and its influences--who can be that lives in it? My mother, besides, will come to think better of Alice, and all of them, when she shall be enabled to call Alice daughter; won't you, mother?” The mother, who knew by the sentiments which he had expressed to her before on this subject, that he was now playing a game with the family, did not consider it prudent to contradict him; she consequently replied,-- “I don't know, Harry; I cannot get their trick about the property out of my heart; but, perhaps, if I saw it once more where it ought to be, I might change. That's all I can say at present.” “Well, come, Harry,” said Lindsay--adverting to what he had just said--“I think you have spoken fairly enough; I do--it's candid; you are not above this world; why should you be?--come, it is candid.” “I trust, sir, you will never find me un-candid, either on this or any other subject.” “No; I don't think I shall, Harry. Well, be it so--setting your mother out of the question,--proceed with equal candor in your courtship. I trust you deserve her, and, if so, I hope you may get her.” “If he does not,” said Maria, “he will never get such a wife.” “By the way, Harry,” asked Charles, “has she given you an intimation of anything like encouragement?” “Well, I rather think I am not exactly a fool, Charles, nor likely to undertake an enterprise without some prospect of success. I hope you deem me, at least, a candid man.” “Yes; but there is a class of persons who frequently form too high an estimate of themselves, especially in their intercourse with women; and who very often mistake civility for encouragement.” “Very true, Charles--exceedingly just and true; but I hope I am not one of those either; my knowledge of life and the world will prevent me from that, I trust.” “I hope,” continued Charles, “that if the girl is adverse to such a connection she will not be harassed or annoyed about it.” “I hope, Charles, I have too much pride to press any proposal that may be disagreeable to her; I rather think I have. But have you, Charles, any reason to suppose that she should not like me?” “Why, from what you have already hinted, Harry, you ought to be the best judge of that yourself.”