Whatever might be the opinion of Mrs. Pynsent respecting an alliance with "a Wetheral," her son was plunging into the scrape with formidable determination. He had truly admired Julia; he had been severely disappointed by her refusal; but then she never cared for him, and he had applied to her father in doubt and fearful suspicion that she preferred Ennismore. There was a lovely and admired creature positively in love with him--a girl, too, considered by the men inaccessible to all approach--even Vyvyan detected her attachment, and the Tyndals envied him; this was irresistible; and Tom Pynsent forgot every thing, in the flattering, rapturous idea that he was loved by such a woman. His attention that night was extremely marked, and Miss Wetheral, glowing with happy elation of spirits, listened with deep interest to the half-sentimental, half-awkward conversation of her partner. At the conclusion of the dance, which attracted the attention of Mrs. Tyndal, Tom Pynsent became more seriously sentimental and red-faced. "Miss Wetheral, I think a man may love twice, mayn't he?" "He may so," replied Anna Maria, "but no one ever loves with depth of affection a second time; how can they?" Tom Pynsent looked at his gloves, and then upon the ground. "Indeed I don't know." "The first affection," she continued, with feeling, "unites all the best feelings in their intensity; but when they are crushed, those feelings bloom no more, though they may not be extinguished." "Sometimes one's first love is a silly affair," remarked Tom, looking inquisitively, yet alarmed, at his companion. "They may be silly, and they may be objectionable, Mr. Pynsent; but they destroy happiness at the time, and a first sorrow is the bitterest." "I think I could love a second time just as well as I did at first, if I knew a nice girl liked me, and believed what I told her--" Tom Pynsent stopped. A deep sigh from Anna Maria disordered him, but it animated his courage at the same time. "I know many people very happy with their second loves," said Tom Pynsent, looking shy. "Men may love twice, but women never, if they really feel an attachment for an object," answered Miss Wetheral. "I liked your sister Julia extremely, Miss Wetheral; but she did not care about me, and a man cannot always be miserable about a woman who runs out of his way. I would rather love a woman who liked me in return, and would not check me with stern looks. I am sure I should love my wife very much; and if she objected to hunting, I would never go out more than four days in the week, and I am sure she might have her own way in every thing." Anna Maria coloured with emotion, and turned from the eager gaze of her companion; her timidity gave increased animation to the speaker, and he proceeded boldly.