“‘“If he is, he is too proud to say so. Like Achilles, he wraps himself up with his cloak of selfishness, and smiles at other people’s woes.” “‘I still held her little hand in mine, every now and then pressing it to my lips. “‘“Viola, how can you be so cruel, when you know how miserable I am?” “‘“I had no idea that you were miserable; pray what has caused it?” “‘“I love one whose high position places her so far above my humble sphere that I know she never can be mine.” “‘“We are all equals in the eyes of God, and the accidents of birth or fortune should make no difference with us--the worth of the man should be measured according to his deeds.” “‘“No doubt your theory is altogether correct, but you know that the world takes a different view of it” “‘“A man who strives to please the world in all things may expect to please himself in none. For my part, I think the world’s a humbug, and society a tyrant; and the man who worships either will make himself miserable. I believe it was Mr. Pope, in his ‘Essay on Man,’ who said, “‘”‘Honor and shame from no condition rise, Act well your part, there all the honor lies; Worth makes the man, and want of it the fellow; The rest is all but leather and prunella.’” “‘“Viola, don’t you know that I have been loving you devotedly ever since we first met?” “‘Her head sank down, and she turned her face from me to hide the tears that were streaming from her eyes. I was crazy with passion; my brain was on fire. I forgot my pride, I lost my self-possession; I was, for the time being, raving mad with love; I took her in my arms and held her against my heart--her head resting on my shoulder. I would be willing to suffer a long life of pain for an hour of such joy! but, alas! it could never be. Suddenly I recollected what I had done--I saw the folly of it--nay, I began to see the meanness of it, and my cheeks burned with shame. I felt like a cowardly sneak; I sprang away from Viola. “‘“Pardon my presumption, Miss Bramlett; upon my honor, I was joking; I beg you to forgive and forget me; I did not think of the impropriety of my conduct. Let us be good friends; that is all I ask, nothing more. I shall go to California. I--I--could have loved you, Miss Bramlett, under different circumstances; but, as it is, I must try to forget you; good-by--let us part as friends.”