Allan was standing by, looking over her, with one hand thrown round her neck, and a finger of the other pointing to a passage in Julia's third letter. "Maria! in my hours of visionary indulgence, I have sometimes painted to myself a _husband_--no matter whom--comforting me amidst the distresses which fortune had laid upon us. I have smiled upon him through my tears; tears, not of anguish, but of tenderness!--our children were playing around us, unconscious of misfortune; we had taught them to be humble, and to be happy; our little shed was reserved to us, and their smiles to cheer it.--I have imagined the luxury of such a scene, and affliction became a part of my dream of happiness." The girl blushed as she read, and trembled--she had a sort of confused sensation, that Allan was noticing her--yet she durst not lift her eyes from the book, but continued reading, scarce knowing what she read. Allan guessed the cause of her confusion, Allan trembled too--his color came and went--his feelings became impetuous--and flinging both arms round her neck, he kissed his young favorite. Rosamund was vexed and pleased, soothed and frightened, all in a moment--a fit of tears came to her relief. Allan had indulged before in these little freedoms, and Rosamund had thought no harm of them; but from this time the girl grew timid and reserved--distant in her manner, and careful of her behavior in Allan's presence--not seeking his society as before, but rather shunning it--delighting more to feed upon his idea in absence. Allan too, from this day, seemed changed: his manner became, though not less tender, yet more respectful and diffident--his bosom felt a throb it had till now not known, in the society of Rosamund--and, if he was less familiar with her than in former times, that charm of delicacy had superadded a grace to Rosamund, which, while he feared, he loved. There is a _mysterious character_, heightened, indeed, by fancy and passion, but not without foundation in reality and observation, which true lovers have ever imputed to the object of their affections. This character Rosamund had now acquired with Allan--something _angelic, perfect, exceeding nature._ Young Clare dwelt very near to the cottage. He had lost his parents, who were rather wealthy, early in life; and was left to the care of a sister some ten years older than himself. Elinor Clare was an excellent young lady--discreet, intelligent, and affectionate. Allan revered her as a parent, while he loved her as his own familiar friend. He told all the little secrets of his heart to her--but there was _one_, which he had hitherto unaccountably concealed from her--namely, the extent of his regard for Rosamund.