But yet his abstracted mood, his gloomy life, certain words that have broken from him unawares,--certain tell-tale emotions, which words of mine, heedlessly said, have fiercely aroused, all united, inspire me,--shall I say it,--with fear and distrust.

I cannot think him altogether the calm and pure being he appears.

Madeline, I have asked myself again and again, is this suspicion the effect of jealousy?
do I scan his bearing with the jaundiced eye of disappointed rivalship?
And I have satisfied my conscience that my judgment is not thus biassed.

Stay! listen yet a little while! You have a high--a thoughtful mind.

Exert it now.