In a word, I admired, perhaps I loved, this young person; but she was without an independence, and I not yet provided even with the substitute of money,--a profession.

I fancied (do not laugh at my vanity) that my feelings might be returned.

I was in alarm for her as well as myself; I sounded the clergyman as to the chance of obtaining the consent of her rich relation, and was informed that he thought it hopeless.

I felt I had no right to invite her to poverty and ruin, and still less to entangle further (if I had chanced to touch at all) her affection.

I made an excuse to my father to leave the town, and returned home." "Prudent and honourable enough, so far; unlike me,--I should have run off with the girl, if she loved me, and old Plutus, the rascal, might have done his worst against Cupid.