At this age she was peculiarly susceptible of the charms of beauty, grace, and moral excellence, when united in a person of the other sex.

She was imprudent, precisely because her own heart was incapable of guile.

She had never yet felt the sting of the poverty to which she was condemned, and had not reflected on the insuperable distance that custom has placed between the opulent and the poorer classes of the community.

She beheld Mr.Falkland, whenever he was thrown in her way at any of the public meetings, with admiration; and, without having precisely explained to herself the sentiments she indulged, her eyes followed him through all the changes of the scene, with eagerness and impatience.

She did not see him, as the rest of the assembly did, born to one of the amplest estates in the county, and qualified to assert his title to the richest heiress.