He felt he had been too much the victim of an ill-fated passion; he had by neglect in trifles encouraged the prejudice against him, lost himself active and willing friends; this should no longer be, and Myrvin devoted himself so perseveringly, so assiduously to his pupil, allowing himself scarcely any time for solitary thought, that not the keenest observer would have suspected there was that upon the young man's heart which was poisoning the buoyancy of youth, robbing life of its joy, and rendering him old before his time.
That Mr.Hamilton, the father of his Emmeline, that his feelings should have thus changed towards him, that he should admire and esteem instead of condemn, was a matter of truly heartfelt pleasure.

Hope would have shook aloft her elastic wings, and carried him beyond himself, had not that letter in the same hour dashed to the earth his soaring fancy, and placed the seal upon his doom.

He could not be mistaken; Mr.Hamilton knew all that had passed between him and Emmeline, and while he expressed his gratitude for the integrity and forbearance he (Myrvin) had displayed, he as clearly said their love was hopeless, their union never could take place.
Myrvin had known this before, then why did his heart sink in even deeper, darker despondency as he read?
why were his efforts at cheerfulness so painful, so unavailing?
He knew not and yet struggled on, but weeks, ay, months rolled by, and yet that pang remained unconquered still.
And did Emmeline become again in looks and glee as we have known her?
Was she even to her mother's eye again a child?
Strangers, even some of her father's friends, might still have deemed her so; but alas! a mother's love strove vainly thus to be deceived.

Health returned, and with it appeared to come her wonted enthusiasm, her animated spirits.
Not once did she give way to depression; hers was not that pining submission which is more pain to behold than decided opposition, that resignation which has its foundation in pride, not in humility, as its possessors suppose.

Emmeline's submission was none of these.