He had long admired Julia for her
beauty and good feelings; he did not see one half
of her folly, and he knew all of her worth; her
enthusiastic friendship for Miss Miller was
forgotten; even her mirth at his own want of
heroism had at the moment escaped his memory--
and the power of the young lady over him was
never greater.
"How admirable in you, Julia," he said, seating
himself by her side, "to urge what was against your
own wishes, in order to oblige your aunt!"
"Do you think so, Charles?" said the other simply;
"but you see I urged it feebly, for I did not prevail."
"No, for you mistook your aunt's wishes, it seems:
she desires to go--but then all the loveliness of the
act was yours."
At the word loveliness, Julia raised her eyes to his
face with a slight blush--it was new language for
Charles Weston to use, and it was just suited to
her feelings. After a moment's pause. however, she
replied--
"You use strong language, cousin Charles, such as
is unusual for you."
"Julia, although I may not often have expressed it,
I have long thought you to be very lovely!"
exclaimed the young man, borne away with his
ardour at the moment.
"Upon my word, Charles, you improve," said Julia,
blushing yet more deeply, and, if possible, looking
still handsomer than before.
"Julia--Miss Warren--you tear my secret from me
before its time--I love you, Julia, and would wish to
make you my wife.
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