Lovibond.

Markham was certainly a man of talent in his profession; but it does not follow that because he understood law, he was therefore versed in a knowledge of all the vagaries of the human mind. He was a straightforward, regular, honest-minded man, knowing what he had learned, and capable of learning quickly; but there was much in the world that he knew not, and had never suspected. By this was he occasionally deceived, but not a second time by the same means. Being a modest young man, and supposing that the most confident of the softer sex must be more diffident and retiring than the most diffident of his own sex, he had not the most distant suspicion that Miss Henderson had any design on his heart. Many young men, far below Markham in all that is truly reputable in moral feeling and intellectual discrimination, have frequently fancied that individuals of the softer sex have entertained towards them sentiments of love and affection, and have even made advances. This was a feeling which Markham was much above: he had indeed heard such language made use of by young men of his acquaintance, but he gave them credit for a little exaggeration or a large share of imagination; he never thought it possible that there could be any literal and actual truth in such language. Now the common impression on the human mind is, that the thing which is impossible cannot be; and therefore whenever that which we think to be impossible does actually occur, we almost doubt our own senses, and believe any thing rather than that our notions are incorrect. Markham accordingly could not by any means be brought to believe that Miss Henderson was forming designs upon him; and therefore when he paid his promised visit to the popular preacher, he was most completely off his guard as concerns the designs and intents of Miss Henderson.

He quickly perceived that this young lady was the most important personage in the family; that Mr. and Mrs. Henderson were not affectionately fond, but parentally proud of their eldest daughter. Such is the notion that some persons seem to entertain of the progress of intellect, that multitudes of parents consider their own children as wiser and more knowing than themselves. And when a parent has expended a serious sum of money on the education of a child, it is rather desirable and happy for him that he can enjoy the imagination that the money has not been thrown away, but that it has abundantly answered the purpose. This feeling Mr. and Mrs. Henderson both enjoyed as it related to their eldest daughter. Mr. Henderson himself was not much of a reading man; indeed, he had no time for such pursuits. It was enough for him to write fine sermons, and to visit fine folks, and to give occasionally some lessons to young ladies or gentlemen on geography and elocution; for which no mighty extent of reading was required. He therefore thought his daughter exceedingly well informed. And as the young lady was by no means selfish or incommunicative of knowledge, her tongue was in pretty constant activity, especially when and where she desired to produce an effect, and this desire she felt very strongly and very frequently.

From the intercourse which had for a while subsisted between Miss Henderson and Clara Rivolta, the former had acquired many ideas and opinions, and had treasured many quotations and criticisms from the latter; and some of these notions, especially the critical, Clara had derived from Markham. When Markham therefore heard these sentiments and opinions from Miss Henderson, he was, to say the least, somewhat pleased. He had not the slightest suspicion of the source from whence Miss Henderson derived her knowledge, or acquired her taste: and when people express the same opinions which we ourselves entertain, we naturally and very justly set down these people as being very sensible and well-informed. So did Markham think that Miss Henderson was a very accomplished and well-instructed young woman; and as with young critics talking is contagious, these two young persons prated away most intemperately. All the popular writers and all the popular productions of the day underwent a strict and critical discussion.

From talking of books and literature, the conversation went on to the abstractions of philosophy and that common-place kind of prate which knowing young ladies and intellectual dandies can easily manage and repeat. In their views of human nature the two young persons seemed also to agree perfectly well, so that they were astonished at their own and at each other's wisdom. Miss Henderson expressed herself so delighted with a little rational conversation, and lamented that it was so seldom that she could enjoy such a treat as this. The flattery was rather fulsome, but it took. Markham was entirely of her opinion, that the enjoyment of intellectual discourse was a high and refined pleasure. He also wished that he could enjoy it more frequently. Miss Henderson did not directly but indirectly insinuate that nothing could afford her higher pleasure than conversing with Markham.

Among other topics of discussion there came on of course a dissertation of theatrical exhibitions. Here again the parties coincided. The popular actors, singers, and dancers, had their usual allowance of criticism. It was unanimously agreed that the Opera was the only place of public amusement worth visiting; but Mrs. Henderson thought it was too expensive a pleasure: fortunately, however, Markham had the use of an ivory ticket admitting two persons; and what should prevent Miss Henderson from availing herself of that very ready way of gaining access to the Opera? A time was presently fixed for Markham to have the honor of accompanying Miss Henderson to the Opera. This was a great point gained by the young lady; and now she thought that nothing was wanting but to let Mr. Markham understand that there was no obstacle which need prevent him from having as much of Miss Henderson's intellectual conversation as he pleased.

It was at this point of her acquaintance with Markham that Miss Henderson sent in her resignation of Mr. Tippetson: there was not, therefore, quite so much disinterestedness in the matter as at first sight there appeared to be. The changing of the objects of affection is sometimes painful; but Miss Henderson was so much accustomed to it, that to her it was a trifle. It is a valuable acquisition to learn so perfectly the art of transferring the heart: for life is short, and youth is shorter still; and if the affections be very pertinacious, and the memory obstinately adhesive, a great deal of time is lost after a disappointment; but Miss Henderson took care never to lose any time in that way.

Markham, had he been asked his opinion of Miss Henderson, would probably not have been able to give a very definite answer; for the truth is, he had not taken the trouble to form an opinion; he had been entertained with her talk, and also entertained with her capacity for listening, for he was especially well pleased to hear the sound of his own voice: therefore, Miss Henderson's company was not unpleasant or wearisome to him. But he had never thought of her as he had of Clara Rivolta, nor was it likely that he should, even though she might have the same opinions on matters of taste and literature as Clara: for there is a wide and visible difference between the utterance of thoughts borrowed from others and the expression of the results of personal and individual reflection; just as there is between the music of a barrel-organ and that produced by the fingers of a master. Markham's indifference rendered him a better object for Miss Henderson's attention. He was not on his guard against her ingenious mode of progressing into terms of intimacy and acquaintance. Now, if Mr. Henry Augustus Tippetson had been as generous and liberal towards Horatio Markham with respect to Miss Henderson, as Miss Henderson was to Clara Rivolta with respect to Mr. Tippetson, it would have tended considerably to open the eyes of the young barrister, and to put him upon his guard. It is very cruel in young ladies to take such advantage of inexperienced and unsuspicious youths as Miss Henderson took of Horatio Markham.

The young gentleman found himself most unaccountably often at the house of Mr. Henderson. He found that he was received with the greatest cordiality, and that the children, the little brothers and sisters of Miss Henderson, were quite as familiar with him as if he were absolutely related to the family. Markham was not treated as a stranger, but he was described and spoken of as "Only Mr. Markham," "Nobody but Mr. Markham." And this continued and proceeded for several weeks; and all that Mr. Markham thought about the matter was, the Hendersons were a very sociable family.

The ivory ticket to the Opera was in constant requisition. Markham offered it to Mr. Henderson that he might accompany his daughter; but Miss Henderson generally so contrived that something prevented pa from going, and then there was no alternative but Markham must go himself. Unfortunately, Miss Henderson was acquainted with the Italian language, so also was Markham. And notwithstanding the publicity of the situation, Miss Henderson would never spare Markham's blushes when any expression of peculiar tenderness or pathos occurred. The young lady's figure, though not very striking or unusual, was yet so set off by dress as to be rather particular. Her means did not keep pace with her appetite for dress; and as she could never spare one single article of finery, she generally carried her whole stock of decoration about her person every time she went to the Opera. In a very short time she was known and remarked for the singularity of being so very fine, and always appearing with the same finery. Some of Markham's acquaintance who were by birth and connexion a grade or two above him, but who respected him for his good-humor and talents, would occasionally join him, and look very strangely and inquiringly on the young lady who accompanied him. Sometimes they would banter him on the loss of his heart; but it was so gently done, that he, unconscious of such loss, would not understand the allusion.

As Horatio had been first attracted to Mr. Henderson's chapel by the fame of his eloquence, and had thus been led into an acquaintance with the family, and as Miss Henderson generally contrived to procure frequent visits to the house, and as Markham had not much time to spare, it came to pass that he very seldom went to any other house than to Mr. Henderson's. As also, Miss Henderson had made up her mind that nobody but herself could be a proper and fit companion for Markham, and that nobody but Markham could be a proper and fit companion for herself; it so happened, that Mr. Markham and Miss Henderson were much more frequently together than the poor young man was aware of: thereupon, very naturally, the subject began to be talked of by their respective friends and acquaintance. Every body said that it would be a most excellent match for Miss Henderson; and the parents of the young lady received the congratulations of their friends and neighbours on the fine prospect that was opening in the projected marriage of their daughter with a young gentleman of such promising talents, and honored with such high patronage as Markham.

The young gentleman was much to be pitied that he was thus placed in imminent danger of being disposed of without his own consent. Being a man of principle and honor, he could not think of retracting even from an implied engagement; and being very partial to that species of homage which he received from Miss Henderson, his assiduous attentions were so very remarkable that all the observing friends of the parties took it for granted that an engagement was already formed or soon would be formed between them: so that although no actual promise had been given, it was considered by the young lady herself and her particular friends that a virtual promise had been given, which to such a man as Markham was as binding as any form of obligation whatever. If any of our readers be surprised that a man of good understanding should be thus duped, and led on step by step into such a dilemma as this our unfortunate friend is here represented to have been, let them consider that the best understanding in the world cannot see or apprehend any object to which its attention has not been directed; let them also consider that Markham was young and of unsuspicious temper, and not much versed in what are called the ways of the world: all indeed that he knew of the world was that it was round, and flattened at the poles, and that it turned round from west to east, so that the sun appeared to move from east to west; and a few other particulars which had come to him in the way of geographical instruction, formed the sum total of his knowledge of the world: let it be again considered that he was not insensible to approbation, but that his appetite for praise was somewhat acute, and that he was not by any means averse from display and exhibition of his own literary acquirements. This disposition of mind is sometimes laughed at; but notwithstanding all its apparent littleness and weakness, it often prompts to great and valuable efforts, whereby the individual mind receives benefit, and whereby benefit also accrues to society. The existence and operation of this feeling is recognised by all nations, not excepting those in the highest state of civilisation. Rome conquered the world by ingeniously flattering its military heroes; and what are statues and ornamented marble monuments, but a lesson to the living rather than a reward to the dead; and powerful indeed must that feeling be which is gratified even by an anticipation of those honors which may be paid to the unconscious dust. If then the thought of cold flattering marble can raise such heroism and inspire to such diligence, surely the flattery of living lips and the commendation of the fair form of youth and beauty may be allowed to have an influence over the mind of a young man, unsuspicious of the selfish and individual object for which those praises are given.

These considerations may account for Markham's being so situated with respect to Miss Henderson, as to be her constant attendant. What else could he have done? They had spoke of the Opera; he had an ivory ticket, and made the offer of it; but two of Miss Henderson's family could not contrive to go at once, and there was no alternative but for Markham to offer his services and accompany the young lady. He could not but call at the house again; and if Miss Henderson would introduce the subject of the opera, and if she would talk in language of high commendation of the opera next to be performed, surely the young gentleman could not refuse, or omit to invite her to a second, and so on to a third and fourth opera. And as Miss Henderson was by no means disagreeable or unpleasant in her manners, but was, on the contrary, of pleasing address, and had a musical and pleasant intonation of voice, he not only attended her to the Opera, but was also very attentive to her there. Almost every body knows that an immense mass of words may be uttered, manifesting neither great wisdom nor great folly; and if these words be uttered by a person whom we take to be wise, we think there is wisdom in them; and if uttered by a person whom we think a fool, we can then discern folly in them. Now as Markham belonged to a profession which tells us that every man is presumed to be innocent till he is proved to be guilty, he perhaps considered that every woman is presumed to be wise till she has been proved to be a fool; and as Miss Henderson had not yet proved herself a fool, all her chattering and prating and second-hand sensibility passed off very well.