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 model of a gentleman; and an upright man。 She soon got up quite a prejudice against Mrs。 Stanley; and as for Hazlehurst; he fell very low indeed in her estimation。

〃You don't know what trouble poor William has with this suit;〃 she said to her brother。 〃I am sometimes afraid it will make him sick。 It does seem very strange; that Mr。 Stanley's executors should be so obstinate in refusing to acknowledge his son。 At first it was natural they should hesitate; I mistrusted this sailor at first; myself; but now that William has made everything so clear; they cannot have any excuse for their conduct。〃

Charlie whipped the flies from his horse; without answering this remark。

〃I hope William will come home to…night。 He and Mr。 Stanley have gone off together; to get possession of some very important papers; they received a letter offering these papers; only the night before last; and William says they will establish Mr。 Stanley's claim; beyond the possibility of a denial。 Mr。 Wyllys and Mr。 Hazlehurst will feel very badly; I should think; when they find that after all; they have been keeping their friend's son from his rights。〃

〃They believe they are doing their duty;〃 said Charlie; laconically。

〃It seems a strange view of duty; to act as they do。〃

〃Strange views of duty are very common;〃 said Charlie; glad to take refuge in generalities。

〃Common sense and common honesty will help us all to do our duty;〃 observed Kate。

〃No doubt; but both are more uncommon qualities than one would think; among rational beings;〃 said Charlie。

〃Well; you know; Charles; Patsey used to tell us when we were children; that a plain; honest heart; and plain; good sense were the best things in the world。〃

〃That is the reason; I suppose; why we love our sister Patsey so much; because she has so much of those best things in the world;〃 said Charlie; warmly。 〃I never saw a woman like her; for downright; plain goodness。 The older I grow; the better I know her; and I love you; Kate; for the same reasonyou are straightforward and honest; too;〃 he added; smiling。

〃William often laughs at me; though; and says my opinion is not good for much;〃 said the sister; shaking her head; but smiling prettily at the same time。

〃I am sure no one can complain of your actions; Kate; whatever your opinions may be;〃 replied Charlie; and whatever might have been his estimate of Clapp's views; he forbore to utter a syllable on the subject; for he respected the wife's affection; and knew that his brother…in…law had at least one good qualityhe was kind and faithful as a husband and father; according to common…place ideas of faithfulness at least; for he would any day risk their character and peace; to make a little money。

The conversation of the young people soon turned upon their trifling; foolish; unfortunate cousin; Mrs。 Hilson; and this was a subject; upon which both brother and sister agreed entirely。 Before long; they drove up to Mr。 Clapp's door; and were received by the lawyer himself; who had just returned with his client; this latter individual was also seen lounging in the office。 Mr。 Clapp professed himself entirely satisfied with the result of his journey; and declared that they were now quite ready for Mr。 Hazlehurstsure of a victory; beyond all doubt。

The time had not been lost by Harry and his friends; however; they too; thought themselves ready for the trial。 As the important day was drawing near; Mr。 Ellsworth was obliged to leave Wyllys…Roof; he had done all he could at Longbridge; and there were still various matters to be looked after in Philadelphia。 Mrs。 Creighton accompanied her brother; and they were not to return to Wyllys…Roof until after the important question was decided。 Hazlehurst was then to come with them; whether defeated or triumphant could not yet be known。 Harry's friends; however; were generally sanguine; and Mrs。 Creighton was full of sympathy; and in excellent spirits。

There remained another affair; which must also be finally settled in a few weeks。 When Mr。 Ellsworth returned to Wyllys…Roof; the appointed three months of probation would have expired; and he would either remain there as the affianced husband of Elinor; or leave Longbridge her rejected suitor。

During the past three months; Elinor had taken an important step in life; she had reached a point in experience; where she had never stood before。 The whole responsibility of deciding upon a subject; highly important to herself; and to those connected with her; had been thrown entirely upon her alone。 The fate of her whole life would be much involved in the present decision。 During the last two or three years; or in other words; since she had first discovered that Harry loved Jane; she had intended to remain single。 It seemed very improbable to her; that any one would seek to gain her affections; unless with the view of enjoying the fortune which she had now the reputation of possessing; it was only natural that she should exaggerate those personal disadvantages; which had lost the heart of him whom she had once loved so truly。 She had been so much attached to Hazlehurst; that she shrunk from the idea of ever becoming the wife of another; and she considered herself as having tacitly made choice of a single life; which her mother's letter seemed to suggest。 But as she never spoke of her views; or alluded to them; her grandfather and aunt were ignorant of this intention; and she soon began to observe with regret that they wished her to marry; and were indeed anxious that she should accept Mr。 Ellsworth。 This was the first occasion of any importance; on which their wishes and her own had been at variance; it was a new position for Elinor to be placed in。 When Mr。 Ellsworth made his proposal; it was owing to the strong; but affectionate representations of Mr。 Wyllys and Miss Agnes; that he was not immediately rejected。 Elinor was; in fact; the last person to be convinced of his regard for her; but she had known his character and standing too well to believe him a mere fortune…hunter; and after he had once offered himself; could not doubt his sincerity。 She mentioned to Miss Wyllys her previous intention of remaining single。

〃Make no rash decision; my love;〃 was the reply at the time。 〃You are too reasonable; for me to believe that you will do so; look at your own position; Elinor; you will be alone in the world; more so than most women。 Your grandfather is advanced in years; and my health warns me not to expect a long life。 I do not wish to distress you; but to place the truth plainly before you; my Elinor。 You have neither brother nor sister; Jane and Harry; your intimate companions in childhood; will be separated from you by ties and duties of their own。 What will you do; my child? An affectionate disposition like yours cannot be happy alone。 On the other hand; here is Mr。 Ellsworth; who is certainly attached to you; a man of excellent character; with every important quality that can be desired。 You say you wish to be reasonable; judge for yourself what is the wisest course under these circumstances。〃

Elinor was silent for a moment; at length she spoke。

〃It has always been one of your own lessons to me; dearest aunt; to profit by the past; to improve the present; and leave the future to Providence。 Yet; now; you would have me think of the future only; and you urge me to marry; while you are single; and happy; yourself!〃

〃Yes; my child; but I have had your grandfather and you; to make me happy and useful。 Most single women have near relatives; to whom they can attach themselves; whom it is a duty and a pleasure to love and serve; but that is not your case。 Elinor; your grandfather is very anxious you should accept Mr。 Ellsworth。〃

〃I know it;〃 said Elinor; 〃he has told me so himself。〃

〃He is anxious; dear; because from what he knows of Mr。 Ellsworth and yourself; he is convinced you would eventually be happy; he fears you hesitate from some feeling of girlish romance。 Still; we have neither of us any wish to urge you too far。 Appeal to your own good; common sense; that is all that can be desired; do not be romantic; dear; for the first time in your life;〃 continued her aunt smiling。 〃I know the wishes of your friends will have some weight with 

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