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28 and manners, in proportion as Sir Howard lost, Melliphant gained upon, her estimation: the former, of powers and abilities far inferior to the latter, could not so effectually throw a gloss upon his principles, but that a slight remark, a passing jest, apparently unimportant, would betray to Rosilia that he did not pay to moral rectitude its due regard. His intimacy and friendship with her parents increasing, as authorizing a greater familiarity, the assiduity and adulations he lavished on her person and accomplishments became more conspicuous.

Melliphant, on the contrary,—the apparently worthy and accomplished Melliphant,—seemed ever influenced in his conduct towards her by the utmost respect and deference: noticing with keen penetration the bent of her disposition, he was soon led to discover that Sir Howard was acting against himself in those open manifestations he made of his passion; that, like that plant which, at the slightest touch, shrinks within itself, the more he approached, the more she withdrew,—her affections being to be won only by degrees, and that only through the medium of what she was pleased to denominate virtue!

Sir Howard had introduced him to the De Brookes with the view of profiting by his assistance and advice. As an abettor and coadjutor in his plots, no man might have proved of more signal use to him; nevertheless, in the present case, veiling himself and his view's from Sir Howard, he resolved to act for himself alone, to profit by the occasion, and turn