Page:Duty and Inclination. Volume 3.pdf/46

44 Deeply ruminating upon the possibility of such an event, to what new expedient could he resort, whereby to defeat Sir Howard, and further promote, as well as assure to himself those advantages he had already, by his persevering industry, acquired? Fruitful as he was in resources, it was not long ere new projects were suggested upon the subject, which, as they became more maturely weighed and digested, needed but to be carried into execution.

In the adjoining house to Melliphant's lived a widow lady, who, though past the meridian of life, retained that fondness for those dissipated pleasures which a tolerable share of beauty, and some gaiety of manner, had rendered so fascinating during the period of her youth; when, fond of admiration, she drank in with avidity the flatteries of those who hovered around her for no other purpose than to indulge in the zest of the moment. Light-minded and frivolous, as her beauty faded she was still, from the possession of a handsome income, in some degree enabled to attract that homage she so much prized. Her company continued to be courted by the worldly votaries of either sex; but whether it was for herself alone, or for the agreeable entertainments she gave, the question never found admittance to her thoughts.

Melliphant was one whom she had found the best neighbour in the world; he was at all times ready to make himself useful, going to her at all hours, and joining her petits soupers. A more than common