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226 Airey, and humanity regarding her fate, dictated? Would Miss Airey receive his warnings however cautiously insinuated? It was uncertain whether she would or would not; or could it be expected that he, who was thus discreditably influenced in the pursuit of her, would listen to his expostulations, or to the most cogent argument he might adduce against his conduct? How cope with the passions of a headstrong opponent, with whom he had already acquired the character of a moralist; whose principles had been rendered severe by disappointment and melancholy; whose heart had become seared against future impressions from love, and rendered inaccesible to the charms of female sprightliness and raillery?

Thus weighing the subject, he dismissed it for the time, to be renewed in the future, under a point of view leading to greater energy and decision, worthy of one whose virtuous change of life, above the mere speculations of theory, was yet, by the practice, to give proofs of its unfeigned existence.

Disgusted with the insipid boastings of him who continued his unceasing assiduities to Miss Airey, without any advancement towards that issue doubtless anticipated by herself and friends—flirting with that young girl, until reports highly injurious