Page:Edgar Huntly, or The Sleep Walker.djvu/50

 the evenness of her skin; but no time could rob her of the sweetness and intelligence which animated her features. Her habitual beneficence was bespoken in every look: always in search of occasions for doing good, always meditating scenes of happiness, of which she was the author; or of distress, for which she was preparing relief, the most torpid insensibility was for a time subdued, and the most depraved smitten by charms of which, in another person, they would not perhaps have been sensible.

"A casual visitant might enjoy her conversation, might applaud the rectitude of her sentiments, the richness of her elocution, and her skill in all the offices of politeness; but it was only for him who dwelt constantly under the same roof, to mark the inviolable consistency of her actions and opinions, the ceaseless flow of her candour, her cheerfulness, and her benevolence; it was only for one who witnessed her behaviour at all hours, in sickness and in health, her management of that great instrument of evil and good—money; her treatment of her son, her menials, and her kindred, rightly to estimate her merits.

"The intercourse between us was frequent, but of a peculiar kind. My office in her family required me often to see her, to submit schemes to her consideration, and receive her directions. At these times she treated me in a manner in some degree adapted to the difference of rank, and the inferiority of my station, and yet widely dissimilar from that which a different person would have adopted in the same circumstances: the treatment was not that of an equal and a friend, but still more remote was it from that of a mistress: it was merely characterised by affability and condescension; but as such it had no limits.

"She made no scruple to ask my counsel in every pecuniary affair, to listen to my arguments, and decide conformably to what, after sufficient canvassings and discussions, should appear to be right. When the direct occasions of our interview were dismissed, I did not of course withdraw: to detain or dismiss me was indeed at her option; but, if no engagement interfered, she would enter into general conversation. There was none who could, with more safety to herself, have made the world her confessor; but the