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108 too poor to marry, lovers are obliged to trust the future with all those hopes which the present denies; still, the consciousness of loving and being beloved was satisfaction enough. They were young enough both to wait, and to look forward with all the confidence in fate and each other that youth, and youth only, can feel. Oh! it takes many disappointments, both in faith and fortune, before the human heart, naturally so buoyant and so confiding, learns to despond and to distrust. Charles Penrhyn, for he was the object of Louisa's preference, had expectations—that term, so vague when those expectations depend upon others. When Lord, then Mr. Penrhyn, married a distant relative of his own, pretty and portionless, he expressly protested against any hopes that her family might form. Still, when one dying off after another left only the youngest an orphan, it became a needful sacrifice to public opinion to do something for a relative who people in general would consider as having a claim upon him. A situation was therefore found for Charles in the Foreign Office—immediate provision was thus secured, and there was some talk of pushing him forward in the diplomatic line. But Lord Penrhyn, being able to talk of what he had done for his brother-in-law, was in no hurry to do more; besides, he soon found that Charles was exceedingly useful in looking over his accounts, letters, &c.—he was a private secretary in all but the salary—while the young man was delighted at the opportunity of proving his gratitude;