Page:Passions 2.pdf/383

Rh

(pauses and looks at Sea. who says nothing) Your measure of good things was compleat; it was impossible to add to it; there was no more for you to desire on this side of heaven. (pauses again.)

''Sea. (answering very tardily.)'' I had, indeed, many of the comforts of life.

Bea. Many of the comforts of life! you had every thing the heart of man can desire; and, pardon me, you could afford to lose part of your felicity, dear as that part might be, and still retain enough to make life worth the cherishing. To watch over your rising family; to mark the hopeful progress of their minds; to foster every good disposition and discourage every bad one found there: this, my friend, is a noble, an invigorating task, most worthy of a man.

Sea. It is certainly the duty of every man to attend to the education of his children: their fortunes in the world depend upon it.

''Bea. (looking displeased at him.)'' Poo! their fortunes in that world from which this will appear but like a nest of worms, a hole for grubs and chrysalis's, that world which is our high and native home, depend upon it. (walking up and down disturbed, and then returning to Sea. with a self-upbraiding look.) Forgive me, Seabright! you know I am sometimes thus, but my spark is soon extinguished. I am glad—I ought to be glad to see you so composed. It is a noble conquest you have gain'd over your feelings, and what must it not have cost you! Give me your hand, and be not thus constrained with me: I know the weakness of