Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/39

Rh both agreed, she was the most ordinary young woman we had ever beheld; she was, I presume, more than twenty-five years of age, under the common stature, of a very sallow complexion, large features, and a disagreeable cast in her eye; yet this same young lady had not been more than three weeks under the same roof with us, before we both became violently in love with her. Many days however elapsed, before either became acquainted with the passion of the other; but I could never conceal any thing long, especially from this my second self; and on a summer evening, as we pursued our usual walk through a flowery mead, on the margin of a beautiful river, both sadly pensive and sighing, as if our hearts were breaking, my friend mournfully inquired: "What, my dear Murray, afflicts you? why are you so sad?" I am ashamed of myself, I cannot tell you the cause of my distress. "Not tell me! would you, can you conceal any thing from me?" I felt the full force of a question, asked in a tone of endearing sympathy. No, my friend, you shall be made acquainted with my whole heart, I will have no reserves to you: but you, you also are unhappy, and I am ignorant of the cause! "Depend on it, I shall not hesitate to give you every mark of confidence, when you shall set the example." Well then, my brother, my friend, will you not wonder, (and indeed I am myself astonished) when I assure you, that I have conceived for Miss Dupee the strongest, and most tender passion! He started, appeared confused, and for some moments we both continued silent. At length, taking my hand, he said: "I pity you from my soul, nor do I blame your attachment; for, however unattractive in person, who that hears Miss Dupee converse, who that has any knowledge of her mind, can avoid loving her, even as you love her; and to prove to you how fully I am qualified to sympathise with you, let me frankly own, that I also love this charming woman." This unexpected avowal greatly afflicted me, I trembled lest so strong a passion, for the same object, should eventually prove fatal to our friendship. I expressed to this dear, amiable youth my apprehensions, when he caught my hand, and with glistening eyes, exclaimed: "Never, my brother, no never shall any thing separate between thee and me. By first communicating your sentiments, you have acquired a prior right, which I will not, dare not invade. No one else shall hear of my infant love, I will not allow myself to see her, but when seated by your side; and although I love her more than any body I ever have, or, as I believe, ever shall see, I never will be the cause of your unhappiness." This generosity was