Page:Stories after Nature.pdf/97

Rh having learnt a description of the lady, went about the town and country searching for her. This, however, ended fruitlessly, and he was about to return to his old methods of consolation with his friend; when in one of his searches he became himself a slave to the mad passion. But the goodness of his heart was placed in an unkindly ground; his love was a barren love, for the woman was a harlot; a notorious, abandoned, and beautiful harlot. For a long time he steeled his bosom against the fatality attending on an affection for such a woman; and smote his forehead, calling himself fool and beast. Soon, however, this gave way to the most fervent and overwhelming love for her; he only saw what she might be, feeling cruelly what she really was.

This woman moved among a circle of lords, and none could whisper in her ear whose words were not golden ones; therefore Edward, to be by her side, was obliged to draw largely upon his friend. Nor, indeed, did this go far with him in the riotous way in which he lived; nor furnish many opportunities by which to see this woman.

Deep thinking made him lose his colour and health; and one day when he returned, he was so abject and full of despair, that Edmund