Page:The Adventures of David Simple (1904).djvu/269

 man who will bear another's frailties, in my opinion, is the only person who deserves that name. Those people who let their pride intervene with their tenderness, enough to make them quarrel with their friends for their mistakes, may sometimes make an appearance of loving another, but in reality they never enter into engagements from any other motive than selfishness; and I think the person who forsakes his friend, only because he is not perfect, is much upon the same footing with one who will be no longer faithful to his friend than while fortune favours him. I have told you this story, sister, only to let you into the character of the man I so deservedly esteem; that, as you are my chief companion, when I talk of him (as I am fond of doing) you may not be an entire stranger to him. I left him at the academy, where I have since written to him, and am surprised I have had no answer. As to Le Neuf, we published his infamy, which obliged him to leave the academy.' Here my brother ceased." As soon as Isabelle had related thus much of her story, Cynthia desired her to rest herself before she proceeded; and, in the meantime, David could not forbear showing his indignation against Le Neuf, and declaring his approbation of the Marquis de Stainville's sentiments, that nothing but finding some great fault in the heart can ever excuse us for abandoning our friends. The whole company joined in their admiration of the Chevalier Dumont's behaviour; but perceiving that turning the conversation a little on indifferent subjects would be the best means of enabling Isabelle to relate what remained, they endeavoured to amuse her as much as lay in their power; and, as soon as she had a little recovered herself, she went on, as will be seen in the next chapter.