Page:Tragical history of George Barnwell (1).pdf/8

 of his felicity was to render discontent triumphant. He had been a neighbour of Sir James's for many years, but saw no company at his own house, and seldom accepted an invitation from any other; whencverwhenever [sic] he did, it was his invariable custom to singlcsingle [sic] out one from the young part of the company, witnwith [sic] whom he would abruptly enter into conversation. Young Barnwell was singled out for this purpose; and they entered into a long discourse, in which each appeared to take an interest. Mental appeared less and less disgusting in the eyes of George, and George delighted old Mental, who expressed a wish that this might not be the last of their conversation. "You are an inmate of Sir James's, I presume." said he. "For the present, (replied Barnwell); But in a few weeks I shall quite this place for London,""London!" (cried Mental.) What takes you to that focus of corruption and folly?""My Uncle has most generously entered into a treaty with a merchant there, a share of whose concern is to become mine after the usual initation.""A merchant! (exclaimed Mental,) Can you condemn your noble faculties to courses of Exchange? Have you thought what you are about to undertake? As you value your happiness for life reflect; now is the important moment, the period of your existance, that, will glid with pleasure, or darken with discontent, cveryevery [sic] scene as yet behind the veil of time: I feel a lively interest in your welfare, and if you can trust yourself with me for an hour to-morrow, I will venture to say you will not regret it."