Page:Tragical history of Jane Arnold (1).pdf/8

 heart, no one around him had suspected the traits of vice that lay lurking in his breast. His person and behaviour were formed to captivate; and he rarely failed to excite either friendship, or the more ardent passion, love, in those objects that he laboured to inspire with them.

His being Jane’s escort introduced him to Mr. Arnold and his wife, who, pleased with the manners of their new visitor, and in consideration of his being the brother of their dear Rosetta, gave him a general invitation to the farm, which he eagerly embraced; and availed himself of every opportunity that offered, to be in company with the innocent Jane, and whisper in her ear, soft vows of love, and declare an affection never to end but with life The heart of the youthful maid was not proof against the seducive powers of his tongue. Henry soon gained the entire possession of her affections; nor was he long ignorant of her sentiments in his favour. The pleasing confirmation, instead of inspiring him with the wish of calling her his own by indissoluble ties, and sharing with her the inestimable blessings of domestic felicity, only prompted him to proceed in a base design he had formed against her honour, even at their first interview: A base ambition fired Henry’s soul. Not content with the handsome competency which he would eventually derive from his father, and a genteel subsistance that he would earn himself, he had pre-determined never to marry, unless,