“You cannot, certainly, mean to say,” returned her friend, “that the impression made upon society by Mr. Gray is either a false or disgraceful one.”
“I should be sorry to make that assertion, for I do not believe such to be the case,” Rose replied. “What I mean is, that I can read Mr. Hambleton’s true character, and I know it to be based upon fixed and high-toned principles. These can never make the woman who truly loves him unhappy. They give place to no moral contingencies, by which hopes are so often wrecked, and hearts broken. Now, in regard to Mr. Gray, there is nothing in his character, so far as I can, read it, upon which to predicate safe calculations of this kind. He is intelligent, and highly interesting as a companion. His personal appearance and his address are attractive. But all below the exterior is hidden. The moral qualities of the man never show themselves. I feel that to give my heart to such a one would be risking too much. Of course, I must decline his offer.”
“Indeed, indeed, Rose, I think you are very foolish!”
“Time will show, Annette.”
“Yes, time will show,” was the prophetic response. And time did show that Rose made a right choice, when she accepted the offer of James Hambleton, and gave him, with her hand, a warm, true heart.
THE FORTUNE-HUNTER.
“I KNOW a young lady who will suit you exactly.”
“Indeed!”
“It’s a fact. She is just the thing.”
“Is she rich?”
“Of course.”
“How rich?”
“Worth some fifty thousand dollars.”
“Are you sure?”
“Certainly. Her father died about a year ago, and she was his only child. Her mother has been dead many years. The old man was well off, and his daughter received all of his property, and, as she is of age, she has it all under her own control.”
“Is she handsome?”
“Just so-so. But that don’t matter a great deal. Gold is beautiful.”
“Exactly. And intelligent?”
“I’ve seen smarter girls. But that’s all the better, you know.”
“Yes. Well now, who is she? That’s the next question.”
“Her name is Margaretta Riston, and she is now living with an old aunt in Sycamore street.”
“Are you acquainted?”
“Intimately.”
“Then be kind enough to introduce me forthwith. I must make a conquest of some rich heiress soon, or I shall have to run away, or petition for the benefit of the Insolvent Law.”
“To-night, if you choose.”
“Very well—let it be to-night. There is no time to be lost.”
“Suppose she won’t accept you?”
“She must. I’m as good-looking a fellow as you’ll find in a dozen; and I flatter myself that I have a smooth tongue in my head.”
“Well, success to you, I say! But look here, Smith: if you succeed, I shall expect a premium.”
“There’ll be no difficulty about that, Perkins. But let me secure the prize first; and then say how much you’ll want. You’ll not find me the man to forget a friend.”
“I’m sure of that,” responded the other, laughing.
And then the friends shook each other’s hands heartily, promising, as they parted, to meet early in the evening, preparatory to visiting the heiress.
“You would not have me suspicious of every young man who visits me!” said Margaretta Riston, in reply to a remark made by her aunt, on the same evening that the two young men had proposed calling on her.
“I would rather have you suspicious, or, rather, exceedingly watchful, than to be altogether off of your guard. Many dangers beset the path of a rich young girl like you. There are, and I am sorry to say it, too many young men in society, who are mere money-hunters—young men who would marry an heiress during the first hour of their acquaintance, and marry her, of course, only for her money.”
“I can hardly credit it, aunt. And I am sure that no young men of my acquaintance are so selfish and mercenary!”
“In that assumption lies a fatal error, believe me, my dear niece! Too many, alas! too many young girls have vainly imagined, as you do now, that, though there might be men of base characters in society, none such were of their acquaintances. These have awakened from their fatal error with the sad consciousness that they had become victims to their fond infidelity. Rather suspect all until you have convincing evidence to the contrary, than remain unguarded until it is too late.”
“But don’t you see, aunt, how in this case I would do wrong to sincere and honest minds? And I cannot bear the thought of doing wrong to any one.”
“You do no wrong to any one, my niece, in withholding full confidence until there is evidence that full confidence may be safely bestowed. In the present evil state of the world, involving, as it does, so much of false appearance, hypocrisy, and selfish motive, it is absolutely necessary, especially with one in your situation, to withhold all
