“I have observed that there has been something of the sort,” said Charlotte.

“And even now,” Edward went on, “if it were not for a letter which the post brought me this morning, and which obliges me to come to some resolution today, I should very likely have still kept it to myself.”

“What is it, then” asked Charlotte, turning affectionately toward him.

“It concerns our friend the Captain,” answered Edward; “you know the unfortunate position in which he, like many others, is placed.  It is through no fault of his own; but you may imagine how painful it must be for a person with his knowledge and talents and accomplishments, to find himself without employment.  I—­I will not hesitate any longer with what I am wishing for him.  I should like to have him here with us for a time.”

“We must think about that,” replied Charlotte; “it should be considered on more sides than one.”

“I am quite ready to tell you what I have in view,” returned Edward.  “Through his last letters there is a prevailing tone of despondency; not that he is really in any want.  He knows thoroughly well how to limit his expenses; and I have taken care for everything absolutely necessary.  It is no distress to him to accept obligations from me; all our lives we have been in the habit of borrowing from and lending to each other; and we could not tell, if we would, how our debtor and creditor account stands.  It is being without occupation which is really fretting him.  The many accomplishments which he has cultivated in himself, it is his only pleasure—­indeed, it is his passion—­to be daily and hourly exercising for the benefit of others.  And now, to sit still, with his arms folded; or to go on studying, acquiring, and acquiring, when he can make no use of what he already possesses;—­my dear creature, it is a painful situation; and alone as he is, he feels it doubly and trebly.”

“But I thought,” said Charlotte, “that he had had offers from many different quarters.  I myself wrote to numbers of my own friends, male and female, for him; and, as I have reason to believe, not without effect.”

“It is true,” replied Edward; “but these very offers—­these various proposals—­have only caused him fresh embarrassment.  Not one of them is at all suitable to such a person as he is.  He would have nothing to do; he would have to sacrifice himself, his time, his purposes, his whole method of life; and to that he cannot bring himself.  The more I think of it all, the more I feel about it, and the more anxious I am to see him here with us.”

“It is very beautiful and amiable in you,” answered Charlotte, “to enter with so much sympathy into your friend’s position; only you must allow me to ask you to think of yourself and of me, as well.”