“One day Henry Wold, my fellow-student, inquired the cause of the palpable change in my bearing and disposition.  Would that my lips had been sealed to him forever!  I knew that he was honest and generous by nature, but I knew not to what extent his dissolute habits (gradually acquired by having ample means, and yielding by degrees to the temptations of vice) had perverted his good qualities.  I told him of my love, and while describing the charms of Laura, I was pleased to attribute the interest he evinced at the recital to his disinterested friendship for me, without the thought that he could be captivated himself with the bare description.  He begged me to introduce him.  This, too, gratified my pride, for I knew he would admire her.  The perfect form, rare beauty, intelligence, and wealth of Wold did not startle an apprehension in my breast.  But I knew not—­alas! who can know?—­the impulses that govern woman.  Wold accompanied me that night to Mrs. Arras’s.  He seated himself at Laura’s side, and poured forth a flood of flattery.  They smiled in unison and returned glance for glance.  Wold exhibited his fine person and exerted all his captivating powers of intellect.  Laura scanned the one and listened attentively to the other.  Still I sat by in satisfaction, and strove to repress every rising fear that my supremacy in Laura’s heart might be endangered.  That evening, as we returned homeward, in answer to my questions, Wold stated that my ‘intended’ was pretty enough for any young man, and would, without doubt, make a very good wife.  So far from exhibiting the extravagant admiration I expected, he seemed to speak of the object of my adoration with comparative indifference.  But a few evenings afterwards, I found him with Laura when I arrived!  I started back on beholding them seated on the same sofa as I entered the parlour.  Mrs. Arras was present, and wore a thoughtful expression of features.  Laura smiled on me, but I thought it was not a happy smile.  It did not render me happy.  Wold bowed familiarly, and made some witty remark about taking time by the forelock.  I sat down in silence, with a compressed lip, and an icy chillness in my breast.  An embarrassing pause ensued.  At length Mrs. Arras rose, and opening a folding-door, beckoned me into the adjoining room.  After we had been seated a few moments, during which her brow assumed a more grave and thoughtful cast, she observed—­

“‘You seem to be excited to-night, Charles.’

“‘I have cause to be so,’ I replied.

“‘I cannot deny it,’ said she, ’when I consider every thing that has transpired.  You doubtless have an attachment for Laura—­I have seen it—­and I confess it was and would be with my goodwill had I control of the matter.  I was acquainted with your family, and acted with the best of motives when I permitted, perhaps encouraged, the intimacy.  But I thought not of the austere and passionate nature of my brother-in-law.  Neither did I think that any man could object to your addresses to his daughter.  But I was mistaken.  Judge ____ has written that your interviews with Laura must terminate.’