“‘In what estimation do you hold him?’ I asked.

“‘As a man without honour or virtue,’ she said, decidedly.

“‘That is a broad and severe judgment,’ I replied.

“’So it is.  I have made it for myself.  Of course, I cannot expect others to view him in the same light; nor do I believe many others would form this conclusion from the evidences that were presented to my mind.  But, as for me, I have no doubt on the subject.  Rather than become his wife, I would suffer death; for a union with him would be, to me, the depth of misery.’

“The seriousness with which Sarah spoke satisfied me that she believed all she said, and had, at some cost of feeling, rejected an offer of marriage that would have been an exceedingly desirable one, had the character of the man who made it been fully approved.

“A short time after the rejection of his suit by Miss Corbin, I noticed that Eaverson appeared more inclined to keep company with Harriet Wieland than before.  I could not help feeling regret at this, for, notwithstanding I thought Sarah had judged the young man rather severely, I was yet satisfied that there must be some ground for her conclusions in regard to his character.  Slight attentions, encouraged by Harriet, soon became the bold advances of a lover.  A few months after his suit had been declined by Sarah, he offered himself to her friend, and was unhesitatingly accepted.

“In the mean time, a young man, whom I will call Williamson, had met Sarah occasionally, and showed a disposition to win, if possible, her favourable regard.  His exterior was by no means elegant; his literary attainments were not great; nor was he in the enjoyment of any thing beyond a moderate income.  Place him and Eaverson in almost any company, and the latter would nearly hide him from view.  But, with the most moderate pretensions, and unattractive exterior, Williamson’s character was formed upon a ground-work of good sense and virtuous principles.  He had little facility of expression, but he thought clearly, and, in most things, acted from a sound judgment.  He was much pleased with Sarah before Eaverson attempted to gain her affections; and noticed his advances.  For the result he looked with some interest.  When it became clearly apparent that she had thrown him off, Williamson was satisfied that she was a girl of discrimination and sound sense, and immediately resolved that he would know her better.  The oftener he met her, and the nearer he observed her, the more excellent did her character seem in his eyes.  The result was an offer of marriage, which was accepted by Sarah, as much to our surprise as was her rejection of Eaverson.

“My two young friends were married about the same time.  The wedding of Harriet was a brilliant one, and she was the envy of dozens of young girls who had hoped and tried to make a conquest of the man who had chosen to unite his fortunes with hers.  Sarah’s nuptials were celebrated in a less imposing manner, and created but little sensation.  Most of her friends thought she had done but poorly.  Whether this were so, will be seen in the sequel.