第76部分(第4/7 页)

bondage—religion　for　superstition—the　hope　of　heaven　for　the　fear　of　hell？　Must　I　relinquish　that？　It　is　dearer　than　the　blood　in　my　veins。　It　is　what　I　have　to　look　forward　to；　and　to　live　for。”

After　a　considerable　pause；　I　said—“And　Miss　Oliver？　Are　her　disappointment　and　sorrow　of　no　interest　to　you？”

“Miss　Oliver　is　ever　surrounded　by　suitors　and　flatterers：　in　less　than　a　month；　my　image　will　be　effaced　from　her　heart。　She　will　forget　me；　and　will　marry；　probably；　some　one　who　will　make　her　far　happier　than　I　should　do。”

“You　speak　coolly　enough；　but　you　suffer　in　the　conflict。　You　are　wasting　away。”

“No。　If　I　get　a　little　thin；　it　is　with　anxiety　about　my　prospects；　yet　unsettled—my　departure；　continually　procrastinated。　Only　this　morning；　I　received　intelligence　that　the　successor；　whose　arrival　I　have　been　so　long　expecting；　cannot　be　ready　to　replace　me　for　three　months　to　e　yet；　and　perhaps　the　three　months　may　extend　to　six。”

“You　tremble　and　bee　flushed　whenever　Miss　Oliver　enters　the　schoolroom。”

Again　the　surprised　expression　crossed　his　face。　He　had　not　imagined　that　a　woman　would　dare　to　speak　so　to　a　man。　For　me；　I　felt　at　home　in　this　sort　of　discourse。　I　could　never　rest　in　munication　with　strong；　discreet；　and　refined　minds；　whether　male　or　female；　till　I　had　passed　the　outworks　of　conventional　reserve；　and　crossed　the　threshold　of　confidence；　and　won　a　place　by　their　heart’s　very　hearthstone。

“You　are　original；”　said　he；　“and　not　timid。　There　is　something　brave　in　your　spirit；　as　well　as　perating　in　your　eye；　but　allow　me　to　assure　you　that　you　partially　misinterpret　my　emotions。　You　think　them　more　profound　and　potent　than　they　are。　You　give　me　a　larger　allowance　of　sympathy　than　I　have　a　just　claim