His brother Edward
had now been brought home in accordance with the expressed determination
of his father, with whom he was, unquestionably, a manifest favorite, a
circumstance which caused Hycy to detest him, and also deprived him in a
great degree of his mother's affection. Hycy had now resolved to pay his
devoirs to Kathleen Cavanagh, as a _dernier_ resort, in the event of
his failing with Miss Clinton; for, as regarding affection, he had
no earthly conception what it I meant. With this view he rode down to
Clinton's as we said, and met Harry coming out of the stable.
"Harry," said he, after his horse was put I up, "I am about to ask an
interview with your sister."
"I don't think she will grant it," replied her brother, "you are by no
means a favorite; with her; however, you can try; perhaps she may. You
know the old adage, '_varium et imutabile semper_.' Who knows but she
may have changed her mind?"
"Is your uncle within?" asked Hycy.
"No," replied his nephew, "he's gone to Fethertonge's upon some election
business."
"Could you not contrive," said Hycy, "to leave her and me together,
then, and allow me to ascertain what I am to expect?"
"Come in," said Harry--"never say it again. If I can I will."
Hycy, as we have stated before, had vast confidence in his own powers of
persuasion; and general influence with women, and on this occasion, his
really handsome features were made vulgar by a smirk of self-conceit
which he could not conceal, owing to his natural vanity and a
presentiment of success that is almost inseparable from persons of his
class, who can scarcely look even upon the most positive and decided
rejection by a woman as coming seriously from her heart.
Pages:
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327