High-spirited, bold, fiery, impatient; jealous of the affections of those he loved; cheerful to outward seeming, but restless, fond of change, and subject to the melancholy and pining mood common to young and ardent minds: such was the character of Walter Lester.

The estates of Lester were settled in the male line, and devolved therefore upon him.

Yet there were moments when he keenly felt his orphan and deserted situation; and sighed to think, that while his father perhaps yet lived, he was a dependent for affection, if not for maintenance, on the kindness of others.

This reflection sometimes gave an air of sullenness or petulance to his character, that did not really belong to it.

For what in the world makes a man of just pride appear so unamiable as the sense of dependence?
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