CHAPTER IV.
"Con una Dama tenia Un galan conversacion."* MORATIN: _El Teatro Espanol_ .-- Num.

15.
* With a dame he held a gallant conversation.
MALTRAVERS was first at the appointed place.

His character was in most respects singularly energetic, decided, and premature in its development; but not so in regard to women: with them he was the creature of the moment; and, driven to and fro by whatever impulse, or whatever passion, caught the caprice of a wild, roving, and all-poetical imagination, Maltravers was, half unconsciously, a poet--a poet of action, and woman was his muse.
He had formed no plan of conduct towards the poor girl he was to meet.
He meant no harm to her.

If she had been less handsome, he would have been equally grateful; and her dress, and youth, and condition, would equally have compelled him to select the hour of dusk for an interview.
He arrived at the spot.

The winter night had already descended; but a sharp frost had set in: the air was clear, the stars were bright, and the long shadows slept, still and calm, along the broad road, and the whitened fields beyond.
He walked briskly to and fro, without much thought of the interview, or its object, half chanting old verses, German and English, to himself, and stopping to gaze every moment at the silent stars.
At length he saw Alice approach: she came up to him timidly and gently.
His heart beat more quickly; he felt that he was young and alone with beauty.