I redoubled my attentions, and before the company rose from table, I fancied that she no longer regarded me with indifference.
From this happy dream, I too soon awoke to an agonizing consciousness of my own insignificance.

A Counsellor Sabine, who had been conversing with my uncle during the greater part of the evening, beckoned me over to a distant part of the room, and I reluctantly obeyed the summons.

He wanted me to settle a dispute between him and Mr.Moncton, relative to some papers, which he said had been entrusted to my care.
My place by Catherine Lee's side was instantly filled by Theophilus.
Mrs.Hepburn, Catherine's aunt, asked him in a low voice, which, occupied as I was with other matters, did not fail to reach my ears, who I was, and the station I held in society, and ended her remarks by passing sundry encomiums on my person and accomplishments.
"_Accomplishments!_" repeated Theophilus, with a sneer.

"I know not how he should be accomplished, Mrs.Hepburn.He is a poor clerk in my father's office; and as to his standing in society, that is something new to me.

He is a natural son of my uncle Edward's, whom my father adopted into the family, and brought him up out of charity.