Cornelius remonstrated; Mrs.H---- questioned the necessity of my journey; Charlotte said nothing, but left the room in tears.

Strongly tempted as I was to stay, I remained firm to my original purpose, and bade adieu to my amiable friends, without breathing a word even to Cornelius of my attachment for his sister.
"On my way to York I called at my old home, and was received with the most lively demonstrations of joy by Alice, whom I found a blooming girl of fifteen.

Old Dinah told me, as she scowled at my handsome dress and improved appearance, 'That she supposed I was now too fine a gentleman to call her grandmother, or Alice sister ?' "I assured her that my improved circumstances had not changed my heart, nor made me ashamed of my old friends.

Something, I fear, in my looks, contradicted my words, for she turned from me with a scornful smile: "'The world,' said she, 'was a good school for teaching people the art of falsehood.' "Her sarcasms made me very uncomfortable--for my conscience convicted me of their truth--and turning to Alice I begged her to tell me the news, for I was certain a great deal must have happened in the neighbourhood during the four years I had been absent.
"'No,' said Alice; 'we go on much as usual.

Sir Alexander and Margaret are very kind to me, and I go every day up to the Hall.