Her head sank upon his knee; and I thought I heard the tears, one by one, fall upon her rich silk dress.
"'Do not anticipate grief, my little sister,' said he, laying his hand caressingly upon her drooping head.

'Let us be happy to-night, for we know not what the morrow may bring forth.

I wanted to speak to you and Philip upon a subject very near my heart.' "After a short pause, he continued with a lively, cheerful voice--'You and Philip love one another; nay, do not turn away, Charlotte; there ought to be no shame in confessing a virtuous attachment to a worthy object.' "Charlotte raised her eyes, moist with tears, and tried to smile; but her head sank back to its resting place, and her blushing face was hidden on his knee.
"'Now I am perfectly satisfied of the warmth and sincerity of your affections, and will do all in my power to bring them to a happy issue; but there are some difficulties in the way which must first be surmounted, before you can hope to realize your wishes.

You have wealth, Philip, and moral worth; these ought to be sufficient to satisfy the objections of the most fastidious.

But your birth is obscure, and your connexions not such as most old families would wish to incorporate with their own.