He read Ellinor's letters over and over again; nothing else beside law-books.

He perceived the repressed love hidden away in subdued expressions in her communications, with an amused pleasure at the attempt at concealment.

He was glad that her gaieties were not more gay; he was glad that she was not too much admired, although a little indignant at the want of taste on the part of the -- -shire gentlemen.

But if other admirers had come prominently forward, he would have had to take some more decided steps to assert his rights than he had hitherto done; for he had caused Ellinor to express a wish to her father that her engagement should not be too much talked about until nearer the time when it would be prudent for him to marry her.

He thought that the knowledge of this, the only imprudently hasty step he ever meant to take in his life, might go against his character for wisdom, if the fact became known while he was as yet only a student.