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on different occasions。 A suspicion was sometimes admitted that
his belief was counterfeited for some political purpose。 The most
careful observation； however； produced no discovery。 His manners
were at all times harmless and inartificial； and his habits those
of a lover of contemplation and seclusion。 He appeared to have
contracted an affection for Pleyel； who was not slow to return it。
My friend； after a month's residence in this city； returned into
France； and； since that period； had heard nothing concerning Carwin
till his appearance at Mettingen。
On this occasion Carwin had received Pleyel's greeting with a
certain distance and solemnity to which the latter had not been
accustomed。 He had waived noticing the inquiries of Pleyel
respecting his desertion of Spain； in which he had formerly
declared that it was his purpose to spend his life。 He had
assiduously diverted the attention of the latter to indifferent
topics； but was still； on every theme； as eloquent and judicious as
formerly。 Why he had assumed the garb of a rustic Pleyel was
unable to conjecture。 Perhaps it might be poverty； perhaps he was
swayed by motives which it was his interest to conceal； but which
were connected with consequences of the utmost moment。
Such was the sum of my friend's information。 I was not sorry to be
left alone during the greater part of this day。 Every employment
was irksome which did not leave me at liberty to meditate。 I had
now a new subject on which to exercise my thoughts。 Before evening
I should be ushered into his presence； and listen to those tones
whose magical and thrilling power I had already experienced。 But
with what new images would he then be accompanied？
Carwin was an adherent to the Romish faith； yet was an Englishman
by birth； and； perhaps； a Protestant by education。 He had adopted
Spain for his country； and had intimated a design to spend his days
there； yet now was an inhabitant of this district； and disguised by
the habiliments of a clown！ What could have obliterated the
impressions of his youth and made him abjure his religion and his
country？ What subsequent events had introduced so total a change
in his plans？ In withdrawing from Spain； had he reverted to the
religion of his ancestors？ or was it true that his former
conversion was deceitful； and that his conduct had been swayed by
motives which it was prudent to conceal？
Hours were consumed in revolving these ideas。 My meditations were
intense； and； when the series was broken； I began to reflect with
astonishment on my situation。 From the death of my parents till
the commencement of this year my life had been serene and blissful
beyond the ordinary portion of humanity； but now my bosom was
corroded by anxiety。 I was visited by dread of unknown dangers；
and the future was a scene over which clouds rolled and thunders
muttered。 I compared the cause with the effect； and they seemed
disproportioned to each other。 All unaware； and in a manner which
I had no power to explain； I was pushed from my immovable and lofty
station and cast upon a sea of troubles。
I determined to be my brother's visitant on this evening； yet my
resolves were not unattended with wavering and reluctance。
Pleyel's insinuations that I was in love affected in no degree my
belief； yet the consciousness that this was the opinion of one who
would probably be present at our introduction to each other would
excite all that confusion which the passion itself is apt to
produce。 This would confirm him in his error and call forth new
railleries。 His mirth； when exerted upon this topic； was the
source of the bitterest vexation。 Had he been aware of its
influence upon my happiness； his temper would not have allowed him
to persist； but this influence it was my chief endeavor to conceal。
That the belief of my having bestowed my heart upon another
produced in my friend none but ludicrous sensations was the true
cause of my distress； but if this had been discovered by him my
distress would have been unspeakably aggravated。
III
As soon as evening arrived； I performed my visit。 Carwin made one
of the company into which I was ushered。 Appearances were the same
as when I before beheld him。 His garb was equally negligent and
rustic。 I gazed upon his countenance with new curiosity。 My
situation was such as to enable me to bestow upon it a deliberate
examination。 Viewed at more leisure； it lost none of its wonderful
properties。 I could not deny my homage to the intelligence
expressed in it； but was wholly uncertain whether he were an object
to be dreaded or adored； and whether his powers had been exerted to
evil or to good。
He was sparing in discourse； but whatever he said was pregnant with
meaning； and uttered with rectitude of articulation and force of
emphasis of which I had entertained no conception previously to my
knowledge of him。 Notwithstanding the uncouthness of his garb； his
manners were not unpolished。 All topics were handled by him with
skill； and without pedantry or affectation。 He uttered no
sentiment calculated to produce a disadvantageous impression； on
the contrary； his observations denoted a mind alive to every
generous and heroic feeling。 They were introduced without parade；
and accompanied with that degree of earnestness which indicates
sincerity。
He parted from us not till late； refusing an invitation to spend
the night here； but readily consented to repeat his visit。 His
visits were frequently repeated。 Each day introduced us to a more
intimate acquaintance with his sentiments； but left us wholly in
the dark concerning that about which we were most inquisitive。 He
studiously avoided all mention of his past or present situation。
Even the place of his abode in the city he concealed from us。
Our sphere in this respect being somewhat limited； and the
intellectual endowments of this man being indisputably great； his
deportment was more diligently marked and copiously commented on by
us than you； perhaps； will think the circumstances warranted。 Not
a gesture； or glance； or accent； that was not； in our private
assemblies； discussed； and inferences deduced from it。 It may well
be thought that he modeled his behavior by an uncommon standard；
when； with all our opportunities and accuracy of observation； we
were able for a long time to gather no satisfactory information。
He afforded us no ground on which to build even a plausible
conjecture。
There is a degree of familiarity which takes place between constant
associates； that justifies the negligence of many rules of which；
in an earlier period of their intercourse； politeness requires the
exact observance。 Inquiries into our condition are allowable when
they are prompted by a disinterested concern for our welfare； and
this solicitude is not only pardonable； but may justly be demanded
from those who choose us for their companions。 This state