that I could make him rich; perhaps my countenance expressed what was passing within, for she immediately added—
"'You will yourself have a handsome fortune, it is true, but it will be between five and six years before you come into possession of it; but that is not the matter—Sir Henry is a man of old family and unsullied honour; had he only half of his estate, and were his family twice the number, he would pertinaciously disclaim an alliance with you for any one of his sons, and Charles is the especial darling of his heart, being indeed a youth of uncommon promise. Yes, he would spurn the idea that money could atone for'
"'For what?' cried I, indignantly; 'wherein have I done wrong? If he fears that I am of a different religion, tell him I will listen to instruction, I will'
" 'Sophia, his prejudice is one no effort, no merit of your own can ever remove. It is evident you are not aware there has been a ban upon you from the day of your birth. It cuts my heart to tell you, but you must be told, lest you learn it from a ruder tongue, a spirit less penetrated by pity than mine. Your parents were never married—never could be, for each had given their vows to another; hence you are (though innocent) disgraced—though virtuous, one from whom the virtuous shrink. It is a
