CHAPTER VI. The world's tongue Proclaims you for a man replete with mocks; SHAKSPEARE. MR. MASSENBURG had not long descended from his chamber on the ensuing morning, and was sitting at the breakfast table in moody silence with Eliza, when the door was suddenly opened, and the younger of his two companions of the day before unceremoniously walked in. Mr. Massenburg's looks did not afford him a very pleased welcome ; but, nothing abashed, he advanced, and drew a chair to the table. "I am come to breakfast with you. I know you hate cere mony, as much as I do myself, so I would not suffer your servant to announce me. I expect to have a double welcome," and he glanced his eye towards Eliza." One, from you and one from your fair "My daughter," said Mr. Massenburg, half by way of reproof, and half of introduction. The gentleman bowed, and looked surprized. "Well as I thought I knew you, I was ignorant of this; but I suppose you wanted to pass for one of us young fellows a few years more than your share.” Then lowering his voice, "I was resolved to unkennel you, my old fox; for you didn't cheat me yesterday with all your cunning," he added, in an aside to Mr. Massenburg. "Eliza, I believe you were just going. Mr. O'Neale will excuse you." Eliza took the hint, and rose to leave the room, but Mr. O'Neale pushing away his own chair, threw himself on the sofa by her side, and stretching out his feet completely excluded all egress. "You must have made an expeditious breakfast then, Miss Massenburg.' 66 Why so?" said Mr. Massenburg. Because, even my Midas like ears can distinguish, that the urn is now singing the first notes of its tune.' Mr. Massenburg could not look confused, but he could look very angry; and Eliza who trembled at his frowns, was astonished to hear them made a matter of pleasantry to their visitor. "How often have I told you of that horrid habit you have got of wrinkling your forehead; every one of those indentions add a year to your age, besides making your tolerably handsome face look intolerably ugly." To Eliza's surprise, Mr. Massenburg bore the freedom of his guest, though evidently unwelcome, without actually resenting it; and O'Neale, who utterly disregarded every sympton of his impa tience, not only kept his seat, but obliged Eliza to do the same, till a late hour of the morning; and when at length he permitted Mr. Massenburg to drag him away, he told her he hoped often to have the same pleasure he had that morning enjoyed-the happiness of her society. And from this day he was a frequent visitor, making Eliza the object of his constant attention. His assiduities were evidently disagreeable to Mr. Massenburg, and he seemed to bear them with suppressed impatience this O'Neale plainly saw; yet he did not on that account forbear. Young, designing, and dissipated, he possessed an easy impudence of manner; a temper that trifles could not disturb; a quickness at perceiving the weak side of another, and a malicious gratification in taking advantage of it, that rendered him a most dangerous companion. Mr. Massenburg's presence was no restraint upon him; and he would bear the frowns, the pettishness that Mr. Massenburg either could not, or would not, disguise, and his half angry replies, with the most provoking indifference; sometimes pretending not to notice them, and at others making them the objects of his raillery. Neither were his attentions agreeable to Eliza: they were too open, and wanted that delicacy of sentiment, that refinement of manner, that could alone render them acceptable. Now, Miss Massenburg," said he one day, after having indulged himself in even more than his accustomed licence, "do look at your father: I have been observing him for the last half hour; and I give him credit for the variety of contortions he has practised. I really did not think he had been capable of so many novelties. Now do, pray, look." Eliza hazarded one glance, and saw every angry passion of his soul warring |