That he might do at once;
and, after he had done so, the intendant could not tax him with want
of confidence altogether. He had now analyzed his feelings toward
Patience; and he felt how dear she had become to him. During the time
he was with the army, she had seldom been out of his thoughts; and
although he was often in the society of well bred women, he saw not
one that, in his opinion, could compare with Patience Heatherstone;
but still, what chance had he of supporting a wife? at present, at the
age of nineteen, it was preposterous. Thoughts like these ran in his
mind, chasing each other, and followed by others as vague and
unsatisfactory; and, in the end, Edward came to the conclusion, that
he was without a penny, and that being known as the heir of Beverley
would be to his disadvantage; that he was in love with Patience
Heatherstone, and had no chance at present of obtaining her; and that
he done well up to the present time in concealing who he was from the
intendant, who could safely attest that he knew not that he was
protecting the son of so noted a Cavalier; and that he would confess
to Patience who he was, and give as a reason for not telling her
father, that he did not wish to commit him by letting him know who it
was that was under his protection.
Pages:
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420