And he lifted the form of Catherine, and took her up stairs, while his mother called Henny. When they had laid the young girl on a bed, and left her to the care of Henny, and had returned to the parlor again—Captain Clifton said—
“Mother! take care of that girl! She has been the innocent, unconscious cause of my trouble to-day, but I cannot feel dislike or even indifference towards her. Take care of that humble maiden, mother, as if she were your daughter and my sister. Don’t let any rustic beaux come near her, mother. I cannot endure the idea of her marrying, or even being wooed by any low, miserable fellow of her brother’s grade. And do not permit any young gentleman of the neighborhood to trifle with her heart, or endanger her good name. You know how easily, even without her fault, that sole possession of a poor maiden is lost. The thought that such an unmerited misfortune should befall Kate, exasperates me beyond measure, and I feel like quarreling with the whole order of society!”
“What, you! the proud conservator of rank! Truly Archer, one would think Carolyn had some little ground of complaint!” said the lady, with her little, low, half dignified, half jolly laugh.
“This from you mother!” exclaimed Archer Clifton, reproachfully. “I thought you knew me better. You do know me better! But I must have some hand in this girl’s good fortune.”
Mrs. Clifton, who was walking about the room, quietly setting things in order for the night, made no reply, but only smiled. And soon after she lighted a night lamp, and placing it in the hand of her son, bade him good-night, and retired to her chamber. Captain Clifton remained pacing up and down the room, in troubled thought, some time after she had left, before seeking his own couch.
CHAPTER VIII.
LOST AFFECTION.
“Oh! cast not thou
Affection from thee! In this bitter world
Hold to thy heart that only treasure fast;
Watch—guard it—suffer not a breath to dim