Yours ever,
CECIL.
CHAPTER XII.
CECIL PUT TO THE TEST.
"You think me unjust to Mr. Chamberlayne," said Captain Heath one morning to Blanche, as they sat together in the drawing-room discussing the character of her lover, "because you are so young and know so little of the world, that you trust appearances, and cannot pierce beneath them."
"But I cannot be mistaken in supposing him very good hearted, and wonderfully clever."
"He is good tempered, not good hearted; cleverish, but not clever. It is natural that you should mistake the characteristics of good temper for those of a good heart—most people do so."
"And is not a good temper a sign of a good heart?"
"No, my dear Blanche, not in the least; it is very often only the sign of a weak and indolent organization—sometimes of mere cold selfishness. You look indignant. I do not say it is a sign in him of selfishness, I only say it is no sign of goodness."
"But what makes you so illiberal towards him?"
"Illiberal! I am merely and strictly just. I do not like him, because he is weak and insincere."