CHAPTER XIII.
"Happier she with pliant nature,
Fleeting, fickle as the wind—
She who proving one a traitor,
Turns to meet another kind."
Lovibond.
Markham was certainly a man of talent in his profession; but it does not follow that because he understood law, he was therefore versed in a knowledge of all the vagaries of the human mind. He was a straightforward, regular, honest-minded man, knowing what he had learned, and capable of learning quickly; but there was much in the world that he knew not, and had never suspected. By this was he occasionally deceived, but not a second time by the same means. Being a modest young man, and supposing that the most confident of the softer sex must be more diffident and retiring than the most diffident of his own sex, he had not the most distant suspicion that Miss Henderson had any design on his heart. Many young men, far below Markham in all that is truly reputable in moral feeling and intellectual discrimination, have frequently fancied that individuals of the softer sex have entertained towards them sentiments of love and affection, and have even made advances. This was a feeling which Markham was much above: he had indeed heard such language made use of by young men of his acquaintance, but he gave them credit for a little exaggeration or a large share of imagination; he never thought it possible that there could be any literal and actual truth in such language. Now the common impression on the human mind is, that the thing which is impossible cannot be; and therefore whenever that which we think to be impossible does actually occur, we almost doubt our own senses, and believe any thing rather than that our notions are incorrect. Markham accordingly could not by any means be brought to believe that Miss Henderson was forming designs upon him; and therefore when he paid his promised visit to the popular preacher, he was most completely off his guard as concerns the designs and intents of Miss Henderson.
He quickly perceived that this young lady was the most important personage in the family; that Mr. and Mrs. Henderson were not affectionately fond, but parentally proud of their eldest daughter. Such is the notion that some persons seem to entertain of the progress of intellect, that multitudes of parents consider their own children as wiser and more knowing than themselves. And when a parent has expended a serious sum of money on the education of a child, it is rather desirable and happy for him that he can enjoy the imagination that the money has not been thrown away, but that it has abundantly answered the purpose. This feeling Mr. and Mrs. Henderson both enjoyed as it related to their eldest daughter. Mr. Henderson himself was not much of a reading man; indeed, he had no time for such pursuits. It was enough for him to write fine sermons, and to visit fine folks, and to give occasionally some lessons to young ladies or gentlemen on geography and elocution; for which no mighty extent of reading was required. He therefore thought his daughter exceedingly well informed. And as the young lady was by no means selfish or incommunicative of knowledge, her tongue was in pretty constant activity, especially when and where she desired to produce an effect, and this desire she felt very strongly and very frequently.
From the intercourse which had for a while subsisted between Miss Henderson and Clara Rivolta, the former had acquired many ideas and opinions, and had treasured many quotations and criticisms from the latter; and some of these notions, especially the critical, Clara had derived from Markham. When Markham therefore heard these sentiments and opinions from Miss Henderson, he was, to say the least, somewhat pleased. He had not the slightest suspicion of the source from whence Miss Henderson derived her knowledge, or acquired her taste: and when people express the same opinions which we ourselves entertain, we naturally and very justly set down these people as being very sensible and well-informed. So did Markham think that Miss Henderson was a very accomplished and well-instructed young woman; and as with young critics talking is contagious, these two young persons prated away most intemperately. All the popular writers and all the popular productions of the day underwent a strict and critical discussion.
From talking of books and literature, the conversation went on to the abstractions of philosophy and that common-place kind of prate which knowing young ladies and intellectual dandies can easily manage and repeat. In their views of human nature the two young persons seemed also to agree perfectly well, so that they were astonished at their own and at each other's wisdom. Miss Henderson expressed herself so delighted with a little rational conversation, and lamented that it was so seldom that she could enjoy such a treat as this. The flattery was rather fulsome, but it took. Markham was entirely of her opinion, that the enjoyment of intellectual discourse was a high and refined pleasure. He also wished that he could enjoy it more frequently. Miss Henderson did not directly but indirectly insinuate that nothing could afford her higher pleasure than conversing with Markham.
Among other topics of discussion there came on of course a dissertation of theatrical exhibitions. Here again the parties coincided. The popular actors, singers, and dancers, had their usual allowance of criticism. It was unanimously agreed that the Opera was the only place of public amusement worth visiting; but Mrs. Henderson thought it was too expensive a pleasure: fortunately, however, Markham had the use of an ivory ticket admitting two persons; and what should prevent Miss Henderson from availing herself of that very ready way of gaining access to the Opera? A time was presently fixed for Markham to have the honor of accompanying Miss Henderson to the Opera. This was a great point gained by the young lady; and now she thought that nothing was wanting but to let Mr. Markham understand that there was no obstacle which need prevent him from having as much of Miss Henderson's intellectual conversation as he pleased.