" The reason whj', I cannot tell,
But I don't like thee, Dr. Fell."

These lines indicate an unconquerable feeling which most per-
sons have, I presume, experienced ; and which frequently, I
think, results from a kind of cumulative evidence of unconge-
niality or nnworthiness, made up of a number of slight indices
of character, which, separately, may appear of little moment,
but altogether, produce a strong, if undefinable, feeling of aver-
sion. Mr. Harlowe's manners were bland, polished, and insinu-
ating ; his conversation was sparkling and instructive ; but a
cold sneer seemed to play habitually about his lips, and at times
there glanced forth a concentrated, polished ferocity — so to



THE MARRIAGE SETTLEMENT. Ill

speak — ^from his eyes, revealing hard and stony depths, which I
shuddered to think a being so pure and gentle as Edith might
be doomed to sound and fathom. That he was a man of strong
passions and determination of will, was testified by every curve
of his square, massive head, and every line of his full coun-
tenance.
