The novels of Charles Brockden Brown, consisting of Wieland;or, The transformation. Arthur Mervyn; or, Memoirs of the year 1793. Edgar Huntly; or, Memoirs of a sleep-walker. Jane Talbot. Ormond; or, The secret witness. Clara Howard; or, The enthusiasm of love. With a memoir of the author.

JANE TALBOT. 125
many words, was his introduction to me, and he waited
for my answer with much impatience.
I was greatly confused by these sudden and unceremonious intimations. At last I told him that all that he
had said respecting my connection with his sister was
true. It was a fact that all the world was welcome to
know. Of course I had no objection to her brother's
knowing it.
But what were my claims? what my merits, my profession, my fortune? On all these heads a brother would
naturally require to be thoroughly informed.;"As to nay character, sir, you will hardly expect any
satisfactory information from my own mouth. However,
it may save you the trouble of applying to others, when
I tell you that my character has as many slurs and blots
in it as any you ever met with. A more versatile, inconsistent, prejudiced, and faulty person than myself, I
do not believe the earth to contain. Profession I have
none, and am not acquiring any, nor expect ever to
acquire. Of fortune I am wholly destitute: not a
farthing have I, either in possession or reversion."
"Then, pray, sir, on what are built your pretensions
to miy sister?"
"Really, sir, they are built on nothiing. I am, in
every respect, immeasurably her inferior. I possess not
a single merit that entitles me to grace from her."
"I have surely not been misinformed. She tacitly
admitted that she was engaged to be your wife."
"4'Tis very true. She is so."
"But what, then, is the basis of this engagement?"
" Mutual affection, I believe, is the only basis. Nobody
who knows Jane Talbot will need to ask why she is beloved. Why she requites that passion in the present
case, is a question which she only can. answer."
"Her passion, sir," (contemptuously,) "'is the freak
of a child; of folly and caprice. By your own confession
you are beggarly and worthless, and therefore it becomes
you to relinquish your claim."
"I have no claim to relinquish. I have urged no
claims. On the contrary, I have fully disclosed to her
every folly and vice that cleaves to my character."
11'-;