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.

56

CLARA HOWARD; 01R,

had received before my arrival, and remarked the differences between the picture and the original, intermingling questions which, compelling me to open my lips
in answer to them, helped me to get rid of my awkwardness. Presently supper was prepared, and despatched
with the utmost cheerfulness.
My astonishment and rapture were unspeakable. Such
condescension and familiarity, surpassing all my fondest
imaginations, from beings invested with such dazzling
superiority, almost intoxicated my senses. My answers
were disadvantageous to myself, for they were made in
such a tumult and delirium of emotions that they could
not fail of being incoherent or silly.
Gradually these raptures subsided, and I acted and
spoke with more sobriety and confidence. I had leisure
also to survey the features of my friends. Seated at
opposite sides of the table, with lights above and around
us, every lineament and gesture were distinctly seen. It
was difficult to say which person was the most lovely. The
bloom and glossiness of youth had, indeed, disappeared
in the elder; but the ruddy tints and the smoothness of
health, joined to the most pathetic and intelligent expression, set the mother on a level, even in personal attractions,
with the daughter. No music was ever more thrilling
than the tones of Clara. They sunk deeply into my heart,
while her eyes, casually turned on me, and beaming with
complacency, contributed still more to enchant me.
In a few days, the effects of novelty gradually disappearing, I began to find myself at home. Mr. Howard's arrival, and the cordiality of his behaviour, contributed still more to place me at ease. Those employments he designed for me now occurred. They generally
engrossed the half of each day. They were light, despatched without toil or anxiety, and conduced, in innumerable ways, to my pleasure and improvement. They
introduced me to men of different professions and characters, called forth my ingenuity and knowledge, and
supplied powerful incitements to new studies and inquiries.
At noon, the day's business was usually dismissed(, and
the afternoon and evening were devoted to intellectual
and social occupations. These were generally partaken