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.

THE ENTHUSIASM OF LOVE.

77

not find it so. I would fain be a universal benefactor.
The power that office or riches confers is requisite to this
end; but power in infirm hands is productive only of mischief. I, who know my own frailty, am therefore undesirous of power: so far from wishing to rule others, it
is my glory and my boast to submit to one whom I deem
unerring and divine. Clara's will is my law; her pleasure the science that I study; her smiles the reward, next
to an approving God, my soul prizes most dearly.
Indeed, my friend, before you honour me with your
choice you should contrive to exalt me or lower yourself.
Some parity there ought to be between us; an angel in
the heavens like thee is not a fit companion for a mere
earthworm like PHILIP STANLEY.
LETTER XIX.
To Philip Stanley.
New York, May 5.
AAIA! give them to me. Two letters at once:-this
is unexpected happiness. Charming papers! Lie there,
and still the little rebel that will not allow me speech.
And thinkest thou my lips said this, as my father threw
the letters into my lap? No such thing. My heart was
mutinous, 'tis true; but no one present-there were many
present-was aware of its tumults, except, indeed, my
mother: her observant eye saw what was passing within;
or, rather, she guessed from the superscription what I
felt, and therefore considerately furnished me with an
excuse for retiring:"Clara, my dear, I imagine your good woman has
come. I think I saw her go down the steps. My friends
will excuse you for a moment."
I hastily withdrew, and then, Philip, having gained the
friendly covert of my chamber, I eagerly, rapturously,
kissed and read thy letters.
I thought it would prove a mere slander; and yet I was
uneasy. The mere possibility of its truth shocked and
distressed me more than I can tell; but thy intelligence
has not only removed the disquiet which thy foregoing