like Harley's are not very apt to make this distinction, and
generally give our virtue credit for all that benevolence which is
instinctive in our nature.

As her father had some years retired to the country, Harley had
frequent opportunities of seeing her. He looked on her for some
time merely with that respect and admiration which her appearance
seemed to demand, and the opinion of others conferred upon her from
this cause, perhaps, and from that extreme sensibility of which we
have taken frequent notice, Harley was remarkably silent in her
presence. He heard her sentiments with peculiar attention,
sometimes with looks very expressive of approbation; but seldom
declared his opinion on the subject, much less made compliments to
the lady on the justness of her remarks.

From this very reason it was that Miss Walton frequently took more
particular notice of him than of other visitors, who, by the laws of
precedency, were better entitled to it: it was a mode of politeness
she had peculiarly studied, to bring to the line of that equality,
which is ever necessary for the ease of our guests, those whose
sensibility had placed them below it.

Harley saw this; for though he was a child in the drama of the
world, yet was it not altogether owing to a want of knowledge on his
part; on the contrary, the most delicate consciousness of propriety
often kindled that blush which marred the performance of it: this
raised his esteem something above what the most sanguine
descriptions of her goodness had been able to do; for certain it is,
that notwithstanding the laboured definitions which very wise men
have given us of the inherent beauty of virtue, we are always