 ungrateful for the distinction that was paid
me. My mind had been relaxed into temporary dejection, but my reserve had no
alloy of moroseness or insensibility. It did not long hold out against the
condescending attentions of Mr. Forester. I became gradually heedful,
encouraged, confiding. I had a most eager thirst for the knowledge of mankind;
and, though no person perhaps ever purchased so dearly the instructions he
received in that school, the inclination was in no degree diminished. Mr.
Forester was the second man I had seen uncommonly worthy of my analysis, and who
seemed to my thoughts, arrived as I was at the end of my first essay, almost as
much deserving to be studied as Mr. Falkland himself. I was glad to escape from
the uneasiness of my reflections; and, while engaged with this new friend, I
forgot the criticalness of the evils with which I was hourly menaced.
    Stimulated by these feelings I was what Mr. Forester wanted, a diligent and
zealous hearer. I was strongly susceptible of impression; and the alternate
impressions my mind received, visibly displayed themselves in my countenance and
gestures. The observations Mr. Forester had made in his travels, the set of
opinions he had formed, all amused and interested me. His manner of telling a
story or explaining his thoughts was forcible, perspicuous and original: his
style in conversation had an uncommon zest. Every thing he had to relate
delighted me; while in return my sympathy, my eager curiosity, and my
unsophisticated passions, rendered me to Mr. Forester a most desirable hearer.
It is not to be wondered at therefore, that every day rendered our intercourse
more intimate and cordial.
    Mr. Falkland was destined to be for ever unhappy; and it seemed as if no new
incident could occur from which he was not able to extract food for this
imperious propensity. He was wearied with a perpetual repetition of similar
impressions, and entertained an invincible disgust against all that was new. The
visit of Mr. Forester he regarded with antipathy. He was scarcely able to look
at him without shuddering; an emotion which his guest perceived, and pitied as
the result of habit and disease rather than of judgment. None of his actions
passed unremarked; the most indifferent excited uneasiness and apprehension. The
first overtures of intimacy between me and Mr. Forester probably gave birth to
sentiments of jealousy in the mind of my master. The irregular, variable
character of his visitor, tended to heighten them, by producing an appearance of
inexplicableness and mystery. At this time he intimated to me that it was not
agreeable to him that
