arose, and touched the strings of a lute, and then, like
wordnetfear, started back, as if recoiling at the sound he had made. All
recollection of the object of his visit was evidently forgotten, in a new
and livelier interest; and had there been one to watch his movements, the
last motive imputed to his presence would probably have been the one that
was true. There was so little of that vulgar and common character, which
is usually seen in men of his pursuit, in the gentle aspect and subdued
air of his fine features, that it might be fancied he was thus singularly
endowed by nature, in order that deception might , if there were
moments when a disregard of opinion was seen in his demeanor, it rather
appeared assumed than easy; and even when most disposed to display lawless
 to the ordinary regulations of society, in his interview with
the Alderman, it had been blended with a reserve of manner that was
strangely in contrast with his .

On the other hand, it were idle to say that Alida de Barberie had no
unpleasant suspicions concerning the character of her uncle's guest. That
baneful influence, which necessarily exerts itself near an irresponsible
power, coupled with the natural  with which the principal
 the dependant, had caused the English Ministry to fill too many of