requited affection, what lover thinks of difficulties?  In obtaining Veenah’s heart I believed that all mine were at an end, and my time was passed in one dream of unmixed delight.  Oh! what happiness I enjoyed in these interviews—­in seeing Veenah—­in gazing on her lovely features—­in listening to her sentiments, that were sometimes gay and thoughtless, sometimes serious and melancholy, but always tender and affectionate,—­and now and then, when not perceived, in venturing to take her hand.  These fleeting joys are ever recurring to my imagination, to show me what my lot might have been, and to contrast it with its sad reverse!

“The time now approached for Veenah and her mother to return to Benares.  On the evening before they set out, Fatima contrived for us a longer interview than usual.  It was as melancholy as it was tender.  But in the midst of my grief, at the prospect of our separation, I recollected that we were soon to meet again in the city; while Veenah’s tears, for she did not attempt to disguise or suppress her feelings, seemed already to forebode that our happiness was here to terminate.

“When about to part, we exchanged amaranths I took her hand to bid her adieu, and, without seeming to intend it, our lips met, and the first kiss of love was moistened with a tear.  Pardon me, Atterley, nature will have her way.”—­And here the venerable man wept aloud.

I availed myself of this interruption to the narrative, to propose to my venerable friend to take some refreshment.  Having partaken of a frugal repast, and invigorated ourselves, each with about four hours sleep, the Brahmin thus resumed his story.

CHAPTER XVII.

The Brahmin’s story continued—­The voyage concluded—­Atterley and the Brahmin separate—­Atterley arrives in New—­York.

“I was not slow to follow Veenah to the city, and as had been agreed upon, had to ask the consent of her father to our union, as soon as I had obtained the approbation of my own.  Here I met with a difficulty which I had not expected.  My partial father had formed very high hopes of my future advancement, and thought that an early marriage, though not incompatible with my profession, or a successful discharge of its duties, would put an end to my ambition, or at all events, lessen my exertions.  He first urged me to postpone my wishes, till I had completed my college course, and had by travelling seen something of the world.  But finding me immoveable on this point, he then suggested that I might meet with serious obstacles from Veenah’s father, whom he represented as remarkable both for his avarice and his bigotry; that consequently he was likely to dispose of his daughter to the son-in-law who could pay most liberally for her; and that the imputations which had been cast on my religious creed, would reach his ears, if they had not already done so, and be sure to prejudice him against me.