He wore a
different aspect from all the rest as he recognised in the person
of Brother Stevens, the handsome stranger, his antipathy to whom,
at a first glance, months before, seemed almost to have the character
of a warning instinct. A nearer glance did not serve to lessen his
hostility.
Our traveller was to the eye of a lover, one, indeed, who promised
dangerous rivalship, and an intrepid air of confidence which, even
his assumed character could not enable him to disguise from the
searching eyes of jealousy, contributed to strengthen the dislike
of the youth for a person who seemed so perfectly sure of his
ground. Still, William Hinkley behaved as a civil and well-bred
youth might be expected to behave. He did not suffer his antipathy
to put on the aspect of rudeness; he was grave and cold, but
respectful; and though he did not "be-brother" the stranger, he yet
studiously subdued his tones to mildness, when it became necessary,
in the course of the evening meal, that he should address him.
Few words, however, were exchanged between the parties. If Hinkley
beheld an enemy to his heart's hopes in Stevens, the latter was
sufficiently well-read in the human heart to discover quite as
soon, that the rustic was prepared to see in himself any character
but that of a friend.
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