The great basis of his character, in fact, was a selfishness,
which kept him perpetually indifferent to anything that was good or
generous in itself, or outside the circle of his own interests, beyond
which he never passed. Now, nothing, on the other hand, could be more
adversative to this, than the conduct, temper, and principles of his
brother and sister. Charles was an amiable, manly, and generous young
fellow, who, with both spirit and independence, was, as a natural
consequence, loved and respected by all who knew him; and as for his
sweet and affectionate sister, Maria, there was not living a girl more
capable of winning attachment, nor more worthy of it when attained; and
severely, indeed, was the patience of this admirable brother and sister
tried, by the diabolical temper of their violent and savage mother. As
for Harry, he had come to the resolution, now that he understood the
position of the property, to cultivate his mother's disposition upon
such a principle of conduct as would not compromise him with either
party. As to their feuds he was perfectly indifferent to them; but now
his great object was, to study how to promote his own interests in his
own way.
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