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a most accomplished good lady i dare say y u are surprised to see me again so soon i hope your headache is well this morning i pitied you so much last night is it quite gone how do you do miss exclaimed miss in her usual thoughtless manner we are all tolerably well thank you said lady replying for the party i trust lady was not fatigued night h dear no not in the least she is gone with sir richard to drive in his new this afternoon a terribly thing for dick has changed his horses and i am sure it will be a marvellous piece of luck if they both come home without broken bones i hope nothing so shocking will happen have you or will you take some with us thank you i sha be most happy what a charming party we make it is sometimes so pleasant to get rid of the gentlemen one then can talk at ease without the slightest restraint but i must confess i scarcely hoped for this gratification at the to day sir is gone i believe to walk or ride with mr replied miss coldly indeed i i was not aware until last night sir was an acquaintance of yours miss perhaps you do not know that papa held the of some years ago i am very slightly acquainted with sir the is a fine old place i understand very somebody told me lady there which if true i consider a great misfortune for sir for whenever mothers live with their sons or maiden sisters with their brothers the men are sure to on existence old i wish sir was here instead of no one knows where with unconscious of your anxious solicitude for his welfare exclaimed laughing nay it is universally acknowledged that mothers and maiden sisters have prevented more matches than any other people in the world i appeal to lady have they indeed i am not prepared to make so very sweeping an admission may i give you a little more lunch any more i thank you it is all very ingenious o you a to turn the conversation so cleverly but you v well sir was not the personage i alluded to just now lord is gone with lord to if it be to him you allude said lady thinking it best to put an end at once to miss s indeed i mamma and dick will probably meet them that is if these latter are not upset before they reach j seriously i never saw any one so handsome distinguished looking as lord he quite all the gentlemen in this neighborhood as i was observing to dick as we home last night no one can wonder at your preferring him after all to colonel and the blood her temples if you have quite finished we will go to the if you please said lady rising hastily certainly i want to speak with you cried miss seizing miss s reluctant hand and drawing it under her arm i was as near as possible forgetting the object ot my visit colonel called very early this morning at and said something about an excursion to abbey which you and he had not time fully to arrange yesterday evening mamma thought it such a charming project that we agreed to form a party there the day after to morrow and i came to ask whether you and all your friends would join u it is to be an pilgrimage and seemed so very anxious that i almost took upon myself to promise your acquiescence s cheek became pale and then flushed and she avoided her mother s or s glance i am quite astonished to hear you advocate a plan of colonel s i understood he was most at with all save sir richard replied she with an effort did you who could possibly have put such an idea into your head my authority was lady herself very likely mamma does sometimes make the tions will you come i think miss you must not urge she has been far from well during these few days past and the exertion and excitement will be too much said gently my dear you surely will not think of going exclaimed lady anxiously alarmed at her daughter s silence ah happiness sometimes more than misfortune as or or some other great remarks observed miss but surely dear you will not suffer this to deprive us of the pleasure of your company on friday my dear child excuse me mamma it would be a great disappointment to me to miss this party therefore if you have no objection i will accept s invitation you must please yourself replied lady coldly oh charming i then i shall make quite sure of you and we will call for you en route mind and bring lord and sir may we also hope to see you miss hesitated you must go if it be only to try your horse so dick tells me miss your brother has bought the mare i rode last autumn sh is a splendid creature and will carry you admirably her only defect is that she is rather hard in tiie mouth and therefore difficult to check will you not join our expedition i cannot quite promise if you will permit me to accept the invitation i shall be most happy so to do said resolved to say neither yes nor no but to decide when the day arrived what would be most expedient for her to do oh certainly miss i trust the day may be clear then we shall enjoy the fine view from the hill behind e abbey have been this morning to pay an early visit to mrs who wanted to consult me on the choice of for the supper room her | 41 |
ball will really be quite a splendid s band a supper from s the flowers and above all the old judge s magnificent gold and we have all heard so much about are to be taken from the mysterious cases in which they arrived from and employed t the principal table good mrs should receive her guests under a of silver to make the scene complete it would be kind in you to hint this to her said ah i you are me now but i must positively depart may i ring for the carriage lady never was permission more gladly given talked of connecting their with the house and lighting them both with colored lamps but i quite put my on that project i always consider it a great mistake to colored light with flowers it entirely spoils their hues don t you think so miss i dare say it does replied without raising her eyes from her work but i know we all thought so at when mamma gave her grand in honor of dick s coming of age then decidedly we shall see you on friday we must make the most of you during the short period you remain amongst us i shall like of all things however to be at your wedding and then afterwards pay you a visit at miss glanced at amused at the very supposition of lord being called upon to act the host to and entertain a being so frivolous and of course would be much concerned not to bee you amongst her other friends at her wedding said lady indeed i trust so here comes the carriage so now adieu i cried miss starting from her chair we shall call for you about twelve on friday and mamma to take a luncheon to spread on the grass under the ruins so you will not be alarmed lady if we return rather late miss pray persuade your brothers to join us also the d when we are all gathered together will be charming and will remind one of a goodly of days down the hill to the abbey gates good bye pray make my kind to lord and miss after shaking hands round and embracing took her departure poor i i am almost ashamed to confess how great a relief her absence is did you ever listen to such nonsense as her conversation and yet poor girl she is thoroughly well meaning and good natured exclaimed miss list yes was introduced very early into society and to take her own course with a miserable education and unsettled principles it is lamentable to think lady s weak foolish fondness for her children has been productive of such lasting injury to them both said lady i pity sincerely and have repeatedly tried to be of use to her but come dear as we shall not improve s condition by over her let us go out and walk somewhere as it is now too late to drive to day exclaimed the work from s hand exclaimed lady earnestly i trust yon intend to consult lord about this expedition i cannot express how uncomfortable it makes me be advised my dear child and give it up you could not go with any propriety without him and i feel convinced he will decidedly refuse to meet colonel mamma said miss throwing her arm around her mother s neck you will think me wicked perverse but once more i must see colonel i am firmly resolved to risk the interview do not grieve about it dearest dearest mamma indeed this shall be my last act of rebellion i must satisfy myself on one and you know not how much my future fate may depend on its issue come i and without once a glance in her mother s face seized s arm and quitted the room chapter vl when miss and her friend entered the drawing room a few minutes before dinner to s unspeakable relief they found no down but lord who in a comfortable was reading the newspaper miss had not seen her father since the previous evening he looked up as they entered good morning miss well how do you do i hope a night s repose and reflection have put to flight your strange of yesterday upon my soul i was perfectly astounded and could not divine what possessed you your mother made some excuse for your non appearance at the breakfast table this morning but i never saw you look better in my life i appeal to you i am pretty well again dear papa do not let us talk any more about yesterday said miss you have been to did you meet with lady or sir richard to be sure they drove up to the queen s head while we were there oh i you would have been amused had you seen her s plight sir richard s new horses she said had frightened her into fits tearing plunging and nearly the several times as i thought there was danger from that foolish fellow s headlong i advised her to got out and wait at the hotel until her own carriage could be sent for a piece of advice she was only too thankful to follow but come and sir to talk to you girls whilst i finish my paper cried lord good his spectacles i colored deeply and as fancied looked agitated she half arose however and held out her hand as the earl advanced towards her i hope i see miss better said lord gravely her hand almost immediately i am quite well thank you replied with glowing cheek she paused and then added you have been riding with papa this morning yes we have been to replied the earl coldly were there many people in town to day i mean many of our friends rejoined resolved not to be the place seemed to me more | 41 |
the beauty of the evening will have vanished before we get you all into the boat i do pot think i shall go in the boat this evening papa so do not wait for me said miss approaching i have just remembered an errand which ought not to be delayed and i am going instead across the park to s what nonsense send your maid to morrow and come along said her father sharply what can this new mean thought though she could scarce a smile at the evident amusement depicted on s face no papa thank you i prefer going myself responded in very decisive tones she then turned towards lord and the rich color mounted to her cheek as she added would it be disagreeable or too much to ask your to forego this excursion and with me certainly not it will give me great pleasure if you wish it replied the earl blushed crimson and for a moment a powerful prompted her to step into the boat but she repressed it and silently took s arm while her father with a shrug hurried in and following himself wished the a pleasant walk and the party pushed off what a handsome couple they make exclaimed sir in a low voice to as lord and pursued their way along the border of the lake a little in advance of the boat how gracefully miss for her caprice neglect or what shall i call it of last night i meanwhile and the earl proceeded on their way in it was a glorious evening and all around seemed gay glowing and harmonious now magnificent trees for a little space their path and their lofty boughs so as at times to shut out even a glimpse of the deep blue sky above then suddenly breaking and the soft turf with clusters of three or four down to the water s edge thousands of various flies and insects flitted with dreamy over the transparent water settling lazily on the pale lilies floating on its surface like cups of drifted snow and here and there a dark blue fly darted f om its leafy covert and after fluttering from one delicate blossom to another with lightning speed amid the fragrant and vegetation of an adjoining meadow in the distance the park stretched far as the eye could range with deep shadows and bright sunny patches upon which numerous herds of deer as for her heart beat violently and she could scarcely believe that she was really leaning on the arm of the and had of her own free will absolute herself to a it is now nearly a year and a half since we strolled thus together what events have glided by during this interval at length observed the earl slowly and there was something in the deep full tones which seemed to say and how little better are we acquainted i you have chiefly passed this period abroad rejoined hastily yes i have wandered in italy and through the south of france i quitted about four months ago remembered and the earl s letters and hastened to change the subject what a lovely evening exclaimed she all things appear so fresh and fragrant under this glowing sky i think there is nothing so delightful as to linger out of doors during one of these delicious it is so indeed and hard must that nature be which amid a scene of such calm loveliness and repose does not cast from it some of the of and the purer and better from its with him who created all things so fair and harmonious i abroad scenery is on a more gigantic scale but perhaps excepting some parts of germany one never meets out of old england with the rich pastures and ever turf and green which form so conspicuous a point in our english i am glad however to find you have the taste requisite to make a good a keen sense and enjoyment of the beauties of the country ah yes i bo one can love bright sun flowers and foliage more than i do replied quickly that the earl should e her as by his last words she hastily concluded he did so devoid of refined feeling and sentiment as to express such vivid pleasure that at least he had one congenial point in their tastes and pursuits but at the risk of exciting your surprise at my want of taste i must be candid enough to confess th i should reluctantly pass the entire year in the country we generally spend three or four months in town i quite agree with you to thoroughly enjoy the country or rather i should say to appreciate it requires the novelty and contrast of the heated rooms and dingy atmosphere of town but do you not think custom and fashion in people of our station a visit indispensable how could one be with the world literature in fact anything if the country demanded resolutely you quite mistake my meaning i think a yearly in town for persons of our condition u for eveiy one most delightful and but i should be sorry to see any person for whom i had a regard partake in all the of a london season and after months of excitement j i home broken in health and morally for the her highest and most sacred duties oh thought this is a gentle hint i may expect and the rule and method to be observed at ms s town mansion nay perhaps you will find it difficult to your nd upon others and to make it quite clear how much or they may mingle with the world to your responded she not my approval alone i would fain me that principle and the knowledge that we are accounts f all the good and evil of | 41 |
our actions for all or away of doing good would be nobler guide besides i am sure that you will me that a whether wife or daughter of a man of l p land estate has far greater opportunities for active benevolence ft making beloved and among the of her husband or father and consequently of a purer source of pleasure than amidst the oh i dare say all you say is true enough i her graceful head but have to play the f parish lady perverse perverse have proclaimed that scarce fe there a its neighborhood whose heart did not glow with it mused on the kindly counsels and bestowed by the fair young lady of the p but see i continued he pointing toward the lake the boat is a mere speck now the breeze e swift this evening or rather perhaps tis sir on s skilful what a lively good natured man he is i is a fo wherever w e nd most for n er was there any one more and high lad likewise is just the mother such a son may indeed be of she is precisely the type a woman of rank ought to be gentle dignified benevolent and devoted to the welfare of others lady ei constancy at the and i hope if ever becomes your home you will greatly benefit by her society for although i do not generally approve of female confidential friends there is no one should so sincerely rejoice to see you intimate with our s code appears to me a very singular and ent one may i ask your objection to female friends said i i think a woman can have no better than her husband and all things she cannot confide to him had much better remain i confess i should be so far f of my s affection that i could not another to my that confidence which from the moment bestowed upon me her hand is mine by right d said nothing in reply and for a few minutes they n in silence along a narrow green drive they had just on both sides by which led to the lodge wished to visit the grass was soft and with of bright mingling with bird lines of lor a at a sudden break in the woods through view of the park and its noble avenues of was admiral a your father has laid out the park and v cannot help flattering myself you will find greater at the ground there is more and pr and disposed i even more father had and and one of his have often heard from papa and others of your noble park he grounds around the mansion are also beautifully am told i have lately been making considerable alterations since my return from italy ai tt by the good taste of my two friends lady when i quitted home the of the garden into which open the windows ring o bible covered with golden blossoms and birds red jo amid the bushes the the of room h for two years ago were glowing with ordered them to be planted in such profusion knowing you preferred roses to any other flower beat she would have given worlds to put the and hear from the lips why at that period he had rejected her and as walked along how vividly did the wish arise that her marriage had then taken place it was yery kind of you to think thus for my gratification said she in a low voice turning away her head to conceal the tears which sprang to her eyes after a pause she added quickly lady suppose now to reside permanently at court yes she has quite established herself there lord was long in a declining state of health and died as of course you know at on his road home luckily i was then also abroad and hastened to offer every consolation and aid in my power to lady her meek to the blow which her of her only parent and left her in the world was but young as she is her mind is one of extraordinary power blended with a disposition noble firm and so totally free from caprice that t is impossible for any one long to withhold their tribute of admiration unconsciously as lord spoke a vivid flush mounted to s brow and she hurriedly withdrew her hand fro the earl s arm it must be a source of infinite consolation to lady to reside so near to i should imagine said she at length in constrained tones lord turned in surprise and bent a keen glance on his companion miss s head was averted but her beautiful figure moved with more stately an air than was its wont a smile curled the earl s lip and a peculiar expression flitted across his features she has often been kind and express herself so rejoined he calmly bit her lip indeed replied she drawing the folds of her shawl closer round her figure and walking on with a step still more determined lord again attentively regarded her mil at length said he firmly but gently let us not raise imaginary i you i fear unhappily there are already too many real ones to before we arrive at a right understanding of each other believe me once for all when i tell you lady can never inspire me with greater interest than is her due as my ward and moreover a very dear and friend trembled and a vivid color her cheek she felt profoundly that her secret towards lady should have been so promptly detected and her awe of the earl returned in full force as she saw no considerations no trifling would him from the to all fancied perverse on her part how he must despise me i thought she for and betraying | 41 |
such and acting so veiy contrary to his own open indeed my lord you are mistaken i sought not needed not such an explanation i exclaimed she eagerly after an embarrassed pause she then rapidly added does lady find court very dull and she does not live alone or otherwise i am sure she must mrs a distant cousin of the late lady s who has been her friend for years with her still what my lord your openly of female i exclaimed lady is not a wife therefore in her position it is highly desirable she should possess some such friend replied lord smiling but i have neither the right nor power even if i so willed to deprive the lady of the society of any friends she chooses to cultivate or even to my opinions upon her before i was speaking of my wife but would you wish to deprive your wife of her friends demanded with spirit most certainly not i would have her prize their friendship as ever but i must have all her confidence all her heart or none do you think me unreasonable replied lord his gaze keenly on her blushing cheek yes faltered then she added quickly you consider then this perfect confidence an obligation binding only on one side far from it let me only respect my wife her principles and conduct and she will have little cause to complain was silent and they proceeded until they came in sight of the lodge the object of her walk i shall not have time to speak with this evening we have walked so slowly upon second thoughts i will send with a message to morrow morning said pausing then shall wc turn again miss assented what an exceedingly elegant accomplished girl your friend miss appears said the earl after a silence indeed she is replied warmly and pretty as she is her goodness it as much as she is herself superior to all the world yesterday evening she paused well yesterday evening i am anxious to hear every explanation you can possibly afford rejoined the kindly and very earnestly but if i have none to offer at least not at present murmured after a pause while a slight tremor shook her frame then not to the subject i entreat miss replied the earl severely your is right it is a period too exquisitely painful to be lightly recalled retorted the earl merely bowed and immediately changed the conversation but s heart was heavy bewildering thoughts came crowding on her fancy not however with bitter self reproach she could not refrain from mentally acknowledging how much the earl was superior in intellect to him for whom he had been so deserted she recalled the refined and ever ready flattery always at colonel s command and compared it with the stern sincerity and proud of lord and in spite of herself conscience whispered which was most worthy to be and it is clear he does not love me mused no i i have him forever else would he so expose my yet i feel i could attain even to his standard doubts me not yes i could be happier with one who me the earl did not interrupt her and they rapidly continued their homeward walk the light had gradually fade away into purple twilight and wreaths of white mist curled and struggled over the distant of the park and around the margin of the lake your shawl is quite damp i hope you will not feel any ill effects from our late walk said lord as they stood a minute together in the hall oh no i am accustomed to be out late i trust we are beginning to understand each other better exclaimed the earl as for a second he retained her little hand within his own yes i think so perhaps i said as she darted away from his side and entered the drawing room lord took three or four more turns on the terrace and then re entered the mansion chapter vii a sunset some ten months prior to the events of the preceding chapters shed its glowing hues and blended into one mass of dazzling the rug ed peaks and dark outline of the ridge of rocky hills which the fair province of from the day had hot the steady heat of the south when no soft cloud over the sun s to stay the ardent beam under which the foliage loses its fresh and the fairest blossoms and the setting sun in glorious sank at last and disappeared behind the gloomy and magnificent chain of the bounding the far horizon the sky around and over the ancient city of with clouds of the deepest transparent rose color a fresh breeze then blew down from the mountains and the people poured from their close stifling houses into the dingy streets of what alas i was oi ce the capital of the largest and most important of the roman divisions of to the cool air and to gaze perchance with envy and admiration on the picturesque attire and indolent luxury of the occupants of the running along the of a few of the houses occupied by the chief citizens of all the inhabitants of that ancient city so isolated from the world by its peculiar situation appeared joyous on this calm summer evening they paused earnestly in knots of from three to four on the margin of the little stream the town w now and flowed forwards with unwonted speed as the light wind arose the theme however of all the high and low was the same the busy of all were employed on the arrival and stay of a english nobleman whom sickness apparently compelled to become a in their little city marvellous were likewise afloat of the extraordinary beauty of a fair young girl his daughter | 41 |
who appeared to lavish the tenderest care and affection on the invalid in days of the birth of an imperial heir or the of the triumphant entry of some victorious general from foreign conquest was scarce sufficient to excite the interest of the haughty citizen of but now its modem inhabitants with most in the hope of catching the slightest glimpse of their wealthy visitors crowded towards the mansion where they had taken up their abode but the e curiosity of the worthy if such it were was doomed to disappointment the blinds and clumsy wooden shutters of the tall mansion were closed and the strangers no outward sign to escape that they enjoyed or in tho delicious r which emptied half the houses in at the back however of this ancient mansion spread a garden with fragrant flowers rich varied and glowing as from the sickly produce of our northern and as fresh air space and the soft of heaven could render them on one side of the garden arose the square towers of tho fortress palace of the of and tho exquisite of the cathedral and all around were almost countless for as the province of can boast of possessing many of the richest in france so could then for its size glory in the number and wealth of its churches and along the front of the second story of the mansion stretched a broad balcony at both ends by a flight of stone steps by a of rough marble descending to the garden on this balcony or rather terrace as from its breadth it might be properly called close to the stood a small couch and on the stone beside lay a pile of faded cushions a long narrow window opened on the balcony the door of which pushed back a small gloomy looking apartment the of the mansion with muslin and a dingy floor which had seldom glowed beneath the vigorous of the the various articles over the table in the centre seemed strangely at with the style and general aspect of the room there was a piece of and of every hue in an ivory box by its side a f book lay also with materials around and close to them stood a magnificent with its large expanded over the edge of a of blue and at the other end of the table lay a huge piece of knitting with pins like thrust through a ball of wool a large arm chair and several smaller ones with a mirror in a gold frame completed th furniture of the apartment to return however to the balcony on one of the faded crimson cushions close to the foot of the couch knelt a young girl her arms resting on the top of the low and one hand supporting her head she was attired in white and her dress displayed the of her small rounded bust and bows of delicate lace fell around her throat confined al the bosom by a rich jewel and sparkling rings encircled the slight fingers raised to her brow supporting one of the most graceful little imaginable around which shining bands of hair soft fine and black as the purest jet gathered into a heavy behind her complexion was clear olive with the very faintest tinge of pink the cheek the small full and perhaps i in its expression and the of her face a oval her brow was smooth as ivory rather low than otherwise but wide and ample and the nose small and delicately but beautiful and refined as was the lady there was still something more fascinating in the soft deep tones of her voice and in the impassioned and language which occasionally burst from her lips as it did with the usually calm of her ordinary lady s education had been elaborate and cultivated in the highest degree her mind was lofty and impetuous to the soft glowing romance of the south where she had spent the greater part of her life early left to her own guidance by the increasing and fatal malady under which her father labored lady acquired a courageous and fearless decision of character and action surprising in one so young and these her peculiar circumstances and the responsibility which attached itself so early to her lot induced of deep reflection g sometimes on melancholy from her father broken in health and in intellect she derived little help in mrs the friend of her childhood she found an affectionate in her difficulties indeed but one whose counsel and flowed as the restless ocean and shook with every passing breeze thus lady ceasing at length to look for aid from those around her in all things that her own high principle and clear judgment approved without a shadow of a doubt in all others where circumstances demanded further counsel she sought and obtained it in the steady friendship of lord the son of her father s oldest friend then likewise resident at the lady asked and eagerly improved every opportunity for more intimate acquaintance with one whose opinion she so highly appreciated without the slightest apprehension for her future peace true though she had been previously informed by her father of lord s engagement to miss and had even heard its acknowledgment from the earl s own lips yet still there might have been peril in this familiar intercourse had not the in her own bosom for the beautiful lady loved passionately with the whole strength of her enthusiastic ardent spirit motionless she knelt on tie balcony leaning over the as if in deep meditation more than her hand swept across her brow and a restless flash lighted her eye y she laid her head on the end of the couch and wept around everything was placid and still save that now the air to the musical of the small bells from the numerous and towers throughout the city of a perfect | 41 |
which indicated she conceived the earl had fairly taken leave of his senses papa has consented to my marriage only on condition mr explains these mysteries so pray do not look so very concerned dear mrs replied lady flinging her arm round the kind old lady s neck mr promised tb leave for six months after we quitted italy and it was arranged lie should visit court though he did half engage to see us once more at ere we embarked so be it darling exclaimed mrs her face once more ith smiles i thought neither you nor lord could be so rash i trust with all my heart that this handsome engaging mr may succeed for i think next to lord he would be just the very husband for you dear i should not be surprised any day to see him arrive here perhaps he may replied lady whilst a blush of conscious security stole over her beautiful face let us go down into the garden the flowers look so very inviting well my dear if anybody deserves to be happy it is you l am sure replied mrs kissing her glowing cheek ah i think i hear dr s step in the next room so if you will excuse me i will now just ask him a few questions about the lady smiled assent you will mind and not remain out in the garden too late for night are always injurious in this queer place one does not know may be lurking amid those masses of tangled grass and foliage yonder said mrs as she lingered a moment before passing into the lady for a little space after she was gone remained in deep meditation on the sofa she then arose and throwing a large black lace shawl over her head and shoulders bounded down the steps into the garden she strolled slowly along in the direction of a grove of she had observed in her previous the rich green foliage of tall orange trees forming a wall on either side of the narrow alley which her path lay beautiful flowers expanded their leaves to gather the heavy refreshing dew and the air was laden with the delicious fragrance of countless orange blossoms drooping and glistening amid the dark glossy foliage like transparent pearl drops lady wandered on in a perfect ecstasy of delight until she came to a more dear and open space when she threw herself on a seat and prepared thoroughly to enjoy the scene in the midst of the lawn a small fountain up scattering around a of sparkling spray behind arose the majestic and towers of the cathedral which appeared so near that she almost imagined she could trace its deep shadows in the fitful moonlight beaming around and on looking more earnestly she at length perceived that in fact a high hedge of and other bushes only separated its from the garden she sat for a few minutes but suddenly started nervously to her feet as a dark shadow glided from under the covert of t e hedge and moved rapidly forwards in the direction of the plot of which the fountain formed thi centre lady her shawl closely round her and darted forwards house the figure quickened its pace also but presently she heard her own name uttered in a voice which sent the blood with a thrill to her heart she paused and hurriedly threw the veil fi ri k f head but ere she could articulate a syllable she found in the arms of mr dearest oh you terrified me what can bring hither in this mysterious manner said lady her head from her lover s shoulder fc nay i pray you look not so scared exclaimed lightly kissing again and again her glowing cheek j ld drawing her gently towards bench from which she had fl on his approach how is lord to night dear papa is a little better to day but i cannot alas i flatter myself the is permanent but i am all impatience to learn how you discovered us in this remote place for you cannot have received my letter besides what can be meaning of your extraordinary apparition in this garden your first is easily explained i did receive your note lady made a gesture of surprise luckily continued mr i met your messenger dearest at for in truth i should have been sorely perplexed on arriving at not to find you there so without an instant s delay i travelled is it now dr s opinion that your father will have strength enough to reach england dr thinks there is slight hope he greatly i believe on the effect of the sea voyage home and afterwards afterwards and the word faltered on her trembling lip afterwards i shall be an orphan desolate in a land of strangers i lord loves you dearly a low sob burst from her lips his loss will upon you severe affliction severe affliction i say rather it will be a calamity which will cast its shadow over the remainder of my life exclaimed lady vehemently dearest do you then know none of the people amongst whom this terrible will probably happen asked mr in a low voice who then will comfort and you mrs and shall i not have oh what mean you why torture mc thus said she in a voice of agony suddenly pausing as the thought flashed through her brain that perhaps he might be there to bid her farewell forever have you reflected on my proposal at which you promised to answer ere you sailed for england whispered mr in a voice nearly as agitated as her own seizing hand and drawing her towards him until her head rested on bosom lady started do you love me ay you have said so you have sworn so and yet you hesitate exclaimed mr impatiently as | 41 |
she still continued silent at this crisis will you reject a love and an affection devoted to you speak i lady raised lier head her cheek was white almost as the pale moonlight around but her voice though low was firm the of that last interview haunts me always for it was wrong in me ever to allow you to suppose i would entertain such a design i have reflected i cannot consent to what you propose but your father our union i has he not consented my beloved give me the right to console fox why suffer a scruple of propriety to between vows which once q would bring such abundant consolation remember my father s consent was but murmured lady perhaps the lady that she has pledged her faith to one unknown one in short whom report has more than once proclaimed said mr coldly why torture me thus you know you are unjust cruel have i ever deserved so harsh a is your love then as truthful and strong as during that calm sunset when you to me this hand do you repent no i i repent not of what i then promised i to you alone have i given myself why knowing this you choose to continue mysterious still i know not but whatever be your position if you are such as i believe you one whom i can reverence and honor i am yours always i exclaimed she vehemently j if you love me as i would be loved you place trust in my and those explanations i promised to satisfy the natural anxiety of your father are as nothing to you is it so my beloved i believe you incapable of aught then trust me when i solemnly tell you a marriage with me will be no to your high rank and that your father should he survive to witness its will joyfully give us his sanction and blessing oh if so i entreat you at once the which you and then with my father s consent i may even now be yours before we leave for england and her beautiful cheek glowed with eager expectation as she glanced into his face if you truly love me if you trust me knowing thai lord gives his consent to our union on conditions i pledge you my sacred word shall be fulfilled you will be mine without further pressing me to a solemn vow a vow which the personal safety nay perhaps the life of another and which me to secrecy on all concerning myself during the next six months think of the agony of our separation for so long a period during which i could not comfort or console you i imagine the torment of knowing you far away from me so young so fair beset with and i without a legal claim to silence their hopes dear if you indeed love me doom me not to such suspense i let a secret tie now bind us i dare not no no shall i give the right the power to any man living to draw me from my highest duty of my dear father and watching by his bed during the few hours which remain to him here shall i be guilty of such treachery nay if you yield to my prayer i solemnly promise you shall be free from wedded law until i publicly claim you as my bride lady trembled violently suddenly she started from her seat while every nerve quivered with excitement this cannot be exclaimed she with desperate courage i am the last of an ancient a noble line it would be criminal nay worse than criminal even believing you as i do worthy honorable and akin to the noblest of my ancestors to give their honors to one unknown and an adventurer you would say lady tour own conscience shall now decide test has not exposed the little sincerity of your affection you f well indeed to refuse the suit of a man in whose truth and you have not the confidence replied mr forgive i meant not this exclaimed she dear t love you too sincerely too deeply to urge you to any act to your welfare said mr as he fondly kissed the agitated brow of his i relied so much on my influence with you and your for me dearest that thinking at this critical period you would not refuse the protection of one chosen by yourself and by your father as your husband i even presumed to make preparation for our instant marriage my friend mr whom you may remember us in the cathedral the temple of let us go to him dearest tempt me not i cannot i dare not exclaimed lady passionately sinking again on the seat while tears dropped fast on lier white dress she raised eyes and saw such an expression of keen on her that she involuntarily buried her own i her hands said he at length in low earnest tones you distrust reject banish me from you may you never wish the events of this evening recalled farewell when i also visit england perhaps it may be to find you the bride of another of him doubtless whom you have probably now summoned to your aid astonishment for a second checked the sobs which shook lady s frame lord i you surely know he is engaged to murmured she faintly yet he loves you deeply fervently lady she shook her head perhaps you also deceive yourself as to your feelings towards bim i farewell i said mr in low mournful accents as he folded her to his bosom and pressed his lips to hers they were cold as marble he then replaced on the bench and after gazing on her a moment moved away she uttered a | 41 |
low cry and his name burst from her lips he was instantly at her side leave me not i know not what i say or do i am very uttered she in low unsteady tones sweeping her hand across her brow said she earnestly this evening i swear to become yours now tell me this mystery a bright smile of hope and exultation beamed on mr s face m a few months from period i will meet you again under your own roof of court to claim you openly then you shall know all till then let it suffice you dearest that i love you beyond the power of words to express now my as you have given yourself to me come let us hasten or mrs will be alarmed at your long absence exclaimed mr hastily folding her shawl about her and throwing bis arm around her waist ere she had time for remonstrance or hesitation ho swiftly carried rather than led her through an out in the hedge carefully hidden by straggling branches and ib s very brief space they stood before a low narrow door way nearly by one of the projecting of the magnificent of stay stay exclaimed lady breath laying her hand upon mr s arm already to push back the door one minute i what is your your name and she darted a piercing look of into his face mr smiled he fondly took the little hand resting nervously on his arm and carried it to his lips be at peace dear one is indeed my own my true name why should you doubt it and the whole of it persisted lady veiy earnestly at this moment the door yielded to his touch and they stood within the majestic cathedral the and side were enveloped in gloom but the clear shone through the rich painted windows and the marble pavement of the choir with luminous patches of crimson and blue the of many of the columns the from the were also bathed in soft radiance streaming up the shafts while the graceful pointed arches soaring one above the other were lost in shadowy obscurity and the eye vainly sought to penetrate the gloomy beyond lady stood with a feeling of solemn awe all around appeared wrapped in calm immovable repose and she involuntarily g closer to her lover s arm as their shadows glided mysteriously swiftly before them on the pavement and the soft light trembled in strange relief on each marble statue in its as they passed would you fear dearest to await me here for a few brief moments whispered mr as they reached the high altar and lady sank on the step overpowered with mingled awe and secret apprehension she silently bowed her head and mr vanished from her side for a second or two she sat where he left her a kind of mysterious panic seemed gradually creeping over her senses and she involuntarily shuddered and hid her face in the folds of her shawl presently she threw it from her and gazed nervously around beyond the choir all a long dark interminable vista of gloom just before her at a few yards distance exactly before the high altar arose a magnificent of white marble she arose and approached nearer around were in marble and the moon s rays rendered the figures strikingly prominent the subject on which the artist appeared to have so much skill was a funeral the stately the train of male and female in their long flowing and the fu car the blazing were all depicted with vivid on one side of the tomb was an inscription in large golden letters lady read in a gaze fascinated into upon the tomb lay a figure of the monarch the lighted up the features distinctly but so calm and phantom like did the pale appear bathed in the rays that she stood gazing upon it almost gradually her beautiful head sank on the tomb a few minutes thus elapsed and ihe lady was roused from her painful reverie by the sound of approaching footsteps and soon she discovered she scarcely knew how so rapid had been the transition that her tears no longer flowed on the chill marble but her cheek rested on the bosom of her lover and mr s lips murmured words of love and encouragement in her ear my beloved i all is ready and mr us come oh must this must this really be do you indeed exact so fearful a proof of love exclaimed she in low tones of extreme distress exact i no but is it possible a few brief moments have again shaken your confidence in me said mr mournfully no no murmured she hurriedly yet strange thoughts flitted across me during your absence my father has given his consent is it not so my therefore we no by these our hasty exclaimed mr once throwing his arm round her gently though resolutely he led her forwards and in a few they stood within a small chapel brilliantly by the glare of some half dozen it was the chapel to t charles that holy and bishop who during the awful in held his life cheap so that he might win to god and who by his heavenly charity and soothed the dying agonies of many a poor penitent when the majority of the scared by the frightful iy fled from the devoted city their flocks their bishop and the few courageous brethren who nobly remained to share his fate and aid his pious lady threw a hasty bewildered glance around she perceived that besides mr who had once been introduced to her before as a clergyman of the church of england and mr s former and travelling companion and friend there were two or three persons present mr arrayed in hastily advanced towards | 41 |
them as they entered he said something but nearly sinking to the ground in agitation and excitement she heard not its purport mr hurriedly threw his arm round her and to mr led her to a low square block of stone in the centre of the chapel on which rested an open book soon solemn words fell in low emphatic accents from the lips of mr lady line with her head bowed low and her small hands clasped together stood by or rather leaned on him to whom she was about to vow fidelity not a tear her eyes and their long lashes rested on a cheek flushed and burning with agitation mechanically she repeated the words required of her but not even at the voice of him she loved so well did she venture to raise her eyes the whole appeared a dream her a head swam and the hot blood rushed to her brow the words presently ceased a was laid before her a pen placed between her trembling fingers and she was told to write her name his voice murmured the request she instinctively obeyed and it was all over the lady lord s proud beautiful had her faith to one unknown gradually then the vivid color faded from cheek as she fell back into mr s arms her fair head drooped and she fainted when lady revived she found herself on the same rustic bench in the garden which she had sought on mrs then little thinking in the lightness of heart as she so along the orange walk that the following hour was to be the hour of her destiny the hour which would color all her future ones the of or woe of bliss to come or of misery a gentle breeze had sprung up and the soft night wind murmured and crept with rustling sound amid the beautiful foliage and around the delicious perfume of the rich southern vegetation and she lay in her husband s arms and wept wept as if her whole heart would itself in the cathedral clock eleven they had just been absent half an hour from the garden lady started mrs will be seeking me dear you must suffer me to say farewell i indeed i need repose think of the wearing anxiety of the last four months exclaimed she striving to herself from his arms one moment longer my own my wife i listen i must see you secretly and frequently after your return to england will you promise by the love you have vowed that when j u receive the remaining portion of this clasp you will meet me wherever i indicate and mr hastily passed round the slender throat of his bride a thin gold chain to it was a small circular clasp in fashion resembling the ancient or richly studded with diamonds and in the centre mr s was wrought in jewels but between the letters so as to divide them exactly in the middle was a tiny of fine blue by a of diamonds bearing the single letter indeed dear i promise faithfully it will bo the only consolation left to me murmured lady as mr divided the clasp she hastily hid the part hanging to the chain in her bosom and they moved slowly towards the house you will stay and see dear papa said lady hesitatingly raising her earnest eyes to his face certainly my love i will go with you and shake hands with mrs this evening and to morrow i hope to see lord and i have another thing to mention said lady pausing suddenly and blushing i shall be obliged to write and summon lord hither immediately papa is continually asking for him and mrs reminded me cf it this evening a slight a very slight shadow darkened mr brow lord is your father s i believe m him then dearest if you judge it necessary said he after a pause they had now nearly reached the house a of shrubs and around which the walk wound separated them only from the steps of the balcony all at once the sound of mrs s shrill voice the lady in more than was her wont smote on their ear as tbey lingered arm in arm to suffer aught to the deep happiness which filled their hearts mrs i exclaimed lady darting forwards on the steps she met her friend here i am dear mrs oh i what is it tell mc quick oh nothing very urgent my dear nay pray do not frighten yourself my dearest love exclaimed the old lady though she appeared herself veiy fluttered and uncomfortable my father i well i see i had best tell you at once dr my dear considers within this last hour a most change has taken place in your father s condition and he thinks lord ought to be sent for immediately shall i write my dear whilst you go to lord you will find a sad sad change oh my what a world this is of ours said kind mrs while tears slowly streamed down her cheeks lady did not utter a sound but sank against the bless me i mr is it possible suddenly cried mrs starting forwards and looking as if he a strong suspicion she was addressing some supernatural yes t is i indeed mrs and though unexpected i trust not the less welcome indeed mr we are truly glad to see you said the old lady advancing and extending her hand though i fear under our present circumstances we can but give you a mournful welcome ah i perceive what has detained that dear child out so late until her cheek rivals the lily added she watching lady s wavering color and languid eye the door of the sitting room here sharply opened and dr appeared mrs where is lady she ought to be immediately informed of | 41 |
the very serious alteration in his s condition said he hurriedly disappearing again lady instantly arose to morrow murmured as mr for a second bent over her and pressed her hand in his but you will not be far if if her pale lip quivered and she hastily quitted the room twenty four hours elapsed and lord was dead chapter what a nuisance a wet day is in the country do you think it will clear up sir exclaimed miss strolling towards one of the windows before taking her seat at the on the day but one following her walk in the park with her the morning does not certainly look very promising as yet but i see a feeble gleam to the right yonder over that fir plantation which appears as if the sun were lingering but for a favorable moment to drive these provoking clouds away so i think there is hope yet miss sir approaching the window and gazing out also on the dreary morning the rain fell in swift bright drops on the large panes and the wind with murmur swayed here and there the green boughs and tossed the beautiful shrubs on the smooth lawn fresh and from the torrents which had in the night as during the earliest days of spring the air was warm and fragrant with the refreshing steaming from the heated earth and a thick kind of mist hung over the lake and the distant and avenues of the park in short never did morning of more aspect dawn and gentle lady though she loved the blue sky and bright sun as well or better than most people never felt more thankful in her life than when she first awoke and heard the wind blow and the rain and while in answer to her eager on the state of the elements when she came to open the bedroom shutters replied ah this is quite an english morning wet and dismal such a contrast to the last three or four beautiful days moaned still at the window sir appeared highly amused at her despairing accents i am sure miss ought to be highly flattered at the interest you take in her or what i call it if she carries her friends off to this dripping day i hope her conscience may not be by their pains and as i feel mine to be by the sufferings of your friend i must run down to as soon as break t is oyer and try and make my peace with mrs it really was very thoughtless of you sir to keep her mt late in the boat the other evening without even the tion of an extra poor is as hoarse as a this morning and was so feverish besides last night that i began to be seriously uncomfortable you do not surely moan to tell me miss is worse this morning exclaimed sir with considerable anxiety expressed on his handsome good face no on the contrary i am rejoiced to say she is decidedly better have just been to sec her and have given her leave to down stairs by lunch time so pray do not look so unhappy sir but when she makes her appearance do your best to show your by making yourself as useful and agreeable to our dear invalid as possible said laughing you shall see what a capital n i can make but you are placing monstrous confidence in my honor for if you render the punishment so very pleasant fear i shall be sorely tempted to repeat my offence miss is so very good natured and amiable good natured and amiable i i have a great mind to quarrel with you seriously sir for using such very commonplace terms in your of my friend is an angel and as good as she is pretty and refined i exclaimed and i am sure also she has a noble generous hearted friend which is a boon that falls to few rejoined sir warmly see there is a break in the clouds yonder and they appear altogether less dense and compact a gloomy morning is often followed by a day shall be so delighted for s sake who would be disappointed at the failure of this riding party especially as she did not see you when she called sir said blushing but you know i must stay at home and nurse in spite of the regrets of the divine i you will have your revenge sir for luckily must likewise stay and aid you of course since this rainy morning puts the expedition quite out of the question but my dear breakfast is quite ready i wish you would take your post and pour out the said lady will never give up the expedition for this slight rain mamma the clouds are breaking and i we shall have glorious sunshine at noon said miss casting one lingering look over the misty landscape as she slowly moved from the window think how splendid the old trees behind the abbey will glistening with rain drops i and how it j will he will be in i she with a light laugh oh doubtless she will you should add also miss when all her party stand huddled together in a picturesque group wet to the skin the ladies with their and fair in rain and the ground sinking like a at every step t how charming to alight and umbrella in hand the grassy courts and of the abbey really sir you always contrive to draw such ridiculous pictures said with a laugh though sir fancied it was not so as usual you know very well we need be reduced to none of these deplorable straits could we not have the carriage mamma to follow us to the abbey in case of any desperate extremity lady hesitated she had never been in | 41 |
the habit of opposing or offering any to the wishes of her only and child but now she felt herself strong in opposition to a scheme which would again throw her darling into the society of the fascinating colonel certainly my dear the carriage is at your disposal but indeed i cannot consent to your your precious health by this foolish project of s i shall therefore write a note immediately after breakfast and despatch it to with your excuses my love replied lady firmly s color rose she continued her coffee but there a calm determination in her eye which did not escape the notice of sir who was sitting beside her has always some ridiculous fancies and schemes poor girl she thinks they make her of importance but it is quite out of the question your thinking of going to day i cannot conceive what novelty you find in these i believe i have ridden with you there some hundred times so my dear do not distress us by talking about it more exclaimed lord looking up from his paper but dearest papa i promised so very faithfully and the weather is clearing and the sun actually struggling down to dry op this we shall have such a delightful ride pray let me go i exclaimed in those tones her indulgent father never resist while lady finding her daughter had f one of her energetic ceased to offer any very opposition come your coffee and will be cold before you have the of that heap of letters i hope yoa ha e good news from court of your pretty ward lady said lord addressing the earl who since the arrival of the post bag in the of the opposite window to that where had stationed herself busily reading his numerous letters sir fancied though to be sure he might be mistaken that his friend for reasons known only to himself found more interest in watching the actions of the fair young girl before him than in the delicate pages in his hand thank you lady is quite well though she writes in depressed spirits for her friend mrs has been seriously replied lord pushing aside his letters and taking the vacant chair near lady i really must for my lady pray do not think that necessary may i now inquire what this expedition is on which you appear so resolved said lord with a smile rising and bringing his cup to her did not could not speak she silently filled the cup and hastily withdrew her fair hand as it came in contact with that of her there could now no longer be any reasonable doubt as to the intimacy with the mistress of court they i the hand of lady had filled those miniature sheets of paper with lines written closely and finely as with the pen of a fairy who could pretend now to deny their intimacy no not even her friend i v meanwhile the day was clearing the heavy clouds burst and rolled gradually away and the damp gray mist vanished first one little gleam of sunshine rested on the summit of the distant hills then another fell on the dull angry looking water of the lake presently a tiny morsel of the most luminous peeped from beneath the dense leaden expanse above another few minutes and the bright beams struggled and poured downwards and the pale blue sky became by masses which sailed and until they dissolved in the clear as predicted the heavens by noon bade fair to be a perfect blaze of splendor and she was more resolved than ever on her expedition look look mamma i told you we should still in another lovely day cried she triumphantly trying to lord s question pointing to a brilliant ray which fell that instant on the crimson glass on the breakfast table the day appears to have taken a most unexpected turn mj love but still i believe you will find it very damp and disagreeable amongst the ruins and is so shaded by trees but if you are resolved to go have you requested lord s escort for you cannot ride alone my dear and i fear your father has other engagements this morning said determined upon making another effort lord repeated his question and this time sir answered the state of the case is this miss fears to be to death in the house doomed to the society of two such very companions as you and i and therefore in spite of the elements on joining a party to abbey planned by that veiy young lady miss now you are quite au in the matter although i think it very unreasonable of you not to yield to your mother s wishes and the ride until a more day yet if you have any especial motive for joining miss s party i shall have great pleasure in accompanying you said lord gently fixing his earnest eyes oh face blushed and turned away with an sensation at her heart especial motive had she not only one little week to decide on the most momentous event of her life i and three days were already expired ah i why were you like those foolish ones who blindly reject the good the happiness god invariably places sometime in his children s path in search of that vague imagination always pictures though never s principles however were too upright too honorable to her to accept the offer of the earl s escort knowing what ber secret object in the expedition was but this again involved her in fresh perplexity i fear the morning is rather damp and unpleasant for those who have lately been accustomed to a more genial climate therefore should be so very sorry to force you to this gallop over our bleak hills said she hesitatingly i dare say is going though are you quite sure | 41 |
dear papa you could not spare me this afternoon quite impossible my dear i am going to ride to n to business with my replied lord abruptly lord instinctively perceived some mystery behind s embarrassment and of whom does this party consist asked be coldly of the family miss mr and mrs mr frank colonel captain mr and some others whom i forget replied lady promptly for from the very first day the earl s arrival she had wisely resolved that no reserve no mystery on her part should her daughter s movements from the observation of the man she so earnestly wished to see her united to and his respect and her influence were thereby increased sir i suppose you at least intend to go said miss after a pause rising with heightened color from the break fast table yes certainly if i am back from in time you remember i have first to call on mrs with a of her daughter s health i will set off immediately you will ride with us i must beg to be excused i have letters to write which will not admit of delay replied the earl and felt that the better understanding and greater cordiality between them since their evening walk had vanished well remember i neither sanction nor approve of this expedition i think it a most foolish affair just as if people cannot eat their luncheon quietly and comfortably at home instead of sitting shivering and shaking under some damp hedge and giving themselves all manner of pains and mind if you will be so silly i absolutely lay my strict that you shall not sit down on the grass grumbled lord throwing aside the newspaper don t you think she would be much better at home it is impossible to an opinion must be the best judge of how far her promise to join this party will be considered binding replied the earl calmly nay but dear papa i will be so very very careful do not bo alarmed i will wrap myself up so well and to you shall send all kinds of against wind and rain only you must not look so grave and shake your head as though you thought that instead of enjoying a good i was about to rush into some terrible danger exclaimed pausing behind her father s chair and throwing her round his neck while her pretty eyes smiled and beamed lovingly on hi you little said lord fondly patting her cheek after all i believe i shall be obliged to ride with you and take care of you myself oh papa it will be so very very kind of you but mind if i go no persuasion on earth shall in me to touch a of her s luncheon and i must be home again by three very well papa we are to join the party at the ruins i wrote to yesterday begging her not to call for me as it was uncertain when we should be able to set out now i must go and talk with exclaimed miss bounding from the room about half an hour afterwards ready equipped for her excursion she entered poor s darkened chamber well my darling how do you feel after breakfast i am come to have just half an hour s chat with you before we set off for i trust has been very attentive and brought you everything you could wish said sinking into a chair by the bedside and tossing her riding hat from her head much to the of the smooth which taking into consideration the state of the atmosphere had for her usual flowing curls i am much better and have made a most excellent breakfast and you are going to dearest continued she in a tone of regret i heard a most deplorable account of the weather do pray draw the curtain and let me judge for myself arose and did as she was requested sec it has turned out quite a bright lovely morning not at all too hot to make a ride of seven miles uncomfortable but i am so pleased you are better and so will sir be also i will answer for it you have no idea how miserable he seemed about you this morning and so penitent for having persuaded you to stay out late on the water ah my dear i foresee now i shall soon have to lecture you on the of such sudden looking all the time so modest and prettily behaved really you are too absurd sir is very good natured and appears ready to be obliging and kind to everybody said blushing a very little yes and you will have such a charming mother in law to guide you in your duties at the continued laughing lady is everything a woman of rank ought to be you know and measured by the earl s standard she cannot s far short of perfection i generally remark and i will say it in spite of your that when people begin to find out they are amiable good natured and agreeable they end at last in discovering multitudes of other good and charming qualities do they i cried now i can fairly turn the tables you remember you told me the other day how amiable and agreeable you found the earl during your a now mind i shall look to you to work out your own prophecy but to be serious who rides with you this morning to papa sir and constitute my staff replied turning away her head and not lord oh think what effect this continued defiance of his wishes must at length produce tell me did you not ask him to ride with you or how did it happen the truth is when he offered me his escort my conscience would not allow me | 41 |
promptly to accept of it knowing i was deliberately seeking an interview with a man whom he mamma afterwards mentioned that colonel was amongst sir s guests and then his coldly and declined to be of the party and now all is dark between us dark as ever i exclaimed said earnestly give up this party what can it signify to lord s wife to sound colonel s sentiments if he has been trifling with you why voluntarily submit to the humiliation of listening to such an and if his passion is sincere consider as you tell me you are firmly resolved on your engagement what additional struggles you doom yourself to encounter when cease i i am firmly resolved to ascertain this day whether i have been the sport the toy of an man or the object of a sincere long suppressed passion it may be foolish it may be rash but i am determined i and if it proves to be the former what a lesson what a warning will it be to me through life one more effectual than all the earl s i exclaimed vehemently her lips becoming very pale but should he profess the latter what then then at least i shall have the consolation of knowing i am not the poor you and all the rest of the world imagine replied smiling bitterly i know while you are in this mood it is vain to argue the any longer so i will forbear said sorrow folly sinking back on her pillow if i resist persuasion from your lips you must feel how necessary it is to my happiness to have this point up and perhaps t is of no less vital consequence to the earl also should the result prove that he can stand clear of his engagement to a girl to whom he even did not think it requisite to announce his intended arrival at her father s house who knows but that in his next letter to court in reply to the long one he received this morning he may announce joyous tidings to the lady excuse me but i know in your heart you do not believe a syllable of what you have just said replied calmly if lord were desirous of offering his hand to lady a single word would release him from his engagements to your family he could not hesitate on the score of your affection being as your manner whether assumed or not must soon satisfy him on this point but i am also certain if lord does not offer lady s letter for your perusal it will be your own fault oh if i could only believe so i murmured tears springing to her eyes only try what did lord say the other evening only let me respect my wife well force him to do is it not worth a trial can you compare colonel to him in intellect worth honorable feeling personal appearance in fact anything all this is true perfectly i cannot deny it i murmured covering her face with both her hands miss did not speak again for some moments if i go astray dearest after your i shall indeed deserve all the it may but go i must today and meet nay do not look so grave it shall be the last time i grieve your heart and if i find he has with me if the report of his engagement be correct you will then learn to love lord who has been so true in his attachment as sincerely as your imagination is now smitten by the worthless interposed would you wish me so miserable as to love without the chance of such a return as would alone satisfy me but how selfish i have been talking and exciting you in this manner and how bad your cough seems i will ring immediately and a dose of let me arrange these pillows more try this way darling there now your head looks as if it rested more easily when i must say adieu for i hear the horses are brought round to the hall door and dear papa grows always impatient if i am not punctual to a second here she comes was the bearer of a veiy urgent message from lord ton his daughter that it was more than a quarter past the time she had fixed to set off and after some in the necessary of her descended to the drawing room lady received in silence her daughter s parting embrace as to confess the strict truth she felt thoroughly timidly paused one very brief second as she passed tjie couch on which lord quietly absorbed in a new publication that morning received from town but as his did not to raise his very handsome eyes from his or to manifest any token that he was aware of her presence she hurriedly quitted the room lady arose and approached the window i cannot express how strange of s pains and me i it is so so utterly unlike her r said she in a voice of deep feeling as the party by lord flung aside his book dear lady we must have patience let us hope her own good sense and of principle will at last explain that which now appears so inconsistent and said he taking her hand his words and manner were gentle and kind lady sighed chapter ix and a pleasant ride they had through green lanes and over smooth meadows all with the growing moisture of a soft summer rain for the road to the ruins of abbey lay across fields and by paths and sometimes between tall thick hedges where the way was so very narrow as scarcely to suffer two to ride abreast there is something in this exercise of riding to a light happy spirit | 41 |
it affords to bound freely the elastic air the pure clear on a day when the birds sing and the blue sky stretches over a smiling joyous landscape but there is also to the heart depressed by worldly anxiety and care an excitement in the quick which something which the blood and the languid energies something in the murmurs of the fresh breeze that whispers of hope and of a time when he who created so fair and mysterious a world for the enjoyment of his fallen creatures shall at length render all within man as harmonious shall bind up the wounds of the broken in spirit and make the waste places of the heart glad with abundant consolation and so it was with though we fear most of her friends would exclaim that at any rate she did not feel troubled at but rather in her but if such was their thought they decidedly wronged her for no high girl could act directly counter to the advice and known wishes of her dearest friends however right she might conceive herself to be without being conscious of a very profound and uncomfortable feeling of sadness lurking in the hidden recesses of her spirit and did feel very miserable as she mounted her horse and tears glittered in her beautiful eyes which she had great difficulty in but as tlie air her and fluttered amid the folds of her veil the sensation on they sped now on the soft yielding turf then on the crisp gravel but neither miss nor her father seem inclined to enter into the animated dialogue going forwards between sir and felt a spell hang heavily her usual lively spirits perhaps it might bo the remembrance of the kind mother at home over her wilful the hedges spread and displayed all the wild of a brilliant june morning here and there huge bushes of white and pink dog roses shot forth vigorous branches the stems of the thorn and drooping showers of pink blossoms and foliage on the bank beneath the sun ere they arrived in sight of the ruins had well nigh dried up every of water and everything looked fresh and glowing that even lord was brought to that weather more for the thorough enjoyment of a ride could not be desired though he refused to extend his concession to the unlucky or to in which he were foolish things in this at all times and in all seasons and perhaps he was right well we are but i do not at present any of her s preparations said lord aa they wound along the narrow bridle path down to the ruins her knows better than to choose so exposed a site as any you can now see the luncheon i suppose will be spread in the hollow behind the abbey sheltered by the of elm trees or in what will please you better papa as you are so very inclined this morning in queen mary s chamber replied queen mary s i growled lord in tones half half amused and there stands the fair waving her handkerchief to us exclaimed sir hi horse to s side and directing her attention to miss who stood with several ladies high above gazing down from a ruined window surrounded by a large party of gentlemen see miss yonder also sits lady on a camp stool with a under her feet looking as chill and miserable as if she were doing penance i i see she is talking to colonel mad mad i she positively must be crazy an old woman to be betrayed into such absurdity i said lord bursting into a fit of laughter as lady with colonel s assistance and hoisted a pale rose colored at this moment a couple of came forward to lead away the horses and after a slight lord reluctantly dismounted and giving his arm to his daughter proceeded to the spot where lady sat she arose as they approached but carefully avoided beyond the borders of the mat how do you do i am sure i need not put that question to you miss for i never remember seeing you look better sir i am delighted to see you you will find my son yonder exclaimed lady pointing with the delicate ivory handle of her he and frank are engaged deciding a bet whether the at the last were as wide as the abbey moat gk mr it is really very kind of you all to come this damp morning damp enough and i fear you find the wind rather keen lady for you look very pinched and chill said lord bowing coldly to colonel do i now really if could just trouble you mr bald to step to the carriage and fetch my large daughters in these days lord are not sufficiently thoughtful for their parents comfort and there is yonder who never dreams it possible i can be worse for all this miss but a few steps from her irritable was talking to the colonel and did not at first hear colonel continued lady in days you positively would have been for as you always contrive to attract and a young lady s attention i was going to inquire miss after the health of the earl of lord is perfectly well i believe lady replied with heightened color his s time must be very precious now i know before my darling s marriage mr was wholly occupied with his correspondence and in to his man of business all may be de rose during the courtship to the young bride elect you know my dear lord as she is supposed to be ignorant of these various little but to us parents all the of pin money c mar in no small degree the pleasing excitement of a wedding said lady complacently colored and colonel and the gentlemen around could not repress a smile for | 41 |
despite lady s it was notorious that her darling s husband mr depended for his yearly income on the favorable balance in his books how does your sister like her horse asked col to change the conversation appears highly delighted and beautifully she would have been here to day but for a bad cold which rendered it impossible for her to ride this morning for which she may thank that foolish fellow exclaimed pointing to sir who insisted on her on the lake until near midnight i rejoined lady quickly i did not know you were so enthusiastic sir we have a splendid sheet of water at which i hope as you are fond of may be an to you to give us the pleasure of your company for a few days you do me great honor lady but when my visit to the is ended it is very uncertain where destiny may transport me replied sir i trust then your stay at the may be much for we cannot spare you sir when all our are flying fi om the neighborhood do you know land i even heard the other day that the were ordered from more to some place i i suppose it wai a report after all our case lady ia not quite so lamentable though provoking enough we arc under marching for but you may fan how keen must b our regret to quit a place where we have with so kindness and hospitality i can honestly some of the happiest hours oi my have been spent in m continued he lowering his voice until to s ear was it alone audible although the regiment may be ordered away i trust colonel has no resolve to reject the invitations of his old friends and that we shall still frequently welcome him in this neighborhood said lady smiling oh i am charmed this foolish is decided for i see sir coming towards us continued her half rising as her son and his friend appeared but then the fairest flower will no more be seen is it not wise miss to avoid places and reminiscences can but recall too vividly a time of exquisite happiness vanished forever murmured in s ear can this be the language of a man to another thought it depends whether those reminiscences are such as conscience replied she nevertheless promptly well dick who has won indeed you must both have been deep in argument not to perceive miss s presence exclaimed as the young men approached i most humbly miss said sir hastening forwards but you see those confounded elder bushes completely concealed this spot how is lady and your friend miss mamma is well but i cannot give so good an account of who is laid up with a bad cold i am sorry to hear it frank if your has recovered its since that terrible shock at the chase and you can do honor to my introduction by an elegant bow i will beg permission to present you to miss miss may i introduce my friend frank of mr frank inclined so profoundly as to set at rest all doubt any one might feel as to the perfect of hia f but i am dying to know how you have decided the bet dick interposed lady well mother as it seemed impossible to come to any decision we resolved to bob to to fetch the horses so and black may have at it presently i am so glad you are here miss it will be a piece of rare sport but the best of it is mother frank his groom is lighter than bob who i proposed should be our am surprised at mr i should say bob was stone the lighter replied lady delighted her darling son had at last found something sufficiently novel to his interest well lady while these young gentlemen discuss their and i propose that you and i take a gentle stroll through the ruins unless indeed as i strongly recommend you take up a position amongst the cushions of your carriage as the most comfortable you can command here said lord to tell you the truth i think i have never fully recovered that sad between and in dick s so i think i will take your advice my dear lord if you will be good enough to give me your arm here comes and lady arose languidly and stepped from the mat as if she were about to place her toe o m red hot my dear i am so enchanted to see you i i was quite sure you might be relied upon though mamma you would not come cried miss bounding forwards followed by two or three after all it was such a very slight shower and one might be ever in the house if such accidents were suffered to break up one s projects well sir you have never been over to to see my but i suppose men are alike and all their promises resemble which the first breath of wind why i mamma continued miss as her eye rested on her mother s fled figure how can you wrap yourself up in that fur this day you look exactly like the old of beg your pardon my dear when he came home fix m crawling like a huge under all his and per your mother like a sensible person is going to sit quietly in her carriage until you are wearied of your in the wet woods but i should like to know miss now jou have taken the trouble of bringing us all together what the it b jou intend us to do said lord do i my dear lord yon are always so droll i hope after you liave enjoyed this fresh air and the hill yonder which is really worth your while to do | 41 |
to look at the of the swollen river in the valley you will ride back with us to as i really could not the fact that it was too damp and wet a day to dream of a entertainment among the ruins i am infinitely obliged to you my dear for being convinced of this fact but unfortunately it will be impossible for and myself to return home with you as i have an engagement at three o clock replied lord oh i am so grieved but continued she dragging miss a few paces from the group why did you not bring lord when i left he proposed to be busily engaged during the whole morning with letter writing replied rather embarrassed how provoking i you must excuse me but i protest i should be ready to quarrel with any man who preferred occupying himself with his correspondence rather than obey my sovereign will and pleasure mamma however declares these philosophical lovers generally make attentive husbands and i am sure i cannot help thinking there is truth in what she says for never was there a more devoted lover than mr and now poor dear only catches a glimpse of him once or so in a couple of days and here in the pursuit of her silly scheme she had subjected lord to the impertinent comments of such a girl as i felt her cheek i assure you it was my fault and my own fault alone lord did not accompany me here this morning replied she coldly oh i am sure of it i do not doubt it i rejoined miss quickly for there was that now in miss s a species of distant coldness and slight which invariably reminded her young friends save the privileged when lord s conceived they were on the sacred ground of conventional in the freedom of their remarks but my dear if you have no objection let us walk up the hill and take a stroll round that beautiful meadow we shall be back by the time mamma is comfortably packed in the carriage then we will have a and a glass of wine which necessaries i assure you mc took famous good to remind me of and back to i trust to jou to persuade lord m what is that you say about me miss said mr suddenly turning and bending bis good natured eyes on ber face only that mr frank is in tjie art of taking care of rejoined witb a and a good quality too i is like a short campaign on the turf for making men s wits keen as a is there frank said sir witb a knowing wink stop dick never drag up old scores he must be a wretched indeed who does not pluck up his and see a little farther than most men after a plunge into what shall i call it i you mean mr make a clean breasts it at exclaimed miss in a loud voice my dear you do shock me so terribly with your strong expressions cried lady raising her handkerchief to her nose exclaimed lord why is a good deal of that and i won t attempt to it though more s the pity resumed mr abashed but i was going to observe miss a man may throw all care for himself behind bis back when he enters by jove i he not a single element to make life delightful i continued he miss tossed her head with a little abrupt laugh but her eye still rested complacently on the good of mr frank for be it known to the reader she was not blind to the advantage in a worldly point of view of the admiration of a man who unlike her brother in law really possessed the means for indulging in the luxury of and at discretion and who made the neighboring county ring with the of house mr frank is evidently preparing a fresh burst of t is a pity his eloquence should meet any other ear than miss s said colonel in a per to let us stroll about i trust miss will do me the honor of accepting my arm perhaps for the last time silently placed her hand on the colonel s arm come what is the use of our here miss we are going to walk to the yonder o gentlemen i shall call out like king before the battle of let him who loves me follow i oh i see you have already secured a companion sir i choose you for my so let us set off without delay i entreat dick mind and the spreading or rather of our refreshment by the time we return willingly if i have leisure before black s arrival replied sir what a you are to be sure dick i well mamma you will desire to look after it or perhaps lord will be so very kind as to do s replied miss away with sir i say miss what am i to do while you are gone mr frank looking rather blank oh while dick is occupied with black you stay by all means and or perhaps you may be useful as a for carry no you will not be wanted she is walking yonder with captain in three quarters of an hour we must be on our road exclaimed lord seriously uneasy at seeing his darling walk away arm in arm with the colonel your may depend upon our so go on go on good people i cried miss starting off at a brisk pace what a thousand it is that miss with all her many good qualities should have contracted so a said colonel as they slowly ascended the hill when you leave the county miss the world for a will drown | 41 |
its regrets by turning its attention to the affairs at for i foresee a marriage will soon connect the with the owner of indeed i fancied the acquaintance with mr was a very recent affair very recent three months ago when sir and mr frank met at our mess they were strangers but you know miss a web is easily woven to the heart would that when once captured its were stronger more i when such is not the case generally speaking some radical and fatal error rest assured some thought which ought not to have been indulged affection is not always to be at will miss a bright vision of beauty and goodness upon us and t is ain to resist against every sentiment of prudence every suggestion of reason the heart to the fascination and then there follows bitter remorse for in errors of the heart there is no room for repentance even the natures become stem and do you know of any possible miss pondered her cheek was flushed but her tone and manner were firm and collected it depends whether we have voluntarily placed ourselves in the position from which this bright vision to use your own words us to whether we have freely sought our fate or whether it has been imposed upon us whether in short in the pursuit of our own selfish passions we have with the peace or taken advantage of the peculiar situation of another knowing at the same time that our own position and every tie of honor were our circumstances fully exposed would forbid such a project even had no obstacle existed on theirs replied firmly raising her eyes to his face but do you make no allowance for the severity of the temptation said colonel the old spanish says with as much truth as wisdom y son no rejoined with a smile but you did not find it so in your experience miss replied he reproachfully lord stay i interrupted deeply for she longed to however imperfectly for the manner and language into which she had been betrayed at the unfortunate dinner party on the contrary my case strongly the proverb it was imagination alone which led me into the error of speaking hastily and of a man who now short as the time appears possesses my esteem and highest admiration i was sure it be so in time yet oh miss you have only declared your esteem and admiration are lord ai s but your love trembled her breath came quick and fast is still thank god in my own gift and at the command of my reason answered she after a brief pause in tones but have you indeed colonel the right to ask me is question can it be true that knowing my early to lord you have tried to win his place in my regard when as i have been told by your own spontaneous lot pledged eighteen ago t that i love you deeply fervently to the destruction of peace and that i now pay the penalty of my folly by ing you the bride of another let this suffice you miss press me no more at least leave me the feeble consolation of your est m replied colonel in a voice of deep agitation however the usually gentle and tender hearted resolutely closed her ears to this appeal a sudden chill seemed to have and her sympathy as you value my good opinion colonel answer me truly and sincerely let not a shadow of doubt linger on our mutual positions are you engaged to marry miss demanded she again in cold constrained tones you positively demand an answer miss and ask it moreover in the name of what i prize most in the world your esteem i will openly confess such an engagement does b rejoined colonel in low hesitating tones since i have known you this fatal chain me to the ground i have been upon the point of everything a thousand times but i had not courage to endure from your presence i you speak miss say i have not quite everything save your contempt continued he earnestly a burning choking sensation arose in s throat the blood rushed to her face her neck her hands and then again leaving all pale as even to her lips she felt crushed under the humiliation it was then true that she had been made the sport the of a heartless selfish for this man such as he was she had inflicted trouble and anxiety pang after pang on all she loved on her gentle mother her indulgent father on and had well nigh if not totally her husband never had she been so sensible of the exceeding bitterness of however slightly from the strict path of she felt self convicted and now mourned as deeply even as could desire that absence of and confidence towards him whose powerful mind could have safely her amid the perils of her own unsettled wandering fancy miss is my offence beyond forgiveness will you not bestow a word not even a glance on one who has so long lived on your smile said colonel taking her hand she hastily snatched it from him b it possible any human being could act so colonel the confession i have this day heard from your lips is indeed my punishment for having even in the mere fact of admitting your attentions from the faith it was my duty to preserve towards him to whom my parents had ven me why have you made me the degraded object of receiving attentions stolen from another why was i made the of miss s peace how dare you have acted thus towards me exclaimed she passionately you are harsh miss may i not on the other hand inquire of you had i been free whether you could | 41 |
perfectly colonel can never more be anything to me added she bitterly then let the past be forgotten and i own you again as my said lord taking her hand and slightly touching with his lips her fair forehead but as you value your own peace as you prize the happiness which the future may sometime have in store for us build not up again a reserve which can but tend to our further may i not expect the confidence of a woman who whatever may be her motives has a second time pledged herself willing and ready to stand towards me the nearest aad dearest possible relation answer me will you withhold this confidence indeed from henceforth i will try to be everything you desire murmured she and yet lord judge not so of me i you as to im ne that either irritation or have induced me to your forgiveness she paused abruptly for she felt she could no cause what your motive is i will not now urge upon you to your conscience i leave it one thing more continued the earl with some hesitation while the color mounted to his brow the compact between our parents on which our engagement is formed is surely well known to you but i fain would trust you have done me the justice to feel assured that be your decision what it may lord s claim on what he has so long and nobly used cannot thereby be affected in the smallest degree forgive me if i distress you but you know i am acting in per feet frankness in with my own counsel and advice to you added the earl kindly as he noticed the rising flush on her cheek i never doubted your generous forbearance my lord but it is now my most earnest desire to fulfil that compact in every respect lord smiled now tell me what it was that first your from me asked he after a pause of some minutes in the place you left me to my own in a manner you must confess my lord anything but flattering granted and you feared me also i do not know whether i am totally free from that feeling even now replied she more than she would have been inclined seriously to admit had my terrors been to awe your into submission i should be more inclined to admit the reality of your words said the earl laughing but if such a feeling really does exist i certainly advise you to get rid of it as fast as possible what is your third charge you arrived here without giving me the slightest intimation of your visit had i not a right to expect this my lord undoubtedly but you forget you had placed a bar to our correspondence by to answer any of the letters i wrote to you from this was she felt ashamed of the evident of her argument she knew and inwardly confessed that none of these things had been the source of her the wound lay deeper though little did she then divine how profound a fountain of bitterness in her heart she looked in the clear calm eyes on her face and longed to pronounce that name which for months haunted her imagination her suspicion and pursued her even into the dangerous paths of she could have wept but pride restrained her tears and sealed her lips lord perceived some lingered the only way i see likely to bring about a good understanding bet i us is no longer to delay our marriage when once we feel our mutual happiness rests in each other s power we shall perhaps then learn not to trifle with it resumed he after a few minutes meditation very gravely this evening therefore it is my intention to speak to your father and ask the fulfilment of our contract one month hence and after what has just now passed between you sorely will not v it is very very soon lord i you ask me not yet to leave dear mamma hastily rejoined she as imagination vividly pictured the cold glories of park not too soon as i am sure you will acknowledge must be your home ere five weeks i see no end otherwise to countless replied lord coldly and i feel assured your good sense will n t refuse to our reconciliation by this trifling concession this is arbitrary i murmured she in a choking whisper it is needful think me not harsh but must receive its mistress within the next five weeks if ever that mistress is to be said the earl resolutely this threat is for lord i replied miss rising the sofa and sweeping back her beautiful from her brow settle the period of our marriage with my father my lord and you shall find me all obedience and she would have quitted the room but the earl firmly retained her hand in his nay s not thus we rt stay yet a little quarter of an hour and be drew her again on the sofa by his side i have much to hear and to relate said he with e of those smiles pronounced so fascinating assented for how could she with any propriety do otherwise a quarter of an hour elapsed then another presently the dressing bell rang and the library door opened and lady entered she paused in amazement for the silvery tones of her smote on her ear and she perceived her seated by the earl in the recess of the tall window lord instantly seized s hand and led her towards her mother dear lady congratulate me i have at length prevailed upon miss to me to demand the fulfilment pf our contract a month hence may i not rely on your with lord is it possible my darling child i exclaimed lady gazing anxiously on her | 41 |
daughter s burning cheek mamma are you not very happy why do you not me cried hastily throwing her arms round her mother s neck to conceal the tears which from her now mamma i shall leave lord to relate how your indulged was brought to her senses she towards the door as she passed her eyes fell accidentally on tlie small writing table at which lord was occupied when she entered upon the case was a sheet of paper half written over nd on the table by its side lay a letter on the envelope of which she recognized the and the pale fairy like characters by the mistress of court it was evident her unexpected entrance interrupted the earl s reply to her communication yet the name of the lady had never been mentioned between them chapter xl a and at length the day fixed for the much talked of ball arrived invitations to the amount of several hundreds had been issued for as there was nothing that mrs and the deceased judge delighted in so much as in exhibiting their pomp and to crowded the at park was built on a most magnificent scale and everything money could command was to make their the most elegant and aristocratic of the county mrs had now been a widow full fifteen months and though the good lady hovered on the shady side of sixty the fortitude and self denial she so long evinced in denying the gratification of her inherent love for show can alone be appreciated by persons who like herself find all pleasures dreary and wearisome save those at random on the margin of the and troubled of fashion and excitement true though it was that mrs had the dreary period of her seclusion after that event of the dear kind judge s unlucky death to quote her own words by an occasional f te a select dinner party or a meet of the hunt which latter she declared made look like again yet the busy preparation for her ball appeared to rouse the widow s faculties to increased vigor and early on the important day she might have been seen up the of her rooms the of colored lamps in the trees of the avenue and amidst the plants in her magnificent the of pink and scolding her her maid poor on the advantages she possessed in having her majority celebrated by so a and in tempting looking deal cases from the shop of some first rate containing her own and s delicate for the all evening next she paid a visit to the housekeeper s room and after that important with a thousand she put on her bonnet and proceeded to the stable to make inquiries whether due preparation for the entertainment of her guests horses was proceeding in that department she then continued her to the and after there the arrangements for the evening s illumination concluded by a forcible to the lodge and their wives to be on the qui and n ot suffer any vehicle of whatsoever description to pass the gates after nine o clock without first exhibiting the pink ticket with which all her expected guests were provided mrs having a horror lest the of her assembly should be by the insolent intrusion of any of those personages who both in india and the united kingdom will take advantage of a crowd to intrude themselves besides which as her butler remarked the dear judge s superb gold plate and t required the protection of a special division of the county police force the garden and next came under our hostess s until at length the round of her led her again to the of the mansion and hot and weary she entered her morning room where to her intense disgust and indignation she found her niece quietly lounging in the depths of a well stuffed arm chair devouring the pages of a new novel was the orphan child of the late judge s only sister when he returned from the east from became her home she received a fashionable education and everybody began to look upon her as the of the judge s great therefore was the amazement when on the reading of his will it was discovered that all his property both real and personal was to his widow his niece being left totally dependent on her aunt s good pleasure her name appearing only in the last of the will which merely stated his desire that in case rendered herself acceptable by dutiful and loving attention to her aunt and its on the latter s death might become hers my dear you must be well aware how greatly i appreciate your general and said to her niece some two months after the judge s death as they sat at work in the widow s darkened drawing from the recesses of her wood work table the important which she had caused to be on a slip of i know continued she had the estates been to you i should still have found the same love and dutiful consideration but my love i wished to observe it rests entirely with you whether i carry into effect this dictated by your very considerate generous uncle it of course depends upon whom you marry for my duty to my ever to be lamented and husband me making any likely to han the place he loved so well into the possession of some vulgar i am sure my dear you comprehend my motives so if you please we will no longer on this very unpleasant topic mrs as may be divined from the above short specimen of her was a devout of rank a lady or a gentleman therefore with an honorable to his or her name came in for a most distinguished share of the honors a or a was welcomed as the object in creation mrs had wealth | 41 |
but she looked to to the wide spreading with the of rank dearly loved those outward tokens of respect paid to her circumstances if not to herself and never did her spirit repose more complacently on its worldly privileges than when she drove into the neighboring town of with her sleek and powdered footman and witnessed the profound homage which everywhere greeted her yet notwithstanding all her after it mrs was not a popular person true popularity is the offspring of a character unselfish amiable and disposed toward the faults and of others and christian in its use of those faculties and means at its disposal for the benefit and gratification of others amongst the higher classes those whom mrs delighted in calling her set she was for her love of display and her eager desire to gain their applause and friendship amongst the lower experience soon revealed the of her professions of good will for though the lady of to that popularity she panted for caused the gates of her park to be thrown open to the public every monday yet the multitudes of obstacles thrown in the path of soon made all but strangers give up the pleasure and left her woods and gardens in that aristocratic seclusion which she fancied lent a new dignity to her she wished her neighbors she said to profit by her beautiful flowers and accordingly she condescended to the shows in the little town of but her were strictly forbidden to the names mode of culture or other peculiarities of the splendid from the the same with her guests though she professed to invite everybody to her large yet it was well known that one of mrs s friendly invitations was at the very least the certain warrant of two of which she had thoroughly but to return from our on mrs and her peculiarities the among hosts of others received an invitation to her ball as friends of the it would have been much against the usual tenor of her politics to have passed them by but of this consideration she really cherished a kind of weakness for of she had been overheard to say when irritated and against the and affected fine of her niece that that pretty modest was sure to do well either with sixpence or sixty thousand pounds in her pocket altogether therefore the family stood well in her estimation mr properly however declined her invitation but it was arranged that mrs and her two sons should go while lady insisted on taking and how had it with her during the past fortnight even as it will and must do with all when recovering from the delusion of passion based neither on religion reason or esteem she suffered for a change had come over the spirit of her and now imagination that fruitful of painted shadows and brilliant lay subdued and she was beginning to appreciate at its proper value that position she had so long scorned and with gradually an ardent longing sprang up in her bosom to herself more and more with a character the varied of which she was daily becoming more sensible of and she needed no longer s lips to contrast the upright manly of her with colonel s selfish conduct had made all the amends in her power to for her error so far as this went she now the reward of her in the absence of that feeling of guilty deceit with which we know how sorely she was oppressed but although she thus felt her integrity and self respect restored the immediate reward was not a fear a melancholy tortured her that in the pursuit of a vision she had forever peace she knew she was forgiven but was her offence forgotten and its impression and this she had no means of lord since the evening of their conversation never alluded to the subject never expressed his opinion on any one point of her past conduct made even the slightest attempt to her true sentiments respecting himself what did this total or a keen anxiety lest closer investigation might reveal a character still more and shallow the very evening of their reconciliation the earl applied for her father s consent that their marriage might be after the interval of a month lord after vainly pleading for further delay gave his assent and so the matter had been finally arranged but though now lord was her constant companion and they read walked and rode together though he was most kind and attentive and appeared gladly as she thought to welcome her presence her awe of him was the little word love had never once escaped his lips and with the exception of that one cold caress on her forehead the afternoon of their reconciliation her intimacy with sir was now established on as familiar a footing often as she walked by the earl s side she longed to burst the restraint between them to ask what now was the barrier to that near and familiar intercourse of spirit which she felt ought to unite them but poor dreaded the of her own heart and more than all she at the bare supposition that the lady s was the hand which turned the fruits of her repentance into bitter ashes upon her lips all these varied hopes and fears imprisoned in her own heart for not even to could she reveal the suspicion which tortured her would not after all that had passed look with contempt on a change so sudden a spirit so people little suspect how much advantage opportunity and consolation are lost by foolish solicitude as to how we appear or are likely to stand in the opinion of others and by a vain deference and morbid sensibility to public censure on matters which ought to be left to the conscience and sole of those whom they alone regard however was by | 41 |
no means an spectator of the change gradually in her friend s sentiments but both and lady agreed on the wiser course of not abruptly forcing an either by comment or remark which might tempt s pride to from the they both so desired in this state so unsatisfactory to until tlie day of mrs s ball the following morning lord was to depart to for a week to make arrangements for the reception f his bride and on his return the marriage was to be immediately celebrated this last day had been spent as usual but no further approach to a more intimate understanding was achieved so that and unhappy entered her dressing room to prepare for the ball with feelings little in accord with the gay preparations at this was the first and last time she was to appear in public with lord as his and a sort of nervous tremor crept over her the excitement however threw such a lustre over her beautiful face and her cheek glowed with so delicate and soft a color that as she entered the room a few minutes before they descended to the drawing room paused in admiration was adding the last touches to s simple elegant see i said quickly placing a in s hands it was a beautiful given by lord to on his former visit to the dear will you not wear this it would be a kind and graceful compliment to the earl said taking the sparkling gems and clasping them round s wrist no no i i cannot appear so great a lord believes me heartless and i will not wear this gift one of his few gifts until he again it on my arm exclaimed she hurriedly the room in the drawing room they found lord and lady and guests awaiting them lord stood by lady on the hearth rug and thought his eye expressed satisfaction as it lingered a moment on s elegant figure come young ladies make haste and take your exclaimed lord as he glanced proudly from his beautiful daughter to who certainly looked as pretty and graceful in her snowy muslin dress as can be imagined madame will think her ball fairly in until her two arrive i upon my word you look dazzling ah miss w io shall say jou do not owe to me some addition to your very becoming said sir presenting with a of lovely flowers slightly blushed it is indeed a beautiful how very i feel obliged to you sir said she hastily come my dear come the horses have been standing at door this half hour sir i leave miss to your care lord hurrying his wife from the room at the hall door were two carriages lady her daughter and lord occupied the first lord and sir followed in the other the night was clear and though dim twilight hung over the distant landscape and the trees and in shadowy purple mist objects along the roadside were distinctly visible lady spoke little neither did lord appear inclined for conversation and as for her mind was busy her present feelings with those under which she had first contemplated mrs s entertainment and the certainty of sharing its pleasures with the man who then of all others her fancy an unaccountable sadness weighed down spirits and could she only have consulted her own inclination gladly would she have ordered the horses heads to be turned and the road to the it was while absorbed in reflections as little and comfortable that mrs s dazzling burst on her vision and the carriage rolled along up the avenue which was blazing with pink blue and orange lights as the party approached the house the loud clash of a military band burst upon their ears and lady who appeared highly amused at the elaborate preparations of their hostess putting her head out of the window perceived that the sounds proceeded from a kind of in the centre of the lawn exactly opposite the of the mansion surmounted by a flag with the late judge s arms waving between two large colored lights the band of the of course the officers are amongst mrs s guests said lady anxiously turning and half glancing in her daughter s face quietly smiled a month ago she would have deemed this coolness as improbable as that she could ever have a feeling in common with her as to the rest she felt no dis i at meeting colonel for a few days previously she had delicately hinted the probability of this to the earl who promptly replied of course you will carefully avoid any calculated to attract public attention and consequently impertinent comment if asks you to dance i should advise you to for heaven s let us be going else this confounded din will drive me wild i exclaimed lord impatiently as they lingered for a moment at the open windows of the apartment assigned by for the cloak room of her guests you will accept my arm said lord in a low voice crossing to the spot where she stood silently she complied her color wavered a little well miss fortune for once me i shall take possession of you as my lawful prize said sir stepping forwards and drawing the hand of the blushing under his arm eh i what that you are saying i must put my on any premature of my favorite cried lord laughing ah my lord i fear my interest in miss s favor will only extend to her me with her hand for the very limited period of a and a couple of rejoined sir hastily when the doors were flung open would have been content with the effect produced on her guests by the very brilliant effect her presented most of the company had assembled and lights and jewels glittered in the long vista of rooms bright | 41 |
eyes sparkled and exquisite some of texture floated in the giddy whirl of the others of satin or velvet fell in rich deep folds around the figure of some magnificent as she slowly up and down and of the and most lovely flowers mixed with of pale pink and silver adorned the walls and beyond the which was brilliantly illuminated mrs had caused a small garden which she honored with the epithet of her own to be in and here our hostess exhausted the utmost limit of her own and her niece s imaginative genius of the majestic scenery of burst with what was intended to be startling effect on the eye huge blocks of granite piled one above another with ponderous masses of around the rough edges of which the good lady of had for weeks past the of some delicate mountain at stated intervals a over the rocks and fell with a sudden dash into a deep precipice that looked very gloomy and horrible as mrs thought when the rush of water ceased and many a laughing eye peered down into its dismal depths there were besides green arches murmuring fountains lights subdued as to shed around a twilight soft and mysterious and the air moreover was laden with the perfume of multitudes of choice all was so luxurious so and inviting that a murmur of delight just tribute to the faculties of the wealthy hostess and her niece burst from the lips of each fair as heated with the dance she strolled leaning on the arm of her partner and sank on the tempting on the margin of the fountain mrs received her guests in a small opening into the principal and there she stood when lady and her party entered in front of a gold louis chair looking as dignified and imposing as black velvet point and diamonds could render her near her stood another chair on which lay miss s handkerchief and fan as she had particularly insisted that her niece should remain by her side and assist in receiving the guests but the fair unable longer to withstand the united temptation of band and sir s entreaties suffered herself to be carried away to the dance this small room however was thronged with people many of whom were perfect strangers to lady a of admiration however prevailed when leaning on lord s arm closely followed her mother never had she looked more beautiful and the novelty of her cast a glow over her cheek i think i never saw a more distinguished looking man than lord there is something so good and noble in the expression of his face don t you think a very beautiful creature mr said as they paused for a few minutes at the folding doors just as lady was exchanging compliments with mrs why yes she shows blood and fire likewise in those magnificent eyes of hers replied mr examining from head to foot she is a very particular friend of yours miss is n t she or i was going to observe observe nothing i beg mr but what is highly flattering to miss i interposed miss have you ever been introduced to the earl i should imagine not as i fancy your pursuits lie rather apart why i can t say i ever met his at though i have in town occasionally but i can tell you miss whether it is that his himself on his favor with the ladies or on his rank and riches he thinks no small things of himself he keeps one at arm s length with a vengeance i really i am surprised to hear you say so i have always found him very agreeable though certainly there is a reserve in his manner tou know of course he is engaged to miss the deuce he is well you really surprise me i never should have guessed that from what i saw at the other day i wonder how feels this evening you ladies are really but i tell you what i will contrive to scrape acquaintance with his to night to please you miss and give him an invitation to the chase next month said mr good do now really he will like it of all things mr replied laughing loudly i am sure also will feel gratified by the bye i wish i could get to speak to her stay never mind it will do presently she is talking i see to mrs said she the efforts of her boisterous admirer to drag her through the throng at this instant there was a momentary lull of voices and mrs s smoothly pitched tones were forwards to the spot where they stood she was addressing lord i assure your i have regretted excessively that serious has prevented sooner the honor of making our acquaintance since your arrival in our county especially as my charming young friend miss had long promised me the pleasure of an early introduction that s what i call soft miss whispered mr with a laugh seizing his partner s hand but come these strains are enough to make the walls dance let s have another and away they whirled stay a minute i you mr this will be the death of me i want to speak to miss and sir who are just coming towards us cried hiss suddenly retreating from the circle of how d ye do miss sir i hope i see you well whole and entire without ache or pain since your stroll at for never having caught a glimpse of you since i cannot fix a later date for my inquiries oh thank you really i never felt better in my life that walk with you miss up the abbey hill was as as a month at exclaimed sir as he and his partner fitted past lord in the mean time as and her mother | 41 |
were still conversing with leisurely surveyed the throng for which she had made such magnificent preparation suddenly his eye rested on a lady seated far back on n rather from view by muslin she was dressed in pale blue and a profusion of fair encircled a face remarkable for nothing save extreme freshness of complexion and large gentle dove like her figure was very elegant her air and the exquisite finish of her and manner indicated that graceful ease and self possession rarely acquired but by habitual intercourse with society and that of the highest kind she smiled as her eyes met those of the earl who appeared excessively astonished at seeing her said he in a whisper i will be with you again in a few minutes for yonder much to my surprise i perceive one of my old friends mrs and i must go and exchange a few words with her of course i claim my privilege of dancing with you first s eyes followed the earl across the apartment she saw mrs half rise from her seat and extend her fair hand while the pleasure the meeting afforded both parties was sufficiently indicated by the of their greeting mr s pretty features beamed with satisfaction as she invited the earl to seat himself on the by her side and her gestures were so elegant so free from affectation that involuntarily sighed will you dance miss or will you permit me to lead you to a seat where you will be less by the crowd said who for some moments had been standing behind her the earl i suppose will soon have finished his yonder and will be back to claim your hand but even for a short time i fear you may find this crushing unpleasant continued he glancing somewhat indignantly across the room thank you lord has only left me for a second to greet an old friend so i will await his return by mamma replied hastily and a deeper shade of sadness seemed to steal over her spirits she glanced into the next room and saw s graceful figure whirling away in the dance and the animated happy expression of pleasure which rested on the features of her partner still sir the strains of music were and on the faces of all around she saw smiles and seeming and happiness painfully with the feelings that themselves in spite of her utmost efforts had however too much to suffer the uneasiness which on her spirits to be detected by the giddy multitude around if lord s indifference led him from her to play the agreeable to his lady friends her pride supplied her with a sufficient of address to take it as a matter of course and to act accordingly therefore seldom did the of the beautiful witty miss more or never did a more brilliant of all the and most eligible partners in a gather round lady and her daughter than during the twenty minutes lord chose to devote to the lovely mrs were the entreaties that she would dispose of her fair hand for the brief space of one of s most but on this point was wisely though more than once the temptation burned strongly to a little of the careless indifference on himself presently he arose from the side of mrs and joined the group round her chair i know what you are thinking about said lord as a few minutes after they slowly proceeded arm in arm towards the you are displeased and consider my desertion of you just now unkind even though it were to greet an old friend have i interpreted your serious looks aright hesitated had she been candid and the exquisite pain these small though oft repeated acts of cold in reality inflicted all even then might have been well between them but was and perhaps also elated by the flattering and homage which she knew a single smile could command and forgetful for the moment of her own past pride forbade her to manifest greater eagerness or to appear to consider a larger share of desirable than what the earl chose to offer then turned her eyes resolutely away and answered in tones slightly constrained oh no i have been laughing so heartily at mr s lively nonsense that that you did not perceive my absence i understand you rejoined the earl quickly as miss paused and the color her cheek what an extremely attractive looking person your friend is i who is she and how came asked hurriedly as mrs and her partner sir passed them is the wife of one of the of the british at and a niece of the late lord s she is on her way to visit her relative lady and came here with mrs her husband s sister re lord coldly to s fancy the mystery of the earl s warm salutation was now sufficiently explained a cousin of lady s felt her heart close and every kind impulse towards the elegant mrs itself in its deepest recesses as lord led her to join the same in which she danced an introduction then became inevitable but she watched with jealous suspicion every word passed the lips of the lady as she kept up at intervals an animated dialogue with the earl mrs spoke of italy alluded to various excursions balls and where they had met but for a long time she did not utter lady s name nor refer to anything in which she was concerned was almost provoked to find how very her indignation had been kindled these beautiful remind me of the f te given at the villa last autumn only the flowers have not the intense fragrance of those under the fair sky of italy that was nearly the last and most pleasant of our many we had and poor lord yourself that very agreeable mr by the bye | 41 |
have you seen or heard anything of him since your arrival in england lord said mrs as after the conclusion of the she and her partner sir strolled into the and lingered for a few minutes near the couch on which sat no i met mr at madame de s for the first time and i have neither seen nor heard of him since replied the earl mr in a very short time to make himself wonderfully acceptable everywhere i assure you my lord fancy sir continued she turning and addressing her partner a man handsome well dressed of perfect tan clever and apparently rich enough to buy up all the petty italian counts and mar at a bidding yet so delightfully mysterious that no one ever make oat who he was or whence he came nor w s he ever heard to allude to friend relation or connection and yoa may form some slight idea of the hero of our last autumn upon my word a perfect i i wonder you were not all afraid of dealing with so suspicious a character mrs you say his name is said sir richard yes pray my dear lord tell me your opinion of him for i observed you several times in deep conversation together said mrs i thought him intelligent well read and agreeable but i saw too little of mr to form any competent opinion indeed i should hardly recognize him again is he still at oh no after the left mr found us all far too to remain i him once since at one of princess s during the in his devoted attention to before she left drove poor madame nearly frantic and she did nothing but bitterly reproach herself for her in introducing him it was even whispered mr would have proposed for her had not lord given him distinctly to understand that his views for his daughter lay in another and more elevated quarter said mrs addressing herself to lord and smiling so as to disclose a row of the prettiest and teeth imaginable raised her eyes from the ground and listened a smile round the earl s mouth as he turned towards the pretty well mrs i suppose you cannot but agree with me that for this once could not have more faithfully represented lord s sentiments replied he of course lady must have been highly entertained at mr s presumption by the bye i shall be happy to take charge of any packet or your may have for court or as i leave the to morrow said mrs as she took her partner s arm for richard was beginning to grow impatient at her delay thank you i need not on your for i intend to be at myself to morrow do you expect at and no he has left me in a delightful state of as to us movements replied mrs as ab tripped away though knew the earl s journey to long been arranged yet she could not repress a sudden thrill as she heard it now thus certainly alluded to the feeling likewise that the misunderstanding between them was instead of on this the last evening they were to spend in each other s society for some time cast a melancholy gloom her heart a feeling of irritation also she felt mrs evidently knew nothing of their engagement and her and pointed manner only more surely convinced poor that her suspicion of the mutual attachment of her and lady was only too well founded what then was the mysterious which kept them asunder why had not lord taken advantage of her past to free himself from a distasteful marriage and miserable sat replying at nd m to the remarks of the earl who spite of her visible persisted in talking to her on every subject on earth but the one nearest her heart she thought she had seldom seen him more animated and agreeable and it was clear he did not consider it worth while either to resent or allude again to the cutting carelessness of the she would now have given much to recall meanwhile mrs s ball proceeded as brilliantly as she could desire her guests seemed pleased and happy and danced away in and with perseverance her niece also a large share of the attentions of sir richard in short nothing could exceed the extreme satisfaction which swelled mrs s as she her of rooms my dearest pray be careful and do not venture in the whilst you are so hot it strikes like an ice house i said mrs suddenly her daughter who escorted by sir passed the sofa on which she feat oh mrs this is a hint to me think of my carelessness in hurrying your daughter into such a danger again what is this delicate looking fabric on your arm will it not be more serviceable here asked sir laughing as he took a lace from mrs and it lightly on s shoulders appears in high spirits to night i hope she will not when this tremendous fuss at the is over her friend gone and all excitement also sir seems monstrous attentive to be sure said miss yes said mrs complacently watching the retreat ing figure of lier daughter yes sir appears pleased to meet his old again sir would make a nice match for only i understand he is such a dreadful there is no reliance to be placed on him he pays attention to half a dozen girls at a time observed miss slowly oh i very likely sir s happy spirits and thoughtless good humor may very probably lead him into offering lover like attention to any girl who pleases his fancy young ladies nowadays must learn not to take everything literally rejoined mrs with supreme indifference miss had better avail herself of the good of her friend lady that is to be for i am told despite | 41 |
his seeming good humor there is not a or a more exclusive man anywhere than sir yet you know there may be a slight chance of her pretty face and manner having made an impression on the s heart persisted miss my dear miss we ought to feel much indebted to you for weaving such fairy visions which i assure you if realized would give mr and myself more pain than pleasure for although sir d make a tolerable match for were he to do the improbable thing of falling in love with her we are in no hurry to part with our darling child miss opened her dull gray eyes to their utmost extent and fixed them with a most incredulous expression on mrs s face you are right my dear friend these violent are sure to go off i never knew a match to result from one though perhaps i should except that of my own relation miss who met sir o at a ball and married him the following week but the case of a girl of s pretensions of course does not at all influence my opinion and i only trust my favorite will shut her ear to the s flattery you need not alarm yourself on s account miss who is that gentleman dancing with miss asked mrs the new squire of boisterous frank whose harsh voice makes one s nerves i i should imagine poor drowsy lady finds him a sad nuisance in her drawing room after dinner but you see he is rich and sir has no objection to a in horses and dogs and it seems he goes down with the daughter also look lord ford has again himself to tlie side of the young lady in hue how ill miss looks to night exclaimed miss as she watched who was now dancing in a with sir opposite to where they sat yes she seems languid and pale hut this is not much to be wondered at considering the young ladies undergo nowadays mrs good yet look as she will always appears a being of a different order to the girls around her there is something so elegant and refined in her manner that may be but at any rate the earl does not seem inclined quite to for yonder he with a smile of contentment on his veiy handsome face by the side of the fair young lady in blue and if ever he miss i shall say that on both sides it will be hands not hearts that are given said miss curling her little malicious lip the lady whom lord is conversing with is a mrs and as to what you say about i always hope for the best miss you know there are some persons particularly in their manner but after all more really true hearted than their bustling neighbors so my dear mrs and i can only echo your and trust it may be found all is well between miss and her no one can wish her greater luck and happiness than myself how do you do mrs what a bower of mrs has spread for her friends i i never saw anything more beautiful than the effect on entering i trust miss is well and my friend i suppose i shall discover them both presently amid the throng said colonel advancing and shaking hands with mrs yes they are well and both here i conclude you are only just arrived as we have not met each other before replied mrs only about a quarter of an hour ago and i have since been paying my to our hospitable hostess answered the colonel poor man i i dare say now he feels right glad that ceremony is over for though an admirable woman in every respect mrs s stupid is intolerable re marked miss as colonel retired but my dear mrs did you ever see anybody so altered in appearance as tlie i doubt not he finds miss more than miss e does lord and upon my word i must own that for engaged people their was positively scandalous i am glad did not join that mad cap party from to the ruins a fortnight ago for i hear that the colonel and miss did nothing but walk together and that she actually s w strolling alone in the wood in mill close now i say such conduct is perfectly be sure miss they i make a rule never to believe more than exactly one half of what i am told said mrs bustling away heartily tired of miss and her spite will you dance with me miss said colonel approaching as she sat by her mother s side some half hour after he entered the room instantly arose i was just mamma to order the carriage said she hesitatingly yon cannot refuse my petition miss after i have obeyed you obeyed you to the very utmost shall we join the or the asked the colonel a shade of deep sadness flitting across his brow the in the next room then miss i tell you i have obeyed your commands and yet you will neither look at me nor smile am i you have been staying at place since we parted murmured faintly no in its neighborhood with a connection mrs st priest and miss according to my promise i made confession you ladies miss seem strange beings but i must do justice to say she behaved admirably she has your and you are then reconciled asked anxiously yes reconciled if you will mil miss our engagement is not broken my frank confession for i concealed nothing was a terrible blow to miss s pride which i fear she will not soon forget and as for myself i have so long a farewell to happiness as almost to hail her indifference or | 41 |
resent as it holds out to me a longer prospect of freedom looked displeased she hastily glanced towards the earl but he was talking to lady with as much coolness as if colonel had not been present here come papa and doubtless in search of me mamma i see is going away colonel you must excuse my dancing with you exclaimed suddenly breaking the long silence which followed his last remark we are returning home early this evening as lord leaves us to morrow one question more when is your marriage to take place in about ten days faltered immediately on the return from i shall be far far away from here by then though my heart tells me i cannot bear from your presence long said the colonel sorrowfully miss may i not lead you to the carriage no no i far better not hastily responded she as lord and came up silently took her father s arm and in a few minutes she was swiftly away again from the whirl of mrs s splendid entertainment and the dazzling glare of her so it is really quite decided you leave us to morrow said holding out her hand to take leave of the earl for the night as they stood alone together for a second in the there was something in her tone which attracted lord s attention he looked ea in her face yes indeed as you know but why do you ask replied he gravely and gently oh nothing for no especial reason my lord cried miss hastily withdrawing her hand and taking her candle she quitted the room chapter thb following morning the party at the was much diminished lord at a very early hour set off on his journey of a breakfast a meal gladly would lave shared had she not been restrained by the uncomfortable feeling that her company might be considered consequently despite lady s gentle hints and final entreaty that at least she would descend and bid farewell to the earl she contented herself with sorrowfully watching his retreating from the window of her dressing room as it wound from the porch of the mansion sir also unwilling to intrude on the last few days had to spend with her parents accepted the oft repeated invitation of the and returned home with them from mrs s ball lady appeared sad looked grave and even s lively face and smile were into serious as they took their seats at the breakfast table lord likewise seemed to find matter of more than usual interest in his newspaper and ate his breakfast in silence it was at length lady who broke the long spell for no one appeared inclined to hazard an observation you do not think also of leaving us this morning my dear you will surely stay with until and lady turned away her head unable even to allude to her child s approaching departure i will do exactly what is most pleasant to you and dearest lady i need not i am sure say what my own inclination me to do i replied affectionately then you will remain here rejoined miss ef quickly and stayed at the only one more little week had now to glide away and was th n to become a bride i her position had stolen so upon her there had been such a total absence of bustle and preparation and even all allusion to the approaching event was avoided in her presence and all outward things so regularly pursued their accustomed tenor that poor was absolutely astounded when she reflected that seven short days were to in the most important event of her life that in little more than seven times twenty four hours she was to take a solemn vow to love and obey one whom she dreaded as a stern one whom her perverse imagination accused of contempt if not positive dislike towards herself the first day or two while alone with she did nothing but weep and when in the presence of her parents her swollen eyelids and the excitement and forced of her manner sent a keen pang to her mother s heart yet had been compelled to a little self examination she would have found it a of some to account for the source of her abundant tears her feelings towards the earl were inexplicable to herself cut to the quick bj the cool indifference of his manner wounded deeply by his occasional neglect set a rigid watch over her words and actions she refused to let him read the heart he to win and carefully suppressed every outward demonstration that might lead him to suppose his indifference was not returned by like indifference on her part yet now had lord stepped forward and offered to her suspense and anxiety by the dissolution of their engagement she would have from his proposal in the of despair which swept her mind she accused the earl of haughty and her cheek burned as she indignantly recalled the like distance of his habitual bearing forgetful how often she had his affection and that now if she wished all to be well between them again it was for her to by a gentle winning a change had indeed been wrought in her sentiments unfortunately thought not thus the idol o all around her she had invariably seen the world at her feet and her spirit to find her beauty wit and a thousand attractive qualities powerless to the of her or to make him at her both forget and forgive her past a for her present peace instead of his coldness to displeasure at her perpetual caprice and striving to she sought its solution in an assumed attachment to the lady somewhat comforted by s vigorous after the of a couple of days recovered a portion of her serenity they then walked together and lingered in every favorite haunt and arm in arm | 41 |
strolled together through the beautiful gardens a great part of their time was devoted to lady but none could divine the magnitude of the sacrifice she was about to make or how fervently in the of her chamber did she commend her beloved child to the keeping of him whose mercy and love so every trial that what presently appears most hard to bear eventually to some great permanent good nevertheless it must not be supposed s wedding though rather a one was totally devoid of that agreeable excitement and bustle which usually in so happy an event and set to work by lord s liberality their powers of invention to provide the most elegant and costly wardrobe and unbounded was s rapture as she case after case and spread out for her young mistress s inspection their varied contents every train brought a profusion of beautiful presents from distant friends and one fine morning a messenger from the earl s in town arrived at the the bearer of a magnificent ornament part of the family diamonds which lord had had for his bride all very superb a most splendid marriage gift i but edward would have given these jewels to me with his own hand was s comment as she pushed the glittering from her across the table to her friend had written to the earl once since his departure she had done so without remark of any kind to and on the fifth day after his farewell as they were once more assembled for the morning meal his answer was placed in her hand she hastily tore asunder the envelope and the letter without comment but thought her beautiful face appeared a shade graver and there was a kind of nervous impatience in the hurried mode in which she folded it and transferred it to the pocket of her apron however she said nothing but presently arose from the table and stood silently by the window for some moments she then turned to and proposed that they should set out on a long rambling excursion which had been in contemplation for the last two days and on their return call at the and see mrs who plainly perceived her friend was struggling with some she would rather not in her mother s presence readily complied and soon they were both equipped for their walk the day was delightful the atmosphere and transparent interposed not a single cloud to mar the brightness of the deep blue sky and the soft turf yielded pleasantly to the tread as they slowly traversed the park and turned into one of those good old fashioned green lanes with banks and tall which happily even in this age of would be improvement are still to be found in some of the more secluded districts of old england walked on silently for some time and did not care to interrupt her reverie for she too if the truth must be told felt in a mood the reverse of in what a very humor we must both have risen this morning i verily believe since we first set out we have not uttered half a dozen words what are you thinking about at length exclaimed you have asked me a very question which i do not know how to answer shall i retort and put same to you ah yes my meditations have now reached their point and therefore can only centre on one theme but i know what your thoughts were also you were musing a little on the manifold of my lord a great deal about sir and at length your reverie subsided into a moderate degree of as to what the earl and myself could possibly have to impart which would not brook the delay of a few days considering the very cool terms on which we parted now i will i have guessed correctly by the look of propriety you are putting on said with some of her former to say that i felt no surprise or curiosity as to the purport of your correspondence would be an so i will not attempt to your faculties on this point though after all it was an absurd feeling for with your marriage so near there must be many things on which you ought to be consulted must and my dearest are very fine sounding words i assure you i am far from to offer an opinion on any of his s arrangements the object of my letter was to prefer a petition which i honestly confess with many more i had not courage to request in person well rejoined miss this morning s post brings me an absolute refusal a charming of matrimonial felicity is it not i am indeed astonished exclaimed after a few minutes pause during which miss s eyes were on her face i could not have supposed it possible unless dear in one of your desperate moods you requested something very unreasonable you shall judge of the propriety of my request though perhaps you may secretly accuse me of a want of delicacy in your feelings dear extraordinary events however require extraordinary and i am resolved not a shadow shall between me and one whom i love so much as yourself i wrote to the earl to ask his permission to invite you my dearest to visit us at immediately after our marriage a request he has chosen most to deny for the present said angrily the blood mounted to s brow what you tell me pains me than i can express replied she after an uncomfortable pause of a few seconds does lord any reason for my from none i except indeed be adds that at the of four months he will be happy to receive you as his guest walked gravely on but i assure you dearest continued she anxiously the earl his refusal in such very flattering terms as regards yourself and so on your | 41 |
many admirable qualities that you will be quite appeased for the apparent on his letter so what bis motive can be in refusing me the consolation of your society i cannot divine i but i can i see it clearly and the earl is right i i you therefore do not let any resentment defeat his purpose exclaimed at length earnestly he wishes to win your precious affection and thinks that more likely to be obtained without the of a third person for you know when left a dependent on each other with no one for either party to fall back upon must necessarily a better understanding if i could but think his motive to be what you say i but you are totally mistaken humiliating as it may be to confess lord s approval and interest are in another though i do not mean to say all might not have been well but for that unfortunate affair with edward rejoined tears of wounded pride starting to her eyes oh you know of old i cannot agree with you here i only smile on the earl a you once did on colonel and soon all will be well between you and in the mean time the novelty of your position will prevent you dwelling so on the past well there is some comfort in the thought that this is a world of compensation so what i lose on one side i shall probably gain on another i ejaculated with a sigh we shall see i i the earl will make an admirable husband which is something gained in my opinion replied with a smile perhaps but let us change the subject what did you think of i only exchanged half a dozen words with her she appeared to me pretty elegant and good natured but dreadfully affected her struck me likewise as excessively free especially when conversing with gentlemen probably has contracted familiar by the bye i did not observe from long residence abroad perhaps i i wonder whether she at all her cousin lady you will soon be able to satisfy yourself on this point but i should fancy not for i understand lady might be taken for a spanish beauty only meant in manners and interrupted hastily s fanciful air when speaking to gentlemen proves her at any rate a great and if lady s much beauty is not i should imagine this to be the only possible point of resemblance between the cousins you have made up your mind it seems that lady is a perhaps the term is rather too strong an expression but i certainly consider her a in the sense of the word replied resolutely it is difficult to judge i do not think we either of us know enough of her to pass so severe a censure sir speaks highly of her and he has no reason that i can discern for giving her a more high flown character than she deserves argued except that sir blinded by the ell turned of his friend believes what he is told and i fear has also thrown dust into your eyes replied miss laughing by the bye i have never had time to inquire into the beginning of that friendship which now has into such hot alliance i first knew sir when i was a little of six years old and many were the mischievous we played together papa quitted when i was nine so dear your imagination will not have much to feed upon as eleven long years without my hearing or seeing anything of my indeed until i heard of his expected at the i had almost forgotten such a being existed ll very fine my dear exclaimed with a laugh then she added in a graver tone her smile vanishing i fervently trust my earl has not formed any plan for some unknown with sir hand ag on many occasions his has displayed such disagreeable of purpose that i should actually despair of his designs as far as i am concerned you may very safely spare yourself any anxiety on sir s account well my dear we will not argue the point but i may of course be permitted to retain my own i should fancy sir is now heartily sick of and its and will be right glad to return to the to morrow does he ever talk to you about lady h i would give much to obtain a clearer insight into her disposition but i have never a line of her correspondence with lord contrary you know to your continued miss smiled as she noticed the ever topic of her friend s meditations yes sir frequently her replied she briefly for found it did more harm than good to conversations on this very personage as miss with perverse was sure to seize on any in the recital and thus facts to the very opposite of what was intended i do not know why i asked you this stupid question it can be of very little consequence to me what lady is like rejoined in a tone of at s silence but here comes miss to an amiable in our ideas continued she as they emerged from the lane into a large meadow through which ran a foot path leading straight to the gate the looking quickened her pace when she perceived the two young ladies as the of her morning s usually furnished a mass of gossip for the of some village tea party invitations to which social meal she seldom lacked as unhappily the inherent love of hearing something new people in general however much they may inwardly despise the character to refrain from treating the scandalous with the contempt and aversion so richly his due good morning young ladies i hope i find you both well this lovely day i trust her has recovered the fatigue of the | 41 |
after being assured of the flourishing state of their health and lady s also miss perceiving that her d were not inclined for any very lengthened immediately had recourse to her faculties i see you are in a hurry i suppose bound for the to vi t that poor child those are a strange set however if you have no objection miss i like to walk with you to the gate may i do so certainly if please replied well how did yon enjoy the ball i have not been yon since asked miss very much indeed i think it seemed to give general satisfaction and every one must agree our hostess was uncommonly attentive and hospitable i always remark one meets with proper courtesy from those persons who boast of gentle blood and mrs springs from a very ancient indian family poor woman how she glories in the of this world i understand miss she to give the balance of last week s when her niece catches a indeed is a very charming girl and likely to do exceedingly well she appears a wonderful favorite with the gentlemen i thought sir paid her an immense deal of attention i am sure i watched him stand behind her chair full half an hour imploring her to eat an ice for caprice is the of our little friend did you not think he admired her miss sir an admirer of i no certainly not promptly responded miss her pace perhaps then he found her jewels more inviting than the young lady s own miss is no great favorite of yours i presume from your tone miss pursued miss revolving in her mind how she should turn s expected admission of the fact into a stepping stone for further i hope you have received pleasant news lately from relatives in ireland and from the bride lady o interrupted as turned a deaf ear to miss s thank you miss my tidings are very good indeed an as my dear s seldom falls to a girl s lot such a perfect of hearts i said miss glancing at i fear we have taken you very much out of way miss observed as greatly to her delight they now stood before the door leading into the garden oh pray do not mention such a thing by the bye did you know miss that the left there was such a in the town for really they were a fine orderly set of fellows i went to the queen s head to see the regiment pass and was really grieved to take leave of that noble handsome colonel i hope he may be happy witli bride elect thought must say it was very shabby of him to deceive us all so long good morning young ladies i won t detain you longer miss i shall be to secure a good place in the church to witness a certain happy event next week pray make my respectful compliments to her and miss very reluctantly her steps towards the village and exchanged glances only for at the noise of the falling latch mr who was amusing himself with trees in the adjoining came forward to greet them rallied him on his known often very much to good mrs s intense dismay of vigorously away with his knife off boughs by on the very spot where it was intended they should form a leafy covert to some wall or disagreeable object and then leaving the worthy to the enjoyment of his favorite amusement she proceeded with to the sitting room where they found chapter xiii thb sun rose brightly on s the flowers and leaves in the soft warm light lay with expanded glistening and forth rich perfume on the round the mansion beyond the park stretched far as the eye could range fresh and here and there with broad fantastic shadows cast by stately avenues of chestnut and oak trees under which countless dew drops still lingered sparkling ever and anon in the as the light breeze the branches to and fro within the mansion however all was bustle and excitement smiling tripped hastily along the each intent on her lady s and almost at her wit s end as carriage after carriage drove up and set down at the porch for the hour fixed for the ceremony was an early one the earl having arranged to take his bride at once to and wishing for a delay of a few hours before off on her journey lord also had made it his especial request that the ceremony might be performed in the most private manner consistent with t e rank of the bride a desire too with poor s feelings not to meet wit her hearty the invitations therefore were limited to her nearest connections who were requested to meet at the the day previously and the families of the young ladies asked to as soon after the company assembled arrayed in her very becoming s costume entered s dressing room looking fresh and fair as a rose bathed in dew drops with the blush raised by sir s whispered still glowing on her cheek lady had just quitted her daughter for from very early dawn both she and met by s pillow nor had the watchful mother since suffered her to remain a moment alone when appeared miss was standing motionless before a tall pier glass whilst added the last touches to her she was pale though composed and suffered the delighted to exert her fancy without remark or remonstrance she stood with her back to and the soft rich folds of her veil drooped from her wreath of orange flowers almost to the ground she hastily turned and smiled yet there was a quick glistening moisture in her full dark eye when she returned s embrace proudly and with throbbing cheek gazed on her she felt few hearts could long resist | 41 |
beauty such as s and we know she never quite of the earl dear how well you look said in tones of admiration as she took from s hand the rich jewel destined to up the lace round miss s slender throat and attached it with her own fairy fingers do i i am glad you think so lord will be here to lead you down in a very few minutes dearest your are arrived and everybody appears assembled in the saloon for when i came up stairs it was crowded said in as gay and a tone as she could command she had been specially by lady not to utter a syllable likely to s self possession what an admirable you would make replied sadly you need not however be afraid shall treat any of you with a scene i have not so long myself to resignation to fail at this most critical period one word have you spoken to lord this morning yes he asked after you most earnestly nay even tenderly a smile of incredulity passed over miss s lovely l do you remember my lonely in tlie yesterday evening asked turning away i do but i also remember i beard you in lord s presence that you wished to be alone replied did not reply but slowly drew on her gloves do i look very pale asked she approaching the mirror again i wish it was all over there is something terrible in the thought of being the object of everybody s tion said she quickly while her lip quivered nervously with the exception perhaps of looking a shade paler than ordinary the recognized privilege of you know you appear to me as usual i suppose i shall not see dear mamma again until it is all over her courage is not so great as mine hark i think i hear papa s footstep in the passage he is coming to fetch me i exclaimed her cheek growing still and her eyes themselves on the door courage dearest whispered as when the door opened and her much loved and indulgent father appeared miss s fortitude seemed on the point of her tears her eyes and the hand which clasped shook nervously lord s face expressed great distress but he wisely refrained from sympathy for ve me dear papa i am quite well now and ready to go first however i wish to say to you in s presence that you have vainly tried to me from this which you imagine utterly to me but of my o free will i have persisted in it indeed i do not hesitate to assert that my future happiness depends on my this day becoming lord s wife said miss in a voice rising now papa kiss me for the last last time that i shall wholly and entirely belong to you continued she flinging her arms round her father s neck and with difficulty the sobs of anguish which shook her frame god bless you my darling child had i not the trust in s truth and honor never would i place your hand in his said lord struggling with his emotion as ho folded his daughter to his bosom then silently placed her arm within ber father s and they descended followed by six blooming miss presently entered the saloon where her friends awaited her and s eyes beamed with as she fancied she read pride and approbation in the earl s glance towards his bride a conclusion confirmed it her own mind by the warmth of his greeting she had little time however for and before she well comprehended how the change of scene was effected found herself standing behind in the of the humble village church of with the soothing cheerful voice of mr sounding pleasantly in her ears was still pale but her tones though low were firm and audible the earl looked handsome and self possessed as ever and as her eye encountered the merry glance of sir smiled also for after all s wedding was not the affair fancy pictured soon the marriage service concluded the train swept from the altar to the and from the to the carriages at the church porch and leaning on sir s arm speedily stood by s side in the saloon they had so recently quitted listening to the congratulations poured on the bride from the circle of pink blue green and white and around the luncheon in nothing differed from the routine of wedding in general which invariably are embarrassing things to the parties most concerned little to the and wearisome to the remaining guests therefore after thus passing an ordeal of an hour and a half or more was at length permitted to escape with her friend to the retirement of her own apartment so it is now all over for better for worse i have given myself to lord i exclaimed she sinking on an my darling may you be happy i and knelt by her side and threw her arms around her for tears now streamed in torrents down s fair face strange and inconsistent as it may appear i would not if could the vows i have just uttered i exclaimed sweeping the from her wet cheek but i shudder at the very anticipation of all i am going to endure what months must before i shall be able to from hu bitter memory of my past folly and caprice before i can hold that place in his esteem which lady does before he can again confide in me and love me i j be sure he does he will i murmured i if i should find he still lady s society than mine i exclaimed be comforted do not up such rejoined soothingly i hope it may prove so said rising and wandering round the room how desolate everything | 41 |
looks i added she with a sigh as she missed many familiar trifles and her eye glanced from the disordered at the open imperial on the floor as soon as i receive permission from the earl i shall immediately write to you to fly to me and then i think together wo will contrive to make even comfortable continued she pursuing her wanderings yes what joy it will be to meet again dear replied as the over the chimney struck two started for the minutes were fast flying towards the hour when she was to bid farewell to the home of her childhood at the same moment entered the room weary of awaiting a summons to warn her young mistress it was high time to make the te alterations in her attire to exchange her for her travelling costume when this was repaired to her mother s dressing room remained where she was feeling too great a weight on her spirits to join the gay party assembled on the lawn below in about three quarters of an hour lord s travelling carriage drove up and presently the earl himself made his appearance in the in quest of his bride ere had time to account for her friend s absence lord and lady and their daughter entered the apartment on her father s arm and though her veil was down s quick eye discerned traces of tears on her cheek lady wept but a smile beamed over her gentle features as she listened eagerly to a few rapid words from the earl s lips as they followed together down stairs exchanged hasty greetings with the numerous guests in the hall and as she passed and again pressing her lips to her mother s and s cheeks she sprang into the carriage one brief glance at the hurried anxious faces of the dear ones she was leaving behind and lady was whirled away sunk back in the comer of the and feeling too miserable to be capable of the slightest effort it was some veiy considerable time before ventured to raise her eyes to her companion she then perceived that his eyes were upon her and conscious how very indifferently she was her of bride she blushed and turned away her head a smile parted the earl s lips one of those smiles which had so on the day of her first i have been watching the expression of your countenance for the last half hour you are looking and also feeling i have no doubt very forlorn and said he at length taking one of her small hands in his this was said in a tone ef such genuine kindness that tears unconsciously trembled in her eye but she could not deny the fact ah had she then but and candidly it and its cause i as it was she suffered the earl to retain her hand and simply replied i shall be better soon very soon with a degree of consideration that touched her lord then spoke of the dear relatives she had left behind and relieved by being able to give utterance to the regrets which tortured her she felt a burden removed from her spirits the earl led the conversation into other channels and such was the fascination of his manner the extent of his information and his evident desire to please her that herself at length sitting in earnest discourse her beautiful face radiant with smiles her bright eyes beaming and more at ease than she deemed it possible a few hours ago tv was fast all things in her soft mysterious shadows when lord s passed the of the grand entrance to park felt her spirits sink again as they swiftly approached the mansion now whirling along gloomy avenues of trees whose towering branches and arched excluded all but the of twilight now emerging again into the dim expanse of park while here and there of tall trees like shadowy ghosts flitted past the carriage windows in the gathering obscurity lord likewise was silent while s heart beat rapidly and almost audibly as the carriage at length stopped before the door of the mansion the earl handed her out and in another second she stood under the roof of her new home dinner which was served almost immediately passed off with less restraint than once would have declared probable and some two hours after their arrival the earl and his bride were seated a in a large well lighted room with a adjoining for some short period conversation was tolerably well sustained on s part however her spirits began to flag and her thoughts to her home and the friends from whom she had so recently parted her eyes slowly round the splendidly furnished apartment and then imagination pictured the drawing room at the and its inmates she of her much loved mother of her father of till tears sprang to her eyes and completely overpowered she hastily pushed back her chair and strolled into the of lord who stood with his arm on the opposite to her chair silently watching the progress of her reverie the fresh fragrance and beauty of the plants around soon revived her spirits and she had scarce paced the length of the before she became sensible that her sudden silence and flight without word or excuse were not likely to receive a courteous construction from the fastidious earl hurriedly therefore she her steps but lord was no longer in the saloon she advanced and stood motionless on the for a few minutes but still the earl came not again glancing anxiously around her eye presently fell on a letter placed on a small table near the chair from which she had risen took it up it was addressed in the hand to the of the few letters which had lately passed between them had caused her such exquisite pain that she almost shuddered as | 41 |
she tore open the envelope it ran thus my dear when i insisted on the immediate of our it was not with the intent of over your feelings or of forcing you into the arms of a husband whom your heart your own free spontaneous act our engagement and confiding in your positive that the past of which i had to complain was but a fleeting fancy the caprice of a day i trusted that you would not have taken this important step without serious with your own heart or without feeling a certainty that you could eventually bestow your affection where you had again deliberately pledged your hand unhappily these hopes have not been realized i have not been able to inspire you with that love and confidence which can alone the and tie that now us at least i can only so interpret the marked and you your heart therefore the solemn vow you have this day uttered regard me only as your best friend and brother the only return i at present exact or require from you is your full and confidence the paper dropped from s hands the earl refused then to acknowledge her as his wife and cruelly threw all the blame on her i for a moment she stood absorbed in silent bitter reverie she then stooped and hastily took up the letter from the floor and once more read it through presently she hid her fair face in her hands and wept she not the charge of daily had he ever given her reason to suppose that he had thoroughly forgiven her during his absence abroad had he even to explain to her his the exact degree of his intimacy with the much lady or had he attempted to her feelings respecting himself and now the conviction of his indifference fell like a bolt of ice on poor s heart for she was beginning to be too familiar with the torment of suspicion to believe it possible that when a word would suspense such word should long remain she was at length aroused from her painful reverie by the entrance of the made a kind of little affected start when she perceived the solitude of her mistress but by the sadness of s face and manner she repressed for the moment her flow of which nevertheless burst forth with energy some half hour afterwards lady was however in no mood to her and briefly responded in heaved a deep par example c est la de that i have ever seen i exclaimed she at length indignantly madame qui et qui s son cabinet i c est k de i i wonder what and miss would say made no reply and after had grumbled and through the usual routine of her evening s duty she quietly dismissed her as soon as her maid closed the door threw herself back in her chair and was presently buried in thought after a time she arose and gazed round tne large lonely apartment feeling more desolate than she had ever done in her life she approached the window and pushing aside heavy velvet curtain threw up the with the somewhat comforting assurance that she would at least find a familiar friend in the sweet night breeze which her cheek and gently waved the fresh boughs and grass the plaintive notes of the sounded from the thick covert of a neighboring grove mingling at times with the shrill bark of and the of cattle with her head resting on her hand there she remained motionless absorbed in meditation till the gray twilight gradually rolled away and before the opening dawn so ended s day chapter xiv it was with feelings of no slight embarrassment and that on the following morning prepared to meet her at the breakfast table she lingered so long over and evinced such strange caprice at her that poor s patience never was more severely tried nevertheless might have spared herself the pain of revolving how it would best become her dignity to herself or what she should say for was something so very kind frank and cordial in the way the earl advanced to greet her something so encouraging in the manner he took and led her to her seat that she at felt at ease and enjoyed the beautiful prospect and bright sunshine pouring in from the windows to her heart s content the meal ended s first occupation was to go over her new abode accompanied by lord a she paused delighted as she passed from one noble of apartments to another before the pictures also she could have remained for hours in mute admiration and many a rich treat did she promise herself hereafter one portrait a attracted her especial attention she paused before it the expression of the fair s face was so pensive and withal so lovely and it was painted with such exquisite finish and color that loudly expressed her delight it is a study of lady s and i think one of her most successful attempts it was painted at rome about two years ago replied lord ca t another hasty glance on the beautiful and passed on and now i must show a room long since to your use said lord his bride into a apartment surpassing her most fairy dreams of ease splendor and luxury oh how beautiful how very beautiful i exclaimed as she flitted like a butterfly from one object to another admiring all the old familiar objects that ber in ber at the here greeted her again there were her favorite books ber work table ber drawing desk of fresh flowers stood on the tables even her most peculiar fancies and tastes seemed consulted from one of the windows a flight of steps descended into a lovely garden brilliant as a rainbow with flowers of the most varied hues in the centre clusters of with fragrant | 41 |
roses surrounded a small fountain which murmured pleasantly as the clear sparkling water high in the air and dashed again into the marble basin scattering showers of spray on the delicate pink blooming around its margin turned towards the earl her eyes with tears of pleasure pleasure not alone that he had wrought for her so fairy a bower not that he on her a luxury almost but that the careful regard shown to her tastes and habits throughout evinced at least that she had succeeded in his interest and that he must keenly have observed to perform so well do not thank me if you are believe me i am sufficiently rewarded said the earl the eager which trembled on her lips she turned away disappointed a gloom all at once encircled her fair garden the words appeared to his in her delight he her thanks silently she took his arm and passing the tall hedge of and roses the boundary line of her garden they slowly their way towards the a fortnight elapsed and in her daily increasing pleasure in the earl s society nearly forgot her he was the companion of her walks and drives they read and conversed together upon every topic but the one which weighed upon her heart that she carefully avoided and the very mention of the name of the lady rigidly too did she set a jealous watch over her words and actions lest any moment should expose to the penetrating eyes of the earl the pang his indifference cost her while he was content to play only the companion and friend s proud heart resolved that no outward symptom no weakness should betray she would have it other as yet she had neither seen nor heard anything since her arrival at of the lady or of any of her neighbors lord had never even paid a single visit to court instead of being pleased however at this tribute to her qualities had the inconceivable to be secretly dissatisfied and whenever she perceived a slight shade creep over the handsome brow of her lord she was sure inwardly to attribute it to his desire to be restored to the society of his beautiful ward one day as she was standing by his side pencil in hand planning and the cutting out of some flower beds on the lawn the sound of carriage wheels rolling through the park towards the spot where they stood brought a vivid flush to her cheek she turned to the earl as presently a very low drawn by two came in sight and swept swiftly up towards the house a visitor to you i suppose people imagine they given us ample time to weary of our a what do you say said lord with a smile as he stooped and restored her pencil which had fallen to the ground oh i am sorry very but who i is the lady in the i observed she waved her handkerchief as she passed us said hastily for it flashed across her that her visitor might be the young mistress of court the only lady in this neighborhood who to my knowledge drives is mrs st priest a very affected personage i wish you to be civil to her and nothing more said lord as arm in arm they proceeded towards the e mrs st priest notwithstanding the manner in which the earl spoke of her occupied rather a prominent position among the of the neighborhood she was one of those people who will and do make their way above the heads of others with higher pretensions and more definite claims to distinction than themselves mrs st priest s father was a of the first water and died leaving his daughter dependent on her wits to provide for her future support this resource however served her so well that she succeeded in the affections of major st priest a man considerably her senior and who survived their union only three years leaving his widow in circumstances and moving in a much higher sphere than her birth entitled her to to the ambition of mrs st priest the well widow then took a more developed form and she speedily towards a second an i much alliance in the course of her on the important subject it struck her that to accomplish this darling object to raise her position in life something more was needed than the actual possession of pounds shillings and pence for among her numerous acquaintance she numbered several ladies as well to do in the world as herself who still remained only or who were going in due time to exchange their weeds and enter into the holy state again with men of their own condition and degree this conviction brought sore to mrs st priest s mind to distinguish herself from the common herd she could not set up for a literary lady for alas i her father s pursuits and resources flowed ever in a channel totally opposite to the encouragement of learning and ther could she lay claim to the distinction of beauty for the admission of mere was all she dare challenge from the world but mrs st priest knew that her manners were soft and caressing that her was perfectly and besides her glass reflected the dazzling lily of her complexion and the long curls of bright hair which floated on her shoulders now these were advantages not to be despised and after much calculation she arrived at the conclusion that the character of an refined lady a being fragile and delicate alive to the of life and vividly sensible to anything approaching the coarse and vulgar would best veil her origin and her ambitious designs and promote her schemes of this point decided mrs st priest next looked out for a suitable to her comedy and after much careful investigation she fixed on the county | 41 |
on being your first visitor may i not call you said lady herself on the couch close to lady oh yes pray do replied with a smile yielding in spite of herself to lady s warmth and fascination of well remember you must do the same and call me now tell me what you think of mrs st priest she seems a good kind little body harmless and perhaps rather affected upon the whole i think my impression is favorable rejoined carelessly really i i suppose then i must be prejudiced said lady hastily do you know anything against her oh nothing my complaint is made up of a variety of small indeed i should have some difficulty in my charge into a shape yet i strongly advise you dear j to content yourself with paying back her civil speeches by civil speeches and nothing more replied lady laughing in another moment or two lord the room and nothing more was said about mrs st priest lady then resumed her walking attire and the set off on a long stroll through the grounds lady seemed perfectly at home and flitted like a bird from one spot to another giving a loose rein to her admiration in words of glowing eloquence pleased or as when by the contrary feeling her towards lady so gentle and withal plainly yet so delicately evinced her desire to obtain her friendship and love that but for the fell suspicion which in s mind that her guest was the sole which severed from her her husband s affection she must have to the fascination of lady s manner as she watched the glow of interest which kindled her beautiful features while listening to lord s animated conversation was struck at times by the deep gloom that all at once flitted across her face however soon rallied again from this momentary abstraction and laughed and talked until the evening shadows warned her it was time to think of her route to court you will be sure to come and pay me a visit in a day or two i cannot express mrs s at not accompanying me hither to day but she was suddenly assailed with an old fashioned notion that it was not becoming for so many to intrude just at present on your said the lady as she proceeded to her carriage stood at the window and watched her depart she saw the earl gather up the reins and place them carefully in her hand suddenly he forwards and addressed her earnestly for a second or two lady with a smile then raised her dark liquid eyes to the window where she stood and hastily responded this little friendly conference was not lost on for her eyes were on the group she forgot the and the many instances of her husband s attention and anxiety to her wishes in all things for her suspicions were now more than confirmed and her heart was hardened chapter xv the next few days lady observed with keen jealous vigilance every action and weighed each word which fell from her husband s lips she felt dissatisfied and ashamed at the little control she was enabled to exercise over herself yet all her past distrust and suspicion which had so vigor i and lord s seclusion and entire apparent devotion to herself during the past few weeks now returned in full force unlike her former of lady s name she now concentrated her utmost to make her perpetually the theme direct or of her conversations with the earl not that she boldly sought explanation of those passages of h r history which bore upon her close intimacy with him but after provoking casual remarks generally of a nature she them in her memory and in her solitary hours her pen fancy and connected these fragments by an of her own till at length she became thoroughly with and convinced of the truth and reality of her imaginary fears that that eloquent glance spoke volumes and although as yet she could almost number the minutes she spent in the lady s society even in this short interval she had herself felt too keenly the of her person and manner not to tremble at the sway these powerful attractions would exercise over any man who had once beneath them carefully most carefully did conceal from her husband the doubts which in her mind but like the effect of some terrible slow poison on the body they gradually produced a moral and soon all her future hopes and joys faded under its withering influence as for lord he seemed perfectly unconscious of the conflict in her mind as unconscious as it was her studied aim and desire he should be invariably kind and to please her in all things she knew and felt he was deeply pained by reserve once only since their marriage had he mentioned colonel s name and then at a season most it was on the evening after lady s visit whilst poor s heart burned at her supposed influence the earl suddenly asked some question relative to her encouragement of colonel s addresses thrown off her guard by the of the she felt her cheek flush and her reply was cold confused and haughty lord looked surprised but immediately dropped the subject she turned quickly towards him for her heart smote her and it was her duty to remove the false impression her mai ner created but again proved her evil genius for the earl after waiting some time in evident expectation that she would explain or her words quitted the room and when they met again her failed to the unpleasant topic it was ii w one of s most constant and ever regrets that court was situated at so easy a from she dreaded a frequent repetition of s visits for with her jealous sim felt the of winning her | 41 |
husband s affection would be increased could she by any possibility remove him from the dangerous sphere of his ward s influence how this was to be accomplished remained for many days the subject of her profound meditation lord on his marriage resigned his post abroad and she had heard him express a decided intention of spending the next two years at as his long previous absence on the continent rendered a residence on bis estates desirable had sought the right clue how easily would her doubts and bewildering projects have been resolved as it was during the following fortnight her mind had less leisure to brood over her present and future as most of the principal neighboring families called at and amongst them came lady next to seeing the lady s curiosity and interest were most strongly excited by her anticipated introduction to s family yielding to her vivid imagination she had endowed the latter with such a profusion of personal and intellectual graces that a positive feeling of came across her as the door opened and she heard the young lady who accompanied lady and who entered the room with a so scornful and announced as miss wide indeed must have been colonel s choice from that beauty he had so often to her upon that soft melting grace combined with of feature indispensable to his ideal of female loveliness if the regular though harshly features the high color and bright glittering eyes of the face before her had had power to win his heart when however lady introduced her companion as her second daughter returned miss s greeting and forcible indications of her own importance with more than she would otherwise have vouchsafed so glad was she to find her fears feeling that had this been colonel s to have her in his heart v ould have been a very questionable triumph besides a fatal blow at his powers on which her own complacency had so long securely place the mansion lady inhabited was situated about four miles from and here she had lived with her two daughters ever since husband s death which happened boon after his to the title fortunately however for her son his education was rendered totally independent of her control hj his father s will though lady resented this with the of a weak passionate woman and to her son s future welfare for years her greatest delight was to his guardian s designs bj as many obstacles as she possibly could devise by weak indulgence and flattery she next strove to gain over his mind but even as a boy lord s high manly spirit at the of his mother s temper her capricious tyranny at times exasperated him while her foolish compliance and on other occasions weakened and at length finally destroyed his respect for her character and judgment in his sister his exact in feature and mind lord fortunately found a congenial friend and companion into her ear he poured all his boyish and and in their days it was beautiful to witness their attachment and the touching devotion of her manner as she turned her bright blue eyes beaming with love and pride upon him as time stole on however another was admitted into this friendly league and the lady became the almost inseparable companion of the brother and sister the secluded life she had led from infancy and the solitude and silence had subdued much of her youthful spirit and at this period lady though a child in years had acquired by ly habits of self a knowledge and power of reasoning w for her age as lord gazed in her dark flashing eyes and heard the earnest energy with which she poured forth and embodied in language almost poetical some of the strange and of her lonely hours his boyish was fired and he longed to share her pursuits and guide her enthusiastic spirit in its her passionate love for the good and beautiful and the deep romance which her accorded with his own happy in each other s society they ei their long solitary amid the deep woods and sunny of until the increasing of lord rendered change of climate indispensable and lady accompanied her father to italy soon after this event lord quitted and after reading for a couple of years with a private went to college where he passed a most brilliant career though in the midst of ail his honors the vision of the enthusiastic girl who first kindled and roused his ambition was impressed on his mind there was one fault deeply rooted in lord s character which her pure influence had failed to and this wa i a distrust of the motives of those amongst whom he lived from his very earliest childhood a caress from his mother had been a bribe to him to some compliance with her wishes which she had not strength of character to enforce in latter years the same rendered more effectual as she imagined by a little flattery was with something she desired to obtain or some promise she wished to as he entered more into the world his strong sense of justice when from his rank and riches he found himself the object of attention while others his equals in everything else save these were cast comparatively into the background in short his vanity was to achieve some more legitimate triumphs and an ardent longing arose to be indebted to himself and not to his name for the consideration he enjoyed as soon as he attained his majority lord to free himself at once from his mother s methods doubled her he had also another opportunity for early his generosity his cousin a wild worthless young man had by a life of reckless reduced himself to the last straits and was threatened with from college after having half ruined his father a man of very moderate fortune mr | 41 |
without a sou in his pocket or the semblance of an excuse on his lips threw himself upon his cousin s generosity as a last resort lord paid his debts a few months after the latter left college mr again involved himself in gambling debts to a large amount but this tim the was more tragic totally devoid of principle and by the desperation of his circumstances he committed some extensive on an eminent firm the fraud was promptly detected and his arrest became inevitable again in a letter of entreaty he implored his cousin s aid and lord instantly repaired to london but after with his unhappy relative and one with the of the house finding his good offices f no avail he abruptly quitted england for a long projected tour on the continent without returning to much to his mother s anger and dissatisfaction who protested she never could divine the motive of this extraordinary whim a few days after lady s call and her drove to court much to her surprise lord no impatience for her speedy discharge of this ad of towards lady and it was she who proposed the visit a strange restless anxiety possessed her to watch once more their in each other s society and fertile in the art of self she imagined this indifference on the part of a security in lady s regard which no apparent of courtesy or interest could shake narrowly did watch the expression of his face as she made the proposal to drive to hut not even a passing emotion of any kind flitted across it as the words fell from her lips the route from to court lay through a most lovely country and as she sat by his side the seriousness faded from her brow and forgetting for the moment her fancied wrongs she abandoned herself to that vivacity of tone and manner always so when united to a cultivated well stored mind the beautiful scenery also kindled her enthusiasm for as yet with the exception of one visit to and an occasional walk through the little village of her drives and had been to the limits of the park the foliage still retained that vivid green and freshness as yet by dust or by the ardent sun which renders the month of june so lovely now their route lay over the brow of some bold hill sloping to the wooded valley on their right through which the beautiful river glistening in the sun like a broad silver band while the towering peaks of the rocky hills abruptly arising from its margin bounded the horizon softened and in a cloud of purple and golden at other times the ascended abruptly into a narrow hemmed in by rough rocks the tall of many of which were crowned with dark pine with the bright of the vegetation which the hill sides and clustered around the margin of the deep hollows below of and by rocky covered with wild and looking were over the broad band of which skirted the carriage on either side cast a look of regret on the wild she was leaving behind as the carriage passed the lodge gates of and proceeded rapidly up the stately trim avenue leading to the mansion nothing could exceed the warmth and cordiality of lady s greeting and still more than ever was struck with the winning grace of her manner and the intellectual beauty of her face she was dressed in deep mourning by the snowy whiteness of her collar and and her hair smoothly on her temples and twisted into a heavy knot behind her friend mrs sat by her on the sofa knitting and there was something so primitive and sweet in the expression of the old lady s countenance that found her eyes attracted towards her her features were pale and thin and her nose rather long and but in the expression of the faded though regularly cut features there was that unmistakable air of high breeding which seldom fails to command interest and a simple benevolence in her smile that at once won the heart her forehead was high and slightly and small flat lightly sprinkled with powder clustered round face she wore a close cap of the finest lace and a full or of the same delicate encircled her neck displaying its elaborate pattern to the greatest advantage over her black silk dress a gold of exquisite hung from her waist with its multitude of fanciful and attached on the other side was an old fashioned contrivance a kind of steel rest for the knitting pin when the hand wearied of grasping the mass of work depending from it an mrs s notable industry amply deserved after some conversation lady with the most obliging desire to entertain her guest led through the flower garden and displayed her pictures and a collection of and other articles made during her abroad on a stand near one of the windows of the largest room in which the pictures hung was a large filled with various sketches and drawings and while lady was discussing the merits of a painting with lord with more interest than approved the latter with her old feelings of resentment kindled again strolled towards it and commenced turning its contents though her eyes were upon her companions many allusions to things and personages abroad in their discussion and lord talked with a lively ease and interest in the subject which tended not a little to increase her irritable sensations presently mrs approached and in her simple language began to on some of the scenes lady had so illustrated and though was compelled to lend an outward attention she still keenly observed the earl s after a time retreated into the recess of one of the windows on a level with that against which she stood and for the next ta minutes conversed with the earl in more subdued accents then lady | 41 |
distinctly beard the rustle of paper ag of the folding or of a letter she fancied also that the beautiful bloom was deepened on lady s cheek when she joined her again and acting with her usual quick impulse turned hastily away to address mrs who held a drawing which she was just about to display with a l hurried exclamation of surprise however lady h snatched it from the old lady s hand and buried it beneath a pile of drawings already exhibited while a deep blush her cheeks and brow as she timidly glanced towards lord mrs however retained the drawing long enough for to perceive through the transparent paper which covered it that it was a portrait the portrait moreover of a gentleman and she was awaiting its full c play with no little interest and the evident confusion and sudden silence of lady who for many minutes after did not recover her vivacity convinced she was more tl an justified in her most cruel and suspicion and soon after with a manner constrained and formal she took her leave little or reassured by her visit to court if before thought absence from the range of lady s attractions desirable now as may be supposed most doubly imperative and necessary did it appear to her but the difficulty was how could she a bride of a month deliberately propose a change of residence with its consequent admission that she was weary of her a with her husband weary of the beautiful home he had taken such pains to adorn for her reception besides where c she ask him to take her chance however favored her design and very speedily her the opportunity she panted for she happened the following to descend a few minutes earlier than usual on a small side table in the breakfast room lay the letters just arrived from n including not only her own but lord s correspondence as eye ran over the addresses of the letters she one directed to her husband with the s in its in a moment the idea flashed through her mind that this letter might aid her design for could the earl be prevailed upon to accept or aught from government which would require his immediate presence in london her desire would be effectually and accomplished and she at once determined that no or effort on her part to bring about this much wished for result should be wanting she stood at the window musing how to commence operations when lord entered the room after talking to her foi a few minutes he turned to the table and taking up the identical letter she wished him to do broke the seal impatiently she awaited for some indication of its contents and her beautiful eyes rested upon him with that interest her anxiety now prompted but which pride on other occasions so frequently this is from lord my presence in the house on wednesday night to support his bill said lord surprised at the sudden interest she evinced in his and wondering perhaps what motive could have kindled it you intend of course to with his s request replied she promptly and while the color her cheeks no it will not be convenient for me to go to town next week besides i would not leave you especially as this bill is not very important and is sure to pass replied the earl was silent for some minutes she fixed her eyes steadily on the ground lord continued opening his letters do not refuse lord s request only on my account for i should like exceedingly to accompany you to town the season is very brilliant still and i miss my usual there at this period more than i can express said she at length rapidly though her eyes were still bent on the carpet i am sorry for it have made arrangements spend the remainder of the year here and i do not feel disposed to alter nay determination replied lord coldly continuing to the letter in his hand her color came and went quick and fast she the the indulged one to be refused in this style yet in her resentment she cast not a thought on the bitter indifference her own words implied urged by her intense anxiety to win his love only to be obtained as she imagined far from all comparison with the beautiful the dreaded lady she resolved to hazard another trial of her power i desire very much to visit london will you deny my first request said she though with retaining her self possession lord laid down his letter she was spell bound under that strange fascination and species of awe he always exercised over her spirits said he firmly i will not yield to your caprice you shall have time for reflection nor will i expose you in your present frame of mind to the temptations which the gratification of your wish would before your against every dangerous were the love and confidence you in your parents but i will leave you to draw the parallel only one day you may perhaps thank me for my denial of your request then your refusal proceeds alone from generous concern for my welfare and you have no personal reasons for desiring to remain at as you stated before retorted with a sarcastic bitterness she could not repress while her beautiful face lady i should imagine would have been the last to need explanation of the personal motives likely to induce me to consider our most desirable residence at present rejoined the earl calmly the room but in the depth of her and resentment attributed her husband s firm resolution alone to the strength of his with the lady in a few minutes lord returned with no of their past debate in his face and manner during the following half hour | 41 |
he conversed as if nothing had occurred to their good understanding though she fancied he lingered longer by her side than it was his wont to do however made no advance though involuntarily she sighed as the door at length closed for the morning upon her husband and she was left again to her lonely chapter us now take a peep at others over their breakfast table we confess a for this early meal especially in summer when nature also puts on her most tempting aspect and all things without look fresh and luxuriant a fair face and kindly disposition then beam upon us with lustre when the mind refreshed by sleep a calm serenity over every speaking feature while on the contrary those faces habitually with assume at the morning meal additional as if the repose ordained to the faculties of both body and mind served in but to the which them the enjoyment of much that is pleasant and delightful in this beautiful world of our at the breakfast table then in a small comfortably rather than richly furnished at place was a young lady before her stood the hissing tea urn and when we first observe her hot head is slightly inclined watching the descent of the boiling stream on the fragrant leaves in the but presently she raises her eyes and looks rather anxiously at the door as she hears footsteps in the hall without her face is not regularly handsome but still on the noble brow relieved by shining bands of hair in the varying shadows trembling in her deep blue eyes in the smile which slightly the comers of her small well cut mouth there was something infinitely miss as she stood there with her dazzling complexion pure as her white morning robe with good humor her soft cheek was a living of truth near her in an arm chair sat her mother lady s figure was slight and gracefully formed though ill health rather than age had robbed it of its fulness her face still retained of great former beauty though now t e once blooming cheek was hollow and wan and a frown of discontent the brow and curled the lip she back in her chair enveloped in a large shawl although summer still spread its most tempting sky and her eyes followed with restless the graceful movements of her daughter i really wish you would attend to my request and desire to the rolls more i may just as well speak to my as ask you to do anything yet you know dr said in this crude state was highly and likely to bring on another attack of said lady tossing the uppermost crust from a plate of hot rolls before her i did lecture her for above half an hour yesterday dear mamma i assure you and she promised to attend better this morning look i really believe if you try this bit you will find u well baked replied good turning over the roll to find a piece to suit her mother s fastidious well just put it down on the plate cannot expect me to taste it while you hold it there miss obeyed after slowly separating a minute from the piece lady suddenly laid down her knife and fork don t yon see the glare of the sun is enough to one do put down the shade i what can your head always be running upon that you never observe anything do you feel more comfortable now mamma asked miss placing before her mother a cup of tea after shutting oat the bright sunshine from the room yes this subdued light is infinitely more grateful said lady in no very gracious tones the tea good heavens i you must have emptied the sugar basin into my cup how very careless i really i can never get my daughters to perform the slightest service for me properly fortunately here is another cup just ready perhaps you will like it better replied in tones unmoved quietly one cup for the other before her now ring the bell and inquire whether has got an egg for my breakfast the bell was rung and after due inquiry as it was found the twelve fowls with strange refused to produce an egg between them for her s breakfast lady i her in no very amiable mood and after her mother s plate with a variety of arranging her cushions and feeding her at length sat down and ventured to commence her own breakfast lady continued to eat in silence for some minutes i wonder when your sister will please to make her appearance when i was young such was not did you go into her room the last thi g before you came down stairs yes mamma i dare say is wearied with her expedition yesterday and will be down presently said in her most tones her i do you mean her drive yesterday to with your aunt elect little silly mrs st priest s cheek flushed even her gentle spirit felt at her mother s wanton at this moment however lady s thoughts received a fresh diversion by the t entrance of her daughter the young lady advanced into the room with a very decided manner and air her regular features breathing defiance at any one to call her in question as to the hour it was her sovereign pleasure to partake of her morning lady instantly opened a of small shot which however miss chose to treat with most indifference and after glancing at the break she coolly walked to the bell rang it and then stood her hair before the what did you ring the bell for asked lady in no very gentle tones as the butler answered the summons take the urn out and it with boiling water and bring some eggs and hot roll said the without a glance at her | 41 |
with and on a side table ah girls continued she with a sigh had your father lived your present destiny would have been very different not but what has behaved uncommonly well in my paltry of two thousand a year on the day he came of age but my lot has been peculiarly unlucky and i have had but little enjoyment of the consequence and wealth which a marriage witb your father at first seemed to promise then mamma you should not blame us for if you have had to contend with so hare we and i never even tasted the privileges of our station lady continued without her s interruption your father came to the title i had the plague of bringing you three into the world and thereby ruined my health forever your father only survived his accession to the family honors one year and words are powerless to describe what i then went through with the vile tribe of lawyers and was let arrangements were made for my son s education in spite of everything i could say and now after all i have suffered nearly ruins himself with paying other people s debts and takes himself off in this style instead of living at home and his mother and sisters in the family mansion he really seems to care for none of us but as far as i am concerned i to decline joining the family circle at is far too for me said your flights and airs are perfectly ludicrous and could your brother hear you he certainly would not consider himself a by your absence ring the bell for my drops when lady had swallowed the mixture immediately presented by her maid she continued y the bye i understand you were at when lord and lady paid their second visit there now i only heard this by a i never in my life met with so close and a character as yours i did not think you particularly cared for an of lady s visitors especially in this case as judging from your manner i thought lady did not produce a favorable impression on either you or when you called at i cannot tell how you venture to set yourself up as a judge of my manners or sentiments either you must have a monstrous opinion of your faculties i however in this one instance you are right for i certainly never felt more disappointed in anybody in my life than with lady i thought her to a degree positively repulsive lord also thinks no small things of himself but i want to know how you liked her asked lady if you insist upon my opinion mamma i hope you will not be offended if i speak it truly i was very much fascinated by lady s manners and appearance i think i never saw a more beautiful face there was something so and gentle in the tone of her voice too when you meet her again i feel sure you will admire her replied by bye i think i did not tell you mrs st priest intimated yesterday during our drive that this lady is an old flame of edward s by what i can understand from her there seems to have been a regular between them when he was stationed at pray did this fact form any portion of his mysterious when be was with you for full two hours during his last visit miss made no reply her heart was too full for words a slight tremulous motion of the lip alone that she heard the abrupt well continued you need not look so and is you know and were i you when edward comes into this neighborhood again i would not let him go near did mrs st priest say he was likely soon to visit her again asked lady yes she said she expected him in a week or ten days replied pausing as presented himself at the door mrs si priest my lady has sent over a messenger to know whether miss or miss will like to drive with her to this afternoon give our compliments and say that either miss or myself will be with mrs st priest by two o clock replied promptly good heavens i what can mrs st priest be going over to again for ejaculated lady lifting up her eyes to see mr most probably observed i suppose as you are an young lady you won t mind my sharing this privilege with her not in the least as far as the drive and mr are concerned but unfortunately i promised lady to walk over to after lunch replied hesitatingly for she perceived the on her s rosy lip well for once you must let your friend s yield to your mother s it is quite impossible that both my daughters can go out and me alone so if cannot live a day without visiting court you must take your maid and walk after dinner now if you please wo will go into my sitting room and perhaps you will write those for me i spoke to you about yesterday evening miss arose and quietly put aside her work to obey her mother s caprice poor girl i involuntarily a heavy sigh fluttered ou her lip i wish you joy of your ta k said as her sister passed the ih on which she was preparing to with the last new novel in her hand i shall be back again about four adieu i chapter miss returned home from her drive in a anything but improved by her a with the widow and after a dinner prolonged to a most length by the caprice of lady waa permitted to set off on her long delayed expedition to court a feeling of indescribable relief stole over her as she closed the small gate admitting | 41 |
from the grounds of place into the meadows across which a foot path direct to lady s abode she strolled slowly along the quiet the delicious luxury of being allowed space and leisure to think when her throbbing with anxiety and dire the absence of the word which sometimes drove her harassed spirit to the verge of desperate defiance of her domestic fell so soothingly on her mind that her j brow and the quick anxious glance of her blue eye melted shall we say it into a tear for s lonely were of past of future deep and bitter suffering her first dream of love had been given to colonel given with the fresh full of her truthful for she his deeds as his words and believed tiiat the man who spoke and reasoned as did her beloved would alike act from the same principles and foundation test of bis daily conduct bitterly was she and to all the petty tyranny of her home was now added the sense of being deserted betrayed of having the most precious gift in woman s power to bestow to meet with contempt and ingratitude in return originally colonel s hand and ample fortune were destined by lady for her daughter who having met him at mrs st priest s became violently smitten with his easy and flow of spirits for colonel though possessed of deep passions when fully aroused was one of those individuals who without one solid and with very shallow intellect managed to collect a from every source so that whether the conversation to the flights of or descended to the most exquisite nonsense that ever escaped male or female lips he generally contrived to himself of his share with apparent ease such was the origin of colonel s introduction to an intimacy most unlucky for poor for the drift of lady and speedily perceiving that miss s fierce imperious spirit was to harmless he turned his attention to her sister struck by s gentle womanly manners colonel soon exchanged his gallant speeches for the language of what he then supposed sincere passion nor was he as to the of his professions until he met the beautiful and brilliant miss then were poor s wrongs for with her radiant spirit and ready wit was just the woman to and hold captive the heated fancy of such a man as colonel he loved her deeply and then only to find ner the bride of another lost to him by her own consent and deed when the of making his own was dissipated by her approaching marriage with lord miss listened to colonel s of past with feelings of sorrow indescribable she felt smitten to the heart even his voluntary humiliation she knew to be a acknowledgment of her rival s power her trust in him was forever gone and though she him the remembrance of his desertion she felt could never be and more in compliance with bis urgent entreaties than aught else for he knew too well his over her gentle yielding nature she reluctantly consented to remain his slowly then walked along the path which wound now under green hedges and by banks with wild pink delicate then taking a more decided across the meadow at length into a narrow bridle way this by a gentle ascent led to the summit of the ridge of hills which divided the estates of lord from those of the lady from this slight elevation a fine view might be obtained of the beautiful wooded valley in the centre of which stood the mansion of groups of noble oaks and some of gigantic size surrounded it on all sides and through the middle of the valley a narrow flowed now flashing in he rays of the setting sun like silver now disappearing behind the stately of timber the mansion of court was a venerable looking pile and dated from the reign of elizabeth it was a low compact edifice of considerable dimensions built of brick with of while stone around the roof ran a low of carved stone and in the centre arose a tall clock tower the principal entrance was by a porch of massive oak carved and otherwise with grotesque figures and devices over this the on the of lord still remained in front of the mansion was a court of separated from the park by a sunk fence and decorated with balls stone and huge shaped in which pink flourished behind the mansion and parallel on either side with the court were long avenues of and a dark gloomy aspect lady had done her best to lessen the of her ancient abode by training a variety of bright looking to contrast their blossoms with its dark weather stained walls at various seasons of the year brilliant clusters of roses passion and other beautiful plants around her windows and over the porch and beyond flights of stone steps conducted from terrace to terrace into gardens upon which she had all the skill and experience acquired in the sunny from whence she had just returned pausing a few minutes for a rapid survey of the lovely landscape before her hurried forwards for already the rose tinted clouds on the horizon were beginning to lose their vivid hues as the shades of evening stealthily crept over passing through the court and under the curious old arch which led to the back of the mansion she soon found herself on the terrace upon which most of the principal apartments opened mrs was the only of lady s sitting room when entered the old lady was veiy much at her ease in an arm chair near the window occupied with her eternal knitting well my dear miss i am glad to see you at last has been expecting you hours ago she has only just laid down her needle to take a stroll in the | 41 |
flower garden with charles see there they both arc at the end of the ter race said the old lady firmly grasping her knitting lest s should betray her into a slip of the pin could not come before mrs or you may be sure you would have seen me i will go and meet lady and her cousin were in deep and did not perceive s approach until she was close upon them at last dear here you are i i have be s expecting you ever since two o clock you shameful exclaimed lady stepping forwards with rather heightened color i could not leave home went out with mrs st priest and you know mamma is not happy unless one of us remains with her replied shaking hands with mr i met mrs st priest and your sister on their road to as i was on mine hither you have never been to see my flowers miss i consider myself very ill used why did you not drive over with your sister yesterday asked mr for the same reason that i could not come here earlier to day mamma cannot endure to be left alone and so you have arranged always to stay at home while your sister goes out miss i protest since my arrival in this neighborhood excepting occasionally here i do not believe i have met you half a dozen times for shame charles with your usual language you have brought the color into s cheeks exclaimed lady i am very sorry but i hope miss will prove herself as good and amiable as she appears by mo when the offence by saying it becomes her too well for me to repent the words which kindled it well you are the first young lady including whom overheard that matter of fact cousin of mine compliment thank you it is some consolation to know you think about mo so i will not at the manner replied mr fixing his large dark eyes on his cousin s face but do you not think you could manage to drive miss over to to morrow i want her to see my garden i m flower tu will you go tes if nothing i enjoy it very much but i cannot promise this evening i will send you word to morrow morning if you will allow me oh surely for once your sister may stay at home and take care of her mother could she not exclaimed the mr could not refrain from laughing never mind charles he all his compliments and polite speeches at mon and so has little ready coin in hand rejoined lady how very intimate seems to have become all at once with mrs st priest they are always driving about together now yes they are very great friends replied hastily mrs st priest is the most frivolous little of a woman i ever met with yet i have a strong suspicion under that artificial manner deeper designs depend upon it she is a dangerous woman said mr you ought not to say so at any rate charles pray why not because mrs st priest everywhere to the extent of her ability the taste learning and divers of charles esq replied lady laughing you mean she praises and its various i wonder what place in her estimation charles would hold without it however i repay her admiration by allowing her to drive her there whenever she chooses rejoined mr how very gracious i she must appreciate the boon so it seems for she pays a visit every third day you give me one call to her fifty why do you not come oftener the color came into lady s cheek did you ever hear such a question shall i never make you understand charles that it is not etiquette for young ladies to pay frequent visits at houses i consider etiquette a very troublesome thing when it with pleasant social arrangements replied mr in grumbling accents come let us go into the house you must rest before you commence your walk mrs also will think we are very ill to leave her alone so long said lady miss assented though she was not in the least fatigued and had listened with much amusement to the dialogue between her friend and mr of the latter a admiration of and for his fair cousin s society had long had her private opinion though when at home she the question mr had strong sterling sense keen perception into character and an energy which combined with these other two qualities seldom led him astray an rendered him more fortunate in the of his projects than most men he moreover possessed the of invariably saying what he meant and doing what he said this uncommon characteristic sadly the of such ladies as mrs st priest who often found their prettily turned sentences suddenly arrested by one of mr s shrewd downright speeches well mrs and how have you been getting on during our absence said mr himself soon after they entered the room by the old lady s side oh tolerably well see my dear i have finished the i began just before we left then suddenly reminded by the gloom which lady s face that lord s fatal happened on that night and seeking to the her words mrs hastily added i mean my dear on the evening mr so suddenly made his appearance who is this mr i so often hear you talk about mrs asked mr fixing his keen eyes on his cousin whose fair brow and cheeks now the rose in her bosom a very agreeable young englishman whose acquaintance we made in italy replied mrs resolved to be very guarded in what she said well but who is he what is he and where does he from mrs looked sadly perplexed well mr am sure | 41 |
i am not quite prepared to answer all these questions his name is i really do not know anything more about him but if he had no where in the world did you and meet him we met him first at madame s ah so he was one of those unfortunate all accomplished gentlemen my good aunt up and as lions at her villa i see now rejoined mr stealing a glance at the lady and then fixing his dark e on the ground have you seen anything of that charming graceful looking lady since i saw you demanded he after a pause i have seen her twice since lord several times only twice no she came here with the earl two days ago it strikes me you arc rather disappointed in the choice you do not seem half as intimate with lady as i expected or as i am sure you anticipated now tell me what you really think of her really charles you put very questions that bow to frame an answer is sometimes no slight embarrassment replied lady glancing at do not trouble yourself to frame an answer always tell me really what you think or decline giving an answer at once said mr in rather a tone well you need not look so deeply injured exclaimed lady laughing i have no objection to tell you my opinion of the i think her most beautiful and fascinating but there is coldness in her manner and a want of warmth in returning all my which i cannot account for i am sure she me my dear lady how can you use such strong expressions remonstrated mrs gravely the thing which struck me most during the short two hours she spent here on monday was that she did not seem devoted enough to her husband i must say i was provoked at her indifference how romantic you are become mrs then you think it a rule for a wife to show great devotion to her husband in public said mr smiling for he greatly enjoyed putting the oil lady on her good gracious mr i how quickly you take one up i i do not call sitting quietly here in s room being in public i question with all her pretty face and pretty manner whether lady was ever in love with her husband said mrs with a sagacious nod poor could she but have heard mrs s opinion i some lover s quarrel i suppose darkened the matrimonial horizon the morning they visited you i should make a point never to let my wife quarrel with me admirable oh charles what a frank admission so you would all the yourself a quiet smile curled mr s lip well miss you have not yet en i like to bear other people s opinion do you agree with that lady animation and warmth of manner and with mrs that she never was in love with her ma was too ti to assert what she did not think and we know she had very good reason to entertain a doubt on this latter point perhaps there may be a coldness in lady s manner but we must remember she is amongst strangers replied she j see will not venture an opinion upon mrs s assertion miss said mr as at that moment arose to take leave you cannot possibly walk home alone observed lady hastily as she saw the rising color on her friend s cheek perhaps charles will be your knight and escort you back to i shall be most happy if miss will allow me that honor replied mr promptly miss however hesitated and her face expressed such genuine distress that lady gazed astonished a moment s reflection revealed the source of her friend s discomfiture on second thoughts charles i cannot spare you just now so pray sit down again i am sure will excuse you or rather do me the favor to ring for i am going to send her home in the pony carriage resumed she quickly why would not miss allow me to escort her home asked mr in his tones throwing himself on the couch near his cousin when he entered the drawing room again after handing to the carriage cannot you guess no how should i don t you know miss is engaged to be married what a prudent young lady i i suppose colonel is jealous no i never heard that he was is right for many reasons you forget the colonel s amiable relative in this true i forgot and mr sat silently for some time watching his cousin as she bent over her work frame exclaimed he at length catching her fair hand as she drew the silk through the canvas what a very odd fancy it is of yours to wear that ring i suppose it is your mother s the ring was the one mr placed on in the cathedral of the diamond guard she always wore and which purposely completely covered it had by some accident slipped aside hastily she snatched her hand from her cousin s grasp luckily mr not perceive the momentary which spread over her cheek or the tremor of her lip for she sat with her back to the light with a strong effort she commanded her voice sufficiently to reply in the easy tone of their previous discourse really charles how impertinent you are growing i i will not satisfy your curiosity i shall envy that happy man who with your con sent takes it from your finger to replace it by another said mr earnestly i cannot see any longer so like you dear mrs must be content to be idle awhile exclaimed lady abruptly rising from her frame and approaching the old lady lay back half asleep in her chair and i must think of | 41 |
riding home i will go round to the stables for my horse mr slowly rising from his chair good night good night charles and mr quitted the room while lady buried her face in her hands and presently bright tears forced themselves between her fingers and dropped upon her dress mrs did not speak for the obscurity was too great for her to observe the distress of her beloved pupil presently the silence was l by the entrance of the butler with lights and after he had closed the windows and retired mrs rousing up resumed her darling occupation and lady mechanically herself at her frame for some time they worked on in silence at length mrs began i have not heard you mention mr very lately my dear i suppose you receive good news from him asked she hesitatingly for it was a subject seldom between them yes i heard about a fortnight ago responded lady with a sigh when do you expect him in england that strange visit of his when we were in that wretched french place has always puzzled me ah it is a sad sad thing that we ever fell in with him said the old lady sighing also he has promised to be here in england in two months replied lady in a low voice well i am glad to hear this i hate mystery i do you feel to care for him my dear after this period of absence as much as you did at much much more i was thinking yesterday what your cousin and lord will say when they hear of your engagement my dear to a man nobody knows anything about dear mrs do not let us anticipate evils surely when present they are hard enough to bear ah the present evil is to see you in secret and yourself in public to affect an appearance of happiness mr told me he had had a long interview with you at did he tell you nothing about himself my dear lady shook her head while tears dropped on her work mrs you know said she met him at some f te now my dear what i should advise is that you make a int of lord i know he would find out all about this mysterious lover of yours immediately it will not do for you to go on in this way a girl beautiful as you are and an too you should not either my dear lay too much stress on lord s approval for during his last illness he often appeared to me slightly wandering at times now will you apply to the earl and mrs laid down her knitting and gazed earnestly into her pupil s face lady arose she clasped her hands tightly together mrs if you wish to my eternal love and gratitude promise me profound silence profound secrecy on everything respecting for the next three months said she in a voice of deep emotion this affair causes me more anxiety than i can describe but i suppose as you insist i must with your desire nay my dear compose yourself pray i cannot think what it is that raises such a tumult of passion when this man s name is mentioned said mrs hastily rising and throwing her arm round lady s waist at the of these three months may i consider myself at liberty to consult your guardian persisted mrs with more resolution than was her wont no i will then myself take measures but i do not distrust and though six weeks have elapsed since the period he promised to greet me here i believe him true honorable mark mrs not a shadow of a doubt on my mind i and lady threw back her beautiful head but though her features still trembled with excitement this open assertion of her lover s truth seemed to have fresh confidence into her own heart also well my dear all s well that ends well and i fervently trust it may prove so in your case said the old lady mechanically taking up her knitting again lady lingered round her friend for a few minutes and then paced up and down the room presently she approached window and drew from her bosom the half of the glittering clasp alas i it had never yet been used for the purpose it was given i say now don t laugh my dear do you not think it just possible mr may be a in disguise such things have happened said mrs with a look and manner of profound sagacity interrupting the silence which prevailed lady laughed aloud nothing could be unlikely i ai sure you my dear mrs i wonder where your suspicions will travel next mrs made no reply but appeared absorbed in her work what a very clever fascinating young man charles is i i protest i like him as well as the earl don t you think him very agreeable very and now my dear old friend as your to have travelled and it is growing late we will ring and summon the household to prayers said the lady mrs st priest had always a keen eye to her own interest she knew money was the grand which enabled le to their fellows and next to her own attractions she deemed it the thing most easily for the speedy of her scheme of the income of her late major st priest amounted to the sum of two thousand per exclusive of his pay in gratitude for her eager solicitude to smooth his pillow the major duly fifteen hundred a year to his young widow the remaining five hundred of his income secured on an estate in having been most generously settled by him on his nephew edward when the latter first entered the service almost however in the will was a of a few lines | 41 |
over which mrs st priest though so amply dwelt with unspeakable pleasure and self gratification it expressed the desire of the that his edward being now so well provided for by the large of his paternal uncle g of the grove should to his aunt st priest this trifling addition to his income which would prevent her feeling that diminished was added to the bitter trials of her the wish of the deceased major mrs st priest took good care should be forthwith intimated to colonel but to her exceeding vexation instead of receiving by return of post a deed of of the five hundred per executed in due form a brief letter only arrived containing much for her loss and vague assurances that his uncle s desire should be duly weighed as soon as professional duties allowed him a single instant to devote to his own concerns from that time to this a period of five years mrs st priest heard nothing acre of the affair though intensely provoked she thought it most to keep up a brisk exchange of to guard against the possibility that he should forget such a person as his uncle s widow existed and consequently no two persons could be on better terms than colonel and herself he visited her at stated periods of the year and often on his table lay from mon mingling with newspapers and clumsy business letters whose strong addresses stood out in coarse relief against her airy flowing characters the morning st priest visited park she received the following letter from colonel my dear knowing of old your dexterity and having experienced your kindness do not be surprised if i now venture to entreat you to exercise this admirable ingenuity of yours in my behalf you doubtless remember something of what i told you during my last visit at mon relative to my desperate love affair with now lady that she once loved me and at the time of her marriage cared not a sou for her of a husband i venture little in asserting and as for my sentiments towards her a lady of your powers will not long be in doubt after the whole of my letter now this is what i you to do for me drive o er to at your earliest possible convenience observe and note attentively how the speaks looks and acts whether her beautiful eyes beam love or hate on her lord and tell me as to the strength of the love between them have i made myself sufficiently intelligible another boon i have to do not think me will you receive me during the first week of next month as your guest by the bye it may be as well to tell you though i had nearly forgotten that i have had an interview with old one of the deceased major s and i doubt not in a month or two we be able to arrange the trifling affair of the estate to your satisfaction i owe you a thousand apologies for its settlement so long adieu you may divine the impatience i shall await the report by your fairy fingers humbly kissing your hands i remain yours very faithfully edward the eyes of the widow with action as she the interesting document already she felt and its acres to be her own impatient of the least delay before she put the machinery in which was to bring about this desirable result the moment she finished luncheon she stepped into her and set off for how she herself in the presence of the earl and his bride we have already related but on her return home she descended to her and wrote the my dear edward in compliance with your wish i drove over this afternoon to what a you were to me into the den of most exclusive of exclusive i however i have since thought it was a happily conceived project to storm the fortress the honey moon for it still beamed enough to my visit well edward i admire this of yours excessively i never saw a more splendid creature and comparatively speaking is not worthy to hold a candle to beauty as for the terms she is on with her lord and master i at present determine there is evidently a some thing she is not at her ease i mean in the full of being beloved in the midst of all her splendor i remarked a restless of the eye in the presence of who came to pay her a visit whilst i was at i will examine more attentively for i have exceeded your request though i flatter myself scarcely what you anticipated from my friendship having i think created a favorable impression on your divinity and be sure nothing shall be left undone on my part to promote a friendly of from all i have as yet heard and seen my advice to you is combined in the one word to throw a little light on the internal economy of the household at i directed my maid to scrape an with the s but to no purpose was mute and all s went for now edward i want to know whether you seriously intend to enter the lists and attempt to with this exquisite in the very teeth of her handsome looking husband if so all i have to say is that you are a courageous man to hope to prevail against so dangerous a rival now do not be angry if you come off the victor the greater your glory i think i have given you all the information at present hut i shall be j in conclusion i can only express my hope that you will give me the pleasure of your company at time for as long as you find it agreeable to remain at mon and believe me ever st | 41 |
said he in a tone of displeasure walking away remained motionless for a few seconds lady fine s shadow cast a gloom over her heart at length she arose and with feelings of supreme in not to remain at home and solitary she ordered her carriage and after reflecting on the most expedition to exert her independence desired her coachman to drive to mrs st priest s mon or mount i jew as the place was termed among the neighboring was a small low built two house covered with ivy a five minutes drive through a thick like plantation led up to the hall door or properly speaking to the end of a long projecting extending round one side of the house paved with and t by deep boxes placed along the wall filled with and various plants when entered mrs st priest s luxurious she her on a couch with sleeping a crimson satin cushion at her feet by the side of the sofa stood a work table upon which was a book an ivory sundry colored and gold thread the widow attired in a loose sky blue silk and on her was lightly perched a small cap of the finest lace with taste colored blinds excluded the light fit m the apartment the atmosphere of which was laden with the heavy i ol numerous in of the richest china glass my dear i am so enchanted to see you i cannot thank you sufficiently for the honor of this visit exclaimed mrs st priest in her most winning tones lightly ringing from the couch as was ushered in thank you you are very kind replied taking the hand st priest eagerly proffered i fancied i never more was to see you that somehow or other you deemed my early visit and miserable the thou t made i assure you mrs st priest a feeling never existed but i have had much to do and numerous visits to return replied with her sweet smile yes i well remember that the first months of married life are the most everything then seems de and one breathes in a kind of ideal world alas all that s fair must speedily fade in sentiment as well as in reality i said the widow it does so and sometimes failing to be it for lack of sympathy i rejoined with some of tone for her heart was very sore mrs st priest opened wide her large blue eyes and fixed them on her visitor a bride of two months and already a philosopher i my dear lady pray excuse me it is positively something quite unique to hear you talk thus it reminds me of the hungry man who overpowered by the many good things set before him sighed for a crust said mrs st priest in her most playful manner it indeed me to be very thankful for the many elements of happiness providence has mingled in my lot replied quickly for there was something in the tone of her hostess which displeased her you are indeed highly favored lady t is to persons as myself alone solitary severed from the of the nearest and dearest of heart that this much sunny world of ours appears bleak and dreary said mrs st priest heaving a deep sigh while her pretty blue eyes filled with tears nay mrs st priest you should not say so depend it could all secrets be disclosed you would find yourself as well off as your neighbors happiness and prosperity i am are pretty nearly in this world and what seems lost on one side is gained on another though of course i do not mean to deny there may be special from this general standard ah it is very well for you at the summit of worldly felicity thus to contentment to us who stand rather low in the scale of this world s prosperity is rather a difficult task to learn but i have not yet made due inquiry after the health of lord i trust he is well asked mrs st priest abruptly for argument was not her quite well i thank you replied i i have had a visit this morning from sir and i suppose they took me in passing to or court for otherwise i am seldom favored with a have you seen them lady no but a visit from sir would have given me great j he has called twice since his return from the upon lord but both times we were unfortunately from home replied her thoughts instantly to her friend sir is a most lively agreeable personage as for lady though a of virtue she is the very of everything stiff and i said mrs st priest with a light laugh laughed also but it was at the contrast between the two descriptions she had heard of lady s character sir nevertheless believes there never was a woman who united so many tes but i am sure she must think her son on the high road to and travelling anywhere but i i dare say they are gone to court for lady always did draw them thither by flattering the mother and smiling on the son indeed exclaimed mil d anxiously longing to ask more yet fearing to appear too interested i cannot understand however what motive lady can have for flattering either sir or his mother my dear lady when you have been in this neighborhood a little longer you will understand its politics better replied mrs st priest with her smile it was said though i do not affirm it that lady s object in with sir was to her guardian lord into an offer but this report of course was treated as when his s engagement to yourself was made public now people are abominable and malicious enough to fancy at the present moment that she | 41 |
hopes by the same means to her rich and good looking cousin mr i consider both reports and malicious as could possibly be why need lady with her beauty and talents resort to such a disgraceful device replied not choosing to show the impression the widow s words created every one is tolerably persuaded that sir is not a man at least so long as his old of ft mother lives a terrible after any pretty young woman and the earl before his much at of course lady understood his attention to be and offered in compassion to her forlorn position but the world did not and hence the you do but render lady justice i feel convinced st priest said lady gravely any woman however might be proud of even the passing glance of such a man as your husband lady and perhaps poor lady s wishes her prudence and knowing what a marvellous is in diseases of the heart she this formidable weapon at her guardian iu ignorance of the silken which rendered him proof against her said mrs st priest her ivory shoulders it cannot be possible the world must have lady s motives she certainly knew of lord s engagement said without knowing exactly what she uttered for her mind was busied searching amongst the endless imagination had spun for a thread to unite with the suspicion so poured into her ear a sudden gleam shot across the widow s eye for quick as thought her fingers grasped the clue which should lead her through the of s heart lady was jealous or at least uneasy at the influence exercised over her husband by his ward i every one in the neighborhood was surprised at the news of the earl s engagement it created quite a sensation and i heard lady audibly express her astonishment in common with the rest of the world but do you know there is always something to me inexplicable in her ardent imaginative disposition something one from in the deep glow and f her wild looking eyes it is the fashion here to sing her praise at every turn but i am not one of her blind indeed mrs st priest i think then you are very unjust towards lady i consider her one of the most charming persons i ever met nor i must repeat do i sec how the you tell me the world attributes to her could avail a girl must either be madly in love or her chances at very desperate issue when she to the expedient of playing one man against another said lady carelessly turning over the leaves of a richly bound on the table but while her lips thus somehow s her on this point hence mrs si priest s words sank the deeper do you not see how this expedient could serve her lady then i will tell you but to illustrate my meaning forgive me for using a very homely don t you know that if you heap coals ou a and suffer them for any length of time to lie undisturbed they and grow take up the give them a sharp rap and they speedily again into flame now lady hoped sir would play this friendly part of the and so set mr s heart in a blaze rejoined mrs st priest pausing with art before she uttered the name of him against whom all this was supposed to be directed you appear to consider that such at times produce desirable results said still turning over the pages of the book in some cases i believe the remedy men are such that security is sure to be followed by and their hearts wander elsewhere a little works wonders this is precisely the case with my friend edward miss bears his with the patience and resignation of a martyr now if she would put him on the by elsewhere she would probably find him at her feet it would positively be an act of the greatest kindness and charity o make her jealous for poor girl i fear she is much more iu jove with edward than he is with her exclaimed mrs st priest watching the rising color on s check has colonel been long engaged to miss about a year or eighteen months his residence at did poor injury he always you lady as his model of grace beauty and talent everything be can conceive in woman colonel we all know is a in the art of delicate flattery said pushing aside the book and rising for the clock over the chimney piece half past four h do not go yet pray dear lady i want to how you first a magnificent in the of which my good old gardener is not a little proud exclaimed mrs st rising eagerly from the sofa assented and after walking round the garden two or times and listening for twenty minutes longer to mr st priest s trifling nonsense she was permitted to take leave and ve and lady s on her visit were on the when the carriage stopped at her own door the earl came forwards and handed her out without word or comment and did during their long a that evening seek to heal this second trifling breach between them did she offer an explanation of her sudden expedition and acknowledge that had made her capricious caprice and unkind and chapter xix days elapsed and neither saw nor heard anything more of mrs st priest but the widow s words sank deep into her heart and much did she thereupon was it indeed the certainty that she was bound to him by permanent and ties which nursed her husband s cold indifference both from the period she had voluntarily renewed her engagement and since her marriage and could it be that if by the skilful | 41 |
exercise of her many attractions on others this security might be shaken she should witness his scorn and disregard vanish before the terrible fear of losing her forever a bright gleam of joy thrilled her heart as she sat and pondered thus the many of the past she still blindly refused diligently to search out and follow the one little path of truth and and wandered amid the plausible ways of deceit and she had yet to learn to do evil that good may come is of all devices the most hollow and from the day of her visit to mrs st priest a marked change was apparent in her she assumed a more reckless manner and air she forced a higher flow of spirits and the gentle voice she sometimes imagined he loved to hear grew more decided and independent in its tones her beautiful eyes were more averted than ever but in proportion to her neglect arose the earl s coolness he seemed content to take her in any tone she chose to conceal the anguish of her heart spent much of her time alone in her her mornings were passed in ineffectual efforts to forget her miseries in the exercise of her favorite art painting her evenings in feigned or gloomy silence when the earl perceived the latter was her mood he usually proposed to read aloud and would then throw herself on a couch and listen to his voice until tears poured down her cheeks when on the first opportunity she generally seized some pretext and herself to a hasty flight to indulge her sorrow in silence and solitude lord at first seemed surprised and even alarmed at these sudden and after awaiting her return for some time generally despatched a kind and urgent after her health an of which herself very ill as she did not scruple to express to her mistress that she thought the earl ought to be his own messenger one evening as she was thus making her exit almost incapable of the sobs that some half hour s musing on lier position provoked the fringe of her caught the comer of a flower stand from which blinded by her tears she made an attempt to herself lord observing her difficulty instantly came to her assistance and quietly the placed it again on her shoulders she in mute thanks and he then perceived that her eyes were of tears and her lips quivering with suppressed emotion i would you deemed me worthy of your confidence say dear what can i do for you said the earl in a low voice as he threw his arm around her waist and gently drew her towards him for one brief instant she pressed her fair cheek on his bosom and without daring to raise her eyes lest she should read pity and disdain in the deep glance bent upon her she hurriedly disengaged herself from his arms and fled the apartment and the dark veil clung to her heart however was deceived because she would resolutely shut her heart to conviction though every morning and evening of her life she put up the prayer that happiness might be restored to her her resolution was not fervent and sincere to follow the pure inward impulses of right which might be vouchsafed to her petition consequently her prayer was and her self deceit to abide nor could she console herself with the reflection that lord s coldness or denial of her request to remove from afforded any justification for her reserve she who alone created the division in the first instance and who now refused the slightest or o in return for the unbounded indulgence upon her and this solemnly her to him again might well stand convicted in the esteem of heartless all that night after the little scene have recorded did spend in restless meditation but aa its basis was so did it profit her nothing and she arose with a mind still and the following morning dawned bright clear and warm and no one rejoiced at this more than mr for it was the day of the flower at and moreover it would bring the presence of his beautiful cousin the lady pa pleasure mr infinitely more than his who had totally forgotten until reminded by a that by lord s desire she had accepted mr s invitation gazed with feelings of dismay on her swollen and pallid cheeks but after an hour or two spent in the open air in the seclusion of her own little garden her beautiful face recovered much of its usual expression of calm composure she sighed as s busy fingers speedily arrayed her for mr s to her had no attractions and with that feeling of at heart that icy feeling which seems to au or fellowship in the pursuits of others she descended and joined her husband in the library the grounds at were laid out with infinite taste and as mr s passion for flowers prompted him to spare no expense to fill his with the specimens and most brilliant hues and a lovely sight it was as and her husband drove up the lawn was studded with of white scarlet in beautiful contrast with the green turf and beyond the eye in the rich dazzling hues of the flower garden shrubs of all descriptions formed a background to the garden which was laid out in the italian style with stone and borders to the of rare hot house plants were dispersed here and there on the lawn the air with their fragrance besides there was every species of amusement for the diversion of his guests that mr s ingenuity could suggest and as mr the distant relation from whom he inherited the estate had been with a fancy for filling his house with all sorts of old pictures in the most delightful variety all these mr had also made available | 41 |
s marriage with mr frank were arranged and moreover received from the bride elect a most pressing invitation to her wedding which event is to os next spring said sir yes wrote me a long detail of her conquest it has been a speedy and i sincerely trust may prove a happy one though i must confess i should consider a marriage with mr a very affair so should i indeed lady exclaimed sir laughing after you left we had a most ludicrous adventure at which i verily believe mr to pop the momentous question to the fair lady miss and myself were invited by lady to join a party on her famous lake ah went on in capital style for some time when by an extraordinary on mr s part the boat in which he was miss alone and down they both went into the water screamed but mr bore her up gallantly in arms and before anybody could hasten to ber rescue deposited her safely in a dead faint on the bank luckily mist declined joining the pair in the boat though pressed to do so and therefore was quite ready to any assistance required now do you not think this a most episode very after the first disagreeable shock it must have made feel a heroine for the day replied laughing oh i assure you her sweeping majesty afterwards was i however in spite of her of manner has a good heart and an admirable temper and i think is just the wife for but lady i want to hear your opinion of our neighborhood how do you like us all i have received the utmost kindness and attention from every one but i will answer your question sir this day six months i do not feel to know anybody thoroughly here but your self i not lady no as yet i know very little of lady and only ascertained to my satisfaction that she is beautiful and accomplished there was something in lady s tone which made sir turn and look at her earnestly i do not think is looking so well as he did some months ago has anything been the matter lady asked sir thoughtfully gazing at the earl not that i am aware of sir replied anxiously following the direction of his eyes at this moment mrs si priest s were seen trotting briskly up the avenue come lady i want to make you and my mother known to each other do let me introduce her before mrs st priest s arrival said sir his arm took it and they joined the group under the after exchanging a few words with lady who was ing with the earl she took a seat by sir who can mrs st priest have brought with her i fancied i caught sight of a pair of as the carriage passed i have taken an dislike to this little fantastic woman i said sir with curling lip presently mrs st priest all perfume and smiles joined the group leaning on the arm of a gentleman sir uttered an exclamation of surprise and turning found herself face to face to colonel she started in spite of herself and the color her and l row as on the instant she felt his full hold gaze bent upon her she looked at h r husband he stood unmoved talking with the greatest coolness to lady she glanced at who with admirable self command continued her conversation in a low tone with mr though the increased bloom on her cheek showed that she was not quite so insensible as she wished to ear a feeling of intense irritation arose in s breast as she noted the little anxiety manifested by the earl who presently turned altogether aside from her to address the lady after some little time devoted to paying his respects to lady ton and for his unexpected presence in his usual off hand style colonel came up to lady and apparently encouraged by the warmth of her greeting took a seat by her side while presently arose and walked away in direction of the house with her friend lady sir immediately sauntered off also while had the satisfaction to see the earl interrupt his discourse with lady and for a few brief moments his attention upon herself and her heart with pleasure as she fancied she detected a slight uneasiness and dissatisfaction in his manner when he withdrew his glance her spirits rose and the beautiful color sparkled in her as she listened and responded to the flattery my dear lady what can possess your lord to day i never saw his w before with such dark majesty upon honor one would suppose he was jealous of poor edward and that you were successfully yourself of the remedy i you a few days ago by as an admirable whispered mrs st priest in her prettiest and most tones edward pray excuse me continued she after a pause my eye is wonderfully attracted by that ring of yours i never observed it before pray let mo look is it an antique i do not know i would not however exchange it or even take it from my finger for anything in the world oh i laughed mrs st priest as she arose and walked away to join glanced on the ring all at once her color watered and her lips became very white though her beautiful i tm flashed with indignation the ring was an antique the is given to her by the earl on the day of their during the early days of their intimacy drew it from her finger and all of the had faded from s recollection until now it flashed upon her with bewildering distinctness what would the earl say to her careless disregard of his gift and still more what would he feel and think when he saw | 41 |
it displayed on the hand what was now to be done how was she to regain of the precious pledge and if possible hide her from her husband these thoughts passed swiftly as an arrow s course through her mind she turned again towards lord she thought he looked grave their eyes met and in a few minutes he came towards her will you go down to the lake he asked offering his arm she half arose a sudden inspiration seemed to urge her to reveal her difficulty her eyes again fell on the ring sparkling on colonel s finger but her fear her terror of her husband s contempt and the deep that the reality and certainty of her act would still more that esteem which she was now above everything eager to cultivate prevailed yielding therefore to this false she sat down again inwardly to herself from the and afterwards never more to hold the slightest with the colonel i will join you in a few minutes the sun is at present so intense i feel that its glare on the water would be perfectly overpowering but do not let me detain you implied she at length with some confusion of manner the serious look bent upon her by the earl as be immediately withdrew and walked away with lady quite chased all kindly feeling from lady s heart she tamed indignantly towards her companion colonel you have no right to that ring which you have presumed most to wear i it is mine and i insist that it be restored to me instantly i exclaimed she in tone of haughty decision have no right to it you insist lady yes i insist you never had any right to it and have none now rejoined angrily what i did you not give it to me never i lady is it so is it possible you have from your memory that you intend to ignorance f all that has passed between us do you quite all e of those happy moments during which you suffered me to appropriate this ring replied colonel looking full in her face while a smile of hope and incredulity curled his handsome lip i remember well the period to which you allude i was then heedless and and laughed and speedily forgot your presumption now its audacity stands fully revealed and therefore if you set the slightest value on my future good opinion give me back that ring rejoined firmly audacity this is indeed a strange hard word to utter lady but i know the arrival of the earl of made all the difference had his delayed his return home a few weeks longer words such as those you have just now used would have had small significance between us i do not understand your colonel there is such a thing as a marriage of convenience as well as a marriage heart replied the colonel coldly for he perceived her excitement will you walk lady all the people are gone and perhaps our may be remarked i shall not stoop ft penetrate your meaning colonel my ring and then leave me and offer your attentions where they are acceptable and where they are due said moving away however a few steps with the colonel for the same thought occurred to her that heir might be observed no lady not even your positive commands shall compel me to give up this sole precious of the days you smiled upon me for that you did smile upon me you cannot deny answer me how did you feel towards him now your husband at the time of your marriage lady paused the vivid color glowed in her cheek i will not i will answer nothing replied she no for t were vain to deny you loved me when you gave your hand to another ay worse than vain for your own lips revealed your if not positive hatred of your i never never loved you no never i exclaimed vehemently and what you dare assert i admitted is false yes false and plausible as i have at last found you out to be colonel what do you mean to assert that our whole past has been a series of heartless on your part that no echoed within to what your yoa eyes your manner everything proclaimed i hive believed this your severe at would in hive fallen to the ground i at least have sincerity ou my side for i worship the very ground on which you tread oh bay was not always to you and that at least on c your precious affection was mine said he in a voice of deep never never under any circumstances after i learned your ment would i have been yours oh i why will you persist in being the of my existence for shame colonel consider the gross of your pre conduct towards miss this almost in the very of your wife exclaimed rapidly with check miss i what care for a hundred con ways i worship you only to what can appeal colonel if you value my happiness give me back that ring said she at length while her lips became very white your happiness depends on its possession i cannot believe it but it is in vain you entreat never will consent to part with this replied the colonel after a pause pressing the ring to his lips and again bending his passionate gaze on her agitated face i shall appeal then to lord replied she coldly and no you will not because you dare not you fear your husband s anger persisted colonel without noticing her indignant gestures if you loved and trusted one another would you have evinced such agitation about this would you have given me the opportunity of speaking to you as have done if there were no reserve between you would it have materially | 41 |
signified whether this ring remained in my possession or in your own all this was true wept colonel felt her arm tremble nervously at length said he will not over yon nor shall you ever think of me as the of your existence i will restore this ring on one condition name it exclaimed she hurriedly raising her eyes with tears to his face my relation mrs st priest gives a concert or something of the kind the day after to morrow she wishes for the honor of lord and yourself the earl most probably will disdain her invitation promise me will come and the ring then shall be yours without my husband impossible i this must be for you to consider lady perhaps the earl at your may honor with hia company replied the colonel in a tone slightly pressed her hand tightly across her brow i will come i said she at length firmly with a sigh a smile of triumph flitted across colonel s face h turned away as lady abruptly dropped ills arm and joined mrs who was strolling alone on the lawn le mr to hang on the footsteps of his beautiful cousin lady however avoided his silent an air of weary restraint and languor sat on er brow and she sighed as she gazed on the gay scene around for to a spirit sad and ill at ease there is nothing so as the sounds of mirth and merriment vainly did the lady strive to listen with an air of patient interest to the animated of the happy groups gathered on the margin of the water until at length her desire for solitude could no longer be repressed and rising a e quietly stole away by all save one eye and turned into a narrow path on either side by lofty leading by a of some half mile the grounds of to the small hamlet adjoining lady s heart was very s for the day in its still sublime beauty reminded her of one that most one in her which she spent in the little obscure city of lady walked on musing and slowly until came to a little green pleasantly shaded lump of trees when overpowered by the heat of the day she threw herself down on the soft turf in a few minutes a step aroused her from her reverie and soon her cousin mr stood beside her what dreadfully low i you are in to day what can be the matter replied he looking anxiously on her face am i charles pray do not think so it seems so ungrateful alter all the beautiful things you have provided for our replied she smiling you do not deny the charge this is well teu me what it is all about replied he fixing his large serious eyes upon her upon my word i never met anybody half so inquisitive as you are become now do you believe it possible that a woman can account for every fleeting emotion which produces a temporary fit of depression rejoined lady trying to laugh off her embarrassment this will not do this trifling does not deceive me i you are not happy there is something on your spirits and this i have long perceived will you not trust me dear cousin and mr took the little soft hand which rested on the bank can you wonder charles if my spirits are not as good as they should be at my age the anxiety i have suffered during the last four years said lady struggling with her emotion i understand to what you allude promptly rejoined mr glancing at her deep mourning gown but it is not this sorrow which your spirit for for your father you mourn as one having hope but what is this deep gloom which causes you so richly blessed to turn with disgust from everything that you to hail solitude and seclusion tell me dear there was something in the deep earnest pathos of his something in its tremulous softness which thrilled through her how sweet is human sympathy at the first few words that ever touched on the secret source of her sorrow lady s spirit yielded and tears rolled down her cheeks she had so long struggled with her silent grief tell me this secret i have a right to hear it for i love you madly passionately i speak i i cannot live without you i tell me i have no rival to dread exclaimed mr seizing her hands and drawing her towards him she shuddered her beautiful features seemed rigid with emotion as she tore her hands from his grasp charles charles forbear i you i were the only words which burst from her trembling lips what does this mean surely surely not thai those dear lips are about to pronounce a doom an hereafter i shudder to realize i think again dear i love y m beyond the power of expression give me hope even the very faintest glimmer i said he passionately kissing her hands what i hall i say exclaimed lady at length raising her eyes swimming in tears to the agitated face of her charles hate me yet e me that while in mj own selfish sorrows until lately have been blind to love i have you daily into my society without once reflecting what might be the result will you forgive me will you speak to me more when i tell you i can never never be yours you cannot be in earnest i oh recall your words say my say it is not so i and mr stooped pressed his lips to her throbbing brow i have said oh charles tell me i have not made you very very miserable miserable miserable is too feeble a word to express my feelings is there indeed no hope for me replied | 41 |
he in a voice of deep anguish she bowed her head on her fair hands and spoke not for deep sobs heaved her bosom all at once she ing to her feet with a start at the sound of a rustling and slight crashing of boughs in an adjoining what was that charles what stirred yonder probably only a dog belonging to one of the on their rounds you need not be alarmed sit down again she sat down her bonnet in her agitation had fallen to the ground and her black hair bound in shining bands around her head revealed the perfect of her face and throat mr s eyes rested mournfully upon her answer me one question do you love another asked he at length she bent her head in silence an exclamation of deep pain burst from mr s lips may i ask more though the vision of which i thought might me to read your heart is gone bitterly dissipated remember i am your nearest no you must not ask more some day you shall hear all why not now persisted mr whose own straightforward disposition could not brook the semblance of d iy why not now and he turned his clear eyes on her face charles ask me not replied lady hastily rising and tying on her bonnet nay dear cousin say not another word i cannot tell you come let us join your guests again continued she walking forwards mr still looked gloomy and dissatisfied have you in lord no replied she briefly let us change the charles said lady firmly i cannot at present explain anything to you mr silently and they walked on side by side i wish all these people were gone exclaimed he as they presently again came upon the attired happy looking groups will you let me row you and then we may enjoy a minutes longer from their nonsense no charles better not let us not an interview so painful i will go and walk with mrs who then shall i ask to accompany me ask replied lady hastily withdrawing her arm from her cousin s and walking away edward tells me lady that you will confer upon me the honor and pleasure of accepting my invitation for friday next i grieve to say i have been less successful with the earl who i find unfortunately at a public dinner at on that day perhaps however you may prevail upon his o join us later in the evening said mrs st priest in her tones as stood by her husband s side in the hall before entering her carriage to drive thank you you are very kind replied shaking hands with mrs st priest as the earl immediately took her arm and hurried her to the carriage and now we must request the reader to accompany us in a kind of expedition to the respective homes of our heroine and her would be mrs st priest we will proceed then at once to mon and enter further the widow s fragrant where she ii on a low chair the perfume of a bunch of orange flowers from the the hour is between ten and eleven the over the fireplace are lighted but the open windows still admit the soft august twilight by one of tho windows stands colonel presently mrs st priest arose and went towards him and silently for some time against the window frame watching the of the snowy she severed from her as they fell amid the foliage of the occasion also stealing a sly glance at the cloudy countenance of her who seemed absorbed in reverie s edward your of the ring to worked said she at length in her low tones still bending mt of the window t yes it was a lucky thought is she not beautiful i will she come on friday think you yes for i see she immense importance to the possession of this ring i cannot sufficiently express my admiration of your skill edward the little i have done for you is not worth even thanks at present have you courage to proceed shall we have the concert and on friday said mrs si priest raising her eyes to the and laying her hand lightly on his arm courage i courage to make mine you jest or rather you know not how madly love i exclaimed colonel fixing his eyes almost fiercely on her face while his cheek flushed but she love you would she abandon all to follow you asked mrs st priest she did love me a sense of duty snatched her from me but shall give her back to my arms married intending to act towards her husband some obstacle i tell you there is between gradually the breach until it becomes and she is mine cried colonel vehemently i understand said mrs st priest slowly while a visible shudder passed over her hardened in as she was there was a few moments of silence she should reveal all to this of a husband of hers edward at length resumed she little fear of that replied colonel while a smile of contempt hovered on his well cut lip why not what should prevent her of character that sweet woman s weakness which will make her mine despite her struggles for freedom w on friday then we shall really witness les triumph of lave edward and our will be most named for if it be as you say she will come and alone if not i consider it lost and you had better patch up a peace with the colonel made no reply another pause ensued i wonder what that little precious secret is which s domestic happiness what would i not to be put in possession of it exclaimed the colonel mrs st priest s laughter rang round clear as a bell and what | 41 |
since you have borne my name have i ever directly or indirectly sought to exercise the least authority or to control your inclinations i have left you in all things mistress of your actions save in this one instance if you think you owe me for my forbearance reward it by promising to avoid any intimacy with mrs st priest is this too much to ask from you dear said the earl taking her hand kindly she trembled never before had word of entreaty fallen from her s lips her small hand lay in his every pulse violently but the ring the possession of which colonel retained rose between her and what her conscience suggested she dare not confess the full extent of her post to him who would as yet she believed view conduct only through the medium of stern propriety had tha words been those of love perhaps would have thrown herself on his bosom and asked even the solution of her miserable doubts could she but regain the memorial of her past she imagined she could now meet him on more equal ground resolution therefore was speedily taken poor i she forgot in th of her perplexed heart the truth of the plain spoken old proverb hell is paved with good resolutions do not let us discuss the subject any more at present my lord when friday arrives i dare say we shall be able to solve the disputed point to our satisfaction so let us the debate until then and averted her eyes to avoid the sight of her husband s impending indignation this trifling is unworthy of you lady it is as long as you remain under my roof you shall not rush on your destruction listen therefore i though i will not harshly lay my positive commands on you to refrain from this visit i think i have expressed my sentiments plainly enough for you to hesitate on the of setting them at i exclaimed lord indignantly rising and approaching the door she saw had gone too far she lay motionless on the sofa her bosom her black hair and the crimson glow on her cheek in beautiful contrast with the snowy muslin of her she raised her eyes and caught the parting glance of deep sorrow and disappointment on her husband s noble features in another moment she would have been at his feet in his arms but he was gone i chapter xx lady s drive from mr s was a refreshing though a silent one for mrs wearied with the fatigue and excitement of tho day comfortably herself to sleep in the comer of the carriage after her arrival at lady lingered a few moments in the porch and on entering the house remarked that the old butler stood with the door of the sitting room in hi hand awaiting her with a face of the most serious importance during your absence my lady a gentleman has been here to call upon your said he carefully closing the door and approaching his young mistress with a most mysterious air very well tho gentleman probably left hia card replied lady much amused at her old servant i manner no my lady he did not then perhaps you can tell me his name no lady i never to my knowledge saw the gen before but he seemed so queer and odd that i felt quite thankful your was not at home how do you mean did he not leave a message what did the gentleman say for himself asked mrs approaching why you see madam it was just this said relieved from his embarrassment by the old lady s kind smile about half past four o clock the gentleman called and asked to see her i told him lady was from home but instead of leaving his card and going away as i expected he walked straight past me into this room of course i followed and told him as as i could that lady was gone to the grand at and would not be home until late but he kept opening the books one after another and looked so wild like that i felt afraid to say much especially as i thought from his free manners he might possibly be one of her s f acquaintance well madam after a bit he desired me to shut the door and leave the room as i thought i best not to the gentleman i did as he told me taking good however to stand outside in the hall presently madam i heard him open that door opposite into the little west parlor and then after a time he began pacing up and down as if he was walking for a your need not be alarmed i assure you he went away quietly enough at last said the old man perceiving the which gradually his young mistress s countenance very extraordinary conduct indeed what was the gentleman like asked mrs darting a sharp glance at lady why madam i am sure that it is difficult to say his cloak came so high round his face he was tall and looking he appeared very much put about at not seeing lady are you quite sure he left no message nothing broke from lady s trembling lips i was going to tell your after the gentleman had been shut up for above an hour i took the liberty of going in to ask whether he would take any refreshment when i found him seated exactly where your sits now and it appeared madam he had been writing something all this time to her lady he left on the table in the parlor yonder and desired me no how on no to touch but to leave exactly where he had put it until her returned he then took his hat and rushed out of the | 41 |
house madam and i just got to the door in time to see him turn towards the walks the old servant paused to observe the effect of his narrative on the two ladies lady s face was averted you may go now i cannot imagine who this gentleman is but i dare say if he has left a letter for your mistress it will be found all right said mrs hastily the paper is on the table yonder mrs i suffered no one to enter the room the gentleman s orders were so very strict i wish also to say that your need not be alarmed for i have caused the gardens to be searched and no one is lurking about and is as you left it both in this room and the next said as with a countenance much lightened he hastened away lady sat with her face buried in her hands my dear i said mrs approaching and laying her hand excitement on her pupil s shoulder lady raised her head her cheeks lips and brow were as the marble mrs hastily drew a smelling bottle from her pocket this gentleman can only be will you not be pleased to hear of him my dear said the good lady as cheerily as she command her voice lady arose hastily passed her and entered the small parlor a large unfinished picture stood on an near the window and on the table upon which lay her and was a note addressed to her she hurriedly tore it open one moment devoted to its perusal and with t smothered cry of grief she sank to the ground fainting god bless my soul i what is to be done now i exclaimed mrs in an agony of alarm wildly ringing all the bells in the two rooms to increase her dismay in the fall lady s head struck against the sharp comer of a chair and blood was slowly streaming down her cheek from a slight cut on the temple mrs knelt down and the blood with her handkerchief it s s and my opinion mrs that this country not suit our dear young lady excuse me madam but i think you ought to advise her to go back to italy it s killing her by inches i exclaimed in desperation as she lifted her young from the ground to the sofa my dear child you better dear mc i think i had better despatch a messenger for lord said mr as she tried to draw the letter from lady s hand neither lord nor anybody else will see my lady to night mrs replied well perhaps you are right it would only replied the old lady who herself shook like an leaf flitting down by the side of the couch presently the color stole over lady s face her lips moved and she half opened her eyes but closed them again immediately until at length large tears slowly down her cheeks she will be better now but mrs her is not in a fit state to bear any with your permission i shall not leave her again to night said in resolute tones and she carried her point and watched until daybreak by the side of her young mistress with the care and vigilance of a mother for was an old faithful servant and had lived with lady from her childhood the few lines which had produced lady s agitation were as follows i to day i have seen the burning kiss of love by other lips than mine on the brow of her who swore to be my own forever i can you imagine the anguish which now the anticipated rapture of my meeting with one whose love to me was paradise my i have you forgotten the vows softly breathed in the mystic twilight of san of nap or rather in your proud english home do you scorn and the bond which you to one poor unknown obscure if you wish to see me dismiss from your presence him who to what is mine solely oh the keen anguish of finding you how shall even this its pangs my mine still by the and most of ties farewell the following morning deaf to s persisted in rising early mrs to her infinite consternation found her seated in the breakfast room little was on either side and as soon as the meal was mrs retired to the privacy of her own room to on i desperate that suggested itself to her mind to lord with the events which threatened in her the total overthrow of the happiness of her beloved pupil as for lady she paced up and down wandering from the room on to the terrace an from the terrace back to the room she did not weep no tear fell to the burning anxiety which consumed her she moved but her spirit was insensible to all external objects save those which to her sorrow she took ar melancholy pleasure in following mr s footsteps round the room she touched everything that fancy suggested he had touched and mechanically her tamed the leaves of the books he had opened she approached the table on which lay her painting materials she started the colors on the were and the scattered in disorder around she stood before her picture and tears at length in her eyes as she recognized those touches hich imparted almost a living glow to the fair landscape had he stood before it and mused on the sunny passages which their brief there could he then deem her and doom her again to the anguish of suspense to the bitterness of desertion lady still stood before her mute absorbed when die heard a light bounding step on the terrace then in the adjoining apartment and the next moment entered hastily ber sweet good face radiant with smiles and her | 41 |
away towards the picture it is very odd you never met abroad but i suppose my brother must have been at during your residence in italy how much you have improved your picture you have worked immensely since i saw it in spite of your accident shall we go out and walk my head and i think the air will revive me said lady putting down her and turning away and they went strolling for some hours in the fresh open air dreaming of the delight of her anticipated meeting with her beloved brother lady listening to her animated expression of it and thus they wandered on until the powerful rays of a mid day sun drove thorn to seek refuge again in the house in the evening mr came to pay his accustomed visit for somehow since lord s engagements prevented him making such frequent calls at court mr bad supplied place and the arrangement proved so pleasant a one that it into custom that it must now no longer be so lady s heart told her her good considerate cousin could not from henceforth be received on those terms of cordial f which hitherto made their intercourse so delightful she shrank from the ungrateful task of bis kind heart but she felt it must be another glance at s note her for the task no wavering lady s determination she it a duty and resolved to act she was on the terrace at her favorite spot command ing an extensive view over the park was seated in the drawing room with mrs and mr soon the latter arose and joined her are yon meditating about your late visitor asked he in his plain abrupt manner she was thinking of her task she turned however and darted a glance upon him from whom did you hear anything about my visitor from she only said however that some unknown called upon you during your absence from home yesterday do yon still refuse me your confidence she turned mournfully aside have you thought again on our interview can give me hope asked mr in tones of intense emotion none none i if you indeed care for my happiness never ask me this question again charles exclaimed she then suddenly seizing his arm as he was turning sorrowfully away she added in a voice choked with tears i am going to ask you to do me a favor the kindest and most you can confer upon me yet how shall i find words to give you so much pain my good kind cousin cried she stopping abruptly what is it speak boldly for if it be anything to promote your happiness or advantage it cannot be painful to m said mr taking her hand and it to his lips cannot yon guess charles nay i cannot read your heart nor yet the imploring glance of those eyes remember i am not in your confidence i will tell you frankly then charles you must cease to make such frequent visits here dear cousin turn not reproachfully from me happier times may come and charles though unable to return your affection i cannot tell you how i prize the expression of it can you forgive me and will you do what i said lady while tears down her cheeks mr turned away for some minutes neither spoke will yon not say a word one word to me charles this has been dictated to you what has anybody to interfere between us who and what is thi individual who appears to hold such sway over you at length he asked almost angrily she ted not but bowed her fair face on he is it your own will do you yourself condemn me to this from your presence it must be you must leave me charles murmured she without raising her head you shall be obeyed cost me what it replied mr hurrying from her side he passed hastily through the drawing room then suddenly returning stood before miss has forbidden me to visit her do you therefore watch over her and i you as you love her and value her happiness apply at once to lord on any emergency on you know what i mean i will do so replied emphatically he silently gave her his hand and quitted the room chapter xxi in the mean time met her husband again as if ing had been amiss between them after all is its own and heaviest and she who unhappily in an moment subjects herself to its anguish little dreams of the keen suffering which this foe to inward peace to act one way and to be thoroughly persuaded another is of all things most miserable and humiliating truth and resolution to assert it are perhaps of all mental the most essential to happiness and self respect half the misery would averted did people possess more straightforward decision of purpose close with difficulties and honestly and at once they vanish is a which facts seldom though s disposition had already heaped upon her a of still her pride yet too high to suffer her husband to read her true regret for the past or to show him that she considered his worth her fear of his censure perhaps equalled her love she dreaded his contempt and between fear and hope wanting resolution to ascertain her true standing in his estimation she spent her days in this miserable state of judging his feelings by her own she attributed his grave serious when they met to excessive displeasure at her refusal to give the promise he had asked and also to anger at colonel s attentions never she fancied since their marriage had his indifference been so thoroughly manifested m deeply and on this for like all who resolutely resist the small still voice of conscious the | 41 |
mrs st priest s early communication ran thus my dear accept a thousand apologies and excuses for at unreasonable an hour but it is all edward s fa it i assure you you must him i men are so set that when once they take anything into their s one might as well attempt to lull the fury of the wind as to render them to reason and now i am almost ashamed to confess the purport of my but the fact is edward was so pleased at my poor little attempt at an entertainment last night that he absolutely a descriptive paragraph shall be inserted in the and with his usual hot impatience he wish d to despatch the order early this morning but i stood firm that at least the paragraph should be first by her whose presence conferred the chief on my you will find it enclosed do not be my dear your devoted friend st in an agony of alarm lady seized the enclosed sheet and read on friday evening mon the elegant mansion of mrs st priest presented a scene of brilliancy the entertainment which was more attended than any previously given in the county this year commenced by a concert and terminated by a grand entitled the triumphs of love amongst the company we observed the of alfred esq and mrs charles esq the rev george and mrs and the near relative of the accomplished hostess colonel of the the concert was kept up with great spirit until a late hour its principal feature was the splendid in non t sang with applause by the beautiful lady and colonel nothing more exquisite could be imagined than he way this of the opera was rendered by the and for purity of tone artistic finish combined with the impassioned feeling with which the tender words of the song were uttered we may safely assert it was an performance the were kept up to a late hour and mrs st priest s brilliant assembly will long be remembered in the neighborhood fell back on the pillow she wildly clasped her hands as the vision of her husband s anger and disgust became pictured on her imagination shame and inevitable dis grace her and she knew not how to herself but with this knowledge came the bitter thought that she had madly it and that in the earl s judgment must stand convicted of deceit and wilful obstinacy for having in defiance of his commands again sought the society of colonel how she should excuse herself on this one head had been all night long a subject of sore perplexity how confess the story of the ring which alone could furnish her with the slightest plea in of his anger if her disgrace were published to the world her world with her previous with colonel never could hope to obtain the forgiveness of the fastidious the sensitive earl what would her father her mother and think when they also the paragraph which conveyed bo much more than the truth never had such a of disgrace and misery presented itself to her imagination and fairly overcome with the terrors of her position buried her fair young head in her pillow and wept wept tears than she had ever before shed for now self reproach and conscious guilt mingled in the of her grief for a few minutes she silently indulged her sorrow it was a terrible lesson and she under it yet though multiplied upon warning still she did not from the path she was pursuing still did not see in truth and her best against the impending evil nor in the counsel and assistance of him who had vowed to love and protect her her refuge and her best hope of and obtaining forgiveness she took up the letter and it once more and the flattering suggestion occurred that as her approval was so anxiously her might possibly effect the total of the paragraph quick as the thought she sprang from the bed and hastily throwing her dressing gown over her shoulders passed into her and with cheek and brow seated herself at her writing table and wrote a hurried note to mrs st priest sentences and flowed from her pen much she felt was at stake much her own tact had to accomplish yet a kind of feminine instinct warned her tp conceal the keen anxiety which upon her for ed amid her other experiences was now beginning to doubt the sterling reality of mrs st priest s pretty the note despatched she rang for and finished dressing and then down with nervous impatience to await the return of her met two elapsed and at mr st priest s reply was put into her hands the envelope was of larger than and when broke the seal she found that it contained two note the widow s rose colored die first opened and read i am distressed my dear beyond the power of that i cannot with your request i have given my word to allow edward to the paragraph with its just tribute to your surprising talent and i cannot now i however shown him your letter and as he is at this moment writing to you i suspect he refuses to give me back my promise in order to have the sole glory and i of obeying your wishes adieu believe me yours in all sincerity st the letter dropped from s trembling hands and she took up s a close sensation overpowered her and she hastily walked across the room to the window for air scarce could she muster courage to break its well formed seal a seemed to obscure her vision she resolved to know the worst the colonel s letter contained only these few lines i will restore the ring and sacrifice the paragraph which appears to inflict such uneasiness provided | 41 |
you will consent to grant me a private interview to day or to morrow our place of for this purpose perhaps you will graciously indicate with sentiments of profound devotion i remain your s most obliged obedient servant edward question of what now was to be done burst with startling distinctness on poor s mind suppose she yielded to the and granted this interview could she after what had passed again place faith in colonel s promises or could she above all compromise her reputation by to a private with her lover s pure cheek burned with shame at the bare supposition the alternative the dreadful alternative of having her name up to public scandal and ridicule in with colonel s filled her with anguish and dismay the earl his how would he bear it even if he her and defiance of his wishes in seeking mrs st priest s society would he ever overlook or forgive the her had brought on his name his own words during one of their at the let me but respect my wife sounded in her ears had she not already every claim to this by her heedless disregard of her reputation and now when the worst came to his knowledge would he not cast her from him as a thing unworthy of being loved incapable of his affection deep sobs of anguish her and quivering lips as these thoughts arose and large drops stood on her pale brow as she threw herself on her knees and buried her throbbing head amid the pillows of the couch against which she leaned then did she realize in its intensity the exceeding of the course she had so long pursued and keenly did she the hour in which betrayed by a fancied sentiment of she laid the foundation of that barrier which now reared its apparently front between herself and happiness she felt and shuddered at the subtle into which her admirer had so easily her steps tears fell in showers from her eyes vainly she looked round for comfort and found none her long beautiful hair hung in clusters round her face and neck with excessive weeping its weight appeared to her she dashed it aside and paced the room with faltering steps how could she meet her husband how endure his gaze with the eagerness of hope suddenly she again snatched up the letters her tears subsided and she threw herself on her knees once more by the sofa and carefully their contents in the vain hope of finding a clue to lead her forth from this of sorrow soon she flung them down again in despair and resumed her wanderings up and down the apartment never before did her heart with such fervent affection to her absent friend as in this hour of trial and never did she so appreciate and that sturdy of character as when she felt th effect of its absence in herself continued to pace up and down in vain the sun pouring in from the windows threw around her its cheering warmth and glanced and sparkled with gorgeous hues on the water of the fountain without her spirit was dark insensible to outward impressions her first wild outbreak of passionate grief was now over and faint and exhausted she sank presently into a chair and leaned her aching head on the pillow of the couch passive and she had thus for a few minutes when the of her room opened without any previous demand for admission and lord stood before her her first was to start to her feet the next to hurry nervously under the cushion the papers which still the sofa lord paused in utter amazement as he surveyed s haggard face her swollen eyes and for one moment his features relaxed in their severity but soon he closed the door and advanced towards her he fixed his eyes sternly upon her involuntarily she clasped her hands lady if this wild grief had been occasioned by at having acted yesterday in direct of my wishes it would have brought you to me long ago with the admission of your error on your lips its solution must be traced elsewhere probably to the same source which induced you to set at your duty as a wife i know that a messenger from mrs st priest came over here this morning with a letter for you and that one of my has been despatched to her residence on the same errand that correspondence is probably what you now attempt so to conceal but as you can have no legitimate secret which i ought not to share with you you will perhaps favor me with its perusal said lord in tones fell like of ice on s heart as he deliberately walked to the spot where the papers lay hidden a low cry of terror escaped her lips lord i entreat you to refrain i i will tell you all everything mrs st priest s letter contains i cried she grasping the cushion unmoved by the anguish which beamed in her tearful eyes the earl resolutely but very gently released the pillow from her hold no lady you would withhold something do you fear to let me read said he in tones of reproach up the letters the earl walked to a distant window covered her face with her hands and her quick agitated breathing was the sound audible in the room one by one he silently the papers she did not once venture to raise her eyes presently he spoke can it be possible lady you have acted the part these letters imply well might you shrink from my scrutiny what must your conversation and intimacy have been with colonel to him to venture upon the audacious proposal of a private with you with my exclaimed lord in a voice of deep emotion touched to the heart | 41 |
by the tone and manner of h r husband sprang from the couch and laid her hand on his arm he turned from her indignantly lord hear me said she in a voice tremulous with anguish however it may appear to you i solemnly declare that my manner and language to colonel have been expressive of the contempt and disgust i now feel for his conduct and if have sought his society since ray marriage it has been from other motives than those you attribute lord turned sharply sternly towards her what motives then lady as you value what you ought to prize most in the world your reputation speak what can your motives have been and he seized her hands and gazed in her colonel the day i met him at displayed a ring obtained from me soon after the commencement of our acquaintance and to which he in his letter i went yesterday evening to receive it back again in accordance his promise to restore it at mrs st priest s concert replied faintly leaning for support against the window seat would that i could place trust in your word but you have so often deceived me i if your intentions were what you state why did you conceal from me the purport of your visit last night why did you not confide in me instead of carrying on a series of oh i would all your personal gifts in exchange for truth and sincerity of character poor under the stem rebuke she clasped he hands together believe me my lord my visit last night had no other object no other motive burst from her quivering lips and what is this ring to which you attach such overpowering importance asked the earl sternly and for one moment the hope of so her answer as to the shot through s brain she raised her eyes to her husband s face and therein she read the of an effort there was nothing for it but a straightforward reply you cannot blame and despise me lord more thoroughly than i condemn myself when you learn that the ring i suffered colonel to appropriate was the one you placed on my finger before your first departure for italy said she in veiy low tone while her cheek burned and this you had not courage and of purpose to i sooner than trust to your husband and confidently rely on his indulgence if on his affection you preferred yourself in the crooked of not content with doing me an injury such as few men would listen to without overwhelming you with the keenest reproach you have inflicted a double pang answer me lady i was it needful in order to deceive me and obtain back again the ring so that your conduct yesterday evening towards colonel should have been such as to your enemies to write and what they have dared to in yonder paper no lord i have never in thought word or deed from the fidelity i owe you never i went to mrs st priest s in that alone have i upon no other terms i was told could i obtain the ring i trembled to lose the small remnant of esteem which i was sensible you still bestowed upon me god is witness that my actions deserve not the construction put upon them but you will not believe me lord i i am miserable oh very miserable i exclaimed she desperately her words in low hurried accents burst from her lips and she buried her face in her hands while large tears dropped slowly from between her fingers do you not remember how once before you made similar i then believed your assurance that your intimacy with colonel was over and that your heart never had any share in the outward preference with which you distinguished him on this faith i made you my wife from that moment to this what has your conduct towards me been but a of heartless how have you repaid the indulgence i have invariably manifested towards you have you even given me that confidence i asked still less during the past three months have you to the distance your placed between us or to perform one single of those duties you voluntarily engaged to undertake exclaimed the earl passionately i know however that our affections are not always continued he more calmly therefore as long as your conduct deserves it you shall find me no master no of reproach shall however rest on the fame of her who bears my name nay lady this agitation is for added the earl compose yourself and let me learn what more passed in your interview with colonel ah did i not justly tell you on wednesday his were then as you dare not to your husband a wild mingled throb of hope and joy flattered at s during her husband s address and more than once was she tempted to lay before him its most secret s her love burned brightly as ever but at this moment when she looked at the earl and saw the clouded brow and the stem sad smile which curled his lip her courage died within her ever up new and more to close the paths of and now she dreaded and justly that her confession would bear the semblance of she rose hastily drank a glass of water standing on a table near her and then in low hurried words she poured forth the history of her several with colonel lord listened attentively to her recital and a deeper gloom seemed to on his handsome features a little more lady and we had ceased to reside under the same roof at length said he in deep constrained ah why do i not find you the fair vision imagination pictured she buried her head amongst the pillows of the sofa low sobs | 41 |
shook her frame lord leaned silently against the window presently she started to her feet lord do you hate me do you cast me away from you forever will not the expression of the deepest the for the of my promise soften your resentment exclaimed she vehemently the scarlet flushing of her cheek and the despair which glared in her beautiful eyes alarmed the earl he hastened to her side thi excitement is destroying you for your own sake for mine be calm be assured i bear you no resentment deep sorrow that i have been the means of you to a destiny apparently so to your sympathies and sentiments is the only feeling which now me your visible tells me what you must daily suffer even had i not a more silent within my own bosom i will be patient with you fear riot only make me again this one solemn promise never more to hold the slightest communication with colonel believe me it is more for for your own sake than mine that i exact the pledge she raised her eyes to his face their expression fled and tears rolled like dew drops over her hot flushed cheeks her hand which he had gently taken still lingered in his she silently bowed her head and pressed her soft lips on his hand you will surely give me this promise said the earl his hand and hastily turning away yes most solemnly lord believe me i shall never never even in thought be tempted to it said she emphatically beware what you promise i perhaps the fortitude to control your thoughts may be less easily than the self command requisite to follow a prescribed line of action replied the earl gazing sorrowfully upon her she was meditating on his words and did not reply one question more said the earl what course did you propose to adopt with regard to the paragraph forwarded to you this morning she hesitated all before had been blank remorse she had formed no settled plan and so she confessed lady shall be spared the pain of this expose i will take upon myself to promise you so much therefore be under no further alarm said lord gathering up the letters from the table and now farewell you shall hear from me again in the course of the day and god grant this may be the last interview of so painful a nature that is ever to pass between us and the earl quitted the room a deep sigh escaped s lips as she fell back on the sofa an feeling of relief however mingled with the anxiety which still upon her she walked to the window and deeply of the soft breeze which played and lightly amid her long a sensation of languor stole gently over her her mental faculties so long on the strain seemed suddenly to yield and completely exhausted by the agitation of the last two days she threw herself again on the soon she slept with her small hands folded on her bosom she though still traces of mental appeared to haunt her dreams for every now and then the pale brow contracted painfully and a movement agitated her beautiful features her eyelids were heavy and swelled from excess of weeping and their long lashes on a cheek whose crimson richness as she faded gradually away spent by continual watching she slept thus for some hours nor did she awake until the warm cheering rays of the afternoon sun beaming full on her face caused her to start up and gaze around soon she that some one had entered the room during her sleep the window was a heavy shawl had been carefully flung over her and on a small stand near the sofa was a packet addressed to herself she hurriedly stretched out her hand and took it on the envelope were a few words to the following purport in lord s handwriting i have enclosed you the whole of your correspondence with mrs st priest the paragraph intended for the and papers is suppressed i have also the ring in my possession which for obvious reasons i retain opened the envelope and found all the notes she had ever written to mrs st priest duly enclosed also several copies of the malicious paragraph she reflected a moment and presently rising laid the papers in a heap within the then lighting a she applied the flame to the letters motionless she stood watching the of thin gray smoke as it gently curled upwards until every of paper was consumed then she folded her shawl tightly across her figure and descended the steps into her garden chapter thb dark spot had spread s destiny which to all the world seemed so fair was distasteful to herself her spirit within her and during the succeeding few days she sought peace and found it not her solitary hours were spent in dreamy reverie in which her own and the glowing figure of lady occupied the most prominent points or in wild restless for the happiness she had so thrown from her an desire now her to perform at least all those outward duties of her high rank and new position which conscience smote her with having hitherto neglected in her indulgence of a species of she knew she had left undone much that the earl might indeed justly complain of keenly sensible of her position in his house she shrunk assuming her proper place as mistress of the an indescribable feeling of confusion overwhelmed her if detected by him in the performance of anything connected with this position she would then turn indifferently aside and make some casual observation haunted by the foolish e fear lest her husband might her into reproach for his cold disregard every passing shadow on his brow she persisted in to regret that he had made her his wife and miserable and feeling | 41 |
the intolerable burden of perpetually she at length his society as much as was in her power but in the depths of her self determined it should be so no longer if his love was lost she would win now his esteem and respect and her future position if not that of his loved wife should be at least that of his companion and friend she would give him at length what he had so long sought her confidence on all subjects save one but how she to set about it she had so long delayed that difficulties multiplied around her while she little dreamed how hard and renders the path of duty her past and indulgence of her craving for solitude contributed greatly in the obstacles in her way for thereby she had lost that invaluable knowledge and insight into her husband s character which now would have been a and sure guide in her future operations this latter knowledge had yet to acquire and with brow and perplexed air she sat pondering how these things might be lady s character had been hitherto save in a few rare cases one essentially like the ivy which with all its grace and requires a firmer than its own tender branches yield so she needed the help and counsel of one endowed with stronger determination than herself one to whom she could pour forth her and in return reap encouragement and solace hence the secret of s deprived of this dear friend s spirit drooped for lack of sympathy her imagination wandered now among all her new acquaintances for one who could partially supply s place and whisper in her ear words of affectionate advice all at once her eye brightened for the soft calm intellectual face of lady rose before her mental vision indifferent as to the good or bad opinion of her neighbors had as yet taken little pains to them and since her marriage she had only paid two visits at the but she resolved without delay to drive thither that very afternoon and if she found lady amiable and as fancy inwardly predicted consult her on her future course while sat thus in these hopeful the luncheon bell rang and faithful to her new resolutions she determined upon descending and joining the earl in that instead of of it alone in her as had been her habit lord appeared surprised and pleased at her appearance especially as she exerted herself more successfully than usual to be agreeable i wish to call upon lady to day have you any objection lord said she with some hesitation when she arose from the table not the slightest to your going to the though i have a very serious objection to your asking my permission in that very unique style said the earl if you like i will ride with you there i want to speak to she paused the earl s presence would perhaps prevent the conversation in which her future plans were to be unfolded to lady s scrutiny and she had quite set her heart on the interview i see you would rather go alone so i will order the open carriage to be at the door in twenty minutes in a second his manner recalled her to herself no indeed i shall enjoy the expedition much more if you will accompany me and the ride infinitely better than a sober in the carriage so i will go and put on my habit replied she quickly and in half an hour they were riding side by side along green shady lanes enjoying the breeze which gently swayed the spreading branches and scattered here and there small of leaves first of the approaching season they rode slowly along the day was so fine that threw back her veil for there was freshness and in the soft wind as it her brow why did you hesitate when i proposed to ride with you this afternoon said lord after a long pause checking his horse and bringing it closer to hers it was a difficult question the earl patiently awaited her reply you are a keen lord replied she at length unable to restrain a laugh perhaps you will consider my reply more frank than courteous when i candidly that i was as i fully intend to lady all to myself whether i might not perchance find your in the way oh replied the earl in rather a dissatisfied tone giving rein to his horse remembered the earl s of female and smiled they rode on in silence for a quarter of a mile or more until they came in sight of the picturesque little village of at the side of a hill its clean white cottages with their fronts glittering in the sun all thrown out in strong relief by the magnificent woods already sprinkled by tints which clothed the rising grounds behind here come mrs st priest and colonel or i am much mistaken said lord as the widow s low whirled round from a distant turn on the road and the sharp trot of her well trained soon was heard lady made no reply and though the color mounted to her cheek she looked steadily before her and when the passed deliberately turned away her beautiful face lord however felt himself compelled to make some acknowledgment of the salute towards him by the widow s fairy fingers as for colonel a dark angry frown hung on his brow but as he thought fit to imitate lady and turn aside his head the earl was spared all annoyance on his account as soon as the carriage had fairly passed tamed and stole a glance at her husband their eyes met he had been intently regarding her the subject however was too sore a one to be safely and so they rode on in silence until they arrived at the door of sir s mansion he was in | 41 |
the hall and instantly flew to greet them my mother will be delighted to see you lady it was only the other day she was complaining that you so very seldom included the in your rides said sir good as he helped from her horse and giving her his arm he led her to his mother s room followed by lord when they entered lady was sitting at her she instantly arose and gave so warm a welcome one more cordial than any she had received since her in this land of strangers that involuntarily tears rushed to her eyes she gazed on lady s striking dignity of manner tempered by her sweet smile and soft voice on the expression of profound repose which lingered in her thoughtful eyes and sat on her brow that for her the world its passions and stem had passed away in the glorious hope of an hereafter bright and eternal everything the mom evinced the benevolent activity and occupation of its owner and felt absolutely ashamed as she compared her own deeds with those the outward evidence of which surrounded her on all sides yet lady possessed as refined a taste and from her youth upwards had been surrounded with the same and lived as much in their daily appreciation and enjoyment as lady did how she combined the two was anxious to learn and it was with feelings of real satisfaction that some half hour after their arrival she saw sir who since his return from the considered himself a farmer of the first order carry off the earl to inspect a wondrous field of which in his opinion had claim to over all other crops in the neighborhood when the gentlemen left lady took her work and seated herself near the window the garden lay on the other side of the mansion and the first trees of a noble avenue stretching far away into the park grew within a hundred yards of the window while the as they pierced the thick leafy overhead the grass with a thousand fitful fantastic lights the rapid would this ever be s abode darted through s mind and she thought how much she should like to aid her in acquiring so beautiful a home she glanced at lady and decided that a daughter with s calm disposition would suit her admirably presently her voice sounded again like music on s ear lady talked of duties and which the cherished indulged had never heard of before soon became absorbed new lights seemed to burst with beautiful brilliancy over her spirit and she comprehended in part what it was her husband found so deficient in her character perceived in short that life had stern duties stem realities even for the rich and exalted and that for them also it was but a glittering indeed with the brilliant rays of the prison which must one day burst and fall to the dissolved in the common element and listened her earnest enthusiastic nature was roused and when lady turned to talk on lighter subjects she could scarce control her impatience i wish could hear you converse on these things lady it is wonderful how her sentiments correspond with yours though i know not how it is her words never fell upon me with the convincing power of yours said probably my dear lady you did not then feel or see their necessity a wider career has since opened upon you and you have begun to to think that so much has not been bestowed upon you for your own selfish enjoyment while numbers equal with yourself in the eye of god lack even bread but i should much like to renew my acquaintance with i suspect she has stolen away from me a large share of my son s heart continued lady with a quiet smile poor in his hasty impulsive manner was frantic for me to invite her here immediately but i thought it more prudent as she was sure to visit you to my invitation until i had obtained some insight into her character mrs had no remarkable talent save that of a good managing and i am often puzzled to divine how her daughter became possessed of such uncommon is a pearl a treasure lady a girl with a right noble spirit firm without or obstinacy loving without weakness yet i before my marriage she was a greater comfort to me than i can express yes and many many bitter hours would have since been spared me had i followed her advice said pausing while a shade of sadness swept over her face lady has sir ever related to you any passages from the history of the few weeks intervening between lord s return and our marriage my son is the very reverse of on such matters lady replied lady nay dear lady pray be frank with me away from my mother and all my early friends feel greatly the need of advice and as i sincerely hope you will bestow upon me some of the benefit of your experience i shall indeed be glad if sir has hinted to jou the lamentable misunderstanding which has ever since poisoned my peace and raised her eyes to lady s face has alluded once or twice i believe to some misunderstanding relative i think to colonel am i not right my dear lady asked lady with considerable hesitation quite right but oh i lady what i shall reproach myself with is that from a mere shadow a passing cloud i suffered that affair by capricious to gather and until now it has settled round me in dark hopeless gloom there was deep pity in lady s thoughtful eyes as she gazed upon the fair young brow so anxiously raised do not speak thus lady there may have been much of youthful error much of in your past career but | 41 |
all this your husband from his memory in making you his wife in the course pleasing to him it can but be the right one and then of all women in the world i should think lord s wife the happiest mournfully shook her head she might be the happiest but lady if it will weary you i will my history during the past two months and without or an attempt to justify herself related her late adventure with colonel and mrs st priest this is a very painful history my dear lady and i sincerely hope you will never forget the stem lesson it replied lady gravely after a moment s pause you request my advice recommend remembering you have been throughout essentially in the wrong and your husband right that you should plainly testify your regret for the past and your appreciation of bis forbearance mind i do not advocate any humiliating but to a man of your husband s proud and somewhat reserved disposition think how peculiarly your conduct must have been therefore it is both your duty and interest to the irritation which must naturally exist in his mind above all lady never attempt in the most remote to repeat the dangerous experiment for trust me no man whose affection is worth having can ever be into an of it this is true very true but i am sorely perplexed how to act upon your advice exclaimed with a puzzled look let us see and reason upon it a little my dear lady i always like to penetrate to the bottom of difficulties in the first place i am sure however you may have hitherto concealed it from yourself that you love your husband raised her clear eyes to lady s face that eloquent glance my dear tells me you do and in no common degree resumed her kind friend and therefore i am sure you cannot wish this miserable to continue y xl must begin by throwing off all restraint in your intercourse with your husband assume your proper place in your mutual home and be assured in due time reconciliation and happiness will follow i know that timidity which people always experience when they feel themselves compelled to act in opposition to what is supposed their deliberate choice will prove a but that must be overcome in short my dear as you seem to have exerted pains and ingenuity to the earl to think you do not love him so now you must labor as to make him it again as quickly as you can added lady with a smile but will he not naturally suspect me of even if lord has not now quite given up all desire of being beloved replied thoughtfully not desire it i what can you mean dear lady you have selected me as your physician and therefore must excuse me if i my patient s wound a little deeper you know lady i was to my husband when a mere child now even in your wisdom do you not see the possibility of lord s heart having unconsciously wandered elsewhere though his honor forbade him to shrink from his engagement to me said lady hesitatingly tears swimming in her eyes lady s piercing glance rested on s face with earnest scrutiny no i do not think it at all possible my dear and yet lord was constantly in the society of lady murmured timidly who could have put this ridiculous idea into your head my dear lady i do not know though i understand the news of lord s marriage created astonishment throughout the neighborhood was not this the case lady no astonishment was ever expressed in my presence and i doubt very much that it was pretended by any one save perhaps by mrs st priest and her in the neighborhood i do not believe lord ever had the most fleeting desire to make lady his wife nay i feel convinced he never had replied lady very felt more reassured by lady s prompt tones than she had done for months you will over my advice and come and see me again soon said lady kindly taking her hand as the gentlemen returning from their walk advanced leisurely up the avenue nay more lady try my and then i dare even hope you will return to your physician with half your cure accomplished warmly pressed her hand and a smile of hope her beautiful mouth as she arose and resulted her hat and gloves how long will it be before your friend miss delights us with her presence asked sir as some quarter of an hour afterwards he placed the bridle of her horse in lady i hands and bade her farewell oh i hope in a few weeks a fortnight or so perhaps i shall certainly plead your anxiety sir to hasten her movements replied laughing appears quite with miss i never saw him so taken with any girl before said lord as they slowly rode down the avenue yes when visits i should not be at all surprised were he to propose to her rejoined should regret very much if he did notwithstanding all miss fine qualities unequal marriages are seldom productive of happiness and i certainly do not consider a suitable match for my friend replied the earl though provoked at this attack on her friend s to become the wife of sir made no reply to the earl s observation and the greater part of their ride home passed in mutual silence absorbed in lady s counsel found therein abundant material to build innumerable fairy castles forgetful that however much we may find it necessary to the future if we wish prosperity to our schemes the present also must be diligently and carefully improved the result of s nevertheless was not so entirely devoid of immediate benefit as this last observation would seem to imply | 41 |
determined at once to enter upon her grand project of reform she made her appearance just one quarter of an hour before dinner was announced nor did she rise from table as had been her usual custom a few minutes after was placed and when lord entered the drawing room it was from the fair hands of his bride that he received his cup of coffee she then took her work basket and drawing a sofa near to the table seated herself with the composed air of one determined to make herself comfortable for a long evening not that felt any very remarkable degree of composure far from it for though a pleasant smile beamed on her face she was sensible of a very uncomfortable feeling at heart as for lord finding his wife in a more accessible humor than ordinary he did not propose to while away the evening with a book but seated himself by her side for about three quarters of an hour or more they conversed and felt that she enjoyed more even this restrained intercourse than her solitary presently the clock struck ten she started so rapidly had time fled and yet she had not taken the first step in the new character she had resolved to assume she had yet made no at reconciliation since the morning the earl quitted her presence in and until this was done until there existed a perfect understanding between them both that the past was forgiven she felt it almost hopeless to enter upon her task of but to plunge into the of this almost forbidden ground required no small portion of moral courage therefore poor s spirits suddenly became subdued and her eyes were more bent upon the group of glowing she was working lord made no remark on her sudden abstraction perhaps concluding that one of her moods was fast over her long glossy hung low and veiled her face or perhaps he might have divined from the varying hue of her cheek that some unusual emotion agitated her her fair head drooped still lower over the canvas as she spoke are you still displeased with me lord have you forgiven the pain my inflicted last week she asked after a long silence in very low tones slightly glancing towards him a short pause ensued she continued working nervously do you ask this because you think it a necessary duty or is it that you really value my forgiveness said lord earnestly i say it because it me to have incurred your just displeasure but believe me lord i am deeply deeply for all you have done for me and above all for your which so surpassed my deserts replied her voice faltering the least in the world put down your work then and listen to me said the earl taking the canvas from her hands she it without an effort now i am going to appeal to your reason to your sense of propriety resumed lord in the eye of u od in the eye of man you are my wife and in voluntarily to take that position you incurred a vast load of responsibility new duties unfolded themselves to you in a more special manner your example is looked up to by your equals as well as those placed beneath you now i would ask is it fitting that this responsibility should remain longer disregarded by you or that to our whole household the spectacle of our in heart and deed should be daily exhibited you are right lord i see my error believe me however my solitary meditations have not been and firom henceforth i will to be all you can desire replied sorrowfully will you do so will you indeed become my companion and sometimes also show me a glimpse of your heart let me read its language and then confess if my interpretation bo right a smile of assent trembled on her lips if you faithfully perform this and moreover give me that confidence i have hitherto so vainly asked and consult me and only me in every future difficulty i promise you i will never more reproach you i will forget the past said the earl taking her hand involuntarily her little fingers closed over his i will engage to do all this lord you shall never more find me ungrateful insensible to your goodness or heedless of your remonstrance mine has been too bitter a lesson to need repetition am i then forgiven exclaimed she while tears dropped from her eyes and she turned her agitated towards him can you doubt it for a moment oh how many heart would have been spared us had you possessed to confide in me after your first interview with that man at said as he threw his arm around her her head sank on his bosom tell me assure me again that colonel never possessed your heart he never did never i murmured she for one instant with happiness unspeakable filling her heart she rested in his arm the next moment she started hurriedly away the dark shadow of her evil genius again interposed and her spirit beneath its influence in her hasty movement a small gold chain on her neck became accidentally entangled round one the buttons of the coat pride in the twinkling of an eye suggested the unworthy thought that he might this accident into an artful device and in an instant she snatched it away and the slender chain fell to the ground she turned away however and busied herself in into her basket the scattered on the table her hand trembled the more so as she felt that lord s eyes were upon her she shrank under his steady scrutiny and unable longer to endure the ordeal she hurriedly traversed the room and opening the piano sat down before it her and soon she found the impossibility of | 41 |
the boys to drive to sir s oh very well that will do lady wi es her maid to be sent here directly said lady exchanging a quick glance with mamma i shall go immediately to the said rising and speaking in low resolute tones indeed miss i i see my children do not care a straw whether i live or die tell for me i will never speak to him as long as i exist unless he gives up this wicked it will be the death of me i shall never get the better of the excitement exclaimed lady bathing her flushed cheeks with you will find that you are flying off on a sad errand i can tell you you might j as well essay to move the peak of as to shake s obstinate self will i should advise you to drive to mon as a more accessible point said slowly after a moment s pause she continued as is going to be otherwise engaged i should be glad if you will accept me as the companion of your walk i am to decline your proposal as when i leave i shall return straight home replied lady coldly for she was more disgusted than she would willingly have expressed at s turning away swept out of the room aa johnson entered hope lady you will not be displeased with if she comes to instead of returning hero after her visit to lady change of air and scene will be most to her i trust you make no objection to my proposal none in the world i assure yon s absence will be a positive relief from most painful reminiscences you have my full permission and if anything should result from your visit to the perhaps you will not think it too much trouble to communicate it to myself and your sister certainly not mamma responded poor v if people only knew the torment children bring i am sure they never would marry shut the window johnson and then you may fan me whilst i make an effort to snatch a short repose said lady lady and quitted the room never mind what they say dearest as for and her stony heart nobody to her and lady s spirits we must allow have been agitated this morning besides which we ought to remember these moods are partly the result of failing health come dearest i will go with you to your room put on your cloak and see you start said lady laughing with her own fair hands lady equipped her friend for her expedition and then helped her to pack up the few things necessary for her visit to having then seen fairly off beyond the lodge gates she turned into the path which led to the meadows an unaccountable weight oppressed her spirits and a deeper gloom overpowered her than when some two hours ago she trod the same path vainly she sought its cause in the incidents of her visit but though deeply pained for s sake lord comparatively speaking was a stranger to her and colonel even more than indifferent so that the circumstance dreadful as it was of their anticipated hostile encounter could not produce the depression under which she tried to rally when she reached the little gate lady paused for no came bounding forwards with furious vehemence to welcome her concluding that poor s constancy was of a very fleeting description and that she had returned home lady walked on a few yards when to glance round the field she perceived her at some distance crouched on a bank and by her side no less comfortably a gentleman not the individual thus by her favorite lady stopped and called the dog bounded up and after shaking herself rushed forwards towards her mistress while the gentleman when he arose and turned his head lady knew to be her cousin mr she walked for wards to meet him i was crossing these meadows and seeing your dog at lady s gate knew you were near i hope your displeasure will not be kindled at my to keep watch with or that i have seized the first opportunity since my of speaking to you out of your own grounds said mr slowly there was something in his tone which caused lady deep pain i wish you would not talk to me in this manner you know charles i am always glad to see you replied she hastily are you is the ban then removed which me from your dear society asked mr earnestly she shook her head and walked slowly forwards are you happier since you sent me from you demanded he walking by her side and gazing on her pale cheeks and brow no when will this when do you expect mr in england asked mr in his most immovable tones charles you offend me greatly by in talking to me in this strain as you never heard the acknowledgment from my lips that mr is anything to me you ought not to assume it let us talk on some other subject replied lady very gravely with cheek no let us converse on that subject which concerns us most replied mr firmly my conviction that unfortunately mr is not indifferent to you is founded principally on your own manner on the which good mrs occasionally drops and above all on a conversation i had with mrs supported and confirmed as it is by a letter i received a few days ago from madame de but wherefore and to what purpose am i the object of all this mr i never requested your interference nor will i listen to its result said lady angrily turning aside i am well aware that my motives are liable to be by you into self interested ones however had your love been given to any man who would have com forwards proudly to claim that precious gift i | 41 |
could have resigned you with a bitter pang indeed though one known only to my own heart but when i see your health and spirits giving way under the burden of f this love with some adventurer i must and will you even in defiance of your own commands enough mr you have done your duty as my nearest relative you have remonstrated this is enough i replied lady no not enough until i have convinced you your aunt has seen nothing more of mr she describes him as a man possessed of wealth and most manners but carefully avoiding any allusion to his past career and holding aloof from men of his own outward station in life more than this dear cousin from inquiries i have made i feel a positive conviction that he really has no claim to the name of this is too much i i positively forbid you charles to address me in this language or ever to allude in my presence to the name of i will listen to no from you on the subject i exclaimed lady passionately turning her flashing eyes on mr who continued walking calmly by her side your anger at hearing the truth only shows me how much more deeply seated is the evil than i imagined forget now that i ever to be other to you than your cousin and best friend and believe my plain assertion that what i say relative to this of your peace this mr is not the result of conjecture it is fact and whoever he may be trust me he has no claim to the name of replied mr to assert that our heroine felt not a little doubt and sadness of heart while listening to her cousin s earnest would be to record her as something almost but love soon came to her aid and threw a veil over all her scruples well charles leave me to my destiny whatever it may be it has been my deliberate choice and i am content yes content to abide its issue replied she while a beautiful smile of hope lighted her countenance what can i to rouse you to the folly the madness of the course you are pursuing you pine away daily under the burden of this secret whatever be its nature imposed upon you by a man who if he truly loved you would never subject you to the misery you daily endure it must be something very terrible which he would so carefully conceal from the guardian appointed by your father and all your friends and by this you will at length under its speak dear i tell me what i can do and i will serve you with the zeal of the most devoted brother you can do nothing nothing haye patience one day i will explain all that appears so wilful so inexplicable in my present conduct rejoined lady while tears swam in her eyes and meanwhile what will become of you meanwhile i shall try to learn submission to my lot indeed charles i see so much misery of all kinds around me that it almost teaches me to be satisfied with my fate and to thank god that no worse has befallen me replied he with a melancholy smile mr made no reply and they continued walking on iu silence lady with her yes bent to the ground mused on many matters for i e scene she had recently witnessed and its impending catastrophe itself with strange perseverance even in the midst of her own anxieties more than once she determined to impart it to her cousin but the words were arrested on her lips by the reflection that she had no right to into other ears an occurrence that her intimacy with the family at had alone brought to her knowledge and which they would most probably wish hushed up in case the quarrel were adjusted so busy with her thoughts she strolled along by her kind true hearted cousin s side dragging the point of her on the grass well as you refuse my aid scorn my counsel and banish me from i shall make preparations for going abroad immediately i will not stay to be a silent witness of the grief which is slowly destroying you said mr in resolute tones nay charles do not talk so do not let me add to my other anxieties the bitter thought that i have driven you from home and country oh i if you would but take my advice forget your ungrateful cousin and think somebody else could make you happier than she ever would a bitter smile curled mr s lip do you know anybody who would answer this purpose interrupted he yes would replied lady in low tones turning away her head mr s dark eyes were turned for a moment in derision almost anger upon her thank you you perhaps think two crushed hearts might solace each other but we are at your gate i suppose i must not enter lady paused tears stood in her eyes yet she dare not hid her cousin enter she felt that his attachment had not hy three weeks exile and she detected the spark of hope which still lingered at his heart in spite of her repeated assurances and she silently held out her hand and so mr has taken it into his head to be jealous of intimacy by my faith i t is the best trait i have yet heard of his character farewell and mr closed the gate and without once a at his cousin s sorrowful face hurriedly his steps chapter xxv you tired with your walk my dear i fully expected would return with you i hope you found her well said mrs as lady entered the room again she will be here by and bye but what have | 41 |
you been doing with yourself all this long morning asked lady quickly glancing round the room for when she entered mrs was pacing up and down and her knitting lay deposited in its long basket a sure sign that the kind old lady labored under some unusual mental excitement i have been entertaining visitors for you lord and lady the earl said with that beautiful smile of his that he could not drive away without shaking hands with me when he heard that i was at no i am sure he would not what did you think of lady did she make herself agreeable asked lady her bonnet very t like her much better than i did what a pretty creature she is to be sure i her teeth are as pearls i thought to myself however they looked more like a pair of lovers than husband and wife she has such a strange way of glancing at him when his attention is attracted else were and then if by chance their eyes meet that beautiful color of hers did leave any message for me yes my dear she desired me to say she hoped you would return her visit very speedily she repeated this message twice i will go and see her to morrow that is if poor dear is in a condition to be left what do you mean is there anything amiss with sit down dear mrs and i will relate the scene i witnessed at this morning and then you will not think me perhaps the only unlucky person in the world and lady briefly what she had seen and heard good heavens what a dreadful affair exclaimed mr lifting up her hands i am glad poor young creature she is coming here out of the reach of her ill natured mother s tongue love is a very different thing to what it used to be in my days then it made people happy now as far as my experience and observation go it produces quite an opposite effect poor i to think that he should get into this terrible mess as soon as he sets foot in england again i as a child he had always a fiery impetuous spirit poor fellow if anything happens to him will never forgive herself to her dying day how she ever could be mad enough to encourage that odious colonel i but here she comes said mrs interrupting herself as a loud peal from the hall door bell announced an arrival fly my dear and learn whether she has succeeded in her mission i declare the shocking catastrophe has made every limb in a minute however miss stood before them her face was still very pale and no smile of hope it she was followed closely by lady who alarmed at her agitated state had most kindly and insisted on accompanying her back to court lady s heart sank with apprehension when she heard the very brief tidings they were able to impart which amounted simply to the facts that lord called at the and after a short private interview with sir both gentlemen stepped into the carriage and ordered the to drive to all sir intimated to his mother was that an affair of importance would most probably detain him from home for a few days how far is from here asked about fifteen miles you cannot do more dear yourself with the thought that will employ every resource to bring this unhappy affair to an termination said lady soothingly e s heart however refused to be thus consoled she wept as one without hope after lady s departure everything was said and done which the tenderest affection could suggest for lady appeared to forget her own in the sorrow of her friend during that long long afternoon wrote two letters one to her brother the other to colonel li them she exhausted every argument every entreaty the feeling could prompt she them to reflect ere they suffered a few hasty words to hurry them to the commission of a deed which if attended with fatal results would forever the existence of the her brother she passionately to pardon the injury done her by colonel even as she had forgiven it and not to poison her future life with the reflection that she had been his or else that of the man once dear enough to be accepted as her intended husband when these letters were despatched felt more she wandered on the terrace on the lawn in the as restless fancy suggested around were none but faces and she felt the consolation of the kind loving eyes bent upon her the evening came and wearied out with her long day of watching and excitement at length yielded to mrs s and suffered herself to be carried off to bed in triumph by the good old lady who after she had comfortably laid her patient s aching head on the pillow took a chair and stationed herself to watch beside her until she slept lady meanwhile remained passive in deep bought for some time after her friend and mrs quitted the room now that was no longer present and the task of and comforting her friend ceased to divert her mind the full tide of her own anxieties overpowered her the day was drawing fast to its close and as the light glided stealthily from the apartment all around wore the gray solemn peculiar to an twilight lady sat with her elbow resting on the sofa cushion and her face buried in her hand heedless of the gathering gloom until the cold breeze caused her to raise her head half she arose with the intention of closing the windows when th sombre aspect of the room seemed all at once to strike her the thin muslin window curtains shook and waved in the wind which lightly drifted before | 41 |
it the fallen leaves on the terrace a slight sensation of nervous dread overpowered her as she glanced round the large lonely room and then on the dark foliage without heavy and indistinct in the mists of she hastily closed the window then resolved to subdue her involuntary tremor she sat down the piano her wandered over the keys for a few seconds but ihe sounds on her ear their tone was too light and joyous and little with the solemn stillness around or with the sadness on her spirits again lady arose and lighting a quitted the room she crossed the hall and traversed with a quick step several ancient passages which at length her to a door opening on a small court opposite arose a low g building covered with ivy entered by a deep stone perch paused and took down a key suspended on a nail just within the passage door way then drawing her tightly round her figure she crossed the little court the as th light wind blew but hastily she threw open the small door under the porch and soon stood within a spacious apartment which had formerly served her ancestors as a chapel lady possessed too reverend and devout a mind to devote to purposes what had once been consecrated to god consequently the chapel continued to serve as a place for the household to in at morning prayer the rich painted glass windows however still threw their glowing hues on the pavement and the organ which had led the of her ancestors yet occupied its recess near the spot where formerly the altar reared its gorgeous splendor lady closed the door and approaching the organ lighted its two wax she then turned and took a short rapid glance round the apartment for although in the constant habit of away the evening in playing upon the noble instrument before her a feeling of nervous dread was still the opposite row of windows opened on the terrace for the small ivy covered chapel with its tiny tower formed a most picturesque termination to the noble range to the mansion the possession of this organ had proved one of x s greatest since her return from the continent when her spirit was dark within her the solemn melody soothed its gloom and and often she played until her fingers fell powerless from the keys and she wept tears of unspeakable relief she now again turned towards the instrument and herself opened the music on the desk before her it was s twelfth mass and grand majestic and harmonious soon filled e apartment rolling away in deep massive of sound on the soft night air she played and her spirit grew brighter within her the glorious of the great seemed to a spark in her own mind the notes of the sublime tu died away and she sat listening with solemn awe to the profound which all at once prevailed when a sharp sound as of flapping against the window caused her to start and glance ly around the gloom had deepened save just around the spot where the candles threw their feeble glare she struck another but ere the sound melted away the of the painted window immediately opposite which opened like a door on the terrace was pushed back and some one entered the apartment and towards her lady did not scream she stood mute and pale awaiting what next should befall her slowly the let the cape of the cloak which enveloped his figure a cry of joy escaped her lips as she presently bounded forwards and flung herself into the arms extended towards her mr for it was he folded her to his heart and passionately kissed her pale lips and forehead my best beloved it you then to see me you are faithful faithful in spirit to your vow said he she slowly raised her head from his bosom and her beautiful fixed with an earnest almost painful expression on his did you ever sincerely doubt me could you believe me false false to the love my own lips owned my own will speak i did you think so lightly of me not till i had seen another a privilege mine only till then i refused to believe oh if indeed you witnessed this you must also have heard me charles s proffered love i heard nothing my the sight nearly me but where were you and how came you at in the wood immediately opposite i had watched and your steps had mr delayed another instant he would have found me at your feet has this shadow now passed forever from your mind i o you believe that charles has never caused me to horn the fidelity i vowed to you answer me truly and lady ff eyes rested upon him with an intensity as if she would his soul i believe you my believe you to be faithful noble and true i replied mr fondly kissing her l cheek oh was it then for this this doubt that you your solemn promise to be with me two months past then to our marriage and release me from the necessity of deceiving those who have so firm a trust in my truth and honor oh you have cruelly abused your power over me i exclaimed lady in a tone of sorrowful reproach no on the day i promised to be with you i set foot on english ground but it had been whispered in my ear before i quitted italy that the proud of encouraged the addresses of her cousin i the report with indignation i i flew to clasp you in my arms to proclaim you mine and found my supposed rival at your feet is this no my beloved one i determined to solve my bitter doubts could i thus hold you to my heart and call you mine my own had i | 41 |
suffered a single to mar the bliss of our meeting then is it to redeem your promise that you are to tell me to whom i have vowed everlasting love dear let mystery now cease between us you will you hate me will you cast me forever firom your precious affection when i tell you that i cannot yet make this revelation even since the short period i have been in england a fresh obstacle has arisen i dare not yet claim you turn not aside god grant that the to which i allude may be but temporary i in a few days i will return dearest to kneel to you to make you mine i said mr speaking rapidly and passionately she started from his arms and stood before him the light on her features they were pale as her white gown a few days i rejoined she speaking in a tone of suppressed emotion and her lip curled with a bitter smile a few days think how many have passed in the keen misery of hope since last we met let me know this obstacle let me share your anxieties if you value my peace if you would not have me repent the deed which now links me to your fate tell me everything i cannot to reveal the obstacle which for the present my lips would be to heap misery and suspense surpassing even what you have already endured for my sake believe me trust me yet a few days and all may yet be well say my you will have patience she slowly averted her head and her full lip quivered mr threw himself into a chair lady ted him in silence for a few seconds you are i exclaimed she seizing his hand i will not have patience if such a fearful ordeal as you de you it is meet that i your wife should stand by your side dear i explain this mystery i said she in a voice of passionate emotion the uncertain light glanced on her white dress and on her cheek with tears as she hid her face on his bosom no ask me not never will i doom you to this suspense i said mr passionately kissing away her tears hear me continued lady almost sternly is it any obstacle of birth wealth or position which you from doing this most righteous act of acknowledging our marriage only say so and this very evening i take you by the hand and present you to my household as its master your noble words would make me were it possible worship you more madly still fear not your friends will never have reason to blush for your choice nor surely will you my beloved still refuse credit to my solemn assurance that t is not a selfish scruple which me to your patience a little space longer my our next interview shall explain everything you shall judge me sweet one and never will submit more to any sentence than i will then to yours said mr earnestly but to lose you again to be plunged into the same miserable doubt and uncertainty to feel almost criminal in the presence of others i oh must this anguish again be mine i gave you my faith under almost does not such a trust demand some return on your part why will you me with shame and confusion why render our union which nobody has a right to contest a oh i dear think again in heart and soul under whatever i am yours what then do you fear and lady knelt before him her beautiful face now flushing now pale with excitement the tears which a few moments ago streamed down her hot cheeks were suddenly arrested and her figure trembled with intense emotion never in her day of triumph had she boasted of more beauty suddenly she felt herself caught in his strong embrace my own i my wife i i will not mock you with the vain question whether you love me well enough to sacrifice something yet for my sake yes you shall share my secret consent to this one alternative be mine fly with me and ere you shall know the whole of my brief history my best beloved it is only when assured of the of watching yon that i dare reveal the ordeal which now for a brief second after he ceased speaking she was silent the quick heaving of her bosom alone the conflict in her mind mr pressed his lips to her brow her cheeks she hurriedly started from him there a desperate tranquillity in her manner and a in her as she spoke which caused him to raise his eyes anxiously to her face fly with you i why and from whom should i fly what is there to control my actions save religion and virtue acknowledge our marriage and to morrow i follow you wherever you will i i have before told you that i cannot at present do this though it may be a very very brief period ere i claim you openly as my wife my honor which ought to be dear to you as your own the immediate of our marriage oh yield then to my prayer come with me i share my anxieties and be to me my beloved more than ever the fairest of fancy pictured what madness possesses you would you throw from you the most precious i can your s reputation shall i also suffer even a temporary stain to rest on my own noble line the first of my race who the name of never never tempt me no more go do your duty that duty you tell me which the most solemn vow human lips can utter i can suffer still and she turned away and rested her throbbing temples on the keys of | 41 |
the organ mr paced up and down the apartment several times he at length returned to her side you are right forget my mad proposal and forgive me all the sorrow i heap upon your head i was once a in woman s faith in woman s disinterested love your noble devotion a convert of me said mr in a voice of deep emotion bending over her never to distrust me again never asked she in a low unsteady tone never sl e raised her eyes swimming in tears a smile bright and fleeting as an april gleam passed over her face not even ir i poor charles to all his privileges at not even then there was a pause of some mr clasped lady shuddered when shall i see you again murmured she faintly expect me in three or four days but if within this time i should not fulfil my promise think not hardly of me and now farewell my own one parting embrace i she flung herself into his arms oh teu me again renew the assurance that our next interview this suspense which is destroying me nay even now let me know this secret for the most piercing were better than delay however brief exclaimed she in a voice broken by deep sobs what shall i say this distress is more than i can bear do you repent your come with me then to part no more she shook her head suddenly a gleam of hope sparkled in her eye she turned eagerly towards him i where would you take me asked she to that home to which i would lead my wife were her hand placed in mine by her father s representative replied mr after a pause she saw that he her inquiry there was a long a bitter at length she raised her head farewell i go now i this parting is bitter it must be let us no longer delay it and lady turned away and taking up one of the approached the door once more she turned mr stood with the most intense sorrow on his face he caught her look of deep and mingled regret and pity leave me not i exclaimed he springing towards her in another second she was gone and the heavy door closed she fled from temptation chapter xxvi i have just received this letter from lord he and your mother purpose visiting next week bud lord putting a letter into his wife s hand a joyful smile lighted up s face you wrote to beg them to come here i see en route to lord how kind of you to prepare for me pleasant and very unexpected happiness said she raising her eyes from the eager perusal of her father s letter dear dear mamma what joy to see you again lady will equally rejoice i can imagine her delight this is friday they arrive on wednesday you see so in four days they will be with you but dear papa does not mention her in his letter said hesitatingly would you like to ask miss to accompany your mother oh so very much i in the society of dear papa mamma and my happiness indeed will be complete replied she eagerly had not been absorbed in the prospect of with those she loved so well she would have noted the momentary disappointment and which swept over her husband s expressive features as he gazed on the hues of her cheek and the sparkling animation of her eye and manner yes she was glad glad to clasp those dear ones in her arms again but could he have read the workings of her heart he would have seen and compared her joy to the circles on the bosom of some deep pool or lake which ripple and kiss the bright while the sombre waters beneath slumber on in heavy gloom write then dear and invite your friend if it will make you so very happy i am going to this morning and if you will do so immediately i can post your note and miss will get it earlier than if it went by the bag this evening and lord rose and taking an and from a distant table placed them before her s eyes thanked him as she took up the pen and commenced writing one small page was quickly filled and then she paused to consider for there was an uncomfortable sensation on her spirits slight though it was that acted as a on the feeling with which she summoned her friend to her new home the source of her discomfort soon resolved itself into the tone in which the earl had her write to her feminine instinct told her that though he had given a cordial permission there was some thought which lingered and on his feelings she laid down her pen and looked towards him he was lounging on the sofa reading a newspaper which concealed his face in days of had anybody predicted to that concern for the earl s sentiments would make her pause in the delightful task of to her bow incredulous would have been her smile i lord are you quite sure that you approve of my inviting to spend some time here the four months are not quite expired said she at length timidly with a faint smile i shall be very glad to see miss i like what little i know of her and you are aware it was not that i objected to her intimacy with you which induced me to request you to your invitation replied the earl then after a pause he added what made you imagine my assent was not a hearty one oh i don t know it was a fancy rejoined she her pen i imagine sir will feel as much obliged to you as myself for | 41 |
the summons which brings to continued she quickly for the sake of saying something to divert the earl s attention from herself i strongly advise you not to interfere between sir and your mend experience shows that in such cases the of a third party almost always does injury if be really attached to miss leave him to manage his own but if sir should be tempted to forget trifling of station lord in admiration of s noble character promise me that you will not combat his wishes for i know you have great influence with him i certainly will not interfere to his inclinations especially if returns his affection purely and but what a long you are writing i ah i see you are a good correspondent when you choose i wonder whether you ever neglected to answer any of miss s letters may i read said lord carelessly taking up the sheets she had rapidly filled for during the preceding conversation her pen had been busy though her thoughts wandered elsewhere certainly replied she not for what she had written for lord s name was not mentioned in her page but that her in the affair of the two letters vividly to her mind lord presently gave back the tiny sheets without why did he ask to read her letter was it a test of her sentiments that he wished to make her clear eye lingered m his in of an but as lie offered none after a short pause she folded her note sealed directed it and in a few minutes the earl rose and left the room the next few days passed rapidly away and yet spite of her joyous it was with a sigh arose on the morning of her parents and s expected arrival and thought that all her pleasant a walks and evenings with her husband must be suspended she was beginning so to love and prize his society that the time she now spent with him was looked forward to and anticipated as the happiest portion of the day and her heart with a pang of impatience when she reflected that for many weeks to come she should only listen to his voice in and that others must necessarily divide with her his attention and conversation now did she fulfil all her outward duties she walked with him visited his was ever at her post in the drawing room secluded herself and an feeling of irritation took possession of her that all these varied were about to be shared by others though even by her parents during the morning she wandered around the rooms the gardens and her own in a state of restless she longed to be with her husband but according to his usual practice the earl spent the morning in the library and she had never yet ventured to intrude on his retirement how contrary was all this to the anticipated rapture of her meeting with her father her mother and and yet even now two wills two natures seemed to her bosom and sometimes her heart beat with delight at the thought of them and showing all the beautiful things all the luxuries she was mistress of as for die was wild with delight at the prospect of seeing her former mistress and miss again about half past five in the evening lord and lady arrived laughed and wept by turns as she felt the arms of her gentle mother her and heard her softly murmured words of affection and love and then passed from her embrace to fall on the neck of her father and for the moment all her sorrows and anxieties appeared lost in the bliss of being the object of so much affection but soon her gaze wandered even from her loved mother s face in search of her husband he was standing near and immediately approached and spoke to her lady listened attentively and a brighter smile stole over her features who cannot imagine the joyful alacrity with which lady presently escorted her mother and to their rooms the hurried which were there again t die brief broken the anxious comments on her pale brow and flushing cheeks and s hasty unsatisfactory answers and her flight before this storm of questions to snatch if possible one short fragment of repose before dinner in the seclusion of her own apartment she there flung herself on a couch and her spirit relieved itself in tears she dreaded her mother s rigid scrutiny for she felt that to her own heart alone could her present position be defined and yet she was conscious some explanation must be given else how could she reconcile the distance between herself and the earl which lady s watchful eye would not fail to detect with the repeated assurance she had given that she was content satisfied with her lot she knew also that s zeal would her discretion and that in her anxiety to do her service she would pour all the past which had fallen under her personal observation into lady s ear and was too proud to such a recital not that she wished her faults and follies concealed from her mother s knowledge but there was something sacred in the feelings which agitated her heart feelings that under the conviction of her husband s indifference she would rather confide to s safe keeping than to her mother who from her age and position might conceive herself privileged to afford the earl a clearer insight into her daughter s sentiments than s pride could anticipate with composure for the present moment however dismissed her uncomfortable and commenced the important process of dressing and soon with her beautiful face beaming with smiles she was seated by her father s side who according to custom had used such in the various operations of his as to be down considerably before the rest of the party the earl lady | 41 |
you the pain and trouble of relating the history of the past four months replied glancing with intense interest on the close manuscript pages lady closed the book and for a minute appeared well you shall take it with you to your room on condition that you will guard its contents from every eye save your own and return it to me to morrow evening i shall be happier i think when you know the history of all my though do not let me quite lose your good opinion my said she placing the book in miss s hand while tears gathered in her eyes i am too sensible of my own to condemn others and least of all you replied affectionately ah your affection for me renders you to my faults though i fear that journal will make revelations of incredible folly even to your forbearance let me show you however how to possess yourself of my secrets for that little golden heart locks them up securely as my own and only its treasure to the you see that small lightly press its together and the book its pages to you now try if you understand the spring yes it opens perfectly what a very ingenious contrivance i exclaimed as her white fingers quickly detached the tiny heart i hear s step in the next room so she shall go with you now she made it her especial request that she might be permitted to wait on dear mamma the night of her arrival but come first and see how i am lodged said entering her surveyed with some wonder and curiosity the large lofty apartment into which her friend led her with its stately bed and rich velvet its tall pier glasses and profusion of chairs tables and china its luxurious and tall blazing lights ready to the couch of the fair young girl by her side who stood watching her movements however thought to herself that were the choice hers she should still much prefer her own snug little apartment at home with its white and simple tent bed to all this splendor and some such opinion she expressed and so i think also and even in my most melancholy moods am sometimes tempted to laugh outright when i look round on all this splendor said as she kissed and took leave of her friend for the night eager to commence the perusal of the manuscript notwithstanding the of the hour quickly dismissed and comfortably wrapped in her dressing gown she threw herself into an arm chair and opened the precious volume she read and as her eye glanced over page after page her eloquent features expressed sorrow pity and sympathy many of the were written in a short hurried hand and the page with tears s cheek flushed with anger and indignation as she learned all her friend had suffered from colonel s treachery and her breath came quick and fast as she read s detail of her subsequent interview with her husband not a single fact however to herself had she omitted and s tears flowed as she read her despairing self without or an attempt to justify her conduct she had sincerely recorded the facts of each day as they occurred and felt that however greatly the want of moral firmness was to be in s character no one could her frank of past error and of deep affection for her husband without and loving her in a degree for her noble struggles and aspirations after good we will for the reader s a few passages from our heroine s journal the following entry was made about a fortnight before s arrival tuesday september rose at my usual hour restless and languid breakfast passed without any remarkable incident lord was silent and i in no mood to exert myself there is surely something strange and artificial in the existence i now lead my words and actions rouse no within my own heart nothing interest and i weary of myself and all the world i had read of such feelings and now i sometimes smile to think how i could on the subject i whom all the world thinks a personage so very prosperous and happy i wonder whether lord a ever at what is passing in my mind sometimes after an involuntary fit of abstraction i turn and find his eyes upon me with a kind of moody expression on his brow i suppose he is weary of so dull and a companion as he invariably then to read ah if the book might be his heart for ever since my last unfortunate attempt at explanation after our ride to the be has been so cold so reserved at tbe same time so kind and considerate that i cannot help myself of ingratitude and in finding fault at all but patience i the legend on my coat of arms ought to be queen mary s famous motto time truth and one day or another my husband will know how dearly i would have his affection breakfast over after wandering round the garden i sat and read s french heroes never speak the language of love however at luncheon i heartily wished for a little of the of s when a note arrived for lord from court he just glanced it over and laid it beside his plate and then presently arose to deliver a message himself to the groom who rode over with it when he returned he told me shortly that business of importance for lady would prevent him walking with me and with this abrupt he left the room i felt cut to the heart and made a hasty retreat to the drawing room where i busied myself in arranging a basket of flowers just sent in by the gardener presently lord a entered he stood by me for a little time watching my movements i did not | 41 |
speak i could not a choking sensation seemed to take away my utterance said he at length why are you so grave i did not answer and i fear rebellious tears stood in my eyes when shall we understand each other resumed the earl with increased severity of tone you feel yourself and justly so at my myself as your companion this afternoon without a suitable cause and yet you did not ask me for an explanation i read immediately what was passing in your mind but resolved to try whether you would be candid enough to express it here is lady s letter for in spite of your assumed indifference you cannot deny that i have rightly interpreted your feelings oh i reflect how precarious must ever be our good understanding if you persist in this i he then laid the letter on the table and quitted the room was this rebuke lord accuse me of indifference if he only the deep deep love and reverence i bear him and that not one thought of my heart would i now if assured of his affection voluntarily withhold but it is too late i must pay the penalty of my past folly and submit as well as i may to a life and solitary friday lady and her friend mrs paid me a visit to day what a strange impulsive fascinating being lady is when she raises those dark looking eyes language the most and eloquent appears to speak in her her voice too at once so soft and melodious so impassioned and earnest when by her subject with the almost eastern beauty of her face and figure she talks upon all subjects with infinite point and she has evidently read and seen a great and her talents are of the very first rate order her manner to the earl is a strange mixture of playful defiance and deference she evidently has the highest opinion of his judgment and sets the utmost value on his approbation the i see of her the less reason do i think i have for entertaining the idea which makes me so veiy miserable that she wished to exchange his for a dearer connection her manner when speaking to him is totally and lord on his part talks and laughs with all the ease and familiarity of old acquaintance he cannot love her could not talk so to him for if he be not indifferent his case must be parallel with mine but what matters it if while groping about in the dark to avoid an imaginary peril i have as entirely lost my husband s heart lord a gave her a very pressing invitation to visit us in the course of a week or two which of course i was compelled to second so i shall have opportunity for observation should then my fast fading doubts resolve themselves into realities but no i cannot contemplate the agony the torture such certainty would bring god alone could support me under an ordeal so fearful that of loving with all the spirit s energy to reap despair i better far better the silence of the grave at times also i have remarked a change sweep over lady s lovely features has some poisoned pierced her happiness likewise once or twice in my presence her light laughter has been arrested and her smiles have disappeared like bright sun rays behind some ominous thunder cloud i shall observe compare and judge and the event of the ne t few months will cast its shadow for good or evil over my future life well may i for a favorable issue the only scrap of conversation with lady i think worth is that she informed me mrs st priest is gone to visit a friend in paris and would be absent four months be his as it may she shall never more have opportunity to play off her dangerous upon me as i fully with lord s desire and intend to drop her acquaintance altogether her veiy name makes me shudder and the precipice on the verge of which the firmness and forbearance of mj husband alone rescued me then came a few brief lines the character was wavering and trembling and many of the words blotted by tears evening to day all has been dark cold dreary as the white shivering mists which even now as i write gather and roll over the distant landscape i have displeased my husband how i know not kind and courteous as ever yet throughout the day there has been a reserve a reproach in his manner which has almost broken my heart twenty times he has addressed me as lady and no one can imagine the cutting accent with which these words leave his god grant me patience i the last record in s every j of which read ere she laid her head on her pillow was the following written the evening before lord and lady s arrival tuesday i have to record a narrow escape which happened to me this morning an escape from the humiliating consequences of which i still tremble though preserved after breakfast having seen lord set out on horseback for i came to my room and wishing to make some little alterations in this journal i drew my writing table near the window and soon became absorbed in my employment who is absolutely frantic with joy at the prospect of seeing dear mamma and having the house filled with company meanwhile was busily engaged in the adjoining dressing room in bringing to light a quantity of my wedding finery which ever since that momentous event has in peaceful oblivion on the shelves of my wardrobe i suppose i must have been occupied with my pen about an hour and a half when she me to inspect a new dress which she pronounced perfectly charming and accordingly | 41 |
to get rid of her i followed her into the dressing room leaving my book wide open on the table i could not have been absent more than five minutes when to my unspeakable horror and dismay i heard a step in the i flew rather than walked back and my consternation was not diminished when i saw lord standing near the table i i felt my cheek flush crimson luckily there was very little written on the page and in rising my pocket handkerchief had fallen and concealed even most of that but instead of taking the matter coolly i advanced and like a closed the book and then doubtless stood like a with downcast eyes awaiting my doom for i felt embarrassed i b was that lor s calm steady inquiring gaze was upon me yet i was silent for an explanation would the evil i sought so awkwardly to i merely to give you a letter bearing the which i brought with me from i am sorry to have interrupted your occupation said he at last in those cold measured tones i so dread he then with his look of most lofty turned on his heel and quitted the room and i on my chair and wept oh lord when will these mutual heart when will you give me your heart had you my secrets never could i have ventured more into your presence to be despised and made perhaps the object of your regard oh mamma i dear dear i i have need indeed of all the love and consolation you both can offer come and aid me to bear a burden which daily grows more chapter thb following morning arose refreshed and composed her dreams had been happy ones hope once again agitated her heart and fresh bright and radiant she descended and greeted her parents with the warmest of affectionate there was something so familiar something that vividly recalled old times in seeing them and once more gathered round her which called forth her happiest flow of spirits lord as usual after taking two or three strides from the table to the window and back again and his daughter ob the improvement in her looks seized his favorite times and was preparing to make himself exceedingly comfortable over its columns when snatched it away that at least for one morning she would his attention lord laughed remonstrated but finally yielded the point i nd speaking in her most animated accents was away the paper in triumph when lord entered the room she paused but the good spell was still upon her and instantly advanced and greeted him more cordially than was liar wont she thought he anxious as the smile with which he met her vanished immediately and her spirits sank for in spite of herself a of evil arose in her mind what is the matter that you look so this morning asked lord in his blunt manner shaking hands with the earl lady glanced with some uneasiness first at her daughter then on s eyes were fixed on her husband and asked the same question as her father merely a letter from who is compelled to delay his visit to us for a few days replied lord will you not take your post and give us me breakfast slowly she walked to her seat she felt that something more than the mere disappointment of sir s visit her husband s brow besides the unhappy are always timid apprehensive lest some worse evil should befall them well and what any in his farm he wrote me a week or two ago a most flourishing description of his management said lord laughing at the idea of sir turning farmer my dear pray do not pour all the cream away into the water in the whispered trying to rally and laughing at s efforts to her labors no the truth of the matter is resumed lord in a low voice that s letter brings me the painful intelligence of a hostile encounter having taken place morning between col and my young neighbor eh i what a interrupted lord abruptly what was it all about surely has not been fool enough to run his head into the scrape he was lord s second being an intimate friend he could not refuse that office after having used the most exertion to the quarrel it is a deplorable and arose i understand from some high words which passed between lord and colonel whom the former accidentally encountered at said lord hastily glancing at s pallid lips and face both lady and locked shocked but they had too much womanly tact to notice poor s agitation the unconscious cause of s first to his they guessed what her feelings must be and though forward so as to screen her a moment from observation it was not by words her sympathy was lord stood in silent his kind good expressing what it seldom did perplexity you have not yet told us the result of the said he at length lord hesitated and looked at she struggled for firmness lest her husband should imagine that her emotion arose from excessive fear for colonel s safety she knew herself innocent of any design or wish of miss yet the scene at the weighed heavily on her conscience and brought to her mind in bitter humiliation the even the very appearance of evil she raised her eyes to her husband s face he hastened to answer lord is badly wounded in the shoulder i trust not however though the seem to be of opinion that his cure will be a tedious one colonel i grieve to say received his s tall in his side it has been extracted yet from the excessive serious apprehensions are entertained as to the result of the operation of course remained for the present with his friend at replied | 41 |
that false position which was her daily besides this she had the extreme felicity of seeing s quiet good sense and talents their desired s effect upon her lady was at first attracted then as gained on her good opinion her approbation and friend ship were not long in themselves and ere sir s arrival she was quite established in his mother s good graces not but what there existed a lingering feeling of disappointment in lady that her son had not made a more elevated choice still she was too good too truly conscientious to allow merely ambitious views to his happiness she knew that her son s wealth and position made him a desirable prize for the of certain match making young ladies but she had witnessed the signal defeat of more than one such fair for sir persisted in preferring the task of selecting rather than the compliment of being selected lady came with the intent of judging rigidly of bringing her utmost tact to her son s rescue should she perceive that his fastidious notions of woman s delicacy and reserve were by the of an eager only for the distinction it was in his power to bestow and caring little for his affection except so r as it would promote her object was not slow in to the friendly of lady whose kind and thou t f ul dignity of manner her admiration and took away the feeling of embarrassment she might reasonably have anticipated in making the acquaintance of sir s mother in his letters to lady her son meanwhile expressed the utmost impatience to join the party at which was soon increased by the arrival of lady and mr who required little persuasion to become an of the same mansion with his fair cousin lord s wound was slowly though so much so that after the lapse of ten days he was able to rise from his bed and spend a portion of each day on a couch in the library and sir spoke of his speedy performed her part of hostess to perfection at graceful dignified and not one of the guests divined how deep a consumed her heart her winning smiles and exquisite manner made everybody envy the earl s felicity indeed would have been the marvel could they have seen her after one of these brilliant seated uneasily languidly before her impatiently awaiting the moment when she might escape from s scrutiny and give herself up to the luxury of lonely meditation ceasing then to she contemplated her position as it was sometimes a glimmering of hope would mingle with her bitter and impart a glow of to her features at others in her fits of lowly humiliation herself with the bright radiant intellectual lady the clouds in her destiny would seem to gather and circle her in gloom and fervently did she for strength and to bear the hard discipline and burden of life by the of her prayers she would then rise and seek ter bed comforted and prepared on the morrow to renew with resolution her routine of duty with a feeling of ned confidence at her heart that her vigorous after tight were not destined to remain the afternoon before sir s arrival the post bag a letter to lady from after giving a full detail of the preparations for her wedding miss concluded her by proposing to pay a visit to to say farewell previous to this event as she was staying with her at a friend s house in the neighboring county and would pass through on her road home with an amused puzzled expression of countenance put the letter into the earl s hand and as he only shrugged his and made no comment when he gave it back she sat down and an answer in the affirmative the following day as they were just sitting down to lunch sir s carriage drove up to the door and miss hanging on her brother s ann into the room well my dear lady i am so enchanted to see you again i exclaimed she turning again to after she had received and returned the of the party all our good folks i can assure you have not the they still mourn your absence i but how beautiful your new home is i dick and i have been in during our drive through the park my dear lord we must compare you to some envious who carried off the star of our neighborhood to shower upon her the magnificence of s palace and miss s eye glanced round the noble which she stood and then sought a wider range over the valleys and of the park do you think so miss i fear then lady is insensible of the wonders i have achieved for her she takes things i assure you for more s heroine the princess with the name replied lord smiling and turning does responded miss with a little incredulous laugh but here hastily interposed and invited to follow her brother s example and take some lunch oh thank you no i we partook of a very late breakfast before setting out but dick has such an extraordinary replied miss glancing at her brother it is ludicrous to see him and frank in anticipation of a long day s run with the hounds i mr is a hard rider and an miss would find little satisfaction in the like you rejoined sir frank has promised to hunt only every other day during the approaching season reckless riding makes me shudder especially as he already nearly broken his neck half a dozen times in those odious chase i am perfectly determined that he shall never ride in another i admire your spirited resolution i should advise you however to put also under the same ban i know you have a weakness for such pastoral treats and never enjoy them so | 41 |
thoroughly as when rendered more delightful and by a previous of rain said lord with good oh that unfortunate expedition i believe lord you will never forget it but i appeal to you sir whether after all it was not a very pleasant party very much so indeed miss retain a most vivid remembrance of a certain you and i took round a vast meadow which you know we both agreed at the time reminded us strongly of walking over a wet replied sir laughing well at any rate my dear i think it is very ungrateful conduct to laugh at you for an accident you could not you devised a party of pleasure and it was not your fault if the rain came and your kind intentions said lady thank you lady for my defence for even mamma whenever she has the vows it is a kind of affection caught from the of though every one present can bear me witness that she sat up stiffly in and by the bye you have heard i suppose that poor colonel who seemed to enjoy our party so much was reported the day before yesterday to be at his last gasp staff and nonsense yoa know we heard afterwards that the report was much exaggerated interposed sir my friend rode over to make inquiries at the where colonel has lain ever since the and there he ascertained that no material change had occurred in his situation which still continued precarious in the extreme lady and miss must have found a world of business to this morning at court they have been gone upwards of four hours remarked sir hastily as he observed miss s sharp eyes fixed eagerly upon him has her birds and flowers to look after besides which sir she would doubtless show miss her pictures and all the pretty things she has collected at said mrs ladies always contrive to out a wonderful portion of time in doing nothing exclaimed mr in his dry sarcastic manner who since miss s arrival had continued to eat his lunch in silence occasionally raising his eyes with a look of to her face who is that dreamy shy looking man who sat next to lady asked miss as they quitted the room mr a cousin of lady s and one of the most popular men in this neighborhood indeed does he at all resemble his cousin i am dying with impatience to see this much lady how do you like her i think report did scarcely justice to her beauty and talents responded she must be a great acquisition to you then rejoined miss and her eyes fixed themselves on lady s face yes very i hope you will find as you like it here said as she ushered miss to her apartment thank you it seems impossible to want anything replied miss quickly glancing round the room so you say is gone with lady to court does sir s admiration continue he pays her a great deal of attention but sir only arrived this morning so it is impossible to say replied ah bat men so often are enough to amuse themselves in that way without any serious intentions what does lady say to the prospect of having for her daughter i have never heard her express an opinion on a subject upon which one probably may never be asked by her son should sir make up his mind to offer to it will be the fourth match concluded this year for do you know i have a strange nay one almost to certainty that dick has taken it into his head to fall in love with and if so the marriage will surely take place for both she and mrs are just the people to jump at a always meet you know so perhaps sir richard s spirit and s languid sentiment combined may make a very happy couple do not be long before you join us for i want to show you my and garden while a gleam of sun linger said lady as she quitted the room chapter two days after miss s arrival found the same party assembled at yet during this brief periods many and varied were the feelings excited amongst lord s guests to the above mentioned young lady however her visit proved a source of pleasure when he talked she found courteous and patient listeners for no one appeared inclined to dispute or contest her and therefore she flattered herself that her communications and comments were heard with eager interest in the evenings her conversation was chiefly divided between sir and mr this latter personage who loved anything original in whatever form or shape it came across him so encouraged miss s by a kind of mute deference throwing in here and there a word that to his infinite amusement in the fulness of her confidence she poured into his ear not only her own history but passages also in the lives of most of her acquaintance and friends mr s grave dry manner and questions made her feel more at ease than sir s lively yet still there were moments when she not quite make out her new friend to her satisfaction miss contrived to amuse herself to her heart s content despite the of her disposition and habits with those of the personages she was called upon for the moment to associate with the only portions of the day she found tedious were those three or four hours which ladies generally spend alone before luncheon over their and work and truly this period is about as dull as can well be imagined many an unconscious person s character receives its first wounds from scandal falling from pretty lips with over a lady s morning work table however let the conversation be charitable and entertaining as it might it was all the same to miss who under the cruel | 41 |
is only just four o clock pray put down your work and perform your promise of taking me into every nook and comer of this palace of yours mamma and mrs would lift up their eyes in astonishment did i conclude my visit without surveying its wonders indeed i should get quite renowned as a woman devoid of a spark of curiosity and as note is always disagreeable you must really consent and introduce me immediately to your bower which you know i did not see on the day of my arrival lady always kind and ready to oblige arose laid aside her work and followed miss out of the room little did she anticipate the amount of exercise before her or the extent of s not content with walk ing through the and principal apartments eveiy closed door in her progress excited her irresistibly to explore its bearings every staircase however narrow inspired her with the most violent impulse to mount even herself had never before penetrated so far into her new home at length to lady s satisfaction with the exception of the wing in which her own apartments were situated the mansion was from the housekeeper s room to its uppermost chambers gladly therefore she bent her steps towards her where does that door lead to asked miss suddenly pausing and pointing to a door way almost concealed under a projecting arch at no great distance from the to lord s private rooms replied continuing her progress miss however stood still and fixed her eye resolutely on the shining mahogany door i should so like to see lord s private room dear surely you can gratify my curiosity and take me in i often penetrate into dick s but as for that so all the world might at any time and only be rewarded for their pains by the spectacle of two or three old racing on the table mixed up with a queer of fishing tackle powder letters a bell s life stuffed in an near the fire and a pair of old boots within the the earl is from home therefore i am sure i have your consent and before lady could to her unspeakable consternation miss flung the door wide open my dear i must entreat nay i request you most not to enter this room lord would be excessively displeased and most justly so at our intrusion here during his absence said as she saw a privilege that she had not yet once availed herself of displeased you cannot be serious responded miss retreating a few steps towards lady who stood on the threshold of the door then immediately bounding forwards again into the room she exclaimed what a splendid prospect his has i it quite takes away one s breath with admiration come away i interrupted earnestly though her own eye wandered with eager interest the room was a sized one with a deep bay window an extensive view a turkey carpet covered the floor and curtains of heavy crimson and blue somewhat softened the glare of light pouring in from the window on one side of the room folding doors slightly opened into the earl s dressing room and a few choice paintings hung on the opposite wall an library table stood in front of a blazing fire upon which lay several books an open case and various writing materials the chairs and book shelves were of dark polished oak though nothing could be more simple and than the furniture and arrangement of the room upon my word i never saw a more exact likeness of yourself than this pray grant me a few brief moments to admire and gaze upon you exclaimed miss pointing to a portrait hanging over the fireplace really what a gallant man your lord must be i i protest here is another miniature of your fair self i wonder when i have been married five months whether frank will think my picture worth so carefully s curiosity was now fairly aroused she was not aware that the earl possessed her portrait and soon with a beautiful color flitting and deepening on her cheek she by the side of her guest the framed portrait she then at once recognized as having been the property of lady who had doubtless presented it to the earl the picture underneath was a small portrait of herself set round with pearls painted about two years after her to lord it was many years she last gazed upon it but yet tears sprang to her eyes as she vividly recalled the little scene its to him gave rise her childish and reluctance to venture on so momentous an undertaking until at length encouraged by her mother she timidly it she recollected then how her young heart thrilled with joy and pride at the manner in which her was received at the assurance which then fell from the earl s lips that nothing should ever induce to part with this the first token of her love she saw he had remembered his pledge and her own in the affair of the ring which a few days after receiving the portrait he placed upon her finger smote with fresh on her conscience then for some few minutes she stood sad and absorbed her emotion luckily unobserved by miss who now that she had lady into the apartment felt all scruples about the propriety of her intrusion vanish and was amusing herself by passing the pictures in review at length her eye rested on the folding doors and in another instant at darted through them into the earl s dressing room the noise caused lady to turn she mi excessively provoked yet at the same time amused at miss s reckless audacity as was well aware would be lost on the she merely reminded her of the of the hour and tried to her away by promising to show her | 41 |
something better worth looking at in her own apartment however turned a deaf ear to her bribe and could have wept with shame and vexation at the unpleasant position her guest s levity had betrayed her into miss approached the dressing table i perceive exclaimed she loudly the earl with all his handsome looks is not half such a as that brother of mine mercy upon me i you should only see dick s with his and for his hair which i sometimes tell him he to such good purpose as to convey to my mind a tolerable good notion of what a savage is like i i suppose that door opposite with your apartments lady raised her eyes to the window one glance al the scenery without showed her that it did now dear if you are not tired we will go to the his will never divine the visit we have paid to his apartments exclaimed miss after vainly awaiting lady s answer only too delighted to carry her off as she was in momentary fear of the earl s return immediately professed her to to the inwardly that nothing should ever tempt her to play the part of to miss again when to her dismay she heard lord s step in the corridor she knew that there was now no chance of escaping from the apartment what would the earl of her intrusion during his absence for in miss s presence it was impossible to explain how the happened for a minute the strongest possible impulse possessed her to flee or at any rate to make the attempt as for she laughed evidently thinking their sudden discomfiture an amazing good joke lord paused at the door and gazed in perfect astonishment when he beheld the occupants of his room he looked first at his wife s flushed cheek then in the face of her companion stood silently without attempting an explanation and for once s spirit came to her rescue i dare say feels rather at seeing me exclaimed she without the slightest for by the smile of amusement which immediately sprang to the earl s lip she saw that his threatened displeasure at their intrusion was dissipated but having been all over the house with lady she could not resist my entreaty to be admitted to a glimpse of these exquisite pictures you know lord i pi ue myself on my powers of persuasion therefore trust you will pardon my curiosity certainly and n i must be allowed also to express my gratitude for the flattering surprise of finding my room honored by miss s presence cast a triumphant glance at lady and then hastily exclaimed mr has some fine pictures at but they are not to be compared to these i cannot regret my intrusion as it has procured me a sight of them added she observing that evidently did not intend to come forward to her aid there are some equally good pictures by the same artists in the gallery replied lord coldly how did you discover these half dozen paintings miss colored and bit her lip i was attracted by that admirable likeness of lady replied she after a short pause well miss am glad you approve of my pictures as there is really nothing else here to repay the trouble you have taken but i am at your command should you desire to inspect any other object in this apartment added the earl with a smile oh no i thank you has been most kind and and has exhibited everything she thought likely to give me die slightest gratification rejoined hastily foi once feeling herself out of place lord smiled i am sorry lady has mo in this pleasant task miss but i dare say she has done the honors better than i should having so very familiar an acquaintance with everything the room contains to interest you said the earl glancing at miss hastily drew out her watch five o clock exclaimed she making a hurried retreat towards the door do you know i am beginning to despair of ever catching a glimpse at your i must say good bye now or my maid will be in at the sight of my straight curls i suppose the rain spoiled your sport this afternoon lord said she opening the door i have not quitted the house since last i had the pleasure of seeing you sir and lord are not yet returned from the replied the earl laughing miss uttered some expression of astonishment in a few words on the mil of the weather and then closed the door and disappeared would have given much to follow her but she felt that her hasty retreat would probably be to the earl as well as appear strange in the eyes of the giddy she stood therefore silently by the fire leaning against the mantel piece with a very grave face feeling at times half inclined to laugh half inclined to weep i see by that puzzled look of yours that yon are striving to account to me for your presence in this room i have divined the reason already the fact is you did not bring miss here but she brought you is it not so said lord presently in a tone of great amusement yes i believe this is a true statement of the case replied smiling but you came only on the supposition that i was from home i feel greatly distressed at our intrusion lord i vainly to refrain from entering this room but she persisted in my entreaties i trust you are not displeased said looking anxiously on the earl s rather clouded brow h certainly not it was nevertheless a great piece of impertinence on miss s part replied lord entering his dressing room wondered whether she was to take this as a sign of she however still lingered | 41 |
for the earl s tones were cold and she had now the most intense horror of anything approaching a misunderstanding presently he returned she still stood by the fire for some minutes neither spoke why are you so silent lord perhaps you find me in your way and i had better leave you said at length tears of wounded pride springing to her eyes at the indifference the earl manifested on their first private interview for long a period you know that these of yours are unreasonable i am vexed annoyed beyond measure that you should think it to for your presence tiiat you should be so absurd so heartless as actually to talk to me of intrusion can you find no other way to mark your indifference save by this almost insulting reserve never before had she seen him so angry for so slight a cause indeed lord your accusation of is i was wrong to allow this foolish feeling of embarrassment to embarrassment what cause have you for embarrassment and with me asked the earl bending a searching glance on her face i feel so powerless to your goodness and indulgence rather say conscience reproaches you for your wavering course you hide from me feelings which it is your duty to reveal you cannot bear my scrutiny therefore you me or else wherefore is it that we have only met in public during the past fortnight surely i am not to blame for this my lord murmured did you ever express the slightest desire to see me even now i owe your presence to an accident which you consider it necessary to two motives can alone prompt your total of the terms of and on which immediately after our marriage we agreed to live either you do care for me and are therefore keeping up a reserve or you regard me with absolute indifference buried her face in her hands she trembled for the words sounded strangely from the lips eagerly did she listen and hope for that one little sentence that of affection on his part which would have unlocked the fountain of her heart but it came not silently lord stood the cloud still resting on his brow she had never before seen him so hard to be even her tearful eye and pale cheek seemed to have lost their accustomed power she could not bear to him in anger yet she saw he was resolved to make no at reconciliation she approached therefore and putting her hand in his timidly raised her eyes with a expression to his face if you will forgive my this once i will promise never more to offend believe me i am very very grateful i said she in faltering accents oh how many more times will you promise this now that you have satisfied your conscience and made some concession i suppose you are going said lord in a tone of sorrowful reproach still holding her hand no i will go or stay as you desire then stay do you remember the day when you gave me this said lord after an interval of silence perfectly replied she taking it from his hand this tiny strongly reminds me of my past she and colored lord will you never restore the ring that you gave me in exchange for it asked she with emotion why should i give back that which you care not for you rejected and esteemed it of so little value if i thought so should i now ask for it again exclaimed she some day perhaps i see you are resolved not to listen to me lord said she answer me if you prize not this and the pointed to the wedding ring on her finger of what value can the other once intended as its mere symbol be to you she colored deeply give it to me again if only as a sign a pledge that you have forgotten and forgiven the past at length rejoined she earnestly hastily turning away willingly on these terms i cannot hesitate said lord passing into the adjoining room and opening his dressing case come hither come and take the ring yourself from the place in which it has lain ever since i rescued it from the hands of colonel are you still afraid of added he as he perceived that she did not immediately obey his summons in a minute she stood beside him and soon the ring sparkled on her finger a weight seemed from her heart for even the very bitterness of his reproach soothed he stood by her while she talked for the next half hour with an ease she would have before declared impossible as she turned over the contents of his dressing case every now and then raising her eyes to his beaming with the radiance of hope he did not could not join in the feelings which prompted her light and perhaps even she in a little longer would have found it impossible to and the dressing case might have been pushed aside for a more thrilling theme had not the earl s entered to his master that it was time to commence his operations to meet his guests at dinner hastily i arose for she too had forgotten the hour and quitted the room as the hands of the clock pointed to half past six when lady entered the drawing room half an hour afterwards the earl was there alone as sir s in exhibiting his agricultural progress had for once her father s habitual she thought he still looked very grave nor did he respond to her trifling as she advanced and stood by his side with his accustomed felt a kind of instinct that a crisis in her fate was at hand had she with her husband to the extent of his forbearance she knew the determination of the | 41 |
character and what if he should now decide to leave her to her own and too repentance for from her mother s lips she had learned that a high mission abroad had been again for his acceptance one by one however her guests now entered into the and the review of the apprehensions hich assailed her must be postponed for future meditation the evening passed away was in no mood to exert herself and the prospect of their approaching departure appeared to check the vivacity of the party miss her brother and mr chiefly sustained the conversation at dinner for the circle was not swelled on this last day by any stranger guests meanwhile sir and as may be supposed were not in the of moods at the thought of their speedy separation his attentions were now so open and marked that with all her retiring modesty could not deny to herself the happy consciousness that she was beloved and the frank though timid pleasure with which she received sir s devotion rendered her dear to him with that sensation at heart which made her feel restless and unhappy without exactly knowing wherefore retreated from the fling of miss s lively and took a distant seat near the window which opened into the here she was joined by lady and on sir s in the drawing room he likewise drew a chair near them having exhausted every available subject of conversation with miss and being resolved that she should not opened the piano and there kept her engaged for some time aided by good mrs who a little and amazed at ol ra s sat by her in mute attention you know we return to the to morrow camp bell said sir abruptly when lady on a signal from arose and joined ber at tbe piano yes i am very very sorry paused perhaps that bad said too much and then added with a slight blush you know sir every one must regret the loss of lady s society you admire and love my mother then miss not to for lady tbe most lively affection and admiration after all ber kindness would indeed be ungrateful replied warmly then will you not consent speedily to visit ber at tbe how happy would my mother be always to have such a companion do you not feel tbe heat of tbe room intolerable let us stroll round tbe added sir after a pause silently arose you will become our guest perhaps in tbe midst of tbe dear old familiar scenes i may take courage and learn from the lips of my former friend and whether the is ever to be to me what my brightest visions of happiness have dared to picture you will come and sir and retained her hand in bis the beautiful color glowed on s cheek every pulse fluttered she felt that was beloved and a bright smile parted her lips tbe shadowy obscurity around veiled her features and for tbe moment of trusting ber voice walked on in silence sir impatiently bis question if lady me at length replied she in a low voice hesitatingly then you will come when my mother bids and stay until i give you leave to depart replied sir with a smile not if you turn out a very strict responded with a light laugh immediately taking up bis tone how exquisite yonder group of the look in this glancing light do they not sir tbe flowers at this distance appear like bells of ivory yes lady has displayed great taste in tbe arrangement of ber flowers possesses indeed tbe most exquisite tact for making everything around ber beautiful and happy and yet fear i am going to make a very impertinent speech i desire you not to take your ideas of matrimonial felicity from your friend most men would be far more and jealous of their wife s smiles than seems to be upon my word sir it indeed be a disposition that finds fault with a being like replied bending with heightened color over a rose half blown while her fingers lightly strayed amidst its foliage i am very much mistaken if lord does not find fault however you remember their courtship miss c and that sad affair with colonel what now must be lady s feelings though to a certain degree the innocent cause of the late disaster hush i you sir hastily exclaimed in alarm as she heard a hasty step down one of the of the and soon after miss made her appearance wearied and heated by her exertions at the piano and eagerly seeking refreshment as she said in the cool temperature around sir looked provoked and after a few minutes led back into the drawing room but unfortunately no fresh opportunity occurred to renew their a as after a little more music tie ladies remembering the long journey on the morrow made an early retreat despite miss s assurances that so far as her personal comfort went it was to her whether she spent the following day along the high roads or enjoying the of domestic quiet at it was little past ten o clock when miss accompanied by lady entered her room the latter had greatly attached herself to she admired the simple though strong decision of her character and perhaps its very contrast with lady s own ardent imaginative temperament the attraction a cheerful fire blazed in the grate and the two drawing their chairs close round the hearth extinguished their candles and settled themselves comfortably for one of those important talks in which young ladies delight the fire light diffused a cheerful ruddy glow over the apartment and all things around wore that air of solid comfort which can alone be enjoy in the well built well furnished rooms of old england listened with deep interest to lady s descriptions of character and frequent praise of lord from | 41 |
her hand there was a kind of resolute in lady s tone and manner which convinced that would be vain even had their degree of intimacy such interference on her part already she stood before the her from her arms and the ornaments from her neck while the crimson on her cheek glowed with the brightness of the most flush well will you aid me or must i have recourse to my faithful at length asked lady turning so as to if nothing will induce you to from your resolution lady i think i can show you a private way into the garden in the room adjoining this there is a window opening on a small glazed balcony for flowers and from this balcony a narrow flight of steps on to the lawn at the back of the mansion replied with visible reluctance lady entered the small adjoining apartment which had arranged as a kind of study for her friend aware of passionate love for flowers lady had expressly chosen these two rooms for her and amused herself with collecting within the smaller one everything that was likely to gratify ber friend s taste or afford occupation to her hours of retirement a few of her best and most successful pictures adorned the walls and all s favorite authors were arranged in the book shelves or displayed on the pretty tables around the shutters of the balcony window which were fast closed afforded a momentary to lady s eager investigation she however coolly placed the candle in s hand and after a brief survey succeeded in flinging open the glass door at the head of the steps the chill october night wind made retreat arrayed as she was in her muslin evening dress it was clear moonlight and the sky appeared with little silver clouds surely dear you will not venture abroad without some thicker covering than that thin shawl on your shoulders if i could but persuade you to this interview till some more night until your return to when you know there would be no occasion for a those clouds rain and at no distant period also dear do let me prevail said earnestly lady however stood immovable gazing without no t is a waste of words to seek to or detain me at length replied she slowly re entering the room but if you will do a kindness lend me those added she pointing to s bonnet and garden cloak which lay on a chair near willingly let me help you stay i will fasten the cloak more securely with this large clasp that lord gave me last week said hastily going to the table and returning with the and dismiss she will imagine i am occupied with you in this room expect me back in half an hour dear said lady and carefully closing the door she descended the steps which on one side were by the wall and lightly sprang on the lawn the the place of indicated by mr was about ten minutes walk from the house situated in one of the most beautiful and romantic spots in the grounds the planting of this locality had been one of the favorite schemes of the late l rd and its of aspect and a certain wild majestic gloom imposed greatly at first sight from the flower garden a path cut led through a secluded part of the grounds until at length it lost itself amidst the of several acres of and fir trees planted in square masses inter ted by broad walks of green at the end of the principal alley called the walk a sharp turn led to the built on an ornamental bridge over a large piece of water running parallel with the above mentioned walk with light step lady pursued her way towards this looking as the wind blew aside her cloak and revealed the snowy robe beneath like a spirit flitting amid these gloomy on its midnight the shed their tranquil steady glare the ground around with the shadows of the waving branches above and throwing up long mysterious of gloom at every break in the trees the rain had fallen during the day and sparkling drops still hung here and there on the leaves and grass and sprang from the moist earth with life and vegetation the fresh night breeze blew back her bonnet and compelled her with a shudder to wrap the cloak more tightly around her figure and more than once she fancied a light drop of rain fell above large watery looking clouds now rolled in heavy before one another until breaking into fantastic forms they gradually into the dense gray masses frowning on the horizon strong as was her courageous resolution lady glanced timidly around as she entered the gloomy grove and involuntarily she quickened her pace every now and then a sudden rustle and plunge amongst the long grass and bushes made her start nervously and she hurried on until she turned the angle of the walk and to her infinite joy beheld the excited as were her feelings a sentiment of awe crept over her as she gazed on the solemn grandeur of the scene now before her deep shadows floated on the broad expanse of the water with the tremulous glitter of the moon s rays here and there gleaming on its surface terrace after terrace of huge sombre trees down on either side to the water s edge and beyond heavy woods dark and shadowy in the moonlight bounded the horizon with rapid step and beating heart lady traversed the bridge wondering that no loved voice as yet greeted her the door of the was wide open in another moment she sprang into the rustic chamber but mr was not there for a brief interval she stood in suspense disappointment and anxiety her heart she threw back her bonnet and gazed around the cold subdued light streamed through the shaped panes | 41 |
of glass in the windows but no token or could lady perceive of mr having been true to his appointment the few articles of furniture also remained still undisturbed in their places she knew not what to pose at length reflecting that some unexpected accident might have his arrival and determined not lightly to ion her chance of seeing him she drew a chair forwards then resting her arms on the table and burying her face in her hands thoughts swift and passed through her brain she not the of the place for no terrors real or imaginary had power to divert her mind with folded arms and her fair young head bowed on the table she waited all at once a gust of wind shook the and swept from her side s bonnet which had fallen from her hand to the floor presently large round drops of rain fell with a heavy sudden on the stone steps lady hurriedly arose from her seat and approaching the door gazed without the cold wind blew and with a shudder she raised her hand to draw the cloak still more tightly around her throat whilst so occupied her hand accidentally rubbed against the sleeve of her dress it felt cold and with moisture instinctively she extended her arm and advanced a little farther into the porch when a sickening feeling of horror and dismay overpowered her as she perceived that the whole lower part of the sleeve was stained of a deep red hue for a moment she sank on the bench inside the porch the next she arose and returned to the place from which she had just risen close by on the table was another deep stain of blood and then another pale and immovable lady gazed until with an exclamation of terror she turned to seek refuge in flight from the dark apprehension which her spirit almost to madness once again she stood in the porch but as had predicted the rain now descended in torrents while the distant roar of thunder in the surrounding hollows and shook the frail bridge the moon still shone with fitful glare frequently obscured by black clouds and the rain driven by the wind drifted before her in swift whirling circles until the whole expanse of wood and water seemed wrapped in a sheet of in mute terror lady stood on the threshold crash after crash of thunder rocked the to and fro and the wind with sullen murmur fiercely tossed the branches and whistled amid the foliage appalled by the fury of the storm lady retreated into the and closing the door threw herself on her knees and buried her face in her hands the gloom gradually deepened and save when a flash of lightning her place of refuge only the faintest of light through the windows he tried to collect her thoughts but the excitement had been too great and her mind wandered voices and mocking laughter sounded in her ears and she knelt motionless and as the blast with hoarse murmur swept around at length the violence of the storm exhausted itself gradually the thunder became fainter and fainter the heavy clouds rolled away and dispersed and the moon once more rode triumphant in the heavens lady started up instantly and threw open the door the atmosphere was clearer though still a small swift rain fell gathering her cloak round her she resolved to take advantage of the lull to her steps back to the house as she reached the end of the bridge the great clock struck she had just been absent an hour and a half with the speed of lightning she hurried and excited and weary at length reached the foot of the stairs leading to the balcony in s apartment the latter meanwhile spent the period of lady s absence in the wildest alarm a thousand times during the continuance of the storm had she been tempted to in search of her mistress but by the recollection of lady s determination and evident displeasure when she ventured to with her she wandered up and down listening in dire to the wind and thunder and forming vain conjectures as to where her friend would most probably find shelter seldom had experienced a joy so fervent as when she heard lady s step on the balcony stairs quickly she threw open the glass door thank god i see you safe back again exclaimed she what a fearful storm surely you have not been exposed to its fury lady silently disengaged herself from s arms there was a on her pallid features and a deep steady glare in her eyes which made tremble speak i tell me you are not hurt i am perfectly well replied lady turning aside do not alarm yourself let me relieve you of this wet cloak you will catch your death of cold if you persist in keeping it longer around you come to the fire dearest said soothingly trying to the cloak from which streams of water on the floor lady however hastily passed her and went into the adjoining room more and more astonished lingered a moment to replace the and then followed her she was standing before the fire and the cloak had fallen from her shoulders on the hearth rug her muslin dress clung around her figure in damp folds and spoiled one sleeve was entirely rent away her white rounded arm nearly to the shoulder and her hair escaped from beneath her comb hung in loose masses below her waist good heavens i what is this you told me you were not hurt suddenly exclaimed seizing her gown and pointing to a dark red stain just below her arm what is all this about why do you look so strange and wild ask no questions i you believe what you will but no word of explanation passes my lips exclaimed she sternly do i frighten you continued lady | 41 |
s at the door of the mansion sir was in haste to reach home in time to greet a party ai shooting friends at dinner that evening as soon therefore as breakfast was over he away his sister and it was with feelings of satisfaction than he had experienced for many a day that lord handed the miss to her carriage sir and lady next took their departure the latter having promised to drive over on some very early day and fix with when she was to visit the and then came for the painful trial of bidding farewell to her parents she felt that between herself and her loved mother there had been a restraint during the whole of lady s visit which ought not to have she dared not confide the hopes and fears perpetually in her mind and yet as she hung upon her mother s neck and knew that she was suffering her to depart in sorrowful uncertainty most fervent at the time were s good that if depended only on her joyous indeed should be their next meeting when all misunderstanding swept away she would greet her as the happy wife of lord scarce had recovered her composure and joined the party again when lady made her appearance the color her cheek as she greeted her cousin mr who had lingered expressly to see her before taking his departure then fearful lest he should offer her his escort lady hurriedly requested lady and to accompany her home assented but excused herself on the plea of having letters to write but in reality she panted for retirement and leisure to compose her thoughts to sober if possible the feeling of new happiness which fluttered at her heart mr perceiving that lady was not disposed to yield him a more kind or flattering attention than had been her wont of late soon rose and took his leave and then quitted the room to prepare for her drive lady sat for a long time in silence her eyes bent on the carpet at length said she in her soft melodious voice i allude once more to the events of last night to tell you that i shall never forget your kindness and sympathy although i foresee that it will not be long ere you have a home of your own in this neighborhood dear yet before that time arrives let me sometimes share your society with promise me that you will come to court i shall like to do so more than i can express quickly for lord s evident prejudice liad often been to her the subject of painful meditation she knew that she could not have given him personal offence and therefore concluded his dislike most probably arose from distrust of her influence over lady lady s cordial invitation seemed now to remove the difficulty over which she had so long pondered she could still see and enjoy her society for some time without remaining for any lengthened period the earl s guest well this is settled remember the doors of are from henceforth open to you whenever and for as long as you will should any event take the from this place you must immediately come to me though otherwise i suppose will not your society for many weeks to come no i think i cannot leave at present replied pausing as and mrs entered and about a quarter of an hour afterwards lady took her departure sat at the window for some time over her work without beautiful woods already with tints clothed the and of the park and the bright cheerful sun poured into the room with the happiness which pervaded her heart she knew she was beloved and that ere long sir would speak those words which should forever unite them gradually dreams of bliss stole over her fancy and for the first time she allowed her thoughts to dwell on the felicity of becoming his wife unconsciously the work glided from her hand a smile parted her lips and her cheek as she recalled every word every look glowed with fitful passing hues not that in this she thought of sir s rank and wealth as additional subjects of save only as the medium through which she might shower benefits on those she loved as the beloved wife of sir the thought would now and then intrude of the splendid reception she would then give her parents and her brothers at her new home but further than this her anticipated elevation never betrayed her by sir s devotion almost from the very commencement of their renewed intercourse had given her heart though that his position entitled him to look higher than herself in his choice of a wife for a long time she scarcely admitted his sway over her mind even in her own secret had sir been and merely sought to a six weeks spell in the country by a with the s ter might bitterly have the day when the kindness of lady brought her to associate intimately with those whose equal she was in mind and talent nay in everything save that of the world s pride and social position after a time awoke from her reverie and drawing her desk towards her commenced a letter to her mother half a dozen sheets were speedily written upon and rejected until at last with a smile at the heap of fragments by her side she gave up the attempt in despair she passed into the adjoining saloon a few seconds at the table and then throwing up the window walked into the she thought of all sir had there said and his tones again rang in her ears the beautiful white rose bud over which she had bent the night before had blown and now expanded its snowy to catch the warm she wandered further and stood by the group of stately each incident of the preceding evening | 41 |
vividly to her fancy that exquisite of rapture which follows the consciousness of a first and love is a joy felt but once and only once in all its purity and intensity so strolled along her calm gentle eyes expressing something of the harmony and content which filled her soul after some time she returned to the drawing room and herself near the deep bay window she felt too absorbed too happy to work or read few and rare are the intervals in life when we can summon our thoughts as our companions when brings us to and the future brightly so that we even dare anticipate its joys with her elbow leaning on the window seat and her forehead resting in the palm of her hand remained buried in reverie nor did she raise her head until the door opened and a servant entered the room my lord madam desires his compliments and will be glad to speak with miss for a few minutes in the library said the man immediately retiring in a moment s happy dreams vanished what could lord have to say of sufficient moment to request a private conference though s admiration of the earl still remained in full force it was by a little tinge of that he appeared so to and slight her friendship she had made great efforts to obtain his esteem and she felt both sorrow and vexation that hitherto most on her part she had failed in her attempts however with a perfectly conscience she now arose to grant tho interview by the earl and first approached a mirror and smoothed the glossy bands of hair on her temples as she os stood the thought darted through her brain that lord s request might possibly have some relation with lady s extraordinary of the preceding night s cheek turned very pale for on this mysterious her lips were sealed nevertheless without further hesitation she resolutely proceeded to the library though we do not assert that poor s heart which but a few minutes before glowed with such emotion did not throb more than was its wont as she laid her hand on the door and entered the apartment lord was standing with his back to tho fire apparently awaiting her presence the same gravity which in her she had scarcely remarked at breakfast still hung on his brow nor was she long in its cause for in passing the mantel piece to take possession of the chair that tho earl drew forwards for her her eye fell on the clasp which in an instant she remembered she had lent to lady to fasten her cloak with it was a beautiful in a plain gold setting a present from the earl and until this moment had been unconscious of its loss lord observed the rush of color to her cheek as her eye glanced on the i see miss you recognize an old friend in this you aware of its loss said he gently and seriously placing it in her hand no lord replied mechanically taking tho she felt what was impending and her pure spirit from the ordeal she was and yet she dare not assert her innocence when did you last wear it miss there are circumstances connected with the finding of this which i would give much to hear satisfactorily explained resumed the earl in the same kind tones what circumstances asked faintly resolved to hear how far she was lord looked surprised and continued in tones certainly miss if you desire this detail i am ready to give it though i had hoped the painful task might have been me the earl paused sat motionless tn the first lace then the was brought to me this by one of the who found it half concealed in the near a of in the walk according to mj usual practice i spent some time in this room last night every one had retired when tempted by the beauty of the night i opened the window and strolled in the direction of the grove i had not proceeded far when my attention was aroused by the sound of footsteps along the walk parallel to that i was pursuing which happened to be the walk next to the park in some parts of this walk the trees as you are aware are very planted and through several i obtained a full view of the who was apparently making rapidly in the direction of one of the i followed this person at some distance to the gate and then i distinctly heard the sound of carriage wheels along the road is this enough miss or shall i proceed asked the earl suddenly pausing and fixing his eyes earnestly on her face merely bowed her head then followed the storm miss i watched its from this room the least familiar probably to you of any in the house perhaps you do not know that one of these windows commands a full view of the balcony in front of your apartment said lord in tones of increased severity lord had then witnessed the departure and return of lady whom he took for herself nor could she marvel at the mistake in the uncertain moonlight for their height was nearly the same and the illusion doubtless by lady issuing from her chamber clad also in her bonnet and cloak every link of evidence seemed complete but too surely to her and she even in self was bound to silence she had pledged her sacred word not to betray her friend and by that promise she must therefore abide overpowered by the semblance of guilt actually shuddered beneath the deep glance bent upon her lord awaited with patient determination until she collected herself sufficiently to reply and you saw some one either return or depart by that balcony whom you think resembled me is it not so my lord said she at | 41 |
length proudly raising her eyes to the earl s face think i saw you return from the garden miss this fact unhappily will admit of no though i fain hoped from the high opinion i had formed of your character and from that i heard others express a few words from you might satisfactorily explain this affair now i ask you miss whether you can deny a single of what i haye advanced i neither deny nor anything lord bat tiiat i am not guilty of what you infer and i must decline answering any questions on the subject replied though she her clear truthful eyes from the ground upon which they had been steadily bent and fixed them on the you have i know miss a seeming right to set mj questions at defiance but i will tell you the grounds on which i justify my interference in your concerns as the chosen friend and companion of lady i feel bound to investigate your conduct in this affair it would pain me deeply besides to suppose miss guilty of or still more of the conduct of encouraging the attentions of my friend sir only to betray him said the earl indignantly under the force of this her cheek neck and brow flushed and spite of her fortitude showers of tears poured down her face believe it not lord i i am not guilty of this i may not disclose more though i you to believe me innocent of that you exclaimed she her hands lord appeared surprised at her vehemence do i rightly understand miss that you deny having quitted your apartment last night asked he at length i am not at liberty to offer any explanation on the subject repeated she faintly covering her face with her hands then excuse me miss the presumption must be against you i cannot what i witnessed lord interrupted vehemently starting from her seat i have not done this evil thing which you suspect on my sole assertion you must believe me have yon sufficient confidence in my integrity the earl shook his head and turned aside against other testimony than the evidence of my senses i might perhaps have placed reliance on your assurances miss a look of despairing resolution passed over s pale face as you believe me guilty of such lord i will no longer remain an of your house some day you will render me justice and perhaps when too late regret the you may have done me i shall return home to morrow she and indignantly though eveiy now and then words were choked by tears lord remained silent for a few moments painful ones were they for with her candid frank sincerity of character under present circumstances i cannot request you miss to your determination at length rejoined the earl you have great influence over lady and believing that of your conduct which i am bound to do un il you prove to me otherwise i may not ask you to remain longer her guest but is it indeed totally impossible to induce you to put confidence in me will you not suffer me to bo your friend in this affair miss a word spoken in season often endless misery cannot you take a lesson from s history and beware in time of the habit of concealment pause ere you finally decide miss on my roof with this on your conduct if all be right as you tell me consider whether after the hopes you have given sir you are in refusing an explanation of this suspicious for i will not bids from you my determination after what has passed between yon here to fully and openly to my friend the causes which led to the abrupt termination of your visit a slight shiver passed over s frame if her cup of sorrow were not before full the drop was now added which should send it over for the thought indeed filled her with anguish that sir should be taught to believe her guilty and from the all lips of lord but if you were bound to another by a solemn pledge of secrecy my lord how would you act asked desperately raising her face pale as ashes from her folded hands another miss i a dark shadow crossed the earl s brow and he appeared lost in thought for a few seconds presently he resumed in his ordinary tone and manner either you are acting in good faith or by my friend miss if the former you ought not to have made this promise no one can or has the right to such an extent of self sacrifice and if you take my advice you will disregard under the circumstances a pledge which ought never to have been felt the truth of these words her promise and above all the remembrance of lady s despair and her ignorance of the extent to which a frank might compromise her friend closed her lips she knew that by resolutely refusing to answer the earl s inquiries she was casting happiness from her perhaps forever yet lady had quitted e in lier honor in the full and entire that her secret was safe she could not betray her let the consequences be what they might the words and counsel rang in her cars for his her to do that which her own inward sense of prompted yet from a refinement of generosity and a sacred reverence for her promise refrained lord at length said she firmly and mournfully i would give much very much to myself in your esteem on the events of last night i am bound to be silent i he happy day may not be far distant when i may clear myself in your l nor will i until then complain of the severity with which i have been condemned upon mere presumption i shall leave to morrow added she with somewhat of | 41 |
in her tone and manner as she arose to depart the earl merely bowed yet as she timidly raised her eyes to his thought that she discovered the expression of real sorrow and concern on his face one i more miss had lady any knowledge of what occurred last night not the slightest my lord i never spoke to lady from the time i quitted the drawing room yesterday evening until a few minutes before we entered the breakfast room together this morning replied she emphatically walking past the earl out of the room as soon however as she heard the library door close swiftly darted forwards and ing up the staircase hastily locked the door of her room and throwing herself in a chair buried her face in her hands her faculties seemed stunned with the suddenness of the disgrace which had befallen her her mind for a season appeared incapable of performing its functions and for a long long time could but weep in the very bewilderment of anguish her first outburst of sorrow over she arose and calmly began to consider her position sl e remembered that she had pledged herself to leave the earl s house on the morrow nor did regret her act while calmly her conduct she felt indignant wounded to the quick that lord had judged her so harshly and that her assurances of innocence scarce moved his incredulity and she justly considered that lowered as she was in his esteem it would inflict too intolerable a humiliation to remain longer his guest once seized her pen to address an earnest appeal to lady to come to her rescue and clear her from the painful suspicion but she felt the utter of this course she recalled the start of keen apprehension with on the evening received her advice to confide the mystery to the earl another powerful reason also to her to lay aside her pen which was the conviction that lady when informed of the sudden termination of her visit at would entreat her to remove to s native delicacy of mind at the idea of remaining in sir s neighborhood under the grave which lord would not fail to she felt that total absence were to his altered eye or lady s glance she might not confide the secret of her innocence to sir s ear better therefore that the keen trial of meeting in coldness and should be spared though trusted that speedily lady s high sense of generosity would clear her from blame yet she determined it should be from the bosom of her own dear home that her earnest appeal to her should be addressed she would not linger at court apparently awaiting sir s decision yet the thought of sorrow his reproach threw her into an agony of grief poor i how had the short space of two hours changed the current of her thoughts when she arose they were joyous brilliant hope but now like a dark cloud on the blue sky of april disgrace had and swept them away and sh drooped under the storm more and more as reflected did she become convinced that her decision was right she now labored however under i sense of injury which perhaps imparted more warmth and energy to her thoughts and actions yet tears dropped fast from her eyes as she arose and collected together various little articles dispersed over the room preparatory to beginning her packing operations for her journey on the morrow she was anxious to make some progress before s return for she guessed what would be tho vehemence of her remonstrance and regret had been thus occupied for about an hour when she heard lady s hasty step in the corridor and in another instant stood before her door demanding slowly complied the bed the tables were covered with the contents of her wardrobe and a large open trunk half filled stood in the centre of the room paused in astonishment good heavens what does all this mean exclaimed she simply dearest that i must leave you to morrow sit down and i will explain the wonderful revolution in my tiny since your departure replied striving to repress hei lady complied and shortly related the charge against her her inability to it and consequent determination frequent and passionate were s and fervently did she now of the danger of concealment firmly however miss resisted her reproaches and until exhausted choked with tears flew from the room and took refuge in her from thence in a very few minutes beheld her pass her again she heard her hurried step on the stairs and felt convinced that she had gone to plead her cause with the earl presently lady again and saw nothing more of her until dinner never meal passed more for poor since she became mistress of her own eyes were heavy with weeping looked pale and resolute the earl serious and and as a natural consequence this state of affairs conversation proceeded at the rate of a word every ten minutes vainly lady watched the countenances of her companions to detect the slightest trace of on either never did she more bitterly her from her husband s confidence than on this evening it her of half her weapons in s cause her own positive conviction of her friend s innocence in this mysterious affair was by a of doubt and after their short stay in the dining room never did advocate seek more to draw forth in his s favor than did strive to from some testimony for her she plied her with the most ingenious questions left the subject for a few minutes only lo return to it with renewed vigor then put seemingly indifferent and drew her own conclusions felt that to preserve lady s secret required all her vigilance and skill and glad to obtain a few moments repose she strolled into the and sought out again the | 41 |
fair white rose nothing but its green leaves now met her view and as she approached saw that the ground around was with delicate transparent it had fallen and like her own hope withered she stooped hastily gathered together the snowy leaves and then returned to the room however had vanished and not being especially desirous of another a with lord swiftly followed her example as she approached her room she heard lady s voice within in very earnest conference with the latter on miss s entrance instantly resumed her occupation of packing but thought that s manner seemed more cheerful and that she with less restraint of her approaching departure on the morrow astonished at this change vainly her recollection fearful lost she had been betrayed into some undue but conscience fully her of any breach of promise to lady nor did resume the subject until they sat alone that night during their long and last in the early the following morning arose and prepared for her immediate departure not choosing to undergo the painful restraint of meeting lord again sadly ai d she lingered over the breakfast table few words were exchanged between them for each felt that there was something she might not speak at length terminated this painful interview by entering to announce that the carriage to convey miss to was at the door arose she struggled for firmness and tears rolled down her cheeks you will write very soon and tell mrs not to distress herself for i am much mistaken if this temporary shadow does not bring out your character my in its brightest hues however i will write and tell her so myself said as arm in arm they traversed the hall for lady was resolved to see the last of her friend though fear lest her husband might it into an censure of his conduct prevented her from accompanying to however through had had the offer of various home from the earl he desired that either or the housekeeper should bo at miss s command to attend her to but firmly declined their services resolved to her way back home alone especially as she did not choose that any of the inmates of should witness the astonishment her sudden return might occasion involuntarily a deep feeling of sadness crept over her heart as the carriage rolled away as long as the mansion was visible could s figure at the door and imagination pictured the regret which her face as she stood waving her handkerchief until the carriage disappeared sighed too as she looked around on the fair scene she was so suddenly leaving on the beautiful park half shadow half sunshine with dew trembling in glittering drops on the tender blades of grass gently agitated as the soft wind crept with musical murmur amid the foliage already tinged with the golden hues of autumn when the lodge gates were passed the long line of woods to the she knew sheltered the a heavy purple mist hung over them though here and there bright patches of sunshine rested on the branches of the trees rendering the gloom beneath still more striking and picturesque an indescribable sensation of depression overpowered poor she sank back in the carriage nor was she roused from her reverie until the little market town of reminded her that she must be near her destination the railway station to her infinite joy there was no one she recognized on the platform at that early hour it was scarcely probable there should be so she quietly stepped into one of the carriages and a few minutes afterwards bade adieu to the county of d s thoughts as she was impelled along were not of the most description s affection however and whispered parting words afforded much consolation besides which her trust in lady s generosity never once her nor the hope that when informed of the suffering by her faithful to her promise the latter would afford such an explanation to the earl as should satisfactorily clear her from suspicion as she on musing on the one circumstance that filled her spirit with sadness thought not on the smaller though still to which her sudden and unexpected return would subject her she had yet to realize and to endure also the perpetual of her mother s restless inquiries and activity to discover that which her daughter felt herself bound to conceal to suffer the daily annoyance of the petty gossip and of the village all more or less jealous of her intimacy with the family at the to say nothing of the more cold politely expressed surprise of their county neighbors every sorrow however appeared to vanish for the moment when after a wearisome journey beheld the gray spire of the village church of and passed its pretty cottages covered with and work as she approached her home a feeling of anxiety s took possession of her heart she wondered what her father mother and would say to her appearance amongst them with the unsatisfactory explanation of its cause which it was in her power to offer to her father however had resolved to impart all she knew she trusted to his discretion and respect for her solemn promise of while placing unbounded reliance on his advice she felt she waa scarcely justified in carrying the suspicion to her parents bosom that their beloved daughter had indeed committed herself or to return and their happy home by a painful mysterious silence her father s assurance and approval of her conduct she knew would set her mother s mind at rest indeed she looked principally to him for support and sympathy in the affliction which had so unexpectedly befallen her the back of mr house faced the village street and when she arrived at the gates leading into the yard stopped the fly which had conveyed her from then giving the man directions to drive in and set down | 41 |
her luggage she sprang from the carriage and opened the garden gate the garden her mother loved so well looked blooming almost as when she left it the brightest flowers of the season adorned the borders and the of the smoothly lawn was not even by a single stray leaf she looked up a the house the windows of her own bedroom were closed and the blinds carefully drawn down s silent observations however were soon interrupted by the appearance of her mother in her costume mrs paused and looked earnestly at the figure advancing towards her not at once who was muffled in a veil and large shawl and a look of displeasure swept over her face for mrs greatly of any casual comers into the garden she accordingly stood stock still with a very stately air awaiting the approach of the personage steadily her way towards her meanwhile who delighted to listen to the dignified administered by his mother to the unhappy individuals with the happy faculty of between the front and the back doors arose from his chair and approached tlie window mother mother exclaimed he after gazing earnestly for a second where can your eyes be don t you see that it is darling come back again and the next instant the impetuous boy bounded forwards and clasped his sister in his arms impossible i and yet good gracious it be she i my child how in the world do you come here exclaimed mrs as she too folded her daughter in her embrace mamma are you glad very glad to see me asked hiding her face on her mother s bosom to conceal the tears which involuntarily started in her eyes glad to be sure what a silly girl you are to thus my dear said mrs fondly kissing her daughter s forehead but i want to know what makes you pop upon us so unexpectedly i suppose your friends weary already of are come back to the and yet i saw mrs this morning and she never hinted at such an event which i should think would require at least a week s preparation that is to get everything comfortably arranged in the house again do leave mrs and her preparations mother and let us hear what brings back so suddenly something painful has happened i am certain from your pale cheek my darling so tell us at once interposed whose sharp ears had caught the sound of wheels in the adjoining yard and the down of trunks and at this moment mr attracted by the unusual din of voices without appeared at the study window as soon as she perceived her father darted forwards and threw herself into his arms my darling child i what is the meaning of this your sudden return though not the less welcome surely nothing has happened to exclaimed mr come take off your bonnet and let us hear all about it said mrs following her daughter into the room and closing the window who did you travel with my dear i travelled alone mamma replied feeling if she did not look terribly embarrassed alone i and mrs cast a glance on her daughter do not keep us longer in suspense my dear but tell us what brings you so suddenly home again said mr paused for a few moments she knew not how to the subject she dreaded her mother s inquiries besides which was not one of those who endure with a kind of proud silent triumph censure complacent in the contemplation of their injured and she naturally shrunk from the little she felt at liberty to do had poured the whole history into her father s ear and had secured his sanction of her conduct the affair mamma at h she began there are some very painful events connected with my sudden return which i feel sure will greatly rouse your indignation besides the worst part of the business is that i am bound by a solemn promise not to betray those facts which ought and doubtless would set the matter in its proper light paused mrs looked at her husband and her brow slightly contracted i don t understand what you mean replied she sharply if you have got into a scrape and are in possession of the information which will set you right again you cannot be absurd as to talk of such nonsense as solemn promises in an affair of this kind if i might speak a few words first alone with papa i will tell you afterwards dearest mamma everything i feel at liberty to detail and even then i think you will not blame me do not be alarmed dear mamma i i hope nay i feel almost certain that this shadow will prove but a temporary one i will leave you alone with your father if you desire it though i do not see why this ridiculous mystery should be concealed from me exclaimed mrs with rising color i have as great a right to know your concerns as your father mamma if you talk in this way you will break my heart t is not that i wish to conceal anything from you but i have suffered much already to keep my promise and it is your love for me that i dread you would i know suffer no considerations to prevent you making my justification known to lord exclaimed excitedly tears streaming down her cheeks at any rate let me speak with first my dear her principles are such that i feel convinced whatever this affair may be she has acted therein and well therefore why should you increase her sorrow by needless reproach said mr with more energy than was his wont who against the mantel piece attentively regarding his sister here deliberately opened the window and walked away into the garden i will go in a moment mr replied his wife somewhat | 41 |
cooled by the sight of s tears so it is lord you have offended my dear i never could endure tha right of him with his haughty i wish had been far enough off before you had gone there did the earl give you your dismissal no i quitted of my own free will and deed but i am also bound to add lord made no effort to induce me to alter my determination replied one question more before leave you has your sudden return anything to do with sir and mrs fixed her eyes with piercing anxious on her daughter s face not in the least mamma wo parted on most friendly terms replied promptly though a pang shot across her heart as she thought on the probable coldness of his greeting and manner could they now have met well i am glad of that sir with his warm frank disposition is worth fifty fastidious lord i i am sure i pity from the bottom of my heart she could not have done worse had she married colonel now my dear i will leave you your father but make haste for of course i am impatient to learn what i may of this silly mystery you will find me in the and affectionately kissing her daughter s flushed cheek mrs left the room then in a few simple words after binding her father to secrecy related the whole of her adventure with lady and her subsequent interview with the earl listened attentively and at first was disposed to blame lord for unnecessary severity but completely him from any she represented that to a man of the strict notion of propriety her conduct must appear that as he had afforded her every opportunity for self justification and had even urged it on a plea he well might deem she had declined all explanation therefore far from suspecting lady he had every reason for supposing that the of the midnight walk was herself mr at first would not in the force of this argument though he greatly applauded s in preserving lady s secret under the pressure of so heavy a temptation not entering into that refined delicacy of feeling which prompted to quit rather than remain in sir l ton s neighborhood with a on her fair fame mr like most people speaking on the first impulse expressed that she had not appealed to the and justice of e lady to confess at least so as be tp her in the earl s good opinion a so manifest that be felt persuaded however humiliating the task she would at once have complied was not so on this point from lady s agitation a secret conviction arose in her mind that the mystery was one which might require some and self sacrifice to she knew not lady well enough to appreciate her strength of character and self forgetfulness which when another s interest or happiness was concerned induced her to reject every personal consideration long did mr and his daughter discuss and various were their on the motives of lady s conduct felt unspeakable comfort from the approval bestowed on her conduct by her beloved father mr however though he spoke and for s sake whose pale cheek how much she had suffered held out encouraging hope that all might soon be well again felt most profoundly grieved and annoyed at the suspicion resting on his darling and no little tion despite his better judgment at heart against lord for his share in her disgrace though for from entering into his wife s schemes for the establishment of her children mr had allowed himself to dwell with more complacency than his better reason on sir s presumed attachment to and this violent interruption of their intercourse on grounds little creditable to the latter brought a pang than poor who anxiously watched every turn of her father s countenance could divine though mr approved and felt no little pride in his daughter s firm reverence for her word he thought she had carried her heroism far enough and that lady ought now to bear the penalty of her own or accordingly before their long conference ended at her father s desire wrote to lady of all that had passed at since her departure thence concluding with a short though emphatic entreaty that she would devise some method of convincing lord of her innocence mr promised to see this letter safely posted and then hurried to her own room to collect her thoughts and to snatch five minutes repose ere she subjected herself again to her mother s searching mrs having given several very significant signs of impatience by pacing hastily past the study window some four or five times during their conference mr at his daughter s request before proceeding on his errand into the village joined wife on the lawn and after her of bis approbation of s conduct and ber total innocence of anything that could justify ber from left ber in a perfect blaze of wrath against the earl as for never had she cast so melancholy a gaze round her neat comfortable little room as she did now on taking refuge within it not that she sighed after the luxury of the apartment she had so lately inhabited no she not such things but her heart was sad and she wept under the burden of the which had her dearest hope had her been other than lord fancied that she could have borne the trial more what would be sir s course he had as yet po right to ask that explanation of her conduct refused to the e would he then give her up on a suspicion on evidence apparently so bitter and were the doubts and fears which caused poor s tears to flow with a she had never before experienced and she sat absorbed in sorrowful reverie until roused by her mother s | 41 |
voice beneath her window who her to come down immediately involuntarily sighed as she arose and descended to the garden mrs was there walking up and down in a high state of excitement every now and then her feelings by pausing and pouring forth her indignation to who was busily engaged a fanciful border of on the lawn as soon however as he perceived his sister to s infinite delight he left his work and came to meet her and well was it that he did so for her spirits were in no condition to contend with her mother s towering indignation especially when she learned the particulars of her interview with lord very often and successfully interposed a word in his dry abrupt manner which helped her on and diverted mrs s ideas the latter however was not a woman to herself in words when the first explosion of her anger was spent mrs set herself resolutely to consider who was the heroine of the if her daughter were not of which fact she was perfectly convinced that s hopes in sir should not be destroyed by what she termed romantic nonsense and despairing of the truth by fair means never did officer of force set about the discovery of hidden mystery more than mrs she did not alarm her daughter by coming directly lo the point but she doubled she rounded she and put such a host of seem questions that more than once during the evening raised her eyes with a puzzled expression wondering what her mother s drift could possibly be in the first instance suspicions vigorously themselves on but even had not her secret been shaken by the result of s cross examination she would have felt too much ashamed of her doubts to communicate them even to her husband on lady therefore as the only personage besides with whom appeared to be on terms of easy intimacy her suspicion now and she pursued her scrutiny on all around and concerning her with the quick stealthy perseverance of a cat watching a mouse hole eager to on the slightest hint or clue likely to the mystery mrs fervent resolve to the matter was not one when wearied of having her wits so constantly on the qui and willing by any device to divert her mother s attention took the opportunity during a a in the garden to relate to her a great part of what had passed between sir and herself and all lady s kindness mrs listened with the most complacent attention felt that her darling had all but gained the eminence she for her and the idea of losing it for what appeared to her a piece of fine absurd delicacy was intolerable well my dear after what you have told me about sir no one in their senses could believe anything so preposterous and unlikely as lord s accusation most people have their weak points and is certainly one of his so never mind my dear when things get to the worst they must mend depend upon it sir is not so green as to swallow everything his noble friend chooses to thrust down his throat you look terribly worn though my dear i fear you have been keeping late hours since absence perhaps sitting up in your own room as has found another companion for her i suppose lady used to take compassion upon you this is the way young ladies get intimate is it not my dear asked mrs turning the conversation again on lady we used sometimes to have long talks in my room though not often is lady likely to get married do you know it is the thing in the world do you think she has formed any attachment asked mrs indifferently though she paused on the threshold of the door ere she entered the to listen to her daughter s reply did not make any confession to me mamma answered calmly where did you say colonel is now asked mrs once more pausing in the hall i understood at his own house somewhere in the neighborhood of london replied s unexpected return home spread in a few hours over tho village and necessarily caused much comment and gossip mrs her daughter s departure had assumed a kind of oppressed injured tone and manner and professed total ignorance when it would please to return a period of time she supposed so very distant as to be beyond her powers of calculation while it was reported lady had observed to one of her friends that sorry as she should be to lose from yet as her society conferred so much pleasure on lady she trusted that her visit to would extend over many months various therefore were the while to her mother s indignation had to run the of all the village scandal and gossip in the of tho latter miss s talents stood she was the standard all the village came to the which gave a zest to the of their accordingly her of the cause of from were from house to house in varied by comments offensive or as tho parties were or otherwise inclined towards the people who turn up their noses at their equals like and who to associate with lords and ladies must be content to be sent back rolling until they find their own level again at every passing whim and caprice of those they was miss s favorite remark to an whom she met for the two following days after s return her jealous disposition by the presence of s friends the indulged itself in its fullest and there seemed nothing too bad or improbable enough for miss t on returning home from some errand in the village the evening following s arrival at mrs u met miss and as usual stopped to greetings with her this ceremony was no sooner over than miss ia | 41 |
a smooth tone for there was a kind of downright in mrs s attitude which often seriously her began well mrs and so miss is i bear i have been so with business to day or i should have dropped in to congratulate you all for i suppose it can only be her engagement to sir which brings her back so unexpectedly what can have put such an absurdity into your head miss is not engaged nor will she be as yet i trust her society is too precious for us to desire any such thing replied mrs promptly indeed i though to be sure i quite agree with you it will be some time ere can replace who is so very superior to any girl i ever met ith yet fancy my dear friend people were malicious enough to say that you were wild to l ring about a match between your daughter and that empty headed no great match after all for was my invariable comment i am sorry that either you or anybody else should busy themselves about my affairs miss was mrs s sturdy reply unhappily my dear mrs people will talk as long as they have tongues i hope miss left her noble friends well perfectly well i believe miss seemed rather posed however as mrs walked on she leisurely followed fe what account does miss bring of colonel y land what a shocking affair that was to be sure were i lady i should never forgive myself i do not wonder after her that the earl is suspicious and looks with displeasure on any person or thing which can recall past said miss darting a sharp glance at her companion s to see how she bore the i never heard that lord was suspicious miss but you are probably better informed than we are i shall carry this home as a piece of news for well i am glad my favorite has got rid of that ill temper od who was always my especial aversion i must confess however from what i witnessed at the ball i thought he most probably would offer this is a sad age mrs and girls with no other than that of maid of in the old song have a poor chance now a days i suppose who is so unlike everybody else returns with conquest from though like all the world she also i e finds its lord the least amiable or part of her friend s new po i do not understand you miss replied mrs her pace i understand that lord has the most violent temper and people say mind do not mrs that one of the reasons of your daughter s sudden return was a frightful quarrel with her friend s husband excuse me but i think it but a part to give you should you desire it an opportunity of a formal contradiction added miss quickly with a bland smile perhaps you will be good enough to take that office upon yourself miss and oblige me by giving as you express it a formal contradiction to so veiy absurd a report and lord parted on exceedingly courteous terms replied mrs in unmoved tones well i am glad to hear it tis a most difficult thing to detect truth from give my love to i hope all the she associates with at will not teach her to look down on her humble jl friends at said miss an affected i hope not good evening miss said mrs making a very decided pause before her own door good day mrs by the bye give a hint to warn her friend to keep a sharp after mrs several times caught the earl in earnest conversation with her and to my mind she is prettier than her a in time nine mrs and miss that was may feel veiy much indebted to her mother s housekeeper for this piece of information farewell and miss walked away with her peculiar carriage swinging the of her gown round her figure at every step chapter thb remainder of the day on which lady quitted and the succeeding one passed by any incident at no one called and scarce a sound echoed through the narrow lofty of her ancient mansion war court old woods smiling failed now to the smallest enthusiasm in lady s bosom the profound calm appeared to her oat of doors too there reigned that stillness in the elements peculiar to the warm damp atmosphere of early autumn when the tall grass and flowers wave mournfully in the light wind every now and then blowing in short sudden amid the foliage and in the air showers of beautiful leaves nothing so effectually the energies and as extreme lingering suspense for those who have no present hope cannot live and act only for the future cannot all their thoughts and interests as it were in a and lead a passive existence until a more hereafter them to renewed activity so it was with lady since her return home she had almost ceased to struggle with and apprehension which oppressed her and pensive and sad she sat by the window in her favorite room on the terrace gazing on the fading woods and declining beauty of garden her unfinished picture stood near her on its but though she had quitted the breakfast room some hour and a half it still remained untouched and disregarded in mrs indeed rather than be subjected to her sympathy and lady forced herself to put some restraint on her feelings but a sickening dread had taken possession of her mind and her almost of power to he deep noiseless solitude of her home instead of seemed to increase this restless irritation of mind she panted for action for words of sympathy and consolation from one who could enter into doubt | 41 |
which at times almost her reasoning powers under its terrible pressure she thought of of her gentle voice and kindly sympathy and an desire to be better acquainted with one so sensitive and stole over her then again the progress of her reverie led her back to the dark thoughts perpetually haunting her mind the clasp still remained entire in her possession what was now the mystery which mr and what did those dark red on the table of the the remembrance of which made her shudder with horror and disgust with her fair face buried in her hands lady gave herself up to the spell of bitter musing and hot tears dropped one by one from between her quivering fingers on the window seat suddenly she drew the from her bosom and earnestly and curiously examined the letters a scarlet flush ail at and cheeks hurriedly ho tlie drops her eyes and again renewed her examination thus she for moments her breath and st then she hastily arose and with rapid steps paced the room while she was thus occupied mrs entered lady s check still glowed with the rich color which past emotion kindled she paused and averted her head then crossing the room hastily took up again her and advanced and stood beside her well you have made wonderful progress in your picture this morning you must have worked hard since i saw you my dear a smile curled lady s lip besides you are looking so much better too continued why my dear you were white as a sheet at breakfast now you have color in your cheeks and your dear eyes have got rid of that wearied expression you feel better this morning my love do you not lady shook her head and approached the window against which mrs had drawn her chair is it not very strange that we have heard nothing of during these past months said mrs at last after a long pause introducing mr s name first contrary to her usual custom have both seen and heard of him veiy lately replied lady in low accents indeed i declare he comes and like the ghosts in s play of the third where is he now in england but permanently settled here or not is beyond my power to tell then mr still his heartless mystery break with him now by all means my dear depend upon it he is unworthy this suspense is killing you by inches i exclaimed mrs emphatically almost angrily yes a few weeks or perhaps days shall the mystery replied lady in low resolute tones but for an event this knowledge would already have been mrs heaved a profound sigh she fixed her eyes on her companion the other night at were you not to we met mr asked she hesitatingly yes replied lady ber but for some inexplicable reason he did not keep his appointment or else and she shuddered i suppose you heard from enough to lead you to this supposition said my dear that she strongly suspected your arose from exposure to the night air of course i inquired her reason for such a strange assertion and from her reply i gathered sufficient certainty that mr had contrived to with you and you have as yet received no explanation why he did not keep his appointment none replied the lady with glowing but in that decisive tone which indicated that she did not wish the subject pursued mrs grumbled a little and walked several times up and down the room before finally settling herself to work charles has been to the lodge every morning since we left to inquire after you poor fellow i he cannot get over his from your presence he will get over it in time never fear will eventually console him i trust by the bye the letters will be here in half an hour i shall surely hear from her to day poor she and charles might such a very happy pair yes if they both can forget the past rejoined mr gravely did you ever see lord mrs after he left asked lady suddenly after a very long pause during which her had again been laid aside for a restless wander up and down the room i have not seen him for ten let me see no fifteen years sir told me he distinguished himself greatly at college lord must be now seven or eight and twenty years old how time flies to be sure i it seems but yesterday since you were all children playing together on the lawn yonder appears to her brother said lady pursuing the thread of her own meditations it was odd that we never met abroad i have often thought so it is certain lord could not have visited while we were resident there for there never arrived an englishman of any distinction who did not appear at lord s or your own as long as your dear father s health permitted but for this im r my dear i doubt not would have been over here to renew his friendship with you i shall not be surprised if this foolish quarrel makes him a for life i wish you would not indulge in such mrs did not sir tell us that lord is now and able to move from the sofa i hope there will bo a letter from by this day s post continued lady in tones slightly though very slightly irritable while a frown contracted her brow well my dear i hope with all my heart my words may not prove true lady threw herself into a chair near to the window i have never even seen a portrait of lord ton at said she at length lady ton is too much occupied with her and to think of anybody else but i doubt not | 41 |
possesses a portrait of her brother you should ask her my dear that is you desire to see what y ur old is like before you meet lady made no reply and the two sat for some time in silence relieved only by the occasional click of mrs s knitting pins lady s cheek was still flushed every now and then its hue deepened and a strange brilliancy played in and lighted her eyes as she raised them from the ground and then suffered them to again she appeared agitated struggling to repress the thrilling thought threatened to break forth in words despite her efforts but though her lips oft moved almost mrs perceived it not by her hasty glance at lady s face when she first entered the room she sat complacently pursuing her occupation so absorbed in the difficult task of bringing all the crooked parts of her beloved pupil s history to fit and form an harmonious whole that she actually started when a very long interval she heard herself addressed again should you like to go and reside in italy again dear mr was the startling which burst on the old lady s astonished ear italy i bless me my dear i am very comfortable here i what should do in italy rejoined she quickly fixing her spectacles so as to obtain a clear steady gaze into her companion s face because continued lady in tones unmoved longer endure this life of perpetual suspense neither will i live at by a secret which even in tho society of those i love and trust most requires constant painful vigilance over myself not to therefore a month hence unless mj lot is materially altered i am fully determined to leave england you surely cannot seriously contemplate such a e reject i exclaimed mrs aghast how can we possibly e more comfortably or delightfully settled than here mr is also in england my dear what can you be thinking about another interview with will best interpret my thoughts you have so much to interest you in this neighborhood just now there is sir over head and ears in love with miss and that beautiful lady who is evidently playing at cross questions and crooked answers with her noble looking husband you have taken upon yourself to make a marriage between and poor charles how is this to proceed if you go to my dear i should like to know then again you have to renew your acquaintance with young lord suppose we order the carriage after lunch and drive to i think we have behaved very in not showing more interest in lady s as you like replied lady opening the window and strolling out on the terrace that old copy book mystery is odious certainly is one of the wisest of i hate and silly secrets which in nine cases out of ten turn out much about nothing grumbled mrs i dare is one of the or something of that a man but good gracious i who have we here at this early hour exclaimed she suddenly stopping as the hall door bell it might be either lord or to put the nonsense that dear child has just been talking out of her head she never seems to listen to any one else the door opened and lady entered she came forwards hastily and with the kindest of smiles shook the old lady cordially by the hand mrs fancied when it vanished that her face wore a expression i hope lord is well asked she for the contrary to her demand was the only evil mrs imagined could possibly quite i thank you and lady moved towards the whereon daring their laid the letters just arrived by post we were in hopes of seeing lord here to day i wanted to have a little conversation with him about lady she is not well and has just now strolled out on the terrace if your will excuse me a moment i will call her no pray do not mrs to tell you the truth i came hither so early this morning hoping to have a private conference with her so if you will allow me i will take these letters and join her on the terrace said lady quickly for amongst the of lady s detected a character dear to her can she have found ou anything about mr i wonder but what a sweet obliging creature lady is i wonder the earl does not worship her but perfect happiness is not of this world ejaculated mrs as she stood at the window and watched s light step down the terrace at its extreme end was an ornamented wire for gold and silver against this lady stood watching the graceful movements of her she turned her head at the sound of s step and with a smile of welcome advanced to meet her you see i have not only paid you an early visits but have actually taken myself the office of delivering your letters also i found them on the table and with mrs permission have brought them to you as i hope to you to a walk round the garden said the packet of letters after they had exchanged greetings lady s eye glanced over the letters she selected one from the number this one is from i am sure you will excuse my anxiety about her exclaimed she hastily tearing open the envelope as for the remainder of the letters since do not recognize the hand of any of my i suppose they arc not of much import and will serve to while away a solitary hour is lord no better asked anxiously as an expression of sorrow and flitted across lady s brow as she read writes that her brother has had a slight and she fears that the shock to his constitution is | 41 |
greater than was at first imagined he suffers dreadfully from depression of colonel is pronounced out of danger made no reply but the earnest prayer arose on her that even now the memory of the past might be healed and the future yet abound with numerous blessings what is the matter you appear sad as if something had happened since we met said lady after a long pause turning her eyes on the face of her companion as they walked side by side i hope lord is well yes but recently he has had a great deal of annoyance and paused uncertain what next to say i am very grieved to hear it i thought during my recent visit to you that at times he appeared extremely depressed said lady slowly so much so may i go on may i speak now dear without fear of giving you offence go on say what you will replied lady struggling to the emotion these few words produced well then sometimes in my heart i accused you of coldness and affected indifference forgive me if i wronged you when perhaps i imagined that i detected the exquisite pain your occasionally inflicted on lord s proud sensitive heart are you angry no because i acknowledge that lord has had great just cause of complaint replied firmly though her lip trembled to this bitter however the last two days have added increased sorrow and lady turned her large full eyes anxiously on s face what of where is she gone gone where home on account of a serious misunderstanding between lord and herself she quitted yesterday morning early said keenly watching the effect of her communication on her companion what misunderstanding speak i you exclaimed lady vehemently the last evening we together at lord instead of retiring after the party broke up went out to walk when he met an individual closely muffled in a large cloak wandering in the who apparently did not see him bat whom he followed for some distance across the park until he saw him leave it by the gate near the the earl when he to the house retired a in to the library the windows of which you may not know command the balcony f s room and presently he saw her descend the steps leading into the garden and in like manner return to her room again after an absence of an hour or more these two circumstances combined you may conceive to fix an injurious suspicion against poor and what is more one of the the following morning picked up on the walk a large that lord had given to her but a few days previously paused and turned away her head for her lips trembled with agitation and yet she felt that she was only her duty by lady was silent and when ventured to raise her eyes to her face it was pale as the marble tell me all when was accused did she not assert prove her innocence demanded she at length no she firmly refused the slightest explanation or reply to the inquiry lor thought it his duty to make s resolution was on this point and as the earl would not or could not after what he had witnessed express his belief in her integrity she preferred leaving altogether in spite however of her strange refusal to make any statement i cannot believe guilty of the towards sir of which lord is so convinced and indignant and if after all her innocence can be made manifest by the simple explanation she refuses think what it must c st her for i believe her to be truly and sincerely attached to sir and this i fear as it remains must lead to their inevitable separation lady leaned against the low wall of the terrace her lips moved but no words were audible for a few minutes stood silently by her side shocked at the emotion her statement had produced but yet the more confirmed in her belief of s innocence and in her resolution not to allow her to be sacrificed the whole affair appears to me so strange and improbable unlike anything that could spring from any circumstance in s life that i determined to seek your advice and counsel hoping as you were her latest companion on that unfortunate evening you might probably prove a greater than she is willing to be to herself and perhaps afford me some clue to this very inexplicable mystery lady withdrew her hands from her face and a keen glance on lady ton me she lady made no reply how do you know that i was the last person in i society forgive me dear if in my keen anxiety to clear my friend i resorted to otherwise told my maid that you had dismissed her without h r services on that evening as you intended to spend some time longer with miss in her room than you wished to keep her up this i from again lady s agitation became silently grasped her hand it was cold and lady at length said see speaking in tones bu k though firm you are right i can clear your friend with her noble truth and forbearance shall not be sacrificed neither shall sir when too late have reason to the hour when my destiny cast its shadow over his yes to day shall be completely even at a cost the bitterness of which none can comprehend i will see lord at once and she turned away to hide the tears which now flowed down her cheeks s heart at the sight of the grief apparent oo lady s beautiful face she knew what that unutterable anguish is which and fills the soul with terrors tender and gentle are the words and sympathy of those who themselves have been tried by affliction with pitying therefore looked | 41 |
on lady s sorrow and her arm round her friend s waist said gently dearest may i not know this secret is there nothing i can do nothing only i thank you for this opportunity of doing justice the sooner the ordeal is over the better i will go immediately to but not with you for i need composure and strength for the revelation i have to make said she hurriedly why did not at once appeal to me i would instantly have her she has now done so doubtless t recognized her handwriting in the address of one of the letters the post brought you just now could not i am sure distrust for an instant your generosity said gently and soothingly in a second the letters were again in lady s hand and soon swift tears fell as she s forcible though simple appeal there was also another letter from mrs who for the liberty acknowledged by dint of inquiry she had at length surprised her daughter into the admission that her was the last person with whom she had on that memorable evening and therefore she presumed to request lady would correct any false impression on lord s mind by that remained in her room up to the hour when her took leave for the night poor i how she must have suffered i despair of ever being able sufficiently to express my gratitude fi r her generous oh to think that stranger as i am to them i have plunged her family into this deep affliction tell me does sir know of s apparent disgrace asked lady eagerly i left sir with lord when i set out hither i unwilling to add one needless pang to what her friend already suffered did you not see him also had you not one word for yes i sir to have patience and i bade him hope lord conceived it to be his duty to explain fully the reasons of s absence but dear he added no comment of his own lady paused the shade on her brow darkened your words appear to indicate that your husband would be severe said she at length you know lord s strict standard dear appeal s guilty of so treacherous a deed that i fear his indignation is strongly kindled though most he has to speak of it in my presence is sir s faith shaken does he love too well to believe aught but on the fullest most positive asked lady as she turned towards the house sir would have set off for grey on instantly but at mj request my urgent entreaty he consented to delay his journey until to night or to morrow at latest he cannot you know the positive statement but he himself thai will yield to his entreaty his love and explain to him alone her mysterious absence but how ill you appear i lady in alarm observing that the oa i j s cheek looked if possible more settled and ad that scarce a tinge of color shone in her lips it is nothing a water will speedily revive me dear farewell i spend the next half alone tell lord i wish to to him j on business an or so hence but as love me hint not to him its purport is worthy of your friendship she shall esteem me also and when she knows all she will see i can her noble courage she never doubted it believe me dear shall i see you at no my interview to day must only be with lord replied lady as she hurriedly entered tbe room y stood silently on the terrace for a few and then not feeling disposed for another with mm walked to the front of the where her carriage was waiting and drove immediately homeward glad and fervent were s feelings at having s rescue lady then after all was the heroine of the midnight and for whom but for some one who possessed her love could she have risked so much abashed ashamed of her former suspicions yet at the same time a thrill of joy shot through her heart could it be that her husband had never loved other than herself that her caprice and coldness his heart had remained constant to her and daily mourned her she thought of the many solitary hours she had suffered him to spend alone under the impression of her dislike and and contrasted her own conduct with his desire to afford her every gratification his forbearance and indulgence of all her and tears sprang to her eyes as she mused on the past that past often to all with keen of actions done of words spoken beyond the power of recall but the future might it not have some compensation in store for both she felt that the perfect confidence and devotion which the earl demanded and from which she shrank while by her doubts during the early days of her marriage would now be her highest bliss but how could she assume that privilege so long rejected lord neither during their nor since their union had spoken to her of love but yet a v be whispered that she was infinitely dear to him would he told her so would he have asked her love on that evening after their return from the when she broke away from him so abruptly in this train of thought looked round with surprise when the carriage stopped at the door of bee home her first impulse on was to seek husband and deliver lady s message accordingly she proceeded to the library lord was writing intently and did not turn his head when the door opened advanced and lightly laid her hand on his shoulder he looked up and smiled you have been taking an early drive or walk this | 41 |
morning i have been to lady has an affair of importance to consult you upon and will be hero in about half an hour i came to tell you that you might not be absent but now my errand is accomplished i think i had better say farewell for you appear overwhelmed with business this morning said she glancing half at the table which was covered with papers no you do not interrupt me what does lady wish to consult me about she begged me not to give you the slightest hint though indeed i know so little of her proposed confidence that the was almost unnecessary rejoined hastily can i not be of any use to you lord in the arrangement or despatch of these letters it would make me so very happy this was the first time that had sought to identify herself in his occupation the earl looked up surprised at her softened manner and tone her hand lightly rested on his shoulder as she still stood by the table may i put on that heap of letters asked she hastily throwing aside her bonnet certainly if it will afford you any amusement replied lord laughing and drawing a chair to the table my long interview this morning with poor bay n ton has thrown me back all these letters ought to have been ready for the post glanced at her husband she thought he looked pale and all present sympathy for the friend whom she had so effectually served vanished she thought only of him had she done kindly and well in letting him deal thus sternly though justly according to the aspect in which he alone could view s case without one word of sympathy from her lips and she his wife lord at length began she while tears rose in her eyes do not think me insensible to the anxiety you must have about this affair of s i have never to you on the subject because i did not know whether it slight not be to you but you have performed a painful duty in a way my heart thanks you for at length then jou render me justice even at the of your friend li id i known as little of character as you do i h have acted precisely in a similar manner lord made no reply but continued writing when she had finished her self imposed task watched his her beautiful lips were slightly parted and her hair disordered by her bonnet drooped in masses of over her ch ck to which a had imparted on unwonted bloom presently the earl down his pen their eyes met she smiled one of her brightest smiles lord glanced from her beautiful face to the sheet before him some unusual emotion seemed to him he turned again towards her and met the same sweet earnest gaze said he at length in a voice which slightly faltered from its usual tone of manly decision i cannot do this thing that i have firmly resolved unknown to you bead and he took the letter from the writing case before him and laid it down beside her in a moment lady understood all he was going to leave her she did not reply in her efforts to realize t with the terrible fear the blood seemed to from her heart and for a moment she sat with features pale and rigid her eyes bent steadily to the ground his voice roused her come at last you are going going to leave me murmured she in faltering accents and her head sank on her folded hands at this moment a servant announced the lady lady started and then hastily quitted the room chapter immediately entered her veil was drawn before her face she paused and glanced round the room tt lady quickly passed and walked slowly forwards to meet tho earl i am sorry you have had the trouble of coming hither why did you not summon me to said lord kindly taking her hand and leading her to a chair has not given you then the slightest intimation of the purport of my visit asked lady in a low unsteady voice flinging back her veil lord looked earnestly at her what has happened something it must be indeed to make you look and speak thus you came to seek my advice tell me then the plain facts of the case and command my services to the exclaimed the earl rising and approaching lady again not a shade of color ve life to her beautiful face and a mist the eyes which a little time ago sparkled in their own sunny light for a moment lady covered her with her hands the earl gazed at her in surprise you alarm me seriously what can you possibly have to consult me upon capable of producing this agitation compose yourself we have known each other too well and too long to feel embarrassment in saying anything we deem necessary to communicate ana you are the very last person in the world i should dream of having a scene with nor shall you be disappointed are we quite secure against interruption said lady glancing round the room quite sure but if you please i will desire myself to be denied to every one said the earl laying his hand on the bell lady hastily arrested his arm no do not summon any one here do not ring i you as you will now let me at once be informed of this affair which causes you so much uneasiness rejoined very kindly taking a seat near her you have all along had the highest opinion of my truth and integrity and believed me sincere in the unlimited confidence i expressed in your friendship lord what will you say if you find that i have been deceiving you and while making this profession have kept | 41 |
back something which would greatly wholly have changed our positions you must assume an utterly improbable circumstance three months after lord s you became of age and consequently from your own mistress in all things what could it have availed you therefore to deceive me during this short period lady shook her head and a slight passed over her you little imagined lord that the result of your late most kind welcome to me here would you with perplexity and not you alone but also the fame and happiness of one of your guests resumed she with as much firmness as she could command though her voice at last sank into an almost whisper you speak in lady i am quite at a loss to divine to what you possibly can allude i know of no perplexity from your visit on the contrary it has afford us many pleasant reminiscences rejoined lord fixing a sharp gaze on her face i have heard for the first time this morning from lady ford the suspicion under which labors and which led to her leaving your house lady paused drops stood on her brow how shall i say it can you not guess lord did not do that of which she is accused she is perfectly innocent exclaimed lady starting her chair and pacing up and down the room rd looked amazed and if it were not miss whom i beheld return the garden who then was it asked he at length slowly and calmly after a long silence lady paused then slowly advancing she stood before the earl and withdrawing her hands from her face said steadily and distinctly it was i lord ii you lady i you who can receive visits when and from whom you will at impossible that you can have descended to anything so disgraceful as a meeting at midnight in my grounds i exclaimed lord in indignant amazement a vivid flush spread over lady s face and neck and then again still she stood before the earl as if rooted to the spot i took s most sacred word to keep my secret nobly has she performed her promise lord and thus i her from every of blame she knew not my errand she knows it not now all she has learned is from your own lips the communication which rendered my subsequent act requisite reached me when we were together in her room i will add that if argument or entreaty could have availed to divert me from my design s would have done so she pleaded and showed as strong an of what i meditated yon could do my lord without thinking of the suspicion i might upon her clad in her cloak and bonnet i left her room by the balcony and regained it the same way sacrificed herself to hide my disgrace her only my lord in the affair is that she has suffered with me an hour ago i should have deemed it utterly impossible such an could proceed from your lips nor can i express the feelings of indignant surprise and grief with which i now hear it fear i do ample justice to miss said the earl with emotion but continued he earnestly surely this bare of miss is not all i am to learn of this grievous ir i think with what sorrow and consternation your father would have heard such a confession from your lips in the name of our ancient friendship do not give me the pain of seeing you persist in a degrading which no circumstances can justify you stand almost alone in the world and your father by to me the sole management of your concerns seemed to indicate his desire that as far as possible i should replace his loss and act in all things as your brother i you then disappoint not his wishes lord you shall hear all all yet what will you say when my folly becomes fully revealed exclaimed i y was not aware that you had formed any engagement any attachment abroad in short who was person you condescended to meet she struggled for composure and for a brief space excitement kindled again the beautiful hues of health on her face large tears clung to her dark as they drooped on her cheek and she half turned aside her head did you ever meet mr lord said she in a voice scarce raised above a whisper so were its tones yes mr then was the person for whom you made this sacrifice lady silently bent her head in the first place who is mr and if he has been so fortunate as to obtain your affection why does he not come forward and your hand if indeed he has the slightest to do so demanded lord with clouded brow again the blood to lady s cheek my father loved lord and a few weeks before his death gave his assent to oar union on tain conditions for some reason unknown to me at the present moment mr chose to conceal his position and circumstances in ufe when we quitted italy after the lapse of some months he was to visit us at where he promised every thing should be explained but she paused her utterance which had been rapid and nervous seemed all at once to fail her tour father s death but since then has mr proved himself worthy of the prize to which he dared by faithfully to his promised he has as yet told me nothing but that he will do so i have not the smallest doubt did you know l r neither would you harbor suspicion of his faith my lord a smile curled the earl s lip nearly a year has elapsed since lord s death and you talk to me of confidence in a man who aware of your isolated position can keep | 41 |
you in this state of suspense i nay and by his evil influence dares subject you lady to alike to your character and station i you hesitate to this man who under the powerful of love and doubtless of ambition also yet dares not himself who you are lady that in you centre the honors of and will you venture to bestow them upon an individual who appears not even to have an honest name to boast of lady s eyes were on the earl when he ceased speaking her lips were firmly tightly compressed i have no longer the power to follow your advice murmured she can you acknowledge such weakness can you such mental bondage this man so much beneath you as to be compelled to resort to to obtain into the same society as yourself this mr refer him to me lord you know not all yet you refuse to to mr one virtue i know him to be true faithful honorable i i dare tell you that now which will not only prove how deeply rooted is my trust but that i have also dared act upon this conviction exclaimed lady and in a low rapid tone she commenced with minute accuracy tiie of every incident which had occurred at b averted head and cheek of lady proceeded bat her there was a late in her a kind of determined in her narrative which the attention despite her efforts a few tears occasionally gathered in her eyes bat she dashed them away and when all was told she stood pale and lord was pacing to and fro at times to listen more attentively but not once did he her narrative for many minutes after its conclusion he remained silent the stillness at length became intolerable to her excited feelings lord speak to me me anything better than this silence are yon not shocked astonished exclaimed lady in a voice of passionate and she advanced and touched his arm well may you thus be overpowered lady at the recital you volunteered said the earl as he gazed on her pale cheek and quivering lip ton you who were after one other my ideal of all that is perfect in woman have you been thus betrayed by passion to disregard your honor to disgrace year noble name to be persuaded by the ar ul devices of a villain to deceive your friends and all who have your interest at heart not content with thus you have moreover accepted during the past eight months the degrading position of this person s wife can you hear from my lips this statement of what you have done without shrinking from yourself in horror and remorse lady started to her feet her eyes flashed no lord no i have only done what my heart and conscience approve save in the single instance of concealing this one thing from you who by my father s will and my own consent are entitled to my confidence t is the consciousness of thus having which alone brings me before you overwhelmed with confusion my love and faith are s till he chooses to explain all that appears mysterious in his conduct i am content to wait firmly convinced all will finally be well lord my father mr s suit my love has given already that faith which eventually he had the right to claim therefore not even from your lips my lord will i u n to words such as those you have just and you suppose i shall be as regardless of my duty to you as you have been r towards yourself asked the bad calmly and resolutely her breath came quick and fc and ber lips trembled with passionate excitement ton can do no more than myself my lord my duty is to await mr s pleasure replied she proudly and is to save you to save you firom the dreadful consequences of your to save you from the art ful of a man who by your youth and in the terrors of a has shown himself alike and unworthy with feelings of the deepest and most learn lady that your marriage at is you were not of age until three or four months after it was contracted therefore without my formal consent as your guardian you could not bestow your band this very day ay this very hour i will the necessary proceedings for its dissolution exclaimed lord moving towards the table upon which his writing materials stood for a moment she seemed stunned but i do not desire it i will never never consent cried she at length vehemently consider what you are about to do lord i certainly lady replied the earl calmly dipping the pen into the ink and holding it suspended over the paper before him i protest against this most act if indeed you possess the power you assert it is my own will to be s wife and i solemnly declare never will i give myself to another do your worst lord it will only afford me opportunity again of my love and confidence exclaimed she approaching him and speaking in a voice tremulous with emotion and excitement after i have performed my duty you must please yourself lady if after past experience and upon reflection you deliberately place yourself again in this man s power on your own head then will rest the responsibility and consequence of your deed replied the earl she saw that violence and reproaches were lost upon him she had to contend with a spirit strong and as her own silently she stood by his side watching the rapid strokes of lis pen over the paper lord what is it you are about to do asked lady at length in low murmuring accents placing her hand on his so as to arrest the movements of the pen this letter is to sir james the eminent bim | 41 |
not now discuss my reasons suffice it i shall go er immediately in a moment lady became pale as it is impossible if it should not be so my lord faltered she then the visit i owe my neighbor lord will be paid that is all compose as you say i see veiy little probability that my mission will prove a successful one nevertheless my duty requires that nothing should be omitted likely to the mystery i have not much hope inasmuch that such reckless as yours has been is seldom rewarded by so happy an issue you will this to me continued lord taking the clasp om the table do now i entreat lord urge this i have given mr my sacred word that our secret remain grant me still the delay of a few days exclaimed lady not a day your firmness your courage you have placed this affair in my hands and i will pursue it let me now lead you to your carriage or will you remain with lady until i return no let me go home replied she faintly you will see me this evening then at and dear as thi is the first hot we have had so may it also be the last between us if this mission to fails will you have patience will you deal more than you threaten my lord asked lady pausing at the door and raising her eyes with a expression to his no lady i will not one from the purpose you have just now heard me declare lady hurriedly withdrew her hand which the earl had taken she fancied a shade of reproach across his brow she instantly replaced her hand in his no we will not part thus lord i know you to be the kindest truest best friend i have forgive me any harsh word which in my distress may have passed my lips what you are about to do i know is right but there are that the heart to dwell upon such a one is mine can you pardon me and lady raised her noble head and her clear truthful eyes upon him i knew in a calmer moment your justice would render me such a tribute i thank you replied lord with emotion do not either let one lower me forever in your esteem or the friendship of years lord rejoined she anxiously on one condition only that you are no more and will place yourself under my guidance throughout this affair replied the earl in a lighter tone as he led her to her carriage i shall expect you at this evening without fail whether your tidings be good or bad said lady with rising color as she took her seat without fail i dare not bid you hope she smiled sadly and shook her head and miss hear from me of her complete knight i blow this at any rate will afford you chapter as soon as lady had taken her departure lord gave orders for his carriage to be brought round immediately he then returned to the and wrote a few lines to as he sealed the note the clock struck one and ten minutes afterwards the earl was on his road to which he reached after a rapid drive of two hours miss and her brother were out walking but lord was informed that they not likely to have strolled far from the house as for several days past had not been well enough to venture out of doors the room into which the earl was ushered evidently was that where the brother and sister had spent the morning together a bright fire blazed in the grate and the faint afternoon sun poured its beams through the window near which stood miss s work table at some little distance from the fire was a couch arranged as for an invalid with piles of cushions books were scattered around in every direction and on a small stand near the sofa lay an open of sketches the draught of air between the open window and the door as the earl entered several of these drawings from the stand to the floor this attracted s attention and after a time he approached the and leisurely turned over its contents consisting chiefly of sketches of italian scenery drawn with skill and effect and which recalled to the earl s memory many an old familiar landscape next came spirited groups of and in their picturesque and then the appeared to have aimed at a higher style of art and endeavored to the noble features and forms of italian beauty one lovely face and figure which seemed strangely familiar to lord was repeatedly in every of attitude and fanciful variety of costume sometimes under the magnificence of a now in the classic attire of a greek peasant girl then in the simple garb of an english maiden in tlie artist appeared to have been fairly with tiie charms of the beautiful original lord still held in his hand the most finished of these portraits miss returned from her walk she entered the room alone and though slightly surprised at seeing the earl gave him the most cordial welcome will be here in a few minutes i think you do not know my brother lord by comparing notes i believe we may find it possible that we met at a year ago replied the earl are these sketches your brother s miss yes are they not beautiful but do you not see an extraordinary likeness to in this greek peasant girl whom has amused himself in drawing in every variety of attitude and costume really might have sat to him for her portrait it is so very good a likeness that i thought and still think it can only be intended for lady replied the earl look puzzled but and have never met lately and it is quite impossible he | 41 |
can have this portrait from childish recollections quite but miss are you positive th y have never met if i am right in that i once saw lord at must have done so likewise as she was then visiting her aunt madame de rejoined the earl with a smile do you know under what circumstances your brother drew this very striking likeness of lady gazed very earnestly in the earl s face lord repeated his question i remember asking who the original of this portrait was and i think he replied that she was a lady he with somewhere in france she must have been very to have attracted him so greatly but what an odd idea it is of yours lord to think saw his old without making himself known or that she could have heard his name mentioned in her presence without recalling a multitude of reminiscences which must have led to much friendly intercourse indeed told me a few weeks ago that she never met my brother rejoined smiling at warmth with which she found herself the earl s doubts if it be as i suspect neither lady nor myself knew your brother as lord miss raised her clear eyes with a most bewildered expression what can you mean lord why should my brother resort to of any kind especially towards and yourself let me look again at the sketch lord still held the portrait in his hand miss and stood by him at the window what do these mean miss asked lord pointing to a few hastily scratched half letters in one comer of uie again raised her eyes involuntarily a merry smile played her i rather suspect those pencil strokes for ae letters of his christian and but what extraordinary idea have you got in your head lord replied she as as she could i really wish would come and answer for i have yet to ask after your brother s health miss said the earl highly amused at s puzzled looks oh he is much better again to day about or four days ago he had a most serious the wound opened again and caused him for some time intense suffering s chief now is nervous depression of spirits replied gravely can you account at all miss for your brother s asked lord not at all the evening before dear seemed more than usually well and even talked of paying sir an early visit you may imagine my dismay and distress when early the following morning my maid roused me with the painful intelligence and thirst for action i suppose invariably accompany after an illness such as s else i should say there is something very peculiar in his fitful for change do you think the fair original of this portrait has anything to do with your brother s desire for renewed energy and health asked the earl smiling looked astonished at the question does not contemplate going abroad again at present i believe i replied she seriously indeed as an instance miss of the varied impulses by which different people are swayed only this morning threatened to break up her establishment and depart to the continent e and miss her needle in the delicate piece of in her hand laid it down on the work table and gazed at her companion in the utmost amazement yes you miss her most intimate friend often have remarked with pain the settled melancholy which on lady s spirits all her appears subdued have you never observed this often lord but i always ascribed it to to and she paused to what miss to sorrow and fallen upon her lord which acting on a mind more than usually sensitive have produced such a degree of nervous depression as time alone can heal there is something more than this lady has strong a mind and too keen a sense of her duties to indulge in vague of past poor i but what has happened lord since i have been from home surely her intention of england is not seriously taken asked with anxiety she will not leave home if i have any influence over her miss but i believe her decision will greatly depend on the result of my visit here to day lord what can you mean have you any message from dear for me pray tell me really if your visit here has any especial object as your manner would imply said miss earnestly i shall from henceforth attribute some mysterious influence to the sunny of italy as both and your brother return home suffering from extraordinary depression of spirits replied the earl her did lord travel with any friend in italy miss his old mr was i believe his companion the greater part of the period he spent abroad i cannot imagine what can have aroused this suspicion of yours lord yet t is very like one of dear s to amuse himself with concealing his true name and rank to test what kind of reception people would give him i exclaimed lord will be happy to see your in the library said a servant at the moment entering the room as soon as the door closed again cast a quick glance on the earl her color came and flitted away lord it is vain to conceal it you are here on errand your whole conversation with me has an said she rapidly satisfy i you my anxiety on one point before you go what name do you suppose mj brother took abroad that of but from lord i trust to hear much more of this gentleman could it be possible that paused the color rushed to her cheek lord smiled and left the room for some minutes miss stood motionless where the earl left her in utter bewilderment her mind resolved first one and another of the strange doubts raised by her conversation with him and | 41 |
compared them with what she had herself observed in lady s conduct the whole when united by her active imagination afforded proof so evident of her secret hope that involuntarily conviction flashed home she clasped her hands and wept and laughed by turns in the very fulness of her heart s joy what she had so desired was now unexpectedly accomplished and forgetful of her own grief s imagination for a while in the future happiness of her loved brother and her friend that lord and lady had met before and that under his assumed name her brother had succeeded in gaining her friend s affection and perhaps the promise of her hand felt not the smallest doubt yet that some mystery clouded this easy solution was no less evident what did the earl s visit and why on lord s arrival in england had he not at once claimed lady s hand tears of affection and sorrow then poured down s cheeks when she thought on all her brother had lately risked for her sake of the present happiness he had disregarded to and her cause and she shuddered at the amount of misery colonel s might have after wandering for some time up and down the room at length sank into a chair and sat with the impatience of a child eagerly watching the hands of the clock then she arose and opening the door listened for a second or two on the stairs all however was tranquil the earl and her brother were still another brief space and the door opened s heart as she listened to the echo of a swift footstep on the staircase she arose lord entered and soon she threw herself into her brother s arms for a glance told her his errand was a joyful one why you silly child why do you weep said lord kissing her cheek for joy is it then that you and have met and that you love dear dear what happiness i is mine i have won her without rank title without one apparent she is mine faithfully mine i exclaimed he but i do not understand are you actually tell me all quickly dear rejoined raising her head i what will you say when you learn that is already my wife i you can but jest replied miss rapidly yet there was a something in her s earnest tone and manner which made her heart with expectation and surprise loved me so well that for my sake she all judging me by the truthful integrity of her own pure spirit she believed my word when i told her that no degradation under my refusal to reveal my position in life therefore yielding to my passionate entreaty before she quitted france she became my wife would that i had worlds to lay at her feet in return for her noble devotion i i do not yet comprehend tell me in the first place dear why you travelled under an assumed name and what induced you to conceal yourself from you remember that lamentable affair of s perfectly but what has that to do with your strange in disguise on the continent asked thoughtfully much but for i may now reveal the only secret i have ever from you my darling sister and that only because it was not mine to confide lord then facts relative to her cousin s career which filled with sorrow and indignation it appeared that mr had been in the habit of lord s signature to on his for small sums which for some time met with prompt payment as for long no suspicion of dealing was excited by continued mr at length ventured on the desperate measure of drawing on his cousin s credit to the amount of a thousand pounds to his gambling debt startled at the sum or perhaps some trifling in the the check was and the of the bank wrote to lord ton stating its date and the cause of their suspicion and asking for fuller confirmation unfortunately for mr it was at once by lord who notwithstanding his cousin s former still retained too high an opinion of his honor and to suspect him of so a crime the consequence however of this denial on lord i p ton s part was that at once a warrant was procured for mr s arrest for and beyond measure at the audacity as well as the amount of the attempted fraud added to the sums already the bank refused to hush up the affair though lord grieved and concerned expression hastened up to town immediately on being made acquainted with the painful truth in the hope of staying proceedings his letter the remained in the hands and this they firmly refused to and no availed to induce them to the ir or to alter their resolution respecting it proceedings were instantly commenced and mr s conviction seemed inevitable one chance and but one chance remained to save from the consequences of his deed lord s presence an j evidence in court were indispensable to swear to the f and failing this it was hinted to him that probably the case could not satisfactorily be proved against the prisoner without the loss of an h ir therefore after a last and unsuccessful interview with the lord determined at cost to save his unhappy relative and knowing that measures be forthwith adopted to compel his attendance before the on the following morning went on board a packet just about to sail for and at once proceeded on a long projected tour through italy in order to prevent any annoyance or useless efforts to enforce his return lord dropped his title and assumed instead the of meanwhile the letter in the hands though it indirectly proved mr s guilt was not in itself considered sufficient evidence to him and as the most important point the proving of the | 41 |
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