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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Mystery and Confidence (Vol. 1 of 3), by
+Elizabeth Pinchard
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Mystery and Confidence (Vol. 1 of 3)
+       A Tale
+
+Author: Elizabeth Pinchard
+
+Release Date: January 13, 2011 [EBook #34932]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYSTERY AND CONFIDENCE (VOL. ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Mark C. Orton, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                        MYSTERY AND CONFIDENCE:
+
+                              _A TALE._
+
+                        BY ELIZABETH PINCHARD.
+
+                          IN THREE VOLUMES.
+
+                               VOL. I.
+
+
+    LONDON:
+    PRINTED FOR HENRY COLBURN,
+    PUBLIC LIBRARY, CONDUIT-STREET, HANOVER-SQUARE,
+    AND SOLD BY GEORGE GOLDIE, EDINBURGH,
+    AND JOHN CUMMING, DUBLIN.
+
+    1814.
+
+    B. CLARKE, Printer, Well-Street, London.
+
+
+
+
+ADVERTISEMENT.
+
+
+It having been suggested to the Author of the following Tale, that its
+principal event may perhaps be thought somewhat too romantic and
+improbable, she begs to observe, that it is founded upon a fact well
+known, and not so long past as not to be in the recollection of many
+persons now alive, and particularly those in the higher circles.
+
+
+
+
+MYSTERY
+
+AND
+
+CONFIDENCE.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. I.
+
+    Due westward, fronting to the green,
+    A rural portico was seen,
+    Where Ellen's hand had taught to twine
+    The ivy and Idean vine;
+    The clematis, the favor'd flow'r,
+    Which boasts the name of virgin's bow'r.
+
+    LADY OF THE LAKE.
+
+
+At the foot of one of the most romantic mountains in North Wales, about
+a mile from the coast of Carnarvonshire, stands the little village of
+Llanwyllan: there, amongst trees which seemed coeval with the dwelling,
+was a very large farm-house, the residence of Farmer Powis. Its high
+chimneys, and neatly white-washed walls, rendered it a pleasing object
+to those who travelled on the high-road, about a mile off, which led to
+the next market-town, if high-road that might be called which merely
+served to facilitate the journies of the neighbouring farmers' wives to
+market and back again, or those of the curate, who served the churches
+in the immediate vicinity. The hand of native taste had removed a few
+branches from the immense trees which shaded this rural dwelling, and by
+that means afforded to the inhabitants a view of the road, the spire of
+the village church, and two or three natural rills of water, which,
+falling from the adjacent hills, increased the beauty of the scene. At
+this dwelling a traveller arrived on the evening of a day which had been
+intensely hot, in the summer of 18--: the dust which covered his shoes,
+and almost concealed the colour of his coat, declared him a pedestrian;
+probably, therefore, of inferior rank; yet, under the shade which
+fatigue had thrown over his features, might be discerned a fine and
+interesting countenance; and when at the door of the farm-house, where
+Powis sat inhaling the mixed fumes of his evening pipe, and the
+fragrance of a fine honeysuckle which entwined around the porch, he
+inquired the nearest way to----, the tones of his voice, and the
+fineness of his accent, would, to a practised ear, have proclaimed a man
+who had mixed with the higher orders of society: to Powis, however, they
+conveyed no idea but that the traveller was weary and spoke with
+civility; and either would have demanded from him civility, nay,
+kindness in return: he rose therefore from his seat, and pushing aside
+his little table, made room for the stranger, and requested him to be
+seated. The stranger thankfully complied, and taking off his hat, wiped
+the dust from his face, and shewed a fine forehead and eyes, whose
+brilliant rays seemed more obscured by sorrow than by time, though he
+appeared to be about five-and-thirty. While the farmer went into the
+house to order some refreshment for his weary guest, the stranger turned
+his eyes, and saw with surprise that every thing about him bore the
+marks of taste; of taste not indeed highly refined, but simple, natural,
+and delicate: every tree round the spot on which he sat was intertwined
+with woodbines, clematis, and the wild hop; and the long shoots of all
+were carried from tree to tree, forming festoons of exquisite grace and
+beauty. At the foot of each tree a space had been cleared and filled
+with fragrant plants, whose culture requires little trouble.
+Mignionette, roses, pinks, and carnations, perfumed the air, while the
+too powerful seringa was only suffered to rise at a considerable
+distance, whence its odour came occasionally wafted by the evening
+breeze, and (if the expression may be allowed) harmonized well with the
+softer scents in the immediate vicinity of the dwelling. A variety of
+birds in the adjacent orchard and fields yet poured their mingled songs,
+which, as the sun declined gradually, sunk into a softer strain, and
+soon all was hushed into repose. In the meantime the table was spread
+with a neat cloth, cold meat, brown bread, some fresh-gathered fruit,
+cream, ale, and home-made wine; each excellent in its kind.
+
+The farmer had not asked his guest to "_take some refreshment_," the
+phrase being probably unknown to him, but with genuine hospitality,
+seeing he was fatigued, concluded it would be acceptable, and pressed
+him to partake of what was set before them; then calling to the servant
+girl, who had spread the table, he said something to her in Welsh, which
+she answered in the same language. "That is unlucky," said Powis: "my
+daughter, Sir, is absent just now; she is gone to the curate's, the only
+house in the neighbourhood she likes to visit at; indeed, she has reason
+to like it, for Mrs. Ross has taught Ellen to sew and to read, and be a
+tolerable housewife, ever since my poor wife died, which happened when
+Ellen was a little child; and she looks upon Mrs. Ross as her mother,
+and Joanna Ross, who is nearly her own age, as her sister: they are good
+companions for each other, and good girls both, I assure you: however,
+we will not wait, for perhaps Ellen may not be at home this half hour or
+more." "I fear," said the stranger, "I have induced you to hasten your
+meal, and perhaps----" "Not at all, not at all," interrupted Powis.
+"Ellen can eat her fruit and milk at any time, or perhaps will partake
+of our good parson's supper; never mind her." "You are indeed very kind;
+but I fear it grows late. How far have I to walk to the little inn where
+you said I might procure a bed?" "About half a mile: but the moon is
+rising, and one of my boys shall shew you the way: you may be sure of a
+bed; they have two to spare; both clean and decent, though plain and
+homely; and we have few travellers in these parts."
+
+Some more conversation passed, and then, the stranger having eaten as
+much as he liked, and withstood an earnest solicitation to eat a great
+deal more, rose to depart. The boy was called, and the charge given to
+him in Welsh to recommend the stranger to the best attentions of
+neighbour Jones, at the sign of the Prince of Wales; being explained to
+the traveller in English, he took his leave.
+
+In the course of the conversation which passed between them, the
+stranger told Powis that he was travelling merely for amusement, and
+preferred walking to any other mode of conveyance, as affording him
+better opportunities of exploring the romantic scenery with which Wales
+abounds; but this the farmer imagined was the language of a man, who,
+although he was poor, did not wish to be thought so. He said he was so
+much pleased with what he had seen of the country round Llanwyllan, that
+it was his intention to remain there a few days, if he found tolerable
+accommodations at the inn; and Powis gave him a pressing invitation to
+rest whenever he pleased at his house, and to partake of his dinner or
+supper; for in that retired spot, where fraud and deceit were almost
+unknown, suspicion was equally a stranger, nor arose to check that frank
+hospitality man should naturally afford to man. The stranger said he had
+left his portmanteau at Carnarvon, and should send a man to fetch it the
+next day, if he determined on remaining at the village. Powis mentioned
+several points of view which he said were thought fine, though he
+professed not to understand the business much.
+
+As the stranger, with his little Welsh guide, passed through the trees
+which grew round the house, just where the shadow was deepest, he
+discerned the flutter of the white or light-coloured garments of two
+girls, and heard youthful voices in chat, and laughing; yet not rudely
+or with vulgarity, but with native gaiety and mirth of heart. He could
+just distinguish that one of the females was taller than the other, and
+heard a soft harmonious voice articulate in good English, and with very
+little of the Welsh accent: "Good night, dear Joanna; come to-morrow,
+and stay with me all day: good night; love to Charles." The other
+replied at a few paces distant: "Ah, poor Charles! how vexed he will be
+that he staid so late; well, good night, Ellen."
+
+"These, I suppose," thought the stranger, "are Powis's daughter and her
+friend Joanna Ross. I am glad I missed them. I hate country-girls.
+Charles I imagine is the lover of one. Happy creatures who can yet fancy
+felicity in love, and dream I know not what of constancy and
+bliss!--Falsehood, jealousy, revenge!--dreadful, dreadful words! to them
+are unknown: but what have I to do with thoughts like these? Why, even
+in the stillness of this calm retreat, do such shocking images haunt my
+mind?" He hurried on as if fatigue had no longer power over him,
+insomuch that his young guide could hardly keep up with him, till he
+reached the village inn, where, as Powis had said, a cleanly though
+homely bed was soon prepared for him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. II.
+
+    Her form was fresher than the morning rose,
+    When the dew wets its leaves, unstain'd and pure
+    As is the lily, or the mountain snow.
+    The modest virtues mingled in her eyes.
+
+    THOMSON.
+
+
+In the evening of the next day, having in the course of it received his
+portmanteau from Carnarvon, our traveller, whose name he gave his
+landlord to understand was Mordaunt, began slowly to ascend a romantic
+mountain, stopping at intervals to admire the beauty of the surrounding
+prospect, and occasionally selecting from the mountain plants such
+specimens as he had not met with before; for our traveller was an
+excellent botanist, had a slight knowledge of mineralogy, and a genuine
+taste for the charms of nature. In what farther sciences he was
+instructed, and how he came by information so much above his present
+sphere, we shall learn as we proceed.
+
+Mordaunt had wandered more than an hour, when he reached some slight
+remains of an ancient castle: it was a complete ruin, affording no
+shelter, and scarcely a resting-place; however, on a large stone, which
+had fallen from one of the crumbling pillars, he sat down and enjoyed
+the beauty of the extensive prospect before him, and to which no
+descriptive powers short of Mrs. Radcliffe's could do justice: here he
+remained, catching, at intervals, a distant sail; for the sea, not far
+off, formed one magnificent feature in the view; till the shades of
+evening appeared to close upon him somewhat suddenly: surprised at the
+gloom, he turned round, and observed that the top of the mountain behind
+him was covered with heavy clouds, which soon becoming thicker, fell
+around him in large drops of rain, mingled with low muttering thunder,
+and distant gleams of lightning: the sea assumed a more terrific
+appearance, and the lashing of the waves against the shore was more
+distinctly heard: every thing, in short, seemed to foretell a tremendous
+storm.
+
+                            The gloomy woods
+    Start at the flash, and from their deep recess,
+    Wide flaming out their trembling inmates shake!
+    Amid Carnarvon's mountains rages loud
+    The repercussive roar; with mighty crush,
+    Into the flashing deep from the rude rocks
+    Of Penmanmawr heap'd hideous to the sky,
+    Tumble the smitten cliffs; and Snowden's peak,
+    Dissolving, instant yields his wintry load.
+
+    THOMSON.
+
+Yet Mordaunt, unappall'd, was rather pleased to have an opportunity of
+observing the effects of a thunder-storm in a region so elevated; but in
+a moment, a vivid flash of lightning, followed instantly by a tremendous
+burst of thunder, was succeeded by a piercing scream; and two girls,
+descending the mountain, ran by him with the utmost swiftness. The rain,
+which now fell in torrents, had already wetted their slight garments,
+and as the descent was now become extremely slippery, one of them had
+nearly fallen to the ground, at the instant she had passed him. Humanity
+prompted Mordaunt to follow, entreat them not to be alarmed, and to
+allow him to assist them: his appearance, so totally unexpected (for the
+shadow of the ruin under which he stood, and the deep gloom of the
+atmosphere, had prevented their seeing him), seemed to startle them
+almost as much as the storm, which one of the half-breathless girls said
+had surprized them still higher on the mountain than he had been. The
+thunder, however, now became more distant; and a light breeze, springing
+up from the land, carried the clouds towards the sea: still, however,
+the descent continued dangerous, from being so slippery; and Mordaunt
+solicited the young women to accept of his aid. He readily conjectured
+them to be Joanna Ross and Ellen Powis; and the moment the soft voice of
+the latter fell upon his ear, he recognized the speaker he had heard the
+night before saying, "Good night, dear Joanna." Her voice, indeed, was
+so singularly sweet, that once heard it could never be forgotten; and
+Mordaunt, turning as she spoke, beheld a face and figure, which, once
+seen, must equally be for ever remembered--
+
+    And ne'er did Grecian chisel trace
+    A nymph, a Naiad, or a Grace,
+    Of finer form or lovelier face.
+    What though the sun, with ardent frown,
+    Had slightly ting'd her cheek with brown;
+    What though no rule of courtly grace
+    To measur'd mood had train'd her pace.
+    A foot more light, a step more true,
+    Ne'er from the heath-flow'r dash'd the dew:
+    E'en the slight hare-bell rais'd its head
+    Elastic from her airy tread.
+    What though upon her speech there hung
+    Some accents of the mountain tongue;
+    Those silver sounds, so soft, so dear,
+    The list'ner held his breath to hear.
+
+    SCOTT'S LADY OF THE LAKE
+
+Terror had, indeed, robbed her charming countenance of some of its
+graces; but a bright blush, springing to her cheeks as she caught the
+traveller's glance, restored its native lustre. Oh! such a face!--so
+fair--so bright--so spotless!--eyes so full of soul!--a smile of such
+inimitable beauty! Every feature expressing a native delicacy of
+sentiment, unsoiled by the world, unruffled by passion, yet giving
+assurance that its possessor owned a heart of such fine frame as seldom
+can be met with, either in court or cottage. And when with sweet
+confidence, which, intending no harm, feared none, she accepted
+Mordaunt's offered arm, he felt a degree of pleasure to which he had
+long been a stranger: he scarcely noticed that Joanna had taken the
+other arm: yet Joanna was not a plain girl; but who could look at her
+when Ellen was present? As they descended the mountain, the storm having
+by this time blown over, the girls laughed at their vain terrors, and
+made light of those which Mordaunt expressed, lest their wet clothes
+should give them cold, saying, they were so accustomed to take exercise
+in all weathers, they were not likely to be injured by a sudden shower:
+"Though I must acknowledge," said Joanna, with a smile, "we do not much
+like thunder-storms." Every thing that either said was expressed in the
+plural; and "_We_" was always the term, whichever spoke. Mordaunt
+admired the good sense and propriety with which each seemed endowed; but
+in Ellen he distinguished an elegance of expression, a superiority of
+mind, which, in so young a girl, and one who could have had so few
+opportunities of improvement, completely surprised him. This lovely
+creature seemed yet hardly seventeen; and when he talked to her on
+various subjects, he found, that although Mr. Ross's library had
+furnished her with the works of Addison, Pope, and a few more of our
+best English authors, yet her acquisitions had not gone beyond a
+tincture of English literature, in a general way; that she was tolerably
+well instructed in English History, knew scarcely any thing of
+Geography, and could neither play on any instrument nor draw; so that
+she certainly was much inferior to the heroines of some modern novels,
+who learn all these things by intuition: her voice, however, in singing,
+was as harmonious as in speaking, and she could sing many of the simple
+Welsh airs with natural taste, and in a very pleasing manner. Mordaunt
+escorted the girls to Llanwyllan Farm, where he was immediately
+recognized by Powis, who, hearing from his daughter the attention he had
+shewn to her and Joanna, was cordial in his acknowledgments, and
+insisted on the traveller partaking their supper. Mordaunt could not
+refuse; and it was accordingly spread, not as usual in the porch, the
+late storm having left a dampness in the air, but in a large hall, the
+farm-house having formerly been a capital mansion.
+
+Joanna and Ellen, having hastily changed their wet garments, soon joined
+them; and this little party sat down to supper pleased with each other,
+and without any of that cold formality which strangers so generally
+feel; confiding hospitality on the one hand, and something, at least,
+very like good breeding, on the other, rendering them all easy and
+pleasant to themselves, and to each other.
+
+During this little repast, though no ill-timed curiosity demanded the
+explanation, Mordaunt thought proper to mention his name, and, in some
+degree, declare his situation in life. He had, he said, been educated
+with the Earl of St. Aubyn, who was his distant relation, and had a few
+years before appointed him his steward for his estate in
+Northamptonshire, where he had a comfortable house, not far from St.
+Aubyn Castle, the noble residence of the Earl himself, who had been for
+sometime on the Continent; that he himself, having met with some
+domestic vexations, which had injured his health, the Earl had permitted
+him to appoint a deputy, and travel into Wales, as he had done the
+summer before into the Highlands of Scotland; of which he gave a most
+animated description. His patron, he added, had also a fine estate on
+the borders of Westmoreland, with a very noble old seat called the
+Abbey, which, though extremely ancient, still retained its former
+magnificence. Mordaunt's manners were so pleasing, his voice so
+impressive, and his countenance so fine, that the little party who were
+his auditors hung upon his words with almost breathless admiration.--The
+moments flew, and they were surprised when the hall clock struck eleven,
+an hour unheard of among the sober inhabitants of Llanwyllan. "God bless
+me," said Powis, "why it's eleven o'clock: I have not been up so late
+these ten years!" "Dear father!" said Ellen, with a reproving accent, as
+she glanced at Mordaunt, who hastily rose from his chair. "Excuse my
+rudeness, Sir," said Powis; "I did not mean to turn you out uncivilly,
+but fear neighbour Jones may be gone to bed." Mordaunt smiled, and said
+he ought to apologize for keeping them up. Then extending his hand, he
+shook the farmer's rough one with great kindness, and said, "If I should
+not see you again----" "Not see us again!" interrupted Powis: "why to be
+sure you are not going away! Lord bless me--why, I thought you would
+stay a day or two at least; for my share, if you don't, I wish you had
+never come at all; for I never saw a man in all my days I liked so
+well." "Upon my word, Sir," said Joanna, "you have not yet seen half the
+beauties of Llanwyllan; has he, Ellen?" "No, indeed," replied Ellen. "I
+assure you, Mr. Mordaunt, there are many charms--" "I know it, I feel
+it!" interrupted Mordaunt: "there is every charm which the most
+beautiful nature, the kindest hospitality, can bestow! But to stay at
+the village without visiting the Farm of Llanwyllan would be impossible,
+and, stranger as I am, would it not be intruding?" "Not at all," said
+Powis; "we should rejoice to keep you amongst us; the girls will shew
+you the fine views, as they call them, and I shall be proud to see you
+at my table, if it be not too plain for you, at all times." "You are too
+good! but, will Miss Ross, will Miss Powis, accept their share of the
+agreement? Are there no more agreeable engagements, no more amiable
+friends to claim their attention?" He took a hand of each, but fixed his
+penetrating eyes on Ellen: she blushed, but the lightest emotion made
+Ellen blush, so that though Mordaunt had "_Charles_" in his head when he
+spoke, he could judge nothing by her blushing; and her eyes met his with
+a look of confiding sweetness, which seemed to speak a heart unconscious
+of any secret sentiment. Joanna answered, "If we were to tell you, Mr.
+Mordaunt, we had nothing to do but to walk about, you would think we
+were very idle girls, or said what was not true: we are very busy all
+the day till five in the evening, when we drink tea either here or at my
+father's, who will be happy to see you: after that, if it is fine we
+walk; if not, amuse ourselves within, till ten o'clock, when we go to
+bed, that we may rise at five the next morning; from five in the evening
+till ten we shall be glad of your company."
+
+In consequence of this frank statement, and the secret inclination he
+felt to see more of Llanwyllan, and its art-less inhabitants, Mordaunt
+determined to pass a few days there; and the next day, after attending
+their early tea-table, walked two or three hours with Ellen and Joanna,
+equally delighted with Powis's kind hospitality, and the unsuspicious
+confidence of the two innocent girls, who, stranger as he was, saw
+nothing extraordinary or improper in allowing him a degree of friendly
+intimacy, which, in a situation of more publicity, he would hardly have
+attained under some weeks of acquaintance, even with the assistance of a
+proper introduction. Still more was he charmed with their affectionate
+manner towards each other, and the beauty of Ellen, as well as her
+unaffected simplicity, united with an extraordinary share of good sense
+and information beyond her apparent opportunities. When they parted in
+the evening, Joanna said, "To-morrow, you know, Ellen, Charles will pass
+at home; and as he goes away entirely the next day, I think we must not
+make any engagement for to-morrow." "Very true," said Ellen, in a low
+voice, and a slight shade passed over her expressive features; but
+whether it arose from regret that she must relinquish the society of her
+new friend, with whose spirited and sensible conversation she appeared
+much pleased, or from concern for Charles's approaching absence, our
+traveller had no means of judging. He had discovered, in the course of
+conversation, that Charles was Joanna's brother, and was now absent for
+a day or two preparatory to his leaving home for some time, being in the
+navy: a few more particulars relative to him he felt anxious to
+ascertain as soon as possible; and he took leave of his new friends,
+after engaging to spend the next evening but one at Mr. Ross's.
+
+The landlord at the Prince of Wales understood and spoke English; but it
+was with so much of the Welsh accent, that Mordaunt, with difficulty,
+comprehended his meaning. The curiosity which he felt, however, to learn
+more about Charles Ross, induced him, once again, to attempt a
+conversation with "neighbour Jones," as Powis called him, though, in
+general, Mordaunt's patience, which was by no means inexhaustible, and
+an ear refined by living much in his early days with people of fashion
+and learning, were severely tried by provincial dialects, and he
+avoided, as much as possible, any conference with those who spoke what
+he termed a barbarous jargon: for humour of any kind, or odd characters,
+whether natural or acquired, he had no taste; sentiment, elegance, and
+refinement of language and manners, were to him indispensable requisites
+of those be regarded; and above all things he detested that mixture of
+familiarity and obsequiousness which the landlord of a country inn shews
+to one, who, though his guest, he fancies his equal; yet there was some
+paramount feeling in Mordaunt's mind, which forced him to dispense with
+all these niceties, and seek intelligence even from a man whose language
+and manner were equally distasteful to him. From Jones, then, he learnt
+that Charles was the son of Mr. Ross, and that he was a young man of
+about twenty, rather handsome, a midshipman in the navy, and that he was
+going to join his ship immediately. Jones allowed that the general
+opinion was that Ellen Powis was the object of Charles's affections, and
+that all their friends wished it might be a match, but that Winifred
+Powis's old servant declared Miss Ellen only regarded him as a brother,
+and she was sure had no thought of being his wife. Mordaunt recollected
+the blush, the slight shade of gravity or vexation which had passed over
+Ellen's lovely face; yet these might not be symptoms of more than
+sisterly affection, and something whispered a wish to Mordaunt that
+Ellen's love for Charles might be no more.
+
+Though Mordaunt could not intrude upon a party from which he had been by
+Joanna almost expressly interdicted, he yet, in returning from his
+ramble the next evening, contrived to pass the Parsonage, and to catch a
+glimpse of Ellen and Joanna walking in the garden with a young man. He
+bowed to them, and saw that their companion, whom he naturally concluded
+was Charles, took some hasty steps from the path he was walking in, to
+catch a nearer view of him; and Mordaunt fancied, from the earnestness
+of his gestures, and something of impatience in his air, when he
+rejoined his sister and her friend, that he spoke of him, and with
+displeasure: perhaps he was jealous of his attentions towards
+Ellen.--"Well, be it so," said Mordaunt; "I shall soon discover if he
+has any influence over her mind; and if I perceive that she wishes my
+absence, I will immediately quit Llanwyllan. Not for worlds would I make
+that lovely creature unhappy; far otherwise. If there be any engagement
+between her and this fortunate Charles, I will do all I can to promote
+his interest: but if, on the other hand, I find her to-morrow only
+lamenting him as a friend, I will yet linger here awhile, and forget, if
+possible, in this sweet retirement, and her enchanting society, _all the
+past_! Oh that I could as easily forget all the future threatens! Happy,
+most happy, could I here remain for ever! That, alas! cannot, must not
+be! Edmund, cruel, vindictive Edmund!--Ah! those dark eyes pursue me
+every where: in the gloom of night they are before me, demanding
+vengeance--vengeance for her blood! speaking volumes of hatred--of
+revenge! What a fate is mine! Soon, too soon, we must meet again!" Thus
+murmured Mordaunt, in one of those soliloquies to which he had
+accustomed himself; and his pace, sometimes fast, sometimes slow,
+betrayed the agitation of his mind. At length he came within sight of
+Llanwyllan Farm; and leaning on the little green gate which led to the
+house, the mixed odours of those sweet plants, which he now knew were
+Ellen's care, struck upon his senses: her lovely image rose renewed to
+his imagination, and the distant water-fall and rising moon seemed
+combined with that enchanting scent to lull his anguish to repose.
+Whilst he yet lingered, he saw through the trees Ellen, Joanna, and
+Charles, approaching; and Mordaunt hastily retired, with sensations not
+very unlike indignation and envy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. III.
+
+      When he speaks,
+    The air, a charter'd libertine, is still,
+    And the mute wonder lurketh in mens' ears,
+    To steal his sweet and honey'd sentences!
+
+    HENRY V.
+
+
+The following evening, when Mordaunt arrived at the Parsonage, he was
+met in the little garden before it by Joanna and Ellen. He glanced his
+eyes over the countenances of both, and found that of Joanna, which he
+had hitherto seen full of smiling vivacity, overspread with gloom: her
+eyes were excessively red, and when he spoke to her, they filled with
+tears. Ellen also looked as if she had been weeping, but on Mordaunt's
+approach, a bright smile gleamed over her face, and a soft blush
+restored its animation.
+
+As Mordaunt looked inquiringly at Joanna (dissembling as well as he
+could the pleasure Ellen's blush and smile had given him), she turned
+her head aside, and the tears ran down her cheeks: "Don't look at her,
+don't speak to her, Mr. Mordaunt," said Ellen in a low voice, drawing
+him a little on one side: "her brother has left home this morning, and
+Joanna has been crying all day." Her voice trembled, and a tear started
+in her own eye. Mordaunt softly drew her arm through his; and as Joanna
+turned into another walk to hide her distress, he said, "And you too,
+Ellen, have been weeping." He had never called her Ellen before, and
+felt half ashamed of having done so now, so much respect her native
+modesty had inspired; but she, who was always accustomed to be called
+Ellen, nor imagined she had any pretension to a higher title, saw
+nothing in it extraordinary, and answered in the most unaffected manner,
+yet with some tenderness of voice and accent, "It is very true, I also
+feel for Charles a sister's affection." "Is he then _very_ amiable, this
+happy Charles?" asked Mordaunt. "He is very amiable, that is, very
+_good_, very _sensible_," said Ellen: "but why do you call him
+happy?"--"Can he be otherwise than happy, rich in the affection of _two_
+such charming _sisters_?" "You are very obliging but just now Charles is
+not very happy; he is very much grieved at quitting his father, his
+mother, and Joanna, and--and--me." Ellen hesitated a little. "But in the
+profession he has chosen," said Mordaunt, "he must expect to be
+frequently absent from those he loves; and a sailor in general, though
+he feels acutely for the moment, soon whistles care away." "Very true,"
+answered Ellen; "and I never before knew Charles give way to his
+feelings as he has done to-day and yesterday, and that indeed is what
+has overcome Joanna so much: he has taken strange fancies into his head,
+either that he shall never return, or that _we_, I mean that _I_, shall
+have forgotten him if he does." "But why does he fancy this _just now_?"
+said Mordaunt, fixing his sparkling eyes upon her. "Oh, I cannot tell
+you," answered Ellen, blushing crimson, "half the strange things he has
+been saying; but we see so few strangers here, that I believe, that I
+fancy Charles supposes,--I mean, he thinks we have suddenly become very
+intimate with _you_, and we have said so much respecting books and
+subjects rather above what we usually meet with, that Charles, who is a
+little rough, and not very fond of reading, says we are growing such
+fine ladies, and so much wiser than he is, that he is sure we shall not
+be at all sorry he is going."
+
+Mordaunt paused a moment. One of the reflections of the preceding night
+passed through his mind--what was he doing? was he making this amiable
+young creature unhappy? was he sowing discord between her and a young
+man to whom she was perhaps attached, and who certainly was so to her?
+and, after all, to what purpose? He continued silent so long, that the
+innocent Ellen, looking in his face, and seeing his countenance
+discomposed, hastily said, "Pray, Mr. Mordaunt, do not be offended.
+Charles is naturally kind and hospitable, and I am sure would blush for
+us if we were not attentive to a stranger whose behaviour has been so
+obliging to us; but just now his temper is ruffled, and he certainly has
+said a great many odd things lately." "Offended I can have no right to
+be," answered Mordaunt; "but if I give offence by staying here, Miss
+Powis, either to you or _your friends_, I shall indeed be sorry that I
+did not, as I at first intended, leave Llanwyllan yesterday." "Pray do
+not suppose it. I cannot tell why I repeated all these silly things to
+you, but I am so apt to speak all I think, and so unused to form and
+ceremony, that I dare say I must appear very strange to you, who have
+lived so much in the world. I begin _now_ to wish what I never wished
+before." "What is that, Ellen?" "That I also had lived more in the
+world, that my manners might have been a little more polished, and not
+so--so--strange as I must seem to _you_." "Artless and ever amiable
+creature!" exclaimed Mordaunt with a vehemence which almost made her
+start: "what, oh, what could the world have done for you! Believe me,
+Ellen, for one grace it could have given, it would have robbed you of a
+thousand."
+
+At this moment, when Mordaunt, startled by his own warmth, wished to
+have recalled his words, when Ellen became so confused by it, she could
+make no answer, Joanna rejoined them, and asked him if he would not walk
+in, saying her father and mother were waiting for them. "Indeed, Miss
+Ross," said Mordaunt, "I think I have done wrong in coming hither
+to-day. Your parents, distrest by parting from their son, should not be
+broken in upon by a stranger." "Pray do not judge of them by my folly,"
+answered Joanna: "they have parted from Charles before: as his absence
+will probably not exceed a few months, they are now quite composed, and
+will be glad to see you."
+
+Joanna led the way to a very neat little parlour, where Mr. and Mrs.
+Ross, with the tea-table placed before the latter, were waiting to
+receive them. Mr. Ross was a man far advanced in life, who in the early
+part of it had been accustomed to genteel society, was an excellent
+classical scholar, and well grounded in English literature of a superior
+class, as well as what is properly termed the Belles Lettres. He had
+greatly ameliorated the condition of his parishioners, by introducing
+industry and neatness in their habitations, yet he had merely tinctured
+the minds of Ellen and Joanna with a love of reading, justly conceiving
+that in their station of life much literary knowledge and refinement of
+taste would be worse than useless to them. The gay heart of Joanna had
+been well content to skim the mere surface; but Ellen, more serious, and
+with more native delicacy of taste, had often excited the anger of Mrs.
+Ross by the reluctance with which she left her studies, and tore herself
+from the polished pages of Addison and Pope, to sit down to heavy
+needlework, or make preserves. Every thing worthy of observation which
+Ellen heard or read she made her own, not only by the aid of memory, but
+by that happy nameless faculty which selects the best of every thing,
+and combining ideas with admirable facility, extracts knowledge and wit
+from what to common minds presents little better than an uninteresting
+blank. An old magazine in Ellen's hands became a commentary on the
+history of the times to which it belonged; and while other girls would
+have been idling over the tales, or puzzling themselves with the
+enigmas, it contained, she was selecting and classing a store of facts
+and characteristic anecdotes, which, with a very little assistance,
+would have been a foundation for the most accurate historical knowledge:
+thus, like the bee, from the most unpromising materials, Ellen extracted
+the honey, and left the refuse behind. In this manner, and with the aid
+of very few books, she had obtained a degree of information, which many
+women, whose educations are most anxiously attended to, never attain.
+Another circumstance was, that having no great variety of authors, she
+was obliged to repeat the perusal of those she was allowed to read, and
+by that means had time thoroughly to digest and comprehend them;
+whereas, the young people of the present day have such an endless
+variety of books offered to them, that nothing which has not the charm
+of novelty can be endured, and scarcely any merit can obtain a second
+reading.
+
+Mrs. Ross was a little, bustling, notable woman, who picqued herself
+upon her good housewifery, could not endure a _litter_, and thought
+books and papers made the most intolerable of any: Mr. Ross was
+therefore obliged to confine his to his study, and the girls the few
+they were allowed to their own bed-room, which was considered equally
+the apartment of Ellen and Joanna. Mr. Ross had heard a great deal for
+the last two or three days of Mr. Mordaunt from his daughter and Ellen:
+he saw they were greatly pleased with their new acquaintance; but
+knowing their simplicity, and the charm of novelty to youth, was
+desirous of judging for himself how far the traveller was a proper
+companion for them. Ross had formerly seen something of the world, and
+was of course more qualified to judge of character than Powis, or two
+girls so totally unacquainted with guile as Ellen and Joanna were: he
+determined, if he found any thing in the manners of the stranger
+repulsive to his ideas of propriety, to put an end to all connection
+with him; and Mrs. Ross, who felt assured the traveller must have fallen
+in love with one of the girls, resolved, as she expressed it, to keep a
+_sharp look out_ upon him: such, however, was the unaffected propriety
+of Mordaunt's manners, mingled with somewhat of dignity, to which Mrs.
+Ross had never been accustomed, and which Ross had not lately seen, that
+the good little woman was awed into silence; and though Charles had
+infected her with some of his jealous fears (for such they certainly
+were), she soon lost the kind of prejudice she had taken up against the
+traveller, was pleased with "_the gentleman_," as she called him, and
+could not ascertain at all to her own satisfaction whether Joanna or
+Ellen, or either, had been his inducement to remain at Llanwyllan.
+
+Ross was not only charmed with Mordaunt's manners, but had not for years
+enjoyed so exquisite a treat as his conversation. The traveller was
+fully competent to cope even with Ross on literary ground, understood
+the learned languages, was an enthusiast in the classics, an excellent
+historian and geographer; and gave Ross in an hour the most perspicuous
+account of all that was then passing in the political world.
+
+The two girls sat attentive auditors: Ellen seemed all ear. Mrs. Ross at
+last began to fidget a little, and soon after walked off to superintend
+some domestic concerns, but, unusually indulgent, suffered the girls to
+remain. The evening passed on, and Ross was so engaged with his guest,
+that walking could not be proposed. Mordaunt expressed himself so
+charmed with Llanwyllan, that he said, if he could be accommodated with
+a neat lodging, he should after about a fortnight's absence, which was
+absolutely necessary, endeavour to obtain Lord St. Aubyn's consent to an
+arrangement, which might permit him to remain there some time; that he
+found the pure air from the mountains agreed with him, and thought two
+or three months, divested of the cares of business, in that peaceful
+retirement, would quite restore his health. Ross knew that if Powis
+heard his proposal, he would, in the warmth and cordiality of his heart,
+offer Mordaunt apartments at Llanwyllan Farm, where indeed there was
+plenty of room; but Ross also knew, though Powis did not, that
+apartments under the same room with such a lovely girl as Ellen Powis,
+for a man not passed the meridian of life, would be highly improper, and
+even in that retired place would subject Ellen to unpleasant remarks; he
+therefore immediately said that there were two neat quiet rooms at the
+house of a widow in the village, who, having lately lost her son, would
+be glad to let them; that she was a very civil old woman, and had
+formerly been cook in a gentleman's family; and though the rooms might
+not be furnished quite well enough for Mr. Mordaunt, yet any little
+accommodation might easily be added at an inconsiderable expense from
+Carnarvon, which was not more than twelve miles from Llanwyllan.
+Mordaunt eagerly caught at the proposal, and said that a few guineas,
+when compared to the recovery of his health, were not material to him;
+it was therefore settled that he should go with Ross the next day to
+look at the rooms. Mordaunt then rose to take leave, but the entrance of
+Mrs. Ross, followed by the servant with a couple of hot roasted
+chickens, &c. prevented him, and an earnest invitation to stay and
+partake of their supper, which indeed seemed to have been greatly
+enlarged on his account, could not be resisted. Mordaunt of course
+complied: the conversation became more general: Mrs. Ross's tarts,
+home-made wines, &c. were excellent, and Mordaunt praised them too much
+not to become a favourite with the good lady. He sat by Ellen, and a few
+words spoken to her occasionally in a low voice, and, still more, the
+expressive manner in which they were said, began to raise suspicions in
+Ross's mind that she was in reality the magnet which attracted the
+stranger. He was not blind to her superior beauty and native elegance,
+and considered her as more peculiarly his care, inasmuch as he knew the
+guileless simplicity of Powis, and that he was by no means calculated to
+have the guidance of so lovely a girl. Ross determined therefore to
+watch carefully over Ellen, and if he saw any thing too particular in
+Mordaunt's conduct towards her, to advise Powis to send her from home
+during the traveller's stay at Llanwyllan, which, as Powis had a
+relation at Bangor, would be very possible. Ellen was to sleep that
+night at the Parsonage; and as soon as Mordaunt took his leave, the two
+girls retired together.
+
+Ellen was so silent, that Joanna began to rally her on the subject of
+the stranger, and amongst other things said, "Indeed, Ellen, I believe
+poor Charles was right. Mr. Mordaunt will soon take his place in your
+affections." "_His_ place, _Charles's_ place! no, indeed, Joanna!"
+"Well, you may say what you please, Ellen; but Charles never gained half
+so much attention from you as you bestowed on Mr. Mordaunt's
+conversation to-night"--"Perhaps not: Charles never conversed on such
+agreeable topics." "Then why do you say you do not, nor shall, like him
+so well as you do Charles?" "I did not say so." "Well, but you said he
+would not take Charles's place in your affections, and that is the same
+thing." "Nor will he. I love Charles as a brother, you as a sister; but
+does it follow no other man or woman can be agreeable to me--must I
+cease to love you both before I can be pleased with another?" "No,
+certainly; but Charles I am persuaded would not much relish such a
+degree of liking for another, as Mordaunt seems to have gained from
+you." "I cannot help that: I shall never think myself obliged to consult
+Charles respecting my likings or dislikings." "What, not if you marry
+him?" "Marry Charles!"--"Aye, _marry Charles_, Miss Powis: what is there
+so wonderful in that?" "Dear Joanna, I do not know you to-night. _Miss
+Powis!_ and in that reproachful tone: what have I done to offend you,
+and why do you call me _Miss Powis_?" "Then why do you seem so surprised
+at the idea of marrying Charles, and look as if you quite scorned the
+thought?" "Because such an idea never entered my mind: I might well
+therefore seem surprised; though, as to scorn, I never felt or could
+have looked it." "If Mordaunt had said half as much to you as Charles
+has, you would easily have seen _his_ meaning." "You are not kind,
+Joanna. I thought you had liked Mordaunt too." "So I do; but I do not
+like that he should prevent Charles from gaining your love." "Then, be
+assured, that cannot be: I love Charles as a brother, but if I had never
+seen Mordaunt, or any other man, I would not have been Charles's wife.
+Mordaunt does not, cannot think any thing of me: and I hope, Joanna, I
+am not such a bold girl as to fall in love, as they call it, with a man
+who will not, I am sure, ever cast a serious thought on _me_, who is so
+very much above me." "Then why do you declare so seriously against
+Charles: you never did so before?" "Because you never pressed me so
+earnestly before, and I assure you I never thought of it." "But what are
+your objections to Charles as a husband?" "Many, Joanna, many: he is too
+hasty, too passionate: he would frighten me." "And how do you know
+Mordaunt is not passionate?" "Still Mordaunt!" said Ellen, a little
+impatiently: "what signifies to me whether he is passionate or not? He
+will never be more to me than an agreeable acquaintance,"--"Well, I
+think Mordaunt has at times an odd look with his eyes, and a gloom on
+his countenance that is frightful." "Frightful! Mordaunt's countenance
+frightful! I never saw any thing so handsome; and the expression is the
+softest--his smile the sweetest--" Ellen paused with some embarrassment,
+and Joanna answered a little spitefully, "That may be, when he looks at
+_you_; and then you blush, and cast down your eyes, and of course do not
+see how _he_ looks; but I tell you that he _has_ a gloom that is
+_frightful_, though you are so astonished at the word, and so delighted
+with him." Here the shrill voice of Mrs. Ross calling to them from her
+own room, "Girls, girls, do you mean to talk all night," put an end to
+the conference, and they hastily said "Good night," less pleased with
+each other than they had ever been before. Joanna was angry with Ellen
+for preferring Mordaunt to Charles, and Ellen thought Joanna extremely
+captious, and out of humour.
+
+The next day, Mordaunt, accompanied by Mr. Ross, looked at the lodgings
+he had proposed for him, and agreed immediately to take them for three
+months, to commence at the expiration of three weeks from the present
+time, during which, he said, he must take a journey to Bath, where he
+should see Lord St. Aubyn, and obtain his consent to an arrangement
+which would admit of his leaving Northamptonshire for that time; and
+that during his absence from Llanwyllan he should send some books and
+other additional comforts to his new lodgings: he should set out, he
+said, the next day but one, for he was impatient to begin his journey,
+that he might return the sooner. On the intermediate day, he walked to
+the Farm, and, strange to tell, found Ellen without Joanna.
+
+Ellen had been very busy all day, and a little coldness still hung about
+Joanna, who could not forget her decided rejection of Charles: she had
+also been much employed, and told Ellen the evening before she should
+not see her on that day. "But Mr. Mordaunt will," added she, with some
+asperity, "and that will make full amends for my absence." "You are
+unkind, Joanna," answered Ellen, "and will make me wish Mr. Mordaunt had
+never visited Llanwyllan." Joanna shook her head with an air of
+incredulity, and left her. Mordaunt found Ellen therefore alone, and
+busily engaged amongst her shrubs and flowers. The brisk evening air,
+exercise, and the delight she took in her employment, had given fresh
+beauty to her complexion, and new animation to her eyes. After the first
+greetings had passed, he requested to assist her, and mounting a ladder,
+which a Welsh boy, who was executing the more laborious parts of the
+employment held for him, he busied himself in giving a new turn to the
+festoons which hung from tree to tree. Ellen stood below, and as she
+looked up to direct him, a long shoot of the clematis fell from his
+hand, and became entangled in her straw hat. Fearing to break it, he
+descended, and while he endeavoured to untwist it, the straw hat fell to
+the ground; and as Ellen had not, as usual, her modest muslin cap, her
+beautiful hair became for the first time exposed to his view, and he
+stood gazing at her bright auburn ringlets and fair-polished temples, as
+if transfixed. Beautiful as he had always thought her, he never saw her
+look so beautiful as now, and her increasing colour at length reminded
+him that his gaze was becoming oppressive. Instantly he withdrew his
+eyes, and taking up the hat, and brushing off some dust which adhered to
+it, he presented it to her with an air of respect, and said, "I am a
+very awkward gardener; I have spoiled your bonnet." "Indeed," said
+Ellen, "on the contrary, I should think you had practised it all your
+life, you seem so well versed in the employment."--"Would to heaven I
+had," answered Mordaunt, "and never known any thing beyond the culture
+of these shrubs, and the sweet shades of Llanwyllan." And now Ellen saw
+for the first time a peculiar expression in his eyes, and a gloom over
+his countenance, which reminded her of what Joanna had said respecting
+him; but Ellen put a different construction upon it, and had she known
+Shakespeare would have said, "He wrings at some distress: would I might
+free it, what-e'er it be."
+
+To divert his thoughts, she said, in the softest tone, "What a wish! How
+different are my sentiments! I would give worlds, had my lot resembled
+your's; had I been employed not solely in the culture of these trees,
+myself almost as much a vegetable, but, like you, cultivating my mind,
+my manners, and forming myself into a companion for--the wise and good!"
+The soft expressive pause spoke volumes to the heart of Mordaunt, and he
+could not help replying, "You are already a fit companion for angels."
+
+A long pause ensued. Ellen again began her pleasant labours, and
+Mordaunt, with fresh eagerness, assisted her. At length he said, "When I
+come back, Ellen, will you permit me to recommend to your perusal some
+books, which I shall send to my lodgings?" "Ah," said Ellen, "with
+delight should I peruse them, but Mrs. Ross is so strict, she will not
+allow me to read at all, if she can help it; and my father expects me to
+obey her in every respect." "But surely Mr. Ross, who is so literary
+himself, would willingly indulge such a mind as your's, which so eagerly
+aspires to superior attainments." "Ah, no; Mr. Ross thinks that in our
+station any extraordinary refinement would be injurious, and only tend
+to make us discontented." "Those common-place ideas may do very well for
+Joanna Ross, and girls of common minds; but you, surely, ought to be
+guided by other maxims. Talents like your's demand cultivation so
+imperiously, it is a real cruelty to deny it." "Ah, Mr. Mordaunt, do not
+talk to me in this manner; I am enough inclined to lament the lowness of
+my condition; not from ambition, but from a desire of knowledge, which,
+circumstanced as I am, is quite out of my reach. Rather strive to
+strengthen my mind, and my anxious wish to do my duty in the station
+where God has been pleased to place me." "Abhor me, Ellen, if ever you
+find me endeavouring to subvert one good and useful principle in your
+spotless mind; but how is Mr. Ross to know what station you may
+hereafter be called upon to fill, unless, indeed," added Mordaunt,
+expressively, "_your lot is already determined_?" "Undoubtedly it is,"
+said Ellen (not understanding his allusion to Charles): "what can I have
+to expect but to remain here, the useful assistant of my father?" "But
+you may, nay, most probably will marry." "It is unlikely," said Ellen;
+"but if I should, it will probably be in a line of life which will
+render any farther literary attainments at best unprofitable; so at
+least says Mr. Ross, and I look to him as my chief director." "You have
+hitherto done well in so doing; but circumstances may hereafter arise to
+alter your views. In the meantime, let me assure you, for the honour of
+literature, that its female professors do not necessarily, according to
+a vulgar prejudice, become useless as mothers, mistresses, or domestic
+economists. I have actually seen a lady high not only in literary
+knowledge, but in literary fame, who attends with the most exquisite
+skill and propriety, not only to the management of a large family, but
+of a large farm, and whose order, neatness, and regularity, can no where
+be exceeded; yet this excellent woman has published many books, written
+in a style free from blemish, and full of the purest principles, and of
+the most superior good sense." "How well she must have arranged her
+concerns, and managed her time!" "Undoubtedly--and we shall see whether
+Ellen Powis has not mind enough to become a second Mrs. W----."
+
+At this part of the conversation Powis joined them; and Mordaunt, having
+chatted a few minutes with him, took his leave. But though he had talked
+of leaving Llanwyllan on the next day, he did not go until that
+following; and on the Sunday he attended Mrs. Ross and the young people
+to the neat parish church, where he was greatly pleased and edified with
+the serious and dignified manner in which the venerable Ross performed
+the service. His fine countenance, shaded with grey hair, the rich tones
+of his voice, and the energetic manner in which he exhorted his rustic
+congregation, inspired Mordaunt with the utmost respect for him, and
+with a fervour of devotion he had rarely before experienced. Nor did he
+less admire the unaffected piety and attention of Mrs. Ross and her two
+pupils, who, once within the church, appeared too deeply impressed with
+the intention of their coming, to permit that either look or thought
+should stray to any other object. As they returned through the
+church-yard, Mordaunt was delighted to see the neatness, and even
+elegance with which this repository of the dead was kept. The graves,
+bound with osier-bands, and decorated with fresh flowers, as is
+customary through all Wales, excited in him sentiments of the tenderest
+nature; he was charmed to witness the effects of a love which survived
+the tomb, and whispered to Ellen, that wherever he lived, he should wish
+to be buried in Wales. "Idle as it may seem," said he, "to care what
+becomes of this perishable frame when the immortal spirit is fled, yet
+in the truth of Gray's inimitable reflections on this subject I cannot
+but coincide:--
+
+    "Even from the grave the voice of Nature cries,
+     Even in our ashes live their wonted fires."
+
+As Ellen had never met with Gray, Mordaunt now repeated to her some of
+the finest stanzas, and promised to send her the poem in the morning
+following.
+
+What a happiness for her that she had never been condemned to hear this
+enchanting elegy hacknied till even its beauties are lost in the insipid
+recitation of girls who learn it as a task.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. IV.
+
+    A prattling gossip, on whose tongue
+    Proof of perpetual motion hung,
+    Who with a hundred pair of eyes,
+    The vain attacks of sleep defies;
+    Who with a hundred pair of wings,
+    News from the farthest quarters brings,
+    Sees, hears, and tells, untold before,
+    All that she knows, and ten times more.
+
+    CHURCHILL.
+
+
+When Mordaunt was gone, Joanna and Ellen returned to their usual manner
+of living: at first Ellen found a great insipidity in her ordinary
+occupations. The day seemed unusually tedious, but this by degrees wore
+off; and had she never seen Mordaunt again, she would certainly have
+always remembered him with peculiar interest; but the peace of her mind
+was undisturbed: yet Mordaunt's conversation had been of the most
+dangerous tendency. What girl of seventeen, tinctured with the natural
+romance which a life in a country of such sublimity as Wales almost
+necessarily produces in an ardent mind and feeling heart, but might be
+led by the voice of flattery to believe herself superior to the mere
+common employments of domestic life; yet if the flatterer mean to
+substitute no higher line of occupation in their stead, is it not
+probable that unhappiness, if not a dereliction from virtue, may be the
+consequence? Mordaunt's suggestions therefore to a mind more practised
+in worldly guile would have rendered his intentions extremely equivocal;
+and the very little Mr. Ross had seen of him made him not only very glad
+that he was gone, but led him to wish earnestly he might not return; and
+when a fortnight had elapsed, and no books or packages arrived at the
+cottage of the Widow Grey, Ross, and, to say the truth, Joanna also,
+began to hope he would not return. Joanna liked Mordaunt as a companion,
+and had none of those fears which had crept into the mind of Ross: but
+her love for her brother, and the certainty that Mordaunt was preferred
+to him by Ellen, gave her a sort of prejudice against him, and she could
+not help shewing a sort of triumph at his not returning. Ellen, whose
+temper was as sweet as her understanding was excellent, bore the little
+taunts Joanna now and then threw out on her supposed disappointment with
+great mildness; but when Joanna accused Mordaunt of caprice and
+insincerity, she sometimes defended him, with candour indeed, but with a
+little warmth, which excited fresh displeasure in Joanna: and these
+little disputes insensibly abated the pleasure they used to feel in the
+society of each other. Nothing could be more ill-judged than Joanna's
+conduct on this occasion: had she remained silent, Ellen would never
+have spoken and seldom thought of Mordaunt; but by being forced
+continually to defend either herself or him, he became more interesting
+to her; her generous heart not bearing to hear him accused probably
+without a cause: thus, Joanna, like all people who suffer themselves to
+be misled by prejudice and ill-humour, increased the evil she wished to
+obviate, and by rendering her own society less desirable to Ellen, left
+her more at liberty to receive Mordaunt's visits, if he really should
+return; and to return it seemed probable at length he intended: for,
+about three weeks after his departure, several large packages were
+brought in a light cart to the Widow Grey's, and the driver said he had
+been hired at Carnarvon, by a strange gentleman who arrived in the mail
+the night before, and would be with her the next morning. The news of
+this important event spread quickly through the village, and numerous
+were the conjectures which followed. Dame Grey had several visitors in
+the course of the evening to look at these wonderful packages, to
+conjecture what each might contain, and to endeavour to learn from her
+what could make a gentleman, so grand as Mr. Mordaunt must be, to come
+and live in her cottage: to all which the good woman could only reply,
+that Mr. Ross had told her that the gentleman was coming for his health,
+and she dared say Mr. Ross knew: at all events, it was nothing to her:
+the gentleman had agreed to give her twelve shillings a week for her two
+rooms, which was four shillings more than she expected; but then, to be
+sure, she was to cook for him, and they all knew she was as pretty a
+cook as Madam Ross herself; for that, when she lived with 'Squire
+Davies--The mention of 'Squire Davies was enough for the whole audience;
+they walked off one by one, and left her to admire and wonder at her
+lodger's grand packages by herself, dreading nothing more than the
+tedious tales they knew they must encounter if they staid, now Dame Grey
+had begun to talk of the days when she lived with 'Squire Davies.
+
+Dame Grey not knowing very well what to do respecting her lodger's
+rooms, which wanted linen, and many other articles she supposed the
+packages might contain, thought it would be but right, and the proper
+compliment, if she was to step up and ask Madam Ross and Miss Joanna,
+and Miss Ellen, if she were there, what she had better do. Mrs. Ross
+advised her on no account to open any of the parcels, and said, if Mr.
+Mordaunt did not arrive in time the next day, she would furnish her with
+linen proper for his bed and table, till his own could be opened: at the
+same time declaring her readiness to go with Dame Grey, and see that
+things were put a little out of a litter; to which obliging act she was
+certainly prompted by the same sort of curiosity as had influenced her
+poorer neighbours, to see the packages, and judge by their weight and
+size what they might contain. No one who has ever lived in a small
+village will wonder at this: such a one will know that no one creature
+ever appears in a gown of a different colour, or a hat of a different
+size from what has been seen before, without exciting the utmost
+curiosity and animadversion; that a wedding, a burial, or a christening,
+will afford conversation to the whole neighbourhood for many hours; and
+that if one should be convicted of living, in the most simple concerns,
+at all different from the generality, oddity, absurdity, stinginess,
+and, finally, madness, will probably be imputed to him: think then what
+a feast for the gossips Mr. Mordaunt's parcels must have presented; for
+by the time Dame Grey and Mrs. Ross arrived, two or three more were in
+waiting to take a peep at them. Now, amongst these parcels, &c. was one
+which certainly bore the appearance of being a lady's bonnet-box:
+"Well," Mrs. Ross said, "this is an odd thing; what can it contain? Sure
+Mr. Mordaunt is not going to bring a lady with him! He did not say any
+thing to you, Dame Grey, did he, as if he was married?" "Lord bless me,
+no, Madam; but, to be sure, Mr. Ross knows, or Farmer Powis." "Poh! they
+know nothing at all about it: well, we shall see. For my part I should
+not wonder: he is not a very young man, and most likely is or has been
+married." Away went two or three of the assembly, eager to spread the
+report that Mr. Mordaunt and his lady were coming next day to Dame
+Grey's; that it must be true, for Madam Ross had said so, and moreover,
+they had seen with their own eyes _Madam Merdan's_ fine bonnet-box,
+which no doubt contained a power of good things. Some went so far as to
+settle the probable colour of the lady's bonnet and best gown; and one
+notable dame, the wife of a farmer, who rented lands adjoining Powis's,
+thought she would "just step in and tell Miss Ellen and Miss Joanna,
+that they might smarten themselves a bit, before _Madam Mording_
+arrived." To paint the surprize of Ellen and Joanna, who were sitting
+together when neighbour Price related all these strange circumstances,
+embellished by her own conjectures and comments, would be impossible.
+Joanna believed, and was not sorry: Ellen doubted, and said she should
+be glad if it proved so, as Mrs. Mordaunt would be an agreeable addition
+to their society. Joanna looked at her with arch and half triumphant
+eyes; and Ellen, teazed, vexed, and disconcerted, could scarcely refrain
+from tears. At last the chattering gossip departed, and Joanna's
+conversation with Ellen ran in the usual strain; but Ellen was unusually
+unable to endure it. Amongst other things, Joanna told Ellen, if Mrs.
+Mordaunt came, she supposed her whole time would be engaged with her;
+and if she did not, perhaps she would think Mordaunt's company quite
+enough without the addition of hers, and that her mother was convinced
+she would no longer be as willing to be ruled by her as formerly. Ellen
+now burst into tears, and told Joanna she knew not what she had done to
+occasion such very unkind remarks; that she had never given her reason
+to suppose she did not prefer her company to that of any other person,
+nor ever, for a moment, hesitated to obey Mrs. Ross in all things: but
+if it was required of her to give up all acquaintance with a man who had
+never done any thing to offend her, she must say she could not, nay,
+would not do it. Joanna, startled by a warmth she had not expected from
+the generally mild and yielding Ellen, now begged her pardon; and
+embracing her tenderly, said, she knew she had been wrong in teazing her
+so much, and would in future drop the subject. Ellen's warm forgiving
+heart immediately prompted her to say she had perhaps herself been
+captious; and after an appointment to meet again to-morrow, they parted
+better friends than they had been for a long time.
+
+On Joanna's arrival at home, she inquired of her mother the foundation
+of the strange story she had heard from Mrs. Price; and could hardly
+help laughing when she learnt on what slight grounds the report had been
+raised. Mrs. Ross, however, still defended the probability of her own
+conjectures, and added, that she was, however, quite sure there were a
+great many books among the parcels, and she supposed she should now have
+less work done than ever, for that both Joanna and Ellen would never be
+easy, unless they were walking with Mordaunt, or reading some of the new
+trumpery he had sent down. "Dear mother," said Joanna, "why should you
+think so? You know I am not so very fond of reading, though I like it
+very well in turn, and should still more, if I had not so many other
+things to do: and as to Ellen, though I believe she has more pleasure in
+reading than any thing else in the world; yet you know she is so good
+and gentle, she never refuses to do any thing you wish her to do." "Aye!
+that has been; but mark my words, Joanna, you will see alterations you
+do not expect." This was one of those equivocal prophecies by which Mrs.
+Ross, like the Vicar of Wakefield, endeavoured to impress her family
+with an opinion of her penetration: she did not succeed so well as Dr.
+Primrose, for Mr. Ross never paid the smallest attention to them: and
+Joanna had so rarely seen one of them fulfilled, that she generally
+thought nothing about them. In the present instance, however, she
+certainly felt a little uneasy, and began to fear that poor Charles must
+forego all hopes of Ellen Powis: for Joanna was in her own mind
+convinced that Mordaunt greatly admired Ellen, and she was sure Ellen
+thought him a being of a superior order: and Joanna was too innocent and
+too unsuspicious to imagine, for a moment, that if Mordaunt liked Ellen,
+he could have any view but marriage. Ellen, on her side, felt more
+vexation this night than she could well account for: she could hardly
+doubt the truth of what Mrs. Price asserted to have heard from Mrs.
+Ross, namely, that Mordaunt was married, and his lady coming to
+Llanwyllan with him, this she fancied she should be very glad of: but
+then she was hurt that Mordaunt should have kept this circumstance a
+profound secret, and never once adverted to it when he talked, as he had
+done repeatedly during the two last days of his stay at Llanwyllan, of
+the pleasure he proposed to himself in the society of Mr. Ross, Ellen,
+and Joanna.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. V.
+
+    And with them words of so sweet breath composed
+    As made the things more rich.
+
+    HAMLET.
+
+
+Ellen was engaged the next morning with her needle when Mordaunt
+suddenly entered the room (for the ceremony of announcing visitors was
+never thought of at Llanwyllan): she rose hastily, as hastily sat down
+again, turned pale, then red, and in answer to his hasty inquiries,
+said--"Are you alone, Sir?" "Alone," replied Mordaunt, surprized beyond
+measure; "yes, certainly: did you expect to see anyone with me?"
+"Yes--no, that is, I thought we were told that Mrs. Mordaunt, that your
+wife was to come with you." "My wife!" exclaimed Mordaunt, turning first
+as red and then as pale as Ellen had done, almost in the words of
+Othello, and perhaps not perfectly unlike him in feeling; "What wife? I
+have no wife." "I beg your pardon, indeed," said Ellen, "for giving you
+such a strange reception, but we were really told that your lady was
+certainly coming with you." "What could have given rise," said Mordaunt,
+regaining his composure, "to such a ridiculous tale? And did _you_,
+Ellen, could you believe it?" "I own I thought it strange," replied she,
+"that you had never mentioned it, and I doubted the truth of the story;
+but Joanna seemed to credit it, and I was told Mrs. Ross had asserted
+it, but I daresay," added she, smiling, "that it was one of those
+gossip's tales of which we have so many in this village." Mordaunt said
+he was wholly unable to account for it, and advancing to the table where
+she had been sitting, for hitherto they had both continued standing,
+said--"Shall I disturb you if I sit down by you for half-an-hour?"
+"Certainly not," said Ellen: "you will allow me to go on with my work."
+But Ellen's hand did not second her intention, for it shook so much, she
+was obliged to put down the work, and to say, half laughing, by way of
+covering her confusion--"I have flurried myself so ridiculously by
+fancying I was going to see a stranger, that I must rest till my hand is
+a little more steady." Mordaunt, for the first time, took the trembling
+hand within his own, and pressing it very gently, said:--"You have not
+shaken hands with me on my return, Ellen, yet I hoped you would have
+been glad to see your friend Mordaunt once more: will you allow me the
+title?" he added, gazing on her intently. Poor Ellen, who had not really
+any of the usual complimentary phrases, such as "you do me honour, &c."
+knew neither which way to look nor what to say; and Mordaunt, softly
+raising her hand to his lips, relinquished it, and pitying her visible
+confusion, endeavoured to relieve it by saving:--"I think you are a
+little, a very little paler and thinner than when I left Llanwyllan." "I
+have been taking a great deal of exercise," said Ellen; "and I think you
+too, Mr. Mordaunt, are changed: you look pale, and seem fatigued." "Oh
+yes, Ellen, yes; I have encountered much since we parted--much fatigue
+both of body and mind. In these sweet shades I hope once more to be at
+peace: oh, that I might never leave them more, 'the world forgetting, by
+the world forgot;' that I might, that I could remain here for ever!
+Would _you_, Ellen, would _you_ endeavour to sooth my cares, and to
+restore my peace of mind?" He again seized her hand, and wildly
+grasping, pressed it to his throbbing forehead. Ellen looked at him with
+eyes of apprehension; his energy, his apparent agitation alarmed her: he
+saw the surprize he had excited, and dropping her hand, said:--"Forgive
+me, I am not myself to-day; but I must indeed be lost before I can for a
+moment forget the perfect respect I owe you." His countenance became at
+once more composed, and after a moment's pause, he said smiling:--"And
+how is the poor straw hat which I spoilt the night before I went away?"
+"Indeed you did not spoil it," said Ellen, laughing; "it would not
+easily be injured." "Oh, certainly, it was completely spoilt, and as I
+was the author of the mischief, though you would not give me any
+commission for Bristol or Bath, I could not resist the desire I felt to
+replace the loss which I know you cannot do here, and I have accordingly
+chosen one for you, which, though extremely simple, will, I am sure, be
+particularly becoming: I have also added one for Joanna, not exactly
+like your's in shape, because it would be ridiculous; I mean it would
+not be becoming to her style of face." "You are too good: I am sorry you
+should have had so much trouble." "Oh, the trouble certainly of doing
+any thing for _you_ and your friend must be insupportable; terrible as
+it was, however, if you will do me the favour of wearing this simple
+bonnet I shall think it overpaid: there is also a little parcel for Mrs.
+Ross: and some books for our good friend Mr. Ross: nor have I forgotten
+my first and truly valued friend your father: his little remembrance I
+shall take the liberty of sending here; but shall I order the box with
+the other things to Mr. Ross's or here?" "Mrs. Ross and Joanna are going
+to pass this afternoon with me," said Ellen; "if you will therefore
+persist in taking so much trouble, we will examine our presents, which
+are, I dare say, very elegant." "I thank you a thousand times for not
+reproving my presumption in fancying I could chuse a hat for you. I will
+send the box presently, and when the contents have been looked at, may I
+join your little party and walk with you?" "Certainly; we shall be glad
+of your company." Mordaunt soon after went away, though Powis, who came
+in, and seemed heartily glad to see him, pressed him to partake their
+homely fare at dinner, but promising to come again in the afternoon,
+Mordaunt declined staying then. Powis was haunted by no fears on his
+daughter's account: his open hospitable temper made him always ready to
+receive the stranger, and he saw not far enough into the human heart to
+suspect that one so eminently gifted by nature and improved by art, as
+Mordaunt was, must have some paramount inducement to fix himself for two
+or three months amongst the woods of Llanwyllan. Honest, simple, and
+credulous, he implicitly believed what Mordaunt had told him respecting
+his health, and the delight he took in the wild scenery around the
+village; and pleased with his company, would willingly have had him a
+constant inmate of his house; yet he doated on, and highly appreciated
+Ellen; but he fancied that Charles Ross had gained her affections, and
+looked forward to her marriage with him as a thing determined on. Ellen
+felt a little awkward on the subject of the bonnet, for she had never
+mentioned to Mrs. Ross or Joanna that Mordaunt had spent two or three
+hours at the Farm the night before he left Llanwyllan; as to the straw
+hat, it was, in reality, not injured, although he chose to fancy it was
+spoilt by way of excuse for ordering another; she, therefore, did not
+like to mention the circumstance at all, dreading Mrs. Ross's sharp
+questions and Joanna's looks; in fact, she did not wish to mention the
+intended presents, and half resolved to appear surprized when the box
+arrived: this, however, her natural dislike to deceit deterred her from
+attempting, though Joanna's late conduct had taught her a reserve she
+never before had felt towards her. The moment dinner was over Ellen went
+to her chamber, where she took unusual pains in dressing herself as
+nicely as her very moderate wardrobe would allow; a neat plain white
+gown or two being the extent of her finery. Mrs. Ross would seldom allow
+Ellen or Joanna to wear any thing better than a grey stuff, or small
+printed calico, yet in spite of her expected rebuke, the very best white
+gown was this afternoon put on; her hair was nicely and delicately
+arranged under a cap smaller than those she usually wore; for going
+without a cap or hat, was, in Mrs. Ross's idea, quite bold and improper.
+Neither Joanna nor Ellen had ever seen a feather or artificial flower,
+except once, when mere children, Powis had taken them for a few days to
+Carnarvon, where a few were exhibited; but as to wearing any, they would
+as soon have thought of putting on diamonds, so different were their
+simple ideas from those of the very fine ladies we now see every day
+walking or riding to market, with their ear-rings and necklaces, fine
+lace frills, green veils, au parasols: expect them soon with foot-boys
+at their heels. Yet Powis could have given his daughter a thousand
+pounds; and Ross, though not rich, was in a station of life which might
+have entitled Joanna to expect some little indulgences, of which,
+however, she never even thought. Two or three small bows of pale pink
+ribbon were the only ornament of Ellen's caps, and her slender waist was
+surrounded by a short sash of the same colour; a bouquet of late roses
+and jessamine was placed in her bosom; and the gentle agitation of her
+spirits animated her eyes and complexion: she looked exquisitely lovely;
+so fresh--so new--so bright--the poet might have said of her--"she
+looked like Nature in the world's first spring." She had just completed
+her nosegay, when Mrs. Ross and Joanna arrived; the former with a new
+assortment of work prepared for Ellen's completion, who sighed when she
+saw the quantity to be executed. "Bless me, Ellen," said Mrs. Ross; "why
+you are dressed up as fine as a lady; one would think you were going to
+a wedding or a christening.--I hope you have not invited Mrs. Price and
+Mrs. Howel to-day," (the wives of two neighbouring farmers, who drank
+tea once or twice a year with Ellen and the Ross's) "for I am come in my
+old gown, and Joanna in her every-day cotton: why, child, are you
+dressed so much?" "I don't know, ma'am: I thought my coloured gown was
+dirty, and the day was so fine and warm, I thought this would be
+cooler." "Umph," said Mrs. Ross, looking at her with eyes sharpened by
+curiosity, and then nodding at Joanna, as much as to say you see I was
+right, she drew up her head and was silent a moment; then, by her next
+question, shewing the turn her thoughts had taken, she said: "Has Mr.
+Mordaunt been here?" "Yes, ma'am," said poor Ellen, blushing like
+crimson. "Umph," again said Mrs. Ross, and again she nodded at Joanna.
+Joanna, looking slily at Ellen, added, while she could hardly refrain
+from laughing--"And his wife?" "No," said Ellen, looking up at Joanna,
+and smiling, for she could not help being diverted at the oddity of her
+tone and look. Just at this moment in came the maid with a small parcel
+and a large bonnet-box, which, she said, a boy had brought from Dame
+Grey's. "God bless my heart," said Mrs. Ross, "why that is the very box
+I saw at Mr. Mordaunt's, and which made me fancy he was married." Ellen
+explained as well as she could, but certainly not very clearly, what the
+contents were; and Joanna was so diverted with the absurdity of the
+report raised by such a trifle, that she burst into a loud and
+incontrollable fit of laughing, in which Ellen heartily joined; and
+though Mrs. Ross scolded, and was quite angry that they would not cease
+laughing and open the box, they laughed on, when the door opened, and in
+came Mordaunt. He supposed the box had been received and opened an hour
+before, not knowing his messenger had stopped to play by the way, and
+was quite astonished to see them gathered round it, the two girls
+laughing, and Mrs. Ross half scolding and half laughing too. He was
+hastily retreating; but his presence operated like an electric shock on
+the whole party. Ellen was half ashamed; and Mrs. Ross and Joanna, who
+always felt a degree of awe from the dignity of his manner, were afraid
+he would be offended: the former endeavoured to explain the cause of
+their mirth; and Mordaunt no sooner heard what had given rise to the
+report which had so much perplexed him, than--"Albeit unused to the
+laughing mood," he could not keep his countenance. The explanation,
+however, was not unpleasant to him, for he had been quite at a loss to
+guess how any report of him, whether true or false, could have reached
+Llanwyllan. The box was now opened, a ceremony at which Mordaunt would
+willingly not have been present, though he certainly wished to see
+whether the hat was becoming to Ellen.
+
+Both hats were of straw, equally fine; but that intended for Ellen had
+an elegant simplicity in the form, which seemed made on purpose for her.
+At the bottom of the box was found a parcel, directed for Mrs. Ross,
+which contained a handsome dark sarsnet for a gown, with which the good
+lady was so delighted, that she quite overwhelmed Mordaunt with thanks
+and compliments, to which he put a stop by requesting to see the bonnets
+on their respective owners.
+
+"I am not dressed fit to wear such a bonnet," said Joanna, glancing her
+eyes on Ellen; "but--" "Aye," said Mrs. Ross, "very true: I believe you
+knew your bonnet was trimmed with pale pink, Ellen, and put on those
+ribbons on purpose to match it." "No, indeed," said Ellen, half hurt at
+the suggestion. Mordaunt saw with what unusual care she was adorned, and
+could not help being pleased at it. He was himself drest with particular
+nicety, and was really as handsome and fine a figure as Ellen was
+beautiful. The bonnets were tried on, and highly approved. Ellen,
+indeed, was, if possible, improved by hers. The parcel for Powis
+contained some handsome articles of plate likely to be useful to him;
+and Mr. Ross's books, which were sent to the Parsonage, consisted of
+Eschylus, Euripides, and Sophocles, uniformly and elegantly bound, and
+of superior editions. Thus the taste of all parties seemed to have been
+consulted, and every one of course was pleased with the kind attention.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VI.
+
+      To me be Nature's volume broad display'd;
+    And to peruse its all instructing page,
+    Or haply catching inspiration thence,
+    Some easy passage raptured to translate,
+    My sole delight.
+
+      She lov'd: but such her guileless passion was,
+    As in the dawn of time, inform'd the heart
+    Of innocence and undissembling truth.
+
+    THOMSON'S SEASONS.
+
+
+From this time Mordaunt's visits at Llanwyllan Farm were constant, and
+in spite of Mrs. Ross's expected reprehension, Ellen, though always
+gentle, humble, and submissive, certainly did not execute all the
+needlework planned for her to do; and, worse than that, Farmer Howel's
+wife declared she had not above half the usual number of chickens to
+carry to market for Ellen Powis that she used to have; and Mrs. Ross
+requesting to taste the currant wine, made under her own direction,
+found that it had latterly been managed so ill, that it would all become
+vinegar. This was a grievous fault, and grievously did Ellen answer it,
+for loud and sharp were Mrs. Ross's animadversions; and repeatedly did
+she remind Joanna that she had prophesied all this. Joanna walked
+sometimes with Ellen, and of course with Mordaunt, for they seemed
+inseparable, but found their conversation frequently turning on things
+beyond her comprehension, or interrupted by short dialogues, carried on
+in a low voice, to which her presence seemed an interruption; yet no one
+could say Mordaunt ever directed himself but with the most entire
+respect towards Ellen, and politeness towards Joanna. Amongst other
+wonders which Mordaunt shewed to Ellen, such as beautiful drawings,
+trinkets for gentlemen, &c. and which were to her entirely new, was one
+which excited in her, not only admiration, but delight. This was his own
+miniature picture, beautifully painted, and a striking likeness. Ellen
+had literally never seen a portrait, except some old faded family
+pictures, which hung in the hall and staircase of her father's house,
+and represented some of the former proprietors: but these dull miserable
+daubs hardly conveyed to her an idea of the delightful art of portrait
+painting; and when she saw this speaking and elegant resemblance of her
+fascinating friend, she was so enchanted and enraptured, that Mordaunt,
+contrary to his first intention, requested her to keep it; and she,
+ignorant of its value, or the construction the world would have put on
+her accepting the picture of a gentleman, as readily received it as she
+had done two or three books and drawings he had given her; but different
+were the sensations with which she looked at this, to her, most
+desirable gift: it was the companion of her solitary hours, and, when
+not actually before her eyes, was ever present to her imagination: and
+when Mordaunt was absent, his picture was laid by her side; yet a sort
+of intuitive feeling made her snatch it up, and conceal it when any one
+approached. It is obvious how greatly this indulgence must have
+increased those sentiments of tenderness which now so irresistibly
+assailed her young and innocent heart. As the autumn advanced, and the
+evenings grew longer, Joanna and Ellen were still left less together.
+Mordaunt was understood to be continually at the Farm; and even the
+unobserving farmers' wives began to conclude his attentions into love,
+and to conclude the match between him and Ellen Powis determined on. A
+slight cold gave Ellen a reason, or rather an excuse, for staying at
+home, when at the end of a week Mrs. Ross determined to go herself to
+the Farm and see how Ellen's work went on. In the road she met Powis,
+and asking if his daughter were at home, he said, "Yes," and added, "I
+don't think she is well; she has a cold, and looks pale. How is it you
+and Joanna have not been to see her these two days?" "Nay," said Mrs.
+Ross, "I have not seen her for nearly a week. Joanna called the other
+day, but I fancy Ellen is better engaged than to want _our_ company."
+"How do you mean," said Powis, looking surprized, "why is not Mr.
+Mordaunt with her every day?" "Why yes, I believe so--part of every
+day--but what need that hinder your coming? He says she is a clever
+girl, and she is so anxious to learn what he calls geography, or
+something like it, that they spend a good deal of their time at their
+books and such like, and I can't but say I relish my newspaper twice as
+well now Mr. Mordaunt and Ellen sometimes shew me whereabouts the armies
+are, and have made me understand whereabouts France, and Spain, and
+England, and so on are, upon the great maps he has brought to our
+house."
+
+"'Tis all very well, neighbour Powis, all very well, if you like it: I
+hope you will have no reason to repent it; but I am afraid, when your
+shirts and stockings want mending, you will not like these new-fangled
+ways quite so well." "Why, to be sure, if Ellen neglects her business,
+that won't do at all; but I assure you she is very industrious, and
+tells me she rises an hour the earlier every morning, to get through her
+work, and have time to attend to her books." "Well, neighbour, as long
+as you are satisfied, I do not wish to make mischief; but certainly Mr.
+Ross never approved of her or Joanna's learning such things; if he had,
+he could have instructed them, at least as well as Mr. Mordaunt." "Very
+true; I did not think of that--well, we will talk to Ellen about it: you
+will find her at home; I left her busy at work: do speak your mind to
+her a little; I shall be guided by you and Mr. Ross in all things,
+seeing you understand such matters better than I do." They then parted,
+and Mrs. Ross a few minutes after arrived at the Farm; and on walking
+into the usual sitting-room, instead of finding Ellen at work, she found
+her surrounded with books and maps, and Mordaunt seated by her side, one
+arm rested on the back of her chair, while the other was engaged in
+tracing with the end of his pencil some lines on the map on which Ellen
+was looking: she was too intently engaged to observe Mrs. Ross's
+entrance, who stood suspended a moment, while she heard Mordaunt say,
+"And here, Ellen, here is Northampton--this is the road to Aubyn Castle;
+and just here----" "What here?" said Ellen, eagerly placing her finger
+on the spot she supposed to be that on which Mordaunt's habitation
+stood. "Is it here your house stands?" "Very near that precise spot,"
+replied Mordaunt, drawing her hand gently away, and retaining it in his
+own, while his expressive eyes were fixed on her face: "very near it is
+my residence; but it is so far from Llanwyllan, that I begin to detest
+it, and to dread the thoughts of returning to it.--But what am I doing?"
+said he, with a deep sigh: "Oh, Ellen, I dare not tell you all my
+thoughts!" Ellen blushed, sighed, withdrew her hand, and accidentally
+glancing her eyes upwards, saw Mrs. Ross standing in the door-way, with
+astonishment, anger, and vexation, painted on her countenance. Ellen
+started, half screamed, and rose so hastily, she almost overset the
+table before her. "Bless me, Ma'am," she exclaimed, "I did not see
+you--I did not know--" "No, I dare say not, Miss Ellen; you were a great
+deal too much engaged to see or think of me: your servant, Sir. I beg I
+may not keep you standing; at least _I_ shall sit down, for _I_ am not
+going yet."
+
+This gentle hint was intended to tell Mordaunt that she meant to outstay
+him; but she looked at Ellen with "eyes so full of anger," and Ellen
+turned so pale, and looked so alarmed, that Mordaunt thought he would at
+least give Mrs. Ross time to cool a little, before he left them
+together. Ellen began, in much confusion, to gather the books and maps
+together. "I am sorry to disturb you, but I did not expect," said Mrs.
+Ross, "to find you engaged in this manner, at this time of day, whatever
+you might chuse to do in an evening. I met your father, and he told me
+you were busy at work, or in the dairy: but," added she, in a low voice,
+"those things are not thought of _now_." "Indeed, Ma'am," said Ellen,
+blushing, while the tears started in her eyes, at being so lectured
+before Mordaunt, "indeed, I had just finished what I had to do in the
+dairy to-day, and had begun the work you desired me to do, when Mr.
+Mordaunt accidentally came in, and the maps we had been looking at last
+night lying in the window, he was just shewing me--" "Oh, it is all
+mighty well," interrupted Mrs. Ross; "I have no authority to interfere,
+I am sure, and do not wish to be impertinent. Pray, Sir," added she,
+turning to Mordaunt, "_do you stay much longer at Llanwyllan_?" "So,"
+thought Mordaunt, "my turn is coming next. I hope, Madam," added he,
+smiling, "I shall not stay long enough to tire my friends." "Oh, I dare
+say not, Sir; I dare say you are _pretty sure of that_." This coarse and
+cruel hint covered Ellen with the deepest crimson; and Mordaunt, while
+his face was scarlet, and his eyes sparkled with an indignation he with
+difficulty repressed, said, in a lofty tone, "I have not, at least,
+Madam, been accustomed to incur such a misfortune, and therefore flatter
+myself I have now done nothing to deserve it." He rose with dignity, and
+approaching Ellen, who sat almost motionless, he took her trembling
+hand, bowed respectfully upon it, and said, "I shall do myself the
+honour of attending your father and yourself, Miss Powis, in the
+evening." Then slightly bowing to Mrs. Ross, he departed. "Good lack,
+good lack," said Mrs. Ross, who, awed by his manner, had been silent a
+moment, "what a dainty speech! The honour of attending Miss Powis! well,
+what will this world come to! Why, Ellen, child, you are spoilt for a
+farmer's wife, and will soon begin to fancy yourself a lady indeed."
+Ellen, whose spirits were now totally subdued, wept bitterly, and said,
+"I am sure, Madam, I do not know how I have deserved to be treated
+thus."
+
+Softened by her distress, for with all her sharpness, Mrs. Ross loved
+Ellen, and really had her welfare at heart, she began to relent, and
+said more softly, "Why now, Ellen, child, hear me. Do you think it is
+right or creditable for a young girl like you to be constantly receiving
+the visits of such a man as Mr. Mordaunt? Tell me, Ellen, will he make
+you his wife?"
+
+This was a question Ellen had never dared to ask herself. In the
+beautiful language of Shakespeare, which Mordaunt had lately given her,
+and with which she was so enchanted, she often allowed herself only
+three hours sleep in a night, that she might find time to read, she had
+often repeated to herself--
+
+                        ---- It were all one,
+    That I should love a bright particular star,
+    And think to wed it: he is so above me;
+    In his bright radiance, and collateral light
+    Must I be comforted, not in his sphere.
+
+This question from Mrs. Ross, therefore, struck her heart with a pang of
+unutterable anguish, and she felt almost dying, while she owned, that so
+far from offering her his hand, Mordaunt had never spoken one word of
+love to her. Mrs. Ross, however, was rather pleased at the latter part
+of this confession, for she began to fear worse for the innocent and
+guileless Ellen than the capture of her heart; that, she had no doubt,
+might soon be retrieved when Mordaunt quitted the country, and Ellen
+could have no farther acquaintance with him; but she had begun to fear
+that his views were such as might involve Ellen in infamy, as well as
+misfortune: these fears, however, she had feeling enough to conceal from
+their object, and only dwelt upon the trouble she was preparing for
+herself, by giving so much of her time and regard to a man who, it
+evidently appeared, had no thoughts of her. In vain did Ellen murmur the
+word "Friendship," and faintly protest neither Mordaunt nor herself had
+the least idea of any thing beyond. Mrs. Ross, though her knowledge of
+the world was not extensive, knew enough to be convinced of the fallacy
+of such pretensions, and she ceased not till she drew from the dejected
+Ellen a promise to see less of Mordaunt, and to regain, as speedily as
+possible, her former mode of life. "And let me, Ellen, also, see you
+looking blooming and merry again," said she. "I wish, with all my heart,
+this man had never found his way to Llanwyllan: you used to be active,
+industrious, and happy; not a care to distress you, not a trouble to
+take away your colour; but now Charles would not know you again."
+"Charles!" thought Ellen, while a strange feeling, not unmingled with
+indignant comparison, swelled her heart, and gave a transient colour to
+her cheek. "What is Charles to me? Why am I always to be teased about
+him? They will teach me to hate, instead of loving him." "Well, Ellen,
+may I suppose you will take my advice?" "Certainly, Ma'am," said Ellen,
+with a deep sigh; "but," added she, hesitating, "you know, Ma'am, Mr.
+Mordaunt said he would be here this evening. You would not wish me--it
+would look very particular, very rude." "Never mind that. Come, you say
+you have done all you had to do in the dairy, so put on your hat, take
+your work, and come and dine with us like a good girl, as you used to
+be; you can leave word you were obliged to go out, and the sooner you
+let him see you are determined to avoid him the better." Ellen dared not
+refuse; she hesitated some excuse about her father's dining alone, which
+Mrs. Ross obviated by saying he would only run home, and take his
+dinner, and out again, and would not want her. Waiting, therefore, while
+poor Ellen put on her hat, and bathed her eyes, she dragged her away
+with her, and kept her all day at the Parsonage. Nay, under pretence of
+finishing their work, she would not suffer either Ellen or Joanna to
+stir out, though the weather was beautiful. Late in the evening Mr. Ross
+came in; he spoke with such particular kindness, and in so soothing a
+tone to Ellen, that the tears, which she had with difficulty restrained
+all day, ran down her cheeks, and she hastily rose, under pretence of
+looking at the moon, and went to the open window: there leaning her head
+over the window-seat, into which the jasmine crept, she hoped the
+torrents of tears she was shedding might fall unobserved; but the good
+Ross, who had followed her, and now stood at a small distance from her,
+perceived, by her air and action, that she was weeping, though no one
+else noticed it; for Ellen's was
+
+    "Mute, silent sorrow, free from female noise,
+    Such as the majesty of grief destroys."
+
+He was distressed to see her sorrow, and gently approaching, he took her
+hand, (while she, half starting, turned her head aside) and said, "My
+dear Ellen, I lament to see you so dejected; assure yourself, we love
+you as our own child, and would in all things consult your happiness.
+But reflect, my dear, on the change a few short weeks have produced:
+this man, this Mordaunt; nay, blush not, Ellen; for who can doubt it is
+on his account you weep--I own him elegant in person, polished in
+manners,
+
+    "Complete in person and in mind,
+    With all good grace to grace a gentleman!"
+
+"But what has he been to you? A friend! No, Ellen; he found you
+cheerful, contented with your lot, and happily engaged in the active
+duties of your station. What has he done for you? He has inspired you
+with views above the state where Providence has placed you. He has made
+your former useful occupations, your former simple friends, insipid to
+you; he has sought to give a degree of refinement to your taste, of
+delicacy to your sentiments, of which I well know nature has made you
+fully capable; but unless he means to transplant you to a soil where
+these flowers may flourish, believe me, Ellen, he has done you no
+kindness. He has only prepared for you years of anguish, of vain regret,
+of useless discontent, which will for ever destroy not only the glow
+upon your cheek, but the spring and elasticity of your mind. I will not
+ask you what are his professions; I will only suppose, that if they are
+serious, your father and your friends would not be strangers to them."
+
+Here Ellen sunk into a chair, and sobbed aloud. Mrs. Ross and Joanna,
+seeing that Ross was talking to her, had stolen out of the room. "It
+grieves me to distress you, my dear girl," said the benevolent Ross, and
+his gentle voice became tremulous; "but, Ellen, let my experience
+benefit you. There are characters in the world of which your innocent
+nature can form no idea. I will not offend your delicacy, nor indeed my
+own belief, by supposing, for an instant, that Mordaunt is one of those
+villains who seek the seduction of innocence."
+
+Here Ellen started from her chair, her clasped hands, glowing cheeks,
+and throbbing bosom, bespeaking an indignant agitation, which would not
+be controlled. Ross, gently reseating her, said, "Ellen, I wrong not
+you; I wrong not him, so much as to imagine such a possibility; but
+there are men, who, though they lead not so decidedly to guilt, yet lead
+as certainly to misery acute as aught but guilt can make it: and that
+only for the gratification of a mean and sordid vanity, inconceivable by
+such as have not witnessed its effects. I had once a sister, Ellen, fair
+almost as yourself, as gentle, and as virtuous; possessed of a
+sensibility that was at once her grace and her misfortune. In early
+life, it fortuned that she met with one of those practised deceivers,
+who united talents the most superior to manners the most enchanting. By
+a long series of quiet and silent attentions, by studying her tastes,
+devoting his time to her, he, without ever addressing to her a word of
+love, led her, and all who knew her, to believe he was her lover, and
+would be her husband. At last she was told that such was his usual
+practice, when he met with any woman who was superior to those around
+her; but she felt indignant at the accusation, and would not believe it
+till that belief was forced upon her, by seeing him going over the same
+ground with another. 'She pined in thought;' and a hectic complaint, to
+which she was subject, gained fast upon her. A mutual friend came to an
+explanation with him, while the mean wretch declared he had never made
+any profession to her, and never even thought of marrying her; but that
+the world would talk, and he wondered she did not despise it, as he did.
+A few months terminated the existence of the injured creature. Sweet
+Emily! thy gentle spirit fled to those regions where no deceit could
+further betray thee. The wretch at last met his fate in a duel with the
+brother of one whom he had sought to mislead, as he had done the
+unfortunate Emily." Ross's voice here failed, and both were silent.
+"Assure yourself, Ellen," at length resumed Ross, "I was not blind to
+your talents, and your love of knowledge; and many have been my
+struggles against the strong inclination I felt to become your
+instructor. My own children had not, I easily saw, such minds as yours,
+and I longed to cultivate your vigorous understanding. I resisted,
+though the temptation was aided by the wish I felt to secure to myself a
+future companion and assistant in the studies I best loved. Why, Ellen,
+did I resist? What was the powerful motive which prevented my yielding
+to such united inducements? It was a wish to secure your welfare and
+your happiness, which I thought would be most certainly effected by
+limiting your acquirements to something like an equality with those
+amongst whom you seemed fated to live. I may have erred in judgment; and
+since the bent of your inclination so determinately points towards the
+acquisition of knowledge, I am willing to suppose that I have done so. I
+will then, Ellen, be your tutor: we will, with Mrs. Ross's assistance,
+so arrange your hours, that your new employments shall not interfere
+with your domestic duties; and let me hope, my dear, that the same
+strength of mind, which so eagerly leads you to literary pursuits, will
+be manifested in conquering any sentiment too tender for your peace,
+which may have been excited by one, who, I fear, has merely had in view
+his own gratification. Should I wrong him--should he hereafter prove
+that he feels a sincere affection for you, and seeks your happiness,
+great will be my joy: no selfish or personal consideration shall
+influence my wishes on this subject. I had hoped that Charles might have
+been happy with the object of his first affections; but that I see is
+not _at present_ likely: fear, therefore, no persecution on that
+subject, either from me, or his mother and sister."
+
+Ross was silent; and Ellen, who had hitherto remained so from the
+mingled feelings of pride, regret, and tenderness, which swelled her
+heart, now fearing to seem sullen, faintly articulated, "You are very
+good and kind: I will be all I can--all, if possible, you wish me to
+be."
+
+Ross, seeing the variety of emotions she had that day undergone had
+quite exhausted her, advised her to retire to bed, saying she had better
+sleep there, and in the morning they would talk a little further on her
+future plans. Ellen, however unwillingly, how much soever her rebellious
+heart longed to return home, in the hope of seeing Mordaunt if but for a
+minute, yet felt that Ross had acted so kindly and so wisely, that his
+reasoning was so founded on truth, that she determined "in all her best
+to obey him." She retired therefore to the chamber she and Joanna had so
+often occupied, when no care disturbed their repose, when "sleep sat
+upon her eyes, peace in her breast." But ah! how changed! Exhausted,
+wan, and spiritless; her eyes heavy with weeping; her heart agitated
+with a thousand contending reflections, Ellen long vainly sought repose.
+Joanna was unusually kind and affectionate--she said little; and all she
+said was tender and endearing. Ellen felt truly grateful for this
+goodness, and found her love for her early friend revive, now the
+roughness which abated it was once more laid aside. At length,
+thoroughly wearied with the occurrences of the day, "tired Nature's kind
+restorer--balmy sleep," came to her aid, "and steeped her senses in
+forgetfulness."
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VII.
+
+    Grief was heavy at her heart,
+      And tears began to flow!
+    Soft as the dew from heaven descends,
+      His gentle accents fell.
+
+                    GOLDSMITH'S HERMIT.
+
+
+In the morning Mrs. Ross and Joanna left Mr. Ross and Ellen together for
+a few minutes: he drew his chair close to hers, and said, "Do not think,
+Ellen, I wish to tease or distress you; but tell me, will it not be
+better that you remain our guest for the present? You cannot, when left
+alone at Llanwyllan, refuse to admit Mr. Mordaunt without a
+particularity which it is on all accounts better to avoid: but here,
+even if he comes, you may see him with propriety; and when he finds no
+opportunity of entertaining you alone, he will probably cease to visit
+us, and perhaps leave Llanwyllan altogether." His mild expressive eyes
+glanced over Ellen's countenance: he saw her shrink and tremble at the
+painful idea he had excited; and while her every feature expressed the
+most exquisite anguish, the good man gently sighed, and removing his
+eyes from her face, endeavoured to conceal his knowledge of her
+distress. As he seemed to wait her answer, Ellen made a strong effort,
+and said, "The plan you propose, Sir, is undoubtedly the best: if you
+will be troubled with me, I will remain as long as you please." This
+matter settled, Ross undertook to reconcile Powis to spare Ellen for a
+short time; and reading her apprehensions in her countenance, said
+softly, "Fear not: I will give him sufficient reasons, without exciting
+his displeasure, or even his suspicion of our real motive." Ross
+accordingly went to the Farm, and meeting with Powis in one of the
+fields near the house, he told him that Ellen was not quite well, though
+better than she had been the night before, and therefore his wife wished
+to detain her a few days at the Parsonage to remove her cold, and would
+herself visit the Farm for an hour or two, to settle the concerns of the
+dairy, poultry-yard, &c. &c. and that they should be very glad to see
+him in the evening, or at any of their meals, when he could make it
+convenient. These little arrangements between the two families had till
+very lately been so frequent, that Powis felt not the least surprize,
+though he owned he was sorry Ellen had not come home the night before,
+as Mr. Mordaunt had seemed rather hurt about it; "And he has been so
+very civil and kind, you know, neighbour Ross, that one would not wish
+to affront him." So perfectly unsuspicious was this good man, that not a
+thought crossed his mind of the possible intention of Mordaunt's visits;
+and secure in Ellen's fancied affection for Charles Ross, he never
+dreamt of her thinking of any other man. Ross silently acquiesced in
+what he said, and then went into the house to deliver some directions to
+the servant, and which, he said, Mrs. Ross should go herself in the
+course of the day to see executed. In the common sitting-room Ross found
+the maps and books at which Mordaunt and Ellen had been looking the
+preceding day (his wife had told him the circumstances of her visit): he
+was rather surprized at the neatness and even elegance of their binding,
+though merely what might be called school-books in geography and
+grammar, and found that the maps were excellent and expensive. On the
+window lay a beautifully bound volume or two of Shakespeare, Thomson's
+Seasons, marked and underlined at the description of Lavinia, Cowper's
+Poems, and two or three others; in all of which was written, "Ellen
+Powis, the gift of her friend Constantine." And in two or three were
+short passages in Italian and French, written in a small hand with a
+pencil, expressive of admiration and regard, and evidently applied to
+Ellen. From one of them dropt the following
+
+STANZAS TO THE MOON.
+
+    Oh, thou bright moon! whose beams, however fair,
+      So lately my sad eyes unheeding saw;
+    Whose soothing light from its unceasing care,
+      My heavy soul so vainly strove to draw;
+    I bid thee witness now, that pale despair,
+      Her comfortless dominion o'er my mind,
+    Reluctant yields, and hope begins to share,
+      The empire of my soul, with visions kind!
+
+    With soften'd feelings on thy beams I gaze,
+      And their mild influence stealing on my heart,
+    Enchanting visions in my bosom raise,
+      Sweet friendship comes her blessings to impart:
+    In Ellen's form she comes! Oh, fairest form!
+      Oh, sweetest voice, that from the grief-worn soul
+    E'er stole its cares, e'er bade the beating storm
+      Of sorrow cease, and could each woe controul!
+
+Several erasures and interlineations proved this to be an original, and
+probably an unfinished performance.
+
+Ross saw in all this new reason to be alarmed: he no longer wondered at
+the progress this insinuating man had made in the affections of Ellen,
+and most earnestly did he wish that Mordaunt had never seen her, or had
+selected her for his wife. Yet even in that case there was something to
+consider: they knew nothing of Mordaunt but what he had told them. There
+was certainly something equivocal in the total retirement of such a man
+from the world: he might have been driven from it rather by his vices
+than by his misfortunes: yet there was in the appearance and manners of
+Mordaunt, an uprightness, a loftiness of carriage, that looked not like
+that of a man debased and bowed down by guilt. While Ross thus
+meditated, Mordaunt suddenly came in--his eyes sparkling, and his cheeks
+glowing: for hearing some one moving in the parlour, and having seen
+Powis in the fields at a distance, he concluded it could be no one but
+Ellen: his impatient step, extended hand, and pleased countenance, at
+once explained to Ross what his expectation had been. On seeing him,
+Mordaunt half started back, exclaiming, "I thought----" Then recovering
+himself, he again advanced, and offering his hand to Mr. Ross, said with
+much cordiality, "My dear Sir, I am glad to see you: it is sometime
+since we met." There was a charm in the voice and manner of Mordaunt
+that few could withstand, however unkindly disposed towards him. Ross,
+who had from the first felt pleased with him, although he now on Ellen's
+account was angry, yet could not prevail on himself to appear
+displeased; yet there was a coolness in his expression that was visible
+enough to so acute an observer as Mordaunt. Whatever was his motive,
+however, he chose not to notice it, but continued to speak with
+frankness and vivacity, inquiring for Mrs. Ross and Joanna. At last,
+glancing his eyes round the room, he said, "Are you alone this morning,
+my good Sir? Miss Powis, I learnt, slept at your house last night: I
+hope she is not ill?" Through all the assumed composure of his look, and
+affected indifference of his tone, Ross plainly saw that Mordaunt made
+this inquiry with real anxiety; but of the true motive of that anxiety
+he was extremely doubtful. He replied somewhat coldly, "Ellen is
+certainly not quite well, and Mrs. Ross thinks her _safest_ under her
+own _care at present_." This speech, which might to a guilty conscience
+have conveyed "more than met the ear," seemed to be literally
+interpreted by Mordaunt; and thrown off his guard, he evinced great
+agitation, while he exclaimed, "Safest! Good God! You do not surely
+apprehend any danger in her complaints?" "Not exactly that," said Ross
+(not displeased at his warmth), "but she has a bad cold; and Mrs. Ross
+has a high opinion of her own skill as a nurse: we shall therefore keep
+Ellen with us for a few days at least. If she should then not be better,
+I shall advise her father to let her change the air."
+
+This suggestion seemed to complete the dismay of Mordaunt: he trembled,
+and turned pale. Ross, bowing, wished him "good morning," and walked
+away. Mordaunt, after a moment's recollection, followed him hastily, and
+as they walked, endeavoured to enter into a more general conversation,
+apparently in the hope that he was going home, and that by going with
+him, he might see Ellen: but Ross was going to visit a sick parishioner
+at some distance. Mordaunt was therefore obliged to take leave of him at
+the door of his own lodgings: he ventured to say, as they parted, "I
+shall take an early opportunity of inquiring for my friends at the
+Parsonage, Mr. Ross." In answer to which Ross bowed, and said, but not
+very cordially, he should be glad to see him.
+
+"And must I bear all this!" said Mordaunt, as they parted: "to what have
+I reduced myself? Yet this, and more, sweet Ellen, will I bear for thee!
+Yet to what purpose? Can I, dare I, link thee to such a fate as mine may
+be? Yet can I leave thee, or bear to be so near, and not to see thee? To
+be forbidden, at least by looks forbidden to approach thee: to encounter
+the angry glances of a narrow-minded woman, and even by her benevolent
+husband to be received with coldness almost bordering on contempt? Yes,
+Ellen, I will bear it all! Would to heaven they would have left us to
+ourselves, till time--till the full conviction of her affection--they
+need not have feared." Thus in broken sentences murmured Mordaunt, as he
+strode impatiently across his narrow apartment, and determined nothing
+should prevent him from seeing Ellen, and ascertaining whether Ross's
+fears for her health were not merely a pretence for separating them.
+
+The whole day passed heavily with Ellen, yet Mrs. Ross and Joanna were
+unusually kind to her: no hinted doubt, no implied accusation of herself
+and Mordaunt met her ear; but her heart was ill at ease, and her forced
+employments irksome. She longed to lie in her own quiet parlour, where,
+if Mordaunt might not come, at least she might think of him without
+restraint. Ross returned to dinner: he took no notice of Ellen's
+dejection, nor mentioned having met with Mordaunt; but told her he had
+seen her father, who was quite satisfied she should stay with them
+awhile, and try to recover her health, and that he thought it probable
+they should see him in the evening. As the afternoon was remarkably
+clear, and not too warm (for the autumn was by this time far advanced),
+he invited the girls to walk with him, instead of resuming their work,
+to which Mrs. Ross gave her consent without a murmur, only begging they
+would not walk too far, as she thought Ellen not strong enough to bear
+much fatigue. To this they agreed, and Ellen found the calm soft air
+revive her. Ross led the conversation to the wonders of nature: he
+explained in familiar terms the structure of some flowers he gathered,
+and made them admire the wisdom of that Being, who had formed those
+blossoms so exquisitely fair. Thence he descanted on the nature and
+properties of some rare plants, and was on all so eloquent and so
+instructive, that Ellen felt her heart expand more lightly, and some
+degree of pleasure take possession of her mind. "But ah!" thought she,
+"why is not Mordaunt partaker of this sweet conversation? Why are two
+men, so well fitted to gratify and delight each other, thus to be
+estranged? Surely, Mr. Ross does not properly appreciate either the
+qualities of Mordaunt's mind, or the excellence of his heart and
+principles. Had he heard from him the sentiments which have charmed
+me--did he know the delicacy of his taste, and his abhorrence of every
+thing mean and base, he could not suppose him the wretch he last night
+described." Yet Ellen was so candid and unprejudiced, she could allow
+great reason in many of Ross's suggestions; and her high opinion of his
+judgment, and the general liberality with which it was exercised, filled
+her heart with uneasy fears.
+
+They had been a few minutes returned to the house, and were just sitting
+down to their simple supper, when Powis came in; and hastening to meet
+Ellen, whom he had not seen for nearly two days, he tenderly kissed her.
+She loved her father most affectionately, and had met him so eagerly,
+that she did not for the instant perceive Mordaunt, who had followed him
+into the room, and advanced towards her. She was startled; and fearing
+what reception her friends would give him, she turned pale, and
+trembled, which her father perceiving, said, "Why, Ellen, it is only Mr.
+Mordaunt: you are not frightened at him, are you? Why, you have not seen
+him these two or three days, he tells me. Come, shake hands with him,
+and tell him you are glad to see him." Not for worlds could Ellen have
+articulated one word; but Mordaunt, taking advantage of her father's
+friendly commands, took the hand she could not--dared not offer; and
+pressing it vehemently between his own, said in a low voice, "No, Ellen,
+do not _say_ you are _glad_ to see me: the formal coldness of such an
+expression from you would be worse to me than that averted look which
+leads me to believe, at least to fear, the sight of me is far from
+pleasing to you."
+
+A vivid blush spread over her countenance, and she suddenly lifted her
+eyes to him with an expression of reproachful yet gentle timid
+affection, that at once explained to him all that her heart was filled
+with. Joy, delight, and an expression of the most tender love and
+admiration, took possession of Mordaunt's fine features: he seemed
+transfixed, and stood gazing on her, still holding her hand, as if he
+had no longer power over his own actions. "Why, how you stand," said
+honest Powis, laughing, "staring at one another as if you had never met
+before! Come, neighbour Ross, I am come to eat a bit of your cold meat:
+I have been in the fields all the evening, and made but a short dinner,
+Ellen not being at home. Come, let us sit down, and begin supper."
+
+Nothing could equal the awkwardness of Mordaunt's situation: he felt
+himself an intruder, yet could not tear himself away. Ross, his wife,
+and Joanna, had indeed all spoken to him with civility; but there was
+something in their manner which fully convinced him he was no welcome
+guest; and though Ellen looked somewhat pale, yet he saw in her no sign
+of such a state of health as should make her residence with Mrs. Ross
+necessary. Relieved by this conviction (for he had really been alarmed
+for her), he yet felt mortified in perceiving that she was kept there on
+purpose to avoid his visits. At length, a little recovering himself, he
+relinquished her hand, and said, "Pray let me be no interruption: I am
+going instantly: I merely called to inquire how Miss Powis was this
+evening, and am happy to find her not so ill as I feared." He now bowed,
+and was retiring, when Ross, ashamed of appearing so inhospitable,
+pressed him to sit down with them; and Joanna (pitying Ellen's
+confusion, who was quite distressed at her father's apparent surprize at
+the coolness--to him unaccountable--of Mordaunt's reception), said with
+great good-nature, "Here's a chair, Mr. Mordaunt; and as you never eat
+any thing but fruit at night, see what fine peaches and grapes we have."
+
+Mordaunt, charmed by the kind invitation, and by seeing the chair
+mentioned was placed between herself and Ellen, could not resist the
+temptation: he sat down, and vainly endeavoured to behave as he used to
+do: but there was a visible restraint over the whole party, except
+Powis; and though Ross attempted several times to keep up something like
+conversation, it soon languished, and every one seemed weary and
+uneasy--the mind of each was pre-occupied; and what either said,
+appeared to be far from the thing they were thinking of. Once or twice
+Mordaunt spoke in a low voice to Ellen; but she, awed by the presence of
+Mr. and Mrs. Ross, answered only in the briefest way possible, and
+rarely lifted her eyes from the table. He asked her at last if she
+should be at home to-morrow. She replied in the negative. "Nor the next
+day?" "I believe not." "Good God! and how long is this to last?" "I do
+not know: Mrs. Ross thinks I shall be better here for awhile." "And do
+you never walk?" "Yes: we walked this evening with Mr. Ross."
+
+Mordaunt saw that every thing possible was done to prevent their
+meeting, and that he must come to some decision speedily. Of Ellen's
+love, he could no longer doubt: his own for her he had for some time
+felt to be that overwhelming sentiment, which must finally conquer all
+opposing circumstances; but there were such in his fate as ought (at
+least he thought so) to have prevented him from linking hers with it;
+yet he had insensibly been so led on, he saw there was no retreating,
+and determined shortly to come to an explanation with Ross and her
+father, though much he wished a further time had been allowed. These
+reflexions, which in spite of himself and the habit of self-command he
+had so hardly acquired, sank him into silence; and at length, Powis,
+tired of the gloom and heaviness which seemed hung over the whole party,
+so different from what their little suppers used to be, told them he
+thought they were all very stupid, and he would go home and go to bed.
+Then shaking Ross by the hand, he went round the table to Ellen, kissed
+her, and wished her good night, telling her to get quite well as fast as
+possible, for he wanted her at home. Mordaunt bade them good night at
+the same time, and went away with Powis.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. VIII.
+
+    "Are then the sons of interest only wise?
+      Can pomp alone essential good impart?
+    Mistaken world; ah! why thus vainly prize
+      Those gifts which but contract the human heart?
+
+    "Why only _folly_ that fond passion call,
+      Which Heaven itself implanted in the mind;
+    Links each to each, and, harmonizing all,
+      Swells the rapt heart with sympathy refin'd."
+
+
+The reflections of a long and sleepless night determined Mordaunt on the
+line of conduct he ought to pursue; and as soon as he thought the early
+breakfast at the Parsonage would be ended, he walked thither, and asking
+for Mr. Ross, was shewn into the little study, which that good man
+called exclusively his own. Yet here, in the very last place where he
+would have expected to find her, to his utter astonishment he saw Ellen.
+Ellen alone--seated at a table covered with books, from one of which she
+appeared learning something, or rather to have been so employed, for at
+the moment he entered her thoughts had wandered; and she was sitting,
+one fair hand holding the open book, the other covering her eyes.
+Supposing the person who entered to be Mr. Ross, who had that day
+commenced the office of her tutor, she looked up; but seeing Mordaunt,
+the book fell from her hand, and she vainly endeavoured to rise from her
+seat--a ceremony not yet exploded by the unfashionable inhabitants of
+Llanwyllan. Mordaunt sprang eagerly forward, exclaiming, "Here Ellen!
+Good Heavens! could I have hoped to see you here! At last then we meet
+again, without the irksome restraint of surrounding witnesses, of almost
+hostile eyes! Fear not, dearest, for ever dearest Ellen." Seeing she
+looked half alarmed at his unusual warmth, for in general his manner
+towards her was, though tender, composed,--"fear not: never may word nor
+look of mine give you reasonable cause of alarm or vexation. Worlds
+would I give for one hour's uninterrupted conversation with you--but now
+another moment may prevent my saying more. Tell me then, sweetest girl,
+may I, will you permit me to apply to Mr. Ross for his interest with
+you, and with your father, till I can hope that my assiduities, if not
+my merit, may have excited in you a tenderer sentiment than mere
+esteem?"
+
+Bewildered--perplexed--hardly knowing or understanding what she heard,
+or believing that Mordaunt could be in earnest in what she could not but
+suppose a declaration of his love, Ellen gasped, trembled, and half
+fainted in his supporting arms.
+
+At this moment Ross entered, and seeing this extraordinary scene, gazed
+with surprize, almost with dismay, upon them. "I was told," said he,
+gravely advancing, "that Mr. Mordaunt wished to speak to _me_. What is
+the matter Ellen? are you ill?" "Forgive my vehemence, dear Ellen," said
+Mordaunt. "I have startled your tender spirits by my impatience: permit
+me to conduct you to your friends; or shall Mr. Ross and I retire
+together?"
+
+The particular tenderness of this address, and this almost open avowal
+of the interest he took in her, still more and more surprized Ross.
+Ellen rose, and with difficulty supporting herself, murmured she would
+go to Mrs. Ross--"Do so," said Ross; "but let _me_ assist you.--Mr.
+Mordaunt, be seated; I will return to you immediately."--Without
+speaking more to her, he took her arm in his, and having seated her in
+the parlour, (where fortunately Joanna was alone), he told her to
+compose herself, and returned to a visitor whom every hour made him
+think more perplexing and extraordinary. Mordaunt extended his hand, and
+grasping Ross's within it, said, with noble frankness, "You have been,
+my dear Sir,--perhaps still are displeased with me: but the time is come
+when the mysteries which surround me shall be cleared away. If you will
+grant me your attention for an hour I will relate to you some
+circumstances upon which I must at present beg you to be silent; but to
+the truth of all which I pledge myself by every asseveration which can
+bind the man of principle and honour."
+
+They were seated, and Mordaunt related to Ross many events, and
+disclosed many secrets, which we shall for the present take leave to
+pass over. Having finished the astonishing recital, he said, "And now,
+my dear Sir, having heard all I know of myself, and all I may hereafter
+fear, will you candidly tell me whether I may hope not only for your
+consent, but for your good wishes that I may marry Ellen Powis? May I,
+do you think, venture to make her mine, when perhaps a few months may
+involve me in so much vexation if not disgrace? And do you think I may
+hope such a share of affection from her as will reconcile her to future
+events, of whatever nature they may be?"--"I see," said Ross, "that my
+cautious fears for her peace have a little precipitated your measures.
+It might have been better, perhaps, to let things go on quietly till the
+return of that young man you have mentioned to me from abroad might have
+explained his future intentions: perhaps his opinions may have altered
+during his absence: be that as it may, if you were now to leave
+Llanwyllan without coming to a farther explanation with Ellen, I fear
+her peace would be too deeply endangered; for though I would
+scrupulously guard her delicacy, and leave the declaration of her
+sentiments to her own lips, yet it would be idle to deny my conviction
+that she has seen her _friend Mordaunt_ with what I believe I must call
+_preference_. Is not that the proper word, think you, Sir?" He smiled,
+and added such kind professions of regard for Mordaunt, and expressed so
+much delight at his truly disinterested love for Ellen, as left our
+traveller nothing to wish from him.
+
+It was determined that not even Ellen should know at present the
+circumstances Mordaunt had revealed to Ross. "If she knows them," said
+Mordaunt, "she will think duty calls upon her to impart at least some of
+them to her father, and we are sure our worthy friend Powis will make no
+secret of them; you cannot doubt, Mr. Ross, how greatly it would annoy
+me to have them known while we remain at Llanwyllan; when we are gone,
+the leading circumstances will not remain a secret long, for I hope for
+your kind interest with Ellen and her father, that I may take her with
+me ere long, before winter has rendered travelling over your 'staircase
+roads,' as some one expresses it, unpleasant, if not unsafe. I am
+perhaps presuming too far, but I think, I hope, from Ellen's gentle
+tremor and not repugnant looks, when just now I was hurried into
+something very like a declaration of my love, though I came purposely to
+consult you before I made it, that she will not be inexorable." "I
+think," replied Ross, "I may venture to assure you she will not even
+affect a hesitation which her heart disclaims. Ellen has been brought up
+in the most perfect modesty, but at the same time in the most perfect
+sincerity, and it is really out of her power to conceal her sentiments;
+and to me, who have known her from her infancy, they are as obvious as
+if her heart was open to my view; but I will not say more," said he,
+with a benevolent smile.--"I ought not to betray my darling little
+pupil: by the bye," added he, turning to the books, &c. "my office of
+schoolmaster will, I suppose, soon be taken from me; I might as well not
+have attempted to take it out of your hands." Mordaunt laughed, and
+asked Ross if he might not request to see Ellen then. "You may easily
+imagine my anxiety," added he. "Why," said Ross, "there is something so
+formidable in sending for the poor little girl, and seating her formally
+to hear what you undoubtedly are impatient to say, that if you can allow
+her a little time to compose herself, after the flurry she has had this
+morning already, I really think it will be better. Will you partake of
+our humble dinner to-day--can you eat at our unfashionable early hour?
+for the good people here, amongst other things, are amazed at your usual
+hours; if you can, pray favour me; and after dinner I will so far relax
+my late vigilance, as to permit you to speak to Ellen apart for ten
+minutes: will that be long enough?" "Not quite," said Mordaunt, half
+laughing; "but how shall we manage with Mrs. Ross, who, I believe, holds
+me in very serious aversion, and with Joanna, who will, I know, have her
+mother's commands not to stir from Ellen?" "How well you have read us
+all," said Ross, laughing in his turn: "but trust to me: I will remove
+all these formidable obstacles--yet do not fancy my good woman has any
+dislike to you; whatever displeasure she has shewn originated in her
+vexation at seeing your influence had deranged the plans she thought
+best for Ellen to pursue, and endangered, as we feared, her happiness;
+for though she may not shew it exactly according to the manner a more
+enlightened mind might chuse, assure yourself Mrs. Ross loves Ellen with
+the affection of a mother." "I doubt it not," replied Mordaunt with
+vivacity: "who can see and not love that exquisite creature?--what a
+person--what a mind she has! You may believe, after all I have told you,
+that 'for several virtues have I liked several women.' I may go on and
+add, that 'she, so perfectly and so peerless, was created of every
+creature's best.'"
+
+"Indeed," said Ross, "I have ever highly appreciated Ellen, but I
+believe not highly enough, for I never thought of her making a conquest
+so important: the little gipsy is not aware of the power of her charms."
+"Ah," said Mordaunt, shrinking, "do not lead my thoughts that way, do
+not let me suppose, if she knew them better, my success with her might
+be less to be hoped; that when the world shall have taught her to
+estimate them more highly--" "Ah, beware of jealousy," said Ross. "Name
+not the horrid word," cried Mordaunt, with some emotion; "too much
+reason have I to know its misery; but with your virtuous, with your
+pious Ellen, I shall surely be secure." "Doubt it not," replied Ross,
+gravely; "if ever human being might be relied on for truth, for
+sincerity, for singleness of heart, that being is Ellen Powis; yet the
+world is a dangerous school, and you, I hope, will watch with unceasing
+care over your inexperienced pupil, whose very virtues may betray her,
+if not into error, into the appearance of it."
+
+A few more words passed between them, and then Mordaunt retired to dress
+for dinner, a custom from which he never departed even in this retired
+spot.
+
+During this long conference, poor Mrs. Ross had been in a complete
+fidget (to use her own word) to know its subject: her curiosity had long
+since reached its highest point, and she repeated almost incessantly to
+Ellen and Joanna, who sat at work beside her,--"Well, what in the whole
+world can Mr. Mordaunt have to say to Mr. Ross--well, what can they be
+talking of all this time? Dear, I hope they won't quarrel." "Quarrel!"
+repeated Joanna, while Ellen's work dropt from her fingers, and she
+looked amazed and terrified: "quarrel! my dear mother, what should they
+quarrel about? Besides, did you ever know my father quarrel with
+anybody?" "No: true enough, he has a very fine temper; but then, _that_
+Mr. Mordaunt seems so hasty, and sometimes looks so strangely,
+that--besides, I thought he seemed quite angry when we went away last
+night." She then opened the parlour door, which was exactly opposite to
+that of the study, and stood a minute as if to catch the sound of their
+voices.
+
+"Well, I declare they are talking still, but not loud: bless me! I
+actually heard one of them laugh." "So much the better, mamma," said
+Joanna; "I always like to hear people laugh; it shews there is no
+mischief going on." "Not at all, not at all, Joanna," said Mrs. Ross,
+whose irritated curiosity disposed her to contradiction. "I am sure I
+have often thought, when I have heard you two girls chattering and
+laughing, that you were planning some mischief." "Well, mamma, I am sure
+we never executed it, for you know we were always the best girls in the
+world." "Pretty well, pretty well sometimes," replied Mrs. Ross, half
+smiling in the midst of her bustle.
+
+At length the study door opened, and Mordaunt was seen to pass through
+the little garden before the house, to which Ross attended him: they
+shook hands at parting. "You see, mamma, they have not quarrelled," said
+Joanna; "so far from it, I have a great notion they are better pleased
+with each other than they have been lately;" and she glanced slily at
+Ellen, for Joanna had little doubt what subject had employed, at least,
+part of the time they had been together.
+
+As soon as Mordaunt was gone, Ross came into the parlour, and
+said,--"What have we for dinner to-day, my dear?" "Well, Mr. Ross, I
+don't think I ever heard you ask before in all my life." "Possibly not,
+my dear; but I wish to know, because Mr. Mordaunt dines with us." "Mr.
+Mordaunt!" repeated Mrs. Ross: "well, of all things, that is the last I
+should have expected. Why, _now_ I am surprized indeed:--then we have
+such an odd dinner to-day;--nothing but----" "Never mind, my dear, never
+mind, you can easily make a little alteration: come with me, and I will
+tell you more; in the meantime, girls, go and make yourselves very
+smart. Mr. Mordaunt is only gone home to dress, and will be here again
+soon; of course, as he is so nice in his own appearance, he will expect
+to find you lasses dressed to receive him." "Dear Mr. Ross," said the
+good woman, staring at him, "I do not know you to-day! What in the world
+is come to you? First you inquire about dinner, and then you tell the
+girls to go and dress themselves; two things which I never knew you take
+the slightest concern in before."
+
+Ross laughed and took her away, and Joanna, looking smilingly at Ellen,
+said--"Are you quite as much at a loss to understand all this as my
+mother, Ellen? Come, do exert yourself a little, and perhaps by and bye,
+with Mordaunt's assistance, you may find out the meaning of some of
+these extraordinary things." Ellen half laughed, and blushing, told her
+she was very teasing; but the pleasure which shone in her eyes evinced
+she was tolerably sure the cause of these new appearances, when
+explained, would not be disagreeable. Mrs. Ross came in again with a
+face of wonder, and saying only--"Lord bless me! well,--what strange
+things have come to pass!--come, Ellen, child, make haste and dress
+yourself as nicely as possible--come, Joanna, I want you--there are
+fifty things to do," took Joanna away. Ross joined Ellen, who was
+hastily putting up her work, impatient to escape to her own room, and
+reflect in quiet; and taking her hand with paternal tenderness, while
+his fine countenance was radiant with benevolent joy, said:--
+
+"Compose yourself, my dear child; abate as much as possible this evident
+emotion; for though with pleasure I tell you every wish of your heart is
+likely to be fulfilled, nay in some respects perhaps exceeded, yet I
+would have you receive Mr. Mordaunt's declaration, of what I believe to
+be the sincerest regard, with something of composure, nay, even of
+dignity: for though, my dear girl, your station in life may, and does
+render you his inferior, yet, with your mind and person, he ought to
+think the affection of a heart so guileless no mean acquisition. Go, my
+dear, to your room, and tranquillize the too visible agitation of your
+spirits."
+
+Ellen affectionately kissed the kind hand which held her own, and
+silently retired.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. IX.
+
+                      ----The sun goes down;
+    Far off his light is on the naked crags
+    Of Penmanmawr and Arvon's ancient hills;
+    And the last glory lingers yet awhile,
+    Crowning old Snowdon's venerable head,
+    That rose amid his mountains----
+    ----Where Mona the dark island stretch'd
+    Her shore along the ocean's lighter line.
+
+                              SOUTHEY'S MADOR.
+
+
+Pass we over the succeeding interview between Mordaunt and Ellen--its
+general style may be easily imagined; and the particulars of scenes like
+that seldom give pleasure, unless to those whom they immediately
+concern. It will be needless to specify that Ellen modestly, though
+frankly, confessed the influence he had obtained over her affections,
+and consented to be his wife: one, only one, painful objection arose in
+her mind--the probable distance she must be removed from her father, and
+the doubtfulness of her seeing him again, at least for years. These
+objections Mordaunt did his best to obviate, by reminding her that Powis
+was yet in a green old age, and would be well able to visit them; and
+that he would engage to revisit Llanwyllan with her, in the course of a
+year or two. Here, however, Mordaunt sighed deeply, and his countenance
+assumed that inexplicable gloom, with which reflexions on the past, or
+anticipations of the future, seemed always to inspire him: recovering
+himself a little, he added, "Remember, however, Ellen, this promise must
+be in some measure conditional. There are circumstances in my situation,
+which I have explained to Mr. Ross, which may affect my honour--almost
+strike at my life. Say, Ellen, can you willingly encounter those storms
+of adverse fate, which may assail, and, perhaps, make me an exile from
+my native country for ever? Can you give me so much of your confidence
+as to believe, whatever appearances may be, I am innocent?"
+
+"Your words are full of mystery," said Ellen, in a faltering tone; "yet
+my heart is so fully convinced of your honour and veracity, that I can
+venture to promise no appearances shall ever shake my confidence in
+either--and if Mr. Ross knows those circumstances to which you allude,
+and yet is willing to join our hands, I have the best security that my
+heart has not misled my judgment."
+
+"Admirable creature!" exclaimed Mordaunt: "how, in this sequestered
+situation, have you learnt so to temper the warmth of that innocent
+heart by the nicest rules of modesty and discrimination? How good you
+are, not to insist on my explaining all these mysteries!--Believe me,
+Ellen, I only postpone it in order to avoid as much as possible giving
+you pain. Perhaps, before any explanation becomes necessary, the clouds
+which have so long hovered over me may be dispersed. There is a clue,
+which (if the united efforts of myself and of the best of friends can
+attain it) will yet be found, that will unravel all that makes against
+me; and all will then be well." Here, for the present, the matter
+rested; and though to suppose Ellen void of curiosity would be to
+suppose her stupid, yet so entire was the confidence which she felt in
+Mordaunt's affection, and Ross's judgment, that she was perfectly
+satisfied to rest implicitly on them.
+
+Mordaunt the next day made his application for Powis's consent to his
+marrying Ellen. His surprize at the proposal was such as evidently
+shewed it had never entered his imagination. After expressing his
+astonishment, he hesitated, and then replied: "Why, look ye, Mr.
+Mordaunt, you appear to be a gentleman, and I dare say have a good
+income. I can give Ellen a few hundreds now, and a few at my death; and
+I only want to be sure that you can maintain her in some sort of
+comfort.--You must tell me a little more of your situation in life; and
+though I like you very well, I should be glad to know from somebody who
+knows you what sort of a character you bear. Now don't be angry--I am a
+plain spoken man, and no more suspicious than another: but when you come
+and ask me for my only child, and to take her away, God knows where,
+into strange parts, I had need know whether you are likely to be kind to
+her."
+
+Mordaunt seemed a little confused at this harangue; but replied: "You
+are very right, my good friend; I have already explained myself, my
+situation in life, and all circumstances, to Mr. Ross, who is of opinion
+I may marry your daughter, without doing her any injury in point of
+fortune--for your farther satisfaction, however, I refer you to the Rev.
+Doctor Montague, domestic chaplain to the Earl of St. Aubyn, at St.
+Aubyn Castle, Northamptonshire--his Lordship is at present not in
+England. That gentleman will give you every necessary detail respecting
+me; and should his account be satisfactory, I may then hope all
+obstacles are removed."
+
+"You speak very handsomely, and like a gentleman, as I doubt not you
+are: but you will excuse my being a little anxious about my
+child--truth, to say, I do not like the notion of her going so far from
+me; but if she likes you (and I suppose you are pretty well agreed, or
+you would not come to me), I will never let my own comfort hinder her
+happiness; yet I tell you honestly, I had rather she had married Charles
+Ross, as I thought likely." At these words Mordaunt's countenance was
+overcast: he feared there had been some attachment between the young
+people; and such was the delicacy of his sentiments, that had he been
+certain of it, all his love for Ellen, passionate as it certainly was,
+would not have induced him to marry her; on this head, therefore, he was
+determined to be satisfied. He wrote Doctor Montague's address for
+Powis, and then went directly to the Parsonage, where Ellen still
+remained. He found her alone; and though he looked delighted to see her,
+she yet fancied she saw a little alteration in his manner, which
+disturbed her. He told her he had seen her father, and a part of what
+passed, omitting the mention of money concerns, which he thought would
+distress her.
+
+When he was silent, she said: "Tell me, Mr. Mordaunt, am I mistaken in
+supposing you out of spirits to-day? I fear my father's rough manner has
+vexed you."--"No, Ellen, not that." "Then there is something, I am
+sure." "And do you already know me so well?" said Mordaunt. "I am
+ashamed to confess how unreasonable I am when you are so good and so
+confiding: but it is true--your father dropt a hint which alarmed me. He
+spoke of Charles Ross in terms that--forgive me, Ellen--that led me to
+fear, whatever might now be the case, he had not always been indifferent
+to you."
+
+Ellen blushed a little, and said, with a calm smile, "It is certainly
+true, that Charles Ross professed a great attachment to me; and I
+believe his friends and my father earnestly wished we should at some
+time or other be married. Joanna, in particular, was very anxious, and
+has within a few months been quite uneasy on this subject, and indeed
+made me so too--for it was impossible----" She paused: then added, "I
+certainly felt the regard of a sister for Charles, but never more. If I
+had not--if you had never----" She hesitated, blushed, and said, with
+some warmth, "I never could have loved him enough to marry him."
+
+Charmed, and with every suspicion laid at rest by this frank avowal,
+Mordaunt now was truly happy--for, till now, though hardly known to
+himself, a lurking doubt of Charles had at times hung about him.
+Mordaunt's former knowledge of the world had had the effect upon his
+heart, which it too often has, of repressing its confidence, and making
+it distrustful and suspicious. Great indeed had been his reasons for
+hardly believing the existence of real virtue, till he knew Ellen: her
+perfect innocence, her sweet simplicity, blended with the tenderest
+sensibility and acutest discernment, had once more restored his faith,
+and he now hoped and believed no future jealousies would cross his path.
+Yet surely he was venturing on doubtful ground. Great indeed must have
+been his risk in transplanting so fair a flower from the wildest part of
+Wales into the polished interior of England, and, probably, into a
+situation widely different from that she had hitherto filled! What could
+have implanted in the mind of a man so prone to jealousy as Mordaunt
+certainly was, so perfect a confidence in Ellen's veracity and virtue?
+It was, that he had observed in her an exalted, though not enthusiastic
+_piety_. Mordaunt, though a man of the world, was also a religious man;
+and in conversing, as he had done, frequently with Ellen on the subject
+of religion, he found her principles so fixed, and her mind so decidedly
+made up, and on such reasonable grounds, that he hesitated not in
+pronouncing her a Christian upon principle, and as such entitled to the
+firm confidence he felt in her sincerity and virtue.
+
+Mordaunt now told her he should be absent all the next day, for it was
+necessary to write to one or two of his friends of the intended change
+in his prospects; and that, as he did not like to trust his letters to
+any common messenger, and indeed expected there were some of consequence
+lying for him at Carnarvon, he should go thither himself to fetch them;
+that as the distance was rather beyond what he liked to walk, especially
+now the days were so much shortened, he should borrow Ross's pony, and
+hoped to return in the evening. This scheme he executed accordingly; and
+Ross, understanding from Powis the mode proposed for his gaining farther
+intelligence of Mordaunt, thought, as Ellen was now returned to the
+Farm, it would be as well if Mordaunt absented himself in those little
+excursions he used so much to delight in, and restrained his visits to
+her in some degree, till her father's scruples were finally removed. To
+this, however, reluctantly they agreed; and Mordaunt accordingly spent
+the greatest part of the next week in viewing the face of the country,
+returning to his lodgings in the evening. Impatient of this vexatious
+restraint, Mordaunt, after three or four days, proposed to Ross and the
+girls an excursion to Snowdon, which, though he had seen, they had not,
+though living within ten or twelve miles of it. Mrs. Ross, who had of
+late greatly relaxed her vigilance respecting Ellen's industry, gave her
+consent; and mounted on their little Welsh ponies, the happy party set
+out with the day-break, a full moon promising to assist them on their
+return.
+
+Leaving their horses at Dolbaden Castle, and taking guides with
+refreshments, each being armed with a spiked stick, they began the
+toilsome ascent. Ross, being fatigued, remained half way seated on an
+immense stone, till they should return. As they ascended the mountain,
+they perceived that its summit was covered with clouds, though, when
+they set out, it was perfectly clear, and the guides had assured them
+the day would be favourable. They now, however, began to apprehend that
+the thick clouds would prevent them from enjoying the reward of their
+labours, by depriving them of the view from the top of the mountain. The
+guides, notwithstanding, had still hopes that the day would ultimately
+clear up, and the event justified their expectations; for when within
+about half a mile of the summit, a fine breeze arose, and rolled the
+clouds like a curtain "down the steep of Snowdon's shaggy side,"
+gradually disclosing its hollow apertures and broken precipices, with
+every variety of mountain, valley, lake, and stream; and below them, in
+every direction, a map of exquisite beauty, containing Carnarvon, the
+county of Chester, part of the North of England and Ireland, the Isle of
+Anglesea, and the Irish coast.
+
+Here Mordaunt, sitting down with his fair companions, one on each side,
+on a low wall, which was probably built by shepherds for the safety of
+their flocks, but which now serves as a resting-place to travellers,
+expatiated with rapture on this amazingly sublime prospect. The "Bard"
+of Gray, and many of the beautiful passages of Mason's Elfrida and
+Caractacus were familiar to him; and these, with every grace of voice
+and action, he repeated, till the charmed and enthusiastic Ellen almost
+fancied she saw the white-robed druids with their crowns of mistletoe
+and golden harps pass in review before her. After having sufficiently
+rested, and taken some refreshment, they cautiously descended; and
+joining Ross, pursued the downward course of a mountain-stream of great
+beauty, which was frequently hurried over low rocks, forming numerous
+small but elegant cascades, till they reached the Castle, where they had
+left their ponies, and then returned by moonlight to Llanwyllan.
+
+The next four or five days were employed in similar excursions. Not
+having been able on the day of their visit to Snowdon to extend their
+ride to Beth-gelert, their next object was to see the grave of the
+greyhound, and the romantic pass between Merioneth and Carnarvonshire,
+called Pont Aberglaslyn. At the grave of the greyhound Mordaunt repeated
+to his fair companions the interesting legend connected with it, and
+Spencer's elegant poem on the subject:--that little tale is so
+affecting, that, even at this remote period of time, no tender heart can
+hear it without lamenting the fate of the faithful and ill-requited
+Gelert. Ellen was not ashamed to drop a tear at the recital[1]. "Alas!"
+cried Mordaunt: "such is too frequently the fatal consequence of
+trusting to _appearances_! This excellent and unfortunate animal fell a
+sacrifice to circumstances, which, however apparently conclusive, were
+fallacious." He sighed, and fell for a few minutes into a gloomy
+silence, from which the soft voice of Ellen alone had power to rouse
+him.
+
+[Footnote 1: It is probable most of my readers have heard the little
+pathetic tale here alluded to, and which Mr. Spencer has told very
+sweetly in his little poem, entitled Beth-gelert. For the advantage of
+those who have not met with it, we insert the following account:
+
+The tradition says, that Llewelyn the Great had a house at the place now
+called Beth-gelert, and that being once from home, a wolf entered it. On
+Llewelyn's return, his favourite greyhound, Gelert, came to meet him,
+wagging his tail, but covered with blood. The prince was much alarmed,
+and on entering the house, found the cradle of his infant overturned,
+and the floor stained with blood. Imagining the dog had killed the
+child, he instantly drew his sword, and killed the greyhound; but
+turning up the cradle, found the babe asleep, and the wolf dead by its
+side. Llewelyn deeply repented his rage, and built a tomb over his
+ill-fated greyhound. Mr. Spencer has thus beautifully described the
+event:
+
+      The hound all o'er was smear'd with gore,
+      His lips, his fangs, ran blood!
+    Llewelyn gazed with fierce surprize,
+      Unused such looks to meet:
+    His fav'rite check'd his joyful guise,
+      And crouch'd and lick'd his feet.
+    Onward in haste Llewelyn pass'd--
+
+    O'erturn'd his infant's bed he found,
+      With blood-stained covert rent!
+    And all around the walls and ground
+      With recent blood besprent!
+    He called his child, no voice replied;
+      He search'd with terror wild;
+    Blood, blood, he found on every side,
+      But no where found his child.
+
+Llewelyn then passionately accuses and kills the greyhound.
+
+    Aroused by Gelert's dying yell,
+      Some slumbers waken'd nigh;
+    What words the parent's joy could tell,
+      To hear his infant's cry!
+
+    Conceal'd beneath a tumbled heap,
+      His hurried search had miss'd;
+    All glowing from his rosy sleep,
+      The cherub boy he kiss'd.
+
+    No scratch had he, nor harm, nor dread;
+      But the same couch beneath,
+    Lay a gaunt wolf, all torn and dead,
+      Tremendous still in death.
+
+    Ah! what was then Llewelyn's pain?
+      For then the truth was clear,
+    His gallant hound the wolf had slain,
+      To save Llewelyn's heir.
+
+    Vain, vain, was all Llewelyn's woe:
+      "Best of thy kind, adieu!
+    The frantic blow which laid the low,
+      This heart shall ever rue."
+]
+
+They next visited Pont Aberglass-lyn, the wild and sublime scenery of
+which inspired them with awe. Its high grotesque rocks, surrounding like
+an amphitheatre the romantic bridge (consisting of a single arch thrown
+from one rough precipice to another), to which they approached by a road
+winding along a narrow stony valley, where the rocks on each side
+scarcely leave room for the road; and the dark impetuous stream, which
+rolls at the side of it, filled them with astonishment at the grandeur
+of the scene.
+
+They visited also the little romantic village of Llanberis, with its
+beautiful vallies and lakes, surrounded by bold and prominent rocks,
+ascending almost abruptly from the edge of the water, and returned in
+the evening to Llanwyllan, delighted with an excursion which had
+afforded them so many beautiful views, and yet delightedly contrasting
+their own native village, with the dirty hovels, and miserable
+accommodations they had met with in their progress; for the exertions of
+Ross and his wife, who were both English, and had in the early part of
+their lives resided wholly in England, had introduced a degree of
+neatness and comfort both in the houses and apparel of their
+parishioners, which gave Llanwyllan the appearance of a comfortable
+English village, and rendered it totally distinct from those near it;
+where, as is often the case in Wales, extreme poverty, and its too
+frequent concomitants, a total carelessness of comfort abound.
+
+They also visited Carnarvon, which the girls found much altered since
+they had seen it some years before, and were quite surprized at the
+carriages, and smartly drest people in the streets. Of course they went
+to the Castle, and saw the chamber where, it is said, the weak and
+unfortunate Edward II. was born; though that fact, from the meanness of
+its appearance, and inconvenient situation, appears extremeful doubtful,
+if not improbable. In short, they seemed in a new world, so very
+different were the scenes around them from those to which they were
+accustomed.
+
+"Ah, Ellen!" said Joanna, "all this will soon be as nothing to you: you
+will see so many fine houses and great cities, you will wonder how you
+could ever fancy Carnarvon a large place: and I shall remain in our
+little quiet village, which, when you are gone, I shall think stupid,
+and never go beyond it!"--"Do not think so," replied Ellen: "I hope, if
+indeed I do leave Llanwyllan (for I consider nothing settled till Mr.
+Montague's letter arrives), I hope it will not be long before I shall
+have you with me--it will be one of my first wishes as soon as I find
+myself at all accustomed to the change In my situation." Joanna seemed
+much delighted with this promise; they slept that night at Carnarvon,
+and returned the next day to Llanwyllan.
+
+In the course of these journies much conversation took place between
+Mordaunt and Ellen; but he with great generosity forbore as much as
+possible from all particular topics, as he wished to leave her as much
+unfettered as was now in his power till the arrival of Montague's
+letter; for though he had no doubt of what the contents would be, yet
+till he had obtained Powis's free consent, he could not exactly consider
+her as his affianced bride; but for conversation they were never at a
+loss--literary subjects furnished them with an inexhaustible fund of
+delight; for Mordaunt's mind and memory were so well stored with
+poetical and classical treasures, he scarcely needed books of reference;
+the beautiful views which they also obtained of the heavenly bodies, in
+their mountainous excursions, inspired Ellen with a desire to know
+something of astronomy, and Mordaunt was thoroughly capable of being her
+instructor. In this Ross assisted him; and two hours in the latter part
+of the evening were sweetly past in this delightful study. Mordaunt was
+also, though not a finished artist, yet very capable of taking sketches
+from the surrounding country; and already Ellen began to use her pencil
+also in slight attempts, which he both encouraged and directed--so happy
+indeed was the life they now led, that the slight restraint thrown upon
+their feelings seemed rather to give a zest to their meetings than to
+destroy their pleasure: gladly, most gladly, would both have
+relinquished all change of station, and remained for the rest of their
+lives in the peaceful shades of Llanwyllan.
+
+      ----What was the world to them?
+    Its pomp, its pleasure, and its nonsense all?
+    Who, in each other, saw whatever fair,
+    High fancy forms, or lavish hearts can wish:
+    Something than beauty dearer, should they look;
+    Or on the mind, or mind illumined face,
+    Truth, goodness, honour, harmony, and love,
+    The richest bounty of indulgent Heaven.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. X.
+
+      Now go with me, and with this holy man,
+    Into the chantry by; there, before him,
+    And underneath that consecrated roof,
+    Plight me the full assurance of your faith.
+
+    TWELFTH NIGHT.
+
+
+At length, for in this remote village letters were not speedily
+exchanged, the answer from Doctor Montague arrived: it contained the
+following lines.
+
+     Sir,
+
+     I receive Mr. Mordaunt's reference to me as a favour, and
+     hasten to reply to your's of the 5th inst. by saying that I
+     have had the happiness of knowing that gentleman from his
+     youth, and am entirely convinced of his being a man of the most
+     perfectly honourable and excellent character. As you have been
+     obliging enough to account for this application, I can only add
+     that your daughter will in my opinion have reason to esteem
+     herself the most fortunate of women in becoming his wife. Mr.
+     Mordaunt's fortune is sufficiently ample to enable him to live
+     with perfect ease and comfort.
+
+    I am, Sir,
+    With great respect,
+    Your's, obediently,
+    GEORGE MONTAGUE.
+
+    St. Aubyn Castle,
+    Sep. 18th, 18--.
+
+Nothing could be more satisfactory than this honourable testimony to the
+good qualities of Mr. Mordaunt; and Powis began to feel half ashamed of
+having doubted for an instant the honour of a man so highly estimated:
+he hastened with the letter in his hand to Ellen, who, with Joanna for
+her inmate, was now at home, and exclaiming, "There, child, read that,"
+gave her the letter: the emotions of his affectionate heart, bursting
+out from time to time while she was reading it, in words pronounced at
+intervals, and with some difficulty, such as, "Well!--so I must lose
+her--the pride of my life! but she will be happy I hope, dear soul! This
+seems to be a man of some consequence: why, she will be quite a lady;
+not above her old friends, though, I hope, Joanna!"
+
+When Ellen had finished the letter, she rose, and throwing herself into
+her father's arms, wept with mingled emotions of sorrow and gladness;
+for sincerely as she rejoiced in such a character of her beloved
+Mordaunt, she greatly regretted the certainty that if she married him,
+she must immediately leave her father. Powis's heart was melted by the
+same consideration, and the tears running down his rough face fell on
+Ellen's bosom: at last she articulated, "Oh, my dear father, I cannot
+leave you!" Powis, half sobbing half smiling, said, "Why indeed, my
+child, I know not how to bear the thoughts of parting from you, but if
+not _now_, I must some time or other; and I will not prepare a pain for
+my death-bed so terrible as that would be which should tell me I had
+preferred my own selfish happiness to thine." At this tender, this
+affecting thought, the tears of Ellen redoubled, and Joanna's
+accompanied them. Just then Mordaunt, who had seen the boy who brought
+letters to Llanwyllan, pass towards the farm, came in impatient to know
+if Montague's answer had arrived: he was surprized and almost alarmed at
+the scene before him. Powis lifted up his head, and rubbing his eyes,
+said, "I am ashamed of myself to be such a child!--here, Mr. Mordaunt,
+is your friend's letter, and here, if you will accept of her, is your
+wife." He disengaged himself from Ellen's clasping arms, and gently
+placed her in those which Mordaunt eagerly extended to receive her.
+
+All was now soon settled; for Powis, though an unlearned was not an
+unwise man; and seeing the necessity of Mordaunt's return to his own
+abode before the season changed, he would not suffer any selfish
+considerations of his own comfort to divide the lovers during a dreary
+winter, which would now quickly overtake them. He left every thing
+respecting money matters to Mr. Ross. Mordaunt gave that gentleman a
+bond, expressed in such terms as fully convinced him Ellen's pecuniary
+concerns would be amply considered; and generously refused to accept of
+any money with his bride, gaily telling Powis, that now he was robbed of
+his daughter, he hoped he would look out for a wife himself, and retain
+Ellen's intended portion to encrease his future means of ease and
+comfort; or, that if he really did not know what to do with the money,
+he should give it to Joanna when she married. "Well," said Powis, "you
+are either very rich or very proud, Mr. Mordaunt." "I shall be both when
+Ellen is my wife," answered Mordaunt.
+
+Mordaunt requested that Ellen would furnish herself with no more cloaths
+on the occasion than were absolutely necessary, till they should reach
+Bristol: "Where," he said, "I hope, my dear girl, to find some
+fashionable mantua-maker, who will at least give you a more modern
+wardrobe than you could meet with here." "You are determined, I see,"
+said Ellen, "that I shall be obliged to no one but yourself." "For
+Heaven's sake, Ellen!" replied Mordaunt, hastily, "do not talk of such a
+paltry concern as a few cloaths, as an obligation: how shall I ever
+repay those I owe to your confidence and kindness?"
+
+Few were the preparations requisite for the marriage of Mordaunt and
+Ellen. He with some difficulty procured a chaise from Carnarvon on the
+morning of their marriage, for the roads between that place and
+Llanwyllan were in some parts almost impassable for a carriage, and had
+not the autumn been uncommonly fine and dry, would have been entirely
+so. On the third of October, at a very early hour, the little party met
+at Powis's house, and from thence proceeded to the village church,
+where, from her father's hand, Mordaunt received his lovely bride. Mr.
+Ross performed the ceremony, and at the end of it added an extempore and
+most eloquent prayer for the happiness of friends so dear to him, with a
+fervency of devotion that drew tears into every eye. When all the party
+had quitted the vestry, after having registered the marriage of
+Constantine Frederick Mordaunt and Ellen Powis, Ross and Mordaunt
+stepped back an instant, as if something had been forgotten: as they
+returned, Ellen heard Ross say, "I rely implicitly upon it, and let me
+beg it may be done as soon as possible." "Depend upon my sacred honour,"
+answered Mordaunt, impressively: "or, if you wish it, on my most solemn
+oath." "It needs not that," said Ross; "I am satisfied." "Then so am I,"
+thought Ellen, "for strange as such frequent mysteries appear, Ross, I
+am sure, would never partake of one, which was not perfectly innocent."
+
+Let us not attempt to describe the parting of Powis and his daughter,
+which took place an hour after the marriage ceremony was concluded.
+Mordaunt repeated his assurances of returning, if possible, to
+Llanwyllan the following summer; then almost by force severing Ellen
+from her father, he placed her in the chaise, and, following hastily,
+bowed his farewell. The motion of the carriage, to which she was wholly
+unused, roused Ellen from the half-fainting into which she had fallen,
+and the tender soothings of Mordaunt at length revived and composed her.
+As they passed on, the varied face of the country, the beautiful and
+extensive scenery through which they journied, awakened all the soft
+enthusiasm of her youthful mind, which, shaking off the dejection caused
+by parting from her first connections, roused itself to the perception
+of the happy prospects the future might present.
+
+      "And thou, oh! Hope, with eyes so fair,
+    What was thy delighted measure?
+    Still it whispered promised pleasure,
+    And bade the lovely scenes at distance hail."
+
+After several days travelling, stopping occasionally to rest, and to
+view such remarkable objects as they thought worthy of observation, they
+arrived at the Passage, and, crossing it, soon after entered the city of
+Bristol. To paint Ellen's surprise at all the wonders of the new world
+which surrounded her would be impossible; so strange indeed did every
+thing appear to her, that scarcely the influence which Mordaunt
+possessed over her mind could prevent her from exclamations of
+astonishment, which, to those around, would have betrayed the perfect
+seclusion in which she had hitherto lived. After shewing her all that
+was worth notice in Bristol and its interesting environs, Mordaunt took
+his fair bride to Bath, with the elegance of which she was particularly
+delighted. The streets, the shops, were a constant source of amusement
+to one so new to every thing; here, however, they remained but three
+days, during which Mordaunt procured for Ellen such a variety of dresses
+as appeared to her quite extraordinary; and she began to think her
+husband was either very rich or very extravagant, though in truth all he
+purchased would hardly satisfy the "indispensable necessities" of most
+_young ladies_, of no pretensions really higher than those of Ellen
+Powis had been; and were far from appearing to Mordaunt more than barely
+sufficient for her present occasions. An elegant new riding habit and
+hat were amongst them; and Ellen's delicate figure appeared to such
+advantage in that dress, that no one could have supposed her so lately
+removed from so remote a situation: her natural gracefulness prevented
+her appearing in the slightest degree awkward; and her new dress gave
+her an air of fashion, with which Mordaunt was delighted.
+
+From Bath they went to London, where Mordaunt engaged very handsome
+lodgings, though not in the most fashionable part of the town, yet in a
+handsome street, for a fortnight, where they rested after the fatigues
+of so long a journey. Mordaunt told his wife he wished not to take her
+to any of the public amusements till the next spring, when he hoped to
+revisit London with her, and when some ladies of his acquaintance would
+be there also, and would accompany her. Ellen, who desired no greater
+pleasure than his society, was well contented with this arrangement:
+during their stay in London, therefore, they seldom went out; but
+Mordaunt trusted her two or three times under the care of the person at
+whose house they lodged, (who was a very respectable woman) to go to
+different shops, furnishing her liberally with money, and insisting on
+her providing a very complete and elegant wardrobe. Several times Ellen
+wished to check his liberality, assuring him she had already as much of
+every thing as she wished for; but he replied she was no judge of what
+she would want when she went into the country, and that she must oblige
+him by buying every thing in abundance, and of the best and most
+fashionable materials; nor did he ever go from home without bringing
+back with him some elegant trinket or set of ornaments for her; so that
+little as she was a judge of the value of money, she was surprized and
+somewhat uneasy to see Mordaunt so profuse of his, for in addition to
+the large expences he would incur in her dress, he had requested Mrs.
+Birtley (the person at whose house they lodged) to hire a young woman to
+wait upon his wife; and Ellen really thought her new servant so much
+more like a lady than till very lately she had thought herself, that she
+hardly knew how to give her any orders. Mordaunt had also hired a job
+chariot and horses for the time they staid in town.
+
+Their landlady observing the extreme youth and simplicity of Ellen,
+contrasted by that air of the world and of fashion so conspicuous in
+Mordaunt, as well as that though he hardly appeared to endure her being
+out of his sight, he seldom went abroad with her, and that they seemed
+to have no friends or connections in London, began to form conjectures
+not very much to the advantage of her guests; and as she was a woman of
+good character, though of somewhat a suspicious turn, she was not sorry
+when they left her apartments.
+
+Mordaunt chose not to take Jane, Ellen's new maid, with them, but left
+directions for her to travel by the stage to the town which was nearest
+to his residence in Northamptonshire, where she should be met by a
+servant, who would conduct her to his house.
+
+For the first day of their journey Mordaunt appeared at times in deep
+reflection, and as if revolving in his mind a variety of considerations,
+frequently catching Ellen's hand in his own, he would express the
+rapture he felt in the certainty of possessing her affection, and that
+she was securely his; then he would add, "Remember, Ellen, you have
+promised to take me _for better for worse_: tell me, do you think any
+change in my situation could impair your love for me?" To these
+questions she returned such tender and affectionate answers, as seemed
+for the time to dispel from his mind every uneasy sensation; yet still
+at intervals his thoughtfulness returned, and began at last to inspire
+Ellen with a sort of anxiety she could not wholly overcome.
+
+The next day Mordaunt proposed resting a few hours at a pleasant
+village, which he told her was only about twenty miles from his own
+house, but that he thought it would be more agreeable to her not to
+arrive at home till towards the evening: to this she readily consented;
+it was indeed very agreeable to her, but had it been less so, she knew
+no will but his.
+
+After breakfast, the landlady of the inn where they had taken that meal,
+coming in, Mordaunt asked her how far it was from thence to St. Aubyn
+Castle; she answered about nineteen miles: after asking her some more
+questions respecting the length of the stages, &c. he inquired if she
+knew Lord St. Aubyn; she replied she had seen his Lordship once before
+he went abroad, but she heard he was now soon expected home again; a
+gentleman who stopped at her house not many days before, told her his
+Lordship was lately returned from Spain, and was coming very shortly to
+the Castle. On being asked if she knew who that gentleman was, she said
+it was the Reverend Doctor Montague, his Lordship's domestic Chaplain.
+Mordaunt then asked her if Lord St. Aubyn was much liked in his
+neighbourhood, and she gave him a very high character for his charity to
+the poor, and kindness to his servants and dependants.
+
+Ellen here whispered to her husband that she would inquire what sort of
+a character _one Mr. Mordaunt_, his Lordship's steward, bore. Mordaunt
+laughed, and said she was very malicious, and only hoped to hear some
+evil of him. She then repeated her question, looking playfully at him,
+to which the landlady replied, that she did not know Mr. Mordaunt except
+by name, but she heard he was a very worthy old gentleman. The idea of
+Mordaunt's being called an _old gentleman_ diverted Ellen so much, that
+she burst into a laugh she could not repress, in which Mordaunt joined
+so heartily, as half offended the good woman, who, supposing she had
+committed some blunder, left the room immediately.
+
+"Come, my dear Ellen," said Mordaunt, when he had composed his features,
+"let us take a walk through this pleasant village: it is long since you
+enjoyed the pure air of the country." "Indeed, my dear _old gentleman_,"
+Ellen gaily replied, "I shall be very glad to find myself once more at
+liberty to walk a little, for I began to feel tired of the restraint of
+a carriage, which, when we left Llanwyllan, I thought so delightful, I
+could never be weary of it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XI.
+
+    You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand,
+    Such as I am; though for myself alone
+    I would not be ambitious in my wish,
+    To wish myself much better, yet for you
+    I would be trebled twenty times myself,
+    A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times
+    More rich----
+      ----but the full sum of me
+    Is an unlessoned girl, unschooled, unpractised;
+    Happy in this, she is not yet so old
+    But she may learn; and happier than this,
+    She is not bred so dull but she can learn;
+    Happiest of all, is that her gentle spirit
+    Commits herself to your's to be directed.
+
+    MERCHANT OF VENICE.
+
+
+After strolling through some very pleasant fields, they came to a
+sequestered spot, where tall trees shaded a little murmuring rivulet,
+near whose banks a very neat farm-house attracted their attention.
+
+"Ah, this reminds me of dear Llanwyllan!" said Ellen: "how much I should
+like to sit down here awhile!" "That," answered Mordaunt, "may be easily
+effected." He then went to the door, where he met a nice looking elderly
+woman, the farmer's wife, and saying he was thirsty, asked her to spare
+him a draught of milk or whey, with which she very civilly complied, and
+requested them to walk in. Ellen, delighted with the sight of the
+farm-yard and smell of the dairy, readily consented, and at Mordaunt's
+desire, the good woman said she would give them some cream, bread, &c.
+With great civility therefore, she shewed them into a neat parlour, and
+having placed before them brown bread, cream, and some bunches of
+well-ripened grapes, left them to themselves.
+
+Ellen said:--"Now, my dear Mordaunt, I really feel as if I were at home
+again, and can _do the honours_ (as you term it) of this little table
+very tolerably; but if, as I suspect, you are much visited by high
+people near you, will you not often have to blush for your awkward
+little rustic?" "If I had feared that," answered Mordaunt, "I would not
+have ventured it; but, as I have often told you, the natural propriety
+of your manner will very well supply the place of artificial graces; and
+as to the mere forms of society, they are so easily acquired, you will
+speedily attain them: but tell me, Ellen, after the cursory view you
+have had of something more refined, could you now be contented to sit
+down here for the rest of your life?" "With you," replied the tender
+Ellen, "I could be not only contented but happy any where yet I own
+_you_ seem to me formed for something so superior, that I should forever
+regret your being confined to a sphere so limited."
+
+Mordaunt, delighted with the sweetness of her words and manners,
+scarcely knew how to express how greatly he was pleased with all she
+said. After a few minutes he opened the little casement, for the day was
+mild and clear, more like spring than the beginning of November; and
+gathering some late blossoms of a white jassamine, which grew round it,
+and in that sheltered spot, so soft had been the season, still retained
+their beauty: he twisted them with some very small vine leaves across
+her brow, amongst her fine hair, in a very particular style, and making
+her look in the little glass which hung in the room where they sat, he
+said:--
+
+"There, Ellen, _that_ is very like a countess's coronet; the jasmine may
+pass for pearls, and the little branch of the vine for strawberry
+leaves: how should you like one in pearls or diamonds? I think it
+becomes you inimitably well." "This simple wreath may," she said,
+smiling as she surveyed herself; "but I believe that this little rustic
+person would not assort very well with the splendid ornament you
+describe." He smiled, and said--"Do not take it off, but sit down, and I
+will tell you a story." "A story!--delightful! I hope it is
+entertaining." "Very, and perfectly true. _Once upon a time_: do you
+like that beginning?" "Not much; it is too childish: try again." "Well
+then, once in the days of King Arthur----" "Oh! do not go quite so far
+back--your story will last all day." "What! a Welsh girl and not like to
+hear a tale of King Arthur. Oh! most degenerate damsel." Ellen still
+laughing, said--"Come, dear Mordaunt, make haste, I long to hear this
+interesting story."
+
+He placed himself at her side, and with some agitation, said:--
+
+"Ellen, the time is come to clear up some of the mysterious words you
+have heard me utter at Llanwyllan: what will you say to me when I tell
+you--yet be not alarmed--when I tell you that, though my _name_ is
+really _Mordaunt_, yet I have _deceived_ you--for that is not my _only_
+designation: do not look so surprised and bewildered, my love; I am not
+_inferior_ to the man you suppose me: he is indeed my relation, being
+the natural son of my father's brother: he is many years older than I
+am. Tell me, Ellen, are you afraid to hear the rest?" "No," she replied
+firmly, though with marks of the most impatient curiosity in her
+countenance. "I am so convinced of your integrity, that be who or what
+you will, I am happy in being your wife, and ready to share your
+station, be it ever so lowly." "Enchanting creature!" he exclaimed, and
+clasped her to his bosom: "know then, that were the coronet which binds
+your brow of the most costly materials instead of a simple flower, it is
+your's by right, for I am the Earl, and you are the Countess of St.
+Aubyn."
+
+A moment Ellen struggled with the overwhelming surprize: then said: "How
+could you condescend to one so much beneath you?" "Beneath me!" he
+replied--"oh, in every thing but the mere accident of birth how greatly
+my superior! But the surprize, my gentle love, has made you a little
+pale; recover yourself, and let me see you again gay and playful as when
+you supposed yourself only Mrs. Mordaunt." He fixed his penetrating eyes
+upon her: even in that tender moment he sought to discover if any undue
+pride or vanity elated her; but there was no trace of any such ignoble
+passion: surprized, astonished as she was, and feeling some diminution
+of the ease and equality with which she had but lately learned to regard
+him, Ellen more than half regretted to find him so greatly her superior,
+and to see herself raised so very much beyond the station her humility
+led her to believe the only one she could fill with propriety; yet she
+must have been more or less than woman, had she not felt charmed with
+the disinterested love St. Aubyn had evinced in making her his wife.
+
+Having a little recovered the emotion this interesting discovery had
+caused in both, Ellen entreated him, whom yet she hardly knew how to
+name, to explain the reason of his having appeared at Llanwyllan in a
+character so inferior to his own; which he did in these words:
+
+"I cannot, my love, nor would I wish at present to tell you all my
+story, though some day you shall know every circumstance of my life: may
+they come to your knowledge without lessening your felicity!" He sighed,
+and thus continued:--"Some domestic misfortunes induced me, at different
+times, to make several excursions under the name I bore when first I met
+you, which is, indeed, that of my family: since my last return from the
+Continent, about six months ago, I did not let my friends or servants
+know I was come to England, but set out to travel through Wales,
+sometimes by one mode of conveyance, sometimes another, and not
+unfrequently as a mere pedestrian. I was always a good walker, and had
+been accustomed to pass whole days on foot amongst the mountains of
+Spain; frequently, therefore, I preferred walking, as giving me better
+opportunities of exploring the most romantic scenes. In one of these
+excursions I found myself at Llanwyllan; there I merely intended to stay
+a day or two, till accident, and your father's hospitality, introduced
+you to my knowledge--need I relate to you the progress of that passion
+which soon took possession of my heart, and left me powerless to quit
+you. A very few days determined me, if your affections were disengaged,
+to do all in my power to secure your love; yet I delayed the declaration
+of my own, in hopes of bringing some untoward circumstances to a
+favourable conclusion; but when I found our good friend Ross began to be
+alarmed for you, and fancied I saw in my Ellen's sweet face that she was
+not happy, I thought it necessary to come to some decision, and to Ross
+I fully explained my _whole_ situation: he was so perfectly convinced of
+my honour and integrity, that he consented to give his lovely pupil to
+me, even under all the unpleasant circumstances which at present
+embarrass and torment me; and even though we both doubted whether a
+marriage contracted by me under the name of Mordaunt only would be
+completely binding: to obviate this objection, I bound myself to him,
+not only to make upon you such settlements as my large income rendered
+proper, and my heart prompted, but to remarry you as soon as I could do
+so without absolute impropriety; and that I will do if I live before I
+sleep again; though I believe the precautions we took render it
+unnecessary, for after you left the vestry, the day we were married,
+Ross and myself, as perhaps you observed, returned, and in his presence
+I added the title of Earl of St. Aubyn to the names of Constantine
+Frederick Mordaunt, which, I have no doubt, would substantiate our
+marriage in any court in England: to avoid, however, all possible doubt,
+now or in future, on this important point, I have at this instant a
+special licence in my possession, and this evening, at Castle St. Aubyn,
+Montague shall read the marriage service to us again.--Are you satisfied
+with this arrangement, my love?"
+
+"I am so ignorant in every thing, that I can only rely on you; which I
+do implicitly, and with full confidence."
+
+Ellen then asked St. Aubyn if Doctor Montague knew who he was in reality
+recommending to her father, or whether he supposed it to be indeed Mr.
+Mordaunt? Lord St. Aubyn laughed at this question, and said Montague
+would have had reason to be surprized at hearing Mordaunt was going to
+be married, as he was a very stiff old Bachelor of at least sixty; but
+the fact was, he had written himself to Montague from Llanwyllan,
+informing him who the person really was respecting whom Powis's
+inquiries would be made, and desiring him to give such a character of
+_that person_ as he thought was deserved, only not to betray his real
+title, as he was anxious to avoid the _eclat_ such a discovery would
+produce, if made while they remained at Llanwyllan.
+
+After a little more conversation on this interesting subject, St. Aubyn
+and his Ellen took leave of their hospitable entertainer, after
+remunerating her in the most liberal way for the trouble they had given
+her; and as by the time they reached the village the day was far
+advanced, they ordered a chaise directly, and proceeded to the end of
+the next stage, where they dined, and where St. Aubyn told Ellen his own
+carriage was to meet them, and convey them to the Castle, where his
+household were instructed to expect their lady.
+
+Before they had quite dined, an elegant new travelling carriage and
+four, with coronets on the pannels, and out-riders in rich liveries,
+drove to the door, and the host, who had no idea of the rank of his
+guests, from their arriving in a hack carriage, unattended, was in the
+act of denying to the servants that Lord and Lady St. Aubyn were there,
+when the Earl, throwing up the sash, told the men to move about, but not
+put up the horses, as he should go in half an hour. While he was
+speaking, the stage-coach from London stopt at the door, and Ellen's
+maid stepping out, inquired whether any servant from one Mr. Mordaunt's,
+in that neighbourhood, was waiting for her. St. Aubyn, calling to one of
+his men, desired him to send that young woman to Lady St. Aubyn. The man
+obeyed, and told the astonished Jane she must go and speak to his lady.
+"What for, pray?" answered Jane, pertly. "Indeed I shall do no such
+thing; I am going on directly, and don't want such fellows as you to be
+joking with me." "Jane!" said Ellen, approaching the window, anxious to
+put a stop to a dialogue she feared might disclose more than she wished
+the servants should know. "Oh, dear Ma'am, are you there!" answered
+Jane. "Oh! I am so glad; I will come to you, Ma'am, directly." One of
+the men, wishing for an opportunity of seeing his new lady, said, "Come,
+young woman, I will shew you the way to her Ladyship."
+
+The poor girl was so much confused, by these different directions, that
+fortunately she had no power to refuse, or indeed to speak at all, but
+followed the servant into the room, where St. Aubyn and Ellen were
+sitting. "There," said the footman, in a low voice, and giving her a
+little push: "go in, child--that is my lady." "Grant me patience," said
+Jane, turning sharply to him: "why I tell you that is _my_ mistress. I
+suppose you want to persuade me I don't know my own----." "Softly,
+Jane," said St. Aubyn: "there, go in, and speak to your lady, and you,
+Thomas, may go; we shall soon be ready to start."
+
+He left Jane with her lady, not wishing to be present at the
+explanation. Ellen explained to the astonished girl, that she had, for
+particular reasons, concealed her title while in London, and did not
+wish her to say to the other servants that she had ever known her under
+any other name. Jane very willingly promised obedience, and was not a
+little elated to find herself own woman to Lady St. Aubyn, instead of
+waiting-maid to plain Mrs. Mordaunt. Indeed, Mrs. Birtley had had some
+scruples about suffering her to follow the mysterious couple at all, and
+charged her, if she did not find all right, to leave her place, and
+return to London immediately, all which her unguarded hints betrayed to
+Ellen, who felt a little confused at hearing her situation had been so
+misconstrued. "And there, Ma'am--beg pardon--my lady--there your
+Ladyship;" (for Jane was willing to make amends for her former
+ignorance, by using Ellen's title as often as possible)--"there your
+Ladyship left a book at Mrs. Birtley's--I forget the name of it; some
+poetry book it was, and in it was written, in one place, 'C. F. M. to
+Ellen P.' and I was to have brought it with me, but Mrs. Birtley was not
+at home when I came away, so I could not have it, and it was a great
+pity, for it is very handsome, in a fine binding, and with beautiful
+pictures: one of them was a man jumping off a rock, like into the sea,
+and with a sort of a clergyman's gown on, and with a musical instrument
+in his hand, something like a guitar, but not quite." "I know the book
+you mean," said Ellen; "it was Gray's Poems. I am sorry I left it
+behind." "Yes, Ma'am--my lady I mean, that was the very book; but I dare
+say your Ladyship can have it by sending to Mrs. Birtley; and in one
+part, my lady, there was a print of a church-yard, and over the print
+was put, 'Dear Landwilliam,' or some such name." "Yes, Jane, yes; that's
+the book--that will do: now give me my hat, and step down and inquire if
+Lord St. Aubyn is waiting for me."
+
+It was the first time Ellen had framed her lips to say Lord St. Aubyn,
+and she wondered whether she should ever become accustomed to the sound.
+Jane was met at the door by one of the men servants, who came to know if
+her lady was ready, as his lord bade him say the carriage was come
+round. Jane, astonished at her own greatness, in being called Ma'am, and
+so respectfully addressed by such a fine gentleman, returned to Ellen
+with redoubled respect, and a new reinforcement of "my ladies." Ellen
+said she was ready, and ran down. "Come, my love," said St. Aubyn, "we
+shall be late at home."
+
+Ellen's heart throbbed, as she thought of a home so far above her utmost
+ideas of splendour, and of being called to a situation to which she
+feared herself unequal; yet she composed her spirits as well as she
+could; for she saw, that to please her lord she must assert herself, and
+behave with a degree of dignity and self possession: she gave him her
+hand, therefore, with tenderness, but with a certain air of calmness, as
+if not too much elated with her new honours, or childishly delighted
+with her new carriage: he saw, and was charmed with her just
+discrimination, and encouraged her by saying, "Ever, my Ellen, all I
+wish." He then placed her in the carriage, and leaving Jane to follow
+with the luggage in a hack chaise, they were speedily on the road to
+Castle St. Aubyn. As they drew near it, they passed a neat little
+mansion, standing on a small lawn, surrounded by flowering shrubs, which
+St. Aubyn told Ellen was the house of the _real_ Mr. Mordaunt. "Exactly
+such a place," said she, "had I figured to myself as your habitation,
+not indeed in Wales, for there my imagination did not soar to a pitch so
+high; but since we have been in England, and I saw what the smaller
+houses of genteel people were, such I fancied your's." "In a few
+minutes, my love," he replied, "we shall approach my real home, and most
+happy am I to say, my Ellen's home also; though in a different style, it
+will, I hope, be as much to your taste as this pretty place appears to
+be."
+
+As he spoke, one of the out-riders passed the carriage, and ringing at a
+porter's lodge, the large and elegant iron gates were thrown open, and
+they turned into a noble park of no common dimensions. Here the hand of
+art had followed, not impeded that of nature: large trees, disposed in
+clumps, or singly, as the purest taste directed, shaded and ornamented
+the verdant lawn. A fine piece of water, almost bearing the aspect of a
+fine lake, with an elegant pleasure barge at anchor on its bank, skirted
+one side of the road which led to the house. Its pure waters were
+enlivened by various aquatic fowls, and on the shelving edges were light
+and tasteful cages for gold and silver pheasants and other foreign
+birds; while in picturesque groups under the trees, or bounding away at
+the approach of the carriage, herds of the finest deer gave new
+animation to the scene.
+
+Ellen, enchanted, enraptured, though the closing twilight hardly
+afforded her light sufficient to see half the beauties round her, was
+every moment uttering exclamations of delight, with which St. Aubyn was
+highly gratified: but as they approached the immense pile of building
+which he told her was the house, she gradually assumed a more composed
+demeanor, determined not to betray to the servants that such things were
+totally new to her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAP. XII.
+
+    A happy rural seat of various view,
+    Groves whose rich trees wept od'rous gums and balm.--
+    ----Betwixt them lawns, or level downs and flocks
+    Grazing the tender herb, were interspersed;
+    Or palmy hillock, or the flow'ry lap,
+    Of some irriguous valley spread her store,
+    Flow'rs of all hue.----
+            Meanwhile murmuring waters fall
+    Down the slope hills, dispersed; or in a lake
+    ----Unite their streams--
+    The birds their choirs apply, airs, vernal airs,
+    Breathing the smell of field and grove attune,
+    The trembling leaves----
+
+    PARADISE LOST.
+
+
+A train of servants in the spacious hall stood ready to receive their
+Lord and Lady. Amongst them was a respectable middle-aged woman, who,
+with deep respect, mingled with tears of joy and affection, addressed
+the Earl: he kindly and condescendingly took her hand, and said, "My
+good Mrs. Bayfield, I hope you are quite well: I am rejoiced to see you
+look so. See, my worthy friend, I have brought you a new Lady. Ellen, my
+love, I am sure I need not tell you to esteem my good housekeeper and
+nurse, for such she has been to me in much of illness and affliction."
+Ellen, with some kind words, offered her hand to Mrs. Bayfield, who,
+courtesying, received it with an air of the most profound respect. St.
+Aubyn also spoke with great kindness to the other servants, and then led
+Ellen into a magnificent library, which he told her was his usual
+sitting-room when at St. Aubyn's. Ellen, fatigued with her journey and
+the surprizing occurrences of the day, was not then able to do more than
+take a cursory survey of it; but she saw that here was entertainment and
+instruction enough to fill a long life, if even wholly devoted to
+literary pursuits.
+
+In a few minutes a man of a venerable appearance, dressed in the cassock
+of a dignified clergyman, entered the library, whom St. Aubyn announced
+to Ellen as his friend and chaplain the Rev. Doctor Montague. "See, my
+dear Montague," said he, "this lovely creature, who has generously
+forgiven my appearing to her in an assumed character, and before she
+knew how much my real station was superior to that in which she first
+saw me, most kindly assured me of her perfect willingness to share my
+fate, be it what it might." He gave her hand to the good old man, who,
+clasping it between both his, said, "Pardon, Madam, this freedom in a
+man who has for many years felt the affection of a father for your
+excellent Lord." Ellen bent her knee to him as to a second Ross, whose
+blessing she had been accustomed to ask in that posture with Joanna. The
+venerable man understood the graceful appeal, although fashion has so
+long proscribed it to her votaries; and raising his hands and eyes,
+said, "God bless you, lovely lady, and you, my dear Lord, with her!"
+
+St. Aubyn then said a few words in a low voice to the Doctor, to which
+he replied, "Certainly, my Lord: if you have the least doubt of the
+entire legality of your marriage, it will be far the best way: have you
+the licence?" "Yes, here," said the Earl: "examine it, if you please.
+Ellen, my love," he added, turning towards her, "are your spirits too
+much fatigued, or will you oblige me, by allowing Montague to read the
+marriage-ceremony to us: I have a special licence from the Archbishop,
+and it will not take many minutes?" Ellen bowed a silent assent; and
+Montague, saying it would be proper to have witnesses, proposed speaking
+to Mrs. Bayfield, and Thornton, Lord St. Aubyn's gentleman, on whose
+secrecy they might rely, as of course it was desirable not to have the
+transaction made public. He went therefore to them, and having told them
+all that was necessary, they immediately attended; and the
+marriage-ceremony being read, Montague prepared a certificate, which was
+signed by all present, and deposited in Ellen's care.
+
+All parties seemed rejoiced when this embarrassing business was
+concluded, which though it gratified Ellen as shewing her Lord's extreme
+anxiety to satisfy any doubt she might feel, yet could not be agreeable
+to either. A Sandwich tray was soon after brought in, filled with
+refreshments: after partaking of which, Ellen and the wondering Jane
+were shewn to an elegant dressing-room, which communicated with a still
+more splendid bed-chamber, both fitted up with the most peculiar
+attention, not only to costliness and effect, but to convenience and
+comfort, as the contrivances for hot and cold baths, and every luxurious
+accommodation both here and in a gentleman's dressing-room on the other
+side the bed-room, sufficiently evinced. All Jane's profound respect for
+her Lady could not keep her entirely silent, nor repress the
+exclamations of wonder and delight with which she greeted every elegant
+article of furniture: above all, a rich service of dressing-plate on the
+toilette attracted her attention. "How beautiful, how costly! And here
+again, what fine glasses! Dear, my Lady, you may see yourself from head
+to foot; and so clear, they make you look, if possible, more beautiful
+than you really are!"
+
+Ellen, nearly as little acquainted with such objects as her maid, was
+not sorry to have only this simple girl witness to her actions, which
+would have betrayed to a more practised observer that she herself hardly
+knew the use of half the splendid articles before her. She endeavoured,
+however, to assume a graver manner, and to keep Jane at a greater
+distance; but the good-natured creature mixed so much affectionate
+respect with her somewhat too familiar prattle, Ellen could not be angry
+with her: she dismissed her, however, as soon as possible, with a
+reiterated caution not to betray to the servants that she had ever known
+her under any other name than that she bore at present.
+
+The next day Ellen took a nearer survey of her noble habitation: the
+height and size of the rooms, the splendid furniture, and rich
+decorations, absolutely bewildered her senses; and when in an immense
+mirror, which hung at one end of a superb drawing-room, she saw herself
+reflected from head to foot, she, like the innocent Zilia[2], actually
+fancied for a moment it was some elegant female coming to meet her.
+
+[Footnote 2: See Lettres d'une Peruvienne.]
+
+Passing through this room, she entered one smaller, indeed, but fitted
+up with such exquisite taste, as quite enchanted her: the furniture and
+hangings were of pale green silk, lightly ornamented with gold; the
+ground of the carpet, pale green, worked with the needle in bunches of
+the most beautiful natural flowers, which really appeared to be growing
+there. The tables, chairs, candelabras, and every article of furniture,
+were formed after the antique, and caught the eye of Ellen by the
+perfection of their figures and disposition; so true it is, that what is
+really beautiful and in perfect taste will please the unpractised as
+well as the critical observer, provided the natural taste has not been
+vitiated by any false ideas of proportion and ornament.
+
+On the Countess's expressing herself particularly pleased with this
+room, Mrs. Bayfield (who had undertaken to shew her the house, for St.
+Aubyn had been interrupted in his intention of doing so by Mr. Mordaunt,
+who brought him some papers of consequence to inspect), looking
+cautiously round, said, "If your Ladyship pleases, it will be better not
+to tell my Lord that you like this room in particular." "Why so, Mrs.
+Bayfield?" asked Ellen, struck with surprize at this request, and the
+manner it was made in. "Why, Madam," replied Mrs. Bayfield, "this room
+and the small one within were fitted up by my late Lady according to her
+own fancy, and were always called her drawing-room and boudoir; and
+since her death, my Lord has never liked the rooms." "Lady St. Aubyn
+then has not been dead long, I suppose," said Ellen; "for the furniture
+of these rooms appears almost new." "About seven years, Madam; but the
+rooms have scarcely ever been used: they were furnished not long before
+she went abroad with my Lord." "Was this beautiful carpet her own work?"
+asked Ellen. "Oh dear, no, Madam! my late Lady was of too gay a turn to
+do such a piece of work: it was my Lord's _mother_ worked this."
+
+"I thought you had meant your Lord's mother, Mrs. Bayfield: who then do
+you call your late Lady?" "My Lord's first wife, Madam, the late
+Countess of St. Aubyn."
+
+"The _late_ Countess--my Lord's _first wife_!" repeated Ellen, gazing at
+her with the utmost surprize: "I did not know; I never heard that my
+Lord had been married before." "Indeed, then," said Mrs. Bayfield,
+colouring, and looking vexed, "I am sure, my Lady, if I had known, or
+had the least idea my Lord had not mentioned it, I would never have
+breathed a word of the matter; but I know my Lord does not like to speak
+of the late Countess, for her death was so--so--sudden, and shocked my
+Lord so much, he has hardly ever spoken of her since; and I dare say
+that was the reason he never told your Ladyship he had been married
+before."
+
+Ellen, not altogether satisfied with this explanation, still felt
+somewhat hurt at St. Aubyn's extraordinary reserve: she asked Mrs.
+Bayfield several questions; such as whether the late Countess was
+handsome; who she was before her marriage; how long she had lived after
+it; where she died--and to all which Mrs. Bayfield answered with some
+appearance of reserve, and as if she felt impatient to dismiss the
+subject; that she was very handsome and very young when my Lord married
+her; that she was a distant relation of his own; and that all the family
+were anxious for the match; that they were married about three years;
+had only one child, a son, who had died at a few months old, and that
+the Lady had died abroad. "And what was the cause of her death, Mrs.
+Bayfield?" "Indeed, Madam, I do not exactly know," answered Mrs.
+Bayfield, looking a little confused: "she died, as I have told your
+Ladyship, abroad, and suddenly."
+
+Ellen said no more, for she was above the meanness of attempting to
+learn from a servant what her Lord apparently meant to conceal from her
+knowledge; yet she felt even a painful degree of curiosity to learn some
+farther particulars of her predecessor, whose early death she thought
+must have caused that gloom of countenance and manner which sometimes
+even yet appeared in St. Aubyn.
+
+The boudoir within was fitted up in the same style as the drawing-room,
+but with rather more simplicity, and contained a light bookcase, with
+gilded wires, and some elegant stands for flowers, &c. Mrs. Bayfield
+seemed so anxious for Ellen to hasten from these apartments, that she
+took only a cursory survey of them, determined to take a more accurate
+view of the paintings and ornaments some other time, when she should
+have learned to go about her own house without a guide. The boudoir
+being the last of the suite of apartments on that floor, they next
+ascended the noble staircase, and visited the bed-chambers, &c. and a
+large saloon filled with specimens of the fine arts: capital pictures,
+busts, models, &c. here met the eye in every direction, and here St.
+Aubyn joined them, and dismissing Mrs. Bayfield, took Ellen's arm within
+his own, and pointed out those objects most worthy of her notice.
+Charmed with all around her, and delighted with his attention and the
+perspicuity of his explanations, Ellen felt as if she had gained a new
+sense within the last few hours, so little idea had she before of the
+wonders of art, selected by the hand of taste. From this room they went
+to the library, where they had supped the night before, at the other end
+of which was a green-house, divided from the library by folding doors,
+filled with the choicest plants and flowering shrubs, and round the
+walls of which a gilded net-work served as an aviary for some beautiful
+canary and other birds. This green-house, kept constantly warm by
+concealed stoves, in the midst of winter gave an enchanting prospect of
+perpetual spring. Beyond the green-house noble hot-houses and
+conservatories ensured a constant succession of the finest fruits and
+more tender flowers.
+
+In the library St. Aubyn and his grateful Ellen sat down together, and
+there he explained to her his wishes as to their manner of living for
+the next half year: he told her, that undoubtedly she would, for a time,
+be somewhat engaged with the few neighbouring families who remained in
+the country for the winter, and whom he expected, of course, to visit
+her: "But that once over, my love," said he, "let us propose to
+ourselves some rational mode of happiness, which shall not be dependent
+on the whim of others; you are so young, and have powers of mind so
+extensive, that it will be easy to supply those defects in your
+education which the retired situation in which you lived rendered
+unavoidable; and this may be done without any parade or _eclat_ of any
+kind, as it is by no means unusual for ladies to take lessons by way of
+finishing, even at a more advanced age than your's; drawing and
+music-masters shall therefore be engaged to attend you, if you do not
+object to this disposition of a part of your time. In French, I will
+myself be your instructor, and we will mutually improve each other, my
+love, by reading together those authors you have so long desired to be
+acquainted with. If you wish to take a few lessons in dancing, that may
+be done in the spring, when we are in London, and they may perhaps be
+desirable to give you a little more confidence in yourself; for, in my
+eye, no acquired action, or fashionable attitude whatever, could
+compensate for the loss of one simple natural grace, already so
+conspicuous in my sweet Ellen: and as to dancing, I am so strange a
+being, that I cannot bear the idea of a married woman's ever exhibiting
+herself in public, and being exposed to the impertinent whispers and
+hateful familiarity of a set of coxcombs." "I wonder," thought Ellen,
+"whether the former Lady St. Aubyn was fond of dancing." "In the spring,
+then," continued St. Aubyn, "we will go to London for a month or two,
+just to see a few of its gaieties, and if I can prevail on Lady Juliana
+Mordaunt, a very stiff, haughty old aunt of mine, to forgive the
+dereliction she fancies I have made from my consequence, by marrying, as
+she supposes, below me, she will be your best guide and most respectable
+chaperon." "Ah," sighed Ellen to herself, "what shall I do with these
+stiff proud people: I wish I had remained what I supposed myself, plain
+Mrs. Mordaunt."
+
+A slight trace of anxiety passed over her countenance, which St. Aubyn
+perceiving, for in quickness of apprehension and ready penetration no
+one ever exceeded him, he said:--
+
+"Fear nothing, my love; I am by far too happy, and too proud of my
+choice, to pay the least attention to the suggestions of either Lady
+Juliana or any other person: if they come forward handsomely, and as
+they ought to do, they shall be indulged in the happiness of visiting
+you; if not, never will I, or shall you, make the slightest concession
+to them. I will have you support your dignity, even your pride, if pride
+be necessary, and look down with contempt on such insignificant beings.
+There is one family near us, Sir William Cecil's, where I hope we shall
+be very intimate: he is a widower, and has three daughters: the eldest,
+Laura, from a disappointment in the early part of her life, has remained
+single, and is now I suppose nearly thirty: the second, Agatha, is
+married to Lord Delamore, and is gone to live in Scotland: the youngest,
+Juliet, is still a child, and has bad health: she is a most amiable
+creature, and has extraordinary talents, but is so unfortunately
+delicate that she scarcely passes a day in tolerable health. Laura Cecil
+devotes herself to her entirely, scarcely ever leaving her: she has
+superintended the whole of her education, as she did that of Lady
+Delamore, who is some years younger than herself, and to whom Laura was
+most tenderly attached. Agatha was eminently beautiful, and Laura is a
+handsome woman, with a great deal of dignity in her air; yet without
+hauteur of affectation. I hope you will be on very friendly terms with
+her." "Indeed, my Lord, from your account of Miss Cecil," replied Ellen,
+"I most sincerely wish it. Next summer, I hope, we shall go into Wales,
+and then perhaps you will permit Joanna to return with me." "Of that we
+will talk hereafter," said St. Aubyn, rising hastily. "Let but the
+spring pass over and all be well, and my Ellen's wishes shall be my law;
+but beyond the spring, at present, _I dare not look_." "And may I not
+yet inquire----"
+
+"Ask not, inquire not," interrupted St. Aubyn: "let me, if possible,
+forget the dreadful, the hateful subject.--And lives that being!" he
+exclaimed, in an agitation which mocked restraint--"lives that being who
+has the power to shake the soul of St. Aubyn; whose vindictive pursuit
+may yet deprive me of----"
+
+He stopt: his pale countenance was instantly flushed to scarlet, and he
+hastily left the room; while Ellen, amazed, confounded, seemed as if
+every faculty were suspended; yet in ten minutes this mysterious man
+returned to her, composed, and even cheerful, neither his countenance
+nor manner bearing any traces of the emotion which had so lately shaken
+his frame: he solicited Ellen, as if nothing extraordinary had passed,
+to ring for her hat and pelesse, and to go with him into the
+pleasure-grounds. She readily complied, and was, if possible, more
+surprized and delighted by the grandeur and beauty of the shrubberies,
+gardens, &c. than she had been with the interior of her magnificent
+abode.
+
+
+END OF VOL. I.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Mystery and Confidence (Vol. 1 of 3), by
+Elizabeth Pinchard
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