diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 34968-8.txt | 4110 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 34968-8.zip | bin | 0 -> 82880 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 34968-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 90719 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 34968-h/34968-h.htm | 6300 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 34968.txt | 4110 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 34968.zip | bin | 0 -> 82841 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 |
9 files changed, 14536 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/34968-8.txt b/34968-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..219896b --- /dev/null +++ b/34968-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4110 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Mystery and Confidence, Vol. 2, 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. 2 + A Tale + +Author: Elizabeth Pinchard + +Release Date: January 15, 2011 [EBook #34968] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYSTERY AND CONFIDENCE, VOL. 2 *** + + + + +Produced by Mark C. Orton 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 A LADY. + + IN THREE VOLUMES. + + + VOL. II. + + + + 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. + + + + + MYSTERY + AND + CONFIDENCE. + + + + +CHAP. I. + + ----To mourn because a sparrow dies, + To rave in artificial ecstasies, + Laments how oft her wounded heart has bled, + And boasts of many a tear she never shed. + + MISS MORE'S POEM ON SENSIBILITY. + + +The next day being Sunday, Lady St. Aubyn, attired in the most elegant +undress, and attended by the Earl, made her appearance at the church: +the expensive lace veil which shaded her fair face, and hung loosely +below her waist, prevented the gazing of those around her from being +too oppressive. The neighbouring families certainly had heard that Lord +St. Aubyn had married a young person of a rank in life much inferior to +his own, for secretly as every thing had been conducted, as no one could +tell the name or family of his bride, such, at least, were the +conjectures of those who knew him; yet, in spite of the prejudices which +had been excited against her, the elegance of her form, and the modest +composure of her demeanour, in a great measure overcame it, and all who +were entitled, by their situation in life, to visit at the Castle, +determined to do so; some prompted by mere curiosity, and some by less +unworthy motives. The three or four following days, therefore, brought +Ellen many visitors, and her own intuitive sense of propriety, added to +the few general directions St. Aubyn had given her, and with the +advantageous support his respectful attention gave her, prevented her +appearing at all awkward; and these visits, which she had so greatly +dreaded, passed over with less pain than she had expected. + +Amongst their first visitors were Sir William and Miss Cecil; the former +of whom was a mere common-place character, whom, if you did not happen +to see for sometime, you would be apt to forget you had ever seen at +all; but the fine countenance of Laura, her expressive features, and the +bright black eyes which animated them, charmed Ellen, who had never seen +any woman before so pleasing: yet Laura was not strictly beautiful, and +at this time the lustre of her fine eyes was dimmed by the melancholy +which pervaded her mind, for she said her little invalid was so much +indisposed, and so weak, she would not have left her to go any where +else; but she wished so very much to be introduced to Lady St. Aubyn she +could not resist the temptation. + +The very elegant manner in which she spoke, the clearness of her +articulation, and sweetness of her voice, were strikingly agreeable; and +St. Aubyn afterwards said that a few years before she had a gaiety of +manner, enlivened by wit of a superior nature, with so much playfulness +of expression, that by many people she was considered as merely a lively +girl, and a little satirical; but time and misfortune had softened what +at times might have been too severe in her opinions, had improved and +mellowed her fine judgment, and given a pensive sweetness to her +manners, which was occasionally relieved by flashes of her former gaiety +and ready repartee. St. Aubyn shewed her a particular and most +respectful attention, and told Ellen she would be charmed with Miss +Cecil's drawings, which were the very finest he ever saw, except from +the hands of a professed artist. He then, with a smile, addressed a few +words to Laura in an undertone, to which she replied: "Oh, pray, my +Lord, do not expose my juvenile follies: I might have done such things +when we were mere children together, but I hope you think me wiser now!" + +"The world," said he, "has perhaps made us both graver since the days +you speak of; and that, in the eyes of many, will doubtless give us +credit for an increase of wisdom; but believe me, my fair friend, I have +lost so little of the romance of youth (if such you choose to term it), +that I must hope you do not neglect the pleasing talent to which I +alluded, and of which you must allow Lady St. Aubyn to judge: I assure +you she has a great taste for poetry, and perhaps one day or other may +follow your example, and court the Muses in her turn." + +"Ah, my Lord!" said Laura, smiling and colouring: "I see you are +determined not to keep my secret." "Tell me, Ellen," said St. Aubyn, +"can you see any reason why Miss Cecil should wish to make a secret of +her having succeeded very happily in some elegant little poetical +compositions?" "No, indeed," replied Ellen: "it surely is a gift to be +rather proud than ashamed of." "Ah, my dear Lady St. Aubyn, if you could +conceive the illiberal prejudice of some minds, you would not wonder at +my dislike to having these trifling attempts spoken of. A lady I knew, +who was eminently gifted in that way, and indeed an excellent +prose-writer also, was, from circumstances, obliged to be less +scrupulous than I have been; and if you could have heard the things I +have witnessed, when she entered or left a room, you would be amazed: +while she, gentle, unassuming, and even timid, judging candidly of every +one, unwilling to see faults, and detesting personal satire, had not the +most remote idea of the severe and uncandid remarks she excited." + +Ellen was really astonished at this account, as much as she was pleased +with the spirit and grace with which it was delivered; and St. Aubyn +said to her with an expressive smile, "You see, Ellen, our friend Ross +had more reason than we were willing to allow him for _certain +prohibitions_. However," added he, "I will not relinquish the hope that +Miss Cecil will soon see how little she has to fear from any +observations of such a nature from _you_." "I see it already," said Miss +Cecil with quickness: "one glance at Lady St. Aubyn would convince the +most incredulous that nothing but sweetness and candour can lodge in +such a temple." + +She then looked at her watch, and saying she had much exceeded her time, +and Juliet would expect her, departed with her father, who had been +deeply engaged in giving Doctor Montague a long account of a +county-meeting, which had been held for some public purpose a few days +before. They had scarcely driven from the door, when Miss Alton was +announced; and as she entered, St. Aubyn whispered to Ellen--"Now you +will see a character quite new to you." Then rising hastily, he crossed +the room to meet the lady, exclaiming, "Heavens! my dear Miss Alton, how +enchanted I am to see you look so well! You really improve every day, at +least every year: for I believe it is at least that time since I saw you +last." "Oh, my Lord," answered the lady in an affected tone, but in a +voice the natural sharpness of which all her efforts failed to soften; +"you flatter--don't try to make me vain. Lord bless me, you men have no +mercy on us poor young women: but will you not introduce me to your +Lady?" + +Ellen, who at the distance from whence she had first seen this visitor +imagined that she really was young and handsome, was astonished as she +approached, to find in the white frock, sash, ringlets, and little +straw hat of a girl, a woman apparently between fifty and sixty; and who +vainly attempted to conceal, by a quantity of _rouge_ and a slight veil +thrown over her face, the ravages which time had made in her +countenance. Her spare figure gave her some resemblance to youthful +slightness; but when near, the sharp bones, and angular projections of +her face and person, sufficiently proved, that slender appearance was +the result of lean old age, instead of girlish delicacy. In spite of the +advanced season, she was clad so lightly, that she still shivered from +the impression of the keen breeze which had assailed her as she crossed +the Park, and gladly accepted a seat by the comfortable fire, though +affecting to conceal her sufferings under an air of gaiety and ease. + +St. Aubyn (who had known her many years, and had been from a boy +accustomed to divert himself with her foibles, though he really felt a +degree of regard for her, as, in spite of her oddities, she was not +without a mixture of good qualities), after having introduced her to his +bride, seated himself by her, and began to talk to her in a strain of +such marked flattery, as really alarmed Ellen, who thought Miss Alton +would certainly be offended; but her enormous vanity prevented her from +perceiving that he was merely laughing at her, and she grew every moment +more ridiculous. At last, turning to Ellen, she said in a pathetic tone, +"Oh, my dear Madam, you cannot conceive how I have felt for you these +two days! I declare I have not been able to sleep for thinking of you, +and really have shed tears to imagine what a tax you have been paying: +how you must have been fatigued by receiving such a succession of +visitors! but every one must have some trouble. There is my dear friend, +Mrs. Dawkins, the best of women--sweet woman, indeed--there she is +lamenting at home such a vexation!" "What is the matter?" said St. +Aubyn, laughing, for he knew what sort of misfortunes Mrs. Dawkins and +her friend Miss Alton generally lamented with so much pathos: "has she +lost her little French dog, or has the careless coachman scratched the +pannels of her new carriage?" "Oh, you sad man! how can you make a jest +of the dear soul's uncommon sensibility? To be sure she has the +tenderest feelings. She often says to me, 'my dear Alton, what should I +do without you: you are the only person who can really feel for the +misfortunes of a friend.' Sweet woman!" + +"Well, but," said St. Aubyn, "you were going to tell us what has +happened to this _amiable friend_ of your's." + +"Nay, I will tell Lady St. Aubyn, she looks all softness and +sensibility: but you are so wicked, you make a jest of every thing. Do +you know, my dearest Lady St. Aubyn, just as poor Mrs. Dawkins was +coming to make you a visit, this morning, nay, she was actually dressed, +and had one foot on the step of the carriage, _I_ was in it, for she was +so kind as to say she would bring me; so I thought, as I was to come +with her, I need not put on a pelisse, or shawl, for you know they spoil +one's dress. But I can't say but that it was rather cold walking, as I +was at last obliged to do, for _just_ as she put her foot upon the +step----" "What happened?" interrupted St. Aubyn, laughing still more at +the emphatic manner in which poor Alton told her distressing +story.--"Did she fall down and break her leg, or did the horses run away +and carry off her kid slipper?"----"Now only hear him; did you ever see +such a teasing creature: well, I am glad _I_ have not the task of +keeping you in order; I don't know what even the sweet Countess will do +with you." + +This piece of self-congratulation threw St. Aubyn into a violent fit of +laughing, in which even the grave Doctor Montague joined, and Ellen +could hardly resist, though the fear of quite affronting her guest put a +check upon her risibility. + +"Well," said St. Aubyn, at last recovering himself a little, "but what +really did happen to poor Mrs. Dawkins?" + +"Nay, I protest I won't tell you, you wicked creature; I will tell Lady +St. Aubyn some other time, for you do not deserve to hear any thing +about it." + +"Oh, yes, do, my dear Alton, tell, for really I am in great pain for +poor Mrs. Dawkins, who has been standing so long with one foot upon the +step: don't leave her in so dangerous a situation any longer."----"Well, +then, if I must tell--at that moment up came a servant on horseback, to +say her sister, Mrs. Courtenay, was on the road to her own house, in her +way from Buxton, and would, with a whole train of children and servants, +dine at her house to-day; and as they were coming directly, she was +actually obliged to defer her visit to your Ladyship till to-morrow; and +she was so sorry, and I am sure so was I, for I was obliged to walk here +after all." + +"Well, but," said Lord St. Aubyn, "notwithstanding this terrible shock +to her feelings, she might have sent the carriage with _you_."----"Aye, +so she might, to be sure; but poor dear soul, she was put in such a +bustle she never thought of it; some people don't think----dear me, if I +had a carriage of my own, I should be happy to make it useful to my +friends, and not let them go broiling on foot two or three miles in warm +weather or splashing through the mud in the middle of winter."----"I +believe you," said St. Aubyn; for with all her foibles, he knew Miss +Alton was really good-natured, and willing to do a kind action. + +"Well, my dear Miss Alton, if you will favour us with your company, and +dine with us, Lady St. Aubyn will, I am sure, be happy to send you home +in her carriage; and I promise you, if the Prince himself was to make us +a visit, that should not prevent your having it." + +Ellen joined in this invitation, to which the happy Miss Alton readily +assented; and Ellen found her, after a little while, a more tolerable +companion than she expected. + +Miss Alton's particular passion was for being with people who lived in +style; if they had a title so much the better; and as she would do any +thing to make herself useful, and knew how to pay those little +attentions which every body likes, she generally made herself agreeable, +or so necessary, that she had admittance at almost all the houses of +consequence in the neighbourhood. The entrè of St. Aubyn Castle was the +height of her ambition. St. Aubyn's mother, who lived much in the +country, had been in the habit of receiving Miss Alton, when she was a +girl, on familiar terms: the old Lady was fond of needle-work, and +Alton assisted in filling up the groundwork of carpets, rugs, &c. with +the most patient good humour; or was at any time ready to make up a +whist or quadrille table; so that in those days she was very often a +week or two together at the Castle, where St. Aubyn, at his vacations, +had been accustomed to meet her, and to divert himself with her foibles, +though he had always retained a degree of regard for her, a felicity +which the death of the old Countess deprived her of, and she had never +since ceased to regret; for though her other connections were +respectable, they were not so high in fortune or consequence as the St. +Aubyns, and great was her joy to find herself once more an invited guest +at the Castle. + +Amongst her other friends, as her narrow income by no means permitted +her to return their civilities in kind, she yet was always well +received, for there was nothing she would not do to oblige: one Lady +would send her in her carriage, if not well enough to go herself, to +inquire the character of a servant; another would express a wish, in her +hearing, for some game, or fruit, for a dinner party, and Miss Alton +would set out the next morning "to try her luck," as she termed it, by +calling at some of the higher sort of houses, where she was acquainted, +and _wishing_ she knew where to get a hare, or a pine-apple (according +to which was wanted), "to oblige a friend to whom she owed a great many +favours," the good natured hearer generally, if possible, was willing to +oblige "poor Alton;" or if she did not succeed there, she would tramp a +mile or two farther, and at worst could fairly boast what pains she had +taken, even if they were not successful. + +In London, if a notable friend wanted a cheap trimming, or to match a +silk or lace, yet did not like to go about to little shops herself, +Alton would take a hackney coach, or walk if the weather permitted, and +never rest till she had obtained the thing in question. + +By these and similar means she had made a great many high acquaintance, +and _eked_ out a small income by visits, sometimes a little too long, to +each in turn.----She had thus acquired some amusing anecdotes, and was +far from an unpleasing companion, especially when no male beings came in +her way; but when with men, vanity and affectation took such full +possession of her, that she became completely ridiculous. This Lady St. +Aubyn had an opportunity of seeing: when two or three gentlemen happened +to call before dinner, her whole manner changed, and she became really +absurd: her voice was softened----her head leant on one shoulder----a +tolerably white hand and arm displayed in every possible attitude, and +she behaved, in every respect, like a very silly affected girl; but when +they were gone, she was again tolerably conversable, and St. Aubyn, +ceasing to play upon her foibles, and turning the conversation to such +topics as were most likely to shew her to advantage, the afternoon and +evening passed pleasantly enough. Nor was St. Aubyn sorry to familiarise +Ellen, by degrees, to company, or to do the honour of his table, before +they should be obliged to receive the neighbouring families at dinner, +many of whom he knew (especially two or three ladies who had unmarried +daughters) would be eagerly looking out for any little omission in her, +while Miss Alton was so delighted with the good things before her +(certainly being _un peu gourmande_) with the beautiful new service of +china, rich plate, &c. &c. that she never thought of her entertainers, +except to express her pleasure in their kindness and attention: and they +sent her home in the evening perfectly happy, and eager to tell dear +Mrs. Dawkins what a delightful day she had spent, how happy the Earl +was to see her, what a _sweet woman_ the Countess was, what fine china! +what a dessert! what an elegant new carriage! &c. &c. + + + + +CHAP. II. + + Yet once again farewell, thou minstrel harp, + Yet once again forgive my feeble sway, + And little reck I of the censure sharp, + May idly cavil at an idle lay. + Much have I owed thy strains on life's long way, + Through secret woes the world has never known, + When on the weary night dawn'd wearier day, + And bitterer was the grief devour'd alone. + + W. SCOTT. + + +The next month was past in receiving and returning visits; and the most +pleasing among them was a sociable day passed at Rose-Hill, the seat of +Sir William Cecil. Miss Cecil promised, if Juliet, who now for some time +had been tolerably well, should continue so, that Ellen should see her; +though she very seldom admitted any company: "But I have said so much of +you," said Laura, "that she is quite anxious to see you; and I am +particularly anxious to familiarize her to you, both as it will I am +sure give her pleasure, and facilitate our being often together." +Accordingly, after dinner, when they left the gentlemen, Miss Cecil led +Lady St. Aubyn to Juliet's apartment. + +Never had Ellen seen so interesting a being: this fair creature, now +about fifteen, was a perfect model of beauty and symmetry; though so +slightly formed, she appeared, "like a fairy vision, or some bright +creature of the element:" her cheeks were faintly tinged with a hectic +blush; her eyes were of the most dazzling brightness; her lips like +coral; and her teeth of pearly whiteness; her fair hair was covered with +a fine lace cap, and her fragile form enveloped in a large shawl. + +"My love," said Laura, "here is Lady St. Aubyn, who is so good as to +come and see you." + +Juliet extended her white hand, and said in a voice of peculiar +harmony, fixing at the same time her sparkling and penetrating eyes on +Ellen's face, as if she wished to read her heart in her countenance, +"Laura says she loves you already, and I am sure _I_ shall." The simple +naïvetè of her voice and manner went to the heart of Ellen, who could +not help embracing her tenderly, while she felt the tears start to her +eyes at seeing one so young and lovely in a state of health so +precarious. + +After a little more conversation, Ellen put her hand accidentally on a +small book which lay half concealed by one of the pillows of Juliet's +couch, and said with that native politeness which ever prevented her +from doing any thing rude or intrusive, "May I look at the subject of +your studies?" "Yes," said Juliet, with an angelic smile, "If you +please." Ellen opened the book. It was in a character totally unknown to +her. "Do you read Greek?" asked the fair Juliet, with a simplicity and +absence of design which proved her question was serious; and this +interrogation, which would from most people to a young woman be +absolutely ridiculous, from Juliet appeared merely a natural wish to +know whether her new friend was as able as herself to read the book she +held in her hand; for strange as it may appear, it was a copy of the New +Testament in Greek; and Juliet read it as easily as if it had been +English. + +"My dear Juliet," said Laura, "few females make that language their +study; I conclude, therefore, Lady St. Aubyn does not know it any more +than myself." "Oh, I wish you both did," said Juliet: "if you could but +know the delight I feel from reading the Scripture in its original +language!--If I live till next summer I hope the Hebrew Bible will be as +familiar to me as that book is now." + +It is impossible for language to do justice to the perfect innocence and +artlessness with which she spoke: she seemed to think her own wonderful +attainments no more extraordinary than other girls do of being able to +read a newspaper, or work a handkerchief: not a trace of affectation or +pedantry was visible in her manner: she had a childishness of voice and +tone that singularly contrasted with the subjects on which she spoke; +for Laura, willing to let Ellen see what a wonderful creature she was, +led her to speak of astronomy; and a celestial globe happening to be on +a table before her, led her by degrees to display her extraordinary +knowledge in that science--of the dimensions and motions of the heavenly +bodies, their distances from the sun and from each other, &c. all of +which she explained in the clearest and most perspicuous manner, making +such happy allusions to the poets who have touched on the subject, and +illustrating it by such apt comparisons, as shewed her imagination was +as brilliant, as the calculations she readily made proved her memory +was accurate. + +Lady St. Aubyn, who had at every leisure hour since her marriage been +engaged in studying this and other interesting subjects of useful +knowledge, could in some degree appreciate the value and extent of this +sweet girl's extraordinary acquirements, and was lost in admiration of +her abilities, and the industry with which, notwithstanding her ill +health, she had cultivated them. + +This happened to be a day in which Juliet was unusually well, for in +general she declined all conversation, and spent most of her time in +studying the Scriptures, in devotional exercises, and promoting every +plan which her health would permit her to join in for the relief of the +poor; for her early piety and extensive charity were as remarkable as +her other attainments were wonderful: but this day she was so well, that +at Laura's solicitation, in which Ellen earnestly joined, she placed +herself at a chamber organ that stood in her apartment, which she +touched with great taste and science; and was at last prevailed on to +accompany it with a voice of the most angelic sweetness. + +She sung only sacred music, and now delighted Ellen with "Angels ever +bright and fair;" and, "I know that my Redeemer liveth:" and while her +pure lips poured forth these exquisite specimens of musical inspiration, +the soft and pious expression of her heavenly countenance, for ever +fixed and hallowed them in the remembrance of her hearers. + +To Ellen she seemed hardly a being of this world, and her young and +enthusiastic heart was melted with the tenderest love for one so very +far superior to any thing she could have imagined. + +From this day the St. Aubyns and Cecils spent a great part of their time +together, and the highly polished manners of Miss Cecil, her excellent +judgment, and fine taste, were extremely advantageous to Lady St. +Aubyn. Without losing her natural grace and sweet simplicity, she +gradually acquired more of that style which marks both the woman of +fashion and the possessor of intellectual knowledge; even her beauty +improved with the encreased intelligence of her mind, and the serenity +of her heart; for now for the first time she felt entirely happy; +scarcely a cloud overshadowed her. + +St. Aubyn was every day more tender and attentive, and every day +expressed himself more pleased and delighted with his choice. Those +starts of agitation and gloom which on their first acquaintance had +appeared in him so frequently, were now very seldom seen. He received +frequent letters from Spain, which he told Ellen were from his friend +the Marquis of Northington, who was there in a diplomatic situation, and +was engaged in seeking a person, by means of his extensive connections +on the Continent, who alone could unravel some mysterious circumstances +of the most material consequence to _him_. "But when found," said St. +Aubyn, one day when he had by degrees been led to speak on this +subject--"when found, if ever that should happen, I know not that he +will be prevailed on to disclose what I have every reason to believe he +alone can tell. He is a villain!"----(and St. Aubyn's frame shook with +the agitation of smothered rage) "and may from motives of fear or +revenge add to the other injuries he has done me, by withholding that +information which alone can secure _my fame_, perhaps _my life_." + +He had never before spoken so much or so calmly on this interesting +subject; and seeing that Ellen listened with great anxiety, and that at +his last words she trembled and turned pale, he added: + +"Fear not, my love: for your dear sake I will take every necessary +precaution; and should I find the enemy, who has long, though most +unjustly, threatened to revenge on me an act, horrible indeed, but of +which I was not the author----should I find him still determined on +vindictive measures, I will for a time pass over to the Continent, till +some accommodation can be effected. At all events, my Ellen, remember +you have promised to _believe me innocent_. In the course of the next +summer, this enemy (who, alas! and that is not the least hardship in my +wayward fate, ought by every tie to look upon me as a friend and father) +will be in England, and I shall perhaps be able to clear his mind from +those evil impressions with which an unfortunate chain of circumstances +have stampt it----impressions received in early youth, and which he has +ever since cherished, and brooded over with the most determined +resentment." + +At this juncture, when St. Aubyn seemed for the first time inclined to +open his whole heart to his wife, and to disclose to her a story in +which she was so deeply interested, they were interrupted by a servant, +who announced Mrs. Dawkins, and her tender friend Miss Alton, who came +armed with a whole catalogue of sympathetic feelings and notes of +admiration of all kinds to entertain Lady St. Aubyn. + +Many were the disasters which had happened since they saw her last: +horses had been lame, servants impertinent, showers of rain had fallen +at the most unlucky moments, even a dinner had been spoilt which had +cost a whole week's preparation, by the cook's inattention in +over-roasting the venison; in short, all the minor evils of life had set +themselves in array against the peace of poor Mrs. Dawkins: and even the +sympathizing Miss Alton could hardly keep pace with lamentations +sufficient for such a doleful list of distresses. She fought her way, +however, as well as she could, and where words failed her, shrugs, +sighs, and the whole artillery of gesticulation, were employed in their +stead. + +What then became of poor Ellen, who could at best only sit "with sad +civility and an aching head," amid this alternate din of complaint and +compassion? But Mrs. Dawkins was pre-determined to like and be pleased +with every thing the lovely Countess did or omitted to do, and construed +the silence and acquiescence with which she heard every thing into the +kindest attention and most obliging concern for the troubles of her +friends. + +The entrance of a sandwich tray fortunately gave some pause to this +melancholy duet; and the excellent hot-house fruits, rich cake, &c. +seemed to arrive in good time to refresh both ladies after so much +exertion. At last they took their leave, but the moment for confidence +was past; indeed, St. Aubyn, in no humour for trifling, had made his +escape at one door, as they entered at the other: of course, the +conversation was not then resumed. + +Not to interrupt the course of the narrative, we omitted in the proper +place to notice that Lord and Lady St. Aubyn had, immediately on their +arrival at the Castle, written letters of explanation to Powis and +Joanna, and he permitted Mr. Ross to publish what he alone knew the real +rank and title of the person Ellen had married. + +We will not pretend to describe the astonishment excited by this +intelligence amongst the inhabitants of Llanwyllan: the honest and +unaspiring Powis declared he would much rather Ellen had married a man +nearer her own rank in life, for he was afraid, poor dear child, she +would be bewildered amongst such fine people, and in such a great house: +for his part, even if he were able to travel so far, he should not like +to go to such a grand place as she described the Castle to be; besides, +he was afraid they would be ashamed to see such a rough, ignorant fellow +as he was among their fine company: and if Ellen was above calling him +father, he should wish himself in the grave. + +The tears started in his eyes at the painful idea, and the good Ross +could hardly dissipate his apprehensions of being forsaken by his only +child, by reminding him of her excellent qualities and tender affection +for him, and of the kindness with which Lord St. Aubyn had treated him +through the whole of his acquaintance. + +Mrs. Ross was in ten times a greater bustle than ever; she could not +rest till she had told the surprizing news to every one she met, and at +intervals she scolded Mr. Ross heartily for not letting her into the +secret, as if she were not as worthy to be trusted as any body else for +secrecy and prudence; "she that had been a mother to Ellen, was no +gossip, and minded nothing but her own business!" but when he reminded +her that even Ellen, deeply as she was interested, was not permitted to +know it, she could not but acknowledge she had no great right to expect +to be better informed. + +As to Joanna, with the natural vanity of youth, she was elated beyond +measure at the idea of her dear Ellen's being a _real lady_, and the +hope of visiting her one day or other in her fine castle, and seeing all +her beautiful things, while Mrs. Ross made no doubt Ellen had a dress +for every day in the week, and her caps trimmed with fine lace; then she +laughed at the recollection of having once "scolded Ellen for putting on +her best white gown when she expected Mr. Mordaunt, as we called him, +and now I should not wonder if she wears as good in a morning!"--"Dear +mother," said Joanna, who, from the slight view she had of what she +fancied the world, when she went with St. Aubyn and Ellen to Carnarvon, +imagined herself better instructed in fashionable matters--"dear mother, +I daresay she does not wear such gowns at all; I should not wonder if +her maid had as good: I am sure I saw a lady's maid on a travelling +carriage at Carnarvon much better dressed than either of us." "Well, +bless me, what will the world come to," said Mrs. Ross, "when such folks +as those wear white gowns and flappits!" Alas, poor Mrs. Ross! could she +have seen some ladies' maids!-- + +All these things Joanna told Ellen in a letter the longest she had ever +written, and greatly was St. Aubyn diverted with the simplicity of their +ideas. The good Ross wrote to St. Aubyn, and expressed his high +satisfaction at the very just and honourable manner in which he had +performed all his engagements respecting Ellen, and requested to hear +from time to time whatever might arise concerning those important +circumstances which the Earl had done him the honour to confide to him. + +"What can we do for these very good people, my dear Ellen?" said St. +Aubyn: "they have no wants nor wishes beyond their present possessions. +If I send them any articles of luxury, or the means of encreasing their +present expenses, I know not that I should render them happier. I could +easily procure a valuable living for Mr. Ross, and told him so; but he +assured me nothing should induce him to leave his present flock, and +that he had not a wish to rise to a higher sphere, or for any thing in +the world, but a few more books; and for those I have sent an order to +my bookseller, requesting they may be immediately forwarded to +Carnarvon. I shall also enclose to Ross a larger payment for my good old +landlady and cook, dame Grey, than I thought it prudent to make while we +remained at Llanwyllan. Is there any thing else my Ellen can think +of?"--"There are," answered Ellen, in a low voice, "some very poor +people at Llanwyllan, that Joanna and I used to be as kind to as we +could. I should like, if you approve of it, to send Joanna a little +money for their use." "By all means, send whatever you think proper, and +as often as you please; never consult me, but do all that your kind and +generous heart prompts you to do on all occasions--think also if there +is any thing Mrs. Ross and Joanna would be pleased to have. You must be +a better judge of their wishes than I can be."--He then took out his +pocketbook, and gave her notes to a large amount, telling her, with a +smile, that her expences were so small, he should forget he had a wife +if she were not a little more profuse. "Well, but Ellen," said St. +Aubyn, "surely this is not all you have to ask for the friends of your +youth! don't make me fancy either that you are forgetful, or _think more +than you choose to express for some of them_." "My dear Lord, what do +you mean?" said Ellen, a little startled by the manner in which he +spoke, "Nay, don't be alarmed," replied St. Aubyn, with a smile, "_I_ +was thinking of one certainly not so much in _my_ favour as he ought to +be in _your's_, for he deprived me once of your society for a whole day, +for which, and some certain pangs and anxieties, I cannot quite forgive +him." "I cannot guess who you mean." "Is that really true?" "Most +perfectly so." "Certainly," said St. Aubyn, "I can only mean Charles +Ross." "Oh poor Charles!" exclaimed Ellen: "I really had quite forgotten +him." + +"Now that was excessively ungrateful," said St. Aubyn, laughing, "for I +dare engage he has not forgotten you: well, are you still enough his +friend to wish to do him service?" + +"Certainly," said Ellen: "I shall always feel a regard for him, though +just at that moment I was not thinking of him: but what service can I +do him, my Lord?" + +"If _you_ give him your interest with me, I may, perhaps, try, and most +likely shall succeed, in getting him promotion. Should you wish this to +be done?" + +"Oh, yes, indeed," replied Ellen, animated and sparkling with the +pleasing idea of serving her early friend, and of the joy his promotion +would give his parents and sister, "nothing could give me more +pleasure." + +"Not too much of that bright colour and sparkling eye, though, Ellen," +said St. Aubyn, half in jest, half gravely: "I shall be jealous." + +"You have so much reason!" + +"Well, be cautious, I am in that point a Turk, and bear no rival _near_ +the throne." + +Ellen, half vexed, would have said something, but embracing her +tenderly, he stopt her by saying, "Not a word, my love, I am perfectly +satisfied," and left her a little disconcerted, and half fearing that +she had disturbed or displeased him. + +In the familiar intercourse which now took place between Miss Cecil and +Lady St. Aubyn, the former shook off her reserve, and imparted to Ellen, +not indeed all the particulars of her early disappointment, but that she +had endured the most painful trials that the perfidy and inconsistent +conduct of one sincerely loved could inflict; yet dignified on this, as +on every other subject, she never expatiated upon it, or said any thing +disrespectful of the author of her sufferings: though she never fully +explained the cause of her separation from her unworthy lover, it was +understood, that a full conviction of his bad conduct, and that his +address to her had chiefly been induced by mercenary motives, had +induced her to discard him, and to resist all his subsequent entreaties +to be forgiven. + +One day, when Lord St. Aubyn and Sir William Cecil were engaged at a +great public dinner in the neighbourhood, Ellen had the pleasure of +dining tête-à-tête with her agreeable friend: they had spent two hours +in Juliet's apartment, who every time they met gained more and more on +Ellen's affections, and was become excessively attached to her, when the +sweet girl, feeling fatigued, said she would lie down for an hour, and +then she should be well enough to enjoy their company at tea, which she +requested they would take in her apartment; they went therefore to pass +this hour in Miss Cecil's dressing-room, who, opening a writing-desk to +shew Ellen a drawing she had just finished, undesignedly displayed to +the quick eye of Lady St. Aubyn a little book, marked "Manuscript +Poetry." + +"Your own," said Ellen, laying her hand on it playfully, "or extracts?" +"Why," returned Laura, "as Lord St. Aubyn thought proper to betray a +secret which he learnt when we were children together, I will not deny +that little volume contains some insignificant attempts of my own." + +"Oh let me see some of them, pray do," said Ellen: "assure yourself I +will make no ill use of your confidence. I really am quite delighted +with this opportunity, for I have long wished to see some specimens of +your talents in this way." Thus urged, Laura allowed her to read two or +three of the little poems contained in the volume, and at her earnest +request, permitted her afterwards to have copies of the two following + + + ELEGIAC STANZAS. + + Athwart the troubled bosom of the night, + Low heavy clouds in awful grandeur sweep; + And, in the solemn darkness of their flight, + Serve but to wrap the world in calmer sleep; + Save those sad eyes, which only wake to weep; + And give the dreary hour to meditation deep. + + Those eyes perceive, as slow the clouds divide, + One star, whose tremulous but brilliant ray + Might serve the uncertain wand'rer's steps to guide, + And cheer his bosom till the dawn of day; + Who trembling else, and lost in black dismay, + Wearied and wild, might rove and perish on the way. + + Even such a star, so fair and so benign, + When o'er the soul dark clouds of sorrow lour, + Is Hope; whose tranquil rays serenely shine, + Brightening the horrors of each dreary hour; + Smiling when youth prepares the fancied flower, + And when in age it feels misfortune's blighting power. + + Oh, thou bright star! still grateful shalt thou find + The heart so often cheer'd by thy mild ray: + I will not call thee faithless and unkind, + Nor with ingratitude thy smiles repay, + Because thou hast not, like the glorious day, + Power to dispel the dark, and drive the clouds away. + + Gild but those clouds till brighter suns arise; + Checkering with thy fair light life's troubled stream; + And oft unwearied shall these wakeful eyes, + Watching the progress of thy doubtful beam, + Shine even in tears; and, closing, still shall seem + Sooth'd by thy gentle ray in every peaceful dream. + + + EPISTLE TO LADY DELAMORE, + + ON RETURNING TO ROSE-HILL. + + From those rain scenes, where fancied pleasure reigns; + From crowds that weary, and from mirth which pains; + From flattering praises, from the smiles of art, + Sweet to the eye but faithless to the heart; + From guilt which makes fair innocence its prey, + Sighs but to blast, and courts but to betray; + From these I fly, impatient to caress + All lovely Nature in her fairest dress. + Oh, sweet retirement! Oh! secure retreat + From all the cares and follies of the great! + Here lavish Nature every charm bestows, + In softness smiles, in vivid beauty glows! + Here May presents each blossom of the spring, + And balmy sweetness falls from Zephyr's wing. + Yet while I stray, in tranquil quiet blest, + Fond mem'ry presses at my anxious breast; + And as I rove 'mid scenes so justly dear, + Remembrance wakes the tributary fear! + The mental eye perceives a sister's form, + And even these peaceful shades no longer charm. + "Yes!" I exclaim, "'twas here she lov'd to stray, + Smiling in beauty, innocently gay! + Oft by yon streamlet, in the echoing vale, + Her voice would swell upon the evening gale, + Charm from the care-fraught bosom half its woes, + And hush the wounded spirit to repose!" + While these delightful hours I thus retrace, + And dwell on every recollected grace, + Thy sister's soul, my Agatha, forgets + That _thou_ art blest in that which _she_ regrets; + Forgets that pleasure crowns thy happy hours, + And fond affection strews thy path with flowers; + Anxious thy way with rose-buds to adorn, + And from those buds remove each lurking thorn. + Ah! selfish heart, lament thy loss no more, + Nor thus thy recollected bliss deplore; + Content thyself to know thy sister blest, + And calm the plaintive anguish of thy breast! + Be still serenity thy future state; + Far from the pomps and perils of the great; + Unnotic'd, quiet, shall thy peace ensure, + Peace, when the world forgets thee, most secure. + --Yet, yet, my Agatha, affection swells + The trembling heart where thy lov'd image dwells; + Still bids me look to thee for all that cheers + In lengthen'd life, and blesses ling'ring years: + My spirit, form'd a _social_ bliss to prove, + Dares but to hope it from thy future love. + Deceived by him on whom it most relied, + Pierced in its fondness, wounded in its pride-- + Yet, yet, while throbbing through each shatter'd nerve, + Disclaims to thee the veil of low reserve; + Owns all its weakness, will each thought confide, + And what it dares to feel, disdains to hide; + Owns, though no more the storms of passion rise, + That from the thought of selfish bliss it flies, + Still feels whate'er had once the power to charm, + Faithful affection, sensitive alarm; + But from the pangs which once it felt relieved, + No more will trust where once it was deceived; + To thee alone will look for future joy, + And for thy bliss each anxious wish employ: + Absorbed in thee, and in thy opening views, + Its pains, its pleasures, nay its being lose: + One we will be, and one our future cares, + Our thoughts, our hopes, our wishes, and our prayers. + + LAURA. + +With both these little pieces Ellen was perhaps more pleased than their +intrinsic merit warranted; but we naturally look with a partial eye on +the performances of those we love. After looking over several other +poetical attempts, and some beautiful drawings, they returned to +Juliet's apartment, where they spent a delightful evening; for Juliet +seemed materially mending, and Laura's spirits rose in proportion. + +Thus, and in similar pleasures, passed the time till the beginning of +March, varied indeed by the occasional visits of the neighbouring +families. One day, after a long solicitation, the St. Aubyns, Cecils, +and some more of the most fashionable people near them, dined with Mrs. +Dawkins, where they also met her tender friend and shadow, Miss Alton, +who this day, for the first time in her life, was destined to offend +that _sweet woman_, Mrs. Dawkins; for charmed to find herself seated on +a sofa between "her _dearest_ Lady St. Aubyn," and that _most +delightful_ man, General Morton, a veteran officer in the neighbourhood, +at whom it was supposed Miss Alton had long _set her cap_, as the phrase +is, she attended not to the hints, shrugs, and winks of her friend, who, +not keeping a regular housekeeper, and being extremely anxious for the +placing her first course properly, wished Miss Alton just to slip out +and see it put on table: but vain were her wishes; and the cook, finding +no aid-de-camp arrive, after waiting till some of the dishes were +over-dressed, and others half cold, was obliged to act as +commander-in-chief, and direct the disposition of the table herself; in +which, not having clearly understood her mistress's directions (for in +fact her anxiety to have all correct made them vary every half hour), +she succeeded so ill, that when, after all her fretting and fuming, poor +Mrs. Dawkins was told dinner was on table, that unfortunate Lady had +nearly fainted at perceiving, when she entered the dining-room, that +half the articles intended for the second course were crowded into the +first, and roasted, ragoued, boiled, fried, sweet and sour, were jumbled +together, in the finest confusion imaginable! + +"This is all _your_ fault," said Mrs. Dawkins, in a low voice, but with +the countenance of a fury, to poor Alton: "you could not _stir_ to see +it put down;" and pushing rudely by her, she left her staring with +surprize, and wondering what had made the dear soul so very angry: but +when she saw the blunders which were so obvious in the arrangement of +the table, and recollected her own negligence (for in fact she had +promised to see it set down), she was in her turn quite shocked. + +Insupportable was the delay and confusion in putting down this second +course; even curtailed as it was, Mrs. Dawkins's servants were not +perfectly _au fait_ at such things, and at last Lord St. Aubyn gave a +hint to his own man, who waited behind his chair to assist, which he did +so effectually, that every thing was soon placed as by magic, and the +rest of the dinner and dessert passed over tolerably well. After dinner, +the ladies retired to the drawing-room, and listened, with their usual +patience, to fresh lamentations from Mrs. Dawkins, and renewed +sympathies on the part of Miss Alton, who sought, by even increasing her +usual portion of _tender sensibility_, to regain her wonted place in +Mrs. Dawkins's good graces; but that lady continued so haughty and +impracticable, that poor Alton came at last with _real_ tears, to +complain to the good-natured Ellen and Laura of her hard fate, and the +impossibility, do all she could, of pleasing some people; and they +really were so sorry for her vexation, that when Lady St. Aubyn's +carriage was announced, she rescued her from the visible unkindness of +Mrs. Dawkins, by desiring to have the pleasure of setting her down, and +made her quite happy again, by asking her to meet a small party at the +Castle the next day, which, as it was understood to be rather a select +thing, and confined to those most intimate there, assured Miss Alton a +renewed importance with Mrs. Dawkins and all her friends, as she should +have much to tell, which they could by no other possibility know any +thing about. + + + + +CHAP. III. + + Sweet Juliet, that with angels dost remain, + Accept this latest favour at my hands, + That living honour'd thee, and being dead, + With funeral praises do adorn thy tomb. + + ROMEO AND JULIET. + + +The day was now fixed at the distance of a week for the removal of the +St. Aubyns to London. Ellen lamented much the impossibility of having +Laura Cecil with her, who would have been such a support to her in a +situation so new; but nothing could be urged on that point, as it was +impossible she could leave Juliet, who appeared sometimes better +sometimes worse, but always patient, gentle, and pious to a degree that +was really angelic. + +Ellen felt sincerely grieved to leave her, and proposed that she should +be removed to London for better advice, but found this expedient had +been before resorted to, and Doctor B----'s advice frequently renewed by +letters since, and that it was thought the air of London did not agree +with her. The weather now, for the time of year, the second week in +March, was remarkably mild; and the medical man in attendance on Juliet, +who had now been for some days tolerably free from the low fever which +generally hung about her, permitted her to go out once or twice in a +garden chair, for the benefit of the air: the returning verdure of +spring seemed, for a time, to revive her: but whether the exertion was +too much, or some unobserved change in the atmosphere affected her +delicate frame, could not be known; but she was suddenly seized with one +of those attacks of fever which had so frequently brought her to the +brink of the grave; and on the day before that fixed for Ellen's leaving +Northamptonshire, a note from Laura announced that the life of this +admirable young creature was despaired of. + +"She is perfectly sensible," added the afflicted sister; "the dear angel +retains all her usual pious composure; she wishes to see you. Could you, +dear Lady St. Aubyn, without being too much affected, come to her?" + +Ellen, bursting into tears, put the note into St. Aubyn's hand, saying, +"Oh, my dear Lord; let me go--pray let me go directly!" + +"Be less alarmed, be more composed, my dearest love," replied he, after +glancing over the contents, "or I cannot consent to your going. I wish +it had not been asked." + +"Oh, indeed, dear St. Aubyn, I am quite composed, quite easy; but I +shall suffer much more in not seeing the dear, dear creature once again, +than even by witnessing this sudden and most unexpected change." + +"Well, my love, we will go together; but do not be too much alarmed; she +may yet recover: Laura's fears may outrun the occasion: Juliet has often +been very ill before; but we will go: they will both, I know, be pleased +at your coming." + +He then ordered the carriage, which was soon ready; and half an hour +brought them to Rose-hill. Ellen was immediately shewn to Juliet's room: +by the bed-side sat Laura: her cheeks, lips, and whole countenance, were +the colour of monumental marble; not a tear fell from her eyes; not a +sigh heaved her bosom; but the woe, the deep expressive woe which marked +every feature, no language could describe: she rose, and advanced a few +steps to meet Ellen, grasping her hand with one which the touch of death +could alone have rendered colder; her lips moved, but no articulate word +broke the mournful silence. + +Ellen turned pale, shuddered, and looked ready to faint; Miss Cecil +made a sign to an attendant, who, bathed in tears, stood near her: she +placed a chair for Lady St. Aubyn, and brought her a few drops in some +water; she wept, and was relieved. + +"Oh, why did I send for you!" said Laura, in a low tone, and speaking +with difficulty; "I fear it is too much." + +"Don't be frightened, my Lady," said the nurse: "Miss Juliet is a little +easier; she is dozing." + +In a few minutes Juliet moved and spoke, but so faintly, her voice could +hardly be distinguished. In an instant Laura was on her knees beside +her, and catching the imperfect sounds, replied in a voice which +betrayed not the anguish of her soul, "Yes, my love, she is here--will +you see her?" + +Then turning to Ellen, she motioned her to approach. Ellen rose, and +went to the bed-side; she looked on Juliet, and saw that sweet angelic +countenance, slightly flushed, and looking as composed as ever; and +ignorant of the appearances of disease, fancied her better, and was, in +some measure, comforted. Juliet faintly articulated a few words, +expressive of the pleasure she felt in seeing Ellen, and would have said +more, but the nurse, for the sake of all, interposed, and requested that +Miss Juliet might not be allowed to speak much. With difficulty she held +out her feeble emaciated arms to Ellen, who tenderly embraced her, and +half dissolved in tears, retired to the window, whither she drew Miss +Cecil. Still the wretched Laura shed no tear; and the deep grief, +impressed on her fine countenance, was much more painful to the beholder +than the loudest expressions of sorrow could have been. + + "Give sorrow vent: the grief which does not speak + Whispers the o'er-fraught heart, and bids it break!" + +"For heaven's sake, my dearest Laura," said Ellen, "endeavour to take +comfort; surely she is better--she will recover!" + +Laura only shook her head; and the nurse approaching, said, "Indeed, +Madam, Miss Cecil will kill herself; she has not had her clothes off +these two nights, nor has the slightest refreshment passed her lips this +day." + +"Oh! talk not to me of rest or food," cried Laura, "I can partake of +neither." + +Ellen most tenderly urged her to take something; but pressing her hands +upon her heart, she replied, "Oh no, oh no--I could not; indeed I could +not. Go," she added, "my dear friend--go, this is no place for you; +nothing but the request of ----; nothing but _her_ request should have +induced me to send for you." + +"But now I _am_ here," said Ellen, "surely you will allow me to stay; I +may be of use to you; of comfort to dear dear Juliet." + +In vain she urged. Laura sacrificed all selfish considerations, and +insisted on her returning home, promising to send to her should Juliet +wish to see her again; and St. Aubyn, anxious for her, now sent to +request his wife would come: she therefore embraced her friend, and +looking once more on the departing saint, who now again lay heavily +dozing, she lifted up her hands and eyes to heaven, and, with another +shower of tears, left the room. + +St. Aubyn was rejoiced to find her disposed to accompany him home, +though she complained bitterly that Laura would not let her stay. + +"Laura," said he, "judges as she always does, wisely, and acts kindly: +you could be of no real service, and your being here would be highly +improper; you must not think of it." + +Two days of the greatest anxiety now passed, and at the end of that time +the fair and lovely Juliet breathed no more: her last moments were +attended by consolation so powerful, and hopes so celestial, as might +well have taught the worldly "how a Christian could die!" + +For many days Laura was confined to her bed, and it was feared she would +follow her sister to the grave; but by degrees she shook off the excess +of her sorrow, and for her father's sake endeavoured to recover from the +dreadful shock she had received. + +Sir William Cecil, who had long been convinced that Juliet would not +live many months, was more easily consoled. The St. Aubyns of course had +delayed their journey to London on this event; and finding that Sir +William Cecil was disposed to make an excursion to Bath, which his gouty +habit indeed rendered almost necessary, they endeavoured to prevail on +Laura to come to them at St. Aubyn Castle for a short time, and then go +with them to London. From this proposal, especially the latter part, she +for some time shrunk, and wished to be allowed to remain at Rose-hill +alone: but that her friends would not permit: and Sir William having +arranged to go to Bath at the same time with a neighbouring family, and +to be in the same house with them, Laura was at length prevailed on to +remove to the Castle, and from thence, after a short stay, to accompany +her friends to London, where they promised her an apartment exclusively +her own, and that she should see no other till she herself wished it. + +"Yet why," said she, "my dearest Lady St. Aubyn, why should I burden you +with one so powerless to add to your comforts, or partake your +pleasures?" + +"Is not that an unkind question?" said Ellen; "or do you really believe +me insensible to the gratification of soothing your mind, and supporting +your spirits? Whenever you will permit me, I will be your visitor in +your apartment; whenever my company would be irksome, I will leave you +to yourself, provided I do not find you the worse for the indulgence." + +All was therefore thus arranged, and Miss Cecil, Lord and Lady St. Aubyn +in one carriage, and Miss Cecil's maid, and Ellen's talkative but +faithful Jane, in another, with out riders, &c. in great style left +Northamptonshire, and arrived the next evening at the Earl's magnificent +house in Cavendish-square.--Lady St. Aubyn's first care was to select +such an apartment for the mournful Laura as would make her easy, and +free from restraint; and having conducted her to it, she told her she +was entirely mistress there, and never should be interrupted unless she +chose it. + +Ellen, who had made several little attempts in verse since she had seen +those of Miss Cecil, now soothed her sorrow for the loss of the sweet +Juliet by a few stanzas, which, when she thought her able to bear them, +she gave to Laura, who was gratified by this little tribute to her +loved, lamented sister's memory. + + + ELEGIAC STANZAS. + + How mourns the heart, when early fades away + The opening promise of a riper bloom; + When youth and beauty, innocently gay, + Sink in the silent ruin of the tomb! + + Oh, thou pure spirit! which in life's fair dawn, + Arose superior to that childish frame, + (Fair tho' it was) from which thou art withdrawn, + To that bright Heaven from whence thy beauty came. + + Sweet Juliet! happily releas'd from care, + Which future years perhaps had bade the prove; + A heart so tender, and a form so fair, + Ill with the perils of the world had strove! + + Thy heart expanding at affection's voice, + How had it borne in native kindness warm, + To check the rapid fire of youthful choice, + And dread deceit beneath the loveliest form! + + To thee were graces so benignly given, + A soul so tender, and a wit so rare; + A love of harmony, as if kind Heaven + Had bade thee for an early bliss prepare. + + Long shall the heart which lov'd thy dawning grace, + The pensive mem'ry of each charm retain; + Thy winning manners studiously retrace, + And dwell anew on each harmonious strain. + + Nor shall that heart to present scenes confine + Its views and wishes; but with worthier care, + Seek to preserve an innocence like thine, + And humbly hope thy happiness to share. + + + + +CHAP. IV. + + To such how fair appears each grain of sand, + Or humblest weed as wrought by nature's hand! + A shell, or stone, he can with pleasure view.-- + ----See with what art each curious shell is made: + Here carved in fret-work, there with pearl inlaid! + What vivid th' enamel'd stones adorn, + Fair as the paintings of the purple morn! + + S. JENYNS. + + +The arrival of the St. Aubyns in London opened a wide field for +conjecture and conversation in the fashionable world. It was known, for +St. Aubyn's haughty relations had not failed to publish it, that he had +married a young woman far inferior to him in rank, and absolutely +without fortune. It was also known that she was uncommonly beautiful; +and great anxiety, mixed with no small share of ridicule, was excited by +her expected _debut_; but the modest Ellen was in no haste to afford the +starers and sneerers so rich a treat: she merely went to a few morning +exhibitions, attended only by her Lord, for the first fortnight of her +stay in town; and indeed St. Aubyn hoped, notwithstanding her present +distance and displeasure, to induce his aunt, Lady Juliana Mordaunt, to +chaperon Ellen to some of the public places, being fully sensible what +an advantage it would be to her to be so supported: he therefore +acquiesced in her wishes, till he could bring about this desirable +arrangement, and allowed his wife to spend most of her evenings at home. + +Several ladies had however called on Lady St. Aubyn, some of whom had +left their cards, and others she had seen. Most of these visits she had +returned; but one of those, who had shewn the greatest desire to see +more of Lady St. Aubyn--indeed, a distant relation of the Earl's, she +had not been yet to see. + +One morning Lord St. Aubyn said he would go with her to see the museum +of an old friend of his, who lived at Knightsbridge, who was a great +collector of every thing rare and curious, particularly shells, +pictures, and gems. "He is quite a character," added he: "but I will not +anticipate your surprize: we can go there early. I told him we would go +to-day, or to-morrow; and after we have been there, you can call on Lady +Meredith, who gave herself a trouble so extraordinary, as actually to +alight from her carriage and make you a personal visit." + +"You will go with me?" + +"Pardon me, my love, that is not necessary, and you really must learn to +_go alone_, and not depend so much on me." + +"I hope her Ladyship may not be at home." + +"Indeed, my love, I hope she may; for dissimilar as they are in every +respect, my aunt, Lady Juliana, spends a great deal of her time there. +She is so fond of finding fault, and differing in opinion from others, +that I really believe she goes to Lady Meredith's chiefly for the +pleasure of lecturing her, who is so indifferent to the opinion of any +one, that she does not think it worth while to be at the trouble of +resenting the sharp things Lady Juliana says to her." + +"What a strange motive for being intimate with any one." + +"Strange enough: but when you see more of the world, you will discern +that affection is not the only bond of union between those who call +themselves friends." + +"I think I have seen that already in Mrs. Dawkins and Miss Alton." + +"True: convenience, the wish of finding a patient _hearer_, accident, +the want of a more pleasing companion, are amongst the numerous +inducements which form what we are pleased to call friendship. Nay, I +once heard a good lady say she was sure a family she mentioned had +proved themselves _real friends_ to her, for they had sent her a _large +plumcake_[A]." + + [A] A fact. + +Ellen laughed at this curious definition of friendship. + +"Well," said St. Aubyn: "but to return to Lady Meredith. I hope she may, +by reporting well of you to Lady Juliana, induce her to become more +friendly towards us: you know how anxious I am to have you in her good +graces--not, believe me, on account of her immense fortune, but because, +with all her pride and stiffness, she has a warm heart and excellent +qualities, and would be to you a most valuable friend; so pray do your +best to please Lady Meredith." + +"Very well: but will you tell me the most likely way to succeed?" + +"I am afraid it will be difficult: she will think you too handsome, +unless indeed she intends soon to have a large party." + +"How is it possible _that_ should have any thing to do with the matter?" + +"Why, Lady Meredith's great ambition is to outshine all her competitors +in the number and fashion of those collected at her routes; and as +sometimes, in spite of her charms, and the lustre of her abundant +jewels, there are some obstinate animals who will be uncivil enough to +recollect they '_have seen them before_,' consequently become rather +weary of them, and desert her for some newer belle. Lady Meredith may +think you (so new to the world, and so beautiful) a desirable +reinforcement, and may therefore honour you with an invitation: pray +accept it, if she does, and take great pains at your toilette to-day: +for my friend, Mr. Dorrington, is a great admirer of beauty, and will +shew you his fine collection a great deal more readily if he admire +your's, particularly if he should fancy you like a bust he has of the +_bona Dea_ (at least he gives it that name, though it is so mutilated, +he confesses he does not exactly know for what or whom it was designed), +which he almost idolizes." + +Ellen hastened to obey, but she wished herself at Castle St. Aubyn, for +she had not liked the little she had seen of Lady Meredith, and she +shrunk from the idea of this formidable morning visit. Conquering her +fears, however, as well as she could, and looking uncommonly beautiful, +she rejoined her Lord. Her milliner had just sent home a most elegant +and expensive morning dress, bonnet, and cloak, all of the finest +materials, and in that delicate modest style, which she always chose, +and was to her peculiarly becoming. St. Aubyn thought he had never seen +her look so well, and gave great credit to Madame de ---- for consulting +so admirably the natural style of her beauty, as to embellish, without +overloading it. The barouche was at the door: she had therefore only +time to say "farewell" to Laura, and stepping hastily in, half an hour +brought them to Mr. Dorrington's. + +As the carriage stopt at the house, the figure of a fine old man with +grey hair caught the eye of Lady St. Aubyn: he was at the instant +ascending the steps to knock at the door, and was so meanly dressed, +that she supposed him a mendicant, or at least extremely poor, and her +ready hand sought her purse, intending to give relief to the infirm +looking old man. What then was her surprize, when, just as she stretched +out her hand for that purpose, the old man, looking into the carriage, +and seeing Lord St. Aubyn, advanced, and taking off his hat with the +most courtly air imaginable, displayed a fine commanding forehead, +expressive eyes, and a contour of countenance so admirable, as, once +seen, could never be forgotten. + +"Ah! my dear St. Aubyn," he exclaimed, "how rejoiced I am to see you! I +am really happy that I returned in time to receive you: as you did not +say positively you would come to-day, it was all a chance; but come, do +me the favour to alight: I have just succeeded in making the finest +purchase--a shell, a unique: you shall see it." + +By this time St. Aubyn had alighted, and giving his hand to Ellen, +introduced her to this extraordinary man. Nothing could be more polished +than his address, nothing more elegant than the grace with which he +received her, or more spirited than the little compliment he made St. +Aubyn on his happiness, and the beauty of his lady. + +Whoever looked at Mr. Dorrington, when his shabby old hat was removed, +must instantly see the man of sense and superior information: whoever +heard him speak, heard instantly that it was the voice and enunciation +not only of a gentleman, but of one who had lived in the very highest +circles; and yet his appearance, at first, would have led any one to +suppose him, as Ellen did, in absolute poverty. He led the way into his +favourite apartment, indeed the only one he ever inhabited, except his +bed-chamber; and into neither would he ever suffer any one to enter +unless he was with them. No broom, nor brush of any kind, ever disturbed +the sacred dust of this hallowed retirement: in the grate, the +accumulated ashes of _many months_ remained; the windows were dimmed +with the untouched dirt of years: and nothing but the table on which his +slender meals were spread (for his temperance in eating and drinking +were as remarkable as his singular neglect of personal attire), and two +or three chairs for the reception of occasional visitors, were ever +wiped. In one of these he seated the astonished Ellen, who gazed around +her at treasures, the value of which exceeded her utmost guess. A +handsome cabinet with glass doors contained a variety of curious gems, +vases, and specimens of minerals: some invaluable pictures stood leaning +against the walls: heaps of books in rich bindings, which Ellen +afterwards found were either remarkable for their scarceness, or full of +fine prints, lay scattered around. + +"Now, my Lord," said Mr. Dorrington, "I will shew you and Lady St. Aubyn +my new purchase: I said it was unique, but it is not exactly so: I have +another of the same sort; but these are the only two in the world: I +think this is a little, a very little finer than that I had before; I +bought it at ****'s sale, and gave a monstrous price for it; but I was +determined to have it: it was the only thing in his collection I +coveted." + +He then displayed his new purchase, and descanted for some time on its +various beauties; and seeing Ellen really admired it, pleased also with +her beauty and sweetness, he proceeded to shew her his collection, and +even those rare articles which never appeared but to particular +favourites, saying she was "_worthy to admire them_." Some beautiful +miniatures particularly pleased her, and he was delighted that she +seemed to understand their value. He also produced some fine illuminated +missals, and explained every thing with so much grace and perspicuity as +quite delighted her. + +Two hours fled swiftly in examining these wonders, and even then they +had not seen half, but promised to visit him another day. He told Lady +St. Aubyn he should be at her command at any time; and then most +politely attending her to her carriage, he with a courteous bow took his +leave. + +On their way home, St. Aubyn told Ellen that the extraordinary man they +had just left had for many years led a life of dissipation, by which he +reduced a large fortune almost to nothing; but that having once, in +consequence of his extravagance, been obliged to sell a collection +still finer than that he now had, he had determined to gratify his +passion for _virtu_, without the risk of again ruining himself, and +therefore denied himself every thing but the bare necessaries of life; +and was, consequently, enabled to purchase rare articles at any price, +and to outbid other collectors, who had different demands on part of +their incomes. He kept no man, and but one female servant; and St. Aubyn +said, that when he had called on him a few days before, he found him in +a storm of rage with this poor servant-girl, for having dared, while he +was engaged with some company in his sitting-room, to brush out his +bed-chamber, in the door of which he had, _par miracle_, left the +key.--"And I am sure, Sir," said the girl, crying, "I never touched +nothing but that great wooden man" (meaning a layman which always stands +in Mr. Dorrington's room), "that's enough to frighten a body; and he I +only just moved, for master never won't have nothing like other people; +and I thought if he brought the gentlefolks in his bed-room, as he +sometimes will, it was a shame to see such a place, and such a dirty +table cover; so I was only just going to make it a little tidy, and I +never broke nothing at all." + +"I comforted the poor girl," said St. Aubyn, "by giving her a trifle, +and advised her by no means to provoke her master, by presuming to touch +a brush in his rooms again without order: and she promised me she would +in future be contented with cleaning her own kitchen and passages--'And +never touch nothing belonging to master's rooms, nor any of them +outlandish things, that be all full of dust, and enough to breed moths +and all manner of flies all over the house.'----And I think," said he, +laughing, "she appears to have kept her promise very exactly." + + + + +CHAP. V. + + ---- So perfumed, that + The winds were love-sick with it. + ---- She did lie + In her pavilion, cloth of gold. + + ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. + + +Lady St. Aubyn set down the Earl in Cavendish Square, and proceeded +alone to the house of Lady Meredith in Portland Place. A carriage which +appeared to be in waiting drove from the door to make way for her's, by +which Ellen guessed Lady Meredith had company. To the inquiry whether +her Ladyship were at home, she was answered in the affirmative, and +requested to walk up stairs. Ellen was now tolerably well accustomed to +magnificent houses; but there was something in the style of this +different from any thing she had yet seen: the hall was not only warmed +by superb stoves, but bronze figures, nearly as large as life, stood in +different attitudes in every corner, and all bearing censers or urns, in +which costly aromatics perpetually burnt, diffusing around a rich but +almost overpowering perfume. As she ascended the staircase she found +every possible recess filled with baskets, vases, &c. full of the most +rare and expensive exotics, which bloomed even amidst the cold winds of +March, with nearly as much luxuriance as they would have done in their +native climes; for every part of this mansion was kept in a regular +degree of heat by flues passing through the walls and beneath the floors +communicating with fires, which were not visible: when, on the other +hand, the weather became warm, the cambric sun-blinds at every window +were kept perpetually moistened with odoriferous waters, by two black +servants, whose whole employment it was to attend to this branch of +luxury; indeed, to luxury alone the whole mansion appeared to be +dedicated. The floors were not merely covered, but carpetted with +materials, whose softness and elasticity seemed produced by a mixture of +silk and down: the sofas, ottomans, &c. were not merely stuffed, but +every one had piles of cushions appertaining to it, filled with +eider-down, and covered with the richest silks or velvets. To the +presiding goddess of this superb temple Lady St. Aubyn was presently +introduced. In her boudoir Lady Meredith sat, or rather lay, not on a +chair or sofa, but on piles of cushions, covered with the finest painted +velvet. Her majestic, though somewhat large figure, appeared to great +advantage in the studied half-dress in which she now appeared; yet there +was something in her attitude, in the disposal of her drapery, from +which the modest eye of Ellen was involuntarily averted. Her dress was +of the finest and whitest muslin that India ever produced, and clung +around her so closely as fully to display the perfect symmetry of her +form: the sleeves were full, and so short, they scarcely descended below +the shoulder, which not the slightest veil shaded from the beholder's +gaze, while the delicate arms thus exposed were decorated with rows of +what she called undress pearls: they were of an extraordinary size and +beauty, and were formed into armlets and bracelets of fanciful but +elegant fashion: two or three strings, and a large Maltese cross of the +same, were the only covering of her fair bosom, and a few were twisted +loosely amongst her dark but glossy and luxuriant hair. At her feet sat +a lovely little girl about four years old, with a low hassock before +her, on which she was displaying the contents of one of mamma's caskets +of jewels, as well amused as the great Potemkin himself could have been +by arranging his diamonds in different figures on black velvet; a +favourite entertainment of that extraordinary man. + +On one side of Lady Meredith sat a gay young officer in the uniform of +the guards, and on the other a stiff formal looking old lady in a dress +somewhat old fashioned, but more remarkable for being excessively neat +and prim: she had a sour contemptuous look, and her stays and whole +figure had the stiff appearance of a portrait of the last century. She +levelled her eye-glass at Ellen, as she followed the servant who +announced her into the room, and with an emphatic _humph!_ (not unlike +poor Mrs. Ross's) let it fall again as if perfectly satisfied with one +look, and not feeling any wish to repeat it; yet repeat it she did, +again and again, and, as if the review displeased or agitated her, her +countenance became still more and more sour. In the meantime Lady +Meredith half rose from her cushions, and holding out her hand, +languidly said:-- + +"My dear Lady St. Aubyn, how good you are to come and see me! I am +delighted I happened to be at home. Andrew," (to the servant, who, +having placed a chair, was retiring) "don't give Lady St. Aubyn that +shocking chair: bring a heap of those cushions and arrange them like +mine: do rest on them, my dear creature; you must be fatigued to death." + +"Excuse me," said Ellen, smiling with modest grace; "I am not accustomed +to such a luxurious seat, and prefer a chair." + +"Do you really? Is it possible!" exclaimed the languishing Lady, sinking +back again as if the exertion of speaking had been too much for her. +"Well, I should absolutely die in twelve hours if I might not be +indulged in this delicious mode of reposing." + +"Nonsense!" said the stiff old lady, in no very conciliating tone; "how +can you be so ridiculous: pray how do you manage when you sit six or +eight hours at pharo, or go to the Opera--you have none of those silly +things there?" + +"Oh, as to pharo, dear delightful pharo, that keeps me alive, prevents +my feeling fatigued even when my unfortunate feet cannot command so much +as a poor little footstool; and as to the Opera, I wonder your Ladyship +asks, for you know very well, my box, and the cushions belonging to it, +are stuffed with eider-down, like these," and she sunk still more +indolently on her yielding supporters. "Apropos of the Opera," added +she; "have you obtained a box there, Lady St. Aubyn?" + +"No," replied Ellen: "Lord St. Aubyn had one offered to him, but as it +is so late in the season, and our stay in town will not be long, I +begged him to decline it." + +Lady Meredith here exchanged a smile of contempt with the officer, which +seemed to say "how rustic that is!" then half yawning she said:-- + +"Oh, but indeed that was very wrong: what can a woman of fashion do +without a box at the Opera? I am sure, from all I have heard of the +former Lady St. Aubyn, for I had not the honour of knowing her, she +would not have lived a month in London without one." + +"Very likely," said the old lady, "but for all that _I_ think _this +young person_ quite in the right, and as to the late Lady St. Aubyn, I +am sure _she_ was no pattern for any body, and I wonder, Lady Meredith, +you will name her in my hearing." + +"I beg your Ladyship's pardon," replied Lady Meredith; "I forgot." + +"Well, no matter; don't say any more." + +To paint Ellen's surprize would be difficult: the odd epithet this +strange lady had applied to her, "_this young person_," the allusions to +the late countess, of whom she never heard without an indescribable sort +of emotion, and the suspicion she now entertained that her ungracious +neighbour was Lady Juliana Mordaunt, all conspired to overpower her; +and the heat of the apartment, the strong smell of perfumes from immense +China jars, with which the room was ornamented, completed it; in short, +though wholly unaccustomed to such sensations, she had nearly fainted. +The young officer, who had long been watching her interesting and lovely +countenance, saw her change colour, and said hastily:-- + +"The lady is ill." + +"What's the matter, child?" said the old lady; and rising hastily, she +untied her bonnet and the strings of her mantle, which, falling aside, +discovered enough of her figure to render her situation obvious. + +"So!" exclaimed the old lady; but whether the interjection expressed +surprize, pleasure, or what other sensation, was not easy to discover. +"Do, Colonel Lenox, exert yourself so much as to open the door and ring +for a glass of water: the air of this room is enough to kill any body." + +"Pardon me," said Ellen, the colour returning to her cheeks and lips, +"I am sorry to give so much trouble; I am much better." + +"That's well," said the old lady. By this time the water was brought; +Ellen drank some, and quite recovered, begged leave to ring for her +carriage. + +"Don't go yet, child," said the old lady; "perhaps you may be ill +again." + +"No: pray don't go yet," said Lady Meredith, who all this time had been +holding a smelling bottle to her own nose, affecting to be too much +overcome to do any thing for the relief of her visitor. "You have +frightened me enormously; stay a little to make me amends; besides, you +still tremble and look pale: are you subject to these faintings?" + +"Not in the least," said Ellen. "I believe the heat of the room overcame +me." + +"No wonder," said the old lady; "it is a perfect stove, and enough to +unstring the nerves of Hercules, especially when aided by the powerful +scent of those abominable jars." + +"Oh, my dear sweet jars," cried Lady Meredith; "now positively you shall +not abuse them; any thing else you may find what fault you please with, +but my sweet jars I cannot give up:--have you ever read Anna Seward's +poetical recipe to make one?" + +"Not I," replied her friend in an angry tone, "nor ever desire it; all +the poetry in the world should never induce me to fill my rooms with +such nonsense." + +During this conversation, the little girl, who had tired herself with +looking at the jewels and trinkets, rose from her cushion, and said:-- + +"Pretty mamma, dress pretty Miranda in these," holding up some fine +emeralds. + +"No indeed, child: go to Colonel Lenox, and ask him to adorn you; I +cannot take so much trouble." + +"No, Miranda won't; Miranda go to pretty, sweet, beautiful lady;" and +she went to Ellen, who, admiring the lovely little creature, kissed her, +and indulged her by putting the shining ornaments round her little fair +neck and arms, and twisting some in the ringlets of her glossy hair. + +"Now I beautiful," said the child, looking at herself. "Is not Miranda +pretty now, mamma?" + +"Yes, my love, beautiful as an angel: come and kiss me, my darling." + +The child, climbing up the load of cushions, laid her sweet little face +close to her mother's and kissed her. + +"Is not she a beauty and a love?" said the injudicious mother to the +Colonel, clasping the little creature to her bosom, with an air more +theatrical than tender. He whispered something, in return to which she +replied with affected indignation, "Oh, you flattering wretch, _that_ +she is, and a thousand times handsomer; but she will never know what[B] +her mother was, for before she is old enough to distinguish, I shall +either be dead or hideous, and then she will hate me." She heaved a deep +sigh, and looked distressed at the idea, which the child perceiving, +fondly twined her little arms round her mother's neck, and answered:-- + +"No, dear mamma, Miranda always love you, you so beautiful." + + [B] It is said that the once lovely Lady C----, when on her + death-bed, lamented to a friend sitting by her, that her + little boy, then in the room, _would never know what a + beautiful creature his mother was_. "She feels the + ruling passion strong in death!" + +"See," said the old lady, "the effect of your lessons; you teach her to +love nothing but beauty, and if you were to lose your good looks, she +would of course cease to care any thing about you." + +"Yes, that is exactly what I dread." + +"Then why do you not endeavour to prevent it, by giving her more +reasonable notions? If she is led to suppose beauty and fine dress the +only claims to affection, if she is never taught that virtue and an +affectionate heart can alone ensure unfading esteem, she will grow up a +mere frivolous automaton, and probably throw herself away on the first +coxcomb with a handsome face and red coat she meets with." + +The Colonel coloured, laughed, and bowed. + +"Nay," said the old lady, "if you choose to apply the character to +yourself, with all my heart, settle it as you please; but, I suppose, +all red coats are not mere coxcombs." + +Lady Meredith and the Colonel laughed, but did not appear entirely +pleased even with this half apology. + +"Well, but," said Lady Meredith, "what, Ma'am, would you have me do with +Miranda? Can I prevent the child from observing that beauty is +universally admired?" + +"That," said Colonel Lenox, with a bow, "would indeed be impossible +while with _you_." + +The old lady shrugged up her shoulders, with a sour contemptuous frown, +and said:--"Then put her into a better school." + +"A school!" replied Lady Meredith, half screaming; "what, would you have +me send the dear creature from me? No, my only darling, thou shalt never +leave me." + +"Pshaw!" exclaimed the old lady, with even encreasing sourness; "well, +if fashion absolutely demands this _extraordinary_ degree of tenderness, +for very good mothers _have_ sent their children to school before now, +at least, do get the child a rational and sensible governess, and let +her employ herself in something better than admiring your jewels, or +even your beauty, all the morning.--Ah! I wish," said she, turning +abruptly to Ellen, "I wish she had such an instructress as _your Miss +Cecil_." + +Ellen's surprise at this sudden address from one with whom not even the +ceremony of introduction had passed, yet who seemed to know her and all +her concerns so well, almost deprived her of the power to reply; she +rallied her spirits, however, and said, that any mother might think half +her fortune well bestowed, could it purchase such a preceptress: "But," +added she, "such excellent qualities as Miss Cecil possesses, are rarely +to be met with in any rank of life: my experience of character has, +indeed, been very limited, but Lord St. Aubyn says, for elegance of +manners, sweetness of temper, and strength of mind, her equal will +hardly ever be found." + +The blended modesty and spirit with which she spoke appeared to please +the old lady, who, with an approving nod, again took up her eye-glass, +and viewed Lady St. Aubyn from head to foot, though she saw that the +steadfast gaze embarrassed and covered her with blushes. + +Lady Meredith said something to the old lady in so low a tone, that the +word "introduce" was alone audible, to which she replied with some +tartness: "No, I can introduce myself." + +Ellen now once more rose to depart, and Lady Meredith detained her +another minute, to mention a large party she intended having in about +three weeks, for which she said she should send Lady St. Aubyn a ticket; +and requested her to tell St. Aubyn he might come also, "For I hear," +she said, "you always are seen together." + +"So much the better," muttered the old lady, who seemed, however, to be +speaking aside, so no one took any notice of her. She rose when Ellen +left the room, and returned her graceful courtesy with a not ungracious +bend, and bade her good morning with an air more conciliating than she +had shewn on her entrance. + +On relating the particulars of this visit to her Lord, Lady St. Aubyn +found there was no doubt the old lady she had seen was Lady Juliana +Mordaunt: he made her repeat the conversation that had passed, and when +she told him that the old lady had made use of the disrespectful term, +"_this young person_," in speaking of her, he coloured excessively, and +execrating his aunt's pride and impertinence, told his wife she ought to +have quitted the room immediately. He smiled when Ellen mentioned Lady +Juliana's attention and kindness on her fainting, and said, "That is so +like her: her warm heart thaws the ice of her manners when she sees any +one ill or distrest." + +When Ellen repeated the mention which had been made in the course of +conversation of the late Lady St. Aubyn, he changed colour, and said, +"Well, Ellen, were you not surprized? You did not, I believe, know--you +never heard I had been married before." + +"Pardon me, my Lord, I was previously acquainted with that +circumstance." + +"You knew it!--from whom? Where did you hear it?" + +"From Miss Cecil, from Miss Alton, accidentally." + +"And were they not astonished you had not heard it before?" + +"I had heard it before from Mrs. Bayfield, the day after we went to +Castle St. Aubyn." + +"From Mrs. Bayfield--she told you of it?--She told you--What, Ellen, did +she tell you more?" + +"Nothing, my Lord, but that your lady was young and beautiful, and died +abroad." + +"And why did you never mention the subject before? Why this reserve, my +love?" + +"Because I thought as you never told me of it yourself, you would rather +the subject were not mentioned." + +"Dear creature!" said St. Aubyn, sighing. "I have always had reason to +admire the excellence of your judgment and the delicacy of your +sentiments. Believe me, Ellen, I withhold from you only those things +which I think will give you pain to know. Our acquaintance commenced +under such singular circumstances, that I had hardly opportunity to tell +you this before we were married, and in fact, that name, that +recollection is so hateful to me, is connected with so many painful +ideas, that I cannot bear to recall, to dwell upon it! Why that tear, my +love--are you dissatisfied with me?" + +"No, dearest St. Aubyn: whatever you do, appears to me wisest and best +to be done--but I was pitying--I was thinking----" + +"Whom were you pitying?--Of what was my Ellen thinking?" + +"Pitying a woman, who, having once possessed your love, lost it so +entirely, as to render her very name unpleasant to you. Thinking--ah, +heaven!--thinking--should such ever be _my_ lot!" + +She paused, struggling with a sudden gush of tears, and sobs which +almost choaked her. + +"Impossible, impossible!" exclaimed St. Aubyn, clasping her to his +bosom: "you will never deserve it, never bring disgrace and dishonour on +my name, and blast with misery the most acute, the best years of my +life!--Agitate not yourself, my best love, with these frightful ideas. +Ah, had the hapless Rosolia been like thee!--but oh! how different were +her thoughts and actions!----No more of this, compose yourself, my love, +and tell me what more passed with this strange proud woman." + +After a few moments, Ellen recovered enough to repeat the remainder of +the conversation, with the result of which he appeared very well +pleased, and prophesied from the latter part of it they should soon be +on good terms with Lady Juliana Mordaunt, an event for which he appeared +so anxious, that Ellen could not fail to wish it also; and, indeed, that +lady's good sense and just sentiments had made a very favourable +impression on her mind, though her manners were so sour and repulsive. + +This day Miss Cecil dined with her amiable friends, as they had no other +company; indeed, except by a few gentlemen, their dinner hour had +generally passed uninterrupted, Ellen not being yet sufficiently +acquainted with any ladies to mix with them in dinner parties. The +report of St. Aubyn's male friends had, however, been so favourable +towards her, as to incline Lady Meredith to wish a more intimate +acquaintance, and to attract so much youth, beauty, and grace to her +evening parties, while Lady Juliana was pleased to hear that she +possessed qualities in her eyes far superior, namely, modesty, talents, +and a demeanor towards her husband equally delicate and affectionate. + +After dinner, St. Aubyn having some engagement, left the fair friends +alone, and they enjoyed a long and confidential conversation. + +From Laura, Lady St. Aubyn learnt that Lady Juliana was well known to +her, and that in spite of her austere and forbidden manners, and the +pleasure she undoubtedly took in contradicting almost every thing she +heard, she was yet a woman of good sense, and would most certainly, +could her esteem be once engaged, prove to Ellen a steady and valuable +friend: "Especially," added Laura, "should any thing happen to Lord St. +Aubyn, for she is his only near relation to whom he could confide the +future interests, either of his wife or child; and young and beautiful +as you are, my dear Ellen, no doubt St. Aubyn thinks such an additional +support would be highly desirable for you." Seeing she was deeply +affected, for Ellen now believed she could discern the cause of St. +Aubyn's anxiety for her being on good terms with his aunt, and connected +it with the painful circumstances he had told her were hanging over him, +Laura now added, with a pensive smile, "Nay, my dear friend, do not be +distressed. I have of late thought so much of mortality, I was not +sensible how much you would be pained by the suggestion; but certainly, +St. Aubyn will not leave you a moment the sooner for my hinting the +possibility of such an event." + +Ellen endeavoured to shake off the painful ideas which forced themselves +upon her, and asked Miss Cecil if she had known much of the former +Countess. "Not very much," said Laura: "she was very handsome, but the +character of her beauty was so different from yours, that I have often +wondered how St. Aubyn came to _choose_ two so different; though, +indeed, I believe I should hardly say choose, for Lady Rosolia de +Montfort was not so much his choice as that of his relations--at least, +I believe he would never have thought of her as a wife if they had not." + +"Who was she? Do tell me a little about her: I am quite a stranger to +all particulars." + +"I know little more than I have told you, except that she was the only +daughter of the late Earl de Montfort, a distant relation of Lord St. +Aubyn's. Lord de Montfort, during the life of his elder brother, went to +Spain in a diplomatic situation, and there married the daughter of the +Duke de Castel Nuovo: this marriage with an English protestant, was, for +a long time, opposed by the lady's relations: but, at length, moved by +fear and compassion for her, whose attachment threw her into a lingering +disease, which threatened her existence, they consented on one +condition, namely, that the sons of the marriage should be educated +Roman Catholics, and on the death of their father, be placed with their +maternal grandfather, while they permitted the daughters to be brought +up in the Protestant religion, hoping, perhaps, that the influence of a +mother over females might ultimately bring them also over to her faith: +but the Countess died young: one son and one daughter were her only +children, the boy some years younger than his sister: they both remained +with their father (who soon after his marriage became Earl de Montfort), +sometimes in Spain, sometimes in England, till the marriage of Lady +Rosolia with Lord St. Aubyn, though she was frequently his mother's +guest, both in London and at St. Aubyn Castle, where the young Edmund +also often spent some time: he was a very fine and amiable boy, and +excessively attached to his sister. + +When Lord de Montfort died, the son was claimed by his maternal +grandfather, and Lord and Lady St. Aubyn went to Spain with him, where +she died: report spoke unfavourably of her conduct during her abode on +the Continent; indeed, in England, the gaiety of her manners, especially +after the death of Lord St. Aubyn's mother, approached more nearly to +the habits of foreign ladies than those of England. It was said, that +while abroad, Lord St. Aubyn was involved in many unpleasant +circumstances by her behaviour: certain it is, that on his return, he +appeared overwhelmed with melancholy, which was the more extraordinary, +as it was well known they had not lived on very affectionate terms even +before they had quitted this country." + +"And what became of her brother: where is the young Lord de Montfort?" +asked Ellen. "He has remained ever since in Spain," replied Laura; "but +as he will very soon be of age, he must then, I suppose, return to +England to take possession of his estates, of which Lord St. Aubyn is +the guardian." + +"Oh," thought Ellen, "is it to his return St. Aubyn looks with so much +apprehension and dismay? What! O! what is the strange mystery in which +this story seems to be involved?" + + + + +CHAP. VI. + + "Within 'twas brilliant all, and light, + A thronging scene of figures bright: + It glowed on Ellen's dazzled sight, + As when the setting sun has given + Ten thousand hues to summer's even; + And from their tissue fancy frames, + Ærial knights and fairy dames." + + LADY OF THE LAKE. + + +The next morning, Ellen, who felt a little fatigued from the various +circumstances of the day before, some of which had considerably agitated +her spirits, declined going out; and after breakfast retired to her own +dressing-room; Laura, at the same time, going to her's, having letters +to write to her father and some other friends. + +Lady St. Aubyn was soon surrounded by her favourite books, some maps, a +drawing she was finishing, and all those resources with which she now +knew so well how to fill up her time. In one corner stood an elegant +harp, on which Ellen had been taking lessons, and had made a +considerable proficiency; in another sat her faithful Jane busy at her +needle, at which she was very expert; and Ellen detesting to see any one +idle, kept her generally employed either in fine work, or making linen +for the poor, to seek out, and relieve whom, was one branch of Jane's +business. A simple, though graceful taste, regulated the ornaments and +furniture of this favourite retirement; no velvet cushions, no +overwhelming perfumes, were met with here; all was elegant, but all was +modest, and generally useful: a small bookcase, a porte-feuille, a +netting box, shewed that its inhabitant loved to be employed. + +By a cheerful fire this fair inhabitant was now seated: the modesty of +her demeanor, the delicacy of her dress, were such as suited one, who, +though young, and even girlish, was a wife, and likely to be a mother; +the toût-ensemble, in short, was a perfect contrast to the figure, +dress, and apartment of the luxurious Lady Meredith. A complete silence +prevailed (for Jane had learned when her lady chose, which as now was +sometimes the case, to have her in her apartment, to be quiet), and had +lasted at least half an hour, when a step was heard in the anti-room; +and a footman knocking at the door, Jane opened it, and the servant +requested her to tell her lady that----A voice behind interrupted him, +by saying, "You need not trouble yourself, Sir; I know my way, and shall +announce myself." Ellen rose, and looked surprised, for visitors were +never shewn to this room: still more was she amazed when she saw the +sharp countenance and stiff figure of the old lady she now supposed to +be Lady Juliana Mordaunt, who, pushing by the man, gave him one of her +express nods, and said, "You may go, Sir."--She then advanced, and +seeing Jane, who rose and stared at this extraordinary visitant, she +said, with another nod to Ellen, "So, you make your maid work at her +needle: I am glad of it; but send her away now, for I want to talk to +you." Ellen seeing that Jane hesitated to leave her with this stranger, +whom the poor girl began to believe was deranged, told her to go to her +own room, and she, gathering up her work, very readily obeyed; though +she went to the housekeeper and told her she thought they had better +both go and stay in the anti-room, for she really believed a mad-woman +was gone into her Lady's dressing-room. "Nonsense!" said the +housekeeper: "I saw the lady go up: it is my Lord's aunt, Lady Juliana." +This intelligence quieted Jane, who really was under some fears for +Ellen, to whom she was become tenderly attached. + +In the meantime, Lady Juliana seeing that Ellen continued standing, +said--"Sit down, child, and don't be frightened." Ellen gladly obeyed, +for she could not help feeling a little agitated by Lady Juliana's +strange mode of visiting. + +The old lady looked round the room, and after a moment's pause, +said--"Why, you are an unfashionable young woman, I see; work, books, +maps, and the furniture remaining nearly as it was seven years ago! +What, has nobody told you, child, the whole house ought to be new +furnished?" + +"Indeed, Ma'am, if they had, I should have paid no attention to them," +said Ellen. "I must, indeed, be a strange ungrateful creature, if the +magnificent furniture of this house was not more than equal to my +wishes." + +"So much the better, I am glad of it," returned Lady Juliana.--"Do you +know me?" she added, turning in her usual abrupt manner to Ellen. + +"I believe--I think I can guess." + +"Oh, I suppose you told St. Aubyn you had met with a cross, +disagreeable old woman at Lady Meredith's, and he told you it must have +been his aunt, Lady Juliana Mordaunt." + +"Indeed, Madam," said Ellen, blushing a little at a statement so near +the truth. + +"Nay, don't tell lies, child," bluntly replied the old lady. "I hate +flattery; besides, your countenance won't let you. I know what I am, +which is more than every body can say. And do you generally spend your +mornings in this manner?" + +"Generally, unless my Lord wishes me to go any where with him." + +"And what do you do in the evening?" + +"Lord St. Aubyn, Miss Cecil, and myself, sit together: we net or work, +while he reads to us, unless Miss Cecil is sufficiently in spirits to +give us some music." + +"And have you no idea, child, how ridiculous the fashionable people +think all this?" + +"I am sorry for it." + +"But will you persist in the same plan?" Ellen smiled. + +"And do you mean to go on in this way all the time you are in town?" + +"Not exactly perhaps. I am to see a little more of the public places; +but my Lord wished me to wait till----" + +"Till what? You may as well tell me, for I see you have an old-fashioned +way of speaking your thoughts." + +"It is true, your Ladyship sees in me one so little accustomed to the +habits of the great world, that I have not yet learned to dissemble: +will you permit me to say, and not be displeased, that Lord St. Aubyn +anxiously wished to procure a chaperon, whose sanction should be +unexceptionable--in short, Lady Juliana Mordaunt." + +"I believe you are a little flatterer after all," said Lady Juliana, +relaxing into a smile. "With all your talk of sincerity, I hardly +believe St. Aubyn thought of me at all; and how, if he did, he could +fancy I should ever get the better of the shock he gave my pride, call +it prejudice if you will, by marrying _you_--for I love plain-dealing, +child. I don't know but it is all over now--I like you; and if you will +continue as modest and unaffected as you are now, keep your neck and +arms covered, and bring your Lord an heir, that these de Montforts may +not succeed to his title, I will love you, and do all I can to assist +and support you." + +Seeing that Ellen blushed at the last hint, she added,--"Nay, you need +not blush, though I like to see you can: for I promise you, it was +observing the probability of such an event that did more to reconcile me +to you than all your beauty and merit could have done; so take care of +yourself, and don't disappoint me; and now, my dear, kiss me, and call +me _aunt_ whenever you please." + +Ellen modestly and gracefully bent to receive the old Lady's embrace, +and at that instant St. Aubyn opened the dressing-room door, and found +the two people he loved best in the world in each other's arms, with +tears of tenderness on the cheeks of both. + +"What do I see!" he exclaimed.--"Is it possible!" + +"Yes," said Lady Juliana, "it is very possible you see a foolish old +woman, who loves you too well not to love one so dear to you, and so +worthy of being loved." + +St. Aubyn respectfully and affectionately kissed the hand she gave him, +and clasping Ellen in his arms, exclaimed, "My dearest Ellen, how happy +has all this made me!" + +"Come, don't hurry her spirits with your raptures," said Lady Juliana. +"She is a good girl, and we shall be very happy together, I dare say. +But I find, Sir, you have been waiting for me, of all people, to +chaperon your Lady about to all the fine places: I have had enough of +them, and at my time of life I do not know any business I have at +operas, balls, and plays: however, to oblige you and _my niece_, I will +go wherever you wish me. I do not think she is one who will tire me to +death: I shall dine with you to-day, and if you choose to let one of +your people go to Drury-lane, and inquire if there are places, we may +hear the oratorio to-night." + +Charmed with this speech, for St. Aubyn knew his aunt well enough to be +sure if she had not been thoroughly pleased with Ellen, she would +neither have called her niece, nor have staid to dine with them, he most +readily accepted the kind offer. + +They dined rather earlier than usual, that they might be in time for the +opening of the oratorio, which Ellen was anxious to hear. Laura Cecil, +in compliment to Lady Juliana, dined with them, and was quite delighted +to see the affection, and even respect, with which she treated Lady St. +Aubyn: for Lady Juliana was not a person to do things by halves; and +having once conquered her own prejudices, was determined to give her +niece all the consequence in her power with every other person, and +would have been extremely angry with any one, who had dared to treat her +with half the contempt she herself had done the day before. Once a +friend, she was a friend for life, unless the object of her affections +proved really undeserving, and then she hated with as much warmth as she +had loved. + +Miss Cecil could not be persuaded to go with them to the theatre; and +indeed Ellen was afterwards glad of it, for many of the songs were those +which the sainted Juliet used to sing with so much sweetness and +expression: and exquisitely as they were now performed, yet Ellen still +felt something wanting. The soul that used to animate the eyes of +Juliet, while she sung, was not there. The lips that had breathed those +sacred strains, were so pure, so hallowed, that all the wonders of voice +and science, now lavished for her entertainment, could not compensate to +Ellen's mind for the pang she felt in recollecting that those eyes, +those lips, were closed for ever. + + "Mute was the music of her tuneful breath, + And quenched the radiance of her sparkling eyes." + +After this evening, Ellen's engagements became more frequent; but she +was never seen in public, except with Lady Juliana, and seldom without +her Lord. In vain did fashion dictate, or ridicule assail: the sly +glance, the pointed sarcasm, alike were vain: she knew herself safe, her +reputation secure, with protectors so respectable; yet there was nothing +obtrusive or formal in St. Aubyn's attention to his lovely wife: he was +neither inseparable from her side, or incapable of attention to any +other lady, or expecting Ellen never to speak to any other gentleman. +But it was obvious, without being intrusive, that each was the first +object of the other, and that their mutual honour and happiness were the +most interesting care of both. + +Hence no bold and disgusting flattery assailed the ears of Ellen; no +forward flirting woman dared dispute with her the heart of St. Aubyn; so +pure, so spotless was her character, that, raised as she had suddenly +been to a rank which might easily excite the envy of those who thought +they had a better claim to it, not even the bold license of the age we +live in had dared to breathe one syllable against her. + +Thus passed the time till the latter end of April, which was the period +fixed for Lady Meredith's famous fête, about which all the great world +was going mad. The persons who were invited were expected to wear +masquerade dresses, and the house appeared in masquerade, as well as +the company. The whole had been new furnished in a fanciful style, and +at an enormous expence, for this one evening; and her Ladyship's own +dress was literally covered with jewels: she wore the habits and +ornaments of an eastern beauty, and her attire was exactly copied from +that Lady M. W. Montague describes for the fair Fatima, only, if +possible, still more rich and splendid; and, if possible, still more +calculated to display as well as to adorn the figure. No words can do +justice to the magnificence and splendour of the whole entertainment: +the Bow-street officers at the door, and Mr. G---- and his men serving +ices and other refreshments in a room fitted up to represent a casino at +Naples, with a panorama view of its beautiful bay, &c. gave it all the +characteristics of a modern fête; and the number of gay dresses, shining +decorations, lights, and music, made the whole appear to Ellen more like +a palace in a fairy tale than any thing "which the earth owns." She +wore a black domino, but with a very fine set of diamonds, which Lady +Juliana had given her the night before: amongst them was a sort of +coronet, or chaplet, set to represent sprigs of jessamine and small vine +leaves, in commemoration of that which St. Aubyn had woven of those +simple materials the day he discovered to her his real rank; for Lady +Juliana had heard the whole story, and was much pleased with that little +incident. + +Their party consisted of Lord and Lady St. Aubyn, Lady Juliana, and Sir +Edward Leicester, a particular friend of St. Aubyn's, a very amiable +young man, who appeared much charmed with Laura Cecil, and paid her +great attention, whenever he had an opportunity of being with her. They +spent a very agreeable evening: it concluded with a splendid supper, at +which all the company appeared unmasked, and the super-eminence of Lady +St. Aubyn's beauty was allowed by all. + +A few nights after this, Lord and Lady St. Aubyn, Lady Juliana, Lady +Meredith, and her favourite beau, Colonel Lenox, went to the Opera: the +entertainment for the evening happened to be the beautiful opera of +Artaserse. Ellen, lost in delight at the superb stage decorations, the +exquisite beauty of the music, and the interest of the story, which, by +the help of the action, and having read it in English, she understood +very well, was scarcely sensible of any thing around her, till the scene +in which Arbace is accused of the murder of the king. Turning then to +speak to St. Aubyn, who sat behind her, she saw him pale, agitated, and +trembling: "What is the matter?" asked she, in a voice of alarm; but +pressing his hand on her arm, he said, in a low voice, "Be silent--do +not notice me." + +At that moment the voice of the singer, who performed Arbace, in the +most pathetic tone, breathed out, "Sono Innocente," to which Artaserse +replies: + + Ma l'apparenza O Arbace + T'accusa ti condanna! + +A stifled sigh, almost amounting to a groan, from St. Aubyn, met the ear +of Ellen. Recovering himself a little, he whispered--"Remember, Ellen, +_and I too am innocent_!" + +In spite of the precaution with which he spoke, Lady Meredith turned, +and asked him if he were unwell. + +"I have a violent head-ache," he replied, forcing himself to appear more +composed. + +"You look pale, indeed, my Lord," returned Lady Meredith: "and Lady St. +Aubyn seems quite overcome with this pathetic scene." + +She spoke of the opera, but a crimson flush spread over St. Aubyn's +face, and complaining of the intolerable heat, he rose, and went out of +the box. + +"Bless me!" said Lady Juliana: "what is the matter?" + +"Only Lord St. Aubyn complains of the head-ache," said Lady Meredith. + +"Oh, I know what it is," answered Lady Juliana: "my nephew hates to be +disturbed when he is attending to music; and I suppose you, Lady +Meredith, have been talking to him, as you always do at the Opera." + +Lady Meredith only laughed; and St. Aubyn returning soon after, nothing +more passed. When the opera was over, and St. Aubyn and Ellen were alone +in the carriage, he still appeared so restless and agitated, that Ellen +could not resist addressing to him a few words, indicative of curiosity, +if not of alarm. For a time he evaded her tender inquiries; but, at +length, grasping her hands with an action expressive of the utmost +emotion, he again repeated his former words: "Remember, Ellen, oh, +remember that I too am innocent!" + +"I know it, I am sure of it," she returned: "but why thus confide by +halves? Why torture yourself and me by these mysterious hints?" + +"Ah, why indeed!" said he: "I ought to have more command of myself: but +that scene--that fatal instrument of a horrid deed!--Appearances how +false, yet how convincing!" + +"To me," she replied, "appearances are not and never shall be any thing, +when opposed to your single assertion, to my confidence in your +integrity." + +"A thousand thousand thanks," he replied, "for the sweet assurance! +Soon, too soon, perhaps, you will be tried!" + +"Demanding so much reliance, so much implicit _confidence_ from his +wife, under such _mysterious_ conduct, was St. Aubyn willing, if called +upon, to grant an equal share to her?" + + + + +CHAP. VII. + + Think'st thou I'll make a life of jealousy, + To follow still the changes of the moon + With fresh surmises?--No; to be once in doubt + Is to be resolv'd---- + I'll see before I doubt; what I doubt prove. + + OTHELLO. + + +After the scene at the Opera, which effectually destroyed her pleasure +there, Lady St. Aubyn felt for some days not at all disposed to enter +into the gay parties which were offered for her amusement: a gloom hung +over her, and she had a weight on her spirits, which in some degree +affected her health. Some one says, "A belief in _presentiment_ is the +favourite superstition of feeling minds;" and Ellen was certainly not +entirely free from it. Lady Juliana and Miss Cecil perceived the effect +without knowing the cause; and supposing it to be merely a temporary +indisposition, persuaded her to remain quietly at home for a day or two; +but finding the nervous sort of depression under which she laboured was +encreased by indulgence, they imagined a moderate share of amusement +might remove it; and prevailed on her to take places at Covent-Garden, +to see Mrs. Jordan in a favourite comedy. + +Laura did not yet shew herself in public; Ellen therefore went to the +play with only St. Aubyn and Lady Juliana. They were joined there by two +or three gentlemen, and amongst them Sir Edward Leicester, who, between +the acts, made so many inquiries for Miss Cecil, and spoke so highly of +Lady St. Aubyn's "charming friend," as convinced her he took a deep +interest in all that concerned Laura. This gave real pleasure to Ellen, +who thought so well of Sir Edward, as to wish he might succeed in +rendering the prepossession mutual. They were all extremely well pleased +with the play. Who, indeed, that ever saw Mrs. Jordan act was +otherwise? And Lady Juliana was rejoiced to see Ellen quite as cheerful +as usual. They did not choose to stay the farce, and finding at the end +of the play the carriage was in waiting, left the box. Lady Juliana +being rather timid, and not very alert in getting into a carriage, St. +Aubyn gave her his arm, and requested Sir Edward would take care of Lady +St. Aubyn. + +As they were crossing the lobby, a gentleman accidentally trod on +Ellen's train, and entangled it in his spur, by which she was detained +half a minute before it could be disengaged. He begged her pardon, and +passed on. St. Aubyn and his aunt not perceiving the circumstance, had +advanced some steps before the Countess and Sir Edward. At that moment +two or three young men pushed rather rudely by them; and Sir Edward +extending his hand, said, "Take care, gentlemen, you incommode the +lady." + +One of them turned round, and looking in Ellen's face, exclaimed: + +"By heaven 'tis she! 'tis Ellen Powis!" + +Lady St. Aubyn starting at the name, cast her eyes upon him, and +instantly recognized Charles Ross: but before she could speak to him, as +she was preparing to do in a friendly manner, he stamped violently, and +with a countenance where the utmost rage was expressed, and a dreadful +oath, exclaimed: + +"Is this the villain that has undone thee?--But where, then, is that +accursed Mordaunt? Ah, Ellen! abandoned, miserable girl, art thou, then, +so lost already?" + +Pale, gasping for breath at this shocking language, Ellen clung more +closely to the arm of Sir Edward, and faintly articulated, "For God's +sake let me pass!" + +"What do you mean, Sir?" said Sir Edward, fiercely: "Are you +intoxicated, or mad? How dare you insult this lady!" + +"And how dare you, Sir," answered Charles, approaching in a menacing +attitude, "after seducing her from her friends, and from those who loved +her, to look me in the face?" + +"Madman!" replied Sir Edward, pushing him aside with one hand, while +with the other he supported the now almost fainting Ellen. "Gentlemen, I +request you will secure him till I place this lady in her carriage, and +then I am ready to give him any explanation he may wish for." + +Some of the gentlemen, who by this time surrounded them, knowing +Charles, said to him: "Come away, Ross; you are very wrong: at any rate, +this quarrel shall go no farther." + +At this moment St. Aubyn, having placed his aunt in the carriage, +wondering at Ellen's delay, returned to seek her; and astonished at +what he beheld, exclaimed: + +"For heaven's sake, what is the matter? My love, what makes you look so +pale? Has any one dared to insult you?" + +"Oh! you are there, Sir, are you," said Charles: "I know you: I saw you +once, and then foretold what has happened: you are the man who must give +me satisfaction." + +"Pshaw! he is mad, quite mad," cried Sir Edward; "pay no attention to +him; he knows not what he talks of." + +The by-standers began to be of the same opinion; and, indeed, his +rageful countenance, and the violence of his gesticulations, with the +apparent inconsistency of his words, rendered the idea extremely +probable; they therefore forcibly held him, and said: "Pass on, +gentlemen, and take care of the lady: we will prevent him from following +you;" while Ross's friends, supposing either that the wine they knew he +had drank had affected him, or that some sudden frenzy had seized him, +were amongst the foremost to secure him, especially as a gentleman who +now came up said the gentleman and lady were the Earl and Countess of +St. Aubyn: but Charles was too outrageous to hear that or any thing +else, and called after them aloud, stamping with fury, and swearing +terribly: + +"Mean, detestable cowards, come back. I am not mad. Give up that +wretched girl: let me take her to her father--to mine, who loved her. +Mordaunt, vile, hateful Mordaunt! to you I call--Come back, I say!" + +St. Aubyn turned, and but that Ellen hung half-fainting on him, he would +have obeyed the summons; for he knew that name was addressed to him, and +easily guessed who the supposed madman was, and how the mistake which +caused his insults might have arisen; but Sir Edward said, "You shall +not go back, St. Aubyn, he is mad; or if not, it belongs to me to +chastise him." + +"Is it not Charles Ross?" said St. Aubyn to Ellen. + +"Yes," she faintly replied; "but do not go back; he is certainly out of +his senses." + +By this time they had reached the carriage, and putting her into it, he +shut the door; and saying, "Wait a moment, be not alarmed, I must speak +to him," he ran back again, Sir Edward following. + +Ross having, as soon as they were out of sight, disengaged himself from +the by-standers, was hastening with frantic violence to overtake them: +when he saw the two gentlemen, he advanced and said: + +"You have thought proper, then, to come back; but what have you done +with that unfortunate girl?" + +"For the sake of your father, Mr. Ross," said St. Aubyn, "for now I +know you, I will be patient and tell you." + +"What can you tell me more than I already know?" cried Ross, +interrupting him with angry vehemence. "Can you deny that you have +seduced her whom I loved better than my own soul? Did you not bring her +with you to London? I know it all, Sir: the woman where you lodged found +you out. She saw how you had deceived my gentle, innocent Ellen." + +"What words are these!" exclaimed St. Aubyn, haughtily. "Whence arises +so vile an error?" + +"Villain!" exclaimed Charles, with wild impetuosity, "deny not your +crimes, but give me the satisfaction of a gentleman." + +"You do not act like one," said St. Aubyn: "but here is my card; I am +always to be found, and will give you whatever satisfaction you may +require." + +He threw a card with his address to Charles, who hastily gave St. Aubyn +one of his. + +"It shall not be," said Sir Edward. "I was the first insulted: this +affair is mine." + +"Settle it as you please," said Charles: "come one or both, I am ready." + +"Very well," said St. Aubyn; "to-morrow we shall be at your service. +Come, Sir Edward; Ellen will be terrified to death." They hastened on; +and Ross rudely pushing aside those around him, left the theatre. + +St. Aubyn and Sir Edward now went as quickly as possible, where they +found the Countess, half-fainting, in the arms of Lady Juliana. + +"For God's sake," said the latter, as they opened the door, "what is the +matter? What have you been doing? Could you find no time or place to +quarrel in but in the presence of this poor girl?" + +"For heaven's sake, Madam," said St. Aubyn, after having ordered the +servants to drive on, "do not talk in that manner. Am I so regardless +of this dear creature's comfort, or so prone to quarrel, that I should +seek it at such a time as this?" + +He then made Ellen lean on him, and soothed her with the most +affectionate and tender expressions. + +"Oh," said she, reviving; "is he gone? Dear St. Aubyn, tell me, are you +safe, has he hurt you?" + +"No--no, my love; be composed, all is over; he is gone away satisfied." + +"Satisfied!" replied she; "what could he mean? Do you think he is mad, +or is it the effect of wine, or some mistake?" + +"I know not," said St. Aubyn, hastily; "but be at rest--he is gone--we +shall hear no more of him." + +"Oh, are you sure--are you quite sure? Dear Lady Juliana, tell me: may I +depend upon it? You said something about a duel." + +"I talked like a fool, then, if I did," replied Lady Juliana; "but I do +not remember any thing of it." + +"A duel--ridiculous!" said St. Aubyn, pretending to laugh. "I assure +you, Ellen, all is over; pray be composed; there is nothing to fear." + +Lady Juliana knew better, but terrified for Ellen, she affected to +believe what St. Aubyn said, and between them, they contrived completely +to deceive the Countess, who, ignorant of the usages of the world, and +not knowing all that had passed, was easily misled. She composed her +mind, therefore, in the hope that all was well, though she still +trembled, and was so much fluttered, that Lady Juliana, after going home +with her, waited till she had seen her in bed; and desiring she might be +kept perfectly quiet, she returned to the drawing-room, and endeavoured +to learn from St. Aubyn and Leicester what had happened, and what was +likely to be the result: but she vainly chid or interrogated either: +both persisted in the story that Ross had apologized, and all was over. + +Rather better satisfied, though not fully convinced, Lady Juliana soon +after left them, determined however to keep a little watch upon the +actions of her nephew, with whose temper she was too well acquainted to +suppose such a business would be passed over without farther notice. + +St. Aubyn gave Ellen such assurances that nothing more would arise from +this affair, that, tired out with the agitation she had undergone, she +soon fell into a profound sleep, and awakened in the morning perfectly +refreshed and composed. At St. Aubyn's request, however, she remained +later than usual in bed. Laura Cecil sat by her side, and gave her her +breakfast, after which she appeared so entirely well, that no objection +was made to her rising. + +In the meantime St. Aubyn had received, at his breakfast-table, the +following note:-- + + My Lord, + + I find by the card you gave me last night, that the name of + _Mordaunt_ was only assumed to conceal the blackest designs and + most detestable perfidy. + + If you do not mean to plead your privilege, I demand a meeting + with you on Wimbolton Common to-morrow morning at seven + o'clock, when I hope to wash out my wrongs, and those of the + injured Ellen, in the blood of a villain. + + I shall bring pistols and a friend. + + CHARLES ROSS. + + _Eight o'Clock, Wednesday morning._ + +To this St. Aubyn returned the following answer:-- + + Sir, + + I shall be at the place appointed at the time you mention. Sir + Edward Leicester will be with me. + + ST. AUBYN. + +After dispatching this laconic reply, the Earl went to Ellen's +dressing-room. Laura had just left her; Jane only was with her: at the +moment he entered, Ellen was reading a note, which, when she saw him, +she hastily folded together, and put within the bosom of her morning +dress: she seemed a little agitated, and the tears stood in her eyes, +but hastening to meet him, she said:-- + +"My dear St. Aubyn, they told me you were gone out." + +"No, my love," said St. Aubyn, a little surprized at the hasty manner in +which she spoke; "but I am going out soon." + +"Shall you take the barouche or the chariot?" + +"Neither; I shall walk to Sir Edward Leicester's: but why; are _you_ +going out?" + +"Yes--by and bye; I think a little air will do me good." + +"Had you not better keep quiet? You know my aunt particularly requested +you would do so; she will be here soon: do not go till you have seen +her, nor then unless she advises it." + +"But I assure you, my Lord, I am perfectly well, and I am sure a little +air will be of service." + +"Well, do as you please," said St. Aubyn, a little surprized at her +adhering so determinately to her idea of going out; for, in general, +half a word from him guided her; "but you will not go alone?" + +"Oh--no, Laura will go with me." + +"Very well, my love; don't fatigue yourself. Where are you going?" + +"I don't know exactly: I want to do some shopping." + +St. Aubyn then wished her good-morning, and repeating his request that +she would take care of herself, left her. + +The real fact was this--Jane, who was Ellen's almoner, and brought to +her knowledge many cases of distress, of which she would otherwise have +been ignorant, had the night before, while her lady was at the play, +received a petition from an officer's widow, who stated herself to be +living in a small lodging in ---- Street; that she had several children, +of whom the youngest was an infant not a month old, born under +circumstances of the most acute distress, a few months after its father +had fallen in the field of battle; the eldest, a girl of sixteen, in a +deep decline: these circumstances, she said, prevented her from waiting +herself on Lady St. Aubyn, of whose goodness she had heard much from an +old blind lady, her neighbour, whom, in fact, Ellen had supported for +some time past, and whom she had visited two or three times with Jane +only. + +Ellen, warm-hearted and benevolent, was extremely anxious to see this +unfortunate family: Jane had given her the letter just before St. Aubyn +came into her room, and fearing if she declared her purpose he would +oppose it, lest her health should be injured by the emotion she must +necessarily feel from the sight of this unhappy mother and her children, +she concealed the letter, and did not exactly tell him why she wished so +much to go out, though aware that she must appear unusually +pertinacious; but she had set her heart with all the fervor of youth on +her object: above all, she desired to see the poor little infant, for +Ellen, always fond of children, had, since she knew herself likely to +become a mother, felt a peculiar interest in young children, and +ardently wished to see and provide for one who had so many claims to +the compassion of a tender heart; and having really some purchases to +make, she gave without consideration _that_ as her only motive for going +out. Never before had she departed for an instant from the singular +sincerity of her character, and the perfect confidence which she reposed +in her husband; dearly did she soon repent of having done so now. + +On asking Laura to go with her, she unexpectedly declined it, having a +bad head-ache, and tried to persuade Ellen not to go herself, but to +send Jane, and go some other time: but Ellen was so unusually fixed on +her point, and her imagination was so impressed with the idea of the +_poor little infant_, that, for a wonder, she was not to be prevailed +on; and fearing, lest Lady Juliana should come and prevent her, she +ordered the carriage directly, and set out. + +She drove first to ---- Street, where she found the distrest family in +all the poverty and affliction which had been described to her--the +unfortunate mother, still weak, and scarcely able to support herself, +obliged to act as nurse, not only to the infant, but to her eldest +daughter, who, pale and languishing, seemed ready every moment to +breathe her last, while two or three other children were playing in the +room, distracting by their unconscious noise the poor invalids. + +The tender and compassionate Ellen felt her heart opprest at this +melancholy sight, and hastened as much as possible to relieve it: she +held herself the baby in her arms, while she sent Jane to seek a nurse +for the poor girl, and to the woman of the house where they lodged, to +whom she spoke herself; and requested she would take charge of the other +children, till the mother was more able to do so. She gave the widow an +ample supply of money to procure every thing necessary for her herself +and family, and after promising to send a physician to attend the poor +girl, and kissing the baby, she departed, followed by thanks and +blessings, "not loud but deep," and went to see the poor old blind lady, +who, always delighted to hear her sweet voice and kind expressions, +detained her as long as she could. + +Returning home, rejoicing in the good she had done, feeling herself +animated by the purest pleasure, and quite well in health, Ellen +suddenly recollected that she was close by the street where Mrs. Birtley +lived, with whom she had lodged the first time she was in London; and +she thought she would just stop at the door, and ask for the book she +had left there, for which Jane had, as she said, always forgotten to +call: it was that very volume of Gray which Mordaunt had given her, and +as his first gift she was really anxious to recover it. Meaning merely +to stop at the door, and send Jane in for it, she pulled the check, and +ordered the coachman to drive down that street, and stop at No. 6, and +told Jane for what purpose she was going. + +"Oh, my Lady," said the talkative girl, "I shall be rejoiced that Mrs. +Birtley should see you in all your grandeur: she will be surprized after +all she had the impertinence to say." + +"Indeed," said Ellen, "I never thought of that: she will wonder to see +me under such a different appearance, and perhaps say something in the +hearing of the servants. I will not go." + +"Oh, my Lady," answered Jane, "she need not know who you are: only ask +for the book, and come away directly: she will not know a bit the more +what your Ladyship's real name is; and I suppose she is not enough +amongst the grand people to know the livery or carriage." + +"True," said Ellen: "well, you shall go in and ask for the book, but do +not explain any thing to her." + +"Oh, no, indeed, my Lady," said Jane; "so far from it, I shall enjoy +seeing her puzzle----" + +While they spoke, the carriage stopped at the door of Mrs. Birtley. +Ellen, who half repented having come, sat back in the carriage, and told +Jane to go in and ask for the book, and not to say she was there, for +she would not alight: but notwithstanding Ellen's caution, Mrs. Birtley, +having been drawn to the window by seeing such an elegant equipage stop +at her door, caught a glimpse of her as the footman opened the door of +the chariot for Jane to alight, came to the side of the carriage, and +with civility asked her if she would not walk in. Ellen, feeling more +and more the absurdity of which she had been guilty in coming to the +door of a woman who she knew entertained of her a doubtful opinion, and +to whom she could not explain herself, coldly declined the offer; but +the coachman said he feared the horses would not turn very well, as the +street was rather narrow, and that it would be better if her Ladyship +pleased to alight for a moment, lest she should be alarmed. + +Mrs. Birtley stared at the "_Ladyship_" as much as she had done at the +_coronetted carriage_ and fine horses; for she was not quite so ignorant +of _grand people_, as Jane, in the plenitude of her own newly-acquired +knowledge, had supposed her. + +Ellen, vexed at her own folly in coming thither, was now obliged to get +out of the carriage; and several people passing by, staring first at the +carriage, and then at Ellen, she thought it would be better to go for an +instant into the house. Mrs. Birtley shewed her into the parlour, and +requesting she would be seated, added, "My lodger is gone out, and will +not, I suppose, be back till dinner-time: he is generally out all the +morning. I believe he knows something of you, Ma'am." + +"Of me!" repeated Ellen, surprized. + +"Yes, Ma'am: for when he came here about a week ago, he saw, by +accident, that book Mrs. Jane has in her hand; and some writing there +was in it seemed to put him into a great passion. He made me tell him +how I came by the book, and asked me a thousand questions about you: +what was the name of the gentleman you came with, if you were young and +handsome, and I don't know what; and I believe what I told him put him +into a great rage, for he stampt and swore like a madman." + +Ellen, vexed and astonished, sorry she had come there, and feeling a +certain dread of she hardly knew what stealing over her, now turned +extremely pale; and Jane exclaimed, "Oh, my Lady will faint: get some +water!" + +"Your _Lady_! Why she is Mrs. Mordaunt, is not she, _or calls herself +so_?" asked Mrs. Birtley with some contempt. + +"Don't stand there asking questions," said the impatient Jane: "but +fetch some water. Lord, I wish we were at home: if my Lady should be +ill, how Lady Juliana will scold, and my Lord." + +"Grant me patience," said Mrs. Birtley, as she left the room to fetch +some drops and water: "the girl makes me mad with her Lords and Ladies. +Poor fool, I suppose they have imposed upon her too finely." + +Not one minute had she been gone, when Ellen finding herself better, and +not meaning to wait Mrs. Birtley's return, and farther questions, had +risen, and by Jane's help almost reached the door to go to the carriage, +which through the window she saw drawing up, when that door opened, and +Charles Ross entered the room: amazed beyond the power of words to +describe, he saw her standing--saw Ellen in his apartment! And +forgetting every thing but that he had once dearly loved her, he rushed +towards, and would have caught her in his arms, but she evaded his +grasp; and catching hold of Jane (who, frightened, gave a sudden +scream), said, "He here! Oh, how I am terrified!" + +"Terrified, Ellen!" he wildly repeated: "_once_ you were not terrified +by my appearance." + +"No, Sir," she replied, with as much spirit as she could assume: "for +once I should have expected friendship and protection, not insult." + +"Ah, wretched girl!" he exclaimed: "once you deserved and wished for my +friendship and protection; but now, that fine gaudy carriage, this +elegant dress, the jewels, in which I saw you last night, all tell a +dreadful tale--all speak of your shame, of your ruin." + +"Of my shame! of my ruin! what, oh, what do you mean?" + +"Aye, what indeed!" said the enraged Jane: "let my Lady pass, +impertinent fellow, and don't stand there talking in that insolent +manner. Do, my Lady, let me call the footmen. I wish my Lord was here: +he would soon teach you better manners." + +"Cease, Jane," said Ellen, shaking like a leaf: "cease this shocking +altercation. Of your insulting language, Mr. Ross, I know not the +meaning: it is well for you Lord St. Aubyn does not hear you thus +address his wife." + +"His wife! his wife! Is it possible? Have I wronged both him and you? +Stay, Ellen, a moment, for heaven's sake--for St. Aubyn's--for my +father's: you know not the mischief one word of explanation may +prevent." + +She stopped, she turned: he seized her hands to detain her. Oh, +unfortunate Ellen! + +At that moment St. Aubyn himself entered the room. He rushed impetuously +forward, exclaiming, "Dissembling woman! Was it for this you left your +home--to meet this villain--to come to his very lodging in search of +him?" + +"Oh, no! oh, no!" sobbed Ellen, as she sunk at his feet in a swoon so +deep, so death-like, that it seemed as if her life had left her. + +"Oh, you have killed my Lady!" cried Jane: "my dear Lady! Oh, my Lord, +we came here for a book, and not----" + +"Peace, peace!" sternly interrupted St. Aubyn: "I will not hear a word. +Is she dead?" + +"Oh, Lord, I hope not! How can your Lordship talk so shockingly? Oh, +Mrs. Birtley, for God's sake help my Lady--call assistance!" + +Between them they raised her: for Charles, confounded, shocked, and half +distracted, dared not, and St. Aubyn, gloomy, cold, and stern, would not +assist her. At length returning life mantled on her cheek, and her first +incoherent words were, "St. Aubyn, dear St. Aubyn, save me!" + +St. Aubyn, somewhat calmer, and fearing he might have been too rash, +struggled with the jealous pangs which rent his heart, and approaching +her, said, "How is it, Ellen--are you better?" + +"Yes, better, my love; but sick, oh, sick at heart!" + +"Compose yourself; all is well." + +A little revived, she looked up, but was too languid to discern the +expression of his countenance, which contradicted the kindness of his +words; for St. Aubyn felt there was much, very much to be explained, +before she could be to him again the Ellen she had been--if, indeed, the +perfect confidence he once felt in her could ever be restored; yet +fearing quite to destroy her, he constrained himself. Mrs. Birtley, now +convinced how unjust had been her suspicions, and Jane, eagerly +endeavoured to explain how Lady St. Aubyn came to be there; but +motioning with an air of proud dignity to them to be silent, he said, +"Enough, I am satisfied!" But his gloomy looks contradicted his words, +and turning to Ross, he said, in a low voice, "You and I, Sir, shall +meet again." Then, with Jane's assistance, he raised Ellen, and lifting +her into the carriage, and putting Jane in, followed himself. + +"Home!" fiercely exclaimed St. Aubyn, and home they went; but oh, to a +home how different from that of the day before! + + + + +CHAP. VIII. + + "Good friend, go to him; for by this light of Heaven + I know not how I lost him. Here I kneel:-- + If e'er my will did trespass 'gainst his love, + Either in discourse or thought, or actual deed; + Or that mine eyes, mine ears, or any sense, + Delighted them in any other form-- + Comfort, forswear me!--unkindness may do much; + And his unkindness may defeat my life, + But never taint my love." + + OTHELLO. + + +Silent and gloomy was the ride homewards. St. Aubyn, bridling with +difficulty the jealous rage which consumed him, sat leaning against one +side of the carriage, veiling his eyes with his hand, that they might +not for an instant fall on Ellen, who, hardly supporting herself with +Jane's help, shed no tears, though grief and vexation heaved her bosom +with sighs, which almost burst it; for now her recollection was +restored, the dreadful words in which St. Aubyn first addressed her rung +in her ears, and swelled her heart with anguish. + +At length they reached Cavendish-Square, and were met in the hall by +Lady Juliana, whose pride, at first, wounded by Ellen's being from home +when she arrived, had, at length, given way to feelings of alarm at her +long absence; but when she saw her lifted from the carriage, pale, +trembling, and half-dead, terrified and astonished, she vainly demanded +an explanation alternately from St. Aubyn and the frightened Jane; her +nephew passing her hastily, and in silence, went into his study, and +instantly shut and fastened the door. There he meant to consider with +himself what part it became him to take, and how to elucidate this +extraordinary event. + +Ellen, throwing herself into Lady Juliana's arms, exclaimed, "Oh! my +dearest madam, let me die at once, for my Lord is angry with me!" + +"Die!" cried Lady Juliana, struggling with a thousand terrors; +"Nonsense! for what? Do you suppose no man was ever angry with his wife +before? You are so unused to it, it seems strange to you, but you may +assure yourself few wives would think it so extraordinary." + +By this time they had reached Ellen's dressing-room, where, having +placed her on a sofa, and given her some restoratives, Lady Juliana +said, "But what is all this about--what offence have you committed?" + +"Oh! madam, I know not; but it is too true, St. Aubyn has said such +words to me, such words as I never thought to hear from him!" + +"What is the meaning of all this?" said Lady Juliana, turning to Jane. +"Speak, girl, if you have not quite lost your senses, or do not wish +that I should lose mine, and tell me where your lady has been, and what +has happened." + +Jane, now, as well as the confusion she was in would let her, repeated +the adventures of the morning to Lady Juliana, the visit to the +officer's widow, and the old blind lady; and lastly, why they went to +Mrs. Birtley's: "And it was I," she said, "that persuaded her Ladyship +to go to that disagreeable Mrs. Birtley's--out of pride, I own it--it +was out of pride, that she might see what a grand place I had got, and +that _my_ lady was not the sort of person that cross old woman fancied +she was; and her Ladyship would not even have alighted or gone into her +trumpery parlour, if the horses had not been so frightful, and the +coachman said, says he, "my Lady had better alight, for the horses--" + +"Grant me patience!" said Lady Juliana: "this girl's tongue is enough to +distract me! Well, and when you were in her trumpery parlour, as you +call it, what happened then? Was Lord St. Aubyn angry that you went +there?" + +"Oh! no, my Lady, not for that; but the instant after we went in, and +while Mrs. Birtley was chattering about the book, and about her lodger +(and to be sure there never was such another chattering woman in the +world, and looking at my lady from head to foot, so saucy-like, I was +quite in a passion with her), I saw my lady turn pale, and thinking she +was going to faint, I made Mrs. Birtley go for some water, for I knew +well enough how your Ladyship would scold if _my_ Lady was to be ill, +and so I told Mrs. Birtley." + +"Will this tale ever have an end?" cried the impatient Lady Juliana. + +"Well, my Lady, and so just as Mrs. Birtley was gone for the water, and +we were got up to go away, in came a young man: I believe, for my part, +he was quite mad, not indeed that I am any particular judge of mad +people, for I remember the first day your Ladyship came here I +thought--but I believe I had better not tell _that_;--however, this +young man _was_ mad for certain, for the moment he saw my Lady, he ran +to her, and seemed as if he was going to catch her in his arms. I +screamed, and when her Ladyship said she was terrified, he quite raved, +and called her names, and said something about her shame, and her being +ruined, and her jewels, last night, and I don't know what." + +"And who, for Heaven's sake, was this man?" asked the astonished Lady +Juliana. + +"Oh, it was Ross! Charles Ross!" sobbed Ellen; "and St. Aubyn came in +while he was speaking to me, and said I came there to meet him, to his +very lodgings; and then I fainted quite away." + +"So, so, so!" repeated Lady Juliana; "a pretty piece of work! I see what +this mistake will end in! But stay; surely it is not too late: I will go +to St. Aubyn." + +"Yes, go to him, Madam, for Heaven's sake go to him, and explain it to +him. Assure him I could not have an idea that Charles Ross lodged at +Mrs. Birtley's. Oh! how cruel to be obliged to make this explanation: +can St. Aubyn really think so ill of me? Yet, surely, surely he will be +undeceived--this is only a momentary start of passion!" + +Lady Juliana shook her head, for she knew St. Aubyn's temper; and how +hardly he would endure to hear even her on such a subject; yet, if he +would but condescend to hear what the servants, who attended the +Countess in this unfortunate excursion, what this Mrs. Birtley would +say, their stories would doubtless confirm that of Ellen; for of the +truth of that story Lady Juliana had not the smallest doubt; but she +knew how St. Aubyn's pride would revolt, and his delicacy be hurt, by +the necessity of interrogating such people on the conduct of his wife. + +She felt herself indeed angry with Ellen for the childish impatience +which had taken her out in the morning, after the fright of the night +before had rendered repose so desirable, and for going to Mrs. +Birtley's at all; but she could easily forgive a folly apparently of so +little importance, since it was quite impossible for Ellen to have +foreseen the chain of circumstances which followed, and involved her in +so much distress. + +How St. Aubyn happened to go to the same place, no one could guess; it +appeared, indeed, extremely unlikely that he should have done so; but, +as singular coincidences no less singular do sometimes occur, though +their rarity makes us call them improbable, unless they arise within our +own immediate knowledge. + +The real truth was this: St. Aubyn, recollecting that Charles Ross had +said the night before, "_the woman where you lodged found you out_," had +determined to ascertain, from this woman herself, what she had told +Ross, and how she had dared to speak of him and Ellen in such terms; and +to explain who her Mr. and Mrs. Mordaunt really were, that no farther +slander, even in Mrs. Birtley's narrow circle, might attach to the +purity of Lady St. Aubyn's character, had walked thither from Sir Edward +Leicester's, with whom he had sat some time, arranging the particulars +of their intended meeting with Charles Ross the next morning; there, to +his utter astonishment, he found Lady St. Aubyn's carriage in waiting; +and inquiring of the servants where she was, was answered, in that +house, meaning Mrs. Birtley's. + +"And Miss Cecil?" + +"No, my Lord; Miss Cecil did not come out with my Lady, only Mrs. Jane." + +St. Aubyn recollected Ellen's apparent agitation in the morning; the +letter he had found her reading, and which she so hastily concealed; her +having said Laura would go with her; yet she had come with only her +maid, a young ignorant girl, come to the very house where he believed +Ross was residing; that Ross, of whom, though almost unknown to +himself, some secret jealousy had always lurked in his heart. + +All these circumstances rose at once to his memory; and, without waiting +to knock or ring, the door standing open, he rushed hastily into the +parlour, where the first object that struck his sight was his wife, his +beloved, his adored Ellen, while her hand was held by the man on earth +he most detested, the man who but the night before had insulted her and +outraged him! What could he think? Was it wonderful that the fury which +swelled his heart broke into words of reproach and anger? Was it not +rather wonderful he could so far command himself, so far reflect, as to +return with her apparently calm, and that he did not at once cast from +him a woman who must have appeared so ungrateful and insincere? + +Lady Juliana having with the aid of Miss Cecil and Jane put Ellen to +bed, would have retired to seek her nephew, leaving Laura shocked, +astonished, and grieved, remaining with her friend; but seeing the flush +of fever on her cheek, and an unusual brilliancy in her eyes, they sent +without delay to the family physician, who, after asking a few +questions, and learning the Countess had been alarmed, and was then +under the influence of terror for her lord, who, Laura whispered to him, +they feared was meditating a duel with a gentleman who had insulted Lady +St. Aubyn, the doctor shook his head, and said if her mind were not +quieted immediately, he would not be answerable for the consequences: +she had, he said, every symptom of an alarming fever, and that if she +were not soothed, and kept quiet, the worst event might be expected both +to herself and the unborn babe. + +Alarmed beyond measure, Lady Juliana now ran to seek St. Aubyn. With +some difficulty she prevailed on him to grant her admittance, and with +still greater, to hear what she had to say. She repeated the whole story +Jane had told her: he shook his head, was silent, but not convinced. She +saw his incredulity, and with some hesitation proposed to interrogate +the men servants who went out with their lady as to the real cause of +her alighting at Mrs. Birtley's. He started indignantly from the idea; +but Lady Juliana assuring him she could ask in such a way as should give +them no suspicion why they were questioned, he at last consented, and +ringing the bell, she ordered the coachman to be sent to her. + +"John," said she, "your lady has been frightened at something or other +this morning during her absence from home. Were the horses restive?" + +"No, my Lady: the horses went as quiet as lambs to ---- Street, where we +stopped while my Lady went into a house, I believe to see a poor family, +as her Ladyship does sometimes; and then we went to the poor old blind +lady's, that Mrs. Jane says her Lady maintains; and after that we went +to another house, where my Lady said she would not alight, and told Mrs. +Jane to make haste and get the book, for she would not stop an instant; +but I was afraid to turn the carriage with her Ladyship in it, the +street being very narrow just there, and a dray standing at the house +opposite, for fear the horses should prance a little, which my Lady is +always afraid of; and so I begged her just to alight a minute while I +turned, which she seemed not to like to do, but the old lady of the +house coming out and persuading her, she said she would get out for a +minute, and the people staring at her as she stood on the pavement, she +went into the house, and I believe something or somebody frightened her, +for as I drew up to the door, which was not directly, for the horses +were a little unruly, I saw a young man go into the parlour where my +Lady was waiting, and a minute after, I heard Mrs. Jane scream; and I +was going in, and so was James, but just as I was getting off my box, +and Richard was standing at the head of the horses, my Lord came up, and +afterwards I found my Lady had fainted away." + +"Then your Lady had only been there a short time?" + +"Not above ten minutes I am sure, Madam, and as Mrs. Jane screamed when +the gentleman went into the parlour, I think he must have frightened +her." + +"Very well, John: I was afraid it was the horses, and if so, Lady St. +Aubyn should never have gone with them again." + +"Oh, no, my Lady, the horses are quiet enough, poor things, only that +narrow street made me think my Lady had better alight." + +The man then retired, and Lady Juliana said:--"Well, St. Aubyn, are you +now satisfied?" + +"Not quite; all this might have been contrivance and art." + +"How is it possible you can think so! Did you ever see the slightest +trace of either in Ellen?" + +"Yes, to-day. Why did she tell me Laura was going with her? Why conceal +where she was going?" + +"Laura lamented just now not having gone out with Ellen, as she +requested on account of a bad head-ache: as to Ellen's not telling you +where she was going, that arose from a fear lest you should prevent, +what, with the natural impatience of youth, she had set her heart upon. +But if you still doubt, let us inquire of this woman, this +Mrs.----what's her name?--the mistress of the house where you lodged: +she can tell what Lady St. Aubyn's errand was there, and why she +alighted." + +"Good God! Madam," said St. Aubyn, peevishly, "would you have me go +about collecting evidences whether I ought to believe my wife +blameless, or the most deceitful of women?" + +"Yes I would," replied Lady Juliana, warmly, "if you can suspect her; if +such modesty, such guileless sincerity, and purity of words and manners +as I never before saw in woman, have no power to convince you: if you +can set against them all this one unlucky accident, for I am sure it is +no more, you ought to do every thing, seek every body who can give you +information. Good God! to what purpose is it, as to this world, that a +woman should lead the purest and most unspotted life, if one equivocal +appearance can drive all confidence, all reliance, from the heart which +ought to know her best!" + +Touched by this generous warmth, St. Aubyn began to feel convinced he +had gone too far: he knew how penetrating Lady Juliana was, how much she +had been prejudiced against Ellen, and how cautiously she would have +observed, ere she had given to her an affection and confidence so +tender: he called to mind many "a proof of recollected love," of native +modesty, of the strictest principles in his wife, and began deeply to +repent his jealous rashness; but suddenly recollecting the note he had +seen in her hands, and the haste with which she had concealed it, he +hastily said:--"But the letter! What letter was that I found her +reading?" + +"What letter?" asked Lady Juliana. + +"One I found her reading this morning, just before she went out; she +seemed agitated, and had tears in her eyes, and as I entered, she put it +into the fold of her morning dress." + +"And there," said Lady Juliana, eagerly, "I found it, when we undressed +her just now: I have not opened it; here it is." She drew it from her +pocket. St. Aubyn recollected it to be the same, and opened it with +trembling hands. It was, as has been stated, from the officer's widow +to Jane, entreating her good offices with her lady, and describing her +own distress, agreeing exactly with what Ellen and her maid had told +Lady Juliana, and she had repeated to St. Aubyn. Such a corroboration of +her story he could resist no longer; but shocked, alarmed, and ashamed, +he hastily said: + +"I have injured her! Oh! can she ever forgive me!" + +"It's well," said Lady Juliana with some asperity, for his jealous +obstinacy had vexed her--"it's well if you have not killed her and your +child too. God defend me from such rash, headstrong people, that can +make no distinction between a _Rosolia_ and an _Ellen_: poor girl, she +has paid dear I am afraid for her dream of happiness, and being "perched +up in a glittering greatness, wearing a golden sorrow!" + +"For God's sake, Madam, no more reproaches," said St. Aubyn, angrily: +"she has not suffered alone; but let me go to her; let me implore her +to forgive me. Ah! can I ever forgive myself!" + +"Indeed, nephew, I shall do no such thing, unless you will promise me +there shall be no fighting with that mad Ross, who I wish had been a +thousand miles off before he had come here to drive us all as mad as +himself." + +"We will talk of that, hereafter: perhaps he will apologize; at any +rate, let us go now to Ellen, and try if I can sooth her spirits, and +calm her wounded mind." + +But Ellen by the time he reached her was in no condition to hear him: +delirium had seized her, and the scene at the Opera dwelling on her +mind, on which it had made a powerful impression, connected, though +wildly, with the late untoward events, she exclaimed just as he entered +the room, "Remember, St. Aubyn, remember Arbace--_and I too am +innocent_?" then in low tones she imitated the recitative which had +taken such hold on her imagination; and sung in a sweet and plaintive +voice "Sono Innocente!" St. Aubyn, combining these words with all the +interesting ideas connected with them, with the generous assurances +Ellen had so often given him, that no appearances should ever shake her +faith in _his_ integrity and honour, assurances which he had so ill +repaid, was overwhelmed with grief and remorse: he put aside the +curtain, and kneeling by the bed-side, said in the tenderest accents: + +"Ellen, my love, my injured Ellen, will you not hear, will you not +forgive me?" + +"So you are come at last," said she, turning her head quickly towards +him: "go to your son, my good friend, and tell him he has cruelly +insulted me; that I am St. Aubyn's _wife_, not the wretch he calls me: +why, you know, Mr. Ross, you married us, and my father and Joanna were +present: then what does Charles mean by talking of my _shame_ and +_ruin_?" + +"Oh, Heavens! she raves," exclaimed St. Aubyn; "my cruelty has +destroyed her!" + +"Take away the bloody sword," screamed Ellen. "I tell you Arbace did +_not_ murder him; no, nor yet St. Aubyn: nothing shall ever make me +believe St. Aubyn guilty:--I promised him;--he says he is innocent; +enough, my love, enough, Ellen will _never doubt you_!" and again she +breathed in plaintive cadences the pathetic "Sono Innocente." + +"She will die! she will die!" wildly exclaimed St. Aubyn, starting up: +"run for more help! fetch all the physicians in London. Oh! have I lived +to this!" + +"You will kill her indeed," said Laura, "if you are not quiet: leave her +to us. Doctor B---- will again be here in a few minutes: he says if she +can but be quiet, can but be made to understand, all is well; she will +recover; but indeed, my Lord, you must leave her now." + +"No, Laura, I will not go; I will sit here without speaking; but should +she recover her senses, if only for a minute, it will I know comfort +her to see me here." + +This Laura could readily believe, and therefore made no further +objection; but Doctor B---- arriving soon after, comforted them all with +the assurance, that though the Countess's fever at present ran high, he +had great hopes that perfect quietude, and the medicines he had ordered, +would, in all probability, do much for her, especially, aided as they +were by youth and an excellent constitution, and that he saw no +immediate danger. He strictly enjoined, however, that her chamber might +be kept as still as possible, and that at most only two persons should +remain there: he entreated St. Aubyn and Lady Juliana to retire, and +having prevailed on them to do so, he told Miss Cecil he wished her to +be as much as possible one of Lady St. Aubyn's attendants. + +"As to Lady Juliana," said he, "she is so very anxious and restless; +she will only disturb our fair patient: you, my dear Miss Cecil, I +perceive have that happy self-possession, joined with gentleness and +activity, which alone can make a good nurse; your voice too is +particularly calculated to sooth and persuade a sick person:--you may +smile, but believe me, few know how many qualifications are requisite to +form a good superintendent of a sick bed, and amongst them I have always +found a soft but distinct articulation one of the most considerable. +Think only how a nervous patient is what is emphatically called +_worried_ by a droning, discontented voice, or alarmed by too loud a +tone, or sudden question. I assure you I have often seen weak persons +thrown into a fever by these apparently trifling causes; let me, +therefore, beg Miss Cecil will take upon herself the task of replying to +any questions the Countess may ask, but in as few words as possible: the +moment reason returns, sooth her mind by every assurance that the +danger she so much feared is over. I shall see Lord St. Aubyn before I +quit the house, and place before him the evil to be dreaded, should he +pursue this unfortunate business any farther." + + + + +CHAP. IX. + + Doubt shall for ever quit my strengthen'd heart, + And anxious jealousy's corroding smart: + Nor other inmate shall inhabit there, + But soft belief, young joy, and pleasing care. + + PRIOR'S HENRY AND EMMA. + + +The medicines ordered by her skilful physician had so salutary an +effect, that towards midnight Ellen fell into a quiet sleep, from which +every thing favourable might be expected. Lady Juliana was therefore +prevailed on to retire to bed, Miss Cecil, Jane, and the housekeeper, +sitting up with Lady St. Aubyn, the two latter in the anti-chamber. But +Lady Juliana was far from being satisfied, notwithstanding the +assurances of St. Aubyn that all was at an end between him and Ross: she +knew him too well to believe he would pass over insults so marked; and +her watchfulness had convinced her no apology from Ross, in writing or +otherwise, had been received. Sir Edward Leicester, too, had called once +or twice in the course of the day; and though she had tormented him and +her nephew, by resolutely remaining in the room in defiance of the hints +St. Aubyn gave of wishing to be alone with his friend, yet she overheard +a few words, that more and more convinced her a duel was intended. She +left orders, therefore, to be called by day-break; and unable to prevail +on St. Aubyn to go to bed, wearied and exhausted by emotions, which, at +her time of life, she could ill support, she at length left him to +himself. + +Determined as he was to meet Ross in the morning, and avoiding +reflections, which, though he felt how decisive they were against the +practice of duelling, he yet thought came too late. St. Aubyn's frame +was shaken by various sensations. Recollection of the past, and terror +for the future, hung heavily upon him; yet not for himself he feared: +but should any thing amiss happen to him, what would become of Ellen--of +Ellen, whom he should leave upon a bed of sickness, which, then he felt +convinced, would be to her the bed of death! + +"And was it for this," he exclaimed, as he paced his study, "for this I +drew her from her native shades, where, happy and contented, but for me +she might have blossomed still. Oh! little, my Ellen, hast thou had +cause to rejoice in that elevation which doubtless many have envied +thee. Too often have I been to thee the mysterious cause of sorrow and +anxiety. Perhaps I shall have been also the cause of thine untimely +end." + +The idea so dreadfully shook him, he dared no longer think, lest it +should quite unman him; but determined to look upon her once more, he +took the taper, which burnt beside him, and, with light steps, passed to +her apartment. In the anti-room he found the housekeeper and Jane both +sleeping in their chairs: all was profoundly still, and he began to fear +Ellen was left without a wakeful guard; but at the sound of his +footsteps, almost noiseless as they were, and the approaching light, for +the bed-room door was open for air, Laura Cecil stole to meet him: she +motioned to him to be silent, and advancing a few steps into the +anti-room, said, in the lowest whisper, "For heaven's sake, Lord St. +Aubyn, why this--why are you not retired to rest?" + +"Ah, Laura! dear, kind Laura," he exclaimed, grasping her hand, "how +could I rest, while that injured, perhaps that murdered angel lies +suffering thus, and through my fault, through my accursed, headlong +jealousy!" + +"Deeply, indeed," said Laura, "do I lament that appearances should have +thus misled you, my Lord, and am indeed astonished at it: had you but +waited one hour, ere you so harshly condemned, from me you might have +learned her perfect innocence: she pressed me to go with her this +morning, which my having a bad head-ache prevented: she told me where +she was going, shewed me the letter she had received, detailed her kind +plans for relieving the poor widow, and mentioned not having explained +her intentions to you, lest you should prevent her going; and she wished +so much, she said, to see the _poor little infant_; certainly she did +not mention any intention of going to that fatal house where you found +her, and which, I am assured, she never thought of till passing the top +of the street she recollected the book she so much valued, and which I +one day heard her tell Jane to call for; but all this is now unavailing: +let me beg you to retire: should the murmur of our voices disturb her, I +shall indeed greatly lament it." + +"Oh, let me look upon her--once more let me see her! Will she die? Is it +possible she may recover?" + +"It is very possible, almost certain, from her sleeping so quietly, if +you do not disturb her: but think, if she should awake and see you, at +this strange hour, with those distracted looks!" + +"Yet I must see her _now_--yes, Laura, I must venture all; for how do I +know if I shall ever see her more!" + +"For heaven's sake, what do you mean? Surely, surely you do not think +of--you are not meditating----" + +"No matter what," said he hastily; "I must see her _now_." + +Laura shrunk back astonished and dismayed; but feeling that he would not +be contradicted, she again, with light steps, approached the bed; where, +in a profound sleep, the effect of opiates, lay Ellen, "fair lily, and +whiter than her sheets;" and but that in the stillness of night her +quick short breathings were distinctly heard, it could hardly have been +known she lived. + +Laura then beckoned St. Aubyn to approach, which he did with trembling +steps, and shaded by the curtain, gazed wistfully upon her. Overcome by +the touching spectacle of youth, beauty, and innocence, in a few hours +almost destroyed by his rash jealousy, the tears now ran down his manly +cheeks; and hardly could he restrain the groans which heaved his bosom, +while Laura's eyes streamed at the affecting sight before her. At that +moment Ellen moved a little, and they both retreated, that if she opened +her eyes she might not see them; but she still slept; and only murmuring +"dear St. Aubyn," and a few inarticulate words, she was again silent. + +Again St. Aubyn asked Laura if it were possible she could recover, and +she assured him that Ellen already looked better than she had done an +hour before; and at last, after he had knelt and imprinted a soft kiss +on one of her hands, which lay on the counterpane, and lifted up his +heart to heaven, in silent prayer for her recovery, he was prevailed on +to quit the room. + +The rest of the night St. Aubyn spent in settling some papers, and +adding a few lines to his will, all of which he locked into a drawer, +and sealing up the key, directed it to Lady Juliana. + +At day-break his valet, according to order, came to him. To this +confidential servant St. Aubyn explained the cause of his going from +home so early, and left the pacquet for Lady Juliana in his care, to be +delivered to her, should he not return in safety. He then sent to +inquire of Jane for her lady, and had the happiness of hearing a +favourable account of her. St. Aubyn then set off, attended only by one +servant, to the house of Sir Edward Leicester, whose carriage was at the +door, and they instantly proceeded to Wimbledon, where, on the spot +marked in Charles Ross's letter, they alighted; and telling the coachman +to draw off, and wait at a place they pointed out to him, the two +friends walked up and down some time, expecting Ross. + +In about ten minutes they saw him approaching, but alone: St. Aubyn just +touched his hat, and said, "Mr. Ross, where is your friend?" + +"My Lord," said Ross, in a firm tone, "I am here, not to fight, not to +double the injuries you have already received from me, but to make every +concession you can desire. I have brought no friend with me; I trust my +honour and my life implicitly in your hands. Are you prepared to hear my +explanation?--if not, I am ready to stand your fire." + +"I know not, Sir," said St. Aubyn, haughtily, "what has caused this +sudden alteration in your sentiments: this meeting was at your own +request; and the insults you bestowed on Lady St. Aubyn yesterday make +me as desirous of it now as you were when you appointed it." + +"Yet, my Lord," said Sir Edward, "hear Mr. Ross: if this affair can be +accommodated without bloodshed, I think myself called upon to insist it +shall be so." + +St. Aubyn bowed with a lofty air to Ross, and said:-- + +"Well, Sir, your explanation if you please." + +Ross now entered into a long detail of the circumstances which had +misled him, stated his fears of St. Aubyn under the name of Mordaunt, +when he first saw him at Llanwyllan; that no letters from thence had +reached him on the station where he had remained for the last half year, +till, about a month before his ship had come home, and he had been +ordered to London to receive a promotion as unexpected as it was +welcome; that he happened to lodge at Mrs. Birtley's, and by chance, +finding the volume of Gray Lady St. Aubyn had left there, he recognized +the initials "C. F. M. to E. P." in the first page, which the words +"Dear Llanwyllan," written in another, confirmed. The answer Mrs. +Birtley made to his impatient questions had convinced him who the Mr. +and Mrs. Mordaunt she spoke of were: this woman had given him also such +accounts as led him to believe they were not married, and hence his mad +insulting conduct at the theatre had arisen. He next repeated so +accurately every word that had passed between him and Ellen, and +described their mutual astonishment at meeting so unexpectedly in such a +natural manner, that had St. Aubyn doubted before, he could have done so +no longer. + +"Yet," said Ross, "convinced as I now was how wrong I had been, I could +not prevail on myself to apologize to one whom I confess I hated, for he +had robbed me of the only woman I ever loved; yet she had never, even in +the happy hours of our youth, given me the slightest hope of ever +obtaining more than the affection of a sister from her, and even that +seemed at times more the effect of habit than choice; for rough and +unpolished, my manners repulsed, and choleric and hasty my temper, +alarmed the gentle Ellen; yet I still flattered myself, time, and the +retired situation in which she lived preventing her extraordinary beauty +from being known, might have done much for me; but from the moment Mr. +Mordaunt was known to her, I easily perceived that hope was at an end; +and now I had only to desire that I might fall by the hand of the man +who had raised her to that greatness. I could have done no more than +wish for her; I therefore determined to keep my engagement for this +morning. But yesterday it came to my knowledge that the promotion +intended for me had been granted to the solicitations of Lord St. Aubyn. +Struck, ashamed at the base ingratitude of my conduct, I resolved at +length to make every explanation, every concession. I have done so, and +now, my Lord, it rests with you to accept this apology: if you refuse +it, I am ready to stand your fire, for never will I lift my hand in a +cause so unjust, and against a man, who, without my knowledge, had so +generously befriended me." + +"I told you before, Mr. Ross," said St. Aubyn, "that for your excellent +father's sake I would overlook that in you which in another man I would +instantly have resented. I am not of a vindictive spirit, and the +practice of duelling, though I have in some measure been forced to +countenance it, is against my principles. You are at liberty, Sir, to +retire; I am satisfied." + +"I dare not, my Lord," said Ross, "attempt to offer any thanks for the +kindness you intended me in my professional career; still less can I +consent to profit by it: I have not deserved it at your hands, and +declining the promotion offered to me, I shall return to my ship, and +leave England as soon as possible, and I hope for ever." + +St. Aubyn's generous spirit was moved by this renunciation. + +"That promotion, Mr. Ross," he replied, "was sought for you at the +request of Lady St. Aubyn, who had not forgotten the friend of her +childhood, and in hopes of gratifying your most worthy father, from +whom, as well as from your mother and sister, both my wife and myself +have experienced much kindness and friendship: I must therefore request +you will not renounce it. + +"At this moment Lady St. Aubyn is extremely ill, in consequence of the +alarming scene to which your mistake and my rashness gave rise: should +this illness prove fatal," (and his lips quivered with emotion as he +spoke), "never more must you and I meet again! Should she recover, as I +hope and trust she will, I am so perfectly satisfied with the +explanations I have received, that I shall not be sorry to see your +early acquaintance renewed: for the present we part as friends." + +Then bowing, he took Sir Edward's arm, and hastened to his carriage, +leaving Ross overwhelmed with shame and remorse for the treatment he +had given to a man so generous. + +On reaching Cavendish Square he found Lady Juliana in the utmost alarm; +for missing him when she arose, and hearing at how early an hour he had +left the house, she had immediately suspected his errand abroad: she had +sent to Sir Edward Leicester's, and learned from the servants that their +master and Lord St. Aubyn had gone out together. Still more and more +alarmed, Lady Juliana paced from room to room in dreadful agitation, not +knowing whither to send or what to do. Soon after eight o'clock, Laura +sent a note by Jane to Lady Juliana, saying Lady St. Aubyn was awake, +that the delirium had totally subsided, but had left her so extremely +weak and low she could hardly speak to be heard, but was anxious to see +her and Lord St. Aubyn, whose affectionate inquiries she had heard of +with much delight, and was prepared to see him with composure, and +without recurring to the past. To trust herself near Ellen, agitated as +she was, Lady Juliana knew was impossible; she therefore ordered Jane to +say, that having sat up almost the whole night, neither the Earl nor +herself was up, but in an hour or two they would be with her; then +assuring the girl that the unfortunate misunderstanding of the day +before was perfectly explained, she charged her not to drop a hint of it +amongst the servants, which Jane readily promised, and faithfully +performed. + +Soon after this, Doctor B. called, and to him Lady Juliana communicated +her fears on St. Aubyn's account: he entreated she would not go near the +Countess till her spirits were quieter, and by no means to let any ill +tidings reach her, should such arrive: then visiting the sick room, he +rejoiced to find his young and lovely patient out of danger, though +extremely weak. The excellence of her constitution, assisted by his +skill, had triumphed over the disease, and if no new alarm occurred, he +doubted not her perfect recovery: leaving strict and repeated orders +that no one should be admitted at all likely to hurry her spirits, he +left her, and as he passed down the staircase, was rejoiced to see St. +Aubyn enter safe and well. The Earl hastened to him with the most eager +inquiries for his patient, and listened to his favourable accounts with +thankful joy. + +"As to Lady Juliana, my good Lord," said the physician, "she is scarcely +in her senses; you have frightened her almost to death: come, let me +have the pleasure of leading you to her, and telling her at the same +time how much better our fair patient is, after which I would advise you +both to take some repose, for your countenance tells me you have not had +much rest last night, and I promise you, you must not go to Lady St. +Aubyn with those pale and haggard looks." + +The joy of Lady Juliana at seeing St. Aubyn return safe and unhurt was +extreme, and was still increased when he owned to her candidly where he +had been, and the satisfactory explanation he had received from Ross, +which so completely put an end to this untoward affair for ever. + +In the afternoon, St. Aubyn, promising to be as composed as possible, +was permitted to see Ellen for a few minutes. Both forbore to speak of +what had passed, for both felt they could not endure to recur to it; but +the warmth and unaffected tenderness of his manner assured her that all +suspicion had been effaced from his mind; while the affectionate +softness of her's proved to St. Aubyn that his unkindness was forgiven. + +In a very few days Ellen was pronounced convalescent, though her +remaining weakness, and Lady Juliana's precautions, confined her to her +dressing-room: there, by slow degrees, she learned from her +affectionate Laura all the circumstances which had led to Charles Ross's +mistake, and that of St. Aubyn, nor could she help acknowledging that +appearances had been in both instances against her: relieved however by +having all her anxieties removed, and by a full though affecting +explanation with St. Aubyn, who gave her the tenderest assurances that +every jealous disposition was for ever removed from his mind, she now +rapidly recovered: but as the weather was now becoming very warm, and +she had had no great reason to delight in London, she earnestly +requested to be allowed to return to Castle St. Aubyn; and the advice of +her medical attendants coinciding with her wishes, the request was +easily granted. + +Before she left London, however, she, with her Lord, paid another visit +to the officer's widow and her interesting family, and so arranged for +them as to ensure them a neat residence a little way out of town, and +the certain means of comfortable subsistence for the present; for it was +her intention, with St. Aubyn's permission, to form a school, and other +useful institutions, in the neighbourhood of the Castle, in which she +hoped to render the widow a service, as well as gratify herself, by +placing her at the head of the village seminary. She also visited Mr. +Dorrington again, and spent a delightful hour amongst his treasures; +then leaving her P. P. C. for Lady Meredith, and some other slight +acquaintances, she joyfully left London on her way to Northamptonshire, +accompanied by the Earl (more tenderly attached than ever), Lady +Juliana, and Miss Cecil, Sir Edward Leicester promising to pay them a +visit very soon. + +Delighted indeed was Ellen once more to breathe the pure air of the +country; and as they passed the little inn where they had stopped on +their former journey from town, and caught a distant glimpse of the +farm-house where he had told her his real name and rank, she tenderly +pressed St. Aubyn's hand, and with a soft tear on her cheek, reminded +him of the circumstance. + +"Ah, my Ellen," he said, "much have we both suffered since that +interesting moment, but never more, through fault of mine, shall you +shed another tear, save such as now glitter in your eyes--tears of +tenderness and affection." + + + + +CHAP. X. + + She feels it--'tis her son! with rapture wild, + Bath'd in warm tears, from soft sensations prest. + She clasps him to her cheek, her lip, her breast, + And looks with eye unsated on her child. + He knows her, sure!--Sure, answering rapture his, + Leave her at least the visionary bliss! + Lo! his clear eye to her's responsive speaks, + And lo! his little mouth, that wistful seeks + Warm from her lip to suck the sweet o'erflowing kiss. + She hears the silent call--how quickly hears + A mother's heart. + + SOTHEBY'S OBERON. + + +Arrived at the Castle, Ellen once more began to breathe; her colour and +appetite returned, and she speedily recovered her strength, and thought +she had never been so happy: her Lord's renewed, and even encreased +affection, Lady Juliana's sincere attachment, and the pleasing society +of Laura Cecil, who remained her guest (Sir William being in Scotland +with Lord and Lady Delamore), left her scarcely any thing to wish. + +This little party received a very agreeable addition about a week after, +by the arrival of Sir Edward Leicester, whose continued attentions to +Miss Cecil seemed not ill received by her. + +Soon after their return to Castle St. Aubyn, letters from Mr. Ross and +Joanna arrived, filled with thanks and rejoicings for the promotion of +Charles. They said not a word, nor seemed to know any thing of the late +transactions; and Lord and Lady St. Aubyn were glad he had not revealed +them. It appeared, that through St. Aubyn's interest, he had been made +Lieutenant, and honoured with the command of a small frigate, and was +gone to cruize in the Mediterranean. At this latter circumstance Ellen +was not sorry; for she could not wish, after what had passed, to see +Charles Ross again at present. Every thing, therefore, seemed now smooth +before her; and though sometimes her thoughts would wander to the +former mysterious expressions of St. Aubyn, and recollecting that the +time he appointed for their elucidation was arrived, yet as she heard no +more of it, and he seemed to have lost those fits of gloom, which even +from the commencement of their acquaintance had been obvious in him, she +hoped all was passed over, and determined by no ill-timed curiosity to +revive painful ideas in his mind. But she yet fully knew not St. Aubyn, +except when thrown off his guard by any sudden emotion: his command over +his spirits and features was wonderful; and no one who saw him composed, +cheerful, and even gay, could have suspected what at times passed in his +mind, nor to what unpleasant scenes he now looked forward. Not even Lady +Juliana knew what reason he had to think of the future with +apprehension, though with much of what had formerly befallen him she +certainly was acquainted. + +The families round the Castle paid every polite attention to Lady St. +Aubyn on her return: many, who had been absent when she was there +before, now visited her; and though for the present she declined +entering into large parties, every one seemed rejoiced to see her once +more amongst them. Not the least delighted was Miss Alton, who with +unfading charms, and exhaustless professions of regard, came eagerly to +greet the charming Countess's return, to rejoice in her perfect +recovery, and to assure her how much she had suffered at hearing she was +ill in London. + +"And oh! my dear Lady St. Aubyn," said she, "think how shocked I was to +hear some rude wretch had annoyed you at the theatre, and that your +excellent lord had like to have fought a duel about it. Oh! how thankful +I am that these frightful scenes did not more materially injure your +valuable health, and that you are returned to us, if possible, more +beautiful than ever." + +"And who, my dear Miss Alton," said Laura, who alone retained composure +enough to answer her (for this familiar recurrence to scenes so painful +had greatly disturbed Lady St. Aubyn and Lady Juliana), "who told you +all this wonderful story?" + +"Oh, it was a cousin of mine, who happened to be coming out of the +playhouse just as it happened, and wrote me word of it; and that the +gentlemen had exchanged cards: so you see I had pretty good authority." + +"Yes," replied Lady Juliana, with her usual asperity, "and no doubt made +pretty good use of it. Pray, Ma'am, did you think it necessary to send a +man and horse round the neighbourhood with this amusing piece of +intelligence; or were you contented with your own personal exertions?" + +"Dear Lady Juliana, I am sure I thought no harm; I only just mentioned +it----" + +"To every one who would hear you, no doubt. If, at least, you had spared +us the recital, it would have been quite as delicate, and more +consistent with your _tender feelings_ for Lady St. Aubyn." + +Poor Miss Alton, quite shocked to find she had given such offence to the +old lady, of whom she stood in great awe, vainly attempted to rally her +spirits, and soon after took her leave, earnestly wishing Lady Juliana +had staid in London; for she foresaw the entré of the Castle would not +be so easily granted to her now as it had been when only the +kind-hearted Countess presided; and trembling, lest, if she were not +more cautious in future, she should not be admitted to see the little +stranger when it arrived, and take cake and caudle in Lady St. Aubyn's +apartment. + +"See," said Lady Juliana, drawing herself up, "see, my dear, the +consequence of admitting such low, uneducated people to any degree of +intimacy! This gossipping woman would not have ventured to hint at what +had passed, had you kept her at a proper distance: but the easy +impudence of such people in these degenerate times astonishes me. In the +days of the Countess of St. Aubyn, my mother, _she_ would scarcely have +spoken to such a sort of person as this Miss--what do you call her?" For +when Lady Juliana felt proud or indignant, she had a great knack of +forgetting any name which had not a title tacked to it; though no one +remembered more accurately those which had. + +"Ah!" thought Ellen, "how with pride so overbearing could I ever have +hoped to be myself exempted from this general censure of such sort of +persons! How fortunate I may think myself, to have overcome a prejudice +of such long standing." + +In the society of a few agreeable neighbours, and the ever-pleasing +conversation of Laura, the time passed serenely till the end of August: +yet there were moments when gloom seemed again to steal over the +features of St. Aubyn. His foreign letters arrived more frequently, but +appeared to give him no satisfaction. With Ellen he studiously avoided +all conversation on the subject of his anxiety: for he dreaded, in her +present state, the least alarm, and delayed by every means in his power +the apparently fast approaching crisis of his fate, till her safety +should have been secured. + +At length, after some hours of uneasy watching, and the most painful +anxiety, Lady Juliana announced to him the birth of a _son_, who, +notwithstanding all the alarms his mother had undergone in London, +seemed likely as well as herself to do well. Lady Juliana was in +raptures at this event, to which she had so long looked forward with +impatience. Nothing that money could procure was wanting to decorate +either the infant or the chamber where he lay, which, as well as that of +the Countess, had been entirely new furnished in the most superb and +commodious manner at her expence, Lady Juliana having insisted on paying +for every thing prepared, even to the elegant cradle lined with quilted +white satin; and not even Lady Meredith had softer cushions than those +on which the infant heir reposed. + +St. Aubyn, charmed with the lovely little creature, and to see its +mother safe, appeared as if he had no wish ungratified, and left no +tender attention unpaid which might ensure his Ellen's health and +comfort. As she approached towards convalescence, Laura Cecil was her +constant and most delightful companion, and well knew how to cheer and +adorn the hours which were necessarily given to the quietude of her own +apartments. The infant was rather delicate though healthy; but safe in +its mother's fostering cares it strengthened every day, without those +cares---- + + Ah! what avails the cradle's damask roof, + The eider bolster, or embroidered woof, + Oft hears the gilded couch unpitied plains, + And many a tear, the tassel'd cushion stains! + No voice so sweet attunes his cares to rest, + So soft no pillow as his mother's breast! + Thus charm'd to sweet repose, when twilight hours + Shed their soft influence on celestial bowers, + The cherub, Innocence, with smile divine, + Shuts his white wings, and sleeps on beauty's shrine. + + DARWIN. + +Incessantly anxious about the babe, Lady St. Aubyn could not soon permit +it to be removed from her apartments, it lay therefore with its nurse in +a smaller room within that where Lady St. Aubyn slept. + +It was about six weeks after this event, so interesting to all parties, +had taken place, and Ellen had for some time been returned to the +society of her own family, that one day, just as they had finished +dinner, St. Aubyn was told two gentlemen in a chaise and four had just +arrived, and requested to speak to him immediately. He changed colour, +but conquering his purturbation, desired they might be shewn into his +study, and he would go to them. "Who are they?" said Lady Juliana. "I +did not know, nephew, you expected any company." "Perhaps," said St. +Aubyn, evading her questions, "they may not remain here an hour, perhaps +till to-morrow morning." He hastily left the room, and Ellen was +convinced these strangers were the persons at whom St. Aubyn had often +hinted as connected with the mystery which hung around him: she +trembled, and felt dismayed, but endeavoured to be as composed as +possible. In a few minutes after St. Aubyn had left the room, Mr. +Mordaunt was sent for; and as he had been some time an invalid, St. +Aubyn desired a carriage might be dispatched to bring him to the Castle. +Ellen passing soon after up stairs to the nursery, crossed him in the +hall, followed by his assistant with a quantity of papers and +parchments: they bowed, and went into the study. "Oh, I know now," said +Lady Juliana, who was with her, "who St. Aubyn has with him: it is I +suppose Lord De Montfort, and his guardian and tutor, Mr. O'Brien, a +Catholic priest, who has the entire management of the young man, and +will I suppose now have the entire direction of his estates, which have +till now been under the care of my nephew, who was appointed by his +father's will the young Earls guardian, as far as related to his English +property, till he should be twenty-four, though his Catholic relations +have had the care of his person. Rejoiced shall I be when St. Aubyn has +finally concluded all his concerns with that family. Heaven knows they +have given him trouble enough already! and this young man I know hates +him. I don't suppose he will stay an hour after the accounts are +settled, indeed he would not have come at all, only Mordaunt having all +the affairs in his hands, and being too unwell to go from home, it was I +conclude necessary: this I know, if these people stay here to-night, I +shall remain in my own room." + +Ellen carefully and anxiously attended to all she said, yet this +discourse gave her no clue by which to unravel the mysterious speeches +of St. Aubyn. After spending an hour in the nursery, both ladies +returned to the drawing-room, and sent a servant to know if coffee +should be carried into the study, or if Lord St. Aubyn and his guests +would join the ladies. Orders were given for tea and coffee in the +study; and Lady Juliana could not restrain her curiosity enough to +refrain asking who was with Lord St. Aubyn: from the servant she +learned that the party consisted of his Lordship, Mr. Mordaunt, his +clerk, and two strange gentlemen, one elderly, the other young, and +apparently in ill health. This confirmed her surmises, and soon after +tea, not wishing to see Lord De Montfort, should he make his appearance, +she retired to her own room, leaving Ellen and Laura together, with a +strict injunction to the former not to be kept up too late. + +Ellen's anxiety made her somewhat silent; and Laura, never very +talkative, easily fell into her present humour, so that for some time +very little conversation passed between them. Laura was netting, and +Ellen attempting a drawing; but her hand was unsteady, and her attention +divided, therefore finding she should not succeed, she threw down her +pencil, and listened in silence to a loud equinoxial wind, which howled +around, and shook with "murmur not unlike the dash of ocean on his +sounding shores" the ancient trees which grew near the mansion. A +chilling sensation insensibly stole upon her, and at length, to break +the melancholy silence of the apartment, rather than that she wished to +speak, she said, "'Tis a rough night, and cold." + +"Yes," said Laura; and they both drew nearer the fire. + +"Do you know Lord De Montfort?" asked Ellen. + +"I have seen him when a boy," replied Laura, "and think I should know +him again, though six or seven years make a great alteration at his +age." + +"Was he handsome?" + +"Yes, but not so much so as his sister." + +"Is he like her?" + +"A little, but of a darker complexion: her's was a clear lively brown; +dark hazle eyes, full of spirit, and indeed at times of scorn, a Grecian +nose, full lips, the upper one curled a little, which gave a haughty air +to her countenance; Edmund was thinner, paler, and his eyes had a +softer look." + +"Edmund is his name?" + +"He has a long list of names, according to the Spanish custom; but his +sister always called him Edmund, which was his father's." + +"I wonder whether we shall see him?" + +"Of course,--I suppose so," said Laura, with some surprize: "it is too +late for him to quit the Castle to-night, and he will without doubt pay +his compliments to you before he departs." + +"I think," replied Ellen, "from what Lady Juliana said just now, that +St. Aubyn and Lord De Montfort are not on very good terms, that made me +doubt whether he would stay the night." + +"It may be so," said Laura, "yet unless they are decidedly at enmity, +the young man cannot avoid seeing you." + +Soon after the supper tray was brought into the room, and on its being +announced to the gentlemen, St. Aubyn came to the library, accompanied +by Mr. Mordaunt and Mr. O'Brien, the latter of whom he introduced to the +ladies. St. Aubyn looked pale, and his manners had lost some of its +usual composure. O'Brien was a grave, respectable old man, of Irish +extraction, but bred in a convent abroad, and speaking English but +imperfectly. + +"I will return to the study," said St. Aubyn, "and see once more if I +can persuade Lord De Montfort to take some refreshment. You remember De +Montfort, Miss Cecil?--He is my other guest, but he pleads fatigue, and +disinclination to see any one, and will not be prevailed on to take even +a glass of wine. I will once more endeavour to induce him to join you." + +"Indeed, my Lord," said Ellen, "I hope he will: if he be fatigued, he +must the more need refreshment." + +"My love," said St. Aubyn, "will you have the goodness to order beds to +be prepared for Lord De Montfort and Mr. O'Brien. They remain here this +night." + +He then left the room, and Ellen ringing the bell, desired Mrs. Bayfield +might be sent to her dressing-room, whither a few minutes after she went +herself to give orders respecting the beds. As she passed the study +door, which was not quite close, she distinctly heard St. Aubyn say:-- + +"For Heaven's sake, De Montfort, be persuaded; do not wrong me so +cruelly! Why condemn me on mere appearances?" + +Ellen passed hastily on, and heard St. Aubyn close the door with some +violence, warned perhaps by the light she carried that some one might +overhear him. + +In her dressing-room she met Mrs. Bayfield, and was instantly struck +with her pale countenance and agitated appearance. + +"My good Bayfield," said Ellen, "I sent for you to request you would see +chambers prepared for the strange gentlemen; but you look ill, pray go +to bed: Jane shall go with the housemaids and see that all is right." + +"I am not ill, my Lady," said Mrs. Bayfield; "but a glimpse I caught of +Lord De Montfort just now, and the tone of his voice, reminded me of so +many painful events--" + +She paused, sighed, and the tears ran down her cheeks as she added: + +"I wish he had not come here; I wish he was gone back to Spain; I cannot +bear to see him." + +"His likeness to your late lady affects you perhaps, my good friend?" +said Ellen. + +"Oh, no, Madam; it is not that; he is like her to be sure; but it is not +_that_. I feel so uneasy when I see him.--He does not love my Lord; and +yet he used to love him. But forgive me, Madam; I forget myself: will +your Ladyship please to give your orders now?" + +"I will leave all to your care, my good Bayfield. I suppose the +gentlemen will like to be near each other: the two chambers at the end +of the gallery where I sleep (those next to that your Lord sleeps in at +present, I mean) will suit them best, I think: see that they have good +fires, for it is cold to-night: the wind is really alarming." + +"Your Ladyship had better take another shawl round your shoulders: the +staircase is cold." + +Ellen thanked her careful old friend, and returned to the company. + + + END OF VOL. II. + + B. CLARKE, Printer, Well Street, London. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Mystery and Confidence, Vol. 2, by +Elizabeth Pinchard + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYSTERY AND CONFIDENCE, VOL. 2 *** + +***** This file should be named 34968-8.txt or 34968-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/9/6/34968/ + +Produced by Mark C. Orton and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/34968-8.zip b/34968-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..567ea85 --- /dev/null +++ b/34968-8.zip diff --git a/34968-h.zip b/34968-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e109f52 --- /dev/null +++ b/34968-h.zip diff --git a/34968-h/34968-h.htm b/34968-h/34968-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5a878a7 --- /dev/null +++ b/34968-h/34968-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6300 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Mystery and Confidence, Vol. II. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .blockquot{margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i1 {display: block; margin-left: 1em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i18 {display: block; margin-left: 18em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Mystery and Confidence, Vol. 2, 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. 2 + A Tale + +Author: Elizabeth Pinchard + +Release Date: January 15, 2011 [EBook #34968] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYSTERY AND CONFIDENCE, VOL. 2 *** + + + + +Produced by Mark C. Orton and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + +<h1>MYSTERY</h1> + +<h5>AND</h5> + +<h1>CONFIDENCE:</h1> + +<h4><i>A TALE.</i></h4> + +<h3>BY A LADY.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 5%;" /> +<h5>IN THREE VOLUMES.</h5> + +<h4>VOL. II.</h4> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> +<h5><big>LONDON:</big><br /> +PRINTED FOR HENRY COLBURN,<br /> +<small>PUBLIC LIBRARY, CONDUIT-STREET, HANOVER-SQUARE,<br /> +AND SOLD BY GEORGE GOLDIE, EDINBURGH,<br /> +AND JOHN CUMMING, DUBLIN.</small></h5> + +<hr style="width: 5%;" /> +<h4>1814.</h4> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h5><span class="smcap">B. Clarke</span>, Printer, Well-Street, London.</h5> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> +<h1>MYSTERY</h1> + +<h5>AND</h5> + +<h1>CONFIDENCE.</h1> + + + +<hr style="width: 5%;" /> +<h2>CHAP. I.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">——To mourn because a sparrow dies,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To rave in artificial ecstasies,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Laments how oft her wounded heart has bled,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And boasts of many a tear she never shed.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i18"><span class="smcap">Miss More's Poem on Sensibility.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>The next day being Sunday, Lady St. +Aubyn, attired in the most elegant undress, +and attended by the Earl, made +her appearance at the church: the expensive +lace veil which shaded her fair +face, and hung loosely below her waist,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> +prevented the gazing of those around her +from being too oppressive. The neighbouring +families certainly had heard +that Lord St. Aubyn had married a +young person of a rank in life much inferior +to his own, for secretly as every +thing had been conducted, as no one +could tell the name or family of his bride, +such, at least, were the conjectures of +those who knew him; yet, in spite of +the prejudices which had been excited +against her, the elegance of her form, and +the modest composure of her demeanour, +in a great measure overcame it, and all +who were entitled, by their situation in +life, to visit at the Castle, determined to +do so; some prompted by mere curiosity, +and some by less unworthy motives. +The three or four following days, therefore, +brought Ellen many visitors, and +her own intuitive sense of propriety, +added to the few general directions St. +Aubyn had given her, and with the advantageous +support his respectful atten<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span>tion +gave her, prevented her appearing at +all awkward; and these visits, which she +had so greatly dreaded, passed over with +less pain than she had expected.</p> + +<p>Amongst their first visitors were Sir +William and Miss Cecil; the former of +whom was a mere common-place character, +whom, if you did not happen to +see for sometime, you would be apt to +forget you had ever seen at all; but the +fine countenance of Laura, her expressive +features, and the bright black eyes +which animated them, charmed Ellen, +who had never seen any woman before +so pleasing: yet Laura was not strictly +beautiful, and at this time the lustre of +her fine eyes was dimmed by the melancholy +which pervaded her mind, for she +said her little invalid was so much indisposed, +and so weak, she would not +have left her to go any where else; but +she wished so very much to be introduced +to Lady St. Aubyn she could not +resist the temptation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p> + +<p>The very elegant manner in which she +spoke, the clearness of her articulation, +and sweetness of her voice, were strikingly +agreeable; and St. Aubyn afterwards +said that a few years before she +had a gaiety of manner, enlivened by wit +of a superior nature, with so much playfulness +of expression, that by many people +she was considered as merely a lively +girl, and a little satirical; but time and +misfortune had softened what at times +might have been too severe in her opinions, +had improved and mellowed her +fine judgment, and given a pensive +sweetness to her manners, which was +occasionally relieved by flashes of her +former gaiety and ready repartee. St. +Aubyn shewed her a particular and most +respectful attention, and told Ellen she +would be charmed with Miss Cecil's +drawings, which were the very finest he +ever saw, except from the hands of a +professed artist. He then, with a smile, +addressed a few words to Laura in an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> +undertone, to which she replied: "Oh, +pray, my Lord, do not expose my juvenile +follies: I might have done such +things when we were mere children together, +but I hope you think me wiser +now!"</p> + +<p>"The world," said he, "has perhaps +made us both graver since the days you +speak of; and that, in the eyes of many, +will doubtless give us credit for an increase +of wisdom; but believe me, my +fair friend, I have lost so little of the +romance of youth (if such you choose to +term it), that I must hope you do not +neglect the pleasing talent to which I +alluded, and of which you must allow +Lady St. Aubyn to judge: I assure you +she has a great taste for poetry, and perhaps +one day or other may follow your +example, and court the Muses in her +turn."</p> + +<p>"Ah, my Lord!" said Laura, smiling +and colouring: "I see you are determined +not to keep my secret." "Tell<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> +me, Ellen," said St. Aubyn, "can you +see any reason why Miss Cecil should +wish to make a secret of her having succeeded +very happily in some elegant little +poetical compositions?" "No, indeed," +replied Ellen: "it surely is a gift to be +rather proud than ashamed of." "Ah, +my dear Lady St. Aubyn, if you could +conceive the illiberal prejudice of some +minds, you would not wonder at my +dislike to having these trifling attempts +spoken of. A lady I knew, who was +eminently gifted in that way, and indeed +an excellent prose-writer also, was, from +circumstances, obliged to be less scrupulous +than I have been; and if you +could have heard the things I have witnessed, +when she entered or left a room, +you would be amazed: while she, gentle, +unassuming, and even timid, judging +candidly of every one, unwilling to see +faults, and detesting personal satire, had +not the most remote idea of the severe +and uncandid remarks she excited."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> + +<p>Ellen was really astonished at this account, +as much as she was pleased with +the spirit and grace with which it was +delivered; and St. Aubyn said to her +with an expressive smile, "You see, +Ellen, our friend Ross had more reason +than we were willing to allow him for +<i>certain prohibitions</i>. However," added +he, "I will not relinquish the hope that +Miss Cecil will soon see how little she +has to fear from any observations of such +a nature from <i>you</i>." "I see it already," +said Miss Cecil with quickness: "one +glance at Lady St. Aubyn would convince +the most incredulous that nothing +but sweetness and candour can lodge +in such a temple."</p> + +<p>She then looked at her watch, and +saying she had much exceeded her time, +and Juliet would expect her, departed +with her father, who had been deeply +engaged in giving Doctor Montague a +long account of a county-meeting, which +had been held for some public purpose a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> +few days before. They had scarcely +driven from the door, when Miss Alton +was announced; and as she entered, St. +Aubyn whispered to Ellen—"Now you +will see a character quite new to you." +Then rising hastily, he crossed the room +to meet the lady, exclaiming, "Heavens! +my dear Miss Alton, how enchanted +I am to see you look so well! +You really improve every day, at least +every year: for I believe it is at least that +time since I saw you last." "Oh, +my Lord," answered the lady in an affected +tone, but in a voice the natural +sharpness of which all her efforts failed +to soften; "you flatter—don't try to +make me vain. Lord bless me, you men +have no mercy on us poor young women: +but will you not introduce me to your +Lady?"</p> + +<p>Ellen, who at the distance from +whence she had first seen this visitor +imagined that she really was young and +handsome, was astonished as she ap<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span>proached, +to find in the white frock, +sash, ringlets, and little straw hat of a +girl, a woman apparently between fifty +and sixty; and who vainly attempted to +conceal, by a quantity of <i>rouge</i> and a +slight veil thrown over her face, the ravages +which time had made in her countenance. +Her spare figure gave her some +resemblance to youthful slightness; but +when near, the sharp bones, and angular +projections of her face and person, sufficiently +proved, that slender appearance +was the result of lean old age, instead of +girlish delicacy. In spite of the advanced +season, she was clad so lightly, that she +still shivered from the impression of the +keen breeze which had assailed her as +she crossed the Park, and gladly accepted +a seat by the comfortable fire, though +affecting to conceal her sufferings under +an air of gaiety and ease.</p> + +<p>St. Aubyn (who had known her many +years, and had been from a boy accustomed +to divert himself with her foibles,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> +though he really felt a degree of regard +for her, as, in spite of her oddities, she +was not without a mixture of good qualities), +after having introduced her to his +bride, seated himself by her, and began +to talk to her in a strain of such marked +flattery, as really alarmed Ellen, who +thought Miss Alton would certainly be +offended; but her enormous vanity prevented +her from perceiving that he was +merely laughing at her, and she grew +every moment more ridiculous. At last, +turning to Ellen, she said in a pathetic +tone, "Oh, my dear Madam, you cannot +conceive how I have felt for you +these two days! I declare I have not +been able to sleep for thinking of you, +and really have shed tears to imagine +what a tax you have been paying: how +you must have been fatigued by receiving +such a succession of visitors! but +every one must have some trouble. +There is my dear friend, Mrs. Dawkins, +the best of women—sweet woman, in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>deed—there +she is lamenting at home +such a vexation!" "What is the matter?" +said St. Aubyn, laughing, for he +knew what sort of misfortunes Mrs. Dawkins +and her friend Miss Alton generally +lamented with so much pathos: "has +she lost her little French dog, or has the +careless coachman scratched the pannels +of her new carriage?" "Oh, you sad +man! how can you make a jest of the +dear soul's uncommon sensibility? To +be sure she has the tenderest feelings. +She often says to me, 'my dear Alton, +what should I do without you: you are +the only person who can really feel for +the misfortunes of a friend.' Sweet +woman!"</p> + +<p>"Well, but," said St. Aubyn, "you +were going to tell us what has happened +to this <i>amiable friend</i> of your's."</p> + +<p>"Nay, I will tell Lady St. Aubyn, +she looks all softness and sensibility: but +you are so wicked, you make a jest of +every thing. Do you know, my dearest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +Lady St. Aubyn, just as poor Mrs. Dawkins +was coming to make you a visit, +this morning, nay, she was actually dressed, +and had one foot on the step of the +carriage, <i>I</i> was in it, for she was so kind +as to say she would bring me; so I +thought, as I was to come with her, I +need not put on a pelisse, or shawl, for +you know they spoil one's dress. But I +can't say but that it was rather cold walking, +as I was at last obliged to do, for +<i>just</i> as she put her foot upon the step——" +"What happened?" interrupted +St. Aubyn, laughing still more at the emphatic +manner in which poor Alton told +her distressing story.—"Did she fall down +and break her leg, or did the horses run +away and carry off her kid slipper?"——"Now +only hear him; did you ever +see such a teasing creature: well, I am +glad <i>I</i> have not the task of keeping you +in order; I don't know what even the +sweet Countess will do with you."</p> + +<p>This piece of self-congratulation threw<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +St. Aubyn into a violent fit of laughing, +in which even the grave Doctor Montague +joined, and Ellen could hardly resist, +though the fear of quite affronting her +guest put a check upon her risibility.</p> + +<p>"Well," said St. Aubyn, at last recovering +himself a little, "but what really +did happen to poor Mrs. Dawkins?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, I protest I won't tell you, you +wicked creature; I will tell Lady St. Aubyn +some other time, for you do not deserve +to hear any thing about it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, do, my dear Alton, tell, for +really I am in great pain for poor Mrs. +Dawkins, who has been standing so long +with one foot upon the step: don't leave +her in so dangerous a situation any +longer."——"Well, then, if I must tell—at +that moment up came a servant on +horseback, to say her sister, Mrs. Courtenay, +was on the road to her own house, +in her way from Buxton, and would, +with a whole train of children and servants, +dine at her house to-day; and as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +they were coming directly, she was actually +obliged to defer her visit to your +Ladyship till to-morrow; and she was so +sorry, and I am sure so was I, for I was +obliged to walk here after all."</p> + +<p>"Well, but," said Lord St. Aubyn, +"notwithstanding this terrible shock to +her feelings, she might have sent the carriage +with <i>you</i>."——"Aye, so she might, +to be sure; but poor dear soul, she was +put in such a bustle she never thought +of it; some people don't think——dear me, +if I had a carriage of my own, I should +be happy to make it useful to my friends, +and not let them go broiling on foot two +or three miles in warm weather or splashing +through the mud in the middle of +winter."——"I believe you," said St. Aubyn; +for with all her foibles, he knew +Miss Alton was really good-natured, and +willing to do a kind action.</p> + +<p>"Well, my dear Miss Alton, if you +will favour us with your company, and +dine with us, Lady St. Aubyn will, I am<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> +sure, be happy to send you home in her +carriage; and I promise you, if the Prince +himself was to make us a visit, that +should not prevent your having it."</p> + +<p>Ellen joined in this invitation, to which +the happy Miss Alton readily assented; +and Ellen found her, after a little while, +a more tolerable companion than she expected.</p> + +<p>Miss Alton's particular passion was +for being with people who lived in style; +if they had a title so much the better; +and as she would do any thing to make +herself useful, and knew how to pay +those little attentions which every body +likes, she generally made herself agreeable, +or so necessary, that she had admittance +at almost all the houses of consequence +in the neighbourhood. The +entrè of St. Aubyn Castle was the height +of her ambition. St. Aubyn's mother, +who lived much in the country, had been +in the habit of receiving Miss Alton, +when she was a girl, on familiar terms:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> +the old Lady was fond of needle-work, +and Alton assisted in filling up the groundwork +of carpets, rugs, &c. with the most +patient good humour; or was at any +time ready to make up a whist or quadrille +table; so that in those days she +was very often a week or two together +at the Castle, where St. Aubyn, at +his vacations, had been accustomed to +meet her, and to divert himself with her +foibles, though he had always retained a +degree of regard for her, a felicity which +the death of the old Countess deprived +her of, and she had never since ceased to +regret; for though her other connections +were respectable, they were not so high +in fortune or consequence as the St. Aubyns, +and great was her joy to find herself +once more an invited guest at the +Castle.</p> + +<p>Amongst her other friends, as her narrow +income by no means permitted her +to return their civilities in kind, she yet +was always well received, for there was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> +nothing she would not do to oblige: one +Lady would send her in her carriage, if not +well enough to go herself, to inquire the +character of a servant; another would +express a wish, in her hearing, for some +game, or fruit, for a dinner party, and +Miss Alton would set out the next morning +"to try her luck," as she termed it, +by calling at some of the higher sort of +houses, where she was acquainted, and +<i>wishing</i> she knew where to get a hare, or +a pine-apple (according to which was +wanted), "to oblige a friend to whom +she owed a great many favours," the good +natured hearer generally, if possible, was +willing to oblige "poor Alton;" or if she +did not succeed there, she would tramp a +mile or two farther, and at worst could +fairly boast what pains she had taken, +even if they were not successful.</p> + +<p>In London, if a notable friend wanted +a cheap trimming, or to match a silk or +lace, yet did not like to go about to +little shops herself, Alton would take a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> +hackney coach, or walk if the weather +permitted, and never rest till she had obtained +the thing in question.</p> + +<p>By these and similar means she had +made a great many high acquaintance, +and <i>eked</i> out a small income by visits, +sometimes a little too long, to each in +turn.——She had thus acquired some +amusing anecdotes, and was far from an +unpleasing companion, especially when +no male beings came in her way; but +when with men, vanity and affectation +took such full possession of her, that she +became completely ridiculous. This +Lady St. Aubyn had an opportunity of +seeing: when two or three gentlemen happened +to call before dinner, her whole +manner changed, and she became really +absurd: her voice was softened——her +head leant on one shoulder——a tolerably +white hand and arm displayed in every +possible attitude, and she behaved, in +every respect, like a very silly affected +girl; but when they were gone, she was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> +again tolerably conversable, and St. Aubyn, +ceasing to play upon her foibles, and +turning the conversation to such topics +as were most likely to shew her to advantage, +the afternoon and evening passed +pleasantly enough. Nor was St. Aubyn +sorry to familiarise Ellen, by degrees, +to company, or to do the honour of his +table, before they should be obliged to +receive the neighbouring families at dinner, +many of whom he knew (especially +two or three ladies who had unmarried +daughters) would be eagerly looking out +for any little omission in her, while Miss +Alton was so delighted with the good +things before her (certainly being <i>un peu +gourmande</i>) with the beautiful new service +of china, rich plate, &c. &c. that +she never thought of her entertainers, +except to express her pleasure in their +kindness and attention: and they sent +her home in the evening perfectly happy, +and eager to tell dear Mrs. Dawkins what +a delightful day she had spent, how<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> +happy the Earl was to see her, what a +<i>sweet woman</i> the Countess was, what fine +china! what a dessert! what an elegant +new carriage! &c. &c.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAP. II.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Yet once again farewell, thou minstrel harp,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Yet once again forgive my feeble sway,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And little reck I of the censure sharp,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">May idly cavil at an idle lay.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Much have I owed thy strains on life's long way,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Through secret woes the world has never known,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When on the weary night dawn'd wearier day,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And bitterer was the grief devour'd alone.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i18"><span class="smcap">W. Scott.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>The next month was past in receiving +and returning visits; and the most pleasing +among them was a sociable day passed +at Rose-Hill, the seat of Sir William +Cecil. Miss Cecil promised, if Juliet, +who now for some time had been tolerably +well, should continue so, that Ellen +should see her; though she very seldom +admitted any company: "But I have +said so much of you," said Laura, "that +she is quite anxious to see you; and I +am particularly anxious to familiarize her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +to you, both as it will I am sure give her +pleasure, and facilitate our being often +together." Accordingly, after dinner, +when they left the gentlemen, Miss Cecil +led Lady St. Aubyn to Juliet's apartment.</p> + +<p>Never had Ellen seen so interesting a +being: this fair creature, now about +fifteen, was a perfect model of beauty and +symmetry; though so slightly formed, +she appeared, "like a fairy vision, or some +bright creature of the element:" her +cheeks were faintly tinged with a hectic +blush; her eyes were of the most dazzling +brightness; her lips like coral; and her +teeth of pearly whiteness; her fair hair +was covered with a fine lace cap, and +her fragile form enveloped in a large +shawl.</p> + +<p>"My love," said Laura, "here is +Lady St. Aubyn, who is so good as to +come and see you."</p> + +<p>Juliet extended her white hand, and +said in a voice of peculiar harmony<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>, +fixing at the same time her sparkling and +penetrating eyes on Ellen's face, as if she +wished to read her heart in her countenance, +"Laura says she loves you already, +and I am sure <i>I</i> shall." The simple +naïvetè of her voice and manner went to +the heart of Ellen, who could not help +embracing her tenderly, while she felt +the tears start to her eyes at seeing one +so young and lovely in a state of health +so precarious.</p> + +<p>After a little more conversation, Ellen +put her hand accidentally on a small book +which lay half concealed by one of the +pillows of Juliet's couch, and said with +that native politeness which ever prevented +her from doing any thing rude +or intrusive, "May I look at the subject +of your studies?" "Yes," said Juliet, +with an angelic smile, "If you please." +Ellen opened the book. It was in a +character totally unknown to her. "Do +you read Greek?" asked the fair Juliet, +with a simplicity and absence of design<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> +which proved her question was serious; +and this interrogation, which would from +most people to a young woman be absolutely +ridiculous, from Juliet appeared +merely a natural wish to know whether +her new friend was as able as herself to +read the book she held in her hand; for +strange as it may appear, it was a copy of +the New Testament in Greek; and Juliet +read it as easily as if it had been +English.</p> + +<p>"My dear Juliet," said Laura, "few +females make that language their study; +I conclude, therefore, Lady St. Aubyn +does not know it any more than myself." +"Oh, I wish you both did," said Juliet: +"if you could but know the delight I +feel from reading the Scripture in its +original language!—If I live till next +summer I hope the Hebrew Bible will be +as familiar to me as that book is now."</p> + +<p>It is impossible for language to do justice +to the perfect innocence and artlessness +with which she spoke: she seemed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> +to think her own wonderful attainments +no more extraordinary than other girls do +of being able to read a newspaper, or +work a handkerchief: not a trace of +affectation or pedantry was visible in her +manner: she had a childishness of voice +and tone that singularly contrasted with +the subjects on which she spoke; for +Laura, willing to let Ellen see what a +wonderful creature she was, led her to +speak of astronomy; and a celestial +globe happening to be on a table before +her, led her by degrees to display her +extraordinary knowledge in that science—of +the dimensions and motions of the +heavenly bodies, their distances from the +sun and from each other, &c. all of which +she explained in the clearest and most +perspicuous manner, making such happy +allusions to the poets who have touched +on the subject, and illustrating it by such +apt comparisons, as shewed her imagination +was as brilliant, as the calculations<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> +she readily made proved her memory was +accurate.</p> + +<p>Lady St. Aubyn, who had at every +leisure hour since her marriage been engaged +in studying this and other interesting +subjects of useful knowledge, could +in some degree appreciate the value and +extent of this sweet girl's extraordinary acquirements, +and was lost in admiration of +her abilities, and the industry with which, +notwithstanding her ill health, she had +cultivated them.</p> + +<p>This happened to be a day in which +Juliet was unusually well, for in general +she declined all conversation, and spent +most of her time in studying the Scriptures, +in devotional exercises, and promoting +every plan which her health would +permit her to join in for the relief of the +poor; for her early piety and extensive +charity were as remarkable as her other +attainments were wonderful: but this day +she was so well, that at Laura's solicita<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>tion, +in which Ellen earnestly joined, she +placed herself at a chamber organ that +stood in her apartment, which she touched +with great taste and science; and was at +last prevailed on to accompany it with a +voice of the most angelic sweetness.</p> + +<p>She sung only sacred music, and now +delighted Ellen with "Angels ever +bright and fair;" and, "I know that my +Redeemer liveth:" and while her pure +lips poured forth these exquisite specimens +of musical inspiration, the soft and +pious expression of her heavenly countenance, +for ever fixed and hallowed them +in the remembrance of her hearers.</p> + +<p>To Ellen she seemed hardly a being of +this world, and her young and enthusiastic +heart was melted with the tenderest +love for one so very far superior to any +thing she could have imagined.</p> + +<p>From this day the St. Aubyns and +Cecils spent a great part of their time +together, and the highly polished manners +of Miss Cecil, her excellent judgment,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> +and fine taste, were extremely advantageous +to Lady St. Aubyn. Without +losing her natural grace and sweet simplicity, +she gradually acquired more of +that style which marks both the woman of +fashion and the possessor of intellectual +knowledge; even her beauty improved +with the encreased intelligence of her +mind, and the serenity of her heart; for +now for the first time she felt entirely +happy; scarcely a cloud overshadowed +her.</p> + +<p>St. Aubyn was every day more tender +and attentive, and every day expressed +himself more pleased and delighted with +his choice. Those starts of agitation +and gloom which on their first acquaintance +had appeared in him so frequently, +were now very seldom seen. He received +frequent letters from Spain, which +he told Ellen were from his friend the +Marquis of Northington, who was there +in a diplomatic situation, and was engaged +in seeking a person, by means of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> +his extensive connections on the Continent, +who alone could unravel some +mysterious circumstances of the most +material consequence to <i>him</i>. "But +when found," said St. Aubyn, one day +when he had by degrees been led to +speak on this subject—"when found, if +ever that should happen, I know not +that he will be prevailed on to disclose +what I have every reason to believe he +alone can tell. He is a villain!"——(and +St. Aubyn's frame shook with the agitation +of smothered rage) "and may from +motives of fear or revenge add to the +other injuries he has done me, by withholding +that information which alone +can secure <i>my fame</i>, perhaps <i>my life</i>."</p> + +<p>He had never before spoken so much +or so calmly on this interesting subject; +and seeing that Ellen listened with great +anxiety, and that at his last words she +trembled and turned pale, he added:</p> + +<p>"Fear not, my love: for your dear +sake I will take every necessary precau<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span>tion; +and should I find the enemy, who +has long, though most unjustly, threatened +to revenge on me an act, horrible +indeed, but of which I was not the author——should +I find him still determined +on vindictive measures, I will for a time +pass over to the Continent, till some accommodation +can be effected. At all +events, my Ellen, remember you have +promised to <i>believe me innocent</i>. In the +course of the next summer, this enemy +(who, alas! and that is not the least +hardship in my wayward fate, ought by +every tie to look upon me as a friend +and father) will be in England, and I +shall perhaps be able to clear his mind +from those evil impressions with which +an unfortunate chain of circumstances +have stampt it——impressions received in +early youth, and which he has ever since +cherished, and brooded over with the +most determined resentment."</p> + +<p>At this juncture, when St. Aubyn +seemed for the first time inclined to open<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +his whole heart to his wife, and to disclose +to her a story in which she was so +deeply interested, they were interrupted +by a servant, who announced Mrs. Dawkins, +and her tender friend Miss Alton, +who came armed with a whole catalogue +of sympathetic feelings and notes of admiration +of all kinds to entertain Lady +St. Aubyn.</p> + +<p>Many were the disasters which had +happened since they saw her last: horses +had been lame, servants impertinent, +showers of rain had fallen at the most +unlucky moments, even a dinner had +been spoilt which had cost a whole +week's preparation, by the cook's inattention +in over-roasting the venison; in +short, all the minor evils of life had set +themselves in array against the peace of +poor Mrs. Dawkins: and even the sympathizing +Miss Alton could hardly keep +pace with lamentations sufficient for such +a doleful list of distresses. She fought +her way, however, as well as she could,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> +and where words failed her, shrugs, sighs, +and the whole artillery of gesticulation, +were employed in their stead.</p> + +<p>What then became of poor Ellen, who +could at best only sit "with sad civility +and an aching head," amid this alternate +din of complaint and compassion? But +Mrs. Dawkins was pre-determined to +like and be pleased with every thing the +lovely Countess did or omitted to do, +and construed the silence and acquiescence +with which she heard every thing +into the kindest attention and most +obliging concern for the troubles of her +friends.</p> + +<p>The entrance of a sandwich tray fortunately +gave some pause to this melancholy +duet; and the excellent hot-house +fruits, rich cake, &c. seemed to arrive in +good time to refresh both ladies after so +much exertion. At last they took their +leave, but the moment for confidence +was past; indeed, St. Aubyn, in no humour +for trifling, had made his escape at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> +one door, as they entered at the other: +of course, the conversation was not then +resumed.</p> + +<p>Not to interrupt the course of the +narrative, we omitted in the proper place +to notice that Lord and Lady St. Aubyn +had, immediately on their arrival at the +Castle, written letters of explanation to +Powis and Joanna, and he permitted Mr. +Ross to publish what he alone knew the +real rank and title of the person Ellen had +married.</p> + +<p>We will not pretend to describe the +astonishment excited by this intelligence +amongst the inhabitants of Llanwyllan: +the honest and unaspiring Powis declared +he would much rather Ellen had married +a man nearer her own rank in life, for he +was afraid, poor dear child, she would +be bewildered amongst such fine people, +and in such a great house: for his part, even +if he were able to travel so far, he should +not like to go to such a grand place as +she described the Castle to be; besides,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> +he was afraid they would be ashamed to +see such a rough, ignorant fellow as he +was among their fine company: and if +Ellen was above calling him father, he +should wish himself in the grave.</p> + +<p>The tears started in his eyes at the +painful idea, and the good Ross could +hardly dissipate his apprehensions of being +forsaken by his only child, by reminding +him of her excellent qualities +and tender affection for him, and of the +kindness with which Lord St. Aubyn had +treated him through the whole of his acquaintance.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ross was in ten times a greater +bustle than ever; she could not rest till +she had told the surprizing news to every +one she met, and at intervals she scolded +Mr. Ross heartily for not letting her into +the secret, as if she were not as worthy +to be trusted as any body else for secrecy +and prudence; "she that had been a +mother to Ellen, was no gossip, and +minded nothing but her own business!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +but when he reminded her that even +Ellen, deeply as she was interested, was +not permitted to know it, she could not +but acknowledge she had no great right to +expect to be better informed.</p> + +<p>As to Joanna, with the natural vanity +of youth, she was elated beyond measure +at the idea of her dear Ellen's being a +<i>real lady</i>, and the hope of visiting her one +day or other in her fine castle, and seeing +all her beautiful things, while Mrs. +Ross made no doubt Ellen had a dress +for every day in the week, and her caps +trimmed with fine lace; then she laughed +at the recollection of having once +"scolded Ellen for putting on her best +white gown when she expected Mr. Mordaunt, +as we called him, and now I should +not wonder if she wears as good in a +morning!"—"Dear mother," said Joanna, +who, from the slight view she +had of what she fancied the world, +when she went with St. Aubyn and El<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span>len +to Carnarvon, imagined herself better +instructed in fashionable matters—"dear +mother, I daresay she does not wear such +gowns at all; I should not wonder if her +maid had as good: I am sure I saw a +lady's maid on a travelling carriage at +Carnarvon much better dressed than +either of us." "Well, bless me, what will +the world come to," said Mrs. Ross, +"when such folks as those wear white +gowns and flappits!" Alas, poor Mrs. +Ross! could she have seen some ladies' +maids!—</p> + +<p>All these things Joanna told Ellen in a +letter the longest she had ever written, +and greatly was St. Aubyn diverted with +the simplicity of their ideas. The good +Ross wrote to St. Aubyn, and expressed +his high satisfaction at the very just and +honourable manner in which he had performed +all his engagements respecting +Ellen, and requested to hear from time +to time whatever might arise concerning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> +those important circumstances which the +Earl had done him the honour to confide +to him.</p> + +<p>"What can we do for these very good +people, my dear Ellen?" said St. Aubyn: +"they have no wants nor wishes beyond +their present possessions. If I send them +any articles of luxury, or the means of +encreasing their present expenses, I know +not that I should render them happier. +I could easily procure a valuable living +for Mr. Ross, and told him so; but he +assured me nothing should induce him +to leave his present flock, and that he +had not a wish to rise to a higher sphere, +or for any thing in the world, but a few +more books; and for those I have sent an +order to my bookseller, requesting they +may be immediately forwarded to Carnarvon. +I shall also enclose to Ross a +larger payment for my good old landlady +and cook, dame Grey, than I thought it +prudent to make while we remained at +Llanwyllan. Is there any thing else my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> +Ellen can think of?"—"There are," +answered Ellen, in a low voice, "some +very poor people at Llanwyllan, that Joanna +and I used to be as kind to as we +could. I should like, if you approve of +it, to send Joanna a little money for their +use." "By all means, send whatever +you think proper, and as often as you +please; never consult me, but do all that +your kind and generous heart prompts +you to do on all occasions—think also if +there is any thing Mrs. Ross and Joanna +would be pleased to have. You must +be a better judge of their wishes than I +can be."—He then took out his pocketbook, +and gave her notes to a large +amount, telling her, with a smile, that +her expences were so small, he should +forget he had a wife if she were not a little +more profuse. "Well, but Ellen," said +St. Aubyn, "surely this is not all you +have to ask for the friends of your youth! +don't make me fancy either that you are +forgetful, or <i>think more than you choose to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> +express for some of them</i>." "My dear +Lord, what do you mean?" said Ellen, +a little startled by the manner in which +he spoke, "Nay, don't be alarmed," replied +St. Aubyn, with a smile, "<i>I</i> was +thinking of one certainly not so much in +<i>my</i> favour as he ought to be in <i>your's</i>, for +he deprived me once of your society for a +whole day, for which, and some certain +pangs and anxieties, I cannot quite forgive +him." "I cannot guess who you +mean." "Is that really true?" "Most +perfectly so." "Certainly," said St. +Aubyn, "I can only mean Charles Ross." +"Oh poor Charles!" exclaimed Ellen: +"I really had quite forgotten him."</p> + +<p>"Now that was excessively ungrateful," +said St. Aubyn, laughing, "for I +dare engage he has not forgotten you: +well, are you still enough his friend to +wish to do him service?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly," said Ellen: "I shall +always feel a regard for him, though just +at that moment I was not thinking of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> +him: but what service can I do him, my +Lord?"</p> + +<p>"If <i>you</i> give him your interest with +me, I may, perhaps, try, and most likely +shall succeed, in getting him promotion. +Should you wish this to be done?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, indeed," replied Ellen, +animated and sparkling with the pleasing +idea of serving her early friend, and of +the joy his promotion would give his +parents and sister, "nothing could give +me more pleasure."</p> + +<p>"Not too much of that bright colour and +sparkling eye, though, Ellen," said St. Aubyn, +half in jest, half gravely: "I shall +be jealous."</p> + +<p>"You have so much reason!"</p> + +<p>"Well, be cautious, I am in that +point a Turk, and bear no rival <i>near</i> the +throne."</p> + +<p>Ellen, half vexed, would have said +something, but embracing her tenderly, +he stopt her by saying, "Not a word, my +love, I am perfectly satisfied," and left<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> +her a little disconcerted, and half fearing +that she had disturbed or displeased +him.</p> + +<p>In the familiar intercourse which now +took place between Miss Cecil and Lady +St. Aubyn, the former shook off her reserve, +and imparted to Ellen, not indeed +all the particulars of her early disappointment, +but that she had endured the most +painful trials that the perfidy and inconsistent +conduct of one sincerely loved +could inflict; yet dignified on this, as on +every other subject, she never expatiated +upon it, or said any thing disrespectful +of the author of her sufferings: though she +never fully explained the cause of her +separation from her unworthy lover, it +was understood, that a full conviction of +his bad conduct, and that his address to +her had chiefly been induced by mercenary +motives, had induced her to discard +him, and to resist all his subsequent entreaties +to be forgiven.</p> + +<p>One day, when Lord St. Aubyn and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> +Sir William Cecil were engaged at a great +public dinner in the neighbourhood, Ellen +had the pleasure of dining tête-à-tête with +her agreeable friend: they had spent two +hours in Juliet's apartment, who every +time they met gained more and more on +Ellen's affections, and was become excessively +attached to her, when the sweet +girl, feeling fatigued, said she would lie +down for an hour, and then she should +be well enough to enjoy their company +at tea, which she requested they would +take in her apartment; they went therefore +to pass this hour in Miss Cecil's +dressing-room, who, opening a writing-desk +to shew Ellen a drawing she had +just finished, undesignedly displayed to +the quick eye of Lady St. Aubyn a little +book, marked "Manuscript Poetry."</p> + +<p>"Your own," said Ellen, laying her +hand on it playfully, "or extracts?" +"Why," returned Laura, "as Lord St. +Aubyn thought proper to betray a secret +which he learnt when we were children<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> +together, I will not deny that little volume +contains some insignificant attempts +of my own."</p> + +<p>"Oh let me see some of them, pray +do," said Ellen: "assure yourself I will +make no ill use of your confidence. I +really am quite delighted with this opportunity, +for I have long wished to see +some specimens of your talents in this +way." Thus urged, Laura allowed her +to read two or three of the little poems +contained in the volume, and at her +earnest request, permitted her afterwards +to have copies of the two following</p> + +<h4>ELEGIAC STANZAS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Athwart the troubled bosom of the night,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Low heavy clouds in awful grandeur sweep;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And, in the solemn darkness of their flight,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Serve but to wrap the world in calmer sleep;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Save those sad eyes, which only wake to weep;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And give the dreary hour to meditation deep.<br /></span> +</div><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Those eyes perceive, as slow the clouds divide,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">One star, whose tremulous but brilliant ray<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Might serve the uncertain wand'rer's steps to guide,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And cheer his bosom till the dawn of day;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Who trembling else, and lost in black dismay,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wearied and wild, might rove and perish on the way.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Even such a star, so fair and so benign,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">When o'er the soul dark clouds of sorrow lour,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is Hope; whose tranquil rays serenely shine,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Brightening the horrors of each dreary hour;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Smiling when youth prepares the fancied flower,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And when in age it feels misfortune's blighting power.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh, thou bright star! still grateful shalt thou find<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The heart so often cheer'd by thy mild ray:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I will not call thee faithless and unkind,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Nor with ingratitude thy smiles repay,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Because thou hast not, like the glorious day,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Power to dispel the dark, and drive the clouds away.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Gild but those clouds till brighter suns arise;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Checkering with thy fair light life's troubled stream;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And oft unwearied shall these wakeful eyes,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Watching the progress of thy doubtful beam,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shine even in tears; and, closing, still shall seem<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sooth'd by thy gentle ray in every peaceful dream.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p> +<h4>EPISTLE TO LADY DELAMORE,<br /> + +ON RETURNING TO ROSE-HILL.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i1">From those rain scenes, where fancied pleasure reigns;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From crowds that weary, and from mirth which pains;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From flattering praises, from the smiles of art,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sweet to the eye but faithless to the heart;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From guilt which makes fair innocence its prey,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sighs but to blast, and courts but to betray;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From these I fly, impatient to caress<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All lovely Nature in her fairest dress.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh, sweet retirement! Oh! secure retreat<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From all the cares and follies of the great!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Here lavish Nature every charm bestows,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In softness smiles, in vivid beauty glows!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Here May presents each blossom of the spring,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And balmy sweetness falls from Zephyr's wing.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Yet while I stray, in tranquil quiet blest,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fond mem'ry presses at my anxious breast;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And as I rove 'mid scenes so justly dear,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Remembrance wakes the tributary fear!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The mental eye perceives a sister's form,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And even these peaceful shades no longer charm.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Yes!" I exclaim, "'twas here she lov'd to stray,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Smiling in beauty, innocently gay!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span><br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oft by yon streamlet, in the echoing vale,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her voice would swell upon the evening gale,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Charm from the care-fraught bosom half its woes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And hush the wounded spirit to repose!"<br /></span> +<span class="i1">While these delightful hours I thus retrace,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And dwell on every recollected grace,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thy sister's soul, my Agatha, forgets<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That <i>thou</i> art blest in that which <i>she</i> regrets;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Forgets that pleasure crowns thy happy hours,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And fond affection strews thy path with flowers;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Anxious thy way with rose-buds to adorn,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And from those buds remove each lurking thorn.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ah! selfish heart, lament thy loss no more,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor thus thy recollected bliss deplore;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Content thyself to know thy sister blest,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And calm the plaintive anguish of thy breast!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Be still serenity thy future state;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Far from the pomps and perils of the great;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Unnotic'd, quiet, shall thy peace ensure,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Peace, when the world forgets thee, most secure.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">—Yet, yet, my Agatha, affection swells<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The trembling heart where thy lov'd image dwells;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Still bids me look to thee for all that cheers<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In lengthen'd life, and blesses ling'ring years:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My spirit, form'd a <i>social</i> bliss to prove,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dares but to hope it from thy future love.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Deceived by him on whom it most relied,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pierced in its fondness, wounded in its pride<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yet, yet, while throbbing through each shatter'd nerve,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Disclaims to thee the veil of low reserve;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Owns all its weakness, will each thought confide,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And what it dares to feel, disdains to hide;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Owns, though no more the storms of passion rise,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That from the thought of selfish bliss it flies,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Still feels whate'er had once the power to charm,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Faithful affection, sensitive alarm;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But from the pangs which once it felt relieved,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No more will trust where once it was deceived;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To thee alone will look for future joy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And for thy bliss each anxious wish employ:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Absorbed in thee, and in thy opening views,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Its pains, its pleasures, nay its being lose:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One we will be, and one our future cares,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Our thoughts, our hopes, our wishes, and our prayers.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i18">LAURA.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>With both these little pieces Ellen +was perhaps more pleased than their intrinsic +merit warranted; but we naturally +look with a partial eye on the performances +of those we love. After looking +over several other poetical attempts, and +some beautiful drawings, they returned<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> +to Juliet's apartment, where they spent +a delightful evening; for Juliet seemed +materially mending, and Laura's spirits +rose in proportion.</p> + +<p>Thus, and in similar pleasures, passed +the time till the beginning of March, varied +indeed by the occasional visits of the +neighbouring families. One day, after a +long solicitation, the St. Aubyns, Cecils, +and some more of the most fashionable +people near them, dined with Mrs. Dawkins, +where they also met her tender +friend and shadow, Miss Alton, who this +day, for the first time in her life, was destined +to offend that <i>sweet woman</i>, Mrs. +Dawkins; for charmed to find herself +seated on a sofa between "her <i>dearest</i> +Lady St. Aubyn," and that <i>most delightful</i> +man, General Morton, a veteran officer +in the neighbourhood, at whom it +was supposed Miss Alton had long <i>set her +cap</i>, as the phrase is, she attended not to +the hints, shrugs, and winks of her friend, +who, not keeping a regular housekeeper,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> +and being extremely anxious for the +placing her first course properly, wished +Miss Alton just to slip out and see it put +on table: but vain were her wishes; and +the cook, finding no aid-de-camp arrive, +after waiting till some of the dishes were +over-dressed, and others half cold, was +obliged to act as commander-in-chief, and +direct the disposition of the table herself; +in which, not having clearly understood +her mistress's directions (for in fact her +anxiety to have all correct made them +vary every half hour), she succeeded so +ill, that when, after all her fretting and +fuming, poor Mrs. Dawkins was told dinner +was on table, that unfortunate Lady +had nearly fainted at perceiving, when +she entered the dining-room, that half the +articles intended for the second course +were crowded into the first, and roasted, +ragoued, boiled, fried, sweet and sour, +were jumbled together, in the finest confusion +imaginable!</p> + +<p>"This is all <i>your</i> fault," said Mrs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> +Dawkins, in a low voice, but with the +countenance of a fury, to poor Alton: +"you could not <i>stir</i> to see it put down;" +and pushing rudely by her, she left her +staring with surprize, and wondering +what had made the dear soul so very +angry: but when she saw the blunders +which were so obvious in the arrangement +of the table, and recollected her +own negligence (for in fact she had promised +to see it set down), she was in her +turn quite shocked.</p> + +<p>Insupportable was the delay and confusion +in putting down this second course; +even curtailed as it was, Mrs. Dawkins's +servants were not perfectly <i>au fait</i> at such +things, and at last Lord St. Aubyn gave +a hint to his own man, who waited behind +his chair to assist, which he did so +effectually, that every thing was soon +placed as by magic, and the rest of the +dinner and dessert passed over tolerably +well. After dinner, the ladies retired to +the drawing-room, and listened, with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> +their usual patience, to fresh lamentations +from Mrs. Dawkins, and renewed +sympathies on the part of Miss Alton, +who sought, by even increasing her usual +portion of <i>tender sensibility</i>, to regain her +wonted place in Mrs. Dawkins's good +graces; but that lady continued so +haughty and impracticable, that poor Alton +came at last with <i>real</i> tears, to complain +to the good-natured Ellen and Laura +of her hard fate, and the impossibility, +do all she could, of pleasing some people; +and they really were so sorry for +her vexation, that when Lady St. Aubyn's +carriage was announced, she rescued +her from the visible unkindness of +Mrs. Dawkins, by desiring to have the +pleasure of setting her down, and made +her quite happy again, by asking her to +meet a small party at the Castle the next +day, which, as it was understood to be +rather a select thing, and confined to +those most intimate there, assured Miss +Alton a renewed importance with Mrs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +Dawkins and all her friends, as she +should have much to tell, which they +could by no other possibility know any +thing about.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAP. III.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i1">Sweet Juliet, that with angels dost remain,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Accept this latest favour at my hands,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That living honour'd thee, and being dead,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With funeral praises do adorn thy tomb.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i18"><span class="smcap">Romeo and Juliet.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>The day was now fixed at the distance +of a week for the removal of the St. Aubyns +to London. Ellen lamented much +the impossibility of having Laura Cecil +with her, who would have been such a +support to her in a situation so new; but +nothing could be urged on that point, as +it was impossible she could leave Juliet, +who appeared sometimes better sometimes +worse, but always patient, gentle, +and pious to a degree that was really angelic.</p> + +<p>Ellen felt sincerely grieved to leave her, +and proposed that she should be removed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> +to London for better advice, but found +this expedient had been before resorted +to, and Doctor B——'s advice frequently +renewed by letters since, and that it was +thought the air of London did not agree +with her. The weather now, for the time +of year, the second week in March, was +remarkably mild; and the medical man +in attendance on Juliet, who had now +been for some days tolerably free from the +low fever which generally hung about her, +permitted her to go out once or twice in +a garden chair, for the benefit of the air: +the returning verdure of spring seemed, +for a time, to revive her: but whether +the exertion was too much, or some unobserved +change in the atmosphere affected +her delicate frame, could not be +known; but she was suddenly seized +with one of those attacks of fever which +had so frequently brought her to the +brink of the grave; and on the day before +that fixed for Ellen's leaving North<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>amptonshire, +a note from Laura announced +that the life of this admirable +young creature was despaired of.</p> + +<p>"She is perfectly sensible," added the +afflicted sister; "the dear angel retains +all her usual pious composure; she +wishes to see you. Could you, dear +Lady St. Aubyn, without being too much +affected, come to her?"</p> + +<p>Ellen, bursting into tears, put the note +into St. Aubyn's hand, saying, "Oh, my +dear Lord; let me go—pray let me go directly!"</p> + +<p>"Be less alarmed, be more composed, +my dearest love," replied he, after glancing +over the contents, "or I cannot consent +to your going. I wish it had not +been asked."</p> + +<p>"Oh, indeed, dear St. Aubyn, I am +quite composed, quite easy; but I shall +suffer much more in not seeing the dear, +dear creature once again, than even by +witnessing this sudden and most unexpected +change."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, my love, we will go together; +but do not be too much alarmed; she +may yet recover: Laura's fears may outrun +the occasion: Juliet has often been +very ill before; but we will go: they will +both, I know, be pleased at your coming."</p> + +<p>He then ordered the carriage, which +was soon ready; and half an hour brought +them to Rose-hill. Ellen was immediately +shewn to Juliet's room: by the +bed-side sat Laura: her cheeks, lips, and +whole countenance, were the colour of +monumental marble; not a tear fell from +her eyes; not a sigh heaved her bosom; +but the woe, the deep expressive woe +which marked every feature, no language +could describe: she rose, and advanced a +few steps to meet Ellen, grasping her +hand with one which the touch of death +could alone have rendered colder; her +lips moved, but no articulate word broke +the mournful silence.</p> + +<p>Ellen turned pale, shuddered, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> +looked ready to faint; Miss Cecil made +a sign to an attendant, who, bathed in +tears, stood near her: she placed a chair +for Lady St. Aubyn, and brought her a +few drops in some water; she wept, and +was relieved.</p> + +<p>"Oh, why did I send for you!" said +Laura, in a low tone, and speaking with +difficulty; "I fear it is too much."</p> + +<p>"Don't be frightened, my Lady," said +the nurse: "Miss Juliet is a little easier; +she is dozing."</p> + +<p>In a few minutes Juliet moved and +spoke, but so faintly, her voice could +hardly be distinguished. In an instant +Laura was on her knees beside her, and +catching the imperfect sounds, replied in +a voice which betrayed not the anguish +of her soul, "Yes, my love, she is here—will +you see her?"</p> + +<p>Then turning to Ellen, she motioned +her to approach. Ellen rose, and went to +the bed-side; she looked on Juliet, and +saw that sweet angelic countenance,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> +slightly flushed, and looking as composed +as ever; and ignorant of the appearances +of disease, fancied her better, and was, in +some measure, comforted. Juliet faintly +articulated a few words, expressive of the +pleasure she felt in seeing Ellen, and +would have said more, but the nurse, for +the sake of all, interposed, and requested +that Miss Juliet might not be allowed to +speak much. With difficulty she held +out her feeble emaciated arms to Ellen, +who tenderly embraced her, and half dissolved +in tears, retired to the window, +whither she drew Miss Cecil. Still the +wretched Laura shed no tear; and the +deep grief, impressed on her fine countenance, +was much more painful to the beholder +than the loudest expressions of sorrow +could have been.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Give sorrow vent: the grief which does not speak<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whispers the o'er-fraught heart, and bids it break!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"For heaven's sake, my dearest Lau<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span>ra," +said Ellen, "endeavour to take comfort; +surely she is better—she will recover!"</p> + +<p>Laura only shook her head; and the +nurse approaching, said, "Indeed, Madam, +Miss Cecil will kill herself; she has +not had her clothes off these two nights, +nor has the slightest refreshment passed +her lips this day."</p> + +<p>"Oh! talk not to me of rest or food," +cried Laura, "I can partake of neither."</p> + +<p>Ellen most tenderly urged her to take +something; but pressing her hands upon +her heart, she replied, "Oh no, oh no—I +could not; indeed I could not. Go," +she added, "my dear friend—go, this is +no place for you; nothing but the request +of ——; nothing but <i>her</i> request should +have induced me to send for you."</p> + +<p>"But now I <i>am</i> here," said Ellen, +"surely you will allow me to stay; I +may be of use to you; of comfort to dear +dear Juliet."</p> + +<p>In vain she urged. Laura sacrificed all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> +selfish considerations, and insisted on her +returning home, promising to send to her +should Juliet wish to see her again; and +St. Aubyn, anxious for her, now sent to +request his wife would come: she therefore +embraced her friend, and looking +once more on the departing saint, who +now again lay heavily dozing, she lifted +up her hands and eyes to heaven, and, +with another shower of tears, left the +room.</p> + +<p>St. Aubyn was rejoiced to find her disposed +to accompany him home, though +she complained bitterly that Laura would +not let her stay.</p> + +<p>"Laura," said he, "judges as she always +does, wisely, and acts kindly: you +could be of no real service, and your +being here would be highly improper; +you must not think of it."</p> + +<p>Two days of the greatest anxiety now +passed, and at the end of that time the +fair and lovely Juliet breathed no more: +her last moments were attended by con<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span>solation +so powerful, and hopes so celestial, +as might well have taught the +worldly "how a Christian could die!"</p> + +<p>For many days Laura was confined to +her bed, and it was feared she would follow +her sister to the grave; but by degrees +she shook off the excess of her sorrow, +and for her father's sake endeavoured +to recover from the dreadful shock she +had received.</p> + +<p>Sir William Cecil, who had long been +convinced that Juliet would not live +many months, was more easily consoled. +The St. Aubyns of course had delayed +their journey to London on this event; +and finding that Sir William Cecil was +disposed to make an excursion to Bath, +which his gouty habit indeed rendered +almost necessary, they endeavoured to +prevail on Laura to come to them at St. +Aubyn Castle for a short time, and then +go with them to London. From this +proposal, especially the latter part, she +for some time shrunk, and wished to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +allowed to remain at Rose-hill alone: but +that her friends would not permit: and +Sir William having arranged to go to +Bath at the same time with a neighbouring +family, and to be in the same house +with them, Laura was at length prevailed +on to remove to the Castle, and +from thence, after a short stay, to accompany +her friends to London, where +they promised her an apartment exclusively +her own, and that she should see +no other till she herself wished it.</p> + +<p>"Yet why," said she, "my dearest +Lady St. Aubyn, why should I burden +you with one so powerless to add to +your comforts, or partake your pleasures?"</p> + +<p>"Is not that an unkind question?" +said Ellen; "or do you really believe +me insensible to the gratification of soothing +your mind, and supporting your spirits? +Whenever you will permit me, I +will be your visitor in your apartment; +whenever my company would be irk<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span>some, +I will leave you to yourself, provided +I do not find you the worse for the +indulgence."</p> + +<p>All was therefore thus arranged, and +Miss Cecil, Lord and Lady St. Aubyn +in one carriage, and Miss Cecil's maid, +and Ellen's talkative but faithful Jane, +in another, with out riders, &c. in great +style left Northamptonshire, and arrived +the next evening at the Earl's magnificent +house in Cavendish-square.—Lady St. +Aubyn's first care was to select such an +apartment for the mournful Laura as +would make her easy, and free from restraint; +and having conducted her to it, +she told her she was entirely mistress +there, and never should be interrupted +unless she chose it.</p> + +<p>Ellen, who had made several little attempts +in verse since she had seen those +of Miss Cecil, now soothed her sorrow +for the loss of the sweet Juliet by a few +stanzas, which, when she thought her +able to bear them, she gave to Laura,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> +who was gratified by this little tribute to +her loved, lamented sister's memory.</p> + +<h4>ELEGIAC STANZAS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">How mourns the heart, when early fades away<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The opening promise of a riper bloom;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When youth and beauty, innocently gay,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Sink in the silent ruin of the tomb!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh, thou pure spirit! which in life's fair dawn,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Arose superior to that childish frame,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(Fair tho' it was) from which thou art withdrawn,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">To that bright Heaven from whence thy beauty came.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Sweet Juliet! happily releas'd from care,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Which future years perhaps had bade the prove;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A heart so tender, and a form so fair,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Ill with the perils of the world had strove!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Thy heart expanding at affection's voice,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">How had it borne in native kindness warm,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To check the rapid fire of youthful choice,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And dread deceit beneath the loveliest form!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">To thee were graces so benignly given,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">A soul so tender, and a wit so rare;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A love of harmony, as if kind Heaven<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Had bade thee for an early bliss prepare.<br /></span> +</div><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Long shall the heart which lov'd thy dawning grace,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The pensive mem'ry of each charm retain;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thy winning manners studiously retrace,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And dwell anew on each harmonious strain.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Nor shall that heart to present scenes confine<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Its views and wishes; but with worthier care,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Seek to preserve an innocence like thine,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And humbly hope thy happiness to share.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAP. IV.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">To such how fair appears each grain of sand,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or humblest weed as wrought by nature's hand!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A shell, or stone, he can with pleasure view.—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">——See with what art each curious shell is made:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Here carved in fret-work, there with pearl inlaid!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What vivid th' enamel'd stones adorn,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fair as the paintings of the purple morn!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i18"><span class="smcap">S. Jenyns.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>The arrival of the St. Aubyns in +London opened a wide field for conjecture +and conversation in the fashionable +world. It was known, for St. Aubyn's +haughty relations had not failed to publish +it, that he had married a young woman +far inferior to him in rank, and +absolutely without fortune. It was also +known that she was uncommonly beautiful; +and great anxiety, mixed with no +small share of ridicule, was excited by +her expected <i>debut</i>; but the modest +Ellen was in no haste to afford the starers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> +and sneerers so rich a treat: she merely +went to a few morning exhibitions, attended +only by her Lord, for the first +fortnight of her stay in town; and indeed +St. Aubyn hoped, notwithstanding her +present distance and displeasure, to induce +his aunt, Lady Juliana Mordaunt, +to chaperon Ellen to some of the public +places, being fully sensible what an advantage +it would be to her to be so supported: +he therefore acquiesced in her +wishes, till he could bring about this +desirable arrangement, and allowed his +wife to spend most of her evenings at +home.</p> + +<p>Several ladies had however called on +Lady St. Aubyn, some of whom had left +their cards, and others she had seen. +Most of these visits she had returned; +but one of those, who had shewn the +greatest desire to see more of Lady St. +Aubyn—indeed, a distant relation of the +Earl's, she had not been yet to see.</p> + +<p>One morning Lord St. Aubyn said he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> +would go with her to see the museum of +an old friend of his, who lived at Knightsbridge, +who was a great collector of every +thing rare and curious, particularly shells, +pictures, and gems. "He is quite a +character," added he: "but I will not +anticipate your surprize: we can go there +early. I told him we would go to-day, +or to-morrow; and after we have been +there, you can call on Lady Meredith, +who gave herself a trouble so extraordinary, +as actually to alight from her +carriage and make you a personal visit."</p> + +<p>"You will go with me?"</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, my love, that is not necessary, +and you really must learn to <i>go +alone</i>, and not depend so much on me."</p> + +<p>"I hope her Ladyship may not be at +home."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, my love, I hope she may; +for dissimilar as they are in every respect, +my aunt, Lady Juliana, spends a +great deal of her time there. She is so +fond of finding fault, and differing in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> +opinion from others, that I really believe +she goes to Lady Meredith's chiefly for +the pleasure of lecturing her, who is so +indifferent to the opinion of any one, that +she does not think it worth while to be +at the trouble of resenting the sharp +things Lady Juliana says to her."</p> + +<p>"What a strange motive for being intimate +with any one."</p> + +<p>"Strange enough: but when you see +more of the world, you will discern that +affection is not the only bond of union +between those who call themselves +friends."</p> + +<p>"I think I have seen that already in +Mrs. Dawkins and Miss Alton."</p> + +<p>"True: convenience, the wish of finding +a patient <i>hearer</i>, accident, the want +of a more pleasing companion, are +amongst the numerous inducements +which form what we are pleased to call +friendship. Nay, I once heard a good +lady say she was sure a family she mentioned +had proved themselves <i>real friends</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> +to her, for they had sent her a <i>large +plumcake</i><a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a>."</p> + +<p>Ellen laughed at this curious definition +of friendship.</p> + +<p>"Well," said St. Aubyn: "but to +return to Lady Meredith. I hope she +may, by reporting well of you to Lady +Juliana, induce her to become more +friendly towards us: you know how +anxious I am to have you in her good +graces—not, believe me, on account of +her immense fortune, but because, with +all her pride and stiffness, she has a warm +heart and excellent qualities, and would +be to you a most valuable friend; so pray +do your best to please Lady Meredith."</p> + +<p>"Very well: but will you tell me the +most likely way to succeed?"</p> + +<p>"I am afraid it will be difficult: she +will think you too handsome, unless indeed +she intends soon to have a large +party."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span>"How +is it possible <i>that</i> should have +any thing to do with the matter?"</p> + +<p>"Why, Lady Meredith's great ambition +is to outshine all her competitors in +the number and fashion of those collected +at her routes; and as sometimes, in spite +of her charms, and the lustre of her +abundant jewels, there are some obstinate +animals who will be uncivil enough +to recollect they '<i>have seen them before</i>,' +consequently become rather weary of +them, and desert her for some newer +belle. Lady Meredith may think you (so +new to the world, and so beautiful) a +desirable reinforcement, and may therefore +honour you with an invitation: pray +accept it, if she does, and take great +pains at your toilette to-day: for my +friend, Mr. Dorrington, is a great admirer +of beauty, and will shew you his +fine collection a great deal more readily +if he admire your's, particularly if he +should fancy you like a bust he has of +the <i>bona Dea</i> (at least he gives it that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +name, though it is so mutilated, he confesses +he does not exactly know for what +or whom it was designed), which he almost +idolizes."</p> + +<p>Ellen hastened to obey, but she wished +herself at Castle St. Aubyn, for she had +not liked the little she had seen of Lady +Meredith, and she shrunk from the idea +of this formidable morning visit. Conquering +her fears, however, as well as +she could, and looking uncommonly +beautiful, she rejoined her Lord. Her +milliner had just sent home a most elegant +and expensive morning dress, bonnet, +and cloak, all of the finest materials, +and in that delicate modest style, which +she always chose, and was to her peculiarly +becoming. St. Aubyn thought he +had never seen her look so well, and gave +great credit to Madame de —— for consulting +so admirably the natural style of +her beauty, as to embellish, without +overloading it. The barouche was at the +door: she had therefore only time to say<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> +"farewell" to Laura, and stepping hastily +in, half an hour brought them to +Mr. Dorrington's.</p> + +<p>As the carriage stopt at the house, +the figure of a fine old man with grey +hair caught the eye of Lady St. Aubyn: +he was at the instant ascending the steps +to knock at the door, and was so meanly +dressed, that she supposed him a mendicant, +or at least extremely poor, and +her ready hand sought her purse, intending +to give relief to the infirm looking +old man. What then was her surprize, +when, just as she stretched out +her hand for that purpose, the old man, +looking into the carriage, and seeing +Lord St. Aubyn, advanced, and taking +off his hat with the most courtly air +imaginable, displayed a fine commanding +forehead, expressive eyes, and a contour +of countenance so admirable, as, once +seen, could never be forgotten.</p> + +<p>"Ah! my dear St. Aubyn," he exclaimed, +"how rejoiced I am to see you!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> +I am really happy that I returned in +time to receive you: as you did not say +positively you would come to-day, it +was all a chance; but come, do me the +favour to alight: I have just succeeded +in making the finest purchase—a shell, +a unique: you shall see it."</p> + +<p>By this time St. Aubyn had alighted, +and giving his hand to Ellen, introduced +her to this extraordinary man. Nothing +could be more polished than his address, +nothing more elegant than the grace with +which he received her, or more spirited +than the little compliment he made St. +Aubyn on his happiness, and the beauty +of his lady.</p> + +<p>Whoever looked at Mr. Dorrington, +when his shabby old hat was removed, +must instantly see the man of sense and +superior information: whoever heard him +speak, heard instantly that it was the +voice and enunciation not only of a gentleman, +but of one who had lived in the +very highest circles; and yet his appear<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>ance, +at first, would have led any one to +suppose him, as Ellen did, in absolute +poverty. He led the way into his favourite +apartment, indeed the only one +he ever inhabited, except his bed-chamber; +and into neither would he ever suffer +any one to enter unless he was with +them. No broom, nor brush of any kind, +ever disturbed the sacred dust of this hallowed +retirement: in the grate, the accumulated +ashes of <i>many months</i> remained; +the windows were dimmed with the untouched +dirt of years: and nothing but +the table on which his slender meals were +spread (for his temperance in eating and +drinking were as remarkable as his singular +neglect of personal attire), and two +or three chairs for the reception of occasional +visitors, were ever wiped. In one +of these he seated the astonished Ellen, +who gazed around her at treasures, the +value of which exceeded her utmost +guess. A handsome cabinet with glass +doors contained a variety of curious<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> +gems, vases, and specimens of minerals: +some invaluable pictures stood leaning +against the walls: heaps of books in rich +bindings, which Ellen afterwards found +were either remarkable for their scarceness, +or full of fine prints, lay scattered +around.</p> + +<p>"Now, my Lord," said Mr. Dorrington, +"I will shew you and Lady St. Aubyn +my new purchase: I said it was +unique, but it is not exactly so: I have +another of the same sort; but these are +the only two in the world: I think this +is a little, a very little finer than that I +had before; I bought it at ****'s sale, +and gave a monstrous price for it; but I +was determined to have it: it was the +only thing in his collection I coveted."</p> + +<p>He then displayed his new purchase, +and descanted for some time on its various +beauties; and seeing Ellen really admired +it, pleased also with her beauty and +sweetness, he proceeded to shew her his +collection, and even those rare articles<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> +which never appeared but to particular +favourites, saying she was "<i>worthy to admire +them</i>." Some beautiful miniatures +particularly pleased her, and he was delighted +that she seemed to understand +their value. He also produced some fine +illuminated missals, and explained every +thing with so much grace and perspicuity +as quite delighted her.</p> + +<p>Two hours fled swiftly in examining +these wonders, and even then they had +not seen half, but promised to visit him +another day. He told Lady St. Aubyn +he should be at her command at any +time; and then most politely attending +her to her carriage, he with a courteous +bow took his leave.</p> + +<p>On their way home, St. Aubyn told +Ellen that the extraordinary man they +had just left had for many years led a +life of dissipation, by which he reduced +a large fortune almost to nothing; but +that having once, in consequence of his +extravagance, been obliged to sell a col<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span>lection +still finer than that he now had, +he had determined to gratify his passion +for <i>virtu</i>, without the risk of again ruining +himself, and therefore denied himself +every thing but the bare necessaries of +life; and was, consequently, enabled to +purchase rare articles at any price, and +to outbid other collectors, who had different +demands on part of their incomes. +He kept no man, and but one female +servant; and St. Aubyn said, that when +he had called on him a few days before, +he found him in a storm of rage with this +poor servant-girl, for having dared, while +he was engaged with some company in +his sitting-room, to brush out his bed-chamber, +in the door of which he had, +<i>par miracle</i>, left the key.—"And I am +sure, Sir," said the girl, crying, "I never +touched nothing but that great wooden +man" (meaning a layman which always +stands in Mr. Dorrington's room), "that's +enough to frighten a body; and he I +only just moved, for master never won't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> +have nothing like other people; and I +thought if he brought the gentlefolks in +his bed-room, as he sometimes will, it +was a shame to see such a place, and such +a dirty table cover; so I was only just +going to make it a little tidy, and I never +broke nothing at all."</p> + +<p>"I comforted the poor girl," said St. +Aubyn, "by giving her a trifle, and advised +her by no means to provoke her master, +by presuming to touch a brush in his +rooms again without order: and she promised +me she would in future be contented +with cleaning her own kitchen +and passages—'And never touch nothing +belonging to master's rooms, nor +any of them outlandish things, that be +all full of dust, and enough to breed +moths and all manner of flies all over +the house.'——And I think," said he, +laughing, "she appears to have kept her +promise very exactly."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAP. V.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">—— So perfumed, that<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The winds were love-sick with it.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">—— She did lie<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In her pavilion, cloth of gold.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i18"><span class="smcap">Antony and Cleopatra.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Lady St. Aubyn set down the Earl +in Cavendish Square, and proceeded alone +to the house of Lady Meredith in Portland +Place. A carriage which appeared +to be in waiting drove from the door to +make way for her's, by which Ellen guessed +Lady Meredith had company. To the +inquiry whether her Ladyship were at +home, she was answered in the affirmative, +and requested to walk up stairs. +Ellen was now tolerably well accustomed +to magnificent houses; but there was +something in the style of this different +from any thing she had yet seen: the hall +was not only warmed by superb stoves,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> +but bronze figures, nearly as large as life, +stood in different attitudes in every corner, +and all bearing censers or urns, in +which costly aromatics perpetually burnt, +diffusing around a rich but almost overpowering +perfume. As she ascended the +staircase she found every possible recess +filled with baskets, vases, &c. full of the +most rare and expensive exotics, which +bloomed even amidst the cold winds of +March, with nearly as much luxuriance +as they would have done in their native +climes; for every part of this mansion was +kept in a regular degree of heat by flues +passing through the walls and beneath +the floors communicating with fires, +which were not visible: when, on the +other hand, the weather became warm, +the cambric sun-blinds at every window +were kept perpetually moistened with +odoriferous waters, by two black servants, +whose whole employment it was +to attend to this branch of luxury; indeed, +to luxury alone the whole man<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>sion +appeared to be dedicated. The +floors were not merely covered, but carpetted +with materials, whose softness and +elasticity seemed produced by a mixture +of silk and down: the sofas, ottomans, +&c. were not merely stuffed, but every +one had piles of cushions appertaining to +it, filled with eider-down, and covered +with the richest silks or velvets. To the +presiding goddess of this superb temple +Lady St. Aubyn was presently introduced. +In her boudoir Lady Meredith +sat, or rather lay, not on a chair or sofa, +but on piles of cushions, covered with +the finest painted velvet. Her majestic, +though somewhat large figure, appeared +to great advantage in the studied half-dress +in which she now appeared; yet +there was something in her attitude, in +the disposal of her drapery, from which +the modest eye of Ellen was involuntarily +averted. Her dress was of the finest +and whitest muslin that India ever produced, +and clung around her so closely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> +as fully to display the perfect symmetry +of her form: the sleeves were full, and +so short, they scarcely descended below +the shoulder, which not the slightest +veil shaded from the beholder's gaze, +while the delicate arms thus exposed +were decorated with rows of what she +called undress pearls: they were of an +extraordinary size and beauty, and were +formed into armlets and bracelets of +fanciful but elegant fashion: two or three +strings, and a large Maltese cross of the +same, were the only covering of her +fair bosom, and a few were twisted +loosely amongst her dark but glossy +and luxuriant hair. At her feet +sat a lovely little girl about four years +old, with a low hassock before her, on +which she was displaying the contents of +one of mamma's caskets of jewels, as +well amused as the great Potemkin himself +could have been by arranging his diamonds +in different figures on black velvet; +a favourite entertainment of that +extraordinary man.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> + +<p>On one side of Lady Meredith sat a +gay young officer in the uniform of the +guards, and on the other a stiff formal +looking old lady in a dress somewhat old +fashioned, but more remarkable for being +excessively neat and prim: she had a +sour contemptuous look, and her stays +and whole figure had the stiff appearance +of a portrait of the last century. She +levelled her eye-glass at Ellen, as she followed +the servant who announced her +into the room, and with an emphatic +<i>humph!</i> (not unlike poor Mrs. Ross's) +let it fall again as if perfectly satisfied +with one look, and not feeling any wish +to repeat it; yet repeat it she did, again +and again, and, as if the review displeased +or agitated her, her countenance became +still more and more sour. In the meantime +Lady Meredith half rose from her +cushions, and holding out her hand, +languidly said:—</p> + +<p>"My dear Lady St. Aubyn, how good +you are to come and see me! I am delighted +I happened to be at home. An<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span>drew," +(to the servant, who, having placed +a chair, was retiring) "don't give Lady +St. Aubyn that shocking chair: bring a +heap of those cushions and arrange them +like mine: do rest on them, my dear +creature; you must be fatigued to +death."</p> + +<p>"Excuse me," said Ellen, smiling with +modest grace; "I am not accustomed +to such a luxurious seat, and prefer a +chair."</p> + +<p>"Do you really? Is it possible!" exclaimed +the languishing Lady, sinking +back again as if the exertion of speaking +had been too much for her. "Well, I +should absolutely die in twelve hours if +I might not be indulged in this delicious +mode of reposing."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" said the stiff old lady, in +no very conciliating tone; "how can +you be so ridiculous: pray how do you +manage when you sit six or eight hours +at pharo, or go to the Opera—you have +none of those silly things there?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, as to pharo, dear delightful +pharo, that keeps me alive, prevents my +feeling fatigued even when my unfortunate +feet cannot command so much as a +poor little footstool; and as to the Opera, +I wonder your Ladyship asks, for you +know very well, my box, and the cushions +belonging to it, are stuffed with eider-down, +like these," and she sunk still +more indolently on her yielding supporters. +"Apropos of the Opera," added +she; "have you obtained a box there, +Lady St. Aubyn?"</p> + +<p>"No," replied Ellen: "Lord St. +Aubyn had one offered to him, but as it +is so late in the season, and our stay in +town will not be long, I begged him to +decline it."</p> + +<p>Lady Meredith here exchanged a smile +of contempt with the officer, which seemed +to say "how rustic that is!" then +half yawning she said:—</p> + +<p>"Oh, but indeed that was very wrong: +what can a woman of fashion do without<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> +a box at the Opera? I am sure, from all I +have heard of the former Lady St. Aubyn, +for I had not the honour of knowing +her, she would not have lived a month +in London without one."</p> + +<p>"Very likely," said the old lady, "but +for all that <i>I</i> think <i>this young person</i> quite +in the right, and as to the late Lady St. +Aubyn, I am sure <i>she</i> was no pattern for +any body, and I wonder, Lady Meredith, +you will name her in my hearing."</p> + +<p>"I beg your Ladyship's pardon," replied +Lady Meredith; "I forgot."</p> + +<p>"Well, no matter; don't say any +more."</p> + +<p>To paint Ellen's surprize would be +difficult: the odd epithet this strange +lady had applied to her, "<i>this young person</i>," +the allusions to the late countess, +of whom she never heard without an indescribable +sort of emotion, and the +suspicion she now entertained that her +ungracious neighbour was Lady Juliana +Mordaunt, all conspired to overpower<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> +her; and the heat of the apartment, the +strong smell of perfumes from immense +China jars, with which the room was ornamented, +completed it; in short, though +wholly unaccustomed to such sensations, +she had nearly fainted. The young officer, +who had long been watching her +interesting and lovely countenance, saw +her change colour, and said hastily:—</p> + +<p>"The lady is ill."</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, child?" said the +old lady; and rising hastily, she untied +her bonnet and the strings of her mantle, +which, falling aside, discovered enough of +her figure to render her situation obvious.</p> + +<p>"So!" exclaimed the old lady; but +whether the interjection expressed surprize, +pleasure, or what other sensation, +was not easy to discover. "Do, Colonel +Lenox, exert yourself so much as to +open the door and ring for a glass of +water: the air of this room is enough to +kill any body."</p> + +<p>"Pardon me," said Ellen, the colour<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> +returning to her cheeks and lips, "I am +sorry to give so much trouble; I am +much better."</p> + +<p>"That's well," said the old lady. By +this time the water was brought; Ellen +drank some, and quite recovered, begged +leave to ring for her carriage.</p> + +<p>"Don't go yet, child," said the old +lady; "perhaps you may be ill again."</p> + +<p>"No: pray don't go yet," said Lady +Meredith, who all this time had been +holding a smelling bottle to her own +nose, affecting to be too much overcome +to do any thing for the relief of her visitor. +"You have frightened me enormously; +stay a little to make me amends; +besides, you still tremble and look pale: +are you subject to these faintings?"</p> + +<p>"Not in the least," said Ellen. "I +believe the heat of the room overcame +me."</p> + +<p>"No wonder," said the old lady; "it +is a perfect stove, and enough to unstring +the nerves of Hercules, especially when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> +aided by the powerful scent of those +abominable jars."</p> + +<p>"Oh, my dear sweet jars," cried Lady +Meredith; "now positively you shall +not abuse them; any thing else you may +find what fault you please with, but my +sweet jars I cannot give up:—have you +ever read Anna Seward's poetical recipe +to make one?"</p> + +<p>"Not I," replied her friend in an angry +tone, "nor ever desire it; all the +poetry in the world should never induce +me to fill my rooms with such nonsense."</p> + +<p>During this conversation, the little +girl, who had tired herself with looking +at the jewels and trinkets, rose from her +cushion, and said:—</p> + +<p>"Pretty mamma, dress pretty Miranda +in these," holding up some fine emeralds.</p> + +<p>"No indeed, child: go to Colonel Lenox, +and ask him to adorn you; I cannot +take so much trouble."</p> + +<p>"No, Miranda won't; Miranda go to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> +pretty, sweet, beautiful lady;" and she +went to Ellen, who, admiring the lovely +little creature, kissed her, and indulged +her by putting the shining ornaments +round her little fair neck and arms, and +twisting some in the ringlets of her glossy +hair.</p> + +<p>"Now I beautiful," said the child, +looking at herself. "Is not Miranda pretty +now, mamma?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, my love, beautiful as an angel: +come and kiss me, my darling."</p> + +<p>The child, climbing up the load of +cushions, laid her sweet little face close +to her mother's and kissed her.</p> + +<p>"Is not she a beauty and a love?" said +the injudicious mother to the Colonel, +clasping the little creature to her bosom, +with an air more theatrical than tender. +He whispered something, in return to +which she replied with affected indignation, +"Oh, you flattering wretch, <i>that</i> +she is, and a thousand times handsomer;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> +but she will never know what<a name="FNanchor_B_2" id="FNanchor_B_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_2" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> her mother +was, for before she is old enough to +distinguish, I shall either be dead or hideous, +and then she will hate me." She +heaved a deep sigh, and looked distressed +at the idea, which the child perceiving, +fondly twined her little arms round her +mother's neck, and answered:—</p> + +<p>"No, dear mamma, Miranda always +love you, you so beautiful."</p> + +<p>"See," said the old lady, "the effect +of your lessons; you teach her to love +nothing but beauty, and if you were to +lose your good looks, she would of course +cease to care any thing about you."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is exactly what I dread."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>"Then +why do you not endeavour to +prevent it, by giving her more reasonable +notions? If she is led to suppose beauty +and fine dress the only claims to affection, +if she is never taught that virtue and +an affectionate heart can alone ensure +unfading esteem, she will grow up a mere +frivolous automaton, and probably throw +herself away on the first coxcomb with +a handsome face and red coat she meets +with."</p> + +<p>The Colonel coloured, laughed, and +bowed.</p> + +<p>"Nay," said the old lady, "if you +choose to apply the character to yourself, +with all my heart, settle it as you please; +but, I suppose, all red coats are not mere +coxcombs."</p> + +<p>Lady Meredith and the Colonel laughed, +but did not appear entirely pleased +even with this half apology.</p> + +<p>"Well, but," said Lady Meredith, +"what, Ma'am, would you have me do +with Miranda? Can I prevent the child<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> +from observing that beauty is universally +admired?"</p> + +<p>"That," said Colonel Lenox, with a +bow, "would indeed be impossible +while with <i>you</i>."</p> + +<p>The old lady shrugged up her shoulders, +with a sour contemptuous frown, +and said:—"Then put her into a better +school."</p> + +<p>"A school!" replied Lady Meredith, +half screaming; "what, would you have +me send the dear creature from me? No, +my only darling, thou shalt never leave +me."</p> + +<p>"Pshaw!" exclaimed the old lady, with +even encreasing sourness; "well, if fashion +absolutely demands this <i>extraordinary</i> +degree of tenderness, for very good mothers +<i>have</i> sent their children to school +before now, at least, do get the child a +rational and sensible governess, and let her +employ herself in something better than +admiring your jewels, or even your beauty, +all the morning.—Ah! I wish," said she,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> +turning abruptly to Ellen, "I wish she had +such an instructress as <i>your Miss Cecil</i>."</p> + +<p>Ellen's surprise at this sudden address +from one with whom not even the ceremony +of introduction had passed, yet who +seemed to know her and all her concerns +so well, almost deprived her of the power to +reply; she rallied her spirits, however, and +said, that any mother might think half her +fortune well bestowed, could it purchase +such a preceptress: "But," added she, +"such excellent qualities as Miss Cecil +possesses, are rarely to be met with in any +rank of life: my experience of character +has, indeed, been very limited, but Lord +St. Aubyn says, for elegance of manners, +sweetness of temper, and strength of +mind, her equal will hardly ever be +found."</p> + +<p>The blended modesty and spirit with +which she spoke appeared to please the +old lady, who, with an approving nod, +again took up her eye-glass, and viewed +Lady St. Aubyn from head to foot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span>, +though she saw that the steadfast +gaze embarrassed and covered her with +blushes.</p> + +<p>Lady Meredith said something to the +old lady in so low a tone, that the word +"introduce" was alone audible, to which +she replied with some tartness: "No, +I can introduce myself."</p> + +<p>Ellen now once more rose to depart, +and Lady Meredith detained her another +minute, to mention a large party she intended +having in about three weeks, for +which she said she should send Lady St. +Aubyn a ticket; and requested her to +tell St. Aubyn he might come also, "For +I hear," she said, "you always are seen +together."</p> + +<p>"So much the better," muttered the +old lady, who seemed, however, to be +speaking aside, so no one took any notice +of her. She rose when Ellen left the +room, and returned her graceful courtesy +with a not ungracious bend, and bade +her good morning with an air more con<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span>ciliating +than she had shewn on her entrance.</p> + +<p>On relating the particulars of this visit +to her Lord, Lady St. Aubyn found there +was no doubt the old lady she had seen +was Lady Juliana Mordaunt: he made +her repeat the conversation that had +passed, and when she told him that the +old lady had made use of the disrespectful +term, "<i>this young person</i>," in speaking +of her, he coloured excessively, and +execrating his aunt's pride and impertinence, +told his wife she ought to +have quitted the room immediately. He +smiled when Ellen mentioned Lady Juliana's +attention and kindness on her +fainting, and said, "That is so like her: +her warm heart thaws the ice of her +manners when she sees any one ill or +distrest."</p> + +<p>When Ellen repeated the mention +which had been made in the course of +conversation of the late Lady St. Aubyn, +he changed colour, and said, "Well,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> +Ellen, were you not surprized? You did +not, I believe, know—you never heard I +had been married before."</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, my Lord, I was previously +acquainted with that circumstance."</p> + +<p>"You knew it!—from whom? Where +did you hear it?"</p> + +<p>"From Miss Cecil, from Miss Alton, +accidentally."</p> + +<p>"And were they not astonished you +had not heard it before?"</p> + +<p>"I had heard it before from Mrs. Bayfield, +the day after we went to Castle St. +Aubyn."</p> + +<p>"From Mrs. Bayfield—she told you +of it?—She told you—What, Ellen, did +she tell you more?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing, my Lord, but that your +lady was young and beautiful, and died +abroad."</p> + +<p>"And why did you never mention +the subject before? Why this reserve, +my love?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Because I thought as you never told +me of it yourself, you would rather the +subject were not mentioned."</p> + +<p>"Dear creature!" said St. Aubyn, +sighing. "I have always had reason to +admire the excellence of your judgment +and the delicacy of your sentiments. Believe +me, Ellen, I withhold from you +only those things which I think will give +you pain to know. Our acquaintance +commenced under such singular circumstances, +that I had hardly opportunity to +tell you this before we were married, and +in fact, that name, that recollection is +so hateful to me, is connected with so +many painful ideas, that I cannot bear to +recall, to dwell upon it! Why that tear, +my love—are you dissatisfied with me?"</p> + +<p>"No, dearest St. Aubyn: whatever you +do, appears to me wisest and best to be +done—but I was pitying—I was thinking——"</p> + +<p>"Whom were you pitying?—Of +what was my Ellen thinking?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Pitying a woman, who, having once +possessed your love, lost it so entirely, +as to render her very name unpleasant to +you. Thinking—ah, heaven!—thinking—should +such ever be <i>my</i> lot!"</p> + +<p>She paused, struggling with a sudden +gush of tears, and sobs which almost +choaked her.</p> + +<p>"Impossible, impossible!" exclaimed +St. Aubyn, clasping her to his bosom: +"you will never deserve it, never bring +disgrace and dishonour on my name, and +blast with misery the most acute, the +best years of my life!—Agitate not yourself, +my best love, with these frightful +ideas. Ah, had the hapless Rosolia been +like thee!—but oh! how different were her +thoughts and actions!——No more of +this, compose yourself, my love, and +tell me what more passed with this +strange proud woman."</p> + +<p>After a few moments, Ellen recovered +enough to repeat the remainder of the +conversation, with the result of which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> +he appeared very well pleased, and prophesied +from the latter part of it they +should soon be on good terms with Lady +Juliana Mordaunt, an event for which he +appeared so anxious, that Ellen could +not fail to wish it also; and, indeed, that +lady's good sense and just sentiments had +made a very favourable impression on her +mind, though her manners were so sour +and repulsive.</p> + +<p>This day Miss Cecil dined with her +amiable friends, as they had no other +company; indeed, except by a few gentlemen, +their dinner hour had generally +passed uninterrupted, Ellen not being +yet sufficiently acquainted with any ladies +to mix with them in dinner parties. +The report of St. Aubyn's male friends +had, however, been so favourable towards +her, as to incline Lady Meredith +to wish a more intimate acquaintance, +and to attract so much youth, beauty, +and grace to her evening parties, while +Lady Juliana was pleased to hear that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> +she possessed qualities in her eyes far +superior, namely, modesty, talents, and +a demeanor towards her husband equally +delicate and affectionate.</p> + +<p>After dinner, St. Aubyn having some +engagement, left the fair friends alone, +and they enjoyed a long and confidential +conversation.</p> + +<p>From Laura, Lady St. Aubyn learnt +that Lady Juliana was well known to +her, and that in spite of her austere and +forbidden manners, and the pleasure she +undoubtedly took in contradicting almost +every thing she heard, she was yet a woman +of good sense, and would most certainly, +could her esteem be once engaged, +prove to Ellen a steady and valuable +friend: "Especially," added Laura, +"should any thing happen to Lord St. +Aubyn, for she is his only near relation +to whom he could confide the future interests, +either of his wife or child; and +young and beautiful as you are, my +dear Ellen, no doubt St. Aubyn thinks<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> +such an additional support would be +highly desirable for you." Seeing she was +deeply affected, for Ellen now believed +she could discern the cause of St. Aubyn's +anxiety for her being on good +terms with his aunt, and connected +it with the painful circumstances he +had told her were hanging over him, +Laura now added, with a pensive +smile, "Nay, my dear friend, do not be +distressed. I have of late thought so +much of mortality, I was not sensible +how much you would be pained by the +suggestion; but certainly, St. Aubyn +will not leave you a moment the sooner +for my hinting the possibility of such an +event."</p> + +<p>Ellen endeavoured to shake off the +painful ideas which forced themselves +upon her, and asked Miss Cecil if she +had known much of the former Countess. +"Not very much," said Laura: "she +was very handsome, but the character of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> +her beauty was so different from yours, +that I have often wondered how St. Aubyn +came to <i>choose</i> two so different; +though, indeed, I believe I should hardly +say choose, for Lady Rosolia de Montfort +was not so much his choice as that of his +relations—at least, I believe he would never +have thought of her as a wife if they +had not."</p> + +<p>"Who was she? Do tell me a little +about her: I am quite a stranger to all +particulars."</p> + +<p>"I know little more than I have told +you, except that she was the only +daughter of the late Earl de Montfort, +a distant relation of Lord St. Aubyn's. +Lord de Montfort, during the life of +his elder brother, went to Spain in a diplomatic +situation, and there married the +daughter of the Duke de Castel Nuovo: +this marriage with an English protestant, +was, for a long time, opposed by the +lady's relations: but, at length, moved<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> +by fear and compassion for her, whose +attachment threw her into a lingering +disease, which threatened her existence, +they consented on one condition, namely, +that the sons of the marriage should be +educated Roman Catholics, and on the +death of their father, be placed with their +maternal grandfather, while they permitted +the daughters to be brought up +in the Protestant religion, hoping, perhaps, +that the influence of a mother over +females might ultimately bring them +also over to her faith: but the Countess +died young: one son and one daughter +were her only children, the boy some +years younger than his sister: they both +remained with their father (who soon +after his marriage became Earl de Montfort), +sometimes in Spain, sometimes in +England, till the marriage of Lady Rosolia +with Lord St. Aubyn, though she +was frequently his mother's guest, both +in London and at St. Aubyn Castle, +where the young Edmund also often<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> +spent some time: he was a very fine and +amiable boy, and excessively attached to +his sister.</p> + +<p>When Lord de Montfort died, the son +was claimed by his maternal grandfather, +and Lord and Lady St. Aubyn went to +Spain with him, where she died: report +spoke unfavourably of her conduct during +her abode on the Continent; indeed, +in England, the gaiety of her manners, +especially after the death of Lord St. Aubyn's +mother, approached more nearly +to the habits of foreign ladies than those +of England. It was said, that while +abroad, Lord St. Aubyn was involved in +many unpleasant circumstances by her +behaviour: certain it is, that on his return, +he appeared overwhelmed with +melancholy, which was the more extraordinary, +as it was well known they +had not lived on very affectionate terms +even before they had quitted this country."</p> + +<p>"And what became of her brother<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span>: +where is the young Lord de Montfort?" +asked Ellen. "He has remained ever +since in Spain," replied Laura; "but as +he will very soon be of age, he must +then, I suppose, return to England to +take possession of his estates, of which +Lord St. Aubyn is the guardian."</p> + +<p>"Oh," thought Ellen, "is it to his +return St. Aubyn looks with so much +apprehension and dismay? What! O! +what is the strange mystery in which +this story seems to be involved?"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAP. VI.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Within 'twas brilliant all, and light,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A thronging scene of figures bright:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It glowed on Ellen's dazzled sight,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As when the setting sun has given<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ten thousand hues to summer's even;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And from their tissue fancy frames,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ærial knights and fairy dames."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i18"><span class="smcap">Lady of the Lake.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>The next morning, Ellen, who felt a +little fatigued from the various circumstances +of the day before, some of which +had considerably agitated her spirits, declined +going out; and after breakfast retired +to her own dressing-room; Laura, +at the same time, going to her's, having +letters to write to her father and some +other friends.</p> + +<p>Lady St. Aubyn was soon surrounded +by her favourite books, some maps, a +drawing she was finishing, and all those +resources with which she now knew so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> +well how to fill up her time. In one corner +stood an elegant harp, on which +Ellen had been taking lessons, and had +made a considerable proficiency; in another +sat her faithful Jane busy at her +needle, at which she was very expert; +and Ellen detesting to see any one idle, +kept her generally employed either in fine +work, or making linen for the poor, to +seek out, and relieve whom, was one +branch of Jane's business. A simple, +though graceful taste, regulated the ornaments +and furniture of this favourite +retirement; no velvet cushions, no overwhelming +perfumes, were met with here; +all was elegant, but all was modest, and +generally useful: a small bookcase, a +porte-feuille, a netting box, shewed that +its inhabitant loved to be employed.</p> + +<p>By a cheerful fire this fair inhabitant +was now seated: the modesty of her demeanor, +the delicacy of her dress, were +such as suited one, who, though young, +and even girlish, was a wife, and likely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> +to be a mother; the toût-ensemble, in +short, was a perfect contrast to the figure, +dress, and apartment of the luxurious +Lady Meredith. A complete silence +prevailed (for Jane had learned +when her lady chose, which as now was +sometimes the case, to have her in her +apartment, to be quiet), and had lasted +at least half an hour, when a step was +heard in the anti-room; and a footman +knocking at the door, Jane opened it, +and the servant requested her to tell +her lady that——A voice behind interrupted +him, by saying, "You need +not trouble yourself, Sir; I know my +way, and shall announce myself." Ellen +rose, and looked surprised, for visitors +were never shewn to this room: still +more was she amazed when she saw the +sharp countenance and stiff figure of the +old lady she now supposed to be Lady +Juliana Mordaunt, who, pushing by the +man, gave him one of her express nods, +and said, "You may go, Sir."—She<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> +then advanced, and seeing Jane, who +rose and stared at this extraordinary visitant, +she said, with another nod to Ellen, +"So, you make your maid work at +her needle: I am glad of it; but send her +away now, for I want to talk to you." +Ellen seeing that Jane hesitated to leave +her with this stranger, whom the poor +girl began to believe was deranged, told +her to go to her own room, and she, gathering +up her work, very readily obeyed; +though she went to the housekeeper and +told her she thought they had better +both go and stay in the anti-room, for +she really believed a mad-woman was +gone into her Lady's dressing-room. +"Nonsense!" said the housekeeper: "I +saw the lady go up: it is my Lord's +aunt, Lady Juliana." This intelligence +quieted Jane, who really was under some +fears for Ellen, to whom she was become +tenderly attached.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, Lady Juliana seeing +that Ellen continued standing, said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>—"Sit +down, child, and don't be frightened." +Ellen gladly obeyed, for she +could not help feeling a little agitated by +Lady Juliana's strange mode of visiting.</p> + +<p>The old lady looked round the room, +and after a moment's pause, said—"Why, +you are an unfashionable young woman, +I see; work, books, maps, and the furniture +remaining nearly as it was seven +years ago! What, has nobody told you, +child, the whole house ought to be new +furnished?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed, Ma'am, if they had, I +should have paid no attention to them," +said Ellen. "I must, indeed, be a strange +ungrateful creature, if the magnificent +furniture of this house was not more than +equal to my wishes."</p> + +<p>"So much the better, I am glad of +it," returned Lady Juliana.—"Do you +know me?" she added, turning in her +usual abrupt manner to Ellen.</p> + +<p>"I believe—I think I can guess."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I suppose you told St. Aubyn<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> +you had met with a cross, disagreeable +old woman at Lady Meredith's, and he +told you it must have been his aunt, +Lady Juliana Mordaunt."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, Madam," said Ellen, blushing +a little at a statement so near the +truth.</p> + +<p>"Nay, don't tell lies, child," bluntly +replied the old lady. "I hate flattery; +besides, your countenance won't let you. +I know what I am, which is more than +every body can say. And do you generally +spend your mornings in this manner?"</p> + +<p>"Generally, unless my Lord wishes +me to go any where with him."</p> + +<p>"And what do you do in the evening?"</p> + +<p>"Lord St. Aubyn, Miss Cecil, and +myself, sit together: we net or work, +while he reads to us, unless Miss Cecil +is sufficiently in spirits to give us some +music."</p> + +<p>"And have you no idea, child, how<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> +ridiculous the fashionable people think +all this?"</p> + +<p>"I am sorry for it."</p> + +<p>"But will you persist in the same +plan?" Ellen smiled.</p> + +<p>"And do you mean to go on in this +way all the time you are in town?"</p> + +<p>"Not exactly perhaps. I am to see +a little more of the public places; but my +Lord wished me to wait till——"</p> + +<p>"Till what? You may as well tell +me, for I see you have an old-fashioned +way of speaking your thoughts."</p> + +<p>"It is true, your Ladyship sees in me +one so little accustomed to the habits of +the great world, that I have not yet learned +to dissemble: will you permit me to +say, and not be displeased, that Lord St. +Aubyn anxiously wished to procure a +chaperon, whose sanction should be unexceptionable—in +short, Lady Juliana +Mordaunt."</p> + +<p>"I believe you are a little flatterer after +all," said Lady Juliana, relaxing into a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> +smile. "With all your talk of sincerity, I +hardly believe St. Aubyn thought of me at +all; and how, if he did, he could fancy I +should ever get the better of the shock he +gave my pride, call it prejudice if you will, +by marrying <i>you</i>—for I love plain-dealing, +child. I don't know but it is all over +now—I like you; and if you will continue +as modest and unaffected as you are +now, keep your neck and arms covered, +and bring your Lord an heir, that these +de Montforts may not succeed to his title, +I will love you, and do all I can to assist +and support you."</p> + +<p>Seeing that Ellen blushed at the last +hint, she added,—"Nay, you need not +blush, though I like to see you can: for +I promise you, it was observing the probability +of such an event that did more +to reconcile me to you than all your beauty +and merit could have done; so take +care of yourself, and don't disappoint me; +and now, my dear, kiss me, and call me +<i>aunt</i> whenever you please."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p> + +<p>Ellen modestly and gracefully bent to +receive the old Lady's embrace, and at +that instant St. Aubyn opened the dressing-room +door, and found the two people +he loved best in the world in each +other's arms, with tears of tenderness on +the cheeks of both.</p> + +<p>"What do I see!" he exclaimed.—"Is +it possible!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Lady Juliana, "it is very +possible you see a foolish old woman, +who loves you too well not to love one +so dear to you, and so worthy of being +loved."</p> + +<p>St. Aubyn respectfully and affectionately +kissed the hand she gave him, and +clasping Ellen in his arms, exclaimed, +"My dearest Ellen, how happy has +all this made me!"</p> + +<p>"Come, don't hurry her spirits with +your raptures," said Lady Juliana. "She +is a good girl, and we shall be very happy +together, I dare say. But I find, Sir, you +have been waiting for me, of all people,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> +to chaperon your Lady about to all the +fine places: I have had enough of them, +and at my time of life I do not know +any business I have at operas, balls, and +plays: however, to oblige you and <i>my +niece</i>, I will go wherever you wish me. I +do not think she is one who will tire me +to death: I shall dine with you to-day, and +if you choose to let one of your people go +to Drury-lane, and inquire if there are +places, we may hear the oratorio to-night."</p> + +<p>Charmed with this speech, for St. Aubyn +knew his aunt well enough to be +sure if she had not been thoroughly +pleased with Ellen, she would neither +have called her niece, nor have staid to +dine with them, he most readily accepted +the kind offer.</p> + +<p>They dined rather earlier than usual, +that they might be in time for the opening +of the oratorio, which Ellen was anxious +to hear. Laura Cecil, in compliment +to Lady Juliana, dined with them, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> +was quite delighted to see the affection, +and even respect, with which she treated +Lady St. Aubyn: for Lady Juliana was +not a person to do things by halves; and +having once conquered her own prejudices, +was determined to give her niece +all the consequence in her power with +every other person, and would have been +extremely angry with any one, who had +dared to treat her with half the contempt +she herself had done the day before. Once +a friend, she was a friend for life, unless +the object of her affections proved really +undeserving, and then she hated with as +much warmth as she had loved.</p> + +<p>Miss Cecil could not be persuaded to +go with them to the theatre; and indeed +Ellen was afterwards glad of it, for many +of the songs were those which the sainted +Juliet used to sing with so much sweetness +and expression: and exquisitely as +they were now performed, yet Ellen still +felt something wanting. The soul that +used to animate the eyes of Juliet, while<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> +she sung, was not there. The lips that +had breathed those sacred strains, were +so pure, so hallowed, that all the wonders +of voice and science, now lavished +for her entertainment, could not compensate +to Ellen's mind for the pang she +felt in recollecting that those eyes, those +lips, were closed for ever.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i1">"Mute was the music of her tuneful breath,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And quenched the radiance of her sparkling eyes."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>After this evening, Ellen's engagements +became more frequent; but she +was never seen in public, except with +Lady Juliana, and seldom without her +Lord. In vain did fashion dictate, or ridicule +assail: the sly glance, the pointed +sarcasm, alike were vain: she knew herself +safe, her reputation secure, with protectors +so respectable; yet there was +nothing obtrusive or formal in St. Aubyn's +attention to his lovely wife: he +was neither inseparable from her side, +or incapable of attention to any other<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> +lady, or expecting Ellen never to speak +to any other gentleman. But it was obvious, +without being intrusive, that each +was the first object of the other, and that +their mutual honour and happiness were +the most interesting care of both.</p> + +<p>Hence no bold and disgusting flattery +assailed the ears of Ellen; no forward +flirting woman dared dispute with her the +heart of St. Aubyn; so pure, so spotless +was her character, that, raised as she had +suddenly been to a rank which might +easily excite the envy of those who +thought they had a better claim to it, +not even the bold license of the age we +live in had dared to breathe one syllable +against her.</p> + +<p>Thus passed the time till the latter end +of April, which was the period fixed for +Lady Meredith's famous fête, about +which all the great world was going mad. +The persons who were invited were expected +to wear masquerade dresses, and +the house appeared in masquerade, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> +well as the company. The whole had +been new furnished in a fanciful style, +and at an enormous expence, for this +one evening; and her Ladyship's own +dress was literally covered with jewels: +she wore the habits and ornaments of an +eastern beauty, and her attire was exactly +copied from that Lady M. W. Montague +describes for the fair Fatima, only, +if possible, still more rich and splendid; +and, if possible, still more calculated to +display as well as to adorn the figure. +No words can do justice to the magnificence +and splendour of the whole entertainment: +the Bow-street officers at +the door, and Mr. G—— and his men +serving ices and other refreshments in a +room fitted up to represent a casino at +Naples, with a panorama view of its +beautiful bay, &c. gave it all the characteristics +of a modern fête; and the +number of gay dresses, shining decorations, +lights, and music, made the whole +appear to Ellen more like a palace in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> +fairy tale than any thing "which the +earth owns." She wore a black domino, +but with a very fine set of diamonds, +which Lady Juliana had given her the +night before: amongst them was a sort +of coronet, or chaplet, set to represent +sprigs of jessamine and small vine leaves, +in commemoration of that which St. Aubyn +had woven of those simple materials +the day he discovered to her his real +rank; for Lady Juliana had heard the +whole story, and was much pleased with +that little incident.</p> + +<p>Their party consisted of Lord and Lady +St. Aubyn, Lady Juliana, and Sir +Edward Leicester, a particular friend of +St. Aubyn's, a very amiable young man, +who appeared much charmed with Laura +Cecil, and paid her great attention, whenever +he had an opportunity of being with +her. They spent a very agreeable evening: +it concluded with a splendid supper, +at which all the company appeared +unmasked, and the super-eminence of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> +Lady St. Aubyn's beauty was allowed +by all.</p> + +<p>A few nights after this, Lord and Lady +St. Aubyn, Lady Juliana, Lady Meredith, +and her favourite beau, Colonel +Lenox, went to the Opera: the entertainment +for the evening happened to be +the beautiful opera of Artaserse. Ellen, +lost in delight at the superb stage decorations, +the exquisite beauty of the music, +and the interest of the story, which, +by the help of the action, and having +read it in English, she understood very +well, was scarcely sensible of any thing +around her, till the scene in which Arbace +is accused of the murder of the +king. Turning then to speak to St. Aubyn, +who sat behind her, she saw him +pale, agitated, and trembling: "What +is the matter?" asked she, in a voice of +alarm; but pressing his hand on her arm, +he said, in a low voice, "Be silent—do +not notice me."</p> + +<p>At that moment the voice of the singer,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> +who performed Arbace, in the most pathetic +tone, breathed out, "Sono Innocente," +to which Artaserse replies:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ma l'apparenza O Arbace<br /></span> +<span class="i0">T'accusa ti condanna!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>A stifled sigh, almost amounting to a +groan, from St. Aubyn, met the ear of +Ellen. Recovering himself a little, he +whispered—"Remember, Ellen, <i>and I +too am innocent</i>!"</p> + +<p>In spite of the precaution with which +he spoke, Lady Meredith turned, and +asked him if he were unwell.</p> + +<p>"I have a violent head-ache," he replied, +forcing himself to appear more +composed.</p> + +<p>"You look pale, indeed, my Lord," +returned Lady Meredith: "and Lady +St. Aubyn seems quite overcome with +this pathetic scene."</p> + +<p>She spoke of the opera, but a crimson +flush spread over St. Aubyn's face, and +complaining of the intolerable heat, he +rose, and went out of the box.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Bless me!" said Lady Juliana: +"what is the matter?"</p> + +<p>"Only Lord St. Aubyn complains of +the head-ache," said Lady Meredith.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know what it is," answered +Lady Juliana: "my nephew hates to +be disturbed when he is attending to music; +and I suppose you, Lady Meredith, +have been talking to him, as you always +do at the Opera."</p> + +<p>Lady Meredith only laughed; and St. +Aubyn returning soon after, nothing more +passed. When the opera was over, and +St. Aubyn and Ellen were alone in the +carriage, he still appeared so restless and +agitated, that Ellen could not resist addressing +to him a few words, indicative +of curiosity, if not of alarm. For a time +he evaded her tender inquiries; but, at +length, grasping her hands with an action +expressive of the utmost emotion, he +again repeated his former words: "Remember, +Ellen, oh, remember that I +too am innocent!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I know it, I am sure of it," she returned: +"but why thus confide by +halves? Why torture yourself and me +by these mysterious hints?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, why indeed!" said he: "I +ought to have more command of myself: +but that scene—that fatal instrument of +a horrid deed!—Appearances how false, +yet how convincing!"</p> + +<p>"To me," she replied, "appearances +are not and never shall be any thing, +when opposed to your single assertion, to +my confidence in your integrity."</p> + +<p>"A thousand thousand thanks," he +replied, "for the sweet assurance! Soon, +too soon, perhaps, you will be tried!"</p> + +<p>"Demanding so much reliance, so +much implicit <i>confidence</i> from his wife, +under such <i>mysterious</i> conduct, was St. +Aubyn willing, if called upon, to grant +an equal share to her?"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAP. VII.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Think'st thou I'll make a life of jealousy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To follow still the changes of the moon<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With fresh surmises?—No; to be once in doubt<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is to be resolv'd——<br /></span> +<span class="i1">I'll see before I doubt; what I doubt prove.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i18"><span class="smcap">Othello.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>After the scene at the Opera, which +effectually destroyed her pleasure there, +Lady St. Aubyn felt for some days not +at all disposed to enter into the gay parties +which were offered for her amusement: +a gloom hung over her, and she +had a weight on her spirits, which in +some degree affected her health. Some +one says, "A belief in <i>presentiment</i> is the +favourite superstition of feeling minds;" +and Ellen was certainly not entirely free +from it. Lady Juliana and Miss Cecil +perceived the effect without knowing +the cause; and supposing it to be merely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> +a temporary indisposition, persuaded her +to remain quietly at home for a day or +two; but finding the nervous sort of depression +under which she laboured was +encreased by indulgence, they imagined +a moderate share of amusement might +remove it; and prevailed on her to take +places at Covent-Garden, to see Mrs. +Jordan in a favourite comedy.</p> + +<p>Laura did not yet shew herself in +public; Ellen therefore went to the play +with only St. Aubyn and Lady Juliana. +They were joined there by two or three +gentlemen, and amongst them Sir Edward +Leicester, who, between the acts, +made so many inquiries for Miss Cecil, +and spoke so highly of Lady St. Aubyn's +"charming friend," as convinced her he +took a deep interest in all that concerned +Laura. This gave real pleasure to Ellen, +who thought so well of Sir Edward, as +to wish he might succeed in rendering +the prepossession mutual. They were +all extremely well pleased with the play<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>. +Who, indeed, that ever saw Mrs. Jordan +act was otherwise? And Lady Juliana +was rejoiced to see Ellen quite as cheerful +as usual. They did not choose to +stay the farce, and finding at the end of +the play the carriage was in waiting, left +the box. Lady Juliana being rather timid, +and not very alert in getting into a carriage, +St. Aubyn gave her his arm, and +requested Sir Edward would take care of +Lady St. Aubyn.</p> + +<p>As they were crossing the lobby, a +gentleman accidentally trod on Ellen's +train, and entangled it in his spur, by +which she was detained half a minute +before it could be disengaged. He begged +her pardon, and passed on. St. Aubyn +and his aunt not perceiving the circumstance, +had advanced some steps before +the Countess and Sir Edward. At +that moment two or three young men +pushed rather rudely by them; and Sir +Edward extending his hand, said, "Take<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> +care, gentlemen, you incommode the +lady."</p> + +<p>One of them turned round, and looking +in Ellen's face, exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"By heaven 'tis she! 'tis Ellen Powis!"</p> + +<p>Lady St. Aubyn starting at the name, +cast her eyes upon him, and instantly recognized +Charles Ross: but before she +could speak to him, as she was preparing +to do in a friendly manner, he stamped +violently, and with a countenance where +the utmost rage was expressed, and a +dreadful oath, exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Is this the villain that has undone +thee?—But where, then, is that accursed +Mordaunt? Ah, Ellen! abandoned, miserable +girl, art thou, then, so lost already?"</p> + +<p>Pale, gasping for breath at this shocking +language, Ellen clung more closely to +the arm of Sir Edward, and faintly articulated, +"For God's sake let me pass!"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, Sir?" said Sir<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> +Edward, fiercely: "Are you intoxicated, +or mad? How dare you insult this +lady!"</p> + +<p>"And how dare you, Sir," answered +Charles, approaching in a menacing attitude, +"after seducing her from her friends, +and from those who loved her, to look +me in the face?"</p> + +<p>"Madman!" replied Sir Edward, pushing +him aside with one hand, while with +the other he supported the now almost +fainting Ellen. "Gentlemen, I request +you will secure him till I place this +lady in her carriage, and then I am ready +to give him any explanation he may wish +for."</p> + +<p>Some of the gentlemen, who by this +time surrounded them, knowing Charles, +said to him: "Come away, Ross; you +are very wrong: at any rate, this quarrel +shall go no farther."</p> + +<p>At this moment St. Aubyn, having +placed his aunt in the carriage, wondering +at Ellen's delay, returned to seek<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> +her; and astonished at what he beheld, +exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"For heaven's sake, what is the matter? +My love, what makes you look so +pale? Has any one dared to insult +you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! you are there, Sir, are you," +said Charles: "I know you: I saw you +once, and then foretold what has happened: +you are the man who must give +me satisfaction."</p> + +<p>"Pshaw! he is mad, quite mad," +cried Sir Edward; "pay no attention to +him; he knows not what he talks of."</p> + +<p>The by-standers began to be of the +same opinion; and, indeed, his rageful +countenance, and the violence of his gesticulations, +with the apparent inconsistency +of his words, rendered the idea +extremely probable; they therefore forcibly +held him, and said: "Pass on, gentlemen, +and take care of the lady: we +will prevent him from following you;" +while Ross's friends, supposing either that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> +the wine they knew he had drank had +affected him, or that some sudden frenzy +had seized him, were amongst the foremost +to secure him, especially as a gentleman +who now came up said the gentleman +and lady were the Earl and Countess +of St. Aubyn: but Charles was too +outrageous to hear that or any thing else, +and called after them aloud, stamping +with fury, and swearing terribly:</p> + +<p>"Mean, detestable cowards, come +back. I am not mad. Give up that +wretched girl: let me take her to her +father—to mine, who loved her. Mordaunt, +vile, hateful Mordaunt! to you I +call—Come back, I say!"</p> + +<p>St. Aubyn turned, and but that Ellen +hung half-fainting on him, he would have +obeyed the summons; for he knew that +name was addressed to him, and easily +guessed who the supposed madman was, +and how the mistake which caused his +insults might have arisen; but Sir Edward +said, "You shall not go back,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> +St. Aubyn, he is mad; or if not, it belongs +to me to chastise him."</p> + +<p>"Is it not Charles Ross?" said St. +Aubyn to Ellen.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she faintly replied; "but do +not go back; he is certainly out of his +senses."</p> + +<p>By this time they had reached the carriage, +and putting her into it, he shut the +door; and saying, "Wait a moment, +be not alarmed, I must speak to him," +he ran back again, Sir Edward following.</p> + +<p>Ross having, as soon as they were out +of sight, disengaged himself from the by-standers, +was hastening with frantic violence +to overtake them: when he saw +the two gentlemen, he advanced and +said:</p> + +<p>"You have thought proper, then, to +come back; but what have you done +with that unfortunate girl?"</p> + +<p>"For the sake of your father, Mr. +Ross," said St. Aubyn, "for now I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> +know you, I will be patient and tell +you."</p> + +<p>"What can you tell me more than I already +know?" cried Ross, interrupting him +with angry vehemence. "Can you deny +that you have seduced her whom I loved +better than my own soul? Did you not +bring her with you to London? I know +it all, Sir: the woman where you lodged +found you out. She saw how you had +deceived my gentle, innocent Ellen."</p> + +<p>"What words are these!" exclaimed +St. Aubyn, haughtily. "Whence arises +so vile an error?"</p> + +<p>"Villain!" exclaimed Charles, with +wild impetuosity, "deny not your crimes, +but give me the satisfaction of a gentleman."</p> + +<p>"You do not act like one," said St. +Aubyn: "but here is my card; I am +always to be found, and will give you +whatever satisfaction you may require."</p> + +<p>He threw a card with his address<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> +to Charles, who hastily gave St. Aubyn +one of his.</p> + +<p>"It shall not be," said Sir Edward. +"I was the first insulted: this affair +is mine."</p> + +<p>"Settle it as you please," said Charles: +"come one or both, I am ready."</p> + +<p>"Very well," said St. Aubyn; "to-morrow +we shall be at your service. +Come, Sir Edward; Ellen will be terrified +to death." They hastened on; and Ross +rudely pushing aside those around him, +left the theatre.</p> + +<p>St. Aubyn and Sir Edward now went +as quickly as possible, where they found +the Countess, half-fainting, in the arms +of Lady Juliana.</p> + +<p>"For God's sake," said the latter, as +they opened the door, "what is the matter? +What have you been doing? Could +you find no time or place to quarrel in +but in the presence of this poor girl?"</p> + +<p>"For heaven's sake, Madam," said +St. Aubyn, after having ordered the ser<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span>vants +to drive on, "do not talk in that +manner. Am I so regardless of this dear +creature's comfort, or so prone to quarrel, +that I should seek it at such a time as +this?"</p> + +<p>He then made Ellen lean on him, and +soothed her with the most affectionate +and tender expressions.</p> + +<p>"Oh," said she, reviving; "is he gone? +Dear St. Aubyn, tell me, are you safe, +has he hurt you?"</p> + +<p>"No—no, my love; be composed, all +is over; he is gone away satisfied."</p> + +<p>"Satisfied!" replied she; "what could +he mean? Do you think he is mad, or is +it the effect of wine, or some mistake?"</p> + +<p>"I know not," said St. Aubyn, hastily; +"but be at rest—he is gone—we shall +hear no more of him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, are you sure—are you quite +sure? Dear Lady Juliana, tell me: may +I depend upon it? You said something +about a duel."</p> + +<p>"I talked like a fool, then, if I did," re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span>plied +Lady Juliana; "but I do not remember +any thing of it."</p> + +<p>"A duel—ridiculous!" said St. Aubyn, +pretending to laugh. "I assure you, Ellen, +all is over; pray be composed; there +is nothing to fear."</p> + +<p>Lady Juliana knew better, but terrified +for Ellen, she affected to believe what St. +Aubyn said, and between them, they contrived +completely to deceive the Countess, +who, ignorant of the usages of the +world, and not knowing all that had passed, +was easily misled. She composed +her mind, therefore, in the hope that all +was well, though she still trembled, and +was so much fluttered, that Lady Juliana, +after going home with her, waited till +she had seen her in bed; and desiring she +might be kept perfectly quiet, she returned +to the drawing-room, and endeavoured +to learn from St. Aubyn and +Leicester what had happened, and what +was likely to be the result: but she vainly +chid or interrogated either: both per<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span>sisted +in the story that Ross had apologized, +and all was over.</p> + +<p>Rather better satisfied, though not +fully convinced, Lady Juliana soon after +left them, determined however to keep a +little watch upon the actions of her nephew, +with whose temper she was too +well acquainted to suppose such a business +would be passed over without farther +notice.</p> + +<p>St. Aubyn gave Ellen such assurances +that nothing more would arise from this +affair, that, tired out with the agitation +she had undergone, she soon fell into a +profound sleep, and awakened in the +morning perfectly refreshed and composed. +At St. Aubyn's request, however, +she remained later than usual in bed. +Laura Cecil sat by her side, and gave her +her breakfast, after which she appeared +so entirely well, that no objection was +made to her rising.</p> + +<p>In the meantime St. Aubyn had re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span>ceived, +at his breakfast-table, the following +note:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>My Lord,</p> + +<p>I find by the card you gave me +last night, that the name of <i>Mordaunt</i> +was only assumed to conceal the blackest +designs and most detestable perfidy.</p> + +<p>If you do not mean to plead your privilege, +I demand a meeting with you on +Wimbolton Common to-morrow morning +at seven o'clock, when I hope to wash +out my wrongs, and those of the injured +Ellen, in the blood of a villain.</p> + +<p>I shall bring pistols and a friend.</p> + +<p style='text-align:right'><span class="smcap">Charles Ross.</span></p> + +<p><i>Eight o'Clock, Wednesday morning.</i></p> +</div> + +<p>To this St. Aubyn returned the following answer:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>Sir,</p> + +<p>I shall be at the place appointed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> +at the time you mention. Sir Edward +Leicester will be with me.</p> + +<p style='text-align:right'><span class="smcap">St. Aubyn.</span></p> +</div> + +<p>After dispatching this laconic reply, +the Earl went to Ellen's dressing-room. +Laura had just left her; Jane only was +with her: at the moment he entered, Ellen +was reading a note, which, when she +saw him, she hastily folded together, and +put within the bosom of her morning +dress: she seemed a little agitated, and +the tears stood in her eyes, but hastening +to meet him, she said:—</p> + +<p>"My dear St. Aubyn, they told me +you were gone out."</p> + +<p>"No, my love," said St. Aubyn, a +little surprized at the hasty manner in +which she spoke; "but I am going out +soon."</p> + +<p>"Shall you take the barouche or the +chariot?"</p> + +<p>"Neither; I shall walk to Sir Edward<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> +Leicester's: but why; are <i>you</i> going +out?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—by and bye; I think a little +air will do me good."</p> + +<p>"Had you not better keep quiet? You +know my aunt particularly requested you +would do so; she will be here soon: do +not go till you have seen her, nor then +unless she advises it."</p> + +<p>"But I assure you, my Lord, I am perfectly +well, and I am sure a little air will +be of service."</p> + +<p>"Well, do as you please," said St. Aubyn, +a little surprized at her adhering so +determinately to her idea of going out; +for, in general, half a word from him +guided her; "but you will not go +alone?"</p> + +<p>"Oh—no, Laura will go with me."</p> + +<p>"Very well, my love; don't fatigue +yourself. Where are you going?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know exactly: I want to do +some shopping."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p> + +<p>St. Aubyn then wished her good-morning, +and repeating his request that she +would take care of herself, left her.</p> + +<p>The real fact was this—Jane, who was +Ellen's almoner, and brought to her knowledge +many cases of distress, of which she +would otherwise have been ignorant, had +the night before, while her lady was at +the play, received a petition from an officer's +widow, who stated herself to be +living in a small lodging in —— Street; +that she had several children, of whom +the youngest was an infant not a month +old, born under circumstances of the most +acute distress, a few months after its father +had fallen in the field of battle; the +eldest, a girl of sixteen, in a deep decline: +these circumstances, she said, prevented +her from waiting herself on Lady +St. Aubyn, of whose goodness she had +heard much from an old blind lady, her +neighbour, whom, in fact, Ellen had supported +for some time past, and whom she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> +had visited two or three times with Jane +only.</p> + +<p>Ellen, warm-hearted and benevolent, +was extremely anxious to see this unfortunate +family: Jane had given her the +letter just before St. Aubyn came into +her room, and fearing if she declared her +purpose he would oppose it, lest her +health should be injured by the emotion +she must necessarily feel from the sight +of this unhappy mother and her children, +she concealed the letter, and did not exactly +tell him why she wished so much +to go out, though aware that she must +appear unusually pertinacious; but she +had set her heart with all the fervor of +youth on her object: above all, she desired +to see the poor little infant, for Ellen, +always fond of children, had, since +she knew herself likely to become a mother, +felt a peculiar interest in young +children, and ardently wished to see and +provide for one who had so many claims<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> +to the compassion of a tender heart; and +having really some purchases to make, +she gave without consideration <i>that</i> as +her only motive for going out. Never +before had she departed for an instant +from the singular sincerity of her character, +and the perfect confidence which she +reposed in her husband; dearly did she +soon repent of having done so now.</p> + +<p>On asking Laura to go with her, she +unexpectedly declined it, having a bad +head-ache, and tried to persuade Ellen +not to go herself, but to send Jane, and +go some other time: but Ellen was so +unusually fixed on her point, and her +imagination was so impressed with the +idea of the <i>poor little infant</i>, that, for +a wonder, she was not to be prevailed +on; and fearing, lest Lady Juliana +should come and prevent her, she ordered +the carriage directly, and set out.</p> + +<p>She drove first to —— Street, where +she found the distrest family in all the +poverty and affliction which had been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> +described to her—the unfortunate mother, +still weak, and scarcely able to +support herself, obliged to act as nurse, +not only to the infant, but to her eldest +daughter, who, pale and languishing, +seemed ready every moment to breathe +her last, while two or three other children +were playing in the room, distracting by +their unconscious noise the poor invalids.</p> + +<p>The tender and compassionate Ellen +felt her heart opprest at this melancholy +sight, and hastened as much as possible +to relieve it: she held herself the baby in +her arms, while she sent Jane to seek a +nurse for the poor girl, and to the woman +of the house where they lodged, to whom +she spoke herself; and requested she +would take charge of the other children, +till the mother was more able to do so. +She gave the widow an ample supply of +money to procure every thing necessary +for her herself and family, and after +promising to send a physician to attend +the poor girl, and kissing the baby, she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> +departed, followed by thanks and blessings, +"not loud but deep," and went to +see the poor old blind lady, who, always +delighted to hear her sweet voice and +kind expressions, detained her as long as +she could.</p> + +<p>Returning home, rejoicing in the good +she had done, feeling herself animated by +the purest pleasure, and quite well in +health, Ellen suddenly recollected that +she was close by the street where Mrs. +Birtley lived, with whom she had lodged +the first time she was in London; and +she thought she would just stop at the +door, and ask for the book she had left +there, for which Jane had, as she said, +always forgotten to call: it was that +very volume of Gray which Mordaunt +had given her, and as his first gift she was +really anxious to recover it. Meaning +merely to stop at the door, and send Jane +in for it, she pulled the check, and ordered +the coachman to drive down that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> +street, and stop at No. 6, and told Jane +for what purpose she was going.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my Lady," said the talkative +girl, "I shall be rejoiced that Mrs. Birtley +should see you in all your grandeur: she +will be surprized after all she had the +impertinence to say."</p> + +<p>"Indeed," said Ellen, "I never +thought of that: she will wonder to see +me under such a different appearance, and +perhaps say something in the hearing of +the servants. I will not go."</p> + +<p>"Oh, my Lady," answered Jane, +"she need not know who you are: only +ask for the book, and come away directly: +she will not know a bit the more +what your Ladyship's real name is; and +I suppose she is not enough amongst the +grand people to know the livery or +carriage."</p> + +<p>"True," said Ellen: "well, you shall +go in and ask for the book, but do not explain +any thing to her."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, no, indeed, my Lady," said +Jane; "so far from it, I shall enjoy seeing +her puzzle——"</p> + +<p>While they spoke, the carriage stopped +at the door of Mrs. Birtley. Ellen, who +half repented having come, sat back in +the carriage, and told Jane to go in and +ask for the book, and not to say she was +there, for she would not alight: but +notwithstanding Ellen's caution, Mrs. +Birtley, having been drawn to the window +by seeing such an elegant equipage +stop at her door, caught a glimpse of +her as the footman opened the door of +the chariot for Jane to alight, came to the +side of the carriage, and with civility +asked her if she would not walk in. +Ellen, feeling more and more the absurdity +of which she had been guilty in +coming to the door of a woman who she +knew entertained of her a doubtful +opinion, and to whom she could not +explain herself, coldly declined the offer; +but the coachman said he feared the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> +horses would not turn very well, as the +street was rather narrow, and that it +would be better if her Ladyship pleased to +alight for a moment, lest she should be +alarmed.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Birtley stared at the "<i>Ladyship</i>" +as much as she had done at the <i>coronetted +carriage</i> and fine horses; for she was not +quite so ignorant of <i>grand people</i>, as Jane, +in the plenitude of her own newly-acquired +knowledge, had supposed her.</p> + +<p>Ellen, vexed at her own folly in coming +thither, was now obliged to get out +of the carriage; and several people passing +by, staring first at the carriage, and +then at Ellen, she thought it would be +better to go for an instant into the house. +Mrs. Birtley shewed her into the parlour, +and requesting she would be seated, +added, "My lodger is gone out, and will +not, I suppose, be back till dinner-time: +he is generally out all the morning. I +believe he knows something of you, +Ma'am."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Of me!" repeated Ellen, surprized.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Ma'am: for when he came here +about a week ago, he saw, by accident, +that book Mrs. Jane has in her hand; +and some writing there was in it seemed +to put him into a great passion. He +made me tell him how I came by the +book, and asked me a thousand questions +about you: what was the name of +the gentleman you came with, if you +were young and handsome, and I don't +know what; and I believe what I told +him put him into a great rage, for he +stampt and swore like a madman."</p> + +<p>Ellen, vexed and astonished, sorry she +had come there, and feeling a certain +dread of she hardly knew what stealing +over her, now turned extremely pale; +and Jane exclaimed, "Oh, my Lady will +faint: get some water!"</p> + +<p>"Your <i>Lady</i>! Why she is Mrs. Mordaunt, +is not she, <i>or calls herself so</i>?" +asked Mrs. Birtley with some contempt.</p> + +<p>"Don't stand there asking questions,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> +said the impatient Jane: "but fetch some +water. Lord, I wish we were at home: +if my Lady should be ill, how Lady Juliana +will scold, and my Lord."</p> + +<p>"Grant me patience," said Mrs. Birtley, +as she left the room to fetch some +drops and water: "the girl makes me +mad with her Lords and Ladies. Poor +fool, I suppose they have imposed upon +her too finely."</p> + +<p>Not one minute had she been gone, +when Ellen finding herself better, and +not meaning to wait Mrs. Birtley's return, +and farther questions, had risen, and by +Jane's help almost reached the door to +go to the carriage, which through the +window she saw drawing up, when that +door opened, and Charles Ross entered +the room: amazed beyond the power of +words to describe, he saw her standing—saw +Ellen in his apartment! And forgetting +every thing but that he had once +dearly loved her, he rushed towards, and +would have caught her in his arms, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> +she evaded his grasp; and catching hold +of Jane (who, frightened, gave a sudden +scream), said, "He here! Oh, how I +am terrified!"</p> + +<p>"Terrified, Ellen!" he wildly repeated: +"<i>once</i> you were not terrified by my +appearance."</p> + +<p>"No, Sir," she replied, with as much +spirit as she could assume: "for once +I should have expected friendship and +protection, not insult."</p> + +<p>"Ah, wretched girl!" he exclaimed: +"once you deserved and wished for my +friendship and protection; but now, that +fine gaudy carriage, this elegant dress, +the jewels, in which I saw you last night, +all tell a dreadful tale—all speak of your +shame, of your ruin."</p> + +<p>"Of my shame! of my ruin! what, +oh, what do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, what indeed!" said the enraged +Jane: "let my Lady pass, impertinent +fellow, and don't stand there talking +in that insolent manner. Do, my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> +Lady, let me call the footmen. I wish +my Lord was here: he would soon teach +you better manners."</p> + +<p>"Cease, Jane," said Ellen, shaking +like a leaf: "cease this shocking altercation. +Of your insulting language, Mr. +Ross, I know not the meaning: it is +well for you Lord St. Aubyn does not +hear you thus address his wife."</p> + +<p>"His wife! his wife! Is it possible? +Have I wronged both him and you? +Stay, Ellen, a moment, for heaven's +sake—for St. Aubyn's—for my father's: +you know not the mischief one word of +explanation may prevent."</p> + +<p>She stopped, she turned: he seized +her hands to detain her. Oh, unfortunate +Ellen!</p> + +<p>At that moment St. Aubyn himself entered +the room. He rushed impetuously +forward, exclaiming, "Dissembling woman! +Was it for this you left your +home—to meet this villain—to come to +his very lodging in search of him?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, no! oh, no!" sobbed Ellen, as +she sunk at his feet in a swoon so deep, +so death-like, that it seemed as if her +life had left her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you have killed my Lady!" +cried Jane: "my dear Lady! Oh, my +Lord, we came here for a book, and +not——"</p> + +<p>"Peace, peace!" sternly interrupted +St. Aubyn: "I will not hear a word. +Is she dead?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Lord, I hope not! How can +your Lordship talk so shockingly? Oh, +Mrs. Birtley, for God's sake help my +Lady—call assistance!"</p> + +<p>Between them they raised her: for +Charles, confounded, shocked, and half +distracted, dared not, and St. Aubyn, +gloomy, cold, and stern, would not assist +her. At length returning life mantled +on her cheek, and her first incoherent +words were, "St. Aubyn, dear St. +Aubyn, save me!"</p> + +<p>St. Aubyn, somewhat calmer, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> +fearing he might have been too rash, +struggled with the jealous pangs which +rent his heart, and approaching her, said, +"How is it, Ellen—are you better?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, better, my love; but sick, oh, +sick at heart!"</p> + +<p>"Compose yourself; all is well."</p> + +<p>A little revived, she looked up, but +was too languid to discern the expression +of his countenance, which contradicted +the kindness of his words; for St. Aubyn +felt there was much, very much to be +explained, before she could be to him +again the Ellen she had been—if, indeed, +the perfect confidence he once felt in her +could ever be restored; yet fearing quite +to destroy her, he constrained himself. +Mrs. Birtley, now convinced how unjust +had been her suspicions, and Jane, eagerly +endeavoured to explain how Lady +St. Aubyn came to be there; but motioning +with an air of proud dignity to +them to be silent, he said, "Enough, I +am satisfied!" But his gloomy looks con<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span>tradicted +his words, and turning to Ross, +he said, in a low voice, "You and I, Sir, +shall meet again." Then, with Jane's +assistance, he raised Ellen, and lifting +her into the carriage, and putting Jane +in, followed himself.</p> + +<p>"Home!" fiercely exclaimed St. Aubyn, +and home they went; but oh, to a +home how different from that of the day +before!</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAP. VIII.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Good friend, go to him; for by this light of Heaven<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I know not how I lost him. Here I kneel:—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If e'er my will did trespass 'gainst his love,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Either in discourse or thought, or actual deed;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or that mine eyes, mine ears, or any sense,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Delighted them in any other form—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Comfort, forswear me!—unkindness may do much;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And his unkindness may defeat my life,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But never taint my love."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i18"><span class="smcap">Othello.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Silent and gloomy was the ride +homewards. St. Aubyn, bridling with +difficulty the jealous rage which consumed +him, sat leaning against one side +of the carriage, veiling his eyes with his +hand, that they might not for an instant +fall on Ellen, who, hardly supporting +herself with Jane's help, shed no +tears, though grief and vexation heaved +her bosom with sighs, which almost +burst it; for now her recollection was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> +restored, the dreadful words in which St. +Aubyn first addressed her rung in her +ears, and swelled her heart with anguish.</p> + +<p>At length they reached Cavendish-Square, +and were met in the hall by Lady +Juliana, whose pride, at first, wounded +by Ellen's being from home when she +arrived, had, at length, given way to +feelings of alarm at her long absence; but +when she saw her lifted from the carriage, +pale, trembling, and half-dead, terrified +and astonished, she vainly demanded +an explanation alternately from +St. Aubyn and the frightened Jane; her +nephew passing her hastily, and in silence, +went into his study, and instantly +shut and fastened the door. There he +meant to consider with himself what +part it became him to take, and how to +elucidate this extraordinary event.</p> + +<p>Ellen, throwing herself into Lady Juliana's +arms, exclaimed, "Oh! my +dearest madam, let me die at once, for +my Lord is angry with me!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Die!" cried Lady Juliana, struggling +with a thousand terrors; "Nonsense! +for what? Do you suppose no +man was ever angry with his wife before? +You are so unused to it, it seems strange +to you, but you may assure yourself few +wives would think it so extraordinary."</p> + +<p>By this time they had reached Ellen's +dressing-room, where, having placed her +on a sofa, and given her some restoratives, +Lady Juliana said, "But what is +all this about—what offence have you +committed?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! madam, I know not; but it is +too true, St. Aubyn has said such words +to me, such words as I never thought to +hear from him!"</p> + +<p>"What is the meaning of all this?" +said Lady Juliana, turning to Jane. +"Speak, girl, if you have not quite lost +your senses, or do not wish that I should +lose mine, and tell me where your lady +has been, and what has happened."</p> + +<p>Jane, now, as well as the confusion she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> +was in would let her, repeated the adventures +of the morning to Lady Juliana, +the visit to the officer's widow, and the +old blind lady; and lastly, why they +went to Mrs. Birtley's: "And it was I," +she said, "that persuaded her Ladyship +to go to that disagreeable Mrs. Birtley's—out +of pride, I own it—it was out of +pride, that she might see what a grand +place I had got, and that <i>my</i> lady was +not the sort of person that cross old woman +fancied she was; and her Ladyship +would not even have alighted or gone +into her trumpery parlour, if the horses +had not been so frightful, and the coachman +said, says he, "my Lady had better +alight, for the horses—"</p> + +<p>"Grant me patience!" said Lady Juliana: +"this girl's tongue is enough to +distract me! Well, and when you were +in her trumpery parlour, as you call it, +what happened then? Was Lord St. Aubyn +angry that you went there?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! no, my Lady, not for that; but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> +the instant after we went in, and while +Mrs. Birtley was chattering about the +book, and about her lodger (and to be +sure there never was such another chattering +woman in the world, and looking +at my lady from head to foot, so saucy-like, +I was quite in a passion with her), +I saw my lady turn pale, and thinking +she was going to faint, I made Mrs. +Birtley go for some water, for I knew +well enough how your Ladyship would +scold if <i>my</i> Lady was to be ill, and so I +told Mrs. Birtley."</p> + +<p>"Will this tale ever have an end?" +cried the impatient Lady Juliana.</p> + +<p>"Well, my Lady, and so just as Mrs. +Birtley was gone for the water, and we +were got up to go away, in came a young +man: I believe, for my part, he was quite +mad, not indeed that I am any particular +judge of mad people, for I remember the +first day your Ladyship came here I +thought—but I believe I had better not +tell <i>that</i>;—however, this young man <i>was</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> +mad for certain, for the moment he saw +my Lady, he ran to her, and seemed as +if he was going to catch her in his arms. +I screamed, and when her Ladyship said +she was terrified, he quite raved, and +called her names, and said something +about her shame, and her being ruined, +and her jewels, last night, and I don't +know what."</p> + +<p>"And who, for Heaven's sake, was +this man?" asked the astonished Lady +Juliana.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it was Ross! Charles Ross!" +sobbed Ellen; "and St. Aubyn came in +while he was speaking to me, and said I +came there to meet him, to his very lodgings; +and then I fainted quite away."</p> + +<p>"So, so, so!" repeated Lady Juliana; +"a pretty piece of work! I see what this +mistake will end in! But stay; surely it +is not too late: I will go to St. Aubyn."</p> + +<p>"Yes, go to him, Madam, for Heaven's +sake go to him, and explain it to +him. Assure him I could not have an +idea that Charles Ross lodged at Mrs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> +Birtley's. Oh! how cruel to be obliged +to make this explanation: can St. Aubyn +really think so ill of me? Yet, surely, +surely he will be undeceived—this is +only a momentary start of passion!"</p> + +<p>Lady Juliana shook her head, for she +knew St. Aubyn's temper; and how +hardly he would endure to hear even her +on such a subject; yet, if he would but +condescend to hear what the servants, +who attended the Countess in this unfortunate +excursion, what this Mrs. Birtley +would say, their stories would doubtless +confirm that of Ellen; for of the truth of +that story Lady Juliana had not the +smallest doubt; but she knew how St. +Aubyn's pride would revolt, and his delicacy +be hurt, by the necessity of interrogating +such people on the conduct of his +wife.</p> + +<p>She felt herself indeed angry with Ellen +for the childish impatience which had +taken her out in the morning, after the +fright of the night before had rendered +repose so desirable, and for going to Mrs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> +Birtley's at all; but she could easily forgive +a folly apparently of so little importance, +since it was quite impossible +for Ellen to have foreseen the chain of +circumstances which followed, and involved +her in so much distress.</p> + +<p>How St. Aubyn happened to go to the +same place, no one could guess; it appeared, +indeed, extremely unlikely that +he should have done so; but, as singular +coincidences no less singular do sometimes +occur, though their rarity makes +us call them improbable, unless they +arise within our own immediate knowledge.</p> + +<p>The real truth was this: St. Aubyn, +recollecting that Charles Ross had said +the night before, "<i>the woman where you +lodged found you out</i>," had determined +to ascertain, from this woman herself, +what she had told Ross, and how she +had dared to speak of him and Ellen in +such terms; and to explain who her Mr. +and Mrs. Mordaunt really were, that no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> +farther slander, even in Mrs. Birtley's +narrow circle, might attach to the purity +of Lady St. Aubyn's character, had walked +thither from Sir Edward Leicester's, +with whom he had sat some time, arranging +the particulars of their intended meeting +with Charles Ross the next morning; +there, to his utter astonishment, he found +Lady St. Aubyn's carriage in waiting; +and inquiring of the servants where she +was, was answered, in that house, meaning +Mrs. Birtley's.</p> + +<p>"And Miss Cecil?"</p> + +<p>"No, my Lord; Miss Cecil did not +come out with my Lady, only Mrs. +Jane."</p> + +<p>St. Aubyn recollected Ellen's apparent +agitation in the morning; the letter he +had found her reading, and which she so +hastily concealed; her having said Laura +would go with her; yet she had come +with only her maid, a young ignorant +girl, come to the very house where he +believed Ross was residing; that Ross, of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> +whom, though almost unknown to himself, +some secret jealousy had always +lurked in his heart.</p> + +<p>All these circumstances rose at once to +his memory; and, without waiting to +knock or ring, the door standing open, +he rushed hastily into the parlour, where +the first object that struck his sight was +his wife, his beloved, his adored Ellen, +while her hand was held by the man on +earth he most detested, the man who but +the night before had insulted her and +outraged him! What could he think? +Was it wonderful that the fury which +swelled his heart broke into words of +reproach and anger? Was it not rather +wonderful he could so far command +himself, so far reflect, as to return with +her apparently calm, and that he did not +at once cast from him a woman who must +have appeared so ungrateful and insincere?</p> + +<p>Lady Juliana having with the aid of +Miss Cecil and Jane put Ellen to bed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> +would have retired to seek her nephew, +leaving Laura shocked, astonished, and +grieved, remaining with her friend; but +seeing the flush of fever on her cheek, +and an unusual brilliancy in her eyes, +they sent without delay to the family +physician, who, after asking a few questions, +and learning the Countess had +been alarmed, and was then under the +influence of terror for her lord, who, +Laura whispered to him, they feared was +meditating a duel with a gentleman who +had insulted Lady St. Aubyn, the doctor +shook his head, and said if her mind were +not quieted immediately, he would not +be answerable for the consequences: she +had, he said, every symptom of an alarming +fever, and that if she were not soothed, +and kept quiet, the worst event +might be expected both to herself and +the unborn babe.</p> + +<p>Alarmed beyond measure, Lady Juliana +now ran to seek St. Aubyn. With +some difficulty she prevailed on him to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> +grant her admittance, and with still +greater, to hear what she had to say. +She repeated the whole story Jane had +told her: he shook his head, was silent, +but not convinced. She saw his incredulity, +and with some hesitation proposed +to interrogate the men servants +who went out with their lady as to the +real cause of her alighting at Mrs. Birtley's. +He started indignantly from the +idea; but Lady Juliana assuring him she +could ask in such a way as should give +them no suspicion why they were questioned, +he at last consented, and ringing +the bell, she ordered the coachman to be +sent to her.</p> + +<p>"John," said she, "your lady has +been frightened at something or other +this morning during her absence from +home. Were the horses restive?"</p> + +<p>"No, my Lady: the horses went as +quiet as lambs to —— Street, where we +stopped while my Lady went into a +house, I believe to see a poor family, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> +her Ladyship does sometimes; and then +we went to the poor old blind lady's, that +Mrs. Jane says her Lady maintains; and +after that we went to another house, +where my Lady said she would not +alight, and told Mrs. Jane to make haste +and get the book, for she would not stop +an instant; but I was afraid to turn the +carriage with her Ladyship in it, the street +being very narrow just there, and a dray +standing at the house opposite, for fear +the horses should prance a little, which +my Lady is always afraid of; and so I +begged her just to alight a minute while +I turned, which she seemed not to like +to do, but the old lady of the house +coming out and persuading her, she said +she would get out for a minute, and the +people staring at her as she stood on the +pavement, she went into the house, and I +believe something or somebody frightened +her, for as I drew up to the door, which +was not directly, for the horses were a +little unruly, I saw a young man go into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> +the parlour where my Lady was waiting, +and a minute after, I heard Mrs. Jane +scream; and I was going in, and so was +James, but just as I was getting off my +box, and Richard was standing at the +head of the horses, my Lord came up, +and afterwards I found my Lady had +fainted away."</p> + +<p>"Then your Lady had only been there +a short time?"</p> + +<p>"Not above ten minutes I am sure, +Madam, and as Mrs. Jane screamed when +the gentleman went into the parlour, I +think he must have frightened her."</p> + +<p>"Very well, John: I was afraid it was +the horses, and if so, Lady St. Aubyn +should never have gone with them again."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, my Lady, the horses are +quiet enough, poor things, only that narrow +street made me think my Lady had +better alight."</p> + +<p>The man then retired, and Lady Juliana +said:—"Well, St. Aubyn, are you +now satisfied?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Not quite; all this might have been +contrivance and art."</p> + +<p>"How is it possible you can think so! +Did you ever see the slightest trace of +either in Ellen?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, to-day. Why did she tell me +Laura was going with her? Why conceal +where she was going?"</p> + +<p>"Laura lamented just now not having +gone out with Ellen, as she requested on +account of a bad head-ache: as to Ellen's +not telling you where she was going, that +arose from a fear lest you should prevent, +what, with the natural impatience of +youth, she had set her heart upon. But +if you still doubt, let us inquire of this +woman, this Mrs.——what's her name?—the +mistress of the house where you +lodged: she can tell what Lady St. Aubyn's +errand was there, and why she +alighted."</p> + +<p>"Good God! Madam," said St. Aubyn, +peevishly, "would you have me +go about collecting evidences whether I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> +ought to believe my wife blameless, or +the most deceitful of women?"</p> + +<p>"Yes I would," replied Lady Juliana, +warmly, "if you can suspect her; if such +modesty, such guileless sincerity, and +purity of words and manners as I never +before saw in woman, have no power to +convince you: if you can set against +them all this one unlucky accident, for +I am sure it is no more, you ought to do +every thing, seek every body who can +give you information. Good God! to +what purpose is it, as to this world, that +a woman should lead the purest and most +unspotted life, if one equivocal appearance +can drive all confidence, all reliance, +from the heart which ought to know her +best!"</p> + +<p>Touched by this generous warmth, St. +Aubyn began to feel convinced he had +gone too far: he knew how penetrating +Lady Juliana was, how much she had +been prejudiced against Ellen, and how +cautiously she would have observed, ere<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> +she had given to her an affection and +confidence so tender: he called to mind +many "a proof of recollected love," of +native modesty, of the strictest principles +in his wife, and began deeply to repent +his jealous rashness; but suddenly +recollecting the note he had seen in her +hands, and the haste with which she had +concealed it, he hastily said:—"But the +letter! What letter was that I found her +reading?"</p> + +<p>"What letter?" asked Lady Juliana.</p> + +<p>"One I found her reading this morning, +just before she went out; she seemed +agitated, and had tears in her eyes, and as +I entered, she put it into the fold of her +morning dress."</p> + +<p>"And there," said Lady Juliana, eagerly, +"I found it, when we undressed +her just now: I have not opened it; here +it is." She drew it from her pocket. St. +Aubyn recollected it to be the same, and +opened it with trembling hands. It was, +as has been stated, from the officer's wi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span>dow +to Jane, entreating her good offices +with her lady, and describing her own +distress, agreeing exactly with what Ellen +and her maid had told Lady Juliana, and +she had repeated to St. Aubyn. Such a +corroboration of her story he could resist +no longer; but shocked, alarmed, and +ashamed, he hastily said:</p> + +<p>"I have injured her! Oh! can she +ever forgive me!"</p> + +<p>"It's well," said Lady Juliana with +some asperity, for his jealous obstinacy +had vexed her—"it's well if you have +not killed her and your child too. God +defend me from such rash, headstrong +people, that can make no distinction between +a <i>Rosolia</i> and an <i>Ellen</i>: poor girl, +she has paid dear I am afraid for her dream +of happiness, and being "perched up in a +glittering greatness, wearing a golden +sorrow!"</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, Madam, no more +reproaches," said St. Aubyn, angrily: +"she has not suffered alone; but let me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> +go to her; let me implore her to forgive +me. Ah! can I ever forgive myself!"</p> + +<p>"Indeed, nephew, I shall do no such +thing, unless you will promise me there +shall be no fighting with that mad Ross, +who I wish had been a thousand miles +off before he had come here to drive us +all as mad as himself."</p> + +<p>"We will talk of that, hereafter: perhaps +he will apologize; at any rate, let us +go now to Ellen, and try if I can sooth +her spirits, and calm her wounded mind."</p> + +<p>But Ellen by the time he reached her +was in no condition to hear him: delirium +had seized her, and the scene at the Opera +dwelling on her mind, on which it had +made a powerful impression, connected, +though wildly, with the late untoward +events, she exclaimed just as he entered +the room, "Remember, St. Aubyn, remember +Arbace—<i>and I too am innocent</i>?" +then in low tones she imitated the recitative +which had taken such hold on her +imagination; and sung in a sweet and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> +plaintive voice "Sono Innocente!" St. +Aubyn, combining these words with all +the interesting ideas connected with them, +with the generous assurances Ellen had so +often given him, that no appearances +should ever shake her faith in <i>his</i> integrity +and honour, assurances which he had so +ill repaid, was overwhelmed with grief +and remorse: he put aside the curtain, +and kneeling by the bed-side, said in the +tenderest accents:</p> + +<p>"Ellen, my love, my injured Ellen, +will you not hear, will you not forgive +me?"</p> + +<p>"So you are come at last," said she, +turning her head quickly towards him: +"go to your son, my good friend, and +tell him he has cruelly insulted me; that +I am St. Aubyn's <i>wife</i>, not the wretch he +calls me: why, you know, Mr. Ross, you +married us, and my father and Joanna +were present: then what does Charles +mean by talking of my <i>shame</i> and <i>ruin</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Heavens! she raves," exclaimed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> +St. Aubyn; "my cruelty has destroyed +her!"</p> + +<p>"Take away the bloody sword," +screamed Ellen. "I tell you Arbace did +<i>not</i> murder him; no, nor yet St. Aubyn: +nothing shall ever make me believe St. +Aubyn guilty:—I promised him;—he +says he is innocent; enough, my love, +enough, Ellen will <i>never doubt you</i>!" and +again she breathed in plaintive cadences +the pathetic "Sono Innocente."</p> + +<p>"She will die! she will die!" wildly +exclaimed St. Aubyn, starting up: "run +for more help! fetch all the physicians in +London. Oh! have I lived to this!"</p> + +<p>"You will kill her indeed," said Laura, +"if you are not quiet: leave her to +us. Doctor B—— will again be here in +a few minutes: he says if she can but be +quiet, can but be made to understand, all +is well; she will recover; but indeed, my +Lord, you must leave her now."</p> + +<p>"No, Laura, I will not go; I will sit +here without speaking; but should she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> +recover her senses, if only for a minute, +it will I know comfort her to see me +here."</p> + +<p>This Laura could readily believe, and +therefore made no further objection; but +Doctor B—— arriving soon after, comforted +them all with the assurance, that +though the Countess's fever at present +ran high, he had great hopes that perfect +quietude, and the medicines he had ordered, +would, in all probability, do much +for her, especially, aided as they were by +youth and an excellent constitution, and +that he saw no immediate danger. He +strictly enjoined, however, that her chamber +might be kept as still as possible, and +that at most only two persons should +remain there: he entreated St. Aubyn +and Lady Juliana to retire, and having +prevailed on them to do so, he told Miss +Cecil he wished her to be as much as +possible one of Lady St. Aubyn's attendants.</p> + +<p>"As to Lady Juliana," said he, "she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> +is so very anxious and restless; she will +only disturb our fair patient: you, my +dear Miss Cecil, I perceive have that happy +self-possession, joined with gentleness +and activity, which alone can make a +good nurse; your voice too is particularly +calculated to sooth and persuade a +sick person:—you may smile, but believe +me, few know how many qualifications +are requisite to form a good superintendent +of a sick bed, and amongst them I +have always found a soft but distinct articulation +one of the most considerable. +Think only how a nervous patient is what +is emphatically called <i>worried</i> by a droning, +discontented voice, or alarmed by +too loud a tone, or sudden question. I +assure you I have often seen weak persons +thrown into a fever by these apparently +trifling causes; let me, therefore, +beg Miss Cecil will take upon herself the +task of replying to any questions the +Countess may ask, but in as few words +as possible: the moment reason re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span>turns, +sooth her mind by every assurance +that the danger she so much feared +is over. I shall see Lord St. Aubyn before +I quit the house, and place before +him the evil to be dreaded, should he +pursue this unfortunate business any farther."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAP. IX.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Doubt shall for ever quit my strengthen'd heart,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And anxious jealousy's corroding smart:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor other inmate shall inhabit there,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But soft belief, young joy, and pleasing care.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i18"><span class="smcap">Prior's Henry and Emma.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>The medicines ordered by her skilful +physician had so salutary an effect, that +towards midnight Ellen fell into a quiet +sleep, from which every thing favourable +might be expected. Lady Juliana was +therefore prevailed on to retire to bed, +Miss Cecil, Jane, and the housekeeper, +sitting up with Lady St. Aubyn, the two +latter in the anti-chamber. But Lady +Juliana was far from being satisfied, notwithstanding +the assurances of St. Aubyn +that all was at an end between him and +Ross: she knew him too well to believe +he would pass over insults so marked; +and her watchfulness had convinced her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> +no apology from Ross, in writing or otherwise, +had been received. Sir Edward +Leicester, too, had called once or twice +in the course of the day; and though she +had tormented him and her nephew, by +resolutely remaining in the room in defiance +of the hints St. Aubyn gave of +wishing to be alone with his friend, yet +she overheard a few words, that more and +more convinced her a duel was intended. +She left orders, therefore, to be called by +day-break; and unable to prevail on St. +Aubyn to go to bed, wearied and exhausted +by emotions, which, at her time +of life, she could ill support, she at length +left him to himself.</p> + +<p>Determined as he was to meet Ross in +the morning, and avoiding reflections, +which, though he felt how decisive they +were against the practice of duelling, he +yet thought came too late. St. Aubyn's +frame was shaken by various sensations. +Recollection of the past, and terror for +the future, hung heavily upon him; yet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> +not for himself he feared: but should any +thing amiss happen to him, what would +become of Ellen—of Ellen, whom he +should leave upon a bed of sickness, +which, then he felt convinced, would be +to her the bed of death!</p> + +<p>"And was it for this," he exclaimed, +as he paced his study, "for this I drew +her from her native shades, where, happy +and contented, but for me she might have +blossomed still. Oh! little, my Ellen, +hast thou had cause to rejoice in that +elevation which doubtless many have envied +thee. Too often have I been to +thee the mysterious cause of sorrow and +anxiety. Perhaps I shall have been also +the cause of thine untimely end."</p> + +<p>The idea so dreadfully shook him, he +dared no longer think, lest it should quite +unman him; but determined to look +upon her once more, he took the taper, +which burnt beside him, and, with light +steps, passed to her apartment. In the +anti-room he found the housekeeper and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> +Jane both sleeping in their chairs: all +was profoundly still, and he began to fear +Ellen was left without a wakeful guard; +but at the sound of his footsteps, almost +noiseless as they were, and the approaching +light, for the bed-room door was open +for air, Laura Cecil stole to meet him: +she motioned to him to be silent, and advancing +a few steps into the anti-room, +said, in the lowest whisper, "For heaven's +sake, Lord St. Aubyn, why this—why +are you not retired to rest?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, Laura! dear, kind Laura," he +exclaimed, grasping her hand, "how +could I rest, while that injured, perhaps +that murdered angel lies suffering thus, +and through my fault, through my accursed, +headlong jealousy!"</p> + +<p>"Deeply, indeed," said Laura, "do I +lament that appearances should have thus +misled you, my Lord, and am indeed +astonished at it: had you but waited one +hour, ere you so harshly condemned, +from me you might have learned her per<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span>fect +innocence: she pressed me to go +with her this morning, which my having +a bad head-ache prevented: she told me +where she was going, shewed me the letter +she had received, detailed her kind +plans for relieving the poor widow, and +mentioned not having explained her intentions +to you, lest you should prevent +her going; and she wished so much, she +said, to see the <i>poor little infant</i>; certainly +she did not mention any intention of +going to that fatal house where you found +her, and which, I am assured, she never +thought of till passing the top of the +street she recollected the book she so +much valued, and which I one day heard +her tell Jane to call for; but all this is +now unavailing: let me beg you to retire: +should the murmur of our voices +disturb her, I shall indeed greatly lament +it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, let me look upon her—once +more let me see her! Will she die? Is it +possible she may recover?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It is very possible, almost certain, +from her sleeping so quietly, if you do +not disturb her: but think, if she should +awake and see you, at this strange hour, +with those distracted looks!"</p> + +<p>"Yet I must see her <i>now</i>—yes, Laura, +I must venture all; for how do I know if +I shall ever see her more!"</p> + +<p>"For heaven's sake, what do you +mean? Surely, surely you do not think +of—you are not meditating——"</p> + +<p>"No matter what," said he hastily; +"I must see her <i>now</i>."</p> + +<p>Laura shrunk back astonished and dismayed; +but feeling that he would not be +contradicted, she again, with light steps, +approached the bed; where, in a profound +sleep, the effect of opiates, lay Ellen, +"fair lily, and whiter than her sheets;" +and but that in the stillness of night her +quick short breathings were distinctly +heard, it could hardly have been known +she lived.</p> + +<p>Laura then beckoned St. Aubyn to ap<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span>proach, +which he did with trembling steps, +and shaded by the curtain, gazed wistfully +upon her. Overcome by the touching +spectacle of youth, beauty, and innocence, +in a few hours almost destroyed +by his rash jealousy, the tears now ran +down his manly cheeks; and hardly +could he restrain the groans which heaved +his bosom, while Laura's eyes streamed +at the affecting sight before her. At +that moment Ellen moved a little, and +they both retreated, that if she opened +her eyes she might not see them; but +she still slept; and only murmuring "dear +St. Aubyn," and a few inarticulate words, +she was again silent.</p> + +<p>Again St. Aubyn asked Laura if it +were possible she could recover, and she +assured him that Ellen already looked +better than she had done an hour before; +and at last, after he had knelt and imprinted +a soft kiss on one of her hands, +which lay on the counterpane, and lifted +up his heart to heaven, in silent prayer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> +for her recovery, he was prevailed on to +quit the room.</p> + +<p>The rest of the night St. Aubyn spent +in settling some papers, and adding a few +lines to his will, all of which he locked +into a drawer, and sealing up the key, directed +it to Lady Juliana.</p> + +<p>At day-break his valet, according to +order, came to him. To this confidential +servant St. Aubyn explained the cause of +his going from home so early, and left the +pacquet for Lady Juliana in his care, to +be delivered to her, should he not return +in safety. He then sent to inquire of +Jane for her lady, and had the happiness +of hearing a favourable account of her. +St. Aubyn then set off, attended only by +one servant, to the house of Sir Edward +Leicester, whose carriage was at the door, +and they instantly proceeded to Wimbledon, +where, on the spot marked in +Charles Ross's letter, they alighted; and +telling the coachman to draw off, and wait +at a place they pointed out to him, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> +two friends walked up and down some +time, expecting Ross.</p> + +<p>In about ten minutes they saw him approaching, +but alone: St. Aubyn just +touched his hat, and said, "Mr. Ross, +where is your friend?"</p> + +<p>"My Lord," said Ross, in a firm tone, +"I am here, not to fight, not to double +the injuries you have already received +from me, but to make every concession +you can desire. I have brought no friend +with me; I trust my honour and my life +implicitly in your hands. Are you prepared +to hear my explanation?—if not, I +am ready to stand your fire."</p> + +<p>"I know not, Sir," said St. Aubyn, +haughtily, "what has caused this sudden +alteration in your sentiments: this meeting +was at your own request; and the insults +you bestowed on Lady St. Aubyn +yesterday make me as desirous of it now +as you were when you appointed it."</p> + +<p>"Yet, my Lord," said Sir Edward, +"hear Mr. Ross: if this affair can be ac<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span>commodated +without bloodshed, I think +myself called upon to insist it shall be so."</p> + +<p>St. Aubyn bowed with a lofty air to +Ross, and said:—</p> + +<p>"Well, Sir, your explanation if you +please."</p> + +<p>Ross now entered into a long detail of +the circumstances which had misled +him, stated his fears of St. Aubyn under +the name of Mordaunt, when he first saw +him at Llanwyllan; that no letters from +thence had reached him on the station +where he had remained for the last half +year, till, about a month before his ship +had come home, and he had been ordered +to London to receive a promotion as unexpected +as it was welcome; that he happened +to lodge at Mrs. Birtley's, and by +chance, finding the volume of Gray Lady +St. Aubyn had left there, he recognized +the initials "C. F. M. to E. P." in the +first page, which the words "Dear Llanwyllan," +written in another, confirmed. +The answer Mrs. Birtley made to his im<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span>patient +questions had convinced him who +the Mr. and Mrs. Mordaunt she spoke +of were: this woman had given him also +such accounts as led him to believe they +were not married, and hence his mad insulting +conduct at the theatre had arisen. +He next repeated so accurately every +word that had passed between him and +Ellen, and described their mutual astonishment +at meeting so unexpectedly in +such a natural manner, that had St. +Aubyn doubted before, he could have +done so no longer.</p> + +<p>"Yet," said Ross, "convinced as I +now was how wrong I had been, I could +not prevail on myself to apologize to one +whom I confess I hated, for he had robbed +me of the only woman I ever loved; yet +she had never, even in the happy hours of +our youth, given me the slightest hope +of ever obtaining more than the affection +of a sister from her, and even that seemed +at times more the effect of habit than +choice; for rough and unpolished, my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> +manners repulsed, and choleric and hasty +my temper, alarmed the gentle Ellen; +yet I still flattered myself, time, and the +retired situation in which she lived preventing +her extraordinary beauty from +being known, might have done much for +me; but from the moment Mr. Mordaunt +was known to her, I easily perceived that +hope was at an end; and now I had only +to desire that I might fall by the hand of +the man who had raised her to that greatness. +I could have done no more than +wish for her; I therefore determined to +keep my engagement for this morning. +But yesterday it came to my knowledge +that the promotion intended for me had +been granted to the solicitations of Lord +St. Aubyn. Struck, ashamed at the base +ingratitude of my conduct, I resolved at +length to make every explanation, every +concession. I have done so, and now, +my Lord, it rests with you to accept this +apology: if you refuse it, I am ready to +stand your fire, for never will I lift my +hand in a cause so unjust, and against a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> +man, who, without my knowledge, had +so generously befriended me."</p> + +<p>"I told you before, Mr. Ross," said +St. Aubyn, "that for your excellent father's +sake I would overlook that in you +which in another man I would instantly +have resented. I am not of a vindictive +spirit, and the practice of duelling, though +I have in some measure been forced to +countenance it, is against my principles. +You are at liberty, Sir, to retire; I am +satisfied."</p> + +<p>"I dare not, my Lord," said Ross, +"attempt to offer any thanks for the +kindness you intended me in my professional +career; still less can I consent to +profit by it: I have not deserved it at +your hands, and declining the promotion +offered to me, I shall return to my ship, +and leave England as soon as possible, +and I hope for ever."</p> + +<p>St. Aubyn's generous spirit was moved +by this renunciation.</p> + +<p>"That promotion, Mr. Ross," he replied, +"was sought for you at the re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span>quest +of Lady St. Aubyn, who had not +forgotten the friend of her childhood, and +in hopes of gratifying your most worthy +father, from whom, as well as from your +mother and sister, both my wife and myself +have experienced much kindness +and friendship: I must therefore request +you will not renounce it.</p> + +<p>"At this moment Lady St. Aubyn is +extremely ill, in consequence of the +alarming scene to which your mistake +and my rashness gave rise: should this +illness prove fatal," (and his lips quivered +with emotion as he spoke), "never more +must you and I meet again! Should she +recover, as I hope and trust she will, I +am so perfectly satisfied with the explanations +I have received, that I shall not +be sorry to see your early acquaintance +renewed: for the present we part as +friends."</p> + +<p>Then bowing, he took Sir Edward's arm, +and hastened to his carriage, leaving Ross +overwhelmed with shame and remorse for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> +the treatment he had given to a man so +generous.</p> + +<p>On reaching Cavendish Square he +found Lady Juliana in the utmost alarm; +for missing him when she arose, and +hearing at how early an hour he had +left the house, she had immediately +suspected his errand abroad: she had +sent to Sir Edward Leicester's, and +learned from the servants that their +master and Lord St. Aubyn had gone +out together. Still more and more alarmed, +Lady Juliana paced from room to +room in dreadful agitation, not knowing +whither to send or what to do. Soon +after eight o'clock, Laura sent a note by +Jane to Lady Juliana, saying Lady St. +Aubyn was awake, that the delirium +had totally subsided, but had left her +so extremely weak and low she could +hardly speak to be heard, but was anxious +to see her and Lord St. Aubyn, +whose affectionate inquiries she had +heard of with much delight, and was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> +prepared to see him with composure, +and without recurring to the past. To +trust herself near Ellen, agitated as she +was, Lady Juliana knew was impossible; +she therefore ordered Jane to say, +that having sat up almost the whole +night, neither the Earl nor herself was +up, but in an hour or two they would be +with her; then assuring the girl that the +unfortunate misunderstanding of the +day before was perfectly explained, she +charged her not to drop a hint of it +amongst the servants, which Jane readily +promised, and faithfully performed.</p> + +<p>Soon after this, Doctor B. called, and +to him Lady Juliana communicated her +fears on St. Aubyn's account: he entreated +she would not go near the Countess +till her spirits were quieter, and by +no means to let any ill tidings reach her, +should such arrive: then visiting the sick +room, he rejoiced to find his young and +lovely patient out of danger, though extremely +weak. The excellence of her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> +constitution, assisted by his skill, had +triumphed over the disease, and if no +new alarm occurred, he doubted not her +perfect recovery: leaving strict and repeated +orders that no one should be admitted +at all likely to hurry her spirits, he +left her, and as he passed down the staircase, +was rejoiced to see St. Aubyn enter +safe and well. The Earl hastened to him +with the most eager inquiries for his patient, +and listened to his favourable accounts +with thankful joy.</p> + +<p>"As to Lady Juliana, my good Lord," +said the physician, "she is scarcely in her +senses; you have frightened her almost +to death: come, let me have the pleasure +of leading you to her, and telling her at +the same time how much better our fair +patient is, after which I would advise +you both to take some repose, for your +countenance tells me you have not had +much rest last night, and I promise you, +you must not go to Lady St. Aubyn with +those pale and haggard looks."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p> + +<p>The joy of Lady Juliana at seeing St. +Aubyn return safe and unhurt was extreme, +and was still increased when he +owned to her candidly where he had +been, and the satisfactory explanation he +had received from Ross, which so completely +put an end to this untoward affair +for ever.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon, St. Aubyn, promising +to be as composed as possible, was permitted +to see Ellen for a few minutes. +Both forbore to speak of what had passed, +for both felt they could not endure to recur +to it; but the warmth and unaffected +tenderness of his manner assured her +that all suspicion had been effaced from +his mind; while the affectionate softness +of her's proved to St. Aubyn that +his unkindness was forgiven.</p> + +<p>In a very few days Ellen was pronounced +convalescent, though her remaining +weakness, and Lady Juliana's precautions, +confined her to her dressing-room: +there, by slow degrees, she learned from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> +her affectionate Laura all the circumstances +which had led to Charles Ross's +mistake, and that of St. Aubyn, nor +could she help acknowledging that appearances +had been in both instances +against her: relieved however by having +all her anxieties removed, and by a full +though affecting explanation with St. +Aubyn, who gave her the tenderest assurances +that every jealous disposition +was for ever removed from his mind, she +now rapidly recovered: but as the weather +was now becoming very warm, and she +had had no great reason to delight in +London, she earnestly requested to be +allowed to return to Castle St. Aubyn; +and the advice of her medical attendants +coinciding with her wishes, the request +was easily granted.</p> + +<p>Before she left London, however, she, +with her Lord, paid another visit to the +officer's widow and her interesting family, +and so arranged for them as to ensure +them a neat residence a little way out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> +of town, and the certain means of comfortable +subsistence for the present; for +it was her intention, with St. Aubyn's +permission, to form a school, and other +useful institutions, in the neighbourhood +of the Castle, in which she hoped to +render the widow a service, as well as +gratify herself, by placing her at the head +of the village seminary. She also visited +Mr. Dorrington again, and spent a delightful +hour amongst his treasures; then +leaving her P. P. C. for Lady Meredith, +and some other slight acquaintances, she +joyfully left London on her way to +Northamptonshire, accompanied by the +Earl (more tenderly attached than ever), +Lady Juliana, and Miss Cecil, Sir Edward +Leicester promising to pay them a +visit very soon.</p> + +<p>Delighted indeed was Ellen once more +to breathe the pure air of the country; +and as they passed the little inn where +they had stopped on their former journey +from town, and caught a distant glimpse<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> +of the farm-house where he had told her +his real name and rank, she tenderly +pressed St. Aubyn's hand, and with a +soft tear on her cheek, reminded him of +the circumstance.</p> + +<p>"Ah, my Ellen," he said, "much +have we both suffered since that interesting +moment, but never more, through +fault of mine, shall you shed another tear, +save such as now glitter in your eyes—tears +of tenderness and affection.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span>"</p> +<h2>CHAP. X.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">She feels it—'tis her son! with rapture wild,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bath'd in warm tears, from soft sensations prest.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She clasps him to her cheek, her lip, her breast,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And looks with eye unsated on her child.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He knows her, sure!—Sure, answering rapture his,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Leave her at least the visionary bliss!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lo! his clear eye to her's responsive speaks,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And lo! his little mouth, that wistful seeks<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Warm from her lip to suck the sweet o'erflowing kiss.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She hears the silent call—how quickly hears<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A mother's heart.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i18"><span class="smcap">Sotheby's Oberon.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Arrived at the Castle, Ellen once +more began to breathe; her colour and +appetite returned, and she speedily recovered +her strength, and thought she had +never been so happy: her Lord's renewed, +and even encreased affection, Lady Juliana's +sincere attachment, and the pleasing +society of Laura Cecil, who remained +her guest (Sir William being in Scotland<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> +with Lord and Lady Delamore), left her +scarcely any thing to wish.</p> + +<p>This little party received a very agreeable +addition about a week after, by the +arrival of Sir Edward Leicester, whose +continued attentions to Miss Cecil seemed +not ill received by her.</p> + +<p>Soon after their return to Castle St. +Aubyn, letters from Mr. Ross and Joanna +arrived, filled with thanks and rejoicings +for the promotion of Charles. +They said not a word, nor seemed to +know any thing of the late transactions; +and Lord and Lady St. Aubyn were glad +he had not revealed them. It appeared, +that through St. Aubyn's interest, +he had been made Lieutenant, and honoured +with the command of a small frigate, +and was gone to cruize in the Mediterranean. +At this latter circumstance +Ellen was not sorry; for she could not +wish, after what had passed, to see Charles +Ross again at present. Every thing, +therefore, seemed now smooth before her;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> +and though sometimes her thoughts +would wander to the former mysterious +expressions of St. Aubyn, and recollecting +that the time he appointed for their +elucidation was arrived, yet as she heard +no more of it, and he seemed to have +lost those fits of gloom, which even from +the commencement of their acquaintance +had been obvious in him, she hoped all +was passed over, and determined by no +ill-timed curiosity to revive painful ideas +in his mind. But she yet fully knew not +St. Aubyn, except when thrown off his +guard by any sudden emotion: his command +over his spirits and features was +wonderful; and no one who saw him +composed, cheerful, and even gay, could +have suspected what at times passed in +his mind, nor to what unpleasant scenes +he now looked forward. Not even Lady +Juliana knew what reason he had to +think of the future with apprehension, +though with much of what had for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span>merly +befallen him she certainly was acquainted.</p> + +<p>The families round the Castle paid +every polite attention to Lady St. Aubyn +on her return: many, who had been +absent when she was there before, now +visited her; and though for the present +she declined entering into large parties, +every one seemed rejoiced to see her +once more amongst them. Not the least +delighted was Miss Alton, who with unfading +charms, and exhaustless professions +of regard, came eagerly to greet the +charming Countess's return, to rejoice +in her perfect recovery, and to assure +her how much she had suffered at hearing +she was ill in London.</p> + +<p>"And oh! my dear Lady St. Aubyn," +said she, "think how shocked I was to +hear some rude wretch had annoyed you +at the theatre, and that your excellent +lord had like to have fought a duel about +it. Oh! how thankful I am that these<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> +frightful scenes did not more materially +injure your valuable health, and that you +are returned to us, if possible, more +beautiful than ever."</p> + +<p>"And who, my dear Miss Alton," +said Laura, who alone retained composure +enough to answer her (for this familiar +recurrence to scenes so painful +had greatly disturbed Lady St. Aubyn +and Lady Juliana), "who told you all +this wonderful story?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it was a cousin of mine, who +happened to be coming out of the playhouse +just as it happened, and wrote me +word of it; and that the gentlemen had +exchanged cards: so you see I had pretty +good authority."</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Lady Juliana, with +her usual asperity, "and no doubt made +pretty good use of it. Pray, Ma'am, did +you think it necessary to send a man and +horse round the neighbourhood with this +amusing piece of intelligence; or were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> +you contented with your own personal +exertions?"</p> + +<p>"Dear Lady Juliana, I am sure I +thought no harm; I only just mentioned +it——"</p> + +<p>"To every one who would hear you, +no doubt. If, at least, you had spared us +the recital, it would have been quite as +delicate, and more consistent with your +<i>tender feelings</i> for Lady St. Aubyn."</p> + +<p>Poor Miss Alton, quite shocked to +find she had given such offence to the +old lady, of whom she stood in great awe, +vainly attempted to rally her spirits, and +soon after took her leave, earnestly wishing +Lady Juliana had staid in London; +for she foresaw the entré of the Castle +would not be so easily granted to her +now as it had been when only the kind-hearted +Countess presided; and trembling, +lest, if she were not more cautious +in future, she should not be admitted to +see the little stranger when it arrived, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> +take cake and caudle in Lady St. Aubyn's +apartment.</p> + +<p>"See," said Lady Juliana, drawing +herself up, "see, my dear, the consequence +of admitting such low, uneducated +people to any degree of intimacy! +This gossipping woman would not have +ventured to hint at what had passed, had +you kept her at a proper distance: but +the easy impudence of such people in +these degenerate times astonishes me. +In the days of the Countess of St. Aubyn, +my mother, <i>she</i> would scarcely have spoken +to such a sort of person as this Miss—what +do you call her?" For when +Lady Juliana felt proud or indignant, +she had a great knack of forgetting any +name which had not a title tacked to it; +though no one remembered more accurately +those which had.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" thought Ellen, "how with +pride so overbearing could I ever have +hoped to be myself exempted from this +general censure of such sort of persons!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> +How fortunate I may think myself, to +have overcome a prejudice of such long +standing."</p> + +<p>In the society of a few agreeable neighbours, +and the ever-pleasing conversation +of Laura, the time passed serenely till +the end of August: yet there were moments +when gloom seemed again to steal +over the features of St. Aubyn. His foreign +letters arrived more frequently, but +appeared to give him no satisfaction. +With Ellen he studiously avoided all conversation +on the subject of his anxiety: +for he dreaded, in her present state, the +least alarm, and delayed by every means +in his power the apparently fast approaching +crisis of his fate, till her safety +should have been secured.</p> + +<p>At length, after some hours of uneasy +watching, and the most painful anxiety, +Lady Juliana announced to him the +birth of a <i>son</i>, who, notwithstanding all +the alarms his mother had undergone in +London, seemed likely as well as her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span>self +to do well. Lady Juliana was in +raptures at this event, to which she had +so long looked forward with impatience. +Nothing that money could procure was +wanting to decorate either the infant or +the chamber where he lay, which, as well +as that of the Countess, had been entirely +new furnished in the most superb and +commodious manner at her expence, +Lady Juliana having insisted on paying +for every thing prepared, even to the +elegant cradle lined with quilted white +satin; and not even Lady Meredith had +softer cushions than those on which the +infant heir reposed.</p> + +<p>St. Aubyn, charmed with the lovely +little creature, and to see its mother safe, +appeared as if he had no wish ungratified, +and left no tender attention unpaid +which might ensure his Ellen's health +and comfort. As she approached towards +convalescence, Laura Cecil was her constant +and most delightful companion, and +well knew how to cheer and adorn the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> +hours which were necessarily given to +the quietude of her own apartments. +The infant was rather delicate though +healthy; but safe in its mother's fostering +cares it strengthened every day, without +those cares——</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ah! what avails the cradle's damask roof,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The eider bolster, or embroidered woof,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oft hears the gilded couch unpitied plains,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And many a tear, the tassel'd cushion stains!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No voice so sweet attunes his cares to rest,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So soft no pillow as his mother's breast!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Thus charm'd to sweet repose, when twilight hours<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Shed their soft influence on celestial bowers,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The cherub, Innocence, with smile divine,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shuts his white wings, and sleeps on beauty's shrine.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i18"><span class="smcap">Darwin.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Incessantly anxious about the babe, +Lady St. Aubyn could not soon permit it +to be removed from her apartments, it lay +therefore with its nurse in a smaller +room within that where Lady St. Aubyn +slept.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was about six weeks after this event, +so interesting to all parties, had taken +place, and Ellen had for some time been +returned to the society of her own family, +that one day, just as they had finished +dinner, St. Aubyn was told two gentlemen +in a chaise and four had just arrived, and +requested to speak to him immediately. +He changed colour, but conquering his +purturbation, desired they might be shewn +into his study, and he would go to them. +"Who are they?" said Lady Juliana. "I +did not know, nephew, you expected any +company." "Perhaps," said St. Aubyn, +evading her questions, "they may not +remain here an hour, perhaps till to-morrow +morning." He hastily left the room, +and Ellen was convinced these strangers +were the persons at whom St. Aubyn +had often hinted as connected with the +mystery which hung around him: she +trembled, and felt dismayed, but endeavoured +to be as composed as possible. +In a few minutes after St. Aubyn had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> +left the room, Mr. Mordaunt was sent +for; and as he had been some time an invalid, +St. Aubyn desired a carriage might +be dispatched to bring him to the Castle. +Ellen passing soon after up stairs to the +nursery, crossed him in the hall, followed +by his assistant with a quantity of papers +and parchments: they bowed, and went +into the study. "Oh, I know now," said +Lady Juliana, who was with her, "who +St. Aubyn has with him: it is I suppose +Lord De Montfort, and his guardian and +tutor, Mr. O'Brien, a Catholic priest, who +has the entire management of the young +man, and will I suppose now have the +entire direction of his estates, which +have till now been under the care of my +nephew, who was appointed by his father's +will the young Earls guardian, as far as +related to his English property, till he +should be twenty-four, though his Catholic +relations have had the care of his person. +Rejoiced shall I be when St. Aubyn has +finally concluded all his concerns with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> +that family. Heaven knows they have +given him trouble enough already! +and this young man I know hates him. +I don't suppose he will stay an hour after +the accounts are settled, indeed he would +not have come at all, only Mordaunt +having all the affairs in his hands, and +being too unwell to go from home, it was +I conclude necessary: this I know, if +these people stay here to-night, I shall +remain in my own room."</p> + +<p>Ellen carefully and anxiously attended +to all she said, yet this discourse gave her +no clue by which to unravel the mysterious +speeches of St. Aubyn. After +spending an hour in the nursery, both +ladies returned to the drawing-room, and +sent a servant to know if coffee should +be carried into the study, or if Lord St. +Aubyn and his guests would join the +ladies. Orders were given for tea and +coffee in the study; and Lady Juliana +could not restrain her curiosity enough to +refrain asking who was with Lord St.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> +Aubyn: from the servant she learned that +the party consisted of his Lordship, Mr. +Mordaunt, his clerk, and two strange +gentlemen, one elderly, the other young, +and apparently in ill health. This confirmed +her surmises, and soon after tea, not +wishing to see Lord De Montfort, should +he make his appearance, she retired to her +own room, leaving Ellen and Laura +together, with a strict injunction to the +former not to be kept up too late.</p> + +<p>Ellen's anxiety made her somewhat +silent; and Laura, never very talkative, +easily fell into her present humour, so +that for some time very little conversation +passed between them. Laura was netting, +and Ellen attempting a drawing; but +her hand was unsteady, and her attention +divided, therefore finding she should not +succeed, she threw down her pencil, and +listened in silence to a loud equinoxial +wind, which howled around, and shook +with "murmur not unlike the dash of +ocean on his sounding shores" the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> +ancient trees which grew near the mansion. +A chilling sensation insensibly +stole upon her, and at length, to break +the melancholy silence of the apartment, +rather than that she wished to speak, she +said, "'Tis a rough night, and cold."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Laura; and they both +drew nearer the fire.</p> + +<p>"Do you know Lord De Montfort?" asked Ellen.</p> + +<p>"I have seen him when a boy," +replied Laura, "and think I should know +him again, though six or seven years +make a great alteration at his age."</p> + +<p>"Was he handsome?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but not so much so as his +sister."</p> + +<p>"Is he like her?"</p> + +<p>"A little, but of a darker complexion: +her's was a clear lively brown; dark +hazle eyes, full of spirit, and indeed at +times of scorn, a Grecian nose, full lips, +the upper one curled a little, which gave +a haughty air to her countenance; Ed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span>mund +was thinner, paler, and his eyes had +a softer look."</p> + +<p>"Edmund is his name?"</p> + +<p>"He has a long list of names, according +to the Spanish custom; but his +sister always called him Edmund, which +was his father's."</p> + +<p>"I wonder whether we shall see +him?"</p> + +<p>"Of course,—I suppose so," said +Laura, with some surprize: "it is too +late for him to quit the Castle to-night, +and he will without doubt pay his compliments +to you before he departs."</p> + +<p>"I think," replied Ellen, "from what +Lady Juliana said just now, that St. +Aubyn and Lord De Montfort are not on +very good terms, that made me doubt +whether he would stay the night."</p> + +<p>"It may be so," said Laura, "yet +unless they are decidedly at enmity, the +young man cannot avoid seeing you."</p> + +<p>Soon after the supper tray was brought +into the room, and on its being announced<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> +to the gentlemen, St. Aubyn came to +the library, accompanied by Mr. Mordaunt +and Mr. O'Brien, the latter of +whom he introduced to the ladies. St. +Aubyn looked pale, and his manners +had lost some of its usual composure. +O'Brien was a grave, respectable old man, +of Irish extraction, but bred in a convent +abroad, and speaking English but imperfectly.</p> + +<p>"I will return to the study," said St. +Aubyn, "and see once more if I can +persuade Lord De Montfort to take some +refreshment. You remember De Montfort, +Miss Cecil?—He is my other guest, +but he pleads fatigue, and disinclination +to see any one, and will not be prevailed +on to take even a glass of wine. I will +once more endeavour to induce him to +join you."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, my Lord," said Ellen, "I +hope he will: if he be fatigued, he must +the more need refreshment."</p> + +<p>"My love," said St. Aubyn, "will you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> +have the goodness to order beds to be +prepared for Lord De Montfort and Mr. +O'Brien. They remain here this night."</p> + +<p>He then left the room, and Ellen ringing +the bell, desired Mrs. Bayfield might +be sent to her dressing-room, whither a +few minutes after she went herself to +give orders respecting the beds. As she +passed the study door, which was not +quite close, she distinctly heard St. Aubyn +say:—</p> + +<p>"For Heaven's sake, De Montfort, +be persuaded; do not wrong me so cruelly! +Why condemn me on mere appearances?"</p> + +<p>Ellen passed hastily on, and heard St. +Aubyn close the door with some violence, +warned perhaps by the light she +carried that some one might overhear +him.</p> + +<p>In her dressing-room she met Mrs. +Bayfield, and was instantly struck with +her pale countenance and agitated appearance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> + +<p>"My good Bayfield," said Ellen, "I +sent for you to request you would see +chambers prepared for the strange gentlemen; +but you look ill, pray go to bed: +Jane shall go with the housemaids and +see that all is right."</p> + +<p>"I am not ill, my Lady," said Mrs. +Bayfield; "but a glimpse I caught of +Lord De Montfort just now, and the +tone of his voice, reminded me of so many +painful events—"</p> + +<p>She paused, sighed, and the tears ran +down her cheeks as she added:</p> + +<p>"I wish he had not come here; I wish +he was gone back to Spain; I cannot bear +to see him."</p> + +<p>"His likeness to your late lady affects +you perhaps, my good friend?" said +Ellen.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, Madam; it is not that; he +is like her to be sure; but it is not <i>that</i>. I +feel so uneasy when I see him.—He does +not love my Lord; and yet he used to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> +love him. But forgive me, Madam; I +forget myself: will your Ladyship please +to give your orders now?"</p> + +<p>"I will leave all to your care, my good +Bayfield. I suppose the gentlemen will +like to be near each other: the two +chambers at the end of the gallery where +I sleep (those next to that your Lord +sleeps in at present, I mean) will suit +them best, I think: see that they have +good fires, for it is cold to-night: the wind +is really alarming."</p> + +<p>"Your Ladyship had better take +another shawl round your shoulders: the +staircase is cold."</p> + +<p>Ellen thanked her careful old friend, +and returned to the company.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<h4>FOOTNOTES</h4> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> A fact.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_B_2" id="Footnote_B_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_2"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> It is said that the once lovely Lady C——, +when on her death-bed, lamented to a friend sitting +by her, that her little boy, then in the room, <i>would +never know what a beautiful creature his mother +was</i>. "She feels the ruling passion strong in +death!"</p></div> +</div> + +<h4>END OF VOL. II.</h4> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h5><span class="smcap">B. Clarke</span>, Printer, Well Street, London.</h5> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Mystery and Confidence, Vol. 2, by +Elizabeth Pinchard + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYSTERY AND CONFIDENCE, VOL. 2 *** + +***** This file should be named 34968-h.htm or 34968-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/9/6/34968/ + +Produced by Mark C. Orton and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/34968.txt b/34968.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0eefbc9 --- /dev/null +++ b/34968.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4110 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Mystery and Confidence, Vol. 2, 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. 2 + A Tale + +Author: Elizabeth Pinchard + +Release Date: January 15, 2011 [EBook #34968] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYSTERY AND CONFIDENCE, VOL. 2 *** + + + + +Produced by Mark C. Orton 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 A LADY. + + IN THREE VOLUMES. + + + VOL. II. + + + + 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. + + + + + MYSTERY + AND + CONFIDENCE. + + + + +CHAP. I. + + ----To mourn because a sparrow dies, + To rave in artificial ecstasies, + Laments how oft her wounded heart has bled, + And boasts of many a tear she never shed. + + MISS MORE'S POEM ON SENSIBILITY. + + +The next day being Sunday, Lady St. Aubyn, attired in the most elegant +undress, and attended by the Earl, made her appearance at the church: +the expensive lace veil which shaded her fair face, and hung loosely +below her waist, prevented the gazing of those around her from being +too oppressive. The neighbouring families certainly had heard that Lord +St. Aubyn had married a young person of a rank in life much inferior to +his own, for secretly as every thing had been conducted, as no one could +tell the name or family of his bride, such, at least, were the +conjectures of those who knew him; yet, in spite of the prejudices which +had been excited against her, the elegance of her form, and the modest +composure of her demeanour, in a great measure overcame it, and all who +were entitled, by their situation in life, to visit at the Castle, +determined to do so; some prompted by mere curiosity, and some by less +unworthy motives. The three or four following days, therefore, brought +Ellen many visitors, and her own intuitive sense of propriety, added to +the few general directions St. Aubyn had given her, and with the +advantageous support his respectful attention gave her, prevented her +appearing at all awkward; and these visits, which she had so greatly +dreaded, passed over with less pain than she had expected. + +Amongst their first visitors were Sir William and Miss Cecil; the former +of whom was a mere common-place character, whom, if you did not happen +to see for sometime, you would be apt to forget you had ever seen at +all; but the fine countenance of Laura, her expressive features, and the +bright black eyes which animated them, charmed Ellen, who had never seen +any woman before so pleasing: yet Laura was not strictly beautiful, and +at this time the lustre of her fine eyes was dimmed by the melancholy +which pervaded her mind, for she said her little invalid was so much +indisposed, and so weak, she would not have left her to go any where +else; but she wished so very much to be introduced to Lady St. Aubyn she +could not resist the temptation. + +The very elegant manner in which she spoke, the clearness of her +articulation, and sweetness of her voice, were strikingly agreeable; and +St. Aubyn afterwards said that a few years before she had a gaiety of +manner, enlivened by wit of a superior nature, with so much playfulness +of expression, that by many people she was considered as merely a lively +girl, and a little satirical; but time and misfortune had softened what +at times might have been too severe in her opinions, had improved and +mellowed her fine judgment, and given a pensive sweetness to her +manners, which was occasionally relieved by flashes of her former gaiety +and ready repartee. St. Aubyn shewed her a particular and most +respectful attention, and told Ellen she would be charmed with Miss +Cecil's drawings, which were the very finest he ever saw, except from +the hands of a professed artist. He then, with a smile, addressed a few +words to Laura in an undertone, to which she replied: "Oh, pray, my +Lord, do not expose my juvenile follies: I might have done such things +when we were mere children together, but I hope you think me wiser now!" + +"The world," said he, "has perhaps made us both graver since the days +you speak of; and that, in the eyes of many, will doubtless give us +credit for an increase of wisdom; but believe me, my fair friend, I have +lost so little of the romance of youth (if such you choose to term it), +that I must hope you do not neglect the pleasing talent to which I +alluded, and of which you must allow Lady St. Aubyn to judge: I assure +you she has a great taste for poetry, and perhaps one day or other may +follow your example, and court the Muses in her turn." + +"Ah, my Lord!" said Laura, smiling and colouring: "I see you are +determined not to keep my secret." "Tell me, Ellen," said St. Aubyn, +"can you see any reason why Miss Cecil should wish to make a secret of +her having succeeded very happily in some elegant little poetical +compositions?" "No, indeed," replied Ellen: "it surely is a gift to be +rather proud than ashamed of." "Ah, my dear Lady St. Aubyn, if you could +conceive the illiberal prejudice of some minds, you would not wonder at +my dislike to having these trifling attempts spoken of. A lady I knew, +who was eminently gifted in that way, and indeed an excellent +prose-writer also, was, from circumstances, obliged to be less +scrupulous than I have been; and if you could have heard the things I +have witnessed, when she entered or left a room, you would be amazed: +while she, gentle, unassuming, and even timid, judging candidly of every +one, unwilling to see faults, and detesting personal satire, had not the +most remote idea of the severe and uncandid remarks she excited." + +Ellen was really astonished at this account, as much as she was pleased +with the spirit and grace with which it was delivered; and St. Aubyn +said to her with an expressive smile, "You see, Ellen, our friend Ross +had more reason than we were willing to allow him for _certain +prohibitions_. However," added he, "I will not relinquish the hope that +Miss Cecil will soon see how little she has to fear from any +observations of such a nature from _you_." "I see it already," said Miss +Cecil with quickness: "one glance at Lady St. Aubyn would convince the +most incredulous that nothing but sweetness and candour can lodge in +such a temple." + +She then looked at her watch, and saying she had much exceeded her time, +and Juliet would expect her, departed with her father, who had been +deeply engaged in giving Doctor Montague a long account of a +county-meeting, which had been held for some public purpose a few days +before. They had scarcely driven from the door, when Miss Alton was +announced; and as she entered, St. Aubyn whispered to Ellen--"Now you +will see a character quite new to you." Then rising hastily, he crossed +the room to meet the lady, exclaiming, "Heavens! my dear Miss Alton, how +enchanted I am to see you look so well! You really improve every day, at +least every year: for I believe it is at least that time since I saw you +last." "Oh, my Lord," answered the lady in an affected tone, but in a +voice the natural sharpness of which all her efforts failed to soften; +"you flatter--don't try to make me vain. Lord bless me, you men have no +mercy on us poor young women: but will you not introduce me to your +Lady?" + +Ellen, who at the distance from whence she had first seen this visitor +imagined that she really was young and handsome, was astonished as she +approached, to find in the white frock, sash, ringlets, and little +straw hat of a girl, a woman apparently between fifty and sixty; and who +vainly attempted to conceal, by a quantity of _rouge_ and a slight veil +thrown over her face, the ravages which time had made in her +countenance. Her spare figure gave her some resemblance to youthful +slightness; but when near, the sharp bones, and angular projections of +her face and person, sufficiently proved, that slender appearance was +the result of lean old age, instead of girlish delicacy. In spite of the +advanced season, she was clad so lightly, that she still shivered from +the impression of the keen breeze which had assailed her as she crossed +the Park, and gladly accepted a seat by the comfortable fire, though +affecting to conceal her sufferings under an air of gaiety and ease. + +St. Aubyn (who had known her many years, and had been from a boy +accustomed to divert himself with her foibles, though he really felt a +degree of regard for her, as, in spite of her oddities, she was not +without a mixture of good qualities), after having introduced her to his +bride, seated himself by her, and began to talk to her in a strain of +such marked flattery, as really alarmed Ellen, who thought Miss Alton +would certainly be offended; but her enormous vanity prevented her from +perceiving that he was merely laughing at her, and she grew every moment +more ridiculous. At last, turning to Ellen, she said in a pathetic tone, +"Oh, my dear Madam, you cannot conceive how I have felt for you these +two days! I declare I have not been able to sleep for thinking of you, +and really have shed tears to imagine what a tax you have been paying: +how you must have been fatigued by receiving such a succession of +visitors! but every one must have some trouble. There is my dear friend, +Mrs. Dawkins, the best of women--sweet woman, indeed--there she is +lamenting at home such a vexation!" "What is the matter?" said St. +Aubyn, laughing, for he knew what sort of misfortunes Mrs. Dawkins and +her friend Miss Alton generally lamented with so much pathos: "has she +lost her little French dog, or has the careless coachman scratched the +pannels of her new carriage?" "Oh, you sad man! how can you make a jest +of the dear soul's uncommon sensibility? To be sure she has the +tenderest feelings. She often says to me, 'my dear Alton, what should I +do without you: you are the only person who can really feel for the +misfortunes of a friend.' Sweet woman!" + +"Well, but," said St. Aubyn, "you were going to tell us what has +happened to this _amiable friend_ of your's." + +"Nay, I will tell Lady St. Aubyn, she looks all softness and +sensibility: but you are so wicked, you make a jest of every thing. Do +you know, my dearest Lady St. Aubyn, just as poor Mrs. Dawkins was +coming to make you a visit, this morning, nay, she was actually dressed, +and had one foot on the step of the carriage, _I_ was in it, for she was +so kind as to say she would bring me; so I thought, as I was to come +with her, I need not put on a pelisse, or shawl, for you know they spoil +one's dress. But I can't say but that it was rather cold walking, as I +was at last obliged to do, for _just_ as she put her foot upon the +step----" "What happened?" interrupted St. Aubyn, laughing still more at +the emphatic manner in which poor Alton told her distressing +story.--"Did she fall down and break her leg, or did the horses run away +and carry off her kid slipper?"----"Now only hear him; did you ever see +such a teasing creature: well, I am glad _I_ have not the task of +keeping you in order; I don't know what even the sweet Countess will do +with you." + +This piece of self-congratulation threw St. Aubyn into a violent fit of +laughing, in which even the grave Doctor Montague joined, and Ellen +could hardly resist, though the fear of quite affronting her guest put a +check upon her risibility. + +"Well," said St. Aubyn, at last recovering himself a little, "but what +really did happen to poor Mrs. Dawkins?" + +"Nay, I protest I won't tell you, you wicked creature; I will tell Lady +St. Aubyn some other time, for you do not deserve to hear any thing +about it." + +"Oh, yes, do, my dear Alton, tell, for really I am in great pain for +poor Mrs. Dawkins, who has been standing so long with one foot upon the +step: don't leave her in so dangerous a situation any longer."----"Well, +then, if I must tell--at that moment up came a servant on horseback, to +say her sister, Mrs. Courtenay, was on the road to her own house, in her +way from Buxton, and would, with a whole train of children and servants, +dine at her house to-day; and as they were coming directly, she was +actually obliged to defer her visit to your Ladyship till to-morrow; and +she was so sorry, and I am sure so was I, for I was obliged to walk here +after all." + +"Well, but," said Lord St. Aubyn, "notwithstanding this terrible shock +to her feelings, she might have sent the carriage with _you_."----"Aye, +so she might, to be sure; but poor dear soul, she was put in such a +bustle she never thought of it; some people don't think----dear me, if I +had a carriage of my own, I should be happy to make it useful to my +friends, and not let them go broiling on foot two or three miles in warm +weather or splashing through the mud in the middle of winter."----"I +believe you," said St. Aubyn; for with all her foibles, he knew Miss +Alton was really good-natured, and willing to do a kind action. + +"Well, my dear Miss Alton, if you will favour us with your company, and +dine with us, Lady St. Aubyn will, I am sure, be happy to send you home +in her carriage; and I promise you, if the Prince himself was to make us +a visit, that should not prevent your having it." + +Ellen joined in this invitation, to which the happy Miss Alton readily +assented; and Ellen found her, after a little while, a more tolerable +companion than she expected. + +Miss Alton's particular passion was for being with people who lived in +style; if they had a title so much the better; and as she would do any +thing to make herself useful, and knew how to pay those little +attentions which every body likes, she generally made herself agreeable, +or so necessary, that she had admittance at almost all the houses of +consequence in the neighbourhood. The entre of St. Aubyn Castle was the +height of her ambition. St. Aubyn's mother, who lived much in the +country, had been in the habit of receiving Miss Alton, when she was a +girl, on familiar terms: the old Lady was fond of needle-work, and +Alton assisted in filling up the groundwork of carpets, rugs, &c. with +the most patient good humour; or was at any time ready to make up a +whist or quadrille table; so that in those days she was very often a +week or two together at the Castle, where St. Aubyn, at his vacations, +had been accustomed to meet her, and to divert himself with her foibles, +though he had always retained a degree of regard for her, a felicity +which the death of the old Countess deprived her of, and she had never +since ceased to regret; for though her other connections were +respectable, they were not so high in fortune or consequence as the St. +Aubyns, and great was her joy to find herself once more an invited guest +at the Castle. + +Amongst her other friends, as her narrow income by no means permitted +her to return their civilities in kind, she yet was always well +received, for there was nothing she would not do to oblige: one Lady +would send her in her carriage, if not well enough to go herself, to +inquire the character of a servant; another would express a wish, in her +hearing, for some game, or fruit, for a dinner party, and Miss Alton +would set out the next morning "to try her luck," as she termed it, by +calling at some of the higher sort of houses, where she was acquainted, +and _wishing_ she knew where to get a hare, or a pine-apple (according +to which was wanted), "to oblige a friend to whom she owed a great many +favours," the good natured hearer generally, if possible, was willing to +oblige "poor Alton;" or if she did not succeed there, she would tramp a +mile or two farther, and at worst could fairly boast what pains she had +taken, even if they were not successful. + +In London, if a notable friend wanted a cheap trimming, or to match a +silk or lace, yet did not like to go about to little shops herself, +Alton would take a hackney coach, or walk if the weather permitted, and +never rest till she had obtained the thing in question. + +By these and similar means she had made a great many high acquaintance, +and _eked_ out a small income by visits, sometimes a little too long, to +each in turn.----She had thus acquired some amusing anecdotes, and was +far from an unpleasing companion, especially when no male beings came in +her way; but when with men, vanity and affectation took such full +possession of her, that she became completely ridiculous. This Lady St. +Aubyn had an opportunity of seeing: when two or three gentlemen happened +to call before dinner, her whole manner changed, and she became really +absurd: her voice was softened----her head leant on one shoulder----a +tolerably white hand and arm displayed in every possible attitude, and +she behaved, in every respect, like a very silly affected girl; but when +they were gone, she was again tolerably conversable, and St. Aubyn, +ceasing to play upon her foibles, and turning the conversation to such +topics as were most likely to shew her to advantage, the afternoon and +evening passed pleasantly enough. Nor was St. Aubyn sorry to familiarise +Ellen, by degrees, to company, or to do the honour of his table, before +they should be obliged to receive the neighbouring families at dinner, +many of whom he knew (especially two or three ladies who had unmarried +daughters) would be eagerly looking out for any little omission in her, +while Miss Alton was so delighted with the good things before her +(certainly being _un peu gourmande_) with the beautiful new service of +china, rich plate, &c. &c. that she never thought of her entertainers, +except to express her pleasure in their kindness and attention: and they +sent her home in the evening perfectly happy, and eager to tell dear +Mrs. Dawkins what a delightful day she had spent, how happy the Earl +was to see her, what a _sweet woman_ the Countess was, what fine china! +what a dessert! what an elegant new carriage! &c. &c. + + + + +CHAP. II. + + Yet once again farewell, thou minstrel harp, + Yet once again forgive my feeble sway, + And little reck I of the censure sharp, + May idly cavil at an idle lay. + Much have I owed thy strains on life's long way, + Through secret woes the world has never known, + When on the weary night dawn'd wearier day, + And bitterer was the grief devour'd alone. + + W. SCOTT. + + +The next month was past in receiving and returning visits; and the most +pleasing among them was a sociable day passed at Rose-Hill, the seat of +Sir William Cecil. Miss Cecil promised, if Juliet, who now for some time +had been tolerably well, should continue so, that Ellen should see her; +though she very seldom admitted any company: "But I have said so much of +you," said Laura, "that she is quite anxious to see you; and I am +particularly anxious to familiarize her to you, both as it will I am +sure give her pleasure, and facilitate our being often together." +Accordingly, after dinner, when they left the gentlemen, Miss Cecil led +Lady St. Aubyn to Juliet's apartment. + +Never had Ellen seen so interesting a being: this fair creature, now +about fifteen, was a perfect model of beauty and symmetry; though so +slightly formed, she appeared, "like a fairy vision, or some bright +creature of the element:" her cheeks were faintly tinged with a hectic +blush; her eyes were of the most dazzling brightness; her lips like +coral; and her teeth of pearly whiteness; her fair hair was covered with +a fine lace cap, and her fragile form enveloped in a large shawl. + +"My love," said Laura, "here is Lady St. Aubyn, who is so good as to +come and see you." + +Juliet extended her white hand, and said in a voice of peculiar +harmony, fixing at the same time her sparkling and penetrating eyes on +Ellen's face, as if she wished to read her heart in her countenance, +"Laura says she loves you already, and I am sure _I_ shall." The simple +naivete of her voice and manner went to the heart of Ellen, who could +not help embracing her tenderly, while she felt the tears start to her +eyes at seeing one so young and lovely in a state of health so +precarious. + +After a little more conversation, Ellen put her hand accidentally on a +small book which lay half concealed by one of the pillows of Juliet's +couch, and said with that native politeness which ever prevented her +from doing any thing rude or intrusive, "May I look at the subject of +your studies?" "Yes," said Juliet, with an angelic smile, "If you +please." Ellen opened the book. It was in a character totally unknown to +her. "Do you read Greek?" asked the fair Juliet, with a simplicity and +absence of design which proved her question was serious; and this +interrogation, which would from most people to a young woman be +absolutely ridiculous, from Juliet appeared merely a natural wish to +know whether her new friend was as able as herself to read the book she +held in her hand; for strange as it may appear, it was a copy of the New +Testament in Greek; and Juliet read it as easily as if it had been +English. + +"My dear Juliet," said Laura, "few females make that language their +study; I conclude, therefore, Lady St. Aubyn does not know it any more +than myself." "Oh, I wish you both did," said Juliet: "if you could but +know the delight I feel from reading the Scripture in its original +language!--If I live till next summer I hope the Hebrew Bible will be as +familiar to me as that book is now." + +It is impossible for language to do justice to the perfect innocence and +artlessness with which she spoke: she seemed to think her own wonderful +attainments no more extraordinary than other girls do of being able to +read a newspaper, or work a handkerchief: not a trace of affectation or +pedantry was visible in her manner: she had a childishness of voice and +tone that singularly contrasted with the subjects on which she spoke; +for Laura, willing to let Ellen see what a wonderful creature she was, +led her to speak of astronomy; and a celestial globe happening to be on +a table before her, led her by degrees to display her extraordinary +knowledge in that science--of the dimensions and motions of the heavenly +bodies, their distances from the sun and from each other, &c. all of +which she explained in the clearest and most perspicuous manner, making +such happy allusions to the poets who have touched on the subject, and +illustrating it by such apt comparisons, as shewed her imagination was +as brilliant, as the calculations she readily made proved her memory +was accurate. + +Lady St. Aubyn, who had at every leisure hour since her marriage been +engaged in studying this and other interesting subjects of useful +knowledge, could in some degree appreciate the value and extent of this +sweet girl's extraordinary acquirements, and was lost in admiration of +her abilities, and the industry with which, notwithstanding her ill +health, she had cultivated them. + +This happened to be a day in which Juliet was unusually well, for in +general she declined all conversation, and spent most of her time in +studying the Scriptures, in devotional exercises, and promoting every +plan which her health would permit her to join in for the relief of the +poor; for her early piety and extensive charity were as remarkable as +her other attainments were wonderful: but this day she was so well, that +at Laura's solicitation, in which Ellen earnestly joined, she placed +herself at a chamber organ that stood in her apartment, which she +touched with great taste and science; and was at last prevailed on to +accompany it with a voice of the most angelic sweetness. + +She sung only sacred music, and now delighted Ellen with "Angels ever +bright and fair;" and, "I know that my Redeemer liveth:" and while her +pure lips poured forth these exquisite specimens of musical inspiration, +the soft and pious expression of her heavenly countenance, for ever +fixed and hallowed them in the remembrance of her hearers. + +To Ellen she seemed hardly a being of this world, and her young and +enthusiastic heart was melted with the tenderest love for one so very +far superior to any thing she could have imagined. + +From this day the St. Aubyns and Cecils spent a great part of their time +together, and the highly polished manners of Miss Cecil, her excellent +judgment, and fine taste, were extremely advantageous to Lady St. +Aubyn. Without losing her natural grace and sweet simplicity, she +gradually acquired more of that style which marks both the woman of +fashion and the possessor of intellectual knowledge; even her beauty +improved with the encreased intelligence of her mind, and the serenity +of her heart; for now for the first time she felt entirely happy; +scarcely a cloud overshadowed her. + +St. Aubyn was every day more tender and attentive, and every day +expressed himself more pleased and delighted with his choice. Those +starts of agitation and gloom which on their first acquaintance had +appeared in him so frequently, were now very seldom seen. He received +frequent letters from Spain, which he told Ellen were from his friend +the Marquis of Northington, who was there in a diplomatic situation, and +was engaged in seeking a person, by means of his extensive connections +on the Continent, who alone could unravel some mysterious circumstances +of the most material consequence to _him_. "But when found," said St. +Aubyn, one day when he had by degrees been led to speak on this +subject--"when found, if ever that should happen, I know not that he +will be prevailed on to disclose what I have every reason to believe he +alone can tell. He is a villain!"----(and St. Aubyn's frame shook with +the agitation of smothered rage) "and may from motives of fear or +revenge add to the other injuries he has done me, by withholding that +information which alone can secure _my fame_, perhaps _my life_." + +He had never before spoken so much or so calmly on this interesting +subject; and seeing that Ellen listened with great anxiety, and that at +his last words she trembled and turned pale, he added: + +"Fear not, my love: for your dear sake I will take every necessary +precaution; and should I find the enemy, who has long, though most +unjustly, threatened to revenge on me an act, horrible indeed, but of +which I was not the author----should I find him still determined on +vindictive measures, I will for a time pass over to the Continent, till +some accommodation can be effected. At all events, my Ellen, remember +you have promised to _believe me innocent_. In the course of the next +summer, this enemy (who, alas! and that is not the least hardship in my +wayward fate, ought by every tie to look upon me as a friend and father) +will be in England, and I shall perhaps be able to clear his mind from +those evil impressions with which an unfortunate chain of circumstances +have stampt it----impressions received in early youth, and which he has +ever since cherished, and brooded over with the most determined +resentment." + +At this juncture, when St. Aubyn seemed for the first time inclined to +open his whole heart to his wife, and to disclose to her a story in +which she was so deeply interested, they were interrupted by a servant, +who announced Mrs. Dawkins, and her tender friend Miss Alton, who came +armed with a whole catalogue of sympathetic feelings and notes of +admiration of all kinds to entertain Lady St. Aubyn. + +Many were the disasters which had happened since they saw her last: +horses had been lame, servants impertinent, showers of rain had fallen +at the most unlucky moments, even a dinner had been spoilt which had +cost a whole week's preparation, by the cook's inattention in +over-roasting the venison; in short, all the minor evils of life had set +themselves in array against the peace of poor Mrs. Dawkins: and even the +sympathizing Miss Alton could hardly keep pace with lamentations +sufficient for such a doleful list of distresses. She fought her way, +however, as well as she could, and where words failed her, shrugs, +sighs, and the whole artillery of gesticulation, were employed in their +stead. + +What then became of poor Ellen, who could at best only sit "with sad +civility and an aching head," amid this alternate din of complaint and +compassion? But Mrs. Dawkins was pre-determined to like and be pleased +with every thing the lovely Countess did or omitted to do, and construed +the silence and acquiescence with which she heard every thing into the +kindest attention and most obliging concern for the troubles of her +friends. + +The entrance of a sandwich tray fortunately gave some pause to this +melancholy duet; and the excellent hot-house fruits, rich cake, &c. +seemed to arrive in good time to refresh both ladies after so much +exertion. At last they took their leave, but the moment for confidence +was past; indeed, St. Aubyn, in no humour for trifling, had made his +escape at one door, as they entered at the other: of course, the +conversation was not then resumed. + +Not to interrupt the course of the narrative, we omitted in the proper +place to notice that Lord and Lady St. Aubyn had, immediately on their +arrival at the Castle, written letters of explanation to Powis and +Joanna, and he permitted Mr. Ross to publish what he alone knew the real +rank and title of the person Ellen had married. + +We will not pretend to describe the astonishment excited by this +intelligence amongst the inhabitants of Llanwyllan: the honest and +unaspiring Powis declared he would much rather Ellen had married a man +nearer her own rank in life, for he was afraid, poor dear child, she +would be bewildered amongst such fine people, and in such a great house: +for his part, even if he were able to travel so far, he should not like +to go to such a grand place as she described the Castle to be; besides, +he was afraid they would be ashamed to see such a rough, ignorant fellow +as he was among their fine company: and if Ellen was above calling him +father, he should wish himself in the grave. + +The tears started in his eyes at the painful idea, and the good Ross +could hardly dissipate his apprehensions of being forsaken by his only +child, by reminding him of her excellent qualities and tender affection +for him, and of the kindness with which Lord St. Aubyn had treated him +through the whole of his acquaintance. + +Mrs. Ross was in ten times a greater bustle than ever; she could not +rest till she had told the surprizing news to every one she met, and at +intervals she scolded Mr. Ross heartily for not letting her into the +secret, as if she were not as worthy to be trusted as any body else for +secrecy and prudence; "she that had been a mother to Ellen, was no +gossip, and minded nothing but her own business!" but when he reminded +her that even Ellen, deeply as she was interested, was not permitted to +know it, she could not but acknowledge she had no great right to expect +to be better informed. + +As to Joanna, with the natural vanity of youth, she was elated beyond +measure at the idea of her dear Ellen's being a _real lady_, and the +hope of visiting her one day or other in her fine castle, and seeing all +her beautiful things, while Mrs. Ross made no doubt Ellen had a dress +for every day in the week, and her caps trimmed with fine lace; then she +laughed at the recollection of having once "scolded Ellen for putting on +her best white gown when she expected Mr. Mordaunt, as we called him, +and now I should not wonder if she wears as good in a morning!"--"Dear +mother," said Joanna, who, from the slight view she had of what she +fancied the world, when she went with St. Aubyn and Ellen to Carnarvon, +imagined herself better instructed in fashionable matters--"dear mother, +I daresay she does not wear such gowns at all; I should not wonder if +her maid had as good: I am sure I saw a lady's maid on a travelling +carriage at Carnarvon much better dressed than either of us." "Well, +bless me, what will the world come to," said Mrs. Ross, "when such folks +as those wear white gowns and flappits!" Alas, poor Mrs. Ross! could she +have seen some ladies' maids!-- + +All these things Joanna told Ellen in a letter the longest she had ever +written, and greatly was St. Aubyn diverted with the simplicity of their +ideas. The good Ross wrote to St. Aubyn, and expressed his high +satisfaction at the very just and honourable manner in which he had +performed all his engagements respecting Ellen, and requested to hear +from time to time whatever might arise concerning those important +circumstances which the Earl had done him the honour to confide to him. + +"What can we do for these very good people, my dear Ellen?" said St. +Aubyn: "they have no wants nor wishes beyond their present possessions. +If I send them any articles of luxury, or the means of encreasing their +present expenses, I know not that I should render them happier. I could +easily procure a valuable living for Mr. Ross, and told him so; but he +assured me nothing should induce him to leave his present flock, and +that he had not a wish to rise to a higher sphere, or for any thing in +the world, but a few more books; and for those I have sent an order to +my bookseller, requesting they may be immediately forwarded to +Carnarvon. I shall also enclose to Ross a larger payment for my good old +landlady and cook, dame Grey, than I thought it prudent to make while we +remained at Llanwyllan. Is there any thing else my Ellen can think +of?"--"There are," answered Ellen, in a low voice, "some very poor +people at Llanwyllan, that Joanna and I used to be as kind to as we +could. I should like, if you approve of it, to send Joanna a little +money for their use." "By all means, send whatever you think proper, and +as often as you please; never consult me, but do all that your kind and +generous heart prompts you to do on all occasions--think also if there +is any thing Mrs. Ross and Joanna would be pleased to have. You must be +a better judge of their wishes than I can be."--He then took out his +pocketbook, and gave her notes to a large amount, telling her, with a +smile, that her expences were so small, he should forget he had a wife +if she were not a little more profuse. "Well, but Ellen," said St. +Aubyn, "surely this is not all you have to ask for the friends of your +youth! don't make me fancy either that you are forgetful, or _think more +than you choose to express for some of them_." "My dear Lord, what do +you mean?" said Ellen, a little startled by the manner in which he +spoke, "Nay, don't be alarmed," replied St. Aubyn, with a smile, "_I_ +was thinking of one certainly not so much in _my_ favour as he ought to +be in _your's_, for he deprived me once of your society for a whole day, +for which, and some certain pangs and anxieties, I cannot quite forgive +him." "I cannot guess who you mean." "Is that really true?" "Most +perfectly so." "Certainly," said St. Aubyn, "I can only mean Charles +Ross." "Oh poor Charles!" exclaimed Ellen: "I really had quite forgotten +him." + +"Now that was excessively ungrateful," said St. Aubyn, laughing, "for I +dare engage he has not forgotten you: well, are you still enough his +friend to wish to do him service?" + +"Certainly," said Ellen: "I shall always feel a regard for him, though +just at that moment I was not thinking of him: but what service can I +do him, my Lord?" + +"If _you_ give him your interest with me, I may, perhaps, try, and most +likely shall succeed, in getting him promotion. Should you wish this to +be done?" + +"Oh, yes, indeed," replied Ellen, animated and sparkling with the +pleasing idea of serving her early friend, and of the joy his promotion +would give his parents and sister, "nothing could give me more +pleasure." + +"Not too much of that bright colour and sparkling eye, though, Ellen," +said St. Aubyn, half in jest, half gravely: "I shall be jealous." + +"You have so much reason!" + +"Well, be cautious, I am in that point a Turk, and bear no rival _near_ +the throne." + +Ellen, half vexed, would have said something, but embracing her +tenderly, he stopt her by saying, "Not a word, my love, I am perfectly +satisfied," and left her a little disconcerted, and half fearing that +she had disturbed or displeased him. + +In the familiar intercourse which now took place between Miss Cecil and +Lady St. Aubyn, the former shook off her reserve, and imparted to Ellen, +not indeed all the particulars of her early disappointment, but that she +had endured the most painful trials that the perfidy and inconsistent +conduct of one sincerely loved could inflict; yet dignified on this, as +on every other subject, she never expatiated upon it, or said any thing +disrespectful of the author of her sufferings: though she never fully +explained the cause of her separation from her unworthy lover, it was +understood, that a full conviction of his bad conduct, and that his +address to her had chiefly been induced by mercenary motives, had +induced her to discard him, and to resist all his subsequent entreaties +to be forgiven. + +One day, when Lord St. Aubyn and Sir William Cecil were engaged at a +great public dinner in the neighbourhood, Ellen had the pleasure of +dining tete-a-tete with her agreeable friend: they had spent two hours +in Juliet's apartment, who every time they met gained more and more on +Ellen's affections, and was become excessively attached to her, when the +sweet girl, feeling fatigued, said she would lie down for an hour, and +then she should be well enough to enjoy their company at tea, which she +requested they would take in her apartment; they went therefore to pass +this hour in Miss Cecil's dressing-room, who, opening a writing-desk to +shew Ellen a drawing she had just finished, undesignedly displayed to +the quick eye of Lady St. Aubyn a little book, marked "Manuscript +Poetry." + +"Your own," said Ellen, laying her hand on it playfully, "or extracts?" +"Why," returned Laura, "as Lord St. Aubyn thought proper to betray a +secret which he learnt when we were children together, I will not deny +that little volume contains some insignificant attempts of my own." + +"Oh let me see some of them, pray do," said Ellen: "assure yourself I +will make no ill use of your confidence. I really am quite delighted +with this opportunity, for I have long wished to see some specimens of +your talents in this way." Thus urged, Laura allowed her to read two or +three of the little poems contained in the volume, and at her earnest +request, permitted her afterwards to have copies of the two following + + + ELEGIAC STANZAS. + + Athwart the troubled bosom of the night, + Low heavy clouds in awful grandeur sweep; + And, in the solemn darkness of their flight, + Serve but to wrap the world in calmer sleep; + Save those sad eyes, which only wake to weep; + And give the dreary hour to meditation deep. + + Those eyes perceive, as slow the clouds divide, + One star, whose tremulous but brilliant ray + Might serve the uncertain wand'rer's steps to guide, + And cheer his bosom till the dawn of day; + Who trembling else, and lost in black dismay, + Wearied and wild, might rove and perish on the way. + + Even such a star, so fair and so benign, + When o'er the soul dark clouds of sorrow lour, + Is Hope; whose tranquil rays serenely shine, + Brightening the horrors of each dreary hour; + Smiling when youth prepares the fancied flower, + And when in age it feels misfortune's blighting power. + + Oh, thou bright star! still grateful shalt thou find + The heart so often cheer'd by thy mild ray: + I will not call thee faithless and unkind, + Nor with ingratitude thy smiles repay, + Because thou hast not, like the glorious day, + Power to dispel the dark, and drive the clouds away. + + Gild but those clouds till brighter suns arise; + Checkering with thy fair light life's troubled stream; + And oft unwearied shall these wakeful eyes, + Watching the progress of thy doubtful beam, + Shine even in tears; and, closing, still shall seem + Sooth'd by thy gentle ray in every peaceful dream. + + + EPISTLE TO LADY DELAMORE, + + ON RETURNING TO ROSE-HILL. + + From those rain scenes, where fancied pleasure reigns; + From crowds that weary, and from mirth which pains; + From flattering praises, from the smiles of art, + Sweet to the eye but faithless to the heart; + From guilt which makes fair innocence its prey, + Sighs but to blast, and courts but to betray; + From these I fly, impatient to caress + All lovely Nature in her fairest dress. + Oh, sweet retirement! Oh! secure retreat + From all the cares and follies of the great! + Here lavish Nature every charm bestows, + In softness smiles, in vivid beauty glows! + Here May presents each blossom of the spring, + And balmy sweetness falls from Zephyr's wing. + Yet while I stray, in tranquil quiet blest, + Fond mem'ry presses at my anxious breast; + And as I rove 'mid scenes so justly dear, + Remembrance wakes the tributary fear! + The mental eye perceives a sister's form, + And even these peaceful shades no longer charm. + "Yes!" I exclaim, "'twas here she lov'd to stray, + Smiling in beauty, innocently gay! + Oft by yon streamlet, in the echoing vale, + Her voice would swell upon the evening gale, + Charm from the care-fraught bosom half its woes, + And hush the wounded spirit to repose!" + While these delightful hours I thus retrace, + And dwell on every recollected grace, + Thy sister's soul, my Agatha, forgets + That _thou_ art blest in that which _she_ regrets; + Forgets that pleasure crowns thy happy hours, + And fond affection strews thy path with flowers; + Anxious thy way with rose-buds to adorn, + And from those buds remove each lurking thorn. + Ah! selfish heart, lament thy loss no more, + Nor thus thy recollected bliss deplore; + Content thyself to know thy sister blest, + And calm the plaintive anguish of thy breast! + Be still serenity thy future state; + Far from the pomps and perils of the great; + Unnotic'd, quiet, shall thy peace ensure, + Peace, when the world forgets thee, most secure. + --Yet, yet, my Agatha, affection swells + The trembling heart where thy lov'd image dwells; + Still bids me look to thee for all that cheers + In lengthen'd life, and blesses ling'ring years: + My spirit, form'd a _social_ bliss to prove, + Dares but to hope it from thy future love. + Deceived by him on whom it most relied, + Pierced in its fondness, wounded in its pride-- + Yet, yet, while throbbing through each shatter'd nerve, + Disclaims to thee the veil of low reserve; + Owns all its weakness, will each thought confide, + And what it dares to feel, disdains to hide; + Owns, though no more the storms of passion rise, + That from the thought of selfish bliss it flies, + Still feels whate'er had once the power to charm, + Faithful affection, sensitive alarm; + But from the pangs which once it felt relieved, + No more will trust where once it was deceived; + To thee alone will look for future joy, + And for thy bliss each anxious wish employ: + Absorbed in thee, and in thy opening views, + Its pains, its pleasures, nay its being lose: + One we will be, and one our future cares, + Our thoughts, our hopes, our wishes, and our prayers. + + LAURA. + +With both these little pieces Ellen was perhaps more pleased than their +intrinsic merit warranted; but we naturally look with a partial eye on +the performances of those we love. After looking over several other +poetical attempts, and some beautiful drawings, they returned to +Juliet's apartment, where they spent a delightful evening; for Juliet +seemed materially mending, and Laura's spirits rose in proportion. + +Thus, and in similar pleasures, passed the time till the beginning of +March, varied indeed by the occasional visits of the neighbouring +families. One day, after a long solicitation, the St. Aubyns, Cecils, +and some more of the most fashionable people near them, dined with Mrs. +Dawkins, where they also met her tender friend and shadow, Miss Alton, +who this day, for the first time in her life, was destined to offend +that _sweet woman_, Mrs. Dawkins; for charmed to find herself seated on +a sofa between "her _dearest_ Lady St. Aubyn," and that _most +delightful_ man, General Morton, a veteran officer in the neighbourhood, +at whom it was supposed Miss Alton had long _set her cap_, as the phrase +is, she attended not to the hints, shrugs, and winks of her friend, who, +not keeping a regular housekeeper, and being extremely anxious for the +placing her first course properly, wished Miss Alton just to slip out +and see it put on table: but vain were her wishes; and the cook, finding +no aid-de-camp arrive, after waiting till some of the dishes were +over-dressed, and others half cold, was obliged to act as +commander-in-chief, and direct the disposition of the table herself; in +which, not having clearly understood her mistress's directions (for in +fact her anxiety to have all correct made them vary every half hour), +she succeeded so ill, that when, after all her fretting and fuming, poor +Mrs. Dawkins was told dinner was on table, that unfortunate Lady had +nearly fainted at perceiving, when she entered the dining-room, that +half the articles intended for the second course were crowded into the +first, and roasted, ragoued, boiled, fried, sweet and sour, were jumbled +together, in the finest confusion imaginable! + +"This is all _your_ fault," said Mrs. Dawkins, in a low voice, but with +the countenance of a fury, to poor Alton: "you could not _stir_ to see +it put down;" and pushing rudely by her, she left her staring with +surprize, and wondering what had made the dear soul so very angry: but +when she saw the blunders which were so obvious in the arrangement of +the table, and recollected her own negligence (for in fact she had +promised to see it set down), she was in her turn quite shocked. + +Insupportable was the delay and confusion in putting down this second +course; even curtailed as it was, Mrs. Dawkins's servants were not +perfectly _au fait_ at such things, and at last Lord St. Aubyn gave a +hint to his own man, who waited behind his chair to assist, which he did +so effectually, that every thing was soon placed as by magic, and the +rest of the dinner and dessert passed over tolerably well. After dinner, +the ladies retired to the drawing-room, and listened, with their usual +patience, to fresh lamentations from Mrs. Dawkins, and renewed +sympathies on the part of Miss Alton, who sought, by even increasing her +usual portion of _tender sensibility_, to regain her wonted place in +Mrs. Dawkins's good graces; but that lady continued so haughty and +impracticable, that poor Alton came at last with _real_ tears, to +complain to the good-natured Ellen and Laura of her hard fate, and the +impossibility, do all she could, of pleasing some people; and they +really were so sorry for her vexation, that when Lady St. Aubyn's +carriage was announced, she rescued her from the visible unkindness of +Mrs. Dawkins, by desiring to have the pleasure of setting her down, and +made her quite happy again, by asking her to meet a small party at the +Castle the next day, which, as it was understood to be rather a select +thing, and confined to those most intimate there, assured Miss Alton a +renewed importance with Mrs. Dawkins and all her friends, as she should +have much to tell, which they could by no other possibility know any +thing about. + + + + +CHAP. III. + + Sweet Juliet, that with angels dost remain, + Accept this latest favour at my hands, + That living honour'd thee, and being dead, + With funeral praises do adorn thy tomb. + + ROMEO AND JULIET. + + +The day was now fixed at the distance of a week for the removal of the +St. Aubyns to London. Ellen lamented much the impossibility of having +Laura Cecil with her, who would have been such a support to her in a +situation so new; but nothing could be urged on that point, as it was +impossible she could leave Juliet, who appeared sometimes better +sometimes worse, but always patient, gentle, and pious to a degree that +was really angelic. + +Ellen felt sincerely grieved to leave her, and proposed that she should +be removed to London for better advice, but found this expedient had +been before resorted to, and Doctor B----'s advice frequently renewed by +letters since, and that it was thought the air of London did not agree +with her. The weather now, for the time of year, the second week in +March, was remarkably mild; and the medical man in attendance on Juliet, +who had now been for some days tolerably free from the low fever which +generally hung about her, permitted her to go out once or twice in a +garden chair, for the benefit of the air: the returning verdure of +spring seemed, for a time, to revive her: but whether the exertion was +too much, or some unobserved change in the atmosphere affected her +delicate frame, could not be known; but she was suddenly seized with one +of those attacks of fever which had so frequently brought her to the +brink of the grave; and on the day before that fixed for Ellen's leaving +Northamptonshire, a note from Laura announced that the life of this +admirable young creature was despaired of. + +"She is perfectly sensible," added the afflicted sister; "the dear angel +retains all her usual pious composure; she wishes to see you. Could you, +dear Lady St. Aubyn, without being too much affected, come to her?" + +Ellen, bursting into tears, put the note into St. Aubyn's hand, saying, +"Oh, my dear Lord; let me go--pray let me go directly!" + +"Be less alarmed, be more composed, my dearest love," replied he, after +glancing over the contents, "or I cannot consent to your going. I wish +it had not been asked." + +"Oh, indeed, dear St. Aubyn, I am quite composed, quite easy; but I +shall suffer much more in not seeing the dear, dear creature once again, +than even by witnessing this sudden and most unexpected change." + +"Well, my love, we will go together; but do not be too much alarmed; she +may yet recover: Laura's fears may outrun the occasion: Juliet has often +been very ill before; but we will go: they will both, I know, be pleased +at your coming." + +He then ordered the carriage, which was soon ready; and half an hour +brought them to Rose-hill. Ellen was immediately shewn to Juliet's room: +by the bed-side sat Laura: her cheeks, lips, and whole countenance, were +the colour of monumental marble; not a tear fell from her eyes; not a +sigh heaved her bosom; but the woe, the deep expressive woe which marked +every feature, no language could describe: she rose, and advanced a few +steps to meet Ellen, grasping her hand with one which the touch of death +could alone have rendered colder; her lips moved, but no articulate word +broke the mournful silence. + +Ellen turned pale, shuddered, and looked ready to faint; Miss Cecil +made a sign to an attendant, who, bathed in tears, stood near her: she +placed a chair for Lady St. Aubyn, and brought her a few drops in some +water; she wept, and was relieved. + +"Oh, why did I send for you!" said Laura, in a low tone, and speaking +with difficulty; "I fear it is too much." + +"Don't be frightened, my Lady," said the nurse: "Miss Juliet is a little +easier; she is dozing." + +In a few minutes Juliet moved and spoke, but so faintly, her voice could +hardly be distinguished. In an instant Laura was on her knees beside +her, and catching the imperfect sounds, replied in a voice which +betrayed not the anguish of her soul, "Yes, my love, she is here--will +you see her?" + +Then turning to Ellen, she motioned her to approach. Ellen rose, and +went to the bed-side; she looked on Juliet, and saw that sweet angelic +countenance, slightly flushed, and looking as composed as ever; and +ignorant of the appearances of disease, fancied her better, and was, in +some measure, comforted. Juliet faintly articulated a few words, +expressive of the pleasure she felt in seeing Ellen, and would have said +more, but the nurse, for the sake of all, interposed, and requested that +Miss Juliet might not be allowed to speak much. With difficulty she held +out her feeble emaciated arms to Ellen, who tenderly embraced her, and +half dissolved in tears, retired to the window, whither she drew Miss +Cecil. Still the wretched Laura shed no tear; and the deep grief, +impressed on her fine countenance, was much more painful to the beholder +than the loudest expressions of sorrow could have been. + + "Give sorrow vent: the grief which does not speak + Whispers the o'er-fraught heart, and bids it break!" + +"For heaven's sake, my dearest Laura," said Ellen, "endeavour to take +comfort; surely she is better--she will recover!" + +Laura only shook her head; and the nurse approaching, said, "Indeed, +Madam, Miss Cecil will kill herself; she has not had her clothes off +these two nights, nor has the slightest refreshment passed her lips this +day." + +"Oh! talk not to me of rest or food," cried Laura, "I can partake of +neither." + +Ellen most tenderly urged her to take something; but pressing her hands +upon her heart, she replied, "Oh no, oh no--I could not; indeed I could +not. Go," she added, "my dear friend--go, this is no place for you; +nothing but the request of ----; nothing but _her_ request should have +induced me to send for you." + +"But now I _am_ here," said Ellen, "surely you will allow me to stay; I +may be of use to you; of comfort to dear dear Juliet." + +In vain she urged. Laura sacrificed all selfish considerations, and +insisted on her returning home, promising to send to her should Juliet +wish to see her again; and St. Aubyn, anxious for her, now sent to +request his wife would come: she therefore embraced her friend, and +looking once more on the departing saint, who now again lay heavily +dozing, she lifted up her hands and eyes to heaven, and, with another +shower of tears, left the room. + +St. Aubyn was rejoiced to find her disposed to accompany him home, +though she complained bitterly that Laura would not let her stay. + +"Laura," said he, "judges as she always does, wisely, and acts kindly: +you could be of no real service, and your being here would be highly +improper; you must not think of it." + +Two days of the greatest anxiety now passed, and at the end of that time +the fair and lovely Juliet breathed no more: her last moments were +attended by consolation so powerful, and hopes so celestial, as might +well have taught the worldly "how a Christian could die!" + +For many days Laura was confined to her bed, and it was feared she would +follow her sister to the grave; but by degrees she shook off the excess +of her sorrow, and for her father's sake endeavoured to recover from the +dreadful shock she had received. + +Sir William Cecil, who had long been convinced that Juliet would not +live many months, was more easily consoled. The St. Aubyns of course had +delayed their journey to London on this event; and finding that Sir +William Cecil was disposed to make an excursion to Bath, which his gouty +habit indeed rendered almost necessary, they endeavoured to prevail on +Laura to come to them at St. Aubyn Castle for a short time, and then go +with them to London. From this proposal, especially the latter part, she +for some time shrunk, and wished to be allowed to remain at Rose-hill +alone: but that her friends would not permit: and Sir William having +arranged to go to Bath at the same time with a neighbouring family, and +to be in the same house with them, Laura was at length prevailed on to +remove to the Castle, and from thence, after a short stay, to accompany +her friends to London, where they promised her an apartment exclusively +her own, and that she should see no other till she herself wished it. + +"Yet why," said she, "my dearest Lady St. Aubyn, why should I burden you +with one so powerless to add to your comforts, or partake your +pleasures?" + +"Is not that an unkind question?" said Ellen; "or do you really believe +me insensible to the gratification of soothing your mind, and supporting +your spirits? Whenever you will permit me, I will be your visitor in +your apartment; whenever my company would be irksome, I will leave you +to yourself, provided I do not find you the worse for the indulgence." + +All was therefore thus arranged, and Miss Cecil, Lord and Lady St. Aubyn +in one carriage, and Miss Cecil's maid, and Ellen's talkative but +faithful Jane, in another, with out riders, &c. in great style left +Northamptonshire, and arrived the next evening at the Earl's magnificent +house in Cavendish-square.--Lady St. Aubyn's first care was to select +such an apartment for the mournful Laura as would make her easy, and +free from restraint; and having conducted her to it, she told her she +was entirely mistress there, and never should be interrupted unless she +chose it. + +Ellen, who had made several little attempts in verse since she had seen +those of Miss Cecil, now soothed her sorrow for the loss of the sweet +Juliet by a few stanzas, which, when she thought her able to bear them, +she gave to Laura, who was gratified by this little tribute to her +loved, lamented sister's memory. + + + ELEGIAC STANZAS. + + How mourns the heart, when early fades away + The opening promise of a riper bloom; + When youth and beauty, innocently gay, + Sink in the silent ruin of the tomb! + + Oh, thou pure spirit! which in life's fair dawn, + Arose superior to that childish frame, + (Fair tho' it was) from which thou art withdrawn, + To that bright Heaven from whence thy beauty came. + + Sweet Juliet! happily releas'd from care, + Which future years perhaps had bade the prove; + A heart so tender, and a form so fair, + Ill with the perils of the world had strove! + + Thy heart expanding at affection's voice, + How had it borne in native kindness warm, + To check the rapid fire of youthful choice, + And dread deceit beneath the loveliest form! + + To thee were graces so benignly given, + A soul so tender, and a wit so rare; + A love of harmony, as if kind Heaven + Had bade thee for an early bliss prepare. + + Long shall the heart which lov'd thy dawning grace, + The pensive mem'ry of each charm retain; + Thy winning manners studiously retrace, + And dwell anew on each harmonious strain. + + Nor shall that heart to present scenes confine + Its views and wishes; but with worthier care, + Seek to preserve an innocence like thine, + And humbly hope thy happiness to share. + + + + +CHAP. IV. + + To such how fair appears each grain of sand, + Or humblest weed as wrought by nature's hand! + A shell, or stone, he can with pleasure view.-- + ----See with what art each curious shell is made: + Here carved in fret-work, there with pearl inlaid! + What vivid th' enamel'd stones adorn, + Fair as the paintings of the purple morn! + + S. JENYNS. + + +The arrival of the St. Aubyns in London opened a wide field for +conjecture and conversation in the fashionable world. It was known, for +St. Aubyn's haughty relations had not failed to publish it, that he had +married a young woman far inferior to him in rank, and absolutely +without fortune. It was also known that she was uncommonly beautiful; +and great anxiety, mixed with no small share of ridicule, was excited by +her expected _debut_; but the modest Ellen was in no haste to afford the +starers and sneerers so rich a treat: she merely went to a few morning +exhibitions, attended only by her Lord, for the first fortnight of her +stay in town; and indeed St. Aubyn hoped, notwithstanding her present +distance and displeasure, to induce his aunt, Lady Juliana Mordaunt, to +chaperon Ellen to some of the public places, being fully sensible what +an advantage it would be to her to be so supported: he therefore +acquiesced in her wishes, till he could bring about this desirable +arrangement, and allowed his wife to spend most of her evenings at home. + +Several ladies had however called on Lady St. Aubyn, some of whom had +left their cards, and others she had seen. Most of these visits she had +returned; but one of those, who had shewn the greatest desire to see +more of Lady St. Aubyn--indeed, a distant relation of the Earl's, she +had not been yet to see. + +One morning Lord St. Aubyn said he would go with her to see the museum +of an old friend of his, who lived at Knightsbridge, who was a great +collector of every thing rare and curious, particularly shells, +pictures, and gems. "He is quite a character," added he: "but I will not +anticipate your surprize: we can go there early. I told him we would go +to-day, or to-morrow; and after we have been there, you can call on Lady +Meredith, who gave herself a trouble so extraordinary, as actually to +alight from her carriage and make you a personal visit." + +"You will go with me?" + +"Pardon me, my love, that is not necessary, and you really must learn to +_go alone_, and not depend so much on me." + +"I hope her Ladyship may not be at home." + +"Indeed, my love, I hope she may; for dissimilar as they are in every +respect, my aunt, Lady Juliana, spends a great deal of her time there. +She is so fond of finding fault, and differing in opinion from others, +that I really believe she goes to Lady Meredith's chiefly for the +pleasure of lecturing her, who is so indifferent to the opinion of any +one, that she does not think it worth while to be at the trouble of +resenting the sharp things Lady Juliana says to her." + +"What a strange motive for being intimate with any one." + +"Strange enough: but when you see more of the world, you will discern +that affection is not the only bond of union between those who call +themselves friends." + +"I think I have seen that already in Mrs. Dawkins and Miss Alton." + +"True: convenience, the wish of finding a patient _hearer_, accident, +the want of a more pleasing companion, are amongst the numerous +inducements which form what we are pleased to call friendship. Nay, I +once heard a good lady say she was sure a family she mentioned had +proved themselves _real friends_ to her, for they had sent her a _large +plumcake_[A]." + + [A] A fact. + +Ellen laughed at this curious definition of friendship. + +"Well," said St. Aubyn: "but to return to Lady Meredith. I hope she may, +by reporting well of you to Lady Juliana, induce her to become more +friendly towards us: you know how anxious I am to have you in her good +graces--not, believe me, on account of her immense fortune, but because, +with all her pride and stiffness, she has a warm heart and excellent +qualities, and would be to you a most valuable friend; so pray do your +best to please Lady Meredith." + +"Very well: but will you tell me the most likely way to succeed?" + +"I am afraid it will be difficult: she will think you too handsome, +unless indeed she intends soon to have a large party." + +"How is it possible _that_ should have any thing to do with the matter?" + +"Why, Lady Meredith's great ambition is to outshine all her competitors +in the number and fashion of those collected at her routes; and as +sometimes, in spite of her charms, and the lustre of her abundant +jewels, there are some obstinate animals who will be uncivil enough to +recollect they '_have seen them before_,' consequently become rather +weary of them, and desert her for some newer belle. Lady Meredith may +think you (so new to the world, and so beautiful) a desirable +reinforcement, and may therefore honour you with an invitation: pray +accept it, if she does, and take great pains at your toilette to-day: +for my friend, Mr. Dorrington, is a great admirer of beauty, and will +shew you his fine collection a great deal more readily if he admire +your's, particularly if he should fancy you like a bust he has of the +_bona Dea_ (at least he gives it that name, though it is so mutilated, +he confesses he does not exactly know for what or whom it was designed), +which he almost idolizes." + +Ellen hastened to obey, but she wished herself at Castle St. Aubyn, for +she had not liked the little she had seen of Lady Meredith, and she +shrunk from the idea of this formidable morning visit. Conquering her +fears, however, as well as she could, and looking uncommonly beautiful, +she rejoined her Lord. Her milliner had just sent home a most elegant +and expensive morning dress, bonnet, and cloak, all of the finest +materials, and in that delicate modest style, which she always chose, +and was to her peculiarly becoming. St. Aubyn thought he had never seen +her look so well, and gave great credit to Madame de ---- for consulting +so admirably the natural style of her beauty, as to embellish, without +overloading it. The barouche was at the door: she had therefore only +time to say "farewell" to Laura, and stepping hastily in, half an hour +brought them to Mr. Dorrington's. + +As the carriage stopt at the house, the figure of a fine old man with +grey hair caught the eye of Lady St. Aubyn: he was at the instant +ascending the steps to knock at the door, and was so meanly dressed, +that she supposed him a mendicant, or at least extremely poor, and her +ready hand sought her purse, intending to give relief to the infirm +looking old man. What then was her surprize, when, just as she stretched +out her hand for that purpose, the old man, looking into the carriage, +and seeing Lord St. Aubyn, advanced, and taking off his hat with the +most courtly air imaginable, displayed a fine commanding forehead, +expressive eyes, and a contour of countenance so admirable, as, once +seen, could never be forgotten. + +"Ah! my dear St. Aubyn," he exclaimed, "how rejoiced I am to see you! I +am really happy that I returned in time to receive you: as you did not +say positively you would come to-day, it was all a chance; but come, do +me the favour to alight: I have just succeeded in making the finest +purchase--a shell, a unique: you shall see it." + +By this time St. Aubyn had alighted, and giving his hand to Ellen, +introduced her to this extraordinary man. Nothing could be more polished +than his address, nothing more elegant than the grace with which he +received her, or more spirited than the little compliment he made St. +Aubyn on his happiness, and the beauty of his lady. + +Whoever looked at Mr. Dorrington, when his shabby old hat was removed, +must instantly see the man of sense and superior information: whoever +heard him speak, heard instantly that it was the voice and enunciation +not only of a gentleman, but of one who had lived in the very highest +circles; and yet his appearance, at first, would have led any one to +suppose him, as Ellen did, in absolute poverty. He led the way into his +favourite apartment, indeed the only one he ever inhabited, except his +bed-chamber; and into neither would he ever suffer any one to enter +unless he was with them. No broom, nor brush of any kind, ever disturbed +the sacred dust of this hallowed retirement: in the grate, the +accumulated ashes of _many months_ remained; the windows were dimmed +with the untouched dirt of years: and nothing but the table on which his +slender meals were spread (for his temperance in eating and drinking +were as remarkable as his singular neglect of personal attire), and two +or three chairs for the reception of occasional visitors, were ever +wiped. In one of these he seated the astonished Ellen, who gazed around +her at treasures, the value of which exceeded her utmost guess. A +handsome cabinet with glass doors contained a variety of curious gems, +vases, and specimens of minerals: some invaluable pictures stood leaning +against the walls: heaps of books in rich bindings, which Ellen +afterwards found were either remarkable for their scarceness, or full of +fine prints, lay scattered around. + +"Now, my Lord," said Mr. Dorrington, "I will shew you and Lady St. Aubyn +my new purchase: I said it was unique, but it is not exactly so: I have +another of the same sort; but these are the only two in the world: I +think this is a little, a very little finer than that I had before; I +bought it at ****'s sale, and gave a monstrous price for it; but I was +determined to have it: it was the only thing in his collection I +coveted." + +He then displayed his new purchase, and descanted for some time on its +various beauties; and seeing Ellen really admired it, pleased also with +her beauty and sweetness, he proceeded to shew her his collection, and +even those rare articles which never appeared but to particular +favourites, saying she was "_worthy to admire them_." Some beautiful +miniatures particularly pleased her, and he was delighted that she +seemed to understand their value. He also produced some fine illuminated +missals, and explained every thing with so much grace and perspicuity as +quite delighted her. + +Two hours fled swiftly in examining these wonders, and even then they +had not seen half, but promised to visit him another day. He told Lady +St. Aubyn he should be at her command at any time; and then most +politely attending her to her carriage, he with a courteous bow took his +leave. + +On their way home, St. Aubyn told Ellen that the extraordinary man they +had just left had for many years led a life of dissipation, by which he +reduced a large fortune almost to nothing; but that having once, in +consequence of his extravagance, been obliged to sell a collection +still finer than that he now had, he had determined to gratify his +passion for _virtu_, without the risk of again ruining himself, and +therefore denied himself every thing but the bare necessaries of life; +and was, consequently, enabled to purchase rare articles at any price, +and to outbid other collectors, who had different demands on part of +their incomes. He kept no man, and but one female servant; and St. Aubyn +said, that when he had called on him a few days before, he found him in +a storm of rage with this poor servant-girl, for having dared, while he +was engaged with some company in his sitting-room, to brush out his +bed-chamber, in the door of which he had, _par miracle_, left the +key.--"And I am sure, Sir," said the girl, crying, "I never touched +nothing but that great wooden man" (meaning a layman which always stands +in Mr. Dorrington's room), "that's enough to frighten a body; and he I +only just moved, for master never won't have nothing like other people; +and I thought if he brought the gentlefolks in his bed-room, as he +sometimes will, it was a shame to see such a place, and such a dirty +table cover; so I was only just going to make it a little tidy, and I +never broke nothing at all." + +"I comforted the poor girl," said St. Aubyn, "by giving her a trifle, +and advised her by no means to provoke her master, by presuming to touch +a brush in his rooms again without order: and she promised me she would +in future be contented with cleaning her own kitchen and passages--'And +never touch nothing belonging to master's rooms, nor any of them +outlandish things, that be all full of dust, and enough to breed moths +and all manner of flies all over the house.'----And I think," said he, +laughing, "she appears to have kept her promise very exactly." + + + + +CHAP. V. + + ---- So perfumed, that + The winds were love-sick with it. + ---- She did lie + In her pavilion, cloth of gold. + + ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. + + +Lady St. Aubyn set down the Earl in Cavendish Square, and proceeded +alone to the house of Lady Meredith in Portland Place. A carriage which +appeared to be in waiting drove from the door to make way for her's, by +which Ellen guessed Lady Meredith had company. To the inquiry whether +her Ladyship were at home, she was answered in the affirmative, and +requested to walk up stairs. Ellen was now tolerably well accustomed to +magnificent houses; but there was something in the style of this +different from any thing she had yet seen: the hall was not only warmed +by superb stoves, but bronze figures, nearly as large as life, stood in +different attitudes in every corner, and all bearing censers or urns, in +which costly aromatics perpetually burnt, diffusing around a rich but +almost overpowering perfume. As she ascended the staircase she found +every possible recess filled with baskets, vases, &c. full of the most +rare and expensive exotics, which bloomed even amidst the cold winds of +March, with nearly as much luxuriance as they would have done in their +native climes; for every part of this mansion was kept in a regular +degree of heat by flues passing through the walls and beneath the floors +communicating with fires, which were not visible: when, on the other +hand, the weather became warm, the cambric sun-blinds at every window +were kept perpetually moistened with odoriferous waters, by two black +servants, whose whole employment it was to attend to this branch of +luxury; indeed, to luxury alone the whole mansion appeared to be +dedicated. The floors were not merely covered, but carpetted with +materials, whose softness and elasticity seemed produced by a mixture of +silk and down: the sofas, ottomans, &c. were not merely stuffed, but +every one had piles of cushions appertaining to it, filled with +eider-down, and covered with the richest silks or velvets. To the +presiding goddess of this superb temple Lady St. Aubyn was presently +introduced. In her boudoir Lady Meredith sat, or rather lay, not on a +chair or sofa, but on piles of cushions, covered with the finest painted +velvet. Her majestic, though somewhat large figure, appeared to great +advantage in the studied half-dress in which she now appeared; yet there +was something in her attitude, in the disposal of her drapery, from +which the modest eye of Ellen was involuntarily averted. Her dress was +of the finest and whitest muslin that India ever produced, and clung +around her so closely as fully to display the perfect symmetry of her +form: the sleeves were full, and so short, they scarcely descended below +the shoulder, which not the slightest veil shaded from the beholder's +gaze, while the delicate arms thus exposed were decorated with rows of +what she called undress pearls: they were of an extraordinary size and +beauty, and were formed into armlets and bracelets of fanciful but +elegant fashion: two or three strings, and a large Maltese cross of the +same, were the only covering of her fair bosom, and a few were twisted +loosely amongst her dark but glossy and luxuriant hair. At her feet sat +a lovely little girl about four years old, with a low hassock before +her, on which she was displaying the contents of one of mamma's caskets +of jewels, as well amused as the great Potemkin himself could have been +by arranging his diamonds in different figures on black velvet; a +favourite entertainment of that extraordinary man. + +On one side of Lady Meredith sat a gay young officer in the uniform of +the guards, and on the other a stiff formal looking old lady in a dress +somewhat old fashioned, but more remarkable for being excessively neat +and prim: she had a sour contemptuous look, and her stays and whole +figure had the stiff appearance of a portrait of the last century. She +levelled her eye-glass at Ellen, as she followed the servant who +announced her into the room, and with an emphatic _humph!_ (not unlike +poor Mrs. Ross's) let it fall again as if perfectly satisfied with one +look, and not feeling any wish to repeat it; yet repeat it she did, +again and again, and, as if the review displeased or agitated her, her +countenance became still more and more sour. In the meantime Lady +Meredith half rose from her cushions, and holding out her hand, +languidly said:-- + +"My dear Lady St. Aubyn, how good you are to come and see me! I am +delighted I happened to be at home. Andrew," (to the servant, who, +having placed a chair, was retiring) "don't give Lady St. Aubyn that +shocking chair: bring a heap of those cushions and arrange them like +mine: do rest on them, my dear creature; you must be fatigued to death." + +"Excuse me," said Ellen, smiling with modest grace; "I am not accustomed +to such a luxurious seat, and prefer a chair." + +"Do you really? Is it possible!" exclaimed the languishing Lady, sinking +back again as if the exertion of speaking had been too much for her. +"Well, I should absolutely die in twelve hours if I might not be +indulged in this delicious mode of reposing." + +"Nonsense!" said the stiff old lady, in no very conciliating tone; "how +can you be so ridiculous: pray how do you manage when you sit six or +eight hours at pharo, or go to the Opera--you have none of those silly +things there?" + +"Oh, as to pharo, dear delightful pharo, that keeps me alive, prevents +my feeling fatigued even when my unfortunate feet cannot command so much +as a poor little footstool; and as to the Opera, I wonder your Ladyship +asks, for you know very well, my box, and the cushions belonging to it, +are stuffed with eider-down, like these," and she sunk still more +indolently on her yielding supporters. "Apropos of the Opera," added +she; "have you obtained a box there, Lady St. Aubyn?" + +"No," replied Ellen: "Lord St. Aubyn had one offered to him, but as it +is so late in the season, and our stay in town will not be long, I +begged him to decline it." + +Lady Meredith here exchanged a smile of contempt with the officer, which +seemed to say "how rustic that is!" then half yawning she said:-- + +"Oh, but indeed that was very wrong: what can a woman of fashion do +without a box at the Opera? I am sure, from all I have heard of the +former Lady St. Aubyn, for I had not the honour of knowing her, she +would not have lived a month in London without one." + +"Very likely," said the old lady, "but for all that _I_ think _this +young person_ quite in the right, and as to the late Lady St. Aubyn, I +am sure _she_ was no pattern for any body, and I wonder, Lady Meredith, +you will name her in my hearing." + +"I beg your Ladyship's pardon," replied Lady Meredith; "I forgot." + +"Well, no matter; don't say any more." + +To paint Ellen's surprize would be difficult: the odd epithet this +strange lady had applied to her, "_this young person_," the allusions to +the late countess, of whom she never heard without an indescribable sort +of emotion, and the suspicion she now entertained that her ungracious +neighbour was Lady Juliana Mordaunt, all conspired to overpower her; +and the heat of the apartment, the strong smell of perfumes from immense +China jars, with which the room was ornamented, completed it; in short, +though wholly unaccustomed to such sensations, she had nearly fainted. +The young officer, who had long been watching her interesting and lovely +countenance, saw her change colour, and said hastily:-- + +"The lady is ill." + +"What's the matter, child?" said the old lady; and rising hastily, she +untied her bonnet and the strings of her mantle, which, falling aside, +discovered enough of her figure to render her situation obvious. + +"So!" exclaimed the old lady; but whether the interjection expressed +surprize, pleasure, or what other sensation, was not easy to discover. +"Do, Colonel Lenox, exert yourself so much as to open the door and ring +for a glass of water: the air of this room is enough to kill any body." + +"Pardon me," said Ellen, the colour returning to her cheeks and lips, +"I am sorry to give so much trouble; I am much better." + +"That's well," said the old lady. By this time the water was brought; +Ellen drank some, and quite recovered, begged leave to ring for her +carriage. + +"Don't go yet, child," said the old lady; "perhaps you may be ill +again." + +"No: pray don't go yet," said Lady Meredith, who all this time had been +holding a smelling bottle to her own nose, affecting to be too much +overcome to do any thing for the relief of her visitor. "You have +frightened me enormously; stay a little to make me amends; besides, you +still tremble and look pale: are you subject to these faintings?" + +"Not in the least," said Ellen. "I believe the heat of the room overcame +me." + +"No wonder," said the old lady; "it is a perfect stove, and enough to +unstring the nerves of Hercules, especially when aided by the powerful +scent of those abominable jars." + +"Oh, my dear sweet jars," cried Lady Meredith; "now positively you shall +not abuse them; any thing else you may find what fault you please with, +but my sweet jars I cannot give up:--have you ever read Anna Seward's +poetical recipe to make one?" + +"Not I," replied her friend in an angry tone, "nor ever desire it; all +the poetry in the world should never induce me to fill my rooms with +such nonsense." + +During this conversation, the little girl, who had tired herself with +looking at the jewels and trinkets, rose from her cushion, and said:-- + +"Pretty mamma, dress pretty Miranda in these," holding up some fine +emeralds. + +"No indeed, child: go to Colonel Lenox, and ask him to adorn you; I +cannot take so much trouble." + +"No, Miranda won't; Miranda go to pretty, sweet, beautiful lady;" and +she went to Ellen, who, admiring the lovely little creature, kissed her, +and indulged her by putting the shining ornaments round her little fair +neck and arms, and twisting some in the ringlets of her glossy hair. + +"Now I beautiful," said the child, looking at herself. "Is not Miranda +pretty now, mamma?" + +"Yes, my love, beautiful as an angel: come and kiss me, my darling." + +The child, climbing up the load of cushions, laid her sweet little face +close to her mother's and kissed her. + +"Is not she a beauty and a love?" said the injudicious mother to the +Colonel, clasping the little creature to her bosom, with an air more +theatrical than tender. He whispered something, in return to which she +replied with affected indignation, "Oh, you flattering wretch, _that_ +she is, and a thousand times handsomer; but she will never know what[B] +her mother was, for before she is old enough to distinguish, I shall +either be dead or hideous, and then she will hate me." She heaved a deep +sigh, and looked distressed at the idea, which the child perceiving, +fondly twined her little arms round her mother's neck, and answered:-- + +"No, dear mamma, Miranda always love you, you so beautiful." + + [B] It is said that the once lovely Lady C----, when on her + death-bed, lamented to a friend sitting by her, that her + little boy, then in the room, _would never know what a + beautiful creature his mother was_. "She feels the + ruling passion strong in death!" + +"See," said the old lady, "the effect of your lessons; you teach her to +love nothing but beauty, and if you were to lose your good looks, she +would of course cease to care any thing about you." + +"Yes, that is exactly what I dread." + +"Then why do you not endeavour to prevent it, by giving her more +reasonable notions? If she is led to suppose beauty and fine dress the +only claims to affection, if she is never taught that virtue and an +affectionate heart can alone ensure unfading esteem, she will grow up a +mere frivolous automaton, and probably throw herself away on the first +coxcomb with a handsome face and red coat she meets with." + +The Colonel coloured, laughed, and bowed. + +"Nay," said the old lady, "if you choose to apply the character to +yourself, with all my heart, settle it as you please; but, I suppose, +all red coats are not mere coxcombs." + +Lady Meredith and the Colonel laughed, but did not appear entirely +pleased even with this half apology. + +"Well, but," said Lady Meredith, "what, Ma'am, would you have me do with +Miranda? Can I prevent the child from observing that beauty is +universally admired?" + +"That," said Colonel Lenox, with a bow, "would indeed be impossible +while with _you_." + +The old lady shrugged up her shoulders, with a sour contemptuous frown, +and said:--"Then put her into a better school." + +"A school!" replied Lady Meredith, half screaming; "what, would you have +me send the dear creature from me? No, my only darling, thou shalt never +leave me." + +"Pshaw!" exclaimed the old lady, with even encreasing sourness; "well, +if fashion absolutely demands this _extraordinary_ degree of tenderness, +for very good mothers _have_ sent their children to school before now, +at least, do get the child a rational and sensible governess, and let +her employ herself in something better than admiring your jewels, or +even your beauty, all the morning.--Ah! I wish," said she, turning +abruptly to Ellen, "I wish she had such an instructress as _your Miss +Cecil_." + +Ellen's surprise at this sudden address from one with whom not even the +ceremony of introduction had passed, yet who seemed to know her and all +her concerns so well, almost deprived her of the power to reply; she +rallied her spirits, however, and said, that any mother might think half +her fortune well bestowed, could it purchase such a preceptress: "But," +added she, "such excellent qualities as Miss Cecil possesses, are rarely +to be met with in any rank of life: my experience of character has, +indeed, been very limited, but Lord St. Aubyn says, for elegance of +manners, sweetness of temper, and strength of mind, her equal will +hardly ever be found." + +The blended modesty and spirit with which she spoke appeared to please +the old lady, who, with an approving nod, again took up her eye-glass, +and viewed Lady St. Aubyn from head to foot, though she saw that the +steadfast gaze embarrassed and covered her with blushes. + +Lady Meredith said something to the old lady in so low a tone, that the +word "introduce" was alone audible, to which she replied with some +tartness: "No, I can introduce myself." + +Ellen now once more rose to depart, and Lady Meredith detained her +another minute, to mention a large party she intended having in about +three weeks, for which she said she should send Lady St. Aubyn a ticket; +and requested her to tell St. Aubyn he might come also, "For I hear," +she said, "you always are seen together." + +"So much the better," muttered the old lady, who seemed, however, to be +speaking aside, so no one took any notice of her. She rose when Ellen +left the room, and returned her graceful courtesy with a not ungracious +bend, and bade her good morning with an air more conciliating than she +had shewn on her entrance. + +On relating the particulars of this visit to her Lord, Lady St. Aubyn +found there was no doubt the old lady she had seen was Lady Juliana +Mordaunt: he made her repeat the conversation that had passed, and when +she told him that the old lady had made use of the disrespectful term, +"_this young person_," in speaking of her, he coloured excessively, and +execrating his aunt's pride and impertinence, told his wife she ought to +have quitted the room immediately. He smiled when Ellen mentioned Lady +Juliana's attention and kindness on her fainting, and said, "That is so +like her: her warm heart thaws the ice of her manners when she sees any +one ill or distrest." + +When Ellen repeated the mention which had been made in the course of +conversation of the late Lady St. Aubyn, he changed colour, and said, +"Well, Ellen, were you not surprized? You did not, I believe, know--you +never heard I had been married before." + +"Pardon me, my Lord, I was previously acquainted with that +circumstance." + +"You knew it!--from whom? Where did you hear it?" + +"From Miss Cecil, from Miss Alton, accidentally." + +"And were they not astonished you had not heard it before?" + +"I had heard it before from Mrs. Bayfield, the day after we went to +Castle St. Aubyn." + +"From Mrs. Bayfield--she told you of it?--She told you--What, Ellen, did +she tell you more?" + +"Nothing, my Lord, but that your lady was young and beautiful, and died +abroad." + +"And why did you never mention the subject before? Why this reserve, my +love?" + +"Because I thought as you never told me of it yourself, you would rather +the subject were not mentioned." + +"Dear creature!" said St. Aubyn, sighing. "I have always had reason to +admire the excellence of your judgment and the delicacy of your +sentiments. Believe me, Ellen, I withhold from you only those things +which I think will give you pain to know. Our acquaintance commenced +under such singular circumstances, that I had hardly opportunity to tell +you this before we were married, and in fact, that name, that +recollection is so hateful to me, is connected with so many painful +ideas, that I cannot bear to recall, to dwell upon it! Why that tear, my +love--are you dissatisfied with me?" + +"No, dearest St. Aubyn: whatever you do, appears to me wisest and best +to be done--but I was pitying--I was thinking----" + +"Whom were you pitying?--Of what was my Ellen thinking?" + +"Pitying a woman, who, having once possessed your love, lost it so +entirely, as to render her very name unpleasant to you. Thinking--ah, +heaven!--thinking--should such ever be _my_ lot!" + +She paused, struggling with a sudden gush of tears, and sobs which +almost choaked her. + +"Impossible, impossible!" exclaimed St. Aubyn, clasping her to his +bosom: "you will never deserve it, never bring disgrace and dishonour on +my name, and blast with misery the most acute, the best years of my +life!--Agitate not yourself, my best love, with these frightful ideas. +Ah, had the hapless Rosolia been like thee!--but oh! how different were +her thoughts and actions!----No more of this, compose yourself, my love, +and tell me what more passed with this strange proud woman." + +After a few moments, Ellen recovered enough to repeat the remainder of +the conversation, with the result of which he appeared very well +pleased, and prophesied from the latter part of it they should soon be +on good terms with Lady Juliana Mordaunt, an event for which he appeared +so anxious, that Ellen could not fail to wish it also; and, indeed, that +lady's good sense and just sentiments had made a very favourable +impression on her mind, though her manners were so sour and repulsive. + +This day Miss Cecil dined with her amiable friends, as they had no other +company; indeed, except by a few gentlemen, their dinner hour had +generally passed uninterrupted, Ellen not being yet sufficiently +acquainted with any ladies to mix with them in dinner parties. The +report of St. Aubyn's male friends had, however, been so favourable +towards her, as to incline Lady Meredith to wish a more intimate +acquaintance, and to attract so much youth, beauty, and grace to her +evening parties, while Lady Juliana was pleased to hear that she +possessed qualities in her eyes far superior, namely, modesty, talents, +and a demeanor towards her husband equally delicate and affectionate. + +After dinner, St. Aubyn having some engagement, left the fair friends +alone, and they enjoyed a long and confidential conversation. + +From Laura, Lady St. Aubyn learnt that Lady Juliana was well known to +her, and that in spite of her austere and forbidden manners, and the +pleasure she undoubtedly took in contradicting almost every thing she +heard, she was yet a woman of good sense, and would most certainly, +could her esteem be once engaged, prove to Ellen a steady and valuable +friend: "Especially," added Laura, "should any thing happen to Lord St. +Aubyn, for she is his only near relation to whom he could confide the +future interests, either of his wife or child; and young and beautiful +as you are, my dear Ellen, no doubt St. Aubyn thinks such an additional +support would be highly desirable for you." Seeing she was deeply +affected, for Ellen now believed she could discern the cause of St. +Aubyn's anxiety for her being on good terms with his aunt, and connected +it with the painful circumstances he had told her were hanging over him, +Laura now added, with a pensive smile, "Nay, my dear friend, do not be +distressed. I have of late thought so much of mortality, I was not +sensible how much you would be pained by the suggestion; but certainly, +St. Aubyn will not leave you a moment the sooner for my hinting the +possibility of such an event." + +Ellen endeavoured to shake off the painful ideas which forced themselves +upon her, and asked Miss Cecil if she had known much of the former +Countess. "Not very much," said Laura: "she was very handsome, but the +character of her beauty was so different from yours, that I have often +wondered how St. Aubyn came to _choose_ two so different; though, +indeed, I believe I should hardly say choose, for Lady Rosolia de +Montfort was not so much his choice as that of his relations--at least, +I believe he would never have thought of her as a wife if they had not." + +"Who was she? Do tell me a little about her: I am quite a stranger to +all particulars." + +"I know little more than I have told you, except that she was the only +daughter of the late Earl de Montfort, a distant relation of Lord St. +Aubyn's. Lord de Montfort, during the life of his elder brother, went to +Spain in a diplomatic situation, and there married the daughter of the +Duke de Castel Nuovo: this marriage with an English protestant, was, for +a long time, opposed by the lady's relations: but, at length, moved by +fear and compassion for her, whose attachment threw her into a lingering +disease, which threatened her existence, they consented on one +condition, namely, that the sons of the marriage should be educated +Roman Catholics, and on the death of their father, be placed with their +maternal grandfather, while they permitted the daughters to be brought +up in the Protestant religion, hoping, perhaps, that the influence of a +mother over females might ultimately bring them also over to her faith: +but the Countess died young: one son and one daughter were her only +children, the boy some years younger than his sister: they both remained +with their father (who soon after his marriage became Earl de Montfort), +sometimes in Spain, sometimes in England, till the marriage of Lady +Rosolia with Lord St. Aubyn, though she was frequently his mother's +guest, both in London and at St. Aubyn Castle, where the young Edmund +also often spent some time: he was a very fine and amiable boy, and +excessively attached to his sister. + +When Lord de Montfort died, the son was claimed by his maternal +grandfather, and Lord and Lady St. Aubyn went to Spain with him, where +she died: report spoke unfavourably of her conduct during her abode on +the Continent; indeed, in England, the gaiety of her manners, especially +after the death of Lord St. Aubyn's mother, approached more nearly to +the habits of foreign ladies than those of England. It was said, that +while abroad, Lord St. Aubyn was involved in many unpleasant +circumstances by her behaviour: certain it is, that on his return, he +appeared overwhelmed with melancholy, which was the more extraordinary, +as it was well known they had not lived on very affectionate terms even +before they had quitted this country." + +"And what became of her brother: where is the young Lord de Montfort?" +asked Ellen. "He has remained ever since in Spain," replied Laura; "but +as he will very soon be of age, he must then, I suppose, return to +England to take possession of his estates, of which Lord St. Aubyn is +the guardian." + +"Oh," thought Ellen, "is it to his return St. Aubyn looks with so much +apprehension and dismay? What! O! what is the strange mystery in which +this story seems to be involved?" + + + + +CHAP. VI. + + "Within 'twas brilliant all, and light, + A thronging scene of figures bright: + It glowed on Ellen's dazzled sight, + As when the setting sun has given + Ten thousand hues to summer's even; + And from their tissue fancy frames, + AErial knights and fairy dames." + + LADY OF THE LAKE. + + +The next morning, Ellen, who felt a little fatigued from the various +circumstances of the day before, some of which had considerably agitated +her spirits, declined going out; and after breakfast retired to her own +dressing-room; Laura, at the same time, going to her's, having letters +to write to her father and some other friends. + +Lady St. Aubyn was soon surrounded by her favourite books, some maps, a +drawing she was finishing, and all those resources with which she now +knew so well how to fill up her time. In one corner stood an elegant +harp, on which Ellen had been taking lessons, and had made a +considerable proficiency; in another sat her faithful Jane busy at her +needle, at which she was very expert; and Ellen detesting to see any one +idle, kept her generally employed either in fine work, or making linen +for the poor, to seek out, and relieve whom, was one branch of Jane's +business. A simple, though graceful taste, regulated the ornaments and +furniture of this favourite retirement; no velvet cushions, no +overwhelming perfumes, were met with here; all was elegant, but all was +modest, and generally useful: a small bookcase, a porte-feuille, a +netting box, shewed that its inhabitant loved to be employed. + +By a cheerful fire this fair inhabitant was now seated: the modesty of +her demeanor, the delicacy of her dress, were such as suited one, who, +though young, and even girlish, was a wife, and likely to be a mother; +the tout-ensemble, in short, was a perfect contrast to the figure, +dress, and apartment of the luxurious Lady Meredith. A complete silence +prevailed (for Jane had learned when her lady chose, which as now was +sometimes the case, to have her in her apartment, to be quiet), and had +lasted at least half an hour, when a step was heard in the anti-room; +and a footman knocking at the door, Jane opened it, and the servant +requested her to tell her lady that----A voice behind interrupted him, +by saying, "You need not trouble yourself, Sir; I know my way, and shall +announce myself." Ellen rose, and looked surprised, for visitors were +never shewn to this room: still more was she amazed when she saw the +sharp countenance and stiff figure of the old lady she now supposed to +be Lady Juliana Mordaunt, who, pushing by the man, gave him one of her +express nods, and said, "You may go, Sir."--She then advanced, and +seeing Jane, who rose and stared at this extraordinary visitant, she +said, with another nod to Ellen, "So, you make your maid work at her +needle: I am glad of it; but send her away now, for I want to talk to +you." Ellen seeing that Jane hesitated to leave her with this stranger, +whom the poor girl began to believe was deranged, told her to go to her +own room, and she, gathering up her work, very readily obeyed; though +she went to the housekeeper and told her she thought they had better +both go and stay in the anti-room, for she really believed a mad-woman +was gone into her Lady's dressing-room. "Nonsense!" said the +housekeeper: "I saw the lady go up: it is my Lord's aunt, Lady Juliana." +This intelligence quieted Jane, who really was under some fears for +Ellen, to whom she was become tenderly attached. + +In the meantime, Lady Juliana seeing that Ellen continued standing, +said--"Sit down, child, and don't be frightened." Ellen gladly obeyed, +for she could not help feeling a little agitated by Lady Juliana's +strange mode of visiting. + +The old lady looked round the room, and after a moment's pause, +said--"Why, you are an unfashionable young woman, I see; work, books, +maps, and the furniture remaining nearly as it was seven years ago! +What, has nobody told you, child, the whole house ought to be new +furnished?" + +"Indeed, Ma'am, if they had, I should have paid no attention to them," +said Ellen. "I must, indeed, be a strange ungrateful creature, if the +magnificent furniture of this house was not more than equal to my +wishes." + +"So much the better, I am glad of it," returned Lady Juliana.--"Do you +know me?" she added, turning in her usual abrupt manner to Ellen. + +"I believe--I think I can guess." + +"Oh, I suppose you told St. Aubyn you had met with a cross, +disagreeable old woman at Lady Meredith's, and he told you it must have +been his aunt, Lady Juliana Mordaunt." + +"Indeed, Madam," said Ellen, blushing a little at a statement so near +the truth. + +"Nay, don't tell lies, child," bluntly replied the old lady. "I hate +flattery; besides, your countenance won't let you. I know what I am, +which is more than every body can say. And do you generally spend your +mornings in this manner?" + +"Generally, unless my Lord wishes me to go any where with him." + +"And what do you do in the evening?" + +"Lord St. Aubyn, Miss Cecil, and myself, sit together: we net or work, +while he reads to us, unless Miss Cecil is sufficiently in spirits to +give us some music." + +"And have you no idea, child, how ridiculous the fashionable people +think all this?" + +"I am sorry for it." + +"But will you persist in the same plan?" Ellen smiled. + +"And do you mean to go on in this way all the time you are in town?" + +"Not exactly perhaps. I am to see a little more of the public places; +but my Lord wished me to wait till----" + +"Till what? You may as well tell me, for I see you have an old-fashioned +way of speaking your thoughts." + +"It is true, your Ladyship sees in me one so little accustomed to the +habits of the great world, that I have not yet learned to dissemble: +will you permit me to say, and not be displeased, that Lord St. Aubyn +anxiously wished to procure a chaperon, whose sanction should be +unexceptionable--in short, Lady Juliana Mordaunt." + +"I believe you are a little flatterer after all," said Lady Juliana, +relaxing into a smile. "With all your talk of sincerity, I hardly +believe St. Aubyn thought of me at all; and how, if he did, he could +fancy I should ever get the better of the shock he gave my pride, call +it prejudice if you will, by marrying _you_--for I love plain-dealing, +child. I don't know but it is all over now--I like you; and if you will +continue as modest and unaffected as you are now, keep your neck and +arms covered, and bring your Lord an heir, that these de Montforts may +not succeed to his title, I will love you, and do all I can to assist +and support you." + +Seeing that Ellen blushed at the last hint, she added,--"Nay, you need +not blush, though I like to see you can: for I promise you, it was +observing the probability of such an event that did more to reconcile me +to you than all your beauty and merit could have done; so take care of +yourself, and don't disappoint me; and now, my dear, kiss me, and call +me _aunt_ whenever you please." + +Ellen modestly and gracefully bent to receive the old Lady's embrace, +and at that instant St. Aubyn opened the dressing-room door, and found +the two people he loved best in the world in each other's arms, with +tears of tenderness on the cheeks of both. + +"What do I see!" he exclaimed.--"Is it possible!" + +"Yes," said Lady Juliana, "it is very possible you see a foolish old +woman, who loves you too well not to love one so dear to you, and so +worthy of being loved." + +St. Aubyn respectfully and affectionately kissed the hand she gave him, +and clasping Ellen in his arms, exclaimed, "My dearest Ellen, how happy +has all this made me!" + +"Come, don't hurry her spirits with your raptures," said Lady Juliana. +"She is a good girl, and we shall be very happy together, I dare say. +But I find, Sir, you have been waiting for me, of all people, to +chaperon your Lady about to all the fine places: I have had enough of +them, and at my time of life I do not know any business I have at +operas, balls, and plays: however, to oblige you and _my niece_, I will +go wherever you wish me. I do not think she is one who will tire me to +death: I shall dine with you to-day, and if you choose to let one of +your people go to Drury-lane, and inquire if there are places, we may +hear the oratorio to-night." + +Charmed with this speech, for St. Aubyn knew his aunt well enough to be +sure if she had not been thoroughly pleased with Ellen, she would +neither have called her niece, nor have staid to dine with them, he most +readily accepted the kind offer. + +They dined rather earlier than usual, that they might be in time for the +opening of the oratorio, which Ellen was anxious to hear. Laura Cecil, +in compliment to Lady Juliana, dined with them, and was quite delighted +to see the affection, and even respect, with which she treated Lady St. +Aubyn: for Lady Juliana was not a person to do things by halves; and +having once conquered her own prejudices, was determined to give her +niece all the consequence in her power with every other person, and +would have been extremely angry with any one, who had dared to treat her +with half the contempt she herself had done the day before. Once a +friend, she was a friend for life, unless the object of her affections +proved really undeserving, and then she hated with as much warmth as she +had loved. + +Miss Cecil could not be persuaded to go with them to the theatre; and +indeed Ellen was afterwards glad of it, for many of the songs were those +which the sainted Juliet used to sing with so much sweetness and +expression: and exquisitely as they were now performed, yet Ellen still +felt something wanting. The soul that used to animate the eyes of +Juliet, while she sung, was not there. The lips that had breathed those +sacred strains, were so pure, so hallowed, that all the wonders of voice +and science, now lavished for her entertainment, could not compensate to +Ellen's mind for the pang she felt in recollecting that those eyes, +those lips, were closed for ever. + + "Mute was the music of her tuneful breath, + And quenched the radiance of her sparkling eyes." + +After this evening, Ellen's engagements became more frequent; but she +was never seen in public, except with Lady Juliana, and seldom without +her Lord. In vain did fashion dictate, or ridicule assail: the sly +glance, the pointed sarcasm, alike were vain: she knew herself safe, her +reputation secure, with protectors so respectable; yet there was nothing +obtrusive or formal in St. Aubyn's attention to his lovely wife: he was +neither inseparable from her side, or incapable of attention to any +other lady, or expecting Ellen never to speak to any other gentleman. +But it was obvious, without being intrusive, that each was the first +object of the other, and that their mutual honour and happiness were the +most interesting care of both. + +Hence no bold and disgusting flattery assailed the ears of Ellen; no +forward flirting woman dared dispute with her the heart of St. Aubyn; so +pure, so spotless was her character, that, raised as she had suddenly +been to a rank which might easily excite the envy of those who thought +they had a better claim to it, not even the bold license of the age we +live in had dared to breathe one syllable against her. + +Thus passed the time till the latter end of April, which was the period +fixed for Lady Meredith's famous fete, about which all the great world +was going mad. The persons who were invited were expected to wear +masquerade dresses, and the house appeared in masquerade, as well as +the company. The whole had been new furnished in a fanciful style, and +at an enormous expence, for this one evening; and her Ladyship's own +dress was literally covered with jewels: she wore the habits and +ornaments of an eastern beauty, and her attire was exactly copied from +that Lady M. W. Montague describes for the fair Fatima, only, if +possible, still more rich and splendid; and, if possible, still more +calculated to display as well as to adorn the figure. No words can do +justice to the magnificence and splendour of the whole entertainment: +the Bow-street officers at the door, and Mr. G---- and his men serving +ices and other refreshments in a room fitted up to represent a casino at +Naples, with a panorama view of its beautiful bay, &c. gave it all the +characteristics of a modern fete; and the number of gay dresses, shining +decorations, lights, and music, made the whole appear to Ellen more like +a palace in a fairy tale than any thing "which the earth owns." She +wore a black domino, but with a very fine set of diamonds, which Lady +Juliana had given her the night before: amongst them was a sort of +coronet, or chaplet, set to represent sprigs of jessamine and small vine +leaves, in commemoration of that which St. Aubyn had woven of those +simple materials the day he discovered to her his real rank; for Lady +Juliana had heard the whole story, and was much pleased with that little +incident. + +Their party consisted of Lord and Lady St. Aubyn, Lady Juliana, and Sir +Edward Leicester, a particular friend of St. Aubyn's, a very amiable +young man, who appeared much charmed with Laura Cecil, and paid her +great attention, whenever he had an opportunity of being with her. They +spent a very agreeable evening: it concluded with a splendid supper, at +which all the company appeared unmasked, and the super-eminence of Lady +St. Aubyn's beauty was allowed by all. + +A few nights after this, Lord and Lady St. Aubyn, Lady Juliana, Lady +Meredith, and her favourite beau, Colonel Lenox, went to the Opera: the +entertainment for the evening happened to be the beautiful opera of +Artaserse. Ellen, lost in delight at the superb stage decorations, the +exquisite beauty of the music, and the interest of the story, which, by +the help of the action, and having read it in English, she understood +very well, was scarcely sensible of any thing around her, till the scene +in which Arbace is accused of the murder of the king. Turning then to +speak to St. Aubyn, who sat behind her, she saw him pale, agitated, and +trembling: "What is the matter?" asked she, in a voice of alarm; but +pressing his hand on her arm, he said, in a low voice, "Be silent--do +not notice me." + +At that moment the voice of the singer, who performed Arbace, in the +most pathetic tone, breathed out, "Sono Innocente," to which Artaserse +replies: + + Ma l'apparenza O Arbace + T'accusa ti condanna! + +A stifled sigh, almost amounting to a groan, from St. Aubyn, met the ear +of Ellen. Recovering himself a little, he whispered--"Remember, Ellen, +_and I too am innocent_!" + +In spite of the precaution with which he spoke, Lady Meredith turned, +and asked him if he were unwell. + +"I have a violent head-ache," he replied, forcing himself to appear more +composed. + +"You look pale, indeed, my Lord," returned Lady Meredith: "and Lady St. +Aubyn seems quite overcome with this pathetic scene." + +She spoke of the opera, but a crimson flush spread over St. Aubyn's +face, and complaining of the intolerable heat, he rose, and went out of +the box. + +"Bless me!" said Lady Juliana: "what is the matter?" + +"Only Lord St. Aubyn complains of the head-ache," said Lady Meredith. + +"Oh, I know what it is," answered Lady Juliana: "my nephew hates to be +disturbed when he is attending to music; and I suppose you, Lady +Meredith, have been talking to him, as you always do at the Opera." + +Lady Meredith only laughed; and St. Aubyn returning soon after, nothing +more passed. When the opera was over, and St. Aubyn and Ellen were alone +in the carriage, he still appeared so restless and agitated, that Ellen +could not resist addressing to him a few words, indicative of curiosity, +if not of alarm. For a time he evaded her tender inquiries; but, at +length, grasping her hands with an action expressive of the utmost +emotion, he again repeated his former words: "Remember, Ellen, oh, +remember that I too am innocent!" + +"I know it, I am sure of it," she returned: "but why thus confide by +halves? Why torture yourself and me by these mysterious hints?" + +"Ah, why indeed!" said he: "I ought to have more command of myself: but +that scene--that fatal instrument of a horrid deed!--Appearances how +false, yet how convincing!" + +"To me," she replied, "appearances are not and never shall be any thing, +when opposed to your single assertion, to my confidence in your +integrity." + +"A thousand thousand thanks," he replied, "for the sweet assurance! +Soon, too soon, perhaps, you will be tried!" + +"Demanding so much reliance, so much implicit _confidence_ from his +wife, under such _mysterious_ conduct, was St. Aubyn willing, if called +upon, to grant an equal share to her?" + + + + +CHAP. VII. + + Think'st thou I'll make a life of jealousy, + To follow still the changes of the moon + With fresh surmises?--No; to be once in doubt + Is to be resolv'd---- + I'll see before I doubt; what I doubt prove. + + OTHELLO. + + +After the scene at the Opera, which effectually destroyed her pleasure +there, Lady St. Aubyn felt for some days not at all disposed to enter +into the gay parties which were offered for her amusement: a gloom hung +over her, and she had a weight on her spirits, which in some degree +affected her health. Some one says, "A belief in _presentiment_ is the +favourite superstition of feeling minds;" and Ellen was certainly not +entirely free from it. Lady Juliana and Miss Cecil perceived the effect +without knowing the cause; and supposing it to be merely a temporary +indisposition, persuaded her to remain quietly at home for a day or two; +but finding the nervous sort of depression under which she laboured was +encreased by indulgence, they imagined a moderate share of amusement +might remove it; and prevailed on her to take places at Covent-Garden, +to see Mrs. Jordan in a favourite comedy. + +Laura did not yet shew herself in public; Ellen therefore went to the +play with only St. Aubyn and Lady Juliana. They were joined there by two +or three gentlemen, and amongst them Sir Edward Leicester, who, between +the acts, made so many inquiries for Miss Cecil, and spoke so highly of +Lady St. Aubyn's "charming friend," as convinced her he took a deep +interest in all that concerned Laura. This gave real pleasure to Ellen, +who thought so well of Sir Edward, as to wish he might succeed in +rendering the prepossession mutual. They were all extremely well pleased +with the play. Who, indeed, that ever saw Mrs. Jordan act was +otherwise? And Lady Juliana was rejoiced to see Ellen quite as cheerful +as usual. They did not choose to stay the farce, and finding at the end +of the play the carriage was in waiting, left the box. Lady Juliana +being rather timid, and not very alert in getting into a carriage, St. +Aubyn gave her his arm, and requested Sir Edward would take care of Lady +St. Aubyn. + +As they were crossing the lobby, a gentleman accidentally trod on +Ellen's train, and entangled it in his spur, by which she was detained +half a minute before it could be disengaged. He begged her pardon, and +passed on. St. Aubyn and his aunt not perceiving the circumstance, had +advanced some steps before the Countess and Sir Edward. At that moment +two or three young men pushed rather rudely by them; and Sir Edward +extending his hand, said, "Take care, gentlemen, you incommode the +lady." + +One of them turned round, and looking in Ellen's face, exclaimed: + +"By heaven 'tis she! 'tis Ellen Powis!" + +Lady St. Aubyn starting at the name, cast her eyes upon him, and +instantly recognized Charles Ross: but before she could speak to him, as +she was preparing to do in a friendly manner, he stamped violently, and +with a countenance where the utmost rage was expressed, and a dreadful +oath, exclaimed: + +"Is this the villain that has undone thee?--But where, then, is that +accursed Mordaunt? Ah, Ellen! abandoned, miserable girl, art thou, then, +so lost already?" + +Pale, gasping for breath at this shocking language, Ellen clung more +closely to the arm of Sir Edward, and faintly articulated, "For God's +sake let me pass!" + +"What do you mean, Sir?" said Sir Edward, fiercely: "Are you +intoxicated, or mad? How dare you insult this lady!" + +"And how dare you, Sir," answered Charles, approaching in a menacing +attitude, "after seducing her from her friends, and from those who loved +her, to look me in the face?" + +"Madman!" replied Sir Edward, pushing him aside with one hand, while +with the other he supported the now almost fainting Ellen. "Gentlemen, I +request you will secure him till I place this lady in her carriage, and +then I am ready to give him any explanation he may wish for." + +Some of the gentlemen, who by this time surrounded them, knowing +Charles, said to him: "Come away, Ross; you are very wrong: at any rate, +this quarrel shall go no farther." + +At this moment St. Aubyn, having placed his aunt in the carriage, +wondering at Ellen's delay, returned to seek her; and astonished at +what he beheld, exclaimed: + +"For heaven's sake, what is the matter? My love, what makes you look so +pale? Has any one dared to insult you?" + +"Oh! you are there, Sir, are you," said Charles: "I know you: I saw you +once, and then foretold what has happened: you are the man who must give +me satisfaction." + +"Pshaw! he is mad, quite mad," cried Sir Edward; "pay no attention to +him; he knows not what he talks of." + +The by-standers began to be of the same opinion; and, indeed, his +rageful countenance, and the violence of his gesticulations, with the +apparent inconsistency of his words, rendered the idea extremely +probable; they therefore forcibly held him, and said: "Pass on, +gentlemen, and take care of the lady: we will prevent him from following +you;" while Ross's friends, supposing either that the wine they knew he +had drank had affected him, or that some sudden frenzy had seized him, +were amongst the foremost to secure him, especially as a gentleman who +now came up said the gentleman and lady were the Earl and Countess of +St. Aubyn: but Charles was too outrageous to hear that or any thing +else, and called after them aloud, stamping with fury, and swearing +terribly: + +"Mean, detestable cowards, come back. I am not mad. Give up that +wretched girl: let me take her to her father--to mine, who loved her. +Mordaunt, vile, hateful Mordaunt! to you I call--Come back, I say!" + +St. Aubyn turned, and but that Ellen hung half-fainting on him, he would +have obeyed the summons; for he knew that name was addressed to him, and +easily guessed who the supposed madman was, and how the mistake which +caused his insults might have arisen; but Sir Edward said, "You shall +not go back, St. Aubyn, he is mad; or if not, it belongs to me to +chastise him." + +"Is it not Charles Ross?" said St. Aubyn to Ellen. + +"Yes," she faintly replied; "but do not go back; he is certainly out of +his senses." + +By this time they had reached the carriage, and putting her into it, he +shut the door; and saying, "Wait a moment, be not alarmed, I must speak +to him," he ran back again, Sir Edward following. + +Ross having, as soon as they were out of sight, disengaged himself from +the by-standers, was hastening with frantic violence to overtake them: +when he saw the two gentlemen, he advanced and said: + +"You have thought proper, then, to come back; but what have you done +with that unfortunate girl?" + +"For the sake of your father, Mr. Ross," said St. Aubyn, "for now I +know you, I will be patient and tell you." + +"What can you tell me more than I already know?" cried Ross, +interrupting him with angry vehemence. "Can you deny that you have +seduced her whom I loved better than my own soul? Did you not bring her +with you to London? I know it all, Sir: the woman where you lodged found +you out. She saw how you had deceived my gentle, innocent Ellen." + +"What words are these!" exclaimed St. Aubyn, haughtily. "Whence arises +so vile an error?" + +"Villain!" exclaimed Charles, with wild impetuosity, "deny not your +crimes, but give me the satisfaction of a gentleman." + +"You do not act like one," said St. Aubyn: "but here is my card; I am +always to be found, and will give you whatever satisfaction you may +require." + +He threw a card with his address to Charles, who hastily gave St. Aubyn +one of his. + +"It shall not be," said Sir Edward. "I was the first insulted: this +affair is mine." + +"Settle it as you please," said Charles: "come one or both, I am ready." + +"Very well," said St. Aubyn; "to-morrow we shall be at your service. +Come, Sir Edward; Ellen will be terrified to death." They hastened on; +and Ross rudely pushing aside those around him, left the theatre. + +St. Aubyn and Sir Edward now went as quickly as possible, where they +found the Countess, half-fainting, in the arms of Lady Juliana. + +"For God's sake," said the latter, as they opened the door, "what is the +matter? What have you been doing? Could you find no time or place to +quarrel in but in the presence of this poor girl?" + +"For heaven's sake, Madam," said St. Aubyn, after having ordered the +servants to drive on, "do not talk in that manner. Am I so regardless +of this dear creature's comfort, or so prone to quarrel, that I should +seek it at such a time as this?" + +He then made Ellen lean on him, and soothed her with the most +affectionate and tender expressions. + +"Oh," said she, reviving; "is he gone? Dear St. Aubyn, tell me, are you +safe, has he hurt you?" + +"No--no, my love; be composed, all is over; he is gone away satisfied." + +"Satisfied!" replied she; "what could he mean? Do you think he is mad, +or is it the effect of wine, or some mistake?" + +"I know not," said St. Aubyn, hastily; "but be at rest--he is gone--we +shall hear no more of him." + +"Oh, are you sure--are you quite sure? Dear Lady Juliana, tell me: may I +depend upon it? You said something about a duel." + +"I talked like a fool, then, if I did," replied Lady Juliana; "but I do +not remember any thing of it." + +"A duel--ridiculous!" said St. Aubyn, pretending to laugh. "I assure +you, Ellen, all is over; pray be composed; there is nothing to fear." + +Lady Juliana knew better, but terrified for Ellen, she affected to +believe what St. Aubyn said, and between them, they contrived completely +to deceive the Countess, who, ignorant of the usages of the world, and +not knowing all that had passed, was easily misled. She composed her +mind, therefore, in the hope that all was well, though she still +trembled, and was so much fluttered, that Lady Juliana, after going home +with her, waited till she had seen her in bed; and desiring she might be +kept perfectly quiet, she returned to the drawing-room, and endeavoured +to learn from St. Aubyn and Leicester what had happened, and what was +likely to be the result: but she vainly chid or interrogated either: +both persisted in the story that Ross had apologized, and all was over. + +Rather better satisfied, though not fully convinced, Lady Juliana soon +after left them, determined however to keep a little watch upon the +actions of her nephew, with whose temper she was too well acquainted to +suppose such a business would be passed over without farther notice. + +St. Aubyn gave Ellen such assurances that nothing more would arise from +this affair, that, tired out with the agitation she had undergone, she +soon fell into a profound sleep, and awakened in the morning perfectly +refreshed and composed. At St. Aubyn's request, however, she remained +later than usual in bed. Laura Cecil sat by her side, and gave her her +breakfast, after which she appeared so entirely well, that no objection +was made to her rising. + +In the meantime St. Aubyn had received, at his breakfast-table, the +following note:-- + + My Lord, + + I find by the card you gave me last night, that the name of + _Mordaunt_ was only assumed to conceal the blackest designs and + most detestable perfidy. + + If you do not mean to plead your privilege, I demand a meeting + with you on Wimbolton Common to-morrow morning at seven + o'clock, when I hope to wash out my wrongs, and those of the + injured Ellen, in the blood of a villain. + + I shall bring pistols and a friend. + + CHARLES ROSS. + + _Eight o'Clock, Wednesday morning._ + +To this St. Aubyn returned the following answer:-- + + Sir, + + I shall be at the place appointed at the time you mention. Sir + Edward Leicester will be with me. + + ST. AUBYN. + +After dispatching this laconic reply, the Earl went to Ellen's +dressing-room. Laura had just left her; Jane only was with her: at the +moment he entered, Ellen was reading a note, which, when she saw him, +she hastily folded together, and put within the bosom of her morning +dress: she seemed a little agitated, and the tears stood in her eyes, +but hastening to meet him, she said:-- + +"My dear St. Aubyn, they told me you were gone out." + +"No, my love," said St. Aubyn, a little surprized at the hasty manner in +which she spoke; "but I am going out soon." + +"Shall you take the barouche or the chariot?" + +"Neither; I shall walk to Sir Edward Leicester's: but why; are _you_ +going out?" + +"Yes--by and bye; I think a little air will do me good." + +"Had you not better keep quiet? You know my aunt particularly requested +you would do so; she will be here soon: do not go till you have seen +her, nor then unless she advises it." + +"But I assure you, my Lord, I am perfectly well, and I am sure a little +air will be of service." + +"Well, do as you please," said St. Aubyn, a little surprized at her +adhering so determinately to her idea of going out; for, in general, +half a word from him guided her; "but you will not go alone?" + +"Oh--no, Laura will go with me." + +"Very well, my love; don't fatigue yourself. Where are you going?" + +"I don't know exactly: I want to do some shopping." + +St. Aubyn then wished her good-morning, and repeating his request that +she would take care of herself, left her. + +The real fact was this--Jane, who was Ellen's almoner, and brought to +her knowledge many cases of distress, of which she would otherwise have +been ignorant, had the night before, while her lady was at the play, +received a petition from an officer's widow, who stated herself to be +living in a small lodging in ---- Street; that she had several children, +of whom the youngest was an infant not a month old, born under +circumstances of the most acute distress, a few months after its father +had fallen in the field of battle; the eldest, a girl of sixteen, in a +deep decline: these circumstances, she said, prevented her from waiting +herself on Lady St. Aubyn, of whose goodness she had heard much from an +old blind lady, her neighbour, whom, in fact, Ellen had supported for +some time past, and whom she had visited two or three times with Jane +only. + +Ellen, warm-hearted and benevolent, was extremely anxious to see this +unfortunate family: Jane had given her the letter just before St. Aubyn +came into her room, and fearing if she declared her purpose he would +oppose it, lest her health should be injured by the emotion she must +necessarily feel from the sight of this unhappy mother and her children, +she concealed the letter, and did not exactly tell him why she wished so +much to go out, though aware that she must appear unusually +pertinacious; but she had set her heart with all the fervor of youth on +her object: above all, she desired to see the poor little infant, for +Ellen, always fond of children, had, since she knew herself likely to +become a mother, felt a peculiar interest in young children, and +ardently wished to see and provide for one who had so many claims to +the compassion of a tender heart; and having really some purchases to +make, she gave without consideration _that_ as her only motive for going +out. Never before had she departed for an instant from the singular +sincerity of her character, and the perfect confidence which she reposed +in her husband; dearly did she soon repent of having done so now. + +On asking Laura to go with her, she unexpectedly declined it, having a +bad head-ache, and tried to persuade Ellen not to go herself, but to +send Jane, and go some other time: but Ellen was so unusually fixed on +her point, and her imagination was so impressed with the idea of the +_poor little infant_, that, for a wonder, she was not to be prevailed +on; and fearing, lest Lady Juliana should come and prevent her, she +ordered the carriage directly, and set out. + +She drove first to ---- Street, where she found the distrest family in +all the poverty and affliction which had been described to her--the +unfortunate mother, still weak, and scarcely able to support herself, +obliged to act as nurse, not only to the infant, but to her eldest +daughter, who, pale and languishing, seemed ready every moment to +breathe her last, while two or three other children were playing in the +room, distracting by their unconscious noise the poor invalids. + +The tender and compassionate Ellen felt her heart opprest at this +melancholy sight, and hastened as much as possible to relieve it: she +held herself the baby in her arms, while she sent Jane to seek a nurse +for the poor girl, and to the woman of the house where they lodged, to +whom she spoke herself; and requested she would take charge of the other +children, till the mother was more able to do so. She gave the widow an +ample supply of money to procure every thing necessary for her herself +and family, and after promising to send a physician to attend the poor +girl, and kissing the baby, she departed, followed by thanks and +blessings, "not loud but deep," and went to see the poor old blind lady, +who, always delighted to hear her sweet voice and kind expressions, +detained her as long as she could. + +Returning home, rejoicing in the good she had done, feeling herself +animated by the purest pleasure, and quite well in health, Ellen +suddenly recollected that she was close by the street where Mrs. Birtley +lived, with whom she had lodged the first time she was in London; and +she thought she would just stop at the door, and ask for the book she +had left there, for which Jane had, as she said, always forgotten to +call: it was that very volume of Gray which Mordaunt had given her, and +as his first gift she was really anxious to recover it. Meaning merely +to stop at the door, and send Jane in for it, she pulled the check, and +ordered the coachman to drive down that street, and stop at No. 6, and +told Jane for what purpose she was going. + +"Oh, my Lady," said the talkative girl, "I shall be rejoiced that Mrs. +Birtley should see you in all your grandeur: she will be surprized after +all she had the impertinence to say." + +"Indeed," said Ellen, "I never thought of that: she will wonder to see +me under such a different appearance, and perhaps say something in the +hearing of the servants. I will not go." + +"Oh, my Lady," answered Jane, "she need not know who you are: only ask +for the book, and come away directly: she will not know a bit the more +what your Ladyship's real name is; and I suppose she is not enough +amongst the grand people to know the livery or carriage." + +"True," said Ellen: "well, you shall go in and ask for the book, but do +not explain any thing to her." + +"Oh, no, indeed, my Lady," said Jane; "so far from it, I shall enjoy +seeing her puzzle----" + +While they spoke, the carriage stopped at the door of Mrs. Birtley. +Ellen, who half repented having come, sat back in the carriage, and told +Jane to go in and ask for the book, and not to say she was there, for +she would not alight: but notwithstanding Ellen's caution, Mrs. Birtley, +having been drawn to the window by seeing such an elegant equipage stop +at her door, caught a glimpse of her as the footman opened the door of +the chariot for Jane to alight, came to the side of the carriage, and +with civility asked her if she would not walk in. Ellen, feeling more +and more the absurdity of which she had been guilty in coming to the +door of a woman who she knew entertained of her a doubtful opinion, and +to whom she could not explain herself, coldly declined the offer; but +the coachman said he feared the horses would not turn very well, as the +street was rather narrow, and that it would be better if her Ladyship +pleased to alight for a moment, lest she should be alarmed. + +Mrs. Birtley stared at the "_Ladyship_" as much as she had done at the +_coronetted carriage_ and fine horses; for she was not quite so ignorant +of _grand people_, as Jane, in the plenitude of her own newly-acquired +knowledge, had supposed her. + +Ellen, vexed at her own folly in coming thither, was now obliged to get +out of the carriage; and several people passing by, staring first at the +carriage, and then at Ellen, she thought it would be better to go for an +instant into the house. Mrs. Birtley shewed her into the parlour, and +requesting she would be seated, added, "My lodger is gone out, and will +not, I suppose, be back till dinner-time: he is generally out all the +morning. I believe he knows something of you, Ma'am." + +"Of me!" repeated Ellen, surprized. + +"Yes, Ma'am: for when he came here about a week ago, he saw, by +accident, that book Mrs. Jane has in her hand; and some writing there +was in it seemed to put him into a great passion. He made me tell him +how I came by the book, and asked me a thousand questions about you: +what was the name of the gentleman you came with, if you were young and +handsome, and I don't know what; and I believe what I told him put him +into a great rage, for he stampt and swore like a madman." + +Ellen, vexed and astonished, sorry she had come there, and feeling a +certain dread of she hardly knew what stealing over her, now turned +extremely pale; and Jane exclaimed, "Oh, my Lady will faint: get some +water!" + +"Your _Lady_! Why she is Mrs. Mordaunt, is not she, _or calls herself +so_?" asked Mrs. Birtley with some contempt. + +"Don't stand there asking questions," said the impatient Jane: "but +fetch some water. Lord, I wish we were at home: if my Lady should be +ill, how Lady Juliana will scold, and my Lord." + +"Grant me patience," said Mrs. Birtley, as she left the room to fetch +some drops and water: "the girl makes me mad with her Lords and Ladies. +Poor fool, I suppose they have imposed upon her too finely." + +Not one minute had she been gone, when Ellen finding herself better, and +not meaning to wait Mrs. Birtley's return, and farther questions, had +risen, and by Jane's help almost reached the door to go to the carriage, +which through the window she saw drawing up, when that door opened, and +Charles Ross entered the room: amazed beyond the power of words to +describe, he saw her standing--saw Ellen in his apartment! And +forgetting every thing but that he had once dearly loved her, he rushed +towards, and would have caught her in his arms, but she evaded his +grasp; and catching hold of Jane (who, frightened, gave a sudden +scream), said, "He here! Oh, how I am terrified!" + +"Terrified, Ellen!" he wildly repeated: "_once_ you were not terrified +by my appearance." + +"No, Sir," she replied, with as much spirit as she could assume: "for +once I should have expected friendship and protection, not insult." + +"Ah, wretched girl!" he exclaimed: "once you deserved and wished for my +friendship and protection; but now, that fine gaudy carriage, this +elegant dress, the jewels, in which I saw you last night, all tell a +dreadful tale--all speak of your shame, of your ruin." + +"Of my shame! of my ruin! what, oh, what do you mean?" + +"Aye, what indeed!" said the enraged Jane: "let my Lady pass, +impertinent fellow, and don't stand there talking in that insolent +manner. Do, my Lady, let me call the footmen. I wish my Lord was here: +he would soon teach you better manners." + +"Cease, Jane," said Ellen, shaking like a leaf: "cease this shocking +altercation. Of your insulting language, Mr. Ross, I know not the +meaning: it is well for you Lord St. Aubyn does not hear you thus +address his wife." + +"His wife! his wife! Is it possible? Have I wronged both him and you? +Stay, Ellen, a moment, for heaven's sake--for St. Aubyn's--for my +father's: you know not the mischief one word of explanation may +prevent." + +She stopped, she turned: he seized her hands to detain her. Oh, +unfortunate Ellen! + +At that moment St. Aubyn himself entered the room. He rushed impetuously +forward, exclaiming, "Dissembling woman! Was it for this you left your +home--to meet this villain--to come to his very lodging in search of +him?" + +"Oh, no! oh, no!" sobbed Ellen, as she sunk at his feet in a swoon so +deep, so death-like, that it seemed as if her life had left her. + +"Oh, you have killed my Lady!" cried Jane: "my dear Lady! Oh, my Lord, +we came here for a book, and not----" + +"Peace, peace!" sternly interrupted St. Aubyn: "I will not hear a word. +Is she dead?" + +"Oh, Lord, I hope not! How can your Lordship talk so shockingly? Oh, +Mrs. Birtley, for God's sake help my Lady--call assistance!" + +Between them they raised her: for Charles, confounded, shocked, and half +distracted, dared not, and St. Aubyn, gloomy, cold, and stern, would not +assist her. At length returning life mantled on her cheek, and her first +incoherent words were, "St. Aubyn, dear St. Aubyn, save me!" + +St. Aubyn, somewhat calmer, and fearing he might have been too rash, +struggled with the jealous pangs which rent his heart, and approaching +her, said, "How is it, Ellen--are you better?" + +"Yes, better, my love; but sick, oh, sick at heart!" + +"Compose yourself; all is well." + +A little revived, she looked up, but was too languid to discern the +expression of his countenance, which contradicted the kindness of his +words; for St. Aubyn felt there was much, very much to be explained, +before she could be to him again the Ellen she had been--if, indeed, the +perfect confidence he once felt in her could ever be restored; yet +fearing quite to destroy her, he constrained himself. Mrs. Birtley, now +convinced how unjust had been her suspicions, and Jane, eagerly +endeavoured to explain how Lady St. Aubyn came to be there; but +motioning with an air of proud dignity to them to be silent, he said, +"Enough, I am satisfied!" But his gloomy looks contradicted his words, +and turning to Ross, he said, in a low voice, "You and I, Sir, shall +meet again." Then, with Jane's assistance, he raised Ellen, and lifting +her into the carriage, and putting Jane in, followed himself. + +"Home!" fiercely exclaimed St. Aubyn, and home they went; but oh, to a +home how different from that of the day before! + + + + +CHAP. VIII. + + "Good friend, go to him; for by this light of Heaven + I know not how I lost him. Here I kneel:-- + If e'er my will did trespass 'gainst his love, + Either in discourse or thought, or actual deed; + Or that mine eyes, mine ears, or any sense, + Delighted them in any other form-- + Comfort, forswear me!--unkindness may do much; + And his unkindness may defeat my life, + But never taint my love." + + OTHELLO. + + +Silent and gloomy was the ride homewards. St. Aubyn, bridling with +difficulty the jealous rage which consumed him, sat leaning against one +side of the carriage, veiling his eyes with his hand, that they might +not for an instant fall on Ellen, who, hardly supporting herself with +Jane's help, shed no tears, though grief and vexation heaved her bosom +with sighs, which almost burst it; for now her recollection was +restored, the dreadful words in which St. Aubyn first addressed her rung +in her ears, and swelled her heart with anguish. + +At length they reached Cavendish-Square, and were met in the hall by +Lady Juliana, whose pride, at first, wounded by Ellen's being from home +when she arrived, had, at length, given way to feelings of alarm at her +long absence; but when she saw her lifted from the carriage, pale, +trembling, and half-dead, terrified and astonished, she vainly demanded +an explanation alternately from St. Aubyn and the frightened Jane; her +nephew passing her hastily, and in silence, went into his study, and +instantly shut and fastened the door. There he meant to consider with +himself what part it became him to take, and how to elucidate this +extraordinary event. + +Ellen, throwing herself into Lady Juliana's arms, exclaimed, "Oh! my +dearest madam, let me die at once, for my Lord is angry with me!" + +"Die!" cried Lady Juliana, struggling with a thousand terrors; +"Nonsense! for what? Do you suppose no man was ever angry with his wife +before? You are so unused to it, it seems strange to you, but you may +assure yourself few wives would think it so extraordinary." + +By this time they had reached Ellen's dressing-room, where, having +placed her on a sofa, and given her some restoratives, Lady Juliana +said, "But what is all this about--what offence have you committed?" + +"Oh! madam, I know not; but it is too true, St. Aubyn has said such +words to me, such words as I never thought to hear from him!" + +"What is the meaning of all this?" said Lady Juliana, turning to Jane. +"Speak, girl, if you have not quite lost your senses, or do not wish +that I should lose mine, and tell me where your lady has been, and what +has happened." + +Jane, now, as well as the confusion she was in would let her, repeated +the adventures of the morning to Lady Juliana, the visit to the +officer's widow, and the old blind lady; and lastly, why they went to +Mrs. Birtley's: "And it was I," she said, "that persuaded her Ladyship +to go to that disagreeable Mrs. Birtley's--out of pride, I own it--it +was out of pride, that she might see what a grand place I had got, and +that _my_ lady was not the sort of person that cross old woman fancied +she was; and her Ladyship would not even have alighted or gone into her +trumpery parlour, if the horses had not been so frightful, and the +coachman said, says he, "my Lady had better alight, for the horses--" + +"Grant me patience!" said Lady Juliana: "this girl's tongue is enough to +distract me! Well, and when you were in her trumpery parlour, as you +call it, what happened then? Was Lord St. Aubyn angry that you went +there?" + +"Oh! no, my Lady, not for that; but the instant after we went in, and +while Mrs. Birtley was chattering about the book, and about her lodger +(and to be sure there never was such another chattering woman in the +world, and looking at my lady from head to foot, so saucy-like, I was +quite in a passion with her), I saw my lady turn pale, and thinking she +was going to faint, I made Mrs. Birtley go for some water, for I knew +well enough how your Ladyship would scold if _my_ Lady was to be ill, +and so I told Mrs. Birtley." + +"Will this tale ever have an end?" cried the impatient Lady Juliana. + +"Well, my Lady, and so just as Mrs. Birtley was gone for the water, and +we were got up to go away, in came a young man: I believe, for my part, +he was quite mad, not indeed that I am any particular judge of mad +people, for I remember the first day your Ladyship came here I +thought--but I believe I had better not tell _that_;--however, this +young man _was_ mad for certain, for the moment he saw my Lady, he ran +to her, and seemed as if he was going to catch her in his arms. I +screamed, and when her Ladyship said she was terrified, he quite raved, +and called her names, and said something about her shame, and her being +ruined, and her jewels, last night, and I don't know what." + +"And who, for Heaven's sake, was this man?" asked the astonished Lady +Juliana. + +"Oh, it was Ross! Charles Ross!" sobbed Ellen; "and St. Aubyn came in +while he was speaking to me, and said I came there to meet him, to his +very lodgings; and then I fainted quite away." + +"So, so, so!" repeated Lady Juliana; "a pretty piece of work! I see what +this mistake will end in! But stay; surely it is not too late: I will go +to St. Aubyn." + +"Yes, go to him, Madam, for Heaven's sake go to him, and explain it to +him. Assure him I could not have an idea that Charles Ross lodged at +Mrs. Birtley's. Oh! how cruel to be obliged to make this explanation: +can St. Aubyn really think so ill of me? Yet, surely, surely he will be +undeceived--this is only a momentary start of passion!" + +Lady Juliana shook her head, for she knew St. Aubyn's temper; and how +hardly he would endure to hear even her on such a subject; yet, if he +would but condescend to hear what the servants, who attended the +Countess in this unfortunate excursion, what this Mrs. Birtley would +say, their stories would doubtless confirm that of Ellen; for of the +truth of that story Lady Juliana had not the smallest doubt; but she +knew how St. Aubyn's pride would revolt, and his delicacy be hurt, by +the necessity of interrogating such people on the conduct of his wife. + +She felt herself indeed angry with Ellen for the childish impatience +which had taken her out in the morning, after the fright of the night +before had rendered repose so desirable, and for going to Mrs. +Birtley's at all; but she could easily forgive a folly apparently of so +little importance, since it was quite impossible for Ellen to have +foreseen the chain of circumstances which followed, and involved her in +so much distress. + +How St. Aubyn happened to go to the same place, no one could guess; it +appeared, indeed, extremely unlikely that he should have done so; but, +as singular coincidences no less singular do sometimes occur, though +their rarity makes us call them improbable, unless they arise within our +own immediate knowledge. + +The real truth was this: St. Aubyn, recollecting that Charles Ross had +said the night before, "_the woman where you lodged found you out_," had +determined to ascertain, from this woman herself, what she had told +Ross, and how she had dared to speak of him and Ellen in such terms; and +to explain who her Mr. and Mrs. Mordaunt really were, that no farther +slander, even in Mrs. Birtley's narrow circle, might attach to the +purity of Lady St. Aubyn's character, had walked thither from Sir Edward +Leicester's, with whom he had sat some time, arranging the particulars +of their intended meeting with Charles Ross the next morning; there, to +his utter astonishment, he found Lady St. Aubyn's carriage in waiting; +and inquiring of the servants where she was, was answered, in that +house, meaning Mrs. Birtley's. + +"And Miss Cecil?" + +"No, my Lord; Miss Cecil did not come out with my Lady, only Mrs. Jane." + +St. Aubyn recollected Ellen's apparent agitation in the morning; the +letter he had found her reading, and which she so hastily concealed; her +having said Laura would go with her; yet she had come with only her +maid, a young ignorant girl, come to the very house where he believed +Ross was residing; that Ross, of whom, though almost unknown to +himself, some secret jealousy had always lurked in his heart. + +All these circumstances rose at once to his memory; and, without waiting +to knock or ring, the door standing open, he rushed hastily into the +parlour, where the first object that struck his sight was his wife, his +beloved, his adored Ellen, while her hand was held by the man on earth +he most detested, the man who but the night before had insulted her and +outraged him! What could he think? Was it wonderful that the fury which +swelled his heart broke into words of reproach and anger? Was it not +rather wonderful he could so far command himself, so far reflect, as to +return with her apparently calm, and that he did not at once cast from +him a woman who must have appeared so ungrateful and insincere? + +Lady Juliana having with the aid of Miss Cecil and Jane put Ellen to +bed, would have retired to seek her nephew, leaving Laura shocked, +astonished, and grieved, remaining with her friend; but seeing the flush +of fever on her cheek, and an unusual brilliancy in her eyes, they sent +without delay to the family physician, who, after asking a few +questions, and learning the Countess had been alarmed, and was then +under the influence of terror for her lord, who, Laura whispered to him, +they feared was meditating a duel with a gentleman who had insulted Lady +St. Aubyn, the doctor shook his head, and said if her mind were not +quieted immediately, he would not be answerable for the consequences: +she had, he said, every symptom of an alarming fever, and that if she +were not soothed, and kept quiet, the worst event might be expected both +to herself and the unborn babe. + +Alarmed beyond measure, Lady Juliana now ran to seek St. Aubyn. With +some difficulty she prevailed on him to grant her admittance, and with +still greater, to hear what she had to say. She repeated the whole story +Jane had told her: he shook his head, was silent, but not convinced. She +saw his incredulity, and with some hesitation proposed to interrogate +the men servants who went out with their lady as to the real cause of +her alighting at Mrs. Birtley's. He started indignantly from the idea; +but Lady Juliana assuring him she could ask in such a way as should give +them no suspicion why they were questioned, he at last consented, and +ringing the bell, she ordered the coachman to be sent to her. + +"John," said she, "your lady has been frightened at something or other +this morning during her absence from home. Were the horses restive?" + +"No, my Lady: the horses went as quiet as lambs to ---- Street, where we +stopped while my Lady went into a house, I believe to see a poor family, +as her Ladyship does sometimes; and then we went to the poor old blind +lady's, that Mrs. Jane says her Lady maintains; and after that we went +to another house, where my Lady said she would not alight, and told Mrs. +Jane to make haste and get the book, for she would not stop an instant; +but I was afraid to turn the carriage with her Ladyship in it, the +street being very narrow just there, and a dray standing at the house +opposite, for fear the horses should prance a little, which my Lady is +always afraid of; and so I begged her just to alight a minute while I +turned, which she seemed not to like to do, but the old lady of the +house coming out and persuading her, she said she would get out for a +minute, and the people staring at her as she stood on the pavement, she +went into the house, and I believe something or somebody frightened her, +for as I drew up to the door, which was not directly, for the horses +were a little unruly, I saw a young man go into the parlour where my +Lady was waiting, and a minute after, I heard Mrs. Jane scream; and I +was going in, and so was James, but just as I was getting off my box, +and Richard was standing at the head of the horses, my Lord came up, and +afterwards I found my Lady had fainted away." + +"Then your Lady had only been there a short time?" + +"Not above ten minutes I am sure, Madam, and as Mrs. Jane screamed when +the gentleman went into the parlour, I think he must have frightened +her." + +"Very well, John: I was afraid it was the horses, and if so, Lady St. +Aubyn should never have gone with them again." + +"Oh, no, my Lady, the horses are quiet enough, poor things, only that +narrow street made me think my Lady had better alight." + +The man then retired, and Lady Juliana said:--"Well, St. Aubyn, are you +now satisfied?" + +"Not quite; all this might have been contrivance and art." + +"How is it possible you can think so! Did you ever see the slightest +trace of either in Ellen?" + +"Yes, to-day. Why did she tell me Laura was going with her? Why conceal +where she was going?" + +"Laura lamented just now not having gone out with Ellen, as she +requested on account of a bad head-ache: as to Ellen's not telling you +where she was going, that arose from a fear lest you should prevent, +what, with the natural impatience of youth, she had set her heart upon. +But if you still doubt, let us inquire of this woman, this +Mrs.----what's her name?--the mistress of the house where you lodged: +she can tell what Lady St. Aubyn's errand was there, and why she +alighted." + +"Good God! Madam," said St. Aubyn, peevishly, "would you have me go +about collecting evidences whether I ought to believe my wife +blameless, or the most deceitful of women?" + +"Yes I would," replied Lady Juliana, warmly, "if you can suspect her; if +such modesty, such guileless sincerity, and purity of words and manners +as I never before saw in woman, have no power to convince you: if you +can set against them all this one unlucky accident, for I am sure it is +no more, you ought to do every thing, seek every body who can give you +information. Good God! to what purpose is it, as to this world, that a +woman should lead the purest and most unspotted life, if one equivocal +appearance can drive all confidence, all reliance, from the heart which +ought to know her best!" + +Touched by this generous warmth, St. Aubyn began to feel convinced he +had gone too far: he knew how penetrating Lady Juliana was, how much she +had been prejudiced against Ellen, and how cautiously she would have +observed, ere she had given to her an affection and confidence so +tender: he called to mind many "a proof of recollected love," of native +modesty, of the strictest principles in his wife, and began deeply to +repent his jealous rashness; but suddenly recollecting the note he had +seen in her hands, and the haste with which she had concealed it, he +hastily said:--"But the letter! What letter was that I found her +reading?" + +"What letter?" asked Lady Juliana. + +"One I found her reading this morning, just before she went out; she +seemed agitated, and had tears in her eyes, and as I entered, she put it +into the fold of her morning dress." + +"And there," said Lady Juliana, eagerly, "I found it, when we undressed +her just now: I have not opened it; here it is." She drew it from her +pocket. St. Aubyn recollected it to be the same, and opened it with +trembling hands. It was, as has been stated, from the officer's widow +to Jane, entreating her good offices with her lady, and describing her +own distress, agreeing exactly with what Ellen and her maid had told +Lady Juliana, and she had repeated to St. Aubyn. Such a corroboration of +her story he could resist no longer; but shocked, alarmed, and ashamed, +he hastily said: + +"I have injured her! Oh! can she ever forgive me!" + +"It's well," said Lady Juliana with some asperity, for his jealous +obstinacy had vexed her--"it's well if you have not killed her and your +child too. God defend me from such rash, headstrong people, that can +make no distinction between a _Rosolia_ and an _Ellen_: poor girl, she +has paid dear I am afraid for her dream of happiness, and being "perched +up in a glittering greatness, wearing a golden sorrow!" + +"For God's sake, Madam, no more reproaches," said St. Aubyn, angrily: +"she has not suffered alone; but let me go to her; let me implore her +to forgive me. Ah! can I ever forgive myself!" + +"Indeed, nephew, I shall do no such thing, unless you will promise me +there shall be no fighting with that mad Ross, who I wish had been a +thousand miles off before he had come here to drive us all as mad as +himself." + +"We will talk of that, hereafter: perhaps he will apologize; at any +rate, let us go now to Ellen, and try if I can sooth her spirits, and +calm her wounded mind." + +But Ellen by the time he reached her was in no condition to hear him: +delirium had seized her, and the scene at the Opera dwelling on her +mind, on which it had made a powerful impression, connected, though +wildly, with the late untoward events, she exclaimed just as he entered +the room, "Remember, St. Aubyn, remember Arbace--_and I too am +innocent_?" then in low tones she imitated the recitative which had +taken such hold on her imagination; and sung in a sweet and plaintive +voice "Sono Innocente!" St. Aubyn, combining these words with all the +interesting ideas connected with them, with the generous assurances +Ellen had so often given him, that no appearances should ever shake her +faith in _his_ integrity and honour, assurances which he had so ill +repaid, was overwhelmed with grief and remorse: he put aside the +curtain, and kneeling by the bed-side, said in the tenderest accents: + +"Ellen, my love, my injured Ellen, will you not hear, will you not +forgive me?" + +"So you are come at last," said she, turning her head quickly towards +him: "go to your son, my good friend, and tell him he has cruelly +insulted me; that I am St. Aubyn's _wife_, not the wretch he calls me: +why, you know, Mr. Ross, you married us, and my father and Joanna were +present: then what does Charles mean by talking of my _shame_ and +_ruin_?" + +"Oh, Heavens! she raves," exclaimed St. Aubyn; "my cruelty has +destroyed her!" + +"Take away the bloody sword," screamed Ellen. "I tell you Arbace did +_not_ murder him; no, nor yet St. Aubyn: nothing shall ever make me +believe St. Aubyn guilty:--I promised him;--he says he is innocent; +enough, my love, enough, Ellen will _never doubt you_!" and again she +breathed in plaintive cadences the pathetic "Sono Innocente." + +"She will die! she will die!" wildly exclaimed St. Aubyn, starting up: +"run for more help! fetch all the physicians in London. Oh! have I lived +to this!" + +"You will kill her indeed," said Laura, "if you are not quiet: leave her +to us. Doctor B---- will again be here in a few minutes: he says if she +can but be quiet, can but be made to understand, all is well; she will +recover; but indeed, my Lord, you must leave her now." + +"No, Laura, I will not go; I will sit here without speaking; but should +she recover her senses, if only for a minute, it will I know comfort +her to see me here." + +This Laura could readily believe, and therefore made no further +objection; but Doctor B---- arriving soon after, comforted them all with +the assurance, that though the Countess's fever at present ran high, he +had great hopes that perfect quietude, and the medicines he had ordered, +would, in all probability, do much for her, especially, aided as they +were by youth and an excellent constitution, and that he saw no +immediate danger. He strictly enjoined, however, that her chamber might +be kept as still as possible, and that at most only two persons should +remain there: he entreated St. Aubyn and Lady Juliana to retire, and +having prevailed on them to do so, he told Miss Cecil he wished her to +be as much as possible one of Lady St. Aubyn's attendants. + +"As to Lady Juliana," said he, "she is so very anxious and restless; +she will only disturb our fair patient: you, my dear Miss Cecil, I +perceive have that happy self-possession, joined with gentleness and +activity, which alone can make a good nurse; your voice too is +particularly calculated to sooth and persuade a sick person:--you may +smile, but believe me, few know how many qualifications are requisite to +form a good superintendent of a sick bed, and amongst them I have always +found a soft but distinct articulation one of the most considerable. +Think only how a nervous patient is what is emphatically called +_worried_ by a droning, discontented voice, or alarmed by too loud a +tone, or sudden question. I assure you I have often seen weak persons +thrown into a fever by these apparently trifling causes; let me, +therefore, beg Miss Cecil will take upon herself the task of replying to +any questions the Countess may ask, but in as few words as possible: the +moment reason returns, sooth her mind by every assurance that the +danger she so much feared is over. I shall see Lord St. Aubyn before I +quit the house, and place before him the evil to be dreaded, should he +pursue this unfortunate business any farther." + + + + +CHAP. IX. + + Doubt shall for ever quit my strengthen'd heart, + And anxious jealousy's corroding smart: + Nor other inmate shall inhabit there, + But soft belief, young joy, and pleasing care. + + PRIOR'S HENRY AND EMMA. + + +The medicines ordered by her skilful physician had so salutary an +effect, that towards midnight Ellen fell into a quiet sleep, from which +every thing favourable might be expected. Lady Juliana was therefore +prevailed on to retire to bed, Miss Cecil, Jane, and the housekeeper, +sitting up with Lady St. Aubyn, the two latter in the anti-chamber. But +Lady Juliana was far from being satisfied, notwithstanding the +assurances of St. Aubyn that all was at an end between him and Ross: she +knew him too well to believe he would pass over insults so marked; and +her watchfulness had convinced her no apology from Ross, in writing or +otherwise, had been received. Sir Edward Leicester, too, had called once +or twice in the course of the day; and though she had tormented him and +her nephew, by resolutely remaining in the room in defiance of the hints +St. Aubyn gave of wishing to be alone with his friend, yet she overheard +a few words, that more and more convinced her a duel was intended. She +left orders, therefore, to be called by day-break; and unable to prevail +on St. Aubyn to go to bed, wearied and exhausted by emotions, which, at +her time of life, she could ill support, she at length left him to +himself. + +Determined as he was to meet Ross in the morning, and avoiding +reflections, which, though he felt how decisive they were against the +practice of duelling, he yet thought came too late. St. Aubyn's frame +was shaken by various sensations. Recollection of the past, and terror +for the future, hung heavily upon him; yet not for himself he feared: +but should any thing amiss happen to him, what would become of Ellen--of +Ellen, whom he should leave upon a bed of sickness, which, then he felt +convinced, would be to her the bed of death! + +"And was it for this," he exclaimed, as he paced his study, "for this I +drew her from her native shades, where, happy and contented, but for me +she might have blossomed still. Oh! little, my Ellen, hast thou had +cause to rejoice in that elevation which doubtless many have envied +thee. Too often have I been to thee the mysterious cause of sorrow and +anxiety. Perhaps I shall have been also the cause of thine untimely +end." + +The idea so dreadfully shook him, he dared no longer think, lest it +should quite unman him; but determined to look upon her once more, he +took the taper, which burnt beside him, and, with light steps, passed to +her apartment. In the anti-room he found the housekeeper and Jane both +sleeping in their chairs: all was profoundly still, and he began to fear +Ellen was left without a wakeful guard; but at the sound of his +footsteps, almost noiseless as they were, and the approaching light, for +the bed-room door was open for air, Laura Cecil stole to meet him: she +motioned to him to be silent, and advancing a few steps into the +anti-room, said, in the lowest whisper, "For heaven's sake, Lord St. +Aubyn, why this--why are you not retired to rest?" + +"Ah, Laura! dear, kind Laura," he exclaimed, grasping her hand, "how +could I rest, while that injured, perhaps that murdered angel lies +suffering thus, and through my fault, through my accursed, headlong +jealousy!" + +"Deeply, indeed," said Laura, "do I lament that appearances should have +thus misled you, my Lord, and am indeed astonished at it: had you but +waited one hour, ere you so harshly condemned, from me you might have +learned her perfect innocence: she pressed me to go with her this +morning, which my having a bad head-ache prevented: she told me where +she was going, shewed me the letter she had received, detailed her kind +plans for relieving the poor widow, and mentioned not having explained +her intentions to you, lest you should prevent her going; and she wished +so much, she said, to see the _poor little infant_; certainly she did +not mention any intention of going to that fatal house where you found +her, and which, I am assured, she never thought of till passing the top +of the street she recollected the book she so much valued, and which I +one day heard her tell Jane to call for; but all this is now unavailing: +let me beg you to retire: should the murmur of our voices disturb her, I +shall indeed greatly lament it." + +"Oh, let me look upon her--once more let me see her! Will she die? Is it +possible she may recover?" + +"It is very possible, almost certain, from her sleeping so quietly, if +you do not disturb her: but think, if she should awake and see you, at +this strange hour, with those distracted looks!" + +"Yet I must see her _now_--yes, Laura, I must venture all; for how do I +know if I shall ever see her more!" + +"For heaven's sake, what do you mean? Surely, surely you do not think +of--you are not meditating----" + +"No matter what," said he hastily; "I must see her _now_." + +Laura shrunk back astonished and dismayed; but feeling that he would not +be contradicted, she again, with light steps, approached the bed; where, +in a profound sleep, the effect of opiates, lay Ellen, "fair lily, and +whiter than her sheets;" and but that in the stillness of night her +quick short breathings were distinctly heard, it could hardly have been +known she lived. + +Laura then beckoned St. Aubyn to approach, which he did with trembling +steps, and shaded by the curtain, gazed wistfully upon her. Overcome by +the touching spectacle of youth, beauty, and innocence, in a few hours +almost destroyed by his rash jealousy, the tears now ran down his manly +cheeks; and hardly could he restrain the groans which heaved his bosom, +while Laura's eyes streamed at the affecting sight before her. At that +moment Ellen moved a little, and they both retreated, that if she opened +her eyes she might not see them; but she still slept; and only murmuring +"dear St. Aubyn," and a few inarticulate words, she was again silent. + +Again St. Aubyn asked Laura if it were possible she could recover, and +she assured him that Ellen already looked better than she had done an +hour before; and at last, after he had knelt and imprinted a soft kiss +on one of her hands, which lay on the counterpane, and lifted up his +heart to heaven, in silent prayer for her recovery, he was prevailed on +to quit the room. + +The rest of the night St. Aubyn spent in settling some papers, and +adding a few lines to his will, all of which he locked into a drawer, +and sealing up the key, directed it to Lady Juliana. + +At day-break his valet, according to order, came to him. To this +confidential servant St. Aubyn explained the cause of his going from +home so early, and left the pacquet for Lady Juliana in his care, to be +delivered to her, should he not return in safety. He then sent to +inquire of Jane for her lady, and had the happiness of hearing a +favourable account of her. St. Aubyn then set off, attended only by one +servant, to the house of Sir Edward Leicester, whose carriage was at the +door, and they instantly proceeded to Wimbledon, where, on the spot +marked in Charles Ross's letter, they alighted; and telling the coachman +to draw off, and wait at a place they pointed out to him, the two +friends walked up and down some time, expecting Ross. + +In about ten minutes they saw him approaching, but alone: St. Aubyn just +touched his hat, and said, "Mr. Ross, where is your friend?" + +"My Lord," said Ross, in a firm tone, "I am here, not to fight, not to +double the injuries you have already received from me, but to make every +concession you can desire. I have brought no friend with me; I trust my +honour and my life implicitly in your hands. Are you prepared to hear my +explanation?--if not, I am ready to stand your fire." + +"I know not, Sir," said St. Aubyn, haughtily, "what has caused this +sudden alteration in your sentiments: this meeting was at your own +request; and the insults you bestowed on Lady St. Aubyn yesterday make +me as desirous of it now as you were when you appointed it." + +"Yet, my Lord," said Sir Edward, "hear Mr. Ross: if this affair can be +accommodated without bloodshed, I think myself called upon to insist it +shall be so." + +St. Aubyn bowed with a lofty air to Ross, and said:-- + +"Well, Sir, your explanation if you please." + +Ross now entered into a long detail of the circumstances which had +misled him, stated his fears of St. Aubyn under the name of Mordaunt, +when he first saw him at Llanwyllan; that no letters from thence had +reached him on the station where he had remained for the last half year, +till, about a month before his ship had come home, and he had been +ordered to London to receive a promotion as unexpected as it was +welcome; that he happened to lodge at Mrs. Birtley's, and by chance, +finding the volume of Gray Lady St. Aubyn had left there, he recognized +the initials "C. F. M. to E. P." in the first page, which the words +"Dear Llanwyllan," written in another, confirmed. The answer Mrs. +Birtley made to his impatient questions had convinced him who the Mr. +and Mrs. Mordaunt she spoke of were: this woman had given him also such +accounts as led him to believe they were not married, and hence his mad +insulting conduct at the theatre had arisen. He next repeated so +accurately every word that had passed between him and Ellen, and +described their mutual astonishment at meeting so unexpectedly in such a +natural manner, that had St. Aubyn doubted before, he could have done so +no longer. + +"Yet," said Ross, "convinced as I now was how wrong I had been, I could +not prevail on myself to apologize to one whom I confess I hated, for he +had robbed me of the only woman I ever loved; yet she had never, even in +the happy hours of our youth, given me the slightest hope of ever +obtaining more than the affection of a sister from her, and even that +seemed at times more the effect of habit than choice; for rough and +unpolished, my manners repulsed, and choleric and hasty my temper, +alarmed the gentle Ellen; yet I still flattered myself, time, and the +retired situation in which she lived preventing her extraordinary beauty +from being known, might have done much for me; but from the moment Mr. +Mordaunt was known to her, I easily perceived that hope was at an end; +and now I had only to desire that I might fall by the hand of the man +who had raised her to that greatness. I could have done no more than +wish for her; I therefore determined to keep my engagement for this +morning. But yesterday it came to my knowledge that the promotion +intended for me had been granted to the solicitations of Lord St. Aubyn. +Struck, ashamed at the base ingratitude of my conduct, I resolved at +length to make every explanation, every concession. I have done so, and +now, my Lord, it rests with you to accept this apology: if you refuse +it, I am ready to stand your fire, for never will I lift my hand in a +cause so unjust, and against a man, who, without my knowledge, had so +generously befriended me." + +"I told you before, Mr. Ross," said St. Aubyn, "that for your excellent +father's sake I would overlook that in you which in another man I would +instantly have resented. I am not of a vindictive spirit, and the +practice of duelling, though I have in some measure been forced to +countenance it, is against my principles. You are at liberty, Sir, to +retire; I am satisfied." + +"I dare not, my Lord," said Ross, "attempt to offer any thanks for the +kindness you intended me in my professional career; still less can I +consent to profit by it: I have not deserved it at your hands, and +declining the promotion offered to me, I shall return to my ship, and +leave England as soon as possible, and I hope for ever." + +St. Aubyn's generous spirit was moved by this renunciation. + +"That promotion, Mr. Ross," he replied, "was sought for you at the +request of Lady St. Aubyn, who had not forgotten the friend of her +childhood, and in hopes of gratifying your most worthy father, from +whom, as well as from your mother and sister, both my wife and myself +have experienced much kindness and friendship: I must therefore request +you will not renounce it. + +"At this moment Lady St. Aubyn is extremely ill, in consequence of the +alarming scene to which your mistake and my rashness gave rise: should +this illness prove fatal," (and his lips quivered with emotion as he +spoke), "never more must you and I meet again! Should she recover, as I +hope and trust she will, I am so perfectly satisfied with the +explanations I have received, that I shall not be sorry to see your +early acquaintance renewed: for the present we part as friends." + +Then bowing, he took Sir Edward's arm, and hastened to his carriage, +leaving Ross overwhelmed with shame and remorse for the treatment he +had given to a man so generous. + +On reaching Cavendish Square he found Lady Juliana in the utmost alarm; +for missing him when she arose, and hearing at how early an hour he had +left the house, she had immediately suspected his errand abroad: she had +sent to Sir Edward Leicester's, and learned from the servants that their +master and Lord St. Aubyn had gone out together. Still more and more +alarmed, Lady Juliana paced from room to room in dreadful agitation, not +knowing whither to send or what to do. Soon after eight o'clock, Laura +sent a note by Jane to Lady Juliana, saying Lady St. Aubyn was awake, +that the delirium had totally subsided, but had left her so extremely +weak and low she could hardly speak to be heard, but was anxious to see +her and Lord St. Aubyn, whose affectionate inquiries she had heard of +with much delight, and was prepared to see him with composure, and +without recurring to the past. To trust herself near Ellen, agitated as +she was, Lady Juliana knew was impossible; she therefore ordered Jane to +say, that having sat up almost the whole night, neither the Earl nor +herself was up, but in an hour or two they would be with her; then +assuring the girl that the unfortunate misunderstanding of the day +before was perfectly explained, she charged her not to drop a hint of it +amongst the servants, which Jane readily promised, and faithfully +performed. + +Soon after this, Doctor B. called, and to him Lady Juliana communicated +her fears on St. Aubyn's account: he entreated she would not go near the +Countess till her spirits were quieter, and by no means to let any ill +tidings reach her, should such arrive: then visiting the sick room, he +rejoiced to find his young and lovely patient out of danger, though +extremely weak. The excellence of her constitution, assisted by his +skill, had triumphed over the disease, and if no new alarm occurred, he +doubted not her perfect recovery: leaving strict and repeated orders +that no one should be admitted at all likely to hurry her spirits, he +left her, and as he passed down the staircase, was rejoiced to see St. +Aubyn enter safe and well. The Earl hastened to him with the most eager +inquiries for his patient, and listened to his favourable accounts with +thankful joy. + +"As to Lady Juliana, my good Lord," said the physician, "she is scarcely +in her senses; you have frightened her almost to death: come, let me +have the pleasure of leading you to her, and telling her at the same +time how much better our fair patient is, after which I would advise you +both to take some repose, for your countenance tells me you have not had +much rest last night, and I promise you, you must not go to Lady St. +Aubyn with those pale and haggard looks." + +The joy of Lady Juliana at seeing St. Aubyn return safe and unhurt was +extreme, and was still increased when he owned to her candidly where he +had been, and the satisfactory explanation he had received from Ross, +which so completely put an end to this untoward affair for ever. + +In the afternoon, St. Aubyn, promising to be as composed as possible, +was permitted to see Ellen for a few minutes. Both forbore to speak of +what had passed, for both felt they could not endure to recur to it; but +the warmth and unaffected tenderness of his manner assured her that all +suspicion had been effaced from his mind; while the affectionate +softness of her's proved to St. Aubyn that his unkindness was forgiven. + +In a very few days Ellen was pronounced convalescent, though her +remaining weakness, and Lady Juliana's precautions, confined her to her +dressing-room: there, by slow degrees, she learned from her +affectionate Laura all the circumstances which had led to Charles Ross's +mistake, and that of St. Aubyn, nor could she help acknowledging that +appearances had been in both instances against her: relieved however by +having all her anxieties removed, and by a full though affecting +explanation with St. Aubyn, who gave her the tenderest assurances that +every jealous disposition was for ever removed from his mind, she now +rapidly recovered: but as the weather was now becoming very warm, and +she had had no great reason to delight in London, she earnestly +requested to be allowed to return to Castle St. Aubyn; and the advice of +her medical attendants coinciding with her wishes, the request was +easily granted. + +Before she left London, however, she, with her Lord, paid another visit +to the officer's widow and her interesting family, and so arranged for +them as to ensure them a neat residence a little way out of town, and +the certain means of comfortable subsistence for the present; for it was +her intention, with St. Aubyn's permission, to form a school, and other +useful institutions, in the neighbourhood of the Castle, in which she +hoped to render the widow a service, as well as gratify herself, by +placing her at the head of the village seminary. She also visited Mr. +Dorrington again, and spent a delightful hour amongst his treasures; +then leaving her P. P. C. for Lady Meredith, and some other slight +acquaintances, she joyfully left London on her way to Northamptonshire, +accompanied by the Earl (more tenderly attached than ever), Lady +Juliana, and Miss Cecil, Sir Edward Leicester promising to pay them a +visit very soon. + +Delighted indeed was Ellen once more to breathe the pure air of the +country; and as they passed the little inn where they had stopped on +their former journey from town, and caught a distant glimpse of the +farm-house where he had told her his real name and rank, she tenderly +pressed St. Aubyn's hand, and with a soft tear on her cheek, reminded +him of the circumstance. + +"Ah, my Ellen," he said, "much have we both suffered since that +interesting moment, but never more, through fault of mine, shall you +shed another tear, save such as now glitter in your eyes--tears of +tenderness and affection." + + + + +CHAP. X. + + She feels it--'tis her son! with rapture wild, + Bath'd in warm tears, from soft sensations prest. + She clasps him to her cheek, her lip, her breast, + And looks with eye unsated on her child. + He knows her, sure!--Sure, answering rapture his, + Leave her at least the visionary bliss! + Lo! his clear eye to her's responsive speaks, + And lo! his little mouth, that wistful seeks + Warm from her lip to suck the sweet o'erflowing kiss. + She hears the silent call--how quickly hears + A mother's heart. + + SOTHEBY'S OBERON. + + +Arrived at the Castle, Ellen once more began to breathe; her colour and +appetite returned, and she speedily recovered her strength, and thought +she had never been so happy: her Lord's renewed, and even encreased +affection, Lady Juliana's sincere attachment, and the pleasing society +of Laura Cecil, who remained her guest (Sir William being in Scotland +with Lord and Lady Delamore), left her scarcely any thing to wish. + +This little party received a very agreeable addition about a week after, +by the arrival of Sir Edward Leicester, whose continued attentions to +Miss Cecil seemed not ill received by her. + +Soon after their return to Castle St. Aubyn, letters from Mr. Ross and +Joanna arrived, filled with thanks and rejoicings for the promotion of +Charles. They said not a word, nor seemed to know any thing of the late +transactions; and Lord and Lady St. Aubyn were glad he had not revealed +them. It appeared, that through St. Aubyn's interest, he had been made +Lieutenant, and honoured with the command of a small frigate, and was +gone to cruize in the Mediterranean. At this latter circumstance Ellen +was not sorry; for she could not wish, after what had passed, to see +Charles Ross again at present. Every thing, therefore, seemed now smooth +before her; and though sometimes her thoughts would wander to the +former mysterious expressions of St. Aubyn, and recollecting that the +time he appointed for their elucidation was arrived, yet as she heard no +more of it, and he seemed to have lost those fits of gloom, which even +from the commencement of their acquaintance had been obvious in him, she +hoped all was passed over, and determined by no ill-timed curiosity to +revive painful ideas in his mind. But she yet fully knew not St. Aubyn, +except when thrown off his guard by any sudden emotion: his command over +his spirits and features was wonderful; and no one who saw him composed, +cheerful, and even gay, could have suspected what at times passed in his +mind, nor to what unpleasant scenes he now looked forward. Not even Lady +Juliana knew what reason he had to think of the future with +apprehension, though with much of what had formerly befallen him she +certainly was acquainted. + +The families round the Castle paid every polite attention to Lady St. +Aubyn on her return: many, who had been absent when she was there +before, now visited her; and though for the present she declined +entering into large parties, every one seemed rejoiced to see her once +more amongst them. Not the least delighted was Miss Alton, who with +unfading charms, and exhaustless professions of regard, came eagerly to +greet the charming Countess's return, to rejoice in her perfect +recovery, and to assure her how much she had suffered at hearing she was +ill in London. + +"And oh! my dear Lady St. Aubyn," said she, "think how shocked I was to +hear some rude wretch had annoyed you at the theatre, and that your +excellent lord had like to have fought a duel about it. Oh! how thankful +I am that these frightful scenes did not more materially injure your +valuable health, and that you are returned to us, if possible, more +beautiful than ever." + +"And who, my dear Miss Alton," said Laura, who alone retained composure +enough to answer her (for this familiar recurrence to scenes so painful +had greatly disturbed Lady St. Aubyn and Lady Juliana), "who told you +all this wonderful story?" + +"Oh, it was a cousin of mine, who happened to be coming out of the +playhouse just as it happened, and wrote me word of it; and that the +gentlemen had exchanged cards: so you see I had pretty good authority." + +"Yes," replied Lady Juliana, with her usual asperity, "and no doubt made +pretty good use of it. Pray, Ma'am, did you think it necessary to send a +man and horse round the neighbourhood with this amusing piece of +intelligence; or were you contented with your own personal exertions?" + +"Dear Lady Juliana, I am sure I thought no harm; I only just mentioned +it----" + +"To every one who would hear you, no doubt. If, at least, you had spared +us the recital, it would have been quite as delicate, and more +consistent with your _tender feelings_ for Lady St. Aubyn." + +Poor Miss Alton, quite shocked to find she had given such offence to the +old lady, of whom she stood in great awe, vainly attempted to rally her +spirits, and soon after took her leave, earnestly wishing Lady Juliana +had staid in London; for she foresaw the entre of the Castle would not +be so easily granted to her now as it had been when only the +kind-hearted Countess presided; and trembling, lest, if she were not +more cautious in future, she should not be admitted to see the little +stranger when it arrived, and take cake and caudle in Lady St. Aubyn's +apartment. + +"See," said Lady Juliana, drawing herself up, "see, my dear, the +consequence of admitting such low, uneducated people to any degree of +intimacy! This gossipping woman would not have ventured to hint at what +had passed, had you kept her at a proper distance: but the easy +impudence of such people in these degenerate times astonishes me. In the +days of the Countess of St. Aubyn, my mother, _she_ would scarcely have +spoken to such a sort of person as this Miss--what do you call her?" For +when Lady Juliana felt proud or indignant, she had a great knack of +forgetting any name which had not a title tacked to it; though no one +remembered more accurately those which had. + +"Ah!" thought Ellen, "how with pride so overbearing could I ever have +hoped to be myself exempted from this general censure of such sort of +persons! How fortunate I may think myself, to have overcome a prejudice +of such long standing." + +In the society of a few agreeable neighbours, and the ever-pleasing +conversation of Laura, the time passed serenely till the end of August: +yet there were moments when gloom seemed again to steal over the +features of St. Aubyn. His foreign letters arrived more frequently, but +appeared to give him no satisfaction. With Ellen he studiously avoided +all conversation on the subject of his anxiety: for he dreaded, in her +present state, the least alarm, and delayed by every means in his power +the apparently fast approaching crisis of his fate, till her safety +should have been secured. + +At length, after some hours of uneasy watching, and the most painful +anxiety, Lady Juliana announced to him the birth of a _son_, who, +notwithstanding all the alarms his mother had undergone in London, +seemed likely as well as herself to do well. Lady Juliana was in +raptures at this event, to which she had so long looked forward with +impatience. Nothing that money could procure was wanting to decorate +either the infant or the chamber where he lay, which, as well as that of +the Countess, had been entirely new furnished in the most superb and +commodious manner at her expence, Lady Juliana having insisted on paying +for every thing prepared, even to the elegant cradle lined with quilted +white satin; and not even Lady Meredith had softer cushions than those +on which the infant heir reposed. + +St. Aubyn, charmed with the lovely little creature, and to see its +mother safe, appeared as if he had no wish ungratified, and left no +tender attention unpaid which might ensure his Ellen's health and +comfort. As she approached towards convalescence, Laura Cecil was her +constant and most delightful companion, and well knew how to cheer and +adorn the hours which were necessarily given to the quietude of her own +apartments. The infant was rather delicate though healthy; but safe in +its mother's fostering cares it strengthened every day, without those +cares---- + + Ah! what avails the cradle's damask roof, + The eider bolster, or embroidered woof, + Oft hears the gilded couch unpitied plains, + And many a tear, the tassel'd cushion stains! + No voice so sweet attunes his cares to rest, + So soft no pillow as his mother's breast! + Thus charm'd to sweet repose, when twilight hours + Shed their soft influence on celestial bowers, + The cherub, Innocence, with smile divine, + Shuts his white wings, and sleeps on beauty's shrine. + + DARWIN. + +Incessantly anxious about the babe, Lady St. Aubyn could not soon permit +it to be removed from her apartments, it lay therefore with its nurse in +a smaller room within that where Lady St. Aubyn slept. + +It was about six weeks after this event, so interesting to all parties, +had taken place, and Ellen had for some time been returned to the +society of her own family, that one day, just as they had finished +dinner, St. Aubyn was told two gentlemen in a chaise and four had just +arrived, and requested to speak to him immediately. He changed colour, +but conquering his purturbation, desired they might be shewn into his +study, and he would go to them. "Who are they?" said Lady Juliana. "I +did not know, nephew, you expected any company." "Perhaps," said St. +Aubyn, evading her questions, "they may not remain here an hour, perhaps +till to-morrow morning." He hastily left the room, and Ellen was +convinced these strangers were the persons at whom St. Aubyn had often +hinted as connected with the mystery which hung around him: she +trembled, and felt dismayed, but endeavoured to be as composed as +possible. In a few minutes after St. Aubyn had left the room, Mr. +Mordaunt was sent for; and as he had been some time an invalid, St. +Aubyn desired a carriage might be dispatched to bring him to the Castle. +Ellen passing soon after up stairs to the nursery, crossed him in the +hall, followed by his assistant with a quantity of papers and +parchments: they bowed, and went into the study. "Oh, I know now," said +Lady Juliana, who was with her, "who St. Aubyn has with him: it is I +suppose Lord De Montfort, and his guardian and tutor, Mr. O'Brien, a +Catholic priest, who has the entire management of the young man, and +will I suppose now have the entire direction of his estates, which have +till now been under the care of my nephew, who was appointed by his +father's will the young Earls guardian, as far as related to his English +property, till he should be twenty-four, though his Catholic relations +have had the care of his person. Rejoiced shall I be when St. Aubyn has +finally concluded all his concerns with that family. Heaven knows they +have given him trouble enough already! and this young man I know hates +him. I don't suppose he will stay an hour after the accounts are +settled, indeed he would not have come at all, only Mordaunt having all +the affairs in his hands, and being too unwell to go from home, it was I +conclude necessary: this I know, if these people stay here to-night, I +shall remain in my own room." + +Ellen carefully and anxiously attended to all she said, yet this +discourse gave her no clue by which to unravel the mysterious speeches +of St. Aubyn. After spending an hour in the nursery, both ladies +returned to the drawing-room, and sent a servant to know if coffee +should be carried into the study, or if Lord St. Aubyn and his guests +would join the ladies. Orders were given for tea and coffee in the +study; and Lady Juliana could not restrain her curiosity enough to +refrain asking who was with Lord St. Aubyn: from the servant she +learned that the party consisted of his Lordship, Mr. Mordaunt, his +clerk, and two strange gentlemen, one elderly, the other young, and +apparently in ill health. This confirmed her surmises, and soon after +tea, not wishing to see Lord De Montfort, should he make his appearance, +she retired to her own room, leaving Ellen and Laura together, with a +strict injunction to the former not to be kept up too late. + +Ellen's anxiety made her somewhat silent; and Laura, never very +talkative, easily fell into her present humour, so that for some time +very little conversation passed between them. Laura was netting, and +Ellen attempting a drawing; but her hand was unsteady, and her attention +divided, therefore finding she should not succeed, she threw down her +pencil, and listened in silence to a loud equinoxial wind, which howled +around, and shook with "murmur not unlike the dash of ocean on his +sounding shores" the ancient trees which grew near the mansion. A +chilling sensation insensibly stole upon her, and at length, to break +the melancholy silence of the apartment, rather than that she wished to +speak, she said, "'Tis a rough night, and cold." + +"Yes," said Laura; and they both drew nearer the fire. + +"Do you know Lord De Montfort?" asked Ellen. + +"I have seen him when a boy," replied Laura, "and think I should know +him again, though six or seven years make a great alteration at his +age." + +"Was he handsome?" + +"Yes, but not so much so as his sister." + +"Is he like her?" + +"A little, but of a darker complexion: her's was a clear lively brown; +dark hazle eyes, full of spirit, and indeed at times of scorn, a Grecian +nose, full lips, the upper one curled a little, which gave a haughty air +to her countenance; Edmund was thinner, paler, and his eyes had a +softer look." + +"Edmund is his name?" + +"He has a long list of names, according to the Spanish custom; but his +sister always called him Edmund, which was his father's." + +"I wonder whether we shall see him?" + +"Of course,--I suppose so," said Laura, with some surprize: "it is too +late for him to quit the Castle to-night, and he will without doubt pay +his compliments to you before he departs." + +"I think," replied Ellen, "from what Lady Juliana said just now, that +St. Aubyn and Lord De Montfort are not on very good terms, that made me +doubt whether he would stay the night." + +"It may be so," said Laura, "yet unless they are decidedly at enmity, +the young man cannot avoid seeing you." + +Soon after the supper tray was brought into the room, and on its being +announced to the gentlemen, St. Aubyn came to the library, accompanied +by Mr. Mordaunt and Mr. O'Brien, the latter of whom he introduced to the +ladies. St. Aubyn looked pale, and his manners had lost some of its +usual composure. O'Brien was a grave, respectable old man, of Irish +extraction, but bred in a convent abroad, and speaking English but +imperfectly. + +"I will return to the study," said St. Aubyn, "and see once more if I +can persuade Lord De Montfort to take some refreshment. You remember De +Montfort, Miss Cecil?--He is my other guest, but he pleads fatigue, and +disinclination to see any one, and will not be prevailed on to take even +a glass of wine. I will once more endeavour to induce him to join you." + +"Indeed, my Lord," said Ellen, "I hope he will: if he be fatigued, he +must the more need refreshment." + +"My love," said St. Aubyn, "will you have the goodness to order beds to +be prepared for Lord De Montfort and Mr. O'Brien. They remain here this +night." + +He then left the room, and Ellen ringing the bell, desired Mrs. Bayfield +might be sent to her dressing-room, whither a few minutes after she went +herself to give orders respecting the beds. As she passed the study +door, which was not quite close, she distinctly heard St. Aubyn say:-- + +"For Heaven's sake, De Montfort, be persuaded; do not wrong me so +cruelly! Why condemn me on mere appearances?" + +Ellen passed hastily on, and heard St. Aubyn close the door with some +violence, warned perhaps by the light she carried that some one might +overhear him. + +In her dressing-room she met Mrs. Bayfield, and was instantly struck +with her pale countenance and agitated appearance. + +"My good Bayfield," said Ellen, "I sent for you to request you would see +chambers prepared for the strange gentlemen; but you look ill, pray go +to bed: Jane shall go with the housemaids and see that all is right." + +"I am not ill, my Lady," said Mrs. Bayfield; "but a glimpse I caught of +Lord De Montfort just now, and the tone of his voice, reminded me of so +many painful events--" + +She paused, sighed, and the tears ran down her cheeks as she added: + +"I wish he had not come here; I wish he was gone back to Spain; I cannot +bear to see him." + +"His likeness to your late lady affects you perhaps, my good friend?" +said Ellen. + +"Oh, no, Madam; it is not that; he is like her to be sure; but it is not +_that_. I feel so uneasy when I see him.--He does not love my Lord; and +yet he used to love him. But forgive me, Madam; I forget myself: will +your Ladyship please to give your orders now?" + +"I will leave all to your care, my good Bayfield. I suppose the +gentlemen will like to be near each other: the two chambers at the end +of the gallery where I sleep (those next to that your Lord sleeps in at +present, I mean) will suit them best, I think: see that they have good +fires, for it is cold to-night: the wind is really alarming." + +"Your Ladyship had better take another shawl round your shoulders: the +staircase is cold." + +Ellen thanked her careful old friend, and returned to the company. + + + END OF VOL. II. + + B. CLARKE, Printer, Well Street, London. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Mystery and Confidence, Vol. 2, by +Elizabeth Pinchard + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYSTERY AND CONFIDENCE, VOL. 2 *** + +***** This file should be named 34968.txt or 34968.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/9/6/34968/ + +Produced by Mark C. Orton and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/34968.zip b/34968.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f25beb2 --- /dev/null +++ b/34968.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..afbc71d --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #34968 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/34968) |