Movatterモバイル変換

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ANOVEL.

"Lifeconsistsnotofaseriesofillustriousactions;thegreaterpartofourtimepassesincompliancewithnecessities—intheperformanceofdailyduties—intheremovalofsmallineonveniencies—intheprocurementofpettypleasures;andwearewellorillatease,asthemainstreamoflifeglidesonsmoothly,orisruffledbysmallorfrequentinterruption."

Johnson,

INTHREEVOLUMES.VOL.III.

EDINBURGH;

WILLIAMBLACKWOOD,PRINCE'S-STREET:ANDJOHNMURRAY,ALBEMARLE-STREET,LONDON.

1818.

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CHAPTERI.

"Lesdouleursmuettesetstupidessonthorsd'usage;onpleure,onrecite,onrepete,onestsitoucheedelamortdesonmari,qu'oan'enoubliepaslamoindrecirconstance."

LaBruyere.

"PrayputonyourLennoxfacethismorning,Mary,"saidLadyEmilyonedaytohercousin,"forIwantyoutogoandpayafuneralvisitwithmetoadistantre-lation, butunhappilyanearneighbourofours,whohaslatelylostherhusband.Lady

VOL.III.b

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JulianaandAdelaideoughttogo,buttheywon't,soyouandImustcelebrate,aswebestcan,theobsequiesoftheHonourableMr.Sufton."

Maryreadilyassented;andwhentheywereseatedinthecarriage,hercousinbe-gan—

"SinceIamgoingtoputyouinthewayofatrap,Ithinkitbutfairtowarnyouofit,Alltrapsareodiousthings,andImakeitmybusinesstoexposethemwhere-everIfindthem.Iownitchafesmyspi-rit toseeevensensiblepeopletakeninbytheclumsymachineryofsuchawomanasLadyMatildaSufton.Soheresheisinhertruecolours.LadyMatildaisde-scended fromtheancientandillustriousfamilyofAltamont.Tohaveafaircha-racter is,inhereyes,muchmoreimport-ant thantodeserveit.Shehasprepar-ed speechesforeveryoccasion;andsheex-pects theyarealltobebelieved—inshort,sheisashewwoman—theworldisher

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theatre,andfromitshelooksfortheplau-dits duetohervirtue—forwithher,thereg-ality andthesemblancearesynonimous,.Shehasa.graveandimposingair,whichkeepsthetimidatadistance;andshede-livers themostcommontruthsasiftheywerethemostprofoundaphorisms.Tode-grade herselfishergreatestfear;for,touseherownexpression,thereisnothingsodegradingasassociatingwithourinferiors—thatis,ourinferiorsinrankandwealth■—forwithherallothergradationsarein-comprehensible. Withthelowerordersofsocietysheistotallyunacquainted,—-sheknowstheyaremeanlyclothedandcoarse-ly fed—consequentlytheyaremean.Sheisproud,bothfromnatureandprinciple;forshethinksitisthedutyofeverywo-man offamilytobeproud,andthathumi-lity isonlyavirtueinthecanaille.Properprideshecallsit,thoughIratherthinkitoughttobeprideproper,asIimagineitisadistinctionthatwasunknownbeforethe

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introductionofheraldry.Theonlytrueknowledge,accordingtohercreed,istheknowledgeoftheworld,bywhichshemeansaknowledgeofthemostcourtlyeti-quette—themannersandhabitsofthegreat,andthenewestfashiousindress.Ignoramusesmightsupposesheentereddeeplyintothings,andwasthoroughlyac-quainted withhumannature—nosuchthing—theonlywisdomshepossesses,liketheowl,isthelookofwisdom,andthatistheverypartofitwhichIdetest.Passionsorfeelingsshehasnone;andtolove,sheisanutterstranger.When,somewhat"inthesearandyellowleaf,"shemarriedMr.Sufton,asillyoldman,whohadbeendeadtotheworldformanyyears.Butafterhavinghadhimburiedaliveinhisownchambertillhisexistencewasforgot,shehadhimdisinterredforthepurposeofgi-ving himasplendidburialingoodearnest.Thatdone,herdutyisnowtomourn,orappeartomourn,fortheapprobationofthe

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world.Andnowyoushalljudgeforyour-self, forhereisSufton-House.Nowforthetmppingsandtheweedsofwoe."

Awareofhercousin'ssatiricalturn,Ma-ry wasnotdisposedtoyieldconvictiontoherrepresentation,butenteredLadyMa-tilda's drawing-roomwithamindsufficient-ly unbiassedtoallowhertoformherownjudgment;butaveryslightsurveysatis-fied herthatthepicturewasnotover-charged. LadyMatildasatinanattitudeofwoe—acrape-fanandopenprayer-booklaybeforeher—hercambrichandkerchiefwasinherhand—hermourning-ringwasuponherfinger—andthetear,notunbid-den, stoodInhereye.Onthesamesofa,andsidebyside,satatall,awkward,vapidlookingpersonage,whomsheintroducedasherbrother,theDukeofAltamont.HisGracewasflankedbyanobsequiouslook-ing gentleman,whowasslightlynamed,asGeneralCarver;andatarespectfuldis-tance wasseatedasortofhalf-castgentle-

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woman,somethingbetwixttheconfidentialfriendandhumblecompanion,whowasin-cidentally mentionedas"mygoodfMrsvFinch."

HerLadyshippressedLadyEmily'shand—

"Ididnotexpect,mydearestyoung1friend,aftertheblowIhaveexperienced—IdidnotexpectIshouldsosoonhavebeenenabledtoseemyfriends;butIhavemadeagreatexertion.HadIconsultedmyownfeelings,indeed!—butthereisadutyweowetotheworld—thereisanex-ample weareallboundtoshew—butsuchablow!"Hereshehadrecoursetoherhandkerchief.

"Suchablow!"echoedtheDuke.

"Suchablow!"re-echoedtheGeneral.

"Suchablow!"reverberatedMrs.Finch.

"Themostdoatinghusband!Imaysayhelivedbutinmysight.Suchaman!"

"Suchaman1"saidtheDuke.

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*'Suchaman!"exclaimedtheGene-ral.

"Oh!suchaman!"sobbedMrs.Finch,asshecomplacentlydroppedafewtears.Atthatmoment,sacredtotenderremem-brance, thedooropened,andMrs.DowneWrightwasannounced.Sheenteredtheroomasifshehadcometoprofanetheash-es ofthedead,andinsultthefeelingsoftheliving.Asmilewasuponherface;and,inplaceofthesilentpressure,sheshookherLadyshipheartilybythehand,assheexpressedherpleasureatseeingherlooksowell.

"Well!"repliedtheLady,"thatiswonderful,afterwhatIhavesuffered—butgrief,itseems,willnotkill!"

"Ineverthoughtitwould,"saidMrs.DowneWright;"■butIthoughtyourha-ving beenconfinedtothehousesolongmighthaveaffectedyourlooks.However,I'mhappytoseethatisnotthecase,asI

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don'trecollectevertohaveseenyousofat."

LadyMatildatriedtolookherintode-cency, butinvain.Shesighed,andevengroaned;butMrs.DowneWrightwouldnotbedolorous,andwasnottobetakenin,eitherbysighorgroan,crape-fan,orprayer-book.TherewasnobodyherLa-dyship stoodsomuchinaweofasMrs.DowneWright.Shehadaninstinctiveknowledgethatsheknewher,andshefelthergeniusrepressedbyher,asJuliusCae-sar's wasbyCassius.Theyhadbeenveryoldacquaintances,butneverwerecordialfriends,thoughmanyworthypeopleareveryapttoconfoundthetwo.Uponthisoccasion,Mrs.DowneWrightcertainlydid;for,availingherselfofthisprivilege,shetookoffhercloak,andsaid,"'TissolongsinceIhaveseenyou,mydear;andsinceIseeyousowell,andabletoenjoythesocietyofyourfriends,Ishalldelaythe

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restofmyvisits,andspendthemorningwithyou."

"Thatistrulykindofyou,mydearMrsDowneWright,"returnedthemourn-er, withacountenanceinwhichrealwoewasnowplainlydepicted;"butIcannotbesoselfishastoclaimsuchasacrificefrom

you."

"Thereisnosacrificeinthecase,Ias-sure you,mydear,"returnedMrs.DowneWright:"Thisisamostcomfortableroom;andIcouldgonowhere,thatIwouldmeetapleasanterlittlecircle,"looking

round.

LadyMatildathoughtherselfundone.Lookingwell—fat—comfortableroom—pleasantcircle—runginherears,andcaus-ed almostasgreatawhirlinherbrainasnoses,lips,handkerchiefs,didinOthello's.Mrs.DowneWright,alwaysdisagreeable,wasnowperfectlyinsupportable.Shehaddisconcertedallherplans—shewasabartoallherstudiedspeeches—evenanob-

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stacletoallhersentimentallooks—yettogetridofherwasimpossible.Infact,Mrs.DowneWrightwasfarfrombeinganamiablewoman.Shetookamaliciouspleasureintormentingthoseshedidnotlike;andherskillinthisartwassogreat,thatsheevendeprivedthetormentedoftheprivilegeofcomplaint.Shehadagreatinsightintocharacter,andshemightbesaidtoreadtheverythoughtsofhervic-tims. Makingadesperateefforttobeher-self again,LadyMatildaturnedtohertwoyoungvisitors,withwhomshehadstillsomehopesofsuccess.

"IcannotexpresshowmuchIfeelin-debted tothesympathyofmyfriendsuponthistryingoccasion—anoccasion,indeed,thatcalledforsympathy."

"Amostmelancholyoccasion!"saidtheDuke.

"Amostdistressingoccasion!"exclaim-ed theGeneral.

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"Neverwasgreateroccasion!"moanedMrs.Finch.

HerLadyshipwipedhereyes,andre-sumed.

"IfeelthatIactbutamelancholypart,inspiteofeveryexertion.Butmykindfriend,Mrs.DowneWright'sspiritswill,Itrust,supportme.Sheknowswhatitistolose—"

Againhervoicewasburiedinherhand-kerchief, andagainsherecoveredandpro-ceeded.

"Ioughttoapologizeforbeingthusovercome;butmyfriends,Ihope,willmakedueallowanceformysituation.ItcannotbeexpectedthatIshouldatalltimesfindmyselfableforcompany."

"Notatall!"saidtheDuke;andthetwosatellitesutteredtheirresponses.

"Youareableforagreatdeal,mydear!"saidtheprovokingMrs.DowneWright;"andIhavenodoubtbut,with

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averylittleexertion,youcouldbehaveasifnothinghadhappened."

"YourpartialitymakesyousupposemecapableofagreatdealmorethanIamequalto,"answeredherLadyship,witharealhystericsob."ItisnoteveryonewhoisblessedwiththespiritsofMrs.DowneWright."

"Whatwomancando,youdare;whodaresdomore,isnoneI"saidtheGeneral,bowingwithadelightedairatthisbrilliantapplication.

Mrs.DowneWrightcharitablyallowedittopass,asshethoughtitmightbecon-strued eitherasacomplimentorabanter.Visitorsflockedin,andtheinsufferableMrs.DowneWrightdeclaredtoall,thatherLadyshipwasastonishinglywell;butwithouttheappropriatewhine,whichgivesproperpathos,andgenerallyaccompaniesthishackneyedspeech.Mrs.Finchin-deed labouredhardtocounteracttheeffectofthisinjudiciouscheerfulness,bythemost

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orthodoxsighs,shakesofthehead,andconfidentialwhispers,inwhich*wonder-ful woman!'—'prodigiousexertion!'—'per-fectly overcome!'—'sufferforthisafter-wards/—wereaudiblyheardbyallpresent;buteventhenMrs.DowneWright'sdrawnuplip,andcurlednose,spokedaggers.Atlength,thetormentorrecollectedanen-gagement shehadmadeelsewhere,andtookleave,promisingtoreturn,ifpossible,thefollowingday.Herfriend,inherownmind,tookhermeasuresaccordingly.Sheresolvedtoorderherowncarriagetobeinwaiting,andifMrs.DowneWrightputherthreatinexecution,shewouldtakeanairing.True,shehadnotintendedtohavebeenableforsuchanexertionforatleastaweeklonger;but,withtheblindsdown,shethoughtitmighthaveaninterestingeffect.

Theenemyfairlygone,LadyMatildaseemedtofeellikeapersonsuddenlyre-lieved fromthenight-mare;andshewas

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beginningtogiveafairspecimenofherscenicpowers,whenLadyEmily,seeingthegamewasupwithMrs.DowneWright,,abruptlyrosetodepart.

"Thishasbeenatryingsceneforyou,mysweetyoungfriends!"saidherLady-ship, takingahandofeach.

"Ithasindeed!"repliedLadyEmily,inatonesosignificantasmadeMarystart.

"Iknowitwould—youthisalwayssofullofsympathy.IownIhaveaprefer-ence forthesocietyofmyyoungfriendsonthataccount.MygoodMrsFinch,in-deed, isanexception;butworthyMrs.DowneWrighthasbeenalmosttoomuchforme."

"Sheistoomuch!"saidtheDuke.

"Sheisagreatdealtoomuch!"saidtheGeneral.

"Sheisavastdealtoomuch!"saidMrs.Finch.

"IownIhavebeenratherovercomebyher!"withadeep-drawnsigh,whichher

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visitorshastilyavailedthemselvesoftomaketheirretreat.TheDukeandtheGeneralhandedLadyEmilyandMarytotheircarriage.

"Youfindmypoorsisterwonderfullycomposed,"saidtheformer.

"Charmingwoman,LadyMatilda!"ejaculatedthelatter;"herfeelingsdoho-nour toherheadandheart!"

Marysprungintothecarriageasquickaspossibletobesavedtheembarrassmentofareply;anditwasnottilltheywerefairlyoutofsight,thatsheventuredtoraisehereyestohercousin'sface.Theretheexpressionofillhumouranddisgustwassostronglydepicted,thatshecouldnotlongerrepressherrisibleemotions,butgavewaytoaviolentfitoflaughter.

"How!"exclaimedhercompanion,"isthistheonlyeffect*Matilda'smoan'hasproduceduponyou?Iexpectedyourtasteforgriefwouldhavebeenhighlygratifiedbythisaffectingrepresentation."

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"Myappetite,yououghtrathertosay,"repliedMary;"tasteimpliessomediscri-mination whichyouseemtodenyme."

Why,totellyouthetruth,Idolookuponyouasasortofintellectualgoule—youreallydoremindmeoftheladyintheArabianNights,whosetasteorappetite,whichyouwill,ledhertoscorneverythingthatdidnotsavourofthechurch-yard."

"Thedelicacyofyourcomparisonishighlyflattering,"saidMary;"butImustbedullerthanthefatweed,wereItogivemysympathytosuchasLadyMatildaSur-face."

"Well,I'mgladtohearyousayso;forIassureyou,Iwasinpainlestyoushouldhavebeentakenin,notwithstandingmywarningtosaysomethinglarmoyante—orjointhesoftecho—orheaveasigh-—ordropatear—ordosomething,inshort,thatwouldhavedisgracedyouwithmeforever.AtonetimeImustdoyouthejusticetoown,IthoughtIsawyouwithdifficultyrepress

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asmile,andthenyoublushedso,forfearyouhadbetrayedyourself!ThesmileIsup-pose hasgainedyouoneconquest—theblushanother.Howhappyyou,whocanhitthevarioustastessoeasily!Mrs.DowneWrightwhisperedmeasshelefttheroom,*Whatacharmingintelligentcountenanceyourcousinhas!'WhilemyLordDukeofAltamontobserved,ashehandedmealong,'Whataverysweetmodestlookinggirl,MissDouglaswas!'Sotakeyourchoice—Mrs.WilliamDowneWright,orDuchessofAltamont!"

"DuchessofAltamont,tobesure,"saidMary:"andthensuchaman!Oh!suchaman!"

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CHAPTERII.

•'FormarriageisamatterofmoreworthThantobedealtwithinattorneyship."

Shakespeare.

"Allowmetointroducetoyou,ladies,thatmosthighandpuissantPrincess,herGracetheDuchessofAltamont,Marchio-ness ofNorwood,CountessofPenrose,Ba-roness of,&c.&c."criedLadyEmily,asshethrewopenthedrawing-roomdoor,andusheredMaryintothepresenceofhermo-ther andsister,withallthedemonstrationsofceremonyandrespect.Theonefrowned—theothercoloured.

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"Howvastlyabsurd!"criedLadyJuli-ana, angrily.

"Howvastlyamusing!"criedAdelaide,contemptuously.

"Howvastlyannoying!"criedLadyEmily;"tothinkthatthislittleHigh-lander shouldbearalofttheDucalcrown,whileyouandI,Adelaide,mustsneakaboutinshabbystrawbonnets,"throwingdownherowninpretendedindignation."Thentothink,whichisalmostcertain,ofherViceroyingitsomeday;andyouandI,andallofus,beingpresentedtoher.Majesty—havingthehonourofherhandtokiss—retreatingfromtheRoyalpresenceuponourheels.Oh!yeSylphsandGnomes!"andshepretendedtosinkdownoverwhelm-edwithmortification.

LadyEmilydelightedintormentingherauntandcousin,andshesawthatshehadcompletelysucceeded.Marywasdislikedbyhermother,anddespisedbyhersister•:andanyattempttobringherforward.01

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raisehertoalevelwiththemselves,neverfailedtoexcitetheindignationofboth.Theconsequenceswerealwaysfeltbyher,intheincreasedill-humouranddisdainfulindifferencewithwhichshewastreated;and,onthepresentoccasion,herinjudi-cious friendwasonlybrewingphialsofwrathforher.ButLadyEmilyneverlookedtofutureconsequences—presentef-fect wasallshecaredfor;andshewentontorelateseriously,asshecalledit,butinthemostexaggeratedterms,theadmirationwhichtheDukehadexpressedforMary,andherownfirmbeliefthatshemightbeDuchesswhenshechose;"thatis,aftertheexpiryofhismourningforthelateDu-chess. Everyoneknowsthatheisdesirousofhavingafamily,andisdeterminedtomarrythemomentproprietypermits—heisnowdecidedlyonthelook-out,fortheyearmustbeverynearaclose;andthen,hailDuchessofAltamontI"

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«Imustdesire,LadyEmily,youwillfindsomeothersubjectforyourwit,andnotfillthegirl'sheadwithfollyandnonsense—thereisagreatdealtoomuchofbothalready."

"Takecarewhatyousayofthefuturerepresentativeofmajesty;thismaybehightreasonyet;onlyItrustyourGracewillbeasgenerousasHenrytheFifthwas,andthattheDuchessofAltamontwillnotre-member theoffencescommittedagainstMaryDouglas."

LadyJuliana,towhomajestwasanoutrage,andrailleryincomprehensible,nowstartedup,and,asshepassionatelysweptoutoftheroom,threwdownastandofhyacinths,which,forthepresent,putastoptoLadyEmily'sdiversion.

ThefollowingdayMrs.DowneWrightarrivedwithherson,evidentlyprimedforfallinginlove'atfirstsight.Hewasaveryhandsomeyoungman,gentle,andra-ther pleasinginhismanners;andMary,to

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whomhisintentionswerenotsopalpable,thoughthimbynomeansdeservingofthecontempthercousinhadexpressedforhim.

"Well!"criedLadyEmily,aftertheyweregone,"theplotbeginstothicken—loversbegintopourin,butallforMary—howmortifyingtoyouandme,Adelaide!Atthisrate,weshallhavenothingtoboastofinthewayofdisinterestedattachment—nobodyrefused!—nothingrenounced!—ByandbyeEdwardwillbereckonedaverygoodmatchforme,and?/owwillbethoughtgreatlymarried,ifyousuceeedinsecuringLindore:poorLordLindore,asitseemsthatwretchPlacidcallshim."

Adelaideheardallhercousin'stauntsinsilence,andwithapparentcoolness;buttheyrankleddeepinaheartalreadyfeste.r~ingwithpride,envy,andambition.Thethoughtsofhersister—.andthatsistersoinferiortoherself—attainingamoresplen-did alliance,wasnottobeendured.—True,shelovedLordLindore,andima-

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ginedherselfbelovedinreturn;buteventhatwasnotsufficienttosatisfythecravingpassionsofapervertedmind.Shedidnot,indeed,attachimplicitbelieftoallthathercousinsaidonthesubject;butshewasprovokedandirritatedatthemeresuppo-sition ofsuchathingbeingpossible;foritisnotmerelythejealouswhosehappi-ness isthesportoftrifleslightasair—eve-ry evilthought,everyunamiablefeeling,bearsaboutwithitthebaneofthatenjoy-ment afterwhichitvainlyaspires.

Maryfelttheincreasingillhumourwhichthissubjectdrewuponher,withoutbeingabletopenetratethecauseofit;butshesawthatitwasdispleasingtohermotherandsister,andthatwassufficienttomakeherwishtoputastoptoit.She,therefore,earnestlyentreatedLadyEmilytoendthejoke.

"Excuseme,"repliedherLadyship,"Ishalldonosuchthing.Inthefirstplace,therehappenstobenojokeinthematter:

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I'mcertain,seriouslycertain,orcertainlyserious,whichyoulike,thatyoumaybeDuchessofAltamont,ifyouplease.ItcouldbenocommonadmirationthatpromptedhisGracetoanoriginalandspontaneouseffusionofit.Ihavemetwithhimbefore,andneversuspectedthathehadaninnateideainhishead.Icertainlyneverheardhimutteranythinghalfsobrilliantbefore—itseemedquiteliketheeffectofinspira-tion."

"ButIcannotconceive,evenwereitasyousay,whymymothershouldbesodis-pleased aboutitShesurelycannotsup-pose mesosilly,astobeelatedbytheun-meaning admirationofanyone,orsomean-ly aspiringastomarryamanIcouldnotlove,merelybecauseheisaDuke:Shewasincapableofsuchathingherself,shecannotthensuspectme."

"Itseemsasimpossibletomakeyouen-ter intothecharactersofyourmotherandsister,asitwouldbetoteachthemtocom-

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prehendyours,andfarbeitfrommetoactasinterpreterbetwixtyourunderstand-ings. Ifyoucan'tevenimaginesuchthingsasprejudice,narrow-mindedness,envy,ha-tred, andmalice,yourignoranceisbliss,andyouhadbetterremaininit.Butyoumaytakemywordforonething,andthatis,that'tisamuchwiserthingtoresistty-ranny, thantosubmittoit.YourpatientGrizzlesmakenothingofit,exceptinlittlebooks:inreallifetheybecomeper-fect pack-horses,saddledwiththewholeoffencesofthefamily.Suchwillyoube-come unlessyoupluckupspirit,anddashout.MarrytheDuke,anddriveoverthenecksofallyourrelations;that'smyad-vice toyou."

"Andyoumayrestassured,thatwhenIfollowyouradvice,itshallbeinwhole,notinpart."

"Well,situatedsodetestablyasyouare,Iratherthinkthebestthingyoucoulddo,wouldbetomakeyourselfDuchessofAl-

vol.in.c

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tamont.Howdisdainfulyoulook!Come,tellmehonestlynow,wouldyoureallyre-fuse tobeYourGrace,withninetythou-sand ayear,andremainsimpleMaryDou-glas, passingrichwithperhapsforty?"

"Unquestionably,"saidMary.

"What!youreallypretendtosayyouwouldnotmarrytheDukeofAltamont?"criedLadyEmily."NotthatIwouldtakehimmyself;butasyouandI,thoughthebestoffriends,differwidelyinoursenti-ments onmostsubjects,Ishouldreallyliketoknowhowithappensthatwecoincideinthisone.Verydifferentreasons,Idaresay,leadtothesameconclusion;butIshallgenerouslygiveyoutheadvantageofhear-ing minefirst.Ishallsaynothingofbe-ing engaged—Ishallevenbanishthatideafrommythoughts;butwereIfreeasair—unlovingandunloved—IwouldrefusetheDukeofAltamont;first,becauseheisold—no,first,"becauseheisstupid;se-cond, becauseheisformal;third,because

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heswallowsallLadyMatilda'sflummery;fourth,becauseheismorethandoublemyage;fifth,becauseheisnothandsome;and,tosumupthewholeinthesixth,hewantsthatinimitableJenespaisquoi,whichIconsiderasanecessaryingredientinthematrimonialcup.Ishallnot,inadditiontothesedefects,dwelluponhisunmean-ing stare—hisformalbow—hislittlesense-less simper,&c.&c.&c.Alltheseenor-mities, andmanymoreofthesamestamp,Ishallpassby,asIhavenodoubttheyhadtheirdueeffectuponyouaswellasme;butthenIamnotlikeyou,underthetormentsofLadyJuliana'sauthority:Werethatthecase,IshouldcertainlythinkitablessingtobecomeDuchessofanybodyto-morrow."

"Andcanyoureallyimagine,"saidMary,"thatforthesakeofshakingoffaparent'sauthority,Iwouldimposeuponmyselfchainsstillheavier,andevenmorebinding?CanyousupposeIwouldsofar

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forfeitmyhonourandtruth,asthatIwouldsweartolove,honour,andobey,whereIcouldfeelneitherlovenorrespect;andwherecoldconstrainedobediencewouldbeallofmydutyIcouldhopetofulfil?"

"Love!"exclaimedLadyEmily;"canIcreditmyears?Love!didyousay?Ithoughtthathadonlybeenfornaughtyones,suchasme;andthatsaintslikeyouwouldhavemarriedforanythingandeverythingbutlove!Prudence,Ithought,hadbeenthewordwithyouproperladies—aprudentmarriage!Come,confess,isnotthattheclimaxofvirtueinthecreedofyourschool?

"Ineverlearntthecreedofanyschool,"saidMary,"noreverheardanyone'ssen-timents onthesubject,exceptmydearMrs.Douglas."

"Well,Ishouldliketohearyouroracle'sopinion,ifyoucangiveitinshorthand."

"Shewarnedmetherewasapassion,whichwasveryfashionable,andwhichI

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shouldhearagreatdealof,bothinconver-sation andbooks,thatwastheresultofin-dulged fancy,warmimaginations,andill-regulatedminds;thatmanyhadfallenin-to itssnares,deceivedbyitsglowingco-lours andalluringname;that"

"Averygoodsermon,indeed!"inter-rupted LadyEmily;"but,nooffencetoMrs.Douglas,IthinkIcouldpreachabet-termyself.Loveisapassionthathasbeenmuchtalkedof,oftendescribed,andlittleunderstood.Cupidhasmanycounterfeitsgoingabouttheworld,whopassverywellwiththosewhosemindsarecapableofpas-sion, butnotoflove.TheseBirminghamCupidshavemanyvotariesamongstboard-ing schoolmisses,militiaofficers,andmil-liner's apprentices;whomarryuponthemutualfaithofblueeyesandscarletcoats:havedirtyhousesandsquallingchildren,andhateeachothermostdelectably.Thenthereisanotherspeciesformorerefinedsouls,whichowesitsbirthtotheworksof

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Rousseau,Goethe,Cottin,&c.:itssuc-cess dependsverymuchuponrocks,woods,andwaterfalls;anditgenerallyendsindaggers,pistols,orpoison.Butthere,Ithink,Lindorewouldbemoreeloquentthanme,soIshallleaveitforhimtodiscussthatchapterwithyou.But,toreturntoyourownimmediateconcerns—Pray,areyouthenpositivelyprohibitedfromfallinginlove?DidMrs.Douglasonlydressupascarecrowtofrightenyou,orhadshethecandourtoshewyouLovehimselfinallhismajesty?"

"Shetoldme,"saidMary,"thattherewasalovewhicheventhewisestandmostvirtuousneednotblushtoentertain—theloveofavirtuousobject,foundedupones-teem, andheightenedbysimilarityoftastes,andsympathyoffeelings,intoapureanddevotedattachment:unlessIfeelallthis,Ishallneverfancymyselfinlove."

"Humph!Ican'tsaymuchastothesi-milarity oftastesandsympathyofsouls

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betweentheDukeandyou,butsurelyyoumightcontrivetofeelsomeloveandes-teem foracoronetandninetythousandayear."

"SupposeIdid,"saidMary,withasmile,"thenextpointistohonour;andsurelyheisasunlikelytoexcitethatsenti-ment astheother.Honour—"

"Ican'thaveasecondsermonuponho-nour. *Canhonourtakeawaythegriefofawound?'asFalstaffsays.LoveistheonlysubjectIcaretopreachabout;though,unlikemanyyoungladies,wecantalkaboutotherthingstoo;butastothisDuke,Icertainly'hadratherliveoncheeseandgarlic,inawindmillfar,thanfeedoncates,andhavehimtalktomeinanysummer-houseinChristendom;'andnowIhavehadMrs.Douglas'secondhandsentimentsuponthesubject—Ishouldliketohearyourown."

"Ihaveneverthoughtmuchuponthesubject,"saidMary;"mysentimentsare

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thereforeallatsecondhand,butIshallre-peat toyouwhatIthinkisnotlove,andwhatis."—Andsherepeatedtheseprettyandwellknownlines:—

CARELESSANDFAITHFULLOVE.

Tosigh—yetfeelnopain—

Toweep—yetscarceknowwhy,

Tosportanhourwithbeauty'schain>

Thenthrowitidlyby:

Tokneelatmanyashrine,

Yetlaytheheartonnone;

Tothinkallothercharmsdivine,

Butthosewejusthavewon:—

Thisislove—carelesslove

Suchaskindlethheartsthatrovev

Tokeeponesacredflame

Throughlife,unchill'd,unmov'd;

Toloveinwint'ryagethesame

Thatfirstinyouthweloved:

Tofeelthatweadore

Withsuchrefinedexcess,

Thatthoughtheheartwouldbreakwithmote.

Wecouldnotlovewithless.

Thisislove—faithfullove,Suchassaintsmightfeelabove.

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CHAPTERIII.

"Some,whentheywritetotheirfriends,areallaffection;somearewiseandsententious;somestraintheirpowersforeffortsofgaiety;somewritenews,andsomewritesecrets—buttomakealetterwithoutaffection,withoutwisdom,withoutgaiety,withoutnews,andwithoutasecret,isdoubtlessthegreatepistolicart."

Dr.Johnson.

AnunusuallengthoftimehadelapsedsinceMaryhadheardfromGlenfern,andshewasbeginningtofeelsomeanxietyonaccountofherfriendsthere,whenherap-prehensions weredispelledbythearrivalofalargepacket,containinglettersfromMrs.DouglasandauntJacky.Thefor-

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mer,althoughtheonethatconveyedthegreatestdegreeofpleasure,wasperhapsnottheonethatwouldbemostacceptabletothereader.Indeed,itisgenerallyad-mitted, thatthelettersofsingleladiesareinfinitelymorelivelyandentertainingthanthoseofmarriedones—afactwhichcanneitherbedeniednoraccountedfor.Thefollowingisafaithfultranscriptfromtheoriginalletterinquestion.

"GlenfernCastle,shire,N.B.

Feb.19th,18—.

"MYDEARMARY,

"Yourswasreceivedwithmuchplea-sure, asitisalwaysasatisfactiontoyourfriendsheretoknowthatyouarewellanddoingwell.Wealltakethemostsincerein-terest myourhealth,andalsoinyourimprove-ments inotherrespects.ButIamsorrytosaytheydonotquitekeeppacewithourexpecta-tions. Imustthereforetakethisopportunityofmentioningtoyouafaultofyours,which,

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thoughaverygreatoneinitself,isonethataveryslightdegreeofattentiononyourpar?,will,Ihavenodoubt,enableyoutogetentirelythebetterof.Itisfortunateforyw,mydearMary,thatyouhavefriendswhoarealwaysreadytopointoutyourerrorstoyou.Forwantofthatmostinvaluableblessing,viz.asincerefriend,manyaonehasgoneoutoftheworld,nowiserinma-ny respects,thanwhentheycameintoit.Butthat,Iflattermyself,willnotbeyourcase,asyoucannotbutbesensibleofthegreatpainsmysisterandIhavetakentopointoutyourfaultstoyoufromthehourofyourbirth.TheonetowhichIparti-cularly alludeatpresentis,theconstantomissionofproperdatestoyourletters,bywhichmeansweareallofusveryoftenbroughtintomostunpleasantsituations.Asaninstanceofit,ourworthyminister,Mr.M'Drone,happenedtobecallingheretheverydaywereceivedyourlastletter.Afterhearingitread,hemostnaturallyinquired

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thedateofit;andIcannottellyouhowawkwardweallfeltwhenwewewereoblig-ed toconfessithadnone!AndsinceIamuponthatsubject,IthinkitmuchbettertotellyoucandidlythatIdonotthinkyourhandofwritebyanymeansimproved.Itdoesnotlookasifyoubestowedthatpainsuponitwhichyouundoubtedlyoughttodo;forwithoutpains,Icanassureyou,Mary,youwillneverdoanythingwell.Asouradmirablegrandmother,goodLadyGir-nachgowl,usedtosay,painsmakesgains;andsoitwasseenuponher;foritwasen-tirely owingtoherpainsthattheGirnach-gowlestatewasrelieved,andcametobewhatitisnow,viz.amostvaluableandhighlyproductiveproperty.

Iknowtherearemanyyoungpeoplewhoareveryapttothinkitbeneaththemtotakepains;butIsincerelytrust,mydearMary,youhavemoresensethantobesoveryfoolish.Nexttoagooddistincthandofwrite,andproperstops(whichI

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observeyouneverput)thethingmosttobeattendedtoisyourstyle,whichweallthinkmightbegreatlyimprovedbyalittlereflec-tion onyourpart,joinedtoafewjudicioushintsfromyourfriends.Weareallofopi-nion, thatyourperiodsaretooshort,andalsothatyourexpressionsaredeficientindignity.Neitherareyousufficientlycircum-stantial inyourintelligence,evenuponsub-jects ofthehighestimportance.Indeed,uponsomesubjects,youcommunicatenoin-formation whatever,whichiscertainlyveryextraordinaryina,youngperson,whooughttobenaturallyextremelycommunicative.MissM'Pry,whoishereuponavisittousatpresent,isperfectlyastonishedattheto-tal wantofnewsinyourletters.ShehasanieceresidingintheneighbourhoodofBath,whosendsherregularlistsofthecompanythere,andalsoanaccountofthemostremarkableeventsthattakeplacethere.Indeed,haditnotbeenforPattyM'Pry,weneverwouldhaveheardasyllableof

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thecelebratedLadyTravers1elopementwithSirJohnConquest;and,indeed,Icannotconcealfromyou,thatwehaveheardmoreastowhatgoesoninLordCourt-land'sfamily,throughMissPattyM'Pry,thaneverwehaveheardfromyou,Mary.Inshort,Imustplainlytellyou,howeverpainfulyoumayfeelit,thatnotoneofusiseverawhitthewiserafterreadingyourlettersthanwewerebefore.ButIamsorrytosaythisisnotthemostseriouspartofthecomplaintwehavetomakeagainstyou.Weareallwillingtofindexcusesforyou,evenuponthesepoints,butImustconfess,yourneglectingtoreturnanyanswerstocertaininquiriesofyouraunts',appearstomeperfectlyinexcusable.Ofcourse,youmustunderstandthatIalludetothatletterofyourauntGrizzy's,datedthe17thofDecember,whereinsheexpressedastrongdesirethatyoushouldendeavourtomakeyourselfmistressofDr.Redgill'sopinionwithrespecttolumbago,assheisextreme-

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1/anxioustoknowwhetherheconsiderstheseatofthedisordertobeinthebonesorthesinews;andundoubtedlyitisofthegreatestconsequencetoprocuretheopinionofasensiblewell-informedEnglishphysi-cian, uponasubjectofsuchvitalimportance.YourauntNicky,also,inaletter,datedthe22dofDecember,requestedtobeinformedwhetherLordCourtland(likeourgreatlandholders)killedhisownmutton,asMissP.M'P.insinuatesinalettertoheraunt,thattheservantstherearesuspectedofbeingguiltyofgreatabusesonthatscore;butthereyoualsopreserveamostunbe-coming, andIownIthinksomewhatmys-terious silence.

Andnow,mydearMary,havingsaidallthat/trustisnecessarytorecalyoutoasenseofyourduty,Ishallnowcommunicatetoyouapieceofintelligence,which,Iamcer-tain, willoc«moftyouthe»io.tfunfeignedplea-^ure,viz.theprospectthereisofyoursoon

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beholdingsomeofyourfriendsfromthisquar-ter inBath.Ourvaluablefriendandneigh*hour,SirSampson,hasbeenrather(wethink)worsethanbettersinceyouleftus.Heisnowdeprivedoftheentireuseofoneleg.Hehimselfcallshiscomplaintamorbidrheumatism;butLadyMaclaughlanassuresusitisarheumaticpalsy,andshehaanowformedtheresolutionoftakinghimuptoBathearlyintheensuingspring.Andnotonlythat,butshehasmostconsideratelyinvitedyourauntGrizzytoaccompanythem,which,ofcourse,sheistodowiththegreatestpleasure.Wearethereforeallextremelyoccupiedingettingyouraunt'sthingsputinorderforsuchanoccasion;andyoumustacceptofthatasanapologyfornoneofthegirlsbeingatleisuretowriteyouatpresent,andlikewisefortheshort-ness ofthisletter.ButbeassuredwewillallwriteyoufullybyGrizzy.Meantime,alluniteinkindremembrancetoyou.And

42MARRIAGE.

Iam,mydearMary,yourmostaffection-ate aunt,

"JoanDouglas.'1

"P.S.Uponlookingoveryourletter,IammuchstruckwithyourX's.Yousurelycannotbesoignorantasnottoknowthatawellmadexisneithermorenorlessthantwoc'sjoinedtogetherbacktoback,insteadofthesesenselesscrossesyouseemsofondof;andastoyours's,Idefyanyonetodistinguishthemfromyoury's.Itrustyouwillattendtothis,andshewthatit'proceedsratherfromwantofproperattentionthanfromwilfulairs.

"J.D."

P.S.MissP.M'PrywritesherauntthatthereisastrongreportofLordLin-dore'smarriagetoournieceAdelaide;butwethinkthatisimpossible,asyoucertain-ly nevercouldhaveomittedtoinformusofacircumstancewhichsodeeplyconcerns

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us.Ifso,ImustownIshallthinkyouquiteunpardonable.Atthesametime,itappearsextremelyimprobablethatMissM'P.wouldhavementionedsuchathingtoheraunt,withouthavinggoodgroundstogoupon.

«J.D."

Marycouldnotentirelyrepresshermirthwhileshereadthiscatalogueofhercrimes;butshewas,atthesametime,eagertoex-piate heroffences,realorimaginary,inthesightofhergoodoldaunt;andsheimmediatelysatdowntotheconstructionofaletterafterthemodelprescribed;—thoughwithlittleexpectationofbeingabletocopewiththeintelligentMissP.M'P.intheextentofhercommunications.HerheartwarmedatthethoughtsofseeingagainthedearfamiliarfaceofauntGriz-zy,andofhearingthetonesofthatvoice,which,thoughsharpandcracked,stillsoundedsweetinmemory'sear.Suchis

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thepowerthatearlyassociationseverre-tainoverthekindandunsophisticatedheart.Butshewasawarehowdifferentlyhermotherwouldfeelonthesubject,assheneveralludedtoherhusband'sfamily,butwithindignationorcontempt;andshethereforeresolvedtobesilentwithregardtoauntGrizzy'sprospectsforthepresent.

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CHAPTERIII.

"Asinapothecaries'shopsallsortsofdrugsatepermittedtobe,somayallsortsofbooksbeinthelibrary;andastheyoutofvipers,andscorpions,andpoisonousvegetables,extractoftenwholesomemedicamentsforthelifeofmankind,sooutofwhatsoeverbook,goodinstructionandexamplesmaybeacquired."

DkummondofHawthornden.

Mary'sthoughtshadoftenrevertedtoRoseHallsincethedayshehadlastquit-ted it,andshelongedtofulfilherpromisetohervenerablefriend;butafeelingofdelicacy,unknowntoherself,withheldher."Shewillnotmissmewhileshehashersonwithher"saidshetoherself;but,inreality,shedreadedhercousin'sraillery

46MARRIAGE.

shouldshecontinuetovisitthereasfre-quently asbefore.Atlengthafavourableopportunityoccurred:LadyEmily,withgreatexultation,toldhertheDukeofAl-tamontwastodineatBeechParkthefol-lowing day,butthatshewastoconcealitfromLadyJulianaandAdelaide;"foras-suredly," saidshe,"iftheywereapprisedofit,theywouldsendyouuptothenur-sery asanaughtygirl,or,perhaps,downtothescullery,andmakeaCinderellaofyou.Dependuponit,youwouldnotgetleavetoshewyourfaceinthedrawing-room."

"Doyoureallythinkso?"askedMary.

"Iknowit.IknowLadyJulianawouldtormentyoutillshehadsetyouacrying;andthenshewouldtellyou,youhadmadeyourselfsuchafright,thatyouwerenotfittobeseen,andsoorderyoutoyourownroom.Youknow\erywellitwouldnotbethefirsttimethatsuchathinghasJiap-pened."

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Marycouldnotdenythefact;but,sickofidlealtercation,sheresolvedtosayno-thing, butwalkovertoRoseFlailthefol-lowing morning.Andthisshedid,leavinganoteforhercousin,apologizingforherflight.

ShewasreceivedwithrapturebyMrs.Lennox.

"Ah!mydearMary,"saidshe,asshetenderlyembracedher,"youknownot,youcannot,conceive,whatablankyourabsencemakesinmylife!Whenyouopenyoureyesinthemorning,itistoseethelightofday,andthefacesyoulove,andallisbrightnessaroundyou.But,whenIwake,itisstilltodarkness.Mynightknowsnoend.'TisonlywhenIlistentoyourdearvoicethatIforgetIamblind."

"Ishouldnothavestaidsolongfromyou,"saidMary,"butIknewyouhadColonelLennoxwithyou,andIcouldnot

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flattermyselfyouwouldhaveevenathoughttobestowuponme."

"MyCharlesis,indeed,everythingthat•iskindanddevotedtome.Hewalkswithme,readstome,talkstome,sitswithmeforhours,andbearswithallmylittleweaknessesasamotherwouldwithhersickchild;butstillthereareathousandlittlefeminineattentionshecannotunder-stand. Iwouldnotthathedid.Andthentohavehimalwayswithmeseemssosel-fish ;for,gentleandtender-heartedasheis,Iknowhebearsthespiritofaneaglewithinhim;andthetamemonotonyofmylifecanillaccordwiththenoblerhabitsofhis.Yethesaysheishappywithme,andItrytomakemyselfbelievehim."

"Indeed,"saidMary,"Icannotdoubtit.Itisalwaysahappinesstobewiththosewelove,andwhomweknowloveus,underanycircumstances;anditisforthatreasonIlovesomuchtocometomydearMrs,Lennox,"caressingherasshespoke.

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"DearestMary,whowouldnotloveyou?Oh!couldIbutsee—couldIbuthope—"

"Youmusthopeeverythingyoude-sire," saidMary,gaily,andlittleguessingthenatureofhergoodfriend'shopes;"Idonothingbuthope."Andshetriedtocheckasigh,asshethoughthowsomeofherbesthopeshadbeenalreadyblightedbytheunkindnessofthosewhoseloveshehadvainlystrovetowin.

Mrs.Lennox'shopeswerealreadyuponherlips,whentheentranceofhersonfor-tunately preventedtheirbeingforeverde-stroyed byaprematuredisclosure.HewelcomedMarywith.anappearanceofthegreatestpleasure,andlookedsomuchhap-pier andmoreanimatedthanwhenshelastsawhim,thatshewasstruckwiththechangeandbegantothinkhemightal-most standacomparisonwithhispicture.

"Youfindmestillhere,MissDouglas,"saidhe,"althoughmymothergivesme

VOL.III.D

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manyhintstobegone,byinsinuatingwhat,indeed,cannotbedoubted,howveryillIsupplyyourplace;but,"turningtohismo-ther, "youarenotlikelytoberidofmeforsometime,as1havejustreceivedanaddi-tional leaveofabsence;butforthat,Imusthaveleftyouto-morrow."

"DearCharles!younevertoldmeso.Howcouldyouconcealitfromme!howwretchedIshouldhavebeenhadIdream-ed ofsuchathing!"

■«•ThatistheveryreasonforwhichIconcealedit,andyetyoureproachme.HadItoldyoutherewasachanceofmygoing,youwouldassuredlyhavesetitdownforacertainty,andsohavebeenvexedfornopurpose."

"Butyourremainingwasachancetoo,"saidMrsLennox,whocouldnotallatoncereconcileherselfeventoanescapefromdan-ger; "andthink,hadyoubeencalledawayfrommewithoutanypreparation!—Indeed,Charles,itwa#veryimprudent."

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5<Mydearestmother,Imeantitinkind-ness :Icouldnotbeartogiveyouamo-ment's certainuneasinessforanuncertainevil.Ireallycannotdiscovereithertheuseorthevirtueoftormentingone'sselfbyanticipation.Ishouldthinkitquiteasrationaltocasemyselfinasuitofmail,bywayofsecuritytomyperson,astokeepmymindperpetuallyontherackofantici-pating evil.Iperfectlyagreewiththatphilosopherwhosays,ifweconfineour-selves togeneralreflectionsontheevilsoflife,thatcanhavenoeffectinpreparingusforthem;andifwebringthemhometous,thatisthecertainmeansofrenderingourselvesmiserable."

"Buttheywillcome,Charles,"saidhismothermournfully,"whetherwebringthemornot."

"True,mydearmother;butwhenmis-fortune doescome,itcomescommissionedfromahigherpower,anditwilleverfindawell-regulatedmindreadytoreceiveitwith

52MARRIAGE.

reverence,andsubmittoitwithresignation.Thereissomething,too,inrealsorrow,thattendstoenlargeandexaltthesoul;buttheimaginaryevilsofourowncreating,canonlyservetocontractanddepressit."

Mrs.Lennoxshookherhead—"Ah!Charles,youmaydependuponityourrea-soning iswrong,andyouwillbeconvincedofitsomeday."

"Iamconvincedofitalready.IbegintofearthisdiscussionwillfrightenMissDouglasawayfromus.Thereisanevilanticipated!Now,doyou,mydearmother,helpmetoavertit;wherethatcanbedone,itcannotbetoosoonapprehended."

AsColonelLennox'scharacterunfoldeditself,Marysawmuchtoadmireinit;anditismorethanprobabletheadmirationwouldsoonhavebeenreciprocal,haditbeenallowedtotakeitscourse.ButgoodMrs.Lennoxwouldforceitintoathousandlittlechannelspreparedbyherself,andloveitselfmusthavebeenquicklyexhausted

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bytheperpetualdemandsthat"weremadeuponit.Marywouldhavebeendeeplymortifiedhadshesuspectedthecauseofherfriend'ssolicitudetoshewheroff;butshewasastrangertomatch-makinginallitsbearings—hadscarcelyeverreadanovelinherlife,andwas,consequently,notatallawareofthenecessitytherewasforherfall-ing inlovewithallconvenientspeed.Shewas,therefore,sometimesamused,thoughoftenerashamed,atMrs.Lennox'spanegy-rics, andcouldnotbutsmileasshethoughthowauntJacky'swrathwouldhavebeenkindled,hadsheheardtheextravagantpraisesthatwerebestowedonhermosttriflingaccomplishments.

"YoumustsingmyfavouritesongtoCharles,mylove—hehasneverheardyousing.Praydo:youdidnotusetorequireanyentreatyfromme,Mary!Manyatimeyouhavegladdenedmyheartwithyoursongs,when,butforyou,itwouldhavebeenfilledwithmournfulthoughts!"

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Maryfinding,whatevershedidordidnot,shewasdestinedtohearonlyherownpraises,wasgladtotakerefugeattheharp,towhichshesungthefollowingancientditty:*—

1Sweetday!socool,socalm,sobright,Thebridaloftheearthandsky,Sweetdewsshallweepthyfalltonight,Foxthoumustdie.

Sweetrose!whosehue,angryandbrave,Bidstherashgazerwipehiseye,Thyrootiseverinitsgrave;

Andthoumustdie.

Sweetspring!fullofsweetdaysandroses^.Aboxwheresweetscompactedlie,.Mymusicshewsyouhaveyourcloses,Andallmustdie.

Onlyasweetandvirtuoussoul,Likeseason'dtimber,nevergives;Butwhenthewholeworldturnstocoal,Thenchieflylives."

"That,"saidColonelLennox,"isone©fthemanyexquisitelittlepiecesofpoe-try whicharetobefound,likejewelsinanEthiop'sear,inmyfavouriteIsaacWalton.

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Thetitleofthebookoffersnoencourage-ment tofemalereaders,butIknowfewworksfromwhichIrisewithsuchrenova-ted feelingsofbenevolenceandgoodwill.Indeed,Iknownoauthorwhohasgiven,withsomuchnaivete,soenchantingapic-ture ofapiousandcontentedmind.Here,"takingthebookfromashelf,andturningovertheleaves,"isoneofthepassageswhichhassooftencharmedme:—*Thatveryhourwhichyouwereabsentfromme,Isatdownunderawillowbythewater-side, andconsideredwhatyouhadtoldmeoftheownerofthatpleasantmeadowinwhichyouleftme—thathehasaplentifulestate,andnotahearttothinkso;thathehasatthistimemanylaw-suitsdepending—andthattheybothdampedhismirth,andtookupsomuchofhistimeandthoughts,thathehimselfhadnotleisuretotakethatsweetcomfort,I,whopretendednotitletothem,tookinhisfields;forIcouldtheresitquietly,and,lookinginthewater,see

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somefishessportthemselvesinthesilverstreams,othersleapingatfliesofseveralshapesandcolours.Lookingonthehills,Icouldbeholdthemspottedwithwoodsandgroves;lookingdownuponthemea-dows, Icouldsee,hereaboygatheringli-lies andlady-smocks,andthereagirlcrop-ping culverkeysandcowslips,alltomakegarlandssuitabletothispresentmonthofMay.These,andmanyotherfieldflowers,soperfumedtheair,thatIthoughtthatverymeadowlikethatfieldinSicily,ofwhichDiodorusspeaks,wheretheperfumesarisingfromtheplacemakealldogsthathuntinittofalloffandlosetheirscent.Isay,asIthussatjoyinginmyownhappycondition,andpityingthispoorrichman,thatownedthisandmanyotherpleasantgrovesandmeadowsaboutme,IdidthenthankfullyrememberwhatmySavioursaid,thatthemeekpossesstheearth—or,rather,theyenjoywhattheotherspossessanden-joy not;foranglersandmeek-spiritedmen

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arefreefromthosehigh,thoserestlessthoughts,whichcorrodethesweetsoflife;andthey,andtheyonly,cansay,asthepoethashappilyexpressedit—

"Hail,blestestateoflowliness!HappyenjoymentsofsuchmindsAs,richinself-contentedness,Can,likethereedsinroughestwinds,Byyielding,makethatblowbutsmall,Bywhichproudoaksandcedarsfall."

"Thereisbothpoetryandpaintinginsuchproseasthis,"saidMary;«*butIshouldcertainlyassoonhavethoughtoflookingforapearlnecklaceinafishpond,asoffindingprettypoetryinatreatiseupontheartofangling."

"Thatbookwasafavouriteofyourfa-ther's, Charles,"saidMrs.Lennox;"andIremember,inourhappiestdays,heusedtoreadpartsofittome.Onepassage,inparticular,madeastrongimpressionuponme,thoughIlittlethoughtthenitwouldeverapplytome.Itisupontheblessings

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ofsight.Indulgemebyreadingittomeonceagain.'*

ColonelLennoxmadeanefforttocon-quer hisfeelings,whilehereadasfollows:

"Whatwouldablindmangivetoseethepleasantrivers,andmeadows,andflow-ers,andfountains,thatwehavemetwith!Ihavebeentold,thatifamanthatwasbornblindcouldattaintohavehissightforbutonlyonehourduringhiswholelife,andshould,atthefirstopeningofhiseyes,fixhissightuponthesunwhenitwasinitsfullglory,eitherattherisingorthesetting,hewouldbetransportedandama-zed, andsoadmirethegloryofit,thathewouldnotwillinglyturnhiseyesfromthatfirstravishingobject,tobeholdalltheothervariousbeautiesthisworldcouldpresenttothem.Andthis,andmanyotherlikeob-jects, weenjoydaily"

AdeepsighfromMrs.Lennoxmadehersonlookup•.Hereyeswerebathedintears

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Hethrewhisarmsaroundher."Mydearestmother!"criedhe,inavoicechok-ed withagitation,"howcruel—howun-thinking—thustoremindyou"

"Donotreproachyourselfformyweak-ness, dearCharles;butIwasthinking,howmuchrather,couldIhavemysightbutforonehour,Iwouldlookuponthefaceofmyownchild,thanonallthegloriesofthecreation!"

ColonelLennoxwastoodeeplyaffectedtospeak:Hepressedhismother'shandtohislips—thenroseabruptly,andquittedtheroom.Marysucceededinsoothingherweakandagitatedspiritsintocomposure;butthechordoffeelinghadbeenjarred,andallhereffortstorestoreittoitsformertone,provedabortivefortherestoftheday.

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CHAPTERIV.

"FriendshipisconstantinallotherthingsSaveintheofficeandaffairsoflove:Thereforeallheartsinloveusetheirowntongues;Leteveryeyenegociateforitself,Andtrustnoagent."

MuchAdoaboutNothing.

TherewassomethingsorefreshinginthedomesticpeacefulnessofRoseHall,whencontrastedwiththeheartlessbustleofBeechPark,thatMaryfelttoohappyinthechangetobeinanyhurrytoquitit.Butanun-fortunate discoverysoonturnedallheren-joyment intobitternessofheart;andRoseHall,frombeingtoheraplaceofrest,was

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suddenlytransformedintoanabodetoohatefultobeendured.

Ithappened,onedayassheenteredthedrawing-room,Mrs.Lennoxwas,asusual,assailingtheheartofhersoninherbehalf.AlargeIndianscreendividedtheroom,andMary'sentrancewasneitherseennorheardtillshewasclosebythem.

"O,certainly,MissDouglasisallthatyousay—verypretty—veryamiable—andveryaccomplished,"saidColonelLennox,withasortofhalf-suppressedyawn,inanswertoaneulogiumofhismother's.

"Thenwhynotloveher?Ah!Charles,promisemethatyouwillatleasttry!"saidthegoodoldlady,layingherhanduponhiswiththegreatestearnestness.

ThiswassaidwhenMarywasactuallystandingbeforeher.Tohearthewords,andtofeeltheirapplication,wasaflashoflightning;and,foramoment,shefeltasifherbrainwereonfire.Shewasalivebuttooneidea,andthatthemostpainful

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thatcouldbesuggestedtoadelicatemind.Shehadheardherselfrecommendedtotheloveofamanwhowasindifferenttoher.Couldtherebesuchahumiliation—suchadegradation?ColonelLennox'sembarrass-ment wasscarcelyless;buthismothersawnotthemischiefshehaddone,andshecon-tinued tospeakwithouthishavingthepowertointerrupther.ButherwordsfellunheededonMary'sear—shecouldhearnothingbutwhatshehadalreadyheard.ColonelLennoxroseandrespectfullyplacedachairforher,buttheactionwasunno-ticed—shesawonlyherselfasuppliantforhislove;and,insensibletoeverythingbutherownfeelings,sheturnedandhastilyquittedtheroomwithoututteringasylla-ble. ToflyfromRoseHall,neveragaintoenterit,washerfirstresolution;yethowwasshetodosowithoutcomingtoanexplanation,worseeventhanthecauseit-self jforshehadthatverymorningyield-

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edtothesolicitationsofMrs.Lennox,andconsentedtoremaintillthefollowingday."Oh!"thoughtshe,asthescaldingtearsofshame,forthefirsttime,droppedfromhereyes,"whatasituationamIplacedin!TocontinuetoliveunderthesameroofwiththemanwhomIhaveheardsolicitedtoloveme;andhowmean—howdespica-ble mustIappearinhiseyes—thusoffered—rejected1HowshallIeverbeabletoconvincehimthatIcarenotforhislove-thatIwisheditnot—thatIwouldrefuse,scornitto-morrowwereitofferedtome.Oh!couldIbuttellhimso;buthemusteverremainastrangertomyrealsenti-ments—hemightreject—but/cannotdis~avow!Andyet,tohavehimthink,thatIhaveallthiswhilebeenlayingsnaresfornim—thatallthisparadeofmyacquire-ments wasforthepurposeofgaininghisaffections!Oh!howblindandstupidIwas,nottoseethroughtheinjudiciouspraisesofMrs.Lennox!Ishouldnotthen

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havesufferedthisdegradationintheeyesofherson!"

HourspassedawayunheededbyMary,whileshewasgivingwaytothewoundedsensibilityofanaturallyhighspiritandacutefeelings,thusviolentlyexcitedinalltheirfirstardour.Atlength,shewasre-called toherself,byhearingthesoundofacarriage,asitpassedunderherwindow;and,immediatelyafter,shereceivedames-sage torepairtothedrawing-roomtohercousin,LadyEmily.

"Howfortunate!"thoughtshe;"Ishallnowgetaway—nomatterhoworwhere,Ishallgoneveragaintoreturn."

And,unconsciousoftheagitationvisibleinhercountenance,shehastilydescended,impatienttobidaneternaladieutoheroncelovedRoseHall.ShefoundLadyEmilyandColonelLennoxtogether.Eyeslesspenetratingthanhercousin's,wouldeasilyhavediscoveredthestateofpoorMary'smind,assheenteredtheroom;her

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beatingheart—^herflushedcheekandavert-ed eye,alldeclaredtheperturbationofherspirits;andLadyEmilyregardedher,foramoment,withanexpressionofsurprisethatservedtoheightenherconfusion.

"Ihavenodoubt,Iamaveryunwel-come visitorheretoallparties,"saidshe;"forIcome—howshallIdeclareit!—tocarryyouhome,Mary,bycommandofLa-dy Juliana."

"No,no!"exclaimedMaryeagerly;"youarequitewelcome.Iamquiteready.Iwaswishing—Iwaswaiting."—Then,re-collecting herself,sheblushedstilldeeperatherownprecipitation.

*'Thereisnooccasiontobesovehe-mently obedient,"saidhercousin;"/amnotquiteready,neitheramIwishing,orwaitingtobeoffinsuchahurry.ColonelLennoxandIhadjustsetaboutrevivinganoldacquaintancejbegun,Ican'ttellwhen—andbrokenoff,whenIwasathinginthenursery,withabluesashandred

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fingers.Ihavepromisedhim,thatwhenhecomestoBeechPark,youshallsinghimmyfavouriteScotchsong,'Shouldauldacquaintancebeforgot.'IwouldsingitmyselfifIcould;butIthinkeveryEng-lish woman,whopretendstosingScotchsongs,oughttohavethebow-string;"thenturningtotheharpsichord,shebegantoplayitwithexquisitetasteandfeeling.

"There,"saidshe,risingwithequalle-vity ;"isnotthatworthalltheformalbows—and'recollectstohavehadthepleasure'—and'longtimesinceIhadthehonour'—andsuchsortofhatefulreminis-cences, thatmakeonefeelnothing,butthattheyareagreatdealolder,anduglier,stu-pider, andmoreformalthantheyweresomanyyearsbefore."

"Wheretheearlytiesoftheheartre-main unbroken,"saidColonelLennox,withsomeemotion,"suchremembrancesdoin-deed giveitbackallitsfirstfreshness;butitcannotbetoeveryoneapleasuretohave

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itsfeelingsawakened,evenbytonessuchasthese."

Therewasnothingofausterityinthis;enthecontrary,therewassomuchsweet-ness mingledwiththemelancholywhichshadedhiscountenance,thatevenLadyEmilywastouched,andforamomentsi-lent. TheentranceofMrs.Lennoxre-lieved herfromherembarrassment.Sheflewtowardsher,andtakingherhand,wMydearMrs.Lennox,IfeelverymuchasifIwerecomehereinthecapacityofanexecutioner;—no,notexactlythat,butratherasortofconstableorbailiff;—forIamcomeonthepart6fLadyJulianaDou.glas,tosummonyoutosurrendertheper-son ofherwell-beloveddaughter,tobedis-posed ofassheinherwisdommaythinkfit."

"Notto-day,surely,"criedMrs.Len-nox inalarm;"to-morrow—"

"Myordersareperemptory—thesuitispressing,"withasignificantsmiletoMa-

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ry;"thisday—oh,yehours!"lookingatatimepiece,"thisveryminute,comeMa-ry—areyouready*—cap-a-peeV*

AtanothertimeMarywouldhavethoughtonlyoftheregretsofhervenerablefriendatpartingwithher;butnowshefeltonlyherownimpatiencetobegone,andshehastilyquittedtheroomtoprepareforherdeparture.

Onreturningtoit,ColonelLennoxad-vancedtomeether,evidentlydesirousofsayingsomething,yetlabouringundergreatembarrassment.

"Wereitnottooselfishandpresump-tuous," saidhe,whilehisheightenedcolourspokehisconfusion,"Iwouldventuretoexpressahopethatyourabsencewillnotbeverylongfrommypoormother."

Marypretendedtobeverybusycollect-ing herwork,drawings,&c.whichlayscat-tered about,andmerelybentherheadinacknowledgment.ColonelLennoxpro-ceeded—

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"IamawareofthesacrificeitmustbetosuchasMissDouglas,todevotehertimeandtalentstothecomfortingoftheblindanddesolate;andIcannotexpress—shecannotconceive—thegratitude—there-spect—theadmiration,withwhichmyheartisfilledatsuchproofsofnobledisinterest-ed benevolenceonherpart."

HadMaryraisedhereyestothosethatvainlysoughttomeether's,shewouldtherehavereadall,andmorethanhadbeenex-pressed ;butshecouldonlythink,"hehasbeenentreatedtolove!"andatthathu-miliating idea,shebentherheadstilllowertohidethecolourthatdyedhercheektoanalmostpainfuldegree,whileasenseofsuffocationatherthroatpreventedherdis-claiming, asshewishedtodo,themeritofanysacrifice.SomesketchesofLochmar-lielayuponatable,atwhichshehadbeendrawifigthedaybefore;theyhadeverbeeiipreciousinhersighttillnow;buttheyonlyexcitedfeelingsofmortification,as

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sherecollectedhavingtakenthemfromherportefeuille,atMrs.Lennox'srequesttoshewtoherson.

*'ThiswaspartoftheparadebywhichIwastowinhim,"thoughtshewithbit-terness;andscarcelyconsciousofwhatshedid,shecrushedthemtogether,andthrewthemintothefire.Thenhastilyadvan-cing toMrs.Lennox,shetriedtobidherfarewell;but,asshethoughtitwasforthelasttime,tearsoftendernessaswellaspridestoodinhereyes.

"Godblessyou,mydearchild!wsaidtheunsuspectingMrs.Lennox,assheheldherinherarms."AndGodwillblessyouinhisway—thoughhiswaysarenotasourways.Icannoturgeyoutoreturntothisdrearyabode.Butoh,MaryIthinksome-times inyourgaiety,thatwhenyoudocome,youbringgladnesstoamournfulheart,andlighteneyesthatneverseethesun!"

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Mary,toomuchaffectedtoreply,couldonlywringthehandofhervenerablefriend,asshetoreherselffromherembrace,andfollowedLadyEmilytothecarriage.Forsometimetheyproceededinsilence.Ma-ry dreadedtoencounterhercousin'seyes,Whichshewasawarewerefixeduponherwithmorethantheirusualscrutiny.Shethereforekepther'ssteadilyemployedinsurveyingthewell-knownobjectstheroadpresented.AtlengthherLadyshipbeganinagravetone.

"YouappeartohavehadverystormyweatheratRoseHall?"

"Verymuchso,"repliedMary,withoutknowingverywellwhatshesaid.

"Andwehavehadnothingbutcalmsandsun-shineatBeechPark.Isnotthatstrange?"

"Verysingularindeed."

"Ileftthebarometerveryhigh—notquiteatsettledcalm—-thatwouldbetoo

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much;butIfinditverylowindeed—ab-solutely belownothing."

Marynowdidlookupinsomesurprise;butshehastilywithdrewfromtheintoler-able expressionofhercousin'seyes.

"DearLadyEmily!"criedshe,inade-precating tone.

«Well—whatmore?Youcan'tsupposeI'mtoputupwithhearingmyownname;I'veheardthatfiftytimesto-dayalreadyfromLadyJuliana'sparrot—come,yourfacespeaksvolumes.Ireadadeclarationofloveinthecolourofyourcheeks;—are-fusal intheheightofyournose—andasortofgeneralagitationinthequiverofyourlip—andthedereglemento£yourhair.Nowforyourpulse—akettlehasty,asDr.Red-gillwouldsay;butletyourtonguedeclaretherest."

Marywouldfainhaveconcealedthecauseofherdistressfromeveryhumanbeing,asshefeltasifdegradedstilllowerbyrepeat-

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ingittoanother;andsheremainedsilent,strugglingwithheremotions.

"'Ponmyhonour,Mary,youreallydousegreatlibertieswithmypatienceandgoodnature.Iappealtoyourself,whetherImightnotjustaswellhavebeenreadingoneofTully'sorationstoamuleallthiswhile.Come,youmustreallymakehastetotellyourtale,forIamdyingtodisclosemine.OrshallIbegin?No—thatwouldbeinvertingtheorderofnatureorcustom,whichisthesamething—beginningwiththefarce,andendingwiththetragedy—socommencesaucommencement,m'amie"

Thusurged,Maryatlength,andwithmuchhesitation,relatedtohercousinthehumiliationshehadexperienced."Andafterall,"saidshe,assheended,"IamafraidIbehavedverylikeafool—andyetwhatcouldIdo?Inmysituation,whatwouldyouhavedone?"

"Done!why,Ishouldhavetakentheoldwomanbytheshoulder,andcriedBoh!

VOL.IILe

IT'

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inherear.Andsothisisthemightymat-ter! YouhappentooverhearMrs.Lennox,goodoldsoul!recommendingyouasawifetoherson—Whatcouldbemorenatural?ex-cept hisrefusingtofallheadinearsinlovebeforehehadtimetopullhisbootsoff.Andthentohaveawiferecommendedtohim!andallyourperfectionssetforth,asifyouhadbeenalaundrymaid:anearlyriser,neatworker,regularattentionuponchurch!Ugh!—Imustsay,Ithinkhisconductquitemeritorious.1couldalmostfindinmyhearttofallinlovewithhimmyself,wereitfornootherreasonthanbecauseheisnotsuchaTommyGoodchildastobeinloveathismamma'sbidding—thatis,lov-ing hismotherashedoes—forIseehecouldcutoffahand,orpluckoutaneye,topleaseher,thoughhecan'torwon'tgiveherhisheartandsoultodisposeofasshethinksproper/'

"Youquitemisunderstandme,"saidMary,withincreasingvexation."Idid

MARRIAGE.7<5

notmeantosayanythingagainstColonelLennox.Ididnotwish—Ineveroncethoughtwhetherhelikedmeornot."

"Thatsaysverylittleforyou:Youmusthaveaverybadtasteifyoucaremoreforthemother'slikingthantheson's.Thenwhatvexesyousomuch?Isitathavingmadethediscovery,thatyourgoodoldfriendisa—a—Ibegyourpardon—abitofagoose?Well,nevermind—sinceyoudon'tcarefortheman,there'snomischiefdone.Youhaveonlytochangethedra-matis personce.FancythatyouoverheardmerecommendingyoutoDr.Redgillforyourskillincookery—you'donlyhavelaughedatthat—sowhyshouldyouweepatt'other.However,onethingImusttellyou,whetheritaddstoyourgriefornot,IdidremarkthatCharlesLennoxlookedverylover-liketowardsyou;and,indeed,thissentimentalpassionhehasputyouin,becomesyouexcessively.Ireallynever

76MARRIAGE.

sawyoulooksohandsomebefore—ithasgivenanenergyandesprittoyourcoun-tenance, whichistheonlythingitwants.Youareverymuchobligedtohim,wereitonlyforhavingkindledsuchafireinyoureyes,andraisedsuchacarnationinyourcheek.Itwouldhavebeenlongbe-fore goodlarmoyanteMrs.Lennoxwouldhavedoneasmuchforyou.Ishouldn'twonderwerehetofallinlovewithyouaf-ter all."

LadyEmilylittlethoughthownearshewastothetruthwhenshetalkedinthisran-dom way.ColonelLennoxsawthewoundhehadinnocentlyinflictedonMary'sfeel-ings, andawarmersentimentthananyhehadhithertoexperiencedhadsprungupinhisheart.Formerly,hehadmerelylook-ed uponherasanamiablesweet-temperedgirl;butwhenhesawherrousedtoasenseofherowndignity,andmarkedthestrugglebetwixttenderaffectionandoffendeddeli-

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cacyyheformedahigherestimateofhercharacter,andasparkwaskindledthatwantedbutopportunitytoblazeintoaflame,pureandbrightastheshrineonwhichitburned.Suchisthewayward-ness andcapriceofeventhebestaffectionsofthehumanbreast.

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CHAPTERV.

.11"C'estamoidechoisirmongendre;Toi,tc-1qu'ilest,c'estatoideleprendre;Devousaimer,sivouspouveztousdeux,Etd'obeiratoutcequejeveux."

L'EnfantProdigue.

"Andnow,"saidLadyEmily,"thatIhavelistenedtoyourstory,whichafterallisreallyaverypooraffair,doyoulistentomine.Theheroineinbothisthesame,buttheherodiffersbysomedegrees.Know,then,astheladiesinnovelssay,thatthedaywhichsawyoudepartfromBeech

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Parkwasthedaydestinedtodecideyourfate,anddashyourhopes,ifeveryouhadany,ofbecomingDuchessofAltamont.TheDukearrived,Iknow,fortheexpresspurposeofbeingenamouredofyou;but,alas!youwerenot.AndtherewasAde-laide sosweet—sogracious—sobeautiful—thepoorgullwascaught,andisnow,Ireallybelieve,asmuchinloveasitisinthenatureofastupidmantobe.Imustownshehasplayedherpartadmirably,andhasmademoreuseofhertimethanI,withallmyrapidity,couldhavethoughtpossible.Infact,theDukeisnowallbutherdeclaredlover,andthatmerelystandsuponapointofpunctilio."

"ButLordLindore!"exclaimedMary,inastonishment.

"Why,thatpartofthestoryiswhatI

don'tquitecomprehend.SometimesIthink

itisastrugglewithAdelaide.Lindore,

~A~~motivating,ononehand;

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hisGrace,rich,stupid,magnificent,ontheother.AsforLindore,heseemstostandquitealoof.Formerly,youknow,hene-ver usedtostirfromherside,ornoticeanyoneelse.Nowhescarcelynoticesher,atleast,inpresenceoftheDuke.Sometimesheaffectstolookunhappy,butIbelieveitismereaffectation.IdoubtifheeverthoughtseriouslyofAdelaide,orindeedanybodyelse,thathecouldhaveinastraightforwardAllyCrokersortofaway—butsomethingtoomuchofthis.Whileallthishasbeengoingoninonecorner,therecomesregularlyeverydayMr.WilliamDowneWright,lookingverymuchasifhehadlosthisshoe-string,orpockethandkerchief,andhadcometheretolookforit.Ihadsomesuspicionofthenatureoftheloss,butwashopefulhewouldhavethesensetokeepittohimself.Nosuchthing:heyesterdaystumbledupon

LadyJulianaallalone,and,intheweakest

n,-,.„^unmruiiermatthe

ofhisweakmoment*

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losshehadsustainedwasnolessthanthelossofthatpreciousjewelhisheart;andthattheobjectofhissearchwasnootherthanthatofMissMaryDouglastoreplaceit!Heevencarriedhisbetisesofarastore-quest herpermission,orherinfluence,or,inshort,somethingthatherLadyshipneverwasaskedforbyanymortalintheirsensesbeforetoaidhiminhispursuit.Youknowhowitdelightshertobedressedinalittlebriefauthority;soyoumaycon-ceive hertransportsatseeingthesceptreofpowerthusplacedinherhands.Intheheatofherpride,shemakesthematterknowntothewholehousehold.Redgills,cooks,stable-boys,scullions,allarequiteaufaittoyourmarriagewithMr.DowneWright;soIhopeyou'llallowthatitwasabouttimeyoushouldbemadeacquaintedwithityourself.Butwhysopaleandfrightened-looking?"

PoorMarywas,indeed,shockedathercousin'sintelligence.Withthehigh-

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estfeelingsoffilialreverence,shefoundherselfperpetuallycalledupon,eithertosa-crifice herownprinciples,ortoactindirectoppositiontohermother'swill;and,uponthisoccasion,shesawnothingbutendlessaltercationawaitingher:forherheartre-volted fromtheindelicacyofsuchmeasures,andshecouldnotforamomentbrooktheideaofbeingbestowedinmarriage.Butshehadlittletimeforreflection.TheywerenowatBeechPark;and,asshealighted,aservantinformedher,LadyJu-liana wishedtoseeherinherdressingroomimmediately.Thithersherepairedwithabeatingheartandagitatedstep.Shewasreceivedwithgreaterkindnessthanshehadeveryetexperiencedfromhermother.

"Comein,mydear,"criedshe,assheextendedtwofingerstoher,andslightlytouchedhercheek."Youlookverywellthismorning—muchbetterthanusual.Yourcomplexionismuchimproved.Atthe§ametime,youmustbesensiblehow

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fewgirlsaremarriedmerelyfortheirlooks—thatis,marriedwell—unless,tobesure,theirbeautyissomethingamerveilleuse—suchasyoursister'sforinstance.Iassureyou,itisanextraordinarypieceofgoodfor-tune inamerelyprettygirltomakewhatisvulgarlycalledagoodmatch.Iknow,atleast,twentyreallyveryniceyoungwo-men atthismomentwhocannotgetthem-selves established."

Marywassilent;andhermother,de-lighted atherowngoodsense,andjudici-ous observations,wenton—

"Thatbeingthecase,youmayjudgehowverycomfortableImustfeelathavingmanagedtoprocureforyouamostexces-sive goodestablishment—justtheverythingIhavelongwished,asIhavefeltquiteatalossaboutyouoflate,mydear.Whenyoursistermarries,Ishall,ofcourse,re-side withher;and,asIconsideryourlia-sonwiththoseScotchpeopleascomplete-

&4tMARRIAGE.

lyatanend,Ihavereallybeenquitewretch-ed astowhatwastobecomeofyou.Ican'ttellyou,therefore,howexcessivelyrelievedIwaswhenMr.DowneWrightyesterdayaskedmypermissiontoaddressyou.Ofcourse,Icouldnothesitateaninstant;soyouwillmeethimatdinnerasyouraccepted.Bythebye,yourhairisratherblown.IshallsendFanchontodressitforyou.Youhavereallygotveryprettyhair;IwonderIneverremarkeditbefore.Oh!andMrs.DowneWrightistowaituponmeto-morrow,Ithink;andthen,Ibelieve,wemustreturnthevi-sit. Thereisasortofetiquette,youknow,inallthesematters:thatisthemostun-pleasant partofit;butwhenthatisover,youwillhavenothingtothinkofbutor-dering yourthings."

Forafewminutes,Marywastoomuchconfoundedbyhermother'srapiditytore-ply. Shehadexpectedtobeurgedtoac-

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ceptofMr.DowneWright;buttobetoldthatwasactuallydoneiorherwasmorethanshewaspreparedfor.Atlengthshefoundvoicetosay,thatMr.DowneWrightwasalmostastrangertoher,andshemustthereforebeexcusedfromreceivinghisad-dresses atpresent.

"Howexcessivelychildish!"exclaimedLadyJuliana,angrily."Iwon'thearofanythingsoperfectlyfoolish.Youknow(or,atanyrate,Ido,)allthatisnecessarytoknow.Iknowthatheisamanoffa-mily andfortune,heirtoatitle,uncom-monly handsome,andremarkablysensibleandwell-informed.Ican'tconceivewhatmoreyouwouldwishtoknow1"

"Iwouldwishtoknowsomethingofhischaracter—hisprinciples—hishabits—tem-per, talents—inshort,allthosethingsonwhichmyhappinesswoulddepend."

"Characterandprinciples!—onewouldsupposeyouweretalkingofyourfootman!

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Mr.DowneWright'scharacterisperfectlygood.Ineverheardanythingagainstit.Astowhatyoucallhisprinciples,Imustprofessmyignorance.Ireallycan'ttellwhetherheisaMethodist;butIknowheisagentleman—hasalargefortune—isve-ry good-looking—andisnotatalldissipa-ted, Ibelieve.Inshort,youaremostex-cessively fortunateinmeetingwithsuchaman."

"ButIhavenottheslightestpartialityforhim,"saidMary,colouring."Itcan-not beexpectedthatIshould,whenIhavenotbeenhalfadozentimesinhiscompa-ny. ImustbeallowedsometimebeforeIcanconsenteventoconsider—"

"Idon'tmeanthatyouaretomarryto-morrow. Itmayprobablybesixweeks,ortwomonths,beforeeverythingcanbear-ranged."

Marysawshemustspeakboldly.

"ButImustbeallowedmuchlonger

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timebeforeIcanconsidermyselfassuffi-ciently acquaintedwithMr.DowneWright,tothinkofhimatallinthatlight.Andeventhen—hemaybeveryamiable,andyet"—hesitating—"ImaynotbeabletolovehimasIought."

"Love!"exclaimedLadyJuliana,hereyessparklingwithanger;"IdesireImayneverhearthatwordagainfromanydaughterofmine.IamdeterminedIshallhavenodisgracefullove-marriagesinthefamily.Nowelleducatedyoungwomaneverthinksofsuchathingnow,andIwon'thearasyllableonthesubject."

"Ishallnevermarryanybody,Iamsure,thatyoudisapproveof,"saidMary,timidly.

"No;Ishalltakecareofthat.Icon-sider itthedutyofparentstoestablishtheirchildrenproperlyintheworld,withoutanyregardtotheirideasonthesubject.Ithink,Imustberatherabetterjudgeof

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thematterthanyoucanpossiblybe,andIshallthereforemakeapointofyourform-ing whatIconsideraproperalliance.Yoursister,Iknow,won'thesitatetosacrificeherownaffectionstopleaseme.ShewasmostexcessivelyattachedtoLordLindore—everybodyknewthat;butsheisconvinc-ed oftheproprietyofpreferringtheDukeofAltamont,andwon'thesitateinsacrifi-cing herownfeelingstomine.But,in-deed, shehaseverbeenallthatIcouldwish—soperfectlybeautiful,and,atthesametime,soexcessivelyaffectionateandobedient.SheapprovesentirelyofyourmarriagewithMr.DowneWright,as,in-deed, allyourfriendsdo.Idon'tincludeyourfriendLadyEmilyinthatnumber.Ilookuponherasamostimpropercompa-nion foryou;andthesooneryouarese-parated fromherthebetter.Sonowsoodbyeforthepresent:Youhaveonlytobe-have asotheryoungladiesdouponthose

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occasions,which,bythebye,isgenerallytogiveasmuchtroubletotheirfriendsastheypossiblycan."

Therearesomepeoplewho,furiousthem-selves atopposition,cannotunderstandthepossibilityofothersbeingequallyfirmanddecidedinagentlemanner.LadyJulianawasoneofthosewhoalwaysexpecttocar-ry theirpointbyaraisedvoiceandspark-ling eyes;anditwaswithdifficultyMary,withhertimidair,andgentleaccents,couldconvinceherthatshewasdeterminedtojudgeforherselfinamatterinwhichherhappinesswassodeeplyinvolved.Whenatlastbroughttocomprehendit,herLa-dyship's indignationknewnobounds;andMarywasaccusedinthesamebreathwithhavingformedsomelowconnectioninScot-land, andofseekingtosupplanthersister,byaspiringtotheDukeofAltamont.And,

atlength,theconferenceendedprettymuch.....~v&<*u—xjdujruunauaresolved

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CHAPTERVI.

"Qu'onvanteenluilafoi,l'honneur,laprobite;Qu'oiiprisesacandeuretsacivilite;Qu'ilsoitdoux,complaisant,officieux,sincere:Onleveut,j'ysouscris,etsuispxetametaire.

Boileau.

WHENMaryenteredthedrawing-room,shefoundherself,withoutknowinghow,bythesideofMr.DowneWright.Atdinneritwasthesame;and,inshort,itseemedanunderstoodthing,thattheyweretobeconstantlytogether.

Therewassomethingsogentleandun-assuming inhismanner,that,almostprovok-

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edasshewasbythefollyofhisproceedings,shefounditimpossibletoresentitbyherbe-haviour towardshim;and,indeed,withoutbeingguiltyofactualrudeness,ofwhichshewasincapable,itwouldnothavebeeneasytohavemadehimcomprehendthena-ture ofhersentiments.Heappearedper-fectly satisfiedwiththetolerationhemetwith;and,comparedtoAdelaide'sdisdain-ful glances,andLadyEmily'sbitingsar-casms, Mary'sgentlenessandcivilitymightwellbemistakenforencouragement.Butevenundertheexhilaratinginfluenceofhopeandhighspirits,hisconversationwassoin-sipid andcommon-place,thatMaryfounditarelieftoturneventoDr.Redgill.ItwasevidenttheDoctorwasawareofwhatwasgoingon,forheregardedherwiththatin-creased respectduetothefuturemistressofasplendidestablishment.Betweenthecourseshemadesomecomplimentaryallu-sions tumgnianamuttonandreddeer;andheevencarriedhisattentionssofara*

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towhisper,attheveryfirstmouthful,thatlescutellettesdesaumonweresuperb,whenhehadneverbeenknowntocommendanythingtoanother,untilhehadfullydis-cussed ithimself.OntheoppositesideofthetablesatAdelaideandtheDukeofAl-tamont,thelatterlookingstillmoreheavyandinanimatethanever.Theoperationofeatingover,heseemedunabletokeephim-self awake,andeverynowandthenyield-ed toagentleslumber,fromwhich,how-ever, hewasinstantlyrecalledatthesoundofAdelaide'svoice,whenheexclaimed,"Ah!charming—verycharming,ah!"—LadyEmilylookedfromthemasshehum-med somepartofDryden'sOde—

"AloftinawfulstateThegodlikeherosate,&c.ThelovelyThaisbyhisside,Look'dlikeabloomingeasternbride."

Then,ashisGraceclosedhiseyes,andhisheadsunkonhisshoulder—

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"Withravish'dearsThemonarchhears,Assumesthegod,Affectstonod."

LadyJuliana,whowouldhavebeenhighlyincensed,hadshesuspectedtheapplicationofthewords,wassounconsciousofit,astojoinoccasionallyinsingingthem,toMa-ry's greatconfusion,andAdelaide'smani-fest displeasure.

Whentheyreturnedtothedrawing-room,"Heavens!Adelaide,"exclaimedhercou-sin, inanaffectedmanner,"whatareyoumadeof?Semeleherselfwasbutamerecinder-wenchtoyou!HowcanyoustandsuchaJupiter—andnotscorched!notevensinged,IprotestI"pretendingtoexamineherallover."Ivow,Itrembledatyourtemerity—yourfamiliaritywiththeimperialnodwasfearful.Ieveryinstantexpectedtoseeyouturnedintoalivecoal."

MARRIAGE.Q5

"Ididburn,"saidAdelaide,"withshame,toseethemistressofahouseforgetwhatwasduetoherfather'sguests.'''

"There'saslaponthecheekforme!Mercy!howitburns!—No,Ididnotfor-get whatwasduetomyfather'sguests;onthecontrary,Iconsideritduetothemtosavethem,ifIcan,fromthesnaresthatIseesetforthem.IhavetoldyouthatIabhoralltraps,whetherforthepoorsimplemousethatcomestostealitsbitofcheese,orforthedullelderlygentlemanwhofallsasleepwithastaronhisbreast."

"Thisisoneofthemanykindandpo-lite allusionsforwhichIamindebtedtoyourLadyship,"saidAdelaide,haughtily;"butItrustthedaywillcomewhenIIshallbeabletodischargewhatIoweyou."

Andshequittedtheroom,followedbyLadyJuliana,whocouldonlymakeoutthatLadyEmilyhadbeeninsolent,and

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thatAdelaidewasoffended.ApausefoUlowed.

"IseeyouthinkIaminthewrong,Mary;Icanreadthatinthelittlereproach-ful glanceyougavemejustnow.Well,perhapsIam;butIownitchafesmyspi-rit tositandlookonsuchasceneofini-quity—Yes,iniquityIcallit,forawomantobeinlovewithoneman,andatthesametimelayingsnaresforanother.Youmaythink,perhaps,thatAdelaidehasnohearttoloveanything;butshehasaheart,suchasitis,thoughitismuchtoofineforeverydayuse,andthereforeitiskeptlock-ed upinamarblecasket,quiteoutofreachofyouorI.ButI'mmistakenifFrederichasnotmadehimselfmasterofit!NotthatIshouldblameherforthat,ifshewouldbehonestlyanddownrightlyinlovewithhim.Buthowdespicabletoseeher,withheraffectionsplacedupononeman,atthesametimelavishingallheratten-

MARRIAGE.QJ

tionsonanother—andthatother,ifhehadbeenplainJohnAltamont,Esq.shewouldnothavebeencommonlycivilto!And,aproposofcivility—Imusttellyou,ifyoumeantorefuseyourhero,youweretoocivilbyhalftohim.Iobservedyouatdinner,yousatperfectlystraight,andan-swered everythinghesaidtoyou."

"WhatcouldIdo?"askedMary,insomesurprise.

"IIItellyouwhatIwouldhavedone,andhavethoughtthemosthonourablemodeofproceeding;Ishouldhaveturnedmybackuponim,andhavemerelythrownhimamonosyllablenowandthenovermyshoulder."

"Icouldnotbelessthanciviltohim,andIamsureIwasnotmore."

"Civilityistoomuchforamanonemeanstorefuse.You'llnevergetridofastupidmanbycivility.WheneverIhadanyreasontoapprehendalover,Ithoughtitmydutytoturnshortuponhimandgive

VOL.III.f

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himasnarlattheouts'et,whichridmeofhimatonce.ButIreallybegintothinkImanagethesemattersbetterthananybodyelse—'WhereIlove,Iprofessit:whereIhate,ineverycircumstanceIdareproclaimit.'"

Marytriedtodefendhersister,inthefirstplace;butthoughhercharitywouldnotallowhertocensure,herconsciencewhisperedtherewasmuchtocondemn;andshewasrelievedfromwhatshefeltadiffi-cult task,whenthegentlemenbegantodropin.

Inspiteofallhermanoeuvres,Mr.DowneWrightcontrivedtobenexther,andwhen-ever shechangedherseat,shewassureofhisfollowingher.Shehadalsothemorti-fication ofoverhearingLadyJulianatelltheDuke,thatMr.DowneWrightwastheacceptedloverofheryoungestdaughter—thathewasamanoflargefortune—andheirtohisuncle,LordGlenallan!

"Ah!anephewofmyLordGenallan's!

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Indeed—aprettyyoungman—likethefa-roily!—PoorLordGlenallan!Iknewhimverywell:Hehashadthepalsysincethen,poorman—ah!"

ThefollowingdayMarywascompelledtoreceiveMrs.DowneWright'svisit;butshewasscarcelyconsciousofwhatpassed,forColonelLennoxarrivedatthesametime;anditwasequallyevidentthathisvisitwasalsointendedforher.Shefeltthatsheoughttoappearunconcernedinhispresence,andshetriedtobeso;butstillthepainfulideawouldrecur,thathehadbeensolicitedtoloveher,and,unskill-ed intheartsofeveninnocentdeception,shecouldonlytrytohidetheagitationun-der thecoldnessofhermanner.

"Come,Mary,"criedLadyEmily,asifinanswertosomethingColonelLennoxhadaddressedtoherinalowvoice,"doyourememberthepromiseImadeColonelLennox,andwhichitrestswithyoutoper-form ?"

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"Ineverconsidermyselfboundtoper-form thepromisesofothers,"repliedMary,gravely.

"Insomecasesthatmaybeaprudentresolution,but,inthepresent,itissure-ly anunfriendlyone,"saidColonelLen-nox.

"Amostinhumanone!"criedLadyEmi-ly, "sinceyouandI,itseems,cannotcom-mence ourfriendshipwithoutsomethingsentimentaltosetusagoing.Itrestswithyou,Mary,tobethefounderofourfriend-ship ;andifyoumanagethematterwell,thatis,singinyourbestmanner,weshallperhapsmakeitatriplealliance,andad-mit youasthird."

"Aseverymanissaidtobetheartificerofhisownfortune,soeveryone,Ithink,hadbestbetheartificeroftheirownfriend-ship," saidMary,tryingtosmile,asshepulledherembroideryframetowardsher,andbegantowork.

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"Neithercanbetheworseofagoodfriendtohelpthemon,"observedMrs.DowneWright.

"Butbothmaybemateriallyinjuredbyaninjudiciousone,"saidColonelLennox;"andalthough,onthisoccasion,Iamthegreatestsuffererbyit,ImustacknowledgethetruthofMissDouglas'observation:Friendshipandlove,Ibelieve,willalwaysbefoundtothrivebestwhenlefttothem-selves."

"Andsoendsmynovel,elegant,andori-ginal plan,forstrikingupasuddenfriend-ship," criedLadyEmily."Pray,Mr.DowneWright,canyousuggestanythingbetterforthepurposethananoldsong?"

Mr.DowneWright,whowasnotatallgiventosuggesting,lookedalittleembar-rassed.

"Pullthebell,William,forthecarriage,"saidhismother;"wemustnowbemov-ing." Andwithageneralobeisancetothecompany,andasignificantpressureofthe

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handtoMary,shewithdrewhersonfromhisdilemma.Althoughashrewd,penetra-ting woman,shedidnotpossessthattactanddelicacynecessarytocomprehendthefinerfeelingsofamindsuperiortoherown;andinMary'savertedlooksandconstrain-ed manner,shesawnothingbutwhatshethoughtquiteproperandnaturalinhersi-tuation. "AsforLadyEmily,"sheob-served, "therewouldbenewsofherandthatfinedashinglookingColonelyet,andMissAdelaidewould,perhaps,comedownapinbeforelong."

SoonafterColonelLennoxtookhisleave,inspiteofLadyEmily'spressinginvitationforhimtospendthedaythere,andmeetherbrother,whohadbeenabsentforsomedays,butwasnowexpectedhome.Hepro-mised toreturnagainsoon,anddepart-ed.

"HowprodigiouslyhandsomeColonelLennoxlookedto-day,"saidshe,address-ing Mary;"andhowperfectlyunconscious,

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atleastindifferent,heseemsaboutit.Itisquiterefreshingtoseeahandsomemanthatisneitherafoolnoracoxcomb."

"Handsome!no,Idon'tthinkheisveryhandsome,"saidLadyJuliana:"Ratherdark,don'tyouthink,mylove?"turningtoAdelaide,whosatapartatatablewrit-ing, andhadscarcelydeignedtoliftherheadallthetime.

"Whodoyoumean?Themanwhohasjustgoneout?IshisnameLennox?—Yes}heisratherhandsome."

"Ibelieveyouareright;hecertainlyisgoodlooking,butinapeculiarstyle.Idon'tquiteliketheexpressionofhiseye,andhewantsthatairdistingue,which,in-deed, belongsexclusivelytopersonsofbirth."

"Hehasperfectlytheairofamanoffashion,"saidAdelaide,inadecidedtone,asifashamedtoagreewithhermother."Perhapsunpenmilitaire,butnothingatallprofessional."

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"Lennox!—itisaScotchname,"obser-ved LadyJulianacontemptuously.

"And,tocutthemattershort,"saidLa-dy Emily,asshewasquittingtheroom,"themanwhohasjustgoneoutisColo-nel Lennox,andnottheDukeofAlta*mont."

Afterafewmoreawkward,indefinitesortofvisits,inwhichMaryfounditim-possible tocometoanexplanation,shewasrelieved,forthepresent,fromtheassidui-ties ofherlover.LadyJulianareceivedanotefromMrs.DowneWright,apologi-zing forwhatshetermedherson'sunfor-tunate absenceatsuchacriticaltime;buthehadreceivedaccountsofthealarmingillnessofhisuncleLordGlenallan,andhad,inconsequence,setoffinstantlyforScot-land, whereshewaspreparingtofollow;concludingwithparticularregardstoMissMary—hopesofbeingsoonabletoresumetheirpleasantfootinginthefamily,&c.

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"Howexcessivelywellarrangeditwillbethatoldman'sdyingatthistime,"saidherLadyship,asshetossedthenotetoherdaughter;"LordGlenallanwillsoundsomuchbetterthanMr.DowneWright.ThenameIhavealwaysconsideredastheonlyobjectionablepart:Youarereallymostpro-digiously fortunate."

Marywasnowawareofthefollyoftalk-ing reasontohermother,andremainedsi-lent ;thankfulforthepresentpeacethiseventwouldensureher,andalmosttempt-ed towishthatLordGlenallan'sdoommightnotspeedilybedecided.

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CHAPTERVII.

"Itseemsitisaspropertoourage,Tocastbeyondourselvesinouropinions,AsitiscommonfortheyoungersortTolackdiscretion."

Hamlet.

LordLindoreandColonelLennoxhadbeenboyishacquaintances,andasortofsuperficialintimacywassoonestablishedbetweenthem,whichservedastheosten-sible causeofhisfrequentvisitsatBeechPark.ButtoMary,whowasmorealivetothedifferenceoftheircharactersandsentimentsthananyothermemberofthe

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family,thisappearedveryimprobable,andshecouldnothelpsuspecting1,thatloveforthesister,ratherthanfriendshipforthebrother,wastherealmotivebywhichhewasactuated.Inahalfjesting-mannershementionedhersuspicionstoLadyEmi-ly, whotreatedtheideawithherusualri-dicule.

"Ireallycouldnothavesupposedyousoextremelymissy-ish,Mary,"saidshe,"astoimagine,thatbecausetwopeoplelikeeachother'ssociety,andtalk,andlaughtogetheralittlemorethanusual,thattheymustneedsbeinlove!IbelieveCharlesLennoxlovesmemuchthesameashedidelevenyearsago,whenIwasalittlewretch*thatusedtopullhishair,andspoilhiswatch.Andasforme,youknowthatIconsidermyselfquiteasanoldwoman—atleastasamarriedone;andheisperfectlyaufaittomyengagementwithEdward.Ihaveevenshewnhimhispicture,andsomeofhisletters."

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Marylookedincredulous.

"Youmaythinkasyouplease,butItellyouitisso.Inmysituation,IshouldscorntohaveColonelLennox,oranybodyelse,inlovewithme.Astohislikingtotalktome,praywhoelsecanhetalkto?Adelaidewouldsometimescondescendin-deed ;buthewon'tbecondescendedto,that'sclear,notevenbyaDuchess.Withwhatmockhumilityhemeetsherairs!howIadorehimforit!Thenyouaresuchapil-lar ofice!—soshyandunsociablewhenheispresent!—and,bythebye,ifIdidnotde-spise recriminationasthepisallerofallconsciousMisses,Iwouldsayyouaremuchmoretheobjectofhisattention,atleast,thanIam.SeveraltimesIhavecaughthimlookingveryearnestlyatyou,when,bythelawsofgoodbreeding,hiseyesoughttohavebeenfixedexclusivelyuponme;and—"

"Pshaw!"interrupted^Mary,colouring,"thatismereabsence—nothingtothepur-

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pose—orperhaps,"forcingasmile,"hemaybetryingtoloveme!"

Marythoughtofherpooroldfriend,asshesaidthis,withbitternessofheart.Itwaslongsinceshehadseenher;andwhenshehadlastinquiredforher,hersonhadsaidhedidnotthinkherwell,withalookMarycouldnotmisunderstand.ShehadheardhimmakeanappointmentwithLordLindoreforthefollowingday,andshetookthe.opportunityofhiscertainabsencetovisithismother.Mrs.Lennox,indeed,lookedill,andseemedmorethanusuallydepressed.ShewelcomedMarywithherusualtenderness,butevenherpresenceseemedtofailofinspiringherwithglad-ness.

Maryfoundshewastotallyunsuspiciousofthecauseofherestrangement,andim-puted ittoaverydifferentone.

"Youhavebeenagreatstranger,mydear!"saidshe,assheaffectionatelyem-

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bracedher;"butatsuchatimeIcouldnotexpectyoutothinkofme."

"Indeed,"answeredMary,equallyun-conscious ofhermeaning,"Ihavethoughtmuchandoften,veryoften,uponyou,andwishedIcouldhavecometoyou;but—"shestoppedforshecouldnottellthetruth,andwouldnotutterafalsehood.

"Iunderstanditall,"saidMrs.Len-nox, withasigh."Well—well—God'swillbedone!"Thentryingtobemorecheer-ful, "Hadyoucomealittlesooner,youwouldhavemetCharles.HeisjustgoneoutwithLordLindore.Hewasunwillingtoleaveme,ashealwaysis,andwhenhedoes.Tbelieveitisasmuchtopleasemeashimself.Ah!Mary,IoncehopedthatImighthavelivedtoseeyouthehappywifeofthebestofsons,Imayspeakoutnow,sincethatisallover.Godhaswill-ed otherwise,andmayyouberewardedinthechoiceyouhavemade!"

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MarywasstruckwithconsternationtofindthathersupposedengagementwithMr.DowneWright,hadspreadeventoRoseHall;andinthegreatestconfusionsheattemptedtodenyit.Butaftertheac-knowledgment shehadjustheard,sheac-quitted herselfawkwardly;forshefeltasifanopenexplanationwouldonlyservetorevivehopesthatnevercouldberealized,andsubjectColonelLennoxandherselftofutureperplexities.NothingbutthewholetruthwouldhavesufficedtoundeceiveMrs.Lennox,forshehadhadtheintelligenceofMary'sengagementfromMrs.DowneWrightherself,who,forbettersecurityofwhatshealreadyconsideredherson'spro-perty, hadtakencaretospreadthereportofhisbeingtheacceptedloverbeforesheleftthecountry.Maryfeltalltheunplea-santness ofhersituation.Althoughdetest-ing deceitandartificeofeverykind,herconfusedandstammeringdenialsseemedrathertocorroboratethefact;butshefelt

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thatshecouldnotdeclareherresolutionofneverbestowingherhanduponMr.DowneWright,withoutseemingatthesametime,tocourttheaddressesofColonelLennox.Thenhowpainful—howunjusttoherself,aswellascrueltohim,tohaveitforanin-stant believed,thatshewasthebetrothedofonewhosewifeshewasresolvedshene-ver wouldbe!

Inshort,poorMary'smindwasacom-plete chaos;and,forthefirsttimeinherlife,shefounditimpossibletodeterminewhichwastherightcourseforhertopur-sue. Eveninthemidstofherdistress,however,shecouldnothelpsmilingatthenaiveteofthegoodoldlady'sremarks.

"Heisahandsomeyoungman,Ihear,1'saidshe,stillinallusiontoMr.DowneWright:"hasafinefortune,andaneasytemper.Allthesethingshelppeople'shappiness,thoughtheycannotmakeit;andhischoiceofyou,mydearMary,shewsthathehassomesense."

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"Whataneulogium!"saidMary,laugh-ing andblushing."Werehereallytomewhatyousuppose,Imustbehighlyflat-tered ;butImustagainassureyou,itisnotusingMr.DowneWrightwelltotalkofhimasanythingtome.Mymother,indeed"

"Ah!Mary,mydear,letmeadviseyoutobewareofbeingled,evenbyamother,insuchamatterasthis.GodforbidthatIshouldeverrecommenddisobedienceto-wards aparent'swill;butIfearyouhaveyieldedtoomuchtoyour's.Isaid,indeed,whenIheardit,thatIfearedundueinflu-ence hadbeenused;forthatIcouldnotthinkWilliamDowneWrightwouldeverhavebeenthechoiceofyourheart.Sure-ly parentshavemuchtoanswerfor,whomisleadtheirchildreninsuchanawfulstepasmarriage!"

ThisAvastheseverestcensureMaryhadeverhearddropfromMrs.Lennox'slips;andshecouldnotbutmarvelattheself-

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delusionthatledherthustocondemninanothertheveryerrorshehadcommittedherself;butundersuchdifferentcircum-stances, thatshewouldnoteasilyhavead-mitted ittobethesame.Shesoughtforthehappinessofherson,whileLadyJuli-ana, shewasconvinced,wishedonlyherownaggrandizement.

"Yes,indeed,"saidMary,inanswertoherfriend'sobservation,"parentsought,ifpossible,toavoidevenformingwishesfortheirchildren.Heartsarewaywardthings,eventhebestofthem:"Thenmoreserious-ly sheadded,"anddearMrs.Lennox,donoteitherblamemymothernorpityme;forbeassured,withmyheartonlywillIgivemyhand;orrather,Ishouldsay,withmyhandonlywillIgivemyheart:Andnowgoodbye,"criedshe,startingupandhurryingaway,assheheardColonelLennox'svoiceinthehall.

Shemethimonthestair,andwouldhavepassedonwithaslightremark,butheturn-

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cdwithher,andfindingshehaddismissedthecarriage,intendingtowalkhome,herequestedpermissiontoattendher.Marydeclined;but,snatchinguphishat,andwhistlinghisdogs,hesetoutwithherinspiteofherremonstrancestothecontrary.

"Ifyoupersistinrefusingmyattend-ance," saidhe,"youwillinflictanincura-ble wounduponmyvanity.Ishallsuspectyouareashamedofbeingseeninsuchcom-pany. Tobesure,myself,withmyshabbyjacket,andmyspattereddogs,doformra-ther aruffian-likeescort;andIshouldnothavedaredtohaveofferedmyservicestoafinelady—butyouarenotafinelady,Iknow;"andhegentlydrewherarmwith-in hisastheybegantoascendahill.

ThiswasthefirsttimeMaryhadfoundherselfalonewithColonelLennox,sincethatfataldaywhichseemedtohavedivid-ed themforever.Atfirstshefeltuneasyandembarrassed,buttherewassomuchgoodsenseandgoodfeelinginthetoneof

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hisconversation;itwassofarremovedei-ther frompedantryorfrivolity,thatalldis-agreeable ideassoongavewaytotheplea-sure shehadinconversingwithonewhoseturnofmindseemedsosimilartoherown;anditwasnottillshehadpartedfromhimatthegateofBeechPark,shehadtimetowonder,howshecouldpossiblyhavewalk-ed twomilesiete-d-tetewithamanwhomshehadheardsolicitedtoloveher!

FromthatdayColonelLennox'svisitsinsensiblyincreasedinlengthandnumher;butLadyEmilyseemedtoappropriatethementirelytoherself;andcertainlyalltheflowofhisconversation,thebrilliancyofhiswit,weredirectedtoher;butMarycouldnotbutbeconsciousthathislooksweremuchoftenerrivettedonherself,andifhisattentionswerenotsuchastoattractgeneralobservation,theyweresuchasshecouldnotfailofperceivingandbeingun-consciously gratifiedby.

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"HowIadmireCharlesLennox'sman-ner toyou,Mary,"saidhercousin,"aftertheawkwarddilemmayouwerebothin.Itwasnoeasymattertoknowhowtopro-ceed; avulgar-mindedmanwouldeitherhaveoppressedyouwithhisattentions,orinsultedyoubyhisneglect,whilehesteerssogracefullyfreefromeitherextreme;andIobserve,youaretheonlywomanuponwhomhedesignstobestowlespetitssoins.HowIdespiseamanwhoiseveronthewatchtopickupeverysillyMiss'sfanorglove,thatshethinksitprettytodrop!No—thewomanheloves,whetherhismo-ther orhiswife,willalwaysbedistinguish-ed byhim,weresheamongstqueensandempresses;notbyhissillyvanityorvulgarfondness,butbyhismarkedandgentle-manlike attentionstowardsher.Inshort,thebestthingyoucando,istomakeupyourquarrelwithhim—takehimforallinall—youwon'tmeetwithsuchanother—■certainlynotamongstyourHighlandLairds,

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byallthatIcanlearn;and,bythebye,Idosuspect,heisnow,asyousay,tryingtoloveyou;andlethim—youwillbeverywellrepaidifhesucceeds."

Mary'sheartswelledatthethoughtsofsubmittingtosuchanindignity,especiallyasshewasbeginningtofeelconsciousthatColonelLennoxwasnotquitetheobjectofindifferencetoherthatheoughttobe;buthercousin'sremarksonlyservedtoren-der hermoredistantandreservedtohimthanever.

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CHAPTERVIII.

"Whatdangersought'stthounottodread,

WhenLove,that'sblind,isbyblindFortuneled?"

Cowley.

Atlengththelong-lookedfordayarrived.TheDukeofAltamont'sproposalsweremadeindueform,andindueformaccept-ed. LadyJulianaseemednowtouchingthepinnacleofearthlyjoy;for,nexttobe-ing greatlymarriedherself,herhappinesscenteredinseeingherdaughterattheheadofasplendidestablishment.Againvisionsofblisshoveredaroundher,and"Peers,andDukes,andalltheirsweepingtrain/'

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swambeforehereyes,assheanticipatedthebrilliantresultstoherselffromsonobleanalliance;forselfwasstill,asithadeverbeen,herrulingstar,andheraffectionforherdaughterwasthemereresultofvanityandambition.

Theensuingweekswerepassedinallthebustleofpreparationsnecessarilyattendantonthenuptialsofthegreat.Everymorn-ing broughtfromTown,dresses,jewels,patterns,andpackagesofalldescriptions.LadyJulianawasinecstasies,eventhoughitwasbuthappinessinthesecondperson.Marywatchedhersister'slookswiththemostpainfulsolicitude;forfromherlipssheknewsheneverwouldlearnthesenti-ments ofherheart.ButAdelaidewasawareshehadaparttoact,andshewentthroughitwithaneaseandself-possessionthatseemedtodefyallscrutiny.Onceortwice,indeed,herdeepeningcolouranddarkeningbrow,betrayedthefeelingsofherheart,astheDukeofAltamontand

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LordLindorewerebroughtintocompari-son; andMaryshudderedtothinkthathersisterwasevennowashamedofthemanwhomshewassosoontovowtolove,ho-nour, andobey.ShehadvainlytriedtoleadAdelaidetothesubject.Adelaidewouldlistentonothingwhichshehadreasontosupposewasaddressedtoherself;butei-ther withcoolcontempttookupabook,orlefttheroom,or,withinsolentaffectation,wouldputherhandstoherhead,exclaim-ing, "mesoreillesrfetoientpasfaitespourlesentretiensserieux."AllMary'sworstfearswereconfirmedafewdaysbeforethatfixedforthemarriage.Assheenteredthemusic-room,shewasstartledtofindLordLindoreandAdelaidealone.Unwillingtosupposethatherpresencewouldbeconsideredasaninterruption,sheseatedherselfatalittledistancefromthem,andwassoonengrossedbyhertask.Adelaide,too,hadtheairofbeingdeeplyintentuponsometriflingemployment;andLordLin-

VOL.III.G

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dore,ashesatoppositetoher,withhisheadrestinguponhishands,hadtheap-pearance ofbeingengagedinreading.Allweresilentforsometime;butasMaryhap-pened tolookup,shesawLordLindore'seyesfixedearnestlyuponhersister,andwithavoiceofrepressedfeelingherepeat-ed, "Ah!jelesens,maJulie!si'lfalloitrenonceravous,ilrCyauroitpluspourmoid'autresejournid'autresaisonfandthrow-ing downthebook,hequittedtheroom.Adelaide,paleandagitated,roseasiftofollowhim;then,recollectingherself,sherushedfromtheapartmentbyanoppositedoor.Maryfollowed,vainlyhopingthat,inthismomentofexcitedfeeling,shemightbeinducedtoopenherhearttothevoiceofaffection—butAdelaidewasastrangertosympathy,andsawonlythedegradationofconfessingthestrugglesheenduredinchoosingbetwixtloveandambition.ThatherheartwasLordLindore's,shecouldnotconcealfromherself,thoughshewould

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notconfessittoanother;andthatother,thetenderestofsisters,whoseonlywishwastoserveher.Mary'stearsandentrea-ties werethereforeinvain,andatAde-laide's repeateddesire,sheatlengthquit-ted her,andreturnedtotheroomshehadleft.

ShefoundLadyEmilytherewithapa-per inherhand."Lendmeyourears,Mary,"criedshe,"whileIreadtheselinestoyou.Don'tbeafraid,therearenosecretsinthem,oratleastnonethatyouorIwillbeawhitthewiserfor,astheyaretrulyinamostmysticstrain.Ifoundthemlyinguponthistable,andtheyareinFrederick'shand-writing,forIseeheaf-fects thesoupirantatpresent;anditseemstherehasbeenasortofasentimentalfarceactedbetweenAdelaideandhim.Hepre-tends, thatalthoughdistractedlyinlovewithher,heisnotsoselfishaseventowishhertomarryhiminpreferencetotheDukeofAltamont;andAdelaide,nottobeout-

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doneinheroics,hasalsomadeitout,thatitistheheightofvirtueinhertoespousetheDukeofAltamont,andsacrificeallthetenderestaffectionsofherhearttoduty!—Duty!yes,thedutyofbeingaDuchess,andoflivinginstateandsplendourwiththemanshesecretlydespises,totheplea-sure ofrenouncingbothforthemansheloves;andsotheyhaveparted,andhere,Isuppose,isLindore'slucubrationsuponit,intendedasasouvenirforAdelaide,Ipre-sume. Now,nightvisionsbefriendme!

Thetimereturnswheno'ermywilder'dmind,Athraldomcamewhichdideachsenseenshroud;NotthatIbowedinwillingchainconfined,Butthatasoften'datmosphereofcloudVeiledeverysense—conceaTdth'impendingdoom.'Twasmysticnight,andIseem'dbornealongBypleasingdread—andinadoubtfulgloom,Wherefragrantincenseandthesoundofsong,Andallfairthingswedreamof,floatedby,Lullingmyfancylikeacradledchild,Tillthatthedearandguilelesstreachery,

MademethewretchIam—golost,sowild

Amingledfeeling,neitherjoyorgrief,Dweltinmyheart—Iknewnotwhenceitcame,And—butthatwoeisme!'twaspassingbrief,EvenatthishourIfainwouldfeelthesame!

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Itrack'dapathofflowers—butflowersamongWerehissingserpentsanddrearbirdsofnight,Thatshotacrossandscaredwithbodingcries;Andyetdeepinterestlurkedinthataffright,Somethingendearinginthosemysteries,Whichbademestillthedesperatejoypursue,Heedlessofwhatmightcome—whenfrommineeyesThecloudshouldpass,orwhatmightthenaccrue.Thecloudhaspassed—theblissfulpowerisflown,Theflowersarewither'd—wither'dallthescene.Butah!thedeardelusionsIhaveknown,Arepresentstill,withlovedthoughalteredmein:1treadtheself-samepathinheartunchanged;Butchangednowisallthatpathtome,Forwhere'mongflowersandfountainsonceIranged,Arebarrenrocksandsavagescenery!

Maryfeltitwasinvaintoattempttowinhersister'sconfidence,andshewastoodelicatetoseektowresthersecretsfromher;shethereforetooknonoticeofthiseffusionofloveanddisappointment,whichsheconcludedittobe.

Adelaideappearedatdinnerasusual.Alltracesofagitationhadvanished;andhermannerwasascoolandcollected,asifallhadbeenpeaceandtranquillityatheart.LordLindore'sdeparturewasslightlyno-ticed. Itwasgenerallyunderstood,that

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hehadbeenrejectedbyhiscousin;andhisabsenceatsuchatimewasthoughtper-fectly natural.TheDukemerelyremark-ing-, withavacantsimper,"SoLordLin-doreisgone—Ah!poorLordLindore."

LadyJulianahad,inaveryearlystageofthebusiness,fixedinherownmind,thatshe,asamatterofcourse,wouldbeinvit-ed toaccompanyherdaughteruponhermarriage;indeed,shehadalwayslookeduponitasasortoftriplealliance,thatwastouniteherasindissolublytothefortunesoftheDukeofAltamont,asthoughshehadbeenhisweddedwife.Butthetimedrewnear,andinspiteofallherhintsandmanoeuvres,noinvitationhadyetbeenex-torted fromAdelaide.TheDukehadpro-posed tohertoinvitehersister,andevenexpressedsomethinglikeawishtothatef-fect ;forthoughhefeltnopositivepleasureinMary'ssociety,hewasyetconsciousofavoidinherabsence.—Shewasalwaysingoodhumour—alwaysgentleandpolite—

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and,withoutbeingabletotellwhy,hisGracealwaysfeltmoreateasewithherthanwithanybodyelse.Buthisselfishbrideseemedtothinkthatthejoysofherelevationwouldbediminished,ifsharedevenbyherownsister,andshecoldlyre-jected theproposal.LadyJulianawasnextsuggested—fortheDukehadasortofvagueunderstandingthathissafetylayinamultitude.Withhim,aswithallstupidpeople,companywassociety,wordswereconversation—andallthegradationsofin-tellect, fromSirIsaacNewton,downtoDr.Redgill,weretohimunknown.Butalthough,aswithmostweakpeople,ob-stinacy washisforte,hewashereagaincompelledtoyieldtothewillofhisbride,asshealsodeclinedthecompanyofhermotherforthepresent.Thedisappoint-ment wassomewhatsoftenedtoLadyJu-liana, bythesortofindefinitehopesthatwereexpressedbyherdaughterofseeingiierintownwhentheywerefairlyesta-

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blished;butuntilshehadseenAltamontHouse,andknewitsaccommodations,shecouldfixnothing;andLadyJulianawasfaintosolaceherselfwiththisdimper-spective, insteadofthebrilliantrealityherimaginationhadplacedwithinhergrasp.Shefelt,too,withoutcomprehending,theimperfectnessofallearthlyfelicity.Asshewitnessedthemagnificentpreparationsforherdaughter'smarriage,itrecalledthebitterremembranceofherown—andmanyasighburstfromherheartasshethought,"SuchasAdelaideis,Imighthavebeen,hadIbeenblestwithsuchamother,andbroughtuptoknowwhatwasformygood!"

Thediewascast—Amidstpompandmag-nificence, elatewithpride,andsparklingwithjewels,AdelaideDouglasreversedthefateofhermother;andwhileheraffec-tions werebestowedonanother,shevowed,inthefaceofheaven,tobelongonlytotheDukeofAltamont!

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"Goodbye,mydearestlove!"saidhermother,assheembracedherwithtrans-port, "andIshallbewithyouverysoon;and,aboveallthings,trytosecureagoodopera-boxfortheseason.Iassureyouitisofthegreatestconsequence."

TheDuchessimpatientlyhurriedfromthecongratulationsofherfamily,andthrowingherselfintothesplendidequi-page thatawaitedher,wassoonlosttotheirview.

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CHAPTERIX.

"Everywhitewillhaveitsblack,Andeverysweetitssour:"

AsLadyJulianaexperienced.Herdaugh-ter wasDuchessofAltamont,butGrizzyDouglashadarrivedinBath!—Theintel-ligence wascommunicatedtoMaryinaletter.Ithadnodate,butwasasfol-lows:

"MYDEARMARY,

"YouwillSeefromtheDateofthis,thatweareatlastArrivedhere,af-ter averylongjourney,which,youofCourseKnowitisfromthistoourPartof

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thecountry;atthesameTime,itwasun-commonly Pleasant,andweallenjoyeditveryMuch,onlypoorSirSampsonwassoillthatweExpectedhimtoExpireeveryminute,whichwouldhavemadeitEx-tremely unpleasantfordearLadyMac-Laughlan.Heisnow,IamHappytosay,greatlyBetter,thoughstillsoPoorly,thatIammuchAfraidyouwillseeaveryConsiderablechangeuponhim.Isincere-ly hope,mydearMary,thatyouwillmakeaproperApologytoLadyJulianaformynotgoingtoBeechPark(whereIknowIwouldbemademostWelcome)directly—butlamCertainshewillAgreewithmethatitwouldbeHighlyImproperinmetoleaveLadyM'LaughlanwhensheisnotatallSurehowlongSirSampsonmayLive;anditwouldAppearveryOddifIwastobeoutofthewayatsuchatimeasThat.ButyoumayAssureher,withmyKindlove,andindeedallourLoves(asIamsureNoneofuscaneverforgetthePleasant

132MARRIAGE.

timeshespentwithusatGlenferninmyPoorbrother'slifetime,beforeyouwasBorn)thatIwillTaketheveryfirstOp-portunity ofSpendingsometimeatBeechParkbeforeleavingBath,asweExpecttheWaterswillsetSirSampsonquiteonhisFeetagain.ItwillbeahappyMeet-ing, Iamcertain,withLadyJulianaandallofus,asitisEighteenyearsthisspringsincewehaveMet.YoumaybesureIhaveagreatDealtotellyouandLadyJulianatoo,aboutallFriendsatGlenfern,whomIleftallquiteWell.Ofcourse,theReportofBella'sandBetsy'smarriagesMusthavereachedBathbythistime,asitwillbethreeWeekstodaysinceweleftourpartofthecountry;butincaseithasnotreachedyou,LadyM'LaughlanisofopinionthattheSooneryouaremadeAc-quainted withittheBetter,especiallyasthereisnodoubtofit.Bella'smarriage,whichisinamannerfixedbythistime,Idaresay,thoughofCourseitwillnottake

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placeforsometime,istoCapt.M'NabofsomeRegiment,butI'msureIForgetwhich,fortherearesomanyRegiments,youknow,itisImpossibletorememberthemAll;butheisquiteaHero,Iknowthat,ashehasbeeninSeveralbattles,andhadTwoofhisfrontteethKnockedoutatoneofthem,andwasMuchcomplimentedaboutit;andheSays,heisquiteCertainofgettingGreatpromotion—atanyRateapensionforit,sothereisnoFearofhim.

"Betsyhas,ifPossible,beenstillMorefortunatethanherSister,althoughyouknowBellawasalwaysreckonedtheBeautyoftheFamily,thoughsomePeoplecertain-ly preferredBetsy'sLookstoo.ShehasmadeaCompleteconquestofMajorM'Ta-vish,oftheMilitia,who,Independentofhisrank,whichiscertainlyveryHigh,hasalsodistinguishedhimselfveryMuch,andshewedtheGreatestbraveryoncewhentherewasaVeryseriousRiotaboutthe

134MARRIAGE.

raisingthePotatoesapennyapeck,whentherewasnoOccasionforit,inthetownofDunoon;anditwasverymuchtalkedofattheTime,aswellasBeinginalltheNewspapers.ThisgivesusalltheGreat-est Pleasure,asIamcertainitwillalsoDoLadyJuliana,andyou,mydearMary.Atthesametime,weFeelverymuchforpoorBabby,andBeenie,andBecky,astheyNaturally,andindeedallofus,Ex-pected theywould,ofCourse,bemarriedfirst;anditiscertainlyagreatTrialforthemtoSeetheiryoungersistersmarriedbeforethem.AtthesameTime,theyareWonderfullysupported,andBehavewithAstonishingfirmness;andITrust,mydearMary,youwilldotheSame,asIhavenoDoubtyouwillAllbemarriedyet,asIamsureyouRichlydeserveitwhenitComes.IhopeIwillseeyouVerysoon,asLadyM'Laughlan,Iamcertain,willMakeyoumostWelcometocall.WearelivinginMostelegantLodgings-^allthe

MARRIAGE.135

FurnitureisquiteNew,andperfectly-Good.IdonotknowtheNameofthestreetyet,asLadyM'Laughlan,whichisnowonder,isnotfondofbeingAskedquestionswhensheisUponaJourney;and,indeed,makesaPointofneverAns-wering any,which,Idaresay,istheBestway.But,ofCourse,anybodywillTellyouwhereSirSampsonMaclaughlan,Ba-ronet, ofLochmarlieCastle,Perthshire,N.B.,lives;and,ifYouareatanyLoss,ithasaGreendoor,andamostElegantBalcony.Imustnowbidyouadieu,mydearMary,asIAmsosoontoSeeyour-self. SirSampsonandLadyM'LaughlanunitewithMeinBestcomplimentstotheFamilyatBeechPark.And,inkindlovetoLadyJulianaandyou,Iremain,MydearMary,yourmostaffectionateAunt,

"GrizzelDouglas.

"P.S.Ihavealongletterforyou,fromMrs.Douglas,whichisinmyTrunk,thatisComingbythePerthCarrier,and

136MARRIAGE.

unlessheisstoppedbytheSnow,IExpecthewillbehereintendays."

WiththeideaofGrizzywasassociatedinMary'smindallthedearfamiliarob-jects ofherhappiestdays,andhereyessparkledwithdelightatthethoughtsofagainbeholdingher.

"Oh!whenmayIgotoBathtodearauntGrizzy?"exclaimedshe,asshefinish-ed theletter.LadyJulianalookedpetrified.Thenrecollectingthatthiswasthefirstin-timation hermotherhadreceivedofsuchaneventbeingevenincontemplation,shemadehastetoexculpateherauntatherownex-pense, byinformingherofthetruth.Butnothingcouldbemoreunpalatablethanthetruth;andpoorMary'sshort-livedjoywassoonturnedintothebitterestsorrowatthereproachesthatwereshowereduponherbytheincensedLadyJuliana.ButforherthesepeopleneverwouldhavethoughtofcomingtoBath;oriftheydid,sheshouldhavehadnoconnectionwiththem.

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Shehadbeenmostexcessivelyill-usedby-Mr.Douglas'family,andhadlongsinceresolvedtohavenofartherintercoursewiththem—theywerenothingtoher,&c.&c.—Thewholeconcludingwithapositivepro-hibition againstMary'stakinganynoticeofheraunt.

"Fromallthathasbeensaid,Mary,"saidLadyEmily,gravely,"therecanbenodoubtbutthatyouaretheoriginofLadyJuliana'sunfortunateconnectionwiththefamilyofDouglas."

"Undoubtedly,"saidherLadyship.

"Butforyou,itappearsthatshewouldnothaveknown—certainlyneverwouldhaveacknowledged—thatherhusbandhadanaunt?"

"Certainlynot,"saidLadyJulianawarm-

iy-

"Itisamostadmirableplan,"continuedLadyEmily,inthesamemanner,"andIshallcertainlyadoptit.WhenIhavechil-dren Iamdeterminedtheyshallbeanswer-able formymakingafoolishmarriage;

188MARRIAGE.

anditshallbetheirfaultifmyhusbandhasamother.—Enattendant,Iamdeter-mined topatronizeElward'srelationstothelastdegree;andtherefore,unlessMa-ry ispermittedtovisitherauntasoftenasshepleases,Ishallmakeapointofbring-ingthedearauntGrizzyhere.Yes,(put-ting herhandtothebell,)Ishallordermycarriagethisinstant,andsetoff.To-mor-row,youknow,wegiveagranddinnerinhonourofAdelaide'smarriage.AuntGriz-zy shallbequeenofthefeast."

LadyJulianawasalmostsuffocatedwithpassion;butsheknewherniecetoowelltodoubtherputtingherthreatinexecu-tion, andtherewasdistractionintheideaofthevulgarobscureGrizzyDouglasbet-ing presentedtoafashionablepartyasheraunt.Afteraviolentaltercation,inwhichMarytooknopart,anungraciouspermissionwasatlengthextorted,whichMaryeagerlyavailedherselfof;and,charg-ed withkindmessagesfromLadyEmily,

MARRIAGE.139

setoffinquestofauntGrizzy,andthegreendoor.

Aftermuchtrouble,andmanyunsuc-cessful attacksupongreendoorsandbal-conies, shewasgoingtogiveupthesearchindespair,whenhereyewasattractedbythefigureofauntGrizzyherselfatfulllength,stationedatawindow,inanold-fashionedriding-habit,andspectacles.Thecarriagewasstopped;andinaninstantMarywasinthearmsofheraunt,allagi-tation, asLochmarlieflashedonherfancy,atagainhearingitsnativeaccentsutteredbythevoicefamiliartoherfrominfancy.Yetthetruthmustbeowned.Mary'stastewassomewhatstartled,evenwhileherheartwarmedatthesightofthegoodoldaunt.Associationandaffectionstillretainedtheirmagicinfluenceoverher;butabsencehaddispelledtheblestillusionsofhabitualintercourse;and,forthefirsttime,shebeheldherauntfreedfromitssofteningspell.Stillherheartclungto

140MARRIAGE.

herastooneknownandlovedfrominfan-cy ;andshesoonrosesuperiortotheweak-ness shefeltwasbesettingher,intheslightsensationofshameasshecontrastedherawkwardmanneranduncouthaccentwiththegracefulrefinementofthosewithwhomsheassociated.

Fardifferentwerethesensationswithwhichthegoodspinsterregardedherniece.Shecouldnotoftenenoughdeclareherad-miration oftheimprovementsthathadta-ken place.Marywasgrowntaller,andstouter,andfairer,andfatter,andherbackwasasstraightasanarrow,andhercar-riage wouldevensurpriseMissM'Gowkherself.Itwasquiteastonishingtoseeher,forshehadalwaysunderstoodScot-land wastheplaceforbeauty,andthatnobodyevercametoanythinginEngland.EvenSirSampsonandLadyMaclaughlanwereforgotasshestoodrivettedinadmi-ration, andMarywasthefirsttorecalherrecollectiontothem.SirSampson,indeed,

MARRIAGE.141

mightwellhavebeenoverlookedbyamoreaccurateobserver;for,asGrizzyobserved,hewaswornawaytonothing,andthelit-tle thatremainedseemedasifitmighthavegonetoowithoutbeinganyloss.Hewasnowdeaf,paralytic,andchildish,andtheonlysymptomoflifeheshewedwasanincreasedrestlessnessandpeevishness.Hisladysatbyhimcalmlypursuingherwork,and,withoutrelaxingfromit,merelyheldupherfacetosaluteMaryassheapproach-ed her.

"So,I'mgladyouarenoworsethanyouwas,dearchild,"surveyingherfromheadtofoot;"that'smorethanwecansay.Youseethesepoorcreatures,"point-ing toSirSampsonandauntGrizzy:"Theyaremuchaboutitnow.Well,weknowwhatweare,butGodknowswhatweshallbe—humph!"

SirSampsonshewednosignsofrecogniz-ing her,butseemedpleasedwhenGrizzyresumedherstationbesidehim;and,be-

112MARRIAGE.

gan,forthefivehundredthtime,totellhimwhyhewasnotinLochmarlieCastle,andwhyhewasinBath.

Marynowsaw,thattherearesituationsinwhichaweakcapacityhasitsuses,andthatthemostfoolishchatmaysometimesimpartgreaterpleasurethanallthewisdomoftheschools,evenwhenproceedingfromabenevolentheart.

SirSampsonandGrizzyweresomuchuponaparinintellect,thattheywerere-ciprocally happyineachother.ThisthestrongsenseofLadyMaclaughlanhadlongperceived,andwastheprincipalrea-son ofherselectingsoweakawomanashercompanion;though,atthesametime,injusticetoherLadyship'sheart,aswellashead,shehadthatpartialityforherfriend,forwhichnootherreasoncanbeassignedthanthatgivenbyMontaigne:"Jel'amaisparcequec'etoitelle,parcequec'etoitmoi."

114MARBIAGK,

CHAPTERX.

•'Thissortofpersonisskilledtoassumetheappearanceofallvirtues,andallgoodqualities;buttheirfavouritemaskisuniver-sal benevolence.Andthereasonwhytheypreferthisdisguisetoallothers,is,thatittendstoconcealitsopposite,whichis,indeed,theirtruecharacter—anuniversalselfishness,"

Knox'sEssay*.

Although,onherreturn,Maryreadhermother'sdispleasureinherlooks,andwasgrievedatagainhavingincurredit,sheyetfeltitadutytowardsherfathertoperse-vere inherattentionstohisaunt.Shewasold,poor,andunknown—plaininherperson—weakinherintellects—vulgarin

MARRIAGE.145

hermanners;butshewasrelatedtoherbytiesmorebindingthanthelawsoffashion,ortherulesoftaste.Eventhesedisadvan-tages, which,toaworldlymind,wouldhaveservedasexcusesforneglectingher,toMa-ry's generousnature,weresomanyincen-tives totreatherwithkindnessandatten-tion. Faithfultoherpromise,therefore,sherepairedtoMilsomStreet,andfoundherauntallimpatienceforherarrival,withthelettersofirmlygraspedinbothhands,thatsheseemedalmostafraidtotrustanyonewithaglanceatthedirection.

"Thisletter,Mary,"saidshe,whentheywereseatedinthecarriage,"willbeagreatthingforme,andespeciallyforyou.IgotitfromMrs.Menzies,throughMrs.M'Drone,whosefriend,Mrs.Campbell'shalf-sister,MissGrant,isagreatfriendofMrs.Fox's,andshesays,sheisamostcharmingwoman.OfcoursesheisnofriendtothegreatFox;or,youknow,itwouldhavebeenveryoddinme,withSirSamp-

VOL.III.h

146MARRIAGE.

son'sprinciples,andmypoorbrother'sprin-ciples, andallourownprinciples,tohavevisitedher.Butshe'squiteofadiffer-ent familyofFoxes:she'saFoxofPeck-well,itseems—amostamiablewoman,very-rich,andprodigiouslycharitable.Iamsurewehavebeenmostfortunateingettingalettertosuchawoman."And,withthisheartfeltejaculation,theyfoundthemselvesatMrs.Fox's.

Everythingcorrespondedwiththeac-count ofthislady'swealthandconse-quence ;thehousewasspacious,andhand-somely furnished,withitsdueproportionofliveryservants;andtheywereusheredintoasitting-room,whichwasfilledwithallthewondersofnatureandart,—Indianshells—inlaidcabinets—ivoryboxes—stuff-ed birds—oldchina—Chinesemandarins—stooddisclosedinalltheircharms.Theladyofthismansionwasseatedatata-ble coveredwithworksofadifferentde-scription :itexhibitedthevariousartsofwo-

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man,inregulargradation,fromthepaint-ed card-rackandgildedfire-screen,tothehumblethread-paperandshirt-button.Mrs.Foxwasafine,fashionablelookingwoman,withasmoothskin,andstillsmootherad-dress. Shereceivedhervisitorswiththatoverstrainedcomplaisance,which,toMary'snicertact,atoncediscoveredthatallwashollow;butpoorMissGrizzywasscarcelyseated,beforeshewasalreadytransfixedwithadmirationatMrs.Fox'spoliteness,andfeltasifherwholelifewouldbetooshorttorepaysuchkindness.Complimentsover—theweather,&cc.discussed,Mrs.Foxbegan:

"Youmustbesurprised,ladies,toseemeinthemidstofsuchalitter,butyoufindmebusyarrangingtheworksofsomepoorprotegesofmine.Amostunfortunatefami-ly !—Ihavegiventhemwhatlittleinstruc-tion Icouldintheselittlefemaleworks;andyousee,"puttingagaudywork-basketintoGrizzy'shands,"itisastonishingwhat

IISMARRIAGE.

progresstheyhavemade.Myfriendshavebeenmostliberalintheirpurchasesofthesetrifles,butIownIamawretchedbeggar:Theyareinbadhandswhentheyareinmine,poorsouls!Thefactis,Icangive,butIcannotbeg.Itellthem,theyreallymustfindsomebodyelsetodisposeoftheirlittlelabours—somebodywhohasmoreofwhatIcallthegiftofbegging,thanIamblestwith."

TearsofadmirationstoodinGrizzy'seye—herhandwasinherpocket.ShelookedtoMary,butMary'shandsandeyesbetrayednocorrespondingemotions;shefeltonlydisgustatthemeannessandinde-licacy ofthemistressofsuchamansionle-vying contributionsfromthestrangerwith-in herdoor.

Mrs.Foxproceeded:"Thatmostbe-nevolent woman,MissGull,washerethismorning,andboughtnolessthansevenofthesesweetlittlepin-cushions.Iwouldfainhavedissuadedherfromtakingso

MARRIAGE.119

many—itreallyseemedsuchastretchofvirtue;butshesaid,'MydearMrs.Fox,howcanonepossiblyspendtheirmoneybetterthanindoingagoodaction,andatthesametimeenrichingthemselves."

Grizzy'spursewasinherhand."Ide-clare that'sverytrue.Ineverthoughtofthatbefore;andI'mcertainLadyMac-laughlanwillsaytheverysame;andI'msureshewillbedelighted—I'venodoubtofthat—totakeapin-cushion;andeachofmysisters,I'mcertain,willtakeone,thoughwehaveallplentyofpin-cushions;andI'lltakeonetomyself,thoughIhavethree,I'msure,thatI'veneverusedyeL"

"MydearMissDouglas,youreallyare,Icouldalmostsay,toogood.Twoandtwo'sfour,andone'sfive—fivehalfcrowns!Mypoorproteges■'youwillreallybethema-king oftheirfortune!"

Grizzy,withtremblinghands,andafaceflushedwithconscious^virtue,drewforththemoneyfromherlittlehoard.

h'S

150MARRIAGE.

ButMrs.Foxdidnotquitherpreysoeasily"Ifanyofyourfriendsareinwantofshirtbuttons,MissDouglas,Iwouldfainrecommendthosetothem.TheyaremadebyapoorwomaninwhomItakesomein-terest, andarefarsuperiortoanythataretohehadfromtheshops.Theyaremadefromtheverybestmaterials.Indeed,Itakecareofthat,as(inamodestwhis-per) Ifurnishherwiththematerialsmy-self; butthegeneralityofthoseyougettopurchasearemadefromoldmaterials.I'veascertainedthat,andit'safactyoumay-relyupon."

PoorGrizzy'shairstoodonend,tohearofsuchdepravityinaspherewhereshehadneverevensuspectedit;but,fortheho-nour ofhercountry,sheflatteredherselfsuchpracticeswerethereunknown;andshewasenteringuponawarmvindicationoftheintegrityofScotchshirt-buttons,whenMrs.Foxcoollyobserved:

MARRIAGE.151

"Indeed,ourfriendMissGrantwassoconsciousofthegreatsuperiorityofthesebuttonsoveranyothers,thatshebespokethirty-sixdozenofthemtotaketoScot-land withher.Infact,theyaretherealgoodoldfashionedshirt-buttons,suchasIhaveheardmymothertalkof;andforallthat,Imakeapointofmypoorwomansellingthemapennyadozenbelowtheshopprice;sothat,intakingtwelvedozen,whichisthecommonquantity,thereisashillingsavedatonce."

Grizzyfeltasifshewouldbethesavingofthefamilybythepurchaseoftheseincomparableshirt-buttons,and,puttingdownherfiveshillings,becamethehappypossessoroftwelvedozenofthem.

Freshexpressionsofgratitudeandadmi-ration ensued,tillGrizzy'sbrainbegantowhirl,evenmorerapidlythanusual,atthethoughtofthedeedsshehaddone.

"Andnow,"saidMrs.Fox,observinghereyesinafinefrenzyrollingfromherlapful

152MARRIAGE.

ofpincushionsandshirt-buttons,toaman-darin nearlyaslargeaslife,"perhaps,mydearMissDouglas,youwilldomethefa-vour totakealookofmylittlecollection.""Favour!"thoughtGrizzy;"whatpo-liteness !"andsheprotestedtherewasno-thing shelikedsomuchastolookateverything,andthatitwouldbethegreatestfa-vour toshewheranything.Themanda-rin wasmadetoshakehishead—amusicalsnuff-boxplayeditspart—andavarietyofotherexpensivetoyswerealsoexhibited.

Mary'sdisgustincreased."Andthiswo-man," thoughtshe,"professestobecha-ritable amidstallthisdisplayofselfishex-travagance. Probablythepriceofoneofthesecostlybaubleswouldhaveprovidedforthewholeofthesepoorpeople,forwhomsheaffectssomuchcompassion,withoutsubjectinghertothemeannessofturningherhouseintoabeggar'srepository."Andshewalkedawaytotheotherendofthe

MARRIAGE.153

room,toexaminesomefinescripturalpaint-ings.

"Here,"saidMrs.Foxtohervictim,assheunlockedasuperbcabinet,"iswhatIvaluemorethanmywholecollectionputtogether:ItismyspecimensofScotchpeb-bles ;andIowethemsolelytothegenero-sity andgoodwillofmyScotchfriends.Iassureyou,thatisaproudreflectiontome.IamaperfectenthusiastinScotchpebbles,and,Imaysay,inScotchpeople.Infact,IamanenthusiastinwhateverIaminterestedin;andatpresent,Imustown,myheartissetuponmakingacom-plete collectionofScotchpebbles."

Grizzybegantofeelasortoftightnessatherthroat,atwhichwasaffixedaveryfinepebblebroochpertainingtoNicky,butlenttoGrizzy,toenablehertomakeamoredistinguishedfigureinthegayworld."Oh!"thoughtshe,"whatapitythisbroochisNicky's,andnotmine;Iwould

154MARRfASE.

havegivenittothischarmingMrs.Fox.Indeed,Idon'tseehowIcanbeoffgivingittoher,evenalthoughitisNicky's."

"And,bythebye,"exclaimedMrs.Fox,asifsuddenlystruckwiththesightofthebrooch,"thatseemsaveryfinestoneofyour's.IwonderIdidnotobserveitsoon.er;but,indeed,pebblesarethrownawayindress.MayIbeganearerviewofit?"

Grizzy'sbrainwasnowallonfire.Ontheonehand,therewasthegloryofpre-senting thebroochtosuchapolite,chari-table, charmingwoman;ontheother,therewasthefearofNicky'sindignation:ButthenitwasquitethrownawayuponNicky—shehadnocabinet,andMrs.Foxhaddeclaredthatpebbleswerequitelostanywherebutincabinets,anditwasathou-sand pitiesthatNicky'sbroachshouldbelost.AllthesethoughtsGrizzyrevolvedwithherusualclearness,assheunclaspedthebrooch,andgaveitintothehandofthecollector.

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«Blessme,mydearMissDouglas,thisisreallyaveryfinestone!Ihadnocon-ception ofitwhenIsawitstickinginyourthroat.Itlooksquiteadifferentthinginthehand:ItisaspeciesIamreallynotacquaintedwith.Ihavenothingatallsi-milar toitinmypoorcollection.Pray,canyoutellmethenameofit,andwhereitisfound,thatImayatleastendeavourtoprocureapieceofit."

"I'msure,IwishtogoodnessinysisterNickywashere—I'mcertainshewould—though,tobesure,shehasagreatregardforit;foritwasfoundontheGlenfernestate,theverydaymygrandfatherwonhispleaagainstDrimsydie;andwealwayscalledittheluckystonefromthat."

"Theluckystone!whatadelightfulnameSIshallneverthinkmyselfinlucktillIcanprocureapieceofyourluckystone.Iprotest,IcouldalmostgotoScot-land onpurpose.Oh,youdearluckystone!"kissingitwithrapture.

156MARRIAGE.

"I'msure—I'malmostcertain—indeedI'mconvinced,ifmysisterNickywashere,

shewouldbedelightedtoofferItwould

certainlybedoingmysisterNickythegreatestfavour,sinceyouthinkitwouldbeseentosomuchgreateradvantageinyourcabinet,which,formyownpart,Ihavenottheleastdoubtof,ascertainlymysisterNickyveryseldomwearsitforfearoflosingit,anditwouldbeathou-sand pitiesifitwaslost;and,tobesure,itwillbemuchsaferlockedup—nobodycandisputethat—soIamsureitsbyfarthebestthingmysisterNickycando—forcertainlyapebblebroochisquitelostasabrooch."

"MydearMissDouglas!Iamreallyquiteashamed!Thisisaperfectrobbery,Iprotest!ButImustinsistuponyourac-cepting somelittletokenofmyregardforMissNickyinreturn."Goingtohercha-rity-table, andreturningwithasetofpaint-ed threadpapers,"Imustrequestthefa-

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vourofyoutopresentthesetoMissNicky,withmykindregards,andassureherIshallconsiderherluckystoneasthemostpre-cious jewelinmypossession."

Thewholeofthisscenehadbeenper-formed withsuchrapidity,thatpoorGriz-zywasnotpreparedforthesuddenme-tamorphose ofNicky'spebblebroochintoasetofpaintedthreadpapers,andsomevaguealarmsbegantofloatthroughher

brain.

Marynowadvanced,quiteunconscious

ofwhathadbeengoingon;andhavingwhisperedheraunttotakeleave,theyde-parted. Theyreturnedinsilence.Griz-zywassooccupiedinexaminingherpin-cushions, andcountingherbuttons,thatsheneverlookeduptillthecarriagestop-ped inMilsomstreet.

Maryaccompaniedherin.Grizzywasallimpatiencetodisplayhertreasures;andasshehastilyunfoldedthem,begantore-late herachievements.LadyMaclaugh-lanheardherinsilence,andadeepgroan

158MARRIAGE^

wasallthatsheuttered;butGrizzywastoowellaccustomedtobegroanedat,tobeatallappalled,andwenton,"Butallthat'snothingtotheshirt-bnttons,madeofMrs.Fox'sownlinen,andonlyfiveshil-lings thetwelvedozen;andconsideringwhattricksareplayedwithshirtbuttonsnow—Iassureyoupeoplerequiretobeontheirguardwithshirtbuttonsnow."

"Pray,mydear,didyoueverreadtheVicarofWakefield?"

"TheVicarofWakefield?I—IthinkalwaysImusthavereadit;—atanyrate,I'mcertainI'veheardofit."

"MosesandhisgreenspectacleswasasoneoftheactsofSolomoncomparedtoyouandyourshirt-buttons.Pray,whichofyouisitthatwearsshirts?"

"Ideclarethat'sverytrue—IwonderIdidnotthinkofthatsooner—tobesurenoneofuswearshirtssincemypoorbro-ther died."

MARRIAGE.15^

"Andwhat'sbecomeofherbrooch?'*turningtoMary,whoforthefirsttimeobservedthedepartureofMary'scrownjewel.

"O,astothebrooch,"criedGrizzy,"I'mcertainyou'llallthinkthatwellbe-stowed, andcertainlyithasbeenthesav-ing ofit."Uponwhichshecommencedamostentanglednarrative,fromwhichthetruthwasatlengthextracted.

"Well,"saidLadyMaclaughlan,"therearetwothings,GodgrantImayneverbe-come, anamateurincharity,andacollec-tor ofcuriosities.NoChristiancanbeei-ther—botharepick-pockets.Iwould'ntkeepcompanywithmyownmotherweresheeitheroneorother—humph!"

Marywasgrievedatthelossofthebrooch;butGrizzyseemedmorethaneversatisfiedwiththeexchange,asSirSamp-son hadtakenafancyforthethreadpa-pers, anditwouldamusehimfortherest

MARRIAGE.l6l

CHAPTERXL

"Heeitherfearshisfatetoomuch,

Orhisdesertsaresmall,Whodaresnotputittothetouch,

Togamorloseitall,"

Margins0/M0NTROSE.

Jlimerolledon,butnoeventoccurredinGrizzy'slifeworthyofbeingcommemorat-ed. LadyJulianabegantorecoverfromtheshockofherarrival,andatlengthwasevenprevailedupontopayheravisit,andactuallyspentfiveminutesinthesameroomwithher.AllherLadyship'splansseemednowonthepointofbeingaccom-

162MARRIAGB.

plished.Mr.DowneWrightwasnowLordGlenallan,withanadditionalfifteenthou-sand perannum,andbywiserheadsthanher's,wouldhavebeenthoughtanunex-ceptionable matchforanyyoungwoman.LeavinghismothertosettlehisaffairsinScotland,towhichshewasmuchmoreaufaitthanhimself,hehastenedtoBeechParktoclaimMary'spromisedhand.

Butneitherwealthnorgrandeurposses-sed anyswayoverMary'swell-regulatedmind,andsheturnedfromthatspeciesofhappinesswhichshefeltwouldbeinsuffi-cient tosatisfythebestaffectionsofherheart."No,"thoughtshe,"itisnotingplendouranddistinctionthatIshallfindhappiness;itisinthecultivationofthedomesticvirtues—thepeacefuljoysofahap-py home,andalovedcompanion,thatmjfelicitymustconsist.Withoutthese,IfeelthatIshouldstillbepoor,wereImistressofmillions;"andshetookthefirstopportu-

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nityofacquaintingLordGlenallanwiththenatureofhersentiments.

Hereceivedthecommunicationwithpainfulsurprise;butashewasoneofthosewhodonoteasilydivestthemselvesofanideathathasoncetakenpossessionoftheirbrain,heseemedresolvedtopersevereinhisquiet,thoughpointedattentions.

LadyJuliana'sangeratthediscoveryofherdaughter'srefusal,itisneedlesstode-scribe—itmayeasilybeimagined;andpoorMarywasalmost,heart-brokenbythevio-lence anddurationofit.Sometimesshewaveredinherideas,astowhethershewasdoingrightinthusresistinghermo-ther's wishes;andintheutmostdistressshementionedherscruplestoLadyEmily.

"AstoLadyJuliana'swishes,"saidhercousin,"theyaremeresoapbubbles;butastoyourownviews—whyreallyyouaresomewhatofariddletome.Iratherthink,wereIsuchaquiet^civil,welldisposedper-

164MARRIAGE.

sonasyou,IcouldhavemarriedLordGlen-allanwellenough.Heishandsome,good.natured,andrich;andthough<heisbutaLord,andnothingbutaLord,'stillthereisadashandbustleintwentythousanda-year,thattakesofffromtheennuiofadullcompanion.Withfivehundreda-year,Igrantyou,hewouldbeexecrable."

"ThenIshallnevermarryamanwithtwentythousandayear,whomIwouldnothavewithfivehundred."

"Inshort,youaretomarryforlove—that'stheoldstory,which,withallyourwis-dom, youwise,welleducatedgirlsalwaysendin.WhereshallIfindaherouponfivehundredayearforyou?Ofcoursehemustbevirtuous,noble,dignified,hand-some, brave,witty.WhatwouldyouthinkofCharlesLennox?"

Marycoloured.«Afterwhatpassed,IwouldnotmarryColonelLennox—no,"af-fecting tosmile,«notifheweretoaskme,

MARRIAGE.165

vhichiscertainlythemostunlikelyofallhings."

"Ah!true,thadforgotthatscrape.Jo,thatwon'tdo—itcertainlywouldbelostpitifulinyou,afterwhatpassed—Veil,Idon'tknowwhat'stobedonewithou:There'snothingforitbutthatyou

liouldtakeLordGlenallan,withallhisim-terfectionsonhishead;and,afterall,I

eallyseenothingthathewantsbutalittle

lorebrain,and,asyou'llhavethemana-

;ingofhim,youcaneasilysupplythatde-li .„lciency.

"Indeed,"answeredMary,"IfindIlavequitelittleenoughformyself,andIWenogeniuswhateverformanaging."".shall,therefore,nevermarry,unlessInarryamanonwhosejudgmentIcouldelyforadviceandassistance,andforwhom[couldfeelacertaindeference,thatIcon-sider duefromawifetoherhusband."

"Iseewhatyouwouldbeat,"saidLa-dy Emily;"youmeantomodelyourself

166,MAR1UA«E.

uponthebehaviourofMrs.Tooley,whohassuchadeferenceforthejudgmentofherbetterhalf,thatsheconsultshimevenaboutthetyingofhershoes,andwouldnotpresumetogiveherchildafewgrainsofmagnesiawithouthisfullandunquali-fiedapprobation.Now,Iflattermyself,my^husbandandIshallhaveamoreequi-table division;for,thoughmanisarea-sonable being,heshallknowandownthatwomanissotoo—sometimes.AllthingsthatmenoughttoknowbetterIshallyield:Whatevermaybelongtoeithersex,Ieitherseizeuponasmyprerogative,orscrupulouslydivide;forwhichreason,IshouldliketheprofessionofmyhusbandtobesomethinginwhichIcouldnotpos-sibly interfere.Howdifficultmustitbeforawomaninthelowerranksoflifetoavoidteachingherhusbandhowtosew,ifheisatailorjorhowtobake,ifheisabaker,"&c.

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*Natureseemstohaveprovidedforthistendencyofbothsexes,bymakingyoursen-sible men—thatis,menwhothinkthem-selves sensible,andwisheverybodyelsetothinkthesame—inclinetofoolishwomen.Icandetectoneofthesesensiblehusbandsataglance,bythepompandformalityvi-sible ineveryword,look,oraction:Men,inshort,whose*visagesdocreamandman-tle likeastandingpond;'whoareperfectJovesintheirownhouses—whospeaktheirwillbyanod,andlaydownthelawbythemotionoftheireye-brow—andwhoattachprodigiousideasofdignitytofright-ening theirchildren,andbeingworshippedbytheirwives,tillyouseeoneofthesewiseacreslookingasifhethoughthimself,andhisobsequioushelpmate,wereexactpersonificationsofAdamandEve—'heforGodonly,sheforGodinhim.'Now,Iammuchafraid,Mary,withallyoursanctity,youareinsomedangerofbecomingoneoftheseidolatresses."

168MARRIAGE.

"Ihopenot,"repliedMary,laughing;"butifIshould,thatseemsscarcelysobadasthesectofIndependentsinthemar-riagestate;forexample,thereisMrs.Bos-ton,whobyallstrangersistakenforawi-dow, suchemphasisdoesshelayuponthepersonalpronoun—withher,'tisalways,Jdothis,orIdothat,withouttheslightestreferencetoherhusband;andshetalksofmyhouse,mygardens,mycarriage,mychil-dren, asiftherewerenocopartneryinthecase."

"Ah,sheisveryodious,"criedLadyEmily,"sheisbothmasterandmistress,andmoreifpossible—shemakesherhus-band looklikeherfootman;butsheisafool,aseverywomanmustneedsbe,whothinksshecanraiseherselfbyloweringherhusband.Then,thereisthesectoftheWranglers,whosemarriageisonlyonecon-tinued dispute:But,inshort,Iseeitisreservedformetosetaperfectexampletomysexinthemarriedstate.ButI'm

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morereasonablethanyou,Isuspect,forIdon'tinsistuponhavingabrightgeniusformymate."

"Iconfess,Ishouldlikethatmyhus-band's geniuswasatleastasbrightasmyown,"saidMary,"andIcan'tthinkthereisanythingunreasonableinthat;orra-ther, Ishouldsay,wereIageniusmyself,Icouldbetterdispensewithacertainportionofintellectinmyhusband;asithasbeengenerallyremarked,thatthosewhoarelargelyendowedthemselves,caneasierdis-pense withtalentsintheircompanions,thanothersofmoremoderateendowmentscando;butvirtueandtalentsontheoneside,virtueandtendernessontheother,Ilookuponastheprincipalingredientsinahap-py union."

"Well,Iintendtobeexcessivelyhap-py ;andyet,Idon'tthinkEdwardwilleverfindthelongitude.And,asformytender-ness—humph !—asLadyM'Laughlansays;butasforyou—Iratherthinkyou'rein

VOL.III.i

170MARRIAGE*

somedangerofturningintoanauntGriz.zy,withalongwaistandlargepockets,peppermintdrops,andpowderedcurls;but,whateveryoudo,forheaven'ssake,letushavenomorehumansacrifices'—ifyoudo,Ishallcertainlyappearatyourwed-ding insackcloth."—Andthiswasallofcomfortoradvicethatherladyshipcouldbestow.

AsLadyEmilywasnotapersonwhoconcealedeitherherownsecretsorthoseofothers,ColonelLennoxwasnotlongofhearingfromherwhathadpassed,andofbeingmadethoroughlyacquaintedwithMary'ssentimentsonloveandmarriage."Suchaheartmustbeworthwinning,"thoughthe;buthesighedtothinkthathehadlesschancefortheprizethanano-ther. Independentofhisnarrowfortune,which,hewasaware,wouldbeaninsuper-able bartoobtainingLadyJuliana'scon-sent, Mary'scoldnessandreservetowardshim,seemedtoincreaseratherthandimi-

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Irish.Orifshesometimesgavewaytothenaturalfranknessandgaietyofherdisposi-tion beforehim,awordorlookexpressiveofadmirationonhispart,instantlyrecall-ed toherthosepainfulideaswhichhadbeenforamomentforgot,andseemedtothrowhimatagreaterdistancethanever.

ColonelLennoxwastoonoblemindedhimself,tosuppose,,foraninstant,thatMaryactuallyfeltdisliketowardshim;because,atthecommencementoftheirac-quaintance, hehadnotdonejusticetohermerits;buthewasalsoaware,that,untilhehadexplainedtoherthenatureofhissentiments,shemustnaturallyregardhisattentionswithsuspicion,andconsiderthemratherasactsofdutytowardshismother,thanasthespontaneousexpressionofhisownattachment.Hethereforeinthemostsimpleandcandidmanner,laidopentoherthesecretofhisheart,andinalltheelo-quence ofrealpassion,pouredforththose

17-MARRIAGE.

feelingsofloveandadmiration,withwhichshehadunconsciouslyinspiredhim.

Foramoment,Mary'sdistrustwasover-come bytheardourofhisaddress,andtheopenmanlymannerinwhichhehadavowedtheriseandprogressof,hisat-tachment ;andsheyieldedherselfuptothedelightfulconvictionoflovingandbe-ing beloved.

Butsoonthatgavewaytothemortify-ing reflectionthatrushedoverhermind."HehastriedtolovemeI"thoughtshe;butitisinobediencetohismother'swish,andhethinkshehassucceeded.No,no;Icannotbethedupeofhisdelusion—Iwillnotgivemyselftoonewhohasbeensolicitedtoloveme!"Andagainwound-ed delicacyandwoman'sprideresumedtheirempireoverher,andsherejectedtheideaofeverreceivingColonelLennoxasalover.Heheardherdeterminationwiththedeepestanguish,andusedeveryargu-ment andentreatytosoftenherresolution;

MARRIAGE.17$

butMaryhadwroughtherselfuptoapitchofheroism—shehadrejectedthemansheloved—theonlymansheevercouldlove—thatdone,topersistinthesacrificeseemedeasy;andtheypartedwithincreasedat-tachment intheirhearts,eventhoughthoseheartsseemedseveredforever.

Soonafterhesetofftojoinhisregiment;anditwasonlyinsayingfarewell!thatMaryfelthowdeeplyherhappinesswasinvolvedinthefateofthemanshehadforeverre*-nounced.Tonoonedidsheimpartwhathadpassed;andLadyEmilywastoodullherself,forsomedaysafterthedepartureofherfriend,totakeanynoticeofMary'sdejection.

17*

/'*MARRIAGE.

CHAPTERXII.

"WTiattauginih?parrottocry,hail?Whattaughtthechatteringp«1±t£?'fHunger;thatsharpenerofthewits,Whichgivese'enfoolssomethinkingfits."

Drummond'sPerslus.

Maryfoundherselfbereftofbothherlo-vers nearlyatthesametime.LordGleu-allan,afterformallyrenewinghissuit,atlengthtookafinalleave,andreturnedtoScotland.LadyJuliana'sindignationcouldonlybeequalledbyDr.RedgilFsupontheoccasion.HehadplannedasnugretreatforhimselfduringthegameseasonatGlen-allanCastle;where,fromthegoodnature

MARRIAGE.175

andeasytemperofbothmasterandmis-tress, hehadnodoubtbutthatheshouldintimecometoruletheroast,andbelordparamountoverkitchenandlarder.Hisdisappointmentwasthereforegreatatfind-ing allthesolidjoysofreddeerandmoor-game,kipperedsalmonandmuttonhams,«vanishlikethebaselessfabricofavision,'leavingnotawreckbehind.

"RefusedLordGlenallan!"exclaimedhetoLadyEmily,uponfirsthearingofit."Thething'sincredible—absolutelyimpos-sible—Iwon'tbelieveit!"

"That'sright,Doctorjwhoisitthatsays«andstillbelievethestoryfalsethatoughtnottobetrue?'Iadmireyourcan-dour, andwishIcouldimitateit."

"ThenyourLadyshipreallybelievesit.'Ponmysoul,I—I—it'sreallyaveryvex-atious affair.IfeelforLadyJuliana,poorwoman!Nowondershe'shysterical—fiveandtwentythousandayearrefused!Whatisitshewouldhave*?Thefinestdeerpark

176MARRIAGE.

inScotland!Everysortofgameupontheestate!Asalmonfishingattheverydoor!—Ishouldjustliketoknowwhatisthemeaningofit?"

"Cannotyouguess,Doctor?"askedLadyEmily.

"Guess!No,'ponmysoul!Idefyanymantoguesswhatcouldtemptawomantorefusefiveandtwentythousandayear;unless,indeed,shehassomethinghigherinview,andeventhensheshouldbeprettysureofhermark.ButIsuppose,becauseMissAdelaidehasgotaDuke,shethinksshemusthaveonetoo.Isupposethat'sthestory;butIcantellherDukesarenotsoplenty;andshe'sbynomeanssofineawomanashersister,andhermar-ket's spoilt,orI'mmuchmistaken.Whatmaninhissenseswouldeveraskawoman,whohadbeensuchanidiotastorefusefiveandtwentythousandayear?"

"Isee,Doctor,youarequiteanoviceinthetenderpassion.Cannotyoumake

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allowanceforayounglady'snotbeingin

love?"

"Inwhat?"demandedtheDoctor.

"Inlove,"repeatedLadyEmily.

"Love!Bah—nonsense—nomortalintheirsenseseverthinksofsuchstuffnow."

"Thenyouthinkloveandmadnessareoneandthesamethingitseems?"

"Ithinkthemanorwomanwhocouldlettheirlovestandinthewayoffiveandtwentythousandayear,isthenextthingtobeingmad,"saidtheDoctorwarmly;"andinthiscaseIcanseenodifference."

"Butyou'llallowtherearesomesortsoflovethatmaybeindulged,withoutcast-ing anyshadeupontheunderstanding?"

"Ireallycan'ttellwhatyourLadyshipmeans,"saidtheDoctorimpatiently.

"Imean,forexample,theloveonemayfeeltowardsaturtle,suchaswehadlate-ly."

"That'squiteadifferentthing,"inter-rupted theDoctor.

178MARRIAGE.

"Pardonme,butwhatevertheconse-quence maybe,theeffectsinbothcaseswereverysimilar,asexemplifiedinyour-self. Pray,whatdifferencediditmaketoyourfriends,whoweredeprivedofyoursociety,whetheryouspentyourtimeinwalkingwith'evenstep,andmusinggait,'beforeyourdulcinea'swindow,orthetur-tle's cistern?—whetheryouwereengrossedincomposingasonnettoyourmistress'eye-brow,orincontrivinganewmethodofheighteningtheenjoymentsofcalipash?—whetheryouexpatiatedwithgreaterrap-ture onthecharmsofawhiteskin,orgreenfat?—whetheryouweremostdevotedtoa

languishingoralivelybeauty?—whether»j

"'Ponmyhonour,LadyEmily,Ireally—I—I—can'tconceivewhatitisyoumean.There'satimeforeverything;andI'msurenobodybutyourselfwouldeverhavethoughtofbringinginaturtletoaconver-sation uponmarriage."

MARRIAGE.1JQ

"Onthecontrary,Doctor,Ithoughtithadbeenuponlove;andIwasendeavour-ing toconvinceyou,thateventhewisestofmenmaybesusceptibleofcertainten-der emotionstowardsabelovedobject."

"You'llneverconvincemethatanybutafoolcanbeinlove,"criedtheDoctor,hisvisageassumingadarkerpurpleasthear-gument advanced.

"ThenyoumustrankLordGlenallan,withhisfiveandtwentythousandayear,amongstthenumber,forheisdesperatelyinlove,Iassureyou.'*

"Astothat,LordGlenallan,oranymanwithhisfortune,maybewhateverhechoos-es. Hehasarighttobeinlove.Hecanaffordtobeinlove.1'

"Ihaveheardmuchofthetormentsoflove,"saidLadyEmily;"butIneverhearditratedasaluxurybefore.Ihopethereisnochanceofyourbeingmadepre-mier, otherwiseIfearweshouldhaveataxuponlove-marriagesimmediately."

180MARRIAGE.

"Itwouldbegreatlyfortheadvantageofthenation,aswellasthecomfortofin-dividuals, iftherewas,"returnedtheDoc-tor. "Manyapleasantfellowhasbeenlosttosociety,bywhatyoucallalove-marriage.Ispeakfromexperience.IwasobligedtodroptheoldestfriendIhad,uponhismakingoneofyourlove-marriages."

"What!youwereafraidoftheeffectsofevilexample?"askedLadyEmily.

"No—itwasnotforthat;butheask-ed metotakeafamilydinnerwithhimoneday,andI,withoutknowinganythingofthecharacterofthewomanhehadmar-ried, wasweakenoughtogo.Ifoundaverysosotable-cloth,andashoulderofmutton,whichendedouracquaintance.Ineverenteredhisdoorafterit.Infact,noman'shappinessisproofagainstdirtyta-ble-cloths andbaddinners;andyoumaytakemywordforit,LadyEmily,thesearetheinvariableaccompanimentsofyourlove-marriages."

MARRIAGE.181

"Pshaw!thatisonlyamongstthebour-geois," saidLadyEmilyaffectedly;«thatisnotthesortofmenageImeantohave.Hereistobethestyleofmydomesticesta-blishment ;"andsherepeatedShenstone'sbeautifulpastoral—

"Mybankstheyarefurnishedwithbees,"&c.

tillshecameto—

"Ihav«foundoutagiftformyfair,

Ihavefoundwherethewood-pigeonsbreed."

"There'ssomesenseinthat,"criedtheDoctor,whohadbeenlisteningwithgreatweariness."Youmayhaveagoodpigeonpye,orunsautedepigeonsausang,whichisstillbetterwhenwelldressed."

"Shocking!"exclaimedLadyEmily;"tomentionpigeon-piesinthesamebreathwithnightingalesandroses!"

"I'lltellyouwhat,LadyEmily,it'sjustthesesortofnonsensicaldescriptionsthatdoallthemischiefamongstyouyoungla-dies. It'stheseconfoundedpoetsthatturn

182MARRIAGE.

allyourheads,andmakeyouthinkyouhavenothingtodoafteryouaremarried,butsitbesidefountainsandgrottos,anddivertyourselfwithbirdsandflowers,in-stead oflookingafteryourservants,andpayingyourbutcher'sbills;and,afterall,whatisthesubstanceofthattrashyouhavejustbeenreading,buttosaythatthemanwasasubstantialfarmerandgrazier,andhadbees;thoughIneverheardofanymaninhissensesgoingtosleepamongsthisbee-hivesbefore.Tonmysoul!ifIhadmywill,Iwouldburneverylineofpoetrythateverwaswritten.Agoodre-cipe forapuddingisworthallthatyourShenstone's,andthewholesetofthem,everwrote;andthere'smoregoodsenseand,usefulinformationinthisbook,"rappinghisknucklesagainstavolumeheheldinhishand,"thaninallyourpoets,ancientandmodern."

LadyEmilytookitoutofhishandandopenedit.

MARRIAGE.183

"Andsomeverypoeticaldescriptiontoo,Doctor;althoughyouaffecttodespiseitsomuch.Hereisaneulogiumonthepartridge.IdoubtmuchifSt.PreuxevermadeafineronhisadorableJulie;"andshereadasfollows:—

"LaPerdrix.tientlepremierrangapreslaBecasse,danslacathegoriedesgibiersaplumes.C'est,lorsqu'elleestrouge,l'undesplushonorablesetdesmeilleursrotisquipuissentetreetalessurunetablegour-martde.Saformeappetissante,satailleeleganteetsvelte,quoiqu'arrondie,sonem-bonpoint modere,sesjambesd'ecarlate;en-fin,sonfumetdivinetsesqualitesrestau-rantes,toutconcourtalafairerechercherdesvraisamateurs.D'autresgibierssontplusrares,pluschers,mieuxaceueillisparlavanite,leprejuge,etlamode;laPer-drixrouge,belledesaproprebeaute,dontlesqualitessontindependantesdelafan-taisie,quireunitensapersonnetoutcequipeutcharmerlesyeux,delecterlepa-

184MARRIAGE.

lais,stimulerPappetit,etranimerlesforces,plairadanstouslestemps,etconcourraa1'honneurdetouslesfestins,sousquelqueformequ'elleyparoisse."*

TheDoctorsighed:"That'snothingtowhathesaysofthewoodcock:"andwithtremblinghandsheturnedovertheleaves,tillhefoundtheplace."Hereitis,"saidhe,"page88,chap.xvi.Justbesogoodasreadthat,LadyEmily,andsay,whetheritisnotinfamousthatMonsieurGrilladehasneverevenattemptedtomakeit.'

Withanairofmelancholyenthusiasmsheread—'DanslespaysoulesBecassessontcommunes,onobtient,deleurscarcassespileesdansunmortier,unepureesurla-quelleondressediversesentrees,tellesquedepetitescotelettesdemouton,&c.Cettepureeestl'unedesplusdelicieuseschosesquipuisseetreintroduitedanslepalaisd'ungourmand,etTonpeutassurerque

*ManueldesAmphitryons.

MARRIAGE.18J

quiconquen'enapointmangen'apointconnulesjoiesduparadisterrestre.UnepureedeBecasse,bienfaite,estleneplusultradesjouissanceshumaines.IIfautmourirapresl'avoirgoutee,cartouteslesautresalorsneparoitrontplusqu'insi-pides."

"Andthesebecasses,thesewoodcocks/perfectlyswarmontheGlenallanestateintheseason,"criedtheDoctor;"andtothinkthatsuchamanshouldhavebeenrefused—ButMissMarywillrepentthisthelongestdayshelives.Ihadacookinmyeyeforthem,too—onewhoisquiteuptothemakingofthispuree.'Ponmysoul!shedeservestoliveuponsheep'sheadandhaggisfortherestofherlife;andifIwasLadyJuliana,Iwouldtrytheeffectofbreadandwater."

"Shecertainlydoesnotaspiretosuchjoysasareherepourtrayedinthisyourbookoflife,"saidLadyEmily;"forIsus-

186MARRIAGE.

pectshecouldendureexistenceevenupoaroastmutton,withthemansheloves."

"That'snothingtothepurpose,unlessthemansheloves,asyoucallit,lovestoliveuponroastmuttontoo.Takemywordforit,unlessshegivesherhusbandgooddinners,he'llnotcaretwopenceforherinaweek'stime.Ilookuponhaddinnerstobethesourceofmuchofthemi-sery wehearofinthemarriedlife.Wo-men aremuchmistaken,iftheythinkit'sbydressingthemselvestheyaretopleasetheirhusbands."

"Pardonme,Doctor,wemustbethebestjudgesthere,andIhavetheauthori-ty ofallagesandsagesinmyfavour:Thebeautyandthecharmsofwomenhavebeenthefavouritetheme,timeimmemorial;now,nooneeverheardofafaironebeingcelebratedforherskillincookery."

"There1begleavetodifferfromyou,"$aidtheDoctor,withanairofexultation,

MARRIAGE.I87

againreferringtohistext-book;"hereisthegreatMadamePompadour,celebratedforasingledish:<Lestendronsd'agneaiiausoleiletalaPompadour,sontsortisdel'imaginationdecettedamecelSbre,pourentrerdanslabouched'unRoi."

"ButitwasLovethatinspiredher-—itwasLovethatkindledthefireinherima-gination. Inshort,youmustacknowledgethat

"Loverulesthecourt,thecamp,thegrove.**

"I'llacknowledgenosuchthing,"criedtheDoctor,withindignation."Loverulethecampindeed1Averylikelystory!Don'tIknowthatallourfirstGeneral*carryoffthebestcooks—thatthere'snosuchlivinganywhereasincamp—thattheiraides-de-camparequiteruinedbyit—thatintimeofwartheyliveattherateoftwentythousandayear,andwhentheycomehometheycan'tgetadinnertheycaneat!AsfortheCourt,Idon'tpretendto

188MARRIAGE.

knowmuchaboutit;butIsuspectthere'smorecooksthanCupidstobeseenaboutit.Andforthegroves,IshallonlysayIneverheardofanyofyourfeteschampetre,orpic-nics,whereallthepleasuredid'ntseemtoconsistintheeatinganddrinking."

"Ah,Doctor!Iperceiveyouhaveta-ken allyourideasonthatsubjectfromWerter,whocertainlywasasortofasen-timental gourmand,heseemstohaveen-joyed somuchdrinkinghiscoffeeundertheshadeofthelime-trees,andgoingtothekitchentomakehisownpeasesoup;andthenhebreaksoutintosuchrapturesattheideaoftheillustriousloversofPene-lope killinganddressingtheirownmeatIButchersandcooksinone!onlyconceivethemwiththeirgreatknivesandblueap-rons, ortheirspits,andwhitenightcaps!PoorPenelope!nowondershepreferredspinningtomarryingoneofthesecreatures!Faugh!Imusthaveanounceofcivettosweetenmyimagination."Andsheflewoff,

190MARRIAGE.

CHAPTERXIII.

<«TheamplepropositionthathopemakesInalldesignsbegunonearthbelow,Failsinthepromisedlargeness."

Shakespeare.

ThereisnesayingwhethertheDoctor'ssystemmightnothavebeenresortedto,hadnotLadyJuliana'swrathbeenforthepresentsuspendedbyaninvitationtoAlta-montHouse.True,nothingcouldbecold-er thanthetermsinwhichitwascouched;

MARRIAGE.191

buttothatherLadyshipwasinsensible,andwouldhavebeenequallyindifferent,hadsheknownthat,suchasitwas,sheoweditmoretotheobstinacyofherson-in-law,thantheaffectionofherdaughter.TheDukeofAltamontwasoneofthosewhoattachgreatideasofdignitytoalwayscarryingtheirpoint;andthoughhemightsometimesbeobligedtosuspendhisplans,heneverhadbeenknowntorelinquishthem.Hadhesettledinhisownmindtotiehisneckclothinaparticularway,notalltheeloquenceofCicero,orthetearsofO'Neil,wouldhaveinducedhimtoalterit;andAdelaide,thehaughtyself-willedAde-laide, soonfound,thatofallyokes,themostinsupportableistheyokeofanobstinatefool.Inthethousandtriflingoccurrencesofdomesticlife(forhisGracewasinterest-ed inalltheminutiaeofhisestablishment,)wheregoodsenseandgoodhumouronei-ther sidewouldhavegracefullyyieldedtotheother,therewasaperpetualcontest

192MARRIAGE.

fordominion,whichinvariablyendedinAdelaide'sdefeat.TheDukeindeedneverdisputed,orreasoned,orevenreplied;butthethingwasdone:tillattheendofsixweeks,theDuchessofAltamontmosthear-tily hatedanddespisedthemanshehadsolatelyvowedtoloveandobey.Onthepresentoccasion,hisGracecertainlyap-peared inthemostamiablelight,inwish-ing tohaveLadyJulianainvitedtohishouse;but,infact,itproceededentirelyfromhisbesettingsin,obstinacy.Hehadproposedheraccompanyingherdaughteratthetimeofhermarriage,andbeenover-ruled ;butwithallthepertinacityofalittlemind,hehadkeptfastholdoftheidea,merelybecauseitwashisown,andhewasnowdeterminedtohaveitputinexecution.Inapostscripttotheletter,andinthesamecordialstyle,theDuchesssaidsomethingofahope,thatifhermo-ther didcometotown,Maryshouldaccom-pany her;butthisherLadyship,toMary's

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greatrelief,declaredshouldnotbe,althoughshecertainlywasverymuchatalosshowtodisposeofher.MarytimidlyexpressedherwishtobepermittedtoreturntoLoch-marlie,andmentionedthatheruncleandaunthadrepeatedlyofferedtocometoBathforher,ifshemightbeallowedtoaccom-pany themhome;buttothishermotheralsogaveadecidednegative,addingthatshenevershouldseeLochmarlieagain,ifshecouldhelpit.Inshort,shemustre-main whereshewae,tillsomethingcouldbefixedastoherfuturedestination."Itwasmostexcessivelytiresometobeclog-ged withagreatunmarrieddaughter,"herLadyshipobserved,asshesprungintothecarriage,withatrainofdogs,anddroveofftodeardelightfulLondon.

But,alas!theinsecurityofeventhebestlaidschemesofhumanforesight!LadyJu-liana wasinthemidstofarrangementsforendlesspleasures,whenshereceivedac-counts ofthedeathofhernowalmostfor-

VOL.III.K

194*MARRIAGE.

gottenhusband!Hehaddiedfromthegra-dual effectsoftheclimate,andthatwasallthatremainedtobetoldoftheunfortunateHenryDouglas!Ifhisheartlesswifeshedsomenaturaltears,shewipedthemsoon;butthewoundsofdisappointmentandva-nity werenotsospeedilyeffaced,asshecontrastedthebrilliantcourt-dresswiththeunbecomingwidow'scap.Oh,shesode-tested blackthings—itwassohatefultowearmourning—shenevercouldfeelhap-py orcomfortableinblack!and,atsuchatime,howparticularlyunfortunate!PoorDouglas!shewasverysorry!—Andsoend-ed theholiestandmostindissolubleofhu-man ties!

TheDuchessdidnotthinkitincumbentuponhertobeaffectedbythedeathofapersonshehadneverseenjbutsheputonmourning;putoffherpresentationatCourtforaweek,andstaidawayonenightfromtheopera.

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OnMary'swarmandunpollutedheart,thetidingsofherfather'sdeathproducedaverydifferenteffect.Thoughshehadneverknown,intheirfullestextent,thosefeelingsoffilialaffection,whosesourcebe-gins withourbeing,andoverwhichmemo-ry lovestolinger,asatthehallowedfountofthepurestofearthlyjoys,shehadyetbeentaughttocherishafondremembranceofhimtowhomsheowedherbeing.Shehadbeenbroughtupinthelandofhisbirth—hisimagewasassociatedinhermind,withmanyofthescenesmostdeartoher—hisnameandhismemorywerefamiliartothoseamongstwhomshedwelt,andthusherfeelingsofnaturalaffectionhadbeenpreservedinalltheirgenuinewarmthandtenderness.Manyaletter,andmanyalittletokenofherlove,shehad,fromherearliestyears,beenaccustomedtosendhim;andshehadeverfondlycherishedthehopeofherfather'sreturn,andthatshewouldyetknowthehappinessofbeingblestina

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CHAPTERXIV.

«ShallwegrievetheirhoveringshadesWhichwaittherevolutioninourhearts?Shallwedisdaintheirsilent,softaddress;Theirposthumousadviceandpiousprayer?"

Youn».

.Forsome"monthsallwaspeacefulseclu-sion inMary'slife,andtheonlyvarietiessheknewwereoccasionalvisitstoauntGrizzy's,andnowandthenspendingsomedayswithMrs.Lennox.Shesaw,withsorrow,thedeclininghealthofhervener-able friend,whosewastedformanddelicate

ic3

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featureshadnowassumedanalmostethe-real aspect.Yetshenevercomplained,,anditwasonlyfromherlanguorandweak-ness thatMaryguessedshesuffered.Whenurgedtohaverecoursetomedicaladvice,sheonlysmiledandshookherhead;yet,evergentleandcomplyingto-thewishesofothers,shewasatlengthprevailedupontoreceivethevisitsofamedicalattendant,andherownfeelingswerebuttoofaithfullyconfirmedbyhisopinion.Beinganoldfriendofthefamily,hetookuponhimself*tocommunicatetheintelligencetoherson,thenabroadwithhisregiment;andinthemeantimeMarytookupherresidenceatRoseHall,anddevotedherselfunceasing-ly tothebelovedfriendshefeltshewassosoontolose.

"Ah!Mary,"shewouldsometimessay,"Godforgiveme!butmyheartisnotyetweanedfromworldlywishes.Evennow,whenIfeelallthevanityofhumanhap-piness, Ithinkhowitwouldhavesoothed

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mylastmomentscouldIhavebutseenyoumyson'sbeforeIlefttheworld!Yet,alas!ourtimehereissoshort,thatitmat-ters littlewhetheritbespentinjoyorgrief,provideditbespentininnocenceandvirtue.Minehasbeenalonglifecompar-ed tomany;butwhenIlookbackuponit,whataspanitseems!Anditisnottheremembranceofitsbrightestdaysthatarenowasolacetomyheart.DearestMary,ifyoulivelong,youwilllivetothinkofthesadhoursyouhavegivenme,asthefairest,perhaps,ofmanyahappydaythat;Itrust,heavenhasyetinstoreforyou.Yes!Godhasmadesomewhosepowersarechieflyordainedto.comforttheafflict-ed, andinfulfillinghiswillyoumustsure-ly beblest."

Marylistenedtothehalf-breathedwish-es ofherdearoldfriendwithpainfulfcl-ings ofregretandself-reproach.

"CharlesLennoxloved»ie,"thoughtshe,"truly,tenderlylovedme;andhadI

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butrepaidhisnoblefrankness—hadIsuf-fered himtoreadmyheartwhenhelaidhreopenbeforeme,Imightnowhadglad-dened thelastdaysofthemotherheadores.Imighthaveproudlyavowedthataffec-tion Imustnowforeverhide."

But,attheendofsomeweeks,Mrs.Lennoxwasnolongersusceptibleofemo-tions, eitherofjoyorsorrow.Shegra-dually sunkintoastateofalmosttotalin-sensibility, fromwhichnoteventhearri-Talofhersonhadpowertorouseher.Hisanguishwasextremeatfindinghismotherinaconditionsoperfectlyhopeless;andeveryotherideaseemed,forthepresent,absorbedinhisanxietyforher.AsMarywitnessedhiswatchfulcares,andtendersolicitude,shecouldalmosthaveenviedtheunconsciousobjectofsuchdevotedat-tachment.

Aiwdavsafterhisarrival,hisleaveofabsencewasabruptlyrecalled,andhewassummonedtorepairt0head-quarterswithall

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possibleexpedition.Thearraywasonthemove,andabattlewasexpectedtobefought.Atsuchatime,hesitationordelay,underanycircumstances,wouldhavebeeninevi-table disgrace;and,dreadfulaswasthealternative,ColonelLennoxwaverednotaninstantinhisresolution.Withalookoffixedagony,butwithoututteringasylla-ble, heputtheletterintoMary'shandasshesatbyhismother'sbedside,andthenlefttheroomtoorderpreparationstobemadeforhisinstantdeparture.Onhisreturn,Marywitnessedthepainfulconflictofhisfeelingsinhisextremeagitation,asheapproachedhismother,tolook,forthelasttime,onthosefeatures,alreadymould-ed intomorethanmortalbeauty.Abrightrayofthesettingsunstreamedfulluponthatface,nowreposingintheawfulbuthallowedcalmwhichissometimesdiffusedaroundthebedofdeath.Thesacredstill-ness wasonlybrokenbytheeveningsong

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oftheblackbird,andthedistantlowingofthecattle—soundswhichhadoftenbroughtpleasuretothatheart,nowinsensibletoallhumanemotion.Allnatureshoneforthingaietyandsplendour,buttheeyeandtheearwerealikeclosedagainstallearth-ly objects.Yetwhocantellthebright-ness ofthosevisionswithwhichthepart-ing soulmaybevisited?Soundsandsights,alikeunheard,unknowntomortalsense,maythenholddivinecommunionwiththesoaringspirit,andinspireitwithblissin-conceivable, ineffable!

ColonelLennoxgazeduponthecounte-nance ofhismother.Againandagainhepressedherinanimatehandstohislips,andbedewedthemwithhistears,asabouttotearhimselffromherforever.—Atthatmomentsheopenedhereyes,andregardedhimwithalookofintelligence,whichspokeatoncetohisheart.Hefeltthathewasseenandknown.Herlookwaslong,andfondlyfixeduponhisface;thenturnedto

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Marywithanexpressionsodeepandear-nest, thatbothfelttheinstantaneousap-peal. Theveilseemedtodropfromtheirhearts;oneglancesufficedtotellthatbothwerefondly,trulyloved;andasColonelLennoxreceivedMary'salmostfaintingforminhisarms,hekneltbyhismother,andimploredherblessingonherchildren.Asmileofangelicbrightnessbeameduponherfaceassheextendedherhandtowardsthem,andherlipsmovedasinprayer,thoughnosoundescapedthem.Onelongandlingeringlookwasgiventothosesodearevenindeath.Shethenraisedhereyestoheaven,andthespiritsoughtitsnativeskies!

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CHAPTERXV.

"Cetteliaisonn'estnipassionniamitiepure:ellefaitvinedasseapart."

LaBruyeke.

ItwaslongbeforeMarycouldbelieveintherealityofwhathadpassed.Itappear-ed toherasabeautiful,yetawful,dream.Coulditbe,thatshehadplightedherfaithbythebedofdeath;thatthelastlookofherdepartedfriendhadhallowedtherownowregisteredinheaven;thatCharlesLennoxhadclaimedherashisown,evenintheagonyoftearinghimselffromallhe

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lovedjandthatshehadonlyfelthowdearshewastohimattheverymomentwhenshehadpartedfromhim,perhapsforever!ButMarystrovetobanishtheseover-whelming thoughtsfromhermind,asshedevotedherselftotheperformanceofthelastdutiestoherdepartedfriend.Thesepaid,sheagainreturnedtoBeechPark.

LadyEmilyhadbeenadailyvisitoratRoseHallduringMrs.Lennox'sillness,andhadtakenalivelyinterestinthesitu-ation ofthefamily;but,notwithstanding,itwassometimebeforeMarycouldsofarsubdueherfeelingsastospeakwithcom-posure ofwhathadpassed.Shefelt,too,howimpossibleitwas,bywords,toconveytoheranyideaofthatexcitementofmind,whereawholelifeofordinaryfeelingseemsconcentratedinonesuddenbutin-effable emotion.Allthathadpassedmightbeimagined,butcouldnotbetold;andsheshrunkfromthetaskofpourtrayingthosedeepandsacredfeelings,whichlart-

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guagenevercouldimparttothebreastofanother.

Yetshefeltitwasusinghercousinun-<kindlytokeepherinignoranceofwhatshewascertainwouldgiveherpleasuretohear-rand,summoningherresolution,sheatlengthdisclosedtoherallthathadtarkenplace.HerownembarrassmentwastoogreattoallowhertoremarkLadyEmily'schangingcolour,asshelistenedtohercommunication;andafteritwasended,sheremainedsilentforsomemi-nutes, evidentlystrugglingwithheremo-tions.

Atlengthsheexclaimedindignantly—"•AndsoitseemsColonelLennoxandyouhaveallthistimebeenplayingthedyinglover,andthecruelmistresstoeachother?HowIdetestsuchduplicity!anddupli*citywithme!Myheartwaseveropentoyou,tohim,tothewholeworld;while

yoursnay,yourveryfacesweremask?

edtome!"

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Marywastoomuchconfoundedbyhercousin'sreproachestobeabletoreplytothemforsometime;andwhenshedidat-tempt tovindicateherself,shefounditwasinvain.LadyEmilyrefusedtolistentoher;and,inhaughtydispleasure,quittedtheroom,leavingpoorMaryoverwhelmedwithsorrowandamazement.

Therewasasimplicityofheart,asin-gleness ofideainherself,thatpreventedherfromeverattachingsuspiciontoothers*Butasortofvague,undefinedapprehen-sion floatedthroughherbrainasshere-volved theextraordinarybehaviourofhercousin.Yetitwasthatsortoffeelingtowhichshecouldnotgiveeitheralocalha*bitationoraname;andshecontinuedforsometimeinthatmostbewilderingstateoftrying,yetnotdaringtothink.Sometimeelapsed,andMary'sconfusionofideaswasincreasingratherthandiminishing,whenLadyEmilyslowlyenteredtheroom?

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andstoodsomemomentsbeforeherwith-out speaking.

Atlength,makinganeffort,sheabrupt-ly said—"Pray,Mary,tellmewhatyouthinkofme?"

Marylookedatherwithsurprise."Tthinkofyou,mydearcousin,asIhaveal-ways done."

"Thatisnoanswertomyquestion.Whatdoyouthinkofmybehaviourjustnow?"

"Ithink,"saidMary,gently,"thatyouhavemisunderstoodme;that,openandcandidyourself,almosttoafault,youreadilyresenttheremotestappearanceofduplicityinothers.Butyouaretoogene-rous nottodomejustice^—"

"Ah,Mary!howlittledoIappearinmyowneyesatthismoment;andhowlittle,withallmyboasting,have1knownmyownheart!No!ItwasnotbecauseIamopenanJcandidthatIresentedyourengage-

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mentwithColonelLennox;itwasbecauseIwas—because—cannotyouguess?"

Mary'scolourrose,asshecastdownhereyes,andexclaimedwithagitation,"No-no,indeed!"

LadyEmilythrewherarmsaroundher:—"DearMary,youareperhapstheonlypersonuponearthIwouldmakesuchaconfessionto—itwasbecauseI,whohadplightedmyfaithtoanother—I,whopiquedmyselfuponmyopennessandfidelity™-*

I—howitchokesmetoutterit!Iwasbeginningtolorehimmyself!—onlybegin-ning, observe,foritisalreadyover—Ineed-ed buttobeawareofmydangertoover-come it.ColonelLennoxisnownomoretomethanyourlover,andEdwardisagainallthatheeverwastome;butI—whatamI—faithlessandself-deceived!"andafewtearsdroppedfromhereyes.

Mary,toomuchaffectedtospeak,could©nlypressherinsilencetoherheart.

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"Thesearetearsofshame,ofpenitence,,thoughImustowntheylookverylikethoseofregretandmortification.Whatamercyitisthat'thechemist'smagicart'cannot'crystalizethesesacredtreasures,'"saidshewithasmile,assheshookateardropfromherhand;■"theyaregemsIamreallynotatallfondofappearingin."

"Andyetyouneverappearedtogreat-er advantage,"saidMary,assheregardedh°rwithadmiration.

"Ah1soyousay;butthereis,perhaps,alittlewomanishfeelinglurkingthere.Andnowyoudoubtlessexpect—no,youdon't,butanotherwould—thatIshouldbeginasentimentaldescriptionoftheriseandpro-gress ofthisill-fatedattachment,asIsup-pose itwouldbestyledinthelanguageofromance;but,intruth,Icantellyouno-thing atallaboutit."

"PerhapsColonelLennox"—saidMary,blushing,andhesitatingtonamehersus-picion.

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«No,no—ColonelLennoxwasnottoblame:Therewasnofalseplayonei-ther side;heisasmuchabovethemean-ness ofcoquetry,as—Imustsayit—asIam.Histhoughtswereallalongtakenupwithyou,evenwhilehetalked,andlaughed,andquarrelledwithme.WhileI,sostronginthebeliefthatworldscouldnotshakemyallegiancetoEdward,couldhavechallengedallmankindtowinmylove;andthiswicked,wayward,faith-less lieart,keptsiienttilly6uspoke,andthenitutteredsuchafearfulsound!AndyetIdon'tthinkitwasloveneither—*Tonn'aimebienqu'uneseulefois;c'estlapre-miere ;'—itwasratherasortofanidle,childish,engrossingsentiment,thatmighthavegrowntosomethingstronger;but'tispastnow.Ihaveshownyoualltheweaknessofmyheart-^-despisemeifyonwill."

"DearestLadyEmily,hadIthesameskilltoshewthesentimentsofmine,you

212marriagb.

wouldthereseewhatIcannotexpress-howIadmirethisnoblecandour,thisge-nerous self-abasement-;"

"O,astomeanlyhidingmyfaults,thatiswhatIscorntodo.Imaybeignorantofthemmyself,andinignoranceImaycherishthem;but,onceconvincedofthem,Igivethemtothewinds,andallwhochoosemaypickthemup.Violentandunjust,andselfdeceived,Ihavebeen,andmaybeagain;butdeceitfulIneverwas,

ananeverwindc

"Mydearcousin,whatmightyounotbeifyouchose!"

"Ah!Iknowwhatyoumean,andIbe-gin tothinkyouareintheright;byandbye,Ibelieve,Ishallcometobeofyourwayofthinking,(ifeverIhaveadaugh-ter shecertainlyshall,)butnotjustatpre-sent, thereformationwouldbetoosudden.AllthatIcanpromiseforatpresent,is.that'henceforthIwillchidenobreatherintheworldbutmyself,'againstwhomIknow

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mostfaults;andnow,fromthisday,fromthismoment,Ivow————"

,"No,Ishalldoitforyou,"saidMarywithasmile,asshethrewherarmsaroundherneck;"henceforth

"ThegoldenlawsofloveshallbeUponthispillarhung;Asimpleheart,asingleeye,Atrueandconstanttongue.

LetnomanformorelovepretendThanhehasheartsinstore;Truelovebegunshallneverend:Loveone,andlovenomore."*

ButmuchasMarylovedandadmiredhercousin,shecouldnotbeblindtothedefectsofhercharacter,andshefearedtheymightyetbeproductiyeofgreatun-happinesstoherself.Hermindwasopentothereceptionofeveryimagethatbroughtpleasurealongwithit;while,inthesamespirit,sheturnedfromeverythingthat

*Marq»iisofMontrose.

214MARRIAGE.

woreanairofseriousnessorself-restraint;andeventhebestaffectionsofanaturallygoodheartwereborneawaybytheardourofherfeeling's,andtheimpetuosityofhertemper.Marygrievedtoseethegracesofanoblemindthusrunningwildforwantofearlyculture;andshesought,byeverymeans,savethoseoflectureandadmoni-tion, toleadhertomorefixedhabitsofre-flection andself-examination.

Butitrequiredallherstrengthofmindtoturnherthoughts,atthistime,fromherselftoanother.She,thebetrothedofonewhowasnowinthemidstofdanger,ofwhoseexistenceshewasevenuncertain,butonwhosefateshefeltherownsus-pended.

"Oh!"thoughtshe,withbitternessofheart,"howdangerousitistoyieldtoomucheventoourbestaffections.I,withsomanyobjectstoshareinmine,haveyetpledgedmyhappinessonabeingperish-able asmyself!"Andhersoulsickenedat

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theillsherfancydrew.Butshestrovetorepressthisstrengthofattachment,whichshefeltwouldotherwisebecometoopower-,fulforherreasontocontroul;andifshedidnotentirelysucceed,atleasttheeffortsshemade,andthecontinualexerciseofmind,enabledher,insomedegree,tocoun-teract thebalefuleffectsofmorbidanxietv,andoverweeningattachment.Atlengthherapprehensionswererelievedforatime,byaletterfromColonelLennox.Anen-gagement withtheenemyhadtakenplace,buthehadescapedunhurt:Herepeatedhisvowsofunalterableaffection;andMa-ry feltthatshewasjustifiedinreceivingthem.ShehadmadeLadyJulianaandMrs.Douglasbothacquaintedwithhersi-tuation :theformerhadtakennonoticeofthecommunication,butthelatterhadex-pressed herapproval,inallthewarmthandtendernessofgratifiedaffection.

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CHAPTERXVI

"PreachasIplease,Tdoubtourcuriousmen,Willchooseapheasantstillbeforeahen."

Horace.

AmongstthevariousoccupationstowhichMarydevotedherself,therewasnonewhichmeritstoberecordedasagreateractofimmolation,thanherunremittingatten-tions toauntGrizzy.Itwasnotmerelythesacrificeoftimeandtalentsthatwasrequiredforcarryingonthisintercourse;these,itistobehoped,eventhemostself-ish canoccasionallysacrificetothebien-

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seancesofsociety;butitwas,asitwere,atotalsurrenderofherwholebeing.Toamindofanyreflection,nosituationcaneverbeveryirksome,inwhichwecanen-joy theprivilegesofsittingstillandkeep-ing silent—butasthecompanionofMissGrizzy,quietandreflectionwerealikeun-attainable. WhennotengagedinradotagewithSirSampson,herlifewasspentinlosingherscissars,mislayingherspectacles,wonderingwhathadbecomeofherthimble,andspeculatingonthedisappearanceofaneedle—allofwhichlossesdailyandhour-ly recurring,subjectedMarytoanunceas-ing annoyance,forshecouldnotbefiveminutesinheraunt'scompanywithoutbe-ing atleastasmanytimesdisturbed,with—"Mary,mydear,willyougetup—Ithinkmyspectaclesmustbeaboutyou'*—or,"Mary,mydear,youreyesareyoung-er thanmine,willyoulookifyoucanseemyneedleonthecarpet"—or,"Areyou

VOL.III.L

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sure,Mary,that'snotmythimbleyouhavegot,it'sverylikeit;andI'msureIcan'tconceivewhat'sbecomeofmine,ifthat'snotit,"&c.&c.&c.Butheridlenesswas,ifpossible,stillmoreirritatingthanherindustry.Whenshebetookherselftothewindow,itwasoneincessantcryof"Who'scoachisthat,Mary,withthegreenandorangeliveries?Comeandlookatthisladyandgentleman,MaryjI'msureIwon-der whotheyare!Here'ssomething,Ide-clare I'msureIdon'tknowwhatyoucallit—comehere,Mary,andseewhatitis"—andsoonadinfinitvm.Walkingwasstillworse.Grizzynotonlystoodtoexamineeveryarticleintheshopwindows,butac-tually turnedroundtoobserveeverystrik-ing figurethatpassed.Inshort,Marycouldnotconcealfromherself,thatweakvulgarrelationsareaneviltothosewhosetasteandideasarerefinedbysuperiorin-tercourse. Buteventhisdiscoveryshedidnotdeemsufficienttoauthorisehercasting

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offorneglectingpoorMissGrizzy,andsheinnodegreerelaxedinherpatientatten-tions towardsher.

Eventheaffectionofheraunt,whichshepossessedinthehighestpossiblede-gree, farfrombeinganalleviation,wasonlyanadditionaltorment.Everymeet-ing beganwith,"MydearMary,howdidyousleeplastnight?Didyoumakeagoodbreakfastthismorning?IdeclareIthinkyoulookalittlepale.I'msureIwishtogoodnessyoumayn'thavegotcold—coldsaregoingverymuchaboutjustnow—oneofthemaidsinthishousehasaverybadcold—Ihopeyouwillremem-ber tobatheyourfeet,andtakesomewa-ter grueltonight,anddoeverythingthatDr.Redgilldesiresyou,honestman!"IfMaryabsentedherselfforaday,hersa-lutation was,"MydearMary,whatbe-came ofyouyesterday?IassureyouIwasquitemiserableaboutyouallday,thinking,whichwasquitenatural,thatL2

220MARRIAGE.

somethingwasthematterwithyou;aniIdeclareIneverclosedmyeyesallnight,forthinkingaboutyou.Iassureyou,ifithadnotbeenthatIcouldn'tleaveSirSampson,Iwouldhavetakenahaekneycoach,althoughIknowwhatimpositionstheyare,andhavegonetoBeechParktoseewhathadcomeoveryou."

YetallthisMaryborewiththepatienceofamartyr,totheadmirationofLadyMaclaughlan,andtheamazementofLadyEmily,whodeclaredshecouldonlysub-mit tobeboredaslongasshewasamus-ed.

OngoingtoMilsom-streetonemorning,Maryfoundherauntinhighdelightattwoinvitationsshehadjustreceivedforherselfandherniece.

"Theone,"saidshe,"istodinneratMrs.Pullens.Youcan'trememberhermo-ther, Mrs.Macfuss,Idaresay,Mary—shewasamostexcellentwoman,Iassureyou,andgotallherdaughtersmarried.AndI

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rememberMrs.PullenswhenshewasFloraMacfuss;shewasalwaysthoughtvery-likehermother;andMr.Pullensisamostworthyman,andveryrich;anditwasthoughtatthetimeagreatmarriageforFloraMacfuss,forshehadnomoneyofherown,buthermotherwasaverycleverwoman,andamostexcellentmanager;andIdaresaysoisMrs.Pullens,fortheMac-fussesareallfamousfortheirmanagement—soitwillbeagreatthingforyou,youknow,Mary,tobeacquaintedwithMrs.Pullens.'*

MarywasobligedtobreakinupontheeulogiumonMrs,Pullens,bynoticingtheothercard—Thiswasasubjectforstillgreatergratulation.

"This,"saidshe,"isfromMrs.Blue-mits,anditisforthesamedaywithMrs.Pullens,onlyitistotea,nottodinner—TobesureitwillbeagreatpitytoleaveMrs.Pullenssosoon;butthenitwouldbeagreatpitynottogotoMrs.Blue-

Lfl

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mits';forI'veneverseenher,andheiaunt,MissShaw,wouldthinkitveryoddifIwastogobacktotheHighlandswith-out seeingNancyShaw,nowMrs.Blue-mits;and,atanyrate,Iassureyouwemaythinkmuchofbeingasked,forsheisaverycleverwoman,andmakesitapointnevertoaskanybutcleverpeopletoherhouse;soit'saverygreathonourtobeasked."

ItwasanhonourMarywouldfainhavedispensedwith.Atanothertimeshemighthaveanticipatedsomeamusementfromsuchparties,butatpresentherheartwasnottunedtotheridiculous,andsheat-tempted todeclinetheinvitations,andgetheraunttodothesame;butshegaveupthepointwhenshesawhowdeeplyGrizzy'shappiness,forthetimebeing,wasinvolvedintheseinvitations,andsheevenconsent-ed toaccompanyher,conscious,asLadyMaclaughlansaid,thatthepoorcreaturerequiredaleadingstring,andwasnotfit

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togoalone.Theappointeddayarrived,andMaryfoundherselfincompanywithauntGrizzy,atthemansionofMr.Pullens,thefortunatehusbandoftheci-devantMissFloraMacfuss;butasGrizzyisnotthebestofbiographers,wemusttaketheli-berty ofintroducingthisladytotheac-quaintance ofourreader.

ThedomesticeconomyofMrs.Pullenswasherowntheme,andthethemeofallherfriends;andsuchwasthezealinpro-mulgating herdoctrines,andheranxietytoseethemcarriedintoeffect,thatshehadendeavouredtopassitintoalaw,thatnopreservescouldbeeatablebutthosepre-served inhermethod;nohamscouldbegoodbutthosecuredaccordingtoherre-ceipt ;noliquorsdrinkablebutsuchasweremadefromtheresultsofherexperi-ence; neitherwasitpossiblethatanylinenscouldbewhite,oranyflannelssoft,oranymuslinsclear,unlessafterthemannerprac-tised inherlaundry.Byherownaccount,

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shewastheslaveofeveryservantwithinherdoor,forherlifeseemedtobeoneun-ceasing labourtogeteverythingdoneinherownway,totheveryblackingofMr.Pullens'shoes,andthebrushingofMr.Pullens'coat.Butthentheseheroicactsofdutyweremorethanrepaidbythenobleconsciousnessofalifewellspent.Inherownestimation,shewasoneofthegreat-est charactersthathadeverlived;for,touseherownwords,shepassednothingover—shesaweverythingdoneherself—shetrustednothingtoservants,&c.&c.&c.

Fromthecontemplationofthesehervir-tues, herfacehadacquiredanexpressionofcomplacencyforeigntohernaturaltem-per; for,afterhavingscoldedandslavedinthekitchen,shesatdowntotastethefruitsofherlabourswithfarmoreelevat-ed feelingsofconsciousvirtuethaneverwarmedthebreastofaHampden,oraHow-ard ;andwhenshehelpedMr.Pullenstopie,made,notbythecook,butbyherself,

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itwaswithanairofself-approbationthatmighthaveviedwiththatofthecelebrat-ed JackHorneruponasimilaroccasion.InmanycasestheremighthavebeenmeritinMrs.Pullens'doings—anarrowincome,thecapricioustasteofasickoracrosshus-band, mayexaltthemeanestofficeswhichwomancanrenderintoactsofvirtue,andevendiffuseadignityaroundthem:butMr.Pullenswasrichainlgood-natured,andwouldhavebeenhappyhadhiscookbeenallowedtodresshisdinner,andhisbarberhiswig,quietlyintheirownway.Mrs.Pullens,therefore,onlysoughttheindul-gence ofherownlowinclinations,inthusinterferingineverymenialdepartment;while,atthesametime,sheexpectedallthegratitudeandadmirationthatwouldhavebeenduetothesacrificeofthemostrefinedtasteandelegantpursuits.

But"envydoesmeritasitsshadepur-sue," asMrs.Pullensexperienced,forshefoundherselfassailedbyahostofhouse-

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keepers,whoattemptedtothrowdiscreditonhervariousarts.AttheheadofthisassociationwasMrs.Jekyll,whosear-rangements wereonaquitecontraryplan.ThegreatbranchofscienceonwhichMrs.Pullensmainlyreliedforfame,washerun-rivalled artinkeepingthingslongbeyondthedateassignedbynature;andoneofhermaster-strokeswas,inthemiddleofsummer,tosurpriseawholecompanywithgooseberrytartsmadeofgooseberriesoftheprecedingyear;andhertriumphwascom-plete, whenanyofthemweresopoliteastoassertthattheymighthavepasseduponthemforthefruitsofthepresentseason.Anotherartinwhichsheflatteredherselfshewasunrivalled,wasthatofmakingthingspassforwhattheywerenot;thus,shegaveporkforlamb—commonfowlsfortur-key poults—currantwineforchampaigne—whiskywithpeachleavesfornoyau;butallthesedeceptionsMrs.Jekyllpiquedher-self inimmediatelydetecting,andnever

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failedtopointoutthedifference;and,inthepolitestmanner,tohintherpreferenceoftherealoverthespurious.ManywerethewonderfulmorselswithwhichpoorMr.Pullenswasregaled,buthehadnowceas-ed tobesurprisedatanythingthatappear-ed onhisowntable;andhehadsooftenheardthemeritofhiswife'shousekeepingextolledbyherself,that,contrarytohisnaturalconviction,henowbegantothinkitmustbetrue;orifhehadoccasionallyanylittleprivatemisgivingswhenhethoughtofthegooddinnersheusedtohaveinhisbachelordays,hecomfortedhimselfbythinkingthathislotwasthelotofallmarriedmenwhoareblestwithactive,managing,economicalwives.SuchwereMr.andMrs.Pullens;andtheap-pearance ofthehouseofferednoinadequateideaofthemistress:Thefurniturewasin-congruous, andeverythingwasill-matched—forMrs.Pullenswasafrequenterofsales,and,likemanyotherliberalmindedladie*,

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neverallowedabargaintopass,whethersherequiredthearticlesornot.Herdresswasthesame;therewasalwayssomethingtowonderat;capsthathadbeenboughtfornothing,becausetheywerealittlesoil-ed, butbybeingtakendownandwashed,andnewtrimmed,turnedouttobejustasgoodasnew—gownsthathadbeendyed,turned,cleaned,washed,&c.;andthegreattriumphwaswhennobodycouldtelltheoldbreadthfromthenew.

Thedinnerwasofcoursebad,thecom-pany stupid,andtheconversationturnedsolelyuponMrs.Pullens'exploits,withoc-casional attemptsofMrs.Jekylltodepre-ciate themeritsofsomeofherdiscoveries.Atlengththehourofdeparturearrived,toMary'sgreatrelief,asshethoughtanychangemustbeforthebetter.NotsoGrizzy,whowascharmedandconfoundedbyallshehadseen,andheard,andtasted,andallofwhosepreconceivedideasonthesubjectsofwashing,preserving,&c.had

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sustainedatotalbouleversement,uponhear-ing ofthesuperiormethodspractisedby-Mrs.Pullens.

"Well,certainly,Mary,youmustallowMrs.Pullensisanastonishingcleverwoman!Indeed,Ithinknobodycandisputeit—onlythinkofherneverusingabitofsoapinherhouse—everythingiswashedbysteam.Tobesure,asMrs.Jekyllsaid,thetable-linenwasremarkablyill-coloured—butnowonder,considering—itmustbeagreatsaving,I'msure—andshealwaysstandsandseesitdoneherself,forthere'snotrust-ing thesethingstoservants.Oncewhenshetrustedittothem,theyburnedadozenofMr.Pullens'newshirts,justfromcare-lessness, whichI'msurewasveryprovok-ing. Tobesure,asMrs.Jekyllsaid,ifshehadusedsoaplikeotherpeople,thatwouldn'thavehappened;andthenitiswonderfulhowwellshecontrivestokeepthings.IdeclareIcan'tthinkenoughofthesegreenpeasthatwehadatdinnerto

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day,havingbeenkeptsincesummerwasayear.Tobesure,asMrs.Jekyllsaid,theycertainlywerehard—nobodycande-ny that—butthen,youknow,anythingwouldbehard,thathadbeenkeptsincesummerwasayear;andI'msureIthoughttheyatewonderfullywellconsidering—andtheseredcurrants,too—I'mafraidyoudidn'ttastethem—Iwishtogoodnessyouhadtastedthem,Mary.Theyweresouranddry,certainly,asMrs.Jekyllsaid;butnowonder,anythingwouldbesouranddrythathadbeenkeptinbottlesforthreeyears."

Grizzywasnowobligedtochangethecurrentofherideas,forthecarriagehadstoppedatMrs.Bluemits'.

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CHAPTERXVII.

"Itiscertaingreatknowledge,ifitbewithoutvanity,isthemostseverebridleofthetongue.ForsohaveIheard,thatallthenoisesandpratingofthepool,thecroakingoffrogsandtoads,ishushedandappeasedupontheinstantofbringinguponthemthelightofacandleortorch.Everybeamofreason,andrayofknowledge,checksthedissolutionsofthetongue."

JeremyTayloh.

TheywerereceivedbyMrs.Bluemitswiththatairofcondescensionwhichgreatsoulspractisetowardsordinarymortals,andwhichisintended,atoneandthesametime,toencourageandtorepel;toshewtheextentoftheirgoodness,evenwhiletheymake,ortrytomake,theirprotege

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feeltheimmeasurabledistancewhichna-ture orfortunehasplacedbetweenthem.

Itwaswiththisairofpatronisinggran-deur thatMrs.Bluemitstookherguestsbythehand,andintroducedthemtothecircleoffemalesalreadyassembled.

Mrs.Bluemitswasnotanavowedau-thoress ;butshewasaprofessedcritic,awellinformedwoman,awomanofgreatconversationalpowers,&c.and,touseherownphrase,nothingbutconversationwasspokeinherhouse.Herguestswerethere-fore alwaysexpectedtobedistinguished,eitherforsomeliteraryproduction,orfortheirtasteinthebelleslettres.TwoladiesfromScotland,thelandofpoetryandro-mance, wereconsequentlyhailedasnewstarsinMrs.Bluemits'horizon.Nosoon-er weretheyseated,thanMrs.Bluemitsbegan—

"AsIamafriendtoeaseinliteraryso-ciety, weshall,withoutceremony,resumeourconversation;for,asSenecaobserves,

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the'comfortoflifedependsuponconversa-tion.'"

"Ithink,"saidMissGraves,"itisRochefoucaultwhosays,«thegreatartofconversationistohearpatientlyandanswerprecisely.'"

"Averypoordefinitionforsoprofoundaphilosopher,"remarkedMrs.Apsley.

"TheamiableauthorofwhatthegiganticJohnsonstylesthemelancholyandangryNightThoughts,givesanobler,amoreelevated,and,inmyhumbleopinion,ajust-erexplicationoftheintercourseofmind,"saidMissParkins:andsherepeatedthefol-lowing lineswithpompousenthusiasm:

Speechventilatesourintellectualfire,Speechburnishesourmentalmagazine,Brightensforornament,andwhetsforuse.Whatnumbers,sheath'dinerudition,lie,Plung'dtothehiltsinvenerabletomes,Andrustedin,whomighthaveborneanedge,Andplay'dasprightlybeam,ifborntospeech—Ifbornblestheirsofhalftheirmother'stongue'."

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Mrs.Bluemitsproceeded:

"'Tisthought'sexchange,which,likethealternatepushOfwavesconflicting,breaksthelearnedscum,Anddefecatesthestudent'sstandingpool."

"ThesensitivepoetofOlney,ifImistakenot,"saidMrs.Dalton,"steersamiddlecourse,betwixtthesomewhatbaldmaximoftheParisianphilosopher,andthemourn-ful pruriencyoftheBardofNight,whenhesays,

"Conversation^initsbetterpart,

Maybeesteem'dagift,andnotanart."

Maryhadbeenaccustomedtoread,andtoreflectuponwhatsheread,andtoapplyittothepurposeforwhichitisvaluable,viz.inenlarginghermindandcultivatinghertaste;butshehadneverbeenaccus-tomed toprate,orquote,orsitdownfortheexpresspurposeofdisplayingherac-quirements ;andshebegantotrembleathearingauthors'names'familiarintheirmouthsashouseholdwords;'butGrizzy,

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stronginignorance,wasnowisedaunted.True,sheheardwhatshecouldnotcom-prehend, butshethoughtshewouldsoonmakethingsclear;andshethereforeturn-ed toherneighbouronherrighthand,andaccostedherwith—"MynieceandIarejustcomefromdiningatMrs.Pullens'—Idaresayyouhaveheardofher—shewasMissFloraM'Fuss;herfather,Dr.M'Fuss,wasamostexcellentpreacher,andsheisaremarkablecleverwoman."

*'PrayMa'am,hasshecomeout,orisshesimplybelesprit?"inquiredthelady.

Grizzywasratherataloss;and,indeed,toansweraquestionputinanunknownlanguage,wouldpuzzlewiserbrainsthanher's;butGrizzywasaccustomedtocon-verse, withoutbeingabletocomprehend,andshethereforewenton.

"Hermother,Mrs.M'Fuss—butsheisdead—wasaverycleverwomantoo;I'msure,Ideclare,Idon'tknowwhetherthe

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Doctororherwasthecleverest;butmanypeople,Iknow,thinkMrs.Pullensbeatsthemboth."

"Indeed!mayIaskinwhatdepartmentshechieflyexcels?"

"O,Ireallythinkineverything.Foronething,everythinginherhouseisdonebysteam;andthenshecankeepeverything,Ican'ttellhowlong,justinpaperbagsandbottles;andsheisgoingtopub-lish abookwithallherreceiptsinit.I'msureitwillbeveryinteresting."

"Ibegtenthousandpardonsforthein-terruption," criedMrs.Bluemits,fromtheoppositesideoftheroom;"butmyearwassmotewiththesoundsofpublish,andinU-resting—wordswhichneverfailtoawakenaresponsivechordinmybosom.Pray,"ad-dressing Grizzy,andbringingherintothefullblazeofobservation,"mayIask,wasitoftheCampbelltheseelectricwordswerespoken?Toyou,Madam,IamsureIneednotapologizeformyenthusiasm—

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Youwhoclaimtheproud,distinctionofbeingacountrywoman,needIask—anac-quaintance ?"

AllthatpoorGrizzycouldcomprehendofthisharangue,was,thatitwasreckon-ed agreathonourtobeacquaintedwithaCampbell;andchucklingwithdelightattheideaofherowncon-sequence,shebrisk-ly replied—

"O,IknowplentyofCampbells;there'stheCampbellsofMireside,relationsofours;andthere'stheCampbellsofBlackbrae,marriedintoourfamily;andthere'stheCampbellsofWindlestraeGlen,arenotverydistantbymymother'sside."

Maryfeltasifperforatedbybulletsinalldirections,assheencounteredtheeyesofthecompany,turnedalternatelyuponherauntandher;buttheywereonoppositesidesoftheroom;thereforetointerposebetwixtGrizzyandherassailantswasim-possible.

"Possibly,"suggestedMrs.Dalton,"MissDouglaspreferstheloftierstrainsofthe

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mightyMinstreloftheMountains,tothemorepolishedperiodsofthePoetoftheTransatlanticPlain."

"Withouteitherapossibilityoraper-haps," saidMrs.Apsley,"theprobabilityis,MissDouglaspreferstheauthorofTheGiaourtoalltherestofherpoeticalcoun-trymen. Where,ineitherWalterScottorThomasCampbell,willyoufindsuchlinesasthese:

"Wetwiththeirownbestblood,shalldripThygnashingtoothandhaggardlip!"

"Pardonme,Madam,"saidMissParkin;"butIamofopinionyouhavescarcelygivenafairspecimenofthepowersoftheNobleBardinquestion.Theimageherepresentediaafamiliarone;*thegnashingtooth,'and'haggardlip,'wehaveallwitnessed,perhapssomeofusmayevenhaveexperienced.Thereisconse-quently littlemeritinpresentingittothemind'seye:Itiseasy,comparativelyspeak-ing, topourtraythefeelingsandpassions

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ofourownkind.Wehaveonly,asDry-denexpressesit,todescendintoourselves,tofindthesecretimperfectionsofourmind.Itisthereforeinhisportraitureoftheca-nine race,thattheillustriousauthorhassofarexcelledallhiscontemporaries:infact,hehasgivenquiteadramaticcasttohisdogs:"andsherepeatedwithanairoftri-umph—

"Andhesawtheleandogsbeneaththewall,

Holdo'erthedeadtheircarnival;

Gorgingandgrowlingo'ercarcaseandlimb,

Theyweretoobusytobarkathim!

FromaTartar'sskulltheyhadstrippedtheflesh,

Asyepeelthefigwhenitsfruitisfresh;

Andtheirwhitetuskscrunchedo'erthewhiterskull,

Asitslippedthroughtheirjawswhentheiredgegrewdull;

Astheylazilymumbledthebonesofthedead,

Whentheyscarcecouldrisefromthespotwheretheyfed."

"Now,toenterintotheconceptionsofadog—toembodyone's-self,asitwere,inthepersonofabrute—tosympathizeinitsfeelings—tomakeitspropensitiesourown—to'lazilymumblethebonesofthedead,'withourownindividual»whitetusks!'Par-don me,Madam,butwithallduedeference

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tothegeniusofaScott,itisathinghehasnotdaredtoattempt.Onlythefinestmindintheuniversewascapableoftakingsoboldaflight.Scott'sdogs,Madam,aretame,domesticanimals—merehumandogs,

ifImaysayso.Byron'sdogsButlet

themspeakforthemselves!

'Thescalpswereinthewilddog'smaw,Thehairwastangledroundhisjaw.'

Shewme,ifyoucan,suchanimageinScott?"

"Veryfine,certainly!"washereutter-ed byfivenovices,whowereonlythereasprobationers,consequentlynotprivilegedtogobeyondaresponse,

"Isitthedancingdogstheyarespeak-ing about?"askedGrizzy.Butlooksofsilentcontemptweretheonlyrepliesshereceived.

"ItrustIshallnotbeesteemedpre-sumptuous," saidMissGraves,"orsuppos-ed capableofentertainingviewsofdetract-ing fromthemeritsoftheNobleAuthorat

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presentunderdiscussion,ifIhumbly,butfirmly,entermycaveatagainsttheword'crunch,'asconstitutinganinnovationinourlanguage,thepurityofwhichcannotbetoostrictlypreserved,orpointedlyen-forced. IamawarethatbysomeImaybedeemedunnecessarilyfastidious;andpossiblyChristina,QueenofSweden,mighthaveappliedtomethecelebratedobserva-tion, saidtohavebeenelicitedfromherbythefamedworkofthelaboriousFrenchLexicographer,viz.thathewasthemosttroublesomepersonintheworld,forhere-quired ofeverywordtoproduceitspass-port, andtodeclarewhenceitcame,andwhitheritwasgoing.Iconfess,Itoo,forthesakeofmycountry,wouldwishthateverywordweusemightbecompelledtoshewitspassport,attestedbyourgreatlawgiver,Dr.SamuelJohnson."

"Unquestionably,"saidMrs.Bluemits,"purityoflanguageoughttobepreservedinviolateatanyprice;anditismoreespe-

VOL.III.M

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dailyincumbentuponthosewhoexerciseaswayoverourminds—thosewhoare,asitwere,themouldsinwhichouryoungimaginationsareformed,tobethewatch-ful guardiansofourlanguage.ButIla-ment tosay,thatinfactitisnotso;andthattheaberrationsofourvernaculartonguehaveproceededsolelyfromtheli-centious usemadeofitbythosewhomwearetaughttoreverenceasthefathersoftheSockandLyre."

"Yetinfamiliarcolloquy,Idonotgreatlyobjecttotheuseofawordocca-sionally, evenalthoughunsanctionedbytheauthorityofourmightyLexicographer,"saida.newspeaker.

"Formypart,"saidMissParkins,"ageniusfetteredbyrules,alwaysremindsmeofGulliverinthehairybondsoftheLilliputians;andthesentimentoftheele-gant andenlightenedbardofTwickenham,isalsomine:

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'Greatwitssometimesmaygloriouslyoffend,Andrisetofaultstruecriticsdarenotmend;Fromvulgarboundswithbravedisorderpart,Andmatchagracebeyondthereachofart.'

Soitiswiththesubjectofourargument:atamergeniusthantheillustriousByronwouldnothavedaredto«crunch'thebone.Butwhere,inthewholecompassoftheEnglishlanguage,willyoufindawordca-pable ofconveyingthesameidea?"

"Pick,"modestlysuggestedoneofthenovicesinalowkey,hopingtogainsomecelebritybythisherfirsteffort;butthisdawnofintellectpassedunnoticed.

Theargumentwasnowbeginningtorunhigh;partieswereevidentlyformingofcrunchersandanti-crunchers,andetymolo-gy wasbeginningtobecalledfor,whenathunderingknockatthedoorcausedaces-sation ofhostilities.

«*That,Iflattermyself,ismyfriendMissGriffon,"saidMrs.Bluemits,withanairofadditionalimportance;andthenameM2

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waswhisperedroundthecircle,coupledwith"CelebratedAuthoress—FeversoftheHeart—ThoughtsoftheMoment,"&c.&c.

"Isshearealauthoressthatiscoming?*'askedMissGrizzyattheladynexther.Andherdelightwasgreatatreceivingananswerintheaffirmative;forGrizzythoughttobeincompanywithanauthor-ess wasthenextthingtobeinganauthor-ess herself;?nd,likesomeotherpeople,shehadasortofvaguemysteriousreve-rence foreveryonewhosewordshadbeenprintedinabook.

"Tenthousandthousandpardons,dear-est Mrs.Bluemits!"exclaimedMissGrif-fon, assheentered."Ifearaworldofin-tellect islosttomebythiscrueldelay."Theninanaudiblewhisper—"ButIwasdetainedbymypublisher:Hequiteper-secutes metowrite.My«FeversoftheHeart'hashadaprodigiousrun;andevenmy*Thoughts,'which,infact,costmeno

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thought,areamazinglyrecherche.AndIactuallyhadtoforcemywaytoyouto-night throughalegionofprinter'sdevils,whowerelyinginwaitformewitheachasheetofmy'BillowsofLove."

"Thetitleismostmusical,mostmelan-choly," saidMrs.Bluemits,"andcon-veys aperfectideaofwhatDrydenterms'thesweepingdelugeofthesoul;'butIflattermyselfweshallhavesomethingmorethananamefromMissGriffon'sgenius.TheAoniangraces,'tiswellknown,al-ways followinhertrain."

"Theyhavemadeagreatholeinitthen,"saidGrizzy,officiouslydisplayingafractureinthetrainofMissGriffon'sgown,andfromthencetakingoccasiontodeliverhersentimentsontheproprietyofpeoplewhotoregownsalwaysbeingobligedtomendthem.

Aftersuitableentreatieshadbeenused,MissGriffonwasatlastprevailedupontofavourthecompanywithsomespecimens

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ofthe"BillowsofLove,"(ofwhichwewereunabletoprocurecopies,)andthefollowingsonnet,theproductionofafriend:

"Hastthounonoteforjoy,thouweepinglyre?

Dothyewandwillowevershadethystring,

Andmelancholysablebannersfling,Warring'midsthostsofelegantdesire?Howvainthestrife—howvainthewarlikegloom!

Love'sarmsaregrief—hisarrowssighsandtears;

Andeverymoanthoumak'st,analtarrears,TowhichhiswSrshippersdevoutlycome,Thenrather,lyre,Ipraythee,trythyskill,

Invariedmeasure,onasprightlierkey:

Perchancethygayertones'lightminstrelsy,Mayhealthepoisonthatthyplaintsdistil.ButmuchIfearthatjoyisdangerstill;Andjoy,likewoe,love'striumphmustfulfil."

Thiscalledforthunanimousapplause—"delicateimagery"—*'smoothversification"—"classicalideas"—"Petrarchiansweet-ness," &c.&c.resoundedfromallquarters.

Butevenintellectualjoyshavetheirter-mination, andcarriagesandservantsbegantobeannouncedinrapidsuccession.

"Flynotyet,'tisjustthehour,"saidMrs.Bluemitstothefirstofherdepart-ing guests,astheclockstruckten.

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"Itisgone,withitsthornsanditsro-ses," repliedherfriendwithasigh,andafarewellpressureofthehand.

Anothernowadvanced—"Wiltthoubegone?—itisnotyetnearday."

*'Ihavelesswilltogothancaretostay,"wasthereply.

"Partotilascioadio,"warbledMissParkins.

"Ivanish,"saidMrs.Apsley,snatchinguphertippet,ridicule,&c."and,likethebaselessfabricofavision,leavenotawreckbehind."

"Fare-thee-wellatonce—Adieu,adieu,adieu,rememberme!"criedthelastoftheband,assheslowlyretreated.

Mrs.Bluemitswavedherhandwithalookoftenderreproach,assherepeated—

"Anadieushouldinutterancedie,Or,ifwritten,shouldfaintlyappear—

Shouldbeheardinthesobofasigh,Orbeseenintheblotofatear."

"I'msure,Mary,"saidGrizzy,whentheywereinthecarriage,"Iexpected*

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whenalltheladieswererepeating,thatyouwouldhaverepeatedsomethingtoo.YouusedtohavetheHermitandallWatts'Hymnsbyheart,whenyouwaslittle.It'sathousandpities,Ideclare,thatyoushouldhaveforgotthem;forIdeclare,Iwasquiteaffrontedtoseeyousittinglikeastick,andnotsayingaword,whenalltheladieswerespeaking,andturninguptheireyes,andmovingtheirhandssopretti-ly; butI'msureIhopenexttimeyougotoMrs.Bluemits,youwilltakecaretolearnsomethingbyheartbeforeyougo.I'msureIhav'ntaverygoodmemory,butIremembersomethings;andIwasveryneargoingtorepeat«FarewelltoLochaber'myself,aswewerecominga-way;andI'msureIwishtogoodnessIhaddoneit;butIsupposeitwouldn'tdotogobacknow;and,atanyrate,alltheladiesareaway,andIdaresaythecan-dles willbeoutbythistime."

Maryfeltitarelieftohavedonewiththissurfeitofsoul,andwasofopinion,that

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learning,likereligion,oughtnevertobeforcedintoconversation;andthatpeople,whoonlyreadtotalkoftheirreading,mightaswellletitalone.—Nextmorningshegavesoludicrousanaccountofheren-tertainment, thatLadyEmilywasquitecharmed.

"NowIbegintohavehopesofyou,"saidshe,"sinceIseeyoucanlaughatyourfriendsaswellasme."

"Notatmyfriends,Ihope,"answeredMary;"onlyatfolly."

"Callitwhatyouwill:IonlywishIhadbeenthere.IshouldcertainlyhavestartedacontroversyupontherespectivemeritsofTomThumbandPussinBoots,andsohavecalledthemoffLordByron.TheirpretendingtomeasurethegeniusofaScottoraByron,musthavebeensome-thing likeaflyattemptingtotaketheal-titude ofMountBlanc.HowIdetestthose*idledisquisitionsaboutthecolourofagoat'sbeard,orthebloodofanoys-ter."

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Maryhadseen,inMrs.Douglas,theef-fects ofahighlycultivatedunderstandingsheddingitsmildradianceonthepathofdomesticlife,heighteningitscharms,andsofteningitsasperities,withthebenignspiritofChristianity.HercharitywasnotlikethatofMrs.Fox;shedidnotindulgeherselfinthepurchaseofelegantorna-ments, andthen,seatedintheeasychairofherdrawing-room,extortfromhervisi-tors moneytosatisfythewantsofthosewhohadclaimsonherownbounty.No:shegavealargeportionofhertime,herthoughts,herfortuue,tothemostsacredofallduties—charity,initsmostcompre-hensive meaning.Neitherdidherknow-ledge, likethatofMrs.Bluemits,evaporateinpedanticdiscussionoridledeclamation,butsheweditselfinthetenorofawellspentlife,andinthegracefuldischargeofthosedutieswhichbelongedtohersexandstation.Nexttogoodness,Marymostar-dently admiredtalents.Sheknewthere

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weremanyofherownsexwhowerejust-ly entitledtothedistinctionofliteraryfame.HerintroductiontothecircleatMrs.Bluemits'haddisappointedher;buttheyweremerepretenderstothename.Howdifferentfromthosedescribedbyonenolessamiableandenlightenedherself!—"Letsuchwomenasaredisposedtobevainoftheircomparativelypettyattain-ments, lookupwithadmirationtothosecontemporaryshiningexamples,thevene-rable ElizabethCarter,andthebloomingElizabethSmith.Inthemletouryoungladiescontemplateprofoundandvariouslearning,chastisedbytrueChristianhumi-lity. Inthemletthemvenerateacquire-ments, whichwouldhavebeendistinguish-ed inanuniversity,meeklysoftened,andbeautifullyshadedbytheexertionofeve-ry domesticvirtue,theunaffectedexerciseofeveryfeminineemployment."*

*Goelebs.

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CHAPTERXVIII.

"Thegods,tocursePamelawithherpray'rs,GavethegiltcoachanddappledFlandersmares;Theshiningrobes,richjewels,bedsofstate,And,tocompleteherbliss,afoolformate.Sheglaresinballs,frontboxes,andthering—Avain,unquiet,glitt'ringwretchedthing!Pride,pomp,andstate,butreachheroutwardpart;Shesighs,andisnoduchessatherheart."

Pope.

JPormanymonths,Marywasdoomedtoexperienceallthevicissitudesofhopeandfear,assheheardofbattlesandsieges,inwhichherloverhadapart.Heomittednoopportunityofwritingtoher;butscarcelyhadshereceivedtheassuranceof

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hissafetyfromhimself,whenherappre-hensions wereagainexcitedbyrumoursoffreshdangershewouldhavetoencoun-ter; anditrequiredallherpiousconfi-dence andstrengthofmindtosaveherfromyieldingtothedespondencyofana-turally sensitiveheart.Butinadminis-tering tothehappinessofothers,shefoundthesurestalleviationtothemisfortunethatthreatenedherself;andsheoftenfor-got herowncaresinherbenevolentexer-tions forthepoor,thesick,andthedeso-late. Itwasthenshefeltallthetender-ness ofthatdivineprecept,whichenjoinsloveoftheCreatorastheengrossingprin-ciple ofthesoul.For,oh!theunuttera-ble anguishthatheartmustendure,whichlavishesallitsbestaffectionsonacreaturemutableandperishableasitself,fromwhomathousandaccidentsmayseparateores-trange it,andfromwhomdeathmustonedaydivideit!Yetthereissomethingsoamiable,soexalting,inthefervourofapure

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andgenerousattachment,thatfewhavebeenabletoresistitsoverwhelminginflu-ence; anditisonlytimeandsufferingthatcanteachustocomprehendthemiseriesthatwaitontheexcess,evenofourvirtu-ous inclinations,wherethesevirtuesaspirenotbeyondthistransitoryscene.

Maryseldomheardfromhermotherorsister.Theirtimewastooprecioustobewastedondullcountrycorrespondents;butshesawtheirnamesfrequentlymen-tioned inthenewspapers,andsheflatter-ed herself,fromtheeclatwithwhichtheDuchessseemedtobeattended,thatshehadfoundhappinessinthosepleasureswhereshehadbeentaughttoexpectit.TheDuchesswas,indeed,surroundedwithallthatrank,wealth,andfashioncouldbestow.Shehadthefinesthouse,jewels,andequipagesinLondon,butshewasnothappy.Shefeltthedraughtbitter,eventhoughthegobletthathelditwasofgold.Itisnoveltyonlythatcanlendcharmsto

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thingsinthemselvesvalueless;andwhenthatwearsoff,thedisenchantedbaublesappearinalltheirnativeworthlessness.Thereisevenasatietyinthefreeindul-gence ofwealth,whenthatindulgencecenterssolelyinself,andbringsnogene-ral self-approvingreflectionsalongwithit.SoitwaswiththeDuchessofAltamont.Shesought,inthegratificationofeveryexpensivewhim,tostimulatethelanguidsenseofjoy;and,byloadingherselfwithjewels,shestrovetostilltherestlessin-quietude ofadissatisfiedheart.Butitisonlythevulgarmindwhichcanlongfindenjoymentinthemereattributesofwealth—inthecontemplationofsilkhangings,andgildedchairs,andsplendiddresses,andshewyequipages.Amidstallthese,themindofanytasteorrefinement,"distrust-ing, asksifthisbejoy."AndAdelaidepossessedbothtasteandrefinement,thoughherideashadbeenperverted,andherheartcorrupted,bythefalsemaximsearlyin-

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stilledintoher.Yet,selfishandunfeel-ing asshewas,shesickenedattheeternalrecurrenceofself-indulgedcaprices;andthebaublethathadbeenhailedwithdelighttheonedayasacharmedamulettodispelherennui,wasthenextbeheldwithdisgustorindifference.Shebelieved,indeed,thatshehadrealsourcesofvexationmtheself-willandobstinacyofherhusband,andthat,hadhebeenotherwisethanhewas,sheshouldthenhavebeencompletelyhap-py. Shewouldnotacknowledge,eventoherself,thatshehaddonewronginmarry-ing amanwhosepersonwasdisagreeabletoher,andwhoseunderstandingshedes-pised ;whileherpreferencewasdecidedlyinfavourofanother.Evenherstyleoflifewa,nsomerespects,distastefultoher;yetshewasobligedtoconformtoit.TheDukeretainedexactlythesamenotionsofthingsashadtakenpossessionofhisbrainthirtyyearsbefore;consequently,everythinginhisestablishmentwasconductedwitha

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regularityanduniformityunknowntothosewhosehabitsareformedonthemoreec-centric modelsofthepresentday;orra-ther, whohavenomodels,savethoseoftheirowncapricioustastesandinclina-tions. Hehadanantipathytoballs,con-certs, andmasquerades;forhedidnotdance,knewnothingofmusic,andstilllessofbadinage.Buthelikedgreatdulldinners,fortheretheconversationwasge-nerally adaptedtohiscapacity;anditwasapleasuretohimtoarrangetheparty—tolookoverthebilloffare—toseeallthefa-mily platedisplayed—andtoreadanac-count ofthegranddinnerattheDukeofAltamont's,intheMorningPostofthefol-lowing day.AllthissoundsveryvulgarforthepastimesofaDuke;buttherearevulgar-mindedDukes,astherearegiftedploughmen,oranyotheranomalies.TheformerDuchess,awomanofhighbirth,si-milar years,andkindredspiritofhisowninallmattersofformandetiquette,washis

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standardoffemalepropriety;andshewouldhavedeemedithighlyderogatorytoherdignitytohavepatronisedanyotherspe-cies ofentertainmentthangranddinnersanddullassemblies.

Adelaidehadattempted,withahighhand,atoncetooverturnthewholesystemofAltamontHouse,andhadfailed.Shehaddeclaredherdetestationofdinners,andbeenheardinsilence.Shehadkeptherroomthricewhentheyweregiven,butwithoutsuccess.Shehadinsistedupongivingaball,buttheDuke,withthemostperfectcomposure,hadperemptorilydecla-red itmustbeanassembly.Thusbaffledinallherplansofdomestichappiness,theDuchesswouldhavesoughtherpleasureselsewhere.Shewouldhavelivedanywherebutinherownhouse—associatedwitheverybodybutherownhusband—anddoneeverythingbutwhatshehadvowedtodo.Buteveninthisshewasthwarted.TheDukehadthesamepre-

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eiseformalnotionsofalady'sconductabroad,aswellasherappearanceathome;andtheveryplacesshewouldhavemostwishedtogoto,werethoseshewasex-pressly prohibitedfromeverappearingat.Evenallthatshecouldhaveeasilyset-tled toherownsatisfaction,bythesim-ple apparatusofaseparateestablishment,carriedoninthesamehouse;buthere,too,shewasfoiled,forhisGracehadstubbornnotionsonthatscorealso,*andplainlyhint-ed, thatanyseparationmustbefinal,anddecided;andAdelaidecouldnotyetresolveupontakingsoformidableastepinthefirstyearofhermarriage.Shewas,there-fore, compelledtodragthechainbywhich,withherownwill,shehadboundherselfforlifetooneshealreadydespisedandde-tested. Andboundshewas,inthestrict-est senseofthemetaphor;for,thoughtheDukehadnotthesmallestpleasureinthesocietyofhiswife,heyetattachedgreatideasofproprietytotheirbeingalways

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seentogether,sidebyside.Likehissister,LadyMatilda,hehadahighreverenceforappearances,thoughhehadnothexjinesseingivingthemeffect.Hehadmerelybeenaccustomedtodowhathethoughtlookedwell,andgavehimanairofadditionaldignityrHehadmarriedAdelaide,becausehethoughtshehadafinepresence,andwouldlookwellasDuchessofAltamont;and,forthesamereason,nowthatshewashisweddedwife,hethoughtitlookedwelltobeseenalwaystogether.He,therefore,madeapointofhavingnoseparateengage-ments ;andevencarriedhissenseofpro-priety sofar,thatasregularlyastheDu-chess' carriagecametothedoor,theDukewaspreparedtohandherin,indueform,andtakehisstationbyherside.ThisalonewouldhavebeensufficienttohaveembitteredAdelaide'sexistence,andshehadtriedeveryexpedient,butinvain,toridherselfofthispublicdisplayofconju-gal duty:Shehadopenedherlandauletin

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coldweather,andshutit,eventotheglasses,inascorchingsun;buttheDukewasinsensibletoheatandcold:Hewasmostprovokinglyhealthy;andshehadnoteventherespitewhichanattackofrheu-matism, ortooth-ache,wouldhaveafford-ed. AshisGracewasnotapersonofkeensensation,thiscontinualefforttokeepupappearancescosthimlittleornothing;buttotheDuchess'nicertact,itwasmartyr-dom tobecompelledtosubmittothesem-blance ofaffection,wheretherewasnoreal-ity. Ah,nothingbutasenseofduty,ear-ly instilled,andpracticallyenforced,canre-concile arefinedmindtothepainfultaskofbearing,withmeeknessandgentleness,theilltemper,adversewill,andoppositesen-timents, ofthosewithwhomwecanac-knowledge nofeelingincommon!

ButAdelaidepossessednosenseofduty,andwasastrangertoselfcommand;and,thoughsheboastedrefinementofmind,yetitwasofthatspurioussort,which,far

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fromelevatingandpurifyingtheheart,tendsonlytocorruptanddebasethesoul,whileitshedsafalseanddazzlinglustreuponthoseperishablegraceswhichcapti-vate thesenses.

Itmayeasilybeimagined,thegoodsenseofthemotherdidnottendtosoothetheirritatedfeelingsofthedaughter.LadyJulianawas,indeed,quiteasmuchexas-perated astheDuchess,attheseobstaclesthrowninthewayofherpleasures,andthemoresoasshecouldnotquiteclearlycomprehendthem.Thegoodnatureofherhusband,andtheeasyindolenceofherbrother,evenherfollyhadenabledher,onmanyoccasions,togetthebetterof;buttheobstinacyofherson-in-lawwasinvin-cible toallherarts—shecould,therefore,onlywondertotheDuchess,howshecouldnotmanagetogetthebetteroftheDuke'sprejudicesagainstballs,andconcerts,andmasquerades:Itwassoexcessivelyridicu-lous, soperfectlyfoolish,nottodoasothe]

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peopledid;andtherewastheDuchessofRystongaveSundayconcerts,andLadyOakhamsawmasks,andevenolduglyLadyLoddonhadaball,andthePrinceatit!Howvastlyprovoking!howunreason-able inamanoftheDuke'syears,toex-pect agirllikeAdelaidetoconformtoallhisoldfashionednotions!AndthenshewouldwiselyappealtoLordLindore,whe-ther itwasnottooabsurdintheDuketointerferewiththeDuchess'arrangements.LordLindorewasafrequentvisitoratAltamontHouse;fortheDuke,satisfiedwithhishavingbeenoncerefused,wasnowisejealousofhim;andLordLindorewastooquietandrefinedinhisattentionstoexcitetheattentionofanyonesostu-pid andobtuse.ItwasnottheleastoftheDuchess'mortifications,tobeconstant-ly contrastingherformerlover—elegant,captivating,andspirituel—withherhus-band, awkward,insipid,anddull,asthefatweedthatrotsonLethe'sshore.Lord

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Lindorewas,indeed,themostadmiredmaninLondon,celebratedforhisconquests,hishorses,hiselegance,manner,dress;inshort,ineverythinghegavethetone.Buthehadtoomuchtastetocarryanythingtoextreme;and,inthemidstofincense,andadulation,andimitation,hestillre-tained thatsimple,unostentatiouselegance,thatmarksthemanofrealfashion—themanwhofeelshisownconsequence,inde-pendent ofallextraneousmodes,orfleet-ing fashions.

Thereis,perhaps,nothingsoimposing,nothingthatcarriesagreaterswayoveramindofanyrefinement,thansimplicity,whenwefeelassuredthatitspringsfromagenuinecontemptofshewandostenta-tion. LordLindorewasawareofthis,andhedidnotattempttoviewiththeDukeofAltamont,inthesplendourofhisequipage,therichnessofhisliveries,thenumberofhisattendants,oranyofthoseobviousat-tractions :onthecontrary,everythingbe-

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lODgingtohimwasoftheplainestdescrip-tion ;and,exceptinthebeautyofhishorses,heseemedtoscorneveryspeciesofextravagance:butthen,herodewithsomuchelegance,hedrovehiscurriclewithsuchgracefulease,asformedastrikingcontrasttotheformalDuke,sittingboltruprightinhisstatechariot,chapeaubras,andstar;andtheDuchessoftenquittedthePark,whereLordLindorewasthead-mired ofalladmirers,mortifiedandasham-ed atbeingseeninthesamecarriagewiththemanshehadchosenforherhus-band. AmbitionhadledhertomarrytheDuke,andthatsamepassionnowheighten-ed herattachmentforLordLindore;for,as?omeonehasremarked,ambitionisnotalwaysthedesireforthatwhichisinit-self excellent,butforthatwhichismostprizedbyothers;andthehandsomeLordLindorewascourtedandcaressedincir-cles, wherethedull,preciseDukeofAttamontwaswhollyoverlooked.Months

VOL.III.n

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passedinthismanner,andeverydayadd*edsomethingtoAdelaide'sfeelingsofcha*grinanddisappointment.ButitwasstillworsewhenshefoundherselfsettledforalongseasonatNorwoodAbbey—adull,magnificentresidence,withavastunva*riedpark,aprofusionofsombretrees,andasheetofstillwater,decoratedwithlead-en deities.Withindoorseverythingwasinthesamestyleofvapid,tastelessgran*deur,andthesocietywasnotsuchastodispeltheennuitheseimagesservedtocreate.LadyMatildaSufton,hersatel-lite Mrs.Finch,GeneralCarver,andafewstupid,elderlylords,andtheirwell-bredladies,comprisedthefamilycircle;andtheDuchessexperienced,withbitternessofspirit,that"restofheart,andpleasurefeltathome,"areblessingswealthcannotpurchase,norgreatnesscommand;whileshesickenedatthestupid,thealmostvul"garmagnificenceofherlot.

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AtthisperiodLordLindorearrivedonavisit,andthedaily,hourly,contrastthatoccurred,betwixttheelegant,impassionedlover,andthedull,phlegmatichusband,couldnotfailofproducingtheusualeffectsonanunprincipledmind.RousseauandGoethewerestudied,FrenchandGermansentimentswereexchanged,tillcriminalpassionwasexaltedintothepurestofallearthlyemotions.Itweretedioustodwellupontheminute,thealmostimperceptibleoccurrences,thattendedtoheightentheillusionofpassion,andthrowanairoffalsedignityaroundthedegradingspellsofvice;butsoitwas,thatinsomethinglessthanayearfromthetimeofhermar-riage, thisvictimofself-indulgenceagainsoughtherhappinessinthegratificationofherownheadstrongpassions,andelopedwithLordLindore,vainlyhopingtofindpeaceandjoyamidguiltandinfamy.

£>68MARRIAGE.

CHAPTERXIX.

'•Onn'estgueresobligeauxgensquinenousviennentvoir,quepournousquereller,quipendanttouteunevisite,nenousdi.sentpasuneseuleparoleobligeante,etquisefontunplaisirma-lind'attaquernotreconduite,etdenousfaireentrevoirnosde-fauts."

L'AbbedeBellegakde.

XheDuke,althoughnotpossessedofthemostdelicatefeelings,itmaybesupposed,wasnotinsensibletohisdishonour.Heimmediatelysetabouttakingthelegalmeasuresforavengingit;anddamageswereawarded,whichwouldhavetheef-fect ofrenderingLordLindoreforeveranalientohiscountry.LadyJulianaraved,andhadhysterics,andseemedtoconsiderherselfastheonlysuffererbyherdaughter'smisconduct.Atonetime,Ade-

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laide'singratitudewasallhertheme:atanother,itwasLordLindore'streachery,andpoorAdelaidewaseverythingthatwasamiableandinjured:thenitwastheDuke'sobstinacy;for,hadAdelaidegotleavetodoassheliked,thisneverwouldhavehappened;hadsheonlygotleavetogiveballs,andtogotomasquerades,shewouldhavemadethebestwifeintheworld,&c.&c.&c.

AllthiswaswarmlyresentedbyLadyMatilda,supportedbyMrs.FinchandGe-neral Carver,tillopenhostilitieswerede-clared betweentheladies,andLadyJulia-na wascompelledtoquitthehouseshehadlookeduponasnexttoherown,andbe-came oncemoreadenizenofBeechPark.

Mary'sgriefandhorrorathersister'smisconduct,wasproportionedtothenatureoftheoffence.Sheconsidereditnotashowitmightaffectherself,orwouldbeviewedbytheworld,butasacrimecom-mitted againstthelawofGod;yet,while

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shethemoredeeplydeploreditonthatac-count, nobitterwordsofcondemnationpassedherlips.Shethought,withhumi-lit-,ofthesuperioradvantagesshehaden-joyed, inhavingprinciplesofreligionearlyanddeeplyengraftedinhersoul;andthat,butforthese,suchashersister'sfatewas,her'smighthavebeen.

Shefeltforhermother,undeservingasshewasofcommiseration;andstrove,byeverymeansinherpower,topromotehercomfortandhappiness.Butthatwasno,easytask:LadyJuliana'snotionsofcom-fort andhappinessdifferedaswidelyfromthoseofherdaughter,asreasonandfol-ly couldpossiblydo.Shewas,indeed,"thanfollymoreafool—amelancholyfoolwithoutherbells."Shestillclungtolowearth-bornvanities,withasmuchavi-dity asthoughshehadneverexperiencedtheirinsecurity:stillrungthesamechangesonthejoysofwealthandgrandeur,asifshehadhadactualproofoftheirunfading

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felicity.ThensherecurredtotheDuke'sobstinacy,andLordLindore'sartifices,till,afterhavingexhaustedherselfininvectiveagainstthem,sheconcludedbycomfortingherselfwiththehopethatLordLindoreandAdelaidewouldmarry;andalthoughitwouldbeaprodigiousdegradationtoher,andshecouldnotbereceivedatcourt,shemightyetgetintoverygoodsocietyintown:thereweremanywomenofhighrankexactlyinthesamesituation,whohadbeendriventoelopefromtheirhusbands,andwhomarriedthementheyliked,andmadethebestwivesintheworld.

Maryheardallthisinshameandsi-lence ;butLadyEmily,weariedandpro-voked byherfollyandwantofprinciple,wasoftenledtoexpressherindignationandcontempt,intermswhichdrewtearsfromhercousin'seyes.Marywas,indeed,th§onlypersonintheworldwhofelthersister'sderelictionwiththekeenestfeelings®fshameand.sorrow.AllAdelaide'scold-

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nessandunkindness,hadnotbeenabletoeradicatefromherheartthosedeeprootedsentimentsofaffection,whichseemtohavebeenentwinedwithourexistence,andwhich,withsomegenerousnatures,endbutwiththeirbeing.Yes!therearetiesthatbindtogetherthoseofonefamily,strongerthanthoseoftaste,orchoice,orfriendship,orreason;fortheyenableustolove,eveninoppositiontothemall.

ItwasunderstoodthefugitiveshadgonetoGermany;andafterwonderandscan-dal wereexhausted,andadivorceobtain-ed, theDuchessofAltamont,excepttoherownfamily,wasalthoughshehadneverbeen.Suchisthetransitionfromgrandeurtoguilt—fromguilttoinsignificance!

Amongstthenumerousvisitorswhoflock-ed toBeechPark,whetherfromsympathy,orcuriosity,orexultation,wasMrs.DowneWright.Noneofthesemotives,singly,hadbroughtthatLadythere,forherpur-pose was,thatofgivingwhatshegenteel-

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lytermedsomegoodhitstotheDouglas*pride:adelicatemodeofwarfare,inwhich,itmustbeowned,thefemalesexgreatlyexcel.

Mrs.DowneWrighthadnotforgiventheindignityofhersonhavingbeenre-fused byMary,whichsheimputedentire-ly toLadyEmily'sinfluence,andhad,fromthatmoment,predictedthedown-falofthewholepack,asshestyledthefamily;atthesametimealwaysexpress-ing herwishthatshemightbemista-ken, asshewishedthemwell—Godknowssheborethemnoillwill,&c.Sheenteredthedrawing-roomatBeechPark,withacountenancecasttoatotallydifferentex-pression fromthatwithwhichshehadgreetedLadyMatildaSufton'swidowhood.Melancholywouldtherehavebeenappro-priate, hereitwasinsulting;andaccord-ingly, withdowncasteyes,andsilentpres-sures ofthehand,shesalutedeverymem-ber ofthefamily,andinquiredaftertheirhealthswiththatairofanxioussolicitude,

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whichimplied,thatiftheywereallwell,itwaswhattheyoughtnottobe.LadyEmily'squicktactwaspresentlyawareofherdesign,andshepreparedtotakethefieldagainsther.

"Ihadsomedifficultyingettingadmit-tance toyou,"saidMrs.DowneWright."Theservantwouldfainhavedeniedyou;but,atsuchatime,Iknewthevisitofafriendcouldnotfailofbeingacceptable,soImadegoodmywayinspiteofhim."

"Ihadgivenorderstobeathometofriendsonly,"returnedLadyEmily,"asthereisnoendtotheinroadsofacquaint-ances."

"AndpoorLadyJuliana,"saidMrs.DowneWright,inatoneofaffectedsym-pathy, "Ihopesheisabletoseeherfriends?"

"Didyounotmeether?"askedLadyEmilycarelessly:"SheisjustgonetoBath,forthepurposeofsecuringaboxdu-ring thetermofKean'sengagement;she

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wouldnottrusttoI'eloquencedubilletuponsuchanoccasion."

"I'mvastlyhappytohearsheisableforanythingofthekind,"inatoneofve-hement andoverstrainedjoy,ratherun-suitable totheoccasion.

Awell-feignedlookofsurprisefromLa-dy Emilymadeherfearshehadovershothermark;she,therefore,asiffromdelicacy,changedtheconversationtoherownaffairs.Shesooncontrivedtoletitbeknown,thathersonwasgoingtobemarriedtoaScotchEarl'sdaughter;thatshewastoresidewiththem;andthatshehadmerelycometoBath,forthepurposeoflettingherhouse—breakingupherestablishment—pack-ing upherplate—and,inshort,makingallthosemagnificentarrangementswhichwealthydowagersusuallyhavetoperformonachangeofresidence.Attheendofthistriumphantdeclaration,sheadded—

"Ifainwouldhavetheyoungpeoplelivebythemselves,andletmejustgoon

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inmyownway;butneithermyson,norLadyGrace,wouldhearofthat,althoughherfamilyaremyson'snearestneighbours,andmostsensible,agreeablepeopletheyare.Indeed,asIsaidtoLordGlenallan,aman'shappinessdependsfullyasmuchuponhiswife'sfamilyasuponherself."

Marywastoonobleminded,tosuspectthatMrs.DowneWrightcouldintendtolevelinuendos;buttheallusionstruckher:shefeltherselfblush;and,fearfulMrs.DowneWrightwouldattributeittoawrongmotive,shehastenedtojoinintheeulogiumontheBenmavisfamilyingene-ral, andLadyGraceinparticular.

"LadyBenmavisis,indeed,asensible,wellprincipledwoman,andherdaughtershavebeenallwellbroughtup."

AgainMarycolouredattheemphasiswhichmarkedthesensible,wellprincipledmother,andthewellbroughtupdaugh-ters ;and,insomeconfusion,shesaidsome-thing aboutLadyGrace'sbeauty.

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"Shecertainlyisaveryprettywoman,"saidMrs.DowneWrightwithaffectedcare-lessness; "butwhatisbetter,sheisoutofagoodnest.Formyownpart,Iplacelit-tle valueuponbeautynow;commendmetoprinciples.Ifawomaniswithoutprinci-ples, thelessbeautyshehasthebetter."

"Ifawomanhasnoprinciples,"saidLadyEmily,"Idon'tthinkitsignifiesastrawwhethershehasbeautyornot—ug-liness canneveraddtoone'svirtue."

"Ibegyourpardon,LadyEmily;aplainwomanwillnevermakeherselfsoconspi*cuousintheworldasoneofyourbeau-ties."

"Thenyouareofopinion,wickednessliesallintheeyeoftheworld,notinthedepthsoftheheart?Now,Ithinkthepersonwhocherishes—nomatterhowse-cretly—pride,envy,hatred,malice,oranyotherbesettingsin,mustbequiteascrimi-nal inthesightofGod,asthosewhoopen-ly indulgetheirevilpropensity."

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"Igoverymuchbyoutwardactions,"saidMrsDowneWright;"theyareallwehavetojudgeby."

"ButIthoughtwewereforbiddentojudgeoneanother?"

**There'snoshuttingpeople'smouths,LadyEmily.'*

"No;allthatisrequired,Ibelieve,isthatweshouldshutourown."

Marythoughttheconversationwasget-ting rathertoopiquantetobepleasant,andtriedtosoftenthetoneofit,byaskingthatmostinnocentquestion,Whethertherewasanynews?

"Nothingbutaboutbattles,andfight-ings, Isuppose,"answeredMrs.DowneWright."I'msuretheyaretobepitiedwhohavefriendsorrelationseitherinarmyornavyatpresent.Ihavereasontobethankfulmysonisinneither.Hewasverymuchsetupongoingintooneorother;butIwasalwaysaversetoit;for,independentofthedanger,theyare

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professionsthatspoilamanfordomesticlife,theyleadtosuchexpensive,dissipatedhabits,asquiteruinthemforfamilymen.Ineverknewamilitarymanbutwhatmusthavehisbottleofporteveryday:Withsailors,indeed,it'sstillworse;grogandtobaccosoondestroythem.I'msure,ifIhadadaughter,itwouldmakememi-serable ifshewastotakeafancytoana-val ormilitaryman;—but,"asifsuddenlyrecollectingherself,"afterall,perhapsitsamereprejudiceofmine."

"Bynomeans,"saidLadyEmily,"thereisnoprejudiceinthematter;whatyousayisverytrue.Theyaretobeenviedwhocancontrivetofallinlovewithastu-pid, idleman:theynevercanexperienceanyanxiety:theirfateisfixed;'thewavelesscalm*theslumberofthedead,'istheirs;aslongastheycancontrivetoslum-ber on,or,*atleast,tokeeptheireyesshut,'tisverywell,theyareinnodangerofstumblingtilltheycometoopenthem;

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andiftheyaresufficientlystupidthem-selves, thereisnodangeroftheirdoingeventhat.Theyhaveonlytocopytheowl,andtheyaresafe."

"IquiteagreewithyourLadyship,"saidMrs.DowneWright,withawellgot-up,good-humouredlaugh."Awomanhasonlynottobeawitoragenius,andthereisnofearofher;notthat/havethatantipathytoacleverwomanthatma-ny peoplehave,andespeciallythegentle-men. IalmostquarrelledwithMr.Head-ley,thegreatauthor,t'otherday,forsay-ing thathewouldratherencounteranestofwaspsthanacleverwoman."

"Ishouldmostcordiallyhaveagreedwithhim,"saidLadyEmily,withequalnaivete."Thereisnothingmoreinsupportablethanoneofyourcleverwomen,socalled.Theyaregenerallyunder-bred,consequentlyvul-gar. Theypiquethemselvesuponsayinggoodthingscoutequ'ilcoute.Thereissome-thing, inshort,quiteprofessionalabout

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them;andtheywouldn'tcondescendtochatnonsenseasyouandIaredoingatthismoment—oh!notforworlds!Now,Ithinkoneofthegreatcharmsoflifecon-sists intalkingnonsense.Goodnonsenseisanexquisitething;and'tisanexquisitethingtobestupidsometimes,andtosayno-thing atall.Now,theseenjoymentsthecleverwomenmustforego.Cleversheis,andclevershemustbe.Herlifemustbeagreaterdrudgerythanthatofanyactress.Shemerelyfretsherhouruponthestage;thecurtaindropped,shemaybecomeasdullasshechooses;butthecleverwomanmustalwaysstageitevenatherownfire-side."

"LadyEmilyLindoreiscertainlythelastpersonfromwhomIshouldhaveex-pected tohearapanegyriconstupidity,"saidMrs.DowneWright,withsomebit-terness.

"Stupidity!—oh,heavens!mybloodcurdlesatthethoughtofreal,genuine,

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downrightstupidity!No!Ishouldalwaysliketohavethecommandofintellect,aswellasofmoney,thoughmytaste,ormyindolence,ormywhim,perhapsneverwouldinclinemetobealwayssparkling,whetherinwitorindiamonds.'TwasonlywhenIwasinthenurserythatIenviedthegoodgirlwhospokerubiesandpearlsNow,itseemstomeonlyjustbetterthannotspittingtoadsandvipers."Andshewar-bled asprightlyFrenchariettetoatamebullfinchthatflewuponherhand.

Therewasanairy,highbredeleganceinLadyEmily'simpertinence,thatseemedtothrowMrs.DowneWright'scoarsesar-casms toanimmeasurabledistance;andthatladywasbeginningtodespair,butshewasdeterminednottogiveinwhileshecouldpossiblystandout.Sheaccordinglyralliedherforces,andturnedtoMary.—

"Soyouhavelostyourneighbour,Mrs.Lennox,sinceIwashere?Ithinkshewasanacquaintanceofyour's.Poorwo»

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man!herdeathmusthavebeenahappyreleasetoherselfandherfriends.Shehasleftnofamily,Ibelieve?"quiteawareofthereportofMary'sengagementwithColonelLennox.

"Onlyoneson,"saidMary,withalit-tle emotion.

"Oh!verytrue.He'sinthelaw,Ithink?"

"Inthearmy,"answeredMaryfaintly.

"That'sapoortrade,"saidMrs.DowneWright,"andIdoubthe'llnothavemuchtomendit.RoseHall'sbutapoorpro-perty. I'veheardtheymighthavehadagoodestateinScotlandifithadn'tbeenfortheprideoftheGeneral,thatwouldn'tlethimchangehisnameforit.HethoughtitgrandertobeapoorLennoxthanarichMacnaughton,orsomesuchname.It'stobehopedtheson'softhesamemind?"

"Ihavenodoubtofit,"saidLadyEmi-ly :"'Tisanoblename—quitealegacyinitself."

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"It'sonethat,Iamafraid,willnotbeeasi-ly turnedintobanknotes,however,"return-ed Mrs.DowneWright,witharedheartylaugh.Andthen,delightedtogetoffwithwhatshecalledflyingcolours,shehastilyrosewithanexclamationatthelatenessofthehour,andaremarkhowquicklytimepassedinpleasantcompany;and,withfriendlyshakesofthehand,withdrew.

"Howveryinsupportableissuchawo-man !"saidLadyEmilytoMary,"who,togratifyherownmalice,saysthemostcuttingthingstoherneighbours,and,atthesametime,feelsselfapprobationinthebeliefthatsheisdoinggood.Andyet,hatefulassheis,Iblushtosay,Ihavesome-times beenamusedbyherill-nature,whenitwasdirectedagainstpeopleIhatedstillmore.LadyMatildaSufton,forexample,—thereshecertainlyshone,forhypocrisyisalwaysfairgame;andyetthepeoplewholovetohuntitareneveramiable.Yousmile,asmuchastosay,hereisSatan

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preachingasermononholiness.But,how-ever satiricalandintolerantyoumaythinkme,youmustownthatItakenodelightinthediscoveryofotherpeople'sfaults:ifIwantthemeeknessofaChristian,atleast,Idon'tpossessthemaliceofaJew.Now,Mrs.DowneWrighthasarealheartfeltsatisfactioninsayingmalici-ous things,andinthrustingherselfintocompany,whereshemustknowsheisunwelcome,forthesolepurposeofsayingthem.Yetmanypeopleareblessedwithsuchbluntperceptions,thattheyarenotatallawareofherrealcharacter,andon-ly wonder,whenshehasleftthem,whatmadethemfeelsouncomfortablewhenshewaspresent.Butshehasputmeinsuchabadhumour,thatImustgooutofdoors,andapostrophisethesun,likeLucifer.Docome,Mary,youwillhelptodispelmychagrin.Ireallyfeelasifmyhearthadbeeninalime-kiln.Allitskindlyfeelingsaresoburntupbythemalignantinfluen-

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cesofMrs.DowneWright;whileyou,*continuedshe,astheystrolledintothegardens,"areascool,andassweet,andassorrowfulastheseviolets,"gatheringsomestillwetwithanAprilshower."Howdelicious,aftersuchamentalsirocco,tofeelthepureair,andhearthebirdssing,andlookupontheflowersandblossoms,andsithere,andbaskinthesunfromla^zinesstowalkintotheshade.Youmustneedsacknowledge,Mary,thatspringinEnglandisamuchmoreamiableseasonthaninyourungentleclime."

ThiswasthesecondspringMaryhadseensetin,inEngland.Butthefirsthadbeenwaywardandbackwardastheseasonsofhernativeclimate.Thepresentwassuchaoneaspoetslovetopaint.Naturewasinallitsfirstfreshnessandbeauty—thegroundwascoveredwithflowers-—thelux-uriant hedge-rowswerewhitewithblos-soms—theairwasimpregnatedwiththeodoursofthegardensandorchards.Still

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MarysighedasshethoughtofLochmarlie:Itswildtangledwoods,withhereandthereabunchofprimrosespeepingforthfromamidstmossandwitheredfern—itsgurglingrills,bluelakes,androcks,andmountains—allrosetoview;andshefelt,that,evenamidfairerscenes,andbeneathbrightersuns,herheartwouldstillturnwithfondregrettothelandofherbirth,

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CHAPTERXX.

"Wondrousitis,toseeindiversemindesHowdiverslyLovedothhispageantsplay,Andshewshispowerinvariablekinds."

Spenser.

Buteventhecharmsofspringwereover-looked byLadyEmily,inthesuperiorde-light sheexperiencedathearingthattheship,inwhichEdwardDouglaswas,hadarrivedatPortsmouth;andtheintelligencewassoonfollowedbyhisownarrivalatBeechPark.Hewasreceivedbyherwithrapture,andbyMarywiththetenderest

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emotion.LordCourtlandwasalwaysgladofanadditiontothefamilyparty;andevenLadyJulianaexperiencedsomethinglikeemotion,asshebeheldherson,nowtheexactimageofwhathisfatherhadbeentwentyyearsbefore.

EdwardDouglaswas,indeed,aperfectmodelofyouthfulbeauty,andpossessedofallthehighspiritsandhappyinsouciance,whichcanonlycharmatthatearlyperiod.Helovedhisprofession,andhadalreadydistinguishedhimselfinit.Hewashand-some, brave,good-hearted,andgood-hu-moured, buthewasnotclever;andMaryfeltsomesolicitudeastothepermanencyofLadyEmily'sattachmenttohimButLadyEmily,quick-sightedtothedefectsofthewholeworld,seemedhappilyblindtothoseofherlover;and,whenevenMa-ry's spiritswerealmostexhaustedbyhisnoisyrattle,LadyEmily,charmedandex-hilarated, enteredintoallhispracticaljokes,

vol.in.o

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andboyishfrolics,withthegreatestde-light.

ShesoonperceivedwhatwaspassinginMary'smind.

"IseeperfectlywellwhatyouthinkofmypenchantforEdward,"saidsheoneday;"Icantellyouexactlywhatwaspassinginyourthoughtsjustnow.Youwerethinkinghowstrange,howpassingstrangeitIs,thatI,whoam(falsemodestyavaunt!)certainlyclevererthanEdward,shouldyetbesopartialtohim,andthatmylynxeyesshouldhavefailedtodiscoverinhimfaults,which,withasingleglance,Ishouldhavedetectedinothers.Now,can'tyouguesswhatrenderseventheseveryfaultssoat-tractive tome?"

"Theoldstory,Isuppose?"saidMary."Love."

"Notatall.Lovemightblindmetohisfaultsaltogether,andthenmycasewouldbe,indeed,hopeless,were1liv-ing inthebeliefthatIwaslovingapiece

MARRIAGE.%Q\

ofperfection—asortofApolloBelvidereinmind,aswellasinperson.Now,sofarfromthat,Icouldreckonyouupawholecatalogueofhisfaults;and,nevertheless,Ilovehimwithmywholeheart,faultsandall.Inthefirstplace,theyarethefaultswithwhichIhavebeenfamiliarfromin-fancy ;andthereforetheypossessacharm(tomyshamebeitsaid!)*greaterthanotherpeople'svirtueswouldhavetome.Theycomeovermyfancylikesomesnatchofanoldnurserysong,whichonelovestohearindefianceoftasteandreason,merelybecauseitissomethingthatcar-ries usbacktothosedays,which,whatevertheywereinreality,alwayslookbrightandsunnyinretrospection.Inthesecondplace,hisfaultsarereal,genuine,naturalfaults;and,inthisageofaffectation,howrefreshingitistomeetwithevenanatur-al fault!Igrantyou,Edwardtalksab-surdly, andasksquestions,a/airedress-er lescheveux,ofaMrs.Bluemits.But

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thatamusesme;forhisignoranceisnottheignoranceofvulgarityorstupidity,buttheignoranceofalighthead,andamerryheart—ofone,inshort,whoseunderstand-ing hasbeenatseawhenotherpeople'swereatschool.Hisbonmotscertainlywouldnotdotobeprinted;butthentheymakemelaughagreatdealmorethaniftheywerebetter,forheisalwaysnaifandori-ginal, andIpreferanindifferentoriginalanydaytoagoodcopy.Howitshocksmetohearpeoplerecommendingtotheirchildrentocopysuchaperson'smanners!Acopiedmanner,howinsupportable!Theservileimitatorofasetpattern,howdes-picable !No!IwouldratherhaveEd-ward inallthefreshnessofhisownfaults,thaninthefadedsemblanceofanotherperson'sproprieties."

Maryagreedtothetruthofhercousin'sobservationsinsomerespects,thoughshecouldnothelpthinking,thatlovehadasmuchtosayinhercaseasinmostothers;forifitdidnotblindhertoherlover's

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faults,itcertainlymadehermuchmoreto-lerant ofthem.

Edwardwas,intruth,attimes,almostprovokinglyboyishandunthinking,andpossessedaflowofanimalspiritsasinex-haustible astheyweresometimesoverpow-ering ;butsheflatteredherselftimewouldsubduethemtoamorerationaltone:andshelongedforhishavingtheadvantagesofColonelLennox'ssociety—notbywayofpattern,asLadyEmilyexpressedit,butthathemightbegraduallyledtosome-thing ofmorerefinement,fromholdingin-tercourse withasuperiormind.Andsheobtainedherwishsoonerthanshehaddar-ed tohopeforit.ThatbattlewasfoughtwhichdecidedthefateofEurope,andturn-ed somanyswordsintoplough-shares;andMaryseemednowtouchingthepinnacleofhappiness,whenshesawherloverrestoredtoher.HehadgainedadditionalrenowninthebloodyfieldofWaterloo;and,morefortunatethanothers,hismilitarycareer

'2*>1<MARRIAGE.

hadterminatedbothgloriouslyandhappi-

IfMaryhadeverdistrustedtherealityofhisaffection,allherdoubtswerenowatanend.Shesawshewasbelovedwitkallthetruthandardourofanobleingenu-ous mind,toouprighttodeceiveothers,tooenlightenedtodeceiveitself.Allreservebetwixtthemwasnowatanend;and,se-cure inmutualaffection,nothingseemedtoopposeitselftotheirhappiness.

ColonelLennox'sfortunewassmall;but,suchasitwas,itseemedsufficientforallthepurposesofrationalenjoyment.Bothwereaware,thatwealthisarelativething,andthatthepositivelyricharenotthosewhohavethelargestpossessions,butthosewhohavethefewestvainorselfishdesirestogratify.Fromthesetheywerehappi-ly exempt.Bothpossessedtoomanyre-sources intheirownmindstorequirethestimulusofspendingmoneytorousethemintoenjoyment,orgivethemadditionalimportanceintheeyesoftheworld;and*

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aboveall,bothweretoothoroughlyChris-tian intheirprinciples,tomurmuratanysacrificesorprivationstheymighthavetoendureinthecourseoftheirearthlypil-grimage.

ButLadyJuliana'sweak,worldlymind,sawthingsinaverydifferentlight;andwhenColonelLennox,asamatterofform,appliedtoherforherconsenttotheirun-ion, hereceivedapositiveandangryrefu-sal. Shedeclaredsheneverwouldconsenttoanydaughterofher'smakingsofoolish,soveryunsuitableamarriage.And,thensendingforMary,shechargedher,inthemostperemptorymanner,tobreakoffallintercoursewithColonelLennox.

PoorMarywasoverwhelmedwithgriefandamazementatthisnewdisplayofhermother'styrannyandinjustice,andusedallthepowersofreasoningandentreatytoalterhersentiments;butinvain.SinceAdelaide'selopement,LadyJulianahadbeenmuchinwantofsomesubjecttooo

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cupyhermind—somethingtoexciteasen-sation, andgivehersomethingtocomplainof,andtalkabout,andputherinabustle,andmakeherangry,andalarmed,andill-used,and,inshort,allthethingswhichafoolisfondofbeing.

AlthoughMaryhadlittlehopesofbeingabletoprevailbyanyeffortsofreason,sheyettriedtomakehermothercomprehendthenatureofherengagementwithColonelLennoxasofasacrednature,andtoobind-ing evertobedissolved.ButLadyJuli-ana's wrathblazedforthwithredoubledvio-lence attheverymentionofanengagement.Shehadneverheardofanythingsoimpro-per. ColonelLennoxmustbeamostun-principled mantoleadherdaughterintoanengagementunsanctionedbyher;andshehadactedinthemostimpropermannerinallowingherselftoformanattachmentwithouttheconsentofthosewhohadthebesttitletodisposeofher.Thepersonwhocouldactthuswasnotfittobetrust-

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ed,andinfutureitwouldbenecessaryforhertohaveherconstantlyunderherowneye.

Maryfoundhercandourhadthereforeonlyreducedhertothealternativeofei-ther openlyrebelling,orofsubmittingtobetalkedat,andwatched,andguarded,asifshehadbeendetectedincarryingonsomeimproperclandestineintercourse.Bullshesubmittedtoalltherestrictionsthatwereimposed,andthetormentsthatwereinflicted,ifnotwiththeheroismofamar-tyr, atleastwiththemeeknessofone;fornomurmurescapedherlips.Shewason-ly anxioustoconcealfromotherstheex-tent ofhermother'sfollyandinjustice,andtookeveryopportunityofentreatingColonelLennox'ssilenceandforbearance.Itrequired,indeed,allherinfluence,toin-duce himtosubmitpatientlytothetreat-ment heexperienced.LadyJulian-ahadsooftenrepeatedtoMarythatitwasthegreatestpresumptioninColonelLennoxto

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aspiretoadaughterofhers,thatshehadfairlytalkedherselfintothebeliefthathewasallsheassertedhimtobe—amanofneitherbirthnorfortune—certainlyaScots-man, fromhisname—consequentlyhavingthousandsofpoorcousins,andvulgarrela-tions ofeverydescription.Andshewasdeterminedthatnodaughterofhersshouldevermarryamanwhosefamilyconnec-tions sheknewnothingabout.Shehadsufferedagreatdealtoomuchfromher(Mary's)father'slowrelationsevertoruntheriskofanythingofthesamekindhappeningagain.Inshort,sheatlengthmadeitoutclearlytoherownsatisfaction,thatColonelLennoxwasscarcelyagen-tleman ;andshethereforeconsidereditasherdutytotreathim,oneveryoccasion,withthemostmarkedrudeness.ColonelLennoxpitiedherfollytoomuchtobehurtbyherill-breedingandmalevolencejbuthecouldscarcelyreconcileittohisnotionsofduty,thatMary'ssuperiormind

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shouldsubmittothethraldomofonewhoevidentlyknewnotgoodfromevil.

LadyEmilywassomuchengrossedbyherownaffairs,that,forsometime,allthiswentonunnoticedbyher.Atlength,shewasstruckwithMary'sdejection,andobservedthatColonelLennoxseemedalsodispirited;but,imputingittoalover'squarrel,shelaughinglytaxedthemwithit.AlthoughMarycouldsuppressthecauseofheruneasiness,shewastooingenuoustode-ny it;and,beingpressedbyhercousin,sheatlengthdisclosedtoherthecauseofhersorrow.

"ColonelLennoxandyouhavebehavedliketwofools,"saidshe,attheendofhercousin'scommunication."Whatcouldpos-sibly instigateyoutosoabsurdanactasthatofaskingLadyJuliana'sconsent?Yousurelymighthaveknown,thatthepersonwhoisneverconsultedaboutanythingwillinvariablystartdifficultiestoeyerything;andthatpeople,whoarene-ver accustomedtobeevenlistenedto,get

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quiteunmanageablewhenappealedto.LadyJulianagaveanimmediateassenttoLordGlenallan'sproposals,becauseshewasthefirstpersonconsultedaboutthem;and,besides,shehadasortofaninstinctiveknowledgethatitwouldcreateasensationandmakeherofconsequence—inshort,shewastoactinasortoftriplecapacity,asparent,lover,andbride.Here,onthecon-trary, shewasawarethatherconsentwouldstandasamerecipher,and,oncegiven,wouldneverbemoreheardof.Libertyofopinionisalatitudemanypeoplequitelosethemselvesin.Whenoncetheyattempttothink,itmakesconfusionworsecon-founded :soitismuchbettertotakethatlabourofftheirhands,andsettlethemat-ter forthem.ItwouldhavebeenquitetimeenoughtohaveaskedLadyJuliana'sconsentafterthethingwasover;or,atanyrate,theminutebeforeitwastotakeplace.Iwouldnotevenhaveallowedhertimeforafloodoftears,orafitofhyste-

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lies.Andnow,thatyourdutyhasbroughtyoutothis,evenmygeniusisatalosshowtoextricateyou.GretnaGreenmighthavebeenadvisable,andthatwouldhaveac-corded withyournotionsofduty;thatwouldhavebeenfollowingyourmamma'sownfootsteps;butitisbecometoovul-gar anexploit.Ireadofahatter'sap-prentice havingcarriedofagrocer'sheir-ess t'otherday—Whatdoyoupurposedo-ing yourself?"

"Totrytheeffectofpatienceandsub-mission," saidMary,"ratherthanopenlysetatdefianceoneofthemostsaereddu-ties—theobedienceofachildtoaparent.Besides,IcouldnotpossiblybehappywereItomarryundersuchcircumstances."

"Youhavemuchtooniceaconscience,"saidLadyEmily;"andyetIcouldscarce-ly wishyouotherwisethanyouare.Whatanangelyouare,tobehaveasyoudotosuchamother;withsuchsweetness,andgentleness,andevenrespect1Ah!they

302MARRIAGET.

knowlittleofhumannature,whothinkrthattoperformgreatactionsonemustne-cessarily beagreatcharacter.Sofarfromthat,Inowsee,theremaybemuchmorerealgreatnessofminddisplayedinthequiettenorofawoman'slife,thaninthemostbrilliantexploitsthateverwereper-formed byman.Methinks,Imyselfcouldhelptostormacity;buttorulemyownspirit,isataskbeyondme.WhatapityitisyouandIcannotchangeplaces.HereamI,languishingforalittleoppositiontomylove.Mymarriagewillbequiteaninsipid,every-dayaffair:Iyawnalreadytothinkofit.Cananythingbemoredishearteningtoayoungcouple,anxioustosignalizetheirattachmentinthefaceofthewholeworld,thantobeallowedtotaketheirownway?Conceivemyvexa-tion atbeingtoldbypapathismorning,thathehadnottheleastobjectiontoEd-ward andmemarryingwheneverwepleas-ed, althoughhethoughtwemightbothhave

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donebetter;butthatwasourownaffair,nothis.ThathethoughtEdwardafine,goodhumouredfellow—excessivelyamu-sing—hopedhewouldgetashipsomeday,althoughhehadnointerestwhateverintheadmiralty—wassorryhecouldnotgiveusanymoney,buthopedweshouldre-main atBeechParkaslongasweliked.—Ireallyfeelquiteflatwithallthesedullaffirmations."

"What!youhadratherhavebeenlock-ed upinatower—wringingyourhandsattheheightofthewindows,thethicknessofthewalls,andsoforth,"saidMary.

"No:Ishouldneverhavedoneanythingsolikeawasherwoman,astowringmyhands;thoughImight,likesomehe-roines, havefallentoworkinaregularblacksmith-way,byexaminingthelockofthedoor,and,perhaps,havesucceededinpickingit;but,alas!Iliveindegeneratedays.Oh!thatIhadbeenborntheper-secuted daughterofsomeancientBaron

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bold,insteadofthespoiledchildofagoodmaturedmodernEarl!Heavens!tothinkthatImusttamely,abjectlysubmittobemarriedinthepresenceofallmyfamily,evenintheveryparishchurch!Oh,whatdetractionsfromthebrilliancyofmystar!"Inspiteofherlevity,LadyEmilywasseriouslyinterestedinhercousin'saffairs,andtriedeverymeansofobtainingLadyJuliana'sconsent:butLadyJulianawasbe-come moreunmanageablethanever.Hertemper,alwaysbad,wasnowsouredbychagrinanddisappointmentintosomething,ifpossible,stillworse,andLadyEmily'sauthoiityhadnolongeranycontrouloverher;eventbethreatofproducingauntGrizzytoabrilliantassembly,hadnowlostitseffect.Dr.Redgillwastheonlyauxi-liary shepossessedinthefamily,andhemostcordiallyjoinedherincondemningMissMary'sobstinacyandinfatuation.Whatcouldsheseeinamanwithsuchaninsignificantbitofproperty,amerenestfor

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blackbirdsandlinnets,andsuchsortofver-min. Notamorselofanysortofgameonhisgrounds;whileatGlenallan,hehadbeencrediblyinformed,suchwastheabun-dance, thatthedeerhadbeenseenstalk-ing, andtheblackcockflying,pasttheve-ry door!ButtheDoctor'sindignationWassuddenlysuspendedbyafitofapo-plexy ;fromwhich,however,herallied,andpasseditoffforthepresentasasortofvertigo,inconsequenceoftheshockhehadreceivedathearingofMissMary*smiscon-duct.

AtlengthevenColonelLennox'sfor-bearance wasexhausted,andMary'shealthandspiritsweresinkingbeneaththecon-flict shehadtomaintain,whenasuddenrevolutioninLadyJuliana'splanscausedalsoarevolutioninhersentiments.ThiswasoccasionedbyaletterfromAdelaide,nowLadyLindore:Itwasevidentlywrit-ten undertheinfluenceofmelancholyanddiscontent;and,asLadyEmilysaid,no-

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thingcouldbeastrongerproofofpoorAdelaide'swretchedness,thanherexpress-ing awishthathermothershouldjoinherinthesouthofFrance,whereshewasgo-ing onaccountofherhealth.

Adelaidewas,indeed,oneofthemanymelancholyproofsoftheeffectsofhead-strong passionsandpervertedprinciples*LordLindorehadmarriedherfromapointofhonour;andalthoughhepossessedtoomuchrefinementtotreatherill,yethisin-difference wasnotthelesscuttingtoaspirithaughtyashers.Likemanyothers,shehadvainlyimagined,that,inrenouncingvirtueitselfforthemansheloved,shewasforeverensuringhisboundlessgratitudeandadoration:andsheonlyawokefromherdelusivedream,tofindherselffriend-less inaforeignland—anoutcastfromso-ciety—anobjectofindifference,eventohimforwhomshehadabandonedall.

ButLadyJulianawouldseenothingofallthis:Shewascharmedatwhatshe

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termedthisproofofherdaughter'saffec-tion, inwishingtohaveherwithher;andtheprospectofgoingabroadseemedlikeavisionofparadisetoher.Instantprepa-rations weremadeforherdeparture,andinthebustleattendantonthem,Maryandheraffairssunkintoutterinsignificance.Indeed,sheseemedratheranxioustogetherdisposedof,inanywaythatmightpreventherinterferingwithherownplans;andaconsenttohermarriage,suchasitwas,waseasilyobtained.

"Marrywhomyouplease,"saidshe;"onlyrememberIamnotresponsiblefortheconsequences.Ihavealwaystoldyouwhatawretchedthingalove-marriageis,there-fore youarenottoblamemeforyourfu-ture misery."

Maryreadilysubscribedtothecondi-tions ;but,assheembracedhermotheratparting,shetimidlywhisperedahopethatshewouldeverconsiderherhouseasherhome.Asmileofcontemptwastheonly

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CHAPTERXXI.

"OmostgentleJupiter!whattedioushomilyoflovehaveyonweariedyourparishionerswithal,andnevercryed,Havepatience,goodpeople.'"

AsYouLikeIt.

Lheonlyobstacletoherunionthusre-moved, Marythoughtshemightnowven-ture toletherauntGrizzyintothesecret;andaccordingly,withsomelittleembarrass-ment, shemadethedisclosureofthemu-tual attachmentsubsistingbetweenColonelLennoxandherself.Grizzyreceivedthecommunicationwithalltheastonishmentwhichladiesusuallyexperience,uponbeing

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madeacquaintedwithamarriagewhichtheyhadnothadthepresciencetoforeseeandforetell—orevenonewhichtheyhad;for,commonandnaturalastheeventseemstobe,itisonewhich,perhaps,innoin-stance evertookplace,withoutoccasion-ing thegreatestamazementtosomeonein-dividual oranother;anditwillalsobege-nerally found,thateitherthegoodorthebadfortuneofoneorotheroftheparties,isthesubjectofuniversalwonder.Inshort,amarriagewhichexcitesnosurprise,pity,orindignation,mustbesomethingthathasneveryetbeenwitnessedonthefaceofthisroundworld.Itisgreatlytobefeared,noneofmyreaderswillsympa-thise inthefeelingsofthegoodspinsteronthisoccasion,asshepouredthemforthinthefollowingextemporeorimprovisitorialstrain:

*'Well,Mary,IdeclareI'mperfectlyconfoundedwithallyouhavebeentellingme!I'msureIneverheardthelikeofit!

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Itseemsbutthet'otherdaysinceyoube-gan yoursampler;anditlooksjustlikeyesterdaysinceyourfatherandmotherweremarried.Andsuchaworkastherewasatyournursing!I'msureyourpoorgrand-father wasOutofallpatienceaboutit.Andnowtothinkthatyouaregoingtobemarried!notbutwhatit'sathingweallexpected,forthere'snodoubtEngland'stheplaceforyoungwomentogethus-bands—wealwayssaidthat,youknow:NotbutwhatIdaresayyoumighthavebeenmarried,too,ifyouhadstaidintheHighlands,andtoarealHiglander,too,which,ofcourse,wouldhavebeenstillbet-ter forusall;foritwillbeasadthingifyouareobligedtostayinEngland,Ma-ry ;butIhopethere'snochanceofthat:Youknow,ColonelLennoxcaneasilysellhisplace,andbuyanestateintheHigh-lands. There'sacharmingproperty,Iknow,tobesoldjustnow,thatmarcheswithGlenfern.Tobesureit'sonthe

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wrongsideofthehill—there'snodenyingthat;butthen,there'sIcan'ttellyouhowmanythousandacresoffinemuirforshoot-ing, andIdaresayColonelLennoxisakeensportsman;andtheysay,agreatdealofitmightbeverymuchimproved.Wemustreallyinquireafterit,Mary,andyoumustspeaktoColonelLennoxaboutit,foryouknowsuchapropertyasthatmaybesnappedupinaminute."

Maryassentedtoallthatwassaid;andjGrizzyproceeded—

"IwonderyouneverbroughtColonelLennoxtoseeus,Mary:I'msurehemustthinkitveryodd.Tobesure,SirSampson'ssituationissomeexcuse;but,atanyrate,Iwonderyouneverspokeabouthim.WeallfoundoutyourauntBella'sattachmentfromtheveryfirst,justfromherconstantlyspeakingaboutMajorM'Tavishandthemilitia;andwehadagoodguessofBetsy'stoo,fromthedayherfaceturnedsoredaftergivingCaptain

MARRIAGE.SIS

M'Nabforhertoast;butyouhavereallykeptyour'sveryclose,for,Ideclare,Ine-ver 6ncesuspectedsuchathing.Iwon-der ifthatwasColonelLennoxthatIsawyoupartwithatthedooroneday:tall,andwithbrowniiair,andabluecoat.IaskedLadyM'Laughlanifsheknewwhoitwas,andshesaiditwasAdmiralBen-bow;butIthinkshemusthavebeenmis-taken, forIdaresay,now,itwasjustCo-lonel Lennox.Lennox—I'msureIshouldbeabletoremembersomethingaboutsome-body ofthatname;butmymemory'snotsogoodasitusedtobe,forIhavesomanythings,youknow,tothinkabout,withSirSampson,that,Ideclare,sometimesmyhead'squiteconfusedjyetIthinkalwaysthere'ssomethingaboutthem.IwishtogoodnessLadyM'Laughlanwascomefrom,thedentist's,thatImightconsultheraboutit;for,ofcourse,Mary,you'lldonothingwithoutconsultingallyourfriends:Iknowyou'vetoomuchsenseforthat.Jlndhere's

VOL.III.P

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SirSampsoncoming;itwillbeafinepieceofnewstotellhim."

SirSampsonhavingbeennowSvheeledinbythestillactivePhilistine,andproperlyarranged,withtheassistanceofMissGriz-zy,shetookherusualstationbythesideofhiseasychair,andbegantoshoutintohisear.

"Here'smynieceMary,SirSampson;yourememberherwhenshewaslittle,Idaresay—youknowyouusedtocallherthefairyofLochmarlie;andI'msureweallthoughtforlongshewouldhavebeenaperfectfairy,shewassolittle;butshe'stallenoughnow,yousee,andshe'sgoingtobemarriedtoafineyoungman—noneofusknowhimyet,butIthinkImusthaveseenhim;and,atanyrate,I'mtoseehimto-morrow,andyouwillseehimtoo,SirSampson,forMaryistobringhimtocallhere,andhe'lltellyouallaboutthebattleofWaterloo,andtheHighlanders;forhe'shalfaHighlandertoo,andI'mcertainhe'll

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buytheDhuanbogestate;andthenwhenmynieceMarymarriesColonelLennox—"

"Lennox!"repeatedSirSampson,hislittledimeyeskindlingatthename—"WhotalksofLennox?—I—Iwon'tsufferit.—Where'smyLady?—Lennox!—he'sascoun-drel!—youshan'tmarryaLennox!"—Turn-ing toGrizzy,"CallPhilistine,andmyLa-dy." Andhisagitationwassogreat,thatevenGrizzy,althoughaccustomedforfortyyearstowitnesssimilarebullitions,becamealarmed.

"Youseeit'sallforfearofmymarry-ing," whisperedshetoMary:"I'msuresuchadisinterestedattachment,it'simpos-sible formeevertorepayit!"

ThenturningtoSirSampson,shesoughttosoothhisperturbationbyoft-repeatedassurances,thatitwasnotherbuthernieceMarythatwasgoingtobemarriedtoColonelLennox:Butinvain;SirSamp-son quivered,andpanted,andmuttered;andthelouderGrizzyscreamedoutthe

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truth,themovehisirritationincreased.Re-course wasnowhadtoPhilistine;andMa-ry, thoroughlyashamedoftheeclatattend-ing thedisclosureofhersecret,andfindingshecouldbeofnouse,stoleawayinthemidstofMissGrizzy'sendlessverbiage;butasshedescendedthestairs,shestillheardthesameassuranceresounding—"Icanassureyou,SirSampson,it'snotme,butmynieceMarythat'sgoingtobemarriedtoColonelLennox,"&c.

OnreturningtoBeechPark,^hesaidnothingofwhathadpassedeithertoLadyEmilyorColonelLennox—awareoftheamusementitwouldfurnishtoboth;andshefeltthatherauntrequiredallthedig-nity withwhichshecouldinvesther,be-fore presentinghertoherfuturenephew.Theonlydelaytohermarriagenowrest-ed withherself;butshewasdesirousitshouldtakeplaceundertheroofwhichhadshelteredherinfancy,andsanctionedbythepresenceofthosewhomshehadever

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regardedasherparents.LadyEmily,ColonelLennox,andherbrother,hadallendeavouredtocombatthisresolution,butinvain;anditwasthereforesettled,thatsheshouldremaintowitnesstheunionofherbrotherandhercousin,andthenre-turn toLochmarlie.ButallMary'spre-conceived planswerethreatenedwithadownfall,bythereceiptofthefollowingletterfromMissJacky:

"GlenfernCastle,shiret

June19,181—-"Itisimpossibleforlanguagetoexpresstoyoutheshame,grief,amazement,andin-dignation, withwhichweareallfilledatthedistressing,theignominiousdisclosurethathasjusttakenplaceconcerningyou,throughourmostexcellentfriendMissP.M'Pry.Oh,Mary,howhaveyoudeceivedusall!!!Whatadaggerhaveyouplungedintoallourhearts!YourpoorauntGriz-%y!howmyheartbleedsforher!Whata

318MARRIAGE.

difficultparthasshetoact!andathertimeoflife!withheracutefeelings!withherdevotedattachmenttothehouseofM'Laugh-lan!Whatablow!andablbwfromyourhand!Oh,Mary,Imustagainrepeat,howhaveyou^deceivedusall!!!YetdonotimagineImeantoreproachyou!Much,muchoftheblameisdoubtlessimputabletotheerrorsofyoureducation!Atthesametime,eventheseoffernojustificationofyourconductuponthepresentoccasion!Youarenow(Ilamenttosayit!)cometothattimeoflifewhenyououghttoknowwhatisright;or,whereyouentertainanydoubts,yououghtmostunquestionablytoaPptyt°thosewho,youmaybecertain,arewellqualifiedtodirectyou.But,insteadofthat,youhavepursuedadiametricallyoppositeplan:aplanwhichmighthaveendedinyourdestruction!Oh,Mary,Icannottoooftenrepeat,howhaveyoude-ceived usall!!!FromnolipsbutthoseofMissM'PrywoiddIhavebelievedwhat

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Ihaveheard,videlicet,thatyou(oh,Ma-ry !)have,formany,manymonthspast,beencarryingonaclandestinecorrespon-dence withayoungman,unknown,unsus-pected byallyourfriendshere!andthatyoungman,theverylastmanonthefaceoftheearthwhomyou,oranyofus,oughttohavegivenourcountenanceto!Theveryman,inshort,whomwewereallbound,byeveryprincipleofduty,gratitude,andesteem,tohaveshunned,andwhoyouarebound,fromthismoment,torenounceforever.Howyouevercametobeac-quainted withColonelCharlesLennoxofRoseHall,isamysterynoneofuscanfa-thom ;butsurelytheperson,whoeveritwasthatbroughtitabout,hasmuch,muchtoanswerfor!Mrs.Douglas(towhomIthoughtitpropertomakeanimmediatecommunicationonthesubject)pretendstohavebeenwellinformedofallthathasbeengoingon,andeveninsiststhatyouracquaintancewiththeLennoxfamilytook

3:20CARRIAGE.

placethroughLadyM'Laughlan!Butthatweallknowtobemorallyimpossible.LadyM'Lauglanis-theverylastpersonintheworldwhowouldhaveintroducedyou,oranyyoungcreatureforwhomshehadtheslightestregard,toaLennox,themortalenemyoftheM'Laughlanrace!Imostsin-cerely trustsheissparedtheshockwehaveallexperiencedatthispainfuldisclosure.Withherhighprinciples,andgreatregardforus,Itrembletothinkwhatmightbetheconsequences!AnddearSirSamp-son, inhisdelicatestate,howwouldheeverbeabletostandsuchablow!andablow,too,fromyourhand,Mary!you,whohewasalwayslikeafatherto!Manyatime,Iamsure,haveyousatuponhisknee;andyoucertainlycannothaveforgottheelegantShetlandponeyhepresentedyouwiththedayyouwasfiveyearsold!andwhatareturnforsuchfavours!

"ButIfondlytrustitisnotyettoolate.Youhaveonlytogiveupthisunworthyat-

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tachment,andallwillbeforgottenandfor-given; andwewillallreceiveyouasifwo-thinghadhappened.Oh,Mary!Imust,forthelasttimerepeat,howhaveyoude-ceived usall!!

"Iamyourdistressedaunt,

"JoanDouglas.

"P.S.Iconcludeabruptly,inordertoleaveroomforyourauntNickytostalehersentimentsalsoonthismostafflictingsubject."

Nicky'sappendixwasasfollows:

"DearMary,"Jackyhasreadherlettertous.Itismostexcellent.Weareallmuchaffectedbyit.Notawordbutdeservestobeprint-ed. Icanaddnothing.Yousee,ifyoumarryColonelL.noneofuscanbeatyourmarriage.Howcouldwe?Ihopeyou

3Q2MARRIAGE.

willthinktwiceaboutit.Secondthoughtsarebest.What'sdonecannotbeundone.

"Yours,

"N.D."

Maryfeltsomewhatinthesituationofthesleeperawakened,assheperusedthesemysteriousanathemas;andrubbedhereyesmorethanonce,inhopesofdispellingthemistthatshethoughtmustneedsbeuponthem.Butinvain:itseemedonlytoin-crease witheveryeffortshemadetore-move it.NotasinglerayoflightfellonthepalpableobscureofMissJacky'scom-position, thatcouldenablehertopenetratethedarkprofoundthatencompassedher.Shewasaware,indeed,thatwhenherauntmeanttobepatheticorenergetic,sheal-ways hadrecoursetothelongestandthestrongestwordsshecouldpossiblylayherhandsupon;andMaryhadbeenwellaccus-tomed tohearherchildishfaultsandjuvenileindiscretionsdenounced,inthemostawful

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terms,ascrimesofthedeepestdye.Manyanexordiumshehadlistenedto,onthetearingofherfrock,orthelosingofherglove,thatmighthaveservedasaprefacetotheNew-gate Calendar,ColquhounonthePolice,oranyotherregisterofcrimes.Stillshehadalwaysbeenabletodetectsomecluetoherownmisdeeds;buthereevencon-jecture wasbaffled,andinvainshesoughtforsomerestingplaceforherimagination,intheprobablemisdemeanourofherlover.ButevenallowingallpossiblelatitudeforJacky'spen,shewasforcedtoacknowledgetheremustbesomegroundforheraunttobuildupon.Superficialasherstructuresgenerallywere,likechildren'scard-houses,theyhadalwayssomethingtorestupon;though(unlikethem)hercreationswereinvariablyuponagiganticscale.

Maryhadoftenreflectedwithsurprise,that,althoughLadyMaclaughlanhadbeenthepersontointroducehertoMrs.Len-nox, nointercoursehadtakenplacebe-

324MARRIAGE.

tweenthefamiliesthemselves;andwhenshehadmentionedthemtoeachother,Mrs.Lennoxhadonlysighed,andLadyMac-laughlanhadhumphed.Shedespairedofarrivingattheknowledgeofthetruthfromheraunts.Grizzy'sbrainwasamerewispofcontradictions;andJacky'smindwasofthatviolenthue,thatcastitsownshadeuponeveryobjectthatcameincontactwithit.TomentionthemattertoColonelLennoxwasonlytomakeherrelationsri-diculous ;and,inshort,althoughitwasaformidablestep,theresultofherdelibera-tion wastogotoLadyMaclaughlan,andrequestasolutionofheraunt'sdarksay-ings. ShethereforedepartedforMilsomStreet,and,uponenteringthedrawing-room,foundGrizzyalone,andevidentlyinevenmorethanusualperturbation.

"Oh,Mary!"criedshe,ashernieceen-tered, "I'msure,I'mthankfulyou'recome.Iwasjustwishingforyou.Youcan'tthinkhowmuchmischiefyouryesterday's

MARRIAGE.325

Visithasdone.It'sathousandpities,Ideclare,thateveryousaidawordaboutyourmarriagetoSirSampson.But,ofcourse,Idon'tmeantoblameyou,Mary.Youknowyoucouldn'thelpit;sodon'tvexyourself,foryouknowthatwillnotmakethethinganybetternow.OnlyifSirSampsonshoulddie—tobesureImustalwaysthinkitwasthat,thatkilledhim;andI'msurethatwillsoonkillmetoo-suchafriend—Oh,Mary!"HereaburstofgriefchokedpoorMissGrizzy'sutterance.

"Mydearaunt,"saidMary,"youcer-tainly mustbemistaken.SirSampsonseemstoretainnorecollectionofme.ItisthereforeimpossiblethatIcouldcausehimanypainoragitation."

"Ocertainly!"saidGrizzy."There'snodoubtSirSampsonhasquiteforgotyou,Mary—andnowonder—withyourbeingsolongawayjbutIdaresayhe'llcometoknowyouyet.ButI'msure,Ihopetogoodnesshe'llneverknowyouasMrs.

320MARRIAGE.

Lennox,Mary.Thatwouldbreakhisheartaltogether;foryouknowtheLennoxshavealwaysbeenthegreatestenemiesoftheMaclaughlans,—and,ofcourse,SirSampsoncan'tbearanybodyofthename,whichisquitenatural.Anditwasverythoughtlessinmetohaveforgotthat,tillPhilistineputmeinmindofit,andpoorSirSampsonhashadaverybadnight;soI'msure,Ihope,Mary,you'llneverthinkanymoreaboutColonelLennox:and,takemywordforit,you'llgetplentyofhusbandsyet.Now,sincethere'sapeace,therewillbeplentyoffineyoungofficerscorninghome.There'syoungBalquhadan,acap-tain, Iknow,insomeregiment;andthere's

Dhalahulish,andLochgrunason,and"

ButMissGrizzy'sideashe;eshotoutintosomanyramificationsuponthedifferentbranchesofthecountytree,thatitwouldbeinvainforanybutatrueCelttoattempttofollowher.

Maryagaintriedtoleadherbacktothe

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subjectoftheLennoxs,inhopesofbeingabletoextractsomesparkofknowledgefromthedarkchaosofherbrain.

"O,I'msure,Mary,ifyouwanttohearaboutthat,IcantellyouplentyabouttheLennoxs;or,atanyrate,abouttheMac-laughlans,whichisthesamething.ButImustfirstfindmyhuswife."

TosaveMissGrizzy'sreminiscences,afewwordswillsufficetoclearupthemys-tery. Afamilyfeud,ofremoteorigin,hadlongsubsistedbetweenthefamiliesofLen-nox andMaclaughlan,whichhadbeencarefullytransmittedfromfathertoson,tillthehereditarybrandhadbeendepo-sited inthebreastofSirSampson.Bythedeathofmanyinterveningheirs,Ge-neral Lennox,thenayouth,wasnextinsuccessiontotheMaclaughlanestate;butthepowerofalienatingitwasvest-ed inSirSampson,asthelastremain-ing heiroftheentail.Bythemista-ken zealoftheirfriends,bothwere,at

328MAHRIAGE.

anearlyperiod,placedinthesameregi-ment, inthehopethatconstantassocia-tion togetherwouldquicklydestroytheirmutualprejudices,andproduceareconci-liation. Buttheinequalitiesweretoogreatevertoassimilate.SirSampsonpossessedalargefortune,adeformedperson,andaweak,vain,irritablemind.General(thenEnsign)Lennoxhadnootherpatrimonythanhissword—ahandsomeperson,highspirit,anddauntlesscourage.Withthesetempers,itmayeasilybeconceivedthatathousandtriflingeventsoccurredtokeepalivethehereditaryanimosity.SirSamp-son's vain,narrowmind,expectedfromhispoorkinsmanadegreeofdeferenceandre-spect,whichtheother,sofarfromrendering,rathersoughtopportunitiesofshewinghiscontempt,andofthwartingandridiculinghimuponeveryoccasion,tillSirSampsonwasobligedtoquittheregiment.Fromthattimeitwasunderstood,thatallbear-ing thenameofLennoxwereforeverex-

MARRIAGE.32§

eludedfromthesuccessiontotheMac-laughlanestatesjanditwasdeemedasortofpettytreasoneventonamethenameofaLennoxinpresenceofthisdignifiedchief*tain.

Manyyearshadwornaway,andSirSampsonhadpassedthroughthevariousmodificationsofhumannature,fromthe'*mewlinginfant"to"mereoblivion,"withouthavebecomeeitherwiserorbetter.Hismindremainedthesame—irascibleandvindictivetothelast.LadyMaclaughlanhadtoomuchsensetoattempttoreasonorarguehimoutofhisprejudices,butshecontrivedtopreventhimfromeverexe-cuting anewentail.ShehadknownandesteemedbothGeneralandMrs.LennoxbeforehermarriagewithSirSampson,andshewastoofirmanddecidedinherpredilectionsevertoabandonthem;and,Whileshehadthecreditofsharinginallherhusband'sanimosity,shewassilentlyprotectingthelawfulrightsofthosewha

330MARRIAGE.

hadlongceasedtoconsiderthemassuch,GeneralLennoxhadalwaysunderstoodthatheandhisfamilywereunderSirSamp-son's ban,andhepossessedtoohighaspi-rit evertoexpressaregret,orevenalludetothecircumstances.Ithadthereforemadeaveryfaintimpressiononthemindsofanyofhisfamily;andinthelonglapseofyears,hadbeenalmostforgotbyMrs.Lennox,tillrecalledbyLadyMaclaugh-lan'sletter.ButshehadbeensilentonthesubjecttoMary;forshecouldnotcon-ceal fromherselfthatherhusbandhadbeentoblame—thattheheatandviolenceofhistemperhadoftenledhimtoprovokeandexasperatewheremildnessandforbearancewouldhavesoothedandconciliated,with-out detractingfromhisdignity;buthergentleheartshrunkfromthetaskofun-necessarily disclosingthefaultsofthemanshehadloved;andwhensheheardMarytalkwithraptureofthewildbeautiesofLochmarlie,shehadonlysighedtothink

MARRIAGE.331

thattheprideandprejudiceofothershadalienatedtheinheritanceofherson.

ButallthisMarywasstillinignoranceof,forMissGrizzyhadgonecompletelyastrayintheattempttotracetheriseandprogressoftheLennoxandMaclaughlanfeud.Happily,LadyMaclaughlan'sen-trance extricatedherfromherlabyrinth,asitwasthesignalforhertorepairtoSirSampson.Mary,insomelittleconfusion,wasbeginningtoexpresstoherLadyshipherregretathearingthatSirSampsonhadbeensounwell,whenshewasstopped.

"Mydearchild,don'tlearntotelllies.Youdon'tcaretwopenceforSirSampson.Iknowall.YouaregoingtobemarriedtoCharlesLennox.I'mgladofit.Iwish-ed youtomarryhim.Whetheryou'llthankmeforthattwentyyearshence,/can'ttell—youcan'ttell—hecan'ttell—Godknows—humph!YourauntswilltellyouheisBeelzebub,becausehisfathersaidhecouldmakeaSirSampsonoutofamouldy

3SQMARRIAGE.

lemon.Perhapshecould.Idon'tknow-butyourauntsarefools.Youknowwhatfools^are,andsodoI.Thereareplen-ty offoolsintheworld;butiftheyhadnotbeensentforsomewisepurpose,theywouldn'thavebeenhere;andsincetheyarehere,theyhaveasgoodarighttohaveelbow-roomintheworldasthewisest.SirSampsonhatedGeneralLennox,becausehelaughedathim;andifSirSampsonhadlivedahundredyearsago,hishatredmighthavebeenafinethingtotalkaboutnow.ItisthesamepassionthatmakesheroesofyourDeMontforts,andyourManuels,andyourCorsairs,andalltherestofthem;buttheyworecloaksanddaggers,andthesearethesupportersofhatred.Everybodylaughsatthehatredofalittleoldmaninacockedhat—Youmaylaughtoo.SonowGodblessyou!Continueasyouare,andmarrythemanyoulike,thoughtheworldshouldsetitsteethagainstyou.'Tisnoteverywomancanbetrustedtodothat-—

MARRIAGE.$33

farewell!"Andwithacordialsalutetheyparted,

MarywastoowellaccustomedtoLadyMaclaughlan'sstyle,nottocomprehendthathermarriagewithColonelLennoxwasaneventshehadlongwishedfor,andnowmostwarmlysanctioned;andshehas-tened hometoconveythegladtidings,inaletter,toheraunts,thoughdoubtfulifthetruthitselfwouldbeabletopierceitswaythroughtheirprejudices.

AnotherstrokeofpalsysoonrenderedSirSampsonunconsciouseventothecharmsofGrizzy'sconversation,andasshewasnolongerofusetohim,andwasevidentlyatalosshowtoemployherself,Marypro-posed thatsheshouldaccompanyherbacktoLochmarlie,towhichsheyieldedajoy-ful assent.OnceconvincedofLadyMac-laughlan's approbationofherniece'smar-riage, shecouldthinkandtalkofnothingelse.

334<MARRIAGE.

Somewiseindividualshavethought,thatmostpeopleactfromtheinspirationofei-ther agoodoranevilpower:towhichclassMissGrizzybelonged,wouldhavepuzzledthemostprofoundmetaphysiciantodetermine.Shewas,infact,aMac-laughlanite;buttofindtherootofMac-laughlanisanotherdifficulty—thoughtislost.

ColonelLennox,althoughalittlestart-led athisfirstintroductiontohisfutureaunt,sooncametounderstandthenaiveteofhercharacter;andhisenlargedmind,andgoodtemper,madesuchampleallow-ance forherweaknesses,thatsheprotest-ed, withtearsinhereyes,sheneverknewthelikeofhim—shenevercouldthinkenoughofhim.ShewishedtogoodnessSirSampsonwashimselfagain,andcouldonlyseehim,shewassurehewouldthinkjustasshedid,&c.&c.&c.

ThedayofLadyEmily'smarriagear-rived, andfoundherinamoreserious

MARRIAGE.335

moodthanshehadhithertoappearedin;thoughitseemeddoubtful,whetheritwasmostoccasionedbyherownprospects,orthethoughtsofpartingwithMary,who,withauntGrizzy,wastosetoffforLoch-marlieimmediatelyafterwitnessingtheceremony.Edwardandhisbridewouldfainhaveaccompaniedher;butLordCourtlandwastoomuchaccustomedtohisdaughter,andamusedbyhisnephew,tobeartheirabsence,andtheythereforeyield-ed thepoint,thoughwithreluctance.

"Thisisallforwantofalittleopposi-tion tohavebracedmynerves,"saidLadyEmily,asshedroppedafewtears."IverilybelieveIshouldhaveweptoutright,hadInothappilydescriedDr.Redgillshrugginghisshouldersatme;thathasgivenafilliptomyspirits.Afterall,'tisperhapsafoolishactionI'vecommitted.Theicybondsofmatrimonyareuponmealready:Ifeelmyselfturningintoafond,faithful,rational,humble,meek-spirited

336MABftlASE.

wife!Alas!Imustnowturnmyhea<!intoamuseum,andhangupallmysmartsayingsinsidemybrain,theretopetrify,aswarningstoallpertmisses.DearMa-ry! ifeverIamgoodforanything,itwillbetoyouIoweit!"

Marycouldonlyembracehercousininsilence,asshepartedfromherbrotherandherwiththedeepestemotion,and,assist-ed byColonelLennox,(whowastofol-low,) tookherstationbythesideofheraunt.

"Iwishyouapleasantjourney,MissMary,"criedDr.Redgill."Thegamesea-son iscomingon,and:"Butthecar-riage droveoff,andtherestofthesen-tence wasdispersedbythewind;andallthatcouldbecollectedwas,*'grouseal-ways acceptable—friendsatadistance—-roebuckstuffedwithheathercarrieswellatalltimes,"&c.&c.

Toonelesspractisedinherways,andlessgiftedwithpatience,theeternalbab-bling ofauntGrizzyasatravellingcom*

MARRIAGE.337

panionwouldhaveoccasionedconsiderableennui,ifnotspleen.Thereare,perhaps,fewgreatertrialsoftemper,thanthatoftravellingwithapersonwhothinksitne-cessary tobeactivelypleasant,withoutamoment'sintermission,fromtherisingtillthesettingsun.Grizzywasuponthisfa-tal plan,therockofthousands!Silenceshethoughtsynonymouswithlowspirits,andshetalked,andwondered,andex-claimed incessantly,andassuredMarysheneednotbeuneasy,shewascertainColo-nel Lennoxwouldfollowverysoon;shehadnottheleastdoubtofthat.ShewouldnotbesurprisedifhewastobeatLoch-marliealmostassoonasthemselves;atanyrate,verysoonafterthem.

Buteventheselittletormentswerefor-got byMary,whenshefoundherselfagaininhernativeland.Thehills,theair,thewaters,thepeople,eventhepeat-stacks,hadacharmthattouchedherheart,andbroughttearsintohereyesastheypic-

vol.in.Q

338MARRIAGE.

turedhome.Butherfeelingsarosetorap-ture whenLochmarlieburstuponherview,inallthegrandeur,beauty,andreposeofasettingsun,sheddingitsfarewellraysofgoldandpurple,andtintsofsuchmatch-less hue,asnopencilerecanimitate—nopoet'spendescribe.Rocks,woods,hills,andwaters,allshonewitharadiancethatseemedofmorethanearthlybeauty."Ob,therearemomentsinlife,keen,blissful,nevertobeforgotten!"andsuchwasthemomenttoMarywhenthecarriagestop-ped, andsheagainheardthemelodyofthatvoicefamiliarfrominfancy—andlook-ed onthefaceknownwithherbeing—andwaspressedtothatheartwhereglowedaparent'slove!

WhenMaryrecoveredfromthefirstal-most agonizingtransportsofjoy,shemark-ed, withdelight,theincreasedanimationandcheerfulnessvisibleinMrs.Douglas.Allthelivelierfeelingsofherwarmhearthad,indeed,beenexcitedandbroughtintoac-

MARRIAGE.33§

tion,bythespiritandplayfulnessofherlittleboy,andtheincreasedhappinessofherhusband;whileallheruneasinessre-specting herformerloverwasnowatanend.Shehadheardfromhimselfthathehadmarried,andwashappy.Withoutbe-ing guiltyofinconstancy,sucharetheeffectsoftimeuponmutablehumanna-ture!

ColonelLennoxlostnotimeinarrivingtoclaimhispromisedbride;andMary'shappinesswascomplete,whenshefoundherownchoicesowarmlyapprovedofbythefriendssheloved.

Thethreeaunts,andtheirunmarriednieces,nowthesoleinhabitantsofGlen-fernCastle,werenotquitedecidedintheiropinionsatfirst.MissJackylookedwithasuspiciouseyeuponthemortalenemypftheMaclaughlanrace;but,uponbetterac-quaintance, hisgaietyandgoodhumourcontrivedtocharmasleepevenhergoodsenseandprejudices,andshepronounced

•>A0MARRIAGE,

himtobeapleasant,wellinformedyoungman,whogavehimselfnoairs,althoughhecertainlyhadratherahighlook.

Nickydoubted,fromhisappearance,thathewouldbenice,andshehadnopatiencewithnicemen;butNicky'sfearsvanish-ed, whenshesaw,assheexpressedit,"howpleasantlyheatethesheep'shead,althoughhehadneverseenoneinhislifebefore."

TheyoungerladiesthoughtCaptainM'Nabhadafinercomplexion,andwon-dered whetherColonelLennox(likehim,)wouldbedressedinfullregimentalsathismarriage.

But,alas!"allearthlygoodstillblendsitselfwithharm,"foronthedayofMary'smarriage—adayconsecratedtomirth,andbride-cake,andweddingfavours,andmar-riage presents,andgoodcheer,andreels,andrevelry,andbagpipes—onthatveryday,whenthemarriageceremonywasscarcelyover,arrivedtheaccountsofthe

MARRIAGE.341

deathofSirSampsonMaclaughlan!Butonthisjoyousday,evenGrizzy'stearsdidnotflowsofreelyastheywouldhavedoneatanothertime;andshedeclared,thatal-though itwasimpossibleanybodycouldfeelmorethanshedid,yetcertainlyitwouldnotbeusingColonelandMrs.Len-nox well,tobeverydistresseduponsuchanoccasion;andtherewasnodoubtbutshewouldhaveplentyoftimetobesorryaboutityet,whentheywereallsittingquietlybythemselves,withnothingelseintheirheads;though,tobesure,theymustalwaysthinkwhatablessingitwasthatColonelLennoxwastosucceed.

"IwishhemayeverfillSirSampson'sshoes!"saidMissNicky,withasigh.

"ColonelLennoxcannotproposeabet-ter modeltohimselfthanSirSampsonMaclaughlan,"saidMissJacky:"Hehaslefthimanobleexampleofpropriety,fru-gality, hospitality,andrespectability;and,

342MARRIAGE.

aboveall,offorgivenessofhismortalene-mies."

"Oh,Mary!"exclaimedMissGrizzy,astheywereabouttopartwiththeirniece:"Whataluckycreatureyouare!Never,Iamsure,didanyyoungpersonsetoutinlifewithsuchadvantages.TothinkofyoursucceedingtoLadyMaclaughlan'sla-boratory, allsonicelyfittedupwitheverykindofthing,andespeciallyplentyofthemostcharmingbark,which,I'msure,willdoColonelLennoxthegreatestgood,asyouknowallofficersaremuchthebetterofbark.IknowitwasthesavingofyoungBallin-gall'slife,whenhecamehomeinanaguefromsomeplace;andI'mcertainLadyMaclaughlanwillleaveyoueverythingthatisthere,youwasalwayssuchafa-vourite. NotbutwhatImustalwaysthinkthatyouhadahandindearSirSampson'sdeath.Indeed,Ihavenodoubtofit.Yet,atthesametime,Idon'tmeantoblameyouintheleast;forI'mcertain,ifSir

MARRIAGE.343

Sampsonhadbeenspared,hewouldhavebeendelighted,asweallare,atyourmar-riage."

ColonelandMrs.Lennoxagreedinmak-ing choiceofLochmarliefortheirfutureresidence;and,inavirtuousattachment,theyfoundasmuchhappinessasearth'spilgrimseverpossess,whosegreatestfeli-city mustspringfromahighersource.Theextensiveinfluencewhichgenerallyattendsuponvirtuejoinedtoprosperity,wasusedbythemforitsbestpurposes.Itwasnotconfinedeithertorichorpoor,tocastorsect;butallsharedintheirbenevolencewhomthatbenevolencecouldbenefit.Andthepoor,thesick,andthedesolate,unitedinblessingwhatheavenhadalreadybless-ed—thishappyMarriage.

FINIS.

PrintedbyBalfour&Clarke,Edinburgh,1818.