VOLUME I CHAPTER I .
.
“ ARE for a walk , ” said to , as arose from table ; “ are for a walk ?
or shall order and proceed to ? ”
preferred the former ; and sauntered out to view , and to make remarks on , as returned from .
was : was : had been to take leave of previous to departure for , and were now returning to .
had stopped at to dine ; and knowing had sufficient time to reach before dark , and yet allow a walk , had resolved , it being Sunday afternoon , to take a survey of as returned from devotions .
had gratified curiosity , and were preparing to return to without honouring any of with particular notice , when , at the head of , descended from .
Such naturally attracted : stopped ; and , as passed , almost involuntarily pulled off hats .
looked at and blushed : instantly recollected the features of .
At that time thought on only as , being then only thirteen ; but the improvement two years had made in , and the blush of recollection which suffused cheeks as passed , awakened in bosom new and pleasing ideas .
Vanity led to think that pleasure at again beholding might have occasioned the emotion had witnessed , and the same vanity led to wish to see again .
“ is , ” said , as entered .
stared .
“ Did not notice ? ” continued : “ had on a blue bonnet , and with a pair of lovely eyes of the same colour , has contrived to make feel devilish odd about the heart . ”
“ Pho , ” said , “ a musket ball from , , may in less than two months make feel worse . ”
“ never think of the future , ” replied ; “ but am determined to make the most of the present , and would willingly compound with . ”
But at that time appearing , and , driving up to the door , and were obliged to take leave of and , and proceed on journey .
But had made too great an impression on mind to be easily eradicated : having therefore spent three whole days in thinking on and in endeavouring to form some plan for seeing , determined to set off for , and trust to chance either to favour or frustrate designs .
Arriving at the verge of , dismounted , and sending forward with the horses , proceeded toward , where , in the midst of , stood .
leaned on a broken gate , and looked earnestly at .
The wall which surrounded was high , and perhaps the Argus ’s who guarded the Hesperian fruit within , were more watchful than those famed of old .
“‘ Tis a romantic attempt , ” said ; “ and should even succeed in seeing and conversing with , it can be productive of no good : must of necessity leave in a few days , and probably may never return ; why then should endeavour to engage the affections of , only to leave a prey to a thousand inquietudes , of which at present has no idea ?
will return to and think no more about . ”
The evening now was closed ; a serene stillness reigned ; and the chaste Queen of Night with her silver crescent faintly illuminated the hemisphere .
The mind of was hushed into composure by the serenity of the surrounding objects .
“ will think on no more , ” said , and turned with an intention to leave ; but as turned , saw the gate which led to open , and come out , who walked arm-in-arm across the field .
“ will at least see who these are , ” said .
overtook , and giving the compliments of the evening , begged leave to see into the more frequented parts of : but how was delighted , when , waiting for an answer , discovered , under the concealment of a large bonnet , the face of .
soon found means to ingratiate with , and , at parting , slipped a letter had purposely written , into ’s hand , and five guineas into that of , who promised would endeavour to bring into again the next evening .
CHAPTER II .
DOMESTIC CONCERNS .
was .
saw made completely wretched by marrying ; and beheld legally prostituted to , whose titles gave consequence in the eyes of , and whose affluence rendered splendidly miserable .
“ will not sacrifice internal happiness for outward shew , ” said : “ will seek Content ; and , if find her in , will embrace her with as much cordiality as should if seated on a throne . ”
possessed a small estate of about five hundred pounds a year ; and with that resolved to preserve independence , to marry where the feelings of heart should direct , and to confine expenses within the limits of income .
had a heart open to every generous feeling of humanity , and a hand ready to dispense to those who wanted part of the blessings enjoyed .
As was universally known to be , advice and bounty was frequently solicited ; nor was it seldom that sought out indigent merit , and raised it from obscurity , confining own expenses within a very narrow compass .
“ are , ” said to one day ; “ and have a great mind to give a fine subject to exercise the goodness of heart upon . ”
“ can not oblige more , ” said , “ than to point out any way by which can be serviceable to . ”
“ Come along then , ” said , “ will go and visit ; and , were it not that has with , who comforts and supports , must long since have sunk under misfortunes . ”
’s heart was too full to proceed ; and , unwilling to irritate feelings by making further enquiries , followed in silence , til arrived at .
enquired for : led up , and pointing to a door which led to , said that was , and retired .
, tapped at the door , and was bid to enter by a voice melodiously soft .
opened the door , and discovered to a scene which rivetted to the spot with astonishment .
, though small , and bearing strong marks of poverty , was neat in the extreme .
In an arm-chair , head reclined upon hand , eyes fixed on a book which lay open before , sat .
Beside sat .
was fair as the lily , but sorrow had nipped the rose in cheek before it was half blown .
eyes were blue ; and hair , which was light brown , was slightly confined under a plain muslin cap , tied round with a black ribbon ; a white linen gown and plain lawn handkerchief composed the remainder of dress ; and in this simple attire , was more irresistibly charming to such a heart as ’s , than would have been , if adorned with all the splendor of .
When entered , arose from seat , and shaking by the hand with great cordiality , offered chair ; and there being but three in , seated on the side of little bed with evident composure .
“ This is a strange place , ” said to , “ to receive in ; but must fit feelings to station .
While am not ashamed to own the cause which brought , why should blush at situation ?
misfortunes are not faults ; and were it not for -- ” Here was lost in .
rose hastily from seat , and walking toward the window , wiped off a tear which was afraid would tarnish the cheek of .
cast eye on : a pellucid drop had stolen from eyes , and fallen upon a rose was painting .
It blotted and discoloured the flower .
“‘ Tis emblematic , ” said mentally : “ the rose of youth and health soon fades when watered by the tear of affliction . ”
“ , ” said , addressing , “ told could be of service to : be so kind then , dear , as to point out some way in which can relieve the anxiety of heart and increase the pleasures of own . ”