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his fortune; and as his sisters were both provided for by ample settlements,
the pecuniary distresses which had existed a twelve-month before had been
entirely removed; his income was now large; his demands upon it small, and
they kept up an establishment in proportion to the rank of both husband and
wife.
 Mrs. Wilson, cried their hostess, twirling her cup as she followed with her
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eyes the retreating figure of her husband to the door,  I am about to take up
the trade of Miss Harris, and become a match maker.
 Not on your own behalf so soon, surely, rejoined the widow, returning her
animated smile.
 Oh no, my fortune is made for life, or not at all, continued the other
gayly,  but in behalf of our little friend Emily here.
 Me, cried Emily, starting from a reverie, in which the prospect of
happiness to Lady Laura was the subject,  you are very good Harriet, and for
whom does your consideration intend me! she added with a faint smile.
 Who? why who is good enough for you, but my cousin Pendennyss. Ah! she
cried laughingly, as she caught Emily by the hand,  Derwent and myself have
both settled the matter long since, and I know you will yield, when you come
to know him.
 The Duke! cried the other with a surprise and innocence, that immediately
brought a blush of the brightest vermillion into her face, as she caught the
expression of her companion.
 Yes, the Duke, said Lady Chatterton,  you may think it odd for a discarded
lover to dispose of his mistress so soon in this way, but both our hearts are
set upon it. The Earl arrived last night, and this day himself and sister dine
with us in a sober way: now my dear madam, turning to Mrs. Wilson  have I not
prepared an agreeable surprise for you?
 Surprise indeed, said the widow, excessively gratified at the probable
termination to her anxieties for this meeting,  but where are they from?
 From Northamptonshire, where the earl has already purchased a residence, I
understand, in your neighbourhood too; so, you perceive,he at least begins to
think of the thing.
 A certain evidence, truly, cried Emily,  his having purchased the house.
But was he without a residence, that he bought the Deanery.
 Oh no! he has a palace in town, and three seats in the country---but none in
Northamptonshire, but this, said the lady, with a laugh.  To own the truth,
he did offer to let George Denbigh have it for the next summer, but the
Colonel chose to be nearer Eltringham; and I take it, it was only a ruse in
the Earl to cloak his own designs. You may depend upon it, we trump t your
praises to him incessantly in Westmoreland.
 And is Col. Denbigh in town, said Mrs. Wilson, stealing an anxious glance
towards her niece, who, in spite of all her efforts, sensibly changed colour.
 Oh yes! and Laura as happy--as happy---as myself, said Lady Chatterton,
with a glow on her cheeks, as she attended to the request of her housekeeper,
and left the room.
Her guests sat in silence, occupied with their own reflections, while they
heard a summons at the door of the house; it was opened, and footsteps
approached the door of their own room. It was pushed partly open, as a voice
on the other side said, speaking to a servant without,
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 Very well. Do not disturb your lady. I am in no haste.
At the sound of its well known tones, both the ladies almost sprang from
their seats--here could be no resemblance, and a moment removed their doubts.
The speaker entered. It was Denbigh.
He stood for a moment as fixed as a statue. It was evident the surprise was
mutual. His face was pale as death, as his eye first met the countenances of
the occupants of the room, and then instantly was succeeded by a glow of fire.
Approaching them, he paid his compliments, with great earnestness, and in a
voice in which his softest tones preponderated.
 I am happy--very happy, to be so fortunate in again meeting with such
friends, and so unexpectedly, --he continued, after his inquiries concerning
the Baronet s family were ended.
Mrs. Wilson bowed in silence to his compliment, and Emily, pale as himself
had been the moment before, sat with her eyes fixed on the carpet, without
daring to trust her voice with an attempt to speak.
After struggling with his mortified feelings a moment, Denbigh rose from the
chair he had taken, and drawing near the sopha on which the ladies were
placed, exclaimed with fervour,
 Tell me, dear madam---lovely--too lovely Miss Moseley, has one act of
folly--of wickedness if you please--lost me your good opinions forever?
Derwent had given me hopes that you yet retained some esteem for my character,
lowered as I acknowledge it to be, in my own estimation.
 The Duke of Derwent? Mr. Denbigh!
 Do not--do not use a name, dear madam, almost hateful to me, cried he, in a
tone of despair.
 If, said Mrs. Wilson gravely,  you have made your own name disreputable, I
can only regret it, but --
 Call me by my title--oh! do not remind me of my folly---I cannot bear
it---and from you --he cried, interrupting her hastily.
 Your title! exclaimed Mrs. Wilson in a cry of wonder, and Emily turned on
him a face, in which the flashes of colour and succeeding paleness, were as
quick, and almost as vivid, as the glow of lightning, while he caught this
astonishment in equal surprise.
 How is this; some dreadful mistake I am yet in ignorance of, he cried,
taking the unresisting hand of Mrs. Wilson, and pressing it with warmth
between both his own, as he added,  do not leave me in suspense.
 For the sake of truth--for my sake--for the sake of this suffering innocent,
say, in sincerity, who, and what you are? said Mrs. Wilson in a solemn voice,
and gazing on him in dread of his reply.
Still retaining her hand, he dropped on his knees before her, as he answered,
 I am the pupil--the child of your late husband--the companion of his
dangers-- sharer of his joys and griefs--and would I could add, the friend of
his widow. I am the Earl of Pendennyss.
Mrs. Wilson s head dropped on the shoulder of the kneeling youth--her arms
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were thrown in fervor around his neck, and she burst into a flood of tears:
for a moment, both were absorbed in their own feelings, but a cry from
Pendennyss, aroused the aunt to the situation of her niece.
Emily had fallen back senseless on the sofa which supported her.
An hour elapsed, before her engagements admitted of the return of Lady
Chatterton to the breakfast parlour, where she was surprised to find the
breakfast equipage yet standing, and her cousin, the Earl; looking from one to
the other in surprise, the lady exclaimed,
 Very sociable, upon my word; how long has your lordship honoured my house
with your presence, and have you taken the liberty to introduce yourself to
Mrs. Wilson and Miss Moseley.
 Sociability and ease are the fashion of the day.--I have been here an hour,
my dear coz, and have taken the liberty ofintroducing myself to Mrs. Wilson
and Miss Moseley, replied the Earl gravely, although a smile of great meaning [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]