 Section 17 of the Inheritance by Susan Edmund Stonefarrier. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Volume 1, Chapter 17. He's a terrible man, John Todd, John Todd. He's a terrible man, John Todd. He scolds in the house. He scolds at the door. He scolds on the very high road, John Todd. He scolds on the very high road, John Todd. He's wheel-respect-it, John Todd, John Todd. He's wheel-respect-it, John Todd. We are old, strip-it-cool. You look mace-like-a-fool. But there's nouse in the lining, John Todd, John Todd. But there's nouse in the lining, John Todd. Old song. The day was hot even to sultriness, and neither Mrs. Sinclair nor her daughter were inclined to converse beyond a passing remark now and then on the heat, dust, road, sun, etc. Both indeed were too agreeably occupied with their own meditations for any interchange of thought. The former was busy revolving how she was to carry Uncle Adam and his 70,000 pounds by a coup de main. And as a preliminary step had provided herself with a French musical snuff box and a dozen of embroidered cambrick pocket handkerchiefs, the Mrs. Sinclair little knew the person she had to deal with when she thought to propitiate him by any such sacrifices. Mr. Adam Ramsey was a man of a fair character, strong, understanding, but particular temper, and unpleasing manners, with a good deal of penetration, which, as is too often the case, served no other purpose than to discuss him with his own species. He had left home panelists at an early period of life to push his fortune in the world, and after having toiled and broiled for 15 years, he had returned to what was now become a stranger land, laden with wealth which he had no longer even the wish to enjoy. He felt that he had lived in vain, he had no one to love, no one to share in his possessions, and that only cordial, which can give a relish even to the dregs of life, was not his. The treasures he had laid up were all of this world, and to a childless, cynical old man, perhaps great wealth is even more galling than great poverty. Yet there were good points in his character, and perhaps had he been a husband and father, and had his heart been kept alive to the tender charities of life, he might have proved an amiable man, and an agreeable member of society. He possessed strong natural affections, which though they had lain long dormant, were not yet extinct. It was said that in early youth he had loved, and been loved by one as poor and as friendless, and somewhat lower in degree than himself, and that it was in the hope of gaining affluence for her that he had crossed the seas, and sought his fortunes in a foreign land. And many are the disappointments that precede the fulfillment of our hopes, and many a year rolled on and found Mr. Ramsey as poor as at the first, till despairing of ever being able to return and claim his bride, he wrote to release her from her promise of awaiting his return. The fortune at length was made but too late, the gay dreams of youth were fled forever, his mistress had married and was dead, and the sanguine adventurous stripling was grown into the soured, misanthropic old man. Such was the outline of Uncle Adam's story, and little more remains to be said of him. He lived much alone, had all the habits of a recluse, and all the little peculiarities which are supposed to belong to single gentlemen of a certain age. In particular he had an extreme dislike to receiving those delicate attentions which are sometimes so assiduously rendered to the rich and the childless. Not timing himself was more tenacious in this respect than Uncle Adam, or more disposed to buffet all whom he suspected of it designed to pray upon his hordes. The house he now inhabited was one he had taken as a temporary residence on his first arrival, and although he had bought a fine estate with a suitable mansion in the immediate vicinity, and every day had proposed taking possession of it, yet each revolving term found him sitting in the self-same parlor, in the self-same chair, and in the self-same frame of mind. It was at this suburban villa that the handsome equipage of the Earl of Rossville now stopped. It was a small vulgar, staring red house, with a plot of long, bottle-green grass in front and a narrow border of the courses to flowers or rather flowering weeds interspersed with nettles growing thin and straggling from a green, slimy-looking soil uncovered with dust from the road, from which it was only separated by a railing. Mrs. Sinclair Redden was shame as she marked the contemptuous air with which the consequential footment wrapped on the humble door for bell or knocker there was none. The door was speedily flung open to its farthest extent by a fat rosy stamping damsel in a flaming gown and top knots who testified the greatest alacrity in doing the honors of the entrance. What a habitation for a man with seventy thousand pounds exclaimed Mrs. Sinclair as she entered, but there was no time for pursuing her observations for she was the next minute in the little parlor of Uncle Adam. It was a small, close room with a meridian sun streaming full into it and calling forth to view myriads of dancing motes that people, the sunbeams, while innumerable hosts of huge flies buzzed and reveled in all the luxury of its heat and an expiring fire with its usual concomitance of dust and ashes seemed fast sinking beneath the influence of the god of day. A small dining table and a few hair cloth chairs stuck against the walls comprised the whole furniture of the room. A frame table of weights and measures and old newspaper and a parcel of dust departments tied with a red tape formed its resources and decorations. Altogether it wore the comfortless aspect of a bad inn's worst parlor, a sort of place where one might pass five minutes while changing horses but where there was no inducement even for the weary traveler to tarry. Mr. Ramsey sat by the side of the expiring fire, seemingly contemplating the gaze and cinders which lay scattered over the hearth, but he had somewhat the air of a man prepared rather unwillingly to receive company. He was above the middle size with high, stooping shoulders, sharp cross-looking elbows projecting far beyond his back, a somewhat stormy blue face and little pale eyes surmounted by shaggy white eyebrows. His ordinary headpiece, a striped woolen nightcap, had been laid aside for acupatious, powdered perook with side curls and a large cue. To complete the whole he was left-handed which gave a peculiar awkwardness to his naturally ungainly deportment. He welcomed Mrs. St. Clair with a mixture of cordiality and awkwardness as if he wished to be kind but did not note very well how to set about it. She had too much manner, however, to allow him to remain under any embarrassment on that score and was squeezing Uncle Adam's somewhat reluctant hand and smiling on his rugged visage and uttering a thousand soft and civil things to his rather averted ear when suddenly she stopped for she felt that all was thrown away. Her uncle had fixed his eyes on Gertrude and regarding her with visible emotion seemed unconscious of every other object. Who is that? at length demanded he in an agitated voice. Pardon me, my dear uncle replied Mrs. St. Clair, but in my happiness at seeing you I forgot that my daughter was likewise a stranger to you. Your daughter, exclaimed Mr. Ramsey, it's not possible. Why so, my dear uncle asked Mrs. St. Clair with a smile and in full expectation of a gallant compliment on her own youthful appearance. She's the very picture of, but you'll know mind Lizzie Lundy, Bonnie Lizzie Lundy. He gave a sort of growling sigh and a pause followed. Visions of former days seemed to crowd into the old man's mind and he went on as if communing with himself. A little thought when I parted, fray her fifty-year come, Martinus, that I had to in my last look a Lizzie and as little did I think when I heard she was gained that I should ever live to see her like in this world. Know that she just matches Lizzie neither. And something like a tear gleamed in his eye as he continued to gaze on the image of his youthful fancy. Gertrude's style of dress was such as help to heighten the illusion owing to the heat of the day she had thrown off her bonnet and the band that confined her hair wore almost the appearance of a nude which had been the prevailing fashion for damsels of Lizzie's degree in her day. Her throat also was uncovered and the whole contour of her head was thus displayed at once in all the simplicity of nature and one more strikingly beautiful could scarcely be conceived. Confused by the blunt admiration thus expressed for her Gertrude looked to her mother and struck with the deadly paleness of her countenance hastily exclaimed, Mama, you are ill. And Mrs. St. Clair gasping for breath sunk almost lifeless in her daughter's arms. Air, air, was all she could articulate. And that certainly was the one thing needful in Uncle Adam's apartment for the atmosphere was indeed suffocating. The door and window were instantly thrown open. Gertrude held a glass of water to her mother's powdered lips and Mr. Ramsey stepped a bunch of water and wood into her powerless hand. At length these restoratives appeared to produce their effects and Mrs. St. Clair slowly revived. Due apologies were of course made and accepted. The uncommon heat of the day was much commented on and the closeness of the room delicately hinted at. Some refreshments, none of the choices description were now brought in by the great awkward heavy-footed maid servant and Mr. Ramsey taking a glass of wine drank a welcome to his niece on her return to Scotland and to the body creature you brought with you added he again fixing his eyes on Gertrude. After all continued he the things not impossible Lizzie was a relation of ours. A distant one to be sure. Let me see. Lizzie's father and my father were cousin Jermaine's barons but that'll no do for it's by the other side of the hoose. It was by my father. Mrs. St. Clair's color rose to the deepest crimson and she seemed struggling to subdue her feelings at length making an effort at self-control. She said with effective pleasantry I've no doubt my daughter has great reason to be flattered at the resemblance you have discovered for her but my dear uncle you know there are certain prejudices certain notions that some people entertain in short the thing to be talked of amongst ourselves is very well and it is very flattering to me that my daughter's looks should afford you pleasure but I own I I should be sorry I would rather that a report of such a resemblance were not to reach the Rossville family they now consider my daughter as one of themselves and their pride might be hurt you know and a prejudice created that might prove highly detrimental to Gertrude's best interests. Set them up with their pride cried Mr. Ramsey all softer emotions giving way to indignation their pride hurt indeed at being compared to Lizzie Lundy there's no Rossville or St. Clair among them that air I saw was fit to tie Lizzie Lundy's shoe the queen upon the throne might have thought it an honor to be compared to Lizzie and the little chamber seemed as though it would not contain him in his wrath as he paced up and down its narrow bounds with his hands crossed behind his back all shyness and embarrassment had vanished in this burst of passion and Uncle Adam stood revealed in his own character then suddenly stopping and what would hey come a ye if Lizzie Lundy had been what aunts thought she were hey Ben my wedded wife what would your Rossville's hey done then would you hey thought it a disgrace then that your daughter should hey been likened to your uncle's wife oh this is too much exclaimed Mrs. St. Clair bursting into tears what's too much quite he continued to walk up and down in great discomposure then suddenly stopping and softening inside of his niece's distress come come what's this for was me ye hey suffered little in the world if the hasty word oh an old man can set you off this way you can be better by and by then to mind a that I say then patting Gertrude on their shoulder as she hung over her mother it's you that has made us cast down and it's you that Maughan make us grieve Gertrude took her mother's hand and put it in her uncle's he took it kindly and Mrs. St. Clair as soon as she found voice said excuse me my dear uncle I'm ashamed of my weakness but my nerves are now so shattered and my spirits are not what they once were I have a difficult part to play and it is not surprising yet in short dependent as I am on the relations of my child and that dear child's interest so much at stake too you cannot wonder if I am sometimes driven if I sometimes stoop if I should sometimes tremble Mrs. St. Clair seemed at a loss to finish but her uncle saved her the trouble I you have a proud thron pack to deal with I believe then you understand my dear uncle the reason of my wishing that I you need not be feared for me but I'm on I think the likeness maced wonderful most wonderful most wonderful repeated he two or three times as he contemplated and severly enumerated every feature summing up the whole with since I saw Lizzie London I've never seen the woman that I thought worth the looking at till now at that moment a smart female figure feathered and furble load entered the little yard and approached the house there's an old the full drive quite he my bounty niece miss Bell black I never see that creature that I did not wish myself blind and deaf and doided and there upon entered miss Bell end of section 17 section 18 of the inheritance by Susan Edmund Stune farrier this Libra Vox recording is in the public domain volume 1 chapter 18 he had a sour behavior and a tongue in moderately free and full of taunting livy what's what you hear miss Bell was his salutation on entering but no wise daunted with what indeed she was well accustomed to she boldly shook hands with all around and then showing a small basket I brought you some very fine strawberries uncle they are the first we have had in our garden and I assure you I have had much ado to keep them from the children for you and with the consequential air she disclosed some dozen or two of very so so looking strawberries you had very little to do then said Mr Ramsey I would not be a Barbie for other berries in your garden so you may just tack them back to walk you brought them fray or stay since you hey Rob your brothers and sisters of them poor things there's a barber bear and sway doors of that rod maybe be glad of them it's lying in the missiles upon my word uncle said miss Bell in great indignation I have something else to do then to pick strawberries for barbers brats indeed but uncle Adam going to the door called the maid and giving her the strawberries directed her to carry the berries to Rob brought trays Baron and to ask how he was miss Bell prudently turned a deaf ear to the message and was apologizing with all her powers of eloquence to miss the same Claire and her daughter for not having been to visit them but the truth is that she with a well-got up air of modesty that in my situation visiting is out of the question if I were to go to one place I should have to go everywhere and the major has so many connections in the country who of course would expect me to come to them that it would be extremely unpleasant in my situation where the thing is so well known this I assure you is the only place I ever go to as I think it a positive duty lowering her voice to pay attention to my uncle poor man and I'm the only one of the family who understands his ways and can manage him Mr. Ramsey having for the moment appease the antipathy he bore his niece by the insult he had offered her was now restored to something like good humor we all miss Bell said he what have you made of your now Bob your swing your love your your what do you call him if you mean the major said miss Bell with dignity he walked into town with me and is gone to look at a pair of carriage horses that are for sale at the white bear just now I suppose he will be here in a little then drawing back from the window with the face of alarm as a carriage passed I really wish uncle if you mean to remain here you would get a blind for your window for everybody is seen in this room and in my situation it is not very pleasant I assure you to be exposed to everybody that passes that was the bog haul carriage that passed just now and they must think it very odd to have seen me sitting here when I declined an invitation to dinner there for tomorrow upon the plea that I went nowhere at present then what brings you here if you're no fit to be seen demanded uncle Adam in a most wrathful accent I must confess my dear uncle said Mrs. Sinclair glad of an opening for expressing her sentiments and at the same time softening the tone of the conversation this house does not seem quite suitable for you what ales the house asked T sharply I beg pardon understood perhaps I was misinformed that you were the proprietor of a charming place in this neighborhood we'll this was put in so startling a manner that Mrs. Sinclair's courage failed her and she feared to reply not so miss Bell well to think of anybody in their senses living in this little vulgar shabby hole when they have such a house as bloom park standing empty I assure you uncle it has a very odd appearance in the eyes of the world miss bell black you that such a wise sensible we'll inform woman that can saw a thing will you just take the goodness to tell me what are the eyes of the world and war do they stand for a muckl I hate heard of the eyes of the world but I had never been able to see them yet and mr. Ramsey fixed his upon her while he advanced his face almost close to her and put his hands on his knees in a manner that seemed to say answer me this before you stir miss bell hesitated a little while I can only tell you uncle that Lord fair acre was quite confounded when the major told him you had never taken possession of bloom park yet and said it was most extraordinary that you should continue to live in a house that was hardly good enough for a dog kennel and bog haul who was present said he did not believe the whole house was the size of his kitchen and the major himself I know thinks and so these are the eyes of the world cried mr. Ramsey with a sort of growling sardonic laugh pretty eyes they are to be sure to drive a man out of his aim house the tain poor silly spendthrift that tither a great gorman dies and swash and the third but how comes the world to have but the three eyes can you know mock out of fourth I beg your pardon I suppose your aim was to be the fourth and that max all right for then you can give the world twa faces fair acres and bog haul on the to face major Waddell and miss bell black on the tither then in a lower key and muttering to himself spend thrips and near do wheels on the T side fools and topies on the tither true picture of the world any other than miss bell would certainly have given in here but miss bell was one of those gifted mortals who are quite invulnerable to the shafts of envy hatred or malice when it is their interest to be so and though she did look out little hot and disconcerted for a few minutes she quickly rallied and resumed I assure you uncle whatever you may think the opinion of the world is not to be despised miss bell black I've lived rather longer in the world than you have done and I've seen rather mayor out than your ever likely to see and I wouldn't a key that snapping his fingers for either it's good word or it's ill it cannot say that ever I oppressed them that were beneath me or cringe to them that were a boon me or that I ever rang only creature or a bottle or that I ever said the thing I didn't think and if either you or your wall think I'm to be dictated to in my own house you're much mistaken well uncle I can only say I think it is a great pity that so finer places bloom park should be standing empty and since you seem resolved not to live at it yourself there's many a one I assure you we'd be glad to take it off your hands the major has been looking at Elm Grove but I think there is no comparison between boom park and it what then demanded mr. Ramsey oh nothing only if you had any thoughts of letting it it is such a paradise that I could be at nay lost for an Adam and Eve to put in it interrupted her uncle your now Bob and you for instance with a growling grim but I can tell you you'll no play your gambles there if I can help it miss Bell look very indignant as she replied as to that the major cares very little about the matter if I am pleased that is all he is anxious about and the rent is no object but I find it very difficult to get a place to suit us in every respect but here is the major himself and the major was presently ushered in mr. Ramsey received him with tolerable civility and Mrs. Sinclair desires of receiving his vote at the approaching election was preparing the way by a soft speech about nothing but miss Bell never permitted the major to speak to or look at or listen to anybody else when she was present and she therefore called him off with well major did you see the carriage horses and what do you think of them they seem good serviceable horses not particularly handsome replied he what color I'll thank you for a glass of water major pray allow me to put a little wine in it the least drop and you think they will do oh not so much that is not for me to decide replied the major with a bow which was graciously acknowledged with a smile perhaps you will take a look of them yourself why in my situation in a modest key I hardly think I should like to go to the white bear major will you take this glass but I shall desire the Oscar to bring them up here to his but a step from the stables I'm for none of your horses brought to my door cried mr. Ramsey it will be through the town I'm setting up my chaise next and a Bonnie Holly balloon there will be and he pays the room in great perturbation at the bear supposition of such a thing my dear sir began the major but he was cut short with now I'm for none of your horses at my door bless me uncle cried miss Bell I think you may be very well pleased to get the credit of a carriage at such an easy rate great credit to be sure to get the credit of being an all ostentatious fool such nonsense uncle at any rate I thought you did not care what the world said of you you thought repeated uncle Adam with the most sovereign contempt and what entitles you to think but you need say may mayor about it there's to be nay horses brought to my door if you mon hey horses you mon gang to the horse market for them like other folk I'm no to hay my house turned into a white bear my dear sir said the major in my situation interrupted miss Bell it would have a very odd appearance in the eyes of the world but here Mrs. Sinclair interposed by offering to shop around her niece to the white bear and Lord Rossville's carriage hoping to be repaid for this ability by securing the major's vote the major after a little affected DeMar was accepted and the major was dispatched to have the horses in readiness I really think uncle you might dispense with a fire now remark miss Bell as she rose to depart do you can anything else I could dispense we demanded Mr. Ramsey with a look and emphasis that might have made her tortoise fly not so miss Bell who still lingered in the desperate hope of showing her consequence and proving her influence over Adam and his seventy thousand pounds well uncle when are we to see you at Bellevue I would prefer my claim for a visit said Mrs. Sinclair with her most winning smile but Lord Rossville intends himself to have the pleasure of calling upon you and in hopes of getting my vote interrupted Mr. Ramsey impatiently but he may just save himself the trouble I know gone to be hunted out of my senses by your election hounds I'll give my vote to what I like our may be I'll keep it to myself but there's a thing I can tell you it's no to be head for the asking Mrs. Sinclair prudently received this rebuff in silence but miss Bell plucked up fresh spirit at witnessing another's discomfort and taking her uncle by the breast of the coat and drawing him back she began in an undertone of voice as if she had been overheard by the by uncle talking of votes there's one thing that I feel very anxious about and that is that the major and you should concert something together as to your votes it would be extremely awkward I think if you were to take different sides and have a very out appearance in the eyes of the world whatever uncle Adam's thoughts might be his looks portended a storm ready to relax and his frown gradually softened into something like a smile the eyes of the world repeated he I would not get a glist the body of yours for all the eyes of the world put together and dinner you my dear let the eyes of the world scare you as they hey done money on fray your own happiness now fair you wield my daughter patting her shoulder and I'll say to money I'll I'd be glad to see you come when you like very you will good morning to you miss bill and you may take the eyes of the world on your back and muckle good may they do you and with a laugh of derision uncle Adam saw his visitors drive off and return to his little dusty sunny parlor elate with the triumph of having defied the world and its eyes before parting with Mr. Ramsey we have one who has attempted to walk as if uncontrolled by the scan of that dread power commonly called the eyes of the world few if any however have ever arrived at entire emancipation from its influence which extends more or less over all mankind uncle Adam flattered himself that he was one of the happy few who had escaped from its thralldom but alas poor man its yoke was still upon him and unconscious out of self and his freedom he cared not indeed that the world should call him a miser he cared not that the world should call him a churro he cared not that the world should call him odd he cared not that the world should say he lived in a mean house or or a shabby hat or an old fashioned wig but he cared less the world should think he cared for the world or less the world should say that he was vain or proud or ostentatious or expensive and Many a little comfort, many a harmless gratification, many an innocent desire he had in common with that world he so much despised. To be free from the eyes of the world has been the aim of many but the attainment of few. Man is not born to be free, and when all restraint is laid aside, the wickedness of the human heart displays itself in the most hideous forms, tis to the Christian alone that such freedom belongs, and he only can say, Je crains Dieu et ne point d'autre crainte. End of Section 18, Section 19 of the Inheritance by Susan Edmund Stoonfarrier. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Volume 1, Chapter 19. A merry going out often bringeth the mournful return, and a joyful morning, a sad evening, Thomas our campus. During their progress to the white bear, Miss Bell indemnified herself for the mortifications she had received from her uncle by expressing herself in terms of the greatest pity and contempt for him. Poor man, said she, I really feel for him, for you must know it is alleged. I am his great favorite. And when that is the case, of course, one will put up with a great deal. Indeed for my part, I know his temper so well, I never should think of being affronted at anything he could say. But I own, I am sometimes afraid of the major. A man of his rank is not to be tampered with, and he has such a high spirit, there is no saying how he might resent anything the least like disrespect to me, though I know my poor uncle is far from meaning anything of the kind. It is entirely his manner, if I have been told he speaks very handsomely of me behind my back, and when that is the case one should not mind what is said to their face. However in my situation it is certainly not pleasant, and when I am a married woman the thing must be put a stop to. Here Mrs. Sinclair put a stop to that subject by introducing the one uppermost in her thoughts that of the election, and requesting her niece to use her influence with her lover on the occasion. The Miss Bell, like all fools, had her share of cunning, as well as of consequence and she was aware that the more doubts and difficulties she could attach to the major's vote, the more the major's importance and her own importance would be increased. And she therefore made answer, but I really ought to tell you the truth, the major has a very difficult part to act, and it will require no small management, I assure you, both in him and me, to avoid giving offense to one side or the other. Connected as he is with the Bearacre and Bog Hall families, it will be a strong step in him to give his vote to the opposite party. At the same time, I know I have only to say the word to secure him for my friends, but as I said to him, the world might reflect upon me for I to make use of my influence in so important a matter. Besides, you know, Aunt, I can say nothing till the major has been weighted upon by Lord Rossville and has been paid proper attention to by the family, and it would also be right, I think, if some of the ladies were to be introduced to his sister Mrs. Fairbairn, a very sweet woman who lives a little way from this, but here the carriage drove up to the white bear where neither the major nor the horses were to be seen, but they were told both would be forthcoming presently. There was nothing for it therefore, but to wait patiently in the midst of the usual assemblage, that is to be seen lounging at an end door, hostlers, drivers, stable boys, beggars, waiters, travelers, etc., etc., etc. This is very unpleasant, said Miss Bell. I wonder how the major could think of exposing a person in my situation in this manner. I'm sure I would rather have gone without carriage horses than have had all these people's eyes upon me. There is one man I declare he stares in such a manner I don't know where to look. I wonder what he means. I really wish he would bestow his attention on somebody else, but perhaps cousin, he's one of your French bones. Mrs. Sinclair and Gertrude both looked in the direction pointed out by Miss Bell and both were struck by the appearance of the person in question, or rather by the earnest scrutinizing look with which he regarded the party. For although handsome there was nothing very striking either in his dress or figure, nothing that was even indicative of the station to which he might be supposed to belong. He was a man seemingly turned of thirty but might be more with fair but sunburnt complexion, bright hair, handsome, the rather hawk nose and keen bright blue eyes. Taken singly his features had no peculiarity in them, but there was something in the general expression of the countenance of rather a marked and unpleasing character. I have surely seen that face before, said Mrs. Sinclair, endeavoring to recollect when and where. I'm sure he won't forget some of ours, said Miss Bell, for I really never saw anything so impudent as the manner in which he stares and such a shabby looking creature all covered with dust. I dare say he is just off the top of some coach. I'm sure if the major catches him staring so impudently at me. But here comes the major and the carriage horses. Don't they look very well? And then ensued a colloquy between the lovers. How do you like your steeds, Isabella? Not my major. You know I have nothing to do with them. But what do you think of them yourself? My thoughts must be guided entirely by your taste, very gallant indeed and so forth in the usual style of some such silly pair. The stranger all the while kept his station after asking a question of one of the servants. But his looks, which at first had wandered from one or other of the party, finally rested on Gertrude with an expression which it was impossible to comprehend or define. It was neither admiration nor curiosity, nor pleasure, nor any of the common emotions which a stranger might be supposed to entertain. But his countenance assumed a sort of smile of exaltation, no less strange than offensive. In some displeasure at so rude and persevering a gaze, Gertrude raised her hand to pull down the blind, wooden suddenly springing forward, he laid his hand on the door of the carriage. What insolence, exclaimed Mrs. St. Clair, the stranger looked at her for a moment with a bitter contemptuous smile, then said, I will speak with you, madam. Speak then, say what is your business? Answered she somewhat impatiently. You would not wish me to declare it in the presence of these ladies, I am sure, replied the man, with a still more familiar look and manner. Miss Bell's body and soul were both half out of the opposite side of the carriage as she leaned over, communing with the major, Mrs. St. Clair, therefore answered heartily, you can have nothing to say to me that my daughter may not hear. Indeed, exclaimed the stranger, and I, a ronor colton, is she then, Mrs. St. Clair, involuntarily bent her head towards him, and the rest of the sentence was whispered in her ear when uttering a half stifled shriek, she sunk back pale, trembling, and convulsed. What's the matter, cried Miss Bell, turning round? Mama has been frightened by that strange-looking man, answered Gertrude, in a low voice. Bless me, cried Miss Bell, such nonsense to be frightened for any man when the major is here, then in a loud key, major, I wish you would ask that person what he wants. Not for the world, exclaimed Mrs. St. Clair, suddenly starting up in the most extreme agitation, I know him, I have seen him before. I, I must speak to him myself, gasped she as she motioned to have the carriage door opened. Oh, mama, cried Gertrude, taking her mother's trembling hand to detain her, you are unable, allow me. But her mother seemed not to hear her, as with the assistance of the servant, she alighted, and with an unsteady stepdrew near the stranger, who had withdrawn a few paces from the carriage, apart from the bystanders. Good gracious, exclaimed Miss Bell, in a whisper to Gertrude, I see my aunt is terrified at the thoughts of involving the major with that man, and to be sure if he had only seen how he stared at me, I dare say he would have knocked him down, so it's better she should speak to him herself as I am under her protection at present, you know. Gertrude made no reply. Miss Bell too much interested in her carriage horses to bestow her attention on any mere human concerns, quickly returned to the discussion of hoofs, tails, mains, et cetera. Mrs. Sinclair, meanwhile, having exchanged a few words with the stranger, returned to the carriage, still bearing visible signs of great mental disquiet. So aunt, you have very soon disposed of your bow, began Miss Bell, no less deficient in common observation than in delicacy. Dear me, are we driving away, and nothing settled about the carriage horses yet, and where's the major, major, major, stop driver for the major? And presently the major's willow green visage presented itself panting with the exertion of running after the carriage. I can make nothing of that fellow, said he, addressing Mrs. Sinclair, he seems a most confounded, insolent dog. If I had been at justice of the peace, I should certainly have committed him. I think you would have done quite right, said Miss Bell, and I really think aunt, you were a great deal too soft with him. What did he say to you, major? Oh, he was confoundedly impertinent, and if I had my bamboo, I should certainly have laid it across his shoulders. Well, I daresay it was better that you got out to speak to him yourself than that the major should have taken him in hand, but he would have deserved it, Miss, said Miss Bell, if it had only been for his impudence and staring at me in the manner he did, but by the by did not you say you knew him, aunt? Mrs. Sinclair's color had undergone many variations during this conversation, and Gertry thought she read torture in every feature and liniment of her accountants. But in a voice which she vainly tried to render firm and composed, she replied, I've seen him before only once, and that under circumstances of distress in my husband's, here her emotion choked her utterance, and Miss Bell and the major who were no nice observers ascribed her agitation to the only legitimate source of a widow's tears, the remembrance of her departed Lord, and not being at all in a mood to sympathize and any self-sorrowful feelings, Miss Bell proposed to alight and walk home with her lover, which was readily exceeded to by her aunt. I trust that she'll soon have the pleasure of presenting Mrs. Waddell to you, said the major in a half whisper to Mrs. Sinclair. Upon my word, major, you are too bad, set his fair effecting to turn away in displeasure. Have you bespoke your cousin's good offices on the occasion my love, asked the enamorato in steel softer accents? No, I really, major, you know there is no hurry. I beg your pardon, I know just the reverse, replied the gallant major, Mrs. Sinclair, sick of their vulgar heirs, here wish the happy pair good morning, and making a sign to the servant, the carriage bounded away, leaving them far behind. Gertrude naturally expected that her mother would now give some explanation of the strange mysterious scene that had taken place, though she had too much delicacy to express any curiosity on the subject. But Mrs. Sinclair remained silent and abstracted during the whole drive, and was only roused from her musings by the sudden stopping of the carriage as it drew up at the castle. Home already exclaimed she, looking round as if awakened from a dream, then in a languid oppressed voice, Gertrude, I am ill, but I want no attentions waving her off. They can do me no good. Colonel Delmore, who had been lounging on the lawn with his dogs was now hastening towards them. Gertrude continued she grasping her daughter's hand, be silent on the events of this day as you value my life. Gertrude shuddered, but the next moment her hand was pressed in that of Colonel Delmore as he assisted her to a light and her mother's fearful words were almost driven from her thoughts by the raptures he expressed at her return. His words were too delightful not to be listened to and she lauded a few minutes on the steps. Is it possible thought she as she looked on her lover that this elegant graceful being came along to the same species with an uncle Adam or a major Waddell? Colonel Delmore saw that he had lost nothing by her absence and as her mother turned to collar he ventured to whisper somewhat of a more serious import than he had yet done. Gertrude blushed, smiled and was gone. End of section 19, section 20 of The Inheritance by Susan Edmund Stoonfarrier. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Volume one, chapter 20, what silence hides that no is thou. Dante, unjoining her mother in her apartment, Gertrude found her walking to and fro in that manner which plainly indicates great mental disquiet. She continued to pace backwards and forwards for some time as if lost in thought. Then suddenly stopping, she said somewhat abruptly, Gertrude, do you remember your nurse? Ah, Mama, can I ever forget her? replied her daughter, tears springing to her eyes at the remembrance of all the care and tenderness she had experienced for years from the faithful creature. Yes, I know you were very fond of her and she of you. Well, the stranger who caused me so great an alarm today was her husband. Her husband, Mama, repeated Gertrude. I thought he had been dead many years ago. I thought so too, but unfortunately it is not so. I say unfortunately for he is likely to prove a troublesome appendage to us. Those sort of people are always unreasonable and he seems to think his wife's care and attention to you and her long services in the family give him a claim upon our gratitude which I fear I shall not find easy to answer. In short, he seems a needy, rapacious man, urgent for money which I have not to give and yet am loath to refuse. It is certainly my duty to do something for him. Mama, answered her daughter, but you know I have nothing in my own power. All I can do is to speak to my uncle for him. No, no, cried Mrs. Sinclair impatiently. That will never do. And she resumed her pacing up and down. Why may I not ask Lord Rossville to assist him, Mama, inquired Gertrude in some surprise. Surely the husband of my nurse, of one whom I love so dearly, has a right to expect something from us. Something, yes, something, but what is that something to be? How much money have you got at present, Gertrude? Her daughter named the sum which was a very trifling one. Good heavens, what shall I do? exclaimed her mother with the look and accent of despair. How shall I ever be able to raise a sufficient sum? Dear Mama, why should you distress yourself so much about it? Only suffer me to speak to my uncle. Gertrude, you will drive me mad. Have I not told you that it would be destruction to me to breathe a syllable of this matter to any human being? Destruction, Mama, repeated her daughter in astonishment, not unmixed with terror at her mother's vehemence. Bring me what money you have every soon and no questions. You will perhaps know all soon enough, murmured she, throwing herself into a chair as if exhausted with the violence of contending emotions, then rousing herself as her daughter was leaving the room to obey her and fetch me your ornaments. Gertrude, all of them quick, no more words, and she waved her hand impatiently for her to be gone. Gertrude was too well acquainted with her mother's imperious manner to attempt any remonstrance, but she could not conceal the astonishment and reluctance with which she set about obeying her. Having collected all the money and the few jewels she possessed, she brought them to her mother. Surely Mama said she cannot be necessary for me to give my earrings and bracelets to my nurse's husband, the money he is welcome to, but really I am churlish enough to grudge him my trinkets. Keep them then, said Mrs. St. Clair, pushing them from her with contempt. Keep the paltry baubles, since it is too great a sacrifice to part with them even to a parent. Oh, Mama, what cruel words I spoke in jazz. Take them, take all everything that I have, and she drew the rings off her fingers and unclasped those in her ears. No, no, said her mother in the same cold bitter tone, keep your precious Jew jaws. You surely would not give your pearl necklace to save me from ruin, that would be too much indeed. Mrs. St. Clair well knew how to turn to her own purposes the quick generous temper of her daughter. Stung to the soul by her mother's reproaches, Gertrude burst into tears. She besought her forgiveness. She implored her to take the baubles till at length. She prevailed in what Gertrude would in other circumstances have considered a sacrifice. She now looked upon as a privilege so differently do things appear according to the state of our minds. To show that I do not exact more from you than I do from myself, said Mrs. St. Clair, going to her jewel case. I too must part with all I possess. And she took out all her own ornaments and began putting them up along with those of her daughter. Gertrude assisted with a good grace for she was still in a state of excitement. She saw all her elegant and fashionable be jouturi. All the cherished tokens of remembrance, all the little gifts she had received from far distant friends and companions one by one folded up and she still felt only joy in the thought that she had parted with them for her mother. But she could not suppress aside when she came to an old fashioned hair brooch in the form of a heart set round with garnets. That was the gift of my dear nurse, said she timidly and she made me promise that I never would part with it. Subjoin Mrs. St. Clair, well keep your promise and your lock Gertrude, it is of little value. It can make no difference. Surely he would not grudge you that. He repeated Gertrude indignantly, it is not for him, it is for you. But why? She stopped and looked inquiringly in her mother's face. Gertrude, it is natural that your curiosity should be excited by what you have seen and heard and the time may come perhaps too soon when it will be amply gratified. But when it is, I tell you that it will, it must be at the expense of my life. Now speak, ask what you will and I will answer you but it must be on these terms. Oh, my mom, what a wretch. You must think me, said Gertrude, again giving way to her tears. Headstrong, perverse, disobedient, you may have found me but surely I do not deserve such killing words with that I could share in your distresses, whatever they are, if by sharing I could lessen them. Mrs. St. Clair shook her head inside deeply. I believe you Gertrude, I know you are superior to the meanness of mere curiosity and I think I may rely on your affection. May I not? Her daughter answered by throwing herself into her mother's arms and Mrs. St. Clair pressed her to her bosom with emotions of tenderness and affection such as she had never before displayed when she regained her composure, she said, now my love, we understand each other. You are aware that my reserve proceeds from no distrust of you. I feel that your forbearance is the result of your affection for me. Henceforth all that you have to do is to prove your sincerity by your silence. You have only to promise that you will never disclose what you have witnessed or what you may yet witness in my conduct that may seem strange and mysterious and that you will never reveal what I have now told you about that man. Neither his name nor his connection with us must you ever breathe as you value my life. Gertrude promised, solemnly promised, and her mother again tenderly embraced her declaring herself satisfied. You know not what a load it takes from my mind to find you thus prudent, tractable, and confiding with feeling enough to participate in my vexations with delicacy to repress all idle curiosity with affection to assist me in my difficulties may heaven reward you, Gertrude, for all you have done and will do for me. And now, continued she as she finished the packet she had been making up, I'm going to give you a yet stronger proof of the trust I place in you. This packet must be delivered tonight to the person for whom it is destined. I have promised to meet him at the temple near the end of that line avenue next to Deer Park at 11 o'clock and you must accompany me. The family will then be at supper. I shall plead a headache, alas, no vain pretext. And she pressed her daughter's hand to her throbbing temples. As an excuse for retiring to my room, you will of course attend me and we shall then find no difficulty in stealing out unperceived. I know all you would say, Gertrude, continued she in a quick impatient tone as she read her daughter's disapprobation in the glow that mantled on her cheek, but there is no alternative, it must be so. Yet if you repent your promise, I am ready to release you from it, though my ruin should ensue. Speak, do you wish to be free? Gertrude could not speak, but she gave her mother her hand in token of her submission, then turned shuttering away. Her mother again caressed her. Be composed, my love, all will yet go well. Let us dress for dinner, continued she, as her maid entered for the purpose of preparing her toilette, then whispering, try to look cheerful, my love. Remember, looks may betray a secret as well as words. Put some flowers in your hair and make yourself at least look gay for my sake. Do my sweetest, Gertrude sighed and they separated. End of section 20. Section 21 of the inheritance by Susan Edmundsdoun Farrier. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Volume one, chapter 21. Plusonakwamwale, more sound than sense. Seneca. It would have argued ill for Gertrude if she could have obeyed her mother's injunctions and looked at things she was not. Time and suffering may teach us to repress our feelings, but the young and untried heart can with difficulty learn to conceal them. The most ingenuous and upright mind may practice self-control, but it is only the artful and the mean who will ever stoop to dissimulation. Agitated and perplexed in vain, she strove to appear tranquil and disengaged. The very attempts served only to defeat the purpose. The more she thought of her mother's strange, mysterious behavior and of what else could she think, the more bewildered she became in the maze of her own fancy. Till at length, despairing of regaining self-possession from her own secret communings, she hastened to seek it in company and quickly dressing herself, she descended through the drawing-room. It required no great share of penetration to discover that something more than common was passing in her mind, her varying color, her clouded brow, her thoughtful yet wandering eye, so different from the usual open, bland expression of her countenance plainly indicated the state of her feelings. Lord Rossville, Mr. Delmore, and Mrs. Sinclair were at the farther end of the room in earnest conversation. She was giving such an account of her visit to Mr. Ramsey and her meeting with Major Waddell as suited her own purposes. And she dilated so much upon the difficulties and importance of their votes and the management that would be requisite to secure them that she at last succeeded, no very difficult matter, in completely mystifying at least one of her auditors. In short, she convinced Lord Rossville and almost persuaded his nephew that the whole issue of the election depended upon her and her family. I have a strange, headstrong set of beings to deal with, said she, but I think with a little address and a good deal of attention, we shall prevail at last. On such an occasion, said his lordship, neither ought to be wanting, my dear madam. I flatter myself, we are none of us deficient in the former qualification, and the latter depends entirely upon ourselves. Tomorrow, Mr. Delmore and I shall make a point of waiting upon such of your relatives and connections as Mr. Delmore here took out his memorandum book and began to write down the names of Major Waddell, Mr. Ramsey and Mr. Black, in his list for the following day. I wish we could secure your uncle, said he, to Mrs. St. Clair, then turning to Lord Rossville. I find he is the purchaser of the superiorities of death knows which with Tom lands kills Spindy might with these beasts split, certainly into four, but I think probably into five qualifications. These on our side would make it quite a hollow business, don't you think so? Why in all human probability it would, replied his lordship, at the same time we must be cautious how we admit or mistake mere probabilities for absolute certainties. In all such cases there must ever be contingencies which it is impossible or at least extremely difficult to foresee or guard against. It is a matter of doubt with me whether Mr. Ramsey has yet been in theft in these lands of Kendi Fort and Callfold and whether there is not a wad set on the lands of Ogilface and Hagueescape. In all likelihood, our opponents are using every means to bring some such core reserve into the field. Also, I understand there were two new claims preferred for enrollment on the lands of Stonykirk and Kilnettles at the last meeting of freeholders and we may reasonably conclude that the role will be still farther augmented by the adverse party that is if it is possible for them to do so. While this colloquy and much more of the same kind was carrying on at one end of the room, the other presented Lady Betty spread out in full dress on a sofa with flora by her side and Colonel Delmore and Mr. Lindsey at a little distance engaged in some debate. Gertrude on entering almost unconsciously seated herself at one of the windows apart from everybody, but she was immediately joined by her cousins, Colonel Delmore remarked with secret satisfaction the agitation of her look and manner. He imputed it entirely to the declaration he had ventured to make, which he thought had probably given rise to some discussion betwixt her mother and her and which he had no doubt would end as all such discussions between mother and daughter generally do in favor of the lover. But this was not precisely the time when he wished his pretensions to be publicly known and he was rather desirous that Miss Sinclair's emotion should pass unobserved. Colonel Delmore's manner, however, although guarded and respectful, nevertheless carried with it that nameless something which made even the object of his professed idolatry feel he had gained an ascendancy over her and that the worshiped was also the worshipper. While he leaned on the back of her chair, Mr. Lindsey once or twice addressed some remark to her but absent and occupied, she scarcely seemed to hear him. Is it today that you would have me begin to sketch your portrait, said he with a smile? No, not today, replied she in some confusion and why not to paint from nature when must take nature in all her various moods and aspects. But I don't love stormy cloudy pictures, said Gertrude with a sigh. Colonel Delmore looked reproachfully at her as he whispered, strange that this day which has been the brightest in my life should seem cloudy to you. Ah, Gertrude, why do we not view it with the same eyes? Gertrude blushed deeply but remained silent. What o'clock is it, inquired Lady Betty? Seven minutes to six, said Miss Pratt, as she entered and tripping past Lady Betty, joined the group in the window. Anything new going on here? It's changed days with you, Colonel, to be in the drawing room before dinner. We seldom used to see you till the first course was going away. Surveying Gertrude from head to foot, what's come over you today, my dear? You're not looking like yourself. I think you've got too many of these passion flowers in your head. Mr. Edward, you must not take your cousin's picture today, or else you must part with some of these passion flowers. I really don't think they're becoming. Just let me take out that one. And she was preparing to lay her hands upon it when hers were seized by Colonel Delmore. Bless me, Colonel, don't be so violent. I'm sure I wasn't going to take off Miss Sinclair's head. They may well be called passion flowers, but they really seem to have put you in a fine passion, and you've crumpled all my wrath and squeezed one of my fingers to the bone. Colonel Delmore, coloring a little at the transport of indignation he had given way too affected to laugh it off and releasing Miss Pratt's hands from his grasp, said in a loud whisper, I beg pardon if in the order of my passion I did press your hands too, too tenderly, impute the blame. I don't know what you mean, Colonel Delmore, cried Miss Pratt aloud as she stroked down her rough and caressed her injured finger with every appearance of ill humor. But I know you've left your marks upon me in a pretty manner. I didn't know Miss Sinclair's head had been your property, or I assure you I wouldn't have offered to touch it, but I know if she's wise, she'll take care how she trusts you with her hand after seeing how you've used mine. And she held up a red, angry-looking finger and shook her rough and only looked at my wrath. What's the matter with your wrath? Asked Lady Betty, it looks very neat, I think. Neat, it was more than neat, but Colonel Delmore has spoiled the seed of it and I'll have to get it all goffered over again. By the by Miss Pratt, said Colonel Delmore, since you denounced me as the destroyer of your wrath, it is a deed for which I merit the thanks of all pious, well-disposed persons in general, and of the Kirk Session in particular. I read a history of roughs till the day which harrowed up my soul and made my young blood to freeze. I assure you ever since I've been initiated into the shocking mysteries of roughmaking, Hamlet's horror outside of his father's ghost has been nothing compared to mine when I behold a stiff, well-appointed rough. So completely is it associated in my mind's eye with hoofs and horns, blackness and brimstone. Then going to the library, he presently returned with an ancient folia in his hand and turning over the leaves. He read his follows with an air of ludicrous horror and dismay. The anatomy of abuses containing a discovery or brief summary of such notable vices and imperfections as now reigned in many countries of the world, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera by Philip Stubbs, 1583. They have great and monstrous roughs made either of cambrick, lawn or elves of some other of the finest cloth that can be got for money, where of some be a quarter of a yard deep, yea, some more, very few less, so that they stand a full quarter of a yard and more from their necks, hanging over their shoulder points instead of a veil. But what ye what? The devil as he in the fullness of his malice first invented these great roughs, so heth he now found out also two great pillars to bear up and maintain this his kingdom of pride with all. The one archer or pillar whereby his kingdom of great roughs is under propped is a certain kind of liquid matter which they call starch, wherein the devil heth will them to wash and to dry, their roughs well which being dry will then stand stiff and inflexible about their necks. The other pillar is a certain device made of wires caressed for the purpose with either over with gold thread, silver or silk, and this he calleth under proper. Beyond all this they have a farther fetch, nothing inferior to the rest as namely three or four decrees of minor roughs placed in gradatum, one beneath another and all under the maester devil rough. Sometimes they are such nonsense exclaimed misprat. I really never heard the like of it. I wonder how you have patience to listen to it, Lady Betty. I really think Miss Sinclair might show more sense than to laugh at such ridiculous stuff. There's the gong that's better worth attending to and away walk Miss Pratt and her rough. The politicians were also roused at the sound and as they broke up, Mrs. Sinclair said to Lord Rossville, rest assured my Lord nothing shall be wanting on my part to gain the suffrages of my family. And I have little doubt of accomplishing it since your lordship has thus kindly and considerably given me a carte blanche as it were for my actions upon the occasion. I feel most deeply the value of the confidence you have thus reposed in me. Lord Rossville had done no such thing as give or dream of giving Mrs. Sinclair a carte blanche for her actions, but he loved to hear himself commended whether for what he had done or for what he had not done and he therefore allowed it to pass in the belief that he was indeed all that was kind wise and considerate. Gertrude as a matter of course was again placed between Lord Rossville and Mr. Delmore and condemned during a tedious dinner to hear the same political jargon carried on. Mr. Delmore now and then changed the conversation indeed out of compliment to her and talked of the views, the weather, the races and such subjects as he seemed to think suited to a female capacity but it was evidently an effort to descend to such things and Gertrude felt only provoked that he should even attempt to be agreeable. When they rose from table, her mother made a sign for her to follow her to her own room. End of section 21. Section 22 of The Inheritance by Susan Edmundstone-Farrier. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Volume one, chapter 22. Never in my breast did ignorance so struggle with desire of knowledge. As in that moment, nor dare I to question, nor myself could ought discern. Carries Dante. You are a poor December, Gertrude said, Mrs. Sinclair, after having shut the door of her chamber and carefully examined each lurking recess, your looks have already betrayed to the family that something is wrong. Even stupid lady Betty asked me at dinner whether you were well enough. It is therefore obvious you are suffering either from mental disquiet or bodily indisposition and it must be your part to play the invalid this evening. Then seeing her daughter about to express her dislike of the deception, it is easily done. You have only to remain here and leave it to me to account for your absence in the drawing room. Then with a profound sigh, the headache and the heartache are both mine, God knows, but if you will only affect to bear the one for me, you will assuredly alleviate the other. Gertrude felt that she was become a mere tool in her mother's hands and that it was in vain to contend. She therefore yielded a passive assent to remaining a prisoner for the rest of the evening. Various were the conjectures and numberless the remedies called forth by Mrs. Sinclair's communication of her daughters in disposition, the heat of the day, the drive, the roads, the dust, the dinner. Uncle Adam and his airless room, all these and many more were each assigned as a sufficient cause for headache and odor to cologne aromatic vinegar and all the thousand perfumed specifics down to Lady Betty's homemade distilled lavender water were recommended and accepted. As for Lord Rossville, he made it quite a matter of life and death. A fever commonly began with the headache. Was there any disposition to shivering on the part of the patient? Any thirst, any fever, any bile? How were the eyes? How was the tongue? How was the pulse? A little blood taken in time was perhaps the most effectual antidote. He possessed some knowledge of medicine himself and in short, Mrs. Sinclair only prevented him from going to prescribe for his niece in person by assuring him that she felt a great disposition to sleep and had requested that she might not be disturbed. It was therefore finally settled that if Mrs. Sinclair was no better by tomorrow morning, she was then to be given up to his lordship's direction. Colonel Delmore suspected there was some deception in the case and was at no loss as he thought to fathom the mystery. He believed their mutual attachment had been discovered by Mrs. Sinclair and that Gertrude was suffering persecution on his account. But he felt little apprehension as to the result he knew enough of human nature to be aware that to a romantic nature such as hers, a little opposition would have rather a good effect and that there is sometimes no sure way of creating an interest in one party than by exciting a prejudice in another. Meanwhile, the object of all this solicitude sat at her window watching the coming on of grateful evening mild. It was at that lovely season when day and night are so imperceptibly blended into each other that night seems only a softer, sweeter day. There were none of those magnificent masses of clouds which in this climate generally form the pomp and circumstance of a fine sunset. The sky was cloudless and serene and a soft silvery moon shown in one quarter of the heavens while the mellow golden lustre of the sun gradually melted away in the other. When the last sunshine with expiring ray in summer twilight weeps the close of day who hath not felt the softness of that hour steal or his heart like dew drops on the flower. Then came the deeper blue of the silent night with her solemn bird and glittering stars. But Gertrude was withdrawn from the contemplation of these consecrated things by the entrance of her mother. She threw herself on a chair and sighed heavily. Then starting up, prepare yourself, Gertrude, in a few minutes we must set forth that your green traveling cloak it will completely cover your dress and conceal your figure should we unfortunately meet any one which heaven forbid. Gertrude brought her cloak and did as she was directed while her mother wrapped herself in a similar disguise and both awaited in trembling expectation the signal for sallying forth. At length the gong sounded, voices were heard as the family passed through the hall to the supper room, the doors were shut and all was silent. Now is the time, said Mrs. St. Clair in a voice almost in articulate from agitation. Yet stay, should it by any unforeseen mischance ever reach Lord Rossville's ears that we were seen leaving the house together. At such an hour, no, that will never do. Gertrude, you must go first and I will follow. Oh, no, no, cried her daughter, turning pale with terror. Why should that be? Surely that can make no difference. No difference in reality, but much in appearance, said Mrs. St. Clair impatiently. You're stealing out to take a ramble by moonlight, however silly, would not sound very improbable and my following you would be perfectly natural, but both going out together is quite unaccountable and must not be, go, make haste. Oh, mama, do not, I beseech you, do not ask me to go alone. I cannot, indeed I cannot, and she sank upon a chair. Ridiculous exclaimed her mother in a tone of suppressed anger, oh, what are you afraid? I know not, I cannot tell, I am going, I know not where to meet, I know not home. And at midnight, no, I cannot, I will not go. And she threw back her cloak and shook off her hat with gestures of impatience and indignation. Obstinate, unfeeling, ungrateful wretch, exclaimed Mrs. St. Clair, giving way to her passion. Is it for you that I suffer, that I? Why do I not give you up to your fate at once? Why, but I will be obeyed. I command you on your peril to obey me. Gertrude threw herself on the floor at her mother's feet, kill me, trample on me, cried she in an accent of despair, but my soul revolts from these mysteries. Oh, my mother, continued she in broken accents. Is it you who command me thus to steal from my uncle's house at midnight, disguised and alone to meet at low-born, needy, desperate man? Mrs. St. Clair remained silent for a few moments, as if struggling with her feelings, she then spoke in a voice of unnatural calmness. Be it so, my entreaties, my prayers, my commands are in vain. The dye is cast by your hand and my doom is fixed. I told you that my life depended upon your unreserved obedience and the forfeit shall be paid. Gertrude looked on her mother's face. Every feature was convulsed with powerful and fearful emotion. Then every idea vanished, but that of her mother dying, dead, and she the cause. All personal fear, all lofty feeling fled. The right cord was touched and her whole frame vibrated with emotion. She clung to her mother's knees. She sued for pardon. She vowed the most implicit obedience, the most devoted submission to her will. She called heaven to witness that henceforth she would do all that was required of her. She prayed that she might be tried once, only once more. She spoke with all the ardor and sincerity of powerful emotion, but it is not with a throbbing heart and a burning brow that the mastery is obtained. If vows made in pain or void, those formed under the influence of excited feeling are no less vain and fleeting. Mrs. St. Clair's features gradually relaxed and in a more natural voice. She said, I forgive you, Gertrude. I forgive your doubts, your fears, however injurious to me. Go then, but ere you go, reflect on what you have undertaken. Remember you have vowed unqualified obedience. There is now no middle course. You are either my preserver or my destroyer. She poured out a glass of water and held it to her daughter's trembling lips. Now listen to my instructions. Glide quickly and softly along till you reach the south third stair. Be cautious in descending it and making your way along the old passage to the west door, which is seldom locked. When there, you have only to cross the lawn, keep by the river side and wait me at the ivy bridge. Fear nothing, I will follow you immediately. Gertrude again muffled herself in her cloak and with a beating heart went on her way as fast as terror and agitation would permit. She groped her way down the little turnpike stair and along a dark passage in an old part of the house to a door which opened upon the lawn. But there all things stood disclosed in the light of a full moon and calm cloudless sky and her heart almost failed her as she marked her own dark shapeless shadow stealing along on the silvery path. She soon gained the bank of the river and there in the deep shade of the rocks and trees she felt secure at least from discovery if not from danger. A few steps more and she reached the bridge where she was to await her mother. At another time she would have been charmed with the romantic loveliness and grandeur of the scene rocks, trees and waterfall all gleamed in the pale, polluted light, not a leaf was stirring and the solemn stillness was only broken by the rushing of the river and the whooping of the owls. But to enjoy the tranquility of nature requires that there should be some sympathy between the mind and the scene and gratuitous feelings were but little in unison with the calm, the holy majesty of moonlight scarcely daring to breathe every instant seemed an age till she beheld her mother advance with a quick but agitated step. We were late, said she in a low tone let us make haste and taking her daughter's arm they proceeded together in silence for a considerable distance till they came within sight of a temple situated on the summit of the bank. It was there I appointed to meet him, said Mrs. Sinclair and as she spoke the figure of a man was seen approaching towards them. We'd hear Gertrude cried she waving her daughter back as she would have clung to her. I shall be within sight and call of you do not stir from hence and remember your promise. And disengaging herself from her she hastily advanced to meet the stranger. It was not in human nature not to have felt the most intense curiosity at this moment and Gertrude certainly experienced it in no common degree when she beheld her mother's meeting with this mysterious man. Although beyond the reach of hearing what passed their gestures told a tale of no common import after remaining a few minutes in deep and earnest conversation she saw Mrs. Sinclair offer him a packet which she guessed was the one containing the money and jewels. She then saw the person rejected as if with scorn and even turn away from it as Mrs. Sinclair seemed to press it upon him. This dumb show lasted some minutes till at length he snatched it from the hand she held out to him and threw it upon the ground and made some steps towards the place where Gertrude stood. Mrs. Sinclair caught him by the arm she seemed to be arguing, imploring, supplicating. Now she clasped her hands as if in an agony then she raised them as if in solemn appeal to heaven and Gertrude caught the sound of her voice in tones of the deepest anguish. At length she seemed to prevail having herself lifted up the packet he had so contemptuously cast away she again offered it to him and it was accepted. They now advanced together until within a few paces of Gertrude where Mrs. Sinclair quitted her companion and approached her daughter. The shade of the trees covered her face but her voice was expressive of the utmost agitation. Gertrude, my love, said she in a low tone Lewiston wishes to see you to talk with you as the husband of your nurse and a sort of confidential person in the family he thinks. He has a right to address you in his own way. I dare not refuse Gertrude. He will converse with you alone. Mrs. Sinclair placed her hand on her daughter's lips as she saw an indignant refusal ready to burst forth. Oh Gertrude, dearest Gertrude, as you value my life as you value your own happiness do not refuse, do not provoke him. I am in his power, one hasty word, one contemptuous look may undo me. Oh Gertrude, for the love you bear to me, for the love you bore your nurse, for the love of heaven be calm and patient, speak. Tell me, I may trust you. And she led her few steps towards this stranger. Gertrude started with terror as the moon beams now fell on her mother's face and showed it wild and even ghastly from excessive emotion. Compose yourself, my ma, said she, I will do, I will be all you desire. There was no time for more for the stranger as if impatient of delay had now joined them. He held out his hand to Gertrude with an air of familiarity which at once roused her indignation and had almost thrown her off her guard when a look from her mother subdued her. With a blush of wounded pride she suffered him to take it and Mrs. Sinclair walked apart. He surveyed her for some minutes without speaking while her cheek burned and her heart swelled at the indignity to which she was thus subjected. I think he said abruptly, do you remember your nurse perfectly? How old were you when she died? I was nine years old. You were very fond of her, were you not? I loved her as my mother. Answered Gertrude in a voice of deep emotion. That was well. You are aware that I was her husband. Consequently, have some claim to a share of your affection. Do you think you will be able to bestow any of it upon me? Gertrude's spirit was ready to burst forth at the insolent freedom of this address but she repressed it and answered coldly. As the husband of my nurse, I'm willing to assist you as far as I am able but have little in my power at present. True, but the time will come when you will have much. When I have answered Gertrude, wishing to end the conference, the claims of my nurse's husband shall not be forgotten and she was moving away. Stop, cried he, not so fast. The claims of your nurse's husband are not so easily settled as you seem to suppose. I wish to put a few more questions to you, young lady, before we part. How am I to be assured that you will ever have it in your power to assist me in the world? I can give you no assurance, said Gertrude. All that I can say is, if ever it is in my power to befriend you for the sake of your wife, I shall be ready to do it. Only for the sake of my wife, repeated he with a smile, we shall see how that is when the time comes, whether I shall not have something to say with you for my own sake. In silent displeasure, Gertrude turned proudly awake when he caught her cloak to detain her. Well, we shall settle that afterwards, but if you play your cards well, you will one day have something in your power or the deuce is in it. The worst of it is that day may be a while of coming and your friends may starve in the meantime, but your uncle is a pretty old boy and you are sure of succeeding. Gertrude was choking with indignation, but she remembered her promise and remained silent. What are your plans for the future? Demanded he abruptly. I'm not in the habit of communicating my plans to strangers, answered she heartily. But I have a right to know your plans, said he fiercely. I insist upon an answer to my question. What are your plans for the future? Gertrude was terrified. I'm ignorant of your meaning, said she frankly. I mean in the event of your uncle's death, what would you do? Would you marry or remain single? And has your mother attempted to influence you in favor of anybody? Answer me that. Does she wish you to marry or not say? It is impossible for me to answer. I do not know, I cannot tell. Answer Gertrude almost overcome with the contending emotions of terror and indignation. Are you sure of that? Is there no Colonel Darrell Moore in the case ready to swindle the heiress out of her estates? But that won't do. You must be aware how you entangle yourself there. You must be aware how you commit yourself or by Jupiter. Come, I must know how the land lies. I must know how you stand affected to those fortune hunters who are looking after you. And he would have taken her hand with an air of familiarity which now completely threw her off her guard, uttering a piercing cry which echoed through the woods. She flew wildly past him and cast herself into her mother's arms. End of section 22. Section 23 of the inheritance by Susan Edmund Stoonfarrier. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Volume one, chapter 23. Since in the toils of fate thou art enclosed, submit that thou canst brook submission, eastless. When Gertrude awoke the following morning from a feverish and disturbed sleep, her mind like the broken fragments of a mirror presented only disjointed and distorted images, which she vainly endeavored to arrange and combine into one connected whole. Hideous dreams were mingled with no less hideous realities and confusion only became worse, confounded in the attempt to separate them. At length she opened her eyes and beheld her mother sitting by her. Oh mama, quite she speak to me, tell me what has happened. Last night was it, oh, was it all a dream? Compose yourself, Gertrude answered Mrs. Sinclair, whatever it was, it is now past. Think of it no more. Impossible, I can think of nothing else. I must know, I implore you to tell me at least this much. Last night, Mr. Lindsay, oh, tell me, did he not rescue me from the grasp? Gertrude interrupted her mother in great agitation of what use is it to talk or think of what is past? It is distressing to yourself, to me. It was then even so. I now remember it all. There are high words there threatening language and that man, hush, Gertrude, hush, again interposed her mother. You know not what you say. Yes, I know it all. He dared to assert that he had a right over me. He, the husband of my nurse, dared to claim a right over me and her voice was almost choked at the thoughts of having been subjected to such an indignity. But mama, surely this was, this must have been a dream. I know it was, and she gasped as she spoke. When he appealed to you, you, oh, you said it was so. I know I must have dreamt that. And she looked wildly and eagerly in her mother's face, but Mrs. St. Clair remained silent. Oh, you did not, you could not speak of engagements, of entanglements of, I know not what, yet strange and dreadful words, if that import still ring in my ears. Tell me, only tell me it is all a dream. Gertrude, this is agonizing to yourself, to me repress, in mercy repress those feelings. I will, I will, cried her daughter, in increasing agitation. Only say you did not so reduce me as to sanction the horrible belief that I could be so base, so vile, oh, how it degrades me even to utter it as to have plighted myself to a menial. Compose yourself, Gertrude. I cannot talk to you while you are in this state. Well, I will, I am composed, making a violent effort to appear calm while her frame trembled with the violence of her emotion. Now only say that you, my mother, did not so culminate me, but no, you cannot, cried she, again giving way to the impetuosity of her feelings. It is no dream, I heard it all. I heard you, you, my mother, assert that man had a claim to me. And I believe I was mad at that moment. Did I not throw myself at my cousin's feet and implore him to save me? Did I not cling to him in agony while that man would have torn me from him? Gertrude, I would have spared you the repetition of your folly, your madness. I would have spared you the painful recollection of your broken promise, your injurious distrust of me. I warned you of the consequences of disregarding my injunctions, my entreaties, my commands, but all were disregarded. What right have you then to upgrade me for having told you the truth? No, you did not tell me the truth. You did not tell me you were leading me to insult, to degradation. Say not that I led you, but for your own pride and folly, all would have been well, had you remembered my warning and not provoked the person, it was your interest as well as mine to have conciliated. Nothing of all this would have happened, but your absurd outcry reached Mr. Lindsey, who unfortunately had been enticed by the beauty of the night to take a moonlight ramble, and who hastened to the spot unhappily at the same moment when the other advanced, but the worst is over. Mr. Lindsey is a noble-minded, honorable man, and we have nothing to fear from him. He has promised to be forever silent on the subject. But what? Oh, what must he think of me? exclaimed Gertrude in an accent of the deepest dejection. Be assured he thinks nothing injurious of you, yet that man dared to assert that my father had given him a right to me, he the husband of my nurse. No, I will not, I cannot for an instant live under such a sense of degradation. I must seek Mr. Lindsey, I must tell him it is false. And she attempted to rise, but sank back on her pillow, overwhelmed with the force of her emotions. For heaven's sake, Gertrude, do not give way to these transports, cried her mother. Everything is now settled, the object of your alarm is already many miles distant. Nevermore I trust to return. Why then dwell upon what is past, when it can be productive of no good, come my love, for my sake try to forget it all. Forget it, repeated Gertrude, forget that I have been exposed to insult, to degradation, and by my mother that I never can forget. No, do not forget it, cried Mrs. Sinclair, bursting into tears, treasure it in your heart's core, let all my love and care and tenderness be forgotten, let your duty, your obedience, your promises, be forgotten, but do not forget this one unfortunate action. Record it, proclaim it, and then let me end a miserable existence. Shall I summon Lord Rosville and the family, said she, with affected calmness, putting her hand to the bell, to hear you denounce your mother? Time had been when this appeal would have produced its intended effect upon Gertrude, but her feelings had been already excited to their utmost, and she felt too wretched herself to have much sympathy to bestow on the author of her wretchedness. She therefore remained silent. Mrs. Sinclair repeated the question. I've not deserved this, replied Gertrude coldly, but I'm still willing to obey you. What would you have me do? Mrs. Sinclair embraced her and would have coaxed and soothed her, but she shrunk from these demonstrations of affection and again coldly asked what remained for her to do. I would have you appear, if possible, at breakfast my love, if you do not, Lord Rosville will insist upon sending for medical advice and will make a talk and a bustle about you, which may excite speculation and surmise, and anything of that sort had better be avoided at present. You will therefore oblige me, my dearest, if you will endeavor to look and be as much yourself as possible. And now I shall leave you to make your toilet, while I change my dress, for I have not been in bed all night. I've watched by you, Gertrude, and that not for the first time. Gertrude was touched by this proof of her mother's solicitude and all the recollective proofs of her maternal anxieties for her and her childish days rushed to her heart and with the returning tide brought back something of tenderer, kindlier feelings, yielding as she always did to the impulse of the moment she received her mother's embrace and the scene ended in a reconciliation. End of section 23, section 24 of The Inheritance by Susan Edmund Stoonfarrier. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Volume 1, chapter 24, there is no resource where there is no understanding, Saint Therese. Mrs. St. Claire and her daughter descended together to the breakfast room, but at the thoughts of meeting her cousin after what had so recently occurred, Gertrude's agitation almost overcame her, and she seated herself at the table without daring to lift her eyes. Many were the inquiries with which she was, of course, assailed, but Miss Pratt's observations, as usual, predominated. I'm afraid, my dear, there's more than a common headache, the matter with you. You put me very much in mind of Anthony White, when he was taking the influenza. He had just such a little pink spot on the top of one cheek, and all the rest of his face as white as the tablecloth, and your eyes, too, seemed very heavy, just like his. He never looked up for two days. The little pink spot had gradually increased with Miss Pratt's remarks, but making an effort to look up, Miss St. Claire raised her eyes and encountered not Mr. Lindsay's dreaded gaze, but that of Colonel Delmore, fixed upon her with anxious scrutiny. Lindsay was not present, nor was there even a place reserved for him. Miss Pratt seemed to read what was passing in her thoughts. So you've lost one of your bow, you see. Mr. Edward went off this morning, it seems. It must have been a sudden thought, for he said nothing of it yesterday, and by the by what became of him at supper last night. I wonder if he had a headache, too. They say there's a sympathy in bodies, as well as in minds sometimes. Colonel Delmore, do you believe that? I've heard there is, in souls, a sympathy with sounds, replied Colonel Delmore, with an ironical, contemptuous air, but my soul, as I grieve to say, so lost to all that is edifying and delightful, it can rarely boast any sympathy with the sound of Miss Pratt's voice, by which means unhappily one half of her dulcet notes fall powerless on my dull spirit. May I beg to know what I am called upon to believe? There's an old saying, Colonel, that there is none so deaf as them who won't hear, and I suspect that your case sometimes retorted Miss Pratt in a very toothy manner, though affecting to turn the laugh against her opponent. The entrance of the post-bag here attracted Miss Pratt's attention. It was Lord Rossville's enviable prerogative to open it himself and to dole out the letters in the most cautious and deliberate manner to their respective destinations. A measure which very ill accorded with the mercurial powers of Miss Pratt, who in spite of his lordship's precautions in holding the mouth of the bag as close as he possibly could, always contrived to daughter eyes down to the very bottom of it, and to anticipate its contents long ere the moment of delivery arrived. Like all weak important people, Lord Rossville loved power in any form or substance in which it presented itself, even in that of a leather bag which he grasped with the air of a Jupiter holding his thunderbolt and lingered over it as though it had been another Pandora's box. Although his lordship for upwards of 40 years had been in the daily, nay hourly practice of declaring that he would not be hurried, that he wouldn't take his own time, et cetera, et cetera, nevertheless, in the very teeth of this assurance, Miss Pratt did still persist in her attempts to accelerate the Earl's movements, which of course had invariably the effect of protracting them. On the present occasion it seemed doubtful whether the letters were ever to see the light as upon Miss Pratt remarking that it would be much better if there was no bag at all, for then people would get their letters at once without being kept on the tenterhooks this way. His lordship closed his mouth and opening his own, commenced a very elaborate harangue on the impropriety, irregularity, and inconvenience of such a mode of proceeding. Meanwhile, Gertrude gradually regained her composure and was even able to receive Colonel Delmore's assiduities with something like pleasure. At length, Miss Pratt, having knocked under for as she observed in an underhand way, there was no disputing with the man who held the key of the post bag. The contents were duly distributed and she received her portion, which kept her silent for a few minutes. Gertrude trembled as the letter was handed to her, but her alarm subsided when she saw it was directed in a feeble, affected-looking female hand and sealed with a fat-bouncing heart skewered with an arrow motto, la paigne a douche. The contents corresponded with these exterior symbols and were as follows. Belle vue, jula, ma cher cuisine. From what past in your presence you will, I suspect, not be very much surprised to hear that a certain person who shall be nameless has carried his point and that I have at length been prevailed upon to name Thursday next as the day when I am to enter upon a new state of existence. Eh bien, my dear cause, I hope your time is coming. And when it does most fervently, do I pray that you may prove as fortunate in your choice as I have done in mine. The major is indeed all that I could wish, far, very far beyond my poor desserts, and I should consider myself as the most ungrateful of women if I did not look upon myself as the most fortunate of my sex. That being the case, I certainly feel less than I should otherwise do at taking this most important and solemn step, but the certainty that I am bestowing myself upon one who is in every respect worthy of my warmest admiration, esteem, and affection supports me and be assured, my dear cousin, it is the only thing that can support the spirits at such a time. How much alas are they to be pitied who do not possess that certainty without which, believe me, all the advantages of birth and fortune are nothing. For without that, I assure you the major's rank, fortune, connections, manners, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, never would have influenced me. Such being the state of affairs here at present, I am very desirous that you, my shared cuisine, should participate in my feelings and also take a lesson for what rest assured will one day be your own fate. I therefore request as a particular favor that you will give us the pleasure of your company to pass the intervening days with me and to officiate as bridesmaid upon a certain occasion. The major unites with me in this request so it will be a double disappointment if anything should prevent you. Papa and Mama also join in the wish that my nuptial should be graced with your presence. The major offered to drive down for you any day in the gig, apropos, I must tell you, he admires you very much, but I'm not jealous. But I own a present, I think, that would be making the thing rather public and besides, shall I confess my weakness, I feel particularly timid at the thoughts of the major risking himself in a gig at present. Only conceive my situation if anything should happen to him. I trust you will be at no loss for an opportunity and that I shall soon have the pleasure of seeing you here and of making you better acquainted with my Lord and master to be Adio Miakara Isabella. Pray, have you heard any more of your bow? The major thinks he must be a spy, ICB, excuse haste, but the major is sitting by me and says he is ready to quarrel with you for engrossing so much of my time, ICB. In great disgust at the vulgar, effective familiarity of this performance, Gertrude handed it to her mother in silence, resolved in her own mind to return a brief denial to Miss Bell's invitation. Not so, Mrs. St. Clair, who thought nothing could be more outproposed than this proposal. She was desirous of removing her daughter from the observation of the family until her mind should have regained its usual tone and she knew nothing would be so likely to effect that as change of scene and necessity of exertion. It would require a little management perhaps to obtain Lord Rossville's consent, but in their present state of affairs that would be easily obtained and having settled all this, she put the letter in her reticule with an air that said this requires consideration. Miss Bratt now made known the contents of her dispatch, which was a pressing invitation to spend a few days at Old Lady McCaw's to meet Mrs. Jotwell and the Miss No Walls, just a nice little female party. It was a pleasant thing for old friends to meet and talk over old stories now and then, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. So, Miss Bratt, we are going to lose you then, it seems, said the Earl, in an accent of agreeable surprise and a visage beaming with delight. Indeed, it's not very well-bred, my Lord, to run away in this manner, replied Miss Bratt, but it's an old promise of mine to Lady McCaw, honest woman, and I would not like to disappoint her, especially as she is so good as say she'll send the carriage for me tomorrow morning. However, I shall make out my visit to you yet and if I can get hold of Anthony White, we'll bring him with me. Ford Rossfield's countenance fell at this assurance. He had been anxiously waiting for the termination of Miss Pratt's visit that he might give a dinner to some of the state list of the neighboring grandees, a thing which could not be got up with good effect while that lady was his guest. Her light fraught the babbles, disconcerted his heavy sonorous speeches. Her brisk familiarity detracted from the dignity of his manner. It was as impossible for him to be the dignified nobleman with Miss Pratt at his elbow as it would have been with an ape on his shoulder. However, it was a great point gained to have got her fairly off the field and he flattered himself with a little management. He might contrive to exclude her till it suited his time to receive her again. Contrary to his usual practice, but in conformity with the vulgar proverb, he therefore resolved to make hay while the son shone and straightway set about issuing his cars immediately. In this complacent mood, Mrs. St. Clair found little difficulty in obtaining his consent to Gertrude's visit to Bellevue, which she took care to insinuate the proof highly advantageous in a political point of view, a bait which the Earl instantly caught at, even declared his intention and that of Mr. Delmore to pay their respects to the worthy family at Bellevue the following day. And finally it was settled that they should accompany Mrs. St. Clair there, leaving the latter to officiate at her cousin's nuptials, an office which in the present state of the political contest was not deemed derogatory even for the heiress presumptive of Rostel. Colonel Delmore seemed somewhat chagrined at first hearing of this arrangement, but upon reflection he began to discover that it might rather advance his purpose to have the object of his pursuit withdrawn for a while from the watchful eyes of her guardians and he secretly resolved to be a daily visitor at Bellevue while she remained. As for Gertrude, whatever repugnance she felt at first to the proposal, she soon yielded to her mother's solicitations for she was a stranger to that selfishness which is obstinate in trifles. Miss Pratt's departure was hailed as a joyful release by the whole party with the exception indeed of Lady Betty and Mr. Delmore. The one was too stupid and the other too much engrossed to have any discrimination in their choice of company with the one words were words and Miss Pratt's words were as good if not better than other people's words with the other Miss Pratt was Miss Pratt and Miss was very much like another during a contested election. End of section 24, section 25 of The Inheritance by Susan Edmund Stoon-Farrier. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Volume one, chapter 25. Those who love you for political service love you less than their dinner and they who hate you, hate you worse than the devil. Wesley, the whole black family were evidently prepared for the reception of their visitors and as they were all good-looking and well-dressed, the Tutor Ensemble was highly prepossessing. Indeed, had it been otherwise, they would still have found favor in the eyes of Lord Rossville and his nephew who in each and all of the human beings now assembled even to the baby beheld simply a vote or the article or a particle of a vote. The Earl therefore parsed and posed a way to good Mrs. Black who sat listening to him with the most perfect reverence and admiration. Had the speaker been their neighbor, old Mr. Long Lungs, she might perhaps have thought him rather long-handed but it was still the golden age of innocence with Mrs. Black for it never once occurred to her that it was possible for an Earl to be as tiresome as a commoner. She therefore hung enamored on his lordship's accents but when he condescended so far as to take one of the children on his knee and to drink the health of the whole family in what he declared to be the very best Malmse Madeira he had ever tasted, the conquest of Mrs. Black was completed and she secretly vowed in her heart that she would never rest, neither day till by hook or by crook she had secured Mr. Black's vote for him. And then as he seemed so taken with them all there was no saying but he might get a company for Bob and give his business to Davy. And with these splendid visions, Mrs. Black's calmly good-humored face beamed upon the Earl with an expression he was little accustomed to on the countenances of his auditors. Mr. Delmore on his part was not idle having talked very sensibly with Mr. Black on russet lawns and fallows gray where the nibbling flocks do stray that is in plain prose on the rearing and feeding of cattle, succession of crops, et cetera, et cetera. He next addressed himself to a very pretty particle of a vote in the person of Ms. Lily Black who had made some faint and inefficient attempts to discover whether he wrote poetry till going bolder as she advanced she had length popped the question whether he would not write something in her album. Mr. Delmore protested with the most perfect truth that he never had written a verse in his life but to soften the disappointment added with a bow and most expressive look that if ever he was to be so inspired it must be on the present occasion. Ms. Lily blushed and had no doubt that Mr. Delmore was overhead in ears in love with her already and having read every novel in the circulating library at Barnford, Ms. Lily was ready to be fallen in love with at a moment's warning. Ms. Major Waddell to be was the only one of the family then at home who did not appear. She said that in her situation it was extremely unpleasant to be stared at by strangers and as Lord Rossville and Mr. Delmore must know perfectly well how she was situated they would easily understand her reasons for declining all introductions in her present situation. Ms. Bell however secretly flattered herself that her absence would be too striking to be passed over in silence and that Lord Rossville would make a point of seeing her great was her mortification therefore when the whole party drove off with the exception of Gertrude who was left behind. The bright elect descended through the drawing room in hopes of hearing that the major and she had formed the principle subject of conversation but there she found Mrs. Black trying to remember all that Lord Rossville had said about the line of the new canal and Mr. Black already anticipating the arrival of a couple of pure marinos which Mr. Delmore was to procure for him from his uncle the Duke of Burlington. Ms. Lily was expressing her wonder to Ms. St. Claire whether it was really true that Mr. Delmore did not write poetry and the children were squabbling over the remains of the cake. I hope there was no particular illusion to the major me said Ms. Bell seeing it in vain to wait for any voluntary communication in my situation such things are not very pleasant. There was no mention made of you, whatever Bell was the reply, I assure you I'm very happy to hear it said Ms. Bell in evident displeasure to which she could only give vent by turning the children out of the room for making a noise which they of course redoubled outside the door till dragged shrieking away by their maid. Ms. St. Claire already felt the discomforts of her situation seated in a dressed drawing room for the day with Mrs. Black and her daughters who seemed to have renounced all occupation for that of being company to their guests and labor dire it is and weary woe in such cases whether to the entertainer or the entertained. Gertrude felt too strange too much out of her own element to give free scope to her mind. She felt she was amongst those who did not understand her nor she them. The tone of their minds was pitched in a totally different key and their ideas, tastes and habits she was convinced never could assimilate with hers. At length, Ms. Lily produced her album for the amusement or admiration of her cousin and turned over page after page emblazoned with miserable drawings of dropsicle cupers with blue aprons, doves that might have passed for it, termigants, stout calico roses, heart's ease that was eyes sore and forgive me knots that ought to have been washed in the waters of Lethe. All these had of course appropriate lines or lines that were intended as such beneath the rose which bore evident traces of having been washed with a sponge was written in a small die away hand scarcely visible to the naked eye, cowpers pretty verses, a rose had been washed, just washed in a shower, et cetera. A bunch of heart's ease which might have served for a signpost was emblematic of a sonnet to a violet beginning sweet modest flower that lurks unseen, et cetera. But the forgive me knots had called forth an original effusion addressed to Ms. Lily B as follows, forget thee, sweet maid, ah, how vain the request, thy image fond memory has stamped on my heart, and while life's warm pulses beat high in my breast, thy image shall narrow from that bosom depart. The moon she is up and the sun he is down, the wind too is hushed and silence the real, the birds to their little nests long since have flown, but when we'll forget my sad bosom too thrilled, forget thee, ah, who that has ever beheld, thy eye of sky blue and thy locks of pure gold, thy cheek, oh, you really mustn't read that, cried Ms. Lily, putting her hand effectively on the place, it is only some nonsense of lieutenant O'Brien's. Pray allow me to proceed, said Gertrude, a little amused at the wretchedness of the rhymes, oh, indeed I can't, said Ms. Lily, affecting to be ashamed. I assure you I am in great pain for your cheek, said Gertrude, I'm afraid it must have swelled in order to rhyme to beheld. Oh, no, I assure you it wasn't my cheek, but his heart that swelled, said Ms. Lily, in perfect simplicity. The captain has a great genius for poetry, said Mrs. Black, very great, said Ms. Lily, with a gentle sigh, I'm certain that address to the moon we saw in the newspaper was his writing. It's very well for people to write poetry, you can't afford to buy it, said Ms. Bell, with a disdainful toss. The major has bought a most beautiful copy of Lord Byron's works, bound in red Morocco, rather to find for reading, I think, but he said he meant it to lie upon my sofa table, so I couldn't find fault. To be sure, Bell, as you say, it's a better business to buy poetry than to write it, said Mrs. Black. Gertrude had read and could appreciate Petrarcha metastasio. It may therefore be conceived how much she admired Lieutenant O'Brien's effusions. There's nothing more worth reading, said Ms. Lily, as her cousin continued to turn over the leaves of the book, that is only some dull, stupid stuff Aunt Mary copied for me. I have a good mind to tear it out, it is just like a sermon, and she was preparing to execute her threat. When Gertrude begged Lee to read the offending lines before they were committed to the flames. When I look back and in myself behold the wandering ways that youth could not describe and mark the fearful course that youth did hold and melt in mind each step, youth straight arise. My knees I bow and from my heart I call, oh Lord, forget these faults and follies all. For now I see how void youth is of skill, I see also his prime time and his end. I do confess my faults and all my ill and sorrow soar for that I did offend. And with a mind repentant of all crimes, pardon I ask for youth 10,000 times. Thou that by power to life didst raise the dead, thou that of grace restored the blind to sight, thou that for love thy life and love outbled, thou that of favor mates the lame go right, thou that canst heal and help in all assays, forgive the guilt that grew in youth's vain ways. Lord Vox, I like the verses said Gertrude and should be glad to have them. Something tells me added she with a sigh as she read them over again that they may someday be applicable to myself. God forbid my dear submissive black with a look of horror, God forbid that any of us should ever be brought to such straights as that. And I see no good in putting such dismal thoughts into young folks heads, but if you would like to put off your bonnet before dinner, it's time you were thinking of it. For there comes the major, cryed Miss Bell. End of section 25.