 Section 44 of the Inheritance by Susan Edmond-Stewnfarrier. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Volume 2, Chapter 10. All may too tendeux pour assortir les fortunes, en ne se mé pointe en panne d'assortir les cœurs, ma sillon. Our morals are corrupted and vitiated by our admiration of wealth, Cicero. While this was carrying on, Mrs. Black was announced and presently entered, her blooming good-humored face expressive of even more than usual satisfaction, which after the usual greetings had been exchanged, she hastened to communicate. The sum and substance of Mrs. Black's intelligence was this, that her daughter Lily, having gone with the major Mrs. Waddell to Harrogate, had there made a conquest of a wealthy young London merchant who had made his proposals and that the whole party were now on their way down and were to be at Bellevue the following day to dinner. Due congratulations, of course, ensued, but Gertrude was too much surprised at this sudden revolution in the fair Lily's affections to be able to express hers in proper form. Mrs. Black, however, was so well satisfied herself that she took it for granted. Everybody else was the same, and she proceeded to enlarge upon the merits of this most excellent match as she termed it. Mr. Larkins was in good business. It was an old, established house, Larkins, Barlow, and company of a most respectable family and himself, an uncommon, clever, genteel, handsome young man. Indeed, had it been otherwise, the major and Belle never would have countenanced any thing of the kind. She only wished with a deep sigh that some other folks were in the way of making, as prudent and feasible, a connection. This was evidently an allusion to her daughter Ann. And Ms. Black mildly replied that it was indeed agreeable when parents and children were agreed upon so important a point, but that it was not surprising they should often view it in very different lights. Parents said she complained that children are apt to be led away by romantic notions, which can lead only to disappointment, while children lament that parents look only to wealth and worldly aggrandizement in their estimate of happiness. And I fear there's often but too much justice in the reproaches of both parties. I think it is the duty of all parents to prevent their children from marrying only to become beggars, said Mrs. Black. I think so too, answered her sister, but I fear worldly-minded parents too often confound that they consider poverty with beggary. There is not much to draw between them, I think, said Mrs. Black. Undoubtedly, beggary implies poverty, but what by many is called poverty does not necessarily include beggary, replied Ms. Black. Wealth itself may and often has proved insufficient to save the vain, the selfish and the extravagant from beggary, but Christian principles, virtuous habits and an independent mind will ever preserve even the poor from becoming burdensome to others. It's very easy speaking, said Mrs. Black with some peek, but everybody knows that in these times it's not little that supports a family, what with taxes and servants' wages and children's schooling and outfit in the world, it's a very serious matter become. All these things are or ought to be proportioned to the means afforded, replied Ms. Black. If the poor will live like the rich and educate their children in the same style, beggary or at least its sister dependence must ensue, but if they would live according to what they have and not according to what they think they ought to have, poverty would not be the hideous bugbear it is so often represented. In my opinion, said Mrs. Sinclair, who thought she had an interest in the question, in my opinion poverty is the most intolerable evil in life and has I am convinced the most demoralizing influence upon society. Poverty like beauty is perhaps not easily defined, said Ms. Black and I believe the ideas people entertain on the subject are even more various than the discrepancy of taste that prevails as to personal charms. Some would call it poverty, not to be able to keep two or three carriages and a score of idle horses and servants. You know that's nonsense, said Mrs. Black. That's an extreme case, said Mrs. Sinclair, and where is the boundary that separates wealth and poverty, asked Ms. Black, what is the precise meaning of a poor marriage? Both ladies hesitated, but Mrs. Black took the lead. I certainly would think any daughter of mine had made a poor hand of herself who could not afford to go as well dressed and give as good and full dinners as she has been accustomed to in her father's house. Mrs. Sinclair could not repress a smile in scorn at the vulgar simplicity of her sister-in-law's notions, but suppose, said Ms. Black, as we cannot have everything that she is willing to wear a less costly gown and have fewer dishes on her table than you, my dear sister, in your liberality, bestow upon your hospitable board if as an equivalent she is rich in the virtuous principles, intellectual endowments, and rational affection of him she has chosen as the companion of her earthly pilgrimage. All that, said Mrs. Sinclair, sounds very fine, my dear Elizabeth, and very logical to those who have not seen so much of the world as I've done, but be assured, a young woman of any refinement must be completely wretched under the cares and drudgery and privations attendant upon the poor marriage. For example, there are certain luxuries, as you call them in this country, though in France they aren't mere necessaries, matters, of course, such as her carriage, wax lights, French wines, a suitable establishment, handsome mirrors, society that is not company, these things and many more of the same sort I certainly consider as absolute parts of that exquisitely combined essence we call happiness, at least to a person of delicate taste and refined habits. Such airs, thought Mrs. Black to herself, French wines and wax candles every day indeed set her up, I wonder what entitles her to such extravagance. Poverty has really been gently handled by both of you, said Miss Black, laughing. I don't suppose there ever was so fair a picture drawn of the squalid phantom before. You, my dear sister, to Mrs. Black, merely represent him as not having his cheeks stuffed out like a plump Dutch burgo master. And you, Sarah Quarrow, with him for not having all the airs and graces of an apricurean petit maitre. Now, although I am too old to fancy that love, wedded love at least, can live upon smiles and flowers, yet I do believe there is a species of attachment which can exist without being stall-fed on the one hand or tricked out in foreign luxuries on the other and which could be happy even in mediocrity. I never mentioned such a word as stall-fed, said Mrs. Black, a little ruffled, but I'm astonished, Elizabeth, that anybody come to your town of life and who has kept a house so long can think that people can live upon deaf nuts nowadays. The rich are at least free from the vulgar sordid cares of life, said Mrs. St. Clair Bitterly, which I repeat to a mind of any refinement must be wretchedness. I wonder what she calls the vulgar, sordid cares of life, thought Mrs. Black. To a mind of any feeling and refinement, said Mrs. Black, I believe it be far greater wretchedness to be linked to a vulgar sordid spirit, even had its master, all that rank in riches, can bestow, than it would be to endure privations with a mind congenial to its own, to such a mind there are cares which love only can sweeten. There can be little peace where there's not plenty, said Mrs. Black, but it's lucky everybody's not of your way of thinking, or the country would soon be swarming with beggars and we would be perfectly ate up. Gertrude could not quite repress a smile as she looked at Mrs. Black's jolly person and thought how groundless such an apprehension was on her part. There's little cause for alarm on that account, said her sister-in-law, as your sentiments are much more popular than mine. Besides, I'm not so unreasonable as to insist upon everybody's marrying for love, whether they will or not. Many people I believe are quite incapable of forming a disinterested attachment or having even a preference for one person more than another, except according to worldly motives, a fine house, fine clothes, a carriage, precedence, in short, someone of a thousand paltry baits which catch the vulgar mind to talk to such of the superiority of virtue and talent would be as absurd as to insist upon the blind seeing or the deaf hearing. On the other hand, there are those who with taste, feeling, and refinement of neither pride, vanity, nor ambition. It is surely therefore the height of tyranny to insist upon their placing, their happiness, and the indulgence of those things upon their sacrificing all their pure, better feelings to gratify the pride and prejudice of others. I really wonder to hear a woman of your sense speak such nonsense, said Mrs. Black, affecting to look cool in the face of a very high complexion. Such sentiments can only tend to the subversion of all proper principle, said Mrs. St. Clair with solemnity, to the encouragement of low and depending alliances contracted under the high sounding names of disinterested attachment, congenial souls, intellectual superiority, and such false and phrases as it can only lead to the annihilation of all ranks and degrees of society. A weak romantic girl is only to find a congenial soul in her dancing master to prove her disinterested attachment to her father's footmen. And according to your doctrine, she has done no bleat. She has proved herself superior to the vulgar allurements of pride and vision and whatnot. It is admirable a beautiful theory and Mrs. St. Clair trembled with virtuous indignation. Pardon me, Sarah, you cannot disapprove of such connections more than I do, but a poor marriage and a low one. I consider is very different things, although I suspect many people are but too apt to confound them. Undoubtedly, a gentle woman who has the feelings and ideas of one will only unite herself with a gentleman with one who has had the education, who has the manners and habits of one who exercises the profession and is accustomed to the society of such for there can be no solid happiness in a union where all the advantages of birth and education are renounced on one side. And I'm far, very far from upholding those who violate the established orders of society, who fly in the face of parental duty and sacrifice all that is dear and respectable in feeling to the indulgence of their own selfish passion. On the contrary, I will venture to affirm that connections formed without the consent of parents are so far from being productive of domestic happiness that they are generally marked with disappointment, misfortune and sorrow. There's really no knowing what you would be at, said Mrs. Black, with an air of perplexity. For Mrs. Black, like many other people, carried her prejudices all on one side and nothing puzzled her so much as when she met in argument with a person with an unbiased judgment and a liberal mind and so indissoluble united in her imagination where the ideas of a poor being a low marriage on the other hand and a rich being a gentile one on the other that to separate them was utterly impracticable. The coarsest booby with 20,000 a year and a title would have struck Mrs. Black with awe or at least respect while the most elegant mind or person destitute of the trappings of wealth or the insignia of grandeur would have been wholly overlooked. The entrance of Miss Pratt soon turned the tide of the conversation for she had learned from her pretty Miss Babbie that there was not a morsel of coal or a crumb of meat in the house and the coals you bought on the street were always bad and there was no getting meat. Everybody knew that unless on our market day. And in short it ended in Miss Pratt consenting to remain Miss Black's guest for another day until her mansion should be duly prepared and stock for her reception. In the meantime, she set forth as she pretended on her business, which in fact was that of interfering in that of every other person. Mrs. Black also departed but as she was really good natured in the main she consented that her daughter Anne should spend the evening with her aunts even at the risk of meeting William Leslie along with some other of their friends was expected. End of section 44, section 45 of The Inheritance by Susan Edmund Stundfarer. This lever box recording is in the public domain. Volume two, chapter 11. Even as some sick men will take no medicine unless some pleasant thing be put amongst their potions although perhaps it be somewhat hurtful yet the physician suffer them to have it. So because many will not harken to serious and grave documents except they be mingled with some fable or jest therefore reason will us to do the like. So Thomas Moore, speak nobly of religion but let it be well timed for people avoid those who are perpetually preaching. Again, Janelle's letters Miss Pratt's visit would have been reckoned rather ill timed by most people as the Miss Blacks had invited some of their own friends to spend the evening with them and the pleasure if not the harmony of the party bid fair to be disconcerted by her audacious tattle. But they were too tolerant and enduring to allow any considerations of that kind to stand in the way of their hospitality. The well aware of Miss Pratt's enmity against all whose creed and practice in matters of religion differed from her own. For Miss Pratt liked too many people deemed her own the only proper standard of religious and moral excellence. She had her bed of iron for the soul as pro crusties had for the body with this difference that she was far more lenient towards those who felt short of her measure than of such as went beyond it. Not that Miss Pratt carried her hostility so far as to decline having any intercourse with or receiving any favors from these wild people as she called them. On the contrary, she was always happy at an opportunity of meeting with such of them as she thought she could turn to any account by taking her beggars off her hands and she was always ready to make use of their time money and all clothes to save her own. However, she took every occasion of letting it be known that she had met with a great want of charity amongst those very people who make such a phrase about it as they had refused to recommend to the destitute society. Anthony White's nurse, a decent respectable woman and Anthony White, a subscriber too. But Miss Pratt was not bitter in her resentment and upon hearing of the party which was expected she expressed much satisfaction and resolved to be uncommonly pleasant and at the same time serious too in her conversation out of compliment to the Miss Blacks. Mrs. St. Clair liked company of any kind better than none and to Gertrude in the present state of her mind all company and all scenes were alike. Hers was a state of passive endurance not of actual enjoyment. She was roused however by a visit from Mr. Delmore and Mr. Lindsey. The latter held out his hand to her with a look which seemed to say, have you forgiven me? But coloring deeply, she turned away and bestowed her whole attention upon his companion. Mr. Delmore was secretly flattered by the air of profound attention with which for the first time she listened to every word he uttered in the hope that something would lead to the subject up to most inner thoughts but farthest from her tongue. But nothing was said which had the slightest reference to Colonel Delmore and her countenance to trade her extreme vexation when the gentleman rose to take leave. Upon hearing that they were both to be in attendance at a county meeting in town, which of course was to conclude with a dinner, Miss Black invited them to return in the evening which they promised to do and departed. It was evident from Mr. Delmore's manner he knew nothing of what had passed but Gertrude had paid no attention to his manner nor once thought of the very flattering construction he might put upon hers. As for Lindsey, she scarcely noticed him at all. The kid only struck her after he was gone that he was more than usually silent and that his features were a more pensive cast than common. But what was Mr. Lindsey to her? And she listened with weariness and she grinned to the loge of her aunts pronounced upon him. Evening came and mistried in a grave gown, bottle green gloves, a severe turban and a determined look of strong good sense seemed to say I'll show you what a rational respectable wise like character I am. I'll confound you all or I'm mistaken. And she took her ground as usual as though she had been mistress of the mansion and prepared to do all its honors accordingly. Even in the Christian world, there are great varieties. There are narrow minds as well as great minds. There are those who pin their faith upon the sleeve of some favorite preacher, others who seem to think salvation confined within the four walls of the particular church in which they happened to sit. But as has been well said by the liberal minded Wesley, how little does God regard men's opinions, what a multitude of wrong opinions are embraced by all the members of the church of Rome, yet how highly favored have many of them been. And who has not their imperfections? Who has not their besetting sin, their thorn in the flesh, even the best of Christians? But piety to God and the desire to benefit their fellow creatures is and must be the universal characteristic of the Christian of every church. The few friends assembled were certainly favorable specimens of what is termed the religious world. They were persons of agreeable manners, enlarged minds and cultivated tastes. The conversation was animated and interesting in spite of Miss Pratt's attempts to turn it into her own low channel by relating the bits of gossip she had picked up in her mourning perambulations and which she thought to set off with some trite moral reflection. There was occasionally music from both gentlemen and ladies, which even Gertrude's fastidious ear acknowledged to be fine in its way. For all knew what they were saying or doing and there were no mockish attempts at singing in an unknown tongue. There was no poetry strangled by music, but heirs married to immortal verse, untwisting all the chains that tie the hidden soul of harmony. Who can hear the divine strains of a handle or the dear familiar songs of their native land without feeling their souls elevated or their hearts melted into love and tenderness? Both were sung by different members of the company with much taste and feeling, but none so much as by Mary Black, who with seraphic sweetness sang the inspired strain. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the glad tidings of faith to man. Everything that Miss Black sings must be charming, said Mr. Delmore with his fade gallantry. But if I may be permitted to offer an opinion, I should say there is perhaps something rather to sectarian in sacred music unless upon solemn occasions. And I should be apprehensive that were a taste for it to become general. It would prove destructive to every other species of composition. I may add even to the fine arts in general. Mr. Delmore had a gentile horror at everything he deemed approaching to what he thought Methodism, the most zealous supporter of the church in so far, but no farther than it was connected with the state. Pardon me, said Miss Mary Black, but it appears to me that such apprehensions are groundless. The blessing of God and the applause of posterity seem to have perpetuated the fame of genius devoted to religious subjects more than the fame of those men who abused their noble gifts by dedicating them solely to the service of their fellow creatures. As instance, asked Mr. Delmore with an incredulous smile. True, said Mr. Lindsey, it certainly has been so in many instances. Milton is undoubtedly the first poet of our country. In what was his theme, he sang in noble strain of him unspeakable who sits above these heavens to us invisible or dimly seen in these thy lowest works. The greatest poet of Germany was Kloppstock and his subject, The Great Messiah. And of his deathless work, it has been well observed that when music shall attain among us the highest powers of our art, whose words will she select to utter, but those of Kloppstock. The noblest bards of Italy were Dante and Tasa. The metastasio has had recourse to sacred subjects for his operas. Racine for his Atali young and his night thoughts sung to him who from solid darkness struck that spark the sun, invoking him to strike wisdom from his soul. The amiable and elegant copper cast all his laurels at the feet of his savior. I cast them at thy feet. My only plea is what it was dependence upon thee. You are really eloquent, Lindsey, said Mr. Delmore with an ironical smile, but in the fervor of your zeal you have entirely overlooked those immortal, though profane authors whose works are still more popular than any of those you have quoted Shakespeare, for instance. Shakespeare is perhaps the most favorable exception, replied Mr. Lindsey. He is indeed a poet of nature's own creating, but the dross of his compositions is daily draining off in improved editions and even in theatrical representation while the pure parts of his morality are not thought unworthy of being quoted from evangelical pulpits. And one day I doubt not it will be with him as with some of the poets I've just mentioned. They have written some things unworthy of their pens, but their fame is perpetuated only as the authors of what is pure and good. The profane and licentious works of Lord Bee will live only in the minds of the profane and impure and will soon be classed amongst other worthless dross while all that is fine in his works will be called by the lovers of virtue as the bee gathers honey from even the noxious plant. And leaves the poison to perish with the stalk, so shall it be with burns, so shall it be with more. The same argument applies to music. Handel derives his fame from his oratorias and the creation of Haydn will immortalize his name, a performance in which the genius of the composer has struck a chord which calls forth any genius which happens to be in the breast of the audience. To mention the great painters who have dedicated a portion of their time and talents to sacred subjects would be to enumerate the whole catalog and have already to apologize for having so long monopolized the subjects that he turning to a clergyman who stood near him and whose looks testified the interest he took in the debate. When there are those present who could have done much more justice to the cause, beneath the simple meek, unpretending exterior of Mr. Z, few would indeed have guessed at the profundity of his learning, the extent and variety of his requirements and the ardor of his zeal in the cause of Christianity. The firm in his principles, yet soft in his manners, warm and feeling yet mild and gentle and temper, able to talk yet willing to listen, his mind was full of information while his manners were those of one seeking instruction. Thus appealed to Mr. Z was about to reply when Ms. Pratt interposed with, what do you say to these two great writers feeling and small it? I suspect there is none of these you have mentioned will ever be have so popular as Tom Jones and Humphrey Clinker. The works of feeling and small it, even the more highly gifted ones of Voltaire and Rousseau are passing away like not just exhalations, said Mr. Z mildly. If the principles of the age in which we live are equally defective with the former, at least a better taste prevails and grossness, profanity and licentiousness are no longer the standards to which the young look with admiration. Impure writers are now chiefly known to impure readers. But where virtue and genius unite, their powers are known to all. Oh, what injury to the human mind is derived from the perusal of the works of writers whose corrupt imaginations have given the impulse to their licentious pens. Of such it may truly be said. Though highly esteemed amongst men, yet are they abominations in the sight of God. Yet alas, how few look to that guiding principle which alone ought to direct the pen. How few consider that to do good, a work is not to be raised from the heat of youth or the vapor of wine, nor to be attained by the invocation of memory and to her siren daughters, but by devout prayer to that eternal spirit who can enrich with all utterance and knowledge and sends out his seraphim with the hallowed fire of his altar to touch and purify the lips of whom he pleases. It was so much Christian meekness, even in this disease fervor, that it was impossible not to be touched with his manner, even where the matter failed to carry conviction along with it. Mr. Delmore affected to bow with deference to the opinions of a clergyman. The conversation took another turn. Music succeeded till it last. The party broke up. Gertrude had been interested in the discussion, but soon it passed from her mind as a lovely song of one who hath a pleasant voice. End of section 45. Section 46 of The Inheritance by Susan Edmund Stone-Farrier. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Volume two, chapter 12. Let us proceed from celestial things to terrestrial. Cicero. Jests are, as it were, sauce, whereby we are recreated, that we may eat with more appetite, but as that were an absurd banquet in which there were a few dishes of meat and much variety of sauces, and that an unpleasant one where there were no sauce at all, even so that life were spent idly, where nothing were but mirth and jollity. And again, that tedious and uncomfortable where no pleasure or mirth were to be expected. So Thomas Moore. Again, Gertrude felt the bitterness of disappointment. She'd watched and hung upon every syllable that Mr. Delmore had uttered, but he made no mention of his brother. And with all the timidity of love, she felt it impossible to breathe the name on which her destiny was suspended. The following morning, saw Miss Pratt depart with all her packages and many reiterated professions and promises, and scarcely had she left the house when Mr. Adam Ramsey arrived. As Uncle Adam's visits like those of angels were few and far between, his nieces welcomed him according to the rarity of the occurrence. And as he appeared to be in unusual good humor, he received their attentions with tolerable civility. But even his civility was always of a rough nature, something akin to the embrace of a mantrap or the gentle influence of a shower bath. While his kindness commonly showed itself in some such untoward shape, as was more grievous to be born than ought that malice could invent. What's this come over ye, my dear? Said he, addressing Gertrude with as much affection as it was in his nature to testify, you're white and you're dull and you're no like the same creature you was. And he gazed upon her with more of interest than of good breeding. His remarks, of course, call the color into Gertrude's cheeks and Miss Black, seeing her at a loss to reply, hasten to relieve her by throwing the blame where in this climate, it is always thrown upon the weather. But Uncle Adam spurned the idea of the weather having the slightest influence on the health and spirits of anything but potatoes and leeches. The weather, repeated he contemptuously, you'll know tell me that a shower rain can bleach a young creature's cheeks white or put the life out o' her in. But I'll tell you what it is. It's the synagogue, the tabernacle, the salmon that goes on in this hoose that's enough to break the spirits our only young creature. My dear Uncle, said Miss Black with a smile. Now I'm no going to enter into only or your religious controversies where Mr. Ramsey holding up his hand and turning away his head. But I'll tell you what I'll do, my dear, patting Gertrude on the shoulder. I shall tack you to see a sight that'll divert you and drive away the wild notions you've been getting your head stuffed with. Do gang and make a barn like that miserable where you are nonsense with a fresh burst of indignation at his nieces. Then again, softening down. Put on your bonnet, my dear, and come with me as I came up the street the new. I saw any the caravan thing standing in the marketplace with a picture. Oh, a giant and a dwarf hanging on the outside. And though I widened across the floor to see all the giants and dwarfs that ere were born, yet I can young folks like ploys of that kind. So put on your things and I shall treat you to the show. And he put his hand into his pocket and tumbled his money to and fro as much as to say, I have plenty of shillings and sixpences and therefore you need have no scruples of delicacy as to taking advantage of my offer. The cold drop stood upon Mrs. St. Clair's brow at the thoughts of her elegant distinguished daughter, the future countess of Rossville, mingling with the kanaya of a country town in a caravan to gaze upon a giant and a dwarf. What would Lord Rossville say? There was distraction in the thought, yet she dreaded to offend Uncle Adam by a hasty rejection of his plan. We are all, I'm sure, sensible of the kindness that prompts your offer, my dear uncle, said she in her most conciliating manner, but I am afraid the remedy you propose would only tend to aggravate the evil. My daughter's complaint is headache occasioned solely by the confinement to which she has been subjected for some days and the close air of a caravan would be extremely prejudicial. If I could have given her an airing but having no carriage of my own and the sentence died away in a sort of indistinct ejaculation about the misery of being dependent upon others for those accommodations, you might let her speak for herself, said Mr. Ramsey with some asperity, say what you would like best, my dear, and Gertrude gladly availing herself of the excuse suggested, declared that fresh air would be her best restorative. Mr. Ramsey pondered awhile, still turning his money like its thoughts to and fro at length, after an apparently severe struggle, he spoke. We'll, since that's the case, instead of taking you to the show, I have no objection to hire a chase and treat you to a ride. I shall step to the blueboard myself and order an up, so you may be putting on your mantel and there will be room for three so you can settle among yourselves which you is to gang. Mrs. St. Clair had been caught in a snare of her own setting. She had thrown out a hint about a carriage in hopes that her uncle's partiality for her daughter would have made him grasp at it at once and that he would have been induced to set up one for her sole use and accommodation. This would have been a very convenient arrangement for her mother who could not get the command of Lord Rossville's quite so often as she wished. Her blood almost froze at the idea of a ride in a hackney chase, but it required more courage than she could master to oppose this second project and in silent despair, she saw Uncle Adam snatch up his little old rusty hat and set off. Her only hope was that the blueboard equipages would be all engaged, but that was soon at an end. For in a short time, Uncle Adam was described as returning on foot, followed by a high, crowned, jangling, tottering chase with a lame brown horse and a blind gray wand, urged along by a ragamuffin driver, seated on a wooden bar, almost touching the windows. Such was Uncle Adam's triumphal car and not, though out of seal, wind-dragged captive at the wheels of her conqueror, experienced bitterer feelings than did Mrs. St. Clair when she found herself compelled to take her place in this vehicle. True, she might have refused, but at the certainty of affronting Uncle Adam, who could stand anything but heirs and to affront 70,000 pounds was a serious matter, especially in the present posture of affairs. The iron steps were thrown down with a mighty clang as far as they could reach and having with some difficulty contrived amount, she seated herself with great disgust and ill-humor, vainly attempting to disengage herself from the straw with which it was carpeted and which at once seized upon her silk stockings and lace flounces. So much for the beauties of poverty, whispered she in no very sweet accent to her daughter as she took her place beside her. For heaven's sake, pull your bonnet more over your face that you may not be recognized. And she carefully adjusted her own veil in triple folds over every feature. Mr. Ramsey followed and the driver waited for orders. War, why do you like to gang to my dear, asked the of Gertrude, but it's all the same, a roads just like another, take the best and the driest to the driver. But Gertrude had got her cue from her mother interposed, saying, if it is not disagreeable to you, my dear uncle, I should like to see your own Bloom Park. Bloom Park, repeated Mr. Ramsey in evident discomposure, what would take you to Bloom Park? What's put that in your head? I'm sure there's nothing to be seen there. Pardon me, said Mrs. St. Clair, seeing her daughter would not urge the matter, but that beautiful specimen you gave Gertrude of your greenhouse has made her absolutely pined to visit your flowers. Mr. Ramsey's brow looked rather thundery, but after demurring a little with himself, he desired the driver in a voice of repressed anger to take them to Bloom Park. The patched cracked windows were drawn up, the driver mounted his seat, the horses were with some difficulty set in motion, and off they went to chase rocking and jingling, as though it would never reach its destination. To speak or at least to hear was out of the question, so the party proceeded on their pleasure excursion in profound silence till at the end of an hour and a half of incessant jolting and clattering, they found themselves at the gate of Bloom Park. It was a fine, showy, modern place with a large, handsome house, standing in the middle of an extensive, but somewhat new-looking park, sprinkled with a few large, old trees, and many young ones still in their cages. There was nothing picturesque or beautiful in the scenery, but there was much comfort, even luxury, denoted in the appearance of a gay, airy, spacious mansion with his French windows, verandas, porticoes, and conservatory in the smooth gravel walks diverging in all directions, in the well-stocked fish pond, in the stupendous brick-garden walls with flues and chimney tops, in the extensive range of hot houses, and in short all the appliances of affluence and enjoyment. Nothing could look more unlike the place than the owner, that Mr. Adam Ramsey should have become the proprietor of such a place was the wonder of some and the ridicule of others. But the simple fact was that upon this very estate, the race, if not the family of Ramsey's, had been born and bred and lived, certainly time immemorial, for it was in the humble rank of cotters. Here also, Lizzie Lundy had first seen the light, and here it was that Uncle Adam's youngest and happiest days had been spent, for here they had ran about the braze and pooed the gowns fine, and those seas between them braided and rolled for many an intervening day, and the grave had long closed over the object of his early affection. He still cherished the fond remembrance of old Langzine. Before his return from India, he had heard that the estate of Brumie knows. Now changed into Bloom Park was in the market. He became the purchaser partly as a means of investing money, which he was rather at a loss how to dispose of, and partly from a secret pension towards it, which however he would have scorned to acknowledge, and perhaps of which he was scarcely aware. Great was his surprise and indignation, however, when he did visit it, that beholding the ravages, refinement, and luxury had committed upon the primitive charms of Brumie knows, for pilgrims as we are in a stranger land, how do our souls cling with fontanacity to the simple memorials of transient, childish, perished joys. But not a trace of his old haunts remained. The banks and braze and nose had been all leveled with the dust, the little wimpling burn fringed with sows and hazels, where many a summer's day, Lizzie, and he used to patle for a minute was gone to swell some mighty stream. The Mavis hill, a rude, unenclosed eminence, covered with wild roses and brambles, and blue bells and slows, where many a Mavis and Lenties nest had been found, was now a potato field, not a wind, scented the air. And how often beneath India's burning sun had Uncle Adam sighed for a breeze from the windy braze of his native land. But worst of all, on the very spot where once stood his grandfather's and his father's old green slimy cabins with their fungus roofs and their kale yards and their middens, now rose an elegantly ornamented dog kennel. That he instantly ordered to be demolished. Indeed, it was said he had remained upon the ground to see it done. And from that time, he had never looked near the place till now that he had come in compliance with Gertry's wish, but very contrary to his own inclination. Mrs. St. Clair was in ecstasies with all she saw. The interior of the mansion was perfection. The suite of apartments, elegant. The furniture's superb. In short, there was not a superlative. She did not exhaust in attempts to express her admiration. But the thought that was uppermost in her mind, she would not have ventured to others so readily. V's that if the worst should happen and Lord Rostel should discard his niece, there was another string to her bow at Blune Park. And she could almost have been satisfied to ever announce the ambitious prospects of the one for the luxurious certainty of the other. But Mrs. St. Clair's raptures were completely thrown away upon Uncle Adam, who cared not a rush what she or anyone else thought of his property, and he followed rather than led the way through his own house with a kind of dogged impatience as if his only wish were to be out of it. This was not lessened when the news of his appearance having spread, he found himself beset by a host of retainers, indigenous to an extensive and neglected property. Greaves, gardeners, gamekeepers, tenants at will and tenants on lease all came thronging with wants to be supplied and grievances to be redressed and all looking with evil eyes on the visitors in the fear of their becoming residents and so ending their respective reigns. While the housekeeper as she went swimming on before in all the conscious dignity of undisturbed power detailed a great length all her own doings and sayings with the various means used by her for the preservation of the furniture and the annihilation of mice, moths, clocks and beasts of every description. Things are no just in the order I could wish, said the old curmudgeon of a gardener as he unwillingly led the way to the kitchen garden. And there's an offer, he here, he'd better no come in for fear of called leddies as he produced the key of the extensive range of hot houses and with a sour face found himself compelled to fill a large basket with the choicest of fruits which he had more profitable ways of disposing of. At length Mr. Ramsey's patients was exhausted and they set off loaded with the most exquisite fruits and flowers which as he possessed not the organs of either taste or smell for ought beyond haggis and southern wood. He looked upon merely as a sort of artificial excrescences which grew about large houses. New said he addressing Gertrude as he seated himself from the chaise, I didn't ever grudge this if it's to do you any good. And as I tell you before gang one you like and tag what you like but didn't ask me to gang with you for I'm over all new to be plagued and dived about grains and fences and young plantations out outdoors and pipes and plastered odd the rest that within and that gardener he cannot get the apples keep it and the gamekeeper he cannot keep the fees and it's preserved and I'm sure I didn't care though there was nay an apple or a fees into the kingdom if they would only let me elane. It unquestionably would be a great advantage to the place as well as a relief to you to have the house occupied with someone who could take a judicious management began Mrs. Sinclair but a bitter look from her uncle made her perceive she was treading on dangerous ground and she allowed the noise of a carriage to drown the rest of the sentence. End of section 46, section 47 of The Inheritance by Susan Edmund Stoonfarrier this LibriVox recording is in the public domain volume two, chapter 13. Lord of love, what law is this that me thou makest thus tormented be Spencer? They were returning by a different road from that which they had taken and going and had not proceeded far when they were suddenly hailed by a pedestrian from the side of the road and Major Waddell was immediately recognized. The chase was stopped and mutual salutations having been exchanged was about to proceed when the major entered so vehement of remonstrance against their passing his door without inquiring in person after his dear Isabella that even uncle Adam's flinty nature was forced to yield. Indeed as they were within a few yards of the gate it was scarcely possible for even uncle Adam to hold out and accordingly preceded by the major the chase turned up the romantic winding approach which conducted to the mansion. Black Caesar bowing and grinning hasten to receive them and usher them into the presence of Massa's lady who in all her bridal finery sat in the attitude of being prepared to receive her marriage guests. Having welcomed Mrs. and Miss Sinclair with atone in manner of encouraging familiarity and my uncle too this is really kind I assure you I'm quite flattered as I know how seldom you pay visits to anybody. Mr. Ramsey had entered with the heroic determination of not opening his lips during his stay he therefore allowed that to pass without sort of scornful growl but Mrs. Sinclair in her softest manner took care to let her know that the visit was neither a premeditated nor a complimentary one and that she owed it entirely to their accidental wrong contra with the major. Bless me major exclaimed the lady in a tone of alarm is it possible that you've been walking and the roads are quite wet? Why did you not tell me you were going out and I would have ordered the carriage for you and have gone with you although I believe it is the etiquette for a married lady to be at home for some time then observing a spot of mud on his boot and you've got your feet quite wet for heaven's sake major do go and change your boots directly I see they are quite wet. The major looked delighted at this proof of conjugal tenderness but protested that his feet were quite dry holding up a foot in appeal to the company. Now how can you say so major when I see they are quite damp? Do I entreat you put them all it makes me perfectly wretched to think of your sitting with wet feet. You know you have plenty of boots I made him get a dozen pairs when we were at York that I might be quite sure of is always having dry feet. Do my love let Caesar help you off with these for my sake. For my sake major I ask it as a personal favor. This was irresistible the major prepared to take the suspected feet out of company with a sort of vague mixed feeling floating in his brain which if it had been put into words would have been thus rendered. What a happy dog am I to be so tenderly beloved by such a charming girl and yet what a confounded deal of trouble it is to be obliged to change one's boots every time my wife sees a spot of mud on them. Now you won't be long major quite the lady as the major went off attended by Caesar the major is so imprudent and takes so little care of himself he really makes me quite wretched but how do you think he looks? This was a general question rather a puzzling one as ugly as possible thought Gertrude who would have been much at a loss to combine truth and politeness in her reply. Luckily there are people who always answer their own questions when no one else seems disposed to do it and Mrs. Waddell went on he certainly was much the better of Harrowgate he was really looking so ill when he went there that I assure you I was very uneasy. When did he ever look weal was ready to burst from Uncle Adam's lips but by a magnanimous effort he drew them in and remained silent. Have you been lately at Bloom Park uncle for I understand there are pretty doings going on there. Mr. Ramsey's only reply was a deep sonorous hem and a bow something in the style of a bowl preparing to toss. We're just come from thence replied Mrs. Sinclair immediately launching forth into raptures at all she had seen and tasted. Indeed exclaim Mrs. Waddell you have been either more fortunate or more favored than I have been for the major and I went there yesterday and could get no admittance which I must say I thought very odd. The people of the lodge have the impertinence to refuse to let us in which to be sure to a man of the majors rank in life and me a married woman was a piece of insolence I never met with anything too equal but I told them I would let you know of their behavior. I'm obliged to you was the iconic reply I really think they deserve to be turned off for their insolence turned off for doing their duty demanded Uncle Adam preparing to cast off his armor a strange kind of duty I think retorted the lady in equal indignation to exclude your nearest relations from your house and me a married woman and a man of the majors rank I never excluded you for a my house Miss Bell quote that Uncle Adam now the best of all restraint and just standing to recognize her by her married appellation. But if you mean that I'll know Mac your mistress of my property you're perfectly right what's your business at my house when I'm no there myself what tax you there in a key of interrogation at least equal to a squeeze of the thumb screw. I think it was a very natural curiosity interrupted Uncle Adam now brimming high a body excuse or else know for breaking into other folks hoses I wonder what your natural curiosity will lead you to next. I think you are much obliged to anybody that will take the trouble of looking a little after your affairs in that quarter. For I must just tell you uncle that you are making yourself quite ridiculous by submitting to be plundered and cheated on all hands. And what if it's my pleasure to be plundered and cheated miss by the poor instead of the rich. I really wish uncle you would recollect you are speaking to a married woman said Mrs. Waddell with much dignity and that a man of the majors at that moment the major entered with a very red face and a pair of new boots evidently too tight. You see what it is to be under orders said he pointing to his toes and trying to smile in the midst of his anguish. It's lucky for you major I'm sure that you are for I don't believe there ever was anybody on earth so careless of themselves as you are. What do you think of his handing lady fair acre to her carriage yesterday in the midst of the rain and without his hat too. But I hope you changed your stockings as well as your boots major. I assure you upon my honor my dear neither of them were the least wet. Oh now major you know if you haven't changed your stockings I shall be completely wretched. Cried the lady all panting with emotion. Good gracious to think of you keeping on your wet stockings I never knew anything like it. I assure you my dear Bell began the major. Oh now my dearest major if you have the least regard for me I beseech you put off your stockings this instant. Oh I am certain you've got cold already. How hot you are taking his hand and don't you think his color very high. Now I'm sure you've got cold already. Very high. Now I'm quite wretched about you. In vain did the poor major bow and protest as to the state of his stockings. It was all in vain. The lady's apprehensions were not to be elade. And again he had to limp away to pull off boots which the United exertions of himself and Caesar had with difficulty got on. I really think my wife will be for keeping me in a band box said he with a sardonic smile the offspring of flattered vanity and personal suffering. As he was quitting the room his aid to camp Caesar entered with a mean of much importance and in his jargon contrived to make it known that something had happened to springs of Massa Ramsey's Jays. That post boy had gone to Smith's Demented and that Smith said Jays to be men for soon as two hours. Then I shall find my way Hame myself quite uncle Adam starting out for I'll know wait 20 hours upon only Jays that ever was driven. In vain were all attempts to detain him. He spurned the Waddell carriage. The Waddell dinner refused even to wait till the major had changed his stockings in short. We knew nothing but take his own way which was to walk home leaving Mrs. and Miss St. Clair to stay dinner and return in the evening. No sooner was uncle Adam's back turned that Mrs. Waddell gave free scope to her indignation against him turning to Gertrude. I really think he is much worse than he was. I don't think you have any credit in your management of him cousin unless he alters his behavior. I don't think it would be possible for the major to keep company with him. Did you hear how he missed me today? Me a married woman. If the major had been present he must have resented it. Having it length exhaustive her invective she next began to play off her heirs by showing her house and furniture boasting ever fine clothes, fine pearls, fine plate. Fine connections and in short taking all possible pains to excite the envy of her guests by showing what a thrice happy married woman Mrs. major Waddell was. But Mrs. St. Clair has seen too much to be astonished at Mrs. Waddell's finery and Gertrude's more refined taste felt only pity and contempt for the vulgar sort of mind that could attach ideas of happiness to such things. Provoked at the indifference with which her cousin saw and heard all this, she said, I suppose cousin you are above regarding terrestrial objects now since you have been living so long with our good aunts. I suppose you've learned to despise the things of this world as beneath your notice. I have certainly learned to admire goodness more than ever I did before said Gertrude, quite unconscious of the offense she had given by her indifference. Oh, then I suppose you are half converted by this time we shall have you one of the godly ladies next. If you mean by godly those who resemble my aunts, I fear it would be long before I merit such an appellation. But although in comparison with them I feel myself little better than a heathen, yet that does not hinder me from seeing and admiring their excellence to deny merit to others merely because one does not possess it themselves as a sin from which I shall ever pray, good Lord, deliver me. Oh, I see you are a bit cried Mrs. Waddell with the toss of her head. I know that sort of thing is very infectious. So I hope you won't bite me cousin for however it may do with Mrs. I assure you it would never answer in a married woman and the major has no notion of your very good ladies. He seems quite satisfied with me, bad as I am. Are you not major to the poor major who once more made his appearance rebooted and trying to look easy under the pressure of his extreme distress? Now are you quite sure you changed your stockings major? Are you not cheating me? Caesar did the major change his stockings? Caesar with a low bow confirmed the important fact and that interesting question was at length set at rest. Mrs. St. Clair was too politic to betray the discussion he felt, but Gertrude alarmed at the prospect of sitting audience for the day to the major and his lady expressed her wish to take a walk. Dear me cousin, are you so vulgar as to like walking? exclaimed Mrs. Waddell. I thought you would have been more of a fine lady by this time. For my part, I really believe I have almost forgot how to walk when one has a carriage of their own. You know, they have no occasion to walk and I suppose few people do it from choice. You have quite spoiled me for a pedestrian major. Gertrude could not wait for the complimentary reply. She saw about to issue from the major's lips that said, as I am still so vulgar as to like walking, though not so unreasonable as to insist upon others doing it, you will perhaps allow me to take a peep at the beauties of Thornbank by myself. And she rose to leave the room when the major interposed and making a lame attempt to be agile. Oh, impossible, you must allow me to have the honor of escorting you. Now, major cried his lady, I must lay my commands upon you not to stir out today again. It is a very damp raw day. I'm sure my cousin will excuse you. Turning to Gertrude, he had a most dreadful cold in his head last week. I assure you, I was quite frightened at it. Through nonsense, my dear, said the major still hovering between delight and vexation. Nobody would have thought anything of it but yourself. How can you say so, major, when I counted that you sneezed 17 times in the course of an hour and a half, and that's what he calls nonsense, leaving the loving pair to settle this tender dispute. Gertrude contrived to steal away from them. Oh, the luxury of solitude after the company of fools thought she, when she found herself outside the house and alone. End of section 47, section 48 of The Inheritance by Susan Edmund Stoonfarrier. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Volume two, chapter 14. Now rest the reader on thy bench and use anticipated of the feast to come. So shall delight not make thee feel thy toil. Lo, I have set before thee for thy self-feed now. Dante. Thornbank was situated on the side of a rapid gurgling river abounding in picturesque rocky scenery. It was a meek gray autumnal day when earth borrows no tint from sky, but rich in its own natural hues presents a matchless variety of color from the wand declining green to the gorgeous crimson and orange, nature's richest saddest panoply. The sweet mournful song of the robin was the only sound that mingled with the murmur of the stream. It was a day for musing and tender melancholy, a day that came or the heart like a melody that sweetly played in tune. Tried as the reflections are which have been drawn from this solemn season and obvious as is the moral which points to the heart at witnessing the decay of the beauties and the graces of the material world. Still the same train of thought will naturally arise in every mind of sensibility and the same sober hue insensibly steals over the soul hues which have words and speak to ye of heaven. Relieved from every tormenting object, Gertrude sat down on a rustic seat hung round with many, a drooping, scentless flower and resigning herself to the soothing influence of the day and the scene she gradually sunk into those enchanting daydreams. Those beautiful chimeras which a young romantic imagination can so readily create. The pleasures of imagination certainly were hers but as if only to render her more susceptible to the annoyances of real life. She was recalled from the illusions in which she had been indulging by sounds little in unison with the harmonious stillness that surrounded her a weak giggling laugh falling at intervals upon the ear, its pauses filled by a sharp loud English tongue louder and louder still drew near and presently Miss Lily Black leaning on the arm of a little spruce high dressed young man appeared. Much surprise and joy and affection was testified by Miss Lily's at this meeting with her cousin and Mr. Augustus Larkins was introduced with an air of triumph and delight. Mr. Augustus Larkins was what many would have called a pretty young man. He had regular features, very pink cheeks, very black eyebrows and what was intended for a very smart expression. He was studiously dressed in the raining fashion but did not look fashionable for all that. He had a sharp high pitched voice and a very strong but not a pure English accent. Such was the future cousin to whom Miss St. Clair was now introduced and with many flourishing bows and with much malving about honor, pleasure and so forth on his part, the ceremony was happily got over. Dear me cousin, have you been sitting here by yourself? Said Miss Lily in a soft pitying tone. What a pity we did not know and we could have come sooner. You must have been so dull. I did not find it so, replied Gertrude. Ah, you scotch ladies are all fond of solitude. Cried Mr. Larkins. Witness that noble apostrophe of my lady Randolph's in your celebrated tragedy of Douglas. Ye woods and wilds whose melancholy gloom accords with my soul's sadness and draws forth the tear of sorrow from my bursting heart. How uncommonly well that was got up last season at Drury Lane. You have of course been in town, ma'am. Gertrude replied in the affirmative. And which of the houses did you give the preference to? She had not visited the theaters. No, sure is it possible ma'am to have been in town without seeing either of the houses. How prodigiously unfortunate. But with a significant smile to Miss Lily, I hope we shall have the pleasure of showing your cousin the lions by and by. In town we call it showing the lions to show the sights and shows to our country cousins. Oh, that will be delightful, won't it? Cousin asked the simple Lily, but her cousin only colored with contempt at the idea. The theater is a favorite amusement of mine, continued Mr. Larkins. And of mine too, I am so fond of the playhouse that Miss Lily bent upon all occasions to prove the congeniality of their souls. Did you ever see Young in Romeo? No, I don't think I ever saw Mr. Young acted, but I once saw a Mr. Something Else. I forget his name, do it. La, I've seen Young at least a dozen times in Romeo. It is a favorite character of mine. Indeed, I have the whole part by heart. Is that possible, exclaimed Miss Lily, in tenfold admiration of her lover's perfections? Do let us hear you repeat some of it. I'm sure my cousin would like it so much. You must learn Juliet, and then I shall be your Romeo. You would make a capital Juliet. Your hair is exactly the color of Miss O'Neill's. Is it really how I should like if I could act Juliet? When I have you in liquor upon street, whispered Mr. Larkins, we shall have some famous scenes. That will be charming. I'm so fond of deep tragedies. You don't dislike comedy, I hope. Oh no, I delight in comedies and farces. I like farces very much too. Some of the afterpieces we have in town are famously good. What a prodigious run might have had, for instance. Pray, goodie, was sung for a whole season. Oh, pray, goodie, is without exception the most beautiful thing I ever heard, exclaimed Miss Lily, turning up her eyes in rapture. How amazingly you will be pleased with some of our pantomimes in town. What a famous good thing we had last winter at Covent Garden, called The Oyster in Love. Here, Miss Lily giggled. Pantomimes, so the Oyster in Love was the title and to let you into a little of a secret, it was composed, music and all, by a friend of mine. Oh goodness, was it really? Do tell us all about it. Why the peace opens with a splendid marine view, waves, waves as high, ma'am, as these trees and as white as white as your gown, roaring in the most natural manner, imaginable. Two of the ladies of my party who had just returned from market became, in short, perfectly seasick by my soul. I thought they'd have painted. However, it was the first night and I was a friend of the author, so I wouldn't have stirred to have handed the finest woman in the house. Oh, you cruel creature, quite Miss Lily, with a giggle and what became of them. Oh, they were covered with the assistance of smelling bottles and oranges, but upon my soul I felt a little queer myself. Well, after the waves, these curly-headed monsters, as Shakespeare calls them, had rolled backwards and forwards till upon my honor, I thought they'd have been into the pit. At last they retired in the most graceful manner possible, leaving behind them an enormous large Oyster at the foot of a rock, but the beautiful thing, men, was to see the stage, which, you know, represented the beach all covered with shells and spar and seaweed. You can have no conception of anything so natural. Oh, how I should like to have seen it, sighed Miss Lily. Well, then there was this Oyster, which you'd have sworn was a real Oyster, but for the size lying at the bottom of the rock, then enters the divineless foot dressed as a princess with the most splendid crown upon her head, all over with precious stones, but looking very melancholy, with her pocket handkerchief in her hand. She is attended by a troupe of young damsels, all very beautiful and most beautifully dressed. They sing and dance a most elegant new quadril. And while they are dancing, the Oyster begins to move and heaves a deep sigh upon which they all take to their heels and dance off in all directions, wreaking most musically in parts. The princess, however, remains, draws near the Oyster, contemplates it for some time, clasps her hands, falls upon her knees beside it, while it rolls and heaves in sighs upon my honor, it was quite affecting. I saw several handkerchiefs out. How terrified I should have been, exclaimed Miss Lily. Well, then the princess sings that charming song, which of course, you know this Oyster is my world and I with love will open it. She then takes a diamond bodkin from her hair and tries to open the shell. No sooner has she touched it than it opens a little bit and the point of a beautiful long black beard comes out. The princess and the greatest rapture drops her bodkin, seizes the beard in both hands, kisses it, seduces it with her tears, presses it to her heart and in short, is in the greatest transports of joy at recognizing her lover's beard. Good gracious was the Oyster, her lover, quite Miss Lily. Wait and you shall hear, well, while she is indulging in all these graceful demonstrations of the fondest affection, suddenly a sort of dragon or sea horse starts up, seizes the bodkin and disappears. At the same moment, the sky, that is the stage, becomes almost quite dark, thunder and lightning ensue, the sea rises with the most tremendous noise and threatens to engulf in its raging bosom, the princess and the Oyster. How interesting exclaim Miss Lily. I never heard anything like it. The sea gains upon them every moment. Now they are completely surrounded, she raises her eyes, sees the rock, a sudden thought strikes her, she merely stops to sing that sweet little air by that beard whose soft expression by the back that was twice on chord. Then in the most graceful distress, she begins to climb the rock. How high was the rock, asked Miss Lily, why I take it not less than 30 feet high and almost quite perpendicular. Soft music is heard all the time she is ascending. She stops when about halfway up, quite exhausted, then comes forward to the point of rock where she is standing, which upon my soul, I don't think was larger than my hand. And while she stops to recover her breath, sings one of your beautiful scotch, songs low down in the brim, he is waiting for me, waiting for me, my love, et cetera. Looking down upon the Oyster all the while, there was a great row then, one half of the house called Encore, the other go on, and then she was allowed to proceed and she gains. The top of the rock just as an enormous wave is on the point of overwhelming her Oyster. Oh, how dreadful, well, the sympathizing Lily, what should you have done there? Oh, I'm sure I don't know. Well, she advances close to the edge of the rock upon my soul, it made me a little giddy to see her, takes off her crown, unbinds her hair, lays down with her head hanging over the rock, and her hair falls down to the very bottom of the rock where the Oyster is lying. Goodness, and her own hair. Of course, you know a lady's wig becomes her own hair. Oh, you are so droll with a giggle. Well, the hair sticks to the Oyster, or the Oyster to the hair I can't tell which, and slowly rising she hoists him up and up and up. You might have heard a pin drop in the house while that was going on, till at last she has him on the very top of the rock, then the house gave vent to his feelings and a perfect tumult of applause and admiration ensued. No wonder I can't conceive how she could do it, how big was the Oyster, why as large, I suppose as a washing tub. And to pull that up with her hair, did you ever hear anything like it, cousin? Never, said Gertrude, now tell us what was acted next. Then there's a fight between the dragon and a whale, and the whale throws up a fine diamond Oyster knife at the feet of the princess. She sees a zip-rat-tats upon the shell which instantly flies open with her prodigious noise and outrushes a warrior all clad in a complete suit of mother of pearl with a fine long black pointed beard, the same he had shook out of his shell. He slays the dragon, the sea becomes as smooth as glass. Venus rises out of it in a car, drawn by two doves, harnessed with roses and guided by two young cupids. How delightful, and then I suppose they are married. Ah, their happiness would have been very incomplete. Without that termination, said Mr. Larkin's tenderly. It must be late, said Miss St. Clair rising, almost in her time, I should suppose. Alas, that love whose view is muffled still, should without eyes see pathways to his will. Where shall we dine? cried Mr. Larkin's in a theatrical manner. You know, of course, that is out of Romeo. Oh, is it? I had forgot that, but it is beautiful, said the complacent Lily. Mr. Larkin continued to talk and spout all the way home and his spare to giggle and admire. Well cousin, said she, seizing upon Gertrude as they enter the house. What do you think of him? Is he not charming, so genteel, and so droll? And at the same time, he has so much sensibility. He never travels without poetry and he plays the flute too, most beautifully. And he is so fond of the country. He says he is to drive me out of town every Sunday in his tillbury. Oh, I wonder how Belle could ever fall in love with the major. He hasn't the least taste for poetry. And Andrew is such an ugly name. Don't you think I've been most fortunate in a name? For it is so uncommon to meet with an Augustus and I think Larkin's very pretty too, don't you? But they were now at the drawing room door, which put a stop to Miss Lily's raptures. And soon after dinner ended all teta tats. Mrs. Major Waddell played the Neh Bob's lady as though she had been born Neh Bobes. She talked much and well of curry and rice and old Madeir and the liver and the company, which did not mean the present company, but the India company. Her silver corners were very handsome and she had to take off some of her rings before she could carve the grouse. In short, nothing could be better of its kind. Nevertheless, Mrs. Major had her own petty chagrins as every petty mind must have. Nobody seemed sufficiently dazzled with the splendor which surrounded them. And Mr. Larkin's had the ill-breeding to talk much of Birch's turtle and Tim's salmon in town. At tea was still worse like all underbred people he must took the mayority for fashionable ease and either lounged upon her fine sofa or stood with his back to the fire. At length the chaise was announced and as Mrs. and Miss St. Clair took leave, the gallant Major presented his arm. Oh now Major, I hope you're not going to the door without your hat. And at this time of night, now it will make me perfectly wretched. Pray now Major, aunt, cousin, Mr. Larkin's, for heaven's sake. Mrs. Wago was getting hysterical and the poor Major withdrawing his offered aid, Mr. Larkin's advanced. And though put on your hat, said Miss Lily in imitation as he boldly presented his brush head to the evening air. How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank. Here will we sit and let the sounds of music creep in our ears. Spouted Mr. Augustus as he handed the ladies into the carriage. They bowed and drove off. End of section 48, section 49 of The Inheritance by Susan Edmundstone Farrier. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Volume two, chapter 15. En sonnui très bien ici, Voltaire. But the present order of things could not long endure. Mrs. St. Clair grew impatient under the secret sense of her sister's superiority and weary of their simple uniform style of living. Her habits were luxurious. Her mind was joyless. Gertrude too, in all the restlessness of suspense, longed to return to Rossville. She would there hear her lover's name mentioned. She would be amidst the scenes with which his image was associated and there would be enjoyment even in these shadowy fantastic pleasures. While such were the feelings of the mother and daughter, Lord Rossville felt no less impatient for the return of his niece, not for the charms and graces of her society, but because she was a being subject to his management and control. True, this act of rebellion might have staggered his faith as to the extent of his dominion, but he flattered himself. That was a sort of thunder cloud which by the wise and vigorous measures he had adopted must already have passed away. Besides Gertrude's prolonged absence would have an appearance in the eyes of the world, suspicions might arise, things might be said. Even in the bustle of electioneering, Mr. Delmore had remarked upon the impropriety of Miss St. Clair being allowed to reside so long in a paltry provincial town and associating with people who might be very good in their way, who were not quite suited to her station or such as he would wish his wife to be intimate with. On the other hand, Mrs. St. Clair, in the course of her correspondence with the Earl, had taken care to insinuate that such was Mr. Adam Ramsey's partiality for her daughter. It was more than probable he would make a point of her residing entirely with him, unless she were speedily recalled to his lordship's protection. The visit to Bloom Park strengthened this insinuation and decided him as to the necessity of immediately recalling his niece. A most laborious and long-winded letter was therefore penned to Miss St. Clair in which, while he deprecated the idea of ever taking her into his favor until she had renounced the error of her ways, he at the same time announced his intention of receiving her again under his roof in the confident hope that she would ere long perceive the absolute necessity and imperious duty she was under of exceeding to his long projected, thoroughly digested and firmly determined upon plan for her ultimate disposal. His lordship next proceeded to state that he had consulted the most eminent counsel as to the deeds of entail and that three of them were of opinion that the whole of the property could and might be most effectively alienated, disponed and otherwise disposed of to the other exclusion of Miss St. Clair as Eris said, law. Such being the case, it was his firm intention and absolute purpose to act upon this opinion by executing a new deed of entail within three months from the present date. Unless before the expiry of that period, Miss St. Clair should think proper to exceed to his plan and pursue the course he had pointed out to her. Such was the substance of a letter filling nearly seven pages of closely written paper. I'm sorry, very sorry, said Gertrude with a sigh as she finished reading it for the trouble and vexation. I'm causing Lord Rossville and perhaps it were better that I should never return to Rossville again than that I should go there only to make him cherish hopes which never can be realized. I never can act as he would have me. I never can change my sentiments. You can at least keep your sentiments to yourself considering how much is at stake on their account, said her mother with asperity and indeed setting everything else out of the question I think delicacy alone demands that much of you. At least I should be cautious how I expressed an attachment which to all appearances no longer if indeed it ever was reciprocal. Even were it so replied her daughter making an effort to repress her emotion while her faltering voice betrayed the anguish of such a supposition. Deceived I may be myself but I never will deceive others. Let then Lord Rossville know that if I return to his house I return unchanged, unchangeable. Beware how you provoke me Gertrude for I too am unchanged, unchangeable in my determination and never to see you the prey of that man I have pledged my word it shall not be. Pledged your word repeated her daughter indignantly who had a right to demand such a pledge. One who has the right and will exercise it said Mrs. St. Clair in some agitation but this is wandering from the point. You have promised you will not enter into any engagement until you've attained the age of 21. On that promise I rely. Meanwhile all I require of you is only what is due to yourself. Leave me therefore to manage matters with the earl and do you remain passive for the present. I am sick of management of mystery exclaimed Gertrude deductedly already cried she giving way to tears. I'm almost weary of the world. I feel myself a puppet, a slave, neither slave of a slave, subject it seems to the control of a very menial. But I will not endure this mockery of greatness mingled to with such degradation. There was a height and a depth in the feelings of Miss St. Clair which when once roused her mother could not always contend with. She sometimes felt that her only chance of victory was in appearing to yield. And upon this occasion as upon many others she contrived to work upon her daughter's affections and prevailed upon her to acquiesce in her wishes provided she were not considered as a party in Lord Rossville's plans. The following day the earls equippage and attendants arrived and again Miss St. Clair's worldly mind exalted as she looked on the proud pageant at which the whole town of Barnford had turned out to gaze. It was not without emotion Gertrude batted you to her aunts who were not less affected at parting with her. They saw she was not happy but were too delicate to intrude upon her confidence. Farewell my love said her Aunt Mary as she pressed her in her arms and ever bear in mind that in this world not to be greed, not to be afflicted, not to be in danger is impossible. Yet there is Gertrude even in this world there is a rest of heart. I would you but seek it where only it is to be found. But to the young unchaste and spirit nothing seems less desirable than that rest of heart which in their minds is associated with the utter extinction of all that is noble and graceful and enthusiastic and Gertrude shrank from the wish breathed for her by her aunt. No thought she wretched as I am yet I would not exchange my feelings tortured as they are for that joyless peace which is to me as the slumber of the dead. And where is the youthful ardent spirit untaught of heavenly love which has not at some period of its life paroled its awe on some baseless fabric and preferred even the shattered wreck of its happiness to the waveless calm of indifference. Gertrude's melancholy was not diminished by her return to Rossville but a few weeks had passed since she had left it in all the pride and magnificence of early autumn while nature seemed scarcely past its prime while life was in the leaf and spirit in the air and the bright toned woods glowed in all their barricaded splendor beneath a clear blue sky and a cloudless sun. And now the cold, all tumultuous are seen to cobweb every green and by the low, shorn rowan's death appear the fast declining year. The sapless branches doff their summer suits and wane their winter fruits and stormy blasts have forced the quaking trees to wrap their trembling limbs in suits of mossy freeze. In plain prose, it was oblique, raw, chill, November day when nature seems a universal blank even to her most ardent admirers and to use an artist's phrase nothing could be more in keeping with the day than the reception Miss Sinclair met with from her uncle. It was cold, formal and unkindly and every word felt like a drop of petrifying water on her heart. Lord Rossville never had been upon easy terms with his niece. Indeed it was not in his nature to be upon easy terms with anybody but the additional stiffness and solemnity and verbosity he thought proper to assume were truly appalling and caused her something of that sensation sensitive beings are set to feel while under the influence of a thunder cloud. The Earl's aspect was indeed enough to blight, hope itself, there was positive determination in every line and lineament. His eyes had grown rounder, his eyebrows higher, his lips more rigid, his hands longer, his steps were more ponderous, his head was immovable, there was no speculation in his eye, his very wig looked as hard as marble. In short over the whole man was diffused an indescribable air of hopeless inflexibility. There was no company, nothing to relieve the hard outline of the piece not even their usual members of the family nobody but Lady Betty and her eternal rug and her fat lapdog and her silly novel and the dullness and tedium which reigned may have been felt but cannot be described. End of section 49, section 50 of The Inheritance by Susan Edmund Stoonfarrier. This labor box recording is in the public domain. Volume two, chapter 16. If thou hast dipped thy foot in the river yet passed not over Rubicon. Sir Thomas Brown. Several days passed in this state of cheerless monotony when one morning as the ladies pursued their different avocations in unsocial companionship a letter was brought to Mrs. St. Clair which she had no sooner opened than Gertrude observed her change, color and betray visible signs of agitation. The servant said the bearer waited in answer and in manifest confusion she rose and left the room. Although superior to the meanness of curiosity Miss St. Clair could not help feeling a natural desire to know the contents of a letter which had produced a visible a change on her mother and she set a considerable time vainly looking for her return. At length and able to repress her anxiety she put aside her drawing materials and hastened to her mother's dressing room. Upon entering she found Mrs. St. Clair seated at a table with writing implements before her and her head resting on her hand seemingly buried in profound meditation. I was afraid something was the matter. Mama said her daughter gently advancing towards her leave me cried her mother in an angry impatient tone leave me I say I can't be disturbed. Mama can I do nothing for you asked her daughter as she reluctantly prepared to obey. Much much murmured Mrs. St. Clair with a deep sigh but at present I desire you will leave me raising her voice in an authoritative tone and Gertrude however unwillingly found herself compelled to obey uneasy and restless. She could not compose her mind to any of her ordinary occupations. She saw something that had occurred to agitate her mother and she longed to participate and if possible to aid her in her distress. After a while she again returned to her and was again repulsed with anger seeing that her presence only caused irritation she desisted from farther attempts and taking advantage of a watery gleam of sunshine which streamed from a pale sickly sky. She set out on a solitary ramble to which fresh air and exercise only could give a zest. She slowly pursued her way through leafless woods where the only sounds she heard were those of her own footsteps amongst the fallen leaves and the monotonous rush of the swollen stream. But each step was fraught with sad yet soothing recollections for rocks, woods and waters seemed all as the registers of her lover's vows. And in each silent memorial she felt as though she looked on the living witness of his faith. With us nursing her fond contemplations she had wandered a considerable length of way when she was roused to observation by the sudden darkness of the sky the weather caused by the lateness of the hour or the approach of a storm she was not sufficiently mistress of signs and times to ascertain whichever it might be. It had the effect of dispelling all romance and making her wish herself once more safe at home. She was however more than two miles from it by the way she had come. But if she could get across the river there was a shortcut which would take her home in 10 minutes and she walked a little farther on in search of some stepping stones which had been placed there instead of a bridge which had been swept away by what in the language of the country is called a speed. A great deal of rain had fallen the preceding night and the river was so much swollen she could scarcely recognize the huge blocks by which she had frequently crossed the clear pebbly stream when it scarcely laid their sides. Now they merely held their broad heads above the brown sullen waters but still they were above it and trusting to her own steady head and firm step she with some little palpitation placed her foot on the first stone soon occur la première part qui coûte said she to herself but not withstanding this comfortable assurance there she stood for some minutes there she had courage to venture on a second step but the sky was getting blacker and some large straggling drops of rain began to fall ashamed of her irresolution she was about to proceed when she heard someone calling loudly to her to stop and immediately she beheld Mr. Lindsey approaching at full speed on horseback. In an instant he urged his horse into the river but the current was so strong it was with the utmost difficulty the animal was unable to gain the opposite side. Is it possible, cried Lindsey as he threw himself off that you were going to attempt to cross the river in its present state? I not only mean to attempt but to succeed answered she as she felt her courage rise to its utmost pitch since she had now an opportunity of displaying it and she was about to proceed when he seized her hand. You are not aware of the danger the river you may see is far above its usual height and is rising every moment a great deal of rain has fallen and a fresh blood will be down directly. Well it seems merely a choice of evils as I seem thus sent to be drowned one way or another said Gertrude as the rain now began to fall in earnest. I assure you then you will find it much the least evil to be drowned on dry land so pray take my advice for once. But Gertrude felt as though it were due to Colonel Delmore to accord nothing to Mr. Lindsey against whom she labored to keep up what she deemed a due resentment and she therefore persisted in her intention. I'm far from desiring Mr. Lindsey's attendance said she somewhat disdainfully. I beg he won't take his way and allow me to take mine. Lindsey made no reply but by hastily snatching her from the place where she stood and at the same instant a sound as of many waters was heard a sea of foam was tearing its course along and in the twinkling of an eye the stones were buried in the waves. For some moments Gertrude remained motionless gazing on the mass of discolored waters as they roared along till she was roused by the cry and the struggle of some living thing which was swept past with the speed of lightning and engulfed in the raging flood. She turned shuttering away and Lindsey taking her arm in his would have led her from the spot but smote with the sense of her own injustice towards him she exclaimed not till I have here acknowledged my rashness, my folly, you risked your life to save mine while I unjust and grateful that I was. Not to me my dear cousin is any such acknowledgement due said Mr. Lindsey mildly. Give your thanks to God only let us be friends. Gertrude gave him her hand when can I cease to look upon you as my friend you who have saved me from destruction. Lindsey sighed but made no reply and they walked on in silence till the rain which had hitherto fallen at intervals in an undecided manner now burst forth in what in Scotland is emphatically called an even downpour. Neither rocks nor trees afforded any shelter but they were now inside of a summer house and vivid they hastened while Lindsey stopped on the outside to fasten his horse intending to leave him until he could send his servant to fetch him home. Gertrude rushed in and almost blinded by the rain did not at first perceive that someone had already taken possession of it and was pacing up and down with visible signs of impatience but at her entrance the person turned quickly round and she encountered the sharp baleful glance of Lewiston. Ah, this is more than I expected quite he in an accent of pleasure and surprise than taking her passive hand this as well this is as it should be come my pretty messenger sit down don't be afraid but this caution though uttered in a soft conciliating manner was in vain at first amazement had rendered Gertrude mute and motionless but as he attempted to seat her and place himself beside her she instantly regained her faculties and struggling to release herself from his hold she called loudly Mr. Lindsey, save me oh save me but Mr. Lindsey have withdrawn a few yards to place his horse under the shelter projecting rock and the roar of the river drowned all other sounds. Fool exclaimed Lewiston as he held both her hands and squeezed them with almost painful violence be still I tell you be still and you have nothing to fear but if you provoke me by heaven you will rue the day you first saw the light and he compelled her to be seated. Gertrude would have spoken but the words died on her lips and she sat pale and trembling unable to articulate why this is foolish quite he but in a gentle lure tone very foolish have I not told you that you have nothing to fear that I love you too well the deuce cannot you be quiet. As Gertrude again called wildly and Mr. Lindsey why did you come here only to squall you simpleton why did she not come herself and where is the money? Answer me I say a squire by Jupiter exclaimed he fiercely as Lindsey now entered well sir what is your business here? Mr. Lindsey started with surprise as he beheld Miss Sinclair seated by the side of this man whom he instantly recognized as the same from whom he had formerly rescued her but her extreme paleness and the terror depicted on her countenance showed what her endurance cost her the insolent question was repeated in a still higher key even Lindsey's usual calmness was almost overcome but he repelled the rising of his wrath and answered my business here is to protect this lady from insult or intrusion and advancing to her he placed himself by her side oh let us be gone quite Gertrude as she rose and took hold of his arm but she trembled so much she could scarcely stand you cannot go yet said Lindsey and turning to Lewiston but as your presence seems to agitate Miss Sinclair I must request of you to withdraw by what right sir do you interfere between this lady and me demanded he fiercely I know of no right you have to ask me such a question said Mr. Lindsey Cooley you know of no right I have and pray what do you know of me or my rights Lindsey's blood rose at this continued insolence but making an effort to master his spirit he replied you say true I know nothing of you but I know you can have no right to alarm Miss Sinclair if you have any claim upon her notice this is neither a place nor a time for it her notice repeated Lewiston with a scornful smile well be it so I have claims upon her notice then and you will do well to leave us to settle our own affairs oh no no quite Gertrude as she clung to her cousins on do not leave me I have nothing to say but as she thought of her mother's mysterious connection with him she trembled while she disclaimed him do not be afraid said Lindsey trying to reassure her there is nothing to fear except insolence and that I shall spare you if this gentleman will walk out with me for a few minutes I've already told you that I have no business with you sir said Lewiston and the insolence is yours who thus break in upon my appointments come my dear do Gertrude rid yourself of your spark quietly for I don't wish to harm the young man tell him the truth and bid him be gone never in his life had Mr. Lindsey self-control been so severely tried but he still had firmness to keep himself in check I know of no appointment said Gertrude faintly as she thought of the letter her mother had that morning received the accident alone brought me here Lewiston looked steadfastly at her you were sure that is the case take care how you attempt to deceive me your hand upon it Gertrude involuntarily recoiled how dare you thus presume cried Lindsey passionately but in an agony of terror she hastily held out her hand Lewiston seized it and holding it up with an air of insolent triumph stills well you obeyed me else by all the saints in another second I should have had you on your knees before me audacious villain exclaimed Mr. Lindsey provoked beyond father forbearance and seizing him by the collar shook him with a force that made him stagger this lady's presence alone prevents me from punishing you as you deserve Gertrude shrieked as Lewiston instantly drew a small dagger sword from his walking cane do you see that cruddy with a scornful lap how easily I could pink one of those fine eyes of yours or open a vein for you and that out of a little of your hot blood but I don't think the worst of you for this exploit and only give you this little piece of advice before you talk of punishing to be sure you have the means in your own hands I thank you said Lindsey as he led Gertrude to the door then turning back he added in a low voice and I shall return to repeat my acknowledgments only wait me here the rain had not ceased but its violence had abated and they walked on for some time in silence till they both at the same moment described Mrs. Sinclair approaching muffled in a large cloak but she too seemed to have perceived them for she instantly turned back and in another moment disappeared by one of the many paths which traversed the wood oh exclaimed Gertrude with a burst of bitter feeling at this confirmation of her mother's clandestine intercourse oh that the flood from which you saved me had swept me away rather than that I should live to endure this degradation my dear cousin said Mr. Lindsey gently do not give way to such dreadful thoughts were you steeped in crime you could not do more than despair even then you ought not to do that crime there must be somewhere quite Gertrude in the same tone of excitement else why all this mystery and why am I subjected to the insults of that man unless do you know who and what he really is said Mr. Lindsey oh ask me no questions quite she again giving way to tears pardon me I've done wrong it is not from you I ought to seek information seek it not at all leave me to my fate abject and degraded I already am in your eyes how little you know me if you think that circumstances over which you evidently have no control could ever lessen you in my eyes it is not the misdeeds of others that can touch your soul and they ought not to influence your character there is not there cannot be degradation but impersonal sin yet I owe it entirely to your generous confidence that I am not suspected, despised suspicion itself scarcely could suspect you and for despising you do not think so falsely so meanly of yourself as to imagine that anyone would dare to despise you I fear something is wrong and that you are not in good hands but put your trust in God my dear cousin preserve your own natural integrity and all will one day be right meantime if I can be of service to you look upon me as a friend as a brother will you promise me this Gertrude in somewhat calmer accents promise she would Lindsay continue to talk to her in the same soothing yet strengthening strain till they reach the castle when they separated with sentiments of reciprocal interest and regard End of section 50