""
Oh
!
what
of
him
?
"
ejaculated
Ellen
and
Kate
,
as
it
were
in
one
breath
.
"
Patience
for
a
moment
,
"
said
the
farmer
.
"
Here
is
a
letter
from
Mr.
Monroe
to
you
,
Miss
,
"
—
addressing
Ellen
;
"
and
that
will
explain
every
thing
yet
known
of
the
affair
.
"
Ellen
hastily
tore
open
her
father
's
note
,
and
began
to
read
its
contents
aloud
:
—
January
29th
,
1841.
"
You
will
be
supremely
delighted
,
dearest
Ellen
,
to
hear
the
joyful
tidings
which
I
am
about
to
communicate
.
This
morning
's
newspapers
publish
a
Telegraphic
Despatch
from
Toulon
,
stating
that
a
grand
and
decisive
battle
took
place
beneath
the
walls
of
Montoni
on
the
23d
.
Richard
was
completely
victorious
.
The
Austrian
army
was
routed
with
tremendous
loss
;
the
Grand
Duke
fled
;
and
the
capital
was
delivered
.
Our
dear
benefactor
is
safe
.
The
steamer
which
conveyed
these
tidings
to
Toulon
left
Montoni
in
the
afternoon
of
the
24th
,
at
the
moment
when
Richard
was
entering
the
city
—
as
the
Regent
of
Castelcicala
!
"
Nothing
more
is
known
at
present
;
but
this
is
enough
not
only
to
reassure
us
all
—
but
to
fill
our
hearts
with
joy
.
My
blood
glows
in
my
veins
,
old
as
I
am
,
when
I
think
of
Richard
's
grand
achievements
.
To
what
a
proud
height
has
he
raised
himself
—
second
only
to
a
sovereign
!
As
I
looked
forth
from
the
casement
ere
now
,
and
beheld
the
two
trees
on
the
hill-top
,
I
could
not
avoid
a
sorrowful
reflection
concerning
Eugene
.
What
can
have
become
of
him
?
I
—
—
"
"
Heavens
!
dearest
Ellen
,
are
you
ill
?
"
exclaimed
Katherine
,
seeing
that
her
friend
suddenly
turned
ashy
pale
.
"
No
,
Kate
:
it
is
nothing
!
The
abruptness
with
which
we
have
received
these
tidings
—
—
"
"
Yes
—
you
are
unwell
,
"
persisted
Katherine
;
and
she
hastened
to
procure
water
.
Ellen
drank
some
;
and
the
colour
slowly
returned
to
her
cheeks
.
"
I
am
better
now
,
Kate
,
"
she
said
.
"
Do
you
terminate
the
perusal
of
my
father
's
letter
.
"
Katherine
,
perceiving
that
her
friend
really
seemed
to
have
revived
,
read
the
remainder
of
the
note
in
the
following
manner
:
—
"
I
fear
that
he
will
not
be
enabled
to
tell
so
glorious
a
tale
as
his
younger
brother
,
—
even
if
the
appointment
be
really
kept
on
his
part
!
But
enough
of
that
.
You
speak
of
bringing
Miss
Wilmot
,
to
pass
a
few
days
at
the
Place
.
I
entirely
approve
of
the
project
,
if
the
excellent
people
with
whom
she
is
living
,
and
of
whom
Richard
has
spoken
to
us
so
highly
,
be
willing
to
part
with
her
.
"
I
must
not
forget
to
mention
that
poor
Whittingham
is
nearly
crazed
with
joy
at
Richard
's
success
.
You
remember
his
extravagant
but
unfeigned
manifestation
of
delight
when
we
received
the
tidings
of
the
battle
of
Abrantani
and
its
results
.
Then
the
worthy
fellow
danced
and
capered
madly
,
exclaiming
,
'
Master
Richard
a
Markis
!
'
all
day
long
.
But
when
I
read
him
the
Telegraphic
Despatch
this
morning
,
he
took
his
hat
and
kicked
it
all
round
the
room
,
—
a
new
hat
too
,
—
until
it
was
battered
into
a
state
beyond
redemption
,
—
shouting
all
the
time
,
'
Here
's
a
glorious
cataplasm
!
'
—
(
meaning
'
catastrophe
,
'
no
doubt
)
:
—
'
Master
Richard
a
Markis
,
and
a
Regency
!
I
'll
get
drunk
to-night
,
sir
:
I
have
n't
been
intoxicated
for
many
a
year
;
but
I
'll
get
drunk
to-night
,
in
spite
of
all
the
Teetotalers
in
London
!
Thank
God
for
this
glorious
cataplasm
!
'
And
he
rushed
out
of
the
room
to
communicate
the
news
in
his
own
way
to
Marian
.
But
conceive
my
surprise
when
I
presently
heard
the
report
of
fire-arms
:
I
listened
—
a
second
report
followed
—
a
third
—
a
fourth
.
I
became
alarmed
,
and
hastened
into
the
garden
.
There
was
Whittingham
firing
a
salute
with
his
old
blunderbuss
;
and
Marian
's
new
plaid
shawl
was
floating
,
by
way
of
a
banner
,
from
the
summit
of
a
clothes
'
prop
fixed
in
the
ground
.
Poor
Marian
did
not
seem
to
relish
the
use
to
which
her
Sunday
shawl
was
thus
unceremoniously
converted
;
but
all
the
satisfaction
she
could
obtain
from
Whittingham
was
,
'
It
's
a
glorious
cataplasm
!
Master
Richard
's
a
Regency
!
'
And
away
the
old
blunderbuss
blazed
again
,
until
the
salute
was
complete
.
I
do
really
believe
the
excellent-hearted
old
man
intends
to
illuminate
the
Place
this
evening
;
and
I
shall
not
interfere
with
the
ebullition
of
his
honest
joy
.
"
I
write
this
long
letter
while
Mr.
Bennet
partakes
of
some
refreshment
.
"
Trusting
to
see
you
and
your
young
friend
to-morrow
or
next
day
at
latest
,
I
am
,
dearest
Ellen
,
"
etc.
etc.
It
is
unnecessary
to
state
that
the
news
from
Montoni
diffused
the
most
lively
joy
amongst
the
party
assembled
in
the
parlour
of
the
farm-house
.
Ellen
speedily
recovered
her
usual
flow
of
excellent
spirits
,
and
expressed
her
sincere
satisfaction
at
that
remarkable
elevation
on
the
part
of
Richard
which
had
excited
the
enthusiasm
of
her
father
.
Mr.
and
Mrs.
Bennet
offered
no
objection
to
the
proposal
that
Kate
should
pay
a
visit
to
Markham
Place
:
on
the
contrary
,
though
grieved
to
part
with
her
,
they
considered
that
change
of
scene
could
not
do
otherwise
than
benefit
her
.
And
now
the
appointed
hour
for
the
meeting
with
the
old
woman
drew
near
;
and
Mr.
Bennet
provided
Kate
with
the
necessary
funds
for
her
purpose
.
Shortly
before
seven
,
the
farmer
(
provided
with
a
brace
of
loaded
pistols
)
and
Ellen
repaired
to
the
same
hiding-place
which
they
had
occupied
on
the
preceding
evening
;
and
,
with
a
beating
heart
,
Katherine
hastened
to
the
spot
where
she
expected
to
encounter
one
who
had
promised
to
reveal
secrets
so
nearly
concerning
her
.
The
old
woman
did
not
,
however
,
make
her
appearance
.
The
minutes
passed
slowly
away
—
and
still
she
came
not
.
Katherine
's
anxiety
was
intense
.
Half
an
hour
had
elapsed
:
still
there
was
no
sign
of
the
hag
.
The
young
maiden
waited
until
past
eight
o'clock
;
and
at
length
she
suddenly
perceived
two
persons
advancing
towards
her
at
a
little
distance
.
For
a
moment
she
felt
afraid
;
but
the
farmer
's
voice
speedily
reassured
her
.
Ellen
and
he
were
alarmed
at
Katherine
's
prolonged
absence
,
and
had
come
to
seek
her
.
Finding
that
the
old
woman
had
not
made
her
appearance
,
they
began
to
view
the
entire
affair
with
some
suspicion
;
and
Kate
was
compelled
to
return
with
them
to
the
farm
—
a
prey
to
the
most
cruel
disappointment
.
"
If
the
old
woman
was
prevented
,
by
any
unforeseen
circumstance
,
from
meeting
you
,
"
said
the
farmer
,
"
she
will
communicate
with
you
early
to-morrow
.
Perhaps
we
may
be
favoured
with
another
visit
from
her
emissary
,
Mr.
Banks
;
but
should
he
come
,
I
shall
take
good
care
that
he
treats
us
to
a
sight
of
no
more
model-coffins
.
"
During
the
remainder
of
the
evening
Kate
was
pensive
and
melancholy
;
nor
could
all
Ellen
's
affectionate
endeavours
wean
her
from
her
sorrowful
thoughtfulness
.
They
retired
to
rest
early
;
and
Katherine
rose
next
morning
with
the
hope
of
receiving
tidings
from
the
old
woman
.
But
hour
after
hour
passed
without
gratifying
her
wish
.
Ellen
purposely
delayed
their
departure
for
London
,
to
afford
a
fair
opportunity
for
the
arrival
of
any
intelligence
which
the
old
woman
might
forward
;
but
three
o'clock
came
,
and
still
all
was
blank
disappointment
and
mystery
in
respect
to
the
affair
.
Then
Kate
herself
saw
the
inutility
of
tarrying
longer
;
and
,
having
taken
an
affectionate
farewell
of
Mrs.
Bennet
,
the
young
ladies
were
accompanied
by
the
farmer
to
Hounslow
.
There
they
obtained
a
conveyance
for
the
capital
,
and
Mr.
Bennet
saw
them
depart
in
safety
.
CHAPTER
CCII
.
THE
PRINCESS
ISABELLA
.
We
must
now
succinctly
record
a
few
incidents
which
occurred
at
the
mansion
of
Prince
Alberto
in
the
vicinity
of
Richmond
,
from
the
period
when
Richard
bade
adieu
to
Isabella
ere
his
departure
for
Castelcicala
in
the
month
of
October
,
1840
,
until
the
end
of
January
,
1841
—
that
is
,
up
to
the
date
at
which
we
have
brought
our
narrative
in
the
preceding
chapter
.
The
Princess
Isabella
declared
,
at
her
farewell
meeting
with
Richard
,
that
wild
hopes
and
exalted
visions
filled
her
imagination
when
she
contemplated
the
enterprise
on
which
her
lover
was
about
to
embark
.
So
well
did
she
read
the
true
character
of
our
hero
,
and
so
elevated
was
her
opinion
of
his
high
qualifications
,
that
she
felt
persuaded
he
only
required
an
opportunity
to
open
for
himself
a
grand
and
brilliant
career
.
Her
boundless
affection
for
Richard
Markham
aided
her
not
only
in
fostering
these
convictions
,
but
also
in
shadowing
forth
and
defining
the
elements
of
a
glorious
success
and
rapid
rise
on
the
part
of
one
to
whom
her
first
and
undivided
love
was
given
.
But
when
she
tore
herself
away
from
his
last
embrace
,
—
when
she
breathed
the
mournful
word
"
Farewell
,
"
and
then
separated
from
the
generous
,
the
high-minded
,
and
handsome
young
man
who
possessed
her
heart
,
—
oh
!
how
acute
was
the
anguish
that
filled
her
soul
!
For
some
minutes
—
when
he
was
no
longer
in
sight
—
all
her
golden
dreams
and
glorious
visions
fled
from
her
imagination
;
—
she
strove
to
recall
them
,
as
a
drowning
person
in
the
dark
hour
of
night
struggles
to
gain
the
surface
of
the
waters
once
more
to
catch
another
glimpse
of
the
bright
stars
above
;
—
but
hope
seemed
to
have
yielded
to
blank
despair
.
The
Princess
,
however
,
possessed
a
firm
mind
;
and
when
the
primal
burst
of
anguish
was
over
,
she
wrestled
with
her
gloomy
imaginings
,
until
she
gradually
triumphed
over
their
mournful
influence
.
Having
purposely
prolonged
her
walk
homewards
,
in
order
to
compose
herself
,
Isabella
did
not
re-enter
the
mansion
until
she
had
collected
her
scattered
thoughts
and
had
wiped
away
the
traces
of
her
tears
.
Her
father
had
all
along
discountenanced
the
expedition
to
Castelcicala
,
so
far
as
he
was
concerned
;
although
he
could
not
do
otherwise
than
wish
it
success
.
Indeed
,
as
he
himself
had
intimated
to
General
Grachia
,
he
would
no
doubt
have
joined
in
it
,
had
he
been
differently
situated
.
It
was
therefore
with
feelings
of
admiration
that
the
Prince
had
from
the
first
heard
of
Markham
's
enthusiasm
in
the
Constitutional
cause
:
and
at
that
period
he
frequently
found
himself
dwelling
attentively
upon
all
the
good
points
in
Richard
's
character
which
had
once
made
our
hero
so
welcome
a
guest
at
the
mansion
.
As
for
Isabella
's
mother
,
this
Princess
was
more
than
ever
favourable
towards
Markham
;
for
she
saw
in
his
present
conduct
nothing
save
a
profound
devotion
to
the
cause
of
her
illustrious
husband
,
and
a
laudable
ambition
to
render
himself
worthy
of
her
daughter
's
love
—
that
love
which
was
no
secret
to
the
parents
of
the
amiable
girl
!
When
Isabella
returned
to
the
drawing-room
after
her
interview
with
Richard
,
her
still
melancholy
demeanour
attracted
the
notice
of
her
affectionate
parents
.
"
Where
have
you
been
,
Isabel
?
"
inquired
the
Prince
,
eyeing
her
attentively
.
"
My
dear
father
,
"
was
the
instantaneous
reply
,
"
I
went
for
my
usual
walk
in
the
adjacent
fields
,
and
I
met
Mr.
Markham
.
"
"
Ah
!
"
exclaimed
the
Prince
,
a
little
impatiently
.
"
I
do
not
pretend
that
it
was
accidentally
on
his
part
,
"
continued
Isabella
,
in
a
tone
expressive
of
the
pride
of
truth
;
"
because
he
is
the
last
person
in
the
world
to
sanction
duplicity
of
any
kind
.
It
was
,
however
,
accidental
in
reference
to
myself
—
for
I
knew
not
of
his
intention
to
seek
an
interview
with
me
this
day
.
"
"
But
you
have
met
?
"
said
the
Prince
,
in
a
softening
voice
,
and
with
a
manner
which
denoted
how
justly
proud
he
was
of
the
upright
mind
of
his
daughter
.
"
We
have
met
,
dear
father
,
"
answered
Isabel
,
wiping
away
a
tear
;
"
and
—
we
have
separated
—
perhaps
,
"
she
added
in
a
faltering
tone
,
"
never
to
meet
again
.
Oh
!
be
not
angry
with
him
—
nor
with
me
,
my
dearest
parents
,
—
especially
not
with
him
!
"
"
No
—
we
are
not
angry
,
my
child
,
"
said
the
Princess
of
Castelcicala
,
hastily
.
"
Indeed
,
for
my
part
,
I
wish
that
Mr.
Markham
had
come
to
wish
us
all
farewell
.
But
perhaps
he
will
write
—
—
"
"
I
did
not
refuse
his
request
on
that
subject
,
"
murmured
Isabella
,
casting
down
her
eyes
and
blushing
:
"
Oh
!
no
—
I
could
not
!
And
now
,
my
dear
parents
,
you
know
all
.
If
I
have
done
wrong
,
I
am
deeply
grieved
;
—
but
my
conscience
tells
me
that
I
have
not
outraged
the
devotion
and
love
that
I
owe
to
you
.
"
The
Prince
made
no
reply
:
but
the
expression
of
his
countenance
was
not
severe
;
and
the
Princess
of
Castelcicala
embraced
her
daughter
affectionately
.
From
that
time
the
mansion
contained
three
anxious
hearts
;
for
the
exiled
family
was
deeply
interested
in
the
results
of
the
expedition
to
Castelcicala
.
Who
,
then
,
can
depict
the
disappointment
with
which
the
tidings
of
the
fatal
affair
of
Ossore
were
received
,
at
the
end
of
November
,
in
that
dwelling
?
The
Prince
and
Princess
perceived
in
the
failure
of
the
enterprise
a
deep
blow
to
their
own
cause
in
the
Duchy
,
inasmuch
as
it
was
calculated
to
afford
the
supporters
of
the
Grand
Duke
an
excuse
for
heaping
opprobrium
on
the
name
of
Alberto
,
whom
they
would
point
out
as
the
instigator
of
the
invasion
;
—
and
Isabella
was
overwhelmed
with
grief
by
the
mystery
which
at
that
period
enveloped
the
fate
of
Richard
.
Several
days
of
heart-breaking
suspense
elapsed
:
the
colour
forsook
the
maiden
's
cheek
;
and
her
countenance
became
expressive
of
a
deep
melancholy
.
Nor
was
this
terrible
uncertainty
concerning
Richard
's
fate
the
only
cause
of
affliction
which
she
was
now
doomed
to
experience
.
Her
father
was
so
profoundly
affected
by
the
failure
of
the
expedition
,
and
the
evils
which
he
believed
would
result
to
his
own
interests
in
many
respects
,
that
he
became
ill
,
and
was
soon
unable
to
leave
his
bed
.
Then
how
assiduous
was
the
poor
girl
to
her
parent
,
while
her
own
heart
was
often
well-nigh
breaking
!
The
Prince
grew
irritable
and
impatient
,
and
even
reproached
his
daughter
for
fretting
on
account
of
one
who
,
as
he
declared
,
"
had
helped
to
hurry
the
Constitutional
cause
,
—
a
cause
that
might
have
triumphed
in
time
,
—
to
a
most
ruinous
catastrophe
.
"
But
Isabella
bore
all
this
without
a
murmur
;
and
as
her
father
grew
more
harsh
,
her
attentions
towards
him
were
redoubled
.
In
her
mother
's
kindness
and
sympathy
the
afflicted
maiden
found
a
consolation
;
but
she
could
with
difficulty
bear
up
against
the
agony
of
suspense
and
alarm
which
she
experienced
on
account
of
her
lover
.
At
length
,
—
about
a
week
after
the
receipt
of
the
fatal
tidings
connected
with
the
battle
of
Ossore
,
—
Whittingham
called
at
the
mansion
,
and
placed
in
Isabella
's
hand
a
letter
from
Richard
.
"
He
lives
!
he
lives
!
"
were
the
maiden
's
first
words
of
reviving
hope
;
"
heaven
be
thanked
—
he
lives
!
"
But
Isabella
's
joy
was
speedily
overclouded
once
more
;
for
she
saw
,
by
the
guarded
manner
in
which
he
wrote
and
by
the
omission
of
his
signature
,
that
her
lover
was
in
danger
.
Nevertheless
—
"
where
there
is
life
,
there
is
hope
,
"
as
the
proverb
says
;
and
,
somewhat
consoled
by
his
conviction
,
she
was
less
miserable
than
before
!
And
now
came
another
tedious
interval
of
suspense
,
the
wretchedness
of
which
was
enhanced
by
the
increasing
indisposition
of
the
Prince
.
At
length
—
at
the
expiration
of
about
three
weeks
—
the
Princess
Isabella
received
a
letter
from
Signora
Viviani
,
the
nature
of
which
,
as
already
known
to
our
readers
,
was
not
extremely
well
calculated
to
reassure
the
affectionate
girl
relative
to
her
lover
.
It
was
true
that
she
was
informed
of
Richard
's
safe
arrival
at
Pinalla
,
where
he
was
in
the
society
of
kind
friends
;
but
vague
and
torturing
fears
were
aroused
by
the
fact
that
he
himself
had
been
unable
to
write
to
her
.
Again
was
there
a
weary
interval
of
silence
;
but
this
was
suddenly
broken
in
a
manner
calculated
to
re-awaken
all
the
bright
hopes
which
Isabella
had
once
entertained
relative
to
the
future
greatness
of
Richard
Markham
.
On
the
16th
of
January
,
the
news
of
the
glorious
exploit
at
Estella
reached
the
mansion
of
the
exiled
family
in
England
;
and
inspired
the
young
Princess
with
the
most
enthusiastic
feelings
of
admiration
towards
him
whom
she
loved
so
fondly
,
and
of
whom
she
had
always
thought
so
well
.
"
Oh
!
why
am
I
bound
to
this
bed
of
sickness
?
"
exclaimed
the
Prince
,
when
Signor
Viviani
's
letter
narrating
that
event
was
read
to
him
.
"
Why
am
I
not
permitted
to
hasten
to
my
native
country
,
and
take
part
with
that
gallant
youth
!
No
consideration
of
policy
or
delicacy
should
now
restrain
me
;
for
the
Austrian
is
in
the
land
,
and
every
true
Castelcicalan
should
draw
the
sword
and
fling
away
the
scabbard
!
"
"
Compose
yourself
,
dearest
father
,
"
said
Isabella
,
enraptured
at
the
manner
in
which
he
had
spoken
of
her
lover
:
"
excitement
will
only
delay
your
recovery
;
—
and
something
tells
me
that
Castelcicala
will
soon
demand
your
presence
!
"
But
the
Prince
could
not
tranquillize
his
mind
:
the
thraldom
of
a
sick
bed
had
become
more
intolerable
to
him
than
ever
;
and
,
although
he
now
ceased
to
reproach
his
daughter
,
his
irritability
of
temper
painfully
increased
.
Three
days
afterwards
letters
were
received
at
the
mansion
announcing
Richard
's
entry
into
Villabella
.
Then
the
colour
came
back
again
to
the
cheeks
of
the
charming
Italian
maiden
;
and
her
eyes
shone
with
all
their
wonted
brilliancy
.
Forgotten
were
her
recent
sorrows
—
gone
was
her
agonising
suspense
—
banished
was
the
memory
of
her
cruel
doubts
;
—
her
lover
was
already
a
hero
—
and
hope
was
once
more
enthroned
in
her
heart
.
The
Prince
now
began
to
perceive
the
absolute
necessity
of
avoiding
the
excitement
of
useless
repinings
at
that
illness
which
still
chained
him
to
his
bed
.
Richard
's
letters
told
him
how
the
inhabitants
of
Villabella
had
shouted
the
thrilling
words
"
Long
live
Alberto
!
"
—
and
the
Prince
was
inspired
with
hopes
the
extent
of
which
he
did
not
seek
to
conceal
.
Four
days
elapsed
;
and
when
the
postman
was
again
descried
by
the
watchful
Isabella
advancing
through
the
shrubbery
towards
the
mansion
,
how
quickly
beat
the
hearts
of
the
illustrious
exiles
!
Yes
—
there
were
letters
from
Castelcicala
:
—
never
were
sealed
documents
more
quickly
torn
open
!
And
,
oh
!
what
joyous
news
did
they
contain
—
the
victory
of
Piacere
!
Isabella
's
feelings
found
vent
in
tears
:
—
she
was
so
happy
—
that
she
wept
!
"
These
are
indeed
glorious
tidings
!
"
said
the
Prince
,
raising
himself
upon
his
pillow
;
then
,
after
a
moment
's
pause
,
he
exclaimed
warmly
,
"
Richard
Markham
is
a
hero
!
"
Ah
!
how
touchingly
grateful
was
the
glance
which
Isabella
cast
upon
her
father
through
her
tears
,
to
thank
him
for
that
generous
sentiment
relative
to
one
in
whom
she
felt
so
deep
an
interest
!
Another
short
interval
now
occurred
;
and
then
fresh
letters
came
,
bringing
farther
tidings
of
success
.
The
battle
of
Abrantani
was
a
worthy
sequence
to
that
of
Piacere
!
"
Oh
!
my
beloved
Isabella
,
"
now
exclaimed
the
Prince
,
pressing
her
to
his
heart
,
"
can
you
forgive
me
for
the
reproaches
I
have
so
unjustly
—
so
wantonly
uttered
relative
to
Richard
Markham
?
"
"
Think
not
of
the
past
,
dearest
father
,
"
answered
the
maiden
:
"
the
present
is
so
full
of
joy
,
and
hope
,
and
glory
,
that
we
should
not
feel
wearied
of
contemplating
it
.
"
"
And
,
whatever
may
be
the
result
of
this
contest
,
"
observed
the
Princess
of
Castelcicala
to
her
husband
,
"
you
will
always
acknowledge
that
Richard
is
a
hero
?
"
"
He
is
a
young
man
whom
the
greatest
sovereign
in
the
world
might
be
proud
to
claim
as
a
son
!
"
ejaculated
the
Prince
,
enthusiastically
.
Isabella
pressed
her
mother
's
hand
tenderly
for
having
obtained
this
most
welcome
avowal
.
The
health
of
Prince
Alberto
now
rapidly
improved
;
and
in
a
few
days
he
was
enabled
to
leave
the
couch
to
which
he
had
been
confined
for
many
weary
weeks
.
And
Isabella
—
Oh
!
all
the
charming
carnation
tinge
had
come
back
to
her
cheeks
;
and
her
eyes
were
brilliant
with
the
purest
rays
of
happiness
and
hope
.
Her
fondest
dreams
—
her
brightest
visions
were
all
but
realised
:
her
lover
was
accomplishing
those
grand
destinies
of
which
her
mental
vision
had
caught
glimpses
ere
his
departure
from
England
;
and
the
world
was
already
busy
with
his
name
.
And
now
,
too
,
was
that
name
ever
upon
the
tongue
of
her
father
,
who
pronounced
it
with
admiration
and
respect
.
A
few
days
after
the
arrival
of
the
intelligence
of
the
decisive
victory
of
Abrantani
,
the
newspapers
acquainted
the
illustrious
Italian
family
with
the
fact
that
the
Committee
of
Government
at
Montoni
had
bestowed
the
title
of
Marquis
of
Estella
upon
the
youthful
Commander-in-Chief
of
the
Armies
of
Castelcicala
.
Oh
!
with
what
joyous
feelings
—
with
what
ineffable
emotions
of
enthusiasm
,
did
the
charming
Isabella
read
aloud
to
her
parents
that
account
of
her
lover
's
elevation
,
—
an
elevation
which
,
as
he
himself
had
felt
convinced
,
must
remove
one
grand
obstacle
that
had
hitherto
existed
in
the
way
of
their
happiness
.
And
how
did
her
young
heart
beat
and
her
bosom
heave
,
when
her
father
exclaimed
,
in
an
emphatic
tone
,
"
Yes
—
Richard
is
now
a
Marquis
,
and
may
take
his
rank
amongst
the
proudest
peers
in
the
universe
;
—
but
there
is
a
higher
grade
which
he
yet
may
reach
—
and
it
will
be
a
happy
day
for
us
all
when
I
shall
say
to
him
,
'
Receive
my
daughter
as
the
reward
of
your
achievements
,
and
become
a
Prince
!
'
"
Isabella
threw
herself
at
her
father
's
feet
,
and
pressed
to
her
lips
the
hand
which
she
also
moistened
with
her
tears
.
She
endeavoured
to
murmur
words
of
gratitude
for
that
most
welcome
assurance
;
but
her
heart
was
too
full
—
she
could
only
weep
!
It
was
a
most
touching
scene
;
and
,
perhaps
,
never
had
that
exiled
family
experienced
more
perfect
happiness
than
on
this
occasion
.
But
the
sentiment
was
soon
destined
to
give
way
to
new
fears
and
fresh
anxieties
.
It
was
well-known
that
Montoni
was
besieged
by
an
immense
Austrian
force
;
and
the
English
newspapers
,
in
commenting
upon
the
position
of
the
Constitutionalists
,
declared
that
though
the
moral
effects
of
so
decisive
a
victory
as
that
of
Abrantani
must
be
very
great
,
there
was
nevertheless
much
room
to
doubt
whether
the
Marquis
of
Estella
would
be
able
to
assemble
an
army
sufficiently
strong
to
march
to
the
relief
of
the
capital
.
Prince
Alberto
trembled
as
he
read
these
observations
;
because
he
not
only
comprehended
their
justice
,
but
was
also
well
aware
that
the
fate
of
Castelcicala
could
be
alone
decided
by
a
pitched
battle
between
the
Austrians
and
the
Constitutionalists
.
He
endeavoured
to
conceal
his
misgivings
from
his
wife
and
daughter
:
but
they
saw
what
was
passing
in
his
mind
;
—
and
thus
all
was
still
anxiety
and
hope
—
uncertainty
and
fervent
aspiration
,
at
the
mansion
of
the
Prince
.
Thus
did
a
few
days
pass
;
and
Alberto
suffered
a
slight
relapse
,
in
consequence
of
the
nervous
state
of
doubt
in
which
he
was
plunged
.
All
his
hopes
—
all
his
interests
—
all
his
prospects
were
at
stake
.
If
the
Constitutionalists
were
successful
,
a
crown
awaited
him
:
if
the
Austrians
triumphed
,
the
Grand
Duke
Angelo
had
pledged
himself
to
adopt
a
scion
of
the
imperial
family
of
Vienna
as
the
heir
to
the
throne
.
Thus
Prince
Alberto
hovered
between
a
glorious
elevation
or
a
fatal
fall
.
The
Princess
,
his
wife
,
entertained
sanguine
hopes
that
a
campaign
so
successfully
begun
,
would
terminate
in
triumph
;
and
Isabella
called
every
argument
to
her
aid
to
convince
her
father
and
mother
that
all
must
end
well
!
Nevertheless
,
poor
girl
!
she
also
had
her
intervals
of
doubt
and
alarm
;
and
many
were
the
tears
which
she
shed
in
secret
as
she
prayed
for
the
safety
of
her
lover
.
And
now
how
eagerly
was
the
arrival
of
the
postman
looked
for
every
day
;
how
anxiously
was
the
presence
of
the
newspaper
awaited
!
At
length
,
on
the
morning
of
the
29th
of
January
,
all
doubts
were
cleared
up
—
all
uncertainties
terminated
.
The
illustrious
family
was
seated
at
the
breakfast
table
—
a
mere
ceremonious
mockery
,
for
they
were
unable
to
eat
a
morsel
.
Presently
a
servant
entered
,
and
presented
the
morning
paper
to
the
Prince
.
Alberto
opened
it
with
a
trembling
hand
:
his
wife
and
daughter
watched
him
attentively
.
Suddenly
he
started
—
his
eyes
were
lighted
up
with
their
wonted
fires
—
a
flush
appeared
on
his
pale
cheek
—
and
he
exclaimed
in
a
fervent
tone
,
"
O
God
!
I
thank
thee
!
"
He
could
say
no
more
:
his
emotions
nearly
overpowered
him
,
weakened
as
he
was
by
a
long
illness
.
Isabella
caught
the
paper
as
it
was
falling
from
his
hands
.
One
glance
was
sufficient
:
it
told
her
all
!
For
there
—
conspicuously
displayed
at
the
head
of
a
column
—
was
the
following
glorious
announcement
:
—
"
CASTELCICALA
.
"
TOTAL
DEFEAT
OF
THE
AUSTRIANS
—
DELIVERANCE
OF
MONTONI
.
"
The
French
Government
have
received
the
following
Telegraphic
Despatch
from
Toulon
:
—
"
'
The
Castelcicalan
steamer
Torione
has
just
arrived
.
The
Austrians
were
completely
routed
on
the
23rd
.
Montoni
is
delivered
.
The
Grand
Duke
has
fled
.
The
Marquis
of
Estella
entered
the
capital
at
three
o'clock
on
the
24th
.
He
has
been
appointed
Regent
until
the
arrival
of
Alberto
I
.
The
Torione
left
while
the
cannon
were
saluting
the
presence
of
the
Marquis
.
'
"
"
Let
me
be
the
first
to
congratulate
your
Serene
Highness
on
this
glorious
result
!
"
exclaimed
Isabella
,
falling
at
the
feet
of
her
father
,
and
pressing
his
hand
to
her
lips
.
"
No
—
not
on
your
knees
,
dearest
Isabel
!
"
cried
Alberto
,
now
Grand
Duke
of
Castelcicala
:
"
but
come
to
my
arms
,
sweet
girl
—
and
you
also
,
beloved
companion
of
my
banishment
,
"
he
added
,
turning
towards
his
wife
,
who
was
nearly
overcome
by
these
sudden
tidings
of
joy
:
—
"
come
to
my
arms
—
for
we
are
no
longer
exiles
—
we
shall
once
more
behold
our
native
land
!
"
How
sweet
—
how
sweet
were
the
caresses
which
those
three
illustrious
personages
now
exchanged
:
—
how
unalloyed
was
that
happiness
which
they
now
experienced
!
And
when
they
were
enabled
to
compose
their
feelings
so
far
as
to
discourse
upon
the
triumphant
result
of
the
Constitutional
cause
,
the
name
of
Richard
Markham
was
not
forgotten
!
CHAPTER
CCIII
.
RAVENSWORTH
HALL
.
In
the
immediate
neighbourhood
of
Kilburn
on
the
gentle
acclivity
rising
towards
Wilsden
Green
,
stood
a
noble
mansion
in
the
midst
of
a
spacious
park
.
Every
thing
about
that
vast
structure
,
within
and
without
,
denoted
aristocratic
grandeur
combined
with
exquisite
taste
.
The
adjunction
of
no
modern
buildings
had
spoiled
the
antique
and
time-honoured
appearance
of
Ravensworth
Hall
:
the
hand
of
the
mason
,
when
repairing
the
ravages
of
years
,
had
successfully
studied
to
preserve
the
effect
of
the
beautiful
Elizabethan
architecture
.
Thus
the
splendid
mansion
,
—
with
its
numerous
gables
,
its
tall
chimneys
,
its
picturesque
belfry
,
its
immense
windows
with
small
diamond-shaped
panes
,
and
its
ample
portals
approached
by
a
flight
of
twenty
steps
,
—
seemed
well
adapted
for
the
residence
of
a
peer
who
could
trace
his
family
back
to
the
epoch
of
the
Conquest
,
and
who
preserved
as
much
feudal
state
and
grandeur
as
modern
systems
and
habits
would
permit
.
It
was
the
1st
of
February
;
and
as
early
as
six
o'clock
on
that
morning
—
before
it
was
light
—
Ravensworth
Hall
was
a
scene
of
bustle
and
excitement
.
Some
grand
event
was
evidently
about
to
take
place
.
The
chimneys
belonging
to
the
kitchen
and
servants
'
offices
in
the
rear
of
the
building
,
sent
forth
dense
columns
of
smoke
,
which
seemed
to
imply
that
extensive
culinary
preparations
were
in
progress
.
The
butler
,
—
a
venerable
old
man
with
hair
as
white
as
snow
,
but
with
a
stately
portliness
of
form
that
was
scarcely
bent
by
age
,
—
was
busy
in
selecting
the
choicest
wine
from
the
immense
stock
of
which
he
was
the
guardian
.
The
female
domestics
were
early
employed
in
preparing
the
grand
apartments
of
the
mansion
for
the
reception
of
a
brilliant
company
:
—
windows
were
cleaned
,
coverings
removed
from
the
velvet
cushions
of
chairs
and
sofas
,
heavy
hangings
and
curtains
arranged
in
the
nicest
folds
so
as
to
display
the
richness
of
their
texture
to
the
best
advantage
,
and
China
ornaments
carefully
dusted
.
Lord
Ravensworth
rose
earlier
than
he
had
done
for
some
weeks
;
for
before
the
clock
struck
eight
he
descended
from
his
dressing-room
to
a
chamber
which
he
denominated
his
"
cabinet
.
"
He
was
a
man
of
about
fifty
years
of
age
,
and
had
evidently
been
very
handsome
.
But
his
countenance
was
now
colourless
,
haggard
,
and
painfully
indicative
of
some
deeply
seated
disease
which
was
preying
upon
his
vitals
.
His
eyes
were
sunken
and
lustreless
:
his
cheeks
were
hollow
,
—
and
yet
seldom
had
an
individual
of
his
age
possessed
so
splendid
a
set
of
teeth
,
the
whole
of
which
were
perfect
.
So
thin
and
wasted
was
his
form
,
that
,
although
he
was
naturally
of
a
powerful
and
portly
structure
,
the
dressing-gown
which
he
had
on
hung
as
loosely
about
him
as
if
on
a
skeleton
.
And
how
rapidly
had
these
ravages
of
an
unknown
and
unaccountable
malady
worked
their
terrific
influence
on
a
man
who
had
lately
appeared
to
possess
that
constitutional
vigour
and
robustness
of
health
which
predicate
a
long
life
!
Three
months
previously
to
the
time
of
which
we
are
writing
had
Lord
Ravensworth
first
experienced
a
change
in
his
physical
energies
which
began
to
alarm
him
.
He
was
then
staying
,
with
his
young
and
beautiful
wife
,
to
whom
he
had
only
then
been
married
half-a-year
,
at
his
town-mansion
;
and
when
the
primal
symptoms
of
his
malady
appeared
,
—
evidencing
themselves
in
want
of
appetite
,
intervals
of
deep
lethargic
languor
,
and
an
apathetic
listlessness
in
respect
to
every
thing
passing
around
him
,
—
his
physicians
advised
him
to
essay
the
bracing
air
and
change
of
scene
of
Ravensworth
Park
.
His
lordship
was
,
however
,
unwilling
to
remove
his
young
wife
—
the
lovely
Adeline
—
from
the
gaieties
of
London
,
at
that
season
when
all
the
fashionable
world
was
returning
to
the
metropolis
after
the
autumnal
visits
to
their
country
seats
or
favourite
watering-places
;
and
he
had
accordingly
persisted
in
passing
the
Christmas
holidays
at
his
town-residence
.
But
he
rapidly
grew
worse
:
—
his
appetite
totally
failed
him
;
and
it
was
with
the
greatest
difficulty
that
he
could
force
himself
to
take
the
sustenance
necessary
to
sustain
life
.
He
had
always
been
a
great
smoker
;
and
his
only
solace
now
appeared
to
be
his
meerschaum
.
Alone
in
his
own
private
apartment
,
he
would
sit
for
hours
with
no
other
companion
than
the
eternal
pipe
.
He
was
fond
of
oriental
tobacco
,
because
the
Turkish
and
Persian
weeds
possessed
a
peculiar
aroma
which
rendered
their
use
a
habit
comparatively
inoffensive
to
others
.
And
here
we
may
observe
that
the
only
reciprocal
attentions
which
had
taken
place
for
years
between
Lord
Ravensworth
and
his
younger
brother
,
the
Honourable
Gilbert
Vernon
,
consisted
in
the
annual
interchange
of
presents
:
—
thus
,
as
Gilbert
had
resided
in
oriental
climes
,
he
was
in
the
habit
of
sending
Lord
Ravensworth
every
year
a
small
chest
containing
the
most
rare
and
excellent
samples
of
tobacco
grown
in
Asia
Minor
and
Persia
;
and
in
return
he
received
from
his
elder
brother
a
box
filled
with
all
the
newest
English
publications
,
and
a
variety
of
choice
articles
for
the
toilette
,
such
as
Gilbert
could
not
have
procured
in
the
East
.
Thus
was
it
that
,
when
the
nobleman
found
a
strange
and
insidious
malady
growing
upon
him
,
he
naturally
sought
relief
,
both
mental
and
physical
,
in
his
favourite
recreation
;
and
never
had
the
present
of
his
brother
seemed
more
valuable
to
him
than
when
he
forgot
his
ailments
in
the
soothing
enjoyments
of
the
aromatic
Turkish
or
mildly-flavoured
Persian
tobacco
.
For
two
months
had
he
been
subject
to
a
mysterious
and
deeply-rooted
disease
,
—
which
one
physician
treated
as
atrophy
,
and
which
another
honestly
confessed
he
could
not
comprehend
,
—
when
about
the
beginning
of
the
year
,
he
had
yielded
to
the
entreaties
of
his
wife
and
removed
to
Ravensworth
Hall
.
There
he
appeared
to
rally
for
a
few
days
,
—
taking
powerful
exercise
on
horseback
and
on
foot
,
and
indulging
but
little
in
the
luxury
of
the
meerschaum
.
One
day
,
however
,
the
weather
was
so
intemperate
that
he
could
not
stir
abroad
;
and
he
passed
several
hours
in
his
"
cabinet
,
"
with
his
favourite
meerschaum
.
From
that
period
the
apathy
which
he
had
to
some
extent
shaken
off
,
returned
with
increased
power
:
his
manner
seemed
more
lethargic
and
indifferent
than
it
had
yet
been
;
and
the
companionship
of
his
pipe
grew
more
welcome
to
him
than
ever
.
He
now
spent
the
greater
portion
of
each
day
in
his
cabinet
,
with
positive
orders
that
he
was
not
to
be
disturbed
;
and
there
he
enjoyed
that
baleful
comfort
which
is
experienced
by
the
Teryaki
,
or
oriental
opium-eaters
.
Reclining
in
a
capacious
arm-chair
,
with
the
tube
of
his
meerschaum
between
his
lips
,
Lord
Ravensworth
forgot
the
world
without
,
—
remembered
not
his
wife
,
—
thought
not
of
the
infant
that
she
bore
in
her
bosom
,
—
and
even
seemed
insensible
to
the
fearful
wasting
away
which
his
physical
strength
was
rapidly
undergoing
.
He
refused
to
allow
his
physician
to
prescribe
for
him
;
and
though
the
work
of
enfeeblement
and
decay
progressed
with
alarming
velocity
,
he
seldom
appeared
to
reflect
that
he
must
shortly
be
numbered
with
the
dead
.
It
is
due
to
Adeline
to
state
that
,
—
attached
to
pleasure
and
gaiety
,
and
fond
of
society
as
she
was
,
—
she
endeavoured
to
arouse
her
husband
as
much
as
she
could
from
that
mortal
apathy
which
,
even
in
her
presence
,
shrouded
all
his
sensibilities
as
it
were
in
a
premature
grave
.
His
case
presented
the
remarkable
and
mysterious
anomaly
of
a
man
in
the
noon
of
lusty-hood
,
and
without
any
apparent
ailment
of
a
specific
kind
,
passing
out
of
existence
by
a
geometrical
progression
of
decay
.
Such
was
the
condition
of
Lord
Ravensworth
at
the
period
when
we
introduce
our
readers
to
the
Hall
.
A
few
words
will
explain
the
motive
which
had
induced
him
to
rise
at
so
unusually
early
an
hour
on
the
1st
of
February
,
and
which
also
led
him
to
a
temporary
,
and
,
alas
!
very
feeble
exertion
to
shake
off
the
torpor
of
listlessness
and
the
opiate
influence
of
his
mortal
apathy
.
Lady
Ravensworth
's
cousin
,
the
Honourable
Miss
Maria
Augusta
Victoria
Amelia
Hyacintha
Villiers
,
was
,
in
fashionable
language
,
"
to
be
that
morning
led
to
the
hymeneal
altar
.
"
This
young
lady
was
rich
only
in
her
names
:
she
was
a
portionless
orphan
;
and
the
cold
calculation
of
her
guardian
,
Lord
Rossville
(
Adeline
's
father
)
,
had
induced
him
to
consent
to
the
sacrifice
of
the
poor
girl
to
a
suitor
whose
wealth
and
title
of
Baronet
were
his
only
recommendations
.
Miss
Maria
Augusta
Victoria
Amelia
Hyacintha
Villiers
had
been
residing
with
her
cousin
Adeline
,
ever
since
the
marriage
of
the
latter
with
Lord
Ravensworth
;
and
it
was
to
consummate
the
sacrifice
ere
now
alluded
to
that
all
the
grand
preparations
before
mentioned
were
in
progress
.
Lord
and
Lady
Rossville
and
Lady
Ravensworth
all
conceived
that
Lord
Ravensworth
would
be
benefited
by
the
excitement
attending
the
assemblage
of
a
marriage
party
at
the
Hall
;
and
their
expectations
appeared
to
be
in
some
measure
justified
.
His
lordship
descended
at
an
unusually
early
hour
to
his
cabinet
,
and
,
instead
of
having
recourse
to
his
meerschaum
,
he
summoned
the
butler
,
to
whom
he
gave
instructions
relative
to
the
service
of
particular
wines
.
For
nearly
a
month
past
his
lordship
had
not
meddled
in
any
of
the
affairs
of
the
household
;
and
the
venerable
servant
was
overjoyed
to
think
that
his
noble
master
was
giving
unequivocal
signs
of
recovery
.
This
idea
seemed
to
acquire
confirmation
from
the
circumstance
that
the
nobleman
afterwards
returned
to
his
dressing-room
without
smoking
a
single
pipe
,
and
,
aided
by
his
valet
,
attired
himself
with
unusual
precision
and
care
.
"
Your
lordship
is
better
this
morning
,
"
observed
the
valet
,
deferentially
.
"
Yes
—
I
am
a
little
better
,
Quentin
,
"
returned
the
nobleman
;
"
and
yet
I
hardly
know
that
I
have
ever
felt
actually
ill.
Want
of
appetite
is
the
principal
ailment
which
affects
me
.
It
makes
me
grow
thin
,
you
perceive
:
—
but
am
I
so
very
thin
,
Quentin
?
"
"
Oh
!
no
,
my
lord
,
"
answered
the
valet
,
who
belonged
to
a
class
that
never
tell
disagreeable
truths
so
long
as
their
wages
are
regularly
paid
.
"
Your
lordship
is
certainly
not
so
stout
as
your
lordship
was
;
but
—
—
"
"
But
what
,
Quentin
?
"
"
I
think
—
if
your
lordship
would
not
be
offended
—
that
I
am
acquainted
with
the
cause
of
that
want
of
appetite
,
which
prevents
your
lordship
from
taking
proper
sustenance
.
"
"
Go
on
,
Quentin
:
I
shall
not
be
offended
.
I
know
you
are
a
faithful
fellow
,
"
exclaimed
the
nobleman
.
"
What
do
you
think
is
the
cause
?
"
"
With
your
lordship
's
permission
,
I
should
say
that
smoking
too
much
—
"
began
the
valet
,
timidly
.
"
Pooh
!
pooh
!
—
nonsense
!
"
interrupted
Lord
Ravensworth
,
impatiently
.
"
I
have
always
been
a
great
smoker
:
you
know
I
have
.
I
began
to
smoke
when
I
was
only
fourteen
;
and
as
I
was
so
long
a
bachelor
—
during
the
best
years
of
my
life
,
indeed
—
I
had
no
reason
to
curb
myself
in
my
favourite
recreation
.
It
would
be
different
,
perhaps
,
if
I
used
the
filthy
tobacco
which
you
buy
in
England
—
or
if
I
smoked
strong
Havannah
cigars
.
But
that
mild
and
aromatic
plant
,
which
is
reared
in
the
East
,
cannot
injure
a
soul
:
—
a
child
might
smoke
it
.
"
"
Your
lordship
knows
best
,
"
observed
the
valet
,
feeling
that
he
was
treading
on
delicate
ground
.
"
But
I
think
your
lordship
has
smoked
more
lately
than
—
—
"
"
I
dare
say
I
have
,
"
again
interrupted
the
nobleman
,
with
some
little
petulance
.
"
But
the
last
chest
of
tobacco
which
my
brother
sent
me
is
so
much
better
than
all
the
former
ones
;
and
there
is
such
a
delightful
soothing
influence
in
the
samples
of
Turkish
and
Persian
,
that
I
cannot
lay
aside
my
pipe
when
once
I
take
it
up
.
Let
me
see
!
It
was
only
last
October
—
yes
,
and
at
the
end
of
October
,
too
—
that
I
received
the
chest
;
and
I
have
already
made
a
deep
inroad
into
it
.
"
"
Is
the
Honourable
Mr.
Vernon
still
in
Turkey
,
my
lord
?
"
inquired
the
valet
.
"
Yes
:
at
least
,
when
I
heard
from
him
last
—
that
was
when
he
sent
me
the
chest
of
tobacco
in
October
—
he
stated
in
his
letter
that
he
should
yet
remain
abroad
for
two
or
three
years
.
He
seems
devoted
to
the
East
.
But
you
know
,
Quentin
,
that
he
and
I
are
not
upon
the
very
best
of
terms
,
although
we
occasionally
correspond
and
interchange
little
civilities
every
now
and
then
.
However
,
I
can
scarcely
blame
myself
for
any
coldness
that
may
subsist
between
us
.
I
have
behaved
to
him
as
an
elder
brother
ought
to
a
younger
one
;
—
and
because
I
would
not
consent
to
minister
to
his
extravagant
propensities
he
took
umbrage
.
When
I
espoused
her
ladyship
last
May
,
I
wrote
to
Mr.
Vernon
,
who
was
then
at
Beyrout
,
acquainting
him
with
that
event
;
and
his
reply
,
which
accompanied
the
chest
of
tobacco
in
October
,
was
more
kind
and
conciliatory
than
I
could
have
expected
,
considering
his
gloomy
and
morose
character
.
"
"
I
am
glad
that
he
exhibited
a
proper
feeling
towards
your
lordship
,
"
said
Quentin
,
by
way
of
making
some
observation
,
because
his
master
had
paused
.
"
And
so
am
I
,
"
continued
the
nobleman
.
"
Then
I
wrote
to
him
again
in
November
,
to
inform
him
that
Lady
Ravensworth
was
in
a
way
that
gave
promise
of
a
continuation
of
our
name
,
—
the
name
of
Ravensworth
is
a
very
ancient
one
,
Quentin
—
—
"
"
Yes
,
my
lord
.
I
believe
your
lordship
can
trace
it
back
to
the
invasion
of
Britain
by
the
Romans
?
"
"
No
—
not
quite
that
,
"
returned
the
nobleman
;
"
but
to
the
conquest
by
William
the
Norman
.
However
,
I
wrote
to
my
brother
,
as
I
have
informed
you
;
and
I
received
no
answer
.
I
therefore
conclude
that
he
has
renewed
his
travels
through
Asia-Minor
.
"
The
toilet
of
Lord
Ravensworth
was
now
complete
;
and
he
hesitated
for
a
moment
whether
he
should
repair
to
his
cabinet
and
take
"
just
one
little
pipe
,
"
or
whether
he
should
hasten
to
the
drawing-room
at
once
.
The
valet
understood
what
was
passing
in
the
nobleman
's
mind
;
but
as
he
was
really
attached
to
his
master
,
and
moreover
entertained
a
belief
that
the
too
liberal
use
of
tobacco
had
reduced
him
to
his
present
wretched
physical
condition
,
he
hastened
to
exclaim
,
"
The
company
are
already
assembled
,
my
lord
,
in
the
drawing-room
;
and
her
ladyship
will
be
quite
delighted
to
see
your
lordship
looking
so
very
well
to-day
.
"
Once
more
Lord
Ravensworth
,
who
for
a
moment
was
about
to
relapse
into
a
state
of
listless
apathy
,
brightened
up
,
and
wrestled
with
the
fatal
influence
that
was
creeping
over
him
;
and
in
this
improved
state
of
mind
and
body
he
proceeded
to
the
drawing-room
.
CHAPTER
CCIV
THE
BRIDE
AND
BRIDEGROOM
.
A
brilliant
assembly
was
collected
in
the
principal
saloon
of
Ravensworth
Hall
.
Lord
Rossville
,
—
a
tall
,
thin
,
stern-looking
man
,
—
and
Lady
Rossville
,
—
a
very
short
,
stout
,
and
affected
dame
,
—
were
amongst
the
most
conspicuous
by
rank
and
station
.
Lady
Ravensworth
seemed
as
beautiful
as
Lydia
Hutchinson
had
described
her
;
and
,
as
she
was
rather
pale
and
delicate
in
consequence
of
being
in
an
"
interesting
situation
,
"
she
was
really
a
being
who
might
be
termed
,
without
any
poetical
exaggeration
,
sweetly
fascinating
.
But
no
one
who
there
beheld
the
elegant
and
proud
peeress
,
doing
the
honours
of
her
splendid
mansion
to
a
circle
of
noble
guests
,
would
have
imagined
that
,
when
plain
Miss
Adeline
Enfield
,
she
had
played
the
wanton
at
so
tender
an
age
,
and
given
birth
to
a
child
in
a
miserable
garret
!
The
Honourable
Miss
Maria
Augusta
Victoria
Amelia
Hyacintha
Villiers
was
a
beautiful
,
but
timid
and
retiring
,
girl
of
seventeen
;
—
and
as
she
now
appeared
in
the
virginal
white
which
custom
had
compelled
her
to
assume
for
the
consummation
of
a
sacrifice
which
she
felt
—
Oh
!
how
keenly
felt
,
—
it
was
easy
for
a
benevolent
eye
to
perceive
that
she
was
a
victim
to
cold
calculation
,
and
not
a
happy
bride
about
to
accompany
to
the
altar
one
whom
she
loved
.
But
there
were
no
benevolent
eyes
there
:
—
there
seldom
are
in
fashionable
life
and
in
such
cases
.
The
expression
of
blank
despair
which
marked
the
countenance
of
the
young
bride
was
regarded
only
as
the
token
of
maidenly
reserve
and
bashfulness
.
Not
that
she
loved
another
:
no
—
her
heart
was
entirely
her
own
;
—
but
she
was
about
to
be
given
to
a
man
whom
she
abhorred
.
"
Why
did
she
not
remonstrate
with
her
guardian
?
"
asks
the
innocent
reader
.
Remonstrate
with
a
stanch
Tory
and
High-Church-supporting
peer
like
Lord
Rossville
?
Ridiculous
!
He
who
believed
that
the
people
are
mere
machines
formed
to
toil
for
the
aristocracy
,
was
not
likely
to
listen
with
even
common
patience
to
the
remonstrances
of
a
young
maiden
for
whom
he
believed
he
had
arranged
a
splendid
destiny
.
"
But
,
then
,
poor
Maria
might
have
opened
her
heart
to
Lady
Rossville
?
"
says
that
self-same
innocent
reader
.
Equally
ridiculous
!
A
mother
who
had
intrigued
so
well
as
to
foist
her
own
daughter
upon
an
elderly
noble
like
Lord
Ravensworth
,
and
who
imagined
that
matrimony
was
nothing
more
nor
less
in
respect
to
young
ladies
than
"
catching
at
the
first
rich
man
who
offered
himself
,
"
was
very
far
from
being
the
proper
person
at
whose
hands
the
orphan
and
portionless
Maria
could
obtain
a
reprieve
of
the
death-sentence
which
had
been
pronounced
upon
her
heart
.
In
high
life
how
many
matrimonial
connexions
are
based
on
the
calculations
of
sordid
interest
,
instead
of
the
sympathies
of
the
soul
!
And
then
the
hoary
peer
or
the
decrepid
nabob
is
surprised
that
his
young
wife
proves
unfaithful
to
his
bed
,
and
declaims
against
the
profligacy
of
her
conduct
in
yielding
to
the
temptations
of
a
deeply-seated
love
for
another
—
a
love
which
was
perhaps
engendered
before
the
ignominious
sacrifice
of
her
person
to
the
sexagenarian
husband
was
ever
thought
of
!
But
to
return
to
the
drawing-room
at
Ravensworth
Hall
.
Amongst
the
select
party
assembled
,
we
must
especially
mention
the
Honourable
Miss
Wigmore
and
the
Honourable
Miss
Helena
Sophia
Alexandrina
Wigmore
—
the
bridesmaids
,
who
looked
as
if
they
had
much
rather
have
been
principal
instead
of
secondary
actresses
in
the
matrimonial
ceremony
.
There
also
was
the
newly-appointed
Bishop
of
the
Carribbee
Islands
—
solemn
in
lawn
sleeves
,
and
pompous
in
the
display
of
his
episcopal
importance
.
Lounging
near
the
chair
of
a
very
pretty
girl
,
with
whom
he
was
conversing
,
stood
Count
Swindeliski
—
a
refugee
who
sported
enormous
whiskers
,
who
had
found
his
way
into
fashionable
society
no
one
exactly
knew
how
,
and
who
had
the
extraordinary
but
not
altogether
uncommon
knack
of
living
at
the
rate
of
five
thousand
a-year
—
upon
nothing
!
Then
there
were
several
Members
of
Parliament
who
had
collected
together
near
a
window
,
and
were
disputing
with
all
their
talent
whether
there
ought
to
be
a
duty
of
one
halfpenny
or
three-farthings
per
hundred
on
foreign
brick-bats
.
Near
an
open
piano
was
gathered
a
group
of
very
young
ladies
,
engaged
in
an
edifying
discussion
on
the
character
of
some
other
very
young
lady
who
was
not
present
.
Conversing
with
Lord
Rossville
was
the
owner
of
half
a
county
,
who
could
return
six
Members
to
Parliament
with
the
greatest
ease
,
but
could
not
for
the
life
of
him
return
a
sensible
answer
to
even
the
plainest
question
.
Standing
apart
from
all
the
rest
,
was
a
young
country
clergyman
,
who
kept
turning
up
the
whites
of
his
eyes
as
if
in
a
constant
agony
of
some
kind
or
another
—
but
really
because
he
was
in
the
presence
of
a
Bishop
,
although
the
said
Bishop
never
once
cast
his
reverend
eyes
that
way
.
Then
there
was
the
Dowager
Countess
of
Brazenphace
,
who
had
"
got
off
"
seven
out
of
nine
red-haired
daughters
,
and
had
brought
the
two
remaining
single
ones
with
her
just
to
see
if
they
could
not
make
an
impression
somewhere
or
another
.
There
also
was
the
celebrated
German
philosopher
Baron
Torkemdef
,
who
had
written
a
work
in
fourteen
quarto
volumes
to
prove
that
there
is
no
such
thing
as
matter
—
that
we
do
not
really
exist
—
but
that
we
ourselves
and
every
thing
else
are
mere
ideas
.
This
learned
man
was
,
as
might
be
supposed
,
a
very
valuable
acquisition
to
a
bridal
party
.
Seated
next
to
Lady
Rossville
was
the
Honourable
Mrs.
Berrymenny
,
who
had
seen
five
husbands
consigned
to
the
tomb
,
and
was
looking
out
for
a
sixth
.
It
was
,
however
,
probable
that
she
was
doomed
to
look
long
enough
,
inasmuch
as
she
had
no
fortune
,
and
had
already
reached
the
comfortable
age
of
fifty-three
.
Lastly
,
there
was
the
elegant
and
accomplished
Miss
Blewstocken
,
who
was
known
to
have
written
a
volume
of
poems
which
had
an
excellent
circulation
(
amongst
the
butter-shops
)
,
and
who
was
suspected
of
having
perpetrated
a
novel
.
These
are
all
the
stars
whom
it
is
worth
while
to
signalise
amidst
a
galaxy
of
some
fifty
personages
.
The
bridegroom
had
not
yet
arrived
:
he
was
expected
to
make
his
appearance
at
about
half-past
eight
.
When
Lord
Ravensworth
entered
the
room
,
every
one
who
had
not
lately
seen
him
was
shocked
at
the
dreadful
change
which
had
taken
place
in
him
;
but
of
course
the
guests
,
one
and
all
,
assured
him
that
they
had
never
seen
him
look
so
well
before
.
Adeline
sighed
deeply
—
for
she
could
not
help
thinking
that
it
was
a
miserable
mockery
for
a
gaunt
and
almost
fleshless
skeleton
thus
to
deck
itself
out
in
an
apparel
befitting
a
bridal
:
—
moreover
,
the
idea
that
if
her
yet
unborn
offspring
should
prove
a
girl
,
the
broad
lands
and
noble
Hall
of
Ravensworth
would
pass
away
to
another
,
was
ever
uppermost
in
her
mind
.
To
conceal
her
emotions
,
she
hastened
to
the
side
of
poor
Maria
Villiers
,
to
whom
she
said
,
"
It
is
very
strange
that
the
lady's-maid
whom
you
have
hired
did
not
come
last
evening
,
as
promised
.
"
"
It
is
,
indeed
,
very
annoying
,
"
observed
Maria
,
whose
sorrows
were
,
however
,
too
deep
to
permit
her
mind
to
be
even
ruffled
by
that
trifling
source
of
vexation
.
"
But
never
mind
,
"
continued
Lady
Ravensworth
,
in
a
whisper
;
"
you
shall
take
my
maid
Flora
with
you
,
and
I
will
either
find
another
at
my
leisure
,
or
keep
the
one
whom
you
have
engaged
,
should
she
make
her
appearance
after
you
have
left
.
"
"
This
is
very
kind
of
you
,
Adeline
,
"
said
Maria
,
mechanically
.
"
I
am
afraid
you
did
not
manage
well
in
your
first
essay
in
choosing
dependants
,
dear
Maria
,
"
observed
Lady
Ravensworth
.
"
You
were
attracted
by
the
advertisement
in
the
Morning
Herald
;
whereas
I
never
should
think
of
taking
a
lady's-maid
who
advertises
.
Then
,
as
you
yourself
told
me
,
you
went
to
some
out-of-the-way
place
in
the
City
for
the
young
woman
's
character
.
"
"
Oh
!
I
was
perfectly
satisfied
,
Adeline
,
"
interrupted
Maria
,
to
whom
this
conversation
appeared
trivial
in
the
extreme
on
an
occasion
so
fraught
with
solemnity
to
herself
.
Lady
Ravensworth
was
about
to
make
some
reply
,
when
Lord
Rossville
,
who
had
been
standing
at
the
window
for
the
last
few
moments
,
exclaimed
,
"
Here
's
the
bridegroom
!
"
A
cold
shudder
passed
over
Maria
's
frame
;
and
it
seemed
as
if
her
heart
had
been
suddenly
swathed
in
ice
.
She
alone
retained
her
place
:
all
the
other
persons
present
hurried
to
the
window
.
And
,
sure
enough
,
the
bridegroom
was
in
view
;
and
a
very
funny
view
it
was
.
Perched
upon
the
back
of
an
enormous
bright
bay
horse
,
the
"
happy
man
"
never
appeared
more
miserable
in
his
life
.
He
was
tugging
at
the
reins
with
all
his
might
;
but
the
huge
animal
galloped
furiously
along
in
spite
of
the
efforts
made
to
restrain
its
speed
.
The
bridegroom
's
feet
were
thrust
as
far
as
they
could
go
into
the
stirrups
:
his
hat
was
rammed
tight
down
over
his
eyes
,
to
prevent
it
from
blowing
away
;
—
his
form
was
bent
,
or
rather
crouched
up
,
like
that
of
a
monkey
;
—
with
his
right
hand
he
held
fast
by
the
horse
's
mane
;
—
and
with
his
left
he
continued
tugging
at
the
bit
and
bradoon
.
The
poor
animal
itself
seemed
to
wonder
,
like
John
Gilpin
's
steed
,
what
sort
of
a
thing
it
had
got
upon
its
back
;
for
its
eyes
glared
,
and
its
nostrils
dilated
with
affright
:
while
its
whole
body
was
covered
with
a
greasy
perspiration
,
and
white
flakes
of
foam
kept
falling
from
its
mouth
.
In
this
manner
did
the
bridegroom
rush
madly
,
but
with
involuntary
speed
,
through
the
spacious
Park
towards
the
Hall
.
At
a
short
distance
behind
him
rode
another
cavalier
,
who
managed
his
horse
well
,
and
amused
himself
by
maintaining
a
succession
of
shouts
and
hurrahs
after
the
bridegroom
,
whereby
that
unfortunate
individual
's
steed
was
only
affrighted
all
the
more
.
A
third
person
on
horseback
appeared
at
a
greater
distance
still
;
but
this
was
the
bridegroom
's
servant
.
"
A
most
un-christianlike
and
decidedly
unhallowed
manner
for
a
bridegroom
to
comport
himself
,
"
said
the
Bishop
of
the
Carribbee
Islands
,
as
he
contemplated
this
ludicrous
display
of
horsemanship
.
"
It
certainly
is
strange
,
"
observed
Lord
Rossville
.
"
But
perhaps
our
young
friend
is
anxious
to
display
his
skill
—
—
"
"
No
such
a
ting
,
milor
—
no
such
a
ting
!
"
ejaculated
Count
Swindeliski
,
caressing
his
whiskers
.
"
Dat
young
gentelman
's
von
great
homebogue
;
and
if
me
was
dere
,
me
hit
him
some
kick
for
his
pain
.
"
"
Ah
!
he
does
n't
ride
so
well
as
my
poor
dear
fourth
,
"
said
Mrs.
Berrymenny
,
with
a
profound
sigh
,
as
she
thus
alluded
to
one
of
her
husbands
.
"
It
's
all
vanity
and
vexation
of
spirit
,
"
observed
the
young
clergyman
,
glancing
deferentially
towards
the
Bishop
.
"
No
,
sir
—
it
is
not
,
sir
,
"
said
the
Bishop
sternly
:
"
it
is
sheer
bad
riding
,
sir
