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48
“I manage it!" repeated her Jadyship, who
had but small faith in any relenting on the part
of General Bouchier,. ‘‘] would sooner have
seen Isabel in her grave, than the wife of ler
cousin!”, ‘ vy
“Why so?” demanded the lady.
‘' He ws a beggar!” . .
In that_word all, her objections were com-
prised. Poverty was a crime, which no virtue
could, atone for—no genius palliate!. Had her
daughter’s husband been 2 bankrupt in honor,
in the*world’s esteem, and all which constitutes
the ornament of life, and yet been’ rich—she
~ sould have forgiven her; but to marry for love
--preposterous!, Lady MHarebell almost doubted
’. Af she really were the mother of a girl capable
of such an absurdity. .
It must be confessed that the disappointment
was very provoking, just as her hopes of secur-
ing a rich husband, both for herself and Isabel,
were changing into certainties, |: Little did, she
dream ‘that her .daughter’s. disobedience bad
been, in. all probability, the means : of saving
her own life, by preventing her entering intoa
contest with Meerdn Hafaz,.who would have
crushed her with as little remorse as he felt in
removing her accomplice, Captain Elton, from
his path. Fortunately the man whom she: de-
signed to honor with her hand was made of.
more pliable material than the young Indian. ;,
- During the day most of the guests left the
hall. . Lady Harebell was too ill to be removed,
and Colonel Mowbray remained. to attend to his
wounded friend. It did not suit either of their
plans to quit the neighborhood,
é
_ CHAPTER XLI.
Old visions haunt the creaking floors—
Old sorrows sit and wail—
» Whilst still the night-winds out of doors
‘ Like burly bailiffs rail!
Old visions haunt the floors above;
The walls with wrinkles frown;
And people say who pass that way,
*Twere well the house were down,
' -CHARLES SWAIN,
‘From. the day of the departure of the two
travelers, a deep gloom seemed to have settled
on the spirits of the inhabitants of Carrow Ab-
bey; even the domestics felt its: chilling influ-
ence. Like asunbeam which had been admitted
into the recesses of some long-closed vault. and
suddenly withdrawn, the old mansion appeared |
more lonely from ‘the absence of our hero’and
his friend Walter Mowbray, whose brief: visit
had given something like life: and animation to
the place. « It is the privilege of youth to im-
part the sunshine of its dreams and hopes to‘all
-around; for if age is forbidden’ to participate, it
at least can sympathize with them—and in that
sympathy sees its'own’ pleasures ‘and ‘pursuits
reflected in |Time’s inverted! mirror.’ Poot
‘Ellen! ‘the separation from her ‘lover was: the
first serious sorrow she’ had‘ experienced ‘since
the death of her parents; her heart’ collapsed
like a tender flower deprived of the dew which
should refresh ‘its leaves, and add-to their per-
fume and beauty. Maes Doar oy
_Tlow often, would she recall to mind each
word the absent one had spoken—his thoughts
and looks as they wandered together by the
lake, or as he sat on a pile of cushions at her
feet, in the old drawing-room, reading ‘some
favorite poet’s page—pitusing at every verse to
participate in the enjoyment his task afforded
her—to gaze into her eyes, and receive ‘ his
thanks in the cloquent tear which trembled’ on |
‘| flower which the heavy dews of night oppress,
the silken fringes of their drooping lids! :»— °
Still her grief was’ not without hope. ‘tHe
will return!” she thought, and her heart bound-
ed at the words: she found’ courage in them to
struggle with the feelings which oppressed her.
If at ‘times the fear that, in the sunny land
“he was about to visit, her lover would find one
more fair, ‘more gifted, and more worthy of
him, presented itself, she instantly disinissed.it
from her mind as an act of treason to the ab-
_ sent, and atoned for the involuntary crime by.
mentally renewing her vows of constancy and
fidelity, no matter what difficulties might arise,
’ or influence be used, to shake them.
The effect produced upon the baronet was
equally marked; he again became silent and
gloomy, shutting himself within the library to
, commune with his thoughts, or find oblivion, if
possible, in those of.others. | A’ smile was never
seen upon his countenance, unless when Ellen
visited him, when he exerted himself to appear |:
cheerful for her sake, : ;
More than once the generous-hearted man re-
broached himself with selfishness, in having
HARRY ASHTON.
i permitted her lover to depart—so sensitive was
‘he in analyzing his own motives, so indulgent
toward the feeling of others. . ° .
As for old Martin, the groom, Mrs, Jarmy
and the butler both declared that he had grown
more morose and silent than ever—there was no
getting a vord from him,’ The instant he had
taken his meals, he retreated to his usual place
of refuge—the stable—and passed half the night
in wandering about the house and grounds; his
spirifMippeared more restlesss than ever.- -
Kitty, the youngest of tht housemaids, who
was looked upon as a very giddy sort of person
by the; rest of the’ household —having only
reached the age of forty-four—was sure that
he bad something upon his mind; and Nicholls,
the gray-headed butler, although .lie did. not
care to confess it, was very much of the same
opivion.. Tbe only person in. the family to
whom the absence of. the young men. appeared
to be a relief, was the ayah. . There, was an air
of satisfaction in’ ber manner, and-a mock-
ing expression in. her, dark eye, as she list-
ened. to the regrets and suppositions of those
around her, which deeply offended the worthy
housekeeper, who more than once declared that
she looked like some evil thing rejoicing in the
desolation she had caused. : Curr
Martin was of the same way of thinking, but
he-was more cautious how he expressed his opin-
ions; yet it- was evident to those who under-
stood the old man’s ways, that he had taken a
strong antipathy to Zara, of whose movements,
for weeks past, he had been a close observer. *
Ellen had remained’ later than, usual in’ the
library,. conversing with her “uncle, whose
spirits appeared more and more depressed; and
her feelings gradually assumed , the tone of the
speaker's as she listened to his rich and mellow
voice, descanting on the future: when he spoke
of Henry and herself, it was full of hope and
promise—when he alluded to himself, it was de-
ponding but without fear, .
~“ Dream on, dearest’ Ellen,” he said; ‘for
your life has many a bright and joyous hour in
store; it were to accuse the goodness of Provi-
dence to doubt it—to break our trust in virtue!
I shall not live to witness your happiness,” he
added; ‘but if the dead are permitted to re-
visit earth, my spirit’ shall watch over it and
share it!” ‘ 7
“Speak not of dying!” exclaimed Ellen, cast-
ing her arms with filial affection round his neck,
and gazing with innocent confidence upon. his
noble features, which. sorrow, more than time,
| had invested with the character of age; ‘* why
should you have these sad anticipations?”. .
“‘Lcannot shake them off,” replied .the’ bar-
onet;.4 they haunt me like my own shadow! I
haye striven‘ against them, butin vain: there
are sympathies and warnings we cannot account
for.°, Have you. not. heard,” he added, “ how
Unfriville de. Mowbray, our ancestor, foretold
his own death, on the eve of Bosworth field?”,
“But you are not going to battle!’’. observed
his niece, with a’faint attempt to:smile; ‘he
was. on the point of a fierce encounter, where
lives were to be risked, and men were to struggle
on the red tield for mastery,” ty
‘*T. cannot reason, Ellen,” said Sir William,
‘I can only. feel:e for several days the presenti-
ment has oppressed me! _If.I have named it to
you,” he added, ‘think not. that it. proceeds
from weakness: no; it is that: I would prepare
you for the loss of one who has loved you like
a father!” OEE ny
The head: of ‘the orphan, like some gentle
sunk upon his breast. : salned |
“‘T have taken every human means,” he con-
tinued, ‘‘to secure your happiness;: po . stern
guardian, when I am gone, can: interpose, be-
tween you and your lover! In my ‘will, I bave
given’ my consent, without condition or reser-
vation, to your marriage with Henry: Ashton,
I need not say how deep a blessing followed it.
The world,. perbaps, may. condemn me - for
weakness in so doing; but what care we for its
opinions, its censure, or its praise?. hearts are
our world—we know.no other!” ‘
The feelings of the grateful and affectionate
girl became too strong to be controlled, and she
wept audibly upon his breast.
“Father!” she murmured; ‘my kind, my
second father!” t i
At this moment the turret clock struck, the
hour of midnight, . + .
“So late!” exclaimed the baronet, with sur-
prise, at the same time ringing the bell to sum-
mon.one of the domestics to light his niece to
her room, ‘* Good night; Ellent: Time flies so
L
swiftly when speaking with those
[have failed to note his steps!" , © a -
“He gently released himself from her embrace, °
and kissed her on the forehead. ~ Co
Again he rang and paused—but no one an-.
we love, that
swered, Lie pas py |
‘*The servants have all retired to. rest, ‘
he
said; ‘no matter, I will accompany you through
the picture gallery myself, ean J
Ellen would not hear of: his quitting the’
library, She knew how much le disliked visit-‘
ing the gallery, which ,contained the veiled ’
portrait’ of his fuithless wife. ’ She had ‘no.
childish, superstitious, dread, and _ positively:
refused the offer. a a a
“You mock’ me, uncle!” she’ said, at the ’
same time taking. up’one of the candles from”
the ‘table.
soon, pass through the picture gallery at mid-
night as at the hour of noon! I am not achild, *
to be startled at shadows!” ’ yd
Sir William smiled sadly—for he guessed her
motive—and once tnore bade her good night,
Ellen entered the great’ hall, where the lamp!
was still burning, and mounting the massive,
caryed oaken staircase, ; proceeded along the’
north: corridor, which” terminated .in, a door”
leading to the picture-gallery: as she opened it,
a gust of wind: extinguished the taper in-her -
hand., She paused for. gn instant; suddenly.,
recollecting that she had’ left one of the win-.
dows open, she felt ashamed at her momentary
want of decision. , . vert on na iY | f
“T have but to cross it,’ she thought; ‘and -
Lam in my own chamber, where Zara is doubt-..
less tired of waiting for mel”... >
What should..I fear?’ I would as |
So well was she acquainted with the locality, ~
that she could have traversed it blindfold, With ;
a light step, she had passed more than half the -
length of the ‘apartment, when her ear was ~
startled by a faint, rustling sound: at first she
thought that her imagination had deceived her -
—it was repeated! . Without. slackening her
speed, she turned; her head toward the spot
whence the scund proceeded—and saw, indis- °
tinctly, a shadowy, dark figure crouching down
by the side of a large Indian cabinet, and a pair
of dark eyes, which shone like'a tiger’s in th
dark, fixed upon ber. ‘ :
How the heart of the orphan beat—she could
almost hear its throbbings! and yet she neither
screamed nor hesitated, although the sound of*
her own voice would have been a relief to her,
She remembered the words, 'the anticipations of
her uncle—and affection ‘nerved her with des-
perate courage, - Silently she pursued her way
till she reached the door at the end of the gal-
lery, and placing her hand upon the lock, 1t
trembled so she could not. open: it; and, ‘to
add to her terror, she faucied she‘ heard a light
step behind her. tetas : ieee
“What stupid person,” she exclaimed half-
alotid,’**has turned the key?) 28
arrested, 9 5 . ,
Grasping the handle with a convulsive effort,’
it turned in her hand, and ‘she entered a second!
corridor,’ at ‘the’ end of which was her own
apartment, 7 wee
‘Bring me a light, Zara!” she called, in as_:
firm a tone as she could command; ‘ mine is
extinguished!” . fe Fee. a
The next, moment the door of her room,
opened, and the ayah appeared, with a lighted,
taper in her band. es
. With ‘all’ her ‘treachery and waywardness of
character, the Indian nurse loyed her’ foster-
child with an affection’ second, only to. her,
The words saved her—the footsteps were:
Vip gg tee gt teres
.| slavish devotion to Meeran Ilafaz; and when
she saw the quivering lip, the pale cheek, and
glance of terror of the affrighted girl, she de-:
manded what had happened... ’. Lees
Fortunately she spoke in Hindostance. —
“Hush!” said Ellen, inthe’ same language,”
‘*Not a word—a*breath!, There is some rufflan
in the picture-gallery: I saw the, glare, Of ‘bis
fierce eye fixed on me!" Ot ,
Theayah drew.a long, glittering blade from
beneath the folds of her dress,,and passed with
*| the rapidity of thought between her young mis-
tress and the door,of. the picture-gallery., Al
that moment. she was really. beautiful fo het.
fidelity, as she stood, fierce as a lioness, guard:
ing her threatened yourg—her nostrils dilated
with passion, ner’hand pressing the weapon,
which she well knew how to use... ; 0.: 617°
‘Fear. not!” she whispered; ‘they must shee
my heart’s blood before they injure you!” 8
“‘It is not my life,” replied the orphan, with
sudden recollection, ‘* but one far more precious
than mine. which is threatened! 3.50 oy j4.s0
‘