Emmeline, the Orphan of the CastleSmith, Charlotte
General
Emmeline, the Orphan of the Castle
Smith, Charlotte
Gothic fiction; Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 18th century -- Fiction; Marriage -- Fiction; Single women -- Fiction
Emmeline, who thought she could not be gone too soon, now hastily
finished the remainder of her packing; and having dressed herself for
her journey, which notwithstanding her sleepless night she rejoiced to
find so near, she waited with impatience 'till Mr. Headly summoned her
to go.
CHAPTER VI
The sun no sooner appeared above the horizon, than her conductor was
ready with his one-horse chair: and Emmeline being seated in it, and her
little baggage adjusted, she left the door of the castle; where Maloney,
who saw his favourite hopes vanish as he feared for ever, stood with a
rueful countenance to behold her departure.
However desirous she was of quitting a residence which had long been
uneasy to her, and which was now become so extremely improper, such is
the force of early habit, that she could not bid it adieu without being
greatly affected.
There she had passed her earliest infancy, and had known, in that period
of unconscious happiness, many delightful hours which would return no
more.
It was endeared to her by the memory of that good friend who had
supplied to her the place of a parent; from whom alone she had ever
heard the soothing voice of maternal solicitude. And as she passed by
the village church, which had been formerly the chapel of the monastery,
and joined the castle walls, she turned her eyes, filled with tears,
towards the spot where the remains of Mrs. Carey were deposited, and
sighed deeply; a thousand tender and painful recollections crouding on
her heart.
As she left the village, several women and children, who had heard she
was going that day, were already waiting to bid her farewell;
considering her as the last of that family, by whom they had been
employed when in health, and relieved when in sickness; they lamented
her departure as their greatest misfortune.
The present possessor of the castle bore not the name of Mowbray, and
was not at all interested for the peasantry, among whom he was a
stranger; they therefore, in losing Emmeline, seemed to lose the last of
the race of their ancient benefactors.
Emmeline, affected by their simple expressions of regret, returned their
good wishes with tears; and as soon as the chaise drove out of the
village, again fixed her eyes on the habitation she had quitted.
Its venerable towers rising above the wood in which it was almost
embosomed, made one of the most magnificent features of a landscape,
which now appeared in sight.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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