John de Lancaster: a novel; vol. II.Cumberland, Richard
General
John de Lancaster: a novel; vol. II.
Cumberland, Richard
Wales, North -- Fiction
Who drove the evil spirit out of Saul, replied the minstrel?
You have said it sure enough, rejoined Philip; but we must proceed
cautiously, and not give her too much of it. A short strain, and
something in her own way, of the pensive cast--You have the name, the
instrument and the art of the royal minstrel, but recollect the peril he
was in, and be aware how you proceed too far in stirring up and
stimulating the passions.
Thus having said, he departed, whilst the hoary-headed enthusiast seized
his harp, and full of the muse called amain for his son to lead him.
Whilst this was passing in the turret, Cecilia with our young hero had
paid an evening visit to Mrs. De Lancaster in her apartment. She was
more than fancifully ill, for her sunken eyes and hectic looks too
plainly indicated a constitution breaking up. Her spirits however were
just now in that kind of nervous flutter, which carries a resemblance to
gaiety, and she was more than ordinarily communicative and disposed to
talk.
Their conversation turned upon the preparations making for the
approaching festival--You will look in upon us I hope, said Cecilia; and
if you apprehend the company will be too much for you, I’ll have the
latticed gallery in the hall kept private, where nobody will molest you.
There will be music, sister, and I flatter myself you have no dislike to
that.
None, replied Mrs. De Lancaster, to music, properly so called, but
infinite dislike and horror for trumpets and cudgel-playing, and noisy
bawling drunkards, who shout over their cups, and rattle them on the
table by way of applause: these are generally the accompaniments of a
Welch carousal.
You have none such to expect with us, believe me, said Cecilia. We shall
not make it a Saint David’s day, take my word for it.
No, cried the invalid, one such as I experienced, when this poor thing
was hurried into the world, has been one too many, and left me more to
struggle with than I shall ever overcome--and here her spirits sunk, and
her countenance assumed a melancholy cast, whilst she turned her languid
eyes upon her son.
I am sorry to hear you talk thus, the gentle Cecilia replied: I was in
hopes, that now when all the troubles of that time are over, you would
have looked back to that day as a day of happiness and comfort. I am
persuaded that your son will never give you cause to regret what you
suffered for his sake; and now that he is in train to receive an
excellent education, what may we not expect from the brilliancy of his
talents, and the virtues of his heart?
Yes, yes, she cried with a desponding sigh, I know what I am to expect
from the education he will receive. Every thing I dare say they will
teach him but humility and that discernment, which might constitute his
happiness. He will split upon the rock, that was so fatal to his
wretched mother, and they, on whom his destiny depends, will immolate
another victim to ambitious fortune and the pride of family.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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