"Certainly," replied the gentleman, as he tenderly paid his adieus; then
throwing himself into the chaise, it dashed from the door, like the
passage of a meteor. The horsemen followed; the unridden charger,
obedient to the orders of his keeper, wheeled gracefully into his
station; and in an instant they were all lost amidst the wood, through
which the road to the park gates conducted.
After lingering without until the last of her brother's followers had
receded from her sight, the lady retired through ranks of liveried
footmen and maids, whom curiosity or respect had collected.
The young traveller wore a gloom on his expressive features, amidst the
pageantry that surrounded him, which showed the insufficiency of wealth
and honors to fill the sum of human happiness. As his carriage rolled
proudly up an eminence ere he had reached the confines of his extensive
park, his eye rested, for a moment, on a scene in which meadows,
forests, fields waving with golden corn, comfortable farm-houses
surrounded with innumerable cottages, were seen, in almost endless
variety. All these owned him for their lord, and one quiet smile of
satisfaction beamed on his face as he gazed on the unlimited view. Could
the heart of that youth have been read, it would at that moment have
told a story very different from the feelings such a scene is apt to
excite; it would have spoken the consciousness of well applied wealth,
the gratification of contemplating meritorious deeds, and a heartfelt
gratitude to the Being which had enabled him to become the dispenser of
happiness to so many of his fellow-creatures.
"Which way, my lord, so early?" cried a gentleman in a phaeton, as he
drew up, on his way to a watering place, to pay his own parting
compliments.
"To Eltringham, Sir Owen, to attend the marriage of my kinsman, Mr.
Denbigh, to one of the sisters of the marquess."
A few more questions and answers, and the gentlemen, exchanging friendly
adieus, pursued each his own course; Sir Owen Ap Rice pushing forward
for Cheltenham, and the Earl of Pendennyss proceeding to act as
groomsman to his cousin.
The gates of Eltringham were open to the admission of many an equipage
on the following day, and the heart of the Lady Laura beat quick, as the
sound of wheels, at different times, reached her ears. At last an
unusual movement in the house drew her to a window of her dressing-room,
and the blood rushed to her heart as she beheld the equipages which were
rapidly approaching, and through the mist which stole over her eyes she
saw alight from the first, the Duke of Derwent and the bridegroom. The
next contained Lord Pendennyss, and the last the Bishop of----. Lady
Laura waited to see no more, but with a heart filled with terror, hope,
joy, and uneasiness, she threw herself into the arms of one of her
sisters.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account