4 V(^ (^ THE SOLDIER'S FAMILY OR, GUARDIAN GENIL A ROMANCE. IN FOUR VOLUMES. BY ANNE ORMSBY, AUTHOR OF MEMOIRS OF A FAMILY IN SWISSERLAND, VOL. I. " Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." St. Matthew v. 48. LONDON: Printed by J. G. Barnard, Snow-HUl, FOR B. CROSBY AND CO., STATIONERS' -COURT, PATERNOSTER-ROW. 1807. Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive in 2010 witin funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/soldiersfamilyor01orms f^3 ^ ' • THE SOLDIER'S FAMILY; OR, GUARDIAN GENII. CHAP. I. '* That spirit which arises from the consciousness of ancient -: and noble ancestry, is laudable ; for it naturally inspires elevated ^ sentiments, under the influence of which we attain virtue, and /^ must be truly dignified in whatever circumstances we are placed; "■"^ for we then have power to ennoble a depressed situation in life, ^^ or give genuine lustre to the most exalted station in society." r It .q J.N a retired part of Ireland, and romantically ^ seated on the border of one of those beautiful '" and expansive sheets of water with which Hi- bernia abounds, stood an antiquated dwelling, surrounded by a wide domain, named Glenrock. vv This place derived its appellation from a deep ^rocky dell, luxuriantly fringed with alpine shrub^^ I VOL. I. 2 THE SOLDIER S FAMILY; down whose rugged channel a torrent precipitated itself into the lake. The foamy waters were in some places concealed from view by the wild tangled bushes that bloomed in profusion around, and shot their branches across the stream ; which frequently, in its rapid descent, gushed forth amidst impending acclivities, and rushed down the steep in bright argentine sheets, till, broken by subjacent masses of stone, it scattered into glistening spray, and in perturbed waves dashed into the broad expanse of transhicent crystal, on the placid bosom of which the neighbouring scenery was depicted. The white rustic cottages of the rural hamlet of Glenrock shelved down to the very verge of the lake, embosomed amidst woody hills ; and these were adorned by several charming villas and castles, belonging to the nobility and gentry in the vicinity of the village. Glenrock park stretched over a beautifully di- versified tract, comprehending the glen aheady mentioned, with several bold promontories, whose lofty summits were crowned by umbrageous hang- ing woods, waving over the lake below^, which, spreading its waters into a delightful bay, washed a gently rising iawn, encompassed by groves. OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 3 Here, sheltered from the northern blasts by stu- pendous mountains, and extending its front to the genial breezes of the south, stood the old mansion of Glenrock. It was a stately edifice, whose moss-grown walls and ivy-mantled turrets spoke of years long past, and told that the structure w ould to ages yet unborn stand as a monument of ancient gran- deur ; for, on its massive fabric, time had made few ravages. Its strong towers still reared their battlements aloft in proud magnificence, as if to mark to the retrospective mind that it had been the residence of princely pomp when Hibernia's soil was divided into several kingdoms amongst its native chieftains. In days of other times O'Connel, under the regal title, here held the sovereign sway over a wide territory and numerous vassals. In his hall^ hung round with trophies of conquest, he con- vened confederate princes to plan new victories, and often spread the feast for warriors ; while a train of brave dependants attended, and bards sung the deeds of his heroic ancestors. Not inferior to them in valour or renown, was Dermot O'Connel. He was the descendant of heroes, who had always been illustrious in the wars of Erin : but one daughter alone he boasted to grace his noble race ; and, as the royal infant, by superior beauty, promised to be the peerless virgin of her native land, her father called her by her country's name, Erina. Beauteous as the opening rose in spring, which scarce unfolds its blooming freshness to the ra- diant morn, Erina, modestly reserved, blushed when she met the ardent gaze of an admiring throng of neighbouring princes; who, contend- ing for the fairest prize Hibernia had to give, wooed the young maid of great O'Connel's line. Proiid of his lineage, the lofty chieftain des- tined the present of his daughter's hand to the most powerful of her princely suitors. And the rejected train, by direful vengeance urged, and leagued by strongest bonds of jealous ire and hatred of O'Connel, rose fierce in arms to storm his fortress, and blood and rapine marked their progress thither. The prince to whom Erina had been promised was slain in combat by his rivals, who already had invested the castle of O'Connel ; and death, with missive weapons winged, flew round the bat- tlements, threatening the virgin princess with most dreadful fate ; whose innocence to save from OR, GUARDIAN eZNIl. 5 saVage violence, her father rushed into the field, and, armed with desperate courage, dealt slaugh- ter all around; till, overpowered by superior numbers, he sunk upon the ensanguined ground, wounded by the spears of his cruel foes. Soon as the powerful chieftain fell, the cries of sad .defeat reached tlie strong castle gates, and all its roofs and walls rung vvith the piercing shrieks of female terror. Then, frantic with despair, O'Connel's daughter burst through the portals, and darted midst the embattled ranks to die beside the fallen king. Just as she reached the prostrate chief, a band of rejected suitors sprung on the virgin mourner, and were about to tear her from her father's arms^ when a tall warrior, advancing with gigantic strides, rushed through the dis- persing ranks, and stood the bold champion of insulted beauty. His armour spoke him to be a knight of Britain. Firm in the defence of in- nocence, he took his station by Erina; while she, with filial love, hung over her parent to restore his fainting powers. High round the royal pair the knight's briglit falchion gleamed terrific, and with his looks he threatened destruction to the cruel ravishers. Ail seemed appalled, till one, fiercer than his fellows, stepped forth to dare the knight to combat; who, quick advancing, on his B 3 O THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; ponderous shield received a stroke that sliivered it in twain : but with his sword he cleft the hehnet of Hibernia's son^ and stood his victor. A second new he challenged and subdued ; and then a third, v/ho fell beneatl] his spear, and unto w horn he gave a forfeit life with generous grace. Loud through O'Conners host the shouts of conr- quest hailed the Briton victor of the field ; when, from the crowd, a vengeful arm a javeliu aimed, and pierced the conqueror with a desperate wound. Prone to the earth he fell with ponderous force, and round him closed with savage yell a throng of - deadly foes. All this the grateful virgin saw with wild affright, as over her sire she hung with filial care, that had already called him once again to life. The cliief now learned to whom he stood indebted for his daughter's safety, and from the ground he sprung, by friendship nerved, to rescue him whose prowess gave him hopes to win the day. O'Con- nel's valorous arm dispersed the hostile band (whom the young wounded knight still kept at bay), and raised his bold ally to share the triumph both their swords had gained. Now in O'ConneFs hall the feast was spread; and chief amongst the heroes bidden stood the stranger knight. The festive scene, graced by the presence of the beauteous princess, shone resplendent: and the bards attuned their voices to the harp, and sung the praises of the British knight; who modest bowed, whilst on his brow O'Connel's daughter blushing placed the victor's wreath, and choral minstrels raised the song of jov. Chief of the banquet, great O'Comiel then in flowing goblets pledged the brave knight to an eternal amity ; which he accepted with a gracious smile, and earnestly demanded, as its firmest bond, the hand of the maiden of O'ConneFs race. " Mine," said the knight, ^' I boast from neigh- bouring Cambria's princely blood ; our origin the same. Nor need O'Connel blush to give his daughter to Fitz-Henry, who, under British ban- ners, comes not to destroy Hibernia's sons, but bind them with himself the faithful brethren of great Albion/' O'Connel, listening, smiled consent, and joined the fair Erina's passive baud to the gallant youth Fitz-Henry 's ; who vv^ell deserved, and had ob- tained the warmest tribute of her virgin heart. B 4 8 THE soldier's FAMILY; Long had O'Connel's spirit spurned at the oifer of alliance with the Britons, whom his arms withstood ; but now he learned to pay due ho- mage to the English throne, and, by allegiance to it, claim that powerful protection which a mighty sovereign can afford against the unjust encroach- ments of small neighbouring states; and, by thq happy union of his daughter with the Cambrian knight, added new lustre to the ancient lineage of O'Connel. Last of his royal title did he live to bless a charm- ing progeny, and make his numerous vassals peace- able, industrious, loyal, and happy subjects of the British monarchy, under the united houses of O'Connel and Fitz-Henry. From a descent thus ancient and august on cither side, the family of Fitz-Henry maintained superior consideration, and almost a sovereign authority in their country in the first years of the English dominion in Ireland. During which pe- riod their mode of living differed but little from regal state ; which in the course of some gene- rations so diminished the estate, that it descended to the present possessor, Sir PheUm Fitz-Henry, too much encumbered with debts lo allow his noble spirit the power of indulging in that mu- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 17 Captain O'Brien, though bred in a camp, had all the acquirements of a scholar, and united do- mestic tastes and habits with all the martial ardour that should exist in a soldier's breast, and which sometimes lead officers to spend a life of dissipation. Strict in the duties of his profession, he was equally so in those of private life, and was at once the best of officers and the tenderest of husbands ; constantly at home when military business did not require his absence from Mrs. O'Brien, he attended with her to the delightful care of their little boy, and by instruction stored his mind with elegant and useful knowledge; whilst, by the most amiable examples of manners^ they formed Charles's to unite the polish of a court with all the simplicity of nature. At this period he could read most correctly, and delighted in application. He was surpris- ingly informed for his years ; was extremely sen- sible, though uncommonly playful ,* and was the delight of every one who saw him, and espe- cially of the officers in the regiment, who used to call him the little soldier. As Mrs. O'Brien had about this time a pros-» 18 THE soldier's FAMILY ; pect of increasing her family, the captain re- quested and obtained leave of absence for some months, that he might accompany his lady to Sir Phelim's tranquil abode ; being well aware how conducive it would prove to her recovery to be under the paternal roof, and to breathe the pure salubrious air of the peaceful retirement of Glen- rock at the time of her confinement. The good baronet took each of his children, and pressing tht.:u to his bosom, gave them all a father's kindest welcome, while tears of joy trembled in his benevolent eyes at the charming idea, that Glenrock wouk> for some time, be en- livened by the presence of his beloved family. A few weeks after Mrs. O'Brien's return to the paternal mansion, she gave birth to a second son ; who, in compliment to Sir Phelim, was christ- ened Fitz-Henry. This infant, equally beautiful and interesting as Charles, differed from him extremely both in fea- tures and disposition. The eldest boy had dark eyes, hair, and complexion ; the youngest was excessively fair, blue-eyed, and flaxen-headed ; the first was wild with spirits, the second composed and gentle : in fine, there was no similarity be- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 9 nificence, which he inherited more largely from his ancestors than he heired their fortune ; for a very moderate patrimony, and unbounded liberality of sentiment, were his inheritance. The first, how- ever, regulated by strict economy, gave such a scope to the latter as enabled him to be kind to his tenants, and afforded him means of encou- raging industry by beneficent patronage, which made him the friend of the indigent, the support of the weak, rendering him equally respected and beloved by all his neighbourhood. Although prudence forbade his living in the splendour which had distinguished his ancestors, he felt he owed it to their memory, and to his name, to maintain a genteel establishment ; and asf ar as he judged hospitality consistent with jus- tice to his descendants, he indulged in it with the spirit of a gentleman who has a family pride to sustain in independence. The title of baronet, which Sir Phelim endea- voured to support with dignity, had been the re- ward of military services to one of his progenitors as far back as the first creation of that rank by King James the First. Sir Phelim had always felt that every distinctive b5 10 mark of honour should inspire sentiments con- sistent with the station it gives in society ; and, conformably with these ideas, he was the most finished gentleman in mind and mamiers. This respectable baronet was descending the vale of life ; but he was most happy in domestic blessings : for although he had no son to heir his title, and had been left a widower at the birth of an only daughter, he possessed in her all that could administer consolation and delight. Cecilia Fitz-Henry, at eighteen, w^as Sir Phelim's pride, the ornament of Glenrock, the admiration of the surrounding neighbourhood, the belle of the adjacent town, and the toast of the army garrisoned there. In a troop of horse quartered at the place, was a captain named O'Brien, who could, with the baronet, boast a descent from the ancient kings of his country; and thought, with Sir Phelim, that high lineage imposed the necessity of honour and virtue. Captain O'Brien had the reputation of being an excellent officer ; iiis features were handsome, his figure was dignitied, his address elegant, and his il soul exalted. Elevated sentiments, and the sword, were his sole inheritance. But although destitute of what might be termed fortune, he had an aspiring spirit; and sought an alliance with Sir Phelim's daughter, not because she was an heiress, but because she was a person of high descent. These sentiments strongly recommended him to the worthy baronet, who valued birth above wealth; and, with a father's approbation, Miss Fitz-Henry bestowed her hand on the gallant soldier, to whom affection had already given her heart. Immediately on his marriage, Captain O'Brien became an inmate of Glenrock, and was regarded by Sir Phelim as a son. ^ A cherub boy was the first fruit of this union : and the day of his birth was a joyous festival in the mansion and village of Glenrock ; where every rustic's honest tongue poured forth innumerable praises on the united families of Fitz-Henry and O'Brien, and joined in earnest wishes that the new-born babe might concenter in himself the goodness and the greatness of the ancient race of b6 12 THE soldier's FAMILY; O'Connel, whom he was to represent in that domain. Amongst the domestics at Glenrock, faithful Patrick M'Shane had been inchided since Cap- tain O'Brien's abode there. This honest crea- ture had from his boyhood been the constant and confidential attendant of O'Brien, whom he served with the zeal and affection of a near relation, be- cause his progenitors, for three successive gene- rations, had been attached to the captain's family as domestics. Ho being in the Glenrock mansion rejoiced more on the birth of the infant heir to the estates than the worthy M^Shane ; nor were the idol- ising parents more proud of their babe's beauty than the trusty domestic when the lovely infant was dressed in his christening suit, and exhibited to the rustic gazers as the tenants gathered in the great hall to get a sight of Sir Phelim's grand- child. The father wished his infant to bear the amiable baronet's name; but the latter requested to wave the compliment, and at the baptismal font desired he might be called Charles O'Con- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 13 nel, as a joint tribute to the family of O'Brien, and the child's descent on his mother's side. Soon after the birth of Charles, Captain O'Brien's regiment was ordered to move their quarters to a station in a distant part of Ireland : and he prepared with regret to quit the mansion of the amiable baronet, whom he regarded with a truly filial affection. However, the call of duty was imperious, and he was compelled to obey it. Mrs. O'Brien, although attached beyond ex- pression to the paternal roof, was also obliged to leave it, and tore herself with infinite sorrow from the arms of her fond father ; who seemed now bound by stronger ties than ever to a daughter, doubly endeared to him since she had become a wife and a mother; for those additional titles ap- peared to perfect her character by awakening new energies in her mind. The amiable baronet had often, in her virgin state, contemplated his be- loved Cecilia as his deceased lady's living portrait; and now, when he beheld her matron arms en- circling the lovely infant in a maternal embrace, he saw the likeness of the late Lady Fitz-Henry exactly represented to his eyes while they gazed enraptured on the interesting picture of his daugh- 14 ter, whose infantile smiles were recalled to his imagination by the blooming dimples in his grand- son's cheeks. The beauteous child was scarcely two months old when he was removed from the peaceful mansion of Glenrock to the bustle of a garrison town, where his cradle was rocked amidst the din of martial sounds. Frequently did the loud per- cussion of fire-arms startle him from his light slumbers, and the rattling of drums rouse him into wakefulness when his mother was endeavouring to hush him to repose. The trumpet's shrill blast gave him the first emotions of surprise ; and martial music called his intellectual powers into exertion. As the course of time unfolded his faculties, he motioned to be carried to the window, that he might gaze on the passing troops as the clattering of their horses' hoofs gave no- tice of their approach ; and as the warlike caval- cade paraded by, his infantile eagerness was al- ways expressed by stretching out his arms to grasp the passing shew; and if it moved on to the measures of a march, the smiling child would leap in his nurse's arms, and clap his little hands in playful ecstasy. The chief objects of the infant's desire were OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 15 his father's accoutrements : he would throw away his rattle to seize the military plume ; play with the sash as he sat on his father's knee; and support himself by the sword, grasping it with the dimply curling fingers of both his little hands, while his parents and attendants taught him to stand and walk by its assistance. "Whenever the pain of teething tormented the infant Charles, his shrieks and agony were ge- nerally quieted by laying his fevered cheek upon his father's epaulet: and as he advanced in age, the promise of being taken to the parade was the inducement to every exertion, and the highest reward it could obtain. / The only toys he desired, or was allowed, were small cannon, drums, and swords : and trusty M'Shane became his playmate by initiating him in military affairs. This faithful creature had enlisted himself when his master entered the army, under the idea he should more certainly by that means follow his fortunes through the world, than by merely attaching himself to him as a domestic : and so highly did the good soldier estimate that station, that he refused to take any other in the regiment 16 THE soldier's FAMILY,* for which his abilities fitted him, in order that he might not be removed from attending on Captain O'Brien as his servant. As Charles increased in years, he withdrew more from his female attendant, and placed him- self almost entirely mider M'Shane's care; by which means he deserted the nursery for the field of exercise ; and by constantly living in fresh air, and pursuing masculine sports, he attained a sta- ture and vigour beyond his age. His muscles were strengthened by exertion, his nerves were braced by exercise, and robust health gave him a beauty which made his boyhood masculine. Even in childhood he had a power and freedom of motion which constituted natural grace of action. His features were fine, and even regu- larly beautiful, and these were animated by a mind of such sentiment and extensive comprehension, that he interested the heart while he rivetted admi- ration. Such was Charles at four years old: — wild from spirits, yet governable from the sweetness of his disposition, his parents found him an admirable subject for the instructions they w ere equally will- ing and able to afford him by their joint tuition^ OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 19 Iween the brothers, except in affection and genero- sity, which made each willing to give up every thing to the other. At the expiration of Captain O'Brien's leave of absence from his regiment, he received orders to repair to England on recruiting service. Fitz-Henry was then in his ninth month, and rather delicate from teething, which rendered it impossible for him to leave his mother's breast, who determined on accompanying the captain to England. The precarious state of her infant's health at that time, which must necessarily have almost entirely occupied her care, as she was the tenderest of mothers, and made it a point never to delegate to nurses the superintendence of her children ; and the probability of being in a very unsettled situation for a long while, on business that would so greatly employ her husband's attention as to render it difficult for him to give much of it to Charles, made her readily acquiesce in the de- sire of Captain O'Brien, to avail themselves of the kind ofifer of the worthy Sir Phelim, to de- tain his eldest grandson at Glenrock. They were sensible that the boy could not possibly be in a more eligible situation than under the guid- ance of a parent so lilted, in every respect, to 20 THE soldier's FAMILY; take the charge of youth ; and they were as- sured, that continually under the observation and tuition of his grandfather, Charles must become, every thing their fondest wishes could desire. Sir Phelim made the proposal of keeping him from the double motive of his children's ad- vantage and his own gr'atification. Increasing years, and a few constitutional infirmities, made him lead a regular and quiet life, in which his grandson's presence would be a pleasing ac- quisition. " I shall feel happy in instructing the dear boy," said the good baronet : " we will study to- gether, and we may also play together," added he^ smiling ; ^^ for although 1 am no longer young, I delight in seeing the sports of youth, and may occasionally join in some though I be a grand- papa." Charles, standing between his knees, listened attentively to every word that passed on a sub- ject infinitely interesting to him. He loved his grandsire with reverential affec- tion ; but he idolized his father, adored his mo- ther, doated upon his little brother, and having 21 constantly been accustomed to prattle withho nest M'Shane, attend him to parade, and view sights daily there in which he most delighted, he felt a sensation of deep regret at the idea of losing them, and remaining behind his papa and mamma, his little playfellow, Fitz-Henry, with whom he frequently toyed, and Patrick ; al- though he was tenderly attached to grandpapa, was truly sensible of all his kind indigencies, felt grateful for them, and enjoyed the festive plea- sures of Glenrock mansion, over the beautiful domain of which his agile steps carried him in an almost incessant round of mirthful sports. But these, though dear to his little heart, had not power to rival the military life he might really be said to have passed from the hour of his first observations. His taste, his propensities, even his childish habits, were those of a camp. And his father saw with pleasure the first dawn of his boy's martial ardour ; for the sword had been hereditary in his family for many generations : and he wished Charles to be a soldier and a hero. Standing, as already mentioned, in his grand- sire's embrace, in eager attention to the debate ^9, THE soldier's FAMILY; relative to his remaining at Glenrock, a thousand ideas rushed into his busy fancy ; and the love of novelty, so powerful at every age in most minds, and especially so in one of his age and lively imagination, inclined him ardently to desire that he might be the partner of his little bro- ther in the projected journey into England. As that, however, was decided against by his father's resolve, a tear silently trickled down his cheek and dropped upon Sir Phelim's hand. '^ Surely," said he, " my boy, you will not grieve to remain with me, and to console me for the loss of your dear papa, mamma, and bro- ther. You must personate them all to me, and that will make me happy." '^ And then," replied Charles, ^' I ought not to be unhappy — nor will 1 be sad to stay with you, dear grandpapa ; but I want to go with papa to England, and learn to be a soldier." *^ O, I thought so !'^ rejoined the amiable baro- net, with a smile of complacency at Charles's innocent ingenuousness ; which, in such a laconic manner, summed up all his little contradictory wishes, " I understand you, my boy," added Sir OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 23 Phelim, " you would like to stay and make grand- papa happy, and you would also wish not to leave your papa; but as you cannot do both, you had better stay with me till you become a good scholar, and then you can go with your father and be a great soldier." Charles's tearful eyes glistened with joy at the idea of grasping all he wished ; nor did he wait to consider which of his desires would be first accomplished, but skipping out of the room, bounded lightly up stairs in search of M^Shane, to tell him grandpapa was going to make him a good scholar, that he might be a great officer like papa. Honest Patrick was soon found by his young master, with Norah, in the nursery, where both were busied in preparations for their approaching departure. Fitz-Henry lay in placid slumbers, unconscious of his speedy removal from his paternal roof and native country : a sweet smile dimpled round his infantile lips, which Charles gently kissed with a fraternal affection, strengthened by the idea he was so soon to part from his little brother. 24« THE soldier's family; The warm-hearted Norah and M'Shane en- joyed this interestmg scene of juvenile brotherly love^ and united in blessing their dear little mas- ters, whom they both regarded as their own chil- dren. The intention of Charles being left at Glenrock had already been a subject of concern to the two faithful domestics ; and they now joined in lamenting the matter to the boy, as a natural and guileless testimony of their attachment. Norah very feelingly descanted on the loss she and her sweet little Fitz-Henry would have of dear Master Charles's pretty prattle : " and indeed and indeed/' added she, in the dialect of her country, " rnany, aye, many will be the day 1 will sit and cry to think of Ireland and you, my lovely dear." '' Aye, and so will I too !" ejaculated M^Shane, with a deep sigh : " ogh ! and I'm sorry to my heart your little honour isn't to follow the drum and march with us, as your sweet face used to do even before you could walk at all at all. But I hope you won't be for forgetting your poor Patrick, who so often carried your honour to parade in his arms, and taught your sweet tongue the word of command before it could speak a word at all at all." oil, GUARDIAN GENII. 25 Tiiis address to Charles's acutest and tenderest feelings was more than his sensibility could bear ; and bursting into a flood of tears, he ran to M' Shane, and threw himself into his embrace, sobbing in an agony of grief. Poor Patrick, almost melting into tears him- self, entreated the afflicted boy not to weep, because it would make him ill to see him grieve so heavily, Charles, however, felt it impossible to de- sist from crying, although Norali endeavoured to dry his tears by an assurance they would spoil his pretty face : in spite of which ^he continued to weep most piteously, till M' Shane, with elo- quence more powerful than that which had her^tr tofore been addressed to his feelings, told him, that he thought him too much of a soldier to cry As it was Charles's most ardent desire to esta- blish a claim to that title, he inmiediately brushed away the tears from his eyes, while those ready to start afresh were checked by an idea that a soldier should not, weep. And honest Patrick, turning away his face, passed his hand over his cheeks ; being well aware that example should never contradict precept, especially when it is ad- VOL. I. c ^2'6 THE soldier's I'AMILr; dressed to youth, who must always naturally ex- pect that advice should be enforced by the conduct of those who give it. In order to cheer the spirits of his beloved young master, M^Shane advised him to go and ^arrange his little armory ; and, with a kind of melancholy pleasure, the pensive boy busied him- self for several hours in looking over his military toys, and packhig them, as he had been accus- tomed to do, as if preparing for a march. Sometimes, thus occupied, convulsive sighs, rais- ed by past remembrances, would heave his little bo- som ; while the playful mirth of youth, at other moments predominant, would impel him, with elastic spirits, to bound over the park, and in the happiness of present sports, and the anticipation of future pleasures, lead him, insensibly, to the forgetfulness of sadness. Thus passed some days, until that arrived which was to bring Charles's tirst trial of fortitude, which was to inflict the first serious affliction he had ever en- duredj: and this day's lesson probably taught him to bear inevitable sorrows widi firmness and with resignation. Heir as human nature is to the frustration of the fondest hopes, the disap- pointment of our best founded expectations we can- OR, GUARDIAN GENII.' 2/ not too early learn to bear as we ought ; nor can the mind be too soon instructed in the art, perhaps the most difficult of any to be attained, of limiting our desires to possibilities, and mode- rathig the acutest sensibilities of the soul by patient submission to the order of things, A touching admonition to this purport was delivered by Captain O'Brien to his son during the parting breakfast at Glenrock. Precepts never make so forcible an impression as when delivered on appropriate occasions ; and Charles's feelings were now awake to receive- the full effect of his father's instruction. He was sensible of the ar- dent nature of his boy: proud of his energies, he wished to have them under strict command ; and it was his wish to direct his enthusiasm to the highest and best purposes. With all the keen- ness of his own sensations, did he delight in the acute sensibility of Charles ; yet did he often en- deavour to restrain it, that it might be cherished and matured to perfect and adorn his nature, and not to enervate his mind, by leaving it too much under the influence of sentiment rather than of reason; for, between the feelings and the understanding, there must be the most perfect equilibrium, to render either useful^ amiable, or c 2 28 THE SOLDILKb lAMTLY; effectual to their respective or joint purposes in life. The farewell breakfast at Glenrock mansion Mas but very sparingly partaken by the family ; whose hearts were, at this moment of separation, too full of emotion to render the hospitably-spread board as festive as usual. Sir Phelim, from agitation, experienced sensations of indisposition, of which he forbore to complain, fearful of increasing the uneasiness his daughter felt, and affectionately expressed on her first departure from her native country, where the tenderest filial affection bound her. As she looked on Charles, and beheld, with a mother's observation, the unusual traces of sorrow on a countenance where mirth so constantly sported heretofore, her ma- ternal bosom heaved a sigh more deeply drawn than ever it had done, and tears suffused her eyes. Captain O'Brien's manly features depicted the sorrow of a masculine mind, where tender sen- sations were controuled by strong powers. As the moment of departure drew nigh, he rose, as the signal for a general adieu; and pacing the room with perturbed steps, permitted OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 29 IsUs. O'Brien to receive and give a filial and parent- al embrace : but the view of his weeping wife, locked in her father's arms, whilst Qiarles clung -around her, sobbing the tenderest farewell, was almost too affecting a scene for his fortitude to behold without a visible agitation. He hurried her into the carriage — then returned to bid Sir Phelim adieu, which he uttered with a faltering voice as he pressed the out- stretched hands of the sorrowful baronet ; this done, he held Charles to his beating heart, and then hastily mounted the horse ready to convey him away. These ef- forts over, he waited at the gate of the mansion to get another sight of its beloved inhabitants ; and saw, with tearful eyes, the adieus of Charles and Fitz-Henry. To reckon the interchange of kisses between them, would be impossible. As the latter was torn from his brother's embracffc by the weeping Norah, he stretched out his ht- tle arms towards Charles ; and the latter followed, to give and receive another last kiss : but it was a vain attempt, for Norah was already seated in the carriage, and M' Shane stepped forward to shake hands with his young master. " FarewelP was repeated innumerable times by both. In the meanwhile the carriage drove off; and froi^/its window Mrs. O'Brien took another loo^;^ ^^ jj^r eldest boyj whose attention was call**^^ off from c 3 30 THE soldier's FAMltY; M^Shane to answer his parents' repeated fond adieus. Every hand waved an expressive farewell to all. The carriage was soon out of sight; Captain O'Brien following quick^ had already turned out of the park, and M^Shane was obliged to ride away. The last words of Charles he could hear were, a command to bring Fitz- Henry back to Glenrock as Boon a^ po.^sible. To this desire Patrick nodded assent^ and gallop- ped away to regain the moments spent in lingering adieus. All the retinue of the mansion had assembled on the expanded lawn, to bid, in the tacit elo- quence of expressive looks, a prosperous jour- ney to the travellers. They had been some time departed ere the domestic group thought of dis- persing. The baronet stood still in a pensive attitude at the portal of his wide hall : — now silent and ap- parently deserted, nothing in it attracted his atten- tion, till the loitering steps of his grandson roused him to the reflection, that the departure of his children had changed all around him. CharlesT^ now no longer frolicsome, stationed himself at onC ^^ ^^^ casements in the vestibule, SI and fixed his pensive gaze on the avenue which had led his parents from the mansion. But the sorrows of youth are transient as the showers of spring, which are soon succeeded by sunshine; and Charles smiled at the endeavouis of his grand-- father to amuse him. A walk through the grounds offered innumerable subjects for the boy's innocent prattle, which beguiled the baro- net of an hour's dulness. On their return to the mansion Charles's spirits sunk at the renewed recollection of his recent loss ; for he heard not, as usual, his father's welcome : in pensive mood he visited his mother's dressing-room, and gave a sigh at seeing it deserted ; he thence proceeded to- the nursery, and burst into tears at the silence reign- ing there ; for some moments he wept aloud, and then, as if in quest of consolation, he sought Sir Phelim in his study, and entreated to be employed in his accustomed daily lessons ; which the in- dulgent grandsire purposed to omit for that day, in. order that amusement might dissipate his pu- pil's sorrows With the most pleasing emotions, Sir Phelim marked the acute sensibility of Charles's mind thus rationally displayed ; and with increasing exultation did he augur, from the rapid progress in 4 his learning, that his grandson, by transcendant abihlies, would reflect as much honour on his anciently noble derivation, as his ilhistrious an- cestry could afford him. With unremitting as- siduity the good baronet devoted himself to the education of his beloved pupil, and had, in the short space of a few months, brought him asto- nishingly forward in studies that would have been too abstruse for a boy of his age ungifted with the brilliant capacity he possessed. Sir Phelim was sanguine in the expectation, tliat he should present Charles quite a miracle to his parents at their return ; when a most violent illness seized the baronet, and compelled him to remit his young scholar's studies, and to acquaint Captain O'Brien with his indisposition, that he and his lady might be prepared for the fatal termination of it, which he himself anticipated as certainly and rapidly approaching. Being confined to bed, and unable, on account of extreme suffering, to write, he dictated the letter to one of his attend- ants, and with the utmost care guarded every expression, that he might avoid giving his daugh- ter too sudden an alarm. However, the sight of a letter from Glenrock without her beloved father's signature, would have been sufficient to rouse all her fears relative to her parent's health, had it even been silent on a subject of such import- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 3.3 ance to her happiness, — how much then did the intelligence of his illness shock her ! • Her affection took the alarm, and busy fancy magnifying possibilities into probabilities, and then converting probabilities into certainties, put her into a state of mind little short of distraction. Captain O'Brien sincerely grieved, from his truly filial regard for Sir Phelim, and felt a double sorrow in the participation of his Cecilia's. As he found it impracLicable to set off express for Ireland, he reluctantly yielded to Mrs. O'Brien's entreaties, and permitted her to set out for Glen- rock as expeditiously as possible, escorted by their trusty M^Shane. The rapid manner in which she intended to perform the journey, and the situation of her mind and health, which rendered it absolutely necessary to wean Fitz-Henry, made his father anxious that the child should not accompany his mother in her difficult expedition ; during which she proposed not to rest at a single post between the place she was leaving and Glenrock. Equally solicitous for the welfare of her infant, and that no obstacle should impede her flying to see and c 5 34 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; assist in attending her beloved parent, she tore Fitz-Henry from her agonized bosom ; and with a celerity greater than she had hoped^ reached the paternal mansion. Here she found Sir Phelim, not absolutely in as much danger as she had dreaded^ but too ill to afford her tranquillity; and she wrote the exac^ state of her feelings to Captain O'Brien, according to his earnest entreaty : and he having, by that ^ime, taken the steps requisite to liberate him from professional duty for some time, hastened over to Ireland, in order to relieve his own anxi- ety relative to Sir Phelim, and to be on the spot with Mrs. O'Brien in the event of any melancholy occurrence which might render his presence ne- cessary at Glenrock. On account of the delicate state of little Fitz- Henry 's health when they first brought him to England, Captain O'Brien took lodgings for his family in the vicinity of the sea-coast in Devon- shire, near to the town where he was recruiting. The apartments he hired were in a neat cottage, where Mrs. O'Brien found herself most comfort- ably situated, both for her own pleasure and the benefit of her infant ; who improved most sur- prisingly, and at the time of his mother's de- GR GUARDIAN GEN IT. 35 parture for Ireland was the finest and most robust child imaginable. As Captain O'Brien found the situation so conducive to the httle boy's healthy he judged it would be best to leave him with Norah, on whose care he could entirely rely, during Iiia absence, which he imagined would be but for a short time ; as in case of Sir Phelim's recovery, he purposed returning to the place to pursue the professional duty on which he was engaged ; or on the melancholy event of his father-in-law's decease, he foresaw there would be a necessity of hurry- ing his wife from the scene of her misfortune, and bringing her to England, in order to dissi^ pate her grief for the loss of so beloved a parent. On Captain O'Brien's arrival at Glenrock, Charles flew to his embraces, overjoyed to behold him unexpectedly, as he had been on his mother's return ; but in all the rapture of seeing his parents again, Charles forgot not to wish his little brothei's presence, and to make repeated and innumerable enquiries respecting him ; nor could he be at all pacified about the dreadful disappointment of Fitz- Henry's not being brought back, according to his last and most earnest request to M^Shane on his departure, until he was assured that his papa, ma- ma, and Patrick would in a few weeks set out c6 30 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; for England, to fetch his little brother to him in a short time. Had it been possible that the parental affection of Captain and Mrs. O'Brien for their eldest boy could have admitted any increase, his truly interest- ing attachment to their darling Fitz-Henry, would have augmented their love towards Charles. Fre- quently did the tear of maternal fondness for both bedew the cheek of Mrs. O'Brien, as she gazed on her son hanging round ker and his father, whilst she gave to the remembrance of her absent infant deep sighs of the tenderest solicitude. The presence of Mrs. O'Brien at Glenrock and the anxious cares with which she watched over her paient's sick bed, seemed to act as an invigorating cordial ; for the good baronet was sufficiently convalescent to welcome his son-in- law's return, by walking to the chamber door to shake him by the hand ; and in a few days more Sir Phehm found himself so much recovered that he was permitted to visit the drawing-room. Fresh air, gentle exercise, and the enhfening society of his children, in a few weeks perfectly restored the amiable patient to his accustomed health, and allowed Captain O'Brien and his lady 37 to take leave of Sir Phelim and retui-n to England. As the affectionate Charles sobbed his adieus at their departure, he reiterated the most earnest entreaties, that his little brother should not be left in EngUmd when they again came back to Glenrock. This simply pathetic testimony of strong fraternal attachment sunk deep into the heart of Mrs. O'Brien, and with all a mother's anxious feelings did she measure back the tedious miles that separated her adored child- ren from each other. The lengthening road seemed almost intermin- able that led her toward the habitation where parental solicitude had placed its tenderly loved offspring ; maternal anxiety fixed an enquiring gaz« on the well known spot, eagerly sought out as interesting even in the distant view. As she ap- proached the house, a thousand perturbed ideas rushed in tumultuous agitation into her mind. When the carriage drew near the cottage enclosure wick- et, she looked out in expectation of seeing No- rah run out with her little charge in her arms to welcome their return ; — but her child's nurse ap~ peared not: breathless with terror, she sat mute while the carriage door was opened for her to de- scend. At length a young girl, daughter to the old couple who kept the house, came to the 38 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; door, and with an evident expression of grief, stootf silently gazing on Mrs. O'Brien with looks of pity whilst she entered with tottering steps ; for the dread of some unknown direful occurrence made her knees tremble and nearly refuse the office of supporting her into the house. — Within all was still and desolate : Mrs. O'Brien looked around — a deathlike sensation seized her, and she sunk al- most lifeless into the nearest chair, in the small hall that opened into a little parlour on the ground floor, which, looking into the garden^ had been chosen by the O'Briens as their common sit- ting-room. On casting her eyes into that apart- ment, Mrs. O'Brien perceived it dark, and that it was evidently uninhabited, for the windows were closed. A shocking certainty of her Fitz-Henry's decease flashed across her fancy, and, with the efi'ect of a bullet discharged from a pistol, deprived her of all sense or motion ! Horrible were the sensations of Captain O'Brien as he silently observed all around him. He was endowed with the keenest sensibilities of the human soul ; he was the tenderest of fathers, the most afl'ectionate of husbands ; and the situation of Mrs. O'Brien summoned into exertion the strongest energies of his nature. He compre- hended but too well that a powerful occasion OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 39 now called them all into action ; and he collect- ed all his resolution and fortitude to act as a reasonable being, while he suffered every pang that a man can experience, when the tenderest ties of the heart are agonizingly rent by the strong hand of despair. Rendered torpid for an instant by the shock of finding things so different from what san- guine hope had represented them to his ima- gination, he stood for a moment unmanned ; but with returning recollection, he flew to sup- port Mrs. O'Brien, whose state of insensi- bility rendered her his most immediate care. Whilst assisting to restore her to herself, he hastily enquired of the attendant girl, what was become of her father and mother, as he did not see them. Respecting Fitz- Henry and Norah a sentiment of undefined terror kept him from asking any news, as an internal conviction assured him, that he would too soon learn some direful inteUigence concerning both his child and its attendant. To Captain O'Brien's interrogations about her father and mother, the poor daughter rephed, that they were both ill, and confined to bed by a bad fever, from which she was but just recovered. Her looks indicated something extraordinary 40 THE SOLDIERS had occurred in their absence ; for instead of being the hale, rosy, sprightly girl they had left her, she was become meagre, palld, and evidently de- jected : and indeed her altered and melancholy appearance had tended considerably to induce the belief of her having something shocking to com- municate relative to Fitz-Henry and ^'o^ah, A soul of sensibility is ever alive to hope as well as to fear ; and Captain O'Brien nov/ flat- tered himself, that Norah might have left the cot- tage, in order to preserve her little charge from any danger of contagion whilst the fever raged there; and he was confirmed in this idea, when, upon enquiring further of the landlord's daughter, he learned from her that the apothecary called the fey^T malignant. The girl next proceeded to warn him against staying in the house, in- forming him at the same time, that his maid lay there in a dying state, and that it was impossible for them to be accommodated with their lodging in consequence of this calamity. On hearing of Norah's confinement, Captain O'Brien precipi- tately asked for his child, and fixing his eyes with anxious earnestness on the poor girl, he saw her burst into a trembling agony of tears. This instantly contirmed him in the worst he OR, GUARDIAN GENU. 41 apprelicnded concernir.g his infant ; and failing on his knees before Mrs. O'Brien, he clasped her hands, and articulated, with a deep groan, '* It is too true then that Fitz-Henry is no more I" Tlic name brought her to recollection, and comprehending what Captain O'Brien had to communicate, she wrung her hands in all the phrenzy of despair. The state in which he saw her, roused him to exert himself in order to sap- port her^ Jiiid becoming calm, he tranquillized her by degiees into a composed grief. Having effected this, his next care was to convey her from the fatal spot, to one where her health would be se- cure against the infectious malady that had made such ravages at the cottage ; giving orders, at the same time, that poor Norah should be attended with all possible care. The best medical assist- ance that could be procured was provided for her ; and from the physician to whose skill she was entrusted, Captain O'Brien learned that scarce- ly a hope of her recovery could be entertained. On being informed that her master and mis- tfess were returned from Ireland, poor Norah, who had lain senseless and almost lifeless from extreme debility, fell into the most violent pa- roxysm of grief, which it was apprehended might 42 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; terminate her existence ; and after that burst of anguish she relapsed into a low delirium, and seemed insensible to every thing around her. Whilst she lay in this deplorable state^ the be- nevolent M* Shane, at his earnest entreaty to be permitted to see his poor dear fellow-servant before she expired, was introduced to her apart- ment. On his approaching h^r, ghe recognised him instantly, and after an affecting greeting, she en- treated permission to behold her good master and his dear lady, as her last wish was to assure them she had taken care of their dear child to the latest moment she was able to attend him ; that she was dying for grief at having lost the beloved boy ; and that her only consolation would be^ to expire at the feet of her honoured mistress. This message being delivered to Captain and Mrs. O'Brien, they united in the sentiment; that they were under the most solemn obligation ta obey the last summons of the expiring Norah ; and that no selfish idea of sparing their own feel- ings at the expence of her's, nor even the consider- ation of risking their health for the probable pre- servation of a fellow-creature's life, could excuse them from the performance of a sacred duty of OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 43 humanity : and thus impressed, they hastened to a scene which was to lacerate their agonized hearts. They checked the effusion of their own overwhehning grief to spare the feelings of the sorrowing Norah ; and with the benignant desire of prolonging her days, they entered the dwelling of contagion, and the pestilential chamber^ where, to the bed of infectious disease, they hoped to ad- niinister consolation and peace, which might reno- vate the vital spark of languishing nature. As Captain and Mrs. O'Brien drew near their apparently expiring servant, a thousand heart-rend- ing sensations assailed the beneficent couple; on beholding the ravages of illness, and the picture of distress her countenance exhibited. Some mo- ments were lost in the struggle of corporeal and mental suffering ; for the weak emaciated Norah endeavoured to raise herself in her bed, as a token of reverential affection for her master and mistress, whose kindness in thus coming to see her increased, if possible, the emotion she experienced in be« holding them for the first time since their dreadful loss. A burst of anguish kept each silent for a short time ; but all were prepared for the inter- view, and a powerful effort to suppress agitation happily succeeded to produce a mutual compo- sure ; during which, in a simple narrative, most 44 THE soldier's family; toucbingly expressedy'^Norah recounted, that short- ly after Captaiii O' Brien's leaving the cottage, she was seized with an illness, which she endeavoured to struggle against, till she found herself absolute- ly sinking into the grave from extreme weakness : she then applied to an apothecary, who told her It would be requisite for her to undergo remedies that must coufme her to bed ; at which period th« landlord's daughter undertook to attend Fitz-Hen- ry, whom she never permitted to be taken from her, except for a walk in the garden ; till the apothecary assured her that the air of her room "would be death to the child : she then was obliged to allow it to sleep in another chamber, under the care of the girl of the house, whom she entrusted it to, rather than hire a stranger to take charge of the dear babe, because it was attached to Peggy> and she had often been used to nurse it when her master and mistress were in the house, and she had been employed by them in any business that called her from the child. Norah added, that when she was prohibited from having her dear Fitz-Henry in her room, she used to craw 1 out of bed to see him from the win- dow, whilst Peggy walked with him in the garden, that she might be satisfied he was in good health, and properly attended to, though she was unable to OR, GL AUDI AN GENII. 4^ nurse him herself. She said she would have writ- ten to let her master and mistress know the state she was in, had she not feared it would give them more uneasiness than they already had, and she hoped soon to be quite well ; that after a little she got better, though she was not sufficiently recover- ed to leave her room, nor have the dear child in it again ; and that one morning she had seen him in the garden, as usual, with Peggy, and had sat lit the window watching him a long time, when she saw the girl carry him into the summer-house, which she had been accustomed to do when the sun was too hot : Peggy had taken out his play- things to amuse him in the harbour as usual, and as she often let him stay there a great while, and she found herself faint from the extreme closeness of the day, she lay down on the bed to rest herself for a few moments, when she was suddenly roused by the screams of her dear little Fitz-Henry. — In this part of her narrative, poor Norah was so agitated that she was nearly unable to proceed, till being solicited to conclude her story, she resumed it in the following manner ; " I was so shocked to hear the darling child cry," added Norah, " as it was an uncommon thing, because certainly he was the mildest sweet- tempered infant in the world, that I jumped up 4^ THE soldier's FAMILY; and ran down stairs as fast as I could^ to see what had happened to the dear boy ; but 1 couJd find no body below stairs : so I darted out as quick as lightning into the garden, and hobbled all over it with difficulty, for I w as near fainting with fatigue ; but 1 could not find Fitz-Henry any where in that place ; so 1 crawled into the yard, and met Peggy coming out of the dairy with a jug of milk, w hich she had been getting to feed the child. On my asking about him, she said he was playing quite safe in the summer-house. I told her 1 had heard him crying terribly, and had been looking for him in the garden, but could not find him. At this ac- count Peggy let the milk fall out of her hand in her hurry to seek for the dear babe, and I went with her : we lo oked into every hedge and corner of the garden, and even under every bush, think- ing he might have crawled somewhere and hurt himself, but no where could we find the sweet child. Almost wild with fright, 1 enquired of Peggy whether she thought her father or mother had taken the child out with them. The girl an- swered, that was impossible, as they were both gone into the towi* to market, which was the reason she had been obliged to leave the infant to set somethinoj for him to eat. * 1 was afraid,' added Peggy, ' that he might come to some harm if I left him in the house alone, for he OR, GUARDIAN" GENII. 47 -wants always to crawl up stairs to Norali; so [ left him in the suramer-house^ where I was sure he could not hurt himself.' '^ I was nearly dead with fright/' continued Norah, sobbing almost to suffocation, ^' but I was determined to go all over the place, and en- quire of all the neighbourhood if any one had seen the child. By'this time I was almost unable to stir one step ; but 1 set off to go to the village when just as I turned out of the garden, I found a toy belonging to master Fitz-Henry^ and at a little distance farther, 1 saw his hat lying by the side of the stream that flows to the neighbouring mill. At sight of this I fell down quite sense- less, and knew nothing that happened afterwards,, till I was told you and my dear lady were re- turned.'' At the close of this melancholy and artless tale, poor Norah relapsed into a violent passion of grief, which brought on, as before, a delirious stupor, which it was apprehended would end in her immediate dissolution. The affecting tale she had disclosed. Captain O'Brien and her mistress could safely depend on being true, from their long experience of her fidelity. 48 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY, It appeared to tbein gcftrcely to need any othei confirmation of their beloved and regretted infant's having perished in the stream. The man- ner of his loss might have seemed indifferent to many, who would reflect calmly that death, whe- ther occasioned by accident or disease, w as equal- ly distressing to the attached survivors ; but all Mrs. O'Brien's feelings were re-awakened to agony, at the idea that the body of her child was most probably reduced to atoms by the adjacent mill, instead of reposing in the sleep of death in consecrated ground, and mouldering gradually to its original dust. The thought drove her nearly to madness : while a thousand unavailing regrets for having left his child in a strange country, con- tinually haunted the imagination of Captain O'Brien, urging him nearly to distraction : yet amidst the cruelest pangs of their grief, Norah's claims to the commiseration and affectionate attention of her nursling's parents, were felt equally by both, and neither of them quitted the chamber of their domestic, whose relapse into danger they learngd originated from the exertions and suffer- ings occasioned by the loss of their infant. Hearing also from the apothecary who had at- tended Norah, that Peggy's illness, and that of her aged father and mother, had likewise ppoceed- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 49 ed from distress of mind, together with watcliing Norah and catching her fever by infection, Cap- lain and Mrs. O'Brien felt that, as they were joint suiferers from their misfortune, they were entitled to every effort they could make for their present preservation and future comfort. Every thing, therefore, that medicine and attention could effect towards the recovery of their hosts, was immediately adopted, and almost miraculously suc- ceeded in restoring the parents of Peggy to health and strength. And Norah, likewise, was kept from the grave by the constant oare of Captaia and Mrs. O'Brien. During the time of Norah^s confinement, which was extremely tedious, they took up their resi- dence at the cottage ; submitting to indifferent accommodation, and a dreadfully, distressing scene^, rather than slight a duty they thought indispensi- ble, that of attending their maid, and assisting their hosts by the means of lessening Peggy's fa- tigue in watching the invalids, and paying at the same time for the apartments, which must other- wise have remained mihijed. After the first violence of anguish had subr sided, the disconsolate mother of the lamented Fitz-Henry took infinite pleasure in conversin;^ VOL. I. jy 60 THE soldier's about him : and as poor Peggy s unfeigned grief in his loss endeared her considerably to Captain and Mrs. 0'Brien_, they treated her with particu- lar kindness, lest the unhappy girl should pine un- der the idea of their attaching any blame to her for a misfortune which might have happened to any one. They learned from Peggy that she had taken infinite pains to teach their little boy to walk alone; that as he was remarkably timid, she did not imagine he would have ventured from the summer-house by himself; and they united in conjecturing that the love of novelty had induced him, during the little time he was left alone, to make his way to the garden-gate, whence he had been tempted to the side of the adjacent stream, where his hat was found ; and which must have proved fatal to him, as no crea- ture in the neighbourhood could ever trace the child farther, notwithstanding the strictest search and enquiries ha^ and taste, and to her was allotted the care of initiating her children in the belles lettres. The neighbouring town afforded masters in mu- sic, dancing, and drawing ; and the young people discovering talents for those polite acquirements, M'ere permitted to learn them as elegant embel- lishments of a solid education. The abode of this admirable family was the t-emple of true elegance, the seat' of learning, taste, sentiment, charity, and piety, and the nursery of every grace and virtue. As Charles and Erina sported over their native soil with the elastic spirits ot^ lively youth, they inhaled health and beauty in the salubrious breezes, whilst their minds became expanded by the sur- rounding extensive scenery of their paternal do- main ; which, rich in all the varied charms of nature, exhibited innumerable different views Fertile vales, woody hills^ romantic cots, rustic hamlets, village spires, superb villas, and anti- quated castles, crumbling to ruins amidst deso- late wiids, were reflected in a clear wide-spread- D 5 5S THE soldier's FAMILY; ing lake ; while the diversified prospect was ter- minated by stupendous mountains and rugged rocks. As Charles and Erina contemplated the latter, their minds became expanded, and their sentiments exalted. The ruined towers of former splendour taught them to reason justly on things past, present, and to come. The elegant villas became objects of instruction to taste ; the steeples of religious edifices inspired their thoughts with pious reflections ; the sight of towns and vil- lages awakened their hearts to social feelings and benevolence ; the lonely cot, that marked solitude and indigence, softened their souls to charity ; and the lucid sheet of water, reflecting the azure vault above, elevated their ideas to the great Author of the wonderful creation. At the age of sixteen, Charles's person was finely formed ; his figure was tall and manly ; his features extremely handsome ; and his counte- nance most animated and interesting. His under- standing was expanded with a store of useful and various information ; his judgment was prema- turely correct ; his principles were firm in recti- tude ; his heart was perfected in sentiment ; and the ardour of youth gave the highest enthusiasm to every feeling^ and bestowed the most power- ful energy for every pursuit, OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 59 The lovely Erina was like a delicately beauteous blossom, which, in its first unfolding, promises a thousand perfections in the season of its ma- turity. Over the amiable youth and his charming sis- ter paternal and maternal care watched with un- remitting assiduity ; and never was parental soli- citude repaid with more filial reverence. The eight years of Captain O'Brien's almost uninterrupted abode .at Glenrock seemed to wing their flight on golden pinions. The calendar of their time was marked by improvement, and a mutually increasing affection was the register of their days. But earthly felicity is ever uncertain as the sun-beams, which are continually liable to be obscured by swiftly changing clouds. The soldier's home is no where ; his temporary resi- dence may be any where : for to whatever clime liis sovereign's sceptre points, he is compelled to march, and pitch his tent wherever duty calls. The brazen trumpet of war now sounding through Britain, summoned her martial sons to arms ; and Captain O'Brien was called upon to attend her standard, and guard her empire in the West Indian islands. The majority in his regiment 60 THE soldier's FAMILY; becoming vacant^ Sir Phelim strenuously urged the purchase of it ; to -which his son-in-law felt a reluctance, from the reflection, that the sum it demanded would leave his family almost entirely dependant on the baronet, and in case of his de- cease in the expedion, would be several thousand pounds lost to them for ever. However, the noble generosity of Sir Phelim made so light of that consideration, that the aspiring spirit of Captain O'Brien was induced to gratify itself in the barter of money for rank ; which, in the esti- mation of the family, was a desirable, and eveu an advantageous exchange, as they were each impressed with the idea that honour was superior to fortune. The hope of now rapidly rising to the summit of his profession, and the ardent desire of fulfil- ling its duties, inspired him with pleasure ; but this pleasure was alloyed with pain at the neces- sity of tearing himself from every tender connec- tion, to which his soul was bound by the strongest ties which consanguinity, friendship, and love can form. If, in the ardent bosom of the soldier, such emotions check, at moments of reflection, the martial spirit of military preparations, ii may rea- OR, GUARDIAN CxENII^ 6l sonably be imagined that those tender relations, to part from whom he grieves, must be agonized with sorrow's keenest pangs, as they behold those busy preparations for a separation that may be eternal, that must long be endured, amidst the combined tortures of cruel anxieties and dreadful suspense, that always picture a thousand dire calamities ! Such was the situation of Mrs. O'Brien ; and scarcely less painful were the sensations of the amiable Sir Phelim : feeling for himself — feeling still more acutely for others infinitely dear to him. The energetic Charles's heart fluttered with in- numerable sanguine ideas. From his earliest boyhood he had fixed his fancy on the military profession ; and an enthusiastic love for it had grown with his growth, and strengthened with his strength ; and the sight of his loved futhtr's preparations for the field roused to its highest ar- dour the martial spirit of Charles. He was eager to pursue glory, and atchieve honour. " Now," cried he, *• 1 shall begin the career I have so long panted to commence. I shall at- tend my father's steps ; I may acquire his profes- sional abilities by observation j imbibe his courage 62 THE soldier's FAMILY ; from example ; anel thus, by emulating him, be- come worthy of his approbation. Perhaps it may be my happy fortune to ward off danger frona my parent whilst combating beside him: for gladiy would I expose my life to protect his; and joyfully should I expire if 1 fell honourably in the cause of my sovereign, in my country's service, and for the preservation of my father, that he might live to bless my mother, my sister, and, with them, to love my memory !" The ardent soul of Charles was in the height of this enthusiasm, when he learned that his pre- sent destination was the university instead of the camp. The disappointment of his sanguine hopes was acute as his expectations had been animated ; but the profoundest reverence for parental authority prevented his murmuring, even internally, for an instant ; and the pleasure of obeying his father's commands consoled him for their being, in this instance, in direct opposition to the ardent wishes his youthful heart had formed, of being the com- panion of his father's dangers, of being the part- ner in his father's fame. It was settled that Charles should enter the OR, GUAUDTAN GEI\"'II, 63 college of Dublin at the time Major O'Brien embarked thence for foreign service, on which he %vas ordered ; and the Glenrock family left that place for the metropolis of Ireland, where Sir Phelim purposed to reside with his daughter dur- ing his grandson's academic studies at the mii- versity. The day of Major O^Brien's departure arrived^ and brought with it all the grief that the keenest sensibility can imagine to agonize each member of the Soldiers Famili/. The wife, bathed in floods of tears, hung on the gallant officer's shoulder, whilst his weeping daughter fell on her knees, and clasped her father in her encirclhig arms. Mrs. O'Brien's silent sor- row nearly burst her convulsed bosom ; but the young Erina's sobs were heard as she solicited the blessing of her departing parent. Tears trembled in the amiable Sir Phelim's eyes whilst he pressed the hand of his son-in-law between his. Charles, agitated by every filial feeling, grasped his father's other hand, and carried it with the tenderest reverence to his beating heart. And M'Sliane, affected even to tears by the scene, in which he made one of the interesting figures that composed the group, stood behind his master^ to 64 THE soldier's family; complete tlie picture of the soldier's adieus to his afflicted family. Major O'Brien, accoutred for immediate em- barkation, knew that the moment of departure must command him instantly from his native shore, from his home, endeared by the tenderest ties ; and agonized with all the sentiments a son, a father, and a husband can experience at the hour of a farewell, which may be the last, he collected all the fortitude of a man to tear him- self from the embraces of his father, his son, his daughter, and his wife. Affection struggled for utterance, but emotion stifled words, and sighs alone were audible. At length the departing sol- dier's voice, deep and penetrating, interrupted the solemn silence by recommending them each with fervour to the care of Heaven ; and in falter- ing accents, which added to the energy of his manner, something awfully impressive, he con- jured his children to console their mother, and by filial duty, affection, and emulation in virtue, to prevent their parent from feeling his absence ; adding, emphatically, his last paternal advice in these words : '^ Remember, my dear Charles and Erina, that your illustrious origin imposes the ne- cessity of your being, pre-eminent in every graceful equality, in every virtuous act. Always bear- in OR, GUARDIAN GEXII. 05 mind, that though you have not titles, your blood can trace its pure source from the hearts of princes ; yet let the idea of high birth check pride, which is beneath true greatness, but cherish in its stead a loftiness of soul. That spiri' zchich arisesjrom the consciousness of ancient and noble ancestry, is laudable ; for it naturalli/ i/ispires elevated seniimcntSj tinder the influence of which zee attain virtue y and must be truly dignified in whatever circumstances zee are placed: for zpe then have pozcer to ennoble a depressed situa- tion in life^ or give genuim lustre to the most exalted station in society,'* 66 THE soldier's family; CHAP. 11. " As virtue is the purest desire, it constitutes our supreme hap- piness; its essence is constant exertion continually stimulated by religious obedience ; and the consciousness of it is alone suflQcient to ensure us temporal felicity, as an earnest of eternal beatitude." THE last words . . , . ^,^ . , . or Major O Brien sunk into the softened hearts of Charles and Erina. Both stood a moment in motionless grief, looking after their departed father till they saw him no longer. The last glimpse they had of him shewed him wiping a tear from either eye. Charles's eyes ran over at this sight, and he pensively leaned his head against the window to conceal how much he wept ; whilst Erina sobbed aloud in all the agony of juvenile sorrow. From this indulgence of their own grief they were aroused by the violent burst of their mother's anguish, which found a teniporary interruption in the oblivion of a deep swoon. OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 67 Charles and his sister beheld with affright the death-like paleness of their mother^ and, as the first act of obedience to the injunctions of their beloved father, they flew with filial love to hang over their fainting parent, and by every effort endeavoured to recall her to sensibility. This interesting scene turned the emotion of the amiable Sir Phelim into a new channel ; and, agitated by parental solicitude for a tenderly regard- ed and suffering daughter, he busied himself with Cliarles and Erina to restore her to life. The first return of sense threw Mrs. O'Brien into a paroxysm of grief bordering on hysterics ; and the terrified youth and maid, to whom this effect was alarming, clasped their mother in their arms with feelings little short of phrenzy. To tranquillize all required the reason, the ex- perience of age, like the worthy baronet's, who, inured to the various trials of the feeling mind, possessed his soul in calm reflection, to admi- nister to himself and others v\ hat each emergency of the heart required. Cool and collected, he talked to his disconsolate daughter and her afflicted children of the propriety of submitting cjuietly to inevitable evils, and bear the misfortunes incident 68 THE soldier's family; to life with the reaignation of a pious christian ; and he spoke with persuasive eloquence, which wisdom always employs to stamp moral precepts %\ith the stal of conviction. ^Irs. O'Brien listened to her father with filial reverence, and feeling the necessity of enforcing that and every other virtue, by example, on her children, she assumed composure, and wdth them joined in endeavouring at mutual consolation for an hreparable loss. In order to dissipate their thoughts, and prevent their dwelling too intently on a subject which must ever have renew ed un- availing regrets, the completion of Charles's and Erina's education became a matter of incessant attention. On entering the university he acquitted himself in so distinguished a manner, that he authorised the presumption of his obtaining the highest aca- demic honours during his pursuit of scholastic studies. Sir Phelim hired a handsome residence in the most elegant situation in Dublin, that he might have the pleasure of frequently seeing his grand- son whilst he was at college, and tliat lie might have the beiieticial resource of domesticating him- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 6g self occasionally with his family, in order to ad- vise at times with them, and maintain those social <]ualities best nurtured by a constant intercourse with endeared relatives. The amiable baronet was a man of superior understanding, and had taken into mature consideration every circumstance relative to the education of his grandchildren, and of Charles in particular. He generously sacrificed his own immediate advantage to his pupils; and although strongly attached to a constant residence on his estates, both from principles of necessary economy, and a long habit of living at the family mansion of Glenrock, he bid adieu to it for four years ; and thereby inceased his estabiislnnent in- conveniently for the benefit of superintending Charles, and allowing Erina the best masters to finish her in the elegant accomplishments of her sex. As Major O'Brien's income was scarcely more than a genteel sufficiency for himself, whilst se- parated from his family it could not be expected that the annual allowance to it could furnish a number of expensive imsters for his children, and afford Charles more than a very moderate stipend for academic demands : the geu'^rosity, however, of Sir Phelnn, enabled his f^vandson. to procure genteel apartments in college; and to furnish them 70 THE soldier's FAMILY; handsomely, consistent with his birth and future prospects ; for he wished to accustom him to unite an elegant appearance with frugality, and took care his stipend should keep the strict medium between too confined or too great an allowance for his disbursements, neither to depress his spirits Knowing the necessity of a young man being competent to conduct himself, and manage his own affairs in life. Sir Phelim committed Charles to his own guidance on his entrance into the uni- versity, after recommending to his pupil's atten- tion some rules of general utihty in a commerce with the world ; and he watched, w ith all a fond parent's solicitude, the conduct of Charles, which blended in the justest proportions the candid un- suspicious innocence of ingenuous amial.ie youth, with the caution requisite for its defence against arts of which it remained ignorant. Handsome, elegant, and endued with all nature's finest talents, Charles was sought by the superior order of his fellow-students ; from amongst whom he judiciously selected friends, who did honour to his discernment and feelings : and, happily, among his necessarily promiscuous associates, he always led the way w ith spirit to OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 71 Vvhatever was right, instead of ever submitting to follow advice or example that deviated, in the ilightest degree, from propriety. Gay, even to volatility, it might have been ima- gined he \vas deficient in the application requisite for tlie numerous abstruse studies his tutors pre- scribed ; but his genius illuminated every investi- gation so strongly, that each science, however difficult, developed itself to his brilliant capacity, and he soon became an accomplished scholar. Lively,, yet solid ; learned without pedantry ; pos- sessed of the finest talents without any pretension ; easy in his address, yet modest and unassuming ; uncommonly handsome, and perfectly free from the slightest tincture of vanity, Charles O'Brien became the most distinguished youth at the uni- versity, the chief ornament of every circle he fre- quented, and the admiration in all public enter- tainments where he appeared, without the small- est consciousness of his extraordinary superiority in college, or noticing in the least the flattering and universal attention he attracted in each so- ciety and in all places. But he was too intent on the pursuit of excellence, to think he had at- tained it, and infinitely too refined in his ideas of possible perfection in all the arts and sciences, to believe he had arrived at any acquisitions worthy 72 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; of great commendation : and he was so assidu- ous to please his friends, and so ready to be pleased, from the sweetness of his disposition, that he had no leisure for the paltry conceit to which narrow and despicable minds are subject, who are too much absorbed in self-love and admi- ration to extend a thought beyond themselves or their own gratifications. Charles's soul was filled with a benevolence which embraced all human kind with fraternal philanthropy, and his pursuit after excellence, his desire of perfection in every accomplishment, and his eager solicitude to please, originated from a disinterested wish to be amiable for the pleasure of others, rather than witli a view to his own selfish enjoyment. He generally dedicated several hours a day to his family, and even this time was spent in im- provement ; for his conversations with Sir Phelim turned frequently on the subject of his college studies ; to his mother he often read elegant and instructive authors ; and with Erina he occasion- ally practised drawing, painting, music, and speaking French and Italian : and sometimes, to amuse and gratify his parents and his amiable little sister, he would trip with her the graceful movements of the various dances, in which bolli equally excelled. Thus innocently, happily, and OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 73' usefully employed^ ihe circling montlis brought years in their course, while each day matured the graces and virtues of the admirable youth and h'i3 lovely sister, whose charming description the fond mother's pen often traced for the satisfaction of her absent husband : and his praises, in return, stimulated the exertions of his amiable children, who felt a father's approbation their sweetest re- ward for their ardent wish and unremitted endea- vours to please him. Crowned with academic honours, high in re- putation, courted by the most elevated society, caressed by all, and adored almost at home ; where every elegance of situation, every refine- ment of taste, every delicacy of sentiment, af- forded him continual domestic enjoyments, Charles was supremely blessed ; and thought himself so — yet a cloud of some internal uneasiness suddenly threw a shade of sadness over his expressive countenance, ever till then illumined with the brilliant bloom of youth and health, heightened by the radiance happiness bestows. The constantly unruffled brow of the calm grandsire was discomposed as he observed this change in his beloved pupil ; the sweet serenity of the fond mother was disturbed to behold her VOL. I. E 74 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; darling son's unaccounlabk melancholy ; and the lively Erina's laughter-beaming eye glistened with tears of sympathy, to see her charming brother's smile give place to seriousness, and sadness steal tlie ruddy hue of peace from his cheeks. With endearing playfulness she endeavoured to draw the lurking secret from his heart ; while Mrs. O'Brien and Sir Phelim marked the struggling of a mind wracked with the desire and dread of dis- covering the concealed cause of misery. Agitation silenced the mother ; but Sir Phelim, addressing himself with mild persuasion to his grandson, said, *' Why, my dear boy, do you hide from your best friends a grief which their conso- lation might alleviate, or their advice remove ? Speak, and let us know, my child, what we can do to relieve your uneasiness ; for, be assured, af- fection for you renders it our own, and would make every effort to restore your tranquillity." Sensibihty flushed the countenance of Charles -with a crimson glow while, in faltering accents, he replied hastily, " JNo, my dear grandfather, your kindness cannot restore my happiness ; for it would increase my sufferings to involve you in it :" and, after a moment's pause, he added, " permit me to feel my own imprudence without exciting OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 75 your uneasiness; for/' continued he, briglitening as he spoke, *' 1 have devised a means of extri- cating myself from an embarrassment which will make me wise in future, and instruct me, that I ehould never lend without leaving myself sufficient for the exercise of charity. To be explicit, how- ever," said Charles, colouring and growing pale alternately with the conflicting sentiments of can- dour to confess his error, and shame for having committed it, "I have been prevailed on by a fellow -collegian to advance a sum for the dis- bursement of some bills, which, had they not been discharged, would have irritated a surly old uncle, on whom he is entirely dependant. I had calculated,^' continued Charles, '' the money I might require to expend until the payment of ray quarterly allowance, and purposed to economize tliat, in order to make it answer all my demands^ even in case of my loan not being reimbursed im- mediately, as my young friend's circumstances are rather straitened from the penurious disposi- tion of his uncle. However, I have this day been applied to for pecuniary assistance by an object excessively interesting to my feelings ; and disco- covered, with mortification, I have not the power of relieving the most pressing distress. The view of it, and the inability of lessening it, have depress-* ed my spirits, until the idea just now suggested T7 <^ 76 itself, that I might borrow about twenty pounds, which would make me and a worthy suffering fa- mily easy for the present." The good baronet smiled benignantly on his grandson,, and shaking his head, said jocosely, " 1 cannot afford to make you a present to the amount you require ; but I commission you to bestow half of it on my account to the distressed family for whom you are interested. The re- mainder of the money I will contrive to lend you, my dear boy, to dispose of as you please, and to repay at your convenience. Reniember, how- ever_, to avoid running in debt, even for benevo- lent purposes ; for by that means you must limit your power of being generous, and involve your- self in increasing difficulties. Liberality should never exceed our ability ; if it do, it be omes not only a worthless quality, but may, in the end, degenerate into a vice, which may ultnnale'y be productive of incalculable injury to our best found- ed principles, and thus prove destructive to ourselves and others." Charles treasured, with reverential attention, each precept his grandsire's wisdom bestowed on his inexperienced youth ; and, with a profound bow, that represented gratitude in its lovehest OR, GUARDIAN GEXII. 77' form, he acknowledged his obligation to Sir Phe- lim for the acceptable loan iiis generous kindness afforded to its required extent, whilst his indulgence cancelled half the debt by delegating his grand- son as his almoner. Mrs. O'Brien, highly gratified by the amiable sentiments her son evinced on this occasion, in- sisted on his receiving the gift of a ten-pound note from her purse for the immediate discharge of his debt to Sir Phelim ; saying, that she could easily spare that sum from her trivial demands, which the more important concerns of her father might render it inconvenient for him to part with, even for a short time ; as she knew his economy was strictly regulated, and his expences consider- ably increased on her account. Charles received the generous offer of his mo- ther with extreme delight; objecting, however, to retain as a donation that which might diminish her conveniences, or could even subtract from her enjoyments, which his filial aft'ection wished to increase rather than lessen. Considering him- self, therefore, his mother's debtor instead of Sir Phelim's, he said he should be anxious to exone- rate himself from this weight of obligation to her, although it might be of less immediate inconve- Er» O 78 iiience to her than to his grandfather, \vhose de- mands for money were more numerous and greater. On the following day Charles introduced to his family a strange gentleman, in the clerical habit ; vho, accosting the baronet with marked respect, said, he had entreated his amiable young friend to allow him the honour of being presented, that he might have the pleasure of personally acknow- ledging the great obligation Sir Phelim's liberality had conferred on hira and his family ; and candidly confessed, in delicate terms, that to young Mr. O'Brien's benevolent interposition he was indebted for that liberty of which a merciless landlord would have deprived him, '* I have/' added the clergyman, with an air of dignified humility, " been punctual in the discharge of my rent, until a lingering illness attacked my wife, and occasioned some incidental necessary expences, for which I was unprepared, and which consequently embarrassed me too much to allow my paying our landlord at present: and notwithstanding 1 apologized for this unusual irre- gularity;;,* continued the meek divine, " and re- quested he proprietor of our lodging to have a iittle patience until, by ecorsomy, I could arrange my affairs^ he would have immured me in prison. OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 79 and thereby have rendered it absokitely impossible for me ever to have discharged the trifling debt I owed him. In my emergency, good fortune di- rected me to that generous youth/^ pointing to the blushing Charles, '^ whom acts of cliarity and beneficence distinguish. He flew to me on the wings of benevolence, commiserated and relieved my sufferings by his own generosity and the assist- ance he procured me from you. Sir ; and to him I stand indebted for a present comfortable home, and the domestic pleasure of being surrounded by a family, who, in my absence, must have en- countered the rudest shocks adversity can occasion. To this young benefactor," added the clergyman, with warmth of gratitude, '^ I owe a gratification as great as liberty and domestic comfort, — the hap- piness of acknowledging to you how infinitely 1 am obliged to you and your amiable grandson.'* The courtesy of the worthy baronet received the good clergyman with a complaisance vyhich might have encouraged the humblest indigence to feel itself Sir Phelim's equal in rank. The eu- logy bestowed on Charles was grateful to his grandsire's ear ; but the generous youth felt abashed at praise he thought superior to the small share of merit which modesty imagined his due ; and he was impatient to persuade the person whom E 4 80 THE soldier's lAMItY; lie had essentially served, that Sir Phelim alone* deserved all his thanks. But to prove it he would have been reluctant, since he would unwillingly have discovered to the man he had extricated from difficulty, that he had incurred any on his account, and laid himself under a pecuniary obli- gation fully equal to that he had conferred ; for Cliarles's spirit revolted at the idea of receiving favours which might cost the donor even a trivial inconvenience ; and iKitbing but the principle of christiaii duty, which imperiously enjoins the re- lief of suffering humanity, could have induced Ciiarles to avow this act of beneficence to his fel- low-collegian, the inconvenience resulting from his generosity on that occasion, the consequent disclo- sure of his purposed charity to the distressed clergyman, nor to obtain the power of perform- ing that deed of benevolence from the muniii- ence of his loved relatives, whose ease was, in his heart, the first consideration next to the duty and obedience he owed his Creator. Rejoiced in performing a kindness tQ a deserv- ing man, anxious to turn the topic of discourse to , any subject but himself, and solicitous to gain Sir Phelim's interest for the person he had under- taken to introduce to his grandfather's notice, Charles took the first opportunity of leading the 81 conversation to the natural introduction of the clergyman's history, by which he unaffectedly discovered himself to be a man of ability and respectable descent, who, after expending a small patrimony on the best education, to fit himself for the most dignified profession, had never been fortunate enough to procure a living, although he made it appear he had the fairest pretensions to good patronage. The meek divine disclosed these facts wdthout ostentation, and confessed, without the least approach to meanness or discontent, that on a very poor curacy, and a few casual gains, he contrived to maintain himself in a style that would not disgrace his profession, and that ou the meerest trifle his wife's economy managed a stinted support for herself and an increasing family. Sir Phelim perceived the worthy clergyman deserved a better fate, and by recommendation very speedily procured him a rich living ; afford- ing Charles the delight of experiencing, that, with few apparent powers of performing great services to our fellow-creatures, much good may be effect- ed with benciicient dispositions and an active zeal in pious charity ; by which means benefits are more widely diffused among distressed individuals, 2s they most frequently by their situation are de- E 5 82 THE soldier's FAMILY; prlved of personal access to the great, who almost exclusively can boast the blessing and delightful privilege of conferring considerable benefactions. Sir Phelim and Charles were far superior to the sentiment of requiring the homage of gratitude from those whom they had obliged, or that their acts of christian kindness should be known ; for they had a higher object in view than worldly ap- probation,— that of their own conscience, resulting from the idea of having paid obedience to the commands of Divine Providence, was sufficient However, they were prompt in returning the cler- gyman's visit, to evince the respect particularly due to those whose situation is depressed by mis- fortune. Immediately after this event the attractions of home seemed to have lost all their power over Charles, Mhose naturally domestic disposition had heretofore made him daily devote every leisure moment to the society of his beloved relatives. Neither his revered grandsire's superior wisdom jpid information, which rendered his conversation equally improving and engaging, nor the winning softness of his loved mother's manners, that polished the address as greatly as it fascinated the OR, GUARDTAxV GENII. S5 Rearts of her associates, drew Charles as usual to the parental abode. Of late it was seldom visited by him, and when he came his stay was short, and his impatience appeared anxious for the moment of speedy departure. In vain his idolized and lovely sister, whose growing sweetness and in creasing perfections had often charmed him into tile forgetfulness of hours his intentions consecrat- ed to business, strove to detain him : she tried* to obtain his coveted company by the best display of all her numerous accomplishments. The ele- gant labours of her needle, the tasteful produc- tions of her inventive ingenuity, the striking touch- es of her admirable pencil, her brilliant execution on, the piano forte, the enchanting graces of her agile motions in the dance, and the dulcet melo-C dies of her harp, when she swept the strings with sweetest harmony, and united with its soft accords the seraphic tones of her voice, breathing the genius of music to the soul ; all failed to de- tain the presence of Charles for a longer time than half an hour at each casual visit ; and then his appearance and manner were different from his former self : generally thoughtful, occasionally quite absorbed, and sometimes totally absent, his late gaiety no more enlivened the family circle with sprightly sallies and with brilliant wit, unless an apposite remark upon his unusual taciturnitj; B 6 8-i THE soldier's FAMILY; awakened a spark of evanescent mirth. Withowt M)e least tincture of personal vanity, he had always paid strict attention to the elegance of his dress» from a conviction^ that every man owed respect to himself as VvcU as to the company he mixed Iw and that his appearance ought to be consistent with his rank : added to these notions, he was impressed with an idea, that there is infinitely more conceit in neglecting the person than in attending to it. and that there is much more affectation in being out of the fashion, than in conforming to it with proper moderation. From the beneficial habits •/ of extreme neatness in his apparel, it was impos- sible for him to become slovenly on a sudden, but ;•; his dress was evidently more careless than former- • **" ly ; and on being rallied upon it, he replied, that he did not now frequent society that required his being a beau. These alterations in his appearance and in his mode of life, created as much uneasiness as they i^xcited surprise in his friends, who, with tender anxiety, demanding an explanation for this sudden change, were informed by him, that he was be- come more assiduous in application than he had formerly been ; and observed in him a desire to evade all farther examination on a subject visibly concealed in mystery. 85 Some time after this he visited his family one day, and seemingly elated with joy at some recent occurrence, gaily presented to his mother a bank- note of double the value she had given him, and entreated her to exert all her influence over his grandfather, to persuade him to accept the moiety of the twenty-pound note, as the discharge of the sum which generosity had voluntarily bestowed, but that justice had obliged him to consider merely as a loan, for which he held himself equally in- debted to Sir Phelim's kindness as if it had been retained as a gift. Pleasingly surprised at the entrance of her be- loved son, and at the alteration in his looks and manner, which evinced him to be again the cheer- fiu happy youth, in whose gay and engaging socie- ty' she found her sweetest consolation in his. father's absence, Mrs. O'Brien met her darling Charles with the most welcoming maternal smile ; but when the offered money met her sight, and she recollected the impossibility of his having amassed that sum from the savings of his allowance in no short a time, she felt amazed ; till remembering the loan to his fellow-collegian, she congratulated him on the recovery of a debt he had no ex- pectation of being thus soon repaid. With visible reluctance to discover the inability S6 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; of his college friend to discharge the borrowed sum, a glowing blush mantled o'er his cheeks, while he avowed the money to be made instead of regained. A mother's heart, ever solicitous for the wel- fare of a darling child^ is always anxiously alive to every fear of that welfare being undermined by the seductive temptations of a wicked world, and the too frequently triumphant influence of bad example : and when Mrs. O'Brien reflected- on the late change in Charles's looks and habits^ contrasted his recent thoughtfulness with the pre- sent exhilaration of his spirits, and combined thenv with his confession of having made the sum of twenty pounds, she immediately conjectured it to be the gains of high play, which probably had' first involved him in difficulty, and dien, by a- turn of luck in his favour, had retrieved his circum- stances, and made him rich for iJie present as a: lure to future destruction. She was too firmly convinced of her son's rec-^ titude of mind, to attribute his falling into the gamester's snares to the smallest natural propensity to this vice ; yet she feared his high spirit and: generosity might have seduced him into a belief, that it could not be criminal to hazard an attempt 87 to extricate himself from a pecuniary difficulty, by the means so many flatter themselves may be adopted with success. Carried away by the alarm of such a horrid suspicion, the gaming-table, and all its most dread- ful accompaniments, rushed into her fancy, and shewed, in melancholy perspective, the total an- nihilation of Charles's admirable qualities, the ruin of his brilliant prospects, and the extinction of her best hopes and highest felicity ! Overpow- ered by the agonizing idea, with trembling hands she returned the note she believed to be most fatal gains, nd ejaculated with horror, " Never, my child, would I consent to accept, even were I reduced by extreme penury to the verge of the grave ; never — no never could I consent to ac- cept the smallest pecuniary assistance from }ou, if in order to obtain the power of relieving me you had been tempted to make the most trivial sacri- lice that could ever cost your rigid principles the least uneasiness. Alas ! my son, the gamester's gains are poverty !" Struck with astonishment and mortification, Charles stood a moment in suspense ; then re- covering from this unexpected stroke of disap pointment; he seized his mother's hand with the 88 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; most engaging grace, and said, in a tone of re- spectful reproach, " I grieve to think you could suspect your son to be capable of wounding a parent's feelings by the slightest deviation from ho- nour. Has my mother yet to learn that the offspring of O'Brien and Fitz-Henry conceives himself bound to hold himself uncontaminated by disgrace .^ *' Know, that I rank the gamester beneatlr the highwayman : he boldly risks liis life to the double hazard of the law's chastisement, and a casual' death from every traveller, who may dare the de- fence of his property with weapons of equal security with those of his antagonist. But the more detestable gambler, equally a pest to society^ and as amenable to its laws, lures his wretched prey by a fascinating snare, not merely to inevita- ble temporal destruction, but alas ! most pro- bably to eternal perdition I '< Believe not, my mother, that I could ad- dict myself to a vice I hold in equal contempt and abhorrence. Yet, be assured, I am far re- moved from the dangerous vanity of think- ing myself superior to temptation : 1 tlierefore OR, GUARDIAN GEXII. 89 keep from every avenue that might lead me to seduction ; and for this reason abstain from play- ing, whenever I can avoid it, even for the most moderate stake : fir.st, because I might imbibe by habit a taste for an amusement at best extremely frivolous ; and secondly, as I consider every game of chance and skill, not only a loss of precious time, but the perversion of faculties that ought to be exercised in infinitely superior attain- ments to the science of cards, which occasionally injure the temper or those devoted to them, as much as ttiey unavoidably degrade the understand- Sentiments of minoled emotion pressed on the heart of Airs. O'Bntn as she hstencd to her son, and a flush suifused her soft expressive counte- nance, from the reflection, how much an injurious suspicion must have wounded ihe feeliijgs of a youth, in whose bosojn spirit, honour, and virtue were combined with the acutest sensibilities of the soul. Pressing the hand of Charles in her's, she ex- claimed energetically, ^^ Pardon, my dear boy, an offence originating. from the most anxious mater- nal affection ! Let that affection at once plead my excuse and obtain my pardon ; and permit it to ^0 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; demand the means by %vl)ich your independent spirit has been enabled to discharge as a debt a sum parviita! kindness voluntarily bestowed as a gift, iniimtely too trifling, in comparison to your filial deserts, had circumstances enabled either your grandfather or me to be as munificient as our wishes would have prompted us to be towards you, who so well know the proper application of wealth." Charles reverentially put his mother's hand to his lips, and dropped a tear on it, which seemed expressive of sorrow, that a parent had condescend- ed to solicit forgiveness for an offence, which a son ought not to consider as one, and for which, if he had dared to think it one, it became impos- sible for him to withhold a pardon as entire as it was due. Recovering the smile of joy which irradiated his countenance on his entrance^ Charles presented anew, with inimitable grace, to his mother the bank-note in question, hoping she would no longer reject it, when he assured her it was tlie reward of some literary labours, which a book- seller had liberally taken, and allowed him a handsome remuneration for, although it had the disadvantage of being the first production. In OR, GUARDIAN GENII. Ql addition to the present emolument of his ^vork, he had the promise of half the future profits from its sale, in case of its coming to a second edition : which was the fairest means, he said, possibly to be devised for a just partition of gain between an author and publisher ; who having mutual obligations to each other, should equally arrange matters so, that the risk and advantage might not be in danger of preponderating unfairly on either side. It happened that the bookseller with whom Charles negociated, was a man of liberal senti- ments, and the fairest dealings ; he was, moreover, a man of taste, and loved to encourage talents wherever he discovered them. He confessed honestly, he saw great merit in the young author's production, which consisted of a miscellaneous collection of select pieces from the Latin and Greek poets of highest celebrity, translated into English verse, in such a masterly manner as to preserve the spirit and beauty of their excellent originals. A polite note from the bookseller, complimenting Charles on the happy success of his literary undertaking, he handed to his mother as the credentials of his authorship, and to shew his claims to celebrity. His genius made him superior to vanity, but his exemplary filial affec- tion rendered him solicitous to evince, upon every occasion, that his parents' happiness was g^ THE soldier's family; dear to him, and that their attention to his edu- cation liad not been bestowed in vain. ;Mrs. O'Brien perused with exultation the testi- monial of her sou's early talents, and thanked him for the delight he had afibrded her in this new instance of his abilities, and his affection so deli- cately displayed in their exertion for his grand- father's ease and her own : and she entreated Charles to retain the whole of the offered bank- note, as a trifling tribute of her maternal love, as she would take upon herself to reimburse the sum he considered himself indebted to Sir Phe- lim ; adding with a smile, ^^ As you give me such an example of a high and generous spit it, you cannot blame me for imitating sentiments you approve ; therefore 1 persist in insisting you not to couside» yourself at all my debtor : for, " added she laughing," though 1 cannot make money as honourably as you do, my dear clever boy, I have the talent of requiring little for my personal ex- pences. I boast of being an excelu nt economist, though I cannot pretend to be a great scholar or an author." Sir Phelim now entered the drawmg-room, having heard of his grandson's visit, and was most agreeably surprised to find him in such ap- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 93 parent pleasant conversation with his mother ; from whom he immediately learned the reason of that unnsual joy which illumined equally the countenances of INIrs. O'Brien and Charles. The good baronet received the information of his pupil's late success with extreme pleasure. Not even the high academic honours with which Charles had frequently been rewarded, and which publicly shewed his abilities to be decidedly superior to his immerouscollege-contem poraries, had ever afforded such a proud triumph to the grandfather^ as this genuine proof of a noble mind and amiable nature ; which, perfectly satisfied with the consciousness of good intentions, and great actions, was stu- dious to conceal rather than disclose them : for upon enquiry, Sir Phelim found that Charles had been determined, neither to avow himself the au- thor of the work he had just disposed of, even should it attain the highest ceiebrity, nor acknow- ledge to his friends, that he liad endured ahnost incessant daily fatigue, and saciiticed very fre- quently his night's repost;, to prepare his work for the press. But being incapaole of deception, however innocent it might be, he was under the necessity of discovering all these partu'uiars, in answer to the numerous interrogations and close examinations of his deeply interested grandsire and §4} THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; motlier, and his iiiqusitive sister^ who made the most lively and entertaining remarks on her bro- tFier*s courting the muses with such assiduity. / As Sir Phelim coukl not be prevailed on to take back his gift to Charles, either from him or Mrs. O'Brien, the bank-note was returned to him, and he w as compelled to keep it, notwithstanding his reluctance, and his assurances,, that it was not the whole profit of his work, and that he should never have been imprudent enough to borrow money, without first devising the means to repay it. In less than a year after this circumstance, Charles received the agreeable information from his bookseller, that in consequence of the increas- ing demand for his elegant translations from the classics, another edition of the work had been put in hand, and w as nearly ready for publication ; and that he conceived it would add considerably to its sale and celebrity, if the author's name were affixed to it, as he was acknowledged to be a most accomplished scholar at the university. It was impossible for a youth of Charles's emulation not to feel gratified by this testimony of public esteem ; yet he enjoyed it infinitely OR, GUARDIAN GEXII. g5 more on his exulting family's account than on his own ; and jDcrsisted in remaining undistinguished as the author of the work, which he had frequent- ly heard approved. This species of unsought-for praise was to him more acceptable, than any adulation which might have been personally ad- dressed to himself, had he avowed the publication. To do it, he imagined would look like vanity ; and it was an imputation which would have wounded his honest pride of desiring to appear in genuine colours to the world's eye. He was above requiring an alms of praise from public opinion ; but he was sedulous to possess the re- gard of the virtuous, and the respect even of the unworthy, as a homage due to morality and re- ligion from every individual regarding either : for he was impressed with the idea, that amia- bleness and virtue should keep the just medium between an ostentatious display and concealment of themselves ; since every good man owes his exam- ple to society, from an obligation to encourage what is right, and repress every thing contrary to it. Shortly after this the promised profits of his translations enriched him considerably ; and, un- able to resist the impulse of a generous nature, that feels enjoyments incomplete till shared with 96 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; those most lovedj, Charles spent much reflectioi* in considering how he could best evince to his family the desire of making them all partners in his advantage and his pleasure : and with a wish of presenting what to each would be most agreeable, he purchased an elegant and splendid harp, as an offering to Erina, which was her favourite in- strument. The one on which she practised had been obtained on hire till a convenient opportu- nity of buying one arrived. Selected from amongst a number of choice in- struments by an excellent judge, Charles had the harp carried home ; and being there when it ar- rived, watched with pleasure the surprise and de- light of his sister on seeing it exhibited. Without informing her why it had been brought, he requested the lively girl to try the instrument ; and with gay and graceful compliance she swept the strings in symphonious chords, and declared the harp divine. " I am most fortunate, then," ejaculated Charles, " in the choice of it, since I have the happiness of presenting it to my dear Erina, whom, without compliment, I may style an angelic musician." With tears of gratitude, smiles of love, and ©R, GUARDIAN GENII. ^7 iimmmerable enthusiastic expressions^ she thanked her charming brother for this valuable token of fraternal affection ; and assured him, that she would now be more sedulous than ever to excel on the harp, because his khidness had put her in possession of the most admirable instrument in the world. The benevolent grandfather and mother witness- ed with delight that of their amiable children. Sir Phelim smiled approbation on Charles ; and tears starting to Mrs, O'Brien's eyes, declared her heart overflowed with maternal joy and tenderness for her son ; while the rapturous Erina sympa- thized in their sentiments of admiration of her brother, and enfolding him in her arms, press- ed him enthusiastically to her grateful bosom. Charles, ever alive to the keenes^t sensibilit}', caught the ecstasy of the moment, bestowed 9, kiss of transport on the glowing cheek of his amiable sister, and felt that, as virtue is the purest desire, it constitutes our supremest hap- piness ; that its essence is constant exertion, con- tinually stimulated by religious obedience ; and the consciousness ]of it is alone sufficient to en- sure us temporal feliciti/, as an earnest of' eterm nal beatitude, VOL. I, F gS THK soldier's FAMILY; CHAP. III. •< As piety alone can create, and is essential to, perfect hap- piness, religion is of sovereign efficacy to moderate the severest afflictions." mJ our years past at the university had now completed the education of Charles, and that lapse of time had nearly perfected Erina in her various accomplishments. Sir Phelim gloried in the graces, talents, and virtues of his grandchildren; and Mrs. O'Brien anticipated with delight the felicity their anx- iously expected father would experience on seeing them surpass every idea he could have formed of their personal charms, their mental acquirements, or their perfection of character. During his absence, health, fame, and fortune had attended him ; for the unfavourable climate of the West Indies, which usually proves destructive to Eu opeans, had committed no ravages on his OR, GUARDIAN GENII. f)9 constitution, naturally good, and that had been preserved by a life of temperance. The arms of Britain had been victorious in those islands where O'Brien served, and fame had bestowed upon him fresh laurels to bind in the still verdant wreath of his former renown ; and fortune, sometimes blind to merits had rewarded his by promotion to the rank of colonel. The last accounts from him mentioned the prospect of a speedy return to his native land ; and public report now rumoured, his regiment to be nearly approaching the shores of England. Colonel O'Brien's letters of the last date, an* nounced to his delighted family, that his late ser- vices in dreaded regions had claimed the indul- gence of a temporary absence from professional duty, that he was on his return to Europe, and that he would leave his regiment on its arrival, and repair immediately to Glenrock, in order to enjoy all the united pleasures of the most charming domestic scenes. Being now entirely liberated from Dublin, the amiable baronet and his family revisited with joy the long-endeared mansion of Glenrock. Charles and Erina hailed, with the ardour of youth, and all the enthusiasm of their character, the place of f2 100 THE soldier's family; their nativitv, the beloved haunts of their in- laiicy. T-lie ivell-remembered prospect of the varied scenery of that romantic spot, after an absence of four years, struck their sight ahiiost with the charms of novelty. The stupendous range of mountains, variegated by craggy acclivities and shrubby inequalities ; the gently-rising sylvan hills, with their intervening cultivated vales ; the spread- ing lake, on the margin of which die venerable antiquated towers of the family mansion raised their massy ivied battlements, and, with the majesty of ages past, overlooked the surrounding- ancient woods, — crowded on the feeling hearts of Charles and Erina innumerable recollections, in each of which their father's remembrance was mingled; for with him they sorrowfully had left those loved scenes to weep his absence, and were now joyously returning to welcome his speedy arrival. Sir Phelim's carriage driving through the vil- lage of Glenrock, gathered round it a throng of the worthy baronet's tenants. The men pulled off their hats, the women assembled at the cot- tage doors, courtesied to the ground, and the OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 101 eliildren ran beside the coach, clapphig their bands, uniting in the general smile of kindest greeting; while Sir Pheliin, Mrs. O'Brien, Charles, and Erina, looked complacently a grateful acknow- ledgment of their rui„„ ,. ..' , »"=>«"'* the corrosive poison of ■orrow from rankling in the heart 1 O all the graces and brilliant accomplish- ments of a polished gentleman, Charles united the solid acqun-eraents of a profound scholar ; he had .nvest.gated the depths of science, and he had gamed that wisdom without which all knowledc-e is ciespicable; he understood religion, and he\ad learned to practise piety. Delighting in study, and finding i„ his contem- plative mmd anmexhaustible source of intellectual enjoyment, he had made Erina the associate of n^anyof lus researches ; for his penetrative faculties dicovered n. h.s sister abiluies for intelligence ^h.ch men generally regard as too abstruse for female comprehension. Erina's understanding was Hhly cultivated ; her mental powers, naturally 120 THE soldier's FAMILY; strong, had acquired additional force from early and constant exercise ; her observation w a s acute, her discernment extremel} accurate^ and her judg- ment uncommonly correct and lirm. Energetic in her feehngs, she was zealous in religion^ and from an animated desire to understand thoroughly what she practised enthusiastically, she devoted herself, even at the early age of twelve years, to devotional studies. Mrs. O'Brien, who had always been a rigid Roman Catholic, on her husband's decease be- came almost a devotee, and her confessor was now a daily visitor at Glenrock. Father Murphy was a man of low origin and mean abilities, whom an indifferent education had not improved. He had been brought up in France, as Ireland had no Catholic collegiate semhiary ; and the priest united in his disposition the worst qualities that could be acquired in either country. To the gross superstition which is occasionally found amongst the lowest order of his counttymen, the bigotry of his religion added its most illiberal prejudices. Naturally violent in his temper, he gave to popery all its severity. Stern in his aspect, and harsh in his manner, he obtained the reputation of being austere in his life ; and if he avoided in- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 121 dulging in sensual gratifications, it was rather from ostentatious than virtuous motives. Natural cun- ning, concealed under the cloak of acquired artifice to deceive, made him a complete hypocrite ; and the vices of the man ingrafted on a profession "which ihould have sanctified him, rendered him doubly a villain, as it added to the crimes destructive to himself, the enormity of encouraging others in the guilt of infidelity ; for the impious too fre- quently triumph in their scoffs at religion, by con- victing its professors of wickedness, without con- sidering the argument which might defeat their ridicule by proofs not difficult to be substantiated from their own evidence of clerical hypocrisy; namely, that the professors of religion, if not really virtuous, are compelled to the semblance of good- ness ; and that consequently, though the pretence of sanctity has not power to eradicate vice, it must restrain it : and from thence it must follow, that a bad priest would have been a worse individual un- controuled by his professional curbs. Unchecked by the politic necessity of appearing holy. Father Murphy would have been a most licentious libertine, whose profligate example and wicked counsel would have eternally destroyed many more than the most diabolical secret ma- chinations could temporally injure. If his prac- VOL. I. G 12^ THE soldier's FAMILY; tices were wrong, they were concealed ; if his heart was bad, his precepts were moral. He h^d received Erina into the Roman Catholic church, and had from her infancy been her religi- ous director. Initiated in the Popish ritual, her expanding mind required a reason for all its ceremonies ; and Father Murphy endeavoured to instruct her, till her own intelligence had dived to the whole depth of his information, when by severity of rebuke he re- pressed her farther enquires, and doomed her to ignorance to conceal his own. But the luminous mind of Erina could not rest satisfied with the prohibition to explore those duties she conceived to be of the utmost moment ; and she studied reli- gion at its purest source, even in the sacred records of her Redeemer's life. Here she found indeed what mortals cannot teach in equal perfection ; but she sought in vain a foundation for the enormous superstructure of that worship, which renders the church of Rome more like the heathen temples of polytheism, than the house of prayer to the Triune Deity, who, manifesting his greatness to the world in all the perfection and sublimity of his divine essence, has by that essence, in the awfully authori- ative person of his son, desired his redeemed crea- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 125 turcs to worship him, and him alone, in spirit and in truth. Erina examined her brother's prayer-book with reference to her missal, and on a comparison between the Romish and Protestant worship, she found the liturgy of the church of England infinitely superior to the forms of the mass ; and she felt that the ceremonials of the latter were chiefly the objects of the senses, while the spirit of the former was forcibly addressed to the understanding, by a sublimity of style, more impressive on the heart than all the pageantry of the Popish ritual. In Erina's soul truth had fixed her throne, and with imperious command ruled her thoughts, guided her purposes, inspired all her words, and directed even her looks. Conformably to those laws of strict ve- racity which condemns as criminal the slightest equi- vocation or evasion, and with candour, she declared to her confessor that she thought the Roman Ca- tholic faith, in many particulars, deviated from the pure doctrine of the holy scriptures ; and that the mass, performed in a language unintelligible to most of the congregation, and rendered complex by intricate ceremonials, was a worship less likely to awaken rational devotion, and inspire the soul with true piety, than the liturgy of the church of Eng- G 2 124 land; so easy in its forms, so sublime in its com- position, and adapted equally to the intelligence of the learned, and to the ignorance of the illiterate, and calculated to impress the hearts of both with the truest religion. Father Murphy, irritated almost to fury by this avowal of Erina, could with difficulty repress his boiling indignation till she had declared her whole opinion. By the time she had finished her speech, the priest's rage had arrived at its acme, and he thundered out a tremendous volley of abuse, in which the terrified girl heard herself accused of unpardonable wickedness, infidelity, and blasphe- my! and instead of employing the engaging powers of mild reasoning to reclaim the deluded heretic, and the vile infidel, as he termed Erina, he ful- minated anathemas against her, and threatened her with excommunication from the Popish pale, whose was exclusive sanctification and salvation. The hapless gentle girl was shocked beyond de- scription at the ferocious manner and unchristian principles of her violent and bigoted confessor, who, on consigning her unmercifully to eternal perdition, lost not an instant in acquainting the mother of Erina, that she was condemned to perish everlastingly. OR, GUARDIAN GENU. 125 Never could the unhappy widow have felt such a shock from this information, as at the moment when excessive grief for a recent loss had weakened her health and debilitated her mind. Languid in frame, and depressed in spirits, she listened to the denunciation and condemnation of her daughter with a horror, of which the crafty priest knew how to take the best advantage. He saw himself neces- sary to her consolation, felt that he might become the arbitrator of her mental peace, and resolved on seizing an opportiniity of usurping a complete em- pire over Mrs. O'Brien and Erina, foreseeing the means of governing each through the other's iniiu- ence. Tlie success of this sclieme required his becoming an inmate in Sir Phelim's family ; which was in itself a most desirable circumstance, inde- pendent of the innumerable collateral advantages resulting from it. With maternal tenderness, Mrs. O'Brien wept over her daugliter's heresy, and deprecated the wrath of the indignant priest, by endeavours to excuse her child, which served only to augment the rage of Father Murphy ; and implicating the mo- ther in Erina's offence, he proceeded to anathema- tize both with redoubled fury and vehemence, aware of the forcible impression it would make on a mind naturally timid in religious matters, and en- G 3 126 feebled by dejection, to a more conscientious adher- ence to a faith that excluded from all hope of salva- tion every other belief but its own. To avoid a pub- lic sentence of excommunication, with which the violent priest threatened Mrs. O'Brien, as well as her daughter, the former promised to give up the the latter entirely to the direction of her confessor ; and on his proposal of becoming a constant resident in the family, in order more closely to superintend the spiritual management of Erina, her mother gladly acquiesced in a matter which she flattered herself must ensure the present welfare and future preservation of her child. During the arrangement of this affair, the amia- ble girl entered composed as innocence could ren- der her, until a stern glance, shot from the fierce eyes of Father Murphy, informed her that he had been accusing her to a parent, whose judgment must condemn even the tenderly loved child whom her heart would wish to acquit : and the silent re- proaches of her mother's fast-descending tears confirmed the dreaded truth. Grieved at the idea of having caused her revered mother a moment's affliction, the amiable Erina approached her with the most engaging air, in 127 which filial awe and affection were touchingly ex- pressed. Mrs. O'Brien's soul acknowledged the power of her child, and encircling her in a maternal embrace, the lovely girl shed on her mother's bosom a shower of tears that seemed to ask forgiveness for having offended. A kiss of pardon on Erina's cheek irradiated her heavenly eyes with the sunshine of a smile, while joy sported in beauteous dimples round her coral lips, and happiness renovated the blush on her lovely countenance. The malevolent priest marked with indignation the influence of Erina over her jnother's heart : from an apprehension that it might annihilate his ascend- ency, and resolving to maintain by exertion the authority delegated to him, he roughly commanded the terrified girl from her mother's presence, as a punishment too sligiit fur the heretical opinions iniquitously and daringly advanced by the daugh- ter, and wickedly tolerated, countenanced, and pardoned by the parent. Both stood appalled at the accusation of Father Murpliy. Mrs. O'Brien had from her youth reve- renced him as the director of her conscience, and had paid implicit obedience to him in all her spiritual G 4 128 THE soldier's family affairs ; and long habit, united with strict princi- ples and increasing rehgious fervor, now gave her all the zeal of the most rigid Roman Catholic bigot- ry, which enforced as a first duty, the sacrifice of every thing to making proselytes. This sentiment in her mind was strengthened, if possible, by her maternal feelings ; and the eternal welfare of her beloved daughter, in her estimation a matter of superioi mport over every other consideration, determined her to make all temporal concerns sabservient to it; and she would willingly have banished her from her presence for ever, and thus have given up the sweetest solace of her whole life, could she by this means have effected, or even liooed, the conversion and salvation of Erina. The terror and agony depicted in the lovely girl's coun- tenance on hearing the accusation of the priest, and the sentence of his condemnation, which, in commanding her from her mother's presence, hud inflicted the severest punishment on the parent and child, as both equally guilty, afforded Mrs. O'Brien the consolatory idea that Erina's penitence would be rendered evident to Father ISIurphy, by the ex- pression of contrition on her countenance, and that his severity would relent to inflict a penance less painful to each than separation. Whilst the mother stood mutely submissive to OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 1^9 her confessor, and pensively reasoning with her conscious piety and her maternal affection, Erina fixed a penetrating regard on her widowed parent, and reading in her looks religious obedience to iheir director, the tenderest love and anxiety for her child, and the deepest sorrow at the idea of her apostacy, she experienced the keenest regret for having, though unintentionally, occasioned one pain to her mother's heart, whose melancholy counte- nance and dismal weeds apostrophized her tender- est feelings ; and throwing herself on her krees at her parent's feet, Erina bathed her hands with a Hood of tears, which with tacit eloquence declared a resolve to do all her mother would desire, and be any thing she wished. " Kneel not to me, my child," said Mrs. O'Brien, '' but humble yourself to our justly incensed con- fessor, and entreat him to restore you to his fa- vour, and to solicit for you divine pardon^ that lie may absolve you from the heinous sin of heresy." *^ Holy father," added she, turning to the priest, *' receive the ptisitence of Erina; pity her, pray with her, supplicate mercy for her, and guide her €rring judgment." The submissive intercession of Mrs. O'Brien Hi 5 130 THE SOLDIER S FAMILY ; affected her daughter excessively, and made her feel the highest filial obligation ; and from a reso- hition to regulate herself according to the wishes and example of her beloved and revered mother, bowing before the confessor, the gentle Erina entreated forgiveness in a manner so softly insinuat- ino;, a voice so sweetly persuasive, and looks so winningly meek, that the crafty priest, fearful of losing his influence over Mrs. O'Brien, by disgust- ing herself and her daughter, affected a gentleness in opposition to his nature, and with deep dis- simulation, pronounced a pardon to Erina that his heart refused her. Entering now upon the business of his function. Father Murphy became an inmate at the mansion ' of Glenrock, and the first exertion of his precep- torial authority over his young pupil, was a posi- ive interdiction of her reading any book whatever without his leave. As an act of filial duty, Erina paid strict obe- dience to the commands of her confessor, and soon found, to her extreme mortification and infinite sorrow, that all the works of her favourite authors, and of universal celebrity, were included in the prohibited catalogue of her director. He con- demned history in general, and that of England in J OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 131 particular, as improper for Erina, as it wonld tend to unsettle her religious principles ; and to peruse the Protestant dissensions from the church of Rome. Poetry he absolutely forbade as frivolous : in fine, the unhappy girl was reduced to the painful neces- sity of relinquishing entirely the occupation and amusement in which she most delighted ; for the rigid priest enjoined her to refrain from reading every thing except her missal, and some Catholic devotional tracts. The sacred scriptures were prohibited as infinitely dangerous, because they might mislead her to wrong interpretations of the divine word and will : and under the threatened penalty of excommunication from the church, and entire banishment from her mother's presence, in case of disobedience, Erina saw herself excluded from every hope of intellectual enjoyment, from every prospect of improvement, as her director arrogated to himself the pow er of forbidding her accustomed studies with her brother, and even stretched his authority such a length, as to pro- hibit her conversing on literary subjects with Charles or her grandfather. This indeed she felt was carrying his tyranny to an unwarrantable height, as she delighted in improving her understanding, both by cultivating her taste for the sciences, in studying with her brother, and in discussing philo- sophical questions with him and the good baronet^ g6 1S2 THE soldier's FAMILY; who, with his grandson, took particular pleasure in instructing a mind so capacious as Erina's. The austerity of Father Murphy's manner, and Lis extreme ignorance of every liberal acquire- ment, combined to render him the most disagree- able companion to his gentle and informed pupil. But with all the mildness of her temper, she en- deavoured to bear with the severity of the director to whom her mother had submitted her, and the strongest sense of filial duty and affection made the amiable girl sedulous to pay the greatest de- ference to the harsh confessor of her widowed parent; while he, rendered arrogant by power, encroached insolently on the liberty of Mrs. O'Brien ; and with daily increasing authority, as- sumed over the mother and daughter a controul which was nearly intolerable to both, but which each patiently endured for the other's sake. Eri- na's filial piety lightened her sufferings, and her parent willingly sacrificed every selfish considera- tion and temporal ease, for the expected eternal welfare of her beloved child. Deeply affected at the loss of the best and kindest of fathers, deprived of her favourite books, and cut off by the severe restrictions of her harsh confessor from all confidential intercourse with OR, GUARDIAN GENIT. 133 her brother, whose spiritual advice, had she dared to ask it in opposition to Father Murphy's will, might have consoled, comforted, and guided her judgment, the gentle Erina was becoming a prey to melancholy. Pensive, silent, and dejected, the bloom of health was withering in her cheek, and the lustre of her eyes beamed frequently through tears: which her brothers affection re-^ marking, strove in vain to investigate the cause; for the amiable girl's strict observance of honour, would of itself have been a sufficient guard against deceiving the priest, even had not the principles of her religion forbidden the slightest reservation in her confessions, or the smallest prevarication in the daily severe examinations his vigilance com* pelled her to undergo. Her situation, in fine, be- came an hourly martyrdom. The constant mo- roseness and occasional violence of her illiterate preceptor, whose ignorance she was continually detecting, and at times, against her will, obliged by circumstances to expose, would have been sup- portable even to the mild and angelic-tempered Erina, had not her penetration discovered that her mother's heart was agonized by the hourly conflict between her religious and maternal feel- ings: for Father Murphy usurped an entire domi- nion over the former; and although the gentle Erina generously and nobly forbore to interest 134 THE soldier's family; her mother in her cause by complaints, or even tacitly discovered uneasiness, Mrs. O'Brien evinced in every look and action, that she commiserated the meekly suffering girl. . Under the constant observance of her rigid director, Erina endured the horrors of the most dreadful imprisonment, which was, mental con- finement uncheered by the most distant prospect of emancipation. But Erina, even in this period of extreme youth, and a stranger to the unhap- piness of life, felt consolation in the resources of her own mind, and learned, that patient submission in irremediable calamity^ blunts the point of Hifflictions sharpest dart, and prevents the cor- rosive poison of sorrow from rankling in the heart. OR, GUARDIAN GENU. 135 CHAP. V *< As the glorious luminary of day illumines the flrmaHient of every clime with vivifying rays, so does the mercy of Providence shine happiness over all his creatures, whilst the preserving spirit watches over all his works. How thankful then should mortals be even in their humblest state! The beggar and the king are equally the children and the care of Heaven— and to the poorest mendi^ cant's eyes, the light of day shews all the beauties of the wonder- ful creation in the same splendour as to the mightiest monarch. The rich and the sons of poverty, mutually useful to each other, and equally blessed in their respective condition, should each be contented in the station allotted them by unerring wisdom ; nnd endeavouring to perform their several duties, should love o-ie another with brotherly affection, since it is the strongest command of theii divine Redeemer, who bound mankind to each other and himself by the fraternal ties of general salvation to believers." X HE painful situation of Erina, in spite of all her fortitude, visibly undermined her health ; and this circumstance, operating to depress the spirits of Mrs. O'Brien to the lowest ebb, gave the amiable Sir Phelim extreme uneasiness; and the deepest melancholy pervading the domestic 136 THE soldier's family; circle of Gleurock, by the power of general sym- pathy in action and re-action, rendered it obvious to the good baronet, that change of air and scene was necessary for the preservation of every mem- ber of his family : and, from the wish of benefit- ing each, he turned his thoughts to a visit to Lon- don, as the most likely place to dissipate the grief of Mrs. O'Brien, occasioned by her recent loss, tmd as the best situation for promoting Charles's interest in the world he was about to enter. The proposal of a journey to the metropolis of England, for the purpose of a beloved son's ad- vantage, readily met with Mrs. O'Brien's assent. Charles felt elated at the prospect of speedily commencing his career in life : and the gentle Erina's eyes beamed with a joy which had long been extinct; for the pleasure of seeing those she loved happy, was sufficient to render her so. As soon as the excursion was decided upon. Sir Phelim made arrangements for his departure from Glenrock. Most of his servants being old and faithful domestics, were retained; but as travelling with a retinue to England would be extremely ex- pensive, and as economy was a necessary consi- deration to the worthy baronet, he purposed to take as few attendants as possible. Dennis, his 137 own valet, as a trusty and intelligent man^ he thought would prove not only a useful, but a ne- cessary companion of their journey ; and Norah, in the capacity of lady's maid, was to make one of the travelling party, as requisite for the con- venience and comfort of Mrs. O'Biien, who was rather an invalid. Sir Phelim intended his own coach should convey them ; for being a roomy carriage, it would be the most commedious vehicle that could be found, and would save an infinity of trouble on the road, by sparing the packing and removing their luggage at every stage. Matters being thus arranged for the journey, prevented the possibility of Father Murphy's being included in the party. This exclusion was not, however, very mortifying to the priest ; for sir Phe- lim, with his usual benevolence and consideration, requested Father Murphy to reside at the mansion during the family's absence, and take care of the premises. .This originated in motives of delicacy to Mrs. O'Brien, and was a testimony of respect to her confessor ; and it arose also from a senti- ment of generosity to the priest, whom the good baronet was reluctant to eject from a comfortable home, and whom he retained as the superintendent 138 THE soldier's family; of his house and domain, that he might not be de-' prived of his place as domestic chaplain to Mrs. O'Brien, which might have thrown the priest into difficultv^ not being otherwise well provided for. This circumstance made Father Murphy so de- sirous of keeping his comfartable situation at Glenrock, tliat he joyfully acquiesced in the pro- posal of his remaining there. As his abode at the mansion originated entirely in selfish motives, he felt not the least concern at the prospect of los* iiig the society of his patrons ; but on the con- trary, experienced a sensation of pleasure at the idea of being left paramount of Sir Pheiim's esta- blishment, and relieved of the trouble of super- intending the spiritual advancement of his young charge in the Catholic faith. Recommending strenuously the care of that to her mother, a tes- timony of his pious zeal to enhance his merit in her opinion, and as a pre-engagement of his fu- ture services in the work of her salvation (in which he gladly anticipated his utility and consequence in the eyes of Mrs. O'Brien), the interested priest felt rejoiced at the certainty of rendering himself an important, and even necessary, member of the family. All his actions tended to this aim ; and from the first moment of his abode at Glenrock mansion, it had been his whole study to make hii OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 139 situation permanent. With this view he accom- modated himself to each character, in such a man- ner as to ensure the success of his plan. To Sir Phelim he was unassuming, mild, and respectful; to Charles, he was kind and insinuating ; widi Mrs. O'Brien he was strict and peremptory; over his pupil he was rigid and violent. The worthy ba- ronet, from a respect to religion, reverenced its professors, and regarded the priest as a minister of Christianity, and from his own benevolence, judged Murphy to be an amiable man : while Charles, equally virtuous in disposition as his grandfather, remained equally ignorant of those qualities which afforded the priest such an entire ascendency over the mind of Mrs. O'Brien, and by that means fa- cilitated his empire over Erina ; who, from ex- treme youth, a natural docility of temper, and the most exalted filial piety, submitted to her severe director without a murmur. Austere in his life, from a pretension to extraor- dinary sanctity, Father Murphy frequently with- drew from company to the privacy of his own apart- ment ; and when he allowed himself to mix in the family circle, he retired from observation by an micommon degree of silent reserve, to answer the double purpose of appearing holy, and of avoiding the public exposure of an ignorance, which would 140 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; have detracted from the consequence he assumed ; and this mode of conduct veiled the man from the world's eye^ and sanctified the priest in the opinion of his associates. Foreseeing by the power of cunning, rather than from the force of reason, that another dereliction from the church of Rome might be the consequence of Erina's visit to England^ where Protestantism prevails to the almost total exclusion of Popish worship, Father Murphy's terror of his pupil's apostacy was pacified by anticipating the honour of Iier re-conversion by him on her return home, which he imagined would decide the necessity of his constant abode at the mansion whilst she in- habited it ; and in case of her removal from it by marriage or any other casualty, he flattered him- self his fortune would be completed by interven- ing gains, or that long habit of his residence in the mansion of Glenrock, would station him there for life, as he could have little doubt of retaining his power over Mrs. O'Brien; especially, if to her own spiritual obligations to him for direction, advice, and consolation, she should add the weighty consideration of her daughter's conversion and salvation. From the idea of this latter claim to maternal OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 141 gratitude, and an amazing accession of conse- quence as its natural and probable result, the crafty priest coiuiselled the mother of Erina to leave her for a short time free from every kind of mental restraint, in order to observe the bent of her in- clination when permitted to remain without con- troul; which he suggested as a necessary proba- tion of her faith, after her recent dereliction from the Romish persuasion. As Mrs. O'Brien submitted the guidance of her judgment and that of her child to Father Murphy, she made a point of implicit observance of his wishes relative to her own conduct in a spiritual affair concerning Erina ; and, in obedience to her di- rector, took not the reins of her daughter's mind into her own hands ; when the priest in her pre- sence, at their departure from Glenrock, formally assured his pupil, that she was left to the sole di- rection of her spirit and will. Erina received this unexpected mental emancipation with surprise, which could be equalled only by her joy, and kiss- ing the hands of her director with reverence, and a sentiment of affection she had never experienced for him before, she told him she should delibe- rately consider the important charge committed to her care, and would fervently pray for heavenly aid to assist her in the decision of her religious 142 THE soldier's family ; opinions ; and entreated her director to join de- voutly with her in constant intercessions for divine ilkimination to guide her reason to the true saving faith, and to the mode of worship most accept- able to the great Creator of the universe, the omnipotent Preserver of it, and the merciful Re- deemer of mankind. !Mrs. O'Brien, solicitous for the good of her beloved child, felt happy on remarking the joy which beamed in Erina's eyes ; and prognosticated, from the deep impression she evinced religious feelings had made on her mind, that the instruc- tions of her confessor had wrought a powerful effect to establish the Roman Catholic doctrines, as the firm guide of her future opinions and be- lief, The necessary preparations for their English excursion being completed, and the travelling carriage adjusted, the party stepped into the family coach one fine morning in spring, and, followed by Dennis on horseback, took their departure from the mansion. Sir Phelim and Mrs. O'Brien cast a linsferins look of regret at the abode endeared by innume- rable tender recollections ; and Charles and Erina OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 143 sighed as they gave through their tears a farewell glance to the ivy-mantled turrets of their ancestors, which, in majestic grandeur, lifted their stately battlements amidst antiquated woods. The road "winding through its recesses, led the travellers across the park; and as the youth and his sister passed, they marked each spot, where pleasing, yet sad retrospection, awakened the remembrance of happy childhood; when, during their father's life, with sportive step they trod the embowered wood-paths, strewed with loveliest flowrets. The primroses, cowslips, violets, and hyacinths, nur- tured by Erina, now bloomed in their fullest prime, to greet her parting view: and the lovely maiden looked on every blossom reared by her care a tearful adieu, whilst fancy placed in per- spective scenes of a foreign soil, more gay in ima- gination, but less pleasing to her heart than the romantic prospects of her native land. The moment Sir Phelim's carriage passed the park gate, a crowd of villagers gathered round the travellers to bless them; and every cottage door in Glenrock was thronged by rustics, who looked a sorrowful farewell to the beloved de- parting family. The worthy baronet was at once the patron. 144 THE soldier's family; counsellor^ friend, and father of his tenants and the poor of his village. A collegiate education, and attendance at the 7'emple, had given him suffi- cient knowledge of the laws of his country to have ensured his rise at the bar to the highest judicial offices ; but a love for general study, a passion for a country life, and an ardent desire to superin- tend his estates, and improve them by residnig on them, rather than to impoverish them by expend- ing their produce elsewhere, as is too generally the custom, induced him to relinquish the prac- tice of the law, except gratuitously for the benefit of his tenantry. Mrs. O'Brien humanely visited them, adminis- tering to the wants of the villagers every thing in her power. She kindly consulted with the mo- thers for the health and welfare of their offspring ; she frequently cloathed the poorer classes, en- couraged industry amongst the higher orders of the cottagers, superintended the education of the village children, often instructing them herself, and at stated times distributing marks of her ap- probation and favour for extraordinary advance- ment in improvement; she never omitted attend- ing the sick, to afford them comforts in medicine, or nutritious food, or requisite apparel. OR, GUARDIAN GENII. l45 These sweet offices of christian benevolence Erina dehghted to share \^ ith her mother. Her little allowance of pocket money was carefully economised for the purposes of charity ; and every luxurious pleasure gave place to the benevo- lent enjoyments of the lovely girl, who was equally angelic in her mind and person. The generous Charles too emulated his charm- ing sister in acts of philanthropy ; and, with her, almost daily visited the vicinity of the pater- nal mansion, as the guardian angels of the village. Whenever the youth and Erina appeared the rustics flocked to behold and bless the repre- sentatives of the houses of Fitz-Henry and O'Brien, the mutual benefactors of Glenrock. The oral tales of the great O'Connels, preserved by tradi- tion from generation to generation, were fra* quently recited to Charles and Erina ; while each, glowing with exalted sentiments, felt their hearts expand to embrace the descendants of their illus- trious ancestors' adherents ; and. the feelings of princely munificence uniting with christian kindness, prompted the generous gift to relieve distress ; and, by the soft smile of condescending benevo- lence, to make the lowest indigence forget itself in the cheermg presence of eievatcd raak, that VOL. I. H \46 THE soldier's family; amiably stooped to an affability which increased the splendour of its real dignity. As the family passed through Glenrock hamlet, the young travellers waved a kind adieu to the numerous villagers ; and as gentle Erina marked the sorrowful expression of their countenances her tears descended like the soft vernal showers, which, glistening in the sun-beams, fall to bathe sweet blooming roses ; for as the pearly drops of sorrow stood on the blushing cheeks of the beau- teous girl, smiles of courteous kindness played round her lovely lips. Her amiable brother too smiled an affable farewell to all his rustic neigh- bours of Glenrock ; and although his tears fell not as Erina's, they trembled in his eyes as he cast with her a last glance at the romantic lake of their native and paternal abode. Crystal drops, lus- trously pendant at the long silken eyelashes of Erina, shewed the lucid expanse of water to her in all its splendour, illumined by the morning ray ; and a deep-drawn sigh heaved her bosom at the moment she lost sight of the venerable turrets of the family mansion. But the surrounding woods still marked the boundary of the park, endeared to her youthful heart by innumerable tender re- collections. The felicity of her childhood, in which her regretted father's remembrance mingled. bR, GUARDIAN GENII. 147 carried her fancy back to former times, when happiness, mialloyed by care, crowned her joyous days with ever new delight. That peaceful state her retrospective thoughts contrasted with the hour of grief which disclosed her first affliction in the loss of her lamented parent ; and her imagina- tion recalled the dreary lapse of the melancholy months since that period, during which the dul~ ness of winter added gloom to the time of deepest mourning ; and when delivered over to the rigor- ous controul of her severe spiritual preceptor^ she had been severely interdicted the only conso- lation she could relish in a state of grief, which, rendering music discord to her feelings, and de- priving her pencil of its amusive powers, left the perusal of her favourite authors her only solace. She now recollected, with renewed pain, the te- dious privation of intellectual enjoyment, whlc she was sensible would have improved her mind. Yet, in the bitterness of regret, the gall of male- volence mingled not with the remembrance of the author of her cruel mental persecution ; on the contrary. Father Murphy was remembered by his forgiving pupil with a sentiment of gratitude bor- dering on affection. Erina felt grateful for his solicitude about her, notwithstanding the sufferings it had occasioned her ; them she pardoned him, and thought the priest's violence more than ex- H 2 148 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY;- plated by the parting blessing, that bad left ber to the guidance of her own judgment. At peace widi the rigid preceptor, whose in- supportable severities might daily, for the three last months, have been considered as unpardon- able offences, even by a nature as placable as the amiable Erina's, and in an universal amity with every fellow being, she felt placidity steal on her soul and tranquillize her heart, amidst the regret of leaving scenes most dear to her. The village of Glenrock now left behind, and its woody hills traversed by the travellers, they approached the acclivities of the rugged moun- tains ; and in order to lighten the draught to Sir Phe- iim's horses, which were to convey the family, by €asy stages, to Dublin, Charles and Erina pro- posed walking up some of the steepest ascents. As they proceeded on the road, their native de- mesne frequently burst upon their sight through the rocky passes of the mountainous chain, which divided the vales round the lake from those be- yond the mountains. On the most elevated sum- mit Charles and his sister stopped with beating hearts ; and from the shrubby eminence on which they rested, each took a hngering last view of Glenrock village, its lake, the park^ and mansion. OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 149 The young O'Brien's thoughts, from the ro- mantic and sequestered retreats of his peexefai home, wandered to the bustling haunts of busy men. The hopes of becoming an active useful member of society repressed regrets on leaving the domestic rural scene, where his ambition to rise in the world could not effect it, and where indo- lence would render him a burthen, instead of an assistance,, to his family. He felt, that to his mother and Eriiia he ought to snpply his father's place ; and vvitli tiiat idea the camp and glory burst upon his imagination ; and, animated by the ardour of his fancy, he seized his sister's hand, and pointing to their home, he energeticaiiy ex- claimed, "Adieu, dear and sacred abode of my loved and revered ancestors I Your descendant, now departing from the seat of his illustrious progenitors, vows, to the honour of their existing fame, to live or die in its support. August shades of my heroic forefathers ! [ call upon you to hear and register the oadi I make, — to hold honour and fame dear to me, not only as existence, but pre- cious to me as my elevated origin ! Should it be denied me to equal the great deeds of my ancestors, I w ill at least emulate their noble actions." As he uttered this enthusiastic apostrophe he pressed the hand of his sister to his heart ; and 150 THE soldier's FAMILY looking on her with tenderness, he added, after vt pause '^ To thee, Erina, I will be more than a brother ; a father's tenderest care shall watch over thee in my heart. Destined by the revered will of our lamented parent to the profession of arms, duty will call me from thee and our mother. To her do thou supply my place, whilst I of both will remain ever mindful^ even in the most distant clime ; and will joyfully brave all a soldier's perils to acquire rank worthy of our name, and fortune to share with our parent and thee. Oh ! my sister ! how glorious that career, in which 1 may gather fresh laurels to adorn the monument of my father's fame ! and whilst 1 rise to honour and independence, 1 shall serve my countiy and defend my king." A glow of filial piety, fraternal love, patriotism, and loyalty, suffused the animated countenance of Charles with a crimson blush, which spoke in his face the best affections of the human heart. Erina, proudly conscious of the same origin, felt herself the daughter of heroes, and sympathized in the sentiments of her brother ; but whilst her bosom was warmed by Charles's enthusiasm, feminine softness tempered her feelings, and a tear fell to embalm a father's memory. Her busy niind from retrospection's sad regret passed to OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 151 distant anticipation's uncertain scenes ; from the paternal roof, now under her farewell glance, her thoughts darted onward to future times, and shewed her, mentally, in the long perspective of life, probable sorrows, mixed with joys which might prove visionary : and she ejaculated with a sigh, " Farewell, sweet native abode of my infant peace ! — farewell, blest haunts of my happy childhood! My present maturer age laments my departure hence, uncertain if life's gayer scenes can present my youth with pleasures equally innocent and lovely as those 1 leave behind me in my native vales, wliere the great Creator's baniKv, in rural beauty and fertility, meets the grateful eye in spring's fragrant blossoms, foreshewing the blessings of proHlic summer and the rich autumnal harvest. Farewell, sweet hamlet of Glenrock, where peace inhabits ! Will the vast metropolis of the British empire, great emporium of the world, afford me the pure and tranquil joys 1 found in my native village, when, by dispensing benefits, I purchased life's greatest luxury, and when, in promoting the happiness of my fellow creatures, 1 ensured my own present and eternal felicity ?- Tears of exquisite sensibility trembling in the bright eyes of Erina, shewed the lake in undulatino^ H 4 I5i^ THE soldier's FAMILY lustre as she took a last look of that favourite spot^ whence the cataract precipitated itself into the broad expanse of water. The sunbeams, glancing on the glistening spray, diffused a brilliancy ove^ the lake, whose pincid bosom, unruffled by the gentle zephyrs of spring, reflected the azure canopy of ether. From these bright and peaceful vales she withdrew her gaze with regret ; and turning reluctantly to the downward path of the mountain, slie cast her eyes over the track where a carriage- road marked their journey onward. — What a con- trast did this scene exhibit to that she had left ! A broad extent of uncultivated waste, unbroken by a single object that indicated hviman habitation, carried the fatigued sight over vast morasses and bogs to a distant range of stupendous mountains. As the travellers journeyed forward over a space of many miles, they met no living creature, except some sorry horses laden with great baskets and sacks of turf, conducted by poor cutters of peat, who walked with the most perfect apparent ease over a rough stony road, without any defence on their feet as protection from the sharp flints they were compelled to pass on their way to market. Erina's heart bled for the apparent misery of these poor creatures, and she threw some money to the accompanying groups of little bare-footed and almost naked children ; while their parents, OR; GUARDIAN GENII. 15 5"^ smiled gratitude, bowed their thanks, and blessed the travellers in return for their charity. Some incidents of this kind beguiled the tedious passage of. this uniformly comfortless road ; to the dreary aspect of which a dark mass of clouds^ obscuring the sun, added a greater gloom, by throwing into a chilling shade the surrounding bog, over the fenny surface of which brown herbage and withering marshy grass spread an appearance of desolation. At length they arrived at the passes of the mountains, amidst the rough steeps of which, on rocky acclivities and stony caverns, the bog-cutters' huts rose to show a miserable shelter against the inclemencies of the weather. These cots, or rather hovels, were built of mud;, and badly thatched with furze, rushes, and dried fern. A fence of rude stone, uncemented by mortar, inclosed them ; and a few ill-thriving iirs spread their shattered branches over some of the cabins, whence issued swarms of children. The roughness of the road having injured some of the bolts of the carriage, the postillions stopped to examine the damage, and ascertain whether the coach could pass the mountain heights without repair : whilst tlii^j affair was in debate the family II 5 154 THE SOLDIERS FAMILT; got out of the carriage, and soon attracted a crowd of poor country people round them. Sir Phelim was occupied in consulting with his postillions and Dennis about the coach ; and Charles, supporting his mother on one arm and his sister on the other, walked about the place, followed by Norah. Most of the male rustics were absent on their business of cutting turf, or conveying it to market. The country-women were spinning at their cabin- doors, surrounded by children ; some crawling about in infantile helplessness ; others, at a more advanced age, nursing their brothers and sisters, or at play with them. Charles and Erina, on whom this fraternal scene made the liveliest im- pression, could not resist the impulse of giving the little creatures, thus usefully employed in at- tending to the pleasures and wants of beings de- pendant on their kindness, gifts of small sums of money to reward their pious observance of filial obligation, and bonds of brotherly affection. In return for attentions which, performed with sweet condescension, encouraged the humble rus- tics to offer the only civilities in their power, all united in bringing stools out of their huts for the OR, GUARDIAN GENII. ^55 travellers to repose themselves, whilst they were obliged to remahi in waiting for some repairs to the carriage. Mrs. O'Brien being rather in a delicate state oi health, willingly accepted the rustic seat offered her ; and the amiable youdi and his sister, from motives of delicacy, and not to reject a kindness proffered with such genuine courtesy^ placed themselves on each side of their mother, and con- versed with the utmost affability with those around them ; whilst they, emboldened by a demeanour encouraging, though dignified, brought and set before their guests new milk, frothing over the brim of beechen noggins. Some of these vessels contained the common beverage of the lower classes of Hibernia, butter-milk. Porridge of meal and water, called stirahoui by the Irish, was also presented in full perfection, hot from the fire in the skillet ; and excellent potatoes, in their shining coats, smoking in a heaped snow-white wooden bowl.^ On a trencher of the same mate- rial, and equally delicate in cleanliness, an oaten cake, in quarters, was served on the clean washed deal table ; and a delf saucer, with some pots of newly churned butter, placed beside a pewter dish, full of greens and potatoes mashed together, completed the fare of the rustic and hospitable 155 THE SOLDIER'S FAMILY;- board, supplied with one knife and wooden spoons. The hour of the bog-cutters' early din- ner being arrived, the travellers were pressed to partake of the country-folk's best provision ; and Charles and Erina, whose youth and journey had sharpened their appetites, conforming to the hearty desires of their hosts, shared the meal which benevolence rendered relishing as a princely banquet, and for which their generosity would have paid, had not the rustics' disinterested hos- pitality refused every thing in the form of re- muneration. Erina, however, prevailed on the children to accept some sweet-cakes, which her grandfather's kind old housekeeper had made for her darling young lady, to take as a remembrance of dame Shelah on the road to England. One of the cakes the amiable girl kept for the sake of con- forming to the kind wishes of the affectionate old woman, of whom she wanted no other token beside the recollection of her faithful attachment, which would engrave her memory for ever on Erina's heart, however distant her travels might carry her from the good housekeeper. The coach being at length put into a state to- encoiintec the steep rugged road over the moun- OR, GUARDIAN GEI^JII. 157 tains, the party proceeded on their journey ; and Charles and Erina, no longer affected by scenes in the vicinity of home which they regretted to leave, with the vivacity of youth, conversed on general subjects; and, remarking the desolate wild- ness of the track over tht^ tremendous heights above their heads, which appeared almost impassable, in compassion to the horses, that had been ser- vants of Sir Phelim for many years, young O'Brien and his sister proposed walking up the acclivities. A view of the country already passed was now cheered by the brightness of a meridian sun : white smoke from the bo2;-cutters' cabins, in curlinjj wreaths, mounted from amidst the dark green firs, which contrasted agreeably with the empurpled heathy moors beyond ; v.'here furze bushes, scat- tered amongst briars and long-waving grass, spread yellow blossoms to the golden rays of mid-day. The prospect thus variegated by nature's living colours, produced a magical effect of landscape ; which Erina's genius caught, and immediately sketched in a drawing-book she always carried widi her to take those views which most delighted her. Whilst her pencil rapidly traced the outlines of the scene, and marked the boundaries of light lo8 THE soldier's FAMILY; and shadow widi the blendmg harmony of dif- ferent dyes, for the future work of her palette and brushes, she felt all a painter's enthusiasm, and cried, ** How charming is nature even in her rudest scenes! the wildest weed that grows is beautiful, and has its use, though oft unknown to man. Those marshes have utihty, affording to many a pleasant fuel, and supplying others with the means of subsistence, which might otherwise be with difficulty obtained : nor are the bog-dig- gers unhappy, though surrounded by tracts appa- rently waste ; for ' as the glorious himinary of day illumines the firmament of every clime zvith vivi- fying rays, so does the mercy of Providence shine happiness over all his creatures, whilst the preserving spirit watches over all his zcorks. Hozo thankful then should mortals be even in their humblest state! The beggar and the king are equally the children and care of Heaven; and to the poorest mendicant's eyes^ the light of day shews all the beauties of the wonderful creation in the same splendour as to the mightiest monarchic The rich and the sons of poverty, mutually use- ful to each other, and equally blessed in their respective condition, should each be contented in the station allotted them by unerring wisdom; and, endeavouring to perform their several du- J OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 159 ties, should love one another with brotherly af- fection; since it is the strongest command of their divine Redeemer, zoho bound mankind to each other and hims If by. the fraternal ties of gene- ral salvation to believers" 160 THE soldier's FAMILY; CHAP. VI. *< To merit fame is sufficient, since human actions should have- an object in view superior to worldly honour: for celebrity should be outweighed in a christian's mind by the small still voice of approving conscience; and as religious obedience should be the true motive to the performance of our duty, the humble hope of rendering ourselves, by this ardent desire, acceptable in the sight of the Divinity, should supersede the wish of mortal praise." W ITH hearts attuned to the most harmonious chords of sweet benevolence, and minds ever ahve to draw instruction from every object on their journey, the amiable youth, and his lovely sister arrived in Dublin ; where a numerous and genteel , acquaintance joyfully greeted their return, and by daily attentions of social urbanity, endeavoured to render their stay agreeable. Charles and Erina felt grateful for these civilities ; yet even tlie hour- ly intercourse of innumerable friends, who gene- rously vied with each other in tlie offices of kindest friendship to Sir Phelim's family, could not pre- on, GUARDIAN GENII. l61 vent their feeling a shock at revisiting a place they had a few months before left for tlie express pur- pose of welcoming to the paternal home their then expected^ and now lamented father. How- ever, the bustle necessarily attendant on their em- barkation, and still more the pious resignation of Charles and Erina to the will of Heaven (which they were convinced most be unerring in every dispensation to mortals, ultimately tending to good although apparently unfortunate), i-endered their affliction less acute. Their passage for Holyhead being taken, and cards of cong-e sent round to the wide circle of their acquaintance, Sir Phelini and his family got into the packet; and a line breeze springing up, the vessel was soon under weigh, and spreading full sail, to catch the fairest possible wind that could blow^, scudded before it over the curling deep. The bay of Dublin, illumined by the brightest sun, displayed lerue's coast in highest beauty; the steeples of its metropolis glittered refulgent in the meridian solar ray ; and the Hi- bernian hills, clothed in the prime of vernal pride, led the enchanted eye to repose on the soft ver- dure of spring, variegated from tenderest green to all its shades, until it was lost in the empurpled azure of the distant perspective. 169: THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; Charles and Erina stood pensively on the deck to mark the receding prospect; and with a painter's eye, the all-accomplished girl caught every charm- ing object, and with the free and dexterous hand of genius, sketched the outlines of the varied and extensive view, marking for future execution in her leisure hours the harmoiuous gradation of colours, and all the magical eft'ect of light and shadow Nature throws over her scenes. Her delineation was completed as the shores of Hibernia were lost to Erina's sight; yet she stood to watch the fading view, and as tlie last streak of azure marked in the horizon the sensible boundary of cerulean ether, to shew where the shores of Ireland were washed by its circling waves, Erina's brilliant eyes poured a shower of tears, warm from the pure fountain of her ardent heart, into the track which carried her from her native land. The water parted by the vessel's passage through the sea, soon closed with undu- lating waves ; but Erina's tears continued to fall, while her gaze sought in vain the Irish coast. To her sight Hibernia seemed a blank— her eyes, still turned towards her country, saw nought but an ocean, which appeared to stretch over intermi- nable space ; and her mental vision penetrating in imagination into the boundless view of futurti OR, GUARDIAN GENII. l63 lime, her heart demanded of uncertainty, if her loved native land would ever bless her sight again? Pensively silent, Erina now seated herself at the stern of the vessel on a coil of rope, and to ainuse her sorrow, turned over the leaves of her drawing-book, in almost every page of which, her industry in this favourite art had delineated the prospects which her taste had selected as ad- mirable. The ivy- mantled turrets of her grand- sire's mansion, with its surrounding venerable woods, in a bold sketch graced the first leaf of her drawing-book ; which contained a series of charming views, mostly taken from beautiful situ- ations in Glenrock park, and its romantic environs. The hamlet, with its antiquated village steeple as seen from the lake, or from the neighbouring heights, formed several different landscapes. The wide expanse of water, with its various headlands hung with woody clumps, its rocky promontories, and charming bays inclosed by variegated groves, and hills rising in gradation to the distant stupen- dous mountains behind them, afforded many strik- ing scenes. The glen and cataract, fringed by alpine shrubs, gave full scope to Erina's genius ; aud displayed in a numerous succession of grand views the sublimity of her fancy, and the power she possessed of seizing with a master's eye, and 164} THE soldier's fahiily; executing with a finished artist's happiest touches, the most beautiful featuies of nature. In fine, her book could boast a collection of the most charming designs of every possible description; where the close covert of embowering forests discovered the vast varieties of trees, so^ne liglit and feathery, others majestically grand. Erina had studied wood scenery, and had learned the difficult art of giving the peculiar character to every kind of ramification and foliage: her pencil could describe in perfection the lightly playing ash, the pliant birch, the bending willow, the wide- spreading beech's silvery stem and dark umbra- geous foliage, the picturesque elm, and the sturdy oak, with all the grotesque contortions of its knotty branches, either in the prime of vigour with the honours of summer on its majestic head, or when the hand of time has broken the shiver- ing mouldered boughs, and wreathed the huge trunk round with bands of ivy or tufted misletoe, to hide the perished mess-grown bark, where lightning or autumnal blasts have withered many of its pendant branches and falling leaves. Passionately fond of drawing, Erina employed the hours of her passage from Hibernia in finish- ing many of its romantic scenes she had roughly OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 165 sketched on the spot, and thus beguiled the tedious moments till the shores of Britain came in view. The Cambrian mountains reminded her of those she had seen in Ireland ; and fancy often reverted to the prospects of her native land as she travelled over the beautiful country of Wales. On entering England, she was struck with the peculiar neatness that characterized the meanest cottage and the poorest peasants^ and beheld with delight the rich cultivation of that land, where she could scarcely feel herself a foreigner when she reflected that she was in the sister kingdom of Ireland. Long anxious to see the happy country of which she had heard and read the most agreeable ac- counts, Erina observed with the eyes of a judi- cious traveller all that came under her inspection ; and Sir Phelim, with a kind parent's solicitude to render the journey equally useful and delightful to his beloved family, carried them to every place worth attention in their road to London; and stopping at every town distinguished by the trans- actions of historical facts or curious manufac- tures, the indulgent grandsire afforded Charles and Erina many opportunities of intellectual improve- ment as well as pleasure. 166 THE soldier's family; Charles and his sister were particularly charmed with the magnificence of Oxford ; and visited with reverential attention that superb university, where science bestows her honours on superior genius, and learning crowns the distinguished scholar with fame great and eternal as the British name, to which all nations bow with deference in arts, in knowledge, governmentj, and arms. Dear to the enthusiastic hearts of Charles and Erina, was the pre-eminence of Britain, and they felt elated at the idea of belonging to an empire so great and so respected; for, with an energy common to their nation, and peculiarly animated in their nature, they felt every thing acutely, min- gling enthusiasm with every concern, whether do- mestic or public. This extreme sensibility ren- dered them equally alive to pain and pleasure; and amidst the happiness which scenes of novelty and information afforded the amiable youth and his sister, both joined in feeling the strongest re- gret for their lost brother, whom their visit to the country of his melancholy decease brought with renewed force to their remembrance. The idea of Fitz-Henry had been too deeply impressed on the warmly affectionate heart of Charles in his tender years, ever to be effaced ; and as Erina ap- proached the age of reason, Charles experienced on, GUARDTAN GENII. 1^7 a melancholy pleasure in acquainting her with the loss and engaging sweetness of their late brother ; ivhilst the amiable Erina, attached by tlie tender- est affection to that charming brother spared to her, felt a sorrow at the deprivation of Fitz- Henry, almost equal to that which Charles him- self could not avoid indulging in, frequently even to tears, when he dwelt on the interesting theme of the recollected lovely infant's unfortunate fate. After a most delightful journey^ which had the happiest effect on the health and spirits of Sir Phelim and Mrs. O'Brien, and which in con- sequence had exhilarated almost to their usual vivacity young O'Brien and his sister, the party entered London one Saturday evening towards the latter end of May, whilst the town was en- livened by all the gaieties of spring, Charles and Erina were struck most agreeably by the sight which the great metropolis of Bri- tain presented. Innumerable handsome equipages driving about to the places of public diversion, with the throng of multitudes engaged in pleasure or business, the endless range of brilliant lamps, aiKl the numberless splendid shops, formed a spec- tacle that gave them at one glance an idea of the elegance^ wealth, and grandeur of lA)ndon, 168 THE soldier's family; Sir Phelim, who in his younger days was well acquainted with the town, took up his night's lodging at a good hotel in Pall Mall, which af- forded his family a full view of the brilliant bus- tle of the metropolis at its gayest season. To the worthy baronet this scene brought back some recollections of his youth, when he was a student at the Temple. The retrospections of a virtuous man are always attended by pleasing sen- sations; and Sir Phelim's being of that nature, tended to raise rather than depress his spirits, rendering his conversation gayer and more agreea- ble than usual; Avhile Mrs. O'Brien's renovated health permitted her the full enjoyment of her father's cheerfulness. Charles and Erina, ever delighted with the happiness of their parents, felt a return of all their natural vivacity, and enliven- ing the domestic circle, shared and contributes! to a felicity almost complete. The fatigues of their journey having been re- paired by a night's placid repose. Sir Phelim and his family set out on the morning after their ar- rival in London in quest of lodgings ; and in the space of a few hours were comfortably settled in genteel apartments in Albemarle-street. OR, GUARDIAN GKXII. l69 'Ihe -worthy baronet's next care was to hire a lootman and to engage a pair of horses for liis coach; and as every thing can be speedily pro- cured in the convenient metropolis of England, the Hibernian family were in a short time accom- modated in a manner sufficiently elegant for a temporary abode in London ; where a numerous circle of Sir Phelim's friends and countrymen fre- quently resorted to the fountain-head of gaiety and pleasure. Those, however, were not the good baronet's objects : for neither his own inclination?, nor those of his family, were at all prone to dis- sipation; which would have subtracted from his domestic comforts, would have been indecorous for his lately widowed daughter, and would also have been improper for Erina*s extreme youth : how- ever, as Sir Phelim wished her improvement, and his grandson's advancement in the world, he was sensible that it would be requisite for himself, and still more so for the young people, to mix in a pretty numerous circle of acquaintance both at home and abroad. Spirit united with decorum made the ba- ronet desirous and careful to settle himself in an eligi- ble manner, neither below his rank in life, nor above the compass of his fortune. This just medium had ever been the exact guide of his conduct, and had rendered him universally respected as a VOL. I« I 170 gentleman, and beloved as the most honourable character, by his countrymen in general, and by his friends in particular: amongst whom his arri- val in London being announced, his door was im- mediately crowded by innumerable visitants. As there were very few amongst them whom Mrs. O'Brien had seen since her widowhood, numbers were excluded on their first visit, from a wish to avoid a painful bustle on her arrival : but the absolute necessity of repaying those civi- lities, compelled her to go abroad. The novelty of scene tended to strengthen her spirits; and she was soon induced to mingle in the private societies of the Irish nobility and gentry, who bring with them to England all the vivacity and love of con- vivial intercourse that characterize the nation. Curious to see and judge of every thing worthy a stranger's attention in London, they spent several mornings in visiting the public edifices throughout the city and Westminster. They admired the superb structure of St. Pauls as an exquisite model of magnificent elegance, as a beautiful sample of Grecian architecture; and as they gazed enraptured on the stupendous fabric, their minds contemplated with delight the sur- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 171 prising eminence at which the arts arrived in an- cient ages. But on approaching the majestic ab- bey of Westminster, their sublime ideas reverted to the infancy of their own kingdoms^ and they viewed with pleasure and amazement this glorious monument of surprising powers in the first dawa of greatness in the isle of Britain. On entering the stately edifice, its gothic gran- deur inspired a kind of awe, and they felt an en- thusiastic reverence for this sacred fane, conse- crated to religion, and to the memories of de- parted beings, who have distinguished themselves by eminence in science^ public utility, and ex- traordinary virtue. As Charles and Erina re- spectfully trod the solemn aisles where the dust of honoured mortals reposes, surrounded by records of human greatness, the youth and his sister felt an elevation of soul, from the recollection of their illustrious descent, and their fathers last address to them ou the subject of conscious dignity be- ing an incentive to glorious and virtuous deeds. The monumental tablets engraven by sorrowing relatives, or a grateful country, to the memory of warriors, that their fame may live to distant ages, particularly attracted the attention of Charles and Erina; and as they both hung over a funeral IS 172 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; urn sculptured with the touchhig story of a gal^ lant officer's fall in the moment of victory, a teat TV'arm from Erina's heart stole down h«r glowing cheek, and dropping on the marble, embalmed a hero's -dust, and commemorated her father's ser- vices to Britain. Charles observed the crystal drop, ghstening like a gem of the brightest lustre ; and whilst a deep sigh consecrated it to his loved departed parent's remembrance, he mentally vowed to tread in the path of glory, to pursue honour and fame in the loyal service of his king and coun- try, and to live or die worthy of his illustrious descent. As Charles and Erina had visited the abbey at an early hour, the morning service commenced as they finished the tour of the monuments. Sir Phe-» lim had excused himself from accompanying them, as he was apprehensive the chill of the place might -occasion him indisposition ; and Mrs. O'Brien had declined going, fearful that the gloom and solemn- ity of the scene would too strongly agitate her re- cently wounded feelings. Young O'Brien and his sister were alone, and as they pensively strayed about the aisles and chapels, the organ's solemn peal echoed through the spacious building ; the pavement and arches of stone rung loudly to the 'long-breathing notes of sacred harmony, and the 173 lofty reefs reverberated the accordant voices of the choristers. Charles and Erina were both reUgious, and the place had raised their devotional feeling so strongly, that uniting in a wish to be present at the service^ they entered the choir. Seats and books being easily obtained, Charles was soon absorbed in devout adoration ; and Erina, who had never before joined in protestanl worship, felt her soul elevated to the sublimest piety. Never had she addressed the throne of Heaven with such energetic devotion as that which now inspired her soul, and lifted it in the purest aspirations to the Divinity ; never had she experienced more christian sentiments than whilst engaged in the performance of the pro- testant ritual, which her severe confessor had condemned as most abominable ; never had the gentle Erina found her mind more angelically placid, than when responding with the choristers, whom Father Murphy would have termed im- pious heretics. A recollection of the violent priest disturbed Eri- na for a moment : the idea of incurring his ire by hav- ing mingled with a protestant congregation, started i3 174 THE soldier's family; into her mind, and a train of penances, and pro- bable excommunication, hung over her agitated thoughts for an instant, till the sanctified serenity of all around her, and the peculiarly beautiful piety of her amiable brother's devotions, re-as- sured her conscience, and heavenly peace took possession of her heart. Lost in rapture, her soul soared in seraphic chaunts to join the choir of eternal hymning an- gels ; and she retired from the service composed and happy. The amiable youth and his sister paid a second lingering visit to the admired monuments; ai>d noting that which had attracted them before, they both gave a sigh of affectionate tribute to the hero's urn, watered by a filial tear. The drop was evaporated, but it had washed the soil of dust away, and a snowy spot still remained to con- secrate the monument to Erina's father. Her brother, re-awakened to a soldier's ardour, remarked the trace of his sister's tear, and enthu- siastically told her, he had vowed at that shrine to be all his father could desire, and to emulate him Jn merit, although he might never obtain the Tic- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 175 tor's laurel, with which a generous country's gra- titude] intwines a soldier's monument. Erina pressed her brother's hand ; and sighing at the idea, that her tear alone had consecrated a monument to her father's memory in that superb mausoleum of British science, heroism, and vir- tue, she was consoled by the reflection, that to merit fame is sufficient, since human actions should have an object in view, superior to zvorldJy honour ; for celebrity should be outzveighed in a Christianas mind, by the small still voice of ap- proving conscience; and as religious obedience shoidd be the true motive to the performance of our duty, the humble hope of rendering ourselves, by this ardent desire, acceptable in the si^ht of the Divifiity, should supersede the k^ish of Mortal praise. i4 17^ THJE soldier's CHAP. VIL " Much of fashion is absurdity, many nominal pleasures of tin* ■world are real torments, and a great deal that is teiined the on- joyment of life, robs it of its true happiness. -UESIROUS of becoming a useful member of society, and of assisting rather than burthening his family, Charles O'Brien was anxious to com- mence the military career, to which his disposition inclined him, and on which he was firmly decided, from the reflection that it was the profession his father's choice had sanctioned for his pursuit. That idea alone would have determined his election of a soldier's life, even had it been contrary to his taste : fortunately, however, for him in this case, as in almost ail others, his inclination coincided with his notions of duty. Uncommonly .strict in adherence to it, he felt it would be infringing on the rules he imagined it prescribed, to owe more^ than he already did to Sir Phelim's generous ex- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 177 ertions : he was sensible they had been stretched to the utmost limit of his grandfather's ability. The expences attendant on a collegiate education, Erina's masters_, the worthy baronet's long ab- sence from Glenrock for the advantage of himself and his sister, and the present journey to London on their account, which auist necessarily derange the pkm of economy Sir Phelim had frequently represented as requisite for the maintenance of his pecuniary ease, led Charles to the reflection, that it would be unreasonable for him to draw any farther on his grandsire's kindness; and the noble- spirited youth resolved henceforward to owe his future fortunes to his own exertion, rather than be indebted for his rise in the world to any abridg- ment of Sir Phelim's comfort ; whose rank in society, and increasing years, claimed more than Charfes imagined his present circumstances could afford without embarrassment. The idea of add- ing to it, would have been a burthen most dis- triessing to young O'Brien's feehngs. He knew that several thousand pounds had been lost by his father's decease, that all the remaining effects were but a trifle for his mother and sister; anIER's KAMILr: adulation of i'opsj who follow women of fashioB merely to be in the mode, and compliment them with frigid indifference to every thing except their own fancied charms. How different from these w^ere the attentions of O'Brien ! Equally the man of politeness and sentiment, his assiduities proceeded from elegance of manner, refined to the utmost polish by the delicacy of his feelings. The young Hibernian's good breeding was regulated by the rules oL strict courtesy, improved by the benevolence of the warmest heart. He sought the wislics of every one by his faculty of acute penetration; and always was prompt to fulfil the desire of those vvith whom he associated, in such a graceful way, that obedi- ence to the will of his company appeared his greatest pleasure. Animated, yet gentle, free, y«:t respectful, he blended ardour with softness, and freedom with propriety. The intimacy Lady Engleton offered O'Brien was entered into with easy affability, yet maintained w ith such a perfect dec vruni of behaviour on his part, that although encouraged to liberties, he never transgressed in tlie most unguarded moments the strictest rules of rigid delicacy; and when in their uninterrupted privacies, to which he was frequently admitted. Lady Engleton^ by sly allurements, tempted the OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 199 ;young Hibernian to toy with. her gloves or her fan, he mingled so much innocence in his pJayfulness, that- the ciiastest modesty could not have felt itself offended. This, indeed, was the only thing in O'Brien which her ladyship disliked; for she ar- dently desired to draw him into an affair of gal- lantry, both for the eclat and the delight of a con- quest so coveted by many of her fasliionable col- leagues in intrigue. By every fascination in her power, Lady En- igleton endeavoured to retain O'Brien near lier. Thrown perpetually into her coiapany at the houses of many of his Irish acquaintance, and continually enticed to her ladyship's splendid en- tertainments, where he was the chief object of her attention, Charles could not, consistently with his ideas of politeness, have avoided paying the assi- duities he felt due to her from him, in return for the obligations of civility she was daily and almost hourly heaping on him. Unversed in profligacy, and ignorant of Lady Engleton's real character, he was equally so of her views towards him, and innocently attributed the attentions she shewed him to a benevolence of nature, and particular civilities to him as a stranger in London : and these courtesies being uncommon, K 4 500 THE soldier's family; enhanced their value highly in his estimation ; a?^ in his opinion^ they evinced her to be a remark- ably amiable woman, who very disinterestedly ^id the honours of her country to one who felt him- self almost a foreigner in it, and for that reason alone could have any claims to her ladyship's kind- ness. One evening returning rather earlier than usual from a brilliant assembly at Lady Engleton's, to enjoy domestic happiness at home, where he pic- tured to himself felicity so much superior to all the bustle of splendid greatness, from which he could only have been permitted to retire by taking leave clandestinely ; having effected his escape by stealth from the circle of fashion, and rejoicing to be released from the suffocation of a stifling suit of apartments, heated by innumerable lights and a crowd of people, to the fresh air of a spring evening ; Chaiks strolled homeward from Gros- venor-square to Albemarle-street. As he passed along, he was enchanted by the glittering stars fvhich irradiated the pure cool atmosphere like celestial gems, so very far superior in beauty and grandeur to the shining lustres that adorned the gay houses of the nobility and gentry of the me- tropolis, universally busied in tumultuous amuse- ments. How much more rational did he feel the OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 201 pleasure of his own peaceful reflections, than the unmeaning hum of the mixed and numerous society he had quitted ; where sentences/ devoid of sense, in endless repetition buzzed through the throng ; who shun the irksomeness of solitude to frequent company more wearisome, and fly from the dul- nes8 of their own thoughts to intercourse as httle entertaining! On his way home, Charles pleased himself iu thinking of the agreeable relaxation of the charm- ing converse he was hastening eagerly to enjoy. He pictured to himself the domestic circle delight- ed at his unexpected early return ; he anticipated the pleasure he should receive from his grand- father's jocose remarks on the fashionable follies of the day ; his amiable mother's sweet welcome ; the lovely Erina's ecstasy at seeing him ; and the friendly Lord Clanmourne's kind salutations. All passed in review in Charles's imagination, and rapping at Sir Phelim's door in the utmost exhila- ration of spirits, he ran up stairs to see the reverse of all he had hoped to behold. The baronet was slovvly pacing the drawing- room, so absorbed in deep musing that he seem- ed not to notice his grandson's entrance ; while the K 5 202 THE soldier's family; sight of his weeping mother transfixed the youtli for a moment in silent astonishment. Erina, whom he had that evening left blooming as Hebe, and sportive as the comic muse, sat pale and pensive in a distant window, and instead of tripping, as usual, '' on light fantastic toe" to greet her brother with a smile, she beckoned him to her, and with a dejected countenance waited his approach ; while he, advancing toward his sorrowing parent, perceived lying on the table be- side her, a letter superscribed with her address. " What mean these tears, my dearest mother r" said Charles, taking her hand, and respectfully carrying it to his lips as he uttered the interroga- tion, in accents which marked the liveliest solici- tude of the most affectionate son. Mrs. O'Brien, moved additionallv by the con- cern so tenderly expressed, and apparently unable to reply from agitation, handed the letter which had attracted his notice^ to Charles ; and as the youth opened the envelope of the note, he perceived the arms and coronet of Lord Clan- moume, and said, ^* 1 had hoped to meet his lordship here." OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 203 The contents of the letter were as follows : Madam, *' Irresistibly impelled to this address by a passion, which, in my earliest youth, made me your slave, and which riper years have now ma- tured to the sublimest attachment, I should feel myself culpable of sinning against it, and of de- viating from honour and sincerity, were I any longer to conceal those animated sentiments which l>ind me your devoted friend ; and yet, 1 fear you may consider this prompt avowal of ardent regard impertinent at this season, " If I be so unfortunate as to thus offend, the only apology 1 can offer In my justification, is the apprehension of a disappointment, severe as that which, on the first gift of your hand, deprived me of the honour and felicity of laying my heart and fortune at ^our feet. '' Sensible as I am that many may now be my rivals in this intention, I am solicitous of becom- ing the first candidate for your favour ; and should I be so happy as to have thereby the promise of being listened to at a future time^ I bind myself K 6 S04 THE soldier's FAMILY; solemnly to an entire silence on the subject mdst interesting to me, until you, Madam, deign to license my addresses. " In the meanwhile permit me lo have the honour of remaining the truest and most faithful of your humble, obedient, and most devoted ser- vant, " Clanmourne." Charles, who h«d never suspected that the at- tachment of his noble friend for Mrs. O'Brien was more than the regard of long acquaintance and amity, felt surprised at the perusal of a letter, which discovered the earl as the former and present admirer of his mother. Presenting the letter to her with respect, he said, " Whatever your decision on this delicate affair may be, my dearest parent, 1 must reverb your determination, since I am assured it will be guided by propriety : and all I can presume to say concerning a matter, in which your own feelings €ole]y should be consulted, is briefly this — that in acting for your interest and felicity alone, you will best contribute to the advantage and happiness of your children. Thus much for myself 1 venture to pronounce, and, for Eriag also, dare to declare ; OR, GUARDIAN GENII, 20S as I am convinced our sentiments of dut}", vene- ration, and affection toward you, are perfectly con- genial." The amiable girl now approaching her mother^, bent forward to kiss the maternal hand extended to greet a loved child with tenderness^ and, with her brother, once more impressed a gentle salute of lilial reverence on Mrs. O'Brien's cheek : after which they paid their nightly salutation to Sir Phelim, and retired to their chambers, leaving the baronet and their mother to settle the import- ant business, which almost equally agitated every inember of the family. Sir Phelim, descending the vale of life, felt un- happy at the idea of losing the long-endeared solace of his daughter's society, now not only charming hi his declining years, but necessary to the com- fort of his old age in its increasing infirmities. But liis own ease, thrown into the opposite scale, in which his prudence weighed the probable ad- vantage of his daughter and her children, was a thing so light in the estimation of the nobly dis- interested baronet, that he would most willingly have purchased the happiness and welfare of hia offspnng at the high price of ihe entire sacrifice S06 THE soldier's FAMILY; of his own domestic felicity and his personal bene-f fit. Feeling himself, however, too deeply aifected on both sides of the question to afford impartial advice on either, he left Mrs. O'Brien to decide from her own judgment^ unbiassed by his opinion, on a subject which involved several difficulties, and on which much might be argued without any thing appearing to human fallible reason either positively good or evil. The wise baronet thougbt that marriage was a business that might be judi- cious or otherwise, according to innumerable cir- cumstances impossible to foresee, or investigate if known, without experience of a variety of inci- dents. He was also well aware that a second marriage, especially if children were in the case, was much more precarious in its consequences than a first matrimonial connection : and ponder- ing on all these difficulties, the good baronet re- tired to a thoughtful pillow, and recommended himself, and^ach of his beloved family, to hea- venly guidance, as the best preservative against the injuries which the wisest human conduct may draw on blind and erring mortals. The youthful maid Erina, too inexperienced in life to know much on the subject of matrimony, permitted not her thoughts to decide what her OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 207 mother ought to do respecting the proposal ©f Lord Claiimourne. Attached to his lordship from his kindness to herself and her brother, benevo- lently desirous of general happiness, and piously anxious for her beloved mother's felicity, without one self-interested idea, the lovely girl devoutly paid her nightly orisons at the celestial throne ; and, thankful for mercies received, supplicated the care of Providence for herself, her family, and human kind ; and then crossing her delicate hands over her beauteous bosom, she sunk to sleep, serene as her soul was placid ; while the guardian angels of innocence, hovering over her tranquil slumbers, bore her light spirits to fancy's airy re- gion, and in peaceful visions shewed the sweet virgin's imagination, happiness ever varying in end- less perspective. Whilst the gende maid thus reposed, her bro- ther pressed the couch of anxiety. His heart, agitated as his restless form, looked forward into future scenes of life ; whilst his mind, perturbed, viewed nought distinctly. Wearied at length with tossing half the night, he rose, and paced his chamber with a careful step ; — and then again lay down to sleep disturbedly, and dream of arms, of tented fields, of men in martial trim. Warmed 208 THE soldier's FAMILY; into ardour, he grasped, in fancy, a sword within his reach, and pointing forward, led imaginary troops to join a distant and ideal combat. The fancied din of battle raged aroimd the thoughts of young O'Brien; and as imagination crowned his temples with the wreath of victory, a fancied martial symphony waked the dreaming youth, to find himself in solitude^ in darkness, and a soldier only in his w ishes ! As the bright vision dissolved into the reality of his situation, O'Brien sighed at the intruding thought of the tears he had that evening seen his mother shed ; and he mentally ejaculated, '^ Perhaps my parent purposed to ijacrilice her feelings to my advantage, and against her inclinations, bestow her hand on Lord Clanmourne, to insure me that rank and income which our own limited fortune cannot afford me. But never will 1 owe conse- quence and fortune to the sacrifice of peace, which the idea of causing my mother one regret, or one instant's most trivial suffering, would totally de- etroy. Rather would 1 live and die in obscurity, than owe celebrity and fame to a mothers tears I" O'Brien-s heart sunk at the idea of either alter- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. SC/^ native ; he sighed, and a heavy burthen seemed to oppress his spirits^ which, drooping, fell into a state of torpid distress : and the morning found him depressed and wearied, instead of refreshed by the slumber of a small portion of the night. At an earlier hour than usual he descended to the drawing-room, and found his mother already at the breakfast-table. Beside her lay a letter, addressed to Lord Clanmourne, which offering to her son as he approached to pay the affectionate iilial salutation of a kiss upon her out-stretched band^ he read as follows : — '< My Lord, " Honoured, as I consider myself, by the flattering esteem of your lordship, 1 should think myself unworthy of it, were I to feel oft'ended at the declaration your honour and sincerity have impelled you to make thus early after the renewal of our old acquaintance. I am much indebted to your lordship for the frank confession of your sentiments, since it allows me the opportunity of equal candour to inform you, that friendship alone can connect us, as I have firmly resolved to devote the remainder of my life entirely to filial and ma- 210 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY: tenial cares. You, my lord, are worthy to be the object of a heart in which nothing could rival your merits. " With this conviction, 1 have the honour to be, my lord^ with the most perfect esteem, Your lordship's much obliged, and very grateful friend, " Cecilia O'Brien/' The perusal of this letter set the feeling heart of Charles at ease respecting his mother ; and permitted him to give way to an involuntary senti- ment, which, on the preceding night, a powerful sense of duty had repressed in his mind as it rose in his thoughts : this sentiment was, a wish that his mother would remain the widow of his father, rather than give either his deceased parent or him- self a successor of Colonel O'Brien's relationship to them both. This feeling Charles now dared to confide to 'his mother, assuring her at the same time, that her acceptance of Lord Clanmourne's proposals would have reconciled him to the idea of her relinquish- ing the name of O'Brien, if in doing so she had ensured her own happiness. OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 211 His mother thanking him for these strong testi- monies of duty and affection, seemed inspired by a tenderness ledoubled, if possible, for Charles, and his sister ; who, summoned from her early morning tasks of various accompiishments, now entered the drawing-room with her grandsire. As soon as the family were assembled at the breakfast- table, Mrs. O'Brien presented die letter she had addressed to Lord Clanmourne, to her father, and the worthy baronet perused, with swimming eyes, this proof of his daughter's filial tenderness. Tears trickling down his aged cheeks, eloquently thanked her for this renewed testimony of that affection which had ever devoted her to be the consolation of his increasing years : and handing the letter to Erina, who with a look of solicitous enquiry sat silently anxious to learn her mother's determina- tion, the lovely girl's glistening eyes rapidly glanced over the lines ; and concluding their perusal, she hastily rose, and throwing herself on one knee be- fore her mother, she threw her arms around her paaent's waist, and gazing in her face with an an- gelic expression of countenance, said, in the most emphatic manner, '* Amiable and beloved mo- ther ! your devotion to Charles and me merits more — much, much more than we can ever repay in love and duty." £12 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY Tears of enthusiastic feeling checked her further utterance ; but innumerable kisses on her iiiolher s hands, in tacit eloquence, declared the firmest pro- mises of endless filial attachment and obedience. And Charies's speaicing eyes confirmed his senti- ments congenial with his lovely sister's. The breakfast concluded in cheerfulness. Sir Phelim retired to his accustomed morning study of some favourite author. Mrs. O'Brien, as usual, repaired for several hours to the seclusion of her chamber. Erhia tuned her harp^ and in expecta- tion of her Italian singing-master, swept the chords of her instrument in symphonious harmony^ and added to its dulcet accords the enchanting music of her powerful and divine voice : its tones, natu- rally seraphic, now improved to full perfection by the assistance of exquisite taste and superior science, had attained the power of effecting all that the magic of melody can perform on minds of refinement, and feelings of acute sensibility. Such ^vere O'Brien's : passionately fond of music, es- pecially enraptured by the harp's sweet sounds, and particularly so when to its soft accords the melody of a fine voice was united, he reclined on the sofa to enjoy the beautiful strains Erina's correct judgment, brilliant execution, and extraordinary OR, GUARDIAN- GENIT. 213 sensibility, always aff ji ded to connoisseurs in music, and to a heart of feeling. The airs she selected for practice were the finest pieces of Italian composition, in which the melody corresponding exact! y with the poet's mean- ing, addressed to every soul the most exalted senti- ments. The fire of Erina's genius caught and gave all the brilliancy of the musician's and the poet's flame, and, hke a divine lyrist, awakened all the enthusiasm of her energetic brother. His bosom burned with the brightest ardour of genius, youth, and manly spnit ; and whilst Erina's voice and harp, in the songs of the elegant Metastasio's noblest heroes, inspired the desire of becoming one, Charles, in the perspective of his life, saw no means of rising to fame, except in the impo- verishment of that family, whose aggrandizement was dearer to him than his own ; for he now re- flected that Lord Clanmoinne (the only friend whose professions had been warm, and who, amongst a numerous acquaintance, had excKisively the power of serving him in the line he desired,) Vvould probably feel too sensibly the disappoint- ment of his dearest wishes to continue his intimacy with the family, or exert his interest in its favour ; and Charles's delicacy and spirit suggested th« impossibility of soliciting favours from a man, who, 214 THE soldier's family; most likely, would consider himself offended by the rejection of a connection so extremely flatter- ing in its offer. O'Brien reflected that his life was now wearing away in an indolent inactivity, at the age of his best powers for exertion, at a time when war of- fered opportunities for acquiring military glory and advancement in the honouiable service of his beloved sovereign and country. The spirited and eager youth was apprehensive, that before it would be in his power to enter the army, a peace might render it mure difficult to procure a commission in a judicious way, and would, at the same time, put a barrier to his wishes of signalizing himself, or rising in the piofession to which he was des- tined. As he considered his situation, his spirits sunk into dejei:tion at the piospect or his extin- guished hopes, those hopes which but yesterday appeared so brilliant I In weary listlessness he passed the day, and when evening came, was almost inclined to send a note of apology to e?icuse himself from accom- panying Lady Engleton to the opera, according to engagement. But the fear of discovering his melancholy at home, and of infecting the family circle with a dejection equally weak and useless. 0», GUARDIAN GENII. 215 and which he thought it a duty to combat rather than submit to, made him resolve to keep his ap- pointment ; and he therefore dressed, and waited on Lady Engleton. On his arrival in Grosvenor-square he found her ladyship impatient at the delay of his coming; for she had purposed to make an attack on the young Hibernian's virtue that night, eager for the com- pletion of her wishes ; which the absence of Lord Engleton now offered an opportunity of gratifying, without the danger of his detection, as his lord- ship had that day set off on a distant journey, that would dclain him for many weeks from London. The time of his absence Lady Engleton had hoped would put O'Brien completely in her power, as she intended to leave nothing untried for his se- duction. This, bowever, she was vain enough to imagine could not be a difficult attempt, as she flattered herself she had already made a deep im- pression on the youth she purposed to corrupt. Her dress, always studied, was particularly so on that evening. All that expence, art, and fashion could invent for female decoration, had been employed to the best possible effect. A biaze of superb jewels irradiated the most dazzhng 1816 THE soldier's lustre over her attire, equally splendid, fashionable^ and becoming. Her features, which were ex- tremely regular, had been embellished by every beautifying art, and in her face and person a thou- sand airs of attraction spoke seduction in every look and gesture. On entering, Charles was astonishingly struck with the dress and beauty of the woman, whom he had before thought elegant in her attire^ and handsome in her person. In her address to the young Hibernian, she played off all those graces, which, from an attentive study of his taste and opinions, she knew he considered most captivating in her sex. Though unaccom- plished, Lady Engleton had abilities; which, in- stead of being cultivated by a judicious education to the attainment of good qualities, had been ren- dered dangerous by the acquisition of much that was improper amongst a set of wild scliool- fellow s ; the faults of each individual of whom, by intimate communication, and the infection of ex- ample, became the general vices of the commu- nity. Her immediate translation from an indif- ferent school to fashionable life, matured all the bad dispositions of Lady Engleton ; and an exten- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 217 sive practice of gallantry, \Aliicli she studied sys- tematically, had made her a ])erfect adept in all the arts of intrigue; a taste for which had supplied her with every power to fascinate any jnan. Supple as she was designing, she caught the frivolous in her net by humouring their levities; she entrapped the sentimental by a pretension to acute sensibility ; she gained sensualists by dis- playing voluptuousness ; she pleased the licentious by professing libertini^^m ; and she could even charm the virtuous by appearing good. Yet, with a depravity of soul which knew no bounds "to profligacy, she could ensnare men of refined deli- cacy, by pietending to modesty ; she drew peo- ple of decorum around her by the assumption of propriet}' in their presence, whilst she was en- slaving the amorous by seeming empassioned in her privacies^ without one fixed principle, except to deceive universally, as it suited her interest or gratification. Lady Engleton could turn learning into ridicule to flatter the illiterate ; and. could, with equally apparent sincerity, by pretending to taste, charm men of science, and captivate wisdom itself by adulation, hisinuating as she was false. And above all, by the most extraordinary power of cunning, she could throw artifice, duplicity, and design itself, entirely off their defence, by a])- pearing to such deceptions and wary characters VOL. I. L 218 THE soldier's perfectly artless, innocent, and unguarded. Such was the being who now employed the conabination of all her wiles and stratagems to fascinate, de- ceive, and seduce the gallant, ardent, unsuspici- ous, and consequently incautious, young Hiber- nian. In accosthig Lady Engleton, the blaze of her splendidly elegant attire, and the embellishment of her features and person, forcibly struck his gaze with a dazzling effect, which charmed his taste for beauty ; while by the winning softness and kind- ness of her address, she delighted his heart. All that Charles felt was visible in his looks and manners, which were the ever faithful indexes of his thoughts and feelings. Although depressed in spirits, his face was decked in smiles : for the sweetness of his nature had taught him never to intrude his sorrows on another's feelings ; and when his own were melancholy, he considered it one of the first laws of politeness, to conceal sad sensations inder the appearance of cheerfulness when called into society, especially if on that society's interest he felt he had no claims. Such he j'magined his situation relative to Lady Engleton ; while hf r sedulous attentions might have discover- ed to a youth less penetrative, possessed of the OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 219 smallest share of vanity, in which he was entirely deficient, that she thought of him alone, and only lived for him. As her ladyship was much too fashionable to exhibit herself at the theatre before the commence- ment of the third act of the opera, she was led into her box by her cicisbeo, as the hero of the piece was preparing to begin his finest air. During the recitative, Lady Engleton was engaged in spying round the house with her opera-glass, in order to attract attention, and return the sakitations of her acquaintance by familiar nods of recognition. Having thus acknowledged the circle of fashion, and professed herself a member of it by the adop- tion of its prevailing modes, in staring round her with effrontery, and saluting her associates with impolite inelegance. Lady Engleton seated herself in an attitude of the most studied negligence. This attitude displayed all the proportions of her luxurious form, attired to exhibit, instead of con- cealing charms, which feminine modesty would fain endeavour to hide from the gaze of admira- tion. Whatever beauty the taste of her ladyship's dress left to the conception of fancy, art had care- fully contrived to invite and aid the power of ima- gination in pourtraying as exquisitely lovely. l2 £20 THE soldier's family; Unmindful of the scene, and attentive only to O'Brien, Lady Engleton exerted all her powers to fascinate by looks, by gestures^ and words, and even to captivate by silence; which she flattered herself would lead the youth to venture interpretations of her thoughts, that she as yet dared not avow until drawn out by his advances. For these, however, she waited in vain. At length the overture to the grand ballet struck lip ; and Lady Engleton, who knew that Charles was passionately fond of music, trusted to its eftects in kindling his fancy; and beating time to the movements of the piece^ permitted him to attend to it The enlivening notes of the hautboy ; the thril- ling tones of the harmonious horns; the dulcet sounds of the flute; the martial blast of the shrill trumpet's lengthened notes ; and the inspiring sounds of the drum, beating accordant time to the sweet harmony breathing through the band of a full symphony, wliich from an adagio cspressivo movement, dropped into the allegro ccn spirito. of the pas de deux of the two fii'st dancers, struck every chord in the rapturous O'Brien's sentimental «oul. OR, GCARDIAN GENII. ^"2,1 The subject of tlie ballet was love and arms. — In the representation of the piece, all the magic of the most splendid scenic deception^ every vari- ous power of sound to excite the different passions of the mind, and add every possible expression to superlatively graceful action, which speaks to the heart the tenderest and subiimest eloquence in mute gesticulation, combined to form the most striking effect, and make the strongest impression on the imagination. Charles's eyes were charmed, his fancy was inspired by ecstasy, his enthusiastic soul was touched, and all the exquisite sensibility of his mind was roused to the highest energy of his ardent nature, while he contemplated in the enchanting stage exhibition the liiamph of valour crowned by love. A thirst of glory was the predcmiinant passion of O'liiien, which from his childhood had been nurtured by all that could bnng it to maturity ; but an ardour for fame was not the sole usurper of Ahis breast, for he had a heart formed equally for the softest feeling as the most- exalted senti- niQnt. Ah the down of adolescence appeared on the blooming cheeks of Charles, he felt the soldier's spirit would best be inspired by the smiles of beauty, and that the only reward of valour must be the affection of a fenjale heurt. He felt anxious 8 THE soldier's family; attentioi); for where vanity herself, with ail hei* sophistry, could not flatter her with any resem- blance to the idol of O'Brien's heart, conceit as- sured her that O'Brien's fancy supplied the like^ ness; and she was sensible that her heait could throw a veil over her mind and person with such dexterity, that she should appear all she wished the young- Hibernian to believe her in their future intimacy. In discovering thus minutely the taste and wishes of the unsuspecting youth, she became incalcula- bly dangerous to his virtue or his peace, as she could choose those weapons to attack him una- wares, winch even awakened caution could not parry with sufficient adroitness to ensure self- The young ardent Hibernian was, indeed, oif his guard ; for he was too deeply absorbed in the enthusiasm of his own feelings, to investigate tliose of his concealed antagonist, whose every glance and motion were armed by long approved skill to stab virtue with a deadly wound, whilst profess- edly its warmest friend. Lady Engleton, eager to seize her prey, yet angled w ith such patiently per- severing prudence, that prudence itself might loiter round the snare^ too fme for the perception of OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 2S9 any one who was not infornie4 that the hook of treachery was concealed within the tempting bait of vice, gilded with the glittering semblance of brightest virtue. Equally aware of all that should be concealed, as of every thing that should be discovered in her intercourse with O'Brien, Lady Engleton learned from this evening's closely attentive investigation of his entirely developed character, that his deli- caoy must not be alarmed by too fierce an attack. She therefore now meditated to undermine the foundation of his principles bj imperceptible means, for she was sensible thitt he had as much acute penetration as refinement, and she resolved to act accordingly : to afford him irresistible oppor- tunities of declaring himself whilst she assumed coyness, and to make her condescensions seem a compliment to his importuiuties, rather than to appear to yield from the impulse of her own hi- elination. 'i'his, indeed, was a difiicult task for a woman who, for the lirst time in her life, really felt the ardent passion she had often feigned for purposes equally depraved as those she now form- ed. Jn fact, I/cidy Engleton's feelings were so powerful, that she determined to effect her wick- ed purposes whatever toils, time, or self denials in ^iher respects, the ultimate gratiiicati<»n of her 230 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; desires might cost her. And with this resolution, she changed the subject of discourse to themes m \vhich htr adroit flattery might seize occasions to insinuate itself into O'Brien's heart, and, by deli- cate means, disclose to his fancy that she admired him too feelingly to withstand seduction, if at- tempted with ability. Lady Engleton spoke of the fine arts, of which she had gained a sufficient smattering to make O'Brien suspect she was more conversant in them than her modesty would allow ; and in professing the most heart-felt admiration of them, she served the double purpose of displaying an elegant taste, and at the same time of offering an oblique homage to O'Brien's. With a design of pointing every possible compliment to him, and of keeping him the subject of her conversation and praise, she talked of the army, for Avhich she knew his destination ; and was animated in the most flatter- ing encomiums on those amiable and noble beings, who, for the service of their country, encounter the most dreadful hardships, and who, sacrificing their individual comfort, and rehnquishing domes- tic enjoyments, devote their lives to the good of their fellow- citizens, and die on the foreign fields of battle to protect their native land, ensure its dometic peace, and gain it aggrandizement. Whilst OR, GUARDIAN GENII, 231 Lady Engleton uttered this studied panegyric, she watched the sparkling glances of O'Brien's eyes^ which beamed a lustre over his charming features^ and in the kindling colour on his cheeks read plea- sure and exultation. She had, indeed, struck the chord of his feelings which vibrated most forcibly : absorbed in grateful enthusiasm, O'Brien seized the hand of Lady Engleton, and pressing it with gentle ardour, he exclaimed, ^' Your ladyship has indeed a soul ! Oh ! had my father been honour- ed with your acquaintance, you would have em- balmed his memory with a tear i" Lady Engleton sighed deeply. She answered the pressure of O'Brien's hand ; and turning from him, as if to hide the starting tear of gentle sym- pathy, she wished to make him believe had an- swered his, she tremulously disengaged her still grasped hand, and leaning her vermil cheek against its taper, soft, and pliant fingers, looked unutter- able things. Charles had never seen her so bewitchingly lovely. As he gazed upon her, his grateful heart beamed in his eye; and Lady Engletons heart fluttered with ecstasy. The curtain had dropped, whilst neither weje iSS THE soldier's family; attending to it ; and the company were alread/ crowding toward the colfee-room. O'Brieii; with redoubled assiduity and increased sentiment, offered his hand to conduct his fair charge from her box to the room where the fash- ionable circle had assembled ; and the peeress, with a languishing smile, accepted the youth's assist- ance, and leaning on him with a winningly gra- cious familiarity^ led the way through a gazing, throng. The splendour of her dress and title at- tracted a buzz of admiration as her ladyship })ass- ed to the coffee-room ; where a party of her gay associates pushed forward to salute her : but, eager to pursue the conquest of O'Brien, she whispered him to call her carriage^ as the noise and bustle of the place were disagreeable to her fluttered" spi- rits; by which declaration she begged an alms of admiration for a pretended sensibility, \\hicb sire knew would additionally charm tlie youth, already captivated past recovery in her opinion ; and it is certain that the sly god of the bow and gilded quiver, iilled with sharp and down-fledged arrows, had bandaged O'Brien's eyes with a roseate wieath, to take an aim securely at his heart. Returning with a smile, which announced her ladyship's car- riage in waiting, the youth advanced towards her with an air that seemed to ensure her triumph- 3 oil, GUARDIAN^ GENII. 9,35 and accepting his offered hand, she was condncted to her equipage. The youth then stepping in. Lady Engleton ordered it to Grosvenor-squi. r, and laying her lingers on O'Brien's arm, with a fascinating voice, she cried, " Adieu to dissipation ! we are now, thank Heaven! released fron] folly and observation, and may indulge in sentiment." Lady P^ngleton sighed ; and Charles's lieart re- turned the salutation of soul ; for he thought, at that instant, her ladyship a perfect angel. Ihe carriage moved on, but the hand of Lady Engle- ton still rested on O'Brien's arm, and he dared not remove it. After a pause of some moments, she took her hand away ; then suddenly replacmg it with a geulla pressure, she said, in a sweet tone of touch- ing coniideuce, that precluded the power of re- jecting the proposal urged, " You will stay with me, as it is not very late, and partake some re- freshment, which 1 have had the pleasure of or- dering for you." O'Brien was about to refuse with gentle courtesy the ofiered politeness, but Lady Engleton continued, "^ You must positively stay, for 1 am quite depressed in spirits." She paused to sigh, and then added, " If you leave me I shall retire without tasting the collation, and §34 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; shall absolutely spend the night in weeping over the memory of your gallant father !" O'Brien's heart was full ; he seized the passive hands of Lady Engleton, and pressing them ar- dently between his, he bowed upon them, and ^vould have kissed ihem had he dared; but raising them, clasped within his grasp, to his forehead, the enthusiastic youth energetically ejaculated, " Oh ! sympathy, bright celestial goddess of humaij happiness, how lovely art thou ! My soul acknow- ledges thy empire, whether thou shewest thyself decked in the splendour of radiant joy, or beam- ing equally lovely through glistening tears I Dear to my heart art thou in every form, whether of love or friendship ! f^r friendship mingles hearts in tender unions and amidst the dreariest toast e of afflictiony stretcs o'er the rugged path of life the roseate blossoms of consolatioUj unfolding^ hy de- greeSf to siveet felicity »' OQj on, GUARDIAK GENir. t^b:> CHAP. IX. " Those who linger round teteptatioii aie in peril ; and the«* yt/ho Irifle with i\wii virtue, court their ruiti and deserve t& T HE lambent flash of acute feeling which had electrified every nerve in O'Brien's frame, like vivid lightning, still played fervid round his heart in frequent recurrence ; sometimes in sudden gleams, as it were, dazzling his sensibility with coruscations of energetic sensation ; at other instants shining with steady radiance in his sentimental mind, to light his reason with a briUiant blaze. In one of these moments he felt he had been too daringly presumptuous, and starting from a trance of ex- quisite enthusiasm, he gently relinquished the passive hands of Lady Engleton, and bowing re- spectfully^ with the calm dignity of lirm rectitude. 236 THE soldier's family; that stood the guardian genius of his innocence, he elegantly apologized for a transport of filial affec- tion, that, absorbing his faculties, had led him into a temporary forgetfulness of the reverence he owed her ladyship, and the propriety he owed himself. '* I am too subject to these rapturous deliriumSy^ added O'Brien, g^ily, ^' and your ladyship's supe- rior prudence must correct my mad indiscretions." He was conscious of rectitude and innocence, but ke was sensible he had acted indiscreetly, and therefore was anxious to apologize for a conduct that might have given an offence he never in- tended* " Your madness has so much the appearance of reason," replied Lady Engkton, ^' that I should mistake your lunacy for sense ; and, therefore, could never attempt either to cure the maludy, or restrain the patient." O'Brien bowed in silence ; then gaily rejoined, ^' O, you are too indulgent to my foliy, in affect- ijig not ta see what you ought to condemn, if you appeared to notice it." *^ And you, whom I thus indidge, nvhraid the kindness by which you confess escaping condem- nation ! 1 surpass you then in generosity." OR, GUARDIAN" GENT I. ^S^ '*■ In everi/ virtue, doubtless," rejoined the Hi- bernian. '^ O, you flatter !" ejaculated Lady Engleton. O'Brien felt indignant, for he detested to be thought capable of flattery ; and she continued, in a melting tone, " But to be stu'e you are a most agreeable adulator! and have tlie power almost of persuasion against conviction. Yonr virtues are all brilliant ; and I only boast that good quality of JvnoAving iiow to appreciate your excellencies." O'Brien was puzzled about a reply to this speech, and echoing the epithet bestowed on him, xvith emphasis, said, " I cannot bear adulation !" Lady Engleton seizing his meaning from the tone in which he spoke, replied, " 1 intend no flattery; but as you have reproached me for not reprehending you when you imagined I owyJit to have done so, 1 was anxious to establish for my- self the credit of distinguishing perfection ; and being too just to accuse one whom I consider fajiltkssr *^ Your ladyship's praise must far surpass my thanks,^' cried O'Brien ; *^ therefore 1 must re- liiain Lady Eugleton's debtor for favours too great ^38 THE soldier's family; for acknowledgment. But take care lest I grow vain and arrogant from your good opinion : I ab- hor Jiattery too much either to accuse or suspect your ladyship of employing against me an engine M hich can never be resorted to for justifiable pur- poses ; and, consequently^ I am compelled to be- heve you judge me too partially J' *' That,'' rejoined the peeress, '^ is as impossi- ble as it would be for me to flatter you. — But," added she, after a moment's pause, to let the adu- lation operate its expected effect, and to resume the conversation with apparent flattering timidity, which would, she hoped, speak volumes to the ardent Hibernian's fancy — " but," she repeated with faltering hesitation, " 1 am thoughtlessly im- prudent to discover thus the unequalled high estimation in which I hold you. You may think me silly — and — your approbation 1 am anxious to obtain, because I venerate your judgment. Should i be so fortunate as to make that my friend, I fibould be sedulous to preserve the good opinion I had been so happy as to obtain." '* Approbation," cried O'Brien warmly, '^ is too indifferent a term to express my estimation of Lady Engleton. I might say, with more pro- priety and truth, that I adore your qualities ; for 4 OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 239 we may be permitted to idolize virtue." Here he paused, because the middle of her ladyship's speech he conceived sufficiently answered by his profession of esteem ; added to which, he would have felt embarrassed to enlarge on the theme of her ladyship's imprudence, (as she denominated the frank avowal of her exalted regard for O'Brien) who experienced the internal conviction, that it would be absolutely impossible for him ever to harbour even the idea of taking the smallest ad- vantage of favourable sentiments innocently ac- knowledged : however, on this subject, he was silent; feeling that the declaration of his thoughts might rather alarm, than tranquillize her fears; as he was sensible that true ^lelicacy should carefully abstain from the slightest allusion that could cast the least stain, even of thought, upon immaculate purity. O'Brien was ever thus severe in the rigid observance of minute decorum in his own ideas, expressions, and conduct ; whilst he was indul- gent to every one else, ficm the belief that inno- cence itself might, occasionally, give impressions of which it w as entirely free, and excite notions of which itself remained unconscious. To this generously refined tolerance was Lady Engletou indebted for O'Brien's forbearance re- specting the application of her term " impru- ^40 THE soldier's FAMILY; dence ;'' which, in his 0])inioii, gave more to the imagination than issued from her fancy ; so ignorant was he that less met the ear, than was addressed to Ids thoughts for interpretation. The carriage now stopping at Lady Engleton's door, O'Brien handed her up stairs ; \vhere, in a private apartment, which fashion denominated a houdoiVf and into which none but her ladyship's choicest favourites were ever admitted, a sump- tuous board was spiead with the most exquisite refreshments : confectionary of various kinds, with delicious fruits and creams, several sorts of ice, and the most rare and cosily wines, solicited the epicure to feast luxuriously : but as O'Brien was not of that description, he merely tasted a few Portugal grapes, in compliance with Lady Engle- ton's presshig solicitations, and accepting some ice, merely put to his lips a glass of sparkling champaign, to have the honour of bowing a good night to his noble hostess, and was rising to dc part, when she conjured him to stay only ten minutes longer. A request so trivial, urged with such en- treaty, could scarcely be politely refused; and O'Brien reseated himself on u superb cl'nan, or sofa, where the imperial sidtan might have felt himself magnificently enthroned amidst the Toyal beauties of his seraglio ; for Lady Engleton's OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 241 rich attire^ which diifused around her the spark- ling radiance of innumerable gems of brightest lustre, and the seductive languishment of her eyes, with all the movements of her attractive figure, were calculated to awaken the idea of those regal precincts, where Turkish voluptuousness conceals its most precious treasure. All the decorations of the apartment were con- sistent with this idea ; several pictures placed in the most advantageous situations, with statues judiciously disposed, a variety of plants diffusing sweetest odours around, and a number of lights to shew the whole to the best effect, invited the charmed senses to their most exquisite enjoy- ments. O'Brien was sensible of all the power of the scene. During the '^ ten minutes" stay she had solicited, the Circe of the feast poured out a second libation in O'Brien's sparkling glass, and dismiss- ing her attendants, turned the conversation to that theme on which she had observed the youth thought her particularly eloquent. " 1 have often heard of the gallant Colonel VOL, I. M l24!2 THE soldier's family; O'Brien," said Lady Engleton, in a tone of melt- ing softness, " but the voice of public gratitude spoke to me only of h\s valour, and the obligation Britain owes to it : from the amiable son of such a noble officer, I am impatient to learn the private virtues of that character, which must be endeared to every heart of sensibility." O'Brien was silent, for the theme was touch- ing. Lady Engleton marked his agitation, and con- tinued, " We may mingle our tears on this subject. Did you not this evening tell me that sympathy was delightful ?" " You are very good, my dear Lady Engleton 1'* ejaculated O'Brien; and, after a pause, he added, <^ but why should 1 affect your tender heart r and recollecting the carriage scene, checked his effu- sions, « Because," replied her ladyship, " I expe- rience a delight in grieving with you superior to every sensation, except that of rejoicing with you/' 'f he youth bowed profoundly in silence ; for he OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 243 ventured not to enquire of her ladyship any farther on a subject which created some surprise, be- cause he had yet to learn Zi)hy he was so interest- ing in her eyes. *' It is not long," said Lady Engleton, " since Colonel O'Brien fell. The melancholy event af- fected me deeply me at the time ; but I knew not then that I should so soon have the felicity of commencing an acquaintance with the son of that brave and distinguished officer, who will, like his father, be the admiration of his country." O'Brien sighed heavily as he cast his eyes over his mourning habit, and crossing his arms, bent forward gracefully, as an acknowledgment of having heard a compliment, which modesty prevented his attributing to any cause but that of Lady Engle- ton's benevolence. *^ When do you enter the army?" demanded she abruptly, with em.otion, '^ and into what regiment do you intend to purchase? — 1 trust/' added she, after a pause, and faltering as she spoke, ** that you will not fix on a situation wliich will deprive me of your society; let me persuade you to go into the Guards, or I shall certainly lament Imving known so agreeable a friend/' Lady En- M 2 244 THE soldier's family; gleton concluded this sentence with the roost touchingly soft accent. '' Your ladyship does me infinite honour," said O'Brien ; and then proceeded to inform her briefly respecting his situation, of which he was drawn to the disclosure by the kind interest she evhiced in his concerns : unsuspicious of her hav- ing a bad design in her anxiety about him, he placed it to the account of a sweetness in her na- ture, which intere-.ted her for every one, and which rendered her particularly the friend of those who had suffered affliction. The sympathy she evinced for the recent loss he had sustained by his father's decease, made the affectionate youth's tender heart susceptible of all Lady Engleton's kind assiduities ; and the endearing title of " friend" she now be- stowed on him, induced him to confide to her as much of his situation as prudence permitted him to disclose. The want of wealth he was not at all anxious to conceal, as his soul was too ex- panded and noble to admit the sordid idea that riches could increase the value of any being ; and in conformity with these exalted notions, he ex- perienced no mortification in confessing, that as economy was a necessary consideration in his family, and his education had been expensive, he wished to owe his future fortune to his interest GEXii. '24:5 and personal exertions, rather than to the embar- rassment of his grandfather's finances, or to the deprivation of his motlier's independence, althongh lie knew that mother M^as willing to reUnquisli, for his advantage, her small portion of the trifling income which, as the widow oi' Colonel O'Brien, the law assigned her. In tiie exposition of his affairs and sentiments, Lady Engleton learned much to her purpose : she became more intimately acquainted with the elevation of his ideas, and the refinement of his mind ; and though htr own were not congenial, yet she was perfectly sensible of the charms of a character so decidedly superior to any she had ever known, or could have con- ceived, unassisted by the observation she bestow- ed on O'Brien. As her admiration of him rose, the desire of his being devotedly her slave increased in exact proportion. Quick-sighted in all that tended to promote the ardent wishes she had form- ed relative to the youthful Hibernian, she instantly seized, by a mental glance into the perspective of her machinaticms, a ready and infallible means of en- tirely subjugating even his refined principles to aid her in his seduction : for she was sensible that his most excellent qualities (of which gratitude was the strongest feature,) with every other ardent sentiment that formed the exquisite beauty of his character, would attach him for ever to her by M 3 24^ THE soldier's family; the firmest bonds if she should once obHge him ; and she now perceived, that through the ex* tensive influence of her lord, both in the cabinet and in the army department, she might, with the greatest facility, essentially serve O'Brien; and, by conferring on him continually weighty obliga- tions, bind him by the most solid fetters her captive for life. " Glorious, enchanting prospect !" mentally ejaculated the deeply-deiiigning seductress, " yes ! O'Brien, the glorious, ardent, all-subduing youth, shall and will be mine ! and mine fur ever !" Resolving this, she gazed upon liim with a fas- cinating smile, and leaning one arm (decked in <'ost]y bracelets of pearl, clasped witlx bh'.zing jewels), in graceful negligence upon O'Brien's shoulder as she sat beside him on the divan, she placed her other hand, in winning earnestness, on the arm of the admiring youth ; and, forced by this attitude to turn her attractive figure full upon his close attention, she fixed her speaking eyes on his with a look dangerous as the basilisk's gaze (which is fabled to lure its prey to inevitable de struction) : with such a look Lady Engleton spoke thus: ^' How rejoiced I am, my dear friend! to ]earn from your amiable confidence, that 1 for- Olt, GUARDIAN GENII. 247 tiinately possess the means of serving you. My lord, with whom yon are aheady a favourite, I will interest further in your behalf; and, through my interference, his influence (which is almost unbounded in the military line, in the cabinet, and at court), shall be exerted to its utmost power for you." The surprised, grateful, yet timid O'Brien was kept an instant silent by the innumerable con- flicting emotions of his soul. Lady Engleton s fancy had anticipated, that in his accustomed ardour of gratitude, he would certainly fall on his knees before her, and that he would eagerly grasp her yielding hands, and im- print on them innumerable kisses : she had fore- seen the necessity of her feigning resistance to this enthusiasm, to pay decorous obeisance at the shrine of delicacy, and thus increase the Hiber- nian's admiration. All that was thus passing in her ladyship's mind, lighted in her eyes a vivid flame, which, in ardent flashes, dazzled Charles's sensi- bility to evanescent gleams of animated rapturous gratitude; and he had already prepared to bend enthusiastically one knee to Lady Engleton, as a token that he felt himself unspeakably obliged by her conferring on him the greatest favours, in- M 4 248 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY finitely enhanced by being offered unsolicited ; but the fire in her glances shot a ray of confused con- viction over his reason, and, alarming all his fa- culties, told him his situation was perilous. That it was so, indeed, he felt; hoz€ it was so, he took not time to consider, but, rising with an elastic spring from the grasp of Lady Engleton, he bow- ed profoundly Ioav, and thanking her ladyship with energetic, yet respectful dignity, that con- descended to accept an obligation, and also sub- mitted to acknowledge it with gratitude, humble, yet exalted from its perfection, O'Brien gracefully demanded, how he could testify his gratitude in the manner most acceptable to his generous patrons? As the noble youtli stood elegantly bending with obsequious grandeur before the enchantress, who, somewhat disappointed in her expectations of the immediate success of her incantations, yet de- spairing not of the ultimate eifect of her allure^* ments to bind O'Brien in the magic spell, where her s rceries would defy the power of his guar- dian genii, she playfully exclaimed, in answer to his last question, " Remember, I am too jealous to bear a rival even in your gratitude, so pray pay all your homage to me : as for my lord he has no heart."— She paused to sigh : '' He performs be- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 249 nefits as he transacts his business, that is, me- chftiiically, not from an impulse of goodness, but mere necessity. He parted from me to-day with- out a single regret, though he is to be absent nearly two months." — O'Brien started back. " Nay, don't lament that, for your interest will lose no- thing by my lord's not being in London at pre- sent; I shall lay every measure so as that he may serve you immediately on his return ; and, during his absence, it shall be my care to prevent your feeling the interval tedious — and, in the mean- while, O'Brien, in whatever mode you may testify your gratitude (or rather your friendship), I must find it acceptable." Whilst Lady Engleton spoke, she smiled with a sportive air, which she intended should tell O'Brien any thing, or every thing, most agree- able to him. On his part, he was busily occupied in pon- dering hoxv he ought to interpret looks, gestures^ and words, rather enigmatical to his newly roused observation : almost in spite of conviction, be was so romantically refined in his liberality, as to pre- sume, that Lady Engleton Avas too innocent to be as yet aware of cherishing an improper passion for him, which spoke too plainly in her eyes to 250 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; be any longer mistaken by him, although he al- most persuaded himself into the firm belief, that her hidyship remained unconscious of its existence, and still more so of encouraging sympathetic feel- ings in him. Thus convinced, in opposition to the evidence of his senses, by a refinement of generosity, which painted things as he wished, rather than as they really appeared, Charles O'Brien (who had just passed his twentieth year), in the vigour of health, the bloom of youth and beauty, and in the height of animation, found himself in the dead of night inclosed withni the enchantingly secure retirement of a woman of the fii-ft rank and fashion; who, to the attractions of youth and natural charms, added the decora- tions of splendidly elegant attire; whose manners were seductive, whose heart was warm ; and who, from the ardour of diat heart, loved him, and was ready to oblige him to the full extent of his de- sires, without being aware of the sacrifices he might require, or being sensible of the precipice on which she stood. Such were the reflections of the young Hibernian, as he gazed around him and fixed his eyes upon the sorceress of the scene, who, within her magic circle, seemed innocence personified in beauty. As O'Brien gazed, his thoughts whispered, that the dark hour of secrecy, the retirement of the OR, GUARDIAN GENIT. 251 spot, the charming object before him (delivered completely into his power by the time, the place, her husband's desertion, and still more by her own heart), spoke a warning to his virtue, rather than a seduction to his imagination ; and, impressed by this refined sentiment, he bowed abruptly and retired; whilst Lady Engleton, rising from the sofa, foiled and disappointed, yet mistress of her temper, waved a smiling adieu to the depart- ing youth, and fondly resting her hopes upon an- other trial, cried, in the softest accent, ** Fare- well ! farewell until to-morrow 1" " To morrow!" repeated O'Brien to himself as he flew down the staircase with the velocity oi an arrow shot from a well-strung bow, — " to-mor- row !" he again ejaculated mentally, " and ought I to go to-morrow f His principles answered, '' No." '' If she really love me," tliaught O'Brien, ** and love me unconsciously^ she will be doubly dangerous to herself and me ; therefore I must shun our temptation : and, if she be conscious of her passion, she must mean to betray her honour to my seduction ; and therefore still 'tis my duty to fly the danger that I would avoid : for those zvho linger round temptation are in peril, and those zvho trifle zvith their virtue, court their ruin^ and deserve to perish F* M 6 25S THE soldier's FAMILY; CHAP. X. '* As human virtue can only be secured imniacnlate by care- fully flying every possible temptation to its infringement, it is the duty of mortals to shun all avenues that can conduct to evil; and which, although entered with innocent intentions, may lead to gailt." ^IR Phelim's family had long retiied when O'Brien knocked at his grandfather's door, which was almost instantaneously opened by honest Dennis. The good old domestic yawned, and presenting the candle to the youth, followed him to his chamber. *^ Go to bed, my kind friend," cried Cliarles, looking at his watch, ^^ it is very late ; you seem sleepy, and 1 want no assistance to undress, so thank you and good night." *' Why it's late enough m troth, Master Chailes I OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 9,53 for faith, d'ye see^, it's early in the morning : and by the mass, i'm sleepy enough too ; but I'll just wait a bit to help you off with your clothes, if your honour plases.'' *' Not at all, my honest fellow — T beg your pardon for keeping you out of bed so long, but 1 could not possibly get home a minute sooner, upon my honour." ^' Why sure, 1 thought your swate face had been at the what d'ye call urn thing there at the Haymarket ; and Lord love your honour, that has been over long enough ago." '^ O yes ! the opera has been finished a good while Dennis, but 1 was obliged to see a lady home, and she would keep me for some refresh- ment and a glass of wine ; though 1 got away as soon as I could 1 assure you, my good fellow." . The old domestic shook his head : he had often nursed Charles when a little boy in his arms, and loving him as a father, had frequently taken the licence of reproving him as such ; privileged by long faithful services, the sweetly endearing con- descensions of his patrons, and by the customs of their country j where musters and servants^ 254 THE soldier's passing their lives in mutual attachment and con- fidence, feel almost reciprocally bound by ties of near relationship, and seldom part. '' Why do you shake your head, Dennis?" de- manded O'Brien, blushing as he thought of the situation he had fled. *' Why master," replied the old man, *' hecase London is a bad place, and your honour is a young lad, as a body may say, who is likely to get into terrible hobbies. Why bless you, I know what a play-house is in this town, though I may say, as a iact as true as I stand here, that 1 have never almost, in all my born days, stirred out of Glen- rock ; but yet for all that, I know w hat the play in London is as 1 was saying : w hy there's pick- pockets on one side, and there's bad women on the other hand, and so d'ye see a man daren't look one way or t'other for fear of mischief." " You are right, Dennis, there is a great deal of wickedness going forward at the theatres in this metropolis, as well as in every other great city; and I am always upon my guard at the play- house : however, I have been at the opera this evening, and with a lady of fashion." The con- elusion of O'Brien's speech was intended to con- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. Q53 vey the idea, that in good company he had been perfectly screened from the possibility of any attack to which he would have felt ashamed of having been exposed, even without yielding to indecorum. '* Faith and upon my conscience, Master Charles, I mane no harm at all at all; but in troth, without any offence to your honour and your honour's good family, your paple of fashion now a days are very often no better than they should be, let me tell you ; and as for bad women d'ye see, sure they're in every place, and in all companies too, faith! in London, whether good, bad, or indif- ferent ; that makes no odds at all at all, d'ye see." *' True, Dennis," replied Charles (who per- fectly comprehended all that the wise old Irishman meant to express, and understood exactly every thing he did not intend the least allusion to, al- though the poor honest hrogiieneers dialect ex- piessed the speaker's meaning aukwardly), ^' it is too true that the age levels the distinctions be- tween virtue and vice, by admitting into high society good and bad characters promiscuously: and it is also a lamentable fact, that people of elevated rank, great fortune, and distinguished by situations that ought to exalt their ideas, offer 256 THE soldier's family; too frequently depraved morals to the world's eye, and insult virtue, mstead of encouraging it, by example." " Aye! that's \vhat T wanted to say, your honour : Heaven's blessings on you for a good and a clever gentleman ! faith and upon my conscience, you're your own dear father's and my master Sir Phelim's own son sure enough ! and, indeed, and I'm as sure as that I am my own self Murtocli Den- nis, that your honour has been well brought up, and born at the college of Dublin and dear Glen- rock, my own szcate country : though I'm sartin you would have been v.U the same whether you had been bred and born either in England or Ireland's dear self. Ogh! and I wish we were there now ! though it's all the same to me where I am, if I be with your honour's ^oodi family !^ During this harangue, which, though long, O'Brien's benign forbearance would not allow his thinking tedious, the watchman's voice pro- claimed the time to be half past one o'clock : and Charles, weary and anxious for repose, begged Dennis to retire; requesting that in future, he would let William the footman sit up to open the door, that his good friend Dennis might go to bed early, and get a comfortable night's rest. OR, GUARDIAN GKXII. 257 ** Mind what I tell you, Dennis," added Charles, '* for I should be sorry you were to suffer illness, or even any inconvenience, especially on my ac- count." " God bless your honour, Master Charles, my dear !" cried Dennis, " and God will bless you for your kindness to poor old Dennis, and every other poor body. As for the matter of going to bed d'ye see before you come home, 1 may just as well sit up every whit the same, becase as to sleeping in comfort while your honour is out abroad, that's impossible ; for I like to see you safe in bed and at home, Master Charles : so don't ax me to go to bed next night you stay out till morning. Besides, as to thai: poor lad William, d'ye see he runs of messages all the morning, and he answers the door all djy if he isn't out, and then to be sure he can't: and then he runs up and down stairs three times to my once ; and whenever he sits up to watch the door, he lies down on the kitchen table, and falls to snoring so loud, that it would be quite impossible for liim to hear your honour's knock at the door, even if he was awake : and so you see you'd have to wait at the door all night till the next morning, or go away the lord knows where to seek a bed. No, no — I'll always sit up for your honour," 258 THE SOLDIERS O'Brien resolved he would never again keep Dennis up till such an unconscionable hour as that which the watchman was now calling under the window ; and whilst he determined this_, the faithful old attendant stood with his hand upon the lock, and opening the door, he looked back, saying, " Good night to ye, Master Charles ! I hope your honour will have a comfortable night's sleep this morning." O'Brien could not help laughing aloud at the blunder of poor Dennis ; who returned to enquire the cause of the mirth he had excited in the gay Hibernian. '' I only laughed at your huH, Dennis." "' Bull, your honour ! Sure 1 never make a «wo7e blunder, at least that I can find out ; and yet, for all that, there's our London footman be- low stairs, who is just snoring away over our head, and Betty, the English cook, keep laughing at poor Norah and me all day and all night long, for nothing else but becase we are not English- men and women : and for all 1 and Norah tell hem to mind their own business, and let us do our work in pace and quietness, William and Betty keep such a noise of laughing, and giggling, and OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 259 littering, and making faces at us and each other, that it is quite impossible to hear any thing at all at all." ^' 'Tis a matter that need not vex you or No- rah," said O'Brien, gaily, who was apprehensive that the Hibernian spirit, provoked by insolence and taunting coarse jests, might make an uncom- fortable domestic scene, not only below but above stairs, where servants' disagreements sometimes occasion much perplexity. " 1 hope," continued Cliarles, " that neither Norah nor you, Dennis, mind little innocent jokes, which should amuse rather than displease you." *' Ogh ! your honour, I love a bit of a joke to my heart, that 1 do ! But if you mane William's and Betty's jokes, faith I see no joke at all at all in making game of folks : though, to be sure, I don't care a pin about it, not I ; for I say to them both, that it is not my fault that I'm an Irishman, hecase 1 couldn't choose where I liked to be born, though I'm sartin if I could choose any thing about the matter, I'd be born over again in my own dear country. And I told Betty this morn- ing, that if she had been born in Ireland, she'd have been an Irishman as well as I ; and that as to spaking with a bit of the brogue, it was no <£60 THE soldier's FAMILY; "Wonder at all at all that 1 talked my own country language." " You are a good natured soul, Dennis !" " Upon my conscience and I hope I am, Master Charles ! Faith and troth it's as true as I stand here, that I wouldn't hurt man, woman, nor child unborn ; no, nor even a hair of their head ; ajid may 1 never stir if I bear any malice either to William or Betty, though they are both as saucy and as impudent to me and Norah as they can be. Heaven bless your honour, and good night 1" O'Brien spoke not a syllable, for fear of re- inviting the interminable loquacity of poor Dennis, but mentally wished him every blessing ; and, after a fervent supplication for mercy, direction, and protection, resigned himself to reflection in- stead of sleep. The events of the day and evening passed in re- view before his mind, now composed to medita- tion. The occurrence of that morning had most probably deprived him of Lord Clanmourne's in- terest, but that night had opened to his view greater prospects of aggrandizement, while his soul sick- ened at the idea of the probable price its acqui- OR, GUARDIAN GENIIa S6l skion might cost ; for with Lady Engleton's pro- fessions he united the remembrance of her figure, her looks, her expressions, and though totally de- void both of vanity and the knowledge of seduction, he could no longer remain ignorant that he was the object of a passion which, in whatever way it terminated, might be destructive either of his honour, peace, or reputation. Still willing to imagine that the woman who evidently adored him was, from innocence, not yet av/akened to the smallest apprehension of her dangerous situation, Charles anticipated the most painful consequences of a position in which every possible mode of conduct, on either part, must inevitably subject them to mutually distressing diffi- culties : for he was well aware that their future interviews, or their reciprocally shunning each other, must to both occasion the keenest pangs, from the conflict of powerful emotions, wounded sensibility, offended delicacy, and violated gra- titude. How was he to act towards Lady Engleton thus circumstanced? This was an internal interroga- tion, which required, in his opinion, much reflection to answer with proper decision* 26Q the soldier's To continue his visits he considered would sub- ject both parties to temptations which should be avoided ; for could honour or gratitude justify his exposing the woman to whom he felt greatly in- debted, to the dangerous increase of a sentiment fatal to her delicacy, her happiness, her reputation? Even if he himself maintained his integrity of soul, which would guard Lady Engleton*s personal purity, yet her feelings, her peace, her fame would suffer irreparably : should she, however, miracu- lously escape the censure of public scandal, still her own heart would suffer the severest condemnation of self-accusation for conceiving and cherishing a guilty flame. On the other hand, by flying her society after such animated mutual professions of the most exalted esteem, and after his having re- ceived such generous offers of noble services on the part of Lady Engleton, and made an acknow- ledgment of infinite obligations on his side, O'Brien felt that a change of conduct so sudden must de- mand some explanation, and might call forth such a reciprocal exposure of sentiments, as would be infinitely distressing both to himself and Lady En- gleton, of whose fame and felicity his principles and sensations constituted him mentally the guar- dian. Feeling himself, therefore, responsible to his 0R» GUARDIAN GENII. 263 honour for the preservation of her's, his decision immediately followed the investigation of a ques- tion, that involved equally the fate of Lady Engle- ton and his own, and he firmly resolved never again to trust himself in the company of a woman whom he could not see with innocence. On the minutest examination of his heart, which he thought it his duty to scrutinize thoroughly, he was convinced he then harboured no feeling to- wards Lady Engleton that the most rigid morality could condemn ; yet he was sensible that, as human virtue can only he secured immaculate by care- fully flying every possible temptation to its in- fringement, it is the duty of mortals to shun every avenue that can conduct to evil, and which, aU though entered with innocent intentions, may lead to guilt. aS-i THE SOLDIER'S FAMILY; CHAP. XL " tx'tnts the most unlucky in their aspect, are frequently th? V>ccasion of our greatest happiness : from which this conclusion may be deduced, that apparent misfortune should not depress us below hopes of felicity, which generally springs from our tears." Fi ROM the firmest conviction that his resolves had been both prudent and virtuous, O'Brien felt sufficiently composed to drop into the profoundesl sleep ; \Nhich lasted uninterrupted until an un- usually late hour the next day, owing to fatigue of mind, and the short and broken slumbers of the night preceding the last. Starting up from his bed, with regret at observ- ing the sun so advanced in its course, whilst he loitered away precious moments sunk in laziness, O'Brien hastened to the breakfast-table ; where the family had so long been assembled, that the tea was exhausted in the tea-pot, the urn was 4 OR, GUARDIAN GENU. Q65 nearly cold, the toast almost demolished, and the cream entirely gone ! " So !" cried Charles, laughing, ^^ 1 am just come in time to lose my breakfast !" " I am sure," said Erina, smiling archly, '^ you will find as much of every thing as you deserve to get, after raking all night, and sleeping all day." '^ And 1 am sure, my saucy sister, that I owe this trick of not finding a single drop of cream to you : so I have to thank you for a dish of tea as bad as any poor mortal was ever condennied to drink. Hov^ever, I am satisfied with what you terra my deserts ; begging leave, at the same time, to dissent from your opinion on the subject^ for, instead of thinking that I merit an indiiferent break- fast, I feel 1 ought not to have any at all : there-* fore I shall not taste a bit more." In fact, Charles v;as not in a humour to eat much ; and, jinging the bell, he ordered the break- fast-table to be uncovered. After some conversation with Sir Phelim and Mrs. O'Brien, Charles threw himself on the sofa to peruse his favourite Greek poet ; and whilst he VOL. !. N 266 THE soldier's was engaged in Homer, Erina tuned her harp, and swept its trembling strings in sweetest melody, accompanying herself in a beautiful Italian air. The sound of music, ever delightful to Charles, soon roused him from his studies, and by the asso- ciation of ideas he found himself transported, in fancy, to the scene of the preceding evening. His mother and grandfather had retired from the drawing-room ; Erina was absorbed in her favourite employment; and O'Brien, uninterrupt- ed, pursued his meditations on the subject of avoiding Lady Engloton, when the door opened, and Patrick M'Shane presented himself before the astonished youth and his sister ! *' Patrick ! d^ar Patrick I" both ejaculated in accord, *' how do you do, and whence come you ? How glad am I once more to behold the attendant of our infancy, and the faithful follower of our loved and lamented father 1" The old soldieir bowed in silence. Tears start- ed to his eyes, but he brushed them away and smiled : then struggling for utterance, he exclaim- ed, " Ogh ! and do I see you at last, my swate Master Charles and my dear young lady 1 Faith, OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 26/ 1 have been thinking long to get home to your honour, and my dear mistress, your honour's good mother." ^^ But whence come you, good Patrick ?" de^ Mianded Charles. ^^ Sure I come from home, your hoDOur," " From Glenrock ?" cried Erina, ^^ To be sure and I do!" replied M^Shane. " Why, where should I think to find your honour's good fam'ly but at home ? so I set off for Glen- rock as soon as ever I set foot in dear Ireland ; and sure when I got to where your honour lives, deuce a bit of me could find any of you, hecase you were all come to London ; so, thinks I to myself, faith and rU be after going to I^ondon too : so 1 got your honour's direction from father Murphy, and so here is poor Paddy at your honour's sarviee ; and bad luck to me if I ever lave you again as long as ever 1 stay with your swaie fam'ly, which 1 hope will be for ever!" *' Welcome home, my honest friend Patrick !" £ried Charles, holding 6ut his hand to the faithful domestic ; ^^ and may we never part mere !" N 2 5258 Patrick bowing, touched the offered hand of O'Brien, and wiped away a tear that stood on his sun-burnt cheek ; then brightening as he spoke, he said^ '^ 1 hope, Master Charles my dear, your honour will not refuse poor Pat the favour he's going to make bold to ax.'' " Whatever your demand may be, my good fellow," cried Charles, " 1 will grant it if in my power ; therefore say on." "^ Heaven bless you for a kind gentleman ! Well then, 1 hope your honour won't go to be angry with your old sarvant M^Shane, for bring- ing your honour a bit of a present from over the " On the contrary, Patrick ; I shall accept your present with thanks." M'Shane now retired, and in a short time re- appeared with a sword in his hand, which O'Brien instantly recognized as the weapon once belonging to his father, and which had often been the object of his admiration in his boyhood. Patrick presented the sword with a silent gesture, that said more to Charles's heart than tli^ OR, GUARDIAN GENII. ^Gg most eloquent speech could have expressed; and he received the offered gift ^'\ith feeiiiigs which language would have vainly attempted to explain. On enquiry he found, from t'le good soldier's un- wilhng confession., that the sword, on Colonel O'Brien's decease^ according to the allowed custom of the camp, had become the perquisite of llie sergeant-major of the regiment ; vJio, by establish- ed usage in the army, has a right to claim the accoutrements of every oirlcer that falls in the field. The sword now bestowed on O'Brien, and which, in the estimation of the enthusiastic youth, was a gift above all value, had been redeemed at a considerable price by tlie generous M'Shane, who was too nobly s]:)irited to declare the sum he paid for it ; and though the purchase was made by the accunudated gains of long and faithful services, Patrick thought the bargain cheap, as he saw his beloved late master's son considered the treasure mvaluable. Drawing the gliitering blade from the scabbard, Charles stood bending over that weapon which had been the companion of his lamented faihcj's dan- gers, and dropped a tear on it at the rememl}rance that it had been grasped in his dying parent's hand. As he looked upon the sword in pensive sadness, Erina entered. She had, with hliul ten- N 3 270 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; derness^ been preparing her mother to see the Iioiiest old domestic ; whose unexpected presence^ after a long abseaccj and the melancholy recent event, she feared might agitate her parent too powerfully. The lovely girl, ever attentive to her widowed mother's feelings, with an anxious solici- tude to spare them painful emotion, or too sudden a surprise, had. after the first salutation of Patrick, hastened to announce his arrival both to her mo- ther and Sir Phelim. The amiable baronet, re- joicing in the safe return of his deeply regretted son-in-law's faithful attendant, instantly followed Erina to the drawing-room, to welcome M'Shane's arrival, and to acquaint him that his mistress would see him in a few minutes, during uhich she was summoning foitilude to aid licr in the ti ying inter- view. M'Sliime, affected to tears at the sight and cordial greetings of the respectable o!d gentleman, withdrew to salute his fellow-servants, Dennis and Norah ; while the grateful Charles, with exulting delight, shewed the valuable gift that the affection- ately attached domesli-c had presented ; and whilst Sir rhc]im's eyes overflowed at the tale of senti- ment, the beautiful and gentle Erhia wept over the sword, which recalled to her mind the last farewell of her deceased and ever lamented father. The meetinsj between Patrick and his widowed OR, GUARDIAN GEXII. £71 mistress was extremely aftecting. The amiable baronet witnessed it with tearful eyes ; Charles was obliged to turn from the scene, and Erina wept in beholding it. The old soldier's arrival was quite a joyous event in the domestic circle : and, as such, it oc- cupied too much of O'Brien s attention to permit him to spend many thoughts on Lady Engleton during the day. Etiquette would have sent liim, however, to her door, in order to make enquiries respecting her ladyship's health, after his having attended her to the opera on the preceding even- ing, had not a sense of duty, superior to the cere- monies of politeness, made him feel it a higher obligation to omit its forms on the present occa- sion. The day passed without Lord Clanmourne's ac- customed visits : and O'Brien, for once, found time hang heavy on his hands, and experienced a species of wearisome uneasiness; without, however, in the least regretting ihii relinquishment of friends, to preserve whose favour and services, domestic happiness and sentiment would have been sacri- ficed. Much of the morning was passed by Cliarles if 4 ^7^ THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; and Erina in kindly interrogating M' Shane re- specting his adventures since they parted : and the c,ood-Ratared loquacious Hibernian afforded the youth and his sister a vast variety of most interest- ing information relative to their late father, in the recital of scenes in which he had been en- gaged, young Vvilmot was mentioned with the highest encomiums ; and Ciiarles and Erina united in numberless questions concerning a character, whose animated attachment to their revered parent, and whose friendly attention to themselves, had excited a warm regard and an extraordinary ad- liiiiatlon. Whilst the old soldier gratified himself, and iiis deeply interested hearers, in recording the events of that memorable day when their father's blood purchased their country's victory, O'Brien'^s r.nd hii sister's soul hung rivetted on Patrick's lips, as tisey bore testimony to the unequalled steadily persevering military science and valour of Colonel O'Brien, and to the spirited intrepidity of the gallant Cornet Wilmot. — His horse falling under him in the action, Patrick said, the youth sprang forward on foot, amidst the enemy's ad- vancing cavalry, to screen the falling hero of the diiy; and kneeling to support his brave com- mander, parried, with his single arm, innumerable sabres that gleamed over the head of Colonel O'Brien ; who, falling in the moment of victory, OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 27 S^ was surrounded by a straggling party of the ene- my's horse, that endeavoured to avenge their de- feated comrades, by tearing the standard from Wiimot, and insulting the conqueror as lie lay ex- piring on the field of battle ; but Wiimot, though dismounted, and kneeling over his wounded com- mander, protected him, and saved the colours of England from profanation The strong and genuine feelings of the old soldier, M'Shanc, did justice to this story of war ; which, though narrated in his simple and national dialect, might have affected every heart of sensibility. The pathetically touching tale of carnage, of heroism, and of conquest, lired to noble ardour the spirited son of the victor ; while his gentle daughter,, pale and icy cold, with trembling agita- tion sunk weeping on her brother's shoulder, and sighmg to their father's sacred memory, blessed with ardour the name of Wiimot ! ^^ Dear and noble youth !" cried Charles, " oh ! that I and Erina could thank thee for performing my filial offices to our father I But where is this amiable and gallant officer?" de- manded Charles. And who is he ?" asked Erina cascerly. «;74 THE soldier's family; ^^ Faith ! he's a fine handsome young gentleman," replied M^Shaire ; " aye ! as handsome a yomig gentleman," repeated Patrick, emphatically, " as ever you would wish to set your eyes on, my szcate young lady." '' O, I dare say he is every thing that is charm- ing !" ejaculated the innocent girl ; " but 1 \^'ant to know who the admirable youth is. Tell me, M' Shane, every thing about him." « Ogh ! faith 1 will. Miss Erina. Why you be to know he's the grandson, or nephew, which is all the same thing, of some great English lord— I forget the lord's name, but that's neither here nor there, as we say in Ireland :— w ell ! and so you see this young officer is a great man; but he's quite a boy still for all that, becase 1 heard say he was no more than fifteen or sixteen years old ; and yet he's tall and well grown, for all the worM just exactly like Master Charles there ; only he is quite differerit, for Mr. Wilmot is very fair, and has got different eyes from your brother." " Bliie eyes I suppose you mean, Patrick r" " Upon my conscience then, and I can't very i?ell tell. Miss , becase you see I never took notice OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 275 to the colour of his eyes, whether they were brown, or blue, like his hair." " Blue hair!" ejaculated Erina^ with a soft smile of archness. " Lord love you ! my dear young lady, sure you never knowed any body with that coloured hair ! — why I mane brown hair to be sure." '^ But where is this amiable young man ?'^ de- manded O'Brien eagerly ; " for if I knew where to find him, I should certainly take the hberty of introducing myself to his acquaintance, in order to pay the warm acknowledgments I feei due to him from this family, for his affectionate attentions to my dear father, and the obligation he conferred on us by a letter, which could not have been kinder had it been penned by an old acquaintance and friend.'^ ^^ Faith, your honour says vftty true sure enough!" cried M' Shane; ^' and I'm sure when my dear master. Heaven bless him ! died, the szcate young gentleman cried for all the world like a child ; and sure he sat up with me all night almost in my muster's tent^ and wouldn't taste a bit of any thing within his lips more than myself,'^ w 6 £76 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; O'Brien's eyes glistened— M'Sbane parsed \m band across his,— and Erina covered her's with her handkerchief, sometimes sobbing, as Patrick continued—" Well ! and at the funeral he wept just for all the world as if he had been my dear master's own son. And when 1 got my discharge from the regiment, and parted with Mr. Wilmot, he shook hands with me, becase he said he hked his brother soldiers. And so I told him, that if it hadn't been to get home to my dear master's good fanili/, and my own SR'ate country, I'd never lave the regiment ; and I told the young gentleman, I hoped we w ould 7nate again once before 1 died : and with that 1 almost wept; and so Mr. Wilmot bid me, ' Farewell to you, Patrick !' and, says he, ' as you're going home to Colonel O'Brien's fain/^, 1 beg my sarvice to them.' x\nd so we parted." " And I will this very day enquire his address at the War-office," said O'Brien, " and either write or call upon him, since his politeness claims the most courteous attentions from this house, and from me in particular." Erina smiled amiably through her tears, and for the remainder of the day her thoughts dwelt on the idea of Wilmot. A number of young gay Irishmen calling upon OR, GUARDIAiV GEXII. 9.111 O'Brien in quick succession, prevented his en- quiring, according to intention, the address of Wihnot ; aiid to the morrow be referred that bu- siness: when, just as he was about to execute it, a card of invitation from Lady Engleton request- ed his company to supper on the following evening. O'Brien, firm in his opinion, that he ought not to trust himself either to the miconscious or intended seductions of the peeress, excused him- self from waiting on her ladyship; and, after dis- patching an apology in answer to the invitation, set out on his way to the War-office. He had scarcely proceeded three paces from Sir Phelim's door, when he was encountered by a couple of his countrymen and fellow collegians ; who, hav- ing entered themselves at the Temple, instead of studying for the bar, spent their time in lounging up and down Bond- street and Pall-Mali. These gay youths were coming with the friendly inten- tion of engaging O'Brien to be a party in their morning strolls ; but he, with equal steadiness and good nature, and with as much sincerity as po- liteness, gave then to understand, that although he was always heartily glad to see them, they would never succeed in making him as idle and wild as themselves. 27B THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; In reply to this, the young fello'AS, with jocose drollery, bantered O'Brien upon his superior pru- dence; and, each seizing an arm, were dragging him along Pail-Mall, v.hen a kiss of the hand from a coroneted equipage, arrested the attention of Charles's associates : they immediately direct- ed his eyes lo the carriage, and, to his surprise and regiet, he perceived Lady Engleton bowing to him with the most gracious smiles imaginable. Her repeated kindly familiar nods and smiles O'Brien returned by the ceremoniously cold sa- lute of distant courtesy, which he had hoped and intended might offend the countess ; as the idea of incurring the utmost rancour of her wounded pride, and even outraged sensibility, would have been infinitely more agreeable to O'Brien, than the certainty of continumg to be idolized by the handsome peeress, at the expence of her honour and bis own. Such were the sensations of Charles ; when, to his mortification and dismay. Lady Engleton pull- ed the check-string, and ordered the footman to Btop the carnage at a shop where O'Brien must pass in the direction he was going. A mo- Jnentary idea suggested itself of crossing the street to escape her ladyship, whom he could not pass so neur without accosting; or being accosted by* 270 (which would subject him to examinations that would either oblige him to prevaricatious his soul despised, or compel him to avow his voluntarilv avoiding her, which was a subject he was very averse from entering upon ;) but the fear of draw- ing upon him the observation of his two compa- nions, whom long intimacy, and particularly gay dispositions, would license to torment him on the subject of pointedly avoiding a beautiful ygung woman of quality, deterred him from ex- ecuting his first resolve, and he walked gently for- ward, rather slackening his pace, in the hope of Lady Engleton's stepping into the shop before he came up. However, in this he was mistaken; and as his gay associates kept their eye upon the car- riage, and perceived the lady giving orders to her attendants, they insisted and persisted in pulling O'Brien along, in order to hurry forward in time to get another more satisfactory view of the countess ; who, they each sw ore, was the divuiest creature they had ever been blest with a sight of. Finding a rencounter inevitable, Charles collt ct- ed all his lirmness, and walking up to the carriage, bowed with an inimitably graceful, yet distant politeness; and saying he hoped he had the honour of seeing her ladyship well; was passing on upon 280 THE SOLDI Ei^vS FAMILY a plea of business, vJieii Lady Eiij.lcton called after him, by tbe demand if she should have the pleasure of his company on the following evening. O'Brien heard the question, but noticed it not, from the wish of avoiding interrcgatioiiS on the subject of his excuse, to which he felt it vvould be aukwardlv difficult to rej^ly. His companions on either side, thinking him extraordinarily indifferent to the marked attention of an object particularly attractive, we're jogging him on both sides into attention, when one of Lady Engleton's footmen,. v.ith hat in hand, came on an enjbassy from her ladysliip to O'Brien, which forced him back into her presence. Beckoning him to the carriage- door, she bent forward with the most winning sm.iie, and expressing surprise at his having omitted calling upon her the preceding day, accoiding to her appointment, she proceeded to express the expectation of seeing him on the follow- ing evening to supper; adding, that they should be alone, as she had matters of consequence to arrange with him on the subject of his business^ which had been mentioned the last time of hig being at her house. The courtesy and gratitude of O'Brien's nature made him fed piaticulurly aukward in this inter- OR, GUARDIAN GEN IT. 281 view ; for either in acknowledging, or appearing insensible to, Lady Engleton's kindness in thus con- ferring favours on him, he must act in diametrical oppostion to some of his sentiments. Thus cir- cumstanced he contrived, on this sea of difficulty, to tteer as clear as possible of the surrounding rocks. Polite, yet iirm in his purpose, he in- formed her, that the cause which had prevented his having the honour of waiting on her ladyship on the preceding day, would render it impossible for him to avail himself of her invitation for the following evening; and to avoid the danger of being called upon for an explanation, he briefly apologized for being compelled to leave her lady- ship, as two friends were waiting for his joining them : saying this, he bowed with ceremonious reserve, and withdreM', congratulating himself on a most fortunate escape from interrogations and importunities, that would have been extremely perplexing and pahiful to him. However, on his return to the companions of his walk, he was almost equally confounded and distressed by innumerable questions concerning the beautiful peeress ; whom the gay young Irish- men extolled as su'perlativeiy lovely, at the same time jesting with O'Brien, and denominating hnn a devilish lucky fellow to be in such high favour 282 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; with the captivating countess. In endeavouring to screen himself from the sly insinnations of his jocose comjranions, O'Brien became a plainer mark for their raillery to slioot sarcasms against : but Charles's bosom, guarded by the shield of in- nocence, was impenetrable to the shafts of ridicule thus darted from the bow of folly, many of whose sliarp-pointed arrows recoiling, wounded the mind that aimed them : for O'Brien's acute and ready wit, with equal pleasantry and power, defeated his opponents in the argument they maintained in favour of fashionable gallantry with married wo- men ; and he came oif victorious and triumphant in his conquest, boldly declaring, that the prevail- ing mode of the times should never laugh him out of the invulnerable fortress of morality and reli- gion, where he securely fortified himself from the temptations of the world. The two yoruig tem- plars, although professedly the followers of fashion, confessed ingenuously to O'Brien, that he had en- listed himself under more honourable banners than they had engaged to defend ; merrily adding, however, that they could not desert from the corps in which they were enlisted, until they were dis- abled for the service, or absolutely superannuated. In boldly advancing his superior sentiments, O'Brien appeared to his ^vild companions to be <5Rj guaiidia:^^ gemi. i:B'3 trading them a lecture on moral and religious duty; and they laughingly told him, that he would do better to put on the clerical habit and mount the pulpit, than to gird on his sword for the camp, where he would certainly be lost to the world as a shining light, which might edify in the church, but would undoubtedly be useless in the army. O'Brien listened to his companions with a smile, and replied, that the world was already provided with innumerable eminent divines, as distinguished examples of extraordinary abilities and virtue ; and that, consequently, his assistance could not be required amongst the respectable clergy of Britain. ^^ In the military line I flatter myself," added O'Brien, " I may be more ussful. Britannia now calls upon her sons to arm in the defence of her territories, and it is the duty of Britons to aid hi supporting their country in every way : to the clergy, 1 leave the care of the English church, pre-eminently excellent ; to the statesmen of our kingdom, i consign the preservation of a constitution superlatively ad- mirable ; to 7/oUf gentlemen professors of law, I entrust the administration of justice, which, hi this happy land, boasts peculiar purity ; to the agriculturist, I rcsigji the cuUivaiion or a soil par- ticularly blessed with fertility ; to the artists, uie- ii84 THE soldier's f.-^mily; chanics, and niaiuifacturers^ I give up the praise of industry and geiiiui^^ rewarded in this country of liberality by niuniticent patronage and generous encouragement ; and in the glorious army of these great and happy united kingdoms, I would, with my invincible brethren, the noble Englishman, the gallant Caledonian, the virtuous Cambrian, and rny open-hearted countrymen, emulate the bravery of the British tars, and unite with them in the fraternal bonds of our profession, to guard cur native isles from hostile arms; and with Albion's thunder proclaim her empire wide as the globe, and ever invincible wheresoe'er the British colours wave, whether on land or ocean." At the conclusion of this speech O'Brien arrived at tke War-office, and learned that Cornet Wilmot's address was at Lord Herbert's, in St. James's- square. Some engagements for that morning pre- vented his calling there that day ; but resolving much time should not elapse before he paid the courtesy which politeness and sentiment equally claimed as W ilmot's due, O'Brien repaired to the appointments he had made with several of his old Hibernian acquaintance. The gay youths who had been the companions of his morning ramble overtlie town, would not part from liim without obtaining, after repeated solicitations, tlie promise of his OR, GUARDIAN- GENII. 285 meeting them at Co vent-Garden theatre in the evening. O'Brien disliked dissipation too much to rehsh the idea of resorting to the theatre very frequently, especially in the company of gay young men, such as his two morning associates : however, as the royal family were to honour Co- vent-Garden with their presence that night, Charles was prevailed on to visit the play, as he had long been anxious to behold his sovereign, to whom he was strongly attached by loyalty, and whose regal and domestic character had ever been equally the objects of O'Brien's veneration and admiration. At an early hour Charles repaired to the place appointed as the rendezvous by his young Irish associates ; and they proceeded together in quest of a box from which they might have a good view of the royal personages. In consequence of their expected presence the house was so uncommonly crouded, that many people had gained admittance who found it im- possible to procure places, and the lobbies were thronged by the overflowings of the pit, boxes, and galleries. Jostled about in this motley multitude, O'Brien and his two companions with much difficulty kept 2S6 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; together, and with still more difficulty pushed their way forward, extremely amused by their situ- ation, and highly entertained by the various figures and characters around them. Jammed by a press of people, O'Brien's associates laughed heartily, and rattled away vociferously in an assumed vulgarity of their national dialect, thus dra\> ing upon them- selves the gaze of the crowd, amongst whom it was buzzed about, that the trio were a set of tipsy wild Irishmen. Chailes, highly piqued to be includ- ed in the condemnation he could not deny his young companions merited, although the first part of the accusation was mifounded, endeavoured in vain to restrain the impetuous spirits of his friends, who vowed they would not stop till they had kicked up a riot, just to astonish the sober sedate English, and shew them a bit of an Irish joke : and O'Brien trembled lest they should actually put this mad threat in execution, and that with them he should he taken into custody, and lodged in sooje watch- house for the night. '* For decorum's precious sake !" exclaimed Charles, ^^ let us behave rationally : consider, the reputation of our countiy, the honour of our re- spective families, and our personal respectability are at issue. A pretty business it will be, truly, to have our names at fiiU length in to-morrow's 287 paper ; where it will be announced to the public, * that the Honourable M r. Vesey, the son of Lord Bally more, with two more Irish young gentlemen of family, named O'Brien and Fitzgerald, occa- sioned a riot at the theatre in Covent-Gai-den, and were, in consequencej handed by the police offi- cers to Bow-streetj in order to answer for their offence, and find bail for their not breaking the peace in future/ I declare solemnly," cried O'Brien, " I should never be able to shew my face in any company again after Kuch a dis- grace ! His gay mad associates were laughing violently at the description of what they termed " a fine bit of fun;" when some nymphs and blades of the pave, (overhearing from the young men's conversation, that they, as strangers of consequence, might be easily duped, to their own loss, and the advantage of the gang,)^ made up to the Hibernians ; and the female part of the association immediately began to display their allurements, and, by artful blandishment, endeavoured to draw astray the >^outlis ; who, fearless of temptation, amused them- selves with the dangerous parley, that might easily entice to the destruction of which they were iieedless. 288 THE soldier's family; One of .the damsels accosting O'Brien with familiarity, seized his arm ; which he instantly dis- engaged, disgusted and shrinking from the grasp of pollution with a look of hoiror, that marked aver- sion too strong and decided to admit a hope of his seduction ; which the w oman perceiving, with indignation that panted for revenge, she darted a glance of summons to her bully: in obedience to the look, the fellow sprang forward, uttering im- precations against O'Brien, charging him with having hurt the female. Charles instantly collared the impudent villain, and holding him, in a firm gripe, at arm's length, conquered his insolence by an indignant frown ; and then relinquishing his hold, calmly told the subdued wretch, that he despised a rascal too much to enter into contest with one who seemed de- serving no better epithet. As O'Brien concluded this speech, a severe blow from an antagonist in the rear made him quickly face about; and, in tlie confusion and bustle of the scene, he aimed a stroke at an ill- looking man, whom he believed the perpetrator of the insult committed against him, and the injury he had received, and still severely felt, from a con- tusion in his back. The blow O'Brien aimed in 4 OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 289 a hurry, missed its object, and the full force of his well-nerved arm struck a gentleman, whose hat and cockade denoted him to be an officer. The peaceable by-stander, thus unexpectedly and rude- ly assaulted, cast a fierce glance around, as if to challenge the offender, and said, in a firm and manly tone, " Who, amongst this crowd, is the villain that dared thus unprovokedly to insult a gentleman ?" O'Brien stepped forward toward the stranger as he spoke, and thus addressed him : " 'Tis I, Sir, M'ho have been so unfortunate as to incur the ap- plication of your epithet ; biit though apparently deserving the title of villain, I must declare myself a gentleman ; perhaps. Sir, upon an equality with yourself in situation. Your rank in society. Sir," cried O'Brien, looking at the stranger's military ensignia, *' compels you to call me to a severe ac- count for my conduct; and although I have not the honour of serving his majesty, I am amenable to those laws which make every gentleman respon- sible for his behaviour to another." Saying this, he presented a card of his name and address to the young stranger, adding, with a bow, which spoke equal dignity of feeling for hmiself, and respect toward the person he addressed, '* I VOL. I. o £^0 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; consign into your hands, Sir, the power of chas» lining what you may term an affront. J detest duelhng ; but I am always ready to allow every gentleman satisfaction, if they can find any in call- ing me out : and after this declaration. Sir, 1 feel it due to my character and sentiments, as well as to your's, to inform you, -that I had no intention of insulting you by a blow, aimed at a rascal who struck me in an insolent and cowardly manner ; and I beg your pardon." " I am perfectly satisfied, Sir," said the young ofilcer, relaxing his severe countenance into a smile of benignity ; '* but it is now incumbent on me to offer you as ample means of satisfaction as your spirit afforded me. Here, Sir, then, is the iianre and [)lace of residence of the man who applied to )ou the title of riJiain.'' ^^ I declare, with yourself, that I despise a duellist too much lo call a person out ; though my profession nnposes the necessity of repelling insult, and of answering every gentleman's challenge who feels himself offended by my words or conduct. After this exposure of my ideas, and called upon, by your noble example, to emulate a spirit truly great and virtuous, I offer an apology for having bestowed on you a degrading title; the only ex- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 291 cuse. that can be made for which is, that Wihnot had not the honour or pleasure of knowing Mr. O'Brien." The young officer cast his glance upon the card he held in his hand, as he concluded his speech ; and Charles, forgetful of every thing but the obli- gations for which he felt himself indebted to Wil- mot, pronouncing his name with surprise and ec- stasy, threw himself forward, and grasping his hand, saw, by his ticket of address, (which, in the confusion of the scene, he had deferred examin- ing,) that the stranger now before him w^as, in- deed, the spirited youth who, supporting Colonel O'Brien in his dying moments, had, with the care and affection of a son, protected him singly from a host of sanguinary enemies, whose vengeance would have troubled the expiring hour of their victor. All this flashing across O'Brien's thoughts, he exclaimed, " Wilmot ! yes ! 'tis indeed him- self ! and who by his bravery and his affectionate attentions to the late Colonel O'Brien, has bound his son for ever in the strongest ties of esteem and gratitude." ^^ Have I the happiness then," cried the young officer^ " of seeing, of knowing, and of learning o 2 I'llQ yiiJ THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; to value as he merits, the son of my late respect- ed commander ?" " As the son of that parent^ permit me, Sir,^' said O'Brien, " to offer you my hand as the bond of eternal friendship ; and to assure you, that my heart is warmed by the highest esteem, and an affection ahnost fraternal for you, who, by your filial attentions to my father, and your regard to his memory, attach me to you as a brother/' Wilmot, bowing gracefully, grasped the hand of O'Brien, into whose eyes emotion had started a tear. Wilmot saw, in the expressive lustre of his beaming countenance, a soul congenial to his own ; and smiling benignantly, he said, " I accept your friendship, and offer mine : henceforth may we be inseparably united by fraternal bonds, since our attachment to your lamented father, and, I would also flatter myself, a similarity of sentiments in other respects, make us kindred in mind and character." *^ We will then be really brothers," cried O'Brien; " we shall be brothers of election, per- haps brothers in arms : surely there are kindred spirits, and a union of scul is a more exalted. 203 more refined, more intellectual association, than the mere relationship of consanguinity." " True," rejoined Wilmot. '^ What a fortunate iisue has our rencounter had ! I have obtained a friend for life in the man whom, a few minutes since, I believed my foe." *' Singular as this occurrence may appear,*' added O'Brien, " it offers a very common nioriil, which may be drawn from many incidents in life : that events, the most unlucky in their aspect, are frequently the occasion of our greatest happiness: from which this conclusion may be deduced, that apparent misfortune should not depress us below hopes of felicity, which generally springs from our tears'^ o -> 294 THE soldier's CHAP. Xll. •' Home is the place of true enjoyment, and social intercourifr the real delight of life ; where books, useful, elegant, and rational uDiu.seniont:^, nnd friendly charming con^^erse, expand the ttiiiid,c,t. ait the 8oul, aad v/ing the hours witli pleasures tver new; and ameliorating and enrapturing the heart, fit it for those celestial felicities which are to be the reward of time spent witU a regard to futurity," v^'BRTE^'s Hibernian companions, Veseyand ritzgeraid, \\ho watched the progress of his con- test, in order to lend their assistance to Charles if circumstances demanded their interference, seeing him amicably adjusting matters with Wilmot, stepped forward to propose that the search of places might no longer be postponed ; and as all parties had come for the same purpose, and were in perfect amity, the four young men proceeded together in quest of a box ; and a handsome bribe OR, GUARDIAN GENII. QQS to the box-keepers, clubbed by the set, soon pro- cured them excellent situations for seeing the royal family, although a glance at the stage was nearly impracticable^ as the seats were in the back of the side box next the one on the stage : however, as the play was not in the least an object on the pre- sent occasion with any of the party, they were perfectly pleased with a success almost unexpect- ed, from the numbers in the passages who had been refused admittance into the interior of the house. As O'Brien and his associates had come to the theatre at a very early hour, they found by their watches they had long to wait the commencement of the play; and seated perfectly free from any bustle and confusion, as the places retained around them were not yet occupied by the expected par- ties, Charles and his new acquaintance entered into a mutually interesting theme ; on which ^Vil- mot expressed himself so much the gentleman, the officer, and muu of feeling, that O'Brien's admi- ration of his character rose every instant during a long conversation on the war, and llie part he had borne in it in the West India islands. Charles learned from his new friend, (bat he had been but a short time in those laihcakhy re- o 4. '296 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; gions; that about a twelvemonth prior to that period he had entered a regiment of infantry, in which his best friend and patron, Lord Herbert's son, had purchased a heutenant-colonelcy ; and that they had both exchanged into the regiment of cavalry commanded by Colonel O'Brien. This exchange of Wilmot gave him to understand had lor its chief object, the desire of being under the command of an officer, whose professional and private character were the theme of general eulogy. O'Brien's expressive feelings spoke the most animated thanks to Wilmot, for the praises be- stowed upon him whom he exulted in calling fa- ther; whilst the amiable young officer delighted in iifiording happiness to the son of the man to whose extraordinary merits he experienced the greatest pleasure in rendering justice: for Wilmot, like Charles, had a peculiar enthusiasm of character," and felt the highest veneration for talents, render- ed conspicuously brilliant by being adorned with virtue. This interesting conversation w as at length in- terrupted by the general bustle of an entering audience, and the orchestra precluding the per- formance by some light airs to tranquillize the OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 2^7 impatience of John Bull, that was beginning to manifest itself in a confused murmur, occasional vociferations, and knocking of sticks in the gallery, whilst waiting the arrival of the king. His majesty's punctuality did not keep the house a moment in the expectation of his entrance; for at the precise instant appointed for the royal en- try, it was announced by the opening of the king's box. The crowded audience, as if actuated by one soul, rose, and every head was uncovered^ whilst their majesties moved forward, with dignified complacency, amidst the plaudits of a loyal mul- titude; whose general feelings were expressed by the band, in full concert, striking up ^' God save- the King !" During the performance of that solemnly im^ pressive, and touchingly sublime, yet simple air, the sovereign paid gracious courtesy to his people, regarding them with a sweet smile of softest and most unbounded benevolence, that spoke him equally the king and father of his happy subjects. The sacred composition, so charming to- an English ear, from an association of loyal and pious ideas, was loudly and unanimously encored; and whilst it was repeated, the royal offspring appeared, dear to GVQTy. British heart ! The clamorous bursts of D 5 29H THE soldier's FAMILY*, applause were again renewed, and their majesties seated themselves^ smihng thanks to the general acclamations of a free and noble people. In honour to their fidelity and valour, '^ Rule Britannia" was performed. Their majesties and their royal descendants rose, and stood in compli- ment to the popular tune, looking approbation on the audience ; whose happiness sought utterance in low murmurs circulating round the theatre, whilst condescending royalty graciously marked time to the national strain, uniting in patriotic sentiments with the chorus of ^' IJule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves^ for Britons never shall be slaves !" Loyalty the most animated, and patriotism su- blimed by the most exalted piety, filled with ener- getic stiisations the bosom of the ardent Hiber- nian ; and the blood rushing from his heart with increased impetuosity, snfiused a crimson tint over his glowing cheeks, whilst tears starting to his eyes declared those emotions, and glistening as the bright emanations of an exalted soul, shewed hu- man virtue in its greatest lustre. O'Brien perceived Wilmot moved equally with himself: he had now leisure, and the best oppor- tunity of examining the strikingly elegant coun- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 2^9 tenance and figure of his new acquaintance. The peachy bloom of extreme youth, in a faintly dif- fused blush, spread over his downy cheeks, and increased the whiteness of his polished forehead, while it gave brilliancy to the mild beams of his eyes of darkest blue ; those were shadowed by long eye-lashes of the same beautiful shades as his wavy locks of glossy brown, which in natural curl- ing folds adorned his head, and strayed in light and elegant negligence over his fair tcrr.ples,, marbled with azure veins ; his prolile guve the Grecian outline in its fullest beauty ; and to a regu- larity of feature and symmetry of form, the ex- pression of sentiment, and every grace of motion, knt additional charms, such as intellect and innate elegance alone can give. Although his figure was tall and admirably proportioned, it had the slight- ness of boyhood, and promised more finished beauty in its maturity. As Charles gazed at his evident early youth, and reflected that he had already entered the career of busy life, and had made his first campaign, gathering a soldier's laurels in foreign fields, O'Brien sighed at the idea that his course was yet to com- mence. Seated beside the young officer, whose gallantry had already signalized him, and in the in- spiring presence of his king, O'Brien felt, in itsgreat- 06 SOO THE soldier's family; est ardour, the \\\sh to be Wilmot's brother in arms, and to ciihst under British banners, that he might defend his country, and guard the rights of his*great and virtuous sovereign. The desire thus ardently cherished, was as warmly expressed by the young Hibernian, and his new English friend pressingly invited him to purchase into the dragoons to which he belonged, and in which there was then a vacancy ; adding, as an inducement, that the son of Lord Herbejt, his guardian, was then colonel of the regiment ; and being both an excellent officer, and the most amiable private character, O'Brien would find himself extremely happy under the command of such a man. '' And I should tlnuk," added Wilmot, with affectionate interest, " that it would be particularly gratifying to you to be in the regiment which its late colonel's bravery so eminently distinguished." This sentiment declared Wilmot's soul con- genial with that of the enthusiastic Charles. Drawn powerfully by a strict similarity of disposition, to feel the most lively friendship for his new acquaint- ance, O'Brien was eager to cement that friend- ship by every possible means ; and would, there- fore, willingly have united himself to Wilmot by the strong tie of being his comrade in arms, and hy that association have ensured their being inse- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 301 parable companions for a great portion of their lives, perhaps for ever; as it might be their fate not only to live together, but to mingle their dust in the field of honour and of fame. There was something in this idea inconceivably delightful to the energetically sentimental O'Brien, and he freely spoke his feelings to the man whom he judged to be a kindred spirit. Such, indeed, was Wilmot ! — by nature ardent and enthusiastic as Charles, (whose education and situation had nurtured his powerful energies to vigorous matu- rity,) — Wilmot, from his different position in the world, and from various circumstances, had the difficult task of being obliged, by the refinement of his ideas, to repress those ebullitions of spirit, and to repress, rather than encourage, that exqui- site sensibility of heart, lest in his path through life those acute sentiments might strew thorns in- stead of roses in his way. Wilmot had been nurtured on the lap of gran- deur and of luxury, by friends solicitous for his welfare, and attentive to his interest, in all that riches and an elevated station could bestow. Many amiable minds might have been spoiled by the in- dulgence, which, instead of perverting, raised the character of Wilmot to the sublimity of every virtue ii!Kl eminent quality, more admirable in him, as 302 THE SOLDIERS they were rather the growth of his own under- stand hig than of tuition : for although Wihiiot's accompUshments had been cultivated by instruc- tion, the adornments of his mind owed their ex- traordinary perfection to the refinement of his in- tellects, and to the constant exertion and force of his faculties ; which, instead of being enervated and dazzled by the splendour that surrounded him, shewed him his real position in the world, as a being whom the severest trials might assault in his devious walk through life : for he reflected that the same chance which had placed him in an elevated station in the world, might reverse his fate ; and that as he was an individual almost de- pendant on friends not nearly connected with him, he must place his chief reliance on the protection of Heaven, his own virtue, and the best exertion of those abilities Providence had blessed him. with. But although Wilmot's understanding, and even the high spirit inherent in his character, made him consider himself a humble dependant on Lord Her- bert's kindness, on which he knew his claims were slight ; yet the world in general, and especially the great world, were ever ready to pay young Wil- mot every compliment and homage, not only as one of the handsomest young men of fashion, but as the relation of Lord Herbert, to whose guar- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 303 dianship he had been left. But neither the great world, nor the gay circle of fashion, by all the incense of adulation, could enervate the superior mind of Wilmot : by the light of his own reason he saw things as they really were ; — unperverted by flattery; unpresuming, although universally court- ed, because of his elevated station in the world; and unspoiled by the almost unbounded indulgence of his nearest friends, Wilmot never was so daz- zled as to forget himself, or the obligations he owed Lord Herbert, and every individual of his lordship's family, to whose only son. Colonel Her- bert, he was particularly and devotedly attached* Wilmot and O'Brien, gifted with equal pene- tration, read each other's character ; and from a striking similarity of thought, and a perfect con- geniahty of sentiment, found themselves formed for that sacred union of strict friendship, which is often professed, but too seldom felt in its ge- nuine purity and perfection. Charles was, by nature, extremely frank in his disposition ; and his manner also was open, from having been educated in a country where there was much sociality, and little reserve : but Wil- mot, although possessed of the same candid heart, had acquired a more withdrawing deportment, from having associated entirely with the reserved^ retiring 304 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; English. In the elevated sphere he always moved ill, he had found no young man calculated to draw forth his natural disposition ; consequently he was still unprovided with a friend of his own age, until, in O'Brien, he discovered a congeniality of soul, capable of awakening that confidence which is the essence of friendship. Amongst the almost innu- merable associates of Charles, he had found fre- quently the best qualities of the head and the heart often perverted by a levity and wildness, which,al though they encouraged extreme intimacies, repressed the desire of that refined union of mind, -which alone can be experienced from that chosen companion whose dispositions, principles, and tastes, coincide with one's own. In Wilmot, Charles now discovered the being whom he could honour with the high, the important, the endear- ing, and sacred title of friend I If to a common acquaintance O'Brien could be unreserved, how much more so to his friend 1 Even in the early companionship of a first interview, Wilmot was informed, by his new friend, of his situation, his ■wishes, his views, and his intentions. Nothing relating to those were concealed from Wilmot's knowledge, except what honour to others must ever render sacred to a soul of elevation, senti- ment, and principle. Charles was too delicate to mention how he had lost Lord Cianmourne's in- terest ; and too honourable to speak of that pro* OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 305 inised by Lady Engleton, of which it was im- possible to avail himself; and, therefore, he briefly detailed the truth in saying, that he knew no per- son, at that time, whom he coidd solicit to serve him in the military line. On this subject Wilmot shewed extreme anxiety to be useful to him, professing at the same time, that although himself almost a dependant on Colonel Herbert, he thought his introduction of O'Brien to him might eventually be of service : — and begging of Charles to call upon him next morning before twelve o'clock, he promised to present him to his colonel, whom he represented as the most amiable of men. The curtain now dropped ; and although neither Wilmot nor O'Brien had seen any thing that pass- ed on the stage, both of them felt and expressed they had never spent so agreeable an evening. The royal family left the house ringing with bursts of applause, which spoke the blessings of a loyal people ; and O'Brien quitted the theatre with his heart full of all he had seen. On his return home, the family, as usual, had retired ; and Charles went to repose, impatient for the morrow, that he might have the pleasure of communicating to his beloved grandsire, mother^ and Erina, his extra- 306 THE soldier's family ordinary and fortunate rencounter with the amiable Wilmot. On the following morning, at breakfast, O'Brien related the occurrences of the preceding evening exactly as they had happened, and interested eveiy member of the family almost equally with him- self by the account of his new friend. The baronet and Mrs. O'Brien expressed the utmost admiration of Wilmot, uniting in the hope and expectation that Charles's new acquaintance would prove the happiness and best fortune of his life ; while the gay and enthusiastic Erina asked a thousand questions about the charmingTre^enc, as she pleasantly called him, and hoping ardently soon to see him, insisted on her brother's giving her a minute description of his person, with which she seemed extremely delighted, O'Brien mentioned his appointment with his friend for that morning; and while he was yet speaking of it, Patrick delivered a note to his young master, addressed, — ■ — O'Brien, Esq ; and opening it, he read as follows : " St. James's-square, Wednesday morning* ^^ 1 SNATCH up the pen in haste to inform you, my deal' friend (for such 1 am sure you will per-* OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 307 mit me to call you), that on my return home last night, 1 found my colonel preparing for a sudden journey into the country this morning, in which excursion he desires me to accompany him. ^^ As we set off about ten o'clock, it will pre- vent my having the pleasure of presenting you to my guardian's family as I wished : however, on my return to town^ I shall hope to have that happi- ness ; and, in the meanwhile, permit me to assure you that I shall not lose the occasion of intro- ducing you to Colonel Herbert's favour ; being perfectly convinced, that your name and merits will be a sufficient recommendation to his most powerful interest. With this firm persuasion I must subscribe myself, with the highest esteem, Your's ever faithfully, " Frederic VYilmot." ^' P. S. I cannot mention the time of my re- turn to London, as it does not depend on my choice ; but the moment 1 arrive in town, 1 will do myself the honour of calling upon you." This note very much disappointed, and at the same time delighted O'Brien. Erina also was scarcely less disappointed and delighted; for laugh- ingly she declared herself all impatience to com- 308 THE soldier's family; mence an acquaintance with the charming friend of her brother. Trusty M'Shane being informed by his master of his meeting Wihnot at the theatre last night, with the extraordinary attendant circumstances of the rencounter, wept and laughed at the same moment, saying, " Ogh ! and sure it would have been a thousand pities two such fine young gentle- men had kilt each other dead : — and faith ! if you had, I vow to Heaven, Patrick M'Shane would never have forgiven either of you as long as ever ye had lived!" " You would have done right, my honest friend," replied Charles ; " for duellists are unpardonable criminals. What a scandal it is, that the Iuks of honour, as they are falsely denominated, not only license, but compel a man to act most dishonour- ahli/; and by challenging a gentleman, in order to establish an undoubted claim to that title, for- feit every pretension to common civilization, to humanity, and to morality !" *' Why, as to the matter of fighting," cried Patrick, " 1 have no objection to it, if it be done civilly and genteelly you see." O'Brien smiled at the soldier's distinction, and OR, GUARDtAN GENII. 309 assured him, that if ever he was obliged to meet an antagonist, he should insist on his adversary's firing first, and should, if he lived to return the fire, discharge his pistol in the air : " Ihope, how- ever/' added Charles, ^' 1 shall never be obliged to meet any man in an unjustifiable cause, which duelling must always be: the best way to avoid the disagreeable necessity of a challenge, is to be- have with such decorum, as neither to offend others, nor run the hazard of being affronted ; which can scarcely happen, if a gentleman acts always according to the strict rules of pohteness ; for that is a sure shield against insult/' *' Upon my conscience, Master Charles, my dear," cried Patrick, ^^ I'm mighty glad to 'hare your honour talk so sensible ; and faith and 1 hope you'll live to die in your bed, or the field of battle, quietly and 'paceahly, as 1 hope to do myself at the end of our lives." Some days had now elapsed without producing any occurrence worthy of notice, when one morn- ing, as O'Brien was reading Horace in his own chamber, a letter was delivered to him, which, on opening, he found contained these words, under the signature of Lady Engleton. ^^ 'Tis in vain 1 have expected your calling on 310 THE soldier's FAMILY; iiie. Weaned with impatience to see you^ and disappointed hope, 1 am impelled to demand &n explanation of your conduct. '' Why do you fly me, ungrateful O'Brien ? Is it thus you requite kindness, solicitude, friendship, and ? But I check my pen : — yet why endeavour to deny a truth your penetration must have perceived ? O'Brien, 1 am incapable of dis- guise — still less of falsehood ; and though 1 blush to avow the fact of feeling for you sentiments too tender for my peace, sincerity compels me to de- clare the state of my heart. Yet shrink not at this confession : I know your delicacy, and admire it too much to dare to shock it ; I am too sensible of the charms of your refinement, to wish its per- version ; I revere your virtue too highly to intend any thing inimical to it. No, O'Brien; I would rely on your delicacy for the regulation of my con- duct ; I would depend on your refinement for the correction of my sentiments ; and 1 would trust to your virtue for the support of mine. Fear me not, therefore ; 1 importune you for nothing but your assistance to vanquish a passion, strong as your personal and mental qualities are pre-eminent. Not to have idolized you, would argue insensibi- lity : my heart, alas ! was formed too susceplijile for my fate; my feelings are too acute for my happiness. Lord Engleton's affections, I too late OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 31 i tliscovered, m ere never mine ; but I too soon dis- covered they were centered elsezvhere : — yet I blame him not, for our hearts are not under the government of our will ; neither would I excuse myself from censure through the culpability of my husband. I confess myself weak, miserable, and wonld esteem, myself highly guilty, if, in knowing your charms and virtues, there had been a possi- bihty of defending my heart against their power- fully seductive influence. To feel for you, there- fore, an enthusiastic passion was natural — not cri- minal : to conquer that passion, or resist its mis- leading me, will be glorious. Yes ! glorious as it is difficult : yet this I heroically purpose. Come, therefore, O'Brien, and assist and share my tri- umph , — But what do I say ? You will have nothing to vanquish, for you are too perfect to err : come, then^ and teach me perfection ! '^ LUCINDA EnGLETON." Amazed, confounded, and shocked at this epis- tle, O'Brien knew not how to conduct himself towards its unhappy and deluded author^ for whom pity pleaded against her accusation. At first he resolved to let it remain unnoticed, not feeling himself competent to answer so perplexhig au ad- dress : however, upon maturer deliberation, he felt he owed it to himself to make a reply; in the first place, to disavow the conception of a passion 312 THE soldier's family; he thought it derogatory to his honour and deli- cacy to permit the least suspicion of having ex- peiienced ; and, in the second place, to check, by this avowal, not only the unhappy sentiment Lady Engleton cherished, but to prevent the re- peated avowal of it ; which, he imagined, her \vounded pride must forbid, and render impossi- ble after a letter such as he intended to write. Having, therefore, after much consideration of the case, resolved on a reply to Lady Engleton, he took up the pen, and wrote the following letter. To the Right lloii. Countess of Ejigleton. " Madam, ^^ Equally surprised and shocked at the uvowal contained in your ladyship's letter address- ed to me, 1 had purposed to let it remain unac- knowledged, not knowing in what manner I could reply to it without wounding your pride, and every other sentiment belonging to your sex and rank, which you ought to have respected too highly to run the hazard of exposing them to insult : how- ever, Madam, be assured that even in ceasing to respect Lady Engleton, 1 reverence mjself, my honour, my integrity, and religion so truly, that my principles are a sufficient guard to your lady- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 313 siiip's person and reputation. The consideration, Madam, I owe myself, has compelled me to re- linquish my design of letting your address remain unanswered, since that consideration impels me to declare, that in no single instant have I ever ceased to regard you as the lady of Lord Engle- ton ; and, as his lordship's wife, too sacred to ad- mit of my ever associating your idea ^ith a thought that was not perfectly pure. From me, therefore. Madam, you have nothing to fear : but your ladyship's letter has put an eternal bar to any future intercourse between us ; and 1 there- fore hasten to a conclusion. As it is absolutely impossible for me to express sentiments towards your ladyship which I do not feel, I must omit all professions, and only subscribe myself, '' Charles O'Connel O'Brien.'' Flattering himself that this letter would inevi- tably prevent another address from Lady Engle- ton, and even put an insurmountable obstacle to all further notice from her ladyship, even should an unlucky chance throw him into her way, Charles felt relieved from much perplexity ; and congra- tulating himself that there never had been any in- tercourse between his family and the peeress, he thought himself secure against any future attack from that quarter, or any probability of meeting •VOL. I. p 314 THE soldier's family; her, as he purposed to avoid frequenting the houses where she visited. This determination rendered him more domestic tlian he had been since his arrival in the dissipated metropolis ; and he experienced, that home is the place of true enjoipnent, and social intercourse the real delight of life ; zvhere books, useful, elegaiit, and rational amusements, and friendly charming converse, expand the mind, exalt the soul, and zcing the hours zdth pleasures ever new ; and amelio^ rating and enrapturing the heart, fit it for those celestial felicities zchich are to be the reward of time spent zeith regard to futurity. OR, GUASDIxlN GENir. 315 CHAP. XIII. " 'wnsnllied honour, strict integrity, and pious fidelity to religion, are tlie chief happiness of life: and temptation to unlawful plea= sures shunned, affords more enjoyment to future reflection than any other delight, however exquisite or innocent it may be ; because temporal joys, and the frrutificaiion of the senses, are fleeting plea- sures ; but conscious virtue is an eternal beatitude." OOME days after the dispatch of O'Brien's re- ply to liady Engleton, he was surprised extremely by a second letter from her : arriving in his ab- sence from home, his trusty servant M'Shane laid it on his writing-desk, which was in his own cham- ber; and he was informed by Patrick, that her ladyship's footman had been urgent for an answer* O'Brien took tlie letter, and putting it imme- diately, unopened, into an enveioj>e, sealed and addressed it to Lady Engleton, and instantly dis- patched it by M'Shane, oidtrhig i^ini to deiivcr P 2 Sl6 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; it without the smallest compliment, merely saying, that his master did nut expect any reply. Charles, after this measure, felt perfectly secure that he should never in future be exposed to any ft.u'ther molestation from Lady Engleton : how- ever, he deceived himself in this hope and idea, from ignorance of the persevering effrontery of a depraved woman; who is the more resolved to carry infamous schemes into effect, in proportion as they are more guarded against ; since her pas- sions are always raised by rebuffs, rather than sub- dued by them. On the return of her letter unopened, the peeress, who, until then, had invariably conquered every heart she had ever attacked, felt piqued in the extreme, that an inexperienced youth had escaped thus far her seductive arts and machina- tions : — had she even ceased to love O'Brien, she would have pursued his destruction from revenge ; but to an ardour increased by disappointment, to an infuriated passion, her wounded pride adminis- tered all the poison of malice, which vowed to avenge itself. Lady Engleton was determined to succeed in seducing O'Brien, and to triumph over him, not only in secret, but in public, whatever it might cost her. And as she foresaw that he OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 5l7 would be proof against all her letters, and \vould refuse her an interview if she demanded one, she was resolved to obtain one by surprise ; and then level ail the battery of her alluring artifices to storm the young Hibernian's heart and person, and take both, or either, by assault. O'Brien, in the mean while, felt secure and happy. One eveniug, as he was enjoying himself at home in the domestic circle, with a few select friends, M/Shane summoned him from the draw- ing-room to see a stranger, who said he had come on some urgent business to Mr. O'Brien. Tiie youth, on being called, descended to the parlour, and desired the person who wanted to see him might be shewn into the room. The stranger entering, informed Charles that he bad been sent from a neighbouring hotel, where he was waiter, to let Mr. O'Brien know that a friend of his, who had taken apartments in the hotel, wished very much to see him as soon as possible that evening, on very })articular business relating to a commission in the army. It instantly occurred to O'Brien, that it must be his friend VVihnot who had sent for him ; and he was confirmed hi this opinion when th« waiter in- 1' 3 31S THE soldier's FAMILY ; fornaed him, that the persofi who had hired the apartments was a very young fair geiUieman, al- most like a boy in his appearance, and that he had come in a hackney conch, with some trunks, as if just arrived oiF a journey. No doubt now remaining in O'Brien's mind that this friend was 'vVihuot, who had taken up a temporary lodging at ti.e hotel for some particular reason, he sent back his compiinients, \\i-:h an assurance that he would M'ait on the gentisman as soon as possible. Excusing himself to the sdect party assembled at Sir Phelim's, O'Brien repaired to the place of appoiiitmeKt ; and, on hh arrival at the hotel, was ushered into a very hand-some room, where the waiter, who had brought the messiage, left him, saying he would apprise the gendenjan of his being there. In ubout five minutes the door opened, mid Churles gazed in eager expectation of seeing Wihnot enter, Vvhen Lady Engleton ap- peared to bis astonished sight. Advancing towards him with a liasty step, and an assumed air of dif- ^dent tnibarra;.smtnt, she ."^aid, " You will have ,no reason to be displeased with me for obtaining this intervievv' by strutageni, since it was the only means your cruelty afforded me of any comnunii- cation with you.*' *' Madam," repHed O'Brien, iutenuptu)g herji ** I must insist on tcrmin^thig QR, GUARDIAN CENII. "519 an audience which, obtained by deceit, and in opposition to every law of decorum and of deli- cacy, wains nie to shun yuu henceforth with more care than ever : the impropriety of our situation prevents the necessity of any apo'ogy from me for quitting Lady Eiigleton without paying those com- pliments which courtesy demands; tor vJien polite- ness and rectitude are at variance, the former should be sacrificed to the latter." Saying this, O'Brien was darting out of the room, when Lady E.igitton told liim, that having anticipated the manner in which he would act, she had secured the door at which he entered, by locking it on the outside, previous to lier coming into the room, and that the only remaining egress from that apartment led into a bed-chamber, of which she had the key. O'Brien, during this con- fession, stood petriiied witli amazement and horror at the unblushing impudence of Ltvdy Engleton ; and she continued, ** 1 am prepared also for your indignation, ungrateful, insensible, but too charm- ing youth ! My passion for you is equally un- bounded as it is di:?interestcd, and I claim Jiathinfi: from you in return 5 my only wish is to serve you, to promote your interest, to open to you the road to fortune, honour, and fan^e, while 1 sacrifice riches, reputation, and even your esteem, for your V 4 320 THE soldier's FAMILY; happiness and aggrandizement. Sit down, therefore, and attend to the relation of all I have done, and will do for you, — not with the flattering expecta- tion of your gratitude, for even that cold senti- ment 1 know you will never feel towards me : but 'tis no matter ; the happiness of serving you> even unthanked, is felicity. Oh ! O'Brien, w hy did not fate throw you in my way before I enter- ed iato bonds which render my love towards you criminal ? But what do 1 say ? fool that 1 am to think it a crime to love you as I do, with a flame piu'e as your thoughts ! No, O'Brien, there can be no guilt in idolizing virtue and perfection." Lady Engleton paused ; she cast down her eyes ; then, with a glance of counterfeited timidity, she cast a look towards O'Brien beaming ten- derness, which made the youth start from his amazement. As he retreated a few paces back- ward. Lady Engleton threw herself on a sofa, and covering her eyes with her hands^ burst into a flood of tears. O'Brien had never seen a Avoman weep without experiencing a heart-rending sensation : he now felt his heart pulsate with powerful emotion, as in pensive silence he contemplated the figure of the weeping female now before him. Lady Engleton OK, GUARDIAN" GENII. 321 had thrown herself into a studied attitude of neg- ligence : lightly flowing drapery, in careless folds, clung round her full luxuriant form, exhibiting every turn of her limbs, and the convulsive pant- ing of her loosely covered bosom ; for the dress she wore was of fine transparent muslin, made in the becoming form of an easy robe : underneath, h^r clothing was light in the extreme, and the only fastening of her dress was a ribbon of rose- colour tied round her waist. Her hair, in glossy bands, encircled her head, whilst a few loose locks hung pendant over her left shoulder, to shew the luxuriance of her dishevelled hair, and give a picturesque air to her figure, as it lay half recum- bent on the sofa. Lady Engleton, to whom every art was known that could heighten beauty, or even lend it*s enchantments to a female form devoid of natural charms, had given to her face, neck, and arms those lovely tints of complexion, where the blush of the vermil rose and snowy lily, in beau- tiful combination of contrast and sweetly blending harmony, seem to bloom in living loveliness ; and as her white arms, and polished hands concealed her eyes, the lustre of her glowing cheek was heightened by tears, which, in lucent drops, hung glistening as dewy gems upon the blushing rose. It was impossible for O'Brien to behold female P5 3l22 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; beauty uiimoved ; for he had a taste always alive to seize objects of admiration, and a heart aviake to every impreasion ; and as he gazed on the acknowledged beauty of Lady Engleton, he mentally exclaimed, ^^ How fortunate it is that so much personal loveliness, which would attract the adoration of man if irradiated by the lustre of virtue, sheuld not only lose all power to charm, but absolutely disgust, when, underneath the glare of beauty, the understanding can discern the wily arts of vice \'* Lady Engleton's true character was now fully revealed to O'Brien ; and with animated gesture, impressive voice, and glances that read her inmost thouglits, he thus spiritedly addressed her : '* \ on vaiRly think. Madam, that either strata- gem, or compulsion,, retain me in your power. Your artifices have defeated themselves ; for 1 see you as you really are, abandoned and depraved ; if not in person, through the seduction of viliany, you are still more disgustingly abandoned and de- praved in mind, from the instigation of your own heart, which must be supremely licentious to fall into vice v.ilhout any temptation to err." ** Ungrateful, cruel O'Brien!" ejaculated Lady OR, GUARDIAN GLNII. ^^j:3» Engleton, rising, and throwing herself into a the- atrical attitude of madness and despair ;— '^ but it is no matter," she continued, after a pause ;. " de- spise me, abhor me, and injure me, for respect- ing, idolizing, and serving you ! Behold a letter from my lord, to whom I wrote on your behalf, when you were ungenerous enough to leave me a solitary mourner. You will see by this letter,'* continued she, offering it to O'Brien, " that,, through my influence, every interest waits you that the proudest ambition could desire ; you have only to point out your wishes and obtain them. For these services I claim not even a syllable of thanks; although to apprize you of the good fortune at- tending on you, through my means, I so far sacri- ficed my feelings, my sex, and rank, to venture a second address to you, after the first, which drew on me such a harshly severe reply : in that letter, which you cruelly retuined unopened, you would have found not a single sentence which your virtue ought to have condemned ; for I submitted to be guided by the direction 1 solicited of you, and purposed for ever tht;nceforward to have con- cealed a passion! felt would soon precipitate me into the grave,. You would only have learned from my letter, that Lord Engleton's power and influence in the cabinet, the tieid, or at court. "Here entirely at your disposal . JUnsible to devise 324 THE SOLDIER^S FAMILY; any other mode of access to you than that I have adopted, I ran the hazard of exposing myself to the most unpleasant difficulties in hiring these, apartments, under the disguise of male attire, in- order to obtain an interview, merely to acquaint you that 1 had fulfilled my promise of serving you, and to inform you in what manner your in« terest, through me, might be most effectual : — for this generously kind and disinterested purpose, I exposed myself to the disgrace of a public disco- very, to your contempt, and to your cruellest re- prehensions ; but 1 pardon your severity — I even excuse your unjust condemnation of me. May you be prosperous and happy ! The delight of believing myself instrumental to your success and felicity, will console my few years of misfortune and misery; and at the last moments of my wretched life, the soothing idea that, instead of endeavouring to seduce you from your virtue, I have respected it, and made it my example, will comfort me, and the pangs of death will be light- ened by the hope, that when I cease to exist you will lament having thus cruelly wronged me; and bestow one sigh of pity, if not of affection, on that being who wished to serve you, and dies for you and honour P' O'Brien cast a penetrating glance at Lady Eu- OR, GUARDIAN GENII, 325 gleton as she concluded this romantic and tragical rant, and with gentle firmness thus addressed her i *^ You know my character. Madam, very imper- fectly, if you suppose it possible for me to accept obligations either from the person who would seduce me by sophistical arguments, or whom I have grossly injured by unjust suspicions : *tis thus we must stand relatively to each other ; there- fore 1 must-reject every offer of service both from LQrd Engleton and yourself. Permit me, there- fore. Madam, to retire, since circumstances im- periously forbid all future intercourse betw een us. I will not ask pardon for any injustice or offence I may have committed against Lady Engleton ; for every lady who acts derogatory from the deli- cacy of her sex, voluntarily solicits insult." Lady Engleton, in a convulsive passion of tears, again threw herself upon the sofa, and acted the studied part of frenzied despair : but O'Brien's eyes were blinded now to her personal attractions, since his judgment had discerned her artifices ; and he stood firm in his rectitude^ and shielded from all danger. This the seductress had suffi- cient penetration to perceive : in a moment of rage she tore the mask of decorum off, and professed herself a real abandoned character ; and informing O'Brien that her fortune had been so settled on 26 her marriage, that it was entirely in her own power, she offered to leave Lord Engleton, and live with C^Brien as his mistresy, cither publicly or privately ; adding, that she would put her in- come entirely into his possession. To this pro- posal Charles could scarcely summon sufficient patience to listen, without breaking out into furi- ous invective: this, however^ he reflected could- neither reform Lady Engleton, nor would be con- sistent with his character as a gentleman; and,, therefore, with composed and dignified firmness^ he informed her, that even had she been charming in his eyes, and he had felt assured that in ac- ceding to her offer neither Lord Engleton nor herself would have been injured, yet his con- science would never acquit him for living in pro- fligacy, and acting in opposition to the laws of his country cud his religion : " even should it be con- cealed from the world's eye," added O'Brien, " my own heart would condemn me at the cele8~ tial tribunal !" At such conscientious qualmSy as Lady Engle- ton termed O'Brien's moral and religious princi- ples, she now laughed in open derision, possessed. of a faculty which had the power of placing every thing in a ludicrous point of view ; her talents for sarcasm were indeed pre-eminent. But O^Brieu. OPvj GUARDIAN GENII. 327 was proof against her ridicule, as he had been against her seductive artifices ; and he informed her, that if it had been possible for him, in a moment of delirious fascination, to be seduced from the path of propriety, it must have happened from a l)clief that she loved virtue and religion, and regretted a temporary deviation fi om them : ^' but the instant," added Charles, with energetic animation, '^ that you had ceased to lament with bitterest anguish the error of a moment, in which circumstances, rather than our own fault, had plunged us, the charm of my fatal illusion would have been dissolved ; and, instead of loving, I should have loathingly abhorred the partner of a crime, altliough that crime had entranced me in delusions as delectable as the joys of paradise !" Lady Engleton trembled with disappointment and rage; but she smiled with a sarcastic expres- sion, silently eyeing O'Brien as he proceeded : *• Bat the moment of peril is past ; I defy Lady Engleton, with all her host of fascinating witch- eries. I ceased to fear their seductive influence when she employed stratagems, deceit, and sophis- tical argumentation to lure me to her presence, after avowing a shameful passion, and with un- blushing elTrontery, and depraved principles, ea- 528 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; deavoured to seduce me into the idea, that an un- lawful and infamous love was legitimate and vir- tuous. However^ though I no longer dread your presence, Madam, I insist on your permitting me to depart/' O^Brien spoke in a tone of resolution, and look- ed with an air of determination, that Lady Engle- ton, with silent spight, gave him his liberty, and they parted with tokens of mutual contempt ; whilst Charles's demeanour,- as usual, expressed the feelings of his soul ; and Lady Engleton, with her accustomed artifice, assumed the part she played : for, notwithstanding O'Brien's words and manner had wounded every mental nerve, and lacerated every passion of her mind to the quick, she could not despise O'Brien — but she had ceased to love him ; and her affection now turned to hatred envenomed as her passion had been ardent: yet, even in the height of her disappointment, and in the midst of infuriated rage, her depravity saw and acknowledged, to her conviction, the supe- riority of virtue; and she retired to her sleepless pillow vexed to the soul, and humiliated even in her own eyes ; whilst O'Brien pressed the couch of calm repose, and even in slumber, light and placid, felt the exhilarating coniciousness of virtue: and when he awoke on the ensuing morning, com- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. S£§ posed and happy, be experienced the delight of reflecting that he had acted right ; and mentally exclaimed, " May I ever thus feel the felicity of rectitude! for unsullied honour ^ strict integrity, and pious fidelitf/ to religion, are the chief' happi^ ness of life: and temptation to unlawful pleasures shunned, affords more enjoyment to future refec- tion than ant/ other delight, hazvever exquisite or innocent it may he; because temporary joys, and the gratif cation of the senses, arefeeting pleasures; hut comciom virtue is an eternal beatitude,'^ 330 THE SOLDIEP.'s FAMILY; CIIAP. XiV. " The boly record of Heaven''^ will and mercy, proniulg.ited t«» Jnankiud, tt-aciu"? the piirr«t precepts cf iLoraliLv ; and those who dilJptotlj Hiiuly theji duty, «iid <.r»,lravour to pfrlcrmit with fhris- tiiin liunulity and tidtlily, ciin cnroely fail to ensun' the aid, pro. tection, und blessing of tlie Divinity; who, in m».rrifnl o(m«i(;cra* tion to the wertkness of human nutiue, has constituted faith und a desire of virtue as its saving essence in this state of mortal proba- tion, where obedience must stand a substitute for merit, aud faith excuse our imperfection." j\ Few days after this event, O'Brien received by the post a letter, \vhich, by the superscription, he recognised to be an epistle from \\'iIniot, and opening it with eager haste to learn intelligence of Jjis friend^ he read as follows : " I seize the first instance of leisure to inform \on^ nny dear O'Brien, that our v;i?hes are granted, and that we are now brothers by profession as well OR, GUARDIAN GEXIl. S31 as election ; for in a short time we shall be com- rades ill arms. " As I foresaw and informed yoM, nothiog vvas requisite but to mention your niime and desires to my colonel, in order to iinterest him about you ; for the instant I told him of our extraordinary and fortunate meeting, and introduced yt)U as the son of the late Colonel O'Brien, my friend and com- mander pronounced you worthy your descent : and 00 my 8ayiug that the army was the profession of your choice and destination, and that you would wish to serve under Colonel Herbert, and with xtie, he immediately told me to inform you from him, that he would consider you an honour to the regiment, and that he requested you would do him the favour to accept a commission in it, not as a gift from him, but as a tribute due to your merit, and as a trilling testimony of his rerpect to the nieraory of the commander whom he succeeded, iiud as a token of regard towards his son : addmg, out of kindiiess to me, as he knew how much I was interested in your welfare, that he should con- sider himself your debtor until, through his as- sistance, you had attained the rank in the army which he held by your father's decease ; a^jd that as he had succeeded to the late colonel's com- mission without purchase, he should hold hiuibelf 332 THE soldier's family; bound to promote you as rapidly as possible to the same rank, through his influence. " I could not avoid mentioning this circum- stance, as it does honour to the character of Colonel Herbert, and opens the fairest prospect of that success and professional advancement which it is my sincere wish rnay attend you. *^ My colonel has put every thing in train, and as your commission is to be made out for you as soon as possible, write me a line, addressed to , our present quarters, as it is requisite that Colonel Herbert should know your christian name, in order to have the com- mission for you drawn out. — He hopes to have that business speedily finished for you ; but as it is to be managed by deputy, instead of his per- sonal application in I^ondon, it might be well for you to call from time to time at the War-office, in order to hasten the execution of your commis- sion, as these things are often slow in their pro- gress through the requisite forms. *^ Our stay here is uncertain, but may be long ; therefore, perhaps, we may not meet until you join the regiment: anxious for that pleasure, I remain, dear O'Brien, your vei^ sincere friend, " FUEDERIC WiLMOT." oil, CITARDTAN GENII. 333 The heart of O'Biuni beat high with delight at the receipt of this letter, which depicted, in the most chui liiiiig colours, the character of his future associates la arms. " Dear and amiable Wihnot," cried O'Brien, **■ you are indeed my friend ! and how nobly ge- nerous is the conduct of Colonel Herbert ! — but your conduct, my young friend Wilmot, is, if pos- sible, more nobly generous ; for, through your kind recollection, your obliging and disinterested introduction, I am indebted for favours which can never be repaid." This animated exclamation excited the surprise of the family circle assembled round Erina as she swept the strings of her harp. She had been play- ing an Irish air with variations ; and, having come to the close of it as Charles concluded the warm panegyric on Wihnot, she entreated to know what new proof he had given of his admirable qualities ; and O'Brien, with pleasure, read the letter aloud, which had communicated to his heart such infinite joy, and found it perfected by a partici- pation with those he loved. The baronet, who, although advanced in age, retained in fullest vigour all the acute feelmgs 334 THE SOLDIER*S FAMILY'; of youth, felt his heart scarcely Jess elated thaa his grandson's, at this fresh testimony of their young friend's uncommon worth, and the flattering prosjpects which opened on O'Brien's view. At the idea of his future rise to rank, to fortune, and to fame, worthy of his birth, the amiable grandsire beheld with joy the accomplishment of his most ardent wishes: but the perspective of Charles's aggrandisement and honours, was not more de- liohtful to the affectionately solicitous Sir Plielim, than the certainty that the particular intimates and companiotis of his grandson's early career in the busy scenes of public life, w^ere associates and friends worthy of his most enthusiatic regard. On these subjects Mrs. O'Brien experienced all the felicity a mother can feel on the success and happiness of an only and a darling son ; and the animated and lovely Erina testified the most lively raptures at her beloved brother's good for- tune. She expressed her joy by skipphjg about the room on the " light fantastic toe" of sportive mirth; while sweet rosy dimples round her smiling lips, the bloom of youthful happiness, and its lustre sparkling in her laughter-beaming eyes, and the jocund airiness of her gaily graceful move- ments, gave to her light and beauteous tigure all those juvemle playful charms that animated the OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 335 fire of Milton's poetic genius to sketch his elegant portrait of V Allegro. Like that heaven-inspired bard's mirthful nymph, Erina sported round her happy brotlier, and by sharing his joy, com- pleted it. Wearied at length with dancing, from the excess of spirits that had set her into playful motion, and then increased her exhilaration, the gay Erina sat down to her harp, and sweeping the strings in quick and triple measure, gave to music all its powers of expressing gaiety and joy. When she had finished the chf^erful air of the dani^e which she had been playing, Erina rose from her instrument, and demanding Wilmot's letter of ' O'Brien, she read it over to herself, and thought she discovered new effusions of amiablenessinevery line and syllable. — " What a charming friend you have got, my dear brother !" ejaculated Erina. ^' I have indeed!" cried O'Brien. " Oh! my sister, may you have equal success with me, in finding a mind congenial with your own ! and may that friend, like mine, prove the happiness and blessing of your life ; and in a constant intercourse of sentiment, and interchange of kindest offices, teach you the value and delight of genuine friend- ship !" 336 THE soldier's family; ^' You may depend on my taking the first op- portunity of seeking a friend, since you recommend one so much, my dear brother." '* Be nice, however, my beloved Erina, in the election of one : friendship is too sacred a thing to be unthinkingly professed and lightly retracted; therefore, observe the qualities of a person well before you bind yourself in a league of amity with them. The first essential requisite of an eligible friend is virtue ; in addition to that, 1 think it ne- cessary that tastes and sentiments should coincide as well as principles, to form a union that may be so delightful as to escape the peril of becoming mutually burthensome ; which may sometimes be the case when either tempers or inclinations are too much in opposition to agree. Many peo- ple, especially in extreme youth, and possessed of ardent dispositions, permit their fancy to mis- lead their judgment in the election of intimates and friends. I do not approve either of love or friendship at first sight." Erina smiled significantly, and Charles instantly comprehended that his sister's smile was intended as a gentle notice, that in the sudden choice of Wilmot as a friend, he had departed a little from the rules he had iust laid down as necessary to be observ ed ; and i OR, GUARDIAN GENU. 337 he proceeded thus to exculpate himself : — " 'Tis true, indeed, I fixed on Wilmot as a being whom I would wish to make my friend, even before 1 had seen him — and the first hour I spent in his com- pany, I cemented a friendship with him for Hfe : but remember, that our situation rehitively to each other, had rendered us acquainted in a peculiar In conformity with Wilmot's request and his own desires, Charles lost not a moment in an- swering the letter he had just received; and taking up the pen, be hastily wrote as follows : " I HAVE this instant had the happiness of re- ceiving your most friendly and welcome letter, my dear Wilmot. *^ How to thank you for all your kindness, I know not, since words must fail to express my obligations to you, for the introduction to Colonel Herbert's noble generosity. Do me the additional favour, my dearest friend, to assure him, that I am extremely sensible of the honour he has con- ferred on me by an admission into his regiment; and that I consider myself bound to him for life by the elegantly liberal manner in which he en- rolled me under the banners of his protection. VOL. I. Q 338 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; I trust that an opportunity will soon afford me the happiness of proving myself not quite unworthy of a patronage which equally flatters me, and excites the \A ish of signalizing myself. ^^ To my colonel, I cannot say too much— and to you, my dear Wilmot, it is impossible to say sufficient ; for your services are far^ very far in- deed beyond any thanks, except the faithful af- fection and devotion of my whole life. May Heaven grant me the means of testifying, by more than professions, that 1 consider myself bound to you for ever, by every tie of the most lively gra- titude and friendship I " My ardent impatience to enjoy the pleasure of your society, and associate myself with you as your comrade in arms, will prompt me to hasten every thing for my joining the regiment. 1 am already most fortunately provided with a sword for the service. I esteem the weapon as invaluable, because it had long been the trusty companion of my father's dangers; and was redeemed by his faithful attendant, Patrick M' Shane, on the field, to present to me as an offering of fidelity and af- fection. Perhaps, however, the tale may not be new to you, since your old fellow-soldier, M^ Shane, speaks of you with a warmth of regard that leads OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 339 me to imagine he may have made you the con- fidant of actions, in which your sensibility would feei an uncommon interest ; — for this reason, I shall not apologise for mentioning and enlarging on a theme^ calculated to excite pleasing sensations in your mind. " But the unreasonable length of this letter reminds me to bid you farewell, and to assure you, my dear Wilmot^ that it is with equal gratitude, pride, and pleasure, Isubscribemyself your faith- fully affectionate and for ever attached brother in the noble and honourable profession of arms. '^ Once more, dearest comrade, farewell. " Charles O'Connel O'Brien." '^ P. S. All my family unite in sentiments of grateful obligation to you and Colonel Herbert." As Charles penned this letter, his fine counte- nance was illumined by the happiness of his situ- ation, which had thus unexpectedly given him his most ardent w ishes, by bestowing on him a friend such as his sanguine imagination had depicted, and associating him as the brother-soldier of that friend. The amiable grandsire. Sir Phelim, almost for- got the infirmities of his age, in contemplating Q 2 340 THE soldier's family; the youthful vivacity of Charles ; \vhose exhila- rated spirits soaring to the height of gaiety, ho- vered in the bright regions of hope, viewing an unbounded prospect of ideal happiness^ as a joy- ous bird flutters in its aerial element, looking with delight on flower-enamelled sunny meads, and its umbrageous haunts amidst the woods; where it may range, with its fellow-choristers, from plea- sure to pleasure, free as the light elastic air which bca's his pinions buoyant. Mrs. O Brien, now, perhaps^ for the first time, felt herself entirely justified to her maternal feel- ings, in the rejection of her late suitor, who might, through life, have proved a powerful and steady friend to her son : that he had now, how- ever, procured such for himself, and attached them to his interest by his own merit, w as a subject of extreme happiness and exultation; especially as Lord Clanmourne had entirely ceased his visits to her family, and thus seemed to prove that her re- fusal of his proposals had wounded him too nuich to permit his keeping the warm promise of serving Charles in his wishes. As Mrs. O'Brien watched the flush of ecstasy that irrad'ated the charming features of her be- oved suiwiih a beamy glow of increased beauty, ^le fek a mother's pr.de and joy chastened ahnost I OR, GUARDIAN GENII. H4l fo melancholy, by retrospection of all the felicity he had afforded her from his infancy, and an ap- parently portentous presentiment, that at some future period she might mourn her Charles's pre- mature loss, as she now grieved for his father's* As this idea flashed across her imagination, tears started to her eyes, and fell at the anticipation of his inevitably approaching separation from her. O'Brien's soul was ever alive to seize each ex- pression of eentlmeiit, and sympathize with those hi lovtd ; a«ci his hmy \vm 8lw«y§ q[mek m e?^- plaining those refined feelings of the sduI with which his was constantly conversant. From the faint smile on his mother's countenance, where the beams of joy shone through tears of sadness, he comprehended her sensations, and participated in them so keenly, that for a moment he almost re- gretted his success in having thus speedily obtained the commission he had so long ardently desired to possess. He flew towards his beloved mother, and taking one of her hands between his, with filial reverence, he said, in a softened voice, " The grief of parting from my family will be too acute, if I leave you thus, dearest, best of parents, a mourner. Let the hope that I may soon become an ac- tive and useful member of society, repress those 2 3 S42 tears which almost unman me for the arduous task of emulating the renown of an anciently illustrious ancestry, and the heroic deeds of a father vvhose descendant is bound by honour to grace the name of an elevated race with fame." This animated address warmed the bosom of Mrs. O'Brien, and brought to her recollection that she was the daughter of heroes: remember- ing also, that she was the relict of a truly gallant officer, whose ardent desire had ever been to aid his king and country by his own military services* and by training his son to arms, she wiped away the tears which had rapidly chased each other down her cheeks ; and collecting all the fortitude that maternal solicitude had softened into feminine timidity, she said, " Far be it from me, my child^ to damp that ardent spirit which, by emulating glorious actions, renders you worthy of your illus- trious descent. Although I may weep at the idea of separation from you, whose presence has af- forded me twenty years of happiness, unalloyed with any pain on your account, and whose society has latterly been one of the chief consolations of my widowed heart, yet imagine me not so weak as to lament your advantage: notwithstanding the privation of your presence will subtract greatly from my domestic comfort and happiness, I shall i OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 343 fiave sufficient consolation and felicity in reflecting that you are performing service to your country, and fulfilling the ardent wishes of your own soul, and your father's will. Go then, my child, wher- ever duty calls you, and depart in peace : for the daughter of Sir Phelim, the widow of O'Brien, and the mother of his son, knows her duty suf- ficiently to yield you joyfully to the imperious claims of your country, your sovereign, and your honourable name." Mrs. O'Brien dried her t( ars as she spoke, avi looked serenely on her son, who, imprinting a kiss on his mother's hand in token of filial reve- rence, bowed, and retired to his own chamber to weep in secret at the idea of leaving a home where his grandsire's tuition, his father's example, his mother's cares and softness, and Erina's endearing society, had adorned his mind, fixed his principles, polished his manners, and matured every virtuous sentiment to the fullest perfection. As O'Brien, in the solitude of his chamber, re- flected on the felicity and advantages of his past life, the liveliest gratitude to Heaven, and his rela- tions, filled his heart, and raised it on the wings of ardent devotion to the celestial throne ; where, rapt in pious effusions of praise and adoration, he Q 4 344 THE SOLDIERS family; supplicated a continuance of those blessings which had hitherto guided him in the paths of virtue, religion, and felicity. About to quit the secure haven of domestic scenes for the turbulent sea of public life, where the busy duties of his profession would throw him amidst the rocks of numerous temptations to err; and where the hurry of busi- ness might, at times, scarcely leave him leisure for deliberate retlection on important steps which might decide his temporal fate, and hia eternal destiny; the soul of O'Brien experitiiccd ih© most avvful sensations. Musing with folded arms, he traversed his apartment, sometimes with hurried strides of agitation, at other moments with steps of pensive sadness — and thus he passed a consider- able portion of the morning. It had ever been his custom to spend some time of each day in solitary reflection, and in perusing the sacred scriptures; and he now sat down to read that sublime lesson for a christian life, in the chapter of that volume which ought to be the rule of human actions. As O'Brien studied those pages, which, from frequent repetition, were almost imprinted in his memory and his heart, he feh the sw eet assurance^ that^ however distant from his home, however se^ OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 345 parated from his relations, he should, in the sacred records find the best advisers, the purest morals, and the greatest examples ; and he mentally ex- claimed, ^^ Dear and sacred volume, thou shalt ever accompany me through the world ! for the lioly record of heavens will and mercy, promulgated to mankind, teaches the purest precepts of mora- lity; and those who diligently study their duty, and endeavour to perform it zcith christian humility and fidelity, can scarcely fail to ensure the aid, protection, and blessing of the Divinity, who, in merciful consideration to the weakness of hw man nature, has constituted faith, and a desire of virtue, as its saving essence in this state of mortal probation ; zvhere obedience must stand a substitute for merit, and faith excuse our ini" perfect ion.'' S 3 346 THE soldier's family; CHAP. XV. " It is the province of sensibility and entliusiasm to render the heart amiable, and susceptible of the best and most exalted senti- ments, and to deck life with some of the sweetest flowers of virtue ; whilst it adorns the world with that species of innocent illusion that may be termed romance; and without which it would appear tow insipid to excite tliose inclination'^, desires, and exertions necessary for the preservation of a system and order of things, that would otherwise perish. But as the use of acute sensibility, and ro- mantic ideas, is to urge us on to requisite desires and actions, so it is the business of the understanding to direct, and occasionally re strain those powerful feelings, when their energy would derange and destroy that which the passions were intended to effect in this life. And it is likewise the office of common sense, to prevent our imagi- nation misleading the judgment, and to discriminate so correctly, even in the highest flights of romantic fancy, as to hinder us from confounding facts with ideas, truth with fallacy, aud sense -ivith follv." KJ BRIEN'S good fortune was soon spread through the chcle of his acquamtance, and every one suicerely congratulated him on his unexpected success. As he was a general and amazing favourite atmongst his Hibernian friends, they each felt sor- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 347 rowfiii at the prospect of losing out of their so- ciety a companion who m as the life and soul of every convivial meeting; and they united in the resolve, that during his stay in London, they would avail themselves of kis presence to enliven all their intended spring entertainments : and in consequence of this determination, innumerable cards of invitation showered in upon Sir Phelim's family. Most of these parties were much too late and gay either for the Baronet, Mrs. O'Brien, or Erina; who, at the tender age of thirteen, al- though almost a woman in stature, and formed perfectly in her principles, taste, accomplishments, and understanding, was thought too young to ex- hibit in the scenes of public dissipation. She was, indeed, too sensible to desire a mode of life thai would have been, at her years, a loss of time ; she knew most perfectly how to apply to the superior purposes of mental cultivation amongst her books, and select friends, whose conversation was at once improving and delightful. After her private de- votions and domestic duties of serious importance, the amiable girl found sufficient occupation in her various studies, and in music and painting, with the several ornamental works of her needle, to leave her - no leisure to regret the privation of public placets 348 THE soldier's family; and large assemblies, bad she even possessed a taste for them : this, however, was far from bemg the case ; as she had very seldom indeed been at such meet- ings ; and, in spite of an extreme flow of spirits^ felt averse from crowded scenes of gaiety : prefer- ing infinitely more the solid enjoyments of chosen society, and that rational conversation which, in agreeable company, conduces to cheerfulness, whilst it cultivates the manners, mind, and sen- timents. To a party of this description, at the Earl of Castlekerry's, Sir Phelim's family were verbally invited by the countess, who pressed Mrs. O'Brien to join a few intimate friends at a little social sup- per, made purposely as a mutual compliment to the baronet's family, and the Viscountess deBrian- ^on and her lovely niece, whom the Lady Castle- kerry spoke of in the highest terms, and expressed a wish of introducing as a most agreeable acquaint- ance to Mrs. O'Brien and her family. " I have long known the viscountess," added Lady Castle- kerry, " being intimate with her w hen in France ; and, having received civilities from her when I visited Paris, it is my wish, as it is my duty, to render her stay m London as pleasant as it may be in my power: and 1 know of no service that I could render her more agreeable than an intro- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 349 ductioii to you, and your amiable young people, whom she will understand how to appreciate. " The viscountess is a sensible and well-in- formed woman/' continued her ladyship, *' and her niece, Rosaline St. Amand, is quite charming, beautiful as an angel, and amiable as she is hand- some. Although French by name, she is an Eng- lish girl ; and in her character and manner unites all the best qualities of the French and British nation. This, however,'' added Lady Castlekerry, *^ you will soon discover; and to prepare you for the meeting and intimacy, which it is my desire to effect between you, 1 will briefly relate the par- ticulars of her history, which I hope you will iind interesting. 1 know Charles and Erina are both romantic." During this account of the beautiful Rosaline, O'Brien and his lovely sister felt anxious to learn every circumstance relating to her; and, drawing their chairs close to the sofa, where their mother was seated beside Lady Castlekerry, they listened with rivetted attention, whilst her ladyship related the history of Rosaline, in nearly the following words, as she had heard it from Madame de Briangon. 350 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; " The father of Rosaline was the younger sou of the Count de St. Amand, one of the most no- ble families in France. The elder brother of the young St. Amand, who was heir to the honours and estates of his father the count, became a courtier ; and St. Amand, whose portion was no- thing but spirit, pursued the track of fame and fortune in the naval service of his country. *' By the powerful interest of l|is house at the court of Versailles, he soon obtained a high com- mand, and distinguished himself by several gallant contests with the British flag ; to withstand the all-triumphant power of which is honour, if not victory, for that high fame seems almost exclu- sively the reward of British valour both in the field of war, and in the line of battle on the main. '' Devoted to his noble profession, St. Amand was preserved from the corruptions of Paris ; and, only an occasional visitor at his monarch's court, the young naval officer had merely an oppor- tunity of rubbing off the roughness of his calling, and acquiring the graces of polished life, without falling into those errors \Ahich luxury and dissipa- tion too often introduce into idle circles of plea- sure ; and which, refmcd by the elegancies of high company, and appearing to lose the grossness OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 351 of sensuality in the delicacy of sentiment, become very frequently seductive even to virtuous disposi- tions. '^ A local knowledge of the world, and mixhig promiscuously with the first characters of every nation, expanded his ideas, and divesting his mind of illiberal prejudices, made him a citizen of the world ; while a sincere love for his country, and the firmest loyalty, made him zealous in every cause where his personal or national honour, or the rights of his sovereign, were concerned. " Distinguished by extreme generosity of senti- ment, St. Amand had always declared, that, al- though it was most honourable to meet a British foe, yet he was averse to face, as an enemy, men M'hom he would wish to succour as allies. How- ever, in spite of this liberal manner of thinking, he was often destined to meet the British thunder, and made it a point of duty never to shun a com- bat, although unequal, that bravery made him hope to maintain without dishonour to his name or country. " At an early period of his distinguished career, it was his fate to encounter with a few ships of the line, which had been detached from the main 359, THE soldier's family; fleet on a cruize of observation, the English squa- dron under the command of Lord Kinross ; who, with the spirit of a British admiral, gave chase to the vessels under the direction of St. Amand. He, scorning the degradation of flying even before a superior force, prepared for action v\hen he saw the enemy bearing down upon him. " Lord Kinross, anxious to sustain the honour of the British flag, yet too humane either totally to destroy a brave opponent, or uselessly risk the efl'usion of blood, summoned the French to sur- render to superior force : but St. Amand refusing pacific submission, gave the signal for battle, and commenced the action, giving the word for death rather than dishonour. His crew caught the spirit of their commander, and fought until the vessels were reduced almost to wrecks. *^ In the heat of the engagement St. A mand was calm ; and in all the confusion of an almost total defeat, he was still collected, and stood firm in combat, mindful of what he owed his country, yet not insensible to the generosity of his opponent; who had stationed the main part of his fleet in safety, equally for the preservation of his brave tars, and to spare the enemy's entire destruction, many of whose ships lay quite disabled. 353 ^^ Lord Kinross, observing their desperate state, and perceiving that their commander resolved to perish rather than yield, and that several of his ships were already in flames, and must speedily blow up, ordered as many boats as possible to be put out from his fleet to save the crews of the burning vessels. This command of mercy was obeyed with alacrity by the British seamen, whose humanity equals their bravery ; hundreds of English tars were instantly in motion to succour that ene- my, whom Britons have ever been accustomed to consider a$ their bitterest and implacable foe : but, in the moment of conquest, all animosity was forgotten in the stronger senliment of noble com- miseration for a perishing enemy ; and almost eveiy sailor in the English fleet was busily intent, even at the imminent danger of their own lives, to save those of the French : for, in spite of the general confla- gration which threatened with immediate explo- sion many of the ships, the boats rowed up close under their sides, at extreme risk, to invite their enemies to safety. '^ St. Amand, who witnessed, with extraordinary- emotion, the generous heroism of the English, felt that even to fall subdued by such enemies was honourable ; and whilst this sentiment passed in bis mind, a cannon ball laid him prostrate on the 354 THE soldier's family; deck ! After the stunning shock of a severe wound in his side, he recovered himself sufficiently to ar- ticulate the eulogy of his men, and the praises he felt due to the brave English ; and recommending his crew and himself to Heaven's mercy, he closed his eyes, impressed with the awful idea that he was about to pass into futurity. " At that instant the gallant English tars board- ing the vessel, beheld, with compassion, its valiant commander weltering in a sea of blood. The deck, strewed with carnage, bore testimony to courage ; and British sailors revering that quality, pointed out to each other, with pity, instead of exultation, the slaughter their guns had commit* ted; and defending themselves with one arm, held out the other hand to offer protection and peace to the enemy, instead of the rude assault their op- ponents had expected. There is an irresistible attraction m the rough urbanity of the Britons, which often displays, under the uncourteousness of unpolished manners, the brilliant emanations of a nobly exalted soul, impressed with every kind and generous feeling : such was the address of the British sailors; whose liberal spirit, and the tender humanity of their nature, beamed in honest ex- pression on the rough, yet benign countenances of the equally intrepid and mild assailants. The OR, GUARDIAN GEM I. S55 contest between the English and French spirit terminated in the triumph of the former, acknow- ledged tacitly by the latter, and peace succeeded hostihty. " Calm, considerate, and gentle in victory, as they ^vere cool, courageous, and generous in bat- tle, the English mariners gathered round the wounded St.Amand, and assisted, equally inte- rested with the Gallic crew, in supporting and en- deavouring to restore the faiuting French com- Kmnder. '^ Whilst numbers of the British sailors were busied in this amiable office of humanity, another set of seamen were engaged in helping many of the French to get their wounds dressed, and to secure them good births, while the rest of the English tars took possession of the vessel ; and one of these cried out to a messmate, in their pro- fessional dialect, ' D — n my eyes, Jack, go abaft and aloft, and haul down the French colours and pennant, for it's a cursed shame to see them flying over the heads of British sailors : but blow me up if I could have the face to make the French sea- men strike to us after fighting so gallantly, and after the devilish drubbing we have just given the poor fellows ! — may 1 never fire another gua if I 356 THE SOLDIER*S FAMILY; would (even in such a fetate^) strike the Engli&b flag to them !' '' This speech, scarcely more characteristic of an honest British tar, than of the delicately gene- rous English nation collectively, was obeyed, and the colours of Britain alone floated triunj;^hantly on the sea, of which she proudly boasts the domi- nion. " The character of Britanbia's warlike sotis w^as more elegantly pourtrayed in the touchhig counte-i nances of the group surrounding St. Ainand ; amongst whom none evinced more concern for the apparently expiring commander than the Bri- tish admiral, when he learned the condition of his gallant opponent. By the orders of Lord Kinross he was removed, as soon as possible, from the scene of devastation to the admiral's ship ; and^ in his own cabin, the victor himself hung in sor- row over the wounded prisoner, whom excessive effusion of blood had debilitated to a state of in- sensibility : the surgeons, however, pronounced, that extreme care might restore him from a con- dition of great danger to convalescence ; and Lord Kinross himself paid the utmost attention to St. Amand's comfort, and watched beside him with unremitting assiduity : and wlien the wounded OR, GUARDIAN' GEXil. S!i7 captive recovered from the torpor into wliich ex- cessive weakness had thrown him, he found the English admiral sitting beside him, with the soli- citude of a father depicted in his countenance. ^^ St. Amand was refined in sentiment as he was brave ; and instantly comprehending the obli gations he owed his generous victor, he stretched out his hand, in token of gratitude, towards the man who softened the character of a conqueror by the elegant attentions of friendship. Unable to speak, from an extreme faintness which still subdued the powers of St. Amand, he was obliged to express by signs and looks the sentiments he experienced ; and Lord Kinross, from congeniality of feeling, understood all that his prisoner would have said ; and shaking him cordially, yet gently by the hand, he said, ' The fortune of battle. Sir, has made you the captive of England : consider yourself, however, only as my guest ; and com- mand in my cabin as you would in your own, for I resign my state-room to you ; therefore order in it as if you were still in your own shi}>.' '^ A cordial medicine now administered to St. Amand, in a short time so much revived him that Ise felt himself enabled to speak ; and taking Lord i5S THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; Kinross by the hand, he thus addressed him : ^ Although the English nation is at war with France, I perceive that the individuals of England are, as fame reports them, not enemies, but al- ways protectors of the unfortunate. I would thank you, Sir, for the kind offices you have rendered to me, and for the noble manner in which you treat your prisoner, whom gratitude,, fitill more than conquest, binds your captive. * '^ St. Amand was going to proceed in the ex- pression of his obligations, when Lord Kinross interrupted him, by the information that speaking had been interdicted in the weak state, from which he had not sufficiently recovered for exertion : and St. Amand, in silence, pressed the hand of the British admiral when he courteously presented the sword, which the necessity of dressing his wound had obliged them to lay aside. *' St. Amand, receiving the weapon, offered it as the homage of defeat to victory; but the Bri- tish admiral rejected it, politely observing, that his antagonist's bravery had prevented its for- feiture. " Extreme care^ and unremitted attention o» OR, GUARDIAN GEXII. 359 the part of Lord Kinross, in a short time perform- ed wonders towards the restoration of St. Amand ; and when the fleet reached S pithead, he was suffi- ciently recovered to be led on deck to see the vessels enter the harbour of Portsmouth. '' The view of his shattered ships impressed the most melancholy sensations on his mind, in spite of all the delicate attentions of Lord Kinross to dispel every idea of being his prisoner. '* A necessity of refitting the admiral's vessel, and several others of the fleet, before he could mount his flag on another ship to join the squadron_, brought Lord Kinross on shore, and his maiden sister. Lady Elizabeth, and his daughter. Lady Anna Bruce, repaired to the place of his debark- ation to welcome his triumphant return ; and to both the ladies he presented St. Amand as his friend. " Lady Anna Bruce was young and lovely, as the British women are in general ; and the heart of the amiable St. Amand confessed the power of her beauty ; while compassion for the interesting wounded captive of her father, added an extra- ordinary softness to the gentle manners of Lady 360 THE SOLDIERS FA MILT; Anna^ and rendering lier irresistibly charming, the prisoner of \\ ar became the slave of love. ^^ St. Amand was uncommonly handsome. His figure, his virtues, and his gallantry, made an im- pression on the object of his love ; and his birth, his profession, and, above all, his bravery, so stiongly recommended him to the Earl of Kinross, that he readily consented to bestow his only daugh- ter on St. Amand. But he was too spirited to solicit a union whilst he remained the prisoner of England ; choosing to defer his nuptials until he was at liberty to pursue the duties of his profes- sion ; and in about a year he solicited and obtain- ed the hand of Lady Anna. ^^ Rosaline was the offspring of this alliance between a nobleman's daughter, descended from the old royal house of Scotland, and the son of a French count, esteemed one of the first nobles in his country. *^ Soon after the birth of Rosaline, professional duty summoned St. Amand to sea ; and, anxious that his beloved wife and child should have the solace of being with their nearest female relative, during the absence which duty imposed on him OR, GUARDIAN GENII, 3^1 and Lord Kinross, Lady Anna, and the infant Rosaline, took up their abode with Lady Elizabeth Bruce in London. *' To paint the grief and agitation of Lady Anna on this separation, would be impossible ; for she was impressed with the dreadful idea that her father and husband might meet in adverse fleets, and that their respective obligations to their kmg and country might occasion one of them to fall by the other's means ; and that thus she might have to lament the untimely death of both. The constant appre- hension of a catastrophe so shocking to her feel- ings, as a wife and daughter, considerably injured her health, in a situation where peace of mind was essential to the preservation of herself, and the infant to whom she was about to give birth. '^ Neither the kind attentions of her aunt. Lady Elizabeth, who had been like a mother to Lady Anna from her childhood, nor the engaging caresses of the little Rosaline, could divert the melancholy of the constant mourner ; who, at length, received the dreadful intelligence that her husband had fallen the victim of her country's tri- umph ! VOL. I. T, 31^2 THE SOLDIER'S FAMILY; " The fleet commanded by St. Amand, had agam the unfortunate fate of encountering, and be- ing compelled to give battle to the squadron under Lord Kinross ; and the duty of patriotism and loyalty obliged the father and son-in-law to oppose each other : and, in this action^ the ill-fated Lady Anna was doomed to lament a husbaad slain, while her father's victory was the triumph of her coun- try : for on the occasion, as is generally the case on every great naval conquest by England, the metropolis was in a blaze of illumination. ^' At this dreadful period Lady Anna witnessed the sight and sound of general joy in London, where the unthinking mob gathered in huzzaing crouds in every street, and the shouts of popular applause, a whole night long, resounded in repeated peals of acclamation the dismal tale of her widowhood. Lady Anna was seized with pains, mental and corporeal, which proved the agonies of exhausted and expiring life ; for, in the struggle of a few hours, the hapless mourner ceased to exist, after having given birth to a son too weak to survive its parent. *' Thus, in the space of a few days, Rosaline St. Amand, then only at the age of fourteen months, lost a father, mother^ and brother ! OR, GUARDIAN' GENII. 363 *' Lady Elizabeth Bruce, a woman of the most amiable character and manners, who had ever loved her niece with the tenderness of a mother, transferred those parental cares and affection to the engaging Rosaline, whose melancholy orphan situation had the most powerful claims on her tenderest feelings and solicitude. '' A superlatively excellent disposition, and the best possible education, have rendered Rosaline the most charming girl imaginable. Having lost her grandfather, the Earl of Kinross, she is be- come sole heiress of a very considerable fortune ; and by the decease of her respectable aunt. Lady Elizabeth Bruce, who died some months since, Rosaline lost her only near relation in England ; and her father's sister, the Viscountess de Brian- §on, with whom she had from childhood main- tained a constant intercourse, is lately come over to this country, to transplant the beauteoujs maid to France. *' The viscountess, some time after her coming to London, made her arrival known to me, and I have had extreme delight, both in the renewal of my intimacy with her, and the introduction to her beautiful niece. This charming girl is approach- R S o64f THE soldier's FAMILY; ing the age of fifteen ; and unites the accompHsh- ments and understanding of a woman to the inno- cence of childhood," Oaarles and Erina, whose attention and liveliest interest had been excited and rivetted by the history of Rosaline^ each seized a hand of Lady Castlekerry as she finished the narration of a tale that had moved them both in an extra- ordinary manner. Erina's bright eyes paid the tribute of many tears to the hapless fate of the amiable pair who had given birth to the beautiful Rosaline ; and Charles's bosom heaved innumerable sighs at the unfortunate fall of the gallant St. Amand. Energetically pressing the hand of his friend Lady Castlekerry, O'Brien said, with a sigh, '* Poor Rosaline, what a fate is thine !" and, after a pause of sorrow, he continued, " but surely thou canst not be unhappy, since thou art the daughter of heroes, and the offspring of virtue." Then turn- ing to Erina, and seizing her hand, he exclaimed, '* Rosaline shall be our sister : for her father, like ours, has bled for his country !'' Tears, tremulously pendant from the long siilken OR, GUARDIAN GENIi. JO^/ eyelashes of Eriiia, fell on her snowy bosom as sjhe. heaved a sigh to the memory of her father ; ami, unable to articulate the assent to her brother's pro- posal of considering the orphan daughter of the gallant St. Amand as a sister^ Erina returned the pressure of O'Brien's Iiand; and by that sign,, and the expressive language of her beaming eyes, and the eloquence of responsive sighs, she informed her brother, th^t her gentle heart was open to re- ceive the charming Rosaline as a dearest iriend and sister. The tale of heroism and affile tion had beguiled Mrs. O'Brien of many silently descending tears ; and the enthusiasm of the energetic Charles, which caused his mother to conceal her weeping eyes with her handkerchief, roused him to recollect that he had been indiscreet in thus mentioning his father's fall ; and anxious to change the train of reflection, from sorrowful retrospection to joyou« anticipation, O'Brien rallied his spirits, and hi the full flow of mirthful drollery, he told Lady Casllekerry, that he was prepared to fall over head and ears m love with the beautiful Rosaline. To this lively sally, Lady Castlekerry repl' that her friend Charles must take great car 366 THE soldier's family; guard his heart against the captivating graces of the charming beauty, as the viscountess had in- formed her, that she had long projected a marriage between her son, the young Viscount de Briaugon, and his cousin. '^ This intended alliance," continued Lady Cas- tlekerry, *^ being determined, will, doubtless, be effected, as the fortune of Rosaline is too consi- derable not to excite equally the desires of Madame de Brian§on -and her son, who, although an only child, is not a man of much property, nor do I believe him possessed of a coip.petency sufficient to support his rank during the life of his mother ; who, I understand, was left far from rich at the decease of her husband : he was a man of family, without riches, and lived in splendour from the emoluments of a situation at court. Marriages in France are always formed on interested motives ; and the inclinations of the parties are seldom, or, perhaps, never consulted by the parents; who are authorized, by the prevailing manners of their na- tion, either to seclude for life, or dispose of their children in marriage entirely as they please." '' Tliank Heaven !" ejaculated O'Brien, *' I am not a Frenchman, but a free-born Briton, who OR, GUARDIAN GENII. S67 have a right to dispose of my heart as sentiment and propriety dictate. Parents have an indis- putable right to advise their children in the choice of a companion for life : but where prudence is taken into consultation with inclination, each may so influence the other, that the parents, and the par- ties themselves, will have the best possible chance of acting to mutual advantage and satisfaction." ** I am delighted,'' cried Lady Castlekerry, in a lively tone, addressing herself to the whole circle, '^ to hear Charles O'Brien talk so wisely on pru- dence in the subject of matrimony, as it gives me no fear of his running away with Rosaline against the consent of her aunt ; who, in that case, would certainly desire the viscount, her son, to run the young Hibernian lover througli the body. What. a shocking catastrophe this would make for the tale of Rosaline St. Amand, who, at the age of jfifteen, w^ould most likely die the victim of love and despair ! 1 understand," added Lady Castle- kerry, smiling archly, " that her French cousin is a handsome and amiable young nobleman ; but, perhaps, Rosaline might prefer the gallant Cavalier O'Brien, to the Gallic officer the Viscount de Bri- an^on ; and as 1 am persuaded that neither he, nor madame his modier, would suffer our Irish knight to retain the prize contended for, it might K 4 568 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; cause the most tragical events in the world to all parties concerned ; and it really makes me quite melancholy to think of occurrences that might form a Subject for romance, as full of horrors as any of our modern novels/' This lively speech of Lady Castlckerry made the whole party smile, and O'Brien laugh most heartily; after which he thus addressed her : " Your Ladyship may rest perfectly assured, that I will not make thelovely Rosaline the heroine of a melancholy tale. As I am nothing but a poor subaltern, I must neither fall in love scricnsli/, nor attempt to interest any female heart in my favour, because pride would prevent my offering myself to any lady of fortune whilst 1 had none ; delicacy would hinder my involving any woman, especially one I loved, in difficulty and pecuniary distress, by an imprudent union with me ; and honour would al- ways deter me from the base action of endeavour- ing to make any impression on a heart, whose affection 1 should be forced either to repay with slight or ingratitude/' Whilst O'Brien spoke, his countenance and gestures became animated with a spirit which de- clared these sentiments to be the genuine dictates of his noble soul : and Lady Castlekerry, who OR, GUARDIAN GENII. S€g was a woman of sense, and who had known Charles from his boyhood, and now admired that matured character in the youth which his early years had promised, laughed, and told him he was the strangest compound of romance and common sense she had ever seen. To which remark O'Brien replied, that he held both qualities essen- tially requisite to the right use and enjoyment of life ; " for life,'' added he, " unadorned by ro- mance, would be dull in the extreme,^ and with- out common sense, would be a tissue of absurdity : it is therefore the duty, and ought to be the busi- ness of every one to cultivate both, and assign to each their due respective limits. Extremes in either would be prejudicial to the happiness we are permitted to taste in this world ; but both,, in moderation, are necessary to human felicity. *' It is the province of sensibility and enthusiasm to render the heart amiable, and susceptible of the best and most exalted sentiments, and to deck life zmth some of the sweetest flowers of virtue ; whilst it adorns the world with that species of innocent illusion that may be termed romance ; and zmthout zvhich it woidd appear too insipid to excite those inclinations, desires, and exertions, necessary for the preservation of a system and order of things that would otherwise perish. But 370 tttE soldier's family; as the use of acute senfihility, and romantic ideas, is to urge us on to requisite desires and actions ; so it is the business of the understanding to direct, and occasionally restrain, those pozcerful feelings, when their energy would derange and destroy that which the passions were intended to effect in this life. And it is likewise the office of common sense, to prevent our imagination misleading judgment, and to discriminate so correctly, even in the highest flights of romantic fancy, as to hinder us from confounding facts zvith ideas, truth with fallacy, and sense with folly, ^^ 0R, GUARDIAN GENU. 37 i €HAP. XVL " An illegitimate passion can scarcely find access into a moral xnind ; but if by human frailty it should gain admittance into a soul of refinement, the shame its painful consciousness must excite would almost instantly annihilate it/' V>IN the appointed evening- Sir Phelim*5 family repaired to Lady Castlekerry^s, . Mrs. O'Brien was prepared to meet in the Vis- countess de Brian§on an agreeable associate ; Erina was determined to form an intimate con- nection of friendship with the lovely niece, of whom she had heard such a delightful account ; Gharks was resolved to admire the beautiful daughter of the gallant St. Amand^ without falling in love ; and the worthy baronet felt happy hi see- ing his offspring exhilarated by uncommon spirits ;ind pleasing expectations, n6 ^'^^^ THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; On the occasion of this little social festivity, Mrs. O'Brien endeavoured to assume a look of cheer- fulness, which, since her widowhood, she had not worn ; and the amiable Erina rejoiced to behold smiles of pleasure on her mother's countenance, felt her heart elated with unusual happiness, and joy beaming from her eyes, irradiated her face with all the blooming beauty of youth, rendered en- chantingly lovely by the emanations of her angelic mind. Charles, ever gay and handsome, was, on this evening, particularly charming, without the least intention of being so, or having the smallest con- sciousness that his appearance and manner must always make the strongest impression wherever he went. Sir Phelim on this evening was unusually in health, and the placidity of his temper, and be- nignity of his soul, were sweetly pourtrayed in the serenity of his aged face, and in the soft urbanity of his deportment and address, which spoke the polished gentleman, and the most amiable cha- racter. The family group, prepared for their evening visits presented a picture of happiness and virtue, oil, GUARDIAN" GENII. 373 from which an artist of ability might have sketched a delightful portrait of domestic felicity : in which the grandsire would have represented the mild wisdom of age combined with the kindest indul- gence for lively youth ; the mother's soft aifection would have rendered Mrs. O'Brien's figure a touching picture of a widowed matron ; the sym- metry of form, and the spiritedly elegant air of O'Brien, might have given an idea of the grace and intelligence of a being superior to mortal race ; and, from Erina's face and figure, a painter might have been inspired to delineate an angel. This group presented themselves at Lady Castle- kerry's, and were introduced by her ladyship to the Viscountess de Brian^on and Rosaline St. Am and, who had preceded the Hibernian party a few mo- ments. Madame de Briangon, at the first glance, was re- cognized as a woman of the most finished fashion of her country; and her lovely niece, in whom the most perfect beauty had been anticipated by the lively imaginations of Charles and his sister, struck them both with a lustre of charms that far exceeded even the high idea their brilliant fancies had conceived. 374 THE SOLDIER'iS The viscountess and Rosaline, who had also been prepared by Lady Castlekerry's description of her Irish friends, to expect in them each every grace and quality which could charm and attach^ were, on their sides, equally dazzled and de- lighted with every member of Sir Phelim's family ; and as the Hibernian sociality and gaiety suited extremely the French ease and vivacity, the whole party were soon perfectly affable, and both sides were disposed to begin that intimate intercourse which had been projected.. The address and conversation « of Madame de Briangon were excessively polite and lively ; and as Sir Phelim's family had accustomed themselves to speak French, they were not at any loss to ex- press their ideas with fluency in that language, whenever they addressed the viscountess, who did not understand English. The lovely Rosaline preferring to speak it, soon engaged herself in an intercourse with Erina apart; and Charles divided his attentions between Lady Castlekerry's party on the sofa, and the two young maiden beauties ; who each admired the other without a spice of rivalry or vanity. As O'Brien stood before Rosaline and his sister, he contemplated their respective charms with a OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 375 lively, yet sweet emotion: — they were different, yet both inexpressibly lovely. Erina's beauty dazzled and surprised, whilst it penetrated to the enraptured soul, and raised there an ecstasy which could never be forgotten, and which the constant remembrance of her must ever excite with new ardour. Rosaline's loveliness impressed the heart with a placid sensation, awakening the imagination to the idea of celestial purity, which might be adored intellectually without the slightest mixture of any sensual passion. Her eyes were blue, and beamed the mildest lustre ; her nose, mouth, and teeth, were delicate- ly small and beautiful ; a skin of finest texture, and exquisitely fair, veined with azure, and slightly tinted with the bloom of blushing blossoms, gave her the appearance of a being scarcely of earthly mould ; and flaxen hair, soft and glossy as silk, adorned her face and snowy neck in airy ringlets ; while her slight aerial figure and agile movements, inspired the idea of a sylphid nymph. Lively, yet gentle ; easy, yet modest ; and innocent, yet ex- tremely well informed, she equally charmed Charles and Erina ; each of whom paid her the most assiduous attention. The social party were joined by a few select 376 THE soldier's family; friends ; and the evening passed most pleasantly in agreeable conversation, and the convivial plea- sures of an elegant little supper ; after which, at a moderate hour, the guests retired, with mutual professions of a desire to improve, by frequent in- tercourse, an acquaintance so happily commenced ; whilst Charles, Erina, and Rosaline, separated with extreme regret. As Madame de Brian^on vvas a stranger newly arrived in London, Mrs. O'Brien judged it proper to make the first visit ; and on the fol- lowing morning called on the viscountess, in com- pany with their friend Lady Castlekerry. O'Brien and his sister were also of the pajrty ; and, on a second interview, admired the charming Rosaline even more than they had done on the preceding tvening. Although she was tall of her age, and her form had attained the beautiful proportions of the female figure; yet she was still a girl in man- ner, combining with the sprightly innocence of ex- treme youth, an address much above her years. Tiie sportive graces of Erina's deportment drew forth all the natural liveliness of Rosaline, whilst it rendered the former more than usually gay, adapting her admirably to the taste of the vis^ countess; v.ho, in O'Brien and his sister, found that frankness of manner, and vivacity of disposi- 377 tion, which, contrasted with English reserve and gravity, made the young Hibernians so agreeable to Madame de Rrian^on, that she was particularly desirous of their intimacy. Rosaline St. Amand, although by birth an Eng- lish girl, inherited vivacity from her French and Scottish descent ; and having from infancy asso- ciated with many Caledonians, and visited Scot- land a short time previous to the decease of Lady Elizabeth Bruce, she had acquired all that gaiety which distinguishes the North Britons from their southern neighbours. A similarity of disposition still more than the rules of politeness, prompted the viscountess to return immediately the visit of Mrs. O'Brien, and to follow it by an invitation to a collation : and as it was impossible for Sir Phelim's family to refuse being present at an entertainment made expressly on their account, they engaged themselves to meet Lady Castle- kerry and a select party of friends at Madame de Briancon's. Amongst the company invited there were seve- ral French families connected with the viscountess, and some of the Scotch nobility with whom Rosa- line was intimate, besides n)any of the Irish ac- quaintar.ce of Lady Ctistlekerry, who had shewn 378 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY; civilities to Madame de Brian^on on her arrival in London. This motley assembly, composed of nations celebrated for gaiety, displayed it in all its various modes : for Gallic volubility, Caledonian hilarity, and Hibernian cheerfulness'^ prevailed in the circle, ^vhere lively conversation, mirthful sports, and dancing, chased the hours in varied pleasures. A lottery-table in one corner of the room at- tracted a party of gay adventurers, who laughed with equal good humour at good and bad luck; a lively group in another place played at various games, which excited much drollery and merri- ment ; whilst, in an adjoining apartment, the music of a violin, harp, and tambourine, invited a juvenile set to take part in reels and cotillions. Madame de Briangon presided at the board of chance, where Lady Castlekerry, Sir Phelim Fitz- Henry, and even Mrs. O'Brien, tried their luck at lottery ; and O'Brien and Erina were also tempt- ed, for a short time, to woo the goddess Fortune as she turned her revolving wheeL Erina's light purse was soon exhausted, and declaring herself a bankrupt, she retired laughing to dance off sorrow ; whilst her brother, confessing himself a needy ad- venturer, that had but little to hazard, dashed OS, GUARDIAN GENII. 379 3iway with spirit like a deep and desperate gambler. This character, however, was merely assumed, in the gaiety of heart which the meeting inspired; and O'Brien only sat down to the table in compli- ment to the invitation of the viscountess, for he disliked cards, and soon found a pretext to leave off playing, by saying, that a poor soldier could not afford to lose much money. Rosaline, who presided in the dancing-room, came to recruit, as she smilingly said, for a set to begin country dances ; and Charles, instantly spring- ing up from beside Madame de Briancon, enlist- ed himself under the banners of Terpsichore, and claimed the hand of Rosaline as the bounty, for the sake of which alone, he said, he could be in- duced to enter the service. The favour O'Brien thus solicited with elegant drollery, was granted immediately with the gayest grace imaginable; and the handsome youth opened the little bail with his charming partner. As he led her down the dance, every eye was fixed with admiration on the beautiful Rosaline and Charles ; whose smiles, and airy steps, inspired the assembly with cheerfulness and delight, whilst a buz of approbation was whispered round the room. Though all admired Rosaline, no one was as animated in praises of her m Erina ; who being an uncommonly elegant 380 THE soldier's family; dancer, knew how to judge of exquisite grace j and who not only possessed the taste to admire excellence^ but had the ingenuousness to feel and extol it in others without pretension, self-love, or envy» in return for the warm eulogies bestowed on- her niece, Madame de Brian^on promised Erina that she would call upon Rosaline to perform the tambou- rine dance, which she spoke of as hevchef d'ceiivre in that accomplishment ; and beckoning the lovely girl towards hrr, she requested to be favourefl with that favourite pas seuL A blush of timidity suffused itself over the face and bosom of Rosaline, as she listened to the en- treaties of her aunt; and addressing her with the sweetest tone and manner, she said, " Your de- sires. Madam, I consider as commands, and there- fore hold myself bound to compliance, if you continue to wish me to exhibit in a dance which Mas merely taught me as a childish exercise, and which, at my years, J feel it embarrassing to per- form in company." Erina, who was standing beside her as she spoke, and whose modesty could well understand the bashful sensations that made the diffident girl OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 381 averse to draw on herself the scrutinizing gazes of a crowded room, whilst she exhibited singly to their admiration, felt too delicate to press a per- formance which would have gratified her exceed- ingly, had she not been impressed with a certainty that she should purchase that high enjoyment at the expence of pain to Rosaline ; and this idea kept her silent on the subject of the tambourine-dance, which the viscountess again solicited her blushing niece to perform, telling her, with a smile of gaiety and French ease, that she must consider herself as a little child, bound to implicit obedience, until she was married. A crimson glow spread over the cheeks of Rosaline, as she instantly courtesied., and withdrew to seek her tambourine; and having found it, she placed herself at the end of the room in an atti- tude to begin the dance. The soft measures of the music put the beauteous girl into various movements, whilst her tambourine beat time to her steps and the air; which, sometimes slow, and at other times rapid, gave infinite variety to the motion of her delicate limbs and slender figure, as she revolved in the sportive dance. The lightness of her agile steps, and the sweep- ing movements of her graceful form, rivetted the 382 THE soldier's family; attention of all present; whilst the celestial ex- pression of her face and air inspired Charles and Erina with rapture. The dance concluding, awakened them from % trance of pleasure, and they flew towards Rosa- line,, who had retired into the second room to escape the compliments of an admiring circle. From confusion, and the exertion of dancings the blush on her cheek emulated the lustre of Erina's complexion ; who in the full brilliancy of dazzling beauty, increased by the powerful in- fluence of an energetic mind, beamed from her eyes all the sensations of a soul enthusiastic in taste and sentiment. Approaching Rosaline with a smile of happiness and aff*ection, Erina seated herself beside her amiable friend, and thanked her in the sweetest terms for the pleasure her uncom- mon talents had afi'orded; and O'Brien likewise paid her some elegant compliments with that de- licacy of expression, and respectful address, which render gallantry decorous, and make those assi- duities from a man of sentiment and understand- ing agreeable, which, from a coxcomb, are dis- gusting. A crowd now gathering round Charles and the OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 383 two young belles, seemed eager to renew the dancing. Some French gentlemen and ladies pro- posed cotillions, in which O'Brien and his sister agreed to join ; but Rosaline excused herself from making one of the set, on account of the fatigue of her last dance ; after which Charles allowed her to repose, on condition she would consent to join him and Erina in a reel at the conclusion of the cotillion. To this proposal Rosaline bowed, smiling a gentle assent ; and after the French dance, O'Brien and Erina, both claiming the pro- mise of RosaUne, led her out, and calling for the most fashionable Scotch reel, began the Caledo- nian brisk and merry measure. In this dance, as in others, Rosaline excelled, giving to it all the grace of which it could be capable. The lively young Hibernians, who both delighted^in dancing, and who were in the highest flow of spirits, and resolved to keep up the reel as long as possible, quickened the music, and seemed to acquire fresh strength and gaiety from their exertions, which the quickening measure increased; but Rosaline feel- ing tired gave up the dance, and, sitting down in a corner of the room, was soon followed by Erina and O'Brien, who rallied her on not keeping up the national pride and spirit of the Scotch, who boast of never tiring whilst a reel is played. 3Sh THE soldier's lAMILY; Rosaline, appearing unusually pensive, sighed as O'Brien spoke, and told him, that whilst in Scotland she herself had witnessed and partaken of that national sentiment; and that in Caledonia, with the gay and social natives, she had almost daily danced incessantly without lassitude. " But I was then," added she, in a soft tone of sorrow, " in better health and spirits than I am at present; for the loss of my ever to be lamented parent, Lady Elizabeth Bruce, has impaired them : how- ever," continued Rosaline, pausing to sigh, " I have, in general, such excellent health, and such an habitual cheerfulness, that 1 hope to be in time as well and as gay as ever. Irremediable afflic- tions, especially such as are immediately inflicted by the vvill of Providence, should be endured with that perfect resignation, which, after the first shock of grief, makes it subside into composure. It is the duty of a Christian to be patient, and even happy under every dispensation of Heaven. To mourn deeply the loss of beloved friends and re- latives, at the moment we are deprived of them, is natural and amiable ; but to cherish woe must be criminal, since it implies repining at the decree of the all-wise Creator, whose wisdom disposes every event and circumstance for our good, if we support our trials as wc ought." 385 Whilst Rosaline spoke, a few silent tears stole in pearly drops upon her bosom j and Charles, catching the sorrow of gentle feeling, sighed; whilst Erina's eyes beamed tenderness through her long and silken eyelashes, sparkling with the lustrous gems of sympathy; which often weeps at the view or recital of griefs, experience has taught it how to feel. Rosaline, perceiving how much she had affected O'Brien and his amiable sister, instantly brushed away her tears, apologizing for having shed 'uiy at such an improper season. " I am not subjet t," she added, smiling, ''• to moments of such dejec- tion; which, to some, might appear like affecta- tion of sensibility : but," continued she, looking grave, " I was struck by the Scotch reel, from an association of ideas, with the recollection of places extremely endeared to me. Wli vi I visited Scot- land, it was in company with my grandfather. Lord Kinross, and my aunt, Lady Elizabeth, who was quite a mother to me ; and they introduced me to society and scenes which, being natal to them, were interesting and charming to mc." Whilst Rosaline spoke, Charles and Erina ad- mired in her that retinement of feeling which adorns beauty with its loveliest expression; and each VOL. I. s 386 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY giving tender thoughts to Glenrock and their father, sighed responsive to Rosaline; who, remarking it, sprung from her chair, and proposed, with return- ing gaiety, that they should join the country dance that had just begun. To this proposal O'Brien, bowing assent, presented his hand to his fair part- ner, and led her to the set; where Eriiia instantly procured a soHcitor for the honour of her hand, and the ti'io danced with ease and pleasure : though the brilliant vivacity that had inspired them in the commencement of the evening, now yielded to a more serious temper of mind, from the recent re- trospection of evfciits which had deprived them each of a beloved relation. The lottery-table breaking up, to give place for the arrangement of tlie collation, the company re- paired to the adjoining apartment, where the coun- try-dances were still engaged in runmng their lively mazes; and at the conclusion ot' the set, the sup- per was completely spread. Madame de Briangon presided at it with polite- ness and gaiety ; requesting her guests to excuse tlie inconveniencies which a lodging must always occasion, particularly to a foreigner. *' As such," added the viscountess, " I must commit many vulgaiisms in English manners of which 1 am ig- OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 38/ Rorant; but 1 entreat the kind indulgence of my present friends, all of whom i hope to have an opportunity of entertaining more elegantly at my otel in Paris /^ The collation needed not the apologies of Ma- dame de Briangon, for every thing which was served w^as excellent; and the cheerful sociality that pervaded the company put every guest at ease, and in the most perfect good humour with every thing, with each other, and with themselves. Rosaline, unmindful of herself, was assiduously attentive to each individual of the company ; per- forming her part of the l.ionours with a charming and unaffected grace, of which O'Brien and his sister were observant. The supper concluded with Lady Castlekerry giving the health of Monsieur le Viscomte de Bri- ancon, which was drank round the table as the guests were about to retire from it; and as O'Brien and Erina put the glass to their Wpr., ad- miration oi Rosarme, lU'd (i'llicacy of sentiment, made them both secretly pray ;hat the young no- bleman destined as the husband of that charming girl, might be worthy of the licli prize which good fortune had allotted him. 388 THE soldier's family; A cotillion succeeded the collation ; and the hour then being late. Sir Phelim proposed retiring alone, leaving Mrs. O'Brien and Erina under the care of Charles ; but as the young people perceiv- ed their mother rather fatigued, and feared that sitting up so much later than she had for a length of time been accustomed to, might injure her delicate health, tliey insisted on accompanying their grandfather home, notwithstanding the strongest desire each felt to remain longer in a circle, where jnnumerable pleasures, suited to their age and taste, ?5olicited their stay to further enjoyment. In return to this agreeable entertainment, the hospitable baronet entreated liis friend, I^dy Cas- tlekerry, and Madame de Briangon, to fix a day for giving his family the pleasure of their company to dinner; telling them, that although he was too old and infirm to give a dance, he should endea- vour to collect a pleasant little party to a family dinner, which was the most he could attempt in lodjiings, and in the iBiluation of Mrs. O'Brien's health and spirits. Lady Castlekerry and the Viscountess readily fixed an early day for meeting at Sir Phelim's; and perceiving him about to de- part with his daughter and young folks, Madame de Briangon solicited the stay of O'Brien and his sister, assuring them she could neither spare belles OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 389 nor beaux out of her small assembly. Rosaline, who stood beside Erina, seizing her hand, pressed it warmly, entreating her not to depart so soon ; while the latter, at a loss how to satisfy friendship "W'ithout infringing on filial duty, sweetly smiled, and whispered Rosaline not to press her remain- ing, as her mother was too much of an invalid to stay any later without endangering her health, and that she was not accustomed to be out iu pubhc ■without her parent. Lady Castlekerry hearing the latter part of Erina's speech, told her, that she would take her home, if Mrs. CBrien would consent to leave her an hour longer with her friends ; ^' as for Charles,'' added her ladyship, " he will not certainly be s'> impolite as to break up the party." Sir Phelim, who was all indulgence to young people, and always was anxious to afford Erina as much pleasure as possible, decided the question in debate, by consigning his grand-daughter to the care of Lady Castlekerry; and telling Charles, that he must not desert from the service in which h« had enlisted, the good old gentleman made his bow, and attended Mrs. O'Brien home. Thi young pai'ty now made the best of their s 3 590 THE soldier's family; time, and danced till the morning; when the com- pany separating, Lady Castlekerry took her leave, accompanied by her young charge, who was em- braced by Rosaline at departure. Lady Castlekerry having ordered her carriage to Aibemarle-street, asked Erina if she was not de- lighted with her new acquaintance; and the amia- ble girl, whose heart was ever animated by those warm feelings that exalt human nature, eagerly seized an opportunity of evincing her gratitude to Lady Castlekerry for the introduction to Rosaline, on whose praises she enlarged with equal enthu- siasm and pleasure. On this subject Charles like- wise was uncommonly eloquent, and said he hoped Madame de Briangon would not be so cruel as to deprive them of her fair niece's presence, by taking her to France before his departure from London. " I declare," cried Lady Castlekerry, laughing as she addressed O'Brien, " I am afraid you kit your prudence at home this evening, and in her absence have had the misfortune to lose your heart to the beautiful Rosaline. I hope, however, you have not stolen her's in exchange." ^' 1 am infinitely indebted to your ladyship'* solicitude about me," cried Charles, in a gay tone ; S OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 391 " in the company of Lady Castlekerry, I require not the guardianship of my own prudence, since her's must be sufficient to shield me from every danger. However, as the fair Rosaline's charms are all-powerfLil, I will not answer for my safety should your lady.ship desert the oflice of being my guardian angel. Yet be assured, that even in your absence, and ti}e insufficiency of my prudence for nry preservation, 1 trust honour will never forsake me; and that must render it impossible for me to commit a theft on any heart on which circum- stances prevent my having any claims. I always consider every woman engaged to another as an object so sacred, that I would not dare to aspire to her affections, even in my most secret thoughts." '* Such sentiments," interrupted Lady Castle- kerry, " rendering you superior to most men, make you really formidable both to Rosaline and her intended lover ; and 1 am of opinion he ought to come over to assert his pretensions to his intended bride, lest her heart should elect you as her knight, to the prejudice of lu r noble cousin, whom professional duty detains in Lrauce." '* Oh !" ejaculated Erina, with eager gaiety, ** it %vould be indecorous for fen)ale delicacy to bestow s -i 59^ THE SOEBIEr's FAMILY; a heart unsolicited ; therefore I should think if impossible for a lady to fall in love \vith any ob- ject, however charming, until she was assured, past doubt, of having made such an impression as lo authorize her to avow, even to herself, that her feelings were inclined to favour him as a suitor : now, as my wise brother's prudence and honour put an insurmcuntable obstacle to the least decla- ration on his part, Rosaline's heart must continue safe in her possession, to bestow on the Viscount de Briangon/' '* 1 am delighted, my little sister/' cried Charles, laughing, ** to hear your sentiments on the theme of love so refined, as those ideas you have doubt- less expressed from conviction, and the dictates of your heart. V\^e are taught to believe, that it is arbitrary in its elections, and that love is ar tyrant which reason can neither dethrone nor con-^ troul. The human mind is, undoubtedly, passive, since it is susceptible of impressions which we cannot avoid receiving : but reason should be ever vigilant in regulating our sensibility, and restrain- ing our desires within the rules of strict propriety and honour." *' You are of opinion, then," said Lady Castle- kerry, " that it is always in oyr power to govern pur affections,'' OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 395 " J think/' replied Charles, " that we may esteem, tenderly regard, and even admire exces- sively, any person who is amiable and beautiful, without conceiving for them sentiments which our rectitude can condemn; for, 1 am persjuaded, that love can only exist where virtue licenses its indul- gence : an illegitimate passion can scarcely find access into a moral mind; but if, by human frailty, it should gain admittance into a squI of refine- ment, the shame its painful consciousness must sxcite, would almost instantly annihilate it" » o 394! THE soldier's FAMILTf CHAP. XII ♦' A handsome girl who studies dress too much, adds nothing ts her appearance ; and, therefore, mi&peiids her time as absurdly a* au ugly miss; who, in endeavouring to captivate by stri! voice, and the mellifluous strains of Erina. Lady Castlekerry was so delighted with her musical talents, that she said the charming singer merited remuneration ; and as she found that Erina had never been at the opera, and,was certain she would be particularly pleased with an entertain- 40 r nient so suited to her taste, her ladyship entreated Mrs. O'Brien to trust the lovely girl. to her care on the following night; when the new serious opera would afford the finest specimens of the vocal art. This request was so urged by Lady Castlekerry, that Mrs. O'Brien consented to let Erina accompany her ladyship to a public place, which she wished her to attend as much for im- provement as amusement. Madame de Briancon, like a true Parisian, loved pleasure; was a frequenter of public enter- tainments, and promised to join Lady Castlekerry with Rosaline on the following evening ; and the party was fixed, with O'Brien for their chevalier, " Erina, now near fourteen, had attained a stature and figure that rendered it necessary she should change the attire of a girl for a woman's dress ; the chastity of her taste, however, rendered her habiliments as simple as possible : and on the night of her first appearance in public since her arrival in the gay metropolis of the British em- pire, her dress was perfectly unstudied ; and na- tural beauty her chief decoration. A plain robe of fine muslin, v>'hich had been nicely adjusted to the matchless symmetry of her 40S THE soldier's familv; form, was modestly drawn over her delicately moulded bosom, so as entirely to conceal it from every impertinent gaze ; while the exquisite beauty of her neck was seen, that in roundness, smooth- ness, and whiteness, emulated the make, the polish, the colour of a Parian marble bust, by which a sculptor's art could steal the admirable proportions of the famed statue that enchants the world with the most exquisite effigy of female grace. The lovely form of her fair throat, and the swelling of her bosom, led the fancy to imagine, that the pro- portions of her shape were perfect as those of the medicean venus. Auburn hair_, in shining ringlets, brightly played upon her snowy forehead and blooming cheek;i in careless elegance, whilst its profusion was bound up in glossy tresses and braids, confined by a comb set with pearl, which was the only ornament she wore : yet, unadorned, except by nature, she looked enchantingly lovely. Vivacity beamed in glances of spirit, combined with softness in her eyes of darkest hazel ; which were rendered sparkling as brilliants, by the lustre of her complexion. Whenever she spoke, the liveliest carnation threw a varying blush over her face ; and in the quickly changing expression of her features, the soul of sentiment evinced itself equally 113 :n the soft tones of her voice. The ready tear of sensibility often sw^in lustrously in OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 409 her eyes at the command of tenderest sympathy ; and obedient to it and gaiety, the sweetest smiles sported frequently in dimples round her roseate lips^ that displayed the most perfect set of pearly teeth ; grace was in her movements^ and an angehc loveliness in every different look. Such was Erina when handed into Lady Castle- kerry's drawing-room by her equally handsome and elegant brother. Her ladyship, though long accustomed to the beauty of her youthful friend and countrywoman, felt a sensation of pleasing wonder as she threw a glance of admiration over Erina's incomparable features and figure ; for, although their loveliness impressed itself indelibly on the imagination and the heart of every beholder, her beauty was so strikingly dazzling, various, and interesting, that each view seemed to discover something new ; so that time and habit, which deprive charms in general of their effect, rendered Erina's more en. gaging at every interview : the eye of the most In- animate observer could not look at her with indif- ference ; the coldest heart must have been inte- rested by her appearance and manner. To see her for a moment, was to remember her VOL, I, T 410 THE SOLDIERS FAMILY,* for ever. To behold her ®nce, was to desire to gaze on her eternally. The splendour of Lady Castlekerry's dress and jewels, made Erina apprehensive that the plainness of her attire, would render her singular at the opera, and she expres vrd this fear to her ladyship; who good-naturedly assured her, that to look as charming she would give a great deal : and, laugh- ino-, asked Erina if she would exchange her per- son for the diamond ear-rhigs and necklace that an old lady of quality was obliged to wear^ in order to appear tolerable. At this pleasant demand Erina smiled ; and 5aid, '' Your ladyship is extremely kind, thus to endeavour to put me into good humour with my appearance : if Lady Castlekerry is satisfied with my dress, 1 am contented." '' You are an admirable girl, Erina," cried her ladyship ; '' you excel in every thing : your taste, I perceive, is as correct in dress as in other mat- ters : simplicity of attire is best adapted to ex- treme youth, which needs no other adornments than those nature bestows. Eemale beauty re- quires no decoration ; since, as the poet tells us, when least adorned it is most so. A handsome OR, GUARDIAN GENII. 411 girlf 7i)ho studies dress too muchj adds nothing to her appearance ; and therefore mis-spends her time as absurdly as an u;f1y miss, zvho, in endeavour- ing to captivate by striking attire) attracts ridi- cule instead of admiration; which is a tribute good sense, even under the plainest exterior , is su^e to obtain from even/ individual whose appro- hation is worth desiri}i^" END OP THE FIRST VOLUME. J. G. Barnard, Printer, Snow-hill, cOv^^-