I cnxa: (^ > 144^^^-^ J>^>^.^{J fi.-W L I E) R A R. Y OF THE U N IVLRSITY or ILLINOIS St4G5je v.l LLEWELLEN, OR, THE VALE OF PHLINLIMMON. Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive in 2010 witii funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/llewellenorvaleo01stev LLEWELLEN, OR, THE VALE OF PHLINLIMMON A NOVEL, Happy the man, who sees a God employ'd, In all the good, and ill, that chequer life. COWPER IN THREE VOLUMES, VOL. L EDINBURGH : Printed hy John Moir, Royal Bank Close, FOR MACREDIE, SKELLY, & CO. 52, PRINCE STREET; AND T. & G. UNDERWOOD, 32, FLEET STREET, LONDON. 1818. 8^^ LLEWELLEN. CHAPTER T. Art thou a spirit of health, or goblin damn'd : Thou comest in such a questionable shape, That I will speak with thee. — Shakesp£4.re, At the foot of the lofty Phlinlimmon stood a small cottage, the picturesque beauty of which arrested the eye of the f traveller. This romantic spot was the J residence of Mr and Mrs Dalziel, who, jn after spending the best half of their lives g in the gaieties of London, were com- f pelled to seek retirement, in hopes of sav- p ing a small portion of their fortune for an r> only daughter, now in her fifteenth year. ^. But unhappily the mind of Mrs Dalziel J was but ill calculated for the seclusion in s- which she was now placed, — deficient in all ^ those mental resources which render the VOL. I. A a LLEWELLEN. possessor independent of situation, she in- cessantly repined at the hardship of her destiny, in being obliged to relinquish the varied amusements of the city. Mr Dalziel was the only son of a West India planter ; on the death of his fa- ther he returned to England, and soon after became acquainted with Miss Wil- mot, the chosen friend of his sister, then on a visit at his mother's house in Rich- mond. Miss Wilmot was sole heiress of her father's wealth, who, by a series of success- ful speculations, had acquired a large for- tune, and being, moreover, of a pleasing ex- terior, she quickly subdued the heart of the young West Indian, and became his wife three weeks after their first introduction. This hasty alliance was soon repented of by Mr Dalziel, who too late discovered the cold and selfish disposition of his wife. Sixteen years of splendid misery had now passed away, when he found his income v/ould no longer admit of the extra- vagancies of his lady ; and with difficul- ty he persuaded her, that a temporary LLEWELLEN. 3 seclusion was necessary, in order to save them from absolute rain, Mr Dalziel had frequently sought relief and consolation for the idle frivolity of his lady, by amusing himself with the playful vivacity of his infant daughter, on whom he bestowed a liberal education ; and Clara, the lovely object of his solicitude, was, at the time our history commences, far ad- vanced in every useful and showy accom.- plishment. In the calm retirement of the country she soon began to unfold qualities and to display a mind of no ordinary cast. Warm in every affectionate feeling of the heart, she was ever sedulous to promote the hap- piness of her parents, and to banish the gloom that overhung their minds by her persuasive cheerfulness. With her father she was successful, but the peevish des- pondency of her mother seemed rather to increase ; — if her husband proposed to walk in the open air, Mrs Dalziel was in- disposed for exercise, — if he wished to read for her amusement, she had the head-ache, 4 LLEWELLEN. and the loud tone of his voice distressed her. Wearied at length by her inflexible apathy, he lost the hope of finding comfort in her society, and again turned to his daughter for consolation. That she might accompany him in his rides, he purchased for her a small Welsh poney. Hence arose a new cause of dissen- sion ; for Mrs Dalziel could not support with patience the idea that her husband should seek amusement independent of her. One morning, returning from an ex- cursion, he entered the ix)om where she sat, her face expressive of more than u- sual peevishness. " 1 have been, my love," said he, taking her passive hand, " beat- ing about, to see if the neighbourhood afforded any society that you might enjoy.'* Mrs Dalziel sneeringly repeated, — ** So- ciety/ ?'' " Yes, my love," replied her husband gaily, " and 1 rejoice to say that fortune has in this instance favoured my wishes, by accidentally introducing to my notice LLEWELLEN. S one family at least, who appear unexcep- tionable.*' ** Some flirmer's fat wife, I suppose. Sir." — " No, indeed, my love, — the lady I re- commend to your attention is one whose deportment and address are elegant as your own." — " Very likely," replied Mrs Dal- ziel, yawning, — ** but I should at least de- sire the privilege of choosing my own as- sociates. Me?i are but indifferent judges of female accomplishments." ** I own, madam," replied Mr Dalziel, flushing, ** that they are sometimes miser- ably mistaken in the estimate they form of female e^cellenceo'' Mrs Dalziel bit her lip. " How^ever," continued her husband mild- ly, *' as Mrs Howel is a very fascinating- woman, I hope you will hke her when you see her J her husband is a clergyman, and is one of the most prepossessing men I ever beheld, such"—" So then," said Mrs Dal- ziel, interrupting him with an ironical laugh, — '* this mighty harangue is, after all, about a country curate and his dowdy LLEWELLEN. helpmate, — really, my dear, the Welsh air has had a wonderful effect on your opi- nions ; but I hope, when your paragon ho- nours our humble dwelling with a sight of her one- horse chair, that you will not car- ry your folly so far as to expect that / shall converse with her.'* ** If she is indeed the intelligent woman 1 take her for,'* replied Mr Dalziel grave- ly, and preparing to leave the room, *' it would be folly in me to suppose you ca- pable of supporting a conversation with her." As he closed the door, Mrs Dalziel turn- ed towards her daughter, who sat in the window a witness to this disagreeable dia- logue, — and exclaimed with virulence, — " Has your father, miss, forbidden you to be employed, that you sit there idle for ever.'* " No my dearest mother,'* said Clara, rising, '* and if you have any work for me, I will with pleasure perform it.'* " A pretty meek piece of obedience," replied Mrs Dalziel, with a malignant LLEWELLEN. 7 glance at her daughter. Clara left the room in tears ; for a time she sought the solitude of her own apartment ; but sud- denly recollecting that her mother had accused her of idleness, she entered the room where her harpsichord stood. To give relief to her oppressed feelings, she began to warble, with inimitable pathos, a favourite Welsh air. Mrs Dalziel, worn out by the ill-humour of the morning, felt soothed as she listen- ed to the melody of her daughter's voice. She condescended to enter the music room. Clara's face, at the approach of her mo- ther, was suffused by the crimson of appre- hension. ** Play on child,'* said she, '* you exe- cute tolerably well.'* Clara's heart was full, and her accents tremulous as she o- beyed. — " Delightful harmony," cried Mr Dalziel, as he entered, and stood beside his daughter's chair. Clara, sup- pressed the rising tears, and continued to sing ; but the tears of her father flow- ed rapidly. Mrs Dalziel was affected, 8 ILEWELLEI?. and turned aside to wipe her eyes; her husband observed it, and advancing to- wards her, ** My dearest Ehza," said he, ** that syren has overcome us both ; do for once obhge me, let us shake off this mel- ancholy by trying the effects of the even- ing air. It is a lovely night — let us wan- der down that romantic path, through the wild scented shrubs that deck the river*s edge.'' Mrs Dalziel tacitly consented, and Clara, rejoiced to see her parents again reconciled, skipped like a fawn be* fore them. The beauty of the evening was such, that paradise seemed opening to their view ; the sky was clear, and the setting sun cast a glow of enchantment upon the variegated landscape, tinging with gold the lofty Phlinlimmon. Save the rippling current gliding over its pebbly bed, all na- ture seemed in deep repose. ]n a scene so fair, they marked not the lapse of time, until the mists of night ga- thered thick around them ; they were then returning home, when Clara suddenly ex- LLEWELLEN^. 9 claimed, ** See yonder, my dear mother, what is that which moves so quick from crag to crag." They stopped, and beheld a figure, which, but for the rapidity of its motion, appeared human. ** My God !" cried Mrs Dalziel, ** it is a spirit !'* " My dear Eliza," said her husband, gazing eagerly on her face, '* you are not ill earnest ?" But he beheld her pale as death, and sinking with terror. The last glimmer of twih'ght was fading away ; yet Mr Dalziel proposed crossing the river, to remove, if possible, the super- stitious fears of his wife, by discovering the cause of so strange an appearance ; but clinging to his arm with frenzy, she im- plored him not to leave her. The figure, which had thus alarmed them, vanished from their sight, and Mr Dalziel was endea- vouring to rally the spirits of his lady, when close beside them suddenly appeared the same fearful spectacle, shrouded in the ha- biliments of the grave. Mrs Dalziel uttered iO llew£:llen. a piercing shriek, and fell senseless to the earth, while Clara involuntarily clasped her hands before her eyes. Mr Dalziel, in stooping to lift his faint- ing wife, lost sight of the vision — but its flight must have been rapid as that of a bird. Mrs Dalziel, slowly recovering, urged her husband home, with a look of wild en- treaty 5 and they reached the cottage just as the black clouds of night enveloped the scene. The cheerful blaze of the fire, and com- fortable appearance of the supper room, soon banished all gloomy apprehensions from the heart of Clara ; but the weak and wavering mind of Mrs Dalziel was o- vercome by superstitious dread ; nor would she listen for a moment to the reasoning of her husband, who endeavoured to con- vince her that her fears had alone prevent- ed him from discovering what the mys- terious phantom was. She obstinately maintained, that it was a warning sent from heaven, to prepare her for another world. tLEWELLEN. 11 ** All night," said she, '' I heard the death-watch ; and when I fell into un- easy slumbers, methought that beside me lay an open coffin, and, while I gazed upon it, some sudden force impelled me forward and I sank into it." ** Do you not know, my love," said Mr Dalziel mildly, ** that what you call the death-watch is but a little wood-worm." ** No matter," said she, sighing deeply, *^ it is nevertheless a harbinger of death to those who hear it in the dead of night. Alas !" cried she, burst- ing into tears, *' and must I leave this world so soon." The melancholy and desponding conver- sation of her mother excited some unknown fears in the mind of Clara, and on retiring she entreated Win.fred to sleep in the chamber beside her ; — all the events of the evening were poured into the ears of this faithful creature. As Clara concluded, Winifred exclaimed, '^ Then Cot himself have mercy upon my mistress' poor sinfid soul ! for it has been none other than the grim white woman that she has seen j so 121 LLEWELLEN. keep up your spirits in the meantime. Miss Clara, and don't be grieving afore the right time ; for sure enough your lady mother will die if she has seen this fearsome sight, and you will soon have cause to cry in right earnest.'* ** Who is this grim white woman ?'* said Clara, '* and where does she stay ?" ** Stay !" exclaimed Winifred : " Why, la nia*m, how can you talk so when you know all the time she has no body, she is only wind/' Next morning Clara made breakfast beside the bed of her mother, who had passed a sleepless night ; and Mr Dalziel informed them that he had arisen early, in hopes of discovering the tract of their uocturnal visitant, but, as yet, his search had been fruitless. ** Ah, Arthur," languidly replied his wife, ** vain, indeed, will be your search ; but I shall soon find her in the grave." The obstinate and sad forebodings of Mrs Dalziel rendered her husband ex- ijemely uneasy ^ and he was much relieved LLEWELLEN. IS when informed that Mr and Mrs Howel were in the room below. " Did you not say," eagerly cried Mrs Dalziel, " that Mr Howel was a clergy- man. I will rise to see him — perhaps/* continued she, in hurried accents, '' he will pray for me ; — go, Arthur, and entreat him to remain and read prayers for a dying person." Mr Dalziel obeyed in silence. 14> I-LEWELLEN. CHAP. IL Bat in his duty prompt at every call, He watched, he wept, he prayed, and felt for aU. Goldsmith. In the countenance of Mr Howel shone a mild, impressive dignity, — all worldly passions seemed obliterated, — and the peace of heaven beamed serenely in his full black eye. The address of Mrs Howel was charac- terized by a humorous gaiety and playful vivacity, which had the charm of inspiring all around her with reciprocal dispositions j and wherever she appeared, her presence was hailed by smiles of delight. The visit of this amiable couple was re- ceived by Mr Dalziel with marked satis- faction. He briefly related to them the LLEWELLEN. l5 disagreeable events of the preceding e- vening ; and he had just mentioned the superstitious terrors which had seized the mind of his wife, when she made her appearance ; not, as usual, with a face tinged with ilUhumour, or a form stiffened by affectation, but embarrassed, languid, and dejected. She cast towards Mr Howel an imploring look, which seemed to en- treat his commiseration. The good man understood her feelings, and at once in- troduced the subject of her alarm, expres- sing his conviction that what they had seen was the trick of some idle person, who sought amusement by terrifying the un- wary, in a situation so very lonely, under the shades of night. Mrs Dalziel shook her head, and, with quivering lip, replied, '* No, no ; I know it was a warning ; I have had many such of late, and I know that death approaches." Mr Howel endeavoured to reason her out of such a belief; but turning towards him with much of her usual acrimony, she 10 LLEWELLEN. replied, " It is not your opinion, Sir, that I want, but your frayers,^* The flush of displeasure for a moment passed over the face of Mrs Howel ; but observing the serenity of her husband's countenance, she mildly answered, ** I believe, indeed, that prayer is very neces- sary, and I sincerely trust it will prove beneficial." The fervour of Mr Howel's manner, while he earnestly implored relief to the mind of the sufferer, impressed all present with a deep devotion, and seemed to pro- duce on the spirits of the unhappy fatalist the most consolatory effects. She warmly acknowledged her obligations to him, and earnestly entreated him to visit her fre- quently^ On his departure, Mrs Dalziel silently retired to her chamber, where she re- mained till a late hour of the following day, — her appearance too plainly indicat- ed the absence of repose. The deepen- ing gloom on her countenance, the unset- tled Vv'ildness of her eye, and the sallow LLEWELLEN. 17 hue of her cheek, gave proofs that the superstitious fears under which she la- boured could not be shaken off, and prey- ed on her broken constitution. One night, as the family sat around her bed, she was observed to respire with more than usual difficulty. Mr Howel approach- ed to speak to her : She gazed vacantly in his face, then raising herself, fixed her eyes on Clara, and heaving a convul- sive sigh, sunk upon the pillow, and ex- pired. At the distance of more than two miles from the cottage, and beside an old ca- thedral, lay the burial-ground in which the remains of Mrs Dalziel were interred^ When the funeral rites v/ere over, Mr Howel conducted his friend from the scene. They returned to the cottage by an unfre- quented path which led by the river's side. As they passed along, Mr Dalziel pointed to a rocky cliff. ** On that steep,'' said he, " stood the mysterious figure whose appearance so fatally wrought upon the mind of my poor Eli/a.'*-—" Let us not," 4 18 LLEWELLEN. replied Mr Howel, *' perplex ourselves with vain conjectures respecting the object you beheld, but leave the discovery of it to time." Then, changing the subject, hastened towards the cottage. Mrs Howel, whose life seemed devoted to promote the happiness of her fellow- creatures, and on her success in this aim depended the purest enjoyment of her existence, was not deficient at this time in preparing the best means of removing the melancholy which overhung the spi- rits of the mourners. She remained at the cottage for some days after the funeral, and gained the con- sent of Mr Dalziel to accompany her with his daughter to the parsonage. Variety of objects, and change of scene, she unceasingly strove to provide. She gave directions to the servant to prolong the journey to the parsonage, by driving through the cross-roads that winded among the hills. The day was clear, and the frost intense. In passing a narrow defile of the moun- LLEWELLEN. 19 tain, a magnificent cascade suddenly burst upon their view, throwing its ample wa- ters headlong from rock to rock, *' Let us alis'ht," said Mrs Howel, ** and take the narrow pathway by the side of the cliffs, and behold this spectacle of nature in all its grandeur." Clara, with the ela- sticity of youth, and a mind susceptible of sudden impressions, instantly sprung fronr the carriage. Mr Howel conducted the party to a rude seat, overhung with evergreens, which formed a grotto in the rock close by the cascade. ** Here," said he, *' we shall be somewhat sheltered from the cold and the spray." The party had scarcely taken their seats, when suddenly the strains of a female voice burst in wild pathos upon their ears, and they distinctly heard these words : *' Oh, sing with me my roundelay, •' Oh, drop the briny tear with me ; " My love is dead, gone to his death-bed " All under the willow- tree." As the voice ceased, they arose, and ap- 20 LLEWELLEN. proached a wooded clifF, from which it seemed to have proceeded ; but the rock was inaccessible, and no trace of the song- stress coLild be seen. The party retired by a different path to- wards the carriage, but Clara lingered be- hind, attracted by the fantastic appearance of the icicles that hung around the cas- cade like inverted pyramids. In this situation she was startled by the report of a fowling-piece ; and, hastily turning a projecting rock to follow her friends, she beheld a young man, in a green hunting suit, reclining against the trunk of a tree, supporting his right arm upon the muzzle of his gun, while his dog lay pant- ing at his feet. The langour of his attitude led her to believe that he had been accidentally wounded, and her heart swelled with anx- iety as she approached him. '* Can I, Sir," said she, '* be of any service to you." The stranger started ; and, on turning round, all fears for his safety vanished, when she beheld the lustre of his laugh- LLEWELLEN* 21 ter-loving eyes, the heightened crimson of his sun-burnt cheek, and gaiety of his whole aspect. Without returning any an- swer to Clara's kind inquiry, but falling on his knee, he addressed her in one of Don Quixote's wildest rhapsodies. The dog, who seemed to understand the merry mood of his master, sprung with gleesome bound toward her. Extremely terrified, Clara fled, exclaiming, *' Good heavens, where can my father be 1" Her alarm every moment increasing, and be- wildered in the paths, she continued to run, till accosted by a gentleman, who po- litely said, " I fear, madam, you have been strangely alarmed, — shall I have the ho- nour of conducting you home.'* The simple demeanour and unassuming tone of voice in which she was now ad- dressed, at once calmed her agitation ; and, smiling, she replied, ** I have indeed been alarmed, Sir, though, I believe, very foolishly.'' She then related the accident which led to her rencontre with the young sportis- SS LLKWELLEN. man ; and concluded by saying, that she knew not whether the dog or his master was most to blame, but she had found them alike discourteous. ** Good heavens !" said the stranger, *' to reward so rudely the tender sympa- thy you expressed for his safety." — ** He was mad, I believe," replied Clara ; *• but yonder," added she, " is my fa- tlier and Mrs Howel, — ^let me hasten to join them.'' The stranger gazed with astonishment. ** Mrs Howel !" repeated he, " are you then acquainted with my mother?" Clara blushed, as she replied, '^ Mrs Howel is the kindest and best of women ; but I knew not. Sir, that she had a son : She did indeed speak much of her daughter, to whom I long to be introduced. We were on our road to the parsonage ; and, re- turning from the cascade, I strayed and lost my party." " You came hitherj then, with my mo- ther ?" The reply was interrupted by Mr Dal- LLEWELLEN. 23 ziel, who ran towards Clara, exclaiming, ** My dearest child, has any accident be- fallen you — where have you been ?" ** I was," replied Clara, taking her fa- ther's arm, " examining some odd fantas- tic shapes among the rocks, and" — ** Of which this is a specimen," replied Mrs Howel, pointing to her son. ** Where, my dear Clara, did you find this pensive youth ; sighing, I suppose, beneath somct willow tree." *^ Nay, my good mother," answered he, " not quite so bad as that yet ; but I had a slight headache this morning, and be- lieving that the air would remove it, I wandered hither across the hill — ^^but you forgot to introduce me to your friends — Mr and Miss Dalziel, I presume." *' You are right, Henry," replied his mother. *' Mr and Miss Dalziel have kindly condescended to be our guests as long as we can make ourselves agreeable to them ; but I hope/* added she, look- ing attentively in his face, *' that the head-ache has left you ?" — '' Yes, it ^4 LLEWELLEN. has taken its leave for this day.'* — *' Then heaven shield you from the heartache," re- plied his father, who had been in a differ- ent direction in search of Clara, and at this moment found them. The party now pursued their way to the parsonage ; and on their arrival found Ju- lia preparing tea. The neat and comfortable appearance of the house, with the cheerful and enga- ging manners of Julia, served to banish all painful recollections from the breast of Clara, who retired to rest with a heart more at ease than it had for a long time enjoyed. The langour which marked the care- worn countenance of Mr Dalziel, was now giving place to the appearance of tranquil composure. Clara was delighted with the change she saw approaching in the mind of her adored parent ; for her father as yet reign- ed the idol of her heart. She was now in her sixteenth year, and the vivid affections of her heart mildly LLEWELLEN. 25 shone in her dove-like eyes* Her form was airy, and light as that of a sylph ; her countenance, though beautiful, conveyed to the eye of a stranger the idea of haugh- tiness ; but with those she loved, every va- ried feeling of her mind caused a new ex- pression to arise on that face where only purity was stedfast. When she smiled, a thousand laughing dimples played around her mouth, and gave to her whole appearance a fascinating charm. Such were the personal beauties of Clara Dalziel, nor were her dispositions less at- tractive J but, as human nature is ever li- able to error, she had one fault, which her father had vainly strove to extirpate, — ^lier heart was proud, and swelled with indig- nation at the least appearance of injustice ; even in her childish years, when wrongful- ly accused, she scorned to plead her inno- cence, but patiently endured correction for faults of which she was blameless. Mrs Howel, full "of admiration of the amiable and excellent qualities which her VOL, I. B 96 LLEWELLEK. young guest daily unfolded, soon felt to- wards her all a mother's fondness ; and thus caressed by one whose maternal interest had become so valuable, her time glided away in peaceful happiness, of which hi- therto she had formed no idea. Some weeks had passed in undisturb- ed tranquillity, when theLlewellen carriage drove to the door of the parsonage. " It is Colonel Llewellen, with his son and daughter," exclaimed Julia ; " there- fore, dear Clara, exert your energies in the drawing-room, I beseech you, and as- sist me to entertain the visitors, for, as Henry is absent, I shall be somewhat at a loss for conversation. " I fear," replied Clara, ** that I have terrified your brother, he has seldom ap- peared since I came hither." '' You are, indeed, a terrific sort of per- son," said Julia, laughing ; " but I never at any time pretend to account for the freaks of my dear Henry ; he is, indeed, a strange and wayward wight. But, to do him justice, zit p?^esent he is absent on bu- LLEWELLEN. 27 siness of mine and my father's, — a secret embassy, Clara, of which you shall know more by and bye.*' They then hastened to the drawing- room ; but what w^as the astonishment of Clara, when she beheld, in the person of Alfred Llewellen, the young sportsman whose conduct had so much alarmed her. Llewellen's amazement was equally great ;->-he stood as if electrified, then sud- denly recollecting himself he bowed, red- dened, and seemed under the most per- plexing embarrassment. The silent rebuke of Clara's eye was piercing, and Llewellen, who felt its full force, was unable to conceal the painful feeling of shame which oppressed him. Miss Llewellen quickly perceived the unusual embarrassment of her brother ; to her it was wholly unaccountable ; but, ap- proaching to where Clara sat, she entered into a lively and engaging conversation. Clara was charmed with her new ac- quaintance, for Matilda Llewellen was formed to captivate the senses of all wha £8 LLEWELLEN. beheld her. Her attractions, however, were less owing to the beauty of her per- son, or the brilliancy of her wit, than to the power she had of displaying them. Her figure was tall, slender, and command- ing ; her voice sweet, persuasive, and bar- monious. She eminently possessed the happy art of clothing her ideas in the most insinuating language, and of accompany- ing her words with looks irresistibly attrac- tive. She had received what is termed a fashionable education ; and every turn, every motion of her form bespoke the high- born daughter of nobility. But the heart which lurked beneath this fair exterior was deceitful, and Matilda could defeat the hopes, and destroy the opening prospects, of those her friendship seemed to favour. Her mind was full of stratagem ; whatever she planned her dex- terity could execute ; but if in danger of discovery, she rapidly slipt from detection, twisting her defence with such artful rea- soning, that she at least perplexed where she failed to convince. LLEWELLEN* 29 By the will of a deceased uncle, she had been left wholly dependant on the ge- nerosity of her brother, and having little to hope from the justice of a father, who, careless of the interest of either child, was devoted entirely to the gratification of his own pleasures. She w^as, therefore, from selfish motives, anxious to engross the af- fections of Alfred entirely to herself. She wished him not to marry, or, if he did, that he might " wive it w^ealthily." In the breast of Alfred Lie well en throb- bed aheart where every thought was feeling, and every feeling turned to passion. Those W'ho attracted his regard were not merely loved, but adored ; — though apparently thoughtless as the dog he fondled, he was stern in principle, inflexible injustice, but *^ open as day to melting charity." His sister was yet the idol of his affections, and Hcmy Howel the chosen companion of his sports and pastimes ; where the one appeared the other was not far distant, and how to please Matilda was ever the study of both. The Colonel, a man of tyrannical dispo- so LLEWELLEN. sition and austere manners, was dissatisfied with the independence of a son, whose vir- tues he stood in awe of, and seldom ad- dressed the object of his unnatural jealousy without a scowl of reproof. But Matilda, by sliding into the opinions of either, contrived thereby to keep well with both. In the absence of Alfred she encouraged his father to misconstrue and reprove his most simple actions. In the presence of her brother she bemoaned the hard lot of having such a father. Wliile we leave this party assembled at the parsonage, we must request our readers attention to some earlier particulars respect- ing the Lleweilen family. ttEWELLEN. 31 CHAP. III. I know not how tlie tnith may be I tell the tale as it was told to me W Scott. In the early part of Colonel Llewellen's life, he had gone with his regiment to Si- cily ; and durin^sj his residence there, he Became enamoured of the beautiful daugli* ter of Major de Mountford. The Major's lady, by birth a Sicilian, had never left her native climate, to ac- company her husband on his military ex^ cursions. Colonel Llewellen had frequent- ly met Major de Mountford in other coun- tries, but had not the opportunity of being introduced to his wife and daughter. He had therefore never seen Cecilia until she appeared before him in all her loveliness, at the age of seventeen. 32 LLEWELLEN. Over the features of Mrs de Mountford hung a deep and settled melancholy. At an early period of her married life, she ex- perienced one of those sad calamities which the healing hand of time had not the power of alleviating. She had an only son on whom she doated witii the excess of maternal fondness — the boy was beautiful, and, in the eye of both parents, possessed every attribute which promised future eminence and distinc- tion. His wilful petulence they construed into nervous sensibility ; Ins ooisterous ruae- ness they stiled spirit, and his cruelties they excused on account of his youth, vvincii clld not yet undp.rstand the nature and extent of the torture he inflicted on those dumb animals, at whose agonies he laughed, while they. writhed beneath his murdering hand. Where any contest of parental authori- ty arose, the father's purse was ever a rea- dy bait to tempt compliance, and young Alphonso soon discovered that tardy sub- LLEWELLEN. SS mission was but a sure means of enlarging the bribe. Matters were in this state when Mrs de Mountford gave birth to a daughter, which, by dividing the parents' affection, opened their eyes to the faults of their first born idol. The Major, a man of inconstant temper, and weak understanding, was pee- vish and discontented at perceiving his misplaced indulgence, and the real charac- ter of his son, but entirely at a loss for the means of proper correction ; ever addicted to extremes, he resorted, in the heat of disappointment and anger, to strong coer- sive measures ; and his chastisements being inflicted without judgment, not only pro- duced no amendment, but were received with derision and stubborn defiance. Alphonso, under the impression that his sister was the sole cause of estranging from him his father's affections, and withdrawing his former indulgencies, cherished towards her an implacable dislike, and seizing every opportunity of making her feel the full B 2 34 LLEWELLEN. force of his resentment, the gentle girl shrunk with terror at his approach. The Major perceiving his daughter*s un- happiness, and knowing the cause, dis- patched Alphonso to a seminary at some considerable distance ; but in a few months his unworthy conduct rendered his dismis- sal unavoidable, and he returned home in disgrace to his parents. A few days after his arrival, his mother was endeavouring to point out the errors of his conduct, and with maternal gentle- ness exhorting him to spare her own and his father's feelings, while Alphonso, with sneering ridicule, sat twisting his fine fea- tures with a rueful look of mock repent- ance. Suddenly his father ia a transport of rage entered the apartment, declaring that his desk had been forced, and he was rob- bed. Instead of shewing any concern for his father's loss, Alphonso, shrugging his shoul- ders, sauntered carelessly towards the door, and was about to leave the room. Eiirag- LLEWELLEN 35 ed Sit the cold ill-timed indifference of his sou, the Major seized him by the collar, and iir the struggle which ensued, part of his coat gave way, and the floor was in an instant strewed with tlie money of which his father had been robbed. The parents stood aghast at the dreadful discovery; at length the Major calmly taking his trembling son by the arm, led him unresistingly from the presence of his mother, and having locked him in a cellar of the house, he left him there, and returned to his unhappy wife, that they might determine upon the best measures in this painful emergency. They resolved, that since the conduct of their son was as yet only known to themselves, it was best to conceal it, and instantly send him on board a vessel, with instructions to the commander to detain him by force, should he discover any de- sire to escape, until he had attained the age of manhood, and had given decided proofs of repentance and amendment. S6 LLEWELLEN. Alphonso had been left in confinement during the night, as his father could not endure to see him. Next morning, in go- ing to unlock the door, he found that it had been forced open, and that his son had escaped. This circumstance gave rise to many painful reflections in the minds of his pa- rents ; but concluding that in all probabi- lity Alphonso had gone of his own accord to sea, they submitted as quietly as pos- sible to their fate, and endeavoured to find consolation in the amiable qualities of their daughter, who every day became more in- teresting and dearer to them. Ten years had now rolled away, and no intelligence of Alphonso had been received, when a letter from a stranger in the West Indies arrived, informing Major de Mount- ford that his son, having taken refuge there, had lived highly respected by all who knew him, and was much courted for his manly accomplishments 5 but having been seized with a malignant fever, he survived only a few days, and, previous to his death, he LLEWELLEN. SJ had desired his forgiveness to be sent to his parents, — his watch, and a few valu- bales, were left in legacy to Mr Nisbet, the person who transmitted the accounts of his death. It was about this time that Cecilia was introduced to Colonel Llewellen, who in- stantly conceived for her an attachment of the most ardent description. Far different, however, were the feel- ings with which his addresses filled her gentle breast ; terrified at his gaze, she was embarrassed in his presence, and un- able to raise her averted eyes. Her blushing cheek and timid look but increased his passion ; and he soon confes- sed his admiration to herself and her pa- rents, and was politely though firmly re- jected by both. Wholly unaccustomed to contradiction or disappointment, Colonel Llewellen re- turned to his lodgings in a state of mind little short of phrenzy. Cecilia, although averse to his addresses did not behold all mankind with the like 38 LLEWELLEN. indifference ; for to the young Fitzosboni, a youth of Irish parentage, she felt an ex- alted attachment, which he returned by a love the most pure and sincere. Fitzosborn was then in Sicily with his widowed mother, who was accompanied by her niece, Viola de Courci, a young la- dy of great fortune and the most amiable dispositions, and the friend of his beloved CeciHa. This mutual attachment was known and approved by their respective parents, and it was expected their union would speedily take place. As Cecilia sat one evening in conversa- tion with her mother and Viola de Courci, she received a letter which threw her into excessive agitation. While perusing it, her countenance exhibited the mingled ex- pression of astonishment and joy. ** Strange — strange !" cried she, as she quickly arose and left the room. Mrs De Mountford, believing that she would soon learn from her daughter the LLEWELLEN. $9 contents of the letter, quietly kept her seat, but Miss De Courci followed her friend. Seeing that they did not return, Mrs De Mountford became impatient, and went in search of them, and was informed that they had just left the house^ At first their absence gave her little un- easiness, until the increasing darkness of the night began to excite alarm. " Jacob,'* said she then, to an old and faithful domestic, " your young lady stays late ; go to the house of Mrs Fitzosborn, and attend her home.'* Jacob obeyed, and Major De Mountford soon after entering the room, seemed to number the moments that prolonged the absence of his daughter. With a counte- nance deeply marked by anxiety, Jacob / returned alone, " Where is my child? — where is Ceci- lia ?'* were the quickly repeated inquiries. " The God of heaven alone can tell,'' said he ; *' but here is young Mr Fitzos. born.'* At the same instant Fitzosborn grasped the hand of the agitated mother, 40 LLEWELLEN, but neither seemed able to articulate. A dreadful pause ensued; and without break- ing silence, he and Major de Mountford rushed from the room, and left the house. Wretched were the hours of their ab- sence to tlie unhappy mother, who, unable longer to endure the increased agony of suspense, ran from room to room in a state of distraction. At length, the Major returned from an unsuccessful search. Fitzosborn had gone on a different direction ; and a faint hope gleamed still upon their minds that he might be more fortunate. The morning light now appeared, and, unable longer to await his arrival. Major de Mountford ran to the house of Mrs Fitzosborn to make inquiries there. As he approached, he beheld at the door an un- usual crowd of people. He quickly ad- vanced ; and forcing himself through the crowd, saw the lifeless body of Fitozsborn borne by four men. Unable to move from the spot, he stood gazing with silent hor- ror upon the body, till startled by a pier- LLEWELLEN. 41 cing scream ; — it was the aged mother of Fitzosborn who at this moment appeared, and throwing her arms around her son, was seized with convulsions, and expired before any one had power to part her from the body. Ail the intelligence Major de Mountford could then obtain was, that passing along a remote part of the shore, some men had observed the body, and that the tide was making rapidly towards it ; on searching his pockets, they had found letters which informed them of his name and residence. ihe death of Fitzosborn was at first kept secret from Mrs de Mountford, in hopes of receiving some information re- specting Cecilia. But messengers dispatch- ed in every direction, returned without being able to discover any trace of her. Major de Mountford could, therefore, no longer withhold the fatal intelligence ; and the unhappy parents gave way to the anguish of despair. Some weeks elapsed, when Mrs de Mount- ford received a letter addressed in the hand- 42 XLEWELLEN. writing of Viola de Courci, and the seal was broken with trembling anxiety. The letter briefly stated, that Cecilia' was^ then in England, and that Miss de Courci had witnessed the ceremony which made her the wife of Colonel Llewellen ; and earnestly entreated, that when Mrs de Mountford wrote to her daughter, she would spare all invective,, as Cecilia was not in a state of mind to endure the small- est appearance of unkindness from the pa* rents she so fondly loved. Miss de Courci sliditlv alluded to the letter Cecilia had received, which drew her so hastily from home ; but af- firmed that it was not in the handwriting of Colonel Llewellen, nor was his name ©nee mentioned in It ; but that it was now unnecessary to say what were its contents ; that they were hurried on board a vessel by Colonel Llewellen, assisted by a person wearing a mask, and instantly set sail for England. Miss de Courci begged that the Major and Mrs de Mountford woidd rest satisfied LLEWELLEN. 43 \^ ith the information now given ; assuring them, that any investigation on their part would but increase the distress of their daughter, who was now resigned to her situation ; and that she was to remain with her as long as the Colonel would permit. Tlie agony of suspense having thus been removed as to the fate of Cecilia, Major and Mrs de Mountford lost no time in writing to her the most endearing assur- ances of their unaltered affection ; but as Miss de Courci had not mentioned the name of Fitzosborn, they were cautious not to ttlliiue lO any tiiiiig wiiich had hap- pened concerning him* Soon after this they received letters from Cecilia ; but she avoided giving any particulars as to the motive which drew her from home, or the manner of her leav- ing Sicily. She earnestly begged that Ja- cob and her own waiting-maid might be sent to England ; but she did not once mention her husband's name, except in the signature of the letters. Jacob and the waiting-maid were in- 44 l-LEWELLEN. stantly dispatched to England, and conti- nued with Mrs Llewellen until her death, and afterwards remained in the service of her children. With this information to our readers of the history of Colonel Llewellen and his Lady, we shall now return to the parson- age, where we left the party in conver- sation. LLEWELtEN. 43 CHAP. IV. The full-drawn lip that upward curled. The eye that seem'd to scorn the world ; That lip had terror never blanch'd. Ne'er in that eye had tear-drop quenched. W. Scott. 1 HE supercilious haughtiness which mark- ed the address of Colonel Llewellen, pre- vented much conversation during his ce- remonious visit at the parsonage. The party by degrees had sunk into one of those spell-bound pauses that often fall like a cloud upon mixed assemblies, caus- ing each individual to feel as if tongue- tied, and unable to break a silence which every moment renders more distressing. From such a pause the party were reliev- ed by the unexpected entrance of Henry Howel, after an absence of some days. 46 LLEWELLEN. He soon approached the chair where Cla- ra sat, and, laughingly, inquired if she had discovered the audacious puppy who had so much alarmed her on the day of their first introduction. Llewellen was at this moment seized with a fit of coughing ; but his father ris* ing to depart, relieved him from a state little short of torture ; and having seized his hat and cane, he was out of the room ere any one, save Clara, observed that he had left his seat. On taking leave. Colonel Llewellen, with condescending affability, begged to have the honour of seeing Mr Dalziel at the castle. Without deigning to await the answer, or seeming to recollect that he had made the request, he cast around a look of repulsive arrogance, and with- drew. Matilda, raising her fine form, and throwing back her well-turned neck, ex- tended her hand as she curtsied to Cla- ra, and entreated the happiness of an early visit } then turning, with the ambling mo- LLEWELLEN. 47 tion of the leopard, she gracefully glided towards the door. " Oh, what a disagreeable family T' cried Clara, who had not yet learned the necessary caution of giving her " thoughts no tongue.** " Breathe not such sentiments to the wunds,** replied Julia. " Dear Clara, you know not what you say. Matilda Llewel- len is the admiration of all who see her.** ** I was wrong,'* answered Clara, '* not to make an exception in her favour. I al- luded to the father and son.** " The son !" repeated Henry, in asto- nishment. ** My dear madam, you can- not compare the son to the father. Al- fred is the most generous, the most noble of human beings. Ah, if you knew him as I do, how different, how very different, would be your sentiments.'* ** And how very different ought your sentiments to , be,** replied she, archly^ *« when 1 tell you, that your admired Lle- wellen is the very barbarian who terrified me so unmercifully on the day that ;you 48 LLEWELLEN. SO opportunely conducted me in safety to my friends-'* " You dream, Clara/' cried Julia, in amazement, *' it cannot be.'* " Then, Julia, tell my dream to Mr Llewellen, and see if he will become the interpreter thereof.'* She then triptjlight- ly to the door, and, smilingly, nodding her head, withdrew to her apartment, leaving both brother and sister perplexed by her assertions. The following morning, almost at day- break, Henry arose, and, eager to learn the truth of Clara's story, bent his foot- steps towards Llewellen-castle. Alfred was already in the fields with his never- failing companions, a dog and gun ; and, seeing Henry approach, he leaped the hedge, and was in a moment at his side. ** Henry !" cried he, joyfully, " you are the very man I wished to see. I have di- vers matters to unfold, if your leisure will permit you to attend to them.'* " My leisure was never more at your service," replied Henry, '* as I left home LLEV/ELLEN. 49 for the purpose of bringing thee to trial for certain offences, of which thou art de- clared guilty by the most lovely girl in creation." ** Cease thy harangue/' cried Alfred, interrupting him ; *' 1 know all that thou wouldst say ; nor wull I rest until I have made atonement to the angel I have so inadvertently offended. But the truth is, as I leaned in whimsical rumination against a tree near the cascade, I side- ways beheld a female form approach, who spoke to me. Without taking time to consider her appearance, and imagining indeed that she was some of the village maids who had strayed from home, I was about to punish her temerity by amus- ing myself a little at her expence. But as I raised my eyes to her face, and beheld the perfection of all that is lovely, I was overwhelmed with confusion, and would instantly have apologized with as good a grace as I could. But as evil communi- cation corrupts good manners, my rascal- ly dog took up the joke where I wished t^ VOL. I. c 50 LLEWELLEN, end it, and conducted himself still more rudely than his master had done before him." " I am astonished/' replied Henry, gravely, '* that the mournful dress she wore did not protect her from such ill-timed merriment." ** Thou art enough to drive a man mad !'* replied Llewellen, ** for thou wilt prose in spite of fate, — 'tis the very nature of thy profession to prose ; but say, in the name of all that is marvellous, how came my beautiful Dulcinea an inhabitant of your father's house ?" Henry briefly related the circumstances that led to this, and the tender interest his mother felt for Miss Daiziel. While listen- ing, Llewellen became more and more dis- tressed. Henry, however, promised to be his advocate on this occasion ; and having shaken hands, they returned to breakfast at their respective homes. Henry took the earliest opportunity of informing Clara of his morning peregrina- tions, and of Llewellen's distress, for whom LLEWELLEN. 51 he now appeared as counsel. When be had concluded the defence, " Tell your friend," said she, ** that he is a favourite with Mrs Howel, and that it would be presumption in me to doubt his merits, or withhold my forgiveness ; and you may add, that I feel somewhat ashamed of my own precipitate terror ; so let the matter drop, and be for- gotten, both on his account and my own." Having negociated this matter to his sa- tisfaction, Henry withdrew to his study, as he had lately taken orders, and was hence- forth to assist his father in his clerical du- ties. The conversation of the young ladies, now alone, insensibly led to the fertile to- pic of love and marriage. Julia informed her friend that the day was appointed on which she was to bestow herself on Mr Morton, the clergyman of a neighbouring village, and that Henry's late absence had been occasioned by the arrangement of her marriage settlements. Clara congratulated her friend upon her approaching union, and regretted only the UNJVERSiTY OF d^ LLEWELLEN. necessary separation which would then take place between them. On their return from a walk, they were informed that Mr Lie- wellen had called, and was to remain to din- ner. Clara, ignorant of Jthe art of consult- ing her mirror for the most becoming looks and attitudes, simply drew a comb through the clustering curls that fell on either side of her polished forehead, and descended to the drawing room. On her entrance Llewellen bowled with the humi- lity of one who does homage at the feet of royalty. It w^as soon apparent that the meeting at the cascade had given them an interest in each other, which years might have failed to produce. Clara blushed as she met his eye, but with a look of ineffa- able sweetness approached, and extending her hand, inquired for his sister. Llewel- len felt his heart thrill as he received this token of forgiveness, and, relieved from his uncomfortable sensations, he became the life of the little circle which surround- LLEWELLEN. 53 cd liim ; and when evening approached, Clara saw him depart with regret. For some succeeding days, Llewellen could only rave of Clara Dalziel, her wit, her beauty, her accomplishments, and, above all, her unaffected sweetness, were alternately the theme of his admiration. Matilda was alarmed : "Nay, Alfred,'* said she with a smile of irony, " she is a sorceress, and has bewitched you ; but be- ware of suffering your senses to run av/ay with your judgment, learn first what others think and say of this pretty little adventu- rer." " But why call her an adventurer, Ma- tilda?" replied he, in amazement. Miss Llewellen smiled as she carelessly said, *' Indeed, I know not why I called her so ?"— " You do not believe her so," asked Llewellen ; *' you are in jest.'' Miss Llewellen began to hum an opera tune ; but as she did not contradict his last assertion, he suffered her to leave the room in silence, but continued to muse for some moments after she had shut the door, then suddenW ILEWELLEN recovering himself, he ejaculated in a tone of pique, " Nonsense !'* — and soon after the subject was wholly banished from his mind. I.LEWELLEN, 55 CHAP. V. In that strange mood which maids approve, Even while they dare not call it love." Scot I. During breakfast, Mrs Howel proposed that the forenoon should be devoted to the return of Miss Llewellen's visit ; and, with pleasure beaming in her eye, Clara prepar- ed to accompany her. On a sloping eminence, and almost em- bosomed with wood, rose the ancient building of Llewellen castle ; its lofty front and rudely sculptured domes seemed to frown defiance on all w^ho approached its w^alls. 56 LLEWELLEX. As Clara dre\v near, she viewed the state- ly pile with reverential avv'e. Beside it stood the ruins of an old cathedral, and close adjoining lay the half hid mansions of those who had accomplished their earth- ly pilgrimage. ** Surely," said Clara, as she cast a mournful glance towards the burial ground, ** witli such a place perpetually in vievv^, no one would dare to transgress the laws of their creator ; but 1 fear I should hard- ly be happy, if compelled to have this gloomy spectacle so near me." — " At youv years, my love,'* replied Mrs Howe), as she smiled tenderly on Clara, *' such im- pressions are most natural ; but methinks, in a scene so sweetly solemn, when the face of nature seems to bear sympathy with the feelings it inspires, I could experience a sort of holy joy in contemplating the re- pose of those who have finished the race ap- pointed, and now rest in the bosom of their God." Clara made no reply, as she was now at %he gate of the castle. They were usher- LLEWELLEX. ^7 ed into a magnificent saloon, through a range of veteran domestics. Matilda was reclining languidly on a couch, perusing a volume of Voltaire. She gracefully rose to receive them, but complained of a headache, which she declared to be the effect of a too intense study of the abstruse author she had just thrown aside. ]Mrs Howel, raising the book, was about to make some remark, when the door open- ed, and an officer entered, and, familiarly nodding to Matilda, placed himself beside her, without deigning to observe the pre- sence of any other individual in the room. A blush overspread the face of Miss Lle- wellen ; she extended her hand to wel- come the stranger, while slightly touching her fingers, he fixed his eyes with an air of ineffable assurance on the face of Clara, and rudely stared her out of countenance. ** Captain Byron,'' said Matilda, *' I have with the greatest pleasure perused the work W'hich you pointed to my notice, and I find the reasoning it contains unanswer- able," 5^ LLEWELLEN. " Not altogether unanswerable, madam," said Henry Howel, interrupting her, with a look of more fierceness than Clara thought it possible for him to assume. The Captain replied in a tone of voice in which raillery was predominant, " I am overcome, madam, by a sense of my own insufficiency in being thought worthy to direct your studies. " Your advice, Sir, is always joyfully ac- cepted, and wilUngly followed by me/' re- ])lied Matikla. The Captain bowed, with a look of mock iiumility. Henry Howel, stung to the soul by this confession in the woman for whose love he would have laid down his existence, threw a look of disdain towards Byron, and re- tired to the window- seat, where he remain- ed lost in his own gloomy retrospections. " I thought," said Mr Howel, address- ing the Captain, " that you. Sir, doubted of no insufficiency in yourself, save the want of an immortal soul." ** I have always been a sceptic, Sir/* LLEWELLEN, 59 replied Byron, ** to fairy tales and wild su- perstitions, yet they do very well to amuse old men and children.'* Clara was painfully shocked at the gross- ness of this retort, and felt relief when the door was opened by Alfred Llewellen. In the most courteous manner he paid his compliments to Mr and Mrs Howel, and approaching Clara, with a countenance in which joy was mingled with respect, he expressed his satisfaction at seeing her at the castle. Turning then towards Byron, whose presence he did not seem before to have observed, ** I presume. Sir," said lie, with a look of haughty contempt, " that you came here to receive the orders of your Colonel ; but your visit is ill-timed, as my father w^ent to London yesterday.** Byron, in spite of all his effrontery, seem- ed to shrink at this address ; but quickly rallying his assurance, he replied, with as much ease as he found it possible to assume, ** Give yourself, Sir, no trouble on my c 2 60 LLEWELLEN account : I was before acquainted with Colonel Llewellen's absence/^ It was doubtful to those assembled how Llewellen was affected by this reply, with such marked indifference did he regard the Captain, as he turned on his heel, and ad- dressed himself to Henry. Matilda eyed her brother with an expres- sion of pique and resentment, for which Clara found it difficult to account. *' My dear Henry," said Llewellen, you are not well, I fear." ** Not quite," replied he, pressing his hand upon his temples, " but I shall be relieved by the air.'' Matilda stole a conscious glance towards them ; and at the same instant Captain Byron left his seat, and, with an air of no7i chnla?2ce, stood up and surveyed the party as he adjusted his neckcloth before tjiem. " You will not go so soon. Captain By- ron," said Matilda, as in some confusion £he addressed him. Llewellen turned his back, as if deter- LLEWELLEX. 6l mined not to observe the retreat of this unwelcome visitor , and Matilda, willing to make up for the conduct of her brother, earnestly entreated him to prolong his visit. '* 'Can't, upon my soul," replied the Captain, (forgetful that he denied the ex- istence of such a thing) : ^* Why, Hea- vens, Miss Llewellen, you would not have a man take root upon his chair." Matilda looked dissatisfied, but endea- voured to conceal her ill-humour by a smile as she bade her visitor adieu ; who departed with as much sang fioid as he had entered. The paleness of Henry's countenance, and the appearance of anguish which per- vaded his whole frame, drew forth tender inquiries from Llewellen and his parents. The interest he excited, led Matilda also to approach him. Henry,'' said she, ** what is the matter ? I hope you are not worse to day than usual ; though really my brother seems determined to make you think so." The sound of her voice made the blood 62 LLEWELLEN-. rush to his pallid countenance ; but he made no reply. Mr and Mrs Howel now retired to a dis- tance, v/ith a view of speaking to Clara, and of taking leave. Matilda then inquired, in a low voice, " Have I been, Mr Howel, so unfortu- nate as to oiFend you, that you take no notice of my inquiries?" It was seldom that Matilda used any other appellation in addressing him than Henry ; and he now raised his eyes to her face, as if to reproach her for the change of terms. ** Matilda," said he, ** you cannot oiFend me, but you can break my heart.'* The high swelling of his bosom was now relieved by a broken sigh ; it seemed to vibrate to that of Matilda's : her counte- nance became grave, but it was the gravity of displeasure. " We must now take leave of you, Miss Llewellen," said Mrs Howel, " unless you will condescend to bear us company to the LLEWELLE!^, 63 parsonage, where your brother has ah'eady consented to dine/' Although Miss Llewellen's bad humour was the only reason why she declined the invitation, she pleaded some trifling en- gagement J but as Henry was walking to- wards the door, she muttered, in a pettish accent, *' My absence, I believe, will be esteem, ed the greatest favour." Mrs Howel, w^ho seemed exactly to com- prehend the nature of her refusal, made no further attempt to alter her resolution, but politely, though coldly, bade her adieu. Henry, in order to indulge the melan- choly that preyed upon his spirits, had ta- ken the arm of his father, who knew his disposition too well to interrupt the silence he maintained. Mrs Howel walked with Mr Dalziel, w4io was also of the party, and Clara and Llew- ellen followed them : During the walk he was most assidious in pointing to her no- tice the beauties of the surrounding scen- ery J and while with enthusiasm he dwelt 6i LLEWELLE.V. on the various charms of nature, Clara felt as if she trod the air in a land of enchant ment, and was astonished when she beheld the gate of the parsonage in view. ** Surely, Sir,*' said she, " you have con- ducted us by a far shorter road than that by which we were led to the castle." «* Shorter, my love ?*' interrupted Mrs Howel, who heard the concluding words ; ** why no, we have come almost a mile fur- ther round, that you might have an oppor- tunity of admiring the country." Mrs Howel had no meaning in this speech but the simple truth ; yet it some- how happened, that it conveyed to Clara's mind a feeling of ridicule ; she blushed, and in her confusion encountered the eyes of Llewellen, which were iixed upon her face with a sort of mischievous irony, which served but to double her embarass- nient. She hastily run up stairs to her own apartment, and when there stopped a mo- ment to consider the cause of all this tre- pidation. LLEWELLEN. 65 ** Mr Llewellen is certainly very odd,'* said she ; ** he is too fond of turning people into ridicule j there was surely nothing so very ridiculous in my mistaking the length of the road. I fear he is a very forward young man/' she continued, as she carefully arranged her dress at the glass, *' and must be kept at a distance." She then tripped lightly down the stair, and on again en- countering the eyes of Llewellen, ** blush- ed celestial rosy red." After dinner, Mr Howel informed her that he had an invitation for Mr Dalziel and herself to dinner the following day, with a ricli old farmer to whom he paid an yearly visit. " Matilda and I shall have the pleasure of meeting you there, Sir," said Llewellen, ** for we also have received intimation of the entertainment." The invitation being accepted by all par- ties, Llewellen soon after took leave ; and Mr Howel and Henry having retired to the study, Clara took occasion to question Mrs Howel who Captain Byron was that 66 LLEWELLEN. appeared so very disagreeable a person ? " Vv^ere it not," said she, *' that he seemed so well to deserve it, I could almost have accused Mr Llewellen of rudeness towards him." " Alfred is delicately situated," replied Mrs Howel, ** for Captain Byron is a man of a profligate character, nor is he at the smallest trouble to disguise it, one would rather imagine that he took pleasure in rendering himself disgusting. It is amaz- ing to see with what forbearance Colonel Llewellen endures the dictatorial rudeness of his conduct, for with the other of- ficers of his regiment he is tyrannical and harsh. But I fear indeed that there are reasons for this which must not be named : In short, my love, the Colonel and Byron cannot be csiiledfiiends, but they are unit- ed by some mysterious tie or other — you understand me ^ but it is painful to dwell on this subject." ** But, dearest madam," said Clara, " do you not think that Miss. Llewellen seems LLEWELLEN. 6? to harbour for him sentiments the most flattering to his vanity ?" " You are a quick observer, Clara, and yet," added MrsHowel, hesitating and sup- pressing a sigh, ** I can hardly suffer myself to believe, — that is, — there are reasons j— in short, my dear Clara, this subject is pain- ful, let us then retire for the night 5 to- morrow I hope you will be in readiness to attend me at an early hour to visit Mrs Rice, whose broad Scotch, and provincial dialect, will perhaps divert you in the ab- sence of more valuable entertainment/' 68 LLEWELLEN. CHAP. VL He was a lad wi' yellow hair ; Wi' light blue een, an' forehead fair. Akon. Over a hilly, rugged, and somewhat drea- ry road, the party travelled to the habita- tion of Mr Ptice, situated nearly three miles distance from the parsonage. When they arrived at the gate, numerous flocks of ducks and geese, Vvith one shrill note, seemed to disapprove of an intrusion so ,unwonted upon their peace, and, forming themselves in battle-array, hissed and flap- ped their wings, as if determined to resist a nearer approach. Nor was the recep- LLEWELLEN. 69 (ion they met within of a much more cor- dial nature. A little, dirty girl opened the door, and ushered the party into a large damp room at the further end of the house, wliere they sat for a considerable time without seeing any one of the fami- ly to give them a welcome. From the hurrying sounds of footsteps, however, up-stairs and down- stairs, and the indis- tinct murmur of voices, they predicted that unusual preparations were going for- ward for their entertainment. While wait- ing with patient resignation for the ap- pearance of the host or hostess, the cack- ling heralds of the farm-yard announced a second intrusion, and immediately after Llewellen and his sister appeared ; but still no member of the family was visible. The door at length was slowly opened ; and, with measured step, as slowly advan- ced Mr Rice, and, without speaking, he solemnly bowed to each individual of the party. He was a little meagre man. His coun- tenance^ which had acquired the settled 70 LLEWELLEN. expression of caution in worldly affairs, mixed with peevish discontent, was near- ly overwhelmed by a dry frizzled wig. He carried a bottle beneath his arm ; and as he placed it on a table, he began, in a sententious voice, to speak, but his speech was addressed to no one in particular. " There is no such thing," said he, looking round, " as procuring a glass wherewith to serve the liquor. These wo- men are so contentious about the cook- ery.'* Then raising his small grey eyes, he cast a glance of recognition on the assem- bled party, and fixing them on Mr Howel, he continued in the same monotony of voice. " They minds no more. Sir, w^hat you preach about peace and the devil, then they does for the crowing of a cock. But there is no making a woman hold her tongue ; it is like the continual knocking of hammers ; but a wise man retaineth his mind to himself. Yet, nevertheless, if you LLEWELLEN. 71 will drink some perry, I have it here of the very best.** The party, with one accord, declined the offer ; and Mr Rice, satisfied that he had done all that could be expected of him, seated himself quietly in a corner of the room ; and, joining his hands before him, he appeared only occupied by a sted- fast examination of the wall on the oppo- site side. But now the door flew open, and, with a hop, skip, and jump, in bounded Master Moses Rice, the hopeful son and heir of the farmer. And, smirking, bowing, and grinning, he performed a circuit round the room. *' Mosey,'* said the father, sharply, " why did you not come sooner ?" •' Why, faith, father, you may rather rejoice that I be cum at all : — for when I was putting on my best coat" — ** You must know, ladies, that it is a long while since it was on before, and somehow I be got fattish ; and I cou'dn't get it on no how : and I squeezed and 7^ XLEWELLEN. better squeezed, but all to no purpose ; and th^n, as sure as twopence, I stuck fast in both sleeves at once ; and so I danced about for perfect spite : till mother, hear- ing the noise I made, ran up to help, and put me all to rights in a jiffy j and made me as trim as a bridegroom.** During this address, all present were in fits of laughter, save Mr Rice ; — but it was the good farmer's opinion that none but fools gave way to mirth ; and, indeed, so solemnly stupid were all his faculties, that it was doubtful if his sombre visage had, once in his lifetime, been relaxed by a smile. Llewellen, coming close up to examine Moses, with apparent admiration, said, " Really, Master Moses, these clothes of yours sit remarkably well ; they have a negligent, easy fall, that is very becom- ing ; I should like to procure the pat- tern.** ** Oh, faith, Mr Alfred, they only look easy though ; for, do you know, they pinch like any thing. But,'* added he, ** with the LL SWELLED. 73 utmost simplicity, '^ if you like the pattern, I daresay mother could get you a suit the very same ; for the man I had these from is just now in the village/* At this moment a servant bounced into the room, followed by Mrs Rice, and began to place the dinner on the table. " Oh, Sirs,'* cried Mrs Rice, as she bustled about ; " Dear sirs, but ye'U get but an ill-cooked daener : for that weary creatur Bet pat a through other thegether, and the best dish o' a's misgaen.** Mrs Howel entreated her not to give herself any uneasiness about the cooking, " Oh, deed, Mrs Howel, ye're aye kind- ly an' mindfu', but foul fa the vile creatur to destroy thae bonny ducks : — But Lord- sake. Jemmy, mun, what is't ye're about ; canna ye help round — dinna ye see a' things at a stan'." *' Bread eaten in secret is sweet," mur- mured Mr Rice, as he prepared with much deliberation to carve. ** Odd sake, Jimmy, mun, what is't ye're saying noo, — he has as mony screeds o' the bible as ye ha'e VOL. I. D 74f LLEWELLEN. yourseP Maister Hewel ; but deed I think it is unco wearisome whan a body's no i' the kirk." " Faith, mother, ye're right there," cried Moses, as he gobbled down a large slice of beef, " Faither's unco wearisome." This remark was unheeded by Mr Rice, who had now supplied his own plate, over which he sat breathing with excess of delight. After dinner many witticisms passed be- tween Moses and his mother, much to the edification of the company, (for each was to each a dearer self;) and to all his for- wardness, she only replied with a smile, " Daft laddie, canna ye baud your tongue:" but Mr Rice opened his mouth no more after it had closed upon the last morsel, for it was an opinion with him, that speak- ing after dinner checked digestion. When the ladies began to think of re- turning home, they were dismayed by the appearance of the night j the wind had ri- sen to a storm, and drove the pelting hail against the windows j the river was swollen LLEWELLEN. 75 by the melting of the snow upon the hills ; added to this, the darkness of the night made it hazardous to leave the farm, and to remain all night was impossible, as the good dame had no accommodation to af- ford them. " How unlucky," said Llewellen, " that my father has the carriage." " Your sister and yourself must go home with me," replied Mrs Howel, the parson- age is greatly nearer than the castle.'* " The maist that I can do for ye,'* add- ed Mrs Rice, " is to gie ye a cart wi' clean strae and plenty o' Scots blankets, an ye'se get a canny lad to driv't." " The ford must be greatly swelled,** replied Mrs Howel, " will we not be safer on foot?'* " Hoot na," added Mrs Rice, " the wa. ter never rins high thereabout, an ye'll be unco cosh i' the cart." She then drew forth her bunch of keys ; the cart and blankets were soon in rea- diness, and the ladies quietly seated them- selves. 70 LLKWELLEN. " We shall conduct you to tlie ford/' said Mr Hovvel, ** and afterwards take the shortest way to the parsonage ;" — he then walked forward with Mr Dalziel, while Al- fred and Henry followed the cart. The battering rain soon drenched the blankets, while the boisterous wind stupi- fied the senses of all who were exposed to its roaring ; the gentlemen walked in si- lence, and even the ladies gave over the attempt of speaking, until they reached the ford. ** Are you sure,'' said Mr How^l, ad- dressing the lad, " that it is safe to cross ?" " As safe as the ground you stand on,'* replied he sullenly, at the same time lash- ing his horse, and plunging into the stream. At that moment the back of the cart gave way, and a scream of terror was heard, and the name of Clara resounded from many voices. ** We are on land," bawled the lad, as he gained the opposite bank. ** My God ! my child, my Clara !" cried the frantic father. LLEWELLEN. 77 ** She is safe !'* exclaimed Llewellen, who was at the moment clinging near the place to a sod of earth, and supporting Clara in his arms, ** assist me to raise Miss Dalziel." All were now so eager to lend their aid, that the danger was greater than before ; but at length Mr Howel brought them both to land. " I am safe, my dearest father," cried Clara, " be not alarmed.'*^ Mr Dalziel again and again besought blessings upon the head of her preserver j and having made the party at the opposite side acquainted with their safety, they in a short time reached the wooden bridge, and soon after met the cart at the door of the parsonage. 78 ILEWELLEN. CHAPTER VII. Bat human bodies are sic fools, For a' their colleges and schools ; That when nae real iEs perplex them, They mak euow themsels to vex them. BtRNS. On retiring to their several apartments for the night, the inmates of the parson- age were occupied by various and dissi- milar ruminations. Llewellen, while musing on the perfec- tions of the attractive Clara, fell asleep, and dreamed of her till morning. Henry vainly strove to solve the innum- merable contradictions in the character of Matilda; while Matilda thought with ran- cour of the interest which her brother had shewn in the fate of Clara, and planned how she might check the current of his growing affections. It was her interest to keep LLEWELLEN. 79 them asunder ; and where self interest is the ruling passion of the mind, no vir- tue can flourish in the heart. With a countenance deeply tinged by the malevolent feelings of her breast, and a smile that unsuccessfully strove to con- ceal them, Matilda entered the breakfast parlour. Clara did not appear ; a slight cold confined her to her chamber, and Julia made breakfast beside her. The conversation of those assembled be- low naturally turned upon the events of the preceding evening. ** What shall we say to Dam.e Rice," asked Llewellen, ** for having allowed Miss Dalziel to fall into the water r" " Say," replied Mr Dalziel, '' that you drew^ lier from thence at hazard of your own life.'^ ** And say," added Henry, " that thou wert a perfect Quixote in her rescue." *' I do not [recollect that the renowned Don to whom you allude ever suffered his Dulcinea to be so immersed. I want a precedent for my neglect," said Llev/ellen. 80 LLEWELLEK. ** I must own," rejoined Matilda, *' that you did not act your part so well as your Dulcinea. Tumbling into a river, or head- long over a precipice, is no uninteresting e- vent in the commencement of a love at- tack, or the denouement of a heroine's ad- ventures." " It is," replied Mrs Howel, looking stedflistly in the face of Matilda, "just as common an event as the introduction of a spiteful friend, whose unceasing attempts to degrade serve only to place the he- roine's virtues in a brighter point of view." Matilda coloured, and soon after arose to take leave. ** I expected," said Mrs Howel, " that you would have remained all day with me." *' We had better stay," added Llewel- Icn, looking towards his sister. '* You can stay, my dear Alfred," replied ?ihe in a feigned tone of sweetness, ** but I fchall return ; I do not feel at all well." ** Not well; my dear sister, what is the ?^uitter ? Do you suppose that I would suf- LLEWELLEK. 81 fer you to go alone when you are indispos- ed ? No ! 1 will go with you immediately." ** Pray heaven," said the anxious Hen- ry, *' that the damp to which you were last night exposed has not injured your health ^ I will also attend you home." Matilda only replied to the fears of Henry by a look of languid softness, as she took the arm of her brother, and with- drew in triumph accompanied by both. As they closed the door, Mr Dalzie), who for some time had kept his eyes fixed on Matilda, seemed reheved at her exit, and now turned to Mr Howel and said : " 1 cannot divest myself of the idea, that, under all that suavity of manner, Miss Llewellen conceals a cold and selfish dis- position.'' *' As well might you attempt to describe the colour of the cameleon," replied Mrs Howel, " as to identify the nature of Ma- tilda's dispx)sitions ; but when we are tempted to think ill of her, the high polish of her manners disarms us of resentment, and I'jads us to accuse ourselves of injus- d2 82 LLEWELLEN. tice ; for say what you will to her, Matilda is never angry, that is, she never betrays it, but turns reproof aside by some conci- liatory answer." " *Tis unnatural in one so young," re- joined Mr Dalziel ; *' but Miss Llewellen seems to forget that she has, or ought to have, a character of her own to support ; with such facility does she slide into the opinions of those around her. I dislike this excessive pliability ; her education must have been very faulty." " While a child she had no want of cha- racter," replied Mrs Howel j ** but I must admit that selfishness was very early her predominant felling. But do you think that education can root out the vices of a bad heart, or obscure the virtues of a good one ?" " *Tis indeed difficult to say, ** interrup- ted Mr Howel, ** though I could almost af^ firm, that a well-directed education is the ground-work of every virtue ; but the world is at present too full of systematic LXEWKLLEN. 85 plans for the instruction of youth ; by which means the heads of parents become perplexed, and much time is lost in the study of theories which ought to have been spent in the practice of teaching the young idea how to shoot ; or rather in permitting it first to shoot, and then prun- ing the useless branches. This important duty generally falls upon the mother, who, if deficient in the judgment requisite to plant the seeds of virtue, or to root the useless weeds from the mind of her child, depend upon it she will never acquire the necessary lesson from the laborious pen of an author. Let parents abide by the warn- ings of Scripture, and never weakly par- don errors that may lead to guilt. Per- haps you may smile at applying so strong a term as guilt to the actions of a child ; but do they not daily exhibit symptoms of stubbornness, falsehood, envy, revenge, and cunning ; and what direful crimes may spring from these? I have never seen the innocence of childhood so con- spicuous as to give me any reason to S4 LLEWELLEN, doubt the original depravity with whick our natures are charged." *' I see," said Mr Dalziel, " that you are a favourer of the birch." •* Only when absolutely necessary would I resort to that mode of discipline," re- plied Mr Howel, ** and as seldom as pos- sible ; but the faults of children will be few in comparison, if they are sure that punishment will follow detection. But I am of opinion, that over-indulgence is more fatal to the future happiness of a child than over-severity." " My great objection to our present systems," added Mrs Howel, " is this, that they tend too much to subvert ima- gination. Poor Mother Bunch, to whose budget I owe many a happy hour, is now looked on as a dangerous unprinci- pled companion, and turned from the nursery shelf to make room for moral and sentimental tales. No fairies, no brownies, must be mentioned, because we are not at liberty to impose on the reason of our LLEWELLEN. 85 children ; and yet one of the greatest of our modern poets has confessed, that the seeds of his eaily genius were implanted by my lamented friends the fairies.'* " In that regret most truly do I sym- pathise with you/* resumed Mr How- el ; " for even yet I remember, with de- light, the happy hours of my childhood, when, listening to the nursery-tales by the side of a blazing fire ; how frequently did I then wish to prove my prowess in wa- ging war with the mighty giants, who, in my r.hildish fancy, were so easily stabbed with the lance of lom Thumb. Yet, at the age of eight years old, I was (and I am convinced every child is) perfectly a- ware that it was not a true taleJ^ " Surely,** said Mr Dalziel, " you disap- prove of legends of ghosts, and bloody, headless apparitions.** " Nothing ought to be more anxiously guarded against.'* ** And for this very reason,** added Mrs Howel, •* that by the instinctive feelings B6 LLEWELLEN. of our nature we are apt to place reliance in their power." ** Surely, my love, you are not under the dominion of such fancies," ** Not my reason, but my instinct owns their influence," replied she, smiling. Mr Howel laughed. *' 'Tis a nice dis- tinction," said he, '* and one that deserves regard for its novelty at least.'' The conversation was now interrupted by the entrance of the servant with letters, ** Here is a letter from London," said Mr Dalziel, " the contents of which must be communicated to Clara." He then left the room, and retired to the apartment of his daughter. The letter was from the only sister of Mr Dalziel, who, early in life, had united herself to a gentleman called MacGruther. Since her marriage, Mr Dalziel had little intercourse with his sister, as he found in her husband's society neither comfort nor satisfaction. Mr MacGruther was a man who prided himself upon his birth^ LLEWELLEN. 87 being first cousin to MacGruther of MacGruther. He was a native of the Isle of Muck, in the west of Scotland, where he had been accustomed to consider himself little inferior to a prince. He was, therefore, when business affairs called him to a residence in London, not a little sur- prised and irritated to find himself a per- son of no distinction. Mrs MacGruther had at this time form- ed the double wish of going abroad with an invalid lady, to whom she was attached by the ties of early friendship, and of en- joying a short respite from the society of a husband whose perverse dispositions ren- dered him daily more disagreeable to her. She had also suffered her own temper to become so morose and peevish, that it was difficult to say which of the two had made the worst bargain in the lottery of love. Mrs MacGruther's hopes of obtaining this temporary separation were, however, frustrated, as her husband announced his intention of accompanying her.. 88 LLEVVELLEN. The letter, therefore, came to beg that, during their residence abroad, Mr Dal- ziel would take the charge of Isabella, their only child, a lively girl, born in the same year with Clara ; and also to intimate that she would be accompanied by her aunt. Miss Matty MacGruther, who a few days before had arrived from Muck, in order to reside for the future with her brother, having seen the last of her other relations carried to the grave before she left her home. The prospect of meeting her cousin gave Clara the highest gratification. The morn- ing after she received the pleasing intelli- gence she arose with renewed health and buoyant spirits, and began the necessary arrangements for her departure. She then, with glowing cheeks, and eyes that spark- led with pleasure, descended to the break- fast parlour, and found Llewellen there be- fore her. The mantling flush that over- spread his countenance, bore testimony to the satisfaction he felt at seeing her thus restored to health. LLEWELLEN. 89 Clara, whose usual timidity was banished by the delightful images that occupied her thoughts, frankly extended her hand to him, which was in a moment pressed to his lips. " Ah, Mr Llewellen,'* cried she, (heed- less of this daring capture,) " how shall I find words to thank you for the preserva- tion of a life which, though in itself of little value, is nevertheless of such conse- qu nee to my dear father." Llewellen, wholly thrown off his guard by this artless address, exclaimed, in a tone of rapture, — ** Dearest, loveliest Miss Dalziel, your life to me is more precious than" — This premature declaration was inter- rupted by the opening of the door; and as Mrs Howel entered, she beheld Clara in confusion, and her face and neck suffused with blushes, while Llewellen seemed to be examining a landscape that hung in the opposite side of the room. Mrs Howel observed their embarrass- ment, but had too much delicacy to make 90 LLEWELLEN. any remark ; — and soon after breakfast, Clara and her father took an affectionate leave of their friends, and departed to the cottage. LLEWELLEV. 91 CHAP. VIII. Oh : I am come to the low countrie, Och hone I och hone I och-rie. Akon. In a short time all things were arranged for the reception of the strangers ; and Clara, with youthful impatience, awaited their arrival. At length, on a rainy and tempestuous night, carriage-wheels were heard rapidly approaching, — and in a few minutes after the cousins were locked in each others arms. " Dear coz,*' cried Isabella, *' what a lovely thing thou art grown, — but where is thy father ?'* 92 LLEWELLEN. ** Do you not see him,'* replied Clara, smiling, as she looked towards him. ** Not I, love,'* answered Isabella, " for I got my eyes scratched out in the way by my gentle aunt." " Where did you leave her,*' asked Clara. ** In the coach, — she is scolding for the very possibility that any of her precious goods are lost or stolen." Clara immediately went in search of Miss MacGruther, while Isabella, gaily taking Mr Dalziel by the hand, led him to a seat, ra- pidly exclaiming, ** Dear uncle, now that I can see you, I have fifty thousand rpes- sages from ma' to give you — all about no- thing at all ; but heaven help my poor lit- tle noddle, it was far too small to contain the half of them. Clara at this moment led into the room a tall gaunt-looking woman, and, reaching a chair, entreated her to sit by the fire. Without speaking, but with a sigh, she obeyed. LLEWELLEN. 93 " I sincerely hope, Miss MacGruther,'* said Mr Dalziel, " that you are not the worse of your journey/' ** Indeed,— and that 1 am,'* replied she, " for there's no' a bane i' my body but what's just cracking wi' the jolting. Gude troth, it's a hard matter enouch for me, that never was a mile frae my ain hame i* my life, to be fleeing at this rate over countries to pleasure ony man's bairn. " I am sorry," replied Clara, " that you are so much fatigued ; but here is a dish of tea that I hope will refresh you." Miss MacGruther listlessly accepted it, as she re-echoed, " Sorry, — an a weel-a-wat sae am I my- self; for I never thought my father's bairn wud hae a hame to seek. It's hard to put up wi', by ane sae gentle as mysell, — but times are sair changed. For a few moments she hung her head sorrowfully over her tea- cup ; then sud- denly again broke forth: *' Deed, Maister Dalziel, thae frolics 94f LLEWELLEN* dinna gree wi* me at a' ; I'm no used wi* the like, an* they cannot sit easy.'* " I hope, Madam,** replied he, ** that here you will consider yourself entirely at home. I am certain that my daughter will do her utmost to render your situation pleasing and comfortable.'* Miss MacGruther, who, during this speech, had been languidly tossing her tea to and fro with her spoon, now resum- ed, " Nay dout o't. Sir, the bairn's obliging enouch ; but there's an unco differ atween this an hame. Oh dear, aye,** cried she, bursting into tears, and drawing her fore- finger along her streaming eyes, * I never thought to see this day." " It is unfortunate that you think so," replied Clara, gravely; ** but you shall meet with all the attention that it is in my power to bestow.*' " Weel a weel," replied she, in a tone of resignation ; *' I*se do the best that I can to put up ; but sure I am that I'll no LLEWELLEN. 95 agree wi* thae foreign ways that ye'll be making use o* hereawa.'* * No," said Isabella, ** for hereawa we actually wash our faces, and change our dresses every day/' *' As to washing ane's face," rejoined Miss MacGruther, " it's pernicious to the skin J an* I've aften heard say that my great- grand aunt, her that was sae beautiful, never took but a pickle flour to dight her face. An' as to changing ane's claes sae aften, it's mere fashery. We hae nay sic toilsome wark as that in Muck, but just gang ony way as best suits oursells." Then, yawning, she begged to be shewn to her bed-chamber, as she felt much fa- tigued, and wished to retire for the night. *' Ah, my dear aunt!" cried Isabella, ** you are longing to dream of your sweet- heart you left in Muck." *• Dreams r' cried Miss MacGruther, •' I'm sure I hae muckle need o' pleasing dreams, for sic awfu'-like visions as I hae 96 LLEWELLEN. seen this some nights. I wus there be iia some dread mischief hanging owr me, — tumbling down fearsome heights, and sticking in muddy bogs ; — sic dreams are no canny.'* The ladies now bade Mr Dalziel good night, and retired to their apartments. The following morning the cousins hav- ing enjoyed a short walk in the clear frost of a December morning, entered the break- fast-room, where they found Mr Dalziel and Miss MacGruther already seated, the latter muffled from the cold in a thick flan- nel gown. When breakfast was concluded, she silently arose from the table, and draw- ing from her pocket a coarse worsted stock- ing, and sticking one of the knitting needles in her head, she attentively counted the stitches round, and then quietly commen- ced her work. Isabella was examining her cousin's port- folio, when a carriage passed the windows. " Oh, run, run, dear aunt !'* cried she, " and dress — Oh get away fast, for there is company, and you are so queer-like." LLEWELLEN. 97 " The lassie's gaen mad,*' said Miss MacGruther, looking at her niece with unfeigned amazement : ** What wud male me queer-like ?*' At this moment Alfred Llewellen and his sister entering the room, Isabella had no time for further expostulation. Miss MacGruther, resting her stocking on her knee, gazed with wonder upon the intru- ders* •* I hope you will excuse this early visit,*' said Matilda, addressing Mr Dalziel, " as I come to request a particular favour. It is a custom with my father to give a dance on Christmas, and it is usual with him to invite all his tenantry. I am now on my w^ay mustering the motley group 5 and I hope your family will have the good- ness to come to-morrow to the Castle, and remain there as long as we can ren- der it agreeable to you.*' ** The day after to-morrow is your dance, then," said Mr Dalziel. VOL. I. E 98 LLEWELLEN. " It is," replied Matilda; " and I should have been sooner here, but my father was from home." " We shall certainly be with you,'* re- plied he, " for I suppose the ladies can have no objection." '' None, none whatever," said Isabella and Clara at once. During the whole conversation, Miss MacGruther had been gazing at Llewel- len ; and now, bowing with an ill-conceal- ed smile, he said to her, '* May we hope, Madam, that you will condescend to promote our amusement by your presence also." Miss MacGruther, starting from her seat, curtsied, and replied, " Nae doubt, Sir j mak yoursell sure o' me." Matilda, bidding adieu, promised to send the carriage early the following day. Isabella was all impatience until the wished-for hour arrived. At length, the whole family drove towards the Castle. LLEWELLEN. 99 They were courteously received by Ma- tilda, who informed them that the offi- cers of her father's regiment were to dine with them ; and the ladies immediately retired to make some slight alterations on their dress. As Matilda's waiting-woman combed the luxuriant tresses that fell on Clara's neck, she exclaimed, " La, Ma'm, are these swirling curls quite natural ?" *' They are," replied Isabella ; there- fore, place this pearl sprig becomingly." " I cannot place it otherwise in the head of this lady," replied Jenkins. Having finished the duties of the toilet, Matilda entered to conduct her friends to the drawing-room, and informed them that the officers were already there. " Oh the dear creatures," cried Isabella, I embrace them all. ** In imagination only, I hope," replied Clara, *' otherwise I will stay where I am until the ceremony is over : But wliere is Miss MacGruther?" 100 1.LEWELLEN* " She is not yet ready," replied Matil- da. The officers were standing in a group around the fire when the ladies entered, and talking so loud that no one could hear the voice of another ; but suddenly they ceased, and all eyes were fixed on Clara. The silence was at length broken, and whispers run around the room of *^ Who is she ? What an angel ! — A Venus, a goddess, by heavens !'* Clara was mo- dest, but not bashful 5 she retained her self-possession in spite of the free gaze of those who surrounded her, and quiet- ly seated herself by the side of ]Mrs How- el, who she rejoiced to find was of the party. Matilda, in spite of herself, was compel- led to listen to the rapturous praise which was bestowed on Clara ; the officers were clamorous in their inquiries of who and what she was. To these interrogatories she carelessly answered, " That really it was difficult to LLEWELLEN. lOX tell who Miss Dalziel might be ; that she had lately come to Wales with her father ; ^nd that Mr Howel took notice of them, as all clergymen were obliged to do 5 and it was in compliment to Mrs Howel that she had invited them to the castle ; that, as far as she could see, outward appear- ance was the only attraction Miss Dalziel possessed 5 that she appeared, in conver- sation, a weak girl." By these, and like insinuations, she hoped to circulate a re- port to Clara's disadvantage, which, meet- ing the ears of her brother, might make him ashamed to own a preference in her favour : but Llewellen had neither eyes nor ears for any one, save Clara her- self. The servant, in an audible voice, now announced Miss MacGruther, — w^ho, twir- ling a fan as she walked up the room, seated herself beside Clara, reflecting, to advantage, the beauty of contrast. As military men, generally speaking, are good judges of the entertainment pro- mised by the countenance of a lady, the 102 LLEWELLEN. cliair of the lively Isabella was quickly surrounded ; and so well did she gratify their hopes, that she kept them laughing until dinner was announced. LLEWELLEN. 103 CHAP. VIII. '* JBnt loose in morals, and in manners vaiu." COWPER. M.A TILDA paid unremitting attention to the guests around her father's table j and her courtesy was the more necessary, as the Colonel seldom raised his head ex- cept in reply to a question ; and after each exertion, the gloom on his counte- nance deepened. Captain Byron, whose fox-like eyes had long been fixed upon the face of Clara, with an air of easy assurance now beg- ged to have the honour of filling his glass to her health* 104 LLEWELLEN. Alfred looking' at him with disdain, re- plied, " I was before-hand with you in the request, Sir." *' No great matter," contemptuously re- torted Byron, ** for those that are first shall be last. Eh! Mr Howel?" ** Not with me, Sir," calmly replied Cla- ra, as she raised her glass, and smiled to Llewellen. At that instant she caught the eyes of Matilda fixed on her, with an expression so intensely searching, that, without know- ing why, she was covered with confusion. Llewellen then addressing, by the name of Macdonald, a pleasant-looking young man, at the foot of the table, begged to have the honour of drinking with him. " Aye, good Lowrd !" exclaimed Miss MacGruther, dropping her knife and fork, ** for sure eneuch that's a kent name. Was ye ever, Sir, i' the isle o* Muck, or there* awa'." ** Yes, Madam," replied he, with an ironical simper, ** I once passed a night there." LLEWELLEN. - 105 " A wee], Sir, an' I*m sure ye wad be kindly seen to, for they are the true freend- ly folk/* " Very easy sort of people, Madam, and extremely unceremonious in their mode of address." '' Ah, Sir, it's just a way they ha'e wi' them. Ye'll no likely meet the like here awa'. It cost me a sair faght to part wi' them." Then, looking complaisantly on all a- round, she resumed the occupation of eat- ing, casting, from time to time, glances of admiration towards Macdonald. When dinner was over, Miss Denbeigh, daughter to Captain and Mrs Denbeigh, then present, was entreated to sing ; and, after many lady-like airs, she at length complied, and screamed forth a bravura. ' I must now have a song from Miss Dalziel," said Byron. '* I am sorry, Sir, that I cannot oblige you at present," replied she. *' Come, come," resumed he, with a i06 LLEWELLEN. look of ineffable assurance, " lay aside this diffidence." *' It would not be agreeable to me," replied Mr Dalziel, " to hear my daughter sing to-day." Byron, who had never yet withdrawn his eyes from the face of Clara, answered, ** She had better sing than look sad ; come, then, I must insist for a song.'* Clara coldly replied, ** I have no ob- jection, Sir." " There now," cried he, '* with a broad stare at Mr Dalziel ; '* the best way, you see, to make a lady do any thing, is to teli her you don't want it done." All were silent, but still Clara made no motion to sing. *' Come away, can't you," said Byron, ** we wait for your song." " I did not say, Sir, that I would sing," observed Clara; " I only remarked that I had no objection to your insisting for a song. The officers, by load and reiterated LLEVVELLEN'. 107 laughter, shewed how much they enjoyed this retort ; which Matilda observ ing, re- quested that Captain Byron, would himself favour them with a song. Clara saw that Matilda was offended, and thought her unreasonably so, as the dress she w^ore ought to have been a sufficient excuse for her refusal. "Your requests, Madam, are commands with me," replied Byron, immediately be- ginning a song. Matilda's whole soul seemed in extacy. When he concluded, she bowed her thanks, and withdrew with her female guests to the tea room. '* That sulky creature, Bryon, has a fine voice,'* said Isabella ; " but he looks^ for all the world, like a captain of banditti." ** Hush, my love," said Mrs Howel, ** remember that he may have friends here." " No, indeed, Ma'am,'' cried MissDen- beigh, pertly ; '* Captain Byron has no friends here, nor any where else, I assure YOU." 108 LLEWELLEN. ** He is a handsome man," added Clara, ** though I do not think him agreeable." " Gin he had horns," cried Miss Mac- Gruther, " he wud do weel for a Satan : sic fearsome like een !" " Ah ! dear aunt," replied Isabella, ** but did you mark the tender glances that Captain Macdonald cast towards you.'* " Light-heeded fairy — but troth, Bell, that's another guess sort o' man : He did look, to be sure, when he kent I was frae Muck. I maun ha'e a crack wi' him some other time." " What is your opinion, MissLlewellen," said Julia, smiling, " of the knight of the fearsome een." " That he is much honoured," she re- plied, " in being an object of such univer- sal attraction ; few men, I believe, would not rather meet a lady's abuse than be an object of silent contempt to her." '* That is entirely my own opinion," said Mrs Howel, " and since we cannot speak well of Captain Byron, we had better not mention him at all." LLEWELLEN. 109 " My father," said Matilda, " is ;at all times pleased with Captain Byron's socie- ty ; therefore, the officers who profess to have a bad opinion of him, shew more jea- lousy than prudence." " You are very much mistaken, I assure you. Miss Llewelien," reiterated Miss Denbeigh, — ** for the lowest man in the re- giment has no manner of cause to be jealous of Captain Byron's perfections, and the of- ficers are all superior to him in every one possible respect ; and it is to be hoped, Ma'am, that there are few men in the world guilty of the crimes he is charged with.' " Then let us not discuss those crimes. Miss Denbeigh," said Mrs Howel ; ** our doing so cannot make them better. Miss Llewellen performs but a necessary duty at present in defending the character of the absent." " I am sure. Ma'am," replied Miss Den- beigh, pouting, ** I would say it all, and a great deal more, to his face, though he >vere here present." 110 LLEWELLEN. " I make no doubt of it, MissDenbeigh," calmly replied Mrs Ho wel, *'biit in doingso, you would be very blameable, for no young lady ought to take advantage of the privi- lege allowed her sex, in proclaiming with impunity the bad impressions which she entertains of any gentleman. She will bet- ter preserve her dignity by a polite though reserved behaviour." Mrs Denbeigh, who was one of those busy philanthropic ladies who bestir themselves in the arrangement of every body's affairs except their own, and who was a perfect almanack of misdemeanours, at this mo- ment drew her chair close to that of Mrs Howel, and, looking unutterable things, began, with her usual mysterious half-whis- per, to say, — " La, now Ma'm, did you never hear nothing about Captain Byron's being a married man." ** Never," replied Mrs Howel, " and probably you are mistaken." " No, no, I a'nt though, — I a'nt mistak- en J for, do vou know," said she, with a LLEWELLEN. Ill \vink that was meant to convey mysteries unfathomable, *^ that they do say suck things.*' " Very likely, Mrs Denbeigh," replied Mrs Howel, smiling, *' for many things are said that are very uninteresting to hear." ** Ah, but you don't know half yet," cried she, almost unable to articulate for the rapidity of her ideas ; *' you do not know, my dear friend, what a terrible dreadful creature he is ;*' but, added she, as she made a motion to whis- per in the ear of her auditor, '' I'll tell you" Mrs Howel gently drew back, and es- caped the secret. ** How to subdue our own faults, Mrs Denbeigh," said she, " would be found sufficient employment, if we had but the power of seeing ourselves as we are seen by others, — while the beam is in our own eye, we should be careful how we treat the errors of our fellow creatures." ** I'm sure I meant no harm," said Mrs Denbeigh, reddening with vexation, ** for 112 LLEWELLEN. it is SO natural for people to speak about what they hear 5 but I*m sure I can hould my tongue." " For that very reason,'* replied Mrs Howel, " we should only wish to hear what is agreeable, that we may not impress our auditors with unpleasant sensations, while they are compelled to listen." " Well, well, Ma'm," retorted the of- fended lady, " I wants to give no body no unpleasant cessations; but you will see that Captain Byron will deceive some poor girl that has money yet, an' then you will see that I wusn't no ways wrong." Mrs Den- beigh then drawing up with an air of self satisfaction, cast an angry glance around the room. At the same time Mrs Howel cast an involuntary look towards Matilda, whom she beheld in a state of extreme agitation. Convinced, therefore, that she harboured an attachment towards Byron, Mrs Howel felt more than ever at a loss to fathom the nature of her attentions to Henry. Soon after the gentlemen made their ap- pearance, and Byron, in a state of intox- LLEWELLEN. US icatioii, swaggered to where Clara sat, and uttered a profusion of the most bombas- tical compliments. Extremely disgusted, she left her seat, and sought refuge betwixt Mr Howel and her father ; and thus, in security, she be- came an unconcerned spectator of all that was going forward. She beheld Matilda at the side of the enraptured Henry, while, conscious of her power, she was practising the whole witch- ery of her smiles; yet in side-long glances her dark eye wandered round the room in search of Byron ; — when he approached, she feigned not to see him, but bent the whole of her attention to the conversation of Henry. Some of the officers, saunter- ing towards her, entreated that she would tune her harp to melody, — and, with well- feigned reluctance, she suffered Henry to lead, or rather draw her, towards the in- strument. Then bending over the harp, she threw her fingers along the chords, producing 114 LLEWELLEN. sounds like those of inspiration. Byron drew near, when suddenly fixing her im- passioned eye upon his face, in low and plaintive murmurs she warbled forth the misery of hopeless love, while, by the lan- guor of her attitude, she seemed to per- sonate the subject of the song ; — the glit- tering tear stood trembling in Henry's eye, who was placed with his back to By- ron. At length she ceased, bat the silence was not interrupted ; and ere any one had power to break it, she thrilled each heart, and caused each pulse to throb with joy, as she run o'er the notes of a brisk Italian air. " Oh, extacy," cried Henry, «* Oh ex- tacy beyond imagination to conceive." " Oh woman, lovely woman," cried Cap- tain Ronald, casting himself in mock thea^ tricals at her feet ; '' nature made thee to temper man — we had been brutes without ye." " Troth Captain, an' that's true that ye ha'e said/' cried Miss MacGruther, '' for LLEWELLEN. 115 you men are very brute like, I dinna' doubt, whan women bodies are no araang ye." Captain Ronald then turning towards the speaker, cried, " The vhtuous Marchia towers above her sex/' " Sure eneuch my name's Martha, Sir 5 but what way did ye ken ^" Isabella, who had all day been flirting with young Ronald, now cried, '* Beware false perjured man, did you not swear eter- nal constancy to me." Ronald instantly seizing the hand of Isabella, exclaimed — ** Doubt, Oh most beautiful ! that the stars are fire ; but Isabella, never — never doubt I love." ** I never saw the like of Captain Ro- nald," cried Miss Deiibeigh, ** I really wonder that lady can suffer him to make a fool of her so; but he's always taken up with every new face — I*m sure I can't a- bide him.*' 116 LLEWELLEN. At the conclusion of this speech, which was not addressed to any one, Miss Den- beigh jerked on her shawl, and took leave with the rest of the strangers. LLEWELLEN. 1 if CHAP. IX, For pitye's sake use wronged women well ; Men easily rerenge the wrongs men doe ; But pore weake women hath no strength theretoe. Old Balla». ^NText morning as Clara was crossing the lobby to her chamber, she was accosted by Matilda, who seemed watching an oppor- tunity to speak with her. " Dearest Miss Dalziel/* said she, " will you come and sit in my dressing-room ; the rest of our friends have gone abroad in search of amusement. I fear, my love, that you are fatigued — you look pale this morning.*' 118 LLEWELLEN. " *Tis accidental then,'* replied Clara, seating herself — ** as I feel no indisposi- tion." *' I rejoice to hear it ; but what is your opinion," added Matilda rather abruptly, «* of that Miss Denbeigh whom you saw here yesterday.'* " She is very pretty j but I hardly thought of her at all." ** Her bad temper is certainly an over- balance to her beauty,'^ resumed Matilda, as she arranged some needle work ; " how rude the animadversions were she made on Byron." "You do not then agree in the justice of her remarks," asked Clara. '* Not a word of truth in them, I assure you ; but Miss Denbeigh was once of a different opinion, and would be so still, had not Captain Byron slighted her attractions.'* " But," resumed Clara, " your brother seems to have a bad opinion of the Cap- tain ; surely there is good cause for his dis- like." LLEWELLEN. 110 Matilda looked displeased at this re- mark, as she replied, ** Alfred is quite ri- diculous in his conduct towards Byron — so far, Miss Dalziel, from his having good cause for his enmity, he does not even pre- tend to assign a reason for it ; yet I have had a lecture this morning for having paid a too pointed attention to Captain Byron yesterday. Did you, Clara, observe any thing amiss in my conduct. Did I omit any necessary etiquette towards my other guests." ** By no means," replied Clara warmly ; '* your behaviour was equally polite and attentive to all." *' I meant that it should be so," replied Matilda sighing ; *' but as I would not willingly offend so dear a brother, I shall forbear this evening to address myself to Captain Byron, though as my father's guest he has a right to my attention. Will you, my dear Clara," continued she, in evident embarassment," do me therefore the favour to converse with him as much as possible. Your doing so may prevent him from ob- 120 LLEWELLEN. serving my brother's supercilious conduct, or my apparent coldness ; and perhaps prevent also his complaining to my father of his uncomfortable situation, in which case disagreeable consequences might en- sue." " My mourning habit will, I hope, plead my excuse for not joining in the dance," said Clara ; " and I will converse with Captain Byron as much as possible." ** He never dances," said Matilda, " and I shall consider your attentions to him as a compliment to myself; and now, if agreeable to you, we shall go in search of our friends." At a little distance from the castle, Ma- tilda found her visitors employed in the exercise of skating. Isabella was flying across the ice, dragging her aunt along with her, who bauled aloud for mercy. Captain Ronald had joined, and was informing them that a little French Fris- seur, who belonged to tho regiment, enti'eated him to enquire, whether the LLEVVELLEN. 121 ladies had any commands in his way. Isa- bella stopped to say, that the little gentle- man would certainly have the happiness of adorning her head 5 " and my aunt wdll surely allow him the same honour," continued she, as she threw a significant glance towards Ronald. " My head wud na* be the waur o' a redding,*' replied^Miss MacGruther ; ** but when's the bodie to come ?" — " He will be here, Madam, a little after dinner," replied Ronald gravely ; ** and you will find him quite an adept." Matilda, on returning to the Castle, re- quested that Captain Ronald would go home with them to dinner, — an invitation of which he gladly availed himself. He had laid a wager with Isabella, that if she could prevail upon her aunt to wear a gentleman's powdering gown and slippers, that Toupee would with great simplicity dress her hair in the regimental costume, without once suspecting her to be other than a veteran of the corps. Isa- bella laughed immoderately at the idea, LLEWELLEK. .and readily agreed to try the experi- ment, charging Ronald, however, to keep the secret from Clara, who she knew would highly disapprove of her part in the affair. Miss MacGruther, who had not the smallest suspicion of evil, was easily per- suaded to assume the necessary disguise ; and pleased at the idea of having her hair fashionably arranged, she stalked into her dressing-room to await Monsieur Toupee's arrival. Ronald, in the interval, informed him that he was to dress the hair of an officer who had been long in confinement abroad ; and that he wished to have himself now put in the same order with the other offi- cers. Toupee, delighted, briskly ascended the stair ; and as he entered the room, Ro- nald and Isabella placed themselves so as to hear without being seen. Toupee, a small thin man, whose own frizzled pate pourtrayetl the wonders of his art, bowed to the ground as he entered, and LLEWELLEN. 123 with a consequential air drew forth the powder, puff, and combs. " Vil it please you, Monsieur, to sit down on dat seat — I vill do mon possible to give de satisfaction,*^ Miss MacGruther, who only understood his wishes by the direction of his finger, obeyed, and quietly seated herself. Toupee for a time was silent, while he dexterously disentangled her matted tres- ses, and prepared a ribbon to bind around the cue. This task at length accomplish- ed, he said, as he reared himself on tiptoe : " All, Monsieur, — dis hair would not be so vite when de war did commence." Miss MacGruther, who felt exasperated at the manner in which he tugged her hair, exclaimed peevishly, ** I ken na* man what is*t ye're saying.'* Toupee, who deemed from the tone of her voice, that she likely spoke in Greek, nevertheless continued his observations. " You vil ave de ver fine cue, Monsieur. I did never see de more predigious cue, it vil look ver fine and flowing, en venfe\'* 124 LLEWELLEN. " I wunner what is'st ye*re saying," cried she.'* I'm sure I wish ye wur dune." " Ah, Monsieur," cried Toupee,' enrap- tured ; '^ your hair be so tick, it do make de grand spectacle — it *ave quite de shew rernarkable. While he stood back in admi- ration. Miss MacGruther, who felt an un- usual stiffness about her head, arose and walked towards the dressing-glass, before which she stood for some moments speech- less. Then exclaimed,''with horror, /* Lowrd ! hae thae made a man o* me ?" " Vat is you say. Monsieur,*' said he, smirking, and advancing, as he looked wistfully in her face — *' Vat is you tink ?" Without reply, she slowly turned once more to .the glass, into which she gazed with increasing wonder, and muttering, " Lowrd ! Lowrd !'* '* O mo7i Dieu, vat is you mean, Mon- sieur, you ave not de pleased countenance?** Now letting go her hold of the pow- dering gown, it flew back, and the be- wildered Toupee, fixing his eyes upon the LLEWELLE'N. lS5 petticoat, and retreating with precipitation, cried, '* Oh mon Dieu, 7no7i Dieu ! mercy, vat ave I don ! Oh vy did the Capitaine say dat it was de officer, ven all de vile it was only de lady in de gentleman's shoes ?'* Peals of laughter now burst from Ronald and Isabella. Llewellen, who heard an un- sual uproar, came from the dimng-room, at the same instant the terrified frizeur, retreat- ing backwards, and missing a step, rolled headlong down the stairs, while Miss Mac- Gruther followed up her victory by alter- nate threats and lamentations. Llewellen, at first sight of so strange a figure, dressed in his own powdering- gown and slippers, with a long cue, had felt unable to restrain his laughter ; but feeling compassion for the terrified Tou- pee, at whom the angry lady stood stamp, ing and shaking her fist, he interfered, saying, " My dear Madam, be composed, here is some odd mistake." *' Mistak 1 bonny mistak atweel !" Toupee, who had taken refuge behind Llewellen, now putting forth his rueful vi- 156 LLEWELLEN. sage, said, " Oh, pardi, Madame, pardi, pardi ; oh, vat way could I help, for de Gapitaine did say — " ** Said what, ye villain ?'* interrupted Miss MacGruther, actually shedding tears. Oh, merci, merci !" cried Toupee, " I vill never in de vorld be so stupide again." Miss MacGruther, still weeping, was now conducted to her chamber by her niece, and, with well-feigned sympathy, she bewailed the mistake of Toupee, who re- turned now to the kitchen, saying, that his trepidation v.'ould not permit him to dress any other person that night. Being prevailed on to allow Jenkins to re-adjust her hair, peace was at length restored, and the ladies soon after entered the ball-room, where gay, in many colour- ed vestments, most of the tenantry were already met ; the maids sat smiling to each other in excess of delight, while the youths stood grinning and smirking at tlie end of the room. Among the most conspicuous €f the party, with well-washed glossy face, LLEWELLEN. 1^7 stood Master Moses- Rice, winking and nodding significantly to Miss Primrose, who sat fluttering and twisting from side to side, and hanging her head, to conceal the pride she felt at being so distinguished. The fiddle now announced that all was ready for the dance ; the youths rushed forward to secure their partners, when, contrary to expectation, Master Moses passed with sly leer his red-haired favou- rite, and singled out Miss Julia Hov/el. " I feckens," cried he, *' I've played Miss Grizzy Primrose a fine trick, for I tould her I was to dance with shee." " Then,'* replied Julia, " you have be- haved very ill, and I will not again dance with you until you have fulfilled your first engagement/' " Don't you dance. Madam?" asked Captain Byron, as he swaggered to the place where Clara sat ; but while he spoke he stared full in the face of Miss Den- beigh, who prepared to rise ; and he then . held out his hand to Clara. 1^8 LLEWELLEN, ** If you address me, Sir," said she, ** I do not dance ; but Miss Denbeigh is dis- engaged, I believe." Without taking the smallest notice of Miss Denbeigh, he resumed, in a tone of encouragement to Clara, ** Come, come, make yourself more at ease with me. Don^t be so coy, you will find me a very indulgent partner, even though you should commit a few errors." ** You display your own ignorance. Sir," said Miss Denbeigh, tartly, ** if you sup- pose that it is possible for Miss Dalziel to err in the accomplishment of dancing, or in any other." Byron, without deigning the smallest at- tention to this reproof, prepared to seat himself between the ladies, and Clara that moment recollecting the injunctions of Ma- tilda, made room for him to sit beside her. Miss Denbeigh, darting upon her a look of rancour, instantly arose, and placed her- self at the opposite end of the room. " What a vixen,'* said Byron, with an £LEWELLEN. 129 insulting laugh ; ** don't you think she is a perfect firebrand.** ** Miss Denbeigh is much admired, I be- lieve, Sir ; and I should be sorry to speak ill of her.** ** How amazingly kind you are ; but be so good as to direct your eyes towards that awkward fellow, Alfred Llewellen ; do but see how he has put his partner out in the dance/' Llevvellen was, indeed, at this instant in a ridiculous state of perplexity, as the re- marks which he overheard Miss Denbeigh make wholly unfitted him for exertion. " I assure you/* cried she, to an officer who stood near, " if Miss Dalziel chooses such society as that, she sha'nt have much of my company. You have no notion what shocking things that Byron is saying to her 5 and, in place of being angry, didn't she go and make room for him to sit beside her ', — and only see how she is smihng to him, — did you ever see the like ? — Well, I declare I can't abide her." e2- ISO LLEWELLEN. " Perhaps/' said the officer, " she does not understand him, — she certainly looks very innocent ; I have seldom seen a face of more intelligence, yet it is said that she is deficient in intellect/' •* Oh, excessive silly, I assure you, — but for all that she understands Captain Byron very well, and likes him too, — for I heard ner say he was the very handsomest man she ever saw." The dance was now concluded ; and Llewellen, in a state of extreme perturba- tion, led his partner to a seat, and then placed himself at the side of his sister. The shafts of jealousy had entered his heart ; and he began a severe scrutiny of Clara's conduct. " Miss Dalziel is certainly in remark- ably high spirits to-night," said Matilda, carelessly; ** I wonder she does not dance. She iias refus'd several of the officers who have solicited her hand, and they seem di- verted at the uncommon preference she e-hews to Byron. She seems, indeed, as K>iich charmed with his conversational ta- LLEWELLEN. LSI lents, as she professes herself to be with the elegance of his person." Llewellen, goaded by this speech, and hardly knowing his own motive, hastily arose, and advanced to the place where Clara sat ; but before he approached, she took the arm of Byron, and walked with him out of the room. 132 ' LLEWELLEN. CHAP. X. Trifles light as air, arc to the jealons Confirmation strong as proof of holy writ. Shakesfearzl As Clara left the room, attended by Cap- tain Byron, Llewellen retired to his own apartment, oppressed by the most painful sensations. " Had she bestowed her regard on any man but Byron," cried he, ** I could have endured it patiently. Yet why should I harrass my feelings ; she cannot be the pure, the faultless angel that I once ima- gined her. No, no j it is too plain she is a silly trifling girl, or the conversation of LLEWELLEN. 135 such a man could afford her no pleasure, Matilda was right ; how perfectly women understand the characters of each other. 'Tis well I have escaped; I will think of her no more.'* In this state of mind he paced hurriedly up and down his room, till he considered himself quite resolved as to his future conduct in regard to Clara. He now drew the bolt of the door, and walked with a satisfied and stately gait in- to the card-room. His eyes involuntarily sought Clara, whom he beheld sitting alone at the corner of the table, looking on, while her father played his game. Byron was not even in the same room with her. She raised her eyes as Llewellen ap- proached, and smiled : that smile disarm- ed him. He was delighted ; he could not refrain, however, from saying, with evi- dent pique, ** I thought to have found you with Captain Byron. He seems a great favourite for so short an acquaintance. You certainly found him more agreeable than he is generally esteemed."-—** I found 134 LLEWELLEK. him, Sir, polite and attentive,'^ replied she ; " but I am sorry to say that I meet with very few who can be called agreeable. The term is often misapplied.'* ** He is surely an exception," said Lle- wellen J " for where is the man who would not have envied him the smiles you be- stowed on him ?'* " I did not suppose, Sir, that any one had a right to scrutinize either my smiles or frowns,*' replied Clara, looking much displeased, and turning her face from him. " You are aware, I see, that, whether you smile or frown, every new caprice produces its correspondent charm." " You are severe, Mr Llewellen,'* an- swered Clara, rising as she spoke ; *' though I own myself at a loss to understand the point of your implied censure.'' *' Clara, '^ said Mr Dalziel, ** wait until I finish my game, and I will go down with you to the ball-room." She seated herself immediately, but in such a manner that Llewellen had no op- LLEWELLEN. 1S5 portanity of addressing her unheard by the company. He therefore left the room, and joined the dancers. When she descended with her father, the first object she beheld was Llewellen standing apart with a very perturbed coun- tenance. Isabella came skipping behind him, and pulled him by the coat ; he turned quickly round. " Oh, mercy !" cried she, " it moves ! I beg pardon, Sir, but I declare I took you for the statue of the Weeping Philosopher !'* Llewellen smiled. " My heart," an- swered he, ** is not at all times so free from pain as yours seems to be, my dear Madam ; but if you honour me with your hand for another dance, perhaps I may become frolicsome by infection." ** That I will, if you'll promise to move with a little more spirit. Oh, how you did drag through the last dance :— but, see ! there is your sister going to begin a minuet, and her partner is really Captain 136 LLEWELLEN. Byron. Oh, how jealous somebody will be when he sees her/' " To whom do you allude ?" " Guess ?" " I really have not an idea." " Not many, I must own," replied Isa- bella. " Your head, I believe, is lighter than your heels." At this moment Llewellen observed Clara, who stood beside her father, but her eyes were fixed on himself. She ap- peared ^* more in sorrow than in anger." " I have at least no heart," thought he. " What are you thinking about ?" cried Isabella. *' Thou art a perfect tomb- stone ; thou hast a melancholy inscription upon thy face." Moses Rice now came up to them. " You can't think," cried he, ** what a nice trick I have played Miss Grizzy. I tould her that I was to dance with shee y and so she is sitting still all the time wait- ing. But, dang it! be'antthat she dancing at no rate with that officer." LLEWEU.EN. 137 *' Yes/* replied Isabella, '' and that offi- cer very much admires her, I assure you." Master Moses now slunk away, and stood with watchful eyes looking upon Miss Grizzy, while she, observing him, flounced and floundered down the dance with so much activity, that she kept Captain Ro- nald, her partner, in hard chace, casting an eye of exultation upon poor Moses, who, scratching his head with a whimper- ing look, retired to a distant corner, and sat down in silence. ** V/ill you try a minuet with me,** said Isabella to Llewellen, " it is a long time since I danced one j it will therefore have at least the charm of novelty." " With all my heart," replied he, ** but I fear you will move too quick for a mi- nuet." '* No, not at all. I can move any way, so that / am moving." He then led forward his partner. The graceful movements of Llewellen drew forth a burst of admiration from all around, who arose with one accord to view the dance. 138 LLEWELLEK. Clara felt she knew not what, but her eyes were fixed intently upon his every mo- lion. The moment the dance finished^ Isabel- la fled in mock alarm. ** I told you/' said Llewellen, following her, *' that you would move too quick ; but I fear you are fa- tigued.'* " No, no, only terrified out of my wits." ** Terrified, what has terrified you ?" ** You ! oh you are a terrific man — ^what dreadful black eyes you have got. I ne- ver should have courage to see you in a passion." " Why, dear Madam," said Llewellen," tempted to laugh, ** what is the matter ? what have I done ? what " Take out those fierce eyes," cried she, I never noticed them before 5 but I did^ indeed once hear my dear Clara say, that she was very terrified for you." The later part of this speech caused Llewellen to turn involuntarily round and look at Clara. Mr Dalziel, catching his eye, made a sign for him to approach. LLEWELLEN. 139 " Will you/' said he, " once more take charge of Miss Dalziel, for I am indeed tired with these minuets, which I am a- mazed to see continued so long ;'^ — at the same time, with the utmost simplicity, placing the arm of his daughter upon that of Llewellen, and, little aware of the agi- tation he had occasioned, he walked quiet- ly away." ** Could you but know," said Llewellen, " what I have suffered since I had the te- merity to offend you. Miss Dalziel, you would pardon me at once ; for my fault a- rose from having too strong an interest in your welfare, to endure the bare idea that you were pleased with the conversation of that Byron, whose insolence, — whose" — *' And would Mr Llewellen advise me to court a display of that insolence," in- terrupted Clara, *' by behaving so as to de- serve it, — or was there any thing improper in my begging him to conduct me to my father, when I found his conversation no longer agreeable ?" HO LLEWELLEN. *' Do not make me liale myself, dearest Madam," said Llewellen : ** I have acted like a fool, an ideot ; but never again will I presume to find fault with one so capable of preserving her own dignity, or of re- pressing the presumption of others ; nay, from the first moment I saw you I believ- ed you perfect, and I find you so." ** A perfect Dulcinea, you mean," re- plied Clara," alluding to her first meeting, *^ and you therefore addressed me as one." ** Good heaven !" cried Llewelkn, ^* let that day be blotted from our recollections. I protest, my dearest Miss Dalziel, that — that" ** I will trouble you," said she, inter- rupting him, observing that he was grow- ing more serious than she wished, ** I will trouble you. Sir, to get me a glass of le- monade — the room is insufferably warm." When Llewellen returned with the glass, he found Clara by the side of Miss Mac- Gruther, who eagerly besought him to be- stow the same favour upon her, as she was ** quite sick." LLEWELLEN. 141 ** Lowrd !" said she, ** Mr Llewellen, I wild na gie the reel o' Tullochgorum for a' that [1 h'ae seen and heard this night. — Sic nonsense, to see folk paatering alang the floor as if thae had na a soul i* them." ** I wish, Madam," replied Llewellen, " that I understood the dance you allude to, and I would join you with all my heart ; for this dull round of minuets is to me very irksome, and the poor people, for whose amusement the entertainment was design- ed, are half-asleep." ** Odd man, gin ye*ll really dance wi* me, I'se shun learn ye ; and Captain Mac- donald there maun ken weel about Scotch reels, and Bell she'll be his partner, — she's gleg at the uptak, — sae come awa, and ye*ll just keep first the figure o' eight." Macdonald and Isabella were ready in an instant, but Llewellen feared the band would not be able to understand them ; — ** They'll surely understand reel time," said the anxious Miss MacGruther. Macdonald, upon inquiry, was^delighted to find that two of the band were from 143 LLEWELLEN. Lochaber in North Britain, and could play all the favourite highland reels of their country. Miss MacGruther now became a person of great consequence ; and the highland- ers, happy at the opportunity of gratifying their own ears with their national music, played with such spirit, that her joy be- came unbounded. The reel of Tulloch having now struck up, she was altogether inspired, and, wheeling and whirling, she performed the highland fling with so much dexterity, that the spectators stood back in amazement. ** Gie her room, gie her room ; oddsake, I maun hae a reel," cried a voice, in exta- cy ; and in a moment Dame Rice was seen bobbing on the floor. " Feckens," cried Moses, '' do you see mother where she is now ?" " Weel dune, that's your sorts, Scotland for ever,** exclaimed an elderly gentleman, with a yellow wig, at the same time whirl- ing himself into the middle of the dance, sprung, leaped, and snapped his fingers. LLEWELLEN. 14S bawling aloud, " Keep it up, keep it up ; old Scotland for ever ! oh, that I had ne- ver left auld Reekie.*' " Lowrd," exclaimed Miss MacGruther, " to think sae mony Scotch folks here, an' me no to ken.'* So saying, she caught Dame Rice in her arms, and they saluted each other with the kiss of friendship. The Scotch reels took so well, and pro- duced so much mirth, that the morning nearly dawned before the assembly thought of leaving the Castle. At length they be. gan to move off; and Miss MacGruther, Dame Rice, and the old gentleman, pledg- ing themselves to meet again ** an' hae a crack," retired to their several homes. 144' LLEWELLEN. CHAPTER XL There was a laughing devil in his sneer,) Thatrais'd emotions both of rage and fear; And where his frovvn of liatred darkly fell, Hope withering fled, and mercy sigh'd farewell. BiROK. ^EXT 'morning the Castle was hushed in repose until a late hour. A little before dinner, the family assembled in the draw- ing room, and began to discuss the amuse- ments of the preceding evening. ** I was in hopes," said Colonel Llewel- len, addressing Clara, and reflecting from his hitherto dark countenance the first smile that she had ever witnessed there, ** that my lovely inmate would have condescended to mix in the hilarity of i LLEWELLEN. 145 the evening, that exquisite form,'* continu- ed he, taking her rehictant hand, as she shrunk from the glare of his searcliing eye, " would have appeared superlatively ele- gant in the light movements of the dance ;" then pressing her hand to his lips, he with- drew. . Clara, astonished at this sudden and ardent address, followed him with her eyes to the door ; and when it closed, she continued to look as if fearful that he would return. At this moment Isabella tapped her upon the shoulder. ** I have a notion," said she, '* that yon old Don is a wolf in sheep's clothing." " Whom do you allude to/* asked the conscious Clara. " What a nice little step-mother it will make,'* said the still teasing Isabella, *^ to yon tall naughty boy ; but see he is com- ing to receive your commands." ** I fear,'* said Llewellen,** that there is high treason going forward. Appoint me the judge." ** If you be Prince of Wales, there cer- VOL. I. G 146 LLEWELLEN. tainly is, for Miss Dalziel insists that you are a wolf in sheep's clothing." " Believe me/' cried Clara, with an ear- nest look, " that I never mentioned your name." ** I do believe you.'* replied he, " who could see ^that look and not be- lieve you?" " So, so," cried Isabella, " when I say one thing she has nothing to do but look another, and her look must be believed in preference to my speech. 'Tis just the way with all judges, they never find a pret- ty face guilty. No, no, a fine thing truly to have dark blue eyes, and long black fringe to them." Dinner was now announced, and as Lle- wellen led Clara away, Mr Dalziel took the hand of his niece. " Come away, magpie," said he, " and tell me why this chatter- ing." " Dear Sir," replied she, " you should not have interrupted me ; I was reading Clara a lecture on prudence," Captain Macdonald offered his hand to Miss MacGruther, who, in giving her's. LLEWELLEN. 147 eurtesied and exclaimed, '^ Gin I wur ten years younger, Captain, I wad be better wordy o' your kindness." During dinner nothing remarkable 'oc- curred, save that Clara never raised her eyes but she encountered those of Colonel Llewellen fixed upon her face with an ex- pression that rendered her extremely un- comfortable, and she rejoiced when Matil- da withdrew* At tea Mrs Howel introduced the sub- ject of Julia's approaching marriage, which being to take place on the 2d of Janua- ry, made it necessary for them to return to the Parsonage. Matilda regretted the necessity that com- pelled them to leave her so early ; and turning to Julia, she ceremoniously com- plimented her upon the occasion. *' I am acquainted with the character of Mr Mor- ton," said she, in a condescending tone, ** from which I entertain no doubt of your happiness and comfort." Julia provoked at the protecting kind* 148 LLEWELLEN. Tiess thus assumed by one who had been the playmate of her early years, coldly bowed, but made no reply. "'.aoiinir Matilda, then, turning towards Clara, said in a listless unconcerned manner, '* i suppose we shall also be deprived of your society. Miss Dalziel, — you are one of the bride's maids; do you go to-morrow to the Parsonage?'* ii/i . iinn;: **Lowrd !" whispered Miss Mactjrruther in the ear of Henry, ** that's just the same as letting the Jassie ken that she's stay'd lang enouch; troth it's no that civil to speak to a body about leaving the house whan their no making mention o't them- sels." itohukyeer iml i9.i " I shall not yet go to the Parsonage, Madam," replied -Clara, somewhat indig- nantly, ** but it is my wish and intention to go home to-morrow." ^^'^vn snt ^vff " I hope," said Llewellen, who at this moment entered the room, " that my ears deceived me. I surely did not hear Miss Dalziel say that she intends leaving us to* morrow." LLEWELLEN. 11-9 " Miss Daiziel is indeed soon tired of us," replied Matilda,. " for such is her re- sohition.'* During this debate, (for Llewellen was using every argument to alter the deter- mination of Clara, in which Matikla seem- ed to second him,) Colonel Llewellen, con- trary to his usual custom of retiring to the library after dinner, appeared. Matilda seemed to pause for a moment, as if turning some scheme in her mind j then suddenly smiling tow^ards her fiither,, she said, ** Miss Daiziel intends leaving us to-morrow ; ^vill you add your entreaties to mine, Sir, and endeavour to make her al- ter her resolution." The Colonel shewed alarm at the mention of Clara's intended departure. *' Heaven forbid,*' said he, ** that Miss Daiziel should have the cruelty to deprive us so soon of her society. Nay, I cannot think of per- mitting her to do so," " Clara, w^holly at a loss, fixed her eyes upon her father, whom she sawapproaching^ 150 XLEWELLEN, *< Ah ! here Is Mr Daizlel," said the Colo- nel ; " he will not, I am sure, refuse to pro- long his visit. Your vote is wanted, my dear Sir,'* added he, ** and I earnestly en- treat that you will give it in favour of my daughter, who vainly has been urging a favour which Miss Dalziel refuses to grant." ** Yes," replied Matilda with an insinu- ating smile ; " I am certain that Mr Dal- ziel will not, by leaving us so soon, give us reason to suppose that we are no longer agreeable. Will you not, my dear Sir, condescend to remain with us a few days ?'* ** With all my heart," replied he frankly ; ** and I know that Clara could only wish to leave you from a fear that we intruded upon your time or engagements.'* The Colonel then challenged Mr Dal- ziel to a game of Chess. Llewellen, a mo- ment wondered at the unusual suavity of his father's manner, and felt inclined the next to thank him for his successful inter- ference. LLEWELLEN. 151 -At an early hour the following morning, the Howel family left the Castle, and were accompanied part of the way by Mr Dal- ziel and Alfred. In their absence, Clara was somewhat at a loss for the means of amusement ; for Matilda, complaining of a headache, seem- ed averse to conversation — Miss MacGru- ther kept her own apartment, and, being really fatigued, did not wish to be disturb- ed. Isabella was carrying on an idle flir- tation with Captain Ilonald and some other officers ; Clara felt"* no inclination to join them as she was deficient in the necessary repartee that gives a zest to chattering of this kind. She therefore stole unobserved from the room, that she might enjoy a w^alk, and traverse alone the pleasure grounds belonging to the Castle. She found them very extensive, and following the course of the river, lost herself among the thick evergreens that shaded her path. The fallen leaves crisped beneath her feet, and, attracted by their variegated hues, she 15^ LLEWELLEN. began to select some of. the most sho^vy from amongst them. oaan While thus employed, she was startled at the sound of approaching footsteps, and to her amazement saw that Colonel Llewel- len had followed her. Alarmed, she knew not why, she was about to return to the Castle ; but seeing her intention, he sud- denly caught her band, ai]d,passionately exclaimed, yvyy ^^k nor^/^ooo ^int f^^ ** Clara Dalziel, I Jove you to distrac- tion ! — how fortunate this meeting ? I came to throw myself at your feet, and to declare that I cannot live without you.'^ ** What means this conduct. Sir," said she, struggling for freedom ; " let go my.hand — you cannot be in earnest Colonel Llewellen — let me go I beseech you." ** ^Sooner will I expire than let you go, until' ' — — ^ciQqq^Bfi ^^n *' Colonel Llewellen," said she, " detain me at your peril — I am not the poor weak girl you seem to think me — this instant release me." *•■ Remember, Clara," replied he, while a lLewellek. 153 fiendish smile played upon his counten- ance, *' remember you are in my power — this is a lonely place that you have chosen." ** Good God 1" cried she frantickly, *^ where are my friends— where — where — " At this moment, a rustling among the bushes was heard ; the Colonel turned sud- denly, and beheld Captain Byron — " Here, quick,'' said he, ** be as vigilant on this occasion as you were when" " Stop," cried Byron, "we are observed." The Colonel made an effort to hurry Clara away ; she gave a piercing scream, and, al- most at the same moment, Isabella, who had gone in search of her, sprang forward. ** Merciful heaven ! it is the voice of Clara," said she. Byron hastily retreat- ed. ** Clara, my beloved, my dearest Cla- ra, oh what a dreadful cry w^as that ! What has happened?" continued she, fixing her enquiring eyes upon the face of Colonel Llewellen. The Colonel attempted to laugh. *' The young ladv is easily alarmed," said he ; •* let her inform her father that I am per- 15'i LLEWELLEN. fectly at his service, should he request an interview." He then walked away with as much composure as he could assume. He had not long disappeared when Lle- wellen came to the spot, and beheld Cla- ra weeping violently on the bosom of her cousin. *' Great heaven !'* said he, " what does this mean ? why those tears ? Some one, I fear, has terrified you, dearest Clara. Dear- est MissDalziel lean on my arm ; if any one has had the temerity to offend you, by heavens his blood shall answer for it !" " And why should you suppose that any one has offended me, Sir ?'* said she, with a look of wounded pride. Isabella, in the fulness of her heart, would have informed Llewellen of all she had been witness to j but she was silenced by the haughty man- ner in which Clara turned from him as she said, " My present grief. Sir, admits not of interference. I am not well, but will be better when I reach home, where I go immediately.*' LLEWELLEN, 155 " Are you indeed not well/' replied Llewellen, with the most tender anxiety. " And why, Miss Dalziel, would you go home on that account ? My sister will, I am eonvinced, feel proud of attending to your every wish. And — and — 1 — I — that is, I hope you will remain at the Castle." " My resolution. Sir, is fixed," replied she, in a determined voice $ ** I shall re- turn home this very hour.'* Clara, whose proud heart swelled with indignation, was not aware of the asperity or injustice with which she repelled the tender inquiries of Llewellen ; and he, de- jected and piqued, coldly bowed, and re- tired, when they reached the porch of the Castle. Clara then extorted a solemn promise from her cousin, that she would never ut- ter a syllable concerning the cause of her alarm ; and having sent for her father, who had but a short time returned from his walk with Llewellen, informed him that she was indisposed, and begged he }5% LLEWEM.EN. would oblige her by returning immediately to the cottage. In a state of the most painful anxiety, Mr Dalziel immediately prepared to com- ply with the request of his beloved child ; for hearing her complain, nothing short of death was present to his imagination. The whole house was suddenly thrown into confusion ; and in half an hour from the time that her wish was made known, having left his respects for the Colonel, (whose absence can be easily accounted for,) he left the Castle with his daughter. Miss MacGruther, and Isabella. Llewellen, shocked at the manner in which Clara disclaimed his attentions, had retired in a state of excessive agita- tion to his own apartment, from whence he saw her depart. He then went in search of his sister, and entered into conversation with her upon the subject. " I feel," said he, " the greatest per- plexity to account for Miss Dalziel's con- duct this morning. What could be the LLEW£LLE»'. 157 cause of her agitation in the shrub- bery r ** It is needless, Alfred, to waste con- jecture upon either the words or actions of Miss Dalziel : both are alike the off- spring of caprice, which, added to a most ungovernable temper, renders her little to be depended on at any time. She will smile one moment, and frown the next. However," continued she, appearing to speak with hesitating reluctance, *' the shrubbery scene is one that — requires ex- planation ; that is, if we are to have any future intimacy with Miss Dalziel. But really — I can't say I think that at all ne- cessary ; in which case we need give our- selves no further trouble, but merely drop the acquaintance.*' ** Matilda !" said Llewellen, as he drew his breath with difficulty, " What can you possibly mean ?" " I mean," replied she, " feigning not to observe the interest he took in her an- swer, " that Miss Dalziel's solitary walks are a little mysterious, — if not worse : for 15S LLEWELLEN, as she declined any attendance, but went forth alone, she must, of course, have ex- pected the gentleman whom I saw follow her to the shrubbery ; and I suppose some trifling love-quarrel had arisen between them, and caused the ill-humour of the morning. But what right have we to in- terfere with her affairs ?" " A gentleman ! — why — who was he ?— perhaps some ruffian had alarmed her. I will go this moment and make every pos- sible inquiry. Was Captain Byron here this morning ? Surely, Matilda, you must have known the figure of the villain. But I will seek him if the earth yet bears him.*' '' Stay, Alfred !" cried Matilda, catching him by the sleeve ; *' bless me, how ridicu- lously rash you are ; do not expose your- self j for be assured that Byron's was not the figure of the man I saw. Why do you thus alarm me about the fancies of this silly girl ? For shame, recollect yourself j it is time to dress for dinner." " I shall not dine at home 5 I am going to Mr Howers." LLEWELLEN. 159 " You are much too late.'' " No, no, they expect me, and will wait; I shall remain some days with them.'* The countenance of Matilda, in spite of all her efforts, shewed the vexation she felt. She thought her brother observed it ; and at once, making a merit of necessity, said, ** Well, then, dear Alfred, before you return, do me the favour of calling for Mr Dalziel, and of enquiring for his daugh- ter. This attention is necessary, and will save me the trouble of driving there my- self, as was my intention to have done to- morrow." ** Why not do so still, my dear sister ? Such attention will be more becoming on your part than mine." " If you wish it, Alfred, I will certainly do so ; though I own that I consider my- self extremely ill used by Miss Dalziel's abrupt departure. She might at least have taken the trouble to assign some reason for it." " She will probably do so yet ; for you know our beloved Mrs Howel says, that 160 LLEWELLEN. Clara Dalziei has the sweetest dlspositioDi, and the most perfect virtues, that she ever yet has witnessed in one so young." ** You know, Alfred/* replied Matilda, smiling ironically, ** that our most worthy Mrs Howel is a little romantic in her at- tachments ; besides she is fond of being a patroness ; and truly you must allow that her admiration of Miss Dalziei is very pre- mature.'* " Whatever Miss Dalziei may be," said Alfred, as the tears of affection glistened in his eye, ** Mrs Howel is herself the most perfect of human beings. — " Patroness ! No, Matilda, she was the friend of our mo- ther, and treated you with more than a mother's fondness. Ask Jacob what she is, and what she has done for us both.'' Matilda saw that she had gone too far, and assuming a tone of gentle reproach, she said, " Dearest Alfred, I hardly know you to-day ; you harrass my spirits by thus misconstruing my every word j 'tis un- kind. ' ** Forgive me," replied he, affectionate- LLEWELLEN. l6l ly taking her hand, ** I am, I own, unusu- ally irritable this morning ; — but adieu ; I shall be the better of a ride, and Jacob waits with my horse." He then departed, leaving Matilda with a mind oppressed with sensations the most tormenting. She had tried her brother too far respecting Clara ; and she called a coun- cil of her thoughts to resolve on her future conduct. Tlie difficulty she found in keep- ing the merits of Clara out of view, raised both her fears and her envy ; and constant- ly baffled in the attempt by some new at- traction in her unsuspecting victim, she began even to detest the sight of her. By- ron, too, whose affections she was jea- lous of to distraction, had declared, that if any one had power to move his heart to love, Miss Dalziel was the charmer on whom he would bestow it. In uttering this speech, Byron had no further view than to provoke Matilda, and to tease Llewellen, as he had penetration enough to see through the feelings of both. Of the prepossessions of Matilda in his own 16^ LLEWELLEN. favour he was fully aware, and seemed to take the highest delight in torturing her feelings by the extremes of caprice in his own conduct towards her. With many women, this conduct in the man they loved would have subdued affection, or created disgust. But with Matilda it was quite otherwise ; the neglect, and even con- tempt, with which he at times treated her, seemed but to encrease her attachment; and it might be said that she loved him to mad- ness. Yet too well did she know that she pos- sessed not wealth sufficient to fix the choice of Byron : wealth was alone the idol of his heart; and wealth was, he declared, the only object for whichhe would sacrifice his liberty to a wife. Matilda's sole prospect of fortune depended on her brother's generosity } she now found herself placed between two hazards ; on one hand, her brother might marry the portionless Clara, and blast her hopes ; on the other, they might be blasted by the increasing admiration of Byron to- wards her rival. LLEWELLEN. l6S She was not without suspicion, almost amounting to a certainty, of the real cause of Clara's alarm in the shrubbery. She had marked the conduct of her father on the preceding evening, and she was well aware that he was the person who had followed her to the walk. She knew from the nature of Clara's character and situa- tion, that it was not likely that the secret would be divulged by her ; and how to twist this supposed mystery to her own ad- vantage, was now the employment of her thoughts. Her management of this affair, and the result of her machinations, will be seen as we proceed. 164 LLEWELLEN, CHAPTER XII. Connubial love has clearer names, Finer tics, and sweeter claims, Than e'er unmarried heart can feel, Or married hearts can e'er reveal." Logan, Ihe morning after Clara's arrival at the cottage, the paleness of her countenance seemed to verify her plea of indisposition^ Mr Dalziel^ gi'eatly alarmed, spoke of sending instantly for medical advice -, biife she resolutely opposed it. Next day he and Isabella walked to- wards the Parsonage ; and Clara, thus left alone, was quietly seated at her work, when the door opened, and Llewellen en- tefed. LLEWELLEN. iGS ** I rejoice, Miss Dalziel," said he, " to see you look so well. Your abrupt depar- ture from the castle filled both my sister and myself with much uneasiness ; but at present I come commissioned by Mrs Howel to enquire for your health.'* ** I regret, Sir, that Mrs Howel has given you so much trouble, as my father and cousin have just gone to the Parsonage.'* ** Clara, beloved, dearest Clara, this cold reserve agonizes me. You cannot fail to see my heart and all its tenderness towards you ; tell me then, and tell me candidly, I beseech you, have I been guilty of any thing that has offended you ; if I have, heaven be my wdtness that it was unin- tentional." *' No, Mr Llewellen," said Clara, in a faultering voice, and growing extremely pale, " No, candour obliges me to confess that I am grateful for your many kind at- tentions." *' Oh Clara, be ever thus sweetly can- did," cried he with energy, " and think 166 LLEWELLEN. me not presuming if I ask one other ques- tion.'* ** No Sir, certainly not ; that is, if you give me liberty to answer as I please.*' " I have then the most earnest wish,*' added Llewellen, ** to learn the cause of your apparent distress, and the reason that made you quit the Castle so very sud- denly. My anxiety does not, beheve me, arise from idle curiosity, but from an ar- dent desire of seeking reparation on your account, if your alarm in the shrubbery admits of interference," ** Then rest assured, Mr Llewellen, that it does not admit of interference,*' replied she, trembling with agitation ; ** there- fore I entreat that it may no more be men- tioned ; and blot it, I beseech you, from your remembrance for ever.*' " That 1 never can do,*' said he warm- ly ; " but since the 'subject is distressing, T will not insist further, though to promote your happiness I would risk every worldly good — nay every" LLEWELLEN. liS? The conclusion of this speech, whatever it might have been, was interrupted by the appearance of MissMacGruther, who not at first observing the confusion imprinted on either face, exclaimed, «* T.owrd, Mr Llewel- len, in I had ken'd that ye wur here, I wud hae been shunner down.'* Then looking first at him, and then at Clara, she resumed ; " but troth, maybe after a' I'm come shun eneuch, for ye dinna seem that weal pleas'd to see me ; an* a tweel Tm no ane o' they that tak pleasure in thwarting true love ; sae rU just be stepping up the stair again, an' no let on that I was down at a'/' *' No my dear Madam, no, no, by no means,*' said Llewellen ; " let me beg that you will do me the favour to stay ; I was just going away, I meant to, to" ** Tm sure," said Miss MacGruther, after vainly waiting the conclusion of this hurried speech, '* I*m sure the deil maun hae pat it i' my head to come down at a*. I might hae stay'd where I was, and no come pacing here at sic a time ; but sin' it is sae, I may as weel bide an' hear your 168 LLEWELLEN. news ; for troth, to tell the truth, I was e'en right sorry to leave the bonny Castle sae shun ; an' if ane may judge sae was Miss Clara hersel' there, for a' that she was sae camstairy about it, for the tear stood blind i' her eye the lee-lang day she left you." Clara's eyes flashed fire. ** Miss Mac- Gruther, I beg, really Madam, I entreat, that is, I wonder what you mean by such ridiculous no — non" " A weel, a weel, I'se be quiet ; but mony 's the ane hides the thing they fain would tell ; and meikles the mischief that comes o't." Llewellen, observing that Clara seemed ready to faint with confusion at the ill- timed remarks of her loquacious friend, immediately took leave ; yet however much he compassionated her feelings, he felt within himself no desire to resent the in- sinuations of Miss MacGruther : and in taking leave he shook her hand with more than usual cordiality. When he was gone, Clara severely re- LLEWELLEX- 169 baked Miss MacGruther for the indelicacy of her expressions, while she, nettled at be- ing so reproved, maintained, ** That it was as plain as the nose on ane's face, that Mr Lie well en coudna live out o' her sight > and that whan he spak to her, her very heart was in her e'e, and what for wud they seek to hide what w^as sae natural. The return of Mr Dalziel and Isabella, now put an end to the dispute. They informed Clara that Julia was making preparations for her marriage, and hop- ed she would be sufficiently recovered of her indisposition to attend the ceremo- ny. Miss MacGruther, in great glee at the prospect of this event, was busy in arrang- ing her own dress ; she sung, and talked almost in one and the same breath, and appeared now wholly reconciled to her change of residence ; and even admitted that " Plinlimmon w^as just as bonny a hill as ony she had seen in her aiu Hi'- lands." VOL, I. H 170 LLEWELI^EN. The second of January was ushered in by a clear mild frost ; and Clara throw- ing aside her mourning habit, arrayed herself in a white robe The change was to her advantage ; and in spite of her na- tural modesty, she felt, on viewing her own person in the mirror, a few female flutter- ings of vanity. The toilet of Miss MacGruther being finished, she was heard descending the stair, singing to herself in excess of de- light. On arriving at the Parsonage they were introduced to thebridegroom,a young man of affable and good humoured dispo- sitions, though a description of his charac- ter is unnecessary; for Mr Morton was one of those easy sort of people who, if they escape censure, are careless of de- serving praise. When the marriage ceremony was con- cluded, Julia and her husband set off im- mediately for their own habitation, leaving their friends under mingled sensations of pain and pleasure— on one hand regretting LLE WELLE X. l71 the separation, on the other rejoicing at tlie cause of it. Matilda, on this occasion, was towards Clara all tenderness and love ; she termed her, friend, beloved friend, dearest of friends, Llewellen regarded his sister with dehght, while Clara secretly blamed her- self for not having sooner done homage to the virtues of so amiable a being. Henry too was entranced ; to him Ma- tilda was all mildness, all sensibility, and sweet compliance. She was on the eve of her departure for London with her brother, and was actuat- ed by the double motive of pleasing him by her attentions to Clara, and leaving fa- vourable impressions of herself on the minds of those she left behind* Before Llewellen took leave, he con- trived to say in the most affectionate tone to Clara, ** May I hope, Miss Dalziel, that I will live in your remembrance, until I again have the happiness of seeing you.'* Clara blushed deeply, but with a look of ineffable sweetness she extended her hand 172 LLEWELLEN. to him, and answered, *' I hope, Sir, that we shall soon meet. 1 mean,'* added she blushing still deeper, ** that Miss Llewel- len and you will soon return." For a moment Llewellen gazed in rap- ture upon her countenance, then wringing her hand, quickly left the room. Henry then in a hurried manner in- formed his parents that he intended to ac- to accompany Alfred to London ; and be- fore they had time to make further en- quiries, he packed up a few articles, and followed him. Thus deprived of the society of both their children, Mr and Mrs Howel besought Mr Dalziel and liis family to remain a few days at the Parsonage. L1EW£LLEN. 173 CHAP. XIII. Love riles the court, the camp, tlie grote, And men below, and saints above ; For love is h&aven, and heaven is love. Scott. " About what time of the year does Co- lonel Llewellen usually return to the Cas- tle," inquired Clara, as she sat tete-a-tete with Mrs Howel. ** In the end of May or beginning of June : — But do you much wish for their return, my love?'* ** No — yes — only on Miss Llewellen's account," replied Clara, with hesitation. *' Pray heaven, then, my beloved girl, that youfindhermoreworthyof your esteem than 174< LLEWELLEN. I fear, she has deserved mine ; for when 1 reflect upon her conduct towards Henry, —I tremble lest he become the victim of her caprice. But when she again returns, I have determined, if possible, to urge a confession of her sentiments. ' ** She certainly appears to encourage the addresses of Mr Howel," replied Clara; *' and if insincere, what motive can she have for doing so?" *' Yes," added Mrs liowel, *' she does indeed, bv a thousand courtesies draw forth vows of adoration from his lips ; and by half uttered sentences and hints gives him to understand that she returns his love ; — but again she slides from the subject, as if it pained her. My own opinion is, she has trifled so long with his attachment, that she now wants resolution to break the spell. Oh Clara," continued Mrs Hov>el, as the tears flowed rapidly over her cheek, * much do I fear that I shall live to see the wreck of his worldly happiness. When I re- flect on the probability of this, it seems an anticipation of the judgment of heaven. LLEWELLEN. 175 — a punishment which my too partial feel- ings have deserved, for making that boy so much the idol of my affections. He was my joy, my pride, the sole subject of my thoughts by day, and of my dreams by night. And shall this girl — this fiend," cried she, with an hysterical sob, " rob me of all that I hold most dear on earth. Yet, Clara, forgive me this one burst of emotion ; I am selfish thus to distress your feel- ings/' Clara w^as deeply affected. *• My dear- est Madam,'' said she, " I hope you view this matter in too strong a light ; Miss Llewellen may have reasons for her appa- rent inconsistency." '* She may," my love, " replied Mrs Howel solemnly ; " and for her own sake I trust she has better ones than those I sus- pect. Had I never seen her in company with Captain Byron, I had been more le- nient than I now find it possible to be. Alas ! much I fear that she bears a stronger resemblance to her father, than she does to her am.iable, ill-fated mother.'* 176 LLEWELLEN, " Was Mrs Llewellen, then, unhappy ?" " She was indeed unhappy," replied Mrs Howel, '* though deserving of a better fate. Her marriage with the Colonel was wholly against her inclination ; and I have obscurely heard she was decoyed from her father's house, and terrified into compliance with his wishes. Her death was very sud- den, and dreadful were the whispers that went abroad concerning it. It was said that the Colonel himself was the immediate cause ; that he gave her a potion ; — but I see, my dear Clara, that you shrink with horror ; let us then drop the subject." Clara was about to answer, when Mr Howel entered, and introduced a stran- ger by the name of Lord Bellington. His Lordship informed Mrs Howel that he was a debtor to her husband's politeness, as an accident had happened to the wheel of his carriage, which placed him in an awkward predicament, but, meeting with Mr Howel, he had been directed where he could have the injury repaired, and procure accommodation for himself and servants. LLEWELLEN. 177 *^ I have been looking at a liouse in the neighbourhood," said his Lordship, '' which it was my intention to purchase for a siioot- ing residence." Mr Dalziel immediately recognised Lord Bellington as a former acquaintance, having been in the earlier part of his gay career very intimate v/ith his lady mother, for whom he kindly enquired. This circumstance soon banished all res- traint from the mind of the stranger j and the conversation soon became easy and general. There was not much to admire in either the personal appearance or conversation of his Lordships both were effeminate; while the feebleness of his mind rendered him at a loss to express the few ideas he seemed to possess. Time, in spite of all that fortune had done for him hung frequently with a dull and heavy weight upon his Lordship, and with a view to get the better, in some degree, of this formidable enemy he had taken the present excursion to Wales« h2 3 7^ LLEWELLEN. His companions of the chase' were not expected to join him until he had pre- pared suitable accommodation for their re- ception ; he was therefore for the present well pleased to avail himself of the invitation he had received from Mr Howel, of spend- ing as much of his leisure hours at the Par- sonage as he found agreeable. Attracted by the lively turn of Isabella's mind, his Lordship listened with delight to all her whimsical sallies, and finding himself no where so happy as in her presence, he be- came a daily guest at the Parsonage. Isabella was not long of discovering the influence she had gained, and secretly determined not to allow an opportunity to escape, of at once making her fortune, and freeing herself from the tyranny of her father. She therefore exerted her- self so succesfully to please his Lordship, that he sought the earliest opportunity of securing to himself so deHghtful a companion for life 5 and having found her loitering near the house alone, he request- ed that she would prolong her walk, and LLEWELLEN. 179 just take a peep at the shooting residence he had purchased, but of which he could not get possession until the season was somewliat farther advanced. Isabella con- sented. They had not proceeded far on their way, when his Lordship, after hem- ming two or three times, as if some- thing impeded his utterance, at length said : " Do you know, ma'am, that I never saw any body but you, that I never tired of being with j for you are always so gay and lively, that I think— I really think that I would like to be always beside you." " Indeed," said she, ** but that would be very tiresome." ** Oh no, it wouldn't," replied his Lord- ship ; •' it would be just delightful." Then coming a little closer, and taking her hand, he continued, as he looked in her face, '* Do but think how merry we should be always." ** ButI would tire of being always merry." " Oh, but then you might be grave some- times-" ** But what if I liked to be always grave.*^ 180 LLEWELLEN. ^' Ah, but you wouldn't be so cross* Your face is not formed to look grave ; but do you know nothing tires me so dreadful- ly as a long white serious face — it is quite a bore." " I always thought a long face was hand- some." ** Your face is just of the turn that suits my fancy," said his Lordship ; " and I'm sure I wish, I really wish, that you would think about it." '* Think about what," cried Isabella laughing ; " about my face do you mean." ** No, no, now you are teasing — you know very well whatl mean ?" " Not I indeed j do you know yourself what it is." " Why, you know very well how much I love you, and you know that I wish a- bove all things that you would be Lady Bellington ; and I want to know what you think of it before I go back to London." " Aye, and when you know my mind, you will go back to London, and forget you ever saw me." " No ; but you are mistaken. I will Hever forget you unless you say you wont have me, and then you know it would be quite foolish to be grieving about what I couldn't help, and so I would try to forget it all as soon as I could get it out of my head/' " But how [did it all come into your head?'' " Why just because you are always so merry and lively. The London girls look at one always as if they were like to laugh at one ; and then my Lady Belling- ton does not like me to go any where with- out her, and a mother always following one is quite a bore but will you consent, and make me the happiest of men ?" They were now in sight of the shooting resi- dence, and his Lordship, with an air of importance, pointed it out. " Well then," replied Isabella, " if you keep in the same mind until you come back to take possession of that superb house, I will make my curtesy. — But you know that I must get permission from my 182 LLEWELLEJ?-. parents, before I dispose entirely of my sweet self, and they are both abroad." "1 know that, but I have been thinking about it a great while, — but must we wait ? it will be a dismal time to be waiting for their return.'* " They will be home before autumn, and you have full employment till then in shooting the crows, you know." <* Oh, I am the happiest man in the world," cried he, *' and the luckiest too, for you are such a bewitching girl, and you sing so well, and I am so fond of sing- ing." At this moment Mr Dalziel and his daughter overtook them ; and after view- ing the house they returned to dinner, accompanied by his Lordship. As soon as Lord Beilington departed, Clara was made acquainted {with his pro- posals. She sincerely congratulated Isa- bella upon her opening prospects, and wished her every happiness. *' My gentle swain is no great head- piece/' replied Isabella j " but when I re- LLEW ELLEN. ISS fleet, dear coz, what an unhappy home I have to return to, I would almost be temp- ted to run off with a bellows-mender to escape it. My poor mother is very peev- ish, it must be owned; and the manners of my father too just a cause for lamenta- tion. Yet mention not his Lordship's suit to my uncle, for I much suspect that he has chosen me, as he did his house, mere- ly for the sake of novelty, and ten to one if he ever come back to take possession of either." Clara promised obedience ; and in a few days after Lord Bellington set out for London, engaging to return at the shoot- ing season. Clara, for want of other em- ployment, undertook to execute a full length picture of Alfred Llewelien. ** I design it," said she ** for a gift to Mrs Hawel. See, my dear cousin, do you know the re- semblance of this miniature ?" *' It is the very face of Alfred," replied Isabella. *' Ah, coz, you are an exact observer, for behold you have truly sketched the very curl that adorns his cheek j that which a lS4f LLEWELLEN. thousand times I have wished to embezzle for your sake.'* •* I think/' replied Clara, ** I can easi- ly enlarge it." ** Oh most easily, for it is already en- graved in living characters upon that little simple heart of your's ; but have you all the materials fitted for such a task ?" ^^ I have," replied Clara. " I commis- sioned them by the last box from London ; and vi^hen the task is finished I shall pre- sent it to Mrs Howel." The conversation was here interrupted by the entrance of the servant with letters for each of the ladies ; that of Clara was from Julia Howel, and ran as follows : — *' Convinced, my dearest Clara, of the sincerity of your friendship, I will write, though my doing so will try your pa- tience, for how can a country parson's wife escape being an egotist. Ah ! Clara, I am happy beyond description — how can I be otherv/ise — my husband is the best LLEWELLEN. 185 of men, and though not rich we have all we want. ** I will give you an account of how I spend my time. In the morning I rise betimes, and take a walk w^ith my husband. "When we return, old Mrs Morton has all things comfortable for the breakfast ; after that I feed my poultry ; my husband then re- tires to his study, and I walk a short time with his aged mother, who lectures me on the subject of economy and prudence. When we return, Mr Morton joins us in the parlour ; his mother takes her wheel, and I my work, while he reads to us some book of am.usement. We take a short w^alk again, and Mrs Morton prepares all things for our return to dinner ; after that she takes her nap, w^hile Mr Morton and myself sit chattering beside her. After tea, I play backgammon to amuse Mrs Morton, while my husband is again in his study ; and thus, Clara, passes each day ©f my uneventful life. Say all you caa 1 86 LLEWELLEN. that Is kind and grateful to my parents and believe, &c. *' Julia Moutotst." " Ah !** cried Isabella, throwing down the letter, which she had been silently reading, ** my mother has much to answer for/' *^ How so, my dear ?" said Clara, asto- nished. *' How could she swear to love, honour, and obey the writer of this letter ? Do bu| listen while I read it." **' Dr. Tib. — After an infernal squal we got safe to this place ; and now we are just about to leave it again. The poor, feck- less creature, that your mother makes such a rumpus about, has gone out of the v/orld. You women are cursed bad company at the best ; but as you get old it is the devil and all. Your mother must make things worse, by screeching and wailing after 'tother old v/oman. Devil take m.e ! if I don't wish thev ILEWELLEN. 187 had both gone together, and left me to re- turn home by myself. But get you home as fast as you can, and have the house ready for our reception when we return to Old England : And, faith, Vm not sure if I'll stay there long either ; for I've some thought of going to old Muck, to look a- bout for a husband to you ; one that is like myself: for, hang me 1 if I think much of the fellows in these here parts : a parcel of carpet puppies, that don't understand what a man is saying to them. ** Your loving father, " Angus MacGruther.'* ** Ah, Clara ! had my mother not been more respectable as an unmarried woman, but women are so terrified for the term Old Maid, that they often marry from no view whatever but to escape it.*' ** True," said Clara, " and yet unmar- ried women might be very happy if thej would allow themselves to be so -, and of- ten are so. I am convinced, that many 188 LLEWELLEK. women remain single from choice, and, if independent, they are generally the most cheerful and pleasant beings in the world ; for 'tis poverty that ren- ders old unmarried women peevish and discontented ; — but will you allow me to read JuHa's letter aloud to you, it will put you in good humour again with matrimo- ny." Clara then read it over. *' Is this, then, not a pleasing picture ?'' said she. ** I cannot say I think so," replied Isabel- la, who was wholly out of humour at the idea of returning home; ** for feeding hens, listening to the lectures of tiresome old women, and dodging about the fields with a stupid husband, gives me no idea of hap- piness." " She does not say that her husband is stupid," observed Clara, laughing. ** She has forgot to mention it then, but he must be stupid, — all husbands are stu- pid in the country. I declare," continued she, shedding tears as she spoke, " if my Gross father insists on taking me to Muck LLEWELLEN. 189 with him, I will run off with the first gyp- sey that comes to the door/' " My dear Isabella, you forget Lord Bellington." *^ Ah, coz, you do not know my father. If he has taken it into his head to go to Muck, he will force me to go thither in spite of all the lords in the creation.'* " Do not let such fears disturb our pre- sent happiness, dear Isabella. Your father cannot expect, in the mean time, that you will obey him in going to London alone, and your uncle will not allow it. Do not let this vex you then. We know not what real miseries yet await us. Do not let us deserve them, by yielding to imaginary ones. We are happy at present. Let us remain so, while we can, dearest cousin, and dry those tears. You know not how much they distress me." ** My beloved Clara," cried Isabella, " I will not distress you. Let us, then, forget this letter, and be as we were be- fore it came," Towards evening all dis- 190 LLEWELLEN. agreeable impressions were effaced from the mind of Isabella ; and the following day was appointed for the removal of Mr Dalziel and his family from the cottage ; for Mrs Howel's entreaties could no longer prevail in detaining them. Next morning, as they were preparing for their departure, Henry arrived -, but how unlike the gay Henry that he had been when he left them. His person emaciated ; his countenance pale as death: and when his parents fondly inquired the cause of his apparent illness, he answered them with irritable impatience, and soon retired to his own apartment. Clara had therefore no opportunity of inquiring for the Llewellens ; and as Mrs Howel seem- ed absorbed with anxious thoughts on ac- count of her son, they returned home, where Clara past the yet gloomy months in sketching the picture of Llewellen. The only interruption she met with was occasional visits from the Howel fami- ^ LLEWELLEN. 191 Mrs Howel informed her that her pre- dictions respecting Matilda's conduct to- wards Henry were to well founded." 192 LLEWELLEN. CHAP. XIV. Some books are lies frae end to end, And some great lies were never penn'd. Burns, Xne storms of winter were now hushed, and spring courted the daisy and primrose to raise their little heads. «* I'm just thinking, Bell," said Miss Macgruther, as she looked from her win- dow; " I'm just thinking that a bodie might gang safely owr the length o' the farm, an' see what Mrs Rice has been a- bout, an' be hame again afore dark." " Very easily," replied Isabella ; " and if you have a mind to go I will walk that length with you ; for it is impossible to get Clara to stir from that picture." I LLEWELLEX. 1§S *^ The lassie's owrgane in love," said Miss MacGruther, " an' as well let her alane ; sae mak' ready, Bell, for I think I wud like to be stapping." Isabella obeyed, and, taking a short way over the hill, they soon reached the farm, and knocked for admittance. The door was opened by a little Scotch girl, and the ladies inquired for Mrs Rice. ** Did ye no ken," said she, with a look of wonder, ** that mistress's no weel." " No weel !" said Miss MacGruther ; Dear sirs ! what is't that ails her ?" " Aye, Mame, 1 dinna ken ; but she's had e'en a sair time o't." *' Tell her," said Miss MacGruther, " that I was wanting to see her." *' What's yere wull, Mame ?" " Tell her," said Isabella, ** that Miss MacGruther wishes to see her." The girl, on hearing the name, said, with alacrity, ** On, aye, I'll do that ; an' I'm thinking she'll no refuse." After waiting a few moments at the VOL. I. I 19 L LLEWELLEN. door, tliey heard the shrill voice of the girl calling to them, " Come up the stairs, leddies.*' They obeyed instantly, and were invited into a room, where sat the invalid, bent almost double in her chair, and twisting her face in sundry grimaces, denoting the pain with which she was racked. " Oh, dear sirs 1" cried she, in doleful whine, " I'm sure I'm unco glad to see you. Sit down, sit down ; for deed I'm no able to rise. Waes me ! but I'm in an unco condition !" *' I'm grieved to see you," said Miss MacGruther j " but what is'tye complain o'?" " Waes a winnus 1" cried Mrs Rice, distorting her face, " for thae pains hin- ner a bodie frae speaking ; but deed. Miss MacGruther, it was a' on account o' Mo- sey, dour loun that he is ! that I'm redu- ced to this extremity : for he had na been looking weel for some days bypast, and didna seem to stamock his meat like's ord'ner. An's faither just sent owre a bit I LLEWELLEN, 1 9-5 note to the doctor, and he's an unco man for sair dozes o* medicine ; — an', ye see, he sends owr a pouther, — and a dear pen* ny worth it was, — and pat the gude man in an ill tune the hale day ; for he grudg- ed the siller. But what think ye, after it was a' mixed an' ready, and me stan'ing Avi' a lump o' sugar to put the taste frae's mouth, nane leeving cou'd gar Mosey let't atween his jaws. Sae what cou'd I do, ye ken, for's no like a bairn that a bodie could toss owr a knee and had's nose. Sae I'was e'en obliged to yield, though sair again my wull; and 1 didnalike to tell the gudeman for fear that he had strak the laud. But w^han I looked to the cup, and saw't stan'ing, I thought it was a pity the gude pheesic shud be lost, sae I just geed it a cast owr my ain throat." " But ye was weel eneuch afore," said Miss MacGruther, ** what for wus ye sae foolish ?" ** Ou, deed aye, dear, I wus weel e- neuch ; but 1 thought I might be better : an' sair, sair, hae 1 suffer't for't." J 96 LLEWELLEN. '* But did ye no send for the doctor, an* tell him yere case ?" asked Miss MacGrii- ther. ** Doctor ! a wee! a wat no. Fallow- like chield that he is, to gang for to send any body sic an unconscionable dose. It's just a meericle that Tm in life, that it is ; an' I'm no the fule to send for him to murder me outright." — Then stopping a moment for breath, Mrs Rice again resumed, — ** A wheen villans making folk's stamach just a repository to baud their drogs. Na, na, in I dinna get weel without his help, yU never be weel in this yearth." " My dear freen," replied Miss Mac- Gruther, *' ye'll hurt yoursell gin ye be sae rampageous. Ye're speaking owr heigh for ane in your condition ; an's no Chris- tian-like to be sae unforgeeing. The puir doctor did na ken that ye was to swallow the drog." " And what the better is he for that ?'» continued Mrs Rice, still exalting her voice as she cast an angry look upon her friend. ** Odd ! in it had na gane by good luck down my ain throat, it might hae LLEWELLEX. 1^97 murdered my bairn. Troth, Miss Mac- Gruther, ye speak like ane that never was a mother. My puir Mosey might at this moment o' time been lying a dead coi'pse, in it had na been for the interposition o' Him that rules a'. An a waefu' sight am I my sell. I'm just mooted awa' te nae- thing. I'm no half the buik I was." *' Weel, weel, baud yere tongue, and no be sae angersome, an' I'se lay ye a wager that I'll gie ye something mysell that will raak' ye right in nae time." Miss Mac- Gruther then drew from her pocket a small phial. " This," continued she, ** is the essence o' peppermint, and its fine for al- laying o' pains, and making ane feel com- ibrtable ; sae ye'll just dropt on a bit su- gar, an* put it i' yere mouth." *• O thanks to ye, I'm sure I'm muckle obleeged to you," replied Mrs Rice ; ** but I'm sorry to deprive ye o't yoursel." *' Oh ye needna heed that, for Miss Dalziel's a bit kindly lassie ; an' whan she's commissioning frae Lunnen things for herself, she minds a' my bits o' wants." 198 LLEWELLEN. " She has a winsome kindly luik i' her eye, and a weelfard bonny creature she is in truth/' replied Mrs Rice. *' I hope," said Isabella, who hitherto had kept silent from the irresistible in- clination she had to laugh, " I hope that Master Moses is now perfectly recovered. '^ " 'Deed no, my dear," answered Mrs Rice, ** he's no that weel yet, an' he's just vsae heartless an' down i' tlie mouth that I'm wae to look upo' him." ** I suspect he's in love/' replied Isa- bella. ** Haith ye^re nae sae far wrang there na, Miss ; for sure eneuch he's lang had a sort o' kindness to a neebour's daughter o' ours, ane Grizzy Primrose, an' the wild halicat hizzie's late lane up wi' a kind o' a fiddler chiel that cam to the town teaching dancing; and I wudna v/unner in't were just some bit slight o' that kind that's gard our Mosey look sae bleer'd about the e'en this whilic : but sorry be on her an' I get my tongue owre LLEWELLEN. 199 lier, I'll shoon mak her ken what it is to cast her airs in the face o* her betters.'* " I thought/' replied Isabella, with mock gravity, that it was likely Mr Moses would wish to marry Miss Llewellen." '• Hoot, ye're casting your jibes now. Miss Easybelly. Miss Llewellen's owre heigh for the like o' him, puir fallow, though she may meet waur folk in her day 5 but, oh, she's a gaudy creature that, for she's a tongue that wud suck the lav'rocks out o' the lift ; an' to my think- ing she aye maks the maist fraise whan she means least gude. But Maister Al- fred's the free hearted laud — Oh he's the stately pleasing creature, an' has aye something humoursome to say to a' body." '* I think na muckle o' her mysel," said Miss MacGruther, *' though I'm right fond about her brother ; but I'm much mistaen, freend, gin thae draps hisna been the means o' great relief to you ; ye hae quite anither sort o' look i' your e'e siu' ye took them," -00 LLEWELLEN* s " Haith an' that's true,'* replied the dame, ** for sure eneuch I'm easier, and thanks be to you for the remedy." '* Then fare-ye-weel the day," said Miss MacGruther, rising, *' and I'll shoon be back to see you, an' I'm in hopes it'll no be lang till ye get your feet again. Gude day, gude day, an' I'm sure I'll no readily forget yere kindness, an' be blythe to see ye whanever ye can come ovvre this length." Miss MacGruther and her niece then departed, and at the gate they were met by Mr Moses himself. " I'm sorry. Sir," said Isabella, " to un- derstand that you have been complaining." ** That's some o' mother's clavers now," replied he sulkily, *^ dang her, she's al- ways speaking about things she has no business with." " What'na jemmy-like pair's yon com- ing owre the lea," said Miss MacGruther, stretching her neck as she looked for- wards. LLEWELLEN. 201 Mr [Moses turned sullenly round, ** Dang it," said he whimpering, and the tears actually rolling over his cheeks, *' if it be'ant Miss Grizzy going away with Frisk the dancing master." This speech was hardly concluded when Miss Grizzy bouncing up to him, pertly asked how he felt himself now? and, heedless of the real distress imprinted on his countenance, she held up her hand to him, saying, '* See jo what I have got on my finger, a wedding ring, dearie." At this moment Frisk stepped up and giggled in his face. Moses turned about and cursing him for a fiddling toad, broke away and walked into the house. Miss MacGruther taking no farther notice of Miss Grizy, pursued her way with Isa- bella to the cottage, which they reached just as the sun withdrew his beams. i2 SO'2 LLEWELLEN. CHAP. XV Ok, if a ray of hearen descend on eartli, 'Tis when, in spring of life, loves kindling flame, Refines the virtues, as it gives thein birth, Exalting and ennobling every aim, Making by kindly glow two souls the same. CONA. Month after month rolled on in vapid tranquillity, until the shooting season re- turned, to glad the heart of dog and sports- man ; when Clara having finished the picture, enclosed it in a handsome frame, and dispatched it as a present to Mrs Howel. It represented Alfred as she had first beheld him ; his head carelessly rest- ing upon the withered branch of an old oak ; his black hair was finely swirled a- jound his sun burnt face, — his eyes were raised and fixed as if contemplating the LLEWELLEN. 203 clouds that rolled above, — his hat had fallen to the ground, — and his favourite dog lay panting at his feet. Clara having given it in charge to two country lads, loaded them with directions to be attentive to its safety, and sent along with it a comphmentary note to Mrs Howel. Feeling their burden rather cumber- some, the men sat down to rest at some distance from the cottage, and began to examine the painting. While thus em- ployed, they were accosted by a gentleman who suddenly came up to them. " What is that, my lads ?" said he. " Oh, lud have mercy," cried one of them ; ** for sure the picture has walked out of the frame." "What do you mean?*" enquired Lle- wellen, who had returned to Wales but the day before, and who was now thus far on his way to the cottage. " What is this ?'' said he turning the picture up to view. 204 LLEWELLEN. ** Sir, Sir, take care," cried both the men in one breath. " Oh Sir, if that picture comes to hurt, Miss Dalziel will never par- don us ;" — " and I would break my arm/' continued one of them, *' before I would go for to vex so sweet a lady.'* ** Miss Dalziel 1" said Llewellen in a- mazement ; '• is this the performance of Miss Dalziel ; and where are you carrying it to ?" ** To Mrs Howel, Sir, our parson's lady." " I shall return with you then," said Llewellen, who anxiously longed for a fur- ther explanation." " Very well, Sir/' said the lad ; " but I thought that you was going toother way." Arrived at the Parsonage, Mrs Howel quickly broke the seal of Clara's note, which entreated her acceptance of Mr Llewellen's picture, adding, that she well knew it was the most valuable gift she could offer. *' Well said, my artless Clara/' cried Mrs Howel laughing." *VSo, Alfred, she be- lieves that this form of yours is the most valuable present that she could bestow 'llewellen. ^05 on me — forgetful all the while that I have a son whose form would almost do equal honour to the canvass; and who I rather think ranks before you in my affections ; yet I hardly, believe that I love either of you so well as I do the artist herself." Mr Howel was, if possible, still more de- lighted than his lady ; — he alternately prais- ed the artist and the painting, and seem- ed never w^eary of the gracious theme. Llewellen was himself in a state little shoit of extacy J — he viewed the picture over and over again — placed it in different lights — went near — stood at a distance — did any thing, and every thing but withdraw his eyes from it. " Bew^are Alfred," said Mrs Howel, " lest you become a second Narcissus." He blushed, and seated himself; but suddenly springing up again, said that he was going to call for Mr Dalziel. *' Nay," added Mrs Howel, " you had better remain where you are, it is late, and dinner waits 5 let us drink together the 2GG llewellen. health of the dear girl who thus has hon- oured you and complimented me.'' Clara had no sooner dispatched the pic- ture than she received the following note from Matilda: ** My dearest Clara, — I arrived yester- day at the Castle, and nothing but extreme fatigue could prevent me from waiting on you this evening. Would it be presum- ing too far on your affection, to entreat that you would come over to-morrow morn- ing and breakfast with me— we shall be quite alone — my father is still in London— my brother, with all the impatience of a sportsman, has already gone with Mr How- el on a shooting excursion, and their return is uncertain. I am my beloved Clara's most devoted friend, " M. l;* Matilda, whose every action sprung from some selfish motive, was not without design in sending this early invitation, nor was her purpose at this time frustrated. Clara LLEWELLEN. 20? keenly felt Llewelleii's indifference, who thus had left home without the smallest recollection of her existence ; yet she de- termined to shew her gratitude to Matil- da, and therefore accepted the invitation, and arose at an early hour the following morning. The sun was intensely hot, and having ascended the steep which led to- wards the Castle, breathless with fatigue, she sat down on a seat of moss, when her attention was arrested by the prattling of a child, whom she heard say : " Mammy loves you better than all the world, but only me myself." — But what were her sensations when she recognised the well known voice of Llewellen in re- ply : *^ Yes, my dearest Ellen, love me al- ways, and tell mammy to love me always too ; for while I live, neither she nor you shall ever know a want ; but come away, my love, I will lead you home to mammy." " Until this moment Clara had never known how dear Llewellen was to her heart; and now, like one pierced by some deadly ^©8 LLEWELLEN. shaft, she sprung upon her feet, but re- mained imoveably fixed to the spot ; and ere she had time for recollection, Llewellen had seized her hand, and was uttering a thousand expressions of joy at finding her thus unexpectedly. New to deceit, and incapable of assuming manners that were foreign to* her feelings, Clara could only gaze in mute agony upon the little stran- ger — her silence astonished Alfred — the girl looked up with wonder in her face, and every hope of happiness fled when Clara beheld in its countenance the most exact resemblance to the features of Lle- wellen. Alfred observed the attentive gaze that she had bestowed upon the child, and was about to speak, when, raising her eyes, she fixed them in his face with an expres- sion so severely scornful, that the words died upon his tongue, and he suffered her to pass without attempting to detain her. When the tumult of her heart had a lit-" tie subsided, Clara was covered with con- fusion at the recollection of the part she LLEWELLEN. 209 liad acted, ** What right," said she, * have I to judge so rashly by appearances ? or, admitting that my suspicions were true, what right had I even thus tacitly to cen- sure the actions of Mr Llewellen ? Humbled by a sense of her own mis- conduct, she had hardly spirit sufficient to return the gratulations of Matilda, During breakfast, she felt entirely at a loss to sustain her part in conversation ; yet not willing to be silent, she hastily, and without prelude, introduced the sub- ject of Lord Bellington's arrival, and dis- cussed his merits with a rapidity of speech wholly unlike the usual composure of her manner, — for she was rather the support than the leader of conversation. Matilda eagerly devoured each word. My brother is safe thought she ; but Clara, whose every thought was confusion, began now to enlarge upon his Lordship's admira- tion of her cousin, and, with an indelicacy foreign to her nature, expressed her own satisfaction at so flattering a distinction. SIO LLEWELLEN. The countenance of Matilda fell at be- ing thus undeceived regarding his Lord- ship's intentions. The conversation was hardly concluded when Llewellen entered the room; but uncertain what might be the cause of Clara's displeasure, he did not attempt any vindication until he should have an opportunity of speaking with her alone. He soon therefore pleaded some engagement, and left the ladies tete- a-tete. At an early hour Clara took leave, and Matilda sent her home in the carriage. When arrived, she found Isabella in a state of mind almost as perturbed as her own. Lord Bellington had called, and had set- tled every thing to her satisfaction, and begged that she would not postpone the period of his happiness by useless delays ; but she had received also a letter from her mother, which commanded her home; and from the gloomy tenor in which it was written, promised little enjoyment when there ; it was also extremely doubtful if ker capricious flither would approve the LLEWELLEN. 21 1 proposals of Lord Bellington, however ad- vantageous they might be. The idea of parting with her beloved cousin was a new shock to Clara ; and the youthful friends retired to rest with very different sensa- tions from any that had yet oppressed them. When Llewellen left the Castle, nothing was further from his intentions than to shackle himself with any engagement that could interrupt the delightful associations of his own heart. The first idea he had when he returned to V/ales was that of learning, if possible, the state of Clara's af- fections ; and though Matilda alleged that he had gone on a shooting excursion, she had too much reason to suspect the con- trary. She knew that he would call that day at the cottage, and she wished to be present at their first interview. In this design she would undoubtedly have been baffled, as Llewellen, the very day of his arrival, was on his w^ay to the cottage when turned by meeting with the picture. That 21^ LLEWELLEN. occarrence, together with the suspicions that had filled the breast of Clara on behold- ing the child, and the displeasure she had evinced, were but proofs of the state of her affections. Under these impressions Llew- eiien wandered about, meditating upon the bright prospects that awaited him, and to- wards evening he returned to inform Ma- tilda of his sentiments, and to make her a sharer in his satisfaction. He found her sit- ting alone ; and suspecting what would be the import of his conversation, she placed herself so as to shade from his notice the w^orkings of her countenance. " My dear- est Matilda," said he, ** I come to claim your confidence — but perhaps you already suspect the state of my heart. Ah ! my sister, do you not see tliat my whole hap- piness depends on the love of Clara DaU ziel, and I have come to the resolution of declaring myself immediately, — but unfor- tunately I believe she is at present rather offended with me. You know the strik- ing resemblance which EHen bears to me* LLEWELLENw 213 This morning she beheld me fondling this little urchin, and I fear had suspicions injurious to my character ; — can you not contrive to inform her who the child real- ly is." '* Not without injuring the name of my father, Alfred ; — but have you reason to suppose that Miss Dalziel returns your af- fection, because, from the nature of her conversation with me this mornings I was led to beheve that she is not indifferent to Lord Bellington ; — perhaps you are ig- norant that he has hired a house in this neighbourhood, for the express purpose of being near the cottage.'* Llewellen was thunderstruck ; — he grew pale and staggered to a seat ; but the agony of his mind hardly surpassed that which Matilda felt herself. She knew that Bellington could only serve as a temporary means to forward her schemes, as his in- tended alUance with Isabella would soon become public. Oh Matilda!" cried Llewellen, starting 214, LLEWELLEN. suddenly from his seat, and pacing the room in agony, " if you could have known the misery you have caused me, you would have withheld this hated information," Witnessing the anguish of her brother, Matilda was dismayed ; she felt alarmed at the success of her own perfidy, — she could have wished to.retract what she had ut ^ tered ; — she attempted to speak, but the tremor of her lip denied the power of ut- terance, and ere she had gained the neces- sary composure Lie weilen had left the room, and she heard him drav/ the bolt of his apartment. Her first determination was to undeceive him, and to allow all things to take their natural course ; but her agi- tation had hardly subsided, when her evil genius again whispered the disadvantage which such a determination would prove to her own views ; she then endeavoured to persuade herself that Alfred would soon regain his former peace of mind, and when they returned to London she would make it her study to get him settled to her LLEWELLEN. 2]5 satisfaction, and that in doing so she would consult his happiness, as much as it was possible to do without injury to her own interests. The following morning, at an early hour. Lord Bellington called at the cottage : he was informed that Mr Dalziel was from home, and that Isabella was busily engag- ed in writing for the post, but that he would find Clara in the garden. Thither he imme- diately went ; and Clara now seeing in him the future husband of her beloved Isa- bella, continued to walk and converse with confidence and familiarity. Llewellen, de- termined to know the worst, called in the meantime with the intention of talking on the subject nearest his heart, either with Mr Dalziel or with Clara herself. He was informed that Mr Dalziel was from home, and would not return till the evening. He next inquired tor Isabella. She v*'as writing, and had given orders not to be disturbed. And, lastly, he asked for the only object that employed his thoughts, for Clara herself. ^16 ' LLEWELLEN. " Miss Dalziel was in the garden walk- ing with Lord Bellington," said the ser- vant. Llewellen instantly, and without leaving even his name at the door, drew his hat over his eyes, and sought the most unfre- quented paths ; and like one bereft of rea- son, cursed the very hour that gave him birth. In the evening, chilled by the falling damps, he returned to the Castle. Matilda marked his despair in his averted and de- jected looks. She beheld the brother who had cheered her by his affection, and who had loved her with the ten- derest regard, torn with anguish which a single sentence from her would have removed ; yet she retained her purpose still flattering herself that he would re- nounce an attachment so unpropitious to her interests. She endeavoured to divert his thoughts from the subject; but her attempts were vain ; he became each day more gloomy and despond- LLEWELLEN. 217 Lord Bellington v/as now a daily visitor at the cottage, and Isabella being con- stantly engaged, Miss MacGruther spent most of her time at the farm with Mrs Rice. Clara thus left alone, felt herself, in comparison of what she had been, a being isolated and abandoned by all. Lleweilen's coldness in not repeating his visit, re^ider- ed her uneasy and fretful ; and Matilda seemed to have at once dropt all inter- course. In one of her solitary rambles, having strayed to a considerable distance, she was attracted by the appearance of a seques- tered cottage at the head of a romantic valley ; and approaching, beheld before the door the same little girl she had met with Llewellen. She could not resist the desire of speaking to her. The little ur- chin stood for some time eyeing her ap- proach, and then with mischievous gaiety darted suddenly into the house, and flap- ped the door against her. It was instantly opened again by an elderly woman, who came forward with many apologies for VOL. I. K 218 LLEWELLEN. the rude frolic of the little girl, while she entreated the lady would come in and rest a while. Clara availed herself of the in- vitation, and, by winning expressions, en- deavoured to allure the child to sit on her knee. Her eiforts were in vain ; for Ellen seemed jealous of her intrusion, and, pout- ing, she said, ** Mammy, put away lady, me don't like her.'* " Ellen, Ellen!'* cried the old woman in a tone of reproof, " how dare you speak so of so sweet a lady, and one that you may be proud to see ?" <« Me don't care; me like nobody but Mr Llewellen." <« I suppose," said Clara, hastily, " that this little girl is a near relation of the gen- tleman she speaks of.*' " Ah, Madam, too near a relation ; she is daughter to the wicked Colonel ; — wicked he is, indeed, Ma'am, for he broke my poor Nancy's heart ; and, before she saw him, never was there a goodlier creature born, or one that more deserved a mother's fond- mess 5— but she was young, and too inno- LLEWELLEN. ^219 cent, and he beguiled her to her ruin j but she never could hold up her head after, nor look with pleasure on the liglit of day* ** Is the Colonel, then, the father of this child?" eagerly inquired Clara; " and is he kind to the little innocent ?" " Ah, Madam, who could expect that he would be kind to the child, when he broke the mother's heart. But you shall hear, Aladam, all about it," said the old woman, wiping her eyes, " though perhaps your young heart will scarce believe it possible ; but if you live, Madam, as long as I have done, you mayhap may see that this world is but a world of care and sorrow. Ah, Madam, I was happy when my Nancy liv- ed ; she had all the beauty that v/as pos- sible to look on, and innocent as the lamb before our door. She was the pride of the village, the loveliest flower at every dance or fair, and 1 was too proud of her, and heaven sent the punishment. But her father died when she was quite a little thing, and she was all that I had of com- fort. I may not tell my Lady of all the ^20 LLEWELLEN. wicked arts that was used to decoy her to her ruin. I never knew her shame, until her child was born ; and when I saw the little Ellen, and heard her mother's lamen- tations, I tried to make the best of it ; and I had nearly brought my poor Nancy to composure, when one night the Colonel entered our dwellinoj — " ' It seems,' said he, looking fiercely at my Nancy, that you give out that this brat belongs to me. He then harshly demand- ed the baby from her. " * Oh, never, never ! you shall not take my child, cried she, as she pressed it close to her bosom ; it shall never give you trou- ble ; only let me keep my little innocent.' — Oh, Madam, never will I forget the dreadful look he gave, when, stepping to- wards her, he was about to seize the sleep- ing babe. In wild agony she conjured him to be gone, and that no living mortal should ever know to whom it belonged. It was in vain; he told her, she had no right to keep the child, and that he would provide for it. Oh ! well I remember the LLEWELLEN. 221 words she uttered — * Monster, inhuman monster,' cried she, in a voice so piercing that even 3'et I start at times from my sleep, and (hink I hear it ; ' you will provide a grave for my babe; but never never shall you tear it from my arms.' But would you believe, my Lady, that in spite of all her agony, he fiercely snatched the baby from her feeble grasp, and was about to leave the house with it, when, O blessings upon the hour that gave him birth, who should enter with his gun and dog but Mr Alfred Llewellen ; and never will I forget the look he cast upon his father while he said, ' Are your crimes, Sir, not yet full ?' then calmly taking the screaming baby, he gently placed it in my arms, for my poor Nancy had fainted quite away. ' Is the mother of this child dead,' said he ; I told him that 1 believed not, but that the Colo- nel had nearly murdered her with fear. '' Then turning to his father, he said, with awful sternness in his face, " ' Do you. Sir, confess yourself the fa- ther of this child?' 222 LLEWELLEN. *' ' The Colonel angrily inquired, * By what right he asked the question ?* " ' By the right of one,' replied Mr Al- fred, * who is determined to bring the truth to light.' '' In short. Madam, the Colonel seemed to tremble in the presence of his son ; and at length confessed that he was the father of the child, and was about to give it to the care of a nurse.* '' ' What nurse so proper as the mother,' said Mr Llewellen, looking still more stern- ly in the face of his father, — then turning to me, ' Good woman,' said he, ' endeavour to restore your daughter, nor dread for the future the intrusion of Colonel Llewellen ; and depend on me for protection.' With that, Madam, lifting his gun below one arm, and taking hold of his father's arm with the other, he walked with him from the house, the Colonel not daring to speak for very fear. *' My poor Nancy lived but three months. Madam, and died praying down blessings ©n the head of Mr Llewellen, who ever LLEWELLEN. 223 since that awful night has suffered us to want for nothing." Delighted with what she had heard, Cla- ra sprung elastic from her seat, and pro- mised soon to return again, unconscious ot every feeling but love towards Lewellen, Her whole soul was hovering on her lips, when she encountered Isabella and Lord BelHngton, who had left the house in hopes of meeting her. " Thou art beautiful as an angel, Clara," said Isabella, '^ surely some fairy has cast a spell o'er thy features this morning, for your eyes sparkle v.itli more lustre than these diamonds v.'hich Lord Beliington has been so kind as pre- sent me with." Clara was about to examine them, when she was attracted by an object dearer to her heart than whole mines of diamonds. It was Lleweiien, w^ho advanced with listless step towards the place where they stood : He seemed not to observe them ; his eyes were bent towards the earth, and his air was that of one who dwelt on painful rumina- tions. << Ah, Mr Lleweiien/' cried Isa- 2^4. LLEWELLEN. beJIa, as he came within her call, " come liither and decide this point of controversy. Whether," said she, " are these diamonds which ghtter in Clara*s hand, as brilhant as the eyes of her who holds them : Do but see how the envious sun darts his beams upon them." " They are both too bright for my eyes," replied he, coldly bowing, and walking forward. " The man is doubtless seized with a me- lancholy madness,*' cried Isabella. Clara almost dropt the diamonds from her trembling hand ; but recollecting herself, she returned them, observing that they were indeed veiy beautiful, but in a voice so broken that even Lord Bellington ob- served it; and Isabella changing the sub- ject, took the arm of her cousin, and walk- ed Avith her home, without again recurr- ing to it. The constraint of Llewellen's manner, and his evident wish to avoid her, gave rise to the most painful sensations ; but re- collecting her own haughty conduct to- LLEWELLEN. 225 wards him, she could only blame herself, and hope for a speedy reconciliation. Next morning, while sitting alone in her chamber, Isabella entered the room in tears : *"' My dearest cousin,'* cried Clara, wholly forgetful of her own grief, " what is the matter ? why are you in tears r" " Ah my Clara," cried Isabella, ^' read that letter, and then let us weep the way- ward fate that parts us." '^ If we must part, my dear cousin," said Clara, " our happiest hours are fled, for your presence is now so necessary to my happiness, that I cannot know comfort without you." She then took the letter, and read the following lines ; " Dear Child, — When I read the glad tid- ings of Lord Bellington's attachment to you, I instantly communicated the contents of your letter to your father, noways doubtful of the pleasure such intelligence would give him. When I had finished, 1 looked him in the face to mark his approbation, and my heart failed within me 5 for, without K 2 S^6 LLEWELLEN. speaking, he burst into a loud unmannerly laugh. " ' So/ said he, ' this sprig of quality thinks that he may take my daughter from me without ever asking my consent I Give him my most obedient respects, Mrs MacGruther, and tell him that I will marry my daughter as I think fit myself, without the benefit of his interference.' What a pity, my poor Isabella, that you had not, in a matter of so much consequence as the present, advised his Lordship to write first to your father. You know his dictatorial temper, and that he cannot bear the idea of my being consulted in any affair, until he has pronounced his opinion upon it. But, indeed, in the pleasure 1 felt in read- ing your letter, I forgot the probable effect it would produce on him ; so that in all likelihood you will be forced to yield up this advantageous offer; but he commands you to return instantly home, my dear, and I fear you must obey. Your afflicted mother, Maria MacGruther, LLE\y ELLEN. ^^7 When Clara had finished the letter, she advised her cousin to go with it to her uncle, who was alone in the library, and take his opinion. Isabella immediately did so. She found him arranging some papers, and having laid her case before him, begged liim to advise her for the best. Mr Dalziel read the letter to an end, and pausing a few moments upon its contests, at length said, " I have business, my dear girl,, which requires my immediate presence in London, and in two days I shall accom- pany you thither, and endeavour to reason with your father upon this matter, and point out the advantages which may ac- crue to himself from a connection with Lord Bellington; and my opinion is, that we had better inform his Lordship in the meantime of the truth, as I am an enemy to concealments." Isabella having committed all things to the direction of her uncle, withdrew to inform Clara of the proposed arrangements. Miss MacGruther remarking a melan^ i28 LLEWELLEN. choly stillness over the house, entered the room of her niece, to see if all was right within. She found the cousins bathed in tears ; and ashamed that she had not sooner been made a party where she was so materially concerned, they briefly related the cause of their affliction. Like one pa- nic struck, she reeled to a chair. *' Good Lowrd,*' cried she, *' its hard that a body canna' get leave to rest nae way ; for sin* it cudna' be that I shud lay ray bane^ in Muck, I thought to have got leave to breathe my last within this bonny glen ; but to be whirled awa' back to that vortex o' perdition — to be misused at will by my ill-tongued brother, is what rins sair again' xny nature." The servant interrupted the further pa- thos of Miss MacGruther's grief, by an- nouncing that Mr Lewellen was below. The ladies having composed themselves, and dried their eyes, joined him in the parlour — Mr Dalziel was already there. On their en- trance, Llewellen bowed with a studied LLEWELLEN. 229 reserve, and again coldly seated himself. Mr Dalziel then made him acquainted with his intended journey, at which Mis Mac- Gruther, unable to restrain her tears, left the room. " I hope," said Llewellen, observing traces of distress on the face of Clara and her cousin, *' that no misfortune has happened to the family, Sir." '' Nothing material,'' re- plied Mr Dalziel, hesitating ; '•' only my young friends are sorry to part from each other, and I myself much regret the neces- sity of it, as I hoped to have left them under the proteciiou of Miss MacGruther during my absences but as it is," said he, turning towards his daughter, '^ I will leave you, Clara, to the care of Mrs Howel, until I return. My absence will not be long I hope, and 1 shall chuse a house for our accommodation in London, as I intend that you shall spend the next gay season there." The languid smile which Clara bestow^ed upon her father, showed how little her heart was interested in the promised gaieties ; and Llewellen believing that her indifference .'230 LLEWELLEK, proceeded from her engagement with BeL lington, withdrew, almost wholly convinced that the representations of his sister were well founded. LLEWELLEK. £31 CHAP. XVI. Arc ye of earth, ot to the heavens allied ? CONA. The following morning, Mr Dalziel set out with Iheintention of communicating to Lord Bellington the intelligence contained in Mrs MacGruther's letter. His Lordship was at home ; and with as little circum- locution as possible, he conveyed the tid- ings of Isabella's intended departure, ascrib- ing it entirely to the ridiculous whim of her father. Lord Bellington, who had never imagined the possibility of any impediment SS2 LLEWELLEN. to the fulfilment of his wishes but what n^ight come from Isabella herself, was extremely mortified and out of humour. Mr Dalziel, however, made him see the propriety of yielding at present to a short delay, promising that Mrs MacGruther and himself, would, if the old gentleman remained inflexible, grant a separate con- sent to his union. With many polite acknowledgements of the honour done his family by the proposed alliance^ Mr Dalziel left his Lordship in rather better humour than he at first hoped to bring him to. The Cottage now presented a scene of bustle and confusion. Miss MacGruther was flying from room to room in search of the few articles that belonged to her wardrobe. Isabella was weeping, and Clara with a heavy heart was packing the trunks. While thus en- gaged. Miss Llewellen and two other la- dies were announced below. Clara, leaving her cousin to compose the flutter of her spirits, immediately descend- LLEWELLEX. 233 ed to the parlour, and found Matilda with Mrs and Miss D.nibeigh 5 the latter called to request she would forward letters for them to London, and asked innumer- able questions as to the reasons that could induce them to leave the country at so un- usual a season ; to these Clara coldly an- swered, that business required their presence in London. Mr Dalziel now entered the room accompanied by Llewellen, v>hom he met sauntering within view of the house 5 he did not appear to know of his sister's visit, and Matilda even betrayed a dissatisfied surprize at seeing him. *' La, now Miss Dalziel," said Miss Denbeigh, " when shall I receive bride's favours? well 1 daresay your father is just going to take off your marriage clothes, for every body knows about it, and Fm sure I think that you have been very lucky." '* I should be glad to know, Miss Den- beigh, to what you allude ?" said Clara, ra- ther sharply. '' I'm sure you know well enough, only f54 LLEWELLEN. you just want me to repeat his name ; but I know all about it," continued she, look- ing with archness towards Matilda. '' All about what. Madam?" asked Clara, gravely. " Aiiss Denbeigh speaks at random," said Matilda, who appeared under the in- iliience of extreme apprehension ; " but we keep Miss Dalziel waiting 5 she has much to do, and we had better take leave.'' " You don't know your own mind not two minutes,** said Miss Denbeigh, address- ing Miss Llewellen ; ^' for I'm sure you came here just to — to — " " Nancy, Nancy, what a tongue you have ?" cried Mrs Denbeigh, winking and nodding significantly; *' be quiet, can't you, and let your mother speak. — I beg pardon, my dear," continued she, looking at Clara; *' bat I'm sure I hope when you are Lady Bellington, you — " " Lady Bellington !" said Clara, with unfeigned astonishment. " Lord Bellington could not be here so LLEWELLEN, QS5 often, my love/' said Mr Dalzlel, mildly, ** without giving rise to a little village gos- sip." ** It was no such thing, Mr Dalziel," cried the angry lady ; ** it was no such thing ; I an't apt to gossip among them sort of people. I had it"— " Come, come away, Mrs Denbeigh/* said Matilda, greatly agitated, *' you see this conversation is disagreeable," Then, almost pushing Mrs Denbeigh out of doors, she was followed by her now- sullen daugh- ter. Matilda turned round, and softly whispered, " My dearest Clara, I will see you sometime to-morrow. 'Tis very un- fortunate that I encountered these silly people. I will call and see you before you go to the Parsonage.*' In spite of all that Matilda had said concerning Clara's predilection in favour of Bellington, Llewellen could not help thinking that the unconcern with which she mentioned his name, gave him reason to believe that he was not the object of her 236 LLEWELLEN* aiTection ; and he determiacd to draw from her a confession of the truth. The subject having been thus broken by Miss Denbeigh, made it easj^' for him again to recur to it, by rallying her upon that lady's knowledge of her choice. It was from Matilda herself that the Denbeighs had heard the report of Clara's intended marriage with Lord Bellington, and they were both astonished and dis- pleased at the manner she had conducted herself; but as she walked towards home, she dexterously threw all blame upon them ; and so well did she manage matters, that Mrs Denbeigh began to doubt the evidence of her senses, and to believe that she had certainly either dreamed the report or heard it in some other quarter. At day-break the following morning, Mr Dalziel set off with Miss MacGruther and, Isabella for London. Clara recollected that Matilda had pro- mised to be with her during some part of the day. She therefore delayed going to the LLEWELLEN. 237 Parsonage ; but the forenoon having passed she gave over all hopes of seeing her ^ and having vainly strove to amuse herself in the evening by reading, she at length threw a- side the book, and walked towards the win- dow. Then calling Winifred, she desired her to light a fire in her chamber, as she would stroll down the river- side, and when she returned retire early to bed. " You will be very lonely, my dear mis- tress," said the affectionate girl, " shall I not attend you ?** " No," replied Clara, as she left the house, *^ 1 will rather walk alone." The moon, darting at intervals through the quick passing clouds, shed a watery beam upon her path. The slumbering scene was in unison with her feelings. A solemn stillness reigned around, interrupt- ed only by the gentle undulation of the rippling current, and a peaceful sadness stole over her heart as she advanced towards the copse that skirted the river's brink. Her progress was suddenly arrested by ^38 LLEWE'LLEN. the appearance of a female figure, that glid- ed from thence. Clara shuddered. A pass- ing cloud again darkened the scene. ** Was my fancy disturbed," thought she, '* by the hazy shadows that float over the sur- face of the stream ? Ah ! no, the form ap- proaches !" That instant, the moonbeams rested upon the features of an apparent corpse. Clara sunk upon her knees. The figure a moment bent over her ; then, sud- denly starting, she pointed her finger to- wards the moon, and, in a deep and hollow voice, exclaimed, " Ay, there it is, and the dark book of fate is behind it ! Alas, poor maid, sad is the doom which there awaits thee !" " Oh, heavens !'* cried Clara, " from whence are ye ? Tell me, oh tell me, are you of this world, or has the grave — ** The figure turned again towards her, re- peating, with solemn emphasis, " The grave — O yes, the grave. Even now I came from that cold bed of clay. That grave will be thy bridal-bedj poor maid ! LLEWELLEN. 239 but he thou lovest must go down before thee !'' Clara heard no more j she fell senseless «n the earth. 210 LLEWELLEN. CHAP. XVII. Dissembling courtesy I how fine this tyrant, Can tickle where she wound*. " Cymbeline. Miss Llewellen having failed to perform the promise she made of being with Clara early on the day of her father's departure, and conscious guilt rendering her the prey of anxiety, lest the foolish tattle of Miss Denbeigh had created suspicions injurious to her pretended friendship, she was on that account desirous of exhibiting to Llewellen a striking proof of her regard for the now solitary inmate of the cottage ; and there- fore proposed, at a late hour of the after- noon, to go there and remain all night. LLEWELLEN. 211 This unexpected proposal delighted her brother, who hardly allowed her time to tie on her bonnet, as the clouds, he said, por- tended rain. They arrived at the cottage in the midst of a drizzling shower, and found Winifred standing at the door in great agitation. She informed them that her mistress had gone to walk, and had been absent a long time, though she promised to return imme- diately. Llewellen instantly went in quest of Cla- ra. — He pursued the common road, and then turning by a narrow path leading to the copse skirting the river side, he beheld her lying on the ground. — '^ Clara," cried he, '^ beloved, dearest Clara, what has re- duced thee to this dreadful state ?" To this fond ejaculation no answer was returned. — Trembling with anxiety, he raised her life- less form, and bore it by the nearest road to the cottage. Miss Llewellen was moved to a feeling of real interest and concern on beholding the VOL. I. L f42 LLEWELLEN. agitation of her brother, for she behaved Clara irrecoverably gone. For sometime she. discovered no appear- ance of returning hfe ; — at length she open- ed her heavy eyes, but seemed unconscious of her situation ; — they rested on the face of Llewellen. He approached, and, taking her hand, said, in a voice of tenderness, " You are now safe, dear Clara. You have been alarmed I fear." — Her eyes wan- dered round the room with wild vacancj^ until they caught the white robes of Matil- da, and with a scream of terror she sprung from the couch. Matilda drew near, while Clara, in tones of horror, and holding by Llewellen, ex- claimed, " Take, Oh take me hence, she comes to part us for ever 1" Llewellen pressed her to his heart. — In a^ a voice trembling with emotion, Matilda enquired, " What can she mean by such vague expressions?" " Horrible 1 — horrible !*' cried Clara, with a wildered gaze, " will you suffer her LLEWELLEN. 213 to drag me away — to part so soon — so very soon." Matilda, taking hold of her brother's arm, with the intention of speaking to her, she shrunk back in terror as she ap- proached. " Matilda," cried Llewellen, " Stand back ! by heavens 'tis you she fears to look upon." — On hearing the name of Matilda, Clara raised her eyes, and looking alternate- ly from Llewellen to his sister, like one new- ly awakened from a fearful dream, repeated, '' Matilda ! — Is it then only Matilda 1" and extending her hand towards her, burst into tears. " Yes, my love," said Matilda, softly pressing it ; '* but why did you think I would part you from my brother?" <' Alas !" said Clara, sighing heavily, " but we must part, until the grave shall mingle our ashes.'* Llewellen was affectedj and forgetting her bewildered state of mind, exclaimed, '' Part ! no, by heavens ! never shall we part, my Clara, until death tear us from 244 LLEWELLEX. each other ; — here let us pledge our faith, and let all doubts for — for—," '' Alfred," cried Matilda, interrupting this effusion, '* here is some mystery that requires explanation ; — do you not see that Miss Dalziel marks not a word you say ; — leave her for a time with me, — leave us a- lone for a little, I will again call you when my beloved Clara is restored to a state of recollection." Llewellen instantly obeyed ; and when Clara was more composed, and her sensi- bility returned, she placed herself at her side, and drew from her a full account of the awful doom which had been pronoun- ced by the mysterious figure, quite una- ware that her simple relation was betraying the secrets of her own heart. As she concluded, Matilda rose from her seat, but was silent for some mo- ments, — then with a tone of suppressed irony said, *' But how comes it, my love, that you applied all this so well to my bro- ther ? That he lov^s you," continued she, raising her voice, *' most seriously, I do not LLEWELLE>f, 245 doubt ; but think not this is the way to se- cure his attachment 5 — had you known. Miss Dalziel, that while possessed with this foohsh terror, how you cking around his neck for fancied protection, — how you im- plored his love, and suffered his caresses, your delicacy would be put to shame. If you hope to be the wife of Alfred let me advise you not to unfold to him so ridicu- lous a story ; — but indeed,'' added she, with condescending pity, ** these weak re- liances on dooms, and these superstitious fears are with you hereditary. But be- ware of letting Alfred know how much your nature is enslaved by them. He would cast you from his heart as a silly girl, unworthy his regard. I speak, Miss Dalziel, with the plainness of a friend." ** Enough, Madam," said Clara, " you have indeed spoken plainly ; but be not afraid that I shall again outrage your deli- cacy or that of Mr Llewellen." " Nay, Clara," cried Matilda, '' I see that you deem my advice impertinent. I cannot help your doing so. 1 have per- S46 LLEWELLEN. formed a necessary duty in warning you of the character of the man with whom I hope to see you united. Recollect, my love, I have said nothing that bears a reference to my own opinions. You know how much I admire and esteem you. I therefore on- ly recommend that you conceal from Al- fred the silly cause of your alarm. What if we invent some reason for the situation in which he found you ?" '' You mistake, Madam, if you think I shall stoop to falsehood to gain the love of Mr Llewellen." ^* You have already gained it, my dear- est Clara," replied Matilda ; " and I am anxious that you preserve it. Place re- liance on a friendship which may have be- trayed me into expressions perhaps offen- sive from their freedom— beloved Clara, forgive me.'* '' I'm not well. Miss Llewellen," said she, mildly, as she pressed her throbbing temples : « I would wish to be left a- LLEWELLEN. 247 *' I will go when I have seen you to your chamber/* replied Matilda, who now began to fear she had gone loo far ; and being un- certain what effect her remarks might pro- duce, she asked, as she was about to leave the room, what she would say to her bro- ther. *• Whatever suits you, Madam,'* replied Clara, while the varying colour of her cheek shewed the tumults of her mind. ** Perhaps," said Matilda, in a hesitat- ing voice, and wishing to penetrate her sen- timents," we had better just tell him the story as it happened." •^ It is in your power to do so, Madam, but recollect that I will not be questioned further." When Clara was left alone, she gave way to all the anguish of her mind, and found relief in a flood of tears. Llewellen had awaited the summons of his sister, with the restless anxiety of one who expects to hear a sentence of life or death. 248 LLEWELLEK. She now entered the room , he flew towards her, and eagerly inquired for Cla- ra. Matilda, applying her handkerchief to her eyes, " Indeed, my dear brother," said she, *' I tremble to wound your peace^^ — but — I fear — 1 fear — " »« Matilda 1" cried Llewellen with vehe- mence, " torture me not. Speak — tell me, I beseech you, tell me at once the cause of my Clara*s alarm, and how she is." " Your Clara, Alfred — ^she never can be yours. This night's adventure is as impe- netrable as that of the shrubbery-walk." " Would she not confide to you the cause of her situation r" " No," replied Matilda turning round, *^ she left me in anger." ** 'Tis strange," said Llewellen. *^ My dear brother, her conduct is inex- plicable ; but perhaps you may learn some- thing yourself from her, though I failed to do so. You had better go to her now, I hear her entering the room below." Llewellen waited not a moment^ and LLEWELLEN. ^49 only recollecting the sweetness with which she had claimed his protection, hastily opened the door, and tenderly enquir- ing for her health, begged to know the cause of an alarm which had reduced her to the situation in which he found her at the river's side. Clara, under the impression that Matilda had informed her brother of all the circum- stances she had detailed, and imagining that he only saw in her the weak girl she had insinuated, proudly demanded by •what right he presumed to question her upon a subject she wished not to hear mentioned. For a few moments Llewellen was silent ; but suddenly catching her hand, and pres- sing it with fervour to his lips, mildly said, ** Is this then the same Clara who not an hour ago shewed such tender reliance oa my regard ?'* Recollecting the words of Matilda, she believed herself insulted by this recurrence to what she might have said while under the influence of mental terror, and impa- j250 LLEWELLEN. tiently replied, '* Mr Llewellen you have quickly made me feel the effects of my si- tuation, whatever it may have been, but your triumph, Sir, is equally premature and ungenerous. Some inadvertent ex- pressions may indeed have been uttered by me, which you thus take advantage oC but you will find my actions such as becomes the dignity of my sex." She then rung the bell, and before Lle- wellen could recover from an attack so un- expected and unjust, the servant ap- peared, and was desired to call Miss Lle- wellen. She entered the room with the suspi- cious mien of one. who dreads the examina- tion of a judge ; but penetrating through the disappointed looks of her brother, she saw that all was yet safe, and thus feeling secure, she conducted herself towards Clara with an easy familiarity, as if nothing dis- agreeable had previously happened. Llewellen, not able in any way to ac- count for the irritation of Clara's manner^ LLEWELLEN. 251 left the room with an air of offended pride, and retired to his chamber. Matilda well understood the feelings of her brother; and drawing her chair close to Clara, enquired what had passed betwixt her ^and Alfred, as he appeared to leave them in displeasure. Clara coldly declined the subject; — then in the manner of one who speaks of hope- less love, she bid her not despair, and, as far as lay in her power, she would promote their mutual attachment. Stung to the heart, Clara could find no words to express her indignation, but rising, enquired if Miss Llewellen did not wish to retire to her chamber. Matilda smiling, and gracefully waving her hand, bid her good-night. Now left alone, Clara became the prey of the most harassing reflections ; — her brain w^as on fire as she thought of the cruel and insulting insinuations of Ma- tilda, and the ungenerous advantage which had been taken of her expressions, the na- 552 LLEWELLEN. ture and extent of which she was yet un- conscious of. Exhausted by the agitation of her feel- ings she retired to bed, but her fevered im- agination was haunted by visions that dis- turbed her repose. She awoke in the morning without being refreshed by sleep ; and as she entered the parlour, Llewellen, on beholding her pale countenance was deeply affected, and tak- ing her hand respectfully, yet with evident agitation, enquired how she had rested, a- voiding at the same time any allusion to what had occurred the preceding evening 5 — she merely thanked him for his enqui- ries, and sat down at the breakfast table. The conscious innocence of Clara*s heart gave her a dignity and composure of man- ner, which bore a striking contrast to the uneasy flutter of Matilda's address, who, restless and impatient, as soon as breakfast was over, proposed accompanying Clara to the Parsonage, and sending from thence for the carriage to convey them to the Castle. LLEWELLEN. S5S Enfeebled by the anguish of her thoughts, Clara leaned upon the arm of Llewellen. Matilda walked close by theirside, secretly exulting in the success of her management, while her victims were tortured by mutual suspicions of each other. Mrs Howel seeing them approach, ad- vanced to welcome them ; but observing the heart-rent looks of her young friend, she laughingly said, *^ Why you are a per- fect Niobe, my Clara. Alas, my love, how new is thy heart to the trials of this world, when a temporary separation from a friend can cause such havoc with the roses which were wont to bloom on thy cheek. You mus: not thus, in the bloom of life, exhaust thy feelings ; thou knowest not what gnefs await thy ripeniag year.'* These words recalhng forcibly to her re- collection the prophetic language of the mysterious vision, she involuntarily grasp- ed the hctud of Mrs Howel, and exclaim- ed, *' How dreadful must be the fate that frowns upon me, since in every quarter I am warned of its approach/* g54 LLEWELLEN. Imputing these words to a little romance ill the mind of Clara, which she had often thought her prone to indulge, Mrs Howel silently drew her arm within her own, and walked into the house. In a short time a servant arrived to in- form Llewellen and his sister that their father had returned. In parting, Llewellen wrung the hand of Clara, but neither spoke ; while Matilda, smiling and twisting her form, took leave of her with every expression of courtesy, begging to see her soon at the Castle. She replied with dignity that she would pay no visits until her father's return. When left alone, Mrs Howel entreated Clara to impart to her the cause of her de- jection. Confining to her own breast the in- sulting conduct of Matilda, she unfolded to her friend all that had happened since her father's departure. Mrs Howel asrain declared her belief that the figure she had seen was the trick of some mischievous person who would in time be discovered ^ and, with her usual LLEWELLEN. 555 gaiety of manner^ endeavoured to remove the impression which it had made upon her mind. Ever active in her endeavours to allevi- ate distress, and to cheer the spirits of those placed under her protection, Mrs Howel proposed a visit to her daughter Julia, th^ following day, and to make a circuit by the hills to the vicarage. Lord Bellington was now announced, and being informed of lh€ proposed excur- sion, he politely offered to accompany them with his carriasre and attendants. 256 LLEWELLEW, CHAP, xviir. Twist ye, twine ye, even so, Mingle shades of grief and woe ; Hope and fear, and peace and strife, In the thicad of human life. Guy Mannering. i- HE following morning Lord Bellington arrived with his carriage at the Parsonage, and the party set out on their journey, Henrv Vv^as intreated to accompany them ; but his mind, soured by disappointments, re- coiled from all sociai intercourse. The road they took, as it winded round the hills, brought them at one turn in view of Llewellen CiiStle ; and as the carriage pas- sed along, the bright rays of the sun danced athvvart it. *' I think," said Llewellen to Matilda, who was standing by the window, " that LLEWELLEN. 257 yonder barouche belongs to Lord Belling- ton. It contains ladies, for I can see a green parasol, — who can be of his Lordship's party ?'* *' His Lordship probably fears to hurt his complexion/'^ replied Matilda with a sneer, *' ^Tis odd," resumed Llewellen gravely, for none of his Lordship's female relations are here — who can it possibly be ?" " 'Tis very odd, indeed," said Matil- da, " that you should be so curious con- cerning his Lordship's company." The carriage passed out of sight, but Llewellen still lingered at the window in deep meditation. He recollected that Clara usually carried a green parasol ; it seemed but a passing rem.embrance ; yet, walking out, he almost insensibly bent his steps to- wards the Parsonage. '^ Henry,' ' said he, as he entered the par- lour, " why thus solus .^" AVhere are the rest of the family ? *' My father is in his study, and my mother and Miss Dalziel have gone with 258 LLEWELLEN. Lord Bellington on a visit to my sister Julia." Llewellen tossed himself into a chair.-— Mrs Flowel, thought he, has not acted ^vith her usual circumspection in this— Miss Dalziel is not yet Lady Bellington. " Are you not well, Llewellen," enquir- ed Hanr\', *' or only out of humour thit morning?'^ ** No man can live long in this world, and not be every day out of humour, that be ever was brought into it/* " True," added Henry ; " for my own part, I gladly would resign my existence, so wretched are the terms on which I hold it." ^« I have, indeed, Henry," said Llewellen, ** long marked the apathy you seem to feel -—make me a sharer of your griefs, by un- folding the cause of them." '' That relief is denied me, Alfred ; press me no farther on that subject, for in all probability I must carry the secret to the grave with me/' LLEWELLEN. 25 9 The peculiar tone of Henry's voice iu this "last speech, shot a suspicion across Llewellen*s mind, that his sister was in some way or other connected with the cause of his dejection, and he instantly de- termined to question Matilda on the subject. Llewellen, accustomed to unbosom his every thought to Henry, embraced this opportuni- ty of informing him of the state of his own affections towards Clara, but hinted his fears that she was already attached to Lord Bel- li ngton. Absorbed in his own gloomy reflections, Henry had paid little attention to the con- duct of others. He, however, observed, with a sort of languid indifference, very unlike the lively interest he shewed in what- ever concerned the happiness of his friend, that Clara was indeed much in the com- pany of Lord Bellington, but he had no rea- son to believe that his Lordship had gained her affections ; and he was almost certain that their intercourse was nothing more than the result of common acquaintance. ^60 LLEWELLEN, Limited as this satisfaction was, it ser- ved to renovate the hopes of Llewellen. His eye sparkled with joy, and his first impulse was to make Henry as happy as himself; and with that view he hurried back to the Castle, to probe the sentiments of his sister, and to be satisfied as to the suspicions which had now taken possession of his mind. During Clara's absence, a packet of let- ters arrived from her father, which were im- mediately forwarded to the vicarage. The contents were of a disagreeable nature. It appeared that Mr MacGruther's resolutioa to disappoint the prospects of his daughter continued inexorable ; and the efforts of Mr Dalziel to dissuade him from returning to the isle of Muck, and taking her along with him, were treated with ridicule and scorn. He swore that the blood of the Mac- Gruthers should never be contaminated by a Lord of the growth of yesterday, who be- longed to no clan that he knew on the face of the earth, and might be nothing better than a vagrant or impostor. The lively spirits of Isabella had sunk un- LLEWELLEN. 261 der the unreasonable and harsh treatment she experienced from her father. In this situation of affairs, Mr Dalziel made the best arrangements he could, previous to his returning to Wales ; and requested Clara in the meantime to open as mildly as possible to Lord Bellington the probable frustration of his hopes. Aware of the character of his Lordship, Clara unfolded the tidings she had received with all the address she was mistress of; mingling the intelligence, at same time, with a hope that her father would yet succeed in averting the intentions of Mr MacGruther, and bring him to reason. As Clara had anticipated, Bellington con- ducted himself like a spoiled and froward child ; nor was she able to restore him to any thing like good humour, until the work- ings of his over-indulged temper had eva- porated in petulant exclamations. Much as Clara wished for an alliance which promised future independence to her cousin, she felt so disgusted with the conduct of his Lordship, that she saw no- 262 LLEWELLEN. thing to regret in its failure, except the dis- appointment to which Isabella would be subjected in her prospects of being finally relieved from the tyranny of her father. She now returned to the Parsonage, and the following day her father arrived. He communicated the welcome intelligence that he had taken a house for her in Lon- don, and had so far succeeded with Mr MacGruther as to gain a promise to await his return. The prospect of seeing Isa- bella so soon, gave new vigour to her spi- rits ; and as she was expressing the 'plea- sure she felt, Matilda and Llewellen enter- ed the room. Being informed of the proposed journey, Matilda, in language the most insinuating, and an address the most attractive, dwelt on the happiness she would enjoy in meeting her beloved friend in the gay and fashion- able circles of London. The fond epithets she employed towards her, were spoken in a half whispering voice ; but in a louder tone, she said, *^ I take for granted that LLEWELLEN. 263 my Lord Bellington will accompany you thence." " His Lordship purposes to do so," an- swered Clara with indifference. At the mention of Lord Bellington's name, Llewellen started from his seat and changed colour; the anguish of jealousy seemed to convulse his frame, and he walk- ed, or rather staggered towards the window. Henry sat with eyes fixed on the ground, unconscious that any one was in the room. Matilda moved towards him and enquired in a tone of softness, if he intended this season to be in London ? He gazed a moment in her face, as if doubtful whether she had addressed him. She smiled and repeated her question; then drawing his hand across his temples, as if to steady his recollection, he answered, " How small the diiference to you whether I go or stay ;" and hastily rising left the room. Matilda at this moment seemed deprived of her usual self-possession ; she cast an alarmed glance around, and her eye was 264j llewellen. arrested by the solemn immoveable gaze of Mrs Howel. She fluttered, drew her glove over her trembling fingers, then pulled it off, and dropt it on her knee ; and unable to lift her eyes, she again hastily seized it, and having twisted it until it appeared un- fit for use, she forced it again over her hand, and with an effort rose to depart. Mrs Howel, however, ere she left the room, took an opportunity to say, " And when will it be Miss Llewellen's pleasure to end this heartless trifling ?" Matilda, overcome, made no answer. Llewellen, after sliaking hands with Mr Dalziel, coldly bowed to Clara, and follow- ed his sister, without having observed the agitation of her manner j so entirely had he been occupied with the agonized state ©f his own feelings. LLEWELLEN. 265 CHAP. XIX, Her downcast look 'twas hearen to trace, Wben shading with her hand her face, She half inclined to sadness. SOUTHEY. As Llewellen accompanied his sister to the Castle, he gently touched on the subject of Henry's dejection, and hinted his sus- picions of the cause. Matilda at once saw- to what this topic would tend, and skil- fully endeavoured to draw him away from it ; but he continued the subject with in- creasing seriousness, and at length conjured her to unfold to him the state of her own affections respecting his inestimable friend. VOL I. M ^66 LLEWELLEN. Alatilda feigning the utmost astonishment, proudly enquired, whether the son of a country clergymen could be deemed a fit companion for a woman of her birth and connections. " Yet," said she, in a tone of bitter sar- casm, ** it is natural that you should dis- pose as quickly as possible of a relation so dependent as myself*' This reproach stung Llewellen to the soul. He had ever reposed unbounded con- fidence in his sister, and her present injus- tice to his character was a daofoer to his 'CO" feelings. Matilda instantly perceived her error ; — the stern countenance of her brother alarm- ed her, — and overcome by the mingled sen- sations of her mind, she burst into tears. " Good heaven ! Matilda,'' exclaimed he " how have I deserved such reproach- es from your lips;— but forgive me, Madam, you shall not have long to com- plain that you feel yourself depend- ent. I forgot," added he, after a moment's pause, ** that you might not, like myself LLEWELLEN. 267 be content to share one purse, one mind ; my delusion is now past.** *' Oh Alfred/' cried she, " throwing her- self upon his neck, and weeping violently, '* forgive my rash expressions ; believe me, I knew not what I uttered ; my heart was wounded that you seemed so hghtly to con- sult my interest in the establishment you proposed for me." " I am sorry," repHed he, gravely, ** that your feelings should be wounded by my having hinted the attachment my friend seems to cherish for you ; all I have now to add is, that I pray heaven you may never have to mourn a worse fate. I shall not, however, lightly recur to so delicate a sub- ject; but when your own plans are fixed, it shall not be my fault if you do not find your fortune equal to your most sanguine expectations.*' Matilda strove, by every possible con- cession, to restore the natural compla- cency of her brother's temper. By tears and entreaties she succeeded, and artfully- infused a belief into his mind that he had 268 LEWELLEN. unjustly construed expressions that were wrung from her by the vexation of the mo- ment. Llewellen nevertheless determined, that the instant he returned to London he would execute a deed of settlement in favour of his sister, and fix the sum she should receive on her marriage. It is one of the greatest faults of our nature, that we are more prone to dis- like those whom we have unjustly injur- ed, than those who have injured us ; and this was verified in the growing antipathy which Matilda seemed to feel to the unhap- py Henry ; aware that she was the cause of the melancholy that oppressed his spi- rits, and that she at least had hurried the decay of a feeble constitution, the stings of conscience became every day more irksome, and she loathed the \ery mention of his name, while the schemes she had in con- templation rendered it necessary to en- courage his love. JBut leaving Matilda for the present, we shall return to Clara, who, accompanied LLEWELLEN, Q69 by her father and Lord BelHngton, arrived safely in London. Her first thought was to send for her cousin, who with transport hastened to her lodgings. ** You are pale and thin, my dear Isa- bella," said Clara, as she embraced her ; " but keep up your spirits, all will yet be well." Lord BelHngton at this moment entered the room, and with schoolboy rapture flew towards Isabella, and again and again as- sured her that he was the happiest man in the w^orld thus early to meet with her. He remained to dinner j and the evening w^as spent in planning the most probable means of gaining Mr M^Gruther's consent to their union. Early the following day, Mr Dalziel went with his daughter to visit Mrs MacGruther. Her husband was at home ; and Clara saw, indeed, little to admire in either character. Mr MacGruther displayed a provoking waywardness ^ and the temper of her aunt 2/0 LLEWELLEN. was peevish, and her sentunents narrovy and illiberal. When they entered, Isabella was sitting in a dark corner of the room at her work, and Miss MacGniiher was ensaj^ed with her stocking. Both flew forward to Avel- come Clara ; and Miss MacGruther leapt for joy as she flung her arms around her neck. " Welcome, welcome," cried she, * for the very sight o' ye maks me young again.'* Mr MacGruther evinced his admiration of Clara by pinching her cheek, and teaz- ing her by a variety of practical jokes, while his wife extolled those excellencies in her niece of which she accused her daugh- ter as deficient. The conversation of the one was a continued whine, while the other afiected to display a contented mind and independent spirit, by a rude familiarity and a common-place wit. Mr Dalziel and Clara now took leave, to pay their respects to Lady Bellmgton. In their way thither, Clara inquired of her LLEWELLEN. 271 father what sort of woman she might expect to fmcl her Ladyship. " He rephed, that " Lady BelHngton was a woman of polished and rather pleas- ing manners ; but that her character was wholly regulated by the received maxims of the world. " I mean/' added he, " of the fashionable world : She is somewhat dependant on her son ; as her late lord died without making a suitable provision for hii widow ; and, in order to gain an ascendan- cy over his mind, she has weakly complied with all his whims, neglected his educa- tion, and in the end failed in her design, by making him a headstrong and ignorant booby.*' They now arrived at Portland Place, and were ushered into the grand saloon, where Lady Beliington was surrounded by a party of morning visitors. She received them with much affability and sweetness. Struck by the fascinating address and loveliness of Clara's appearance, she entreated her fa- ther to do her the honour of appointing her '272 LLEWELLEN. the chaperon on her introduction to the world. Some days after Lady Bellington return- ed the visit, accompanied by her son, and requested Clara would join them in a morn- ing-ride to the Park. On their way they stopped at a jeweller's shop ; and as Lord Bellington was handing Clara from the car- riage, Llewellen passed the door. Confu- sed and delighted at thus accidentally meet- ing the object that engrossed her thoughts, she sprung forward with the intention of speaking to him ; but with a look that chil- led every feeling of her heart, he bowed stiffly, and passed on. She had hardly time, however, to reflect on this unexpected caprice, before Lady Bellington called her attention to the choice of some jewels. When again seated in the carriage, she revolved in her mind the coldness of Lle- wellen, and thought it strange she had not received a visit from Matilda, as she nrjust have arrived in town with her brother. LLEWELLEN, S73 When she reached home:, Henry Howel was awaiting her arrival. He informed her that he was invited in the evening to Lady BelUngton's private assembly, and was happy to learn she was to be of the party. Though unconscious of the motive that influenced her, Clara was eagerly arranging her dress, and her heart beat with anxiety for the appointed hour. It was about this time pretty generally known that Lord Beliington was about to enter into the marriage state. When Clara appeared, whispers instantly went round the room that she was the object of his choice; and the polite attentions of his Lordship confirming this belief, the admi- ration of the assembly became universal. In casting her eyes around, Clara beheld Aiatilda sitting at a little distance, and in- stantly bowed to her, but to her amaze- ment Miss Llewellen gazed in her face with the indifference of an entire stranger ; and turning aside to conceal the agitation which she felt, she saw LUewellen enter the room 27-4 LLEWELLEN. with a lady of the most dazzling beauty. — The eyes of Clara and Llewellen met^ — he suddenly withdrew his, and with a ceremoni- ous bow walked awav, and mixed with the crowd. At this moment she was accosted by Ma-. tilda, w^ho assured her that her personal ap- pearance was so much improved, that she had not at first recognized her -, but ere Cla- ra had time to make any answer, Lady Bel- lington came forward to introduceSir Charles Melville, w^io begged the honour of her hand for the two first dances. Piqued by the unaccountable and ca- pricious behaviour of Llewellen, she instant- ly consented, and determined to exert her spirits to the utmost in order to subdue the chagrin that pressed upon her mind. Sir Charles could not conceal the plea- sure he felt in having secured a partner who, on her first appearance in the rooms, had attracted snch general admiration, and being lively and intelligent, his conversation serv- ed to allay all painful feelings. ; " At the conclusion of the first dance^ she LLEWELLEN. 275 beheld her father accost Llewellen, and warmly shake his hand. He returned the friendly pressure, and they continued in conversation with their usual kindness. It was then only, thought she, " myself that he wished to avoid ;*' and her heart swell- ing with pride, she moved to another part of the room witli Sir Charles. She had scarcely sat down, when Llewellen led to the next dance the same lovely object who had entered the room with hmi. " The world, '^ said Sir Charles, '^ has been kind enough to foretel a marriage be- tween Miss M*Leod, the Argyleshire heir- ess, and young Llewellen ; they certainly seem formed for each other by nature's most partial hand." Clara's reply was fortunately uncalled for, as Sir Charles instantly led her to the dance, which had just commenced. They were the second couple, and never did Clara more require the command of her feelings , but despair, in the semblance of fortitude, enabled lier, though with an aching heart; to skim the floor with such 276 LLEWELLEN. harmony of motion as filled the spectators with admiration; but when she came to turn Llewellen in the dance, a faintness came upon her, and a deadly paleness over- spread her countenance. She pressed her hand against her tem- ples, tried to smile, but failing in the at- tempt, had nearly fallen, when her father, whose eyes had followed her every mo- tion, caught her in his arms ; and attri- buting her sudden illness to over fatigue, supported her into another room. Fearing lest Llewellen might conjec- ture the true cause of her situation, she quickly rallied her spirits, and returning to the ball-room became a spectator of the dance. Lord Bellington placed himself at her side, and Sir Charles immediately joined, pouring forth a profusion of compliments upon the elegant style of her dancing. '^ I believe,'* said he, " it will be necessary to shut you up in a nunnery ; for it will never do, if, wherever you appear, you create such a noise as you have done this night ; LLEWELLEN. ^77 the gentlemen are laying thousands—- tens of thousands, upon your head." " What can you possibly mean, Sir Charles,'* said she, laughing. *' Do you know it is asserted that yott are an angel fallen from the clouds." ''Oh dreadful !*' answered she, with af- fected gaiety " you were bound as my champion to have fought a duel for my sake when you heard me called 2i fallen angeV^ " I shall instantly chastise them for using language so equivocal ; but I suspect,'* continued he, '^ that Mr Alfred Llewellen has certain designs against your liberty ; see he views you stedfastly — shall I chal- lenge him in the first place ?" '' Oh, no, no,'* cried Clara, seeing that Sir Charles was going to speak to him, *' Mr Llewellen has not — does not — I mean, that is, I am not much acquainted with him.'* Sir Charles smiled : " But, seriously," continued he," you have borne the palm by at least fifty voices, from the hitherto unri- valled Miss M'Leod.'* ^^S LLEWELLEN. " Comparisons are odious," cried Bel- lington, " she cannot stand a moment when opposed to Miss Dalziel ; but no matter, she is the same as if married already ; for I heard Miss Llewellen say, that it was al- most a settled thing from the first moment her brother beheld the heiress, and the two old fathers are wonderfully harmonious upon the subject ; they will make a handsome match." " They will indeed,'' cried Cla- ra faintly : " Is Miss M*Leod an amia- ble woman ? she seems very intelligent. *^ Wisdom personified," replied Sir Charles, *' which I lake to be the reason why Alfred looks so remarkably sober of late ; for I be- lieve he has nearly forgot the way to smile — but nere comes the Colonel attended by Mr M'Leod. What is your opinion of the old Highlander, Miss Dalziel r" '^ 1 think," said she, assuming an air of perfect composure, '^ that he appears an excellent model of that national perfection of form imputed to his countrymen." "* And what do vou think," resumed Sir LLEWELLEN. 2/9 Charles, ** of the old V/elsh Colonel, for I assure you he also is perfect of his kind.** " That is equivocal language," said Cla- ra, **for Belzebub was perfect of his kind/' " Ah, Madam, more i? Fiieant by that than meets the ear ; but see, he has fasten- ed his eyes upon you." ** Oh,'' cried Clara, looking around the room, " where can mv father be r*'* '^ In the card-room," answered Belling- ton ; " but you are not going to run away ?" " No, no," cried 8ir Charles, taking her hand, ** you have had a long rest, and you must fuitil your engagement 5 see, the third sel are up." Clara nnediately joined, as she saw ^that it ,was tne only way of avoiding Colonel Llewellen, who seemed waiting an oppor- tuiiity to speak to her. She was, in spite of herself, a little dis- composed on seeing Llewellen and Miss IvPLeod agiin in the same dance 3 but she fei. '\ feeble iiiittering of vauity on observ- iLg :aat she was more the object of his at- teation than his partner, and blushed as 280 LLEWELLEN. she heard Sir Charles in a whisper remark to Llewellen, that he had never witnessed such exquisite symmetry as he beheld in the person of Miss Dalziel, nor did she grieve that Llewellen's answer was a deep drawn sigh. The rival beauties now stood side by side ; when separate, Clara did not appear so tall as Miss M'Leod, but now seen to- gether, they seemed exactly of a height. When the dance concluded, Sir Charles led his partner to a seat, and poured in- to her ear the most flattering compliments, with a pleasantry of manner that might have charmed a heart more at ease. The appearance of Matilda, leaning on the arm of Captain Byron, now attracted their notice. She hung upon him with a languishing air, while he, seeming care- less of her endeavours to fix his averted at- tention, cast his eyes, with a searching look, around the room. *' Do but observe,'* said Sir Charles, " how vain are the efforts of beauty to LLEWELLEN. 281 melt the heart of a stoic ; that girl abso- lutely makes a fool of herself." ** Do you really think that Miss Lie- wellen admires Captain Byron ?" asked Clara. " Yes, admires and loves him to be sure ; but" continued Sir Charles, '' she has not fortune sufficient for his views.*' " Don't yon think now/' said the simple Bellington, addressing Sir Charles, ** that a woman always running after one that way would be very tiresome. I for my part would not like a very loving wife. I like a merry laughing girl." Sir Charles smiled. " I would not,'* said he, ** like a wife resembling Miss Lle- wellen, at all events ; she seems to o'erstep the modesty of nature." Clara at this moment observed Henry Howel sitting apart, with a look so absent, that the tear of sympathy dimmed her sight. " Ah," thought she, ** how little does Miss Llewellen consider her own happi- ness, in courting the regard of a man who 282 LLEWELLEN, is despised by all, while she slights the mo- dest worth of one so deserving of her esteem." Her reverie was interrupted by the ap- proach of Lady Bellington, who begged permission to introduce Miss M'Leod to her, and, with a frankness and warmth natu- ral to her country, she affectionately pressed the hand of Clara. They continued in con- versation, and the naivete and sweetness of Miss M'Leod's address captivated her heart ; and when the ball concluded they parted with regret. When Clara retired for the night, she thought with painful anxiety on the es- trangement of Llewellen, for which she could in no way account. She had little doubt that at one time he loved her, and she now beheld him about to become the husband of another. Her candid heart ad- mitted the powerful influence of her rival, whose attractions and beauty she saw with- out envy. *' Miss M'Leod/* thought she, ** is bora to give happiness to all who see LLEW ELLEN. 385 her. She is gay. Alfred too was gay ; her mind is more in unison with his than mine has ever been since we met.'* These, and similar reflections, gave to Clara's countenance an appearance of in- teresting sadness, that even added lustre to her beauty, from the dignity which it threw over her character and demeanour. In losing the regard of Llewellen she felt like an isolated being ; but one great duty gave a brisk flow to her spirits, — it was to watch over her father's comforts and happiness. She anticipated his every thought, and cheerfully sacrificed her own enjoyments to promote his. In compliance with his wishes she ming- led in the gay circle of fashion, more as a duty than from any self-gratification she derived from it. But still, in the presence of Llewellen, the warm pulse of nature beat w^ith lively emotions ; nor was the fer- vour of her heart diminished by the re- flection that to her he was for ever lost j and at times she even felt her spirits so- laced w^ith the idea of seeing him happy g84 LLEWELLEN, in the love of the amiable Caroline ; for the juvenile mind is never more deceived than by the delusive glow of its own ro- mantic speculations. LLEWELLEN. S85 CHAP. XX. A fretful temper will divide, The closest knot that may be tied, By ceaseless sharp corrosion. Co\\TER. One evening as Clara was engaged with her Itahan teacher, her father came hasti- ly into the room, and begged she would ac- company him to another apartment. Per- ceiving from his manner that he had some- thing disagreeable to communicate, her frame shook with apprehension. " Clara," said he, *' we must, my love, part for a few months ; business of serious interest requires my immediate attendance in the West Indies ; letters received this morning from a friend, inform me that my pecuniary concerns in that quarter have ^86 LLEWELLEN. gone into confusion, owing to the careless- ness or dishonesty of the person who as- sumed the management of them, and my personal presence is therefore indispensa- ble. Should I be successful in bringing them into order, you will be heiress, my beloved child, to almost double the wealth the early extravagance of your parents de- prived you of." For some time Clara remained silent ; the idea of being separated from her fa- ther was a shock she was not prepared for. " Oh," cried she, ** what wealth can compensate for such an absence, my dear father, as you propose ; is not the life of the one all that interests the other ? If you must go, suffer me to accompany you. I can brave all dangers for your sake j here I shall be miserable." " My child," replied he, tenderly em- bracing her, ** you know not what you ask ; believe me Clara I would not leave you could I avoid it — but I cannot take you with me. You know not the difficulty of travelling in that climate 5 and were you LLEWELLEN. 287 with me, anxiety on your account would render me unhappy. Fear not for me, I have been ah'eady seasoned to the climate. I go with my attorney, he will be my com- panion during the voyage, and will return with me ; consent then, my love, to remain with your friends here. Clara dried her tears, " My father," said she, '* I live but for you ; and to give a moment's ease to your mind would sa- crifice my dearest wishes. But during your absence allow me to reside at Rich- mond with my grandmother, for in her society my time would pass away more to my satisfaction than it can do elsewhere. Mr Dalziel again pressed his daughter to his heart. ** Do as you think best, my much loved Clara," said he, as the tear of affection dimmed his eye, " for your up- right nature can never allow you to act wrong." Then leaving her to call on Mr Mac- Gruther, she yielded to a flood of tears, in which situation she was discovered by Isabella. •288 LLEWELLEN. "What is the matter, dearest Clara?*' cried she ; " who has had the barbarity to afflict you thus ?'* " My father, Isabella, is about to leave me." ** Is that all, coz. ?" replied she, — " I wish the case were mine ; I should deem it no misfortune. But where is my uncle going ?" " To the West Indies, my dear cousin ; and I pray heaven you may not also have cause to mourn his absence. He was your best friend.'' " True, Clara ; but my fortunes cannot be worse than they have been. Suffer me then to laugh, for I am tired of weeping. But, oh !" cried she, earnestly, *' consent I beseech you to make my father's house your home, during the absence of your ov/n ? Clara for a moment hesitated ; but marking the anxiety of hope in the coun- tenance of her cousin, she replied, " I shall, if agreeable to your parents, reside a few weeks with them before I go ll€wei/Leh. ^89 to Richmond. But for you, dearest Isabella, I intended to hide myself from all society but that of my grandmother. My father sails in a few days, and you must not leave me till I have made the necessary prepa- rations. He has gone to your father to make him acquainted with his intention, and to say that you will remain here," The following day Clara received a visit from Caroline Macleod, whose increasing friendship promised her the highest satis- faction. In many respects their minds bore a strong resemblance. They were both eur thusiasts, — both romantic, — but the ro- mance of Caroline sprung from the glow of a heated fancy ; but in Clara it was the pure emanation of a fervent heart. The day of Mr Dalziel's departure be- ing now fixed, he left Clara in an agony 6f grief, and she immediately after went to the house of Mr MacGruther. The first day w^as spent in her ov,n apartment, where she had many well- meant visits from Miss MacGruther^ whose condol- VOL. r. N ^90 LLEWELLEN. ence was by no means calculated to as- suage lier sorrow. She dwelt with uncon- scious loquacity upon the dangers of the sea, and upon the storms and tempests she had witnessed at the isle of Muck, and the many shipwrecks that happened just under her '* ain window.'* " But,*' added she, perceiving Clara's agitation, " I dinna mean to bode ill, dear creature ; you ken the ships o' Loonen are no like the cockle-shells at our hame, that coup wi' every blast that blaws. There is nae fears o' your father, though atweel at the same time I wus he had staid where he was ; he, nae doubt, wud hae been safer. But I maun leave you, 1 hear Bell wanting me in the ither end o* the house ; so I'll bid you a good night's rest, and keep up your spirits. '* I will try to do so," replied Clara, " for my dear father is under the protec- tion of heaven." ** Aye, dear, an the wind may howl, an the storm may rage, but it canna hurt a hair o' his head, unless it be sae ordained." LLEWELLEN. SQt " Alas," said Clara, " how little does my father know my nature, when he thinks that any enlargement of fortune will com- pensate for the misery his absence has caused me." *' I weel believe ye, dear, but ye'Il shun forget it a' when he comes back again ; for the langest time seems short when ance its past " Next morning Clara joined the family at breakfast. When she entered the room, Mr MacGruther sat studying the newspa- pers j the only employment that kept him in recollection of his letters. He did not raise his eyes, or take the smallest notice of her approach. Unaccustomed to rudeness, she felt ex- tremely luicomfortable and embarrassed. jMjs MacGruther kissed her cheek, and then commenced an attack upon lier hus- band for his want of common decency in not giving a welcome to her niece. ** Welcome the mischief!" cried he; ** do you suppose that if she was not wel- S9'2 LtEWELLEN. come en her own account she would be so on yours." Mrs MacGruther bitterly replied, — he retorted, and a scene of recrimination en- sued, so discordant to the feelings of Clara, that she implored them to desist, and not ^ive her the pain of knowing herself the cause of their disagreement, as she would merely finish her breakfast, and then go to her grandmother's at Richmond. " Lowrdl' uttered Miss MacGruther in a smothered voice, ** I wus I were in Muck again." *' There is no occasion for that," said Mr MacGruther, " for you are welcome enough, if you chuse, to stay where you are ; but remember this," continued he, looking in the face of his daughter, *' that ril have no visiting and junketting. I won't have niy house turned topsy-turvy." Then finishing his breakfast he left the room. Mrs MacGruther heaved a deep sigh as he shut the door, and exclaimed to her- self, ** God help me !" Miss MacGruther LLEWELLEN. 295 mournfully shook her liead, and at same time cast a glance of kindness upon her niece, who sat with a look of vacant sor- row^, drawing figures with her finger along the table-cloth ; and as Clara traced the characters with her eye, she detected her forming the word *' Bellington." She smiled ; and rising from the table, sat down at a window looking to the street, and was immediately followed by Isabella. Mrs MacGruther, who had been sitting in one posture from the time her husband went out, with her eyes resting on her folded hands, and a face on which was depicted the workings of her feeHngs, now sudden- ly arose and left the room. The cousins being left alone, they soon forgot all that had passed at. the breakfast- table ; and the forenoon was far spent, when Caroline M*Leod was announced. She came with tickets for each of them to a private masquerade, to be given by the Duchess of D . The extacy of plea- sure which Isabella would have felt was checked by the fear that her flither would 59 i LLE WELLE N^ not give his consent to her being of the party. But Clara undertook to obtain this, by making it the first favour she was to ask of him. *^ There is but one way you may hope to succeed," said Isabella, ** that is, by pretending that my mother has refused her consent; and thus you will give him an opportunity of displaying his power, and gratifying his disposition by thwarting her." ** I will not stoop to artifice, my dear cousin," replied Clara; *' but yet I do not despair of bringing this matter about by fair means ; and if I fail, I shall remain iit home with you, which to myself will be no disappointment.'* " Lady Bellington purposes calling for you ou the appointed evening," said Ca- roline ; *' but as she wishes you to appear in characters, she requested me to jnention, that when you had fixed them, she would send her ov/n milliner to arrange your dres- ses. She has made me," continued she, *' take the character of Hygeia, as she says it will best suit my healthy complexion ; LLE WELLES. 595 and if I chuse I may personate the cha- racter without a mask j but she goes herself in a plain domhio.'' ** I will follow her example," replied Clara, ** as in the absence of my father, and from the anxiety I feel on his account, I want the necessary spirits to support any character." ** I shall be an Ariel," cried Isabella with delight, who forgot the possibility of her father's refusal, " or a Caliban, or ia short any thing you please." " Nay," replied Caroline, ** Ariel is the very thing for you. The Duchess has been in search of one these some days, and I am rejoiced you have thought of it. I shall instantly return and inform her Grace and Lady Bellington of my success." ** Tell them also of my fears," replied Isabella. ** And of my hopes/' cried Clara. ** I will,'* repeated Caroline, ** and also of my own anxiety 5 for I shall not much enjoy the entertainment unless you both are pre- sent." ^98 LLEWELLEN. She then left them, and in a few minutes after Mr MacGrutlier entered the room, appai'ently in better hiuuour than he had been in the morning The opportunity wa- favourable, and Clara instantly com- menced her attack. " My «.iear uncle/' said she with an in- sinuating ail, '* your watch-chain is much soiled ; I could make a very beautiful one for you, if I thought you would conde- sciend to wear ii." ** It's more than ever Bell did then," said he. '' Perhaps " resumed Clara, " you would like one better of her making ; I know how much she wishes to oblige her father.'^ " Faith its more than I do then," rephed he jocosely j "so I hope you will make the chain yourself— for 1 had my gold one stolen, and I made a vow to wear nothing but a ribbon in future." ** I was afraid to offer one, Sir," said Isabella meekly, ** else I w^ould have done so long ago." LLEWELLEN. 597 ** I am not very likely to be tried/' replied he, — ** for you are not over anxious, more than your good mother, to please me." ** Give me your watch, dear Sir," said Clara, holding up a chain she had wrought for her own father; *' but should you not like the colours of this 1 will make another/* " No, no,*' said he, evidently flattered, ** the colours are very fine, put it to the watch ; but," asked he, chucking her under the chin, ** what must I give you in re- turn ?'* <,; ** You must grant the first favour I shall ask of you,*' answered she with a winning smile. '* Faith you are a nice girl," added he, looking into her face v/ith much satisfac- tion, " and I don't wonder that your fa- ther gives you all your own way," Clara blushed — he was still more pleased, and walked about the room dangling the chain. ** Faith," said he, returning and looking humorously at Clara, " I have a great mind to give you a kiss." 298 LLEWELLEN* ** I will give you two, Sir/' answered she smilingly, ** if you will grant my request." Then placing a hand on each side of her cheek, he kissed her. Clara was flutter- ed, and even a little terrified, but recover- ing herself, while he laughed at her confu- sion, she again begged him to grant her request. ** You shall have it then,'* said he, ** so come out with it." ** Will you, dear uncle, allow Isabella to go with us to a private masquerade?'' He bit his lip, cast a frown upon his daughter, and then exclaimed, " Go to the ." " Nay, dear Sir," said Clara, *' you will not break your promise, or I must have my kisses again." " And your chain," added he, half sul- lenly. ** No, not my chain, that was given freely, but my kisses were a bribe." ** My dear father," said Isabella, '' 'tis a long time since I had any indulgence." LLEVVELLEN, 299 " AVell, well," replied he, hastily, " don't begin to whine and whimper about it, and you may go, unless Mrs MacGruther pre- vents you, — but I suppose you have her consent long ago." '* No indeed, Sir, my mother does not know of the invitation yet." " Then she'll be sure to find fault with it, were it only to oppose me." Mrs MacGruther now entered, and Isa- bella thoughtlessly said, ** Dear mamma, my father has consented that I may go w^th Clara to a masquerade." " If you had asked my opinion. Miss, I would have told you that it was a very improper place for any young woman to be seen at ; — but my opinions are of no conse- quence, I am a cypher in my own house.'* ** Dear, dear," cried Miss MacGruther, to see folk just makin' meesery to them- sells." ** And who is to take charge of you to this place," enquired Mrs MacGruther. ** The Duchess of D " said Isabella hesitating. 50O LLilWELLEN. ** And bow did you become acquainted with her, Miss ?" " I am not acquainted with her, my dear mother ; but she gave Lady Bellington tickets to dispose of, and her — her" — " Be done with this palavering," cried Mr MacGruther, ** tlie girl is to go and that's enough — so let the dinner be called, if we are to get any.'* END OF THii: FIRST VOLUME* Printed by John Moir, Edinburgb. 1818.. ^wm^m m^^ ^^:^mm UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 3 0112 042235835