Chapter 31 - Page 2

companion both in features and
expression, for both were noble, both were handsome. The former was
attired for the road; the latter had thrown a shawl around her elegant
form, and by her morning dress showed that a separation of the two was
about to happen. Taking the hand of the gentleman with both her own, as
she pressed it with fingers interlocked, the lady said, in a voice of
music, and with great affection,

"Then, my dear brother, I shall certainly hear from you within the week,
and see you next?"

"Certainly," replied the gentleman, as he tenderly paid his adieus; then
throwing himself into the chaise, it dashed from the door, like the
passage of a meteor. The horsemen followed; the unridden charger, obedient
to the orders of his keeper, wheeled gracefully into his station; and in
an instant they were all lost amidst the wood, through which the road to
the park gates conducted.

After lingering without until the last of her brother's followers had
receded from her sight, the lady retired through ranks of liveried footmen
and maids, whom curiosity or respect had collected.

The young traveller wore a gloom on his expressive features, amidst the
pageantry that surrounded him, which showed the insufficiency of wealth
and honors to fill the sum of human happiness. As his carriage rolled
proudly up an eminence ere he had reached the confines of his extensive
park, his eye rested, for a moment, on a scene in which meadows, forests,
fields waving with golden corn, comfortable farm-houses surrounded with
innumerable cottages, were seen, in almost endless variety. All these
owned him for their lord, and one quiet smile of satisfaction beamed on
his face as he gazed on the unlimited view. Could the heart of that youth
have been read, it would at that moment have told a story very different
from the feelings such a scene is apt to excite; it would have spoken the
consciousness of well applied wealth, the gratification of contemplating
meritorious deeds, and a heartfelt gratitude to the Being which had
enabled him to become the dispenser of happiness to so many of his
fellow-creatures.

"Which way, my lord, so early?" cried a gentleman in a phaeton, as he drew
up, on his way to a watering place, to pay his own parting compliments.

"To Eltringham, Sir Owen, to attend the marriage of my kinsman, Mr.
Denbigh, to one of the sisters of the marquess."

A few more questions and answers, and the gentlemen, exchanging friendly
adieus, pursued each his own course; Sir Owen Ap Rice pushing forward for
Cheltenham, and the Earl of Pendennyss proceeding to act as groomsman to
his cousin.

The gates of Eltringham were open to the admission of many an equipage