me, dearest uncle, spare me!" she exclaimed, bursting into an uncontrollable flood of tears; "I love him all too well, to see him cursed by such a union:-if I but smiled (I have but little cause for smiles now, yet, if I were his wife, I could not choose but smile,) he would think the smile was levity. If I sung, he would think I sung for others, not for him. I should see other married girls turn to their mothers for support-advice-while mine 99 She could not finish the sentence, but sunk in an agony of bitter feeling upon her uncle's shoulder. Horace Brown's own eyes were full of tears. CHAPTER. XXIII. Slander meets no regard from noble minds→ WHILE Mary was engaged in such mournful converse with her uncle, Lord Norley arrived at the hotel in a high fever of indignation and offended consequence. 66 He was glad," he said, "very glad, indeed, that the young person was recovered,-but, until the whole affair was cleared up in a satisfactory manner, he thought there was a great deal of indecorum—amounting almost, not quite, but almost to actual impropriety—in Lady Norley, his wife, and Lady Ellen, his daughter, running down the throats of such people at a time when all the world was talking of the very equivocal position-the singular circumstances and coincidences-he must say, the very singular circumstances and very peculiar coincidences— which, of course, would be subject-matter of debate,—and he thought, that, taking all things into consideration, he must insist on Lady Norley his wife, and Lady Ellen his daughter, removing that very day to another hotel, not leaving Southampton altogether, but going to another hotel,-unless, as he understood Mr. Horace Brown had arrived, he (Mr. Brown) should see that, as a matter of etiquette, it was the commoner's business to yield to the peer, and remove accordingly. He doubted not Mr. Ho race Brown would perceive this-though he also doubted if he would act thereon-seeing he was an opiniated person, besides, he loved to yield (poor Lady Ellen threw up her eyes,)—he loved, by his own personal behaviour, to set an example of good conduct and forbearance to others,—he thought it right that men of rank should be the first to illuminate persons in the more humble walks of life. Lady Ellen ventured to say, it was upon that principle Lady Norley and herself had acted-foreseeing the good that would arise to Mary and her mother from their at once showing their friendship and confidence. His stately Lordship did not permit her to finish the sentence. He recommenced by informing Lady Ellen that she was not a man!—consequently not bound to set examples-only bound to follow them,-hinted that she was rather fond of being remarkable in what he considered an unfeminine way,—and, deeming it inconsistent to argue the question for a longer period of time, concluded by commanding that Lady Ellen and her mother should be prepared within an hour to remove their quarters :-that, however, was not his phrase,-his Lordship said that he had decided on sending his valet to command suitable apartments for them elsewhere. "My dear papa," again expostulated Lady Ellen, "think of poor Mary-of her mother's deplorable situation-of what they have suffered,—indeed, papa, I never knew you so ungenerous before." While she spoke Harry entered the room. Lord Norley repeated sundry of his observations to his nephew, but Mortimer's heart was too deeply interested to listen to them long. "Your Lordship," he said, "will, I hope, give me credit for every desire to act in conformity to your wishes,—but if you think it possible that I can leave my betrothed bride at such a time as this, you are mistaken. Nay more, Sir, I think that Lady Ellen -" "do you "Sir," said Lord Norley, drawing himself up, pretend to dictate to me as to the management of my child? You are perfectly well acquainted with my views as regards Mr. Brown's niece; I have had no positive reason to alter these views, but, although I deny the right you, or any man, has to question either my opinions or my actions, still I have no objection to state my reasons for thinking that, all things considered, it would be more proper-more dignified-more reputable that what I have decided on should take place,-there are other circumstances, also,— the rumours-the opinions,-but we will adjourn to the next room, and leave the ladies to give their necessary directions. Sunday though it be, they must remove to-day, -nay, Lady Ellen, though your cousin'”—(his Lordship pronounced the two last words with peculiar emphasis)— 666 your cousin' seems to have forgotten that a child's first duty is obedience, I hope you have not done so." Harry followed his noble uncle with anything but filial reverence,―resolved to assert his free agency and independence, and pouring forth silent yet deep anathemas against the icy heartedness of worldly-minded men. There was in Harry's manner the upright and righteous bearing of an honourable mind. Frank and affectionate, he was also truthful and earnest-a model for English gentlemen to mould their minds on,-less brilliant than intelligent, calculated rather to command esteem than win devotion,-yet who, having once secured affection, would never lose it by the indulgence, or rather the existence, of a poor or paltry quality. He was enthusiastic, as quiet persons often are,-enthusiastic in his secret soul,-nursing many a high born feeling in the sanctuary of his own boscm,―lest the world might sneer at what it did not understand. Proud, too,―very proud,-not vain,—though he was handsome, and not unconscious of the advantages which beauty gives to men as well as women. He believed, also, in the doctrine of first love,-having loved Mary in his heart of hearts from the moment he saw her a playful child, to that very hour when his stately uncle began to talk to him of the expediency of calculating what the world would say, could say, and ought to say,—and questioning, with wearying prolixity, how he could have been so imposed on as to proceed to Havre, when Mary was really in England; he then required a detail of how she was discovered-inquired minutely into D'Oraine's escape and canvassed the motives which he supposed might have compelled her to seek her uncle,—reverted, in a few words (which, however, were sufficient in number and import to make Harry's blood boil,) to certain reports, -and concluded his harangue by endeavouring to convince his impatient auditor of the impropriety of his remaining under the same roof-though it was the roof of an hotel-with Mrs. Lorton and her daughter. "You must be aware that your doing so," he said, "can only be interpreted in one way-a resolve, on your part, to marry the girl,—notwithstanding not only the abduction, but what may have led to it." "And what other resolve, Sir," replied Harry, taming down his spirit, "could I come to-supposing the deep affection which I bear her to be quite out of the question?" "Circumstances-expediency-have surely the power to alter every engagement," said the sapient Lord. "I agree to do a thing, supposing it to be lawful,—if I find it unlawful, the complexion of the affair changes. You agreed to marry this girl, supposing all things to be what they appeared,—if they are not, why you are at honourable liberty to retract, or (Horace Brown is amazingly rich) to make, perhaps, a more advantageous arrangement. At all events this Muskito's examination may explain something; and, from what I heard on the road coming down, there is chance of D'Oraine's capture." Harry bit his lip till the blood came, yet he could restrain himself no longer. “The girl, my Lord,—as you are pleased to call her,— has been the chosen-the only-the silently chosen of my heart for years,-and were she without a shilling-without a friend-did the whole world turn against her,—she should be as welcome, as dear to that heart, as if she were dowered like a queen, and of royal blood. I am certain that, whatever she has done, has been done, not only with the best intent, but in the purest manner,—and, though I would yield to your Lordship's feelings, and deem it due to her honour and my own that every thing touching the influence this villain possessed over her mother" (Lord Norley sneered) "should be explained" Lord Norley took a pinch of snuff, and said "Psha." "I thought," continued Harry, looking very steadfastly, if not sternly, in his uncle's face, "that you would like to hear my reasons for remaining in this house; I felt it a duty to your lordship to detail them." 66 "You need not trouble yourself to detail your reasons to me, Mr. Mortimer," said Lord Norley, stiffly. In my own family I have been accustomed to command-not argue. My poor dear boys never disputed the right with their father; if you, Sir, continue, or rather I should say desire, to stand in their place, I shall expect the obedience of a son where I give the protection of a father." "I was so long without a father, my lord, that I may be excused if I forget how obedience should be rendered." Lord Norley coloured violently, for Harry's bright lustrous eyes were fixed upon his face with an expression which he could not misunderstand. “In this matter,” he continued, “you must permit me to act for myself. If I did not care for Miss Lorton—if I could even forget her uncle's protection when I had no other-I should consider myself the greatest dastard under heaven were I to desert her now. What, my lord, would the world ring with? Her mother-have you heard the state she is reduced to? I feel assured I must have misunderstood your lordship." “Not at all, sir, not at all,” said Lord Norley, with bitter emphasis. Do as you please-quite as you please,-fly in my face—I deserve it all—I could expect nothing else from your plebeian education.” "Whatever the faults of my education have been,” said Harry, with more acrimony than wisdom, “they are certainly not to be attributed to your lordships superintendence." Lord Norley looked at his nephew,—he had never before either felt so angry with, or so proud of him, as at that moment. He was enraged that the pupil of a mere trader should dare to differ from him, and express that difference; but, despite his displeasure, his perceptions were sufficiently acute to enable him to see a lofty and firm spirit, which, if he could not break, might, by judicious management, be bent so as to promote the many plans he had in embryo. The justice of Harry's observation stung him to the quick, yet, insolent and overbearing as he was to his inferiors, the weight and intellectual dignity of his sister's son compelled him to consider his reply. His proud spirit writhed beneath the taunt, and his impulse would have been to strike Mortimer to the earth. Before his answer was arranged, a door, which neither had perceived, opened, and from a narrow passage, communicating with what might be termed her prison, Mrs. Lorton entered, and advanced with a hand extended to each-almost before they became aware of her preShe wore no cap, and there was nothing to confine her abundant hair but a golden fillet, which encircled her brows; her figure was enveloped in a white dressing gown, and her cheeks were as pale as her dress; her eyes glittered, and, as she moved with a rapid noiseless step across the room, she looked more like a spectre than a living woman. She put her finger to her colourless lips : sence. |