and, without being able to tell why, his Grace always felt more at ease with her than with any body else. But his selfish bride seemed to think that the joys of her elevation would be diminished, if shared even by her own sister, and she coldly rejected the proposal. Lady Juliana was next suggested-for the Duke had a sort of vague understanding that his safety lay in a multitude. With him, as with all stupid people, company was society, words were conversation-and all the gradations of intellect, from Sir Isaac Newton, down to Dr. Redgill, were to him unknown. But although, as with most weak people, obstinacy was his fort, he was here again compelled to yield to the will of his bride, as she also declined the company of her mother for the present. The disappointment was somewhat softened to Lady Juliana, by the sort of indefinite hopes that were expressed by her daughter of seeing her in town when they were fairly esta blished; but until she had seen Altamont House, and knew its accommodations, she could fix nothing; and Lady Juliana was fain to solace herself with this dim perspective, instead of the brilliant reality her imagination had placed within her grasp. She felt, too, without comprehending, the imperfectness of all earthly felicity. As she witnessed the magnificent preparations for her daughter's marriage, it recalled the bitter remembrance of her own--and many a sigh burst from her heart as she thought, "Such as Adelaide is, I might have been, had I been blest with such a mother, and brought up to know what was for my good!" The die was cast-Amidst pomp and magnificence, elate with pride, and sparkling with jewels, Adelaide Douglas reversed the fate of her mother; and while her affections were bestowed on another, she vowed, in the face of heaven, to belong only to the Duke of Altamont! "Good bye, my dearest love !" said her mother, as she embraced her with transport," and I shall be with you very soon ; and, above all things, try to secure a good opera-box for the season. I assure you it is of the greatest consequence." The Duchess impatiently hurried from the congratulations of her family, and throwing herself into the splendid equipage that awaited her, was soon lost to their view. CHAPTER IX. "Every white will have its black, As Lady Juliana experienced. Her daughter was Duchess of Altamont, but Grizzy Douglas had arrived in Bath -The intelligence was communicated to Mary in a letter. It had no date, but was as follows: 66 MY DEAR MARY, You will See from the Date of this, that we are at last Arrived here, after a very long journey, which, you of Course Know it is from this to our Part of the country; at the same Time, it was uncommonly Pleasant, and we all enjoyed it very Much, only poor Sir Sampson was so ill that we Expected him to Expire every minute, which would have made it Extremely unpleasant for dear Lady Maclaughlan. He is now, I am happy to say, greatly Better, though still so Poorly, that I am much Afraid you will see a very Considerable change upon him. I sincerely hope, my dear Mary, that you will make a proper Apology to Lady Juliana for my not going to Beech Park (where I know I would be made most Welcome) directlybut I am certain she will Agree with me that it would be Highly Improper in me to leave Lady M'Laughlan when she is not at all Sure how long Sir Sampson may Live; and it would Appear very Odd if I was to be out of the way at such a time as That. But you may Assure her, with my Kind love, and indeed all our Loves (as I am sure None of us can ever forget the Pleasant |