Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Sefton and Catherine supported Amy to the adjoining dressing-room, placed her carefully on a couch, and tried, by engaging her in conversation, to make her forget the approaching meeting; but Amy's thoughts had taken too dark a hue to be dispelled even by their efforts; and as soon as her ear caught the sound of Spencer's tread, and she heard him address to Sefton the kindest inquiries respecting herself, a mortal paleness overspread her countenance, on which Mrs Sefton desired Catherine to hasten and forbid Spencer to appear before her. "No, no!" exclaimed Amy, "I am better-the faintness has passed away-indulge me, my best friend;" and Mrs Sefton, unable to deny her, retired with Catherine, and the next moment saw Spencer seated by Amy's couch, her hands fast locked in his; and her pale. cheek, bathed in tears, bent down and resting on his arm.

We shall not pause to detail the conversation which passed at this affecting interview; suffice it to say, that Spencer, his

countenance bearing traces of deep emotion, joined the family only for a moment, then hastily took leave, to which, respecting his feelings, they offered no opposition.

Mrs Sefton and Catherine now hastened to Amy, whom they found much agitated, but she relieved their fears by assuring them that she would not suffer from their indulgence to her wishes. Amy then retired to bed, desired the curtains to be drawn and the shutters closed, and begging to be left alone for a few hours, her kind friends withdrew.

From this period Amy gradually recovered; but it was not till the woods were assuming a browner shade, and the reapers were joyously cutting down the yellow harvest, that she was permitted to visit Catherine's favourite lime walk, where, seated beneath the sheltering and luxuriant boughs, she inhaled the pure breeze and listened to the murmuring stream and the songs of the innumerable birds which flitted past on rapid wing. As her strength increased, her

rambles became more extended; and leaning on the arm of Spencer, she wandered on the banks of the loch, or, seated in some sheltered nook, she would watch the merry gambols of the village children, who, rejoicing in their escape from school, chased each other with noisy glee through the new-mown fields.

But although Amy's health was now restored, her gaiety seemed gone for ever.-. Her voice had lost its tone of cheerfulness, her step its elasticity, and her fair brow was clouded with sadness; and in common with all those who writhe under a first affliction,. she believed that her present feelings would be eternal, and that she would never smile again.

Mrs Sefton and Catherine did not attempt to combat these sentiments, but they and Spencer were indefatigable in their endeavours to amuse her mind, and prevent her from dwelling on the past, and they truly rejoiced when they found they could sometimes surprise her into a momentary

cheerfulness. In pursuance of their benevolent exertions, Mrs Sefton affected a great desire to make excursions to the surrounding scenery; and as she declared against leaving Amy alone, she, too grateful for Mrs Sefton's sisterly kindness to refuse compliance with her wishes, was easily prevailed on to accompany her friends. Amy's first essay was in Mrs Sefton's carriage, but this, at Mrs Sefton's request, who insisted that a freer exposure to the autumn winds. would brace her languid frame, was soon exchanged for the curricle of Spencer, who seldom allowed a day to pass without seeing his youthful charge, and who watched with friendly interest the first faint blush of health revisiting her pale cheek.

CHAPTER XVI.

Post-horn blows-Enter CASIMERE in a travelling-dress, a light-blue great-coat with large metal buttons—his hair in a long queue, but twisted at the end; a large Kevenhuller hat; a cane in his hand.

Casimere. Well, landlady, what company are we to

have?

Landlady. Only two gentlewomen, sir.

The Anti-Jacobin.

THE awful event which had occurred, threw a damp over the whole village of P—————————; and Mrs Smellarat, partly from remorse, partly from shame, kept her bed for three days. Young ladies and gentlemen walked in Rosefield Lane unmarked-new pelisses rustled in church, bonnets and feathers rustled and waved in the breeze, and no one ventured to count the cost. Old

« AnteriorContinuar »