WILLIAM B. MERRILL, jDERRY, JV. H. University of California Berkeley c THE CONTRAST: IT A N V E L -B Y E. S. VILLA-REAL GOOCH, -THE FIRST AMERICAN EDITION. WILMINGTON: Printed and fold by JOSEPH JOHNSON No. 73 Market-ftreet Oppofite the BANK. V: THE CONTRAST: A NOVEL. CHAP. I. ON the coaft of Cornwall is a fmall vil lage, fituate on a rifmg hill, which commands a view of the fea. A chapel, built on the fummit, is its principal edifice; thi* ther did the hearts of its humble inhabitants repair to invoke the mercy of their Creator, and oft did they implore him to protect fuch of their friends and relations as were expci- ed to the boiiterous element below it. Nor was this the only purpofe to which this fm> ple building was adapted ; frequently did its white front borrow aid from the moon, and 1.58M 4 THE C O N L R A S T; lei ved as a. Wd mark to the diftreiFed marin- -ers, ;vho were driven within its view. This village, which I fhall call Birtland, might: have been juitly defcribed as iecluded from the world. No proud lord ufurped its happy domaiu. No legal plunderer attended to fettle thofe trifling differences between man and man, which, without fuch interference, might be foon adjuited ; but which, when ap plied, frequently proves worfe than the evil. At Birtland, the age of primitive innocence itill exifted ; at Birtland, all was union and perfect tranquillity. i ( Within two miles of this happy village flood an ancient caftle, formerly the refidence of the houfe of liaftings. Many were the illuftrious Earlf, of Huntingdon who had drawn their firit and lalt breath of life within its then peaceful walls. Every heir of that didinguimed title had fjgnalized himfelf by deeds of unbounded munificence. They were as remarkable for their benevolence and kofpitality, as the cour tiers of the prefent age are for their arrogance and boundlefs ambition. At THEIR door, ne ver was the tale of woe rejected, nor did a petitioner era vein vain. The wealthy and the indigent were equally unknown ; and the hearts and purfes of thefe noble lords were ever open to the tears of the unhappy. Tu obtain their protection, it wasneceffary only to folicit it ; for no guileful wanderer ever bent his way to the happy but retired caftie of Led- Itone. A NOVEL. 5 Many centuries had paffedin this (late of blifs, when time, which is ever working miracles, (hitherco fatal to mankind !) ftretched the cloud of fate over this humble corner of England. The loft Earl of Huntingdon died. His gener- ofity had over-reached his power, and his ef- tates were involved. That of Ledlione was an object of too much importance to be aband oned by the rapacious creditors ; it was there fore agreed that it ihould be put up to iale, and parted with by public auction. A gentleman, the fon of a wealthy in? reliant in the city, was the higheft bidder, and to him was that property configned. He was a young man, not poffeiled of very mining abilities, who had been educated at Weftn-imfter-fchooi, and was thence fent to Oxford. But ihidy was 'ill adapted to his tade ; he left both thefe places in difguft, and prevailed (but not without diffi culty) on his father, to fuffer him to pafs two or three years on the continent, by way of giving a fiaiih to his education. It was foon after his return to England, that he determined to marry, but he had frequently the mortification to find hispropoials rejected. Money was no object to him, as he was fure to inherit, on the death of his father, a confider- able. fortune ; but he wiihed to ennoble his name, hitherto beft. known upon 'Change, and was at lenght fortunate enough to fucceed in his addreiTes, with the only daughter of a new- created Irifh peer, who .Lad b^en luccefsful in his claim to the tide of his ancestors, and whofe greatefl ad vantage was her title. A 3 6 THE C Q N T R A S T. It was foon after this marriage took place f that he became the purchafer of Leditone^ \vhlch he knew only by report, having never viiited the Weft of England.' In London, Lady Jane was * equally a Aranger. She had paffed her life in Dublin but remained unnotic ed there until her father was created an Earl. They let out for London too foon afterwards for her to fix her choice among her old acquaint ance, who were many of them at length be et) rue her new admirers. Mr. James Martindale was the firft monied man who foliated the hand of Lady Jane ; and to his fortune, more than to himfelf, was ihe immediately devoted* C H A P II. MR. Martindale hired a ready -furniftied- houfe in the vicinity of Portman-Square ; and on the fourth of June, juft five weeks after her marriage, Lady Jane Martindale was prefented at St. James's. Her perfun was ra ther handfoine than other wife, and it was on this occafion decorated with all the parapher nalia of birth-cay magnificence. To be admi red, it was necelfary only that (he ihould be jeeri ; and to her, the knee of adulation was foon bent. The Earl of C , on whom the feiters of matrimony fat lightly, was het A N O V E L ? devoted (lave for the evening ; and her eyes received an additional portion of brilliancy, as her conquefts became multiplied. In Mr. M?rtindale's bofom very- different \vere the fenfations which arofe on that oceaii- on. He gazed on the beauties of his wife, and his vanity was flattered by their effect , but hi& heart trembled as he vie wed her, and the pangs of jealoufy racked his foul. He endeavoured to appear regardlefs of the admiration he faw la- vilhed on her ; but by degrees he drew nearer to the door of the antechamber, and their wait ed with anxiety the hour f twelve, at which time his fervants and equipage \vere ordered to attend. As foon as their arrival was announced, Mr, Martindale hurried Lady Jane out of the room, and attempted to put on her cloak^ which a footman had given into his hands. But Lord C diiputed with him this office, and the rules of good breeding obliged the hufband to relinquilli it. Yet he could nor avoid perceiving a ilgnificant look, and a Iqueeze of the hand, which each bellowed on the other, as Lord C Handed Lady Jane to her carriage ; and this was, t&^a weak mind, almoft proof pofirive of their guilt. But in this idea he y/as wholly mittaken : Lord C had not entertained an idea beyond the amufement of the prefent hour, and Lady Jane faw nothing in the emaciated peer that could .poffibiy turn her thoughts towards him on the fueceeding one. 3 THE CONTRAST: The time now arrived when every fafhiona- ble family prepared to leave town. Lady, Jane had already made the acquit! tion of numberlefs acquaintance, but her heart had not ielecled a friend. It was almoft a matter of indifference to her whether ihe went, and to her hufband's inclinations ihe appeared willing to accede. Mr. Martindale's determination was to go to Leditone ; but when ihe heard of its feclufton, her heart recoiled at the idea, and ihe reqi=eft- ed his approbation of a prior excuriion to Wey- mouth or Briolithelmflone. He became ho we- c> ver abfolute in his intentions ; arid as her father had immediately after her marriage returned to Ireland, it became neceffary for her to draw fome one over to her interefts ; neceility, ra ther than choice, directed her to old Mr. Mar- tip-dale. He was exactly calculated for fuch an employment. He had been in his younger days a general admirer of pretty women, and the charms of his new daughter-in-law loft no thing in his opinion. lie perfectly agreed with- her, that to tranfplant a large eftablifh- ment into the defects of Cornwall, would be attended with a heavy expence, befides the probability that exifud of their dilHking the iituation, and fpeedily returning. Lady Jane an-' tin ok 4 g^nlemaa haa many converfations on the li;L ;e6t, and apreed to expoPaiiate warm ly >v fvlartindale, whom however they had the monirtcation to find inexorable. AD they co.ild obtain was a few days vielay, and a pr or 1 . rife thai heu; ftay iu ihe country ihou-ki not exceed fix mouths* A NOVEL CHAP. Ill IN a few days, part of Mr. Martindale^ re tinue fet forward on their journey into the Weft. Thefe confifted of her Ladyfhip's un- tlerwoman, who was, during this funrmer campaign, to act alfo in the capacity of houfe- keeper ; a French vaiet ; a French cook ;-*- a running footman, and three or four more. Every thing was there in readinefs for the reception of thefe nobel and novel gnefts ; for the caftle was inhabited by an old fteward and: his family, whom the late Earl of Huntingdon had Rationed in it ; and as they had never re ceived notice to quit the premiffes y rhey full enjoyed, in fome of the rooms at the end of it r peacable and quite poffelfton*. When thefe imitators of greatnefs pafled through the village of Birtland, they were ftruck with the appearance of its humble inha bitants; who, xniftaking them for their fuper iors, crowded forth to bid them welcome. The bells, though few in number, echoed thefe. warm plaudits of the heart ; and every tenant, with uplifted" eyes, prayed Heaven to blefs them ! Stunned with applaufes for which they were unprepared, and which they did not rightly 10 THE CONTRAST: comprehend, they anfwered only by a loud laugh; and arriving at the caftle, where they ibon made themfelves known, were received with humble civility by the worthy fteward his wife, and daughter. Mrs. Drapery could not help fhuddering as ihe pafied through the fpacious hall .which led to the inhabited p^rt 6f the ca; tie,. Th-e- mafly door clofed with a tremendous noife'; it re- founded through tbe vaulted roof, a^d petrified her with honor. On the high arched win dows of painted glafs, were banded down to pofterity the emblazoned arms of the newly expired title of Huntingdon ; and the unwieldy armour which had formerly defended the lives of its illuihious wearers, now 'hanging up and neglected, borrowed a faint light from the feeble glimmerings of the moon, fcarcely feen enough to ^e obferved through the heavy cafe men t. She requeued to be (hewn to the appartment allotted her, where ihe gave orders that her fellow-tarvellers fhould attend. She exprelied to them the greateft difguitat every thing ihe faw r and the utter impoifibiiity there was of her being, ever able to accuftom herfelf among fuch Hottentots. " She was fure," ihe faid, u that ail Mr. Martindale's money would be *' but a poor compeafation, if Lady Jane was 44 to linger away the bell: part of her life in fuch 44 an odious retirement. She wondered how u he could think of bringing an Earl's daugh- 44 ter to fuch a horrible diftance from every A NOVEL. it * thing alive. For HER part, {he was fure " SHE could not (lay there, and fhe hoped to " find that her Lady would loon be of the 4i fame opinion." In lefs r:han a week, Lady Jane and Mr, Martindale arrived at Ledftone. When the loquacious Mrs. Drapery faw the butler (to whom fhe was by do means averfe), ihc allured him, that if fhe had not been certain of HIS corning down, fhe could not have prevailed on hepfelf to remain there a day after me had deli vered up her charge to her Lady ; for that the place was a defcrt, and the evening winds were fo rough, that fne already found her con- ititution DAM AGED by them; and it was be come abfolutely neceiTary for her to return to London, were it only for the benefit of her health. Lady Jane and Mr. Martindale, who faw nothing in their new habitation otherwife than they had expected to find it, pafled feveral days in viliting the cattle and its environs. Lady Jane was particularly attentive to the narations of the old ftevvard, who not unfrequently rub bed his hand acrofs his eyes, as he dwelt on the praifes of his late-loved Lord. In a fnaall clo- fet adjoining the hall, of which he had entreat ed to keep the key, he was wont to review and admire the tattered robes in which Henry third Earl of Huntingdon fat in judgment on the trial of the charming and unfortunate Mary Queen of Scots. Thefe he fliewed Lady Jane, la menting forely the day, that, iu depriving the i THE CONTRAST: county of its FIRST ornament, robbed HIM of his beft friend HJS ONLY BENEFACTOR. HAP. IV, TH E mind of Lady Jane was by nature fufceptible of tender fentiments, and of foft impreffions ; yet her heart was as un-confci- ous of their primitive fource, as of their fubfe- euing to join and cheriih her, who, fmce the death of his wife, ieemed doubly entitled to his rare and protection. A N O V E L. 29 CHAP. VIII. NOTHING material occurred during their journey to Calais; but Glencairn, to whom every object was new, was furprifed at the different fcenes thatprefentedthemielves. Often, however, did his imagination retrace the image of Lady Jane Martindale ; ihe was the fidt woman he had ever beheld with emo tion, and her expreflive looks had taught him to believe that he was not indifferent to her. He lamented both the caufe and it* effect, that bad, by preventing their continuing in Lon don, deprived him of being prefented at the Duchefs of G 's, where he could ob tain the only chance of the Colonel'shearing of, or feeing, Mr. Martindale. But thefe reflec tions he was obliged to conceal ; shey remain ed with-. his fecret buried in his heart- and he -was under too many obligations to the Colonel not co endeavour (at leaft) to fnppreis them. When they landed at Calais, and had reach ed Monfiur Deilin's hotel there, Colonel Stu art found himfelf fatigued and agitated by his journey. He requeued Glencairn to go immediately to the convent, with a note from Ivim to the fuperior, defiring her to fend Mifs Smart, with the bearer, his friend. Glen cairn had formerly feen her; but it was dur- 3, 30 THE CONTRAST: ing thofe days of infancy on either fide, that had left but few traces behind them. He de livered his letter at the crate of the convent, aad -was. conduced to the parlour, on one fide of which, was a large grate ; and on the other iide, a curtain that was drawn. In a few minutes it was removed, and pre fer; ted to his view a form that nature had tak en pride in adorning. Mil's Stuart (for it was herfelf ) was the moft finifhed picture of human perfection. She raifed her blue eyes as he addrelTed her, and politely reqriefting him to wait a few minutes, difapoeared to put herfelf in readinefs to ac^ company him. * She foon rejoined him in the parlour, and they proceeded on foot to the hotel. She ac cepted his arm, and he perceived with ex treme forrow that me had fcarcely fuflicient Strength to proceed. Yet ilie did not once complain, but pa fled the iliort time in making a thoufand tender enquiries about her father. The meeting bet.ween them was highly af- fedring ; they were equally feniible of the ges each" other's looks had experienced, yet r either dared, to acknowledge that they perceived any alteration. It was bat too evi dent that Mifs Smart was in the early ftage of a confumption, which appeared to be fa ft haft- ening this beauteous bloffom to a premature decay. It was foon determined that Ihe ihould immediately leave the convent ; that the next morning her expenc.es ihould be paid there; A N O V E L. 3 t and her clothes taken away ; and that they Ihould allow themfelves a few days repofe at Calais, before they fixed on any plan their inclinations might for the preient lead them-, to purfue. Mifs Stuart had contracted an intimacy in the convent with a Mifs Beaumont, a young lady of French extraction, and fomewhat old er than herfelf. The very (lender fortune ihe was to inherit, had induced her parents t& per- fvs'ade her to take the veil, to which me was perfectly reconciled, Having lived in the con vent iince ihe was fix years old, me had not a wiih to fee the world, but had partly refolvecl to enter on her noviciate the following year.j Mifs Stuart called there the next morning r and took leave of her friend. They agreed to correfpond during the remainder of their lives, and that no intereiVmg cireumitaiice mould oc cur to the one, with which the other fhould not become acquainted. Our travellers had been near a week at Calais, and Colonel Stuart thought it time to fix their departure. But whither were they to go? He w iflied, for his own gratification, to return' home ; but he thought it would be, at, that time, a wrong meafure to adopt on his daughter's account. For this he had a double motive: Winter was fetting in, and he na turally conceived that the keen blafts of the North would have too powerful an influence over her delicate and affefted frame. He feared 3 2 THE G O N T R. A S TV alfo, from the exquifite fenfibility he preceived her to pofiefs, that ihe might receive a fatal blow to her peace, when, on her return to her firft home, every object which appeared there would remind her of its loft ornament, her mother ! The Golonel had, fmce her death, found a melancholy pleafure in arrang ing every thing at Allan-Bank for her reception. All that had belonged to Mrs. Suart, he had colle&ed carefully for her daughter ; but he had no idea of the faded form he \vas to meet ; he had feeu her a healthy , though delicate girl ; and he naturally expected to find in her im^ proved underftanding, and formerly lively dif- poiition, the companion beft fuitedto footh the anguilh of his mind, whenever he reflected on the virtues of that incomparable wife of which the grave had robbed him I In the evening, when Ml fs Stuart had retired to her appartinent r .the Colonel rang for ano- bottle of Moniienr Deifm's beft Burgundy, and imparted to Glencairn his reflections of the day. He obferved, that having nothing to confult but their refpeclive inclinations, he had en tertained an idea of their traveling South ; that he thought his beloved Mary's health required change of. air, and he conceived it poffible THAT of Italy might reftoreit. She would alfo derive maay advantages from, fuch a TOUR, that were not to be met with in Scotland. It would afford her a flee opportunity of improv ing herfelf in. nrufip, of which ihe was pailion^- ately fond; and (he woald by travelling gain a ilifiicleat -knowledge of the world, to A N O V E L 33 that awkward bafhfulnefs, -which gave her a childilh air of iimplicity, and which it would be necelTary for her to overcome before Hie pre- fided at his houfe, of which, alas ! Ihe was now become fole mirbrefs. Giencairn could not with any propriety appear to disapprove this fcheme, and nothing remained tut to ob tain Mifs Stuart's approbation (of which they could have no doubt) ; and that obtained, they refolved to quit Calais^ and pals through Pro vence to Nice. Mifs Stuart was, as they expe&ed, pleafcd with the propofal ; and nothing -was wanting to complete the fatisfadlion of the party, but a more cheerful acquiefcence on the part of Glen- cairn , who vainly endeavoured to forget his .predilection for Lady Jane Martindale. He experienced an inquietude hitherto unknown to him, when he reflected on the impoiiibility there now was of his communicating to her his fentiments, and the knowledge of his fituation. He dared not hazard writing to her by the poll ; and though the failors had told him Mrs. Drapery's name, his reipect and delicacy forbade his addreiling himfelf to her. He wa& forced therefore for the prefent to relinquifh all hope of feeing, hearing of, or writing to her ; and he felt the force of Rochefoucault's jufl ob- fervatioo, that Abfence leiTens fmall paflions, and encreafe* great ones k For he never loved LacJy J af1 ^ & PASSION- 34 THE C O N T~R A S T: ATELY as at this moment, while he defpaired of ver feeing her more* C H A P THE next clay was employed in preparati ons for their departure ; and on the en- fuing morning they began their journey in a berline the Colonel had purchaced of Monfieur Deifin. They were attended only by a French fervant who had travelled all his life, fpoke a little Englifh, and whora Deffin. had recom mended. I fhall pafs over every natural incident that occurred to them, and obferve only that they reached Nice ibon after the time they had calcu- lated to do fo ; when, after palling a few days at the hotel, they hired by the month an ele-- gant villa in its environs. The Colonel had procured letters of credit on the Engliih banker there, and$ they were all alike charmed with their new fituation. Their fervant Louis had been there frequently, and was become their Proveditore-Generale. Mifs Stuart hired a maid for herfelf, by name Jofephme,- which, with an Italian cook, corn- pleated their family. Colonel Stuart was an independent, thougk A NOVEL. 35 not a rich man. His income had never been involved, and it produced him from five to fix hundred pounds a year. He had no one to pro vide for but his daughter. With his protege Glencairn it was othervife. He was an orphan, without a friend in the world but the Colonel, who (having been ma ny years intimate with his deceafed father, rJif. tantly related to Mrs. Stuart, and who was a younger brother of high birth, wliofe fortune perifhed with his life) had adopted this child of love, and promiled never to deiert him. He adhered to his word, and was fuificiently pre- poffeffed in favour of his young ward, to WISH lhat a future attachment might take place be tween him and his daughter, that his fortune tfiight by their marriage equally devolve on both. With this view, he had fpared no pains to cultivate the mind of the young Edward, who repaid his tender care with all that filial duty and imcere affe&ion could beftow, It was with this young couple, as with all onr untravelled illanders, whole extent of E- uropean knowledge carries them no father than the boundaries of England ; every object be yond Dover becoming a matter of wonder. Thus it was with our North Britons. Mifs Stuart and Glencairn were loft in aftonifhment at every new fcene which prefented itfelf to their view, and they feemed to fancy themfelves in habitants of another world. They were left almoft entirely to themfelves ; for Colpnel Stu art was a man of fuch ftrict honour, and had 36 THE CONLRAST: -withal fo much family-pride, that he believed it jmpoflible they ihould derogate from either ; his only appreheniion was, that neither poiTeiF- d fufficient confidence to explain thole mutual fentiments which he thought muft be infepara- ble from both. In this opinion he \yas not al together miftaken. Their time paffed away in innocent delight ; and Mifs Stuart's health be ginning vilibly to mend, they amufed them- felves in visiting every curiofity, with which, the charming country they were now become inhabitants of, abounded. In the vicinity of Nice, innumerable were the piclurefque icenes which met their ravilh- ed eyes. How beautiful do the marit'yne Alps appear, as they rife from the ocean ! from whence afcending by gentle degrees, they form a fuperb amphitheatre, bounded by Mount- albano, projecting into the fea, and over hang ing the town. On the other fide, where .pro-' fpecls lefs ftnpendous allure the eye, how charming do the richly cultivated plains ap pear, while they prefent to the view the vines, the citrons, the oranges, the bergarnots, and every luxury which Earth can furnifh to her inhabitants ! The gardens,, which are during the winter months equally profufe of the fweeteft flowers, convinced them, that in that terreftrial paradife the Lord of all had been peculiarly bounteous, and that to be happy it was neceffary only to forget every difappoint- ment that had hitherto awaited them in this iublunary world. A N O V E L: But how vain is every endeavour to com mand the feelings of the human heart! They rife fuperior to conrroul, and if they reign at all, they reign with tyranny. Glencairn muft have been more than mortal, lefs than man, could he have refided under the fame roof with the all fafcinating Mary, without feeling the power of her improving charms. He was not blind to them, but often in feciv- ey lamented his wayward deftiny, which feein- ed determined in fpite of every oppofition to feparate them through life. An idea, prior to his feeing Mary, had taken full poilellion of him. He had beheld Lady Jane Martindale, and his heart had vowed to her everlaftiru; love. He even cheriihed the certainty of her hufband's not being IMMORTAL; and he con ceived it poilible for a time to arrive, nay, he even believd itto benot far diftant, when he might return to England, and claim her as his own. How vifionary is every fcheme of future blifs, and how precarious are the willies of man! He builds his hope on a fhadow$ and fcarcely has he time to admire the fabric his imagination has raifed, ere it vanifhes, and jiis dream of happinefs at once difappears I D 33 THE O N T P. A S T : H A P. X. WE will now return toLedftone, where nothing material occured during the funimer and autumn months, more than has been mentioned. Lady Jane and Mr. Mar- tindale lived peaceably together, feldom con tradicting each other, but particularly agree ing on one point, that of looking forward with pleaiure to the deilined time of their re turn to London. Lady Jane fometimes, in deed, recollected Glencairn; but thofe emoti ons me had experienced at firft feeing him, had fubfided into a languid indifference, and her thoughts became .every day more devoted to the idea of the pleafures ihe ihould .enjoy in the gay metropolis. She did not however ne glect at times vifiting her favourite fpot ; but it was now .winter, -and die coldnefs of the weather prevented her fitting there as former ly, watching the bofom of the deep. She was one morning returning from it, and near the houfe, when me perceived Mr. Martindale corning towards her with a letter in his hand. His countenance bore the viiible marks of difcontent. He took her arm within his ; and (lightly obferving that he had fome- thing unpleafaru to communicate, but without mentioning of what nature, they proceeded to the library, where, without hifitation. he A N G' V L, 39 read to her the letter. It was from his father. It fir ft contained a few vague enquiries alter them, and then informed them, that being at length tired of a (ingle life, he had refolved to marry a fecond time. He had partly, lie faid, fixed hischoice. The Lady (he obfervedj was not of a diftinguifhed family, neither did file polfefs a brilliant fortune ; but (he "had ma ny good qualities, and he had no doubt of the approbation me would meet with from his foil and daughter, to whom he hoped in a few months to introduce her as his wife. He nei ther mentioned her name, her age, nor her perfon ; and of thefe, various were the opini ons they entertained^ Mr. Martindale highly refpected his father, and dreaded feeing him the dupe of what he naturally fuppofed to be (fronr the caution obferved in the letter) an indifcreet engagement. Another motive too, o and in forne breafts it would have been a more powerful one than it was in that of Mr. Mar tindale, w^f elf -infer eft* The old gentleman had, on the death of his wife, fettled all his landed property on his fon ; but he had a great deal of ready money ; five thoufand pounds of which he had given him on his marriage, be- fides his mother's jointure of two thoufand pounds a year, which was, in cafe of Lady Jane's furviv'mg him, to be her portion for life. He had been indeed particularly liberal en that occafion, having prefented Lady Jane with the late Mrs. Mardndale's jewels, , which were of confiderable value, and he had pur- chafed every thing for them, fuch as equipa ges, plate, &c. D 2 -p T-ME CONTRA they could forefec witli pleafen an Union) which would divide, if it did iiOt wholly alienate, the aflfebiors of Mr. Mar- r.n:!.: lc IV-, wi his family. After they bad con- 'jr for fbme time on the ftibje&, they agreed to fet out for London with ail convenient expedition. Mr. Martindale an- i \vered his lather's letter, but in terms almoft *; equivocal as his own. He expreMed ibme fv.rprife at the half confidence repofed in him, and concluded by vviihing him every happineis in whatever {ituntion he might hereafter find liimfelf ; but he did not give the moil cliftant hint of his intention of going to town, which \vasinhopes, if it were not already too late, to fruftrate the old gentleman's prefent intenti ons. As they had no honfe there, they were on their arrival obliged to put up at an hotel; and had on that account left all their fervants, ex- cepting P^Irs. Drapery and the butler, at Led- Hone. They had noc been there many minu tes, before Mr. Martindale fent for a hackney- coach, and went to his father's houfe in the city. But now great was his ailoniihment, when, on knocking at the door, a footman in an unknown livery appeared at it, and inform- rned him, that the houfe was now in poiieffion of another family ; Mr. Martindale having been married about a month, and that he reii- ded in Devonfhire Pjace ! Mr. Martindale faiotherecl as much as pofll- ble his indjgnaiion and Airprlfe. He directed A N O V E L. 41 Uie coachman to return to the hotel, and gave hirnfelf up to his reflections in this firft inftance of duplicity oh his father ; for it was evident to him, that he was actually married at the time he wrote to him ; and that the ceremony muft have been performed in a very private manner, not a (ingle news-paper having announced it. When he returned to Lady Jane, and in formed her what had pa (Ted, he had the ' fatif- f action, to find that her feelings were perfectly congenial with his own : ihe perfuaded him to wait till the next day for farther intelligence ; and amklft a thoufand conjectures apprehenfi- ons and uncertainties they palled the even ing, and retired early to reft. II A P. R. Jsaies Mr.rtindale, at a feafonablc hour, difpatched his own fervant with a dutiful, yet cool billet of congratulation to his father, requeuing to know at what, horn- he might be premitted to wait on him. Though it was but juft two o'clock when the valet was fent on his errand, he found the crowd of fervants and carriages fo great at Mr. Martiridale's c!oor ; that it had more the appear- o 42 unce of the Exhibition at Somerfet-Houfe, than of leionding to a citizen. It v, as fome minutes before he could prevail on. or.e of the footmen to carry up the note he was iiiTuik'd with. After waiting a confidera- Me time for an anfvver, a verbal one was brought him by another powdered coxcomb, which was {imply Mr. Martindale's compli ments, and that he would call at the hotel within an hour. Lady Jane was fhnding at one of the windows of k about four o'clock, v.hcn a iumptuous vis-a-vis llopped at the door. Mr. Ivlarthidale was fitting by the fire-fide, reading a new pamphlet, when Lady Jane's precipitate exclamation, of 4% Good t:> God ! vhls c;,-.not be your father !" inilantly drew him towards her. They thought they recog nized his features, though difguiied un'der a i'inall \vip;, made to look like his ov/n hair; \yliich ;;:ve ib great an alteration to his coun ter:, '.cj. ih at it was inipoilible for them at the frrft moment to afccrtaiil whether or uo it was really him they lav/. They were however foo:i convinced, as he hobbled out cf his carri age {upper led by t\\ o iervants in yellow 7 and iu\ cr liveries : the plain blue and butt, which. had been the family ihndard of many years, AN as to all appearance difcarded, with the browa bob of former and more rcfoeelable days. M;\ Martindale received the congratulations of his fun and daughter with much feemingplea- fure ; and apologized with rather a diiconcert- &i air for the fecrecv he had obferved towards A N O V E L. 4 -.- r ^_> them ; ^Hedging as bis reafon for . it, the ap- prehciilions he had entertained for their difap- proveing his marriage ; to which however he. was very certain no reasonable objection couKl be ftated, unlelsic was that of a difparity o years ; Mrs. Manindale being extreamly young, and extrearnly handfome. He was corn million ed by her, he faid, to fay a thoufand kind things tothenibodi ; and to alfure them of her regret at finding herfelf engaged not only for that day, but for the fucceeding one ; but {he hoped they would not refufe her the favour of their company to fupper that night at twelve, after the opera, where ihe vvasgoing.. To this, they affented, more from curiofity than inclination, and the old bridegroom took his leave. Mr. Martindale, In going down the flair- cafe with his father, enquired the former name; of his mother-in-law ; bat received a very laconic anfwer, that it was Harvey ; of a fami ly of the North of England, with which he could not poffibly be acquainted. He returned, and fat down in fullen filence ; but Lady Jane laughed. She had no envy in her competition, and was prepared to admire the fuperior beauties of Mrs. Martindale, with out a wifli to outvie them, or to find them any way inferior to the old gentleman's dif- cription. At the appointed hour they went to De Yonihire-Piace. Mrs. Mar.tiudale was but juft 44 THE CO N T R A S> T: returned home, having lounged, ihe faid, long er than fhe intended in the falcon of the opera- houfe. If her vifitors were ft ruck with the beauty of her perfon (than which nothing could he more captivating), they were not lefs fo with the dazzling fplendour of her drefs, A rich gold mullin, made into a Circailian robe, with a turban of white crape, ornamented with a profuiion of diamonds, gave her the appear ance of an eailern princefs ; but there was an air ot levity in her manner, that initantly caught the attention of young Mr. Martindale ; who had fcarcely beheld her, ere his heart formed a wiih that no violent intimacy might in future take place between her and his wife. The more he faw of this yonthfnl bride (whole appearance did not befpeak her age to be more than feventeen), the lefs he liked her ;. and while he drew her into a converfation, in which he perceived that her ignorance and felf-fufficiency were predominant, he pleafed. himfelf on the comparifon he could not avoid making between her, and the lefs beautiful, but more lovely and unadorned Lady Jane ; who having, fince the frnall portion of know ledge ihe had obtained af lur hearc, loft a con- iiderable mare of that pride \vhich had ever been her greateft foible, was become infinitely more intereiting to fociety . and more amiable in the eyes of her hulband. In HER was blend ed all that increaling fenfibility could bellow en an intelligent mind. Polite without flatte- A NOVEL. 45 ry, fae every day gained on the efteem of thofe who knew her. Mrs. Mariihidale, by endea vouring to appear the woman offalhion, for which me was never intended, was at times e- v r en vulgar ; and her obfcure origin was not counterbalanced by the graces of her mind. Nature had been, it is true, profufely laviih on her perfon ; but her difpofition was avaricious and mean. She difliked Lady Jane's fuperior birth, but ihe had cunning to diiTemble ; and endeavoured to flatter her into a belief, that me had never feen any woman with whom me ib much longed to cultivate a friendship, as herfelf. We will now take leave of this family party for the night ; they parted, not without a vo luntary offer from Mrs, Martindale to break off all acquaintance with thofe of her fociety whom Lady Jane might not approve. I will next inform my readers who was Mrs. Martin* dale; which, together with the little {ketch I have drawn of her difpofition, will in fome meafure enable them to account for the tenor of her future conduct; at leaft, if they think as I do, that a low mind never attains any degree of excellence, however the perfon may be ex alted. The heart . v. hen good is incorruptible, however the mind may beoveruled by the force of cuftom and of example : but when both thefe are bad, the {tain is indelible, and can nevec be expunged. 46 THE CONTRAST:, CHAP. XII. " R S. Martindale was one of the many children of a refpe&able tradefman in Newcattie, and on a viiit to her elder fitter, married to a corn-factor in the city, when Mr r Martindale firttfaw her. He ibon became en amoured ; for his heart was not fufficiently fro* zen by age, to be able to withttand the reno vating influence of youth and beauty. The idea, however, of marrying her, or any other woman, did not once occur to him. Tne fitter, who was artful and defigning, perceived his inclinations, and determined to turn his wesk- nefs to the advantage of her family. She invit ed, or rather forcecl him into all their parties ; and finding, after a few weeks, that he did not make any overtures towards her fitter's etta- blilhment, fhe told him with much apparent concern, that me found her fitter's character had fuffered materially from his conftant at ten* dance on her ; that me had loft by it a very eli gible marriage ; the gentleman (who was a young officer) having withdrawn his addreffes in coniequence of it., and that It was , become nee-; 11 :ry for him to difclofe his intentions, of whatever nature they might be. This was a trial for which the old gentleman A N Q V E L. 47 was not prepared. He helitated, as undeter mined what to anfwer ; till on being told that there was no alternative between his marrying Mifs Harvey., or feeing her no more, he was weak enough to wipe the tears from his eyes, and in half-broken fentences, extorted by FEAR, as well as LOVF, he promifed to offer her his hand. In lefs than half an hour he had con- fented to fall into the fnare that was laid fori; him. The family defired the engagement might be kept Cecret, in order to avoid, they faid, the ill-aatured'farcafms and reflections the world would caft upon his age : but the truth was, they dreaded the advice of all his REAL FRIENDS, and hurried him into a promife of hafty marriage, without allowing him time to coniider what he had to expect from its future confequences. Having been thus prevailed on without dif- -ficulty, he thought of nothing but his intended bride. He was profufe in his prefents to her ; and on her mentioning thatihe thought the ci ty air inimical to her health, he difpatched an agent, of her lifter's recommending, in purfuit of a houfe at the weft end of the town. This trufty and well-chofen arnbaffador made choice of the one in Devonfhire-Place ; and fo exactly did he anfwer the confidence repofed in him, that he actually made, in Mr. Martindale's name, an agreement for the purchafe of it ; fo ,that no farther trouble was impofed on the old gentleman, than to iign the bonds which were two ,days afterwards put into his hands. It is jxue that he ONCE accompanied the ladies to 48 THE CONTRAST: look at it ; but was there a fault that he could polFibly find with a houfe fit for the reception of any nobleman's family ? Could any houfe be too good for Mifs Harvey ? Could any ex penditure that lay within the compal's of Mr. Martindale's drafts, be extravagant ? The furniture cf his houfe in the city was to ite the next confederation. There was not e- nough of it, neither was it fufficicntly modern to be tranfplanted into Devonihire Place. The moft fafhionable upholfterer in town was there fore immediately applied to, and direfted to change it as his fancy directed. He was to be allowed one thoufand pounds, over and above the value of what he took from the city ; and of which he, as the moft falhionable, and con- fequently the moft confcientious tradefman, was to be fole appraifer. That furniture was not, as I obferved, fuited to the prefent tafte, but it was coftly in the extreme ; and was e- qually good, though not equally ornamental, .in the inferior as in the beft apartments. The late Mrs. Martindale's clrclling-room was fitted up m the moil expenlive manner; innumera ble were the rich ornaments it contained ; the beautiful inlaid and Indian cabinets, the tall mandarians, and fine China jars, were not the moft remarkable. The boxes belonging to her toilette were, like thofe of the rich, but nar row-minded Lady S , of filver inlaid with rubies; the bird-cages were of filver wire, and every article difplayed grandeur, if not (according to modern ideas elegance. Some of hefe Mifs Harvey wiihed to preferve ; till a A N O V E L. 49 gentle hint from her fitter reminded her, that as they had been the property of the late Mrs. Martindale, who had cioubtlefs let a value on them beyond their in trinfic worth, it was pro bable that, if they were in her pofleiiion, her fon might wiih to obtain them for Lady Jane to keep in remembrance of her. Nothing therefore was to be given into his hands, but a large portrait of his mother, with which he was to be favoured on his return to town ; Mils Harvey MODESTLY obferving, that, confciov.s of her own unworthinefs, ihe mould fear a ri val in that pichire whenever Mr. Martindale looked at it, as he would naturally draw a com- parifon between his two wives, which could not fail to be an unfortunate one to herfelf. The houfe was foon ready ; the jewels, wed- ding clothes, and equipages, foon bought ; and nothing remained but to fix the happy day, which foon arrived. But the one previous to It was marked by a little event , which it may not be unneceflary to mention in the next chap* ter. 5p THE C O N T R A S Tt CHAP XIII. ON the morning preceding the clay thai: was to make Mr. Martindale the happi- cit or moft miferable of men, he perceived that an unuiual gloom overfpread the fine coun tenance of his defined bride. He preffed her hand tu his lips, and entreated to be informed of the caufe. She burft into tears, and fud- denly withdrew, leaving him and her lifter together. From HER, he anxioufiy prayed to know the meaning f fo fudden, fo alarming a chan ge ; tenderly enquiring if he had left any thing undone by which it was poffible for him to prove ftill farther the extent of his affecYion. The emotion too vinble on every feature of lus face, and the eagernefs with which he conjured her to explain in what he had offend ed, forced at length, from this TENDER rela tion, the avowal of a converfation her lifter had held with her ; which amounted to no thing nore than a childim idea that had en tered her head ; a kind of fear, thac if me was wretched enough to furviye Mr. Martindale^ iiis fon, unmindful .of his father's tendernefs might diveft her of all his goodnefs had lavifh- ed on her. He might poffibly in the end turn her out of her houfe^ and take pofleilion of it^ A NOVEL. 51 as his heir. It was not ( fhe' was very fure ) from any mercenary motive that her inter had encouraged this thought; it was that of a young girl fund of magnificence as a child of a new toy ^ and like that, fearful of loofmg it.- This was a fufficient hint for the too generous and too credulous Mr. Martindale ; he lent immedi ately for his attorney ; and gave him inttructi- 6ns to draw up a marriage fettle-men t, hy wh'ch he gnve her the houfe in Devonlhire Place, with all its appendages; together with all the ready money he mould die poffeiTed of, flocks, dividends, &c. &c. &c. allotting only one thoufand pounds of it as a legacy eo Mr. Mar tindale, or Lady Jane if (he furviyed him; his landed property having been, as I before /aid, already fettlecUaa his fon. -*i : . *^v* * , In a few hours all was finned, fealed, and delivered; and he exprelTed his gratitude at be ing told how to remove the imaginary grief that had for a moment been fuffered to prey on HER, to vvhofe happinefs he was determined to devote the remainder of his exigence. The next morning the fun fuone refplende nt on the nuptials of Mr. Martindale. They werefo- lemnized as agreed on in a private manner ; and in the evening he conducted his bride to OWN houfe in Devonlhire Place. They had been there about a month, when Lady jane and Mr. Martindale arrived in town. Mrs. Martindale had already formed the ac- qoaintaiice of almofi: every falhion able family E 2 52 Tiir C O N T E. AST: there. For, as I have read in fcripture, V/het -ever the honey is, there will the flies be al/o, fo is an open houfe, a fumptuous equi page, and all the other appendages of wealth, the lure paflport to an intimacy with the whole world. Innate virtue is no recommen dation ; nor is any other requiiite neceffary to f'jppori: the appearance of it, than the acquiefc- ence of a hmband to the conducl: of his wife. However his delicacy may be wounded how ever his feelings may be hurt by her failings kt him out continue to live with her in a rou tine of extravagant difiipation, and the feeble voice of ilander will be drowned in the loiul . s ,icsiN : uie world. But, if HE forfakes her, ciougii iiie be " as chafte as ice, as pure as f/;G>v ," ihe Jhall not efcape the torrent of cal umny, which v. ill inevitably overwhelm her reputation. A woman's fame depends lefs on her own character, than i: does on that of her hufband. If he cliicards her, the world will alib, wichont enquiring why he has done fo. She will look for friends, but ihe will never find them. The gay companions of youthful plea^ ill res will mrink from diiireis, as from a peftU lence ; and ihe will woefully experience, that the fine day, Flattery, will not itay to aiiiit the weary in a' cloudy night. Alas ! HER day vrill foo.ii let in darkneib her breaking heart \vill be overwhelmed by the ilorms of adverlity > until in fome obfcure corner of the earth Ihe dies unknown un pitied and imiatnented \ A NOVEL. 53 CHAP. XIV MR S. Martindale foon gained acomplete afcendancy over her doting hufband, which was llrengthenedby her apparent attach ment to Lady Jane, who continued to be fo great a favourite with him, that her fanction feemed neceffary to every thing ihe undertook, She had art enough to twift herfelf round the heart of that lady, who repofed in her an unlimited confidence, and they became infe- parable. They met with univerfal admiratioil; but their manners were fo different, that the admirer of the one was feldom that of the o- thcr. Mrs. Martindalc's beauty and levity attracted the notice of all the gay men, while Lady jane's increaiing fenfibility gave her an air of frvidcur, that forbade them, every hope- of encouragement. Mr; Martindale, fenior, though extrava gant in the gratification of his wife's plca- fures, was not wholly unmindful of his ion's intereils. He purchafed a fmall houfe for him in Argyle Street, to which he was prompted by his wife Lady Jane believed her to be only the art- lefs, giddy girl ihe appeared. Little did {he- 54 THE CONTRAST: fuipecT: the fnuke ihe wasfoitering in her bo- fom, which waited only with envenomed ran cour to {ting her beyond the reach of human remedies. Among the crov/ci of flu&uating admirers that paid their devotions at the ihrine of beauty, JLord Darnley was the moil confpicuous for hib attentions to Mrs, Martindale. He was lately married to a very young lady, whole large iortune had been in part appropriated to the payment of his iordihip's early debts, lie was fond of his v, lie, yet not fufficiently lb to lay any embargo on his inclinations whenever they led him to indulge a momentary cuprite. He confidered Mrs. Martindale an eafy con- queit, which, when once obtained, would be i'.'on forgotten. Wilh this view he laid clofe ii^ge to her at every public place ihe frequent ed.; nor did ihe give his lordiliip any reafon to tioiibi: the f'.icccis of his enterprile. Vanity \vn; her ruling palit^n, and to that ihe was e- ver ready to lacrilire every moral coniulerati- en. l.ady lane either did not, or would not. perceive this growing intimacy ; ihe conceived A\; dales levii:y 10 be her belt fecurity aga j.ttacliincnt of the heart ^ and .(lie felt no alarms on heraccounu Lord Darnley \vas rather an elegant than a himdibine man. Perfectly verfecl in every lef- ion of LOVS, he had feidom met with a denial where he had once taken the pains % to ingra tiate hnufeli. He was at this tlaie buiily cm- A NOVEL. 55 ployed in railing a regiment of light dragoons* for the fervice of his country ; and adefire of rendering himfelf coiifpicoons according with his notions of patnocifm, he ipareduo expence. to complete it. Seldom a day palled in which: his emiilsnes did not inveigle new victims to fatiate the rapacious thirl! of ruthlefs war ! His lord/hip, equally a candidate for the fields of Mars a -id of Venus, divided his time between b. His morning hours were devoted to the rKiery and ruin of many poor and worthy fa- mi lies ; his evening ovvss to the more pleating anir-ie-nent of endeavouring to feduce the af- ftc' lions of any woman, to whom he might wiih tor the moment to render himfelf agreeable,, Not that I mean to infer, that Lord Darnley was a bad man, lie was only a faihionable one.. Nurfed iu the lap ct luxury by a mod indulgent mother, iiisearheit wifheshad not been left un- gra" rooms fill to her heart's fatisfattion, but in vain fhe looked for Lord Darniey ! She grew inat tentive to her viiitors, walked iiicceilively thro ? the rooms, and looked continually at her watch, which fhe fancied loft time, me could ot account fur his abfeace. It was on HIS ac- 58 THE CONTRAST: count flie had that evening alfembled all thai was mod falhionable in town, and had ftudied to raiie her confeqr.enceby the {election of her company ; yet he was the only pcrfon whodid not appear. At rievem, the party began to difperie.; the duchefs of G and her love ly daughters were juft taking their leave, when- Lord Darnley was announced. The fudden appearance of the fun breaking through the thick clouds of a mifty morning, could not convey a more genial warmth- to the" dew-damp traveller, than did the fight of Lord Darnley to Mrs. Martindale ; her eyes bright ened as flie led him towards Mr. Martmdale, v/ho received him with the fctmoft politenefs. But the electrical fhock of aiortitication inftant- ly fucceeded, \Vtfen, in a voice fcarcely arti culate, ha enquired for Lady Jane. There was an air of for row and conlV.fion in his coun tenance, that it was not poiliblefor her to mif- eonftrue. Mrs. Martindale had more pride than love ; and with a haughty fneer turning nattily from him, flie informed his lordlhip, that Hie had lait feen Lady Jane at cards in the ad joining room. He immediately went there. The party had juft brokeup, and me was (land ing near the door (waiting for Mr.Martindale v who was gone to enquire for the carriage), when Lord Darnley approached her. He took her hand, with a freedom ihe had never ob~ ferved in him, and in a faltering voice whifper- ed OH LADY JANE, IN YOU I HOPE TO FIND A FRIEND ! Struck at his appearance, which indicated a fenfibiiity of which fhe had A N O V E L, ^ iiQt hitherto fuppofed him capable, fhe eagerly aiked, what could have thus affected him ? The tears rufhed into his eyes, and he could only fay u Lady Darnley" r-asMr. Martindale informed her their carriage was up. She return ed haftily to wifh.Mrs. MartindaJe good-night; introduced Mr. James Ma^tindale to Lord Darnley, who handed her into it, and they parted for the night. H A P. Xy. LORD Darnley did not return up flairs^ but defiring that his feryants might be called, threw himfelf into the carriage, and or- ,dered it home. His heart was affe&ed, and for once he facrificed the rules of politenefs to its feelings. When he arrived there, he flew to Lady Darnley's apartment, without having fpoken to any one ; but alas ! little did he ex pect the fcene that awaited h,im ; He knocked gently at the door, fearful of difturbingher re- pofe : but receiving no anlwer, he opened it. The curtains were all undrawn. On one fide of the bed, he faw her mother grafping her hands ; on the other, the nurfe was chafing her temple with hartfhorn ; but me, alas, was gone for ever ! A moment convinced him of the fatal truth ; the next that fucceeded it^ de? priyed him of his lenfes. 60 xfl CONLRAST: It was on the ninth-day after Lady Darn- ley's delivery of her fid! child. Some unfa vourable fymptoms had appeared in the morn ing, but they were not futficiently fo to alarm the phyficians, or nurfe, of any immediate dan ger. Yet a fatal prefentiment^had taken pof- feflion of Lord Darnley from the firft hour fince her lying-in ; and this was ilrengthened by fome oblique, yet gentle hints that had been given him by the angle of purity herfelf; who had unfortunately (topped her cariage one morning by accident at the door of Mrs. Mar- tindale's milliner., where fhe bought fome things, and gave a card, with orders that o- thers mould be fent to her. The officious Frenchwoman told her, that fhe was fure ihe mud be beholden to Lord Darnly, or Mrs. Martindale, for the honour of her lady mips cuftorn, as fhe was that lady's milliner, and had frequently feen his lordlhip at her houfe. I do not believe that this French milliner (or indeed any other milliner) could plead igno rance in fuch a fitnation. She could not fup- pofe that Lord Darnley (whofe name had been, mentioned to her by Mrs. Martindale) had met that lady there fecretly, and in a private room, for any good purpofe. No. But the difcovery of the intrigue to Lady Darnley might prove in the end beneficial to her, and ihe was not of a nature to reflect on the delicate feelings of a 'woman of honour. Thefe, were therefore to be facrificed to her own mercenary and barbarous difpoiition ; and fhe planted a thorn in the bread of that fpotlefs lady ; it A N O V E L. 6r tercel there, and was her companion to the grave. Lady Darnley had a few days after the birth of her child, which was a daughter, molt earn ed! y implored her lord to promiie her that he would never neglect this only pledge of .their love. She conjured him to cheriih her for her mother's lake ; as fhe had imbibed, ihe laid a ftrange idea, that her FIRST child would be ai- fo her LAST. She gently added (fqueezing his hand, and convulied almoll with agony as ihe fpoke), that fhe hoped he would in future point out to her a better example than the Mrs. Martindale whom Ihe had never feen, but of whom ihe had heard MORE than Ihe thought proper to reveal to him, till after her recovery. Lord Darnley vrith truth declared, that he had never been in Mrs. Martindale's houfe ; that he had only formed a flight acquaintance with her at different public places ; but he did not mention the French milliner, nor any other circumftance that could tend to corroborate' their intimacy. On the day that he received Mrs. Martin- dale's card, he was half inclined to fhew it La dy Darnley ; but her weak health and ipirits prevented him. Yet he had no juft ground to fbfpeft her approaching tUflblution. Her phy- ficians had not, as I faid, even hinted at danger and if his mind was painfully awake to the ap- prehenfion of it, he could impute, it only to tho'fe fears which a timid fuperitition, and not reality ? had induced him to give way to. i^ F 6a THI: O N T R A S T- told her that he was engaged to an afiembly that evening, but he did not fay where ; and his ac quaintance was fo numerous, that without the help of the milliner, or Ibme of her confede*- rates, Lady Darnley could not have fufpecled ic to be at Mrs. Martindale's ihe however DID fufpecl it, and received private intelligence of that lady's houfe being open the fame evening, and that Lord Darnley 's carriage made one of the number at her door. When the .meffenger who was fent to en- .quire into the truth of this unwelcome news returned from executing his commiilion, Lady Darnley iniifted on feeing him ; nor could the tender entreaties of her mother prevent her from diving into the truth. Her diforder (in- feparable from her Gtuation) had that day taken a turn, and marked her death as certain ; me received the information of it with all the for titude that a mind already wafted to heaven could experience. She deiired that Lord Darn- ley might be immediately fent for ; and her footman, eager to obey the orders of his much- loved lady, haftened on the wings of anxiety to meet his lord. But when he reached De- vonfhire Place, he heard only that he had been there for a very fhort time, and was returned. Lord Darnley was at home a few minutes be fore his fervant ; but it was already too late for him to catch the expiring breath of his lovely, his virtuous, his already fainted wife ! His grief became unbounded ; he kiffed her pale lips ; and invoked tbe God of Heaven to A K O V E L. 63 wit'hefs the integrity of his heart ! He had been guilty of errors, he felt he had, of fatal ones ; but little did he imagine what would be their dreadful confequences ; for, in the firft paroxfyms of phrenfy, he condemned himfelf as being the foie audio** of her death. He or dered his little girl to be brought into the room, and kLTed her with an enthuiiaftic and fervent affection. He joined her little face to that of her fenfelefs mother ; and pointed out each refernbling feature. It was a foleain, an aw ful fcene ; and he was at length forced cut of the room; his expreflions of grief becoming fo violent, as to threaten with injury his o\vn h eafthv Lord Darnley would not be told, nor fuller himfelf to reflect, that an over delicate contTi- tutlon had foon fin-rendered itfelf to a malady, which was fo powerful as to banle every effort of art. To this was to be imputed Lady Darn- ley's early death. His feeling heart taught him firil to confider his own mifconducl: ; and he alternately upbraided his child, and himfelf, as the authors of their irreparable lofs* 64 TH* CONTRAST: CHAP. XVI. ^ ,g R S. Martindale feklorn or ever took VJL U P a new/paper ; and a cold (of which i'Lc made the moil) had confined her for fome