Puslapio vaizdai
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modes on her natural habit; but, whether it was the manner of the dove or the magpie, fhe was ftill at heart the vain, cold, felfish Arabella. After a long confultation fhe had determined, that the brilliant would be beft fuited to her intention of intimidating her rival; and having arranged her dress in a manner better adapted to the magnificence of a court-ball than to the ease upon of a private party, the burst her aftonished fifter-in-law, who in vain attempted to trace a remote refemblance of that artless wild fimplicity which her creative imagination had affigned to the unknown" Highland laffie."

The introductory compliments were now dispatched in a manner diametrically the reverse of the dry reserve of the former converfation. Lady Arabella was in ecftafy. The careless fimplicity of the bride's travelling habit could not

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pretend to any competition with her own profusion of ornament; and both the beauty and the vivacity of Geraldine fuffered from the chagrin which the manners of her visitors inspired. Conscious fuperiority always fpeaks in hyperbole. Arabella had been immensely tired with her journey, was rapturously delighted with her new relation, and infinitely folicitous that they might foon become the ftrictest of friends.

While she spoke, her eye reverted to every object, except the fubject of her enthufiaftic admiration. Her aunt viewed her with a complacency which the countefs thought her features could not poffibly have affumed, but which was fometimes interrupted by obferving what effect this fparkling conversation had upon the Monteiths; for, though it could not poffibly anfwer any end, lady Madelina

Madelina would have felt mortified if even her nephew did not acknowledge how infinitely his fifter excelled his wife. Her obfervations that evening were limited to a fhort period: his lordship had business to tranfact with his banker, which could not poffibly be delayed; and he foon left them, whifpering his lady, "Go to bed if you are tired of "them."

Geraldine did not conceive herself warranted to follow her lord's advice. She made fome attempts to gain a share in the converfation; but the playful wit and easy sweetness which at Powerfcourt" engroffed all hearts and charm-ed all eyes," had now loft all its power, and the funk quietly into the lefs brilliant but useful character of a hearer; while her guests enumerated the old titles which might be revived in the house of Macdonald, and fettled

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the exact place in which the reprefentative of their honours ought to walk at the next coronation.

They separated at an early hour. The young countess did not find herself dif pofed to fleep. Unaccustomed as the had been to contempt and to unkindnefs, Powerscourt and the friends of her youth rushed full upon her mind. "What," faid fhe to herself, "am I to "expect from ftrangers, when those "with whom I have just contracted the "tie of kindred are even studious to "fhew their diflike of me?" To this reflection followed a fear, that her lord would leave her, unprotected, to their pride and folly; and the bitter tears which fhe had hitherto reftrained courfed each other down her cheek.

At that inftant lord Monteith entered. He had met with a party of his old friends, who would felicitate him upon

his nuptials, and he was returned home in a very joyous humour. "I was "very forry to leave you, my dearest « Geraldine,” said he; " I know it was " rude and awkward to go out the first " evening after you came home; but "it was not in the power of man to "endure my confequential aunt, or the "ridiculous automaton that Arabella has "become. Did they get a little more "tolerable after I left them? Ha! you "are in tears-I fwear by heaven, that "if they have given you the leaft "cause for uneafinefs, they shall both "leave my house to-morrow morning."

Lady Monteith knew enough of the earl's temper to be convinced that this threat would be fulfilled. Her prudence not only determined her inftantly to avert from herself the dreadful imputation of violating the harmony of the family into which fhe was adopted, but it made

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