Puslapio vaizdai
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luftrade, ftill alternately looked and liftened. "O fplendid wretchedness !” faid fhe, gazing on the marble figures which decorated the ftair-cafe, and the richly carved roof, now rendered more confpicuous by the coloured lamps which hung from every pediment; "the lonely villager, whom we abridge "in his fcanty enjoyments, curfes this "parade of luxury; and the curfes of "the injured will one day come into judgment against their proud op"preffors."

Still indulging her melancholy feelings, the countefs contemplated the composure of Fitzofborne's looks. " All "must be right," faid fhe," in his "bofom. He is neither tortured by "remorfe nor fear; and can what I "have heard of the fceptic's wretched ftate be juft? Perhaps at this mo"ment I should feel fome confolation

"in thinking that the great Author of "the univerfe is too much engroffed, "by his own perfections to take cog"nizance of things below; for then I "need not fear his avenging the wrongs "of indigence." At that inftant the cries of her little fon in the nursery threw her thoughts into a different train. "Ah!

my poor babes," refumed fhe, "what "ever is my own lot, a mother muft, "for your fakes, hope that there is a "Special Providence to protect your "helpless infancy."

Fitzofborne now rofe, and, advancing towards her, interrupted her mufings. "For Heaven's fake, dearest "lady Monteith! what keeps you up "at this late hour?"" My forrows," replied the countefs, bursting into tears.

"I hoped," returned Edward, affectionately preffing her hand, "that they "were hufhed in oblivion, Permit me

"to

"to lead you from the hearing of these "offenfive revellers. It is too fhocking "to refined delicacyli ke yours."

den.

Geraldine inquired where they should go? and Fitzofborne propofed the gar"The Comus of this place will "not lead his band of waffailers there," faid he.

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"The meaner organs of thefe "fatyrs are only capable of enjoying "the groffeft animal gratifications. "Pardon my allufion. I have just been "enraptured by the fublime bard's defcription of revel jollity. How dif"ferent is the brutal vociferation which "we hear from these rapturous ideas :

"Braid your locks with rofy twine,
"Dropping odours, dropping wine,
"Rigour now is gone to bed,

"And Advice with fcrup'lous head,
"By dimpled brook, and fountain brim,

"The Wood-Nymphs deckt with daisies trim,
"Their merry wakes and paftimes keep:
"What hath night to do with fleep?"

His further quotations were here interrupted by the appearance of Mifs Evans, who declaring the evening was much too beautiful to think of going to bed, propofed joining them in their excurfion into the garden. They took a short and filent turn under the colonade, and then retired to their apartments.

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The countefs very foon after perceived that Mifs Evans was at her chamber-door. "I am haunted, my dear "Geraldine," said fhe, " by fome very difagreeable company; my own thoughts I mean. Will you allow "me to lose them for one hour, by "converfing with you?" Lady Monteith defired her maid to retire, and the two friends fat for a few moments gazing at each other in expreffive filence.

Mifs Evans firft fpoke: "There was a time, my Geraldine, when our full

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"fraught hearts never wanted a fubje& for converfation. That confidence is

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past, I fee; yet I will neither lament "nor complain. But for your own, for "your dear children's fake, let not any "recently-discovered fault in me induce

you to flight the important difco"veries that I can reveal. My anxiety "for your little boy, who is not quite "well, brought me this night to wit"nefs a fuller confirmation of Fitzof"borne's villany."

"What villany?" inquired Geraldine with an unaltered countenance. "He placed himself purposely in the "library, that you might fee him." "What then?"

"I firmly believe too, that the ban"queting-room door was fet open by his "order, that you might hear the con"fufion."

"And

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