CHAPTER IX,

A eaoke raised with the fume of sighs.” Romeo and Fulict.
IT is certain that Evelyn experienced for Maltravers sentiments _ which, if not love, might easily be mistaken for it. But whether it were that master-passion, or merely its fanciful resemblance,— love in early youth and innocent natures, if of sudden growth, is long before it makes itself apparent. Evelyn had: been pre- pared to feel an interest in her solitary neighbour. His mind, as developed in his works, had half formed her own. Her childish adventure with the stranger had never been forgotten. Her present knowledge of Maltravers was an union of dangerous and often opposite associations—the Ideal and the Real. .
aaa
Sey hee eet ce ahs Sa art eas nada”
7° | ALICE; OR, THE MYSTERIES,
Love, in its first dim and imperfect shape, is but imagination concentrated on one object. It is a genius of the heart, resem- — bling that of the intellect ; it appeals to, it stirs up, it evokes, — the sentiments and sympathies that lie most latent in our. nature. Its sigh is the spirit that moves over the ocean, and arouses the Anadyomene into life. Therefore is it that MIND produces affections deeper than those of external form; there- fore it is that women are worshippers of glory, which is the palpable and visible representative of a genius whose operations they cannot always comprehend. Genius has so much in common with love—the imagination that animates one is so much the property of the other—that there is not a surer sign of the existence of genius than the love that it creates and bequeaths. It penetrates deeper than the reason—it binds a nobler captive than the fancy. As the sun upon the dial, it gives to the human heart both its shadow and its light. Nations are its worshippers and wooers; and Posterity learns from its oracles to dream, to aspire, to adore! 7 Had Maltravers declared the passion that consumed him, it — is probable that it would soon have kindled a return. But his frequent absence, his sustained distance of manner, had served to repress the feelings that in a young and virgin heart rarely flow with much force, until they are invited and aroused. Le besoin a’aimer in girls, is, perhaps, in itself powerful ; but is fed by another want, /e desoin a’étre aimé! Tf, therefore, Evelyn, at present, felt love for Maltravers, the love had certainly not passed into the core of life: the tree had not so far struck its»
‘roots but what it might have borne transplanting. There was —
in her enough of the pride of sex to have recoiled from the thought of giving love to one who had not asked the treasure. Capable of attachment, more trustful, and therefore, if less- vehement, more beautiful and durable than that which had animated ‘the brief tragedy of Florence Lascelles, she could not have been the unknown correspondent, or revealed the soul, because the features wore a mask,
It must also be allowed that, in some respects, Evelyn was too young and inexperienced thoroughly to appreciate all that was most truly lovable and attractive in Maltravers, At fours
enty she. would, perane have felt 1 no fear mingled with | sr respect for him; but seventeen and six-and-thirty is a wide terval! She never felt that there was that difference in years — til she had met Legard, and then at once she comprehended —
With Legard she had moved on equal ‘terms; he was not | too wise—too high for her every-day thoughts. He less excited
e: or other, that voice which proclaimed her power, those eyes _ which never turned from hers, went nearer to her heart. As _ Evelyn had once said to Caroline, “It was a great enigma! ”—
: “Golden Waterfalls” without ASHE her likeness in the iss: of the pool below.
_ Maltravers appeared again at the rectory. He joined their ‘parties by day, and his evenings were spent with them as of old.
did not know them himself. It might be that his pride was roused ;—it might be that he could not endure the notion that Lord Vargrave should guess his secret, by an absence almost otherwise unaccountable; he could not patiently bear to give _ Vargrave that triumph ;—it might be that, in the sternness of | his self-esteem, he imagined he had already conquered all save _ affectionate interest in Evelyn’s fate, and trusted too vainly to 4 § his own strength ;—and it might be, also, that he could not resist the temptation of seeing if Evelyn were contented with her lot, and if Vargrave were worthy of the blessing that awaited him. _ Whether one of these, or all united, made him resolve to brave _ his danger—or whether, after all, he yielded to a weakness, or A consented to what—invited by Evelyn herself—was almost _a social necessity, the reader, and not the narrator, shall = decide. ~ _ Legard was gone; but Doltimore remained in the neighbour- hood, having hired a hunting-box not far from Sir John - Merton’s manors, over which he easily obtained permission to sport. When he did not dine elsewhere, there was always a place for him at the parson’s hospitable board—and that. place was __ Benerally next to Caroline. Mr. and Mrs. Merton had given up * all hope of Mr. Maltravers for their eldest daughter; and, very
her imagination—less attracted her reverence. But, somehow
a own feelings were a mystery to her; and she reclined by
In this I know not precisely what were his motives—perhaps he __
Wa ee ALCOR
strangely, this conviction came upon their minds on the first day they made the acquaintance of the young lord.
“ My dear,” said the rector, as he was wiading up his watch, © preparatory to entering the connubial couch—“ my dear, I don’t think Mr. Maltravers is a marrying man.” :
“TI was just going to make the same remark,” said Mrs, — Merton, drawing the clothes over her. “Lord Doltimore is a ~ very fine young man—his estates unencumbered. I like him — vastly, my love. He is evidently smitten with Caroline: so Lord Vargrave and Mrs. Hare said.”
“Sensible, shrewd woman, Mrs. Hare. By the by, we'll send her a pine-apple. Caroline was made to be a woman of rank!” :
“Quite; so much self-possession !” oe “And if Mr. Maltravers would sell or let Burleigh +——”
“Tt would be so pleasant!” 3
“Had you not better give Caroline a hint ?”
“ My love, she is so sensible, let her go her own way.” 3
“You are right, my dear Betsy; I shall always say that no — one has more common sense than you; you have brought up | your children admirably !” = “ Dear Charles !” : “s ee “Tt is coldish to-night, love,” said the rector; and he put out —
the candle. . From that time, it was not the fault of Mr. and Mrs. Merton if Lord Doltimore did not find their house the pleasantest in
the county. 4
One evening the rectory party were assembled together in the 3 cheerful drawing-room. Cleveland, Mr. Merton, Sir John—and — Lord Vargrave, reluctantly compelled to make up the fourth— — were at the whist-table ; Evelyn, Caroline, and Lord Doltimore
, were seated round the fire, and Mrs. Merton was working a foot- | stool. The fire burned clear —the curtains were down —the children in bed: it was a family picture of elegant comfort.
Mr. Maltravers was announced.
“I am glad you are come at last,” said Caroline, holding out her fair hand. “ Mr. Cleveland could not answer for you. We are all disputing as to which mode of life is the happiest.” s
j /
nd you opinion ? 2” asked Maltravers, seating himself in
e vacant chair—it chanced to be next to Evelyn’s, ‘
‘My opinion is decidedly in favour of London. A metro- |
olitan life, with its perpetual and graceful excitements ;—the best
usic—the best companions—the best things—in — short.
ovincial life is so dull, its pleasures so tiresome; to talk
over the last year’s news, and wear out one’s last year’s dresses : cultivate a conservatory, and play Pope Joan with
-ayoung party. Dreadful!”
‘T agree with Miss Merton,” said Lord Doltimore, solemnly ;
not but what I like the country for three or four months in the |
ear, with good shooting and hunting, and a large house properly
ed—independent of one’s own neighbourhood: but if I am |
condemned to choose one place to live in, give me Paris.”
“Ah! Paris; I never was in Paris. I should so like to |
travel!” said Carine
= ‘ But the inns abroad are so very bad,” said Lord Doltimore ;
“how people can rave about Italy, I can’t think. Inever suffered
so much in my life as I did in Calabria ; and at Venice I was bit
_ to death by musquitoes. Nothing like Paris: I assure you: don’t
you think so, Mr. Maltravers ?”
_ “Perhaps I shall be able to answer you better in a short time.
I think of accompanying Mr. Cleveland to Paris!”
_ “Indeed!” said Caroline. “Well, I envy you; but is ita
sudden peclution 2
=“ Not very.”
“Do you stay long?” ated Lord Doltimore.
_ “My stay is uncertain.”
“And you won't let Burleigh in the meanwhile ?”
“Let Burleigh? No; if it once pass from my hands it will be
for ever!”
Maltravers spoke gravely, and the subject was changed. Lord
- Doltimore challenged Caroline to chess. _ They sat down, and Lord Doltimore arranged the pieces. “Sensible man, Mr. Maltravers,” said the young lord; “ but I don’t hit it off with him: Vargrave is more anteetle Don’t you think so?” . “Y--e—s,”
_—and Lord Doltimore’s knight checked the tower and queen.
“Lord Vargrave is very kind to me; I never remember any one being more so ;—got Legard that appointment solely because it would please se—very friendly fellow! I mean to put — myself under his wing next session !” t
“You could not do better, I’m sure,” said Caroline; “he is so much looked up to—I dare say he will be prime minister one 4 of these days.”
“T take the bishop :—do you think so really ?—you are rather a politician ?” a
“Oh no; not much of that. But my father and my uncle are — staunch politicians ; gentlemen know so much more than ladies, —
We should always go by their opinions. I think I will take the
queen’s pawn—your politics are the same as Lord Vargrave’s?” “Yes, I fancy so: at least I shall leave my proxy with him, — Glad you don’t like politics—great bore.” “Why, so young, so connected as you are stopped short, and made a wrong move.
“T wish we were going to Paris together, we should enjoy it so;”
9
Caroline —
Caroline coughed, and stretched her hand quickly to move.
“Pardon me, you will lose the game if you doso!” and Dolti- more placed his hand on hers—their eyes met—Caroline turned away, and Lord Doltimore settled his right collar. =
of oT ee: ane tar
“And is it true? are you really going to leave us?” said Evelyn ;—and she felt very sad. But still the sadness might not : be that of love ;-—-she had felt sad after Legard had gone. :
“J do not think I shall long stay away,” said Maltravers, trying to speak indifferently. “Burleigh has become more dear to me than it was in earlier youth; perhaps because I have made — myself duties there: and in other places I am but an isolated — and useless unit in the great mass.” :
“ You !—everywhere, you must have occupations and resources _ —everywhere, you must find yourself not alone. But you will not go yet?” \ :
“Not yet: no. (Evelyn’s spirits rose.) Have you read the —