^ %^^ ;*"■/ • ^ ^^^m^^^M / ( X ' CENTRAL CIRCULATION BOOKSTACKS The person charging this material is re- sponsible for its return to the library from which it was borrowed on or before the Latest Date stamped below. Theft, mutllotlotv crnd underllnlna of books ore reasons fer disciplinory action and may result In dUmlssai from the University. TO RENiW CAll TEUFHONi CENTER, M3.8400 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY AT URBAN A-CHAMPAIGN DEC ■ DEC 1 1991 When renewing by phone, write new due date below previous due date. 78733 LI 62 L I B R.AFLY OF THE UNIVLRSITY or ILLINOIS 8d3 M3853 v.! THE SON ANB THE NEPHEW? OR, More Secrets than One, a mam* IN THREE VOLUMES. By CATHERINE G. WARI>, Author of BAUGHTEROF ST. OMER ; MY NATIVE LAND J A BACHELOR'^ B£IRESS3 CORINNA, &C. &C. DEDICATED (bY PERMISSION) TO 31? s. BOEHM. Let tiiose wi-hoaJ faults condemn, VOL. I. LONDON: PRINTED FOR «HERWOOD, NEELY AND JONES, PATER- NOSTER ROW ; And may be had of all Booksellers. 1814. Molineux, rr:a:a, .y,hoh Cou.x, J-'ltei bt; t"e;, 8^5 DEDICATIOS. TO MBS, BOSHM. Madam, For the distingiiisJted lionont ymi have conferred, hy permitting The Son and the JSEPHEyv io he dedicated ia yoii^ I hcg an offer of boundless gra-^ titude, heccmse I am proud to say, that _you, Madam, are one among those Ladies ■^wliose IV arm hrea filing smile of hence o- lence, like tJie Solar beam, props tlie lily Zin the storm, and does not destroy its existence! ^ iv Such is Patronage to Unfriended oeniiisf inhaling it's First Sreath ivith the ki^idii^ Land that expands ifs opening blossom; that rears it from if^ lowli/ hcd, and fosters it tvith proteciiiy}iI 3Iai/ flic Divine propefisiiies of your nature, Madam, ever he engraven on the grateful heart L as your goodness now is indelibfy impressed on yninel- in hewing the Jwnour of subscribing myself Your devoted humble Serva7it\ Catherine G, Ward, THE Son and the Nephew^ CHAP. I. I AND my cousin could not sleep all night for the approaching celebration of the Christmas vacation : for the room- ing that was to convey us home, kept us wide awake ; it never struck me that 'I ihad no home, (at least no parental VOL. I. B 2 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW j OF, home) to go to, for I was an orphan, but I was thoughtless and happy ; and, like the skylark, my yet unbounded Avishes soared in air; the sole aim of my ambition being the possession of liberty, which, to a school-boy, may justly be termed the ne plus ultra of his most sanguine expectations. The conse- quence was, that I and my cousins began dressing ourselves with all the alacrity that the nimble-footed hind runs to escape from her vigilant pur- suers. Our task was speedily accomplished, and precisely at six o'clock, I and my MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 3 cousins were quietly seated in Sir Peter's travelling postchaise, and at the extremity of a beautiful hanging wood, were only just five miles from his splendid and magnificent mansion. The chaise proceeded with velocity, but I and my cousins thought other- wise, and Mortimer, the elder, and the presumptive heir of vSir Peter's famil 3% possessed not only the impetuosity of youth, but a little mixture of that self- importance, which is too generally allied to the knowledge of high birth and the expectation of riches. b2 4 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW ; OR, ^^Jie therefore, was the first to find fault with the postillion for not driving faster ; and putting his head out of the chaise window, he, m addition to " why don't you drive faster?" superadded, with an air of authority, which was peculiar to him, ** Why the Devil don't you drive faster?" 1 laughed. Joseph, my younger «ousin, looked grave, while reiterated lashed resounded on the backs of Sir Peter's horses, which were several times repeated by the imperious command of his son and heir. MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 5 I and iny cousins were now with'ni gun shot of the Mandeville estate, which was calle seat, and with a dignitied air, she cui"t- seyed to Lady Maiideville, and bade lier good night; and ooserving to Sir , Peter, as she quitted the room, that it was her intention to set off far Wales, the ensuing morning. This resolution was actually put into practice by Miss Penman, nor did she again revisit the Manor, till she beheld her little favorite taken into favor by his mother, who artfully concealing her real sentiments, and assuming a virtue wliich she had not, induced the amiable Lucilla to believe, that she had mis- taken her character; on which supposi- MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 27 tioii, she gave in to all her views, and at length yielded to her pressing entreaties of becoming a fixed resident at the Ma- nor House. End of Chapter Second. c3 28 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW, OT?; CHAP. IIL I and my cousins, who were accus* tomed to rise early, could not keep pace with the fashionable hours at the Manor House; we had, therefore, bounded over my uncle's park long before the family were stirring, and found just sufficient time to scamper home again as they were preparing breakfast. MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 29 The exercise of fresh health glowed in our cheeks, and our spirits rose in proportion to the enjoyment we re- ceived, in being at full liberty to partake of the amusements which my indulgent uncle had designed for us during the term of our vacation. The foreign gentleman, whom I had seen the evening before, still continued to be a guest; and, in addition to the party, Lady Mandeville introduced a little girl, whose pale complexion, and whose delicate looks pronounced her to be an invalid : she called her Adela, but she was only ten years eld, and so c 3 30 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW, OR; extremely shy and diffident, that neither I nor my cousins could prevail on her to speak a single word, or eat one mouth- ful of the delicacies that were spread before her: we actually should have pronounced her dumb, but for the short sentence that escaped her lips, of " No, I thank you, Madam," which was ad- dressed to my aimt in so low a voice, as scarcely to be heard. The foreign gen- tleman now smiled, and taking her hand, drew her gently towards him, but the little timid creature still remained silent, while he slightly apologised for her childish bashfulness, *' which indeed," cried he, ''is not onl v owing to her ill state MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 31 of health, but to the climate in ^\hich she was born. There is a reserve, not to say a repelling coldness, in the females of that country, from ^vhich, thank heaven, " English women are exempt." His complimentary speech was ac- companied with an insinuating smile, and a languishing look directed towards' the ladies, which had due effect on all but Mis s Penman, who had continued to get little Adela in a chair next to her's, while she uttered, with her usual good humour, and forgetting that Count Molino stood in no way related to her, c 4 32 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW ; OR, " come to me, my love, and never mind that naughty papa of your's." Instantly the pale cheeks of the little girl became flushed with crimson, and appeared glowing with a mixture of pride, if not of resentment; and she hastily ottered, but with great expres- sion, " Not my papa, madam ; I never had but one, and I am very sure that is not he." There was an evident emb?irrassment, which I thought betrayed itself in every feature of Count Molino, in spite of the pains he took to conceal it, and the MOBE SECRETS THAN ONE. 33 smile which succeeded, was not the effect of good humour ; as in calling Adela te him, she refused to go, and without the least ceremony ran out of the room. The Count, in a few moments after- wards disappearing. Miss Mandeville ex- claimed, " what a strange little animal !" '' Perfectly savage," observed Jamima^ ^and were it not for the very large fortune which your Ladyship says she will in- herit from her father, I vow there would be no supporting the whimsicality of her behaviour," b5 34 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, *' Really, Jamima, I am horrified at hearing you talk so ;" cried Lady Man- deville, '' what is to be expected from the manners of a mere child? one too who has been bred in the monastic se- clusion of a hated convent. But we shall in time reform her, and for my own part, I do not despair of one day seeing Lady Adeki a most accomplished crea- ture." I could not help admiring the sudden and involuntary exclamation of my cousin Mortimer, who with astonish- ment and surprize expressed in every MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 35 feature, eagerly demanded of his mo- ther, **if the little pale bashful girl, \Yas indeed Lady Adela?" " Unquestionably so, my love," an- swered her Ladyship, *' and I will now give you her history. *'She is the only child and heiress of. Lord Philip Hugh De Tracy, who has so long distinguished himself as one of the most experienced generals, the most gallant commander, and tlie most ac- complished gentleman of the present age. The mother of Adela, who was €6 3(] THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, the daughter of a Swedish nobleman, was a heroine in mind, but extremely delicate in constitution, and she died in consequence of accompanying his Lord- ship on some foreign expedition, to which romantic and whimsical resolu- tion, from which nothing could deter her, she owed the termination of her life, giving birth to Adela, amidst the tumult of a noisy camp. *' The motherless child became a stronger tie of affection to the distracted father. She was taken from the breast of her expiring mother, and consigned MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 37 to the care of a black servant, the only attendant they had, For some months it was expected that the infant could not have survived ; but Adela lived, notwithstanding the prediction of all around her, and was conveyed, with her nurse, to the convent on the borders cf Germany, where she remained till Lord Hugh de Tracy could snatch a con- venient opportunity of sending her to England ; fearing in that country she might adopt a monastic life, and become a convert to the superstitious principles of the people who surrounded her. He disclosed his intentions to Count Molino, 38 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW ; OR, with whom he had long been on terms of friendship ; and that gentleman being well acquainted with the customs of the convent, he undertook to become an ambassador for his friend, and sought an interview with the Lady Abbess, from whose management and protection he now withdrew little Adela and her nurse ; and placing her in the arms of her delighted father, exclaimed, "There, Hugh de Tracy, is your daughter; I have now performed my duty.' * Not yet,' answered his Lord- ship, *you must now, Molino, take MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. charge of her to England : the seat of war, the perils of a camp I cannot expose her to ; my poor Adela fell a victim to her imprudent courage, and my little darling, here, would also perish amidst the hardships of a long campaign: — you must, therefore, while opportunity .serves, embrace a passage in an English vessel, and bear my treasure to the land of Great Britain. There, under the aus- pices of Lady Mandeville, she will be safe till my return from foreign service." *' Tis unnecessary to say," concluded my aunt, '' that Count Molino has been 40 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, faithful to his trust, and has brought me little Adela, of whom I am to maJce the most; that is," added she, *' I am to — to — ." Her Ladyship hesitated and stam- mered ; she had made use of a most un- guarded expression, and colouring deep- ly, she continued (for the eyes of Miss Penman were rivetled upon her), " I am to have the charge of Lady Adela, and the superintendance of her education, till her father, Lord Hugh de Tracy claims her from my hand or returns to England." MORff SECRETS THAN ONE. 41 *' Certainly she is a prize worth the keeping; for as the Count informs me, Bhe will have a fortune of more than one hundred thousand pounds.' •* Then the poor child need not go to market," dryly observed Miss Pea- man. •* Nor yet be cried three times in a village church," answered the pert Ja- miraa. ** I shall like Lady Adela very well,"^ said my cousin Mortimer, The eyes. 42 THE SON AND THE NEPt^V.W; GR, of his mother spoke a meaning her tongue chose not to express. **And would you, Joseph?" enquired my uncle, '* speak honestly, my boy." The beautiful complexion of Joseph \s^as covered with one of nature's hap- piest blushes — the real tincture of mo- desty ; and he replied, ** I cannot tell, sir, much about that— ^ but if I like a person, I never consider hoiv much money they have; and if I liked Lady Adela ever so well, it would not be for the sake of her riches.'** MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 43 "Well said," cried my uncle, ** egad I believe thou hast spoken the truth. ' ** He has spoken a fiddlestick," said my aunt, *'I wonder, Sir Peter, you can encourage the boy in any such ridicu- lous nonsense; yes, I warrant me, he will be the * gentle shepherd of the family y with a crook in his hand, and a pipe in his mouth, wandering all day long on the top of steepy mountains to look after a flock of sheep, and at night he will lay himself down by the side of some lonely bank to celebrate the beauty of a wood-nymph, or make sonnets oxi the evf'sof a hatter-milk dairy maid," 44 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW ; OR, This sarcasm bore a majority in rais- ing a laugh against my cousin Joseph ; even I was malicious enough to join in it, and notwithstanding he had his father and Miss Penman on his side; he was dubbed the " Gentle Shepherd" by his brother Mortimer for the remainder of the evening, and continued to be ad- dressed by that title, which he supported with much good humour: — nay, it was even observed at tea time, that little Adela was more attentive to him than to any of us, which occasiorsed Lady Mandeville to observe, with her^usual acrimony, MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 45 *' That there was nothing so danger- ous to a young man as to have a pretty face." *' Or to a young woman either, when she is vain and conceited," said Miss Penman ; ** but when they are both modest and amiable, it is surely no dis- advantage to be thought handsome ; for instance, now had your daughter Clo- tilda, or Miss Jamima, there, a pretty face ." Miss Penman was interrupted, for Ja- mima screaming, " Good God," cried she, " there is an odious spider crawl- ing over the sleeve of your gown." 46 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW ; OR, *' Is there, my dear?" said Miss Pen- man, with great composure, as she threw the reptile from her, *'then let it not creep to my bosom, for 'tis as rancorous as envy;" I hate to look upon it; ^tis as mischievous as the hawk ; for the spar- row becomes the prey of one, and the innocent fly is the victim of the other ; but envy, Jamima, that creeps into the human heart, and is the most cruel insect of all. Good night, Lady Man- deville, pleasant dreams to you." So saying. Miss Penman snatched up her candle, as was her usual custom MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 47 -vvhen any thing bad ruffled her, and instantly repaired to her own apart- ment. This mode of [conduct, in one whom it was greatly her interest not to offend, generally brought Lady Mandeville to order, and made her more cautious than ever of attempting to discharge her yoimg favorite; for that Joseph was her favorite, seemed very clearly perceptible to the discerning eye of Lady Mande- "ville. In Adela too, child as she was, she thought the could perceive a gleam- ing partiality for Joseph, more than for 48 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, her beloved Mortimer, but this being exactly opposite to her views and ex- pectations, she predetermined to crush it as early in the bud as 'possible; she therefore, one morning when Adela was receiving a delicate little flower from the hand of Joseph, and which he had expressly gathered and offered for her acceptance ; when as he presented it to her, she heard him utter these words: " Lady Adela, you admired this little flower so much last night, I thought it was a pity not to procure it for you, and here it is." MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 49 She could no longer conceal her mor- tification and displeasure, the more when Adela received it with a smile and a curtsey, but as she placed it in her bosom, her Ladyship also presented her with a branch of beautiful exotics. ** There Adela, did you ever before see an assemblage of more beautiful flowers, a choice collection my love, and the gift-offering of my sou; and you must positively wear them in your bosom the whole of this day for the sake of Mortimer Mandeville," cried she. ** I am much obliged to your Lady- ship," replied Adela, '' but I cannot VOL. I. D 50 THE SON AND THE NEPHICIV; OR, wear two nosegays, for see I have got one already, so jDretty and so sweet:" and taking tlie flower which Joseph had given her, with anau' of the most per- fect naivete, she fixed it in her little bosom, leaving the mortified Lady Man^ deviile, with the rejected flowers still in her h^nd. This incident, trifling as it was, left her Ladyship a prey to inquietade, and gave rise to a supposition, that almost indeed amounted to conviction, that the childish bosom of Adela had caught an impres- sion of the blooming grace and fasci- nating exterior of her youngest son, which decidedly determined her in on^ MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 51 point, that of using her influence with Sir Peter to send him from the INIanor. This indeed was now more difficult than could be imagined^ for Joseph was the favorite of his father, and what was more to be dreaded, was the idol of Miss Penman. **What," cried Lady Mandeville, as she threw the rejected flowers on the ground, " and shall he also be the husband of Lady Adela, the wealthy heiress of Hugh de Tracy ? No Mortimer, this prize be thine, or never shall thy mother know again the d2 52 THE SON ANi> THE NEPHEW ; OK, blessings of thy smile !" With these con- cluding words, my enraged aunt sought the apartments of my worthy uncle; she smiled, and even attempted to take his hand. *' My dear Sir Peter," cried she, my uncle smiled too. "I will bet any thing Sarah, with you," cried he, " that you are a going to ask a favor of me ; come out with it, let us know the extent of a woman's con- science." "Why my love, our riotous boys," said my aunt, " they have now been at the Manor these seven weeks." iMORE SECRETS THAN ONE. ^ " Really so long, Sarah," cried my uncle, " why then to-morrow, they shall go to school again. End of Chapter Third. d3 54 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW ; QF, CHAP. IV, Lady Mandeville, who had now gamed one of her most favorite points with her too-indulgent husband, con- tinued her unceasing solicitations with Sir Peter that I and my cousins should set off, bag and baggage, for Mortley Thorp the ensuing morning, where, under MORE SECRETS THAN OKE. 53 the care of the Rev. Mr. Thurlow, we were yet to remain another twelvemonth, and, at the expiration of that period, then to depart for college studies at Cambridge ; for what I was designed, I was yet totally ignorant, but I knew perfectly well from the tenor of my aunt's conversation, that I was wholly dependant on the will of my uncle; my father having died insolvent in the West Indies, although serving in the rank of Major in one of the distant colonies ; and my mother soon fell a sacrifice to excess of grief for his loss, and survived but a few months after his decease, consigning me to the protection of the D 4 56 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, only relative she possessed on earth, her brother, Sir Peter Mandeville, in whose arms she breathed her last sigh. In the agonies of death she could only be heard to murmur, " Be a father to my child." My worthy uncle, who loved my mother tenderly, neglected not to pay the last duties to his favorite Mariana. *' Poor boy,'' cried he, holding me to his breast with all the warmth of undis- guised affection, "Poor bey! fatherless and motherless, you shall retain the affection of both in the kindness and MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 57 protection of myself aud Lady Mande- ville," who received me with her accus- tomed frigidity. " Remember, Sarah, cried my uncle, as he placed me in her arms, " when you look on this poor child, that you are a mother ! and that while your own children possess the inestimable blessing of a parent's indul- gence, that he has none to bestow the like attention upon him; the loss of which gives him a doitble claim to our protection ; be kind to him, Sarah ; he is my own nephew, and the legacy of an expiring sister ; as such I shall regard him ; as such I shall cherish him ; and d5 A8 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, as such I shall expect he will be received into my family.' " You are amazingly particular^ me- thinks," said my aunt, with some aspe- rity ; " I do not know, Sir Peter, that I was ever willingly unmindful of your requests ; but if it is your pleasure, that I^ i^hould neglect my own children to . look after this boy, it is an office which I must positively decline/! *'You can perform the office of hu- manity. Sar^h," answered my uncle, much hurt by sentiments so little con- genial to his own, ''without any detri- MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 69 meut to your own children; I shall, therefore, expect that you will at least act the part of a christian to your hus- band's nephew ; and I further insist, that from this very hour, Egbert Cleve- land is considered as such in the Manor House." My aunt muttered something, but that something was not permitted to reach the ear of my uncle ; and a very large piece of plumb cake, presented tome by one of my little cousins, very soon reconciled me to my situation. Blest period of youthful innocence t: 06 60 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW ; OR, delightful season of unalloyed happiness! why ai^ ye not given to maturity? Vain hope! can the blooming rose attain its full perfection without the invasion of the canker-worm that would destroy it? Oh, never! But to proceed. I and my cousins were very ceremo- niously told by my aunt Mandeville, that Ave must prepare to return to Mortley Thorp, at an early hour the ensuing morning ; to which proposal, Mortimer would by no means consent, till his fond mother had agreed to allow him three days of grace^ which time was to be MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 61 passed in such recreations as he himself thought most agreeable. *' Suppose then, mother, you give us a dance, and a bit of supper," cried Mor- timer, *' Joseph, Egbert, \Yould you not like that amazinsrlv ?" We nodden our willing assent, and Lady Mandeville assured us, that we should certainly have a little gala the night before we returned to Mortley ,^' Thorp. " And now I think of it, Mortimer," added she, *' had ^ou not better go in 62 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, time, and solieit the hand of Lady Adela to be your partner in the dance ? there is no knowing, but what she may one day be your partner for bfe; either she, or one of the Miss Somervilles your father designs for you. I promise you, 80 go, do as you are desired." . Mortimer had flown on the instant to obey his mother's command, and turning round, 1 beheld Joseph paler than ashes. *' Are you not well, Joseph," said I, to which, as he did not reply, I made no further enquiry ; but I cannot help re- collecting, that from this moment, I was impressed with an idea, that the little MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 63 bashful Adela, though at this early pe- riod, had uacoiisciously awakened the first dawning of youthful passion in the breast of Joseph Mandeville ; a circum- stance, as I then legretted, would only be productive of misery to him; but how little did I forsee that the peace of ano- ther, individual would also be involved in it. The expected evening of the gala arrived, and a selection of youthful guests, expressly invited for the occa- sion, assf-mbled to partake of the amuse- ments it afforded, much to the satisfac- tion of the ** Triumphant mother," as 64 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW ; OR, she beheld her darling son open the ball with Lady Adela, whoni she had mag- nificently dressed, and for her age, she looked lovely beyond expression ; nor could 1 have conceived so great an im- provement to have taken place in so short a time in her shape and com- j)lexion. The former looking as if de* licately moulded by the hands of the Graces, and the latter as if breathing the first sweets of spring. Count Molino took his departure for Germany the day before the evening of the gala, after being for many hours in MORE SECRETE THAN ONE. 65 deep conversation with Lady Mande* ville, the subject of which remained a profound secret. ** Adelais not handsome," observed I to my cousin Joseph, " it is the smile of inexpressible'harihony, aiid trie' I'ddt of almost indefinable softness, that ren- ders her the fascinating little creature she so truly is," " Miss Somerville is a great deal handsomer,'* he replied, ** that is, I think Emma Somerville ." Joseph stopped, coloured, and ap- 66 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW 3 OR, peared confused, but I found that hfr was by no means ingenuous in his reply, for his eyes wererivetted on Adela as he spoke, and I cried, 4i Jt is true, Miss Somerville is more beautiful, but Adela ris ten thousand times more fascinating." The daughters of Sir James Somer- ville were elegant girls, and it would have been difficult to have pronounced which of the two inherited the greatest share of beauty and good humour, but I thought were 1 at liberty to have decided >I0RE SECRETS THAN ONE. 07 Oil their merits, I should not hesitate in giving the palm to the younger sister, who was called Emma, her sister Isa- bella being too masculine to accord with the idea I had formed of female beauty* though she exactly suited the taste of my cousin Mortimer. *'The eldest Miss Somerville," cried he, ** is the finest girl in the room." '' And her sister is the prettiest," re- plied I. **What the little flaxen-haired girl, 68 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW j OR, who danced with my brother?" enquired Mortimer. ** The same Miss Emma Somerville," said L ** A mere waxen doll, with blue eyes, and a baby's face ; no, if you come to that, what think you of Lady Adela? Did you ever see a pair of finer eyes than that little bashful gipsey has got in your life ; but what signifies her eyes or any think else : — she lias got the main point in the calculation of a woman's beauty," MORE SECRETS THAN ONE; 69 *' And what is that," said I. ** One hundred thousand pounds," answered he, and drawing the bed-cur- tains close around us, we fell asleep. End of Chapter Fourth. 70 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, CHAP. V. From the period of our returning to Mortley Thorp, to the succeeding twelvemonth that we were about to quit it, nothing materialy occurred, either to give us pleasure or pain, till I and my cousins received a mandate from Sir Peter to set out for the Manor, my aunt Mandeville having, during the whole MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 7 1 space of the oae twelvemooth, contrived to keep us from paying our annual visit at the time of our vacation, because she had taken into her head that she must make a journey to the metropolis, it being thought necessary by her Lady- ship, that her daughters were now actually old enough to " come out.'' The consequence was a trip to London, uhere Miss Clotilda and Jamima (now full grown indeed) underwent the accus- tomed ceremonies of a first introduction at court; and from newspaper report, I and my cousini^ very soon learned, that ^he Miss Mandevilles liaving made their Entree, shone very conspicuously from 72 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW ; OR, an obvious circumstance: they wore a profusion of diamonds; but I cannot recollect that much was said on their youth, their elegance, or beauty; but they were ** come out," and that was sufficient for the present for Lady Man- deville ; neither Sir Peter nor Lady Adela were witnesses of this very im- portant area in the lives of the Miss Mandevilles, for my uncle was confined with a fit of the gout, and Adela was thought ipaiich too young to venture beyond the boundaries of Manor Park; besides, what with masters of every de- scription, and governesses almost of MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 73 every order, Adela was kept constantly employed, Lady Maudeville having left strict charge with Sir Peter, and also with Madame Starch, the superintend- ant governess, that she should be kept close to her studies: word was likewise left with Mrs. Puff, tJie housekeeper, that Lady Adela should be served with scanty dinners and light suppers, fearful that her shape, which promised to be of the most gossamer description, would receive an injury fioni the effects of a too-indulgent appetite. Kind, consi- derate Lady Mandeville, and happy Adeld, to possess so zealous a friend. However, in a few days her Ladyship's VOL. I. E 74 THE SON AN1> THE NEPHEV.; 01<, injunctions were totally forgotten by Sit Peter, and almost neglected by Mrs. Puff, who suffered the little drl to eat and drink whatever sheiiked best; and Sir Pet^r was never so \vell pleased, as when he saw lier tripping over the lawns as playful and elastic as the yomig faX^n, and fresh as the flowers that grew be- neath her hands; for Adela, amongst all her most favorite amusements de- lighted in the cultivation of blowers, and the study of botany; an elegant green-hou^e, therefore, filled with tht? most fragrant shrubs and blooming exo- tics, had long been appropriated to her use ; and in this she passed many hours, MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 75 when the fashionable Clotilda and the indolent Jamima were killing lime, either with sorae last new novel, or in the speculation of something to reniovo freckles and improve the complexion. The daily advertisements in the paper< amply furnished them with intelligence so pleasing, and information so instruc- tive ; but they never soared one step be- yond this, Miss Jamima could not bear to read ; and Clotilda in the absence of Lady Mandeville and her daughter, could not be but a seasonable relief to Adela, who, in spite of her endeavors (o conceal it, felt no great predilection for their society, yet, of the three ladies, e2 76 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW.; OR, Lady Maiideville was her favorite, and she would have liked her much better were it not for the continual ringing in her ears the praises of her son Mor- timer. Tliis was done so repeatedly, that Adela, young as he w^as, suspected that her Ladyship must have some particular motive, and though she cau- tiously avoided giving her any offence by contradicting her assertions, that Mortimer Mandeville was the most fascinating , creature in existence, yet she was silent whenever he was the theme of her conversation, a circum- stance w^hich did not escape the obser- vation of Lady Mandeville, and which MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 77 greatly mortified her aspering hopes; yet she thought that perseverance would do much, and that by a trial of further skill and management, the unwary and youth- ful Adeta would in time be brought to look on Mortimer in the light of an affi- anced lover, if not an affianced husband. Count Molino having promised her also to use his interest and influence over the mind of her father, she did not doubt but her wish would be accom- plished, being persuaded that Sir Peter, wishing for the aggrandizement of their son, would give into all her sentiments respecting her views on the wealthy heiress of Hugh De Tracy, but in this E 3 78 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW j OR, had ber Ladyship considered for one momeiiton the character of her husband, she %yoiild have found herself mistaken, for the feelhigs of a father, and the principles of an honest man woidd have made my excellent uncie shudder from offering proposal that could in any way be deemed the sacrifice of another man's child. It was almost impossible to say the pains Lady Mandeville took to please the artless disposition of little Adela, which nature had formed of one of the finest order; though it did not promise to be one of the happiest, for Adela would MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 79^ weep when' any incident awakened her sensibility to the sufferings of others, and her prompt generosity to relieve the wants of her fellow-creatures, very soon became a subject of reprehension with Lady Mandeville, while to Sir Peter it was the constant theme of admiration and praise ; but the money was her own, and his Lordship being liberal in the extreme in the remittances he made to Lady Mandeville for the maintenance of his daughter as well as in the ex- pences of her education, she could not with decency complain of her extra- vagances, or refuse with propriety her re- quest to be supplied with more money. E 4 80 THE SON AND THE NEPHEWj OR, One morning, however, when Adela spread her empty ptirse on the table, which her Ladyship had only filled the evening before, to express her slirprize seemed but natural, though she could scarcely conceal her displeasure, when Adela declared she had not a farthing left of her monthly allowance. *• What not out of ten pounds? you surely mistake, my love." said Lady Mandeville, '* and it is very clear to me that you have been either robbed of this money, or have given it away foolishly.' ** It is true that I have given it away," MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 81 answered Adela, her cheeks glowing with resentment, '"but I should be very sorry if your Ladyship thought foolish- ly ; for indeed, it was to save a poor family from ruin T ** Tell me whom you have relieved ? and it is very possible that I may change my opinion," said Lady Mandeville, not willing to let Adela see that she dis- couraged her in acts of charity. '* But indeed, my lovely Adela, ten pounds is so very large a sum^ that I am afraid you have been led into some error re- specting the objects of your charity/" e4 82 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW ; OR, ^ *' O I am very sure they were deserving ten times that sum," replied Adela, with a warmth that acted like an opposite, for it chilled the bosom of Lady Man- deville, " for," continued Adela, " it was no other than Lubina's father and mother, who were turned out of their farm yesterday because they could not pay their rent, and Liibina is such a good girl, I could not bear her tears, and so — I gave htr the money." ** And had she really the audacity to take it," enquired Lady Mandeville, with an air of asperity which she could no longer repress, for it was by her Lady- MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 83 chip's express desire that the steward had been compelled to turn farmei* Blackburne out of his farm. "But I assure your Ladyship^ that it was not Lubina'sfault," answered Adela, " for " insisted on her accepting my purse, and going with it that precious moment to her distressed father and mother, who had not a bed to lay their heads on, nor a morsel of bread to put in their mouths ; and so Lubina went^ according to my request, and so — ." " Well, my dear, I have heard quite ^ enough of this romantic tale,"interruptei> 84 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR,, my aunt pettishly, yet softening her voice as much as she possibly could from its natural acrimony, '* it was certainly very good of you to assist the poor wretches ; you have an undoubted right to do what you please with your own money, -^hough I dare say your father would not chuse you should throw it away ; especially when I inform you that Lubina's father and mother are very unworthy objects of your munificence, I cannot call it charity ; they can pay, but they wont pay, and that being the case, it was very right and proper they should be treated accordingly ; as to Lubina, she is a pert MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 85 forward minx to receive any such present from you without my knowledge, and she shall quit my service if ever I know her to be guilty of the like impertinence again." At the conclusion of this speech of my imperious aunt's, Adela, to her no small confusion and amazement, burst into tears ; never before had Lady Man- deville, as she thought, spoke so un- kindly — and never, till now, was her little susceptable bosom so sensative of resentment, and she sobbed out, •* If Lubina has been guilty of a fault. 86 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW j OR, the fault was mine, and 1 would much rather that your Ladyship wouhl punish me, than a poor girl that cannot help herself." Lady MandcTille, who now found she had gone beyond her depth, like a g^kilful pilot, was obliged to steer with more caution ; and she threw her arms round the offended Adela. ** Punish you, my sweet angel," ex- clamied she, "punish you! how can that little tongue of your's pronounce such cruel words? You know, my sweet MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 87 love, I would not for the worlrj say any thing to give yon pain ; for heaven's sake, my dear creature, dry those tears; gra- cious, what would Mortimer Mande\ ille say to see those pretty eyes spoiled with crying, why he would say .'* " I am not thinking of Mr. Mortimer Mandeville,*' uttered Adela pettishly; tliis her Ladyship observed, but would not by any means seem to notice, though it stung her to the heart, and she replied with a cunning archness, and throwing into her countenance as much insinuation as possible. 88 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW ; OR, *' Indeed, my sweet Adela, that is not kind of you, for I dare say Mortimer is thinking of you." Adela was silent, and her Ladyship at the same njoment that she employed herself in supplying the contents of the empty purse with fresh ammunition, contrived in the most coaxing tone to rally her. '* Now I will give you one of the prettiest birds in my avary, if you will tell me, Adela," said she, ** that you were just thinking of the * Gentk Shep- MORE SECRETS THAN ONE 89 herd,' my Joseph, whom I declare I sliall call the ' Shepherd' as long as he lives.'* Adela did not betray the slightest emotion at the mention of Joseph's name, but in a very affecting, and determined manner, she pronounced " I was thinks ing of my father!" Lady Mandeville, coloured, and coloured so deeply, that I do not know whether her blushes were not even perceptible through a deep deep mask of French rouge, and it was was with infinite difficulty that her Lady- ship could stifle a certain awkward sensation that she felt rising in her throat when she kissed the pale cheek of Adela 90 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW ^ OR, as they retired to their respective apart-* ments. *' It is very clear, to me," cried she, as she entered her dressing room, " that this unaccountable little Gothic Maudlin is not attracted by either of my sons, giurely that^rc^at, tall, stripling, that Eg- bert Cleveland — ■ -^^ q 3>Further Lady Mandeville did npt cfause to give uttereiice to her thoughts, and poor Mrs. Flounce her attendant jeuffered very materially from her capri- cious humour during the operation of MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 1)1 dressing her Ladyship for dinner. Mrs. Flounce did her best, and called to her aid the all-powerful auxilary of flattery. But all would not do, for looking in ihe glass when her toilet was completed, her Ladyship exclaimed, ** Why Flounce, have you taken leave pf your senses, or do you intend that I should look a fright for the remainder of the evening." '*I mean that your Ladyship should look as you generally do," said Mrs. Flounce. ff2 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW ; OR, ** And what is that?" demanded her Ladyship. Flounce, who was now put to her last wits^ instantly replied " An angel." I cannot actually say whether my aunf s ill humour was appeased or not, but her accommodating Abigal was al- most instantaneously dismissed with these words, " well child, I think I shall do for to-day." • ** Do for to-day," muttered Flounce as she tripped down stairs, glad to escape from her persecution. " Do for MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. ^S to day," repeated she, *' I think I have given your Ladyship a dose that might <\o for a twelvemonth." ^fid of Chapter Fifth. r)4 THE SOI^ AND THE NEPHEVT; OR, CHAP. \L Miss Penman, who had peremptorily refused Lady Mandeville's request of accompanying her to London, was at length compelled to yield to her press- ing entreaties, Clotilda declaring, that she should expire if her dear sweet Miss Penman was not to be of their party, and Jaraima also positively saying ' MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 95 that she should never be able to survive the awful ceremony of being presented, without her dear Miss Penman being tfiere to witness it; Miss Penman looked serious and exclaimed, " Mercy on me my dear girls ; if both your deaths are to be occasioned by my not going, why T believe that I must for once make a fool of myself; to London therefore I will accompany you, though it is of all other places, the most odious to me ; so far I will oblige you; but ne court, there I must positively be excused ; heaven preserve me! what would the world say of Lucilla Penman, the old 96 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, maid, being seen in the drawing-room of St. James's. Jaminia, who had taken her cambric handkerchief out of her pink sat tin ridicule, on the pretence of blowing her nose, could scarcely smo- ther an affected giggle, in which Miss Mandeville would have joined, but a look from her mother, had the desired effect of making her assume the appear- ance of good manners, whether possessed or not ; but the impertinence of Miss Jamima did not wholly escape the ob- servation of Miss Penman, with whom this young lady was by iio means a favorite, and she determined to punish her for it at some future opportunity. MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 97 I and my cousins had the good for- tune to arrive at the Manor three days before the exjiected party had left the metropolis; a circumstance not in the smallest degree regretted by any of us, as those three days ^vere passed in a delightful intercourse ^vith my Avorthy imcle and the fascinating Adela, im- proved in every grace, and heightened into every beauty that constitutes ex- pression ; her complexion had lost tliat pallid hue which seemed to rank her among the list of valetudinarians, and her figure, though excessively delicate, was moulded with the neatest symmetry, accompanied by a simplicity which VOL. I. F 98 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW^; OR, seemed alone the offspring of nature, in "which art was not thought necessary to have the slightest sha^-e. It was not, however, till many hours, that we were gratified with her -society, so strictly bound was Adela to the plan which Lady Mandeville had left for the pro- secution of her studies, which my uncle more than once insisted she should break through, and notwithstanding the austere looks and chilling deportment of Mrs. Starch, the all-accomplished govern- ante, he demanded the company of his little favorite soon after we had dined, and she came, blushing like the roseate morn the smiles of good humour play- .^>MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 99 iug on her dimpled cheeks, just as my uncle with good emphasis and discre- tion, had uttered the following sentence: ''But I do insist, positively insist, that Adela comes into the room this evening, and makes a dish of tea for the boys and myself; and so you may go and tell Madame Starch, I will have no more of her impertinence, and no less ridicu- lous excuses; what does Lady Mande- ville mean by attempting to make the daughter of Lord Hugh de Tracy ,;i female pedant ; heaven preserve me from seeing Adela a petticoat philosopher! " 100 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, At this moment, Adela entered the xoom ; 2he welcomed me and my cousins to the Manor with unaffected cordiality,, and shook hands with each of us with- out one atom of that conscious superio- rity of rank and fortune which makes the possessor both odious and con- temptible, as it betrays a contracted mind, and is too often the effect of an ill-directed education, as it is as fre- quently the offspring of a corrupted heart. ^' So Adela," cried my imcle, '' thou hast escaped, child, from thy persecute I MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 101 ing Argus, and like a bird flown from thy cage to breathe of the sweets of liberty; come, sit down, and talk to these boys; they have been anxious to see you, I assure you, and ever since they arrived, have talked of nothing else ; but now you are come, you see they are as mute as possible, dumb as mice. Zounds! when I was a boy, I would have kissed a pretty girl, if all the great grandfathers and grandmothers in the world had been present." Notwithstanding this encouraging ad- dress of Sir Peter, neither I nor my cou- sins durst avail ourselves of his kind F 3 102 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, invitation to salute Lady Aclela, whose fair cheek was tinged with blushes of the deepest dye, while an air of modesty, which was peculiar to her, kept her silent nearly the whole of the evening* Whatever my cousin Joseph thought of the improved beauty and accomplish- ments of the young heiress, I could not surmise, for he preserved a profound silence, while thevolubilitv of Mortimer never ceased in her praise. ** ^^he would be a divine creature,*' cried he *' if there was a little more of her, and she was not so confoundedly shy; but, as I said before, x4dela is rich, MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 103 and wants nothing more to set her ofif in the eyes of the world but the bags of money which her father w ill leave her sole mistress of: and curse iije, matri- mony is such a piH, that by the Lord, it requires something sweet to make it go down ; does it not, my grave cousin Cleveland r" " As you please," replied I, scarcely attending to his remark, for in truth, my thoughts were employed on a very di^ ferent subject, and that was my future destiny in life : I am no longer a child, thought I, nor ought I to expect that my uncle^ worthy as he is, will take from F 4 104 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OK, his own children their inheritance, to give to me. Neither had I passed by unregarded the cold looks which Lady Mandeville and her daughters some- times cast upon me, nor the oblique hints which they as frequently threw out on my orphan state, more than once too; my feelings bad suffered from the petti- lent warmth of my cousin Mortimer's temper ; at the same moment that I received a balsam to the wound by the unvaried sv/eetness and gentle manners of Joseph, for whose sake, I would have endured much greater taunts, as I sin- cerely felt for him the affection he so truly merited. MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 1G5 As my mind was occupied with these reflections, on the second day after my arrival at the Manor, I found my spirits at intervals so much greatly depressed, that I could not join with chearfal- ness in our accustomed amusements;., had I known, however, that my dejec- tions had been perceived, I would have exerted every effort in my power to have concealed the real situation of my mind from all human observation, and more especially from my uncle, whom of late I often remarked gazing at me, till an un- conscious tear would start from his eyes, and once I heard the almost inarticulate F 6 106 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW ; OR, sentence of " Poor Mariana," pronoun- ced by bim witb indescribable emotion ; and as I took leaVe of him for the night, I felt his hand clasp mine with more warmth than I could remember from the period of my infancy. ''Egbert," cried he, " I have appointed to-morrow to be set apart for the exa- mination of your studies, and though I doubt not but you have been sedulously attentiTe to every branch of your edu- cation, yet 1 must find it such as will befit you for the more rational i^tfd active part of life ; I design you for a gentle- THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, 107 man and a scholar — but an honest man ; which last title I hope to confer on you to the latest hour of my existence ; at A^velve o'clock to-morrow, you must meet me in my study, where also I will ap- point Mortimer and Joseph ; you have a strange world to encounter with, and 1 fear, from the resemblance you bear to your mother, carry witli you also that too nice, sensative feeling, which must ever expose a delicate to the rude cen- sures of the vulgar and the illiterate; you must shut your heart to this intru- der, my boy, or you will infallibly err against common sense, which you will find a most necessary ingredient J 5 108 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW J OR, ill the sum total of worldly happj ness." I pressed the hand which was helji out to me with reverential regard, but notwithstanding my uncle's injunctions, could not chide back the tear which had fallen so particularly towards the con- clusion of the speech he had addressed to me. In youth's high season, life presents arn unvaried landscape of blooming verdour, and stronghideed must be those impres- sions which can alter its complexion or change its glowing tints to scenes of MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 109 Sickly hue ; and though my uncle had not communicated his intentions for what he designed me, yet that he would probably do so the very next morning, was suffi- ciently a subject of contemplation for to keep me wide awake the whole of the night ; and as I now occupied a separate apartment from that of my cousins, I put on my clothes as soon as the dawn appeared, and found myself nearly lost in the middle of my uncle's park ; when my attention was directed towards a copse, so thickly shaded, that its wind- ings were impervious to the sunny rays or gleaming moon, but from which I could plainly distinguish the sound of a low, no THE SON AND THE NEPHEW ; OR , soft, and murmuring voice, which was often interrupted by one loud and im-^ petuous, and to which 1 was no stranger, for it was the voice of Mortimer Man- deville. I moved with as' much alacrity as possible from a spot I now considered sacred, for"ifcuriosity," saidi, *' be inhe- rent in the human breast, why not honor, which is also its inmate, have equal influence over our sensations ?" Again the voice of a female, whoso tones I could not help fancying wei-e familiar to my ear, broke out, but witja MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. Ill stronger emphasis thun ever, into low murmurs as it seemed of tender re- proach, which were answered by her companion at every sentence with a loud laugh, and a passionate exclamation of " Fool, simpleton;* I now instantly quitted the side of the copse with a kind of lurking inclination I confess about me, to obtain a glance of the fair incognita with whom Mortimer was conversing, but to my great relief, I found a blush of shame rising to my cheek, and I walked without intermis- sion till I was within ten yards of my uncle's house before I could recover 112 THE SON AND THE NEPHEWrOK, my self-possession. Ah, curiosity, I have for once, thought I, got the better of thee ; for tempting as thou art, thou canst never vanquish honor, in whose white livery I neither will betray myself, nor meanly pry into ihe secrets ■ of anothei*. End of Chapter Stjctk. MORE SECRETS THAN ONE, 59 CHAP. VII. I found all parties at my return had assembled in the breakfast room, but my cousin Mortimer and Lady Adela. Surely, thought I, the unseen female with whom Mortimer was conversing, could never have been the delicate little Adela. I scorned the suggestion, from the ex- treme timidity of-her character, yet I 114 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, know not why, the sensation which this very suggestion started into iny mind, made me iinsasy ; and I beheld Adela,. who presently joined iis, with the most unaffected and unembarrassed manner^ take her place at the table, with perhaps less pleasure than I had ever seen her before. And why I did feel so was a question, winch, at this period, I forgot to ask myself. It was not till the second cup had been handed round, that Mortimer made his appearance ; but he was in high spi- rits, and talked with his usual volu- bility ; while the toast and butter was MORE SECRETS* THA^TOXE. 115 tlone ample justice to in the exercise of his appetite. **Good morning to your night cap!" cried diy tJncle, "why Mortimer, thou hast slept well, my boy; we have waited near an hour for you from" our usual repast, and an apology is at least due due to the only Lady who at present graces my table." '• Oh! Lady Adela is sogoodhumour- ed that I am persuaded she will easily pardon an omission, which was by no means intentional," said Mortimer. 116 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR^ Adela, received this apology with a smile, but at the same moment with a look so archly directed towards him, that his cheeks flushed crimson ; and I again thought of the copse with increas- ed inquiettide. I knew not what to think, for I was beginning to suspect, that Adela possessed a spark of coque- tery in her disposition, which in all fe- males I despised. Joseph was grave, and I thought more pensive than usual, and his attea- tionsto Lady Adela, though perfectly respectful ,^ seemed constrained, while Mortimer, stationed at her elbow, at MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 117 every sentence uttered a compliment to her praise, even where it was by no means necessary ; hut how far she re- ceived this unmeaning adulation with satisfaction, I coukl not devise, as the little conversation she held with us was most polite and affable, but nothing more. Indeed, I sometimes conceived, that when her looks were directed to- wards me, she was more than usually reserved and cold. Ah! thought I, the children of poverty, are seldom sin- gled out to meet the cordial smile, or made to feel the genial warmth of friend- ship ; Adela is rich, and I am poor, already has she learned the gross distin- 1 1 8 THE SON A ISD THE NEPHEW ; OR, tions betwixt poverty a«d affluence, and yet saearly taught to imbibe such ii:ier- cenary principles, 'tis strange! but why strange ? thought I,to mj^e^ ^^^pj^^^p- iress is Lady Mandeville. From these reflections, which were by no means favorable to the character of the little heir^s, I was roused by a summons from my uncle, and my heart underwent a change of sensations as new as they were pleasing ! **Myvmcle,*' cried I, "my worthy uncle, in meeting thee, I do indeed behold the only friend I have in this wide expanse of earthly happiness; thou art not mer- MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 119 ceiiary, no ; thou art the general friend of humanity; the friend also, alas! the only friend, of Egbert Cleveland." I entered my uncle's study, with a countenance in which he might have traced each movement of my heart; that heart now throbbed with gratitude ; he was alone^ and scarce hati the appella- tion of "dear boy," escaped his lips, when I burst into a torrent of tears ! he was affected, and holding out his hand to me with his accustomed kindness, exclaimed, *'Why, Egbert, this is not well done 120 THE SON AND THE NEPHE^W ; OR, of you, to catch me in one of my rainy day humours, with a face like Don Quixote. Why, what is the matter, hojy aud what art whimpering for? dost want a top to spin, or a rocking horse to ride on ? " I want nothing 6ir," replied 1, endea- vouring to get the better of my emotion, which I feared had hitherto displeased him. ** What can I want? your kindness leaves me not a wish ungratified, your bounty supplies me with every thing; 1 have no thought that is not connected with my gratitude towards you, and MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 121 yoitr approbation is the proudest aim of my ambition." ** Well, well," cried my uncle, brush- ing away a tear which I perceive had stolen a march upon him, for he turned to smile with mirthful good humour, *'I will have no more of this, I promise yen; I verily believe you are a good youth, let that suffice when I tell you it is my in- tention to providefor you handsomely, I shall send you to college with your cou- sins, and though my eldest son will at ray decease most naturally and un- doubtedly become my heir, yet you shall possess an inheritance wholly independ- VOL. 1. o 122 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW ; OR, ant of him or his brother, in the which I shall not rank you inferior with the rest of ni)' children ; while you remain at college, your remittances will be on an equal par with Mortimer and Joseph ; when your studies shall be completed, w^e will then talk of further plans, and the choice of a profession, which shall be ultimately left to your own deci_ sion." At this most disinterested proof of ^ my uncle's generosity, I became so affect- ed, that on seeing my cousins enter the study, I was obliged to retire for a few moments, in order to suppress feelings. MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 12^ of which, though 1 had no cause to be ashamed, yet I ^vould AvlUingly hide from the observation of my excellent uncle, for whom I ever felt a venera- tion approaching almost to a Celestial Being. Mortimer who had no profession to embrace, had nothing in contemplation but to move in the easy sphere of a modern fine gentleman, who was one day to inherit his fathers title and possessions, held but a short conference with Sir Peter relative to the management of his future studies, for he was by nature gay, G 2 124 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, volatile, and indolent, and the iyiwaM progress he had made in his education was indeed superficial, when compared with the enlightened mind and im- proved accomplishments of his brother Joseph, wliose rational tnrn of dispo- sition and gentle manners disposed him for the churcl), for which nature had likewise eminently formed him ; his per« son being manly and graceful, his voice clear and harmonious, and the expres- sion of his countenance divinely beau- tiful ; no sooner had Joseph disclosefl his intentions to hfs father of wishing to ' take holy orders thali a loud laugh of derision burst from tire lips of his iro- nical brother. MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 125 '' Did I not always prophesy Egbert,'' cried he, " that Joseph would be a par- son. Most Reverend Divine! when jou take holy orders, do admit me one of your congregation, my life on't the very first sermon you preach will be for the reformation of the morals of your most incorrigible brother." A look more severe than ever I re- member in my life, shot fromt he eyes of my uncle. ** Reformation to your morals," cried he. G 3 120 TBE SON AND THE NEPHEW 5 OR, - i^^^i-'iiliope sir, your morals do not stand in need of reformation at present; >vhen they do, you have a father who maynotchuse to spare you, or suffer you to escape from reprehension, how- ever light you may think the subject of yoiir raillery." Mortimer if he felt not Sir Peter's just proof, looked abashed even to con- fusion, but with his usual nonchaleiice he replied, *'0n my soul, I meant no offence sir, not any I assure you, only when I looked in Jofeeph's grave face ." THE SON AND THE NEPHEW ; OR, 127 *' You looked in the face of your bro- ther/' added my uncle, " and a brother is not the most proper object you can think of marking out as a fit subject for your ridicule; in future I hope you will be.raore cautious, lest you give an offence I shall not so easily pardon." With these words, my uncle walked gravely out of his study, leaving* me and my cousins at liberty to follow as we pleased, Mortimer, though he bit his lips, and reddened a little with vexation in the presence of his father, now burst into an immoderate fit of laughter decli^r- G 4 128 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, ing that what he had uttered was a mon- strous good joke, and that the old boy need not have kicked up such a noise about it. For let me die," cried he, *' if I can help laughing at the idea of seeing Joseph mount the pulpit to the view of all the country joskins, farmers' fat wives, and starched old maids in the neighbourhood of Leicestershire. Zounds and the devil! now I think of it, he may stand a chance of making a conquest there, as well as any where else ; there will be -such turning up of the whites of their eyes, such sighing and groaning, and so many Ahs ! and Ohs! MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 129 when the clerk cries Amen ! that after he has preached three times in the parish church, who knows but he may lead" some pious spinster to the hymeneal alter three weeks afterwards, *'but by all that's lovely I'm off," continued Mor- timer, "on the wing like a skylark, there is sweet Lady Adela gone to water her flowers; the fairest of which does not look half so blooming as herself: — sweet little soul, what an innocent she is; 1 must away and talk her out of this romantic possession for flowers. — Zounds! now I think of it, I should hate a wife^ always boring one to death g5 130 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OK, about the healing balsam of a plant, or the colour of a carnation ; let me but see that colour mount to her cheeks, and the sparkling lustre in her eyes, I care not for her other accomplishments, so I am off to hoax little Adela out of her whim- sical employment." *'A young woman might be much worse employed, do you not think so?" cried Ito Joseph, as he leaned his arm pensively on the chair which Mortimer hsid quitted. " Or an old woman either," answered MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 131 he, *'for they never cease to talk of scandal, condemning without one spark of lenity the very follies of ^vhich they themselves have been guilty when equal- ly young and thoughtless, with perhaps not half so good a heart to excuse them for it." - * * '*Ah Joseph," cried I, "we must not expect to find many sucli characters as Lucilla Penman, who is in herself blameless, but is charitable to the feel- ings of her own sex ; were every old maid thus, surely the shafts of redicule would not be pointed at the whole community, g6 132 THR SON AND THE NEPHEW ^ OR, and men if tkey cannot love, would learn to treat them with respect." My cousin Joseph's sentiments and my own were for the most part congenial, and as he assented very cordially to those I last expressed, we strolled arm in arm together round the plantations of Manor Park, and on our way thither were met by an old, bat of late, a very unfortunate tenant of my uncle's, whom Lady Mandeville had a twelvemonth before caused to be turned out of his little farm and to the relief of whose distressed family Lady Adela had so generously contributed. .. . MORE SECRETS THAN OJS'E, 133 I always held a respectful defferenee towards age, especially when misfortune aiid calamity adds to the catalogue of its infirmities. Th0 eldest daughter of farmer Black- burue had, from a child, been brought up in the service of Lady Mandeville, and was perhaps from the education which her Ladyship had given her, far superior to her humble situation, which she was taught to feel and to experience every hour in the capacity of lady's maid to the Miss Mandevilles, who, while they invented every species of ill humour to torment her, envied the superiority of 1 34 THE S6N AND THE NEPHEW ; OR, tho^e personal charms with which Liibina Blackburne was ' eminently gifted; her facei^nd form being exqui- sitely lovely ; this Lady Mandeville very soon descerned, and for this very cause, kept her from observation as much as she possibly could in the Manor House: — Notwithstanding her precaution, however, Lubina was some- times seen, and once seen, for beauty became the general topic of conversa- tion with all that visited the Manor; frequently, indeed had I heard Morti- mer Mandeville, when his mother was out of hearing, mention Lubina in a style of such warm approbation, as I MORE SECRETS THAN ONE 135 surmised -svOuld at one period or other prove disadvantageous to her situation, if not dangerous to her repose. When farmer Black biirne, therefore, informed Joseph and I that he had the good fortune to be reinstated again in his farm, to ^vhich was also added one hundred acres more of land, and that by the intercession of Mr. Mandeville, I could not help exchanging looks with Joseph, which he interpreted in silence and I trembled for the happiness of the beautiful, and as I thought; the innocent, Lubinaf 136 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW^ OR, The day following, our hitherto little agreeable party were interrupted by the arrival of Lady Mandeville and her now highly finished daughter; when 1 say highly finished, they were indeed com- pletely finished, for more could nor be added to render them fashionable fine ladies. Clotilda was more disgusting by a display of arrogance, which was insuf- ferable, and Jamima more ridiculous than ever by an affectation which was exerted on the most trifling occasion, and which her masculine person by no means lessened ; her complexion never MORE SECRETS THAN 03SE. 137 «:ood, was now heightened by a mask of deep rouge, very unfavorable to the ex- pression of her large, black, staring eyes. Miss Mandeville, though she did not rouge so highly as her sister, added to her sallow cheeks a quantity of white paint, which sometimes made her look ghastly, but as she had predilections for being thought ft sleeping beauty, she conceived it would give a languishing expression to her naturally languid countenance ; so the white rose and the red rose now vied with each other wliich j^hould conquer most; the one by insi- 1 38 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW ; OR, pidity, and the other by disgusting flip- pancy. Miss Penman, to finish the gToupe, appeared like herself, the good-humour- ed picture of pleasant eccentricity, wounding the feelings of no oheVdigni- fied in her own sentiments, and yet adhering to her own opinions without departing from good manners. Whatever my aunt thought of the im- provement in her darling Mortimer, she iat this moment was pleased to do justice to her youngest son, whom she declared v» as a perfect Adonis. / MORE SECRETS TfUN ONE. 130 ** And Egbert Cleveland," said she, as she glanced coklly towards me, " why the boy is grown out of my knowledge; But bless me, Sir Peter, what have you done with Lady Adela? why do I not find her in the drawing room to welcome ray return home?" **That is a question you must ask yourself," replied my uncle, ^* for upQn my lifr, your Ladyship left such hand- restrictions to be imposed on her, that had I permitted them to have been put in force, the poor girl would by this time have been as white as a turnip, and as thin as a w^eazle, instead of looking, as 140 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW j OR^ you shall presently see, blooiriiug as a little Hebe, and elastic as one of my young fawns." ** Upon my word, Sir Peter," answered her Ladyship, "you would spoil the finest system of education in the world by your excessive indulgence; Lady Adela is not her own mistress if you will recollect, and it is by no means proper, that a girl like her should have too much liberty." ** Oh, mamma ! spare your eloquence,'* drawled out Miss Clotilda, with her eyes 1«0RE SECRETS THAN ONE. 141 lialf shut, for nothing human will ever make Adela forget her gothic ignorance. *' I nes^er beheld any creature in my life so ill cut out for a woman of title," observed Miss Jamima, playing with the ^eep lace that shaded, but by no means covered her bosom, " had I such a for- tune, I am sure my papa should never spoil me.'' *• No, my dear, I left that for your mother to do long agO,'' said my uncle. ** You are insufferably rude," retorted 142 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, my aunt, " is not Sir Peter, now, m j dear Miss Penman?'' *' Not for speaking a truth. Lady Mau- deville," answered Miss Penman, who added, notwithstanding Miss Jamima's pouting looks, " and that is as plain a truth as ever I heard uttered. Miss Penman then adopted her favo- rite plan of quietly taking the first can- dlestick she could find in her way, and walking off to bed. AVhile the Miss Mandevilles ahuost expiring, fatigued to death from the last stage, in which they had travelled at a snail's gallop, wrapt MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 143 up ill scarlet pelisses, lined with swans- down, in an ele.s^ant covered barouche, ordered white wine whey to be imme- diately prepared with a bottle of hearti^- horn drops, to keep them from fainting during the operation of undressing be- fore tliey resigned themselves to the arms of Morpheus. **And I," cried Lady Mandeville, **rbnst positively go and lecture Lady Adela before I go to sleep, or she will forget her first lesson in the morning.'' And her Ladyship left the room, first kissing the cheeks of her darling Mor- 144 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, timer, while she nodded a cold, **good night to you," to the rest of the party. ** And I," said Mortimer, mimickinir his mother, ** must go with the groom into the stable and look at my Nancy, or she will forgot hefr first lesson in the morning," and away went Mortimer. **Very pleasantly settled upon my soul," cried my uncle, deliberately tak- ing a pinch of snuff, *'and now young gentleman what may your pleasure be before you go to sleep." ** To wish you a very good night sir," MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 146 answered Joseph and I, at the same instant My uncle smiled. "The very best thing I can do then/' said he, " will be to read an essay on the trial of patience." And we all three repaired to onr respective apartmei^ts. E/id of Chapter Sevenlh, •^ M.f?«- VOL. I. U 146 THI^ SON AND THE NEPHETV'; OR^ CHAP.VJIl, It was soon after the family of Sir Peter Mandeville had retired to rest, and long before the morning had began to dawn, when I awoke with a sensa- tion in my throat approaching nearly to that snffocation, and though I could not descern the slightest glimmering of light in ii?y chamber, yet there was a smell MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 147 of smoke and sulphur which seemed to issue from the windows that over- powered me. And throwing my clothes about me in the best manner I could, I removed the bars from the casement and beheld to my utter terror and amazement, flames bursting from the interior part of the groom's chamberlain, which were immediately joining with the magnificent stabling, which my imcle had lately built for the more easy accommodation of himself and friends during the term of the hunting season, those which formerly belonged to the Manor being stationed at too great a distance from the house. h2 148 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; O^, I haclnot amomerjt to reflect on the cause of this so sudden conflagration, for Josepli, who slept in a chamber ad- joining to mine, and who had been roused from his sleep with similar sen- sations, now called on my name in an agony of fright, I scrambled to him in the dark, and assisting him to throw on his clothes, he followed me in an instant into the great .hall, where, w ith all the strength we could muster, we rang the alarm bell, whose loud peal of terror instantaneously roused the domestics and created fear and consternation in the breasts of the whole family! I flew to the door of my uncle's chamber, as- MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 1 49 siiring him that the danger would be small if immediately attended to ; niy uncle instantly rose, and g^iving- every necessary order, hastened lo soothe and calm the apprehensions of his daughtei^s, but my aunt absolutely screamed with terror, and Clotilda and Jamima, who were huddled together in their night clothes, now crept to the bedchamber of their alarmed mother, alternately squal- ling and clinging to her arms, which could ill support their weight. '' Oh, where, O where is Mortimer?" cried my aunt, "cruel boy! not to come to his distracted mother 1" H 3 150 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW j OR, In this way my aunt continued to rave and talk, till my uncle out of all patience, exclaimed, ** Sarali, I am ashamed of your weak- ness; what have you more to fear for Mortiii^er than the rest of your child- ren.'^ ** O yes, he is my darling !" instantly roared out my aunt, to the still greater displeasure of Sir Peter, and he sarcas- tically observed^ ** Well then, your darling Ts gone to try if he cannot save Nancy and Betsey MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. lol Blossom from the flames; you see Sarah, he is more anxious for the pre- servation of his blood mares, than alarmed for the safety of the whole family." Mv uncle had uttered facts, Mortimer had jumped from his bed the moment h^ learned the catastrophe, and without considering that the life of a human being might be in danger, thought only what assistance he could render the firemen in the stable. *' Zounds and the devil!'** cried he, ^'I would not lose Betsey Blossom for the best pack of hounds Sir Peter could give H 4 152 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, me; SO work away, my hearties, save my spankers, and let the bon-fire blaze." The bon-fire did blaze till it reached a most alarming' height, and notwith- standing the utmost exq/tions of the fire- nien, it was rapidly approaching to- wards the east wing of the Manor House, part of the groom's chamberlain having already fallen in with a dreadful crash ! and the general consternation which this occasioned, became dreadful ; the flames increasing each moment — the ringing of bells — the cries of the frightened females • — and the teri'or that prevailed even in the breasts of the firemen, rendered the MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 153 Manor one mass of general confusion ; and for further safety, it was even now thought necessary to remove every valu- able within the repository of the stone chapel belonging tothe Manor: in a long gallery of which chapel, hung the rich and valuable paintings of my uncle's noble ancestors, which had been handed down from generation to generation, till they became the property of the present possessor : to this gallery was likewise added a spacious saloon, fitted up in the gothic style, and to this saloon it was presently determined that the whole family should repair as the most com- modious and convenient place of safety. h5 154 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW j OR, But scarcely had we all assembled in this consecrated spot, Sir Peter, Lady Mandeville, her daughters, and my cou- sin Joseph and Mortimer, the latter of whom rejoiced that he had placed Betsey Blossom beyond the reach of danger, when every individual of the family and belonging to the whole house were pre- sent, and as we fancied, in perfect secu- rity, Lady Adela, who was stationed with Lubina Blackburne near one of the gothic windows in pensive contem- plation of the scene around her, uttered a sudden and piercing shriek — I flew towards her, and beheld from the win- dows, the cause of her almost involun- MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 155 tary cry of horror ! It was part of the cast wing enveloped in one complete blaze ! and in the agitation of my spirits, I did not, till this moment, recollect that the apartments which Miss Penman had occupied, were situated in this quarter ; the same reflection now darted across the mind of Adela, and she exclaimed, with an indescribable expression of men- tal agony, *' Oh! Miss Penman, dear, good Miss Penman, what will become of her ? she will be burnt to death in the flames, I am sure she will ; yonder is her cham- h6 199 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, b>gr — Almighty powers ! will nobody fly to save her!" " Oh, Miss Penman," exclaimed my annt, " Oh, Lucilla Penman, I shall never see you morel" '' I will give five hundred pounds re- ^^ard," cried my uncle, looking round to his numerous domestics that flocked to- gether in the chapel, *' to that brave fellow, who will step forward in this hour of peril to save the life of that worthy woman." " My noble master, the attempt would MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 157 be useless," -cried the boldest of the fire- n)en, ."if she has slept in any part of the oast wing; I am sorry to say it is by this time pretty nigh demolished ; — I care not for life — a man can die but once — but to throw it away without any ser- vice, is but poor work, as a body may say." *' God of heaven ! must she then be left to perish," cried my uncle, " amidst the devouring flames, while her friends, the wretched spectators of her dreadful fate, dare not stretch forth a hand to save her !" 158 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW J OR, ** Not for my soul's eternal peace will I stand by and see Miss Penman perish!" cried I, *' my life is indeed of little value, but it would be less, were it not exerted in the cause of such goodness and hu- manity." The scene before me faded on my sight. It was in vain that my uncle and Joseph cautioned me to desist; and while with one effort of determined re^ solution, 1 flung from their outstretched arms — the next moment beheld me pre- cipitate into the burning flames that now threatened destruction on every side to ^11 beneath its direful influence ! I saw MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 1-59 nothing, I heard nothing, save the ago- nized cry which had burst from the lips of Adela : and I flew, unconscious of the scorching flames that every where opposed my entrance, and reached, in the midst of sulphur and of smoke, the staircase leading to the passage, which communicated with the apartments of Miss Penman ; — ^but to my inexpressible agony and horror, found that I could proceed no further — as I expected in- stant annihilation from the huge columns ©f smoke that encompassed me! Frustrating, completely, every effort that I then could make of saving the an- 160 THE SON AND THE NtPHl^W: OR, fortunate victim of iiievitable calamity, I uttered f)n exclamation of horror! my senses were bewildered, and hopelessly rushing" from a spot which every moment promised death, I was preparing to re- trace my way back, when a faint moan arrested my attention ; it seemed to breathe the voice of an expiring sufferer! and though I could not distinguish from whence it proceeded, I judged it to be no other than the voice of poor Miss Penman ! who, having crept from her apartment at the beginning of the fire, had groped her way into some passage, fainted through terror, and was now MORE SECRETS THAN 0^'E. 161 expiring in the midst of this dreadful conflaiifration ! I had not a moment to reilect on, a thought so shockingly ter- rific, and which harrowed up my very soul : for as I gave au involuntary motion with n^y right foot against the panuel of a door, through f^vhiqh I was obliged to pass, my left rested on something that rolled beneath it !— I stopped — I gasped for breath — I groped with my hands to- wards it— it was a human form that my hands^ encircled — it was Miss Penman ! ** Alive!" exclaimed I, *' Alive ! Oh, if yet alive, Lucilla Penman, I may save Uiee !! 162 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, I know not what I did, what I uttered, only that I held Miss Penman in mj arms ; — and as I bore her with the rapa- city of lightning from the surrounding flames, I felt the pulsations of her heart beat against mine, and my joy was too great for utterance! I heeded not the scorching heat which oppressed, and was now nearly overpowering me; nor parted with my charge, till I resigned her to the arms of Sir Peter and Lady Mandeville. '• ^6ne shout of general acclamation and joy burst from the lips of the surround- ing spectators 5 and though not insensi- MORE SECRDTS THAN ONE. 1(33 ble of the vakiable gem I had preserved from destruction at the hazard of my own existence, yet I was covered with confusion when the oldest and most practised of the firemen declared that I had achieved one of the most daring and perilous actions they eyer remembered to have been done in the whole course of their experience ; while tears of rapturous affection and congratulation chased each other down the face of my excellent uncle. But it was impossible to describe the look and action of Miss Penman, who oj^ening her eyes in the moment of her 164 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, recollection, fixed them on mine with the expression of a Seraph. She beckoned me towards her as she reclined on the shoulder of Lady Mandeville, and while torrents of tears fell over her face, she took hold of my hand ; she pressed it to her heart, but she was silent — a look more full of meanings: than volumes could have spoken being directed towards me; and had a million of interpreters been present, they could not have conveyed to me more forcibly the sentiment of gratitude flowing from a soul like Lu- cilla Penman's. I was now sitting between my uncle MORE SECRETS THA>f ONE. 105 Ifnd Joseph, suffering such intense pain from ray right arm, which I apprehended was scorclied by the flames, that the anguish was intolerable, but I knew not that it was discoverable in the expres- sion of my countenance, till Adela started from her seat; she addressed some words towards me, bu^ she was so tremulous, that I could not understand their mean- ing, until she took off the white veil in which she had wrapt herself, and ap- proached Miss Penman. " Oh, dearest madam," cried she, *' that you are safe and here amongst us ^-how I rejoice ! but your preserver !" 166 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, The Ups of Adela faultered, sho trem- bled, and her cheeks were covered with blushes of the deepest scarlet ; all atteri-^ tiou was now directed towards her, bitt notwithstanding their , looks she con- tinued, ** But your preserver, madam, has not escaped unhurt." Lady Adela said no more, she resum- ed her seat, threw the veil over her face, and while all pressed around me to know what injury I had received, and what assistance could be offered, this feeling, fascinating girl would not hazard another look towards me. MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. IGT '*'•'* She has done her duty,' said I to myself, " the notice of which was com- mon to humanity! what more ouo'ht Egbert Cleveland to expect from the wealthy heiress of Lord Hugh de Tracy? what more? why nothing," said 1 answer- ing myself the intrusive question. I know not how it was, however, that I was haunted on ray pillow with the blush that crimsoned Adela's cheek, and the trembling lips that asked assis- tance for the wounded arm ; ah, thought I, if this fire lasts it will consume me! iG8 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW;. OR Time shall give a balsam to heal the wounded arm! but what can administer a balm to heal a wounded heart. M?id of Chapttr Eighth, MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 169 CHAP. IX The ensuing' morning* after this event- ful and ever-to-be-remembered night — a night which I firmly believe marked my destiny for the space of many succeeding years! presented a scene of confusion and devastation not easily to be de- scribed, it could only be felt — and felt it was by my worthy uncle with the pa- VOL. I. I 170 THE SON AND THE NEPHEM' ; Oil, tience and fortitude of a Christian and a man ! tboiigli not \vith tlie stolchni of the pLUosopher, He could not behold the once-niagnificent and splendid mansion of his noble ancestors nearly levelled to the ground, without evincing' the most {\ejz\i and heart-felt concern. All the household furniture, together with some of his finest horses, which had been the most material sufferers by the fire, were completely destroyed ! Likewise, the most part of the rich and expensive or- naments and wearing aj>parel of the whole family ; including the property of Miss Penman, and the waidrobe of THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OK, 171 Lady Adela — the plate and jewels only ■were preserved. Yet there were con- siderations highly consolotary to Lady Mandeville and her danghters, who, on the first moments of composure, now deeply deplored the loss of their precious and most favorite ornaments, wijich had been so hitely imported from the gay metropolis. Jaminia, however, com- forted herself with the reflection, by whispering in the ear of her afflicted sister, that their papa was rich enough to buy them more. *' That he is, my dearest loves," re- peated by aw-nl in an ecstacy, *' and you I 2 172 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, shall botii have diamond crescents at the very next assembly/' This sentence was pronounced so audibly, that it reached the ear of my uncle when the mutibility of aJl human affairs in the great and recent loss he had experienced, wliolly occupied his mind ; and never did 1 see him so higl}ly displeased. '* Ridiculous girls," cried he, ** ana you, Lady Mandeville, their more ridi- culous mother, to encourage their pre- posterous vanity ; you provoke me, Sa- rah ; provoke me to speak unpleasing 3I0RE SECRETS THAN ONE. 1 7 G truths ; perish the empty baubles they have ]ost^ and ^vith my own consent* they never sliall be replaced till tbe\ liave lear^ied to estimate the true value of all worldly riches — the inestimable t reasure which lies in the possession of a feeling heart T There was a point in ^vhich Lady Man- deville dared not disse^nt from— the strict avowed principles of her husband; and she tliought proper to vary the subject by adverting to Lady Adtla. "• How fortunate, ray love," cried she, that only yesterday you should have I 3 174 THE SOX AND THE NEPHEW} OR, ronsigned to my care the iiivalnablo casket of jewels wSiich your father pre- seiited you with when you quitted Ger- liiauy; I should have heen inconsolable for their loss; would not you, my sweet Adela?" ' *' They were iny mother's, and for that reason were most j)recious to me," re- jDlied Adela, *' but had I lost this jewel* which I prize more than all the world, the loss would indeed have been irre- parable." So saying, Lady Adela unfastened the gold chain whicli was suspended MORE SFXRF.TS THAN ONE. 1 T-i ft-oin her bosom, and prcsent-.'d to Lady Maridsville the portrait of her IV.t'ier. *' It is excessively like his Lord.shipi'' said my amit, '" but positively not half 80 handsome; so really, Adela, you would sooner have parted with your jewels, than have suffered a separation from this little bit of trumpery ivory? well, tliat is saying a great deal ; but you are a most eccentric girl, is not she, my dear Miss Penman?" ** So eccentric, that I believ,^ you will not find her fellow amonir the list of I 4 ] 76 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW ; OR, fashionable young ladies," replied Miss Penn in, atIio glanced a look towards Lady Adela expressive of her warmest approbation, while bhe thrtw one on Clotilda and Jainima that by no means accorded with the present sensations of iheir crafty mother. It was uniformly agreed, that the future residence oflhe Mandeville family should now be at Datchet Mead, a beau- tiful little estate, which at the demise of a great aunt, Lady Rosalie Mandeville, became the property of Sir Peter : even before he had attained the age of twenty one, it liad ever been the favorite retreat MaRE SECRETS THAN ONE 177 of his ancestors, and was particularlj^ endeared to my nncle by its having' also been the chosen place of retirement of his mother, in whose sequestered aud -tranquil shades his beloved sister, the long lamented Mariana was born. Dat- chet Mead, therefore, possessed a mag- netic influence over the feelings of my excellent uncle, and in this spot, he de- termined to reside till the Manor House could be got forward in a state of repair fit for the reception of the family ; and which, though my aunt had strenuously opposed, it being much too solitary and remote from the metropolis, yet she could not carry her point, and all the I 5 178 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW j OR, delights of a second presentation at St. James's, and the gay festivities of Caven- dish Square, were necessarily obliged to be delayed to the complete chagrin and mortification of the Miss Mande- villes. .. In a few days after our arrival at tha Meads, which indeed presented a scene of the most pictnresque beauty, being seated on the rising of a hill, whose sides were abundantly supplied with foilage of the most lively description, at the bottom of which ran a small lake, whose water appeared composed of the purest chrystal, and over which the variegated MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 179 flowers of blooming spring had already spread their softest lustre; nor shall I ever forget tlie sensation that affected and nearly overpowered my feelings on my first beholding this enchanting and be- loved retreat of my uncle's ancestors, rendered so sacred to me by its being also the birth place of my mother!. Ah ! thought I, as I rested my eyes on some beautiful ivy, which crept round the body of an aged oak, here once did the youthful and lovely Mariana com- mune with her gentle thoughts-; grace- fill a& the eglantine that entwines yon bower, and sweet as the wild rose, that I 6 180 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, grew beneath her hand ! and an involun- tary sigh, that such a being no longer existed, sprung from my bosom at a moment, when I thought I should have escaped from observation, but I found the eyes of my uncle were fixed upon me with an emotion of tenderness h^ did not attempt to conceal, while as he leaned on my arm, in tremulus accents he afl^ectionately pronounced, *' Dear boy ! in these shades lived, and grew ahnost to womanhood your dear loved mother! methinks in each soft whisper of the breeze, I hear her >rORE SECRETS THAN OXE. 181 srentle voice, and see her ariel form, iii the shadow of these t»*ess ! Yes, Egbert, Mariana was an aii2.el, to >Yhose resem- blance of mental graces and i>ersonal loveliness I cannot even now compare but one earthly female whom I have ever seen." " Woidd I could behold that woman wharesembles my mother," exclaimed I with an energy I could not suppress, "Ah, with what sscred veneration should I approach her." *^ It is well you had not said love,'' cried my uncle, looking at me with keen 182 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW j. OR, penetration, ''for the woman I mean is no other than . Lady Adela Hugh de Tracy!" It is impossible to describe the thril- ling ecstacy which at this moment stole over my senses and throbbed at my very heart ! ** Indeed sir," cried I, ''does Lady Adela indeed so strongly resemble my mother." *' So much so," answered my uncle, "that when she speaks, I could almost believe the voice was Mariana's, arid= MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 183 the smile that diin[>les her month, is the identical one of my gentk sister's; you will doubtless, therefarey- Egbert on this very account," continued my uncle with an arch smile, ''feel a respect for Lady Adela, because ." My uncle stopped, for he had not, tili this moment, a[>peared to be sensible of the expression of my countenance, and I unwilliug to betray an emotion which language could not have been adequate to reveal, suddeLly replied, *' O yes, sir, I shall always respect Lady Adela, because ." 184 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW;^ OR, For the soul of me I couid not gel another word out of my mouth, and I looked like a fool \yhen my uncle littered, *' Because what, Egbert ?" ** Because she so strongly resembles- iny mother, sir," said 1, and wondering lio w this simple word should have so over- whelmed me with confusion, as to cover my face with burning blushes, I escapeservation truly verified in the conduct of my aunt and cousins, Joseph, the 1 86 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW > OK, noble-heaited Joseph alone excfpted". In having been accessary to the pre- servation of one individual in the family, 1 had now fallen in the estimation of the whole, attributing my conduct to motives of yelf-intereBt, and to principles which my soul revolted at, and my judgment condemned ; nor was it till some days after our aiTival at the Meads^ that I was able to account for the increased coldness of mv aunt Mandeville towards me, and the petulent display of ill- humour in my cousins, wlio, on every occasion attempted to wound my feel- ings by sarcasms the mo&t pointed and severe ; my cousin Mortimer was scarce* MORE SECRETSr THAN ONE. 1 87 ly civil to me, and when a large party was expected to dinner at the Meads, for tlie express p^npose of paying a fare- well con^yiiment to the son and heir, he took an opf)ortnnity of picking a quarrel with me in the most unhandsome and ungentlemanlike manner, to all of which I replied not a word till he saluted me with the appellation of" Beggarly Rival/ and then, no longer able to endure such torrents of insolent prevarication, I indig- nantly cried, *' Hold, Mr. Mandeville! another word, and you may repent your petu- Icnco." 188 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW OR, "What!" retorted he, *^ r.iii 1 threat- ened, and by you?'' **Not so, Mortimer," cried I, " yovi know I would not, could not iight yoti ; the son of my uncle, the child of n?y benefactor is sacred to me, and I would as soon level a pistol at my own heart, as at your's; yet I am no coward, you know I am not, and it is therefore mean and unmanly of you to take advantage of my feelings : " but pray, sir," conti- nued, I *' what part of my conduct has drawn upon me your unmerited abuse? in what can Egbert Cleveland be consi-» dered the rival of Mr. Mortimer Man- MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 1 89 Jevilie, a blush of conscious reproof tinged the cheeks of Mortimer a she re- plied, *''Have you not lost lue the interest of IMiss Penman? and do you not now at this moment stand forth the insolent pre- tender to the hand and fortune of Lady Adela?' **Pretend to the hand and fortune of Lady Adelar" exclaimed I, while a tre- mulous agitation pervaded my whole frame. *' Your insinuation is false sir/' and your assertion without truth or justice: 190 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, My conduct to Lady Adcla has been uniformly such as I would adopt to her whole sex; and with Miss Penman, perish the mercenary principles you have branded me with : in the w hich I did but the duty of a man, I saved Miss Penman from consuming fire! but it was the interposition of heaven alone that guided my hand ; however, sir, that worthy woman will acquit me that in the attempt I had any sinister design, and your own heart as well, Mortimer, if that heart yet retains one spark of generosity or candour ; and be assured, sir, that though I feel greatly wounded by your unjust suspicions, yet your MORE SECRETS THAN' ONE. 191 petuleuce nor your rudeness, sliall iiei- ther tempt me to retaliate, nor your brutality provoke me to lift my hand against the son of my benefactor." With these words, which 1 uttered with collected firmness; I left Mortimer to his own recollections and in a state of mind by no means enviable, entered my own apartments to make some awangements in my dress as it was near the hour of dinner time and many of the expected visitants had already arrived; the windows of my chamber were so situated as to command a perspective view of the enchanting scenery that sur- rounding the Meads, and as I conterap- 192 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, plated with pensive enthusiasms, nature's beautiful variety which was dispensed even to the humblest flower of the shade, I involuntary sighed at the arrogance and ingratitude of man ! that in no situ- ation, though blessed with nature's bounteous gifts w^ill acknowledge him- self satisfied with the lot in which Iiis stars have placed him : surely thought I, there is a fatility in human nature, which cannot soar above the mercenary views of this world, in which they have not the pow er of remaining a moment longer than a superior destiny decrees ; yet they carry on an existence in op- pressing the oppressed, and wounding MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. lf)3 the feelings of the too nicely sensative when they unfortunately do not possess the gifts of bloated affluence. As I ruminated on the conduct of Mortimer Mandeville, I found myself perplexed and embarrassed, as I could in no way account for his so sudden and unprecedented behaviour towards me; it is true that ever since the memorable night of the dreadful conflagration at the Manor House, Miss Penman had honored me with the most distinguished marks of her regard and approbation, after testifying her imbounded gratitude by shedding tears whenever she named VOL. I. K li).i THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OK, ii^e as the saviour of Irerlife, which ptir- ticular notice, and the further liiiits she threw out of some little iudepecdence she ioteuded to bequeath me at her de- mise, served as fuel to the fire already raging in the bosom of Lady Mandeville, and for ever stamped that invincible dis- like, which, even in iiiy infont years had failed to make any impression of kind- ness towards me. Already did she be- iiold in me the barrier to her long-pro- jected plan of possessing the whole of the property of Miss Penman, and al- ready was I considered by her Ladj'ship the upstart mushroom tliat was to level IklORE SECRETS TIL\N ONE. . 195 !ier blossoms to the ground ; for this accusation of ofi'ence, however unmerit- ed, I could in some measure account. " But Lady Adela," exclaimed I, *' who dares accuse me of having shiister designs on Lady Adela? What demon of revenge has conjured up this in the mind of Lady Mandeville and her family, that I should thus be .loaded with op- probium and contempt? I aspire to the hand of Lady Adela ? Oh ! I am not so arrogant and so vain, as to hope that I could possess a place in her remem- brance. K 196 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, I Know not how it was, that notwith- standing my consciousness that I could be nothing- in tlie estimation of Lady Adela, yet the thrilliug recollection of my wounded arm having once been an object of of attention to her, fascinated my senses, and still on my imagination like " the sweet south breathing from ^i bank of violets," and I mournfully ex- claimed, *' Oh ! why should I refuse to acknow- ledge, that so enchanting a creature is worth V the homaore and love of all man- kind ? Yes, Adtla, I too would, to wov- ship, though 1 dared not pay my vows ; MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 197 yet wert thou the daughter of a peasant, poor, humble and unportioned like my- self, and Egbert Cleveland the son of a monarch, proud should I be to share my glory and my wealth with thee, sweet maid." During these reflections, the object that had engaged the greatest part of them appeared, and fiom her dress, I concluded she was only just returned from a morning's ramble ; she held a covered basket on her arm, the contents of wliich she seemed particularly anxious to hide from observation, and with a lighter step than usual, she tripped K 3 198 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR^ across the lawn, hardly seeming, from her gossamer movements, to crush the party-coloured little daizy and the yellow butter-cup, with which the grass had already become diversified. She wag met at the end of the lawn by Mortimer, who attempted to join her in convers- ation, but saluting him with a cold and distant curtsey, she ran into the house. I was ill natured enough I confess to feel a triumphant joy at an incident which could in no way concern me, but I was not master of my feelings, as might be evident ; when having taken up several volumes that lay scattered in my apart- ments, at opening each page, I succes- MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 199 lively pronounced the name of Adela. So thoiiglit I, it is high time to go down stiiirs, and with a countenance which could ill conceal the agitation of my mind, I prepared to enter the drawing room of Sir Peter, in which were assem- bled persons of the first rank, nobility and fashion, and amongst others soon after my entrance, I discovered the blooming daughters of Sir James Somer- Tille, whom I accosted witli the most respectful enquiry after their health since I had last the pleasure of behold- ins: them at the Manor. '& I was answered bv Miss Somerville K 4 200 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW j OK, \vith that elegant good breeding which always distinguishes a gentlewoman ; and with her sister, the gentle Emma, I soon entered into a conversation of the most i^tional and pleasing kind, in which we were presently joined by Jo- seph Mandeville, whom I never saw more lively or animated ; among many other topics which were introduced, the dreadful catastrophe which had occur- red at the Manor House, became the subject; by choice I should have re- mained wholly silent, till Miss Somer- ville approached me, ai.d tapping me ou the shoulder, exclaimed, *' And is it really true, Mr. Cleveland MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 201 Tvbat is reported of you ? but first of all, let me assure you, I am in no way in- clined to doubt that yon actually stepped forth in the midst of the fire regardless of your own danger to save the life of Miss Penman." '* I do not think, Madam, ' replied I in some embarrassment, as this speech had drawn down the attention of the whole company, " that it is in the power of any one human being to save the life of another — Miss Penman's life was in the peculiar care of Providence! there was no merit due to me, nor w ill I re- ceive the praise which so justly belongs k5 202 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW j OR, not to Egbert Cleveland, but to a lady whose entreaty to fly to the assistance of Miss Penman was instinctively obeyed ; and tliongh true it is that I bore her in my arms to a place of safety, yet it was the voice of Lady Adela that warned ns of her danger." Though I had not the least intention of gaining 'the smallest approbation by relating a simple fact, yet I was hailed on all sides, and in conjunction with Lady i^dela as the champion of Miss Penman, who called us her *' Dear child- ren," in the midst of the whole assembly, and while my aunt and cousins in vain ISIORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 203 stifled a rage which every moment was growing stronger ; and Mortimer could scarcely conceal the envy of his dispo- sition ; I beheld with keen regret and a mortification 1 had never felt before, 3. more repallant coldness in the manner of Adela towards me than ever, which I at^ tributed to the privilege I had availed myself of by having mentioned her name, but however hurt and pained as I felt myself at her conduct, I was neither humbled nor abashed, for the proud consciousness of having acted right sup- ported me. I therefore assumed a gaiety in my manner which seemed more to surprize than to affect her : and wJieiiJ 204 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, the dancing of the evening commenced, I solicited the hand of the younger Miss ^omerville, which was granted to me with the most unaffected sweetness. " For the first and second set, and then," cried she, "Mr. Cleveland, you will have the goodness to resign me, for positively I am engaged after that for the remainder of the evening to one partner." As she said this, I took her hand, and led her to the ball room, softly address- ing her as I went, **Andso lam to resign you, sweet MORE SECRETS TH-\N ONE. 205 Emma?" cried I ; but pray who is my happy rival ?** *' One who has a prior right to this fair hand, have not I?" softly ejaculated Joseph Mandeville, who instantly pre- sented himself before us, and seizing the disengaged hand of Emma Somerville, carried it to his lips with a w^armth which 1 thought warranted more than the familiarity of a slight acquaintance, and which never having seen him do before, perfectly astonished and con- founded me, the more when turning round to behold the effect w^hich this little piece of gallantry had upon the 206 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW i OR, lady, I perceived her cheeks to be car- mined with blush eSj while her soft blue eyes expressed every sentiment but dis- pleasure ; so then, thought I, Joseph^ thou art caught in the trammels of the little blind Deity; but it is not Adela that has led thee to the snare. What cause I had to be rejoiced at this discovery I know not, but certain it is, that my gaiety, which was before assumed, Avas now real, and 1 entered into the spirit of the festive dance not only with a conviction that Emma Somer- ville was by my side, but wqth a con- sciousness that Joseph Mandeville was MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 207 not the lover, as I once surniised, of Lady Adela Hugh de Tracy, End of Chapter Tenth. 208 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW: OR. CHAP. XI, When I resigned the hand of iny fair partner to my cousin Joseph, I confess I did not feel any of those sensations of regret or mortification which I should have experienced, had that hand been the hand of Adela, for whom I was ap* prehensive I had conceived a sentiment that was likely to undermine that repose MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 209 which had hitherto been sweet and tran- quil as sleeping innocence, and the more distant that fortune had placed her above my hopes, the more tyrannic was the sway she possessed over my feelings, A thousand times as her sylph-like form floated across my imagination, did I wish that poverty had been the lot of this sweet maid ; Ah, then thought I, Adela thou would st have been my equal ; poor, like myself, I would have aspired to the blessing of thy hand, and more proud than monarchs would have hailed the treasure of. thy love — the greatest gift that heaven can bestow. 210 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR^ I daaced With some of the prettiest girls ill the room, certainly whose charms to appearanc e far outshone Aflela ; but as 1 rested my eyes on the ever-varying countenance of the fascinating little heiress, I thought no human being even half so fair! Yet fair Adela was not, but the intelligent sweetness that beamed in her dark eyes expressed each senti- ment of a soul which nature seemed to have created when she was in a mind to please, and no eye could behold her work without pleasure, no heart but throb convulsively at her touch. Mortimer had been the happy hero of" MORE SECRETS THAN ONE 2H the evening, and Lad obtained the haod of Adela for every succeeding dance, but as my eyes cautiously glanced to- wards her as he triumphantly led her forth, I clearly could perceive that nei- ther pleasure nor inclination reigned in her features, and that a cold listless ceremony agreeable to the precise forms of fashionable etiquette, had alone indu- ced her to give him her hand. Once too, 1 caught her eyes straying towards my partner in the dance with an expression that thrilled to my. very soul; for it was too much like the sentiment of a passion, without which true love never yet exist- ed. Towards the conclusion of the last. 212 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW ; OR^ set, she appeared so dispirited and fati- gued by the exertions of the eveiiiiijig, that bhe even solicited permission to retire. This entreaty I overheard in a whisper to my aunt Mandeville by the flighty Jaminna, vs^ho bursting into a horselaugh, lidded to her sweet mamnoia in her usual strain, ** Do let the ridiculous gothic crea- ture enjoy her own whims, mamma; and then my brother Mortimer will be at liberty to chuse a partner more agree- able to his taste, for Adela is really enough to give one a fit of the vapours ; shall I go and tdl her ma, that she may iMORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 1>13 hrush as soon as she pleases, and a good riddance, I say." ** Yes," cried my aunt peevishly, *' but have a care, child, that you do not say any thing to offend her ; you know she is an heiress, and is rich enougli to portion out the whole family, if she pleases," Miss Jamima pouted, but could not advance a single word against so weighty an argument; she therefore approached Adela with a sort of forced complacency which seemed to say, I bad much rather not be civil to you if I could in any way 214 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, Tivoicl it, SO drawling out, '' Mamma says, Lady Adela, you may please yourself, but tliiiiks it is quite cruel of you to desert my brother in the middle of one of his most favorite dances, which is * Orange Boven,' you know ; yet I sup- pose according to custom, you nuist have your own way." And at the conclusion of this very polite and consolatory speech, Miss Jamima tripped off to the other end of the room, and 1 beheld Lady Adela in a few minutes afterwards accompanied by the eldest Miss Somerville, disappear. MORE STCRETS THAN ONE. 215 1 know not by what fatality I was led to from the impulse of the most irresist- able curiosity to converse withAdela, as I conceived, for the last time, and I slowly followed her receding footsteps till I heard her pronounce the kindest Adieu to Isabella Somerville, and then I stationed myself at the end of the avenue, through w hich I knew she was obliged to pass, employed as it w^ere in searching for something I had lost, which is fact might justly be estimated the truth. I had lost the treasure of a peaceful heart, and it could no where be found but in the bosom of her who had imconsciously stolen it. 21(5 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; ©R, With a trepidation that nearly mas- tered my feelings, I heard the light step that announced her approach, but what was my surprize, my astonishment and confusion, when I heard her pronounce ** Egbert Cleveland," in the most heaven- breathing accents! I would have given worlds at that mo- ment to have become invisible, but she soon observed me in the attitude of an attentive listener, and not giving me time to utter a single sentence, darted through the avenue with the rapidity of lightning : gooo God ! rh'ought I to myself woman is the strangest problem in exist- MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 217 ence! why did she pronoimce my name at all? orifwithsnch emotion, why in one moment afterwards with such dis- dain avoid me ? Not being able to account for such caprice, I sought once more the gay scene I had quitted, the festivity of which no longer afforded me pleasure ; in sight of Adela my soul had bounded with elasticity, and I beheld, without regret, the entertainments of the evening con- clude, and the gay assemblage of com- pany depart in their respective carriages, -without breathing the most latent wish or curiosity that they w ould ever bestow VOL. I. L 218 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, a thought oil me, or feeling the smallesi ambition to become a character ia the fashionable school of notoriety. As I retired to my own chamber, my mind dwelling painfully on the events of the day, I accidentally encountel'ed Lu- feina Black burne, w ho having seen the Miss Mandevilles carefully disposed of in the arms of Morpheus, was quietly retreating to her own chamber, but see- ing me, she suddenly stopped, and curt- seying respectfully, timidly enquired if the day following was fixed for the de^ parture of myself and my cousins froui the Meads ? MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 219 As she made this enquiry with a de- gree of anxiety and a peculiar earnest- ness I was not prepared for, I imme- diately directed my eyes towards her, satisfyingher m the pomtabout which she seemed so solicitous. But I became transfixed to the spot to perceive that Lubina was nearly in a state of insensi- bility; a sudden expression of grief and horror crossing her countenance, while her quivering lips partook of the most ashy paleness. "Good God! Miss Blackburne/' said I, attempting to support her, *' you are exceedingly ill ; what has thus alarmed 220 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW, OR, you ? let me run and procure you some assistance ?" "Not for the universe," she feebly articulated, as her iiead rested on my shoulder, ^' you are very good, Mr. Cleveland but not for worlds must you bestow a thought on one so so very wretched." She proceeded no farther, a flood of tears seasonably came to her relief; and at the very moment that Lubina was in the act of disengaging herself from my arms, which for a few moments had THE SON AND THE NEPHEW ^ OR, 2*21 wholly supported her, Mortimer Man- deville rushed in between us." ** Lubina here!" cried he, *' and you, Egbert Cleveland, at this late hour, -what can this mean ? but the meaning is plain, and I have only to apologize for being an intruder.*' As Lubina at his reproach instantly retreated, I found myself alone with Mortimer ; and as I hesitated not a mo- ment to inform him of the cause which had reduced Lubina Blackburne to the situation in which he had beheld her, I was astonished to find my hand seized, l3 222 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, not with the firm grasp, as I then ex- pected, of a jealous madman, but to my utter astonishment and equal amaze- ment, pressed with the genial warmth and affection of a friend. End of Chapter Ekwitx IttORE SECRETS THAN ONE 223 CHAP. XII. I could not define the eypression which stole over the countenance of Mortimer Mandeville at the departure of Miss Blackburne, niucli less was I able to account for the warm pressure of that hand he had so lately thought it contamination to touch. But I was ever of a forgiving nature, and more l4 224 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, happy to be reconciled to one whom 1 considered bound to me by the ties of nature, than to be at variance with him. When Mortimer requested, therefore, that I would sacrifice an hour's repose and retire with him to his own chamber, having something as he said to commu- nicate of a most particular nature, in the whidi I could very materially serve him by my advice and condolence, I did not. hesitate to comply, thougb it was not without some surprize that I pre- ceived he cautiously barred and double locked the door on his entrance to his apartment, and then having seated him- self exactly opposite to me, he began MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 225 the following discourse, which he deli- vered ia a strain that at once spoke a penitence sincere, and I felt myself com- passionated towards him, when burst- ing into tears, he confessed himself to be a villain! the worst of villains ! Greatly shocked and agitated by lan- guage so little expected, I conjured him to explain himself, when he instantly dropped on his knees, from which posi- tion he would not move till he unguard- edly drew from me a solemn and sacred promise, that neither laws, human nor divine, would compel me to betray the confidence he was about torepose in me. l5 226 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW J OR, '* Swear, Cleveland," cried he earnest- ly, *' swear." ** By the honor of a man," replied 1. *' That is not sufficient," cried the agitated Mortimer, ''you must swear by your soul's eternal happiness," and he seized my hand with an air of wild- ness that alarmed and distressed me, while I emphatically pronounced, ** By my soul's eternal happiness, I swear never to reveal your secret! be calm, I conjure you, dearest Mortimer^ and explain this mystery." MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 2'27 ** It is for you," cried he, *' to be calm, who have never been guilty of the crime, the commission of which, while it stamps me the most hardened villain in exist- ence, haunts my pillow with the bitterest remorse, and leaves me the most miser- able wretch in creation. Oh!, Cleve- land, you are not the seducer of female innocence! you are not the destroyer of a beauteous, fond, confiding girl — but that villain am I f ** Almighty powers forbid,'' cried I, while cold drops of perspiration covered my face. 228 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW j OK, " It is even so, niy cousin," rejoined Mortimer, " the honor of Lubina Black- biirne has fallen a victim to my licentious passion." Accustomed as I had been from a child to the well-known gallantry of Mortimer's disposition, 1 had not an idea that he carried it beyond a certain boundary, but to find him guilty of a crime, which t conceived to be the most heinous in human nature, so completely shocked and overpowered my feelings, that I remained for many minutes inca- pable of uttering a single sentence, either of censure or condolence ; at lengthy MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 229 mustering up all the resolution I was able, I firmly addressed him in these words, '' Mortimer, 'let those without faults only condemn ;' it is not my business to pain your present feelings by the addi- tional pangs of reproach ; all I have to do in this unhappy and most unfortunate affair, is, to offer you that advice which is the only necessary part of a true friend, and which were you the brother of my heart, I should wish you speedily to follow : — need I tell you there is now but one act of your whole life that can in any way atone for the cruelty you have 230 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, practised, or be offered as reparation due to the unhappy girl you have be- trayed?" '' Name it," cried Mortimer, *' in- stantly tell me what atonement you in- tend? what reparation you can make? and if the one half of my fortune, I will chearfully dispense with it to poor Lu^ bina." ** Since I have not spoken so clearly as sufficiently to be understood," replied I, *' in my mind there is no reparation can be made to the woman whose spot- less honor a man has contaminated, but MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 231 the one. In plain terms you have sedu- ced Lubina Blackburne and in plain terms you ought to marry Lubina Black- burne. Mortimer recoi?ed a few paces from the place he was sitting. " I marry Lubina Blackburne," utter* ed he, ** why, surely, cousin Cleveland, thou art now bereft of thy senses. I, Mortimer Mandeville, the heir apparent of an ancient family, the son of a baronet, marry the daughter of one of my tenants?" *' Sir," answered I, ** yon should have 232 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, recollected that you were the son of a baronetbefore you betrayed the daughter of one of your tenants : nor lias the com- mission of that act any thing to do with your being, the son of a baronet, or the heir apparent to an ancient family ; un- less like many other noblemen's sons, ifc is your pride to disgrace the amorial bearings, which your ancestors have worn without a blush !" With these concluding words, I would' have bade Mortimer good night; but he entreated that I would not just then leave him to his own unhappy reflec- tions, assuring me he would consider on MORE SECRETS THAN ONE 233 ihe terms I had proj>osed for the hap- piness of the injured Lubina, whom he declared that he still passionately loved, that is," cried he, assuming a gayer tone, *.' for what she is you know ; but whea I think of Adela, the divine Lady Adela." On the subject of Lady Adela my lipsr were sealed in silence, and Mortimer not caring that I should express sentiment* on a point so delicately tender, suffered me now to withdraw, which I was the more willing to do from an oppression at my heart; I felt insupportable, for notwithstanding the contrition with 234 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OK, which Mortimer had at first disclosed the nature of his offence, he afterward* discovered a levity by no means accord* iijg with true pentitence, and he had! extorted from me a vow of so binding' and sacred a principle, that no man of honor, under any circumstances what-- ever, was at liberty to reveal — the issue of which I trembled to think of ; for that he would never marry the injured Lubi- na, I was well convinced. Bvit that he should now dare to think himself worthy of the hand of Lady Adela, appeared to me an effrontery of which I thought no man could be capable, after departing fi*om the fii^t rule of honour and in- M ORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 235 tegrity that exists to bind us to the soul of the gentle being it is our duty to pro- tect. Alas! thought I, how many, not content with transgressing such sacred laws, boast of the triumph they have obtained over the victims of their seduc- tion ! and more than ever I compassion- ated the situated of Miss Blackburne; the tears, the agonizing tears that would be shed by her aged father and mother, whose grey hairs she would, ere long, bring with sorrow to the grave ! Hapless Lubina, thought I, wert thou the only victim of man's deception, thy fall would be a just example for thy credulity! — but thousands like thee perish at the ^36 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW j OR^ false shrine of his idolatry ! And I con- cluded my reflections by thinking that there was no woman so virtuous, nor any man so wise, as can hope, through the labyrinth of life, to pluck the rose, with- out sometimes being goaded by its thorns, Mortimer had contrived, from the in* fluence he held over the feelings of his mother, still to postpone our long-pro- jected journey to Cambridge, so that when the chaise appeared at six in the morning to convey us hence, it was coun- termanded by an order superior to any who dared contradict its authority. MORE ISECRETS THAN ONE. 237 The family party, therefore, met as asual at the breakfast table, but I cannot say with that accustomed ch earful ness as they were wont to do. Mortimer was grave, even to pensiveness, which was remarked by his mother with a degree of uneasiness she could not conceal, and tny uncle was out of humour at being foolishly opposed in a point wherein he thought himself decidedly right. Lady Adela seemed uneasy about something, nobody could find out, but which I would have given worlds to know : and the Miss Mandevilles, from the too great exertions of the evening, had not chosen to come from their apartments ; so that 238 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, Joseph and Miss Penman were the only beings who could be exempt from the general run of ill humour. For my own part, my mind was so abstracted, and my spirit so shocked, by the last night's discovery, that I could think 'of nothing but poor Miss Blackburne, and how matters were to be brought about with her and Mortimer. But while my uncle was engaged in looking over the papers, which had been just brought in, my aunt suddenly recol- lected that she had formed a party to dine at Sir James Somerville's, with which the Miss Mandevilles were not MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 239 formerly acquainted, she thought it most prudent, therefore, to aprise them of it, and now rang the bell for Lubina Black- burne to come and receive her message, which not being immediately answered, she broke out witii a violence that was not expected by the servants that waited in readiness to obey her Ladyships commands. *• Will some of you go, I desire of you," cried she, " and know the reason why Lubina Blackburue dares to have the insolence to neglect her duty? tell her to come this moment, as 1 bid her, or I will make her repent her behaviour/' 240 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW j OR, This imperious command no mortal dared resist, and two of the footmen were instantly dispatched in quest of the offender; and as I beheld Mortimer sitting very uneasy on his chair, 1 dread- ed the sight of this unfortunate girl's coming into the room. Not knowing exactly whether I was doing right or wrong, but in the truest compassion to- wards the feelings of others, I ventured to say, that I supposed — I rather be- lieved that not the omission of her duty, but indisposition, prevented Miss Black- burne from appearing before her Lady- ship, and in that case, hoped that her first offence might be excused. MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. 24 1 While I uttered this, the eyes of Aclela were ri vetted on me with a mixture ol disdain, and while an indisrnant blush dyed on her cheeks with crimson, she turned away to conceal an emotion of resentment, of which she appeared ashamed, but of which my heart assured me she had no cause. I had now, however, innoceiitly drav/n upon me the sarcasm of my offended aunt, who darting' on me a look of one of the tlu'ee furies, tauntingly exclaim- ed, "Miss Blackburne, forsooth! and pray, Mr. Cleveland, how long have you been acquainted witli my daughters' abigal, a"§ to know whether she is ill oi VOL. I. M 242 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW;. OR, well: such terms of iiitiiiiacy with crea- tures of her calling, are in my opinion extremely unbecoming and highly inde- cent in any young gentleman in the family of Sir Peter Maadeville, who in- deed is highly blameable by admitting such imprudent liberties to take place under his roof." My uncle, perfectly astonished at hear- ing such an harangue delivered in a tone of the bitterest irony, and so utterly confounded by such au unmerited attack, as absolutely to be struck dumb with amazement, withdrew his eyes from the paragraph he was reading, and with sur- prize depicted in every feature, demand- MORE SECRETS THAN ONE- 243 ed, •'; Pray, Sarah, to v/liom are you speaking? for your language is altoge- ther so unintelligible, that it requires an interpreter to understand svhatyou really do mean.*' '•It requires 110 interpreter but the blushes of yoiir gudty nephew there,'' retorted my aiint, fixing lier eyes on niy embarrassed couuteixancc with the ex- pression of a fieuxl." '' Guilty nephew," muttered liiy uncle, *' it is the first time in ir 1 evet heard that Egbert Cleveland* was prv> Dounced guilty; an^l yp'-' will excuse me Lady MandevJIle, if I positively dev M Z •244 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW j OR, clare, that I must have more substantial proofs of his being so than merely what your own words have alluded to. How comes it, sir," cried he, turning to me with an eye of inquisitive earnestness, •' tliat you are here accused of some impropriety of conduct, and have not the courage to defend yourself?'* " Because the accusation is false, " 1 instantly replied, *' and a consciousness of innocence needs no defence; I call heaven to witness, that no one action of my hitherto-harmless life ever breathed a thought to injure mortal — much less am I capable of cherishing a sentiment that would disgrace the nephew of Sir Peter Maudeville." MORE SECRETS THAN ONE.' 245 " I will give you credit for the asser- tion," replied my uncle, '' here, in the face of the whole family. Lady Mande- ville, you are wrong, and I condemn such harsh sentiments where you have no just grounds to v/arrant such suspi- cions: what in tlie name of common sense has my nephew to do with Lubina Blackburne? or Lubina Blackburne to do with him ? I beg Lady Mandeville you will not in future interrupt mv mo- ments of employment w^th chimeras of your own imagination; it is really very disairreeable." '»' So saying, my uncle resumed his oc- cupation withoiit further molestation, 240 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, my aunt remainiiii^ in suUeii silence, at the same moment, as I then thought, ex- changing looks with her son Mortimer, that by no means promised a flag of truce. While things were precisely^ in this orckr I stole a look at the enchanting Adela, and perceived from under the most beautiful dark eye lashes in the world, tirat a tear had unconsciously stj'ayed beyond the bonndary she in- tended, and wetted a cheek pure as newly-fallen snow ; but to what cause I could attribute the sweet exhalation, I knew not. Conid it be from sympathy, from friendship, from p^ty, or from love? MORE SECRETS THAN ONE. -247 a tear is not siied without a cause, thouglit I, and the heart is the fountain from whence it novvs. I was not long kft to contemplations so pleasing, nor was it long intended that I should enjoy the triumphant feel- ing which possessed every facidty of my soul in being thought worthy m the opinion of tiiose I so dearly prized ; and if an evil genius presides over the des- tiny of man in one eventful moment of his life to dash the cup of happiness from his lips, that destiny was mine: for the servant, who had been dispatched for Lubina returned, with tidings that she was no vvhere to be found, and that the honse-keeper having long suspected that all was not right with her, had 248 THE SON AND THE NEPHEW; OR, exaiDined every part of the chamber where she had slept; and concealed under the pillow of her bed had dis- covered a letter, addressed to Sir Peter Mandeville; and while symptoms of curiosity were strongly blended in the countenance of each individual present, my uncle read aloud the letter of Lubina Blackburne contained in the following artless appeal to the feelings of humanity. END OF VOL. I. Mo'ineux, Printer, 4, Bolt Court, Fleet Street. f^^fasMi^ :^^ UNIVERSITY OF ILUNOIS-URBANA ^^,^ 3 011 2 051 357397 ^-^ .# ^^ ..-^