UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY Class Book Volume Ja 09-20M Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive in 2010 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/valeofglendororm01west THE VALE of GLENDOR; O R, MEMOIRS O F EMILT JVESTBROOK. VOL. I. THE Vale of Glendor; O Ri MEMOIRS O P EMILT WESTBROOK. ^ IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. L LONDON. Printed for F. Noble, near Middle Row, HoLBORN. 1785* S fe 00 00 00 00 00 0^ 00 00 00 d p THE VALE of GLENDOR ; O R,. s; MEMOIRS of EMILY WESTBROOK, ':i- I N one of thofe beautiful and fertile vales with which North 1 Britain peculiarly abounds, there dwelt a worthy couple, who, in the fummer of their days, had ex- ^ perienced all the viciffitudes of a ^ public life. They had proved a- like the fmiles of pompous great- nefs, and the frowns of adverle fortune; had painfully difcovered the inftability of friendfhip when deferted by the former ; and after VOL, I, B diffi- ^ 142124 2 The Vale of Glendor; or, sdiffipating an ample eftate in the purfuit of that happinefs which is to be derived only from a content- ed mind, determined to collecft the iliattered remains of their once flourifhing condition, and feek fe- licity in the calm bofom of re* tirement in the vale of Glendor. Mr. Weftbrook had in his youth '^been much attached to rural fcenes, and, at different periods, had found a plealing fource of a- mufement in every branch of huf- bandry. Though the pleafures of a tov^n life, in fome degree^ had palled, they had not totally deftroyed his tafte for thofe purer fatisfadlions : in his folitude he found fufficient leifure for the cul- tivation of it, and,, by a little ap- plica- Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 3 plication, became as compleat a farmer as any in the country* His beloved Louifa was no lefs prudent : the gaieties of her for- mer fituation had not fo far vi- tiated her mind as to render her infeniible to the innocent enjoy- ments of the country — pleafures though lefs intoxicating, far more permanent. She looked back with aflonifhment on thofe futile, frivo- lous purfuits which had fo long detached her attention from more worthy confiderations ; and after having been feven years a wife, began to difcover that fhe had been deficient in every duty which adds a luftre to the marriage ftate. For the firft time in her life, file perceived that an obfervance of religious duties was in every B -2 family 4 Ths, Vale of Glendor ; or, family both political and fatisfac- tory : in the former fenfe, as it helped to imprefs due order among the fervants; and in the latter, as it promifed that protedion of Pro- vidence which never can be ex- pedted when we neglecffc to pay the tribute of gratitude to the fu- preme fource of every earthly bleffing. Her time was divided between •ceconomical regulations in her fa- mily, and thofe elegant accom- plifhments which help to enliven even the moft gloomy folitude ; for a female who has within her- ielf a continual fource of mental amufements, can never truly be faid to be alone. A fmall circle of friends, more valuable for their fincerity of heart than for any other Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 5; otherendovvments, formed all their ibciety. They had feen too much of mankind to think that a nu- merous acquaintance was effential to their happinefs. Experience dearly bought is of all arguments the moft convincing. Children they had none. In their days of affluence they had vainly wifhed to fee themfelves refiedled in their offspring ; but Providence faw fit to deny them a bleffing they were incapable of enjoying, till reafon and adverfity had taught them the fallacy of modern follies. But It was ^^ blefiing fufpended only for a time. In about a year after their retirement, Mrs. Weft- brook found herfelf in a fituation to become a mother ; an event B 3 producliye. 6 The Vale of Glendor j or, produdive of inexpreffible fatlf^ facftion to herfelf, but on the part of her huiband it was attended v/ith regret, on his refie^fling that Heaven was about to give them an heir, at a time when, by their own mifconducfl, they were de- prived of their poffefiions. Whenever thofe gloomy thoughts inti-uded on his happinefs, the amiable Louifa would endeavour to (often the idea, by telHng him that though they had loft their eftate, they had acquired, in lien of it, an inheritance far more be- neficial to their offspring than the moft fplendid patrimony : that they had yet a decent fubfiftence, vvhich, by oeconomy and induftry, was every day improving. *' Why then (would fhe add) ^ fhould Memoirs CF Emily WesterookI. 7" fhould we lament the lofs of what has been diffipated in thofe faper- flous things for which we have now no more occafion ? From ne- ver being accuilomed to the lux- uries of life, our children will never want them. If it is the will of Providence to blefs them with natural endowments, we are both qualified to cultivate the gift : and a mind fraught with virtue and content, remember, my dear Henry, will be to them a fortune of which they can never be difpofTeffed. By accuftoming them to form no wiihes beyond' their reach^ they will never expe- rience- the pangs of difappoint- meati" Frequently would this fubjecfl. engage them till the time ap- * B 4 proached ' 8 The Vale OF Glendorj or, preached which was to prefent them their promifed bleffing. Mr. Weilbrook, ever the tendereft of hufbands, trembled for the fate of his Louifa, who was at all times of the moft delicate and weakly conilitution j and wearied heaven inceflantly with his prayers, that he might not find himfelf a wi- dower at the mom.ent in which he became a father. His ardent breathings were ac- cepted. After a few hours illnefs, during which he had continued with anxious folicitude in a little room adjoining her apartment, he learnt (with fenfations fuch as none but parents feel) that the partner of his heart was fafe, and that they might in a few minutes mutually congra- Memoirs of Emily V/estbro'ok. 9 congratulate each other on the birth of a lovely girl. The little Louifa (for no other name was half fo dear to him) throve beyond their moft fanguine wiflies ; nor was the tender taik of nurturing her from her own breaft, (that firft befl fuftenance which nature ordained for helplefs infancy) produftive of lefs falutary effed:s on the part of her amiable mother. The bloom, which v^- ation and difappointment had dri- ven from its feat, began to refume again its former luftre. Rofy health beamed on the infant fea- tures of the one, and ihone re- fplendent on the matronly grace- ful beauties of the other. One man fervant and a maid formed all their little houfehold. 10 The Vale OF Glendor ; OR, yet were few familes better regula- ted where the domeftics are more numerous. For without defcend- ing to the meannefs of famiUari- ty, Mrs. Weftbrook had the art of rendering herfelf both refpeded and beloved. — Trained up under a mother addicted to every fafhion- able vice, and married before reafon had ufurped its throne, {he had for feveral years facrifi- ced to cuftom the native virtues of her foul. A perpetual whirl of amufements left her no oppor- tunity for felf-examination. She was not happy, but fhe lived as o- ther people did. The example of her giddy acquaintance v/as afuffi- cient apology for her own thought- lefs conduct. Her huiband loved her to excefs, her very foibles to him Memoirs of Emily Westbrook:. Ii ^ him had a pecuHar charm ; and as > it is a tribute always paid to beauty, adulation never failed to wait up- on her fteps. Her drefs, her man-- ners, nay her very follies, were alike a model for general imita- tion. Flattery v/as the only fub- jedl which alTailed her ears. Few^ , alas ! are proof againfl its delufive power! One extravagance produced another, till ruin with its train of miferies appeared before them, and ■ threatened inevitable deftrudlion, if a total ftop was not put to their gay career. It was then convi<3:ion • looked them in the face. . Fortu- nately they had the refolution to dare the laugh of fools, and, by an immediate retrenchment, leffen thofe expences they could no longer have fupported with juftice to B 6 their 12 The Vale of Glendok ; or, their creditors and honour to them- felves. Much is it to be lament- ed that all who have been equally imprudent, cannot adopt a fimilar reformation : then fhould we have the fatisfaftion of feeing the ftreets lefs crowded with thofe unfortunate votaries to vice who eat the bread of proftitution, and who, the far greater part of them, I doubt not, owe the foundation of their infa- my to the prodigality of unthink- ing parents, rather th4n their own mifcondudl. This new arrangement in the family had difcovered to this ami- able woman a truth of which fhe had not before the fmalleft con- ception ; that her acquaintance in town were more numerous than her friends, and it was that difco- very Memoirs of Emily Westerook. i;^ very which prompted her to ac- knowledge that {]^ had miflaken the road to happinefs ; it was that which called forth the latent vir- tues of her heart, and determined her to throw oiF the veil of folly which had fo long obfcured thofe virtues from public view. The fear of being deemed unfafhion- able had conftrained her to ,flifle every good emotion, but in the bofom of retirement they fprang forth with all their native force, and at the period in which Provi- dence beftowed on them a child, fhe would have thought no mis- fortune equal to that of being deemed a woman of the world. Two years after their little Louifa had made her appear- ance, they received a fecond ad- dition r4- The Vale of Glendor; oir, dition to their happinefs in the birth of another daughter ; an event which produced the moft fatisfac- tcry fenfations in the breaft of this tender mother, as flie flattered her- felf, if Heaven fpared them to her wifhes, the fweet employment of forming their youthful- minds to knowledge and to virtue, would be doubly efficacious, v/hen each had a companion to partake of her inftruftions. She knew, from her own experience, the baneful in- fluence of an ill-judged educa- tion, and therefore prudently de~ 'lermined that her children fliculd ' owe their information to their pa- rents only: that while acquiring thofe elegant accomplifhments which are efl'ential in a fl:ate of af- fluence, they might not lofe fight of Memoirs of Emily W£4terook. ^5 of thofe humble duties which, if Providence fo ordained it, would fit them for a lefs exalted condi- tion. As they increafed in years, flie carefully obferved their differ- ent difpofitions, and, as a jfliilful crardener watches his choice and tender plants, with gentle hand flie endeavoured to eradicate every rifmg weed of folly, and let no opportunity efcape in which fhe could engraft a noble or a vir- tuous fentiment on their yet flexi- ble and tender minds Drefs, from their earlieft infancy, fhe taught them to defpife, any farther than what tended to neatnefs and con- veniency. Their fituation in life, fhe conftantly reminded them, v/as fuch as could never properly entitle them i6 The Vale of Glendorj or, them to the fuperfluous part of it ; but a proper regard to decency was never to be difpenfed with, even in the moft humble cottage. When- ever importuned for any httle orna- mental addition to their wardrobe, fhe would gently rebuke them, adding, that girls too fond of ex- ternal fhew, v/ere too frequently regardlefs of interior neatnefs : that the male fex (at leaft the worthy part of it) regarded delicacy 'feir beyond decoration, and fhe hopea it never would be their intention to attract the unv/orthy. Whenever their more ufeful flu- dies would afford them leifure; Mr. Weftbrook took upon him- felf the tafk of cultivating their tafle for drawing and mufic, and from the inflruftions of their ami- able Memoirs OF Emily Westbrcok. 17 able mother, they were, at an early age, proficients both in the French and Italian languages, all others they judged entirely ineflential in fe- male education . Emily, who was of a more fprightly turn than her lif- ter, made the moft rapid progrefs in mufic, but could not attach herfelf to more ferious purfuits. Every thing which tended to en- liven her naturally vivacious dif- poiition, appeared to give her plea- fure, but more fedentary employ- ments were at all times produc- tive of languor and diifatisfaftion. Louifa, on the contrary, was gentle as the vernal breezes of the Spring. If fhe touched the keys, none but the moft plantive founds were heard to iffue from the in- ftrument on which her lovely fin- gers i8 The Vale of Glendor ; or, gers were employed. Whenever a fpedator of any real diftrefs, or in the courfe of her literary purfuits of any imaginary ones, her pencil immediately retraced the afFefting fcene ; and what was only a mo- mentary fubjed: of attention to her fifler, on her more fufceptible mind t\"as indelibly imprinted. But however delicate in her ideas, fhe thought not the moft laborious of domeftic duties beneath her, if by it fhe could lefien the fatigue of her mother : and at an age in which moft young ladies devote their hours of relaxation to infan- tine pleafures, and frivolous pur- fuits, employed herfelf in acq^uir- ing that knowledge of good houfe- wifery which is entirely indifpen- fible ia a young woman of mode- rate Memoirs OF Emily Westbrook, 19 rate fortune, and far from refledl- ing any difgrace on tliofe pofTefT- ed of a more affluent one. When engaged in any domeftic avocations, her more lively fifter would endeavour to difcourage in her an attention to things fhe fre- quently proteiled v^ere infinitely beneath any one but a fervant; v/hen the lovely girl would, with the greateft gentlenefs, reprove her thoughtlefs fallies; trying at the fame time to convince her, that nothing which owed its fource to a virtuous and good intention, could be difgraceful. " Is it pofTible, my deareft Emi- ly, (would fhe fay) that any one can regard me in a more humili- ating light, from obferving that I Ihare with the befl of parents in thofe 20 The Vale OF Glendou ; or, thofe fatigues v/hich are far better adapted to youth than age ? And granting they do fo, the ^opinion of fuch ill -judging individuals could not give me a moment's pain. In a family where there is only one fervant of each fex, ever}^ body muft be fenfible that there are many little offices, v/ithout defcending to thofe that are menial, that are im- poffible fhould be accomplilhed by one pair of hands. The performing thofe duties is no difhonour to us : it degrades us not to the rank of a fervant, though it enables us to do with one lefs than we otherwife fhould; and you are fenfible, my dear, that in the prefent fituation of our parents, it is an effential piece of oeconomy. In furniihing us with a fource of intelledual amufe- ment, Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 21 nient, they meant not to fet us above the necelTary duties of our fex. They have been diligent in beftowing upon us every elegant accompHfliment ; they have endea- voured to inftill into us every ufe- ful virtue ^ and fhould v^e not be ungrateful to the utmoft in neg- ledting to cultivate the latter, when it contributes to the eafe of thofe to whom we owe every good im- preffion, and to whom we are in- debted for every conveniency in life?" To this purpofe would the ami- able Louifa argue; but all her prudent documents had no efFe<5l on the mind of her vivacious lifter. Their little altercations ferved only to convince Mrs. Weftbrook, that all her maternal cares had not been fufficiently 22 The Vale of Glendor ; or, fufficiently powerful to eradicate thofe natural feeds of vanity which every female, in fome degree, pof- feffes. She faw with pain that a fimi- lar education will not always pro- duce fimilar inclinations, and that her children, though alike fuper- latively lovely in their perfons, were as oppofite in their difpofitions as if there had been no affinity of blood between them : but con- fcious that reftraint tends only to ftrengthen thofe propenfions which indulgence quickly palls, flie fuf- fered Emily to devote as much of her time as fhe thought proper :to her favourite purfuits, and for- .bore to infill upon her attention to more ferious ftudies. She appro- priated to the ufe of each a fmall falary, which Ihe permitted them to MEMbiRs OF Emily WjEstbrook. 23 to expend as inclination prompted, and by that means had a farther opportunity of difcovering their moft predominant foibks. Vices, {he flattered herfelf, could never inhabit thofe hearts flie had fo ear- ly trained to the love of virtue. When inverted with this power -over themfelves, Louifa had at- tained her feventeenth year, and Emily her fifteenth. They had both thrown off their childiih at- tire, and affumed thofe modeft ap- pendages of drefs which confti- tute the woman. To have given to either the palm of beauty would have been impoffible, fo ftrid:ly did their lovely features correfpond^ The only material difference in their perfons, was, that the elder, from the placid ferenity of her temper. 24 The Vale of Glendor; or, temper, had acquired a greater de- gree of embon point ; and the reft- lefs volatility of the younger fel- dom permitted her to appear com- pofed. In the one you beheld all the lively graces of a town-bred belle, in the other^ all the gentlenefs and innocent fimplicity of a village maid. The adornments of Louifa were fimply fuch as nature prompt- ed, devoid of all expence, or art, but infinitely becoming : thofe of her fifter, elegant and ftudied-fan- cy fupplied the place of fafhion ; and though the latter found but few votaries in the Vale of Glen- dor, the former raged with fuch powerful fway over the mind of Emily, that flie difcovered inimi- table tafte even in the difpofal of the moft trifling ornament. Among Memoirs OF Emily Westbrook. 25 Among the fmall circle of their parents acquaintance was a Mr, Aubrey, a gentleman of extenfive knowledge and amiable difpofition. The earlier part of his days (for he- was then in the autumn of life) had, like theirs, been pafTed in the gay metropolis i but the lofs of an only daughter, juft on the eve of her marriage, had convinced him of the inftabihty of all earthly happinefs, and from that lamented period he relinquiflied the gaieties of life, and retired to an eftate at Glendor, about two years after the arrival of the Weftbrooks. Often, with fmothered fiehs* would he admire the growing beau- ties of his youthful neighbours; and while he envied their worthy- parents the poffelTion of two fuch VOL. I. C lovely 26 The Vale of Glendor; or, lovely children, his memory would recall thofe painful moments in which the hand of death had de- prived him of his belaved Harriet. From his firft coming into the countiy he had been their con ftant viiiter. The rational manner in which they paiTed thoie hours that by fomeare diffipated in idle amufe- ments, and by others devoted to brutal fports, wns exactly corre- fpondent with his own ideas of happinefs : for though he had been fo many years an inhabitant of the fafhionable world, he had not fo refined a tafte as to prefer the glare of candle-light to the departing ravs of Phoebus. To watch the riling and the fetting fun, ^^as to him a pleafure far more fatisfadlo- ry than ihiit enjoyed by the luxuri. cms Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 27 ous on beds of down, or by the giddy circle in evening revels. Of- ten in his morning rambles through the verdant meads which furround- ed his rural dwelling, would he exclaim in the elegant language of the inimitable Hervey, '* How charming to rove abroad in this fweet '* hour of prime ! to enjoy the calm of nature ; " to tread the dewy lawns ; and tafte the un- " rifled freflinefs of the air ! What a picafure do '' the Tons of floth lofe ! Little, ah ! little is the *' fluggard fenfible, how delicious an entertain- « ' ment he forgoes, for the pooreft of all hu- *' man gratifications J ** In thefe delightful excurfions was Mr. Aubrey frequently ac- companied by the charming fifter?. In their infant days, their innocent prattle conftituted one of his moft pleafing amufements; and when C 2 reafon 28 The Vale of Glendor ; or, •reafon began to dawn with their increafing years, to inform and cul- tivate their tender minds afford- ed him the moft exquifite delight He had an extenfive library of well- chofen and inftrudtive ?Luthors, to which they liad at all times the moft welcome accefs : and it was from this advantage, and the uni- ted attentions of her parents^, that the gentle Louifa acquired all thofe .eftimable virtues which rendered lier ihe moft amiable of women. Eniilv too would fometimes read, but flie fought am ufement- rather than inftruffion. With fcompla- cencyralfo would flic liften to the prudent admonitiojis of her parents, and the friendly obiervations of tlieir worthy neighbour ^ but tho* ihe apj)earcd to allow the propri- ety Memoirs of Emily WE:iXBROoK. 29' ety of their remarks, they made no lafling impreffion on lier mind, but .played merely on its furfaccj for the native gaiety of her temper would not permit them to fink more deeply. Though fo many miles diftant from the metropolis, and fo early taught to believe that the greateil: happinefs of life con- fifts in fimple and rational amufe- ments independent of pomp and grandeur, her ideas were not to be confined to fuch an humble fphere. In the courfe of her literary ftu- dies, fhe had difcovered that beau- ty in every (late is a miagnet not to be refifted; that the homely might attradi refped: from their internal virtues, but the lovely muft commandite though at the expence of reafon. Senfible of her own C 3 perfonal 30 The Vaie of Glendor ; or, perfonal advantages (how few who poiTefs them are not fo!) fhe be- lieved that her heart would be proof againft any temptation to in- difcretion^ but, at the fame time j(he could not help fecretly breath- ing a wifh to move in a fphere of life, in which {he might difplay both her perfonal and mental at- tractions to more advantage. ^* To what purpofe (would ilie fometimes fay to her fifter) do we cultivate the various powers of pleafing, when there is no one to admire them ? When by the greateft attention, at the defire of our pa- rents, we have attained the higheft ftate of perfedlion to which their tendernefs and affiduities can raife us, our condition will be like that Qf flowers' in a defart, that are doomed Memoirs OF Emily Westbrook. 31: doomed to flourilh unfeen and un- admired/' In vain did Louifa endeavour to convince her of the fallacy of her ideas, and point out to her the dangers to which perfonal attrac- tions fubjed:ed their poflefTors when expofed to more exteniive view: and, as a proof that happi- nefs is not always annexed to gran- deur, fhe never failed to expatiate on the felicity enjoyed by their pa- rents fincc their feclufipn froiyi the She might have talked for e- ver without gaining her point. ** Pfh-awl my dear lifter, (would this lively girl reply) .tell me not of our parents. It is true they are happy, but yet it is not evident to mo that they would be lefs fo in C 4 any 32 The Vale of Glendor ; on, any other fituation. They have ex-- perienced the ftorms of adverfityy their happinefs is centered within themfel^es, and the calm delights of a rural life is better adapted ta the autumn of their days than the round of plesfures which employ- ed the fummer of them. To know the value of retirement we muft in feme degree have partaken of the adlive fcenes of life. " It is^ only fe^- its Teverfe we can forni -a proper^ idda of happinefs. A fhort time pafled in that dangerous world I am taught to believe fo hideous, might convince me that the Yale of Glendor is the moft beautiful* fpot upon the face of the terref- trial globe; but before I can form ' a' judgment from a more fubftan- tial proof than theory, no argu- ment Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 33 ment can convince me but that I fhould breathe fenthnents as pure, and morals as uncorrupted, in the midft of the bufy world, as I do in the ferene bofom of retirement/' While thus expreffing their dif- ferent opinions, and each warmly enforcing her favourite argument, Mrs. Weftbrook one morning,, un- expedtedly entered their apartment, and with much good nature endea- voured to perfuade Emily of the juftnefs of her lifter's remark. '^ You might with equal propri- ety, my dear, (faidthis worthy wo- .man) believe that it is neceffary to be blind, that we may more fully enjoy the bleffing of fight. Ex- perimental knowledge, of all other, is doubtlefs moft convincing; but is it requifite that v/e lliould put C 5 our 34 "tn^ Val2 of GtEfJDo^ ; ait, our virtue to the feverefl trials, to know if it is genuine ? Would a good mariner venture his veffd on the moft dangerous coaft, to prove that his flcill was fufficient to avoid the rocks and quickfands which furround him? Or put to fea in a ftorm, to fhew his intrepid* dity ? No, he would certainly pre- fer the calm unruffled bofom of the ocean, however he might flat-' ter himfelf that he had power to ward the threatening danger, fhould Providence ever put him to the trial. Is it not fufficient, my dear Emily, to know yourfelf happy, without wifhing for a more exten- five acquaintance with a world, in which you would probably pur- chafe your experience at too dear a rate ? By diflatisfadion and curio- fity. MEMOiiie OF Emily Westbrook. 35 fity, our lirft mother loft the Eden of her joys ; and by depending too much upon her own ftrength of mind, forfeited all thofe indulgen- ces her Creator had beftowed on her. I admire the fprightlincjS oij" your difpofition, while confined within reafonable bounds t but when it wpuW precipitate you into- errors, I cannot help feeling the moft painful fenfations, left thofe principle^ of virtue 1 have beea fo afllduous to inftill into your mind,, fliould yield to theimpulfes of fv curiofity ever fatal to our fex. In, wiftiing to quit the peaceful fhades^ of dendor, you are deftroying that fererbity of mind which help& to render every fituation pleafing,. Every rational enjoyment is now within your power : what more C 6 could j(> The Vale OF Glendor ; or, could you propofe to yourfelf in that world, the pleafures of which feem to be fa ftrangly impreifed upon your imagination ? It is ut- terly incompatible with our hap- pinefs or intereft ever to think of entering again upon a more exten- iive plan : is it not then torturing your mind with imprudent and fu- tile ideas ? We tafte in this de- lightful vale all that can render reafonable mortals happy, and are exempt from a large fhare of thofe ills which empoifon the felicity of thofe engaged in the diflipated world. Our acquaintance are fuch as help rather to improve than per- vert. Though not numerous, they are good ; and from their example vou may acquire that amability of manners which is necelfary to iit you Memoirs OF Emily Westbrook. 37 you for every fphere in life. You are both as yet, my children, too young to judge properly what will be moft conducive to your own happinefs. But one truth is ob- vious at every age : without a con-r tented mind, true felicity can never be attained." However volatile in difpoiition, it gave much uneaiinefs to Ejnily^ to find that her fentiments were, difcovered by a mother fhe too tenderly efteemed ever to be a vo- luntary caufe of giving her pain, and determined her in future to be more referved upon the fubjecl. If fhe could not entirely conquer thofe favourable prejudices fhe had formed of a pleafurable life, fhe re- folved at leaft to confine v/ithin the limits of her own bofom, her ar- dent 38 The Vale of GifijC!K)P. ; cfn, dent wifhes to move in a fphere \t(s hunrible ; but all her endeavours to conceal tbeni ferved only to re^d^r them more confpicirous. Her diffatisfaftion was even viiible to Mr. Aubrey : and, ever anxious to promote the happinefs of every part of this amiable family-, Jie good-naturedly endeavoured to en- large the circle of his acquaint ■=»": ance. He frequently formed little parties of pleafure to the adjacent villages, merely to contribute to the amufement of his youthful' neighbours 3 and in thofe excurfions (hov^^ever ill- adapted to hi« year's and the natural gravity of his dif- pofition) he generally accompani- ed them. His carriage v^as ever at their fervice when the weatheft would not admit of walking ; but' the Memoirs OP Emily WestbRook. 351 • the latter he judged moft effential to their health, and never offered the former as a-n incentive to lux- ury or grandeur, left they fhould value it more for the Tefpecfl it pro- cured them than the conveniency it afforded. It v^as an indulgence to which he knew they had no title from the contraiSed circumftances of their parents ; and whatever fe- cret defigns he entertained of add- ing to their little fortunes, onfcme future day, he determined not to promote in them any ideas that were ill-adapted to their prefent ones. Their different difpofitions he perceived required different pur- fuits ', and, as far as reafon permit-, ted, contributed to the indulgence of each. Two or three days in the week he devoted to the fociety of 40 The Vale OF Glendor; on, of a few worthy friends, on which occafion one fifter or the other was always requefted to do the honours of his table; and he feldom re- turned a viiit but both wm'of the party. In this focial intercourfe they acquired that eafy unreferved be- haviour which is feldom attained in folitude 3 and with fuch a guar- dian as Mr. Aubrey, their parents were under no apprehenfions of trufting them from home, or had they any doubts of their forming any improper connexions. He was to them as Mentor to Telemachus ; and frequently would Louifa ex- prefs her fears of that period ap- proaching in which Heaven might fhatch him from their fight : for, next to her parents, fhe efteemed him Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 41^ him her> deareft friend. Not for the indulgence herfelf or fifler de- rived from his generofity^ but from: that benevolence of heart with> which he appeared to intereft him- felf in forming them to virtuous happinefs. :^ niotoH Emily's refped: for him wa$^ equal to her fifter's/but of a diiFe^— ent nature. It is true flie ; valued him much for his virtues, but| was , not totally divefted of felf-' iih conlidcrations. : Sh^.: flattered herfelf, that from his attention to their happinefs, fhe fliould by degrees emerge from a retirernent , which had long been irkfome to.' her: and that whenever Provi- : vidence fliould fee fit to deprive Louifa and herfelf of the beft of parents, Mr. Aubrey would a- ^' ^^ dopt 42 The Vale or Glendor ; or, dopt them as his own : an event that, however painful to refledt on, muft in the end be greatly condu- cive to their interefl. Had Louifa been fenfible that fuch an idea had ever entered the bofom of her fifter, fhe would have felt the greateft indignation -of which her gentle nature was capa- ble 'y but Emily had too much ex- perienced the admonition of both herfrif and her mother to venture on the difclofure of fentiments fhe ' wa's confcious, if known, would lower her greatly in their good opi- nion : and from the apparent fcre- nity of her mind, they began to flatter therrifelves that Emily had- entirely overcome thofe imprudent^'' wifhes to which fhe had formerly T given iadulgence. .ai^irc "^' Among Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 43 Among the fewfelecft friends who vifited at Aubrey Place was that of a Mifs Bloomer, iifter to a young Baronet who had not long taken polTeffion of his title and eftate, and was then on the eve of marri- age with the daughter of a rich citizen, who was anxious ohly to purchafe her a rank to which her fortune alone could not have en- titled her : while Sir William had ho other objeft in view, than by her immenfe poffeffions to enlarge the plan of his pleafurable pur- fuits. He had been but a fhort time returned from his travels when he firft made his appearance" at Glendor ; and during the necef-^ fary arrangements' that were to take^ place in his hottfliold, previous tO' his marriage with Mifs Luftring, he propofed 4i- The Vale of Glendor; or, propofed to reirde with his aunt, Ailrs.; Alworthj/:, a. maiden lady, who, had the guafdianihip of his fiiler, and whqfe arrival was hour- ly expected. Mils Selina Bloomer was the qnl.y one among the circle, to \yjiich Mr. Aubrey had introduced the Weftbrooks, that had made any progrefs towards gaining the friendfhip of the fair Louifa. The limilarity of their difpofitions had infenfibly attached them to each, other : and of all the enjoyments. flie had procured through the means of her eftimable friend, fhe looked upon none fo fatisfad:ory as that of an introduction to her fifler- foul, for fuch fhe ever fly led the amiable Selina ; and it was a dif- tinftion '^tcj i.ik^Ji. Memoirs OF l&MVLY''"tVESTBR6'6K. 45"' tindion which, to the latter, 'wa^ aifo infinitely pleafing. When Mifs Bloomer was firft informed of her brother's arrival, and of his intended nuptials, fhe rejoiced in it as an event that would be produdlive of infinite felicity^/ and formed the moft fanguine" eX— pedtations of his beflowing on her a fifter, from whofe fociety flie fliould receive much improvement. Her exalted opinion of his judg- ment and good fenfe would not permit her to fuppofe that he -could overlook thofe efientials to connu- bial happinefs, which ought never to be difpenfed v/ith ; and as ihe was free from every degree of pride but what is ever neceflary to the prefervation of becoming dignity, felt no repugnance at the idea of his 46 The Vale OF Glendor ; or, liis uniting himfelf to a citizen's daughter ; doubting not, but Mifs Luftring's fortune was one of her fmalleft attradlions in the eyes of her brother, of whom, from the innate goodnefs of her own heart, ihe was ever inclined to judge too partially, . The moment h-er brother's car- riage ftopt, down flew the amiable girl, and fpringing to the fraternal embrace, afked a thoufand quef- tions of his welfare ; congratulat- ing him at the fame time upon his arrival and approaching happin efs. ** As to happinefs, my dear Se- lina," (faid the accomplilhed cox- comb, furveying himfelf in a large glafs which hung oppolite) ** that is as it may happen. If money is an ejflential, Charlotte Luftring pof- icffts Memoirs ar Emily Westbrook. 47 fefles the power of beftowing it to an imiiienfe degree : but as to her perfon, let me die if I have ever particularly obferved k. Should it not happen to hit my fancy, flie brings me more than an equivalent for beauty.- — I mean, my girl, the power of purchafing it. Have you no young tempting piece of exceU lence among your rural friends^ "whoie fweet fociety may help to beguile the tedious hours, when the ennui of a matrimonial tete a tete becomes abfolutely infupport- able?'^ To defcribe the various emotions which agitated the innocent bo- fom of Mifs Bloomer during this libertine^fpeech is impoflible. Sur- prize, difappointment, and grief, were fevcrally depifted on her ex- prefive ^8 The ValeofGlendor; oRi^ preffive countenance. But when the former had in fome degree fubfided, ihe call upon Sir William a look of pity, mixed with anger, and replied, — (he had no acquaint- ance but with the virtuous, and fuch flie fhould bluih to introduce him to^ while he fo openly, profeffed fuch defpicable principles. ** But I flatter myfelf " (continued fhe ra- ther morcmildly) *' that you arc jefting, for it is utterly impoffible that a reafonable being iliould de- liberately commit fo great a crime as that of marrying a woman with whom he iiad never confidered if he has any chance for happinefs, merely becaufe ilie poilelTes a for- tune that will enable him to feduce the innocent. If fuch are your real fentiments, you have dearly purchafed i Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 49 purchafed a knowledge of the world, fince for it you have facri- ficed your generolity and honorv" ' ** As to the former, my pretty de- mure fifter, it is unlimited when beauty is its objed; and the latter iinqueftionable, when any one of my own fex dare to difpute its ex- iftence. I have already fent two petite fnaitres to the fhadeS, for pre- fuming to toaft my favourite mif- trefs. But come, where is Mrs. Ar- worthy ? I have yet to go through the ceremony of introdudion t^ that formal piece of antiquity. I fuppofe file is praying that her good inftrudions may not have been caft away, and that her nephew is returned full of grace and good deeds, before flie ventures down to congratulate him on his fafety." ^'OL. I D A few 50 The Vale of Glekdor; oh, A few minutes after the good old lady joined them, and Selina ftole away to her chamber, that fhe might unmoleftedly indulge thofe tears fhe could with difficulty re- •flrain, even in the prefence of her aunt, from whom Ihe wiihed to conceal the horrid change flie had difcovered in the difpoiition of her r brother 5 for, libertine as he was, the light of this venerable friend (from whom he had in his infant days received the moft virtuous precepts) awed him into modeftv, and by reftraining his ufual volu- bility of tongue, helped to conceal his vitiated principles. ** My brother, a feducer and a murderer! (exclaimed the tender- hearted Selina, in broken accents, ' interrupted by her tears) he boafts alfo Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 51 alio of his crimes ! Is it poffiblc that cuftom can have fo entirely perverted his reafon, as to render him incapable of diflinguiihing vice from virtue ? Or, has the former, in reality, fuch power o- ver his deluded imagination, as to obliterate all thofe traces of the latter, which before his baneful tour to the continent rendered him the joy of all his friends ? Better, far better, that he had perillied in the ocean, than have returned to difgrace the peaceful abode of his v^'Orthy anceftors, by diffipation and extravagance: nay, probably, to fv/ell the number of his vices^ by attempting the fedudion of my amiable companions." Juft as Mifs Bloomer had utter- ed the lafl words of her foliloquy, D 2 flie 52 The Vale OF Glendor; or, fhe heard fomebody tripping up flairs, and in a minute fhe beheld the fair Weftbrooks ; who, accom- panied by Mr, Aubrey, had taken advantage of the fine evening to pay Mifs Bloomer and her aunt a friendly vifit. The unexpeded fight of them redoubled her diftrefs. *' x'^h ! my dear girls (faid fhe, her eyes flream- ing w^ith tears of fenfibility) never was jour prefence fo unwelcome as at this moment.'* A reception fb unufual naturally excited the aftonifliment of them both. Louifa inftindlively diffolv- ed in tears, while Emily, equally furprifed, but lefs affedled, entreat- ed to be acquainted with the caufe of her uneafinefs. — '' I thought, iXiV dear Selina, (continued the Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 53' fprightly girl) to have found you all joy and feftivity . We had heard of your brother's return and of his intended manriage, and could not make ourfelves happy till we had ^congratulated you on the pleaiing profpedt of an amiable addition to your family -, for fuch (from the idea we have formed of Sir Wil- liam) muft certainly be the lady he honors with his afFedlion/' This compliment^ inftead of meeting with that complacency fo natural to Mifs Bloomer, increafed her diftrefs : but, after recovering herfelf a little, {he apologized for her difcompofure, by acquainting them with the caufe. *' You know not, you cannot imagine, my dear friends,'* (faid fhe) **howmuchIamdifappointed. D 3 My 54 The Vale of Glendor j oh, My brother, that dear brother from whofe virtuous education I had the higheft expectations, is returned fo very unlike himfelf, that I can hardly believe him to be Sir Wil- liam Bloomer. Improved indeed in perfon, but in mind fo horribly depraved, that all the fatisfaftioji 1 propofed in his fociety is entirely blafted. Such libertine princi- ples has he avowed, even in the momentary converfation which has pafied between us lince his arrival, that I dread, my lovely friends, to introduce you to his acquaintance. Remember, however, that he is a profejfled enemy to virtue, and let that fteel your hearts againfl his numerous perfonal blandiihments, for thofe he poflelTes to an emi* nent degree. Soon Memojrs ofEmily Westbrook. 5^ Scon after the amiable trio de- fcended to the parlour, where they found Sir William chatting witb his aunt and Mr. Aubrey. Though this diffipated young - Baronet endeavoured to conceal his" emotions at the fight of two beau- ■ tiful women who received his com-^ pliments with the moil graceful eafe, while he expected only to have beheld blufhing, rofy-cheek- ed country damfels ; he Could not reflrain his eyes from gazing al- ternately on their lovely features- The fweet languor of Louifa's ex- preffive countenance, and the ani* mated features of her lifter, were to him an equal fubje(fl; of admiration : • but the latter, as moft correfpon- dent with his own difpofition, had the moft powerful effieft upon his D 4 heart. 56 The Vale of Glendor ; or, heart, or rather on his paffions, for thofe only had hitherto influenced him in his connexions with a lex he had been taught to hold in little eftimation, from the repeated fuc- cefs he had met with in his at- tempts upon the unworthy part of it. Sir William had been fo long out of England, that from being accuftomed to the libertine man- ners of Paris and other countries, where modefty and virtue do not fo ftrongly charadterize their females, that he began to think the pre- tence to either, by any of the fex, was founded only in habit and cuftom; and, confcious of his perfonal attracflions, believed no woman capable of refifting him, if he had once a favourable opportu- nity Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 57 nity of attacking her vnnity. He knew from common report, that the fortunes of Mifs V/eftbrook and her fifter were too inconfider- able to merit his attention; and that a union with Mifs Luftring was abfolutely effential to fup- port the plan of life he had laid down : he therefore determined to haften his nuptials, that he might have more frequent opportunities of feeing the amiable girls ; for he was confcious, that the thought- lefs difcovery he had made of his principles to his fifter, v/ould in- fluence her to fee them as feldom as poffible, while he remained at Mrs. Alworthy's; but when mar- ried, they could not avoid the ce- remony of a bridal vifit, and he determined to cultivate the talent of hypocrify fufficiently to induce D 5 them 58 The Vale of Glendor ; or, them to give other vifits after- wards. Thefe were his reflexions after they were gone ; for Mifs Weft- brook, not altogether approving ©f his earnefl: gaze, had taken leave immediately after tea, and he had the mortification to fee her and her fifter depart, v/ithout even an oppor- tunity of handing them acrofs the fields, which he might with much propriety have done, had they beea unattended by Mr. Aubrey, whofe apparently officious attendance on. two fuch lovely girls he could not help looking on as perfedly oiitrL Very different ruminations em- ployed his amiable fifter. She had-: too much difcernment not to dif- cover that the beauty of her young friends had, even on this tranfitory view. Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 59 ». view, made too much impreflion on the imagination of Sir William, for . him to look upon them with that indifference which could alone en- fure their fafety ; and trembled left his paffions (which like an im- petuous tide had been accuftomed to drive all before them) fhould prompt him to attempt any thing unworthy of his own charafter, and deftnicftive of the virtue of her lovely friends. She knew that Louifa had a heart too much for- tified with prudence to be dazzled with his external graces, unlefs ac- companied with the moft indubita- ble figns of interior merit; but Emi- ly, fhe feared, would be lefs proof againft them, as the natural bent of her inclinations ever led her to prefer fuperficial accomplifhments, D 6 and- 6o The Vale OF Glendor ; or, and futile enjoyments, to the real fatisfadiions of life ; and taught her to liften more eagerly to the allur- ing voice of pleafure, than to the v/hifperings of reafon, which if it affords not the immediate gratifi- cation of our wifhes, leaves us the far nobler felicity of felf-approv- ing reflections. She doubted not her virtue, but feared that the in- nocent gaiety of her own dilpofi- tion would prevent her from dif- tinguifhing a levity of manners from genuine chearfulnefs, and that her heart would at kail fall a facrifice to Sir William's perfonal attradi- ons before fhe difcovered that the objecft was unworthy of that dlf- tindion. In their way home Louifa re- fleded with pain on the fubjeft of her Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 6i her dear Selina's difcontent, and grieved to think a perfon of fuch abilities and diftinguifhed rank as Sir William, fliould be fo loft to virtue : but in the mid ft of thefe reflections ihe was interrupted by the vivacity of her fifter, which broke out in the higheft ftrains of encomium on the Baronet's grace- ful figure and agreeable deport- ment. Nor was the prefence of Mr. Aubrey fufficient to reftrain her from averring that fhe thought Mifs Bloomer too fevere, in fo ri- gidly condemning in her brother, foibles from which Cnt imagined few young men of faflilon were ex- empt. For her part, flie declared, fhe could not be perfuadedbut that the fpecimen of libertinifm he had difplayed, in his firft converfation with &2 The Vale of Glendor:; or^ with his fifter, was merely the ef^- feifl of an open difpofition, and doubted not but his conduct was. entirely oppofite to his profeffions.. ** Perhaps," ihe added, '* he Tiad a mind to fee how far the levity fo^ prevalent in the h'au tnonde had ftolen upon -the innocent minds of us villagers; and, from the beha-- viour of Selina, will be convinced that freedom of converfation is no part of our accomplijflimerrts. It is plain however, if libertine prin- ciples are in reality the genuine fentiments of his heart, he fcorns to be indebted to hypocrify for a . recommendation^, and is, at any rate, a lefs contemptible and dangerous charad:er than he who, under the femblance of virtue, conceals a vi- cious difpofition.'' *' Pardon Memoirs of Emily Westurook. 63: ^' Pardon me, my dear Emily/' faid IVIr. Aubrey, fmiling, *^ if I interrupt you in your encomiums-, on the Baronet,, by declaring, that, . under fome particular circumflan- ees, I think there is a merit in,-, hypocrify. In the firft inftance, the wifli of concealing it fhews a. confcioufnefs of error, and.promi- fes a future, amendment ; in the next, it exempts from the moft: poignant diftrefs of mind, thofe friends who are. interefted in our well-doing ; and laftly, it confines the contagious evil within our- felves : for you are not yet to learn, that the example of thofe of fupe- rior rank has more influence upon the uninformed mind than all the precepts of the moft learned preach- er* Think not that I am plead- ing 64 The Vale OF Glendor ; or, ing the caufe of vice, when I aver that hypocrify, in fome cafes, is a virtue ; for, to be truly refpedla- ble, we otight never to acft or think any thing which requires the art of diffimulation to conceal : I mean- only to prove, that a profeiTed li- bertine is of the two the more dangerous characfter ; as he helps to contaminate others, and at the fame time betrays ' an open con- tempt of every moral and religious duty.' Sir William may be entire- ly defer ving the high opinion you feem to have formed of him ; but, till a farther acquaintance, it is neceffary you fiiould fufpend your judgment. As the patron of the village, and the defcendant of a worthy family, I wifh he may prove himfelf an eftimable charac- ter ^ Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 65 ter ; but, from the little conver- fation I have been witnefs to, J muft acknowledge I am not very fanguine in my expectations /' In this opinion Mr. Aubrey wa§ very w^armly feconded by Louifa^ who averred that fhe had felt much embarraffmen t and confufion from the Baronet's confidential ftare j which, however confiftent in the fafhionable world, fhe thought very derogatory from good manners, ^d that confideration that was due to the delicacy of her fex, efpecially to thofe who had been educated far from thofe fcenes in whicli the bluili of modeft diffidence is. held difgraceful ; and declared, ihet fhould vifit Mifs Bloomer no more, while Sir William continued at Mrs. Alworthy's. This 66 The Vale of Glendor ; or. This was uttered merely to dif- courage in Emily any imprudent wifhes of improving the intima- cy ; for the words of Selina dwelt too powerfully on her imagination, to permit a belief of his being de- ferving the good opinion her fifter had fo openly exprefled ; and dread- ing left the natural gaiety of her difpofition ihould precipitate her into any improprieties that might be mifconftrued by the libertine Baronet to his own advantage, fhe prudently determined to fhun all future opportunities of converfing with him ; at kaft, till after the celebration of his nuptials. But it was a determination far from, being pleafing to Emily, who had pictured to herfelf thegreateft.hap-. pinefs in thi3 new addition to their little. Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 67 little fociety ; nor would have found herfelf the leaft difpleafed, had he forgotten, in the country, his engagements with Mifs Luf- tring in town. To emerge from obfcurity had long been her moft ardent wifh j and every idea which flattered her with the accompliih- ment of that defirable event, was nourifhed with the moft fatisfac- tory fenfations. She had conftrued the gaze of impertinence into a fe- cret admiration of her perfon ; and. from the firft moment of behold- ing Sir William, flattered herfelf he was the objed; deftined to fnatch her from retirement. Her heart was wholly untainted with vice ; but as the glare of vanity and am- bition had dazzled her youthful fancy with their fafcinating charms, an(i. 6S The Vale OF Glendor; or, and caft a mift over her more rea- foning faculties, it is not to be wondered, that fhe fhould deem only as foibles, what, in the eyes of her fifter and Selijia,. appeared an utter contempt of virtue. About a fortnight afterwards,- Mifs Bloomer returned their vifit, and acquainted them that her bro- ther was gone to London in order to folemnize his nuptials, and bring his bride to Bloomer Hall. ** To be candid, my dear, I fhould have been with you before," addreffing herfelf to Louifa ; ** but I waited till Sir William had taken leave of us : for I was fenfible his freedom of manners would have been in- finitely difagreeable to you ; and I was too much hurt by the difcovery of it, to trull him again with the fight Memoirs of Emily Westbrodk. 69 fight of my fweet friends, till nis behaviour rendered him more wor- thy of that happinefs. Had he returned the fame amiable being as before he fct out on his travels, I fliould have introduced him to all my young acquaintance with the iincerefl pleafure; and, had his affecSlions been difengaged, fliould have rejoiced in feeing him attach himfelf to fome one among our rural circle. Even you, my little philofophic friend, would not then have been proof againfl his many valuable qualifications. Ah ! how fliould I have gloried in fuch a filler ! but a modern wife now better fuits his diffipated mind. It is in vain to look back on what he once was : like beauties that have been cruelly defaced by the ytM The Vale of Glendor ; or, the moft mercilefs of difeafes, no veftige of perfeftion now remains. All my hopes of his returning a- gain to the paths of reafon are centered in his marriage. Should his bride prove amiable (which at prefent I find he has not taken the pains to attempt difcovering) her fociety may efFed: what all the ad- monitions in the world might only tend to retard/' Vexation and difappointment were vifible on the features of Emily, from the firft entrance of Mifs Bloomer ; fhe exped:ed to have feen her accompanied by her brother: but when fhe found that he was gone to conclude his mar- riage, and that all her airy fchemes of happineft were vanifhed, her confufion was too evident to pafs un* . Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 71 unnoticed -, though both her fifter and Selina were far from fufpe(5ting the caufe. The entrance of Mrs. Weft- brook fortunately gave a turn to the converfation, and furniflied Emily with an opportunity of conquering her embarrailment. A new fong engaged their attention, and the power of mufic banillied her chagrin. After tea Mr. Aubrey dropt in .and propofed a walk to a neighbour- ing farm, where he told them they would find a mofl luxurious treat of ftrawberries and cream ; but, in return for this indulgence, mull prevail on Louifa to take with her, her lute, an inftrument on which .(he played divinely, and which could only be excelled by the ftill more 72 Th£ Vale of Glendor ; or, more gentle warblings of her heavenly voice. Ever happy to contribute to the amufement of this refpedtable friend, they wanted no farther en- treaties, but haftily throwing on their cloaks, fet out towards the dairy in mutual good humour and exhilarated fpirits. Alas ■ how un- liable is all mundane happinefs I how tranfitory and fleeting its moft fatisfaftory enjoyments ! It is re- ligion only can fortify the mind againfl: the various iliocks to which human nature is hourly fubjedl : it is that alone can yield a balm to heal the wounded foul. Mrs. Weftbrook h^d attended her children to the gate, and with maternal tendernefs entreated them to return before the defcending de^vs Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 73 dews endangered their conftitu- tion ; when gazing after them, far as the eye could reach, flie walked flowly back to the houfe, filently petitioning heaven for their fafety, and a fleady perfeverance in thofe virtuous principles which fo de- fervedly endeared them to her heart. On a fudden ihe found herfelf feized with an unufual faintnefs ; and, before £lie could reach the door, funk motionlefs under the ihade of one of the fpreading trees which formed an avenue to the houfe. Mr. Weftbrook was at that inftant coming out of an ad- jacent meadow: he faw her fall^ and flew to afford her that afTiflance which, from fright, himfelf 'ftood almoft equally in need of. In vain VOL. I. E did 74 The Vale of Glendor; or, did he call upon her beloved name ; fhe lifted up her dying eyes, and faint- ly preffing the hand that her own held, clofed them in eternal dark- nefs. What a fight for fo afFeftion- ate a hufband ! Petrified with grief he ftirred not from the fpot, but flinging himfelf on the grafs by the breathlefs corps, tried to reani- mate it with his careffes, till fink- ing under the weight of his dif- trefs, he became motionlefs him- felf. In this afFedling ftate was he difcovered by the fervants, who feeing both their mafter and mif- trefs extended on the ground, doubted not but the fouls of both had for ever winged their flight; and while the bodies were convey- ing to the houfe, the maid fervant, ' with Memoirs of EuiLy Westbrook. 75 with all the inconfideratenefs of youth, waited not for a confirma- tion of their fears, but immedi- ately followed her young ladies to the dairy; and without foftening the heart-rending intelligence, by any previous preparation, informed them of the melancholy event in the moft abrupt and terrifying terms. The fun, fuddenly eclipfed in its meridian fplendor, can only give us an adequate idea of the fcene which then prefented itfelf. The cup of happinefs was inftantly dafhed from the lips of all prefent, and from the height of innocent enjoyment, this amiable party were plunged into the deepefl abyfs of mifery. They were all feated under a E 2 fpread- 76 The Vale of Glekdor ; or, Ipreading beach, Louifa picking Itrawberries into a capacious bowl of cream, Mr. Aubrey mixing- the ingredients for a fyllabub, and Emily and Mifs Bloomer fmging to them a favourite duet. ^' Come home, ladies, for God's fake! my mailer and miftrefs are both dead!'* — Thefe words had hardly iiTued from the mouth of this thoughtlefs girl, before the lovely fillers funk lifeleii on the ground, and the fympathizing Se- linawas in a flate little lefs pitia- ble, from her fruitlefs endeavours to yield them confolation. It was then that the worthy Aubrey felt all the force of his attachment to this amiable family. In terms more fevere than he ever before was heard to fpeak, he commanded the Memoirs of Emily VVesterook. 77 the girl to depart, and by haftening Jiis fervant with the carriage, make fome amends for the cruel error ilie- had committed. He then applied himfelf to the recovery of the two lovely girls, who ftill con- tinued fenfelefs ; and foothing them alternately, on their return to rea- fon, with the ftrongeft aflurances of his friendihip and proteftion, he endeavoured to reconcile them to the irremediable misfortune which providence had permitted as a trial of their fortitude. He endeavoured not to reftrain their tears, (which after their recovery- fell in copious fhowers) confcious. that mef fooner fubfides from in- o -dulgence than reftraint^ but lifting them tenderly into the carriage, ordered his man to drive fwiftly to E 3 the 78 The Vale of Glendor ; or, the farm, that they might be better informed of the particulars of the dreadful tale they had heard. Judge how great an alleviation to their grief, on defcendin^ from -the carriage, to find themfelves in the arms of a beloved father whom they believed no more! but his mournful features convinced them they had no fuch bleffmg to expecfk on the part of their valuable mo- ther. In broken accents, blended with deep-drawn fighs, he related to them the manner in which his dear Louifa had breathed her laft; and taking a hand of each, led them, in lilent forrow, to the apartment which contained the remains of their lamented parent. This unexpeded lofs' was long and Memoirs OK Emily Westbrook. 79 ^nd feverely felt by both Louiia and Emily ; nor could all the ten- dernefs of their father, nor the equally -paternal attentions of Mr. Aubrey, compenlate for thofe ma- ternal cares they had daily experi- enced from the beil of mothers : from whom even reproof was blend- ed with affeftion, and her moil rigid commands communicated in a manner which rendered obedi- ence a pleafure. She united in one, the friend, companion, and the mother ; and while flie aimed at the inftrudiion of her children, was equally attentive to their a- mufement and felicity. After her deceafe, the manage- ment of the family chiefly devolved upon Louifa, and helped in a great meafure to detach her attention E 4 from to The Vale of Glendor; or, from thofe gloomy ideas which were almoft too powerful for her naturally- delicate conftitution. Her fifler (as was her cuftom in all maladies of the mind) flew to mufic as her relief 3 but even the native livelinefs of her difpofition did not, for many months, difplay itfelf as formerly. The ill health of their father, who appeared to be haftening apace after the departed partner of his heart, helped, in a great degree, to retard the recoveiy of their fpirits : and though an event, to which the unthinking Emily had fome time, pafl looked forward without a pang (fo predominant was the power of ambition over her mind) (he now felt the greateil diftrefs imaginable, on feeing her- fdf Memoirs OF Emily Westbrook. Si felf on the eve of becoming an orphan ; and even her reliance on the protedion of the generous Aubrey prevented hen not from confidering herfelf wretched. The recent death of her mother had, fully convinced her of the inftabi- lity of human felicity j and that the friend, in whom to day was, centered all her hopes, to morrow might be no more. She perceived, v/ith concern, that happinefs is a fleeting phantom which we purfue with eager {bsps, and when we think wt have reached it, and aim; to get it in our power, it fuddenly eludes our grafp, flies oiF, and leaves behind it pain and difap- pointment. The marriage of Sir William Bloomer, which happened a few E 5 weeks §2 The Vale OF Glendor J or, weeks after the death of Mrs. Weft- brook, prevented Louifaand Emily from enjoying the company of his filler, which, otherwife, would have been a moft foo thing allevia- tion to their forrows : but cuftom, and that refpe2ry expreffive feature, where was the wonder ihc gained admiration ? The fortune and rank of Lady Bloomer Memoirs of EmilyWestbrook'. 131 Bloomer procured her a welcome admiffion into the politeft circles ; and, as her friend, the reception of Emily was equally flattering. Nu- merous were the admirers her charms attradlcd, but none whofe^ profeffions of efteem fo truly ori- ginated from the heart as thofe of Mr, Medway, a young gentleman of an eafy fortune and unexcep- tionable manners. Had he pof- feffed- a title, and its glittering ap- pendages, probably no one would- have been a more fuccefsful candid- date for the aifedtions of Emily Weftbrook. For though an en- couragement of his addreffes would have been entirely deftrucltive of thofe ambitious wiihes fhe fa warmly cheriflied, yet could flae not help fecretly acknowledging,. G 6 that- 132 The Vale of Glendor; or, that he was by far the moft agree- able man fhe had ever before con- verfed with : but pride armed her heart againft the attacks of love. And as flie was too generous to encourage a paffion fhe meant not to return, fhe carefully avoided all opportunities of entertaining him alone. The referve with which fhe treated him did not in the leaft damp the progrefs of his affec- tions, and he was determined to hope, even againft hope itfelf, till a vifible preference of fome other object entirely crufhed the delu- five phantom. From his long efta- blifhed friendfhip with Sir Wil- liam, hchad at all times free ac- cefs to every part of the family : yet he did not take advantage of this Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 133 this familiarity to intrude him- felf on the prefence of Mifs Weft- brook, but at thofe times when he had no reafon to think his com- pany would be difagreeable ; but by being a conftant viliter, had opportunities of difcovering her peculiar foibles, as well as of con- templating thofe innumerable at- tracSions which had fo powerfully enflaved his heart. Among the former, it pained him to obferve that the love of play became too prevalent; and confcious of the numerous evils which lurk around the fair addifted to that pernicious pra have been excufed from joining in any of thofe amufemcnts which helped to fill the hours of her dif- lipated friend, but in which (he was now more than ufually preff- ed to participate. For the max- im of her ladylliip w^as to oppofe every propeniion to melancholy, by oiixing perpetually in a croud: and though fo near her lying- in, fhe could not be eafy a mo- ment, unlefs fhe was furrounded by a multitude; nor be contented to pafs a fingle evening alone, tho' the fatigue of dreffing left her too languid and fpiritlefs to partake of the pleafures going forward among the company. As Lady Bloomer could not re- turn the numerous vifits of her friends, Emily was deputed to that honour. Memoirs OP Emily Westerock. !5r Bonour. On thofe occalions flie was frequently accompanied by the Baronet, who began to oppofe her incHnations of flaying fo much at home : and when he. wiflied her to partake of any public amufement, would prefume to look diilatisfied and out of humour at her refufaL Lady Bloomer was too much a wo- man of the world to be pained by the vifible preference he gave to the company of her friend. Vanity fecured her from the pangs of jea- loufy; and in thofe little altercati- ons juft mentioned, flie was furc ever to take Sir William's fide, fo that poor Emily v/as left without the power of refufal^ and frequent- ly, when ihe would have preferred paffing the evening at home, wa3 conftralned, out of complaifance to H a, their 152, The Vale of Glendor ; or, their entreaties, to mix with the giddy throng. What be-fore was productive of pleafure, now became afoLirce of difguft. Nor could the artful attentions of the Baronet to divert her, draw off her reflexions from the fubjed: of all others moil painful to her heart — and that was the debt fhe had contrafted at the card-table, v^ithout the leaft prof- pe(ft of ever having it in her power to difcharge. She had not the moil diftant idea of Sir William's de- figns upon her honour ; for fo ac- cuilomed was ihe to general admi- ration, that his well-timed com- pliments appeared only the refult of that good-breeding which per- mitted him not to overlook merit fo obvious to others. The poifon of adulation had funk deep into her ICTemoirs of Emily Westbrook? 15.3; her mind: fhe looked upon it as^ her due, and received every proof of it without any degree of emo- tion. From one objed: only could it have produced different effects—* and he never flattered. — That ob- jeft was Med way. She however was ignorant of his power, or was £0 blinded by ambition, that ihe- was unwilling to acknowledge even to herfelf, the pleafure ihe took iih his good opinion.. Sir William endeavoured, by numberlefs little ftratagems, to dif- cover whether there was any pro- bability of fuccefs if he threw off the mafk of friendfliip, and open- ly avowed himfelf her lover ^ btit they were all ineffectual, as the redlitude of her own heart permit- ted her not to fufped: the duplicity '.;*; H 5 of 154 I'he Vale of Glendor; or, of his. Without any marks of dif- pleafure, fhe had often permitted him to take a thoufand little romp- ing liberties, which from another would have roufed her pride ; but: as thofe liberties were generally ta- ken in the prefence of his lady, they always excited b^r mirth, rather than her refentment.. He never had attempted a iimilar freedom in private, or made the leaft difco- very of his paffion, till one even- ing, in returning from the opera, when the peculiar penfive humour in which fhe appeared, and the fym- pathetic feelings flie betrayed for rfie Heroine of the piece aiding her natural charms, rendered her fo ir- refiftibly bewitching, that he could no longer ftifle the fmothered flame; but at the rifk of every fu- ture AIemois of Emily Westbrook. 155 tiire h6pe of happinefs, determined to avow it, and truft to fortune for his fuccefs. Jufl: as he had formed this refo-.- lution, the carriage flopped, and when he handed her to the drawing- room (Lady Bloomer having retired . early to herapartment) there was no one prefent to prevent the difco— very he intended to make. Finding her ladyfhip indifpofed^ Emily was immediately preparing to follow her to her chamber, when Sir William entreated fhe v/ould not leave him, as he had fomething, he faid, of the utmoft confequenceta difclofe to her; and little fufpedl- ing the nature of it, ilie compla- cently re-feated herfelf. The moft abandoned libertines are not unfufceptible of that awe^ II 6 which 156 The Vale of Glendor; or, which virtuous beauty generally infpires. Hitherto Sir William had preferved the external appear- ance of a difinterefted friend ; and though a votary to diffipation and pleafure, no part of his condudt to Lady Bloomer contradicted the opi- nion Emily had adopted of his be- ing a moft exemplary hulband. To fhew himfelf all at once a de- figning villain, would be totally deflruClive of his plan^ Even his former fucceffes with the fex pre- vented him not from feeling at this moment that confcious mean- ness which ever accompanies a dif- honourable intention. He fat for fome moments in filent llupor, me- ditating on the means of difcloiing his lawlefs paffion, without ha- zarding the immediate lofs of her elleem ; MEMOIRS OF Emily Westbrook. 157 efteem^ when, aftonifhed at his fi- lence, ilie requefled to be acquaint- ed with the nature of the fecret he had mentioned. A lucky thought occurred, and with it the recovery of his fpeech and fpirits. Begging pardon for his abfence of mind, he told her he was refledling on the haplefs fituation of the man who loved aa amiable objecTtj yet, from his mas- trimonial engagements, was pre- cluded from even the confolation of difcovering the paffion which, confumed him. ** And, for goodnefs fake. Sir William (replied Emily with her ufual fprightlinefs) what could give rife to fuch a ftrange reflection ? Is the portrait ideal, or is it to be found in any living charader of ' your 258 The Vale OF Glekd-or ; or, your acquaintance, who may have made you the confidant of his folly ? For folly^ at beft, it muft be to indulge a pafTion that of courfe muft be hopelefs, if the ob- jedl of it be really amiable. Is it Sir Cecil Mowbray, Lord Palmer— fon, or which other of your con- vivial friends is it who is in this- pitiable {ituation ? And for fear the fecret fhould die for want of circulation, you are going to tranf- fer it to a woman, for I imagine this to be only a prologue to the grand difcovery for which yoU: now detain me. — Come^ be brief ^ you have juft excited in me a fuffi- cient fliare of curiofity to make me wifli to be acquainted with the names of the parties : but do not enjoin me to fecrefy ; for nothing. you Memoirs of Emily Westerook. 159 you know, is fo great an incentive to babbling/* ** Did you ever feel that paf- fion, madam,- which you treat fa lightly?" '' Never^ Sir William. — Bur why do you propofe a queftion^ inftead of anfwering one ? To be qualified for the chara(5ter of a con- fidant, is it neceffary I fhould have been in love ?'* " To feel properly for the diftrefs of another, it is certainly in fome de- gree neceflfary that we fhould have experienced fimilar woes^ I con- fefs I feel much for my poor friend, and would befpeak for him your pity alfo. He has long loved an amiable woman of your acquaint- ance, even before his marriage ; and nothing but that fenfe of honour which i.6o The Vale OF Glendor; or, which permitted him not to break through his prior engagements,, could have withheld him from offering her his hand, though much his inferior in rank and for- tune. He vainly flattered himfelf that time would conquer his un- fortunate partiality, but inflead of diminifhing, it feems to have re- ceived addition from reftraint, and nothing now can fave him from falling a vidlim to his paflTion, unlefs it meets with fome re- turn/' ** And of what avail can pof- fibly be my pity. Sir William ?'' — aflonifhed, and beginning to fu- fpedl he^'felf the perfon meant, though file had no idea that he was the hopelefs lover. '' He flattered himfelf, Mifs Emily Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. i6i Emily, that your influence with the lady would '* '' Would, what Sir ? He could not furely have the prefumption to think that I would plead the caufe of his diihonourable pafTion. Bet- ter he fall a vidlim, than the ob- ject of it fhould be mortified with the knowledge of having infpired fuch a guilty flame. If his nice fenfe of honour compelled him to fulfil his prior engagements at the expence of his happinefs, it furely ought to have withheld him from harbouring that pafl[ion after it be- came criminal. Such a man is defpicable in whatever rank or chara(5ler he exifls . Name the par- ties, and infl:ead of keeping your fecret, I will warn her againft his arts, and evermore fhun his fociety myfelf i62 The Vale of Glendor; or, myfelf, for daring to nourifh a hope of my becoming a pleader in fuch a guilty caufe. — Even you. Sir Wil- liam, have greatly forfeited my ef- teem, in fuppofmg I could be fuf- ceptible of pity for fuch an un- worthy objecft." *^ Is it then fo great a crime to love ? It is indeed plain you have never felt that paflion, my rigid little friend, or you would be fen- fible that it is an involuntarv one, and as fuch >truly pitiable." *^ I grant it. Sir, while combated with honour, I fhould pity the man who was fo unfortunate as to have conceived fuch a paffion while he had the refolution to confine it. within the limits of his own bo- fom j but the moment he attempted to communicate it to that of its ob-. Memoirs ok Emily Westbrook. 163 jc6t, he would be entitled only to my contempt : as he certainly muft either have a defign on her virtue or her peace -, and to have medita- ted the defl:ru amufing herfelf with va- rious Memoirs OF Emily Westbrook. i8i rious fantaflic figures, and the na- tural gaiety of her difpofition had led her into converfation with all who fought that happinefs. A ready fund of wit and fprightly genius, enabled her to repel the advances of thofe who were im- pertinent, and retain the agree- able, by an affability of manners which never forfook her, unlefs when offended : but the flighteft attack upon her delicacy, would at any time throw a damp upon her fpirits, and reftrain every effu- lion of gaiety for hours afterwards* In the courfe of the evening fhe was addreffed by many uncommon charadlers^ but one, whofe dif- guife fhe moft wifhed to peep un- der, was that of a Magician, who ihewed himfelf well acquainted with 1^2 The Vale of Glendor; or, with her characfler, and warned her of a ferpent lurking among the flowers which environed her fteps. His figure was tall and majeftic > a long flowing robe of fable, ftudded with eyes numerous as the planetary orbs, trailed upon the ground ; on his head hovered the bird of wifdom, and in his hand he waved a wand, at the ex- tremity of which was an eye lar- ger and more bright than thofe {hining on his garment, and which ferved as an emblematical expla- nation of the fcience he profefled. Before he addrefled the lovely Weflbrook, he thrice waved his wand in the air, tlien pointing it at her bofom, he, in a tone of voice, at once folcmn and refpedt- ful, uttered thefe words : *^ Hail Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 385 *' Hail fair daughter of beauty^ and of virtues as confpicuous as your charms, if the feeds of vani- ty and irrefolution do not rife up and choke them. The weeds of folly are rapid in their grov^th, it is not till they have fprung up and entangled themfelves v^ith the ro- fes of innocence, that we perceive their baneful influence, and then it is frequently too late to eradi- cate them. Permit one whofe hairs are filvered by experience, and on whom the powers have be- ftowed the gift of penetrating into the inmoft receffes of the human heart, to warn you of your dan- ger. Pleafure courts your conti- nuance in this diflipated town, but prudence bids you quit it. Al- ready has its allurements coft you many 1^4 The Vale OF Glendor ; or, many pangs of felf- reproach -, but^ after tafting of the cup of folly, you wifely threw it from your lips. Yet does the recolle(5lion empoifon your felicity ; for, to a delicate woman, nothing is more burthenfome than an obligation to one of the other fex, though he fhould even happen to be a mar- ried friend, who may poffibly lay no tax upon her gratitude/* Here the face of poor Emily glowed with confcious blufhes^ which, fortunately her maik con- cealed ; while the fage continued. ** But, in truth, fair virgin,, there exifts no fuch difinterefted charadler among the gay circle in which you move. Under the femblance of a friend, you will find a fpecious defigning villc^in, who Memoirs OK Emily Westbrook. 185 who eftimates your virtue at the price of your obligation, and who endea:vours to avail himfelf of your unfufpedling confidence in his ho- nour, to undermine your peace for ever. Already has the edged tongue of fcandal been buiied in uniting the name of a dignified li- bertine with yours, and pronoun- ced them a proper fubjedl for con- verfation in the palace of calum- ny. It remains therefore only with yourfelf, to contradict a re- port fo injurious to your faireft fame. Fly then, lovely maid, from his infedted roof. — The woman that deliberates is loft. Depend not on your own ftrength of refo- lution and innocence of heart, they are both infufficient to protecft you againft the wiles of an abandoned man. i86 The Vale uf Glendorj or, man. You have purchafed one fpe- cies of experience at the expence of felf repofe; but though cards loft their facinating power when the infatuation was moil: powerful, you may not find it fo eafy to withdraw your ajffedion^ from thofe delulive pleafb.res fo naturally attradlive to youth and beauty. The firft ftep to vice is diffipation ; and though a woman may not, in heart, have funk the fmalleft degree from her native purity, yet fhe who braves the united dangers of admiration and late hours, has only the re- fledlion of her own innocence to fupport her under the lofs of fame j for it is the cruel maxim of the world to judge of fafts not as they really are, but as they appear to be. The mildewing breath of flander Memoirs t»F Emily Westerook. 187 flander blafts the fairefl fame, and deflroys the bricjhtcft profpedls that can await on beauty. Under the patronage of an avowed de- bauchee, even the charadler of an angel muft be affailed ; and when he who jfhould ftand forth the champion of your honour, meanly feeks to undermine and deftroy it^ who but yourfelf can fave you from the impending evil ? Wha elfe is invefted with the power of fnatching you from deftrudtion ? Would to heaven that glorious tafk were mine ! But if my admo- nitions have the effedt I wiih, the end is anfwered ; further fervices from an old man would be offen- live. Farewel, beauteous maiden » the enemy is near. But before I leave you, fuffer me to make you the- i88 The Vale of Glendor ; or, the only return the fates permit me for the complacency with which you have attended to a dif- courfe, fo contrafted to that with which our fex are wont to enter- tain yours." Having faid this, he prefented his fair hearer with a folded paper, and inftantly mixed among the giddy throng ; leaving her all aftonifliment at his uncommon penetration, and more fo to think who he could be, and how it was poffible he fhould have attained fuch knowledge of her affairs. Imagining that the paper left her muft contain an explanation, cu- riofity prompted her to retire to a fide-board, in order to infped it, before flie rejoined her party; but hov^ was her furprife encreafed, to find Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 289 find it contained notes to the amount of three hundred pounds ! on the cover of which were writ- ten thefe words : *' Sent by the hands of Merlin, ** to pay a debt of honour, and re- *^ move every impediment to the '* flight of innocence, from the ** maniions of vice and folly/' Emily had hardly time to thruft the paper into her pocket, before fhe was joined by Lady Palmer- fon, who complained loudly of her having deferted them to liflen to the rigid admonitions of an old Cynic, whom jfhe declared was a nuifance to all happy focieties from his infufferable bluntnefs. " He has been telling us fuch an abundance of uncoi>th truths, my dear Emily, that he has almoft perfua- 190 The Vale of Glendor; or, perfuaded fome of the young dam- fels around him to believe, that there is really a fm in beauty. But what has he been telling you ? Methinks he entertained you a monftrous time!'' *' Truths of the fame nature," replied Emily. — *' I wifh from my heart we could difcover who he is.'* ^* It is a difcovery that I believe would afford very little fatisfac- tion," replied her ladyfhip, **if his perfon fhould prove to be of a piece with his opinions. Yet I don't think him an enemy to beauty nei- ther, though he pretends to declaim againll it ; for I did not perceive that he wafted his attentions on any but thofe whofe exterior promifed a faultlefs face -, and to diveit fuch of Memoirs of Emily Westbfiook. 191 of vanity, he will find a tall<: arduous as that of the nymphs, who are faid to be eternally drawing water in leaky veflels." Juft at the conclufion of this fen- tence, they were interrupted by the unexpected appearance of Sir Wil- liam Bloomer, who, without the leaft intimidation from the recent repulfe he had met with, exprefl- ed himfelf much furprifed that Mifs Weftbrook jfhould go to any place of public amufement with- out a protedtor, and even prefumed to blame Lady Palmerfon for per- fuading her to fuch a ftep, as fhe could not but acknowledge it very cenfurable as well as unfafe. *' A very little perfuafion was ne- ceflary," replied her lady fliip. '^Af- ter being cooped up two or three weeks 192 The Vale of Glendor; or, weeks in a fick chamber, without any fociety but a female friend, and a male animal whofe conjugal at- tachment had transformed him into a ilurfe;- — why you, even now," continued fhe laughing, *^ have fo much of the old woman about you, that it is hardly fafe to admit you of our party for fear of incur- ring the ridicule of the company. Do go back again to the nurfery, and leave us to our own inventions. Mifs Weftbrook is in no danger, alTure yourfelf; ihe had nearly rufted all her lively talents by flay- ing continually at home, but to night they have acquired a new polifli by the multiplicity of ad- mirers fhe has enlifted in her train. Even the frozen heart of old Mer- "Jin has fallen a facriiice to her charms : Memoirs of Emily Westbrook: 193 charms : therefore do not wafte your precious time upon us, for Emily can never want a protedlor, while there are fo many unfhackled male creatures about her ; and be-^ fides, poor Lady Bloomer will be dying with the vapours in the ab- fence of her beloved. Emily, in fpite of all her endea- vours to avoid it, could not help laughing at her ladyfliip's raillery, while Sir William frowned, bit his lips, and exhibited the moft ftrik- ing pidture of anger and difcon- tent. He thought Emily had cer- tainly betrayed him ; but in that he was miftaken, for (he had too much prudence to make a confi- dant of one fo volatile : but Lady Palmerfon was, neverthelefs, pof- fefled of a fufiicient fliare of dif. VOL. i^ K cern^ 194 The Vale OF Glendor ; or, cernment and knowledge of the world, to guefs the true ftate of his mind, and had long fufpedted, that it was not merely conjugal tendernefs that attached him fo much to the fociety of his lady. Recovering from his confufion, he, however, retorted on her with equal gaiety, and added, that he doubted not the power of Mifs Weftbrook's charms, or indeed of her ladyfhip's, which flie had mo- deftly declined blending with thofe of her neighbour; but that was the very reafon it was improper they fhould come unattended to fuch a pla\:e as the Pantheon, as the character of both might fuffer from fuch a ftep ; and it afforded an excufe for every impertinent fop who Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 195 who was induced to offer his Ser- vices. " Had we in reality taken fuch a though tlefs ftep, I agree with you. Sir William," interrupted Eroily with much gravity; ** for there needs no imprudent incite- ments to urge the impertinence of a fex who are ready enough to offer it, though ever fo much difcou- raged; (the laft word fhe uttered with peculiar energy) but the fadt is, we are not here alone, for Lord Palmerfon, and ieveral other gen- tlemen and ladies arc of our party,. Your reproofs and admonitions may therefore be fpared till a fu- ture opportunity may make them neceffary. Buc as I think of revi- siting the Vale of Glendor, as foon as Lady Bloomer appears abroad, I K 2 trufl: 196 The Vale OF Glendor ; or, truft my charadler will no more become the public care, or my honour that of a private enemy.** The laft part of the fentence was not pronounced in the hearing of Lady Palmerfon, fhe having turn- ed from them to anfwer the fpiri- tual breathings of a grave quaker who addrefied her : but the former part of it was fufficient to convince her they were not on friendly terms -, and it eftablilhed her good opinion of Emily, and laid the ba- fis of their future friendfliip. For though fhe fell in with the follies of the world, and appeared one of the moil fafliionable votaries of gaiety and diffipation, fhe was, in reality, a valuable character, and afted more in compliance with the humour of her Lord, who was a fworn Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 197 fworn enemy to every fpecies of happinefs, but what centered in thofe diffipated pleafures, which left him neither leifure for reft, or for refledlion. As they were foon after joined by their party, no more particular con- verfation enfued. Merlin had fome time difappeared from the rooms, or he would not have efcaped the difcovery of Sir William ; but in another characfter he again intruded himfelf among them, and foon un- malked. It will, perhaps, be unne- ceflary to inform my readers, that Med way's knowledge of the Baro- net's paflion, and his own efteem for Mifs Weftbrook, had prompt- ed him to warn her of her danger under the before -mentioned dif- guife of Merlin ; but fo well had K 3 he J98 The Vale of Glendor; or, he fupported that charadler, and fo different did he appear in his pre- fent one, that Emily had not the leaft fufpicion of his being the ve- nerable fage whofe friendly admo- nitions were accompanied with fuch fubftantial proofs of iincerity as fhe had recently received ; fhe therefore converfed with him the remainder of the night with her accuftomed affability and fpright- linefs, which, had fhe fufpeded him to have been her late moni- tor, would have overwhelmed her with confuiion and reflraint. When the company feparated, (he returned in Lady Palmerfon's carriage; and Sir William having come in a hack and unattended, Mcdw^ay offered him a place in his chariot, and in the courfe of their drive BTemoirs of Emily Westbrook. 199 drive to Bcrkley-fquare (with a view of fathoming his intentions) complimented him on having re- covered his heart, of which his late attentions to Lady Bloomer, he faid, was a happy indication. ** If you think fo, Charles/' re* plied the Baronet, ^' you are con-. foundedly miftaken ; for by hea- vens it was never more enthralled; and the haughtinefs of the little gipfey, fince the difcovery of my attachment, wounds me more than all. She even talks of leaving us, as if the honour of her company was ours : and though near three hundred pounds in my debt (a fum I know fhe cannot command with- out the affiftance of old Aubrey, who would highly reprobate her imprudence) appears to have obli- K 4 terated leo The Vale of Glendor j or, terated the obligation from her me*- mory, and fuppoies I am fully in- demnified by having been a few months favoured with her fociety. I queftion whether the little de- mure prude her fifter would have had refolution to have adopted fuch a conduft, after receiving fo many proofs of attention from one who, without vanity, has hitherto fuc- ceeded with the capricious fex, even beyond his moft fanguine expediations. For after all, thele lively animated beauties, who feem to give you all the encouragement you could hope on a firft acquaint- ance, are more impregnable to the attacks of love, than thofe ferious doubting innocents, who flirink at our touch ; yet, if purfued with warmth, melt like yielding wax, and Memoirs of Emily Westerook. 201 and are deprived of every weapon to defend themfelves. When I have even fancied the fine features of Emily Weftbrook foftened in- to the mofl bewitching languifh- ments, on my treating her with the moft trifling familiarity, fhe has on a fudden affumed a coldnefs and dignity of manner, that would have petrified the moft daring lo- ver; and, on a iull difcovery of my wiflies, has never fince con- defcended to treat me with com- mon affability. — Revenge, glorious revenue, is glowing in my breaft^ I think fhe cannot determine feri- oufly on leaving us till fhe has wrote into the country for means of difcharging her debt of honour; which, from a fecret infpecftion of her letters, before they are fent to K J the 202 The Vale of GlendoRj or, the poft-office, I find to be a fub- jeft flie has never yet mentioned to her fifter : and before flie can have time to effect fuch a defign ( Ihould fhe intend it) I will take care to open a pit into which ihe ihall leap herfelf, and I will be ready to receive her at the bottom. I fhall tell you no more of my plan, Charles, as I know you are a con- fcientious dog, and might, in a fit of reflection, be tempted to turn knight-errant to fuccour a diflrefT- ed damfel. But though I afk not your aflTiflance in my amour with the lovely Weflbrook, I fliall rely on you to employ your fervices in comforting Lady Bloomer, who will be little able to fupport the double lofs of her friend and huf- band." " Should Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 2,03 ** Should fuch fervices be ne- ceffary/* replied Medway, *' you may depend on them ; but I flat- ter myfelf, your better reafon will point out to you the folly of fuch a plan as that you have meditated, as no fatisfaF Emily W£sTBRooK. 229 priety, flie endeavoured to anti- cipate with lefs regret. She was furpriibd at Med way's particular interrogatories concern- ing her mode of travelling, and the hour of fetting out, but fup- pofed it to refult from an intention of offering himfelf as her efcort, a compliment (he would have de- clined had it been propofed, as judging it inconfiftent with pro- priety ; but her furprife was equal (and her vanity rather piqued) to sfind that his queftions proceeded merely from curioiity ; for as foon as he had received the defired in- formation, he immediately began to difcourfe on other topics : but, before he took his leave, mention- ed an engagement which would prevent his having the happinefs »of feeing her again, and blended his 230 The Vale OF Glendor ; or, his farev/el with the iincereft wifhes for her happinefs and fafe arrival in the Vale of Glendor. Lady Bloomer had not been out fince her lying-in, or would have accompanied her the firft ftage of her journey, but infifled on her making ufe of her carriage fo far, and from thence fhe was to take a poft-chaife for the remainder of it. Their adieu was tender on both fides. Her Ladyfhip, though not the moft fenfible woman in the world, had many good qualities ; and her continual good humour compenfated for thofe of which flie was deficient. The natural attachment fhe ihewed for Mifs Wefl:brook, even on their earliefl acquaintance, entitled her to a large ihare of her eflieem ; and, at parting, infpired a fecret wifli of feeing Memoirs OF Emily Westerook. 231 feeing her more happy than it was poffible file fliould be for a conti- nuance, with a man of Sir Wil- liam's inconftant difpofition. The gloomy ideas which arofe on loUng iight of Berkley Square, accompanied our fair Heroine for feveral miles out of town ; but at length gave place to the more pleaiing ones of again embracing her dear Louifa, and thofe worthy friends who, her better reafon in- formed her, were deferving the firfl place in her heart; though her pafTion for gaiety and diffipation, had for a time rendered her infen- fible to the pure delights of friend- /hip, and permitted them to fill but a fmall fpace in her mind. While immerfed in thought, and perfectly inattentive to the fur- rounding 232 The Vale of Glendor; or, rounding profpedls, which afford- ed the moft pidturefque and pleaf- ing fcenes of bounding lambs crop- ping the tender herbage, hedges juft ihooting forth their infant buds, and every enUvening token of approaching Spring, her reflec- tions were difturbed by obferving two horfemen who feemed to aim at keeping up with her chaife; and from what £he could difcern of them at thediftance they were from her, their muffled appearance made her conjecture they were of that order of men who commit depredations on the public. A thoufand fears alarmed her tender bofom, but they diffipated in fome meafure, on perceiving that, even when oppor- tunity feemed moil to favour fuch an attack, they did not attempt to approach Memoirs OF Emily Westbrook. 233 approach the carriage, but flowly rode behind it: and when her firil alarms had fubfided, fhe conjectur- ed they were graziers going to fome country fair, and that they kept within fight of her, with a view of fafety to themfelves. She was the more confirmed in this fuggef- tion when, on fi:opping on the road to dine, fhe found they baited alfo, and appeared in the yard rea- dy to depart, when fhe was agaia ftepping into the chaife. . As fhe mufl unavoidably be near three days on the road, fhe thought it fafefl not to travel late in the evenings, efpecially as fhe did not obferve the travellers on the fecond day of her journey, and imagined they had taken a different route, M which 234 The Vale of Glendor ; or, which fhe was very forry for, as fhe began to think they were mu- tual fafeguards to each other ; and, after lofing fight of them, all her fears returned, and every tree ap- peared a robber. In her letter to her fifter fhe had marked the particular flages of her journey, to prevent their mif- fing her, if inclination fhould prompt them to haften the hour of meeting ; and this letter ferved as an inftrument to the machina- tions of the libertine Baronet, who failed not to make the bell advan- ;?, ta^e of the intelligence. &he had juft arrived at the place flie propofed fleeping at the fecond iii2;ht*, and was mufing over her coffee, when a poft chaife and four drove Memoirs of Emily Westbrook. 235 drove furiouily into the inn, out of which ftepped an elderly gentle- woman, and enquired if a young lady, of the name of Weftbrook, was yet arrived in her way to Glen- dor ? As no other lady was at that time in the houfe, ilie was imme- diately introduced to Emily, who arofe from her feat in much fur- prize at the appearance of a ftran- ger. But the fenfations of aflo- nifhment were foon fucceeded by thofe of grief, on learning that her father was at the point of death, and wiihed anxioufly to fee her before he left the world ; that to expedite her journey, Mr. Aubrey had fent his houfekeeper poft, with a provifion of re-lays on the road; and, if fhe wiflied to receive her 236 The Vale of Glendor; or, her parent's laft blefling, fhe muft flop only to refrefli herfelf, and fet forward with the greateft expedi- tion. End of the First Volume. E R R A 'T A. ¥sige 24 line 13, /or elegant, r^^^ elegance. 50. 10, /cr for, rea^ yet. 7^ 3, for her own held, rf^