firft 7fa.rr*Th*~ LI BHAR.Y OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 823 G8693b v.l THE BOSOM FRIEND. A NOVEL. BY THE AUTHOR OF THE GAMBLERS WIFE," "THE YOUNG PRIMA DONNA/ (fee, &C, , CHAPTER IX. H Oh that it were as it were wont to be ! When thy old friends of fire — all full of thee Fought against frowns with smiles, gave glorious chase T© persecutions, and against the face Of death, and fiercest dangers, durst with brave And sober pace, march on to meet a grave." Ckashaw. The occupants of the library, namely Mrs. Gordon, Giulia and Nice, did not at first look up from their several occupations, when Fran- cesca's light form sprang in among them ; but when the scanty remainder of light, which the THE BOSOM FRIEND. 133 waning evening had left to them, was obstructed by a dark body passing before the window, they raised their eyes, and with a start, not unmixed with alarm, beheld so unexpected, and, at first sight, appalling an intruder. i( Do not be frightened, Giulia !" exclaimed Francesca, a I thought he was a robber at first, but he is only Nice's uncle come to see her." Mrs. Gordon now bowed, and in a deep but musical voice, the stranger authenticated the statement, with apologies for his intrusion — whilst Nice, acting the part of an affectionate niece, better than on the preceding day — ad- vanced eagerly towards him, and then, as if overwhelmed by respectful awe, stood timidly gazing at her revered relative, who murmur- ing in a low voice, " Nice, la mia nipote !" laid his hand upon her head and blessed her — then turning to Mrs. Gordon, said, " May I also be allowed to greet the child of her, I once loved as a daughter, and who 134 THE BOSOM FRIEND. accorded me the love and reverence due to the holy and spiritual relationship in which I stood towards her ?" Receiving an assenting inclination from Mrs. Gordon, he performed the same part towards the Baroness, pronouncing, as he laid his hand upon her head, a fervent benediction. Then followed more minute explanations : he in- formed Mrs. Gordon that being obliged to visit England on matters of business, natural feelings had moved him with the desire of be- holding his young relative, and personally en- quiring after her welfare, both of soul and body. Time pressing— for he was soon to depart for Ireland — had made him venture to waive the ceremony of a letter to announce his arrival. Of course, whatever might have been her secret feelings, Mrs. Gordon considered that in the name of courtesy and hospitality, she could do no less than offer accommodation for the night to the stranger, who had come so THE BOSOM FRIEND 135 far to see his young relative, and also claimed the right of consideration as the friend of her nieces' parents — she therefore proposed despatching a servant to the village for his luggage. This plan was gratefully accepted. Mrs. Gordon then left the room, taking with her the two young de Crespignys, in order to allow Nice to have a private interview with her uncle. The good lady blamed herself for the inhospitable feelings which filled her mind; she felt that it rebelled against the idea of the priest, and she was angry with herself for the prejudice, which certainly had its origin in the religion of her guest. To give orders concerning the accommodation of the visiter, was now her next care, and the scene which consequently followed, was not much calculated to raise her spirits. Mrs. Gordon had repaired straightway to Mrs. Rivers, to inform her of the unexpected arrival, and although she had not looked for 136 THE BOSOM FRIEND. a very cordial reception of the intelligence, she was quite startled by the consternation into which the news plunged the old lady. Had she announced the entrance of a wolf within the walls of the hall, Mrs. Rivers could not have testified more unfeigned horror and alarm. A Roman Catholic priest al- lowed to sleep beneath the same roof! ad- mitted to familiar intercourse, with the two young children, upon whose danger she expa- tiated, in such mysterious terms of pity, and on whom she cast such looks of commiser- ation, that even Giulia turned pale, and Francesca, half crying, asked if " the tall, dark man were really a robber ?" " You view this matter, Mrs. Rivers, in too serious a light," Mrs. Gordon interposed, " I cannot foresee danger to any of us, from the mere circumstance of receiving, for one night, this person — it would not be creditable to us, as professors of Protestant charity, to turn away a stranger claiming right over our THE BOSOM FRIEND. 137 hospitality, solely because he happens to be a Roman Catholic priest — we must also re- member, that he is the uncle of la Signora Nice. " Oh, that girl !" ejaculated Mrs. Rivers, " I knew she would not fail to bring evil upon this house. Well !" she continued, turning to Mrs. Gordon, " may it be as you say — but can a wolf be admitted into a fold, or a serpent into a nest, and no harm be expected f n With an air of stern resignation, the old woman raised her ponderous Bible from its usual resting place on her window seat, and locked it within an oaken press, as if she already contemplated the hand of the priest, stretched forth to deprive her of its pos- session- Under her superintendence, soon after, one of the remotest, and somewhat of the most dilapidated apartments of the mansion was made ready for the unwelcome guest ; and, although the housemaid ventured a compas- 138 THE BOSOM FRIEND. sionate suggestion as to the dismal locality of the apartment — tradition having attached to it many a tale of ghosts and goblins, the housekeeper made no remark but a grim smile, which accompanied the inward desire, that all the spiritual inhabitants of the invisi- ble world, might rise that night to scare away the bloody Papist from its precincts. In the meanwhile, Mrs. Gordon had to return to the library, to play the part of the courteous hostess to the unconscious object of so much ill-will. Francesca, after all she had heard, carefully avoided, that evening, any close contact with one who seemed so suspicious a character ; whilst Giulia sat silently, but with earnest curiosity, observing this singular and sudden addition to their little circle. The priest, disencumbered of his hat and cloak, presented to the eye, a tall, strong, but meagre form, not destitute of a certain grace- ful dignity. His face was of a decided Italian THE BOSOM FRIEND. 139 cast, and the strongly marked expression of his countenance seemed scarcely in character with the air of benign gentleness now depicted upon it. The conversation of the Italian flowed on in a clear, easy vein, and assisted by the tones of a deep, and not unmusical voice, insensi- bly riveted the attention and interest. The subject of discourse was chiefly relative to his own country — its condition at that period — the beauties both of nature and art for which Italy was so renowned, interspersed with anecdotes of incident and adventure, many of an absorbing and exciting interest. At first, Fra Paolo addressed himself almost exclusively to Mrs. Gordon, but meeting once the serious eyes of Giulia riveted with eager attention upon his counte- nance, with a bland and encouraging smile, he began to direct his remarks to her as he continued to speak. At first, his attention seemed rather to 140 THE BOSOM FRIEND. discompose the shy girl, for she coloured violently at the idea of having thus attracted his attention ; till gradually, she forgot aught else in the interest with which his conversation inspired her, and sat with her gaze fastened on the dark, fascinating eyes which were fixed upon her — her pale cheeks flushing, her expression brightening, her breath suspended with almost painful interest. Mrs. Gordon had never before seen her niece under the impulse of such excitement, and marvelled at the effect produced upon the usually apathetic girl. But the new mood in which she beheld Giulia, rather annoyed than pleased her aunt, and she felt relieved when the usual hour arrived, and the two elder girls retired for the night — although it left her tete-a-tete with the dark-looking priest. The subject then turned on the late Lord and Lady de Crespigny, and, for the first time, Fra Paolo touched upon religious matters. THE BOSOM FRIEND. 141 He mentioned the doubt that was enter- tained, concerning their views at the time of their death. " And the daughters/' he enquired, " though baptized in the Roman Catholic faith, are they not educated as Protestants ?" Mrs. Gordon briefly assented, and feeling no desire to enter upon so delicate a subject, endeavoured to turn the conversation into a different channel. They spoke of Nice, and Mrs. Gordon enquired what were his views concerning her ? Fra Paolo spoke with gratitude of all the kindness which had been bestowed upon her, and requested that she might still be permitted to remain with them for a few years longer. " She would then," he added, " be of an age to take upon herself the vows of a convent life." On ascending to her bed-chamber, after seeing the priest set forth, escorted by a guide through the mazes of passages, leading to the 142 THE BCSOM FRIEND. spectral apartment Mrs. Eivers had fixed upon as his dormitory, Mrs. Gordon was surprised to find Giulia awaiting her arrival. She had come, she said, to request her aunt to endeavour to prevail on Fra Paolo to re- main for a few days, for poor Mce was quite unhappy, and was weeping at the idea of see- ing, but for so brief a moment, her only re- maining relative on earth — and whom she might never behold again. Giulia seemed completely to enter into this interesting feint of natural feeling, so strongly awakened in her friend's bosom, and with much animation told her tale. On Mrs. Gordon answering coldly, and with somewhat of hesitation to her pathetic appeal, she appeared hurt and even offended, and the aunt, unwilling to give the young girl pain, and thus appear unkind by refusing a request —which after all she could scarcely justify her- self in doing — jestingly reminding her of Mrs. Rivers' s indignation, she dismissed her to THE BOSOM FRIEND. 143 relieve the suspense of the affectionate niece by promising that Fra Paolo should receive an invitation to remain at Shirley Hall the following day. " You are very considerate, Signora, very kind," said the priest when they met the next morning, u and it is not for me to disregard the right and natural feelings of this young girl," and he passed his hand over the head of Nice, who with becoming eagerness for his reply was gazing upon him. " Her desire to see more of me, I can per- fectly imagine, and her feelings are in accord- ance with my own — besides the happiness it will be to me to enjoy your society, Signora, and that of the two children of my departed friends : to form their friendship is now the first wish of my heart," and he bent on Giulia a look of kind though serious interest. i{ There is much, no doubt, of curious re- search in this relic of the ancient habitations of the nobles of your land,'' the priest con- 144 THE BOSOM FRIEND. tinued to say, " and in its examination I shall be well pleased ; I will therefore gladly avail myself of your hospitable invitation." Mrs. Gordon received these courteous ex- pressions of readiness to accept her renewed invitation, with cold, resigned civility. She did not consider it necessary that her nieces should omit their usual studies on account of their guest, therefore left him with Nice, but in the afternoon, Lady de Crespigny and her sister joined them, and Fra Paolo escorted by the girls, set forth on a voyage of inspec- tion through the house, Mrs. Gordon promising to join them, when she had dispatched her letters of business. It was somewhat of a solemn little party, for the sanctimonious dignity of the priest's demeanour imposed a feeling of awe; and Giulia, as she walked by his side, breathlessly listened to every word that fell from his lips. Interesting indeed were the observations Fra Paolo made on every object worthy of remark THE BOSOM FRIEND, 145 that met his view. It seemed to the young girl as if an oracle had spoken, and it was at the same time with a thrill of gratification, that she marked with what condescending attention this man, famed for the deep learning which was conspicuous in every word he uttered, would listen, seemingly with approving consideration, to any communication or com- ment she timidly ventured to make. And then he would question her as to her pursuits — her tastes — expressing himself pleased and surprised, when he gradually discovered her taste for literature, and the extent to which it had been indulged.— Fra Paolo ended by re- questing that Lady de Crespigny would be his guide in examining the treasures of the library ; in short, Giulia's heart was soon beating fast with nervous exhilaration, at finding herself in so new a position. Fran- cesca flitted about as unheeded as would have been the butterfly in their path, whilst she, who had hitherto deemed herself the neglected, VOL. I. h 146 THE BOSOM FRIEND. was now receiving all the notice and considera- tion, which generally fell to the lot of her captivating little sister. They passed into the chapel — not the least interesting feature of the house ; al- though adapted as it had been to the rites of the Protestant service, it was supposed during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, still it bore every trace of its original character ; a window above the altar, bearing the remains — though much defaced by time — of rare workmanship, representing the Passion of our Saviour. A dilapidated confessional still remained, and though there was a small door leading out of the hall, by which the family generally entered, as well as one which led into the grounds, it had been so constructed, that the followers of their religion— mass having been at the period declared illegal — might disappear through different doors, leading to private staircases of the mansion. " And here then," exclaimed the priest, after THE BOSOM FRIEND. 147 reverently crossing himself, and bowing before the ancient altar piece, " here young lady," and he turned his eyes with a penetrating gaze on Giulia as she stood by his side, " on this sacred spot, your ancestors worshipped in the faith, which their descendants were tempted to forsake, but of which these remnants will stand a monument, till that day, when the wicked one, working in the strife of heresy and disobedience, shall be destroyed, and our Holy Mother the Church again shall have regained her dominion over the earth," and the priest raised his eyes and clasped his hands with an expression of decent and humble tri- umph, a sunbeam glancing through the stained glass, and shedding its gleam over his fine features. " Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and the abominations of the earth !" cried a stern voice, which seemed to proceed from over their heads. — All started, and raised their H 3 148 THE BOSOM FRIEND. eyes to the place whence the sound came. A withered face was seen for a moment, and then disappeared — a slight frown of surprise contracted for a moment the brow of the Italian, but Nice whispered to him a few words of explanation, and as if no such ir- reverent interruption had occurred, he con- tinued, but in a somewhat more suppressed tone. " I know not how it is, but as I stand in this once sanctified spot, something seems to whisper to my heart, that the time may not be far distant, when the holy ceremonies of our blessed faith may again be celebrated within these walls, and with clouds of fragrant incense rise to Heaven; the true priests in their gorgeous robes of holiness, chanting the praises of God and his saints, and the blessed virgin, and exalting the cross now abased and trampled under foot. I feel a joyful as- surance within me, that here, devout worship- pers, with eyes cleared from their blind dis- THE BOSOM FRIEND. 149 obedience, may once more bow down before that holy symbol, and worship it in spirit and in truth." "Thou shalt have none other Gods but me. Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, or the likeness of anything in heaven or earth. Thou shalt not bow down to them nor worship them." These words were uttered by another in- truding voice, but this time it was the sweet, childish, silvery tones of Francesca. Heedless of the strain of eloquence flowing from the lips of their reverend guest, her eyes had been accidentally attracted by the large, gold letters of the decalogue above her head, and she began conning in a child-like manner these unseason- able sentences. The little girl was soon silenced by a reproving look from her sister, but the Priest, with a mild, excusing glance at the young offender, proceeded to say, as he turned for a further examination of the edifice : 150 THE BOSOM FEIEND. " Perhaps I should have refrained from thus giving vent to the feelings with which this place irresistibly inspires me, hearing as I have done, that you and that young child have been imbued with tenets, with which my words would ill accord. But young lady," he continued, lowering his voice to an expressive whisper, and fixing his eyes sadly on her face, "it is difficult for me to realize to my mind, the, to me, —forgive me for so saying, — melan- choly fact, that the children of her, who was to me knit in the closest bonds of spiritual rela- tionship, whom I baptized a member of the Homan Catholic Church, have been led from its holy faith, into one which the testimony of Scripture, the Holy Fathers, and all the Mar- tyred Saints of old have denounced as heretical — damnable — separated from the communion of Blessed spirits — and from the hope of Heaven." Fra Paolo paused, and Giulia, overcome by THE BOSOM FRIEND. 151 this solemn speech, and the awful look which accompanied it, trembled and turned pale. At this moment Mrs. Gordon joined the party, and the priest leaving the Baroness to pon- der over his words, left her to meet the aunt. 152 THE BOSOM FRIEND. CHAPTER X. Resolved to sail the flood — to tread the fire That's nought — to quench all natural compunction, To know nor right nor wrong, nor crime nor virtue, But as subservient to Rome's cause and Heaven's — I have schooled my haughty soul to subtlest craft, I've strung my tender heait to bloodiest havoc, And stand prepared to wear the martyr's flames Like nuptial robes ; far worse, to drag to the stake, My friend, the brother of my soul — if thus I sear the Hydra's heads of heresy. MlLMAN. Mrs. Gordon, during her long residence in Scotland, might unconsciously have imbibed rather a bearing towards the principles of simplicity and informality peculiar to its THE BOSOM FRIEND. 153 church— but this feeling she in no way allowed to interfere with the duty she felt was incum- bent on her — that of inculcating on her young nieces' minds, a dutiful allegiance to the es- tablished church of England ; and it was her ardent desire to train them up as devout fol- lowers of its pure and evangelical doctrines. With the religion of the young de Cres- pignys, it had been very much the same as with other points of their education ; at least since their residence in England. Any occa- sional instruction Giulia might have gained, had been derived from a governess, not very well qualified for the task. This and her Sunday attendance in the chapel were the only religious advantages she had ever received, for the rest she was left to form her own spiritual character. But we have already trespassed so much upon the reader's patience, pausing upon subjects of a nature which may be considered too grave for a novel, that we will no longer h3 154 THE BOSOM FRIEND. tarry, but merely briefly say, that it was with heartfelt satisfaction Mrs. Gordon per- ceived her niece's character softening under the influence of the new and lovely view, which she endeavoured to present to her mind, of redeeming love and mercy opening before her ; though it seemed a more difficult task to quicken long unawakened feelings of religion in Giulia's mind, than in that of her little sister, on whose young heart, no princi- ples had yet been inculcated, save those of love to all created things. In Giulia's thoughtful, serious mind, her aunt imagined she could perceive indications of a willingness, perhaps almost approaching to weakness, to be led by those who inspired her with confidence. Her seeming want of all self-esteem was also a characteristic peculiarly calculated for the reception of reli- gious sentiments, which, when once received, would form the bias of her future character. It may then be easily imagined how deeply THE BOSOM FRIEND. 155 anxious Mrs. Gordon must have been upon the subject, how jealous over every impression — every effort, which might be likely to disturb the present improved state of the young girl's mind. It was not without many misgiv- ings that she noticed the absorbed attention, with which Giulia listened to the conversation of the priest — and it soon became but too evi- dent that his words impressed her with awe and admiration. Truly subtle was the discourse of this wily Jesuit ; for whilst every word that issued from his lips, tended to exalt the religion he professed, his words were veiled under a mask of humility — of toleration — which rendered it difficult either to refute or even to take um- brage at their open avowal. The fears of Mrs. Gordon would have been more vividly awakened, had she been aware that Giulia that night sat up for hours after retiring to her apartment, perusing a 156 THE BOSOM FRIEND. book she had found, amongst some curiously illumined missals and other presents Nice had received from her uncle. In the book which had now fallen into her hands, the Baroness found doctrines supported by the most subtle arguments, to which Scrip- ture was adapted, in a manner most startling to the young and unwary, by which the Pro- testant religion was debased, and Popery transformed into truth. On retiring to rest, her mind excited by what she had read, Giulia's dreams were full of the gifted and spiritual man, who had so strangely dropped down, as it were, from the skies amongst them, to break the dull monotony of their ex- istence. She saw him in the visions of her sleep, standing, as he had done the previous day in the old chapel, like some inspired saint of old, predicting the restoration of a worship, whose solemn grandeur she had witnessed during her early childhood in the beautiful churches of THE BOSOM FRIEND. 157 Italy. Their remembrance now came dimly back to her mind, like some dream of un- earthly glory. The timid reserve the young girl displayed in the presence of Fra Paolo when next they met, was not caused so much by her usual feeling of inability to join with ease in conversation, and hopelessness of af- fording pleasure to others, as from the rever- ential awe of one, who, in the presence of a superior being, listens with breathless atten- tion to every word that falls from his lips — who scarce knew whether it was pleasure or pain which caused her heart to beat so tumultu- ously when his words were condescendingly addressed to her, whilst those deep, searching eyes were fixed upon her face, as if they would penetrate into her inmost soul. And then on the following Sunday, which was the third day from the priest's arrival, when she listened to the pure but unexciting language of our liturgy — read, it must be con- 158 THE BOSOM FRIEND. fessed, not impressively by the voice of the fat chaplain — the service did appear to her, cold and wearisome, and during the excellent dis- course, (for it was not his own), which fol- lowed, far from attempting to glean anything from what was delivered by that unmusical voice, it only sent her thoughts wandering to the delight of sitting in that same chapel, listening to the solemn strains of eloquent edification, emanating from the lips of the saintly Fra Paolo. Our readers must remember that Giulia was but a girl of fifteen, possessing the phrenological developments of Veneration and Marvellousness to a great extent, combined however with no firmness —less of self-esteem, but a large organ of love of approbativeness. Alas! it must be confessed, that to this feeling, might be traced the priest's chief at- traction in her eyes, for had not the friendly Nice taken care to pour into the amazed ears THE BOSOM FRIEND. 159 of the Baroness the most nattering communi- cations, as to the favourable opinion with which she had impressed her reverend uncle, both with regard to her talents and the excellence of her disposition? the flattering unction applied with a dexterity shewing completely the clever knowledge the girl had acquired, of every vulnerable point of her friend's character, which did not fail to aid considera- bly, in exalting the great magician, whose art had, as it were, removed from her eyes the scales of conscious inferiority which had hi- therto so painfully preyed upon her mind. We all know well the weakness of human nature, how hard it is for the greatest, and noblest — even the most experienced in the sweets of its charmed cup, to resist the fas- cinations of flattery ! and to the weak novice, what an intoxicating, what a bewildering drug does it become ! Under the influence of its fascination evil may assume the garb of good — and good of evil. 160 THE BOSOM FRIEND. Already Mrs. Gordon began to perceive some indications of a contrary power being set to work, to counteract the gentler, judicious sway she had gradually been acquiring over her niece's mind and affections. There was a more careless consideration of her counsel and opinions, almost approaching at times to impatient disregard — reserve and unwillingness to converse with the confi- dence and openness she had before began to assume in her intercourse with her aunt — seeming to take less pleasure in her society, and evincing a suspicious tenacity, not now confined to all that regarded herself, but ex- tending to every point connected with the priest and his niece. Mrs. Gordon began to feel alarmed, and could enter fully into Mrs. Elvers' meaning, when she expatiated on the serpent- like nature of a Roman Catholic priest, as she noted the strange influence which his presence seemed to have produced on the mind of the young Baroness. THE BOSOM FRIEND. 161 As to religious impressions, the anxious aunt trusted that by her watchfulness she had prevented the possibility of any deleterious poison being infused into the young mind of her niece during the short period of Fra Paolo's stay at Shirley. She was too little an adept in the wiles of the evil one, to understand how speedily, and craftily, the designing can ac- complish their purposes — she saw not the acute, delicate train of design, and well- adapted opportunities, ingeniously contrived to wind round the heart of the unwary Giulia. Yet the Jesuit never for one moment imagined, that it was not the straight path of duty that he was treading. The business of his life was to extend the power and strength of the church to whose service he was bound, the accomplishment of this end being the point, not the means by which it was brought about. If the stake even had been requisite for the attainment of his 162 THE BOSOM FRIEND. purpose, he would not have scrupled to grasp even at that violent method, of obtaining a proselyte ; hence the simple manner, in which he was now carrying out his purpose, little troubled his con- science. Mrs. Gordon had invited Dr. Manvers, the chaplain, to remain the Sunday after the service, and dine and sleep at the Hall. She trusted it was the last night of the Priest's stay, for she had lost no opportunity of making it apparent that this was her expectation. The events of the evening, however, were of a nature to cause her much regret, that she had, unfortunately, added another guest to the party. After affording a strange contrast in out- ward spirituality and intellect to his Catholic rival, both in deportment and conversation, the Doctor, excited by the exhilarating effects of a good dinner — injudiciously, in the THE BOSOM FRIEND. 163 presence of the girls, commenced a contro- versy on the superior merits of the Protes- tant religion over that of the Roman Catho- lic. This was the most favorable moment for Fra Paolo's triumph — Calmly, with all the ease and moderation of conscious superiority, the Priest met, and answered the arguments started by the chaplain in defence of Protes- tantism — but which, even had he possessed the ability, the good Doctor was not in a sufficiently clear state of mind, at that moment, to defend, with any strength of rea- soning ; and when Mrs. Gordon, although she would fain have allowed the subject to drop, — yet indignant at the idea of allowing the enemy to carry very thing before him — inter- posed her gentle, but firm voice, bringing forward as the only sure testimony, the word of God — which no wisdom of man can gain- say — she felt herself bewildered into silence, by the consummate skill of her opponent. 164 THE BOSOM FRIEND. She had not before imagined, that such an effect could have been produced by human power, as that which she now experienced. It seemed as if she were holding communion with Satan himself, robed as an angel of light ; the transparent drapery of his thoughts, revealing his hideous mind, but baffling her endeavours to rend even the frail covering asunder. Such distortion of truth, such gild- ing of gross falsehood, she had never before encountered. What effect might it not then produce on the unsuspecting Giulia? Mrs. Gordon watched her, seated, breathlessly drinking in every word which fell from the lips of the crafty Jesuit. She saw the young girl occasionally turn her distended eyes upon herself, and then upon the chaplain, as if anxious to ascertain, whether they were able to gainsay any of the statements that were so forcibly started, and delivered with the boldness which generally characterizes truth. THE BOSOM FRIEND. 1 165 As a strange and unfortunate contrast, be- fore her sat the Protestant divine with open mouth and eyes, attempting every now and then some common-place remark, very little to the purpose. Giulia saw that her aunt looked pale and agitated. "What must be the impression that these words were making on her feelings ?" was the thought which filled her mind, and Mrs. Gor- don read perfectly what was passing within it. She could endure it no longer ; rising from her seat, in a tremulous, but determined voice, she said, " Sir ! however brilliant may be your powers of eloquence and argument, let me request you to spare us the pain of hearing it used, in support of statements which you know are considered contrary to the most sacred truths of Scripture. Giulia, it is time to retire to bed." 166 THE BOSOM FRIEND. Giulia obeyed the summons, and, followed by Nice, left the library. The thin lips of the Priest moved with a smile of significance as his eyes followed them to the door, after both the girls had received his parting benediction. He conversed no more, but on indifferent subjects. On taking leave of Mrs. Gordon for the night, Fra Paolo made no mention of his intention of departing on the following morning. Uneasy and perplexed, Mrs. Gor- don mentioned to the chaplain before retiring, her disinclination to be left any longer alone, to cope with the dangerous individual, whose invidious character gradually began to unfold itself. Doctor Manvers good-naturedly pro- mised not to leave the Hall till the priest's departure had taken place ; and, as Mrs. Gordon had written to Mr. Hamilton the day after his arrival, his answer, she hoped, would contain instructions as to her future conduct. THE BOSOM FRIEND. 167 With her mind filled with cares, Mrs. Gordon found herself alone in the solitude of her gloomy chamber. The sombre character of the mind diffuses a darker hue to e very- surrounding object ; and never since her re- sidence at the Hall had her spirit so yearned for the peaceful home she had left. Her little mountain dwelling ! where every day was passed in the fulfilment of easy and pleasant duties — so unlike the stern, the heavy responsibilities which she had passively allowed to be laid upon her. Much meditation, and many prayers were needed, to bring the disturbed mind of the excellent woman into its usual state of sub- missive calmness ; but soon the resignation and firmness which she had never yet sought in vain, returned to her disturbed heart. She remembered her position as the sole remaining protectress of her orphan nieces, and she be- came herself again. The whole household were apparently hushed 168 THE BOSOM FRIEND. in the profound stillness of sleep, and the deep-toned stable clock had chimed the first hour of morning, when the stillness of night was interrupted by the sound of carriage wheels, followed by a sub- dued peal of the hall bell. THE BOSOM FRIEND- 1-6-9 CHAPTER XII. What, have you let the false enchanter 'scape ? O, ye mistook, ye should have snatched his wand, And bound him fast. Comds. Mrs. Gordon trusted this late arrival would prove no other than Mr. Hamilton — nor was she disappointed. In a short time, a stealthy footstep was heard approaching her door, which she had half opened to ascertain what was going forward. It was a servant sent to VOL. I. I 170 THE BOSOM FRIEND. announce that Mr. Hamilton was below, and, if possible, would wish to speak to her in the library. Sending a message to say that she would immediately be with him, Mrs. Gordon com- menced preparing for that purpose, and was soon passing through the silent house — the stillness of whose gloomy walls had scarcely been interrupted by the recent arrival ; so noise- lessly had it been accomplished. On entering the library, Mrs. Gordon found Mr. Hamilton standing with his back to the hastily re-kindled fire. He advanced to meet her with extended hands, say- ing— " My dear madam, nothing but business of grave importance, would have induced me thus to take the liberty of disturbing you at this unseasonable hour ; but I have something to communicate which will, no doubt, astonish you — namely, that in your Italian guest, we have strong suspicions you have been en- THE BOSOM FRIEND, 17 1 iertaining, unawares, not an angel, but a very questionable personage ; one of whom, this gentleman and myself have come to rid you. Mr. Hamilton whilst thus speaking, directed Mrs. Gordon's attention towards a stranger, who, in the large, dimly lighted apartment, she had not at first discerned. " My dear sir," she exclaimed, " I am much relieved by your very timely arrival — for, I can assure you, I was beginning to be very anxious for such a riddance ; inasmuch, that I began to suspect that I had, unintentionally, admitted a wolf in sheep's clothing, according to Mrs. Rivers's sagacious prophecy." Mr. Hamilton's eager enquiry into the meaning of this speech, was accompanied by an equally inquisitorial look from the other gentleman. " I allude," Mrs. Gordon continued, " to the influence which Fra Paolo was evidently i 3 172 THE BOSOM FRIENIX. striving to acquire over the mind of my niece, Lady De Crespigny ; and which, with his great talents and seeming sanctity, would prove no difficult matter, were he suffered to remain much longer in her society." " What ! do you mean, madam," exclaimed the stranger, angrily, " that the Italian scoun- drel has been endeavouring to draw the young lady into his plot ?" " No ! my good friend," interposed Mr. Hamilton, smiling at the mystified expression of Mrs. Gordon's countenance ; " But, is it possible," he continued, turning to the lady, " that this crafty knave has been attempting to stir up the Popish blood of our little Baroness, to add to his other offences ? That would, indeed be the devil to pay — but he shall soon answer for all this." Mr. Hamilton then proceeded to inform Mrs. Gordon, that before the receipt of her let- ter, a warrant had been issued for the arrest of a THE BOSOM FRIEND. 173 party of Jesuits, who — having slipped into the country amongst the herds of emigrants who flocked at this time, to the only quiet spot in Europe — had been discovered to be the vehicle of secret communications held with foreign and inimical powers, besides creating much intestine confusion in their private en- deavours to extend their religion ; one or two of these spies, however, could only be identi- fied. The description given by Mrs. Gordon of the priest, in all but his name, agreed so completely with that of the person who had made himself the most notorious of the party, that Mr. Hamilton had lost no time in setting off, accompanied by a magistrate and officers — now in the house — in order to arrest the suspected person. Mrs. Gordon was shocked at what she now heard ; it pained her kind heart to think that one whom she had received into the house, and upon whom she had exercised the rights of hospitality, should thus be taken, as it were 174 THE BOSOM FRIEND, in a snare, under the roof which had afforded him shelter. She likewise felt that it was still more distressing, when Fra Paolo's near rela- tionship to Nice was remembered — the girl who had so long formed one of their little party ! The magistrate, however, did not at all enter into her scruples— as well might a hound have been expected to feel any desire to spare the hare that he was hunting — and Mr. Hamil- ton fully entering into the prejudice, which was generally entertained against the whole race, seconded the wishes of his companion, that the officers of justice should repair immedi- ately to the priest's sleeping apartment, and put him under arrest. " My dear Mrs. Gordon, you cannot imagine the sage cunning of these Jesuits," he said, when Mrs. Gordon pleaded that Fra Paolo might be allowed, at least, to rest that night in peace, "You may be assured, he would soon scent us out," Mr. Hamilton continued, " and we should look rather silly in the morning if we awoke and found our bird flown." THE BOSOM FRIEND. 175 Mrs. Gordon had once more retired to her room, only a very few minutes, when she was again disturbed by a knock at the door. It was Mr. Hamilton, who informed her, that the priest was not in his room, and they were therefore about to search the house. " The poor girls will be surprised to hear all that has been going forward," he added, as he passed their rooms, in walking down the cor- ridor accompanied by Mrs. Gordon, whose anxiety was now thoroughly excited, to ascer- tain the result of these unlooked for pro- ceedings. "I grieve for Nice," returned Mrs. Gor- don, " to her this business must indeed be most painfuL" " Yes, indeed, I wish we could manage to conceal ,the business from her altogether," continued the good natured Mr. Hamilton, " and not allow her to know the manner in which her uncle will have departed ; although, from my knowledge of her character, I be- 176 THE BOSOM FRIENB. lieve she is very sharp at finding out every- thing that is going on ; Claud always insisted upon it that she was a sly one. What's that ?" he exclaimed, as a slight rustling sound met their ears, as they stood in the gallery, of something moving in the opposite corridor. Mr. Hamilton advanced to the door which led into it, and found that it was fastened from within ; stooping down, he placed his eye to the key -hole through which a light was perceptible, and immediately starting up, he said to Mrs. Gordon : — " I saw either a ghost or a woman disappear through one of the doors." Mrs. Gordon instantly thought it might be Nice, who had probably been holding a private conference with her uncle, in the late Lord de Crespigny's apartments, in which she knew they had passed together a considerable part of the preceding day, having retired there, as they said, for the performance of their re- ligious duties. Mentioning her suspicions to THE BOSOM FRIEND. 177 Mr. Hamilton, she proposed going into the Italian girl's room, to ascertain the fact, and did so, whilst he remained in the gallery. Nice had lately occupied a small room through the Baroness's large, old fashioned apartment. Mrs. Gordon passed quickly through it, and found, as she expected, that no Nice was there. Hastily retracing her steps, she chanced, as she passed Giulia's bed, to glance her eyes upon it, and to her startled surprise, she saw that it was also empty; her niece was absent. In much dismay she rejoined Mr. Hamilton, and made known to him her discovery ; both the girls she con- cluded must be in the room situated in the western corridor. " This is abominable !" cried Mr. Hamilton, " what can they be about at this time of night? If I find Giulia with this devil of a priest/* — he concluded his speech with a violent blow with his foot against the door. The fasten- ing, grown frail by age, gave way with little i 5 178 THE BOSOM FRIEND, difficulty, and, followed by Mrs. Gordon, the excited guardian proceeded hastily to the further apartment, and turned the lock, which, contrary to their expectations, did not resist his endeavours — Mr. Hamilton opened the door and entered. Mrs. Gordon carried a candle in her hand, without which they would have been in utter darkness, for any light that had before been there had been hastily extinguished. The first object upon which their gaze rested, was the figure of the Italian girl ; she was standing within a few paces of the door, towards which her eyes were fixed. They glared like those of a young tigress, from be- neath the black masses of hair which hung about her face— Breathless, and panting she stood — but not from fear ; fierce excitement seemed to be raging in her breast ; it would have been difficult to identify the figure before the two astonished spectators, with the usually composed, subdued, and gentle Nice !" THE BOSOM FRIEND. 179 Mr. Hamilton lifted up the light and looked beyond her. At the extremity of the large room, he perceived a figure leaning against a table — a strong contrast to her companion ! pale, trembling, with a countenance covered with shame and confusion. It was indeed Giulia. The two young girls were the only occupants of the apartment — no priest was to be seen ! " Well young ladies, and pray what are you about here at this time of night ?" enquired Mr. Hamilton fixing his eyes somewhat sternly on the Baroness. " This is a strange hour for you to be out of your beds ; and pray, Signora Nice, what has become of your worthy uncle?" The girl, who immediately on finding herself in the presence of Mr. Hamilton, dropped her eyes, and reassumed her air of humble composure, now raised them to his face, with a look of seeming astonishment at the question. " He is not here, Signor," she murmured. " Will you then be so obliging as to inform 180 THE BOSOM FRIEND. me where he is, and what brought you here at this unseemly hour ? And you also, Lady de Crespigny — perhaps you will favour me by a straightforward answer ?" Mr. Hamilton advanced towards his ward, who shrunk back, and cast down her eyes. " Has the priest, Fra Paolo, or whatever he calls himself, been here with you?" he exclaimed, "pray what have you been do- ing with all this Popish mummery?" and he glanced his eyes over the table near which Giulia stood. On it was placed a crucifix, a breviary, and rosary, all arranged beneath a picture, which on approaching, the light shone upon the beautiful copy of Leonardo de Vinci's Madonna and child. u Come young- ladies, this will never do," the guardian ex- claimed, as Giulia merely lifted her eyes with a frightened, bewildered expression towards Nice, as if to entreat her assistance to aid her in this dilemma. " And if I do not hear the whole truth," THE BOSOM FRIEND. 181 continued Mr. Hamilton vehemently, " I declare to you that Nice shall leave the house to-morrow — never more to return." Giulia burst into tears. " My uncle has departed," murmured the Italian girl. " He took leave of us," she con- tinued clearly, and without hesitation, in her half foreign accent, for Mr. Hamilton under- stood Italian imperfectly. " He did not tell us the reason of his sudden departure, but he intends, I believe, to go to Ireland immedi- ately." This was so innocently and naturally spoken, that all Mr. Hamilton could do, was to exchange a look with Mrs. Gordon, who gravely, but kindly, had approached her niece, whose agitation had become excessive ; she was trembling and weeping almost hysteri- cally. Mrs. Gordon had taken her hand to lead her away, and Mr. Hamilton was about to leave the room to report to the officials the informa- 182 TIIE BOSOM FRIEND. tion he had received, when the magistrate and his myrmidons appeared at the door. With curiosity and surprise visible on their countenances, they surveyed the scene before them. The large, almost unfurnished room, with the one dim light all concentrated on the altar like table at its extremity — the little group around it, amongst which the dark Ita- lian girl was the most conspicuous object— she looked almost beautiful, as she turned her eyes suspiciously, nay even fiercely upon them. Giulia was led away by her Aunt, but Nice had to undergo some further examination. She seemed distressed at the mysterious ques- tions of the magistrate, but told all that she chose to relate with naivete and clearness. But as her uncle's departure was certainly attended with suspicious circumstances, and indeed ap- peared scarcely possible, they determined again to search every nook and corner of the old house, and if they failed in discovering the THE BOSOM FRIEND. 183 priest, it was then resolved that they should set off and endeavour to track his steps. And this course they ultimately pursued, for no trace of Fra Paolo was to be found in any part of the house. Nor indeed were his pur- suers more successful afterwards, in their efforts to secure him, although every attempt was made at all the seaports to detect the fu- gitive. However, the measures taken by the Government were not without their beneficial effects, for the result was, stopping short the machinations of the Jesuit party, and the affair was allowed to die quietly away. Mr. Hamilton remained the next day at the hall, and great was the joy of the unconsci- ous Francesca, when informed, on her awaken- ing in the morning, of his arrival. She did not trouble herself to solve the mystery of this unexpected happiness, and was only ve- hement in her expressions of gratification, on finding that her dear, merry guardian had ap- peared so suddenly, in the place of the tall, 184 THE BOSOM FRIEND. black priest, who she never could endure ; and indeed the little girl hated even to be in the same room with him, or to meet his tall figure on the stairs — his eyes would glare on her so frightfully ! and she heard, she told her aunt, that he wished to make them all bow down to idols — at least, so Mrs. Rivers and nurse told her. Mr. Hamilton questioned the child, in order to discover whether the priest had ever made an attempt to crush the tender germs of pure religion in her young mind, by the per- nicious intervention of his deteriorating doc- trines, but he soon found that even if the trial had been made, it had produced no more success, than if the attempt had been to entice the restless butterfly as it flitted from flower to flower, to settle on the hand that would fain have grasped it. " In vain is the snare sat in the sight of any bird.'' The priest had failed by the circumstance THE BOSOM FRIEND. 185 of the perfect innocence of the child. It was evident from the several relations which they gleaned from Francesca, that much injury might have been inflicted upon the mind of Giulia, but the violent state of nervous ex- citement into which the events of the preced- ing night had thrown her, was a still more convincing proof, how greatly her mind had been agitated. ""Mrs. Gordon therefore re- quested Mr. Hamilton not to harass her with any questions at that moment, but to leave the young girl to be soothed by gentle endea- vours, and when calm had succeeded to the present agitated state which the late events had produced, every effort should be used, to era- dicate the evil seeds, which had evidently been strewn in her mind. Mr. Hamilton, on departing, had been per- suaded into remaining satisfied with the mild course, of only, in most emphatic terms, enjoin- ing Nice under pain of instant dismissal from the hall, ever presuming to broach the subject 186 THE BOSOM FRIEND. of religion to the Baroness or her sister. He even went so far as solemnly to declare, that any demonstration on his niece's part, of the slightest inclination towards the Roman Catho- lic religion, would be visited on Nice's head, by immediate removal from the friends of her infancy — so he cautioned her to beware. A difficult task indeed was that destined to be the part of the young Italian girl ! On every side the hideous gates of a convent seemed yawning to receive her — this bug-bear, which had haunted her imagination from her earliest childhood, the grave truly of her youth- ful aspirations ! The words of her uncle rang in her ears. They were such as prompted her to take a course widely at variance with the commands of Mr. Hamilton. She must serve her church without the dreadful sacrifice of laying down her liberty at its feet. The spirit of most girls of fifteen would have utterly sunk under this fearful dilemma. THE BOSOM FRIEND. 187 Not so was it with Nice ! The startling posi- tion only roused her to exert with renewed energy, the talents for intrigue which she was well aware she so amply possessed, and which could alone carry her safely through the diffi- cult task of dissimulation — now, the only road, by which she could attain the end so ardently desired, by a heart, which was ambitious, as it was ill directed. 288 THE BOSOM FRIEND. CHAPTER XII. u The man Who in this spirit communes with the Forms Of Nature — who with understanding heart Doth know and love such objects as excite No morbid passions — no disquietude, No vengeance, and no hatred, needs must feel The joy of that pure principle of love." Wordsworth. It was sometime before Giulia recovered from the effects of the exciting visit and the mys- terious circumstances attending the departure of the priest. The bewildering manner in which he had, as it were, vanished from her THE BOSOM FRIEND. 189 sight filled her with a degree of dismay •which had in it a kind of almost superstitious fear, evidently affecting her nervous system. She became timid — shrinking from the idea of being left alone, and constantly avoiding even a near approach, if possible, of the apartment vvhish had been before, her most favourite re- treat. Mrs. Gordon strove rather to efface from her niece's mind every impression relating to the late events, than to bring them more vividly before her imagination, by endeavouring to draw from the nervous girl, the relation of the circumstances which still remained a mystery ; but our readers need not suffer from the good lady's caution ; they must, therefore, be informed, that on the Sunday night in question, when all was hushed in the house, Giulia, her feelings excited by the insinuating address of the wily Jesuit, had willingly yielded herself to. Nice's guid- ance, and accompanied her in the nocturnal 190 THE BOSOM FRIEND. visit which she was accustomed to pay to the priest. In her mother's apartments, the young Baroness found him fully prepared to carry on his machinations— there with every outward demonstration well arranged to assist his pur- pose upon a weak and vacillating mind — the solemn hour — the dimly illumined apartment, the sole light falling on the heavenly counte- nance of the Madonna and her holy child! Assisted by these powerful auxiliaries, he had prayed and talked, reasoned and exhorted, till, at length, his deep -toned voice, his im- posing mien, his mighty eloquence, wound up the girl's imagination to such a pitch, that she was kneeling with Nice, before the pic- ture and crucifix, with all the awe and de- votion of a Roman Catholic ; whilst the priest calling upon the departed spirits of her parents, bade her believe that they were hovering around her, and commending their orphan child — now, for the first time, really joined to them by the true communion of THE BOSOM FRIEND. 191 Saints, and placed under the guardian- ship and love of the Blessed Virgin, who so sweetly smiled upon her in answer to her prayer. The priest then proceeded to tell the be- wildered girl, that he must shortly leave her, but that his spirit would be with her, and would watch over her eternal interest, of which he should never lose sight ; exhorting her in the most solemn and awful terms, to hold fast, even though it should be for the time being, in secret, the faith in which she had been baptized, and in the belief of which she could alone hope for happiness, here or hereafter. The priest then desired Nice to leave him alone with the Baroness, in order that the terrified girl might, as a seal of her conver- sion, perform the sacrament of confession. Scarcely had the door closed upon the Italian girl, when she hastily re-entered and informed her uncle, in a whisper, that she heard 192 THE BOSOM FRIEND. voices in the gallery, and that one of them was that of Mr. Hamilton. A brief conversation, in whispering accents, was continued between the uncle and Nice for a few seconds ; and then Fra Paolo, approach- ing Giulia, said in an emphatic manner, and with a voice, sternly impressive, which haunted her memory for many a day. " Ere long we shall meet again ; till then forget not what you have professed before God and the saints. Farewell !" The light was suddenly extinguished, and she heard no other sound, save that of a slight rustling in the apartment, till the entrance of Mr. Hamilton and her aunt ; when she per- ceived, though too bewildered and frightened to enter fully at that moment into the mystery of his strange and sudden disappearance, that the priest had vanished. But we will no longer detain our readers, by entering into any minute detail of the effect THE BOSOM FRIEND. 193 these circumstances were calculated to pro- duce on a young mind of fifteen, or on all the anxious cares, by which Mrs. Gordon strove to counteract the evil effects of the interference of the crafty Priest. Nothing contributed so much to this end, as the diversion of thought and interest cre- ated by a short tour into Derbyshire, which was taken by Mrs. Gordon and her eldest niece, on the arrival of spring. They were unaccompanied by either Nice or Francesca, who were left under the charge of a lady, whom she had at length consented should be sent to relieve her of some part of the weight of responsibility, incurred by the charge which she had undertaken. In this temporary separation of Giulia and Nice, Mrs. Gordon fully discovered, how ex- traordinary was the influence the Italian girl had contrived to acquire over the young Baroness, for Giulia was again an altered being, ready to be moulded to any form, open VOL. I. K 194 THE BOSOM FRIEND. both to reason and affection. Her heart seemed to be softened and enlightened by the contem- plation of the beauties of nature, and a more intimate acquaintance with the charms of mind which she could not fail to discover in her gentle and intellectual companion. For the first time, since her acquaintance with her aunt had commenced, she could judge of her merits, unbiassed by the deteriorating remarks of the bosom friend, who seemed to have taken upon herself the office of directing her tastes and opinions, and thus counteracted every plan and every advance which Mrs. Gordon made with a view to the improvement of her niece. Mrs. Gordon avoided all reminiscences of the past — she endeavoured to infuse new hopes, new views for the future. Youth still is youth, as spring must ever be spring, with its budding flowers and tender greens, ready to shoot forth at the first genial ray of sunshine, though the sky may sometimes be as dark as winter— and winces as bleak— and frosts as cut- THE BOSOM FRIEND. 195 ting— often impeding the progress of the open- ing blossoms ; causing many a tender bud to wither and to die, ere it come forth to ma- turity and beauty — still spring will be spring. Giulia returned home, with a heart so im- pressed with all that she had seen of good and beautiful, that the change which had been thus wrought in her heart, was visible to every eye. To no one was the genial influence of this improvement of such importance as to the happiness of little Francesca, for sisterly affection seemed for the first time to gush forth, from the hitherto cold heart of Giulia; and she clasped the sweet child in her arms, on her first arrival, with the genuine warmth of natural affection. But alas ! there seemed an ungenial atmos- phere pervading the gloomy mansion, in which it was the fate of Giulia to pass her early years unfavourable to the growth of any k 3 196 THE BOSOM FRIFND. such lovely feelings ; or was it that again there was one, who glided by her side, seem- ingly harmless, and innoxious — one of those serpents of social life, who — " Sting the soul, until its healthful frame, Is changed to secret festering— sore disease I" THE BOSOM FRIEND. 197 CHAPTER XIII. " Beauty is but a vain and doubtful good, A shining gloss, that fadeth suddenly ; A flower that dies, when first it 'gins to bud A brittle glass, that's broken presently ; A doubtful good, a gloss, a glass, a flower, Lost, faded, broken, dead within an hour." Shakspeare's Poems. Ever since the year 1810 to the present period, there have been many changes in the so called world — " The world where men and women meet." the world of fashion ! — Circumstances, or the 198 THE BOSOM FRIEND. fickle tastes of society may have marked out alterations in its arbitrary laws, and instances for better and for worse, are visible, according to the different opinions of individuals — and so it will ever be ; what appears to us at pre- sent perfect, will in its turn pass away — the next race, whilst they shove us off the stage, will introduce new discoveries and innovations — as one wave effaces the ridge which the former had made on the sand by the sea-shore — so every succeeding age obliterates the opinions and modes of the age which had gone before it. Truly the fashion of the world is ever passing away. Those whose prime of life has been passed in a former epoch, may, perchance, sigh for the good old times of kings, country dances, short waists, and post horses, whilst those who flourish in the present moment, laud their stars, for having lived their day in the reign of a fair young Queen, and that of the Polka, and Kail-roads. THE BOSOM FRIEND. 199 Both may be equally right in their esti- mate of the several superiorities of the two periods. But one point is certain ; though the fashion of the day may be altered, the world remains intrinsically the same — still exerting the same arbitrary influence over those who yield to its sway — even whilst the deceived victims are cherishing the idea, that the world is a servant, to order as they please. Yes — it is a sad truth — but so it ever is, that the deteriorating effect of contact with the world, soon makes itself visible. — the worldly mind creeping into the place of that, which may, perchance, have been, ere then, bright, free, and innocent, comparatively speaking. Woe to the warm, fresh heart, carried into the chilling atmosphere of fashion ! Oh ! you, who are forced to enter within its pre- cincts, beware ! Suffer not your heart also to be thus beguiled — rather keep it without in 200 THE BOSOM FRIEND. some greener spot, where love and natural affection exists — or safer still with Him who says, " Give me your heart," and in whose custody alone is safety. There only, may you hope to guard it secure from evil. The world is no such faithful guardian; if ever you wish to regain your heart, after having once become its votary, you will find it, at best, tarnished, hardened, perhaps crushed and broken, or with a dart fixed in it, which you will scarcely ever have power to extract. And sad it is to see that those whom the world most loves to make its own, are often- times possessed of such attractive attributes — making even worldlings appear lovely in the eyes of the inexperienced. For instance, take a female character full of liveliness of intellect, strength and warmth of feeling, cal- culated to form a perfect wife and mother. She enters the world, the monster breathes its spirit over it all, and a total THE BOSOM FRIEND. 201 change ensues; the outward beauty may ap- pear more beautiful still from the polish it has received, but every energy of soul and body is devoted to the service of Mam- mon — a service which is incompatible with any other. Mrs. Hamilton, the wife of the guardian of the young De Crespignys, was truly one of thefa irest specimens of a worldly woman. At the age of forty, she was as gay and captivating, and almost as lovely, as when her husband first introduced her to a London life some twenty years before — still as devoted a wife to that idolizing, proud husband — an affec- tionate mother to her children — even as warm and cordial a friend^ to the friends of her earlier years — when they came in her way! — it required some time and experience to dis- cover the melancholy fact, that the canker worm of worldliness had gained ingress to her heart, and that those who sought her, must be content with receiving her winning smile k 5 202 THE BOSOM FRIEND, and graceful expressions of interest and affeo tion ; and perhaps that is more, bye-the-bye, than the worldly often trouble themselves to bestow, on those from whom they have nothing to gain in return. Mrs. Hamilton's life had been a happy one, as free from care and annoyance as a most amiable and idolizing husband could make it. A younger son, with but a moderate fortune, he had given up, for the sake of his family, the more congenial, though less profitable life of an independant country gentleman to reside in London, having accepted a lucrative situa- tion under Government, thereby throwing his wife into that sphere of life, in which she formed so bright an ornament ; and thus they paved the way for the future introduction of their children. The eldest of the party has already been introduced to the reader. Two daughters — one who had already made her appearance in the gay world, the other about to be launched THE BOSOM FRIEND. 203 — a boy at Sandhurst — and four younger children, completed the list of young Hamil- tons. At the period to which we now allude, the Hamiltons had just removed from the house which they had inhabited for many years, to one more capacious in Portman Square, which in the year 1810, was considered one of the most fashionable of situations. Many other changes and additions were made in their menage, all easily explained by the announce- ment in the papers that amongst the fair debutantes of the approaching season, the young Baroness de Crespigny was about to appear, under the chaperonage of the amiable lady of her guardian, the Honorable Mrs. George Hamilton. Most fashionable women, with grown up daughters of their own, would not greatly have relished the idea, of having a supernumerary young lady added to their train, and Mrs. 204 THE BOSOM FRIEND. Hamilton was not one to whom the infliction would have been lightly felt ; but in the pre- sent instance, there were many extenuating circumstances, which made it appear anything but objectionable in her eyes. In the first place it was her husband's will, and she had prepared her mind to expect this event, ever since Mr. Hamilton had entered upon his guardianship ; for Mrs. Gordon had, on taking the charge of her nieces, given it to be un- derstood, that she declined that part of the un- dertaking, which would oblige her again to enter the world of gaiety. And then, low be it spoken — for, to herself even, Mrs. Hamilton would not have acknowledged the vulgar feel- ing — there might be something in the rank of this addition to their party, which recompensed her f r the drawbacks incidental to the busi- ness. The case perhaps would have been dif- ferent had her husband's ward been a plain Miss, instead of a plain Baroness ! With no THE BOSOM FRIEND. 205 superiority of beauty to eclipse the charms of her own fair daughter, who was to be pre- sented at the same time, Mrs. Hamilton could look forward with patient resignation to the arrival of a care, which, however, brought with it the compensation of a new house — a new equipage and an opera box. The brilliant establishment of her daughters, was the paramount anxiety of her active and sanguine mind — not that Mrs. Hamilton had as yet become a regular match making chaperone. She was still so much admired — so much sought after on her own account. She felt so young ; her spirits were so light and buoy- ant, that when her eldest daughter Annie came out, the mother and daughter Avere more towards each other as two sisters ; and Annie, though sufficiently attractive to have afforded a subject for matrimonial speculations to a manoeuvring mother, was left in peace ; and when the first season was concluded, without 206 THE BOSOM FRIEND. one offer having been made, she only received a good-natured banter from Mrs. Hamilton at the little success she had met with. " My dear child," the beautiful mother laughingly added, " before I was eighteen, I had refused four offers." " Oh, mama, that is quite a different affair," Annie energetically answered. " Why, Annie ? I am sure you are much better looking than I was— and you have twice as much really in you — you are much more accomplished and sensible." " What does that signify, mama — who cares for what is in the mind— it is only the exterior the world cares for." Mrs. Hamilton laughed much at the expe- rience her young daughter had gleaned, even in one brief season in London. " Well, dear Annie, we must really exert ourselves next year. I must have you married before Gertrude's time is come. I should ex- THE BOSOM FRIEND. 207 pire if I had two daughters out at the same time — particularly as I shall have that ugly little Baroness to chaperone as well." " What can I do, mama ?" " I will tell you, Annie — you must laugh more. I did a great deal by my laugh." " Yes, but what a laugh it is," exclaimed Annie. " I will tell you a secret, mama ; you will never marry me, whilst you are so pretty and agreeable— no one ever thinks of looking or speaking to me whilst you are present." " Thank you, darling, for the compliment, but it is anything but a pleasing one, how- ever. I can assure you I would rather have the small-pox, and lose every vestige of good looks — become half stupified — or any other horror, than that my daughters should be old maids." Poor Annie looked serious, and began, for the first time, to consider what she could do to avert what her mother seemed to consider 208 THE BOSOM FRIEND. so very grievous an evil— and the then un- worldly and simple girl might soon have become a true disciple of her worldly mother, had it not been for a startling dispensation, sent doubtless in mercy, to save her from the heart- less career of a life of vanity. Mrs. Hamil- ton's idly spoken words seemed to have been visited upon her. Early in the ensuing season, at the com- mencement of all the London gaiety — when poor Annie's heart was beating high with the secret hope, that there was a prospect of her mother's desire being realized, and in a manner which fulfilled every hope of her young mind — for the only one, whom she had ever seen, who she felt she should love, had spoken to her at the last ball, words which were scarcely to be mistaken — the small-pox shewed itself in the house,one of the female servants being at- tacked with the disease. The sufferer was instantly removed, on the nature of the malady THE BOSOM FRIEND. 209 becoming apparent, and every precaution was taken against infection. One morning Annie was missing. She had left the house, and had gone to the lodgings where the sick maid had been taken. She too was sickening for the small-pox, and knowing her mother's horror and dread of it, she left a message imploring that no one would ap- proach her, save the nurse who was already in attendance. Mrs. Hamilton was dismayed indeed, but Annie soon beheld her by her side, and in spite of all the entreaties of the poor girl that she would leave her, the mother never quitted her post. Her Annie, she exclaimed, should have no other nurse. Tenderly and devotedly did she tend her child through a long and dangerous attack of that most loathsome dis- ease. And it was from no expressions of regret from her mother, that Annie Hamilton was made aware that she had lost, through its 210 THE BOSOM FRIEND. ravages, the beauty on which she knew that mother had placed so high a value. A looking glass at last revealed the fact, and she beheld with a sharp pang, and a faint- ness at her heart, her swollen and disfigured features — her altered countenance! How bitter were the feelings of poor Annie, none ever knew, but He who sent the stroke, which deprived her of the gift which had been, for a brief space, bestowed upon her — for none ever heard a murmur, or a fractious word, at a dispensation so calculated to sour the temper — and which might have been supposed to be doubly trying, to a girl brought up to consider beauty, almost the chief requisite of a woman. " Poor mama ! how distressed she must be ! And Claud, what will he say when he finds his favourite sister such a fright," was all that she was heard to utter, and assuredly, this sad event was looked upon by every member of the family, in the light of a deep affliction — THE BOSOM FRIEND. 211 but the poor sufferer was more than ever en- deared to them all— and each separately en- deavoured to vie with each other, in demon- strations of affection towards her who bore with such patience what they considered so direful a misfortune. He who reads the secrets of every heart could alone discern the inward struggle of the young girl, to triumph over the natural weak- ness of human nature— for though she could say with a placid smile, " Keally, it is quite delightful to have be- come ugly, you all make so much of me !" yet, was it possible that she could bear without a bitter pang, the cold looks of sur- prise and pity, her totally altered appearance excited ? — the neglect she now experienced from those who were once full of empressement to win from her a smile ? — And more cruel than any other mortification to note the air of dismay — almost of disgust, with which he now regarded her — he, who at their last 212 THE BOSOM FRIEND. meeting, had gazed with such ardent admi- ration on her face. Truly, higher feelings supported her through all this fearful ordeal, than mere amiability of character ; the plant of Heavenly mindedness must have taken root in her mind, even in the midst of the chilling atmosphere of a worldly edu- cation. And the mother — what were her feelings on this occasion ? At first, natural joy at the recovery of a much loved child from the gates of death, absorbed every other conside- ration; but when the certainty of Annie's recovery gave Mrs. Hamilton leisure to turn her thoughts to other subjects, the disfigure- ment of her beautiful child had been a severe blow to the worldly pride and ambition of the mother's heart. It was, perhaps, the frustration of all her hopes in that quarter, that caused her to concentrate them, with greater eagerness, on the next daughter she was about to present to the world. THE BOSOM FRIEND. 213 Gertrude Hamilton was generally consi- dered, in the family, as the beauty ; and in the value of this beauty, the pride and con- fidence of the mother was in no way dimin- ished, by the emphatic warning which ought to have taught her to remember how frail and perishable is its nature — how, " in the morning it may be green and growing up, in the even- ing, cut down and withered.'' 214 THE BOSOM FRIEND. CHAPTER XIV. Why are you grave, lady? Why do you frown? Here dwell no frowns nor anger ; from those gates Sorrow flies far — see, here be all the pleasures That fancy can beget on youthful thoughts, When the fresh blood grows lively, and returns Brisk as the April buds in primrose season. Comus. None of the family, with the exception of Mr. Hamilton and his eldest son, had ever beheld the young Baroness ; it was, therefore, with no inconsiderable degree of curiosity, that they THE BOSOM FRIEND. 215 looked forward to her arrival. From what they had heard of Giulia, the Hamiltons were, cer- tainly, not prepossessed in favor, either of her personal attractions, or the amiability of her disposition ; although, at the same time, there was a certain degree of interest imparted to her, from the circumstances which sur- rounded her, particularly heightened in the minds of the young people by the romantic story of the priest, in which she had played so conspicuous a part. In short, they were pre- pared to meet her with more favor than if they had expected her to be a common-place, agree- able, good-looking girl. Mrs. Gordon was to accompany her niece to London, and remain just long enough to leave her a little at home in her novel position amongst her new friends. The clay arrived ; and in the bright light of an April evening, the dusty travelling carriage stopped at the house in Portman Square, and from it, soon issued in 216 THE BOSOM FRIEND. her travelling costume — looking sick, weary, and wretched— the fair debutante the London world was expecting, and a more hopeless, un- willing candidate, never perhaps before stepped upon the stage of gay life. Mr. Hamilton was at the door to receive them with a kind, cheerful welcome, and led poor Giulia, dizzy and bewildered, up-stairs into the light, gay drawing-room, where she was met by a being, so bright and young looking, attired in a splendid evening dress, that at first, she thought she must be one of the Miss Hamiltons, but was soon presented to her as the wife of her guardian. Giulia was greeted by the beautiful woman with kind smiles, but at the same time, with a searching look of scrutiny, surveying her guest from head to foot, which added no little to the discomfiture of the nervous girl — but Mr. Hamilton soon came to her assistance, exclaiming, THE BOSOM FRIEND. 217