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 1800,
 
 Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive 
 
 in 2010 witii funding from 
 
 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/ankerwickcastlen01crof
 
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 
 
 C? 
 
 ►•••©|^g>'®«^««— 
 
 o AN one of the fineft counties in Enaland^ 
 about feventy miles from London, on a rifing 
 
 ^ground, over an imme nfe lake, which was 
 beautifully ikirted with full-grown Leech 
 and {lately oaks, flood the celebrated CaHie 
 of Anker\/^ick. The antiquity, n:agnitude, 
 
 ^iand ftrength of this caitie could be equalled 
 'by few in England. The genealogy of the 
 
 ^prefent poiTeiibr could be traced many cen- 
 
 ^turics back. The noble and illuftrious pro- 
 ])rietors had handed down, in regular fuc- 
 ^Geflion, this magnificent pile of building in. 
 ;the bell prefervation. Time v/as fuffereJ 
 ,: VOL. u B to 
 
 6
 
 2 ANKERWICK CASTLIE. 
 
 to make no iinprefiion on It j all its parts 
 were perfe(fl and entire. The eftate belong- 
 ing to it was great ; neither idle profufion, 
 nor wanton extravagance, ever robbed it of 
 a fingle acre. Benevolence and virtue were 
 the charaderiftics of the noble faini'y of 
 MIddleton, who had been for centuries 
 back the guardians of the poor, protectors of 
 the difhrefTed, and the promoters of induilry 
 and fcience : grandeur and wealth wxre here 
 ^he afTociates of charity, fenfibility, and com- 
 panion. Three hundred acres of the demefne 
 of the caftle were given up for the main- 
 tenance of a certain number of the old and 
 infirm^ of the unfortunate, and of heiplel^s 
 infancy ; proper buildings had been erected 
 for the accommodation of each clafs, with 
 attendants and teachers for them, A cler2:v- 
 man of eminence had a handfomc falary and 
 a pleafant refidence for his care of them ; 
 and a circumftance worthy remark mufhnot 
 be omitted, that for four generations the 
 name of Selwin, froin father to (on, enjoyed 
 this eafy and happy eftablilhment, and fuU 
 
 filled
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 3 
 
 filled the trufl repofed in them with piety 
 and religious zeal. 
 
 Many of the family of Middleton had been 
 people of genius, of great learning, and 
 fcientinc knowledge. In this caftie was to 
 be found ail that may be expefted from 
 wealth and tafte united. Moft of the pro- 
 prietors, in the courfe of their travels abroad, 
 had refined their tafte^ and enlarged their 
 underftanding, by an intimate knowledge of 
 all that was mofh valuable in the different 
 Courts and countries they vifited. The 
 hbrary was of great magnitude ; books in 
 all languages, the choiceft and mod rare, 
 were to be found here. 
 
 The collection of pisfiures was juRiy 
 ^fteeiiied the firft in England j they had 
 been fele(5led with tafte and real judgment ; 
 and no private gallery could boafl of fo 
 great a number of origmals. The mufeum. 
 was one of the greatefc wonders of this noble 
 manhon ; it was a repofitory of the rarefh 
 B 2 curiofities
 
 4 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 curiofities that the different and mofl dlf- 
 tant countries of the world could produce. 
 There were alfo a vad ball -room, large enough 
 to hold with convenience eight hundred 
 perfons, and a beautiful theatrr^, where the 
 greatefl theatrical talents have, from time to 
 time, (hone confpicuous : but nothing added 
 more to the multifarious amufements of this 
 wonderful place, than the concert-room ; 
 it was the mod happily imagined, and in it 
 was to be found almoft every mufical inftru- 
 inent. It had been a long ertablirned cuf- 
 tom to keep up a full band, and, as we 
 find the fame pafilon often runs through a 
 whole fimily, a love of muiic feems to have 
 defcended in regular fucceinon in this j f.jr 
 on the ftrideft enquiry we are not able to 
 iearn that any of them ever difpenfed with 
 this pleafure ; perhaps the people who com- 
 pofe the band, being the fons of the tenan- 
 try on this eftate, may be the reafon that 
 this benevolent Houfe has never been known 
 to leffen even one. A talent for mufic is a 
 
 certain
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 5 
 
 certain provifion for the boy who is pof- 
 felTed of it, and the annuity f twenty 
 pounds per annum, with an auJitbn of 
 ten pounds, fhould he become a writing or 
 reading mafler, is never taken from him. 
 They are taught the different inftruments 
 by the befl profelTors, and they have a par- 
 ticular dref?, that in boats on the lake have 
 a very grand effect, and adds to the ro^ al 
 ftate that is kept up at this magnificent 
 feat. The country around is uncommonly 
 agreeable ; it is hilly without being moun- 
 tainous ; the views are the moft piclurefque, 
 and the face of it looks without a level acre. 
 
 Such, gentle reader, is Ankerwick Caflle j 
 fuch the noble anceftors of the prefent pof- 
 feflbr, who is a woman. The title and 
 eftate of this family go, in failure of ifTue 
 in the male, to the female line, with this 
 condition, that the hufblnd of the heirefs 
 takes the name of Middleton. 
 
 B 3 William,
 
 O ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 William, Earl of Middleton, father to 
 Lady Gertrude, had only two children, one 
 fon and one daughter. Lady Gertrude was 
 five years younger than her brother. Lord 
 Middleton had married the daughter of the 
 Duke of Devon, a woman of fuperior beauty" 
 and rare qualifications -, they refided entirely 
 at Ankerwick Caftle. His Lordfhip equal- 
 led any of his virtuous progenitors in bene- 
 ficence and wealth ; their domeftic happi- 
 nefs was as great as falls to the lot of the 
 moft fortunate j they were confcious of their 
 biifs, and enjoyed the bleffings they were 
 allowed, with gratitude and piety. Their 
 Ton, the young Lord Ankerwick, wsls loved 
 by them with the moft extreme afFedion ; 
 and his early promife of virtue and great 
 talents, infpired them with the moft lively 
 hopes of his future greatnefs. But, alas ! 
 all thefe fond hopes were bhiftcd ; for ere he 
 attained his fourteenth year, a violent fever 
 carried him off in nine days. The anguifli 
 that this misfortune occafioned in Lord 
 and Lady Middleton, had the moft fatal 
 
 elfeds.
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE> ^ 
 
 effe(Cis ; and a gradual decline, brought oa 
 Lady Middleton by the /liock flie had re- 
 ceived, obliged her Lord to refolve on a 
 tour to the Continent. They paffed fome- 
 time in the South of France; but Lady 
 Middleton received no benefit, and they 
 went to Nice, where Lord Middleton de- 
 termined to remain tv/eive months, fhould 
 he find the air not diiagree with her Lady- 
 Hiip. Too amiable and too worthy to have 
 a partiality to one of their children to the 
 prejudice of the other, it is much to be 
 doubted, fo equally did they love both, 
 which they would mod have grieved for ; 
 no wonder then that Lady Gertrude was the 
 object which both fondly cherifhed, now 
 that Ihe was their all. She had now arrived 
 at her eleventh year, and a more beautiful, 
 elegant child was never feen. They had 
 remained four years at Nice, taking occa- 
 fional tours to Naples, Rome, &;c. &:c. 
 when about this time Lady Middleton be- 
 came fo extremely emaciated, that all her 
 Lord's feelings were alarmed for her fafety. 
 B 4 ' They
 
 O ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 They went to Paris as quickly as her Lady- 
 Drip's health would permit, for advice, and 
 fliortly after arrived at Ankerwick Caftle, 
 as her native air had been prefcribed for her. 
 After her return (lie became fo much better, 
 that every body had hopes of her recovery. 
 She lingered out, however, but eight months 
 after her return to England, at which time 
 The .died, and left her Lord the mod inifer- 
 abje of all earthly beings. 
 
 Lady Gertrude, now more than fixteen^ 
 fuffered fo much at the death of Lady 
 Middleton, that her life was defpaired of; 
 and it was fuppcfed nothing but the danger 
 of his darling daughter prolonged Lord Mid- 
 diet on*s life, to fo great a degree of wretch- 
 ednefs was he reduced by the lofs of his 
 beloved wife. Lady Gertrude, however, 
 recovered ; but his Lordfhip fell a facriiice 
 to his affection for his Lady, and at eighteen 
 Lady Gertrude was \eh an orphan, and 
 heirefs to the greateft fortune in England. 
 
 The
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 9 
 
 The Duke and Duchefs of Devon had 
 been almoft inhabitants of Ankerwick Caftle 
 ever fince the return of their daughter. 
 Lady Middleton, from the Continent. She 
 had been their favourite child ; and their 
 grief for her lofs, and that of Lord Middle- 
 ton, was extreme. The Duke was hk 
 guardian to Lady Gertrude -, and one of 
 the claufes in the will was, that fhe fhould 
 live entirely at the caftle until her marriage; 
 indeed it was more a requefb than what can 
 properly be called an obligation, and which 
 was more binding on this amiable girl than 
 any forfeiture on a nun-*coniphance could 
 have made it. 
 
 It is neceffary to inform the resder of 
 t^e characters that now formed the circle at 
 Ankerwick Caftle. The fociety was fmall 
 and felecl. A maiden lady of the name 
 of Markham., had been miany years the 
 friend of the late Lady Middleton. I before 
 mentioned that the title defcended to the 
 female line in this family, fo that for the- 
 K 5 future
 
 10 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 
 
 future we are to know Lady Gertrude by 
 the title of Lady Middleton. Mrs. Mark- 
 ham, as I have obferved already, had been 
 the friend of the late Lady Middleton ; they 
 had lived together from their infancy, they 
 were educated the fame, their ages were the 
 fame, and a great limilarity in difpofition,. 
 manner, and fentiments induced many to 
 fuppofe them fifters ; but there was no rela- 
 tive connexion between them. Mrs. 
 Markham's mother dying when her daughter 
 was very young, left her to the care of the 
 Duchefs of Devon, between whom there 
 , fubfifted a great friend (liip. Mrs. Markham 
 was poflefTed of an excellent and benevolent 
 mind, a ftrong underftanding, and great 
 good temper ; fhe was very lively and 
 agreeable, but there were many particulari- 
 ties in her charadler, that were the more 
 wondered at, as (he was allowed to poflefs a 
 remarkably ftrong mind. One very extra- 
 ordinary circumftance was, that flie never 
 could be prevailed on to marry. Her per- 
 fon, though not remarkably handfome, was 
 3 very
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE, II 
 
 very pleafing, and univerfally liked ; her 
 fortune large, fo that it is not to be won- 
 dered at that fhe had, at an early period of 
 life, many very advantageous offers; but nei- 
 ther the Duchefs, nor her friend, the late Lady 
 Middleton, could ever, by any perfuafion, 
 prevail upon her to change her opinion* 
 — To this lady was entrulced, by the late 
 worthy inhabitants of Ankerwick Caftle,. 
 the care of their beloved child, to whom fhe 
 had ever been as much attached as though- 
 Xht had been her own. 
 
 I have before fpoke in panegyric of 
 the name of Selwin ; — one of this family 
 at ' this time filled the place already 
 mentioned, prefided over the charity chil- 
 dren, and the old and infirm, that were 
 carefully fupported by this great and good 
 family. This was a man of great piety, 
 learning, ani urbanity of njanners. His 
 Lady v^as a woman of family, and juftly 
 very much eileemed ; as they had no 
 children, and an eaiy fortune, to cbiige 
 Lord Middleton, on his going to the Con- 
 B 6 tinent
 
 12 ANKERWICK. CASTLE, 
 
 tinent for the benefit of his Lady's healthy 
 Mr. and Mrs. Selwin left their own houfe 
 on the demefne, and refided at the caftle 
 during their abfence. On their return they 
 wcFe not fuffered to remove, and they 
 had apartments allotted to them, with 
 attendants folely their own. Under this 
 good and learned man had the j^oung Lady 
 Middleton ftudied. She had gone through 
 a courfe of reading, not at that time thought 
 neceiTary for a woman. The late Lord had 
 been a man of great liberality, and admired 
 in the female charadler all that information 
 and talent that is fo. much the idea of the 
 prefent day ; he therefore had his daughter 
 carefully taught Latin, as the ground-work 
 of the other languages ; and while Mr. 
 Selwin, with unwearied pains, made her per- 
 fed in the clafTics, no part of her education 
 in the more frivolous accomplilliments of a 
 woman were omitted. Her refidence for fo 
 long a time abroad gave her the proper 
 accent of a native of both France and 
 Italy. She underilood Spanifh an4 German, 
 
 and
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE* IJ 
 
 and could read authors in any of thefe lan- 
 guages with as much facUity as in her own. 
 She was from nature a mufician, and played 
 upon the organ and harp in a 'maflerly man- 
 ner, and was alfo poffciTed of a very fine voice. 
 Her appearance is a point I cannot be filent 
 on — it wasfuch as gained all hearts ; the bloom 
 of youth, an interefting and open counte- 
 nance, befpoke all the innocence and virtue 
 that dwelt within ; her foul, which was pure, 
 fhone in her face, which was angelic ; her 
 mind was firm and penetrating, yet (lie had 
 a modefly and fweetnefs in her eyes that 
 fpoke the fenfibihty, the great feeling of 
 her heart. Her form w^as the moft graceful 
 and finely turned ; her great height of 
 Hature, and noblenefs of mien, gave her the 
 appearance of pride, which fcrarigers have 
 attributed to her as a ftriking feature in her 
 charadler ; but her friends and acquaint- 
 ances, thofe who perfetflly knew her, found 
 that benevolence and afiability much more 
 juftly belonged to hpv, 
 
 CHAP.
 
 14 ANKERWICK CASTLE*. 
 
 CHAP. IL 
 
 &LJCH was the lovely and amiable heirefs 
 of Ankerwick — fuch was the youthful Lady 
 Middleton, jufh pafl eighteen. She lived 
 from choice totally fecluded for fix months; 
 her grief was extreme for her recent lofs, 
 and many years faw her filial affection as 
 jRirong, and her forrow as great, as at the 
 period when fhe loft her valuable parents. 
 
 Sheftill ftudied under Mr. Selwin, and (lie 
 became very fond of the fcience of aftro- 
 nomy, to which fhe gave up a great deal of 
 her time. She was prevailed upon by the 
 Duke and Duchefs of Devon, in the month 
 of July, to make them a vifit 3 and as a 
 
 further
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE, T5 
 
 further inducement, they gave her a proniife 
 that her tw^ coufins, Lady Mary and Lady 
 Ann Berkley, fhould return with her to 
 Ankerwick Caflle. — On this viht fhe went 
 with regret ; for Mrs. Markham, to whom 
 fhe was extremely attached, was prevented 
 from accompanying her, by having (trained 
 her ankle in leaping from her horfe. She 
 had never feen any of her coufins ; they 
 were the daughters of Lord Seal, who mar- 
 ried the Duke of Devon's eldeft daughter, 
 and who, from an unhappy fliate of health, 
 hved entirely abroad. Lady Seal died 
 fome years before, and thefe young ladies 
 were educated in a French Convent. Lord 
 Seal had two fons, who were both on their 
 travels. The characters of thefe young 
 ladies were as different as their perfons. 
 Lady Mary, the eldeft, was what many call 
 handfome ; flie was large and bold in her 
 manner ; (he had fine eyes, tine teeth, fine 
 fkin,,and, with the addition of rouge, a very- 
 fine colour ; fhe was witty, very agreeable, 
 and had an appearance of careleffncfs that im- 
 
 prefTed
 
 l6 ANKERWICFC CASTLE* 
 
 prefled the idea of her want of thought. 
 She was however perfedl in the art of difli- 
 mulation ; with all the femblance of candour 
 and virtue, fhe really pofleiTed neither ; nor 
 can we, on the minuted furvey of her cha- 
 rader, find out that fhe had one amiable 
 qualification ; — ^vvith a fpirit the moft in- 
 triguing, file had a heart the mofl malicious ; 
 Ihe was fond of admiration to excefs ; fhe 
 engaged the attention of the men, but not 
 their efteem ; envious and fufpicious, deep 
 and defigningv yet fhe covered with the art 
 of pleafing thofe dark traits of chara6ter, fo 
 as to intereft flrongly on a flight acquaint- 
 ance. 
 
 Lady Ann was gentle, timid, and ami- 
 able, and fo perfedly the oppofite of 
 her fifler, that fhe could never be her 
 rival ', befides. Lady Ann had neither beauty 
 nor wit to boaft of; fhe was unhealthy, and 
 of an unafTuming temper. — Such were the 
 coufins of the charming Lady Middleton, 
 to whom fhe was introduced on arriving at 
 
 the
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 1/ 
 
 the Abbey of Devon. The impreffion her 
 beauty and -native elegance made on the 
 two fifters, was very different : Lady Ann 
 admired her, and at once became her friend; 
 Lady Mary, who with w^onder beheld her 
 matchlefs form, her uncommon grace, was 
 ftruck with the greatefh aflonifhment ; and 
 while fhe lavilhed all the fondnefs (he 
 thought necefTary on her dear coufm, the 
 envenomed fliaft c'f envy and hatred entered 
 her heart ; (he, however, quickly recovered 
 herfelf, and. was fo lively, fo agreeable, and 
 fo attentive to Lady Middleton, that (he, 
 who knew not what art was, thought her 
 coufin very handfome, and very entertain- 
 ing. Lady Mary, with all the narrownefs 
 of a little mind, had that refped for the 
 rank and wealth of her coufm that her per- 
 fections could not have entitled her to 
 expedt ; — (he therefore ftudied Lady Mid- 
 dleton's character, and finding nothing there 
 but learning, good fenle, and virtue, (he 
 became at once not a bad ape at all the 
 perfections of her coufm. Her fentiments 
 
 were
 
 l8 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 were the mofl fublime ; flie fpoke of her 
 dear aunt and uncle Middleton with the 
 mofl extreme affedtion and forrow j and in 
 fhort, fo completely aimed at what (he was 
 not, that during the (lay of Lady Middle- 
 ton at the Abbey, fhe had conceived an 
 high idea of the amiable fillers. 
 
 Lady Ann being extremely ill, they were 
 prevented that time returning with her to- 
 Ankerwick Caftle, which was a matter of 
 great joy to Lady Mary, who did not at all 
 relilh the idea of living fo fe eluded from 
 company as fhe found Lady Middleton 
 did. She thought to herfelf how differently 
 fhe would have lived in the fame circum- 
 ftances ; (lie fecietly rejoiced at the removal 
 of Lady Middleton, particularly as the fol- 
 lowing week there was a large party expedl- 
 ed at the Abbey, amcung which was to be a 
 Mr. Beaumont, remarkable for his beauty 
 and fortune, both which were to her abio- 
 lute requifites in love. The all-powerful 
 charms of her coufm, fo much her fupei ior, 
 
 • fhe
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLJS. 1 9 
 
 fhe very juftly conceived, would rob her of 
 a conqueft die was quite bent upon ; for 
 all her felf-love could not prevent her fee- 
 ing that where Lady Middleton appeared, 
 fhe could have very little chance of fuc- 
 ceeding, particularly on a man whofe 
 character was much more congenial to her 
 than to the haughty felf-fufficienl Lady^ 
 Mary. 
 
 Very different were the thoughts of Lady 
 Middleton on her return to Ankerwick 
 Caille ; fhe felt the lofs of her regretted 
 and indulgent father and mother; every- 
 thing put her in mind of them after this 
 Ihort abfence, with redoubled force. 
 
 « Alas !" faid (he, " dear Hiades, look 
 down on your Gertrude, and if it be per- 
 mitted, watch over her, and guard her from 
 acling otherwife than thou, dear depart- 
 ed fpirits, wouldft approve ; much of the 
 goods of this life haft thou left me j Oh I 
 teach me how I Ihould beflow part of my 
 
 great
 
 10 ANKERWICK CASTLE^ 
 
 great wealth as thou did ft ; teach my young- 
 heart to difcern between virtue and vice,, 
 and lead me as thou wouldft have done, 
 were I ftill blefied with your dear prefence.'* 
 
 Mrs. Markham met her as flie entered^ 
 and there were traces of forrow and recent 
 tears on her countenance, wi^lcb alarmed 
 this worthy w-oman much ; but Lady Mid- 
 dleton foon fatisfied her that nothing particu- 
 lar was the matter, and ihe felt herlelf happier 
 with her amiable friends, than in the gayer 
 circle of the Abbey. She gave up the ufual 
 number of hours to her ftudies, and occupied 
 herfelf in the fame manner fhe had done 
 fmce fhe was twelve years old ; fhe followed 
 the fteps of her beloved mother, and regu- 
 larly vifited all the poor, and infpeded mi- 
 nutely into their fituation. She was always 
 accompanied in her vifits of this kind by 
 Mr. Selwin. Orphans, and the children of 
 the very poorer order of the people, were 
 cloathed, fed, and taught,. to the number of 
 
 tliirty i
 
 ANKERWiCK CASTLE, 21 
 
 thirty ; they were kept till they were 
 twelve years old, and then they were ap- 
 prenticed out to different fades, or fent to 
 lea properly equipped, if their genius led 
 them to that line of life. The morninor 
 
 o 
 
 after her arrival, fhe, on going her rounds, 
 faw a very fine, handfome, flrong looking 
 boy, with three others, before the fchool- 
 houfe door. He had got a large ftiff paper 
 cocked hat, with a. paper cockade and fea- 
 ther, a paper crofs belt, and wooden fword, 
 and he was exerciiing with a lar2;e wooden 
 gun. As Lady Middleton and Mr. Sdvvin 
 a'-lvanced, the boy flood until they came 
 up, and then gave the general falute with 
 great addrefs as they paiTed him. The 
 oddity and beauty of the boy pleafed her, 
 and (lie aiked him if lie would like to be 
 a foldier ? 
 
 '' I ibould like to be an cfhcer, my 
 Lad) ," laid the boy ; ** for foidiers are liable 
 to be fiogged, and I don't like Hoi^^dn^,'* 
 
 Hi 
 
 IS
 
 Q.2 ANKERWICK CASTLK. 
 
 His anfvver made both Lady Mlddletoii 
 -and Mr. Seiwin fmile. A few days after 
 llie mentioned the boy both to Mrs. Mark- 
 ham and Mr. Selv/in. 
 
 '^'•1 have been thinking, my good Sir," 
 faid (he, " this poor boy will never get the 
 idea of being an officer out of his head, and 
 that he will do badly at any trade he may be 
 put to. I fliall take it as a great favour if 
 you will enquire from Vincent, the mafter> 
 what fort of a boy he is ; and if he anfwers 
 our expectation, I fhali requell your opinion 
 on a plan I have formed.'* 
 
 Mr. Seiwin enquired very minutely into 
 the difpofition of the boy, and found him 
 to be open, honeft, generous^ and refolute ; 
 much loved by all his playfellows, and re- 
 garded by his mafter, who reprefented him 
 as a lad of flrong parts, and great applica- 
 tion ; that he read extremely well, wrote a 
 very fine hand, and was mafter of accounts. 
 He was brought to the cafde every day, 
 
 and
 
 ANKERWICR CASTLE* 23 
 
 and Mr. Selwin talked to him in the pre- 
 fence of Lady Middleton. They perceived 
 nothing mean norgroveUing in his fentiments 
 or difpofition. It was agreed that he fliouid 
 be under the care of Mr. Selvvin , and if he 
 juftified the hopes formed of him. Lady 
 Middleton faid fhe would, after fix months' 
 trial, inform, her friends of her intentions 
 towards him, for their 'approbation. '* At 
 pre fen t," faid (lie, '' you will be fo good to 
 excufe my explaining myfelf farther." — The 
 boy was new-drefTed, and every care taken 
 of him. 
 
 With the company that were expelled 
 at the Abbey, the Duke and Duchefs of 
 'Somerton, and their only daughtfr, Lady 
 Matilda Summ.ers, were to form part j and 
 as there had been a great friendihip fubfifb- 
 ing between his Grace and the late Lord 
 Middleton, their vifit to the Abbey was 
 principally to wait on the young Lady 
 Middleton. This the Duchefs of Devon 
 apprized her of, and told her the whole party 
 
 would
 
 2-4 AiyCERWICK CASTL£. 
 
 would wait en her, and fi-cnd a few days at 
 Ankervvick Caftle. 
 
 *' My fweet Gertrude will let us have a 
 ball and concert, and, if the weather per- 
 mits, a party and cold dinner on the lake 5 
 for,'* fhe added, ''the young people will 
 cxped fome amufement.*' 
 
 This' was a private converfation between 
 the Duchefs and her grand-daughter on the 
 morning ot Ijer leaving the Abbey, and was 
 unknown to Lady Mary and Lady Ann 
 Berkley. Three weeks palled on, at the 
 end of which there was a card lent that 
 the Duke and Duchefs of Somerton, and 
 Lady Matilda, would wait on Lady Mid- 
 dleton on the Tuefday following. Lord 
 Seal however was taken ill the day before, 
 which prevented ail the family from leaving 
 the Abbey ; and the Somerton family, with 
 Mr. Beaumont, who had accompanied them, 
 and was a near relation of die Duchefs'sjvvith 
 a Mr. and Mrs. Selby, v/ere the only vifiters 
 
 at
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 2^ 
 
 at the Caflle. The Duke and Duchefs of 
 Someiton were very amiable and agreeable ; 
 Lady Matilda Summers was a moil elegant, 
 accomplilhed, and beautiful girl, rather 
 younger than Lady Middleton, and in dif- 
 pofition and fentiment not unHke. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Selby were very fenfible and 
 highly polifl:ied, lively and agreeable ^ and 
 Mr. Beaumont, the gentleman whom Lady 
 Mary had fixed upon for her adorer, was 
 every thing defirable ; he was remarkably 
 handfome, interefting, and graceful ; his 
 countenance fpoke the goodneis of his 
 heart, where every noble principle and virtus 
 were to be found ; he was a man of fcience, 
 and, for his time of life, of great learning ; 
 he was at this period only twenty -four years 
 old. 
 
 VOL. I. c CFIAP.
 
 26 a>:kerwick castle, 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 
 JL he party found it Co extremely agree- 
 able at the Caftle, that they made their (lay 
 a fortnight ; ar.d the day before that on 
 which they intended to leave it, the v. hole 
 family from the Abbey joined them. Lord 
 Seal was quite recovered, and Lady Mary, 
 followed by the Graces broke upon the 
 company in the full fplendour of French 
 drelsj which fhe tliought much more cap- 
 tivating than Engliili. 
 
 That evening there was a concert and 
 ball. As many of the Nobility in the neigh- 
 bourhood of Ankerv\ick Caftle had been 
 engaged for that night, it being the laft of 
 
 the
 
 ANKER WICK CASTLE. 27 
 
 the flay of t'^e noble vifiters, Lady Middle- 
 ton wiilicd it to be particularly agreeable. 
 The unconiraon fplendour, the grandeur, 
 and vadnefs of this great place, the eafy 
 elegance and beauty of its rowner, the uni- 
 verfal admiration (lie received, were ah fo 
 many daggers in the heart of the invidious 
 Lady Mary^ ; but when (he favv herfelf neg- 
 lected by Mr. Beaumont, though it do^s 
 not appear that fiie ever had received any 
 particular attention from him, her rage be- 
 came extreme ; — but ever wary, fhe con- 
 cealed the tortures (he fuffered,and lavidied 
 fuch praifes on her charming coufin, as (he 
 always called Lady Middlcton, that every 
 body thougl'it her the moil artlefs, good- 
 natured, agreeable girl in the world-. She 
 affected to be in the highefl f[)irits,and praifed 
 her couhn's voice, and execution on the 
 organ ; but when Lady Middleton played a 
 folo on the harp, though all eyes and voices 
 were direded to her only. Lady Mary ex- 
 ceeded every one in the rapturous praife fo 
 well-merited and (o lavifnly beRowed, and 
 c 2 ;hat
 
 aB ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 that too in fo natural a manner, that flie 
 not only had the credit of being herfelf a 
 judge of mufic, -but alfo appearing in the 
 higheft degree amiable, from the warm at- 
 tachment (lie (hewed her coufin : even Mr. 
 Beaumont thought there was fomething fo 
 difinterefted and good in it, that he took 
 more notice of her than he ever had done 
 before. — Lady Middleton became quite the 
 dupe of this artifice. Things were in this 
 flate durino; the concert and the hour 
 which preceded the ball, which was pafTed 
 in walking about, and drinking tea. The 
 attention Mr. Beaumont paid Lady Mary, 
 for the reafons above alTigned, flattered her 
 exceedingly, and (lie was certain he in- 
 tended afiiing her to dance ; fhe detained 
 him with this hope much longer than he 
 wilhed, by a thoufand arts and coquetifli 
 v/ays, when the Duchefs of Somerton joined 
 them. 
 
 *« I thought, Beaumont," faid her Grace, 
 <* you had been enga_,ed to dance wdth Lady 
 
 Middleton;
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 29 
 
 Middleton ; I think I heard you engage her 
 this morning -, (lie Vvait^ for you t — Matilda, 
 who you kno/v' is fond of dancing, is ali im- 
 patien^e. Lady Mary, warre is yjur part- 
 ner? You are all fo flow — I have no patience 
 with you r* 
 
 Thus the Duchefs ran en in a breath -, — as 
 (he finifhed the lalx f nt^nce, flie joir.cd 
 another party, a::d left Lady Mary alon ^ ; 
 petrified, mcniied, and enraged, (lie had 
 not power to move, but ftood where Mr. 
 Beaumont had left h. r. S'le followed hiin, 
 however, with her ercs, and faw him lead his 
 lovely partner into the ball-room. Envy, 
 hatred, and jealoufy took polTefTion of her 
 foul, and fne vowed to be revenged. When 
 (he had finally fettled this with herfe!^ (he 
 became perfeclly compofed, and went to the 
 gay throng. Mr. Selbv happened acciden- 
 tally to meet her, juft as fiie entered the 
 ball-room alone. 
 
 c 3 ■ '* What^
 
 JO ANKER WICK CASTLE. 
 
 ** What, LrJy Mary/* faid he, ''alone? 
 Where is your partner ? They are jufl be- 
 ^nning to dance.'* 
 
 " I haverefufcd a dozen,** faid (lie, *' on 
 account of a violent head-ach, which I am 
 now forry f^r, as it is quite gone off fince 
 the mufic flopped. " 
 
 " We!)," laid Mr. Selby, " we are both 
 in precifely the fame unfortunate predica- 
 ment, f^^r I have afked a dozen, and found 
 not one di fen gaged ; fliall we forget our 
 ciftreffes by joir-ing our ill-luck together:'* 
 
 " With all my heart," faid this amiable 
 woman of quality ; and, fearlefsof the offence 
 fhe would give the dozen beaux (he had 
 been fo cruel to, danccd away with the 
 agreeable Mr. Seiby with as much appear- 
 ance of gaiety and cheerfuinefs as if all 
 within v/as at peace ; but there was a ftorm 
 gathering that threatened deftruCtion to the 
 haplefs head it diould fall on. 
 
 The young and aitiefs Lady Middle- 
 ton had been ftruck: with the grace and 
 
 elegance
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 3I 
 
 elegance of the accomplifhed Beaumont the 
 firft moment fhe farv him, and her heart was 
 wholly his before fhe knew it herlelf ; pleafed 
 when he was near her, delighted with his 
 converfation, and fondly partial to the man 
 her young heart taught her to think every 
 .way amiable, fhe gave herfelf up to the 
 pleafanteft fenfations of delight ; and without 
 enquiring into the ftate of Mr. Beaumont's 
 feniiments towards her, fhe enjoyed the pre- 
 fect with all ihe innocence fo natural c.t her 
 age, without evtr chinking about the rulure. 
 
 The arrival of the Devon family protract- 
 ed the vifit for another fortnight, which was 
 fpeat in the fame manner. Each day 
 brought fomeihlng new ; fo happily did this 
 chrirniing ^irl vary the fcenes of both morn- 
 ing and evening amufement^ that not a 
 moment was dull or heavy. Mrs. Mark- 
 ham, with infinite pleafure, fav the eafy 
 cheerfulnefs, t;:e hei^^htened fpirits of her 
 young friend ; never did ihe appear to fuch 
 advantage as nov/; every heart a-rknow- 
 c 4 ledged
 
 32 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 ledged her excellence, every tongue fpokc her 
 praife ; eafy, affable, and polite to all, fhe 
 feemed to give no prefefence to any, and 
 a flranger would fuppofe all the females of 
 the party were perfeclly equal to her — that 
 (he had no particular prediledion to any : — 
 but this was not the cafe , while flie talked 
 and trifled with all, (lie had, with judgment 
 and difcernment, feledted the charming Lady 
 Matilda Summers as her friend. A fimila- 
 rity of fentiments and manners united thefe 
 two lovely girls, and at this period an 
 attachment commenced, that lafted with 
 their lives. The Duchefs of Devon, wifh- 
 ing to prolong the pleafure of the party, 
 wanted, on their return to the Abbey, to 
 * prevail on Lady Middleton and Mrs. Mark- 
 ham to accompany them ; but Mr. Middle- 
 ton, uncle to the young heirefs, and his Lady, 
 having fignified their arrival in England, ' 
 and their intentions of being at Ankerwick 
 Caftle immediately, this arrangement was 
 impoflible : but it was agreed Lady Matilda 
 fhould remain for two months at the Caflle-, 
 
 during
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. JJ 
 
 during the (lay of the Duke and Duchefs 
 at a watering-place in that country, which 
 accommodation was much more to the 
 fatisfadlion of the two fiiends. 
 
 The following day the party broke up ; 
 and when they all bade adieu to Lady Mid- 
 dleton, (lie felt a fenfation at the departure 
 of Beaumont, that fi.rft (hewed her the 
 extent of the feelings of her heart. Her 
 gaiety now became a-lTumed ; reflection 
 pointed out to her, that though' Mr. Beau- 
 mont had danced, rode on horfeback with 
 her, admired her f<.ill in mufic, her voice, 
 her univerfal knowledge, yet he never ap- 
 peared more particularly pleafed with her 
 than with lier friend Lady Matilda. This 
 idea, took full pofTellion of her ; it robbed 
 her of fleep, her heart was opprefTed, all 
 enjoyment was fled, except that which 
 fiowed from friendfliip; for not even the 
 certainty of Lady Matilda being her rival 
 could^ for a moment, make her love her 
 lefs. She would figh^ bnt it was the figh 
 c 5 of
 
 34 ANKSRVv'ICK CASTLE. 
 
 of innccerce, of purity^ (lie wifhcd her 
 triend happy Vv'i-.h Beaumont, but yet Beau- 
 moiu was clear to Ikt. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Middleton arrived at the 
 Cafiile, and the feces and g-.das began again. 
 The'^ijifiance betweeii ihe Abbey and Cafile 
 was ,tvver.ty-eigbt miles, and theref^^re it 
 precluded any intercourfe of daily vifits^ 
 and Lidy Middleton faw no more of 
 any of that party. A letter from the 
 Dachefs of Somerton to her daughter, in- 
 fv.rmed them that Lord Seal and his two 
 daughters accon-jpanied them, and that Lady 
 Mary was in high fpirits, and univerfally 
 admired. Thus palTed on ihe two months, 
 when Lady Matilda received notice to be 
 ready at an appointed day, when her father 
 would call upon her. This notice brought 
 ibrrow to the two friends, and they both 
 equally dreaded the parting; it came, and 
 they were feparated. A condant correfpond- 
 ence by letter v\ as fixed upon, and it was the 
 cnly aiieviation to theirgrief ^ they parted, and 
 
 both
 
 ANKER'VICK CAST'.E. 35 
 
 both were unhappy. Mrs. Markham felt 
 for her young friend, and left nothing un- 
 done to Ihew her how much Ihe wifhed to 
 make up to her the lofs of a companion of 
 her own age. 
 
 Few of my female readers under ty/e:'.t3% 
 will give credit to tiiere being a poifibility 
 of two young girls living together for more 
 than fvvo n:onths, and one, if not both, 
 violently in love, vvi:hoat conlidi::-g the 
 fecret of their hearts to each other; yet it 
 neverthclefs was io. Lady iVliddleton was 
 too diffident and bafnfui to reveal the fecret 
 that conlumed her, to ihc perfon whom iLe 
 in-agined was beloved by the man ihe had 
 involuntarily placed her atfeiftions on -, her 
 fentimcnts v*^eie too de-icate, too noble, too 
 refined ; no corroiive jealou-y preyed upon 
 her heart ; — (lie envied not her friend for the 
 preference Beaumont gave her, but flie 
 loved, and (he defpaired ; her paGion was 
 hopelefs — Cnc never expected to fee him 
 mere, and if (he did, not lor her. 
 
 c 6 CHAP.
 
 36 ANKERWICK CAGTLS. 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 Jl HUS did die heavy hours pafs on until 
 the fix months, that ihe had allovv'ed for the 
 trial of the young chanty boy, Henry Clarke, 
 were expired. To the very day fhe was 
 punctual, and after breakfafb (lie afl^ed Mr. 
 Selwin his -opinion of the lad. She had 
 never made any enquiry from the day fne 
 placed him under the good man's care, until 
 the limited time was out. Mr. Selwin 
 gave the mod flattering account of him, 
 both as to his abilities and morals. He told 
 her he had made a very great profi.ciency in 
 Latin, that he was uncommonly quick, and 
 had a mod retentive memory ; and if he 
 received a proper education, he probably 
 
 would make a great man, 
 
 It
 
 ANKERWiCK CASTLE. 37 
 
 " It is a pity," Ladj^ Middleton obferved, 
 " that abilities, fuch as you reprefent him to 
 have, fliould be lofl for want of cultivation. 
 You have added to the obligations I already 
 think my felf under to you, by the care you 
 have taken of tl.is poor boy ; if you will 
 allow me, my dear Sir, to give you the fum 
 his yeady expences at a principal fchool 
 would cod me, I fhail beg the favour of you 
 to take his education on yourfelf." 
 
 She took out her pocket-book, and pre- 
 fented him with a Bank nore. Ourhiftory 
 does not inform us of t:.c precife fam, but 
 Lady Middleton fjliowcv' the fteps of her 
 anceftors ; her donations vv.^re always liberal. 
 Mr. Sciwin Vv'as diftrelTed; but fhe was pofr- 
 tive, and on thefe occafions \/ouid be obeyed.. 
 She liad never (ctn the bc"^ from the day 
 he became a refident in the Caille ; Qie men- 
 tioned this, and begged to fee him. ■ He 
 was immediately at her feet. He had 
 thrown himfelf on his knees before her the 
 
 moment
 
 38 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 moR:ent he entered the rocm -, (he gave him 
 
 her haPid, and bade him rile. 
 
 " Suffer me, my La]}'/' ildd Henry, 
 *' to ihank yoa tor all your goodnefs,*' 
 and, with the greateft refpeCu and modefi}'. 
 Lined the hand (he had given liim. 
 
 '' I am glad to hear," laid (he, " you 
 a"e fo good a boy, that you attefid fo clofely 
 to your (ludies, and are io dutiful to Mr, 
 Seiwin," 
 
 *' Alas! my Lady," (aid he, ''both 
 you and Mr. Scl in are To gooci, and Mrs. 
 Selwin is fo,fbnd of me, 1 ihouid be un- 
 grateful indeed not to do as much as I 
 could to jjica'e thole who are \o kind to 
 poor Harry. Mr. Vincent has taught me 
 to fay m,y prayers, and every night and 
 morning I pray for you, my Lady, and good 
 Mr. and Mrs. Selwin." 
 
 After this day Hie faw Henry often ; had 
 him drelTtd with the greateft care, and his 
 
 gentle
 
 ANKETOVICK CASTLE. 39 
 
 gentle difpofition and good fenfe gained 
 him the love of every body ; his beauty and 
 manner furprifed Lady Middleton, and fhe 
 defired to be informed of his parents. She 
 had looked on the books, flie f.id, and 
 could not find tlie name of Henry Ciarke. 
 Mr. Selvv'in informed her that Clarke had been 
 a name given him by the boys ; that when 
 the fchooimaflier read prayers, he ufed, of his 
 own accord, to lay "• Amen" louder ihan 
 the refb/and 'o he ^ot the nrnime of Clarke 
 froni^that circumftance ; but that he v/as a 
 foundling, left in a Very nice baik^t at the 
 do. r of old Gibbons ; that they brought 
 him to A^kerwick, and tb.at the nane of 
 Henry was written, and plri::ed to his robe; 
 that his clothes were hne, and there was 
 every appearance of his being born of a 
 rank macli above the vu!gar. 
 
 On hearing this (he told Mrs. Markham, 
 if (he had no objedion, (he v/ould Vvdfh that 
 Henry became one of the fa.rdly, as Hie in- 
 tended p^acing him in the rank Nature 
 
 fecmed
 
 40 ANKERWICIC CASTLE. 
 
 feemed to intend for him. There was no 
 oppofition of courfe, and a proper apart- 
 ment and a valet were appointed for Harry. 
 He was now to be looked on in quite a 
 different light — he had become t\\Q protege 
 of the heircfs of Ankerwick^ the companion 
 of one of the firft women of the kingdom. 
 Every rcfpedt was paid him, and hb educatioa 
 attended to with as much care as if he had. 
 been fon to the fir(l Duke in Endand. 
 
 o 
 
 But there was no change in Henry 3 he was 
 the fame open, honcfl:, generous, and affable 
 fellow he ever had been ; he was humble to 
 his inferiors, and not mean to his fuperiors y 
 he gained the love of all ; he uftd to vlfit 
 his old fchooHcllovvs, and diflribute his 
 pocket-money to his favourites. 
 
 On the return of the Duke and Duchefs 
 of Devon from London, Lady Middieton 
 and Mrs. Markham went to the Abbey to 
 fpend a few days. Lord Seal and his tv\-o 
 fons were the only com.pany , Lady Mary 
 and Lady Ann were on a vifit to Lady 
 
 Pembroke.
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 4I 
 
 Pembroke. Tliefe youn-^ men had lately 
 arrived from their travels, from which they 
 had not obtained all that could have been 
 wiflied. The elded Lord Sandfcrd was 
 haughty, imperious, ignorant, vicious, ex- 
 travagant, and illiberal ; his perfon was good, 
 and he thought himfelfhandfomer than any 
 body elfedid ; — indeed he fuppofed no woman 
 could withfiand his attractions when drefled 
 in the true Parifian ftyle — powdered and 
 perfumed. He meafured the excellence of the 
 Engiifh by the number of foreign miles they 
 had travelled ; and thofe who had not vificed 
 the different Courts where he had been, and 
 com.pleted the grand tour^ were quite be- 
 neath his notice. Lady Middleton had 
 indeed the advantage of fpeaking tolerable 
 French and Italian, but his Lordihip thought 
 (he wanted the foreign manner. He pre- 
 ferred rouge to a natural complexion ; eyes 
 had no luftre that were not fet off by art — 
 they were dead, languid; but, notwithftand- 
 ing all thefe great defeds, he thought his 
 coufin paffable. 
 
 The
 
 42 ANRERV/ICK CASTLE. 
 
 The younger brother was flupid, ii.do- 
 lent, ignorant, and proud. Such were the 
 fons of the Earl of Seal. 
 
 Lady Middleton, who had never feen 
 fuch monfters, was quite ihocked at their 
 freedom, and difguftcd with their manner. 
 She therefore made her vifit fnorter than (he 
 intended, and returned the ufth day to 
 Anker wick. Ten miles from the Abbey 
 fredi horfes met her; and the heat of the 
 day induced Mrs. Markham to beg (he 
 would ftop at the inn for an hour or two^ 
 Juft as they were ftenping out of the landau, 
 a chaife and four drove to the door of the 
 inn; and, to the utter afconilhment of Lady 
 Middleton, Mr. Beaumont was at her fide 
 in a moment. As Mrs, Markham alighted 
 from the carriage firft, Lady Middleton was 
 on the ftep, and Mr, Beaumont arrived 
 tim.e enoug-h to afTifi: her. She thought fhe 
 perceived him ^r.jm-ble as he handed her out : 
 but fhe was conicioiis Ihe trembled aUo, 
 therefore v/as not quite certain whether the 
 
 tremor
 
 ANKERWiCK CASTLE* 43 
 
 tremor was Co properly t ) be confi^lered his. 
 Xi^e meeting was awkward on. bot'i fides ; 
 by her it was renfihly felr. We are to con- 
 iider Lady Middieton }oung and artlefs^ 
 with a ibui all foftnefs, all ienfibility, alive 
 to all the finer feelings j it is not therefore 
 to be wondered at that when (he loved, 
 fhe Ihould love to excefs ; — it feemed pro- 
 perly to belong to her charader that fhe 
 fhould, and a cenain degree of gravity in 
 her difpofition made it likely her's would 
 not be a tranfient palFion. Jad as they 
 were feated in the inn, and Mr. Beaumont 
 giving an account of Lady Matilda, which 
 iuterefted all prefent, Lord Sindford arrived ; 
 Le eagerly aiked after Lady Middleton, and 
 was inflantly (hewn into the room. 
 
 «* My dear Madam," fald he, '' I have 
 been the mod unfortunate man upon earth. 
 My father infifhed on my making that bore 
 of a vifit at Mr. Marley's, whicli prevented 
 my being at the Abbey when you left it j 
 had I conceived an idea of your leaving us 
 
 fo
 
 44 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 fo foon, nothing could have induced me to 
 have abfcnted myiclf; perhaps h:id I been 
 there when you fjrmed the refolution of 
 quitting us, I might have been fo fortunate 
 as to have detained you a few days longer.*' 
 
 Lady Middleton w;is a,V aflonifliment at 
 his fudden appearance, his hurried manner, 
 and his converfation, and for a moment 
 could make him no reply. He went on — 
 
 '* Oh yes !" faid he, taking a chair, and 
 placing it by her, " my fweet coufin would 
 not have refufed me, would fne ?" taking 
 hold of her hand, and carrying it to his 
 lips. 
 
 This lafl piece of gallantry completely 
 roufed her Ladyfl^iin; and, difengaglng her 
 hand, flie rofe with dignity, and giving him 
 a look of the utmofl contempt, feemed to 
 feel the freedom (lie had been treated v/ith 
 as the greateft infult : and without faying a 
 word to his Lordfliip, ilie told Mrs. Mark- 
 
 hana
 
 AVKERVvTCK CASTLE. 45 
 
 bam if fhe were fufficiently refted, (he fhould 
 be glad to proceed. 
 
 Notwithftanding the impudence and eafe 
 of this young man, he was for a moment 
 confounded by the manner of his angelic 
 coufm ; and, walking to the part of the 
 room Ihe had removed to, in doing which 
 he was to pafs by a large pier glafs, in 
 which he furveyed his figure and face, that 
 never failed to put him in good humour 
 with himfelf — 
 
 " You are fo timid, Lady Middleton," 
 faid he ; " but it is the misfortune of all 
 EnghUi women — I have never been able to 
 take the moll triflmg liberty fmce I came 
 to this horrid country, without receiving 
 contemptuous looks, and pofitive orders to 
 tranfgrefs no more. Pray, Sir,'' faid he, 
 addrefTing himfelf to Mr. Beaumont, who 
 was a filent fpedlator of this fcene^ '* do the 
 ladies treat you (o ?'* 
 
 Mrs.
 
 46 AKKERWICK. CASTLE. 
 
 Mrs. Markham, who obfervecl in Mr. 
 BeaumonL's counieriar.ce fon.ething that 
 made her dread hL unlvvciing this qucflion, 
 faid— 
 
 *' Mr. Beaumont, my Lord, has travelled 
 much, and confornis himfelf to the manners 
 and cuftoms of the different countries he 
 vifits ; he makes a difference, T dare fay, in 
 bis addreis to a wOiT.an of dillindtion and an 
 Opera girl." 
 
 " There is England again," laid this 
 
 honour to nobility ; '* may 1 be d- d if all 
 
 the vvorf.en in this ifland are not prudes I 
 Bur come, coufin,*' addrefling Lady Mid- 
 dleton, *' I followed you as faff as I could, 
 and intend being your ciciiLeo to Anker- 
 wick Caftle, v^here I mean to fpend a week 
 with you.'' 
 
 *^ You will find none there, my Lord,'^ 
 llie replied, '* but prudes, and fuch com- 
 pany as mud be diiagreeable to you : I 
 •fhcu'd therefore recommend it to your 
 Lordiliip to return to the Abbey.'* 
 
 Lady
 
 AMCERWICK CASTLE. 47 
 
 Lady Middle ton faid this with a ma:.ner 
 fo all her own, tluit Lord SindforJ, on the 
 ladies going to thjir carriage, and Mr. 
 Eiau.iionc's being at the door, into which 
 he got on handing Lady Middleton and 
 Mrs. Maikham into t heir's, thouo;ht the 
 bed thingr he could do was to foliovv her 
 advice, carnning England and all the women 
 in ir. He proceeded home at a much 
 more m.oderate rate than on his quitting it. 
 The truth is, he did not very well know 
 what to fay on his arrival at the Abbey ; 
 for he had made iuch arrangements for his 
 week's Ray at Ankervv^ick Caille, that he 
 felt very awkward; — it was an embarradment 
 he had not looked for ; he pofTeired too 
 much felt-love to expect iuch a repuhe, and 
 his ill -temper broke out againd his iervants; 
 he curfed them one ind-ant for drivino: too 
 flow, the next too fad, and in this happy 
 date he arrived about five minutes afier his 
 amiable fider, Lady Mary. 
 
 When
 
 48 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 When the carriage drove off in which 
 Mr. Beaumont was, and Lady MIddleton 
 moved on lo Ankerwick, there was a vacuum 
 in her heart that was not to be filled up. 
 She had feen Beaumont for a pafllng mo- 
 ment 'y — in that moment Lady Matilda was 
 the rubje6l he talked on. The intrufion of 
 Lord Sandford prevented her from knowing 
 more, and alfo where he was going, and 
 whence he came. She would have afked 
 him to the Caflle, but the invitation died 
 upon her lips ; and he left her before (he had 
 power to do fo. Mrs. Markham obferved 
 it would have been proper, and that Qie was 
 going to remind her of it. Lady Middleton 
 was iilent, 
 
 *^ Lord Sandford's intrufion was intole- 
 rable," continued Mrs. Markham; " how 
 delightfully fhould we have fpent thefe two 
 hours, had not that contemptible boy 
 broke in upon us ! I rejoiced at the for- 
 tunate meeting with that entertaining, 
 
 charming
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 49 
 
 charming young man, and was quite vexed 
 we could not enjoy his converration." . 
 
 It is fomewbat extraordinary that this 
 lady had not the remotefl idea of her young 
 friend's attachment* 
 
 On Lady Middleton's return, fhe found 
 a letter from Lady Matilda. Amongft many 
 other anecdotes, fhe mentioned Mr. Beau- 
 mont's having that morning taken leave on 
 his leaving England , the forrovv the v/hole 
 family were in, and that Hie really felt a 
 particular (liare, as ihe had a very great 
 eiieem for him ; fhe loved him like a bro- 
 ther s — llie then naturally went on to fome 
 other fubjed. 
 
 Tins letter, though it plainly proved to 
 her that Lady Matilda was not attached to 
 Beaumont, yet he-, fhe was convinced, was 
 attached to her , befides, he had left Eng- 
 land, and for two years. What a refleclion ! 
 Ill at eafe before, this letter added to her 
 VOL. I, D grief.
 
 50 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 grief. — " All is over then," ilie cried; " that 
 tender friendfliip, which would have been 
 the happineis of my hfe, is at an end.'* 
 Pride came to her relief. — *' I mufl conquer 
 thiS fatal paiTion; I die for a man who re- 
 gards me not ; I mud forget I ever faw him — 
 forget his perfections ; but," faid (he, " he 
 goes, he leaves England — I fliali never fee 
 hfm more !" 
 
 A flood of tears followed this cruel re- 
 flexion j againft the mislortune of loftng 
 him for ever, neither her pride nor her rea- 
 {oti could fuftain her. A reftlefs night 
 fucceeded to this conflicting day, and it was 
 not till morning that fleep relieved her tor- 
 tured mind by a forgetfulnefs of forrow 
 almofl: too much for her to bear. 
 
 CHAP.
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 5 I 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 oHE arofe, and fummoned all her fefolu* 
 tion to her aid, and was able in about an 
 hour to attend her friends at the breakfaft 
 table. Her mind was perturbed, her eyes 
 heavy with weeping, her fine countenance 
 expreffed deep and penlive forrow. She was 
 much furprifed not to find Mrs. Markhani 
 at breakfaft at the ufual hour ; fhe became 
 alarmed, and fent enquiries to her maid, who 
 reported that her Lady h^d been ill during 
 the night, had fallen aileep, and ordered not 
 to be diflurbed until fhe rang her bell. 
 
 The alteration in Lady Middleton did not 
 
 efcape the obfervation of Mr. and Mrs. 
 
 D 2 Selwin ; 
 
 LtBRARV ~ — 
 UNIVERSITY OF lUWOTS
 
 52 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 Selvvin ; they anxioufly widitd to know tlic 
 caufe of her dejedion, which fhe turned off 
 as well as flie could by faying, fhe had alfo 
 palTed a very reftlefs night. Henry became 
 forrowful, and begged her to fend for Dr. 
 Hill. 
 
 *' You are ill, my Lady," faid he, his eyes 
 filled with tears ; " I will order Thomas to 
 go ; it will not be an hour before he will be 
 here." 
 
 She fmiled at the impetuofity of this 
 good-natured boy. 
 
 " No, Henry," faid (he, '' I do not 
 ftand in need of Dr. Hill ; I fhall be very 
 well after a ride on horieback if Mr. Selwin 
 will fuffer you to attend me." 
 
 Poor Henry was delighted to be near her , 
 he ran to Mr. Selwin — 
 
 Oh
 
 ANKERWICK. CASTLE. ^;j 
 
 " Oh Sir!" faiJ he, " cin you refafe 
 me the firft time my Lady wifhes me to ride 
 with her ?'* 
 
 ** No indeed, Henry,*' faid the good 
 man, *' I (liould be forry to refufe you any 
 thing that would afford you Co much plea- 
 fure." 
 
 " Thank you, thank you, my dear Sir," 
 faid he 5 " I will go and put on my new 
 boots, and my new coat.** 
 
 " Let your own man attend you/* faid 
 Lady Middleton* 
 
 Off he ran, the happieft of all human 
 beings* 
 
 " Kenry gets fo tall," faid ihe, '' he will 
 foon be a man ; he is the tailed boy for 
 thirteen I ever faw." 
 
 Mr. Selwin informed her he was kept 
 
 two years longer than any of the other 
 
 children ; that it had been the diredion of 
 
 Lord Middieton, from his being an orphan, 
 
 D 3 in
 
 54 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 in hopes he might be claimed, that he (hould 
 not be fent into the world until he was 
 fifteen. 
 
 Mrs. Markham found herfelfmuch better ; 
 and when Lady Middleton went to her cham- 
 ber, flie was pleafed that the room was dark, 
 as that kind friend was too folicitous about 
 lier, not to have perceived the recent forrow, 
 the drooping, the diftrelTed, and fading coun- 
 tenance, the languor and heavinefs that were 
 about her. Mrs. Markham recovered, but 
 poor Lady Middleton continued for feveral 
 months fadly afFefted. 
 
 Henry grew furprifingly, and his beauty 
 and manlinefs stained him univerfal admira- 
 tion. 
 
 Lady Middleton was not the only perfon 
 affcfted by the abfence of Mr. Beaumont : 
 Lady Mary Berkley {ighed,but not in fecret ; 
 [he was violent in her grief; — his cafually 
 dancing with her, and the common civilities 
 
 every
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 55 
 
 every polite man pays to vvo'Tien ii ge::era!, 
 were to her quife enough to convir.ce her 
 that the fcperior beauty of the two friends 
 had not been fufhcient to take from her the 
 conquefh Hie had determined on, even before 
 fhe faw him. His leaving England jull at 
 the m.-ment fhe hoped and expected a de- 
 claration of his pafTion, and ofler of his 
 hand, was a blow too fevere to fullain. Sne 
 vented her grief in the mod violent manner 
 to her fifter, and in the iirft paroxyfm of her 
 rage, vowed if (he did not marry Beaumont, 
 fhe would never marry at all ; but this vow 
 fhe v\ouli not have kept longer than till 
 fhe received an offer of the hand and for- 
 tune cf feme other more fond and iefs cruel 
 lover. 
 
 One whole year rolled on^ without any 
 thing remarkable happening. Lady Mid- 
 dleton indulged in fecret the pafTion that 
 devoured her. She had refufed three or four 
 very amiable and elegant men ; but as Lord 
 Middleton defired fhe might be left totally 
 1^ 4 at
 
 56 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 at her own difpofal, the Duke of Devon 
 never remonftrated with her^ yet ftill he 
 wondered his dear Gertrude fhould be in- 
 ienfible to fo many fine young men. 
 
 She had never feen Lady Matilda fince 
 their firfl parting. She had been preiled by 
 the Duchefs of Devon to fpend a few months 
 in London, but could liot be prevailed on. 
 She wiihed implicitly to fulfil the deiires of 
 her dear father ; and nothing could tempt 
 her to break her refolution, of never being 
 more than a fortnight abfent from Anker- 
 wick Caflle. — In the month of April flie 
 had one day taken a long ride, Henry her 
 only companion ; — the day was beautifully 
 fine, and, for the time ofyear, warm 3 — flie had 
 tired herfelf, and on coming in, flie defired 
 Henry to take up a book of poems, and read 
 to her until it was time to drefs for dinner. 
 He did fo, and fhe took off her beaver hat,, 
 which (he found too tight, and laid it on 
 the table. Her hair was uncommonly beau- 
 tiful ; it had never been fpoiled by powder, 
 
 and
 
 AN^KERWICK CASTLE. 37 
 
 and It flowed in natural ringlets when fuf- 
 fered to be unbound. On her taking off 
 her hat, it fell; and as flie found it pleafant 
 and cool, let it therefore remain loofe on her 
 back, and about her face.* She had lat down 
 to finifh the painting of a flower-piece, and 
 was intently liftening to Henry reading 
 Haley's Triumph of Temper, while ihe 
 painted a hyacinth from Nature, when the 
 door opened, and Mr. Beaumont was an- 
 nounced. On raifmg her head, and (haking 
 her hair off her face, flie beheld the man, 
 who but the moment before flie thought 
 was traverfing diftant countries, unhappy 
 and alone. She bluihed deeply at feeing 
 him ; and he threw his eyes on Henry, who, 
 he perceived, was alfo in a riding drefs. . 
 Henry immediately arofe, and afked Lady 
 Middleton if he fliould retire; — Ihe laid ;:y 
 no means. This pafled in a fort of whif- 
 per. 
 
 After the firfl furprife was over, fhe aiked 
 
 Mr. Beaumont how long he had been in 
 
 D 5 England?
 
 58 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 England? He faid about a months and as he 
 pafied clofe to Ankerwick Caftle, he took 
 the liberty of calling to enquire after her 
 health, and that of Mrs. Markham. She 
 then afked after Lady Matilda. He faid 
 he had not ken her fince his arrival in 
 England ; that the Duke^s family were not 
 in London when he was there, and he 
 had been obliged to ftay in Yorkfhire longer 
 than he had intended. — *' I expeded," 
 faid he, *' to find my amiable friend. Lady 
 Matilda, married at my return ; a friend of 
 mine has been a long time attached to her, 
 but I fear (he does not like him.*' 
 
 Mrs. Markham coming in, nothing more 
 was faid of Lady Matilda; but this was 
 enough — it took a load from the heart of 
 Lady Middleton that had been long too 
 heavy for it, and fl-ie felt as if newly born. 
 Mrs. Markham was much furprifed at fee- 
 ing Mr. Beaumont, 
 
 *' I hope,
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 59 
 
 • *^ I hope, my good Sir," laid flie, '* you 
 will give us the pieafure of your company j 
 Lady Middleton regretted exceedingly not 
 having preiTed you to pals a few days with 
 us when, vve lad had the pleaiure of feeing 
 you." 
 
 He faid.he fiiould have been extremely 
 happy to have availed himfelf at that time 
 of Lady Middleton's kind intentions ; but 
 that he was under the neceflity of making 
 his vifit fhort for the prefent." 
 
 *" You don't find the fame objeiflion to 
 Ankervvick Caflle that the young Lord 
 Sandford does r" faid Mrs. Markbam, laugh- 
 ing ; '^ and if ycu do not flay a few days, 
 with us, I (iTallthink you have been infeflcd 
 by the fame air his gay Lord (l-ilp breathed, 
 wlien you were laft on the Continent. Bat 
 I rather fuppofe you are too niitional a 
 character to think fo feveiely of the women 
 of t'ns ifland ; and yet you make fuch fre- 
 quent vifits abroad, I fear you are feized 
 with the fame mania for rambling" that half 
 our fine men are v/ho cannot live :.t home." 
 D 6 *' Have-
 
 6o ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 " Have you never remarked,*' laid he, 
 <^ that unhappinefs often makes people reft- 
 lefs ; I frequently leave places I like to- 
 day, and diflike to* morrow ; and wander 
 about, carelefs of every thing but change of 
 
 place." 
 
 4' 
 
 While he faid this, he fixed his eyes on 
 Lady Middleton. 
 
 " My intentions, on leaving England, 
 were to remain abroad two or three years j 
 it is not much above one fmce 1 made that 
 refolution, and yet I find myfelf here in 
 England again.'' 
 
 " I hope not fpeedily to leave it," cried 
 Mrs. Markham ; " your country calls for 
 your afliftance ; men of talents and know- 
 ledge ihould ftay at home ; we want the 
 fupport of all fuch, and never more than at 
 prefent." 
 
 Lady Middleton was loft in thought, and 
 filent during this converfation. 
 
 «* Pray
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 6l 
 
 « Pray, my love," faid Mrs. Markham, 
 *' do you mean to dine in your riding habit r 
 Henry, take off your boots; I hive had a 
 long drive, and am ftarvin^ with hunger ; 
 it is very near five o'clock." 
 
 ^ Mr. Beaumont faid he did not think 
 it was fo late, and was about to take 
 leave. 
 
 " Nay," faid Mrs. Markham, " I pofi- 
 tively will not fuffcr you to leave us tiiis 
 day. Gertrude, will you allow Mr. Beau- 
 mont to go ? — Surely your engagements are 
 not fo very urgent, as not to give your 
 friends one day." 
 
 He looked at Lady Middleton, who, 
 deeply blulhing, faid fne fnould be very 
 happy to detain Mr. Beaumont a few days, 
 if he could find any thing at Ankerwick to 
 amufe him. 
 
 He
 
 62 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 . He bowed, and complied. Thefe £tvr 
 days were the happieft Lady Middleton 
 ever pafled ; fhe enjoyed the company and 
 Gonverfation of the man (he was, fondly 
 attached to. She made his time pais as 
 pleafantly as fhe could ; fhe had no wnfli 
 that was not centered in this amiable, this 
 accompiilhed man. But he left her -, and 
 during his (lay he had never once laid 'the 
 fmalleft thing that could lead her to believe 
 he had the lead predilection fcr her ; — he 
 would (ometimies look at her, and if ihe 
 caught him gazing on her, he would colour,, 
 and inftantly withdraw his e\ es ; but this 
 was nothing ;— he was evidently unhappy, 
 and Ihe conceived this might have been 
 from finding in her face a likenefs to fome 
 beloved object. "Oh happy, happy woman," 
 vs'ouid ihe fay, '' that is beloved by Beau- 
 mont !" — Loft in the confufion of fenfations, 
 ^le thought herfelf the mod miierable 
 being tlat exifled ; (he tried to drive him 
 fromi her heart, but his dear image was too 
 firmly fixed there. 
 
 Anxious
 
 AKKERWICK CASTLE, 6-^ 
 
 Anxious to conceal from her friends the 
 fbate of her mind, Ihe alTamed a gaiety 
 foreign to her heart. She would ride out 
 with Henry, and remain as many hours as 
 fhe could alone j as the reftraint (he was 
 under, in the prefence of Mrs. Markham, 
 was dreadful to her.. 
 
 About this time Lady Matilda wrote to 
 her, and faid Ihe had tiQQn much prefTed. 
 
 by her father to marry Lord C ; that 
 
 the Duchefs had become a warm advocate^ 
 but that (lie had abfoluteiy refufed him. 
 " Though they do not infift," remarked Lady 
 Matilda, '^ on my making myfelf miferable, 
 I fee they are diiappointed at my refufing 
 fo many, and particularly this young Lord : 
 but in truth, my dear friend, your Matilda 
 has never feen the perfon ihe thinks fhe 
 could be happy with ; and furely it cannot, 
 be expelled I fliould marry till I do. 
 Beaumont,'' faid flie, " has almofh fcolded 
 me, which I Ihould have returned, but 
 that he feems unhappy. I am certain he is 
 
 in
 
 64 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 in love, and is not fuccefsful; — I don't 
 know why I think fo, but I am furc it is 
 the cafe : there are fome things which one 
 is quire convinced of, without being able 
 to give a reafon for being fo. My mother 
 thinks it is foine foreign lady that has jilted 
 him. — He told us he fpent a few days with 
 you, and laid you looked handfomer than 
 ever; that the day he went toAnkerwick,you 
 were in a riding habit after having taken a long 
 ride;, that your hair was ail flowing about your 
 fac€ and Ihoulders, and that he never faw 
 you in a drefs fo becoming. He gave us a 
 defcription of your little protege ; — really, 
 my love, this Henry will foon be too old 
 and too handfcme, if we, are to believe 
 Beaumont, to continue always Vv^ith you. I 
 hear Lady Mary Berkley lays you are tJred 
 of the flate and gloom of the caflle, and 
 that you have taken a charity boy, of 
 whom you are pafTion^ely fond ; that he is 
 your only companion, and that you have 
 even given up Mrs. Markham for your 
 young favourite. Our beft adions, when 
 
 canvalTed
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 6^ 
 
 canvafTed by fuch a woman, become dan- 
 gerous ; — let me beg, my love, you will 
 fend him from the caftle. Beaumont de- 
 Icribes him as a mofl engaging and beautiful 
 young man. — ' Suppofe,' faid I, ' that I was 
 to vifit Lady Middleton, perhaps this young 
 fpark would (often my heart.' — Beaumont 
 looked grave, and I laughed. But ferioufly, 
 you are ia fuch an elevated rank of life, your 
 fortune fo immenfe, that you are an objeA 
 of public obfervation , and though you live 
 totally in the country, Lady Middleton is 
 in the mouth of every one. — 1 fancy you 
 will foon fee Beaumont again -, he thinks 
 Mrs. Markham quite charming, the mofl: 
 agreeable old woman in the world. I Vv'ifh 
 fhe could raife his fpirits, for we are all quite 
 unhappy about him.*' 
 
 Thus ended Lady Matilda. This letter 
 was produdlive of both pleafure and pain ; 
 Ihe was foon to fee Beaumont, and flie forgot 
 every thing eife. 
 
 CHAP.
 
 6S ANKERWICK CASTL] 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 Jl HE next day Lady Middleton read 
 Lady Matilda's letter to Mrs. Markham, 
 and it was agreed Henry (hould quit the 
 caftle. Lady Middleton was fhocked to 
 the greatefl degree that fuch an idea (hould 
 go abroad ; (lie pitied the vender of fcandal, 
 but fhe thought fhe would give no caule 
 for the venom to tall upon her. 
 
 " What does my beloved Gertrude mean 
 
 to do v;ith this Iweet fellow?" faid Mrs. 
 
 Markham. " You have never told us, 
 
 though you promifed near two years ago to 
 
 ^do fo." 
 
 " I mean,"
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLF. 6/ 
 
 " I mean," anfvvered Lady Middleton, 
 ^' to purchafe a comminion, and fettle fix 
 tbouland pounds upon hirn, if you and Mr. 
 Selvvin think the intereft of that fum will be 
 fufficient for him to live on as a gentleman, 
 lam convinced," faid llie, " Henry's worth 
 and good [Qn[c will gain him both rank and 
 
 renown.** 
 
 " I have not a doubt of it,'* replied Mrs» 
 Markham, '' and the fooner he gets his 
 commifTion, the better.'* 
 
 Mr. Selwin was confulted, and every 
 thing was arranged. Henry was equipped 
 in the handfomeft manner. Mrs. Mark- 
 ham infifted on prefenting him with a year's 
 income for pocket money, and the day was 
 fixed for leaving his patronefs and his kind 
 friends, when he was to launch out into a 
 world, where merit was not fo much edeem- 
 cd as fortune ; his faithful valet was to 
 attend him, and every body regretted his 
 departure. All the family of the caftle were 
 occupied by his removal , and when the day 
 
 but
 
 68 ANKERWICK CASTLE^ 
 
 but one arrived when he was to join hi.> 
 regiment, every body was gloomy. 
 
 Henry from his infancy had been taught 
 to look upon his protedors as the firft of 
 all human beings ; and as at the death of 
 the late Lord and Lady Middleton, their 
 daughter inherited the whole of their 
 poiTciTions, (he of courfe, though fo very 
 young, was looked up to in the fame man- 
 ner. Gratitude was a ftriking feature in 
 Henry's character j and it is a doubt, if the 
 heirefs of Ankerwick had not been fuch as 
 fhe was, and that no further care had been 
 taken of this amiable youth, whether he 
 would ever have forgotten the favours he 
 had received from her father and mother. 
 His heart was one of thofe where all the 
 finer feelmgs dwelt; fenfibility, gratitude, 
 and all the virtues bound him to her by 
 every tie ; the deference, the refpedl he paid 
 her, were fuch as he would have fhewn his 
 Sovereign, and when he fpoke of her, the 
 accents of praife broke from a heart filled 
 
 with
 
 ANKERWiCK CASTLE, 69 
 
 With the Idea of the innite worth of the 
 woman whofe excellencies ralfed her In his 
 opinion beyond all others. It is not there- 
 fore a matter of furprlfe that when Lady 
 Middleton mentioned her intentions for his 
 ^Ilabliihment, which he confidered fo noble, 
 that utterance was denied him ; — no flowery 
 -eloquence, no rhapfody of thanks were her 
 reward — no, poor Henry found it impof- 
 fible to fpeak ; he bowed his head on her 
 hand, burft into tears, and left the room. 
 
 How much did fhe admire him for thefe 
 filentfeehngs ! — '^ Amiable Henry," fald(he, 
 *' how happy I am to ti.Ink that 1 have 
 been the means of bringing forward a cha- 
 racter that bids fo fair for an example to 
 the world !'* 
 
 In this tem.per of mind was the family, 
 when juft on their fittl.ig down to dinner, 
 the young Marquis of Lovefdale and Mr. 
 Beaumont were announced. His Lord- 
 ihip was Lady Matilda's only brother; he 
 
 had
 
 yo ANKERWICK. CASTLE. 
 
 had lately arrived in England, after taking 
 the grand tour, and was a remarkably beau- 
 tiful fine young man, the very reverfe of 
 Lond Sandford. He was modeft, unaffum- 
 ing, fenfibie; he com.manded refpecl and, at 
 the fame time, the love of all. He feemed 
 aftonifhed at Lady Middleton ; and before 
 the fecond courfe was half ended, he had 
 completely loft his heart. He was jufh 
 pad twenty, and it is conjectured that both 
 the Duke and Duchefs of Somerton had 
 long meditated a match between their charm- 
 
 ino; fon and Anker wick's heirefs. 
 
 \ 
 
 Rapid was the progrefs that Lady Mid- 
 dleton made in the heart of the Marquis , — 
 he was falcmated, he could not bear to be 
 a moment from her fide ; he loved to dif- 
 traction. Mr. Beaumont foon perceived 
 the ftate of his friend ; and when an oppor- 
 tunity offered, in company with Lady Mid- 
 dleton, he was warm in his pran'e. 
 
 Thus
 
 ANKERWr-^K CASTLE. ^^I 
 
 Thus paffsrd feveral weeks afcer the arri- 
 val of the above viiiters, vAnch were fpent 
 in the greatefl variety of amufements — the 
 Marquis drinki:-!g large draughts of love, 
 and Lady Middleton happy in the fociety 
 of Beaumont, and much plealed with his 
 agreeable iriend. 
 
 One day they had been on the lake -, it was 
 one of thefe {o fuited to the water that not a 
 curl was on the fine glafTy furface — all was ftill 
 and ferene. The French horns were heard 
 tpj re-echo through the woodsy the full 
 'band, in a boat that kept at a diftance, by 
 its harmony raifed the Ibu] above itfelf; all 
 this dclightiul Tcene, fo much in uniion with 
 the feelings of the Marquis, affected the 
 whole party wich a kind of foft, placid 
 degree of fpirits. Lady Middleton was 
 more than herfelf ; (he appeared to the Mar- 
 quis to receive his aHiduities rather better 
 than ufual, though Ihe was quite uncon- 
 fcious of it herieif i— but an univerial good 
 humour was the character of every counte- 
 
 nuiice :
 
 72 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 
 
 nance : that, therefore, which flattered Lord 
 Loveidale fo much, proceeded merely from 
 the temper of mind arifing from the plca- 
 fure of the day. 
 
 Dinner was to be ferved in the pavilion, 
 which was about a quarter of a mile from 
 that part of the lake where they landed , and 
 they propofed to walk up a gentle acclivity, ^ 
 through which were walks, and feats fo 
 lituated as to take in all the fineft views. 
 On one of thefe feats, which only held two, 
 chance placed Lady Middleton and the 
 Marquis ; they were fliut out from the view 
 of tne reft by the thicknefs of the foliage. 
 This was a moment too precious to be loft : 
 the Marquis told his love with all the fear, 
 the diffidence of a real and refined pailion ; 
 but Lady Middleton was open, unembar- 
 raifed, and decided ; all that love the moft 
 violent, all that forrow and defpair could 
 <li6t<.te, were urged to move her, but in ■ 
 vain. She felt for him ; flie knew the mif- 
 fortune of a hopelefs love too well, not to 
 
 do
 
 ANXERWICK CASTLE. 73 
 
 do lb, but flie could do no more. She 
 offered him her friendfhip, provided he would 
 never talk of love, and he was obliged to 
 comply with the hard conditions. He flew 
 at night to the chamber of his friend. 
 
 ^' Let us fly from this enchantrefs, Beau- 
 mont," faid he, *' v»hile I retain myfenfes; 
 if I llay, I fhali be a lunatic. Oh 1" faid 
 he, <« I am loft, gone for ever !" 
 
 A violent flood of tears relieved him a 
 little. 
 
 " Don't defpife m.e," faid he, « I love 
 to diftraction ! This ang-el has undone me 1" 
 
 He threw himfelf on his face and hands, 
 and remained filent along time. Beaumont 
 at laft prevailed on him to go to bed ; when 
 he directly took his candle, and retired to 
 his room. Not perfectly fatisfied with his 
 manner, Mr. Beaumont remained up fomc 
 time, went to his door, and fofrly opened 
 VOL. I. E it ;
 
 74 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 it ; — all was darknefs, and he heard his 
 friend breathe ; he concluded his agitation 
 had thrown him into a lleep, from which 
 he did not chufe to awake him ; therefore 
 gently fliut the door, and went to bed. 
 
 Early in the morning his man came into 
 his room. " My Lord Lovefdale," faid he, 
 " Sir, is fo ill, I thought it proper to awr.ke 
 you y he is quite delirious, and feems in a 
 high fever." 
 
 Jufl: at that moment Henry came in ; 
 his departure from the Caftle had been 
 deferred, as Lady Middleton wilhed him to 
 make friends that might be of ufe to him 
 through life ; and the charader of the Mar- 
 quis of Lovefdale infpired her wath a great 
 defire of recommending him to his notice. 
 
 «' The Marquis, Mr. Beaumont," faid 
 he, " is extremely ill -, I fent two hours 
 ago for Dr. HiiU 1 wonder he is not arrived." 
 
 They
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 75 
 
 They both went into the Marquis's room, 
 and Mr. Beaumont found all his fears 
 realized. 
 
 " Good God V* faid he, '' is it poflible 
 that in fo (hort a time fuch a change could 
 have taken place ?'* 
 
 '' Alas, Sir i'* faid Henry, '' he has 
 been quite out of his fenfes all night. At two 
 o'clock my man called me up ; I have been 
 with him ever fince ; he has not been fo 
 quiet as he is now fmce I'came to him." 
 
 Exhaufted from violent exertions, the 
 Alarquis had become languid, and was lying 
 almoft without fenfe or motion. A little 
 after Dr. Flill arrived, and thought him 
 in great danger. He faid it proceeded from 
 fomething cold being taken when in a violent 
 heat; and they recollecled that he had, three 
 or four days before, rode with Henry a 
 four miles' heat, had been in a great per- 
 fpiration, and had drank a quantity ofcid.r 
 to allay a violent thirfl. He was cop'oufly 
 £ z blooded.
 
 76 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 
 
 blooded, and every thing done to abrite the 
 fever. The hidies were very unhappy, and 
 Lady Middleton blamed herklt for not 
 being more genlle in her refulal. He con- 
 tinued a long time in great danger ; but 
 y^^uth, careful fr'.ei'.ds, and an excellent con-* 
 flitution, with an able phyfuian, brought 
 him through. Mr. Beaumont ar.d Henry 
 fcarcelveser left him. ; tiiey re ieved each 
 other by turns ; and Mrs. Markham fpent 
 much tim.e in his room. 
 
 One day Mr. Beaumont found Lady 
 Middleton alone ; — fhe afkcd anxioufly after 
 the Marcuis ; he laid he v/as getting over 
 the fever ; his bodily pains were almofh at 
 an end ; but he feared his young friend had 
 that within which never would be removed. 
 Confcious of the meaning of thcfe words, 
 Ihe biudied deeply. *' The charms of Lady 
 Middleton,*' conUnued Mr. Beaumont, 
 «' have been too much for the young Mar- 
 quis ; he loves, and he delpairs." 
 
 She
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 77 
 
 She raifed her eyes to Mr. Beaumont. 
 He had touched a firing that untuned her 
 whole frame ; (he fuffcred more than the 
 Marquis, and her eyes filled with tears. 
 He approached her, and took her hand. 
 
 " I have foftened you too much," fald 
 he ; '' why huve I thus diftreffed you ?" He 
 prefTed her ha id. — '' Yju will forgive me, 
 Lad) Middleton," faid he; '« my friend is 
 dear to me, and I have ventured to plead 
 'for huTi." 
 
 She difengaged her hand, and requefled 
 he would fave her from any further impor- 
 tunity ; — it was imp jfTible fhe could ever be 
 any thing more than the friend of Lord 
 Loveiciale ; her fentiments couid never 
 change. 
 
 " And what will become," cried Beau- 
 mont, " of my u:ihii;;pv friend r" He !u- ked 
 at Lady MiJdlccon. *' A man who f.>iidly 
 E J dotes,
 
 78 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 dotes, as he does, on fuch excellencies^ mud 
 be eternally miferable." 
 
 He walked to the window, ^nd iht 
 thought file perceived a tear gliften in his 
 eye. Mrs. Markham juft then entered. 
 
 " Will you, my dear Madam," fald he^ 
 " join me ? Can Lady Middleton drive the 
 Marquis to diflraclion ? What will become 
 of ail the Somerton family? This unhappy 
 young man will bring afHIdion on all thofe 
 good and amiable people." 
 
 " We cannot always comm.and our affec- 
 tions," anfwered Mrs. Markham ; " Lady 
 Middleton is dearer to me than all the 
 world ; of courfe fhe is the very laft perfon 
 I could urge on a point fo very delicate — a. 
 matter that all her future happinefs depends 
 on. 
 
 The manner of Mr. Beaumont, his plead- 
 ing fo very warmly for his friend, all ap- 
 peared fo many inconteftible proofs of his 
 
 want
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 79 
 
 want of partiality for her. She felt herfelf 
 ill 3 and fhe arofe, and quitted the room. 
 
 " I am forry this converfation has pafTed/* 
 faid Mrs. Markham. '' Lady JVIiddleton 
 has fuffered inconceivably fince the Mar- 
 quis's illneG ; (he has very great fenfibility ; I 
 perceive her much changed of late — Hie 
 looks ill ; I dread left the fuiferings of her 
 mind fhould bring on any bodily difeafe. 
 Tell me, don't you think my beloved child 
 looks faded vvidnn this lad fortnight ?" 
 
 Mr. Beaumont, unwilling to add to her 
 uneafinefs, though he really did perceive a 
 very great alteration, faid, '' The weather 
 has been extremely warm, and Lady MidHle- 
 ton has been more within doors than ufual, 
 which may have taken from her a little of 
 that blooming colour flie is fo remarkable 
 foi ; belides, fhe afTuredly has been uneafy 
 about Lord Lovcfdale." 
 
 E 4 "I hope
 
 Eo ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 " I hope it may be no more," faid Mrs. 
 Markham; *' but all my fears are awakened 
 for my Gertrude.'' 
 
 Henry joined them, and faid that the. 
 Marquis was alleep. 
 
 *' 1 wifh," faid he, " Sir, you could pre- 
 vail on Lady Middleton to ride out on 
 horfeback this morning ; flie has been much 
 confined, and I think ihe looks pale. Order 
 your horfes, Sir, if you pleafe, and attend 
 her, and I fliall ftay witb my Lord." 
 
 Mrs. Markham faid fhe would go herfelfi 
 and try if flie could prevail. 
 
 *' I am fure her Lady fliip is very ill," cried 
 Henry 5 " my Lord's illnefs has made us 
 all negled her; I wilh Dr. Hill would feel 
 her puife ; I am frightened left flie ihould 
 get this dreadflil fever." 
 
 Mr,
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 8l 
 
 Mr. Beaumont walked up and down the 
 room ; he wiped his face with his handker- 
 chief, and vvas fjrprifed to and it wet; he 
 found him'elf ill, but tried to roufe himfelf. 
 Mrs. Markham entered, and faid Lady 
 Middieton would ride. Mr. Beaumont's 
 horfes were ordered to attend, and he had 
 many injunctions not to let her ride too far, 
 as the day was (b warm. 
 
 When Lady Middieton re-entered the 
 room, (he found Mr. Beaumont booted, and 
 alone, walking up and down in much agi- 
 tation. Siie rang, and enquired for Mr. 
 Henry. He was in the Marquis's room, (he 
 was anfwered. — " Yes," faid Mr. Beaumont, 
 " but if Lady Middieton will accept of 
 me for an efcort, Mr. Henry will remain 
 at home this morning with the Marquis." 
 She looked confuted, and faid (he would 
 be much obii:-::cd. 
 
 The idea of her being ill, dejeded, and in 
 
 danger, took from this amiable and honour- 
 
 £ 5 able
 
 82^ ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 able young man the reftraint he liad impofed 
 on himfelf ; for know, gentle reader, Mr. 
 Beaumont had been, at a very early period 
 of his acquaintance with Lady Middleton, 
 too confcious of her perfecVions j — but the 
 Duke and Duchefs of Somerton, previous to 
 their vifiting Lady Middleton, had apprized 
 Mr. Beaumont with their hopes that as 
 the Marquis, their fon, promifed on his 
 going abroad to be every way defirable, 
 and which the accounts of him fmce had 
 confirmied. It vx'as probable he might he 
 agreeable to this matchlefs v/om.an, and an 
 union between them was the great object 
 they had in view. During their ftay at 
 Ankerwick Caftle, her Grace had frequent 
 converfations with Mr. Beaumont on the 
 fubjed. Lady Matilda had been left with 
 Lady Middleton, and from the friendfhip 
 betv;een them they augured the fuccefs 
 of their fcheme. 
 
 Mrs. Markham wrote immediately to 
 the Duchefs, and informed her of the Mar- 
 quis's
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. S^ 
 
 quis*s propofals ; — It grieved her very much 
 to fa}^ they had been repulfed, and deci- 
 dedly ; for fhe faw the Marquis with the 
 partiality he deferved, and wifhed much 
 he had been fuccefsfuL She mentioned 
 the very great intereft Mr. Beaumont 
 took in his friend's difappointment, and 
 alfo Lord Lovefdale's illnefs, which pro- 
 ceeded from cold. 
 
 E 6 CHAP.
 
 84 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 Mr. BEx^UMONT had been haralTed 
 with ten thoufand conflicling pafTions, which 
 reduced him to a (late of difquletude not 
 much inferior to the Marquis himfelf. He 
 reflected on the converfation he had jufl had 
 ividi Lady Middleton -, he faw her pofitive 
 determination againll the Alarquis ; — her 
 iUnefs was vifible not only to him, but to 
 Mrs. Markham and Mr. Henry. " Some 
 dreadful unealinefs has thus difordered her,'* 
 faid he ; " fome fatal malady of the mind 
 preys upon her." 
 
 At this moment (lie entered the room , 
 her countenance bore every appearance of 
 
 forrow y
 
 AKKERWiCK CASTLE. 85 
 
 forro'.v ; a pale and languid look, as fhe 
 paired him in her way to her feat, ftruck 
 upon his heart, and rouied all his fears, all 
 his love. He addreffed her in a foFtened 
 accent. 
 
 " You are ill, Lady Middleron," faid he, 
 " indeed you are ill ; let me beg of you to 
 fee Dr. Hill to-morro.v, when he calls upon 
 the Marquis ; let him feel your puife, and 
 eafe the minds of all your friends.'* 
 
 She railed her eyes to his face, and fjund 
 his fixed on her's Vvich a tendernefs and 
 exprefTion ihe had never obfsrved before. 
 
 '' Promife me that you will confult Dr. 
 Hill to-morrows" 
 
 '' Why," faid (he, *' Q^iould I confult a 
 phyfician when 1 have no com.plaint r" 
 
 *' And are you perfectly well r" faid he. 
 " Why that faded face, that dejeded air? 
 Something afiuredly is the matter." 
 
 Without
 
 86 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 Without being able to account for the 
 caufe of her perturbation, flie was feized 
 with an uncommon fenfation, and fmking 
 on a chair, flie burft into tears. Alarmed 
 beyond meafure, and only thinking of the 
 diflrefs of the wom.an he adored; he took 
 her hand -, he prelied it to his lips, to his 
 heart ;>he told her ho'.v long an:i ardently he 
 had loved her, his reafons for impofing file nee 
 on himself, of his leaving England with a 
 determination not to return until he could 
 lead Lord Lovefdale to Ankerwick. Cafhle ; 
 in (liort, he declared his own love, and ob- 
 tained a confefTion of her's. They were 
 interrupted by a fervant coming to inform 
 them the horfes were at the door. They 
 rode out together; they enjoyed feveral 
 hours alone — .uch hours as thofe only can 
 conceive the blifs of, who have loved, and 
 have de: paired. They were both, from 
 extreme wretchednefs, raifed to the higheft 
 degree of happinefs that fails to the lot of 
 mortals. 
 
 It
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 87 
 
 It had been two years fince they had both 
 formed an attachment which was e.s violent 
 as it promifed to be Jailing. A fimilarity 
 of difpofition and temper (they were both 
 rather grave) bound them by ties not to be 
 broken ; their minds were pohfhed and re- 
 fined ; they were both learned, very highly 
 fo, they had read and talked together on 
 the mod abflrufe lubjecls; he found her in- 
 formed beyond any woman he had ever 
 converfed with, and he favv her unconfcious 
 of all her perfedlions ; — with knowIedge,and 
 a fcrength of mind few^ poficfs, Ihe had all 
 the delicacy, difiidence, and innocence of the 
 mod feminine characler. The happinefs of 
 this lovely woman was extreme -, the mo- 
 tives of Beaumont's fileiice, his referve, 
 railed him highly in her opinion. — *' What 
 honour, what refinement, does this man 
 poilefs ! " (lie would fay. " i'vly heart acknow- 
 ledged him all perteclion." — His iuife rings, 
 v/hich \Tere equal to her's, made him doubly 
 dear to her.— Oh ! ' faid fne, " too well 
 I know the pangs of delpair, not to feel for 
 5 him."
 
 bid ANKERWICK CASTLE, 
 
 him." — She went to her worthy friend. 
 " My happineis is complete, my dear Mrs. 
 Maikham/' fhe cried. 
 
 " May it always be fo, my love !" replied 
 > this excellent woman. 
 
 She then difclofed her long partiality for 
 Beaumont, which a point of delicacy obliged 
 her toconceal even from her. His honour- 
 able and difinterefied conduct filled Mrs. 
 Markham with as m>uch wonder and fur- 
 prife as Lady Middleton's attachment, which 
 Ihe never once fufpedled. 
 
 '' I have often v;ondereJ my Gertrude 
 fliouid have been inienhbie to all the fine 
 young maen by whom, (he lias been addreffed, 
 and particularly the Marquis, v/ho appeared 
 to me every way chai ning. How often have 
 I wiihed that Beaumont (liould be the man 
 • of ) our choice ! No perfon is fo fuited to you, 
 fo foiiiied to make 3'oa happy j but I have 
 ever thought him to be under fome unfor- 
 tunate embaras abroad. Though I never 
 
 married
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 89 
 
 married myfelf, I fincerely wiili you fettled; 
 you are formed to make a worthy man 
 happy : your great wealth, your bng line of 
 anceftry, call upon you not to live unm:.r- 
 ried. I knew your choice would fail on 
 merit fuch as Beaumont pollelTes -, there is 
 nothing to prevent an union that promifes 
 fo fair for the moft fubiime happinefs.*' 
 
 Beaumont, though his foul was filled with 
 love the moft ecftatic, and bleifed with the 
 affections and confelTed attachment of Lady 
 Middleton, was not perfectly fatisfied with 
 himfelf. 
 
 " What have I done !" he cried. " At 
 the moment of my friend's diftrefs have I 
 told my love ! What will he think of me ? 
 Will he not think Beaumont a villain ? I 
 will declare the whole to him -, I will throw 
 myfelf on his mercy ; if he difapproves of 
 my cop.dudt, I will fly, and never fee her 
 more.*' 
 
 Hi 
 
 13
 
 90 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 His mind was diflraded ; he fpent his 
 whole time in the Marquis's room ; he 
 avoided Lady Middleton \ he had refolved, 
 until he had poured out his heart to his 
 friend, he would talk to her no m.ore of his 
 love. 
 
 Several days paffed on before the Mar- 
 quis was fufficiently recovered to leave his 
 chamber. Beaun:ont vviQied him to be 
 quite w^ell before he opened afrefli his 
 wounds. — During his illnefs the Marquis 
 had time to refied on Lady Middleton's 
 conduct. Lady Matilda had told him the 
 many (lie had retufed -, that fhe was per- 
 fedly her own millrefs. " And I know fo 
 much of this dear girl, George," faid (he, 
 *' that if file will not marry you, ihe will 
 candidly tell yo-a fo at once." 
 
 " Well but, my gay filler," faid he, '« I 
 am not in love yet — perhaps never (ha'lbe. 
 This cruel, this wonderful woman {hall not 
 fubdue me, if I find fhe treats me with 
 fcorn j my father and mother have only 
 
 pointed
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 9I 
 
 pointed her out to me ; they leave the reft 
 to myfelf. Beaumont Ihall introduce me 
 to her; probably I may not like her; I am 
 in the fame Situation as yourfelf, my dear 
 Matilda — I have never met the perfon I 
 would marry ; I am not tired of my liberty ; 
 lb that I go prepared." 
 
 '• I hope you will not return without it," 
 faid (he i "1 would rather, if I was you, 
 not fee her." 
 
 '' There can be no pofTible harm in 
 vifiting her," he replied ; '^ Qiould 1 like 
 her, if (lie has no prior attachment, (lie 
 , may not difapprove of me." 
 
 " I know of no prior attachment," faid 
 Lady Matilda. 
 
 '' Then a/Tu redly I may," replied the 
 Marquis, '' have as good a chance as any 
 other man." 
 
 " Upon my word, that is faying a grea 
 deal in your own praife, my conceited bro- 
 ther ; ftay until you fee this goddefs in all 
 her regal pomp and magnificence, and if 
 you then think }ourfelf worthy of her, I 
 
 fnall
 
 92 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 fhall fet you down as hav'hig more felf-love 
 than I ever the ugh t you had." 
 
 His Lordfhip, as I Hiid before, had re- 
 fl ded on the very pofuive refulal fne had 
 given him ; — he thought on the foregoing 
 converfation witii his fifl.r, and he was con- 
 vinced ("he was in love. He fuppofed it 
 impoffible that any man Ihe honoured 
 could be infenfible to her uncom non charms. 
 There was a myftery he tr ed to lolve, but 
 could not. Several m^n occur, ed to him, 
 buL none Teemed likely. He had watched 
 her fmce his arrival at the Caftlc ; the young 
 men whom he had feen there, were none of 
 them at all fuited to her. He thou2; :t of 
 Henry ; his beauty, worth, the kind atten- 
 tion (he paid him, the interell Qie took in 
 every thing about this young man ; — but his 
 age- hi^ fit nation, tiie motherly regard (he 
 had for him, the reverence with which fhe 
 feemed to infpire him, ail were io many 
 proofs, and lo thoroughly convincing, that 
 he baniilied one after another from his mind : 
 
 he
 
 ANKERV/ICK CASTLE. 93 
 
 he was lofl in the iuea— it had no end. One 
 dav when he was getting better, he ven- 
 tured to talk with Henry of her , and ihey 
 both were laviih in her praife. 
 
 " Alas ! my Lord," faid Henry, '' if 
 you knew Lady Middleton's mind as well as 
 I do — her charliy, her benevolence, the 
 fweetnefs of her temper, her afTability to her 
 inferiors — Oh e.iy Lord !" fa.d this fweet 
 fellow, " if I was talking of her perfections 
 for ever, I fnouiJ not be able to lay as 
 much of her as (lie deierve=. I wiQi/' con- 
 tinued Henry, " my Lady was married y 
 but flie has refufed fo many great and good 
 men, I fear fhe wall be like Mrs. Markham, 
 and never marry at all. There is one per- 
 fon,'* laid he, lowering his voice, " that I 
 wifli from my heart (he was rr.arried to. I 
 ' know he is worthy to make her happy ; he 
 is the molt agreeable and handfome man I 
 ever Taw in my life, and I love him almoft 
 as much as I do my Lady ; indeed, my 
 Lord, I became fond of him the lirft moment 
 
 1 faw
 
 94 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 I faw him, and yet I feel a fort of awe for 
 him I do not for any other perfon except 
 my Lady.'' 
 
 " And who is this wonderful man ?" 
 alked the Marquis. 
 
 " Mr. Beaumont:," repHed Henry ; " I 
 know nobody fo deferving of my Lady." 
 
 '' He is," faid the Marquis, " all you 
 fay of him, and I join you in thinking there 
 are very few fo worthy of Lady Middle- 
 ton." 
 
 " Oh ! nobody," faid this ingenuous 
 boy; ^' I have prayed for it, but all in vain ; 
 neither he nor my Lady feem to think of 
 each other." 
 
 The Marquis's gentleman coming in with 
 fome neceliary refrefimients, broke off the 
 converfation ; but it funk deep in the 
 bread of Lord Lovefdale, whofe mind was 
 as pure as his countenance was open, manly, 
 and exprefiive of his noble fentiments. 
 " Would to God," cried he, " they were , 
 married ! I could better bear to fee her 
 
 Beaumont's,
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 95 
 
 Beaumont's, than the wife of any other 
 
 The certainty of her never being his, 
 and the idea ot her being either infeuilble, 
 or fecretly attached to fome other, recon- 
 ciled him in fome degree to his fate ; and 
 he was anxious to afl<. Beaumont how he 
 could know Lady Middleton fo Jong, and 
 remain unconfcious of her numerous at- 
 
 tractions, 
 
 CHAP.
 
 96 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 JL HE firfl time the Marquis and Mr. 
 Beaumont were alone, he faid, " My recent 
 illnefs has made me Tee matters in a dif- 
 ferent light, my dear Beaumont — I find 
 Lady Middleton can never be mine ; her 
 refufal was too pofitive for me to entertain 
 the lead hope. 1 own," faid he, " I felt it 
 as the fliock of death ; but I rather believe 
 my blood had been hurt by my imprudence 
 in drinkins; cold cider after a violent 
 heat, for I did not feel myfelf perfedlly well 
 all the day before I was taken ill. I will give 
 her up,'* faid he ; " the paflion (lie has in- 
 fpired me with may laft during my life, but 
 I will keep my feelings from all but you ; 
 
 it
 
 AKKERWICK CASTLE. 97 
 
 it does not much fignify now what becomes 
 of me, but fmcerely I avow her happinefs 
 will be the greatefl: pleafure 1 can ever 
 know. I wifh, Beaumont, (lie hked you; 
 you both feem formicd for each other, and 
 it is a matter of great wonder to me that 
 you have been infenuble to her charms: 
 you furely mull be under fome engagement, 
 or your heart would have been the flave of 
 this firft of women." 
 
 Beaumont then opened to him the whole 
 fecret of liis foul ; told him all that had 
 palTed between Lady Middieton and himfelf; 
 that he was the caufe of her refufing all 
 thofe who had folicited her ; that he had 
 never fufpedied it, or had the mod remote 
 idea of it; that on becoming the advocate 
 for the Marquis, (lie poficively alfured him 
 (he could never be his, and begged to be 
 entreated, on that fubje(fl no more ; that 
 Mrs.' Markham alfo feemed unhappy that 
 ilie rhould be preiTed upon it ; than he had 
 obferved her grow ill, which was alfo taken 
 VOL. I. F notice
 
 98 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 notice of by Mrs. Markham and Henry ; 
 and that his fears for her health broke 
 through his refolution, fo that in an un- 
 guarded moment he had told her of his 
 love^ '' for which," faid he, '* 1 have fuffered 
 unutterable tortures. I laboured under a 
 pafTion more violent than your own for two 
 years. I was true to the Duke and Duchefs 
 of Somerton ; I never endeavoured to gain 
 the love of the woman I adored ; I was 
 refolved to await your return, to conduct 
 you to the miRrefs of my heart ; and if you 
 had been the man Heaven had deflined for 
 her, I fliould have left England, and palled 
 away an exiftence, that without her would 
 have been a burthen to me, a Iblitary exile, 
 traverfing the Alps and Apennines, an 
 outcall from fociety." 
 
 The pidure was too fliocking; — the Mar- 
 quis (huddered. 
 
 " Come to my arms,*' faid he, " thou 
 noble and moft generous of men I Was I 
 
 then
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 99 
 
 then thecaule of your forrovvs, the innocent 
 caufe of the fufferings of Lady MiddJeton ? 
 Oh excellence unequalled, how Ihall I dare 
 to behold her ? How many days of forrow 
 and afHiclion have I been to her? I will 
 throw myfelf at her feet, I will implore her 
 forgivenefs — I will plead fo forcibly for 
 pardon, that fhe cannot refufe it to me; I 
 will tell her the worth of my friend, I will 
 entreat her to make you happy, to end 
 fufferings already too great ! I will " 
 
 Here his feelings got the better of his 
 ftrength, and he funk, faint and overpowered, 
 on the bed he had but lately rifen from. 
 Beaumont was alarmed ; he gave him fome 
 falts to fnell to, and he pre fen dy recovered. 
 
 *' I am ftill weak, my friend," fiid he ; 
 *' this fever has reduced me to a poor 
 ftate." 
 
 " You talk too much, George,'* faid 
 
 Mr. Beaumont -, '' the fubjecl is too affedl- 
 
 ing for you. I am very incautious ^ I was 
 
 F 2 waiting
 
 ICO ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 waiting only till you bad quite recovered 
 your ftrength, to inform you of all thefc 
 particulars ; — but you drew me on, and I had 
 not refolution to defifl in time ; I wifhed 
 you to know the whole, but forgot you had 
 not ftrength to bear it.'* 
 
 *' Go,'' faid the Marquis, " go to Lady 
 Middleton inftantly ; tell her how much I 
 fuffer, how miferable I (hall be till I make 
 my peace with her, till fhe pronounces my 
 forgivenefs. Oh ! if I could once more fee 
 her, hear her acknowledge her partiality for 
 my happy, too happy friend, I think my 
 fpirits would be reftored. I fliall get into 
 the anti-chamber to-morrow ^ perhaps you 
 could prevail on her to pay me a vifit. Go, 
 Charles," cried the Marquis, " go and get 
 her to grant my boon ; I fhall know no 
 peace until I fee her." 
 
 Mrs. Markham tapped at the door. — 
 
 '^ How do you do, my Lord ? Shall I come 
 
 in?" 
 
 Mr.
 
 •ANKERWICK CASTLE. lOI 
 
 Mr. Beaumont opened the door, left, 
 them, and went in purfuit ofLady Middleton, 
 
 The conduct of Mr. Beaumont towards 
 Lady Middleton for the laft fortnight, had 
 given her much pain j — to her it was very 
 unaccountable ; he had avoided her, he 
 fcarcely fpoke to her, and when chance left 
 them together, he fled. — He now fought 
 her with as much folicitude as he had 
 avoided her before his explanation v/ith the 
 Marquis j he fearched the breakfafl-room, 
 the library, a fmall room in which (lie had 
 maps, globes, and mathematical inftru- 
 ments ; he went into the mufic-room, but 
 in vain ; (lie v/as no where to be found. He 
 met Mr. Henry, and enquired of him. 
 
 ** My Lady ismodlikely," faid he, ** in 
 her private library, where nobody ever, 
 intrudes upon her, not even Mrs. Markha;Ti,. 
 unlefs Ilie invites her there ; it is the only 
 room in the houfe to which there is not 
 accefs indifcriminately.'* 
 
 F 3 " Will
 
 102 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 " Will fhe foon leave it ?" enquired 
 Mr. Beaumont. 
 
 " It is not likely until dinner,'' replied 
 Henfy. 
 
 " Will you be kind enough to fliew it 
 to me ? I have fome very particular bufinefs 
 with her." 
 
 " I will (hew you the room vv'ith plea- 
 fure," faid Henry ; '' but I hope you will 
 not venture to break in upon her retire- 
 ment, for it is a thing never done." 
 
 *' Shew it to me however," faid Mr. 
 Beaumont. He did fo, and retired. 
 
 When Beaumont was left to himfelf, he 
 was at a lofs what to do : — he feared dif- 
 pleafing her by breaking through any 
 eflablifhed rule (he had thought proper to 
 have obf^rved by all. the inhabitants of the 
 caiUe y and yet to remain fo many hours 
 without unburthening his heart, was next 
 to death. He rapped gently at the door, but 
 no anf\^er was made ; he rapped again, but 
 ail was (ilent , his impatience overcame his 
 
 prudence.
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. IO3 
 
 prudence, and he loftly opened the door. 
 He found there was a double one; on open- 
 ing which, he entered the n:ioft beautiful 
 room he had ever feen, and a ftyle of 
 magnificence was difpiayed in itthatfurprifed 
 him ; it v/as lighted by a dome, and was of 
 great magnitude. In the centre tv j lemi- 
 circles, oppofite each other, {\ .iied it into 
 f]3ace fufficient to admit nine figures of 
 the Mufes as large as life, which were of 
 the moft exquifite ftatuary, aad fcJ difpofed 
 as to give the idea of their prefiding over 
 that part of the library which was filled 
 with authors on poetry, painting, fculpture, 
 mufiCj ^c. &c. Books and hiftorical and 
 allegorical paintings in freico, adorned the 
 walls alternately from the top to the 
 bottom. 
 
 ** How refined the tafle that made fuch 
 coheclions, and arranged them fo happily!" 
 faid he, as he walked on to the upper end 
 of tl'e room, where the three Graces held 
 the coids of t.vo curtains of pale blue 
 F 4 taifcta.
 
 1C4 ANKERv\^ICK CASTLE. 
 
 taffeta. Thefe figures were alfo of the mod 
 correct workman(hip ; and on drawing up 
 one of the curtains, he faw four picflures, 
 full lengths of Lord and Lady Middleton, 
 the prefent Lady Middleton when a child 
 of about ten years old, and a boy about 
 thirteen. This part of the room feemed to 
 be the place Lady Middleton fpent her 
 retired hours in ; — here were an organ, a 
 harp, a table with mathematical inftruments, 
 globes, maps, and books of aflronomy, a 
 wTiting table, and a large one wirh paints ; 
 many fruit pieces, landfcapes, and fome 
 few fancy portraits j — but what engaged his 
 attention moft, was a full length painting 
 of himfelf, (o exquifitely done, and the 
 likenefs fo ftrong, that he kne^v it at once. 
 There was a poem written in her own hand, 
 containing about twenty lines, exprelTive of 
 love and the deepefl; defpair ; but what 
 were his feelings on finding a bit of paper 
 with thefe words — 
 
 " Ah me ! I told him of my love, 
 
 *' And iinceihat fatal dav he looks not on me !" 
 
 Thcic
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE, I05 
 
 Thefe two lines were wet with recent 
 tears ; a fmall arm-chair was placed at the 
 table, and a cambrick handkerchief lay on 
 iti— he took it up — that was alfo wet. 
 
 *' She has been weeping," faid he; " my 
 unkindnefs caufes thele tears, wretch that I 
 am!" 
 
 Frantic with the thought, he ruQied 
 through a door, which led down a flight of 
 flone fleps, at the bottom of which he 
 came to a little Gothic door. The idea of 
 finding his beloved Lady Middleton, throw- 
 ing himfdf at her feet, and imploring her 
 pardon, engroired his whole thoughts. 
 Nothing was facred to him; this door alfo 
 he opened, which led iiim into a imail oval 
 room,. in the centre of ^shich ftood Minerva, 
 holding a marble book in her hand, with 
 this infcription on it, " Let no ftranger 
 enter here — this grotto is facred to wifdom ; 
 far hence be all profane !" 
 
 He
 
 I06 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 He (lopped for a moment to admire this 
 beautiful ftotue, but it could not detain 
 him long from the dear objedl of his purfuit. 
 He fearched for another door, and found one 
 oppofite to that by which he entered ; — he 
 O} ened it, and wandered through a grotto, 
 formed in fuch true tafte as charmed him. 
 Loft in a labyrir.th To delightfid, he began to 
 fear he fliouid not find his wa)^ out j how- 
 ever, he heard a noifc of quiet falling 
 water, and following the found, he came 
 to a bath, whofe cryftal fluid was fupplied 
 , from a fountain very fantaftically executed. 
 Wandering through this fairy land, he 
 difcovered a* window in perfpedlive ; he 
 approached with foft and eafy fleps, and on 
 looking into it, he beheld Lady Middleton 
 leaning over her harp, and touching the 
 firings with a fadly fweet and melancholy 
 harmony. She feemed loft in thought; her 
 eyes ftreaming tears — fhe was the pidure of 
 woe. Mr. Beaumont hardly breathed — his 
 agitation was great ; he made a ruftling noife 
 which ronfed her; Hie fluieked in the 
 
 greateft
 
 ANKERWrCK CASTLE. IO7 
 
 greateft terror at feeing the face of a man 
 at the window, and was fo (hocked that (he 
 fainted. He could not for a long time 
 find the door that led into this room ; he 
 was convinced nobody was near her, and 
 that if the did not get immediate relief, (he 
 might expire. He was cliftracied ; he called 
 aloL]d, but nobody aniwered. In trying to 
 force the window, he found it formed part uf 
 a door, and infiantly opened it. By this 
 time Lady Middleton coming a little to 
 herfclf, and finding a man in the grotto with 
 her, H^.Q fliinted again. No vvords can 
 defcribchisdefpair : — he fortunately had put 
 a bottle of fcdts into his pocket that he had 
 been adminiiiering an hour before to Lord 
 Lovefdale; thefe brought her preientiy to 
 herfdf. Vv^hc-n (lie was fuificiently recovered 
 to fpeak, (he addreiTed him in a mild, but 
 ofiended voice. — 
 
 " Could I have expected this from you, 
 
 Mr. Beaumont ? Nobody has ever before 
 
 ventured to break in upon my retirement, 
 
 F 6 in
 
 lOS ANKERWJCK CASTLE. 
 
 in apartments I have chofcn folcly for 
 myfelf." 
 
 " Pardon, beloved of my heart," laid he; 
 *"' your Beaumont fought '* 
 
 " Hold, Sir !" interrupted (lie ; '« you 
 do not mean furely to mock me ? I can 
 hear no more.*' 
 
 This (lie faid in a manner nobody could 
 ever withftand. 
 
 '' I mud infift on your inflantly leaving 
 me ; I know not how you have got hither, 
 but mufl: requefi: you will directly return by 
 the way you came." 
 
 He left her, fliocked in the extreme ; he 
 faw, by her m.anner, fhe was exceedingly 
 difpleafed v/ith him ; he feared he had 
 tranfgrelTed beyond trie hopes of pardon. 
 In this agony he left the grotto, went 
 through the library without once taking his 
 eyes off the floor, and (hut himfelfup in 
 his own chamber. 
 
 Lady
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE, lO^ 
 
 Lady Middlcton was confounded. — '' All 
 my (ecrets have been expoicd to iiim,'* (lie 
 cried -, *' he knows my folly, n^iy love for 
 him, and he treats m.e with infu;t. He has 
 feen his picture, that no eyes ever looked 
 on but my own — he has feen all. Oh !'* 
 faid fhe, '' I (hall die with (hame ! Why, 
 Oh why, have I fo fondly loved^ fo fooliflily 
 fiiewn it ?'* 
 
 Though no perfcn had ever come to the 
 door of her private library, it yet liad been 
 a confliant cuftom of her's to take the key 
 on locking the door ; fhe felt in her pockets, 
 but found it not.-^" Ah 1" faid ihe, " for 
 once I have omitted locking the door; and 
 that once this bold man has dared to force 
 miy retirement ! Never can I forgive him!" 
 
 At dmner they met. Beaumont looked 
 melancholy, and Lady Middleton difpleafed ; 
 file was more diftant and more refcrved 
 than ilie ever had been. Henry perceived 
 it, and guelTed the caufe ; he felt angry 
 
 with
 
 110 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 with Mr. Beaumont aifo, but yet was forry 
 be ilioul'J have tranrgreffed when he had 
 told him the confequence. 
 
 After dinner Lady Middleton afked Mrs. 
 A'larkham if fhe would drive out in an 
 open carriage ? 
 
 " No, my love," Hiid Mrs. Markham, 
 who had not noticed tlie conduct of Beau- 
 mont, " I have got an intolerable head- 
 ach, and the noife would difiuib me; but 
 I\Ir. Beauniont v/ill attend you." 
 
 She rofe and hit the room, defiring Henry 
 to go to the Marquis. 
 
 " Will you fuiTer me to attend you :" 
 afked Mr. Beaumont, mournfully. 
 
 " No, Sir," faid (he, and flie arofe to 
 retire. 
 
 '' Nay, Lady Middleton," faid he, '« do 
 not leave me ; you will drive nie to diftradlion 
 if you thus throw me from you ! Hear me, 
 
 and
 
 AKKERWICK CASTLE. Ill 
 
 and do not, if you have the leaft remains of 
 regard, do not condemn me unheard." 
 
 She looked at him, and moved on towards 
 the door. He placed himfelf between her 
 and it. 
 
 " Mr. Beaumont,'' fald (lie, 'arnuftinfift 
 on your letting me pafs ; I cannot, muH 
 not be detained!" 
 
 Suich was the manner, the pov/cr flie had 
 over him, and the dignity of her addrels, 
 as nearly to prevent his attempting to detain 
 lier ; and he was on the uoint of lettine her 
 leave the room, v^'hen, gathering courage, he 
 fell upon his knees, and forcibly taking both 
 her hands — " Never uill I riie. Lady 
 Middleton,'* laid he, *' until yoj grant me 
 your pardon, until you faffer me to explain 
 my very extraordinary conduct this fortnight 
 pad, and tell you why I ventured into your 
 own private apartments/' 
 
 Ke
 
 112 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 He then told all we already know ; and 
 fo completely fatisfied her with the account 
 he gave of the motives from which he had 
 acted, and the convcrfation he had with the 
 Marquis, that a perfect reconciliation took 
 place. She agreed to pay a vifit next day 
 to Lord Lovefdale, and they drove out 
 together in a phaeton. 
 
 CFIAP. IX. 
 
 EACE WMS once more reftored to this 
 lovely woman ; (he again became happy. 
 Beaumont pre lied her this evening to make 
 himx the happieft of men as foon as it was 
 poffibie. She told him he muft wait on 
 her guardian the Duke of Devon. 
 
 " Have
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. IIJ 
 
 " Have I any thing to fear ?" laid he ; 
 ** for no fortune, no rank are equal to the 
 angelic Lady Middleton." 
 
 " My grandfather,*' faid fhc, " follows 
 the direcftions of my dear father, who left 
 the choice of a hufband folely to his happy 
 Gertrude. I think, Beaumont," faid (he, 
 ** I have made a choice that mv dear 
 parents would have approved, when I found 
 worth, honour and talents joined in a man of 
 family not inferior to my own, with agree* 
 able manners, I Hioukl have pleafed thofe 
 dear friends that are no iiiore ; and believe 
 me, every adion of my life, fmce I had the 
 misfortune of loling them, has been guided 
 by what I thought they would have liked^ 
 had they been witneiTes of them here.'* 
 
 The next day Beaumont conduced her 
 to the room of his friend, who was vifioly 
 attecled at ieeiniz; her. 
 
 *' This,*' faid he, kifling the hand (lie 
 offered him, «' is too m.uch goodnefs ; ho.v 
 
 many
 
 114 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 many thanks have I to return for your 
 hoipitable care of me in fo long an illnefs ?" 
 " I vviih I had been prefent,'* faid (he, 
 *' when you drank the cold weak cider ; I 
 am phyfician enough to have infilled that 
 you fliould have drank in the violence of 
 the heat you were in, fome ftrong cordial.'* 
 
 He fighed, and faid, had fhe been 
 prefent, he fliould not have thought of 
 drinking any thing, 
 
 *' Come, my Lord,'' faid flie, " we 
 muft forget all thefe things now\ I came 
 this mor:\ing to afk your opinion of your 
 kinfman Mr. Beaumont; I expedt you will 
 te'i me all his faults ?" 
 
 *' 1 could better tell you of his virtues," 
 returned the Marquis, '' but that they are 
 almofl too many to enuiiierate." 
 
 He took a hand of each, and joined them. 
 " Then,'* laid he, ** fince you rejedied the 
 unfortunate Lovefdale, I give you the man 
 
 XBoft;
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. II5 
 
 ir.oft likely to make you happy; I equal 
 him in nothing but my love, my adoration 
 of you." — The tear flood in his eye. 
 ** Make her as happy as (he deferves, my 
 friend, and you will be rewarded for the 
 long days of mifery I have innocently caufed 
 you. One requeft I would make," faid he> 
 again refpedfully taking her hand; *' but I 
 fear Lady MiddJeton m:-y think me pre- 
 fumj tuous." 
 
 " Your conducV, my Lord," (lie replied, 
 *' is fuch, that I think I may venture to pro- 
 mife you any requeft you may make." 
 
 *' Ten thoufand thanks to you !" faid he, 
 kifling her hand with fervour ; " my requeft 
 then is that, in confideration of the 
 long fuffeiings of my dear Beaumont, 
 you promife to give no delay to his 
 happinefs, 'and that you permit me to 
 remain with you until 1 lee the man I 
 have fo much reafon to love, as happy as I 
 wifli him ?" 
 
 Lady Middleton rep'ied, flie fhould 
 always think herfelf honoured and happy in 
 his Lord (hip's company. — She flopped. 
 
 '' But
 
 Il6 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 
 
 '' But you have not anfwered the former 
 part of my requeft," faid the Mar^^uisj *^you 
 began where I ended.*' 
 
 She, blufhing, faid, " I fear your friend" 
 has too mairy proofs of my prcdiledion 
 for him ; . 1 therefore referred him to 
 the Duke of Devon, who is my guar- 
 dian.'' 
 
 They both faid every thing gratitude 
 could dictate -, and it was fixed that the 
 next day Mr. Beaumont fliould wait on 
 the Duke, by whom no oppofition could 
 be given 5 and this lovely woman looked 
 forward to a life of happinefs, fpent in the 
 fociety of the man llie loved. 
 
 She had been made acquainted with 
 Henry's attachment for Mr. Beaumont j 
 it increafed her oi/inion of him, and on 
 quitting the Marquis's room, (he went to 
 Mrs. Markham. 
 
 *^ Will
 
 ANKERWiCK- CASTLE. II7 
 
 <' Will you," faid (lie, " make poor 
 Henry Imppy r He has long wifhed me 
 married to Beaumont ; tell him it is likely 
 to happen." 
 
 The joy of Henry was extreme ; his fine 
 eyes filled; he then leaped and danced about 
 the room, took both Mrs. Markham's 
 hands, and kifTed them a thoufand times 
 over. 
 
 " She will be happy," cried he, '* I know 
 fhe will. Mr. Beaumont is as good, as 
 great, as handlbme, as charitable as fhe is. 
 Permit me, dear Madam, to tell my worthy 
 friends, Mr. and Mrs. Sehvin, this joyful 
 nev/s; it is an event that will make them as 
 happy as it does me. V/e have often talked 
 together of Mr. Beaumont, and agreed he 
 was the perfon of all others, mofh likely to 
 make my Lady happy — the only man v/orthy 
 of her y but we all thought fhe particularly 
 difliked him, and fomc way or other we 
 fuppofcd that he was engaged to fome 
 5 foreign
 
 Il8 ANK£RWICK CASTLE. 
 
 foreign lady. Are you fure, my dear 
 Madam, my Lady does love Mr. Beau- 
 mont ?" 
 
 " AlTuredly, my dear Henry," replied 
 Mrs. Markham ; " your Lady, as you 
 always call my fweet Gertrude, is her own 
 miftrefs ; if The did not prefer this noble 
 young man to all others, (he would not 
 confent to be his." 
 
 «' Very true," faid he ; *' for when my 
 
 Lady refufed Lord B and Lord M , 
 
 1 recolledl you told me fo ; now I fhall fee 
 or hear of what I never ceafed to pray for. 
 If I fhould be fent away before my Lady is 
 married, I fhall at leafl hear that it has 
 taken place, and that is enough for me." 
 
 Away went this amiable young man to 
 make his friends happy wid:i the glad tidings 
 he brought. It was foon known through 
 the whole caftle -, and e\ ery one rejoiced 
 at the intelligence, 
 
 Beaumont
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. lie; 
 
 Beaumont had a very great defire to vlfit 
 again the library and grotto. He law enough 
 to make him vvifli to fee more ; — he vvis a 
 judge and a great admirer of fculpture ; 
 was well acquainted with almofh every thing 
 excellent that Italy could afford in that 
 art; he had vifited every grotto that was 
 worthy of obfervation ; he had a remarkably 
 fine one at his fuperb feat, yet this infinitely 
 furpalTed any he had ever ieen. In the 
 curfjry view he had taken of the library, 
 he conceived there were other rooms attached 
 to thofe he faw ; — every thing was felecl, 
 worthy to attracl the attention of the 
 curious and the learned. 
 
 On his leaving the Marquis's room, he 
 met the miftrefs of his heart coming from 
 Mrs. Markham's apartment. 
 
 ** I have a requefl to make of yoif,'* faid 
 he, *' and you mufl not refufe me." 
 
 '' 1 know it before you aik me," faid fhe; 
 *' you want to revifit the apartments you 
 were in yefterday." 
 
 " Exadlly
 
 I20 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 *' Exadlly fo,'* i:ie returned. 
 '« Then," faid Lady Middleton, " fup- 
 pcfe I pofitively refufe you r" 
 
 " I would entreat if I dared,'* rejoined 
 
 he. 
 
 *' But fuppofe no entreaty could pre- 
 vail ?" ' 
 
 " Then,'* faid he, '' I mud fubmit." 
 
 " Know then,** faid flie, " that it 
 depends more on yourfclf than upon me.** 
 
 " Really indeed j upon m,e ?** faid 
 Mr. Beaumont. 
 
 " It does in truth," faid Lady Middle- 
 ton ; " the privilege I myfelf enjoy is 
 under reftridion. Mrs. Markham has never 
 been in the library above twice, and has 
 never feen all the apartments.'* 
 
 " You have awakened my curiofity pro- 
 digioufiy," faid Mr. Beaumont. 
 
 " Weil," faid Lady Middleton, " if 
 you will comply with the neceffary reftric- 
 tions, and will put off your journey to 
 the Abbey of Devon to a future day, I 
 will attend you to-morrow, and fliew you 
 
 the
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 121 
 
 the whole of a building I know vou have 
 tafte enough to admire and enjoy." 
 
 ^' As to any reflriction you lay on me,** 
 cried Mr. Beaumont, *' I dare venture to 
 promife I fhali never infringe ; but I will 
 not put OiFmy viht to the Abbey.'* 
 
 " Then,** faid Lady Middleton, fmiling, 
 *^ you cannot have your curiofity gratified 
 for twelve months after you become mafter 
 of the Caftle.** 
 
 « Very well,** replied he. 
 
 She put her hand on his arm, and fvveetly 
 fmiling in his face — 
 
 *' What for twelve months r" faid flie. 
 
 « No !*' faid he, 
 
 " Not put off your journey for one 
 day,'* faid fhe, '' to have a curiofity, which 
 I know is great, gratified for twelve 
 months ?" 
 
 '' I would not retard for one day,'* fild 
 he, ^^ the happinefs of calling you mine, 
 were it never to be gratified.*' 
 VOL. I. G He
 
 122 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 
 
 He caught her in his arms, and was 
 taking her elf, when one look made him 
 Hop. 
 
 '' Hold, Beaumont/' faid (lie ; '' I wifh 
 never to have the fame caule of being 
 difpleafed with you I had yefherday. I am 
 not to be forced into any thing, and of. 
 this be alTured, if ycu had learned my retreat 
 from Mrs. Markham inftead of tTenry, 
 and that (lie had, as unqueflionabiy ("he 
 would have told you, my eternal difpleafure 
 would have been the confequence of your 
 bri.aking in upon me, and that you after- ^ 
 wards had done fo, dear as you are to me, 
 I would never have fcen you more." 
 
 " Good God," faid he, " I tremble at 
 my imprudence 1" 
 
 *' Let it teach you, my dear friend, to 
 be more ci.cumipeCl in future ; believe 
 me," faid fhe, with a very foiemn air, " no 
 flran^er ever dared it before. Mr. Selwin 
 is the only pcrlon who has ever l^cen through 
 the whole -, he is fworn to fccrecy ^ — nor 
 
 would
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 1 23 
 
 would l}e have known it, had not my dear 
 father found it abfolutel^ necelTary, oa his 
 going abroad, to make him accjuainted 'vvidi 
 it, left, for want of air and attention, his 
 treafure fhould be deftroyed." 
 
 Lady Middleton's manner, what h- ^^ad 
 feen, all fhe had now told him, raifed his 
 wonder and curiofity , and he told her, 
 though what fhe had faid had the natural 
 effect on him, he yet would put off the 
 pleafure of knowing thefe wonders to the 
 time file had appointed ; — '^ And I will, if you 
 requell it, pledge n y honour to you I will 
 never mention a wifn of feeing them/* 
 
 *' Come," faid Ihe, " defer your journey 
 to my guardian, and I will fhew 5^ou the 
 wonders I have promifed to-morrow.'* 
 
 '* No, Gertrude," faid he, '' if you were 
 to fhew me the wonders of ths world, I 
 would not accept of the gratificaton at the 
 expence of lofing you one day longer than 
 is neceffary." 
 
 G 2 " Th-n/'
 
 $24 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 '' Then,'* fald fliej putting her hand 
 withui his arm, ^' I mufl (hew you them 
 to-day." 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 HE led him into a fmall room, near to 
 the door he had been fliewn by Henty; 
 fhe fhut the door, and opened a cabinet, and 
 taking out a fmall manufcript, (lie gave it 
 to him. 
 
 *< If you think you are qualified to enter 
 into thefe fecret abodes after reading that, 
 I will condud you." 
 
 The manufcript contained thefe words:— 
 
 '' I have
 
 Al^KERWICK CASTLE. I25 
 
 " I have ftudied the heart of my daughter — 
 I find it pure; I have never, from its earhefl 
 infancy, had caufe to think aught entered 
 there that angels might not perceive. Your 
 underftanding, my child, is flrong, your 
 abilities brilHant, and your genius of the 
 firil rate. I find you are pofTefied of bene- 
 volence and all the milder virtues ^ I have 
 feen your young heart expand at reheving 
 the diftreiTed -, mifery always gained your 
 commiferation : fuch is the ansel I am lo 
 bleffed as to call daughter. Your dear 
 mother, my Gertrude, is gone before me — 
 I fliad foon follow ; in you I behold her 
 model ; her lofs has broke my heart ; not 
 even you can heal the wound. You were 
 old enough before we lol her, to judge our 
 happine[s3 her gentle foul never caufed me 
 a moment's pain ; lemember her and her 
 virtues, and if ever) ou are a wife, or mother. 
 Oh may you equal her in both I — I leave 
 my child an orphan at an early age ; I 
 leave you one of the grcateft heireffes in 
 Britain ; I leave you to fupport the dignity 
 
 G 3 of
 
 126 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 of your name — n member it has ever been 
 untainted i think, my daughter, of your 
 long line of anceftry, and think more of 
 their virtues than of their wealth. Vfealth 
 and grandeur, my daughter, if not united 
 with virtue and benevolence, lead only to 
 vice and misfortune ; — rem.ember, where 
 much is given, much is required, and never 
 forget the poor; let the voice of diftrefs be 
 heard, and always relieved. 1 leave you 
 miftrefs of your own fate ; I Oiould prefer 
 merit to riches, were I to chufe a hufband for 
 you. I think your choice will fall on worth, 
 3eL a fair face and fine form often will 
 feduce youth ; — Oh m.ay the man, vvho fhall 
 be fo happy to pleafe, be fenfible of what 
 he will polTefs ! If your young heart is not 
 caught by mere outfide — if you find the 
 man you love is a man of fterling honour 
 and integrity, bring him to this room, 
 fhew him the wiQies I have formed for m.y 
 child, fliew him what your father thinks of 
 you in his dying moments, and if he has a 
 fpark of the fame virtue and honour that- 
 
 iills
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 127 
 
 fills my foul, he will not make ray Gertrude 
 unhappy. ^ 
 
 ** I have told you my fecret ; I have led 
 the darlin y of my heart into the recefs ; I 
 have depofiied a trufl in you your dear 
 mother never knew ; I have written the 
 hiftory of my I'fe, and left it to my child. 
 In it you will find delicacy ; and a know- 
 ledge of your dear mother's difpofitioa 
 caufed me to keep that from her 1 have 
 difclofed to you. If your choice falls on a 
 man of honour, I give you permiflion to 
 difclofe it to him be tore marrias^e. I v/iQi 
 you to have no fecret fror.i your hufband ; 
 but if you think there is that about hi-n 
 that wil not Juitify your doing {o^ take 
 Mr. Selwin, Qiould he be alive, and deftroy 
 that whxh for twelve years was the com- 
 paiiijn of my fad a^^:l melancholy hours, 
 the only th.ing in ..hich I t'^^'k delight. 
 Aik f.je man ol \ouf choice, r.fur reading 
 this, if he b.^ worthy of you — Ir'^ewiu iwear 
 to keep your lecrct, ani \AijX he will not 
 G -i, int. uUw
 
 128 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 intrude upon thofe hours you may wl(h to 
 fpencl with your father ? The only condition 
 I make with my child, the only wifh I 
 impart is, that flie (hall refide entirely at 
 Ankerwick Caille ; that her abfence never 
 fliall exceed a fortnight, until ibc has the 
 protedion of a hufoand.*' 
 
 Thus ends the manufcript. 
 
 Beaumont's feelings becan:ie enthufiaflic ; 
 he arofe, and threw himfelf at Lady Middle- 
 ton's feet. 
 
 " Am I the man," faid he, " this 
 matchlefs angel thinks worthy of her ? Am 
 I the man Lord M.ddleton would have 
 chofen for his beloved daughter ?" 
 
 " Yes, Beaumont," faid fne, " I think 
 you would have been my revered parent's 
 decided choice ; my heart acknowledged 
 you hi^ equal — my friends in fecret wKlied 
 you n^ight ha\e been my choice. Mrs. 
 Maikham, the worthy Mr. and Mrs. Selwin, 
 
 all
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 129 
 
 all think of you as I do. I am ready to lead 
 you to the recefs ; — I know your honour — 
 I have had the ftrongeft, moil inconteflible 
 proofs of it ; if you will go with me, I (hall 
 not bind you — I have too high an opinion 
 of you to think it necefiary.'* 
 
 She arofe, and touching a fpring at the 
 fide of the cabinet, it turned on its axis; — 
 behind where it ftood fhe touched another 
 fpring ; a door opened, and when it lliut, it 
 v/as fo contrived that the cabinet was re- 
 placed. 
 
 Beaumont followed her through a narrow 
 pafTage -, they defcended a flight of iteps, 
 and came to an iron door. 
 
 '^ Coxme," (aid (lie, '' if you open that 
 door, you are. worthy of your Gertrude. I 
 am the Queen of the Fairies," continued 
 file, laughing ; " you mud furniount 
 difficulties, and do hardy deeds of daring 
 ere you attain the hand of your Princefs.*' 
 
 05 '< There
 
 130 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 
 
 " There is fomething of fuch magic ia 
 all this,*' faid Beaumont, " I am in truth 
 inclined to think the (overeign of the Fairy 
 tribe prefides here." 
 
 " Unquefhionably,'* repUed Lady Mid- 
 dleton ; *' and if her Majelly will not lend 
 you her afliftance in opening this door, we 
 muft go from whence we came : it is by 
 that alone you can be fuccefsful." 
 
 The lovely girl faid this with fo grave a 
 face, that Beaumont began to feel a little 
 furprifed. 
 
 " Nay," faid he, " you banter me." 
 *' I really fear," very folemnly replied 
 her Ladyfliip, *' if 5'ou do not make hafle^ 
 you will be turned into a black flave, and 
 be doomed for a year and a day to keep 
 this door." 
 
 Beaumont laughed, and took hold of 
 both her hands. 
 
 «' Come,"
 
 A^IKERWICK CASTLE. I3I 
 
 " Come,'* faid he, " I am dying with 
 impatience ; fo open the door, for 1 really 
 give it up.'* 
 
 She turned gravely about, and walking 
 on a few fteps, ihe faid, as if returning, 
 *^ I am forry to find you fo eafily give me 
 up." 
 
 He caught hold of her gown. ^' Nay,*' 
 faid he, '^ for Heaven's fake return !" 
 
 " Can you open the door ?" faid fhe, 
 very gravely. 
 
 *' No," faid he, " I cannot. 
 " Then all is over with you." 
 
 She turned from him, and afcended the 
 fleps; and in turning once more to the door, 
 he loft fight of her ; and though, when he 
 entered, he conceived it very eafy to return, 
 he found it impoffible. 
 
 G 6 She
 
 132 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 She looked at her watch. *' I will leave 
 him an hour to Hievv him the impofTibility 
 of any body getting at my dear lather's 
 fee ret unlefs it is fliewn.'* 
 
 In an hour Ihe appeared^ and found him 
 examining the door, at which he had been 
 ever fmce Ihe left him. 
 
 " Well, what have you done ?*' 
 
 « Nothing.'' 
 
 " What, not in all this great fpace of 
 time ? It is a year and a day fince I have 
 been with you ; you have been enchanted, 
 and I only have had the power to diifolve 
 the fpell.*' 
 
 " Pifh V faid he, " you treat me like a 
 fool." 
 
 " No,'! faid (lie, fmiling; "but ac- 
 knowledge that this recefs is impregnable 
 to all attempts." 
 
 '* Yes," faid he, <^ I really do, for you 
 
 have been a long time away, and I have 
 
 5 been
 
 AKKERWICK CASTLE. I33 
 
 been diligently employed to dlfcover the 
 way to you, but found it impofiibie." 
 
 Lady Middleton took out a fmall bit of 
 iron, fomeching like a large needle, and 
 applied it to a part of the iron door ; the 
 fmalinefs of the hole made it imperceptible 
 to a common obferver ; — this needle turned 
 a plate, and infide this plate was a ftnall 
 fpring; on this fpring being touched, a key- 
 hole appeared, of which ibe had the key. 
 On opening this door they came to 
 another as difticult of accefs, which fhe 
 as eafily opened. This door led into 
 a pavilion, decorated in a mofb fanciful 
 manner. She fhut each door with a care 
 long ufe had rendered eafy and familiar. 
 In one part of the pavilion (he drew back 
 a green curtain, and a fmall oval oak door 
 was opened by a bolt which fprung at her 
 touch, and difclofed to view the moft 
 elegant room idea can form; — it was an 
 octagon, lighted from the top ; the floor 
 was inlaid , there were two floves that were 
 
 heated
 
 134 AXKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 heated from without, and in winter this 
 room wcxs perfc(5lly warm, without any 
 perfon going into it to ferve the ftoves. 
 There were ventilaters to let out, and 
 change the air'; there was a vafl number 
 of beautiful paintings by the firfh mafters ; 
 a fmail collection of books, fome very 
 beautiful figures in bronze ; two or three 
 couches after the Turkilh fadiion, and 
 fummer and winter chairs, formed the fur- 
 niture of this room. 
 
 " Well," faid Lady Middleton, " is 
 not this a pleafant retreat in fummer V* 
 '* Delightful }" he replied. 
 
 She led him up to one fide of it, and as 
 they were converfing, flie touched the wall, 
 or what appeared to be fo, and it imme- 
 diately divided, and went back on each fide, 
 fbmething like to the fcenes of a theatre, 
 when he beheld the moft beautiful objeds 
 eyes ever faw ; — it is not eafy to fpeak of 
 them in fober language, nor can his admi- 
 ration
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. I^^ 
 
 ration be exprefTed without hyperbole : if 
 he could fuppofe an original more beautiful 
 than a ftatue he beheld, it was bef:')re him 
 in the perfon of Lady Middleton. He 
 looked upon his lovely Gertrude ; Hie 
 bluQied — he looked again, but found no 
 likenefs. He viewed it till his unfteady 
 eye doubted its powers , it appeared to have 
 life i he went clofcr ; he fcill thought it 
 mufl be more than marble. 
 
 " It appears," faid he, ''as if it would 
 yield to the touch; it is a vifion of the 
 imagination." — He approached It, and 
 thought it would have fpoken to him. — '• Is 
 life then,'* faid he, " thus to be fafluoned 
 out of flone ? Never have 1 feen any thing 
 comparable to what is before me T* 
 
 This ftatue held a roll In her hand, on 
 
 which was written — " Selicia De was 
 
 married June the ift, 17 — , to William, 
 tenth Earl of Middleton, at Florence." 
 
 The
 
 n6 ANKKRWICK CASTLE. 
 
 J 
 
 Ti:e naiTiCs of fix witnefTes, and the Clergy- 
 man, who was Engliili, and an Italian Priefl. 
 who married them, were annexed. He was 
 fixed to the fpot ; his admiration was 
 fuch he could not get away. 
 
 *' Come," faid his condudrefs, " I will 
 fnew you a painting of this moft beautiful 
 
 She drew back a curtain. 
 
 " It is too much," faid he ; " the canvas 
 feems to breathe.'* 
 
 " Don't you fee an exact fimiJitude 
 between the ftatue and the painting ?" 
 aiked Lady Middleton ; " yet they were 
 done in different cities ; neither the ftatuary 
 nor the painter ever faw the other ; — this is a 
 convincing proof the likenefs mud be 
 uncommonly ilrong ; confefs you never faw 
 any thing to exceed tbefe." 
 
 " Never!" faid he, " the original muft 
 have been equal to the angelic woman 
 before me,", 
 
 '' Nay,"
 
 ANKERWICK CASTL£. I37 
 
 " Nay," faid fhe, " all men are flatterers j 
 
 I am no more to Selicia De than the 
 
 commoneft calls are to the ilatue before us. 
 Here," continued Lady Middleton, " my 
 dear father pafTed all his time that could 
 be fpared from his mofl: necefTary o:cui)a- 
 tions ; for t\ve!ve years in thefe apartments 
 he ufed to (hat himfelf up from the world, 
 and live on the idea of loft happinefs. 
 Thefe particular rooms^ from that we firfl 
 entered where the cabinet ftands, to this, 
 are unknown." 
 
 She opened a door of moft curious con- 
 trivance, which led them into a fhrubbery, 
 thickly grown, and by an amazing high wall 
 (hut out from a poilibility of being come at, 
 except by thofj who knew t'le fecret doors, 
 and the .management of the fprings. They 
 then entered by the room he had feen Lady 
 Middleton in the day before, which had an 
 organ and a harp in it. It looked into a 
 plealaiit pleafure-ground, through which 
 
 ran
 
 I3B AKKERVVICK CASTLE. 
 
 ran a fmall natural ftream, which fupplied 
 the bath. 
 
 " Shall I play on the harp for you,*' 
 faid Qie, *' that little favourite air of your's, 
 or on the orgar* ?'* 
 
 She fat dovvn to the latter, He was 
 aftonillied at the found. The room was 
 of a particifiar conftrucShion ; the founds 
 were raviihing. 
 
 ** Go into the plantation/* faid flie ; 
 " you win find the echo delightful, which 
 nobody ever cjuld account fjr.'* 
 
 He did fo ; it was charming. 
 
 " Here," faid fhe, " I pafs nmch of my 
 time J to von, wo are an amateur of mufic, 
 this place I fee will be a favourite retreat.'* 
 
 They then went tb.rough the whole of 
 the grotto, v^h^ch was infinitely more 
 beautiful than he thought it the day before. 
 
 She
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. I39 
 
 She told him (lie had been more 
 terrified than the thought fne ever could 
 have been at the approach of any danger, 
 on feeing the eyes of a man at the vvindj-.v j 
 llie thought it muft have been fome aiTanTin ; 
 fright prevented hav from knowing Eeaa- 
 mont ; and when ihe found him in the 
 room, file thought Ihe ihould have died. 
 ^' I am forry," faid Ihe, " to find I have fo 
 little refoiution ; wonicn are weak, creatures / 
 after all." 
 
 They then afcended the fteps that led to 
 tihe library. 
 
 " You have been,*^ faid (lie, blufhing, 
 «' already in that room, fo if you pleafe, 
 we will go into one more curious/* 
 
 " No," faid he, ** that room is dearer 
 to me than all j I mud go into it.** 
 
 " We have not time," faid ilie. 
 
 ** All other rooms," he replied, *« are 
 indifferent to me j all our time (hall be 
 fpent here." 
 
 She
 
 140 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 She found him pofidve, and they entered 
 the library. On feeing the curtains down, 
 he went to draw them up, and flie pafTed 
 on. 
 
 '' Do," faid he, *' (lop a moment. Who 
 is this beautiful boy, whofj features are ^o 
 like my Gertrude ?*' 
 
 " That is my beloved brother, who died 
 of a fever at the age of thirteen." 
 
 On going up clofe to where this piclure 
 hung, to fee the name of the artift, he 
 perceived two niches that were covered by 
 dark green filk curtains -, he was going to 
 remove them, when flie laid hold of his 
 arm. 
 
 " Spare me," faid fhe, " do not draw 
 back thefe fatal coverings !" 
 
 He looked upon her, and found her in 
 the greateft confufioii. He let go the 
 curtain, 
 
 " Heaven
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. I4I 
 
 " ^Heaven forbid," faid he, '' that I 
 (liould pry into any thing you fhould wi(h 
 to withhold from me !" and inflantly turned 
 round. 
 
 " Hold,'* faid (lie, " I wiQied you not 
 to fee thefe yet ; you will think me a fond 
 fool, but you already kno.v too much." 
 
 She drew up the curtain, and he beheld 
 Lady Middleton in wax-work. 
 
 ^' Oh !" f-iid he, '' is it this you would 
 keep from me ? — In the very drefs too I 
 iirft fawyou in !" 
 
 " It is," faid flie, drawing up the other 
 curtain, and hiding her face with her 
 hands ; '' and here is her friend, her dear. 
 Beaumont." 
 
 " And who could pofTibly have executed, 
 in fo mafterly a manner, thefe two figures?" 
 
 " Myfelf," fliid fne ; '' my dear father 
 and mother," (hewing them behind two 
 other curtains, '* were the fird figures I 
 
 ever
 
 142 AKKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 ever finilLed as large as life ^ it is a work I 
 am very fond of." 
 
 " And has the happy Beaumont em- 
 ployed fo much of your time and tlioughts ?'* 
 
 " Yes," faid fne, " are you not worthy 
 of all my thoughts ? But while I traced 
 features too deeply imprinted on my heart, 
 I found the ufe of thefe fecret apartments ; 
 I worked here fecure, and fince I firil began 
 thofe Ukenefles of you in cifterent ways, 
 Mrs. Markham never has been here. She 
 hasahvays paid me the compliment of never 
 intruding upon m.e, and I have never af^Lcd 
 her. I have drawn my Beaumont traverling 
 the Alps in froft and fnow, in fultry heat 
 and burning fun. I have followed him 
 when I thought his heart "was with fome 
 beautiful foreigner ; — I indulged myfelf in 
 living with him here. There are five like- 
 nelTes of you ; I have drav/n you hunting, 
 fiOiing,, and fowling, in three landfcapes. 
 I have draw^n you at the feet of your 
 miftrefs, whofe form and features I have 
 
 taken from Selicia De 's. I have wept 
 
 over
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. I43 
 
 over vour dear idea, and within tins fort- 
 night I have Telt more than you can 
 conceive." 
 
 *' Yes,'* faid he, (hewing her the two 
 lines he had found on her table. 
 
 « Alas !'' fi;id flie, '' you treated me To 
 cruelly fince I acknowledged my attach- 
 ment to you, it almoft broke my heart. 
 I thought I had m/iilaLen your cha- 
 racter, and at the time you broke in upon 
 me yefterday, I had formed the refolution 
 of feeing you no more ; but,'* faid (lie, 
 fmiling, " that condud v/hich but yefterday 
 induced me to drive you from my prefence, 
 to-day makes you dearer than ever to ir.y 
 heart. But," looking at her v/atch, *' we 
 have been now three hours here j we 
 muft repair to the dining parlour ; the 
 obfervatory and fome other rooms you 
 can lee whenever vou pleafe/' 
 
 She then led him to the room they firfl 
 entered, and unlocking the fame cabinet, 
 fne gave him another manufcript. 
 
 *' Here,''
 
 144 ANKERWICi: CASTLE. 
 
 '' Here/' faid (lie, '' Is the hlfiory of 
 my dear father's marriage, and the circum- 
 flances that caufed him to keep it fecret ; 
 you can read it to-morrow, as you journey 
 to the Abbey of Devon." 
 
 The Hiftcrj/ of the Earl of Middle ton, 
 
 " I yefterday promifed my fvveet Gertrude 
 a written account of that part of my life, 
 over which hangs fuch myftery. I have 
 depofited in her young heart a fecret never 
 difclofed to her angel mother. Wonder 
 not, my love; — thy cultivated mind, though 
 of fuch a tender age when we lofh that beft 
 of women, mull have been fenf.ble of her 
 excellence ; flie mud have appeared to thee, 
 my child, as every way worthy my entire 
 confidence. Oh yes 1 never fjiely exifhed 
 a more meek and courteous fpirit, a more 
 elegant and improved mind. A delicacy of 
 fentiment firft pointed out to me the 
 neceffity of a full explanation of my firfb 
 
 marriage.
 
 ANKERWICK CASTI.E. I45 
 
 marriage, and yet I dreaded fpeaking to a 
 young lovely woman of a firft-love. The 
 accents of forrow ill fuited a lover ; the 
 accents of adoration and praife dill lefs. 
 Sufpend thy judgment until you read to the 
 end 5 but believe your father was pure in his 
 intentions ; fear of the happinefs of thy dear 
 mother was the principle on which I 
 founded my condud. No bad confcquences 
 attended this feeming breach of confidence ; 
 and I am now happy flie never knew that 
 aught but herfelf entered into my heart, to 
 rob her of what her difpofition early taught 
 me to believe flie would have thought part 
 of my affection. 
 
 " At the age of eighteen I completed my 
 fcholaftic fludies, and was confidered to 
 have gone, through them with vafl eclat. 
 Thanks to the wile conduct of my noble, 
 my worthy father, under w4iofe care, and 
 that of Dr. Bromley, every rifing thought 
 which fprung from virtue or ability, was 
 cheriHied with fuch care, and cultivated 
 VOL. I. H with
 
 146 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 with fuch perfeverance, that an early period 
 found me uncommonly ripened ; and under 
 the guidance and diredlion of my tutor, 
 I launched into the great world with advan- 
 tages it is unneceiTary to point out to you. 
 I quitted Ankerwick with forrow ; I deeply 
 felt the pain of leaving a father, beloved by 
 me to an extreme. He bound me to him by 
 every tie — the kindefl treatm.ent, the moil 
 melting fondnefs. He was my companion, 
 my friend ; he made himfelf necelTary to 
 my pleafures ; he was the fource from which 
 every thing fprung in which I took delight. 
 Such condud as he preferved to me, have I 
 fliewn my darling Gertrude. — The effedl has 
 been the fame : my child loves me as I 
 loved my dear lamented father. His ftate of 
 liealth added to my grief at parting from 
 him ; — I had a prefentiment we fliould meet 
 no more ; he had the fame I believe, for 
 his torture exceeded mine: the Q\cnt proved 
 that neither v/as mlftaken, for in eight months 
 after I left England he breathed his lafl. 
 You will, my love, judge of my grief by 
 
 what.
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. " 147 
 
 what, fome time or other, 3'ou will feel on 
 a fimilar occafion, when your father fhall 
 have paid his lafb debt to Nature, and 
 become infenfible to all the pleafures, all 
 the pains of this life, when parental love and 
 affedlion iliall beat no longer in this bread ; 
 when I ihall become dead to the fond tie 
 that unites me to my child. Oh Gertrude ! 
 I have loft all but you -, and you, beloved 
 as you are, cannot heal the wounds that 
 lacerate the heart of your doting father. 
 Dr. Bromley, who feverely felt the lofs I 
 mourned, left no art untried to confole me ; 
 he knew my heart, and left it for a time to 
 its own feehngs. This method fucceeded 
 better than any other, and in about fifteen 
 or fixteen months, I became more recon- 
 ciled to my lofs. At this period he advifed 
 a vifit to Florence ; I acquiefced ; and in a 
 few days after our arrival, he led me to a 
 family intimately known to my lamented 
 father. This circumfhance was fufficient to 
 make the whole of that houfe dear to me. It 
 H 2 con fi fled
 
 I4S ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 confided of five perfons, the Prince De , 
 
 the Princefs, one fon, and two daughters, 
 
 *' The Prince was a man of talents and 
 virtue ; agreeable and inflrudiive in manners 
 and converfation. The Princefs, one of 
 thofe women, that to fee is to admire ; (he 
 poflefTed fhining abilities, with every femi- 
 nine perfedion ; neither fafhion nor vanity 
 tarnifhed a finsle trait in her character. 
 Such was the woman who formed the heart 
 and manners of her angelic daughter, Selicia 
 
 JOe . Defcription would fall (hort of 
 
 lier lead perfections. You have feen her 
 likenefsj which fhe excelled ; but her mind, 
 my Gertrude — there, indeed, my pen can do 
 nojuftice. Cultivation was not wanted to 
 improve a nature prone to all good. I 
 foon became fenfible of this angel's mental 
 as well as perfonal charms. Deep and 
 lading was my love, and her heart foon 
 acknowledged me as the partner of its 
 tendered affections. 
 
 " Young
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. I49 
 
 *' Young De , brother to my Selicia, 
 
 equalled the reft of the family in merit and 
 accompliChments. We foon became bro- 
 thers in afFedion , — he was worthy of the 
 rega'-ds of the whole world. I difclofed to 
 him the whole of my heart, and declared the 
 excefs of my paflTion , — he looked grave j— 
 I felt the greateft torture. 
 
 * Does Selicia love my friend?* afked he. 
 ' Oh yes !' faid I, '- elfe long ere now I 
 
 had quitted Florence and happinefs for 
 ever I' 
 
 * Alas!' faid he, ' what a misfortune!' 
 
 " I gralp^d his arm. — ' A misfortune did 
 you fay ? Do I heararij,ht ? Does my friend 
 call it a misfo'tune ?' 
 
 ' Oh yes, yes !' returned he, ' one of the 
 great jfl: ; nature binds me in an uncommon 
 dea^ree to my lovely fifter ; too well I know 
 her gentle nature, not to trei^ble for her ; — 
 to love Middleton is to love all worth ! — 
 Unhappy Selicia ! thy death will anfwer 
 H 3 this
 
 150 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 this fatal paffion ; — yes, thy dear life muH, 
 will be the facrifice. 
 
 " He walked about; I followed him, 
 unknowing what to think, tortured by 
 ten thoufand fears of I knew not what. I 
 befought him to explain himfeif. 
 
 * Is there any thing,' faid I, * in my 
 family, in me ' 
 
 ' Hold,' faid he ; ' Lord Middleton is 
 known to us ; — had he been a Neapolitan, 
 the honour would have been our*s j his 
 being ' 
 
 *' He flopped ; it flruck on my fenfes as 
 a peal of thunder. I reeled to a chair. — ' It 
 is over then,* faid I; ' I ama Proteflant!' 
 
 * There,' faid my friend, ' lies the infu- 
 perable bar ; there is nothing but that my 
 father could not get over where Middleton 
 is concerned ; but fo well do I know his 
 ififiexible nature on this point, I tremble 
 
 for
 
 ANK.ERWICK CASTLE. I5I 
 
 for my unhappy, lofl Selicia — for my valued 
 friend.' 
 
 ^^ I attempted to reafon. 
 
 ' Argument, Middleton,' faid he, ' is 
 
 ufelefs with the Prince De ; it will 
 
 anfwer no purpofe. Have you lived fo long 
 with him, and are Hill ignorant of his pro- 
 digious prejudice ? Pardon the feeming 
 rudenefs, I cannot be too explicit.' 
 
 * Oh yes !' faid I, ' ignorant in truth 
 vara I of his thoughts on this fabject ; — I do 
 not recoiled ever to have heard him fpeak 
 on it.' 
 
 * Then,' faid he, ' his high refpect for 
 you has prevented him 3 it is his favourite 
 topic' 
 
 * And can nothing wean him from it r' 
 
 * Alas !' faid he, ' I may, for I have 
 reafon, afTure you nothing can ; he would 
 not relax to make me happy, who pine 
 under an attachment the moll violent to 
 one of your lovely country-women ; and 
 
 H 4 though
 
 1^2 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 though he knows I will never marry any 
 other, he has abfolutely refufed his confent^ 
 nor will he ever grant it. The particulars 
 of my fad tale,' faid he, ' you (hall know 
 and judge for yourfelf.' 
 
 ' Can I lofe your filter, and live, De ?* 
 
 faid I. 
 
 " He was lilent. I repeated the queftion. 
 
 ' Alas !' faid he, ' Sellcia knew of this — 
 knew my fit nation, and that (he (hould have 
 fuifered— — ' 
 
 " But looking at me, and feeing in my 
 countenance all the horror, the diftrefs that 
 were too vifibly depided there, he was again 
 filent. — I befought, I implored his counfel 
 and advice. — ' I will be guided by my 
 friend,' faid I. 
 
 * If 1 drive you from Florence and 
 Selicia,' faid he, mournfully, 
 
 « Hold,* faid T, ' that thought brings 
 snadnefs with it.' 
 
 * We
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. I53 
 
 * We will have done with it then,' faid 
 he. ' Let us talk on this fubjedl to-morrow j 
 compofe yourleif till then, if pofTible, but 
 guard well your condudl; let no caufe of 
 lufpicion fall from you 3 this matter requires 
 more management than you are aware of.' 
 
 " We parted, and his Jafl words brought 
 a balm to my troubled foul, that almoft 
 healed the wounds he had juil inili6ted. I 
 caught at the pleafing hope. ' Yes,' faid 1, 
 ' he will manage, and make us happy.' — It 
 turned out as I expedled ; he found his 
 filler's happinefs and the life of his friend 
 depended on our union, which he confented 
 to, and contrived every thing for us withfuch 
 privacy, as prevented the fmalleft fufpicion. 
 
 Young De appeared as happy ia 
 
 arranging all necelfary points, as myfelf ^ he 
 was the warmed itiend ; by his means I 
 lived almoft always with my wife without 
 any perfon ever fufpe(fling it. He, as if 
 for himfelf, procured the flatue whic'.i I 
 yeftcrday fnewed you, and alfo the picture 
 H 5 that
 
 154 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 
 
 that is in the fame apartment. You ma)r 
 judge of her beauty by thofe, which are 
 inferior to the lovely original. Her mind 
 was equal to your own. She was miflrefs of 
 mufic, and had a voice fuperior to any I 
 have ever heard. 
 
 " For two years my happinefs wasfupreme. 
 I every day grew fonder of the idol of my 
 foul. Her brother was fatisfied he had 
 made her the happicft of women. She loved 
 me with a paflion as pure and as ardent as 
 my own, but it was too much to laft. She 
 had ever an appearance of a confumptive 
 habit. I perceived, for the laft fix months, 
 that the luftre of her extreme beauty was 
 gone. She became emaciated; her blood 
 might almoft be ktn to circulate through 
 her veins ; * her eyes had that dazzling 
 radiance of etherial fire, to which the hedlic 
 heat of her glowing wafted countenance 
 added.* I became alarmed. She foothed 
 my fears. 
 
 £ * I will
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. l^J 
 
 " I will go and breathe the air of Mont- 
 pelier/ faid (he, ' if you think you can 
 follow me.' 
 
 ' Can any power on earth part you frona 
 me?' faid I. ' Oh none 1' 
 
 ' Confult our mutual friend,' faid {he, 
 * and let us lofe no time.' 
 
 " A Neapolitan Nobleman of high rank, 
 great wealth, and merit, became enamoured 
 of her. Her father wilhed her to accept 
 him 'y her health was the excufe, and every 
 thing was fo fettled, that we fliortly after 
 fet off. But my beloved wife grew daily 
 worfe, and in three months I loll all I held 
 dear on earth. I (hall not rend your young 
 heart by dwelling on my forrow ; On may 
 you never know the grief of lofing fuch a 
 friend 1 
 
 " I returned to England in two years 
 
 after. I brought my treafures, the ftatue 
 
 and portrait of my love, and depofited them 
 
 in the recefs. I gave up all the world ; I 
 
 H 6 lived
 
 156 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 lived wilh them alone ; I dwelt on her 
 angel face, would take her marble hand, 
 prefs her cold lips with mine, and call upon 
 her to eafe my tortured foul. Thus did I 
 go on until I almoft loft my fen fes ; for 
 twelve years did I mourn. 
 
 *• I informed Dr. Bromley, who lived 
 with me, of my attachment to Selicia, but 
 not of my marriage. I had vowed to my 
 dear Be < I never would difclofe it until 
 
 he informed me of the death of his father 
 and mother, except in confidence to my 
 future wife, (hould I again think of one. 
 
 " About this time m.y old friend prefled 
 me much to marry, 
 
 ' I (hall foon leave you, my dear Lord,* 
 faid he ; M wifh you would get a com- 
 panion before Death lays his iron hand on 
 me. I fliall not die in peace if I leave you 
 without a friend. I know a woman,' faid 
 this good man, ' that would make you 
 
 happy.
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 157 
 
 happy — whom, if you had never gone to 
 Florence, you would have chofen ; let me 
 (hew her to you/ 
 
 " Much and long pcrfuafion prevailed 
 upon me, at length, to accompany him to 
 the Abbey of Devon. I faw your dear 
 mother ; I liked her appearance ; her merit 
 interefled me ; but my heart ftiil fondly 
 turned to my firft love. Dr. Bromley's 
 arguments, in twelve years after my lofs, 
 prevailed on n:e to make propofals. 
 
 * I know,' faid he, ' you will be accepted 
 by Lady Gertrude with delight ; her younp- 
 heart has long been fenfible of your merits 
 
 " I was accepted, and previous to my 
 marriage, I one day went to her, to difclofe 
 my fecret in confidence. When I found 
 myfelf alone with her, I fhrunk from thQ 
 fubjedl ', my feelings I found would be too 
 ftrong — 1 fhould have fliewn an attachment 
 ill fuited to my fituadon j and I began to 
 
 think
 
 1^8 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 think with horror of my impofing on fb 
 amiable, fo beautlfiil, and fo innocent a 
 woman. I twice after this made the fame 
 attempt, and as often failed. A converfa- 
 tion I had with her, turned me from my 
 purpofe, and I determined never to tell her 
 of it. I found, in this converfation, it was 
 a fixed principle of her's, that it was impof- 
 fible to love twice — that a perfon who 
 thought themfelves capable of doing fo^ 
 never loved, 
 
 ' Nothing on eardi,* faid fhe, « could 
 tempt me to marry a man who had been 
 married before. If,' faid fhe, with more 
 vehemence than 1 ever heard her fpeak 
 with before, ' I loved under thefe circum- 
 flances even as well as I do you, 1 woulcj 
 abjure it for ever.' 
 
 " This was a dagger to my heart ; I was^ 
 adling a part I was not fitted for. Truth 
 and honour came rufhing like a torrent 
 
 upon
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE, I^^ 
 
 Upon me -, a cold fhivering leized me , and 
 but for the providential appearance of the 
 Duchefs, who wanted a book (he had left 
 in the room we were in, I Ihould have 
 confeiTed all, and have loft the happinefs 
 of many years of real blifs — lofl the 
 
 exquifite delight of calling you mine." 
 
 Thus ended the manufcript. 
 
 CHAP.
 
 l6o A^•KER\VICK CASTLE. 
 
 CHAP. XL 
 
 EAUMONT was filled with admiration 
 and delight. — *' Does this angel,*' cried he, 
 as he travelled alone to the Abbey of 
 Devon, " does flie fall to my lot ? Am I 
 worthy of fach a woman ? Oh ! my dear 
 Lord, your matchlefs, daughter fliali be 
 cheriflied as my own foul ; her happinefs 
 lliall be mine ; I will fhield her from every 
 blaft ; my heart, my fond heart never loved 
 but her ; her peace, her joy, her happinefs 
 (hall be my only care!" 
 
 Mr. Beaumont*s application to the Duke 
 was only a matter of form.. Lady Middle- 
 ton fignified, in moll: dutiful terms, her 
 
 prediledion
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE, l6l 
 
 prediledion for Mr. Beaumont, and every 
 thing between the Duke and him was 
 finally concluded. He was the perfon they 
 would have chofen for their grand -daughter; 
 and both the Duke and Duchefs congr::- 
 tulated Lady Middleton on her choice, 
 which bade fair for enfuring her future 
 happinefs. 
 
 Lady Mary Berkley and her filler, with 
 a large party, were at the Abbey. Her 
 Lady(hip was delighted beyond meafure at 
 feeing the elegant Beaumont, and quickly 
 forgot her anger. She received him as 
 favourably as the mod ardent lover could 
 defirei but though fhe faw he was in 
 uncommon good fpirits, which at firft 
 augured his happinefs at meeting her, his 
 accidentally faying he was the next day 
 to return to Ankerwick Caftle, deftroyed 
 all the fond hopes his prefence had raifed, 
 and left her once more to defpair. 
 
 On
 
 l62 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 On his quitting the next day, his bufi** 
 to the Abbey was made known to the whole 
 party; and the Duke and Duchefs were 
 congratulated on the profped of felicity 
 that awaited Lady Middleion. Every 
 tongue was warm in the praife of both the 
 amiable aad beautiful heirefs and Mr. 
 Beaumont. Lord Sandford and Lady 
 Mary were loud in their admiration of 
 them, as loud as if they were lincere ^ but 
 fmcerity made no part of the character of 
 either. His Lcn-dfliip was a good deal like 
 his amiable filler. He had been very highly 
 offended with Lady Middleton, whom he 
 had fome thoughts of marrying. He had 
 determined to prevail on himfelf to become 
 a Benedict, the married man; for he thought 
 the immenfe wealth of his coufm would 
 reconcile him to it : and when he had 
 made up the point with himfelf, he looked 
 upon it that all difficulty was removed. 
 It never occurred to him there was a 
 pofTibility of any arifing from her. He 
 had determined, in the week he propofed 
 
 to
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 163 
 
 to fpend at Ankervvick, to conclude every 
 thing; but the reception he had met with 
 at the inn, which we have before related, 
 obliged him to view things in quite a 
 different light. He faw too much that day 
 to hazard a refu(i\l, which would have 
 mortified his felf-love, that taught him to 
 confider himfelf a match for the firft 
 Princefs in Europe. 
 
 The reader may recollect that his Lord- 
 fhip, immediately after the rencounter at 
 the inn, met Lady Mary, who arrived a 
 very few minutes before him at the Abbey. 
 He, in all the bitternefs of refentment and 
 rage, told her of Lady Middleton's info- 
 lence. This added to the hatred and envy 
 Lady Mary always had for her, and it now 
 blazed cut ; they mutually abufed her in 
 the very groffeft terms. 
 
 " The pride of this woman,** cried Lady 
 Mary, ^' ought to be humbled.** 
 
 '-' It
 
 164 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 " It (hall, by Heavens !" replied her angry- 
 brother ', '< all her greatriefs fhall not fave 
 her!*' 
 
 *' Her beauty/* faid Lady Mary, "fhall 
 be the fource of her mifery ; flie fhall rue 
 her haughtinefs. Yes, yes !" repeated (he, 
 rubbing her hands, and viewing her perfon 
 from head to foot in a large pier glafs, 
 " (he (hall, I vow fhe (hall rue it ! Never, 
 no never, fhall (he enjoy the happinefs fhe 
 looks for." 
 
 When they found Beaumont was her 
 choice, that (he was actually on the point of 
 attaining all fhe loved, the rage of this 
 malicious pair was not to be conceived. 
 
 Lady Mary had long meditated the 
 deftru(51:ion of Lady Middleton. She had 
 made leveral attempts to prejudice the 
 general opinion, but they had all failed. 
 The grand fcheme was now ripe, and her 
 fudden and unexpe6led marriage made it 
 abfolutely nece(rary to be expeditious in 
 
 the
 
 ANKLZrlWiCK CASTLE. 165 
 
 the execution of it i— not a moment was to 
 be loft. 
 
 Mr, Beaumont returned to the Caftle, 
 highly pleafed with the flattering reception 
 he had met with at the Abbey ; and after 
 paffing two delightful days, and arranging 
 all matters for the future, he bade adieu to 
 Lady Middleton^ and fet off for London, 
 where he was to be joined by the Duke of 
 Devon, who kindly undertook this journey in 
 order to expedite the fettling of every thing 
 necellary ; as the vaft properties of both his 
 beloved grand- daughter and Mr. Beaumont 
 promifed fo much work for the lawyers, as 
 made them naturally fear a long time muft 
 elapfe ere tht^y would have every thing 
 ready ; but Mr. Beaumont flattered him- 
 felf his liberalitv to thefe gentlemen would 
 make them think it their intereft to be 
 more expeditious than they generally are. 
 
 Lord Lovefdale remained at Ankerwick, 
 
 lan 
 for 
 
 The attachment of this amiable young man
 
 l66 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 for Lady Middleton he thought was now 
 become that of a brother. She was dear to 
 him, he v^^ould fay, as L.ady Matilda. The 
 friend (hip was reciprocal 5 (he efteemed him 
 above all others, but his love was as violent 
 as ever. He took Henry under his care j 
 he made him his companion, his friend. 
 He confulted Lady Middleton on a tour 
 he intended making, a;id aiked her per- 
 mifTion to take Mr. Henry as his friend, 
 as his equal. 
 
 " Wq fliall,'* faid he, *' remain two 
 years out of England. As foon as 1 fee 
 my dear Beaumont happy, Henry and I 
 fl:iall join our fates. Will my dear fifter 
 fuffer us to lelTen the fatigues, the difap- 
 pointments of traverfing diflant countries 
 by making her the fubjecl of our dilcourfe, 
 by retracing the happy fcenes of Anker- 
 v/ick Caftle, by looking back on the happy 
 days we have fpent in the fociety of the 
 firft of women ? Ye^/* faid he, '' the name 
 cf Lady Middleton fliall cheer us in all 
 
 misfortunes.
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 167 
 
 nes. Shall we, my dear fellow," 
 addre fling Henry, " think you, feel heat or 
 cold, ftorm, tempeft, or fatigue while we 
 have the power of contemplating, in imagi- 
 nation, this angelic woman ? See here, my 
 friend, will rjot this divine face," opening 
 the bofom of his Qiirt, and taking out a 
 fmall portrait, " calm all our fufferings ? 
 Will it not teach us patience, forbearance, 
 benevolence ? It iliall be our guide to 
 virtue ; if we do well, thofe eyes will feem 
 fweetly turned upon us v/ith a look of 
 approbation ; if we do ill, the innocence, 
 the rectitude of the whole countenance will 
 mildly ihew its own perfections, and our 
 hearts will reproach us with acting con- 
 trary to the purity we read in it." 
 
 " And pray, my Lord, how and where 
 did you get this portrait ?" faid Lady 
 Middleton. 
 
 '« Are you angry at the theft ?" afked 
 his Lord Hi ip. 
 
 She
 
 l68 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 She looked grave. Henry fcemed dif- 
 treffed. .He arofe, and walked to the 
 window ; he thought the Marquis wrong, 
 without her leave, to poffefs hui:krc]f of her 
 liken efs. 
 
 '^ Do you defert me, my friend ?'* cried 
 the Marquis to Mr. Henry. '' I never felt 
 myfelf a coward before ; come and plead 
 for me ; tell my beloved fifter I would not 
 offend her for worlds ; tell her I take hke- 
 nefles as (he does herfelf ; tell her I employed 
 thofe hours which others give to lleep, in 
 tracing on ivory that dear face that has 
 robbed me of my eternal peace." 
 
 " Nay,'* faid Lady Middleton, " this is 
 too much ', I never could have expedled 
 this from Lord Lovcfdale/' 
 
 " Hold 1" cried he. " Lovefdale is a 
 man of honour. Have you not given me 
 leave to love you as a fifter ? Never will J 
 look on this dear face but with fentiments 
 as pure as your own. Are you not the- 
 
 intended
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 169 
 
 intended wife of my more than brother ? 
 Both vou and he will not refufe the WTetched 
 Lovefdale the only confolation he can ever 
 have, that of thinking of you — of dying 
 w^ith his eyes fixed on that face that has 
 undone him." 
 
 The violence of the Marquis's agitation, 
 the wildnefs of his look, his extreme youth, 
 the fatal paiTion fne faw he in vain com- 
 bated with, his recent illnefs — all combined 
 to terrify her. She tried to calm thefe 
 tranfports, and reconcile him to his fate. 
 
 «' Fromile me/' (iiid (lie, " that this 
 fnall be the laft time I fhall hear any thing 
 like this, and I Vvill torsive all that has 
 pa{!ed." 
 
 " M:iy I then keep this.?'* holding out 
 her picture, " with 3'our confent, with 
 Beaumont's?" faid he, replacing it next hii 
 heart ; *' it is all the trea'ure I poiTcfs." 
 
 '- Come," faid (lie, '* you forget the 
 terms on which I grant niy pardon before I 
 have actually given it." 
 ' VOL. X. I '^ If
 
 I/O ANKERWICK CAST.'^r 
 
 *' If I never tranfgrefs the rules you 
 prefcribe, Lady Middleton," aflced he,' 
 *^ n:iay I fecretly indulge the fire that ere 
 long will confume nie ? I feel that within 
 which never can be removed until I quit 
 this wretched body ; and when I breathe 
 my laft figh, v;hich fnall be for you, and 
 I ihall be no more, my dear friend here," 
 pointing to Henry, '^ Ihal! fafely guard me 
 to the cold grave, and gratify the laft 
 requeft of Lovefdale, who, like a true 
 mifer, will have his treafure buried with 
 -him ', that on which he placed his whole 
 happinefs when living, fliall not in death be 
 parted from him 1" 
 
 The look, the voice, the manner of this 
 amiable man were fuch, that both Lady 
 Middleton and Henry were vifibly affected. 
 
 " Come, my Lord," faid Henry, *' you 
 mufl not talk fo ^ many happy days are in 
 ftore for you." 
 
 The
 
 AN'KERWICK CASTLE, lyi 
 
 The Marquis (hook his head. Lady 
 Middieton's eyes filled with tears. She 
 took him by the hand. — 
 
 " Why will my dear brother thus diftrefs 
 me ? If you love Beaumont, if you love 
 me, you will take care ofyourfelf for us. 
 We will not fuffer you to leave England ; 
 you fhail live at home with ail your 
 friends ; we will all take care of you, and 
 fhew you, by our regards, how neceiTary 
 you are to the happinefs of us all.'* 
 
 He kiffed the hand fhe gave him; he 
 prelTed it to his heart, and arofe and left 
 the room. 
 
 Grief filled the bread of Lady Middleton. 
 She felt for him the fmcerefl pity. She 
 had the highefl opinion of him. She knew 
 how much he fuffered — fhe knew herfelf to 
 be the caufe. All thefe diftrefTing ideas had 
 the greateft effect on her fpirits. She fhut 
 herfelf up, and gave free vent to her tears. 
 I z She
 
 172 -AKKERT/ICK CASTLE. 
 
 She remained lome hours alone. As ihe 
 returned, fl:e n:et Mrs. Markham waiting 
 for her. 
 
 '' Here is a letter from Mr. Beaumorit 
 I have jufi received , it came exprefs." 
 
 She took it, trembling. 
 
 " Pray Heaven he's vv^eli !" faid fiie. 
 
 '' Perfectly v.ell, his fervant fays -, but 
 
 that his mafcer, on receiving a letter at , 
 
 changed his route, and inftead o^ proceeding 
 to London, is gone into YorkfI:iire, fo that 
 I fuppofe that is the caufe of this letter " 
 
 Lady Middleton, ivithout: knowi;ig why, 
 w.as flrangeiy affected. On reading the 
 letter, ihe found an exprefs had met hiui, 
 oivins: an account of the illneis of his aunt. 
 
 Lady G , whom he highly regarded, 
 
 and that he was obliged to let oif to receive/ 
 her lau farewel. This letter, written in a 
 hurry, expreiTed the grcateft forrovv lor 'his 
 
 beloved
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. lyj 
 
 beloved relative, and grief at the delay of his 
 happinefs. He entreated, as his only confo- 
 
 iation, that (lie would write to him to • , 
 
 where he found Lady G had been 
 
 taken ill ; be dreaded the wretched accom- 
 modation of an inn at fo remote a place 
 
 as , feared fne had not proper help, 
 
 and in every way was miferable. 
 
 ^' Kow m.uch will Mr. Beaumont fuffer 1" 
 
 cried Lady Middleton. '* Lady G is 
 
 very juftly highly efteemed by him ; fliould 
 fhe be in the danger fhe is reprefented, 1 
 dread the effects on him. She is one of the 
 moft charmino; women in the world. Sue 
 has ever been to him a m.other." 
 
 " Perhaps, my love,'* faid Mrs-. Mark- 
 ham, " things are not fo bad as reprefcnted.. 
 Mr. Beaumont's next letter may bring more 
 favourable accounts ^ quiet your f^ s Lntil 
 that fnall arrive, and do, my H rtrude, 
 
 write to him. Lady G 's illncfs m.:y 
 
 I 3 lad
 
 174 AKKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 laft fonne time ; affuredly he will not leave 
 her until The is perfedly recovered , and 
 think, in that paltry inn, what a time he 
 will fpend !** 
 
 " i fliall certainly write," replied Lady 
 Middleton, forrowfully. '« I am almofi 
 aHiamed to acknowledge to my dear Mrs. 
 Markham what I feel. I am ftrongly pre- 
 poiTelTed I fhall never fee Beaam.ont more ; 
 it admits of no argument — reafon can (ay 
 nothing for it." 
 
 She perceived Mrs. Markham fmile. 
 
 " You think me a fool — I know it is 
 childiih ; yet, my friend, there are prefenti- 
 ments the v/ifefl ot us cannot account 
 for." 
 
 Every thing was faid on the part of Mrs. 
 Markham to banilh fears which fl:ie really 
 thought ground Icfs -, but iLe had perceived 
 in the countenance of her young friend, for 
 
 fome
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. I 75 
 
 fonie days, (o fixed a melancholy, that Pne 
 be£!:an herielf to be uneafy. 
 
 Lady Middleton had written, but had re- 
 ceived no letter. A fortnight palled on, and 
 no account arrived.- The third u^eek Lady 
 Middleton fent an exprefs to the inn 
 mentioned in the letter. In four days the 
 melTenger returned. Neither Lady G — — , 
 nor Mr. Beaumont had ever been there ; — 
 the people had never heard of either. Both 
 Lady Middleton and Mrs. Markham were 
 in the greatcft agitation — they knew not 
 what to think ; every body became alarmed. 
 The Marquis 'aid he would go inpurfuit of 
 his friend ; that he would fearch the whole 
 county of York, and find him if he were to 
 be found. Mr. Henry thought the Mar- 
 quis not in a flate of health to undertake 
 fuch a fatiguing journey, and offered him- 
 felf to go. Lady Middleton defired he 
 would, and he inftaatly fet off with proper 
 attendants. 
 
 1 4 Several
 
 176 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 Several Jays elapfcd, and no accounl of 
 Mr. Beaumont was received ; at length 
 Henry returned without being able to ob- 
 tain the lead tidings of him. He had been 
 
 at Marfley, the feat of Lady G , in 
 
 that county, and there learned that LaJy 
 
 G was at Lifle ;^rhe had b-een expected 
 
 in England about three weeks before, but 
 her Ladyll:iip's agent had fent to inform 
 the houlekeeper. that (he had changed her 
 mind, and intended remaining abroad fome 
 months longer. 
 
 CHAP.
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. I 77 
 
 CHAP. XII. 
 
 JL KE confi:ernation rhis account threw 
 the whole family into, is not to beexpreffed. 
 Lady JMiddleton's miiery, her iufFeriogs 
 \vere beyond idea. She was certain her ean'y 
 tears, of never feeing hiin more, would* 
 
 ^ too well confirmed. Something dreadful 
 had befallen him ; it was fix weeks llnce 
 the date of his only letter.- It was at lafb 
 
 concluded he had gone to . But 
 
 furely he would have written. Every thing 
 was a myftery ; nobody could account for 
 
 he llrange appearance. He had not been 
 m London ; his fervants in Berkley-Square 
 had heard nothing from him. Henry wiihed 
 
 much to be permitted to go to . 
 
 I J La;!v
 
 178 ankerwicf: castle. 
 
 Lady Middleton confented, and on this 
 ^they refled their only hope. 
 
 Two days afrer the departure of Henry, 
 Lady Middleton was taken ill ; (he was 
 obHgcd to give way to bodily dileafe, againft 
 which (he contended for many days. Dr, 
 Hill pronounced her diforder to be the 
 meafles, v/hich Lady Middleton never had 
 had, and which fhe always dreaded. Dr. 
 Hill told her it was an eruptive fever. She 
 fecmed not to notice what he faid. Defpair 
 fat on every flice. The Marquis never left 
 the door of her apartment. The whole 
 country waited with anxious expectation 
 the recovery of this miuch efleemed woman. 
 
 Lord Lovefdale wrote to Lady G 's 
 
 agent, and received an anfwer, which 
 mentioned that the day before Lady 
 
 G 's woman had written to inform 
 
 him that her Lady had been extremely 
 ill, but was better ; that Ihe Pnould return 
 on her recovery, and fliould ftop at her 
 houfc in town. The Marquis wrote again
 
 ANKERV/ICK CASTLE. I79 
 
 to know if any mention had been made of 
 Mr. Beaumont's being there, and to beg 
 
 the addrefs of Lady G 's woman. No 
 
 mention had b^en made of him, and the 
 Marquis wrote off to Mrs. Manning, to 
 know if Mr. Beaumont had been with Lady 
 
 G . Her Ladyfhip having been really 
 
 ill at , gave fom^e faint hopes that 
 
 Beaumont was with her, and that feme 
 unaccountable circumftance prevented his 
 letters arriving as addrefled. Lord Lovefdale 
 talked over all the probabilities and pofii- 
 bilities until he worked hirnfelf into a 
 belief that all was as it (liould be, 
 
 Lady Middleton recovered faft; and the 
 mealies left nothino; up-oleafant behind. 
 Her health was perfectly retlored, but her 
 fpirits fjemed totahy iied. A fixed 
 melancho'y took pofieffion of her, thcugli 
 evidently (he wilhed, nay, made every 
 cffoi-t to hide the llate of her mind from 
 her friends. They however law, with the 
 grcatcft regret, the ravages an unhappy 
 I 6 mind-
 
 l8o ANKERWICK CA3TLE. 
 
 mind was making on her whole frame. A 
 pallid cheek and heavy eye difclofed the 
 mifery within. 
 
 The Marquis and Mrs. Markham had 
 many converiations together; every thing 
 pofTible was ufed, not. only to ieficn the 
 idea of Beaumont's danger, but to contri- 
 bute to ilrengthen her in the belief that 
 fomething prevented his letters arriving 
 fafe, unaccountable as it feemed. Mrs. 
 Markham inftanced a f.milar circumftaace 
 that happened to herfelf when on the Con- 
 tinent — thar for two months (he had v/ritten 
 Gonftantly to the Duchefs of Devon, and the 
 Duchefs to her, and not one of the many 
 letters had been received by either, and 
 that they had been all difcovered lying in. 
 the poit-office at Paris. 
 
 ^' Then,'* faid Lady Middleton, '' I 
 v;ill write to know inftantly if that is the 
 cafe at pre fen t." 
 
 This
 
 ANKERWiCK CASTLE. l8l 
 
 This brought eafe not only to her, but to 
 the whole party. 
 
 The Devon family, after a fhort abfence, - 
 again appeared at Ankerwick. The Duke 
 and Duchefs v;ere miferablej they were 
 really (l^iocked at the change in thtir be- 
 loved child, as they called her, nor did they 
 wonder at her being deeply afforded. There 
 was every thing to be dreaded for Beau- • 
 moot ; it was only natural that the woman,, 
 who was on the point of becomin,;, his 
 w'ife, fhould feel the danger there was cxtiy 
 reafjn to fuppofe he was in. They con- 
 folcd her, they lamented with her, they 
 knew not v/ha: to think ; they waited with 
 the ut'noii impatiep.ce the anfvver from 
 Paris, and would not leave her until it 
 arrived. 
 
 Lady Mary paid her the greateft atten- 
 tion ; (he teemed murh to feel tne diftrefs of 
 her couiin, and the misfortunes of Beau- 
 mont. Siie fpoke of him to Mrs. Markham 
 
 and
 
 l82 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 and the Marquis in the handfomeft manner, 
 and feemed to call forth all her powers to 
 pleafe, in the hope of raifing the drooping 
 fpirits of the whole party ; — (he never ap- 
 peared fo amiable before. 
 
 At length the poflmailer at Paris inform- 
 ed Lady Middleton that no letters were 
 there for the name (he mentioned, nor did 
 he recoliecl having ken any for that 
 gentleman. There were none, he laid, for 
 her Ladyfliip, or they fhould have been for- 
 warded with the utmofi: cars ; and that all 
 
 letters direcled for « m.i^ft pufs 
 
 through the Paris pofl-oflice. 
 
 This again banillied the little 'fecurity 
 that hope feemed to give,., and every 
 face wore the ftrongefh mark of for- 
 row. The Duchefs and Mrs. Ivlarkham 
 would have been glad if that circumftance 
 had not been mentioned j for let the thread 
 be ever fo fine on which we hang the 
 ftrongetl portion of hope, though wiidom 
 
 and
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. I Sj 
 
 and reafon may fliew us the probability of 
 its breaking, philofophy will never preferve 
 us from the difappointmcnt, the failure of 
 that thread brings. The human mind is 
 prone to catch at the flighted: cord for 
 confolation -, and yet, when it gives way, 
 we are not prepared for the (hock. Thus 
 they found a double portion of uneafinefs 
 becaufe there were no letters for them in 
 the pofl-oliice at Paris, without reficcling 
 that Beaumont's letters ought to have come 
 in courfe. 
 
 Company being expeded at the Abbey 
 the following week, obliged the Duke and 
 X)uchefs to return. The day before they 
 were expeded, they lefr Ankcrwick with 
 the heavieft hearts, promifmg to return as 
 foon as they were at liberty. 
 
 *' We fliall Hiortly hear of our dear 
 Beaumont," faid the Duke, taking the 
 hand of Lady Middlcton at parting, " and 
 wc ill all all be happy again." 
 
 A tear
 
 184 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 
 
 A tear fell on the hand he preiTed to hh 
 lips, and Lady Middleton retired to the 
 
 library. 
 
 " My dear grandfather," faid ihe to 
 herfelf, as flie fhut the door, *' affedls me 
 flrangely ; beft of men, how fond he is of 
 Beaumont ! How much then Cnould I feel T' 
 
 A Qiower of tears relieved her a little, 
 and in an hour (he was able to attend the 
 Marquis on horfeback, which (lie had pro- 
 mifed to do the day before. Dull and heavy 
 was the ride. Every thing now done at 
 the CaiUe was fo , — ^nothing had power to 
 raife the fpirits of any of the fa:ni]y ; all the 
 domefhics feemed to partake of the unhap- 
 pinefs of their dear Lady ; they moved about 
 on tip-toe, and no found of rnirth or glad- 
 nefs was heard around. Another great caufe 
 for anxiety was Henry ; no account, no 
 letter had been received from hii-Q. It was 
 many weeks fmce his departure, and more 
 than four months fmce Mr. Beaumont was 
 mi fling. 
 
 Some
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. I 85 
 
 Some days after this Lady Middletoa 
 was drefling for dinner ; out of the 
 window fne faw a carriage, with four 
 horfes, drive to the door. Her heart bea.t 
 quick. There was every appearance of 
 its having come a great diftance, by the heat 
 and duft of both men and horfes, and 
 Beaumont and Henry at once occurred to 
 her. Her woman faying there was but a 
 fingle lady, brought her to herfelf. She 
 funk on a chair, and fighed deeply. 
 
 " The lady feems to be a firanger," faid 
 Mrs. Spencer ; *' it is extraordinary fl:!e 
 fl:iould come alone ; fhe feems very young 
 too." 
 
 " So it is," faid Lady Middleton ; " but 
 perhaps fhe is Lady Ann Berkley, whom 
 m.y dear grandmother has fent in pity to 
 my fufferings." 
 
 " Poffibly," faid Mrs. Spencer. *' I 
 have never (e^n her Ladyfliip ; but here is 
 no Hvery, no coronet on the carriage.*' 
 
 " Then/'
 
 l86 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 '' Then,*' faid Lady Middleton, '' I 
 \vi(h, Spencer, you would enquire who the 
 Jady is. Perhaps,*' faid flie, juft as Spencer 
 left the room, " perhaps " 
 
 The words died on her lips. She knew 
 not what that " perhaps" meant. She 
 could not account for the tremor, and 
 waited in expedation of (he knew not 
 what. Spencer returned with Mrs. Mark- 
 ham. 
 
 " Here, my love," faid the latter, *' is 
 a very pretty young creature juft arrived, 
 who fays fhe muft fpeak to you in private i 
 and that (he has fome bufinefs to communi- 
 cate, in which flie thinks you are nearly 
 concerned." 
 
 '' Thinks me nearly concerned ?" faid 
 Lady Middleton, whofe pulfe beat high, 
 and every feature feemed extended with 
 expectation* 
 
 " There
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 187 
 
 " There is fomething extraordinary, 
 methinks, in this young woman," faid 
 Mrs. Markham. *' She is a foreigner ; 
 ihe fpeaks French only, and her footman 
 feems a Frenchman ; for I went to the 
 carriage door myfelf, as your footman toid 
 me neither the lady nor fervants fpoke 
 EnghQi, and Feveriee was not in the way." 
 
 " Tell me quickl}', dear Madam," faid 
 Lady Middleton, '' ail you knov/. Per- 
 haps " 
 
 She again flopped. 
 
 " Perhaps what, my love ?" faid Mrs. 
 Markham. '^ Quiet your fpiiics, my dear 
 Gertrude ; this is a mere girl — fne can have 
 nothing to tell you — perhaps fome fooIiQi 
 ftory ; fhe cannot be a woman of character — 
 a foreigner fo young, in a carriage without 
 arms, unattended by a friend, or any 
 female companion ! And flie makes fo 
 great a myflery of her bufmefs. She will 
 not communicate the leaft fy liable of it to 
 
 me.
 
 l8S ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 me, and fays (he muft return to London, 
 if not permitted to fee you alone.'* 
 
 " Then," laid Lady Middieton, *' lam 
 ready to attend h^r." 
 
 She aroie, and, folio A^eJ by Mrs. Mark- 
 ham, went nito the drawing-: oom, nhere 
 the ftranger was converling with the 
 Marquis, who quieted the room a few 
 minutes after Lady Middieton and Mrs. 
 Markham entered. Lady Middieton ad- 
 drefled her in French Vv'ith the o-reatefb 
 
 o 
 
 politenefs and affabihty. She was much 
 pleafed with the appearance of the ilranger, 
 who, upon a clofe examination of the two 
 ladies, feemed to be both artlefs and inno- 
 cent, prepoiTefled as they both wxre with 
 her beauty and manner. 
 
 Lady Middieton apologized for keeping 
 her waiting fo long, and requefted flie 
 would take fomething to refrefh her, as 
 (lie appeared fatigued, and to have come a 
 long journey. She wifned for a glafs of 
 
 water
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 189 
 
 water and a little hartfhorn. This reco- 
 vered her fpirits, which were much hurried. 
 Slie was faint and weak, and there was an 
 evident tremor in her voice. Lady Middle- 
 ton did ail flie could to re-aflure her, and it 
 had the defired eftecl. 
 
 Mrs. Markham arofe, and left tht room. 
 She thought the a;"niable ftranger would be 
 more at her eafe when alone with Lady 
 Middleton ; and the fhort time (lie had 
 been with her, convinced her Ilie was not 
 of tlut defcription of women ChQ at nrfl: 
 was almoft certain fne was, who might have 
 come with fome fooUQi ftory that would 
 have added to the uneafinefs of Lady 
 Middleton in her prefent fiate of mind. 
 She did not beUeve Mr. Beaumont to be a 
 man of intrigue ; yet all young men were 
 foolidi and unthinking fometimes. 
 
 The Marquis, in a paiTing moment, 
 cautioned her, and told her he thous^hc 
 Lady Middleton might be made uncafy by 
 
 a tale
 
 IC^O ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 a tale that ihould not have truth to recom- 
 mend it, as from a levere illnefs, and great 
 anxiety of mind, flie had lately been very 
 much deprefied ; and though Lady Middle- 
 ton had a ftrength of underftanding few 
 are blclTed with, her friends faw that what 
 in happier days would make no impreffion, 
 now might have the mod fatal effect. 
 
 CHAP.
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. I9I 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 
 
 Mrs. MARKHAM fought the Mar- 
 quis. — " Our fears, I am convinced, are ill 
 grounded, my Lord," faid fne. '' Let the 
 bufinefs of this intereiling young creature 
 be what it may, truft me it has nothing in 
 it of what we fufpect.'* 
 
 " We will remain in hearing,'' faid the 
 Marquis, " left this bufinefs be of a nature 
 to alarm our friend." 
 
 On their being left alone, the young 
 ftranger remained fome time filent , — her 
 confufion returned ; fhe looked at Lady 
 Middleton, hghed deeply, yet uttered not a 
 word. 
 
 *« You
 
 ICJ2 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 
 
 " You are fliil ill," fliid Lady Middle- 
 ton ; '' I feel much for you ; make me your 
 friend ; banifli all that reilraint — I am 
 very much prepoiTeiTed in your fiivour ; if 
 it lies within my power to ferve you, afk 
 freely ; you (liail find my v>'armeft friendfliip 
 at youj; comjnand." 
 
 '' AVho can look and converfe with you, 
 Madam," replied the ftranger, '' without 
 feeling your fuperiority to all others. Oh 1" 
 i:dd fne, " what hear.^s mufh thofe have 
 who wifn to do you wrong?'* 
 
 «^ Do you know any pcrlon who does ?" 
 faid Lady Middleton. 
 
 '^ I fear I do," U:\d Hie. '' Will you 
 have the goodnefs to inform me, without 
 thinking the quellion proceeds from cither 
 curiofity or impertinence, hovvever abrupt 
 it may appear, if Mr. Beaumont be dear 
 to you ? I ies you are above prejudice, 
 and will anfwer me fvttly.'' 
 
 h " Beaumont,"
 
 aNkerwick castle. 193 
 
 «^ Beaumont!'* faid Lady Middleton ^ 
 '' Beaumont dear to me ! Why — Oh 
 why that queilion ? What does it lead to ? 
 What can you know of Beaumont ?" 
 
 " Mr. Beaumont," faid the ladv, "is 
 unknown to me ; I have never feen him in 
 my life. Som.e circumil:a;:ces rel tiv'e" to his 
 prefent fituation having come to my know- 
 ledge two days ago 
 
 Lady Middleton gafped for breath ; fne 
 clafped her hands y ilie became as pale as 
 death, and faintly articulating a few harry- 
 ing words, became infenfible to all appear- 
 ance. 
 
 The flranger, terrified at the condition 
 The had thrown her into, fell on her knees, 
 took both her hands, and fhrieked vioknuy. 
 
 The Marquis and Mrs. Msrkham ran, 
 
 frightened to death, into the room ; but 
 
 ^hat was their aflonifnment to fee both thefe 
 
 lovely wom^en in a faintingfit ! The ftranger 
 
 VOL. I. K had
 
 194 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 
 
 had exerted all her flrength in calling for 
 help, and fell into the ver}' fame fituation 
 fhe had thrown Lady Middleton into. 
 When they were in fome degree recovered, 
 though neither was yet able to fpeak, both 
 the Marquis and Mrs. Markham flood in 
 the. greateft furprife,^ waiting an explana- 
 tion, which neither feemed able to give. 
 Lady Middleton again funk on the bofom 
 of Mrs. Markham, and burfl into tears. 
 
 ** Oh! what have I done?" faid the 
 ftranger -, *Mo what a flate have I reduced 
 the moft charming woman in the world !" 
 
 " You feem," faid the Marquis, " almofl 
 as ill yourfelf. For Heaven's fake. Madam, 
 explain alj this myftery ! What could have 
 paffed between you, who are llrangers to 
 each other, that could have thefe violent 
 effeds ?" 
 
 Xady Middleton, juft then recovering 
 fpeech by the relief of tears, faid — 
 
 *' Beaumont 4
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. I95 
 
 *' Beaumont ! the lady brings fome 
 account of Beaumont ! Dear, dear Madam, 
 fay all you know , tell me quickly, is he 
 alive ?" 
 
 « Oh yes," faid the lady, '' he aiTuredly 
 is alive, and 1 hope well !" 
 
 '' Heaven blefs you !" faid the Marquis, 
 in a tranfport of joy. He flevv to Lady 
 Middleton, and took both her hands ; 
 ^' Here,'* faid he, *' is comfort — here is 
 confolation !• Calm your fpirits." He held 
 fome falts to her. *^ Oh be well, be well, 
 and all will yet be happy P* 
 
 He then flew to the fhranger ; — he led 
 her to the chair of Lady Middleton ; he 
 adminiftered the bottle of falts to her. 
 
 " Are you able to give us the particu- 
 lars ?" faid he. *' Tell us all — we are 
 interefted beyond idea ; — I know you will 
 not keep his friends, who have been wretched 
 about him, long in fufpenfe." 
 
 K 2 " Oh
 
 196 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 " Oh no!" faiddie; "pardon me, Madam, 
 for thus affecting you ; would I had dif- 
 clofed all I knew to this lady," pointing 
 to Mrs. Markbam, "or this gentleman! 
 they would have better known how to 
 have told it to you." 
 
 Lady Middleton wiflied to exculpate the 
 fair (Iranger from all blamxe, and begged her to 
 be reconciled to herfelf; — nobody could 
 have ufed more caution ; but the unex- 
 pected furpriie affeded a franle made weak 
 by recent illnefs, and her Ladyfliip faid the 
 apology ought to have been made by hcr- 
 felf, for caufmg her fo mAich uneafmefs. 
 
 " I cannot," faid the ftranger, " forgive 
 myfelf, however, for what 1 have done^ all 
 I know I wilh to impart as Icon as poffible, 
 in the hope of its bringing that confolation 
 you feem fo much in need of. When I 
 tell you that about three weeks ago Mr. 
 Beaumont was well, and in fafety, it will be 
 
 necelTary
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. I97 
 
 neceffary for me to infjrm you of my own 
 hiftory, to account for my very extraordi- 
 nary- viiit to your Ladvihip, and alfo the 
 means by which I became acquainted with 
 the flrange circumfiances now in my pof- 
 feilion." 
 
 «* Tell u3 firfx, Madam,'* faid Mrs. 
 Markham, ** where our dear Beaumont is r" 
 
 '' He is now," faid the lady, ^« at " 
 
 " Gracious Heaven !" they all exclaimed, 
 
 «< at . What a diftance ! Oh wliat 
 
 could take him there — fo far iVom all his 
 friend. ?" 
 
 «« What I hive to tell you, will in f/.me 
 degree anfwer that queflion ; — at leail it 
 will throw a light on tiie whole, which may 
 point out circumilances thit may tend to 
 perfectly clear up this myfterious affair; — I 
 am forry it is not in my po.vcr ro do more. 
 I flijll not be prolix in what I have to fay 
 of myfelf, though I bok upon it indifpen- 
 fible." 
 
 K 3 Dinner
 
 19^ ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 Dinner being announced, they adjourned 
 into the dining parlour, where they were 
 met by Mr. and Mrs. Selwin, who were 
 informed, in a few words, of what had 
 happened, which did not fail of bringing 
 the greateft joy and happinefs ta thefe good 
 people. In compliment to the ftranger^ 
 nothing but French was fpoken during 
 dinner; a French fervant flood behind her 
 chair, to wait upon her. None of the 
 party were much inclined to eat, fo much 
 were they occupied with the hopes that 
 had been raifed. When the fervants re- 
 tired. Lady Middleton begged the pro- 
 mifed recital, and the young ftranger 
 began. 
 
 My father, the Marquis of M- 
 
 has fix children, two fons and four daugh- 
 ters. The cuflom of France allows that 
 to aggrandize one part of the family, the 
 other part is often facrificed. Many young 
 women are fecluded in convents for life, 
 
 as
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. I99 
 
 as much againft their inclinations as It was 
 againfl: mine, I was the youngeft of two 
 daughters, whom my father had ordered 
 to prepare for that courfe of life ; — happily 
 for my filler, it coincided entirely with her 
 inclination, but I had an invincible detef- 
 tation of it. About this time two 
 Englilh Noblemen were introduced to our 
 hotel, were of all the family parties, and 
 lived almoft continually with us. One of 
 them, the young Lord Sandford '* 
 
 At the name of Lord Sandford, they all 
 looked at each other, and high-raifed expec- 
 tation fat on every brow. 
 
 " Lord Sandford," faid the lady, "paid 
 me uncommon attention. I had never 
 been let out ; the world was never to fee 
 me ; I was. ignorant, and eafily impofed on. 
 A very young woman, Madam," addreffing 
 Lady Middleton, '' will err, without an idea 
 of evil at hearty — and though I blame 
 K /^ myfelf
 
 dOO ANKERSVICK CASTLE. 
 
 myfelf exceedingly for the raih unadvifed 
 flep I made choice of, yet in your gentle 
 bofom I am certain every allowaace that 
 can be made for me, will. 
 
 " Lord Sandford became acquainted widi 
 our being intended for a convent. He 
 afked me if it was pofilble that fuch amiable 
 people as the Marquis and the Marchioneifs 
 could be capable of thus facrificing their 
 two lovely daughters, my filler and myfelf. 
 
 " I told him they thought it necefiary. 
 
 ' Can you agree to fuch a thing ?' faid 
 he. 
 
 ' Alas r faid I, ' it cannot be avoided.* 
 
 '^ He prelfed me to tell him candidly 
 what I intended to do. I anfwered — ' I 
 mud, though with the greatelt reludance, 
 fubmit.' 
 
 ' Never! No never!' faid he, with 
 emphafis. 
 
 *^ I fmiled at the idea, and we parted. 
 
 " Many
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 201 
 
 «' Many private convcrfatioris on this 
 fubject pafTed between us ; each helped' to 
 ftrengthen me in my avertion to the life 
 chofen for me. In eight months this 
 dreaded event was to take place. Lord 
 Sandford and his friend left Paris, and I 
 looked upon my fate as inevitable. His 
 attentions to me pleafed me, and I felt a 
 forrow at his departure which I thought 
 proceeded only fiO:n my having confidered 
 him. as the perfon in whofe power it was 
 to prevent m^y wretchednefs. 
 
 *^ His arrival again at our hotel filled 
 me with fo much joy, that I began to think 
 he was too agreeable to me. He prclFed 
 me much to fa-.e myielf by flying with him 
 to England, where he would p'ace me- 
 under the care of his grandfather and grand- 
 mother, father and fifcers, and fo lulled 
 every fear, and exaggerated the mifjries I 
 fnouid encounter for .life, that I.beg3.ia Vj 
 waver. 
 
 K 5 * Siippofe>'
 
 201 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 * Suppofe,* faid he, ^ you throw yourfelf 
 on the tendernefs of the Marchionefs ; — 
 entreat, tell her your feelings are wound 
 up almoft to niadnefs at the bare thought, 
 and befeech her to foften the Marquis.' 
 
 '' He gained my good opinion extremely 
 by this advice, and I did as he defired. I 
 found my mother unmoved by all my 
 appeals to her tendernefs. She drove me 
 from her with harihnefs, and my only 
 friend and fupport appeared to me to be 
 Lord Sandford. I told him I had no fuc- 
 cefs, that nothing was to be done — 1 could 
 not move my dear mother. ^ She told me 
 it muft, and fliould be ; that I muft con- 
 form to the duty 1 owed them, and to 
 trouble her no more. 
 
 *' He een;ed tortured by this account, 
 and left nothing unlliid to perfuade me to 
 accept his protedtion ; ano that when I was 
 under the care of the Duke and Duchefs of 
 Devon, the Marquis and Marchionefs 
 would moil probably be brought to con- 
 fent to my marriage with him. 
 
 3 <* Love,
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 203 
 
 " Love, fright, and extreme youth mufl 
 plead my excufe. I left my father's pro- 
 tection, and put myfelf under that of a 
 ftranger. During the journey he treated 
 me with the greateil refpedt -, and on our 
 arrival in London he told me, until he 
 wrote to his family, and had their confent 
 to putting me under their care, it would 
 not be prudent in me to go out. He was 
 much diftrelTed to think of the fad time I 
 fhould fpend, as he would not vifit me 
 until he fliouid bring one of his lifters to 
 accompany me down 'to the Abbey of 
 Devon. 
 
 " It was three weeks from the time he 
 left me, till his return. He told me ail the 
 family were at Brilol Wells, for the benefit 
 of his youngeft filter's health ; and as my 
 confinement might prejudice mine, he 
 would, if J plcafed, take me to a houfe of 
 his, about ten miles from town, where I 
 could have the ufe of his carriage^ and walk 
 K 6 iu'
 
 204 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 in the gardens and plantations. He faid it 
 was very unlucky that all his family ftiould 
 be removed fo far -, and he feared, if he 
 followed them, he might mifs them on 
 the road, as they were expected to return 
 every day. 
 
 " His condu6t was fo refpedful, I made 
 no objeaion, never having caufe to doubt 
 his honour. He treated m.e as his intended 
 wife, and I was perfecfily fatisfied. I felt 
 much on reflecliing that his family would 
 CO "demn my conduct ; however, on this 
 head lie alfo made me quite eafy. 
 
 '* I repaired to the country the next 
 day, accompanied by my own woman, an 
 Engiidi one, whom he had provided for 
 me, elderly, and of very proper manners, as 
 I would not entruft any of my own country- 
 w^omen with my efcape. Hiked my fituation 
 better than in to vn. I had very line fruit, 
 of which I was always fond, and exercife, of 
 which I fl-ood in much need. 
 
 On
 
 AKKEPWICK CASTLE. 205 
 
 " O'l the day of my arrival he pafTed 
 about half an hour with me, and we parted 
 with the greated refpe6t o . hi. fide. He 
 faid he fliould lut return until he brought 
 his filler Vv-itli him. Near a fortnight 
 elapfed ere I faw hun again. When he 
 appeared, he feemed much dil appointed ^ 
 and faid Lady Ann's illnc:s was a difaftmus 
 circumftan.ej as it prevvjnted their ar-ival 
 at the Aivbey, and defened io long his hap- 
 pinefs ; fo he prefiecl me to a private mar- 
 riage ; — '' and then," faid he, " my charming 
 friend, we v;iii go down to Bath to meet 
 them, when thera can be no impropriety 
 in your travelling through England with m.e, 
 
 " I had fo high an opinion of his honour, 
 founded on his love and refpedt for me, 
 which were (hev/n in every action fmce I 
 put myfclf under his care, that after fome 
 perfuafion I confented, and the next 
 Thur'.day was fixed on for the day of my 
 union with the man of my choice, who 
 certainly had endeared lumfelf to me 
 
 extremely
 
 206 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 extremely by the delicacy, of his coii- 
 dudt. 
 
 " On this point being fettled, he imme- 
 diately took leave, ani told me he would 
 deprive^ himfeit of the plealure of my lociety 
 from a point of delicacy, until 'Thurfday 
 morning, the happy day that was to make 
 me his. 
 
 *' There was one walk that I was parti- 
 cularly fond of; it was on the banks of a, 
 fmall flream, along which, at diftances, were 
 placed feats. There were beautiful meadows 
 on the oppofite fide, covered with numerous 
 herds of cattle, whofe repeated iowings 
 charmed me. Having aiways refided in. 
 town, the fcene was quite novel, and 
 delighted me -, and here I pafled almoft the 
 whole of my time with my favourite Mig- 
 nion. Here I would carefs my dog, given 
 me by my mother j and, with tears, think of 
 home, and of thofe dear relatives I had 
 left. 
 
 h
 
 ANKERWICK CASTL2. lOj 
 
 ^' It was in one of thefe moments of pen- 
 five forrovv that I was ftartled by the bark- 
 ing of my dog. I looked round, and faw 
 a pretty young woman walking towards me. 
 She filliped her finger?, and called Mignion 
 by his name, at the fame time ma ving me 
 a low and refpedlful falute. Mignion 
 leaped up, barked, and fhewed a thoufand 
 ligns of joy and delight, and was fo noify^ 
 in his expreflion? of pleafure, nothing could 
 be heard by either of us. 
 
 " When he was quieted, I afked her 
 where fhe became acquainted with Mignion. 
 This I faid in very bad EngliOi, and fhe 
 anfwered, in very good French, ^ At the hotel. 
 M , your fa'iher's,* 
 
 " A fudden tremor feized me. — ' Then,' 
 faid I, ' I am purfucd, and fliall be ihut up 
 in that hateful convent.' 
 
 ' Ah ! * faid Ihe, ' you may have caufe to 
 regret it, to lament you were not dutiful 
 to the Marquis.' 
 
 * Pray/
 
 loS ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 ' Pray/ faid I, with as much calmncfs 
 as I could command, ^ has my father him- 
 felf overtaken me ? Is he in London, or 
 here ?' 
 
 ' Set yourfelf at refl. Madam,' faid fhe, 
 ' I know not! ing in the world of him 3 I 
 beheve he remains in Paris, but of that I 
 am toiaily ignorant. The Miirquis was 
 kind to both my faiiier and brother. I am 
 grateful for his benefits, and would lave 
 his 'daughter if 1 could/ 
 ' « What daughter do you mean ?' 
 
 ' Yourfelf,' iaidihe; ' I came on purpofe- 
 to Vvarn you of your danger, of your 
 defti^uccion.' 
 
 ' Good God !' faid I, ' what do you 
 mean ?' 
 
 ' Are we fafe here ?' faid (he. ' Does any 
 body ever come here to you from the 
 hcufe r' 
 
 ' No ; no perfon ever intrudes upon me 
 here, or anyvvhere.' 
 
 ' I wou-d not for the world/ faid (lie, 
 * any one Diould fee us together. You 
 
 muit
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE* 2O9 
 
 muft ad with the greateft caution if you 
 wiih to fave yourreif.' 
 
 ' Tdi rr.e quickly what you mean ; I 
 am on the rack/ 
 
 ' Have you not promifed to marry Lord 
 Sanclford privately on Thurfday next ?' 
 
 *• 1 told her I had. 
 
 * Do}ouknovV his hand-writing?' faid 
 flic. 
 
 '* I anfwered in the aliirmaiivc. 
 
 * Ta!.e the trouble of read. iig one of his 
 letters, in which you will find yourfelf the 
 principal furjecl.' 
 
 " 1 tremb.ed from head to f ;ot, and fo 
 great was rny perturbation, I could fcarcely 
 hold out my hand to receive from her the 
 explanation of my mifery in that letter^ 
 which was as follows : 
 
 LETTER,
 
 2.10 ANKERWICK CASTLl. 
 
 LETTER. 
 * WlNKFIELD> 
 
 ^ You mult be at on Thurfday^ 
 
 fortnight, in your canonicals. Let nothing 
 of the profligate valet appear about you > for 
 know, villain, thou art going to marry thy 
 mafter to an angel, frefh as the new-blown 
 rofe that firll difclofes its blufhing beauties 
 to the light, pure and fpotlefs as the dew 
 that falls on the early morn. Your Reve- 
 rence for that day is to be Dr. Fordice ;, 
 and Fitzpa trick, that Irilh rafcal, muft be 
 the Roman Catholic Prieft, lor I have pro- 
 mifed to make the thing tighc. She fhall 
 be married firft by a clergyman of the 
 eflablifhed religion, and next by one of her 
 own. I (hall expect you to ad your parts 
 with great fandtity ; — let there be nothing 
 white about you but your plain folded cravat> 
 band, and your little fquare filver buckles. 
 
 Let
 
 ANKERWICK CASTL2» 211 
 
 Let the witnelTes be cautious and prudent ; 
 for if every thing is not carried on with the 
 greatefl propriety, I fliall clip your reward-— 
 therefore look (harp. We fhall fet off the 
 moment you have performed the ceremony, 
 to the lodge ; therefore, on receipt of this,, 
 .repair thither, and have every thing in the 
 firft flyle for our reception. 
 
 * SAKDFORD.* 
 
 « The fituation this letter threw me 
 into, is better felt than defcribed. An in- 
 ward horror feized me. — ' Oh V faid I, 
 falling at the feet of the young woman, 
 ^ fave ! Oh fave me from this abyfs of 
 wretchednefs, and all I pofTefs (liall be 
 your's : — I fhall blefs you with my latefl 
 breath.' 
 
 < Fear nothing/ faid (he, * if you have 
 refolution. — From the day I learned who you 
 were, every thought has been on you, 
 
 Toa
 
 2ia ANKERWICK CASTLE, 
 
 Too well I krow the mifery Lord Sandford 
 was leading you into, by fad experience. 
 I vowed to fave you, and will keep that 
 vow.' 
 
 ' You are a French woman,' faid I ; Met 
 us fly together 1 I will throw myfeif at the 
 feet of my dear father and mother j they 
 v\ ill receive their child'; (he is innocent— 
 they can never (hake her o^\ I will go 
 into the Convent, and take the veil. — I 
 fhall never know peace more.' 
 
 « Stop !' faid (he, * this mud not be -, I 
 am not a proper perfon for you to return 
 witii to an enraged parent; — my difgrace 
 
 is too well known at the Liotel M . You 
 
 have another part to acV, Madcmoi Telle,* 
 faid (lie. ' Through your means I hope to 
 fave many ciilinguiQied charaders, if you 
 will undertake a journey of feventy miles.' 
 
 ' I am ready to undertake any thing/ 
 faid I ; ' but do not deceive me. What^ 
 reliance can I now put in any one ? Has 
 not Sandford deceived me ?' 
 
 ' True/
 
 ANKEfvWiCK CASTLE. 213 
 
 * True,' faid Pne, ^ and he has deceived 
 many, very many, as young and artlefs as 
 yourfeif. I bring you proof,' faid Qie ; ' acl 
 from your own conviction. I am myfelf 
 an unfortunate woman, ruined by this 
 young Lord. I loved him, and when he 
 threw me off, I retired with fo much virtue, 
 that I refolved never to return to a way of 
 hfe I was drawn into by the greateft art. 
 My education good, my m/inners not faulty, ■ 
 marriage was the only way to reconcile me ; 
 and the fame ceremony that was intended 
 for you on Thurfday next, pifTed between 
 Lord Sm-lford and me, and I coi.fidered 
 myfelf as hh la;.vful wife for three muiU lis. 
 At the end of that fnall fpace of time, I 
 was av/akened to a full fenfe of m^ fitua- 
 tion. His Lordfliip's valet, Mr. Wink- 
 field, was the Reverend Father who joined 
 us, and the whole diabolical pr cccding 
 came to light. Remonftrance I kxiew to 
 be vain. I quitted the lodge, and wrote 
 him a letter, lignifying my intention of 
 returning to my own country ; inilcad of 
 
 which
 
 214 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 which I died my fkin, put myfelf into the 
 drefs of a chamber-maid, and hired myfelf 
 in that capacity to the houfekeeper, who I 
 knew w'anted a fervant. His Lordfhip im- 
 prudently let fome words drop of you, 
 which led me to believe he had defigns 
 upon you, as he fet off for France a few 
 days after my elopement. This put me on 
 the fcheme of my di'guife, and your deli- 
 verance. 
 
 * Some fhort time back there was a 
 rumour that our Lord was bringing home a 
 :nevv Lady, young and beautiful, daughter to a 
 great m.an in France. The fervants won- 
 dered who' it could be, for they were all 
 foreigners ; but none, except myfelf, had 
 any reafon to be anxious. I waited with 
 the utmoft anxiety and impatience for the 
 arrival of Mr. Winkfield , I knew he was 
 in poffeffion of all his Lord (hip's fecrets, 
 and I was determined to come at them if 
 poffible. He was paid as much refped by 
 all die domeftics, as though he had been the 
 
 mailer.
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 21^ 
 
 mafter, he having the pbwer of difcharging 
 any of them that did not pJeafe him. For- 
 tunately the evening he arrived, he was 
 taken very ill with a ficknefs in his ftomach. 
 He took an emetic, and I was ordered to 
 warm his bed, make a fire in his room, and 
 carry him a toaft. Y\'hen I had done fo, 
 ' Here/ faid he, * chamber-maid, take this 
 key, and in my prefs you will find a decan- 
 ter with fome Port wine ; bring it me, with 
 fugar and a nutmicg ; foften the toaft with 
 ibme wine, grate nutmeg and fugar on it^ 
 and let me have it immediately.' 
 
 ' I told him I was the pooreft cook in the 
 world, but that I would take it to the 
 houfekeeper, and bring it to him properly 
 done in a moment.' 
 
 ^ * Well do,' faid he, ' for my ftomach 
 has been fo bad, if it is not critically done, I 
 (hail not be able to tafte it. Obferve that* 
 it is not made too fweet.' 
 
 ' I fhall be fure of that,' faid I, and 
 away I went. 
 
 * The
 
 216 AN^ERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 ' The houfekeeper prepared it, but 
 put on more fpice thnn he ordered ; and in 
 bringing it back to his chamber, I contrived 
 to. add a certain number of drops, the 
 effeds of which I was pretty coniident of, 
 and in about two hours 1 had the pleafure 
 of finding they had taken efted: ;— he was 
 in as fine afleep as I intended he fbould be ; 
 and after taking proper precautions that I 
 fliould not be difturbed, I emptied his 
 pockets of eyeiy letter in them. I found 
 the key alfo of his clofet, where I ga- 
 thered more information than I expedled ; 
 however, it is of fuch a nature as makes 
 the difcov-e y of the greateft confequence. 
 I have three letters befides the one 1 have 
 alreridy fhewn you. They have given me 
 an imperfe(5l idea of fom.e dreadful matter, 
 in which Lady MidJleton, of Ankerwick 
 Cafl:le,-in — • — fnire, and a Mr. Beaumont, 
 to whom I know (lie was to have been 
 married, are deeply concerned. I have 
 confidered this matter minutely, and from 
 time to time, during m.y refidence with 
 
 Lord
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 21 7 
 
 Lord Sandford, I learned the charader of 
 Lady Middleton, not from the little he did 
 fay in her praife, but from what I conceived 
 from that little he might have faid, judging 
 that where the character is remarkably 
 amiable of a very beautiful woman, a diffo- 
 lute young man finds more to dillike than 
 praife. His conduct to me ftrengthens the 
 idea, and increafes my opinion of Lady 
 Middleton, of whom he always fpoke with 
 paflion, as if he had reafon to be difap- 
 pointed in her opinion of him, or what has 
 often fhruck me, with a rejection of his 
 addreffes, which I believe never fails of 
 caufing a diilike. I have often heard him 
 laugh at her charities, damn her for the 
 pomp (he lives in, call her hypocrite and 
 prude, and then launch out in praife, in 
 lavilh praife of her beauty and grace. 
 
 ' From all thefe circumftances, I con- 
 ceive Lady Middleton to be the propereft 
 perfon for you to apply to, and if, 
 Mademoifelle, you are guided by me, }'ou 
 VOL. I. L will
 
 2l8 AKKERWXCK CASTLE. 
 
 will throw yourfeif on her protedion ; her 
 rank, charadbr, wealth, all fpeak the pro- 
 priety on your part, and the probability of 
 her granting her countenance and prctedion 
 to a young woman of diftindion, in circum- 
 ilances the mod diftrefiing. Bdides, (lie is 
 the coufin of the^ man who would have 
 injured you ; and any thing in the world's 
 eye difagreeable, from j^our having lived lo 
 long under the care and attention of Lord 
 Sandford, will be done away by fuch a 
 woman as Lady Miudleton taking ^ou to 
 her friendfhip, which I am certain will be 
 the confequence of her knowing you. 
 
 ^ There is alfo a difcovery abfolutely 
 neceflary to make to her, and nobody (o 
 proper as you, Mademoifelle ; on this 
 occafion it will alfo ferve you, as it will be 
 an introduction which you ftand in need 
 of.' — At thefe words Mademoiieile bowed 
 to Lady Middleton, which fhe moil: graci- 
 oufly returned. — * For all thefe reafojis,' 
 continued the young woman, ' I propofe 
 
 your
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 219 
 
 your immediately taking this journey to 
 Ankerwick Caftle -, I will accompany you, 
 if you pleafe, in the carriage, and remain 
 at an inn while you go on to the Caflle. 
 A female companion is necelTary for you ; 
 and from my having travelled much in this 
 kingdom, I am more acquainted with the 
 manners and cuitoms of the Englifh tjian 
 you are. I have been thefe three davs near 
 this feat, making obfervations, I fee y::«u 
 drive out every do.y with poft-horfes, which 
 is a circumfcance in our favour. You have 
 I fee but one man-fervant, who attends you 
 as footman. You may write a letter to 
 Lord Sandford, and fend him offexprefs to 
 the lodge with it. Give him many charges 
 to make a fpeedy return ; order him to have 
 the horfes ready at the ufual hour, and leave 
 the reft to me. lie muft be oil to-morrow 
 morning, as the communication to Lady 
 Middleton cannot be deferred, for I can 
 well conceive the melancholy fituation (lie 
 
 is in.' 
 
 L 2 ' Oh!'
 
 220 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 ' Oh !* faid I, « let me fly this hated 
 place to-night ; perhaps Lord Sandford 
 will be here ere I get off, and then what 
 would become of me ?' 
 
 * Eafe your fears on that head,* faid fhe; 
 • he is now at the Abbey of Devon, and 
 will not be here until next Thurfday/ 
 
 *' Our efcape was mofl fortunate. Charles, 
 the footman, went off at fix o'clock yefterday 
 morning. At ten I got into the carriage, 
 took up my guardian angel about two miles 
 from Lord Sandford's houfe, and drove on 
 to the next flage, which v>'as feven miles. 
 Here, the moment our carriage appeared, I 
 perceived four horfes ready, attended by a 
 foreigner, who my friend told me was her 
 brother, to whom flie had difclofed her 
 lituation, and the bufinefs ihe was upon. 
 
 * He is to attend us,' faid fhe, * fome- 
 times in a chaife, fometimes on horfeback, 
 and will proted us from any danger, and 
 expedite our journey.' 
 
 " We have, thank God ! arrived • fave. 
 I left my companion very near this at an 
 
 inn.
 
 ANKERWI^K CASTLE. 221 
 
 inn, and her brother is gone to remaii v.ith 
 he-. Here,*' (he continued, '* Lid^ Mid- 
 dleton, are the letters in queflion. As I 
 read thein I was filled with terror, though 
 I ciiiinot well underiland them. I hope, 
 however, you have a key that will make 
 them more inteihgibles and I ardently 
 wifh," faid (lie, prefenting the letters, 
 «* your Ladyfhip may find all the informa- 
 tion you can defire. 
 
 LETTER THE FIRST. 
 
 * WINKFIELD, 
 
 * I have juft learned that Mr. Beaumont 
 leaves the Caftle to-morrow, and is to meet 
 the Duke at . It is damned un- 
 lucky you did not wait for me at the cot- 
 tage, as I had fome things to fay to you I 
 cannot truft in a letter. However, I think 
 L 3 you
 
 222 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 you arc pretty well acquainted with vvbat 1 
 would hare done, from my fifteri — yet I 
 fliould liave liked to have Cctn you myfelf. 
 The very befl place for you to meet Mr. 
 Beaumont, is at Stanle}^ fifteen miles from 
 the Caille ; it is much better than in 
 London. — Take him by furprife; — fhev/ 
 him your wife's letter to you, where fhe 
 requefts you will go exprefs to wherever 
 Mr. Beaumont is, to inform him of his 
 
 aunt, Lady G 's dangerous iilnefs. You 
 
 know very wxll what to do ; work him 
 up to think he will fcarcely meet her 
 alive — her great wifnes to fee him, &c. ^c. 
 He v/ill Vvfite to Lady Middieton, which 
 letter you mud poiTefs yourfelf of, and 
 
 change the place Lady G is ill at to 
 
 a remote part of Yorkfhire. This will lull 
 them al] at the Caftle ^ — they will wait 
 
 patiently for Lady G 's recovery or 
 
 death, and by the time his friends begin 
 the purfuit, you will have him fnug and 
 pretty fecure. Lady Mary has done all the 
 reft. The reward fne told you of flrall be 
 
 made
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 223 
 
 made good on your fulfilling your agree- 
 ment : but remember, if you fijiTer a letter 
 pafs between Mr. Beaumont and Lady 
 -viiddieton, yoii forfeit a-1. titzpatrick 
 muft take care of all the letters from the 
 Cafiie, and you do the reft. Lady Mary 
 charged you to travel with Mr. Beiumont ; 
 \i£: has a faithful fellow, whom you mufh 
 take care of: — infinuate yourfelf well into 
 the good opinion ^' both matter and 
 man 3 fay you are out of place, and are going 
 to your wife to take c?re of her, in cafe any 
 
 thing happens to Lady G . Lady 
 
 Mary fays, the circumftance of your being 
 
 bufband to Lady G 's favourite woman, 
 
 will recommend you to Mr. Beaumont ; lo 
 you can have no excufe for not doing every 
 thing as it ftiould be. 
 
 * SANDFORD.' 
 
 L 4 LETTER
 
 5!24 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 LETTER THE SECOND. 
 
 * WINKFIELD, 
 
 ' There is no neceirity for writing to 
 me ', my flfter infifts upon it that you write 
 no more ; if a letter on this fubjeft (hould 
 fall into other hands, we are blown, and 
 you are the moil carelefs rafcal of letters 
 under heaven. You have done capitally : 
 I charge you to take care of his life and 
 health — Mr. Beaumont's muft be taken care 
 of. Mind, villain ! my wifh is but to 
 divide him from that proud woman ; fo 
 underfland me. My filler afTured me thefe 
 were her dire6tions to you. I fliall want 
 you in England — Helen now can do the 
 reft. You fay fne is as clever as you are, 
 fo make hafte home ; I want you for ano- 
 ther affair, fo I charge you to make no 
 delay : for doing which good office you ILall 
 touch the ready. 
 
 ' SANDFORD.' 
 
 LETTER
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 22^ 
 
 LETTER THE THIRD. 
 
 * MY LITTLE DIVINITY, 
 
 * Take a poft-chaife and four, and go off 
 
 to Ankerwick Caftle in lliire. We can 
 
 trull Thomas — take none but him. Drefs 
 in the moil elegant manner; make yourfelf 
 appear as beautiful as an angel, and aiTume 
 not only the look of innocence, but the 
 manner, the ways of virtue, and virtue in 
 diflrefs. Let your appearance at the Caltle 
 be that of myftery; b-g to lee Lady Mid- 
 dleton in private ; addrefs her in ItaUan ; 
 let your exprefTions be the bed chufen ; 
 appear what you really are — a woman of 
 education. Expefl to fee in Lady Middle- 
 ton the equal of the Qjeen of France ; you 
 will find as great difficulty in obtaining aii 
 audience, as if you were iceking one from 
 Majefty ; but take care not to appear (truck 
 with awe by the grandeur and magnificence 
 L 5 of
 
 1l6 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 of every thing around you. Be perfedlly at 
 eaie ; the charadler you are to aflume makes 
 it necelTary that you appear a woman of rank. 
 As you journey, make out a plaufible tale 
 of your being really the wife of Mr. Beau- 
 mont, and that by the greateft accident 
 you came at the knowledge of his making 
 his addieiTes to Lady Middleton. That on 
 his finding you had followed him to Eng- 
 land, and that you adually intended inform- 
 ing Lady Middleton of your prior claim, 
 he went oif, you believe, to Germany. 
 Let the fcene be very tragic ; work your- 
 felf, if pofhble, to fainting at the cruelty 
 of your beloved Beaumont ^ though you 
 tell me you never faw him, it is no matter — 
 he is fafe enough. Be fure to perform your 
 part well ; this you muft be aware Oi^ that 
 her Ladyfliip is fenfible and very penetra- 
 ting, therefore every thing ought to follow 
 well. When I find you have finiihed the 
 bulinefs to my fatisfadion, I will give you 
 an hundred pieces for your trouble, and 
 
 iliall fettle you with my friend M- , 
 
 J whom
 
 AKKERWICK CASTLE. 227 
 
 whom you will make an afs of, for he is a 
 damned fool ; you wiU do however to fpend 
 his money for hiui — a word to the wife 1 
 On Thurfday you muft fet off, and inform 
 me of ah your operations from your next 
 flage after you leave Ankerwick Caftie. 
 Defcribe minuieiy the louks and manner 
 of this proud beauty. I Ihall fpend a 
 couple of days with you Defore I give 
 you up to M— . 
 
 sandford/ 
 
 Ti-e aftonifliment of the whole party on 
 reading thefe diabolical letterr., is better felt 
 than defcribed ; it rend^^red all three totally 
 filcnt for fome moments. They looked 
 at each other — they held the letters open in 
 their hands. 
 
 ^' Villain !'* at length exclaimed the 
 
 Marquis, his whole countenance contra(5ted 
 
 L 6 with
 
 228 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 with rage, " he fhall find Beaumont and 
 in fafety, or 
 
 « Oh !" interrupted Mademoifelle M — , 
 •^ I had forgot that the woman who gave me 
 the letters, alfo gave me this diredion to 
 where Mr. Beaumont is confined." 
 
 '' Give it me," faid the Marquis, with 
 quicknefs; " I will fet off this moment.'* 
 
 He ordered his carriage and fervants to 
 be ready to go a journey inftantly. 
 
 Mrs. Markham thought he had better 
 wait until the morning. Lady Middleton 
 was filent. The Marquis was pofitive, and 
 at eight o'clock he was in his carriage. 
 He promifed to write to Lady Middleton 
 every poll. Both fhe and Mrs. Markham 
 had a thoufand fears for him. His health 
 was very delicate; tbey feared the agitation 
 of his mind and the length of the journey 
 would hurt him, and dreaded lefl he might 
 be taken ill on the road. He promifed 
 
 Mademoifelle
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 229 
 
 Mademoifelle M to wait on the Mar- 
 quis, to obtain his and his Lady's pardon for 
 her, and to aflure them (he was fafe in the 
 protection of Lady Middleton. 
 
 Lady Middleton, Mrs. Markham, and 
 Mr. Selwin retired after the departure of 
 the Marquis, and left Mademoifelle to the 
 care of Mrs. Selwin. 
 
 " What do you think, my good Sir ?" 
 faid Mrs. Markham, addrefiing Mr. Selwin, 
 " of thefe letters ? — Our dear Beaumont 
 .will foon be reftored to us; — I think we 
 may be certain that he is taken care of." 
 
 " Unqueftionably," replied Mr. Selwin^ 
 " and I conceive the whole plot, LaJy 
 Mary's envy, I fear, has been the main 
 fpring of all thefe proceedings that have 
 given us fuch pain ; her Ladyfhip has had 
 more to do in it than Lord Sandford. I 
 like his orders to take care of Mr. Beau- 
 mont 3 there appears to me to be more 
 
 than
 
 230 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 
 
 than the words exprefs— a latent feeling and 
 contiiiion that pleafe me. We fliould 
 never have bad Mr. Beaumont's abfe'ice to 
 lament, bad not Jvjrd Sand ford had fo 
 able an afTiflani as L.dy ivl.iry." 
 
 " You think,'* faid Mrs. Markham, 
 fmlhng, '' the female mind is m^ie fertile, 
 more happy at invent ion than that of the 
 lords of the creation." 
 
 *' You know my opinion of the female 
 characfter," replied Mr. Selwin, " too well to 
 need an explanation at prefent. I confider 
 Lady Mary Berkley's fimilar neither to 
 LadyMiddleton's, your's, nor Mrs. Sehvin's -, 
 and it is not to be wondered at, that having 
 the honour and happinefs of intimately 
 knowing fuch female charadters as I do. 
 Lady Mary Berkley's could not be fuppofed 
 to pleafe me. However," faid he, " that 
 would give her Ladyihip but httle trouble ; 
 the good opinion of a fhupid old m.an is a 
 matter flie fets no value on — it would be a 
 pity to throw it away on her.'* 
 
 " So it would," faid Mrs. Markham. 
 " Come, my bed Gertrude, tell me, is 
 
 your
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 23! 
 
 vour mind more at ea(e ? How do you 
 feel ?" 
 
 '' In truth/" faid Ladv TvIIddleton, '' the 
 information we have received is not fuch as 
 to bring much eafc. I cannot fay I feel at all 
 fatislied. We are ignorant of tiie orders of 
 Ladv Mary to this vib Winkntdd ; a bribe 
 to him would procure fuch rigour as I 
 fhudder to think of* 
 
 " It is not natura-," faid Mr» Sehvin, 
 " he fliould have received fuch orders. I 
 will give up all ciai;!! to pe'-ietration if Lady- 
 Mary had not feledbed Mr. Beaumont from 
 all other men for her la: are hufoand ^ — in 
 that cafe, the perfecution had for its aim 
 only the feparating him. from you, Madami, 
 in the hrpe of cr.rryin^ off' the prize her- 
 felf, of which ilie envied you.*' 
 
 " I can fcarcely fuppofe Cnc could think 
 the method rnc took likely to effect the 
 wiQicd-for end," iaid \./xdy Middleton ; 
 " but I believe there are minds that work 
 hard Vv'ithout a hope of reward.'* 
 
 " That
 
 232 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 " That Lady Mar}^'s is one of that 
 defcription,'* faid Mr. Selwin, *' will not 
 admit of a doubt. I wifli your Ladyfhip 
 would take all the confolatiori I think 
 juflifiable from thofe letters ; aflure yourfelf 
 Mr. Beaumont is in fafety j — the Marquis 
 will foon fend us happy accounts ; thofe 
 vile plots and fchemes will prove abortive, 
 and peace and happinefs will, ere long, be 
 reftored to Ankerwick." 
 
 Lady Middleton fmiled at the hope of 
 the prjmiled good, and they met the ladies 
 in the drawing room. 
 
 « Well," faid Mrs. Markham, taking 
 
 the hand of Madcmoifelle M -, " our 
 
 good Marquis will briag you pleafant 
 accounts from the Hotel M— -." 
 
 " Ah mon Lieu /" faid this fweet girl,. 
 " I dread the difpleafure of my father and 
 mother I*' 
 
 She
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 233 
 
 She lamented, in very forcible terms, iier 
 not fubmitcing to their wifh of her going 
 into a Convent. 
 
 " And would 3^ou do fo now to pleafe 
 them ?" aiked Mrs. Markham, laughing. 
 
 " Not with my own confenc,*' faid ilie, 
 blufhing ; " it is a fad thing to be fhut up 
 for life.'* 
 
 *' It is in truth," cried Mrs. Markham, 
 " and a moft fhameful acl of the father and 
 mother of fuch a girl to defire it." 
 
 " It is the cufhom of France," faid Made- 
 moifelle M . 
 
 '« Neverthelefs," anfwered Mrs. Mark- 
 ham, " it is a moft unnatural act in parents 
 to take advantage of it ; — there are many 
 laws and cuftoms in France that call for 
 redrefs." 
 
 '' It is a charming countr}%'* faid Made- 
 moifelle M . 
 
 '' Doubtlefs," faid Mrs. Markham 5 " we 
 talk only of its government.'' 
 
 " I am
 
 234 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 " I am certain you would like to live 
 there, notwithftanding/' (aid Mademoifeile. 
 
 " No," faid Mrs. .Maridmm, " I have 
 lived much there, and want tafte fo much 
 as to prefer England." 
 
 « We muft," faid Lady Middleton, 
 
 " make the charmino- Mademoifeile M • 
 
 as fond of England as we are ounelves." 
 
 " Being with your Ladyfhip,'* laid Made- 
 moifeile, ** would make me like anyplace/* 
 
 *^ Then," faid Lady Middleton, " I 
 hope you will- never leave me." 
 
 " Never, dear Madam," faid Mademoi- 
 feile M , taking the hand of Lady 
 
 Middleton, " while you permit me to re- 
 main v;ith you." 
 
 Mr. Selwin undertook to perfed Made- 
 moifeile in Engliih. Apa'tments were 
 allotted to her, and fervants appointed to 
 wait on her. 
 
 The day after the Marquis's departure. 
 Lady Middleton fpent the whole of the 
 
 morning
 
 ANKERWiCK CASTLE, 235 
 
 morning alone ; fhe was miferable. Henry 
 had been away a confiderable time'j there 
 was no letter fro- him ; fne feared he "had 
 met with nrne misfortune. 
 
 '< Alas !'* f-iid ine, " I iurely fnal'. never 
 fee Beaumont more : — and poor Henry too, 
 fo good, {o truly amiablcj what can have 
 become of hirn ?'* 
 
 Mrs. Sclwin viHteu the young perfbn 
 who was tHe^means of fo much good, ths 
 day after the arrival of Mademoifeile M — . 
 She learned fl-om her that flie was one of the 
 Bourgeois, whole family were very rich and 
 refpedable. Bo^ h (he and her brother were 
 very well educated ; they fpoke correctly, 
 and their fentiments had both virtue and 
 delicacy to recommend them. 
 
 Lady Middleton fent them a very hand- 
 fome reward, but they boch refufed it. 
 Their pecuniary circumftances did not (land 
 in. need of any addition -, they hadafHuence, 
 
 but
 
 236 AKKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 but the fatal conciud: of the fiihr ^eemed to 
 make a deep in:' pre (lion on the brother. 
 He wifhed to take reveno^e on Lord Sand- 
 ford ; — he was gloomy and unhappy. This 
 terrified tiie fifler, and both Mr. and Mrs. 
 Sehvin did a'l they could to pacify him» 
 Before they left the MidJicton Arms in the 
 village ot Ankerwick, he was more com- 
 poled. They parted from Mademoifelle 
 with the greateit regret — on her part alfo 
 it was very fincere ; and they fee off for 
 Burgundy, where an eftate was to be pur- 
 chafed for the fifter, who was to appear 
 as the widow of an Englidi gentleman. They 
 imprefled every body with favourable fenti- 
 ments of them, and Mademoifelle fenfibly 
 felt their removal. 
 
 CHAP,
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 237 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 
 x\BOUT three weeks after the departure 
 of the Marquis, they were one evening at 
 tea in the falcon. There had been thunder 
 that day, and the air was heavy and uncom- 
 monly clofe. All the windows were open, 
 when' two carriages were feen to drive 
 furlouily to the door. Mrs. Markham ran 
 out at the window, and down the flight of 
 ftepsj crying out, " It is, it is the Mar- 
 quis's carriage !" 
 
 Lady M".ddleton had not po-ver to flir. 
 Madcmoifelle begged her to be compofed. 
 She gave her fome faks to f r.ell to. Mrs. 
 Markham and the Marquis returned. 
 
 " Beaumont
 
 23S ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 " Beaumont is fafe and well," faid he. 
 " He will be here to-morrow,'* faid Mrs. 
 Markham. 
 
 Poor Lady Middleton funk on the bofom 
 of the Marquis, who had gone up to her to 
 tell her the good news. It was fome time 
 before fhe recovered. 
 
 " I am flill, I find," faid (he, in a faint 
 voice, " very weak. Pardon me, my Lord, 
 I have given you a bad reception after your 
 generous undertaking : — but tell me, what 
 of Beaumont ? Is he indeed fafe ? And why 
 did he not come with you? Methinks it 
 ^'as not kind of you to leave him.'* 
 
 The Marquis fmiled. 
 
 '' Oh God!'* faid (he, « he is in the 
 houfe!" 
 
 Beaumont was at her feet in, a moment. 
 She fainted again, and continued extremely 
 
 ill
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 2J9 
 
 ill a long time. They all feared the effcci: 
 of fui-deniy feeing him v/ould have on 
 her. They ufed caution, but did not hold 
 it long erough. — The reader mufl coniider 
 the agitation of her mind, her real love for 
 Beaumont, his danger, her recent illnefs, 
 his fudden appearance ; the very air affed:ed 
 her with additional vveakne's ; and though 
 Lady Middleton v/as remarkably healthy, 
 and lefs fubjed: to thefe kmd- of female 
 weakneiTes than aimoll: any woman, yet all 
 thefe circumuances combined, were fufii- 
 cient to excufe thefe faintings, that were 
 fpreign to either her conflitution or cha- 
 racter. 
 
 She foon thought of Henry. — " Alas 1 
 poor Henry !" flie cried, " v/here can he 
 be r What may not have happened to 
 him?" 
 
 " Henry," faid Mr. Beaumont, " is 
 worthy the regard you honour him with ; 
 it is to him T owe my liberty, [.eihaps my 
 iife j it was he who refcued me fromprifon -, 
 
 his
 
 240 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 
 
 his courage can be equalled only by his 
 prudence and moderation. I took the 
 liberty of employing him on a little bufinefs, 
 which will detain him in London about a 
 week. He kindly undertook it, to giveme 
 an opportunit}' of throwing myfelf at your 
 feet, to teil you how miferable I have been 
 at the uneafmefs I know all my friends have 
 fuffered at Ankerwick.'* 
 
 " Yes,'* fald the Marquis, " believe me, 
 my dear fellow, you had not all the forrow 
 to yourfelf — we have all partaken of it.'* 
 
 " I know it," faid Beaumont s " I have 
 felt it moft feverely.'* 
 
 Lady Middleton was very anxious to 
 hear all that had happened to him ; but Hie 
 feared the confequences of his knowing 
 Lord Sandford to be the principal in thefe 
 fcenes. However, he had reafon, before he 
 faw the Marquis, to guefs at the perfon 
 who was the cauf^ of this mifery to them, 
 and cvwA leparation. It was, in fad, no 
 other than the vile Lady Mary — fhe was the- 
 
 fole
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 24I 
 
 fole contriver of the plot. Lord Saiidtbrd's 
 capacity was not equal to Tt ; he indeed had 
 creatuies, who would act under a good 
 conductor, but fhe was the chief mover, the 
 main fpring ; fne had emplo3'ed herfelf lon^ 
 in adjuiling ail the parts, and regulating the 
 movements, which were put into aclion by 
 her brother's money, in which alone he was 
 capable of being an afiiftant in it. There 
 was one feature in the character of this 
 Nobleman which ouglit to be noticed. 
 His allowance from his father was fourtecix 
 hundred pounds per annum, and it has been 
 pretty clearly proved, he played {o fuccefs- 
 fully, that his winnings exceeded four thou- 
 fand ; indeed, it is a very dubious point 
 whether his Lordlhip did not often vSt 
 certain means to procure his fuccefs, that, if 
 canvalTed, would not bear the fcruti.iizin'>- 
 eye of honour. His acts of generolity did 
 not take from any of his wealthy but it is 
 allowed he paid well for iiis pleafures. 
 When he ruined innocence, he was content 
 to reward thofe well who aflifted himr His 
 VOL. I. M Lordiliip
 
 242 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 Lorciililp .prided lilmfelf much on the 
 fucccis of his fchcmcs on Mr. Beaumont ; 
 he thought every thing was fecure, and that 
 he couid never be deteclcd. 
 
 '' What do you think now, my Lord ?" 
 faid Lady Mary. '* Have we not fettled all 
 matters in the mofh complete manner— in a 
 flyle, my dear brother, you did not dream 
 of? Give me credit for tiie plan of the 
 whole ; has it not been the very befl 
 imagined Icheme r" 
 
 '' And you will allow, Mary/' faid his 
 Lordfl^iip, ^' it has been well executed.*' 
 
 'I Oh charmingly!" faid (he ;"*' Wink- 
 field ought to be made Prime Miniftcr; 
 how rarely he Vv'ould govern a kingdom 1'* 
 
 '' Ke is a6lu:dly," Hiid Lord Sandford, 
 ^' a wonderfully clever rafcal." 
 
 ** Did y.OQ charge him/' faid Lady Mary, 
 " to burn all your letters ?" 
 
 " Moft ccitiiinly I did," faid he. 
 
 ** Oh then of courfe he has done fo," 
 faid this honour to the female character. 
 
 Mr.
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 243 
 
 Mr. Beaumont looked extremely ill; — 
 the fati2;ue, the confinement, and a violent 
 fever he had had, leduced him exceedingly. 
 The Marquis was alio much fatigued ; — he 
 had travelled the whole of many nights 
 fince he had left the Cafcle. 
 
 Mrs. Markham woukl not fuffer either of 
 them to remain long out of bed. — ^'^ We 
 m.uft take care of you no-v that we have 
 you again," faid (he. " Loid Lovefdaie 
 has been but poorly ever fmce your depar- 
 ture ; I am delighted he is lb foon re- 
 turned." 
 
 They retired to reR:, and the next morn- 
 ing was appointed for relating the many 
 very ftrange adventures Mr. Beaumont had 
 encountered. Lad}' Middletoii exprefled 
 he; fears, as i'ojn as they were alone, to M"s. 
 Markham. 
 
 *' Beaumont V. ill ca.l this Lord Sandford 
 out," laid Ihe." 
 
 M 2 *f That
 
 244 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 " That Is a matter,'' replied the worthy 
 woman, " you mull make up your mind 
 upon. Mr. Beaumont ib not rath ; what a 
 man of honour ought to do, he will : but I 
 rather fuppofe there will be no duel." 
 
 *' Do you really think fo ?" faid Lady 
 MIddleton. 
 
 " I do in truth," faid Mrs. Markham ; 
 *' I think Lord Sand ford's crimes dcferve 
 ether puniilunent." 
 
 " Oh ! I am quite bewildered, my dear 
 Madam ; I am quite at a lols ; I know not 
 what to thiiik,*' faid Lady Middleton. 
 
 ^' Come, come, my good Gertrude,'* 
 faid Mrs. Markham, '* where is your 
 flrength of mind, your fortitude ? You have 
 loft it all ; you have changed characters with 
 fome love-fick girl ; you are no mpre the 
 dear Gertrude I once knew you. What 
 would Mr. Selwin fay were he to hear of 
 your weaknefs ?" 
 
 " You are in the ri2:ht, mv beft friend 
 and mentor. How fenfible I am of the 
 blefiing of fo kind, fo valuable aperfon, to 
 
 remind
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 245 
 
 remind me of my faults ! I mufl learn to 
 corred them. I am indeed grown very 
 foolilh j I torment my dear Mrs. Mark- 
 ham with all my frights and fears. I blufli 
 for my weaknefs." 
 
 « Alas 1" faid Mrs. Markham, '' you 
 will make refolutions only to break them 5 
 no one ever adted wifely who was fo much 
 in love. J only bantered my dear Lady 
 Middleton ; you are nothing that is not 
 very natural. Beaumont is a charming 
 fellow ; to be attached to him furely is no 
 crime ^ and being (o, w^ould it not be unna^ 
 tural to be indifferent as to his fate r" 
 
 ** Yes, Indeed it would,*' faid Lady 
 Middleton, blufliing. '« Good night, dear 
 Madam." 
 
 " Good night, my love,'' faid Mrs. 
 Markham ; " a little time, I hope, will 
 adjuft this difagreeable affair ; truft me, 
 my Lord Sandford will meet the fruits 
 of his labours." 
 
 The next day the Marquis told Lady 
 
 Middicton he had not (aid a word to Mr. 
 
 M 7 Beaumont
 
 240 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 Beaumont of the letters, or of their know- 
 ledge of the tranfidlion,— ** I have many 
 reafons for not doing fo," (aid he ; — ^' to- 
 morrow will be Thurfday ; I wKli to get 
 this woman into our power ; Lord Sand ford 
 fhall be made a public example. Hear 
 Beaumont's ftory, and be the judge what 
 fort of punifnment ought to await him. I 
 know you are alarmed hd my friend 
 fliould call him perfonaliy to account ; and 
 1 anxioufly wlfhed to cafe your m.ind on 
 that head lad night, but had no opportu- 
 nity. The laws of his country muft try 
 him ; his crimes come under their cogni- 
 zance. To be fhot as a man of honour, 
 VJOuld be Z death much too glorious for 
 iuch 2, vil!r.ii\'* 
 
 The family then aifembled to break r'afl: ; 
 after which Mr. Beaumont began his fo 
 much wiflied, and interefting tale. 
 
 CHAP,
 
 ANKERWICK. CASTLE. 247 
 
 CHAP. XV. 
 
 'N the d9.y I left you," faid Mr. 
 Beauiiont, '' I ir>teiided to make the. Abbey 
 of Devon my way, as the Dake had kindly 
 promifed to accompany me to town. At 
 — I met an expreis, which brought me a 
 
 letter, written by Litdy G 's woman, 
 
 whofe hand 1 knew, to her hufband, defiring 
 bim to find me wherever I was, and inform 
 me that her Lady was dying ; — that knowing 
 my affectionate regards for my aunt, (lie 
 loft no time, but immedi itely requefte i that 
 her hufband, as he fortunately was oat of 
 
 place, would inftantly conduct me to . 
 
 She entreated that I would r.oc delay a fingie 
 
 moment, it 1 wiihed to meet Lady G 
 
 M 4 living.
 
 248 ANKERVVICK CASTLE. 
 
 living. I had the nian called into my pre- 
 ience ; I interrogated him, and on ten 
 minutes' confideration, refblved to fet oif 
 with m}'- guide immediately. I wrote a few 
 hurrying lines, to inform you of this acci- 
 dent, and fet forward as faft as I could. On 
 
 my arrival at , I found Lady G 
 
 extremely ill. I fent every day to the pofl- 
 cffice, but there were no letters for me. I 
 wrote every poft, and never received a fingle 
 line. I fullered unutterable anxiety. I could 
 not account for my not hearing. I wrote to 
 Lovefdale, to the Duke of Devon, but all 
 the fame. I became ill, was attacked with 
 a fever, and in extreme danger. On coming 
 
 to my fenfes, I found Lady G quite 
 
 recovered, and I told her of my uneafmefs. 
 ** Give me your letters in future,'* faid flie, 
 *' and I will have them put into the poft 
 myfelf; your letters never reached your 
 friends."— But flill the fame filence pre- 
 vailed. When I had fufficientJy regained 
 my health, to be flrong enough for the 
 
 journey,
 
 ANK5RWICK CASTLE. 249 
 
 journey, I prepared for my departure from 
 . ] had the aiisfortune of poor More- 
 ton taking the fever from me, and we were 
 both ftill very weak. We rode together in 
 my travelling poft-chaife. As the hufband 
 
 of Lady G 's woman was out of place, 
 
 I hired him to attend me, which he did 
 with the utmoft care : I liked him extremely. 
 We were*" travelling through the forefl 
 
 of , when Moreton faid to me, " Pray 
 
 God, Sir, we may get fafely through this 
 difmal place !" 
 
 *' Sicknefs has made a coward of you," 
 faid I. 
 
 " No, Sir," faid he, " yet I never 
 felt myfeif lo unaccountably airaid in my 
 life ;'—\t is getting late, and we ought not 
 to have left' the lall inn till mornino;." 
 
 ** I own I was myfeif of the fame opi- 
 nion. Manning, juft after this, rode up 
 to the chaife. 
 
 " 1 am very forry, Sir," faid he,, "we 
 
 fet out; this is a very diiagreeable plice 
 
 to be. in io late in the evening... Give me 
 
 M 5, the-
 
 250 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 the blunderbufs you have in the chaife ; 
 perhaps, (hould we be fo unfortunate as to 
 meet any aflafTins, our being fo well armed 
 might deter them.** 
 
 •" I gave him the blunderbufs, an i More- 
 ton and I were prepared. We journied 
 on for fome time, when we were alarmed 
 by hearing a fliot. We took our piftols, 
 and looking out of tlie window, we faw 
 two armed men making up to us, and 
 Manning ftretched en the ground— we fup- 
 poied killed. We ordered the boys to get 
 on as fad as they could 5 they ufed whip 
 and fpur, and for fome t'me we faw no- 
 thing of the robbers. We Were prepared 
 with two cafes of piilols, and began to think . . 
 we fliould hear no more of them, whea "^ 
 they crofTed us, and Ihot one of the horfes. 
 We prefente I, and both our piilols 
 miifed fire; we then tried the others, but 
 they m.i . ed fire alfo. They then came 
 up to the carriage y — with my fword I cut 
 off the hand of one of them jufl: as he was 
 opening the door; he roared with pa'in. I 
 
 took-
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. Z^t 
 
 took advantage of this, and laid him at. 
 my feet. I leaped out of the carriage, 
 intending to ferve the other the fame way, 
 when two more, with their faces blackened, 
 rufljed upon me, and bound me hand and 
 foot. They threw me acrofs a horfe, and 
 ufed poor Moreton in the fame m^anner, 
 and in this htuation they carried me near a 
 league — I fuppofe through the foreft ; it 
 was quite dark — I could fee nothing ; but I 
 really thought 1 muft have died. I begged, 
 they would let me ride, or I fhould expire. 
 They damned me in German, and defired 
 me to hold m^y tongue. At length we 
 arrived at a hou[e, extremely well furnilhed, 
 and comfortable. As loon as tney took me 
 off the horfe, I fainted. Tiicy threw me 
 on abed, and left me. I don't knovv how 
 long I remained infenfible ; but on my 
 coming to myfelf, I found it was quite 
 light, and by the kind of liglu, I judged it 
 to be far in the day. I was fo extremely 
 fore from lying acrofs the hcrfe, t'.ut I was 
 not able to rife -, and I l.-y, therefore, un*ii 
 M 6 hunger:
 
 252 ANK.ERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 hunger compelled me to m.ake a noife, 
 to procure fomething to fatisfy it. While 
 I was meditating in what manner 1 Ihould 
 do fo, my door opened, and a very good 
 looking man came into the room. He 
 afked me in German how I f-^urid myfelf, 
 I told him extremely ill. He faid he had 
 brought me fome cordial ; which I refufed 
 to take, n't knowing vvha*- it was, but 
 begged he would let me have fomething 
 to eat. So i:e bad coffee, and black bread 
 were brought me. 1 aflccd where I was ; he 
 replied, that I was a ftate prifoner ; that 
 I was to ilay tl;ere one month, and then be 
 conducted to fome other priibn. I an- 
 fwered tliat I v\as ah Englilh gentleman, 
 and that it was impofTiDle I (hould be a 
 flate prifoner. He fhrugged his (lioulders, 
 and V. alkedout of the room. 1 arofe from 
 the bed, and went to the window, which I 
 found was of oiled paper inftead of ghfs, 
 and faftened dowm with iron bars. At night 
 I was brought fome black b-.ead and foup, 
 not very inviting. I entreated to kno.v 
 
 what
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 2^2 
 
 what was become of my fervant ; they 
 made me no anfwer, and went off. 
 
 " I will net tire you here with a delcrip- 
 tion of m.y feehngs ; they were fuch as I 
 "really now think of with horror. It was 
 evident to me that I had not fallen into the 
 hands of com n; on robbers. I fuppofed I 
 had been miftaken for fome other perfon ; 
 but I had no micans ofinforminp" mv friends 
 of my fituarion, therefore I might linger out 
 a painful exifience, bewailing my loft hap- 
 pinefs. When I thought of Ankerwick, my 
 brain turned; I became no longer a judge of 
 thip.gs about mc. I raved, I to:-e my hair, 
 my cloat's. I again became icverilh ; I 
 continued many days extremelv 1:1, and de'i-^ 
 rious. On rega!ning->.my feiU^s, I fo-ind 
 poor Moreton fitting by me, bewailing my 
 face and h's own. I v/as rei ;i.:ed at bavins: 
 my faithful fervant near me. I gave him 
 my hand — ' x^re you herer' laid I. 
 
 * Oh my dear mafter ;' laid he, « is it 
 tlius I ice you ? Are you better ?* 
 
 * Ye?/
 
 254 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 ' Yes,' faid I ; * get me fomething to 
 drink — I die with thiril.* 
 
 ' Alas !' fa'.d he, ' I fear 1 cannot 3 the 
 hour is not near when our poor portion 
 will be brought us, but then you fhall 
 have mine with your own ; I am ftrong 
 and well now, and able to bear any thing, 
 provided my dear mailer gets better, and 
 lives.' 
 
 *.Ah Moreton,' faid 1, * for what do 
 I live ? Not for thofe dear friends whom I 
 have left ; I live but to drag on a miferable 
 life, far fro.n thofe I love.' 
 
 '* Thus did two months pafs on. I 
 bee;an to think I w^.as imprifoned for life. 
 
 O i 
 
 1 thought it extraordinary I was not re- 
 moved, as I was informed I fnould have 
 been. 1 had fome hopes of efcape at that 
 time. 1 law no perfon but a woman, who 
 never Ipoke. She appeared miorning and 
 night,, and brought at thefe tim.es black 
 bread, coifee, and foup, fcrved fo difguil- 
 ir.gly dirty, tliat I fometimes could not touch 
 6 it..
 
 ANKER\VICK CASTLE, 1^^ 
 
 it. I have been (oi twenty -four hours 
 
 v/ithout tailing any thing. There were no 
 
 means of efcape ; the windows were fo 
 
 fmall, and fo flrong'y fet in iron, which 
 
 V.as painted to look like wood, that all my 
 
 efforts to force them, proved inefTecluul. I 
 
 tried the door i that alio was of iron, and 
 
 fo extrexeiy ftrong, th.U I gave it up. I 
 
 • would fometimes fmk on my bed indefpair, 
 
 I thought of the bleffmgs of liberty, and 
 
 alm^fh the certainly of never enpying it 
 
 more. There were other thougiits,'* fald 
 
 Mr. Bjaumont, looking at Lady Midd'eton, 
 
 ** tiiat drn'e me to diltraclion ; when I 
 
 thought of you, my fortitude, entirely for- 
 
 fook me, my brain became disordered — I 
 
 fu;,k into a melancholv, and feldom or 
 
 never fpoke. Poor Mcreton did all he 
 
 could to ro*! e ii e. I v.ou'.d ofrcn ciy 
 
 like a child, and yet was not relieved by 
 
 my tears ; — my heai i was flill as heavy, as 
 
 diilrelTcd, as though I had not that. relief. 
 
 I was one day at the window of my prifon; 
 
 I heard agreat noife/and many horfemen, 
 
 as
 
 256 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 as I thoMglit, on the pa"ement diredly 
 under the window. — ' Ah M^reton !* faid I, 
 * perhaps — who knows, Heaven may do 
 fomet- ing for us.' — The foand of my voice 
 had a greater effect on Moreton than the 
 hopes of his deliverance. 
 
 * Thank God ! thank God !' faid he, 
 ' my dear mafter fpeaks once more ; I have 
 not heard the found of your voice thefe 
 {Q\Qn davs.' 
 
 "I fprung up on my feet with all the 
 flrength I had. — ' Come, my friend,* faid I, 
 ' we v/ill hope for fome change in our 
 favour.' — The noife ceafed ; the horfes 
 weje no more to be heard.. I began to 
 doubt if I had not been in a xlream. I 
 demanded, in a furious tone, of Moreton, 
 whether he had not heard the found of 
 many horfes on the pavement. Ke faid 
 he undoubtedly liad. I hurried, as- well as 
 I was able, to the window again, and broke 
 one of the paper panes. Juft at that 
 m^>ment I heard two or three female 
 v.oices fcieaming moft violently. I. could 
 
 fee
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 2^7 
 
 fee nothing from the broken pane. I went to 
 the door — I liftened — I heard many voices ; 
 they approached. I thought I heard on^ 
 fpeaking in EngliQi. My heart leaped. I 
 reeled to tiie pod of the bed i I le? led 
 againil it to fupport my feeble, exhaulTied 
 frame. The voices became ftill more dif- 
 tindly to be heard. Sometimes they ap- 
 peared near, and then would die away. 
 ' Perhaps,* faid I, « they feek us ; let us 
 make a noife.' — Moreton faid they were in 
 the apartment over us. I called as loud 
 as I could, but that was feeble. Moreton 
 called, znd knocked at the door. — ' We 
 have found him T Hud a voice I thought I 
 had heard before. ' We have found him 1' 
 was repeated in Enghfli. — We redoubled 
 our cries. They came to the door. My 
 pulfe beat high ; I trembled from head to 
 foot. They tried to force the door; at 
 lengdi they drove it in with iron crow bars 
 and mattocks. My room was in a moment 
 filled with armed men. IX'Iy fight and voice 
 
 forlbok
 
 2^8 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 forfook me — my (enfes Tied. On my reco- 
 very, ihe fi; (I perfon I beheld was Henry 5 
 he and Morcton were chafing my temples. 
 1 burfl into tears on feeh-Kg him. 
 
 « Tell me,' faid I, ' how ib ' 
 
 *' She is very well,' intcrrapted he ; 
 * all our friends at Ankerwick lor.gto find 
 you in fafety ; they fent mc to bring you 
 to them/ 
 
 There flood a gentlem^^n near him, who 
 I founo was a phyfician. He felt my pulfc, 
 and requefted to bleed me. 1 was brought 
 out of my priion into an cxircmely iiand- 
 fome room. Moreton (havedme, and got me 
 clean linen, which were com^forts I had not 
 known fmce I was taken to this houfe. I 
 v^as bled, and put into a moft comfortable 
 bed. Every refrefhment that was fuited 
 to my ilate of health, was given me. The 
 phyfician never left me. I every hour 
 recovered flrength, and in leven days after 
 my deliverance, it w^s thought fafe to 
 remove ivic. We travelled on very flowly 
 to Paris, where I flald, much againft my 
 
 inchnation.
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 259 
 
 inclination, a fortnight. Here I was fo 
 happy as to meet the Marquis the day we 
 both arrived. You may judge the j )y we 
 felt at the meeting. Thus* you have the 
 heads of what befel me. But now, doubt- 
 lefs, you are impatient to know how Henry 
 brought about my deliverance. 
 
 '* He defcribed his journey to as 
 
 having nothing to recommend it but expe- 
 dition. In a very fliort fpace of time he 
 
 found himfelf at Lady G 's hotel ; 
 
 but infinitely difappointed at learning that 
 I had fct off many weeks prior to his 
 arrival, his grief and confternation are not 
 to be expreffed, as he had the mod ferious 
 alarm for my life, concluding I had fallen a 
 
 facrifice to fome banditti. Lady G 's 
 
 linhappinefs ^:"^b fo ereat at hearing I had not 
 arrived in England, that he found it almoft 
 impoffible to calm her fears. I had v/ritten 
 
 one letter from the village of , about 
 
 fixty miks from -, to this village. 
 
 Henry haftened, but four.d no trace ; the 
 people had forgot the circumftance of my 
 
 having
 
 26o ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 having been there. He then returned to 
 
 Lady G , in the hope of a letter having 
 
 arrived during his abfence 5 and he alTured 
 me on this fJght hope hung all his expec- 
 tation. I would rather," conMnued Mr. 
 Beaumont, " this family had heard our 
 dear Henry defcribe his feelings himfelf; 
 the workings of his heart would have en- 
 deared him doubly to all my kind friends. 
 Unknowing v.hat to do, he remained a 
 
 week with Lady G . He wrote to 
 
 Monfieur Deflein, at Calais, who perfectly 
 recojlected my having been there on my 
 way to Paris, fom.e mionths before -, but he 
 aiTured Henry I had not returp.ed again on 
 my route to England. Here hope once 
 more forfook Henry, and once more he 
 thought I muft have been murdered. He 
 then went to Paris, and made the very 
 ilrideft enquiries, but was not able to dif- 
 cover the fmalleft trace of me. Again he 
 
 returned to Lady G ; he could not 
 
 brin^: himfelf to leave France ; and the Rate 
 of grief and inquietude Lady G - ■■ was 
 
 in.
 
 ANKERWiCK CASTLE. 261 
 
 in, Induced him to remain with her. His 
 never receiving one letter from Ankcrwick 
 Cafde was a matter of the greatefl wonder and 
 
 liirprife to him.'* [Indeed, it was Impof- 
 
 fible that he (liould have received one of 
 the many that had been written to him ; 
 for though it was a fecret to all thefe whom 
 it might concern, our hiftory favs that Lady 
 Mary fo contrived it, that all 1 tters from 
 Ankerwick, addreficd either to Mr. Beau- 
 mont or Henry, never reached the poll,] 
 " Once more Henry determined to 
 undertake the purluit of me again, and 
 after numerous hazards, he arrived at Paris, 
 wearied with uneafinefs and difappoint- 
 ment ; and after renewing his enquiries 
 again to no purpofe, he was preparing 
 to leave it the next morning, on his return 
 to England. 
 
 CHAP
 
 262 AKK£RWICK CASTLE, 
 
 CHAP. XVI. 
 
 ** IlLENRY'S feelings, at the idea of 
 feeing all this family without having the 
 fmallcfl glimmer of hope to give of my 
 fafety, are eafier imagined than defcribed. 
 In this fiate of real unhappinefs, while he 
 was giving fome orders for his journey, he 
 was informed that a gentleman w'i (lied to be 
 introduced to him, who had bufinefs of 
 importance to commiUnicate. Henry imme- 
 diately ordered :/im to be fhewn up^ and 
 was ftruck with the extreme elegance and 
 youth of the ftranger. He requefled to 
 know to what he owed the honour of his 
 viiit. TliC ftranger replied by afl<.ing him 
 if he was not in fearch of a Mr. Beau- 
 mont ? 
 
 ' Gracious
 
 ANKERAVICK CASTLE. 263 
 
 *• Gracious Heaven !" exclalnied Henry, 
 ^' how — what — do you know any thing 
 of Mr. BeauLv.ont ? In f.^arch of Mr. Beau- 
 mont ? Oh yes ! I have been throijo-h 
 the half of France and Germany to no 
 purpofe^'' 
 
 *' How happy am [ then," . laid the 
 youth, " to be able to lead you to his 
 prifon !'' 
 
 *' Priibn !" faid Henry ; '* take care 
 how you deceive me. — Mr. Beaumont in 
 prifon ! Impolfible I But fpeak, tell me all 
 you know !'* 
 
 *' I am ready to fatisfy you inftantly how 
 1 came to a knovvleds-e of Mr. Beaumont's 
 
 o 
 
 Situation, and why 1 have i^o dihgently 
 fought a means of difcovering it to you ; 
 but if I had not found you here, I (hould 
 have taken another method of refcuing 
 him from a very wretched prifon, made fo 
 by treatment fit only for the moft wicked 
 malefactor !'* 
 
 *' Heavens 1" faid Henfy, " ho.v my 
 blood boils!" ' * 
 
 <• If
 
 264 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 *« If you knew but half his fufferings," 
 faid the youth, *' ihty would make it 
 freeze. Thrown like a fack upon a horfe— 
 tortured in that pofture for four miles in a 
 trot — forced into a filthy room — left to 
 himfelf — and only once in the twenty-four 
 hours, I can fcarcely call it refreflied- by a 
 little black bread and bad coffee." 
 
 *' Oh God !" faid Henry, " it is too 
 
 much ! — Hold ! But tell me all, tell me 
 
 quickly, that I may ily to his relief!" 
 
 " I am almofl afliamed," faid the ftran- 
 ger, *' to tell you I am a woman.'* 
 
 *' A woman 1" faid Henry ; " beware 
 of deceiving me." 
 
 *' I have no fuch intention," faid (he ; 
 '' iny difguife may caufe a fufpicion that 
 may prejudice me in your idea ; but a con- 
 Icipuihefsoi the rectitude of my intentions, 
 quiets my fears on that point. I was," 
 continued ihe, *' a companion to a lady of 
 quality of your country, who honoured me 
 with her particular regards. She was in the 
 habit of taking me with her when ihe vifited 
 
 a few
 
 ANKERWICK. CASTLE. t6 ^ 
 
 a few feledl friends. Chance brought me 
 fometimes into company with Mr. Beau- 
 mont during his ftay at . A heart 
 
 untouched before, quickly fell a facrifice to 
 his uncommon merit , and though I knew 
 myfelf far gone in a fatal paffion for him, 
 rriy love was of fo delicate a nature, I wiQied 
 his haj^pinefs more than my own. I knew 
 of his attachment to Lady Middleton, of 
 the intended nuptials, his mifery at not 
 hearing from her; and 3'et I felt no envy, 
 nojealoufy, no littlenefs of thought. No, 
 Sir, I fdt his pain, and defired only to fee 
 him blelied with the amiable woman of his 
 choice. A violent fever, in confequence of 
 the uneafy flate of his mind, detained him 
 
 fome time at . My only bufinefs in 
 
 my Lady's family was to read to, and 
 converfe with her; for though my family 
 is not of didinguifhed note, but rather 
 obfcure, yet 1 have received an education 
 to lit me for companion to a woman of 
 fcientiiic knowledge; and fuch was the lady 
 1 lived with. My learning and univerfil 
 vo/.. I. N information.
 
 266 AKKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 information, much above my rank, unfitted 
 me for the fociety of thofe of my Ovvn 
 level ; and when I was not in the company 
 of my Lady and her friends, I Ihut myfelf 
 up in my room, where I had, through her 
 goodnefs, every thing to m.ake my lonely 
 hours agreeable. My paffion for Mr. Beau- 
 mont, pure as it v^as, had the ufual effects : 
 I became melancholy — neither my books nor 
 my w^orks amufed me. I was fond of re- 
 tiring early to reft, and rifmg mth the fun. 
 One evening, at my ufual hour of going to 
 bed, I opened the window of my apart- 
 ment. The calm beauty of the early night 
 charmed me. I clofed my window, faftened 
 the ftiutters, opened my door, locked it, 
 and defcended into the garden. I walked 
 for a {hort time, and then went into the 
 tem:ple ; it was a building my Lady fpent 
 much time in. It confided of two rooms : 
 the cutfide one was always open 3 the inner 
 I generally kept the key of. The moon 
 (hone bright — the room was illuminated. I 
 
 locked
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 267 
 
 locked the door, and put the key in mf 
 pocket. — ' Here/ faid I, ' will T remaia 
 for the night -, perhaps to-morrow night I 
 (liail deep the better for this excefs.* — I funk 
 on a couch, and fell into a train of thought 
 that made the hours appear fhort. I was 
 roufed out of my reverie by hearing foot- 
 (leps under the window?, which were very 
 high, and prefently I heard them afcend 
 the fceps. They entered the room. Con- 
 cluding it muPc be the gardener, or fome of 
 the domcftics, I felt no uneafinefs, but was 
 glad I had locked the door, to prevent my 
 being difturbed. They came to the door 
 to- try if any perfon was in the room. A 
 female voice I was well acquainted with, 
 faid, ' You might have faved ycurfeif that 
 trouble ; the would-be lady, meaning me, 
 always keeps the key ; no foul goes into it 
 but fne and her Lady, and fhe has been im 
 bed thcfe three hours.' 
 
 * Are you lure r* faid her companion, 
 who was a man. 
 
 N 2 * Certain,'
 
 263 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 ' Certain,' faid the female ; * it was 
 the fecurity from a pofTibility of being over- 
 heard, made me mention this place.' 
 
 '' I know not why, but I did not ftir, 
 yet I had always an invincible diflike to 
 come by any knowledge clandeftinely— there 
 is a dillionour in it my nature abhors. A 
 few words, however, rivetted me to my feat. 
 The name of Mr. Beaumont, followed by 
 
 thefe words, ' He leaves the day 
 
 after to-morrow; he little thinks where I 
 fhall lead him to !' — fixed my attention, and 
 1 liHened with every nerve agitated, left 
 I fliould lofe a word. 
 
 ' I fhall fet off for England,' faid the man, 
 * as foon as I lodge him fafe ; therefore 
 you muft ad accordingly, and be ready to 
 
 join me at , where I think vve fliall be 
 
 able to hve in a ftyle of fafhion on our 
 money.' 
 
 ' I think fo -too/ faid the woman ; * but 
 tell me what you mean to do with Mr. 
 Beaumont, for he feems the beft of men. 
 
 I thou9;ht
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 269 
 
 I thought it was only a frolick to feparate 
 him from Lady Middleton, but foiiie hints 
 you have dropped alarm me.' 
 
 ' Never mind your alarms,' faid he, 
 * I (hall have nothing on my confcience ; 
 let my employers look to that -, they pay 
 vv^ell, and thole who do will always find 
 poor devils enough to do their dirty work. 
 Befides, he has jilted, for this Lady Middle- 
 ton, a fine young woman of quality, and 
 d — n me if I don't make him fmart for it ; 
 he (hail not have his Lady Middleton if I 
 can help it ; — befides, you jade ! I have 
 touched a cool hundred already, and another 
 htindred awaits my arrival in London, when 
 Stirman Haufen's letter is prefented.' 
 
 ' Who is he?' faid he. 
 
 ' It is no m.atter,' faid (lie ; * but he 
 is to have the care of Mr. Beaumont when 
 I take my leave of him.* 
 
 * Tell me,* laid (lie, ' the whole of 
 your, intentions on Mr. Beaumont, or 1 
 ihall go this inftant and diicover what I 
 know.* 
 
 N 3 ' Then,*
 
 270 ANKERWICK CASTLE. ^ 
 
 * Then/ faid Le, <• I Hiall difcover al 
 your doings \ and if you prefer Mr. Beau- 
 mont to every comfort, to riches, and all 
 you can defire, fet off with your informa- 
 tion as fad as }ou can; but you know/ 
 faid he, ' I could hang you if I pleafed.' 
 
 * Well,' faid (he, ' make me your 
 friend ; tell me all, and we will not qujir- 
 rel \, — I have you as much in my power as 
 you have me, fo it is for our mutual good 
 to be true to each other/ 
 
 ' That is a fennble woman !' faid he \ 
 ' you fhall know every thing ; you are 
 worthy of my confidence/ 
 
 ' A fiddle 1* faid fhe, ' let's hear it/ 
 * Why,' faid he, ' you know he left 
 
 this yefterday for Lord T -/s chateau. 
 
 The day after to-morrow he leaves that for 
 England, as he intends, but we intend 
 othervvife. That ftupid rafcal Moreton 
 rides with him in his travelling chaife. We 
 
 propofe, in the forefl of , to have a 
 
 mock fight, and carry him to Stirman 
 Haufen, v;here a fmall room, no company, 
 
 a few
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 27I 
 
 a few iron bars, and bad food, fhall cool a 
 iittle of his love for this fine lady he is fo 
 fond of — that is all, my dear.* 
 
 ' You furely don't mean to murder 
 him ?' faid (he. 
 
 * No, no/ faid he ; ' but we will 
 murder his health and fpirits a little.' 
 
 ' I hav;e not much relilli for this plan,' 
 faid QiC. 
 
 • It is enough for you,* faid he, ' if 
 you relifh the good things it will produce. 
 One of my employers is all for mercy ; the 
 other paid me down one hundred to do as 
 fhe ordered me. There is no man able to 
 ferve two mafters. He fhall neither be 
 treated as bad as Ihe wifhes, nor as well as 
 the other would have him. Mr. Stirman 
 Haufen, and your humble fervant, will 
 be able to ftrilce the happy medium, 
 I fancy : but take this with you, every 
 thing is fo fettled, that I look upon it the 
 day after to-morrow will be the very laft of 
 Mr. Beaumont's liberty. I don't fee how 
 the devil he can ever get out -, Stirman 
 N 4 Haufen
 
 272 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 Haufen has t\Vb hundred Britilb pounds per 
 annum during his confinement, and I think 
 he viW take pretty good care of hisprifoner.* 
 '^ The woman, as (he had faid, did not 
 feem to relifli the proceeding ; they however 
 began to talk of what they would do when 
 
 they went to , which was uninterefting 
 
 to me, of courfe fo to you ; and when 
 every point for their own eftabHfhment vv^as 
 fettled, they left the temple and me, in a 
 ftate to be envied only by a perfon juil 
 going to be executed. After revolving 
 many hours different fchemes, hefitating and 
 doubting which to adopt, I refolved, near 
 inoijning, to make my Lady acquainted 
 with ail I had heard, and to fave Mr, 
 Beaumont by her interference. I cannot 
 .to this moment account for my falhng 
 aileep ; but when I fettled this mode of 
 proceeding, I adually did fo, and it was 
 ten o'clock ere I awoke. Surprifed at my 
 infenfibiiity in the perturbed ilate of. my 
 mind, 1 was in no hurry to leave the 
 temple. I pondered on the difcovery of 
 
 the
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 273 
 
 the night — it appeared as a dream. I 
 opeaed the door, and faw the chairs on 
 which the two had been fitting. I flop ^ed — 
 * Alas !* faid I, ' what daemons of mifchief 
 have been here ! The amiable, the gentle 
 Beaumont to be your prey ! Oh !' laid I, 
 ' let me fly to prevent it V — This fcene of 
 horror came unexpectedly upon me ; terror 
 feized me. I fhould have felt for the 
 ineaneft of tlie people thus furroiinded by 
 dea. h or eternal impvifonaieut ; but when I 
 thought of Mr. Btaumont, his many vir- 
 tues, his gentle unaiTuming fpirit, liis uiii- 
 verfal benevolence — when all his perfections 
 flood in review before my diaracled ima- 
 gination, I vowed folemniy to (hield him. 
 from the impending danger ; or if that v»'as 
 ir-poiTible, to difcover his pviion, and. 
 inform thofe who had power to releafe him. 
 This I determined to do at the rifK of my 
 life, let the danger or dijticujtics to myfelf 
 be never fo great. V/hen i entered the 
 houfe, I got into my own room without 
 meeting a foul. I looked ai my v/atc^ ; 't 
 
 N 5 v\
 
 iL74 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 was juft eleven. 1 fettled my drefs, and 
 went into the break fall-room. I found 
 only one cup and faucer, as if laid for me 
 alone. I rang the bell, and the foot-boy 
 entered. 
 
 * Where is my Lady ?' faid I ; 'has 
 Ihe break faded ?* 
 
 ' My Lady/ faid the boy, * left home 
 at eight o'clock this morning, and defired 
 me to inform you that you would find a 
 letter for yourfelf in her boudoir.' 
 
 *' I flew up flairs, and found a few lines 
 to fay, a letter fhe received the night before, 
 after 1 had retired, called her fome leagues 
 
 from ; that fhe ihould not be at home 
 
 for a week, and defired, when my brother 
 came, whom I every day expelled, I fhould 
 entertain him till her return. This letter 
 diftracted me ; — I knew not what to do. I 
 met the boy bringing in my coffee. 
 
 ' Where is my Lady gone to ?' faid L 
 
 * I don't know,' he replied, 
 
 * What road did fhe take ?' 
 
 '^ * I cannot
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 2J ^ 
 
 « I cannot tell/ faid the boyj * none 
 of the fervants know.' 
 
 " This was a new perplexity. — ' Beaumont 
 will be deRroyed ; we (hall never know 
 where to find hi n ^ he will be (liut up 
 for life.' — I was for fome time diftrad:ed with 
 this thought, not knowing what courfe to 
 take, when my brother arrived. I had not 
 {cca him for twelve months. We were 
 fondly dear to each other, and as foon as 
 our joy at meeting, and mutual enquiries 
 were over, I told him all I knew, and 
 begged him to lave the mod charming maa 
 in the viorid. My brother looked grave. 
 
 ' This is a \cry L\d ilory you tell me,' 
 faid he ; ' \r. awakens all my feelings ; yet 
 my fifter l.^ems too much intereftcd. Tnis 
 gentleman appears to be dear to you.' 
 
 " 1 fatisfied him on this head, and we 
 fettled it that he was, in the drels of a 
 
 poor peafant, to fct off for Lord T 's 
 
 chateau, and follow Mr. Beaumont fo as to 
 
 know his retreat. He then was to return 
 
 immediately, and we were to difcover rhe 
 
 N 6 matter
 
 ft^6 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 matter to all his family. Thus we parted 
 with regret, and many v^^ifhes for fuccefs. 
 During his abfence I prayed inceffantly for 
 his fafety and that of Mr. Beaumont, and 
 waited v\ith the greateft impatience for his 
 return. I thought it prudent to leave my 
 Lady, and mentioned it to her. I faid my 
 father and mother hud fent my brother for 
 me — they willied to fettle me near them ; 
 that my brother had gone on feme bufinefs 
 into Languedoc, and that on his return I 
 begged leave to be difmilTed. My Lady 
 \Mcis kind enough to confent, with great 
 regret. 
 
 ' I am forry you will leave my protec- 
 tion/ faid fne ; 'I had fomething in view 
 for you, that I tliink would be more for 
 your advantage than fettling in an inferior 
 flyle in the country."* 
 
 " She hoped, from my filence, that I 
 relented, and would be perfuaded to flay. 
 
 « Come,' faid (lie, ' you mud not 
 leave me i I regard you highly; 1 ihaU be 
 unhappy if we part.* 
 
 " Penetrated
 
 ANKERWiCK CASTLE. 277 
 
 *' Penetrated by her goo.lnefs, I burft 
 into tears ; I threw mylclFat her feet. 
 
 ^ Pardon me, my l.adv,* I cned, ' I 
 fhall never forget your gjodncfs ; necedity 
 alone caufes me to feparate myfelffrom the 
 kindeft, the befl of iiiiftreffes, my moft wor- 
 thy benefaclrefs. I know 1 lliall never ceafe 
 to regret it, but my cruel dediny demands 
 the facrifice. 
 
 ' It' is a love affair then,' faid fine ; 'I 
 know your prudence, your virtue. May you 
 be happy I I flia]! fay no more.' 
 
 *' More dead than alive, I left herpre- 
 {ence, and prepared for my removal. On 
 my announcing the time I had fixed for it — 
 * Nay,' (aid (he, ' you muft not leave 
 me, mufh not quit my protedion till I 
 put you under that of your brother. At his 
 return from Languedoc let me fee him ; 
 until then you fhall not quit my houfe.' 
 
 *' With this arrangement I contented my- 
 felf, and v/ith an almofl breaking heart at 
 leaving my kind Lady, I impi.tiently v/aited 
 the arrival of my brother. About a month 
 
 had
 
 278 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 had ; elapfed my torture and anxiety are 
 not to be defcribed. I was cerlain my dear 
 brother was killed — that I Ihouid never fee 
 him more. I blamed myfe'.f for having 
 been the occafion of his danger, and I 
 accufed myfelf of his death. Diibadted 
 with thefe agitating thoughts, the mofh 
 corrofive care, I thought I Ihould have loft 
 my lenfes. — * Alas! he is gone,' I would cry; 
 * I have led him into the hands of murderers — 
 I have deftroyed my beft, my only friend !* 
 
 " About this time you came to , Sir. 
 
 I accidentally heard your bufinefs ; I faw you 
 feveral times, and was remitted to fpeak to 
 you : but I could not tell you where to go ; 
 that was a fecret known only to my dear 
 brother, who I was certain was no more. 
 I heard there was a letter from you, and that 
 
 you intended returning to , if your 
 
 fearches in Paris failed, i then determined 
 to procure this drefs, to meet you under this 
 difguife, as I was perfedly well acquainted 
 with your face and perfon ; to inform you of 
 all I knew, and to join you in the purfuit. 
 
 Heaven
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 279 
 
 Heaven however, in its mercy, reflored 
 niy dear brother to me. I forgot my love 
 for Mr. Beaumont, and all other earthly 
 concerns, at finding him alive, and in 
 fafety. His arm was in a fling, having, he 
 faid). had it broken in a very remote place, 
 far from anypoft^ and he had been laid up 
 with people who neither knew how to read 
 or write. — ' This was thecaufe of my deten- 
 tion,' faid he, ' and alfo of my filence, as 
 I got a fever in confequence of the fracture, 
 and on the recovery of that, could not write, 
 as you fee it is my right arm.' 
 
 ** He then informed me 6i the place of 
 Mr. Beaumont's imprifonment ; of his fol- 
 lowing his carriage at a diftance ; of the 
 attack in the foreft, and his dogging the 
 bravoes to the very hou(e where they had 
 lodged him ; how they had thrown Mr. 
 Beaumont acrofs a horfc, and treated his 
 fervant in the fame manner; and how he 
 kept within view of them, until they arrived 
 at the houfe into which they were carried. 
 My brother then hid himfclf until, at 
 
 the
 
 q8o ankrrwick castle. 
 
 the early dawn of the morning, he made 
 fuch ohfervations on the building, and dif- 
 ferent land- marks, as- to be able, without 
 difficulty, to return to the fame p'ace again. 
 ^-^ Now, my dear brother,' laid I, ' if you 
 are ftrong enough, you mufl inftantly fet 
 off for Paris, and find out Mr. Henry, 
 an Engiilh gentleman ; you mufb tell 
 hlni ' 
 
 ' How is that poiTible ?' interrupted he^ 
 * as I have never ieen him.* 
 
 * Alas!* faid I, ' that efcaped my con- 
 fideration ; what is to be done now ? Mr.. 
 Beaumont, aLs ! Mr. Beaumont will die 
 before we can get to his afliflance. Oh 
 my brother ! he will fall by the mercilefs 
 hands of thefe cruel aiiaiTins, indeed he 
 will !' 
 
 ^ The only way I think we can acl,' 
 replied my brother, ' is, that you go im- 
 n.c'l.iately with me to Paris; Co much has 
 the fcene I v/itnelFcd in the foreft fhocked 
 me, that I am as anxious for his deliverance 
 as you are.' 
 
 " The
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 23t 
 
 ** The next day I changed my clothes, 
 and we fet off. You are now," faid flie^ 
 " apprized of ever matter, and I re[l on 
 your honour to keep fecret the means by 
 which you have difcovered him. Farevvel, 
 Sir !" (Iiid fhe, " my brother is ready to do 
 the reft; may you find Mr. Beaumont in 
 fafety! I Iha'.l weary Heaven in prayers for 
 his happinefs, and that of his Lady. Tell 
 him," faid fiie, " tliC perfon \sho is un- 
 known to him, though he has very often 
 feen her, would have lacrificed her own life 
 to fave his — Ihe had no view in the part (he 
 has acled, but the purefi love that ever 
 filled a woman's heart," 
 
 " She arofe, and quitted the rooii before 
 Mr. Henry had time to recoiled himfelf. 
 He followed her, and infuied on her giving 
 him her addrefs. She pvitivcly refufed 
 that, and aifo money he prcITed u])on her. 
 She told him her motives had nothin2; in 
 them mercenaiy, and he would off.ijd her 
 by offering her any reward. She wilhed aim 
 
 once
 
 282 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 once more eveiy happinefs, and departed. 
 Mr. Henry, as you may fuppofe, was 
 faithfully guided by the brother of this very 
 extraordinary woman. They furrounded 
 the houfe, fecured every perfon in it, and 
 had them all removed to prlfon at Paris. 
 
 '* Thus/' Mr. Beaumont continued, 
 " you have the hiflory of my adven- 
 tures. You will allow there has been 
 IbiiKthing extremely novel in them, and 
 unqueftionably there hangs over them a 
 my fiery I cannot account for, as nothing 
 could prevail on the guide to take a fingle 
 fous, or give the lead information of his, or 
 his filler's name, or place of abode. He 
 faid he had fworn to his filler never to 
 divulge either, and that if we knew his 
 principles, we fliould be convinced he held 
 that fo facred, that the rack would not 
 force it from him. — ' But,' faid he, ' a time 
 may come — a good action fooner or later 
 meets its reward. You may one day, gen- 
 tlemen, know what you are now fo anxious 
 to be informed of, and what, when known, 
 
 will
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE, 283 
 
 will give no farther gratification, than in the 
 thought that there are thole who will faltil 
 every duty as far as human nature is capable 
 of J this has my fifter to boaft, and it is her 
 only wealth.* 
 
 " It has hurt me extremely that I could 
 not in any way fhevv my gratitude to rhefe 
 wonderful people ; they are worthy of the 
 greateft reward. They v/ere poor, they 
 underwent for me innumerable hard (hips 
 and expence. The incomparable filler of 
 this excellent young man threw herfelf 
 from the proteftion of a kind benefadlrefs, 
 and has plunged herfelf into poverty and 
 diftrefs. It is a matter," faid Mr. Beau- 
 mont, *' that gives me infinite pain.** 
 
 " Come, come, my friend,** faid Lord 
 Lovefdale, '* we muU have no pains now ; 
 we are all reftored to peace and happiaefs, 
 fi nee we have got you out of the hands ot 
 Mr. Stirman Haufen, and away from that 
 gloomy foreft." 
 
 " And yet,*' faid Mr. Beaumont, " fhould 
 I be worthy of the happinefs I now enjoy, 
 
 ia
 
 284 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 in being reftored to my dear friends, could 
 I forget thofe amiable people who were the 
 means of refloring me to life, to liberty, 
 and to the fociety I this moment enjoy.'* 
 
 '' True,'' faid Lady Middleton, *' I am 
 almoft as anxious as you are yourfelfr" 
 
 " Well," faid the Marquis, " I am going 
 very fnortly abroad ; your LadyQiip has 
 promifed me that Mr. Henry Ihould accom- 
 pany me. We will go to , and we mud 
 
 find out thefe kind friends ; tb.ey muft- be 
 dear to us ail, and I promife, when I dif- 
 cover them, that they ihall return with us, 
 when Lady Middleton and you, my dear 
 Beaumont, ma/ be as liberal as you pleafe 
 to them. I Ihould now,'* continued the 
 Marquis, '^ recommend a ride on horfeback. 
 to you — nothing will more fpeedily reflore 
 you to your wonted ftrength and Ipirits as 
 moderate exercifc ; both Lady Middleton 
 and Mrs Markham will accompany you ; — 
 will you not, ladies ?'* 
 
 '' Yes/'
 
 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 285 
 
 " Yes," they replied ; " and what is 
 to become of your Lordfiiip ?" 
 
 «' I fhali do myfelf the honour of attend- 
 ing Mademoifelle M ," faid he, '' either 
 
 in a drive, a walk, or at the organ.'* 
 
 The truth was, he wanted to have an 
 hour's converfation with the amiable Made- 
 moiielle prior to his talking with Mr. 
 Beaumont, as it was agreed that on Mr. 
 Beaumont's return from his ride, he fhould 
 be made acquainted with all that the reader 
 already knows of the head adors in this 
 
 horrid fcene. Mademoifelle M -w^entup 
 
 flairs to get her gloves, to attend the Mar- 
 quis in a walk. She came running into 
 the laloon. ' 
 
 " Is Lady Middleton gone?" faid flie, 
 in French ; " I have this moment found a 
 letter in my letter-cafe, which belongs to 
 thofe I have already given her Ladylhip ; 
 fee, it is written in Engiilh 1 I cannot con- 
 ceive how 1 miffed feeing it on my giving 
 the others." . 
 
 *' Will
 
 286 ANKERWICK CASTLE. 
 
 <* Will you give it to me ?" faid the 
 Marquis. 
 
 ^' It is the fame thing precifely/* anfwer- 
 ed this lively French woman, prefenting him 
 the letter. 
 
 ^* By Jove !" faid he, laughing, '' it is 
 from my friend Lady Mary. I fuppofe we 
 (hall fee a morfei cf eloquence." 
 
 The letter alluded to appears in the 
 next volume. 
 
 £ND OF VOL I. 
 
 LAKKj KIINERVA-PHE8S, LE ADEN H ALL-iTREJtT.
 
 BOOKS PRINTED AT THE MINERVA PRESS. 
 
 NORMAN BANDITTI, 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE FORTRESS OF COUTANCEy 
 
 A TALE. 
 
 BY FELIX ELLIA.- 
 
 TWO VOLUMES, IzVxO. PRICE 7". SE\V£D, 
 
 However veli:ctanily we may, in general, toil through the 
 p3ges of works of the above denomin irion, we ?irc ccrn'lona'ly 
 co!iij)enfateci for ih- labour by the acqnifition of (om-thin" 
 v:tlu\bie an<l ingenious, as in the intfance of the prcfeiit per- 
 formance. Uncontriminated wiih tha: in'Jrlic.i:y of ftntlin-nr, 
 and th t luxi'.riance ot ciefciijytion, whoi'e obvious purpfife is, 
 fir;t to inPiirne, and then to corrupt — unadorned with thefe 
 mere[rlcious decorations, which are intended to cnfnare the 
 Jgncr-int, hut which, in fenfible m!n<l<;, on'y excite dii-uftand 
 con-eiipt, — this unaffcRe i ta-le addreffcs itleif to the I'.eait and 
 the feelings c/f the reader. T he ir'nciples of the purelt mora- 
 lity are throughout recuin;nended by folid argummts, and e)i- 
 forced by ftriking exJi-uo'es : the language i»s, in sen.ril, far 
 fuperi(i>r to th .t v^'hich dirtinguiilie? the ulual pirductions of 
 this kind i and tiiough, in f-.me pafiTage.sfora.what redundant, 
 and eve,! inflated (chr conftant error of very ycung writers, of 
 which number our a.itiior proftifcs hi ifelf to hi one), yet is 
 it not deficient in c'egance and Itrengih. The coloiuing is 
 vivid J the characttis are jull and varied ^ but many of the 
 animated defcripiions aro written with H-ich pathetic beauty, 
 and Oitw fuch genuine ftnubiliiy, that a doubt can ic:^rcely be 
 ciKtrtained of the author's being too -.ve!! j crK;n:illy ac'iuamted 
 with tlic aiTcct:ng fcenes which his pen defcribes j that, undt;: 
 a feigned ciiar^fler, he his portrayed bis own fu.Tciings in 
 early liic; that he hindelf has unuteritedly been the prey of 
 misfbrtjne, and die youildu] victi;n of defpondtnry. If luch 
 indt^.d be the j itiable cafe, thof^ whom th'-le pages may prin- 
 cipally concern, have only 1^ read, to blufh, and itand ccr- 
 reft^d i for the work before us certainly bears the ftamp of 
 
 gcn.u:..
 
 P.OOKS PRINTED AT THE MINERVA PRESS. 
 
 genius, however that genius may want to be dirciplined, and 
 its ardour retrained. Superior talent Iheds a luftre on the 
 hand that piotefls it j and when, by the vigour of" felf-exertion 
 xinder the frown of opprefTion, it is exhibited in ail its com- 
 manding influence to the world, feveie indeed muit be the 
 mental reproaches of tho(e who laboured to prevent its expan- 
 fion J. who would haveiinotheied up the hallov.'ed flame in the 
 mill- of ignoramce, and in exile fiom polifhed life; and have 
 facrificed thofe, who ought to have Ixen cherlfned with affec- 
 tion and tendcrnefs, at the flirine of fordid avarice, ami felnfh 
 intereit. 
 
 Britifi Critic J January^ i799' 
 
 MEMOIRS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ANCIENT HOUSE OF CLARENDON, 
 
 THREE VOLUMES, 12M0. PRICE 9S. SEWED, 
 
 Though " the age of chivalry is no more," the reader, 
 
 whofetalfe is not vitiated by the frivolity of modern manners, 
 
 will delight to trace the fimple and heroic features which 
 
 characterized an earlier and kis poliflied period in the hillory 
 
 ' of Europe. 
 
 The fcene of the Novel before us is laid in England j the 
 ftory is inrerefting, and delineate?, v.itli pleafing vivacity, the 
 inilitary and domeftic manners of the feudal times. \ 
 
 The Baron of Clarendon is a Nohieman, brave, hofpitable, 
 and accompliHied ; his ellate and caftle aie iituated on the 
 borders near Scotland; and the invaiion ot his domains by 
 Malcolm, Ion of the Earl of Balmanno, chief of a Scottilh clan, 
 produces the principal incidents of the Novel. The various 
 characters it exhibits are naturally drawn ; and the (cntiments 
 and language evince the author topofieis the talent of pathetic 
 and elegant compofition. 
 
 Critic cl Revi€%ii Aug:. J} ii^-j.
 

 
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