DE CLIFFORD; OR, THE CONSTANT MAN. BY THE AUTHOR OF "TREMAINE," "DE VERE," &c. Cum magnis vixi, cum plebeiis, cum omnibus; DR. KING'S Epitaph upon Himself. IN FOUR VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON: HENRY COLBURN, PUBLISHER, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. DE CLIFFORD; OR, THE CONSTANT MA N. CHAPTER I. I AGAIN VISIT FOLJAMBE PARK. Heaven keep your honour safe. Amen! SHAKSPEARE.—Measure for Measure. WHOEVER has read me thus far, may be able to imagine my feelings when once again visiting a place which was the most loved object of my memory, and where my young mind had first seemed to know what it was to live. When we arrived at the gates, how different were my feelings from those with which I first saw them opened to let in a view of what I thought Paradise! How did my heart thrill when I saw and remembered the spot (never indeed forgotten) where the youthful Bertha bounded into the arms of her brother, that brother now no more, and all her charming viva city beat down and subdued by her recent and unlooked for misfortune. All about her and about the place, then gaiety itself, was now in deep mourning. Yet was she only still more lovely, for the interest which this threw into her every look and gesture, occupied, however, far more with her father than herself. Mr. Hastings seemed more easy as he entered his home, fondly embracing Bertha as she led him through the hall to his cabinet, and while tears dropt fast, forcing a smile when she said " My dear, dear father, you will still be happy, please God." "Yes!" said he with emphasis, "please God." He then shook hands with Granville and me, and shut himself up with his daughter, now his only— always his greatest-comfort. Presently, however, she came out again, though only for a moment, to say her father begged us to consider ourselves masters of the place till he was fitter to make us welcome. She, then returned to him, nor did we see them again till dinner-time, several hours afterwards. "A most extraordinary position this for you, my good friend," said Granville, as we walked into the park. "I can scarcely believe it myself,” replied I, "nor do I know whether I have done well or ill." Ill, be assured,” said he; “and I again say, 'Experto crede Roberto.'" "You think, then, I have run wilfully into danger?" "You have run into the cannon's mouth," said Granville. "I can but die," I answered; and we walked on in a sort of cloudy silence, which was for some time without interruption. At length, and as if he had continued the conversation in his own mind, Granville resumed, "If you had ever been encouraged; if you had ever ascertained whether she had any, and what feeling towards you, so as to have given a gleam-a glimmering of light to conduct you! But to falter on voluntarily in darkness, with neither prospect nor clue-oh, the infatuation-the madness! to say nothing of the dishonour, even if you could succeed!" "Hold!" said I, with agitation; "there at least I am invulnerable. Could I think Miss Hastings gave me one tender thought-one feeling that distinguished me from the rest of mankind-I could leave her for ever, and live upon that thought for life. I could watch her at a distance, and rejoice in her happiness with another who was worthy. But this is all; This is the head and front of my offending;' as well as of my ambition. As to address her inform would be insanity, so to endeavour secretly to seduce her affections, even, as you say, if I could succeed, would be as far from my endeavour as abhorrent to my principles." “Nobly said, and sincerely, I have no doubt,” returned Granville. "We shall see how principles and practice accord." And we again walked on in silence. |