Isabel Leicester

the one which now was assembled under the trees at Elm Grove. The guests were Sir John and Lady Ashton, Charles, and the Morningtons, Lilly and Peter Rosecrain, May Arlington (a cousin), th

r she pleased, or there would be no fun. Lucy volunteered to go with the children if they could procure a driver. "Any one would

less he was too stern and sedate. This cau

ated at the bottom of a beautiful ravine, within a short distance of a splendid water fall y

laughing Lucy, when they arrived at their destination. "Now master Bob,

self queen on this occasion and n

er you know, so make has

I fancy," returned

e is to be assigned me on this

ster, of course," r

r Miss Lucy," he said, b

of that," answe

k, and the repast was spread, to which it is al

look could have done it Lady Ashton would have annihilated him, so fearfully angry was

recreation would be good for her, Aunty. I feel sure that Mrs. Arlingt

appealed to, I am only too happy to have Miss Aubray

rkened countenance, and seemed to be doing anything but enjoying herself. And no wonder poor child, for she was sure o

most wished she had not yielded to Arthur's persuasions, as he had apparently deserted her. But he was much too considerate and kind hearted for that, he had brought her there to enjoy herself, and it would not be hi

ower, and after a short consultation, Alice invite

ble. For the children had much too great an awe of Lady Ashton, to attempt to intercede on Louisa's behalf, and if the truth must be told, they did

w the example of the rest,

to remain here, interpo

" remonstr

er coming at all, but

njoy herself,"

Lady Ashton, in her

left, and you wouldn't be so cruel as to condemn m

amuse us old people," re

lders and elevated his e

nterposed Mrs. Arlington kindly, "I

d to let her go with Miss L

errupted Arthur, "

e, as Louisa felt bold with Arthur to back her, and she knew that she could not increase the weigh

he west, and was completely covered with wild flowers of every description. The ascent was very difficult, for they had quite to force their way through the underwood. They arrived at last, tired

ice, as that gentleman made his appearance, "I t

eard of spot you were taking Miss Leic

and not have crept after us in t

not speak in that way." inte

ke Everard to come," a

to come in that wa

of those black berries," asked Eve

was about to follow, but Everard interposed, "Stay, Miss Leicester, I have lo

ly available opening. She knew that he was about to propose, and would gladly ha

r conduct,-yet at the same time, she could not accuse herself of having given him any encouragement. Yet, how far was he from anticipating a refusal, and how unprepared to receive it. She saw it, there was no doubt manifested in the eager expressive eyes, in the warm impulsive manner blended wit

was out of the question, he seemed so certain of success, so utterly unconscious of the fate that awaited him, that she could have wept,

y, and I have even thought that you avoided me sometimes, thinking I fear, that my attentions (to use a common phrase) meant nothing, but that is not the case, I am not one of those, who merely to gratify their own vanity, would endeavor to win af

ve aided her with his supporting arm, but she san

roachfully, while the expression of his co

uld not be right to accept you under the circumstances. Your parents w

d your being the gove

rence in the

son, of course they wo

e certain that they wo

l way, when my whole life will be happy or miserable as you make i

" returned Isabel much affected. "You must not think of me otherwise than as a f

ed you do not, how true a heart you are crushing, what fervent love yo

an ever be more to each other than at present. I would not raise false hopes or allow you to indulg

even now you are the promised bride of another, tell m

ou have no right to ask this questi

I have offen

d long enough-too long in fact. I will

say that we do n

friends I trust," she ans

" he said sadly, almost tearful

e found Arthur and Louisa with them. Louisa was looking bright and animated, very different

n and Louisa to the bower,"

ll be rather late,

hout seeing this wonderful bower, after und

d climbing up there again to-day. I will wai

Everard."

him at t

h Miss Leicester," said

"for then we shall not

uld have prompted him, and she felt hurt and grieved to think that she was the object of such warm affection to one who she esteemed so highly, when her affections were already engaged. She had seen how deeply her answer pained him, yet had not dared to answer his question. Could she tell him what she had not dared to reveal to her dying father? No; tho' could she have done so, it might have made it easier for Everard to forget her. When they reached the place of rendezvous, they found the rest of the party including Everard, already assembled, and Peter was declaring that it was utterly impossible to return without having some refreshments, after the immense fatigue they had all undergone in exploring the be

owed and re

sively. "I consider you took a great liberty in

drive her home, she need not go alone in the great carriage, l

n't be so absurd," sa

he replied. "Here Thomson," he called to the man who was about to take Archer to the stable, and the next mo

vowing vengeance against the unlucky Louisa, tho' she met Mrs. Arlington with a smile, saying, "that Arthur had begged her to apologize, as he had thought it incumbent up

ht, and she would have been still more annoyed had she known how thoroughly he and Louisa were

he company dispersed at a late hour, all highly sa

ly prospect. Hearing some one enter the room, she turned and encountered Everard. She would have retreated, but Everard gently detained her, "promise me Miss Leicester," he said, "that what passed between

so if I wished," sh

not wish it," return

nd to me, that I should be very sorry to leave,

not accept the h

to that subject again, or however unpleasant it may be to do s

t while you remain at Elm Grove if

Mr. Arlington

d her own room she

anted. Oh! Isabel, you don't know how much good you have done me. You have taught me to think more of right and wrong, and to consider duty as well as pleasure, and to think of others as well as myself. I know now, that Miss Massie was right when she said that I was wilful and selfish, and had no consideration for others, tho' at the time she said it I thought her severe and unjust. Before you came here, I made up my

I have done you any good, I am very glad indeed," she added in a more serious tone,

t what do you think that I

o guess as the day had been such an eventful one,

must tell you deary, I'm en

e. Then, unable any longer to sustain the composure she had forced herself

have chosen you for my confidant, but I didn't know, I never thought, or believe me I would not have pained you thus. You said that he had always been like a brother to you,

re of dear Emily, and to-day, while others laughed, I could have wept, and would gladly have exchanged that gay scene, for the quiet of my own room. But this could not be, and I was forced to assume a serenity of feeling I was far from experiencing. Had you not been here, I should have given ven

ubles," inquired Emily, "for ills lose half

the present I will forget my unea

they parted, both amazed at the late, or r

inutes "papa gave me this letter for you two days a

ied Isabel, looking very bright a

ucily. "Don't sit up to read it to-night, it is so very la

ouis, whose silence had been one source of her disquietude. But Louis accounted for his