Mary Seaham, Volume 2 of 3

te, stern, co

o divide t

ch the youn

rize and t

E

tionate, and mentioning that some troublesome and rather annoying business obliged him to leave Montrevor. He

t hear fro

sition, had hitherto prevented Mary from dwelling too uneasily on her lover's silence. After all, it had only been for a few days, and she knew him to be naturally no great

er anxious glance for the wished for letter was again disappointed, she could n

d fixed upon her, with so anxious, so grave an expression of concern, that

dle fellow, when Mary's dejected silence bespoke her to have been disappointed in the results of its delivery; immediately after breakfast Mary heard Mr. de Burgh say, "Olivia, I

this interview to do with her-with Eugene? But no-it would not do; her heart still beat nervously in her bosom, and she strained her ears at every

iew with Louis, after his having been informed of her engagement with Eugene, and the s

or; but still her presence was never unwelcome, and to relieve her mind of

e proceeded, opened

ng about it, poor thing! till she gets to

self, the confused and disconcerted countenances of both Mr. and Mrs. de Burgh, when they became aware of her presence,

of Eugene? Is he ill? or what has hap

is nothing the matter with

is, and in the gentlest, kindest ma

ossibly damp your spirits a little for the moment, although it can, of course,

es, anxiously waite

f necessity be postponed, he does not say till when. But you see," he continued, breaking off into

cousin's comforting words. It was not the mere intelligence that her marriage was postponed which fell like a cloud upon her soul, it was that dark presentiment which often on occasions of les

Mrs. de Burgh, who sat silent and distressed,

tly," and rising, Mrs. de Burgh kissed Mary's pale cheek, and gladly made her escape from the thing she particularly dreaded-painfu

d like to read it, it may be as well that you should do

se, unvarnished manner in which it was conveyed, led one rather to suspect that it had never been intended for the eye of his tender-hearted lady-love, but,

de B

nement, finding it quite impossible, under the present position of affairs, that with any justice to Mary, our union could be concluded. Of course more particular explanation will be required; but I write this merely to beg that either you or Olivia will break to her this intelligence, of which I feel it right she should not be kept in ignor

, ever, dea

most si

ne Tr

ary's cheek as she refolde

st not distress and harass himself on my account-that he must be patient till these obstacles are removed. Our happiness has, till now, been too great and uninterrupted for us to have expected that

him all this yourself?" said Mr. de Burgh

ce painful and annoying to his feelings. Tell him therefore, also-if you, Louis, will be so kind as to write-not to think it necessary to enter into any particulars at present, with my brother, or any one else. It is quite bad enough for him to be troubled by these affairs,

too full experience! The cup of joy so temptingly presented "to lips that may not drain," but instead-the sickening hope deferred-the long heart thirst-

ewhat uncomfortable and unsettled period. Our Silverton party were doubly relieved by

at this hitch in an affair of which he had always professed such unqualified disapprobation, was evidently sorry and annoyed at this disturbance of his cous

that there was a dull and silent vacuum reigning over the large mansion, she had never before perceived. She looked wearily from the window upon the dreary December scene, and it

ssed and gone? For there is a summer time in the life of every mortal being-a more or less bright, passionate ecstatic

be, the autumn with its calm coo

rvants, children, a lady suffering from the nervous and uncomfortable feelings attendant on her situation, and a rather fidgetty, impatient husband-pale and passive,