:CNI
ICNJ
100
'CD
CO
HANDBOUND
AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF
TORONTO PRESS
OF THE TIMES.
B Y
THE AUTHOR OF A GOSSIP'S STORT.
DEDICATED BY PERMISSION TO MRS. CARTER,
IN THREE VOLUMES.
VOL. II.
Nor /hall the pile of hope God's mercy rear'd,
By vain phiJofophy be e'er deftroy'd :
Eternity, by all or wifli'd or fear'd,
Shall be by all cr fuffer'd or enjoy'd.
MASON'S Elegy on the Death of Lady Coventry.
THE SECOND EDITION.
WAN AND O. REES
PATERNOSTER-ROW.
'799
PR
A
TALE OF THE TIMES.
CHAP. XVIII.
O how canft thou renounce the boundlefs (tore
Of charms which Nature to her vot'ry yields !
The warbling woodland, the refounding fhore,
The pomp of groves, and garniture of fields;
All that the genial r?.y of morning gilds,
And all that echoes to the fong of even,
All that the mountain's meltering bo-fom Ihields,
And all the dread magnificence of heaven,
O how canft thou renounce, and hope to be forgiven.!
BEATTIE.
THE intereil which the appearance and
behaviour of Mr. Powerfcourt had ex-
cited in lord Monteith's mind had more
permanence than the fudden emotions
to which his difpofition was fubjecl corn-
rionly pofTeffed. His evanefcent im-
VOL. ii. B pulfes
2 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
pulfes might generally be compared to
the imprefiion which a ftone makes upon
the clear furface of a glaffy lake, which,
after having formed a few tremulous
circles, fbon refumes its natural tran-
quillity. But on the prefent occafion he
thought of his good-tempered rival, as
he termed him, during moft part of his
journey to Scotland 5 and, as neither a
whittle nor a fong would always excite
new ideas, he frequently exprefTed him-
felf anxious to know whether the poor
fellow had {hot himfelft " Yet I proteft,
" my dear Geraldine," he added, " I
" do not laugh at him ; for, upon my
" foul, if I were as miferable as he
< feems to be, I mould think of nothing
" but driving out Cupid's arrows with
a brace of bullets."
As lady Monteith's endeavours to
divert her lord from fufpecling Mr.
Powerfcourt's attachment had provctl
in-
A TALE OF THE TIMES. .3
ineffectual, fhe determined, by that full
confidence which Mrs. Evans had re-
commended, to remove every fubject
of felf-condemnation from her own
heart. After having bound his honour
by a promife of fecrefy, fhe delivered to
him the letters with which I concluded
the lad Chapter ; and Hie entreated him,
as the affair was too ferious for levity,
to avoid the diftreffing fubject in their
future conventions.
Lord Monteith was a ftranger to that
cc green-eyed monfter which mocks the
meat it feeds on." The preference
his lady had recently given him was too
avowed, and her conduct, as well as her
principles, too correct to raife fufpicion
even in the heart of a Leontes. On the
contrary, Mr. Powerfcourt's behaviour
excited his warm efteem ; and his frank
open difpoficion compelled him to ex-
claim, " I cannot think, Geraldine, why
B 2 " you
4 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
cc you preferred me to that noble fellow j
<c I hope he will live to come back to
ec England, that I may thank him for
"giving me happinefs at the expence of
Cf his own repofe. Let me tell you,
" very few young fellows of my ac-
cc quaintance would have acted as he
cf has done."
" I hope," faid the countefs, while
heart- felt pleafure lighted up all the
charms of her intelligent face, " that I
<c {hall have the fatisfaction of prefent-
<c ing two friends to each other, highly
" deferving of mutual confidence. You
<f fee I have requefled Henry's corre-
" fpondence; you, my lord, muft permit
" me to communicate it to you ; your
" fuperior knowledge of the character of
cc your ov^n fex will enable me to difcover
( whether his travels are conducive
" to his repofe 5 and you will affift my
c< replies by pointing out fuch topics as
will
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 5
" will prove mod effe&ual in promoting
<f this end, ever remembering that the
" efteem and gratitude 1 now feel for hirri
<c mud be fubfervient to the ftronger at-
" tachment whence they originated."
Such were the fentiments of lady
Monteith ; and fuch is the conduct upon
which the mufe of hiftory and the mufe
of fiction alike delight to dwell. The
uncorrupted mind avows its divine ori-
ginal, by recurring with fecret compla-
cency to the portrait of what is perfect,
fair, and good. Though the depravity
of modern manners may obtain tranfient
amufement from thofe highly-coloured
fcenes of guilt which the judgment con-
demns, the foul only finds conftant gra-
tification in contemplating the lovely
pictures of innocence and virtue.
When I recoiled that the fubfequent
events of this hiftory will lead my nar-
rative through many a painful fcene, I
B 3 fecm
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
feem to Ihrink with reluctance from the
difgufting tafk of defcribing fyftematic
villany mining the outworks which de-
corum and religion have placed around
female virtue, while the unfufpecting
heart becomes entangled by fatanic guile
and inbred vanity. I feel that the part
moft analogous to my tafte, as well as
to my powers, would be to depicture
the amiable features of the human cha-
racter fhaded only by thofe lighter traits
of frailty from which the moft per feel:
flandard of human goodnefs is not ex-
empt. But, knowing that the unchrift-
ian morals of the prefent age (train their
affected charity till they embrace vice,
while the moft glaring enormities are
gloried over by delicate fubterfuges -, and
refined liberality expatiates on the good-
nefs of the heart, while its pofTeflbr
breaks every precept in the decalogue,-
I feel ftimulated by an ardent, though
perhaps
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 7
perhaps injudicious zeal, to lend my
feeble aid to Hop the torrent of enthu-
fiaftic fentiment which daringly me-
naces that heaven-erected edifice that
is predicted to furvive the wreck of
worlds.
Imprefifed with this idea, I conceive
it poffible to ferve the caufe of principle,
by mowing through what devious un-
fufpected paths the human heart may be
led to error; how eafily it may, by
youthful indifcretion, be hurried down
the fteep defcent, till, Hazael-like, it
finks into the infamy which it once fhud-
dered to name. Yet, retaining too much
native purity to be reconciled to its de-
graded Hate, and too much fenfibility to
ftifle reflection, it (brinks from life as
from an infupportable burden ; and the
morning which rofe in fplendour is
clouded by infuperable gloom before it
attains its meridian brightnefs.
54 If
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
If in the execution of this defign the
pencil mould fail, let Candour remember
the intention, and excufe the unfkilful
painter. Perhaps the imperfect outline
may induce fome fuperior genius, more
converfant with life and manners, to
execute the inftructive fubject with all
the glowing energy that its importance
requires.
I mall gratify my own tafte by dwell-
ing a little longer on that part of lady
Monteith's hiftory, when, unafTailed and
happy, (he fpread delight and comfort
all around her, and her own heart de-
rived an allowable gratification from the
confcioufnefs of deferved applaufe. The
firft four years of her married life were
unembittered by reftlefs anxiety, cor-
roding difappointment, or the Mill keener
pangs of felf-accufation. But, left my
readers mould fuppofe that I am now
falfifyjng my own maxims, I lhall ex-
hibit
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 9
hibit a curfory view of that period
which, though it did not include any
great forrows or marked deviations from
rectitude, ftill bore fome fainter marks
of the penalty of Adam.
When the young countefs arrived at
Monteith, (he was aflonifhed at the
cruel ravages which time and negligence
bad made in that venerable pile. Its
native magnificence, the fublime fea-
tures of the adjacent fcenery, every fpot
of which feemed by fome traditionary
anecdote connected with her lord's fa-
mily, and the attachment which the
peafantry, notwithstanding their extreme
wretchednefs, exprelFed for the defcend-
ants of their old matters, kindled in ber
mind an agreeable enthufiafm, and fhe
rejoiced in a diftinction which feemed
capable of uniting her own individual
happinefs with the general good. Though
ihe continued to think that lady Made.-
B 5 lina
IO A TALE OF THE TIMES.
Una carried her ideas of hereditary con-
fequence to a ridiculous extent, a ge-
nerous heart'would find a fair field to
"gratify its nobleft pafilons in the fupre-
macy of a wide domain. She feemed
never weary of wandering through the
romantic fcenery. " Here/' faid (he,
as (he one day refted on the (lope of a
green hill, over-hung by a pine-clad
precipice, Cf I will build a neat little
<c village. The houfes (hall all be white ;
<e there (hall be a garden to each, and a
" refidence in this agreeable fpot (hall
be the reward conferred upon fuch of
* c my lord's tenants as feem to fulfil
" their duties with marked propriety,
" I will frequently vifit them j I will be
" their legiflator, their inftrudlor, their
" phyfician, and their friend. They
" (hall look up to me with gratitude,
" and my own heart (hall enjoy the pure
w recompence of confcious beneficence/"
In
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 1 1
In the improvements which fhe
planned at the caftle, the fame focial
and benevolent fpirit prevailed, though
here perhaps it received a more worldly
teint from the dangerous approximation
of vanity. " Thefe rooms," faid ihe, " if
" embelliihed in the grand Gothic ftyle,
cc will fhame the feeble glitter of mo-
ct dcrn frippery. Every article of fur-
" niture (hall be marly and fubftantial,
<c and convey an idea of general ufeful-
<c nefs rather than a felfifh defire of ex-
" hibiting the cold enjoyments of unim-
" parted wealth. My lord's fortune is
" ample ; I have made to it aconfiderable
<c addition : how infinitely fliall I prefer
" fpending it upon this fpot, which has
" a local claim to our preference, to
c< fquandering it in the unvarying round
" of a London life ! Here, without feel-
" ing the pain of competition, expence
" may be juftified by the motive of em-
B 6 " ploying
II A TALE OF THE TI&ES.
" ploying induftry and diffufing plea-
" fure. I will cultivate the efteem of
" all my neighbours by the moft winning
" attentions. The peculiarities which
" entitle me to pre-eminence fhall not
give them uneafinefs, becaufe they
" fhall be uniformly exerted for their
" pleafure or amufement. Here, without
" obfervation or interruption, I may
- s purfue my plan of influencing lord
" Moneeith's tafte, till it gradually afll-
cc milates to my own. Lady Arabella's
cc predilection for a London life, and her
" acknowledged influence over her aunt,
" prevent me from fearing that my
" fchemes will be fruft rated by the pre-
" fence of thofe whom I cannot propi-
" tiate and wim not to offend, Diftance
'* may, perhaps, difarm their prejudices;
" and when perfonal competition is re-
< moved, the reprefentative of their fa-,
f( mily may receive thofe commenda-
" dons
-A TALE OF THE TIMES. 13
* ( tions to which kindred or friendmip
cr never can afpire."
The plans of lady Monteith would
have proved abortive, had (he not been
aflifted by two powerful coadjutors.
Lord Monteith's natural difpofition was
violently difpofed to the purfuit of rural
fports and athletic exercifes. The
mountains, lakes, and forefts which
furrounded his caftle, promifed the
diverfions of fifliing and hunting in full
perfection \ and the neighbouring gentry
had endeavoured to enliven a thinly-
inhabited country by the eftablifhment of
an afiembly, a bowling meeting, and a
cricket match, which returned at ftated
intervals. The Monteiths honoured
the firft-mentioned amufement with
their prefence very foon after their
arrival at the caftle j and, though the
company exhibited but a miniature
refemblance to the circles in which they
had
14 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
had lately moved, they both received
pleafure from the events of the evening.
Two circumftances contributed to his
lordfhip's fatisfaction j he felt himfelf
perfectly at cafe ; and, moreover, he
received information, that the neigh-
bouring country afforded what is termed
a fet of very hearty fellows, and the
fineft groufe and black game in the
kingdom. His pleafure at this intelli-
gence was fo great, that while they re-
turned home, he interrupted his lady's
obfervations on the female part of the
company, by declaring, that fince he
found things fo agreeable, he really be-
lieved he mould fpend a gooddealof time
at Monteith. " I think, Geraldine," faid
he, " I cannot be very dull. What do
" you think ? I fhall hunt one day, fifh
" another, go to the bowling-green a
" third ; then there will be a cricket
^ match, and iliooting, and public
" dinners,
A TALE OF THE TIMES, l
fc dinners, and private parties; and then
<c going to Edinburgh if any particu-
<c lar bufinefs is on foot, and making
cc excurfions through the neighbouring
Cf counties. I declare I begin to think
c as your father does, that it will be a
<c ver y rational life, and quite as agree-
f able as fpending all our time in thofe
" ftate- trappings of which Arabella is
" fo fond. She faid that I fhould deteft
" Scotland in a month - s but I will con-
<c vince her that I can be happy any--
" where. Don't you think fo too, my
" love ? You will like to live here,
" ihall you not ?"
" O ! infinitely, I alTure you -, I was
" both furprized and pleafed with the
cc manners of feveral of the ladies whom
" I met at the afiembly. They feemed
" indeed a little confufed and referved
" at firft, and certainly they are un-
" acquainted with the more refined
l6 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
" modifications of politenefs j but many
cc of them appeared well-informed, and
" I know they will improve upon ac-
<c quaintance. I have projected a
<f thoufand little fchemes to infpire con-
" fidence and cordiality. I am fure the
" dear old caftle may foon ^be made
<c perfectly comfortable ; and I hope,
cc my lord, our refidence among your
" tenants and dependants will prove an
" eflential benefit to them."
" I fhall, certainly, order my fteward
<f to give them the preference upon
" every occafion which promifes a
" lucrative advantage."
<c Is it impofiible for us to extend
Cf our utility further ? Could I not en-
" dow a fchool, and introduce fome
" branch of manufacture to employ the
" children and the women ? I am told
c that they are extremely uninformed,
' and in fome refpedls uncivilized. I
*f have
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 17
" have fancied that this may be owing
" to the narrow flipend of the prefbyter,
<z whofe poverty will not permit him to
" exert that influence over his flock, or
" to pay them that attention which
Cf the interefts of morality and religion
" require. A fmall addition to his
" flipend would not be felt by us, and
cc would probably do more for the
" general improvement of manners in
" the neighbourhood than would be
cc effected by a much larger expenditure
<c any other way. I fee, my lord, you
" fmile i but allow me as well as your-
" felf to quote my father's authority.
" He has frequently obferved, that by
" enlarging Mr. Evans's fphere of ufe-
Cf fulnefs, he did an act of public bene-
" ficence. c I only thought/ he ufed to
" fay, of making one worthy man
" happy ; but fmce Mr, Evans has been
" relieved
1 8 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
" relieved from the preflure of want, he
c< has made many men happy, aye and
<c worthy too.'
" Why there may be fomething in
<c what fir William obferves, provided
c< one could but be fure of having an
c Evans to deal with. But I fhall have
<c no leifure for fchemes of this kind ;
" fo you may amufe yourfelf with them
Cf when you have no other employment.
" You may fet up fchools, portion off
* f young girls, and enrich old divines. 1
** But, remember, no manufactories
c< in my neighbourhood. All our fe-
* c mily hate the very name of them.
cc They only encourage a horde of idle
" infolent vagrants, who fly in your face
c< upon every occafion."
" Not if care be taken to improve
c< their morals in proportion to their
<e affluence. You fee how thinly your
*< villages
A TALE OF TH^ TIMES. 19
" villages are peopled, and what ex-
" treme poverty the general appearance
" of the country befpeaks."
<c It will be very different when I
<c fpend my fortune among them. The
" repairs of the caftle will employ the
" men."
" But the women and children ?"
O they fhall be fed at the caftle
? gate."
" No -, let them eat the bread of in-
" duftry, and enjoy thofe delights
<c which the active exertion of our
* s native energies always infpires.
4C Sweet is the food which is earned
cc by labour. When you, my lord,
<c purfue health and pleafure in the
" fields and woods, and return home to
<e tafte the repofe which is procured by
" exertion, and to partake of the dain-
" ties for which you are indebted to
" your own toil, you feel this maxim
" true*
2O A TALE OF THE TIMCS.
" true j and your heart will exult at the
" idea that your provident benevolence
Cf has extended fimilar enjoyments to
cc hundreds, who mufl long need the
Cf protecting care of their benefac-
" tor, and confequently cannot afFeft
" an infolent independence on his
" bounty."
Perhaps lord Monteith's principal
objections to his lady's fchemes were,
that he fhould be involved in fome
trouble by the execution of them. Her
judicious allufion to his favourite pur-
fuits in the preceding fpeech, and the
profpecl: of the honour being wholly
his, while he determined that the dif-
ficulties fhould be exclufively hers;
thefe reafons, added to fome fecrec
ideas that if the plan anfwered it would
be another triumph over the prejudices
of his obftinate aunt, procured his ac-
quiefcence, and he uttered the words,
" You
A TALE OF THE TIMES. $'f
cc You fhall do as you pleafe, only don't
cc teaze me about it," juft as the chariot
pafled over the draw-bridge which led
to the caftle.
A TALE OF THE TIMES,
CHAP. XIX.
Say, fhould the philofophic mind difdain
That good which makes each humble bofora vain ?
t,et fchool-taught pride diflemble all it can,
Thefe little things are great to little man j
And wifer he, whofe fympathetic mind
Exults in all the good of all mankind.
GOLDSMITH*
THE Jang froid with which lord Mon-
teith always treated every fcheme not
immediately connected with his own
pleafures, frequently communicated a
fevere pang to the liberal mind of thf
countefs. Her delicacy was hurt at the
grofs character of his amufements, and
her vanity was piqued by perceiving
that the tenacioufnefs of long indulged
habit would not yield to the fafcination
of her refined accomplilhments. Like
Defdemona, me was " an excellent
mufician, and could fing the favage-
nefs
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 2j
nefs out of a bear." Her mellifluous
voice and fweet-toned harp dill retained
all their exquifite power of transfufing
harmony and delight into her hufband's
foul, while the early horn or the convi-
vial appointment called him from the
fyren in vain. But if fhe fought to
lead his attention to the blooming wil-
dernefs of fweets planted by her hand, or
the icarcely lefs ^ lowing garland created
by her pencil, he inftantly recollected
fome infurmountable engagement which
required every moment of his time. She
was equally unfortunate if me attempted
to intereft him in the hiftory of her
colony, as me termed her neat little
white village 3 or if, opening the flores
of her capacious mind, fhe fought to
difcufs fome topic of literary taite, her
arguments might be brilliant, but un-
kfs they were comprefTed within the
ftri&eft rules of Spartan brevity, her
lord
$4 A TALE OF THE TIMES;
lord was either difcovering the wit of
his fpaniel, or had fallen faft afleep.
Yet his heart was juft to her merits,
and his tongue fo copious in her praife,
that he was fometimes inclined to thruft
in the agreeable fubject without proper
preparation. He was confidered by all
who vifited at the caftle to be a moft
perfect paragon of connubial merit j and
lady Monteith was as univerfally pro-
nounced to be a happy woman, with
which opinion I am inclined to coincide,
notwithftanding that the power of Gyges'
magic ring, invariably pofTefled by all
novel writers, has enabled me to peep
behind the curtain, and to fee the cor-
roding forrow which a prudent wife
will not only conceal from public ob-
fervation, but even withhold from the
knowledge of her bofom friend.
My young female readers, whofe no-
tions of nuptial felicity are drawn from
5 tne
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 2$
the delufive pages of a circulating
library, will ftart at the harfh tenet
which feems to affirm, that a great
number of married ladies may affign
caufes for difcontent of a feverer na-
ture than what fometimes affected the
tranquillity of the blooming Geraldine,
Fearful left they fhould fuppofe my
doctrine ambiguous, or imagine that the
happinefs of the lady was wholly owing
to the amiable conftitution of her own
mind, I will very plainly tell them,
that, though caufes for vexation occa-
fionally occurred, lafting unhappinefs in
fuch a fituation could only proceed from
a difcontented, ill- regulated temper, or
a perverted judgment, which, inftead
of forming an eftimate of life as it really
is, erects a fallacious ftandard, by which
it decides upon what is due to its own
deferts, and how far others act as they
ought. Reverfe this laft femence, and
VOL. ii. c let
26 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
let the fair fcrutinizer of her hufband's
faults contemplate the errors of her
own behaviour; let her recoiled: the
duties me has heedlefsly omitted, and
the provocations fhe has undefignedly
given - y and let her then ufe the experi-
ence fhe derives from felf-examinarion
in her eftimate of the conduct of her
partner. After making fome deductions
for the ftronger temptations to which
the other fex are expofed by their
more impetuous paffions and blunter
feelings, that indulgence of their humours
which their manners in early youth per-
mit, and their hereditary notions of
fuperiority derived from Adam ; I fay,
fhe will then, perhaps, juftly refer the
apparent neglect or cruel unkindnefs
which had juft extorted her tears, to fome-
thing of bufmefs, which " had puddled
his clear temper/' and fent him home
rather with an expectation of having his
humours
A T.ALE OF THE TIMES. 27
humours foothed by feminine foftnefs,
than of offering at the fhrine of feminine
fufceptibility thofe attentions which fit
the bridal ftate.
The fenfibility of lady Monteith's
difpofition prevented her from viewing
the defeats in her lord with the indif-
ference which a mind of common re-
finement would have experiwced. But
to the qualities of refinement and fenfi-
bility, fo generally fatal to female peace,
Geraldine united a ftrong attachment to
her huiband, natural fweetrlefs of tem-
per, and correct notions of the human
character, derived from her early inti-
macy with Mrs. Evans. The precepts
of that excellent monitrefs, now
ftrengthened by conviction of their
propriety, frequently recurred to her
mind, prevented her from adopting the
language of complaint, opened her eyes
to the agreeable part of her fituation,
c 2 and
28 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
and transferred her attention to what
her own duty required from her, till
native complacency and habitual affec-
tion reftored all the fprlghtly energies
of her mind.
Under her prefiding influence Mon-
teith caftle realized to the idea of every
beholder the delightful vifion of Spen-
fer's Bower of Blifs, governed by a
Una inftead of an Acrafia. Magnifi-
cence was united with urbanity, hofpi-
tality was gilded by elegance, while the
prefiding enchantrefs foftened her envi-
able fuperiority in beauty, wealth, wit,
and talents, by the mofl unaffecling
condefcenfion, and amiable attention to
the accommodation of her guefts. If her
tafte in drawing extorted admiration
from thofe young ladies who were juft
trying to acquire the rudiments of the
fcience, the pain of that fentiment was
immediately foftened by her ready offer
8 of
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 29
of furnifhing them with crayons, pencils,
fubjeds to copy fuperior to what- the
country afforded, or affiftance from the
mafter who occasionally attended her.
Her tuneful voice and magic touch
could not be imparted ; but fhe had
fongs and mufic books at every one's
fervice, and fhe was very willing to
affift in affording all the mechanical aid
which that enchanting fcience admits.
She had acquired a knowledge of all
fafhionable works, and here again in-
ftru&ion and materials only waited to
be required. Her library, her confer-
vatory, and her hot-houfe attracted
general attention, and transfufed general
pleafure, becaufe their refpe&ive trea-
fures were not kept merely to gratify
the oftentation of the poffeffor, but
were permitted to impart their mental
riches and odoriferous fweets to any
who wifhed to read a book or cultivate
cj an
3 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
an off-fet. Adhering to the rule, that
beauty is bed attired when robed by
fimple elegance. fhe had no temptation
to be guilty of the temerity of attracting
tnvy by the fplendour of her ornaments j
and the expence fpared from her own
drefs was employed in judicious prefents
to thofe of her young friends whofe cir-
cumftances would ill fupport the cod of
genteel appearance. To crown this
fair aflemblage of complacent graces,
her exquifitely playful wit, while it
dazzled by its brilliancy, prevented by
its inoffenfive fweetnefs the moft ir-
ritable mind from charging it with
farcaftic feverity.
Her village flourifhed. She had
named ic James-towa, in honour of
her lord, to whofe liberality fhe pro-
perly referred every improvement of
which fhe was the directing foul. The
neighbouring peafancry were emulous
to
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 3!
to become inhabitants of a fpot which
pofieflfed fo many local advantages; and
a fpirit of order and improvement was
gradually introduced. The melancholy
highlander no longer watched his few
ilarved fheep on the bleak mountain,
and for want of occupation foothed his
ibrrows with a bagpipe. One of his
younger boys performed that office,
while " he earned bread for his infants
and health for himfelf," in fhaping
the green allies of Monteith, covering
the bleak mountains with plantations of
Scotch pine and American oak, or dig-
ging the foundations of the new build-
ings, which were continually added to
James-town. Befide a neat edifice ap-
propriated to divine worfhip, it poffefled
a carpet manufactory, a fpinning-room,
a village fchool, and a market- houfe.
Perfons properly qualified were placed
at the head of each inititution, and the
c 4 tafte
32. A TALE OF THE TIMES.
tafte of the boys was to be confuhed in
their future deftination, while the oc-
cupations of fifhing, agriculture, and
weaving, folici ted their choice. The views
of the girls were more circumfcribed i
. but by being early taught the occupations
of fpinning and knitting, and by having
a market opened for the fale of their
productions, they were relieved from the
burden of indolence, and the cheer-
lefs profpect of being a ufelefs weight
upon their future huibands, or de-
pendent upon their caprice for every
arricle of fupport. It was lady Mon-
teith's favourite amufement to take a
morning excurfion to James-town, and
to introduce her female vifitants to the
young feminary which flourifhed under
her care $ and it frequently happened,
that fome yellow-haired laflie difplayed
fufficient abilities to induce one of the
countefs's guefts to transfer her from the
talk
A TALE OF THE TIMES. JJ
tafk of finging at her wheel, to the en-
viable employment of clear-ftarching
the lady's " kerchiefs $" and helping
" to bufkin her/'
Yet even the exertions of liberal be-
nevolence will not always afford a pure
delight; the mind mud feek its fureft
reward in the confcious difcharge of
an acknowledged duty, and not in the
perfect gratitude nor the complete fatif-
faction of the objefts it labours to bene-
fit. Though the inhabitants of James-
town were felecled from the mod de-
ferving part of lord Monteith's tenants,
it does not follow that they were quite
exempt from the failings of humanity.
The houfes were all neat and comfort-
able 3 but as the countefs had amufed
herfelf by conftructing them after va-
rious models, it might happen that dame
Brown would think gaffer Campbell's
the more convenient, while the gaffer
c 5 for
34 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
for a fimilar reafon preferred that inha-
bited by the dame. Lady Monteith,
indeed, confented to their exchanging
dwellings i but then another inconve-
nience arofe ; Margery Bruce com-
plained that a window in dame Brown's
houfe overlooked her, and that if the
faid window was not walled up, fhe
could not live ; for that the dame took
her ftation at that window^ and, inftead
of minding her work, did nothing but
watch the condu<5t of the aggrieved de-
ponent. Dame Brown's rejoinder was,
that Margery was fufpe&ed to be no
better than fhe fhould be j that me had
lately got a new plaid and kirtle, nor
body knew how; and (he thought it her
duty to mind her goings on, left her
good lady fhould be impofed upon by
an unworthy pretender to her favours.
The fair judge found it difficult to de-
cide in a quqftion of fuch nice morality ;
and
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 35
and the more fo, as the village was fplit
into two nearly equal fa&ions, part en-
lifting under the banners of the watchful
Brown, and part efpoufing the caufe of
the aggrieved Margery.
Befide the perplexity which cafes fi-
milar to the above often excited, lady
Monteith had to contend with other in-
conveniencies. The power of local
attachment is very ftrong in people who
have pafled their lives on one fpot, with-
out having had much intercourfe with
the reft of the world ; and me often
found that the old Highlander preferred
" the hill that lifted him to the ftorms,"
to all the advantages which, while un-
tried, his imagination annexed to the
fheltered cultivated valley. The man-
ners of the fouthern ftrangers, whom
the ornamental embellifhments of Mon-
teith had introduced among the new
colony, did not affimilate with his pre-
c 6 conceived
3 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
conceived ideas of fubmiflion, oeconomy,
and felf-command. Though invited to
partake of the luxuries his new neigh-
bours introduced, his affection for four-
crout and crowdy was infurmountable,
and his retired folitary humour fhrunk
from the loquacious interruptions of
fociety. He frequently found that he
had renounced pleafures congenial to
his habits, for comforts which he wanted
the relifti to enjoy ; and though refpect
for his gude laird and lady checked
complaint, the fmothered difcontent
often made him meet the inquiries of
the latter with the fombrous brow of
forrow inftead of the funfhine of joy.
c< Ye meant it," he would fay, cc aw' for
cc the beeft, but my ain auld cot was
f< mair cumfurtable."
Is virtue then only a name ?" the
contemplative Geraldine would fome-
times inquire, when ruminating on the
untoward
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 37
untoward events which often croffed her
benevolent fchemes. " I have been
<c taught to confider the power of be-
xc (lowing happinefs as the mod glo-
<f rious prerogative which wealth could
" enjoy. Have the means by which I
cc purfued this end been ill felected, or
" am I particularly unfucefsful in
<c choofing fit fubjecls for my defign ?"
Thephilofophy of one-and-twenty is not
remarkably profound ; the views of life
are then too highly coloured to admit
of the " yellow leaf," which " fobcr
autumn'* gradually introduces -, and the:
error then prevalent even in the beft-
regulated minds is, that the fcenes in
which themfelves are adors furnifh
exemptions to received rules as to the
maxims by which they are to be go-
verned, or the forrows and difappoint-
ments which they are to encounter.
Difpaffionate experience would have
taught
j A TALE OF THE TIMES.
taught lady Monte ich, that the very cir-
cumftances of the villagers' complaints
argued comparative comfort. Pining
poverty, deep affli&ion, and hopeltfs
mifery, would have adopted themes for
lamentation widely different from the
fuperiorconvenience of gaffer Campbell's
houfe, the impertinence of dame Brown,
the fufpicious finery of Margery Bruce,
or even the remembrance of four-crout
and crowdy, which haunted the " auld".
Highlander. Her liberal mind would
then have added to the certain fatisfaction
of a pure intention the exhilarating en-
joyment of that moderate fuccefs t9
which all fublunary fchemes can alone
afpire ; and Ihe would have judged of
the happinefs of her colony, as one. of
our critics has obferved of the forrows
of Paftoral: " That it is a fufficient re-
/' commendation of any ilate, when they
" have no greater miicries to deplore."
A full
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 39
A full conviflion of that depreffing
but infallible truth, that all the good of
this world mud be blended with evil,
would alfo have preferved lady Monteith
from the mortifications to which her
love of diftinftion and univerfal applaufe
likewife expofed her. Againft the fhafts
which, in fpite of repeated obligations,
low envy and petty detraction fometimes
aimed at her character, fweetnefs of tem-
per and confcious fuperiority oppofed
an inadequate defence. Lady Monteith's
letters to her dear Lucy have contained
a gentle complaint againft ingratitude
and the hardfhips of her own lot; for,
though anxioufly felicitous to oblige and
conciliate her neighbours and acquaint-
ance, (he often found her well-meant
endeavours miftaken, or repaid by dif*
like and difcontent.
If
4O A TALE OF THE TIMES..
If Mifs Evans did not always feel the
force of her friend's complaints, it muft
not be afcribed to the diminution of her
affection, nor to a want of fympathy.
I have already obferved, that her mind
was of a ftronger caft -, it was, befide,
more intimately acquainted with real
calamity.
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 4!
CHAP. XX.
%
When thy laft breath, ere nature funk to reft,
Thy meek fubmiffion to thy God exprefs'dj
When thy laft look, ere thought and feeling fled,
A mingled gleam of hope and triumph ftied.
PLEASURES OF MEMORY.
THE reader will remember that I left
Mrs. Evans ftruggling with the violence
of a cruel difeafe, whofe reiterated attack
feemed to leave little hope of the pre-
fervation of her valuable life. She en-
dured her allotted miferies with exem-
plary patience, and after her fuffe rings
had almoft taught her difconfolate friends
to wifh for her deliverance, me meekly
clofed a well-fpent life, bequeathing the
invaluable legacy of her virtues to her
beloved daughter.
When lady Monteith received the
painful tidings, me was in hourly ex-
pectation
4 2 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
peculation of her firft confinement ; and
the utter impoffibility of taking fuch a
long journey alone prevented her from
exerting her perfonal fervices to footh
her Lucy's forrows. She wrote to her
in the tendered ftrain of affectionate
condolence. " My tears," faid fhe,
<e fhall ever mingle with yours over the
" facred remains of my monitrefs, my
" foder-mother, my firft and mod va-
<c luable friend ! Every good action I
cc perform, every evil I efcape, every
" commendable fentiment that rifes in
cc my heart, is owing to her. Her in-
" valuable precepts, fanctioned by ex-
" perience, now acquire refidlefs effi-
cc cacy from the painful reflection that
<c her lips can repeat them no more. I
<c brood over them in my memory as a
" facred treafure. Come to me, my
<c deared Lucy ; my prefcnt fituation,
" which excludes drangers^demandsyour
<c tender
A TALE OF THE TIMES. - 43
ff tender Toothings, and will (bit the pri-
<c vacy of your modeft grief. Come, and
cf tell me, while it is frefh in your me-
" mory, all that the dying faint faid, all
cc that fhe looked ; and arm my fortitude
" for the trials which await me, by repeat-
ing how fhe endured monthsofmifery."
<c
<f It was the folemn injunction of my
" now blefled mother," faid MifsEvans,
in her reply, " that I mould devote my-
" felf to the pious office of foothing the
<c forrows of my poor father, till time,
" uniting with religious refignation,
" mould foften his griefs, divert his
" thoughts from one painful object, and
c< enable him to occupy his leifure hours,
" once fo happily filled, with other
st amufements ; and fhe enjoined this
<c duty as the nobleft method of proving
<c my affectionate regard for her memory.
cc She even added, that fhe hoped her
dif-
44 A TALE OF THE TIMES,
<c difembodied fpirit might be permitted
cc to witnefs my perfeverance in a mode
" of conduct, the knowledge of which
" would perfect her beatitude.
" Is this the only way by which I can
" now prove my filial reverence to the
" beft of mothers, and fhall I fhrink
" from the important charge ? Even
<f your claims upon me, my deareft Ge-
" raldine, are annihilated by this fupcrior
" tie. You will rejoice to hear that I
" am fuccefsful. My poor father was
<f furprized into an agony of grief laft
c< Sunday. We attended divine fcrvice,
cc though he could not attempt to per-
<c form the duty. The fight of my
" mother's prayer-book lying upon her
" vacant feat overpowered him. His
" ilifled fobs were heard by feveral of
" the congregation ; I knelt by his fide,
<c I prefled his revered hand to my lips ;
" I feemed at that moment to "have a
per feel:
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 45
<f perfect control over my own feelings;
" I whifpered, that his only remaining
X Lucy would endeavour to fupply the
" place of her whom Providence had
" removed to a better world. My fa-
" ther viewed me with ferene delight,
" and, as we walked home, he' told me
" that I was indeed his comforter, and
" worthy of my excellent mother.
" His praife is a cordial to my heart.
" While Ihe lived, I thought my con-
" duel; as a daughter not blamable ; but
" now that fhe is beyond the reach of
cc my Attention, I find infinite occafion
for felf-reproach. The thought that
we have paid the laft offices to a be-
loved objeft is inconceivably painful.
It turns the mind to a retrofpedive
" view of its pad fentiments ; and the
" remembrance of cafual negledls and
Cf inadvertent expreffions is torture. If
" thou, my mother ! couldft arife from
"thy
<c
(C
46 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
< thy earthy bed, how would thy Lucy
cc feek to endear thy renewed exiftence
" by redoubled attentions and more
" fleady virtues ! Pardon, thou dear
" faint ! my imperfect duty ; I muft
" enjoy the thought that thou art pre-
" fent, and confcious of thofe fighs and
" tears which I generally conceal from
" every other eye.
" Do not think, my dear Geraldine,
" that I (hall ever forget the particulars
" of her dying moments. The awful
" remembrance is engraven upon my
" mind, and no fubfequent events can
" obliterate the imprefiion. I will de-
<c fcribe it all to you when we meet j at
" that time, I truft, both the hearer and
" the relater will be more equal to the
<f defcription.
" The exprefs which has juft arrived
" at the manor-houfe relieves my heart
" from many anxieties. You are in
" fafety,
,
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 47
fafety, my Geraldine; you are blefied
" with a daughter. Your ufeful life is
" fpared to your hufband, your infant,
t your father, your friends, your country.
" It is a general, a public benefit : but
" let your dejedted Lucy lift her grateful
<c voice amid the univerfal joy, and
" adore that kind Providence which has
" preferred her from further depriva-
" tions.
" We (hall meet, my beloved friend,
" and I truft foon. Sir William has
tc jufl left us. He is in raptures at this
" event, though a little inclined to re-
l< gret that he has not a grandfbn. It
" is all for the bed, he fays ; he doubts
" nor, when he fees the pretty creature,
" he (hall be as fond of it as he was of
" his own Geraldine. c I took it a little
" hard,' faid he, c that my girl did not
" come to Powericourt at the time
" prefixed 5 but fhe will now bring the
" dear
4$ A TALE OF THE TIMES.
cc dear infant along with her, and I fh
" have two pleafures inftead of one/
" Excellent man ! He has laid a
" fcheme, he fays, to make us all happy
" together. He infifts that my father
cc and I fhall live with you at the manor-
" houfe during the time of your ex-
" pefted vifit. He fays, he can divert Mr.
" Evans with a hit at backgammon ;
cc and that it will do my fpirits good to
cf have a great deal of chat with you.
" c Don't be ib caft down, my dear god-
" daughter/ he continued, c we are all
" mortal you know 5 and your good mo-
cc ther is now much happier than it was
" eren in your power to make her/
" I know you love to hear your
cc father's words repeated with all their
" genuine benevolence and fimplicity.
" He has truly fulfilled the precept of
<f frequenting the houfe of mourning.
" Scarcely a day has pafled without his
" vificing
all 5
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 49
IJfc
c< vifiting us, and his kind folicitude
"has been attended with confiderable
" advantage. It is impoflible to con*
cc verfe with him without feeling a por-
" tion of his tranquil fpirit diffufed intQ
" our own bofoms.
" Adieu, dear lady Monteith ! How
" I long to fee you in your matronly
cc character, to fold your little babe in
" my arms, and in the contemplation
" of your deferved felicity to lofe for a
<c time the recollection of my own irre-
<c mediable forrows !"
Lady Monteith's recovery was rapid,
and (he was foon able to introduce the
young nurfery to the eager expectants-
at Powerfcourt. Her lord, though ex-
ce (lively anxious for her fafe journey,
and doatingly fond of his little moppet,
would not accompany them. Eufinefs
of the greateft importance prevented
him ; his engagements at fifhing parties,
VOL, n. D bowling
5O A TALE OF THE TIMES.
bowling meetings, and cricket matches,
were fo numerous, that it was abfolutely
impofiible to break them. <c Take
cc the greateft care of yourfelf, therefore,
cc my dear Geraldine, till I can come
cc and take care of you. You may de-
" pend upon it, that I fhall fet off to
" fee your father aft < the old courtier
c< of the Queen's, the firft moment I am
c< difengaged, for I cannot long be happy
<c without you. By the bye I think
cc your father unreafonable in infilling
" upon having fo much of your com-
pany."
I pafs by fir William's rapturous re-
ception of his daughter, the unaffected
tranfport of the countefs, and the tears of
mingled pain and pleafure which ftole
filently down Lucy's faded cheek. I
fhall not dwell upon the unaffe&ed
dignity with which Mr. Evans ilrove
to prevent his forrows from cafting a
gloom
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 51
gloom over the general joy, nor the re-
peated marks of grateful veneration and
affection which lady Monteith paid to
the memory of her deceafed friend.
We will fuppofe that, holding by her
Lucy's arm, fhe vifited the fpot which
contained the facred remains of her loft
monitrefs j that (he liftened to the in-
terefting narrative of her ficknefs and
death, and, mingling her own tears with
thofe of her amiable companion, re-
peated the remembered precepts of the
guardian of her youth, and enjoined
upon herfelfthe imitation of her virtues.
The reader will recollect, that to thefe
duties lady Monteith had added an ad-
ditional bond, a promife given to the
deceafed, " that if her friendfhip could
" avail, her Lucy ihonld never be un-
" happy."
It will alfo be remembered, that Mr.
Powerfcourt frequently wrote to his
D 2 coufm,
2 A TALE OF THE TI.MES.
coufin, and that lord Monteith was in*
vited to overlook the correfpondencc.
He fincerely wiftied Henry well ; he
would rather not have his wife make
any man miferable j and when he con-
trafted his own character with the re-
finement and intelligence vifible in his
rival's letters, he felt a little awkward,
and inclined to think that her coufin's
tafte was more congenial to lady Mon-
teith's than his own. All thefe reafons
made him very defirous that Henry
fliould break Cupid's fetters -, but fince
he was confident that he was a very
honed fellow, and that nobody could
doubt his wife's propriety, he was an-
xious to efcape the trouble of reading
the correfpondence ; for Henry's letters
were generally very long, and chiefly
about places which he had vifited in his
travels > befide, lord Monteith was al-
ways terribly incommoded by want of
leiiure. The countcfs was therefore
left
A TALE OF THE TIMES. fj
left to her own obfer nations, which
pointed out to her that Henry's increaf- -
ing vivacity augured well ; and, to con*
firm the fatisfafiion which his recovered
cheerfulnels difFufed over her mind, his
lad letter exprefied an intention of re-
turning to England by the route of
Lower Germany, Switzerland, and
Flanders.
It was the encouraging hope which
thefe circumftances fupplied, and not 1
the ftimulation of feminine curiofity,
that induced lady Monteith to develope
her friend's fentiments in a point that
had hitherto been guarded by the moil
rigid fecrefy. She endeavoured gra-
dually to lead her to the fubjecl, and
began by expatiating on the beauties of
Monteith. " My lord," faid me, " has
" kindly permitted me to indulge a
" thoufand little whimfeys in embelJifh-
" ing a fpot eminently indebted to na-
D 3
54 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
" ture. I have fet up temples and al-
" coves outrof number. Some are for
cc folitary mufings, others for focial
" parties. There is one, of which I
ff hope, Lucy, you will be very fond,
" and that we (hall fpend many happy
"hours there, when you come today
" with us next autumn. It is formed
" upon a plan communicated by Henry
" Powerfcourt ; he took it from a beau-
* f tiful ruin in Campania. It is open
" to the fouth, and lhaded by the
." loftieft beeches I ever faw. The ivy
and woodbines which I have planted
" round fome of the columns grow very
* good-humouredly. It has befides
* the advantage of a profpecl, to which
" even the mountain fcenery of Powerf-
" court is flat and uninterefting/'
A crimfon blufh lighted up Mifs
Evans's face. " It is," faid me, ' ex-
< tremely doubtful whether the (late of
* c my
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 5J
" my father's fpirits will allow me to
cc fpend next autumn with you. But
C{ you mentioned Mr. Powerfcourt
" I hope he is well. When did you
" hear of him ?"
" Very lately," faid the countefs,
drawing out one of his letters. " He
<c writes in excellent fpirits, and he
" gives us hopes of his foon returning
" to, England. I hope, Lucy, you will
" meet him at Monteith."
" I meet him ?" replied Lucy, in in-
creafing agitation.;
" Yes, my love I am fure you will
" have a fincere pleafure in renewing
" your acquaintance with an old friend.
" In this very letter he exprefTes a mod
Cl lively concern for your lofs, and a
" ftrong folicitude for your happinefs."
" You were always a little inclined
" to fib/' replied Lucy, with a fmile
which revived the idea of her native
D 4 figni-
56 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
fignificant archnefs. " It is your happi-
f< nefs for which he feels fuch ftrong
" folicitude."
" Read , then, and be convinced/'
faid the countefs, tendering her the
Jetter.
tc No," faid Lucy, recollecling her-
felf, and afluming a ferious air ; " I (hall
" preftrve the pertinacity afcribed to
* f my fex, and refufe convidion till you,
" dear tempter, tell me, what good
* c would arife from my indulging a vain
Cf hope, that I excite an intereft in Mr.
< c Powerfcourt's heart. You know my
" fecret, Geraldinej and let me for ever
<( filence your obfervations on this fub-
cf je6t, by owning that I know his. If
<( 'I have not your charms to attract his
* affe&ion, I have at lead fortitude to
<f avoid his contempt. His regret at
' : lofing the woman of his choice mall
< not be 'aggravated by companion for
" a love--
A TALE OF THE TIMES.- $7
<f a love-lorn girl, who, betrayed by
cc inexperience to unfolicited love, pur-
Cf lues him with the offer of an unao
< c cepted heart."
" I admire your lovely pride," faid
the countefs. " Yet my friend's deli-
" cacy need not be hurt when I declare,
" that, as nothing but a pre-attachment
" would have made me infenfible to
< f Henry's merits, it is my mod earneft
" wifh that fhe may reward them."
cc How reward them, lady Monteith ?
tf Can a forced alliance (and pity is com-
" pulfion to a noble mind) reward the
".generous, firm, felf-denying virtues
of Harry Powerfcourt ? Shall the
" man who could renounce a bleffing
" his whole foul was ardent to pofTefs,
<c even when by that renunciation he
* c expofed himfelf to the anger of the ,
<c friend he beft loved, be linked to a
* c woman who found the ties of delicacy
D 5 <( too
5$ A TALE OF THE TIMES,
" too weak to reftrain her felfifli pre-
" ference ?"
" Can a lively fenfibility of fuperior
<c goodnefs efface the delicacy of your
<f character ? No, my Lucy, it gives to
<c it a more interefting attraction. Yet
" I perfectly agree with you, that it
Cf ought to be kept fecret from the
" object of your regard ; for, till Henry
<c is juft to your merits, even he is
" unworthy of you."
" And is he not, in your fenfe of the
word, unjuft ?"
cc I own that his heart was beftowed
<c where its value was lefs efteemed s
" but fince that attachment is now ut-
" terly at an end "
" Go on, my fweet flatterer, and fay
f( in plain terms, Now that I am mar-
" ried, do you, Lucy, come and meet
" the agreeable bachelor at Monteith :
<f throw
A TALE OF THE TIMES. . 59
throw yourfelf in his way, ftudy his
" humours, and try to perfuade him to
cc take a little notice of you. No,
" Geraldine ; the man who has loved
" you will not eafily be caught by other
" lures j and, dearly as I regard you, I
" (hall be too tenacious of my own
Cf right of pre-eminence to admit of your
" participation of my hufband's heart."
" His return to England," replied
the countefs, " is a clear proof that
" he can view me with indifference.
" Muft the man who has been un-
<f fortunate in his firft choice necef-
" farily remain for ever after infenfi-
" ble to female merit ? Surely, Lucy,
" that romantic idea was never incul-
<e cated by your mother's precepts."
" Such a change is not abfolutely
" impoflible ; but highly improbable
" in the prefent inftance. Obferve the
t line of conduct which I mean fteadily
D 6 <f ta
6O A TALE OF THE TIMES.
" to purfue ; and I conjure you by our
cc friendfhip, and your wifhes for my
<c happiwefs do not attempt to make
cf me deviate from it. I fhall in the
cc firft place perfift in my endeavours to
<c conquer a preference which promifes
" to be always irreconcilable with my
" peace ; and, as a means to forward this
c< delirable end, neither in your letters
c< nor your converfation do you, my Ge-
raldine, introduce the painful theme.
I will neither avoid nor feek Mr.
* c Powerfcourt; I - will neither appear
c anxious to pleafe, nor fearful to offend
" him. Whatever progrefs I make in
<c his affections fhall be all in my own
cc natural character. Do you exert your
cc penetration, and warn me when I de-
cc part from this line of conduct. Be
" as jealous of my delicacy as you
<c would of your own -, and if ever my
<<x countenance betrays in his prefence
' the
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 6l
Cf the perturbation of my mind, warn
" me of the danger of exciting my own
" future remorfe ; and let me haflen
" back to hide my folly in this folitude,
C where my^ mind fhall foon regain its
" loft energy by the contemplation of
cc my mother's virtues."
She then prefented lady Monteith
with a copy of verfes. <f Read," faid
fhe, " this little tribute to filial duty,
" which burft from my heart during my
" lonely walk lad night. It is not finifh-
<f ed, but it will convince you that I am
" capable of more worthy feelings than
" the weak regrets of unrequited love."
So faying, (he'fuddenly left the countels,
who with mingled admiration and regret
perufed the following fragment :
Stiil will I wander through thefe mofs-grown
bowers,
And fcent the grateful fragrance of thefe flowers ;
Still
6*1 A TALE OF THE TIMES,
Still will I pace the paths her footfteps prefs'd,
Still watch the favoured plants her culture blefs'd ;
While the loud throflle warbling fills the grove,
Mix'd with the murmurs of the melting dove.
Here, when the fun's declining car allows
A deeper fhade to hover u'er the boughs,
Sweet Philomel, who fhunn'd the " garifti day,'*
Awakes th* enamoured echoes with her lay ;
Bird ! beft darling of the Mufe, again
Pour on my penfive ear that thrilling ftrain ;
Again repeat it ! Fancy (hall prolong
Thy notes, and give expreffion to thy fong ;
Tell what deep fwells defcribe parental woe,
For fever 'd love what fofter defcants flow ;
Sing on the tender fympathy I feel,
For, as around me night's dun madows fteaJ,
Keen retrofpeclion every fenfe employs,
And gives a fubftance to departed joys.
1 fee thy form, my honour'd mother ! glide ;
Wrapt in a filmy mift, and fcarce defcried ;
I turn delighted, and again rejoice
In the known cadence of thy filver voice.
O! ever-lov'd, rever'd, lamented, fay,
From what far region haft thou wing'd thy way ?
Charg'd with what kind injunction art thoa come
To turn my footfteps from the path-worn tomb?
Appear'!*
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 6j
Appear'fl thou in difpleafure, to upbraid
&ome broken promife, or fome rite unpaid ;
Or haft-thou journey'd to this dark terrene
To tell the fecrets of the world unfeen ?
'Tis filence all Light zephyrs wave the trees,
'Twas but the glancing boughs, and rifing breeze;
The faint impreffion fades upon my brain,
The vifion clofes, but my griefs remain !
64 A TALE OF THE TIMES*
CHAP. XXL
Still to ourfelves in every place confign'd,
Our own felicity we make or find :
With fecret courfe, while no loud ftorms annoy.
Glides the fmooth current of domeftic joy.
GOLDSMITH,
AMONG the various means employed
by Providence to foften human calamity,
none are more eminently beneficial than
the opiates which time adminifters to
grief. It was finely obferved by a
novelift, (not one of the prefent fchool,).
that none but the guilty are long and
completely miferable. In vain does
the foul, while labouring under the
flrong paroxyfms of calamity or dif-
appointment, renounce all acquaintance
with terreflrial pleafures, and, like the
Hebrew patriarch, refolve to cc go down
to
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 6$
to the grave mourning." Time will
foftcn the poignancy of regret; a Ben-
jamin may arife to divert affection from
the grave of Jofeph, and the tears of
anguifh may be converted to thofe of
joy. This fuppofition, however, pre-
mifes that &he grief did not originate in
the depravity of the fufFerer. Inter-
vening years may render vice callous or
penitent j but the impenetrability of one
flate, and the apprehenfivenefs of the
other, are alike irreconcilable with the
idea of happinefs. It has been long ac-
knowledged, that, though the lofs of a
beloved friend feems at firft the moil
infupportable of all calamities, even
affectionate minds fooner acquiefce in
fuch deprivations, than they do in many
other kinds of diftrefs, This may
fometimes be accounted for upon re-
ligious principles ; but even when it
does not own fuch exalted motives, it
feems
66 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
feems fevere to afcribe it to levity of
difpofuiori. Exifting in the midft of a
dying world, we fhould rather employ
our faculties in extracting improvement
from fcenes of mortality, than wade
them in unavailing regret. The bond
of friendship is not, indeed, difTolved
by death j yet it does not impofe incef-
fant woe on the lurvivor, who mud foon
journey through the fame dark valley
which the lamented object has juft ex-
plored.
Strengthened by fuch confederations,
ftill further enforced by the precepts and
example of her father, Mifs Evans's
grief gradually fubfided into the tranquil
cheerfulnefs which naturally belonged to
her character. Her affection for her
mother mowed itfelf in a tender attach-
ment to her memory, and to every fub-
ject connected with it > in a fteady imi-
tation of her virtues, and a faithful ob-
fervance
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 67
fervance of her precepts. The high
heroic tone of her mind would have
been wounded by a fuppofition, that
love ^as more invulnerable than filial
griefs and me certainly fo far fubdued
her early preference, as to render it
very little trouble fome either to herfelf
or her friends. It did not incapaci-
tate her for any duties, nor did it ab-
forb any of her agreeable properties.
She vifited Monteith in a few months
after her mother's death, and delighted
all who faw her with her good fenfe
and agreeable vivacity. She even met
Mr. Powerfcourt without betraying her
fecret emotion to the moft fcrutinizing
eye. She received him without either
difcovering ftrong tranfport or adopting
an artificial referve : and fhe bade him
adieu with a voice fo little tremulous,
that even lady Monteith could fcarcely
detect her latent emotion.
It
68 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
It may be for the advantage of all
love-fick young ladies, who fit under
woodbine bowers or fhady beeches, or
who walk by moonlight to hear nightin-
gales and waterfalls, to learn by what
means Mils Evans was enabled to make
fo refpeftable a defence againft the
purblind archer. In the firft place, me
was conftantly employed j in the fecond,
flie never indulged in the dangerous
pleafure of dwelling on the name and
merits of her beloved, either in her
converfation or in her letters, nor did
fhe ever allow herfelf to complain of
her hard lot. To prevent fuch repin-
ing, fhe often vifited the abodes of real
mifery, and her attention was directed
to that courfe of ftudy which is the re-
verfe of fentimental refinement.
Mr. Powerfcourt's fhort refidence at
Monteith did not indicate a revival of
that ftrong attachment to his lovely
coufin
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 69
coufin which had given him fo much
unhappinefs. He had found abfence a
grand fpecific. Change of fcene, and
interefting objects of purfuit, had coun-
teracted the effect of love upon a mind,
which, though naturally calm and con-
templative, was remarkably fufceptible
of deep impreflions, and addicted to a
penfive caft of thought. He had de-
rived {till further advantages from his
travels. His capacious understanding'
was eminently difpofed to receive all
the improvement which an extenfive
view of men and things could afford.
Habits of fociety wore off his natural
refervej and, as his youthful awkward -
nefs was owing to uncommon diffidence,,
the fame circumftances which infpired a
modeft confcioufnefs in his own powers,
gave grace to his perfon and elegance
to his addrefs. Thus improved, Mifs
Evans might have found her deter-
9 mined
7O A TALE OF THE TIMES.
mined floicifm an ineffe&ual defence, if
it had been long expofed to fo powerful
an aflailant. It may, on the other
hand, be afked, if Mifs Evans's merit
was not equally calculated to convince
Henry, that female attractions may faf-
cinate in more than one form. I readily
afTent to the fuggeftion ; but the pre-
fence of lady Monteith did not admit
the fair difplay of Lucy's powers j and
that young lady contributed to her own
defeat, by continually fufpecting that
her friend led the difcourfe to fuch a
topic purpofely to call her our, and that
fuch or fuch an amufement was projected
with a defign to leave her tete-a-tete
with Mr. Powerfcourt. Her indigna-
tion at thefe ideas was fo warm, that
inftead of being peculiarly brilliant, her
determination to avoid being fingular
could not prevent her/rom being un-
commonly referved.
Henry,
A TALE OF THE TIMES. Jl
Henry, on the other hand, confcious
of the fragility of new-formed refolu-
tions, was prevented from attending to
the attractions of Mifs Evans by a fcru-
pulous watchfulnefs over his own heart,
left it fhould deviate from thofe limits
which he had prefcribed, in order to
prevent lady Monteith from occupying
more of his thoughts than common ad-
miration juftified. He found, upon this
vifit, that her wit and beauty were her
leaft attracl ions. As a wife, as a mother,
how admirable ! how enchanting as
the prefiding diredlrefs of a large fa-
mily ! how intelligent in her plea-
fures ! how prudent in her benevolence !
Lord Monteith was uncommonly atten-
tive to him, and mowed a ftrong deflre
to contract a friendly intimacy. He
talked of the pleafures of the chace, of
the agreeable fociety of many gay care-
lefs fouls with whom he fpent feveral
happy
72 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
happy hours. Good heavens ! could
the hufband of Geraldine relifh fuch low
amufements, and be worthy of her ?
This thought kept Henry awake one
whole night, and the next morning he
determined to fet off on a tour to the
Hebrides. Lord Monteith earneftly
prefled him to take his caftle in his
return, and tempted him by offering to
introduce him to a party who- propofed
/pending a month in hunting the red
deer among the Grampian hills. Mr.
Powerfcourt determined to avoid every
opportunity of drawing comparifons
dangerous to his integrity, and propofed
going to Ireland in his way back, with
an intention of paying a long- intended
vifit to a particular friend.
The attachment of the Monteiths to
their northern refidence feemed to in-
creafe. My lord was fometimes re-
lu&antly forced by the unavoidable
p re flu re
A TALE OF THE TIMES, 73
preflure of parliamentary bufmefs to vifit
London, and the countefs generally em-
braced that opportunity of paying her
duty at Powerfcourt. She once accom-
panied her lord to London, where
lady Arabella, who was flill afpiring to
the character of a firft-rate toaft, was
terrified at the appearance of rivalry with
which the undiminifhed charms of her
lovely fifter threatened her, even in her
own domain. Probably this vifit would
have proved fatal to all the fond terms
of affection which lady Arabella's letters
had conftantly expreffed, had not family
harmony been preferved by the alarming
illnefs of lady Monteith's elded daughter
who was left in Scotland, which fum-
moned the affrighted mother from the
haunts of pleafure to the bed of pain.
The child foon recovered under her
watchful eye, and, though not: infenfible
to die blandifhments of adulation and
VOL, n. E the
74 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
the fedu&ions of pleafure, the grateful
heart of Geraldine forgot, the lofs of
promifed amufement in the tranfport-
ing idea of the reftoration of her dar-
ling.
She was by this time the mother of
three daughters, all promifing and lovely.
The repeated difappointment of having
male ifiue fomewhat difconcerted her
lord, yet the chagrin was not fo predo-
minant as to caufe any diminution in
his attachment to his lady. Experience
taught him that her unvaried fweetnefs
was neceflary to his happinefs; and it
never occurred to him, that his peculiar
pleafures and purfuits were any impedi-
ments to hers. With too little reflection
ever to attend to his own defedls, and
too little judgment to appreciate Ge-
raldine's refined excellence, he gave an
unqualified affent to the afTertions of his
acquaintance, and believed himfelf not
only
, A TALE OF THE TIMES. 75
only a very happy, but alfo a very ex-
cellent hufband : and who among the
lords of the creation will controvert that
opinion, when they hear that his lady
never contradicted him, and never found
fault ?
I fhall leave to the fentimental part
of my readers the tafk of commenting
on the felfifhnefs and inelegance of lord
Monteith's characters for, doubtlels,
they have long ago obferved, that his
mind was caft in too grofs a mould to
form the proper counterpart of Geral-
dine's ; and I am ready to allow, that
the difilmilarity muft be fatal to that
pure felicity, the refultof a perfect con*
geniality in tafte and fentiment, which is
always the reward of heroes and heroines,
and is fometimes realized on the ftage
of life. Such marked difproportion
affords an unanfwqrable argument to
difluade a young lady of ftrong feeling
E 2 from
75 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
from accepting an otherwife unexcep-
tionable offer j but fince no law, either
human or divine, permits it to difiblve
the marriage-bond, it cannot be urged
as an excufe for married wretchednefs,
unlefs fome moral defect or painful pe-
culiarity in temper be fuperadded. Sen-
fibility may wifh that the (lock of mutual
happinefs may receive every agreeable
addition ; but judgment will look abroad,
and, eftimating its own real fituation by
adverting to the lot of others, will find
reafons for content, particularly if humi-
lity whifper fomewhat of its own con-
fcious deficiencies, I fpeak of general
wretchednefs, not of a momentary pang;
of a confirmed train of thinking, not of
a fudden reflection which reafon exa-
mines and rejects.
Long before the period of which I
am now treating, lady Monteith had
abandoned the impracticable fcheme of
arraying
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 77
arraying Afteon in the veftments of
Apollo. The difcovery was painful to
her vanity, which had taught her credu-
lity to believe, that love and beauty arc
the true alchymifts that can tranfmute
the bafeft metals into the pureft gold.
But the fanguine hopes of youth do not
fink under one difappointment. Her
lord poiTefTed many good qualities* and
the uncontrolled power which he gave
her over his fortune allowed her to exe-
cute every fcheme that her liberality
fuggefted, and purfue her own tafte in
its fulleft extent, provided fhe fpared
him the irkfome taflt of being obliged
to pay attention to her plans. As to
any idea of being impeded in the execu-
tion of his own, the yielding gentlenefs
of lady Monteith preferved her from
making the mad attempt, which could
only have been compared to " drinking
up Eifel, or eating a crocodile."
3 W
78 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
If the fuggeftions of latent pride, or,
to call it by its fofter name, confcious
fuperiority, fometimes led her to think
that Ihe might have made a more con-
genial choice, returning tendernefs bade
ber ftart from the injurious fuggeftion,
and fly to her colony or her plantations,
-which, prefenting the idea of her lord's
indulgence, never failed to infpire com-
placency. The future was an ample
field for hope, and me filled it with the
jnoft agreeable images. She deter-
mined, by ftrictly attending to the edu-
cation of her daughters, to bend their
ductile minds to fuch purfuits as would
enable her to find thofe colloquial plea-
fures in her maternal character, which
had been withheld from her connubial
portion.
Her thoughts were fometimes diverted
from her favourite employment of
framing fuch a plan of education as
ihould
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 79
fhould infure fuccefs, to the contem-
plation of her Lucy's approaching hap-
pinefs, which every day rendered more
probable. Henry now generally refided
at Powerfcourt. His filial attentions
and agreeable manners enlivened fir
William's declining years ; and his fre-
quent Opportunities of obferving Mifs
Evans convinced the countefs that her
beloved friend would gradually make
the conqueft fo important to her repofe,
in the manner which her ftricl fenfe of
delicacy and propriety required.
Bending under the enfeebling load of
time, but ftill tranquil, focial, and be-
nevolent, the vifits of his beloved daugh-
ter feemed to renew fir William Povv-
erfcourt's frail exiflence. Her counte-
nance always befpoke happinefs, and he
forgave the negligent inadvertencies
vifible in lord Monteith's behaviour to
himfeif. c Old men and young lords/'
E 4
SO A TALE OF THE TIMES.
faid he, <c can't be expected to fuit one
<c another j but he is kind to my child,
" and that is fufrkienu"
I have now defcribed thofe fcenes of
lady Monteith's life, in which, judging
by the proper eftimate of terreftrial good,
fhe might be termed innocent and happy.
An artful leducer combining with her
rnafter-pafTion reverfed the pleafing
profpecls, and produced fcenes which
the following pages will develops.
While I profecute my arduous, and
perhaps unpopular tafk, I rely on the
Jenity of thofe who fincerely regret the
alarming relaxation of principle that too
furely difcriminates a declining age ; and
I anticipate the candid allowances which
they will make for any incidental .defects
in a well-meant endeavour to point out
the tendency of feveral opinions now too
generally diffufed through every rank
in fociety.
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 8 1
CHAP. XXII.
When Florio fpeaks, what virgin could wlthftand,
If gentle Damon did not fqueeze her hand ?
With varying vanities, from every part,
They fliift the moving toyfhop of their heart j
Where wigs with wigs, with fword knots fwordknot$
ftrive,
Beaus banifh beaus, and coaches coaches drive.
POPE.
WHILE lady Monteith exerted all the
powers of her mind to enjoy fame and to
diffufe happinefs, and her beloved Lucy
Evans purfued the humbler but furer path
of confcientioufly endeavouring to dif-
charge her duty to God and ^an, lady
Arabella Macdonald, already embarked
on the fea of gaiety and diffipation, ap-
plied all her thoughts to the attainment
of two doubtful blefiings, a hufband and
a coronet. ,
Difinterefted love is always a very
favourite topic with youth and beauty.
E 5 After
82 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
After a fly obfervation, that pretty little
Geraldine might owe fome attractions
to Powerfcourt manor, fhe entreated
that her aunt would cautioufly fupprefs
the communication of her intended li-
berality j and, by hinting that jointures
always reverted to the family from which
they were granted, leave her to depend
upon her own radiant eyes for procuring
a fplendid eftablifhment. Oroondates
himfelf muft feel fome increafe of rap-
ture, if, while his bride curtefied to him
after the performance of the marriage
ceremony, fhe at the fame time whif-
pered to him, that Ihe was the acknow-
ledged heirefs of four thoufand a year.
But if lady Arabella's hufband had any
fpark of Oroondates' gallantry, his rap-
ture would folely refult from the delicate
referve of the lady, and he would un-
doubtedly reply, " Wealth cannot add
" to the tranfport I feel in calling you
14 <c mine.
A TALE OF THE TIMES. Sj
cc mine. Employ the gaudy toys you
" mention in whatever way you pleafe ;
Cf they will be no otherwife welcome to
" me, than as they promote your fatif-
" faflion ; for your heart is the only
" treafure which I wifh to retain. "
In ages of very remote antiquity lovers
might talk in this ftyle j but as all au-
thentic memorials of thefe periods are
unhappily loft, fceptics are inclined to
doubt the actual exiftence of fuch very
difmterefted heroifm. Poor lady Ara-
bella found that the fwains who flourimed
in the clofe of the eighteenth century
were of a very different order of beings:
Perceiving that the firft London winter
produced more ftarers than adorers, fhe
let out for Bath. Here Cupid in vain
continued to (hoot his arrows from her
eyes ; the apathy of diflipation, more
invulnerable than the fhield of Minerva,
defended the intended victims. Idle-
E 6 nefs
84 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
nefs is faid to be the mother of Love 5
but not the idlenefs of public places.
The lounging beaus, as they fauntered
arm in arm along the rooms, occafionally
cheered her fpirits with a paffing " How
" d'ye do," and then joined in protefting,
" that fhe was an immenfe fine girl, and
ce that it was a fhame her father had not
" left her a fortune." The converfation
generally concluded with a laugh at the
repulfive ftate of lady Madelina, which
nobody feemed willing to infringe.
Lady Arabella now determined to try
the effecT; of rural fcenes ; and, having
chofen the then fafhionable retirement
of Brighton as the probable refidence of
the vagrant loves, fhe rperfuaded lady
Madelina, who went to Bath to fix a
flying gout, that her complaint was cer-
tainly fcorbutic, for which fea-bathing
was the only fpecific > and there at lad
the expeded lover appeared in the form
of
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 8$
of Sir Phelim O'Connaught, a very
perfonable and very affiduous Irifh gen-
tleman of good family, and unqueftion-
able honour. Though lady Arabella
had protefted that fhe never would fur-
render to any thing beneath a coronet,
Sir Phelim's addrefies were fo perfectly
rhapfodical, that her heart feemed to flut-
ter, when at this critical period its tran-
quillity was re-eftablifhed by the appear-
ance of fome very ungenteel company,
I mean, a couple of fheriff's officers. Sir
Phelim was fo (hocked at the audacity
of fuch low villains intruding upon the
haunts of gentlemen, that he was never
feen abroad after their arrival. It after-
wards appeared, that his attachment was
not fo perfectly difmterefted as has been
fuppofed j for that he had acquired fome
knowledge of the difpofal of lady Ma-
delina's jointure.
Lady
86 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
Lady Arabella joined in the laugh
againft her quondam adorer, and de-
clared, that though certainly he was
very fpecious, fhe had found him out
in an inftant, and was determined to
divert herfelf with the fellow's ridiculous
ways. She alfo added, that this was
another proof how prudent it was in
ladies of fortune to conceal their expect-
ations, for avowed wealth was always
expofed to degrading felicitations.
The winter campaign opened with
eclat. A noble earl, whofe affairs were
a little deranged, laid fiege in form, and
the conteft feemed to predict a happy
iflue, had not lady Madelina put the
young general prematurely to the rout
by inquiring after his rent-roll. Poor
Arabella felt a little piqued ; but no mat-
ter; thefe were her happieft days;
Ihe loved liberty, detefled reftraint, and
danced,
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 87
danced, laughed, and vifited more than
. ever.
The defection of the noble earl was
repaired by the attendance of two ad-
mirers, a vifcount and a private gentle-
man, who ilarted in the career of ho-
nourable love at the fame inftant. Hi-
therto her lady (hip had been rather un-
fortunate in the character of her adorers ;
but her indecifion in the prefent inftance
proved that me was actuated by motives
widely different from the defire of con-
nubial happinefs. Lord Fitzofborne was
an emaciated victim to licentious pur-
fuits; Mr. Stanley was a youth of great
promife, educated under the aufpices
of a worthy father. The aim of the
former was to repair his fhattered for-
tune, and to gratify his felfifh vanity by
exhibiting to the world a fine young
woman in the character of his wife. The
latter fought domeftic tranquillity : the
beauty
88 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
beauty of lady Arabella had caught his
eye j her reported expectations far ex-
ceeded what his father would require in
pecuniary affairs ; and, fuppofing that a
young woman muft imbibe every virtue
under the aufpices of a perfon of lady
Madelina's ftrict decorum, he called her
levity innocent gaiety, her affectation
fprightlinefs of manner -, and, fincerely
worfhipping the image he had fet up,
he ardently folicited his charmer's heart.
Though my difcoveries have enabled
my fagacious readers to conclude, that
the unfortunate Stanley was in purfuit
of a nonentity,an impaffioned lover could
not perceive that nothing but the ad-
verfe weight of a coronet prevented the
nodding fcale from preponderating in
his favour. True to the firft object of
her youthful defires, even the unworthi-
nefs of the giver could not in her idea
invalidate the gift. But the progrefs of
my
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 9
my hiftory now calls me from the por-
traiture of fafhionable love to the defi-
nition of polite friendfhip.
Though lady Arabella had very little
of the fentimental in her charafter, fhe
enjoyed the blefilng of a bofom friend.
Her acquaintance with Mifs Campley
commenced at her firft arrival in Lon-
don. They drelTed in the fame uniform,
went to the fame parties, laughed at the
fame quizzes, and flirted with the fame
beaus. But Mifs Campley, being the
uncontrolled miftrefs of her own a&ions,
foared to a character which fome re-
ftriftions of lady Madelina's prevented
her niece from adopting ; I mean, that
of a dafher. She drove four in hand,
laid wagers, ran in debt, played at
Pharo, and, though infinitely inferior to
her friend in beauty, certainly laid claim
to greater tafte and Ipirit.
As
90 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
As the ladies had never interfered in
each other's conquefts, their friendfhip
was fixed as adamant. To own the
truth, conqueft and Harriet Campley
were no longer fynonimous terms. The
gentlemen had long been more defirous
of winning her money than her heart;
and even few knight-errants would have
pofiefied fufficient courage and difinte-
refted generofity, to refcue a diftreffed
damfel from the harpy talons of the law
^t the rifk of their own certain ruin.
As the profpect of a fplendid eftablifh-
jtieni became lefs probable, Mifs Camp-
ley's creditors were more clamorous ;
and, though fhe profefTed he rfelf highly
delighted with the expected eclat of aa
execution, her haggard countenance be-
trayed an agonized mind. The period
of lady Arabella's double triumph
proved the crifis of her fate ; and the
unexpected
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 9!
unexpected death of an only brother
changed her profpects from the gloom
of a prifon to pleafure 'and affluence.
Lord Fitzofborne had known Mifs
Campley from her earlieft youth ; he
had often been at her parties, and had
won her money without wifhing for a
further connexion ; but fhe now ftruck
him in a much more interefting point of
view. I do not mean to infinuate, that
he thought her mourning was particu-
larly becoming, and fuited to her com-
plexion ; his lordfhip's tafte led him to
purfue more folid advantages than a fet
of features can promife. He was an
excellent calculator 5 and, though he too
well underflood the character of his pre-
fent miftrefs, to fear the ultimate fuccefs
of his rival, he laid fo much ftrefs upon
the attractions of old dowagers, and the
frailty of vows of widowhood, that he
confidered three thoufand a-year in im-
mediate
92 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
mediate pofleffion as better than four
thoufand in reverfion. But while he
continued rather unrefolved, the gout
fixed in lady Madelina's foot, and her
phyfician congratulated her upon an
event which would infallibly add at lead
twenty years to her life. His lordihip
waited for no other inducement to pay
his' devoirs at the Ihrine of the other
divinity. Mifs Campley's yielding gen-
tlenefs forgave pad flights -, and in lefs
than a month lady Arabella received
bride-cake and favours from the vif-
countefs Fitzod>orne.
This certainly was provoking; but
the faithful Stanley Was a fure refource.
Here again lady Arabella's evil genius
met her to blad her projects. Mr.
Stanley was not quite fo much in love
as to lofe all his powers of obfervation.
His charmer's conduct had been at Jead
doubtful. The encouraging fmiles which
had
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 9J
Had beamed full upon him ever fince
the vifcount's dereli&ion, were too fuf-
picious to be completely fafcinating;
and he thought a journey into the coun-
try would at lead .(how his miftrefs, that
he was not one of Cupid's tame votaries.
In his take-leave vifit he made fome
further difcoveries into her ladyfhip's
character ; and while he made his final
bow, his regret at his difappointment
was foftened by the confcioufnefs of
efcaping that word of evils, a diffipated
unprincipled wife.
Lady Arabella had charming fpirits.
She laughqd at the vanity of the men,
creatures who fuppofed themfelves of
confequence ; and, intimating that
though fhe had private reafons for re-
jecting Lord Fitzofborne, they were not
of a nature to influence her deareft
Harriet's choice, (he waited with im-
patience for the return of the bride and
bridegroom
94 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
bridegroom to town. She flew to make
the wedding vifit, gave in her card, was
admitted, and congratulated the happy
pair in terms equally fincere with the
profeffions of efteem and friendmip
which fhe received in return. The vif-
countefs now infifted that fhe fhould be
her conftant vifitor, and ftrongly urged
her not to mope herfelf at home during
her aunt's confinement. Lady Arabella
declared, that her ladyfhip was the only
good Chriftian that fhe had talked to for
a long time ; and that it really would be
charity to take her out of the fphere of
flannels and fomentations. They agreed
to go to every place where there was
any thing to be feen. Lady Fitzofborne
delared with a fmile, that even if her
lord was fometimes of the party fhe
had a foul too capacious for jealoufy ;
and her equally liberal friend, with a
loud laugh, obferved, that fhe was not
yet
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 9$
yet arrived at the age of envy and her
laft prayers. Lady Fitzolborne's fpeech
needs no explanation -, but the wit of
lady Arabella's retort confided in an
allufion to the circurnftance of her dear
friend's being ten years older than
herfelf.'
The friends were conflantly together,
except when the myfteries of Pharo im-
pofed a temporary feparation. I have
already faid, that lady Madelina's feverc
notions restricted fome of her niece's
propenfities ; but this was not the only
thing that prevented Arabella from
being caught in that ruinous vortex
from whofe fatal contact peace and
honour muft never hope to efcape.
Lord Fitzoiborne was, fmce his mar-
riage, become a man of character, a
lover of decorum, and a confiderate
obferver of pecuniary advantages. For-
tune feldom beflows. her gifts fmgly,
and
96 A TALE OF THE TIMES*
and fince her accefilon to her brother*^
eftate, his lady had an amazing run of
luck. She was not only able to dif-
charge her own debts of honour, but to
pay fome of his ; and this was the only
circumftance which could at all recon-
cile his notions of propriety with her
infraction of the laws of her country.
His thoughts were now turned to the
advantageous eftablifhment of his bro-
ther Edward Fitzofborne, who had re-
fided many years abroad upon the limit-
ed portion of a younger fon. His lord-
fhip had been aflured by many refpect-
able travellers, that this young gentle-
man was an honour to his name, pof-
fefled of elegant manners, uncommon
erudition, and an irreproachable cha-
racter : that he appeared in the firft
circles, correfponded with the firft lite-
rary characters of the age, and was fit-
ted to move in the moft exalted fphere.
The
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 97
The noble vifcount's fraternal tender-
nefs yearned at the recital. He deter-
mined to fend for him to England, to
get him into parliament, to puili him in
the world, and to marry him to a for-
tune. It was with a reference to this
defign that he prohibited the vifcounnels
from initiating her friend in her private
myfteries.
Mr. Fitzofborne received his bro-
ther's fummons to England with re-
gret, and begged that he might be per-
mitted to remain at Paris, where he
was juft then contemplating the fublime
ipectacle of a great nation emancipating
itielf from the -fetters of tyranny and
fuperftition. It was, he faid, his wilh.
to continue abroad, to watch the pro-
grefs of events that would enlarge his
mind, and render him ilill worthier of
the office of a Britifh legislator. The
peer, whofe ideas were equally liberal,
VOL, ji. F granted
9$ A TALE OF THE TIMES.
granted the requeft; and, depending
upon his own watchfulnefs, and the
chicanery of his lady, to prevent the
glittering gold-fifh that he wifhed to
entrap from efcaping their net, he per*
mitted Mr, Fitzofborne to profecute
his ftudiesj till the coercive meafures
which democracy was compelled to
adopt obliged even the lovers of free-
dom to take fhelter in the legal def-
potifnTof Old England.
A TALE OF THE TIMES
CHAP, XXIIL
'Tis not impoflible
But one, the wicked'ft caitiff on the ground,
May feem as fhy, as grave, as juft, as abfolute>
As Angelo ; even fo may Angelo
In all his dreflings, charafts, titles, forms,
Be an arch villain.
SHAKESPEARE.
LADY ARABELLA was with her dearHar-
riet when Mr. Fitzoiborne unexpectedly
arrived. He had narrowly efcaped the
guillotine, had pafled the fea in a fifh-
ing-boat, and had encountered Ib many
perils, that his admiration of that
meretricious liberty whofe diftinguifh-
ing code is equality of wretchednefs,
was rather abated. " Hair-breadth
'fcapes" are very interesting to moft
ladies, and Mr. Fitzolborne's powers
of recitation were unrivalled. His per-
F 2 fon
IOO A TALE OF THE TIMES.
fon had every charm, his manner every
advantage. Lady Arabella looked,
liftened, admired, and went home vaftly
rejoiced, that fuch a delightful young man
had efcaped the odious democrats.
The next morning, at an early hour,
lady Fitzofborne rufhed into her friend's
drefling-room. " Enchanting , news !
" my dearcft Bella," faid flic ; " we
" mail never more be diftrefled for
" want of a cecilbeo. My lord has
" afked Edward to live with us till he
" forms an eftablimment of his own.
"Is not he a divine fellow ? And this
" morning he looks more refiftlefs than
" ever. Such fpirit ! fuch information !
" It would have been a fhame to have
" had him confounded with a parcel of
" emigrant defperadoes. He fpoke
fc very fine things of you, my dear; he
cc feems quite ftruck, I allure you. If
<c you were but a little more Greek in
a your drapery, he declared, you would
" have
A TALE OF THE TIMES. IOI
put him in mind of La Liberte
" on the day of deification, who was
({ the handfomeft courteian in all
" Paris.
" But, blefs me !" continued the
Britiih peerefs, looking at her watch,
"how I trifle.. I vow I have fifty
" vifits to make this morning. Good
" bye ! I (hall call upon you for the
" opera this evening. I long to (how
" Edward the new houfe. O, F declare
" I have not had the humanity to iiv>
" quire after aunty \ but I can't flay to
" hear now. You'll tell me to-night all
" the procefs of the foot, and the doctor.
<c Sparkle, my love : Edward is amaz-
<c ingly fond of wit."
Pity is faid to be near akin to Love :
and when blended with admiration, and
infpired by the idea of awakening reci-
procal fentiments in the bofbm of an-
other, it may certainly be ftyled trie
F J parent
IO2 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
parent of the foft infatuation. Though
philofophy was Mr. Fitzofborne's chief
forte, he did not belong to the fchool
of Diogenes. One prime article in his
creed was, that an adept did not
iludy to lefs advantage for pofTefiing
the good things of this life. Indeed,
as his views were not very clear on the
fubjcct of a future (late, he confidered
it to be his bounden duty to embrace
all the advantages which the prefent
afforded. Gentlemen of his principles
do not mean by their general declama-
tions in favour of liberality, honour,
nnd philofophical equanimity, to con-
vey the precifc idea, that fuch qualities
;ire indifpenfably requifite in their own
characters : for they know, that the ex-
terior refemblance exactly anfwers the
fame end. Superficial obfervers (and
the. major part of mankind belong to
this clafs) will give you credit for pof-
fe fling
A 'TALE OF THE TIMES. 1OJ
letting a virtue, provided you are
loud in your cenfures of an oppofite
vice. Good notions of public liberty
give the licence which permits you to
be a private tyrant. Tiie daring atheift
and fophifticacing fceptic may alike
fhelter under the veil of religious mode-
ration : and provided the words honour,
fentiment, and philanthropy, be upon
your tongue, you may difturb the repofe
of mankind, either individually or col-
lectively, with impunity.
To illuftrate the analogy in the pre-
fent inftance : Could the enlarged foul
of Edward Fitzofborne have heard the
fhameful tale of mercenary indigence
concealing difguft under the mafk of
admiration to entrap the wealth of ina-
nity into a degrading connexion, with-
out exprefiing the moft generous emo-
tion ? How would his ftrong feelings
have revolted at the fight of thofe fordid
F 4 (hackles.
JO4 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
(hackles which militated againft the na-
tural liberty of man, and the idea of
that confirmed habit of difiimulation
which annihilated his fuppofed inherent
perfection. He could certainly have
been very eloquent upon thefe themes,
if they referred to the conduct of a me-
thodift or a formalift \ but when applied
to his own concerns it was foon ad*
j ufted. The girl wanted a hufband, the
gentleman a fortune $ the balance,
therefore, was as nicely trimmed as the
mod equalizing Ipirit could defire.
This confideration might have been
further ufeful, as it neceflarily difiblved
all ties of gratitude ; but Mr. Fitz-
cfborne had long before difcovered,
that private gratitude is inconfiftent
with public virtue.
Lady Arabella had no doubt that her
wit and beauty held out fufficient at-
tractions to a gentleman fo profefledly
dif-
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 105.
difinterefted as her new admirer (for
he afTumed that character in a few days)
and me did not even attempt to mif-
conftrue his behaviour,, or to difguife
the pleafure which (he received from
his addrefTes. Fitzolborne was not a
fenfualift. Beauty was to him a mere
abftract quality, particularly when aflb-
eiated to the idea of a wife. He had
been too long accuftomed to the coruf-
cations of real genius, to beftow more
than a languid fmile on lady Arabella's
jejune bom mots* Even that Iangui4
fmile was loon, converted into faturnirie
filence. Her character was too fuper-
ficial to intereft his attention. He dif-
covered her foibles, detec~ted her ar-
tifices, and defpifed her underftanding,
in the firft month of his courtfhipi She
was too eafy a conqueft for his ambi-
tion ; aad nothing but the reluctance
which he felt at the thought of being de*
F 5 pendent.
l66 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
pendent upon his brother could have
reconciled him to the idea of an alli-
ance.
Perceiving her heart irredeemably
enthralled, (though in this opinion he
was fomewhat duped by his own vanity,)
he began to act the preconcerted part.
He was now no longer the afliduous
lover, but the man of firm honour and
inviolable integrity, incapable of betray-
ing unfufpicious innocence, or of fedu-
cing a young lady from the duty which
fhe owed to the protecting kindnefs of
a venerable relation. Lady Arabella
unwarily acknowledged, that her aunt
was inclined to fufpect a mercenary mo-
tive for his addrefles, and this drew from
him an exordium on the purity and dif-
intereftednefs of his attachment, with a
declaration, that though it would glow
in his bread with unabated fervour, yet
he had rather perifli the untimely victim
of
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
6f defpair, than juftify lady Madelina's
fentiments by a departure from that
flridl honour which had ever been the
ruling principle of - his life. "No!
Cf lady Arabella/' continued he, while
the aftonifhed lady was incapable of in-
terrupting him, " the enlightened mind
<e needs no other incentive than confcious
" rectitude to enable it always to aft as
ff it ought. I can fupport penury, exile,
<c or even the lofs of you ; but I cannot
" fupport difgrace. Lady Madelina has
" injured me by her unjuft fufpicions.
" She has cruelly ftriven to infufe her
" own narrow prejudices into a mind
" which I hoped was incapable of an
" illiberal doubt. How can I be fure
" that ihe has not fucceeded ? Your
" eyes, your manner, evince lefs confi-
" dence than they were wont : and my
" alarmed heart anticipates the gloomy
" period, when referve and fufpicion
p 6 fhall
IO8 A TALE OF THfc TIMES.
" (hall chill the fentiments of pure, in-
(( genuous, difinterefted love. Sooner
cl than fuch mifchiefs (hall fall upon me>
cc I will refign you, madam, and even
" at this moment tear tnyfelf from you
" for ever."
Cf I cannot fee for what reafon," re-
turned the lady, whom this vehement
oratory had driven from her ufual re-
fource of playing with her fan or ad-
jufting her drefs ; " I declare, Mr. Fitz-
'< ofborne, I can't bear to hear you talk
cf fo. ?> If the declamation of the gentle-
laian was pathetic, the filence of the lady
was no lefs fo; for it proceeded from a
flood of tears.
After a few forced compliments to
this trail of feeling, Edward refumed
the difcourfe on the fubject of the claims
of duty, which were, he faid, often in-
compatible with thofe of the heart. In
the conclufion he feemed a little foftened
on
A TALE OF THE TIMES. IOCJ
on the harm fubje& of eternal fepara-
tion : but then lady Madelina muft
come forward, unfay her former cruel
afperfions, and with her own hand lead
her niece to the altar.
Reveal then, ye immortal Mufes !
who infpire great defigns, what means
achieved the glorious tafk of fubjugating
lady Madelina's narrow fufpicions, and
reftoring to her mind the beautiful fim-
plicity of nature. Neither the refplen-
dent character nor the exalted birth of
a Fitzofborne could have gained the
arduous victory, if powers fupernal had
not intervened. Firil, Venus, queen
of gentle devices ! taught her prototype,
lady Arabella, the ufe of feigned fighs,
artificial tears, and ftudied faintings:
while Efculapius defcended from Olym-
pus, and, afluming the form of a fmart
phyfician, flepped ouc of an elegant
chariot, and on viewing the patient,
13 after
IIO A TALE OF THE TIMES.
after three fagacious nods, whifpered to
the trembling aunt, that the young
lady's diforder, being purely mental,
was beyond the power of the healing
art. Reduced to the dire alternative
of refigning the fair fufferer to a huiband
or to the grave, the relenting lady Ma-
delina did not long hefitate. The re-
fentment of injured honour was appeafed
by exprefiions which more nearly re-
fembled conceflions than any that her
ladyfhip had ever uttered ; and Arabella
foon appeared again in public with* very
little diminution of her charms, notwith-
{landing her late alarming illnefs.
It muft now be obferved, that Mr.
Fitzofborne was entirely paflive through
the whole of this affair. Young ladies
are apt to miftake general politenefs for
ilgnificant attentions, and gentlemen are
not blamable for the tinder-like fufcep-
ribility of their hearts. As foon as
lady
A TALE OF THE TIMES. Ill
lady Arabella's preference was vifible,
he became more referved in his conduct,
as all his friends could witnefs. Nay,
he had even gone fo far as to recall to
her mind thofe principles of action,
which he gloried in avowing to be the
acknowledged energies of his foul. Her
unhappy predilection filenced his ob-
fervations. What then ! could he be
blamed, or ought he to have fupprefled
that flow of liberal benevolence which
a full heart prompted him to pour forth,
and which undoubtedly captivated the
amiable fair one ? Recolleding the
motives which an illiberal world might
affign to his behaviour, he believed he
ought to have done fo, but it was now
too late. The public knew the reft.
He trufted that the lady had fufficiently
confulted her own happinefs to fludy the
peculiarities of his character. It was
above difguife and abhorrent of re-
ftriction.
112 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
ftri&ion. If fhe had been miftaken,
be deplored the confequences. But as
the ftrong charafteriftics of nature were
engraven on his mind with indelible
force, he could not be expe&ed to
change.
The claflical embellifhments of the
heroic ages gave infinite advantages to
defcriptive narrations, to which the
cold copyift of modern manners can
never afpire. How animating is the
perfonification of winged loves, and
choral graces, white -armed nymphs
flrewing flowers, and fportive fawns
chanting an epithalamium, Juno on
her radiant car, and Hymen in his
faffron mantle ! What can the brightefl
imagination do with fuch uncouth figures
as lawyers in tie-wigs, with their green
bags and parchments, or even a little
painted French milliner w^th her band-
box ? The Britifh like the Grecian
bride
A TALE OF THE TIMES. I 13
bride offers facrifkes, but not to the
deities of Complacence and nuptial Har-
mony Her devoirs are too frequently
directed to the fhrines of Fafhion
and Vanity 3 and the merits of the
villa, the town-houfe, the jewels and
the nuptial paraphernalia are difcufled
with all imaginable fcrupulofity, while
the lover's character is overlooked.
He on the other hand is too bufy in
balancing the chances of the lady's for*
tune againft her father's demand of fet-
tlement, and the poffibility of privately
clearing off his mofl preffing incum-
brances, to confider his deftined wife
in any other light than as a neceflary
appendage, which entitles him to take
pofTefllon.
Every fcheme preparatory to lady
Arabella's intended nuptials was con-
ducted with the greateft decorum. Lady
Madelina herfelf undertook the bufmefs
of
114 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
of directing the fettlements ; and Mr.
Fitzofborne, contenting himfelf with
the power of putting a negative upon her
determinations 1 (hould the terms be un-
reafonable, mowed little of the alacrity
and rapture which a deflined bridegroom
is expecled to aflfume. Various delays
arofe to retard the concluding ceremony s
and the good-natured world began to
doubt, whether the gentleman was moft
unwilling to part with his liberty, or
lady Madelina with her fortune.
Lady Arabella enjoyed, in its fulled
extent, the confequence which her pre-
fent fltuation gave her. Some mornings
me went a mopping to cheap ware*
houfes; at others (he was waited upon
by different tradefmen at home : me
ordered and counter-ordered -, bought
and returned -, thought this monftrous
pretty, and that monftrous frightful -,
gave as much trouble as her rank would
poilibly
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 115
poffibly enable her to impofe, and then
complained of the impertinence and
impofition of trades-people.
During one of the delays, which, as
I have already obferved, retarded the
lighting of the Hymeneal torch, lady
Arabella recollected, that her conqueft
over fcience, philofophy, and genius,
was infinitely more arduous than Geral-
dine's eafy fafcination of fuch a thought-
lefs random youth as her brother. It
next occurred to her, that me mould
prodigioufly like to mortify her filler's
pretended fuperiority in fenfe and
talents, by exhibiting a Fitzofborne in
her chains. The thought of an cxcur-
fion to Scotland as foon as fhe was mar-
ried, mud be attended with many in-
conveniencies; and, what was ftill more
repugnant to her feelings, with fihe re-
nunciation of much eclat and fplendor.
Befide, it was mod defirable that the
exhi-
i\6 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
exhibition fhould be made while (he was.
inverted with full plenitude of power.
An exprefs was, therefore, difpatched
to Scotland to requeft, that a brother's
hand would confign her's to a hufband
every way worthy of his alliance. The
letter concluded with an acknowledg-
ment of tender trepidations, which no-
thing but the prefence of her Geraldine
could allay. Lady Madelina's increaf-
ing infirmities rendered her unfit to be
the depofitory of her forrows ; and her
dear lady Fitzofborne, her only friend.,
was infinitely too much in the interefts
of her happy brother, as me fly led him,
to treat her apprehenfivc heart with
fufficient delicacy.
The Monteiths readily complied
with a fummons which indicated a per-
fecl: renewal of domeftic harmony.
Though the yellow teint of early
autumn had juft diffufed a more pic-
turefque
A TALE OF THE TIMES. llj
turefque appearance over the romantic
banks of Loch Lomond, and announced
the joyous feafon of the ff hound and
horn," a dangerous fall from his horfe
had given the earl a tranfient difguft to
field fports : and though the blooming
countefs was by no means weary of her
rural enjoyments and occupations, Ihe
was too young, and too lovely, to rejecl
an invitation to partake of the elegant
varieties which London afforded. She
intended to act in this, as me had done
at her preceding vifits -, to tafte the
Circean cup with moderation, and then
to retire with dignity from the fafcinat-
ing banquet. But there are periods,
when, if left to its own (lability, the
firmed foot would fail; and the beft
regulated mind, deprived of fuperior
guidance, may often deplore its own
depravity.
IlS A TALE OF THE TIMES.,
CHAP. XXIV.
He reads much,
He is a great obferver, and he looks
Qinte through the deeds of men.
SHAKESPEARE.
LADY ARABELLA prepared her lover
for the arrival of the expeded Grangers.
" I would not fay fo to other people/'
faid fhe, " becaufe one ought to Ihow
cc refpeft to one's relations. But to be
fure the Monteitbs-are the very odd-
" eft creatures in the world. My bro^
< c ther is well enough for one of your
" fox-hunters, as they call them ; but
<c the lady, O ! fhe is fo fine and fo fen-
u fible, and fo cautious, and fo 1
<c don't know how vaftly difagreeable ;
<c I afTure you, you will be highly di-
" verted with her : pray obferve her,
<c and tell me all you think of her ; for
" I Ihall not take any thing ill that you
fay.,
A TALE OF THE TIMES. Il<)
** fay. She is prodigioufly wife, you
" muft know. I hate wife people, at
<f lead fuch wife people as me is. Play
cc her off; I iriall be vaftly entertained/'
Developing chara&ers was Mr. Fitz-
ofborne's favourite amufement ; and it
was one of his topics of complaint, that
he had never fince his return to England
met with any perfon that was worth flu-
dying. But after he had fcen the Mon-
teiths, he did not repeat that opinion.
The interefting beauty of the countefs,
her apparent happinefs, and vifible in-
fluence over her lord's affe&ions, which
even his carelefs manners could not dif-
guife, excited in the philofophic mind
of Fitzolborne nearly the fame emotions
as thofe which the arch Apoftate felt on
viewing Adam and Eve in Paradife:
aricl, like him,
" Afide he turn'd
" For envy ; yet with jealous leer malign
!' Ey'd them afcance.'!
In
I2O A TALE OF THE TIMES.
In one particular the refemblance was
certainly incomplete. The fuperior in-
telligence of the fallen angel knew, that
the happinefs which he intended to
deftroy was real. Habitually fceptical,
Fitzofborne doubted. He watched the
varying turns of Geraldine's animated
countenance, analyzed her manner and
her exprefiions with the hope of difco-
vering fomething to convince him that
fhe was only a polifhed difTembler. For
it was utterly repugnant to all his re-
ceived ideas, that affection could really
fubfift between perfons of difcordant
habits, or that principle could fupply the
place of attachment, and give equal
uniformity to the conduct.
The joyous occafion which had fum-
moned him to town- gave lord Monteith
a prodigious flow of fpirits; and he
certainly always appeared to leafl ad-
vantage when molt inclined to take the
lead
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 121
lead in converfation. When he was
difpofed to talk, he never confidered
how far the indulgence of his own hu-
mour was agreeable to the company.
His difcourfe could only be interefting
to himfelf and lady Madelina; for it
related to his own caftle ; how much he
and Geraidine had improved it - 9 how-
popular they were among their neigh-
bours ; and how they fpent their time.
He faid many ridiculous things, and
uttered many expreflions indicative o
good nature and benevolence , yet,
though he certainly did not intend it,
'retirement had transformed the gallant
Monteith ; and his wife and his little girls
were dill the heroines of his tale. Mean-
time the countefg appeared to be engaged
by lady Arabella's frivolity. Her eye
indeed frequently reverted to her lord.
But whether her attention proceeded
VOL, II, * G
122 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
from anxiety or affedion even Fitzof-
borne could not difcover.
His lordfhip at length grew tired;
his lifter had exhaufted her hyperbolical
rapture at this happy interview ; and the
converfation changing to places of pub-
lic amufement allowed fome opening to
the countefs. The opera was mentioned.
Lady Arabella declared, that the new
grand ballet was fo charming, that it
abfolutely threw her into hyfterics. (f I
cc proteft," continued me, cc I don't
cc think I (hall dare to go again, for
" it makes me downright nervous the
" next day."
" I congratulate you," faid lady Mon-
teith, ' m " on the acquifition of a new
" pleafure. You had ufed to profefs
" yourfelf an enemy to mufic."
"O! I hate it flill in a room, or
M where ; there is but one performer.
"But
A TALE OF THE T1MSS. 1 2J
cc But the opera is fo different. There
" the lights, and the company, and the
cc fcenes, and the drefTes, do fo increafe
f c the effect ! And the dances are fo fine,
cc and every body is fo overcome, and
<f one feels fo fafcinated !"
" The mufic I have been lately ac-
<c cuftomed to," refumed Geraldine,
<c is in a very different ftyle. An old
" Highlander playing upon his bagpipe,
cc and the voices of two or three Scotch
<c girls chaunting one of their fimple
" ditties, which reverberates among our
<f rocks, convey to me a more perfect
" idea of the powers of melody, than the
" fcenes you defcribe. And though I
* c hope frequently to vifit the opera
" while. in London, I much doubt whe-
cc ther my fenfibility can be fo ftrongly
Cf affected there as it has frequently been
cc during my evening rambles about
" James-town."
c 2 "I hope,
124 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
" I hope, madam/* faid lady Made-
Una, cc that your ladyfliip never walks
" beyond the limits of your own park."
<c James-town is but a little way from
* e the caftle," replied the countefs, not
immediately entering into the force of
this obfervation -, " I go there mod days,
" and the walk is much pleafanter than
' the drive."
<c It is very right, jriece," obferved
lady Madelina," in a tone of ftridler
authority, " that you fhould affift your
< dependants ; but you fhould do it like
" a gentlewoman ; and too frequent ih-
ce tercourfe breeds familiarity and con-
c tempt."
c< I have fortunately not found fami-
" liarity and contempt fynonimous,"
refumed lady Monteith, who, though
generally filently acquiefcent, feemed on
the prefent occafion difpofed to defend
her own conduct, " I appear to my
" colony
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
colony in one uniform character ; and
<c however frequent my vifus, or ii>
" whatever flyle I make them, a friend
" is not unwelcome, and a benefactrefs
cc need not fear contempt. Continual
<? intercourfe creates a mutual* interefK
<c I thoroughly enter into their characters.
cc Befide, I acquire much knowledge in
" various particulars, which thofe who
" are not perfonally acquainted withv
cc humble life can never accurately pof-
" And of what ufe is that knowledge ?'*
inquired lady Madelina.
* c It may be applied to various pur-
<c pofes. It teaches me the value of
" time. Becaufe while we are ftudying
" amufements to get rid of what we feel
" to be an incumbrance, the poverty of
<c the labourer makes him confcious of
<c its importance. He knows that he
<c cannot wade an hour without finding
G 3 a his
Il6 A TALE OF TH TIMES.
* his daily food abridged. And when
" I fee the ceconomical contrivances
" which neccflity teaches, the humble
" comforts which fland inftead of lux-
<f uries, and the cheerful patience with
cf which real inconveniencies are borne
<f by thofe who know no happier lot, I
cf cannot (at lead immediately) become
cc "faftidious and extravagant."
" The unfortunate fenfibility of my
" temper/' faid lady Arabella, cc would
" never permit me to frequent fuch
" places. You certainly muft have very
" ftrong nerves, fifter. I proteft, when
<f J have feen feveral little dirty, (larved,
* f naked children, peeping out of thofe
" fmoky hovels which ftand by the road
* f fide, I have often thought that ic
( ' would be great mercy to flioot them,
<f as one does worn-out hoffes."
<f To moot them !" exclaimed mod
of the company. J
Yes r
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 1 27
Cf Yes !" rcfumed lady Arabella ; cf for
cc only think what a miferable life theirs
" mutt be."
<f Did you never fee any of thefe poor
" little creatures merry ?" inquired the
countefs,
* " O yes ! the little favages grinned
" fometimes, and jumped about like
" monkies ; and with juft as much
" fenfe ; for if they thought at all, they
" muft be miferable."
Geraldine recollected the fentiment,
that cc where ignorance is blifs/' it is
both cruel and foolifh to impart a kno\v-
ledge which difcovers wretchednefs. But
while fhe was confidering how befc to
point out thofe comforts which opulence
and intelligence might impart to the
poor, withput creating defires unfuitabie
to their ftations, her reflections were
interrupted by an harangue from Fitz-
ofborne,
04 " Nature.,
128 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
cf Nature, madam/' faid he, addrefT-
ing himfelf to lady Arabella, <c is not
" a niggard ; though the imbecility of
" political inftitutions and the corrupt
* c ftate of fociety frequently confine her
" beneficent views. Thefe' infant fa vages
<c enjoy bleffings to which perhaps their
" oppreflbrs are flrangers, Health,
<e natural liberty, exemption from care,
" and a happy ignorance of all the re-
" ftraints which cuflom impofes, and all
Cf the falfe indulgencies which affluence
<f requires. Their manners are unde-
" praved, their inclinations unfophifti-
ic cated. I fhould think thefe obfcure
< cots the chofen abodes of innocence
" and virtue."
" That is rather too liberal a con-
"jecture," returned lady Monteith,
beaming upon the fuppofed champion
of the equal dealings of Providence a
complacent fmile. J My long refidence
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 129
in retirement allows me pofitively to
cc contradict the popular notion, that
" the country is the feat of Arcadian
" happinefs and purity, though much
" may be done to ameliorate the con-
Cf dition of the lower clafies of fociety s
" and I am convinced, that refiding
cc among them is one of the moft pro-
ce bable means of effecting that import-
" ant defign,"
" I perfectly agree with your lady-
cc fhip's fentiments, particularly when
" the poor, like the fortunate vaflals of
" Monteith, may contemplate exalted
* f rank without fear of imbibing exotic
" vices." The countefs blumed, and
bowed at this compliment, without re-
collecting, that it might be intended for
her lord. Fitzofborne watched the fud-
den emotionr "Can vanity," faid he
to himfelf, cc be the ruling foible ? If
G 5 " it
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
" it be, the fmothered flame (hall
" blaze,*'
Lord Monteith now took part in the
converfation. <f I hope, Sir, you mean
Cf to put your own principles in pra&ice,
" and that we fhall be very good friends
" when you come to refide at Kinloch
<* Caftle. It is within eighty miles of
" us, and we may frequently join in
c parties upon the lakes and the moors.
" I was there once. I thought it a hor-
cc rid place with its canopied date beds,
" and worm-eaten tapeftry ; but you
" will give it a more agreeable air when
" you live there."
cf Live there !" fhrieked lady Ara-
bella.^ What ! live at Kinloch Caftle ?
" What a barbarous idea ! M
cc O you are thinking of times of old,
" poor Bella. Yes ! they were barba-
<( rous, I'll- grant. But it will be very
" difFerenc
A TALE OF THE TIMES. IJt
Cf different when you fhall be living
cf there with a good hufband, from what
<c it was when you wanted to fet off from,
" it in fearch of one. Poor Bella ! I
" remember your peeping through the
" painted glafs between the huge ftone
" window-frames, and wondering, whe-
" ther the object that looked black
" at a great diftance was a cow or a
"gentleman. Poor Bella! If you are
cc any thing of a knight- errant, Fitzof-
c< borne, you would have liked to have
" feen her fhut up in that caftle, like an
cc enchanted lady, waiting for fome gal-
fc lant Longfword to fet her at liberty.
"But I fuppofe Longfword was be-
" nighted, or fet upon by Saracens, for
" he never found his way to the caftle-
Did he, Bella ?"
My lord had now recovered the con-
verfation; and no common effort could
get it out of his hands, till lady Arabella-
G 6 very
132 A TALE 0$ THE TIMES,
very gravely told him, that his raillery
ivas mifplaced. His lordihip then, ftart-
ing up, gave his fitter a good-humoured
Mis, declared that he did not mean to
difpleafe her> promifed to fay no more
about the caftle that nobody could get
out of, or the knight that never could get
in ; and whifpering he/, that he then
thought her the prettied prifoner he ever
faw in his life, he fummoned the countefs
and hurried her back to Portland-place.
Lady Arabella fcarcely waited till
they were out of fight, to afk if they
were not ftrange creatures.
" The countefs," faid Fitzolborne,
" is mod amazingly beautiful."
" She muft be very much improved
* c then," returned lady Arabella j " for
" it ufed to be doubted where me was
" even pretty. But I believe gentlemen
cc who have lived much abroad have a
"Jingular tafte in beauty."
13 There
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
cc There are fome forms," faid Fitz-
ofborne, bowing with a fignificant air,
ff which would be efteemed lovely in
ts every region. Lady Monteith's chief
<c beauty is the fparkling intelligence of
" her countenance ; for certainly her
<c features are not regular."
" No/' rejoined her ladyftiip a little
appeafed, " her features are not regular;
" and fome people will call that intelli-
" gence in her countenance conceit."
" Is fhe counted vain ?"
<c InfufFerably fo. It is her ruling
" foible. Every body who is acquainted
tc with her knows it. I wonder you did
<c not difcover it."
Fitzofborne promifed to confider her
character with deeper attention at the
next opportunity. " If vanity," faid he
to himfelf, " be indeed her predominant
" fault, it is impoffible that her apparent
41 happinefs can be fincere. The vanity
"of
A TALE OF THE TIMES-.
" of a fuperior mind is not gratified by
cc common incenfe j and Monteith feems
" too thoughtlefs to difcern-her peculiar
cc excellencies, and too felf-engrofTcd to
" give them their appropriate praife. I
% " fufpect that his perfonal advantages
" attra&ed her inexperience, and that
"her judgment now fecretly reprobates
c< the premature choice."
Lord Monteith's opinion of the in-
tended difpofal of his fitter was, that it
was a very well-fchemed thing. " She
" was juft a fit match/' faid he, " for a
" younger brother. Fitzolborne feems:
cf to have a great deal of fenfe, and we
" all know that Arabella is not one of
king Solomon's family. She will,
" perhaps, prove a little refractory at
firft -, but he will conduct himfelf
" cleverly, and foon convince her that
cc the hufband is the fuperior character.
<c You think fo, Ger.aldine, don't you ?"
w O, un.-
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
" O, undoubtedly !" But, with what-
ever certainty the countefs could fpeak
of her own fituation, (he felt extremely
doubtful as to the happy iflue of lady
Arabelfa's profpedls. In fpite of the
referve of her lover's character, their
diflimilarity was evident. She was tri-
fling, fuperficial, felfifh, and unguarded :
with refpecl: to Fitzofborne, (whenever
the thick veil with which he chofe to
obfcure himfelf admitted a eafual dif-
covery, fuperior intelligence and libe-
rality of fentiment were apparent. " I
" know," faid Geraldine to herfelf,
<c that Arabella's temper is impetuous,
cc her prejudices are rooted, and her
cc views of connubial happinefs are too
" fuperfkial to make her even wilh to
" affimilate her tafte to that of her huf*
" band's, or to afUgn any merit to com-
" placent acquiefcence. His enlarged
" underftanding muft difcover her fool-
136 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
<c ilh pertinacity ; and the generous feel-
<c ing that always accompanies a liberal
fc mind will be perpetually wounded by
" the contracted ideas of a felfifh heart.
" Her ridiculous opinion of the conftant
<c incenfe which beauty demands pre-
f eludes all hope of her improvement.
cc She will be continually requiring a
<c flatterer, and he a companion. I am
" certain, that even now he flrongly
" feels the difproportion of their minds.
" What harlh expreflions did he utter
" againft the oppreffors of the poor.
cc They were, doubtlefs, pointed at her
Cf extravagant notions, which feemed to
" degrade them from the rank of ra
<c tional creatures. Indeed, though his
<c mercenary defign fomewhat debafes
cc his character, I pity Mr, Fitzofborne.
" He appears to be well worthy of a
" happier fate."
The
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
The chain of her reflexions was here
broken by his lordfhip's obferving, that
fhe was as dull and as bad company as
his future brother-in-law.
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
CHAP. XXV.
Galm thinking villains, whom no faith can fix,
Of crooked councils and dark politics.
POPE.
FITZOSBORNE called to return the
honour of lord Monteith's vifit juft at
the time when his lordfhip was gone out
on fome important bufinefs. This en-
gagement had been difcufled the pre-
ceding evening, but philofophers are
very apt to be abfent. He inquired if
the countefs was at home, and on fend-
ing in his name he was admitted. There
could be no impropriety in receiving a
vifit from a gentleman who was foon to
become a relation ; and, Geraldine had
been fufficiently interefted by his ap-
pearance to be anxious to know if the
eftimate that fhe had formed of his
character was juft.
Previous
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
Previous to his arrival, .(he had been
amufing herfelf with a harp which had
lain filent for fome years. It had been
new fining by an eminent hand, and
was become capable of producing the
mod ravifhing harmony. Fitzoiborne
was an idolater of mufic. The fkill of
the countefs was too well known to
admit of difqualifying fpeeches. She
readily complied with his requeft to ex-
hibit the powers of her inftrument, and
after a graceful prelude accompanied it
with her voice in the following fonnet :
SONNET TO MAY.
Come May, the empire of the earth aflame,
Be crown'd with flowers as univerfal queen ;
Take from freih budded groves their tender
green,
Befpangled with Pomona's richeft bloom,
And form thy vefture. Let the fun illume
The dew- drops glittering in the blue ferene,
And let them hang, like orient pearls, between
Thy locks befprent with Flora's beft perfume.
Attend
I4O A TALE OF THE TIMES,
-Attend your fovereign's fteps, ye balmy gales !
O'er her ambrofial floods of fragrance pour ;
Let livelier verdure animate the vales,
And brighter hues embellifh every flower ;
And hark, the concert of the woodland hails,
All gracious May! thy prefence,and thy power.
She enforced the laft line with the whole
compafs of her melodious voice. The
apartment reverberated with the magic
founds. She paufed. Fitzofbofne feem-
ed loft in fpeechlefs ecftafy. He raifed
his eyes, fufFufed with tears, and they
met thofe of the countefs. He retired
to the window to recover from his emo-
tion, while fhe formed the ineffectual
ivifh, that Arabella had poffeffed a mind
capable of eftimating and rewarding fuch
refined fenfibility.
It was fome moments before Fitz-
ofborne was able to renew the conver-
fation. At length he hefitatingly arti-
culated, <c You devote many hours
" every day to this charming fcience ?"
" No,.
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
" No, indeed ! I very feldom play,
** unlefs to perfect myfelf in a new tune,
" or to amufe lord Monteith."
cc Is lord Monteith fond of mufic ?"
cc Paffionately fo."
I did not fufpcft it. Of what
kind?"
"Every kind: from the loftieft
" compofitions of Handel to the fim-
<c pleft drains of rullic harmony. But
" I prefume, fir, your tafte is more dif-
cc criminating ; and being formed upon
<f the refined Italian model, it requires
" artful combination and flriking con-
traft/'
"It requires, madam, fuch an exalted
ct gratification as it has juft enjoyed."
He then rofe, as if intending to take
leave, when a miniature of Lucy Evans,
which hung over the chimney glafs, ap-
peared firft to attraft his eye 3 and he
exclaimed,
142 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
exclaimed, cc You paint, I know ; do
" you take likenefTes ?"
" Very bad ones/' faid the countefs,
handing to him the picture. <c And
cc when you view that juvenile perform-
cc ance with attention, you will fay fo.
" But it is highly valuable to me, fince
" it gives me a faint refemblance of a
" very eftimable friend."
<c I knew," faid Fitzofborne, fixing
his eyes upon her with a moft penetrat-
ing glance, " that your foul was realljr
" formed for friendlhip. I am a phy~
" fiognomifl, madam."
<f I do not fufpedt you of magical
" fl^ill," replied Geraldine laughing,
c< for I am very much inclined to con-
" trovert your opinion. I never had
" but one intimate friendfhip ; and I
" meet with my Lucy too feldom, and
" our epiftolary communications are too
<: limited, to admit of our attachment
"im-
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
tc imprinting any ftrong lines upon my
cc countenance ; even allowing what I
" am not inclined to admit, that mental
" habits imprefs indelible marks upon
" the mufcular organs."
" I muft enter upon a defence of my
" art, madam ; and if I am betrayed
<e into any improprieties, remember
" yourfelf only can be to blame. You
" have long been attached to this lady,
" and me is fenfible, animated, and pe-
" netrating."
" If you go on with fuch fortunate
" guefles, I fhall begin to retract, and
" believe you pofTeffed of the power of
cc divination."
" I only wifh to convince you, that
" a conftant perfeverance in one train
ce of thought muft give a correct habit
" to the mind, and diffufe a ferene
" dignity over the countenance. And
" certainly the collifion of two ingenuous
minds
144 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
cc minds will brighten the qualities of
" each. The foul ever feeks its coun-
<f terpart, and tries to afiimilate itfelf to
<( what it admires. Your correfpondence
" with a perfon fuch as you allow this
cc lady to be, accounts for the fparkling
cc intelligence of your manner, and all
cf the lively emanations of your fafcinat-
cc ing wit."
The countefs replied with a blufhing
finite, Cf I believe you are labouring
" under a little illufion. You certainly
" miftake me for lady Arabella ; or are
" you fo accuftomed to compliment,
f that you involuntarily adopt that (train
<f to every body ?"
<c You may miftake my "character,
madam/' faid Fitzofborne ; <c but it
" is impoflible that I can fuppofe you
cc are la,dy Arabella." A' deep figh
efcaped at thofe words. He hefitated,
and then proceeded : " I can, however,
<c entreat
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 145
u entreat your pardon with a better
c grace, as I did not feek an opportu-
cc nicy of exprefilng the fentiments
c which I flrongly feel. If there be
<c any indecorum in admiring you and
u requefting your friendlhip, recollect,
" madam, I fhare that guilt with the
" original of this charming portrait."
The countefs immediately replied :
cc Every branch of lord Montcith's
<f family has indubitable claims on my
" attention. Give me leave to afTure
<c you, that his lordfhip regards you
cc with the fincereft efteem, and that he
cc is impatient for an event to take place
<c which will cement his friendmip by
" the bond of alliance."
" If it be in my power to make lady
<c Arabellahappy >"faidFitzofborne,
fixing his eyes upon the ground, and
feeming to plunge into a gloomy chaos
of doubt > <c but I will hope for the beft.
VOL. n. H "We
146 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
" We know, that < whatever is is right.*
cc As the world is now conftituted, events
<c are not in our own hands." He then
rofe, and took leave with a more pro-
found figh than any he had before ut-
tered. " Poor man !" ejaculated lady
Monteith, " his feelings are too acute
" for happinefs. He will become a
cc prey to the moft morbid melancholy,
cc and his inattentive wife will confider
cc his dejection as a fufficient excufe for
" her difllpation. I fee he is forced
"' into this fatal connexion by his friends.
" Why does he not exert the natural in-
" Dependence of his energetic character,
" and contemn the mercenary bond ?
" How happy would he be with fuch a
" partner as my Lucy !"
Could lady Monteith have penetrated
the dark difguifes of premeditating
villany, how different would have been
the conclufion of her mental foliloquy !
15 She
A TALE OF THE TIMES. '147
She would as foon have pointed out an
alliance between the meek dignified
Octavia, and the infidious, cruel, im-
penetrable Tiberius. And now let me
for a few moments exercife that digref-
five privilege which I have claimed for
moral purpofes.
I would afk the accurate judges of
mankind, what finking traits of fuperior
eminence are yet vifible in Fitzofborne's
conduct ? what generous fentiment
falling fpontaneoufly from the tongue ?
what artlefs difcovery of the genuine
emotions of an upright worthy heart ?
Are they charmed with the morals of a
man, whofe ambiguous expreflions can
only be interpreted by fuppofmg that he
fecretly defpifes the woman whom he
avowedly purfues ? Contempt for fuch
mercenary treachery mud be the natural
fentiment in unfophifticated minds -> and
contempt mud rife into abhorrence in
H 2 every
148 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
every breafl that is uncorrupted by the
laxity of modern principles, if they fup-
pofe that his ardent commendations of a
married lady were intended to convey
to her heart the audacious idea, that
they proceeded from the warm emotions
of preference.
The rnind of Geraldine was unfophif-
ticated and incorrupt. She faw his re-
luctance to his intended marriage, and
interpreted his praifes as he defign-
cd me mould. Yet neither contempt
nor abhorrence arofe in her bread. On
the contrary, though (leadily determined
* to prevent any infinuation to lady Ara-
bella's difad vantage, and to reprefs every
cxpreilion inconfiftent with the pure
dignity of a matron, (he felt for the
wiley Fitzofbo.rne a mixture of pity and
cfteem.
O Flattery!
HOW foon thy foft infmuating oil
Supples the fcugheil fouls 1
What
A TALE OF THE TIMES, 149
What better method can I adopt to
convince the younger part of my
readers of the necefllty of Shutting their
ears to the fyren fong, than placing the
example of lady Monteith full in their
view ? Adorned with every natural
and acquired accomplishment; " chafte
as the ificle on Dian's temple $" attached
to her hufband.j the fondeft of mothers;
domeftic, prudent, and religious. What
profanation even- to Juffofe fuch con~
fummate excellence open to an illicit
attack ! Yet Fitzofborne, deeply verfed
in the fcience of human frailty, no fooner
perceived that her vanity liftened to his
blandimments, than he not only de-
termined to a/fail her principles, but
felt a firm conviction that his enterprize
would Jucceed.
Her delicacy required, and his dupli-
city meditated, a covert afTault. He
perceived on recollection, that he had
H 3 been
I5O A TALE OF THE TIMES.
been too unguarded in the preceding
converfation, and he refolved to follow
the path which fhe had pointed out, by
affecting great refpecl: for lady Arabella,
and cultivating the friendfhip of lord
Monteith. He defpifed his lordfoip's
abilities too much to fear that his obferv-
ation would be any impediment to his
views; and his own alTumption of the
title of a hufband would only give an
unprincipled feducer more unfufpe&ed
opportunities of forwarding his infidious
defigns. ;
His vifits were now generally made
when he knew that lord Monteith was
at home ; and if his lordfhip was abroad,
he only left a card for the countefs. His
behaviour to' her, when they met in
company, was pointedly refpectful and
referved. But care was always taken to
fhow that fuch referve was the effecT: of
painful effort. By ftudioufly avoiding
every
A TALE OF THE TIMES. l$l
every opportunity of engaging her in
eonverfation, and by a marked neglect
of thofe offices of general civility which
the laws of politenefs prefcribed, he ap-
peared fearful of trufting to the fufcepti-
bility of his own heart. He feemed
only anxious to guard his mind from
the intrufion of every image inconfiftent
with his fidelity to lady Arabella. His
eyes were fixed upon her, as if he hoped
to difcover fomething worthy of his
attention. Sometimes, indeed, they
wandered to lady Monteith ; but if fhe
obferved him, they were inftantly with-
drawn, with an expreflion of regret for
the involuntary dereliction.
His aim was to exhibit a fuperior
mind, inflexible in principle, but ten-
derly fufceptible, maintaining a fevere
ilruggle, and determined to be victo-
rious. Lady Monteith was fo far the dupe
of his artifices, as to view his conduct
H 4 in
152 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
in the light that he defired. But (he
alfo drew from it a confequence which
he did not intend. She fancied his ap-
parent efforts were fuccefsful, and fhe
now only regretted, that Arabella wanted
both the inclination and the capacity to
improve her delicate fituation to her
own advantage.
It has been obferved, that the feducer
feveral times conquers his unwarrantable-
defires in the courfe of his guilty pur-
fuit. Compelled to adopt difguifes, to
confult opportunities, to avoid prema-
ture difcoveries, the pain of repeated re-
ftriftions, impofed for the purpofes
of vice, is greater than would attend
the virtuous refolution of abandoning
the infidious project. This obfervation
was eminently juft in the inftance of
Fitzofborne. His foul was not whirled
along by the temped of paflion. Beauty
did not excite violent emotion. Senfe
and
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 153
and fweetnefs carried with them no ir-
refiftible charm. His frigid heart was
too cold and felfifh to prompt his dia-
bolical invention, or to extenuate his
crimes. His vices were fyftematic, the
refult of defign, guided by method,
fanclioned by fophiftry, and originating
from the covert war which he waged,
not merely againft the chaftity, but alfo
againft the principles of his victims :
not folely againft their reputation, their
peace of mind, and their temporal pn>-
ipedls, but againft their notions of recti-
tude and religion, againft thofe immortal
hopes which fuftain the afflicted and
footh the corroding pangs of repentant
guilt;
To lady Arabella, unconfcious of his
defigns, Frtzolborne's increafed atten-
tions gave a livelier pleafure, from the
idea that he intended by that means to
H 5 con
154 A ^ ALE F THE TIME?;
convey a marked contempt of the
countefs. Her elation would have been
more complete, if he would have cor-
dially joined in thofe remarks on the
perfon and behaviour of Geraldine
which fupplied lady Madelina's domeflie
party with an agreeable topic for con-
yerfation. She recollected, however,
with fatisfadlion, that if he did not join
in thefe cenfures, he did not contradict
them, and the extenuating apologies
which he fometimes urged might rather
be termed an attempt to " damn with
faint praife," than a friendly defence. She
was confirmed in her opinion, that her
admirer fecretly defpifed lady Monteith's
pretenfions to mental fuperiority, by ob-
ferving, that her bons mots and remarks
patted equally unregarded, while her
own were fure of having in him one at-
tentive liftener. Lady Arabella's views
of
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 155
of life were neither very accurate nor
extenfive. Yet fhe had fome fufpicion
that the connubial bond operated as a
powerful foporific upon the deference,
obfervance, and tendernefs, which lovers
fometimes, even in this refined age,,
think proper to afiume. Her dear vif-
countefs had allured her, that if Ed-
ward's behaviour as a huiband equalled
his attentions as an admirer, they would
certainly be pointed at as an exemplary
couple ; for that at prefent all the world
knew him by the title of lady Arabella
Macdonald's flave. No one more
ftrongly felt thofe paffions which Pope
affirms to be the predominate features in
the mind of women, " the love of
pleafure" and " the love of fway," than
her ladyfhip. But fince it was at leaft
doubtful, whether fhe could continue
to be cc queen for life," fhe was defirous
to protract the period which acknow-
H 6 iedged
156 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
ledged her right of government ; and,
as the gentleman, was not very urgent
for an early day, the lady's fenfibility
was not hurt by repeated denials.
Another unexpected caufe of delay at
this time intervened. Lady Madelina
had often declared, that as foon as (he
had fettled her dear niece to her fatif-
faction, (he mould have entirely done
with a world of which fhe repeatedly
aflured her friends (he was quite weary.
Twenty years before, on her firft mar-
riage with her ever-lamented fir Simon
Frazer, (lie had ufed fimilar expreflions*
She then faid that fhe only lived for his
fake ; and if fhe were (b unfortunate as
to lofe him, her cc occupation would be
gone," and exigence would become an
infupportable burden. But as that de-
precated event did happen without any
lading change in her ladyfhip's apparent
relim for the good things of this life, ic
was
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 157
was fufpe&ed, that twenty years hence
her affectionate heart might find fome
pretext for that ftrong attachment to
her perfon, which her exceffive attention
to her own health and fafety rendered
vifible to all who knew her. When the
reader, therefore, confiders the infinite
fucceflion of laft plans, and final en*
gagements, which fhe would probably
have pleaded, his fenfibility will be lefs
hurt to find, that death dealt by her, as
he did by " the fair lady in coftly robes/'
mentioned in the good old fong, by
compelling her to truft future events to
that Providence whofe fuperintendence
had not been her favourite fpeculation.
I have obferved, 'that the fettlements
were drawn up under lady Madelina's
eye, who feemed defirous of extending
the fupremacy which me had uniformly
exercifed over every perfon with whom
fhe was connected (except her niece)
beyond
158 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
beyond the grave. She had multiplied
entails, and confidered every poffible
event of contention, reparation, divorce,
and fecond marriage. She had explored
the family pedigree, picked out the
mod fonorous hereditary chriftian names.,
and ftringing three or four together,
which were capable of liquid pronuncia-
tion, (he ordered, that they fhould be
adopted by the fuccefllve fons and
daughters of this intended marriage, on
pain of forfeiting all right to inheritance.
Jointure, pin-money, and alimony took
up feveral pages, and the finifhed deed
had more the appearance of a truce
between two inveterate enemies than a
recognition of mutual confidence and
efteem. The very fight of thefe for-
midable parchments muft have annihi-
lated the whole court of Cytherea ; but
fortunately the modern Hymen never
brings his caufes before that tribunal,
which
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 159
which is now exclufively employed in
trying affairs of libertinifm, or, as it is
politely termed, gallantry.
Lady Madelina perufed the ftupendous
performance with delight ; weighed the
technical meaning of every word which
the ufeful tautology of the law had in-
troduced ; and, trufting that the united
names of Fitzofborne, Frazer, and Mac-
donald might found in courts and caftles
a thoufand years hence, declared that
fhe was ferfeftly Jatisfied. It is fup-
pofed, that the pronunciation of thofe
words, which fhe had never before been
known to ufe, occafioned a mortal re-
vulfion in her oracular organs, for fhe
was found fpee chiefs next morning.
Lady Arabella's determined refolution
of enjoying the pleafures of a public
breakfaft prevented her from attending
to the afTurances of her aunt's woman,
that fuch a change mud be inevitably
followed
l6o A TALE OF THE TIMES.
followed by. mortal con fequences. She
contented herfelf with leaving pofkive
orders to be immediately fent for if lady
Madelina grew worfe, and drove off
\vith lady Fitzofborne, who convinced
her that, fhe was perfectly right; for,
as the patient could not fpeak, company
could do her no fervice. The office of
fmoothing the bed of death devolved
on Geraldine,. who haftened to the
houfe of mourning at the firft intima-
tion of what had happened, and arrived
a few moments before lady Madelina
expired.
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 1 6 1
CHAP. XXVI.
Let then the fair one beautifully cry,
In Magdalene's loofe hair and lifted eye.
POPE.
THE melancholy event related in my
laft Chapter was fpeedily conveyed to
the gay groupe whom the elegant
dejeune of the duchefs of A. had
aiTembled on the flowery banks of
Thames. It was announced to lady
Arabella with very little preparation;
for as, in compliance with the wifhes
of the company, though declaredly out
of fpirits, fhe had juft confented to ex-
hibit her own fine perfon and her lover's
to the bed advantage by (landing up in
a reel, no one fuppofed but that fhe
might hear the fad tale with decent
compofure. It was, however, quite
the
1
l62 A TALE OP THE TIMES'.
the reverfe, and her fenfibility now be-
came as remarkable, as her fortitude
had been before. She fainted, fell into
hyfterics, wept, recovered, and was at
lad conveyed apparently lifelefs to her
carriage. Every creature prefent par-
took in her concern for lady Madelina's
death, for it certainly fpoiled a mod
delightful party. Though the company
endeavoured to recover tfyeir fpirits
after the fair mourner was removed, all
attempts at brilliancy was prevented by
the unavoidable intruGon of ferious ideas.
The ladies grew as ftupid as if they were
at church. Death's heads and phyficians
intruded into every fubject ; and the lad
topic of converfation that was darted by
the gentlemen was a difcufiion of the
merits of the patent coffin.
Lady Arabella was accompanied
home by the Fitzolbornes. The vif-
countefs engaged in the friendly tafk
of
A TALE OF THE TIMES. lj
of confolation, while Edward, leaning
back with his arms folded, and his eyes
fixed upon the lovely fufFe re r, (I fuppofc)
more deeply fympathized in herforrow ;
for the harangues of the comforter were
only interrupted by lady Arabella's fobs
and fighs, which did not abate in vio-
lence, though lady Fitzofborne was dif-
fufe on the folly of grieving for what
was fure to happen, and therefore what
nobody could prevent. .The carriage
at length flopped. Lady Arabella was
fupported up flairs, fwallowed more
hartfhorn, and at length became fuf-
ficiently compofed to make inquiries
after the particulars of an event of
which Ihe had only yet received a
general account.
Lady Madelina's firft gentlewoman,
a Macdonald by an indirect defcent,
entered on the fad recital. Nothing
could be more capable of being com-
prefifed
164- A TALE OF THE TIMES,
prefied into a fmall compafs ; but Mrs.
Margaret was eminently gifted with
that fpecies of oratory which may be
termed expanfion. Her poor dear lady's-
merits, her poor dear lady's fufferings,
the confidence her poor dear lady placed
in her faithful fervices, and a firm con-
viction, that (he never mould furvive
her poor dear lady: thefe topics were
expatiated upon, till Arabella became a
little difpleafe4 that any one mould take
up grief juft at the inftant herfelf had
laid it down. It came out in the courfe
of the narration, that from fome peculiar
eircumftances lady Monteith had adopt-
ed an opinion, that the fpark of life
was not actually extinguifhed ; but that
the fpeedy exertion of proper means
might revive the fufpended animation.
To this opinion the phyficians, who
had been fummoned, lent fome coun-
tenance j and the humanity of the
counttfii,
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
countefs prompted her not only to com-
mand theie applications, but by her
preience to prevent the proceedings
which are fome times injudicioufly
adopted at the firft moment of apparent
diflblutibn.
Mrs. Margaret was not only con-
vinced of the inefficacy of the attempt,
but, confciencioufly believing it to be
very prefumptuous, had refufed her
fervices, with fome little fenfe of indig-
nity at having had them required, and
keen fufceptibility at the fuppofition
that fhe could bear to flay in the room
where her poor dear lady lay. Arabella
joined in her opinion ; and the difcourfe
changed from the virtues of Mrs.
Margaret and the dcceafed, to the
wickednefs of difturbing the dead, and
the concern which the affectionate niece
now felt, that her dear aunt had none of
her
l66 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
her own family to attend her in her laft
moments.
The failure of lady Monteith's efforts
relieved Arabella from what might more
properly be called a vexation than a dif-
trefs i and her fofter feelings, freed from
difagreeable embarraflments, had leifure
to flow in the delicate ^channels which
etiquette prefcribes to grief. She
mourned for one fortnight in the
fweeteft manner imaginable, drefTed in
a clofe cap with her bouquet (luck on
one fide, her robe loofely faflened, and
her arms hanging negligently. All her
vifitants agreed, that fhe looked prettier
than ever, and Fitzofborne was con-
tinually reminded of thofe well-known
lines which characterize the fair fex,
as defigned to " be adorned by
diftrefs," and " drefTed moft amiably
in tears."
But
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 167
But it was not over the unconfcious
tomb that this fair flowret drooped.
The increafed fenfibility of the prefent
age, grown too fragile to encounter the
morbid contagion of death,, declines all
intimate acquaintance with fpe6tacles of
mortality, and deputes hireling hands
to perform thofe offices which the
fterner fortitude of former times claimed
as the peculiar privilege of affedlion and
kindred. My attachment to oblblete
manners inclines me to refer the uni-
verfal cuftom of flying from the bed of
death and its melancholy appendages,
to fome other caufe than exceflive ten-
dernefs. I fufpeft the faftidioufnefs of
indulgence, accuftomed to bafk in the
funfhine of life, and bereft of fufficient
energy even to wifh to procure a de-
fence againft the ftorm. I difcover the
enervating habits of diffipation, the cant
of flattery, and the fophifms of felf-de-
lufion.
l68 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
lufion. Beauty will not contemplate the
fixed raylefs eye, left the recollection
fhould obfcure the brilliancy of its own :
youth and health refufe to be acquainted
with the livid cheek, which preaches
the importance of the pafiing hours ;
and gaiety abjures all knowledge of the
clay-cold reliques of the human form,
left the fearful fcntence of " fuch fhalt
thou be" fhould palfy the graceful ftep,
arreft the fwift career of levity, and
render the whifper of adulation unin-
lerefting.
Lady Arabella's firft tears flowed be-
neath her brother's roof; but her ex-
treme fufceptibility foon required a frefh
afylum. Lady Monteith was the worft
comforter in the world ; and fhe was
convinced that her poor fpirits would
be quite overcome, if me did not get
amongft people a little more like other
folks. Geraldine indeed had performed
the
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
the office of a confoler to her Lucy with
tolerable fuccefs; but the retired daugh-
ter of a country clergyman, and a fa-
fhionable belle, are different characters :
and either the fimplicity of the countefs
did not difcriminate, or fome fecret
fpark of ill-nature prevented her from
adopting the proper method of treating
her prefcnt gueft. She permitted lady
Arabella's tears to ftream without any
admonition that they might dim her
eyes or injure her complexion j and
in the mod violent paroxyfms of grief
(he drove to foften her emotions by
leading the difcourfe to her dear aunt's
affection for her, and anxious folicitude
to promote her happinefs. She had
once the inhumanity to fuggeft the idea,
that the feparated fpirit would be afflicted
by witneffing the forrow of furviving
friends -, and that the violent indulgence
of extreme regret might be conftrued
VOL. II. I CO
170 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
to proceed from a want of due fubmifilon
to the Supreme Difpofer of events. She
had indeed fuccefsfully expatiated on
thefe topics to Mifs Evans. The
countenance of that artlefs girl afifumed
an angelic compofure whilft liftening
to the folemn fentiments; and her hands
and eyes uplifted in meek refignation
feemed to fay, " I will not impede the
" beatitude of my mother, nor murmur
" at the -difpenfations of my God."
But in the prefent inftance the awful
allufion produced very horrific effects.
Lady Arabella's ideas of " things unfeeh"
were extremely confuted. She had never
had time to inveftigate the fubjecl: her-
iclf ; and, from fome arguments which
Mr. Fitzcfborne had ufed, (he was in-
clined to hope, that the vague notions
which (he had picked up in her early
years were purely chimerical terrors,
the effect of low prejudices. She, there-
fore,
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
fore, replied to the confolatory argu-
ments of the countefs with a Ihriek of
apprehenfion ; befought her in future to
avoid fuch fhocking exprefiions ; and,
looking round her, as if in expeflation
of feeing lady Madelina's ghoft, ilie
became fo fearful of having a vifionary
attendant, that me durft not move from
one room to another without being ac-
companied by a corporeal guard.
At Mr. Fitzolborne's next vilit fhe
expatiated on the premeditated cruelty
of lady Monteith, who chofe the very-
period of her being fo low that me could
hardly fupport herfclf, to afflict her by
naming fubjeds that fhe never could
bear. She was perfectly innocent, fhe
faid -, had never hurt any body, nor
committed any crime in her life; and
why need fhe be talked to about fepa-
rated fpirits, and religion, as if me were
the greateft finner in the world ? Lady
i 2 Monteith
172 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
Monteith had even hinted, that there
would be an indecorum in her going
into public immediately after the inter-
ment of an aunt, who had to her fupplied
the tendernefs and protection of the ma-
ternal character; and (he was certain that
the funeral was delayed, not fo much out
of refpect, as to keep her immured, and
to make her break her hear':, which was
much too refined and tender to endure
thofe forms of woe to which ftronger
minds might fubmit. In fine, fhe en-
joined Fitzofborne to (late to lady Mon-
teith the impropriety of her conduct,
and to convince her how wrong it was
to talk about difagreeable things which
fhe could not be fure were true, Ed-
ward undertook the office, but advifed
lady Arabella not to be too fanguine of
fuccefs. Prejudices, he faid, were ftub-
born things to contend with, and lady
Monteith had unfortunately imbibed
feveral.
A TALS OF THE TIMES.
feveral. He complimented lady Ara-
bella on her more enlarged notions, but
conjured her to conceal a fuperiority,
which might probably excite envy; and
in cafe of any future attempts to infpire
her with fuperftitious terrors, he vvifhed
her either to give a fudden turn to the
converfation, or to enjoy the triumph
of reafon over bigotry in a dignified
filence.
Fitzofborne entered on the tafk en-
joined, with the cruel avidity of a fan-
guinary mind, bent on deflroying what
it was neceflitated to revere. His ob-
f^rvations on lady Monteith's behaviour
enabled him clearly to develope her
character ; and as he founded his hopes
of fuccefs on her evident love of praife,
he was fenfibie that the unaffeded fm-
cerity of her religious principles would
prove a Heady bulwark too powerful to
be a/Tailed by open attacks, and which
he muft either undermine or abandon
i 3 his
174 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
his purfuit. Pie perceived, that though
her vivacity at times tranlcended the
limits of rigid prudence, even in the
\vildeft flights of gaiety the mofl guarded
ridicule on facred fubjccts was unpalat-
able j and though the engrofling amufe-
ments of polite life afforded lefs leifure
for reflection and devotional exercifes
during her flay in town, (he ever pafied a
difllpated Sunday with evident regret, and
cppeared to feel every'omiflion of duty
with the felf- reproach of confcious error,
rather than to avow her neglect with the
bold air of one who expects to be ap-
plauded for liberality and exemption
from prefcribed forms. The footing on
which he was received in the family gave
him frequent occaficns of perceiving
that, though ihe did not burft out into
frequent cenfures againft licentioufnefs,
fhe never treated a grofs deviation from
morality and decorum with that levity
of
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 175
of remark which warrants the conclu-
fion, that the obfcrver's principles are
too relaxed to view flagitious conduct
with proper abhorrence. Though no
one knew better how to wing the fhaft
of raillery, and to encourage " fport
that wrinkled care derides," wit was
with her the companion of unreproved
pleafure, not the child of un re ft rained
liberty. Its frolic hand was ever caught
to refpect the palladium of virtue and
religion.
. The event which Geraldine had lately
witneflcd confirmed her habitual reve-
rence for ferious fubjects. Without pro-
feffing to feel any marked attachment-to
lady Madelina, or affecting forrow for
her lofs, (he had contemplated an ob-
ject of mortality with the fympathetic
thoughtfulneis of one who felt confcious
thatihe was a fellow-pilgrim, journeying
I 4 to
17-6 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
to the fame bourne. A conviction of
the inflability of temporal pofTefTions,
and the inefficiency of human aid, would
naturally direct a confiderate mind to
firmer fupports, and to recur to the idea
of a traveller, than which nothing can
be more analogous to human life. The
certainty of a limited refidence amongft
the objects of fenfe excited a ftrong
folicitude to extend her knowledge of
things invifible, and to fecure an intereft
in that undifcovered world of which
{he muft one day become an inhabitant.
A ftate of mind like that which I have
defcribed appears at the firft glance to
he unfavourable to the defigns of a Fitz-
ofborne. He thought it otherwife. It
was a difpofition which naturally led to
true difcufllon of moral and religious
truths. The decent forms which the
cuftom of the world ftill fanctions pre-
fcribed
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 177
fcribed to the Monteiths the neceffity
of avoiding promifcuous vifitors, and
abfenting from public amufements. And
though the fair Arabella leemed to cafl
a longing look from her folitude upon
forbidden pleafure, the countefs liftened
to the narrative of the day with a more
languid attention, and imperceptibly led
back the converfation to fome improving
fubjedh Her attempts generally fright-
ened lady Arabella, and compelled her
to take refuge in her own apartments ;
where me found occupation in confulting;
with her maid on the changes of orna-
ment which the alterations in her mourn-
ing would : admit. Lord Monteith,,
though at firft doubtful how he mould
kill time during, this melancholy period:
of confinement, found fo much amufe-
ment in ringing the dumb bell and learn-
ing to play on the violin, that he re-
i. S, lapfedi
178 A TALE OF THE TIMES,
lapfed into his old misfortune of want of
leifure; and Fitzofborne would have
found it more difficult to avoid than to
felect opportunities for private conver-
fation with Geraldine.
A TALE^OF THE TIMES. 179
CHAP. XXVII.
i In difcourfe more fweet
Others apart fat on a hill retir'd,
In thoughts more elevate, and reafon'd high
Of Providence, fore-knowledge, will, and fat?,,
Fix'dfate, free will, fore-knowledgeabfolute,
And found no end, in wandering mazes loft.
" Of good and evil much they argued, then,
Of happinefs and final mifery,
Paflion and apathy, glory and fhame,
Vain wifdom all, and falfe philofophy.
MILTON,
READING, was one of , lady Monteith's
conftant amufements j and among her
favourite writers the moral pages of
Johnfon held a diftinguifhed pre-emi-
nence. His inftruftive romance of Raf-
felas occupied her one morning. She
(lopped at the part which feemed to in-
timate the author's belief in the pofli-
bility of fpectral appearances. The idea
ftrongly engrofled her imagination. She;
j 6 rumi-
l8o A TALE OF THE TIMES.
ruminated on the arguments which might
be adduced on either fide, and continued
in a profound reverie when fitzofborne
entered the room.
After a paufe, in which lady Monteith
was trying to difengage her ideas from
the train of reflection which they had
purfued, Edward politely exprefled his
fears that he had interrupted an agree-
able ftudy ; and, with an intimation that
he would immediately withdraw, inquired
what fubject occupied her attention.
She delivered to him the unclofed
volume without any comment. He read
the paiTage to which her ringer referred,
and reftored it with an obfervation, that
the Britifh cenfor was perfectly confid-
ent. Geraldine, miftaking this remark
for approbation, replied, that ihe had
ever thought him fo, and therefore
drove to form her mind by the exalted
ftandard his works prefcribedr
" I agree
A TALE OF THE TIMES. l8l
ff I agree with you," faid Fitzofborne,
cc His writings do indeed prefcribe an
" exalted ftandard of morality. A gi-
" gantic one, I fliould rather fay, utterly
" inadequate to the prefent (late of the
<f world. His views and writings are,
" however, all uniform. An enemy to
" levity and fimplicity, a lover of difci-
" pline and fyftem, averfe to thofe rights
" which man inherently polTefFes, tena-
" cious of thofe bulwarks which fociety
" forms, he is repulfive in his politics,
" uncomplying in his morality, and
" auftere in his religion.'*
It was only the lad obfervation which
convinced the countels that this exor-
dium was defigned to ceniure her fa-
vourite author, and me began his de-
fence by making fome preliminary con-
cefiions. In extenuation of that air of
difcontent and deprefiion which ever
pervades his works when he refers to
the
1 82 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
the fituation of a profefled writer, me
maintained that large allowances ought
to be made for the fenfibility of unpa-
tronized merit, confcious of defert and
ilruggling under calamity. She added,
that the fituation of the moralift in his
early years precluded him from entering
into thofe more refined clafTes of fociety,,
whofe amiable polifh might have foft-
cned the afperities of his natural cha-
racter. But fince the world already
pofTefled many elegant inftrudors, who<
knew how to aim the lighter lhafts of
fatire, and to blend improvement with.
amufement, perhaps the lover of litera-
ture would not regret the circumftances
that gave him one lefs urbane moraliff,
whofe auftere fenfe exhibited the nobleft
model of energetic compofition and ex-
alted principle.
^ " Your juftification, madam," faid
Fitzofborne, cf is conclufive. The page
" of
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
" of Johnfon will ever be reforted to by
<c the lover of variety, and will claim
cc the appropriate commendations which
" you have given it, from minds capa-
<c ble of appreciating his real worth.
" He is too profound to be the idol of
" the jrnillion : and as his beauties can
cc only be relifhed by an underftanding
" as vigorous as his own, fo his precepts
" feem calculated for difpofitions that
" refemble him in firmnefs. On fuch
<f ftrong minds his tendency to fuper-
<c ftition can produce no bad effects."
" My acquaintance is too limited,"
rejoined the countefs, " for me to know
" a perfon \o whom I could not fafely
<c recommend the works of Johnfon."
" I beg your pardon," interrupted
Edward. " I fhould have many objec-
cc tions to lady Arabella's feeing the
<f paffage which has wrought your mind
" into its prefent ftateof high enthufiafm.
"The
I $4 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
" The uncommon fufceptibility and;
" delicacy of her character would make
" her feel painful alarms, while I fee
" you only indulge a c fine frenzy.' In
** a converfation you lately had with.
" her, even fome of your guarded ex-
" preflions have caufed her the moft
" diftreffing agitation."
Lady Monteith recollected that (he
was talking to a lover, and determined
to endure a little puerility. She ac-
knowledged, that it was natural for
Arabella to feem deprefTed immediately-
after the lofs of a friend who had acted
the part of a fofter-mother to her, and
fhe promifed to be very cautious in fu-
ture. "But," continued (he, cc I mud
" own that the invifible agency of fe-
" parated fpirits is a very favourite theme
" with me ; and though, contrary to
" the opinion of the Abyflinian fage, I
<c could affirm, that we never have any
7 "certain,
A TALE OF THE TIMES. l8j
" certain evidence that the dead are
cc permitted to become objects of our
<c fenfes, I have long rejoiced in the
" hope that our departed friends are
<f the agents employed by over-ruling
" Providence to perform offices of care
" and tendernefs to their furviving com-
<c nexions. This thought has moft fre-
cc quently occurred to me, as I have
<c bent over my fkeping children, and I
" have fancied glorified beings watched
" our unconfcious hours with fimilar
cf attention. When I was once threat-
cc ened with the lofs of my eldeft darling,
" I found fenfible confolation in the idea
ic of its becoming a guardian cherub to
" ftiftain the innocence of its fillers
" through a dangerous world, and to
" receive my parting fpirit at the hour
<( of my diffolution."
While the countefs fpoke, her radiant
eyes were fufFufed with tears. Fitzof-
borne,
lS6 .A TALE OF THE TIMES.
borne, checking fome unfubdued ftrug-
gles of confcience, which almoft tempted
him to wifh he could enjoy fuch vifipnary
delights, coolly replied to her energetic
fpeech : " I fhould be very forry, ma-
" dam, to interrupt thofe agreeable re-
" veries which in minds of your tem-
-" perature can rarely be prejudicial. I
" fhall only ftate the dangerous confe-
" quences of fuch illufions becoming
" general. What a tremendous fuper-
cc ftrudure of impofition might prielr-
* craft erecT: upon fuch a vifionary bafis !
" You do not pretend, madam, to fay,
" that your hopes reft upon any real
" foundation. The nature of the foul
" has hitherto eluded inquiry. It may
" in time become capable of abfolute
" definition ; and though the age is not
" at prefent fufficiently enlightened to
" afford abfolute proof of this fuppofed
" immaterial fubftance being only a
" more
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 17
" more exquifite configuration of perilh-
<f able atoms, incapable of diftinfl exift-
" ence, the glorious epocha of truth and
" reafon is too near to allow us to believe
" the poilibility of fpectral appearances,
<c or even of fpiritual agency,* in the
" manner your imagination prompts you
" to wifh."
Though lady Monteith was no deep
theologian, fhe had heard of the mille-
nium, and the fufpenfion of confcibufnefs
in the difembodied foul j and Ihc con-
cluded that Fitzolborne was a convert
to thofe doctrines. She was by no means
aware of the deeper tendency of his
vic^s; yet, as fhe thought there was
fomething peculiar in his opinions, fhe
wifhed to fathom him upon thefe fub-
jecls. She knew enough of the world
to be convinced, that divinity was not
the favourite ftudy of young men of fa-
fhion; but fhe knew too, that deep
learning
I&8 A TALE OF THE TIME*.
learning wasequally excluded from polite
circles. Fitzoiborne had been announced
to her as the " mirror of information ;"
and fhe faw nothing ridiculous in the
idea, that a man of reading mould de-
vote a part of his attention to the ftudy
of the nobleft truths. Indifference on
ferious fubjedls was, as far as her ob-
fervations extended, combined with ig-
norance and a general relaxation of mind.
Fitzolbornc's rnannerevinccd energy and
attention. She had often felt indignant
at hearing the witling attempt to ridicule
what he did not underltand, or the li-
bertine feek to invalidate what he feared
to believe. But Fitzofborne poflefled
too much real talent to envy the wreath
that fades upon the coxcomb's brow,
and his condufl feemed too correct to
fupply him with a motive for taking
flicker in infidelity. His fentiments on
every fubje<ft were moral and liberal.
His
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 189
His felf- command was exemplary ; his
information general j his reaforring,
though flowery, ingenious, and, in lady
Monteith's opinion, judicious. I have
already obierved, that her parts were
rather brilliant than profound. It will
not therefore be lurprifmg, that fhe
fhould be eafily entangled in the fnare
of a fyllogifm, or that the unfufpecfting
fincerity of her heart fhouid render her
a dupe to any one who took the trouble
to play the fpecious confummate hypo-
crite.
In forming her opinion of the dan-
gerous character which was now expofed
to her observation, (he had fallen into
the fame error of precipitate judgment
which (he had been guilty of in the
cafe of lord Monteith. She now fup-
plied talents with as much liberality
as fhe formerly created virtues. Expe-
rience had convinced he*, that love is
apt
190 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
apt to look through magnifying optics ;
yet, though one pleafmg phantom faded
after another, fomething really eftimable
flill remained; and on her comparing
her own lot with that of others, me
found abundant reafon to acquiefce in a
flate of refigned content. Recalling
fome of Mrs. Evans's early precepts, me
had laboured to fubdue thofe more ex-
quifite refinements of fenfibility, which
vainly look for confummate enjoyment
in this world ; and, without feeling too
lively regrets for the want of unattainable
good, fhe enjoyed the cup of ble'fiing
which Providence tendered to her ac-
ceptance. She was in this ftate of mind
when her acquaintance with Fitzofborne
commenced. The peculiarity of his
character drew her attention. The evi-
dent infelicity of his connubial profpects
attradkd pity. His conduct awakened
efteem, and his intellectual fuperiority
excited
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
excited admiration. Neither did fhedif-
cover. from what fecret failing in herfelf
that admiration fprung, nor that Vanity
is as great a magnifier as Love.
Fitzofborne had been fo careful to
veil his fcepticifm in ambiguous phrafes,
that lady Monteith's folicitude to dif-
cover his principles really arofe from an
idea that their fingularity chiefly pro-
ceeded from their excellence, and that
by converfing with him fhe mould
ftrengthen her own convictions. She
had often lamented, that lord Monteith's
volatile temper deprived her of that fup-
porting judgment and directing care
which the conjugal inflitution was in-
tended to afford to the fofter fex.
Though not doubtful of the propriety
of her own conduct, fhe naturally wifhed
it mould receive the approbation of an
obferving eye ; and a confcioufnefs of
her own abilities was attended with fome
repugnance
1^2 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
repugnance to their cf wafting their
fweetnefs in the defert air." The friend,
the advifer fhe had long wifhed for,
feemed now to pfefent himfelf to her
view in the perfon of an accomplifbed
intelligent gentleman of irreproachable
worth, who would foon become a near
relation. Every idea of impropriety was
removed by this latter confideration -,
mid, with the ufual imbecility of fhort-
fighted mortals, fhe fancied her charac-
ter might acquire additional luftre by
imbibing the fplendor of fo fair an arche-
type. She had not difcovered, that
All was falfe, and hollow; though his tongue
Dropped manna, and could make the worfe appear
The better reafon, to perplex and dafh
Matured councils ; for his thoughts were low ;
To vice induftrious, but to nobler deeds
Tim'rou-s and flothful ; yet he pleas'd the ear.
Her endeavours to dived this tc Demon
of fentirrent" of his cherubic veil
were
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
were, however ineffe&ual. Wrapped
in his darling myfticifm, he defied her
fcrutiny. His knowledge of the human
heart convinced him how powerful an
engine fecrefy becomes when wielded
by a fkilful hand, and oppofed to the
reftlefs fpirit of female curiofity. But
while he eluded her inquiries, and
avoided a full difcovery of his own opi-
nions, he threw out enough to convince
her, that they were not only extraordi-
nary but permanent; and by compK-
menting the fagacious avidity with which
fhe feized every fentiment he feemed
unwarily to difclofe, he roufed the min-
gled folicitudc of inquifitivenefs and
vanity, and formed an intereft which he
determined to improve.
The converfation ended on his part
with a panegyric on morality, which he
loaded with oftentatious ornaments; and a
philippic againft the illiberally of fuppof-
VOL ii. K ing
1 94 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
ing that exalted minds needed any other
inducement to act rightly than the abftract
lovelinefs of virtue. His laft obfervation
was prefaced by a folemn avowal of his
own refpect for religion, which he ac-
knowledged to be a mod ufeful inven-
tion, and a neceflary reftriclion upon the
untutored part of mankind. He left
lady Monteith in a fort of maze, re-
gretting that he had not been more ex-
plicit on thofe points in which he had
confefied his opinions differed from hers,,
delighted with his pure morality, and
enchanted with his converfation.
Her reverie was \ interrupted by lady
Arabella's requefting the favour of her
opinion, whether tiffany jeffamine, or
crape rofes, would make the moft ele-
gant feftoon. She liftened with per-
plexed attention to a recapitulation of
the light airinefs of the former ornament,
and the quiet accommodation of the
12 latter;
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
latter; and me felt mortified at being
obliged to witnefs the effcdt of their
alternate difplay on her ladyfhip's court
drefs. While her eyes were fixed upon
vacancy, and her thoughts were regret-
ing the wilful negligence, which would
give to Fitzolborne a frivolous unintel-
ligent partner, fhe, with the indifference
of Swift's VaneiTa, pronounced an im-
confcious preference of the crape rofes.
This fiat was decifive, and lady Arabella
returned to her own apartment with her
maid and her milliner > a happy groupe,
till the difcovery, that a lady whom lady
Arabella hated wore crape rofes, drew
from the diftrefTed fair one feveral pa-
thetic ejaculations on the peculiar un-
happinefs of her own lot, in being thus
prevented from having the prettieft
trimming in the world. Some tender
tears were dropped, which were placed
to the account of her aunt ; and after a
K 2 few
A TALE OF THE TIMES*
few exprefiions, which from a perfon of
lefs delicacy might be termed fcolding,
ihe difmhTed her terrified auditors with
a declaration that fhe was very low,
and could not bear contradiction and
difappointment.
Meantime lady Monteith had refumed
her ftudies, and began to difcover fome
of thofe faults in her beloved Johnfon
which Fitzofborne had pointed out, when
lord Monteith entered the room, highly
elated .that he had juft made himfelf
complete matter of cc Britons ftrike
home/ 1 .and entreating her to accom-^
pany him upon the harp. She com'-
plied j but the fmile of acquiefcence was
more of the p.enfive than of the exhi-
larating kind j and her thoughts wan-
dered to the prohibited haunts of ufelefs
regrets for the paft, and vain anticipa-
tions of the future. But while, in her
career of unpofiibilities> Ihe was begin-
ning
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
ning to wifh that Monteith poffeflfed the
intelligent mind of Ficzoiborne, her care-
lefs hand (Iruck a falfe chord, and a me-
chanical impulfe arouied her attention
time enough to anfwer her lord's in-
quiries, if me was well, and if any thing
made her unhappy. His affectionate
folicitude reftored her mind to its ufual
temperament, and flic chided herfelf
for indulging a thought inconfiflent with
the gratitude and efteem which fhe
owed to her plighted confort. She re-
collected, that different excellencies be-
long to different characters -, and that it
is the abufe, not the want, of a talent
which (lamps criminality upon any one.
She made allowances for the force of
habit confpiring with flrong paflions,
unreftrained by an expenfive, yet de-
fective, education, and inflamed by the
feduflions of affluence and uncontrolled
freedom of action. While thefe reflec-
K 3 tions
10.8 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
tions fucceflively occupied her mind, a
render fweetnefs diffufed itfelf over her
countenance, and her hand executed
" Britons ftrike home" entirely to his
lordlhip's fatisfaftion.
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
CHAP. XXVII.
Then gay ideas crowd the vacant brain,
While peers and dukes, and all their fweeping trairij
And garters, ftars, and coronets appear,
And in foft founds, " Your Grace" falutes the ear.
POPE.
FITZOSBORNE'S thoughts were now fo
engrofied by his intended attack on the
principles and honour of lady Monteith,
that he felt as little intereftcd about the
event of his engagements with lady Ara-
bella as if the marriage ceremony had
really taken place. He was roufed from
this inlenfibility by the noble vifcount
his brother, who, having procured a copy
of the redoubtable ferlement/ which I
have before mentioned, fwore upon his
honour (his lordfh'p, though v - v fonJ
of this oath, v;. t s nt-vtr known to *^e'
forfworn) that the tt:in, wire coo !v^
K 4 t^i
2OO A TALE OF THB TIMES.
for any man above a fhoe- black to abide
by. " I would have you by all means,
" Ned," faid he, " make a better bar-
" gain for yourfelf. The girl is im-
t( menfely fond of you, that is evident ;
<f and a fellow with a tenth part of your
cc addrefs would make the pretty dri-
<f veller accede to any thing. Can't
" you give her a little fentiment upon
" the occafion, and tell her, that by re-
" ferving all her fortune in her own
" power, it will be abfolutely impoflible
" for her ever to enjoy the fublime
" gratification of receiving obligations
" from the perfon fhe loves ? Can't you
<c flourifh too upon the provifion in cafe
" of feparation and divorce, and declare
" that the frigorific idea petrifies your
<c whole frame ? Be matter of her fortune,
" however, at all events 3 for let me
" tell you, my dear lad, a wife's affec-
M tions in this age are but a transferable
" com-
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
commodity of little permanent value,.
" I afTure you."
Edward felt too well convinced of his
influence to doubt the pofiibility of his
acquiring the glittering prize upon his
own terms j and he fketched in his
mind the only conditions upon which he
would confent to give the lady the ho-
nour of his name. Thefe conditions
were remarkable for nothing but their-
being a direci contradiction to lady Ma-
delina's plan. But on his firft converfa-
tion with lady Arabella upon the fubject
he dffcovered, that he had greatly rnif-
taken her character when he attributed
to it any degree of pliability in pecuniary?
matters. She, indeed, loved to fquan-
der with thoughtlefs pufufion; but that
very love of fquandering fuggefted the
propriety of retaining the power of
doing fo ; and the lovers parted with*
great _ mutual difiatisfadipn : Edward
K, 5 convinced^
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
convinced that his merits would confer
honour upon any lady on whom he be-
ftowed his hand, and lady Arabella per-
fiiaded that a younger brother has no
right to expect a higher office than to
be his wife's fteward, if he be fo lucky
as to engage the good opinion of a
woman of fortune. Both feemed in-
clined to bring their matrimonial pre-
tenfions to a frelh market. He thought
that his perfon might attract fome fair
one equally rich and lefs mercenary;
and me knew, that when people calcu-
late upon good matches, there is always
as great a difference between prefent
pofieflion and reverfionary expectation,
as there is between the comparative
fplendor of a baronial and a ducal coro-
net. The gentleman pondered upon
the propriety of difcontinuing his ad-
drefles j but the lady haftened his deli-
berations by informing him, that if his
vifits
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
vifits at Portland-place were upon her
account, fhe begged {he might not in
future interrupt his important avoca-
tions ; and thus Mr. Fitzoiborne was
fuddenly reduced to the fituation of a
rejefted fwain, a condition which the
verfatility of his talents knew how to
improve.
Lady Arabella's frivolity, felfifhnefs,
and avowed expectation of making fu-
perior conquefts, did not difcredit the
tale which Fitzofborne told of his dif-
miffion. The blunt integrity of lord
Monteith's character took fire at his
fitter's evident dereliction of the princi-
ples of honour, conftancy, and female
delicacy j and the reluctance with which
the fpecious Edward appeared to difco-
ver her caprice irritated his ardent tem-
per ftill more. He charged her with
bafe infidelity and grofs indecorums
and fhe evaded the charge by urging,.
K 6 that
2O4 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
that fhe was a free independent being,
and accountable to no one for her actions,
which were the refult of her opinions ;
and no one had any right to fcrutinize
the opinions of others. The earl raved
againft this heterodox doctrine, becaufe
it militated againft his wifh of fupremacy,
without difcovering that there was a
degree of ingratitude in the application
of thefe principles againft the intereft
of the matter from whom fhe had ac-
quired them ; and her ladyfhip refolved
never to miflead her hufband by fur-
jnilhing a previous inftance of her fub-
xniffion to her brother's authority. She
removed on the very evening of the
difpute to the houfe of lord vifcount
Fitzofborne.
In order to explain the reafon of her
choofing that afylum, I muft unriddle a
little Machiavelian policy. The fituation
of the noble houfe of Fitzofborne was
become
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 205
become fo very precarious in point of
credit, that the reprefentative of its
honours, like Shakefpeare's Percy, had
long <c caft many a northern look to
fee the Frazer bring up his powers."
The illuftrious vifcount indeed could not
give himfelf a legal title to that fpacious
inheritance which now centered in lady
Arabella ; but his fraternal wifh of tranf-
ferring it to his own family was not quite
difinterefted. Edward had ever ap-
peared too abftracted, too generous,
and too fuperior to low mercenary views,
to deny a brother the loan of a few
thoufands, and his indifference to money
was in the vifcount's opinion the caufe
of his prefent difappointment ; for had
his whole heart been engrofifed by the
defire of advancing his fortune, the
pretty bird might have beat her gay
plumage in ufelefs vexation, at finding
herfelf
206 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
herfelf furrounded by too many toils
ever to hope for recovered liberty.
In oppofition to thofe faturnine cen-
fors who affirm that a genteel pair never
think or act in concert, I have to relate
a fcheme in which the vifcount and his
lady cordially co-operated, and which,
though it might not terminate in an in-
vocation of Venus's antique doves, pro-
mifed to produce a modern pigeon.
The farce commenced with a vifit from
the vifcountefs to her dear friend; during
which me heard with mingled furprize
and grief that Mr. Fitzoiborne's ex-
peftations were fo very illiberal, and
his temper fb very uncomplying, that
the connection was diffolved. She com-
mended the laudable fpirit which dic-
tated lady Arabella's refolution of fooner
breaking her heart than fubmitting to
unjuftifiable demands > but when flie
added,
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
added, that, by thus adting with proper
regard to female dignity, fhe had ex-
cited the refentment of her brother, the
indignation of her fympathizing friend
exceeded all bounds. With bitter far-
cafms on the indelicacy of lord Mon-
teith's interference, fhe intreated her to
remove directly to lord Fitzofborne's,
and allured her, that offended beauty
would find a protector in the vifcount,
who would either compel Edward to
make proper conceffionjs, or difown him
for a brother. There was fomething
truly Roman in this fentiment. It was
exprefied with becoming dignity; and
the vifcountefs, flill farther to enforce
it, added, " You will get a little more
" into the world, my dear, from which,
<c it is certain, you have lately been too
" much fecluded. We have frequently
a little private parties, at which you
cc cannot object to taking a card, for
* c nobody
208 A TALE OP THE TIMES.
cc nobody will know any thing about it,
" fo that there cannot be any indeco-
" rum. I proteft, I think you grow
" more bewitching every hour. Your
" mourning becomes you fo exquifitely,
<c that in pity to the world I ought to
cc propofe keeping you fruit up, that
" other belles may have a little chance 5
cc but I own I am malicious enough to
" wifh to give a little fillip to Edward's
" fears. Nothing is fo animating as a
" ftrong fit of jealoufy, and I know that
" to make frefh conquefts you need
* f only appear." So friendfhip urged -,
and its arguments were conclufive.
The parties might now be faid to be
fairly drawn up in battle array ; for, not
to yield to the Fitzoibornes in hofpita-
lity, lord Monteith had infifled that Ed-
ward fhould become his gueft; and,
though their taftes and difpofirions were
by no means in unifon, he fancied himfelf
highly
A TALI OF THE TIMES. 20$
highly gratified with the companion he
had felecled -> and he was much too
warm an advocate for what he efteemed
an injured character to permit the
countefs to continue neutral. Fitz-
ofborne's arFe&ed dejection fbon in-
terefted her feeling heart , and, though
(he could fcarcely confider the lofs of
an Arabella to be a misfortune, me felt
that great allowance mould be made for
the force of difappointment upon a mind
fo flrongly fufceptible. Still incredulous
as to the reality of his attachment, me
was inclined to believe, that after he
had acceded to the propofals of his
friends, a fenfe of honour and the force
of habit had produced in his refined dif-
pofition a recurrence of the fame images,
which might be almoft fuppofed equi-
valent to preference. The void which
female caprice had left in his imagina-
tion muft be at prefent painful, and
though
fl,TO A TALE OF THE TIMES,
though an enlightened underftanding
would foon occupy the chafm with a
more brilliant fet of ideas, delicate fen-
fibility might be allowed to ftart at the
illiberal ridicule which a cenforious
world is ever ready to beftow on a
jilted fwain or a forfaken damfel. Be-
fide, without being mercenary* might
not a prudent man regret the lofs of a
fplendid eftablifhment ? To foften that
regret fhc exerted all the brilliant powers
of her mind, and' all the fafcinating
graces of her numerous aecompHfh-
ments. Charmed out of his pretended
melancholy, Fitzofborne feemed to be-
ftow a liftlefs attention, varying the
contour of his expreffions as the ftyle of
her attractions required : Sometimes
terminating his fileHt adulation by ex-
claiming, " Happy Monteith !" At
another expatiating in praife of friend-
s or, if he aimed at making the
moft
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
moil forcible imprefiion, he only in-
terrupted the vivacity of her tones by
the frequency of his fighs. But in either
inftance he was equally careful that lord
Monteith fhould hear both the exclama-
tions and the ffghs.
Difappointed by perceiving that his
dejection did not yield to time, and
more than ever convinced that love
could not have made fuch an incurable
wound, the conntefs began to fufpect
that this diforder was conftitutional, ; and
Ihc propofed his applying to fociety and
change of fcene, the ufual recipe for a*
melancholic humour. His conftant re-
jection of invitations induced her to
pique his pride. " Do you know,"
faid fhe, cc that lady Arabella flourilhes
" in the firft circles, and is become fo
very irrefiftible, that not only wits
and beaus write madrigals to her, but
" a cer-
cf
112 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
<f a certain young duke of our acquaint-
" ance is thought to be ferioufly en-
ff tangkd ? They are to be at the opera
(f together to-night in his grace's box.
Cf Now I intend to go, and take you for
cc my cecijbeo. What fay you to my
" fcheme ? It will be generous to ihew
" the young adventurer how Armida
cr metamorphofes her knights before he
" is irrecoverably enchanted."
*- c I am very willing to exhibit my
" woe-begone face, if the publication
" of it will afford you any amufement,"
returned Fitzofborne. " The duke
<c and I ihall not exchange any angry
<c glances, and I honour lady Arabella's
" fincerity too much to feel any refent-
" ment at her conduct. She has only
cc exercifed the indubitable right of
cc every human being. Her heart has
" changed its poffeffor, and flie has
" obeyed its dictates."
Does
A TALE OF THE TIMES, 2 13
c< Does not your candour grant rather
<c too great a latitude here ?" inquired
the countefs.
" Confidcring the prejudices of the
<c times, I certainly do. But is there
" not a great degree of cruelty in re-
" quiring conftancy from thofe minds
" that have not fufficient fortitude to be
" really immutable ? And afcer all, as
" we can only aflume the appearance of
cc it, is it not alfb unjuft, and wicked
" too, as we create a neceflity for hypo-
" crify ? To difeafes in different confti-
" tutions we prefcribe different reme-
<e dies ; but the diforders of the mind
" muft all be cured by one univerfal
" panacea. Surely it is only the tyranny
" of cuftom that prevents us from adapt-
" ing our moral code to every character,
cc inftead of ftretching diflimilar minds
" on the gigantic iron couch defigned
for a Procruftes."
Lady
214 A' TALE OF THE TIMES.
Lady Monteith felt ftartled. She
recolk&ed that where much was
given much would be required ; yet
this text related to diffimilar powers
of doing good, and could not poflibly
be urged in extenuation of any vicious
aclion. But Fitzolborne interrupted
her mufings by afluming a gayer air
than he had lately exhibited. " I fee/'
faid he, " I (hall have fome difficulty to
" reconcile you to all my opinions ;
cc but, no matter ; when I legiflate for
" the world, don't flatter yourfelf, that
" 1 fhall propofe a lax fyftem to you.
" I know how to eftimate your mental
" ability, and your code .fhall be rigorous
" and coercive."
" Dare you repeat this fpeech to-
" night at the opera in the hearing of
" lady Arabella ?" faid the countefs.
cc There requires no courage to re-
_" pat an undifputcd truth in the hear-
"ing
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
<c ing of the whole world." Lady
Monteith forgot her di (approbation of
the novelty, fingularity, and laxity of
Pitzofborne's opinions -, and as (he
drove to form her party for the even-
ing, (he only remembered his happy
talent at a compliment.
A TALE OF THE TIMES*
CHAP. XXVIIL
It is Jealoufy's peculiar nature
To fwell fmall things to great} nay out of nothing
To conjure much.
YOUNG.
THE polite world were fo engrofied by
engagements, that lady Monteith found
it impoffible to form a party to her
fatisfadion. Exclufive of the pale vo-
taries, who facrificQ peace, health, for-
tune, and honour at the fhrine of Pharo,
feveral were engaged to the Quizzes,
and more to the Cabinet of Monkies,
which was juft opened. The fair coun-
tefs could fcarcely get any body into
her party but thofe who were left out
of all others: and they who refufed her
fecretly laughed at the ruilicity of fup-
pofing
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 2i;
pofing any body, who lived in the
world, could defer till two o'clock the
important bufmefs of fixing the even-
ing occupation. She was forced to be
contented with an antiquated belle of
the laft age, and a would-be fine lady
of the prefent, to whom ihe was lucky
enough to add a beau, fir Hargrave
Nappy, a gentleman, who though
known by every body to be incurably
deaf, had long laboured under the tan-
talizing defire of wifhing to be thought
a connoifTeur in mufic. With this de-
fign he conftantly attended the opera,
where his unvarying countenance and
fixed poflure procured him the appella-
tion of the pillar of melody.
Surrounded by the groupe I have
defcribed, and efcorted by the gallant
Edward Fitzofborne, lady Monteith
entered a fide-box oppofite to that
which was occupied by lady Arabella's
VOL. ii. L party.
2l8 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
party. Had Geraldine intended to have
felecled foils for her own perfon, the
females in her train were moil happily
gifted by nature for that purpofe j and
in point of celebrity they were juft
enough known to make it difficult for
any lady to decline being their com-
panion. Repeated' mortifications had
taught them the arcana of high life ; and
the protection of a countefs was fuffi-
ciently flattering to confine them to that
humble part which they fuppofed her
ladyfhip intended they mould fuftain.
Claiming fir Hargrave for their fhare
of the beaus, they invited him to feat
himfelf between them, and they ad-
drefifed all their obfervations to him,
without once turning their heads to
liften to the converfation which paffed
behind them. But fir Hargrave was fo
abforbed in opera ecftafies, that unlefs
his eye happened to inform him that he
was
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 219
was peculiarly addrefTed, all the Jmart
things pafied utterly unnoticed. Indeed
the only honour that they ever received
was a half bend, after which the amateur
refumed his former erect pofition, and
with one hand in his bofom, and the
other (on which was a fine antique)
beating time on the front of the box, he
repeated, like Shakefpeare's Lorenzo,
" Mark the mufic."
It is a very great pity that thefe un-
fortunate Jmart things fhould be wholly
loft. The prefcient Mufe at lead muft be
fuppofed to have heard them j but I feel
fo anxious to return to the reft of the
party, that I muft defer the recapitula-
tion of them to fome other opportunity,
promifing, if poffible, either to inter-
weave them with the hiftory of my
travels, or, if I have no other means of
introduction, to give them to the world
L 2 in
220 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
in the form of " More laft words of
Mrs. Prudentia."
The blooming Geraldine never ap-
peared fo enchanting. She perceived,
with a degree of pleafure, in which me
did not fufpect any criminality, that the
adventures of her box proved infinitely
more interefting to lady Arabella, than
the devoirs of the noble duke whom (he
wifhed to exhibit as her captive. Fitz-
olborne was in excellent fpirits. The
countefs enjoyed the circumftance. She
thought he had been extremely ill ufed,
and me applauded the fpirit which could
repay infult with contempt. His at-
tentions to herfelf, confidered in this
point of view, gave her fincere fatif-
faction. She returned them. Her na-
tural vivacity, combining with acci-
dental circumftances, hurried her into
a degree of mirth, which, to thofe who
were unacquainted with its motives, ap-
peared
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 221
peared to border upon coquetry, more
than the innocence of her heart and the
rectitude of her principles would have
permitted.
But while the lamb, bafking in the
blaze of noon, bounds over the flowery
hillock, the wolf watches its haunts and
meditates its destruction. To exemplify
mypaftoral fimile : Fitzolborne faw with
diabolical exultation, that Geraldine's
behaviour had attracted general at-
tention. He doubted not but calumny
would be ready to frame fome malignant
whifper, and he underftood the maxim
which teaches that cc virtue rarely fur-
vives the lofs of reputation." Though
he conceived that the powers of his own
invention were fully equal to overthrow
any defence which lady Monteith might
make, he did not difdain adventitious
aid. His watchful eye, though feem-
ingly only fixed on the lovely form
L 3 which
222 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
which was feated by him, had difcovered
lord Monteith in the pit. He per-
ceived too that he was attentive to his
lady's behaviour, and he fancied he read
difpleafure in his countenance. - " Can
" this thoughtlefs animal/' faid Fitz-
ofborne to himfelf, " have any thing
" like jealoufy in his compofition ? He
" feems lefs carelefs than ufual. If fo,
ft it is indeed above my hopes."
While he ruminated on this idea,
the door of the box opened, and a
young man of fafhion ftepped in. He
was an intimate friend of lord Mon-
teith's j and, feeing the countefs in
what he thought a new point of view,
he was defirous of (baring the pleafurc
which her converfation afforded. This
did not increafe the gaiety of the party.
The appearance of a ftranger caufed a
temporary interruption. Geraldine re-
collected her thoughts, and her natural
delicacy
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 22J
delicacy fhrunk from an intrufion
which, though fanctioned by the free-
dom of our prefent fyftem of man-
ners, feemed inconfiftent with ftrid
politenefs. His flyle of addrefs too
was bold and familiar, very different
from the infmuating fenfibility of Fitz-
olborne, who, though confcious of
diftinction, never appeared to prefume
upon favour. She determined to mark
her approbation of his behaviour by her
own condudt, and, inflead of the con-
fidence and vivacity which marked her
deportment previous to the entrance
of her new gueft, fhe became as cold
and circumfcribed in her anfwers as
the rules of civility could poflibly ad-
mit.
Lord Monteith now entered the box;
and, as he never concealed any fenti-
ment, the difpleafure he felt was ftrongly
marked in his countenance. He had
L 4 heard
224 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
heard his lady printed out as uncom-
monly beautiful by a ftranger who fat
next him ; and though he was very well
pleafed with that plaudit, the fubfequent
obfervations were not fatisfactory. To
the words, " Charming creature !"
were added, " and fo gay, fo lively too
" in her manners ! what a happy man
" that gentleman muft be 1" The
ftranger was juft arrived from the
country, and unwittingly fuppofed that
a married pair would not forfeit their
claims to celebrity by appearing at
the fame entertainment in the fame
party. Every exclamation which he
uttered in compliment of the affection-
ate attention of this peerlefs couple in-
creafed the carl's reftleflhefs5 and, no
longer able to conceal his own right
to the charmer who thus fafcinated all
eyes, he fuddenly rofe and joined her.
He had feen nothing in her manner
which
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
which cuftom did not juftify, and Fitz-
ofborne was of all others the friend in
whom he could moft confide. Yet,
without knowing what to blame, he
thought the laws of cuftom required
revifal.
Geraldine had not that fpecies of for-
titude which fees difpleafure on a huf-
band's brow without any fendment but
exultation. She was ignorant of thofe
principles which teach the diffipated
wife who has long renounced the power
of pleafing to exult in the capacity of
giving pain. The light heart which
had prompted the gay repartee became
loaded with fudden deprelfion, and the
frolic fmile vanished with the unaffected
vivacity which had given it birth.
The world had much to fay on the
adventures of this evening. Poor Ara-
bella ! every body was very forry for
her. Lady Monteith had certainly
L 5 fpirited
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
fpirited away her lover. Her exult-
ation upon the occafion was rather too
marked for a woman of prodigious
decorum j and really, if fhe did con-
tinue to flirt it fo notorioufly in public,
fhe muft renounce her pretenfions to
fuch very ftrid propriety, and confent
to be thought no better than other
people.
At coming out of the opera Fitz-
ofborne tapped lord Monteith upon
the fhoulder, and afked him, how he
difpofed of himfelf for the evening.
" At home, if you have nothing better to
" propofe :" was the anfwer. cc There is
<c a fpirited fet juft gone to Brookes's,"
continued Fitzofborne ; " fuppofe we
" follow them to obferve manners and
" characters." His lordfhip had no
objedion..
Early in lord Monteith's life his
name was unfortunately familiar to the
frequenters
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
frequenters of the gaming-table and the
heroes of tbe turf. His attachment to
the lovely Geraldine lefTened that dan-
gerous propenfity ; and, though (he had
failed in her endeavours to infpire a love
of elegant pleafures, indifference for his
former purfuits had gradually increafed
to difguft : the lefs pernicious fports of
the field, and a boyifh turn of amuie-
ment, fucceeding in occupying a mind
too volatile to feck pleafure out of its-
own refources. But fince his lordfhip's
difguft and forbearance arofe more from
the abfence of temptation than from any
fixed principle, the fight of the card,
table and the rattle of the dice-box ex-
cited pafTions which increafed the un
fubdued emotion that he had felt at the-
opera.
He propofed to Fitzofborne to form-
a party. Edward pleaded a total want
offkill; protefted, that he had a fixed;
L 6, abhor?-
223 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
abhorrence of the gaming-table; and
declared, that he never vifited thofc
fcenes, except to ftudy the human cha-
rafter, and to moralize on the fatal
effedb of the impetuous pafilon of ava-
rice. His reflections were foon finifhed
that evening, for in a little time he pro-
fefied him fe If wearied with the fcene, and
he propofed to lord Monteith that they
ihould retire to a private room. There
too he felt the moments drag heavily,
and it was mutually agreed to enliven
them by a friendly game at picquet.
The (lake ftrft propofed was trifling.
Monteith was uniuccefsful. He tranf-
ferred his latent refentment to the cards,
which he (lamped under his foot; called
for a new pack, and infifted upon
doubling the fum they played for. The
events of the evening put feveral hun-
dreds into Fitzofborne's pocket; and
his fuccefs might (lill have been greater,
but
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 229
but neither his friendfhip nor his
honour would (he protefted) permit
him to urge his good fortune any fur-
ther. " Your temper," faid he, " is too
<c warm j and I hope the little vexations
<c of this evening will convince you of
" the necefiity of felf-control, or at lead
" prevent you from trying your chance
" with thofe who might take the un-
if generous advantage of your agitation,
" which I fcorn toufe."
" I value not money," faid Monteith
angrily ! " nor can the curfed cards agi-
" tate me. A truce with your morality
" therefore, Edward ; when I want a
" monitor, it is time enough for you to
" inveft yourfelf with that dignity."
" I am not in a refentful humour/'
returned Fitzofbornefmiling. " I mall
" therefore very gladly refign my dig-
" nity, as you term it. Indeed, I have
<c been a little unlucky in the exercife '
7 " of
2JO A TALE OF THE TIMES.
Cf of it this evening. Yet if my well 1 -
" meant admonitions are but remem-
" bered by my friends, the difintereft-
" ednefs of my attachment will enable
" me to fupport a little tranfient a-cri-
" mony."
" Where elfe did' you play the lee-
" turer?" inquired Monteith, carelefsly.
" Where I faw a little impropriety,"
replied Fitzofborne, with fuppreffed fig r
mficance.
<f And did you fucceed no better
" than you have done with me ?" con-
tinued the earl, with increafing anxiety..
" I don't know. The character I
" had to deal with was more guarded
" than you are.'*
" What caufed your reproof r 5> faid
his lordfhip, with affected eafe, and ap-
parently occupied in forting the cards
into three divifions.
I be-
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
2 3 I
" I believe nothing but the too great
cc nicety of my own feelings : for on re-
" viewing the affair I cannot fee any
" thing efientially wrong ; and I begin
" to think thofe rules which impofe
<c fuperior caution on perfons who are
" objects of public admiration unnecef-
" farily fevere."
" The fentiments of ladies," refumed
Monteith, " are generally more delicate
"in thefe points than thofe of men;
" Suppofe you make Geraldine your
" cafuift in this bufmefs ? She will tell
" you if you went too far in your ad.-
<c monitions."
" By no means," faid Fitzofborne,
fnatching the cards. " Come, enough
<c of one fubjecl:. Shall we have an-
<c other game ?"
<c No ! I am tired ; and as I love to
" have every doubtful bufmefs cleared
" up, we will go home to fupper, and
" I will
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
" I will mention your uneafmefs to lady
" Monteith, that you may fleep with a
" difburdened confcience."
Fitzofborne flarted. cc How came
"you to difcover that the hafty opi-
" nion which I injudicioufly uttered,
"really dilpleafed her? Let me con-
"jure you, my lord, by all our friend-
" fhip, endeavour to reftore me to her
<c favour, and be convinced that I can
" only have forfeited it through inad-
<c vertence."
Lord Monteith fmiled with the con-
fcious fuperiority which attends a fuc-
cefsfgl feint, and a fib red the alarmed
Fitzofborne, that, if he would candidly
acknowledge the nature of his offence,
he might depend upon his interpofition.
" It really," returned Edward, " was
" nothing of confequence. You have
" often charged me with pofleffing a
<f ftoical fternnefs, and I confefs fome
"of
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 233.
<c of my notions are auflere. The
" countefs was in very lively fpirits
" this evening."
u Was me ?" faid Monteith, biting
his lips.
cc I faid fomething to her, I forgec
"what, refpecling the eafe with which
<c Britifh matrons publicly permit the
<c advances of notorious libertines. I
<c beg your pardon, Monteith, I know
" he is your friend ; but I muft own I
cc repeated this with more energy when
" fir Richard Vernon came into the
<c box. You know his notions are
e avowedly licentious."
" It was very friendly of you," ex-
claimed his lordfhip, with a voice con-
vulfed with pafllon. fc Did he talk to
" lady Monteith in an improper ftyle ?"
<c By no means. Yet there was fome-
<c what freer in his addrefs than I mould
cc have approved had the lady been my
wife ;
234 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
" wife ; and I felt for my abfent friend.
" The blaze of your Geraldine's charms,
" my lord, is loft upon me. Beauty can
" never more affect my heart. But
" I too well recoiled the emotions it
" has caufcd not to wifh fir Richard to
4C avoid lady Monteith, at leaft if he
ic refpects his own tranquillity."
" And could Geraldine refent your
cc friendly obfervation?" interrupted
Monteich.
" She only anfwered, that I was grown
" fplenetic, for public places fandioned
* c thefe intrufions. I however obferved,
" that (he did not fpeak to me any more
<c during the whole evening."
" I deteft caprice. She mail ac-
" knowledge the friendlinefs of your
" motives."
Cf Oh ! for heaven's fake ! do not in-
<c terfere in that flyle. You will alarm
" her pride, and fink me for ever in her
<f opinion.
A TALE Of THE TIMES. 2J J
" opinion. Befide, you will utterly pre-
" vent any future effort on my part
cc gently to reflrain thofe very agreeable
c< fpirits which may be liable to mifcon-
<c ftru&ion. To own the truth, I thought
" to-night fhe attracted particular atten-
" tion."
" Her prudence," exclaimed the earl,
who, though he had imbibed the poifon
of infmuation, was yet offended by a
direct attack, " is as exemplary as her
" character is fpotlefs."
" True/' replied Fitzofborne ; " but
<f think pf the malignity of the
" world."
" Who dares to impeach her con-
" duel . ?>> continued her lord, with in-
creafed violence.
" What does not envy and calumny
<e dare ?" cried the fentimental torturer.
" But I fee my friendfhip is troublefome.
" However, Monteith, recollect, that
cc you
23 A *TALE OF THE TIMES.
" you artfully wound the fecret out of
<e me, and therefore have no right ,to be
" difpleafed at the difclofure."
" Your hand, Edward. Excufe my
" warmth. My wife is too dear to me,
<f to allow me to hear the lead cenlure
" caft upon her behaviour with indif-
" ference. I venerate the excellence of
cc your heart, and I love your franknefs.
" I am frank myfelf, though I own I
<c did ufe a little circumlocution to dif-
cc cover what you certainly never in-
<c tended me to know. I was too fubtle
'* there. Was I not ? But come, think
cc no more of it. Perhaps lady Mon-
<c teith might be- a little wrong; but I
ce know you both meant well, and (he
<c will readily forgive you."
<c Then, as a pledge of your renewed
cc efteem, let me entreat you never to
" mention this affair to her. I may
Cf have been too fufceptible, and have
" miftaken
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
<c miflaken her filence for refentment ;
" for I am convinced I mifconftrued
" her preceding behaviour."
Monteith pledged his honour for
fecrefy, and endeavoured to diflipate his
chagrin by humming an air. But the
idea that Fitzofborne had feen fome-
thing wrong in Geraldine, and his re-
collection of the Granger's converfation,
funk deep into his mind, and clouded
the gay vacuity of his thoughts with
fpeclres fearful as " the green-eyed
monfter" which haunted the frank and
noble Moor, who, like lord Monteith,
" thought men honeft who but feemed
tobefo."v
238 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
CHAP. XXIX.
No might nor greatnefs in mortality
Can Cenfure 'fcape j back-wounding Calumny
The whiteft virtue ftrikes.
SHAKESPEARE.
VICE always appears to be mod alluring
when its machinations are crowned with
fuccefs. During the dangerous period
of youth, while the pafiions are warm,
the imagination lively, and the judg-
ment weak, the fpe&ator feels a bias in
favour of that adventurer whofe courfe
(marked by ingenuity) leads toafpeedy
attainment of his defires. But could
Inexperience reflect, and Impetuofity
paufe, the couch of even the mod pro-
fperous villain would prefent no alluring
fpedacle. Fitfcolborne's plans had hi-
therto anfwered his wifhes. His fpecious
manners
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 239
%,
manners had acquired the efteem of the
countefs, and the unbounded confidence
of her lord. He had obtained a firm
footing in the family ; had fown the
baleful germ of fufpicion, fo fatal to do-
meftic peace -, and the difpleafure and
gloom which occafionally pervaded lord
Monteith's countenance convinced him
that it had taken root. Calumny was
prepared to doubt the liability of Geral-
dine's honour ; and Calumny, like a
peftilential blaft, can taint the innocence
it affails. To thefe engines of feduction
might be added the fophiftical principles
of falfe philofophy, which, though
cautioudy adminiftered and often reject-
ed, flill, like the delved mine, pofTefs a
power capable of fubverting the firmed
moral virtue, if not founded on the rock
of religion.
Yet Fitzofborne was wretched. The
atrocity of his defigns haunted his pillow,
not
240 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
+
not with v a fenfe of remorfe, but with the
apprehenfion of danger. The fituation
of the lady was exalted; her charade r
was exemplary ; her connexions were
refpedtable ; her hufband, as he had
lately difcovered, was not only tenacious
of her reputation, and vain of her at-
tradions, but alfo confcious of her
merits, and fincerely attached to her
perfon. Though the earl's apprehenfion
was peculiarly flow, his paflions were as
remarkably vehement ; and his fkill at
the various offenfive weapons was fo
great, that his opponent could have
very little chance of efcaping with life,
if called to make the amende honorable.
Fitzofborne's fortunes were almoft de-
fperate. Worldly prudence feemed,
therefore, to point out the neceffity of
applying his ingenuity in devifing fome
plan of improving his circumftances,
inftead of wafting his talents in a purfuit
which
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
which only promifed danger, or, to
fpeak according to his ideas, " barren
honour."
Notwithftanding the appearance of
open hoftility, he held a private corre-
fpondence with the vifcount's family;
and his intelligence from thence con-
firmed his own opinion, that the breach
with lady Arabella was not totally irre-
parable. Her vexation at his attention
to lady Monteith was too lively to be
concealed, and too fmcere to yield to
the hopes which the noble duke's in-
creafing admiration infpired. In vain
did (he recollect detecting him incognito
at the theatre, looking at her through
his opera-glafs. In vain did fhe re-
member her more fplendid triumph,
when he prefented her with a ticket for
lady Fillagree's fancied ball, infcribed
" To the faireft." Fitzofborne faw his
afllduities without emotion. The noble
VOL. IT. M duke's
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
duke's fentiments were known to be in-
aufpieious to marriage ; and no lady,
who had not abfolutely. determined to
be a duchefs, could even affect to find
fatisfaclion in his converfation.
Fitzofborne poized the chance of lu-
rative advantage with precifion ; and,
as he had no inclination for fleeping in
the bed of honour, he beftowed fome
forethought on the hazards he ran by
purfuing his illicit defigns againil the
lovely countefs. " Since he deemed his
fuccefs certain, it was unnecefTary to
examine the effect of a difappointment.
Great prudence, great caution, and great
morality, might prevent a rencontre.
He might be unwilling to lift his arm
againft the life of his friend ; he might
refpeft the laws of his country 5 or his
health might impofe the neceflity of a
tour for its reftoration. The laft ftep
would be the moft convenient, in cafe
lord
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 2^
lord Monteith applied for legal damages,
fince, however large the fum given by
the verdict, abfence and incapacity
would be a receipt in full. The next
flep of the injured hufband mufl be a
divorce, and the deferted lady could not
then object to taking refuge in a fecond
marriage, which was the only chance of
reftoring her again to the world, if not
with untainted, at lead with a convalef-
cent character. Geraldine was an heirefs,
and it was to be fuppofed that her fet-
tlements were made with proper pre-
caution. Even as a wife (he was in-
finitely more defirable than Arabella j
and, though the illiberally of hufbands
might wilh to fecure their domeftic
pofTcfTions by an impaflfable inclofure,
modern fpirit had proved itfelf able
to furmount every fence; arid the lady
might give away herfelf and her property
feveral times over, without calling upon
M 2 death
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
death to cancel a former bond. The
world indeed would at firft be angry ;
but the times were very liberal. People
would allow for the force of irrejtftible
temptation. They would plead, that
it was impoffible to forbear adoring fuch
a charming creature. The blame would
be happily transferred to my lord, who
ought never to have admitted a friend
into his family, or to v have trufled her
out of his fight ; and in a little time
every body would vifit Mr. Fitzofborne
and his lady, and perhaps even find
them out to be a very worthy and ex-
emplary pair.
Confirmed in his defigns not more
by his own infidious inclinations than
by the falfe notions which prevail even
amongft the more principled part of
that important circle called the great
world, Fitzolborne profecuted his nefa-
rious plans 5 and he determined, that if
fear,
A TALE OF THE TIMES, 245
fear, or as he called it prudence, did
not check, compunction fhould not dif-
fuade. Chance, and the credulous con-
fidence of lord Monteith, favoured his
wilhes. Cards of invitation to lady
Fillagree's -petit Joufe had been fenc to
the Monteiths, and the countefs had not
only chofen her character, but flie had
alfo decorated an Italian tiffany with
feftoons of violets, in which drefs fhe
intended to perfonify the Perdita of
Shakefpeare. Her anxious entreaties
had prevailed upon her lord to accom-
pany her in the habit of the royal Flo-
rizcl ; and this mark of attachment on
her part, and condefcenfion on his,
promifed the renewal of domeftic
harmony. The expected evening ap-
proached, when a note from the minifter
requefted lord Monteith's attendance
in the houfe of peers. Bufinefs of
great importance was to be agitated ;
M 3 a via-
246 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
a violent oppofition was expected j and
the honour of his lordfhip's fupport
would confer a lading obligation. The
earl [was not in the habit of courting
rninifterial favour; he difliked the talk
of attendance j and the labour of liften-
ing to a long debate was always ftif-
ficiently terrific to make him prejudge
the queftion. Yet though no one ever
took lefs pains to acquire real authority,
he was very well pleafed to be thought
a man of confequence ; and the minifter's
requeft was too prefling to be declined.
Geraldine wifhed to give up her en-
gagement ; but my lord had fixed upon
a plan that would fettle every thing,
and to which his own diflike of mafked
balls and fancy fuppers gave a determi-
nate ftability. It was, that Fitzofborne,
inftead of fpending the evening alone in
the library, mould be her efcort. My
lord's drcfs would fit him pretty exactly,
and
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 247
and Edward's excufes anfwered the end
for which they were defigned, which
was to fix my lord mod pofitively in
his determinations.
The entertainment was to be given
at a villa a little diftance from town.
Geraldine drefTed early ; but her heavy
heart feemedto anticipate fome difaftrous
ilTue. My lord came into her dreffing-
room to fee if me looked her character;
and while he contemplated the fimpliciry
and exquifite adaption of. her ornaments,
the apprehenfions with which he had
been lately tortured returned. " Do
Cf not/' faid he, " dance with Vernon,
" nor any of that fet, if they mould afk
<f you. Plead that you are engaged to
" Fitzofborne, or elfe fay that you are
" tired."
"Will not that have a " fingular
" appearance ?" inquired the countefs.
M 4 " You
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
" You have a ftrange apprehenfivc-
" nefs of fingularity, Geraldine. Don't
" you remember your father's words,
* f that there is no ihame in being the
" only perfon who ads as fhe ought
to do ?"
<f Stippofe then," faid her ladyfbip,
<c I do not dance at all."
" What ! when all the world knows
" that you are very fond of dancing ?
" Is that the way to avoid fingularity ?
" And why this averfion to my friend ?
" Cannot you forgive him for offering
" you fome advice which you was loo
" carelefs to attend to ?"
" My dear lord, there has been fome
".little mifunderftanding, certainly. J
" am far from having any averfion to
" Fitzofborne, and as far from being
" offended at his giving me any advice. I
" do not even recollect the circumftance."
" O ! you
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 49
" O ! you give it that turn, do you ?
cc But you underftand my prefent pro-
<c hibition, I fuppofe, and you will re-
" member it."
(< Undoubtedly. And do you re-
" collet, that depending upon your
" accompanying me, I have not formed
" any party. If poflible come away
" from the houie, and join me at
" Richmond."
" You are grown a coward, Geral-
" dine. However I will come, if I can*
" but Fitzoiborne is furely a fufficient
c guard. Tell Arabella to do that worthy
" fellow juftice^ or I mall difown her for
my fifter."
The vivacity of lady Monteith had 1
received fo fevere a check that fhe
could not recover her fpirits during,
her ride to lady Fillagree's* Fitzofborne
difcovered her dejection. c< I know,"
faid he, " ftich folicitude is often very
M $ <f trouble T
2 JO A TALE OF THE TIMES.
cc troublcfome ; yet the fervency of my
" friendfhip will not permit me to fee
" you difpirited without inquiring into
" the caufe of your depreffion."
" It is fb wholly feminine," returned
fhe, " that it is abfolutely undefinable,
<c and ouft be fet down in the catalogue
<c of my unaccountables, unlefs I fhould
Cf give as a reafbn, what I am very un-
** willing to admit ; I mean, an idea of
" my lord's, that fbme time or another
" I did not treat your good advice with
* c fufficient deference. Pray, Fitzofborne,
* c when did you play the moralift ; and
c wfeen was I fuch a refractory popi.
fi Ah Monteith ! this is one of thy
-cepdoas. I will explain the
** whok afeir, madam, though it is too
" ridiculous to merk repetition. You
recoiled the night we were together
c< at the opera."
* Perfedl,"
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 25!
ct And that in return to fome obferva-
cc dons which I made on the behaviour
4C of lady Arabella, you faid, di (appoints
<c nient had made me fpleneric t"
n I do."
" Lord Monte ith heard your anfwer
" as he entered the box ; and he witi
" perfift in his opinion, that my ex-
" preffions were pointed at you, as a
" reproof fc :ng in your ma:
" to Vernon. I mud excufc him by
" laying, that he was a little fluttered.
" I followed him to Brookes^, where
" we foon adjufted *'
"To Brookes *s ! Does rny lord :
" quent Brookes's ?"
" O you tempter 1 h ave too
* c much hocour to reveal iecrers. The
lir was iboa explained, I v, -*&. going
cc to fays for Monteith really has a very
* good heart, which excuses a Ikcfc
* accidenol ; :atedfiei:
; i Geraldinc
252 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
Geraldine coloured -, but her Proteus
companion gave her no time to refent.
Looking out of the chariot window, he
relapfed into fentiment. " See, dear
C lady Monteith," faid he, " how the
" giddy throng haften to this feftival of
** oftentatious vanity* A reflecting
* e mind, on contemplating this crowd of
Cf carriages, muft feel other fenfations
" than thofe of pleafure. Not to men-
" tion the fufferings of thofe noble ani-
" mals who draw the vehicles of tyrant
< c man, the fituation of matter and fer-
* e vant, as exhibited upon the prefent
< c occafion, is enough to cure the mod
e obdurate heart of its partiality for
4< thofe diftinclkms of rank which cor-
4C rupt fockty now exhibits. How re-
** pugnant to the feelings of univerfal
" love is that pak emaciated footman>
* who, expofed to the inclemency of
" the feafons, fufpends the flambeau
5 " over
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
" over the carriage of his voluptuous
" matter ! How remote muft that man
" (till be from the ultimate perfection of
" his nature, who can enjoy the pleafures
t of a crowded afiembly, while his
c coachman quakes in the warping
cc wind, or (brinks beneath the pelting
" dorm ! It is the cruelty of a Mezen-
" tius : The living body is united ta
" putridity."
cc There is fome juftice in your ob~
fervations/' faid the countefs : " and
w it behoves us as individuals to lefTen
" the evils of that inequality which
'< public good requires." The carriages
now flopped j and as Fitzofbcrne led
irer to the gay aflemblage of beauty,
fancy, and elegance, her reflections on
his character concluded with an obferv-
ation, that <c his very failings leaned to
the fide of virtue."
The
254 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
The ball went on very much like
other balls. Sir Richard Vernon and
feveral gentlemen of his caft of character
were prefent, and Geraldine complied
punctually with her lord's injunction,
either to fit down, or to dance with
Fitzofborne. She had forgot to account
for his appearing in a drefs fo correfpon-
dent to her own ; and when fome ladies,
by pointing.it out, alarmed her fenfe
of propriety, her explanation was errv-
barrafTed, and confequently fufpicious.
As at the opera, Fitzolborne's attentions
were confined to her ; v and his eleganf
addrefs and polite vivacity added the
fneer of envy to the whifper of de-
traction. Lady Arabella had indeed
the honour to move down one dance
with the dukes but his grace was fo
fatigued by the exertion, that he was
obliged to renounce dancing, and to
have
A TALE OF THE TIMES.' 1$$
have recourfe to Caflino for the reft of
the evening. Her fucceeding partners
ranked no higher than commoners,
without poffefling any of the innate dif-
tinclions which gave celebrity to the
partner of Fitzolborne. He had only
bowed to her in the mod diftant man-
ner pofiible. Her fmile of invitation
was unanfwered -, and {he began to
think a fainting fit was the only chance
of roufing the monfter's attention. She
performed it in the greater! perfection ;
but on opening her eyes fhe felt a little
mortified to find, that neither he nor
the countefs appeared in the circle
which had gathered round her. Another
glance convinced her> that they were
not in the room.
< The heat of this apartment/' faid
the lovely fufferer, c; is infupportable.
" Do, my deareft Harriet, lend me
" your arm, and let me breathe a little
256 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
* c pure air in the veftibule." The vif-
countefs complied, and the miftrefs of
the ceremony with feveral other ladies
accompanied the fair invalid.
Lady Arabella cail a fcrutinizing
glance upon the fuite of chambers
through which me was led* but fhe
defcended into the veftibule without
making any difcovery. It had been
converted into an orangery for the oc-
cafion, and decorated with a variety of
lamps taftefully fufpended. The many-
coloured light trembling on the fragrant
exotics, the frefhnefs of the air, the ftill-
nefs of the fcene, and the extenfive view
which it admitted of the " ftars in all
their fplendor" and u the moon walking
in brightnefs/' afforded a linking
contraft to the glittering but artificial
fcene which they had juft left. Lady
Arabella and her friends were not the
only admirers of its enchanting efTecl,
far
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 257
for at the upper end (lood the countefs
and Fitzofborne.
" Pray let us go back," fhrieked
lady Arabella, who however did not
much doubt their identity. " I am
cc quite frightened. Somebody is here,"
The lady of the houfe declared, that it
could be nobody whom Ihe could object
to, while the charitable vifcountefs
whifpered, " that it would be rude to
" interrupt a private party."
" Oh ! not for the univerfe/'exclaimed
Arabella. " I would die a thoufand
" deaths rather than be rude."
The countefs advanced with an air of
eafy dignity, which the inquifitive looks
of the other ladies foon difcompofed.
"Blefs me, fitter," faid the candid
Arabella, " I really did not think k was
you." "And Edward too, " continued
the fignificant lady Fitzofborne ; " how
" do you do ? There is no fuch thing
"as
258 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
" as catching your attention for one
Cf moment this evening. How came
t your aufterity to condefcend to vifit
<c thefe tinfel amufements ?"
- cc Pardon me, madam," faid Edward,
bowing refpeclfully to lady Arabella,
" thofe amufements cannot be tinfel
cf which have the power of attracting
<c fterling merit.*' Her ladyfhip did
not deign to take the lead notice of
his fubmifiion, but continued whifpering
the countefs : " So you have one con-
<c ftant cecifbeo I fee, and Monteith flays
cc at home. Very fingular, I vow. But
<c was you not afraid of taking cold
cc during this long converfation ?"
<f No," replied Geraldine with re-
covered compofure j tc our converfa-
<f tion was too interefting for me to
think of cold. What if I fhould tell
<c you, Arabella, that fome part of it
" related to yourfeif. But you really
" treat
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 259
<c treat your faithful fwain's advances in
cf too contemptuous a ftyle for me to
cc begin my requefted interceflion, or
" even to deliver to you a mefiage
" from your brother on the fame fub-
"jecl."
The party had now re-entered the
houfe, when the countefs, turning, faid
to Fitzofbome, cc You forget Mifs Par-
] (en " <c .Where is Mifs Parker r >f
was the general inquiry. ce In the
" orangery," faid lady Monteith. <f No,
<c madam, I am here," echoed a fhrill
voice, which iiTued from one of the
ladies who accompanied lady Ara-
bella.
" Mifs Parker could not have been
<c left in the orangery, 7 ' obferved the
vifcouritefs. " Your ladyihip was cer-
<f tainly miftaken. She came down
(C flairs with us/'
"And
A TALE OF TRE TIMES.
" And (he was the firft who fupport-
" ed me when I fainted/' faid lady Ara-
bella, who, in her eagernefs to deteft a
fuppofed criminal, forgot, that fainting
people do not always know what paffes.
" She certainly accompanied me into
" the orangery," repeated lady Mon-
teith.
Mifs Parker, who was no other than
the ce antiquated belle" at the opera,
now came forward, and with a refpeft-
ful courtefy, begged leave to explain :
" I certainly accompanied your lady-
c Ihip and Mr. Fitzofborne down flairs,
if when you did me the honour to alk
* c me ; but while your ladyfhip was en-
t g a g e< 3 with him in looking at the
Cf ftars, I found it was very cold, and I
" was afraid of my old attack in my
" fhoulderi fo I thought I would itep
<c and fetch my pellice , and I believe
" ycur
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 26l
<c your ladyfhip and the gentleman were
<c too much occupied to perceive that I
" was gone."
A farcaftic'fmile, which lady Filla-
gree's politenefs could fcarcely reftrain
her from joining, followed this nar-
rative, when Edward, like Jofeph Sur-
face, promifed to give a full and fatis-
factory account of the matter. He
faid, that on his mentioning that he
had obferved a beautiful Jacobea lily
in full blow as they entered, lady
Monteith and Mifs Parker had ex-
prefled a wifh to pay it more at-
tention ; that he had the honour to
efcort them ; and that, after admiring
the flower, her ladyfhip was fuddenly
flruck by the fplendor of fome parti-
cular conftellations, when lady Arabella
entered.
Another general fmile enfued, and
Geraldine, no longer able to rally her
fpirits,
262 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
fpirits, ordered her chariot; and, telling
Mifs Parker fhe would fet her down at
her own door, fhe relieved the ladies
from the pain of fupprefled merriment,
by taking leave.
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 263
CHAP. XXX.
Confidence, what art thou ? Thou tremendous power!
Who doft inhabit us without our leave j
How dolt thou light a torch to diftant deeds !
Make the pail, prefent, and the future, frown !
How, ever and anon, awake the foul,
As with a peal of thunder !
YOUNG.
i HE fuppofed fecret, mentioned in my
lad Chapter, was of too much importance
to be confined to the difcoverers. By
means of the happy art of inuendoes, the
initiated fooh difleminated it through
the whole circle, in the politeft manner
imaginable. Qne lady obferved, that
the adventures of the third Eloifa would
foon be publifhed : another affirmed, that
it would be called Werter the Second,
with a different cataftrophe : a third
wifhed to read the Chapter on Botany :
a fourth
264 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
a fourth thought that that on aftronomy
would contain the mod aftonifhing dif-
covery : a fifth allowed, that aftronomy
and botany were both very fuitable
ftudies for fhepherds and fhepherdefles ;
and every body hoped that the adven-
tures of the poor little lady, who had
loft her pellice, and got the rheumatifm,
would be inferted. The farcafms of
the vifcountefs were peculiarly piquant :
for hers was the moft fufpected cha-
rafter in company; and it is an in-
variable rule with ladies of her caft, that
the odium with which you befpatter a
neighbour's reputation has the effect, by
retroaction, of furbifhing your own: Her
indignation was chiefly pointed at lord
Monteith, who, Ihe faid, was certainly
anxious to obtain the honour of being a
cornuto j and her idea was thought to
be the more judicious, as it was known
to correfpond with the fentiments of the
noble
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 265
noble vifcount her hulband. Envy,
idlenefs, the love of faying good things,
and a dearth of converfation, afiifted
her to propagate the ftory. For two
days the town talked of nothing elfr,
and every relater could add circum-
(lances of frefli atrocity. In two days
more, the truth of thefe adventitious cir-
cumftances became doubtful, and, being
proved unfounded, the whole fabric fell
with them to the ground. At the end
of the week every body was heartily
ibrry for the dear mifreprefented couji-
tefs ; and every body, forgetting the
part they had themfelves taken, heartily
wifhed that fome law might be invented
to prevent defamation. But to return
to the objed: of thefe inquifitorial pro-
ceedings.
The lovely Geraldine plainly per-
ceived the malicious explanation that
had been given to an incident which
VOL. u. N Fitz-
1*66 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
Fitzofborne had faithfully explained.
The love of diftinction was, as I have
before obferved, one of her ruling
foibles -, but me fought to gratify it by
the nobleft means. Her fpotlefs fame
added luftre to the fplendor of her
talents and the attractions of her beauty.
She had eve-r been named as one of
thofe few, who, in a degenerate age, af-
forded a happy inftance of the pofiible
union of propriety and fafhion. To have
the goodly edifice which me had reared
with fuch affiduous care at once deftroy-
ed j to have her unfullied name become
the jeft of witlings and the afTociate of
wilful depravity, was infupportable. Even
fuppofing that the candid hearer would
reject the calumnious aflertion, (he could
not endure the very idea of having her
character expofed to fufpicious difcuf-
fion. She fat filent in the chariot, the
tear of anguifh dealing down her cheek,
incapable
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 267
incapable of attending to Mifs Parker's
narrative, whofe regret about the pellice
furnifhed her with a fubjedl of lament-
ation till they arrived in town.
Fitzolborne read lady Monteith's
fentiments. He rightly judged that
this keen fenfibility would prove in-
jurious to his audacious defigns j and
he determined to exert his infidious
arts to fubdue it. The earl was not
returned from the Houfe. The countefs
wifhed him good night, and pafied on
to her drefiing-room. Fitzofborne fol-
lowed her to the door. cc Excufe my
" anxiety," faid he ; " your look does
" not indicate a wifh for repofe. Will
" you allow me to fit with you till
" Monteith returns ?" She replied,
that fhe was not in fpirits for company ;
and after a paufe, " It is in vain, 11 faid
ihe, " to difguife my feelings, Fitz-
N 2 olborne ;
268 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
<c ofborne ; and you know the caufe of
"my diftrefs."
" I know nothing that can juftify, or
" at leafb deferve, thofe tears. Deareft
<c lady Monteith, for Heaven's fake,
cc conquer that emotion, which increafes
cc the mifanthropy I long have felt at
cc the narrow prejudice and illiberality
of the world."
You are always tilting againft thofe
cc windmill giants/' returned Geraldine
with a languid fmile. " It is of the
<c fpirit of detradion and inconfiderate-
cf neis that I complain; of that cruel
<c levity, which fports with what is
dearer than life."
" Nay, now you urge your fenfibility
cc too far. It is weaknefs, not delicacy,
cc to put our happinefs fo much in the
" power of others. Have yoti forgot-
cc ten that beautiful fentiment, * The
C 5 con-
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 269
" confcious mind is its own awful
" world ?'
" I grant its propriety only with re-
" fpedl to the tortures of guilt ; for can
<f innocence be infenfible of the value
* e of reputation ?"
" It may difprove flander by defpif-
" ing it, and by acting with marked
" contempt of its petty machinations.
" The tale you feem to apprehend is
ec too poor, too contemptible for be -
" lief. I have but one fear refpecting
" its public expofure. M
" x What fear ?"
" If lord Monteith fhould hear it."
" If he fhould, what have I to
" dread ?"
<f The warmth of his character ;
"his irritable impetuofity^ his fui-
" picious '"
st Sufpicious, did you fay ? Ho\v
" mud I be degraded, Mr. Fitzofborne,
N 3 "in
270 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
" in his opinion ! To fufpe<5l me after
" four years experienced confidence !
" And what muft the world think of
" rnc, if even my firft, my dearefl
" friend doubts my rectitude ?"
" I know that angels are not purer ;
" and when Monteith recollects himfelf,
" his judgment will tell him the fame.
" He is now a little warped 3 an un-
" happy ill-grounded apprehenfion a
" fmothered fpark nearly extinguifhed
cc by reafon, which this ridiculous ftory
cc may revive ; and fufpicion in a cha-
<c radter like his muft be terrible."
Geraldine leaned almoft fainting
againft the wainfcot. A deadly pale-
nefs was diffufed over her intelligent
face, and her heart panted with appre-
henfive terror. None, except a Domi-
tian or a Fitzofborne, who delight
in torture, but muft have pitied her
agonies.
The
A TALE OF THE TIMES* 27 1
The traitor did indeed affect to pity.
He dropped upon his knee, and uttered
every rhapfodical expreftion which the
rnoft guileful art could dictate. " Deareft
cc lady Monteith, for Heaven's fake be
<c compofed my tortured heart bleeds
" to fee your anguifh* mod injured
" moft lovely fufFerer Oh. richly wor-
" thy of a better fate Impart your
" anguifh to the faithful friend who,
" would die to relieve it/'
The laft words recalled her recol-
leaion. " Rife, fir," laid me with
becoming dignity* " My fituation does
" not call for the active offices of friend-
" fhip. You fay I am injured. In what ?
<c From what motive do you torture me
" with fufpenfe ? You feem to poflefa
" fome fatal fecret refpedling me. If I
cc ought to know the evil you allude to,
" tell me at once, that I may arm my
" foul with fortitude to fuftain my trials*
N 4 "or
272 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
" or detect the calumny which fports
" with my peace/'
Edward was difconcerted. He had
hoped that fo much friendfhip might
have furprized her into a little acknow-
ledgment. And he perceived with re-
gret that many a fummer's fun mud
Hill rife to mature 1 his villany. He had
never yet encountered the refiftance of
a firm fuperior mind, or fo ftrongly
feen the " iovelinefs of virtue in her
own form," or " felt how awful good-
nefs is." Yet, more remorfelefs than
the Prince of Darknefs, cc he pined not
at his own lofs."
The fophifts, who in thefe evil days
are falfely called enlightened, affect not
to palliate their own vices by pleas of
necefllty and frailty, whatever difguife
they may afibme to expedite their fuc-
cefs with others. Afpiring to a pre-
eminence in impiety, which former
times
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 27J;
times feared to arrogate, they fm upon
principle, promulgate fyftems to juftify
iniquity, and profcribe repentance by a.
morality which overturns every re-
ilraint, and a religion that prohibits
nothing but devotion.. Combining Pa-
gan fuperftitions with the exploded re-
veries of irrational theorifts, they place
at the head of their world of chance a,
iiipine material God, whom they recog-
nize by the name of Nature, and pre-
tend that its worfhip fuperfedes all other
laws human and divine. By the fide
of this circumfcribed Deity they erect
the idol fhrine of its vicegerent, Inte-
rcft j by the monftrous doctrines, thac
"whatever is profitable is right," that
Cf the end fandtifies the means/' and
that " human actions ought to be free,' 5
they diflblve the bonds of fociety ; anc?^
after conducting their bewildered fol-
lowers through the mazes of folly and
N 5 " guilt*
274 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
guilt, in fearch of an unattainable per-
fection, their views terminate at laft in
that fallacious opiate which infidelity
prefents, " the eternal fleep of death."
When pofterity fhall know that thefe
principles characterize the clofe of the
eighteenth century, it will ceafe to won-
der at the calamities which hiftory will
then have recorded. Such engines are
fufficiently powerful to overturn govern-
ments., and to fhake the deep-founded
bafe of the firmed empires. Should it
therefore be told to future ages, that
the capricious diffolubility (if not the
abfolute nullity) of the nuptial tie and 1
the annihilation of parental authority are
among the blafphemies uttered by the
moral inftriictors of thefe times: mould'
they hear* that law was branded as a
vain and even unjuft attempt to bring*
individual actions under the re Unctions,
of general rule 5 that chaftity was de-
fined
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
fined to mean only individuality of
affection - y that religion was degraded
into a fentimental effufion; and that
thefe doctrines do not proceed from
the pen of avowed profligates^ but
from perfons apparently actuated by
the [defire of improving the happinefs
of the world : mould, I fay, generations
yet unborn hear this, they will not aC-
cribe the annihilation of thrones and
altars to the fuccefsful arms of France,
but to thofe principles which, by dif-
iblving domeftic confidence and under-
mining private worth, paved the way?
for univerfal confufion.
Stimulated by that zeal for making
profelytes which marks the miffionaries,
of thefe doctrines,, Fitzoiborne had
hoped to goad his victim into the
fnares of infidelity by the corroding,
pangs of previous guilt. Her unaffect-
ed agony at the idea of her hufband's.'
doubting the propriety of her conduct
N.6 and;
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
and the rectitude of her heart, could
only be infpired by connubial tender-
nefs and real delicacy. The blufh of
generous indignation which kindkd
upon her cheek at the fuppofition that
Edward's infinuations might proceed
from fihifler views, and the calm con-
tempt with which me treated the little
arts of reduction to which female va-
nity has fometimes yielded, convinced
him that all his attempts to overturn
her high-feated honour would be in-
effectual, unlefs he could weaken the
bonds of conjugal attachment, or re-
move the ftrong bulwark of confcious
immortality, which gave energy to her
principles and liability to her virtue.
Her native fagacity allured him, that
all thefe attempts muft be made with
caution; but his poifonous noftrumsj
once introduced, would work with filent
vigour. If the conflict of the paflions
ihould not be fufficiently ftormy in her
tern-
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
temperate mind to erafe the belief of
future retribution, her third after know-
ledge might entangle her in metaphy-
lical fubtilties. The love of diftinctioa
and the allurements of example might
induce her to add one more to thofe
courageous females who conceive that
the character of a woman is not en-
tirely divefted of weaknefs till me de-
fies Omnipotence ; while unrequited
tendernefs and unrewarded defert muft
eftrange an exquifitely fufceptible heart
from its unworthy mafter, and direct its
affections to the fpecious blandilhments
of an unprincipled impofture.
Fitzolborne's anfwer to Geraldine's
fpirited appeal was dictated by the moft
confummate art. He protefted that he
had no feeret to divulge but what fhe
already knew -, namely, that lord Mon-
teith had unwarily imbibed fome fufpi-
cious apprehenfions from the marked
admi-
A- TALE OF THE TIMES*
admiration which fir Richard Vernort
had paid to her at the opera, and to
which the incidental circumftance of
her being in remarkably good fpirits
that evening might contribute. He
fcarcely wondered at his friend's alarm,,
when he confidered the free notions of
the age, the baronet's libertine principles,,
the impetuofity of lord Monteith's tern*
per, and his extreme fufceptibility in a
point of honour, which in his opinion,
probably proceeded from the warmth,
of his conjugal attachment. He begged
pardon for too deeply fympathizing in.
her uneafinefs, but owned that his feelr
ings were never proof againft the magic
influence of female tears.. The term
" injured /' which he perceived had
alarmed her, was heedlefsly uttered,
without any reference, at leaft any de-
figned one, uniefs it alluded to thofe
illiberal fhnderers who attempted to
afperfe
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 279
afperfe a chara&er which he verily be-
lieved was the only exception to that
general careleflhefs of reputation too
flrongly chara&eriftic of the manners of
the prefentrace of married ladies.
" Calumny, my dear lady Monteith,'*
continued he, cc is now confidered as
cc the teft of fafhion j and, inftead of
<c fhrinking from its peftilential attack,
<c even women of virtue conceive a flan-
" derous paragraph in a morning paper
<c to be a kind of paflport to celebrity ;
" and, pleafed with becoming an object
cc of general attention, they wait very
" patiently for time to confute what was
<c untrue in the report. Your extreme
" delicacy (for now that you are a little
" recovered I cannot help remarking
" that it is too exquifitely fufceptible)
" and the peculiarity of your lord's dif-
" pofition make me fee the confequences
tf of this affair in a more fcrious light
" than
28O A TALE OF THE TIMES*
" than I fhould otherwife do: but as I
cc am afraid that neither of you will ever
cc pradtife the philofophy which I fhould
" afiume on this ridiculous occafion,
" I can only fay, that I (hall be ready to
" purfue any plan you fhall fuggeft for
" my conduct. Come, clear that pen-
" five brow ; and be convinced, that
" Monteith may fee other men admire
" you without fuppofing that you en-
" courage their addrefles."
This fpeech had the defired effeclr.
It convinced the countefs that fhe
ought to conceal from her lord every
circumftance in her own behaviour
which excited the animadverfions of
others;, and while her agitated fpirits
were fomewhat confoled by the hope
that his difpleafure was now wholly con-
fined to Vernon, me faw the necellity
of extreme caution, left it mould ulti-
mately point at her. Her apprehen-
Cons
A TALE OF THE TIMES, 2l
fions of fome criminal intention inFitz-
ofborne's pafiionate addrefs were tran-
fient. The extreme audacity and guilt
annexed to the bare idea of his having
formed an illicit attachment, and the
abfolute impoffibility of his even hop-
ing for fuccefs, perfuaded her, that his
pafiionate language was only, as he af-
firmed it to be, the unpremeditated fym-
pathy of fincere friendfhip j and fhe now
blufhed at her own indelicacy in doubt-
ing, though but for a moment, the rec-
titude of his heart.
Efteem and confidence are never fo
powerful as at the moment of removed
fufpicion. She wanted an advifer and
confidant. Who could feem fo proper
to perform that office as the fagacious
fentimental Edward ? The firft fcheme
which lady Monteith propofed to flop
the circulation of the flanderous tale
was, that Fitzofborne fhpuld immedi-
ately
282 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
ately leave the family. The arch-tempt-
er fignified his perfect acquiefcence ; but
with deference ftated, that in his opi-
nion fuch an apparent coincidence with
the prejudice of malevolence would tend
to confirm its cenfure j and to his re-
peated advice to treat the whole (lory
with indifference and bravado, lady
Monteith oppofed her own poignant
feelings, which would never permit her
to go into company while confcious
that a whifper was circulated to her dif-
advantage. At length a compromife
was agreed to between the oppofite opi-
nions, and Geraldine determined to take
leave of the gay world with more than
philofophic diftafte of its levity and un-
charkable afperity. Forgetting that
retirement had fometimes fuggefted the
wifh of introducing her brilliant talents
to the noticejjof more accurate obfervers >
the envy, hatred, and detraction which
impeded
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 283
impeded her career, made her again
wifh to take fhelter in the quiet undif-
puted fuperiority which Powerfcourt or
Monteith prefented. The prefence of
caprice and affectation renewed her Lu-
cy's remembrance, rendered the recol-
lected fweetnefs and ingenuoufnefsofher
character (till more pleafmg, and (limu-
lated her impatience to pour her for-
rows into the boforn of foothing friend-
fhip ; or to heal her corroded heart by
the gentle balm of parental tendernefs.
The propofed alliance which had occa-
fioned her journey to London being to
all appearance entirely fruftrated, flic
wilhed to return to the pleating occu-
pations of domeflic life ; and the claims
of filial duty determined her to take
Powerfcourt in her way to Scotland.
To prevent any fufpicion, that her re-
treat was in confequence of a breach,,
between the earl and Fitzoiborne, it
was
284 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
\vas propofed, that the latter mould con-
tinue at Portland-place till lord Mon-
teith's parliamentary engagements ter-
minated : and Geraldine entertained a
private hope, that her lord's intereft with
miniftry might procure fome poft which
would tend to reconcile Edward to the
fevere blow which his fortunes had re-
ceived by the r eject ion oif lady Arabella,
and at the fame time convince the world,
that caprice was not the diftinguifhing.
characleriftic of all the Macdonald fa-
mily.
Fitzofhorne now recurred to the con-
verfation which had really been begun in
lady Fillagree's orangery; and he debated
the probable event of his renewing his
addrefTes with fo much feeming anxiety,
and acted the part of the mortified fwaiii
with fo much adroitnefs, as entirely
removed every Ihadow of fufpicion
from lady Monteith's mind, engaged
her
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 285
her anew in the office of a confoler, and
even roufed a degree of felf-accufation
at her having dared to fufpect that the
morals of the virtuous Edward fell Ihort
of the perfection to which they pre-
tended. She lamented with pathetic
fweetnefs the depraved ftate of female
tafte, which gave a coxcomb infinite ad-
vantage over a man of fenfe with the
diffipated belles of the day; and Fitz-
ofborne*, refigning all his hopes of con-
jugal felicity, with a profound figh de-
clared, that in future he muft tranquillize
his troubled foul with the endearing
fympathy of female friendfhip. He
proceeded with platonic delicacy to draw
the mental portrait of fuch a friend as
he wifhed to find : carefully including
in the enchanting compofition every
grace 4 which Geraldine feemed confci-
ous of pofTefiing. Superior refinement,
and an apprehenfivenefs of even juft
praife,
286 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
praife, was mentioned with emphafis >
and while the orator dated the peculiar
difficulty in which this elevated fafti-
dioufhefs would place a fufceptible mind,
impelled by warm efteem to exprefs its
admiration, yet reftrained from fpeak-
ing by the certainty of offending, the
countefs liftened with unfufpecling de-
light : fo true is the maxim,
And while he tells her he hates flattery,
She fays (he does fo, being then moft flatter'd.
Lord Monteith interrupted the con-
verfation at a late hour. He returned
in very high fpirits, not only elated by
the triumph of his party, but with his
own particular fuccefs ; having made a
neat and appropriate fpeech, confiding
of three or four well-turned periods,
which was honoured with profound at-
tention. His lordfhip was lefs quick in
difcovering improprieties than in re-
14 fenting
A TALE OF THE r'MES. 287
fenting them when pointed out by
others. Fitzofborne's fitting alone with
his lady at five o'clock in the morning,
alarmed him no more than Fitzof-
borne's efcorting her in a correfpondent
drefs to lady Fillagree's fancy-ball. He
recounted the events which had taken
place in the debate with too much eager-
nefs to liften to the narrative of her ad-
ventures. He only heard with pleafure
that Vernon paid no attention to her,
and that me was perfectly* in charity
with her cecljbeo. So many agreeable
occurrences made him readily confent
to her propofal of paying her annual
vifit to Caernarvonfhire immediately ;
and he was too fincere a friend not to
enter with eagernefs into her plan of
rendering Edward fome pecuniary fer-
vices. His late difplay of oratorical
ability feemed to enfure fuccefs ;
" for/' faid he, " though I want nothing
" from
288 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
cc from Government, why mould not
cc my friends reap fome advantage from
cc the fatigue which I endure in x the fer-
<c vice of my country ? Do you think
* c that they dare refufe me, Geraldine,
< c when they know how much I am
" courted by Oppofition?" He conclud-
ed by obferving, that Edward's talents
would do honour to any adminiftration.
His appearing in a confpicuous line
would alfo mortify Arabella, and con-
vince her that me ought to have refpect-
cd her brother's deeper knowledge of
manners and characters, and not have
difmifTed a lover who was infinitely too
good for her.
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 289
CHAP. XXXI.
Meanwhile, by Pleafure's fophiftry allur'd,
From the bright fun and living breeze ye ftray :
And, far in London's gloomy haunts itnmui VI, t
Brood o'er your fortune's, freedom's, health's decay}
O blind of choice, and to yourfelves untrue!
The young grove (hoots, their bloom the fields
renew,
The manfion afks its lord, the fwains their friend j
While he does riot's orgies haply mare,
Or tempt the gamefter's dark deltroying fnare,
Or to fome courtly fluine with lavifli incenfe bend.
AKENSIDB,
WHILE the earl of Monteith, with all
the blunt fmcerity of his ardent cha-
racter, purfucd his friendly but unfuc-
cefsful defign of ferving Fitzofborne,
the polite circles were very merry at his
lordfhip's expence, every one wonder-
ing that he could not fee what was fo
extremely vifible to every body elfe.
VOL. ii. o As
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
As lady Monteith had by retirement
fubdued the acrimony of competition,
even the candour of her rivals returned,
and the tide of popular opinion grew
(till flronger in her favour. Large
allowances were made for a little vanity
and a little indifcretion. Mod people
fincerely believed that, after all, her
marked predilection for Fitzofborne
was nothing more than a harmlefs flirt- !
ation, perhaps entered into out of frolic,
or with a view to mortify Arabella.
Thefe delicate extenuations were gene-
rally concluded by a laugh at his lord-
(hip's (laying in town to vindicate her
character, and a fear, that fuch uncom-
mon good- humour on his part might
encourage her to go greater lengths in
her mirth than fhe at firft intended.
The annihilation ofdomeftic happinefs
opening the faireft views for Fitzofborne 's
fuccefs, he determined to employ every
engine
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 29!
engine for its deftru6tion. The guarded
honour of Geraldine had hitherto re-
jected his infinuations to the difadvan-
tage of her lord with the warmth of
confirmed affection, and the indignation
which a confcioufnefs of the infeparable
union between h's reputation and her
own mud infpire. But various inftances
had convinced him, that this cc God
of her Idolatry" was vulnerable in a
thoufand points j eafily deceived, eafily
feduced, foon irritated, and as quickly
pacified. The prefence of the countefs,
her fuperior judgment, and the refpefl
for the decencies of life, which his
ftrong attachment to her had infpired,
had hitherto preferved him from any
grofs acts of immorality, and given a
decorum to his conduct which juftified
the confidence me always placed in his
behaviour. Fitzofborne too plainly favv
that there was no innate principle to
o 2 prefervc
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
preferveMonteith in the hour of tempta-
tion, when his guardian angel was ab-
fent from her charge. Thofe tempta-
tions he refolved to fupply ; he doubted
not his own ability to environ him with
fnares, from which even a firmer virtue
would find it difficult to efcape $ and yet
at the fame time to conceal his infidious
interference, and to cover his machina-
tions with the proftituted names of
friendfhip, fentiment, and morality.
Though lady Monteith's enlarged un-
derftanding had fufficient difcernment to
difcover calumny, and to treat unfounded
fufpicions with contempt, could fhe
refift the evidence of truth ? or could
her feeling heart fupport that cruel
indifference which a diffipated hufband
always affects to fhow to the amiable
wife whom he injures by his vices ?
Her ftrong fufceptibility at every cir-
cumftance which threatened the dimi-
nution
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 293
nution of their mutual regard convinced
him that me could not. And furely
the refentment which a young and beau-
tiful woman muft feel at fuch injurious
negligence would render her an eafy
prey to the wiles of a fcducer. To
fuppofe the contrary, was a paradox
which his knowledge of the human,
character would not admit.
It is not my intention to pollute my
page by a defcription of thofe fucceflf-
ful plans of iniquity by which Fitzof-
borne fubverted the principles of the
man who really loved him, and felt
anxious to render him eflential fervices.
Unhappily, the world prefents too often
the fpectacle of one immortal being
alluring another to inebriety, or plung-
ing it in depravity, for rne to excite
furprize by adding, that fuch actions
are not deemed incompatible with the
facred title of a friend. Thefe feducers
o 3 have
S94 A TALE OF TH * TIMES.
have not indeed always the deeper mo-
tives which J afcribe to Fitzofborne ;
but let it be remembered, that the prin-
ciples he profefled gave a fanclion to his
more monftrous atrocity. Private vices
are public benefits. Is it not a general
advantage, that property mould be tranf-
ferred from an indolent fenfualifl to an
aclive intelligent enterprifing citizen,
who would turn it to beneficial purpofes?
Monteith would be juft as happy with
his dogs and horfes, the only fphere of
enjoyment which his limited underfland*
ing Teemed capable of reliming, though
his beautiful wife, and the fair poflefllons
with which me was endowed, were re-
figned to fome clever fellow who had
wit enough to acquire them. Suppofing
the reftraint of confcience conveniently
filcnced by that fcepticifm which is now
efleemed fo liberal, what other prin-
ciple will you fubftitute tp^fevent fuch
practices ?
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 95
practices ? Succefs foon reconciles the
world to the profperous villain. A
little declamation will fatisfy fenumentj
and even the watchful dragon of honour
may be charmed to Deep by honied
words. Gratitude, which ufcd to rank
next to integrity in the fcale of virtues,
is now, like its immediate predeceflbr,
degraded from its proud pre-eminence.
Refinement has difcovered^hat the giver
bellows not from benevolent motives.,
nor from affeclion to the receiver, but
merely to relieve himfelf from the paia
of an uneafy emotion 5 and it has taught
us to infer from thefe premifes, that it
would be weaknefs to feel obligation
for benefits which wholly proceed from
the all-invigorating principle of felf-
love.
Entangled in the mazes of an illicit
amour, begun in a moment of ine-
briety, and purfued from want of cou-
o 4 rage
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
i'age to be fingular, and want of energy
to be firm, the unhappy Monteith be*
held his prefent fituation with horror,
and contemplated his pad happinefs with
vain regret. His little daughters, his
Geraldine, his domeftic tranquillity, his
rural amufements, how forcible was
the contraft between thofe guiltlefs plea-
fures, and the clamour of a Bacchana-
lian revel, the corroding inquietude of
a gaming-table, and the venal allure-
ments of a courtezan.
Thoufand after thoufand vanidied at
thefe midnight orgies. The image of his
injured wife and fupplicating infants con-*
ftantly rofe .to his view j but they only
came to increafe his defperation, not to
reftrain his madnefs. The words,." One
" more bottle, and another fong ! What
c< Monteith a flincher ? Come, my lord 5
<c luck mud change ; make one more
" fpirited effort :" and, " Can the dear-
"cO;
A TALE OF THE TIMES.
< c eft of men, for whom I have refufed
cc fuch liberal offers, defert me ?" Such
expreflions formed the magic fpells whofe
powerful incantations enthralled a mind,
reduced to the deplorable flate of act-
ing the part it abhorred, and adopting
the vices it defpifed, left the votaries of
difTipation mould fufpect that he wanted
courage to be wicked.
, Fitzofborne did not expofe his un-
tainted reputation by appearing in thefe
fcenes of depravity. He contented
himfelf with pointing out parties which
he entreated his lordfhip to avoid, or
with mentioning inftances of furprifmg
turns of luck at the gaming-table which
it would be folly in any one to expect.
He exclaimed againft Mrs. Harley's in-
famy, but acknowledged that (he was
in the higheft fafhion -, that fhe had re-
jected a much larger fettlement than
what me now folicited from Monteith,
o 5 which
298 A TALE OF THE TIMES*
which he hoped his lordfhip would have
reiblution to refufe -, and yet, after all,
as the ftrong bias of the paflions feem-
ed to point out that fuch temporary
engagements were congenial to our na-
tures, their criminality muft wholly de-
pend upon the circumfcribed, and per-
haps erroneous, fyftems of political ju-
rifprudence. He always concluded thefe
powerful difluafions by urging the pe-
culiar feverity of lady Monteith's prin-
ciples, and the confequent neceffity of
concealing his mifconduft from her.
He conjured him to haften to Powerf-
court ; and then added, what he knew
would negative the propofal, " How
" will you fupport the tears and the re-
*' proofs of that injured woman ? For I
" fear, my friend, that in fpite of every
prudent precaution, your pale de-
" je&ed looks, embarraffed manner, and
< c conftrained vivacity, cannot fail of
" attract-
A TALE OF THE TIMES. $99
" attra&ijpg her apprehenfive obferva-
" tion."
While the cruel machinations of Fitz-
ofborne thus affailed the honour of Ge-
raldine by vitiating the mind of her
hufband, the deftined vidim of his worfe
than murderous defigns enjoyed the
foothing confolation of pouring her for-
row into the attentive ear of friendfhip.
Ignorant of the feverer trials which im-
mediately awaited her, the tranquillity
of rural fcenes, the benevolent fimphV
city of her revered father, the dignified
refignation of Mr. Evans, and the in-
terefting fweetnefs of the amiable Lucy,
confpired to calm that painful conflict
which undeferved calumny and difap-
pointed hope had excited in her foul.
The early carol of the lark, the dying
fall of the nightingale, the kindling
glory of a fummer's morning, the re-
viving frefhnefs of the evening zephyr,
o 6 the
3OO A TALE OF THE TIMES.
the various delights which the country
affords, and the attractive fimplicity of
its uncontaminated inhabitants, infpired
lady Monteith with ftrong indignation
againft that faftidious tafte which, while
it degrades the majeftic operations of
Nature with the epithets of ordinary
and vulgar, or pafies them with ftupid
infenfibility, purfues the celebrity re-
quired by the conftruclion of a carriage
or the adjuftment of a robe. Her cen-
fares againft this petty ambition were,
however, too warm to be the dictates of
cool judgment, and evidently proved,
that the fair declaimer had been once
included in the frivolous groupe who
pay a blind idolatry to popular efteem.
Difappointment infpired other notions ;
and, guided by this new impulfe, (he
appeared once in her conventions with
Mifs Evans to lean to the dangerous
doctrines of Fitzofborne. <c When I re-
fled,"
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 30!
c flecV' faid &> " on the evanefcent
cc nature of reputation -, that it is acquired
cf without folicitude, and loft without
" guilt; thatit is the fpcrtof calumny, and
<f the battery from which envy mortally
" wounds the peace of innocence, I feel
ff convinced that it is beneath the at-
" tention of a well-governed mind."
The converfation had been previoufty
confined to the caprices of fafhion, and
Mifs Evans was furprized that it fhould
produce fuch a ferious conclufion; for
to this genuine child of Nature the eclat
annexed to the invention of a becoming
turban, or even the honour of an innu-
merable party, feemed unworthy of a
moment's anxiety. She therefore fixed
her intelligent eyes upon her friend, > and
afked her to what fhe alluded in this
reflection ?
" My own fad ftory," faid Geraldine,
"is ever predominant in my mind.
Even
3O2 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
" Even while I am enjoying the de-
" lights of thefe beloved peaceful fcenes,
" I cannot for one moment forget that
<c I am now a mark for public ridicule ;
" and I am endeavouring to derive
" fome confolation from thofe fenti-
" ments which a gentleman, a very
" fenfible man, and a friend of lord
" Monteith's, has frequently fuggefted."
" They can only apply," faid Lucy,
" to the cafe of thofe who place their
" ultimate hopes in the applaufe of the
c< world. They have nothing to do
" with the well-grounded mind, which,
"while it purfues the fteady path of
" duty, is pleafed with being encouraged
" on its journey by the modeft voice of
" well-earned praife. Far be it from
" me, my Geraldine, to feek to dimini(h
<c your confolations. Innocence allows
* c you to poficfs a very fuperior one j
< and while your life difproves accufa-
" tions.
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 303
cc tions, you have no caufe to be de-
<c prefied. Yet the watchful fufcepti-
<c bility of female honour cannot but
cc feel every attack upon its character;
" and it mod impatiently longs to refute
cc the cenfures which its purity abhors.
cc Lord Monteith's friend, I fuppofe,
" only made general obfervations. He
" could not allude to your particular
ftory."
c< They were the obfervations of
" Fitzofborne/' faid lady Monteith
gravely.
<c Of Fitzofborne ?" interrogated
Lucy. " I have heard you defcribe
" him as one of the mod enlightened,
" uncorrupted, and amiable of men :
" the perfon too, refpecting whom your
'< conduct is cenfured."'
" It is exactly as you defcribe. He
" is thus deferving, and I am fo ac-
cufcd."
< Does
304 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
cc Does a fixed contempt for the good-
(C will of that mafs of his fellow-crea-
tc tures which is called the world, im-
cc ply this fuperior merit ? The world,
" I have heard my dear father often fay,
"judges right, but from wrong pre-
" mifes. It is hafty and rafh, not dif-
" pafTionate and reflecting. It kindles
cf into indignation at a fpecious tale : it
" loads a fufpefted character with op-
C probrium but however falfe its in-
<c ference, however miftaken its judg-
" ment, its errors always lean to the
" fide of juftice and virtue, j And I am
<{ the more inclined to pay a deference
cc to my father's opinion, becaufe I find
" his idea of that aggregate body of
" which I am an individual confirmed
c by my own feelings."
<f I lhall only join the general decifion
<f of the world, which you fo reverence/'
replied the countefs, ". when I found the
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 305
*> praiies of Mr. Fitzoiborne. To the
f manners and the exterior of the moil
" finifhed gentleman, he adds the in-
" formation of the fcholar, and the pro-
" fundity of the philofopher. Perhaps
" his ardent love of truth may urge him
cc to too great a contempt for eftabliihed
<f rules ; and you know, Lucy, we muft
" not expect fuperior minds to pay a
<c fcrupulous attention to the little
" pundlilios which cuftom exacts from
c< ordinary charadters. He is actuated
<c by the mod exalted views, and his
fc life is the nobleft comment upon his
cc opinions."
The .limited obfervation of Mifs
Evans had never difcovered fuch a
being as lady Monteith dcfcribed -, and
Ihe regarded the delineation of its dif-
tinguifhed properties with fomewhat of
the fame kind of fcrupulous curiofity
with which we perufe the defcription of
the
306 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
the unicorn and the kraken ; not abfo-
lutely denying that fiich things may
exift, but wifhing to have their reality
more clearly identified. Her wifh was
foon gratified, and this human phoenix
was introduced at Powerfcourt by an
event in which chance (the modern
term for Providence) had a fmaller
Ihare than oftenfibly appeared.
The poft always arrived at fir
William's in the afternoon : and though
the good baronet had nothing of the
bafhaw in his character, and was by no
means an adept inthe fcience of politics,
he conftantly exercifed an unlimited au-
thority over the newfpaper, the con-
tents of which he regularly recited, in
an audible voice, to the party aflembled
round his hofpitable board. The journal
of pafllng occurrences which found ad-
miflion at fir William's, was generally
uncontaminated by private (lander, party
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 307
abufe, or fulfome panegyric, and fimply
a plain narrative of the events of the day.
It happened, however, that after lady
Monteith had fpent about four months
at her father's, the following paragraph
found admittance :
<f It is rumoured in the polite circles,
" that a certain minifterial nobleman in
" the vicinity of P#*####d Place, finds
fufficient attractions in the beautiful
" Mrs. Harley to confole him for his
* ( recent difgrace; while a fair incon-
<c ftant is trying, whether the keen air
" of the C***#**#**ihire mountains
<c may not be beneficial to a confump-
cf tive reputation. It is faid, that lord
cc M*******'s fettlements on his new
ct flame are uncommonly liberal/'
Sir William was not verfed in the
language of initials and afterifks j and
was not in pofTeflion of the decyphering
gloflary which a knowledge of polite
fcandal
A TALE OF THE TIMES,
fcandal fupplies. After two or three
attempts to unravel the enigma, he de-
livered it to his daughter, with a requeft
that fhe would tell him what it meant.
A crimfon blum and a dying palenefs
alternately took pofleffion of her face
\vhile, fhe perufed the paragraph. After
coolly obferving, that ic was fome very
ill-natured nonfenfe, fhe complained of
faintnefs from the heat of the room, a
circumflance which her fituation, being
near her fourth confinement, might
render oppreffive. Mifs Evans's arm was
ready to lead her to her own apartment,
at the door of which fhe intreated her
friend to leave her, and to fuperintend
the backgammon party in her room, as
fhe much feared fhe fhould not be able
to rejoin them that evening.
No alarm was excited that night by
this circumftance. Sir William's com-
munications had been too confufed to
con-
A TALE OF THE TIMES. 309
convey any explanation to his auditors,
and any future appeal to the newfpaper
for information was impoflible, for it
had fuddenly difappeared during the
buftle occalioned by lady Monteith's
faintnefs. But fince the butler and the
houfekeeper were both very great poli-
ticians, and very anxious to infpect the
conduct of admmiftration, this circum-
ftance too frequently happened .to bear
at this time any myfterious air.
Geraldine's indifpofition wore next
morning a more ferious afpech Her
maid owned, that me had been ex-
tremely reftlefs and agitated all night,
and her pulfe indicated confiderable
fever. Sir William's parental tender-
nefs took alarm. The moft eminent
medical afilftance which the country af-
forded was called in, and an exprefs was
difpatched to town to fummon her
hulband.
The
310 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
The petrifying power of vice requires
time before it can render the heart
completely callous. Lord Monteith had
not yet forgot his inimitable Geraldine,
the mother of his pretty little girls, the
founder of James-town, and the benign
enchantrefs whofe magic powers had
converted the wild unfrequented fhores
of Loch Lomond into the refidence of
plenty, elegance, and happinefs. His
recollection of the guiltlefs pleafures *
once enjoyed in her fociety aggravated
his fears for her fafety ; nor could a
thoufand Mrs. Harley's detain him from
her bedfide. Endeavouring by the
fpeed of his return to atone for the
criminality of his abfence, relays of
horfes were ordered upon the road, and
the exertions of the poftboys were fti-
mulated by additional douceurs. But
lord Monteith is not the only furious
driver that has found it impoflible to
7 travel
A TALE OF THE TIMES. ^11
travel from himfelf. New to the fug-
geftions of remorfe, yet unable to divert
the pain of its fcorpion-fting by the fal-
lacious juftification of comparing his
own conduct with that of other men of
famion, his troubled imagination con-
tinually placed before his eyes the
frightful image of an amiable wife mur-
dered by his vicious indifference; and
his thoughts were alternately occupied
by curfing his own folly, and frantic ly
addrefling Heaven to fpare a life which
he now felt to be infinitely dearer than
his own.
Such a fituation called for the ame-
liorating offices of friendship, and the
fcntimental, difpaffionate Fitzolborne
had claimed that pious talk. To abate
the reader's indignation againft that
gentleman's conduct, I mud affirm,
that it was afterwards fatisfidlorily
proved, that the fatal paragraph which
I have quoted was not communicated
to
'312 A TALE OF THE TIMES.
to the newfpaper editor in a handwrit-
ing that bore the leaft refemblance to
Edward's. I will alfo own, that his
emotions during the journey to Powerf-
court were almoft as poignantly diftreff-
ing as thofe of his fellow-traveller;
Confcience, indeed, was lefs loud in her
accufations, becaufe her fenfibility had
by frequent repreffion been rendered
more callous. But the probable difap-
pointment of thofe plans of aggrandife--
ment which he had purfued with fuch
wicked diligence, haralTed his appre-
henfion ; and he regretted, that human
fcience had not yet reached its fummit
of perfection, by prefenting to him the
immortalizing elixir that would enable
him to difpute with death for the poiTef-
fion of the victim whom he had marked
for a more dreadful deftination.
END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.
BINDING SECT. MAR 5 ~ 1968
PR West, Jane
5779 A tale of the times
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1799
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