Mabel, Vol. I (of 3)

eness may the

n him, but I k

ab

on her marriage every faculty of her mind became absorbed in devotion to her husband, and an almost indolent dependence on his will. Since his death she had continued so ve

y mansion lay so near them, prevented her receiving that attention which the neighbourhood of a rich relation might have procured her. The secluded life to which she now clung so earnestly, only increased the extreme sensitiveness of her feelings. Her mind therefore, suffered to prey upon itself, became a curse instead of a b

scetic. Joined to this weakness of character, however, she possessed many fine qualities. She was generous in the extreme, and liberal to a total forgetfulness of self, and would forgive, where no injury was intended, with a ma

there was one peculiar charm in her character, which secured the love of those around her as powerfully as an Eastern talisman. It was a reliance on the good will of others, drawn perhaps from the reflection of her own heart-a kind of security in the feeling that ther

atefully used the blessing of strong nerves and untiring strength

d playfellow, to listen to all the questions

before the arrival of the aunt and niece from Cheltenham. At least half a dozen

oad which was the furthest point visible, and Mabel was frequently sent to the gate to watch for the carriage, by Mrs. Lesly, who was endu

cottage, was leaning over the gate, refusing to come in, lest he should disturb the fam

ter hearing the patient answer to the sixth repetition of 'do you

I do not think you quite believe it,

ficult to find fault with such perseverin

ial will not do, I will not take the praise of a martyr for doing what I love best. Are you certain," she add

hen the carriage comes up, and present only the very interesting appearance

l la

hen, now you may

, or they would never see me. Now is the very moment," raising his

ache, from waiting so long-but, as the party took a long time in alighting, and collecting from the vehic

ent cordiality, and kissing her warmly; "how do you do,

ttle, took Mabel's hand with earnestness, and putting one ar

e dear frie

her relation's warmth, and her own compos

why, she thought it might be joy, or that her head was overpowered by the sweet scent on their pocket-handkerchiefs, or the rapidity of her

, she added, hastily; "mamma is not quite well to-day, but she will be better presently, if she is quie

hen, I am going home, you know. I brought my maid too, though I forgot to mention her in my note." Mrs. Lesly looked alarmed. "I really do not know i

dignified, with colour a little too brilliant, and hair a little too stiffly curled, to be qu

Mrs. Villars presently bustled back again, tellin

mber she had so carefully prepared; "this is your roo

approving a child's doll's-house; "everything s

rest are shut up," said Mabel, a little timidly, "and we thought you would not

trive-but what is to

aid Mabel; "Betsy has been told to m

rs; "the air of these hills makes one hungry.

d Mabel; who tried to keep them in conversation till Mrs. Lesly should have time to recover herself; a

Villars gave her arm to her sister, in

must not have any more of these naughty hysteri

aroline, you mist

isper; "I wish I could shew you all my girls-for admiring beauty, and accomplishments, as you always di

r feebly blinded herself to the faults of others. These few words made her feel uncomfortable-for she was immediately aware that there was a

any without perceiving that superiority which the weak-minded find it difficult cheerfully to recognise. Superiority in what, s

ht which had been inculcated in earlier years; yet she only preserved it as a continual punishment for every act of dissimulation and wrong, without ever allowing it to regain entire ascendency over her;

love strong and untiring; but worldliness had warped its usefulness, rendering that love, in its foolish extreme, only a means of making herself mi

hey grew older, their foolish parent saw no other efficient plan for securing their position in society, than that of continuing the same course of indulgence. She now tried, by the most unbounded gratification of their wishes, to secure to herself that l

ouching on her favorite top

lars would be so glad to see you, and I should

imen of all your sayings and doings in time. I should much like to see the children; but fear there is but little inducement to ask any of them to a p

s. Villars, quickly. "Caroline and Selina are

well in the summer,"

?" asked Amy, speakin

of snow in August-it is too near to be p

mama, soothingly, and watchful of her chil

I suppose, there is not much dancing. Are you fond of balls,

" replied Mabel, "but I have often e

with half real and half affected astonishment. "You would be enchanted with Bath. We have s

your prattle," said her mama, "now confess

ll have little else to listen to besides her own voice," Mrs. Lesly added, trying to smile away

anxious to conciliate by returning to the subj

y your

the eldest, Selina secon

one more, have you n

ny children your own siste

d Mrs. Lesly anxiously, "my forgetfulness arises from no want

st write oftener to you, and keep up your knowledge of us. Well, there

ope?" enquire

ly-by the side of her sisters at least; and more than that, she is ungraceful. I have tried the best academ

iosity natural to a child, and fearing the effects of this worldly conversati

el's, whilst Amy watche

to one of the prettiest parts of the garden, where a stone seat was pl

ed still more lovely. Had Mabel expected any fine remark to follow this momentary pause in the conversation, she w

Mr. and Miss Ware ar

they?" as

or and hi

enquired Lucy, with

bel, smiling, "bu

arriageable,

not think he would consider himself so

now, with light whiskers, and a military air. I did not expect to see

Ware's nephew

es live here-wh

time, for his health," replied Mabel; "but

t dinner, so that I had a good loo

oning for you to run to him, and I dare say he

r was waiting for her, and hand in hand they were s

as she watched them out of sight; "do you se

ort of friend he has made hims

you s

an so," s

is free for conquest," l

; "but I would not have you attempt such a conquest, I shoul

f man that falls in love with every tolerable gi

real sentiments," said Mabel. "Captain Clair is too discerning to be enta

"but oh, whose pretty hous

rgrave's,"

a wrote to ask him to come and see us in Bath. I am so longing to meet him; and we have made up in our minds, already, a match b

ink so," s

match over with Selina so often, that I cannot help looking upon it as quite certain; and then we should

our bonnet," said Mabel, evasive

cy; "but I see you are n

suppose you hear a great deal of it in Bath

to hear of so many projected marriages, a

match-making anything b

nt them all up, and they helped us through the dull weather amazingly; something like the nibbling of a trout, which just serves to keep up the hope of ultimately catching one. Mamma talks a great deal about Caroline's beauty, and her charming sp

," said Mabel, suddenly. "Is she n

y-polks to admiration-so very good-natured-and witty before company-and rather the reverse behind the scenes-in short, would do much bet

s well as beauti

fully. Yes, I believe she i

l si

they prepared to return to the house, "but I feel you to be quite

love me," said Mabel, gently; "b

m always quick in my likes and dislikes-and I feel now as if I could tell you every secret of

ive, in the present-instance-at least, when I feel myself to be concerned. B

said Lucy, with a loo

"that is my first effort of authority; but you have chosen t

worth having," said Lucy; "but first, you must seal our friendsh

abel, smiling; "but I promise to deal wi

it must,"

ing her pouting lips, "that must