East Lynne

d by premature wrinkles, and his once attractive face bore the pale, unmistakable look of dissipation. One of his feet was cased in folds of linen, as it rested on the soft v

and forty, yet in all sav

rt or a more generous spirit never beat in human form; and there was much truth in this. It had been well for him had he lived and died plain William Vane. Up to his five and twentieth year, he had been industrious and steady, had kept his terms in the Temple, and studied late and early. The sober application of William Vane had been a by word with the embryo barristers around; Judge Vane, they ironically called him; and they strove ineffectually to allure him away to idleness and pleasure. But young Vane was ambitious, and he knew that on

al duke downward. He became the most attractive man of his day, the lion in society; for independent of his newly-acquired wealth and title, he was of distinguished appearance and fascinating manners. But unfortunately, the prudence which had sustained Wil

destruction of his tranquility, the bane of his existence, who shall describe them? The public knew them pretty well, his private friends knew better, his creditors best; but none, save himself knew, or could ever know, the worrying torment that was his portion, wellnigh driving him to distraction.

prudence went; but the countess had been an affectionate wife to him, had borne with his follies and his neglect, had been an admirable mother to their only child. One child alone had been theirs, and in her thirteenth year the countess had died.

m and interrupting the earl's castles in t

erson, although wearing the externals of a foreign ambassador, was ever admitted unceremon

y lord. It is Mr. Ca

earl, whose foot just then had an awful

her had possessed it before him. When told of it he would laugh, and say he was unconscious of doing it. His features were good, his complexion was pale and clear, his hair dark, and his full eyelids drooped over his deep gray eyes. Altogether it was a countenance that both men and women liked to look upon-the index of an honorable, sincere nature-not that it would have

f the age-"I am happy to see you. You perceive I cannot rise, at least without great pain and inc

Lynne. The chief object of my j

suspicion had crossed his mind that Mr. Carlyle might b

ir nearer to the earl, a

s, my lord, that East L

s tone, for his suspicions were gaining ground; "are we to converse confide

rstand you," s

d-are you here on the part of some of my rascally creditors, to

or possessing but lax notions on the score of honor, but you can scarcely suspect that I should be guilty of underhand

and ruses played upon me, you would not wonder at my

your agent dropped half a word to me in confide

" inquired

sel

"Egad! Lawyering can't be

ass connection, such as ours. But you must remember that a good

proceeds of l

e successfully. I have been looking out for an eligible property to invest my money upon, and East

nd somewhere. Now East Lynne is not entailed, neither is it mortgaged to anything like its value, though the latter fact, as you may im

Mr. Carlyle. "I was

d; I have no other means of raising the wind, and that is why I have resolved to part with it. But now, understand, if it were known abroad

" replied M

t as anyone else, if, as you

ship expect for it-a

y men of business, Warburton & Ware. N

d," cried Mr. Car

its value," re

in-speaking lawyer. "Until this hint was given me by Beauchamp, I

er, and she ran away with me, like a fool; that is, we were both fools together for our pains. The general objected to me and said I must sow my wild oats before he would give me Mary; so I took her to

" interrupte

death, and I believe it led to her own. She was ill for years; the doctors called it consumption; but it was more like a wasting insensibly away, and consumption

ter the marriage," observed Mr. Carlyle, for th

f extravagance, and neither of us thought of making provision for our future children; or, if we thought of

rlyle

mood. That she will marry well, there is little doubt, for she possesses beauty in a rare degree, and has been reared as an English girl should be, not to frivolity and foppery. She was trained by her mother, who sa

child," observed the la

money that it brings, after paying off the mortgage, I must have, as I tell you, for my private use; and you know I should not be able to touch a farthing of it if the confounded public go

, when it was decided that he should see Warburton and Ware the first thing i

e with me," s

ess-a plain, gentlemanly, morning attire, but ce

is staying with us. She came up to present my child at the last drawing-room, but I think I heard something abo

rvant

s. Vane dines at ho

was the man's immediate reply. "

Mr. Carlyl

Mr. Carlyle entered it at one door, some one else came in by the opposite one. Who-what-was it? Mr.

er; dark shining curls falling on her neck and shoulders, smooth as a child's; fair, delicate arms decorated with pearls, and

Mr. Carlyle, t

uch the perfect contour or the exquisite features that struck him, or the rich damask of the delicate cheek, or the luxuriant falling hair; no, it was the sweet expression of the soft dark eyes. Never in his life had he seen eyes so pleasing. He could not keep his gaze from her, and he became conscious, as he grew more familiar with her face, that there was in its chara

ved the earl, "

es to take it early, and I know Mrs. Vane must have kept her

l not be late t

ds upon M

is fashionable world of ours turn night into day, it is

he cheeks opposite to him; they looke

a white cashmere mantle, placing it over the shoulders

ced to the earl.

"Tell Mrs. Vane I will not have you kept out till morning hours. You are but a child y

e little used to wait upon young ladies, I shall be proud to see her to her car

nd stood bareheaded by the door of the luxurious chariot, and handed her in. She put out her hand in her frank, pl

t a handsome gir

hers," was Mr. Carlyle's reply, in a low, war

st week-as I hear. This everlasting gout kept me ind

ynne, but mostly at a larger seat of the earl's in Wales, Mount Severn; since her mother's death, she had remained entirely at Mount Severn, under the charge of a judicious governess, a very small establishment being kept for them, and the earl paying them impromptu and flying visits. Generous and benevolent she was, timid and sensitive to a degree, gentle, and considerate to a