The Three Brides

d H

question were driving home in the oppos

Tyrrell saying, "you are

ittle low lau

t as she felt for Eleonora's hand in the dark, she obtained nothing but the cold handle

lp it!" was

ou had admiration enough

ans

tenderly-"Lenore, darling, it is quite needf

nd it only too well," c

lear before you how you stand. You know that my fa

es

operty to the creditors,

now

; but the house is really let to me. I have

in assente

you kn

old home and my father!" said the gir

you are of age, and can give your consent. I can't buy it. Mine is only a jointure, a life income, and you know that you might

only a cho

tion painfully, after havi

ou know it

soon engaged, and then we should see our way. It only depends on yourself. Plenty of means, and no land to tie him dow

nsible enough to know who

hy! he was the only poor creature

t do yo

ell laugh

er before you came, and I made great friends with Margaret Strangeways, the eldest sister. I wanted very much t

e up because her mother worried him so in

nto it by his family, and was really attached elsewhere. I n

worthy famil

know I object

ladies, my dear-

f course, for Margaret's sake; and Lady Susan was very kind to me; but if there were nothing el

erybody, mo

the turf has cost us, can wish me t

ut you might almost as well forswear riding, as men who have run a few horses, or staked a few thousands. Ev

ra, "as long as I have

the child wanted to ride on nothing but swans? You will

Camilla, I would far rather d

o do that! As you say we have had enough of that! But to renounce every man who has set foot on

made up for ever, and that nothing shall ever induce

evils? I underst

es a bet," rep

r, in contrast to the grave tones; "no rules a

ll mak

you have been acting so wisely and sensibly ever si

glad you are reasonable enough to keep him at a distance. Poor boy, it was all very well to be friendly with him when we met hi

es," murmur

to that family! I am sure I pity those three poor girls! Miles's wife looks perfectly miserable, poor thing, and t

Rosamond talking very

ite shoulders, which must have cost a battle; but whatever Lady Rosamond gains, will make it all the worse for the others. No, Eleonora, I

m to object to t

r blessing to court the unexceptionable cousin with the family property. Poor Raymond, he is a dutiful son, and he has done the deed; but, if I

p it, poor fellow; he would have had it if

lence; then the exclama

nodding on the box i

"as long as it is not the coachman, i

not keep h

and handiest of the men; and your page, M

h you would send him back to his grandmoth

not a bit worse than the company he came fro

that boy from his hom

ng him to your heart's content? or

was no time left for a reply, Eleonora cleared and steadied her voice, and said, "Camilla, understand two things for truth's sake. First, I mean what I say. Nothing shall ever induce me to marry a

ct is the same," were Lady Tyrrell

ot be disappointed," she whispered to herself, and dashed her hand over her eyes; and at the moment the lock turned, and a gray head appeared, with

by keeping her head bent against him, as she hastily

ight, you know! You and I were jolly enough at Rockpier; but it was time we were taken i

sh I

ays; and hark childie, when you've married, and saved the old place, you

tairs she reached her own rooms, a single bed-chamber opening into a more spaciou

t the whole truth, and I don't know what is left out, or what is false! And I'm as bad-making them think I give in and discard Frank! Oh! is that my pride-or that it is too bad to encourage him now I know more? He'll soon scorn me, and leave off-whatever

ainting had refused to veil the haggard trace of early dissipation, though the eyes had still the fascinating smile that had made her brother Tom, with his flashes of fitful good-nature, the idol of his little sister's girlhood. The deadly shock of his sudden death ha

ce to their generation in all noble exertion. He had always indeed been her darling, her charge; but she had never known what it was to look up to him with the fervent belief and enthusiasm she had seen in other girls. To have him

self-destruction and dishonour! No, no, no-nothing shall lead me to a gamester! though Frank may be lost to me! He will be! he will be! We deserve that he should be! I deserve it-if family sins fall on individuals-I deserve

g influence of the countenance that had never failed to reply with motherly aid and counsel. It rested the throbbing heart; and presently, with hands