(^

JoBtvhf. '^uckctt

L I E) RARY

OF THE

UN IVLRSITY

Of ILLINOIS

SJ.Z.

ROSELLA,

OK

MODERN OCCURRENCES.

A NOVEL.

IN TWO VOLUMES.,

By Mary Charlton, Author of Fhedora, ^c.

VOL. II.

2)uBlin t

PRINTED FOR P. WOGAN — JV. PORTER — AND T, BURN SIDE,

1800.

R O S E L L A.

CHAP. I.

A Hijlorj, and a Renttnirt.

Fi

ROM this time a fort o^ guerrg mafquee fubfifted between Oberne and Rofclla, who was fometimes nearly offended by his fl\!n^ farcafms : neither did they in the leail dehght her friend, who was wonderfully furprifed that he had not by this epoch fallen into penfive mufings, and betrayed himfelf by cafling linger- ing looks of adoration and defpair upon his young and lovely companion, a failure (Kg could not by any means account for.

To any fentiment of particular partiality for Oberne, of which Rofclla had fufpected her, Mifs Beauclerc had not the fmallcll bias ; and indeed fo entirely v\a5 her ima^^i/jation occu- pied by the charming eclat- whici) Hie hoped her beloved child would make in rhc annals of romance, that fhe never gave a pafiing thought to the poffibility of renewing her own a^lven- tures, by exciting ardent admiration (like a certain lady of devout memory, who lived like

Yot. II. 13 a good

2 ROSEILA.

a good houfcwlfe in a fmall houfe by the fide of the bourn), merely by the cnchantmeat of matronly fmiles and flowing grey locks.

Every one of the party was fo completely tired of their forced refidence at Lanerk, that on the day following their excurfion to the falls, Mifs Beauclcrc, not finding herfelf in- commoded by the effort, removed to Hamil- ton, and the day after returned to Glafgow, where fhe found a packet from her faithful Selina; and Rofella was told that fhe had deli- cately hinted her forrow that the correfpond- ence betv/een Lydia and her had fo much lan- guiflied ; but that Mifs Ellinger was writing a letter to her beloved young friend, and flie Jioped their cpiftolary intercourfe would now be more frequent.

Rofella, chagrined to be importuned upon a fubje£t fo inimical to her ideas, as intimacy and fricndiliip with Mifs Lydia, promifed, neverthelefs, that fhe would not neglect the t\'ifhfs of Mrs. Ellinger, and her friend was pleafed with her compliance.

Mr. Oberne flill accompanying them, they fct out for Loch Lomond; but as his influence increafed with the extent of their journey, he contrived, in their way to Dumbarton, to change fituations with Nancy, by placing her in the chaife he hired for himfclf. They tra- velled very flowly, as Mifs Beauclerc made herfelf believe that flie was not yet able t^ endure the lead fatigue, and were near three hours in the road from Glafgow to Dumbar- ton; but the fcencry was fo delightful, that neither of her fellovv-travellers complained of their protraded progrefs.

Oberne, who had in his hat\y arrangement ^ith Mifs Beauclcic, merely propofed to ac- company

ROSELLA, 3

company her to Glafgow, and afcerwards ex- tended the plan to the lake, now became verv inquifitive as to the route fhc intended to pur- fuc, after having fatisfied her incHnation to be- hold the beauties of Lomond ; and in replv, ihe only told him fhe meant to travel north- eaft.

'' To Perth?" afked Oberne.

'* I believe I may pafs through Perth in the courfe of my journey," returned Mifs Beau- clerc, with an air of rcferve unufual to her; '* but at prcfent I am not quite determined.'*

'^ May I afk if you return foon to i^ng- land?" refumed he.

^' Moft probably in the aulumn;" but, {\\q added, regarding Rofella expreillvely, *' cir- cun;llanccs which 1 cannot forefec, muft alone decide."

Oberne obferved the glance call tov/ards her unconfcious companion, and ruminated with a mien of gravity and chagrin. '• Perhaps,'* faid he, after a paufe of a few moments, ** Mifs Montrefor and yourfelf expert an addi- tion to your party when you quit Jyoch Lo- mond ?*' — She told him they did not. — '* Then will you allow me to hop* that you will not difcard me yet ?" refumed he.

Rofella, whofe head was bent with an a'rr of extreme intereft towards the charm.ing banks of the Clyde on the Renfrew fide, Jiftencd very attentively for the reply to this modcH propofi'J, and heard Mifs Beauclerc fay that file had no ohjetiion to vifit Perth immediately after they quitted the neighbourhood of Loch Lom.ond ; • and hs might from thence, if he chofe, return to Edinburgh, whilll Rofella and hcrfclf purfucd their tour.

B 2 This

4 ROSELLA.

This intimation was received with much grratitude by Obernc, who entered the town of Dumbarton in high fpirits, and nerfuaded^Mifs Bcauclerc not to proceed any^ farther that day. At dinner Rofelia found it impoflible to prc- fervc her gravity five minute>3 together, from the effe6l of his united vivacity and good hu- mour; and when the meal was over, the Scotch landlord, underi^anding from Nancy that the party were to proceed the next rnorn- ing orj their route, entered the room to en- quire " af the leddies wad na gang tul the CJafLle to ken what a brae place it was."

Oberne feconded the motion, and aflced if i J fs Beauclerc would permit him to efcort her thiiher ; but to her the undertaking appeared fo fcrious, that flie dcch'ned it, in fpite of the earned: yet refpectful entreaties of the land- lord, who was in defpair that any one fhould pafs through Dumbarton, and not behold its bonny Caflle ; but fhe advifcd her young com-' panion to accept the offered protc<£tion of their fellow-traveller, and walk to it.

Rofelia was extremely unwilling to go out imdcr the fole prote6lion of Oberne ; but, fa- tisrued with everlaflingly oppofing her fingle aiid unfupported opinion againft that of her friend, and afraid of incurring his philippics if fhe feemed to hcfitate, (he aiTenrcd, though ivithout that cheerfulnefs that ufually marked Jier compliance, even when fhe wifhed to com- phment the judgment of others at the expence of her own.

Oberne appeared gratified in being entrufled with the care of her, though while the fubje8: was. indifcuffjon, he had not urged it; whilft Mifs Bcauclerc, as Rofelia quitted her, breath- ed

RO&ELLA. 5

fecTa fecret vov/ that {he might not return with- out fome charming adventure.

As they walked towards the Cardc, Oberne, flill in high fpirits, amufed her with a few hif- torical anecdotes which his reading and liis me- mory happened to furnifli him with ; but though fhe feh obhged to him for his coriimunications, they did not enhven her. Having pafled the houfe of the Governor, they afcendcd with fome Httle effort by the fteps cut in the rock, ftnd were let throueh fome immenfe iron gates, which clofmg behind them v/ith a heavy jail- like noife, rather ftartled Rofclla, who found herfelf fhut out, as it feemed, from the world below, and perched upon a ftupendous cliff,- adorned only ac intervals by the habitations of the foldiers belonging to the fort.

" Now you arc completely Cagcd," fald

Oberne,, who obferved her emotion, and guef- fcd at what' palled in her mind. " Tell me, my little prudent Rofella,. what has availed all your referve to me, end your anger againft your good-humoured friend, becaufe when I fought refuge in her fociety againil ihe naked terrors of the wide wor!d, (he did not drive me from the gentle umbrage to which I had crept, by a tempefl of {corn and indignatiori ! Pray obfervc that whh all your circumfpection, yoii have fuffered me to entrap you within thefe formidable gates, which for aught you know, may not readily open agaih to your bid- dings However, when we arrive at the fum- mit of the cliff, you will fee that your.prifon is airy, and, unlike mofc others, it will not iliut out your profpefits.'*

At any other moment Rofella would have

laughed jit this rhodomantade, becaufe fhe

knew that Oberne often indulged himfelf in a

B 3 " mctapho*

6 ROSELLA.

mctaplierical flyle of converfation ; btft the impreiTlon made upon her mind by the peculi- arity of the fpot ilie had attained, aided by the accidental gloom of the weather, which had fuddenly fhut from them the wide-fpreading profpecl on every f.de, occafioned her fears to combat her good fenfe, and Ihe gazed at the countenance of Oberne in doubt and irre- fokition.

He laughed at her credulity, and continued to leaze her by commenting upon the diftrcfs other damfels had endured from the tyranny of jealous lovers ; and bade her be thankful that iier good fortune had cad: her into the power of fuch a courteous knight as himfelf.

At length Rofclla recovered her compofure, from perceiving that he merely amufed himfelf "With Lor perplexity, and even endeavoured to appear cheerful/to atone for having fufer- cd herfelf to liften to idle and romantic appre- henfions.

When they had reached the fummit of the cliff, Oberne, pointing to the north, exclaim- ed, '' '1 here is Loch Lomond, towards which •we are travelling — Loch Lomond, which was to have been the extent of my journeying ia your fociety, had not Mifs Beauclerc taken pity on my forlorn flate. I am more than doubly obliged to her; for when I had firft the good fortune to fee you, I was on the point of being very difilpated and imprudent, I believe."

*' Pray will you inform me truly," faid Ro- fella with a fmile, *' what rcafon decided you fo fuddenly in our favor, as to procure us the Jionor of your company from Edinburgh ?"

" Faith, fince you arc frank enough to en- quire in this honed: manner, replied he, " I will tell you without varnilh or equivocation. I

majle

ROSELLA.

made the party In a frolic ; for I was at that moment pajfablemint idle tnnuye^ and did not care to which point I was fleered, provided I were amufed for a few hours. But I found in the fociety of Mifs Beauclerc a charm I could not eafily give up ; and I determined not to forego my fituation whilft I could by any mean* retain it. However," added he, " I had ano- ther motive — it arofe from your excefTive fage and repulfive afpe6t : when you heard that your friend had given me permiflion to foUov/ her to Glafgow, you drew thofe charming fea- tures into fuch a look of dignified wifdom, and collected fuch a chilling atmofphere round you, that I thought you feemed refolved to freeze me off the field ; the certain confequcnce of which was, that I equally refolved to keep my ground. When, inilead of entrenching your- felf as you did, if you had only attacked me openly, and faid, as with great truth you might, * Oberne, you are a d — m — d impudent fel- low to fancy that, without introdu^ion or re- commendation, you are to trefpafs upon our good humour, and travel with us en famillt^ when, for aught we know, you may be a pick- pocket, or a bog-trotter I Go, prefwmptiious dog ! and find fureties who vvill be rcfponhblcj for your unfullied lineage, and unquertionable good demeanor j* — I mufl, as you may well fuppofe, have felt defeated at fuch an addrefs; and as I could not, mofl probably, have picked out any lady or gentleman voucher in Edin- burgh, in the circle of my acquaintance, who happened to be known to you and Mifs Beau- clerc, I fhould at this moment have been idling there or elfewhere, provoked at my unlucky defliny, and envying you the undiflurbed fwcets of your peregrination."

B 4 "1 never

0 ItOSELLA.

'^ I never fwear," returned Rofella, laugh- ing ; <« fo if you will efface the oath and the opprobrious epithets from the oration you fay

1 ought to have made, you may, if you pleafc, apply it at this moment, and in reply perhaps you will condefcend to give fome account of yourfelf."

*' I like this plain dealing," faid he j *• and as we walk down the cliff, I will give you my birth, parentaa^e, and education : I know that a dying fpeech and confefiion fhould properly /ollow, but for that you muff wait till we ar- rive at Perth. Be it known to you then, moft lovely Rofella,'* continued he in a burlefque tone, *' that I was born near Killbegan, in the fiffer kingdom, of honeft parents, I believe, — but of their induffry I never heard any vaunt 5 on the contrary, it is reported that my honor- ed papa, Dennis Neil Oberne, commonly called j.ord Clanallan, loff an effatc becaufe he was too indolent to fearch for title-deeds, — loff an eleftion, becaufe he was tou idle to travel fifty miles to attend it, — and loll: his life, becaufe he had unluckily no employment either of mind or body to combat his chagrin for thefe mif- fortunes. Hugh Obrrne, my brother, had the irood fortune to fcramblc on to the fcene before me ; fo that he is, of courfe, a gentleman of much more importance than myfelf: and I have heard that I fliall never regain the fmall portion 1 originally enjoyed of his gracious fa- vor, becaufe it happened that I was at the point of death during the eledion I fpeak of, at which he ought to have been the fuccefsful candidate ; — and though 1 was in London, and my father in Dublin, Hugh infiffs that his foolilli concern for my infignificant life occa- fioned his /Grange negligence of the advance-

racHt

ROSELLA. 9

ment of his heir, notwithdanding the exprefs that contained the news of my danger, had not then reached him. From that moment 1 be- came, in the eyes of my good brother, a mcft: gracelefs and unpfeafant objeQ: : it was foon difcovered that he was never entirely happy when I occupied a younger brother's apartment at Caftle Oberne, or even when I took up my lodging in the third ftory of the London- houfe ; fo I was fent to College to make more room for poor Hugh, and from thence I was difpatched to make a tour on the Continent, , with an allowance fo moderate, that in a year I overflepped my credit confiderably* I drew on Lord Clanallan for the deficient fum, and followed my draft to England, to affin: him in the trouble of honoring it -, but behold, I found my friend Hugh pofTcfTed of the title, and he fent my demand and myfelf to the devil. Fortunately, however, I ftill retained a large fnare of my mother's affe6tion, who coulJ never difcover any thing very criminal in the unhappy blunder of not being a year older than Hugh, inftead of the contrary ; and flie, good foul, aififted ms in the dilemma to wh.ch I was reduced : for, independent of her jointure, to which L was entitled, I was totally deftitute of inheritance, as my portion of the perifliablc gifts of Fortune Had been bequeathed me by my deceafed father in a legacy upon the lol^ cftatc, and he had never been able to gather fufficicnt refolution to alter his original^ will. When Lady Cliinallan had- taken up my drafr^ and prefented me with all the caib ihe could fparc, I was fiot fo ready as Hugh expecicd'tci retire into obfcurity, but remained fi}t\\e'-tirni in London after {lie had departed f^r'her re> fidcnce in Ireland. He would huve ccnde^

10 RCSELLA.

fcenderi to purchafe me a pair of colours in a marching regiment, but I preferred the Guards, and he was well aware of the impra6ticabiHty of entering them, without having the unde- fired fatisfaction of maintaining me afterwards. And anxious for my welfare, he kindly em^ ployed himfelf in looking round for fome rich bride, whofe Englifli guineas would improve my Irifli deftiny : and having fucceeded, he de- manded my thanks for his fraternal attention, and my immediate acquiefcence in his fcheme. But the good iady he had felc£ted, was of a mind and perfon fo unhappily deformed, that I rebelled againft his ordinations ; but at length, dunned on every fide, and threatened with a jail, I confefs to you that I confented to accom- pany him upon an expedition to obtain from jny captivating dulcina, an implicit avowal of the partiality he pretended to have long difco- vered. And here my good genius prevailed ;— before fuch a defuable explanation took place, a fiflcr of my mother died, and confidcrately bequeathed me a few thoufands ; — fo I made a low bow to my obliging brother, and a flill more profound one to my intended lady, and plunged violeniiy into every folly and extrava- |,^'ince which offered to a foolifh fellow jufl: efcaped from the moll unpalatable of evils, poverty and dependance. Without much ex- perience, my charming Rofella may fuppofe that my riches diminifhed very rapidly ; and I was tormented again by my brother's renev/ed propofals, when Fortuae once more fuccoured ine, and i became mafter of a very pretty edate, exactly on the confines of his domains ; f^'td Hu^h immediately obtained from me a fxromifc that I would mortgage and fell only to him, J have religioiifiy adhered to my obli»

ga'iohi

ROSELLA. II

fratlon ; but I have been fo provident, that this fecond fupply is not halftone yet, though I have pofTefTed it almoll three years."

The manner in which this was uttered drew a fmile from Rofella, who congratulated him upon his remaining three years* profpeft ; and promifed, at his requcfl, not to forget him in his fecond echpfe.

They had now almofl reached the Gover- nor's houfe in their defcent, and the frank hif- tory Oberne had jufl; given, had fo much in- creafed the confidence of Rofella, that (he had accepted his arm, and was chatting with fome gaiety, when they v/ere met by three or four gentlemen who were afcending.

'*Ha! Oberne,** cried one of the party, *' have you only reached D;imbartcn yet ? Why, my good fellow, by the halle with which you fled from Edinburgh,, you ought by this time to have been Philandering on the otlier fide of the Atlantic. Come, introduce us to this charming girl, and allcw her to wafle a fmilc or two upon your friends."

** A fmile or two !'* vociferated another ^ *' Oberne knows better ; — a fmile from thofe hps is worth all the treafjrcs of the Clyde."

Oberne, who looked equally provoked and chagrined, attempted to reply v but his ci-dg- vant boon compaiiions continued the attack with fuch a horrible noife and hallooing, that it was impoifible he could be heard.

Rofella, mortified, fliocked, and frightened, turned pale, and drawing her arm from his, made a fudden effort to ret real ; but was pre- vented by the oEicious intervention of a perfon who, repealing her nam.e, congratulated him- fclf upon the ^^isafure of fuch an unexnecled

12 ROSEi.tA

nicetlng. Rofella, turning at this addrefs, be- lield the grinning c( untenance of Mr. Povey, who, tsking her hand with an impertinent free- dom, told her he hoped fhe would allow him the title of an eld acquaintance, and recom- mend him as fuch to her friend Mr. Oberne. But had the meant to have complied with this infolcnt requeft, Oberne was far from being difpofed to admit the plea: for it was fcarcely littered, before he aimed a blow at the unlucky Povey, which rolled him down the path to a confiderable diftance, to the infinite amufement of his ^companions, whofe petulant ebullitions were, hov/cver, rather reftrained by the at- chievement.

The countenance of Oberne flill glowed with rage, whilft he defired the gentlemen to •wait half an hour at the Governor's houfe. «« My firft care," added he, " raufl: be to at- tend rhis young lady, whom you have fo in- famotfly infulred, to her refidcnce ; my next fhall be to eemand an explanation of your ccndua."

He then again feized the relu8ant arm of Rofella, and walked off, whilfl one of the parry repeated, in a loud bombaftic tone,

" Frowning he went ;

•• His eyes like meteors rcU'd, then darted down " Their red and angry btf.ms -, as if his fi|,ht ** Would, like the raging do^-llar, fccrch the earth, ** And kindle rivers in its courfe.'*

Oberne bit his lips violently, and hurried on in profoind filence, which R jfella was not jempted to interrupt; and bitterly did fhe regret that her complaifance had betrayed her to fjch dif^race : but the mien of Oberne, who was

Toothing

ROSELLA. 13

foothing his meditated vengeance by a found- lefs execration, forbade her to heighten his fury by indulging her own indignation.

When they reached the inn, Rofella flew to impart what had happened, to her friend, whilft Oberne haftened back Jo the Caftle, Mifs Beauclcrc could fcarcely confine her fatis- fa£tion at this adventure within proper bounds. However, as fhe now confidered him to be mod: affuredly a ferious lover of Rofella, ili« refolved to make the event a pretext to throw him from his hopes into the gulph of defpair, by giving him his conge^ and difpenfing with his further attendance.

But Oberne appeared not till the next morn- ing ; and in the interim, Rofella repeated the little hiftory he had given of himfelf : and Mifs Beauclerc, finding her furmifcs juft with - refpe6l to his rank and family, altered her in- tention ; immediately flew (in idea) the un- worthy elder brother, a practice much coun- tenanced by many writers (he efteemed, and giving Oberne the title of Lord Clanallan, which fhe acknowledged to found as prettily as Morreyne, fhe canied Rofella (ftill in idea) mofi: triumphantly to Callle Oberne, as the mod virtuous and lovely bride in the world, after having overcome, as heroines do, the malice of her fate, and forced her enemies to conftfs that (he was ihe moft prudent and amiable creature that had ever walked (in idea) the furfacc of the globe, notwithllanding a number of very intricate and myilerious adven- tures, which required great ini^enuiry and per- fcverance to explain even to the fatisfaction of friends and admirers.

The breakfaH: was not removed before Oberne claimed admittance 3 bin then, inilead

of

14 ROSELLA.

©f creeping, fighlng, and kneeling like an offending lover, he marched into the room with his ufual air, and giving Rofella a paper> told her he hoped fhe would accept the humble amende of the unfortunate mifcreants who had incurred her difplcafure the preceding evening.

She opened it, and found a confeiTion of ex- treme mifbehaviour, and a fohcitation of par- don and oblivion, (igned by four names, in- cluding "that of Povey. Rofella profefTed her- fclf fatisficd that this unpleafant affair had ter- minated J but not fo Mifs Beauclerc — {he was extremely provoked at the feeming non-cha- lance of Obcrne, when fhe had expe6tcd at leafl: fome fword and piflol bufmefs, even if fhe had been difappointed of the anguifh and defpair he ought to have exhibited. Hq per- ceived the difplcafure flie nourifhed, and ex- erted himfelf to rertore her good humour; but fhe received his afliduiries with coldnefs, and "fuddenly ordered a chaife to carry her from Dumbarton, without feeming to remenir ber that Oberne had obtained her permifiion to travel with her.

He obferved the decay of his interefl with a chagrin he could not conceal, though ho flill laboured to appear unconcerned ; and Rofeila faw his extreme uneafinefs with fome com- paflion, for fhe began to imagine that he was really attached to her friend, in fpite of her age and her faded charms.

Mifs Beauclerc having quitted the room to give directions to Nancv, Oberne advanced to Rofella, and afkcd if fne like wife condemned liim for a cafualty it was not in his power to forefce or avert.

*'Or

ROSELLA. 15

*' Or perhaps," continued he, " Mifs Beauclerc has heard of the meeting of laft night, and difapproves it. Yet what could I do f Was I to hear your name mentioned in my prefence in a light manner, and not punifh fuch infolence ? — No! — Mifs Beauclerc means, I fuppofe, to retra6t the permifTion' fhc gave me to accompany her to the Lake ; and if fo, I fliall have leifure to fettle this affair more to my fatisfa^lion."

'^ For Heaven's fake do not think any more of it," exclaimed Rofella, alarmed at the threatened florm ; '* is it not already fettled— have I not received the apology ?"

** But I find myfelf dirfatisfied with it," re- turned he. *' Why is Mifs Beauclerc unjufl enough to make me do penance for the imper- tinence by which I am equally aggrieved with herfelf?'

** Surely you mufl allow," faid Rofella, that fnc has fufficient caufe for vexation, in finding that I have been expofed to the curiofity and cenfure of people, who have proved that their judgment of me is neither charitable nor jufl. I am ferry you made my name a fubjcft of conteft, and I hope you will give up any idea of reviving it."

*' I promifc you,'* returned he, <* that your name fhall not be circulated in this curfed 'affair — no, my dear Mifs Monlrefor, my amia- ble Rofella, thefe names are with me too facred to be repeated flippantly in my hearing, nor (hail you be cenfured or infulted with impunity in my prefence, whilil: I have breath."

Roiella fuppofed, from the very animated manner in which he fpoke, that he was bur- lefquing the knight-crract^ and plcafed that he

had

l6 ROSELLA.

had recovered his good. humour, which fhe hoped would induce him to forget his fighting fcheme, thanked him with a fmiling counte- nance, and ran to aflifl: in arranging the writings and books of her friend, which was a talk not quickly performed.

When fhe fteppcd into the chaife with Mifs Beauclerc, fhe obfcrved another in waiting for Oberne, who did not venture, however, to propofe the exchange with Nancy, but con- tented himfelf with learning that the ladies were proceeding to the Loch, as thcT had intended : and in a fhort time they arrived at Lufs, where Mifs Beauclerc was far from being difpleafed to behold him as affiduous as ever; for the prattle of Nancy had again raifed Oberne to the port of honor in her opinion, by repeating what fhe had heard at Dumbarton, of the duel at which he had hinted. It appeared, when he was himfelf quertioned on the fubject, that Mr. Povcy either was, or pretended to be un- able to rife from his bed to receive the fatisfac- tion offered to him, and that Oberne, in the fury of his indignation, had chaliensjed every one of the party, who drew lots for the firrt turn in this pleafant bufmefs ; but the coupd'effal of his pirtol fending a bullet through the folds of his antagonift's cravat, the other offenders had interfered, and compromifed the matter by the written apology, and a promife never to repeat the affair with the name of Mifs I/Ion- trefor attached to it.

CHAP.

itesELLA t*J

CHAP. II.

Thi Scots drover — darkening profpeSfs of a fcandalized heroine.

S it was rather late when the party reached Lufs, Mifs Beauclerc refolved t© poflpone until the next morning, a voyage on the charming expanfe of water fhc took much pleafure in furveying. But Rofella, who was equally en- chanted with the fcene, could not controul her impatience to llroll out after dinner, though fhe avoided the attendance of Oberne, that llie m.ight not again be fubjected to the (hocking furmifes of his gay affociates, fhould chance and her evil deftiny have conducted any of them to the banks of Loch Lomond. She therefore defined Nancy to accompany her, and taking her arm, walked to the borders of the Lake, and contemplated from an eminence the charm- ing iflands fcattered over its bofom, beauti- fied by feats and villas, and enlivened by the boats palTmg from the one to the other ; the Grampian hills rofe from the north, and gave majefty and grandeur to the intereAiHg fcene.

But however Rofella might exclaim and ajilmire, poor Nancy was entirely unable to comprehend the caufe of fuch raptures, as file happened to have a fick head-ach, and

fecretly

i8

ROS£LIA

fecretly wlf!ied the whole country had been drowned in the rivcriCoquet, before (he had been pulled off her chair to /ee it : fhe was befides extremely difcompofed at having been waited upon at her dinner by a Lufs gentlewo- man, whofe bare legs and feet were not quite fo clean as f.ie thought neceflary for the occa- sion ; and to crown her difpleafure, there was not a crumb of bread fit for a Chriftian to eat — a misfortune in which though both Rofella and her miflrefs participated, Nancy declared was not to be put up with, by people who had feen what was what in more gentceler and grander places.

Rofella finding that her companion was full of complaint, and obferving that fhe appeared mdifpofed, would not continue to punifh her for her own gratification ; and tearing hcrfelf from a contemplation that fo much delighted her, turned back towards the vil- lage.

A group of half naked children with ruddy cheeks and golden hair, were playing by the fide of the path fhe walked : fhe [could not in the leaft comprehend their language, but was pleafed with their appearance, and diftributed araongfl them fome halfpence, which flie bor- rowed of Nancy : a generofity that excited the mofl rapturous emotions in the little party, who hugged their bawbees, and ran before her, barefooted upon the rocky ground, without any fymptoms of pain or inconvenience, till at length a little boy fcarcely more than two years old, whofe only garment was a ragged piece of plaid faflened round his little body, tripped againft a pointed crag, aud feverely wounded kh head in the fail.

Rofella

HOSEtLA 19

Rofclla very much fliockcd, and frightened at the cries of anguifli he fent forth, afked where he lived, and defired Nancy to help her to carry the child home. It was fometime be- fore ihe could make the others underftand her queftion, but at length they pointed to a for- lorn hut not far from the place, and thither Rofella, with confiderablc labour conveyed the little fufFerer ; for Nancy pretending that the fight of blood made her fick, did not deign to mffifl: her.

As (he was toiling up an afcent with the boy in her arms, and panting with the effort which companion alone, could have induced her to make, Oberne met her, and with an air of furprife demanded wliat had happened. She informed him ; and being then arrived at the hut, the mother ran out, and took the unlucky bairn from her, with a look in which her con- cern for the child was overpowered by aftonifh- ment at the condefcenfion of fic a brae young ledciy.

Rofella followed her into her manfion ; and the child having had his wound wafhed with milk and water, which they were compelled to fend to the next cottage for, fhe had leifure to examine the furniture and appendages of sl Scorch hut, which was not fuperior to any de- fcription fhe had ever met with of a Kamf- chatfka dwelling. The roof was left partly open to admit the paflage of the fmoke, the walls were of mud, and the floor, like that upon which George Mompeflbn had laid his aching head in his retreat, was of earth, unco- vered, unadorned, fpreading her naked bofom to cradle her unadulterated children.

'' Good God !" exclaimed Rofella, ** I murmured lately at the hardnefs of my bed,

and

lO RQSELLA.

and felt dlfgufted that it had been foil'cd by the prefTure of linnbs perhaps exhaufted by fatigue, or enfeebled by ficknefs !"

This apoflrophe was unintentionally uttered ^ aloud, and heard by Oberne, who unnoticed by her, ftood at the entrance of the hut, and was examining her countenance and motions with great attention. As her eyes wandered round her, they were attraQ:ed by an earthen pot of*batmeal and "water that was placed on the peat-fire i and from reflecting upon the lodging of the poor Scottifh peafarit, her ideas were now occupied in reviewing their hard fare.

She took a broken wooden fpoon from a lit- tle jfhelf, and dipping into the potti^ge, was going to tafte it ; but the woman prevented her, faying in the Sof^rtlfh dialeO:, that it was poor people's meat, and (he would not like it. Rofella would not however, be deterred from purfuing her intention, and finding the food unpalatable enough, fighed to reflc6l that hard- ly earned as it was, and fparingly devoured, it fhould be thought by many an Englifh fine lady too coarfe to waih her idle hands.

*' Hiave you more children than this one ?" slked Rofella.

*' I hae ten bonny bairns as ony in Scot- land,'* replied the woman, " and their fether deed bot twa months fin, as he was ganging with his kje to England."

" Going with what ?" demanded Rofella.

The woman explained : and at length (he difcovered that he had been a drover, and with indefatigable labor and felf-denial, having fcraped together enough of money to adventure a beaft of his own in the Englifh market, had fold it to advantage ; but was waylaid at his return,

on

ROSELLA. 21

On the borders of Scotland, and the produce ot his long-foftered hopes torn <from him by the hand of rapine. The fhock and difappoint- mcnt affe&ed his health, and his economy be- coming even yet more rigid, would not fuffep him to take enough of fullcnance tofupport him in his long journies, though all his meals were merely compofed of a handful of oatmeal from the bag that hung at his back, and moiftened in the pool by the road-fide ; till at length death overtook him on the banks of the rapid Nith, v/here he had laid himfelf down to refl, under the high-arched roof of Heaven, the turf his bed — a bed he had always chofen, becaufe when he rofe from it at the dawn of dav, no furly landlord demanded a bawbee for the lodg- ing of the night.

Rofella was affeQ:ed by the tale, and flill more by the tears and haplefs deftiny of the widow and her ten bairns ; and her hand, which was ever as prompt as the drops that novr rolled from her eyes, foon teftified her benevolence. The poor woman beheld the piece of gold which had been given to her in ftupid amaze- ment ; and before ihe recovered the recollec- tion which fo unexpected a vifion had taken away, her young benefa£trefs had vanifned.

Oberne, who had flood immoveable until Rofella turned towards the door, on perceiving that (he meant to retire, haftily moved away ; but not before fhe had caught a glimpfe of his figure in his retreat. She felt however no wifh either of avoiding or meeting him ; even the landfcape which a few minutes before had captivated her fancy, (he could not admire ; (he could think only of the poor drover expir- ing with fatigue and famine, his lad figh ming- ling

2t ROSELLA.

ling with the keen inhofpltable blafl: that whiftled round his unfliehercd head.

Having rejoined Nancy> who had been very compofcdly nurfing her ailments on a rural feat, near the hut, Rofella returned to her friend, and to intereft her compaflion and generofity, related the little hiftory with all the pathos fhc was miftrefs of; and her defign was fully an- fwered — for Mifs Beauclerc imagining the deceafed drover to have been at leaft an emigre Duke retired in this charming folitude from the cruel contumely of the world, and forget- ting his former fplendor in the delights of pailo- ral labor, refolved to reftore the ci-devant beautiful Duchefs to the comforts of compe- tence and clean linen : but on a fecondary con- fiueration, as Rofella reprefented her fpeaking m a complete Scottifh dialect, her opinion v^averd, and fhe concluded that the deceafed was either a young Scotch Noble, or that his wife was of high birth, who marrying from inclination, without in the flightefl: degree con- fuhing prudence, had been driven by the cruel- ty of parents and relatives to defolate obfcurity ; yet fhe wondered much that the hut was not exquifitely neat and white-walhed, and that Rofella had not obferved an inner apartment, ornamented with drawings and wooden-fhelved book-cafes, with a piano-forte in one corner, and a lute hung carelcfsly by a plaid ribbon up- on a cane bottomed London cottage chair.

She had little doubt, however, but that the elder of the bonny bairns would fuddenly, on difcovery, arrive at the honor of being ftiled my Lord Blackcattle, or fome other title, and al! our little female ragamuffins become Lady Janos and Lady Jcfiy's j a revolution by no nacans fiarprifuig in the annals of many a fair

rosella: 23

creature's family, whofc adventures flic had read.

Mifs Beauclerc refolved therefore to obtain a conference with the widow, and by infinuating herfelf with the fofteft compafTion into her confidence, procure a difclofure of her fecret hiflory ; and whilil: flic was revolving a plan to effeft fo defirable a point, without wounding the delicate feelings of the gentle cottager, Ro- felia repeated to Oberne, who had returned from his ramble, the good woman's lamentable fituation, and the unfortunate event which had deprived her of her hufband, and with him of the means of fupporting life.

He had before heard the whole ftory, but would not interrupt her becaufe he was en- chanted with the impreflive grace with which (he told the tale — a grace he found irrefiilible, as he was affured from convi£tion, that it was not a well-a6ted energy of feeling, to veil over a cold and felfifh heart.

" Mifs Beauclerc had not yet quite rcfumcd the cordiality fhe had difplayed to Oberne be- fore the fracas at Dumbarton ; but his good- humoured and almofl; unceafing attentions in- fenfibly difperfed the cloud, and at fupper, to which he was invited, it wholly vanifhcd, when fhe difcovered that he had difpatched an exprefs to Dumbarton to procure wheaten bread, which was produced at the meal, where he knew both Rofella and herfelf ate little elfc.

This inftance of delicate attention rcinfltJted him fully in his former poft of avowed efcort to his fair companions, and on the next morning he a6ted as ufaal, as maftcr of the ceremonies in regulating their voyage to the iflands of the Loch. But Mifs Beauclerc would not fet out upon this expedition, delightful though theex-

pt^taiion

C4 ROSILLA.

pe8:atIon of it was, until Ihe had made her in- tended vifit to her unfortunate incognita.

To the hut therefore fhe went ; but after a very minute and ufelefs exordium to induce the afflicted widow to repofe her private forrows in the faithful bofom of a new but tender and af- fe<Siionate friend, fhe found, to her unfpeaka- ble difappointment, that the poor woman was a6tua!ly no other than the wife of a peafiant, whofe father, inftcad of being the ennobled Lord of a fine old caftle, containing a fine old fkelcton, and a fine old myfterious manufcript, was no other than a wretched fifherman, who caught and cured herrings on the ifle of Arran.

This being the cafe, for Mifs Beauclerc had never read of a gentle unfortunate refufmg her immediate confidence to the firft- fight fympa- thy of a fufceptible traveller, fhe contented herfelf with relieving her vulgar neceffuies, and leaving her to her fate ; whilft the woman and her ten bairns were rendered comparatively rich from her contributions, thofe of Rofella, and the filcnt but liberal donation of Oberne.

At about eleven o'clock they took boat on the Lake, and the weather favoured their cx- curfion. The firil: ifland they reached was Inch- davan, at the fummit of whofe higheft rock even Mifs Beauclerc mounted, invalid as fhe had been, to have a more perfect view of the fcenery round her : here it was that Oberne felt jealous of the natural beauties of Scotland, and endeavoured to extort from his fellow-tra- vellers an engagement to extend their tour to his native fhores. But Mifs Beauclerc, with- out immediately refufing his requeft, would not fhackle herfelf by an abfolute promifc, and m this inftaiiCQ his rhetoric was incffedual.

From

ROSELLA. 25

From Inehdavan thej refumed their boat to firike acrofsthe Lake ; but as they pafTed Inch- monger, Rofella was fo much pleafed with the appearance of induftry • and independence it exhibited, that Mifs Bcauclcrc confented to land the refrefhments with which the boat was flocked, and take them under a fpreading tree upon the turf.

As they fat, fhe meditated very ferioufxy upon the indecorum of returning to terra-firma "without having encountered the leaft adveniure, fuch as ought infallibly to bcfal every heroine, "whenever fhe expects an aquatic expedition : and though her aff€£tioa for Rofella forbade her even to wifh that fhc fhould make the flightefl: experiment, by hazarding a falfe tlep, or throwing herfelf overboard in a flart offcar, yet Ihe thought it incumbent on her to try how far the evident attachmgnt of Oberne would carry him— for fwim or nof, a lover fhould always plunge in, and dexterouily bear a half- drowned angel, or even her finking chaperon fafe to fhore, whilfl the reft of the party are wringing their hands, and ihrieking her funeral knell in hopelefs anguifh. However as fuch a perilous plan required a little confideration, Mifs Beauclerc for the prefent contented her- felf wkh re-entering the boar^ after their rural repaft, with fufficient circumfpe6tion to avoid any difafter, deferring her meditated atchicv- tnent to a future opportiimty.

As the party were proceeding to Ben Lo- mon-d, the Lake was fuddenly ovcrfpread with a thick mtft, that compelled them, much to their mortification, to return to ^orc, leaving the moft pleafant part of the excu|*ilon for the next day.

VOL. II. C Hi

26

ROSELLA.

At tea Mlfs Bcaclerc and her young com- panion again experienced the attention of Obcrne, for their breakfafl table in the morn- ing had exliibited various flrong fvmptoms of the poverty of their hoft : but Rofella, far from being gratified by the intereft he took in their better accommodation, was chagrined and hurt at every inftance of it which he dif- played at fo confiderable an expence.

He had told her that half his eflate was already diffipated, and flie feared the other half would not long remain in his poffefTion. He had not indeed exprefsly faid that his income was fmall, but he had fpoken of it in fo modeft 2 ftyle, that fhe prefumed it was not an exten- Hve one; and of his improvidence his own -narrative had given llrong inftances.

She was vexed too on her own account .* for it was natural to fuppofc he would not have been fo anxious to continue in their fociety at fo high a tax upon his time and purfe, without- fome-profpeQ: of compenfation, either by mak- ing himfelf an interert in her heart, or fecuring the fortune of Mifs Beauclerc by a marriage upon prudcfltial motives. But as the chara8:er of Oberne opened to her obfervation, Ihe could not allow herfclf to attribute to him any mer- cenary views, and fhe was almoft compelled to acknowledge, from a retrofpection of his con- du6t, that it appeared more probable fhe was the fccret object of his too thoughtlefs and ex- penfive gallantries. Yet as this was only con- jefture, and might be far from the truth, flie endeavoured to continue towards him the fame mode of behaviour flie had hitherto adopted. When Mifs jjcauclcrc retired however, for the night, Rofella having difmifled Nancy, (Could not forbear rcprefenting to her the'

increafmg

ROSElLAk 27

uicreaUng nneafinefs (he fuftaliied, from tlae perpetual "expence into which Oberne pkinged upon their account.

" I am far from approving it myfelf," re- plied Mifs Beauclerc, " and though I cannot but be gratified by the tender anachment his conduct evinces, I will not fuiTer you, ray dear Rofella, to bear the imputation of receiv- ing attentions of a pecuniary nature from any man, however aimiable. 1 have for fomc time," continued fhe thoughtfully, " been alarmed at the increafmg pailion of poor Oberne ; becaufe I fear it will not be in my power to reward it as my inclination dircQ:s, and therefore I wifhed him- to tear himfelf away at this place ; but his earnt ft folicitations to continue v/ith us till we reach Perth, my compalTion unhappily yielded to, in fpite of rigid prudence."

*' It is even {o,'' thought Rofella: *' Oberne pretends to be in love v/ith her— whatvvill Mr.Mordaunt fxiV if (he marries fo young a man 1"

*' My poor Selina," added Mifs Beauclerc, " has unconfcioufly treated my dilemma, by informing me, that through fonic channel fhe cannot difcover, our adventure at Sranmorc Hills has been mentioned to M.--. Mordaunt ; riay even our aljtrm at Ed-inburg-h and our meet- ing wi'h Oberne, have been mod: cruelly mif- reprefented by fomc ftcret but wc:Il- informed en; my, wlio for a fmider purpofe evidently watches all our motions."

Rofella liad (hu^dered with all the horror of timid innocence, from the opprobium of the world ; and now at the idea of a fccret enemv, envenomed with hatred to a degree that could alone animate him to take fuch uncommon trou*

C 2 bic

iS ROSELLA.

ble to injure them, fhe felt her terrors rlTe ; her head became giddy, (lie grew fick, and after flrugghng a few moments with the emo- tions, loft all fenfation.

The agony of Mifs Beauclerc at this nncx- peQ:ed efFc£t of her fublime communication, cannot be defcribed : flie flew round the room in unreflecting anguifli, wrung her hands, and icreamed for help. The houfe was fmall, and her cries foon diflinguifhed. The firfl perfon who rufhed into the apartment was Oberne, who, on beholding Rofella extended upon the floor, pale and without motion, ex- hibited as many fymptoms of diflra6tion as Mifs Beauclerc.

*« What has happened?" exclaimed he.

*' Rofella, deareft Rofella, arc you ill ?

God of Heaven, (he is fenft iefs I"

By this time feveral people were colle6^ed at the room-doer, and the woman of the houfe entered with Nancy.

'< Send this moment,'* cried Oberne

•*' where's Patrick, where's my fervant V*

'" The gentleman's in the kitchen," return- .ed Nancy. " Oh Lord, poor dear Mifs Mcn- Kefor I that ever we fhould have coomed to fuch a place ! They have poifoned her with their dirt and filth !"

The landlady's red hair briflled with refent- ment at this affront, but (he was filent.

*« Be quiet," faid Mifs Beauclerc angrily ;

<* get fomc more water j (lay rub her

hands!"

Oberne, with the rapidity of lightining, did both, and Rofella revived ; not to thank him for his cares, but to turn from him with a re- puo-nance, and a look of horror, as potent as that of a faHiionablc lady, who unexpectedly

beholJ»

RO SELLA. 29

beholds at the corner of Sr. James's-ftreet, or any other ftreet, a difgufting picture of fick- ncfs and famine clofe at her well-turned elbowv imploring her to beflow what (he does not pof- fefs — money, and endeavoring to excite v\hat (he never felt— charity.

Mifs Beaiiclerc now refic6ted that it would be proper to difmifs Oberne, and fhut the chamber-door. He entreated before he vvith- r'rew, that (he would fend for advice if Mifs Montrcfor continued indifpofed ; and telling her that his fervant, whom he had appointed to meet him at tiiat place, was arrived, and wholly at her fervice, enquired, with a look of folicitude, if Rofclla had been alarmed.

** Yes," returned Mifs Beauclerc, in a he- fitating accent ; ** no — not alarmed, but (he- has been much Ihocked — that is — but I will in- form you to-morrov.'.'*

Not at all fatisfied with this broken intima- tion, lie departed very reluctantly, to amufr, if he could, his curiofuy and concern with all the conjcQures a hvelv imagination and appre- henfive mind could fugged:. "I'he fervant of vhom he had fpoken, had brought him letters from Edii, burgh, bv no means fo plcafuig or entertaining as he could have wifhed — letters which reflected reproach upon his underftand* ing, for fufFcring him ft If to be drawn into the lure of two travelling adventurers ; a report then pa/Ting current, from a tolerably juft de- tail his companions had repeatedly given of the plavhoufe rencontre.

When Rofclla had wholly recovered, and again found herfelf tetea tete with her friend, (he implored her with all the eloquence her diftr-efs infpired, no longer to fuffer the attend- ance of Oberne.

♦♦ You

3^ HOSEtLA

•* You promifed poor Simpfon," added fhe^ ^* to fend hrm word when he (hould rejoin us 5 perhaps he is now able to follow you hither.— It vve have enemies, which Heaven forbid, will they not remark upon your travelling fo far v,'ithout any attendant but Nancy ? and indeed I have often wifhcd, upon his account, to be informed of his fituation, when I recolle£^ how feeble and difpirited he appeared."

" I will fend to him to join us at Perth,*' replied Mifs Beauclejc : *' but, my dear Ro- fella, if I retra£t the permiflion I have given Oberne to accompany us there, I mud give him a reafon for fo doing j and to difilpate any mirtaken idea of capricious coldnefs on my part, 1 believe it will be bed: to affign the true one j for 1 have now received fuch unequivocal proofs (>( his tendcrnefs, that I would not occafion iiim an unncccfiary pang.'*

" Would to Heaven," thought Rofelia, •* we had never feen him ! How can my poor {ncnd be fo weak as to think of fuch nonfenfe, when her character, through his means, is fo cruelly arraigned."

Again the humiliating fenfation which the iindefired fociety of Oberne had originally f^ivcn her, recurred with increafed force, and Ihe refo.'vcd, not witliout a mixture of fpleen in her prudence, that fince Mifs Beauclerc prized his boaftcd tcndernefs fo as to prefer it to reputation, her prefence fhould not often interrupt the exprefTion of it, as fhe fufpeded it might hitherto have done.

Nay her ill-humour prompted anew the l^lan of writing to Mr. Mordaunt or her guar- dian, to propofc her return to his houfe j but (he recollection of its gloomy dulnefs, and of its martcr'j economic lectures, joined to the

Ihamc

ROSELLAJ 3I"

ftame of encountering the regards of people, who no doubt had joined her name with that of Mifs Beauclerc in their condemning flric- tures, made her haflily abandon the idea.

She could not fleep; and amongrt the mor- tifying reflections that aflailed her during the long uneafy night, the remembrance of her la'ft rencontre with Mr. Delamere, his ftrangc man- ner, and ftill more tormenting gift, haunte,d her recoHedicn, and Ihe was tempted to be- lieve that he was the author of the officious reports to her difadvantage and that of Mifs Beauclerc : and to complete the chagrin fhe experienced, fhe imagined that if he had not received the note flie had been fo careleGly hafty in returning, he might further reprefent her as having fohcited and received pecuniary favors from his compafTion.

Thefe furmifes baniihcd every favourable fentimcnt fhe had once entertained of him ; and Oberne, who had never wounded her felf- love by ill-founded reproach the efFed of ap- pearances too feverely conflrued, but had ever feemed to regard her with the rcfpeO: (i\Q coveted, was thought amiable by the contrail; but he again forfeited her cftecm by aiming to gratify either a propenfity to ridicule or avarice, in the particular admiration fhe fuppofed him to have avowed for Mifs Beauclerc.

Harafled and unrefrefhed, Rofella rofe in the morning, hating the idea of meeting Oberne, but not chufing to awaken the alarm of her friend, by remaining in her chamber iinder pretext of indifpofition. Before fhe delcended to breakfad, he had twice enquired by Nancy if fhe were quite recovered, and if he might hope to greet her in the fitting-room 5 suid fhe wondered this afTiduity did not occafion

any

3^ RO«ltA.

any difpleafure in his miftrcfs, who, on th« contrary, appeared only defirous to foftcn his anxiety.

At length Rofella attended the breakfaft table, to which Mifs Beauclerc had previoufly adjourned, and as ftie opened the door, flie licard her fay —

*' Enquire of herfelf— here fhe is !" ** My dear Mifs Montrefor," cried Oberne, «* you look pale ; you are not quite well yet !" *' 1 feel rather indifpofed," faid Rofella, coldly, *' and will requeft Mifs Beauclerc to leave me here, whilil you accompany her to the Lake."

*' It is impoitible we can leave you, '* ex- claimed he eagerly; ** your friend 1 am fure will defer the excurfion/'

'' Mod certainly I (hall," replied Mifs Beau- clerc.

Rofella fuffered the argumont to drop ; for Tac was too languid to converfe, and too heart- fick to care much what effect her filence would iiave. Oberne too, was far from being in his lifual fpirits; but as they were in him conftitu- tiDnal, they appeared fomctimes by flafhes, and it was only at intervals that he looked thought- ful and uneafy.

After brcakfadj Mifs Beauclerc declaring her intention of retiring for an hour or two to write letters, Rofella was careful to quit the room before (he left it; and then, without any inclination to occupy herfelf, fhe fat in her chamber, holding her aching temples, filent and folitary, until Nancy made her entre, in a moft extraordinary flow of fpirits, apparently brimful of intelligence, which without any folicitatioji (he foon began to pour out ; and Rofella had the fatisfadion of hearing that Mr. >Patrick thought her exceedingly handfome, and

did

ROSELLA. 33

did not uondcr that his mafter flighted the London lady j for Mr. Patrick himfclf could never keep conftant to an old fweetheart whew- ever he faw a prettier.

•* [ do not wifli to hear fuch nonfcnfe," faid RofeHa, with fome anecr.

** Lorrk-a-mighty, Mifs!" exclaimed Nancy, ** I never fee you fo crofs-gralned before ! I am fure Mr. Patrick faid no harm, or I fhould not have coomed to tell you — only he faid, his maftcr*s brother, Lord Clinking, or Clanking, or fomewhat, was very angry that Mr. Oberne had left his fweetheart, and that he had been told a heap of flories of his fpending all his money upon good for-nought minxes all round the country of North Britain — God-a-mighty knows where that is ! But I told Mr. Patrick I was glad he had coomed to fee it was no fuch thing, for his mafter had been with my ladies morning, noon, and night, as one may fay, ever fulce they coomed from Edinburgh.

*' Good God, how teafing !'* exclaimed Rofella.

** Lorrkno, Mifs," refumed Nancy, «« Mn Patrick laughed fit to crack his fides I"

Rofella now found her patience exhaufted;: and dcfired Nancy to leave the room, which the girl had fcarcely done before fhe burft into a pailion of tears, and imagining that the good opinion of the world- was to her irretrievably loft, gave herfelf up to defpair. After having remained fome time abforbed in the moft tor- menting rcfle6>ions, her folitude was interrupt* cd by Mifs Beauclerc, who was terrified at the condition in which fne found her, and rightly guefnng the caufe of thofe tears, whofe traces were yet vifible in the pallid cheek of Rofella,* &c eagerly promiftfd to difmifs Oberne, and C 5 reflore

34 ROSELLA.

reflorc her tranquillity by every means in licr power.

Accumilomcd as Rofclla had been to indul- gence from her fanciful yet kind friend, (he was furprifed at the important facrifice fo rea- dily made to her fcruplcs — a facrifice fhe had not liowever inUncerity or complaifancc enough to oppofe by the faintell contcft, becaufe her delicacy ought, fhe fccrctly thought, to have been feconded at leaft, even if it had not been directed by her older companion : — (he there- fare received the offer of Oberne*s dlfmiflion with an emotion of thankfulnefs ; and it was fettled that Mifs Bleauclcrc fhould immediately intimate her intention of foregoihg the pleafure of his company after they quitted Lufs.

She dcfcended to their fitting-room to an- nounce their approaching feparation, and found liim in a mediation fo profound, that fhe was well allured his volatile fpirits could only have hiffevcd fuch a revolution by the almighty power of heroic love. His firfl enquiry was for the health of Rofella, and his next for the fubje6l of the alarm or fhock fhe had received the preceding evening, which he had not yet }?ad an opportunity of learning.

*' The cruel and unjuft world," replied Mifs Beauclerc, with unufual dignity, *' is never fo rigid as when a young, lovely, and innocent girl is arraigned before its tribunal."

Oberne flared at this comment, and his at- tention to the explanation of it redoubled.

*' My timid Rofella," continued the lady, * is not equal to meeting its ftern inquifuion or rebuke, and 1 would not wifh her to combat its reproach, even with a placid confcicnce for her auxiliary !'*

*< In

HOSILLA 3^

** In the name of God, my dear Madam, explain yourfelf !" exclaimed Oberne impati- ently.

<« To a man of delicacv,'* faid Mifs Beau- clerc, " I have furely fufficientlv explained my meaning; and you muft comprehend enough of it not to be furprifed if I decline very pe- reRiptorily the honor of your attendance from this hour !"

He made no reply to this heart-rending in- ftance of cruelty, but appeared to reflect for a moment, and then darted out of the room with a participatien that half terrified and half dc-< ' lighted Mifs Beauclerc, who waited a confider- able time for the report of the pidol fhe con- cluded I he difconfolate hero had gone in quefl: of; but hearing nothing of it, Ihe was on the point of fallying out lo enquire by what method the poor youth had flipped out of the world,' and eluded the peculiar anguifh of his fate, when her intention was fufpended from fur- prife, occafioned by the moft violent outcries, lamentations, and oaths uttered in a ftrong brogue, with fupplications and adjuratious dan- cing on a Scotch dialeft, accompanied by fe- male fhrieks, and thefe again interrupted by threats of future vengeance, independent of prefent punifhment.

The laft mentioned found, though fcarceiv articulated from excefiive rage, Mifs Beauclerc fancied to proceed from the lips of the heart-? broken Oberne, and what the uproar portend- ed fhe was at a lofs to guefs : the folcmnity of the prefent crifis could not long outbalance her' vehement curiofity to learn it, and fhe repaired to the fcene of contention, where ihe bchelcf the repulfed lover brandifhing a whip inflead of a fvvord, and Rgfella, who from time to tim<5-

car-

Fa- • —

i % mm

pro:

LULL A. 57

-jm and furprife,

. minifh by a narra-

^ ing of the object (hui

thoufh Mift Beauclerc,

-'. and exultation,

•i>rfc calumnutin^

• beloved Rofclla! But

your horrible derclidion - afTurcd you fhall, like >us loTcn, bitterl/ repent ly.'*

a had fcarccly eroded her he carrufci drove away, A wholly unconfctouf thtt ccogniied by an old ac- id intreaiy (he at \cnph

'-TTe the offrnder lo his

he manifeded by a

; and hi« matter in the

jrntng reflcdion^ afhamed

fuch a want of felf-con- ibly from the pre fence of compafTionating the objed anger, more than lacaly

I

CHKii

36 ROSELLA.-

earneftly conjured him to moderate his wrath, had only the power of mitigating the chaftife- ment he was infliQ:ing upon a man, whofc collar he grafped : whilft Nancy wept bitterly, and tore her hair in concert with Mr. Patrick, the culprit, who fecmed only intent upon Gripping his head of its honors, and again applying to himfelf every villanous name his obliging mafter had before invcfted him him with.

A Scotch laflie, who thought Mr. Patrick a vara bonny loon, was in her hade to be attended to, bawling out a remonftrance in the Erfe language, which Mr. Patrick com- prehending, bade her hould her tongue, and not be after axing pardon for him, unlcfs fhe would fir/1 lend him a cord to hang himfelf a little, for being fuch a d — m — d fpalpeen to a better mafler tan ever crofled the Channel.

Mifs Beauclerc conceiving this ftrange affray to be beneath the interference of Rofella, and not perceiving any figns of its ending in a fenti- mental tragedy^-called to her to re-enter the houfe, for the fcene lay in a yard, flanked on one fide by the road, and on the other by a convenient horfe-pond, to which Oberne had almoft dragged his felf- condemned prifoner.

But Rofella heard her not, and before the {lorm was in the leafl: allayed, a very brilliant travelling chaife paffed the road, followed by two or three others; and Mifs Beauclerc obeyed an impulfe of curiofity ia endeavouring to difcover who occupied the firfl, which had Aopped before the little inn whilfl a fervant made fome enquiries, when a tumult of emo- tions, was excited in her bofom, by difcerning rather unexpectedly Lord Morteyne, feated by a very pretty woman, who was rcgcrding

KofcUa

ILOSELLA. 37

Rofella with looks of concern and furprlfc, which his Lordfhip dkj not diminifh by a narra- tive he was apparently giving of the object thus fcrutinized.

" Oh my Lord," though Mifs Beauclerc, with a mixture of difdain and exultation, *' you likewife believe thefe calumniating Tories of your once beloved Rofella I But though you imagine your horrible derelidion unknown to her, be aflured you fhall, like other rafh and jealous lovers, bitterly repent your (hocking credulity."

This prophetic idea had fcarcely crofled her imagination before the carriages drove away, and Rofella remained wholly unconfcious that fhe had been thus recognized by an old ac- quaintance.

By perfuafion and intreaty ftie at length induced Oberne to leave the offender to his own contrition, which he manifefted by a variety of emotions j and his mafler in the firft moment of returning reflection, afhamed of having difplayed fuch a want of fclf-con- troul, withdrew haftily from the prefence of Rofella, who fey compaflionating the objc6t of his Tehement anger, more than tacitly condemned it.

CHAFj

ROSELLA.

CHAP. III.

A parting Scene^-^a heroine^ s r tire at champetre^

HEN Rofella rejoined her friend, fhe learned that a circumrfance had occurred to urge the continuation of their journey im- mediately, and wondered exceedingly what event of importance could have reached her in the fpace of ten minutes ; but recollefting how much her friend fometimes amufed her imagination with fuppofitious affairs, (lie con- cluded it was one of thofe fabulous exigences which had more than once in the courfe of their tour guided her motions.

Oberne meantime heard the order given for a chaife for the ladies, and darting from his folitary trance, flew to enquire the reafon of fuch an unexpefted precipitation : hap- pening to encounter Rofella in his fcarch, he alked with rapidity whither Hie was going; and fhe declared, with truth, that fhe knew not.'*

^' That is you do not wifh to tell me. Are you going towards Perth ?" refumcd he, after a moment's paufc.

** I am

ROSELLA. 39

** I am entirely ignorant of the route Mifs Beauclerc means to take," replied fne, *' but I believe not."

Again he re- urged his firfl qucftion, and fhe made the fame reply.

*« Tell me at leaft, faid Obernc. '^ the mo- tive for this fudden movement : it is, I fup- pofe, in confequence of the impertinence of that fellow, which reached you through Nancy r"

*< Indeed you diftrefs me," (he replied, bc- ** caufe I cannot anfwer you !"

'• Mifs Montrefor," exclaimed Obernc fuddenly, " tell me with fincerity the opinion you have formed of me. I know you think me a ffrangc mortal, incapable of reflecting ferioufly ; foolifh, extravagant in conduct and idea, giddy, fickle, impetuous, and un- meaning.

" If you know all this," faid Rofella, half fmiling, *' why do you apply to me ? Will it be any fatisfa^tion to have this idea of your's confirmed ?"

" No ; I fhould, on the contrary, be charmed to find that my fears were un- founded."

** Well then I beg you to believe that they are ; for I cannot yet think myfelf qualified by experience to form any decifive judgment of jour chara6ter."

'* I fufpea," faid Oberne, " that hitherto I have not had any— at leaft I find myfelf un- der the influence of a new charader within a very limited time. To have done however with an unworthy fubje6t, let me quit it to inform you, that I fliall not oppofe ihe pro- mife Mils Beauclerc condefcended to make, to her prefent dcterminatigo of difcarding me,

becaufe

4® KOiElLA.

bccaufe I feel equally indignant with her at the odious imputation her gencrofity and candid re- liance upon me have drawn upon her— -an im- putation I fhall affuredly endeavour to wipe off before I fee you again. And now, dear Mifs Montrefor, let me entreat that you will forgive the fhock that fellow's infolence and folly, and the filly prattle of Nancy have occafioned you ; and believe that from the firft hour I faw you, I have not for a moment entertained an opi- nion I would not freely avow to your mofV zealous champion. Mifs Beauclerc does rae injuftice in affecting to hide from me the route Ihe means to take ; I have too much refpeO: for you and her to difcover it without her per- miflion ; but as I am fortunately acquainted with her Englifli refidence, 1 will not dcfpair of being able to renew the pleafure 1 have en- joyed in your fociety, with a better recommen- dation to your favor than idlenefs and affurance, You will be next winter ftill under her protec- rion I hope ?"

** 1 cannot decide for myfelf," returned Rofella ; *' my flay with Mifs Beauclerc de- pends upon her invitation, and the indulgence of my guardian."

'* Your guardian I I fuppofed — I thought you — excufe me, dear Mifs Montrefor, if I take the liberty of enquiring if he is the guar- dian of your perfon alone, or vour foriunio likewife ?•*

*' Of both," replied fhe, wondering where thefe enquiries would end.

*' Then I have been in an error,'* faid Oberne gravely; " to deal frankly with you. I imagined you to be as deftitute of for- tune as you abound in every amiable qua-i i;ty/» 'J

'' Am

HOStLLA 4*

•* Am I to fuppofe then," faid Rofell^, rather indignantly, *« that fuch a circumftance has influenced yourcondu^ ?'*

** Certainly had I been better informed, I fhoiild not have followed you from Edin- burgh/'

*' Followed me P* interrupted fhe, ftill more irritated, ** do you fay you followed me?"

" Yes, I have the prefumption to fay it; 1 (hould not have been abfent from Edinburgh twelve hours, had you not accompanied Mifs Beaucierc." Be not, however, angry — I acknowledged to you that I had diffipated half my fortune, not very fplendid originally, and with the other half I would have offered you my unworthy felf, had you been at liberty to encourage or reje£l me, and had you not been above my hopes; as it is, I mud bid you adieu, with the additional mortification of feeling thofe wiflies crufhed which 1 have for fome time part foolifhly cherifhcd."

Without waiting her anfwer, he left the room ; and Rofella, from furprife and con- fufion, had not the power of preventing him, that (he might explain from mere humility, that he carried v/hh him an erroneous fuppo- fition, if he imagined the fortune fhe had fpoken of even approached to mediocrity. She ran to the window in the hope of feeing him pafs it, but he had wholly vanifhed ; and MiCs lieauclerc calling to her almoft immediately, to enquire if flie were ready, (he haftened to obey the intimation, and followed her into the chaife a few minutes after, without again be- holding the eccentric Oberne, whofe abfence flic had fo often wilhed, and now almoft re- :grctted.

Nancy

42 RO^ELLA.

Nancy was ftill robbing at intervals, and fecretly deploring that her too flippant tongue had caufed, as (he imagined, two fuch great difafters as the difgrrace of Mr. Patrick, and the parting of Mifs Rofella from her true lover ; for fuch fhe confidered Oberne. And her dif- content was increafed by an attack which had been made upon her by the landlady, who had plainly hinted that fhe would fcorn to ferve peo- ple who did not know their own minds ; for her part, if fhe had known the leddies were going away, (he might have had a great Laird and aw his family at her hoofe, which would have made the fortune of her and her guide mon.

A'lifs Beauclerc fat immerfed in the fub- Jimity of thofe adventures, Hie was now pur- fuing with an avidity, that would not allow her leifure to finifh her furvey of the beau- tiful Lake flie had fo much deviated out of her road to fee ; and fo rapidly did her ideas hurry her forward, that fhe could not even fpare one look of approbation at the romantic fcenery fhe was fo eager to quit, but fixed her eyes upon the trotting hoofs of the gal- loways that bore her away, calculating hovr foon fhe (hould leave behind her Loch Lo- mond and its charming iflands, and the lovely vale of Tarbet, with its eaftcrn boun- dary of water. '

Rofella had therefore full liberty to purfu© her own refleO-ions, which led her to examine the previous conduct of her friend, and the ftrange unpleafant fituations which had been the refult of it ; and fo far was fhe then from deploring the injuftice of the world, that fhe could not but acknowledge, thofe reports which had reached her ear, were but the na- tural

KOSELtA. 43

tural irtfcrences to be drawn from a' mode of a£^ing fo fingular and unaccountable. She be- came, in confequence, anxious to learn whithef the whimfical genius of her friend would point ; and without any preface, made an enquiry into their prefent deftination.

Mifs Beauclerc rephed that fhc had not any fettled plan, but having much curiofity to be- hold the Grampian mountains, (he Ihould journey in the direction they took.

Rofella perceiving fome referve in her man* ner whilfl: (he returned this vague anfwer, fuf- pe£ted an achievement in petto, which flie was not yet to be made acquaitued with, and looked forward to it with apprehcnfion and anticipated difgud. She conceived that to hefitate taking any ftep at the prefent moment, however un- pleafant, to rcfcue herfelf from the maliciows fneers of thofe, who having already learned their adventures, and poured them with cruel comments into the ear of Mr, Mordaunt, a man whofc efteem and friend/hip fhe highly prized, would be to deferve a^d wait for.fur- ther opprobrium : and in Afite of the • inilata affection fhe dill retained for Mifs Beauclerc, fhe refolvcd to give up, the pleafuig expc6ta- tions fhe had lately found fo little realized in her fociety, and voluntarily return to dulncfs and difcord, as an afylum from cenfure.

When they refted for the night, fhe pre- ferred her claim to the offered advice of her old and fage friend, through the channel of a letter, written without the knowledge of Mifs Beauclerc; but fhe could not fend it off until they flopped at fome town for a few days, that flic might have a chance of receiving an anfwer. She deprecated the opinion Mr. Mordaunt

might

44 I10SEL2.A.

might form of her, from not rccciviiig^ sny appeal to his kindncfs, after he had heard fuch a detail of her journey, as Mrs. Ellinger had tranfmitted an account of to Mifs Beaiiclerc,. of whom Rofella fpokc without difrefpe6i, though fhc acknowledged that the reports in circulation, however cruelly exaggerated or mifreprefented the circumflance might^ he to which they related, were yet not wholly without foundation : fhe then entreated his iid to extricate her from her prcfent fitu- ation, without offending Mifs Beauclcrc^ or wounding that affection which had induced her to beftow favors and benefits, {he could never think of wiihout the warmeft gratt* rude.

This epiftlc Rofella referred very carefully to the moment when fhe might put it into a port wi;h a chance of catching the willied-fur reply j and as her mind was rather calmed" after having decided upon a flep fo prudciit, (he found herfelf fufficiently difengagcd to- remark upon the uncommon enthufiafm which had taken ponefTion of her ftrange and ro- mantic friend, who compared the Grampian hills to the Alps, the Appenines, arwl the Py- renees; and the river Tay, v/irh i^s diftant Loch, to each fublime dream of which ihe had ever read.

Their progrefs was flow, for the road was hilly and mountainous • but the almofl infuf- ferable tedioufnefs of every afcent, was am- ply rewarded by a view of the intervening vales, fweetly wild, almofl invariably water* ed by a winding flream,. and generally well wooded.

In one of thefe, about five miles fouth of Dunkeld, Mifs Bcauclerc loitered near an

hour,

ROSELLA, 45

hour, taking the dinner fhe had had the precaution to provide at the la ft town, at the foot of a mountain, down whofc rocky bofom a natural cafcade fell into the Tay, which cir- cuited round a fmall but pfeafant wood, to vifit the fpot, and receive the falling tribute jnto its own waves.

«* I fhould much like/* exclaimed Mrfs Beauclerc, " to pafs a few weeks in this lovely fpot ; but I fear I fliall not here meet with a cottage to fuit my purpofe.*'

*' All thofe I have hitherto obfcrved," re- plied Rofella, ** are really not fo good as En- glifh piggeries : a cottage in the environs of London, fitted up with French windows, treillage paper, and cane chairs, and a cottage at the foot of the Grampian hills, are very different things I perceive/'

** Perhaps we may have the good fortune,*' refumcd Mifs Beauclerc with a fmile, ** to find the deferted habitation of fome elegant reclufe, whofc tafle and labours may have rendered it precifely what a delicate and cultivated mind might wifh."

Rofella made no reply, but fmcerely hoped they might not fall into the track of any elegact reclufe, who had been capable of executing fo mad a fcheme.

Mifs Beauclerc at length condefccnded to refume her journey, and proceeded toDunkeld, where fhe (lept ; and on the next morning at an early hour fent to the houfe of a perfon in the place, with whom fne faid (he had bufinefs; and her note was immediately anfwered by the appearance of an obfequious North Britain, who was, he affirmed, the vara parfon Mafter Mac-clood had m.entioned to the leddv, and after a few compliments, and many profcflions

of

/[6 &OSELLA

of devotion to the intereft of fic almable par- fonages, he proceeded, as a matter of courfe, to defcribe the moft charming dwelling in the whole ifland ; a delectful cottage, only two fitting rooms and a fmall kitchen below, and three lodging rooms above, but vara taftefully fitted up and furnifhed by an unfortunate leddy, who was prevented from finding it the afylum flie had hoped for herfelf and her children, by the folly of a jealous loon of a hu{band, who made her quit her ain coontra, and follow him to another, whither he was banifhed by his ain extravagance and difTipation. The prarpeeQ:s were the mofl: romantic in aw Scotland, and it was not more than twa miles from the rumbling brig, a majeflic cafcade as ony in Europe. An Edinburgh painter had taken views to the extent of five miles round, which views were hung up in the cottage ; and it likewife contained a piano-forte, and fundry inftruments particulareefed in the leeft of the furniture and appurtenances.

" I am perfedly fatisficd with this ac- count of my future refidencc/' interrupted Mifs Beauclerc ; ** I have already inftru6ted my agent in London to pay the fum de- manded, and I hear that I can have immediate pofTeiTIon.'*

" Mai/ler Macclood,'* the Scot replied, ** had dcfired him to accede to the ]edd\'s \vifhcs in that refpe^t, and fhe might aS. as (he thought proper as to indant refidence ; a/id evven if any thing intervened to pre- vent the agreement from taking place, of which he hoped there wad bs lectel proba- beclity, Ihe, as a tenant, might fotisfee ony demand of tiie landleddy, by the year or the <juarter/'

Mifs

ROSELLA. 47

Mlfs Beauclerc was evidently delighted with ^is prompt method of proceeding, and after fettling a few neceflary preliminaries, fhe de- parted the next morning from Dunkeld with Rofella and Nancy, accompanied by Maimer Crauford, who undertook to efcort them to the Scotch paradife he had fo eloquently de^- cribed. Yet Rofella had fo little expeaation of fatisfa^ion from it, that fhe dated her letter, with a memorandum that the reply was to be addreffed to her at the houfe of Mr. Crauford, who was to receive and forward the corref- pondence of Mifs Beauclerc, and then con- trived to fend it to the pofl before fhe left the town, with a finccre hope that Mr. Mordaunt would comply with the wifh it contained.

After a fhort ride through a country, which it required no ingenuity of the Scot to perfuade the ladies was beautifully romantic, he pointed* out to Mifs Beauclerc her new abode, and Ihe found it to exceed even what her enthufiaftic imagination had formed of divine. It was now the beginning of July, and the weather which in the Scottifli highlands was then little more than of a pleafurablc warmth, had given fra- grance to the herbage, and fcented the air for a confiderable diflance with the fhrubs and wild flowers tranfplanted from a more fouthern foil, and difpofed with confiderable judgment in a lovely glen, where a branch of the Tay mean- dered in flillnefs, until it was joined by a braw- ling ftream that rufiied from a neighbouring rock, and then they flowed together with an impetuous motion, and iliook the frefiiened air with their murmurs.

The cottage itfcif had been nev/!y white- wafhed, end partially gllftened from behind a green trcillage covering the front and one {\de^

and

-4^ R08ELLA.

and placed about half a foot from the building, that the dews hanging upon the leaves of the wild rofe and honeyfuckle creeping over it, might not aflFeQ: the apartments with damp ; the windows were cafements, but very neatly glazed and leaded, and refleQ:ed very brightly the fun-beam darted againft them ; and a rural portico open to the infpe^lion of the paffing obferver, difcovcred a little greenhoufe, fanci- fully arranged with pots of flowers, fo as to re- femblc a luxuriant arbour.

To the north, the cottage was (heltercd by a gentle afcent, covered with a grove of firs, intcrfperfed with beech ; and though the rays of, the rifing fun could falute it from the eaft, yet its wintry blafts were intercepted by the an- gle of the wood, which terminated by degrees, till at length a few fcattered trees alone Ihaded the plain, and waved their branches in lofty pride over the reileSting bofom of the river.

Mifs Beauclerc was fpeechlefs with delight, and Rofella with admiration ; and with fenfati- ons widely different from the methodical apathy of their guide, Mr. Craufurd, liftened or feemed to liflen to his commendation of the perfect repair of the houfe : he obferved that the thatehed roof was of reeds, and very dura- ble— indeed it would laft as long as he did ; that the chimnies had not been built more than three months, and were conftruQ:cd with an equal attention to ftrengti\ and convenience, as well as adapted to the fimplicity of the building.

He made the ladies remark a well, which the landlady had been at a confiderable expencc to clear of weeds and rubbifh, and fo conveni- ently fituated, that the laflic inftead of running every hour with her pitcher to the river, would get a bucket of water; in two minutes :

he

ROSELLA. 49

he ufhered them In at ihe back door, that tlicy might behold a little poultry-yard and fuel (lied, and a pig-fty, the whole being part and pai- cel of the building.

But Mifs Beauclerc was paying much greater attention to a pretty entrance contrived from a little flower-garden on the fouth {nie : it was formed like a lean-to, havijig a flopin.^' roof of rough branches of trees overlaid with rufnes ; the wall was raifed with lath and plainer, lined in the infide with a paper to reprefent a ruftic railing, overrun with flowering weeds and high grafs, and the floor was paved irregularly with fmall pebbles. It led to a little fludy, or mufic- room, for it was both the one and the other, being decorated on every fide with light cafes of painted deal, filled with books elegantly bound ; and in a recefs flood the piano-forte Mr. Craufurd had fpoken of, of a fmall fize, adapted to the fituation it filled. Beneath it Rofella, who followed her friend in mute wonder, faw a viola and two more inilruments in cafes, which fhe afterwards^ learned were a lute and an JEoWan harp.

'' An afyluni for an unfortunate lady and her children !" repeated fhe internally, as Mr. Craufurd's explanation rofe to her recolleftion. " Good God! if this was the unfortunate lady'b idea of an economical retreat, I do not wonder that the unfortunate gentleman her hufband, was banifhed from his native land by the diffipation of his property?"

Mr. Craufurd was now attending to the fafe difpoial of the baggage, for v/hich he had ntt only-engaged the alTiftancc of Nancv, but ha^ dragged a Scotcli fervant-glrl from the hole (he had fled to, at the approach of fuch magnifi- cent perfonages.

vov 11. D Mifs

50 ROSELLA.

Mifs Beauclcrc, relieved therefore from his tirefome obfervations, fully fatisfied her curio- fity and expectation, by furveyins: every apart- ment with rapturous avidity. The deflgns of the Edinburgh painter were in the room adjoin- ing the ftudy, into which it opened; and when Mifs Beauclerc entered it, fhe would certainly have honored it with the appellation of a draw- ing-room, had not the fafcinating epithet o^ the cottage recurred to her ; and (he then refle6ted that there was no fuch place in a captivating re- treat of that kind. She contented herfelf with calling it fimply a fitting-room, whilil fhc ad- mired the elegant neatnefs of the furniture, the charmins^ lightnefs of the paper, and the ex- cellent eflre<E^ of the beautiful views hung over it, which (he refolved however to difplace as fart: as poiTible, and fubllitute the copies Rofella was infrantly to fet about, becaufe all heroines in fuch afituation fhould be artifts.

The cabriole chairs and ottomane to fuit the furniture, and the carpet, which a8:ually feemed to be the fame on which the " hare- bell and violet grew," claimed each a (hare of approbation ; but all applaufe was faint, to that befiowed upon the effe6t of the portico, which by micans of a flained-glafs door thrown open, became part of the room : its fragrance " ftole o'er the fenfes like tlie fweet fouih upon a bed of violets," and every vivid hue that varies the beautiful bofom of Nature under a fouthern fun, peeped from the fhading folds of a drapery •lianging in carelefs felloons round the entrance; it did not how jver, either than the arrange- ment of the :^r«en-houfe-plants, exclude a perfpeftive view of the country, equally wild, but far more interefling tlian the fubjefts of Sulvator's pencil.

" This

ROSELLA. $1

^* This is furely a fairy fcene !*' exclaimed Roftlla, after a long interval of filence.

Mifs Beauclerc made no reply, for her admiration and content were too potent for fpeech ; but (lie fmiled at the emotions of her young companion, who continued to exprefs her aflonifhment.

** What invifible being," faid fhe, *' has thus prepared every thing for our reception ? Thefe flowers are newly placed here, and the plants, far from drooping for want of care, have not even a fingle grain of dull: upon their leaves !'*

Mr. Craufurd at this moment entered the room, begging leave to introduce to the lacy of the manfion a Scotch laiTie, who was very ambitious of the honor of continuing at her poft as drudge in ordinary, fcowerer of ket- tles and pans, pig-feeder, faggot-chopper, poultry-killer, hands and knees fioor-fcrubber, and had no objection to take her turn at Gig- ging in the garden when necefTary.

So many accomphlhments centering in one pcrfon were not to be overlooked, and M'Ts Beauclerc very readily adented to the humi^le petition of Menie Cameron, who was inftalled into her fervice in due form ; but as Mr. Craufurd*s wife was well acquainted with the extent cf her abilities, fiie had now, as it was iifual with her when her huiband left Dunkeld to examine the progrefs cf the workmen at the cottage, taken the precaution to fend a dinner with him, upon which the whole party made a tolerable meal.

Mils Beauclerc then having written out a

lift of things that appeared immediately necef-

fary to her efiabiifhment, gave it to th^;

obliging Maiftcr Craufurd, and commi{]]Oied

D 2 him

LIBRARY

52 R05ELLA.

him to feek in Dunkeld for a lad whom (he could fend thither whenever fiie found occafion. The gentleman promifed the fwifteft compli- ance with her requefls, and departed before the evening clofed in, leaving the travellers in pof- fefllon of their new dwelling.

When he was gone, Mifs Beauclerc pro- pofed to Rofella to walk round her little do- mains, which was readily agreed to ; and they rambled over a fmall kitchen-garden, another cnciofure dedicated to flowers and fhrubs, and a young plantation of no great extent, but prettily laid out, and in good order. Mr. Craufurd had obviated the furprife this might have occafioned, by informing the ladies that he had fent for a young man from Edinburgh to take proper care of the pleafure-ground j snd as he happened to be acquainted with the gardener oi a Nobleman^s feat in the neigh- bourhood, he had bought the exotics at a fmall expence, and placed them as the tafte of his more experienced friend dire£ted.

Mifs Beauclerc and her companion proceed- ed through the eaftern extremity of the grove they had admired from the cottage-windows^ ■find comJng immediately upon a hill beyond ir, they endeavoured to attain the fummit be- fore the fun had wholly fet, that they might better furvey the extent and features of the country.

*' Rofella,*' faid Mifs Beauclerc, as fhe leaned upon her arm, ** you appear difpirited ; do you imagine that our retreat is too much fccliided from the world ? Yet I am much deceived if you have not too much tafte to re- gret quirting its noify pleafures for fuch a re- tirement as this. For myfelf, I can aver that in your focicty I could not think any folitude

irkfome ;

ROSELLA. 53

irkfomc; would but my Rofella clofe my eyes with her wonted tendernefs, and v;eep over my grave with' filial affe6tion, I could die in this fpot, and never fend a figh towards th« tumul- tuous and giddy crowd upon whom 1 now turn my back."

Rofella could not but overlook the fublimity of this declaration from the fondnefs which was mixed with it, and fhe felt anew the remorfe arifmg from a fecret confcioufnefs of ingratitude, which whifpered to her, that to add her im- plied cenfure with the indifcriminating cry of the world againft her friend, was cruel. She was unable to anfwer the enquiry of Mifs Beauclcrc with the cheerfuliiefs flic had intend- ed, and burfling into tears, remained filent.

The good lady, not in the lead: fufpec'cing the fource of this emotion, concluded that Rofella regretted alone in the world, one individual, to whom (he was herfclf anxious to unite her ; and in a (hort fentence tenderly chiding her tears, flie fuffered them to fubfide without further notice.

When they reached the fummit of the hill, Rofella forget her felf-reproaches in the fcene that opened before her j a fev/ paces from them was a fence that appeared hke a park- palin?, and a herd of deer darting in wild ter- ror from a clump of trees at the approach of the intruders, confirmed the fuppofuion. The enclofure was far from being a level broken only by gentle afcents ; on the contrary, it was interfperfed with abrupt and rude craggy rocks, the tops of which were thinly covered with ruflct and heath in bloom; but the low land was more verdant, better wooded, and winded with the ftream that bent its fickle courfe through the dale. In the bed of the river

arofc

54 ( ROSELLA.

arofe a building refemblin^ a tower, upon whofe mouldering turrets fome ravens waved at intervefls their footy wings, and took flight for their more airy dweHing in the tailed branches of the neighbouring trees.

<* What con that place be meant for ?'* ex- claimed Rofella, unwilling to avow that fhe fufr fpeO:ed it to be a prifon. At the inflant how- ever that fne fpoke, fhe obferved, not a great way from the place, a modern pavilion, gay, li^ht, and Grecian, but ill according with its ancient neighbour, which looked grim and fullen upon the upftart that obfcured its long flanding beauties.

" I lliould like to know," refumed fhe, without waiting an anfwer to her BrU queflion, ^« to whom this park and thofe buildings belong.'*

" We will enquire," returned Mifs Beau- cicrc : *' and if the family is abfent, moft pro- bably we may obtain leave of ihe houfc-keeper to fee the munfion, which is not far off, I fup- poie, and through her medium, perhaps, have leave likcwife to wander over thefe grounds whenever our inclination and their wild beduties mav impel us to wifli it."

Rofella did not much approve of thefc wan- eiering plans ; for though fhe did not imagine the habitation could b^ much frequented by its owners, in fo retired a foot, yet if Fortune ih.uld ordain that any part of the family unex- re«3:cdiy vifited it, and found Mifs Beauclerc and hcrfel', or either feparately, in quiet pof- fefnon of the bcfl fitting-room in the houfe, or tvandering extremely at their eafe in the grounds, Ihe thou^.iit fhe could not feel quite fo nonchalente as a charming heroine ilie had lately read of in an admired novel, wb.o was furprifed by the vouns" unmarried owner of a magnificent Welch

mai-iionj

ROSELLA. e;^

manfion, in wliich, by favour of Mrs. Honfe- kaeper, (he had liberty to vjander to her heart's content, and then took advantage of a fhower of rain io feel compelled to fit down \ke-a-tcte with my Lord, to drink a comfortable difli of tea, not forgetting however, to difplay after- wards all the horror of the fublimeft delicacy, becaufe the daring youth was unfeeling enough to flumble againft her ideas of decorum.

As Mifs Beauclerc and Rofella leaned againfl the paling, furvcying with a parting look the fcenery it cnclofed, they h-eard dillinftly the tremendous roar of the cararaS: Air. Craufurd had mentioned ; and as tv;ilight ftole over every object round them, they iirtened with an emo- tion not wholly unmixed with fear, and thought of their retreat with yet more fatisfattion, as their imagination reprcfcnted it as a place cf fafclyand aa afylum.

CHAP.

56 ROSELLA.

CHAP. IV.

j^n ungracious houfe keeper at an old eajih'^a decijive meeting,

iS ANCY having with fome difficulty found a fmall repofitory of candles, fupplicd her Lady vviih liglus on her return ; for Menie had va- nifhed without any previous notice ; and having been abfcnt more than an hour, occafioned fome alarm in tfee Northumbrian, who con- cluded that fhc had been dragged down a pi'c- cipicc by fnme haggard witch, and that (lie and her miftrefs would never more get a glimpfe of the unlucky girl, excepting indeed in the un- V. elcome accoutrements of a winding-fheet, faucer-eycs, and marble hands.

Menie returned however, in about an hour, and having on her entrance received a repri- ir^and from Nancy, for giving her fuch an i\'arm, (he faid Ihe had only been to the Laird's, to fet bawney's heart at reft, by the informa- tion that her gude leddy wad not part wi her ; an excufc the other thought all-fufficicnt.

The fupper was quite a ruftic one ; but alas ! it was ferved up alfo in a moftruflic ftylc, but ill fuited to the place in which it was eaten.— Nancy, at the requefl: of her Lady, had un- ccriaken the office oF cook ; and her fkill was iiOt entirely defpicable, bccaufe (lie had more

than

ROSELLA. 57

than once taken the port of honor by a kitchen fire ; but it was not now difplayed to much ad- vantage, for want of implements and mate- rials to exercife it upon. Mr. Craufurd had indeed promifed to return early the next morn* ing, with every thlns^ that was mofl: urgently wanted ^ and Mifs Beaucierc was obliged to wait with compofure for the time, when the exquifite and well-managed meals of a cap-a- pie heroine fhould grace her cottage table.

Rofella, in fpite of the novelty of her fitua- tion — a novelty which appeared to have nothin^^ unpleafant in it, was far from being at eafe ; (he had heard the ingenuous reafon afiigned by Menie for her abfence, and feared this Laird, of whom fhe fpoke, might induce iMifs Beau- clerc to drop her plan of total folitude, and fur- nifli thofe enemies fhe acknowledged to have, with frefh caufe for cenfure and fcandal.

After breakfafl: the following morning letters were to be written to Selina, to relieve her friendly heart with intelligence of their fafety and their arrival, at the mofl lovely retirement in the world : aed Rofella declining at that mo- ment, the opportunity of addrefTmg vows of cverlafting affection to Mifs Livia, and of giv- ing her a glowing portrait of every llielf in the cottages, followed the advice of M^ifs BeauclerCa, and walked out for exercife.

As the way fhe had taken the evening before was the only one with which fhe was at all ac- quainted, fhe purfued it again, and arrived at the park-paling without having encountered a fingle being. The old building again prefcnt- ing its heavy fides to her view, fhe was defirous to have a nearer fight of it, and jumping over the fence, which was very low, advanced to- v/ards the river, but felt at every flep that fhe D 3 was

CO ROSELLA.

was an Interloper, and pictured to herfelf the Laird, fuch a figure as fhe had feen Wallace, the northern hero, defcribed by a Scots pain- ter, emerging from behind every bufli fhe paflTcd, to demand her bufmefs in his terri- tories. And a figure did indeed accoft her with a bow, but not fo fierce looking a war- rior.

This pcrfonage appeared like a gamekeeper, and Roic'Ila thought he looked like a South Britain. Feeling that fome apology Avas necef- fary for her intrufion, yet not knowing how to form one, fhe faid, in a hefitating accent, that fhe was a flranger to the place, but had not en- tered it with anv finifler defign.

" Oh JMifs," replied the man, *^ my Lord cjoes not wi(h nor defirc anyperfon whatfoever, to be dif eluded from our park.'*

He had grounded the fowling-piece which l:ad been carried on his fhoulder, as if he meant to hold a long converfation \ and Rofella find- ing that he expected to be afked a few quef- tioris, pointed to the manfion houfe, which Ihe }iad juft difcovered from between the trees, 'XTiA enquired who was the owner of it.

*' My Lord, Mifs, as o^vns this onaccount- '•ible park as it's called — my Lord Morteyne," replied he.

Rofella W3s vexed : *' Lord Morteyne !'* r-peated fhe to herfelf; *' fo, we are again his neighbours ! Surely Mifs Beauclerc could not be acquainted with the circumflance ; if he iliould happen to vifit this houfe whilft we re- main in tiie neighbourhood, he may fuppofe that we removed hither to attraQ; -his atten- tion I"

This idea was fo. diflrcffing, that flie had no •onger any regret at having written to Mr.

Mordaunt;

ROSELLA. 59

Mordaunt ; and bidding the gamekeeper good morning, ihe walked back to the cotta2:e, v/hich had now loft every cha.-m in her imagination, ihe had originally allowed it to poflefs. That Mifs Beauclerc fhould have fo fuddenly heard of a purchafe thus fingularly to fuit her ideas, {he now thought a fufpicious circumllance, and fhe recollected even to have fccn feverai letters from her fanciful friend addieffed to that Mr. Mac-cloud, of \^hom his countryman Mr. Craufurd had fpoken.

She found that Mifs Beauclerc had not yet finifhed her journahlcd epiftie to her belina, and as fhe waited her leifure to communicate the news Ihe had jurt heard, it occurred to her, that Mr. Mordaunt would moil probably at- tend to her petition, before any adveriiUT'e could poflii)Iy happen to make her rue this unlucky vi- cinity 5 and fhe likewife confefled to herfelf, that as Mifs Beauclerc had actually concluded the purchafe of the cottage, it could not be expeded that fhe would abandon it folely in compiaifance to her fcruples.

Thefe reflections calmed the perturbation, with which fhe had in the firfl moment, fought to make her friend participate in her vexation j and Rofellahad recovered fufiicieni coolnefs be- fore ihe rejoined her, to mention her difcovery without much emotion.

Mils Beauclerc endeavoured to hear it with fymp oms of extreme furprife, and was fo much occupSbu in acting her ov/n part, that fhe loft the opportunity of learning from the undif- guifcd countenance and manner of her young companion what effect this accidental and unex' ^r^c^^/cucumltance had upon her mind, it has been very ampy difcrfTcd in the journal juil vrri'.tcn to Schiia, and much aflonifhmcni had

been

6o ROSELLA.

l>een exprefled that Lord Morteync had not vet arrived, which had been fully cxpefted from the rencontre at Lufs.

Rofetla could not but perceive that her friend fek no difpleafure from what fhe had heard, and auguring nothing good from the conjeQ:ure that followed, began to calculate how long it might be before Mr. Mordaunt received and anfwered her letter, when her reflexions, and thofe into v'hich Mifs Beauclerc had fallen, were inter- rupted by the entrance of Nancy, who en- quired if the young man who took care of the garden could be admitted to fpeak to his Lady.

" Certainly, let him enter, replied the Pa- drona, flarting from her reverie ; and a fandy- haired, raw-boned, high-cheeked, thick-lipped, wide-m.outhed, freckled, awkward Scotchman made his appearance, fo unlike thofe rural fuains of comely mould, who falling in love with the heroine's fimple but pretty waiting- famfel, form fuch charm.ing epifodes in their Jiiilories, that Mifs Beauclerc, entirely difap- pointed, refoived he {hould not remain long in iier fervice, notwithftanding his tafte in difpof- ing her flowers, and his evident care of her garden. Luckily however for poor Maclean, fhe recollected whilft he was making his bow, and exprefling his hopes that fhe was fatisfied with his fervices, that Nancv's arrangement might be made from the houfehold of Lord Morteyne, which would accommodate the dif- ficulty in a very clever and ufeful manner — fo tliat ihe replied to his compliment with great eondcfcenfion, and announced to him, that his good fortune was equal to that of Menie, in ^eing retained through Mr. Craufurd's recom- rntJidation, and his own diligence.

She

rosella: 6i

She then enquired the name of a plant in the portico, with which both Rofella and herfelf were unacquainted, and learned that Maclean had heard, but forgotten it ; but he promifed to aflc his gude friend my Lord's gardener, who had let him have it from the greenhoufc at Guiardy.

Mifs Beauclerc having demanded if he meant the adjoining houfe and park, received the ex- pected affirmative, and alked what eftabHfh- ment his Lordfhip kept up there. He did not know exa6lly ; but it had lately been increafed, and every thing put in order, in expectation of the Lord's arrival : and it was faid his Lordlhip was come to Scotland after a young lady he was going to be married to, and the houfe- keeper was in hopes he would bring his bride to Guiardy, for they had heard ft was not very far from where the lady lived.

Mifs Beauclerc liftened with the utmofl ea- gernefs to this recital, which might perhaps have crufhed all her long cherifhed hopes, had fhe not been entirely convinced that the young lady thus mentioned was only — could on^y be Rofella. This reafonable fuppofition compofed a certain horror fhe had involuntarily begun to feel ; and finding that Maclean had nothing further to communicate^ fhe difmifTed him.

Rofella entertained no fuch idea ; and the news of Lord Morteyne's marriage reconciled her in part,to the rencontre fhe imagined it almoft impoflible to avoid if he were to vifitthe Park, as any known engagement to another woman would lefTen the fufpicions his family or him- felf might form, on feeing her tranfported, without any apparent caufe ornecefTity, from Avelincs to the environs of Guairdy.

When

6t ROSELLA.

When Maclean retired, Nancy entered with a very erave face, to enquire what was to be done for viQ:iiaIs, as Mr Craufurd had not fent the eatables, he was commiilioned to con- vey, by the lad he was to procure at Dunkeld.

Mifs Beauclerc was extremely fhocked at fo grofs a qucftion, applied too at fuch a moment, and fent the poor girl out of the room with a more ferious air of anger than fhe had ever be- fore beheld on the countenance of her lady. But alas ! Rofella likewife, who was young and healthy, was fo ihamefully different from other heroines, that a walk generally gave her an inclination for dinner, and fometimes even before the ufual hour. She had breakfafted at eight, upon the tea and bread Mrs. Craufurd had furnifhed the houfe with, for the occa- ^lona^ accommodation of her huffeand, and it was now pall two, fo that fhe very much com- miferated the difrrefs of Nancy; and in fpite of the charms of a cottage, fituated amidll the Grampian hills, near the winding Fay, fhe had reafonto think there were likewife fome attract lives in a dinner, now that fiie was in evident danger of paflinga day without one. Yet Nancy's difgrace prevented her from imparting fuch de- generate fentiments to her friend ; and ar about three o'clock the envoy arrived from Maimer Craufurd, leading a packhorfe loaded to a height more than equal to his own, which was about that of a greyhound.

Menie ran out with great alacrity to help the beafl in with his burthen, and ahnoft deliberat- ed whetlier fhe fhould not carry both the ouq and the other into the pouhry )ard. But Nancy meantmie took a fafer method, and equally ex- peditious, by unlading the poney as it delibe- rately

^ R05ELLA. 6^

rately marched forward ; and having difcover- ed where the provifions were depofited, fhe drew forth the bafket that contained them, and fled to her rural kitchen with the fpoil, calHng to Menie to follow her without delay.

The dinner in about an hour and a half was fcrved up, at a time but ill fuited to the fimpli- city of rural life ; the other circum fiances at- tending it accorded better with what might be expected in humble dwellings : but Mifs Beau- clerc had never read of a heroine being com- pelled to rife from table to rince her own glaffes, call for a napkin to wipe the duft from her plate, or take up her fait with a table fpoon ; all this difcompofed her exceedingly, for fuch a minutia had not even entered her head, when fhe had devoured, in delighted admiration, thofe fcenes fo often defcribed, of charming young ladies retiring from the world, and taking up their abode at the cottage of fome honefl pea- fant, whofe infirm wife and awkward daughter form the whole train of domeftics the lovely creature can boafl of.

Mifs Beauclerc's prefent dlfTatisfaStion led her to refle£^. upon the innumerable dilemmas of thofe matronly heroines, brought forward in the mournful pages of a Niobe-like au- thorefs, who invariably conduQ:s them through a feries of lacrymalian adventures, with a pri- fon-gate in perfpe6tive at the conclufion of them : — in the courfe of the hiftory, the pa- thetic lady, followed by a train of half-a-dozen fmall children, retires to tiie folitude of a cheap and remoie cottage, or farm-houfe, attended by one fervant girl, deferted by her diffipatcd and unfeeling hufband ; flic is here fought out by her adorer, .who thinks himfelf happy in being admitted to p!ay with the fpiritcd boys,

and

64 ROSELLA.

and fondle little Emma, To like mama ! The fair fuffering faint being ufually found extended upon a fofa, weeping over the unlucky baby at her bread, and the attendant conflantly em- ployed in carrying out the other children, to ex- ercife thenr, a tafk the girl has no objcfition to prolong as much as poffible — how, thought Mifs Beauclerc, how in the name of the houfeh«ld gods, can the myfteries of the menage be con- duQ:ed.' who wa(hes, who duds, who irons, who cleans, who mends, who cooks ? No matter — if through the ignorance of a ruftic wench, the lovely matron cannot avoid pafling an hour in the prefence of her lover, and inviting him to flay dinner, an impafnoned admirer will furcly behold with an indulgent eye, the flirrup in her petticoat, and eat with an exquifite relifh, in her divine prefence, halhed mutton burnt in the pot, or a fmoaked beef rteak.

Mifs Beauclerc, who had expcfted in her cottage the pleafant refinements of that afflu- ence to which fhe had been accuftomed, began to regret the lofs of Simpfon, vvhofe diligence and attention to her convenience would at this moment have been fo acceptable ; and fhe men- tioned an intention of writing as fhe had pro- mifcd, to direct him where to feck her — an in- tention very grateful to Rofella, .who had often reprefcnted to herfelf the old man's uneafinefs at being abandoned {o fuddenly ; and fhe had even feared that his anxiety, and refentment at fo llrange a return for his long fervices might be fatal to him : on his account fhe di*d not re- gret the rtubborn flupidity of poor Menie, nor ihe ruflicity of Nancy.

The boy who had led the horfe from Dun- keld, related the fevcral difallers which had fo much retarded his appearance. He had gone

only

&OSELLA. 6$

only a mile, before the ftrap that fadened the paniers, gave way, and when he buckled it a little tighter, it broke, and he was obliged to get it mended as well as he could ; and then he was direfted to the faftor'snew houfe inftead of the right one, and in turning into the road to Guiardy again, he had to lead the bead up a hill fo fteep, that when he got to the top, he was near lying down with want of breath, fo the guide was obliged to let him crop a little grafs to hearten him.

Rofclla thought that fo many combining clr- cumftanccs might well excufe the tardlnefs which had chagrined fome of the farting party, and would not fuffer the weary poney to return to Dunkeld that night, even at the hazard of waiting for the dinner again on the following day : an effort of humanity Mifs Beauclcrc readily concurred in, becaufe, independent of her natural compaflion, a th?.tched-roofcd he- roine IhoLlld be the moil commiferating and ten- der-hearted of the pitying fex. The next morning therefore by day-light the boy return- ed v/ith a note to Mr. Craufurd, entrufting him with further commiflions, and defiring that he would enquire at the poil-office for letters Mifs Beauclerc expected.

Rofella could not yet hope a reply to her*s j but this method of fending, infpired her with the idea of being enabled to procure it unknown to her companion, by making a practice of in- fpc&ing the load the carrier was charged with, the moment it arrived.

After breakfaft, Mifs Beauclerc propofed walking to Ciuiardy P^rk, and Rofella reluc- tantly complied : (he little imagined however, that her complaifance had drawn her in to ac- company her friend in a projected furvey of

the

66 RO SELLA.

the houfe ; but fhe found that MIfs BeaUclerc was refolved not to return to her cottage with- out it. Notwithdanding the approaching mar- riage of Lord Morteyne, Rofella feh a few fcruples in wandering over his dwelling, pre- pared as (he underftood it was, for his recep- tion. But Mifs Beauclerc chid her for her folly, and defired her to lay afide childilh pre- judices, and trufl to her guidance.

She was far from willing to confefs all the repugnance fhe experienced in doing fo ; and filently followed her flighty friend, who having called upon a labourer fhe happened to meet, to conduct her, after fome difficulty procured a fight of the houfckecper, and with an air of marked condefcenfion, fuch as fhe judged it a point of heroic etiquette to aiTumc, fhe an- nounced her wifh of being conducted through the apartments.

The perfonage thus accofled had been firft femme-de-chatTibre to the Dowager Lady Mor- teyne, and at her death had folicited to be re- tained in the family, hoping to be placed about the perfon of Lady Lucy ; but unfortunately, thougii fhe poffeffed the confidence of her de- ceafed lady, and had been extremely ufeful to her, fhe was known to have a temper fo un- comraonly acrimonious, that the houfehold which had the evil fortune to contain her, was ufually changed du haut en has at leafl once in a fortnight. Lady Lucy not knowing how to deny her requefl, yet totally averfe to having fuch a fcourge amongfi: her domell:ics, perfuad- ed her brother to fend her to Guiardy in her prefent capacity. But retirement, which was on the part of Mrs. Tadpole entirely unvvifhed for, had not in the leaft fucceedcd in correcting

her

ROSILLA* 67

her foibles, or making her more mdalgent to thofc of others.

She had heard of the new comers at the houfe called the cottage, and concluded, from the expence and folly it exhibited fo many fymptoms of, that the ladies were nothing but kept madams, who were either fent there by her Lord, or came to draw him in, becaufe they had heard in London he was going to Guiardy ; fo that inftead of the charming oM dame fo repeatedly defcribed in Mifs Beauclerc's fludies, who good-naturedly conducts people through the deferred apartments of the man- fion, and tells in confidence all the fecret and bloody tranfaftions which had happened in them feme twenty or thirty years back, fhe beheld a moil forbidding-looking fury, cail: in the true SCantippean mould — a curved fpine, a fharp bony elbow, defcending on one fide half a foot below the protuberant hip, a thin long nofe deeply coloured at the tip, red hair, and eyes nearly of the fame hue, whofe beams far from being lambent, fnot a fierce fparkhng light, and feemed to the imagination, to crackle and hifs like the fire of a blackfmith's forge -, her mouth was like a deferted cemetery, which yawning upon the horror- ftruck obferver, difplayed a variety of difcoloured bones fcattercd in rude confuiion, and mouldering in their dark afylum : her hand might have been lectured upon by an anatomifl: without the trouble of difplacing the fkin, and the fingers were fo long and meagre, that they looked like the claw of an immcnfe bird.

Mifs Beauclerc waited almofi: five minutes for a reply to her requei!:, whilft Rofella fhrunk from the coming anfwer, s^ a poor traveller

fbrinks.

68 ROSELLA.

Ihrlnks from an eruption of Mount Vcfuvlus which he finds himfclf unable to efcape.

M'rs, Houfekceper was. In the interim, en- deavouring to collea in one furious fentence, the wrath and indignation which for a moment had overpowered every faculty.

** You wants both of you to fee the houfe I fhe fcreamcd, in a voice that was at once both bafs and treble, tenor and counter-tenor, '* ho, you wants to fee the houfe ! ! and you wants other people to fee your gew-gaw fhow-box, as you have tricked up there ; but you may go back to your dog-holes in London, and try to trap your fools there — there's none here as wouldn't turn up their nofes at fuch trumpery ! See the houfe quotha ! and who'd be the fim- pleton to trundle after your draggle tails to ihowit you ?'*

" For God's fake," whifperedRofella, << let us go away !"

*' See the houfe ! you'll fee the houfe of correction firft — my Lord's not for fuch as you —he's going to be married to an honeft body, one as brings honor and money, and won't bring him to want and fhame. Seethe houfe I*^* raifing her tone to the Iiighert pitch her voice would carry, " go fee how they beats hemp, you young huffy ! And you, miftrefs, don't think to come over your honed betters, with your mmcing and fimpering, to gain your wicked ends — what, you want's to fee the houfe, do you ?"

Rofella, expeQ:ing every moment to feel the claws of the termagant fixed in her eyes, was now fo governed by (hame and terror, that (he ran off with uncommon fwiftnefs, and darti^ig through a court-yard, foon gained the park without flackening her pace j and even then, was

fo

ROSELLA. 69

fo much under the imprcflion of the antipathy and horror the beldame had infpircd, that (he flew over hill and dale in her way home, with the wildnefs of a maniac.

And now, the defliny of a heroine hovered over her : fhc was not fated to reach that home without an adventure ; for in five minutes (he was furrounded or rather enclofed on every fide by horfemen of every defcription, and car- riages of every denomination. Her recolleftion fuddcniy returned, and with it the unfpeakabic confufion of finding herfclfan objeft of curi- ofity, of compaflion, of laughter, of ridicule, or diverfion, as in different bofoms different opi- nions refpe6ting her prevailed.

Rofella juffly imagined this cavalcade to be the bridal train of Lady Morteyne, and would have given the univerfe to have efcaped from further notice : independently of mortification, (he felt extreme inconvenience from the diffi- culty of regaining her breath, which her run- ning had made her lofe, and from a drynefs in the throat and mouth that almoff threatened fuffocation ; fhe leaned againft a tree, preffmg her hand to her bofom with an energy indica- tive of great diftrefs^ which her countenance fully corroborated, when the voice of Lady Lucy Eftcourt faluted 'her ear, whofe accents fpoke commifferation.

Rofella looked up, and perceived her endea- vouring to defcend from her carriage ; but Lord Morreyne oppofed her intention, not only by whifpercd dififuations, but by detaining hei;^ al- moff forcibly. "Rofella could not attend to the iffue of the conteft, for the fight of Mr. Povey, who was laughing violcntly,and recounting fome circumdance in which he often iniroduced her name, engaged, the next moment, all her at- tention ;

70 ROSELLA.

tention : (he could only difUnguIfh however, the unconne8:ed phrafcs — Irifh fortune-hunter — difappeared from Edinburgh — recognized the lady at Dumbarton — curfed airs — fomented a damned fcuffle — deferted in her turn.

«' Good God !" thought fhe, «' my applica- tion to Mr. Mordaunt is then too late ; my re- putation is gone, and Mifs Beauclerc*s friend- fhip has undone me ! Let me not however flay, here to witnefs fuch fcorn ?"

Swift as thought, fhe again darted forward, and unpurfued reached the boundaries of the park, which fhe refolved never more to enter ; and then, with a lefshafly pace, returned to the cottage, forlorn, humiliated, fick of her ex- igence, and fully refolved to hide her head where the cruel furmifes of the world could never reach her.

CHAP„

ROSELLA. 71

CHAP. V.

Mama tears away the my/lerious veil thrown over the affinity between herfelf and her daughter.

HE had waited above an hour for the ap- pearance of Mifs Bcauclerc, and was much alarmed at her prolonged abfencc ; not fo much from the dread of any accident having befallen her, of which fhe did not think there was much probability, as from a horror of her betraying herfelf to the ridicule of the large part/ fhe had herfelf jufl efcaped from, by exhibiting ihe pe- culiarity of her fentiments and expectations.

The anxious reflections of Rofella were in- terrupted at this period by Nancy, who ran in, faying that a ftrange gentleman wanted to fpeak to her. The idea of Mr. Mordaunt in- flantly occurred, and fhe flew towards the door in a tranfport of delight, in the hope of being relieved from her dillrefs by his friendly ad- vice and interference, and refcued from rc- proacii. It was not however Mr. Mordaunt who waited admittunce, but Mr. Delamere; and Rofella who had actually fpread out her arms to welcome him, in the firft emotion of her fatisfaclion, (lood co/ifounded and ynmovc- able when fhe difcovered her error.

*'l am

7a ROSELLA,

*< I am forry, madam," fald the gentleman, ** that my negligence of etiquette in not fending in my name, fhould have occafioned a miftake of perfon, which feems fo much to chagrin you.**

She had before felt awkward and abafhed, . and now lofing all compofure and prefence of mind, funk into a feat, near which fhe flood, and burfting into an agony of tears, laid her head upon the arm of a fofa, and fobbed vio- lently.

Whatever the fentiments of Mr. Delamere might be as to her condu£l and principles, he was (hocked at fo ftrong an exprefTion of an- guifh, and endeavored to confole her, by ob- ferving that her peace of mind was yet retriev- able, if file would accept the advice and afTif- tance of a lady, wlio had commifTioned him to enquire if fhe were indeed willing to receive the mofl eflential fervices.

" Tell me," fuddenly interrupted Rofella, her tears for a moment ceafing, " if you re- ceived a letter, or rather an enclofure, I ad- dreffed to you, at Eideva Lodge ? If you have not, you may think you acquired a right to diflrefs me thus, from the crue' miflake I had not time to re£iify when you left Warkworth fo fuddenlv ; did you receive that letter ?"

'* Certainly not," replied he.

•' Then you have thought to this hour,** purfued Rofella eagerly, *' that I was abje6t enough to folicit your bounty, when I was anxious only to procure the loan of good offices, in a moment of embarrafTment to which my inexperience v/as unequal. Even that indeed was a liberty f^r which I have yonr pardon to entreat j and I mufl: further beg you will wait the return of Mifs Beauclerc, who will reftore

the

ROSLLLA. 73

the twenty pounds you left in my bancs. I cii- clofed it infiantly in a cover, and Tent it by the port to the houfe of Mr. Mompc{Ton j but I fup- pofe it is loft."

'* I will not afk your forgivenefs," faid Mr. Delamere, " for a midake whicli rcflefted no difcredit upon you : for poverty, my dear Ai.fs Montrefor, is an accidental evil, not a re- proach 5 but imprudence and error per Tided

in Let me inform you, however, that I

am now deputed by Lady Lucy Eftcourt, who withes to learn if fne can afilft vou in any way that may tend to extricate you from fituarionF, in which .a mind fo ingenuous, and a heart To feeling as your's muft be ill at eafe. Lady Lucy is the beft and moll: generous of her fex, and has fuffered much from feeing you this morning fo greatly oillreffed ; and fnc J.hinks your appearance here is not calculated to re- move unpieafant furmifes, but may be produc- tive of infult and impertinc'ice, which, bclitve me, you will find it hard to bear."

*' It is this infult, this impcrtincncv'^, that I cannot indure 1" exclaimed Rofcl'a, flying out of the room, and haflening to lier chamber, where flie locked herfelf in ; and indulging her tears, confoled herfelf v/ith the reflection that remonlirancc and reprefentation which wound- ed her pride, and outraged her delicacy, could not then reach her ear.

After fomiC lime her diftrcfs rather abated, and fhc diilinp-uifned the voice of tiie lad re- turned from DunKeld; rhe expe6ted letter was now more than ever dtfirablc, and Hie ran down to examine thofe he might bring ; bur not oiie appeared in her addrcfs. Ami'-il: thofe of ^^i;S Bcauclerc however, flic dlfccvercd the v. iitirg of Mr. Ellinger, and had little doubt but that Ic

VOL. II. E hud

74 ROSELLA.

had been prompted by Mr. Mordaunt to dcfire her return.

Whilft fhc held the letters In her hand, fe- cretly commenting on the probable contents of that from her guardian, (he learned from Nancy that Mifs Beauclcrc was in the mufic-room, and had been there above half an hour, and Ihc ran to her, and prefcnted the packet.

The countenance of Mifs Beauclerc changed whilll: (he core open the epidle of her Chan- cery-lane cor refpondent, and theunufiial pale- nefs of her cheeks Increafed, when (lie read the mandate that was meant to fnatch Rofella from her.

'* Let him," exclaimed ilie, in violent emo- tion, " exert the power I foolifhly entrufled him with, and I will likewife afTert mine !— Rofella," added (he, '* my poor deferted Ro- fella, the malicious cruelty of the unfeeling world but renders you more dear to me ; know thtJi, fweet folace of my widowed heart, that I am — thy mother ! Nor can the dying requcfl of thy murdered father now enforce a longer obedience, when my enemies have nearly fuc- ^ceedcd in their barbarous endeavours to feparate ais !"

Rofella was almofl convinced from this rhap- fody, and the wild air with which it was ut- tered, that the intellects of her lucklcfs friend were deranged, and exerted herfclf to footh her rifing frenzy.

'* Dearcd Mifs Beauclcrc," replied (he, *' let us return to Avclincs ; and there if you wilh for m\ fociety, I am fure Mr. EHinger will not deny :it 'at our joint rcqucft ; there you are known and rcfpeOicd, and there we (hall live in peace, iridifTvrtnt to the injudice of the world.**

" Angelic creature !" exclaimed the matron, «' is it thus VGU retort lliC infclcnt triumph of

tSit

JIOSELLA. 75

that ungrateful man ? I will further fortify your deteftation, by informing you, that your dear unhappy father loft his life by the difhonor- ablc co-operation of a part of this man's frirniiy, with a league of villains, who flripped him of his fortune, and then drove him* by the bafeil: infults to defpair and death. Short and embit- tered was the happinefsmy union with him af- forded : he was too foon torn from my arm?, and more than expiated his imprudence by his untimely fate !"

" Good Heavens !" thought Rofella, *' what will become of me ? How fhall I pacify her violence, and prevent thofe dreadful wander- ings?- ■

" Dear madam," continued {he audibly, ** Mr. Delamere did not appear, as you imagine, to triumph ; en the contrary, he merely called at Lady Lucy^s requeft, to afTure me of her good-will."

*' Her good-will," retorted Mlfs Beauclerc, every feature beaming indignation, *' what perfidious infolence I When I have learned that ihe is particularly delighted with her unworthy brother's alliance, and that the woman he has marriade is her moll: intimate friend.'*

'' Surely,*' faid Rofella in a perfuafive tone, the marriage of Lord Morteyne is of no im- portance to me 1"

'* You are right, my child," replied MlCs Beauclerc, who appeared ftruck by her manner, " It fhould not be of any : I am charmed vvitii the dignity of mind you difplay ; and whed fhe, *' added, in a hcroid voice, *' your gcn- tle heart has quite forgot the ingrate v/l:o could flight thofe modeft beauties, the pafiion of t'.c worthy Oberne will 1 hope be encourascd."

^ ''Mr.

E 2

76* ROSELLA.

•' Mr. Obernc !" fald Rofella, colouring ; ** I dare fay he no longer remembered me when a few miles had parted us !"

Mifs Beauclerc on hearirig this fuppofition, fo far forgot the outrageous injuries fhe had jufl: difcovered, as to fmile:

'< My Rofella," exclaimed fhe, fuddenly re- colleding herfelf, '* you have not given me the fweet title of mother ! — Come to my arms, mydaus{hter, and, as fuch, embrace your only parent I"

At this tender invitation the follies which had cofl: Rofella fo dear, faded on her memory ; fhe ftill thought her friend's mind difordered, but that affection for her fhould be predomi- nant when reafon had ahnoll fled, touched her foul.

*' Dear Mifs Beauclerc,'* faid fhe, ** you have ever difplayed to me the kindncfs of a mo- ther, and as fuch I mufi: always regard you ; let us only return to England, and then I may ob- tain the permiflion of Mr. Ellinger to remain with you ; but againft his injun6.ions, you arft fcnfiblc I fliould not have the power to a€t as I wifh."

*' Have I not told you," replied the matronly heroine, v/ith an air bordering on diri">leafure, " that you are my child ? and do you hefuate, Rofella, to comply with my wifhcs, bccaufe they are oppofcd by the unnatural commands of a-lliSJ-n^^f-'r ? Urifortunate that I am I" continued fhe, buriiing into tears ; ** did but my beloved dau8;hter regard mxC v. ith half the tendernefsl bear her, ffic would fly from uny authority^ that was exerted to tear her from the lacerated bofom of her widowed mother i"

The dirtrefs, real and fi8:itions., of Mifs Beau- clerc had. now, worked to fuch a piicli of un-

controulablc

ROSELLA. 77

eontrouiable emotion, that Rofella was ftag- gered in the difbelief of her ilrange affertion ; her mind was become the feat of confuGon, of anxiety, and terror, and all (lie could now do was to carefs her fobbing friend, and affure her of the moft unhmitted ajffe6:ion.

" I beheve you," interrupted fhe ; '' pro- mife me then, my child,that you will never defert your mother : but if the man, entrufted with the guardianfhip of the fmall fum 1 fecured to you in vour infanc/, fhould claim you as his ward, I exaCl of your duty and love, thut voii wiilefcape with nie to fome retreat, where his power cannot reach us !"

Rofella darted at tliis wild propofal, and fhrunk aghaft from bending herfelf to perform io rafli and imprudent an a£tion : but the tear ot increanng the imagined frenzy of Mifb Beau- clerc withheld her refufal, and il\c hefitatcd, flammered, chiu}ocd color, yet na promifc pa (Ted her lips.

** Am I deceived r" cried the y.iJowcu he- roine. '' Is your heart fo wedded to the per- fidious Morteyne, that you cannot determine to rchnquilh the fight of him, even devoted to 'LUiother ?"

" What an idea !*' exclaimed Rofella, w itli a blufh of anger and indignation: ''for Hea- ven's fake, madam-, do not mortify me in this .cruel mianner ! Have I difplayed {o much for- wardnefs towards Lord Morteyne, or any other man, that you fhould for a moment think fo ill ofme ?"

" Why then," refumcd Mifs Bcauclerc, af- fecting an air of gentle compafilon, *■' why not give me the promifc 1 afk V^

'' What

78 KOStLLA.

*^ What anology can there be,'* fald RofcIIa in amazement, *' between Lord Morteyne and any engagement I may enter into with you V*

Mifs Beauclerc feeing her oflFcnded, and not having any reply ready for this enquiry, defired that the fubjefit might be waved until fhe had read her Selina's packet, to which Rofella af- feuted in filence : and whilft her ftrange friend hurriejd through a leQ:ure of eight pages, clofely written, fhc was confirmed in the opinion fhe had already formed, that Mrs. Ellinger was the fccret fpring of thofe abfurdities, which in Alifs Beauclerc had given her fo much anxiety and cmbarrafTment.

The contents of this important packet were, as iifual, kept a profound fecret ; and as the perufal of it lafted until the dinner was upon the table, the fubjecS: in petto was of courfc not im- mediately renewed.

This meal was as unhappily condu6i;cd as the preceding ones, and Mifs Beauclerc becoming impatient and out of temper at fuch terrible in- decorum, accufed Nancy of awkwardnefs, and threatened to difcharge Menie. During this difcompofure, fhe undefignedly difcovercd to Rofella, that Simpfon had returned to London, and having demanded his difmiflion of Mr. Ellinger, who was fie ward in the abfence of his lady, had retired into his native county, ex- ceedingly diflatisfied with her condu<9:.

The method by which Mr. Mordaunt had arrived at the knowledge of their unlucky ad- ventures, inftantly occurred to Rofella ; yet fhe could not account for his having heard the t'etail of their meeting with Oberne, till fhe fiirmifed that it muft have reached Simpfon .hrough the correfpondence of Mrs. Nancy V. jih her aunt, which had begun before tl^cy

. left

ROSELLA. 79

left Edinburgh. She was not difpleafed to un- ravel the myflcry of the fecret enemy Mifs Beauclerc had complained of — an idea that had conftantly been accoinpanied by acute uncafi- nefs; yet fne grieved to have parted entirely from the poor old butler, with an imprcllion left upon his mind of her unkindnefs and negli- gence.

After dinner Mifs Beauclerc was filcnt and thoughtful ; and fecmed, Rofclla feared, to be revolving in her mind fome new whim. At length turning fuddenly towards her —

" You mentioned," faid fhe, "the name of Delamere, and joined it to that of Lady Lucy —he is now at Guairdy, I can well imagine ; tell me, Rofella, did he come hither to infult you with his perfidy, ap.d to difplay the double fuccefs of her wiles ? For my poor Selina has heard, with the utmo/1 Indignation at fuch bafe- nefs, that he isfhortly to be united to that artful woman, Morteyne's fiflcr. Good God 1 that men will thus " on a fair mountain leave to feed, and batten on a moor !'*

Rofella, who fancied ihe faw returning frenzy in the eye of her friend, would not contradict her too peremptorily ; yet fhe could not endure to hear Lady Lucy Eflcourt branded thus with bafenefs and art, or Mr. Delamere fo vendic- lively charged with perfidy towards her, without "wifhing to confute an accufation fo entirely unjufl:.

** Mr. Delamere, madam," faid (lie, ** has not furely given me caufe to fpeak thus of him ! I can at moft have merely reafon to be vexed that he believes too readily thefe calumnies which perhaps my own imprudence may have pointed. Towards Lady Lucy, it would be in me the height of impertinence to apply to her

fuch

:jrnffi

n;' neweS.

\ -.-> cJt was at frcfcfirw our*, and

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method by which M

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'S inftanilr ooctirrcd

Ibc could noc accrant for hi

— •' of I heir meeting

-d that it mod

h ilic corrcfpoi

cr aunt, which

4

1

m be to .

baf

live wif'

unj

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not It th u

r

3

I

i.uvc

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her

fuch

00 ROSELLA.

fuch terms as thofe you have ufed, fince what

1 hnvc conllantly heard of her charafter and dif- pofition, and the htile 1 have had an opportu- nity of obfcrvijig, have difplayed them not only as unoffending, but extremely amiable. Yet I am convinced, dear madam, that the warmth of your cenfure proceeds from your too great 1-artiality for ine ; but I am hurt that it fhould load you to commit even in thought, the hai\ inj»!(l-ice."

Mils Beauclerc raifed her hands in admira- tion, and apofirophifcd her as a patient, difpaf* fionate, much-injured angel, enthufiafiically ex- tailing her for pleading the merits of people wiiO deferved only her refentment.

'^ \n v/hat refpeQ:, Madam ?'* afked Rofclla.

*« D'ui not Dclamere,*' returned fne, " dif- p}:-.y at Scdgneld a very particular admiration cf van ?"

<* Not to my obfervation," faid Rofella, very Kiiich vexed : yet even if the circumftances of ihc moment, and want of other amufcment had induced him to pay me a few compliments, and 1 iied l^ecn fi-ly enough to think them of more importance tlian they were meant to be, furely »he manner in which we quitted him, after an iiitcrcourrc of apparent good will, might juftify un his fide any change of fcntiments, and leave me little reafcn to complain, if Mr. DelamiCre now cluifts to ofrer a jiili tribute of admiration to the merits of any worthy woman, whofe fituation, family, fortune, and charader may be exadlyall he willies."

*' A man murt: be a fordid wretch," ex- claimed Mifs Beauclerc, ** if in feekinga wife he confide rs fituation, family and fortune !*'

jiofelia, who faw all the ardor of romance and fcniimcnt fparkle in her eyes, was filent ;

for

ROSELLA. 8l

€

for fhe had before heard her friend decJare, that a man who could attach himfelf fo pru- dently, mud inevitably be a very cool lover :- indeed a lover fuch as Mifs Beauclerc, in the courfe of her lectures, had fo often met vvith, who without any reafonable caufe flies to fome remote village, and there never fails to encoun- ter, in his rambles, an incognita of penfive mein and doubtful chara6ter, whom, in defi- ance of common caution, and repeated war- nings, he adores through thick and thin — was the lover flie could alone allow to v/ear the myr- tle. But the argument Rofclla had ufed fha felt the force of, though fhe was unwilling tp own it ; nay, fhe even began to think that there are very few lovers whofe cannon-proof con- flancy might be fo far relied upon, after endu- ring three or four fuch freaks, as even to give hope of a return, of allegiance.

Fortunately this fubjeO: at prefent fo wholly occupied her, that flie forgot to renew her en- quiry of the converfation that had pafled when Mr. Delamere had vifited the cottage, or again to urge the topic which had been waved before dinner. The afternoon was employed as ufual, when any thing important had happened, in .writing to Selina ; and Rofella very foberly fat down to work — a vulgarity a heroine is fcarcely ever caught at, her elegant and fin^ple wardrobe being compofed of fuch fublime materials as iicver to require alteration or repair.

The mind of Rofella was not however, ^o peaceful as her employment fecmed to indicate ; Ihe thouglit much of the injury her fame had fuilaiiied from her fatal jouriiey — an injury Hie \\as doubtfid if even the advice and friendfliip <-.f Mr. A'lordaunt couid efface •, and her ima- gination dwelt loo, in fpite of her incredulity, E 3 upon

b2 ROSELLA.

upon the ftrangc affirmation of Mifs Beauclerc, that fhe was her daughter.

" Shouh.i it be fo ! thought Roffella ; " but no, it is impoffible ! It could not have been preferved fo long a fecret from the world : Mr. Ellinger muft know it, and Mr. Mordaunt. Surely they would have informed mc of fo im- portant a circumflauce — my unhappy friend mujl be difordered in her intellefts 3 yet if I am indeed her daughter ! — if for my fake fhe has refufed more than one eligible alliance, and ai fhe fays, lives but for me, ought I not to en- dure for her, the mortification which the opi* nions of fom.e cenforious people might give me, and perform my duty without fhrinking ? But Mr. Mordaunt will decide for me — I will be guided by his judgment, and his friendfhip ; and I think he will not negled me, at leafl I will hope not.'*

Mifs Beauclerc, who was v^riting during this foliloquy, with the energy which cnthufiafm iifualiy gave her pen, fuddenly threw her letter afide —

*' Yes," exclaimed fhe, *' I will wring the felfifh foul of this unfeeling man, and make him groan with remorfe, amidft his bridal revels !"

*' My God, what now !" whifpered Rofella, turning"pale with apprehenflon ; Oh that I were an hundred miles from this place !"

*' My child," continued the fage matron, all gentle as you are, and unwilling to infhft pu- iiifhment for the wrongs you endure, tell me what even you will allow that monfler to de- ferve, whofe family having contributed to make an orphan of a lovely innocent young creature, he can, without remorfe, have the barbarity to gain her guilelefs heart, and then not only leare her to ftorn and dcrifion, but deprive her of

another

HOSELLA. ^^

another lover, whofe merits and attachment might have effaced all her forrows ?'*

" Indeed, madam, I cannot at all decide," replied Rofella ; *' becaufe I never had a lover, and cannot afcertain how far a lady may be af- fected by the lofs of one.''

A heroine without a lover ! Rofella without an adorer ! — The idea was not to be endured.

*' Yes, my dear,*' faid the lady eagerly, *' you have lovers, but they are unworthy of you!"

*' Weil then," replied Rofella, endeavour- ing to fmile, *' we will not, dear Madam, make them of importance to us, if they are unwor- thy : let us think no more of them."

*' I admire your fortitude," faid Mifs Beau- clerc, " and I will imitate it. I mufl: however, once more fee this worldly-minded Morteyne, for I have a pecuniary affair to fettle with him, which I will not delay ; and though," continued ihe with ardor, " by paying him the fum men- tioned in his uncle's nefarious bond, Ifliould be reduced to beggary, with yon, my Rofella, I would rather wander from door to door than not part with it."

Rofella was much terrified by her vehe- mence—

" Dearefl: madam," faid fhe, taking her hand, '' condefcend this once to liften to mc. If you have any bufmefs to tranfact with Lord Morteyne, let Mr. Ellinger or Mr. Mordaunt fettle it : you can give them your dire6l:ions.'''

" Mr. Ellinger," interrupted Mifs Beau- clerc, " has already fettled it, but not to my fatisfaQ:ion ; and this once at Icaft, I will pur- fuc my own unfhackled will,"

She then refumed her pen, and as Rofella eould not forbear obferving, addreffcd Lord

Mortfviie,

S4 rosell/a;

Morteync, with a formal reqneil to hav.e the honor of half an hour's converfation at her cot- tage OR the next day.

As fnc was folding the billet, Rofella, unable io endure her apprehenfions of the refult, threw herfelf on her knees, and entreated that the nffair might reil: a few days longer ; but her fo- hcitations were efFedually checked by her friends reply.

** No, my child," returned fhe, with a dignified air, " your fond efforts to fcreen this ingrate from pangs he well merits, fliali not avail iiim ; therefore urge me no more."

And almofl inflantly, flie defired Nancy to eive the note to Maclean, who was to proceed •with it immediately to Guairdy.

Rofella, burding into tears of mortification and angui(h, left the room, and retreated to her chamber ; but Mifs Beanclerc was not on this occsfion, to be moved from her purpofe by the diflrefs llie exhibited, and Rofella faw Maclean, from her window, take the way to I he park. She reprefented to herfelf Lord Morteync obtruded upon at his dinner-table, by ihe unlucky note; for Mifs Beauclerc had iiri6tly charged her meffenger not to return ^vilhout an anfwer, conceiving in the ardor of her fublime revenge, that the common ufages of the world, etiquette, s^nd good manners mull all give way before more confequential con- cerns; and certainly, like many other woe- worn heroines, fhe thou.jht her imaginary wrongs of the higheft import,

Rofella pictured to her fancy the contemp- tuous anger of Lord Morteync ; fhe faw the ijniortunate fcroll thrown from one to another, :jcccmpanied by burfrs of ridicule, and the i. leers of malice : flic rccollcdcd the imperti- nence

ROSELLA. 85

nence of the reptile Povey, and fhe had expe- rienced the infolence of Mr. Eftcourt ; but in this mortifying fcene, her candour brought for- ward the compafTionate interference of his amiable fifter, and the moderation of Dela- mere : Ihe now wifhed that flie had had more command over her feehngs, and received the well-meant offer of Lady Lucy in a different manner.

Her perturbation became extreme, and fhe even meditated to avoid the mortifications that appeared to await her, by walking to Dunkeld, and returning to England by the aid of that ad- vice and afliflance ihe had in the morning re- jested. This thought was however, only the momentary eflrervefcerce of fuffering pride and wounded delicacy : but though fhe rejected the idea of leaving Mifs Beauclerc in a clandefline manner, fhe flill propofed to herfelf to pretend that fhe had feme purchafes to make at Dun- keld, and entreat her friend to permit her to walk thither the next day, attended by Mac- Jean ; and thus Ihe thought to efcapethe horror of feeing Lord Morteyne, fliould he think pro- per to attend the fummons he would receive.

CHAP.

S5 ROSELLA.

CHAP. VI.

The elegance of the cottage fullied by ignorant ruf- ticity — a captive hero reduced to dcfpair.

OSELLA having in fome degree compofed herfclf, at length rejoined Mifs Beauclere, who was waiting with extreme impatience the return of her envoy; but though the diftanceto the great houfc was httlc more than a mile and a half, Maclean had not completed his commifiion in three hours ; — inciced, to do him jufticc, it would have been impofTible to liden to the hif- tories poured into his ear by the third table gen- try, and in return, fufFer others fcarcely lefs in- ftru£iive to be extracted from him, in a fhorter time.

Nancy at lafl entered to announce his return.

*' Where is the note,'* aflced Mifs Beauclere impatiently, '* the letter, the reply ?'*

iSIancy difappeared to fetch it ; but brought It at the tip of her tongue.

" Maclean fajs, ma'am, that Mr. Johnfon, the gentleman, he fays, his lord fays, Iiis lord is forry to fend a — verdant anfwer to your noatc ; but the rcafon is, his lord is a drinking his wind —but howfevtr, he'll make it up to-morrow by coming to fee you,"

Nancy

ROSELLA. 87

Nancy having now performed her part, by giving the coup de grace to this mutilated meflage, retired to purfuc the enquiries fhe had already begun of Maclean, concerning the proceedings of the grand people at the Park ; and Mifs Beauclcrc, burfting with indignation, exclaimed to Rofella —

^' I expc8:ed this, and am not furprlfcd; I was prepared for fuch behaviour, by the treat- ment I received this morning. That horrid ■woman, who was tutored 1 fuppofc to infult us, had not finifhed her peal of abufe, when a fcr- vant rode up to the houfe, to announce the ap- proach of his lord and lady. I was rather furprifed, as you may well imagine, to hear him fpcak of his lady, but concluded, after a mo- ment of refleftion, that the man meant Lady Lucy, and I refolved to fee her before I re- turned home, that fhe might learn the outra- geous infolence of her domcftic. The abuGve creature hadily retreated, muttering her dif- content that fhe had not received any previous notice ; and I waited fometime before the car- riages drew up to the door. When I difcerncd Lady Lucy, I inflantly advanced to her, and reprefenting what the conduft of the houfe- keeper had been, defired her immediate dif- miflion ; but Lady Lucy, with an air of con- fufion, the confcioufnefs of her too fuccefsful arts might well give her, replied, that {he was only a gueft at Guairdy, but fhe had little doubt her fifter, Lady Morteyne, would difcourage any improper conduct in her fcrv^nts.

*« The fufpicicns I had before repelled as totally impoffible, v.ere by this fpeech confirm- ed beyond a doubt ; and certainly my indigna- tion muft have been vtiy apparent. I turned with all the contempt I really fclr, towards a

young

88 ROSELLA.

young woman who had defcended from another carriage, and was hanging upon the arm of the vile Morteyne, in an effeOied emotion of fear and diftrefs ; when this ftiamelefs man advanc- ing to me, faid, with the mofl undaunted af- furance —

' Lady Morteyne, madam, is at prefent fa- tigued wixh her journey, and will be engaged in welcoming her guefts j at any other time Ihe would attend to your complaints without hefita- tion — at prefent you muft excufe her/

*' With an air of defiance he then pafTcd me, leading the woman into the houfe, and calling to Lady Lucy to follow him. I believe I fhould have funk with the various agitations that op- prcffed me, had not that artful creature pre- tended great feeling, and called to a perfon I difcovered to be that foolifli fellow Povey, who by her directions, offered me his arm to affift me home.

'* But, good Heavens ! fo completely had the infolence of this family humbled me in the eyes of this defpicable being, that even he ad- ded hi-j tribute of infult to that I had already en- dured : his impertinence however reflored me to the pride of offended dignity, and I left the place with fenfations lefs painful, I will venture to aflert, than thofe which agitated the bofom of the felf-condemned Morteyne."

Mifs Beauclerc here clofed her lamentable narrative, which added confiderably to the mi- fery of Rofella, who writhed v/irh agony at the defcripticn of her indignant friend's interview wi:h the aftonilhed inhabitarjts of Guairdy Park.

'* Not for the world," thouglit fhe, *' would I now fee Lord Morteyne, cr any part of his familyT if Mifs Beauclerc will not fufL-r me to

go

RdSELLA. §9

go to Dunkeld,! will fhut myfelf up in my cham- ber, and nothing fhall induce me to quit it."

With great doubt of its fuccefs, fhc made her proportion, and was much furprifed to find it comphed with ; indeed Mifs Beauclerc who well knew that a heroine fhould never place her foot over the threfhold of her charming dwel- ling without an adventure, was in hopes this ex- pedition might furniOi one, at ieafl:, to confole her for the horrible defe6t!on of two men, whom in looking forward to the career of Ro- fclla's brilliant adventures, (he had marked, in imagination, for the main fprings of the whole machinery. She complied with her wifli, that Maclean fhould attend her, and defired fhe would return in a chaife if flie found herfclf fa- tigued. Mr. Craufurd was as ufual, charged With innumerable commiificns, which Rofetla promifed not to forget mentioning to him.

As (he parted with Mifs Beauclerc for the night, fhc received a parental embrace and a tender blefling, which renewed the combat fhe before experienced between incredulity and a fort of innate conviction, that much difqaieted her. She had however, fo little of the fublime in her nature, that it never entered her imagi- nation to confult the pale moon till any great clock ftruck the morning hour, or even to fland gazing till midnight upon the pine-clad hjll, marking very carefully all its inflexions by the deepening fhades— no, fhe endeavored to com- pofe herfelf to refi:, and after feme time had elapfcd, which the agitation of her mind flolc from her (lumbers, her eyelids clofed in forget- fulnefs, merely from thefe phyfical reafons, that fhe was not yet quite eighteen, and was in perfed health.

• The

90 ROSILLA.

The confequence was, that la the morning fhc was not fo unfortunate as to ovcr-fleep the hour fhe had appointed for her departure — an accident that will happen in fpite of philofophy, if people do not go to bed till the fun rifcs, and the birds begin to carol their morning fong; a praaice much to be deplored in behalf of thofe gentle creatures who are confined, it may be againft their inclination, in an old tower of an old cadle, and by fuch a lamentable misfortune, fornetimes lofe a long- projected opportunity, as their hiftorians inform the world, of making their efcape.

Rofclla had determined to fct out af fix o'clock, when /he thought there would be liiile probability of having her promenade interrupted by any of the Guairdy family or thojr guefts ; and as fhe fuppofcd Mrs. Craufurd would in- vite her to flay dinner at Dunkeld, fhe hoped at her return they would be engaged at table, from which fhe concluded they did not rife till very late.

Having breakfafled, fhe called for Maclean, who appeared in his beft array, with his red hair combed out to its full length, his hideous countenance fhining with the rough ablution it had undergone, and grinning with complacency at the honor to which his deftiny had promoted him.

Rofella fatisficd herfelf that he was well ac- quainted with the road to Dunkeld, and began her expedition with more fp«ed than it was likely fhe Ihould continue, congratulating her- felf at every twenty fleps, that fhe was leaving Guairdy, and the cottage behind her.

Mifs Beauclerc who had performed all the ceremonies of watching, praying, gazing at the pale beams of the moon and at its fhadows, and

dock-

ROSELLA. 91

clock-counting, was not fo matlnal as her young companion : but fhe heard her depart, and re- colle<9:ing that Lord Morteyne would probably call in the morning, though no time had been mentioned, ihe ftarted up and drefled herfelf haftily, that llie might have time to feek amongft her papers, which fhe always carried from place to place with her, and which were almoft as numerous and ill-arranged as thofe of a Prime Minifter, for thofe relating to the bond and money obligations of her dcceafed hufband, to the late Mr. Eflcourt.

She fought however nearly two hours in ■vain, and after a llrong conteft between loun- ger and fublimity, finding that hunger remain- ed mafter of the field of battle, fhe rung for lier breakfaft, which was to be placed as ufual in the jnufic-room, and dcfired Nancy to put ever/ thing quickly in order to the adjoining one, v/here fhe intended to receive the culprit, and overwhelm him with regret for having fo bafely given up the taile he ought to have cul- ti-;ated, for the delicious and tranquil pleafurcs to be found under a thatched roof.

Nancy, who could not, as fhe juflly obferv- ed to herfelf, do two things at once, and con- cluded that the moft prefTing command was that which related to the brcakfafl, employed herfelf in getting it ready, and iffucd her own orders and inflrudions to Mcnie to accomplifk the other tafk.

Mifs Beauclerc quite forgetting the reduced ftate of her rural houfehold, and fatisfied with having fignified her pleafure, as if fhe had been furrounio'cd by domeflics as at Avclines, again refumed her employment, which lafled almofl two hours longer i and the brcakfafl was

fcarccly

92 ROSELLA.

fcarcely concluded, and the neceffary docu- ments brought to Hght, before Nancy ran into the room in an agony of perturbation, and an- nounced the Lord.

'' Have you fhown his Lordftiip into the portico-chamber?" aflced her miftrefs, in fome emotion.

*« Yes, Madam," rcpHed Nancy, trem- bling. *' Oh jemini I" whifpered fne, as fhe withdrew, '' now all the murder will out, as fure as thunder !"

Mifs Bcauclerc heard t)ie foliloquy, and applied it to her own grievances ; for fne ima- gined them of fo ferions and wide-fpreading a nature, that even the dome/lies of both fami- lies v/ere well acquainted with them, and fym- pathized in the wrongs of the offended beauty. She was now however, compelled to difmifs every idea except that of afTuming the moft dig- nified attitude, and the mofl majeftic air that ever marbled the features of injured virtue : and having at length fuccceded to her wifh, (lie threw open the door of the audience-room, and beheld — the agonized Morteyne pacing the apartments perhaps, with the pale face of de- fpair, and the frantic motions of a madman — no I — he was very compofedly landing at the entrance of the portico, thinking of the im- provements he had long meditated at Guairdy, towards which his eyes were earneftly bent j but Mifs Beauclerc beheld one of the frames of her drawings fhattered to pieces, and frag- ments of glafs ftrewed about the carpet, which near the entrance of the room had loft much of its cleanlincfs and brilliancy : the portico exhibited likewife fome fymptoms of recent difafter, for feveral plants had been laid low, and the earth efcaped from the pots, had not

been

ROSELLA. 93

been gathered up, but mixed very cordially with the water the faucers had contained, and made the fineft bed of mud in the world : yet even this Mifs Beauclerc might have forgiven, but to climax the misfortunes of the day, every ehair in the room exhibited a black and very - perfeQ: impreffion of a pair of broad naked feet, which like the creft or arms of the pro- prietor, appeared to have been purpofely damp- ed there, to afcertain the right of pofleffion.

This was too much for heroifm itfelf to fup- port with patience and fortitude. Surprife, anger, and confufion chafed away every fymp- tom of calm dignity from her features ; and when Lord Morteyne with fome difficulty, made his way towaris her with tTie ufual falu- tation, fhe found it impoffiblc to refume any compofure or prefence of mind. To have pointed with filent gravity to a feat, and taken one herfelf, could not be done, as fuch a movement would have transferred the drawing of Menie's feet to her garments, and tliofe of the gentleman.

Whether this idea, or any other flill more whimfical, ftruck upon the imagination of Lord Morteyne, cannot be decided : he could not hov/ever forbear fmiling, as he begged to be informed of her commands.

" I have no commands for Lord Morteyne," faid the lady, with lefs feverity of manner than ihe had originally intended to have difplaycd ; *' but if your lordfhip will take the trouble to walk into the next room, I will return the motive that urged me to trefpafs thus upon your time."

He complied with the requelT: in filencc, ima- gining he was doomed to liften to a long hiftory of complaints, exciicd by the over-flowing gall

of

94 &OSELLA.

of Mrs. Tadpole, his Guairdy houfekeeper— a mortification he chofe however to endure, rather than fufFer his lady to be tormented with the trouble of fetthng the affair : and with this prcpofleflion, he was extremely furprifed to obferve Mifs Beauclerc unfolding a number of papers apparently of ancient date, which would aflift her, Ihe faid, in elucidating the myf- tery ihe was then going to explain.

My lord at this hint looked exceflively grave, in proportion as the hands of the lady began to tremble, her cheeks to flow with tear?, and her bofom to fob, as the writing of her long loft love was unveiled to her fond eyes. She fnatchcd fome of the papers, and prefled them to her heart —

*' Father of my Rofella !" exclaimed (he. And the eye of Lord Morteyne caught the name of Eflcourt repeatedly traced on moft of the papers. This circumftance, joined to the ejaculation, excited a greater degree of intereft in his mind than he had believed it to be in the power of Mifs Beauclerc to excite, and he waited very impatiently to be relieved from fome unpleafant fenfations of anxiety and alarm,

" You had an uncle ?" faid the gentle eluci- datory after a paufe of fome moments.

*' I had three, madam,'* returned her au- ditor.

" It may be," rcfumcd Mifs Beauclerc, ra- ther difconccrtcd : ** but the man to wliom I owe all the hours of forrow I have known — . the man whofe vices were dcftined to be a

fcourge to me and mine ! Alas, my Lord,

1 have little inclination to rejoice in the prof- pent v of your l-oiil>, and your lordfl-iip cannot wonder that i fhoulJ fuftcr my anguiih to re- lieve itfclf in the biuernefs of cc Hi plaint,"

*• Perhaps,

ROSELLA. 95

<* Perhaps, Madam," faid he rather grave- ly, *' I fhould wonder lefs, if you would do me the honor to give me fomc intimation of the injuries you fecm to deplore."

♦* I entreat your patience," cried the lady : " furely, my Lord, you will allow for the im- becility of grief?"

'* I companionate imbecility of whatever kind it may be," replied Lord Morteync ; " but give me the liberty to obferve, that my impatience to learn the grievances you hint at, is in part the effect of an earned wifh to alle- viate them."

*' That, my Lord, is not in your power," faid Mifs Beauclerc, with fomething of anger in her manner.

" If it is fo," obferTcd he, *' you will par- <3on me, madam, that I am at a lofs to com- prehend why you have given yourfelf this trou- ble. You mentioned the name of the young lady who refides with you — I am unacquainted with her family or her connexions j but if Lady Morteyne or my fifter, have the power of ferving her, I will be refponfiblc for their inclination."

The indignation and difdain ©f Mifs Beau- clerc at this propofition, were unbounded —

'« My Lord,* faid fhe, »' I will fhorten what I meant to fav — this bond, which I found amongd: my father's papers, was granted to the Kon. Thomas Eflcourt, a man without one good principle or inherent virtue.'*

-" He is no more, madam ; and in the name of his furvi-ving relations, I entreat that you will uifFer the name of my uncle ."

*' You had three^ my Lord !'* retorted the lady in great heat and agitation ; " and I hope thofe you ftill boafl of, amply confolc you and

the

96 ROSELLA.

the furvivlng relations, for your ineftimaMe lofs in the third.

Lord Morteyne was piqued, becaufe he Was really confcious that Mr. Eflcourt had by no means been an ornament to the family name.

*« I take my leave, madam,'' faid he, haugh- tily, and rifing as he fpoke.

Mifs Beauclerc felt rather fhocked that her refcntment had been roufed to a degree fo far exceeding the gentle anger of a heroine, and replied, with a more fubdued air—

*« Take with you, my lord, thefe memo- rials of your uncle," prefcnting him. the bond : ^' take with you likewife my note for the fum marked in it, the fole inheritance of a much- injured orphan 1 and when next the family ex- ploits are emblazoned, forget not to record in the name of the Hon. Thomas Eflcourt, the ruin and death of a credulous l)ut virtuous man, and the beggary of his hclplefs child !"

Having pronounced this fentence with pro- per emphafis, the lady fuddenly vanifhed, leav- ing Lord Morteyne motionlefs with furprife and difmav, internally agitated by wounded pride, and I fear that thefe charges might be too well founded. The bond and note he knew not how to difpofe of, but he refolved not to retain them in his pofTcffion after he had quitted the houfe : yet he was entirely averfe to tempt a fecond interview with Mifs Beau- clerc, vvhofe emotions, exclamations, and elu- cidations were too fubiime for his tafle, and who, to finidi^the fcenc in ft) le, was now fob- bing in the next room in fo audible a key, that his lordfhip could not fail to hear her.

He obferved that the poor lady had locked the door of coniinunicarion between them, and he could not therefore return the papers into

her

ROSELLA. ^*^

her pofiefTion. But at length, his nrft confi!- fion fubfiding, he recolleGed that, as writing materials lay upon the table before him, lie could enclofe them in a waftred cover, under Mifs Beauclerc's addrefs, very fafelv ; whi.'i lie haflened to do, that he might fly the lioufe, and efcape any further pathetic declamaiion.

This taflc acccmplifhed, he endeavoured to open the door .leading to the garden, Dnd find- ing that it was failened, rung the bell, to be relieved from his dilemma : but Nancy, fancy- ing this fummons was the prelude to anger, fcolding, and perliaps difmiffion, inflcad of an- fwering it in perfon, ran into the grove to hide herfelf ; and Menie, who was ftill a greater culprit, followed her example.

Lord Morteyne rung a fecond tii^-^a- third time, and Mifs Beauclerc flill foWlfed in the next room. At length his patience was {y wholly cxhaufted, that he ventured to intrude upon her forrows, by a humbling petition ilat- ing his cafe, and praying relief.

'< It is in vain to fue, my Lord," faid the mourner, interrupting him, " 1 will not Lc you."

*' But for heaven's fake hear me. Madam," faid he;,'' I cannot quit the room."

*' 1 have already heard too much,'' ejacu- lated Mifs Beaucicrc with a deep figh.

Lord Morteyne was not of the fame opinion, fo he renewed his efforts to explain his ficuation.

" My Lord, I infill: that you le^ve tic houfe,'* ciiad^e vehemently.

" 1 defire it equally u-ith yourfclf," retorted the prifoner: *' and if you would condefcend to liften, 1 would inform you that the other door of tiiis apartmrni is locked."

Mifs Beauclerc was now upon her knees, invoking the fpirit of her fainted hufband— .<jf

VOL. ir. F cour'c

9^ ROSEItA.

coiiiTc no fublunary found coal<l rracS licr ear, and Lord Morteyne, finding ali explanation vain, turned to the window, m the hope of making his fortle from thenCc : but unfortu- nately, it happened to be a Gothic cafcmcnt fo interlaced with wood work, that he faw the attempt would be ufciefs, unlcfs he fliould be reduced to the defperate neceflity of breaking away through — an alternative he really began io fear he muft have recourfc to. Oiicc more he applied to the bell, with a veliemence that foon end.id every hope from that e^xpeifiem, l-y pulling it down. He now no lunger -heard the voice of the bdy in the adjoining room, and imagined fhe had quitted -it, until a renewed )>laint ftruck his ear.

" Mifs Bca-uelcrc," faid he eagerly, " I be- lieve vou "have not underilood me -"

*' deafe," cxciaimed flie, ^ ceafe your ufe- Icfs irnportunit^, — I am irnmoveably fixed !"

^* ^nd 'fo it feeins am rf^ muttered he: tiicn rajfuig his voice, "*' Good God! will you not inien to.rnc^ I have been this laft half hour endeavouring to make you Tenfible that I am a .prifoner — ^the glafs door is locked, madam, as well as fhia, ajiu my importunity will not ceafe until yoji have ordered one of your -domeilics to open it."

No anfwer was returned to th's cclairciflt;- mcnt : indeed Mifs Beauclerc, fully determin- ed to fland the ficgc ihc fuppofed the remorfc of Lord Morteyne was preparing her, had cjuietly retired, to import from her chamber fome books and her writing-defk, which CnQ chofe to do witliout alfillance, that flie might not expofe his frantic demeanor to her fervants.

When fne returned, fhe heard his h)rdihip

laughine aloud; for the rid.-cule of his fituaiion

ftruck him fj forcibly, tliat he forsot his rc-

^ cent

ROStLLA.

!?y

cent emotions : and as he was now convinced that his captivity had been defigned, he con- chidcd that the former part of the farce had not much foundation in truth.

** Poor maniac !*' fighed Mifs Beauclerc, v/ho imagined that his agonies had overfet his Tea Ton : a revoUition, however fudden and vio- lent, fhe had read many inilanccs of — " What ^vill now avail your unhappy bride, that fhe lias triumphed over an anlefs jnd lovcl/ youn? crea- ture, and plaoted a thorn in her guilclefb bofom not to be extracted ?"

Lord Mortcync could only hear a few words of this ejaculation ; but the mention of his bride reminding him that his prolonged abH-nc*^ might itiarm her, he very carneflly renewed his entreaties tliat Mifs Beauclerc would open the door, v^hich fhe refufed with the perfeverance of a heroine ; and he proteflcd, that if Oao continued to treat him in fo abfurd and unpre-» cedentcd a manner, fhe mufl cxcufe the coiifc- quencc.

The lady returned no anfwer, but Aepp'mg towards the ofFices, efpied Meiiie creeping into the kitchen, with all the precaution flie could ufe, that file might not be heard. Mifs Beau- clerc beckoned her to follow, and returned to her port, Mrnie rta-tiding near the cntraJrce of the room, hanging dovn her head, that fhe might not ha^e the horror of beholding the de- vaihition her aAvkward defliny, and the unlucky commands of Narc, had made her commit, ,Her lady remained filent, and in a few minutes a horrid crafh was heard from the niufic-room.

Mifs Beauclerc ilarted, and her attendant

iTared. The noife was continued, and flionly

fueceeded by a-n outrageous knocktng ani

thumping, -as if his imprifuncd loidfhjp had

F s bccij

U*)C KOSELLA.

been amufing lils ennui by applying the poker to tlie chuirs and tables.

A'lifs Beauclerc was now really frightened. ^' Run,*' exclaimed fhe, '* run, Menie, and inform his unhappy family that Lord Morteyne has lofl: his rcafon !"

*' Maun 1 fay that the dell's in him :" afked Menie, in fome doubt.

*' Yes, yes,'' replied her lady, (lillmore alarmed on hearing the uproar increafe ; — *— *' fay that his mind's o'erthrown, that Reafon is hurled from her feat !"

" Trath, and a docs hairl 'em," thought Menie ; *' a hairls 'cm mair than I hairl'd 'cm v/i my pauky feet !"

She then fet off with great fpecd for Guairdy, to give the alarm, telling evciy one (lie met, that the laird had fauld himfel to the dell, and ■was delccrit and roaring doon at maiilrefb*j hoofe, looder than the roombling briv?;.

This idarming report foon fpread among ft the fervants, fome of whom rufhed into the apartment of lady Lucy, where unfortunately^ her fiftcr-in-law happened to be, and repeated the difmal news in her prefence.

Lady Morteyne fainted ; and fome of the mort unmoved of her gucfts endeavoured to render her fome affiftancc, whilft lady Lucy iilniofl: as di{lra£lcd as her brother was reprc- fented to be, ran towards the cottage to afcer- tain the truth, which was elucidated much fooner than (he could have hoped, by the ap- pearance of Lord Morteyne walking with the ittmofl compofure to Guairdy, with his right hand bound up in a handkerchief ftained v/ith blood. She embraced him with affe(5tionate concern; and not feeing any other ma'k of emotion on his countenance than furprife at

her

R05ELLA. 101

her behaviour, beeran to lofe her apprchenfions, and ventured to afk what accident had happcri- ed to him.

»* The moft ilrange and abfurd," replied he, *' that could pofTibly happen : I have been a prifoner, Lucy, to a fair lady, and could only efcape her enchantments by l^reaking her windows and window- frames, which my impa- tience prompted me to do, and in the exploit I have cut my hand. That poor woman at the cottage, as fhe calls the place, is as com- pletely deranged as any of Dodor "^V -'s

patients ; fhc ought not to be at this moment without a rtrait-wairtcoat 1"

This retort;ed charge of infanity appeared to lady Lucy fo much better founded than the hrft, than fhe entirely loft her fuf^icions of the

greater evil. *' How I pity that poor git 1,'*

exclaimed fhe, ** who accompanies her from place to place I Sun Iv flic ought to be rcfciicd from fuch a fituatlon 1''

'* We mufl: leave her to her defliny,'' re- pj'icd Lord Morteyne ; *' for Mifs Beai:cleic is equal to the abfurdity of giving out that JTia is a natural child of the family, defcrted from infancy; or of embroiling us in a law-fuit for property, of which fhe pretends our dectafed uncle plundered the father of this girl.''

The exclamations of Mifs Beauclerc, ot which he now retained but a confufed recollec- tion, and the bond hiftory commixed, formed in the mind of Lord Morteyne an aflbciation of ideas he thus explained.

Lady Lucy looked aftoniflied, and fo did her brother, on perceiving a number of domeflics flying towards them, hea<ied by his male guells and followed by thofe of the ladies who moll: abounded in courage and curiofity*

F 3 " What

102 HOSELIA.

*' What the devil," exclaimed he, «* is the meaning of all this ?**

Lady Lucy could fcarccly forbcur latighing. — ** Our friends," replied ihc^ *« have heard that your fituation required aiTidance, and I Tup- j^ofc they are marching this way to offer it.**

Lord Morteyne, thinking (he alluded to his imprifonmcnt, fmiled at the idea of being refcu- cd from the lad)'s power by a. poj/e comitatus*

By this time he was furrounded by his guerts and his hcufchold, excepting of the former, Mr. Povey, uho, having become both a great man and a fafhionablc man, could not poflibly rraverfe the fpacc of a mile and a half without his horfcs and fcrvant : and vvhilH: the groom '.vas fretting ready at a minuted notice, he amuf- ed himftif with aflcing queftions of Menie, who was in tlie Aable-yard, and had been giving a long detail of ihe difafters of the m.orning, to a helper u ho was her admirer.

From her, Mr. Povey learned that Rof«lIa was gone to Dunkeld, that (he walked there, and would walk back with maimer Maclean : ihat maifler Mackan was the gardener, and had fciid they could not return till evening.

Menie now found another aiulitor in Mr. Hftcomt, who had but then arrived at the feat of his brother; and having overtaken the nu- merous party in the park, ju/1 (laid to hear the outline of the (lory which appeared to divert them fo extremely, before he haifcned to the houfe, to take fome repofe after having paded the preceding n/ght in receiving a fertive wel- come to t.h(5 North.

Happy was it for the quiet of RoftUa, that (he never heard the converfaticn which now pafTed between this gentleman and the worthy }A\\ Povey, when they had difmiffed poor Me- nie,

R05ELLA. 103

nie, whom they joined very manfully to curfc to all eternity, for being freckled like a toad, and having a damned nofe like the rump of a goofe. Indeed the cidevant attorney's clerk was one of the mofl valiant oath-fanciers in the three kingdoms ; for he really believed that tho firft commifTion prefcnted to him through the folly of his uncle, not. only entitled liim to the honors of the fword and cockade, but included him as part owner of a patent, for every abfur- dity and vice he fo often envied his former friends for appearing to hold the privilege of committing with impunity, by their initiation into the court of falhion — that rarec-lhew, which, to the s.ai)\n^ and fhallow- headed gaz- ers without, feems adorned v\ itli fi.'ch exquifuc allurement! — Put your nofes into the box, good people, and fee what wretched machinerv, what cut paper and gilt trumpery you^rogard, with admiring eyes !

Mr. Povev was now no longer a Con>et of the (Juardr, for he wifhed to rife ranicilv, and had purchafrd a company in a regiment of' foot then in Scotland ; meaning, by a fc cond change,^ to dafh again into high life, as the irrefiftiblo Colonel Povey, whom all the women ogled and^ liicd for, in vain.

CFIAP.

J<>4 ROSELLA.

CHAP. VII.

ji hcianical journey^and an elucidation of a little quiet menage.

R

OSELLA, during the fracas at the cottage, :tnd that at Gu^li^d^', unconfcious of the extent to which her miftaken friend meant to carry her herolfm, retraced the romantic road to Dunkeld, alTiiled by the more habitual know- ledge of her attendant-, who happened per- chance, to poflefs that intuitive genius and tarte for bot:;nicaI ftucic?, which has, within a few years, {q fuddenly overtaken ladies of falliioa m the fpring, the fummer, nay, even the au- tumn of life.

Poor Macfean had no idea of flringing rhimcs to celebrate the fcntimental and intererting amours of the plants, but he could not pafs the. ver(!ant fide of a hill without nofmg it like a fpaniel. In vain did he rv-^peatedly obfcrvc his ^ oung ladv waiting the rcfult of his fearch after ti e garrc he moil c- vcted ; a fprig of heath, with a blofTorrt or leaf varying from what he liad hitherto feen, v/e!l rewarded liis trouble, and encouraged him to proceed.

At length Roftila, extremely w^eary of this method of journeying, when (he faw him flying out of the road, demanded very cxaQ.ly which

way

ROtELlAl 105

way fha ought to take when ihc arrived at the top of the next hill, or which path fhe ought to purfue when (he reached the valley, and then walked forward, leaving him to overtake her when his aim had been, for that time ar leall, accomplifhed.

Maclean gladly received the indulgerce whicli the good-nature of Rofella allowed him : but at length the load he had accumulated, not only in his pockets, but in his hat, in his wailTcoar, and ill his handkerchief, which he carried with great care in his hand, and the quick ma^ch he was often compelled to ufe, to rejoin his young lady, added to the warm rays of the fun, whicli feemed to have communicated its moll: glowing beams to his golden hair, made him look like thofe Warwickfhire colliers who traverfe the under-woods at night, with a blazing fire upou their heads. With him however, the fire con- filled of the head itfelf ; and his countenance^ the natural expreHlcn of which was furpriff^ from the elevaiion of his thick red brow, and condcrnation from the hanging of his immcnfe under lip, now appeared fo gorgon-like, that Rofella was (Iruck with horror every time il)o turned her eyes upon him — and yet, like the head of Medufa, that of Maclean was fo ex- traordinary, that it every moment attraSed bcv regards.

As they approached Dunkcld, fhe began tr> feel fome rcluclance to enter thiC town with him, conceiving, not without fome reafon, thar the figure of her connuclrr v/o-ild procure her the honor of more attention ti.an iLe wifhed to recv'Jve ; but there was no remce'y for the evil apprehended, except indeed that Rofella, in the hope of reducmg the colour in Maclean's cheek bones, dc fired h'm to reft h mftlf in a F 5 grove

I06 ROSELLA.

srrovQ of firs near the river, vvhllil fhc took a Airvey of the town, and the beautiful country before her.

He was very glad to obey this injur!6lion, from the violent heat and fatigue he endured ; end Rofella, intending to let him remain half an hour where he had placed himfcif to ar- range his treafure?, afccnded one of the hills with which Dunkeld is furroundcd, and gazed with much pleafure upon the meandering Tay, nnd its lovely banks ; but her recolleftion was firddcnly recalled to her attendant, by hearing a violent outcry, and beholding him at the fame moment ftruggling in the ftream, by which fhe had recommended it to him to repofc himfeff. She haflily ran towards the unfortunate bo- tanSll, but without any diftiri6t hope of aiTift- ing him ; and had the fatisfa6lion to obfcrve Jfuit he fiicreeded in extricating himfelf from his perilous fituation, but with the lofs of his hat, his handkerchief, and the fruit of his eager icfcarches.

Rofella enquired very ea'-neflly what had cecafioncd the accident, and learned that maif- ter Maclean inrtead of following her inftrudi- ons, had been fccking for a peculiar fort of memha aquaticay and leaning too far over the bank, had felt a fuddcn giddinefs, probabfy from the rays of the fun darting upon his unco- vered head, and the heated ftate of his blood, which had caufed him to fofe his balance, and plunge into the Tay.

The fatisfaction which his efcape from death rccafioncd her, foon gave way to compafTion for the lliivering fits which now feized Iiim ; bcfides tiie more immediate anxiety to get him to the houfe of Mr. Craufurd with, as little ob- poffible.

Rofefhi

ROSELLA, 107

Rofclla haflily wiflied fhe had been content to have endured the mortification of the poor fellow's attendance, before his unlucky imnicr- fion had given the finifhing touches to his ap- pearance ; but as it was, fhe refolved to wave all fcruples of delicacy, and endeavor to fparc him a fever, by proceeding without delay to Mr. Craufijrd*s, where (he concluded he uorild be relieved from his wet drapery, which did not hang about him with fo much elegance :?s that of fetne ladies of ton, the labor of whoie toilet confifls in putting on "the appearance of very flender fea-n)mphs, juft rifen from tlieir coral beds.

Maclean led the way, refrcfliing the earth as he paflcd on, with his dripping furors ; whillT: Rofella followed, lookin^^ ea:ne(lly in the eyej of thofe Ihe met, to difcover the opi- nion they formed of herfelf, and her conduc- tor, who, on his part, bitterly lamented the cataftrpphe tiiat deprived him of the* weed-, roots, and rubbifh he had collv^B^ed.

Fortunately the habitation of Mr. Craufurd W3S near that part of the town at which they entered; and Rofclta had the ccnfolarion of reaching it, wir+i only a moderate fhare of* gazing and conjeBuring from thofc who eij- countcrcd her and her river god. Ijut this momentarv fmile of fortune was quickly over- cad, when fhe learned that Mr?. CraufurJ v^a- not at home ; and ixs (he had gone forr e m.iles out of the town uiih an inlcntioji of fpending tlje dav, Rofella could neither v. iih nor exfe<5l to be afkcd to eat her dinner at rhe houfe^ — yet as the maflcr of it was not abfenr, fhe en- treated perm.lT.on to-i'cft herfcif, and having given him a letter entruiled to her by her iiiend, fhe venture d to rnemicn the accident

tirat

I08 ROSEtLA.

that had befallen Maclean, la the hope that Mr. Craufiird would dlrcd his fervants to ac- commodate him 5 but he merely affured her that the hide of a Scotch {>eArant was water-r proof, and began rcadinc; his letter without giving the circumilance a fccond thought.

After the' lecture, he offered her rcfrefti- nients, which (he refiifed, but was extremely unwilling to quit the place until Maclean could be fuppofed to have repaired the effects of his cold bath: — fhe rccolle8:ed however, the pur- chafes rtte had intended to make, and mention- ed them to Mr. Craufurd, to account for her exGurfion into the town ; but he, happening to be one of thofe perfonages, who in the abfence of a wife affects airs of gallantry they are far from having the courage to retain in her pre- fence, propofed to have the honor of conduct- ing fo charrning a yoing leddy; a politefle Rofella would willingly have excufed, but that llie had no pretext for declining it. She en- treatf'd indeed that fhe might not give him fo much trouble^ and profeffed that fhe fhould be forry^tp lake up fo confiderable a portion of his time ; but thefe protefts ^ply furnifhed the gc?i- tleman with an opportunity of repeating fome very flour-fhijg comments upon her lovclinefs, which rePidercd any time employed in her fer- vice, df leetfuliy plaifan^.

RoQ^-ljanow felt fo provoked and difgufled, iliat \fhe" would have left the houfe and the town imntediately, had not her humanity been intcrei'ted for Maclean j as it was, (he fufFired Maiflcr Craufurd to continue his harangues, and lead her to the (hops (he had mentioned ; and he then propofed to himfelf to do the lio- nors of the tov/n to the fair llranger, entirely

forgetting

ROSELLA. 109

forgetting that fhe might be already fatigued by her walk.

He took care to inform her, that Dunkeld was the principal mart of the Highlands — a cir- cumftance fhe cared very little about : but fhe was obliged tofurvey with much apparent com- placencv, the noble feat of " AthoPs Duke," which it contains, and the ruins of the cathe- dral, though in fact, fhe would at the fame time have preferred the molT: incommodious feat in one of the peat-hovels fhe had pafled in the morning, to have been releafed from the abfurd flrain into which Mr. Craufurd had wan- dered, which was the more remarkable, as he had hitherto appeared only in the chara6ter of a diligent and obliging homme d' affaires.

It was confiderably pall two when Rofella re-entered his houfe, and as fhe underflood that the dinner was ready to be ferved up, fee would immediately have taken her leave, but that he would not fuflrer her to exprefs fuch an- intention ; and as fhe had not yet acquired, by an intercourfe with the world, that lirmnefs of denial which checks importunity, the loquacious entreaties of Mr. Craufurd at length filenc^d her excufes, and Hie fat down to his table e;x- ceedingly difTatisfied with him, and ftill more difjileafcd with herfelf.

The cloth was fcarcely removed, and Ro- fella was already meditating her efcape the firll moment fhe fliould find it feafible, when the lady of the manfion, without any previous no- tice, made her appearance.

*' So, Mr. Craufurd," cried fhe, fwlnging open the door, and filling u\i the entrance as ihc flourifhrd into the room, *^ I find you kecp^ open hotifc in ray abfcnce j people may walk

into.

no RXDSELLA.

into the office, and ruin you, before }x<i know any thing of the matrcr.*'

Then perceiving Rofclla occupying her feat at the head of the table, furprife and indigna- tion choaked her utterance, and ihe turned, with a look of fufpicious rage, towards her hufband, who had fuddenly recovered his firft eharafter, and was once more the booing and vara obfequieus Maifter Craufurd^

With a mien that deprecated rhe rifing florm, he haftened to inform her that his gweft was Mifs Beauderc's young friend* who had walked from the cottage with a letter from that gude Icddy, and had been much vexed and chagrined in not finding Mai ftrefs Craufurd at home,

Mai/lrefs Graufurd unknit her brow at thf& intelligence, for fhe had not immcdiatciy re- cognized Rofella ; and whilil the ebbing of the mod indignant fcnfarions flijl marked her coun- tenance, ftie forced it into a grin, and protcfted that what with her furprife at the honor Mifs Montrefor had conferred upon her, and what with the difappointment fhe had experienced, at finding the frifnd fhe had vifited, too ill to keep her and the refl of the party to dinner, {he hardly knew what fhe was about : T>n afier- lion fhe immediately verified, by whi/king her cloak from her fhouldeis wiih fi ch a graceful eJrciiitoiis moiioii, that it carrictl two or th^ee wine glaffes, and a dcfTcrt }>late from the table, 10 which fhe had unfortiinatdy advanced when Rofella rofe to falute her.

"Ihe poor lady, bdioJding the dcvailation fhe had committee^, nvjftic a vholent effort to laugli at the accid( jtt, calling at the fame tim^ upon Mr. Craufurd towojiderat her ill-luck throughout the i":;} i lut hr^ ^u^c mon, was

^ mi:ch

ROSELLA. Iff

rnuch more occupied in reflecting that the black cloud of his wife's difplcafure, which was paf- fing over the head of her handfome gueft with fuch difficulty of retention, would inevitably burft upon his own with a fury entirely irre- fiftible.

'*« Well, my dear,** continued Mrs. Crau- •furd, " I am glad you had your dinner fooner than ordinary, becaufe I dare fay this young lady was not forry to fit down to a good joint, aftdr her walk ; but if you had ftaid your ufual hoir, I (hould juft have come in pudding time, whiph is what 1 thought to myfelf as 1 came aloitg : but 1 began the day with ill-luck, and ^o I fhall go through with it !**

/' I am very much concerned," faid Rofell?, whofe color had heightened during the fpecch, ic that I '*

** Oh dear, don't fay a word, Mifs Mon- trefor ; it could not be any fault of yoiir'^, you- know : if any body is in fault, it's Mr. Crau- furd I" and then followed an attempt to make this hint found like a badinage, by an hyfterlcal giggle.

*' Will ye have the claith laid," faid the implied culprit, who was anxious to divert the attack, *' and arder fomething to be gat ?"

After a pettifh refufal, ihe complied : and Rofella, who was now really uneafy left fhe fhould not be at home before the twilight over- took her, had the mortification of feeing the mangled joint re-appear, which the lady turn- ed from fide to fide twenty times with extreme difgull, and then declaring that fhe could never endure tepid meat, (iifmilTcd it with an order to bring in the cold pic : — ill luck again I the pie was cntirelv d.-niolilhed I

^' Wcl?

112 ROSELLA.

« Well then I muft hdV^ exclaimed {he^ half crying. ** Will you have {o mething dref- {ed, my dear?'' enquired Mr. Craufurd, i-n a compaflionating tone.

'* No : when once I am fet againft vi6luals, I do not care for any thing.'*

This refufal being decifive, the hufband would not venture to prefs the fubje6l further, and a filence of a few minutes enfued, which Rofella took advantage of, and rofc from her feat with a fare we) compliment.

" I am afraid," faid Mrs. Craufurd, half repenting her incivility, yet more than half in- clined to add to it by further rudenefs, *' I am afraid, Mifs, that I ihorten your vifit ?'*

Rofella was doubtful in what light this fpeech was to be confidereJ ; and whilfl: fhe gazed at the lady in fome aflonifliment**-

'' I am fure, Mifs Montrefor," continued fhe, " I ought to beg your pardon ; but if you had felt as uncomfortable as I did — dear me, are you going fo foon ? — well — pray prefent my bed: refpeSs to the good lady at the cottage, and pray tell her I hoj^e flie will think of her promife, and come foon — that is, drop in in a friencly way, as you have done, and partake our family dinner — you fee how wc live—" " Idol" thought Rofella.

— -" You fee how we live, Co pray now contrive to come v.ith her, or elfe I fhall think our little quiet way does not futt your tafte. We have always what you hcve fctn to-d:Ty, a joint and a pudding — tell MiH Beaueicrc tliat is our bill of fare throughout the year; biit even that, with a fmcere welcome, and a p!ta- fant countenance, is to rr.e a fcaft !"

Rofella waited very inipatienily for the end of thij oration, but it did not appear in the

Icalc

ROSELLA. 113

leall likely to terminate fo foon as (he hoped, ^or the lady had now pitched into what fhe called a good-humour, that is a talkative one ; and it fcemed as if fhe fuppofed her loquacity was to efface every remembrance of previous iil temper — an idea fhe had long been in the habit of indulging, for fhe was one of thofe dames who never feel thoroughly complacent towards their guefls, until they are leaving the houfe.

Rofella having afTented very readily to all (he uttered, and had the pleafure of hearing that Mrs. Craufurd, being a native of South Britain, was her countrywoman, at length took courage to afk for Maclean, who was produc- ed, equipped in an old hat much too fmall for hfm, which fluck upon the top of his head without covering much of his long hair, not yet nearly dried, fo that it hung lank and firaight; and the tout enfimbk gave him the appearance of a Puritan of the la'fl: century.

Mrs. Craufurd followed her fair gue/l: to the flreet-door, flill entreating that fhe would not fail to remind Mifs Beauclerc of the honor (he intended her, and repeating, that now Mifs Montrefor faw how they lived, Ihe hoped flie would often take a walk to Dunkeld, to dine with Mr. Craufurd and her, in their little quiet way : and not even contented with this, fhe flood at her door, uttering fentences of the fame import, till Rofella was abfolutely out t)f fight ; who, until that fortunate moment arriv- ed, thought herfelf obliged at every other flep, to turn round, and bow her acknowledg- ments.

Maclean foUowed in filcnce until they reach- ed the fpot where he had met with his mifad- venture, and then, in fpite of the expoHula-

tions

fI4. ROSELLA.

fiors of his young lady, he infiAed upon knecf-: ing by the Cn\c of the ftream, and ilooping over the deep bank that rofe befide^it, to obtain a root of the mentha aquatica

*' You certainly vvilh for another accident,'* faid P-ofella angrily, *' or you would not ac^ thus !"

*•' Mcfs,'* returned Maclean gravely, " I wad na but ha foond this for aw Guairdy and its Laird are worth : it*s the mentha hirfuta ; and thus Maifter Mellcr defcreebcs it — Ment wi wharlcd fiuors, aval, fawed, hairy leave?,

and Nomina bnger na the patois.- Mefs, I

foond ance upon a time here in rriv ain coontra, the mentha virticillatay which Maider MeLler fays graws natrally by the feed of tbe reever Madway : and noo I'm hiking '*

*» For Heaven's fake," interrupted Rofella, •' do not look juft now for any thing but our fhorteft way home !'*—

" And noo I'm luking for the mentha pa- luJirUr

'Qy this time (he had difcovered, to her ex* treme terror, that Maclean v/as much intoxi- cated ; and inftantly formed the dcfign of re- turning to Dunkeld, and hiring a conveyance to the cottage, which fhe defpaired of reach- ing by his guidance : — but it was impofTible \.o drag him from the back of his hobby horfe, and as Rofella did not like the idea of revifuing the houfe of Mr. Craufurd, and was tpo timid to enter an inn-gate without an attendant, fhe very unwillingly proceeded, as well as fhe could, taking care not to leave her nominal condu£tor too far behind, as her humanity fug- geflcd a care in his behalf he was far from hav- ing himfclf.

With

KOSELLA. ri^

With mBch difficulty and lofs of time fhe had repafled more than half the way^ and con- gratulating herfelf that the fun was not yet fet, ventured to repofe herfelf a few minutes, whilft fhc waited the leifure of Maimer Maclean. The fpot fhe had chofen prefented on every fide a fcene fo fingulariy beautiful, that Rofella forgot all her recent vexations whilrt: flie con- templated it. The road bordered one fide of SI river, which rolled tumultuoufly over a bed of rocksj many of them rifing above its fur- face, and lying in fuch numbers that they ap- peared to oppofe the flowing of the ftrearn^ which collecting iis waters to overcome the check, forced its way with a violent currejit, and formed cafcades, whofe murmurs at a fmall diflance invited the wanderer to repofe.

A meandering of the river overflowed a fpace of lowland, and was yet fhallow enough to leave a rifing fpot uncovered, where a group «i cattle were browfing, whihl others llood fnld-lcg in the flream, enjoying its freihnefs. As the quality of the capricious foil varied, Rofella beheld the naked cliflF towering abrupt over her head, or the gentler rife of the ver- dant hill, chequered with foliage : through the fiffurc of a rock, an immenfe pine had forced its once budding growth, and now hung oblique in waving terror over a catara^ the fame rock had formed below it.

Further on, the double chain of moantains appeared to meet each other ; but before the perfpeOiive clofed, the eye of Rofella was di- reded by a vivid fun-beam that darted through a break, to a bridge, compofed of the body of a large oak, either feHed by a tempefl:, or dircSed by human care, to crofs *' high in air,'* from the fummits of oppofmg clifB ; »

rude

Il6 ROSELLA.

rude and irregular railing affiiled the giddy paf- fenger, who *■' maun na luk hot where his foot do tread," end at this moment a highlander was crofling the Alpine pafs, whofe tartan pladdie ihone right gay in the reflexion of the fetting fun.

A pack-horfe plodding through the bourn Rofella had juft pafled, was led, or rather drag- ged along by a Scotch lafTie, who at every in- terval of perfuafion and bartinado, neither of ■which (he fpared towards the animal, made the glen ring with a lively air, the burthen of ■which the often repeated — *' Wad ye (lay here cut owre the day, ye pauky ben {lie !'* and then followed a thump, with part of the fong.

" He glower'd at mc as he'd" been daft, *" The loon trows that I'll h?.e him j *' Hoot awa I winnc .hue him •, " Nae foifooth I'll -nae bae hiiti : •" " New hofe and nev, fljoo/i — "

*' YeVe nae frifket trow ! Ye wad let a moufie tak the road o'}e, ye idle carle I" and then another thump.

Rofella was much amufed by obferving her conftant rotation of employment ; but the girl's admonitions quickened her own rccollcflion, and fhe flarted up to purfue her way, but could no where difcover Maclean — a circum fiance that alarmed her. She had now left the fcng- ftrefs and her idle companion far behind, and her anxiety increafedy for not a fuigle being enlivened the fcene, or appeared to anfwer the enquiries (he was eager to make. She conti- nued to advance bowever, and judged that (he was not quite a mile from home, when (he per- ceived a well-drefled man loitering in the path, who no fooner caught a glimpfe of her, than

he

ROSELLA. 117

he flew to meet her, and in a tone as familiar as if their acquaintance had been of long and ap- proved growth, reproached her for having de- layed her return to fo late an hour.

*' However/' added he, '^ it has had one good effeO: 5 for thofe puppies, Eftcourt and Povcy, have founded a retreat, and left me, who was much marc defirous of the rencontre^ than they were to exult at my fuperior fortune.

Rofella flood aghaft at this ftrange addrefs ; and the intruder obferving her confternation, refumed with the fame eafy air —

" Why you..feem vexed at it \ Surely you had not a i^c{\^p. upon either of thofe block- heads ? I'hey are more capricious and abfurd than Oberne, and to my certain knowledg'e, they are equally poor."

She experienced fuch a rapid fucceiilon of emotions during this fecond attack, and her mind was fo divided betv/een furprife, anger, fear, confufion, and refentment, that fhe re- mained immoveable. The voice and features of this familiar perfonage fhe recollected to have fecn and heard before, but could not in the Icaft remember where they had met her notice.

A fufpicion croITed her mind that this adven- ture, as Mifs Beauclcrc would have called it, was of her contriving ; and the idea, unconfirm- ed as it was, gave her fuch pain and mortifica- tion, that after an unfuccefsful druggie with her fcnfations, the tears fprung to her eyes ; but immediately endeavoring to recover herfelf, fhe eagerly purfued her way, paiTing by the Gran- ger with fo quick a motion, that he could not prevent it, though he inftantly rejoined her.

She averted her head to get rid of her tears unperceived, as flic expected they would mere- ly cxcilc ridicule; but he faw them.

*' Yoa

Il8 ItOSELLA.

•* You arc unhappy 1'* exclaimed he, " TcII me truly, were you attached to Oberne !"

Rofeiia colored with indignation, and though a number of angry repHes rofe to her lips, Ihe ftill remained filent;

•* Arc you dumb ?" refumed he, fnatching her hand.

She was much alarmed, and called out to Maclean, but with little hope that he would hear her.

*• Oh, a-prop9Si** faid her new acquaintance, ** what liave you done with your Efquire ? I expeO^ed inevitably to have had that dragon to charm to reft, before I could get at you. What not a word yet? Do, charming — (what is your name) — let thefe fliady groves, and thb purling ftream, fpeak with pafloral perfua- (ion in my favor T*

His knowledge of her having had an at- tendant, confirmed t\\e furmife that Mifs Beau- clerc had planned, or at leafl: permitted, this diftrcffing fcene ; and the eafy alifurance of the young man's manner, and the tenor of his lan- guage and converfation, which no one could miffake, too well informed her in what light fhe was regarded.

'* Oh Heavens !" thought Rofeiia, *< does every hirman being view me with the fame contempt? Who will then refcue me from reproach^ fince it is univerfally believed that I feut too well merit it !'*

Her companion continued talking with the fame flippahey; but, abforbed in rcfle6tions tiiat occupied her whole foul, (lie heard his voice without hearing the fenfe of what he ut- tered, until his impetuofi;y recalled her attention.

" No,*' cried he, detaining her, *' you fliall not proceed iinkTs vcu anfwcr me !"

Siie

R05ELLA. 119

She ftarted as If fhe had now obferved him for thefiift time, and in great agitation begged he would fuffer her to go on.

*' Why do you not anfwer me?'* repeated he.

** What am I to anfwer. Sir ?" afkcd Ro- fella trcmbhn?.

** Is is polfible !" cxcfaimcd he : '* is this abfcnce of mind real or feigned ?**

" You exceedingly diftrefs me," faid Ro- olla, with a countenaiKe that marked the truth f the aCTertion ; " pray let me walk on.'*

" Well, you Ihall walk on, and 1 will renew my enquiry — how long have you left Obernc?'

*' Left him !" repeated (he, dill more fhocked. All the ignominy of the reports in circulation was now openly expofed to her view, and almoft finking with agony, (he cxclaimec'— " What will become of me i***

The gentleman appeared much hurt on fee- ing the tears gufh in torrents from her eyes, and apologized in a hefitating voice for having un- intentionally given her pain.

** If what I now feel is fimply pain,^* cried Rofella, a8:ing the heroine without Intending it, '' what then is torture ?'*

•* I entreat you will compofe yourfelf,** faid her officious companion, " I am in de- fpir that I flumbled upon fo unf;>rtunatc a fubjea."

What he might further have faid was inter- rupted by a loud hallooing.

** Confound thofe idccts !" refumcd he,

'* they have turned back to fcek mc.**

Then obferving the increafed alarm of Ro- fella, wlio trembled, and turned very pale, ** do not be terrified,*' he dddcd, ** ihcy fiiall not iafult you." ' .^

The

120 ROfSlLA.

The prote£lion of a perfon who, not wit h- flanding what had pafled, appeared much more rational and humane than the young men he had named, whatever mortification Rofella might feel at being in a fit nation to receive it with thankfulnefs, a little re-affured her, when /he beheld Mr. Ertcourt daggering towards her, with Povey hanging on his arm, vociferating her name, to which they tacked the moft abfurd epithets of childifh endearment, accom- panying their witticifms with loud peals of laughter, the violence of which threatened to overfet the uncertain equilibrium they contriv- ed to maintain.

*' D — mn this fellow," exclaimed Mr. E{1- court, when he perceived in what manner Ro- fella was attended, " he has jockied us by G — d 1 Lefley, d*ye call this ftarting fair ?"

'' Curfe his Brutus," continued the abfurd "Povey in the fame ftrain, ** we are ouftedl— He has been doling out his fentiment, I know- it, and now he will hoax us to the devil 1"

*' What fay you my fair on^V rcfumed Edcourt, feizing the arm of Rofella, who ihrunkfrom hitn with an cxpreiTion of terror.

The young man he had called Lefley, had been whifpering to Povey, and now interfered, telling the honorable gentleman that he was not half civilized enough to addrefs a milk maid j and inftantly difengaging Rofella from his rude grafp, he walked on with her. But Mi". Eft- court v/as not fufficiently intoxicated to endure this double infult without refentment, and he almofl: immediately followed, notwithflanding the pretended efforts of his friend Povey to re- tain him : for this reptile, though he did not dare enter into a difcuilion with the more mo- derate of the three, v.as far from dcftring that

the

ReSELLA. 121

the impertinence he had meditated towards Ro- fclla, (hould in the leaft fail, and was piet^fed when the enraged Ellcourt, contriving with fome difficulty to impede her progrefs and that of her champion, vehemently demanded a par- Icy, in a tone of defiance that predi6ted it was not to be an amicable one.

Rofella too much agitated to know what (he did, and expeding only indignity at his hands, gave him a fudden pufh, and darting forward, did not ceafe running until fhe faw the cottage before her. She heard her perfccutors fhout- ing violently when fhe began her race, and fuf- pc6ted that fhe had driven Mr. Eftcourt down a fteep hill, on the edge of which he was (land- ing ; for fhe recolle6:ed that he daggered, and thought fhe had feen Lefley catch at him. Their not purfuiug her gave coloring to the idea, and an inflantaneous terror feized her, left the foolifh young man (hould be injured by the fall, and this new difafler imputed to her.

VOL. II. G CHAP.

122 ROSELLA.

CHAP. VIII.

A myjiertous manufcript^^muftcal travels.

jL he firft perfon fhe encountered on her return home was Maclean, who had not entered the houfe, but was bufily employed in a fhed, near the flower-garden, arranging his newly- acquired treafures : his compofure and extreme imconcern for her fate, diverted the diftrefs of Rofella in fome degree, by exciting her anger ; but fhe chofe to confine it to her own bofom, left Mifs Bcauclerc, on learning his negligence, fhould refent it by difmiffing him.

She found her whimfical friend feated as ufual at her writing-dcfk, and though fhe generally iournalized herfelf into a violent fit of enthu- fiaftic heroifm, Rofella had never beheld her fo extremely elevated : indeed the exploits of the day, as fhe delineated them, would have been almoft fufficicnt to have made of the moft notable houfewife, a convert to the airy doc- trines of fentiment.-and romance : no wonder then that the rehearfal of fuch pathetic and fub- ]ime fcenes fnould almoft give Mifs Beauclerc the mien of a Frinceffe dts couliffts.

She

HOSELLAi 123

She llretched her arms towards Rofella, exclaiming —

" Come to my bofom, child of my fondcft affe6lions, fwcet fooiherof thy mother's cares !'*

Rofella was at prefent little difpofed to hu- mour what file fuppofcd to be entirely a flight of fancy ; yet file advanced and received the falutation of Mifs Beauclerc, but without that effervefcence of filial adoration the good lady fully expefted, according to thofe charming examples ihe had fo often wept at, of good- natured young creatures falling in a trance of fon^cftat the feet of thofe heroic mamas, who determine to make up in carcfTes and tendernefs for the abfencc of difcretion.

" What ails my daughter ?" demanded Mifs Beauclerc, in a voice of furprife, on obfervin^ her tearful eyes and dejected countenance.

^' Oh madam V* faid Rorella, her heart burfting with emotion, '^ your favor has been moft fatal to me ! Yet I thank you mod fer- vently for your long kindnefs, and i befeech you to believe, that only one circumdance could extort frcm me a wifh to leave you, and that is, an earnefl defire to recover ihe good opinion of the world"

*' Is it poffible," exclaimed Mifs Beauclerc, *' that Rofella ftiould imagine her refidence with her haplefs mother can draw upon her the cenfure of this world, cruel as it is, of which file feems in fuch dread ? But I will not re- proach you, unhappy child ; you are, I too well fee, weary of this folitude I"

" If this place were really a folitude,'' in- terrupted Rofella, ** I might have been happy in it — I could not then have been mortified and ftiocked by infults which I am not CupnoCcd to G 2 I^avc

J-4 ROSELLA.

have a right to complain of, becaufe they ap- pear well-merited."

" What infults do you fpeak of ?" afked the fentimental lady v/ith eager curiofity.

" My vvalk'home," returned Rofella, " was interrupted by Mr. Eftcourt, Mr. Povey, and another of Lord Morteyne's guefts. I know not who could inform them of it, but they were well apprifedof my excurfion to Dunkeld, and I experienced from them the moll contemptu- ous and infolent treatment. A young. man, a perfect flranger to me, but too well betrayed the extent of thofe injurious reports in circula- tion ! Dear MifsBeauclerc, let me conjure you to return to Avelmes !"

She made no reply ; but rifing with an air of dignity, rummaged in an immenfe portable ef- crutoire, and produced a large bundle of papers, which (he put into the hands of Rofella.

" Thefe,'* faid fhe, raifing her eyes to hea- ven, and producing by the force of habit, a few tears, *' thefe contain the