Star.
London, England, 1826-05-22 00:00:00

uncles, for more asaa two hours, without the least
Sign of impatience. ...
On reaching the inn, I introduced myself to her, nut
by telling her my name, nor indeed, any otherwise than
by saying that the carriage would be ready in a
moment. I then talked of her journey, of the rain, of a
curious clock which we could see from the inn windows,
and, indeed, of any thing that might prevent her asking
questions for which I should have no answers.
She was not in the least alarmed, but answered me
cheerfully and aptly upon every subject. In ten minutes
the carriage was ready. She held my arm whilst I
stood in the hall talking to a waiter, joined me in
wishing the landlady good day, and entered the car-
riage amidst a crowd of idle gazers, whom my hurried
arrival had collected round the inn. She had very often
been at Manchester, and knew perfectly that the horses'
heads were turned in an opposite direction to the road
to Shrigley. When I entered the carriage, the wooden
blinds were. raised. I lowered them, fearing that such
an appearance of concealment might excite curiosity ;
and, after asking her if she had forgotten nothing,
ordered the boys to drive on.
The first thing I said to her in the carriage was, f, Do
you know why you har been sent for from school ?"-
4. Yes." she said, 4, AM - •ttlby told me, though she
was desired not to tell me, tnat my mother is ill." I
immediately assured her that this was not the case ;
that I had reasons for deceiving Miss Daulby ; that
Mrs. Turner was, I believed, quite well; and that the
should have a full explanation by and by, She seemed
gratified tb learn that her mother was not ill, and neither
expressed, nor sheaved, the least anxiety to know more.
I then exerted every power of my mind to amuse and
please her. My great object was to draw her out ;to
see what sort of a mind she had ; to learn what had
been her eduation, and what were her opinions, man-
ners, and habits.
I soon discovered (what our subsequent close intimacy
has fully confirmed) that she has a vivid imagination,
and a judgment beyond her years. Why, then, it may
be asked, were not her suspicions excited? Because, I
answer, her imagination enabled me to discover at once
the subjects- that interested her, and by turning that
discovery to account, to make myself an object of inte-
rest to her : and she felt no alarm in my company,
because her judgment enabled her to see and feel the
great pains that I took to treat her with the delicate and
respectful, yertender kindness, that her extraordinary
situation demanded.
It must be difficult for any one to imagine what ac-
tually occurred; but I assert, that if she had been a
fool. (as the newspapers have industriously represented
her), she would probably have hesitated to continue the
journey with me. As it was, not even a shadow of alarm,
or even of suspicion, ever crossed her mind. .
A stale of high excitement caused my spirits to over.
flow. She was almost equally elated. We talked and
laughed incessantly. Never in my life did I say so.
much in the same time. All subjects came under dis-
cussion—the gravest and the most ridiculous—the most
important and the most trifling. Her quickness, ima-*
giaation, and good sense, astonished and delighted me.
lustead of having to bring my conversation down to
the-capacity of an ordinary school girl, I found that I
mild talk on at random, and that sheunderstood every
word I said. She, too, was gratified to discover that I
enjoyed her display 4 a natural wit and keen sense of
thexidiculous, with wh ch she is gifted. Marriages, it
is said, are made in Heaven. Ours was made by the
first two hours of our conversation. .
It may be asked-if f had found her ugly, ignorant,
and vulgar, as she had once been described to me, what
should I have done ? My mind was quite made up.-
1 should have taken her back to Liverpool, desired the
schoolmistress to send for Mr. Turner, and should have
left with her, for him, a partial account of my freak—
urging him to conceal it for his child's sake. I had not
mentioned marriage to her. As my motives for taking
her back would never have been suspected, so my am.
rives for taking her away Would never have been disco-
vered. I intended to have refused all explanation upon
the subject, beyond admitting an act of seeming folly,
and in part describing what would have been considered
an unfathomable mystery. I trusted to Mr. Turner's
good sense to keep the secret. At all events, that 1111;
my intention.
If she had felt alarmed, and had objected to travelling
with me, I should have made for Buxton, and should
have seat her home with the landlady of? the Buxton
Hotel. In this case, as my object in taking her away
would have been suspected, I should neither have ap-
peared nor have Written ; and I had, by many precau-
tions, taken care to conceal the real actor in what would
have been called ag an unsuccessful attempt to run away
with Miss Turner." But instead of having to fulfil
either of these intentions, every thing conspired to con-
firm my main reulution.
No one can imagine the pains I took to know my
future wile—and finding her, as I did, all that is de-
lightful, how I strove to interest her, and to make her
pleased with me. That I succeeded there can be no
doubt; for when, having made up my mind to propose
marriage to her, I asked her whether she knew where
she was going? she answered, “ No; but I suppose you
do ? and Ido not wish to be told. I rather enjoy the
uncertainty." I informed her that she was ring into
Yorkshire, and that she would probably meet her lather
at Huddersfield. ei Very well," she replied ; and she
then reverted to the conversation which had been broken
off by my question. This occurred after we had left
Manchester about three hours.
As we proceeded we still talked incessantly, and
often alluded to the strangeness of our situation. I
gradually assumed towards her a manner which I can-
not readily describe. It was not studied :it was per-
fectly natural. I behaved to her as I would to a beloved
sister, whom I had joined, after separation from child•
hood, and whom my whole soul was bent upon pleasing,
with careful reserve, and yet with the most affectionate
frankness—with intimacy without familiarity, and with
the greatest, the most marked and thoughtful kindness,
but with no more tenderness than any man of feeling ,
would display to a helpless woman, accidentally placed
.-
wider his sole protection.
She was, I suppose, pleased by tide Osialler dowdy. bee. I,
what means I cannot tell farther ; bat that she was pleased I 1:'
soon ample proof.
As we approached Huddersfield, I mentioned...the
pouibility of our not meeting her father there, and of
her having to travel on with me till the following day.
INow, her love for her father is unbounded, and forms,
perhaps, the must marked trait of her character. Yet,
as she has since often assured me, she was agreeably
disappointed at hearing that she might not see him so
soon, and that she might continue to travel with me till
the next day. Few will'believe this ; but it is strictly true;
and I know so well her love of truth, and sense of jus.
1
rice, that Lam sure she will confirm my assertion. I
am sot such a coxcomb as to say that she was in love