Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-02-17

Lucy has won The love of every heart.
These people, too, have known her from
her chlldh0od"
"That is a grand place, indeed :"
said Lucy, ms, toward the close OF their
second days Journey, they approached
an ancient and almost prncely edItice
60 but does our road lie through the
park I"
"Not exactly through the park" he
replied "bm thought my Lucy might
like 10 see these fine grounds, and the
house and gard,ns. have known
tho gardener and the housekeeper for
years, aud ! am sure we shall find them
very civil, and willing to show US any
little attention in their power aud we
have time enough, though the sun is get
ting low, for we are just at home"
|, Lucy was delighted. She had never
seen q noblcman's house before, she
said.
"Well ! all those large rooms, and the
pictures, and all the fine furniture, arc
very grand" said Lucy "but my eyes
ache with looking at them | like this
/ garden u great deal better. What a
beautiful one it is! but may we sit
down in this arbor Of honeysuckle so
near the house :"
\ Lucy sat in silence for some little time,
gazing round her at the venerable house,
and tho trees aud gardens. AT length,
she said,
Il o.l # al nd
place is happy Is the Earl Of Derby
good man, dear husband Is he kind
and lree-spok-n to the poor ? Is he a
married man :" she added, looking with
smile Of peculiar sweetness in her hus-
bands face.
elbow many questions have YOU given
me TO answer, Lucy Let me consider
Yes, he is married man: he mar
ricd, not many months ago, a young
country girl, such another as yourself,
dear Lucy"
/ "Poor thing ~ said Lucy, and she
sighed from her very heart.
\ "Why do you sigh, my own wife :" he
demanded. "Do you envy that poor
county maiden :"
"Do l envy her :" she replied, in a
voice of tender reproach; "what a strange
question:! Do | envy any one 2" and
as she said this, she drew more closely
around her the arm which encircled her
slender waist f; "would ] exchange my
husband with any one>!" she added,
booking up tendery and lovingly. into his
face 81 sighed in pity for the poor
young lady (ior lady she is now } such
a change is enough TO turn her head ~
/ "Would it turn yours, Lucy 2" he
said.
Perhaps it might" she replied, in
the simplest and most natural manner.
"But is she really happy ? Does she
love him for himself alone 2"
"Aly sweet Lucy" he began, and as
he spoke, his wife thought he had never
before seemed so tcnderIy respectful to-
wards her "my sweet Lucy, you alone
can answer these last questions you
smile ! see you look amazed upon
me but repeat II, you alone !"
"But first" said Lucy, very artlessIy,
81 must be lady here you must make
me Countess Of Derby :"
/ She had scarcely said this, when, from
one OF the castle turrets, a bell began to
toll. Clifford rose up instantly, and,
without saying word, led his wife to
the castle. They entered the chapel
there, in which the servants and the
tenants had all assembled, and the chap
lain was preparing to commence the
evening service then Leading the won
dering Lucy into the midst of them, he
presented her TO them as their future
mistress, the Countess OF Derby, his
|, wife
/ Lucy did not speak she could scarce
ly stand the color forsook her face, and
she looked as one about to faint. She
the domestics around her, and at last
she began to comprehend everything
Eagerly she seized her husbands hand,
which she had dropped in her surprise,
now ailectionately EXTENDED to her );
then, with an effort that was very visible,
but which gave new interest to her in
the eyes of all present, she regaincd
somewhat Of her natural und modest
self possession and, raising her inno-
cent face, she courtesied to the ground,
and met the respectful greeting of those
around her with smiles, which, perhaps,
spoke more at once to the heart than the
best wisdom Of words. The Earl of
Derby led his wife to his own seat, and
placed her beside him.
Lucy knel, down upon a cushion
of embroidered velvet, with The sculp-
tured escutcheons and stately banners Of
the house Of Derby above her; but,
perhaps, Of all the high-born danes Of
that ancient family, none ever knelt
there with a purer heart, or with an
humber spirit, than that LowLy LADY.
n