Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1845-05-15
Whole Number 2Gi.

for the lower orders! and then it's SO easy
for them to obtain--easy as their own ba-
can, milk and eggs"
every often, Madam, replied lngle'
wood, with some emphasis; nay, to often,
quite as easy"
"But with US, who are constantly
troubled with thousand things, content
ment would be as out Of place as gypsy
in court suit think, if ever IN my
life | was TO feel perfectly and truly con-
tent, should expire on the instant"
I'VE pray against sudden death" said
Inglewood, solenlnly.
"Lud!" cried the countess, startled by
her chaplain's tone-"don't name til
do most heartily. Don't talk Of it'd
forgot-you had something to say, Mr.
IngIewood;"
"Wil you forgive, me madam, said the
chaplain, if presuming on my function, |
interfere with matters in this house, as |
bave been told, not within my duties;"
"Mr IngIewood! cried the countess,
with some surprise, throwing me upon the
table, "Pray go on, sir; as a clergyman,
nothing, sir, should be below your inter"
ference that"
"That affects the peace Of mind--tho
happiness of q felow-crealurc," added
lnglewood.
every right sir; very right: as a Chris
tian minister Of the Established Church,
nothing less should be expected of YOU
| have the greatest opinion of your NOR
ais. Mr. 1nglewood tt greatest, I on
ly hope that the earl-for | Can perceive,
by your manner, that is lordship you are
about to speak"
"Indeed madam-I-"
The interruption was in vain. The
countess, with increasing rapidty Of
speech-accompanicd with gestures that
left nothing for the chaplain to do, save
to wait with resignation the silence Of the
talkcr-coniinucd TO repeat her sentiments
Of confidence in the judgment, vigilance
and devotion of the divine, together with
hints and suspicious directed at the con-
nubial loyalty of his lordship, towards
whom her vanity took the place of love.
1t was her instant and fixed belief that
her chaplain-the man of peace--was
about to vindicate his functions by be-
coming domestic tell-talc; that he was
about to prove himself her faithful friend,
by making her the "most wretched wo-
man"
At lenglh--Gor even the tongue Of a
vain and jealous woman will stop IAN in
yincible proofof the ending of all moral
things at length the countess was silent
and, throwing herself back in her chair,
with deepest devotion of a domestic hero
inc, was prepared for the worst. She had
always felt that she was reserved by fate
for something dreadful, and the moment
was arrived! The earl was tickle, false
and selfish man, and she-sweet martyr
to the morriag e-servicc-she alas! was
his wife.
Madam, said Inglcwood, somewhat
abashed and coafounded by the energy of
the countess, were base enough-but
no''--and the chaplain stammered, aud
his face for minute hushed-'I have nc
word to speak Of the earl; we're there that
to say Of him which your ladysbip's fears
most groundless fears, | am sure
would listen to, it would little suit my
place or nature to utter it,"
"What does the man mean" asked the
countess, Odd you not say that you
had to speak Of something that affected
happiness and peace of mind-and all
that"
"Irue, madam" answered lnglewood,
"Well, then-and to whose happiness,
to whose peace of mind could you posi-
bly, allude, if"
"Will your ladyship hear NE? will
be very brief" sad the chaplain, with
an inward twinge-a rising of the heart
at the sellishness ofthe beauty before him,
ooh, say what you LIKE suppose l
must hear you" answered the countess,
again taking me from the table, aud pet
tishly waving me about her.
ga person in your ladyship's has com
mitted a fault"
"Of course, said the countess-such
creatures do nothing else
"She has proved not trustworthy in tho
duty confded to her. -"
II hear of nothing else, cried the coun-
tess, waving me more violent, Let her be
be turned away Immediately"
"You will pardon me, madam: she was