Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-05-30

that with the keen eye which young men often pos
sess in such cases, he had from the first suspected
how matters stood; and it was not long before he
heard the whole history from his friend But, said
Charles in conclusion, 81 now plainly that So
| pha Robartes would not suit me. She is entirely
a slave to Appearances, and with her views and
feelings, nothing but family disunion could be eX.
pected. She looks with contempt on my relations,
who, though deficient in that manner which is
to be obtained only carly in life, possess intrinsic
merit which those who have the good sense and
courage to penetrate beyond the mere outside must
discover aud esteem"
"Wel my dear fellow" said Edward, sin my
opinion you have had happy escape but think
| must teach Miss Sophia lesson on her folly. To
be tied TO woman who lives in constant dread Of
sneers Of miscalled refined society would be wretch
ed indeed; so congratulate yourself" And Charles
did congratulate himself for his eyes being now
completely opened to the motives and opinions of
his former fair one, he could not but be struck by
the contrast between her and Miss Churchill He
saw Sophia Robarcs lovely and accomplished, with
a cultivated understanding, and mind capable of
appreciatlng everything good and noble, devoting
all her charms, calling up all her destinations, and
| bending all her energies to the task of securing
such connoxon rs should raise her in the scale
nt sncIae sa.siilias,y lending herself to the exag
gcrated expression Of admiration from a man of
whose character habits and principles, she al
most totally Ignorant merely because he was what
is called a good match On the other hand, he
saw Helen untainted by coquetty or atfectaton,
courteous and oblging to all, unnndful Of herself
intent on promoting the comfort and happiness of
those dear TO her. and as ready to produce her ac-
complIshmcnts for the qualification and amusement
of Miss lamar, for those better able to appreci-
ate them. He saw, and wondered how he could
possibly have imagined himself in love with
whose character now appeared to him so contempt
lille. He did not however, at first so plainly per-
Lea win nd rnfip
leading him. His acquaintance with her brother
had placed him in q position of intimacy with Miss
Churchill which none Of the other gentlemen en-
joyed. She liked his manners, admired his talents,
and sympathised with the noble and generous SEN
tments he expressed, and with the benevolent and
enlightened view he took of the advantages and
opportunities afforded by his situation in life, as an
extensive manufacturer, of bene!itting his fellow
creatures. Her esteem for his character was much
increased by his conduct towards his sister, and by
the manner in which, when occasion required, he
spoke of the rest of his family, whose pUculiarities
she had heard described and ridiculed by the Mis-
SEES Robartes. When young lady and gentleman
begin with mutual esteem and admiration, it is not
difficult for lockers to see where it is most prob
able they will end. But Charles had not yet dared
to hope, nor had thought Of him Il lover ever
crossed Helen's mind and the time fixed for their
leaving Buxton was fast approaching. 1t had been
settled that, previous to their departure, the Rob
sire, the Loves, together with several young ladies
and gentlemen staying at the same hotel, should
make an excursion to Castleton to view the many
wonders of the Peak. Various emotions were
brought into play by tie prospect Of this trip. Ed
ward Churchill, true to his determination Of teach
ing Sophia, that if she would be female frt, she
must expect to meet with masculine jllts had paid
her such attention as might fairly permit the infer
ence that he admired her exceedingly, and that
more unlikely things had happened than that he
should wish to make her his wife.
So Sophia attired herself most becomingly and
thought that, wandering amidst the romantic scene
ry of the Peak the anticipated offer surely must be
made: whilst Edward soliloquised-" Now for the
finale; must bid Miss Sophia polite adieu. Pity
| cannot write letter of esteem and protfered
friendship" In pursuance of his plan, Edward Sc
lected Miss lamar as the object Of his assduous
and most devoted attentions on their drive conduct
ed her with the utmost gaantry through the vaul-
ted passages and widely .arched chambers Of the
cavern of the Peak, would allow no one to
make the passage of the Styx with her but himself,
and finished by giving her his arm i'll walking back
to the inn. Here Miss lamar declared her nabil-
ity to proceed any farther in search Of wonders
and prospects, and made known her determination
to give herself "comfortable rest and warm"
whilst they mounted the hill where stand the ruins
Of the once proud castle of the Peak.
"Really, Mr.. Edward" said one of the young la
dies when they were some little distance from the
inn, {" how absent you are don't you see Miss So
phia Robartes walking alone !"
Indeed Miss Sophia" exclaimed he, 81 beg
your pardon do, pray, accept my arm"
Deeply mortified though she was, she judged it
better to pass over his neglect quietly but as she
accepted his profiered assistance, she remarked
"you seem to have enjoyed yourself much, MIR. Ed
ward 2"
There was touch of reproach in the tone Of her
} voice but his heart callous, and he answered
liz ,,ch | in
terested and amused"
"Ah," said the lady, smiling afectedly, "you are
such quiz"
"a quiz" he replied; "excuse me for repeating
your words so rudey, but do not understand what
I you mean"
"Oh, Mr.. Edward said Sophia, you know We
ry well you have been quizzing; that is, laughing
at Miss lamar Love-"
"lndeed you mistaken" replied he: "of course
see Miss Tamar's eccentricities, and think them
I, amusing; but to draw her out for the purpose of
rdiculing her myself or mrth to others, is an act
Of which hope and believe am incapable. re-
spect and esteem her highly: no one can help do
+, ing so, who is acquainted as am with her many
eXcellencies; and if other motive restrained me,
the sister of my friend she is safe from any such
attempt on my part"
Sophia saw that she had got wrong and to change
r the subject began to talk of leaving Buxton, of
how much she had enjoyed herself, and wondered
when the same party would meet again.
; "Some of us, hope, soon" said Edward 'Lowe
is going with me to Oaklands, and after that | in
tend to renew my acquaintance with ililderson. |
suppose he has got charming bachelor establish
7 ment; but if | am not very much mistaken, he
would rather have complete establishment for ttco.
What do you think, Miss Sophia"
Completely thrown off her guard by the concu-
/, ding part Of This speech, imagining that she must
have been mistaken in Edwards motives, and that
his intentions the whole time had been to interest
her for his friend and not for HIMSELF she replied,
81 believe you are quite correct: TO my knowledge,
he has made some attempts in that way; but he is
too ambitious. MIR. Lowe must look for wife in
. his own class, for no woman accustomed TO good
society could put up with his host of vulgar rela-
tons"
"Do you think SO Z" said Edward cooy; 81
scarcely thought to have heard such an objection
advanced in these days, when almost every one has
vulgar relations of one kind or another but can