Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-03-19
VOLUME i3---NUMBER D.

QuflliH AffE1T NY tEdiki
affected BY the climate, and my unceasing anxi-
cry about Eliza brought on that cruel auack Of
fever from which, under your good nursing, am
but progressing towards recovery.
''Had you not been al Liverpool to meet me.
hardly should have desired 10 be carried on
shore, so completely had illness prostrated all my
energies. From my agent, to whom immedi.
ately applied on landing, received two letters
from Eliza, but they were not calculated to COM
fort me. for she persisted in the imprudence we
should commit in acknowledging our attachment.
This morning have received another, through
the same channel, for have not given her my
addresses, not knowing whether you might not
pursue your original intention Of making a tour.
This letter is, think, much more satisfactory
than the former ones. She entreats me 10 make
an attempt to visit her, and says she is leaving
home with her father on round Of visits, and
mentions among others that she is to spend some
days at the Palace at Worcester"
While Capt.. Mortimer had been speaking, Lady
Clara hadremained SILENT butevidently much agi-
tated, at the conclusion Of his recital, she SAID
"Hary, the story of your grief has much af-
fected met arises from serious cause. Eliza
Dormer is coquette, and better link your fate
with an unvenomed reptile than with such be.
ing: butt US hope that she may not be irrevoca-
bly, one, for then would your sorrows be without
avail. She may be but misled by youthful folly,
and counsel may amend her. The Bishop of
Worcester and his lady are we'll known to me,
will call on them, and invite Sir George and his
daughter here. If find, after diligent search
into her character, that her heart is sufficiently
healthy to ally ii safely with yours, will do my
utmost to obtain her fathers consent; but if it be
cankered by that loathsome vice Of conquetry,
not only would sooner follow you to your grave
than advance your marriage, but will endeqvCr
by every means to prevent it,"
"My dear aunt, must have done Eliza injus-
tice; believe me, ,sheis no oconquette. What have
said to make you think so ill of her?"
"Alas! Harry, your description has left no doubt
on my mind that hers is tainted by the germs of
that dangerous vice; but let us hope that it may
be but tainted, and not thoroughly diseased.
will go TO Worcester tomorrow, pay my visit,
and if find Sir George Dormer, to whom my
family are well known, will invite him to visit
Dorngcourt ere he leave Worcestershire"
Lady Clara was not one 10 promise and not
perform, and early the next day she was on her
way to Worcester. Her invitation TO Doring-
court met with an immediate assent, and was fix
ed for that day week; their stay, Sir George said,
could be but short, they were expecting friends
at home within afortnight. Not a word was said
of Captain Mortimer, and Lady Clara insisted on
her nephew not apprising Eliza of his being res
ident there. She wished 10 Judge of her con-
duct under surprise at meeting him.
"You might, and ldoubt not, would be easily
deceived" said she; "but shall not be so: eve
ry turn Of her countenance, every word she may
utter; her very silence will enable me to detect
the extent to which she may be coquotte."
On the appointed day, Sir George and Miss
Dormer arrived and Lady Clara watched the lat
ter most assidiously. On first seeing Capt. Nor
timer, which her hostess took care should not be
under the restraint of her fathers presence, she
turned so pale, that Lady Clara mentally exclaim.
ed, "he is not indifferent to her, and all may be
WE'LL" On first percevng him she had started
forward, but remembering Lady Clara's presence,
stopped, trembling and irresolute. Harry, who
was still feeble, and walked with some difficulty,
caught her hands, and atera few indistinct words,
said
"Dear Eliza, my aunt knows all, have told
her of our mutual attachment"
"Oh, how imprudent!" exclaimed Eliza; "but
you will not, madam, you will not, trust, beray
me to my father!"
"We will talk of that another time" answer
ed Lady Clara; forthe present your secret. though
an unwise and doubtful one, is sale;" and with
these words she left them together.
Sir George Dormer's meeting with Captain
Mortimer was most cordial; he evidently harbor-
ed no suspicion of the existing attachment. At
dinner large party assembled; for Lady Clara
had purposely invited all the gay young men of
which the neighborhood could boast. Eliza pass
ed that days ordeal without incurrng the slight
est censure from her hostess, who was too just
not to perceive the difficult position in which she
was placed, and that if she permitted her atten-
ton to be partly engrossed by some of the visit
ors, it might be the better to conceal her real
feelings from her father.
Lady Clara took an early opportunity of con-
versng with Sir George Dormer, spoke fatter-
ingly Of his daughters appearance and manner
and then begged to claim the privilege of an old
friend of the family, and enquire if any alliance
was on the tapis for Miss Dormer.
"That, madam" replied Sir George, sis an in.
quiry somewhat difficult to answer. A marriage
was settled for her before she could we'll have
chosen for herself, and my word pledged to an
old brother officer to bestow her hand on his son
should find their characters not too dissimilar
Eliza was left in ignorance of this treaty, but or
meeting eyoung man, (whosenameis Denham,,
she appeared so pleased with him, that acquain
ted her with the promise had made his father
Would you beieveit, Lady Clara, from that houl
her conduct changed; she took every opportun
ty of avoiding him, and received the attention o
any one in preference. At one moment suspec
ted her Of liking your nephew, but since we re-
turned to England others seem equally to have at
tracted her; and as never mean to force my
chid's inclinations, can only hope that Den
hams excellent character and amiable dispos
ton may in the end prevail"
Lady Clara's fear became strengthened; bu
she said as carelessly as she could ~