Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-05-21
CHAPTER I.

1t was the first of May, the marriage day
of the Viscount Montressor, of Montressor
Cvstle, Dorsetshire, and Estelle, only daugh-
ter and heir of Sir Parke Moreile, Hyde Hall,
Devonshire.
A glorious morning the cloudless, blue
sky smiled down upon the green hills and
dewy dales, and deep woods of Devon; and
the yard around the Hall was alive and mu-
steal, with the joyous songs of birds, and the
merry laughter of young men and maidens
gathering to celebrate their May day festival,
and to do honor to the marriage of their land
lords daughter.
The elm shaded, winding avenue that led
from the highway to the house, was arched at
each terminus by a mammoth wreath of flow.
ers, and many were the carriages that passed
under them, on their way to assist at the
weddings and these contained only the
bridesmaids, and the nearest friends and rela-
tiyes Of the family, whose relationship or DO
sition gave them them the right to attend the
bride to church for still more numerous
party had been invited to meet at the altar
The villagers and tenants, grouped about
under the shade of the great old trees, or wan
dering over the greensward on either side the
avenue, watched these equipages as they
rolled on, commenting as usual upon such
occasions.
"Oh, dear me the weddingers won't pass
till nearly twelve and here we are to wait
two mortal hours y said young girl to the
gamekeeper.
"HuSh, my darling, look, here comes his
lordship's carriage, itself, just as sure as you
are the prettiest lass in the country"
1t ooa5 Lord Montressor's carriage.
Early that morning, note from his aft
anced bride, had been put up his hands, sum
monning him to private conference with her
at the Hall, before they should proceed to
the church. Surprised and filled with vague
uneasness, his lordship lost no time in obey
ing the behest.
Within the most secluded of her richly fur
nisLed apartments at the old Hall, half buried
in the depths of a cushioned chair, reclined
the bride expectant in bridal array.
She was alone, her attendants having, by
her own desire, withdrawn.
Estelle Morelle-or ala belle Estelle,'
''Beautiful Stella "The Midnight STAR
as, for her resplendent dark beauty, she was
| POLITICALLY named-was at this time twenty
five years of age, and more lovely than a
poets or artists ideal. Her form was of me-
dunn height, and very slender though we'll
rounded, with a graceful head, over which
fell rich masses OF jet black silken ringlets,
shading face of pure, pale olive complexion,
with large, mournful, dark eyes, habituslly
yelled by the long, dropping lashes, and DELI
cate, though full, curved lips, ever patiently
closed as in silent resignation. The prevail
ing expression of her dark brilliant counte-
nance was profound melancholy.
The announcement of Miss Morelle's APP
preaching marriage with the Vicount Mon
tressor, had created profound sensation in
the aristocratic and fashionable circles. A
peerless beauty, the only child and heyess of
IF tlln ol6aat xVeolfnineF Al 49,
onets in the west of England, her heart had
been as much the object of aspiration to the
youthful and ardent, as her hand and for
tune had been the end or desire to the mer-
cenary and ambitious. o
At the early age of seven years, Estelle had
been placed at one of the first class female in
situations nf learning at Paris, then as now,
considered among the very best of their kind
in the world, and there had been left to Ie-
main until her sixteenth year, when the sud-
den and calamitous breaking up of the insti-
tuition, and her own severe illness, had oeca-
stoned her removal. That illness lad been at.
tended NTH marked changes IN the constellation
and temperament Of the young girl.
Estelle, previously the most careless light
hearted and capricious of children, left her
chamber of convaleseence subdued, thought
full, melancholy woman. The laughing lips
Of girlhood closed in patient silence; the
sparkling eyes sbeathed their beams under
long, shadowy lashes, now seldom lifted the
silvery, elastic voice, sank into deep and
thrilling tones the free, glad motions were
measured and controlled.
She never entered another school, but com
pleted her education under the best masters,
at home. To dissipate what was considered
transient melancholy, her parents Travelled
with her over Europe, pausing at each capt.
tai and chief town, to show her all that was
interesting and instructive. But though
their daughter repaid their attentions with
the sweetest gratitude, and obeyed them with
the gentlest docility, she showed no interest
in the passing scenes. And though every
where her extreme beauty and sweetness of
disposition, not less than her fortune and po.
sition. drew around her many friends and adj
mirers, Estelle remained alone in her isolated
thoughts and feelings. Every most distin-
guished physician in Europe had been con-
suited upon her case, and the result of their
wisdom was decision that this melancholy
was not the effect of i'll health, still less of Sc
cret sorrow, but that it was a constitutional
phase that would probably pass away with
maturing years.
They returned to England, presented their
daughter at court, and introduced her into all
the gaieties OF fashionable life. But with no
happy effect upon the spirits of Estelle, who
remained profoundly unmoved amid the
eclat that greeted her debut. Her picturesque
beauty was the theme of all tongues-her
mournful glance was fascfnating-her deep
tone thrilling-her touch magnetic; all felt
her power, yet che who could move all others
remained unimpressed. She who sought no
copquesIs, for that very reason perhaps made
many. "A peer and two commoners, in sue.
cession, laid their fortunes at her feet, and
were in turn kindly and firmly rejected.
SO passed her FIRST season in London, at the
close Of which her parents took her down to
their seat in Deyonshire. Here, in her quiet,
thoughtful, unostentatious manner, she en-
gagged in works of beneyolence among the
villagers and the tenantry. And her father,
hoping much from this employment, gave her
full liberty of action, and smiled to see that
she seemed less pensiyo than before.
AT the beginning Of the parliamentary
term, tho family went up to London.
And It was here in her second season in
town that Estelle formed an acquaintance
Of Lord Montrossor, young nobeman but
lately acceded to his titles and estates, but al.
ready known as q man OF the most high toned
moral and intellectual existence, as q right
eous as well as o rising statesman, and as