New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-05-25

op aSAftH it5eli, LnrOugn lOftu OueS uedu, .
Grows dearer day by day.
Heaven is not far from those who see
With the pure spirits sight,
But near, and in the very hearts
OF those who see Alright.
,yanuary, 1857. d. STUART.
The Island Princess,
--
ROMANCE OF THE OLD AND NEW WORLD.
By EMMA D. 3. N. sOUTHwoRTH,
Author T s2,S es sTs Wife, 1.-THE
CHAPTER I.
An INTERRUPTED WEDDING l.
1t was the first Of May, the marriage day of the
Viscount Montressor of Montressor Castle, Dorset
shire, and Estelle, only daughter and heress of Sir
Parke Morelle, Hyde Hall, Deyonshire.
A glorious morning the clOudless, blue sky smiled
down upon the green hills and dewy dales and deep
woods of Devon; and the park around the Hall was
all alive and musical with the joyous songs of birds
and the merry laughter Of young men and maidens
gathering to celebrate their Mayday festival and to
do honor to the marriage Of their landlords daughter
The elm-shaded, winding avenue that led from the
highway to the house, was arched at each terminus
by mammoth wreath of flowers, and many were the
carriages that passed under them on their way to as
sist at the wedding and these contained only the
bridesmaids and the nearest friends and relatives of
the family, whose relationship position gave them
the right to attend the bride to church for still
more numerous party had been invited to meet her at
the altar. The villagers and tenants, grouped about
under the shade of the great old trees wandering
over the greensward on either side the avenue,
watched these equpages as they rolled on, comment
ing as usual on such occasions
"Oh-dear me the weddingers won't pass till
nearly twelve! and here we are to wait two mortal
hours! said young girl to the gamekeeper
Hush my darling, look, here comes his Lordships
carriage itself as sure as you're the prettiest lass
1t tcas Lord Montressors carriage.
Early that morning a note from his affianced bride
had been put in his hands summoning him to pri-
vate conference with her at the, Hall, before they
should proceed to the church. Surprised and filled
with vague uneasiness his lordship lost no time in
obeying the behest.
Within the most secluded of her suite of richly
furnished apartments at the old Hail. halfburied 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desire, withdrawn.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
dark beauty, she was POLITICALLY named-was at this
time twenty-five years of age and more lovely than
poets or an artists ideal. Her form was of medium
height and very slender, though well.rounded, with
graceful head, over which fell rich masses of jet
black silken ringlets, shading face ofLpure, pale
olive complexion with large mournful dark eyes,
habitualy yelled by the long, dropping lashes, and
delicate, though full, curved lips, ever patiently
closed as in silent resignation. The prevailing ex-
preston of her dark brilliant countenance was pro-
found melancholy.
The announcement of Miss Morelles approaching
marriage with the Viscount Montressor had created
profound sensation in the fashionable and arstocratc
circles peerless beauty the only child and heiress
Of the oldest, wealthest and hanghtest baronet in
the West of England, her heart had been as much
the object of aspiration to the youthful and ardent,
as her hand and fortune had been the end Of desire to
the mercenary and ambitious.
he n ep nj Snyn hal
placed at one of the rstclass female institutions Of
learning at Paris, then as now, considered among the
very best of their kind in the world and there had
been left to remain until her sixteenth year. when the
sudden and caamtous breaking up of the institution
and her own severe illness, had occasioned her
moval. That illness had been attended ,cith marked
changes in the constitution and temperament Of the
young girl
Esteile previously the most careless, lighthearted
and capricious of children left her chamber of
valescence subdued, thoughtful, melancholy woman!
The laughing lips of grhood closed in patient sad
ness the sparkling eyes sheathed their beams under
long, shadowy ashes, 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 completed
her education under the best masters, at home. To
dssipate what was considered transient melancholy
her parents Travelled with her Europe pausing at
each capital and chief town, to show her all that
interesting and instructive. But though their daugh-
ter repaid their attentions with the sweetest gratitude
|
showed interest in the passing scenes. And though
everywhere her extreme beauty and sweetness of dis
position, not less than her fortune and position drew
around her many friends and admirers, Estelle re-
NAMED alone in her isolated thoughts and f eings.
Every most distinguished physician in Europe had
been consulted 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 secret sorrow, but
that it 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 gaetes of
fashionable life. But with no happy effect upon the
spirits of Estele, who remained profoundly unmoyed
amid the eclat that greeted her debut. Her pictu.
rescue beauty was the theme Of all tongues-her
mournful glance was ascinatng--her deep tones
thrilling--her touch magnetic; all felt her power
yet she who could move all others, remained unim
pressed. She who sought conquests for that very
reason, perhaps, made many. A peer and two com
moners, in succession 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 il
Deyonshire. Here, in her thoughtful quiet unosten
tatious manner she engaged in works OF benevoence
among the villagers and tenantry. And her father
hoping much from this employment, gave her full
liberty OF action and smiled to see that she seemed
less pensve than before.
AT the beginning of the parliamentary term, thu
family went up to London.
And it was here in her second season in town tina
Estele formed the acquaintance of Lord Montressor
young nobleman but lately acceded to his titles ant
estates, but already known man of the mos
; heightened moral and intellectual excellence, as
righteous as well rising statesman, and as one
) who in the event of change of ministry would b
likely to fill high official position in His Majesty
, cabinet. Aside from the glare Of rank and wealt
and power, Charles Montressor was glorious speci
men of the Creators workmanship. Above the avel
age standard of height among his countrymen, broad
5 shouldered and deep-chested with noble head an
a face full of wisdom and goodness, his appearance
truly indicated the warm benevolence, clear INTEL
gence and pure spirit of the man. His presenc
soon inspired Estelle with faith that she had nc
been able to feel in any other that approached he
He drew nearer to her than any other had been PEI
mitted to come he crossed the magic of her isoli
tion and c0nyersed with her other had been n
J lowed to do. The world looked and said that til
!, beautiful Stella had at last met her MASTER and wa
9 conquered
D At this stage of affairs, the parliamentary teri
being over, Sir Parke Morelle and his family left Lo
a don for Hyde Hail.
y Lord Montressor asked and received permission
:, follow them, and in less than a month awaited hin
self of the privilege to do Thus was in the HON
of her ancestors after having obtained the cord
IN sanction of her parents, and believing himself
OF the affections of their daughter, Lord Monresst
~ offered his heart and hand TO the lovely Estee,
was to his profound establishment instantly and firm
rejected In thus rejecting his suit she wept Ion
and bitterly praying his forgiveness that the hapr
H. ness she had experienced and exhibited in his socie
should have betrayed him into making this deearatio
hft.N,