Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-05-30
CHAPTER /
AN INTERRUPTED WEDDING.

heiress OF Sir Pdrke Morelle, Hyde llall, Dew
q onshire
A glorious morning the cloudess, 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 laugh
ter of young men and maidens gathering to eel
citrate their May-Lay 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 a mammoth wreath of flow
ers, and many were the carriages that passed
under them, on their way to assist at the we'd
ding. and these contained only the bridesmaids,
and the nearest friends and relatives of the fam
lily, whose relationship or position gave them
the right to attend the bride to church for a
still more numerous party had been invited to
meet her at the altar. The villagers and ten
ants, grouped about under the shade Of the
great old trees, or wandering over the green
sward on either side the avenne, watched these
-equpages as they rolled on commenting as usu-
al on such occasions.
"Oh-dear me the weddingers won't pass
ill nearly twelve and here we are to wait Nv o
mortal hours said young girl TO the game
keeper.
''Iush my darling look here comes his
Loldshps carriage, itself, just sure as you re
the prclliest lass in the country"
1t tras Lord Montressor's carriage.
Early that morning note from his aflanced
bride had been put in his hands summoning him
TO private conference with her at the Hall,
before they should proceed to the church. Sur
pIsed and filled with vague uneasiness, his lord
ship lost no time in obeyng the behest.
Within the most secluded of her suite of
richly furnished apartments at the old Hall.
halt-buried in the depths of cushioned chair,
.reclined the bride expecant in bridal array.
She was alone, her attendants having by her
own desire, withdrawn.
Estolle Morelle-or 'la belle Estelle, a"
"Beauiifnl Stella" "the Midnight Siar'-as,
aor her Respondent dark beauty, she was poet
ically named-was at this time twenty-five
years of age, and more lovely than poets or
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 ringleis, shading a
face of pure, pale olive complexion with large
mournfd dark eyes, habiiuaiiy veIled by the
long, dropping lashes, and delicate, though full
curved lips, ever patiently closed as in silent
resignation. The prevailing expression of hel
dark, brilliant counenance, was PROFOUND
melancholy.
The announcement of Miss Morellc's APP
preaching marriage with the Viscount Mon
tressor had created profound sensation in the
fashionable and arslocratic circles. A peer
less beauty, the only child and heiress Of til,
oldest, wealthest and haughtiest baronet in III,
West of England, her heart had been as mucl
the object of aspiration TO the youthful and ar
dent, as her hand and fortune had been the EN-
of desire 10 the mercenary and ambitious.
At the early age of seven years, Estele hat
been placed al one of the frst-class female in
s,itutions of learning at Paris, then as now
considered among the very best Of their kind il
the world, and there had been left 10 renal
until her sixteenth year, when the sudden an
calamitous breaking up of the institution, an
her own severe illness, had occasioncd her re
moval. That illness had been attended uit
marked changes in The constitution and tcmpcrt
meat Of The young girl.
Estslle, previously the most careless, lgh
hearted and capricous OF children, left her chan
anchoy woman! The laughing lips of cir
hood closed in patient sadness the sparkln
eyes shcathed their heams under long, shadow
lashes, nor. seldom lifted the svery, easi
voice, sank into deep and thrilling tones Il
free, glad motions were measured and control
ed.
She never entered another school, but col
pleted her education under the best masters,
home To dissipate what was considered
transient melancholy, her parents travelled wi
her over Europe, pausing at each capital a
chief town, to show her all that was nere
ing and instructive. But though their daug
ter repaid their attentions with the sweett
gratitude, and obeyed them with the gent,
docility, she showed no interest in the passi
scenes. And though everywhere her extrel
beauty and sweetness of disposition, not l.
than her fortune and position, drew around h
many friends and admirers, Estee remain
alone in her isolated thoughts and feeling
Every most distinguished physician in Euro
had been consulted upon her case, and the
suit of their wisdom was decision that 4
melancholy was not the effect of i'll health, S
less of secret sorrow, but that it was cons
tutonal phase that would probably pass aw
with maturing years.
They returned to England, presented III
daughter at court, and introduced her into
the gaetes of fashionable life. But with
happy effect upon the spirits of Estele, "
remained profoundly unmoved amid the e.
that greeted her dcJm. Her picturesque be
iy was the theme of all tongues--her mourn
glance was acknowledgement deep tones thr
ing-her touch magnetic; all felt her pow
yet she who could move all others, remail
un'mpressed. She who sought no conque'
for that very reason perhaps, made many.
peer and two commoners, in succession,
their fortunes at her feet, and were in turn XII
iy and firmly rejected.
So passed her first season in London. AT
close of which her parents took her down
their seat in Devonshire. Here, in her thong
fol, quiet, transformations manner, she engal
IN works of benevolence among the vilag
and the tenanlry. And her father, hop
much from this employment, gave her full
afty of action and eu,ilad In saa ,La, eho ca.