Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1857-05-21

dal array. l>..
She was alone, her attendants having, by
her own desire, withdrawn.
Estelle Morelle-or s'la belle Estel1e," !"
Beautiful Stella, I" s'the Midnight STAR.
as, for her resplendent dark beauty, she was
poetically named-was at this time twenty
five years of age, and more lovely than a
poets or an artists ideal. Her form was Of
medium height, and very slender, though
well-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,
habitually yelled by the long, dropping
lashes, and delicate, though full, curved
lips, ever patiently closed as in silent resig-
nation. The prevailing expression Of her
dark, brilliant countenance was. profound
melancholy. =
The announcement of Miss Morelle's ap-
preaching marriage with the Viscount Mon
tressor had created a profound sensation in
the fashionable and aristocratic circles. A
peerless beauty, the only child and heiress
of the oldest, wealthiest and haughtiest ba-
ronet 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 of desire to the mer-
cenary and ambitious.
At the early age Of seven years. Estelle
had been placed at one of the frst-class fe-
male 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 calamitous breaking up of
the institution, and her own severe illness,
had occasioned her removal. That illness
had beer, attended aoith married changes ias
the constitution and temperament Of the
young girl.
Estelle, previously the most careless,
light-hearted and capricious of children, left
her chamber Of convalescence a subdued,
thoughtful, melancholy woman The laugh
ing lips of girlhood closed in patient sadness;
the sparkling eyes sheathed their beams un-
der long, shadowy lashes, now seldom lift
ed ;a2le silvery, ,-elastic voice, sank into deep
and 5hrilling tones; the free, glad rrvsiors ,siu
were measured and controlled.
She never entered another school, but
completed her education under the best mas
ters, at home. To dissipate what was con-
sidered a transient melancholy, her parents
travelled with her over Europe, pausing at
each capital 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 greatest docility, she showed no in
terest in the passing scenes. And though
everywhere her extreme beauty and sweet
ness Of disposition, not less than her fortune
and position, drew around her many friends
and admirers, Estelle remained alone in her
isolated thou ghts and feelings. Every most
distinguished physician in Europe had been
consulted upon her case, and the result. of
their wisdom was decision that this melan-
choly was not the effect Of i'll health, still
less Of secret sorrow, but that it was con-
stitutional phase that would probably pass
away with maturing years. ..,s
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 pictur-
esque beauty was the theme of. all ton CUES :, :
her mournful glance was fascinat tins cher
deep tones thrilling-her touch magnetic; !;
all felt her power, yet she who could move
all others, remained unimpressed She who
sough no 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 firm
ly rejected. ..aa>
So passed her first season in London, at
the close of which her parents took her down
to their seat in Devonshire. Here, in her
thoughtful, quiet, unostentatious manner,
she engaged in works of benevolence 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 pensive than before.
At the beginning Of the parliamentary
term, the family went up to London. :.
And it was here in her second season in
town that Estelle formed the ACQUAINTANCE
OF Lord Montressor, a young nobleman but
lately acceded to his titles and estates, but
already known as man of the most high
toned moral and intellectual excellence, as
a righteous, as we'll asa rising statesman,
and as one, who in the event of change Of
ministry would be likely to ELL a high Off
cial position in His majesty s cabinet. Aside
from the glare OF. rank and wealth and pow
er, Charles Montressor was glorious spe-
cimen of the Creators workmanship. Above
the average standard of height among his
countrymen, broad-shouldered and deep
chested, with noble head, and face full
of wisdom and goodness, his appearance
truly indicated the warm benevolcnce, clear
intclliccncc. and n,Irc sni1it Of the man =