The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1857-05-27
CHAPTER I.
AN INTERRUPTED WEDDING.

Ii was the first OF May, the marriage
day of the Viscount Montressor If NJ gu.
tIcssor Castle, Dorsetsbire and Estelle,
only daughter and heircss of Sir Parke
Morelle Hyde Hall, Devonshire.
A glorious morning the cloudless,
blue sky smiled down upon the green
hills and dewy dalcs and deep woods of
Devon; and the park around the Hall
was all alive and musical, with the Joy.
Gus songs of birds, aud the merry laugh.
ter of young men aud maideus gathering
to celebrate their May.day festival, and
to do honor to the marriage of their
landlords daughter.
The elm shaded, winding avenue that
led from tho highway to the house, WAS
arched at each terminus by mammoth
wreath Of flowers, and many were the
carfiagos that passed under them, on
their way to assist at the wedding aud
these contained only tie bridesmaid, and
the nearest friends aud relationship or
position gave them the right to attend
the bride to church; fer still more
numerous party had been invited TO
meet her at the alter. The villagers
and tenants, grouped about under the
shade Of tho great old trees, or wander.
ing over tho greensward on either side
the avenue, watched these cquipages as
they rolled on, commenting as usual on
such occasions.
'Oh-dear Ire tho wcddingers went
pass till nearly twelve aud here we are
to wait two mortal hours said young
girl to the game.kecper.
Hush my darling look, here comes
his Lordship's carriage, itself, just as
sure as you're the pretticst lass in tho
country
1t scas Lord Montressors carriage.
Early that morning note from his
afiianced bride had been put in his hand $
summoning him to a private conference
with her at the Hall, before they should
proceed to tho church. Surprised and
filed 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 Hall, half turied in the depths of a
CUSHIONED chair, reclined tie bride ex-
pectant. iu bridal array
She was alone, her attendants having,
by her own desire, withdrawn.
Estelle Morelle-or la belle Estelle.
Beautiful Stella, the Midnight Star
as, for her rcsplended dark beauty, she
was POLITICALLY named-was at this time
twenty five years of age, and more love.
ly than poets or an artists ideal.
Her form was Of medium hight, and
very slender, though well rounded, with
graceful head, over which fell rich mas.
ses of jetb black silken ringlets, shading
face Of pure, pale olive complexion
with large mouruful dark eyes. habitual.
ly veiled by the long, dropping lashes,
and delicate, though full, curved lips.
ever patiently closed as in silent reslg.
nation. The prevailing expression Of
her dark, brilliant couuteuauce was q
profound melancholy.
The announcement Of Miss Morell's
approaching marriage with the Viscouni
Montressor had created a profound sen.
sation in the fashionable aud aristOoratio
circles. A peerless beauty, the only
child and heiress of the oldest. wealtbiest
and haughtiest baronet in the West Of
Eng land. her heart had been as much
tho object of aspiration to the youth
ful and ardent, as her hand aud fortune
had been the end Of desire TO the mer.
cenary and ambitious.
At the early ago of seven years, Es.
telle had been placed at one of the first.
class female institutions of learning at
PARIS, then as now, considered among
the very best of their kind in the world,
aud there, had been left to remain until
her sixteenth year, when tho sudden and
calamitous breaking up of the institution,
and her own severe illness. had OCCASION
ed her removal. That illness had been
attended t0iM marked changes in the
constitution and temperament of the
young girl.
Estelle, previously tho most careless,
light'hearted and caprioious Of children,
left her chamber Of convalsscencs sub.
dued, thoughtful, melancholy woman
The laughing lips Of girlh bod closed in
patient sadness the sparkling eyes
sboatbed their beams under long, shad.
owy lssbes, now seldom lifted ; the sill.