Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-05-20
CHAPTER I.
An INTERESTING WEDDING

CHAPTERI.
AN INTERESTING WEDDING.
Ii was the first of May, the marriage day of
the Viscount MOntressOr of MontressOr Castle,
Dor,etshire, and Estelle, only daughter and
heiresS Of Sir Parke MOrella, Hyde Hall, Dew
onShire.
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 cele-
bTate their May-day 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 assist at the wedding;
and these contained only the bridesmaids and
the nearest friends and relatives of the family,
whose relationship or position gave them the
right to attend the bride to ehurch;-for a 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, or wandering over the greensward on
either side the avenue, watched these equipages
"a they rolled on, commenting 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 game
keeper.
Hush my darling look, here comes his
LordShips carriage itself just as sure as you re
the prettlest lass in the country
1t ,raS Lord Montressor's carriage
Early that morning a note from his afianced
BRIDE had been put in his hands summoning him
tp a private conference with her at the Hall. be-
fore they should proceed to the church. Sur
prised and filled with vague uneasiness, his
iordshlP lost no time in Obeying the behest
Within the most secluded Of her suite Ofrich-
ly furnished apartments at the old Hall, half
buried in the depths Of a cushioned chair, re-
elined the bride expectant, in bridal array.
She was alone, her attendants having, by her
own desire, withdrawn.
Estelle MOrella-or ala belle Estelle. :"
Beautiful Stella, " the Midnight Stars
for her resplendent dark beauty, she was poeti-
cally named-was 1T this time twenty-five
years Of age, and more lovely than a poets or
IN artists ideal. Her form was of medium
heTy5t and very slender, though well-rounded
with graceful head, over which fell rich masses
Of Jet-black silken ringlets, shading a face of
pure, pale olive complexion with large mourn
ful dark eyes, habitually yelled by the long.
cropping lashes, and delicate, though full. curved
lips, ever patiently closed as in silent resig-
nation The prevailing expression other dark,
brilliant eountenanee was profound melan-
eh,ly.
The announcement of Miss Morelle's an
preaching marriage with the Viscount Montres-
Sor had created profound sensation in the
fashionable and aristOcratic circles ApeerIess
beauty, the only child and heiress of the Oldest.
wealthiest and haughtiest baronet in the West
"f England. her heart had been as much the
object of aspiration to the youthful and ardent
a her hand and fortune had been the end of
desire to the mercenary and ambitious
At the early age OF seven years, Estelle had
oeen placed at one OF the hrst-class female in
sItutlons OF learning at Paris then as now. con-
Adered 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 cal
amItous breaking up of the institution, and her
own severe illness, had occasioned her removal
That illness had been attended Lcith marked
67ftjtSes IA The constitutions aud teBtDera1asut
0t nee y0UHS PtTI.
Estelle, previously the most careless, light
hearted and caprlciOus of children left her
chamber Of fcOnvalescencea subdued thouphtfnI
melancholy woman. The laughing lips of girl
hood closed in patient sadness; the sparkIiny
eyes sheathed their beams under long. shadow
la.hes, now seldom lifted; the silyery. elastic
voice. sank INTO deep and thrilling tones the
Tree, glad motions were measured and controlled
che never entered another school, but COM
lieted her education under the best masters at
home 10 dlSslpate what was considered tran
Sient 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
AMI obeyed them with the gentlest docility. she
showed 10 interest in the passing scenes. And
though everywhere her extreme beauty and
sweetness OF disposition, not less than her for
tune and position, drew around her many friends
ani admirers, Estelle remained alone in her
ISfated thoughts and feelings Every most
distinguished physician in Europe had been
nd h. IL
wisdom was a decision that this melancholy was
Lot the effect Of i'll health still less of secret
sorrow, but that 1t was a constitutional pbase
years. Ns
They returned to England, presented their
laughter at court, and introduced her into ali
;ae gaieties Of fashionable life. But with no
hdppy effect upon the spirits Of EstelIe. who re-
H.fined profoundly unmOyed amid the ecIaf
that greeted her ds5n. Her picturesque beantv
was the theme Of all tongues-her mournfnl
s'ance was faseinating-her deep tones thrill
HAS-her touch magnetic; all felt her power.
yct she who could move all others. remained
ulimpressed. She who sought no eonouosts
l'r that very reason perhaps, made many. A
peer and two cOmmOners, in succession laid
Their fortunes at her feet, and were in turn
kindly and firmly rejected
~ passed her first season in London. at the
.'>e Oi whlch her parents took her down to
ocAt III DcbOHSniTe. Here, IN her thOu Ohf-
lui, quiet unOstenta.iOus manner she engaged
a works OF beneyolence among the villagers
AM The tenantry. And her father, hoping
A'uch from this employment, gave her full lib,
cry Oi action, and smiled to see that she seemed
less penSive than before
=, At the beginning Of the parliamentary term.
u5 ILinIy went up TO London
., hhI ~ was here in her second season in town
=, =, u ESteiie formed the acquaintance of Lord
M1"lressor, young nobleman but lately ae-
L LitI 70 MS titles and estates, but already
nlliEh nni as man OF the most high-toned moral
vii excellence, as a righteous, as
goH as rising statesman, and as one. who in
we event Of change Of ministry would be like
y % MI a high official position in His Na;estv;s
'onet. ASIDE from the glare OF rank and
+eaith and power, Charles Montressor was n
e?r'ous specimen of the Creators Workman
p AoOVe the average standard Of height
ds MS eountrymen, broad-shouIdered and
Hg cihested, with noble head, and face full
% EisdOm and goodness, his appearance trnia
i''eated the warm benevolenee, clear inteII;.