The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-05-19
CHAPTER I

CHATTER l.
AN INTERRUPTED WEDDING.
1t was the first of May the marriage-day Of tho
yiscount Montressor of Montressor Castle, Dorset
shire, and Estelle, only daughter and heress of Sir
Parke Morclle Hyde Hail. Devonshire
a glorious morning the cloudless, blne 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 May-day festival and
to do honor to the marriage OF their landlord daugh-
ter.
The elm-shaded, winding avenue that led from the
highway to the house arched at each terminus by
mammoth wreath of flowers, and many were the car
rages that passed under them on their way to assist
at the wedding and these contained only the brides
maids, 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 un-
der the shade of the great old trees, or wandering
over the greensward either side the avenue,
watched these equipages they rolled on, comment
ing as usual on such occasions.
'sOh, dear me the weddingers wontpass till nearly
twelve and here are to wait two mortal hours "
said young girl to the game-keeper.
2 Hush my darling, look; here comes his lord
ships carriage itself just sure as you're the pref
test lass in the country"
Ii aras Lord Montressor's carriage.
Early that morning note from his afianced bride
vate conference with her at the hall before they
| should proceed to the church. Surprised and filed
with vague uneasness, 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 buried in
the depths of cushioned chair, recined the bride
expectant, in bridal array.
She was alone, her attendants having, by her own
desire, withdrawn. ~
Estele Morele-or ala belle Estelle y Beautiful
Stella, 1.-THE Midnight Star'as for her resplendent
dark beauty, she was POLITICALLY named-was at this
time twenty-five years of age and more lovely than
| poets an artists ideal. Her form was of me
dium height and very slender, though wel-rounded
with graceful head, which fell rich masses OF
jet-black silken rngets shading face of pure, pale
olive complexion with large mournfu dark eyes, ha-
bituay veiled by the long, dropping lashes and del
icate though full curved lips ever patiently closed
as in silent resignation. The prevailing expression
of her dark, brilliant countenance WAS profound
melancholy
The announcement of Miss Morelle's approaching
marriage with the Viscount Montressor had created
profound sensation in the fashionable and aristo-
cratic circles. peerless beauty, the only child
and hciress of the Oldest weathest and haughtiest
baronet in the west of England, her heart had been
much the object of aspiration to the youthful and
ardent her hand and fortune had been the end of
desire to the mercenary and ambitious.
| At the early age of seven years Estelle had been
placed at of the rstcass female institutions Of
| learning at Paris, then, now considered among
the very Dest OF tnelr KnQ IN tne WOrd, ana tneie
had been left to remain until her sixteenth year,
when the sudden and caamitous breaking up Of the
institution, and her severe illness, had occa-
stoned her removal. That illness had been attended
h marked changes IN the constitution and temperament
| Of the young girl.
| Estelle, previously the most careless, lightheart
ed and capricious of children, left her chamber of
convalcscence subdued, thoughtful, melancholy
woman! The laughing lips of girlhood closed in
patient sadness the sparkling eyes sheathed their
beams under long, shadowy lashes, now seldom
| lifted the sivery, elastic voice sank into deep
and thrilling tones the free, glad motions were
measured and controlled.
| She entered another school, but completed
her education under the best masters at home. To
dissipate what considered transient melan-
choly her parents travelled with her over Europe,
pausing at each capital and chief town, to show her
all that interesting and instructive. But though
their daughter repaid their attentions with the sweet
est gratitude, and obeyed them with the gentlest do
cility, she showed interest in the passing
| And though everywhere her extreme beauty and
sweetness of disposition, not less than her fortune
and position, drew around her many friends and
| admirers, Estelc remained alone in her isolated
| thoughts and feelings. Every most distinguished
| physician in Europe had been consulted upon her
case and the result of their wisdom decision
that this melancholy not the effect of i'll health,
still less of secret sorrow but that it constu-
tonal phase that would probably pass away with
maturing years.
| They returned to England presented their daugh-
ter at court and introduced her into all the gaietes
of fashionable life; but with no happy effect upon
the spirits of Estelle who remained profoundly un-
moved amid the eciot that greeted her debut. Her
picturesque beauty was the theme of all tongues
her mournful glance was fascinatng-her deep tones
thring-her touch magnetic; all felt her power, yet
she, who could move all Others remained unmpress-
ed; she, who sought conquests, for that very
reason, perhaps made many. 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 in
Devonshire. Here, in her thoughtful, quiet, unos-
tentatious manner she engaged in works of benevo-
lence among the villagers and the tenanry. And her
father, hoping much from this employment, gave her
full liberty of action and smiled to that she
seemed less pensive than before.
At the beginning of the parliamentary term the
family went mp to London.
And it was here in her second in town that
Estee formed the acquaintance Of Lord Montressor,
young nobleman but lately acceded to his titles and
estates, but already known as man of the most
high-toned moral and intellectual excellence, a
righteous, as well a rising statesman, and one
who in the event of change of ministry, would be
likely to fill high official position in his Majesys
cabinet. Aside from the glare Of rank and wealth
and power, Charles Montressor glorious speci-
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