Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-05-22
THE ISLAND PRINCESS.
ARoMANcE OF THE OLD AND NEW WORLD.
NJ PIMA n Z n sorrHXnaru

THE ISLAND PRINCESS.
A ROMANCE OF THE OLD AND NEW WORLD.
By EMMA D E. sorrHwoRrH,
Author of "rhe Lot Hciress" THE Deserted Wife
THE Missing Bride" Retributiou," &C.
CHAPTER.
Az INTERRUPTED WEDDING.
I. WAS tho frat Of May, th- marriage dsv OF the Wis
count Montressnr Of Mon:ressor Castle, Dorse'shre
aud Estes. only daughter and heiress of Sir Park
Morell-. Hyde Hall Devonthire.
glorious ,rning the cloudless, blus sky emile,
down upon The green hills and d-wy daies and d.rI
woods Of Devon and the park around the Hall WA
all alive aud muscal. with the joyous songs Of birds
and thu merry laughter of young men and msid-r
gathering to celebrate their May day festival! and I,
10 honor to the marriage OF their landlord
daughter.
The elm shaded, winding avenue that led from 'h'
highway 10 the house, WAS arched at each terminus
by mammoth wreath of flowers aud many w.r,
The carriages THAT pasaed under them. their
assist AZ th- wedding and these contained only tn
bridesmaids and the nearest friends and relatives
he family. whose relationship or position gave then
the right to attend fhe bride TO church for atii
more numerous party had been invited In meet her a
the altar. The villagers and tenants. grouped abou
under the shade of the great old trees, wandering
over the greensward on either side the avenue
watchrd these equipases as they rolled on comment
ing as usual on such occasons.
''On-uthr IDS. IHd WeuUlnRtTo won poee III
nearly twelve. and hera We are to wait two lporta
hours said young girl To the game keeper.
Hush! my darling; look, here Comes bis Lordship'
carriage just as sure as you are the pre,tiess los
IN the country
Il ras Lord Montressor's carriage.
Early that morning note from his afhsnced brd,
had been put in his hands summoning bin 70 q pri
vate conference with her at the Hall, before they
should proceed TO the church Surprised and a!!sc
With vssne unsasiness his lordship lost NJ time II
obeying The behest.
Within the most secluded OF her cutie Of richly fur
nshed apartments a; the old Hail. half buried in the
depths Of cushioned chair, reclIned the bride ex
peciant, in bridal array.
She wa. alone, her attendants having, by her owr
desra Withdrawn.
E.t.s Morelle-or "la belle Est.lle" "B..ufu
Stella" ..th- Midnight Star"-as Tor her rpspl.nden'
dark beauty, -he Was poetinay named-wss AZ This
inns twenty-five years Of age. and more lovely than
poets artists ideal. Her form Of medi
un height. and very slender though well.rounded
Sh graceful head. which fell rich OF -
1lack silken rngiefs, shading a tacs If pure, pale
olive complexion with 'arga mournful dark eyes ha-
n'u,l'v v-eh by the long. dropping lash-s, and deli
-sr- though full. carved lips patiently closed
"a in silent resignation. The prevailing expression VI
'er dark, brilliant countenance was profound me
lauchnly.
rha announcement Of Miss Morelle's approaching
narrng. with fhe Viscnunt Montressor had crcatrd a
profound sensation in the fashionable and ar stocrac
circles. peerless he.uy The only child and htress
f the oldest. weahest, and haughtest baronet in
The west of England, her heart hsd bean a' much the
nhisc Of aspiration to the youthful and ardent as .r
hand and fortune had b-eI the end OF desire TO the
m-rrensry and ambitious.
Al the eary age of saven years, Estele had been
placed at Of the hrst class female institutions oi
learning al P,rs, then. as now, considered among ths
very best If their kind in the world and there had
been left TO remain until her sixteenth year, when the
s,In krao bins, poff .ipati finn
and her own ssv-re n-ss, had occasionsd her reno.
val. That iHnrsI md been atlrniSd Nth marked
rhnn2es tn the constitution and temperament Of t>
young g,rl.
E.-ile previously the most carslsss light hearted
and caprcious Of children left her chamber Of con-
vsle.cence a subdued, thoughtful, melancholy wo-
nsn. the laughing lips Of grlhood closed in pa.
ranf sadness the sparkling eyes sheathed their beams
under long, shadowy lashes no% seldom lifted: the
slvrry, elastic voice, sank into deep and thrilling
tones: the free glad motions measured and
trolied.
She never entered another school. but completed
her education under the best masters at home. To
tisspate what considered transient melancholy.
her parents travelled with her Europe. pau-ing
at each capital and chief town, to .how her all thai
WAS interesting and instructive. But though their
daughter repaid their attentions with the sweetest
gratitude, and obeyed them with the gentlest docl.
~ sh- showed no interest in the passing scenes -
Aud though everywhere her extreme beauty and
swntness Of disposition not less than her fortune and
position drew around her many friends and admirers.
E;s.e rem.;ned alone in her isolated thoughts and
f.-ling.. Every most distinguished physician in Eu.
rope had been consulted upon her case, and the
sult of their wisdom a decision that this m-lan
chnly was not the effect of i'll health still l-ss of
oret sorrow, but That Ii WIS constitutional phas-
that would probably pass away with maturing year,.
They returned 10 England, presented their dsugh
ter at court and introduced her into all the gaieties
of fashionable life. But with no happy effect upon
the sprirs Of Estelle, who remained profoundly un.
moved amid the eclat that greeted her ds6nt. Her
picturesque beauty was the theme OF all tongues
her mouruful glance was fascinating deep tones
thriling-her touch magnetic all felt her power yet
she who could move all otbtre, remained uninpress
ed She who sougb; 10 cobquesis, for TINT very
reason perhaps, made many. peer AMI two CON.
nonrrs in succession, laid their fortunes at her feet
and were in turn kindly and firmly rejected.
So passed her Arst season in London, at the close
of which her parents took her down 10 ther aeat in
Davonshira. Here. In her thoughtful, quiet, unns
ienatous manner, she engaged in works of bensvn
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 rhs beginning of the parliamentary term, the
family went up to London.
And it was here in her second sessoR in town that
E-t-s formed the acquaintance of Lord MOntrts Q.
sor young nobenan but lately aoceded TO his titles
and estates, but already known a. man of the most
high.toned moral and intellectual eIc.sDcs, as a
righteous. A. well as rising statesman, aud as one,
who in the event of change Of ministry would be
likely tn All high official position in His mssty 3
cabinet. Aside from the glare Of rank and wealth
and power, Charles Montr-ssor was glorious speci.
men Of the Creators w0rkmsIshp. Above the ave
rage standard Of height among his oountrymen,
broad ..houdered and deep-chssted. with a noble
head, and face full of wisdom and goodness, his
appearance truly indicated the warm benevoence,
clear intelligence and pnre spirit OF the man. His
presence soou inspired Eslelle with faith that she
had not bssn ahls to feel in any other that approach
ed her. He drew nearer 10 her thsn any other had
bean permitted TO come; be crossed the magic circle
Of her isolation and conversed with her other
had been allowed 10 do. The world looked and .nid
that the beautiful Stella had at last met her master
and was conquered.
At this stage Of affairs, the parliamentary term be
ing over. Sir Parke h0rele ana his family lett Lon'
don for Hyde Hall
Lord Montressor asked and received parmsslon "a
follow them. and In less than month svsied himself
Of the privilege to do 90. Thus in the home Of
her ancestors, after having obtained the cordial Sane.
lion of her parents. and believing himself Of the
affections Of their daughter, Lord Montressor offered
his heart and hand to the lovely Es,-le. and was TO
hi. profound establishment Instantly and firmly re-.
l.cted In thus rejecting HE suit abe w-pt long and
bitterly praying his forgiveness. that the happiness
aha had experienced and exhibited in his society
should have betrayed him into making this drclara.
10 leave and frrge' her. There something in lh-
tome # her refusal which confirmed and d--p-ned
hi, previous conviction that-even in rejecting him
shs loved him But with his high toned sentiments
he would not in the leas. degree presume upon thar
knowledge. Taking her hand with def-rental ten.
dern-ss, he said:
Stella! a man never hut once in his whole exs
tence, loves woman n. love you! will not en-.
ouir. the canse Of the REJECTION which you have
anly right to make without assigning any reason
f,r tho act And after having received this repul,e
I may mt In honor distress you by renewal of my
auit. But ,his, in parting, must Say TO you-that
though go henca, shall not GO out Of the reach 81
your friends; shall never address another woman
it ever. in tbs course Of future weeks, or month.
or years however long. you may think proper to re-
view the decision of this evening. Stella, implora
YOU IN let m4 know! Write but one word, Cons,
and will return TO lay unchanged heart at your
fse'!"
E,tae was weeping too bitterly to reply.
stella will you promise 70 d. this y
Lord Montres.or, bsst and deares, friend do moi
seek to bind yourself to ons who can give you no
thing in return. Try to think Of the melancholy cir
u. ,,>, b,ya o;t;ad nd lnyaf-only A. A shadow