Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1857-05-28
CHAPTER I.
AN INTERRUPTED WEDDING.

1t was the first Of May. the marriage day of tic
Eiscount Montrcssor OF Monlrcssor Castle, Dorset
shire and Estele. only Gauylte and hcrcss of Sil
parhc Moree, Hyde Hall, Dcvollshire.
A glorious morning! The clouicss. blue SKY
smiled down npon the green hills AMI dewy dales
and deep woods OF Devon; and the pa Il around tie
Hall was all alive and musical with the joyous songs
o. birds, and the merry laughter of young men ard
maidens gathering to celebrate their May-day tcsi-
val and to do honor to the marriage OF their land
lords daughter.
The elm shaded winding avenue that led from the
highway to thc house was ;.rchcd 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 cniy
the brcsna Is. an tie nearest friends and relatives
of the family whose relationship position gave
them the right to attend the bride to church for
still more n,nerou. PARTY had been invitel to
meet her at the altar. I he villagers and tenants
grouped about under the shade of the great old
trees or wandering over the green sward either
81 lie OF the avenue watched these equpages as they
rolled on. commenting usual such occasions.
"Oh dear me- the wcdlineurs won't pass till
twelve and here arc to wait two mortal hours -
said young girl TO the game keeper
Hush! my darling, look, here comes his Lord
ships carriage. itself. just you're the
prettiest lass in the country.
1t was Lord MUntressors carriage.
Early that morning note from his ahianced had
been put in his hands, summoning him to q private
conference at the Hall, hc*ore they should pro-
coed To the CnurCH. surprised nlleQ with vague
un asiness his lordship lost time in obeying the
behest.
Within the most secluded Of her suite of richly
furnished apartments at TIE old Hall. half buried
in the depths of cushioned chair, lccncd the bride
eXpecta,t in bridal array.
She was alone, he. attendants having withdrawn
by her own desire
, Estelle Morcllc--or Ia belle Estelle " Beauti-
full Stella - the Midnight Star, "ax for her re-
slle.dent dark beauty she was POLITICALLY named
at this time twenty five years of age, and more
lovely than poet an artists tedl. Her form
was of medium height, and very SLENDER, though
wcll-rounded, with graceful head which tell
rich masses of jet black silken rirgIets, shading
face of pure olive complexion with large mournul
black eyes hal'itualtv veel by the long dropping
lashes, and delicate, though full carved lii pa
tiently closed in silent RS On ton. The prevail
ing expression of her d rk, Irli mt cyuntenance
profound melancholy The announcement Of
Miss Morell S app ching IN ,ge with the Wis
count Montrcss r. had created most profound SEN
slti0n III the fashionable and ariatocratic circles.
peerless beauty tie only chit and hercss OF the old
est. wcaithie,t and haughes blrollet ia the West
OF England, her heart had been much the object
of aspiration to the youthful AMI ardent her
han AMI fortune had been the end of desire to the
mclcenary and ambitious
At the early age of seven years. Estelle had been
placed at OF the rstclasS female institutions of
learning at Paris. then now. considered the best
Of t.lc kind in the world and there had been left to
remain until her sixteenth year, when the sudden
and cdamitous breaking up Of the institute II, and
her illness. hal oocasoi.cI her removal
Tat illness had been otea1ed ~tt m1rhd changes in tile
| constitution and temperament OIL young GAL
Estele previously the most careless light heart
ed and capricpus OF children. left her chamber Of
conyaesccnSe sublncd thoughtful and melancholy
woman The laughing lips of girihood closed i'll
patient sadness thesparkiing eyes shcathed their
beams under long shadowy lashes, seldom lift
ed the free glad motion, ,ueasurcd and con-
trollcd.
She never entered another school, bat completed
her education under the best masters, at home To
,ssipate what considered 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 ttir attentions with the sweetest
gratitude and obeyed them with the gcntlcst docli
tv, she showed no interest in the passing scenes.
And though everywhere her extreme beauty and
sweetness of disposition, not less than her fortune
and position, drew around her many friends and adj
nircTs Este lie remained alone in her :Jsted feel
ings and thoughts. Every most distinguished phy-
sican in Europe had been consulted upon her case
and the result Of their wisdom was decision that
this melancholy not the effect of i'll health still
less Of secret sorrow, but that it constitutional
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 gaeties
of fashionable life But with happy effect upon
the spirits OF Estele, who remained profoundly I'M
| moved amid the ecat that greeted her debut. Her
picturesque beauty the theme of all tongues
her mourul glance was fascinating. her keep tones
thrilling-her touch magnetic all felt her power
yet she who could move all others, remained unlm-
pressed. She who sought no conquests, lot mat
yerv reas, n perhaps, made many. A peer and two
commoners in succession laid their fortunes at her
feet, and were in turn kindly and firmly rejected.
So passed the first in London, at the close
of which, her parents took her doWn to their seat in
| Dsvonshire. Here, in her thoughtful quiet unos-
tentatious manner, she engaged in works of benevo-
hence among the villagers and tenantry. And her
father. hoping much from this employment, gave
her full liberty of action and smiled to see that she
| seemed less pensiye 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
young nobleman. but lately acceeded to his titles
and estates. but already known man of the most
hgh-toned moral and intellectual excellence as a
righteous. we'll as rising statesman and as one
who In the event of a change of ministy would be