Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1857-05-25
CHAPTER /.

An INTERRUPTED WEDDING.
1t was the first OF May, the marriage day of tho
Niseount Montressor OF Montressor Castle Dor
soishire, and Estee, only daughter, and hciress
of Sir Park Morellc, Hyde Hail. Devonsh're.
a glorious morning the cloudless blue sky
smiled down upon the green hills aud dewey dales
and deep woods Of Devon and the park around
the Hail was all alive and musical, with the joy
Gus songs of birds. and the merry laughter ct
young men and muidens gathering to celebrate
their May day festival, and To d. honor 10 tue
marriage of their landlords daughter.
The elm shaded winding avenue that led from
the highway to the house. was arched Al each
terminus by Il 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 tho bride sma!d, and the nearest
friends and relatives of the inmy, whose reln-
tionshp or position gave them the right to at
tend tho bride IL church for "A st1ll more nu-
merous party had been invited 10 meet her at
the altar. The villagers the tenants, grouped
about under tie shade of the great old trees or
wandering over the greenswnrd on either side
the avenue, watched these equipages as they
rolled on, commenting as usual ON such occa
sions.
"Oh-dcar me tho weddngers won't pass
Till nearly Twelve and we are to wait two NOR
tai hours said young girl 70 the game keeper.
"IIush my darling look, here comes his Lord
Nitll 'ullIuB'i Hsfii J''' 40 quiz 10 ~ ~ Wv
prettiest lass in the country
1t was Lord Monressor's carriage.
Early that morning note from his aliianced
bride had been pui in his hands sumnoning him
to private conference with her at the liall, be-
fore they should proceed to the church. Sur
prsed and filled with vague uneasiness, his lord
ship lost no limo in obeying the behest
Within the most secluded Of her suite Of rich
" furnished apartments at the old Hall. half
hur;o1 in 81 1aofbs of "A cu ioupu chan, raCln-
ed the bride expectan', in bridal array.
She wns alone her attendants having, by her
own desire. withdrawn.
Estelle Morelle--or '.la belle Estelle,' Beau
tiful Stella" "the Midnight Stnr'-as, for her re
spendent dark beauty, the was poetIeally namtd
was at this time twenty FIVE years oi age ANA
more lovely than a poets or an artist = Ideal.
Her form was of medium height, aud very slen .
der. though we'll rounded. with graceful head
over which fell rich masses of jet black silkcn
ringets. shading IL face of pure, palo olive com
plexion with large mournfu dark eyes. hahtual-
ly yeiled by the long, dropping lashes, and deli
cate though full, curved lips, ever patiently clio
sed in silent resi- gnaion. The prevailing eX-
preston Of her dirk, brilliant countepanee was
n profound melancholy
The announcement of Miss Morellr. approach
ing marriage with the Nisoount Montrfssot had
created a profound sensation in the fashionable
and arstocratic circles peerless beauty the
oily child and heiress of the oldest, wealthe>t
and haughiest baronet in the West Of England.
her heart had heen as much the object ot nspira-
ton to the Youthful and ardent, as her hand and
fortune had been the end of desire to tho nerce-
nary and ambitious
At the early ago of seven years Estelie had
been placed at one of the first class female nst
tutons Of learning at Paris. then as now, cousid-
cred among the very best Of their kind IN the
world. and there had been left to remain until her
sixteenth wear VIXEN the Sudden aud caamltons
breaking up Of the institution her own severe
illness. had ccasioned her removal. That III
ness haa been uttcnded pth marked changes IN
The constitution and temperament Of The youag
girl.
Estellc. previously the most careless, light
hearted and capricious of children, left her cham
Der of conyaIescance a subdued, thoughtful. mel.
ancholy woman. The laughing lips of gIrlhood
closed in paticnt sadness; the sparkling eyes
sheathed their beams under long, shadowy lash
es, now seldom lifted; the slverv. elastic voice,
sank into deep and thrilling tones; the free, glad
mations were measured and controlled.
She never entered another school,but completed
her education under the best masters at home. To
disslpute whHt was considered a transient neIan-
choly. her parents Travelled with her over Europe,
rau.in. at each capital and ehicf town. 10 show
her all that was interesting and instructive. But
though their dlughtor repaid their attentions
with the sweetest gratitude. anJ obeyed them
with the gpntest docty, she showed no inter
est in the passing scenes. And though every
where her extreme beauty and sweetness of dis
no.iiion, not les shan her fortune and position.
drew around her many friends and admirers. Es
telle remained alone in her isolated thoughts and
feelings. Every most distinguished physician in
Europr lad been consulted upon her case, and
the result Of their wisdom decision that
thi- melancholy was not the effect Of Ill health
still less of secret sorrow, but that it was CON
situtional phase that would probably pass away
with mauiing years.
They returned TO England, presented their
daughter at court and introduced her into all the
gaeties Of fashionable life. But with no happy
effect upon the spirits % Estelie, who remained
profoundly unmoyed amid the eciat that greeted
her debut. Her picturesque beauty was the
theme Of all tongues-her mournfui glance was
fascinating her deep tones thrilhng-her touch
magnetic all felt her power, yet she who could
move all others. remained unimpressed She who
sodght no conqaests, for that very reason per
haps, made many. peer and two comInoners.
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
sent in Dcybnshire. Here, in her thoughtful
Quiet, unobtrusiye manner; she engaged in
work of benevoence among the villagers and
the tenautry. And her father, hoping much