The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-05-30
CHAPTER /.
AN INTEHHUrTRp WEDDING.

1t was the first of MAY. the marriage day
of the Viscount Montressor of Montressor
Castle, Dorsctshire. and Estclle. only daush-
ter and heiress of Sir Parkc Morcllc. HYDE
Hall. Dcvonshirc.
\ glorious morning. the clou;!lcss. blue
SKY smiled down upon the green hills and
dewey dalcs 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 ofvOung men and maid
ems gathering to celebrate their M.v-da.v
festival, and to do honor to the marriage OF
their landlords daughter.
The clrl-shadcd. winding avenue that led
from the highway to the house. was archcd at
each terminus bv mammoth wreath of flow
crs. and many were the carriages that passed
under them. on their way to assist at the we'd
ding: and these contained only the brides
maids and the nearest friends and relatives
of the family. whose relationship Or position
gave them the right to attend the bride t"
church for Il still more numerous party had
been invited to meet her at the altar. Th"
villagers and tenants. grouped about under
the shade ofthc great old trees, or wandering;
over the SrecnSwarti on either side the ave
nue.. watched these equipagcs is they rollc,!
on. commenting as usual on such occasions.
"Ol-;lcar me- the wediingcrs won't pas,
TIL nearly twelve. and here We arc Ia wait
two mortal hours" said Young girl to the
gamc-kccper.
Hush, my darling. LOOK. here GENES hi-
Lordships carriage. itself. JUS. rs sure Is
you're the prct'ic>t lass in the country"
l., I
Early that morning 4 note from his aiianc-
ed bride has! been put in his hands summon
ing him to private conference with her ri
the Hail. before they should proceed to III.
church Surprised and filed with vague u.'-
ca<ncsS. his lord>hip lost 10 time in obcyin2
the bchcSt.
Within the mos; secluded of her suite oi
richly furnished apartments AZ the old Hall
half barred in the depths of 4 cushioned chair
rcclincd the bride cxpcctant. in bridal array.
She was alone. her attendants having. h.
her own desire. Withdrawn.
E>tcllr Morcllc - or la bell E>:clle.
beautiful Stella" the Milni=h, Star -
a>. for her rc>plcno!c:, dark beauty. She wa>
POLITICALLY namr,i-was At this time twenty
five Years u: a-r. and NOR, lovely than
poets or an artists ;ial. Her form WIS ot
medium hl-..,. :.i.i I,ry slender. though
well rounded. with graceful head. orc!
which fell rich masses Of je,-biack >iken ring
lets. shading a face of pure. pale olive com
plcNion. with large mourntul dark eyes. habit
ually vcilcd by the long. dropping la>hcs. and
delicate. though full. curved lip. ever raticnt-
!. closed as in silent resignation. The pre-
- Il
trnance WAS 4 profound melancholy.
The announcement of Miss Morcllcs ap-
preaching marriage with the Ni>count Mon.
tre>>or Ha,! crcateda profound sensationin ;ts
fashionable and ari>,ocratic circles \ peer
less beauty. the ONLY child and hcircss o. the
oldest. wca.thcst and hau.h,ie>t barcnc: III
the West q. England. her heart had been st
much the object of aspiration to the youthful
and ardent as her hand and fortune had bee,
the end of desire TO the mcrcciiary and ainbi
tiuuS.
At the early age of seven wears. Estelle had
been placed at one of the first class female in.
stitutionS of learning at Paris. then as now
considered among the very best o: their kind
in the world. and there had been left to re-
main until her sixteenth year. when the sud
den and calamitous breaking up of the ins,i-
tuition. and her own severe illness, had occa-
stoned her removal 7iM lines. hat bcc,,
attended wiM marked changes IN the comStitu-
ton and temperament Of the young yiiH.
Estclle. previously the most careless. light
hearted and capricious of children. left her
chamber of convalc>ccncc subducd, thought
full, melancholy woman. The laughing lips
of girlhood closed in patient sadness: the
sparkling eyes sheathrd their beams under
long. shadowy lashes. now seldom lifted: the
silvcry. elastic voice. sank into deep and
thrilling tones; the free. glad motions were
measured and controlled.
She never entered another school, but COM
rlctcd her education under the best masters.
at home. To dissipatc what was coh,ir..,r,,;,,
transient melancholy. her parents Travelled
with her over Europe pausiny at each capital
and chief town. to show her all that WAS in
tcrcstlng and instructive. But though their
daughter repaid their attentions with the
sweetest gratitude. and obcycd them with the
gcntlcst docility, she showed no interest in
the passing scenes. And though everywhere
her extreme beauty and sweetness of disposi-
ton. not less than her fortune and position.
drew around her many friends and lmirers.
EStellc remained alone in her isolated
thoughts and feelings. Every most distin-
S;:ished physician in Europe had been con-
suited upon her case. and the result of their
wisdom was decision that this melancholy
was not the effect of iii health. still less of Sc
crct sorrow. but that it was a constitutional
phase that weuld probably pass away with
maturing years.
They returned to England. presented their
daughter at court. and introduced her into all
the gaicties of fashionable life. But with no
happy effect upon the spirits of Estelle. who
remained profoundly unmoved amid the ecl,a
that greeted her debut. Her picturesque
beauty was the theme of all tongues-ncr
mournful glance was fascinating-hcr dccp
tones thrilling-her touch magnetic: all felt
her power. yet she who could move all other,
remained unimpresscd. She who sought no
conqucsts, for that very reason perhaps, made
many. peer and two commoners. in sue
cesslon. laid their fortunes at her feet, and
were in turn kindly and firmly rejected.
SO passed her fist season in London. 4, the
close OF which her parents took her down to
their seat In Devonshire. Here, in her
thoughtful, quiet, unostcntatious manner she
engaged in works Of benevolence among the
villagers and the tcnantry. And her father
hoping much f.cm This employment, gave her