Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-05-30
XVI.

sound. But the winds in the dead leaves over
him, seem TO groan.
XVII.
THE APPOINTMENT.
Now this moment the tragedyrushes onward. 1t
is necessary again to the reader that our fam
cy has little to do with the scenes about to be rea
ted. They rest upon the authority OF respectable
tradition and however strange the narrative may
appear, as veritable record still, imagination has
substantially no part in it. The ruins Of Haddon
have not yet disappeared, and the descendants OF
the personages who played the main parts in the
drama, are, in all probability: still living But to
proceed with the narrative.
Honoria was at last, decked, atal points, for the
bridal ceremony. She chad quickly recovered from
her fainting fit, and sort Of desperate resolution
seemed to have taken the place of her former faint
heartedness and terror. She put on her bridal
robes, almost without assistance from her mother
or the assiduous bridesmaids, who had assembled
in her apartment; and the figure of the young
lady, thus adorned, possessed something so beautl
full and queenly, that the ladies gazed upon her
with silent admiration.
longer pale. In the middle Of each cheek red
rtse blushed, and the girls eyes were brilliant l
was only on more careful scrutiny, that the rose
color took the form of hectic flush, and the spar
kle of the eyes appeared unnatural and Wild
No one but Lady Brand observed the morbid
character Of the young lady's beauty the tender
mother, alone, of all the company, felt her heart
sink as Honorias color deepened, and trembled for
her daughter, soon to be subjected to an ordeal SO
trying.
"Be calmer, DEAR" she whispered; "do not ex-
cite yourself, and come sit down until youare sum-
moned."
'I am not tired, MOTHER" was the girls reply,
in an animated tone. II never was stronger"
'My poor, dear child you are feverish, agltated
Il never saw you laboring under such nervous ex-
element.
A strange smile come to the young lady's face
'Excitedl" she said, placing her hand upon her
heart, "why you never were more mistaken +
"But come; sit down, at least, my child.
"No mother, would rather stand-but perhaps
if the girls would await me in the green room the
absence of noise might abate the feversh influence
you spoke Of"
The hint was speedily acted upon by Lady
Brand, and the bridesmaids left the apartment
and repaired to the room where the bride would
join them.
As the last disappeared, mother and daughter
exchanged long look. But no alteration took
place in the young lady's demeanor. She was still
strong and collected, though it was plain that this
was the result of morbid condition Of her mind
and above all, she exhibited no disposition to give
way to tears.
"My child, you are very, very unweD, said Lady
Brand; come lean your head upon my breast-lt
will rest and soothe you'll!
'Lean my head!" exclaimed the young lady
with the same strange smile which had already
startled and alarmed her mother, clean. my head
upon your breast, mother; Why how can you
think of such thingl 1t would spoil my 'bonny
bridal flowers. ("
And pointing to the snowy wreath above her
long white brides veil, the young lady began to
hum couplet from song then popular:
And the bonny bridal howes-''
But in voice so excited, that it made the heart Of
Lady Brand shrink with anxiety.
"Come, come, Honoria!' she said hastily, and
with some asperity, 'this is out Of place"
"What is out of place, motherT'
''This unnatural gaiety-for it bellies your real
feeings!"
"My real feelings, motherT
eyes, my daughter-for you were never so mis-
cradle I"
"Miserable!' repeated the girl, with strange
smile on her lips, "why, what an idea! Am not
about to marry o great nobleman-a splendid
match as every one says-and to become my Lady
Ruthven2 Would it not be silly in me to feel
miserable at being made countess?'
"Honorial my child, you are not In your right
senses
The girl smiled, and said in the same excited
manner:
"Why, mother? Because"
because I know your heart, my poor, poor
child returned Land Brand in trembling voice,