Opposite Neighbours. ( 87 



observations daily, and with still increased vigilance, and was obliged to 

 come to the painful conclusion that my suspicions were not only but too 

 well founded with regard to Sir Charles, but that Ellen returned his 

 passion. Yes, she was romantically in love with the husband of her 

 sister! I seldom find myself wrong in my opinions, yet, in this case, I 

 would willingly have given five hundred pounds to feel sure that I was in 

 error. Such was the interest with which the extreme beauty, the vivacity 

 and grace of the youthful Ellen had inspired me. Here then was food 

 for philosophy as well as reflection. Who shall say that enquirers are 

 impertinent, when such facts as these can be elicited. Had it not been 

 for me such is the apathy of people about what does not concern them 

 a base husband, and an artful intriguing sister, might still have maintained 

 a fair face to the world j but I was determined to cut the matter short, 

 and open the eyes of the deluded wife as to the real extent of her injury. 

 Honour compelled me to it. Let not the reader think me rash, I will 

 explain the circumstances which influenced my conviction. Oh, Ellen ! 

 how have I been deceived in thee ! How hast thou betrayed a too sus- 

 ceptible heart. 



Sir Charles was an M. P., which my ingenuity in sitting together hours 

 and facts enabled me to make sure of. Fie frequently returned late from 

 -the debates in the house. The weather grew warm, and the shutters 

 were always left open till the family retired for the night. Their lamps 

 were brilliant, and I could discern the fair Ellen peeping over the balus- 

 trades of the staircase, and lingering and waiting on the landing place, 

 evidently on the look-out for an anxiously expected arrival. Then the 

 cab of Sir Charles would stop at the door his well-known knock would 

 be heard, and Ellen would fly with the lightness of a fairy to meet him as 

 he ascended the stairs. He would then fold her in his arms, and they 

 would enter the drawing-room together; yet, before they did so, five or 

 ten minutes' tete ti-tete frequently took place on the landing, and the arm 

 of Sir Charles was constantly withdrawn from the waist of Ellen, before 

 they opened the drawing room door and appeared in the presence of the 

 poor neglected wife, whom he greeted with no embrace, as he took his 

 seat beside her on the sofa. 



For some time I set down the empressments of Ellen to meet Sir Charles 

 as that of a lively and affectionate girl to greet her sister's husband, in the 

 manner she would receive her own brother. I was soon obliged to think 

 differently. 



When Ellen played on the harp, which she did almost daily, Sir Charles 

 would stand listening beside her, and would frequently imprint a kiss on 

 her beautiful brow, gently lifting aside the curls which covered it : but 

 this never took place when Lady Seymour was in the room mark that 

 no, not in a single instance. Sir Charles sometimes sat reading in a chair 

 near the drawing-room window, and would, as Ellen passed him, fondly 

 draw her towards him and hold her hands, while he appeared to converse 

 with her in the most animated manner. If the door opened, and the poor 

 wife came in, the hands were instantly released. 



As the spring advanced, the appearance of Lady Seymour, and more 

 frequent visits of Mr. Blagden, led me to suppose her confinement drew 

 near ; she became later in rising in the morning, and Sir Charles and 

 Ellen almost constantly took a very early tete-a-tete walk in the park, 



