Opposite Neighbours. 85 



one of those plaguey large coarse straw bonnets, tied down with white satin 

 ribbons two bows, and the edges cut in Vandykes. Another lady then 

 descended, more slowly and carefully, and as she watched the alighting of 

 a nurse who had deposited a fine rosy boy, about a twelvemonth old, into 

 the arms of Sir Charles, I observed that she was evidently about to increase 

 her family ; therefore, I had already ascertained, beyond a doubt, which 

 was the wife, and which was the wife's sister. The doors then closed, 

 and I saw no more that evening, excepting that the lamp was lit in the 

 dining room, and the shutters closed at seven o'clock, and then in the 

 gloom I saw three figures descend the stairs, from which I concluded they 

 all went to dinner ; "besides the turbot, they had house lamb, and aspa- 

 ragus. 



The next morning, while dressing, I espied the sister, whom I shall call 

 Ellen, standing on the balcony admiring and arranging the flowers. The 

 morning was beautiful and very light, so that I had a perfect view of her. 

 It was impossible that a more lovely creature could be seen. She appeared 

 not more than sixteen or seventeen j indeed, from the extreme plainness 

 of her dress, I suspected she had not quite left the school-room. She was 

 rather above the middle height, very slight and graceful, bright and beau- 

 tiful, with long light auburn curls, and a very patrician air about her. Had 

 I been young and romantic, I should most assuredly have fallen in love 

 on the instant, as she stooped over the balcony, with a most enchanting 

 air, smiling- and kissing her hand to the baby, whom his nurse, at that 

 moment, carried out of the hall door for an early walk in the park. 



Presently she was joined by her sister, whom I shall call Lady Sey- 

 mour, and who evidently came to summon her to breakfast. She 

 appeared about twenty-five or twenty-six years old: pale, interesting, 

 and beautiful ; had a mild and pensive, I almost thought a melancholy 

 look, and seemed very quiet and gentle in all her movements. 



I should have been inclined to fall in love with her too, if she had not 

 been a married woman, and I had not seen Ellen first ; but Ellen was 

 by far the more beautiful of the two fair sisters the most striking, the 

 most animated, and I always admired animation, for it argues inquiry, 

 and from inquiry springs knowledge. The ladies lingered, and stooped 

 down to inhale the fragrance of their flowers until Sir Charles appeared 

 to summon them, and the whole trio descended to breakfast, Lady Sey- 

 mour leaning on the arm of her husband, and Ellen skipping down 

 before them. Sir Charles was very handsome, very tall, and very digni- 

 fied looking. Nothing could be more promising than the appearance of 

 the whole party. I was delighted with the prospect ; no more gaping 

 over newspapers ; adieu ennui, here was food for reflection. My mind 

 was now both actively and usefully employed, and a transition from idle- 

 ness to useful occupation is indeed a blessing. 



Days flew on, and I gradually gathered much important and curious 

 information. The Seymours had many visitors ; a vast proportion of 

 coronetted carriages among them ; went regularly to the opera. I could 

 not make out who was Ellen's harp-master ; but Crivelli taught her 

 singing, from which T argued their good taste. She went out to evening 

 parties -, I concluded therefore that she had only just come out and was still 

 pursuing her education. A green britska and chariot were in requisition 

 for both ladies, as the day was fine or otherwise : a dark cab with a green 

 page attended Sir Charles on some days, on others he rode a bay horse 



