312 EPISODE FROM AN UNPUBLISHED NOVEL. 



to know more, or, at least, to make the attempt. One essential cir- 

 cumstance was in my favour ; and my hopes were, that Lady Eliza- 

 beth sympathized in affection with me : but they were hitherto only 

 hopes. The next evening, Lady Russell had a public night, at 

 which Lady Elizabeth had informed my sister she was to be ; and I 

 easily prevailed on my sister to accompany me to this place. We 

 went early, and waited patiently for the arrival of Lady Elizabeth 

 and her friend. 



It would be loss of time were I to bring to remembrance all the 

 bitterness of past events; all the distracting fears that long withheld 

 Lady Elizabeth ; all the obstacles that opposed me ; and to show you 

 what were the means by which they were overcome. Such scenes 

 are too generally the height of folly to spectators ; while, to the 

 actors in them, they seem to contain all that is sublime in the human 

 heart, when under the divine influence of wisdom and virtue. Is it 

 not strange, that many actions, which we cannot but suppose would 

 be of a fit and noble nature, under a pure state of morality (if such a 

 state should or could exist here below,) are so much under the influ- 

 ence of doubtful, and probably baneful circumstances, as to subject 

 those who venture on them, to all that the punishment of law, and 

 the odium of the world can inflict ? In any fit and natural order of 

 things, what was there to oppose a most proper and honourable al- 

 liance between me and Lady Elizabeth ? I was flattered by being 

 often and publicly noticed as the handsomest youth in England. I 

 have before informed you, that Lady Elizabeth was beautiful, almost 

 beyond conception ; not only in face but so elegant was her form, 

 and so exquisite was the symmetry of every limb and feature, that 

 the hand of Phidias must have failed, had he seen and endeavoured 

 to transmit such perfection to posterity. In age, in rank, and in that 

 which must be ever the most essential of all requisites between man 

 and wife, in sentiment and intellect, there was all that equality could 

 demand. Alas ! we had another resemblance, which totally dis- 

 jointed and vitiated all the rest we were equally poor. 



After numberless struggles between love and duty, the fatal 

 crisis at length came, when Lady Elizabeth must either decide to 



marry Lord , or save herself from the persecution of her family, 



and the fury of her father, by accepting that protection which I and 

 love could afford. Her decision was for me. We fled to the north ; 

 were privately married ; and remained for some time undiscovered. 



Perhaps I was indiscreet. The Duke of Argyle was at his seat 

 in the Highlands I was distantly related to him and, desirous that 

 my beloved bride should enjoy all the respect I knew she deserved, I 

 introduced her and myself as visitors; and our secret, of course, was 

 divulged. 



Nothing could be more hospitable, or respectful, than the treat- 

 ment we here received ; but our happiness was of short duration. 

 Lionel and his father were no sooner informed of the place at which 

 we were to be found, than thither they hastened, with hearts inflamed 



by all the supposed injuries I had done the noble family of P . 



Their system of vengeance was planned, and by nothing less than 

 my life or everlasting disgrace, could it be satisfied. They came not 



