ELLEN NEVILLE. 
171 
summer.” She paused a moment, smiled, looked 
down, and said, c£ Tliey mean, I am your Captive, and 
Hope to possess such-” then she blushed, and re¬ 
mained silent. He confessed his love, and was accepted. 
When the general discovered the young lady’s rank, 
he shrank back from his engagement; and, dearly as 
he loved her, from motives of honor, refused her prof¬ 
fered hand: nor was it until he clearly saw that their 
union alone would again establish her securely in her 
property, and prevent it from falling into the hands of 
one of Cromwell’s favorites, that he could be persuaded 
to become her husband. “ If you love her,” said Gene¬ 
ral Ireton, “you will best prove it by making her your 
wife; for there are already half-a-dozen hungry cor¬ 
morants ever besieging his highness, and, much as he 
admires you, if he once perceives your honor leaning 
too much towards this fair Royalist, he will take up 
his pen, and at one stroke sweep away the old manor- 
house, and all its broad lands, from both her and you 
for ever.” Ellen’s tears and Ireton’s persuasions were 
too much for even General Marchmont’s honest scru¬ 
ples ; and the same sun that shone upon the morning 
of his wedding-day, saw the faithful Phoebe led to the 
altar by the honest gardener. 
