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system of horse-flash---hairs smooth enough here, I see; Grace and I thought
you would never get home. Now, John fibbed a little, for neither Grace or
himself, had thought in the least about them, or any thing else but each
other, from the moment they separated until the gig arrived.
Emily made no reply to this speech, and as the gentlemen were engaged in
giving directions concerning their horses, she seized the opportunity to read
Chatterton s letter.
I avail myself of the return of my friend Mr. Denbigh to that happy family,
from which reason requires my self-banishment, to assure my amiable cousin of
my continued respect for her character, and to convince her of my gratitude
for the tenderness she has manifested to feelings she cannot return; I may
even venture to tell her what few women would be pleased to hear, but what I
know Emily Moseley too well to doubt, for a moment, will give her unalloyed
pleasure--that owing to the kind, the benevolent, the brotherly attentions of
my true friend, Mr. Denbigh, I have already gained a peace of mind and
resignation I once thought was lost to me for ever. Ah! Emily, my beloved
cousin, in Denbigh you will find, I doubt not, a mind--principles congenial to
your own; it is impossible that he could see you, without wishing to possess
such a treasure; and, if I have a wish that is now uppermost in my heart, it
is, that you may learn to esteem each other as you ought, and, I doubt not,
you will become as happy as you deserve; what greater earthly blessing can I
implore upon you!
Chatterton.
Emily, while reading this epistle, felt a confusion but little inferior to
what would have oppressed her had Denbigh himself been at her feet, soliciting
that love Chatterton thought him so worthy of possessing; and when they met,
could hardly look in the face a man who, it would seem, had been so openly
selected by another, as the being fittest to be her partner for life. The
unaltered manner of Denbigh himself, however, soon convinced her that he was
entirely ignorant of the contents of the note he had been the bearer of, and
greatly relieved her from the awkwardness his presence had at first
occasioned.
Francis soon returned, accompanied by his wife and aunt, and was overjoyed to
find the guest who had so unexpectedly arrived in his absence. His parents had
not yet returned from their visit, and Denbigh, of course, would remain at his
present quarters. John promised to continue with them for a couple of days;
and the thing was soon settled to their perfect satisfaction. Mrs. Wilson knew
the great danger of suffering young people to be inmates of the same house too
well wantonly to incur the penalties; but her visit had nearly expired, and it
might give her a better opportunity of judging Denbigh s character; and Grace
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Chatterton, though too delicate to follow herself, was well contented to be
followed, especially when John Moseley was the pursuer.
CHAPTER XVI.
I am sorry, aunt, Mr. Denbigh is not rich, said Emily to Mrs. Wilson, after
they had retired in the evening, and almost unconscious of what she uttered.
The latter looked at her neice in surprise, at the abrupt remark, and one so
very different from the ordinary train of Emily s reflections, as she required
an explanation. Emily slightly colouring at the channel her thoughts had
insensibly stolen into, gave her aunt an account of their adventures in the
course of their morning s ride, and touched lightly on the difference in the
amount of the alms of her brother and Mr. Denbigh.
The bestowal of money is not always an act of charity, observed Mrs.
Wilson, gravely, and the subject was dropped; though neither ceased to dwell
on it in their thoughts, until sleep closed their eyes.
The following day Mrs. Wilson invited Grace and Emily to accompany her in a
walk; the gentlemen having preceded them in pursuit of their different
avocations. Francis had his regular visits of spiritual consolation; John had
gone to the hall for his pointers and fowling piece, the season for woodcock
having arrived; and Denbigh had proceeded no one knew whither. On gaining the
high-road, Mrs. Wilson desired her companions to lead to the cottage, where
the family of the mendicant gardener had been lodged, and thither they soon
arrived. On knocking at the door, they were immediately admitted to an outer
room, in which was the wife of the labourer who inhabited the building,
engaged in her customary morning employments. They explained the motives of
their visit, and were told the family they sought were in an adjoining room,
but she rather thought at that moment engaged with a clergyman, who had called
a quarter of an hour before them. I expect, my lady, its the new rector, who
every body says is so good to the poor and needy; but I have not found time
yet to go to church to hear his reverence preach, ma am, curtseying and
handing the fresh dusted chairs to her unexpected visiters; the ladies seated
themselves--too delicate to interrupt Francis in his sacred duties, and were
silently waiting his appearance; when a voice was distinctly heard through the
thin petition, the first note of which undeceived them as to the person of the
gardener s visiter.
It appears then, Davis, by your own confession, said Denbigh, mildly, but
in a tone of reproof, that your frequent acts of intemperance, have at least
given ground for the steward in procuring your discharge, if it has not
justified him from what was his duty to your common employer.
It is hard, sir, replied the man, sullenly, to be thrown on the world with
a family like mine, to make way for a younger man with but one child.
It may be unfortunate for your wife and children, said Denbigh, but just,
as respects yourself. I have already convinced you, that my interference or
reproof is not an empty one; carry the letter to the person to whom it is
directed, and I pledge you, you shall have a new trial; and should you conduct
yourself soberly, and with propriety, continued and ample support; the second
letter will gain your children immediate admission to the school I mentioned;
and I now leave you, with an earnest injunction to remember that habits of
intemperance, not only disqualify you to support those who have such great
claims on your protection, but inevitably leads to a loss of those powers
which are necessary to insure your own eternal welfare.
May Heaven bless your honour, cried the woman, with fervour, and evidently
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in tears, both for what you have said and what you have done. Thomas only
wants to be taken from temptation, to become a sober man again--an honest one
he has ever been, I am sure.
I have selected a place for him, replied Denbigh, where there is no
exposure from improper companions, and every thing now depends upon himself
under Providence.
Mrs. Wilson had risen from her chair on the first intimation given by Denbigh
of his intention to go, but had paused at the door to listen to this last
speech; when beckoning her companions, she hastily withdrew, having first made
a small present to the woman of the cottage, and requested her not to mention
their having called.
What becomes, now, of the comparative charity of your brother and Mr.
Denbigh, Emily? asked Mrs. Wilson, as they gained the road, on their return
homeward. Emily was not accustomed to hear any act of John slightly spoken of,
without at least manifesting some emotion, which betrayed her sisterly regard;
but on the present occasion she chose to be silent; while Grace, after waiting
in expectation that her cousin would speak, ventured to say timidly,
I am sure, dear madam, Mr. Moseley was very liberal, and the tears were in
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