259

CHAP. XIV.

He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.'

"CHARLES DELACOUR!" burst in accents of rapture from every lip, as his wellremembered voice was heard to inquire, which of the family are at home?'

To what kind accident are we indebted for this unexpected happiness?' demanded Mrs. Vernon,' again pressing the hand she still retained, as if unwilling to relinquish it.'

To sober, settled purpose, my dear madam,' returned Charles; I cannot permit you to suppose that accident has had any influence over my re-appearance. In good truth you have given me some bad habits; I find no welcome so cordial no

fire-side so warm-no friends so indulgentno voices so grateful to my ear-in a word, no place so delightful to me as the parsonage.'

'I find that flattery is to be learned with equal facility in the palace of a bishop as in the palace of a king; and I am sorry to perceive that you are already such an adept in your lately-acquired accomplishment,' said Mr. Vernon, smiling.

Pardon

me,' replied Delacour; I trust I may aver that, in this respect, my patron disgraces not his title of Lord Spiritual, his conduct towards me having proved it; for, were insincere professions and undue humiliations the avenues to his favour, I should not now have the pleasure to inform my friends of his Lordship's kindness in designing me to be the future Rector of M

Many congratulations having passed, Harriet inquired was the incumbent still living? Charles replied 'no' and disclaimed

the idea of a speculation the réalization of which must be preceded by the death of a fellow-creáture; adding, that a nephew of the bishop had most kindly undertaken to perform the necessary duties, and to hold the living in trust for the few months which must elapse before he should be qualified for the possession of it, by entering into priest's orders. On the following morning, having requested a private audience of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon, he informed them, that his stay being limited to two days he wished to ascertain their sentiments on a subject which he almost feared to name, so forcibly did he feel its importance to his earthly happiness.

*On what subject can Charles Delacour fear to speak, or why hesitate to open his heart to his sincerely affectionate friends?! said Mr. Vernon. Thus encouraged, Charles proceeded to declare an attachment, hitherto unsuspected by any one member of

6

My

Caroline's family. He said he had loved her from the morning when first she was seen by him at the pillow of her brother; but that, hopeless of ever being in circumstances which could admit of his seeking her hand, he had sedulously concealed an affection which every observation of her character had tended to augment. poverty but not my will consented,' he continued, to a silence, on her departurefor England, although I dreaded that many might there be found to regard her with sentiments similar to those I experienced. I could, with truth, describe the agonies I endured in contemplating the possibility of her being the wife of another, knowing my love to be so founded on her qualities of heart and understanding, as that it was not to be subdued by years; which, by improving, my judgment could but increase .my admiration of that moral excellence and mental beauty constituting the very soul of

loveliness. I also felt assured that no change of features could have power to weaken my attachment; those features being only valuable as expressing the sweet and gentle spirit which animated them. With such impressions I quitted Glendalough, despairing to obtain her whom my heart acknowledged as its possessor;and now, my beloved friends, I am presumptuous enough to return with the fond hope that the independence I am about to acquire, and the hand I offer, may not be thought unworthy of Caroline's acceptance, nor be rejected by her inestimable parents.' Son of my affections?' exclaimed Mr. Vernon with much emotion, proud indeed to me would be the day which made you the husband of my daughter; but I have ever conceived the influence of parental authority to be highly unjustifiable on an occasion like the present, and that the heart of the young female should alone de