strength, intellect, and self-balance-in a word, that look of POWER-suggested rather, girl as she was Some village Hampden who, with dauntless breast, Some mute inglorious Milton Some CROMWELL guiltless of his country's blood. It was a Maria Theresa face, without the wickedness. Captain Clifton's physiognomical studies were interrupted by the abrupt starting of Frank, who exclaimed vehemently, "Beaten in four games! Now, that's what I call outrageous! Don't you know, my dear fellow, that there are three persons in the world who should never be beaten-a guest, a woman, and a monarch ?” Carl laughed and chuckled, and, beating the draught-board tambourine-like above his head in triumph, carried it off and put it away. The whole party then arose to retire. Carl took the candle and showed his guests up into the loft, and left them to repose. Now, where will that child sleep, for we have got her room ?" asked Frank, with concern, as soon as they were alone. "Oh-h!" replied Captain Clifton indifferently, "anywhere on a pallet, perhaps, down stairs." "But the old man and the young one "Oh-h!". again drawled Clifton in a bored tone, "if you expect to meet with refinement among the mountain people, you will be disappointed.' Long after the travellers had laid down to rest, they heard the sound of footsteps moving about in the room below. They moved quietly and cautiously, as if fearful of disturbing the guests; but, as I said before, all sounds, even the lowest, could be distinctly heard through that shell of a house. On awaking the next morning, the young men found their own clothes well cleaned, dried, and pressed, ready for them to put on. Ah, ha!" said the sagacious Frank, "that is what the poor girl was at work at so late last night." On going down stairs, they found the lower room neatly arranged, and breakfast ready for them-hot coffee, cornpone, hot rolls, rashers of fried bacon, eggs, potatoes, &c. And there, in the arm-chair, in a clean homespun suit, sat the old man, looking as calm, as self-possessed, as noble and venerable as a Roman senator. He arose and bowed to the gentlemen, and offered his chair to one of them. No wonder it bowed the young girl's head with grief and shame, it pained and humbled even these strangers to know that this most reverend white-haired patriarch was often transformed by drunkenness into the beast! It was a disease, Kate had often said, wringing her hands with anguish, while seeing his degradation. It was a disease; and never till vice is treated as such will an effectual remedy be applied. Immediately after breakfast the gentlemen took leave of the family, and mounted their horses to pursue their journey. Frank, in the thoughtless kindness of his heart, would have offered the poor people some remuneration for their entertainment; but Clifton, who knew the habits and feelings of the mountaineers better, arrested a purpose that might have given offence. But on parting with Carl Kavanagh, Captain Clifton expressed his thanks for the hospitality that had been extended to himself and friend, adding that if he could then, or at any time, in any manner, be of use to his kind host, he should be happy to serve him, &c. To this the young man replied "I thank you, sir. I know Captain Clifton by report, and feel that I can trust to his generosity. I have a heavy care-my young sister. If you could hear of a place at service for her among the honourable ladies of your family or acquaintance, I should feel very grateful indeed, sir." Captain Clifton kindly gave his promise to make inquiries. Frank again shook hands with Carl, bowed to Kate, nodded to the old man through the window, and then the travellers turned from the door of the mountain-hut, cantered briskly up the glen, and took the road to WHITE CLIFFS. CHAPTER II. CLIFTON AND THE BEAUTIES. THE torrents had been so terribly swollen and overflowed, and the roads so dreadfully washed and guttered by the tempest and flood of the preceding evening, that the travellers found the greatest difficulty in pursuing their journey, often having to turn back miles on this road to take another way, and often being obliged to search leagues up and down the course of a river to find a practicable ford. Therefore it was near nightfall when they crossed the last range of forest-crowned mountains, and descended into the wooded valley that lay between them and White Cliffs. A winding road through the woods brought them to the house. The full moon was rising east of the cliffs, and casting their shadow back across the house and lawn. The mansion was a lofty edifice of white stone, with terraced roof, and many irregular, projecting wings. The tall trees surrounding the buildings, the lofty cliffs rising behind them, the dark shadow falling on all; the hour, the silence, and the solitude, gave an air of refreshing coolness and deep repose to the scene. On turning an angle of the building, they saw the drawingroom windows open, and the light from them gleaming out cheerfully across that part of the lawn. At that moment a servant, waiting at the hall-door, came down to take their horses. "All well at home, Dandy ?", inquired Captain Clifton, as he dismounted, and threw him the reins. "Sarvint, sir! All very well," replied the man, touching his hat. Captain Clifton led the way up into the hall adjoining the drawing-room, where they were met by an old gentleman, who seized both of Clifton's hands, and shook them slowly and cordially, as he said, dropping each word separately, with a hearty, luscious emphasis "Why-my-dear-boy-how glad I am-to see you!" And I am very happy to be with you, sir, and to find you looking so well. Allow me to introduce to your acquaintance Lieutenant Fairfax, of my company," said Captain Clifton, presenting his friend. Glad to How do "Glad to see him! Glad to see Mr. Fairfax! welcome any friend of my nephew's to Clifton. you do, sir? Knew your relative, Lord Fairfax, of Greenway Courthouse. Excessively fond of hunting. Kept bachelor's hall. Very great mistake, that very! Hope you won't follow his example! Fine man, however, and I honour his memory. Come in, sir; come in. Come in, Archy. My-dear-boy-I'm-so-del-ighted to see you!" Whenever he spoke to his nephew, he seemed to dwell upon each separate syllable with a cordiality impossible to describe. He was a large old gentleman, clothed in a fresh, fragrant suit of pale blue linen, with his hair as white as cotton, his fresh, rosy complexion, fine teeth, and clear, kind, blue eyes, making a most refreshing picture of simplicity, cheerfulness, and cleanliness of soul and body in old age. He was of a sanguine temperament, and, under great provocation, could get into a passion, too. And what old father of a family, with two grown daughters and a young wife, all under eighteen years of age, and all beauties, has not enough combustible material to burn the house down, or set his own temper on fire? Yet such was the kindness of his heart, that even when in violent anger, stamping up and down the floor, grasping desperately at his own white temple locks with both hands, and vociferating in stentorian tones, it was all, as Frank afterwards said, shooting with blank cartridges —he never said a word or did a thing to wound a single soul. "I trust the ladies are all well, sir," said Captain Clifton, as he followed his uncle. 66 Yes, yes; that is to say, Carry is well, but not well pleased. She expected you yesterday-didn't consider the storm any excuse for your absence. Ah! you dog—you sad dog-at your age would I have kept a lady waiting? Nay, would I do it now? But come, shall I present you to the ladies now, or do you prefer first the refreshment of the bath and a change of dress? Your own and your friend's baggage arrived this morning by the waggon, and has been conveyed to your rooms.' Oh, a change of dress, by all means!" suggested Frank. "Dandy, DANDY!" exclaimed the old gentleman, raising his strong voice, till the servant appeared, "show Mr. Fairfax to General Washington's room.' General Washington had slept one night at Clifton, and from that time to this the room he occupied has been "General Washington's room." The servant conducted Mr. Fairfax up stairs. And then the old gentleman, turning to his nephew, took his hands again, and said, "My dear boy, once more I must say, I'm -so-glad-to-see you. You are at home, you know. So go and find your room, and ring and give your orders, my son, for you are so. And I will go and let the ladies know that you have come, though I dare say they know it already.” And, shaking his hands, he let them go, and turned slowly away. Half an hour sufficed the young gentlemen to make themselves presentable, at the end of which time they descended the stairs, and were met in the hall by old Mr. Clifton, who ushered them into the drawing-room. This apartment was a most delightful summer-room. It was very spacious, occupying the whole first floor of one of those irregular wings of the house. The ceiling was lofty, the walls were covered with pearl-white paper, and the floor, of white oak, was waxed and polished to an ivory smoothness. On three sides were tall windows, reaching to the floor, and opening out upon the piazza or the lawn, and draped with snowy, flowing curtains. On the fourth side was the open fireplace, whitened inside, and having on its marble hearth an alabaster vase of lilies, whose fragrance filled the air. The walls were adorned with tall mirrors, and with choice paintings, all of a cool, refrigerating character, such as: An Alpine Scene; A Green Forest Glade, with Deer Reposing; A Mountain Lake; A Shaded Pond, with Cows; A Farmyard in a Snow-storm, &c. A piano stood at the farthest end of the room. A harp reclined near it. A few marbletopped stands and tables, scattered over with rare prints, books, virtu, bijouterie, &c., stood at convenient distances. A lady's elegant work-table, with its costly trifles, was a pleasing feature in the room. Sofas, ottomans, divans, and lounging chairs, "fitted to a wish for study or repose," were everywhere at hand. Through the open windows came the evening wind, laden with the fragrance of flowers, the murmur of falling waters, the whisper of leaves, and the cherry chirp of insects-those night songsters who begin when the birds go to sleep, nature's vesper choir; while from the open windows could be darkly seen the tall, shadowy trees, the towering white cliffs, and, in the distance, a bend of that great river which took its rise here, and which there, sleeping among the dark green hills, with the moon shining full upon it, seemed a resplendent mountain lake, flashing back the moonbeams from its bosom in rays of dazzling light. The whole effect of the room and the scene was delightfully cooling and refreshing. |