CHAPTER XXVIII. Thy even thoughts with so much plainness flow, M. P. AMONG the very few people Madame de Norman visited in the neighbourhood, were Mr. and Mrs. Ethrige. They resided six miles from Cedar Grove, and frequently came to pass a day en famille. Mrs. Ethrige was a complete woman of the world, without being spoiled by the knowledge of it. She had lived in the first society as to rank and celebrity, without effort to accomplish it. Her assemblies were always elegant and agreeable. She was too much a person of real sound sense to consider who was the most or least fashionable; there was no calculation of omitting or adding if she had once made an acquaintance. Her mind was masculine, but possessed of much feminine sentiment; and her method of relating even the most common-place incident, rendered it interesting, if not instructive. She had been exceedingly handsome, and still retained what is called a fine personable figure. Mr. Ethrige was short and embonpoint. He reigned the favourite with all the belles of various ages. On one of the visits of Madame de Norman with her two protegées, to Mr. and Mrs. Ethrige, immediately they were seated at the sandwich table, the subject of Montague was brought on the tapis. Fanny said, "I am afraid my papa will lose the curacy." " I should not wonder," was Mr. Ethrige's reply. "But, my dear girl, the very weeds have an antidote for their poison somewhere near them, if people would but seek properly; therefore, why look so triste, as if I had been unkind to you, or that you had been reading love-tales, depending on others more than on yourself for your smiles and graces? You must take compassion on your cousin Murphy; he 'll look after you.” Fanny laughed, but wanted to convince him what a sad blow it would really be to the family at the Priory. "Well, it would keep that mother of yours in order, and perhaps you'd lose her invaluable society and gossip at Darmaya Vale; but, seriously, I am inclined to imagine there will be a remove, from what you tell me of this new clergyman.” "Ellen was listening to Mrs. Ethrige's conversation on London amusements and traits of Darmaya House, which she was describing to the life. "Should I be amused there, do you think?" " I believe you might," Mrs. Ethrige replied; "for a short time certainly you would ; but I had rather see you here looking like one of the wild roses, than planted against the wall in gold and diamond among us-the beauty of Almack's, and a phalanx of lovers running wild after you, which would soon be the case." Ellen smiled, and thought Mrs. Ethrige was less in earnest than she really was. "But," she asked, "does not the country and its neighbourhood all strike you as dreadfully vapid and uninteresting, when you settle yourself for six months among weeds, and sit down to our cottage fare, after grand couverts, and stars and garters encircling you partout, such a favourite as they say you are?" "You'll know better than that, my dear child," said Mrs. Ethrige, "when you come to your family, which probably must happen soon. It cannot be otherwise; they will hear of you, and even to gratify idle curiosity they will send for you. But as to me, the happiest hours are when the season is over, and Mr. Ethrige and I retire to our cottage. So far from Darmaya Vale being insipid, it is the very thing we both enjoy; so would our greatest friends, as you call them, if they could divest themselves of what is impossible-station! and see you all as we do. No, it is not always choice, but situation, which binds them down to etiquette." "I am glad I am not born great!" rejoined Ellen, "I should not like any thing but my native home, and all I want is here." Mrs. Ethrige laughed, but did not undeceive her. "Why, there is much mal-aise in grandeur, certainly," she continued, "and in all the contending nonsense of the world. No one is satisfied, because all want extremes, and seek after excess. If ever you do lead the ton, Ellen, remember this, to keep below what you might attain to; say less than you aspire to; in short be moderate, preserve your place, but do not endeavour to rise higher than pure nature warrants. Never mind millions, less deserving and unattractive, wholly having the palm, and running by you, as they will do; remain firm and still, and you will be the one in a multitude." " I shall remember all you say," answered Ellen, "but the opportunity of proving my approbation of your sentiment will never arrive." "So much the better perhaps," said Mrs. Ethrige; "but only if it should, then don't endeavour to reconcile inconsistencies." "I am sure you are my friend," repeated Ellen, as Mrs. Ethrige regarded her affectionately. END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. |