Chapter VII.

A month now passed in the ordinary avocations and amusements of a country life, and during which, both Lady Moseley and Jane manifested a desire to keep up the Deanery acquaintance, that surprised Emily a little, who had ever seen her mother shrink from communications with those whose breeding subjected her own delicacy, to the little shocks she could but ill conceal. And in Jane it was yet more inexplicable; for Jane had, in a decided way very common to her, avowed her disgust of the manners of these new associates on their first acquaintance; and yet Jane would now even quit her own society for that of Miss Jarvis, especially--if Colonel Egerton were of the party. The innocence of Emily prevented her scanning the motives which could induce such a change in the conduct of her sister; and she set seriously about an examination into her own deportment to find the latent cause, and wherever opportunity offered, to evince the tenderness of her own affections.

For a short time, the colonel had seemed at a loss where to make his choice; but a few days determined him, and Jane was now evidently the favourite. It is true, that in the presence of the Jarvis ladies, he was more guarded and general in his attentions; butas John, from a motive of charity, had taken the direction of the captain's sports into his own hands; and as they were in the frequent habit of meeting at the Hall, preparatory to their morning excursions, the colonel suddenly became a sportsman. The ladies would often accompany them in their morning rides; and as John would certainly be a baronet, and the colonel might not if his uncle married, he had the comfort of being sometimes ridden, as well as of riding.

One morning, having all prepared for an excursion on horseback, as they stood at the door ready to mount, Francis Ives drove up in his father's gig, and for a moment arrested their progress. Francis was a favourite with the whole Moseley family, and their greetings were warm and sincere. He found they meant to take the Rectory in their ride, and insisted that they should proceed. "Clara would take a seat with him;" as he spoke, the cast of his countenance brought the colour into the cheeks of his intended, who suffered herself to be handed into the vacant seat of the gig, and they moved on. John, who was at the bottom good-natured, and loved both Francis and

Clara very sincerely, soon set Captain Jarvis and his sister what he called

"scrub racing," and necessity, in some measure, compelled the equestrians to ride fast to keep up with the sports. "That will do, that will do," cried John, casting his eye back, and perceivingthey had lost sight of the gig, and almost of Colonel Egerton and Jane, "why you ride like a jockey, captain; better than any amateur I have ever seen, unless indeed it be your sister;"

and the lady, encouraged by his commendations, whipped on, followed by her brother and sister at half speed.

"There, Emily," said John, as he quietly dropped by her side, "I see no reason you and I should break our necks, to show the blood of our horses.

Now do you know, I think we are going to have a wedding in the family soon?" Emily looked at him in amazement, as he went on:

"Frank has got a living; I saw it the moment he drove up. He came in like somebody. Yes, I dare say he has calculated the tythes a dozen times already."

And John was right. The Earl of Bolton had, unsolicited, given him the desired living of his own parish; and Francis was at the moment pressing the blushing Clara to fix the day that was to put a period to his long probation in love. Clara, who had no spice of coquetry, promised to be his as soon as he was inducted, which was to take place the following week; and then followed those delightful little arrangements and plans, with which youthful hope is so fond of filling up the voids in future life.

"Doctor," said John, as he came out of the rectory to assist Clara from the gig, "the parson here is a careful driver; see, hehas not turn'd a hair." He kissed the burning cheek of his sister as she touched the ground, and whispered significantly, "you need tell me nothing, my dear--I know all-- I consent."

Mrs. Ives folded her future daughter to her bosom, as she crossed the threshold; and the benevolent smile of the good rector, together with the kind and affectionate manner of her sisters, assured Clara the approaching nuptials were anticipated as a matter of course. Colonel Egerton offered his compliments to Francis, on his preferment to the living, with the polish of high breeding, and not without the appearance of interest in what he said; and Emily thought him at that moment, for the first time, as handsome as he was reputed generally. The ladies undertook to say something civil in their turn, and John put the captain, by a hint, on the same track.

"You are quite lucky, sir," said the captain, "in getting so good a living with so little trouble; and I wish you joy of it with all my heart: Mr.

Moseley tells me it is a capital good thing."

Francis thanked him for his good wishes, and Egerton paid a handsome compliment to the liberality of the earl; "he doubted not he found that gratification which always attends a disinterested act;" and Jane applauded the sentiment with a smile.

The baronet, when on their return he was made acquainted with the situation of affairs, promised Francis that no unnecessary delay should intervene, and the marriage was happily arranged for the following week.

Lady Moseley, when she retired to the drawing room after dinner with her sister and daughters, commenced a recital of the ceremony and company to be invited on the occasion. Etiquette and the decencies of life were not only the forte, but the fault of this lady; and she had gone on to the enumeration of about the fortieth personage in the ceremonials, before Clara found courage to say, "that Mr. Ives and myself both wished to be married at the altar, and to proceed to Bolton Rectory immediately after the ceremony." To this her mother warmly objected; and argument and respectful remonstrance had followed each other for some time, before Clara submitted in silence, but with difficulty restrained her tears. This appeal to the best feelings of the mother triumphed; and she yielded her love of splendour, to her love for her offspring. Clara, with a lightened heart, kissed and thanked her, and accompanied by Emily, left the room. Jane had risen to follow them, but catching a glimpse of the tilbury of Colonel Egerton, re-seated herself, calmly awaiting his entrance: "he had merely driven over at the earnest entreaties of the ladies, to beg Miss Jane would accept a seat back with him; they had some little project on foot, and could not proceed without her assistance." Mrs. Wilson looked gravely at her sister, as she smiled acquiescence to his wishes; and the daughter, who but the minute before had forgotten there was any other person in the world but Clara, flew for her hat and shawl, in order, as she said to herself, the politeness of Colonel Egerton might not keep him in waiting for her. Lady Moseley resumed her seat by the side of her sister with an air of great complacency, as having seen her daughter happily off, she returned from the window. For some time, each was occupied quietly with her needle, for neither neglected their more useful employments in that way, in compliance with the fashions of the day, when Mrs. Wilson suddenly broke the silence with saying,

"Who is Colonel Egerton?"

Lady Moseley looked up for a moment in amazement, but recollecting herself, answered, "nephew and heir of Sir Edgar Egerton, sister." This was spoken in a rather positive way, as if it were to be unanswerable; yet as there was nothing harsh in the reply, Mrs. Wilson continued,

"Do you not think him attentive to Jane?" Pleasure sparkled in the yet brilliant eyes of Lady Moseley, as she exclaimed--

"Do you think so?"

"I do; and you will pardon me if I say, improperly so. I think you were wrong in suffering Jane to go with him this afternoon."

"Why improperly so, Charlotte; and if Colonel Egerton is polite enough to show Jane such attentions, should I not be wrong in rudely rejecting them?"

"The rudeness of refusing a request improper to be granted, is a very venial offence, I believe," replied Mrs. Wilson, with a smile; "and I confess I think it improper to allow any attentions to be forced on us, that may subject us to disagreeable consequences in any way; but the attentions of Colonel Egerton are becoming marked, Anne."

"Do you for a moment doubt their being honourable, or that he dares to trifle with a daughter of Sir Edward Moseley?" said the mother with a shade of indignation.

"I should hope not, certainly," replied her aunt, "although it may be well to guard against such misfortunes too; but I am of opinion it is quite as important, to know whether he is worthy to be her husband, as it is that he be serious in his intentions of becoming so."

"On what points, Charlotte, would you wish to be more assured? You know his birth and probable fortune--you see his manners and disposition; but these latter, are things for Jane to decide upon; she is to live with him, and it is proper she should be suited in these respects."

"I do not deny his fortune or his disposition, but I complain that we give him credit for the last and more important requisites,without evidence of his possessing them. His principles, his habits, his very character, what do we know of it? I say we, for you know, Anne, that your children are as dear to me as my own would have been."

"I believe you sincerely," said Lady Mosley; "but these things you mention are points for Jane to decide on; if she be pleased, I have no right

to complain. I am determined never to controul the affections of my children."

"Had you said, never to force the affections of your children, you would have said enough, Anne; but, to controul, or rather guide the affections of a child, especially a daughter, is a duty in some cases, as imperious as it would be to avert any other impending calamity. Surely the time to do this, is before the affections of the child are likely to endanger her peace of mind."

"I have seldom seen much good result from this interference of the parents," said Lady Moseley, adhering to her opinions.

"True; for to be of use, it should not be seen, unless in extraordinary cases. You will pardon me, Anne, but I have often thought parents are generally in extremes; either determined to make the election for their children, or leaving them entirely to their own flattered vanity and inexperience, to govern not only their own lives, but I may say, leave an impression on future generations. And after all, what is this love?nineteen cases in twenty of what we call affairs of the heart would be better termed affairs of the imagination."

"And, is there not a great deal of imagination in all love?" inquired Lady Moseley, with a smile.

"Undoubtedly there is some; but there is one difference, which I take to be this: in affairs of the imagination, the admired object is gifted with all those qualities we esteem, as a matter of course, and there is a certain set of females who are ever ready to bestow this admiration on any applicant for their favours, who may not be strikingly objectionable; the necessity of being courted, makes our sex rather too much disposed to admire improper suitors."

"But how do you distinguish affairs of the heart, Charlotte?"

"Those in which the heart takes the lead-- these generally follow from long intercourse, or the opportunity of judging the real character--and are the only ones that are likely to stand the test of worldly trials."

"Suppose Emily to be the object of Colonel Egerton's pursuit, then, sister, in what manner would you proceed to destroy the influence I acknowledge he is gaining over Jane?"

"I cannot suppose such a case," said Mrs. Wilson, gravely, and then observing her sister to look, as if requiring an explanation, she continued--

"My attention has been directed to the forming of such principles, and such a taste, if I may use the expression, under these principles, that I feel no apprehension that Emily will ever allow her affections to be ensnared by a man of the evident opinions and views of Colonel Egerton. I am impressed with a two fold duty in watching the feelings of my charge; she has so much singleness of heart, such real strength of pure native feeling, that should an improper man gain possession of her affections, the struggle between her duty and her love would be weighty indeed, but should it have proceeded so far as to make it her duty to love an unworthy object, I am sure she would sink under it; but Jane would only awake from a dream, and, for a while, be wretched."

"I thought you entertained a better opinion of Jane, sister," said Lady Moseley, reproachfully.

"I think her admirably calculated by nature to make an invaluable wife and mother; but she is so much under the influence of her fancy, that it is seldom she gives her heart an opportunity of displaying its excellencies; and again, she dwells so much upon imaginary perfections, that adulation has become necessary to her. The man who flatters her delicately, will be sure to win her esteem; and every woman might then love the being possessed of the qualities she will not fail to endow him with."

"I do not know, that I rightly understand how you would avert all these sad consequences of improvident affections?" said Lady Moseley.

"Prevention is better than cure--I would first implant such opinions as would lessen the danger of intercourse; and as for particular attentions from improper objects, it should be my care to prevent them, by prohibiting, or rather impeding, the intimacy which might give rise to them. And, least of all," said Mrs. Wilson, with a friendly smile, as she rose to leave the room,

"would I suffer a fear of being impolite to endanger the happiness of a young woman entrusted to my care."