manner, and rarely warmed into
a smile, except in contemplation of woman's beauty; of which, indeed, he
was an enthusiastic admirer. The late Lady Treherne had presented her
lord with no family; and the disappointment was bitterly felt by Lord
Treherne, who most ardently desired an heir to succeed to his ancient
title and immense possessions. It was rumored abroad that the eldest
Miss Erminstoun was likely to become the favored lady on whom his
lordship's second choice might fall: she was still a handsome woman, and
as cold and haughty as Lord Treherne himself; but, notwithstanding her
smiles and encouragement, the ancient cavalier in search of a bride did
not propose. Nay, on the contrary, he evinced considerable interest in
Mr. Thomas Erminstoun's failing health; he was the poor young
gentleman's godfather, and it seemed not improbable that, in the event
of his lordship dying childless, his godson might inherit a desirable
fortune. Rare fruits and flowers arrived in profusion from the Abbey;
and my lord showed great interest in my progress, while Gabrielle
treated him with far more freedom than she did any one else, and seemed
pleased and gratified by his fatherly attentions.

At length the time arrived when Gabrielle became the mother of as lovely
a babe as ever entered this world of woe; and it was a fair and touching
sight to behold the young mother caressing her infant daughter. I have
often wondered that I felt no pangs of jealousy, for the beauteous
stranger more than divided my sister's love for me--she engaged it
nearly all: and there was something fearful and sublime in the exceeding
idolatry of Gabrielle for her sweet baby. Self was immolated altogether;
and when she hung over the baby's couch each night, watching its happy,
peaceful slumbers, it was difficult to say which of the twain was the
more beautiful. Repose marked the countenance of each--Gabrielle's was
imbued with the heavenly repose of parental love.

In less than twelve months after its birth, that poor baby was
fatherless. I had anticipated and foreseen this calamity; and Gabrielle
conducted herself, as I believed she would, without hypocrisy, but with
serious propriety. Sad scenes followed this solemn event; the Misses
Erminstoun wished to take her child from Gabrielle, to bring it up at
the Hall. Mr. Erminstoun urged her compliance, and recommended my sister
to seek "a situation" for me, as "he had already so expensive an
establishment to k