he mother was no sooner committed to the earth, than
Mr. Greaves, mindful of her exhortations, began to take measures for a
reconciliation with the guardian. He engaged several gentlemen to
interpose their good offices, but they always met with the most
mortifying repulse, and at last Anthony Darnel declared that his hatred
to the house of Greaves was hereditary, habitual, and unconquerable. He
swore he would spend his heart's blood to perpetuate the quarrel, and
that, sooner than his niece should match with young Launcelot, he would
sacrifice her with his own hand.

"The young gentleman, finding his prejudice so rancorous and invincible,
left off making any further advances, and, since he found it impossible
to obtain his consent, resolved to cultivate the good graces of Aurelia,
and wed her in despite of her implacable guardian. He found means to
establish a literary correspondence with her as soon as her grief was a
little abated, and even to effect an interview, after her return to her
own house; but he soon had reason to repent of his indulgence. The uncle
entertained spies upon the young lady, who gave him an account of this
meeting, in consequence of which she was suddenly hurried to some distant
part of the country, which we never could discover.

"It was then we thought Mr. Launcelot a little disordered in his brain,
his grief was so wild, and his passion so impetuous. He refused all
sustenance, neglected his person, renounced his amusements, rode out in
the rain, sometimes bareheaded; strolled about the fields all night, and
became so peevish, that none of the domestics durst speak to him without
the hazard of broken bones. Having played these pranks for about three
weeks, to the unspeakable chagrin of his father, and the astonishment of
all that knew him, he suddenly grew calm, and his good-humour returned.
But this, as your seafaring people say, was a deceitful calm, that soon
ushered in a dreadful storm.

"He had long sought an opportunity to tamper with some of Mr. Darnel's
servants, who could inform him of the place where Aurelia was confined;
but there was not one about the family who could give him that
satisfaction, for the persons who accompanied her remained as a watch
upon her motions, and none of the other domestics were privy to the
transaction. All attempts proving fruitless, he could no longer restrain
his impatience, but throwing himself in the way of the uncle, upbraided
him in such h