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GRAHAM HAMILTON.

Bare innocence is no support,When you are tried in Scaniial's court.Stand liigh in honour, wealth, or wit;All others who interior sit,Conceive themselves in conscience boundTo join and drag you to the ground.Your altitude offends the eyesOf those, who want the power to rise.The World, a willing stander-by.Inclines to aid a specious lie;Alas they would not do you wrong;But all appearances are strong

SWIFI ON t KNSURE.

VOL. II.

LONDON:PRINTED FOR HENRY COLBURN AND CO.

CONDUIT-STREET, HANOVER-SQUARE.

1822.


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GRAHAM HAMILTON.

CHAP. I.I COULD not rest. The scene of

the preceding night was before myeyes; and then my thoughts recurredto hometo Gertrude : and the morn-ino- was far advanced when I fellasleep. My uncle sent for me at tenI found him in his study. I triedto apply myself to business,

but hemust have perceived, though he didnot remark upon it, the distraction of

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2 GRAHAM HAMILTON.my thoughts, and the constraint ofmy manner. As soon as I was re-leased, I hurried to Lady Orville'sdoor. I approached it twice ; buteach time seeing Lady Denmont'scarriage, I did not venture even toleave my name.

It M^as nearly a week before 1 againsaw Lady Orville ; when we met, shetold me of Moncriefs generosity, butshe also told me, that he had treatedher with some harshness and

severity.She confided to me that Lord Or-ville was on the brink of ruin ; thathe accused her extravagance as thecause of his distress, and had de-clared to her his serious intention ofseparating himself entirely from her.


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. dShe concluded this melancholy dis-closure, by enjoining me to leave herto her fate, and see her no more.** Oh wherefore, I cried, banishme your presence? Why have youpermitted me to see to heartoadore you, and then say coldly, cruel-ly, ' Never approach me again' ?Lady Orville again bade me fly her;

and yet her countenance seemed toexpress a different wish, and beseech-

inglyto

say, Remain and comfort meyou are my only friend. I knew

not how to actbut I obeyed herlooks, rather than her words. I sawher again and again, and every time1 saw her, I became more andmore entangled. At length I re-

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4 GRAHAM HAMILTON.solved, cost me what it might, thatI would break off an intercourse,which every day engrossed me moreentirely; and which, novice as Ithen was, I felt could lead only toerror and misfortune. Exhorted byher I summoned up all my resolu-tion; I recalled to my mind theformthe features of Gertrude; I readover her innocenther simple letters:but all these exertions and resolutionswere insufficient to enable me to copewith the force and vehemence of mypassion.As a last desperate resource I

plunged into folly, vice, and dissipation.I thought nothing wrong which could


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. Obe the means of estranging me fromher. I sought other societyI courtednew friends, and followed other pur-suits. I indulged in profusion andextravagance ; but by some unac-countable means I always met her,and sometimes in situations of greatinterest and difficulty. With her mo-ney-affairs I became connected; whatI could to soften my uncle in her fa-vour I did; and whilst we were bothdetermining to fly

from each other,chance threw us continually together.Though she was grieved, she did notexpress offence, nor had she firmnesssufficient to break off a friendshipwhich she knew to be so sincere


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6 GRAHAM HAMILTON.SO devotedand which had, in mo-ments of great embarrassment, ren-dered her such material assistance.

Notwithstanding my excesses, myuncle's munificence towards me be-came unbounded ; his attachment andhis pride in me increased. I was noonger called a Scottish adventurer,or a poor studenta friend whom Mr.Brandon had picked up at Edinburghbut I was talked of every whereas the brave Captain Hamilton's ne-phew,Sir Malcolm the rich mer-chant's heirand a young man of sur-prising genius. I was generally court-ed and sought after. Cards on cardscrowded my table with invitations todinners, concerts, parties, and balls.


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GRAHAM HAMILTOX. 7But what was all this to me, after

the first few weeks, when my successwas evident, and my vanity gratified ?^when women, for whom I did notcare, made advances I wished notto return, and talked to me duringoperas and plays, which I was dy-ing to hear ? What was it to me todanceto dineto drinkto gameto sit the eternal length of dinnerstobe mixed in the senseless crowding ofassembliesto witness the vulgar ser-vility of those who were pushing theirway into the world of fashion, and theequally vulgar arrogance of those whoconsidered themselves its leaders ?What was it to me to hear, one by one,the names aspersed, and the characters


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.'.TIT'8 GRAHAM HAMILTON.trodden down into the mire, of womenwho appeared to me all that is good,innocent, and pure ? I was not hap-py. I look not back upon those days,however brilliant, as days of enjoy-ment. My vanity was gratified, andtime passed swiftly by; but still it wasnot happinessnot such as I had felt,when first Gertrude had told me I wasdear to her, when my heart picturedno other delight than spending th eremainder of my life in her society.My attachment to Lady Orvillecaused me bitter sorrow; T heardher spoken of in terms which I couldnot endure; I heard her name cou-])led with my own, in a manner

Oa.'i..'\;which made me miserable,Moncrief


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GRAHAM HAMILTON, 9taxed me with my conduct. As amend, older than myself, he admo-nished me for Lady Orville's sakefor my father'sfor Gertrude's atleast to be more circumspect. I re-assured him. Can you really say,he asked, that my fears are unfound-ed r 1 assure you oi it, upon myhonour. ** All I ask of you, he said,^^ is, not to deceive me. '' Is nothinggoing on in secret f 1 never seeher in private, I replied : Upon myhonour v^e do not even meet. Hegave me his hand and said, I believeyou, and you are a noble fellow.

But very shortly after this a cer-tain Colonel L., a forward profligatecoxcomb, who, judging from his own

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10 GRAHAM HAMILTON.want of both, believed neither in hOnesty nor virtue, affirmed in my pre-sence, that- '. No, I dare notIcannot even now repeat the terms inwhich he characterised her.The blood boiled in my veins ; too

rashly I called upon him to accountfor his shameless aspersion. He smiled,and would have withdrawn from thedanger of supporting his own words.Forgetting that I should certainlymake Lady Orville's name as well aj^my own public, I listened only to myresentment, and expressions passedbefore others, which made it impossi-ble that Colonel L. should not demandsatisfaction. We metMr. Brandon


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 11was my second. The Colonel receivedmy firedischarged his own pistol inthe air ; and I was compelled to de-clare myself satisfied. The affair withits cause became generally known,and had the natural effect of still far-ther injuring Lady Orville's reputa-tion.

It were difficult to believe howmany unfounded stories were circu-lated by malice against her. It wasaot indeed to be expected, that a cen-sorious, officious, intermeddling worldever greedy of scandal, ever readyto adopt the worst construction, andhasty to condemnshould shew un-wonted mercy and compassion to one


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12 GRAHAM HAMILTON'.whose superior endowments had sodeeply mortified its vanity and ex-cited its envy.

Moncrief was confident that thesereports were unfounded ; but he provedto me too clearly that my imprudencewas the cause of them ; and he urgedme to find any pretext for quittingLondon immediately for some time. Ipleaded a thousand excuses : andwhen I at last yielded to his argu-ments, I still urged a thousand rea-sons for putting off a step, which 1could not deny to be absolutely ne-cessary. In ten daysin a fortnight,I promised to depart. I undertookduring that time not to approach LadyOrville's doors ; and though for some


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GRAHAM HAMILTON . 13days I kept my engagement in thisrespect, I still delayed breaking tomy uncle my intention, or asking hispermission that I should leave him.Lady Orville had of course heard,and she had been much affected on

hearing of the risk I had run on heraccdnnt. The gallantry and devotionof my conduct w^as in her eyes, as itwould have been in those of mostwomen, more than an atonement forits rashness and imprudence. Shehad twice written to ask me to cometo her ; but I would not break the pro-mise I had made Moncrief. At lengthI heard that she was ill, and I couldresist no longer. Sick of scenes ofvice, a loser of more than I cared to


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14 GRAHAM HAMILTON.confess at the gaming-table, and underthe consciousness that half the townbelieved me the favoured lover of aperson for whom my admiration wassuch as not to permit me to lower herfor a moment even by an unworthythought,with such feelings I enteredher apartment, and at once communi-cated to her my intention of leavingLondon.She seemed aifected, and instantly

said there was now nonecessity for mydepartureit was too late : malice

had done its worst. '* Oh yes, therei;5 necessity, I replied, for I haveno commandno control over my-self, and I must leave you. You oncecommanded me to do soit had been


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 15better for me had I then obeyedyou. You obeyed me in everything, said Lady Orville : it is nowunnecessary you must not leaveLondon. May I ask you where-fore ? I replied hastily. '' Ah where-fore such confusion ? Your tears,your embarrassment, all tell me that Iam a source of misery and disquiet toyou. Why do you start from me asfrom something hateful?

Oh, if I were to tell you, shereplied, that I returned that interest,that friendship, your looks and wordsand actions all prove that you feel formeif I were to promise you myfriendship, what would you then thinkofme ? '' I know not, but in that case


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16 GRAHAM HAMILTON.I would fly you still more, still far-ther, I replied, as firmly as I could.''Alas she said, in tears, everyfriend I have thus forsakes me theyeither leave me as Moncrief does,or I force them from me, as I do

T ifyouyet am 1 not your protectress,your friend in society? Is not myhouse at all times open to you ? If Isay it is shut, if my protection shouldb'^'\vimdrawn ? It were better forni^)^^ I answered, struggling with avariety of feelings, far better for methan any success accompanied bydisgrace. Could you bear to live,'and never see me again ? I knownot, I answered, hesitatingly ; but thisI know, I could never bear to live.


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GKAHAM HAMILTOX. 171 1 ,'f

if you were I^pj^^worthyif I becaip.eso._ Lady Orville coloured deeply, andappeared struck to the heart by thesewords. They seemed to overwhelmher with confusion. Oh Mr. Hamil-ton, she exclaimed, '* where have

you lived that you should cherishsuch noble sentiments ? or rather,where have I lived that I should haveforgotten them ? Lord Orville is cold,severe, and unfaithful.' y./'^Have youdone nothing to render him so V 1have never dishonoured him. GoodHeavens can you talk so coldly ofsuch a crime ? Mr. Hamilton,hear me : why in your own mind pic-ture me a being superior to all others,


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18 GRAHAM HAMILTON.in order to wound me the moredeeplyto use me the more unkindly ?How inconsistent your conduct hasbeen : why even risk your life in de-fence of my reputation if in fact youare indifferent ? Indifferent do Iappear so ? Look at me and see if inthese eyes, this countenance, you cantrace indifference to your welfare ; butdo not imagine I am base enough tomistake your friendship, your conde-scension, or to forget the principlesof honour and religion ; do not tellme of Lord Orville's coldness, andyour own unhappiness. 1 am thelast in the world to whom you shouldname them. You have wrung myheart, replied Lady Orville : I am


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 19alone upon earth ; you know notwhat it is to be so. I pass mydays in a struggle to appear gay,

my nights in tears.Your mother, I said faintly, in-terrupting her, your mother couldbe a friend. *' She cannot sympa-thise with my woesit would breakher heart were she to hear them. Ah have you never done any thing wrong,that you can speak with such severityto me ? I felt my strength fail ; Isaw Lady Orville's tears, and I faintlycontinued, *' Moncrief is your friend,and as I pronounced his name, Itried to penetrate into her very soul.Her fair arm, supported her head ;her dark brown hair, carelessly dishe-


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20 GUAHAM HAMILTON..veiled, fell over her pale cheek, yet,wet with tears ; her eyes were lowlybentshe raised them softlyshelooked beseechingly on me.

Gra-ham she called me thus:the ten-derness of that soimdthe emotion ofhearing such a woman thus call me

:overcame my assumed firmness.I bent forward to take her hand,-^perhaps to press it to my lips. Start-ing back, Oh no, she cried, **youmisunderstand me : 'tis a friend^ akind, an ardent, an unspoiled friend,I wish forone to soothe my harassedsoul, to lead me back from the roadof ruin, iVom the brink of that gulf of.crime into whicJi I assure you her.look was truth ** I never yet have


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GRAHAM HAJIILTON. 21fallen. It is for this alone I soughtyou.'*-^^*^ I will be that friend, I cried,throwing myself before her. ** I willserve you with zeal ; weep with you,ifit^cannot comfort you; pray for you,if nothing else is left mepray withyou, Lady Orville, and teach you tofii& your affections higher than thetransient dream of this world.As I was thus speaking, the door

opened, and Moncrief entered.' ''^ 'If Never was confusion greater thanmine; never was terror more stronglyimpressed on any countenance thanupon her swhat then was my sur-prise, what my relief, when Moncrief,perfectly composed, and appearingnot even to observe me, seated him-


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22 GRAHAM HAMILTON.self near Lady Orville, and in asomewhat anxious tone inquired ofher, whether she had heard from herhusband. With hesitation, with em-barrassment, not knowing what shesaid, Lady Orville first answered thatshe hadthen that she had not.

I conclude, continued Moncrief, that I may speak to you openlybefore Mr. Hamilton : he seems, andhe smiled with bitterness, '* he seemsperfectly acquainted with all that isgoing on. Not in the least, Isaid eagerly. Moncrief cast his eyesupon me with a glance of superiorityand proud contempt I could not en-dure. He then continued, addressingLady Orville You know my wishes.


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 23>my proposalthe offer I have madeis sincere ; decide in whatever wayyou may think most conducive toyour happiness : mine, you are wellaware, depends on yours.He was strongly agitated as he

spoke. Lady Orville wept, but madeno answer. I felt that I ought toleave the room ; but my embarrass-ment was such that I could not do it.At length Moncrief rose to depart,and as he passed me, said in a lowsolemn voice : meet me to-night :I am engaged until twelve, after thathour you will find me at my ownhouse.As soon as he had left the room,

Lady Orville beckoned to me, and I


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24 GRAHAM HAMlLTOSr.seated myself by her side. She tookmy hand, and said, *' What mustyon think of meof me to whom youhave been accustomed to look up assomething elevated and superior.Hear me, and learn to appreciatereal worthlearn to know the dis-tinction between the appearance andthe reality of generosity of sentimentand ma^nanimitv of soul. Moncrief,her voice faltered, Moncriefwasto have been my husband : he hadloved me from infancyour parentswere friends. I left him for the prO'ferred hand of one of the richest andhandsomest men in England. LordOrville rewarded me as I deservedbut enough of him. After my mar-


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GRAHAM HAMILTON'. 25nage, I saw Moncrief. Piqued atLord Orville's indifference, and con-scious that Moncrief still loved mewith ardour, I sought his society,tortured his heart, and led himabout in triumph as my victimI felt pride in humbling the proudestof men. My vain heart exulted inshewing a man of integrity andhonour a prey to the maddest at-tachment; but I was disappointedin my unworthy wish. Moncrief wasfirmer than I had expected: and, what-ever pain I may have given himhowever I may have deserved other-wisehe has never treated me butwith the respect and attachment ofa friend.

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26 GRAHAM HAMILTOX. He sought to save me when he

found me involved in debts and manydifficulties : and nownow that LordOrville, enraged at the magnitude ofmy offences, has determined to partfrom me, Moncrief offers to go tohim., to attempt an arrangement of

my affairs, and a reconciliation be-tween me and my husband. But Ihave been so deeply injured byLord Orville, that I cannot forgivehim. My affections are entirely alie-nated; and I had rather be sepa-rated with all the obloquy that at-tends upon such a measure, thanconsent to return with him into thecountry, and see my friends no more.Think, Mr. Hamilton, of his proposal :


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 27seeread it in his own letter, *' ThatLady Orville should give up her ser-vants, her equipages, her house in

London; that she should consent toreside, for the next three years in thecountry ; and that upon these condi-tions an arrangement may be madefor discharging her immense debtscontracted by boundless extrava-gance, undiscriminating charity, andthe most inconsiderate negligence.

*' And have you consented V Isaid eagerly Have 11 she replied:*' Oh, Mr. Hamilton, that I had yoursimple habitsyour integrityyourreal spirit of independence. Lookat this house the gilding of theceilings, the pictures, the splen-

c2


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28 GRAHAM HAMILTOlsr.^b'tff -df ' tlie' furnitliVi^?'' ^ What arethese things, I said, ** if one singledebt be left unpaid ? Such scenes asthat of the evening of the ball mustdeprive you of all enjoyment of theseluxuries. And after all, magnificentmansions and numberless servantsdo not promote the happiness of thoseto whom they belong. The mirth ofthe heart, the amusement of the mind,gaiety of spirit, social intercourse,and pleasant conversation, cheer anddelight humbler dw^ellings. I care notfor these pomps and ceremoniesyoucannot in your heart regard them,either: and remember, that sooner orlater you must be called upon to re-sign them.


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GRAHAM HAMILTOX. 23*' But the friends who now consider

me as their first objectmy parties,to be invited to which there is somuch emulation my suppers, atwhich politics are debated, and wherestatesmen settle their measuresallthese will be lost for ever, and theworld will seek some other generalplace of union, if I give up my pre-sent place in society, and retire intothe country for three years/'

It will not be for three years, Ireplied. How It will be en-tirely, if you once retire : if you onceresolve upon an interval of reason andreflection, you will no longer care forthese things, as you do now. Withyour mind^withyour resourcesyou


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30 GRAHAM HAMILTOX.will soon discover the superior enjoy-ment of a more rational and more so-cial course of life. And oh Lady Or-ville, can one like you hesitate be-tween the empty pride of being at thehead of a train of persons, who wouldnot refrain from going to the nextball, were you to die to-morrow, andthe solid merit of living the ornament,the delight, and comfort of yourfamily ?

*'I wish, said Lady Orville, half

smiling, ** you were permitted topreach publicly to ladies in general ;you certainly would make many con-vertsbut my case is different, yourreasoning does not apply to it. I haveno home to adorn, no husband who


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 31i-equires my attention, no child to in-struct,my babes are not yet of anage to demand my care ; and besides,if they were, I could not pass mytime in hearing them their lessons.I hate to torment children ; they aremy only comforts now, yet my heartrequires more, I feel too ardently tobear existence without . '

She hesitated:I did not venture tointerrupt her. '' I am not yet twenty-four years of age/' she continued;*' and what does life present to me ?'' What it ever must present to all, Ireplied, '' a varied field of good andevil. Much happiness is yourssomesorrows have fallen to your lot ; butI am convinced that of all the latter


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32 GRAHAM HAMILTOX,the most difficult to endure is self-reproach.Ladv Orville seemed affected with

my conversationI fear these detailsmay tire others ; but let it be remem-bered by the lovers of a more laconicstyle, by those who suffer under anirritable impatience of monotony, andnourish by all incentives a passion forcontinual novelty, that I spoke to awoman, of herself and her own affairs^that I was not yet twenty years ofageand that something of the ardourof an enthusiastic lover broke in ui)onand relieved the tediousness of ad-monition.

Had I once heard you speak thus,Mr. Hamilton, at length she said^


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 33r.ir-

looking at me with irresistible sweet-ness, I might, perhaps, have feltamended, but now to me perpfetualchange of scene, variety of conver-sation, and multiplicity of acquain-tance are become necessary. Younce told me that existence was, as itwere, dead without active pursuits,and that action was the light of life.I cannot labour write I do ; butwere I to publish what I write, Ishould only make enemies, or incurcensure. In the country I dread thetediousness of neighbours, the wrang-fihg of companionsand then theridicule As all other fears in societylose their power, this fear increases ;and no one who is not aware of the

' ''^' '' c 5 '


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34 GRAHAM HAMILTON,manner in which others talk, laugh,and misrepresent, can at all imaginehow unpleasant it is to be the jesteven of fools. Where there iscomplete heartlessness, I replied,' there must be a total want of sym-pathy for those who act from rightfeeling; but, be assured, the scoffersfear what they ridicule, and onlyaffect to despise those who, theyknow, must deeply despise them.Act upon higher motives than thedread of this ridicule. Oh, if youknew how they already aspersed yournamehow little they really love youhow soon the idol of the day isforgotten by those who pay the mostabject adorationand how every fault


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 3ois noted in those who, from whatevercause> are thrust into public notice j^. It was thus I went on, till Lady Or-ville discovered that she had listenedto me for nearly three hours ; and Ifelt that attachment alone could haveinduced her to do so : this led to amore dangerous explanation. No oneappeared to interrupt us. My ima-gination was overheated,I forgotmyself so far, as to forget what wasdue to her. I owned that I felt forher with ardourLady Orville blush-ed : never had I seen her look sobeautiful. Hope and passion gave mea confidence in myself I had not be-fore. I uttered the rhapsodies of en-thusiasm, the promises which some


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36r> GRAHAM HAMILTON'.think are only made in order to bejbroken, but which I at that hour con-sidered as sacred. At length I recol-lected the necessity of departing, ^nd,>tore myself away

my heart beatingwith agitation, and my mind in strange

disorder. Mr. Moncrief requested me to

remind Mr. Hamilton that he expectedhim this evening at twelve, said theservant as I descended the stairs.** Good heavens I had forgotten it;and what hour is it?

*' It is half-past two, said the man with a smile ;and I immediately hastened whitherMoncrief had appointed me. As Iwent out, I heard the porter say, Did you tell my lady that Lady


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 37Denmont and Miss Clairville hadtwice called this evening, but I re-fused them on your orders? - '^did, said the laquais aloud, that Imight hear him, you were quiteright ; her ladyship was too muchindisposed to see any one.

itt.--n'T('v^ hnrf T sfTftTROff .booO -'- lix


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38 GRAHAM HAMILTON.

CHAP. II.

That Moncrief thought I had de-ceived him, 1 was convinced ; that hewould demand of me satisfaction, Iconsidered as inevitable : with a mindpossessed by these expectations, withpassions excited, and an imaginationinflamed, I arrived at the place whichhe had appointed. He had beenw^aiting for me two hoursyet hismanner was calm. It was kind ofyou, Graham, he said, extending hishand, thus to comply with my re-


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 39

quest : and to disarm at once yourbrow of that haughtiness, which Iperceive upon it, and to check ayoung enthusiast who may be de-lighted with the idea of sending abullet into the bosom of the onlyfriend in London w^ho wishes himwell, let me inform you, that what-ever you may say, however you mayprovoke me, my arm is defencelessaoainst vour'snever, never will I doany thing to harm a person whosemerit I appreciate, and whose inex-perience I would guide. Softenedand somewhat calmed by this address,*' I came not hither, I said, in theidea that you would act unkindly byme. I shall never forg^et the ser-


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40 GRAHAM HAMILTON.vices you have done me, and I askyon, Moncrief, to speak to me sin-cerelyto give me your full confi-dence ; I think I shall not abuse it,or be deficient in that generosity andnoble virtue, the example of which Ihave ever found in you. ' ' '

Graham, said Moncrief, after afew moments' silence, you have de-ceived meit was, however, natural,perhaps right ; for had you spokenthe truth to me you had betrayedLady Orville. Lady Orville loves^OU, ' he continued in a hurriedtone. Loves me I exclaimed. No childish denials ; if you are tooinnocent to perceive it, others are notVShe loves you I see it, I know it;'

tnrlt hhn I


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GRAHAM IIAMILTOX. 41nay, you are aware of it ; and, wj.th-out returning- her attachment, yourhead is turned, your passions areexcited, and your vanity is flattered.My vanity Cease, and hear

me : all I ask is, to be quietly heard,Avithout aff ectation of surprise andwithout

interruption.To Lady Or-ville I have been attached for many

years : before her marriage I lovedher with the romantic ardour of

youth;since that period, I haveomitted no one act that fidelity anddisinterested affection suggested forthe protection of her innocence andthe security of her happiness. Itmay not sound pleasing in your ears, ifI add that I have felt for her all the


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42 GRAHAM HAMILTON.attachment that I could ever feel inhonour to a married woman. That 1could have made her forget her duty,I do not believe; and had I done sohad I, in the common acceptation oftheworld, succeeded with her, I had felthumbled, and not triumphant: for itis in her virtue, her excellence, hersuperiority over every other woman,that I place my pride and satisfac-tion.

1 have even been careful, by my

attention to propriety, to keep thebusy tongue of scandal silent. 1 knowit is said I love her absurdly, madly;but what of that ? no one can evereven hint that my devotion has for-gotten the respect due to her, or ever


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 43attempted to influence her mind towhat is base. I have exerted myselfto keep my own bosom sound andpure, that it might not, by commu-nication, contaminate hers. Suchconduct is, I am sorry to beheve,rare;perhaps few would understand it suf-ficiently to admire it : neither was itfor the praise of others, that I actedthus. The virtues which really applyto the great leading relations and cir-cumstances of life are neglected andundervaluedenthusiasm, false refine-ment, exaggerated sensibility are moreinteresting. I wish not to interest ;but, Graham, I did hope the rewardof so many years of devotion to oneindividual would have met with a dif-


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44 GRAHAM HAMILTON.ferent recompense. Lady Orville hasat length forgotten what was due toherself, and I may add, to her only realfriend. It is ever thus, when constan-cy and virtue possess the heart of man :when, departing from the ordinarytrack, he exercises a generous self-denialwhen he struggles to over-come his passions, and to treat the wo-man whom he loves as if she were a ra-tional being, she is sure to disappointhis expectations, to undervalue his at-tachment, and to throw herself awayupon the first young enthusiast withwhom she meets. That flattery whichI have denied her, your ardent andadmiring eyes have bestowed. Fromthe first I saw it : she was capti-


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 45vated by your frankness, beauty ofperson, and youth ; she has not evenpaused to ask if there is one ster-ling virtue beneath. After years oflong-tried acquaintance, after a de-votion to her, I believe unparal-leled, she calls you by the nameto which I alone have a right to as-pireby the sacred name of friend.Oh woman how worthless a thingart thou; and even in thy perfectionhow contemptible

I felt offended at his severity. Tomaintain the propriety of Lady Or-ville's conduct would have been inde-licate and ungracious ; but I took ad-vantage of the generality of his lastremark, and undertook the defence of


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46 GRAHAM HAMILTON.the sex. Women were the comfort,the delight of life, I said. Theywere less selfish they had morekindness, feeling, generosity, devo-tion, lovethan men; who were cold,arrogant, tyrannical.

What then are your intentions ?said Moncrief, earnestly. LeaveLondonsee no more of Lady Orvilleremember the delicacy, the dangerof her situationact nobly, though Iscarce expect it of you. If you can-not, follow the customary track. Seeherbe her ruin; go on in the oldhackneyed course, under the name ofFriendship ; say you will pause here,and there so far, and no farther ;dream away hours in ecstatic bliss, as it


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 47is called and when you have de-praved your own heart, and taintedher's, rejoice, ifyou can :and for me, Ishall henceforth leave you to your ownreflections. I shall never intrudeagain. Of one thing, however, feel as-sured if I do take this step, it shallbe decisive. Will you, therefore, takeupon yourself to replace me towatch over, to defend, to save fromerror, a woman M'ho might havebeen heaven's masterpiece in mind, incharacter, as she is in beauty, but forthese fatal weaknesses, which will, Ifear, corrupt all her virtues, and ren-der her talents useless, her life dis-honourable, and her death withoutconsolation.


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48 GRAHAM HAMILTON. Depend upon it, I said/ with

all your kindness and all your gene-rosity, you do Lady Orville the cruel-est injustice in supposing her guiltyof ingratitude towards you : and as tothe wrong feelings and the attach-ment which you condemn, though Icannot declare your suspicions en-tirely unfounded, yet be assured thatthey are greatly exaggerated.

Moncrief was incredulous. I per-sisted. Our discussion was long ; eachof us kept his temper, nor used oneharsh or unbecoming expression ; butit ended, like most discussions, in theconviction of neither party. Thehour of the morning to which we hadprolonged our conversation, compelled


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 49US to separate. I returned fatiguedand harassed, but still vain andelated, to my uncle's.

Moncrief, hurt and wounded bothby Lady Orville's conduct and mine,hopeless of rendering her any far-ther service, fully convinced that shewould not break off her intercoursewith me in that dignified and decisivemanner which alone could save herreputation, determined upon givingup his vain endeavours, and departedinto the country, without seeking an-other interview with her, and withoutoffering any farther admonition orremonstrance.

Lady Orville's distress and diffi-culties now became so great and press-

VOL. II. D


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50 GRA II AM H A :sr I LTOX .ing, that it would have been crueltyin me to' nave 'abandoned ' her'. ' Mbii-crief's absence caused her disquiet,but it was too ' evident that 'minewould, at this mome'ht, 'hav^' givenher still greater pain. She praisedhim in the highest terms ; she ownedhe was the only man she'had'ev^Y'^fe^n,who entirely realized every idea shehad ever formed of matchless integrity

and^perfect ft6i\Bi\?'; ^she believe'd 'himcapable of making the most generousefforts, and of submitting to the se-

^'>^re^r {)rivatim^; bilt,^ ^^h Sai&;'%erequired to6 much of human nature.

' -^His expectations were even moreabsurd than 'ftf;^ 'j)V?J ^e^'^,'' tlvfe' liitter

- were mereflattcry, exaggerations quite


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 51. *^ i J.

-out of nature ; the former were cer-tainly rational and right in themselves,b^it wholly impracticable for those

,3r}vho lived in the world.fjgyjThe fact was she was relieved, byl^l^m departure, from the justice of his|. reproofs ; and she was so fully con-j>-^inced of her power over him, that3,she. thought the not appearing to heedV his absence, would secure his speedy, , return. She felt secure that his attach-,^^nent to her was too strong to permithim to abandon her in her distress ;

, and in the mean time the society of^Praham Hamilton ,jfji qf one wholly, pew to life, too young to admonish,and too ardent to repress her hopes,

d2


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52 GRAHAM HAMILTOX.&C- /OTJIMAH KAHAH^prudencemade up for his tempo-rarv absence and displeasure. ,

I said all I could to warn her; butunfortunately, at the same time, Ishewed how, much I admired her.A friend, I said, *' had a sacredcharacter^ and should be more con-sidered than, a host of lovers. ^Mon-crief possessed a firm character, notto be trifled with. The convictionthat she had forsaken such a^.lojig-tried friend for one who had no claimupon her, had stun^^ his heart ; he wasmore resolved than she imagined. Itwould be a painful struo-srle, no doubt;many a man would fail under itIshould>but not Moncrief. ^

All these considerations I urged


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TOT I IMAH IfAHy %GRAHAM HAMILTOX. CJxJjiamsl ^ift 'i(Jl qw sbfim , fionabrriabut m vani. She continued ner ownpeculiar course ; and as a strange ex-ample of the ruling fault and rulingvirtue of her character, even at thistime, I saw her relieve the wants of astarving family with the one half of theftlast small sum which she possessed,and buy a useless bauble which ajeweller had left for her yispectionWilli the remainder.With respect to the future, she pro-fessed her intention of confining her-self to the most moderate allowanceher husband might be inclined togrant her, if she were permitted toreside alone, and be the mistress of

. I'^tToaoM.ton -Irj^t-btuof-l',her own time and actions. She would.ff h

consent to give up her house, her car-


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54 GRAHAM HAMILTON.;PT2ni Offt donoin'^f n.-t hrtp. rrfrrf nv/n

riage, her suppers, and her balls ; butit must be done with effect ; the wholeworld must bear witness to the sacri-fice; her vanity must be completelygratified, before she could bring her-self to endure the humiliating change.She became solely intent upon the

preparation of this concluding scene ;and at a moment when Lord Orville'saffairs were the most seriously embar-rassedwhen her own character wasat stakewhen her health required themost prudential care, she employedherself in devising ^fcfe which was toexceed every other in splendour andmagnificence. It was not designed,like Timon's last banquet, of smokeand luke-warm water, to declare her


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 55. /lOTJIMAH MAHAHO

own ruin and to reproach the ingra-titude of her friendsbut to shew to'i; -.'7/ o\ ;io3rt3 fijiw 3X100 od 1ûm jjm '{itiiuf. tîiiiiv^tJ 9II938 âibii ^ io iioi:tij'i?'^[[rviO b jrf\v Jn3fr;ofn- p tr

eBw nwo 19x1 nadw^J^stasm?i . Tff-t[s9d'i9rinf> tai^

lifobfTsfqy ni rgdio î^'^^ b903X3Jjda'^Lz '^ 3*^nDoSifl^msioms to ^jeuyLiiii oraiT ' f.od ; '9iljjf bxiii


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56 GRAHAM HAMILTON.>j) amiJBio bflfi allid am iaw9ria woa^'bnrfofT hViBgiJodi 99iiil lo iauomB sAl

f' aidiiv/ banuDni ^^^> III

'

>.dinomCHAP. III..T? .qml ': .biB3 ylblim ad..JjJ;JU;ji [,,,..-,> fMfr ,goqSuch were the scenes in which IaiTt 10 floiJiuui

was engaged, when my uncle wasgtaken ill. He had for some dayscomplained of uneasy feelinos. Ihad neglected himI felt itand 1resolved in future to be more atten-tive. , I kpewjilsOjtha^t large demandsupon my account had lately beeUitpressing upon him from many quar-jters. I expected lijs ^^ge^-j^^^^hadprepared myself for it; but I had noidea that my debts amounted to so


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GRAHAM HAMILTO^f. 57large a sum. To my confusion henow shewed me bills and claims tothe amount of three thousand pounds,all incurred within the last fewmonths. Are these right, Graham?he mildly said. Impossible all im-position and fraud 1 I exclaimed ;but, as usual, u]30n exammation oi thearticles, I found little reason to ques-tion their correctness.He th^-r^ad the following items,

pausing at each with an ^' hei/ / of en-quiry as to what they could possibly'

t- . .- J ^ . tmean. Jeweller's binGold chain/fifty guineas Ring, fifty guineasBroaeli '' * ' ' J S'l'^^'^H'. All presents, Sfr^^^^^q^^^

^ ' ^^

Milliners bill-Shawr;>S''' D O


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58 GRAHAM HAMILTOJC.** Still a present.

' *' Blue fox muff, one hundred gui-:0D^ io 9voi 8iri ^aiwon^i bflB j vJlneas Still a present.

Pay them, said my uncle gravely,with no other observation than hisslight customary gesture of shuttinghis eyes close when he wished not toperceive any thing that - displeasedhim. He then drew a draft for thesum, and desired me to leave theroom.

Until again admitted into Sir Mal-colm's presence I suffered inexpres-sible anxieiy. Had he denied meany assistancehad he uttered the se-verest reproachesI should have beenable to endure triom : 1 was not, how-


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 5Q-VTOlJiMAii MAHAHid CVever, so hardened, but that I feltdeeply the fault of which I. had. beenguilty; and knowing his love ofmoneyand the habits of his life, I could notbut apprehend some decisive and. in-exorable determination respecting mefrom the immoveable calmness of hismanner. It was, nevertheless a greatrelief to my mind to have these billsdischarged; and I firmly resolved tobe more circumspect in fyture.Towards eight in the evening he

sent for me : he put his hand to hishead and again complained of beingill, It may be the fancy of an oldman, he said, but I have taken itinto my head that I am about toii7->u .- ill i u n'lqjl 3 adie.',' -T- For Heave^'s sake, if VQu9/od ion i V/ i ijf.jiij 'jrHi'Dns oi moB


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GO GRAHAM HAMILTON*feel ill, see some one. See someone he said incredulously, heyboy, it is not for an old man of se-^venty to see any one that can workmiracles. It would perhaps be betterfor you were I to live a few yearslonger, but to what must be we mustsubmitI am satisfied. *' Sir, youmake me miserablethis lowness, andyour exceeding and most undeservedgenerosity. ;.jji>jiu

*' I was never gay in my youth, 'said Sir Malcolm, *' as you are, Gra-hamnever owre given to admire theladies, and waste my time and moneyupon the puir fools; but I do notlike you the worse for itit is 'welland becoming. You are handsome;


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GIIAHAM HAMILTON'* 61

and youngyour passions are strong.Where there is much of violence inthe character, the heart is not apt tobe owre soft. You have forgottenyour own friendsI sometimes think,nevertheless, upon poor Gertrude.She was a good modest girl, Gra-ham ; lartd she is sick at heart, as Iunderstand, from your unkindness.I had thought to leave her a littlematter. I shall not be able to do's'tiPnow. i fii \ii^.l^l^ii tii,V;

f*' Not able, uncle ^ftfooIfiM 118 bifi^.. Why no, for every sixpence I have

I shall be compelled to leave to you.hf^ To me. Sir ? 'q s^J ^^.^

*' Yes, to youyou require iil^Her wants are fewyour's, unhappily''


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62 GRAHAM HAMILTON.for you, numerous. I have been themeans of spoiling your nature somelittle I fear. 'Tis well I should pro-vide even for the faults my indulrgence has generated. I failed to think,Graham, when I sent for you to townto live with me, and take care of me,that youth and age could nae be wellmatched ; that the glittering gewgawswhich could not tempt an old miser,might prove the bait and ruin of ayoung spendthrift. But don't looksorry, young one; I am not for sayinga harsh word to you.

If, 1 replied, greatly agitated, youdo not wish to make me truly mise-rable, do say every thing you can mostharsh, most crueldo, dearest uncle,


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 63for' F 'aeseii6- allonly, if you loveme, talk not of leaving to me whatmy father, uncle Richard, and dear,dear Gertrude alone deserve. Youwill live a long while, I trust in Godla very long while and if you haveriches lo bequeath, leave them tosuch as know how to use them, notto me.''^^^^'^Why, Graham, said Sir Mal-colm, you are playing the foolwith meyou know, with all theirWfMs; I never loved any thing onearth but youHey 1 boy, what plea-sure you'll take in spending all thoseg^ms I have passed my life in gather^ihg together I have 'n6 child but you.-iiYou have become my child. My


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64 GRAHAM HAMILTON.TJIMAH MAHi

life has never been blessed ; for thesweet noise of prattling children nevef *ênlivened my fireside. 1 thought the^^^would have bee'h' i^ ceê ô me ; &'d'rnever could bring myself to marry^^^for fear of parting with my mone^^'*None know how lonely it is to life' 2i'Î have done, till they fall into years.If there is something to look cheerfulon'iis; 'Something, when'' ^^6 gb' iriliht 'out of our houses, that attends li^/'expects us, watches for us, be it eVetfâ faithful dog, '4fe''dW^ndFc'5m{)rH^f ^miserable; but I had nothing to love''^me, Graham, till I knew you; an(ito ei^^fecH6b^%iV'.^(^h^^fer sB^î^8li\i^'''S ^ladi-*had been unkinder than evef'^your old uncle will be ;so don't'^'He T^d hatn'^'ft/j doum oo:t ajsw 1 ^>


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,>IOTJIMAH KAHAHO KlGRAHAM HAMILTON. 65

jriJ loi ,i.^r^. . -- ./an bbA slifret, iljQy.r Itake your money; staywith me to-night; and if I don t die,(whic^l I won t, if I can help it,) I be-lieye I will buy myself a new house,and live like a gentleman the rest ofmy days. , < -rrr-rf -FJ'nrr^ -^rtry^Some tones in the voice of my un-

cle during this conversation touchedme deeply : some feelings were movedwithin me, which had lain dormantfor a length of time; these wererendered more powerful by his ap- ^parently weak state of health during .the whole of the evening ; and thoughLady Orville wrote me seyei'al notes,express^gjthp,^9J^g,iji^h^9|:je5^^mind,^Iand the magnitude of hgg^p^grafg^.Yments, I was too much affected by all


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66 GRAHAM HAMILTO%.my uncle had said to think of leavinghim. I read therefore to him, andknowing that the only book which heconsidered amusing was, Gros^^.ODj,the Stock Exchange, ' I began andwent on with it till he dropped asleep.He could smile at its wit, sigh at itstruths, and rely upon its morality. It,served him, as the Whole Duty ofMan serves many people, for everypossible state of humour, position,and sensation ; and as he knew it al-most by rote, it ended generally, ^upon the present occasion, by soothing\\m into a deep slumber. .rrf-r^muooaH-iJi looked on him with anxiety; and,listened to hear his breathing ; until,,observing a letter in Capt. Hamilton's


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. G7hanir-writTngri/alf open ij^ori the ta-ble, I snatched it up, and read to myastoriishmeit; ' two pages of well-deserved'

'

censufe of myself, con-cluding: with these words :9^ Struck with such unexpected

conduct in Graham, and well aware ofGertrude's extreme sensibility, I havedone all a father can do to wean herlieart from a young m,an, who, I amsure, by his present neglect of her,would, upon a closer union, render hercompletely miserable. I have evengone farther ; I have endeavoured, byencouraging the addresses of our veryworthy neighbour's son, young Mar-riot, to engage her to give her handin marriage to him, as he is virtuous,


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68 GRAHAM HAMILTON.ri^h, well '^teem'ea'bj^'^tj/ 'one, aridlikely in every respect to make herhappy. Do not conceive, dear bro-ther, I rt?6flt 6 S^|:fer%6' Graham, orto attempt to injure him in your opi-nion ; but having witnessed the SfeJ

I > I-cret agitation of my sWeet girl, aMher anxiety to receive even a singleletter from him, I have not alwaysbeen able' to 'command my indigTitt-tion. His neglect of her is not per--haps unnatural; but I wish, whilstYve ^j^^^'^'the 'pleyiir'e^ of his new'condition, to save my Gertrude fromundeserved pain, and place her in^slWaMJfVfi^e^^-'^l^^ lii*^^^ at le^stfind the quiet and peace which, I'trust, belong to her more humble lot^'


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m^.^tti^JKfy^^^^ must ultimately betfi^r r^3Y?(?


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70 GRAHAM HAMILTON.recollecting that they could not go atthat hour, I put them into the fire, andtried to compose myself to sleep.This was impossible ; and with thefirst dawn of light I arose, and wroteagain. I acknowledged my errors ;but said I loved Gertrude too wellto bear the thought of losing her.This also I did not send ; for beforemy uncle had summoned me to hisapartment, the following letter .frpjnGertrude herself was put into myhands 3-rr-' -,5

'* It is a long time, my dearest Gra-ham, since I have ventured to troubleyou, for the last three letters I sent arestill unanswered. We have lived inhopes of hearing of your return. Your


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tjRAHAM HAMILTON. 71dear mother has been illif you

' \voiild write to her it would giveher pleasure. Should any thing in-duce you to return, you will findthat vour flower-srarden has not beenneglected, and that your dog is everwith me. I have read all the booksf^ou desired; and in every thing, Ithink, you will find we have attend-

'%d to your wishes. The time goes^^ther heavily for my dear uncle andaunt, without you ; and there is asecret it is my wish to communicate

^*f&tiV if I might hope that mydearest and earliest friend would

^^till permit me to open my heart tohim as before. I know not well howto write it, yet, without more words.


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72 GRAHAM HAMILTON.it is best at once to state the truth.My father is desirous of marrying meto our neighbour, a Mr. Marriot's son.I cannot obey him ; I often told you1 should never marryyet have Iever considered it as a duty to obeymy dear father's commands. CouldI see my dear cousin Graham, toadvise with him, it would muchconsole me. I try to keep up myspirits, but I have been ill. One linefrom you would, I think, be of muchservice to your dear parents, as wellas to your affectionate friend andcousin,

Gertrude Hamilton.*' My father is obliged very sud-

denly to go to Londonah, would


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GUAHAM HAMILTON'. 73you write to request that I mightaccompany him

i No, no, I said hastily ; what

iftis the use of her coming ?Youngf Marriot may marry herit is best

so. I have long indeed weanedmy heart from her artless charms.Why should 1 keep the flower wither-ing on its stem for me ? I shall returnto my fathers house no more. Itssimple pleasures, its even course oflife, will never again suit my per-verted taste. As my uncle Malcolmsays, my mind has learned wantsand desires, which will prevent itsfinding any satisfaction or content-ment in a rural and domestic life.

Why then does it give me pain thatVOL. 11.


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74 GRAHAM HAMILTON.Gertrude, who would 'not^ how suitme, should marry ? What is it tome, that another should feel happyin the possession of so inestimablea treasure? Fate, which divides mefrom her, has not alienated rayiiaffectionslet me rather rejoice thatshe has already forgotten me. Hasshe done so ? i'3ii//^I again read her letter: ' Yourfflower-garden has not been neglect-^,edyour dog .' This seemsas though she loved me. Alas 1 what3is it to me ? she loves me only beK)cause she thinks it necessary to doat

upon all her family; and yet I doubt^swhether the warm affections whicharise from the relations of private and


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 75retired life be not stronger anddeeper, than the turbulent passionswhich are born and nourished in thecommerce of the world.

Sir Malcolm's voice aroused mefrom these reflections. From hisroom to my apartment there wereten stepshe was walking up themwhen I went out to meet him. Sohere's a fine affair, he said, holdingout his brothers letter; there'sbrother Richard trying to marry Ger-trude to young Harriot. I had a hintof'-it before ; but see what he saysto-day. The girl \von t give her con-sent without seeing you first. Graham,what does this look like ? It looks likewhat I've always thought; it looks as

E 2


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76 C.RAHAM HAMILTON'.if she loved you dearly, and wished tosee you once more before she was se-parated from you for ever. Sir Mal-colm then contemplated me. Hey,poor girl, when she sees you, it wdll beall over with Mr. Marriot. Why, shewill be here immediately. Read bro-ther Richard's letter ; and come dow^ito my room; for there's many accountsto settle, and books to make up, andbusiness to do this week, that wemay afford to be idle when the Captainarrives... ^'.' And is he coming? I said, inan irritated tone for Gertrude's let-ter now appeared to me a mere ar-tificerr-ai>4,Al)e;5e^>va$,,spii?etUJRg,,9f-ward I thought in the father and


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cliTriA^r HA^nLTo>:. 77

daughter both following me in thismanner,'^ 'perhaps t'o6', by Sir Mal-colm's directiona stratagem, it ap-peared, to recover my affectionsbut'if MTOuld not avail. Read, andsee, said Sir Malcolm, in great goodhumour, which confirmed my sus-picions ;

M'hy

the girl won't be mar-ried without seeing you. I'll buyme a new coat, that I Avill, on theoccasion. They will be here in atrice. We shan't have time to make

* ourselves look handsome. Hey, readthe letter, and see how the old boy ispreparing to coast it here. 1 couldnot smile at my uncle's mirth. Hesaw that I was melancholy, and heleft me.


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'*7S GRAHAM IIAMILTOX.I read the letter, and gathered from

five pages, closely written, and crossedover at each end, that the Captahi,Gertrude, and perhaps the suitormight very possibly set out almostimmediately for England ; but thattheir journey was not as yet com-pletely determined upon. Was thisnecessary ? Ought Gertrude thus toforce herself into my presence? yet ifattachment to me actuated her, ousfhtI not to forgive it?no, there wasan indelicacy in bringing Mr. Marriott>iE fore me' ei'tiier as tier acknowledgedbridegroom or her discarded suitor.It is true I did not merit much deli-dSfc^r^ad shewn little in my con-duct to her. My hand, I felt, was


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 79\][nwQrthy of hers ; but was it neces-i^js-^jthat I should , witness a scenewhich assuredly must wound myfeelings ?and, 1 should imagine,hers ; for I could not but feel that Iwas improved in mind and person,since I had seen her ; and that if Ihad attractions when Wf^.Md partedfrom each other, those attractionsmust now be much increased. Herpresent suitor was a wealthy farmer,and, for any thing

I knew, a man of anordinary mind. When a boy he hadi|i;:pmised little. Why should he, nowthat he was man, have realized morethan the expectations

he had thenheld out?^Was he to possess Ger-trude;?î Fa&nfee 4o,>e .yîîit^d to a


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80 GRAHAM HAMILTON.girl unmatched, after all, by any thatI had yet seen ?

Vain were these reflections; vainthe ill-humour such reflections occa-sioned. Gertrude's letter must be an-swered ; or I should see her arrive, andwith her that insufferable Mr. Mar-riot. What matter to relate the vari-ous resolutions that came and wentthrough my mind : all ended in myresolving not to answer Gertrude'sletternot to accelerate or retard herjourney to London, but to await myfate with the indifference I hoped Tshould still be able to command.

In the mean time I could not seeLady Orville ; I could not answer thenotes she sent me. My mmd was per-


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 81plexed, and I was still indulging ahope that they might not come fromScotland, when Sir Malcolm receiveda letter from my father, saying, that Capt. Hamilton being com-pelled to go to England to settlesome money-affairs, Gertrude hadintreated permission to accompanyhim ; that young Harriot wouldattend them ; and that they wishedSir Malcolm to take lodgings forthem for a week.

This then was past recall, and inan agitation of mind I cannot welldefine 1 awaited their arrival. Thevery evening before they came, whenthey were expected every moment,having walked out for the sake of

E 5


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82 GRAHAM HAMILTON^^avoiding and putting off the firstmeeting, Lady Orville's carriage pass-ed me in the street. She observedme, stopped, and insisted on my ac-companying her home. As soon asI vv^as seated in her carriage, sheloaded me with reproaches for myapparent neglect and ingratitude: butwhen, upon reaching her home sheperceived me cold, absent, thought-ful, embarrassed, she re-assumed thenatural kindness of her heart, andgently inquired the cause of my un-usual melancholy. My voice andmanner declared too plainly the na-ture of my sorrow, and as I perceivedthat Lady Orville was not displeased'at believing herself the real cause of


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 83

my agitation, I did not undeceive her.Indeed she was hardly wrong in herbelief.-ojShe conversed with me longtears^4ic smiles alternately varied hercountenance, w^hilst she earnestlycommunicated to me all her sorrows,intentions, interests, and difficulties.She displayed all her fascinations,exerted all her power, and seemed tobe anxious again to hear from my lipsanother declaration of admiration andof love.She half opened a drawer,and shewed me a miniature of her-self, which I had long implored herto give me. She had promised, theni;qtvaqted I now pressed her for itwith more eagerness. She complied;^,


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84 GRAHAM HAMILTON.seized it ; and taking the chain fromher neck, she fastened it around mine.I called her my Augusta I vowed ne-ver, never to leave her. Remem-ber, she said, all I have done foryou : it is strange, but I feel morefor you, than I ever felt for any one.The door opened rather suddenly ;

the servant withdrew confused, thenre-entered ; and in a hasty voice,to my astonishment, announced din-ner. I had certainly forgotten boththe hour and where I was. Lady Or-ville said, That man will be myruin. He is Lord Orville's servant,and I fear his spy. He hates me.Oh Graham, do not leave me againso long, I am so miserable. I made


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GRAHAM H A:\riLTOX. 85a thousand excuses, promised nextday to call without fail, and upon thenight of the ball to make a point ofbeing there early. She asked to haveher portrait again, but 1 refused withconfidence, for 1 felt secure she wish-ed not what she asked. The manthe gentleman in waiting, I believehe was calledwho had interruptedus so inopportunely, looked at mevery earnestly and with rather a con-temptuous expression, I thought, ashe accompanied me down stairs andlet me out of the house. I cared notfor his looks, but I had more causefor anxiety on that score than at thattime I was aware of.


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86 GRAHAM HAMILTON.iiTt,.ff->7- -ifirfTt-T'^iD tpfR vf+nnt^

CHAP. ly/. ^ ,

Upon my return home, Sir Malcolminformed me in a querulous tone ofdisappointment, that the Captain andGertrude were not arrived. I feltgreatly relieved at this intelligence,but the next day, about eleven o'clock1 was somewhat abruptly told thatthey were come. I hastened out fromthe back of the house, and ran alongthe street, in order to postpone thefirst interview ; but a few hours after,I accompanied my uncle to the lodg-ings he had taken for them, to meet


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 87very reluctantly that Gertrude whomI had once loved so well. Alas howwas I changed since then, and how Ihoped to find m her a stiffness orvulgarity of manner that might dis-gust mea north-country accentan unbecoming freedom, or awkwardsimplicitya vacant laugh, displeas-ing to one of my refinement'Or, at allevents, a want of that air of fashion,that high-bred courtly manner, andsoft address, which I had learned toconsider so indispensable. But, as ifto plague me. Miss Clairville herselfhad never appeared halfso captivating,so lovely, so seductive in air and man-ner, as my Gertrude. Yes, it wasmy Gertrudefor with the joy she


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88 GRAHAM HAMILTON.felt at seeing me, tears mingled,and as I clasped her to' my bosom,in the first transport of meetingagain, the blush of eonfusiori'; 'tHesmile of surprise, toldt'thoiignt'ittold mehow much I was still pre-ferred to every other. For was itnot deep attachment that had tempt-ed her so far from her native home insearch of one who had appeared un-grateful and inconstant? What'Biuattachment could have conqueredprideoffended pridedeeply humi-*'liated by my cold, my cruel neglect t^*What too had refined her manners,her form, and rendered those cheekspale, which rosy health had onceadorned? Did she not tremble, did

l)nu I


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 89sh,e p9t weep on my bosom, as herlips met mine? and did she notbreathe out the words, Graham,you have not then forgotten me, withan accent that awoke correspondingtenderness in my heart ?My uncle Malcolm, who witnessed

this scene, and was better read inhuman nature than I had sometimesthought, gently withdrew her from mybosom, but only to place her upon hisown. I asked after my father andmothermy heart was full ; I weptwith Gertrude, y^jt^ smiled when 1/looked upon her countenance. Capt.Hamilton at first received me coldly,but, seeing me thus affected, he tookmy hand and wrung it with tender-


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90 GRAHAM HAMILTON.ness:he told me that my dear pa-rents were wellthat they wouldhave been glad long before this tohave seen methat my father haddesired him to give me his blessing ;and then he sighed deeply/^'^tiiSkpaused, and looked upon Gertruae.I understood him, and felt the re-proach. Former scenes of home cameto my remembrancemy promises ofattachment her innocent love ; -^and all the vain-glorious joys of theworld in a moment were forgotten.

Gertrude, who had at first so openlydiscovered her real feelings, now ap-peared embarrassed:her '^yeS'wfereturned towards the groundher bo-som heavedshe looked mournful.


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GRAHAM IIAMILTOX. 91pale,j dejectedshe was greatly al-tered, I thought; but every alterationhad only rendered her more interest-ing, more lovely. Whilst I gazedw.^th tenderness upon her, that d dfellow young Marriot was announced.He entered, and I was at once con-vinced by his manner, his approach,that he considered himself sure of.Gertrude's hand. He did not seemeven to entertain a doubt he wasnot the timid, the anxious lover : nohe was the happy, the acknow-ledged bridegroom. I looked uponGertrude, and assuring myself fromher coldness to him, and her timid,embarrassed glance at me, that she

LS (Unchanged, that I alone was be-


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92 GR/liAM IIAAr'TfltON^loved, I resolved, cost it whatit might, frown or die ivWo Vi^bula)to make known my sentiments onthe very moment to my uncle, andto regain the woman I adored theprecious prize, which 1 had so nearlythrown away. What to me was Mr.Marriot's happiness ? Presumptuousyoung man he to possess Gertrude Never and I could not but feel dis-gust and indignation at his calm andeasy assurance.With me to think was to act.T wrote no letterwailed for no op-portunityconcealed no part of myfeelingsbut as soon as Mr. Marriotleft the room, poured out my wholesoul to Gertrude declared that I


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 93lived but in the hope of one day call-ing her mine ; that I would diesooner than see her hand bestowedupon another; that they knew myviolence, and mi^ht dread the conse-quence of driving me to acts of despe-ration. I spoke with all the ardour ofa lover, with all the eagerness of in-temperate and overbearing youth. Imenaced the destruction of my rivalknelt before one unclegrasped thehand of the other confessed that Ihad been a truant, but vowed to hea-ven I would die were 1 not heard, oryvere nxy suit rejected.^^J cpi^sideredEio one's feelingsfor whose could be^o deeply interested as mine?

: .Sir Malcolm absolutelv laughed


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94 GRAHAM HAMILTON .with delight when he heard me. TheCaptain began twenty haran^n'^^, aiM ^was always interrupted. Gertrudechanging from pale to red, and red t


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GRAHAM HAMILTON'. 95word should be breathed at present oftl^e, change m his intentions. Therewas much delicacy, much nicety inthe manner of conductino- this af-fair ; but Gertrude, who never hadyet, consentednever had yet ap-proved the marriage, should finallyinform Mr. Harriot that she could

ngt agree to it.I* I have done so before this,

said Gertrude; Oh, though Gra-ham had forgotten me, think not Iever had consented to marry another.Mr. Marriot knows 1 did notheknows I cannot return his attach-ment. My hand was, I fear, halfpromised by my fatherbut myheart, who can bestow? Had they


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06 GRAHAM HAMILTON.over-persuaded me to it, it must havekilled me/' The Captain strained herto his bosom. The whole party werenow in ecstacies, when Harriot's re-entrance into the apartment in whichthis scene had been discussed ao-ainothrew us into consternation.

Gertrude's manner was cold. TheCaptain entered upon his most weaH-some storieswell I remeriiberecl'themagain. Sir Malcolm shut his eyes, so asto perceive nothing. I looked embar-ral^d, and felt furious. Mr. Marriotwas as calm, as satisfied, as easy asever: his loud and not disagreeablevoice discussed public matters care-lessly. He talked of the dearness ofprovisionssaid he should have no

i i-lV*


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GRAUAM HAMILTON. 97objection to live a month every yearin London and then, simpering,asked Gertrude what her ideas wereon that head. She turned away.My uncle, alarmed, desired me toreturn home with him ; and so fear-ful was he during the whole of thatday, least a quarrel should take placebetween me and the young farmer,that he never suffered me to be out ofhis sight.

As soon as I entered my own apart-ment, in the evening, the portrait ofLady Orville caught my eye as it layhalf concealed in my unlocked desk.I coloured, and turned my eyesaway from it. A feeling of deepshame and regret oppressed me ; but

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98 GRAHAM HAMILTON.I blessed my lot that I was still free ;for, oh, had I involved myself moredeeplyhad I forgotten Moncrief'sadvice, what now would have beenmy feelings ? I resolved immediatelyto restore so dangerous a gift; towrite a frank avowal of my attach-ment to Gertrude ; to return withher to Scotland ; and to renounce,for the rest of my life, every follyand every error.

This resolution having been made,1 took up my pen to execute my in-tention, when my uncle broke in up-on me, and 1 had only time to con-ceal the portrait, and follow him tohis little parlour. There I found theCaptain; and a grave discussion took


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 99place as to all that was to be done.This conversation did not terminateuntil a late hour, but I retired fromit with a spirit more calm and satis-fied than of late. Tired out with twowakeful nights, I slept deeply, anddreamed of home and former times.The ensuing day a note written in

a fair Italian hand awakened me. Iread it, and placed it with its fellowsin my desk. It no longer gave me anyemotion. I now thought the styleaffected, and, as soon as I could, has-tened to Gertrude. Every hour ofmy time was engrossed by her. Isaw and watched her with solicitude,with jealousy; and Harriot's presencerendered me miserable, lor I could

f2


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100 GRAIiAM HAMILTON .not Dring: myself to oeheve that aman in love could look so happy ashe did, if he were quite without hope.It was lyiiUciw-v^^is' tLvfefflithe Captain's short stay, he andGertrude should see all that was curi-ous and interesting in London. Ofcourse I was eager to accompany herevery where ; but what was provok-ing, Mr. Harriot still followed, as

.. . . .1 ,..,.calm, as happy, and friendly with meas before.The Captain's affairs were now ar-

ranged,' and the day drew near onwhich they were to leave London andreiurn into Scotland. The evening be-fore her aeparture 1 had a full and un-t'eserved conversation with Gertrude.


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 101I threw myself upon her generosity,gicknowledged my


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102 GRAHAM HAMILTON.the blush when I called her mine, andpressed her to my bosomhow calmthat heavenly brow, which no ill pas-sions ever had defaced

It was finally arranged that Ishould not accompany them, but fol-low them in a few days ; and that anopportunity should be taken, duringtheir journey or upon their arrival,of explaining the whole affair to Mar-riot in such a manner as might leastoffend his pride, or wound his feel-ings.

*' Harriot will never break hisheart as you would, said my uncle,chuckling as soon as they were gone,'' that is one comforthe will neverbreak his heart ; and the girl has


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 103never broken her promise, since shenever gave one. But you are a sadfellowyou brought it all upon yourself; however, you will be wise infuture, I know. And thus a pro-spect of happiness opened againbefore me.


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104 GRAHAM HAMILTOX.;Ia 1 i3ni5 ^ioa qh

f,om fi'/Kfl T f[ft rftn'^lo'l^qd'i '


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GRAHAM HAMILTO>r. 105,v:0TJlMAH MA-HAHv :me not,and I shall fret myself todeath till I have made my belovedGertrude every reparation. SirMalcolm turned aside; his eyes werefilled with tears. Your heart is inthe right place, my boy, he said, after all;yes, you shall goandwho knows but I may go with you ?I have some little matters to settle

^,f r^ -t :,..,_ -t.^rl Ar/^olthe day is too far advanced to setout now ; let us sleep upon the plan;and it's my idea, that if you do notchange your washes to-morrow, theyshall not be thwarted because your olduncle is approaching to his 71st year,

-,f| ,^ ,1) to too'iq o/iK*'^ advibfhey, lad ' saying wnich, he re-turned to his papers, givmg me seve-ral of them to finish, and, at the same

TO


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106 GRAHAM HAMILTON.time, permission to go and secureplaces by the mail, charging me totake care to make a good bargain, andnot pay a penny more than the re-gular fare.With spirits elated, with my heartfull of Gertrude, I was too happy togive pain to any one, and Lady Orvillehaving written to me repeatedlyduring the week to intreat me at allevents to see her for one moment,I resolved to call upon her duringthe few remaining hours I had left,to restore the portrait, to explainmy situation, and immediately tofollow my Gertrude, and make hermine. I called, therefore, in Port-land Place. Lady Orville was at


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GRAHAM HAMILTOX. 107home ; but the servant hesitated, andsaid she could not see me. Are yousure of it? I replied, secure that shewould be glad to do so, if she knew ofmy being- there. Take up my nameat all events ; I will wait Ibr her an-swer. I dare not interrupt her. '* Interrupt her How is Lady Or-ville engaged? My Lord's manof business is with her Ladyship.The anti-room, into which I had ad-vanced, was full of clamorous credi-tors, surly servants, and workmenwho were decorating with roses andlamps the pilasters of the hall. I re-solved to wait the departure of thelawyer, but as I was never remark-able for patience, I was just walking


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108 GRAHAM HAMILTON.away, when I perceived Lady Deii-mont's carriage driving to the door.I hastened towards it, but Lady Den-mont would not look upon me.

This coldness provoked me, and thewhole scene revived in me the keenestfeelings of interest and solicitude. Ihurried to the next coffee-house, fromthence addressed to Lady Orville anote couched in the most vehementlanguage, and remained hour afterhour, awaiting her reply in the ut-most impatience and agitation. Itcame late, and contained but theseiW^A^ -MDifii'^li^ ^' i^^y I'^-^ii^ i^ com-pleteI have undone myself, and, Ifear, involved you. Come to-night tol}ft9 WliT^p^k^'^'^ you forgotten it Mith


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GRAHAM HAMILTOX. 109all else I bade you remember ? Speakto me as little as possible I will takesome opportunity of explaining my-self. '^^ iioqij jiijoi Jua i>i{

She has heard, then, ofmy intended^marriage, I thoughtand still, gene-rous woman she wishes to see me.And is this the ball, upon which shehad so set her heart, her final adieuto the world, her last scene of splen-dour and magnificence, surpassing allthat had preceded itall that shouldcome after. I had faithfully promisedher to be there, why should I fail ? Ihad much to say to her ; and if I could'^see her''d' WofA'fe'fit before theldofe-

pany arrived, it would be' a satisfac-tion :to leave her in suspense, and


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110 GRAHAM HAMILTON.when she is unhappy, would be un-grateful. Her kindness to a stranger,to a person wholly unknown, shouldnot be returned in such a manner.The bearer waited for the answer. 1wrote in haste nearly these words : My dearest Lady OrvilleI wishfor a moment's interview to explain toyou the cause of my apparent inatten-tion to your commands : I will waitupon you early in the evening, inhopes of seeing you before the com-pany arrive, as 1 must leave town fora short time to-morrow. I deliveredthe note to the servant, and returnedhome to dress.When Sir Malcolm met me, and

heard that, instead of having taken


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. Illa place in the mail, I was going to aball, the pen dropped from his hand,his paper fell from the table, andhe went off into such exclamationsand declamations, upon my incon-sistency, that I thought I shouldnever be able to get away ; how-ever his usual good-nature prevailed ;and before I went he said, Gra-ham, your union with Gertrude Ihave fixed my heart upon, but Itrust you entirely : go therefore to theball, but return as soon as you can.He had detained me so long with hislecture, that I was in the utmost ap-prehension of being too late : I dressed

myself as speedily as I could, placedLady Orville's portrait and chain.


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112 GRAHAM HAMILTON.which I had before taken off, aroundmy neck, and set out, swearing thewhole way at the hackney coachman,for not breaking his anp^iji^y own neck,till arrived in Portland Place.

fi io1 ,bfjBf^


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 113)fH'OTR 3o n9>f^ 9d bh r iii'irr^

CHAP. VI.

There is a time, as the wisest ofmen has said, for all things. Theremay be a time to weep, and a timeto laugh ; a time to be merry, and atime to be wise ; but is there a time,when the heart is breaking, to maskthe features with levityand to con-ceal the throbbings of despair underthe smile of courtesy and satisfaction ?The stoic has mastered his passions,from the generous idea of the noble-ness of human nature. The Christianhas met death, and smiled; but the


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114 GRAHAM HAMILTON.cause for which he suffered was tohim of far more worth than his mortalexistence. The patriot has bled forhis country : but it was left for womanalone, without a cause, in the mereexcess of vanity, to have appeared inall the excess of extravagance, and allthe

frivolityof fashion, on the very eveof the ruin in which she knew herself

about to be lost for ever to the de-lights of that world, for which shehad sacrificed so much. 1 could havesympathized in her feelings, had loveimpelled her; had disappointment, orresentment ])rompted the display ;had it been to win a new, or regainan old lover ; to avert misfortune, orto conciliate popularity ; but the most


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 115frivolous of her own sex surroundedher ; and of mine, for the most partmen, who, forgetting all that is nobleand useful in their lot and destina-tion, consumed all their day, noteven amidst the seductions of vice,nor in the indulgence of passion, butin the fopperies of dress and the foole-ries of affectation. And it was forsuch as these, (no wonder they arevain) that a woman like Lady Orvillea woman of superior intellect, heart,feeling, taste, was making an efforthardly to have been expected from adevoted patriot or a Christian martyr

Never was my astonishment greaterthan when, with my heart full, andmy interest strongly excited, I ar-


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116 GRA IIAM . H A.;m UTQN,rived at this well-known mansion,^9\^^ glittering for the,Jast,,titne with abrief and temporary splendour. Tbi^brilliancy of the lidits withont andwithin, the pilasters ot^t,lpê,l^l ^co-rated with wreaths of flowers, th^servants in splendid liveries, twohussars stationed at the door, had at-tracted an immense crowd of spect^j;tors,, constables, linkboys, and piclf-Vi?îîf 'nm-jk^'^^^^^ equipage, v^^however, made way for; and I fpmidi^yself, as was my intention, the fir^tPSf:? Avho^^ri^)^^^^^^^ n^jljtarj.bandvâs pla^ying as I entered ; but thenpisc of Bow-street officers and foot-|]êndrowgg^^9^(Jjnarred,.tl^^^W9SSft(^spunds.^^g^jpaf;t^jr^,of,,desperate-lookiT


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^ÂîiXW Saîiltox. 1 17

ing' ttien were standing sullenly with-out' 'tKe^'flbôl-' of the hall. Some oftheir countenances I remembered :where I had seen them, I knew not.-^Th'ie savants, who ushered me in',were busy and active. The wholescene was gay beyond description.'*^Splendid was Lady Orville's taste atall times. There was in her somethingof that ostentatious display, which thenew-made sons of trade are fond ofexhibiting ; but still more of the oldbaronial pomp, which is thought dueto illustrious ancestry and ancientclikom: She WksJfi ^DOuWdl^^^ libs-pitality, of a munificence, inconsider-km;'Wteiil 'and ill-bestowed, but stilltri^^'feaB'^'IFry ' Vhich these feft^fs


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118 GRAHAM HAMILTON.sprung was noble, and is now toorare. She was not only unwilling togive pain, but to refuse any pleasureshe had it in her power to impart.Nor did she seek for flaws in the cha-racters of those who surrounded her,in order to enjoy the petty triumphof excluding them from those enter-tainments, they would otherwise haveenjoyed. No, Lady Orville's wholesoul was benevolent.

Oh, how then could they bear todefame her ? I never heard her breathean unkind word of another. Theknowledge that a human being wasunhappy, at once erased from hermiud the recollection either of enmityor of error.


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 119It is unfortunately too true, and it

has been already exemplified in thecourse of my narration, that a crea-ture such as Lady Orvilleall kindand feeling, wishing well to everyone, sympathizing deeply with mis-fortune, and anxious to relieve it,may be led to commit more wrong,and to cause more misery, than theselfish and the depraved. Before Ifinish the sad history, upon which myimagination loves to dwell, of a beingas fair as nature ever createdlet meat least have the melancholy consola-tion of holding up to others thosegreat and generous qualities, whichit would be well if they would imi-tate, whilst they avoid her weak-


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120 GRAHAM HAMILTON .nesses and faults. Let me tell themthat neither loveliness of person, nortaste in attire, nor grace of manner,nor even cultivation of mind, cangive them that inexpressible charmwhich belon2:ed to Ladv Orville aboveall others, and which sprang from theheart of kindness that beat within herbosom. Thence that impression ofsincere good-will, which at once shespread around ; thence that pleasingaddress which, easy in itself, put allothers at their ease ; thence that free-dom from all mean and petty feelingsthat superiority to all vulgar con-tentions. Here was no solicitude forpre-eminence here was no appre-hension of being degraded by the so-


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GKAHAM HAMILTON'. 121ciety of othershere was uo assumedcontempt here was the calm andunassuming confidence which oughtever to be the characteristic of rankja^^^. fashion,^ j,).yhen this is wanting,and when, on the other liand, there isfound every where an uneasy anxietyfo^; distinction, a pining after pettyadvantages, a dislike of mixing withthe public for fear of being confoundedwith the vulgarwhen these feelingsand notions generally prevail, theyare a sure sign also of the prevalenceof conscious mediocrity, and of theabsence of all natural superiority.Many there were who moved in

the same sphere with her, manywho committed the same errors^_^^n4

VOL. II. G


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122 GRAHAM HAMILTON.^were guilty of the same forg-etfulnessof serious duties;' but' where was thebenevolence which could not bear tohumiliate or mortify ?which ibundevery where, and upon all occasions;-a pride and a pleasure in soothingyconciliating, and in making happy ?Where Avas it then ? Where is it now ?1 fear that in this narrow, timid, andlittle-minded age, we have no suchspirit left; t luliiuBsd ^.. ^^'i,.8wiiiAs soon as 1 entered the apartmerits^she came forward towards me, and,without one reproach, welcomed meto her last fete. The musicians weretuning their instruments, the servantsyy^Qxe lighting the lustres ; but no oneWas expected, not even the old ladies.


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GRAHAM IIAMILIOX, 123and card-playing gentlemen, for anhcMri- '^ Lady Orville was dressed,and nevernever had I seen her sohandsome as upon that evening. Shealways looked best when her beauti-ful long hair was braided, and withoutother ornaments than diamonds.^'^'Now let my situation at thismoment be imaginedlet it be re-membered how very young I thenwas,how very beautiful thie personwho addressed me : and then let mehope for forgiveness, if, feeling that itwould give her pain, I broke all myresolutions and did not dare informher that I was immediately '^otAgf' tobe married. I faltered out somethingabout having been very particularly

G 2


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124 GRAHAM HAMILTON.engaged the whole of fee^^fefi^^^^fobut smiling, she bade me say nothingfarther, and, looking upon me, saidK^as' going to Bay, change ; but Irecollected Gertrude, and full of em-


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 125barrassment turned away. Lady Or-villie' appeared also confused. Theentrance of her little son was a relieftS^'l^oth. The child knew me ; Ictasp^i^' KiiiT^'to'my' heaft; and thetears streamed from my eyes. Shesa^'liow deeply I was affected, andsio-hed

It is well, Mr. Hamilton,we should part ; I never behaved halfso-'' absurdly however, you havemany other admirers: and she en-deavoured to smile, and make lightof what she had said, ''cnsn

' We were still conyersing when anantiquated Ladfj^^V^ry firi'^y ^dtes-ed, was introduced, and in a gossipingtone began to apologize for being soextremely early, from the fear of being


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126 GRAHAM HAMILTON.iH^ a crowd, to which she added along story about her coachman : shelooked much at me, and I could see,thought it strange that I was therealready. mn ^ ^jh^^cThe company now began to arrive

in great numbers ; and those whoseover-delicacy had induced them torefrain from visiting the house ofmourning, (for such Lady Orville's hadbeen for the last ten days) now gladlycrowded into this palace of pleasureand delight.Lady Denmont and Miss Clairville

came amongst the first ; but I couldnot help ^^zing upon one alone : forthe iihoughi; that t should see LadyOrvillc no more, and that she felt a


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 127strong interest for me, engrossed andoppressed me. ^^^j^Whether it was that I was feeble

from my. recent iUness, and out ofspirits I know not, but every thing onthat evening offended and displeasedme. The men seemed more extrava-gant than ever, their manners affected,their necks tied up till they had con-strained all the ease and flexibility ofnature., , The wpnie^n were like, exoticflowers cultured in hot-house^^ deli-cate, weak, pretty-faced, and unna-

_^tural. Lady Orville alone was still..fresh and unfaded, full of health and

beauty andexuberant life, with all

the: charms that belong to human,'nature,,^a9^^{^|uc|i o|,^^lia^|j we ima-


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128 GRAHAM HAMILTON.gine of celestial excellence.But I amfearful of fatiguing you with these eter-nal descriptions; for the actual events,however they break up and destroyevery illusion of the fancy, whether111 life or in romance, are all you lookfor. For me, a witness of this lastscene, the pidture of it still rises- be-fore me, still dwells in my remem-brance, and I cannot withdraw myself^ , ;. V. '^tl,). r^nLiiK b'i^utnoafrom contemplating it. Yet let it pass.J>>iu1 bar, xl{> ^i't 't\fnhiv^\


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GRAHAM HAMILTON. 129ers faces, fans, floating from thecrowd-ed staircase into the streets,the sunhad already risenall looked tarnish-ed^ faded, false., The light of themorning vindicated at once the supe-riority of nature, and like the touchof the spear of Ithuriel shewed thei8S\ gtflr ; . , . lreality of things, distniguishmg youthfrom age, and health from langour,which had been somewhat mixed andconfused amidst the glare of torchesand the splendour of silk and tinsel.if'.i'ii'iZ'-I also prepared to retire; but firstI approached Lady Ors'ille, ^tc^^takeleave of her. She appeared ex-tremely agitated. She seemed ir-resolute^ S^||r^f>ed my h^jf^her s was cold and tremblmg : every

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130 GRAHAM HAHULTON .one was gone. The servants en-tered to extinguish the lights. Shegroaned inwardly, saying, ...'^.See,they come ; and broke from meI followed her a few steps, but,turning round, upon hearing a noisebehind me, perceived the occasionof her terror : a middle-aged manwas remonstrating, sometimes civilly,sometimes angrily, with a number ofothers, who had forced their way intothe house. I too soon perceivedthey were the Sheriff's officers. Theywere preparing to seize beds, funii-ture, solas, pictures, plate, and everything, 'f' ^ ' om o3 amca odi od lUv/ml could not leave Lady Orville atsuch a momentI followed her to


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GRAHAM HAMILTON 131her own apartmentthe door wasfastened within. Just heavens Jthotight, she perhaps is medita-ting self-destruction. What dreadfulmeaning might not attach itself tosome passages in her letter Andwhat was the import oifarewell^ pro-nounced as she had pronounced it,when she parted from me. I now alsoremembered, that as she took leave,she looked upon each guest with amournful eye ; and when her motherhad asked her Bat-. r what hour sheshould see her on the morrow, heranswer had been singular, All hourswill be the same to me. Full of thedreadful idea, I hastened to force thedoor; those who were employed in


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132 GRAHAM HAMILTON;taking dQj^jn.jlthgiittrniture assistedme in my efforts. We broke in uponher last asylum ; when, oh heavens Mhow were.jv^^ (Struck upon.i^gpjog hftrkneeling to heaven, and praying fontthat fortitude and that resignati

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