OR, THE MAN OF INDEPENDENCE. BY THE AUTHOR OF TREMAINE. R.P. Ward. My free drift Halts not particularly, but moves itself In a wide sea of wax. Shakspeare. Power to do good, is the true and lawful end of aspiring: for good thoughts CAREY, LEA, AND CAREY-CHESNUT STREET. SOLD IN NEW YORK, BY G. AND C. CARVILL; IN BOSTON, BY HIL- F DE VERE. CHAPTER I. PROVIDENCE. THE PEGERY NEW YORK -Yet again, methinks, Some unborn sorrow, ripe in fortune's womb, SHAKSPEARE. AND why should tears flow from one described so innocent? And how could they be excited by festivity, or a fair and harmless display of magnificence? Strange and unnatural to suppose such inconsistent compunctions in the bosom of a young and noble lady, on the very close of a birthnight in which she had charmed all eyes! But my business is with facts; and as Constance, at present at least, could not be sophisticated by a world she had scarcely seen, I will trust tc that simple circumstance, and her own character, for proof that I have recorded nothing unnatural. Who, indeed, not absolutely worn out, or plunged in dissipation for a longer time than its novelty could charm who that has discovered the powerless realities of the pageantries of life,-but has felt a re-action, a want of assistance, and a remorse, such as has been described? The disposition in which we left Constance, was not merely transient; nor were the thoughts with which she lay down to rest dissipated, like an evil dream, by the cheerfulness of the morning sun. At breakfast, it was remarked that she bore the traces of any thing but joy; and many of her younger guests wondered that a beauty, an earl's daughter, and an heiress, could exhibit a face of seriousness. |