279 CHAP. XV. They that never had the use So they that are to love inclined, Swayed by chance, not choice or art, Make a present of their heart: 'Tis not he that first we love, IN fulfilment of a promise made to Mrs, Courtney, Mr. Vernon, a few days subsequent to her departure, rode to the Abbey for the purpose of inspecting the packing and removal of some books and musical instruments. Desolate was the dwelling,'-'silence was in the house,'' dark and narrow' was the present abode of its lately arrogant possessor' the proud had slept his sleep,'the voice of flattery could not reach his 'dull cold ear,'' dust he was, and to dust he had returned.' Mournful were the reflections of Mr. Vernon as he slowly walked through the numerous and superbly furnished apartments, now uncheered by human step or human accent, save that of the person who had charge of the house and pleasuregrounds-an old retainer of the family, who dwelt on his late loss with a familiar loquacity, one of the established privileges of long service. Ah! Sir,' said Laurence, what's all this I hear about Master Somerset ? Surely they say 'twas it broke my poor master's heart; but many's the time I said as how he was over-indulged, and his parents would rue the day when they gave him the toleration to spake so disrespectful to themselves and high-like to the sarvants; and has'nt it turned out as I thought always it would? And is it true, Sir, that he's gone and married a Frinchified dancing divarter, in fo reign parts over say?' You have heard too truly, my good Laurence,' replied Mr. Vernon, Mr. Somerset Courtney has given much sorrow to his family, and, I fear, may have drawn down evil upon his own head.' Oghone!' sighed Laurence, that myself should live to see the day when any Frinch, Cherokay wild Injin, like her, should come for to reign over christians and dacent bodies' childer. Ogh! then, what's to become of us all? She won't spake English or Irish; we can't talk her lingo; so I suppose we'll be all turned out for to lave room for her outlandish people, making the Abbey a tower of Babble, as was in ould times, when folks didn't un derstand one another-your reverence knows the story.' Had not sad forebodings and melancholy reflections pressed upon his heart, Mr. Vernon might have been amused; but he saw, in anticipation, a considerable income squandered in a foreign land, and an extensive estate abandoned by its possessor to strangers, uninterested in the happiness or prosperity of a numerous, patient, and industrious tenantry, whose hard-earned pittance would be wrenched from them and their families by the avaricious gripe of some of those merciless taskmasters who oppress the lower classes of Ireland, when their victims are unsheltered by the absence of the lord of the manor; oppressions which he knew to be the cause, in many instances, of aiding the unhappy discontents and intestine divisions which have agitated that part of the united kingdom; having frequently heard his parishioners declare, 'that if the gentlemen were to live amongst them, as they did in England, it. would be better for both parties, as they invariably paid with unwillingness and dissatisfaction the money which was to be spent in another country. Much depressed in spirits, Mr. Vernon quitted the Abbey. Returning, he observed at the parsonage door a travelling chariot with four horses, just arrived, and saw turned towards him the sweet countenance of Mrs. Beresford, who, with Maria and a gentleman, was alighting when he reached her. Sophia introduced her brother, Colonel Lindsay, saying, he had requested permission to accompany them on their promised visit, that she begged to bespeak for him friendship and regards; and adding, in a somewhat significant manner, that Maria had promised that he should not be considered as a stranger, but as one of the family. Mr. Vernon answered, that the brother of |