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Page 4
--BLACKETT.
COQUETRY.
It was in one of the most picturesque parts of South Wales, on the
banks of the lovely Towy, that two ladies sat working at an open
casement, which led into a veranda, covered with clematis and
honey-suckle. The elder of the two might be about fifty, perhaps not
so much, for her features bore traces of suffering and sadness, which
plainly told, that sorrow had planted far deeper wrinkles there than
time alone could have done. The younger, an interesting girl of
nineteen, bore a strong resemblance to her mother; they were both
dressed in deep mourning. The room which they occupied, though plainly
and simply furnished, had yet an air of taste and elegance.
Mrs. Fortescue was the widow of an officer, who died of cholera in the
East Indies, leaving her with one daughter, and no other means of
support than a small annuity and her pension. An old servant of her
own had married a corporal in the same regiment, who having purchased
his discharge, now followed the trade of a carpenter, to which he had
been brought up, previous to enlisting, and was settled in his native
place, and the faithful Hannah, hearing of the Captain's death wrote
to Mrs. Fortescue, telling her, not only of the beauty of the spot,
but the cheapness of living in that part of the world, concluding by
saying, a house was then vacant, and could be had on very reasonable
terms. Mrs. Fortescue immediately wrote and engaged it. Though a
common looking building, yet by putting a veranda round, and making a
few alterations inside, it soon, with a little painting and papering,
was transformed into a pretty cottage. The work required was an
advantage to Mrs. Fortescue, inasmuch as it occupied her mind and thus
prevented her dwelling on her recent affliction, in other respects
too, she felt that a kind providence had directed her steps to the
little village in which we find her--and the good she found to do, was
the greatest balm her wounded spirit could receive: for though her
means were so limited, still, a wide field of usefulness lay before
her.
Mrs. Fortescue had a strong mind, and though her trial was hard, very
hard to bear, she remembered from whom it came, and not a murmur
escaped her. Devotedly attached to her husband, she deeply lamented
her loss, still she sorrowed not as one without hope: she had the
consolation of knowing few were better prepared for the change; and
she strove to take comfort in reflecting how greatly her grief would
have been augmented, were not such the case. But she felt that her
shield had been taken from her; and knowing how precarious was her own
health, she saw how desolate would be her child, should it please God
to remove her also, but a true Christian cannot mourn long; and as the
tears of agony would force themselves down her cheek, and her feelings
almost overpower her, she flew to her bible and in its gracious
promises to the afflicted, found that support and consolation, the
mere worldling can neither judge of, nor taste. Some delay, though no
actual doubt, as to ultimately obtaining her pension, had caused
inconvenience, as all their ready money had been absorbed in the
alterations of their house, though they had observed the utmost
economy, and demands were made which they had not at the time funds to
meet. Ethelind was miserable, but Mrs. Fortescue bore against all,
trusting something would turn up,--and so it did; for while discussing
the matter, a letter came, with an enclosure, from an old school
fellow, begging them to procure her board and lodging in the village
for a few months, intimating how much she would like it, if they could
accommodate her themselves. The terms for the first quarter were
highly remunerative and they gladly acceded to Miss Trevor's
proposition, and the few requisite preparations being made, we will,
if our reader pleases, go back to the evening when mother and daughter
sat awaiting the arrival of their new inmate.
Mrs. Fortescue had never seen Beatrice Trevor, but Ethelind was loud
in her praises. They sat in anxious expectation much beyond the usual
time for the arrival of the stage, and were just giving her up for the
night, when the rumbling of wheels was heard, and a post chaise drove
up, out of which sprang a young lady who in another moment was clasped
in Ethelind's arms, and introduced to her mother, who welcomed her
most kindly.
"Oh what a little Paradise!" said Beatrice, looking round her, "how
happy you must be here. Do Ethelind let me have one peep outside ere
daylight is gone;" so saying, she darted through the French casement,
on to the lawn, which sloped down to the water's edge. "Well I
declare, this is a perfect Elysium, I am so glad I made up my mind to
come here, instead of going with the Fultons to Cheltenham."
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