66

CHAPTER LXI

Adversity may mark a brave man's face,
But in his bosom she shall never come
To make his heart her vassal."

Anthony and Cleopatra.

Ellen found Julian in earnest conversation with his father, and De Villeneuve standing apart in the recess of a window, as if anxious to hear nothing, but in reality gathering in every word uttered on either side with his large, pliant, French ear.

Julian was calm, pale, and resolute; on his fine features was the dignity of a recent triumph over Passion and Despair; to Ellen, in the palmiest days of his wealth and beauty, never had he seemed, as now, an object wor

thy of reverence as well as love. She felt not only that she was in what Sterne so beautifully calls" the venerable presence of Misery," but in that of an august fortitude, and a touching tenderness, which turned from all selfish sorrow, to dwell on that of all, whose fate was involved in the blow which had ruined

his peace.

The calm and unimpassioned Ellen (as people usually called her "wise judges are we of each other") grew deadly pale with intense emotion; her voice failed her, her knees trembled, and, had she yielded to the impulse of her feelings, she would have knelt, weeping, at the feet of that ruined and blighted man, the rejected, the jilted lover of her sister. De Villeneuve perceived that, all-engrossed by her cousin, Ellen was not even aware of his presence; and his eyes flashed, and he ground his teeth, and his heart breathed a few curses, as he looked at that young pair, as Satan might have looked at the first lovers. But he calmed

himself by adjusting his moustachios with an almost ferocious energy, passing his hands convulsively through his long hair, and taking repeated pinches of snuff from his elegant box.

A flush of pleasure, or, at least, of emotion, crossed Julian's pale features, as Ellen hastened towards him; he caught her to his breast in an earnest and involuntary embrace, as he said, "Heaven bless you, beloved, beautiful, Ellen, that you have not forsaken my poor father in an hour like this! And are you really, really going to share his exile, to doom yourself to a penurious solitude for an indefinite period, and to renounce all the bright destinies that await so much excellence. and beauty?"

"There is no destiny to me so bright as the cheering his solitude, Julian."

"There can be no destiny so bright as that of a solitude cheered by Miss Ellen Lindsay," said De Villeneuve, approaching. "I must

introduce myself," he added, "else I see I shall be quite overlooked."

Some general conversation now ensued, uninterrupted till Annie entered. She looked so blushingly pretty, and so enchanted at the sight of Alphonse, that, his self-love requiring some balm after Ellen's indifference, he contrived, while the others talked together, to draw her into conversation, in the course of which, they somehow migrated to the farthest window. In the mean time, old Mr. Lindsay asked his son what his plans were, and whether he would accompany them

abroad.

"No," said Julian-"no; I have much to do, much to combat. I must make myself a destiny, I must carve my own fortunes, for your sake, as well as mine, father, with a steady hand. I wish, indeed, I could join

you, but

"Shame on the coward thought that e'er betrayed
The noon of manhood to a myrtle shade!'

Do not ask me of the details of my plans; suffice it that their object is to support myself and to aid you. I have parted with all vain appendages that were entirely my own, and, after keeping enough for my present need, I can offer you two hundred pounds. It seems little, dear father, considering the expensive baubles I once boasted; but buying and selling are two things. It may aid you in the outset of your pilgrimage, till I can do more for you. And now tell me where you are going, and what you mean to do."

As he spoke, he put the notes into his father's hands. The father hesitated; the son insisted.

"I am strong and resolute, sir," he said"I am not the ignorant and idle fool that I have seemed. I shall be able, with God's assistance, to help you more efficiently, and, perhaps, in time to visit you in your exile. Where are you going?"

"A great way off, my dear boy. A ready