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118
ETHEL CHURCHILL.

reproaches inanimate nature with its lack of sympathy, which turns from the golden light of day, from the cheerful sights and sounds that fill the open air with rejoicing, as if the gladness only mocked their misery! Passively, she allowed her grandmother to hurry her toilet, who would not see how wan and ill she looked. When all was complete, she turned away from the glass as she had turned away from the window, with a deeper feeling of desolation. It was a relief to glide away unperceived; and almost mechanically she sought the open air, and entered the summer-house, from the habit of turning her steps thither, rather than from any will on her own part. She was not permitted to remain there long; and Mr. Trevanion, accompanied by Mrs. Churchill, conducted her to the apartment where the guests where assembled.

All the Jacobite gentry of that part of the country were collected together; though, it must be confessed, their appearance and their usual after-dinner conversation were rather at variance. Now they looked calm and