The morning at length arrived which was to part our friends, whom the cement of kindred minds had united in bonds so strong as to make the separation painful. After repeated embraces, they sighed their adieux; and Louisa, with slow step, and an eye often cast back, lost sight of the friendly cottage. CHAPTER XV. A MEETING. All Nature fades extinct; and she, alone THOMSON'S SEASONS. MARY interrupted Louisa's reverie, by fearing she would be fatigued before they reached Kendal. "No, indeed, my dear Mrs. Bennet," said she, "you forget how far I must have wandered the night you received me: were I returning to Mrs. Rivers, the way might appear long: but at present, my steps seem to move me too quickly away." They reached the appointed place in fafety; where the old man, as he was on horseback for the sake of carrying the baggage, was arrived before them. "Can you inform me, Madam," said Mary, addressing the landlady, "if a carriage of the Countess of Melville's is here?" "The Earl and his sister arrived last night Madam," returned she; "I presume you are the lady they expect: give me leave to show you to the parlour; you are waited for with impatience.” The landlady led the way, and the next moment saw our young friends in each other's arms: indeed their raptures were so great, that Louisa overlooked Augustus, now Lord Melville; but, blushing, she acknowledged her error; claiming for excuse, she had no idea of meeting him; being honored far above her merits by the Countess's sending the chaise. "And could you, my dear Miss Villars," said he, "imagine my mother would suffer you to travel so far alone, when her son and daughter were so proud of the charge? Are you so apt to forget your friends, that you think they can be so unmindful of you?" "I shall ever remember Lady Melville's kindness, and your politeness, my Lord: but give me leave, Lady Julia, to present my friend. To her, and one more lady, how much am I obliged! with them I almost forgot my misfortunes; and, had not a wish to know of the welfare of Lady Melville and my dear Julia interfered, never would I have desired to leave them." "A truce with your introduction," said Julia; "while you were paying your compliments, I was showing the advantage of a French education, and introducing myself. I have told her how much I am obliged, how much I love her, in half the time you would have given to blushes and by the hand," I have a right to a part of her affection, as I freely give you up a third of my mother's: that return will keep up the balance." "My dear young lady," returned Mary, "it is not to me any thanks are due, but to my amiable mistress; to her I will convey them." In short, our little company were mutually pleased with each other; till soon after dinner, Mary reminded Louisa she must bid her farewel, as the walk was long, and the old man slow. "I wish not to intrude, Madam," said Lord Melville; "but permit me to attend you: the chaise shall stop where you please, at some distance from your habitation, if most convenient; and Louisa will have the satisfaction of knowing you got home in safety." Our young friends over-ruled all Mary's objections; who, after an affectionate farewel, attended by Lord Melville, reached the old man's cottage; where, after repeated thanks, he bade her adieu. Julia was not displeased to be alone with Louisa, as she wished to be more particularly informed of what had happened since their separation; and likewise to repose in her bosom a reciprocal confidence. "About six months ago, my dear Louisa," said she, "my father grew visibly worse, and the gout seemed to threaten his stomach; we went, for change of air and amusement, to several of the watering-places, and lastly, to Bath; at which place we received a letter from Madame du Saint, which mentioned your removal, and her fears on your account. As I had promised Augustus to acquaint him with all the news I heard concerning you, I communicated this unwelcome intelligence; and the return of the post brought letters from him to my father, to entreat his permission to return home, like a true knight-errant, I suppose, to seek his mistress. But that very day my father had been advised to go to Spa; and, instead of the expected permission, my mother's letters desired Augustus to meet us at that place. "Strict orders were left at the town-house, if any letters came, to forward them with all possible dispatch, as we were in continual expectation of hearing from you. Augustus joined us three days after our arrival at Spa; but so pale, so dispirited, that Lady Melville began to fear almost as much for him as my father. Lord Castlebrook came with him to Spa. You know he showed me some little attentions at Abbeville; and travelling did not seem to have made him forget his former attachment. Whether it was his kindness to my brother, or that I feared, 'being naturally humane, reducing him to a similar state with Augustus, I know not, but I certainly heard him with complaisance; which he interpreting to his own F |