CHAP. VIII. Or if there were a sympathy in choice, Swift as a shadow, short as any dream, Brief as the lightning in the colly'd night, That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, The jaws of darkness do devour it up. SHAKESPEARE. LORD Raby now thought it necessary to declare his sentiments to his son respecting. Adeliza. Nothing could equal the astonish ment of Captain Surrey, but his distress. He He told his father that, so far from inclining to disobey him, he had always understood that he paid his addresses to Miss Pembroke with his full consent. Lord Raby said, in reply, that he believed he had some years ago, when the subject was mentioned by his mother, not made any particular objections; but the reason was obvious-they were at that period such mere children, that a serious answer would have been equally unnecessary and ridiculous. On this ground he had acted in the manner he did; and he now trusted to the good sense of his son, to point out the propriety of entirely abandoning so imprudent a connection, and by so doing, give him no farther trouble upon the subject. This, however, was a mode of conduct by no means approved by Captain Surrey.. His honour, independent of his affection, firmly bound him to Adeliza; nor could the wealth of worlds have tempted him to forsake her. This in the strongest language he represented to his father, who, indeed, could but in part controvert what his amiable son advanced; but still persisted in refusing his concurrence to the marriage. At last, after a long and anxious debate, he drew from his father a sort of tacit consent, that, should he return from his next voyage (which was to be to the Cape of Good Hope) impressed with the same sentiments in her favour, he should not then continue to oppose what he was pleased to style his foolish wishes. With this conditional sanction was Captain Surrey obliged to appear satisfied; and, thanking his father, with a dejected countenance left his presence. In this state of mind, Percy walked with folded arms up and down the drawingroom. Adeliza entered; and instantly perceiving that something unpleasant had occurred, in a voice of kind solicitude, demanded the cause of his too visible dejection. To repeat the conversation that now took place, might, though interesting in the extreme to themselves, be tedious to others; suffice it to say, that all a man could a second time declare, in whose breast dwelt every virtue, and whose heart and soul were devoted to one beloved object-all that the tenderest love could suggest, was now urged with warmth by Captain Surrey, to induce Adeliza to throw herself immediately upon his protection. But this she would by no means agree to, after what had passed between his father and himself. "Shall "Shall 1," said she, "dear Percy, consent to make you unhappy?-and surely did I now comply with your earnest wishes, you would be so. I have no scruple to repeat that you are the only one I ever did or can love; nor will I, under any circumstances, be tempted to swerve from the promise that has once passed my lips, of being your's alone." Percy answered her in terms expressive of the tenderest regard, and the infinite obligation she had laid him under; and they parted at that time, each being more reconciled to their separation for the present. The Castle now became to Adeliza uncomfortable in the extreme. The Countess, accustomed to watch and obey her Lord, involuntarily became less kind to her. This, with anguish, she quickly perceived, |