CHAPTER XXIII. THE NUPTIALS OF A CONSTANT COUPLE, AND BY THE CONSENT OF A VIRTUOUS GUARDIAN. WHEN Moreton called on Mrs. Maitland, to acquaint her with the news of his uncle's death, he found her alone. In relating this news to her he expreffed a defpondency left he fhould lofe her for whom he hourly felt his affection increase. "My good Henry, do not despair; Emma loves you; and, if you will fubmit to a fcheme that I fhall propofe, we will put it in execution speedily. "I expect Emma prefently; clofet yourfelf; and though I well know that a person of your fcrupulous honour will hesitate in adopting fuch measures, yet when you confider what is at stake, you will not refuse your affent to the policy of this scheme." After fome flight argument, which was over-ruled by the fagacious Mrs. Maitland, Henry confented to these measures. Emma entered, blufhing as Aurora when The first rifes and difplays her opening charms to an admiring world. "I hope," faid Mrs. Maitland, « you will take compaffion on your faithful lover. The gifts of fortune, the honours which have fallen to him lately, will only increase his forrows, if you, niece, will not confent to fhare them with him. I am perfuaded of the truth of what I have now advanced. If you will believe me, and you know that I admire honefty even in ftate affairs, and in the conduct of governments to foreign courts, you will give me due credit, when I declare to you, that I have never feen. you look handfomer; the pink ribbon and clofe cap become your beauties admirably. # Such beauty really, my good niece, might extort praises from thofe who felt difpofed to be most niggard.” as Pry'thee," faid he, " dear aunt, fhe gracefully walked to the mirror, and viewed herself, arranging her dress in the moft nice order, removing a ringlet of her hair which obfcured her lovely eyes, and altering a pin which fhe confidered mifplaced, "do you think that the jealous lover will make a good husband. You recollect your favourite poet's defcription of jealoufy; and you have sympathised, my kind aunt, with the much-wronged Defdemona. Lord bless me! fuppofe I was to be fmothered; what a fhocking death! You indeed might figh, Poor girl! poor Emma! She married a jealous man, and behold the fruit of her marriage!" "Would you not, my love,” replied Mrs. Maitland, "be angry with your lover, if coldly he was to neglect your charms, and appear more indifferent? Confider what he has fuffered on your account." Emma, recollecting that she was once on the brink of lofing her beloved Moreton for ever, declared candidly, that her hopes were dependent on him; that fhe loved him for his virtues, and wifhed him every happinefs that merit, great as his was, could obtain. "And," faid fhe, "aunt, you know what I have fince endured for him. If I fhould lofe him "Heaven forbid it!", faid Moreton, haftening from his concealment, and clasping her to his arms. Surprifed into terms, Emma, with good-nature, confented to yield to him her hand. "My affections, you already know, Henry, to have been your own a long time; you will not think me ambitious then, when I declare, that even a title cannot add fresh charms to the fair character, or increase the honour which adorns the name of my preserver." Mrs. Maitland infifted on the ceremony taking place that very morning. "Declarations, unaccompanied by deeds, are futile. It is a union, my loves, which has for its durable basis, honour, goodness, beauty, and mutual affection. The confequences must be an agreeable interchange of the kindeft offices, that make the rugged road of life more pleasant. I am acquainted, my dear children," continued the good lady, "with a respectable and worthy divine, who fhall perform the duty of uniting a faithful pair together, and making their old aunt happy this very morning. No denial, Emma; you cannot pofitively refuse me this favour; befides, it will complete the plan, child, which I have laid down." Sir Henry Moreton fhowed, by every feature and action, how his wishes were engaged in this plan. A polite note was written by Mrs. Mait |