earthly possession, and, with sincere satisfaction, perceived that her husband was blest with the general characteristics of health, though many of the finer lineaments of his countenance were obliterated, and he was decidedly looking old for his years. But what was that compared to the pleasure of gazing on him, and listening to his words of pity or of praise! to witnessing the sparkling of his eyes when he gazed on his boy, and sought, by every possible medium, to coax him to his arms, a task not to be achieved in a moment; or in listening to that praise of Lord Allerton, which was likely to propitiate Mary in his favour!
In a very short time, Isabella said "she was impatient to see and thank this kind friend of her husband's;" and, although not equal to take her seat at table, she could proceed for a few minutes into their usual sitting-room. Glentworth took her on his arm with an air in which respect blended with tenderness, and presented her, with pride not less than pleasure, to their noble visitant, who, although surprised by the youthfulness of her countenance (rendered the more striking from her late illness), thought that its gentle benignity augured well for his future hopes, which had waned considerably since he beheld her sister. When at a distance, he contemplated Mary, as she had been depicted to him, pale and shadowy, lovelorn and sallow, carrying in
