Page:Tragical history of Jane Arnold (2).pdf/5

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distantly related to the family, to remain with him in the capacity of his head clerk, which was a very lucrative employment. Mr. Percival and his daughter had now been in Wiltshire two years, and as yet had received no visit from Heury, whom his sister represented as one of the finest youths of the age, both in mental and personal accomplishments.

One morning Jane was agreeably surprised by a very early and unexpected visit from Rosetta. Her young friend produced a letter which she had received late the preceding night. It was from Henry, and announced the pleasing intelligence, that he would be at Rosewood on the following Monday, where he meant to remain some time. His visit, he informed them, was owing to his relation's sudden determination of quitting England for the West Indies, in order to make a personal investigation of his property; and thither tho youth felt no inclination to accompany him, but resolved to repair to Rosewood, and remain some time with his father previous to his forming a new settlement for himself.

As soon as Rosetta had imparted the contents of the letter, she intreated Mr. Arnold to permit his three daughters to visit her on the day appointed for Henry's arrival, as her father intended to make it a kind of a festival. The farmer readily acquiesced, and it was agreed that the fair ones should repair to Rosewood at an early hour of the forenoon, and that Lubin should join the gay party at the commencement of the evening; share in their pleasures, and escort his sisters home. Rosetta then departed; and the intervening time was spent by Farmer Arnold's daughters in preparing all their village finery for the occasion. Monday