Angelina: Or, The Mystery of St. Mark's Abbey — page 189: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

176 . ' " gy@peinagorn, -- 7! ‘¢¥ would much rather not say anything more abbut it,” repli¢ “but endeavoer to forget it; however, as you request it, Iiw You.may also feel a curiosity to know by what means I became the: man like Rufus. and I will, therefore, if you please, relate i.” ~~ Angelina having expressed her anxiety to hear these — B lated them in the following words :— +s My troubles, I may say, Miss, began at a very early period, and wb dhe can imagive what I have endured since. But yet was it a -punishavent e fer one act of indiscretion and disobedience to the will of my parents, of wifich I have ever since repented. My parents brought me up with the atmoat ‘at- tention, and bestowed upon me all! the care which the greatest affection ceuld suggest. In fact, I was their favorite child, There was a youth in the same vilage in which I was born, named Gilbert Merton, who had been ond of my play-fellows in childhood, and between him and me a passion spitting Up, as sincere as ft wasthendity-ang we hdd no reason to suppose that our parents would raise any objection to our paying oar addresses to one another, as Gil- bert’s character was irrepreachable—his circumstances in life were thé same as my owg—his parents had ever been on the most intimate terms with mine, and my father and mother always evinced a marked respect fer the young men. He was always heartily welcomed to our house, and the attentions he paid to me were never noticed by my parents, although we could ‘net but belleve that they were aware ‘of the love which we entertained for each other, and were inclined to encourage it. ‘But we were doomed to be disappointed.’ Hitherto we had only to one another confessed the affection which inhabited our bosoms ; indeed, so perfectly did we imagine that our parents understood it, that it was unnecessary to say anything to them about it. It was shortly after the period I have just mentioned, that Rafus and his friends arrivéd in the village, after having been abseat from it for several years. My parents, and those of Rdfus, had always been particular friends, owing to some service which, I believe, the father of Rufus had formerly rendered my father, and the intimacy was renewed en their coming back to the village, with avidity, They were, in fact, at the house of-my parents, or we were at theirs, at every possible opportunity. ‘“* Rofus was at that time in the service of the Baron de Morton, who then bestowed particular marks of favour upon him. He had always looked upen me with eyes of admiration, much to my annoyance; for I had never been able to feel for him any other sentiment Jhan that of abhorrence: and 1 was very much vexed and disgusted when I found that the number of years we had not seen each other, had made no difference, unless it was to add to bis bold- ness, and to render him ten times more repugnant io my eyes. Bat what mote surprised and perplexed me was, that my parents appeared to mark the atten- tions he paid me, with satisfaction, and to be pleased when he paid me any particular compliment, or little galtantry. ‘* Gilbert beheld him with eyes of jealousy; and it was only confidence in my fidelity, which prevented him from immediately seeking an explanation ; however, his conduct at last became so bold, that Gilbert resolved he would not remain in suspense any fonger, but that he would at once throw himself at the feet of my father, and solicit of him my hand. This he did, and the ply. fa COMIC OOOKS. EO