CHAPTER IV.

ENGLISH MANNERS.

OUR first three chapters have "made to themselves wings," and flown by without giving us time to reflect that we have been entirely occupied with the introduction of the lesser lights of Avonmore, while the proprietor himself has not yet taken the position to which he is entitled.

A brief space only has elapsed since the occurrence of the few unimportant events that we have recorded, and they have all been embraced within the period of Mr. Melville's morning ride.

He would have been somewhat surprised if he had suspected that his name would ever have served "to point a moral, or adorn a tale;" but a character of real dignity, of earnest conviction, of superior elevation, is as necessary in the construction of a story, as is the firm prop to the delicate tendrils of the surrounding plants that enclasp and adorn it.

If Mr. Melville had been asked his opinion of the highest qualities requisite "to give assurance of a man," he would have answered, "Truth, Probity, and an earnest and fearless pursuit of the Right;" and these are precisely the qualities which in himself shone

out with such peculiar lustre. But it must not be supposed because the word "earnest " has been twice used in portraying him, that we are about to present a solemn bore, or a pragmatical cynic to our reader. Nothing can be farther from our purpose, for in all the amenities of life, Mr. Melville had succeeded in attaining the right as amiably and as perfectly as he had done in more serious pursuits.

He was not a vain man, for he regarded the four cardinal advantages of genius, birth, beauty, and inherited wealth, as gifts of Divine Providence, for which to be grateful, but of which no one has a right to be vain; and being content to preserve and develope the ample portion of these gifts bestowed on himself, he was not disposed to be uncharitable or even critical towards any on whom such blessings had been less freely lavished. To these advantages he added some common ones, that is, if common truth, common honesty, and common sense might not perhaps be classed with the most uncommon qualities in the world.

As we might have summed up the character of Mr. Melville in a single expressive word, by saying that he was "a gentleman," that of Mrs. Melville may be understood when she is presented as "a gentlewoman;" an old-fashioned title, but one that has a more exact and extended signification than the modern and elegant one of "lady." Her best traits can hardly be called distinguishing, in an age, and especially in a country where the devoted wife, the watchful and tender mother, the sympathetic friend, the kind mistress, form the rule and not the exception. If she

was adored by her husband, idolized by her children, loved and trusted by her friends, and venerated by her servants, she saw daily instances around her of the same womanly virtues. And she well knew that whatever influence she possessed was to be ascribed to that pure and unselfish sympathy which is ready at all times to make all sacrifices for the happiness and well-being of others.

Her heart was as young and tender as when it was first won, and alike in their joys or their sorrows her children flew to her arms for sympathy when they rejoiced, and for consolation when they wept. They and their young companions regarded her almost as one of themselves, and the Christmas at Avonmore was anticipated by them without any apprehension of surveillance or restraint in their innocent pleasures.

Mr. and Mrs. Melville were seated in a parlor, the windows of which commanded a view of the extensive lawn in front of the house. One side of it gave entrance to a conservatory filled with tropical fruit trees and flowering plants which were mingled in pleasing variety, and banished all ideas of winter. But the idea of winter was not unpleasantly recalled by the ample wood fire that sparkled and blazed as if in honor of merry Christmas." A crimson carpet and curtains completed the comfortable effect of the room, and the open piano with an upright sheet of music on it, the books scattered on the tables, and the tapestry work left rather carelessly on a sofa, showed the favorite parlor.

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A few choice flowers were carefully assorted in small vases on the tables, and but a few, for Mrs.

Melville had restrained the fair pilfering fingers that would have transferred all her pet flowers to them. To compensate for this deficiency, the mirrors and the paintings had been plentifully decorated with wreaths of ivy and laurel, interspersed with branches of arbor vitæ, holly and cedar, uniting in pleasing contrast their ornamental berries of blue and scarlet.

Mr. Melville was engaged in reading the newspapers just presented him as the result of his messen. ger's daily visit to the post-office, and Mrs. Melville had taken up one of the pieces of tapestry lying on the sofa, apparently with the intention of continuing the buds and blossoms that were glowing with mimic freshness on the canvas, when Vivian entered and presented "Captain Delamere."

The handsome young officer paid his compliments with the high-bred air that marks the English gentleman, and was received with a cordiality no less pleasing and distinguished; and as Captain Delamere and her son stood together before her, Mrs. Melville thought, and justly, that it would have been no easy matter to have found two nobler young men.

They were both tall and finely formed; both with the dark blue eyes, the chestnut hair and fair complexion that distinguishes the Saxon even when separated by oceans and generations from the parent stock. But a soldier's life and some seniority of years had given their perfect finish to the form of the officer, while that of Vivian, though manly, lithe, and eminently graceful, suggested the idea that a few more years, in giving it more development, would enhance its elegance.

The noble turn of the features and their general effect gave them a partial resemblance as seen by a superficial observer, but there was a depth of feeling and of latent thought in the eyes of the young student, and a sparkling brilliancy in his smile, that promised still increasing interest when time should fully unfold the treasures of mind and heart they indicated.

"We are most happy to welcome you here, Captain Delamere," said Mr. Melville, rising and shaking hands cordially with the young officer. "It gives me sincere pleasure to see that you have not forgotten us, and we esteem it no small compliment that you should come to us at so unpropitious a season."

"The seasons and their change' are hardly perceptible here," said Captain Delamere, glancing toward the conservatory, and bowing to Mrs. Melville, who acknowledged the implied courtesy with a smile. "Mrs. Melville and yourself must have certainly found the elixir vitæ in some fountain at the base of these mountains. You are both in finer health than when I last met with you."

"The elixir vitæ which we should interpret as our pure air," said Mrs. Melville, "is heartily at your service, and it gratifies me to perceive that you are already so far recovered from the effects of the illness which you informed us had compelled you to seek a temporary relaxation from your duties in India."

"Yes, I am so far recovered," replied Captain Delamere, with a suppressed sigh, "that I have no farther reason for delaying my return. Since I have taken an extended survey of the western continent in my recent tour, I have been tempted to wish that