THE

BELLE OF THE FAMILY:

OR,

THE JOINTURE.

Α NOVEL.

BY THE AUTHOR OF

“THE YOUNG PRIMA DONNA," "THE LITTLE
WIFE," &c. &c.

"Yet for each ravaged charm of earth

Some pitying power had given

BEAUTY

IN THREE VOLUME S.

VOL. I.

LONDON:

T. C. NEWBY, 65, MORTIMER ST., CAVENDISH So

1843.

THE JOINTURE.

CHAPTER L

A youth rode forth from his childhood's home,
Through the crowded paths of the world to roam,
And the green leaves whispered as he passed,
Wherefore thou dreamer, away so fast?

Knowest thou with what thou art parting here,
Long wouldst thou linger in doubt and fear.”

"WELL done!" said the world, throwing down the Morning Post, "we go on fast!—another fairest débutante of the season about to dazzle our eyes-another Vassall about to be presented!'' "Yes," exclaimed a chaperone with an air of