made. The danger was imminent, and any remedy must be prompt; and it was
something to protract, even if she could not finally break off, an union
against which were arrayed all the angry feelings of jealousy, as well as
the better affections of the friend. Emily's eye was already brightening
beneath the words that Falkland whispered in her ear, when Mrs. St. John
approached her. She placed herself on a chair beside them, and unmindful
of Falkland's bent and angry brow, attempted to create a general and
commonplace conversation. Lady Margaret had invited two or three people
in the neighbourhood; and when these came in, music and cards were
resorted to immediately, with that English politesse, which takes the
earliest opportunity to show that the conversation of our friends is the
last thing for which we have invited them. But Mrs. St. John never left
the lovers; and at last, when Falkland, in despair at her obstinacy,
arose to join the card-table, she said, "Pray, Mr. Falkland, were you not
intimate at one time with * * * * , who eloped with Lady * * *?" "I knew
him but slightly," said Falkland; and then added, with a sneer, "the only
times I ever met him were at your house." Mrs. St. John, without
noticing the sarcasm, continued:--"What an unfortunate affair that
proved! They were very much attached to one another in early life--the
only excuse, perhaps for a woman's breaking her subsequent vows. They
eloped. The remainder of their history is briefly told: it is that of
all who forfeit everything for passion, and forget that of everything it
is the briefest in duration. He who had sacrificed his honour for her,
sacrificed her also as lightly for another. She could not bear his
infidelity; and how could she reproach him? In the very act of yielding
to, she had become unworthy of, his love. She did not reproach him--she
died of a broken heart! I saw her just before her death, for I was
distantly related to her, and I could not forsake her utterly even in her
sin. She then spoke to me only of the child by her former marriage, whom
she had left in the years when it most needed her care: she questioned me