Mystery and Confidence: A Tale. Vol. 3

——Infected minds To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets. ——A great perturbation in nature, To receive at once the benefit of sleep, and do the effect of watching.
Macbeth.
Laura, St. Aubyn, O'Brien, and Mordaunt, were seated on one side the fire, with the sandwich tray before them; on the other side, thrown on a sofa, Ellen saw a tall thin young man, who, deeply absorbed in thought, noticed not her entrance. One pale, sickly looking hand hung motionless by his side, the other shaded his eyes, and over his brow his black hair fell in disordered curls; his dress, though that of a gentleman, was evidently neglected, and his whole appearance was
Drooping, woeful, wan, like one forlorn; Or crazed by care, or cross'd by hopeless love!
As Ellen entered, St. Aubyn rose, and with subdued emotion, said in a low tone:
My love, we waited for you; then somewhat louder;— My Lord De Montfort, will you allow me to introduce you to.... he faltered, and looked as if he dreaded to pronounce the name ... to my wife ... to ... Lady St. Aubyn?
As he spoke, Lord De Montfort started from his reverie, shook back the curls which shaded his face, and shewed a fine, but pale and emaciated countenance. For an instant his bright black eyes flashed, and his cheeks crimsoned with a sudden emotion. He hastily took two or three steps forward, as if to greet some well-known friend; but seeing Ellen, who, half alarmed, leaned upon St. Aubyn, he gazed upon her for a moment with such an earnest yet melancholy expression as extremely affected her. She courtesied, and he bent his head with the air of a perfect gentleman, but spoke not, and then threw himself on his sofa again.
Ellen perceived that St. Aubyn's frame shook with subdued emotion, and her own trembled with an indefinable sensation.
Come, Lady St. Aubyn, said Laura, sit here by the fire; you look pale and cold; you should not indeed expose yourself to the night air in crossing the hall and staircase.