MOUNT SOREL; OR, THE HEIRESS OF THE DE VERES. BY THE AUTHOR OF THE "TWO OLD MEN'S TALES." "She lived within her father's halls, Beside the streams of Dove; A maid, whom there were none to praise, IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON: CHAPMAN AND HALL, 186, STRAND. MOUNT SOREL. CHAPTER I. When to the sessions of sweet silent thought, I summon up remembrance of things past; I sigh the lack of many a thing I sought, And with old woes new wail my dear times' waste. SHAKSPEARE. CLARICE was seated in the oriel window of the breakfast-room at Holnicote, busy with her embroideryframe. She was alone. Mrs. de Vere had just left the apartment; Mrs. Fermor was with her patient up-stairs. Edmund still remained in the same state. He breathed and he moved, it is true, and swallowed what medicines were administered to him, but the pressure upon the brain continued. A brain-fever was apprehended, and he was kept in darkness and stillness. K Clarice was not allowed to visit him again. Often did the affectionate girl creep to his door, and listen for the voice of him she so tenderly loved; but, save the hushed noises of a sick room, all was silent. |