• THE

CO-HEIRESS OF WILLINGHAM.

By Cousin Leigh.

Jalis

"Not enjoyment and not sorrow
Is our destined end and way,

But to act that each to morrow
Finds us farther than to-day."

LONGFELLOW.

LONDON:

JOSEPH MASTERS, ALDERSGATE STREET,

AND NEW BOND STREET.

MDCCCLIV.

249.4.3.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY JOSEPH MASTERS AND CO.,

ALDERSGATE STREET.

PREFACE.

THE writer of the following pages has been emboldened to send them forth to the public by the encouragement of several authors (clergymen and others whose names stand high in the literary world), who saw the MS., and approved its style and principles.

Though believing such appeals for sympathy have seldom much general weight, and that the public will not be influenced by its feelings either to condemn or approve an undertaking of this sort, the author has complied with the advice of others, by briefly stating that this work was written under the pressure of much anxiety and distress, (none the lighter from its being wholly new to the sufferers,) and is now published when afflictions of a deeper kind are heavy on the heart of the writer, while they add not a little to the anxieties alluded to.

If those among my fellow-travellers "o'er life's solemn main," who have the power and will to aid others, when the storms of sorrow and perplexity assail them, will now do so, by encouraging this publication, they will assist and comfort

THE ORPHAN OF A CLERGYMAN.

Advent, 1854.

"AND to-morrow is your wedding-day, dear Beatrice; to-morrow, that will be here in less than five hours.To-morrow," repeated Maude Willingham, musingly, as a sigh closed this half soliloquy, half address to her sister, who was sitting near the open window, where Maude stood, busily arranging some books and papers.

"Even so, Cara; to-morrow sees the period put to all the freedom and enjoyment of my maiden days. Heigh-ho, I'm half inclined to send Neville word I've altered my mind and can on no consideration consent to travel through the world in company with any one but you, Maude, for the next ten years at least. But," she added after a pause, as, glancing up at her sister, she saw how deep was the reverie in which Maude was lost, and how grave the expression of her face; "but what could have made you state this not very novel fact, just now, dear, in such a tone, too? Any one would imagine a new light had broken in on you, instead of its having been a fixed thing for these last six months. I should think our aunt's incessant reference to the event would have made it a very stale

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