BY THE AUTHORESS OF "THE DISINHERITED," «FLIRTATION," &c. "Devotion even in despair." IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON: RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET. SUCCESSOR TO HENRY COLBURN. 1836. THE DEVOTED. CHAPTER I. It is a strange desire which men have, to seek power and lose liberty. BACON's Remains. THE scene changes to London. Lord Altamont was again placed in one of the highest posts of public life. His house was the resort of persons who envied and adulated him — of all who sought to bask in the sunshine of his prosperity: whether they hated or loved the man, no matter; they loved the result of his success, and coveted his brilliant fortune. It is something to dwell in the atmosphere of a prosperous person. The prosperous man is readily known wherever he appears; there is an easy air about him, which arises from the consciousness of being always welcome every VOL. II. B where. In a crowd he is followed, but not crushed-room is made right and left for him to pass along. Yet examine his countenance, and frequently under smiles lurks the mark of care prosperity obtained is not prosperity secured. He looks about him with self-satis faction, it is true; but not without an expression of caution, lest any secret enemy be nigh to push him from his high estate. The prosperous man walks along a dizzy height; he looks down upon the crowd with supercilious satisfaction, the crowd look up to him with envy; but the one wends on with fear, the other plods on in safety. To crown Lord Altamont's wishes, his only child, the Lady Elizabeth, was the admiration of the London world, and the presiding deity of its festivities; but he regarded the various aspirants to her favour as so many dangerous snares, lest she should be tempted to select amongst them, any one whom he deemed unsuited to her, and to the part he destined her to play in life. Even, then, in this pride there was an alloy. |