Godey's Lady's Book

GODEY'S LADY'S BOOK
Philadelphia, February 1850

ALL0NDALE PRIORY.

BY OTIS

(Concluded from page 43.)

CHAPTER III. WHEN the travelers reached London, Martin was soon made sensible that report, like other gossips, had aggravated the account of his master's diminished fortune; and that there were some persons who did not scruple to set him down as a ruined man. Whatever he might think or know, he was wise enough to hold his peace; and after transacting some pressing affairs, the hospitable mansion of Lord Tremayne received them for the few remaining weeks before Christmas: arid here, on e similar visit, was Lady Emily Hayton. The long-absent lover's feelings were not the most pleasant when he found a very large party, all deeply engaged in the absorbing Business of private theatricals. After the quiet and rational hours spent at the rectory, it was particularly irksome to find the day consumed in roars of laughter at unsuccessful attempts, or clamorous plaudits at more experienced acting.

With much to arrange in his own mind, and much to say of great importance to his future happiness, the man so soon to enter on the solemn obligations of marriage could ill brook the senseless folly which seemed wholly to possess every inmate of Tremayne House. He was by no means displeased that rumors of his poverty were very prevalent, nor that these should have very materially altered the manners of some who had heretofore called him friend; but he felt in his very heart a fear that there was a slight change in the looks of Lady Emily. Brought up, as she had been, in the very highest style of fashion, it might easily be supposed that a narrow establishment would not be consonant with her ideas of perfect felicity; but love – almighty love – generally throws all minor considerations into the background; and if she still loved, one so young would surely think but little of sordid dross. It could not be believed that she would.

There was a young nobleman in the party, the observed of all observers, the director of all amusements, the arbiter elegantiarum of the day; the man from whose decisions there was no appeal. He was not very handsome; he was not very learned – not even accomplished – but he was immensely rich; consequently, everything in the eyes of the mammas, and at the head of fashion, which rendered him an object of the greatest attraction in the estimation of the daughters; and this elevated being had taken the fancy to distinguish Lady Emily, whose importance was in consequence infinitely increased.

Suspense is the most agonizing attendant of any kind of acute feeling; the lover, therefore, resolved to know the worst – for that Lady Emily was changed, he could no longer conceal from himself As he could not find an opportunity, he made it by requesting a few minutes' conversation while the rest were engaged in the rehearsal of an afterpiece in which she had no part, and of which she had declared herself very weary.

" My dear Emily, " said he, producing an elegant portfolio, in which were six drawings mounted with rich borders of arabesque, " I am desirous of showing you some portions of the Northumbrian scenery; and Miss Egremont has, unconsciously, given me s sketch of the house in which we are to spend the greater portion of the year. "

" Spend any part of the year in Northumberland! " exclaimed her ladyship, in accents of unfeigned surprise and consternation, . " so far from London and from my friends? "

" Look at this view, and tell me if it is not worth going so for to see. "

" It is very well. The house seems large. What are those building? " behind the trees? "

" They want repair, which shall be done the moment I am on the spot to superintend the work. I have had too much of trusting to other people. "

" What is this square detached building ? Could that be turned into a theatre? "

" Heavens ! Emily, you make me shudder! That

is the chapel, where my ancestors have been buried for many centuries! But I hope we shall want no theatres; we shall have better amusement. "

" Theatres now are quite indispensable, " interrupted she, with some haste. " A common proverb cannot be acted in a room without losing half its effect "

" Do you think your gay friends will come so far in act for your amusement? The idea of a theatre in Northurnberland borders on the ridiculous. " " Where my friends cannot come, I cannot reside! "

" My dearest Emily, I shall not at first be able to keep a very large establishment. Mismanagement on the part of my steward, has much diminished my

" So I have heard; " said she, coldly; and, tossing back the drawings contemptuously, rose to leave the room.

" Is this to be my answer, Emily? Have you not »aid you could live with me anywhere? "

" That did not extend to Northumberland. No reasonable man would ask me to fix my residence three hundred miles from London! "

She left the room with an air of dignity, predetermined to consider herself an injured person.

This breach widened daily. The rich lord redoubled his attentions, and the lady graciously received them. The gentleman, not to seem a de sparing lover, walked and talked with all the ladies indiscriminately, young and old. Among the latter was a shrewd-looking dowager, who surprised him, one day, by asking what he thought of Northumberland, of Mr. Egremont, and Mr. Egremont's daughters? On receiving an answer according to the impression of his grateful feelings, she nodded and said – " I am glad to hear all this. Mr. Egremont is my nephew. "

" Your nephew, Lady Prescott! How is it, then, that the Miss Egremonts are left in such deep seclusion'? "

" Because they are sensible girls and their father is a wise man. By your accounts, they are all of them discharging their most important duties, Now do not look as if you thought the fault to be mine. I have invited them often and pressingly, and have always received the same answer. Would you wish to see them in such society as this? "

An involuntary shudder was the only answer.

. " And yet where will you find better? The beauty and fashion of the gay world! Mrs. Egremont, very beautiful, highly accomplished, and possessing an easy fortune, chose to follow her husband where his duty called him, and was contented to remain for his comfort and assistance. Her death was no common misfortune. Are these girls like her? Are they handsome? "

" I believe the world would think them eminently

" How do they dress, and what are their acquirement»? "

" Their dress is marked by that simplicity and neatness which must always be elegant. They are first-rate musicians; and as for their drawings, I will convince you by the sight of some I begged of them. "

" Good! Proper amusements for the country; but I hope they are only amusements? "

" It appeared to me that they took up but very little of their time. They were actively employed in better things. "

" Tell me, then, " said Lady Prescott, with some appearance of anxiety, " how do they spend their hours and their fortune? – for they have a handsome income. Do they display much domestic elegance? "

" I should have judged, from their mode of life, that Mr. Egremont's stipend was not a large one. I can now account for the comfort of the cottages and the happiness of all around them. Those within their influence are so different from my own tenants, that I am impatient to get to Northumberland again to commence acting on their system. "

" Will you have theatres there? "

" No. "

" No racers? "

" Not one. "

" Nor packs of stag hounds? "

" No; a few dogs only for use and companionship. "

" Then who, my dear sir, do you expect will go with you or come after you '! "

" If people are alarmed at my Utopian schemes and shun me., I must even go by myself. "

" Go, then, " said lady Prescott, very significantly; " and may you prosper. One old woman will find you out, if it be only to see whether people can exist without making fools of themselves! "

To the trite saying, that " no man is a hero to his valet, " may be added, " no woman is a heroine in her dressing-room, " unless there should be some one more than her maid to witness her heroism. Waiting-women soon see into the depths of their ladies' characters and feelings; and, in spite of better resolutions, display their knowledge in the second room. Martin could neither be ignorant of what was going on, nor so silent before his master as he should have been; this, with the tattling of a few ladies, young and old – some from mischief, some from envy – precipitated affairs that otherwise might have taken up longer time.

" How much, " said one, " Lord D – is in love with Lady Emily Hayton! "

" How much, " said another, " Lady Emily Hayton is in love with Lord V – ! All former affairs seem forgotten! "

" I am sure she is right! Who would go to horrid Northumberland ? "

" Oh! Northumberland would not be amiss – for a short time; but to marry a man who is obliged to live there! "

" Lord V – has twenty palaces – palaces, I may say, besides his house in town – and such an income! "

?Ladies! " cried Lady Prescott, who accidentally heard some of these sayings, " Lady Emily Hayton does very wisely to make up her mind not to go to Northuniberland, for many cogent reasons. The principal one is, she would not be happy there, nor would she make others happy. She would get no good – she would do no good. Rut if she takes Lord V –, she may chance to find many houses, or even palace, do not make happiness, any more than broad lands make riches. "

It was of no use repeating this to Lady Emily, though many hastened to do it; her mind was already made up, and it required but little time or contrivance to bring on a crisis that ended in a total separation between these so lately firmly engaged lovers. All the letters, as well as every gage d'amour, were returned; they became as strangers, yet each delayed to depart, that the whole of the visitors might see how stoically they bore it. Lady Emily, to her real delight, was free to receive a regular offer of marriage from Lord V –; which, however, when there were no obstacles in the way, Lord V – was in no haste to make – being one of those who have little scruple in breaking the tenth commandment, and, in fact, think lightly of any conquests unless they can be won from others; and, when that is once accomplished, lose all farther interest in them.

Lord Tremayne endeavored to remonstrate with both parties, but in vain. He was shocked with Lady Emily's conduct, but strove to palliate it. This was as useless as it was impolitic; and every word he uttered opened the eyes of the ill-used lover still wider. He saw plainly that it had been a systematic plan from the moment that it was believed his largo fortune was impaired; and he could but rejoice in having escaped a heartless, mercenary woman of fashion.

A longer sojourn in London was now borne with great tranquillity; there was no need to fly on the wings of impatience or love. Business was quietly and leisurely transacted. Many packages were sent of to Northumberland, many more ordered to be sent. The beauties of that sublime district came over the imagination, peopled with happy images and some elegant ones. The blue mountains; the gleaming lakes; the fantastic rocks and sparkling waterfalls; the ruins; the noble castles; the primitive figures of the simple peasantry; a few classical figures, that might have been studies for the chisel of Canova, flitted in succession over the mind, and might probably bring a throb of enthusiasm to the heart. Everything combined to throw the soulless world of fashion to an immeasurable distance; and, to his infinite satisfaction, three weeks before Christmas, Mr. Eden was again established as a welcome guest at Mr. Egremont's quiet, simple, yet elegant rectory.

CHAPTER IV.

Mr. EDEN was now quite at liberty to remark how very beautiful and graceful Elinor Egremont looked and moved; how well she spoke on most subjects, without pretension or affectation. He could but remember that there were no faults in the person or manners of Lady Emily Hayton, and that, till an apparently richer man had appeared, how much her sentiments had assimilated with his own. He felt a void in his heart, but was in no haste to fill it. He enjoyed the present hours with a keen relish, and thought not of the future. He was to stay at the rectory a fortnight, with the express stipulation that the party, including Mr. and Mrs. Armytage, should spend the whole of what are called the holidays at his own house, whither Martin was frequently sent, to see if all needful preparations were going on.

Mr. Egremont was made acquainted with the deep disappointment Mr. Eden had experienced, and he sympathized with him on the mortification, but threw in hints that it was better for Lady Emily to have shown her real character before marriage than afterwards; and he could not help remarking that his young friend's manners were gayer, and his spirits more buoyant than when he thought himself a successful lover. He certainly had made a firm resolution never to bring a fine lady to live among the fells and forests, even if she professed herself, as Lady Emily had done, an enthusiastic admirer of the picturesque – and she really was so, of the very picturesque Regent's Park, Richmond Hill, &c.

The weather was unfavorable for exercise in the open air, and the small party were compelled to confine their amusements to the house, consequently wore thrown more together. Yet Mr. Eden could not help acknowledging there would not have been one moment to throw away on theatricals. Indeed, the time was so well filled up, and flew so swiftly away, that Mr. Eden soon found other company, particularly that of Miss Armytage, was an unwelcome interruption to him. Not so to the sisters; they endured and even encouraged her, for they knew there was much good in her character, which they anxiously strove to bring forward, while they gently repressed all that was really evil. Mr. Eden wondered at their patience. He, however, tried to assist them; but soon discovered this to be a delicate task, as she was one of those unfortunate young ladies who can never divest themselves of the idea that gentlemen must fall in love with them perforce, whatever superior attractions may be before their eyes.

The quiet occupations of elegant country life are very favorable to the finer emotions of the heart, and Mr. Eden was fast lapsing into something like romance again, when his delightful dream was cruelly disturbed – he feared broken. A fall, handsome Northumbrian squire, with thousands of acres and a town-like castle, came on a short visit to Mr. Egrernont – so he said; hut it was easy to see that Elinor Egremont was the attraction. He saw no airs, no bustle, no blushes; all went on precisely as before, except that there could be neither reading, music, nor even drawing. Miss Armytage alone was agitated and extremely restless, till she could get an opportunity of speaking apart to Mr. Eden, when she began, without hesitation or circumlocution – " Now is the time, sir, to show your friendship for Mr. Egremont's family. "

" Only tell me how I can do it, Miss Armytage, and you will lay me under great obligation. "

" Speak roundly to Elinor, Mr. Eden, " said she, quivering with emotion; " do not spare her. Set her folly in its true light. "

" What folly? How am I to speak? What am I to say? "

" Why, surely, you must know that this splendid Mr. Dacre absolutely sues to make her mistress of Dacre castle; that he has done so these twelve months, and that she flatly and absolutely refuses him. "

" I certainly did not know it. Rut pray tell me, Miss Armytage, what has Mr. Dacre, independent of' his castle and his numerous acres? "

" Oh! a fine person; an ancient name; a good temper – in short, he is a great match. Mary is going to marry a poor parson only; but what an opportunity here is to raise the family. "

" Do you think they need raising? "

" Why, no – not raising – but . I believe I might have bad Mr. Dacre myself at one time, but I look! higher! " and she gave Mr. Eden one of those looks silly girls will sometimes give. Mr. Eden tried to keep his temper, and answered, calmly, but very pointedly –

" If you look higher than Mr. Dacre, Miss Armytage, how high should Elinor Egremont look? – for I tell you, with the greatest sincerity, that in the circles of fashion – nay, in the British court – I have not seen one like her. And her noble rejection of wealth and name, because unaccompanied by mind and soul, raises her still higher in my eyes. " Fearing he had gone too far, he continued, sportively – " When you have refused such a man, for such reasons, Miss Armytage, you will be very high, indeed, in my good opinion. "

He left her abruptly, that she might not answer; and, with a lightened heart and a clear brow, sought the family in the music-room.

No one could admire or esteem unpretending excellence better than this young man, satiated, as he had been, with foreign frippery and the hollow-heartedness of English high breeding. Love could not be far off; when such a forcible contrast to all that is meritorious was hourly before his eyes. The sober piety of Mr. Egremont was as a beautiful frame, in which the solid acquirements and true elegances of his daughters were displayed to the greatest advantage. It would have been something to have gained a companion from such a house, even had the adornments been fewer and the beauties less. Mr. Eden's feelings, perhaps, had been more fully known to himself by the circumstance of Mr. Dacre's unpropitious visit; and he no longer delayed to ask Mr. Egremont to ask his daughter Elinor if she would help him to bring his own tenants and people into something like the happy state of those who surrounded the rectory. Of his own feelings he did not speak; but they shone in a most eloquent pair of eyes; and though he did not receive a very decided answer, or even permission to speak to Elinor herself, he was not forbidden the chief aliment of love – hope. Mr. Egremont wisely required some time to know more of Mr. Eden's character in the world, before he would absolutely consent to trust the happiness of his daughter in his hands; and resolved to write to Lady Prescott, that he might know more particulars of Mr. Eden's former life than he would be willing of himself to avow.

Miss Armytage was all blank astonishment as soon as the secret transpired; but she consoled herself for Mr. Eden's most unaccountable perversion of taste, by the certainty of a present visit, and the remote prospect of being bridesmaid – that was the next thing to being a bride. After all, she comforted herself that Mr. Eden really did break his leg that he might fall in love and marry, though it was not with herself; it would have been out of all rules of romance, if such an accident bad ended in nothing at all. She now began to appear more amiable in the eyes of her friends, for she condescended to talk common sense, since there was nothing to be got by folly; and the two tall dogs, to the great delight of the quiet family at the rectory, were suffered to repose in their respective kennels at home.

On the day appointed for visiting Mr. Eden, a plain, green chariot conveyed Elinor, Miss Armytage, and Mr. Eden; the rest of the party were i» a post-chaise. As their road lay near Allondale Priory, it was proposed to rest the horses and look over some miniatures and medals, omitted on their former visit. So well had Martin foreseen this, that large fires were blazing in all the rooms; and the old housekeeper, no longer deaf, but very alert in waiting on the ladies, pressed on them refreshments before they again made the tour of the apartments, which now included a large gallery filled with works of art – some given reason about repairs having prevented their seeing it in their first excursion. Here the miniatures of Cooper and Oliver, with a cabinet of rare medals, detained them long.

On entering the saloon, Mr. Armytage was much interested with portraits of men he had personally known, He spoke highly of the ancestors of the Allondale family; and, pointing to the grandfather, said – " That was one of the first of men, His son, who hangs there, was not far behind him. He gave every promise of equaling his father; but, most unfortunately, died young. It war; a great calamity. " " Any greater than an early death in one so gifted? " inquired Mr. Egremont.

" Yes, much more. Had his race ended with him, it would have been well; but he left one »on, who has turned out a sad dog. "

" A puppy, sir? " asked Mr. Eden, humorously. " No, perhaps not exactly a puppy; but a sad dog, nevertheless. He was left one of the richest man in the three kingdoms; but London and Paris soon make a man poor! His own steward told me, not seven months ago, that the sums he remitted him were incredible, and it was like throwing them into the sea. There was still a cry for more, more! But now he said the estate could afford it no more. The sums, he said, were beyond all calculation, or, at least, credibility. "

" Which sums, " said Mr. Eden, quietly, " always traveled by a circuitous route, so as to find their way again into the said steward's pocket; for I have been informed, from the best authority, that he grew rich just in proportion as his master and the estate grew poor. "

" That may be – it is too often the case. I have seen the stewards riding in carriages, while the tenants starved and the proprietors of the estates walked on foot. I have always taken care to be my own steward; and I think Annie will be somewhat the, richer for it, especially now those good girls have brought her a little to her senses, or else it was all in some danger of going to found a hospital for romance-reading lunatics. I have always been my own steward. "

" You are a wise man, sir; for the uncontrolled management of great wealth is a sore temptation to men of weak principles; and, it must be confessed, the Marquis of Allondale has been much to blame. II'. has been wrong as well as his steward. "

" Wrong, sir '? worse than wrong! Look at that man, " said Mr. Armytage, pointing to the portrait of the old marquis; " tell me if he would have left a steward to the control and management of an estate like this? No. There is wisdom in every line of his face; and I bad the proud satisfaction of calling that man my friend. "

" I am inconceivably flattered, sir; for I think Miss Armytage fancied that I was somewhat like him. "

" Not at all, sir. No man of the present day can tie like him. Put on that flowing wig, and wear that ample vest and the velvet coat, and I will see if there is any likeness. "

" By all means, Mr. Eden, put on the wig, " said Mary Egremont; " and even I shall fancy you like. The same eyes, the slightly rising nose – "

" Pshaw! " cried Mr. Armytage, " that is the way with all you girls. Eyes and nose, forsooth! So the garments go for nothing. A man may change the fashion of his dress every day in the week, and you like him all the better. "

" Is the young marquis handsome? " said Miss Armytage; " and will he come to reside here '! " " Handsome is that handsome does; and I am sure his actions are ugly enough. No, no; he will not dare to show his face here, even if it be handsome.'

" I entreat you to remember, my dear sir, " said Mr. Eden, very earnestly, " that the young man has not been long from under the control of his guardians, and only a year from his tour on the continent. Can be have had time to he so very bail? "

" I assure you, sir, I had it from his own steward. You may rely on it, he is a very sad dog. "

" Yet I hope, Mr. Armytage, of the true English breed, without any foreign mixture; for, with all his faults on his devoted head – I am he! "

" You? " shrieked Miss Armytage; " you Marquis of Allondale? You! " – and she clung to her uncle's arm, not quite determined whether she should faint or go into hysterics, until she found no one heeded her, and she then became quite composed.

" Pardon me, " said the marquis, bowing to Mr. Egremont, and taking a hand of each of the sisters, " pray, pardon me this seeming deception. I always travel under my family name of Eden. As I dislike " pomp and circumstance, " it saves much trouble, and " – bowing to Mr. Armytage – " some expense, which nay rich steward has made very necessary. I was too ill to undeceive you at first; and I was so delighted with your quiet hospitality to a nameless, or, at least, untitled traveler, that I continued the incognito. I hope you will not think worse of the Marquis of Allondale than you did of Mr. Eden, or believe any of the stories my nefarious steward circulated to cover his own villainy? "

" I am awake now! " cried Mr. Armytage; " I see it all – the double-faced, double-tongued villain! I hope I shall live to thrash him for his lies! "

" How quiet you all are, " said Miss Armytage to the Egrermonts; " this does not seem to move you at all. "

" Why should it? " said Elinor. " What can a title add to Mr. Eden'? We knew that be was a gentleman, a scholar, and a Christian. "

" My noble--minded Elinor, " said the marquis, " you will then take it on you to assure Mr. Armytage that I am not quite such a ' sad dog' as my wicked steward would have had him believe; and beg him to continue to me the friendship he entertained for my excellent grandfather. "

The old man's eyes ran over with tears.

" I will, I will! " cried he; " and if my whole fortune will enable you to get justice done you of that slanderous traitor, it is yours. "

" I thank you, my dear sir; but I am richer than you would imagine Six months away from the vortex of fashion, which engulfs a man and his money before he is aware of it, has done somewhat toward retrieving my fortune. Added to this, conscience alone has made the peculating, unjust steward refund more even than was demanded of him. All this, laid out on my impoverished estate, will yield me rich returns in wealth and happiness. And now, ladies —– as we have no farther to go – if you wish to change your dresses before dinner, you will find apartments and attendants prepared for you. "

At this moment, a traveling chariot, with four horses, dashed up to the hall door; and a lady's bonnet and veil were seen through the descending glass. Elinor turned pale, for she thought of Lady Emily and the marquis. She was struck with amazement at seeing Lady Prescott descending the steps, apparently much fatigued. She rallied instantly, on seeing the party; and exclaimed, with much vivacity, " Did I not tell you, my lord, that one old woman would find you out, even in 'horrible Northumberland, " and a terrible journey it is. But, my dear nephew, I was resolved to answer your interesting letter in person, and to add my blessing to what rejoices my heart. When I found you all flown from the rectory, I followed you posthaste. And now, girls – my own girls – lead me to a room where I may rest an hour or two, for I promise you I am tired enough. "

Miss Armytage was in perfect ecstasy with the splendor of the apartments newly furnished for their use. The velvet hangings; the long, low sofas; the cabinets and tables; the rich ornaments of the dressing-rooms, with the toilet-boxes of chased silver, occupied all her attention. Rut the sisters' hearts were too full to bestow a moment's thought on externals. They embraced, and wept long in each other's arms; but strove to fortify each other's mind for the high duties that were devolving on them. But Elinor could not rouse herself from her dreamy abstraction, till, on entering the dressing-room appointed for her use, she was struck with an exquisite portrait of the marquis in his robes of state.

" You are my witness, Mary, that it was Mr. Eden I loved, and not the marquis, "

At Lady Prescott's request, Mr. Milner, the lover of Nary, was added to the party; and, as she declared her intention of dividing her property equally between her two grand-nieces, it was her wish that they should be married on the same day, and that not a very remote one. " I am old, " said she, " and cannot remain long in this world; let me see as much human happiness as I can before I die. " Mr. Egremont agreed to this, and stated his intention of resigning his living to Mr. Milner, that he might spend his remaining years in visiting his daughters and Lady Prescott.

The vicar and his family received invitations to the priory. The lady was astonished to find that neither the science of good eating nor the management of a house made any part of the conversation at the dinner-table; and that the sublimer mysteries of dress were never discussed in the drawing-room. The daughters were still more perplexed at there being neither feathers, flowers, ribbon, nor ringlets about the dress of any one, not even of Lady Prescott, who was fresh from the regions of fashion; that tapestry work was held in no esteem, and that even Miss Armytage, in some respects like themselves. disdained to quote from a novel, and would not very readily allow that she indulged in reading one. When Mr. Egremont preached in the parish church, the vicar found he must rouse himself and shake off his sloth, or have his congregation go where they could hear such sermons.

Miss Armytage was the most incorrigible of all the party in her follies; but the humorous bluntness of Lady Prescott effected more than the united efforts of her uncle or the Egremont family had ever done. She laughed at her grimaces; begged to be spared when exaggerated sensibilities were to be played off'; and whenever heroics or romance were coming on, she used to affect a slight degree of fear, crying out, " Now do, my dear, come down from your stilts! " adding, in a low voice, " You frighten all the gentlemen when you walk so high! " This was always a most effective caution, and was never known to fail of due effect.

It was thought that, if the marquis would but have adopted the wig, long waistcoat, and velvet coat in which his grandfather was portrayed, Mr. Armytage would never have been able to tear him self away from the priory, and that he would have made him his heir, to the exclusion of his still romantic niece. As it was, he made him sole guardian and residuary legatee, with a clause that his full consent was necessary to her marriage under penalty of forfeiture.

Lord V – never made a tender of his hand to Lady Emily Hayton, who bitterly repented her folly when it was too late. After many similar disappointments, from having acquired the character of a mercenary woman, she married the son of a needy peer, and her husband became a pensioner on the bounties of government.

Honest John Powell was frequently a welcome and honored guest at the table of the Marquis of Allondale, all parties considering him the original link in the chain of circumstances that had produced so much present good and gave promise of future happiness.

The ivy-covered ruins were sugared to remain unaltered, except that the area was cleared of fallen stones, and the broken, connecting walls removed, so as to detach the whole from the main body of the building, thus forming a group of the most picturesque beauty. The chapel alone underwent thorough repair. The habitable part of the priory needed no addition; there was ample room for many friends; and the gay world, blase with reiterated spectacle, sighed in vain for an invitation to introduce folly, vanity, or vice within its peaceful and hallowed wall " .

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