DUTY. SOME months passed, and as no intelligence was received of Mr. Davenport, Julia's expectation of being acknowledged as his daughter, and Edmund's fears that she would be claimed by him as such, were nearly at an end. But Mrs. Sinclair, whose hopes were kept alive by the anxiety that prompted them, still thought that they should ultimately hear from him; that her unhappy sister would without disgrace assert the title of mother, and Julia without a blush acknowledge the sacred bond. This subject, though it almost constantly occupied her thoughts, seldom formed a part of her conversation. She would not interrupt the happiness of Edmund and Julia by exciting speculative dreams, or starting possibilities of which the realization was so uncertain. The two families as usual almost lived together, and every day more closely cemented the attachment of the lovers. Of the promised living nothing was heard, and they imagined the incumbent was not dead; as soon as it was vacant, Edmund was assured of it; and with the ardent and anticipating spirit of love and youth, the arrangements that would be made immediately on its devolving to him, had frequently been discussed by all parties that were interested in his happiness; and Mrs. Sinclair promising to present Julia with five thousand pounds, the hand of Julia was soon to bless him: the present period of delay was thus beguiled by the visions of future bliss. One evening as Mr. Herbert was reading the paper, he suddenly uttered an exclama tion of surprise. Every eye was turned upon him; the paper had dropped from his hands, which he had clasped together as if in prayer; while his venerable countenance was expressive of the deepest sorrow. To the eager and alarmed inquiries of his wife and daugh ter he made no reply, but seemed wrapped in pious supplication. Edmund had taken up paper: his eye too soon found the paragraph that had shocked his father, and he read, "The valuable living of the by the death of the Reverend Dr. the gift of Lord by his lordship to Mr. his lordship's steward." vacant in has been presented the brother of "Deceitful wretch" said Edmund. "Such are a great man's promises !" "Edmund," said his father, endeavouring to stifle the sigh that was bursting from his heart, "it is for you I feel: my own disappointments I endured with more submission: it was foolish in me again to rely upon one whose word I had so often known violated: |