Heraline, Or, Opposite Proceedings Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1821 edition. Excerpt: ...did not excite his curiosity, while, to the vicar, it gave hopesof progress in the task which he had set her. But when Mr. Meryon had left the table, Lady Heraline, if cunning is worse than unpremeditated evil, was guilty of an act still more deserving of punishment than that which had so disgraced her.--She reported to the earl her having just seen and conversed with poor John Brown, as he was raking the lawn in her garden. The subject of the conversation was not demanded, neither was it reported: she spokeof the old man with tender concern, and suggested to her father, as a due consideration for her client, and as a favour done to herself, the charitable expediency of-relieving him from his daily labour, and by assigning him a weekly stipend, allowing him to live in peace and comfort in his cottage. Lord Lynford, to whom, perhaps, the matter was of perfect indifference, seemed gratified by the opportunity it af forded him of obliging her; and she had full power granted her to consult John Brown's comfort in any way most agreeable to her sense of his merits. The thing was very specious, and to every judgment but her own and--One far above it, --it must have appeared highly in favour of the poor old man; but Lady Heraline knew that the seeming permission to live in his cottage, was virtually exile from every thing that varied the monotony of his life--it precluded him from wholesome labour--it separated him from that which flourished under his care-it destroyed his importance--it reduced him-to the rank pf an alms-man; and it might probably shorten his days. Of these consequences she could not be ignorant; and though she did not recount them when she resolved on pleading his cause, she did not exercise that consideration of them, ...