Page:Adventures of Rachel Cunningham.djvu/12

 made the place and for some miles round, to ascertain the fugitive's retreat, but, of course, no Rachel Cunningham was to be found, nor could any intelligence be obtained of in what manner she had lied, or what route she and her paramour had taken: all that could be called certain was that the young lady had eloped with some one or other, by her night-clothes remaining as the servant had left them on the previous day, and the bed, on which she commonly slept, not having been impressed with any one's lying on it the night before, while the door of her chamber was found locked on the inside, which under a horrible feeling of dread was forced open, when the state of the room and window clearly indicated by what way the apartment had been vacated.

Now in full possession of her, enraptured in the charming acquisition of so much personal beauty concentrated in the object of his heart's desires, and revelling in the unmeasurable extacy and luxurious delights of her embraces, he in the burning fervor of his soulssoul's [sic] amorous happiness literally idolized her as a deity, while she was no less sensible of the complete power she held over his enslaved affections, by which ascendancy she was the leader of his will and sole ruler of his actions, which controlling influence she took especial care to make the instrument of her own private advantage. Whatever she wished, and her wishes were not few, nor to be accomplished, in most cases, without some considerable sacrifice of pecuniary property, was always procured for her; however extravagant the demand might be or difficult to be obtained, no consideration of expence [sic] was ever opposed to the gratification of her desires.

Two years he had cohabited with her in this state, and she receiving from him every possible indulgence that money and ample means could provide; every species of prodigal gaiety and profligate extravagance was profusely resorted to for her amusement: travelling at times in the highest style