Page:Irish assassin, or, The misfortunes of the family of O'Donnel (3).pdf/10

 the culture of exotic plants. Arthur, however, desirous of being alone, in rather à haughty tone, told him his presence could be dispensed with.

McPherson made his bow and retired, but was so struck with the beauty of Maria, that, after having retreated to some distance, he stopped to admire her. Not being aware who she was, he went among the servants to enquire, and at length ascertained from the footman, who had accompanied the carriage that conveyed lady O'Donnel and her son to the cottage on the preceding day, that she was the daughter of Captain Farrell, a poor half-pay officer, who had dined with his mistress on that day, and who was then in the drawing room.

The suspicions of McPherson were now roused, and not approving of the apparent close intimacy between his young master and Maria, he returned to the garden in search of them, resolved to watch their actious. He soon traced the happy pair to a summer-house, whither they had retired from the heat of the sun.

At the moment McPherson, who secreted himself behind some shrubs, arrived, Arthur was holding the fair hand of Maria, and in an enraptured tone expressing the impression she had made on his heart.

Maria, a stranger to the wiley ways of the world, as freely confessed that she felt for him the affection of a sister. Arthur instantly caught her in his arms, and in an extatic embrace, vowed eternal love, and she made a reciprocal promise, and the mutual bond was sealed by a thousand innocent and endearing kisses. The enraptured pair now proceeded to the house, ignorant of the spy they had had on their actions, and each delighted with the assurance received from the other, looked for ward with confidence to future bliss. On entering the drawing room, tea was served up; and shortly after, lady O'Donnel ordered her carriage to convey her humble but admired friends to their cottage. On the way home, Capt. Farrell informed Maria, that their benevolent