Page:Tragical history of George Barnwell (1).pdf/18

{(c|18}} powerful more than his own benevolence?"—-Not a syllable uttered by this miserable man, was lost to George. Three hours passed away, during which, Mental broke out in similar ejaculations, or played upon a harp. As soon as a distant bell announced three, he removed a large stone which lay at some distance from the tomb; a kind of grove appeared, in which he placed the harp, lamp, and the stool; then masked himself, and left the Aisle. The next morning George contented himself with saying to the family, that he had been partly successful in his research at the Abbey, and that he hoped in a short time to be able to unravel the mystery.

Various were the emotions that agitated Barnwell, as he strolled to Mental's house. When he was introduced into his presence, he trembled.-Mental abruptly began with, "How disimular the manners of the Nuttings were to those of Ellinor, shcshe [sic] submitted without repining or sulleness to their mode of life. But she was no hypocrite, she ever avowed her dissent to their doctrines. Blessed with the confidence of this charming woman, my situation was changed from the most cheerless to the most cheerful. In the absence of the Nuttings we read, we conversed together, we wrote and submitted our performances to the criticisms of each other. I looked forward with impatience to the termination of my servitude, when I imagined I should burst forth into the world as a prodigy of genius. Having one day wrote some verses, in which were these words.--"If constant my Ellinor prove." &c I unfortunately left it on my master's desk, where he found it.--"Here's going on," said he: "here's attention to trade; Why it is a love elegy, or some such stuff, to steal the affection of my ward; but I'll put a stop to it. If ever I see you speak to her, or even look at her I'll.--" Choaked with anger, he stamped