THE POET'S DAUGHTER. CHAPTER I. STORY OF HANNAH BARLOW.-(Continued.) SEVERAL Weeks elapsed, and every day Arthur was more and more engrossed by his beautiful betrothed; but sometimes a pang would shoot across his heart as he marked the calm indifference of her manner towards him. There was a small estate situated about a mile distant from Mr. Barlow's farm, which at this period became tenanted by a young man of large fortune, who hired it for the hunting season. His name was Ellis, and he was one who held no unimportant station in the world of fashion. VOL. II. B Many a trap had been laid for him by scheming daughters and wary mothers. Many a beauty had flattered herself that his heart was gained, and had looked in vain for the coveted proposal; but he saw through and laughed at all these little manœuvres, and remained single at the age of thirty. Edward Ellis was a thoroughly heartless man of the world, and almost doubted the existence of virtue. On the first Sunday after his arrival in the neighbourhood of H, Edward Ellis went to the village church, with some slight feeling of curiosity, to see what sort of a congregation would assemble there. He had not been many seconds in his pew, when his attention was fixed by a kneeling figure, which Canova might have loved to copy. The fair neck was beautifully arched in the humility of supplication, and the head was bent low in deep devotion, so that the face was wholly concealed; but on that gently heaving breast there lay many a sunny ringlet, and the hands clasped earnestly together were of the most delicate mould. Edward gazed intently on her till she rose gracefully from her kneeling posture, and seating herself, fixed her eyes on the clergyman's face in earnest attention. Then did Ellis experience, as for the first time, the subduing power of beauty and innocence, and he felt almost religiously as he continued to contemplate those calm, holy eyes, that serene brow, and the angelic expression of that half-opened mouth. By the side of this young girl there sat an old man who was equally remarkable for his noble countenance and unaffected devotion; they were father and daughter,- Mr. Barlow and his precious Hannah, and truly they were beautiful pictures of age and youth. Edward soon ascertained who they were, and discovered the whole history of Hannah's engage. ment with Arthur Travers. He also informed himself respecting the character of her lover. His first object was to form an intimacy and friendship with Arthur, which he found no difficult matter. He sought out the young curate, and under the mask of corresponding religious sentiments, and by the power of his manifold fascinations, he completely gained the heart of this guileless young man. Arthur soon looked up to Edward Ellis as the first of men, and considered him as far superior to himself in piety, elevation of feeling, refinement of mind, accomplishments and beauty of person, as he was in reality in the casual advantages of fortune. In his conversations with Hannah, the name of Edward Ellis soon became a familiar sound, and as Hannah considered Arthur's judgment unerring, all his opinions were adopted implicitly by her; consequently, before she had ever seen Ellis she had been led to regard him with admiration and esteem. It was now glorious October, and one of those days which put the most fastidious in good humour with an English climate; days peculiar to England; when the nerves are braced, and the energies all alive; when the blood dances in the veins, and the heart bounds joyously in contemplating the loveliness around, and all nature wears a golden mantle. The sun was preparing |