[figure description] Page 243.[end figure description]

No little art and management had been
necessary, to make the Admiral auxiliary to
the indirect plan, proposed by his friend, to
bring George and Isabel together. This
however effected, the General turned his
whole movements, to the impression to be
made on the heart of the young gentleman.

Sir Frederic Denbigh had the same idea of
the virtue of management, as were entertained
by the Dowager, Lady Chatterton—
but understood human nature better.

Like a prudent officer, his attacks were all
masked, and like a great officer, seldom failed
in their success.

The young couple were thrown in each
other's way—and as Isabel was extremely
attractive—somewhat the opposite to himself
in ardour of temperament and vivacity—
modest and sensible, it cannot be expected,
the association was maintained by the
youth with perfect impunity. Within a couple
of months, he fancied himself desperately
in love with Isabel Howell; and in
truth he had some reason for his supposition.

The General noticed every movement of
his son with a wary and watchful eye—
occasionally adding fuel to the flame, by
drawing his attention to projects of matrimony,
in other quarters, until George began
to think, he was soon to undergo the trial of

[figure description] Page 244.[end figure description]

his constancy—and in consequence, armed
himself with a double portion of admiration
for his Isabel, to enable him to endure the
persecution; while the Admiral several times
endangered the success of the whole enterprise,
by his volunteer contributions to the
hopes of the young man, which only escaped
producing an opposite effect to what
they were intended for, by being mistaken
for the overflowings of good nature and
friendship.

After suffering his son to get, as he thought,
sufficiently entangled in the snares of cupid,
Sir Frederic determined to fire a volley from
one of his masked batteries, which he rightly
judged would bring on a general engagement.
They were sitting by the table after
dinner, by themselves, as the General took
the advantage of the name of Miss Howell
being accidentally mentioned, to say—

“By-the-by, George, my friend the Admiral,
said something yesterday on the subject
of your being so much with his daughter.---
I wish you to be cautious, not to give the old
sailor offence in any way, as he is my particular
friend.”

“He need be under no violent apprehensions,”
cried George in reply, colouring
highly with shame and pride, “I am sure a
Denbigh, is no unworthy match, for a daughter
of Sir Peter Howell.”

“Oh! to be sure not, boy—we are as old
a house as there is in the kingdom, and as

[figure description] Page 245.[end figure description]

noble too; but the Admiral has queer notions,
and perhaps, has some cub of a sailor
in his eye for a son-in-law. Be prudent boy—
be prudent, is all I ask of you.” And the
General, satisfied with the effect he had produced,
carelessly arose from his seat, and
joined Lady Margaret in her drawing-room.

George remained for several minutes musing
on his father's singular request, and the
Admiral's caution—when he sprang from his
seat, caught up his hat and sword, and in ten
minutes rung at Sir Peter's door, in Grosvenor-Square.
He was admitted, and on ascending
to the drawing-room, met the Admiral
on his way out. Nothing was farther
from the thoughts of the veteran, than a finesse
like the General's; and delighted to
see George on the battle ground, he pointed
significantly with his finger, over his shoulder,
towards the door of the room Isabel was
in, as he exclaimed with a good-natured smile,

“There she is, my hearty—lay her along
side—and hang me, if she don't strike.---I
say, George, faint heart never won a fair
lady; remember that, my boy---no, nor a
French ship.”

George would have been at some loss to
have reconciled this speech to his father's
caution, if time had been allowed him to
think at all, but as the door was open, he entered,
and found Isabel endeavouring to hide
her tears.

[figure description] Page 246.[end figure description]

The Admiral, dissatisfied from the beginning,
with the tardy method of dispatching
things—had thought he might be of use in
breaking the ice for George, by trumpeting
his praises, on divers occasions, to his daughter.
Under all circumstances, he thought
she might be learning to love the man, as he
was to be her husband; and speeches like
the following, had been frequent of late,
from the parent to the child: “There's that
youngster George Denbigh, now, Bell, is he
not a fine looking lad?—then I know he is
brave. His father before him was good
stuff, and a true Englishman. What a proper
husband he would make for a young woman,
he loves his king and country so—
none of your new-fangled notions about religion
and government—but a sober, religious,
churchman—that is, as much so, girl, as you
can expect in the guards. No Methodist, to
be sure;—it's a great pity he was'nt sent to
sea, don't you think so? but cheer up, girl,
one of these days he may be taking a liking
to you yet.”

Isabel, whose fears taught her the meaning
of these eloquent praises of Captain Denbigh,
listened to his harangues in silence,
and often meditated on their import, by herself,
in tears.

George approached the sopha on which
the lady was seated, before she had time to
conceal the traces of her sorrow, and in a

[figure description] Page 247.[end figure description]

voice softened by emotion, took her hand
gently, as he said,

“What can have occasioned this distress
to Miss Howell? if any thing in my power
to remove, or a life devoted to her service,
can mitigate, she has only to command me,
to find a cheerful obedience.”

“The trifling causes of sorrow in a young
woman,” replied Isabel, endeavouring to
smile, “will hardly require such serious services
to remove them.”

But the lady was extremely interesting at
the moment. George was goaded by his
father's caution, and urged on by his own
feelings; with great sincerity, and certainly
much eloquence, he proffered his love and
hand, to the acceptance of his mistress.

Isabel heard him in painful silence; she
respected him, and dreaded his power over
her father; but unwilling to abandon hopes
to which she yet clung, as to her spring of
existence—she with a violent effort, determined
to throw herself on the generosity of
her lover.

During the late absence of her father, Isabel
had, as usual, since the death of her mother,
been left with his sister, and had formed
an attachment for a young clergyman,
a younger son of a baronet, and the present
Dr. Ives;—their inclinations had been mutual,
and as Lady Hawker knew her brother
to be perfectly indifferent to money, she could
see no possible objection to its indulgence.

[figure description] Page 248.[end figure description]

Oh his return, Ives had made his proposals
as related, and although warmly backed by
the recommendations of the aunt, refused,
out of delicacy. The wishes of Isabel had
not been mentioned by her clerical lover,
and the Admiral supposed he had only complied
with his agreement with the General,
without, in any manner affecting the happiness
of his daughter, by his answer. But
the feelings which prompted the request,
still remained in full vigour in the lovers;
and Isabel now, with many blushes, and
some hesitation of utterance, made George
fully acquainted with the state of her heart,
giving him at the same time to understand,
that he was the only obstacle to her happiness.

It cannot be supposed that George heard her
without pain, and some mortification.---The
struggle with self-love, was a severe one,
but his better feelings prevailed, and he
assured the anxious Isabel, that from his
importunities she had nothing to apprehend
in future.---The grateful girl overwhelmed
him with her thanks, and George had to fly—
ere he repented of his own generosity.

Miss Howell intimated, in the course
of her narrative, that a better understanding
existed between their parents, than the caution
of the General had discovered to his unsuspecting
child; and George was determined
to know the worst, at once.

At supper he mentioned, as if in

[figure description] Page 249.[end figure description]

rememberance of his father's injunction, that he
had been to take his leave of Miss Howell,
since he found his visits gave uneasiness to
her friends. “On the whole,” he added, endeavouring
to yawn carelessly, “I believe I
shall visit there no more.”

“Nay--nay---” returned Sir Fredric, a
little displeased at his son's indifference, “I
meant no such thing; neither the Admiral or
myself, have the least objection to your visiting
in moderation; indeed, you may marry
the girl, with all our hearts, if you can
agree.”

“But we can't agree, I take it,” said
George, looking up at the wall.

“Why not---what hinders?” cried his father,
hastily.

“Only---only I don't like her,” said the
son, tossing off a glass of wine, which nearly
strangled him.

“You don't,” cried the General, with great
warmth, thrown off his guard by this unexpected
declaration, “and may I presume to
ask the reason why you do not like Miss
Howell, Sir?”

“Oh! you know one never pretends to
give a reason for these sort of feelings, my
dear sir,” said George cooly.

“Then,” cried his father, with increasing
heat, “you must allow me to say, my dear
sir, that the sooner you get rid of these sort
of feelings the better. I choose you shall not

[figure description] Page 250.[end figure description]

only like, but love Miss Howell; and this I
have promised to her father.”

“I thought,” said the youth drily, “that
the Admiral was displeased with my coming
to his house so much---or did I not understand
you this morning.”

“I know nothing of his displeasure, and
care less,” rejoined his father. “He has
agreed Isabel shall be your wife, and I have
passed my word to the engagement; and if,
sir, you wish to be considered as my son,
you will prepare to comply.”

George was expecting to discover some
management on the part of his father, but by
no means so settled an arrangement, and his
anger was in proportion to the deception.

To annoy Isabel any farther, was out of
the question---to betray her---base;---and the
next morning he sought an audience with the
Duke. To him, he mentioned his wish for
actual service, but hinted the maternal fondness
of Lady Margaret, was averse to his
seeking it. This was true—and George now
pressed his uncle to assist him in effecting an
exchange.

The boroughs of the Duke of Derwent
were represented by loyal members of parliament—
his two brothers being cotemporary
with Mr. Benfield in that honour. And a
request from a man who sent six members to
the commons, besides a seat in the lords, in
his own person, must be listened to.

[figure description] Page 251.[end figure description]

Within the week, George ceased to be a
captain in the guards, and became lieutenant-colonel
of a regiment, under orders for America.

Sir Frederic soon became sensible of the
error his warmth had led him into, and endeavoured,
by soothing and indulgence, to
gain the ground he had so unguardedly lost.
But terrible was his anger, and bitter his denunciations,
when his son acquainted him
with his approaching embarkation with his
new regiment for America. They quarrelled—
and as the favourite child had never, until
now, been thwarted, or spoken harshly
to, they parted in mutual disgust. With
his mother, George was more tender; and
as Lady Margaret had never thought the
match such as the descendant of two lines of
Dukes was entitled to form, she almost
pardoned the offence in the cause.

“What's this here I see!” cried Sir Peter
Howell, as he ran over a morning paper at
the breakfast table: “Capt. Denbigh, late of
the guards, has been promoted to the Lieut.
Colonelcy of the—foot, and sails to-morrow
to join that regiment, now on its way to
America.”

“It's a lie! Bell?—its all a lie? not but
what he ought to be there, too, serving his
king and country, but he never would serve
you so.”

“Me?” said Isabel, with a heart throbbing
with the contending feelings of admiration

[figure description] Page 252.[end figure description]

for George's generosity, and delight at her
own deliverance. “What have I to do with
the movements of Mr. Denbigh?”

“What?” cried her father in astonishment!
“a'nt you to be his wife, an't it all
agreed upon---that is, between Sir Frederic
and me, which is the same thing you know.”—
Here he was interrupted by the sudden appearance
of the General, who had just learnt
the departure of his son, and hastened, with
the double purpose of breaking the intelligence
to his friend, and making his own
peace.

“See here, Denbigh,” exclaimed the Admiral
abruptly, pointing to the paragraph,
“what do you say to that?”

“Too true---too true, my dear friend,”
replied the General, shaking his head mournfully.

“Hark ye, Sir Frederic Denbigh,” cried
the Admiral fiercely; “did you not say your
son George was to marry my daughter?”

“I certainly did, Peter,” said the other
mildly, “and am sorry to say, that in defiance
of my intreaties and commands, he has
deserted his home, and in consequence,
I have discarded him for ever.”

“Now, Denbigh,” said the Admiral, a
good deal mollified by this declaration:---
“have I not always told you, that in the army
you know nothing of discipline. Why,
Sir, if he was a son of mine, he should marry
blind-folded, if I chose to order it. I wish,

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now, Bell had an offer, and dared to refuse it.”

“There is the barbers's clerk, you know,”
said the General, a good deal irritated by the
contemptuous manner of his friend.

“And what of that, Sir Frederic,” said the
sailor sternly, “if I choose her to marry a
quill-driver, she shall comply.”

“Ah! my good friend,” said the General,
willing to drop the disagreeable subject, “I
am afraid we will both find it more difficult
to control the affections of our children, than
we at first imagined.”

“You do, General Denbigh,” said the admiral
with a curl of contempt on his lip, and
ringing the bell violently, he bid the servant
send his young lady to him. On the appearance
of Isabel, her father inquired with an
air of settled meaning, where young Mr. Ives
resided. It was only in the next street, and
a messenger was sent to him, with Sir Peter
Howell's compliments, and a request to see
him without a moment's delay.

“We'll see, we'll see, my old friend, who
keeps the best discipline,” muttered the Admiral,
as he paced up and down the room, in
eager expectation of the return of his messenger.

The wondering general gazed on his friend,
to see if he was out of his senses. He knew
he was quick to decide, and excessively obstinate;
but he did not think him so crazy,
as to throw away his daughter in a fit of
spleen. It never occurred to Sir Frederic,

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that the engagement with himself, was an act
of equal injustice and folly, because it was
done with more form and deliberation; which,
to the eye of sober reason, would rather make
the matter worse. Isabel sat in trembling
suspense of the issue of the scene, and lves
in a few minutes made his appearance in no
little alarm.

On entering, the admiral addressed him
abruptly, by inquiring if he still wished to
marry that girl, pointing to his daughter: the
reply was an eager affirmative. Sir Peter
beckoned to Isabel, who approached covered
with blushes; and her father having placed
her hand in that of her lover—with an air
of great solemnity gave them his blessing.
The young people withdrew to another room
at Sir Peter's request, as he turned to his
friend, delighted with his own decision and
authority, and exclaimed,

“There Frederic Denbigh, that is what I
call being minded.”

The General had penetration enough to
see the result was agreeable to both the
young people, a thing he had apprehended
before; and being glad to get rid of the
affair in any way, that did not involve him in
a quarrel with his old comrade, gravely congratulated
the Admiral on his good fortune,
and retired.

“Yes, yes,” said Sir Peter to himself, as
he paced up and down his room, “Denbigh
is mortified enough, with his joy, and felicity,
and grand children. I never had any opinion

[figure description] Page 255.[end figure description]

of their manner of discipline at all—too much
bowing and scraping—I'm sorry though he is
a priest; not but what a priest may be as
good a man as another---but let him behave
ever so well, he can only get to be a bishop at
the most. Heaven forbid, he should ever get
to be a Pope—after all, his boys may be admirals,
if they behave themselves,” and he
went to seek his daughter, having in imagination,
manned her nursery, with vice and rear
admirals in embryo, by the half dozen.

Sir Peter Howell survived the marriage of
his daughter, but eighteen months; yet that
was sufficient to become attached to his invaluable
son-in-law. Mr. Ives insensibly led
the Admiral, during his long indisposition, to
a more correct view of sacred things, than he
had been wont to indulge; and the old man
breathed his last, blessing both his children
for their kindness, and with a humble
hope of future happiness. Some time before
his death, Isabel, whose conscience had
always reproached her with the deception
practised on her father, and the banishment
of George from his country and home; threw
herself at the feet of Sir Peter, and acknowledged
her transgression.

The Admiral heard her in astonishment,
but not in anger—his opinions of life had sensibly
changed, and his great cause of satisfaction
with his new son, removed all motives
for regret for any thing, but the fate of
poor George. With the noble forbearance

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and tenderness of the young man to his
daughter, the hardy veteran was sensibly
touched; and his intreaties with Sir Frederic,
made his peace with a father, already
longing for the return of his only hope.

The Admiral left Colonel Denbigh his blessing,
and his favourite pistols, as a remembrance
of his esteem; but did not live to see
the reunion with his family.

George had soon learnt, deprived of hope,
and in the midst of novelty, to forget those
passions which could no longer be prosperous;
and two years from his departure, returned to
England, glowing in health, and improved in
person and manners, by a more extensive
knowledge of the world and mankind.

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