CHAPTER III.
"By thee inspired, O Virtue, age is young,
But when youth's living bloom reflects thy beams,
Resistless on the view thy glory streams,
Love, wonder, joy, alternately alarm,
And beauty dazzles with angelic charm."
The day of the fête champêtre at last arrived, that happy day which had been anticipated with so much delight. The sun's animating beams irradiated every object, when the sisters, with smiling satisfaction, ascended the carriage which was to convey them to the hospitable mansion of Sir Charles and Lady Valpée. It was situated in a beautiful romantic dell, seven miles from the Villa of the De Brookes. The lofty trees by which it was embowered rendered it almost impervious to the sight, till, on a nearer approach, it suddenly appeared at the termination of an extensive vista.
As the sisters drew to the door, they were met by Sir Charles and his son, who had returned from rambling over their grounds, with the view of inspecting the preparations which had been made, and to see that all was in readiness, previous to the
