CHAPTER VIII. "Still as through life's perplexing maze I stray, E. CARTER. ABOUT nine o'clock the next morning, the whole party were in Mr. Stanley's travellingcoach, and arrived in London before the close of the evening. Ellen was astonished at the magnificence of the streets through which they passed. The carriage stopped at a large house in Grosvenorsquare; when they alighted, and were shewn into a very handsome drawing-room, where they found the other Miss Arnold waiting their arrival. She welcomed Mrs. Irvin and Ellen with great cordiality, and particularly congra tulated the latter on her emancipation from the country. This evening, all was hurry and confusion; and Mrs. Irvin was glad to retire early with her niece. When they were alone, each seemed uncomfortable, though both were unwilling to assign the cause of their uneasiness, and the fatigue of their journey served as an excuse for their silence. The next morning, the bustle in the house. was still greater.-Mr. Stanley found many things which he had ordered for his own accommodation, not done; this put him out of humour, and the servants were flying for the workmen to come and receive his orders. His lady was all the morning in her dressing-room, directing her maid how she should ornament her table and glass, and seeing her clothes laid smooth in her wardrobe. Ellen also had her things brought to her apartment; but she felt no inclination to arrange them." It will be an amusement to me some time hence," said she; and her mind reverted to the day her aunt would leave her, though she feared to trust her voice to mention it and the intervening time from breakfast to dinner, Mrs. Irvin spent with her in endeavouring to read and recall some of those antidotes to anxiety, which they had formerly found efficacious; nor were they now unsuccessful. : At dinner, they met their friends with placid looks, which only served to increase the cha grin of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley, who had just been disappointed of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold's company to dinner; and this was enough to discompose them for the rest of the day.-At a loss for amusement in themselves, they had ever been accustomed to look to others for a supply. "What shall we do with ourselves all the evening?" said Mrs. Stanley: "if it were not so warm, we would go to the Theatre; and yet I should not like to make my appearance there, till I had first received the visits of my acquaintance." "Such living as this is dreadful," interrupted Mr. Stanley, who had been lounging in his chair, inattentive to all around him.“ I beg your pardon, Mrs. Irvin; but I cannot think how you have been able to live so much alone." "I never could have spent my time so much to my satisfaction," answered she, "without this dear girl, and books, and music; with these, the time never appeared tedious.” Ellen, at the mention of music, ventured to speak; observing she had seen an instrument in the other room. "I hope I shall be able to amuse you after tea, my dear father," added she. "Oh!" said Mrs. Stanley, 66 we cannot have. music all day long: besides, one performer is scarcely worth hearing; you must learn to play in concert, and then perhaps you may amuse us for half an hour." This appeared so much like a reproof to Ellen, that she remained silent and hurt; but Mrs. Irvin, ever wishing to divert her thoughts from this subject, mentioned books to her sister."Don't you find them an agreeable substitute for company?" asked she. "I don't know," answered Mrs. Stanley; "I think they are all alike; and then it is so much trouble to choose which I should like; and when I have read, I find so little amusement from it, that I seldom take a book in my hand: but the newspapers are interesting enough; I sometimes read them." "Ah, the newspapers," said Mr. Stanley, starting up, and ringing the bell; "I never thought of them; I ordered one to be brought here every day; I wonder if there are any in the house?" On the servant's appearing, he was answered, "none had been brought;" which produced another storm in his countenance, and the man was dispatched to procure one immediately. By this time, tea was ordered in another room; after which, Ellen was desired to try the instrument; as it was a new one, and the maker had. promised to change it, if not approved of. She was delighted with its tones, though sorry to observe it could not remove the gloom of her father, or the languor of her mother, who, after the contents of the newspaper had been discussed, were again at a loss for conversation. Something was said in the paper, of the contents of a valuable library to be sold; and this reminded Mr. Stanley of having one of his rooms fitted up in this style. "If it is the fashion," said Mrs. Stanley, “I suppose we must have one, though I heartily hope, after a few days, when our friends know of our being in town, we shall be so much engaged, as not to have any time for reading, or any thing else but dressing and visiting.” The evening passed off heavily, and the whole party retired early, determined, if possible, not to spend another day in this manner. Ir would be endless to recapitulate all the visitors, that, in the course of the week, left their cards at the door of Mrs. Stanley; or of all the mantua - makers, fancy-dress-makers, and milliners, that were employed to modernize poor Ellen, and "to make her (in dress, at least,) a little more like other people;”—this was Mrs. Stanley's kind expression, when she introduced these fantastical fopperies to her daughter's notice, and who was much dis |