THE LADIES' CABINET

OF

FASHION, MUSIC, AND

MUSIC, AND ROMANCE.

HUGH Strickland was a man of stern demeanour. His lowering aspect and repelling brow imparted a repulsive expression to his features, which, if the countenance may be regarded as the index of the mind, was calculated rather to excite apprehension and distrust than awaken either confidence or esteem. Yet Strickland was a faithful servant who had long served his lord, nor questioned aught that his master willed, obeying unhesitatingly the high commands of the proud feudal baron, by whom his devoted service was repaid, not only with a liberal hand, but with unlimited confidence; the imperious noble relaxing in his favour from the haughty consciousness of self superiority, by which his demeanour to those whom he considered his inferiors was invariably characterised, for in his trusty steward, Hugh Strickland, Lord Fitzclare seemed to forget the vassal and the servant in the friend.

Hugh Strickland had three sons. Of these, the youngest was a froward boy, impatient of control from his cradle, and yet he was a fair and intelligent child. As he grew up his proud contempt of his father's authority became every day more manifest; his bearing was bold, and his aspect above his birth, according more with his graceful and dignified demeanour than the lowly destiny to which he was born. Yet Osmond (for so he was called) though a disobedient and irreverent son to his father, was to. Dame Alice, his mother, ever dutiful, affectionate, and submissive. He was her favourite son, and shared all her counsels, while she watched over his growing years with the tenderest solicitude, though without effecting any diminution of the rooted and unnatural aversion he entertained for his father, by whom he was in his turn treated with cold and stern indifference, and at length was totally neglected. Walter, the eldest son of Strickland, who resembled his father both in mind JULY, 1846.

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and person, was associated with him in the baron's service. Between Osmond and this young man mutual dislike had long sown the seeds of dissension, yet Osmond hated him not, although every feeling of fraternal affection for his elder brother was alienated from his heart for ever. Walter Strickland, on the contrary, saw with envy, and watched with malevolent eyes, the superior graces with which nature had adorned his brother, waiting but for a favourable opportunity to vent upon him the malignant passions that rankled in his bosom.

Geoffry Strickland, the second brother, who was but two years older than Osmond, was a mild and unassuming youth. He, too, saw how far Osmond excelled both Walter and himself in personal qualifications and mental acquirements, but he saw without envy; and oft as Osmond, in every youthful game, bore away the prize from his young competitors, Geoffry's heart throbbed with proud exultation while he witnessed his triumph and heard him proclaimed the monarch of the sylvan sports.

Osmond, on his part, was not insensible to the fraternal affection his second brother entertained for him, and if he felt less enthusiasm than the unaspiring Geoffry, his friendship for that youth remained unalterable, and his esteem undiminished through every change of fortune that awaited his future years. It is true, they associated not so much together as it might naturally be expected they would, from the mutual good understanding that subsisted between them. Osmond, from his childhood, having accustomed himself to wander for hours alone amidst the deepest shades of the lofty forest, on the borders of which was situated the dwelling of Strickland's family.

As he grew up, his rambles became longer and more frequent, but of these repeated acts of truancy his father and elder brother were not aware, to their full extent; their mutual avocations in the service of Baron Fitzclare generally requiring their immediate attendance on the person of their lord; and neither Dame Alice or Geoffry would by any disclosure to his prejudice excite against their favourite the indignation of Strickland, or provoke the rancorous enmity of Walter. Though it must be confessed as it regarded Osmond, his father's resentment was like the wild fury of the stormy waves, driven by the tempest's force against a stately rock, that proudly towering over the ocean's wide expanse defied at once the violence of the contending elements; heedless alike of the concentrated force of the rushing winds, or the rage of the angry billows as they sullenly reverberated to the roaring of the storm.

Walter's hostility, he regarded with contempt, but Walter dared not openly revenge himself upon the boy who disdained him, for there was in the intimidating fire of that boy's proud eye, and expression before which his soul quailed.

Hugh Strickland threatened, but the stubborn spirit of Osmond breathed defiance to his menaces, and Strickland shrunk abashed and overawed before the youth who rebelled against his authority, while Osmond, with unaltered eye, smiled contemptuously on the being whose kindred claims he had outraged from his birth.

Osmond was, therefore, eventually left to follow his own inclination. It is true that he sometimes assisted Geoffry in his agricultural occupations, but his mind was evidently too deeply engrossed by higher speculations, to afford much promise of his ever becoming a skilful husbandman.

And here it may not be irrelevant to notice an incident that occurred when Osmond was about fourteen years old, as it may serve in no small degree, to acquaint the reader more particularly with the lofty sentiments which nature had implanted in the soul of the high-minded boy.

Sir Robert Stanley was the hereditary owner of wide domains, and a stately castle, picturesquely situated on the summit of a steep mountain, at no great distance from the forest whither Osmond was accustomed to resort.

An only daughter, about a year younger than Osmond, was the heiress to Sir Robert's large possessions. It is needless to say that the lovely young Etheldreda was the darling of her doating father, whose tenderness she repaid with reciprocal affection, devoting every energy of her soul to contribute to the happiness of her beloved parent.

Young as she was, Etheldreda was remarkable for the skill and dexterity with which she managed her small white palfrey, and frequently accompanied her father in his morning rides. It was when they were returning from one of these equestrian airings that the sudden appearance of a knight in armour, who was on his way to a neighbouring castle, startled the white palfrey, which, notwithstanding Etheldreda's efforts to restrain it, galloped on with incredible swiftness, in an opposite direction, before Sir Robert had time to come to her assistance.

What then were the sensations of the agonised father, when he beheld the ungovernable animal rushing furiously to the brink of a steep precipice, while the shrieking Etheldreda still vainly endeavoured to restrain his speed. It was the crisis of her fate-a moment more and the fair hopes of Sir Robert Stanley would be blighted for ever!

The distracted parent raised his eyes imploringly to heaven, and the next instant he beheld Osmond springing with the rapidity of lightning to catch the rein that fell that moment from the hand of the almost fainting Etheldreda. The youth fortunately succeeded, and, like another Alexander, seizing the pigmy Bucephalus, with strength beyond his years, compelled him to halt, while the heiress of Sir Robert Stanley dismounted in safety.

A parent alone may form an adequate idea of Sir Robert's feelings when, with eyes overflowing with tears of gratitude, he returned thanks to heaven for the preservation of his child. Then turning to her young deliverer, drew from his pocket a purse of gold, which, as an earnest of future favour, he extended to Osmond, inviting him at the same time to accompany them to the castle, where he would have leisure to decide upon the most efficient means of testifying to him his grateful sense of the service he had done the lady Etheldreda.

With a look and mien of proud dignity Osmond silently, but expressively, rejected the offered purse.

The knight regarded him with astonishment, for his garments accorded not with his lofty demeanor.

"You have saved my daughter's life. The interposing mercy of heaven sent you to rescue her, from her perilous situation. Ingratitude is not among the faults of Sir Robert Stanley; I have wealth, influence, and power,-name thy reward."

"There is but one reward in your power to bestow," answered the youth, while he fixed his eyes steadfastly on his noble interrogator," which I would, which I will, ever accept."

"Name it, my brave boy."

"Then you shall give me Etheldreda, when, in years to come, I shall demand her of you."

For a moment Sir Robert was unable to reply. The sudden surprise occasioned by so unexpected a demand had an almost overwhelming effect upon his already excited feelings. Osmond, finding Sir Robert returned no answer, turned to depart, when Etheldreda looked smilingly on her father, and taking the purse from his hand, called to Osmond to stay. The youth instantly obeyed.

"From me, at least, accept this trifle," she said, while a rosy blush suffused the fair cheek of the young maiden.

"I will accept the purse, willingly," answered the stately youth, while he gracefully received it from her small hand, "but not the gold it contains." Then hastily shaking out the broad gold pieces upon the earth, he gallantly placed the purse in his cap, and boldly springing from the adjacent height, was in a few moments out of sight.

The extraordinary deportment of Osmond, as well as the high spirit he evinced, made a deep impression on the mind of Sir Robert Stanley. Gladly would he become the liberal benefactor, and the lasting friend, of one to whom he owed so large a debt of gratitude, but Osmond from that time carefully avoided his presence.

The knight caused inquiries to be made respecting his parents, and the result