Her case was a harder one than the widow's. A visit
from the clergyman, a present from a benevolent friend, God's blessing
on a simple remedy, had soon changed Mrs. Green's sorrow into joy.
The anguish of Lady Grange lay deeper; her faith was more sorely tried;
her fears were not for the bodies but the souls of those whom she
loved;--and where is the mortal who can give us a cure for the disease
of sin?
While his mother was weeping and praying, Philip was revelling and
drinking. Fast were the bottles pushed round, and often were the glasses
refilled. The stately banqueting-room resounded with laughter and
merriment; and as the evening advanced, with boisterous song. It was
late before the young men quitted the table; and then, heated with wine,
they threw the window wide open, to let the freshness of the night air
cool their fevered temples.
Beautiful looked the park in the calm moonlight. Not a breath stirred
the branches of the trees, their dark shadows lay motionless on the
green sward: perfect silence and stillness reigned around. But the holy
quietness of nature was rudely disturbed by the voices of the revellers.
With the conversation that passed I shall not soil my pages. The window
opened into a broad stone balcony, and seating themselves upon its
parapet, the young men exchanged stories and jests.
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