THE ROSE, THE SHAMROCK, AND THE THISTLE NOVEMBER 1864. BITTER SWEETS: A LOVE STORY. BY JOSEPH HATTON, THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF JACOB MORRISTON," ETC. CHAPTER IX. LOVE'S METAMORPHOSES. WE claim, in this place, the privilege of the dramatist, to let the curtain fall for a short time upon the actors in our story: not that we require the time for a mere change of dresses and a shifting of scenes; not that our actors want rest or refreshment; but that we may not weary the reader with details which are not necessary in the development of this history. So imagine, dear madam, and you, kind sir, that the prompter's whistle has brought down the drop-scene upon the first part of our story, and that several months have passed away since Bessie Martin induced Richard Grey to leave his bad tutor, Mat Duncan; since Anna Lee began to feel that change in her thoughts and feelings which commenced with her introduction to Paul Massey. Imagine the winter winds that have swept over Denby Rise, and the snows that have whitened the rocks; imagine the gradual progress to convalescence of Paul Massey, and the cold journeys of Harry Thornhill from Maryport to the scene of his unfulfilled hopes; imagine the bitter and the sweet which has mingled in the cup of Anna Lee, and the secret sorrows of Mrs. Grey. Take our previous chapters as a basis for your thoughts, and, after a brief exercise of your fancy, contemplate the new set of scenes upon which we beg to re-raise the curtain. VOL. VI. B |