Volume 14 , Issue 4

The History of Eliza Warwick, Vol. I

Last week we ended on page 118, Vol. I, of The History of Eliza Warwick, with a promise to reveal more about Sir Charles Beaufort, who was arriving from France to visit at Fairy Hill with some friends, Lord Stamford, Colonel Middleton, Mr. Lawson, Colonel Temple.

Sir Charles Beaufort was described as, without exception, the handsomest man with his form, address, conversation, all seducing and his dark eyes were dark and full of sensibility. His nose was aquiline and his mouth and teeth were also described as beautiful. Sir Charles possessed an air of nonchalance in general that many women thought provoking, and which gas him a thousand charms.

Sir Charles had a fine voice, and was as fond of music as Col. Temple and was perfectly accomplished. He spoke with a infinite ease, and very sensibly, on all subjects. Sir Charles had a happy command of expression, that never failed him and if any thing could exceed his facility of speech, it could only be the extreme share of art which he possessed in a superior degree to any man.

Sir Charles father and mother died early and the Duke of Beauvarise, who loved his sister with extreme tenderness, undertook, at her dying request, to inspect the education of her son, Charles Beaufort. The Duke of Beauvarise regard his nephew, Sir Charles Beaufort, treating him as his adopted child -- as the Duke did Gen. Harry and Eliza Warwick's daughter, Eliza Warwick, after her parents deaths.

The Duke was in reality, prosing to make Sir Charles his sole heir to all his possessions. Cir Charles was a very amiable person with noble qualities and was sent to Oxford. That is where he contracted an intimacy with Lord STamford, and with many men, like him, of the most libertine principles. After Sir Charles left the University, he gave into the most riotous scenes, with the feed of every virtue in his breast, he was lost to virtue itself.

The Duke of Beauvarise tried, more like a friend than a parent to dissuade him from the mode of life he was pursuing he painted to him the horrid consequences of such proceedings. The Duke thought it was the proper time for him to make the grand tour, and proposed that Sir Charles should leave England for that purpose immediately. Sir Beaufort made no objection, and in a few weeks took leave of the Duke, and set out for Dover. Then he directly embarked, accompanied by very worthy man, whom the Duke had made choice of to be the companion of his travels.

It was after his returns of this four years absence, Sir Beaufort came came back to Fairy Hill with his friends at his uncle's request to visit Fairy Hill.

The Baronet (Charles Beaufort) and his companions staid three days with his uncle at Fairy Hill. Charles became a constant visitor to Fairy Hill, where he lost his passion for hunting in a few weeks after his residence in Yorkshire, nor did he long pursue any of those sports which the season and country offered to the gentlemen.

Duke Beauvarise was generally engaged with Lord Stamford, and many others, in such amusements. During those hours of pleasure to them, Beaufort begged leave to stay at home with Mrs. Heber and Eliza Warwick, which was a request so often repeated, that it at length was thought unnecessary. Sir Charles walked with Eliza WArwick and her companion, Mrs. Heber and read to them while they worked. Sometimes singing and playing or accompany Eliza when she sang.

Eliza was becoming as smitten with Sir Charles as he was with her. It was a suppressed tenderness. Sir Charles used to fix his eyes upon Eliza and not take them off until he found he threw Eliza into confusion, which she knew not how to account for and which at that time she never felt at the intent gaze of any other man.

Sir Charles Beaufort was not the only man in love with the young girl of fifteen years. Col. Temple was very assiduous about Eliza, also. Col. Temple's love of music gave him numerous opportunities of being near Eliza when she was engaged on any instrument, and Temple would pay a thousand compliments to Eliza. Col. Temple once proclaimed that he never loved any of her sex so sincerely as he did Eliza. He assured Eliza, that, young as Eliza was, could Eliza give him some room to hope he might in time return she might return his tenderness, and he need would attach himself to any other woman. That is how charming, beautiful our Eliza Warwick was proclaimed to be to the opposite sex at age of 15 and 16 years of age.

Eliza proclaim that she was so much a child as not to comprehend his meaning as she blushed, but it was with indignation. Temple mistook the cause, and tried to seize Eliza's hand, but she arose with dignity from the harpsichord, and with an offended air, desired him for the future to entertain her with subjects better suited to her years, and more agreeable to her inclinations. That if he presumed to mention again to her so hateful a topic, she would certainly inform the Duke of Beauvarise of it.

As Eliza Warwick turned from Col. Temple, she was surprised to find Sir Charles Beaufort had been behind her chair while she addressed herself to Col. Temple, and had attended to the whole of our conversation.

Eliza should have told her Lordship that the Duke of Beauvarise began once more to be uneasy at the chain of acquaintance Sir Charles still continued linked to. The duke got Sir Charles appointed Ambassador to the court in little more than four months after his arrival in YOrkshire. Sir Charles was within a short time of his departure, when he listened to the answer Eliza made to Col. Temple, and expressed his admiration, as Eliza related above.

Eliza had retired to her chamber and seated herself at one of the windows which looked into the garden, and threw open the sash, in order to enjoy the serenity of the night, and at the same time to indulge her tears, which flowed fast, for what reason she could not tell. She was young, unexperienced in these feelings she was feeling.

Eliza had not continued thus many minutes, when she heard the sound of voices just below her, and soon found they issued front he lips of Sir Charles Beaufort and Col. Temple. "By Heaven," cried the latter, with impetuosity, "I love her."

"true," said Beaufort, "But, dear temple, tho' I can feel for you, I cannot exculpate you from a want of friendship to me. I declared to you my sentiments of her front he first moment I beheld her. You acted not so ingenuously by me. You endeavored, by an underhand method, to seduce her from me."

"Faith, I was wrong," replied Temple, "But at that instant I forgot my friend, and could not command myself. She is all loveliness! I am devilishly unhappy. But she likes neither of us."

"Therefore," answered Beaufort, "Let us both try for her. If you are so happy as to gain her, you will be as dear to me as ever. If, on the contrary, I should chance to be the more fortunate man, let not that divide our regard and intimacy."

"Here is my hand," replied Temple, "You are a generous fellow."

"Ah! but, seat Temple," cried Sir Charles, "What an advantage do I give you over me! Here am I about to be banished from her. her young heart will be assailed by so dangerous an object as your are. She will receive the daily admiration of thousands. Never, Oh! Never, will one thought of Beaufort pass her imagination. I am almost distracted!"

"hold! Sir Charles," returned Temple, "you shall not outdo me in generosity. If she can be so far won by your insinuating manner as to feel a tenderness for you, and you can get a promise of love from her before you go, I swear to you, by the word of a man of honor, during your absence I never will mention a syllable of my own passion to her. Nay, on the contrary, I will forward yours with all my eloquence."

Eliza heard no more of that conversation because Mrs. Heber entered her room and Eliza quitted the window listening.

never did Eliza believe that she was the subject of their conversation. This is how innocent our Eliza Warwick was. Eliza never thought that men were so dangerous as she had heard or read about. She wondered who this fair one was. If Eliza had understood her heart's emotions, she should have known that curiosity did not so much inspire that under as jealousy. It is true that Sir Charles Beaufort engrossed much of Eliza's affection.

Soon after, Eliza and Mrs. Heber returned tot he company and Sir Charles and his friend entered. Col. Temple approached and uttered something like an apology for what had incurred so much of Eliza's displeasure earlier. Temple assured Eliza he would endeavor to bear the wight of his cruelty without one complaint. All the time Eliza was sighing and her eyes were searching eagerly for the site of Sir Charles, who was at that minute in deep discourse with a pretty young woman, Miss Herbert, the daughter of a worthy clergyman of Yorkshire, whom the Duke patronized, and who, with many other ladies, had come to Fairy Hill to visit.

After Col. Temple had left Eliza's presence, Sir Charles Beaufort advances towards Eliza with his eyes fixed on her face, without uttering one syllable he drew the chair Temple had left nearer to Eliza and seated himself and started, "Charming, Eliza! I have but one fortnight longer allowed me to remain in England. The Time is drawing near when perhaps I shall bid you a last adieu. Receive my thinks, my sweet young friend, for the many moments of pleasure you have afforded me. For the hours of happiness you have indulged me in. To the sense of your conversation - to the divine harmony of your soul. Am I indebted for the blissful scenes I have experienced at Fairy Hill. the happiest, indeed, of my life."

Eliza could not answer him and Sir Charles continued to speak, "I have one favor, lovely Miss Warwick! To ask of you a favor that, perhaps, your amiable heart will grant, when I assure you it will in some measure soften the rigor of my absence from those I love." Eliza told Sir Charles she should be ready to do every thing in her power to contribute to his ease, and earnestly begged to know how she could oblige him.

Sir Charles took Eliza's hand, tears flowed from his eyes, and he exclaimed, "Ah! Happy Temple!" He arose abruptly, and left the room. Eliza was astonished and unhappy. Eliza's eyes followed Sir Charles the whole evening.

When Eliza finally left the partying and headed towards the salon where Sir Charles was recoiling on a sopha she approached Beaufort and asked, "You are not well, Sir, "

Sir Charles arose and threw himself on his knees before Eliza, "Lovely, Eliza! You now see at your feet a wretched object, an object who at the instant he inspires you with pity is the last person in the world who merits it from you. I leave you tomorrow, charming Miss Warwick! I leave you in despair. I hardly know what I would say, but my amiable my adorable young friend, compassionate and forgive me!"

Eliza responds with, "Dear Sir Charles! I do not understand you. You are unhappy. Make me the friend of your sorrows. I am young, 'tis true, but I have a sympathizing and sensible heart. You leave us tomorrow, did you say? Ah! No, you did intend to remain another fortnight. Why this sudden resolution?"

Sir Charles responds, "Business of the most serious nature calls me hence, but I have one favor to ask of you before I go. It is this. I shall take leave of the Duke before he goes to bed, and will set off for London early in the morning. Now, my Eliza, do I draw near to my request. This is Friday. eNext Thursday night, at twelve o'clock precisely, will I secretly revisit Fairy Hill to the summer house, that is embosomed in the orange drove, will I repair. may I hope that you will meet me there?"

Eliza started at the proposal and hesitated as Sir Charles continued in a pathetic manner, "'tis as I feared, and you will not give me the satisfaction of imparting to you the secret of my soul. A secret that the suppression of has caused me a thousand pangs. A thousand hours of torture. But go, cruel Eliza! Those pangs, those tortures, can not affect you."

Eliza proclaim to Beaufort that he was mistaken, and asked why the mystery. Why must she not let Mrs. Heber know that Charles wish to see her next Thursday? Where can be the harm of that?

Charles responds, "Therefore, if no harm is apprehended, why to meet me without letting Mrs. Heber know anything of the matter?"
Eliza asked if her dear Friend Jennet could go with her. Charles cried, "No, Miss Warwick," in a disconsolate air, "Do not think of obliging me. I will not put you to so much inconvenience. You are afraid of me. You imagine I am not worthy to be trusted. Adieu! Lovely, Eliza! Pardon me for giving you this trouble?" He was about to leave Eliza, when she caught hold of his arm and asked him to stay where she relied to Charles that she has never been accustomed to conceal anything from her faithful Jennet. Eliza said she was very young, and did not know whether she should act properly in granting his request. Yet at the same time, Eliza was sure Charles would to ask of her that, which he knew would make her appear imprudent, should it be discovered. Eliza had an implicit confidence in Sir Charles. She considered him in the light of a brother.

To cut to the short of it, Eliza agreed to meet Sir Charles next Thursday night. Charles was transported and kissed Eliza's hands. Beaufort led Eliza into the dancing room, where he became Eliza's partner for the fresh of the night, a privilege he insisted upon usurping, as it was the last of his stay at Fairy Hill.

Sir Charles Beaufort was indeed, everything that could charm the heart of a woman.

When Sir Charles had gone, Eliza laid in her room and began to reflect on all that Beaufort had said to her. Eliza imagined that Charles loved her, and was engaged to another. She then thought that impossible, else the Duke would talk of his intended alliance.

Eliza counted the days and hours until their meeting Thursday night. As Thursday morning appeared, she arose with the sun. as the evening came and the clock struck midnight, Eliza was trembling in her knees. She slipped out of the room where the guest were dancing and flew some steps, stopped and listen and at length she reached the garden door, never having found it so difficult to open as her fear of slipping out unnoticed by guardian and her friend Jennet. With a trembling heart she advanced towards the grove to meet Sir Charles.

Sir Charles on perceiving that Eliza was actually there to meet him sprung forward, and was at Eliza's feet in on instant. Sir Charles told Eliza, "I have traveled, amiable Miss WArwick! Post from London, merely to obtain the honor, the happiness, that I am now possessed of your smiles, your kindness, have often charmed me. Behold me, lovely Eliza, a suppliant on my knees refuse not what I have to ask."

What was Sir Charles about to ask? Sir Charles proceeds to tell Eliza that he loves her. that heaven that hears, can witness to his truth. from the moment that he first beheld her, he became her slave. He has loved her, adored her.

Eliza was motionless, as she was too much affected to speak. Charles perceived he had gained he to himself, and he lost not the victory he had taken such pains to make. Eliza was overcome with the poignancy of her sensations, as she sunk down upon a turf of grass that was behind her. A Sickishness came over her, everything donated before before her sight, and she became insensible even to Sir Charles Beaufort. When she recovered, she found herself in his arms, and he had chased her temples with the hungary water she had applied to her nose a while before, and it recalled my scattered senses.

Finally, Eliza speaks to Sir Charles and tells him she must leave him and for the preservation of his own secret, it was necessary that she should return to the house. Sir Charles cut off a ringlet of Eliza's hair, which had got loose by the wind, with his own scissors, and vowed it should never be separated from his bosom.

After returning to the house from her secrecy meeting with Sir Charles where nothing seriously occurred. Eliza was in her room for a brief moment when Duke Beauvarise knocked on her door to see why her long absence from the dancers. The Duke was worried about Eliza and wanted her to come back to the dancers.

It was a week from that night, Beauvarise and Temple received letters from Sir Charles Beaufort. They contained farewells to both, and to say, that ere they could reach Fairy Hill he expected to tread foreign ground. The Duke read to Eliza aloud some passages of his, and paused upon that in which he was charged to offer Mrs. Heber and his lovely ward the best and tenderest wishes of his heart.

When the Duke asked Eliza if she had any objections to Beaufort's words. Eliza said no as the tears fell fast from her eyes. Eliza was presumptuous enough to love him better than any man in the world. The Duke told Eliza to continue to do so, because Beaufort was a noble fellow with some faults. The Duke will allow, but they are of that kind which his youth only can be taxed with. His heart is a good one, and the Duke never met with a man of stronger natural sense, or one who could have done more credit to his education.

While we end this weeks summary of the History of Eliza Warwick, we leave with Eliza laying open her heart to Jennet the situation of her heart, concealing only from her the private interview she had with Sir Charles. Jennet seemed very much affected at Eliza's relation, and she could plainly perceive that Charles was one of the last men Jennet would have chosen for Eliza's husband.

Jennet was a woman of infinite sense and delicacy, and her sentiments of virtue and honor were not inferior to those of famed Lucrece. Jennet told Eliza to consider how very young she was, that Sir Charles Beaufort would in all probability see women more of his own age, and more lovely than Eliza could pretend to be. That men were never content, and that young ladies characteristics should be always prudence and reserve.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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