THE BEAUTY AND HER SISTER. PART II. THE journey to Westonville Castle, was as dull as a journey could be, undertaken by a mother who thought only of two objects: the first, the pleasure of seeing in her own baronial castle, in all its feudal splendour, the daughter, for whom she had secured the rank and privileges of nobility; and the second, the expectation of soon seeing her second daughter even more brilliantly placed: while Emily thought only, that every mile they went, took her still further from him she loved, and from whom, long-long months would separate her. That either of her daughters could be VOL. III. B unhappy under the circumstances she desired for them, their mother would not allow herself to doubt; for grandeur and wealth were, in her opinion, the only real sources of terrestrial happiness. But as all journeys, whether agreeable or otherwise, must have an end, the close of the second day brought Lady Mansel and Emily to the massive gates of Westonville Castle; and as a glorious sun-set tinged the well wooded landscape before them, and shone on the coroneted griffins that surmounted the columns of the gates, the elated mother smiled with complacency, and even condescended to acknowledge by a stately bow, the low one of the greyheaded porter, as he threw back the gates to give her carriage entrance. Every step, as they approached the castle, increased the happiness of Lady Mansel, for every object presented to her sight spoke of grandeur, and above all, of feudal grandeur. The inequalities of the richly wooded park, here rising into abrupt acclivities crowned with oaks, coeval with the |