MRS. DA.NIELS'S FERNLEY MANOR. * Is a reader stopped in the
earlier portion of this novel, he would pronounce it deficient in subject and commonplace in matter ; not bad, but weak. If he went on to the end, he might trace some crudeness in. the story—a jumble, as it were, of incidents and per- sons that are made-to do duty, rather than to contribute naturally to unity of action. He might also observe a tendency to the melo- dramatic in situation, and a disposition to make accident and disease substitutes for the result of conduct. There is, however, so much of force and delicacy displayed in painting the character and conduct of the heroine—the character itself is drawn with so much of truth—the conduct is in itself so common though it may rarely reach in life the consequences which follow in the fiction— and the humanity of Edith is so well preserved through all its vanity, weakness, and even guilt—that attraction is imparted to a large part of Fernley Manor, notwithstanding the slight and com- mon character of the opening and the inartistical treatment of the whole.
Some of the characters are everyday people, met with every- where, delineated with the writer's wonted feminine elegance of style, but rather too common to excite interest ; others are less frequent in real life, but so continually encountered in story, that the peculiarities imparted by the writer's manner are insufficient to endow them with mark or likelihood : two of the ladies if not absolutely new, are sufficiently imhacknied to be fresh,—
Margaret Laseelles, the half-sister of Edith, with her quiet strength and disciplined affections ; and Nettia Boisragon, as quiet and disciplined, but exposed to severer trials. The interest of the story, however, centres in Edith Lascelles, from the time that her vanity, impulsiveness, and good-nature, induce her to engage her- self to Ali* Boisragon, without seriously loving him. Vanity, thoughtlessness, and laxity of religious or moral principle, are the faults of Edith ; a charming beauty and "winning ways" her social characteristic ; a kind heart and an affectionate disposition her redeeming traits. Notwithstanding her engagement to Alick, her vanity leads her to tolerate and then to encourage the ad- miration of Sir Stuart Bernarde, the betrothed of Alicles sister, Nettia. Passion becomes too strong for principle ; Edith listens to Bernarde's pleadings, and consents to accept him as her lover; writes to Alick to break off their engagement; and the story hence- forth consists of the process by which Edith through long suf- fering becomes a chastened and religions character. As soon as she has written the letter her punishment begins from her own feelings : her sister Margaret, kind and quiet as she is, places the turpitude of her conduct before her, even in a worldly point of view : as impulsive in remorse as in sinning, Edith at once breaks with Sir Stuart. But the consequences of conduct can- not be thus remedied. Stuart knows well that Nettie would not accept him, if he dared or felt willing to propose again ; Edith knows too well that she has more than alienated Nettia and her mother, and that Alick's life will probably be the sacrifice in his delicate state of health. How these forebodings are fulfilled, still greater trials met, and the sober resignation and reconciliations that crown the finis after a lapse of years, must be read in the work. It will be sufficient to mark the felicity with which Edith is de- lineated, to say that though her conduct is through all the earlier stages devoid of thought or principle, and produces results of a tragic kind, yet the "mingled yarn, good and ill together," are so interwoven in her nature, her conduct is so evidently without mischievous purpose, and punishment follows so closely upon trespass, that she neither excites the reader's contempt nor ceases to be interesting. Edithis a lucky creation; and redeems a good deal of commonplace, and of what is melodramatic too. The following scene is a sample of the melodrama. Aliek Boisragon has the seeds of consumption in him which Blith's faithlessness rapidly develops. On -Ills deathbed' he be- seeches his mother to send for her to receive his forgiveness. She comes, and proposes to,Aliek even. then to marry him ; which pro- '-n Manor; a Nova By Mrs. Mackenzie Daniels, Author of " My Sister Minnie,' "The Poor Consin,"lbez, flde, In three-volumes. Piiblished by Newby. position he gladly grasps at. The following is the wedding scene. Mrs. Boisragon has never noticed Edith since her arrival, but Nettie has led Edith to hope that she may receive he when the marriage ceremony is over.
"As she was passing out of her room, Nettie met her and explained' that Mrs. Boisragon was too unwell to be present at the ceremony.
" 'But this is my doing, dear Edith,' she continued, observing the other's instant look of disappointment. 'Mamma would have risen, ill as she is, but I entreated her not to do so. It will be an affecting ceremony to all of us, and to her I am sure it would be overpowering : so she has agreed only to come in when it is concluded ; and I think Edith, although not a word has passed between my mother and myself on the subject, that she will take you to her heart, when you are really her daughter, with all, the affection of old times.'
"Edith's expressive countenance evinced the delight this opinion afforded her ; and the two girls went down and took their breakfast together in the little parlour, now brightened into cheerfulness by the long absent rays of the blessed sun, which shone into the dark corners, and played merrily upon the pictured walls, and rested lovingly upon those pale young faces, as if anxious to give them that aspect of summer gladness Which should Imre been the heart's gift alone. "Before their simple meal was quite concluded, the doctor (an old friend of the family, who had agreed to act the part of father to Edith on this occasion) came in, and was followed in a few minutes by the clergyman who was to perform the ceremony. Edith had seen both these gentlemen before, so she was able to greet them with tolerable self-possession now; and Nettie soon left her with them while she went to prepare Alick for their reception. "The next ten minutes appeared an age to her whose fate was so speedily to be decided ; but at the end of this time, Nettie reappeared, and, looking herself very nervous and agitated, conducted them all in silence to her bro- ther's room.
"Edith went in first ; and Alick, who was lying dressed upon the bed, wel- comed her with smiles of quiet happiness, though the red flush upon his cheeks told of considerable excitement beneath that unusually-calm exterior, and caused the prudent doctor, on his entrance, to advise the delay of the ceremony vet another day. But this of course the bridegroom would not hear of, and even Nettie could not have the heart to counsel it verystrongly ; so in a few seconds the temporary altar was formed, and the beautiful and impressive service began. "Edith's courage throughout the whole of the ceremony was admirable, and excited the astonishment and the praise of all. She was deathly, pal; but her voice was firm and clear • and those touching words, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death us do part,' she gave with a solemnity and earnestness of expression that affected every. one who heard her. Alick was infinitely less self-possessed ; and though no one could doubt the deep sincerity with which his heart echoed the sacred vows he was uttering, there was at intervals a troubled look upon his coun- tenance, and a sudden wandering in his eye, that contrasted strangely with the calm composure of the pale young bride. His responses, however, were firmly pronounced, and in putting on the ring his eye sought Edith% with a glance of fond affection not to be mistaken.
" ' Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.'
"The words were spoken—the concluding blessing was given. All was over. The clergyman and the doctor shook hands warmly with the young couple, and then hastened away, while at the same moment entered a pale. and deeply agitated woman, who had been waiting nearly all the time out- side the door.
"Alick saw his mother, and smiled faintly upon her; but it was to his bride that he turned—to Edith that his arms were extended—to her that his eyes were so yearningly raised. And she, answering this mute appeal, sprang to her husband's embrace ; and the words 'My wife, my own wife !' came like the echo of some passionate tone upon her ear.
" ' My wife, any own wife !' There was nothing more. A sunbeam entered into the room, and rested for a moment with steady brightness upon the newly-wedded pair. But it was charged with no mission to warm the cold, cold bridegroom. 'What could warm him when his Edith's. kisses had lost the power to do so—when love's embrace failed to set in. rapid motion the pulses of his languid veins ?
"'Till death us do part !' Young wife, your task has not been a long one. Your duties are soon at an end. Release yourself from those encircling arms; the grave is your rival now. Death and life can have no contact. Let the cold bridegroom rest."
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