r second
wedding-day, as he had done their first. He, after consideration, gave
them four days.

Miss Woodley then recollected (for every one else had forgot it) that
the carriage was still at the door to convey Lord Elmwood far away. It
was of course dismissed--and one of those great incidents of delight
which Miss Milner that morning tasted, was to look out of the window,
and see this very carriage drive from the door unoccupied.

Never was there a more rapid change from despair to happiness--to
happiness perfect and supreme--than was that, which Miss Milner and Lord
Elmwood experienced in one single hour.

The few days that intervened between this and their lawful marriage,
were passed in the delightful care of preparing for that happy day--yet,
with all its delights inferior to the first, when every unexpected joy
was doubled by the once expected sorrow.

Nevertheless, on that first wedding-day, that joyful day, which restored
her lost lover to her hopes again; even on that _very_ day, after the
sacred ceremony was over, Miss Milner--(with all the fears, the tremors,
the superstition of her sex)--felt an excruciating shock; when, looking
on the ring Lord Elmwood had put upon her finger, in haste, when he
married her, she perceived it was a--mourning ring.

A

SIMPLE STORY,

IN FOUR VOLUMES,

BY

MRS. INCHBALD.

VOL. III.

_THE FOURTH EDITION._

LONDON:

Printed for G. G. and J. ROBINSON,

PATERNOSTER ROW.

1799.

A SIMPLE STORY.

CHAPTER I.

Not any event, throughout life, can arrest the reflection of a
thoughtful mind more powerfully, or leave so lasting an impression, as
that of returning to a place after a few years absence, and observing an
entire alteration, in respect to all the persons who once formed the
neighbourhood. To find that many, who but a few years before were left
in their bloom of youth and health, are dead--to find that children left
at school, are married and have children of their own--that some, who
were left in riches, are reduced to poverty--that others, who were in
poverty are become rich--to find, those once renowned for virtue, now
detested for vice--roving husbands, grown constant--constant husbands,
become rovers--the firmest friends, changed to the most implacable
enemies--beauty faded. In a word, every change to demonstrate, that,

"All is transitory on this side the grave."

Guided by a wish, that the reflecting reader may experi