hment took place between her
and Miss Ponsonby, by an accident which made a deep impression on
their imagination. They had no difficulty to persuade themselves
that heaven had formed them for each other; that is, that it had
designed each of them to devote her existence to the other, so that
they might glide together down the stream of life, in the bosom of
peace, the most intimate friendship, and delicious independence.
This idea their sensibility was destined to realize. Their
friendship gradually grew stronger with their years, so that at
seventeen they mutually engaged never to sacrifice their liberty, or
to part from each other. From that moment they formed the design of
withdrawing from the world, and of settling for good in some
sequestered retreat. Having heard of the charming scenery of Wales,
they secretly absconded from their friends for the purpose of fixing
upon their future residence. They visited Llangollen, and there, on
the summit of a mountain, they found a little detached cottage, with
the situation of which they were delighted. Here they resolved to
form their establishment. Meanwhile the guardians of the young
fugitives sent people after them, and they were conveyed back to
Dublin. They declared that they would return to their mountain as
soon as they were of age. Accordingly, at twenty-one, in spite of
the entreaties and remonstrances of their relatives and friends, they
quitted Ireland for ever, and flew to Llangollen. Miss Ponsonby is
not rich, but Lady Eleanor possesses a considerable fortune. She
purchased the little hut and the property of the mountain, where she
built a cottage, very simple in external appearance, but the interior
of which displays the greatest elegance. On the top of the mountain
she has formed about the house a court and flower-garden; a hedge of
rosebushes is the only enclosure that surrounds this rural
habitation. A convenient carriage-road, the steepness of which has
been diminished by art, was carried along the mountain. On the side
of the latter some ancient pines of prodigious height were preserved;
fruit trees were planted, and a great quantity of cherry trees in
particular, which produce the best and finest cherries in England.
The two friends likewise possess a farm for their cattle, with a
pretty farm-house and a k