The Hall was sold, and passed into the hands of strangers; and after
remaining two years abroad, Anthony once more returned to his native
shores, and led to the altar his betrothed bride--the beautiful and
talented Juliet Whitmore.
The young Squire's character had been fully vindicated to the world, and
his wealthy neighbors took every opportunity of courting his
acquaintance; but a change had come over Mr. Hurdlestone, which the
caresses of the great and the smiles of fortune could not remove. He
never forgot the sad lesson he had learned in ---- jail, or the
melancholy fate of his nearest relatives. He had proved the instability
of all earthly pursuits and enjoyments; and he renounced the gay world,
and devoted his time and talents, and the immense riches which heaven
had entrusted to his stewardship, in alleviating the wants and woes of
suffering humanity. In the wise and virtuous Juliet he found a partner
worthy of his love. One in heart and purpose, their unaffected piety and
benevolence rendered them a great blessing to the poor in their
neighborhood, who never spoke of the rich Squire and his wife without
coupling their names with a blessing.
Amongst his peers, Anthony Hurdlestone was regarded as a singular
wayward being, whose eccentricities were to be excused and accounted for
by the strange circumstances in which he had been placed.
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