ABSTRACT
The stealing hours of time had now brought round the last day in which Edward was to enjoy the hospitality of Ravensdale, and the society of his adored Cecilia.
His friend Captain Rivers had agreed to accompany him to Cork, to introduce him to the regiment some little time previous to their sailing. is last morning they employed in making some farewell visits in the neighbourhood, and among others to the Nettle elds. On this occasion Ned/ was introduced to the ladies of the family, and could not help lamenting, that so much gentleness and good sense as they discovered, should be gra ed on such a rough and austere stock as had fallen to their lot. Ned did not fail on his return to revisit that house of mourning, on which his accidental presence had some time before shed the rst beams of comfort and consolation. Here he had the satisfaction to receive the fervent blessing of that widowed heart which he had made to sing for joy; and to hear the prayer of gratitude for recovered health uttered by the loveliest lips, and witnessed by the most radiant eyes that perhaps ever beamed from under the humble thatch of an Irish cottage.
