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diff --git a/40006-8.txt b/40006-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index ed17195..0000000 --- a/40006-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6453 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Margaret Capel, v. 1 of 3, by Ellen Wallace - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: Margaret Capel, v. 1 of 3 - A Novel - -Author: Ellen Wallace - -Release Date: June 22, 2012 [EBook #40006] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARGARET CAPEL, V. 1 OF 3 *** - - - - -Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Sue Fleming and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - - MARGARET CAPEL. - - VOL. I. - - - By - - Ellen Wallace - - - - - MARGARET CAPEL. - - A NOVEL. - - By the Author of "THE CLANDESTINE MARRIAGE," &c. - - - "One of the best kind of fashionable novels, not only free from the - vulgar impertinences of the 'silver-fork school,' but has the tone - of good society, and better still, a vein of pure and healthful - sentiment. The grave incidents of the story are treated with good - taste and genuine pathos, but enlivened by very amusing scenes, in - which the ridiculous and vicious peculiarities of character, so - often met with in real life, are cleverly hit off with a pencil - which emulates the witty drollery of caricature without its - coarseness."--_Spectator_. - - - "A very superior work. Without the coarseness of Mrs. Trollope's - writings, it has all her vigour and rapidity of narrative, with - touches of ideal grace and beauty, and a perception of the elevating - impulses of the heart to which that lady seems utterly a stranger. - It might almost be called a dramatic novel, for the characters and - story are developed in a series of animated conversations which are - sustained with remarkable power, distinctness, and variety. The - descriptive portions of the work are written with much - elegance."--_John Bull_. - - - - - MARGARET CAPEL. - - - A NOVEL. - - - BY THE AUTHOR OF - - "THE CLANDESTINE MARRIAGE." - - - - IN THREE VOLUMES. - - VOL. I. - - - LONDON: - - RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET. - - 1846. - - - - - - - LONDON: - - Printed by Schulze and Co., 13, Poland Street. - - - - - - MARGARET CAPEL. - - * * * * * - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - - And he had ever on his lip some word of mockery. - - MAISTRE WACE. - - Therefore whenever that thou dost behold - A comely corse with beauty fair endewed, - Know this for certain, that the same doth hold - A beauteous soul, with fair conditions thewed; - Fit to receive the seed of vertue strewed, - For all that fair is, is by nature good; - That is a sign to know the gentle blood. - - SPENSER. - - -"Left guardian to her, are you?" said Mr. Casement, looking with an -expression of much satisfaction at his friend Mr. Grey. - -"I told you so three months ago," returned Mr. Grey, in a tone of voice -that betrayed his vexation. - -"I have been very busy for these three months, and forgot all about it," -said Mr. Casement. - -"I thought you never were busy, Casement," remarked Mr. Grey. - -"One of your mistakes," returned Mr. Casement, as if Mr. Grey's mistakes -were a synonyme for the dullest of all possible blunders. "Why, you seem -to have the luck of it; you are always being made guardian, or executor, -or what not." - -"I know I am," said Mr. Grey, looking more and more cold, and vexed, and -peevish; and rubbing his knee with great perseverance, as he drew closer -to the fire; "but never before to a girl." - -"What has become of the two young Trevors?" - -"One of them drowned near Ilfracombe the summer before last--the other -in India." - -"Can't you marry her to one of them?" - -"Which?" asked Mr. Grey shortly, "they are both equally within my -reach." - -"I thought there was another--Alfred Trevor?" - -"He is married already." - -"And how old is the girl?" - -"Seventeen, I told you." - -"When did you close accounts with young Haveloc?" - -"Last Christmas, didn't you know?" - -"I forgot. Sharp work, Master Grey, upon my word. If you are to have a -ward every year, I don't envy you. As well open a boarding-school at -once. That is the good," continued Mr. Casement, turning round and -addressing the fire, "that is the good of being a single man; he is -bothered with every body's children. Now, I never was appointed guardian -in my life. You had better, my good friend," said he, turning again to -Mr. Grey, "you had better cajole Master Haveloc to take the young lady -off your hands as quickly as possible. There is an arrangement which -would please all parties." - -"I have a great regard for young Haveloc," said Mr. Grey seriously; "and -I don't wish him so ill as to force a wife upon him. I never saw any -good come of making matches. Margaret Capel is nearer to me than the -Trevors, who are only second cousins. She is my own sister's child. She -will inherit my property in all likelihood, and then she will find no -difficulty in obtaining a husband without the disgrace of going in -search of one." - -"That's a long speech," remarked Mr. Casement. - -Mr. Grey made no reply to this statement. - -"That is to say," resumed Mr. Casement, "if you don't leave your money -to a hospital." - -"I have no intention of leaving a doit to any hospital in the world," -said Mr. Grey. - -"But Master Haveloc would make her a nice husband," said Mr. Casement -maliciously, "you have heard of the pretty things he has been doing at -Florence." - -"Yes," replied Mr. Grey shortly. - -There was no excuse for repeating the "pretty things," as Mr. Grey -professed to recollect them; and Mr. Casement looked a little baffled -for a moment. - -"Mrs. Maxwell Dorset must be a delightful woman," said he, at length. -"It is a pity Haveloc could not manage to run off with her." - -"Do you think so?" retorted Mr. Grey, still more shortly. - -"He don't do you much credit," resumed his provoking companion, "I am -afraid you did not bring him up in the way he should go." - -"I did not bring him up at all," replied Mr. Grey. "I had the direction -of him, or his affairs, for a couple of years, from nineteen to -twenty-one. There began and there ended my control." - -"And so," said Mr. Casement, "you expect Miss Peggy here every minute." - -"I expect my niece, Margaret, to arrive before nine o'clock." - -"Fresh from a boarding-school, good luck!" exclaimed Mr. Casement, "with -her head full of sweethearts. You must go over to S----, and call upon -the red-coats, only you must get a better cook, let me tell you, or they -won't come very often to dine with you. I thought the _fondu_ worse than -ever to-day. Miss will never want amusement as long as there is a lazy -fellow to be found, with a spangled cap on his head, to go about -sketching all the gate-posts, far and near, and keep her guitar in -tune." - -Mr. Grey employed himself busily during this harangue in making up the -fire; then suddenly dropped the poker and started. A carriage stopped at -the door. Now, he had been cross, not because he was expecting his -sister's child; but because he did not know what on earth to do with her -when she came. - -He hurried out into the hall regardless of the wintry wind, and received -the new comer in his arms. - -"You are kindly welcome, my dear, to Ashdale," he said, as he led her -into the drawing-room. "Casement, this is my niece, Miss Capel." - -"Well, I suspected as much," said Mr. Casement, staring into her bonnet; -"and now the first question to be determined is--who is she like?" - -"I am considered like my mother," said Margaret, in a very quiet sweet -voice, laying aside her bonnet as she spoke, almost as if to facilitate -Mr. Casement's impertinent scrutiny; but with so self-possessed a manner -as to perplex even his degree of assurance. - -"Why then your mother was--a very pretty creature, that's all," said Mr. -Casement, turning away. - -Most persons would have been disposed to echo Mr. Casement's remark, as -Margaret brought to view a profusion of bright hair of a rich deep -brown, falling in low bands over cheeks of velvet softness, where the -warm colour glowed like gathered rose leaves upon the pure white -surface, a small accurate nose, short curved lips, as red and almost as -transparent as rubies; and long almond-shaped blue eyes, with a fringe -of black lashes curved outwards from the upper and under lid, so as to -deepen and almost change the colour of the eye itself. - -While Mr. Casement was taking note of these particulars, Mr. Grey placed -his niece beside him close to the fire; and rang for tea, with such -accompaniments as he thought might be acceptable to her after her long -journey. - -Margaret, who had been attentively perused by the two gentlemen, now -took a survey of them in return, although in a more guarded manner. Mr. -Grey was a small, quiet old gentleman, with a thin, pale face, wearing -his white hair cut almost close to the head; very mild and pleasing in -his address, with a little of the kind and polished formality of the -old school. She thought she never had seen so hideous an old man as Mr. -Casement, with his snaky grey and sandy hair, his ragged teeth and long -projecting upper lip. As he sat, with the lamp on the other side of his -head, the exaggerated shadow traced upon the wall perfectly amazed her -when she reflected that it belonged to a human creature. She then looked -with some curiosity at the room, which was large though not lofty, with -dark oak panels, and heavy crimson curtains; all the furniture was of -carved oak and crimson velvet, which gave a rich but somewhat gloomy -appearance to the apartment. - -"You are very hungry, ain't you, little woman?" said Mr. Casement, who -generally knew exactly what would most annoy those to whom he spoke. A -school-girl never likes to be thought very hungry; and as Margaret was -not tall, she was extremely sensitive to her small stature. With hands -and arms like a Greek nymph, and a small round neck that would have -delighted a sculptor, she envied every girl in the school, however ugly, -who measured any thing above her own five feet two inches. She was very -shy, with all her apparent self-possession; and she sat deeply -colouring, first at the imputation of being hungry, and secondly with a -distressing consciousness that she ought, as the only lady present, to -offer her services in making the tea, instead of allowing the old butler -to prepare it. - -The tea being made, and Mr. Grey informed of the fact, the butler -withdrew; and then Mr. Casement remarked that the little girl would pour -it out, and it would be good practise against she grew to be a woman, -and had a house of her own. - -Margaret went to the tea-table, and Mr. Casement followed her to explain -his peculiar fancies. "That large cup is mine," he said, "give me four -lumps of sugar, and put the cream in first; it makes all the -difference." - -She complied with his directions in silence; but she turned to Mr. Grey -and asked if she had made his tea right for him, in that soft low voice -which is in itself a courtesy. - -"Quite right, my dear," said Mr. Grey, "a great deal better than when -Land makes it." - -"And so, you left school to-day;" said Mr. Casement, as soon as tea was -over. - -"Yesterday," replied Margaret, "I went as far as Winchester with a -school-fellow, and staid all night there, and came on here to-day." - -"Are you sorry you have left school?" - -"No, Sir." - -"What--did you not like it?" - -"Not much, Sir." - -"How's that? Were you a naughty girl, eh? Did you not learn your -lessons?" - -"Yes, Sir, I learned my lessons." - -"Why did you not like school, my dear?" asked Mr. Grey, kindly. - -"Didn't give her enough to eat, I dare say!" exclaimed Mr. Casement. - -"Quite enough, Sir," replied Margaret; "but I felt I was wasting my time -there." - -"Ay!" cried Mr. Casement, delighted at the reply; "no young sparks -there, eh? No inamoratos! A little in the convent style, is it not? Ugly -old music master, ditto drawing, and dancing taught by a lady!" - -"Don't mind him, my dear," said Mr. Grey, taking Margaret's hand in his, -"tell me about it." - -Although the indignant blood flashed fast over neck and brow, Margaret -made no answer to Mr. Casement, but turned to Mr. Grey. - -"I was learning words all day, Sir," she replied, "and music; they gave -me no time for thinking. I should be sorry if there was no more to learn -than what they teach at school." - -"You will have plenty of time here for thinking, little woman," said Mr. -Casement, "for hardly a soul ever crosses his threshold; but I am afraid -you will have nobody to think about, if you have not a spark already, I -don't know where you are to find one. Such a neighbourhood for young -men!" - -"There are as many young men hereabouts as there are in other places, -I suppose," said Mr. Grey. "What has become of the young Gages?" - -"He lives in the Ark," said Mr. Casement, pointing to Mr. Grey. "The -Gages are all flown. George is in Ireland, and Everard in Canada, and -Hubert I hope from my heart at the bottom of the sea! But they won't do -for you, my dear, naughty, swearing troopers. You don't like troopers, -do you?" - -"I don't know any, Sir," returned Margaret. - -"I thought Hubert Gage was a sailor?" said Mr. Grey. - -"Right as my glove," said Mr. Casement, "so he is, I forgot. I hate the -Gages. George Gage drew a caricature of me; and Everard used to take me -off to my face; and Hubert, he used to bolt out of my way as if I was -poison. I have known him jump out of the parlour window as I came in at -the door." - -Margaret found nothing singular in the conduct of the young Gages, she -only wondered what a caricature of Mr. Casement could be like. - -"The only one of the family worth any thing is Elizabeth. I mean -Elizabeth for my second," said Mr. Casement. - -This remark let Margaret into the secret that he had one wife to begin -with, a thing she would otherwise have thought impossible. - -"Though I don't know, now I have seen you," he said turning to Margaret. - -"Casement, be quiet; you shall not teaze my child," said Mr. Grey, -drawing Margaret towards him as he marked the angry flush again rise to -her brow. - -Neither of them were prepared for what followed--she burst into a -passion of tears. - -Mr. Grey passed his hand over her hair, and pressed her closer to him. -Mr. Casement was confused. - -"I am really very sorry I have made you cry--I am, indeed," he said. - -"You did not, Sir," returned Margaret, becoming calm by a single effort, -and wiping the tears from her bright eyes. - -"What was it then, my darling?" asked Mr. Grey. - -"You said, 'my child,' and it is so very long since--" A choking in her -throat prevented her finishing the sentence. - -"Well, I'm glad it was not my fault," said Mr. Casement. "Good night, I -must be going homeward, or my old woman will scold." - -"Does he come here very often, Sir?" asked Margaret, looking up into Mr. -Grey's face, as Mr. Casement closed the door after him. - -"Yes, he does, my dear," replied the old gentleman; "but you need not -mind that. You will get used to his ways, and he does not mean any -harm." - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - - Ma chi conosce amor, e sua possanza - Farà la scusa dì quel cavaliero - Ch' amor il senno, el' intelletto avanza, - Ne giova al provveder arte, o pensiero; - Giovanni e vecchi vanno a la sua danza, - La bassa plebe col signor altiero; - Non ha rimedio amor, se non la morte, - Ciascun prende d' ogni gente, e d' ogni sorte. - - BOIARDO. - - -When Mr. Grey came down to breakfast the next morning, he found Margaret -sitting close by the fire reading from a large book. She advanced to -greet him, half shy, half smiling, and looked more fresh and softly -beautiful from a long and undisturbed night's rest. As soon as Mr. Grey -had inquired, with scrupulous care, how she had slept, and whether she -had found everything comfortable in her room, he begged to know what -book it was she had been reading. It was Josephus. He laughed a little, -and stroked her hair, and told her not to read too much for fear of -spoiling her good looks; but he was glad, he said, that she liked -reading, because he lived very much alone. He was a great invalid, and -unable to pay visits, or receive company. As he spoke he led her to the -window, and remarked that there was but a dreary prospect for her at -present; but that in summer she would find the grounds very pretty. - -Immediately under the windows the men were sweeping the snow from a -broad terrace. Beyond that, lay a wide lawn, dotted with clumps of -shrubs, and skirted by magnificent cedars, whose boughs lay darkly upon -the whitened grass. - -Margaret was sure the garden must be beautiful in summer. She wished to -know if there were many flower-beds, and whereabouts the violets grew, -and the lilies of the valley. - -Mr. Grey was very much amused by her questions, though he hardly knew -how to answer them; but as he had some curiosity in his turn, he asked -her, as they sat at breakfast, what made her wish to read Josephus, and -whether she had not learned Sacred History at school? - -"Yes," she said, "but that consisted of Bible stories, which she had -rather read from the Bible itself. She had heard of Josephus, and she -thought she should find there what she wanted to know of the Jews -between the Old and New Testaments." - -"And had she not read," Mr. Grey asked, "about the Greeks and Romans?" - -"Yes; but she wished to know something of the States which had existed -before the foundation of Rome, and particularly the Etruscans. And she -had read nothing upon Grecian art or poetry. She felt," she said, "that -she knew very little." - -Mr. Grey could not forbear a smile as he thought of Mr. Casement's -prophecy about his niece. He imagined that he should not be compelled to -call in the aid of the red-coats to amuse her, if her researches fell -upon Etruscan relics, or the dythyrambics of the early Greek bards. He -puzzled a short time in silence, and then said he had forgotten all -those things; but he would introduce her to the Vicar, who was his only -visitor except Mr. Casement; and the Vicar was a very good-natured man, -and would, he was sure, explain to her every thing she wished to know. -He only hoped she would not find herself very dull. There was a piano in -the drawing-room, and he had a fine organ in the gallery up stairs. - -"An organ!" cried Margaret, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Oh, Sir! -may I try to play on it?" - -"Yes," Mr. Grey said, "she might if the gallery was warm enough. He -would ring and ask Land if it was safe for her." - -Land's answer was satisfactory, and he was directed to wait on Miss -Capel in the gallery; and then Mr. Grey said that he was going to be -busy all the morning, and that she might walk with Land whenever she -pleased; and that Land would be very glad and proud to take care of her. - -So Margaret was left, with the beauty of a Juliet, and an old butler for -her nurse, to do as she liked with herself from ten in the morning till -seven at night. But what a luxury was this compared to the irksome -restraint of a school. She was her own mistress. She might learn what -she pleased, walk out when she liked, go to sleep if she had a mind--and -play the organ! - -She was as impatient "as a child before some festival" till she had -tried this organ. The grey-haired servant smiled to see her stand -chafing her hands with eagerness, her parted lips disclosing her -glittering teeth, as he pulled out the stops, and prepared the noble -instrument. - -"And who ever plays on it here, Land?" asked Margaret, as she took her -place before the keys. - -"Nobody but Mr. Warde, our Vicar, Miss Capel," said the butler, -"sometimes he comes here and runs over a few psalm tunes." - -"Is he an old man?" - -"Yes, Miss Capel, older than Mr. Grey." - -"Perhaps he will tell me how to use these pedals. Do you know what that -note is?" - -"No, Ma'am, I do not." - -"Well, I will leave alone the pedals, give me Judas Maccabæus, that thin -book; and let me have the trumpet stop. Oh, dear, it is all trumpet! -What shall I do for a bass?" - -"Take the choir-organ, Miss Capel." - -"So I will, you do know something about it. What is this thing? A swell? -Oh! this is what we should call a pedal. I see I shall make nothing of -it by myself. I'll try if I can play Luther's hymn." - -"Very well--very well; a little too staccato, young lady. Keep your left -hand down." - -Margaret sprang from the organ in a panic. Mr. Grey had brought Mr. -Warde to see her. But he was such a delightful looking old man, with -long white hair falling over his collar, and such a benevolent -expression of face, that Margaret felt acquainted with him directly. He -gave her a good lesson on the organ to her great delight. Let her into -the secret of stops, and pedals and swell, and told her she was the -quickest scholar he had ever had; and yet he had taught quick pupils -too. "That young man, Mr. Haveloc," he said, turning to Mr. Grey, "who -had such a fancy for the organ; it was surprising how he improved in -those few months he spent with you. What has become of him lately?" - -Mr. Grey said he believed he was on his road to England. - -Mr. Warde, who was seated at the organ, began to play the Kyrie of one -of Mozart's Masses. Talking of Mr. Haveloc, he said, had put him in mind -of it--it had been one of his favourite movements. He had a taste for -the highest order of musical composition, that seemed to be very rare -among Englishmen, indeed, Mr. Warde said, he had thought him full of -fine qualities. - -"A mingled yarn," said Mr. Grey. - -"So we are all," said Mr. Warde, "so we are all." He glanced at Margaret -as he spoke, and seeing her seated in one of the deep window seats, -looking eagerly through a volume of Masses, he took it for granted that -she was out of hearing, while she listened in breathless silence to -every word of the conversation that followed. - -"And now that he has left Florence," said Mr. Warde, "I trust we may -conclude that the influence of that designing woman has ceased." - -"No doubt," replied Mr. Grey, uneasily. He did not seem as if he liked -referring to the subject, and he began to pull out the stops and put -them in again, as if his thoughts were occupied by one engrossing topic. - -"How greatly the world fails in its measurement of a character like -his," said Mr. Warde. - -"True--true," returned Mr. Grey. - -"Proud, susceptible, extreme in every thing, and easily deceived from -the very integrity of his own nature. I can scarcely picture to myself a -character more likely to become the dupe of an unprincipled woman; for -while her vanity prompted her to make him her slave, he firmly believed -that her heart was devoted to him, and a mistaken sense of justice -impelled him to return her supposed regard." - -"You know that he did not elope with her," said Mr. Grey. - -"So I heard," replied Mr. Warde; "but it was said that the husband -intercepted them." - -"Her tame husband," remarked Mr. Grey, "there was no duel." - -"Thank God for that!" said Mr. Warde, "matters were quite bad enough." - -All this passed in a very low voice, but Margaret listened with all her -might, and caught nearly the whole of the discourse. The iniquitous -conversation of a boarding-school had rendered her no stranger to -histories like the present; but she had rather considered them in the -light of improper fictions, which it was very naughty in the girls to -talk about, than as some of the actual occurrences of life, such as -might be discussed by two grave old men like those before her. She -looked at the music-book which she held in her hand, and seeing the name -of Claude Haveloc on the title-page, she laid it aside, and resolved to -play from her own music in future. She was in many respects a remarkable -little creature. - -It might be reckoned one of the greatest advantages of her earlier life, -that she had not been sent to school until the death of her mother, -which took place when she was fourteen years old. Until that time she -had been well and delicately brought up. Her father, a Colonel in the -Company's service, had sent her to a highly respectable school, -intending at the end of three years to return to England, and place her -at the head of his house; but not long afterwards, he was killed in an -engagement under circumstances that in Europe would have exalted his -name to the stars, but which never transpired beyond the confines of the -distant province in which it took place; if we except a brief and -inaccurate statement in the papers, coupled with a hasty regret that the -Company should have lost an efficient servant. - -The school he had chosen for his daughter was a religious and remarkably -select academy; but there were plenty of spare minutes during the day, -when the young ladies could tell each other who had looked at them at -church, and who they could not help smiling at when they took their -daily walk. While the girls were discussing the eyes and waistcoats of -the young men they knew by sight, Saint Margaret, as she was called, -would steal away to her books, and endeavour by study to drive from her -head the trifling conversations that went on around her. - -Still, histories like the one hinted at, possessed to her imagination a -fearful interest. She regarded Love as a mysterious agency which swept -into its vortex all those who suffered themselves to approach its -enchanted confines. She imagined that the first steps to this delusion -might be avoided; but that once entranced, the helpless victim followed -the steps of the blind leader through danger, or neglect, or guilt, -without the will or the power to shake off its deadly influence. She had -much to learn and to unlearn. - -"But what was that affair in Calabria? Not another entanglement, I -hope," said Mr. Warde, content in seeing Margaret still at the window -arranging her books. - -"Oh! that was a harmless affair enough," said Mr. Grey; "if you mean -that encounter with the brigands?" - -"I heard something of brigands," said Mr. Warde, "and something about a -lady and her daughter." - -"Aye--aye! the lady and daughter had taken shelter in a hut, having -received intelligence that there were brigands on the road. It was a -lonely spot, and you may suppose that Haveloc and his servant, chancing -to come up at the time, were pressed into their service. The brigands -were as good as their word, and did come; but found the hut so well -lined that they marched off again. Still, in the scramble, Haveloc was -hurt by a shot from one of their carbines, which I dare say rendered him -very interesting in the eyes of the ladies. I think he mentioned in one -of his letters to me, that he fell in again with them at Sorrento; but I -imagine that they were nothing more than a passing acquaintance. That -was before his stay at Florence." - -"Oh, yes! a very satisfactory version of the business," said Mr. Warde; -"but I must now be going. I have a sick person to visit. Good bye, Miss -Capel. I expect you to be wonderfully improved by the time I come -again." - -Margaret rose, bade the old gentleman good bye, and offered him her best -thanks for his kind instructions. - -As soon as she was left alone, she began to think over all she had -heard. She felt as if she had been transplanted into the regions of -romance--so strange was it to think that Mr. Grey actually knew somebody -who had defended two ladies against an attack of brigands, and been -wounded in the contest. This somebody, it was true, was very wicked; but -still so very brave, that she could not but admit she should like to see -him of all things. She thought he must resemble one of Byron's heroes, -and she detected herself wondering whether he had blue eyes or brown. - -She was interrupted in her reverie by Land, who begged to know whether -she would like to walk; and advised her to wrap up very warm, for it was -a bitter frost. - -Her heart beat with delight as she hurried on her furs, and ran down the -great staircase to meet her old escort. She felt free as air, she could -walk exactly which way she liked, with only a servant behind her, -instead of being linked arm-in-arm during the whole promenade with some -young lady, who was uninteresting if not disagreeable as a companion. It -was as Land had predicted, a bitter frost; her breath whitened her veil, -and the ground felt like granite under her feet. Every thing around had -been transformed, as Ariel says, "into something rich and strange." The -trees stood like coral groves; every branch thickly crusted with -sparkling crystals; every brook was ice-bound; every roof pendant with -icicles. The sharp air seemed filled with a visible brightness. The -pale blue sky appeared to have receded into a farther distance, and the -silent fields and hill-side deserted by the grazing flocks, presented an -unbroken extent of dazzling snow. Margaret bounded forward with an -elasticity of spirit that seemed as if it could never tire. She could -not sympathise with old Land when he begged her to walk a little slower; -but she wrapped her furs more closely round her, and complied. She had a -thousand questions to ask as they proceeded. She must know who lived in -every house they passed, and the direction of every road and narrow lane -that crossed the highway. - -Mr. Land passed over the village dwellings very slightly; but when they -came in view of a large white house standing on the river-side with -broad lawns and clustering elms, he pointed it out to her with an air of -great dignity. - -"That seat, Chirke Weston, belongs to Captain Gage. Quite the gentleman, -Miss Capel." - -The father of the young Gages who disliked Mr. Casement. Margaret -looked with much interest at the white walls of the house. - -"They are expecting home, Mr. Hubert," said Land, "such a fine young -gentleman. A sailor like his father--they are a fine family. Miss Gage -is the handsomest young lady in the county." - -Margaret felt interested in the Gage family, she begged Land to point -out to her where they sat at church, that she might know them by sight. -They came to some fields which took them another way to Ashdale. - -"Is this field, my uncle Grey's?" asked Margaret, "what a large pond! I -say, Land, when I was a little girl I could skate very well. Could you -get me a pair of skates? I will give you the money." - -Land looked very grave; but Margaret coaxed and begged so much, that he -said he would see about it; and the next morning a small pair of skates -was laid beside her shoes outside her bed-room door. - -The frost continued: she hurried over her organ practice; and went down -to the pond with Land. Her skates were on in a moment; and had there -been any spectators, they might have enjoyed the sight of an old man -holding a young lady's muff and boa, while she amused herself by -skimming over the ice. She was never weary. Poor old Land walked up and -down the side of the pond with his hands in her muff, wishing every -minute that she would bring her sport to a conclusion, until he was -forced to tell her that his time was up, for he had to go in and see to -the cleaning of the plate. The next day she managed to go out earlier, -for the frost was still hard, and she determined to make the most of it -while it lasted. - -She excited the unqualified approbation of Land by her performance, for, -as she bade him observe, she was fairly getting into practice. - -She flew round the pond, and across, and back, until he was almost tired -of watching her. - -"Miss Capel--Miss Capel! quick! here comes Mr. Casement," cried Land, -but Margaret was careering round the pond and did not hear him. - -"Miss Capel! Bless the child, he will go and say all sorts of things to -Mr. Grey. Oh, dear me! Miss Margaret--" - -"Well, Land, what is the matter? You look in such a bustle. You don't -mean to say the ice is giving way?" - -"Mr. Casement is coming across the field, that's all, Miss Capel." - -"Oh! I don't care for him--horrid old man! Just look how nicely I can -turn this corner." - -Mr. Casement passed through the field on his way to the house, and -Margaret continued her skating with great eagerness. - -Presently a footman was seen running towards the pond followed by the -gardener's boy at a little distance; then appeared the fat coachman, -and, in the farthest distance, Mr. Grey himself. - -The footman, quite out of breath, brought his master's compliments, and -he begged Miss Capel to come off the ice: then up came the boy, -grinning, but saying nothing, then the coachman toiled up, and said that -master was in a mortal fright lest the young lady had come to any harm; -and informed Mr. Land, aside, "as how that cankered old toad, Casement, -had been telling master a pack of lies about a thaw;" and by the time -Margaret had disengaged the straps of her skates from her little feet, -Mr. Grey had reached her all in a tremble, and taking her in his arms -had begun a gentle remonstrance on her imprudence in venturing upon thin -ice. Land came forward, and vowed that the ice was as firm as the rock -of Gibraltar, and recommended, in proof thereof, that the fat coachman -and the gardener's boy should cross the pond arm-in-arm. But Mr. Grey's -fears once excited, could not so easily be set at rest; if the ice was -not thin, it would probably be slippery--not an uncommon -attribute--people had broken their limbs before now by a fall on the -ice; indeed, he was not sure that there was not a case of the kind at -present in the village, which he hoped would be a warning to Margaret -never to skate again. And seeing that she was half crying as she -resigned her skates to Land, he promised her a plum-cake for tea as the -only means that came into his head of softening the bitterness of her -disappointment. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - - The red rose medled with the white yfere, - In either cheek depeinten lively chear; - Her modest eye, - Her majesty, - Where have you seen the like but there? - - SPENSER. - - -Mr. Grey did not go to church on the Sunday after Margaret's arrival. He -very seldom ventured during the winter to encounter the cold and damp -common to most village churches at that season; from which some persons -augured that he had a bad heart, while others contented themselves by -supposing that he had a delicate chest. - -Having seen his little niece warmly packed up in the carriage, he -returned to his library to read the service to himself, and she -proceeded, with some little elevation of feeling, on her way. It was new -to her to have a carriage all to herself, to recline alone in the corner -with her feet in a carriage-mat; and to have Land to hand her out, and -carry her prayer-books to the pew-door. Having deposited Margaret and -her books, and having whispered to her that the Gages' seat was next to -hers, Land withdrew to his own part of the church. - -Presently, a tall, elderly man of imposing appearance, with an empty -sleeve, and hair touched with grey, opened the door of the Gages' seat, -and stepped back that the young lady by his side might pass in. These, -Margaret was sure, were Captain Gage and his daughter. Captain Gage cast -one quick glance from his clear blue eyes at Margaret, and then took his -seat. Miss Gage lingered a second longer, without any apparent rudeness -of manner, from a genuine reluctance to remove her eyes from so lovely a -face. Although Miss Gage was all fur and black velvet, yet her regal -figure and magnificent stature could not be mistaken. - -She was strikingly like her father, with straight features, light brown -hair, and calm, clear, full-opened blue eyes; but although it was -impossible to deny to her face the regularity of an antique statue, and -the sweetness of expression that almost always accompanies regularity, -she possessed one drawback in the eyes of Margaret; she must have been -two or three and twenty, at least, an age that to a girl of seventeen -seems to approach very near to the confines of the grave. - -Margaret possessed too correct a sense of her religious duties to spend -her time in watching her neighbours, but as they sat just in front of -her, she could not raise her eyes without seeing them; and before church -was over, she had become perfectly acquainted with Miss Gage's -appearance, from the large ruby that flashed on her white hand, to the -purple prayer-book inlaid with silver in which she looked out all the -places for her father. - -Mr. Grey was very much amused by her account of what she had seen when -she came home. He was very careful that she should have plenty of -sandwiches, and hot wine and water for luncheon to counteract the cold -of the church, and sat listening and smiling to hear her describe Miss -Gage's velvet pelisse and little ermine muff. He saw plainly, he told -her, that she would like a black velvet gown herself. Margaret coloured -and laughed, but could not deny the fact, and the next morning after -breakfast, he told Land to go over to the next town and get one. - -"Ready made, Sir?" asked Land, endeavouring to impress upon his mind the -exact height of his young lady. - -"No, no, Land; black velvet enough to make a gown for a lady. That is -the way, is it not, my darling?" - -Margaret was profuse in her thanks, and was beginning to imagine what a -grand appearance she should make, in it; when Mr. Grey told her, after -looking at her attentively with a smile, that it would make her look -like a little old woman. Her unfortunate height was one great obstacle -to her enjoyment. - -Once when she was out walking with Land, she met the Gages. Captain Gage -was pacing leisurely up and down before a cottage, sometimes looking -sharply up into the sky as if watching the weather; and just before -Margaret came up, Miss Gage joined her father from the inside of the -cottage, and said, "I have kept you waiting unmercifully, to-day, my -dear father, but she was so very ill." - -"Ill, was she, poor old soul!" said Captain Gage, "take care that she -has all she wants. Give me your basket, Bessy." - -But Bessy would not give her father her basket, and they walked out of -hearing. - -Margaret grew to be interested in the Gages; she liked to hear all Land -had to tell her in their daily walks about them; and as Captain Gage -divided with Mr. Grey the honour of being the greatest person in that -neighbourhood, he paid the usual penalty of greatness, and could not -stir abroad, or stay at home without having his doings registered. Land -knew to an hour when the ship in which Mr. Hubert was second Lieutenant -arrived at Plymouth, and when Captain Gage set out to meet his son, and -accompany him home. He was likewise well informed as to whether Miss -Gage drove out in the chariot or the britschka, and how many people were -staying at Chirke Weston. - -This sort of gossip was certainly not the best thing for Margaret, and -it was contrary to her habits to seek for such amusement; but she felt a -kind of interest in the family, particularly in Miss Gage, that she -could hardly explain to herself. - -With regard to her own occupations, she played the organ, she read -history, particularly the books that Mr. Warde either recommended or -lent; as she could not skate, she walked with Land every morning, and -after luncheon Mr. Grey's carriage was at her service if she chose to -drive out. She was quite a little Queen in the house; she had only to -express a wish, and it was fulfilled. She had a very skillful maid -entirely for herself, her dressing-room was fitted up in a style of -elegance that might have served a duchess; in short, her uncle did not -quite know, as Mr. Casement told him, how to spoil her enough. It may be -supposed that she became exceedingly attached to him, in the evening she -sang to him, or sat on a low stool by his side, telling him all the -little pieces of news she might have heard during the day, or relating -with equal interest the historic tales that she was reading, or exciting -his sympathy, by a detail of the uncomfortable period she had passed at -school. - -It happened one morning that Margaret walked down to the Vicarage with -Land to exchange a volume of history she had borrowed, and when she was -shown into Mr. Warde's morning room, she found him talking earnestly -with Miss Gage. - -"I beg your pardon," said Margaret, drawing back, "I did not know you -were busy." - -"Oh! come in, come in, little one," said Mr. Warde, "we were talking no -secrets. Ah! you want the second volume. Why, what a reader you are!" - -"And will you not come nearer the fire, while our good friend is finding -your book?" said Miss Gage to Margaret. - -"Thank you," returned Margaret, drawing towards the fire, and ungloving -her beautiful hands. - -"Do you like this cold weather?" asked Miss Gage, kindly. - -"Yes, when it is a hard frost," returned Margaret; "but I am looking -forward very much to summer time." - -"You will find the neighbourhood beautiful in spring," said Miss Gage, -"and I think Mr. Grey has the prettiest place in the county." - -"I am glad of that," said Margaret, "I have not half explored it yet." - -"I dare say you have plenty of amusements in-doors," said Miss Gage, "I -am sure you have an unfailing one if you are fond of reading." - -"Yes, reading and music," said Margaret, "and the house is kept so warm, -that I can play wherever I like on wet days." - -"And what do you play at?" asked Miss Gage. - -"Battledore," said Margaret, blushing as she made the confession; "but -it is rather stupid with only one player." - -"You will give this note to Mr. Grey, little one," said Mr. Warde, -returning to Margaret with her book, "and make good haste home, or you -are likely to be caught in the rain. And now, Miss Elizabeth, I have -done your bidding." - -"Thank you very much for your kindness," said Miss Gage, as she shook -hands with him. Then turning to Margaret with a sweet smile and a bow, -she said, "I hope it may happen that we shall be better acquainted with -each other." - -Margaret endeavoured to say a few words expressive of her pleasure in -the idea; and then hurried off to Land with her book and note. - -Now Miss Gage had begged Mr. Warde to write to Mr. Grey, that she might -know whether it would be agreeable to him that she should make the -acquaintance of his niece. He was recognised as such a determined -invalid by all the country round, that she never thought of calling upon -Margaret, taking it for granted that such a step would be an intrusion -upon Mr. Grey's habits. But she wished much to show her every attention -in her power, from a sincere desire to make her happier than she was -likely to be if always shut up with a nervous old man for her only -companion; and from a hope that her society might be of some advantage -to a girl so much younger than herself; for Margaret was right, Miss -Gage was turned of two-and-twenty. - -For acts of disinterested kindness are not quite so frequent as good -people imagine, nor yet so uncommon as selfish people, who never perform -them, would fain make out. The pitiful phrase of nothing for nothing -being unceasingly used by those sorry persons, who give nothing, it is -true; but who invariably take all they can pillage, or beg from every -human being they approach. - -Mr. Grey accepted Miss Gage's kind advances with much gratitude, and she -immediately wrote to ask Margaret to dine with her the next day, that -they might lose no time in becoming acquainted with each other. Margaret -was equally pleased; to be sure, the idea of going to a strange house -all alone was rather formidable, but there was a sweetness in Miss -Gage's manner that gave her some confidence. However, the day was not -to be one of unmixed satisfaction, for Mr. Casement came to dinner; and -she was obliged to take his arm into the dining-room instead of her -uncle's, and as they were crossing the hall, he asked her if she did not -wish he was a nice young man; which question had the desired effect of -making her blush, though she longed to tell him that it would be a great -gain if he could be changed into any thing that was nice, young or old. -Then he began to teaze her about her skating, which she bore in silence -till Mr. Grey interfered, and begged him to talk of something else, -which request he complied with immediately by changing his point of -attack, and laughing at her dress, which was in the fashion of the day, -and consequently quite different from any thing that his "old woman" -wore. - -This strain of banter, Mr. Grey interrupted by mentioning Miss Gage's -kind invitation. - -"Oho!" said Mr. Casement, "then there are some hopes for you, little -woman." - -The very manner in which he uttered the interjection, oho! with a little -jerk at the end, was unpleasing to Margaret: she sat with her beautiful -lips compressed, resolved to be silent. - -"It is particularly kind in Miss Gage," said Mr. Grey, "knowing the -state of my health to be so bad." - -"There is nothing the matter with your health, I am sure," said Mr. -Casement, "you will live to be a hundred!" - -Mr. Grey smiled quietly, and made no reply. - -"It is all nerves--what are nerves? Don't tell me!" said Mr. Casement. - -Mr. Grey did not seem at all inclined to tell him; and Margaret, rising -pettishly from the table, pushed her chair back, and her dessert plate -forward, and turned about to leave the room. - -"Going, little woman?" said Mr. Casement, "going to sit in state in the -drawing-room, and play at being grown up?" - -"Going away from you, Sir;" returned Margaret, taking courage from being -almost outside the door. - -Mr. Grey laughed; although he tolerated Mr. Casement's caustic remarks -from very long habit, he was not at all sorry that any other person -should be less forbearing. - -Meantime Margaret had much to think about as she sat over her -embroidery; she was considering first, how she should be dressed on the -morrow, and next, how she should behave. Her one anxiety was always to -conceal her shyness, which she did beneath a repose of manner that -deceived almost every one. - -When the gentlemen joined her at tea-time, Mr. Grey was in excellent -spirits. The evening post had brought him a letter from Mr. Haveloc, -announcing his arrival in England, and saying he would be at Ashdale in -a day or two. He was very much attached to his former ward, and the -idea of seeing him so soon gave him great satisfaction; he could not -avoid expressing this feeling several times, unawed by Mr. Casement's -satirical glances, which were alternately directed to Mr. Grey and to -Margaret. She heard the news with anything but pleasure. It would -materially alter her comfort and freedom to have any one staying in the -house; and she forgot Mr. Haveloc's picturesque encounter with the -brigands while musing on the annoyances she was likely to experience -during his visit to Ashdale. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - - She is a child in years, - And though in wit a woman, yet her heart - Untempered by the discipline of pain - Is fancy led. - - TAYLOR. - - -Margaret felt terribly shy as the carriage stopped at the Gages' door. -Not all the beautiful basket-work of her elaborate plaits of hair; not -even the long coveted black velvet which set off to so much advantage -her snowy neck and shoulders; not the pearly delicacy of her white and -silver gloves could reconcile her to the distress of entering the -drawing-room alone. She was tremblingly alive to everything; to the -stately appearance of the hall with its marble columns, and the -beautiful exotic creepers trained round them; the powerful scent of the -choice hot-house plants; the pompous manner of the servants, who took -her cloak from her; and when the drawing-room door was thrown open, she -did not see distinctly anything within, so overpowering was her shyness. -But Miss Gage met her almost on the threshold, took both her hands in -hers, and welcomed her so kindly and yet so calmly, that she felt quite -happy. - -Captain Gage came forward, shook hands frankly with Margaret, and asked -after Mr. Grey's health; and then Miss Gage turned round and presented -her brother to Margaret. She saw then for the first time that he had -been standing on the hearth-rug beside his father. Indeed, it would not -have been particularly easy to have long overlooked him. All the Gages -were on a large scale, and Hubert Gage was as like his father and sister -as it was possible to be, except that his blue eyes had more of mischief -than Elizabeth's, and it may be said, rather less intelligence. Like -her, he had light brown hair of that silken texture which is stirred -with every breath of wind, straight features, and a fine upright -carriage which joined to his unusual height would have given an air of -great dignity to his deportment, but that his manner partook of that -restless enjoyment, and that careless frankness which is still not -uncommon among men of his fine profession. Directly Margaret was named -to him, he shook hands with her as if he took it for granted she was -somebody he ought to recollect very well, and sat down beside her. - -"I am very sorry to hear that Mr. Grey has become such an invalid," he -said, "when I was last at home he did not shut himself up in this way." - -"I did not know my uncle till lately," said Margaret, "but I understood -he was always in delicate health." - -"So he was," remarked Miss Gage, "but as Hubert had the full range of -his orchards, and preserves, and sometimes met his kind old friend -walking on the terrace, he never had an idea that there could be -anything the matter with him." - -"A pretty couple you were to be turned loose upon an invalid," said -Captain Gage, "you and Claude Haveloc." - -"I am sure we always behaved admirably," said Hubert, "all the old women -in the parish used to hold us up as a pattern to every mischievous -urchin who plagued them. Did they not, Bessy?" - -"I never heard it before," said Elizabeth, laughing. - -"I allow we got into a scrape with the poachers," said Hubert; "poor Mr. -Grey was really frightened then." - -"You came home on a pair of shutters. Did not you?" asked Captain Gage. - -"Not so bad as that," replied Hubert; "but Haveloc had his arm broken. -You know Bessy, how I used to teaze him about it. I always declared that -one of the poachers struck at him with a broomstick." - -"And did they?" asked Margaret, with wide opened eyes. - -"No. It was the stock of a gun, I believe," said Hubert Gage, looking at -her with much complacency: "but if you had ever seen Claude Haveloc you -could imagine how little he would enjoy such an undignified -catastrophe." - -"And poor Mr. Grey gave up game-keepers ever after," said Elizabeth, -"and entirely neglected his fine preserves. He was so shocked at the -danger two silly boys had brought upon themselves." - -"And Claude got a shot in the shoulder in that adventure with the -bandits," said Hubert; "some people have the luck of it." - -"Your father to wit," said Captain Gage. - -Margaret noticed the proud admiring glance that Hubert Gage threw on his -father as he spoke; but at that moment dinner was announced. Captain -Gage came up to her and offered his arm; Hubert Gage whispered something -in her ear about his father cutting him out, which did not lessen the -tints on her cheek, and then fell back and led his sister from the room. - -At dinner, Margaret sat with perfect tranquillity listening to the -conversation, and replying quietly to everything said to her. Hubert was -exactly opposite to her, and though she seldom lifted her eyes to him, -she felt that he was looking at her much more constantly than he ought. -She was a rapid observer of character, a faculty common to shy people; -for the very sensitiveness which occasions that feeling, quickens their -perception of the qualities of others. She detected that Hubert Gage, -with a great deal of candour and good-nature, had but little -enthusiasm--his father had tenfold more ardour in his composition, even -at his age. He was anxious that no one should be able to discover that -he was a sailor by his language or appearance; took the greatest pains -that his dress should not betray the secret; never used a technical -term; affected not to know which way the wind was; and prided himself -with some reason upon his horsemanship; and this not because he had the -least dislike to his profession, but from an idea that it was vulgar to -display any traces of it. - -Elizabeth was talking to Margaret about some book she was reading, when -she caught something her brother was saying to her father, and paused to -listen. - -"What did you say, Hubert, about Sir Philip?" she asked. - -"That he is to undertake this survey," he replied; "he has scarcely -returned before he will go out again. Before I landed, he was on his -road to London for his instructions, and he will be off I dare say in a -few days. Just the thing for him, Bessy." - -"Very unwise in his state of health," said Captain Gage. - -"Oh, Sir! pray let him kill himself his own way," said Hubert, laughing; -"he enjoys it amazingly." - -"I wonder at you, Hubert," said Miss Gage, "such an honour as you ought -to feel it to have sailed under such a Captain." - -"It is an honour I am very willing to resign," said her brother, -laughing still more, "we were always on the best of terms, but I don't -much like him." - -Elizabeth regarded her brother in speechless amazement. Had he said he -did not like King William IV., she would hardly have thought the remark -more treasonable. Sir Philip d'Eyncourt, whose ship was a model ship, -whose scientific knowledge was quoted as infallible; who had been her -father's favourite officer; who had seen real service; who had been -shipwrecked in a romantic manner, on a romantic island; who was going -out to make a survey, when he ought to have come home for his health; -who pursued his profession after he had succeeded to a baronetcy, and a -large estate; who knew how to manage his crew, a very different thing -from commanding them. However, as she was struck quite dumb, she was -unable to inquire of her brother whether he was in the enjoyment of his -right senses. - -"Oh, look at Bessy!" exclaimed Hubert, "I forgot that Sir Philip was her -hero." - -"Never mind, Bessy," said her father; "I like Sir Philip, let that -content you." - -Miss Gage smiled her approval of this sentiment; and nothing further -occurred until she left the table with Margaret. - -"I must do the honours of my own sitting-room to you," said Miss Gage, -as she ushered Margaret into a room plainly furnished; but adorned with -abundant book-shelves, and a few pictures and busts. There was a round -table of green marble between the windows, on which stood a small bust -of Lord Nelson in white composition under a glass. Two masterly water -colour sketches of Captain Gage, and of Hubert, her favourite brother, -hung over the mantelpiece. She showed these to Margaret with a calm -pride in her eye and voice, that pretty plainly discovered the -estimation in which she held them. If she had a weakness, it was her -ardent admiration of the navy. If she could have been brought to -confession, I believe she would have owned that she thought it a -contemptible waste of time in any man to adopt another profession, if he -could by any means go on board a ship. She adored her father, not only -with the affection which so delightfully attaches parent and child; but -with a boundless admiration, a devoted pride, that made her seriously -consider him unequalled in character both private and professional. She -told Margaret of the engagement in which her father had lost his arm:--a -desperate encounter with a French ship shortly before the close of the -war. - -"They tell me," she said, "that his arm might have been saved, if he -would have consented to leave the deck in time; but he knew his presence -was needful, and he remained until the Frenchman struck. My -father--there was always an accent on the word--would fight his ship as -long as he had a stick standing, and then blow it up, rather than -strike his colours. I am glad he lost his arm!" - -Margaret shuddered, and looked with wonder at Elizabeth, who stood with -her bright eye kindled as if she were quite equal to perform the actions -she applauded. Yet there was nothing masculine or ungraceful in her -emotion. The phrases she used were those she had alone heard employed -from her childhood to describe certain transactions, and she would have -found it difficult to allude to them in other terms. - -"But I must show you my other brothers," said Miss Gage, "or you will -call me an unnatural sister." - -She opened two miniature cases which lay on the table. - -These were the "troopers" Mr. Casement had mentioned. George Gage stared -arrogantly out of the ivory over an immense pair of very light -moustaches, and Everard stood looking so exceedingly languid, that he -threatened to drop into the background altogether. Miss Gage clasped -them up, rather carelessly, as Margaret thought, and then held a taper -to the bust of Nelson. "That is my hero, of course," she said, "that, -and the gallant King Christian IV.; here is a small oil painting of his -Danish Majesty. Have you read Carlyle on 'Hero Worship?'" - -"No," Margaret said, "she feared she had read very little. It was so -difficult to find books, or time to pursue any study at school but those -assigned to you." - -"I do believe," said Miss Gage, "that you are wise enough to begin your -education just where everybody ought to begin it; as soon as other -people have done teaching you." - -"I have need to begin it," said Margaret looking round on the -book-shelves. "How much you know! Here are books in--how many -languages?" - -"Oh!" said Miss Gage smiling, "I should never measure a person's -knowledge by the languages, or the accomplishments they happen to have -learned." - -Margaret looked inquiringly at her, but had not courage to ask for an -explanation of so strange a remark. She knew that at school a girl who -learned German was thought more highly of than one who only learned -French, and one who played the guitar took precedence of the young lady -who only paid for lessons on the piano. - -"I mean," said Miss Gage, "that the education which is of most value to -us through life, is that which teaches us to think and act with judgment -and integrity, which is quite independent of the knowledge of Spanish -and German, or of any accomplishment, however pleasing." - -This was a new idea to Margaret, but before she could make any -observation upon it, a servant came to let them know that coffee was -ready, and they went immediately to the drawing-room. - -After tea, Hubert Gage asked his sister for some music. - -"Will you have the harp?" said Miss Gage ringing the bell, "I will just -give my father his book, and then play what you like. My harp, Davis." - -"Why don't you keep it down here?" asked her brother. - -"Ah! you know nothing of female politics," said Miss Gage, smiling; "the -young ladies like me a great deal better for keeping my harp, and some -other things in the background." - -"But the young gentlemen don't;" said Hubert, as he stood leaning on the -harp. - -"I am very sorry," said Miss Gage laughing, "I cannot arrange it to -please all parties; but in society where every one is anxious to play a -prominent part, I feel it to be a real kindness not to take up their -time by my performances." - -"Don't you think Bessy spoils me?" asked Captain Gage of Margaret, as -his daughter found the place in his book, and arranged the wax lights -beside his chair. - -She had not courage to make any other reply than a blush and a laugh. - -"After all, Bessy, I am half tired of this book," said Captain Gage, "I -shall never have patience to get through it. Have you seen it?" he -asked, holding out the volume to Margaret. It was the 'Tour to the -Sepulchres of Etruria.' - -She could hardly read it aright in her impatience. Here was undoubtedly -all she wanted to know--she would be able to find out at last who the -Etruscans were. - -Elizabeth smiled, and told her when her father had made up his mind not -to finish it, which she foresaw would be very soon, she would send it to -her. "But," she said, "you must not expect too much; this is an account -of a lady's visit to some tombs. There is but little information -regarding the people, except what may be inferred from the degree of -excellence they displayed in the decoration of their sepulchres." - -"But you know, Bessy," said her brother, "that a people's progress in -art is the best standard you can have of their degree of civilization." - -"Yes; if you had looked upon them as a barbarous race," said Miss Gage -to Margaret, "you will find sufficient proof in this book that you had -not done them justice." - -"Why, Bessy," said Hubert, "no Ph[oe]nician colony ever was, or could -be, in a state of barbarism." - -"Assuming that they were Ph[oe]nicians," said Elizabeth. - -"There can be no doubt of that," returned her brother, "their character -is sufficient evidence of their origin. The old Greek character, written -from right to left, after the fashion of the Ph[oe]nicians." - -Elizabeth unlocked a cabinet, and took out a gold serpent-ring--she -showed it to Margaret as an undoubted Etruscan relic, which her brother -had brought her from Rome. Margaret looked at it with great -reverence--it was thick and heavy, and the gold was of a dull -colour--not like the bright trinkets in a jeweller's shop; but it was -delightful to hold in her hand something that was two thousand years -old. - -Miss Gage went on to talk of the circlets of gold leaves found in some -of the tombs; of the city of C[oe]re, and the origin of the Vestal -Virgins; and the degree of religious knowledge enjoyed by the Etruscans; -and Hubert took pencil and paper, and sketched for Margaret one of the -allegorical processions painted on the wall in the tombs; taking care to -exaggerate, as much as possible, the evil spirits which figure in those -decorations. - -Margaret listened earnestly--she was afraid to lose a word--it was not -to her a dry narrative of facts, but a dim unfolding of the pages of a -gorgeous and mystical romance. A people so magnificent, and of whom no -written literature remains, appeared to her so contradictory and so -tantalising, that she longed to seize the book at once, and never rest -until she had read it through. She hoped Miss Gage would say something -more on the subject, but just then Elizabeth saw Captain Gage trying to -open one of the illustrations in his book, and she went to his chair to -help him. Margaret noticed that Miss Gage was always on the watch, and -whenever her father was at a loss, from having only one hand, she -supplied the deficiency; and that so quickly and quietly that few people -would have been aware of it. - -"Now for your harp, Bessy," said her brother, "we had forgotten all -about it." - -"Because we have been better employed;" said Miss Gage, placing herself -at the harp; "music is always a _pis aller_; when people cannot talk, -they very naturally have recourse to a noise." - -Margaret could not echo this remark: she loved music from her heart, and -she sat absorbed in the sweet sounds, quite unconscious this time that -Hubert Gage's eyes were fixed upon her face. Elizabeth played -splendidly--better than any young lady at her school, and without a -book. She sat watching her fine marble hand and arm as she stilled the -harp-strings, and began to fancy that she should like to play the harp -instead of the organ. - -Hubert Gage pressed her very much to play in her turn, but she declined -with a feeling of panic that almost made her giddy; and Elizabeth, at -her request, sung her a ballad. It was the first time she had ever heard -a song _spoken_, if the phrase may be applied to vocal music, and it -moved her almost to tears. Hubert asked her if Bessy did not sing very -well, and Margaret, lifting up her dewy eyes, said, "beautifully!" and -looked so beautiful when she said it, that he leaned across to his -sister, and declared that there was not upon the face of the earth such -an exquisite little creature as her friend. - -Miss Gage rose from the harp, and they sat round the fire for a chat, -but there was no time for any more conversation, for Margaret's carriage -was announced. - -Captain Gage told her that she must soon come to see Bessy again. -Elizabeth took an affectionate leave of her, and Hubert led her into the -hall and wrapped her cloak all round her, much as one would muffle up a -little child, talking and laughing all the time, and stopping to gather -her flowers from the creepers in the hall in the intervals of handing -her gloves, and winding her boa round her neck. He then went to the -door, and assuring her that it was a hard frost, he offered her a cloak -of his own, which she had some difficulty in preventing him from putting -on, and which he absolutely insisted on throwing to the bottom of the -carriage to keep her feet warm. - -Margaret drove off a little taller than she was before. She wondered -what the girls at school would have said if they had heard a young man -declare he thought her an exquisite creature. She believed nobody -thought her so at school. Girls had often told her that young men had -quite looked at them, and squeezed their hands at a Christmas dance, -but she wondered whether they ever threw their cloaks at their feet, -almost like Sir Walter Raleigh and Queen Elizabeth. She had learned some -few things that evening. She had spent several hours with a young lady -who had not acquired a proficiency in an accomplishment for the sake of -exhibiting to her acquaintance, but in order to make her home cheerful. -Miss Gage had never asked her for a list of the things she had learned, -a list so important to school girls who graduate, by its length, their -good opinion of every girl they met. - -Margaret had always a thirst for knowledge, and she felt more desirous -than ever to cultivate her intellect, now that she found how agreeable -it was to converse, or to listen to persons who talked well. She was -ashamed to think that she did not know who King Christian was; she had -been hurried, when at school, through a compressed History of England, -but there had been no hurry in the way she had journeyed through -Chaulieu's and Czerney's Exercises. Once impressed with the importance -of acquiring information, she determined that nothing should divert her -from a steady course of application. - -In the midst of these reflections the carriage stopped, and she hastened -to the drawing-room to give Mr. Grey an account of her visit before she -went to bed. To her great vexation, she found him seated in earnest -discourse with a stranger. The candles had burned low, one of the lamps -had gone out, and the room was only half lighted. Margaret paused at the -door, but Mr. Grey called her in. - -"Come here, my child," said he, "I am afraid it is a very cold night. I -hope you have taken no chill. Claude, my niece. Well, did you pass a -pleasant evening?" - -Mr. Haveloc, on being named to Margaret, rose and bowed slightly, placed -her a chair, and returned to his own. She felt all her shyness return: -coloured, bowed without raising her eyes, and went up to Mr. Grey. - -"Well, and how are they all?" said Mr. Grey. - -Margaret, standing with her back to Mr. Haveloc, and her hand in Mr. -Grey's, felt her courage somewhat restored. "I dare say they are all -very well, Sir," she said in a low voice: "but oh! I wish you had heard -Miss Gage sing, Sir, and play on the harp; and she has such a nice -sitting-room of her own, Sir, and so many books! She is going to lend me -one about Etruria. Elizabeth wore such a beautiful nosegay, Sir, of -azaleas--sweet smelling ones. May Richard get me some azalias?" - -"Yes, my love, that he shall--to-morrow," said Mr. Grey. "And what did -you talk about?" - -"Oh! most about Etruria. I wish Miss Gage had told me some more curious -things. I think she knows more about it than Mr. Warde. He told me if he -met with some things in Livy, he would mark them and read them to me; I -wish he would. Look, Sir, I cannot think how this stain came on my -glove. Oh! I recollect: I was gathering myrtle in the green-house just -before I went." - -"What a little bit of a hand it is," said Mr. Grey, "are you sleepy, my -child?" - -"A little, Sir. Mr. Warde said he would teach me Latin, if I wished to -learn it, but I think I had better leave it alone till I know more of -other things." - -"Oh, my child! don't learn Latin whatever you do," said Mr. Grey, "it -really will--quite wrinkle her, won't it, Claude?" - -Mr. Haveloc gave a short laugh, and Margaret recollected that he was in -the room, and grew uncomfortable again. - -"Elizabeth never plays in company, do you know," said she, after a short -pause, "Is not that odd? Oh dear, Sir, what a dreadful thing it is to -have only one arm!" - -"Why, my child, Elizabeth Gage has--oh true! she is thinking of the -father--yes, very awkward indeed!" - -"Well, I shall wish you good night, uncle, I am quite tired," said -Margaret, and stooping her head a very little as she passed Mr. Haveloc, -who held open the door for her, she went up-stairs without having the -slightest idea of his personal appearance, for she had never once raised -her eyes to his face. She merely thought, as her maid brushed out her -luxuriant hair, that Mr. Hubert Gage had taken a great deal more notice -of her, and was a much more agreeable person. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - - Oh! how much more doth beauty beauteous seem, - By that sweet ornament which truth doth give! - The rose looks fair, but fairer we it deem - For that sweet odour which doth in it live. - - SHAKESPEARE. - - -The next morning when Margaret came down to breakfast, she enjoyed in -perfection all the feelings which shyness produces in very young people. - -She hoped that Mr. Haveloc would not be in the library, and that he -would not speak to her if he was there; and she tried to recollect what -people always tell very shy girls, that she was not of sufficient -importance to be taken notice of. This, by the way, is not exactly the -means best adapted to the end in view; a sense of insignificance is a -very material cause of shyness, and to strengthen this idea is one way -to confirm a person in shyness for the rest of their lives. - -Her colour mounted as she opened the door, and she was not a little -relieved to find the library vacant. - -While she was employed in making the breakfast, she saw Mr. Haveloc pass -the window apparently in deep thought. He was accompanied by a couple of -beautiful dogs, a spaniel and a setter. But he paid no attention to -their movements, except by sometimes passing his hand over their silken -heads in return for their caresses. - -A recollection of his adventures induced Margaret to regard him with -some attention, now that she was able to do so unseen. He would not have -been generally considered handsome. His forehead was remarkably massive, -and his eyes a dark hazel, capable of every variety of expression: he -was, to say the truth, very much sun-burned; and he wore his black hair, -not long, indeed, but turned inwards like a scroll, after the fashion -of some of our early Kings. There was an expression of discontent and -disdain on his face which Margaret thought very disagreeable; but at any -rate he was just as much discontented with himself as he was with other -people, and no doubt with equally good reason. - -Mr. Grey came down, and received Margaret with his usual affection, and -seeing Mr. Haveloc walking at a little distance, he called to him, and -bade him come in, saying to Margaret as he returned from the window, -"That young man now, is the only one who reminds me of what they used to -be in my young days. They are quite altered now, my dear; they are much -more selfish and calculating; they don't neglect their own interests so -much, but they neglect other people's feelings a great deal more. There -was some vice certainly; they drank hard, my dear, but they told the -truth, and that is a great blessing. I think when I was young, a man -would be ashamed to tell a falsehood. It could not be done, my dear; -they do it now every day." - -Margaret said, "Yes, Sir," to every clause in this speech, and wondered -to herself whether all the young men used to look so gloomy and -distracted as Mr. Haveloc looked when he entered the room. He bowed to -her, and she thought he said "good morning." She returned the -salutation, but not the words; and then he turned to Mr. Grey and -offered to banish his dogs, which had followed him into the room. - -"By no means," Mr. Grey said, "he liked animals about him, unless -Margaret was afraid of them." - -"Oh, Sir! I am afraid of nothing," said Margaret, smiling at Mr. Grey -under shelter of the urn. - -Whether the sentiment, or the delightful voice in which it was uttered, -struck Mr. Haveloc, is uncertain; but he moved his chair with the -intention of gaining a better view of the fair speaker. The urn was, -however, unfavourable to him, and she afforded him little more -opportunity of hearing the sound of her voice during breakfast. As soon -as breakfast was over, Mr. Haveloc asked Mr. Grey how soon it would be -possible for him to call on Mr. Warde. He had yet to learn, he said, how -these things were managed in England. - -Mr. Grey was certain that Mr. Warde would be glad to see him at any -time, such an old friend as he was. - -Mr. Haveloc asked if Mrs. Somerton and her daughters were staying at the -vicarage? - -"No," Mr. Grey said; "they had been on a visit to one of their relations -for some months." - -Margaret thought she heard Mr. Haveloc mutter a thanksgiving as he -turned away. He walked to the window and began caressing his dogs. - -"And what are you going to do, my darling?" asked Mr. Grey. - -"A great many things, Sir. First, I shall practise as soon as ever -Land--oh! come here, Land; when can you spare time to come with me to -the organ? Not before twelve--very well. I shall read till Land is ready -for me, and then--oh! dear Sir, there is Miss Gage on her beautiful grey -horse. Oh, Sir! it is not a very hard frost, it is very nearly spring. -Will you soon buy me a pony? That is to say a horse, dear uncle; I -should look so little on a pony. There is nothing in the world I wish -for so much, and it is so long to wait until spring." - -"But which is it?" said her uncle stroking down her soft thick tresses -of hair, "is it a very long, or a very short time till spring?" - -Margaret paused a little--she wished to make it appear short; but early -in February it would not do. "The truth is uncle," said she blushing -with the effort, "it is a long time." - -"Right, my child, the truth!" said Mr. Grey; "you shall have a horse as -soon as I can meet with one; only we will not ride him until the weather -is a little warmer." - -Margaret was almost speechless with delight, and had fairly forgotten -the presence of Mr. Haveloc, who stood regarding her with a smile of -such softened expression, that she would scarcely have recognised him. - -Miss Gage was riding with her brother, and when they arrived before the -house, they pulled up their horses. Hubert Gage dismounted, ran up the -hall steps, rang the bell, pushed open the door, and came into the -library without any farther ceremony. - -Mr. Grey welcomed him very warmly. He was very fond of young people, and -felt sincere pleasure in seeing him again. Mr. Haveloc came forwards -with more animation than Margaret had seen him express, shook hands -heartily with Hubert, and remarked that he was very glad their return to -England should chance at the same time. - -"Why did not you tell me he was here?" said Hubert turning to Margaret, -"when we were talking over old stories last night?" - -"I did not know it," replied Margaret. - -"Well, Bessy will not dismount, it is such a trouble to mount her -again," he said; "so she desires me to ask if you will drive out with -her after luncheon?" - -"I shall like it very much--it is very kind of her," said Margaret. "I -may, Sir?" - -"With all my heart, my child," said Mr. Grey. - -"Ay, I should first have asked your uncle, should not I?" said Hubert -laughing. "Have you been out to-day?" - -"No--not yet." - -"Oh! bless me, of course it is too early," said he, taking out a -diminutive watch, which looked more striking on him than on a person of -ordinary dimensions. "I wonder you are up at this hour." - -"You are keeping Miss Gage in the cold all this time," said Margaret. - -"So I am, but I cannot get away," he returned, looking archly at her. - -She wished she could help colouring, but the beautiful crimson stole -over her cheeks at the implied compliment. - -"Don't you think us half mad to ride in such weather?" asked Hubert. -"The truth is, I wished to see Bessy in her habit again." - -"I think it is better to ride than sit still in the cold," said -Margaret. "I shall run out, and tell Miss Gage it is not my fault." - -"You will not do any such thing," said Hubert, placing himself in the -doorway, "you shall not catch cold for my sins--I am off." - -"But Hubert," said Mr. Grey, detaining him, "will you dine with us? -Claude will be very glad, I am sure--and if you could prevail on Miss -Gage to accompany you, it would give great pleasure to my little niece." - -"I am sure Bessy will be very happy," said Hubert, "as for me, I shall -be delighted." - -This was said with a distinct bow to Margaret, which left but little -doubt of his meaning. - -"Only allow me to say to-morrow instead of to-day, because my father -goes to a county meeting to-morrow, and so--" - -"That will do just as well," said Mr. Grey, "very considerate of you, -Hubert." - -Mr. Haveloc, who had been standing with some hesitation of manner for -some moments, now took a sudden resolution, dashed down the steps, and -spoke to Miss Gage. Margaret could see from the window that she greeted -him with her usual sweetness of demeanour; and, when her brother was -mounted, that she stretched her hand out, which he took with an air of -great respect. - -Little Margaret, whose brains were somewhat active in giving to every -day occurrences the colourings of romance, fancied that their interview -was like that of a Queen with some favoured noble, and as Land's gossip -had assigned Mr. Haveloc to Miss Gage in common with a crowd of other -suitors, she fancied that, in this instance, there might be some truth -in the report. And such a wicked young man! She supposed Miss Gage did -not know the dreadful story she had heard about him. - -"What a fine young man Hubert Gage has grown," said Mr. Grey, as he -returned from the window, "the finest young man I ever saw!" - -Margaret coloured as the remark was addressed to her, and went off to -her own occupations. - -She saw nothing more of Mr. Haveloc during the morning; her studies kept -her employed until luncheon, and she had hardly finished her cold -chicken when Miss Gage's carriage drove up to the door. She put on her -bonnet in a hurry, flew into the hall, and almost ran against Mr. -Haveloc, who was coming up the steps at the moment. - -He stopped, took off his hat, and handed her into the carriage. Miss -Gage greeted her very kindly--asked her which way she would like to -drive; gave her orders; drew up the glass and drove off. - -After a few general remarks, Margaret coloured, paused, played with her -boa, and then said:-- - -"I should like to talk to you about something, if you would not think me -foolish." - -"What is it, my dear?" asked Elizabeth, taking Margaret's hand; "never -mind if it is foolish--we are all foolish sometimes." - -"It is such a plague to me, Mr. Haveloc coming," said Margaret. "It -spoils everything. I cannot talk to my uncle, or play the organ, or do -anything so comfortably now that he is in the house. I cannot stand on -the library steps, and read from the shelves;--perhaps you would laugh -at this, but you don't know the difference it makes." - -"I can very well understand that it does," said Miss Gage, "but Mr. -Haveloc's society is a great happiness to your uncle, and you must -weigh that against the embarrassment he makes you feel." - -"So I ought," said Margaret. - -"I recollect when I knew him, several years ago," said Miss Gage, -"although he possessed great powers of pleasing where he was intimate, -yet he was a little too reserved in general society." - -"And I am sure he is very proud!" said Margaret, eagerly. - -Miss Gage laughed at this remark, and made no attempt to exculpate him -from the charge: she merely added that she thought him very much altered -in appearance, but that a person of his character would be less -troublesome as an inmate, to her, than one of a more sociable -disposition, since she would very rarely be obliged to enter into -conversation with him. - -Margaret agreed to this, and the subject was dropped. - -Now, had Miss Gage chosen to exercise her wit by jesting with Margaret -upon her timidity instead of calmly talking it over, she would have -confirmed her in a silly bashfulness, as much opposed as possible to -real modesty. As it was, she felt a sort of composure from having -_talked through_ a subject she rather dreaded to mention; and her -feelings acquired an equilibrium, that very much added to her comfort -when she again encountered the person in question. But how few people -could have resisted the pleasure of laughing at a young girl about any -young man who might chance to be staying in the house. - -Mr. Warde came to dinner. Margaret was very glad to see him; but there -was so much to be talked over between him and Mr. Haveloc, that there -was little time for her to make any historical enquiries. The -conversation did not prevent Mr. Haveloc from being very attentive to -her, as far as actions went. He took the carving out of her hands--saw -that she had every thing she wanted--directed the screen to be altered -which protected her but imperfectly from the fire, and mentioned to her -that Richards had brought a whole forest of azalias into the library -while she was taking her drive; with which piece of information he began -and ended his discourse. - -She learned, during dinner, that he was very near-sighted, which -circumstance gave her great satisfaction. The certainty that he could -not distinguish her across the table, unless he took up his glass, which -she had never seen him do, gave her a confidence and a feeling of -freedom, which removed one strong objection she had felt to his -presence. - -The evening passed as usual; as they dined late, the serving of coffee -and tea nearly took up the time until they separated. Mr. Warde talked -kindly to Margaret about the books she was anxious to read, and Mr. -Haveloc played a game of piquet with Mr. Grey. When she saw how very -attentive he was to her dear uncle, she could not help wishing that he -was less wicked, but as she remarked to herself, it was no business of -hers. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - - The passions will dispense - To such a wild and rapid eloquence, - Will to the weakest mind their strength impart, - And give the tongue the language of the heart. - - CRABBE. - - -It was a very eventful day for Margaret on which Miss Gage and her -brother were to dine at Ashdale, for it might actually be termed a -party, and she was to preside at the head of the table. - -She took infinite pains with her toilet; chose her very prettiest silk, -and allowed her maid as much time as she liked to dress her hair: -instead of starting up, as she did on common occasions, after the first -half-minute, wringing into a perfect cable the beautiful profusion of -her tresses behind, and fastening them up with a comb to the great -discomposure of her attendant. All the time the airy plaits were -weaving, which were to form the pretty coiffure, designated as the -_antique moderne_, Margaret was convincing herself that she was not -taking all this trouble because Hubert Gage was coming. Nothing could be -so unlikely, or so undignified; it was entirely on account of his sister -Elizabeth. - -She was dressed so early, that she had plenty of time to spare. She -thought she should like to play on the organ; but Land was busy, so was -the footman, she dared not ask the coachman to blow: Mason would, she -knew, be shocked at the idea; so she sent down to the gardener's boy, -who spent the best part of his time in the kitchen, and he came up, shy -and awkward enough, but very willing to do his best. Unfortunately, he -occasionally left off blowing to listen with open mouth to her -performance, thus causing a sudden stop that was very provoking to her. -She was improving so nicely too--her little foot stole over the pedals -with as much ease as her fingers over the notes; and when she was in the -midst of a very pretty effect, that sharp cessation of sound quite -destroyed her patience. - -"There, you naughty little boy," said she, "don't you see the wind is -out? You must not do that again!" - -The little boy, who was a great deal bigger by the way than herself, -_did_ do it again, and always in the most provoking places, though the -moment she looked he began to blow with renewed vigour. - -"I declare," cried Margaret, stamping her foot on the pedals, and -producing thereby an awful roar, "I will tell my Uncle Grey the very -next time!" - -This was not a very formidable threat; but the boy pleaded that she did -play so beautiful he could not help it; and she forgot her anger. - -Now, at the moment she stamped, one of the gallery doors opened, and -Mr. Haveloc came out, intending to go down to the drawing-room; but -attracted by the singular sound that met his ear, he remained in the -doorway listening. He was very much amused by the short dialogue which -he overheard, and delighted when Margaret resumed her more regular -performance; for she had that fine sensibility for music which imparts -to the finger a charm that cannot be acquired, but which is an absolute -requisite to persons of the same temperament. - -"There goes seven, Miss," said the boy, as Margaret was bringing to a -conclusion one of Handel's choruses. - -"How tiresome!" cried Margaret, "Oh, dear! and I promised Mr. Grey that -I would always shut up the organ. I shall be late, that I shall! Oh! do -hold the candle for me!" - -"Allow me to save you the trouble," said Mr. Haveloc, coming forward, -"it is the least I can do in return for your music." - -"For my music!" gasped Margaret; while all the blunders she had been -committing rushed into her mind, turning her quite sick with shame. - -"You may trust me to leave all right," said Mr. Haveloc, beginning to -put in the stops, "I am used to an organ." - -"Oh! thank you, I will then," said Margaret, and taking up her gloves, -she lost no time in making her way down stairs. - -The Gages' carriage was drawing up as she took her seat beside her -uncle. She could not command her complexion, and it rose amazingly as -Miss Gage entered with her brother. - -Elizabeth was more dressed than at her own house, and poor Margaret -ascribed her calm, graceful appearance to the stiff violet watered silk, -and the delicate pearl brooch and bracelets which she wore. Her bouquet -was composed of geraniums this time, and Margaret began to undervalue -her azalias now. - -While Mr. Grey was talking to Miss Gage, Hubert Gage, leaning on the -back of Margaret's chair, entered into conversation with an air of so -much intimacy, that she could hardly feel shy of him. He enquired about -her pets, and she confided to him that she had a beautiful bullfinch -which could whistle two tunes, and draw up a bucket of water; and that -Mr. Grey had an eagle in the court-yard which had a great many odd ways; -and that she had not a lap-dog yet, but that Mr. Grey meant to see about -it. - -Hubert Gage, with an air of great interest, recommended her to have an -Italian greyhound, and then told her that her hands were like snow; but -Margaret never could recollect how he managed to introduce that piece of -information. - -Then Mr. Haveloc came down and planted himself beside Miss Gage's chair -until dinner was announced. - -Mr. Grey gave his arm to Miss Gage, and Hubert took possession of -Margaret, begging her to observe how much more fortunate he was now, -than the last time he had the pleasure of seeing her. - -As they entered the dining-room everybody was surprised to see Mr. -Casement calmly standing before the fire. - -Mr. Haveloc, who followed Hubert Gage, caught up his eye-glass, dropped -it with an air of great vexation, and exclaimed, in a suppressed tone, -"Good Heaven, Hubert! is that fellow not dead yet?" - -"I wish anybody could tell me when he _would_ die," said Hubert, -laughing; "but I am firmly persuaded, for my part, that he is the -Wandering Jew." - -"Ay! here I am," said Mr. Casement, in reply to Mr. Grey's exclamation -of surprise; "Miss Gage, your servant. So you two young fellows are -returned at the same time. No fear of your not coming back--eh! a bad -shilling! you know the saying." - -Hubert Gage burst into a hearty laugh at this address; but Mr. Haveloc -knit his brows with an air of extreme disgust. - -By this time, as everybody was seated, and Hubert helping the soup for -Margaret, Mr. Casement bethought himself of something disagreeable to -say to her. - -"Ain't you very much obliged to me, little woman," he said, "for coming -straight in here, and so leaving you to the young sparks? Suppose I had -taken you into dinner?" - -"Mr. Casement," said Miss Gage, in her very calm manner, "you know I -always keep you in order. You must not forget I am here." - -Mr. Casement made a contortion he meant for a smile, and vowed he was -her slave. - -Mr. Haveloc told Miss Gage that everybody present owed her a vote of -thanks. A remark which Mr. Casement did not forget. - -When a convenient pause occurred, he leaned forward, and said, in a -sufficiently marked tone, "Oh, by the bye, Claude! and how are all our -friends at Florence?" Margaret absolutely turned pale, and could not -avoid glancing anxiously at Mr. Haveloc. - -He merely replied, taking up his glass to examine the dish he was about -to carve. "I did not know, Mr. Casement, that you had any friends in any -part of the world." - -Margaret was the only person who observed that his hand trembled. - -Miss Gage was pleased with his reply, for she knew the ill-natured point -of the remark. Hubert laughed so heartily, that he was forced at -intervals to beg Margaret's pardon for being so rude. Mr. Grey tried to -turn the conversation. Mr. Casement looked sullen; and Mr. Haveloc, -still appearing occupied with the dish before him, said, "There are two -ways of carving these birds; which do you like best?" - -"Oh! the old fashioned way, don't you Sir?" asked Miss Gage of Mr. Grey, -"it is much the best." - -"Yes; all old fashioned ways are in my opinion;" said Mr. Grey smiling, -"but then I am an old man." - -Margaret could not easily regain her composure of feeling after this -incident; she pitied Mr. Haveloc, she admired Miss Gage, and she envied -the readiness with which she directed the conversation into other -channels until all constraint seemed banished from the party. - -In the evening Hubert Gage beset Margaret with entreaties that she would -play; and with a feeling of intense misery, she sat down to the piano -and played a Fantasia by Moscheles with great delicacy and effect. Miss -Gage turned round in the midst of her conversation with Mr. Grey, and -told Margaret that she could take no excuses from her in future, now -that she had shown how she could perform. - -Then Mr. Casement begged Miss Gage to play some old airs, which she did -with the utmost good humour; and afterwards sang whatever she was asked -with an ease and sweetness that delighted Margaret; who for her own part -would have much preferred dying at once to singing before half-a-dozen -people. - -In the midst of the singing, Mr. Gage begged Margaret to tell him the -names of some fine prints he was looking at, which she did as far as she -knew them; while in return, when he came to any very beautiful face in -the collection, he informed her that it was strikingly like her's, with -any little additional compliment that his fancy suggested. Margaret was -not quite so over-powered by this as might have been expected, for she -was listening all the time to a conversation between Miss Gage and Mr. -Haveloc. - -Elizabeth had risen from the piano, and was standing with a sheet of -music in her hand talking to Mr. Haveloc about Metastasio: this led to -some remarks upon the early poetry, and the early paintings of Italy, -and the infancy of art in general. - -Miss Gage remarked that the infancy of poetry was unmarked by those -signs of feebleness and inaccuracy that denoted the first stages of -painting. - -"It was true," he replied, "the imagination was at once transferred into -words, unfettered by those mechanical means which were needed to express -thought upon the canvass; because the soul was the elder and the nobler -born, and its work was performed without the tedious interval of -experience which was necessary to bring to perfection the physical -powers. He thought the best that could be said of painting was, that it -was a high order of imitation." - -Miss Gage mentioned the delight bequeathed to a succession of ages by a -beautiful picture or statue. - -"It is true," he said, "but it is a delight for which the eye must be -trained, and the mind prepared. It is in a great measure an artificial -enjoyment; for I need not remind Miss Gage that the raptures of most -persons with regard to art are purely affected. But every poet who -deserves the name, appeals at once to the common and spontaneous -feelings of mankind; and can be discerned, not by the ignorant indeed, -but without any especial cultivation." - -Miss Gage said something of the difficulties of art, and the respect due -to those who surmounted them. - -"I confess," said Mr. Haveloc, "I cannot see much to respect in a -successful painter. I allow him great acquirement; a highly trained eye; -the mastery of a very difficult and laborious process, and certainly a -perception of the most ingenious arrangement of his subject. But, good -Heaven! at what an immeasurable distance are these from the gifts that -constitute a poet. Where is the exquisite atmosphere of music that -suggests to him his delicious rhyme? Where the invisible and mystic -shadows that invite him to weave his tissue of unreal scenes? Where the -deep and solemn philosophy which reveals to him the strange sources of -those emotions which are known to common men by their outward workings -alone? No, Miss Gage, I cannot admit toil is a sign of worth, for I -know many baubles that are difficult of attainment." - -"Ah! you think all that very fine!" said Mr. Casement looking up from -his game of piquet, "but it is sheer nonsense every word of it." - -Mr. Haveloc did not deign to utter a word in reply to this flattering -tribute. Elizabeth smiled, and moved to the table where Hubert and -Margaret were looking at the engravings. - -"Do not these," she asked, "go far to shake your opinion? And is not the -ideal in art worthy of as much veneration as the highest efforts of the -poet?" - -"I must be uncourteous enough," said Mr. Haveloc, "to differ from you in -your estimate of the Ideal over the Real in art. I do not think that the -purely Ideal either elevates or instructs; in fact unless the Real is -the basis of the design, it is an illusion that only makes one -discontented with nature." - -"But in that case, the antique----" said Miss Gage. - -"It is the exquisite reality of the greatest works of ancient art which -makes them so invaluable;" said Mr. Haveloc, "the form may be ideal, but -the expression is real. It is the concentration of all nature in its -fitness for the quality or emotion intended to be displayed, that -constitutes their inapproachable beauty and grace. Beauty being the -proportion of form; and grace, the proportion of action to the feeling -meant to be expressed." - -"I am not quite willing to cede the Ideality of the ancient statues," -said Miss Gage; "but I can conceive that a different order of excellence -is demanded of sculpture from that of painting." - -"For sculpture is to painting what Epic is to Tragic poetry. The -External against the Internal;" rejoined Mr. Haveloc, "the one demanding -perfection of form--the other relying chiefly upon truth of expression." - -"Guido then ought to have been a sculptor," said Miss Gage. - -"Yes!" he replied. "In Guido's pictures the Ideal prevails after this -fashion; in the omission of accident, or defect in his forms--that is, -in the omission of character or individuality. They are beautiful -embellishments to a room--great technical achievements; but they do not -appeal to the depths of the heart, although much beauty will often -affect the feelings." - -"I understand the distinction," said Elizabeth, "Murillo appeals to the -sympathies by taking beings made of common clay, forms that have -existed--more powerful agents than only such as might exist--and -elevating them by the profound sensibilities with which he has endowed -them." - -"Exactly," returned Mr. Haveloc. "His Virgin, in his great picture of -the Holy Family, is a woman of humble life, in simple garments, and not -remarkable for beauty of form; he has painted her with faultless truth, -and inspired her face with an expression of maternal love, so tender, -so earnest, so overwhelming in its fulness and its anxiety, that I -should think few people could view it without being deeply affected." - -"It is only when truth is outdone," said Miss Gage, "that I object to -the Ideal. As for instance, when Raphael, a name I do not mention but -with the deepest respect, depicts the Virgin Mary with all the delicate -beauty of a pampered Princess, and attired in the most gorgeous -garments." - -"Yes," he said, "although he has thrown into the features all the -refinement of intellect and tenderness of feeling of which woman is -capable; high-born, caressed, educated, magnificent woman. I do consider -that Murillo has bequeathed a grander lesson to the future, has achieved -more in art, and awakened our sympathies at a purer source, by his -strict adherence to nature, than Raphael by his exquisite and ideal -conception of female grace." - -"In fact," said Miss Gage, "to go a little aside of the old saying, you -think that truth is the well from which every poet and every artist -should draw their inspiration; and that no important, no ultimate good -can result from any exaggeration, even when the falsehood is enlisted on -the side of unearthly and transcendent beauty." - -"I need not say, Miss Gage," said Mr. Haveloc, "that I could not have -expressed my meaning so completely as you have done." - -"You young fellows," said Mr. Casement, rising from the table, "you -think you know everything now-a-days." - -Margaret who had been looking up in Miss Gage's face listening--her -features radiant with breathless and earnest attention--looked round at -Mr. Casement with something like horror in her countenance. She was -shocked that he should interrupt a discourse so replete to her with new -and interesting ideas. - -Mr. Haveloc's scorn prevented his taking up the remark; Miss Gage who -was well accustomed to tolerate Mr. Casement, turned round with some -playfulness of manner: - -"If I were not going away, Mr. Casement," she said, "I hear the -carriage, Hubert--I should take you very seriously to task. Pray, Mr. -Haveloc, before I go, acknowledge that Murillo is a poet of the highest -order, and an exception to those artists whom you have praised for mere -mechanical excellence." - -"I do acknowledge," he replied, "that in his hands the pencil becomes a -sceptre, to which every enlightened mind must do homage." - -When Mr. Haveloc returned from seeing Miss Gage to her carriage, he -found Mr. Grey just concluding his encomiums upon Margaret for having -behaved so very prettily to his guests. He turned round and asked Mr. -Haveloc if Miss Gage did not sing charmingly. - -Mr. Haveloc hesitated a little, and at length said, "that her singing -was rather sensible than impassioned." - -"Why really, Claude," said Mr. Grey, "in a wife I should prefer the -sensible style." - -"My dear Sir," returned Mr. Haveloc with a short laugh, "I have no idea -of presuming to aspire to Miss Gage's hand. I imagine that even the -industry of scandal could attribute nothing to our intercourse but the -most distant acquaintance." - -He spoke with some bitterness, but Mr. Grey who was singularly exempt -from irritable feelings himself, seldom detected them in others. - -"I don't know, Claude," he said; "I thought she looked splendid this -evening. She is the handsomest woman in the county; and when I saw you -talking so nicely together, I wished with all my heart it might come to -something." - -"I wish her a better fate, Sir," said Mr. Haveloc turning away. - -"Why, Claude, ay to be sure! One should not talk of such matters before -little people. Going away my little pet? Good night--sleep well!" - -Margaret had a great deal to think about when she found herself in her -own room. Miss Mason tangled and untangled her hair at pleasure; her -thoughts were too busy in recalling all that had been said and done that -evening. She had heard persons talk who possessed ideas; who had -thought, and formed opinions upon different subjects; this was such a -different thing from school knowledge, that she felt confused for some -time in the uncertainty she felt as to the means of acquiring such -mental power herself. She determined at least to be guided by Miss Gage, -who she was sure would direct her as to the books she ought to read; and -perhaps in time she might become wise enough to talk to persons who knew -as much as Mr. Haveloc. She wished again that he had not been so wicked; -but she remembered with displeasure Mr. Casement's impertinent allusion -to his former conduct. She was convinced he was very sorry for it, and -though she sincerely wished him out of the house, she was employed in -pitying him, when Miss Mason having concluded her duties, wished her -young lady good night. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - - A melancholy, grounded and resolved - Received into a habit argues love, - Or deep impression of strong discontents. - - THE LADY'S TRIAL. - - Since my coming home I have found - More sweets in one unprofitable dream - Than in my life's whole pilgrimage. - - SUN'S DARLING. - - -Now Mr. Haveloc was at this time enjoying the delightful consciousness -that he had been making a great simpleton of himself; but this is a -state of feeling which indicates some superiority of character; for your -common people when they have been exposing themselves to the derision of -all their acquaintance, generally parade themselves with all the dignity -of a peacock, and feel convinced that they have been behaving with -singular discretion. This state of feeling was agreeably relieved by the -knowledge that people had said a great many things of him which were -untrue, and which were particularly exasperating to a person of his -temperament. - -They had filled up the outline of his attentions to Mrs. Maxwell -Dorset--attentions far more marked than was consistent with -propriety--by a variety of incidents, extremely wrong, but, which was -much worse in his eyes, exceedingly ridiculous. They had exaggerated the -regard which the lady had abundantly professed for him into an idolatry -that was painfully absurd; and they invented a narrative of an -unsuccessful attempt on his part to carry her off, which drove him from -Florence, and very nearly frantic into the bargain. As he returned to -his senses, he contemplated Mrs. Maxwell Dorset with unmixed contempt -and disgust. Very exacting and fastidious in his ideas of women, he -could imagine nothing more opposed to all his demands of female -delicacy and dignity, than this woman, who had for a time blinded him by -her flattery, and her foolish and criminal preference. He was angry with -her, and still more angry with himself, and yet more enraged against -society at large for the unceremonious manner in which they had -discoursed of his proceedings; and his feelings of dissatisfaction on -the subject were by no means diminished by the knowledge that he was not -the first person by very many whom her artifices had enslaved. This fact -which of course reached his ears when it was too late--for your friends -never tell you of a thing when you might profit by it--in divesting her -attachment of the complimentary aspect it might otherwise have worn, -opened his eyes more effectually than a score of homilies could have -done. - -In this happy frame of mind, he came to Ashdale, thinking that it would -be a relief to plunge into solitude with his friend, Mr. Grey. He was -very much annoyed to find that Margaret was residing with her uncle; but -Mr. Grey pressed him so warmly to take up his abode with him for a time, -that he hardly knew how to decline his hospitality. He could scarcely -tell Mr. Grey that he detested the idea of remaining under the same roof -with his niece. It was a great relief to him when he found that Margaret -was entirely different from any young lady he had ever seen. She never -entered into conversation with him, and never, if she could help it, -remained in the room with him for a single moment. He began to be -disappointed that she invariably stole out after her uncle as he left -the breakfast-table, and came down into the drawing-room exactly as the -bell rang for dinner. He became more and more struck with her beauty and -her simplicity, and he felt a curiosity to know whether her intellect at -all responded to the beautiful countenance which varied with every shade -of thought that floated through her mind. - -It so happened that he was not able to pursue his investigations for -some time, for some affair of business required his immediate return to -his own home. He mentioned this to Mr. Grey as they were standing round -the fire just before dinner, and would have given much to have seen -Margaret's face at the moment. - -It was too late when they took their places at the table to hope that -any expression of emotion, or surprise would be visible. Indeed it was -not being quite so reasonable as men ought to be upon those subjects, to -expect that she should regret the departure of a visitor, who, though -perfectly courteous to her, had been remarkably deficient in those -attentions which a beautiful girl might almost expect from one of the -other sex. In fact, Margaret was exceedingly glad to hear the news. She -felt that among other advantages, the library would be no longer -forbidden-ground to her. She would again be able to loiter among the -books and maps, instead of carrying those volumes she wished to read -into her own room, and sending them back by Land when she had done. - -Mr. Haveloc was always in the library, reading or writing, which was one -of his most serious offences in her eyes. As for her attempting to -attract or interest him, she would have considered such a thing as -seriously and entirely out of the question. She knew very well that the -girls at school would have called him a capital match, and she knew also -that there would have been no end to their jests if they had heard that -she was staying in the house with so desirable an article of property as -a rich young man. But Margaret was romantic. She thought him very much -in the way; and she was rather shocked that any one so immoral should -help her to salad, or to orange-jelly. - -"The Somertons are come back, Claude," said Mr. Grey; "I wish you were -not going away just now. They always make the place gay." - -"Thank you, Sir," returned Mr. Haveloc, "I dare say I shall not much -regret losing the Somertons." - -"Let me see," continued Mr. Grey, "Blanche must have been about sixteen -when you left England." - -"Very likely, Sir, I never attempt to guess a lady's age." - -"I hardly know," said Mr. Grey, musing over his scalloped oysters, -"which of them is considered the beauty; but I rather think it is -Blanche." - -"Oh both, my dear Sir," replied Mr. Haveloc, "Mrs. Somerton tells -everybody that each of her daughters is the belle of whatever place they -may be staying at." - -"A great satisfaction to their mother, I am sure," said Mr. Grey, never -dreaming that there was anything like satire in Mr. Haveloc's remark; -"and very nice companions they will be to my little niece during the -summer; perhaps we may prevail on Mrs. Somerton to spare one of her -daughters sometimes to stay here for a week or two." - -Mr. Haveloc knit his brows, and looked so much discomposed at this -proposition that Margaret was perfectly astonished. How could it concern -him if her uncle succeeded in obtaining a companion for her? Some of the -wonder she felt must have made itself very visible in her face, for he -turned and said to her in a constrained voice, "I hope you will find -much enjoyment in the society of the Miss Somertons." - -"I shall like to know them," said Margaret quietly, "but Miss Gage is -kind enough to prevent my ever feeling the want of society." - -"Very kind she is," said Mr. Grey; "but my love, I know young people -like to be together; now, Blanche is hardly a year older than you are." - -"You see," said Mr. Haveloc smiling, "that you are fated to become -intimate with the Somertons." - -Margaret smiled too. She recollected that at school she had made no one -intimacy; and she thought it was very easily avoided with any person -whom you did not completely approve--especially if you did not live -under the same roof. - -Nothing more was said during dinner; but in the evening when Margaret -was making tea, and her uncle dozing in his arm-chair, Mr. Haveloc, -contrary to his custom, took a chair next to her's, and after a short -pause--for the subject was rather embarrassing--said, "I am afraid you -thought me guilty of some rudeness at dinner in allowing you to perceive -the surprise I felt at your uncle's proposition. I am aware that I have -no right to interest myself in your affairs." - -It would have been difficult to convince any body of the extent of -Margaret's shyness, for she had the advantage of a very self-possessed -manner; therefore, though her heart seemed dying within her, at the -effort of making a reply to such a speech, her sweet voice was as calm -as ever, when she answered: - -"I did not think you rude at all, Mr. Haveloc, for you said nothing; and -it would be hard indeed to deny people the free exercise of their -thoughts." - -"Thank you," said Mr. Haveloc with energy. "I will not be so -presumptuous as to offer you any advice; but I hope you will allow me to -recommend that you ask Miss Gage her candid opinion of those young -ladies. She is so much your friend, that I believe she will have no -hesitation in giving it." - -"I will, indeed," said Margaret, "you could not have given me better -advice." - -She smiled and blushed as she spoke, and looked so very lovely, that it -was no wonder Mr. Haveloc retained his chair, and made some attempt to -draw her into conversation. - -Mr. Grey woke up, took his cup of tea, and looked very much pleased to -see them talking together, although no two strangers could carry on a -more distant and disjointed discourse. He so completely recognized -Margaret as a child, that his fancy never suggested to him the -possibility of a future attachment being formed between his favourite -ward and his beautiful little niece. He merely thought to himself that -if Claude would but brighten up a little, and forget all that Italian -business, it would make the evenings much more cheerful for poor -Margaret. - -His musings were interrupted by the entrance of Mr. Casement, whose "old -woman," as he informed Mr. Grey, had two or three village gossips to -drink tea with her, and therefore he had been driven out this miserable -night to take his chance of a cup of coffee, and a game of piquet with -his friend, Mr. Grey. - -"And glad enough you must be to see me," he remarked, "for I suppose -these two young people chatter together, and leave you to count the -bars of the grate all the evening." - -Mr. Grey eagerly disclaimed being ever left to the consoling occupation -suggested by his friend. - -"Never," he said, "were there kinder or more attentive companions than -Claude Haveloc and his niece." - -Margaret rang for more coffee, and made up her mind with a look of calm -endurance to pass a disagreeable evening. Among other annoyances to her, -Mr. Casement was very fond of music, and always insisted on her playing -to him while he was engaged at cards. - -Mr. Haveloc, highly indignant at being accused of chattering, flung -himself into an arm-chair at another table; begged Margaret's pardon -when she half rose to give Mr. Casement his cup, made some show of -taking it from her, and then threw himself back in his chair with the -Quarterly Review in his hand, and a very tolerable share of contempt in -his features. - -Then Mr. Casement managed to teaze Margaret by asking her to play 'The -Roast Beef of Old England;' or, 'The Girl I left behind me;' airs that -she had never heard of; and by turning into ridicule the names and -compositions of Doehler and Moscheles, with whose works she was -familiar. And every now and then he looked up from his game, and asked -Mr. Haveloc what he was about, that he did not turn over the young -lady's book, and praise her music; until at last Margaret left the piano -in a great pet, and sat down to her netting. - -"Well, now, little woman," said Mr. Casement, as soon as he had won his -game, "how do you get on with Hubert Gage?" - -Mr. Haveloc's eyes were full upon her, and she felt the question to be -embarrassing. She blushed, indeed, but she drew herself up, and replied -that she got on with him quite well enough. Her acquaintance was with -his sister. - -"And this young spark, too," said Mr. Casement, turning to Mr. Haveloc. -"What! you are letting him slip through your fingers? He goes away -to-morrow, I hear." Margaret, changing from red to white, persevered -with her netting. Mr. Haveloc dashed his book down on the table, and -stalked out of the room; muttering something as he went about "the -greatest bore in existence;" and Mr. Grey began a gentle remonstrance -with his friend on the impropriety of talking in such a manner to young -people. - -"They don't like it, Casement. These jokes never please the parties -concerned. There's Claude gone out of the room in a rage, and my poor -little Margaret seems disposed to go out of the room after him." - -"I think," said Mr. Casement, with a chuckling laugh, "I tell you what, -in my young days, the fancies of old people were to be consulted. Now, -we have nothing to do but to think how we can please the young ones." - -"Nobody can accuse you of that, Mr. Casement," said Margaret, who had -taken refuge by the side of Mr. Grey. - -"Egad, that's true enough, Miss Peggy," returned Mr. Casement. "No one -shall ever tax me with helping to spoil the rising generation." - -Mr. Grey said he was no advocate for spoiling people; but he really -could not see why such silly remarks should be made on persons; that -Claude Haveloc did not like to be the subject of Mr. Casement's -raillery, and therefore he did hope-- - -"Why," interrupted Mr. Casement, "the remark, as you call it, that made -Master Claude bounce out of the room in such tragedy fashion, was -addressed to this little woman here. I asked her, as any body would, how -she could let such a sweet-tempered, well-behaved young gentleman slip -through her fingers." - -"Well--well--the child does not like it;" said Mr. Grey, rather shortly. - -"Beg your pardon. Miss Peggy, like other young ladies, has no sort of -objection to a hint of that kind. But you don't relish it, that is very -plain; so I'll mind my manners for the present, at least. Hadn't you -better step out to the young man, my dear, and say that it's all right, -and he may come back again?" - -Angry as Margaret was, she could not help smiling at the idea of being -sent out to call Mr. Haveloc back like a child. She was very angry, -however, and said, that she supposed Mr. Haveloc would return when he -chose; but that she imagined few people would be longer than they could -help in Mr. Casement's society. - -"She is too sharp for you, Casement;" said Mr. Grey, laughing. - -"I have raised a hornet's nest about my ears, I think," said Mr. -Casement, laughing in his turn. "I did not know the child had so much -spirit. Well, my old woman, will be on the look out for me, so I will -wish you good evening." - -As soon as the door closed on his friend, Mr. Grey began to find all the -excuses he could for his rudeness. Nobody, he affirmed, had a better -heart than Mr. Casement, although his manners might lead a good many -people to doubt the fact. He was sure that if any body was in distress, -Mr. Casement would do them a kindness if he could; and, after all, that -was the main point--the disposition was of more importance than the -manner. - -Margaret was quite ready to admit the truth of this observation; she -merely asked, casually, "whether Mr. Casement had been ever known to -relieve anybody, because there is always opportunity to show kindness -among the poor, if people are inclined to do it." - -Mr. Grey said, "he did not know any particular instance of Mr. -Casement's good works; but he was not the less convinced that he had the -disposition to be kind." - -Margaret smiled, and kept her own opinion in silence. - -Mr. Haveloc returned to the room soon after;--replied to some qualifying -remark of Mr. Grey's, that Mr. Casement was a pest to society, and -worse than all the plagues of Egypt; and then, taking up his book again, -went on reading with much apparent tranquillity. - -Margaret continued her netting by the fire-side, and seemed to be quite -unconscious of his presence. Mr. Grey, satisfied that the storm had -blown over, soon went to sleep, which he frequently did, until roused by -the entrance of Land with the candlesticks and a great bunch of keys. - -Suddenly Mr. Haveloc started forward, and picked up a mesh which had -fallen from Margaret's work-box. She had been so much accustomed to all -those attentions from him, which do not involve any speaking, that this -sudden movement did not surprise her. She took her mesh, bowed her head -in silence, and went on with her work. She really did not know, for some -minutes, that he was leaning on the top of the screen he had placed -between her and the fire, and looking earnestly into her face. - -"I hope," he said, as soon as she happened to lift her eyes from her -netting, "I do hope that miserable old man has not annoyed you very -much. I am sure you must feel his vulgarity. If it was not for Mr. Grey, -I--but I am afraid he is rather too old to be thrown out of the window." - -"Oh, dear, yes!" said Margaret, frightened at the very idea of such -extreme measures. "I don't very much mind him now, I certainly did, at -first. But my uncle says he has--some--good qualities." - -This confession came out slowly, as if she was by no means willing to -admit the possibility of such a thing. - -"Mr. Grey has so many good qualities," said Mr. Haveloc, "that he makes -over a few, in imagination, to his neighbours. That is the only way I -can account for such an assertion on his part." - -Margaret looked up and laughed at this remark. She had a charming -child-like laugh. - -"Perhaps;" said she, after a short pause, "perhaps, in time, he will -leave off teazing me." - -"Never!" returned Mr. Haveloc, "never while he has breath." - -"Then it can't be helped," said Margaret, with a sigh. "But there is one -comfort, my dear uncle always takes my part." - -"Who would not?" muttered Mr. Haveloc. - -Margaret did not laugh at this remark. She blushed instead, and busied -herself very earnestly with the beads on her silk. - -"You are about something very pretty!" said Mr. Haveloc, bending over -her work. - -"It is a great deal of trouble," said Margaret, "but it will look very -well when it is done. It is a purse with beads." - -"I am afraid I shall not see it finished," said Mr. Haveloc. "It will be -done, and sent off long before I come back." - -"It takes me--oh, let me see!--about a week," said Margaret. - -"Not longer? Why you must furnish all your friends with purses." - -"But I seldom make them. This is only the second I have made with beads; -one to learn by--and this other, to give to--somebody." - -"To Mr. Grey!" - -"You cannot be sure of that. It is a very good guess; but I have other -friends. I might mean it for Mr. Warde." - -"You glanced at Mr. Grey when you spoke of giving it away." - -"Did I, indeed? You should not watch people." - -"Is that a general rule? Or only applicable to the present company?" - -Margaret laughed, and made no answer. - -"Pray, has Mr. Warde begun to teach you Latin yet?" he asked. - -"No," said Margaret. - -"How is that? Are you afraid of your complexion? I think Mr. Grey -threatened you with premature age, if you meddled with Latin. Did not -he?" - -"That is not the reason," said Margaret, "but I am too busy at present." - -"I should like very much to know what is your favourite study just now. -Waltzing, I think." - -"Waltzing, indeed!" said Margaret; "I could waltz years ago." - -"You won't tell me then, what pursuit engrosses you at present; it must -be something mysterious. Judicial astrology?" - -Margaret turned away laughing, "I wish first that it was true, and next -that I knew it," she said. - -"Would you then like to read the future?" he asked. - -"Perhaps not, when it came to the point," she replied. - -"What, Land, here already?" said Mr. Grey, waking up at the jingle of -the keys and candlesticks; "who would believe it was eleven o'clock?" - -"Not I for one," whispered Mr. Haveloc, as he moved to open the door for -Margaret. - -She did not know how it was. She supposed he must have held out his -hand; but she found herself actually shaking hands with him for the -first time. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - - _Ray._ You have a merry heart if you can guide it. - - _Fol._ Yes faith, so, so; I laugh not at those whom I fear; I fear not - those whom I love; and I love not any whom I laugh not at. Pretty - strange humour, is't not? - - _Ray._ To any one that knows you not, it is. - - THE SUN'S DARLING. - - -The next morning Mr. Haveloc went to his estate as he had intended; and -Margaret found herself again in undisturbed possession of Ashdale. But -for fear she should enjoy her liberty too much, Hubert Gage found his -way to the house almost every morning. He knew very well that when he -could not obtain his sister's company, Margaret would not come down to -see him, if he seemed to pay a formal visit, but he always contrived to -have some message, or some piece of music, some excellent advice about -her greyhound, or other trifling passport to her presence; and when -Elizabeth did go with him, it was very easy to loiter the whole morning -there; that is to say, from a little before luncheon to a little before -dinner. - -Mr. Grey's only idea on the subject was, that Hubert Gage was a very -fine young man, and very attentive to his sister. - -Captain Gage was more clear-sighted; he told Elizabeth that Hubert -seemed to have taken a fancy to Margaret; that she was a very nice -little girl, well born and handsome; that he understood she had ten -thousand pounds for her fortune, and it was very likely that Mr. Grey -would leave her something very considerable; so that a younger son, as -Hubert was, would have reason to think himself very well off if he could -win her. That they were a couple of children, and that it was quite a -consideration for the future. He should get him afloat again as soon -he could, and if he came back in the same mind with regard to Margaret, -then they would see about it. - -Just at this time, the stability of his attachment was put to a slight -test. - -When he first returned home, his father wrote to his brother George who -was with his regiment in Ireland, urging him to obtain leave of absence, -that he might come over and see his brother. Captain Gage thus counted -on having two of his sons at home together, for he was very much -attached to his children, and nothing gave him greater satisfaction than -to have them about him. - -Now George Gage liked his brother very much, and would have had no -objection to pay his father a visit, but it happened that a -steeple-chase, in which he was deeply interested, was coming off at that -time, so he wrote to say that he could not get leave of absence, which -was so far true that he had never applied for it; but strongly -recommended Hubert to take the trouble of crossing over to see him, -holding out many inducements to that effect; the most powerful of which -was the steeple-chase. - -Captain Gage, who had passed his life in the delusion that it was -impossible for a gentleman to swerve by a hair's breadth from the truth, -firmly believed his son's statement, and advised Hubert to set off at -once for Ireland. It was provoking enough, he said, that George could -not get leave at present, but since there was a way for them to meet, -why the best thing was to avail himself of it without delay. - -He was very glad, he said to Elizabeth, to find by George's letter, how -very anxious he was to have Hubert with him; for there was nothing so -delightful as to see the members of a family attached to each other. - -Elizabeth acceded to this remark, although she had not as firm a -persuasion of her brother's warmth of feeling as her father had. - -So Hubert set off in a day or two; after having called at Ashdale to -take what he intended to be a very impressive farewell of Margaret; but -it so happened that the antics of her Italian greyhound, which had -become entangled in its silver chain, amused them both so highly, that -they spent the whole time in laughing, so that when he rose to go, it -was as much as he could manage to make his adieux intelligible. - -Mrs. Somerton and her youngest daughter had returned to the vicarage, -where they spent that part of the year which was not passed in visiting -among their relatives and friends. The eldest daughter had been invited -by an aunt to spend the season in London, and Blanche took up her abode -in the retired village of Ashdale with very decided feelings of -discontent and mortification. - -Now I am sorry to say that Blanche Somerton, although very pretty, was -not very good. She was rather tall, and slightly made, with very small -head, hands, and feet. Her complexion was delicately pale, and her face -like a child's with bright black eyes, a short nose, and a pretty mouth -always half open and displaying a set of small and pearly teeth. But as -a set off to these attractions, she hardly ever told the truth, even in -the veriest trifles. She would tell a falsehood about the colour of a -ribbon, and would say that a friend wore a white dress, simply because -it happened to be green. Sometimes these mistakes assumed a more serious -character, but if she was found out in any of them she merely laughed. - -They were very poor. Her mother was always embarrassed in money matters, -and although she had recourse to many contrivances to eke out her small -income, they were insufficient to keep her out of debt. Had it not been -for Mr. Warde's frequent kindness, I really believe the poor woman would -have found her way to a prison. Their's was bitter poverty; far more -bitter and hard to bear than the physical poverty of the poor. Their's -was the constant effort at maintaining an appearance among their -friends, almost all of whom were in a condition of life superior to -their own. The wearing anxiety of heavy and increasing debts, and the -dread lest the fact should become known, and prevent the girls from -settling. She had applied so often and drawn so largely upon Mr. Warde, -that she could not reasonably expect that he would do much more to -assist her. She was again in debt, yet she continued to order at every -house, where she had any credit left, all sorts of finery for herself -and her daughters, in the hope that it might facilitate their -establishment. She thought under these circumstances that it would be -advisable for Blanche to marry Hubert Gage. He was a second son, and a -Lieutenant in the Navy. These were not agreeable facts, but she took it -for granted he would be made a Commander in a year or two, and then he -might afford to marry if his father chose to "behave handsomely;" a -comprehensive term, which seems to mean, a behaviour as opposed as -possible to what you have any right to expect. - -But although Mrs. Somerton sketched out a plan of action with great ease -and rapidity, it was necessary that she should engage her daughter to -carry it out, or her trouble would be in vain. These cabinet councils -were seldom of a very placid character. It was, perhaps, natural that -poverty should have embittered Mrs. Somerton's temper--it was never very -even--and at this period it might be aptly described by the word -fractious. One of Blanche's greatest faults was, that she would never -submit in silence to her mother's peevish remonstrances, although they -seldom made her angry; she either laughed, or turned them into ridicule. - -Mrs. Somerton now stated the case to her daughter as strongly as she -could, reproached her with being still single, reminded her that sailors -were very easily attracted, and urged her to lose no time in supplanting -Margaret, who she said must be a shockingly forward little creature to -have made herself already the talk of the place with Hubert Gage. -Blanche was lying on the sofa reading a novel, and the only notice she -took of her mother's eloquence was to nod her head, and turn over a -page. - -Mrs. Somerton naturally grew irritable and impetuous, and it was not -until she was fairly angry that her daughter threw aside the book, and -joined in the conversation. - -"Yes--yes. Dear me! don't disturb yourself," said the amiable Blanche. -"I mean to detach Hubert from that pretty little doll; but I shall not -throw myself away upon a beggar, and a second son, I assure you." - -"Hubert Gage is not a beggar," interposed Mrs. Somerton, "he has five -hundred a year of his own." - -"The mighty sum!" exclaimed Blanche, "but I intend to have somebody -else." - -"Well, let me hear who it is?" - -"Do you suppose I mean to tell you?" asked Blanche, "pray let me read in -peace." - -"Is it the eldest Gage? Because I can tell you he is not to be caught." - -"Yes," retorted Blanche, "it is likely I should go on a pilgrimage to -Cork for the purpose of making George Gage an offer. That is so like -you!" - -Mrs. Somerton was highly exasperated at this reply, and upbraided -Blanche with obstinacy and ingratitude, and want of feeling, and want of -prudence, until her exordium was interrupted by the entrance of Mr. -Warde. It was a contrast which would have struck painfully upon some -people, to see the kind old gentleman come in, quite unconscious of the -occupation of his sister and niece, engrossed with the cares of his -parish, full of some touching history of want and sorrow, which he would -sit down, and relate at full length, not believing that any one could -hear it without interest. Years ago, when Blanche was a child, she -would have cried heartily at such a recital, and have done her best to -send some relief to the sufferers; but time and bad training had done -their work. She cared less about the matter than if an accident had -happened to her spaniel, and was turning over in her mind, the trimming -she would have to her next bonnet, while she went through the proper -exclamations during her uncle's narrative. - -About this time some races were held, at which all the neighbourhood -were to attend. There was a ball in the evening, and Captain Gage -desired to fill his house with company, that they might go in a party to -the race and ball. Miss Gage asked Margaret to stay with her during -these festivities, and her father sent an invitation to Mrs. Somerton -and her daughter, which was gladly accepted. Hubert Gage was on his road -home, and was bringing his brother George with him. He had obtained -leave suddenly, for he recollected the spring races, and had some -curiosity to see Margaret. It had been difficult to make Hubert talk of -any body else, and he thought if she was really very beautiful, and had -slender ancles, and a good prospect of inheriting Mr. Grey's property, -besides her own ten thousand pounds, she _might_ do for him. She was -worth looking after at any rate; and as these things can seldom be -transacted by proxy, he was forced to take the trouble of coming over to -decide upon her merits. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - - - Ma pur mostrava anchor grand' arroganza, - Tanto superbo havea l'aspetto fiero, - E qualunche il mirasse in su Bajardo, - Direbbe, quest'è 'l fior d'ogni gagliardo. - - BOIARDO. - - -A few minutes before Margaret was setting out for Chirke Weston, Mr. -Grey called her into the library, where he was standing at one of the -windows, with a letter in his hand. - -Margaret threaded her way through the heavy carved oak furniture, and -joined her uncle. A groom was leading a beautiful bay horse slowly to -and fro before the windows. - -"Oh, uncle! is it really--I can hardly believe that beautiful creature -is actually for me." - -"Yes, my child, if he suits, which I feel no doubt of--for Claude is -very careful, and he writes me word that the horse was the property of a -lady. You will meet him at the Gages, and he comes on here after the -ball. You may tell him, I take it very kind that he bore in mind that I -was looking out for a horse, and that I feel sure I shall buy him." - -Margaret much as she felt obliged to Mr. Haveloc for having found her a -horse, had no intention of giving him Mr. Grey's message. It was an -exertion to which she could not feel equal, unless he should introduce -the subject. - -She arrived at Chirke Weston about an hour before dinner, and having -made her toilet, came down to the drawing-room with some trepidation; -for Miss Gage had told her that there was a large party expected. - -Sir Evan and Lady Conway were already in the room with their two -daughters. The girls were tall, bright-eyed, dark, dashing, and -well-dressed: they were practising the Mazourka, which was then just -beginning to turn people's heads, and looked so formidable to poor -Margaret, that she involuntarily shrank closer to the side of her friend -Elizabeth. They left off their dancing to be introduced to Margaret, and -stood clustered round the fire, talking with more ease and friendliness -than she would have imagined from their appearance. She rose a step in -Miss Conway's opinion, when she said she knew the Mazourka, and another -step or two when she avowed that she liked it very much. - -Harriet, the younger sister, fixed her immense dark eyes upon her, and -then said, laughing, "You are too young to be stared at--but it is a -great temptation." - -Margaret felt glad that she had come to that determination, but she -liked the appearance of Miss Harriet more than that of her sister. - -She appeared to be in very ill-health; her hair had been cut off in an -illness, and was now beginning to grow in tendrils all round her small -head. She was very thin and pale, and her dress was made high, and -finished with costly lace. And whenever a person ventures upon such a -toilet, it gives an air of 'retenue' to the figure, which might almost -point out to other women, that there is a little want of refinement in -the wanton exposure with which they too often favour the public. -Nothing, on that score, however, could be urged against Elizabeth and -Margaret, who though they conformed to fashion, were careful to mark a -distinction in their dress between a gentlewoman and an opera-dancer. - -Mrs. Somerton and her daughter now made their appearance; then some -people who were entire strangers to Margaret; then Mr. Conway with his -glass in his eye; and after him Hubert Gage and Mr. Haveloc. - -These last both made their way to Margaret at the same time. Mr. -Haveloc merely made the usual enquiries about herself and her uncle, and -then leaned against the mantle-piece in perfect silence. Hubert Gage had -more to say. He had to describe his passage and his visit to Ireland, -and all the things which happened on his return. He had to invent a -storm, which made Margaret turn pale; and a variety of dialogues between -the passengers upon their supposed danger, which set her laughing -merrily. - -Blanche Somerton, who was sitting near, did not quite like this -prolonged conversation. She turned round and summoned him to her side. - -"I am so sorry to trouble you, Mr. Hubert," she said, "but do look at my -bouquet. I came away in such a hurry--see, it will not fit my -bouquetière; the stalks are too long." - -"That is a difficulty very easy to remedy," said Hubert, taking the -bouquet from her. "Now I wish young ladies were always as modest in -their demands; they do ask one such impossible things sometimes." - -"No, but what sort of things?" asked Blanche. "Do tell me, I so long to -know. I really believe that you are very severe upon women." - -"By no means. I am too sincere an admirer of the fair sex to be -exacting. Stay, this is not quite right yet--let me shorten these stalks -again." - -"You will spoil that nice penknife, I am afraid." - -"That is not of the slightest consequence," said he laughing, -"particularly as it is not my property." - -"Then you mean to say that if it was yours--" - -"I should feel double pleasure in sacrificing it of course. Dinner -already! Now you must take my arm, you see. I have not quite finished -the arrangement of your flowers. It is certainly a beautiful bouquet. I -hardly know which to admire most, the flowers or the bouquetière. Quite -new this sort of thing--is it not?" - -Every body was rising and pairing off--Hubert Gage, with Blanche on his -arm, sauntered past Margaret, arranging the bouquet as he walked along. - -Margaret looked after him with some surprise; his attendance had been a -thing that she was so certain of late to meet with, that she could -scarcely comprehend his transferring it to somebody else. There was a -little mortification in her mind for a minute, for no one likes to be -robbed of an admirer, however willing she may be to give him up. But she -understood it in a moment. Love hangs on such a slender thread with -every one, that she could never, and did never regard Hubert Gage with a -warmer interest than what might belong to a pleasant acquaintance. She -was too romantic, too exacting in her ideas of love to suppose, for a -moment, that a man who once entertained a serious thought of her could -be engrossed in her presence by another woman. - -Mr. Haveloc was at her side almost as soon as Hubert passed, and she -felt grateful for the attention. It prevented the awkwardness of seeming -to wait till some one was desired to take her in to dinner. - -Just as all the company were arranging themselves round the table, -George Gage clattered into the room exactly as he came off his journey, -not appearing to have thought it worth while to undergo the trouble of -dressing for dinner. He noticed two or three people at table, found a -vacant chair just opposite to Margaret, and seeing a new and beautiful -face, glared at her over his soup-plate without remorse. - -Certainly there was a great contrast between the two brothers. Whereas -Hubert endeavoured, for no earthly motive, to efface all traces of his -profession from his dress and language, George Gage, with as little show -of reason, seemed never for a moment to forget his calling. - -He stalked about as if the world was made for his sole benefit and -pleasure, and contrived to make such a great jingling when he walked, -that Margaret seriously thought, the first time she heard him cross the -marble hall, that a dray-horse had broken loose and was making his way -to the drawing-room. This was the more strange as he did not dress in -chain armour, but in a costume, something between a farmer and a baker's -apprentice. He flourished his walking-stick as if he were leading a -charge of cavalry; or held it in the pocket of his coat, which seemed an -equally odd way of disposing of it. He was very arrogant in his manner -to every body, except the few ladies who were deemed by him of -sufficient birth and beauty to be honoured by his notice, and to them -his manner assumed a softness and an assiduity which rather puzzled -Margaret, who was edified by his laconic replies to the country -gentlemen, and his haughty mode of speaking to the servants. But, as she -was one of the chosen few to whom he condescended, she at least had no -reason to complain. - -He was attached to his father; though, (and this was a heavy -objection,) he did not like the fashion of his cravats, and respected -him too, without being quite satisfied with his choice of a boot-maker. -This was an instance of filial virtue which would hardly have been -believed by his companions, but which was true notwithstanding. - -These several traits, however, did not flash upon Margaret all at once, -but became evident in the course of her acquaintance with him. At -present she was merely aware that his great blue eyes were perusing her -with an expression to which she was not accustomed, and to which no -modest woman can ever become accustomed--the critical and scrutinising -expression of a Turk in a Slave Market. - -It was a relief to her to turn to Mr. Haveloc, who was rendering her the -common courtesies of the table, with an earnestness which formed a -sufficient contrast to the laughing manner of Hubert Gage. It seemed -almost as if meeting at a strange house put them more at ease with each -other. - -"You remain here some days, do you not?" asked Mr. Haveloc. - -"Yes, until after the races and the ball, and the early flower show at -S----." - -"You mean to see a great deal of the world then before you come back to -Ashdale." - -"Yes," said Margaret, "I shall have so much to tell my uncle about." - -Mr. Haveloc gave her one of those softened smiles, which changed so -entirely the expression of his features. - -"You look forward with pleasure," he said, "to giving Mr. Grey an -account of your adventures." - -"I do indeed," said Margaret. - -"And so do I." - -"You, Mr. Haveloc!" - -"Yes, I shall come in for the narrative. Perhaps you do not know that I -shall return to Ashdale before you do." - -"Yes, my uncle told me so," said Margaret, with something like a sigh. - -Now, nothing in general so much offends a man as not appearing -extremely delighted with his society; but Mr. Haveloc, perhaps from the -novelty of the thing, seemed rather pleased than otherwise. - -"You don't look so glad as you ought," he said, with a smile, "which is -rather ungrateful on your part; for to me Ashdale would lose very much -of its attraction if you were absent." - -It was enough to make her blush, such a marked compliment, and from such -a person; and, to heighten her confusion, there was George Gage still -staring at her on the other side of the table, as only a military man -can stare. - -"I suppose," said Mr. Haveloc, "the truth is, that you think you cannot -tell Mr. Grey your little secrets when I am present; that is why you -wish me away." - -Margaret had not said she wished him away, but she did not contradict -him. - -"Of course I should not tell my uncle many things before you," she said, -"because little circumstances, which are new to me and strange to him, -now that he never goes out, would seem very trifling to a third person." - -"Don't you know," said Mr. Haveloc, "that first impressions are always -interesting? You must not therefore prevent my hearing yours." - -Miss Gage was rising at this moment, and Margaret availed herself of the -move to avoid giving a reply. - -When the ladies returned to the drawing-room, they gathered round the -fire, and began to discuss the amusements of the next day. Margaret, who -was standing by Elizabeth Gage, looked earnestly in her face to see -whether she could really enter into conversation of so trifling a nature -as that which was going on among the ladies. - -Yes,--Elizabeth patiently heard Miss Lawson Smith's complaints of her -crape ball dress, which had not been trimmed with roses of the proper -tint, and gave as much comfort as she could under the circumstances; -and she endeavoured to decide upon a bonnet for Miss Conway, when that -young lady professed to be unable to bring the matter to a conclusion -for herself. - -"Recollect, my dear Lucy," said she, "that if the Fates grant us a fine -day to-morrow, it will be made up of a bright sun and a keen north wind; -the only advantage of an airy toilet, is to make you look blue upon the -course, and send you home with a severe cold." - -The prospect of a cold did not seem to frighten Lucy, but she was keenly -alive to the disadvantages of looking blue. - -Harriet Conway looking up from the footstool upon which she was seated -close to the fire, remarked that, "her costume gave her no sort of -trouble, as she was to ride on horseback to the races." - -Margaret looked at her with some surprise and no little envy, thinking -what a bold, accomplished horsewoman she must be. - -"How do you feel to-night, darling?" asked her mother. - -"Oh! very comfortable," said Harriet, leaning her head on her mother's -lap, as Lady Conway took the arm-chair beside her; "quite well as long -as I have nothing to do that I don't like." - -"How I wish that you could go to the ball to-morrow, dearest," said her -mother. - -"Thank you," said Harriet, "but that is one of the things I don't like; -besides, after being on horseback all the morning, I shall be glad to go -to bed as soon as I have seen you all off in your finery." - -"Such a pity, so well as you dance the Mazourka," said Lucy Conway, "for -one meets such nice people at this ball. I really think if you took -proper care--" - -"Oh! we will run no risks," said Lady Conway, anxiously, "you coughed at -dinner, I observed." - -"It was the pepper, _mamma mia_," said Harriet; "but I have no intention -of going to the ball. Bessy! send me over that pretty little thing by -your side. I have a mind to talk to her." - -"What say you," asked Elizabeth smiling, "will you venture?" - -Margaret complied with a little timidity in her manner. - -"Why, you don't mean to say you are afraid of me," said Harriet taking -Margaret's hand in her long, slender fingers, "I would excuse you, if I -were a man. Well now, are you fond of riding?" - -"I am just going to learn," said Margaret "it is the thing of all others -I wish for." - -"You ought to have begun younger," said Harriet, "but we will see what -we can make of you. What is the colour of your riding-habit?" - -"Blue," replied Margaret. - -"True blue," said Harriet looking intently into the fire; "how do you -like Hubert Gage?" - -"I don't see how that follows," said Margaret smiling; "but I like him -very well." - -"Good," said Harriet; "I see it is not a tender subject. You know the -Gages are relations of ours. Are you not, Bessy?" - -"Connexions, my dear Harriet; but I am quite ready to acknowledge the -relationship." - -"And is this your first ball?" said Harriet, turning again to Margaret. - -"Yes." - -"Don't you feel very nervous, and pleased, and frightened, and -impatient?" - -"Not very," said Margaret. "I wish very much to go, and I know Bessy -and--and--two or three people." - -"Are you engaged yet?" - -"No. But if I do not dance, I shall be so amused with looking on, that -it will be no disappointment to me." - -"Very modest on your part; but I hear the gentlemen coming, so I must -leave this charming footstool, or I shall be accused of fifty things. -Here in this corner is room for two, so let us continue our -conversation." - -"Everything is so new to me," said Margaret, as she surveyed the room -lit up with clusters of lamps, the heavy crimson curtains, the splendid -gilt furniture, and the groups of gentlemen standing about the lady's -chairs, drinking coffee, "this seems to me a very grand party; but -perhaps it appears to you nothing." - -"An ordinary dinner party," said Harriet; "perhaps they run rather large -at this house. Uncle Gage, have you quite made up your book? Because I -shall be happy to offer you odds upon Rory O'More." - -Captain Gage who was passing with Sir Evan Conway, stopped short before -the two girls. - -"I will have nothing to do with you," he said to Harriet, "you are far -too deep for me. I believe you are hand in glove with Lord Raymond's -groom." - -Sir Evan and Captain Gage both laughed very much at this charge. - -Harriet with a deepened colour protested against having ever seen the -groom, or the horse. - -Captain Gage turned to Margaret, and asked if she had been taking -lessons in the science of book-making; adding, "that as she must be a -novice as yet, he was willing to risk a pair of gloves with her." - -Margaret said "she was not going to bet at all; that Bessy had advised -her not." - -"Bessy is a prude," said Captain Gage, looking much pleased, "you should -never mind anything she says to you." - -Margaret laughed, and shook her head, and the gentlemen passed on. - -Then Hubert Gage made his way to the sofa, and began to rally Harriet -and Margaret upon the retired spot they had chosen, admired Margaret's -fan, and Harriet's gloves, and in fact went on as young men generally do -when they wish to render themselves agreeable; in the midst of which -discourse, Mr. Haveloc walked straight up to Margaret, and without any -prologue, begged to have the honour of dancing the first quadrille with -her the next evening. - -Margaret blushed and consented, and Mr. Haveloc bowed and walked away, -while Hubert Gage drawing a chair close to the sofa, dropped into it and -laughed immoderately. - -"I never knew such a fellow," he exclaimed, "just at the moment that I -was gaining courage to make such a request, he must needs step forwards -and cut me out. It is too bad--don't you pity me? The second quadrille -then, if you have any compassion." - -"Mr. Hubert," said Blanche Somerton coming up, "we want your help so -very much in this glee of Gödbe's. Will you take the tenor part?" - -"Oh! if I am wanted," said Hubert, rising. "Miss Capel, I do not mean to -stir without your answer." - -"The second quadrille?" said Margaret. - -"Exactly; unless you prefer the first Mazourka." - -"Oh! but you do not know the Mazourka." - -"No; but you can teach me so nicely in the morning." - -"I will not undertake you," said Margaret laughing. - -"Then I fall back upon the quadrille. Miss Somerton I am at your -service." - -Mr. George Gage now loitered up the room very slowly, and planted -himself against the wall, close to Margaret. He first took her cup out -of her hand and set it down, and then after a very careful survey of her -from head to foot, he "hoped he should be so fortunate as to secure her -hand for the first waltz. He confessed that he never danced -quadrilles." - -Margaret hesitated; she did not at all like the prospect of such a -partner, but as she had no wish to sit still thenceforward, she -accepted. - -Mr. Gage set down her embarrassment to his own infinite attractions, and -was satisfied. He then made a few ordinary remarks to her about the -neighbourhood; but although he did not address a word to Harriet Conway, -Margaret who was very quick-sighted, observed that they bestowed upon -each other, from time to time, glances which seemed to express dislike, -almost defiance. At length, after one of these singular looks, Harriet -said, with her peculiarly clear intonation, "I do not offer you a seat, -Mr. Gage." - -"I should be sorry to disturb you," he replied coldly; and removed to a -little distance as he spoke. - -Margaret made up a little romance in her mind directly; in which Harriet -figured as an obdurate lady, and Mr. Gage as a desponding lover. She had -leisure for these fancies, for Harriet became silent, and George Gage, -though standing near, did not renew his conversation. Some of the older -people were playing at cards; Lucy Conway was at the harp, Hubert almost -held prisoner by Blanche Somerton, and Elizabeth was moving about among -the guests with all the dignity and grace of a young Queen. - -"My dear Harriet," said Lady Conway coming up to her, "it is very late, -and you are looking fagged. Do recollect what is before you to-morrow; -and slip out of the room without the ceremony of a good night." - -"I cannot very well," replied Harriet, "for I must ring for a shawl. I -dare not leave this hot room without one." - -Margaret offered to fetch Miss Conway a shawl of her own. - -"No, not for worlds you kind little creature," said Harriet laying her -hand on Margaret's arm, "it will do me no harm in the world to sit -quietly here until the good people choose to separate." - -While this was going on, Mr. Gage went up to Elizabeth, and said -something to her; she fetched a shawl from one of the sofas, and he -crossed over to Miss Harriet, and begged to have the honour of putting -it on. - -Harriet opened wide her large transparent eyes, with the crimson spot -deepening on her cheek; thanked him, regretted to have given him the -trouble; and then wrapping the large Cachemere completely round her, -walked out of the room. George Gage stood with folded arms looking after -her for some moments, and then threw himself on the sofa by the side of -Margaret. She was not disposed to be pleased with him; but she could not -deny that his manner possessed a certain charm, when he chose to exert -it. It was true that he said nothing either witty or profound, but his -language was easy and well chosen; and the softness of his tone, -together with the exceeding interest he pretended to feel for the -replies of his companion, could scarcely fail of making a favourable -impression. The great drawback to his demeanour, was his remorseless and -unceasing stare. Sometimes Margaret thought that something must be the -matter with her sleeve, sometimes that her hair was coming unfastened -at the back, sometimes she wondered what there was peculiar in her shoe, -and again she supposed that the fashion of her bracelet was unusual. -With this exception, he rendered himself an amusing companion, and if -Margaret had been more conversant with military men, she would have been -willing to allow that in tact and information, he was very superior to -the average of those gentlemen, who to serve Her Majesty, and their own -convenience, are content to wear a certain disguise for a given period -of time. - -The evening passed quickly enough. Some young ladies sang, some played. -George Gage remained lounging on the sofa by her side. Hubert was in -great request at the piano, for he sang very well, and read music easily -at sight. Mr. Gage asked Margaret if she exhibited, as he called -it--thanked Heaven, with praiseworthy fervour, that he was not guilty of -such a failing himself, and advised her to let him drive her to the -course in his phaeton the next day. Margaret gave no definite answer to -this proposal. The party was dispersing, and when she reached her room, -she was so heartily tired, that she could do no more than return -Elizabeth's embrace, and consign herself to the care of Miss Mason, who -with all her dispatch, could hardly get her to bed before she was -asleep. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - - - Faste to those looks are all my fancies tied, Pleas'de with thy - sweetness, angry with thy pride. - - PEELE. - - _Ray_.--Ay, 'tis an old saide saying, I have redde - In certaine bokes that love is like to smoke; - But I say rather it is liker fire, - Which kindleth after men have put it out; - Often upon a little breath of ayre. - - ANON. - - -The morning was, as Elizabeth had predicted, bright as a poet's dream, -or a poet's waking; but a north wind swept the half-clothed boughs of -the trees, and warned all discreet persons to protect themselves from -the cold air. Horses and carriages were assembling in front of the -house, and the guests were collecting by slow degrees in the -drawing-room previous to starting. - -Harriet Conway appeared in her habit, which very much became her slender -figure. She threw her riding whip and gauntlets into her hat which stood -in the window seat, looked round for Margaret, who had become quite a -little pet of hers; drew her into the window, examined her dress and -praised it; told her how she ought to wear her hair under a hat; looked -at her rings and admired her hands, and asked her how it was arranged -that she should go to the course. George Gage, who was standing near -talking to Mr. Conway, turned round on hearing the question, and said -that he hoped Miss Capel would not retract the permission she had almost -given him to drive her thither; upon which Hubert announced his -intention of calling out his brother, which made everybody laugh except -Margaret who was sadly confused. She said in a low voice to Harriet that -she heartily wished Bessy would take her, for of all things, she dreaded -being driven by Mr. Gage. - -"How's that?" asked Harriet suddenly, "are you afraid?" - -"No," returned Margaret, "but I--he is quite a stranger to me." - -"Do you mind me, then?" asked Harriet. - -"No," said Margaret laughing. - -"Good," said Harriet, putting on her hat and gloves, "come, we are all -ready, and I know Uncle Gage is impatient to be off. I'll manage it." - -They stood on the steps while some of the elder persons of the party -went off; and when George Gage's carriage drew up, Harriet came forward. - -"I will drive Miss Capel, Mr. Gage;" she said, "for she has not a great -deal of courage, and I shall be less likely than you to put it to the -test." - -"Surely not--surely you are not afraid of my driving;" said Mr. Gage, -bending down to the level of Margaret's bonnet. "I had promised myself -so great a pleasure, and you cannot doubt my caution on such an -occasion." - -"You are very good," said Margaret, "but really--those horses--" - -"Come, come!" said Harriet, "give me the reins, I shall not be trying to -show off as you would. Do be good-natured George, and let me drive; you -can easily find a horse." - -While she spoke, Margaret was struck with the alteration in Mr. Gage's -countenance. Her chance was quite over with him, poor little girl; -though she was entirely ignorant of ever having had any. He looked -delighted, handed in Harriet and Margaret with the greatest care, and -stood on the step arranging everything for Harriet's convenience. - -"Why, I thought," he said, "you had given up all these bad habits. Will -you like another pair of horses? You had better drive a four-in-hand, -now you are about it." - -"No," said Harriet, "I wish to go quietly for the sake of my little -friend here; so let every one get out of my way, and will you tell -Charles to send my groom on with my horse?" - -As she spoke, she touched the horses, and swept out of the gates. She -was silent for a short time, and then said as with a sigh, as if to -herself, "Bless me, I called him George." - -"I am so much obliged to you," said Margaret after a pause, "now I shall -quite enjoy this day's pleasure." - -Harriet laughed, and drove on as fast as she could. - -"So shall I," she said; "my horse will be as fresh as a lark when we get -to the course; and these horses are worth driving. George--Mr. Gage, I -mean, knows how to buy a horse." - -"Suppose," said Margaret, "they were to run away." - -"Then we should get to S---- all the faster," said Harriet. - -"But you have not strength to stop them," said Margaret. - -"Granted," said Harriet. "Here, will you take the reins for a moment?" - -"Good gracious!" exclaimed Margaret looking up into her companion's -face. - -"I know where George keeps his cigars. I am going to take one, that's -all." - -Margaret looked aghast. - -"They are perfectly quiet, on my word," said Harriet. "Oh! about the -smoking. Do you mind it then?" - -"No," returned Margaret, who had never been in company with any one -while smoking. "I'll take the reins; but pray be quick." - -Harriet was quick; before Margaret had time to be frightened, she had -lit a cigar, and resumed the reins with all the unconcern in the world. - -"I learned this at Madrid," she said from between her teeth. "Some day, -if you please me, I'll tell you my history." - -"All of it?" asked Margaret, looking up into her companion's face. - -"Oh, yes! no half measures," returned Harriet. - -They went to S---- by a cross-country road, and therefore fell in with -very few of those who were likewise bound for the course. And by those -few, Harriet, with her hat and habit, her short hair and cigar, was -supposed as she whirled past them, to be a handsome boy. - -Mr. Gage was already on the course with his party; he rode up with his -brother and Mr. Haveloc to escort the ladies to the stand. Harriet had -her horse brought up to the steps of the carriage, mounted at once, and -rode off with Mr. Conway; and Hubert insisted on conducting Margaret to -Elizabeth pleading his sister's commands to that effect. - -And now they were seated in the very front of the stand, Elizabeth and -Margaret together; the gentlemen of their party were dispersed about the -course, and Margaret could distinguish in the distance the slight figure -of Harriet Conway, guiding her spirited horse among the company, -followed by her father and brother. She soon, however, lost sight of her -in the crowd, and began to feel impatient for the first race to begin. - -Now, their places being very good, attracted the envy of a couple of -insolent dragoon officers, who had just arrived, and who tried by -pushing in a most unjustifiable manner, to edge themselves in. Elizabeth -turned round in haughty surprise, Margaret in childish wonder, and -presented to the eyes of the eager officers, two of the loveliest faces -on the race course. - -"Oh!" said one of these cavaliers to the other, drawing back with a very -blank and crest-fallen face, "Oh! I didn't know they were young uns!" - -Margaret could hardly restrain her laughter at this audible ejaculation. -Miss Gage contented herself by thanking Heaven with a curved lip, that -they were soldiers. - -"No sailor," she said to Margaret, "would ever annoy a woman, young or -old. I am glad they were rude, these dragoons!" - -The contempt with which this last word was pronounced, all the keener -for its calmness, can scarcely be imagined. - -"But I ought to apologise to you, dear," she continued; "though to -suppose that your brave father had the most distant affinity to these -popinjays, would be indeed too insulting." - -Presently the race began, and Margaret forgot all about the rudeness of -the officers in the interest of the scene. - -After the race, they were joined by some of the gentlemen of their -party. George Gage came up to his sister and leaned against the railing -by her side, in that frame of mind so common to English people, which is -called an ill-humour. - -"Have you lost, George?" asked Elizabeth. - -"No. I have no inducement to bet here," said Mr. Gage; "a miserable -counterfeit of a race like this. I keep my losses for Epsom." - -"And whereabouts is Harriet?" - -"On the other side of the course with Charles Conway, and Lord Raymond. -I congratulate her very much upon her choice. The fellow seems to have -been born and bred in a stable." - -"I hardly know him," said Elizabeth; "but I am afraid Harriet will be -very tired, riding about so long, I wish she could be persuaded to sit -quietly here until we go home." - -"I will try if you wish it," said Mr. Gage, "but it can hardly be -expected that she should leave so great an attraction as Lord Raymond." - -"Go," said Elizabeth laughing, "I don't imagine his Lordship to be so -irresistible." - -As Mr. Gage was leaving the stand, he encountered the two officers -before mentioned, who had crept to some distance from the ladies. One of -these worthies had only lately exchanged from Mr. Gage's regiment into -the one he now adorned, and he presented his companion to George. - -There was some bowing, and lifting of hats and shaking of hands, and -then George invited them to dine at his father's before the ball, and -join their party thither, to which they readily agreed. - -His mission proved successful. In a few minutes Harriet came in followed -by her brother and Lord Raymond. - -Margaret was very curious to see this nobleman; and although she had -thought Mr. Gage's remark very harsh, she was not much surprised at it -when he made his appearance. He was ill-dressed, not very young, clumsy -in his person, and heavy in the expression of his features. He stammered -a good deal, and was not happy in his conversational powers. His ideas -were rather slow of circulation. He had got it into his head that it was -the duty of an Englishman to cultivate racing; and it would have taken -more years than he was likely to live, to convince him that it was a -pernicious and disgraceful occupation. He was very much on the turf, but -he was just skilful and cautious enough neither to gain or lose much in -a year by the vice. At the present moment, Harriet was the object of -his attention, and he therefore talked of nothing else. - -One of the party congratulated him upon his horse, which had just won -the race. - -"Yes," he said, "he was glad of it; for Miss Conway had betted upon Rory -O'More." - -Miss Gage asked him "if he had any other horse running that day?" - -"No," he replied, "as he should leave the course presently. How was Miss -Conway going home?" - -Lady Conway remarked to him, "that it was a cold day." - -"It was, indeed," he said, "he did not think Miss Conway seemed to be -sufficiently wrapped up." - -Harriet replied to both his remarks at once. "She said, that she meant -to drive herself home, and that she was quite warm enough." - -And by this time, the races being over for the day, and the company -beginning to disperse, Harriet called to Margaret, and sent her brother -to look for the carriage. Margaret was not sorry to be gone; she had a -head-ache, which had been gradually growing worse, and she hoped that -the fresh air would blow it away. Harriet lit another cigar as they went -off the course; she asked Margaret again "if she objected to it?" and -again Margaret said "No;" for though she thought it a very odd fancy in -her companion, she did not find the smell disagreeable enough to oppose -it. But her head became worse, and when she reached home, she was -scarcely able to dress for dinner. She made an effort, however, and went -down stairs. There were no candles in the drawing-room, which was dimly -lighted by a very moderate fire. - -Margaret felt chilly, and took a chair as close as she could to the -fire-place, next to a person who seemed to be in a uniform, as far as -she could tell by the glimmering light. He entered into general -conversation with her, and among other desultory remarks, asked her "if -she meant to accompany her daughter to the ball that evening?" - -Margaret ascribed the mistake to the darkness, and contented herself -with replying in the negative. - -The stranger was directed to take her into the dining-room, and as they -came into a blaze of light on crossing the hall, he discovered that the -lady he had the honour of escorting was young and beautiful; for he had -mistaken her for Mrs. Somerton, who was about Margaret's height. - -As soon as his ideas became enlightened on this subject, he began to -stammer out a few of those incoherent sentences with which young men of -no education are apt to try to express their meaning. - -"Upon my word--I--it is very strange now--I have a thousand apologies -to--the most singular--I actually thought you--" - -"Yes," said Margaret quietly, in one moment recognizing her friend of -the race course, "it is not the first time to-day you have thought I was -not a 'young un.'" - -It would have done any artist good to have seen the officer's face. His -line was a bad one, but he was not first rate in his line--not a -Lovelace, or a Pelham. He had not learned to be found out with a good -grace. Like Fag, it hurt his conscience. He changed colour, and looked a -good deal smaller than usual. Of course the first thing he did was to -tell a lie. He hoped he had not pushed against her in the stand--some -people behind, had been pressing upon him so scandalously, that he -almost feared he had inconvenienced some ladies in the front of the -stand; he hoped it had not been the case. - -Margaret, rather amused at the way in which he got through the -difficulty, made some slight reply, and took her place at the table. By -some accident she was separated from the hero of the race course, and -found herself between Mr. Haveloc, and Hubert Gage. Harriet Conway, -still in her riding habit, sat on the other side of the said hero. - -"Hubert, cannot you save Margaret the trouble of carving that dish, -whatever it is?" said Harriet, seeing that Margaret looked embarrassed -at the task. - -"I could, but I do not wish it," said Hubert. "It is so very becoming," -he added in a low voice to Margaret, "ladies with such beautiful arms -should always carve." - -"I wish you would help me, instead of talking nonsense," said Margaret, -who was colouring very much under the impression that two or three -persons had their eyes fixed on her, "you see how disagreeable it is to -me." - -Before she had done speaking, Mr. Haveloc had taken the knife and fork -from her hands. - -"That's right," said Harriet, speaking across to Mr. Haveloc. - -"I do wish you would go to the ball, Harriet," said Hubert. - -"Don't you really go the ball?" echoed Mr. Elliot, the hero before -mentioned, "how can you be so cruel as to remain at home?" - -"Yes--you wish to dance with me, don't you?" said Harriet, turning -suddenly round upon him. "I'll tell you why I don't go. I detest -dancing; unless one could hire a partner as they do in Flanders, and the -man felt his value to be one kreutzer, and no more." A good many men can -get on very well with people who are exactly like every body they are in -the habit of meeting, but any thing like a character puts them quite -out. So Mr. Elliot got up a little laugh and was silent. At last, he -enquired of Harriet what amusement she preferred to dancing. - -"Pistol shooting," said Harriet. "There's the man with the champagne. -Don't you take any?" - -"You take no wine?" said Mr. Elliot. - -"No--I never do," returned Harriet. - -"And what can you hit with the pistol?" - -"A wine-glass at sixteen paces." - -"How often?" - -"Sometimes. What can you hit?" - -"A--why--a--" - -"A hay-stack, I suppose. Tell somebody to bring me the cream." - -"Have you heard Fornasari?" asked Mr. Elliot. - -"No. What is he like?" - -"Oh, very fine really! You would be delighted!" - -"What is fine?" asked Harriet impatiently. "I want to know the sort of -singer; and you call him fine!" - -Mr. Elliot never having heard of a definition, was naturally silent -under this attack. - -"Have you been to town lately?" asked Harriet. - -"Yes. I am only just returned." - -"Have you seen the new marbles then?" - -"The--I beg your pardon." - -"The marble from Xanthis in the British Museum?" - -"I don't quite--I believe they took me once to the Museum when I was a -boy in the Christmas holidays, along with the pantomimes." - -"Ah! it is not now in the same place with the pantomimes; we have -changed all that," said Harriet. "I say, Hubert, my Skye terrier caught -a rat yesterday out walking." - -"No, did he? I wish I had been there," said Hubert, "Why did not you let -me walk with you?" - -"It was before you came home. Don't you know you were only just in time -for dinner." - -"So I was. What did you win of me, Miss Capel?" - -"Nothing," said Margaret, "I would not bet at all." - -"I was so sorry for your determination," said George Gage, across the -table to Margaret, "it would have been such a pleasure to lose to you." - -And upon this gallant speech, he and Harriet exchanged one of their -singular glances. - -"You did not care which horse won, did you?" asked Hubert. - -"Yes, I did," said Margaret, "but I knew that one would not win." - -"Which was it?" - -"Hyacinth. It was such a pretty name." - -"And how did you contrive to form so correct an estimate of Hyacinth's -merits?" asked George Gage. - -"Oh! I knew nothing about it," said Margaret. "Harriet told me." - -"Miss Conway has the advantage of a friend behind the scenes," said -George coolly; and then another glance flashed across the table from -Harriet's splendid eyes. - -Mr. Elliot mentioned the name of the person to whom Hyacinth -belonged--made some remark upon the fore-foot of the animal, and then -was silent; naturally thinking that he had instructed the company enough -for one while. - -When Margaret returned to the drawing-room, she found her head so very -much worse, that she was obliged to tell Elizabeth, in confidence, that -she did not think she would be able to go to the ball. - -She said this with her eyes full of tears; partly on account of the -delicate white crape dress, which was laid out in her room with its -pretty garniture of lilac primroses. - -Elizabeth was all kindness. She would not hear of her giving up the -ball, but took her into her own sitting-room, and tried every remedy -that her ingenuity could suggest. At last, while bathing her forehead -with eau de Cologne, she exclaimed, "My dear child, I hope that foolish -Harriet has not been persuading you to smoke." - -"No, indeed!" said Margaret earnestly, "but it was the horrid scent of -those cigars. I had no head-ache before." - -"How vexatious!" exclaimed Miss Gage. "I must read her a lecture upon -it. But if you keep very quiet until we set off, my dear Margaret, you -may be able to go. I cannot endure that you should be disappointed. -Indeed, two or three people," said she smiling, "will endure it as ill -as myself." - -Margaret blushed, and wondered to herself who Elizabeth could mean; but -she was suffering too much to make the attempt. She was too giddy to -stand, too ill to think of undergoing another toilet, or to be able to -sit up all night afterwards. She made the best of it, however; said the -pleasure was only postponed; tried not to think of her lilac primroses, -and laughed at Harriet who was really distressed, when she learned that -she had caused her little friend's illness. - -Hubert Gage was very much discomposed. He was quite certain that -Margaret had not tried the proper remedies, and that if he could see -her, he would set every thing to rights in a moment. She ought to have -brandy--but ladies never knew what was good for them. His complaints -were disregarded however; so he turned away and asked Blanche Somerton -to dance with him. - -Mr. Haveloc looked annoyed, "regretted exceedingly to hear that Miss -Capel was suffering," and went to learn the particulars of Miss Gage. - -George seemed the most vexed of the party; for he naturally thought it -was very wrong that every thing should not happen just as he liked, and -he had wished to waltz with Margaret. - -He therefore said, that for his part he did not think he should go to -the ball that evening. He was not fond of dancing, and he really did -think somebody ought to be at home, in case of Miss Capel becoming -worse. - -At this considerate announcement, Harriet drew up her handsome mouth as -if she was going to whistle, and then coming forward, said, "I stay at -home, Mr. Gage, and I imagine that I shall be very well able to take -care of Miss Capel. Therefore you had better go and make yourself -decent, and accompany your friends to the ball." - -This remark, which seemed to convey an opinion by no means flattering to -Mr. Gage's costume, appeared rather to amuse him. - -He said, that he did not know Miss Conway was such a judge of dress; and -asked her if she could recommend him a model. - -Captain Gage, hearing his son's declaration that he would stay at home, -now came up in a great bustle. He had no idea of not taking with him -both his handsome sons, as well as his daughter. He was very proud of -his children, and pleased himself in the thought that they would excite -great attention in the ball-room. - -"No, my dear boy, you can't stay at home. Impossible!" he said. "We -would all stay at home if we could do the poor thing any good. But here -you would be only in the way. Would he not, Harriet?" - -"Decidedly," said Harriet, with one of her flashing looks. - -Mr. Gage bit his lip, and turned to leave the room. - -"There, go and make yourself decent," said Captain Gage, echoing -Harriet's words. "Upon my honour, I am very sorry for the poor little -girl. Her first ball too!" - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - - - Aos homens todos - Lhes deu um livro so' a natureza, - O proprio coração. - - CATÂO. - - - Nature hath given to all men one same book, - 'Tis their own heart. - - E se voi stanchi fossi d' ascoltare - Si vi potrete riposar in tanto. - - ZINABI. - - -"I don't know when I have been so vexed," said Harriet, who was sitting -with Margaret, while the ladies went up to dress. "I'm sure you will -never be friends with me after this contretemps." - -"Indeed I shall," said Margaret. "You could not help it, I know; and it -is no such great misfortune after all." - -Harriet drew the fire together, rang for coffee, and pushed over a -footstool to Margaret. - -"We will try to make ourselves comfortable," said she. "I have told the -women to come in and show you their dresses before they start. Then you -shall have some strong coffee, and then to bed." - -"I wish," said Margaret hesitating, "I wish you would tell me your -history, as you promised." - -"That is very sly," said Harriet laughing, "because I cannot refuse you -anything under the circumstances. But I will do it, and the more -readily, as I have not much to tell, so drink your coffee, and listen. -Once upon a time--" - -"Oh, but a real history if you please!" said Margaret. - -"This is real," said Harriet, laughing.--"Must I not begin at the -beginning? Well, if you like it, _tout court_. I am the youngest of the -family. Mamma doats on me--Papa likes me very well. Charles, the one you -have seen, is the eldest--he wears his glass in his eye--I do not think -he has any other peculiarity. Then comes Lucy, she is a good girl, and I -am very fond of her. I could tell you a secret that would a little -surprise you; that is, if you have observed any of the bye-play of the -last day or two." - -"Oh, do!" said Margaret. "I really will keep it." - -"I believe you!" said Harriet. "It shall come in due course. My second -brother, Evan, is just called to the bar. He has a good deal of -character, and is therefore my favourite. I should rather like you to -see Evan. Alfred, the youngest son, is in the army; and there is the -outline of a Baronet's family." - -"It is very amusing," said Margaret. "I like better to hear real stories -than to read them." - -"For me," said Harriet. "I was very sickly as a child, and I spent most -of my time with an uncle, who is very fond of me, and who lives in a -romantic part of the country, and keeps up an old manor-house in the -old English style. My uncle and aunt Singleton are both characters--but -I can't stay to describe all my relations." - -"Oh do! I like descriptions," said Margaret. - -"Well. Aunt Singleton is the quietest little dormouse that ever was -seen. She creeps about the house in her black silk gown, is as deaf as a -post, and speaks in a whisper. My uncle is a keen sportsman; he taught -me to ride, and drive, and angle; and established my health, without -improving my manners. He is very proud of me, because he has made me -what I am. People think I am trying to imitate Die Vernon, when I am -merely following the pursuits natural to such a course of education." - -"And how did you learn your lessons all the while?" asked Margaret. - -"Never learned any;" replied Harriet. "I picked up French from a -lady's-maid; Italian, from a music master, who could not speak English; -and Spanish, when my father was Envoy at Madrid. I can speak and write -these languages almost as well as my own; and this with a good deal of -desultory reading, is the sum total of my education. I don't even know -the multiplication table!" - -Margaret laughed. - -"You saw Lord Raymond on the course to-day." - -"Yes," replied Margaret. - -"He used often to pay my uncle a visit, and he always took the notice of -me that men are apt to take of children. I used to ride with him and my -uncle. I was very fond of horses and dogs, and enjoyed field sports as -much as he did. Every visit he paid, Lord Raymond asked me if I would be -his little wife; and I as regularly said, 'no, thank you.' I always -thought he was unable to leave off any habit. He has just left off this -one though." - -"Has he?" said Margaret inquiringly. - -"You shall hear. Well, when I was about seventeen, George Gage came to -see my uncle. We took a vast fancy to each other; that is, after our -fashion:--we were neither of us in the Romeo and Juliet school. -Fools--as you can imagine." - -Margaret's interest became very deep at this crisis. - -Harriet threw her curls off her forehead, and went on. - -"He admired my riding and my eyes, and, in fact, every thing I said and -did. My uncle was contented; Captain Gage was pleased; we were said to -be too young, and the affair was put off for a year or two. Never do -that, by the way, if you care about the man. I like to mix a little -useful advice with my tale, you observe." - -"Why, I think," said Margaret, "that if his love would not last any -time, it had better go before than after marriage." - -"I thought," said Harriet, "that he had enough love to last to all -eternity; but I was mistaken. And if he thought the same of me, he was -mistaken too." - -At these words she drew herself up proudly, and again scattered her -short curls. - -"He went off to his regiment; and the next thing I heard of him was that -he was at the feet of a married woman--a lady famous for detaching men -from their lawful allegiance, whether as husbands or lovers. This Mrs. -Max--but we will not mention names." - -"Mrs. Maxwell Dorset!" exclaimed Margaret starting up in her chair. - -"What, you have heard of her?" said Harriet, "I believe she enjoys a -pretty extensive reputation. Is your head worse? I have been talking too -much for you, I am afraid." - -"Not at all," said Margaret, leaning back again, "pray go on; and will -you give me another cup of coffee?" - -"You shall have it," said Harriet, "one need not forget to eat and -drink; that is the last stage of that most deplorable folly--love. -Well--I do not look like a person who would put up with such conduct, do -I?" - -"No," said Margaret smiling. - -"I wrote immediately to George to signify that as he had made his -choice, he might abide by it--that he was welcome to be Mrs. such a -one's slave, but that I resigned every sort of claim to the honour. I -thought he deserved a little better than Lazarillo de Tormes, who played -the part of lackey to seven mistresses--the rascal--and at last was -almost demolished by two viragos who contended for his services in the -open street." - -She laughed scornfully, and went on. - -"This made rather a cabal in the family, you may suppose. Papa, who -thought one daughter was disposed of, looked very blank upon my -proceedings. Captain Gage--just like him--took my part. He said that -George had behaved shamefully, and though he hoped it would all come -right again, he could not wonder at my determination. But these things -never do come right again, Margaret." - -Margaret sighed. - -"The strangest part of the whole affair was George's conduct. He had -been, before this transaction, not at all better than his -neighbours--and that is saying little enough for any man--indeed, as my -good aunt told me, I might reasonably have expected what happened. My -aunt was right, though I own, I could have called her out at the time -for saying so. Well, he suddenly turned over a new leaf; renounced his -extravagances, cut Mrs. Maxwell Dorset, and became quite a moral -character. In fact, behaved as people are supposed to do upon an -engagement instead of a repulse. This was all his pride; just to show me -what an exemplary character I had thrown away." - -"And you," said Margaret, "how did you bear it?" - -"Very coolly, I promise you;" said Harriet, "I grew thin, and irritable, -and so yellow that I was afraid to look at my own face in the glass. -Aunt Singleton plagued me with asses milk. Uncle Singleton gave me a -capital hunter. I don't know which remedy it was, but I very soon -forgot all about Master George." - -Margaret did not quite believe this, but she made no remark. - -"Still," continued Harriet, "I was very glad when papa was appointed -Envoy to Madrid. I insisted on going with him, and enjoyed our residence -in Spain beyond all description. Just before we set out, Lord Raymond -asked me again to be his little wife. I was not exactly in the frame of -mind to feel pleased with his politeness; so I told him, that I was -tired of having to answer the same idle question, and so took leave of -him in a pet. - -"We were two years at Madrid; when we came back, the first person I saw -was Lord Raymond. I was afraid he was going to bore me again. Not at -all. He took the first opportunity to tell me that Lucy had been more -complaisant than I had; that they were engaged, but wished to keep it a -profound secret for the present, while his pecuniary affairs are -undergoing certain regulations. But that dog in the manger, George, -thinks that Lord Raymond's attentions are directed to me; and cannot -contain his malice on the subject, although it is certainly no concern -of his." - -"I do not wonder he thinks so," said Margaret, "I am sure I did." - -"Yes! because poor Lord Raymond cannot pay Lucy the attention he would -wish to do," said Harriet, "and because from habit, he has always been -used to consider me as somebody that he ought to follow about, and make -a fuss with; and as he is really kind-hearted, he fidgets about me ten -times more, now that I have been very ill." - -"And about your illness," said Margaret. - -"Nothing romantic, I can assure you," said Harriet. "I went to see my -Uncle Singleton on my return, and one day, having paid a visit to the -wife of one of his park-keepers, a young woman who had formerly been my -maid, and who was then ill, I had the bad luck to catch her complaint, -which was typhus fever. You cannot imagine a greater bore; and I have -lost all my hair you see, I have had both disorders, and I pronounce -typhus fever to be considerably worse than the tender passion. I hope -you may have neither. It is the best wish I can frame for you." - -"Thank you for your wish and your story," said Margaret, "it is really a -romance." - -"That is the worst of it," said Harriet, "I am twenty, and I have -already lived a whole life; there is no more excitement for me. I shall -marry a country curate, and teach at Sunday schools, I think." - -"What a great deal of romance there is in the world," said Margaret. - -"True," said Harriet, "some writer says, 'that everybody's heart would -be a romance if it were accurately delineated;' not everybody's, -though!" she exclaimed with a peal of laughter, "that man who set next -to me at dinner. What was his name?" - -"Mr. Elliot," said Margaret, beginning to laugh in her turn. - -"Aye, Mr. Elliot--fancy his heart!" exclaimed Harriet, bursting into -fresh peals of laughter, "the keenest pang he could feel would be -hunger; his most exquisite enjoyment a pocket-full of money. No, cry you -mercy--there must be some exceptions to the poet's rule." - -"On my word, you two seem to be very merry," said Miss Gage, coming in, -"I hope not more merry than wise. How is all this to agree with your -head, my dear Margaret?" - -"Oh, I have been so amused," said Margaret, taking Miss Gage's hand, -"that I have forgotten the pain. How beautiful you look, Bessy." - -"Yes," said Harriet looking attentively at her, "that white gauze with -corn-flowers, has a very tolerable effect. How well they look on your -light hair; commend me to such a high tiara of flowers. It gives you the -aspect of an empress." - -Miss Gage laughed; and Harriet calling in the other ladies, commented -upon them with as much indifference as if they had been a set of wax -figures. - -"There," said she, "what do you say to Lucy? Do you like pink crape, -little one? It is very well made; but I prefer white for candlelight. -Well, that is the most knowing little cap I have seen a long time, look -Margaret; it is made of gold twist. Bravo! Miss Lawson Smith. That is an -Indian fan, I suppose, Miss Selwyn. After all, I think Miss Somerton has -the prettiest dress; those little bouquets are placed to a wish. Eh, -Margaret!" - -"They are all charmingly dressed," said Margaret, "pray, dear Bessy, -remember to tell me all about it." - -"I will, indeed," said Elizabeth, "I will try and recollect everybody's -partners; and the different ices at supper. Those are the two leading -features of a ball." - -"Shall you dance the Mazourka, Bessy?" asked Margaret. - -"I--no; I dance very little," said Elizabeth, "a quadrille or two, just -for form's sake." - -"She stands talking to her father," said Harriet, as soon as the ladies -had withdrawn, "that is the way she spends the best part of the evening. -I often wonder how Bessy can manage to keep single. She is so very much -admired." - -"How is it then?" asked Margaret. - -"I suppose her father makes her fastidious," said Harriet, "indeed, I do -not suppose she would easily find such a person as Captain Gage. I know -two people now who would be very happy to die for her." - -Margaret opened her eyes. - -"Young Haveloc has been talked of for her; because they live in the same -county," said Harriet; "but any child can see there is nothing in that -quarter. By the way, he is very intimate with my brother Evan." - -"Indeed," said Margaret. - -"Well, good night, my poor little martyr," said Harriet; "I am heartily -sorry for you, because, until you have tried, you cannot possibly know -what a very stupid affair a ball is." - -Margaret returned her farewell, and went to bed, her head full of races, -Mr. Gage, Mrs. Maxwell Dorset, her white crape gown, and Bessy's wreath -of corn-flowers. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - - - Her whyles Sir Calidore there vowed well, - And markt her rare demeanure, which him seemed - So farre the meane of shepheards to excell, - As that he in his mind her worthy deemed - To be a prince's paragone esteemed. - - SPENSER. - - -Margaret breakfasted with Miss Gage in her dressing-room the next -morning, and heard all the particulars that she wished to know -respecting the ball. She went down stairs about the middle of the day, -and the first person she saw was Harriet Conway standing on the lawn -outside the drawing-room windows, talking to Lord Raymond, while Hubert -Gage and Mr. Conway were teazing her Skye terrier at a little distance. -As soon as she caught sight of Margaret, she came to the window and -greeted her. - -"Quite well, really? That is right! No remains whatever of that unlucky -head-ache? I hope devoutly the dog will bite you both!" she exclaimed, -turning round to the gentlemen. - -Hubert left the dog to its fate, and came up to condole with Margaret -upon her disappointment of the last evening--his disappointment he ought -to say; for he was sure that he had been the greatest sufferer on the -occasion. - -Margaret, knowing very well that he had been dancing, and enjoying -himself all the evening, laughed, and said she was sorry for him. - -Lord Raymond, who was just going off, took Harriet on one side, and -seemed to be talking very earnestly to her. Mr. Conway joined Margaret -at the window with the dog, and conversed with her in a very -condescending manner; tried to persuade her to think Donald a great -beauty, and told her how much money the little beast was worth. - -While they were thus employed, Mr. Gage came into the drawing-room, and -advanced leisurely to Margaret. He immediately caught sight of Harriet -and Lord Raymond; but he was far too experienced to suffer any vexation -to be traced in his manner. He made the most anxious inquiries after -Miss Capel's health; regretted very much the loss their party had -sustained on the previous night; abused the ball as intolerably stupid; -and tried to persuade Margaret to allow him to drive her out after -luncheon. He hoped now that she had seen how quiet his horses were, she -would feel disposed to trust herself with him. He trusted that Miss -Harriet Conway had inspired Miss Capel with a little of her courage. - -Harriet, hearing her own name, turned round, and seeing George Gage, -coloured, waved her hand to him by way of "good morning," and then -renewed her conversation with Lord Raymond. His Lordship did not speak -very fast; and like many people, the more he made up his mind to go, the -farther he was from going. He had to say a great many things which he -was very earnest in delivering, and which made Harriet laugh very much; -and the bystanders would hardly have imagined that the substance of his -narrative was the history of some tulip roots which his sister had paid -a great deal of money for, and which, owing to some carelessness on her -part, had never blossomed at all. - -Meantime, while Mr. Gage talked to Margaret of the flower-show, he was -watching every movement and look of Harriet's; and his patience was -going by inches, while he appeared much interested in moss roses and -Neapolitan violets. At last he said to Mr. Conway in a remarkably calm -manner, that considering his sister was an invalid, it occurred to him -that it was hardly prudent to stand out in a high wind without a shawl. - -Mr. Conway laughed, said it was true enough; but that Harriet had a will -of her own, and would not thank him if he interrupted her conversation -for the minor consideration of a bonnet and cloak. - -"What is that you say of me?" asked Harriet, running up to the window, -having just parted from Lord Raymond. "Here, Hubert, stand out of the -way, you are such giants, you Gage's. Give me my dog, Charles. Now, -Margaret, if you wish to see a beauty--but what were you saying of me?" - -"Merely remarking that it would have been unpardonable to break in upon -your tête-à-tête to save you from the chance of another illness. I -ventured to think that you were slightly clad for so cold a wind," said -Mr. Gage, drawing his chair to the fire, as if in proof of the inclement -weather. - -"People have no business to think at all upon my proceedings," said -Harriet, carelessly, "Hubert! I wish you would go and get Donald a -little bit of meat on a plate; he ought to have his dinner about this -time of day. My dog is not a dog in the manger," she added; drawing -close to Margaret with Donald in her arms. "How frightened you look. He -does not hear me." - -"He will be worth nothing for sport if you nurse and pet him so," said -her brother, "you had much better have a lap-dog." - -"Now is not that quite a man's idea?" said Harriet laughing, "if you can -make anything of use to you, well; but you have literally no notion of -companionship. You judge everything by what it would fetch; and why you -ever marry, I cannot think, unless you get some money by the bargain." - -"Oh! that is too severe upon my word. Do not you think so?" said Hubert, -turning to Margaret. - -"I hope so," said Margaret, "but I have seen too little to judge." - -"I cannot think that experience will ever make you judge hardly of -others," said Mr. Gage in a soft voice to Margaret. - -"Experience will tell her that to judge truly, is to judge hardly in -five cases out of ten," said Harriet disdainfully. - -"Luncheon is ready," exclaimed Hubert, taking Margaret's hand and -hurrying her out of the room, "and a good thing too, for our discussion -was growing rather stormy; and I have no objection to interrupt my -courtier of a brother in his pretty speeches." - -Margaret laughed as she took her seat at the table, and said she thought -that pretty speeches ran in the family. She felt now perfectly at her -ease with both brothers; feeling convinced that George was still -attached to Harriet Conway, and that Hubert did not know what it was to -be attached to any body. - -"Oh, by the way!" said Hubert, as he drew a chair beside Margaret, -"Haveloc would go off after breakfast. He made many inquiries about you, -and was very sorry, as everybody was, last night. Bread! to be sure, I -beg you a thousand pardons. Now don't starve; it is dreadful to see -women eat so little, it reminds me of that story,--did you ever read the -Arabian Nights?" - -"Often," said Margaret, "you mean the story of the Ghoul. I do not mean -to be a Ghoul to-day; you may give me some chicken." - -"That's right," said Hubert. "Hallo! here is the Governor with that old -wretch, Casement. How I wish Haveloc was here; he hates the old fellow -so cordially. Don't you?" - -"I am glad he is away," said Margaret, "for they always quarrel." - -"You are an angel of peace," exclaimed Hubert, gazing at her with -admiration. - -"Pray don't be sentimental at luncheon," said Margaret, laughing, "it is -so very inappropriate." - -Captain Gage and Mr. Casement now came up to the table. Captain Gage -took a vacant chair on the other side of Margaret; shook hands, and -said a great many kind things to her on her loss of the ball; hoped it -would not be long before there was another in the neighbourhood; -wondered what people were about that they did not give as many dances as -they used to do, and insisted on her drinking a glass of wine. Mr. -Casement stopped short, and taking out his glasses, surveyed everybody -at table with much deliberation; and odious as he was, there was -something in his manner which showed that he had been used to a great -deal of society, and that he held himself on a level with everybody he -met. - -"Hallo!" said he, "you have got a party together. How do you manage to -keep them out of mischief; eh, Captain? There is something going on at -your elbow there, as I'm alive. Eh, little woman! Shall I go home and -tell uncle?" - -Margaret coloured deeply. Miss Gage shook her head at Mr. Casement. - -"Miss Gage, your most devoted," said he, bowing to her. "No, I never -touch anything at this time of day--well, for once, give me a bit of -tongue, little woman. Thank you, Master Hubert." - -And not being able to express himself fully, under the kind but -commanding eye of Miss Gage, he was obliged to content himself by making -a face at Hubert and Margaret, which was intended to speak the contents -of a whole valentine. - -"And who is that curly-headed thing yonder?" said Mr. Casement pointing -with his glasses to Harriet. - -"My niece, Harriet," said Captain Gage, who was so used to hear Harriet -call him uncle, that he forgot at the moment that their relationship was -rather more distant. - -"Niece--by Adam's side," said Mr. Casement. "Eh, Captain Gage! it looks -rather suspicious when gentlemen call ladies their nieces--ha! ha!" - -"Sir!" said George Gage, staring in his most arrogant manner at Mr. -Casement. - -"Eh! you there Master George?" said Mr. Casement. "I thought you could -not get leave; really, when one considers what a farce the service is -now-a-days, one is puzzled to know why you should not get leave, as you -call it, every mother's son of you at once. What are you doing over in -Ireland?" - -George Gage seemed very little disposed to give Mr. Casement an answer; -but after staring at him haughtily for a moment, he replied "Nothing." -And then turning to his sister, he asked her some questions about her -plans for the afternoon. - -"Do you know, Uncle Gage," said Harriet, "that I am going to stay here a -whole week longer?" - -"The longer the better," said Captain Gage. "I wish you were all going -to stay. The house will seem deserted when you are gone." - -Lady Conway made some polite reply to this speech, and thanked Miss Gage -for taking charge of Harriet, for she knew they were to have a very gay -week at Wardenscourt, and it was important that Harriet should be -quiet. - -George Gage on hearing this announcement, directed his merciless stare -to Harriet in some surprise; for Wardenscourt was Lord Raymond's place, -and it seemed but natural that she should have made an effort to go -there. - -Harriet cared nothing for his gaze; she was used to be looked at, and -she did not even seem to perceive that his eyes were upon her; she kept -her eyes on her plate, and a suppressed smile played for an instant on -her cheek, as she said, "Ah! Wardenscourt; they are sure to be really -gay there. It is the only house almost--but I shall have the pleasure of -being with you Bessy." - -"Wardenscourt is not far off, fortunately," said George. - -Harriet looked up, still smiling. - -"No," she said. "I hope Lord Raymond will come over one morning to tell -me about the pointers his keeper is training for Uncle Singleton. Take -care that you remind him, Lucy." - -Lucy laughed and coloured. Margaret felt very much inclined to laugh -too. - -"It will be worth while for him to come over," said George, "if he -occupies you as profitably as he did this morning." - -"How was that, Mr. Gage?" asked Lady Conway. - -"The fact is this, mamma," said Harriet hastily, "Mr. Gage having -forgotten my out of door propensities, was astonished to see me standing -on the lawn for a few minutes without my bonnet." - -"Oh! pray be careful while we are away, my dear," said Lady Conway. "You -must not take cold." - -They were rising. Mr. Gage drew back Harriet's chair; and she, in -passing out, fixed her splendid eyes upon him, and muttered in a -distinct manner, 'Tu me lo pagherai.' - -He bowed as if to say, he was willing to make payment at any time. - -The ladies remained loitering among the beautiful plants in the hall, -and Elizabeth coming up to Margaret, urged her, in a low voice, to stay -with her as long as Harriet remained at Chirke Weston. - -"It will be more cheerful for both of you, and though I do not propose -her as a model for your imitation; you are safe with her, she always -speaks the truth. And your uncle can better spare you now Mr. Haveloc is -with him." - -Margaret accepted with much pleasure, and the visitors having now all -dropped off, she began really to enjoy herself. They walked out, -accompanied by George and Hubert over a beautiful country. - -Hubert divided his attentions very much between Margaret and the Skye -terrier. - -Harriet took her own course, swinging in her hand a little riding-whip -which had a whistle at the end of it, with which she was used to summon -her dog. - -George walked with Elizabeth, being out of humour, and thinking very -properly that his sister was created for the especial purpose of -cheering him under the influence of that complaint. - -She succeeded in doing so, for her evenness of temper was remarkable. -She agreed that it was a miserable day--that the wind was keen--that it -was very likely to rain--that the ball had been a dull one, and that the -post came in at Chirke Weston at an inconvenient time--and then, (for it -does not answer to agree too much with people,) she qualified his -censures of Lord Raymond, defended her father's black cravats, -maintained there would be a great many people at the flower-show, and -said she had not at all pitied him for being obliged to dance with Lady -Farquhar, though she was fat, and five and forty. - -George being a little restored by this time, began to grow confidential. -He told Elizabeth that he was very thankful that things had turned out -as they did between Harriet and him. That he was convinced she had no -heart. That she was very well suited to Lord Raymond, and he had no -doubt but that they would be extremely happy! - -He said this in rather an angry tone, and did not look as if he at all -wished that their married life should prove an Elysium; so Elizabeth -changed the subject. - -"What do you think of my little friend?" she asked. "You must admire -Margaret." - -"Yes," he said. "She is a lovely little creature, but such a mere child, -and so shy; and it is too much to expect that one can take the trouble -to draw a woman out. I should not be surprised if she was to grow a -little taller, which would be an advantage. She dresses well, and her -hand and arm is really a model. I was struck with it immediately. And I -am glad to perceive," he said, directing his glance to Margaret, as she -walked on in front with Hubert and Harriet against a pretty strong -breeze. "I am glad to see that her foot and ancle is equally perfect." - -"Well," said Elizabeth smiling. "On the whole, your decision seems to -be favourable." - -"Yes, decidedly," said Mr. Gage quite seriously. "I am very well -pleased; for I have not been used to be ashamed of my sister, and I -should care to be ashamed of my sister-in-law; for that I suppose will -be the end of it, Bessy?" - -"I shall be very glad if it is so," replied Elizabeth. - -"He might do worse," said Mr. Gage. "Sailors are so _inconséquent_. They -often marry the most extraordinary persons--people that one never has -heard of. Miss Capel, however, seems highly respectable. But," he added -in a low tone, "to put that little doll in competition with such a woman -as Harriet! Hubert need not fear me for a rival." - -"Very fortunately," said Elizabeth smiling, "it would be dreadful if we -were to have the Theban brothers over again." - -"They fought for a crown, not a woman," said Mr. Gage, "being wise men." - -"Is Mr. Gage very amusing to you, Bessy?" said Harriet, looking back, -"that you don't come to join our party?" - -Elizabeth good-naturedly quickened her steps, and Harriet said aloud to -Margaret, "It is a charity to break in upon their tête-à-tête, for Mr. -Gage has grown so dull, I think he must have caught cold on the race -ground." - -Margaret looked frightened, and Mr. Gage pretended not to hear Harriet's -speech. - -Margaret was very happy during her stay at Chirke Weston. Hubert Gage -was always paying her compliments which she laughed at, and contriving -all sorts of schemes for her amusement, for which she was much obliged. - -She became every day more attached to Elizabeth; she admired her -character, and loved her sweetness; and it was delightful to see the -terms upon which she lived with her father and brothers. - -George Gage paid Margaret the most devoted attentions whenever he -wished to pique Harriet, and at other times consigned her to the care of -Hubert, as if he had too much delicacy to interfere with his brother's -pretensions. Fortunately, she found amusement in the society of both -brothers, without allowing their courtesies to penetrate her heart. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - - - And she will die ere she make her love known; and - she will die if he woo her, rather than she will 'bate one - breath of her accustomed coyness. - - MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. - - -It was the last day of Margaret's stay. Harriet was also to leave Chirke -Weston the next morning. She was standing with Margaret in one of the -drawing-room windows after breakfast, making her promise over and over -again that she would come and see her at her uncle Singleton's, when -Lord Raymond drove up to the house in his dog-cart. He produced out of -this vehicle the two pointers which Harriet had been anxious to see; -and, on a signal from her hand, he brought them up to the window where -she was standing. - -As soon as she had done admiring and commenting upon these pointers, -Lord Raymond delivered them to his groom to pack up in their box again, -and joined Harriet in the drawing-room. Elizabeth looked up from her -carpet-work, and received Lord Raymond with her usual graceful calmness; -and George Gage who was writing at the other end of the room, rising -from his letters, took a chair by the side of that distinguished -nobleman, and engaged him in conversation; and as he did this with an -air of extreme politeness, Margaret did not guess that his sole motive -was to expose his rival's deficiency in that useful art. - -But Lord Raymond never actually conversed, he only answered questions. -So, when he had told Mr. Gage that John Baldwin was a connexion of his, -but that it was Ferdinand Baldwin who married Miss Thoresby; that he -believed her fortune had been greatly overrated; that Ferdinand was a -first cousin of John's;--that certainly Miss Thoresby had been engaged -to a Colonel Carpenter, who had thought himself very much ill-used when -she broke off the engagement; that Henry Baldwin was a Roman Catholic, -and that there were a great many of that name in Staffordshire, he had -nothing more to say for himself; and rising to depart, he asked Harriet -whether she had any message to send to her sister at Wardenscourt. - -"Tell Lucy," said Harriet looking archly at Lord Raymond, "that I should -be disposed to envy her if I were any where but at Chirke Weston." - -As soon as Lord Raymond was gone, Mr. Gage stalked back to his writing, -and Harriet, calling Margaret to her side, began a panegyric on his -Lordship; vaunting his good principles, his kindness of heart, and above -all his even temper. - -As all these qualities may exist under a very ordinary exterior, -Margaret had nothing to do but to acquiesce; but when Harriet went on to -say that she thought him unquestionably the most aristocratic man that -she had ever seen, Margaret opened her eyes with a gesture of -astonishment; and Mr. Gage, throwing down his pen, in something like a -passion, said that Miss Conway was known to be original in her opinions; -but that certainly, he imagined, she would find herself perfectly unique -in this idea. That most people would find it difficult to credit from -his appearance that Lord Raymond was a gentleman--and that, except the -late Earl of D----, the peerage had seldom been disfigured by such a -specimen of humanity. - -"Did I say he was handsome, Squire Sullen?" retorted Harriet. "I merely -gave my opinion of his deportment, which I consider quite fascinating." - -"Unquestionably," Mr. Gage said, resuming his pen with great dignity. -"Miss Conway's opinion of Lord Raymond was of more consequence than any -other person's. He merely regretted that he could not in this instance -agree with it." - -Harriet merely replied by one of her most scornful looks. Mr. Gage took -up the newspaper, and Hubert, coming in at the moment, persuaded -Elizabeth and Margaret to go with him to one of the hot-houses to see -some beautiful American plants. - -Now on this very morning it chanced that Mrs. Somerton felt it her duty -to call at Chirke Weston. - -For, as she said, it was impossible to know what that artful little -creature, Margaret Capel was about with those two brothers, unless she -went to see it with her own eyes; and that it was Blanche's business to -counteract her as much as possible: that if Margaret had really -entangled Hubert, to flirt with him would be a mere waste of time; but -that although George was not an impressible subject, yet by management, -something might be done with him. Even a little attention from so -fastidious a person might be of service to her; for there were several -men in the neighbourhood who took for gospel all that George Gage chose -to say. - -"Ah!" said the amiable Blanche, "it is very well that I know how to -manage matters without your help! See what you have done for my sister. -Thank you! I don't wish to follow her example. I shall find a match for -myself!" - -"You are looking very well to day," said Mrs. Somerton, putting up her -glass, "if you would but wear your hair a little lower on your face." - -"Much obliged," retorted Blanche. "I say, look at my sister, as complete -an old maid as ever lived; all owing to your valuable hints. She has -nothing for it now but to go to Missionary meetings, and pick up a stray -Methodist preacher." - -"There is one thing," said Mrs. Somerton, exasperated by this attack. "I -don't believe anybody ever had such ill-disposed ungrateful children as -mine!" - -"Chips of the old block, I suppose," returned Blanche laughing. - -"Come, come;" said Mrs. Somerton, as they reached the entrance to Chirke -Weston, "this is not to the purpose; recollect that George is your -object to-day." - -While this attack was preparing for the unconscious Mr. Gage, he was in -the drawing-room pretending to read the paper, and employing himself in -watching intently every movement of Harriet Conway. - -As soon as Elizabeth was gone, Harriet took up a book, drew a footstool -close to the fire, and sat down upon it. She wore a beautiful morning -gown of purple Cashemere, worked in floss silk, and trimmed, and tied -with cords and tassels. Her attitude was striking and graceful, and as -she slowly turned the leaves of her book, the light of the fire sparkled -on the costly rings that adorned her slender fingers. - -Although Mr. Gage never removed his eyes from her, she feigned to be -totally absorbed in her book, and unconscious of his presence. At last -he approached her under pretence of mending the fire. - -She looked up and nodded to him. - -"What is that you are reading?" said he. "A French novel? I thought -ladies never did such things in public." - -"I thought you knew, Squire--I mean Mr. Gage, that I am never ashamed of -any thing I do," said Harriet. "Besides, this is a very readable one of -Eugène Sue's." - -"Yes--a certain class of French novels are very harmless," said Mr. -Gage. - -"Look!" said Harriet, turning the book round, and holding it up so that -he might read the title: 'Arthur.' - -Now Mr. Gage had never read 'Arthur;' so he said directly, that it was a -very clever work; indeed, in parts, really beautiful. There was -something quite touching in one or two of the scenes. - -As this might be safely said of any book written by Eugène Sue, Mr. Gage -was not out of his depth. - -Harriet acquiesced, and asked him what he thought of the character of -Hélène. - -Mr. Gage replied without hesitation, that it was very ably depicted, but -that his ideas of female perfection were not exactly formed upon that -model. - -"Too statuesque, perhaps, for your taste," said Harriet. - -"Yes, that was the case," Mr. Gage said, catching at the hint. "He -thought something a little less unbending more attractive in the female -character." - -"And do you not think Arthur very interesting, in spite of his faults?" -said Harriet. - -"Undoubtedly," replied Mr. Gage, "but whether he would find any favour -with the fair sex, you can determine better than me." - -"I don't know. I can't quite make out," said Harriet. "You see one would -never be prepared for so strange a disposition. But how beautifully he -describes scenery," she continued, turning the leaves. "He makes quite a -paradise of this cottage ornée." - -"Your taste," said Mr. Gage, in a very pointed manner. "Your taste would -lead you to a much less simple style of architecture." - -"Oh, yes!" said Harriet putting up her book to conceal her smiles. "I -hate cottages. My idea of perfect felicity is to be found only in a -nobleman's seat." - -"I trust," said Mr. Gage, looking very grand and injured, "that you will -never have reason to acknowledge yourself mistaken." - -"Why, George," said Harriet, just trusting her laughing eyes over the -top of her book, "how long have you been an advocate for living in -cottages? I should think they must be just one degree worse than -barracks." - -"Heartless!" muttered Mr. Gage, turning away, and walking to the window. - -Harriet buried her face in her handkerchief to stifle her laughter. She -was not in the slightest degree afraid that Mr. Gage would transfer his -regard to another, in consequence of her provoking mystifications. She -felt that she had regained her power over him, and that as long as she -remained single, so would he. But she delighted in mischief, and would -not for the world have let him discover that she cared anything about -him. At this instant the bell rang. - -"Now don't for Heaven's sake, George, leave me to entertain your -guests," said Harriet, looking up with a very flushed face, "it is only -fair to stay and support me." - -"Pray don't call them my guests," said Mr. Gage, coming back, however, -"I should have rather a different visiting list if this house were in my -possession." - -"Yes, your list would be very extensive if you lived in one of your -favourite cottages," said Harriet, seating herself on the sofa; "all the -neighbouring farmers and their wives. How I should like to see you -playing cribbage with Farmer Jenkins!" - -Mr. Gage leaning against the mantelpiece, "regretted that he was unable -to follow all Miss Conway's flights of fancy," and "was not aware that -he had said anything that could lead her to suppose he intended forming -an intimacy with Farmer Jenkins." - -The door was opened and Mrs. Somerton and her daughter were announced. -Harriet bowed coldly; and Mr. Gage, after a still more frigid fashion. - -Mrs. Somerton, who had seen the world, was not at all put out by this -English reception; and Blanche with a manner full of _minauderie_, -glanced sideways at Mr. Gage, and glided into a chair as near to him as -she conveniently could. Now any person totally unacquainted with -society, and forming their notions of good manners from abstract -principles, would perhaps imagine that Mr. Gage and Harriet would -instantly begin to talk to the visitors, and endeavour to amuse them -until Miss Gage should arrive. Not at all; they had seen enough of -company, to know how much they might leave undone; a code much more -extensively put in practice than that which might teach people how much -to do. - -Mr. Gage stared across at Mrs. Somerton. Harriet with her head drawn up, -surveyed Blanche. - -At last, Mr. Gage said to Harriet, "Have you any idea where Bessy is?" - -"I suppose," said Harriet, "that she is somewhere among the hot-houses. -Hubert said something about the American plants. I dare say she will be -in to luncheon." - -"It is not half past one yet," said Mr. Gage, pointing to the -time-piece. - -"That French piece of trumpery is always wrong," said Harriet. - -"My watch is the same, all but two minutes," said Mr. Gage, taking it -out. - -"If they happened to meet your father, you know, he would carry them all -over the country," returned Harriet. - -"Of course he would," said Mr. Gage, "whenever I see his straw hat, I -make a point of getting out of the way. I have no idea of being handed -round the farm yard, and introduced to every fresh litter of pigs." - -"Have not you?" said Harriet mischievously. "I thought those humble -pleasures belonged especially to the sphere of life you are so partial -to. Most cottages, I believe in these days, can boast a pig-stye." - -Mr. Gage hardly knew whether to laugh or be angry; at that moment -Elizabeth and Margaret made their appearance together, followed by -Hubert with a splendid bouquet of flowers. - -Elizabeth seated herself beside Mrs. Somerton. Hubert delivered the -flowers to Margaret, and drew his chair close to hers. - -"But what am I to do with all these, Mr. Hubert?" said Margaret. - -"You are to wear all these heaths this evening, you know," he said -selecting the heaths from the nosegay. "I will make a wreath for you." - -"But how very smart I shall be," said Margaret, hesitatingly. - -"Oh! you promised--you will not draw back; see this is the way I shall -mix them. All the shades, from white to crimson--no, a cluster will be -prettier than a wreath. You cannot refuse--your last day. Ah! how -beautiful you will look--but that you always do. Come, you will promise -to wear them?" - -"Will you promise to talk something like sense then Mr. Hubert?" said -Margaret archly. "These striped camellias are for you, Harriet." - -"Thanks, little one," said Harriet. "Tell Hubert to keep them all in -water for us till we go up to dress." - -Mr. Gage, by this time, having noticed Blanche's childish, sparkling -face, and pretty figure, condescended to say to her in a haughty -tone, "Did you walk here?" - -"To be sure!" said Blanche, "such a beautiful morning. I would not have -had the carriage out on any account." - -There was one slight drawback to her using a carriage, if she wished it; -namely, that she did not possess a vehicle of any description. But Mr. -Gage who was very little at home, and who knew nothing of the concerns -of his neighbours, was easily imposed upon. - -"Yes," he said rather less haughtily, "It was hardly worth while for a -short distance." - -"And then I am such a walker!" said Blanche, her pretty face kindling -and dimpling with smiles; "I am never tired of wandering about this -lovely country. I told mamma positively that I never would pass a season -in town. My sister is there now with our relation, Lady K----, in the -midst of balls and gaieties. But I should think them a very poor -exchange for the Ashdale woods." - -Had Mr. Gage possessed more than the usual amount of penetration, he -could not have been expected to guess that Blanche was in a perpetual -ill-humour, because her sister was in town this season instead of -herself; he merely thought it was odd for so pretty a girl to be -contented with retirement, and that there was something rather -attractive in the novelty of it. - -"I suppose your tastes are quite pastoral," said Mr. Gage, relaxing -still more of his dignity. "I dare say, if the truth were told, you have -a pet lamb, which you crown with flowers every morning before -breakfast." - -"Oh, Mr. Gage!" said Blanche shaking her head with a little air of -reproach, "the days are gone by when country people were obliged to -depend on such childish amusements. We can have new books and music now, -almost as soon as they appear in town. Indeed, we can bring everything -from London, but its smoky atmosphere." - -Harriet who had been watching Hubert arranging the flowers in a glass, -now turned round and beheld Mr. Gage actually talking to Blanche -Somerton,--bending down and smiling at her. She coloured with anger and -contempt. - -"Mr. Gage," said she, pointing to a work-box close to him, "shall I -trouble you to give me that box?" - -Mr. Gage brought it her; she took out of it what she wanted, and then -returned him the box. He sat down beside her still holding it. - -"I think you don't often work," he said. "I do not remember to have seen -you." - -"No. This is not work exactly; this is crochet," said Harriet, holding -up a purse of blue and silver twist. "Don't you think it very handsome?" - -"Yes. Only so stiff; you could not draw it through a ring." - -"Of course not; it is to have a clasp. See, this will match it very -well; silver and turquoise. Now, wrap it up again in the silver paper. -Put it neatly away. Now who do you think it is for?" - -Mr. Gage's brow darkened. - -"Uncle Singleton! When he plays at cards, he always likes to have a -handsome purse. Would you believe it? I think it is only that he may -have the pleasure of saying, 'My niece Harriet made this for me.!'" - -"You are a great favourite there," said Mr. Gage, looking quite -comfortable again. - -"Can you wonder?" said Harriet, looking very like a coquette into his -face. - -"No indeed," replied Mr. Gage. - -"It was there I first met Lord Raymond," said Harriet, heaving a deep -sigh. - -Mr. Gage put down her work-box, and rose from the sofa; but he did not -return to Blanche, he went to his newspaper. - -"Too bad!" said Blanche to herself, swelling with rage and spite. "She -does not want him for herself, and yet she must needs interfere with me, -when I was getting on so nicely. A malicious creature! I should like to -drown her! I don't think anything in this world so mean as to interrupt -another's flirtation when you have no good reason for doing it." - -And Blanche crossed the room and tried very hard to detach Hubert from -Margaret. - -George Gage did not at all recover this last attack before dinner-time; -he was very grand and sullen. Harriet, on the contrary, was in the -wildest spirits. In many respects Margaret thought these two very well -suited to each other. Kind and cordial as Harriet was to her, nothing -could exceed her pride; and she was as haughty and as distant to people, -whom she did not consider on a level with herself, as Mr. Gage could be. -Her manners that morning were merely a sample of her general style of -behaviour. A cold stare, and a monosyllable were all she vouchsafed to -any of the village people who happened to be on visiting terms at Chirke -Weston, and the only subject on which she and George Gage were sure to -sympathise, was disgust at the intrusion of such persons while they -condescended to honour the house with their presence. At such times, -their eyes would meet with an expression of endurance very different -from the hostile looks they so frequently exchanged. - -Harriet came down to dinner looking like an old picture. She wore a high -dress of black satin, ornamented with Spanish buttons of gold filigree. -Her hair was frizzed out round her head like some of Van Dyck's early -pictures, and the striped camellias put in just behind the ear--she -seemed determined to look her best this last evening. - -George Gage stared directly. He had a great fancy for seeing women in -fine clothes; and clothes that looked as if they cost a great deal of -money. He took her into dinner, and tried to command his temper, and -keep up a conversation with her. - -"You drove out after luncheon, did you not?" - -"Yes. Did not you hear Uncle Gage and me planning a secret expedition -together?" - -"No. Might I ask where you went?" - -"We went all the way to S----. Are you not very anxious to learn our -object?" - -"If it is not a breach of confidence, certainly." - -"You could not guess, Mr. Gage?" - -"I fear not." - -"It was to get pack-thread for garden-nets." - -"A very important mission," said Mr. Gage. - -"You will think it important when the season comes for fruit; but, -perhaps, you will not be here." - -"I shall not. I go back to Ireland in about a fortnight." - -"Still you know, though you will not be here to steal the plums, other -people will be enjoying them; and you can leave word with the gardener -to send your friend, little Blanche Somerton, the first basket of ripe -cherries." - -"I really do not know any person of that name," said Mr. Gage, -indignantly. - -"Well, after that!" said Harriet lifting up her hands. "Hubert, I hope -you saw what was going on this morning." - -"Oh, yes! I saw plainly enough," said Hubert. "She is a great flirt, -that little thing; and rather pretty, I think." - -"Very pretty!" said Harriet magnanimously. "I was not blaming Mr. Gage. -I merely suggested a little offering--quite a cottage offering Mr. -Gage." - -"Oh! the little creature who was here this morning," said Mr. Gage; -"rather a nice little creature! Yes, I should not object taking her a -basket of cherries." - -"You could eat them with her like Napoleon, you know," said Harriet. - -Here Hubert burst into a violent fit of laughter, at the idea of his -brother doing anything like Napoleon. - -"She is a very pretty girl," said Captain Gage, joining in the -discussion. "Did not you dance with her a good deal at the ball, -Hubert?" - -"Yes, Sir, that is, I believe, once or twice. That miserable ball," he -added in a low voice to Margaret. - -"Oh, Mr. Hubert!" said Margaret laughing. - -Elizabeth Gage did not say one word either for or against Blanche -Somerton. She knew her to be almost devoid of good qualities; but she -knew that people, men especially, will always form their own opinion. - -"You shall sing, little one;" said Harriet to Margaret after tea. "I -will not let you off any longer." - -"No. It distresses her, Harriet," said Elizabeth kindly, "I never press -her." - -"I dare say. Is she to have her own way always? I want to hear the -quality of her voice," said Harriet positively. - -"Indeed, Harriet, I am not a man; you might let me have my way," said -Margaret, shrinking back from the piano. - -"My dear Harriet, I hope you apply that remark; there is a little bit of -unconscious satire in it," said Elizabeth. - -"Bah! there is no truth in it. I never tyrannise," said Harriet, -laughing. "But as I am not so timid, I will try and sing you something. -Mr. Gage, you like Italian music. Have you ever heard this?" - -She sang beautifully. Margaret was entranced. - -Mr. Gage came round to the piano to look at the name of the song. It was -'Senza pace, senza speme;' and on the top was written, as if with a -coarse lead pencil:-- - - "Harriet Conway, - from Lord Raymond." - -Now Margaret had seen Harriet busy writing something on the song with a -pencil, a few minutes before she had sat down to sing, and she could not -help wondering at the perseverance with which she contrived to teaze Mr. -Gage. It need not be said that Lord Raymond had never given her the -song, although from his long intimacy with her family there would have -been no great crime if he had. - -Mr. Gage, who had taken the song from the stand, dropped it again as if -it had burnt his fingers. - -"Is it not a beautiful thing?" said Harriet looking up at Mr. Gage. "He -has such a taste for music!" - -"Who has, my dear?" asked Captain Gage. - -"Lord Raymond, uncle." - -"Has he, indeed?--I never knew that before," said Captain Gage. "Why he -has never any music at his house, unless there is a very large party." - -"He has no wife, you know, Uncle Gage, and he cannot play the piano -himself." - -"He must marry a good musician, then," said Captain Gage. "I don't know -anything that more contributes to the cheerfulness of a family circle -than a little good music." - -"So Lord Raymond seems to think," said Mr. Gage, in a low voice to -Harriet. - -"Yes. Nothing so very first-rate though," said Harriet, thinking of -Lucy, who played in a pleasing style, but nothing more, on the harp and -piano. - -"Oh! you are too modest," said Mr. Gage. - -"Thank you," said Harriet laughing. "Do you think me then such a very -good player?" - -"Can you never be serious?" said Mr. Gage, turning away reproachfully. - -Harriet laughed more merrily than before at the tone of this last -remark. Margaret watched them earnestly. Surely, she thought, this last -evening something will be said, something will occur, to bring about an -understanding. Harriet will surely not be able to keep up this -appearance of indifference to the last. - -But the tapers were brought in, people wished each other good night, and -Harriet touched Mr. Gage's fingers, and bade him good bye, as if she -should see him to-morrow. And the next day, before he had left his room, -she was on her way to join her friends at Wardenscourt. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - - - Her words were like a stream of honey fleeting, The which doth - softly trickle from the hive, Able to melt the hearer's heart - unweeting And eke to make the dead again alive. - - * * * * * - - Much like an angel in all form and fashion. - - SPENSER. - - -Margaret was welcomed to Ashdale with such sincere pleasure by Mr. Grey -and her Italian greyhound, that she could not find it in her heart to -regret the social circle she left behind. Seated in a low chair by her -uncle's side, with Gessina on her lap, she spent the evening alternately -in playing with her beautiful pet, and of giving him a history of her -week's visit. - -Mr. Grey, like many people who live very retired, delighted in this -species of gossip. He was pleased to hear the names of the people who -dined at Captain Gage's during her stay, and the dresses which Margaret -had worn on each day. And if, during her narrative, she happened to -mention a name that was familiar to him, he would interrupt her to -remark that he had known a person of that name many years ago, who was -of such a county; and to wonder whether the one Margaret had met, was -related or not, to his old acquaintance. - -These episodes were sometimes interrupted by the perverseness of -Gessina, who would creep under the sofas, or the heavy chairs, and had -to be fished out from these hiding places by the united industry of Mr. -Haveloc and Margaret. - -These little pursuits seemed to bring them still more acquainted, so -that sometimes she ventured to appeal to him during her recollections to -confirm her statements. - -"And so she lost the ball at last, poor child," said Mr. Grey drawing -her towards him. "What a pity that was!" - -"Oh, yes uncle! I was very sorry at first. But I had such a head-ache. -Do you ever smoke cigars, Mr. Haveloc?" - -"I have done such a thing," said he smiling. "But it is not a practice -of mine." - -"And how did you spend that evening, my love?" said Mr. Grey, who had -not perceived the connexion between the ball and the cigars. - -"I sat talking with Harriet Conway until I went to bed. Do you know -Harriet, Sir?" - -"I have not seen her, my dear, since she was a child," said Mr. Grey. - -"Oh! She is so handsome, Sir. Is she not, Mr. Haveloc? I think she was -the handsomest girl in the party, except Bessy, I hardly know which to -say." - -"Which do you decide for, Claude?" asked Mr. Grey. - -Mr. Haveloc paused a little, glanced at Margaret with a smile, and said -that he should not have considered either of those ladies the beauty of -the party. He had hardly noticed Miss Harriet Conway, but if he -recollected her, she had fine eyes. - -Margaret felt embarrassed for a moment, but feeling sure that his remark -could not have referred to her in any way, she let the subject pass, and -continued her account. - -"The flower-show was very delightful, Sir. There was a band of music, -and such a beautiful display of plants. Captain Gage's gardener had a -prize for hyacinths. Do you know, Sir, that four of my hyacinths are -blown in my dressing-room? I think I shall bring them down into the -drawing-room." - -"Do, my love," said Mr. Grey. - -"Bessy knew a great many people there, Sir; but Mr. Gage said he was -bored. I wished he had not come with us. And Mr. Hubert frightened me, -for he declared he was going to steal a cluster of the flowers for -Harriet and I; and there would have been such a scene!" - -"And what did Miss Harriet say to that?" asked Mr. Grey. - -"Oh! she laughed, and encouraged him," said Margaret. "But I think it -was only to put me in a fright; and just then, Bessy came up, and asked -if we would go, because Mr. Gage was so tired of it all." - -"And did you have any more visitors afterwards?" asked Mr. Grey. - -"Yes. Two foreigners, the Marquis de----, (a very long name that I -cannot remember), and his son. They talked Spanish with Harriet, and -French with the others. Mr. Hubert used always to contrive that I should -sit next one of them, that I might be obliged to speak French." - -"Hubert is rather mischievous, is he not?" said Mr. Grey. - -"Oh! yes, Sir; but very good-natured; and so is Captain Gage. We went -every day to see something or other. Once we went to hear service in -the Cathedral. I was so glad that Mr. Gage was not of the party that -morning. I wish, Mr. Haveloc, you would go on reading." - -"I will, indeed," said he, taking up his book. "Only I have some -curiosity to know first, why you do not like George Gage?" - -"You should not listen, Mr. Haveloc. One cannot like every body in the -world--though I did not say I disliked him." - -"The Gages are all handsome," said Mr. Grey, musing. "George called on -me one day last week. I think it must have been the day you went to the -Cathedral. He said the ladies were out sight-seeing. I was very glad to -see him; and I took it kind, his coming to a dull house like this, to -pay a visit to a poor invalid." - -"Kind, indeed!" exclaimed Margaret, her beautiful face all in a glow. "I -think he ought to feel much pleasure in seeing an old friend again. I -recollect Mr. Hubert came directly to see you, and he often talks of -your kindness to him when a boy." - -Mr. Grey laughed, and patted her on the head. "Well, you like Hubert the -best it seems," he said. "But now tell me how you passed your evenings -when you were alone." - -"That was the pleasantest time, Sir. After dinner we went into Bessy's -sitting-room; and one day, Harriet showed me how to make wreaths and -trimmings of natural flowers. Bessy had a large basket gathered for us, -and I wore them that evening; and then, Harriet is so clever, she used -to give us descriptions of the people who live near Singleton Manor, and -make us die of laughing. She can talk like the poor people in -Somersetshire. And then Mr. Hubert used to come in before tea-time, and -sometimes he would roast chestnuts on the bars of the grate--and we ate -them, Harriet and I. Bessy could never persuade him to have them done -by the housekeeper. And after tea, we had always plenty of music, for -Captain Gage likes music so much. And one evening Mr. Hubert would have -a twelfth cake, because he had not been at home for so many Twelfth -Nights; and Bessy was obliged to get one made on purpose at S----. And I -was the Queen, uncle! Captain Gage drew the King, and would not give it -up to Mr. Hubert. You should have seen Mr. Gage, uncle. He was obliged -to join in it all, half against his will; and Harriet laughed at him so -much for being grand." - -"And so you passed a merry time of it;" said Mr. Grey. - -"Very, Sir. But I was very glad to drive up the old avenue again, and -see you and Gessina. Do you know, Sir, Mason said that as soon as -Gessina heard the carriage she was wild to get down stairs." - -"Was she, my love?" said Mr. Grey. There was a pause. - -Mr. Grey fell asleep, Margaret caressed her dog, and Mr. Haveloc made a -sketch of her attitude in the fly-leaf of his book. - -At last Margaret looked up. - -"Oh! Mr. Haveloc, you have been to Italy. Do you not allow Gessina to be -a beauty? Blanche Somerton said I ought to have had a white greyhound." - -"She is a very pretty creature," said Mr. Haveloc, coming over to her -side of the fire. "I believe the white ones are more expensive, which is -quite sufficient to account for some people's preference." - -"Oh! I do not care about that. I like this fawn colour. I declare I -never saw such a beautiful head. Bessy says that the next time I go to -Chirke Weston, I am to be sure and take her with me." - -"Miss Gage is always considerate," said Mr. Haveloc. - -"I know you think very highly of her," said Margaret colouring, "because -you once advised me to consult her; and I think, in that affair, her -opinion was very like yours." - -Mr. Haveloc smiled, and remained silent, watching Margaret, whose -attitudes rivalled those of her greyhound in beauty. - -"Mr. Haveloc," said Margaret, looking up again, and blushing, "what were -you drawing just now?" - -"So, you have some curiosity," he said, smiling. - -"Because," she said timidly, "I should not wonder if you were drawing -Gessina--and--I wish you would show it to me--if you were." - -"With pleasure. I will just put a few more touches. You will not be -satisfied if it is not a very flattering likeness." - -"Have you done, Mr. Haveloc?" - -"Not quite." - -"Will you show it me presently, Mr. Haveloc? Will you show it me now?" - -"You do not give me time to do my best," said he, as he handed her a -sheet of note paper, on which he had just made a pretty little sketch of -the greyhound. - -"Oh, how exactly like! How very pretty! May I keep it, Mr. Haveloc?" - -"If you please--I shall be too happy." - -"I wish my uncle was awake," said Margaret looking towards him. "I -should like to show it to him. I wonder if he would know it directly. I -dare say he would!" - -"Not a doubt of it," said Mr. Haveloc, "all Italian greyhounds are -alike. Any picture of an Italian greyhound would do for your dog. Do you -wish me to wake Mr. Grey, that he may decide the question?" - -"Oh, no! what are you thinking of? People should never be wakened." - -"Will you tell me now, why you do not like George Gage?" - -"What, have you not forgotten that yet? Well I will tell you one reason. -Because he stares so much." - -Mr. Haveloc laughed. "I really did not think," he said, "that ladies -resented that offence, so strongly. Fortunately I cannot offend in that -way, since I am half blind." - -"I wish Mr. Gage was near-sighted," said Margaret laughing, "he is quite -mistaken if he thinks ladies like to be stared at; even Harriet, who -does not care for many things, told him one evening that it made her -quite nervous to have him opposite when she was singing, looking into -her mouth like a dentist." - -"And when do you mean to ride out?" said Mr. Haveloc. - -"Oh! do you know I had quite forgotten my horse," exclaimed Margaret, -"Uncle Grey!--There I have waked him at last." - -"What is it, my love?" said Mr. Grey looking up. - -"Miss Capel is so dismayed at having waked you," said Mr. Haveloc -laughing. - -"Oh! I was not asleep," said Mr. Grey rubbing his eyes, "I have been -listening to all you have been saying." - -Mr. Haveloc and Margaret exchanged smiles. - -"Will you let me ride out to-morrow, dear uncle?" - -"Yes, my love; you are quite sure of the horse, Claude. If somebody -would go out first, just to try him; or if you have no engagement -to-morrow, Claude, perhaps you would go with Margaret and Evans, just to -see that all is right for the first time. Evans is a very steady man; -afterwards I could trust him with comfort." - -No one could mistake the delight that was visible on Mr. Haveloc's -countenance at this proposition. He could not have asked to ride out -with her, but here was a reason--a sufficient cause. "Nothing could give -him more pleasure," he said, "he begged to know what time would suit -Miss Capel, that he might be in the way." - -Anybody but Mr. Grey would have noticed the impatience with which Mr. -Haveloc looked forward to this ride: any one else would have been aware -that it was some strong feeling that could make so ordinary an -occurrence a matter of so much importance to him. - -Margaret never spent the morning in the library with them; and Mr. -Haveloc settled to nothing; he neither read nor wrote, but wandered -about the room, sometimes watching the weather, and sometimes glancing -over the newspaper. But Mr. Grey having provided for Margaret's safety, -forgot the subject altogether, and spent his time in puzzling over his -steward's accounts, and cutting the leaves of a new review without -taking any note of his companion's idleness. And when Margaret did make -her appearance, looking beautiful with excitement, and he hastened to -meet her, Mr. Grey followed him to the hall door giving him a string of -cautions, which any third person could have told him was quite -unnecessary in the present instance. He was quite eager enough to -examine the girths and the curb, and to prevent her horse from going too -fast. - -It was a beautiful day; the trees were just out and the young leaves -trembled in the bright sunshine. There was that peculiar fragrance in -the air, which results from the opening buds in shrubs and hedges; and -in some places, the sweet breath of violets seemed to linger on the soft -wind, mingled with the fresh scent of dewy tufts of moss. - -Margaret had no fear, and the paces of her horse were so easy, that she -felt no fatigue. Mr. Haveloc took the greatest care of her, and exerted -himself to amuse her so effectually, that she was really sorry when her -ride was concluded. Whether she would have enjoyed it quite as much with -the groom, for her sole attendant, is a question that she had no present -opportunity of solving; for Mr. Haveloc told Mr. Grey that he thought -her horse went best in company, and that while he remained at Ashdale, -he was entirely at the service of Miss Capel whenever she chose to ride -out. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - - - But who can tell what cause had that fair maid - To use him so that loved her so well? - Or who with blame can justly her upbraid - For loving not? For who can love compel? - - SPENSER. - - -It was customary with Mr. Grey to pass his mornings in the library -unless some very particular business caused him to take refuge in his -study. He was fond of desultory reading, and was accomplished in the -knowledge of several modern languages. Mr. Haveloc usually employed -himself at the other end of the room, without any reference to Mr. -Grey's occupations; reading with as much eagerness upon any subject that -happened to engage his attention, as if he were still a candidate for -academic honours. - -They seldom exchanged a remark during these hours, unless Mr. Grey -suddenly became alarmed at the steadfastness of his young friend's -application, when he would favour him with some of those cautions, which -he was in the habit of addressing to Margaret, regarding the injurious -effect of too much study. - -One morning a letter was brought to Mr. Grey, which he opened and looked -at with some surprise, glanced at the signature, and exclaimed, "From -Hubert Gage! How extraordinary! Why could not the silly fellow come and -say what he wanted, instead of writing it?" - -Mr. Haveloc looked up at the unwonted interruption, and seeing Mr. Grey -reading his letter with many sounds of impatience and vexation, he could -not avoid "hoping that there was no bad news from Chirke Weston." - -"No; not bad news," said Mr. Grey laying down his letter and his -reading glasses upon it, and leaning back in his chair, as if quite -tired out: "not exactly bad news." - -This remark was, perhaps, rather calculated to excite than to gratify -his curiosity; but Mr. Haveloc resumed his reading without farther -inquiry, and Mr. Grey remained for some time in deep thought. - -At last Mr. Grey looked up, and turned round to his companion. - -"A very strange thing, Claude," said he. "I am sure, as far as I am -concerned, the most unlooked-for occurrence. Here is Hubert Gage -proposing for my little niece, Margaret--a mere baby!" - -Mr. Haveloc started from his chair, made a step or two towards Mr. Grey, -and then returned quietly to his seat, and made a great show of finding -the place in his book again. - -"Yes, it is very remarkable," said Mr. Grey, who had interpreted Mr. -Haveloc's sudden movement into an expression of surprise; "I could -never have foreseen it. And really, Hubert Gage, a mere boy! Of course -the connexion is highly honourable, impossible to be better; but at -their age. Not that anything can be more fair and manly than his letter; -but if he has Captain Gage's consent to fetter himself by an engagement -of this kind before he is one and twenty years old--why his father has -not half the sense I gave him credit for." - -Mr. Haveloc was silent. - -"Yet poor young fellow," said Mr. Grey, taking up his letter, "if he is -in love as he says he is, perhaps all this impatience is more natural in -him than in an older man. And although this love is very often a source -of great inconvenience, yet we all look back to that period, whether -successful or not, as to the most spiritual, and the happiest portion of -our lives. Faith, I will do all I can for him in the business." - -"And Miss Capel," said Mr. Haveloc, speaking with effort. - -"Oh! for her, poor little girl, I dare say she fancies herself attached -to him. For I have often remarked, Claude, that when a handsome and -agreeable young man pays a great deal of attention to an inexperienced -girl, it generally ends in this way; first impressions are everything. -And you heard her telling me the other night that Hubert used to roast -chestnuts for her, and all that sort of thing. I dare say it is all for -the best." - -Mr. Haveloc made no reply. A dark frown settled on his face, and he -leaned his head on his hands, seeming to be immersed in the folio volume -that stood on a desk before him. - -"If," he thought, "the love of a creature like Margaret can hinge upon -such wretched trifles, why let it go. If she can love him, why should I -regret her?" - -Yet he felt that all he was worth would be too little to purchase such -affection as hers would be, where it was freely given. - -Both parties were silent for some time. Mr. Grey forgot the presence of -Mr. Haveloc, so entirely was he engrossed with the subject on his mind; -and he was employing himself in making a mental estimate of the amount -of Margaret's and Hubert's property, and the sum he meant to add to it, -when he heard her voice and step in the drawing-room, half-dancing, -half-singing, as she came near the library. The sounds ceased as she -turned the handle of the door, and she entered with the most demure -expression in the world. - -"Uncle Grey, may I have the carriage after luncheon, if you please, to -go to S--," said she advancing to him, "for I have broken my guitar -string--this silver one, and I cannot play till I have got another." - -"Yes, my love, certainly," said Mr. Grey, drawing her towards him, "are -you busy now?" - -"No; this is the last piece of business I have done," said Margaret -laughing, and showing him the string, which she was twining round her -fingers, "a very bad business; you cannot think how it startled me when -it snapped." - -"Have you learned that song which Hubert Gage gave you?" asked Mr. Grey. - -"The Neapolitan one? Oh, yes! it is very easy;" said Margaret, singing -one or two bars in a low tone, "Mr. Hubert thinks himself so fine -because he can play that air on the guitar. It is the only tune he can -play." - -"Well, my love," said her uncle, "I have had a letter from Hubert Gage -this morning. You may read it, if you will." - -As he spoke, he put the letter into her hands. He entirely forgot that -Mr. Haveloc was in the room; and even had he recollected it, he would -have taken it for granted, that sitting at such a distance, and engaged -in reading so closely, his presence would have been no drawback to the -conversation he wished to hold with his niece. Margaret, standing with -her back to him, never perceived him at all; and for Mr. Haveloc, he -never imagined that Mr. Grey would have done more than give Margaret the -letter, and recommend her to read it at her leisure. He could not leave -the room, except by passing Margaret; and he thought the sight of him -would embarrass her while conversing on such a subject, therefore he -remained where he was. And an intense curiosity to learn how she would -receive such tidings, held him, breathless and motionless, until she -left the room. - -Margaret read the letter through attentively, and steadily, the crimson -deepening every moment all over her face, and then looking up straight -to her uncle as she returned it, she said: - -"I am glad you will have to answer this letter, uncle, instead of me, -since I have no practice in these matters; and it is unpleasant to be -obliged to say--no." - -"But, my dear child," said Mr. Grey, quite puzzled at receiving a reply -so totally different to what he had expected, "what objection have you -in the world to such a fine fellow as Hubert Gage?" - -"He does not love me, uncle, that is one objection," said Margaret with -a slight smile; "and I am sure I do not love him." - -"Why, my child," said Mr. Grey, "what, do you suppose can induce a man -to make you an offer, if he is not in love with you?" - -"A great many reasons, uncle. I will not suppose that all the married -people in the world who are so indifferent, or unhappy, have once loved -each other. In my case, I can acquit Mr. Hubert of any interested -motives. It is a passing fancy of his." - -"But, my dear--time--you do not know how attached you might become to -him. You would not like to give pain to the poor young man." - -"Uncle," said Margaret, looking steadily into his face. "I must love a -person a little, before I would suffer pain myself, rather than occasion -it to him. I would do so for you, or Elizabeth, but not for Mr. Hubert -Gage, I tell you frankly. If I thought he really loved me, I should be -grieved and pained at the necessity of wounding his feelings; but, as it -is, I am only ashamed, that he should have singled me out as the object -of so trifling, so fleeting a regard." - -"But, my dear little girl," persisted Mr. Grey, "what on earth can have -put it into your head, that he does not love you?" - -"Little things, uncle, that it would not be easy to put into words. It -may seem vain, Sir, but at one time I was afraid he meant to pay me -particular attention. A very little observation set me at rest on that -point. I am young, and do not know much; but this is a matter of -feeling, and not of knowledge. I am old enough to feel that he has made -a mistake." - -"Well, my love," said Mr. Grey, "I do not understand it:" he folded and -unfolded the letter in his hand for some moments, and at last went on. - -"You must reflect a little, my dear. This young man is of good family; -highly connected, and, in the event of your marrying him, you would find -yourself in as good a circle of connexions and acquaintances as you -could possibly desire. He has something, and so have you. I would come -forward, and I have no doubt his father would come forward; and you -could be able to keep a carriage, and have every comfort about you." - -"I am afraid, uncle," said Margaret, smiling, "that I am not old enough -to appreciate these advantages." - -Her uncle paused again. "He will not be satisfied, my dear, with my -reply. What do you say to seeing him yourself?" - -"I had rather not, uncle," said Margaret blushing still more deeply. "It -is rather embarrassing--it is not agreeable to discuss this subject, -even with you, Sir." - -"Well, my dear," said Mr. Grey, "we will see about it; but I can tell -you the young man will not give it up so quietly, if you have not -another attachment." - -"I can understand that such a question concerns him," said Margaret, -with a faltering in her voice; "and, therefore, if you please, you can -tell him I am free in that respect; but if I am free, uncle, I need not -choose a person whom I do not like." - -"The idea of not liking Hubert Gage!" said Mr. Grey. - -"I do like him, uncle, as an acquaintance, and shall do so, if he does -not teaze me; but, as a suitor--why, Uncle Grey," said Margaret -brightening up, "he will forget all about me now, before I forget him, -though he does profess a regard for me that I cannot return." - -"Well, my love," said Mr. Grey, "you shall act exactly as your feelings -dictate; but it is an awkward business I can tell you, all this -proposing and rejecting." - -"Thank you, dear uncle," said Margaret leaning forward, and kissing him -on the forehead. "But--I may have the carriage all the same, Sir, may I -not, to go for my guitar string?" - -"Oh! poor Hubert Gage," said Mr. Grey leaning back, as Margaret left the -room, and looking very much exhausted. "If she can think of her guitar -string at such a time, I am afraid there is a remarkably small chance -for the young gentleman." - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - - - But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart, - My will to her consent is but a part; - An she agree, within her scope of choice - Lies my consent and fair according voice. - - SHAKESPEARE. - - - Which when he heard, he inly touched was - With tender ruth for her unworthy griefe; - And having cheered her, thus said; Faire Dame - In evils, counsell is the comfort chiefe, - Which though I be not wise enough to frame, - Yet as I well it meane, vouchsafe it without blame. - - SPENSER. - - -As soon as Margaret had closed the door after her, Mr. Haveloc drew a -long breath, like one relieved from an oppressive state of suspense; and -remained for a short time in hesitation as to what his next step should -be. His admiration of Margaret had risen with every word that she had -spoken; and had he followed the impulse of the moment, he would, more -than once, have interrupted the even progress of the dialogue by rushing -forward and throwing himself at her feet. He was delighted, and -penetrated with the clear judgment, and the beautiful simplicity of -character which she evinced. He resolved, with all the determination of -a sufficiently wilful character, that he would spare no exertion to -obtain her affection; and as a preliminary, which her youth rendered a -matter of honour and propriety, he determined to demand the sanction of -her uncle to his addresses, before he could attempt to engage the regard -of Margaret. But just at this moment, that Mr. Grey had been so annoyed -by the application of Hubert Gage, he felt a reluctance to enter upon -the subject. Still there was no time to be lost. Margaret might receive -another offer any day--it was as well to be early in the field. While he -was making up his mind to this effect, Mr. Grey turned to the table, -and searched among the papers heaped in confusion around him, for his -writing-case, that he might dispatch an answer to Hubert Gage; saying, -as he took a sheet of paper for that purpose, "I do not know what to -think--I cannot understand it all. I don't believe the child knows her -own mind." - -"I am sorry to interrupt you, Sir," said Mr. Haveloc, coming hastily -forward, "still more sorry to demand your attention on my behalf at a -time when you are engrossed by a disagreeable subject." - -"Why it is disagreeable, Claude," said Mr. Grey, looking up and laying -down his pen, "I never anticipated any objection on her side. Did you, -now?" - -"I never anticipated such a proposal," said Mr. Haveloc, "I imagined -that every one would have considered, as I did, that Miss Capel was too -young to receive such addresses." - -"So she is," returned Mr. Grey, "but if I say so to Hubert, his answer -will naturally be that he will wait until she is older; now that is an -answer that I think would not exactly meet her wishes." - -Mr. Haveloc bowed his head. - -"And," pursued Mr. Grey, "when there is not a single objection that can -be urged against a man; it is rather difficult to give him a reason that -shall dissuade him from continuing his suit." - -"There is one reason that should content any man," said Mr. Haveloc, -"indifference." - -"It is the last that does content them, though," said Mr. Grey, taking -up his pen and looking earnestly at it, "they think it is so easy to -overcome it. They are a very singular race," said he--speaking of lovers -as he would of Albinoes, or Cingalese, or other strange beings--"they -have a great many troublesome peculiarities; sometimes so pertinacious; -at other times so easily discouraged. And here is a match which, a few -years hence, would be all I could desire for my niece; and the little -romantic creature absolutely throws the chance away. Not that I would -influence her decision one way or other; Heaven forbid. But you were -going to say something or other, Claude. Have you heard any thing -further from your tenant at Tynebrook?" - -"I was about to trouble you upon a subject far more interesting to -myself," said Mr. Haveloc, hesitating. - -He had never felt so embarrassed in his life. It seemed to him that in -everything but the mere accident of fortune, Hubert Gage was his -superior. That he had the advantage in person, in manner, in that gaiety -of disposition which is so generally attractive and endearing; that his -character was unimpeached, and that he belonged to a profession which of -itself would render him an object of interest to an Englishwoman. If -Margaret had rejected this suitor, how could he expect to make a deeper -impression on her heart? - -It need not be said that this condition of feeling is very rare in the -nobler sex, and may be accounted for by the want of confidence which is -said ever to accompany an earnest and engrossing passion. - -Mr. Grey looked anxiously at his young friend; awaiting his disclosure -with much curiosity. - -"I feel at this moment," said Mr. Haveloc, endeavouring to speak with -great composure, and failing signally in the attempt, "so very unworthy -of the favour I am about to ask you, that it is with a painful sense of -reluctance I proceed." - -"I am sure, Claude, anything in the world that I can do for you," said -Mr. Grey, growing still more puzzled as he marked Mr. Haveloc's evident -embarrassment; "only," he added with a smile, "I hope you are not in -love, because, as you see, in such a case I have no power at all." - -"I think, Sir," said Mr. Haveloc quietly, "it would be difficult for any -one to avoid that weakness, who had the happiness of being long in Miss -Capel's society. I must confess myself entirely engrossed by the hope -of one day obtaining her affection; and my present anxiety is to gain -your sanction to my pursuit." - -Mr. Grey's blank, uplifted look of amazement can hardly be expressed. It -was in vain to expect an immediate answer, for at first he could not -really comprehend that a second application had been made to him for the -hand of his niece: but Mr. Haveloc interpreted his silence into a -reluctance to entrust Margaret to his care. His thoughts reverted -immediately to his conduct at Florence, and he remained silent, and pale -with anger and confusion. - -After a pause of a few moments, Mr. Grey reached out his hand to him. -"This gives me great pleasure, Claude," he said. "How it will turn out, -is another matter. But you have my free consent, if that is of any use. -But," he continued, interrupting the thanks which his companion was -beginning to pour out, "I consider this quite a subject for the future. -There is no hurry." - -"Good Heaven, Sir, no hurry!" said Mr. Haveloc, "when every one that -sees Miss Capel--" - -"My dear Claude," said Mr. Grey smiling, "I am likely to be a little -partial to my own niece; but I see plainly how it is. With Hubert -Gage--poor fellow, I am very sorry for him--she was the first pretty -girl he saw on his return; and sailors are proverbial for falling in -love, and out of it, fortunately. There is no danger that she should be -more sought in general society than other girls of her age and fortune. -In a year's time you will find her just where you left her, depend upon -it." - -"And am I to leave her now, Sir, in all this uncertainty," exclaimed Mr. -Haveloc, "and for a year. Good Heaven! Was there ever such a probation -demanded of any one? A year, Sir! In half that time, I may learn she is -married to some one else." - -"My good friend, your imagination is now rather active," said Mr. Grey. -"No. I do not bid you leave her until, whether soon or late, you have -ascertained that she returns your regard, or that you become convinced -that you cannot obtain it. Then it is my wish that you separate for a -year; and if before that time has expired," he continued with a smile, -"she is married to some one else, you will be willing to confess, -Claude, that your loss has not been very great." - -"Good Heaven!" exclaimed Mr. Haveloc again, gazing vacantly forward, as -if a year was a period without any known termination. - -"Such is my wish, Claude," said Mr. Grey, "you are neither of you common -characters; if you were, I might hasten the matter for fear either of -you should change your minds, and so ensure to my niece a large property -without the least apprehension for her future peace. But although the -world rubs off all that is true and beautiful from most characters, it -would take a great deal of such collision to destroy the simplicity of -her disposition; therefore, I wish that she should have the opportunity -which a frequent intercourse with society gives, to make a selection, as -freely as if you had not a hundred pounds in the world. Let her -acceptance of you be a choice in the true acceptation of the word, a -distinction of you from other people. And I have the same feeling with -regard to yourself. You may not be altogether satisfied that you have -obtained a beautiful child; you may feel, after a time, that you require -the companionship of a more mature mind. It is, therefore, absolutely -necessary that you should try if the impression will stand the test of -absence." - -"Impossible, Sir!" exclaimed Mr. Haveloc; "of all torments in the world, -to put off--to forego--the uncertainty--you do not consider." - -"I think, Claude," said Mr. Grey, looking at his breathless companion -with a quiet smile, "that I consider this subject a little more -leisurely than you do at this moment." - -"I endeavour to regard the subject with all calmness," said Mr. Haveloc, -trembling with impatience; "but I cannot make out the necessity for my -undergoing so long an interval of misery as you would assign to me. -Pardon me, but I cannot think you a competent judge of Miss Capel's -perfections." - -"Much obliged," said Mr. Grey, quietly. - -"You are under no suspense," continued Mr. Haveloc. "No one can break -the tie which subsists between you and your niece; and therefore you do -not view her with the trembling admiration of one who fears to risk -everything in the parting from her." - -"She is a very nice little girl," said Mr. Grey, "I see that plainly -enough." - -"I feel myself very inadequate to pronounce an eulogy upon her exquisite -beauty, either of person or mind," said Mr. Haveloc, colouring deeply -with indignation at the phrase, 'A nice little girl.' "But no one living -rates these perfections higher than I do. And I must confess my extreme -reluctance to leave them unguarded to any man who chooses to enter for -the prize: any common fellow, who without sincerity and without -tenderness, desires to possess what all must covet." - -"Ought you not," said Mr. Grey who seemed quietly to enjoy the -discussion, "ought you not to ascribe to your mistress a little -discrimination among all her perfections?" - -"By no means," said Mr. Haveloc, "it is no merit in a woman." - -And here he spoke perfect truth; for of all qualities, it is the one -which men dislike most bitterly in the fair sex. It is just possible -that the greater number of them imagine that they should fare but badly -in the opinion of women if they were not able to deceive them readily. - -"Just put the fire together a little, Claude," said Mr. Grey, "I do not -find that this talking is warm work." - -Mr. Haveloc did as he was desired. - -"Well now, I suppose you are contented," said Mr. Grey. "If you will -ring for a taper, I will write this letter; it is growing very dark. I -wonder what o'clock it is in the name of goodness?" - -"I am not contented, Sir, by any means," said Mr. Haveloc ringing the -bell; "but it is nearly seven, and you will not be able to write till -after dinner." - -"Bless me, and I am not dressed," said Mr. Grey, who in all his solitude -never omitted that ceremony. - -"Nor I, Sir," said Mr. Haveloc. - -"You a lover," said Mr. Grey laughing. "Why, even Benedict brushed his -hat o' mornings." - -"If you would spare me another minute," said Mr. Haveloc. - -"I am sure, Claude," said Mr. Grey, "I have given you reasons enough. It -is not my fault if you will not apply them." - -"They are very excellent," said Mr. Haveloc; "but certainly an absence -of six months would answer every purpose." - -"Or three months," said Mr. Grey. - -"Undoubtedly, Sir." - -"Six weeks, perhaps." - -"Any separation whatever, Sir. I need no trial. I can undergo no change; -and you may imagine it is not a very agreeable prospect to me that Miss -Capel is to be taken into society during my absence, and invited to -select some one whom she may like better than myself." - -"Well--well," said Mr. Grey, "you will see the advantage of it one day -or other. And now I have no more time to spare; my man will think me -dead as it is. Seven o'clock, I declare. Well, thank Heaven, these -things do not happen every day!" - -"Hello! a cabinet council!" exclaimed the well known voice of Mr. -Casement; "let's make it a Council of Three. What is it all about? What -not dressed, old gentleman? Then there's something in the wind, as sure -as my name is Roger Casement. You had better tell me, for I shall be -sure to find it out. Has this young fellow been proposing for Miss -Peggy?" - -Mr. Haveloc flung himself out of the room in great disdain; and Mr. Grey -taking up his candlestick, said "that he was really in a hurry, and that -Mr. Casement would no doubt find his niece in the drawing-room." - -Margaret was there, ready dressed, and in some wonder that her very -punctual uncle had not yet appeared. - -Mr. Casement entered, took his usual place on the hearth-rug, and nodded -to Margaret, who returned his salutation in silence. - -"What's the matter, little woman--been crying?" asked Mr. Casement. - -"No, Sir," returned Margaret in some surprise. - -"What have they been doing all the afternoon, in there--uncle and the -young fellow. Eh?" - -"I dare say they have been reading, Sir," said Margaret, "my uncle was -alone when I last saw him." - -"Reading--bah!" said Mr. Casement; "I say, it is my belief that the -young fellow is going to be married; eh?" And Mr. Casement stirred the -fire, and watched her countenance by the blaze. - -"It may be, Sir," said Margaret, with a quiet smile. "I am not in the -secret." - -"My old woman has got the rheumatism, so I am come to dine here," said -Mr. Casement. - -Margaret said she was sorry Mrs. Casement was suffering, and then there -was a pause. Margaret played with her greyhound, and Mr. Casement -whistled softly, and very much out of tune. - -Mr. Haveloc was the first to make his appearance, he came up in a quiet -serious manner to Margaret; apologized for being late, and said, that he -had also to answer for Mr. Grey's delay, since he had detained him in -the library talking of his affairs. - -"I should not wonder if he had been gambling," said Mr. Casement in a -soliloquy. - -Mr. Haveloc never vouchsafed an answer to Mr. Casement's flattering -remarks. He drew a chair near Margaret, and began to converse with her. - -"What is he talking about, little woman?" asked Mr. Casement, after they -had exchanged a few sentences in rather a low tone. - -"Nothing, Sir," returned Margaret hastily. - -"Faith! you are about right there," said Mr. Casement; "_nothing_ is -pretty much the amount of all the young fellows' speeches now a'days." - -Mr. Haveloc started from his chair, and began to walk up and down the -room. Mr. Casement followed his movements with a look of quiet -satisfaction. He was never more entirely happy than when he had -exasperated any one. As soon as tea was over, Mr. Grey said that he had -a letter to write, which he could not put off, and that Mr. Casement -must excuse him for half an hour. - -"Some of your business, I suppose, Master Claude;" said that amiable -gentleman nodding his head in the direction of the library. - -"I write my own letters of business," said Mr. Haveloc shortly. - -"What is come to you all I can't think," pursued Mr. Casement. "But I'll -worm it out of Master Grey, that's my comfort. And what are you about -little woman? Why don't you give us some music?" - -"I am working a bag, Sir," said Margaret rising and laying it down "but -I will play if you wish it." - -"Do," said Mr. Casement, taking up the bag and examining it. "Mercy, how -smart! Who is this for--eh?" - -"For Miss Gage," said Margaret with a faultering voice; and as she -spoke, she pressed her hand on her side, and sat down suddenly. - -Mr. Haveloc, who was standing at the piano arranging her books, now -hurried up to her. - -"I am afraid you are ill," he said, "do not think of playing. You are -quite unequal to the exertion. Do you find the room too hot?" - -"It is hot," said Margaret, who seemed on the verge of bursting into -tears. "I think, I will go to my uncle, or, perhaps, I shall interrupt -him. I--" - -"Poor little soul, she has no mother!" said Mr. Casement, whose sagacity -had discerned that something unusual occupied the minds of the party; -and whose coarse nature was not so destitute of feeling, but that he saw -how distressing must be the situation of a young girl, at any important -crisis of her life, without the guidance of an experienced female -friend. - -This remark which Mr. Haveloc feared would entirely destroy her -composure, had a contrary effect. After a struggle of a few moments, -she forced back her tears, and rose quietly up. - -"I cannot play to you to-night," said she to Mr. Casement with a smile, -"for I have a head-ache, and I am afraid my hand would not be very -steady. Perhaps, Mr. Haveloc, you will be so kind as to wish my uncle -good night for me." - -She bowed her head, and was about to leave the room, but Mr. Haveloc -hastened after her. - -"Let me beg you not to leave us," he said, "if you take a few turns in -the conservatory where the air is cooler you will find yourself better." - -He led her as he spoke into the conservatory, which opened from the -drawing-room; and Margaret finding it easier to say nothing, than to -trust her voice with a reply, suffered him to do as he pleased. He drew -her hand through his arm, and led her slowly up and down. - -"You must permit me to prescribe for you," said he gently, "for I think -if there is anything that vexes you, you will feel less depressed in -company than if you were to go up stairs and sit alone in your own room. -For you have no companion--no--" - -"No mother;" said Margaret, looking up into his face, with an expression -of quiet sorrow that nearly upset all his plans; for had he then said -all that he felt and hoped, he might have set out upon his travels the -next morning. - -"Are these your azalias?" said he, stopping before one of the stands, -"they look very gay. Do you remember when you asked Mr. Grey for them; -the first evening I came." - -"Oh! do you recollect that, Mr. Haveloc!" said Margaret. - -"I remember every particular of those few minutes you chose not to speak -to me." - -"Oh, Mr. Haveloc, you did not speak to _me_!" said Margaret, smiling, -"and, of course, strangers could not have any thing to say to each -other." - -"Have you read the book upon Etruria?" said Mr. Haveloc. - -"Yes--long ago." - -"And you were interested by it?" - -"Oh! very much. It seems to me so strange that people should almost have -forgotten the existence of such a nation, until lately; when these -discoveries were made." - -"Have you seen any account of the ruined cities in Central America?" - -"No; what cities? Who built them?" - -"There seems to be some doubt on that subject; but it is generally -believed that these are the cities of the Mexicans which were actually -depopulated by the Spaniards; and which now lie, temples, altars, and -palaces, overrun with vegetation, and buried in forests." - -"And are they in any state of preservation?" - -"Almost as they were left by their owners; buildings of vast extent and -elaborate workmanship. The work which has lately come out on this -subject, is crowded with drawings, which give a perfect idea of these -remains." - -"I should like to see that book;" said Margaret. - -"I shall have great pleasure in showing it to you. I have just been -reading it," said Mr. Haveloc. - -"And these Mexicans were then as civilized a people as the Etruscans?" - -"More luxurious; but perhaps less artistical. There is a great deal of -elegance in the Etruscan decorations." - -"That is true. What a number of new things I have to learn. I did not -know that any traces of those cities remained; and I believed there was -a great deal of fiction in the accounts of the Spaniards." - -"So did Robertson. He had been assured that there were no ruins in that -part of the world; and the accounts of the Spanish invaders were too -magnificent to be believed without some confirmation." - -"And who wrote this work?" - -"An American named Stevens, who had displayed a great deal of enterprise -and research. A singular occupation for one of that nation, for it was -not a very likely means of earning dollars." - -"Oh! there is a little prejudice in that remark, Mr. Haveloc," said -Margaret. "Perhaps _all_ Americans do not love money better than -anything in the world." - -"I will attend to all the good advice you give me;" said Mr. Haveloc, -smiling, "you warn me, in the present instance, not to indulge in -national prejudices." - -"Ah! you may well stare at finding me alone," said Mr. Casement; "the -young ones--philandering in the green-house yonder." - -"Oh! I forgot Mr. Casement," said Margaret, blushing. - -"So did I, utterly," returned Mr. Haveloc, as he led Margaret back to -the drawing-room. - -Now Margaret's emotion had arisen from the idea which suddenly occurred -to her, that Miss Gage might withdraw her friendship from her, on -account of her rejection of Hubert Gage. But she found that she had -greatly undervalued the calm and judicious mind of Elizabeth in -attributing to her an injustice, which, however natural, no -dispassionate person could consider reasonable. - -She called on Margaret the next day, and the first words she spoke were, -to assure her that she was not come to plead her brother's cause; but to -insist that what had passed, should prove no interruption to their -friendship. Most gladly did Margaret, with many tears, give her this -promise. - -Elizabeth was too considerate to question her upon the cause of her -rejection; but Margaret was glad to talk the matter over with her--to -hope, and to be assured that she had done nothing wrong throughout the -business. - -Elizabeth could not charge Margaret with having ever given Hubert any -more encouragement than circumstances had almost demanded: but to -Margaret's repeated declarations, that Hubert felt no real attachment to -her--though she smiled--she shook her head. She knew, that occasionally, -a great deal of strong feeling exists beneath a gay and careless -temperament. But she said, that her father was exerting himself to get -Hubert a ship, and as soon as he was afloat again, she hoped that -Margaret would be as much at Chirke Weston as before. - -This conversation, which Margaret, full of joy and gratitude, repeated -to Mr. Grey, was by him very speedily retailed to Mr. Haveloc; which -relieved him of some apprehensions, that Margaret's agitation on the -preceding evening had caused him, namely, that she had begun to repent -the decision she had given her uncle on the subject of Hubert Gage. - -This interview removed from Margaret, the only source of regret, which -remained to her on that subject. Her uncle was all kindness, and never -referred to her decision; and to crown her content, Mr. Casement, about -this time followed the example of his "old woman," and was laid up for -several weeks with an attack of rheumatism. - - -END OF VOL. I. - - - LONDON: - Printed by Schulze and Co., 13, Poland Street. - - -Transcriber's Note: The oe ligature is shown as [oe]. A few printer's -errors have been amended. Countetenance is now countenance, Magaret is -now Margaret, converstion is now conversation, Harrier is now Harriet -and regreted is now regretted. The punctuation is as it was printed in -the original publication. - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Margaret Capel, v. 1 of 3, by Ellen Wallace - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARGARET CAPEL, V. 1 OF 3 *** - -***** This file should be named 40006-8.txt or 40006-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/0/0/0/40006/ - -Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Sue Fleming and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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