Part 47 (1/2)

”If you really want to dress before you come to the cottage,”

interrupted I hastily, ”you have no time to lose.”

”Haven't I? off we go then,” cried my companion. ”Here, you lazy young imp,” he continued, seizing Shrimp by the collar of the coat, and dropping him to the ground, as one would a kitten, ”find my room, and get out my things directly--brush along.”

So saying, he sprang from the phaeton, and rushed into the hall, pus.h.i.+ng Shrimp before him, to the utter consternation of the dignified old butler, who, accustomed to the graceful indolence which characterised his young master's every movement, was quite unprepared for such an energetic mode of proceeding.

Forgetting that politeness required me to wait for my companion, I threw the reins to a groom, and started off at a brisk walk in the direction of the cottage.

Lawless's concluding words had aroused a train of thought sufficiently interesting to banish every other recollection. Sweet Clara! it was quite a month since I had parted from her, but the soft tones of her silvery voice still lingered on my ear--the trustful expression of her bright eyes--the appealing sadness of that mournful smile, more touching in its quiet melancholy, than many a deeper sign of woe, still presented themselves to my imagination with a vividness which was almost painful.

I had received a note from her about a week before, in which she told me that c.u.mberland had been absent from the Priory for some days, and, as long as this was the case, -320-- she was comparatively free from annoyance, but that Mr. Vernor's mind was evidently as much set upon the match as ever; nothing, however, she a.s.sured me, should induce her to consent, for much as she had always disliked the scheme, she now felt that death were far preferable to a union with a man she despised; and she ended by saying, that whenever she felt inclined to give way to despair, the remembrance of my affection came across her like a sunbeam, and rendered her happy even in the midst of her distress.--Oh! what would I not have given, to have possessed the dear privilege of consoling her, to have told her that she had nothing to fear, that my love should surround and protect her, and that, under the hallowing influence of sympathy, happiness for the future would be increased twofold, while sorrow shared between us would be deprived of half its bitterness!--in fact, long before I arrived at the cottage, I had worked myself up into a great state of excitement, and had originated more romantic nonsense than is promulgated in a ”seminary for young ladies,”

in the interval between the time when the French teacher has put out the candle, and the fair pupils have talked themselves to sleep, which, if report does not belie them, is not until they have forfeited all chance of adding to their attractions by getting a little beauty-sleep before twelve o'clock.

”Ah, Frank! back already! what have you done with Lawless?” exclaimed Oaklands, raising his eyes from the chessboard as I entered our little drawing-room.

”He will be here shortly,” replied I, ”but he positively refused to face the ladies till he had changed his shooting costume, so I left him up at the Hall to adonise. But how goes the game? who is winning?”

”As was certain to be the case, I am losing,” answered f.a.n.n.y.

”Well, I won't disturb you,” returned I, ”and perhaps you will have finished before Lawless makes his appearance; where is my mother, by-the-by?”

”She only left the room just as you returned,” replied f.a.n.n.y quickly; ”she has been sitting here ever since Mr. Oaklands came.”

”I do not wish to know where she has been, but where she is,” rejoined I; ”I want to tell her that Lawless is coming to be introduced to her; is she upstairs?”

”I believe she is,” was the reply, ”but you will only worry her if you disturb her; mamma particularly dislikes being hunted about, you know: you had better sit still, and she will be down again in a few minutes.”

-321-- ”There is no such thing as free-will in this world, I believe,”

exclaimed I, throwing myself back in an easy-chair; ”however, as you do not very often play the tyrant, you shall have your own way this time.

Harry, the chestnuts did their work to admiration; Lawless was delighted with them, and talked of nothing else half the way home.”

”I don't doubt it--your queen's in danger, f.a.n.n.y,” was the answer.

Seeing that my companions appeared entirely engrossed by their game, I occupied myself with a book till I heard the ominous sounds, ”Check! excuse me, the knight commands that square; you have but one move--checkmate!”

”Who has won? though I need not ask. How dare you beat my sister, Master Harry?”

”I had some trouble in doing it, I can tell you,” replied Oaklands; then turning to f.a.n.n.y, he continued, ”had you but moved differently when I castled my king to get out of your way, the game would have been entirely in your own hands, for I was so stupid, that up to that moment I never perceived the attack you were making upon me.”

”Really I don't think I had a chance of beating you: Frank must take you in hand next, he is a much better player than I am.”

”Indeed I am not going to be handed over to Frank, or any one else, in that summary way, I can a.s.sure you; I intend to have another game of chess with you tomorrow, after we come in from our ride.--I forgot to tell you that Harris says the little grey Arab carries a lady beautifully--however, 1 left orders for one of the boys to exercise her well this afternoon, with a side-saddle and a horse-cloth, to enact the part of a lady. At what hour shall we ride to-morrow? it is generally fine before luncheon at this time of year, I think.”

”Oh! you are very kind,” replied f.a.n.n.y hurriedly, ”but I am afraid I cannot ride to-morrow.”

”Why not? what are you going to do?” inquired Oaklands.

”I am not going to do anything particularly,” returned f.a.n.n.y, hesitating, ”but I don't know whether my habit is in wearable order, and--well, I will talk to mamma about it. By-the-by, I really must go and see what has become of her all this time,” she continued, rising to leave the apartment.

”I thought there was nothing my mother disliked so -322-- much as being hunted about,” rejoined I; ”I wonder you can think of disturbing her.”