Sidebilder
PDF
ePub
[graphic][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small]
[graphic][merged small]

!

[blocks in formation]

DARLISTON.

WILL.

I had Mr. Merton Brown's company on my walk to Darliston next morning. As we drew near the house a musical young voice crying "Chick, chick" somewhere about the farm buildings, made me turn in that direction.

"That's not Miss Dalziel," said my companion; "it's the little thing. She was feeding the chickens when I called last. Yonder she is on the granary stairs, showing her diminutive bootakins off to perfection. Here-chick, chick !"

She turned her head: the little feet came pattering down the steps and picking their way across the farm-yard, and, with a lap full of corn and a flock of croaking and clucking followers, Alice came towards us.

"What do you mean by calling chick, chick' to me, Mr. Brown? I am not sure I ought not to be offended, unless you want some corn?" and she lifted a handful towards his mouth.

I

He took the hand, emptied the corn into his own, and said, "How are the young ducks? shall go and feed them."

Do

saluting me cried to Nanny to
presently-she wanted to speak to her.

come up

"I am so glad you have come early," she said to me, "for I want to consult with you before I speak to Grant. I must speak to him and come to some understanding, or Mr. Mainwaring will write to him. If he writes Grant will send some insulting answer. Then he will come, and I would rather anything than they should meet! What can I do? I have been thinking and thinking of all I could say; but it is so difficult to get him to listen."

"Has he made any attempt to speak to you?" "He said yesterday to Nanny that he should think a week's penance ought to be enough to appease me, and asked if I would receive a letter. Nanny answered she knew nothing about it."

[ocr errors]

'My dear Helen, I doubt if you will do any good by seeing him; and it will worry and agitate you."

"Oh, but I feel so much stronger now; now that I feel so sure, so happy about him. I know Grant will find no shadow of wavering about me, and it would be a great thing if I could really convince him it is of no use.'

[ocr errors]

"Would you like me to speak to him first?" "If you do not mind; I should indeed be "Oh, they are getting on beautifully. much obliged to you. He would be more likely come and see them. Will you come, Mrs.to listen, for you have a way of stating things Gainsborough, or would you rather go to clearly. Still, I do not like to require such a Helen? She is in the drawing-room." task from you; he has insulted you before." "I will go to her. How is Mr. Wainwright this morning?"

"Mrs. Cargill thinks he has taken a little cold, and has prevailed on him to breakfast in bed. So I have not seen him yet."

66

"Helen is quite well?"

Oh, yes." A shrewd little look of intelligence flashed from her eyes as she glanced quickly from one to the other of us; but just then an impatient fowl fluttered on to the young lady's shoulder, a good deal startling her. Mr. Brown took the intruder captive, and I left them.

Mrs. Cargill was leaving her master's room as I ascended the staircase. Helen, hearing me speak to her, came to the door, and after

"I do not feel much confidence in the success of my attempt, but think there are some things I could state which would be good for him to hear. I am not afraid of trying."

Mrs. Cargill reappearing, was asked where Grant was; and replied, "He was downstairs just now; but when he saw Mrs. Gainsborough coming with Mr. Brown, he walked off down the marsh lane. I think he's not gone further than the ten-acre meadow. Most like to look at the new brown horse, that's a rare kicker. He said he should ride him on the marsh this morning."

"I hope your having to keep my servant Barbara gave you no trouble, Mrs. Cargill?" "No, ma'am, none at all. She was quite in

« ForrigeFortsett »