ページの画像
PDF
ePub
[graphic][subsumed][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
[graphic][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[graphic][ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]

SCOLDING.

directly he put the right sort of letter into my hand. Here it is,

"MY DEAR MRS. GAINSBOROUGH,-Whether mischance or design has ruled that my letter I went early to Cedar Lawn; and, as I of the 30th July should not have arrived, it is a hoped, found Mr. Ainslie at home. He admitted circumstance to me of very serious concern. I that in order to balance the difficulties accruing would not for anything have given Helen cause from Mr. Wainwright's precarious state of to think me so negligent, even if all had been at health, it was necessary we should do as much its best with her. Mr. Wainwright's illness, as possible to strengthen Helen's position. The your absence, the disclosure of the imposture of ladies were preparing for a party at Mrs. Well- the man who calls himself Witham, and the wood's which was to take place the Thursday return of Grant Wainwright, are all so many following, and although Alice appeared very occurrences inclining me the more to deprecate ready to give up the pleasure, her mamma was the circumstance. Helen does not appear to much averse to her so doing. Mr. Ainslie, how- impute the affair on the marsh to any more ever, arranged matters in a satisfactory way by serious design than might have endangered deciding that Alice could be sent for in time to her watch; but I am far from convinced it is dress for the party, and might return to Dar-wise to think lightly about it, and have written liston Hall the next morning. on the subject to Mr. Ainslie. Some trustworthy attendant must be provided to accompany her rides.

I was invited upstairs to a room which still bore the name of the nursery, to give my opinion on millinery matters; and could not but sympathize in Mr. Ainslie's anxiety that Alice's pretty little figure should be set off to fair advantage, especially as this was to be her first appearance at a "grand" party: so, considering much had yet to be done, I did not urge her leaving home before Saturday evening; The pretty tarlatane dresses, the flowers and ribbons, and the pleasurable anticipations so evident among the ladies, incited me to regret that dear Helen and myself had not been free to accept the invitation sent to us. I wondered Alice could be so apparently insensible to the

attractions of the occasion.

Returning home to my early dinner I afterwards spent the remainder of the day with Helen. We sat in the drawing-room except at tea-time. Grant Wainwright had been in during the morning, but did not intrude upon

us.

I am glad to learn his conduct is so much "In regard to Mr. Wainwright's nephew; amended, and cannot think I have much to fear from his mere assiduities. Helen is, I think, of too earnest a nature to engage in a flirtation, or ductive of no good purpose to the bestower. I encourage attentions she knows must be proshe would hardly condescend enough towards complained, I remember, in a former letter, that myself; I cannot fear my right-minded English girl will suffer any presumptuous suit from another. Before this reaches you I shall be in Vienna and, I trust, may find letters calculated

to reassure me.

"Perhaps I am needlessly anxious; but if you knew how more and more precious to me are the hopes I have built on my dear Helen, you would not wonder that in the present trying state of things some foolish dread should I promised to walk over with the letters cross my mind concerning her. I may not now directly they arrived and took care to be attired speak of my Italian travels; I bore with me ready for the occasion before the postman came such responsibilities as have not hitherto been up. How indifferent he looked! he was posi- my portion, and my thoughts have necessarily tively sauntering. I suppose it might be ex- been much devoted to them; but in such cusable as he had come up hill on a warm moments as were free I have had strange enjoy. morning. I thought of that excuse for himment, and ever in such enjoyment has beer

« 前へ次へ »