in her feelings. To this origin, then, she must ascribe the disgust and vexation with which she saw Justin at one time full of a jocular familiarity with the Colonel, and then, as it were awed by a grace and dignity which every one felt and acknowledged, avenge himself of the superiority so unconsciously manifested, by a sullenness and evil temper, the more odious from the mildness with which it was endured. Indeed, amidst all the disquietude to which her brother's low-breeding and decided ton de gamin gave rise, that which most forcibly struck her, at those moments when, by a dogged resistance to the respect with which Colonel St. Colmo impressed him, he sought and coarsely betrayed a feeling of elevation at the thoughts of his own wealth and the Colonel's difficulties, was the perfect equanimity maintained under these most irritating cir

cumstances. No retort-no reproof-no remonstrance passed Colonel St. Colmo's lips; neither did he seek to evade the annoyance by absence, or by that avoidance of her brother which would have involved the loss of her society. How could she interpret the patience with which all these désagrémens were tolerated by one who had associated all his life with the courtly; whose high bearing was only to be equalled by the gentle tone of his demeanour, and to whom every class manifested consideration? How could he indeed endure all the impertinent and bad feeling manifested by her brother? The answer sent a throb of affection and gratitude through her heart. It was all for the love he bore herself. She learnt a lesson from his forbearance, and felt that there was in reality a higher and holier motive to call for her indulgence to the faults of one so

near to her; one-a friend and protector

given by the Almighty.

Diligently did she set her mind to fulfil the duties of kindred. The effort was successful; as are all those principles of action induced by a love and fear of God.

The first facility for the entertainment of kindlier feelings was given by the readiness with which her marriage portion was promised, and the brotherly assurance that, while she remained with him, she was to consider all he possessed her own. The affection she forced herself to manifest and feel actually seemed to spring within her bosom. Day by day kindness became less a task; and, in the influence which her softened demeanour gave her over her brother, she at once found her reward.

Again dreams and thoughts of happiness seemed to float around her. Eric St. Colmo's

VOL. II.

M

suit rejected, his father, then, was surely at liberty, even in the eyes of the most scrupulous upholder of the fine drawn-tissue of gentlemanly and military honour, to prefer his own. Her promised dowry, if it did not supply riches, would at least remove involvements; and what a sunny vista of hope and love did not the idea open before her!

163

CHAPTER VI.

"Love sought is good, but given unsought is better." SHAKESPEARE.

THE annual Archæological Meeting came round. Again ideas of bonnets and mouldering arches troubled the minds of fair girls; and, meeting in the visions of the night, held contests only to be settled by a compromise, which recognised the equal rights of the toilet and antiquities to consideration in the female mind.

The Society were again to assemble at Sir Ralph Sutton's; for the reason that a newly