Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

and down-" that being the case, you will pretty soon find yourself done for."

"I must indeed endure your displeasure, rather than give up the only woman I ever have, or ever will, love."

:

"Good again! that clenches it," ejaculated the old man, with closed teeth. "Hear me, Master Matthew I will erase you entirely from my will; I won't leave you a sixpence; I will destroy the deed of entail upon the Bine estate; and what's more," continued the excited old gentleman, laying his clenched fist upon the table, "I will withdraw every shilling from your bank, and publish the fact so as to cause a run upon it. I'll shut you up, sir!"

“That will be unjust to my partners."

"True; I did not think of that. I am obliged to you for the hint: so you may tell them from me, if they wish to keep their credit whole, they must advertise a dissolution of partnership, so far as regards yourself, in next Saturday's Gazette. Have you anything more to say?"

"Not a word," replied Matthew, rising and composedly buttoning his coat.

"Then I wish you a good evening."

Matthew Sidney was altogether unprepared for this scene, and had taken no measures to avert its consequences. He stepped into his cab and drove to Mr. Lindsay's house, that he might ask the advice of one whom he fully intended should be his father-in-law, in spite of his father.

CHAPTER VII.

"All marriages are not made in heaven."

Madame De Staël.

WHETHER Miss Alicia Mowbray was or was not deprived of her natural rest, by thoughts of the handsome captain, it is difficult to say; but one thing is certain, she never looked more lovely

-

more brilliantly than when dressed for the ball. As she entered the crowded rooms, Mrs. Dalrymple could not help adding a tribute of praise on her appearance, accompanying her admiration, however, with an inward congratulation

on the utter security of Chesster from Alicia's blandishments, and the undoubted conquest her sister had gained. In fact, on that very morning Mr. Chesster had proposed to Kate, and—as it is in that case always made and provided-was duly rejected!-plunged into temporary despair, out of deference to a rule which is never departed from by young ladies who are under such excellent tutorship as Miss Sidney.

It will be seen that she conned her lesson well Mr. Chesster having, on the previous evening, Sidney, with the most uncomfortable solemnity; Mrs. Dalrymple knew what was coming, and told her pupil that the

solicited an interview of Miss

66

course of true love never did, never must run smooth."

"A too easy conquest is never a valued one, my dear," she added.

"But should he take me at my word ?"

"Do as I bid you, and he never will," was the reply.

Miss Sidney did do as she was bid; for, when

Mr. Chesster was on one knee before her, at the appointed interview, she was "really taken so completely by surprise, was so perfectly at a loss to account for his flattering preference—not having indeed the most distant idea of " here a

pause, blush, and the usual confusion : " but, as a friend-as a valued, an esteemed friend-would always be but too proud of Mr. Chesster's continued attentions; while in any other light she really could not regard him-dared not, however painful to herself, afford him hope."

Mr. Chesster entreated, but Miss Sidney was firm. He muttered a word about blighted hopes and total inability to go to the ball. Katherine was deeply grieved, and entreated him to escort her thither, as if nothing had taken place.

He went, and during the whole evening Miss Sidney captivated him more than ever, by the grace and tenderness of her manners-by the assiduity of her endeavours to please-by the delicate warmth of her—friendship!

As the learned and excellent Dr. Adams, of

« ZurückWeiter »