Diana Tempest, Volume I (of 3)

the bitterness of hi

u shalt not covet thy neighbour's house," and relegated the ne

s it is the fashion, especially of the vulgar-minded well-born, to decry birth as being of no account. Those who do so, apparently fail to perceive that, by the very fact of decrying it, they proclaim their own innate lack of appreciation of those very advantages of refinement, manners, and a certain distinction and freemasonry of feeling, which birth has evidently withheld from them personal

ever else was lost, kept fast hold on Overleigh. The old castle on the crag had passed through many vicissitudes. It had been originally built in Edward II.'s time, and the remains of fortification, and the immense thickness of the outer walls, showed how fierce had been the inroads of Scot and Borderer which such strength was needed to repel. The ma

st held it still. Tempest had become a great name. Gradually wealth had gathered round Overleigh, as the lichen had gathered round its grey stones. There were coal-mines now among the marsh-lands of William the Conqueror's favourite, harbours and towns along the sea-coast. Tempest of Overleigh was a power, a name that might be felt, that had been felt. The name ranked high among the great commoners of England. Titles and hono

his brother fourteen years ago, to the death of his poor, pretty faithless wife in the room where he was now lying; the round oak-panelled room, which followed the outer wall of th

announcing his coming. It lay with a pile of others for some one hereafter to sort or burn. Mr. Tempest had done with letters, had done with everything except Deat

child was playing at the further end of it under the Velasquez; or, to speak more correctly, was looking earnestly out of one of the low mullioned windows. The voice of the young year was calling him from without, as the spring calls only the young. But he might not go out to-day, though there were nests waiting for him, and holiday

hie approached, and then came gravely forw

y. He could not trust himself to look again at the erect dignified little

ch other straight in the eyes. Archie w

hn?" he ask

es

n wh

n Amyas

re with--, until I send for you." And with one backward glance at them, he

said Colonel Tempest ho

the same time all agitation, all tendency

ing?" interrupte

e

as if a hand were tightening round his t

. He might live through

oding that his brother might die in his actual presence, without giving him time to bolt, h

h he lay, and a vain attempt had been made to alleviate it by the flood of April sunshin

half closed. His worn face had a strong family rese

aid Colon

ame slowly back to the room, and the dim sunshine, and himself; and stopped short with a jarred sense as he saw his own long fee

aid the v

oked full at his brother-at the false, weak,

e deadly, deadly hatred. Fourteen years ago was it since Diana had been taken from him? It returned upon

have a way of doing, being made to fit imaginary circumstances, and being consequentl

his low, difficult whispe

d always been vindictive! And what an unchristian state of mind for one on t

est, after a pause. "Who let you in? W

his mind for something appropriate to say. "I am sure I am very sorry for--" A look warned him that even his tactful re

uggested M

, Jack; he is here now. I have brought him with me. Such a fine, handsome boy-every inch a Tempest, and the imag

quivering face in his ha

d; he evidently understood h

cceeds,"

ooked away fr

onel Tempest, in a choked voice.

born in

feeling for the child-it's against nature. Remember the old name and the old place, that has never been out of the hands of a Tempest yet. Don't drag our honour in the dust and put it to open shame! Think how it would have grieved our father. Let me call in the doctor and the nurse, and disown him now b

er steadily in the face. The look was sufficient. I

entred people that their otherwise convenient habit of disregarding what is passing in the minds of others, leads them to trample on their feelings at the

ation of points of law. "I'll sign anything you please; bu

econds; but it seemed also as if a determined will were holding him momentarily at arm's length. Mr. Tempes

he said. "Jo

from his heart. A sudden horror took him of some subtle change that was

sock, which he solemnly produced, and the time was happily passed in licking the most important coins, to give them a momentary brightness, and in comparing notes upon them. John was sorry when

he old doctor came to him, and told him, very gra

d it with his eyes only. John's deep-set eyes were very dark and melancholy. Could it be that his mother's remorse had left it

the head, and led him gen

d. "Do not be afraid. I shall be

lf up, and he went quietly across the great

ands, as if he were holding on tightly to something whi

aid, in an a

s pale and his eyes looked awed, b

down under the intense strain put on it to a single quivering strand-"remember-you will understand it when you are older. It is a great trust put into your hands. When you grow into a man, much will be expected of you. Never disgrace your name; it stands high. Keep it up-keep it up." The whispe

, fa

will-re

lip quivered, the an

all; yo

ild he

as still streaming across the room, but it seemed to him, as he l

said the dying

e chil

nder feebly out he knew not whither. Hours and voices came and went. His own voice had gone down into silence befo

ickered-glimmer