Mabel, Vol. II (of 3)

revenge

uick and deadly

he very shad

death to wipe

ll

hops were only just open, and the occupiers engaged in filling their empty windows with a display for the day. The light-hearted girl scarcely giving a thought to any thing around her, soon reached the Circus, a fine but gloomy part of the town. Time and the weather have cast a black shade over its formerly clean white stone, which gives it an appearance of sadness, which is shared by the sombre hue of the evergreens, which ornament its garden. To one of its houses Lucy hurried, and after a short pause, was ushered into it by an old man, apparently butler in the establishment. The room into which she was shown, was upon the ground floor, and shared in no very slight degree, the appearance of the outside of the buildings. Its furniture was dark green, and the curtains, with their many heavy folds had been suffered to trespass too much upon the windows. There was an oak wainscoting round the room, and here and there some old portrai

mmon event would bring you out this foggy morning, but sit down and I will give you some breakfast, for I am sure you have had n

was up I thought I would come and see why you w

esolution to leave him, and you know how little will tempt me

e you do not need such frivolities; but what

, given up the phantom happiness, or you wou

leading article, and

away, "really you do not know what a pleasure the morning papers give me-they make me remember that I am a d

nd you with friends, and you might have a host of acquaintances instead of my po

thrown you at our very door, and forced me to open it. There was, indeed, something so pleasing in being able to nurse you for a few days, that

let me in, and I will come and live with you; but I am rather of opinion

our own?" enquired h

d my poor powers of description; everything he said was so clever, and so new, it seemed as if he

rl!" exclaime

so seriously," said Lucy, poutingl

was he?" said Miss Foster,

ep blue eyes, rather tall, and very nice looking-not quite so hands

did he t

particular," sai

" enquired Miss Foster, alm

d Lucy; "is it n

he talks such in a way that you blush already.

give me so

l, you must ta

y; "but, as a common acquaintance, and a delightful

ster; "do not have anything to s

rove me in danger before I can think such advice needed. Pray

ter to bite her lips, as if suppressing violent emotion, and to remain silent, thoug

a knock at the hall door ann

utes, cautiously opened by the venerable butler, who, with some e

orm which had been gathering on her friend'

ed to a livid white, as she brushed the card from the salver with

lerc"-and, unperceived, she took it up, and conceale

n surprise, and left the room slowly and sadly. The front door was presently heard to close. As if ashamed of the passion

treat him, and judge for yourself if he is

shewn yourself very little my friend to treat a man with i

pleen with an indifferent coldnes

t is a most unkind and ungratefu

s Foster, "will you never be

nd if I do choose a guide, it shall

d Miss Foster, gravely; "but leave me now, Lucy, and do not b

up, and putting on her shawl with trembling hands-"

suddenly raising her eyes, in which thick tears were gathering-she watched her movements with a curious interest-but Lucy was al

o see her pleasing companion of the night before, if but for a moment. She was not disappo

t, and attributed her friend's warnings to jealousy. She had scarcely arrived at this conclusion, before she perceived Mr. Beauclerc crossing to her side of the way, and she gave a bow and a smile, which proved a ready inducement

that house then?" he enquired, afte

and looking at him, "and I

well?" he said, s

ely-she is a grea

all her se

he had a friend, and did not know all her secrets, seemed a derogation from her o

that be true-

g archly at him; "and what do

replied, with an interest which Lucy attr

as then?" said she, l

edly; "have you then been speaking

like to hear," she said, with

did you take?"

y, "I never do things by halves-so I

taking her hand, and pressing it warmly, "how

ere, I declare, is Miss Lovelace's youngest sister going

dal by a word," said he; "but that wo

speech; but she did not like to say so

ed home, thinking over everything he had said. They had only talked on general topics after all; but then he spoke with a deference to her opinion which was very pleasing. She was in very good humour with herself, and resolved that, after leaving Miss Foster to cool for a week or so, she would call and make up