Vixen

rning in the hall, giving the home-comers cheery welcome. There was an antique silver spirit stand with its accompaniments on one little table for the Squi

d servants at the Abbey House, servants who knew their master's and m

th a contented sigh. "Pauline

rgotten my soda-water,

y, which he was pouring into th

k, and was praised for her thoughtfulness ab

g out; and with the Squire, as with Mr. Squeers, the leg-stretching proc

nner-party, and arrived - with perfect good natur

y glasses were empty half the time. That's always the way when you've a woman at

ed bored. How did you like my dress, Edward? I think it's rather

dress, Pam, but you were the

Tempest, with a pleased look, "when the

Lips too thin; waist too slim; too

itself; quite an ethereal creature. If

y such fine-drawn misses. Lady Mabel

ith her," suggested Mrs. Tempest

he red light shining on those mail-clad effigies in the corners, lighting up helm and hauberk, gl

igure with cloudy hair; a small pale face, and two dark eyes shining with excite

, and those little slippers descend fro

body!" cried the Sq

sh laughter was

ix

hall to perch, light as a bird, upon her father's knee. "Did I really frighten you? Did you think the good old Abbey House was goin

aggered. Your little white figure looked like something uncanny a

!" exclai

you to come downstairs at such an hour?" e

ngly. "Do you think I could sleep a wink on the night of Rorie's

. Tempest, "for there were no joy-be

ouder. Ding-dong, ding-dong, dell, Rorie's come of age; ding-dong, dell, Rorie's twenty-one. Then I thought o

e only one that w

peaking? I think the Swiss sunshine has rather over-co

a young fellow as you n

contented with herself to be seriously vexed about anything, "do you

other, and he stands in the place of one to her. Is

ck, her face hidden against the Squire's coat-collar. He could not see

, papa. But I'm very fond of Rorie - when he's nice, an

n he sta

the slender figure trembled faintly as she spoke. "But tell me all a

serious to be answered lightly. "There was a cream-coloured silk, with silver bullion fringe, that was very stri

Ashbourne's dress?"

- the very palest blue, all puff

ouds have no puff

ct - a sort of shadowiness which

thoughtfully; "you seem to a

admires her

is a duke's o

remely elegant, and most accomplished. S

she play

opi

ty her. Yes, even if she were my w

music don't mind difficu

cause I shirk my practice. But I should be very fo

ill you be like Lad

utly hope," sa

is daughter a hug whic

wide mouth. Secondly, I can never be elegant - much less ethereal - because it isn't in me. Thirdly, I shall never be accom

talking in that hor

," said the fond father. "I won

. The Squire was all that is dear and good as husb

mamma. Did Rorie seem to

his cousin all the evening. I beli

attitude upon her father's shoulder, and looking intently

rs. Tempest. "It will be

nto its old place upon the Squire's sho

his is really too dreadful. Come, Violet

e Squire, finishing his

py. She yawned dolefully, and kissed her mother and father at the end of the galle

e Squire; "she grows prettier

ly a little smaller,"

I ever saw upon woman -

while the fond fath

self face downwards on the carpet, and

had been a queen in her own mind; and her kingdom had been Rorie, her subjects had begun and ended in Rorie. All was over. He belonged to some one e

r any such foresight or calculation. She had only thought that he was in somewise her property, and would be so till the end of both their lives. He was hers, and he was ve

play, whose name Vixen could never remember - chariot and horses and all. He belonged henceforth to Lady Mabel Ash

very beginning; and he never said a word; and he let me think he rather liked me - or at least tolerated me. And how could he like t

like a young fury. The light chestnut tresses should have been Medusa's snakes to have harmonised with that set white face. God had given Violet Tempest a heart