Margaret Capel, v. 2 of 3

ll, and pleasur

evolving signs,

CHI

e-throne where

riumph on a

but s

S DA

ight hope of her ever being restored to health. Mrs. Fitzpatrick bore the news with more firmness than he had expected. Although her fears had often suggested as much to her own mind, she only half believed it. If Aveline seemed languid or out of spirits; if her cheek was more flushed, or her appetite failed, then Mrs. Fitzpatrick's heart died within her; and she echoed the

other had walked back to the house to give some forgotten order to the servants, and Aveline, as soon as Mrs. Fitzpatrick was out of sight, dropped her book, and clasping her hands on her knee, sat long gazing upon the moving line of water. It had become an exertion to her to read

outs and laughter as the foam broke over their feet. When they came nearer to Aveline, their voices sank; they whispered to each other that it wa

I wish to speak to you, I want

the girl. "Mother ate all the chicken bro

aid Aveline, "does she sl

rl, "the doctor says she may leav

do nothing that might vex your mother; and that you try to help h

aid all the chi

er," said Aveline, in her gentle voice, "and it will be such a comfort

nt, looking stedfastly at her. At last Jane, the eldest

, I do not feel much better yet. I think

her shawl clo

ittle girl sadly; "mother said she did not

id so," added the boy fixing

ad done speaking, and they stood by her sid

go on playing. Jane will be very careful of her two brothe

ascribed to accidental causes the different symptoms which revealed too well to others the nature of her complaint. To die. The thought was so new-so terrible. To leave the world-she was so full of genius, of intellectual life, she had done so much, she had so much to do, (the feeling of all those who have done much), and to leave her mother-who had no one-no single thing in life to supply her place. Could it be? C

ate. And her mother was suppressing all that she feared and felt, from the same kind but mistaken motive; for bo

," asked Mrs. Fitzpatrick, as

unequal voice that betrays recent tears; "if you will gi

as they strolled along, "the sea is a sad encroacher,

eeping silently,

ed within her, for of all things she most dreaded her daughter's suspecting

ow spirited to-day, and do not feel str

e," said Mrs. Fitzpatrick, "h

line, "they are nice little creatures,

her fine raspberries," said Mrs. Fitzp

t every where with great

walk too far," said her mother

e, and watch the sea,

ite foam. These rocks, which a little way out at sea, rose some feet above the level of the water, decreased in size as they

presented the appearance of some slender vessel. "Look, Aveline, the

e of moonlight nights, what adventures, what perils of winds and storms are connected with the meanest of those little vessels. And the watchful wife, and the sleeping unconscious ch

, "they have lowered a boat; one of your

the other side of the cliff. Mark said it had been let the other day. It would be a very convenient place for any one fond of boating." The boa

ings to continue watching them, turned slowly away, a

ter shaking the spray from his coat, ran prying along the shore, until upon reaching A

is Farfallo! How well I recollect him. See, he knows me! Don't

rs. Fitzpatrick. "No! I am sure-certain of

It was evident that Farfallo's master could not be far off. It was equally evident that Aveline had not forgotten him; all her illness might arise merely from depression of spirits, from that protracted hope, which while it makes s

w, was heard calling Farfallo, coupled with a polite request, not pr

impatient owner. Farfallo sprang away

d, as if she were paying him a comp

etly towards him, as if the

Haveloc. We kept your

short in as

" he exclaimed. "How fortunate I e

id Mrs. Fitzpatrick. "This dog of your

t bored you-he is so wet. And you, Miss Fi

w, and smiled. Mrs. Fitz

ent, Mr. Haveloc," said she; "we look

oc pointing to the vessel in the distance. "Sea voyages are said to be

hing of that kind at Sorren

it would," he replied. "I shall get rid of

travelling yet!" sa

of mine to go with him to the Pyrenees-a young barrister, who has a fe

id Aveline. "There is nothin

, I am not properly sensible of

ing up to him with a smile. "I was in ho

I did not justly appreciate," said Mr. Ha

d monk that I ever insis

est of the whole set," s

s. Fitzpatrick. "You cannot thin

in Italy," sa

ll farther," repli

d! How

Was not tha

to Venice, and so on to Egypt; but I

d your guardian

Aveline. "He must be suc

"But I cannot say much for his health; yet th

said Mrs. Fitzpatrick

ine had been sitting, Mr. Haveloc s

now that I am your neighbour, I shall make a point of gleani

tzpatrick, smiling at Aveline's confusion, for

again," said Mr. Haveloc, looking into the book he carried,

as rather an advocate at Sorrento for studie

ter now, mamma!"

Miss Fitzpatrick, than when I

Fitzpatrick eagerly, "and you must be a judge. I, w

doubt of it?"

p was not languid. Her mother was astonished at the renovation that seemed to have taken place within her, though she was enlightened as to the c

ave you for our neighbour, Mr. H

. I should like to have something of a fishing cottage by the sea-side; and though the house is

o put up with a cupboard,

fore that awful period, he is hardly looked upon as a member of society. Is this your house? What a paradise. A

annot part so quickly from an old friend. We dine early on Avel

aid Mr. Haveloc, "for luncheon, I di

"you never did. People talk of ladies living on air; I

ld. I do not wonder that you were anxious to return to England," he said, looking round, as t

search of health, Mr. Have

" said Mr. Haveloc, turning to Aveline, "you can

e content of the present moment. He was with them; he was their near neighbour; they must often see him. Her happiness

uch originality, much power of expression. And Aveline sat and listened as to an oracle. But with the exception of a few bantering sentences occasionally passing between them, they never spoke to each other. And while he sought and admired the society of Mrs. Fitzpatrick, he only thought of Aveline as an interesting, sickly girl, whom he hope

n, hung over her face and shoulders, concealing in some measure the thinness of her outline. Mr. Haveloc was not sufficiently interested in

. Haveloc, as he wandered about the room. "Did

ave off on account of my chest. She did me a great dea

rs. Fitzpatrick, did you ever succeed in findi

iniature copy at Rome wh

-leaves; but one cannot describe it. A man who had painted such a picture had bet

, "he had better live to be thanked and admired for his good deeds: and having

ave you surpassed in the arts?" sa

lties of some people; but with others, it stings them into unnatural forwardness and activity. So it had been with Aveline. In accomplishment, in language, in general knowledge of every kind, she was singularly forward

atrick should beg him to repeat his visit; that sh

el at renewing our acquaintance; but I cannot take myself off, until you consen

atrick, "I shall see how Aveline

c, as he shook hands with her, "as soon as I get

if seized upon by some pirate of the Mediterranean, and carried to the slave market at Algiers. It was clear that he reme

and Mrs. Fitzpatrick, who was seated near the window watch

at he wears." "Does he?" said A

e reapers in

ed between them on the sub