EET E PA E SW ANN G .

T I E L I MO R M R C O L N S .

VO L I .

L O N D O N

1 H E 3 E E . , G R A T MA R LB O R O U G S T R T

1 8 68 .

The fi ght of Tr‘mlatwn as r eser ved

ms V J

W E E T A S N N E P A G E .

dimmin Chr onic le Tfiur sda 5th A u ust 1 8 g , y, g ,

U I CI DE r A BAR NET —Y es a mor nin r e at S o O . terd y g g exc itement was c au se d in fashio nable c irc les by the

u mo u ir W e en a h ad c o mm S t u s B . r r that Ar h r ill d , rt , it

t ed su c Th e e o w a n o nl to o u . i ide . r p rt s fo u d to be y tr e Th e sad event mu st have o c c urre d many ho urs b efore

ec ase en eman w as sc o e H e w as o u the d e d g tl di v red . f nd

- es e a mo n n in his aw n o o m N o . Je r y t rd y r i g dr i g r , at m n - s e v n r un hims o u w o o m y tr et, ha i g elf thr gh ith a f il, fr w c h ad a e u o s o n o was hi h he t k n the b tt n. A h rt te

o u n in his an w t n s n e a u ac t f d h d ri i g, tati g that the dr df l h ad esul e o m e n iffi His al e ave r t d fr p c u iary d c ulty. v t g

vi n t a n e de c e h t the dec ease d g e tleman had o rdered a. po stc haise- and - fo ur t o be ready for him at a late ho ur o n Tu es e enin so is su o s h ad at day v g , that it pp ed he o n e time tho ughts o f evading his n umero us c reditors by ” o in o We . &c g g abr ad , !I t is o bservable that the p enny- a- lin er o f th e peri o d ery in feri o r in sublimity of style to his su c c essor of th e present date !

VOL . I . 2 WEE NNE E S T A PAG .

Globe an d Tr aveller Wedn esda 4th A u ust 1 , y, g , 8

“ I UL R D M R ED S NG A I SAP P EAR ANC E o r A A R I L AD Y .

A gentleman who se n ame it wo uld be u n fai r to men

on c o se R H o o ur e r ti , being h n by the ight n able S c reta y o f S tate for the Fo reign D epar tment to c ondu c t a diffi c u t n o o n in E as was o u t o s r at l eg tiati the t, ab t ta t an o u s mor n w n was su n early h r thi ing , he he dde ly de

m st r o us sa n c o f his w e layed by the y e i di ppeara e if , a

c u a c ar mn o un a to w o m n o t pe li rly h i g y g l dy, h he had

n A o u a o s us an h as long been u ite d . lth gh the g ni ed h b d c au sed every c o nc eivable mean s to b e taken to disc o ver

h as ec o me o f h er w e s n c to sa at what b , i erely regret y th u p to the present mo ment this remarkable o c c ur renc e ” m e is v l in th e st s . W &c ei ed deepe y tery ,

S un Fr ida 6ib A u ust 18 , y, g ,

We are info rmed that the myster io us disappear anc e o f mar e a u to in o ur c o um s a ri d l dy, already all ded l n , gave rise this morning to a duel between the learn ed

en m w o msh e h as so u x c s t g tle an h ne pe tedly de er ed, and h l - k Mr R B n s m er c o us w o w . c o in, the e l n n aphael ra be, wh o was s c c us o f e n o uc io ra hly a ed b i g privy t her abd t n.

’ Mr M r fill a s u n i . o s ec e wo u h s , the l dy h ba d, r ived a nd in s o u e an d mm x ss his h ld r, i ediately e pre ed regret that he s o u v ma so u o a I t is h ld ha e de nf unded a c h rge . very disc reditable to the New P o lic e that a lady of positi o n ” c an & c , c . & CHAPTER I .

THE N N TANNERs. LA GTO S,

” TEPHEN I exclaimw a shrill- voiced you ng

“ o f i - fi v e ou in lady th rty , what are y do g

“ ” n o w 3

’ i u i Th s was Stephen Langton s a nt, Harr et ,

his i his u u . b tterest foe, perpet al persec tor She

wi i i ui was a lanky personage, th redd sh ha r, bl sh

o f u eyes , no eyelashes to speak , and a fig re

i i u whose wa st m ght be anywhere . Her tterance

i i in i was always a wh n ng scold . Every c dent of i o u o f i l fe was t her a s bject compla nt . She was

o f i the terror the whole fam ly, except her father ;

o ld and, as Stephen Langton, the tanner, had i never been known to fear anyth ng, he was not

i t o i i his o w u l kely beg n w th n da ghter . She

ui u in his his was q et eno gh presence, awed by

B 2 E 4 SWEET ANNE PAG .

stormy voice and ready hand . Ten years before ,

i his i for some slight opposit on to w ll , he had boxed her ears in the presence o f a gathering

i u o f his ne ghbo rs , among whom was the only you ng man who had seemed to take a fancy to her ; and sh e was well aware that he was j u st as impetu ou s as ever .

i i - i u - L ttle Stephen, a br ght ha red bl e eyed boy

f w as i in i - o f o eleven, co led a w ndow seat the

in his o ld wainscoted room . A book was hand,

’ “ B unyan s Holy War ; he was reading for the

i i o f i Man s o n l i twent eth t me the s ege of , that c ty whose besiegers never relax their efforts ; b u t ever and anon he looked across the street to

i u i u u i the w ndows of a large q et ho se j st oppos te .

The hou se in which the Langtons lived h ad i o f i u nstead a front door a w de archway, thro gh which waggons laden with o ak- bark and raw hi i des entered, and waggons laden w th leather

o ut . i as o u u hi came To the r ght, y passed nder t s

in - u archway, was the dwell g ho se ; to the left , a

i i u Shop front ng the street, and spac o s ware

u i a u - ho ses ; beh nd, co rt yard, stables, gardens ,

o f i orchards , and farthest all the tanyard, wh ch THE LAN N ANNE . 5 GTO S , T RS

ou at o f i m was b nded the foot the h ll by a strea , l i it r eatl defil e d. u o d wh ch ‘ g y The ho se was and

i i um large, w th lofty rooms and closets nn erable the front parlou r was the principal livin g room o f

il i : i the fam y . It had two w ndows l ttle Stephen w as in i - il the the w ndow seat to the left , wh e at

sat his u i i i other grandmother, bolt pr ght, kn tt ng

i s at i i stock ngs . She there from morn ng t ll

i i i i in o f n ght, never r s ng to jo n any the meals, which were served o n a small table at he r side

She occasionally u ttered some brief o r acill ar

o f hi o n e li t sentence, w ch no took the s gh est n i s tu efi e d ot ce . She had been p years before by

’ u u i her h sband s br tal ty .

His Her grandson Stephen was an orphan . mother died at his birth ; his father when he was

’ old did i his s five years . Stephen not real se father

i r u death . He often lo tered th o gh the Cathedral

“ u C i Close and nder the school lo sters , and along

‘ i o f i r l in the meadowy marg n the r ve Id e, the h O e o f in him dr p meet g . He was a strange eamy

his un u i b u boy, whom cles and a nts desp sed, eca se

u u t him No r did they co ld not nders and . he

On i hi u i e get at all w th s co s ns, o f whom th re E E 6 SWEET AN N PAG . were several of both sexes ; for; Miss Harriet ex

all i cepted, the Langtons were marr ed and i prol fic .

Miss Harriet officiated as sc hool-mistress to all b ut Stephen . He was rather older than any of

’ his c u i b ut his un i i h im o s ns, a t s reason for g v ng up was his pertin acity in asking qu estions which she u u was nable to answer . So he was sent j st n o w to an old- fashioned day- school in which b i i h e oys and g rls were m xed, and where had positively managed to fall in lo ve already .

There is nothing s trange in that ; b u t it so

’ happen ed that Stephen s little love- fancy was

i u his i dest ned to colo r whole l fe . ” What a lazy boy yo u are ! went on Aun t

i o u n o ? Y o u Harr et. Have y lessons to learn

’ ” le r n i i i a noth ng at M ss Mart n s .

” u u i She Not very m ch, a nt, sa d Stephen . n er i an u i ev w ll swer my q est ons . I asked her

’ t o- day whether she didn t think Christian in th e

’ ’ Pilg rim s Progress a very bad man for run n ing a f his if an d a i way rom w e, she called me w cked ” b o an d e n the . y, mad me sta d on form

She o ug ht to h ave given you a good whip THE N NS NNE . 7 LA GTO , TA RS

i sir i his un . p ng, , sa d a t What had that to do

i u ns ? u li w th yo r lesso Go and learn yo r spel ng, i ” d rectly .

“ ’ He s i b o i his a very t resome y, sa d grand

in ul mother, her orac ar way .

’ u i Stephen got p , took Carpenter s Spell ng

in his e w as Book hand, and retr ated. It a soft

u i b o s mmer even ng, and the y wandered down

thr ou gh garden and orchard into the tan

u i yard beyond . Thence he fo nd h s way to the

it i hr brook, and strolled along s marg n t ou gh i i i i t the meadows , wh ch were r mmed w th the fa n

n u o f u it d ea i g fl sh s nset . He lo ere and dr med . With this child the difference between reality

e i di i His and dr am was n st nctly marked. wak in i his i g fanc es, dreams of the early morn ng, wer e often more real to him than his grand

’ ’ father s stern presence o r his maiden aun t s i endless scold . He read over and over aga n all

the books that he foun d re adable among the

n u hi ff sca ty s pply w ch the hous e a orded. In a

healthy hou sehold he wo ul d have had “ Robinson

“ — Cr u soe and the Arabian Nights woul d have

i i a an d n e un e un voyaged w th S ndb d, g o d rgro d ’ 8 SWE ET AN NE PAGE with Aladdin . But the only books he could find were Milton’ s “ Paradise Lost and the works o f un John B yan, and these he almost knew by

i i i e i th e heart . He loved to dent fy h ms lf w th

it u characters . He had, m st be confessed, great

i in i i sympathy w th Satan the ep c, and l ked t o

i i - fi en d i i fancy h mself the explor ng arch , w ng ng

i hi u Bu t he i s way thro gh chaos . often was Abd el

i u o r I thur iel i the fa thf l , , w th the keen spear of

u i i su n tr th ; and th s very even ng, as the sank

h e i i i i to the verge , had mag ned h mself Ur el whom John beheld from Patmos . He revelled

’ i i in in i . also Ezek el s v s ons, and the Apocalypse

Often his imagination u pbuilt that gloriou s city o f i its gold, w th twelve gates , each one pearl , and it s clear river flowing from the great white

r it s i o f an d th one, and myst c atmosphere peace j o y .

- i m i o f As to n ght he ooned along, dream ng

hi b u t o f u anyt ng words three syllables , a sho t

u him i i o f hi aro sed to real ty . It was the vo ce s

u i u u his co s n Charles, a yo ngster abo t a year u i j n or .

Hull h o , Steve ! Where are yo u goin g ? THE AN N NNE . L GTO S, TA RS 9

’ ’ u i in S upper s ready . A nt Harr et s been look g ” for y o u everywhere . “ ” i i i . All r ght, sa d Stephen, wear ly i ” com ng .

’ ’ ’ i in i k u She sn t a temper, I don t th n Yo ll

’

it t i . catch . Grandfa her sn t at home

’ Mr u his u . Langton wo ld not tolerate da ghter s

din s o his i scol g, presence was always a rel ef to i the ch ldr en . “ i Where s he asked Stephen .

- Gone down to the Half Moon to smoke .

’ u himif A nt asked he d be late, and he told her

” i o w n us i to m nd her b ness .

i i sh e ul Stephen heart ly w shed wo d .

u The boys entered the parlo r together . Bread

i u u and cheese and c der made p the s pper, and

To m Uncle and Uncle Charles , both of whom i ’ i were the r father s partners, and l ved on the

i in it prem ses , were pegg g away at . So were

i i i r Ann t i the r w ves and ch ld en . So was Harr et,

in i look g very unam able .

” s he i ou ar e i Stephen, sa d, y the most t re

’ i Wh ou in i some ch ld . y can t y come at the r ght

’ time ? I ve a great mind to send y ou to bed

i u u w tho t s pper . 1 SWEE NE E 0 T AN PAG .

him i dr i Oh, let have someth ng to eat and nk, s i ni un a d Uncle Tom , who was the ge al cle . . i him - i i Better g ve a good horse wh pp ng,

i u sa d Uncle Charles, who was the fierce ncle, an d hi il u i u flogged s own ch dren nmerc f lly .

’ ” u u i th e He s a dreadf lly tro blesome boy, sa d

ul i i - orac ar vo ce from the s de table . ” e sit i his Com and by me, Steve, sa d black e - i u i yed and black ha red co s n Mary, a pretty i ir i l ttle g l of e ght .

in i i an d Stephen accepted the v tat on, was

hi u in suffered to eat s s pper peace .

’ i i e By n ne o clock the ch ldren had gon to bed, an d their mothers to look after them ; th e old

n i un gra dmother had also ret red . The two cles an d th e maiden au nt were holding half-whis

n men i u i i pered co verse, the be ng s ppl ed w th

n i lo g p pes and hot brandy and water .

u b e in That boy, Stephen, m st sent to board g

” ’ i u i H u school, sa d A nt Harr et . e s very m ch in the an d o u ni way at home, he g ht to b e lear ng ” s in ometh g .

“ “ o he u i n e To u t S o ght, sa d U cl m; b then

’ i t s u t ll c os o m ch . “

THE N N NNE S . 1 1 LA GTO S, TA R

u ds i un Not above twenty po n a year, sa d A t

i “ u u u Harr et . And he m st be bro ght p to be a

’ ”

i . clerk or someth ng . He ll never make a tanner

’ ” n l i I do t mean that he sha l, sa d Uncle

Charles .

his Why not asked brother .

’ Why not ? As if there weren t enou gh besides

’ himto make tanners o f ! D ye think that tanyard

’ ” ill keep a regiment o f Langtons l

’ ” u i To m i That s tr e , sa d , whose ntellect

’ his moved more slowly than brother s . Well,

”” where had he be tte r go 4

“ ’ u o u i u “ Y o u I ve tho ght ab t that , sa d the a nt .

n S adb r o oke know Parso , that was drowned

i his Kin sle at is i bath ng . Well, school at g go ng

i S adb r o oke - on . I saw Amel a at market to day,

i s he l th e and she sa d her mamma, as ca ls her,

ff hin hi u n a ected t g, had red another yo ng parso to teach the school .

Bu t ul di why sho d we, who are ssenters,

“ ” sen d the b o y to a Chur ch sch ool i asked Un cle

Tom .

’

u s i is n . Oh, he s very yo ng yet, a d M s Lang to

’ n u h he n n d It ca t matter m c for t prese t, a E E E 1 2 SWE T ANN PAG .

’ Amelia says they re going to be very cheap. “ What’ s the parson’ s name asked Uncle

Charles .

did b u t — hin She tell me, I forget somet g i i u o f i i l ke Ver ly for I tho ght Ver ly, ver ly, I

’ ’ a u Bu t u s y nto thee . he s a very clever yo ng ” man .

“ ? ” h e i i . Is sa d Charles Langton Well , I

’ u s e hope he ll make the you ng scamp some .

’ ” u I s ppose father won t object .

“ ” ’ No t i i him u he , sa d Harr et . I ll ask abo t

’ it - i if to n ght, he s not very late .

o ff Presently the men also went to bed, and

i i s at i M ss Harr et alone , read ng a battered copy

’ ’ ” o f Baxter s Saint s Rest The Langtons o f

hi i i i u i t s generat on were very rel g o s . The fam ly had a cu riou s habit o f being very wild in o n e

i in generat on, and very tame the next . Its present head bore the repu tation o f being the most thorou gh reprobate the Langtons had ever i had amongst them ; women and w ne, horse

i - fi htin i i rac ng and cock g g , had mpover shed,

' withou t tamin g him; at sixty- fi v e he was j u st

e his i as reckless as ev r, and mad org es and des THE N N NNE . 1 3 LA GTO S, TA RS

i his perate deeds were proverb al . So sons and

x i x dau ghters had all shown e emplary p ety, e ter

: i u u - nally at least he be ng a reg lar ch rch goer,

they had un animou sly deserted to a peculiarly

i i i i i o f rab d convent cle, and the r Calv n sm was

i u i i the most r goro s type, and the r dea of the

futu re world for all who differed from them the i mi di hottest poss ble . It ght be pre cted that

their children woul d relapse into the o ld gentle

’ man s ways .

Au nt Harriet waited abou t an hou r for he r

i u u father . He came at last, earl er than s al ,

bringing in with hima strong smell o f tan and

w as u ni i tobacco . He abo t five feet ne nches

hi in ul in gh , very broad the sho ders , very deep i i the chest, w th arms and th ghs and calves of

u ul i - i m sc ar proport ons . He wore an old fash oned

— u i u deep pocketed bl e coat w th brass b ttons ,

b u t almost all the rest o f his costu me was

i w as n leather . The long wa stcoat leather, tan ed

with the hair o n it ; he wore leather breeches

in idi - i in and top boots . He came , r ng wh p hand,

flun g himself heavily into a great leather chair

hi e u i i w ch h always occ p ed, and excla med E SWEET ANNE PAG .

Y ou u ? p , Harry Then get me some hot

ui u ' i ” brandy and water, and be q ck abo t t .

i is o u t . The k tchen fire , I expect, father

i fir e i it i The k tchen be d d . L ght aga n,

’ ” if o o u ? that s all . What g od are y

’ u b e Mr . Langton s freq ent oaths may as well i i in his u u i is mag ned f t re conversat ons . There

i i fo r him i th s to be sa d , that he always apolog zed if he happened to swear in the presence of a clergyman .

His dau ghter soon returned with the brandy an d water .

A nice Chr istian you ng woman you are for

u i o ld his an exc se, sa d Langton, to whom

’ children s devotion to Dissent was su premely

i i u u u i i r d c lo s . Does yo r sn vell ng parson teach y o u to tell lies to you r father ? It u sed to be

’ ‘honou r your father and mother when I was a ” boy .

i ul o ut I was afra d the fire wo d be , really ” father .

Were yo u ? More likely afraid I should

in u il u ik dr k too m ch brandy . Ch dren wo ld l e to

’ eir in n o w -a- keep th fathers order days . Can t

6 WEE NNE E 1 S T A PAG . great mind t o send fo r that parson o f yours to=~ him i morrow, and tell the whole story, and g ve

o u i u t an n m his y a prec o s good g before face . I ” W BY J N 1 ILL, I GO

his i u o ak He slapped m ghty fist pon the table , and lay back in his great black chair lau ghing a

i i u Bu t it u T tan c la gh . was no joke to A nt

i i u Harr et . If l ttle Stephen had seen her, he wo ld

v ha e felt that he was avenged .

’ ’ ” “ 1 i ur i in Don t, father, don t she cr ed, b st ng

i his in to tears , and throw ng herself at feet an

’ agony o f terror ; fo r the vehement o ld man s

i u u i in i capr ces were ncontrollable by p bl c Op on, and he was quite capable o f castigating his dau ghter as if sh e had been a qu arter Of a cen

u un sh e w as S O sh e in t ry yo ger than . was mortal

’ ul s a i b u t fear, and co d y noth ng Don t, father,

’ ’ don t : I ll never do it again -j u st as if sh e had i i changed places with her l ttle n ece Mary .

Bu t the o ld man had lau ghed himself in to a better temper .

’ i ou o ff i i Never m nd, Harry, I ll let y th s t me .

’ And n o w hold you r blubbering and tell me what s ” i u all th s abo t Steve . THE N NS ANNE S . 1 LA GTO , T R 7

We all think he ou ght t o go to a good

’ ’ He s i bi h e s school, father . gett ng a g boy, and i ” learning noth ng .

’ “ ll i in b i ? We , sn t Charley gett g a g boy, too

’ h i u sh e C arles sn t as q ick as Stephen, i sa d .

’ u i i That s tr e, he sa d, emphat cally. Char

’ ll u u as his ley be j st s ch another fool father. ’ ? ” Well, where d ye mean to send the lad

“ ’ ’ Mr s S adb r o o ke s Kin sleat To . , at g . She s

i o n go ng to keep the school .

“ ’ u u t o Oh, yo ve had sense eno gh choose a

u ou ? l as Ch rch school , have y Wel , he may go ,

” o u i soon as y l ke . When does the school Open ? “ i ” Th s day week, father .

: dr i him Very well Tom can ve over . He

’ ’ i i i No w needn t go to M ss Mart n s aga n . get me some more brandy and water and be o ff t o

” bed .

Aun t Harriet obeyed orders this time with

i u sh e u exemplary prompt t de . When got p to her room sh e almost fainted ; sh e had obtained

sh e b ut u what wanted, she had been thoro ghly i i i . , fr ghtened And w th strange “ mental obl

v L o . I . C WEET NNE E 18 S A PAG .

uit i l w q y, she blamed her poor l tt e nephe for her sufferings ’ ’ i i He ll have a week s hol day, the l ttle brat,

’ sh e thou ght to herself; and I can t have him

’ i u to lessons, he s so terr bly tro blesome and

’ fi d et i ask Mr s g y . Well, I ll wr te and . Sad

’ I ll u brooke to call, and tell her he m st be kept strict and well pu nished when he does any hi i t ng wrong . The way that boy comes nto

’ the parlou r withou t wiping his Shoes shows he s

u un got an nregenerate heart . I hope that yo g

— i o r his is— i i parson Ver ly, what name w ll g ve it him l ” wel .

Thu s amiably meditated Miss Harriet while she u nlaced her stays and when sh e got to bed

u i i if sh e i She fo nd sleep mposs ble and, fell nto

i o f i i a half doze , had horr d dreams the m n ster

o f in u and deacons Bethesda Chapel f ll assembly,

hi in d t o i and her father, horsew p han , ready g ve i her the threatened tann ng .

w i u his c ou Mean h le Stephen, so nd asleep by sin in F i u Charles, was a ry Land ; and the ! een F i i i i i of the a r es had a pretty nfant le face, w th

n i u in u tender brow eyes, and a l ttle po t g roseb d THE AN N NNE . 1 9 L GTO S, TA RS o f u u o f u ir —a a mo th, and glossy c rls chestn t ha

o f hi dr ni face w ch he eamed by day and ght .

And in the morning Stephen had his pleasantest time : for a clangorou s bell always awoke him

six it in at , when called the men to work the tan- yard ; and he had a delightful hou r of morn in dr in i i uni g eams, wh ch w ll and fancy ted to produ ce visions most exquisite and when

if i o n dressed, he went to the great w ndow the

i u s e e i sta rcase, he co ld at a w ndow the very

o f his d its face reams, fresh and rosy from morn in u m i w as i g bath, and a pl p d mpled hand k ssed

him i in it s u u to . All th s took place s al order on the following mornin g ; and Stephen came down

u u to breakfast as joyo s as a yo ng lark, eager for

’ n n u his u i Gesa g u d L ft. Even a nt s ac dul ated

u did himu co ntenance not make ncomfortable .

i his Old Mr . Langton seldom breakfasted w th

mi u i fa ly . He had a large back parlo r, look ng o ut u u d u pon the co rtyar , whence he co ld watch i the traffic to and from the tanyard . On a s de board in this room he always kept a round o f

i di o f salt beef, and mme ately below a barrel

’ u six homebrewed ale ; and at abo t o clock, after

0 2 20 SWEE NNE E T A PAG . two Or three slices of the beef and abou t a qu art

nn his of the beer, the old ta er went forth to

’ u his u i day s work . He thoro ghly knew b s ness .

He in u was the best tanner the co nty, and the

Langton bu tts were famou s in those days when

hin He leather lasted longer than most t gs .

his kept everybody hard at work, two sons not

f i . excepted . The worst o t was that he spent his it money faster than he made .

I n the midst of breakfast on the present occa i n in s o , however, the old gentleman strode , sat

in hi . n . s i i dow great cha r, and sa d to Mary Lang

’ u ton, Uncle Tom s da ghter

“ mu o f Polly, draw me a g ale .

Mary was his favourite child ; a sweet little

u u creat re, whose perfect temper and wondro s docility made sage gossips remark that she was i i too good to l ve . She went for the ale, wh le

u i o n in i A nt Harr et looked some anx ety, remem i i ber ng the scene o f the previou s even ng . The thirsty o ld tan ner pou red the contents o f the

his i tankard down throat, and then sa d,

1 ? What day s Steve to go to school , Harry

ur Next Th sday, father . THE N NS NNE S . 21 LA GTO , TA R

’ Stephen s blu e wondering eyes were very i w de open .

’ All right : I ll drive himover ; I want to go t o Kin sl at o u ink g e . What do y th I heard last ” n ight at the Half- Moon To m?

i his s o n Good news, I hope , sa d .

No t i u i part c larly good, nor yet bad, e ther .

’ ” il Br an s c o mb e s Kin sle a Dev back at g t .

“ ” ivi u ? i Not l ng at the ho se sa d Tom . ” i ul i b u t i his Noth ng co d l ve there a rat, sa d

’ “ o h e s o ld father . N , taken the place at the ” o f top the street .

” What can he want down here ? asked

Charles .

’ ’ hi i ou o r I don t t nk he s l kely to tell y , me ” i i his Bu t i e ther, sa d father . I shall l ke to see the Squir e so I mean to drive Steve over t o

’ ’

i S adb r o oke s h e s in . W dow , where go g to school

’ ” u ou i i ? I s ppose y ve no object on, Harr et Stephen seldom listened to anythin g anybody

i i u i i his o w n : b u t sa d, be ng occ p ed w th dreams

i in in in now he had been w de awake, dr k g the m i ’ a az ng news . He wasn t at all sorry to go to

’

b u t i . u school , for two th ngs He co ldn t expect E 22 SWEE T ANNE PAG .

' t o his Kin sle at he u meet father at g , and Sho ld

! s e e— h r i i u never e . L ke most precoc o s boys, he felt indistinctly consciou s that his intellec t r e

uir ui i it n o t r i q ed g dance wh ch did ece ve . And

’ the atmosphere o f his grandfather s hou se o p him i m and u ur hi . pressed , A nt Harr et tort ed

i his in St ll, to temperament, every day there

ur f i were long ho s o happ ness . And he was hau nted by o n e vision from which he mu st be e i nt rely severed .

u i u Breakfast over, A nt Harr et s mmoned all

i u i S h e the ch ldren to a room psta rs, where acted a i n s schoolm stress . She called Stephe to come

b ut i also , her father sa d,

r un u Let the boy abo t these few days . He

’ ” ur don t want yo lessons now .

S O i i sat u she gathered her l ttle tr be, who p

i and unh u n r ght appy ro nd a lo g table, at the head o f which Miss Harriet herself took u p an i in i i u i o f mpos g pos t on . A portento s p le books

t o was before her, and close her hand lay a rod ravished fr om the branches of that most be au

i u i - i u u u t f l s lver r nded tree, whose pend lo s bo ghs i the poet loves to see kiss ng the stream . It

24 S EE NE E W T AN PAG . away across green meadows to a weir o n the

i u t he i Idle, where he str pped, and got nder sw ft

' u i w at er an d li i u s fresh t mbl ng , had a most de c o

u - in o f do che bath . Then he lay the shadow a

i - e o n in i in great l me tre the bank, dr k ng the

u u in u i bea ty of the s nny morn g, and the m s c of

u i i his i the g sh ng water, and dream ng of fa ry sweetheart .

t i i ir Only a few mon hs earl er, a pretty l ttle g l,

’ u six i in abo t years old, had come to M ss Mart s i i li i academy . She was the da nt est ttle th ng,

i il u da nt y dressed . Stephen tho ght he had never

u o f u was beheld s ch a gem bea ty . A footman wont to bring her in the morning and take her home when school was over ; b u t one day the

d n o t footman di come . It was a frosty morn in an d i o n i g , the poor fellow had sl pped a sl de

i his i ir s et o ff and spra ned ankle . The l ttle g l

e o ff alon ; Stephen followed her a few paces .

u u i in The gro nd was d mb w th snow and, wi i a de open space wh ch she had to cross, the grammar school boys were making hu ge snow i i balls, and occas onally pelt ng the passengers .

Th o se g r ammar school boys were the dread of THE AN NS NNE . 2 L GTO , TA RS 5 all other youn g folk in I dle c h e st er ; they were

i u i u i i i athlet c, a dac o s, hero c ; they had d st n g uishe d themselves that morning by attackin g

’ un i o f i r i in the yo g lad es M ss Ch sty s sem ary,

l i u who were wa k ng decoro sly three and three , and putting the governesses to flight with well

im u i i o n e o r a ed snowballs , and act ally k ss ng i i two o f the prett est g rls . Stephen Langton w as t o o sensitive and imaginative a boy to have

u i u His i m ch phys cal co rage . del cate nerves

o r i shrank from a black eye a demol shed nose .

un He was not commonly called a coward .

i s aw Now, when the schoolboy r oters a pretty i i i ur u in l ttle g rl com ng, they s ro nded her an i sat u o f nstant, and her pon the top a monster

u S ix i snowball , abo t feet h gh . It was a damp

ill i sh e . and ch y elevat on , and began to cry

us i Stephen r hed forward to nterfere, and was

i in i greeted w th a sharp smack the face, and cr es ” un of Yo g snob . ’ i If I m a snob, he excla med to the boy who

’ u him u o r o u had str ck , yo re no gentleman, y

’ ” u woul dn t behave s o to a yo ng lady .

um t o s a un a The arg ent, strange y, fo d a he r 26 SWEE NNE E T A PAG . in i i g ; the ch ld was l berated, and Stephen had the pleasure o f bring ing her s afely to her fa

’ th er s u u ho se . It was the large ho se exactly

’ opposite his g randfather s b u t a hou se o f quite

diff 0 u i in tr u d a erent character . N b s ness ever di i it ed there . A small lawn v ded from the

u his street . Stephen wo ld have left charge at

b ut u u the front door, the yo ng lady wo ld not ” him in sh e i let . Come and see papa , sa d and in a few moments he was sitting in a su

h i i i o f per l brary by a noble fire, w th a sl ce mar v ello u s in his o f cake hand, and a glass some

his i u strange nectar by s de . And the yo ng lady o f six o ff th e i , who melted snow from her s lk

r him n o f ock, and watched eat, was other than o ur heroine

n Sweet A ne Page . CHAPTER II .

E THE N PAG BOTA IST .

’ fir ls s en NNE S father s at by the e a o . A l der

o f mi i u man , ddle he ght, a thoro ghbred

i un i u i gentleman, w th ab dance of cr sp c rly ha r,

hi in e as white as the snow w ch lay the str ets .

His u w as il a his fil co ntenance m d and c lm , pro e

u his t r an s ar en tl w hit e p re Greek, hands were p y ,

i filb er t- i n hi w th long slender na led fi gers, w ch seemed intended to do some work of extreme delicacy and diffi culty ; and indeed su ch was

i u i . o f the r occ pat on . Mr Page, a man large

r u im i u fo t ne, devoted h self ent rely to the st dy o f an d o n e o e au th o r i botany, was f the great st

i in i did ad t es the sc ence . He not, however, here entirely to the hor tas siccu s department ; — he had in his beautiful gardens the wonder o f E E 28 SWE T ANNE PAG . — I dl echest er a un iqu e collection o f foreign and u u u his i u n n s al plants, and conservator es were

u i in eq alled by any pr vate gentleman England .

A pleasant Odou r o f exotic flowers strove for the mastery with the fragrance of Ru ssia bind i in i i ngs th s l brary .

The signs o f opu lence and taste in the room ’ i stru ck Stephen s sensitive fancy with del ght .

s o u The boy had never seen many books , s ch

u i u i u u u a n d bea t f l p ct res, s ch gracef l plants,

u i an d gorgeo s blossoms . The s lver salvers richly- c ut decanters amazed him; so did the

u i u i l sc o s cakes and rare w nes . To Stephen

i F i - it s th s was a ry Land, and sweet Anne Page

u F i dr proper q een . rom that t me he eamt of

ni th e o f his her ght and day . She was lady i i v s ons . ki him Mr . Page was very nd to , and thanked himfo r i o f him tak ng care Anne, and told that he had known his mother very well ( which he

his him had to cost), and asked to come and him see when he pleased. And Stephen and the little girl stru ck u p an immediate friend

hi . him s p She showed all her dearest toys . E THE N MR . PAG BOTA IST . 29

in u i it u So , the co rse of t me, became an nder stood thing that the footman need not fetch ’ — Anne from Miss Martin s Stephen would take

f u in care o her . And he sed to br g her home

u in i o n reg larly, and often go w th her, and half- holidays loiter with her throu gh the paths

’ o f i w Mr . Page s gardens , wonder ng al ays at the strange beau ty of the tropical plants in his con serv at o r ie s o f i i in his i i , the fore gn b rds av ar es .

Stephen left the banks o f the Idle that morn in g in good time to fetch his young mistress at

’ twelve from Mis s Martin s ; and as they came

ds homewar he told her the news .

“ ” “ ’ i o u u Oh, Stephen , She sa d, y m stn t go . ” What can I do withou t yo u ?

” i u i l I am afra d I m st, he sa d, sad y .

” l ask she i Wel , I shall papa, answered, be ng

’ at the age when childhood believes in papa s i omn potence .

o f u his u i Mr . Page, co rse , told yo ng fr end that going to school w as the very best thing

him him ask his u for , and then sent over to A nt

i din i Harriet to let h m stay and e . That am a ble lady snarled something abou t An ne Page 30 SWEE NNE E T A PAG .

i i u b ut i be ng a pert l ttle h ssy, gave, perm s

i . i i k s on And for the br ef, the too br ef wee

i i an d u wh ch ntervened, Stephen Anne had ple t

’ in i u of pleasant play Mr . Page s glor o s gardens

It was an Elysian period to the v 1s1 0 n ar

boy . d Years before Mr . Page had very deeply love

a little blue- eyed fair- haired flirt called Amy

- i in h e Wexford . Keen S ghted most matters ,

did not perceive how foolish a creatu re he had

t o his his sh e taken heart . He told love, and

accepted him; sh e was not the g ir l to refu s e

u u sh e i some tho sands a year, tho gh pr vately remarked to her gossiping acqu aintance that — he was Old enou gh to be her father h e w as

u i u abo t ten years her sen or . Tho gh engaged

him sh e i o f i i an d to , reserved the r ght fl rtat on,

i u wh o was abetted there n by yo ng Langton,

’ i i b u t wh o i i i d dn t mean marr age, l ked fl rt ng with a pretty girl when it was n o t very danger

o u s . an d . Now the contrast between Mr Page

n Fi you ng Langton was a very strong o e . rst

’ o f u o wn . all, Langton was abo t Amy s age

n u u an d And the Mr . Page was a co rteo s cere

2 SWEE NNE E 8 T A PAG ,

’ t o n i u . bit , w th a hoarse la gh Here s a sly of i ” m stletoe .

And he cau ght the u nrelu ctant maiden in his if i arms, and operated as he were wash ng her face .

“ Y o u i i . i take great l bert es , Mr Langton, sa d

Mr . Page, sternly .

“ ’ ’ ’ DO ? i ff i . it I That s Mss Amy s a a r Isn t , Amy

“ u sh e i . it ul Of co rse, sa d Why, wo d be ridiculou s n o t to have some fun at Christmas i ” t me .

I think yo u have had t o o mu ch of that sort ” o f fun i . . , sa d Mr Page

” “ o u ? i Law, do y sa d Langton . Why, Amy would give me a kiss any time withou t you r

’ ” W u o u ? leave, I know . o ldn t y , Amy ” u u sh e i u u Of co rse I wo ld, sa d, and t rned p

u fo r i i i her mo th a k ss w th perfect read ness .

’ Mr . Page s eyes were opened . Love had

m u in hi b t . bl ded , now he saw clearly ”

is ui u i . i That q te eno gh, he sa d I w sh ” - ou i . y good bye , M ss Wexford He had loved her a myriad times better than E THE AN S MR . PAG BOT I T . 33

it him she deserved, and was well for that he

in di i . disa scovered her character t me She, p

i o f un i i po nted at the loss fort e and pos t on, took

’ i o f s o n did possess on the tanner s , whom she

uff n ot s er to escape from her entanglements .

u i She was dead now ; and Mr . Page tho ght w th some slight tenderness Of her blu e eyes and

i i hi u in s o n br ght ha r, w ch were reprod ced her .

And thu s it w as that he took a fancy to Stephen

Langton . hil The c dren had a happy week . They played i i at woo ng very prett ly .

i o u i i I l ke y , Stephen, da nty l ttle Anne

u sa wo ld y .

o u n — ! so u And I love y , A ne oh m ch

if ou Well, y love me, tell me a story . i i Stephen was great at tell ng stor es . They

u mix u o f i n u a were a q eer t re M lto and B ny n , hi the tanyard and the cathedral . The c ldren

i i o n u u were s tt ng a grassy mo nd, nder a great i acac a, whose pendent masses of bloom were

u i i i m s cal w th bees . Oppos te was an oval grass

i i - i un plot, as smooth as a b ll ard table, w th a fo tain in the centre playing u pon a graceful fern

' v L D O . I . 4 SWEE NNE E 3 T A PAG .

i ery . In the clear bas n shoals of gold fish hi i darted to and fro , w le some wh te doves drank

t it s r i if a ma ble verg e, look ng as they too were

i u marble, and cooed melod o sly .

o u If y love me , tell me a story, Stephen .

u u s o u ? ! Was ever s ch req est , made, ref sed Ah

i sit in u me, to have the g ft of poetry, and s mmer

i i o u u u w th the g rl y love, and m rm r some sweet

i s e e it s i pass onate tale, and sadness mo sten her — delicious eyes ! What can be pleasanter ex

n o f cept perhaps a anchovy toast, and a bottle

i i o ld good port, and a goss p w th an crony over you r cavendish ?

u i i “ Once pon a t me , sa d Stephen , there was a fallen angel who g o t tired o f the place ” where he was .

’ Bu t what s a fallen angel, Stephen ? An d where was he ? ”

’ Y o u u i u i m stn t nterr pt, sa d he , gravely ; whereon the little maiden pressed her lips very

u close together, and looked dem re .

” i u ui So , he cont n ed, he got a s t of clothes

ul hi his in a made that wo d de w gs , and c me and ” in i opened a large shop H gh Street . E THE O N S MR . PAG B TA I T . 35

! i h ow Oh dear, excla med Anne, strange

” u di u And the shop , proceeded the yo ng sso r,

ul o f i u i diff was f l the most del ghtf l th ngs , erent

in from anyth g that anybody else sold . And i him the b shop came, and he sold a strong scent

him i in vi that kept from fall ng asleep ser ce . i ’ i And the b shop s w fe came, and he sold her a

di o f u i u fan all amonds, and the feathers bea t f l

i i u i it b rds , that fanned her w tho t her mov ng . d him i An the dean came, and he sold a mach ne that made the most beau tifu l sermons y o u ever

i b u t heard, and he had noth ng to do read them . him And the precentor came, and he sold a most beau tiful voice that sang in the psalms like an

An d u angel . an gly cross woman came, and he sold her somethin g to wash her face with every

i it ui morn ng, and made her q te pretty, and

u - sh e o t hu s yo ng, and good tempered, and g a

o f u i band . And a gentleman fond h nt ng came , and he sold hima horse that would j u mp over

ll o r o r iv every wa , hedge , r er, and never got

i . i i i in I dl ech est er t red , And the prett est l ttle g rl

u came, and he sold her a doll that h gged her

u i he r ro nd the neck, and k ssed her, and called

D 2 6 WEE NNE E 3 S T A PAG . mamma an d i it , spoke n cely when was spoken ” to .

! i i e i “ Oh Stephen, sa d the l ttl l stener, how i I” very, very charm ng

“ An d a little boy who was going to school

him i - in i came, and he sold a look ng glass wh ch he coul d s e e what his sweetheart was doin g

' ” r h i w h en ev e e looked at t . ” ! ' n i ! i n Oh what a ce story excla med A ne .

' Is it all tru e “ i i “ ’ Wa t, sa d Stephen, there s a great deal

B - -b p u more . y and y the pe ple who bo ght all these nice things got so pleased with them that t hi did ’ hey forgot everyt ng else, and n t attend

’ o i an d di u t their b us ness , dn t even go to ch rch ” u reg lar ly .

it b e v u Stephen, may obser ed, was a Ch rch i i man by nst nct, and never went near Bethesda,

un i except when compelled by A t Harr et . He u sed to walk o ff t o chu rch close after his gran d

his u did n o t father, so that persec tor dare to

‘ A u i speak . nd he spent many a dreamy ho r n the cathedral .

” “ S he c n inu t i o t b e o, o t ed, he c ty g to very E TE E ANI MR . PAG BOT ST . 37

i d. i n th e w cke And late on Chr stmas Eve, whe

angels that watch over cities come down to s e e

that there is nothing wicked abou t . o n Chr ist

mas o f i i Day, two them were go ng down H gh ” Street . ! Oh Stephen, are there angels to look after all cities ? ”

” ’ i t o o u Yes, sa d the boy, and people . Yo ve

’ ” o n e o f o u u n got to take care y , I m s re, An e . ” o u o f ? she Have y ever seen any them asked,

i u i u w th c r o s awe . “ i i I th nk I have, sa d the boy, slowly . ” l u am a most s re I have .

! ul s o i Oh Stephen, I sho d be fr ghtened .

il hid o n his And the ch d her face breast .

’

ul ur t o u . Bu t They wo dn t h y , dear let me

n ki i go o . Two angels were wal ng down H gh

hr u u o f Street, and t o gh the sh tters the bad

’ aw i angel s shop they s a l ght . And they peeped in w as i hi , and there he , mak ng more t ngs to

S o sell . they knocked at the door, and he

ou t wi dl in his d o n e o f came th a can e han , and

I thur iel u u him i them, called , j st to ched w th a

i ur long sharp spear he carr ed, and he t ned 8 SWEE NNE E 3 T A PAG .

an d u his black gly all over, and he and Shop went o ff with a tremendou s bang that woke all

in i u the people . And the morn ng they fo nd that all the things he had sold them had dis ap ” e ar e d p .

’ u ! n What a dreadf l story, Stephen I do t

’ i i fir l ke the end . I l ked the st part ; Why don t ” the good angels come and set u p shops ?

li o f hildh i Ho day prattle c ood, so s lly and so sweet ! Oh ! that the Chr onicler o f Clo v er n o ok

dr u u had eamt the tr th, and that we co ld walk back thr ou gh the weary paths o f the years into the charmed region of infancy !

’ n Stephen s happy week came to an end too soo .

On S u nday he was allowed to go to church

i his i u w th Mr . Page and l ttle da ghter, and to i i d ne with them afterwards . By the t me the

i n last day had arr ved, he had almost forgotte

u i A nt Harr et, whom he saw only at breakfast,

in in Bu t did and the even g . the last day come,

his ri i and at night he took leave of f ends . L ttle

-i i him Anne had a prayer b o o k to g ve .

i b u me a I asked papa, she sa d, to y

’ ” - a ic o okin b ut ul n o n e . mg l g glass, he co d t get

NE E 40 SWEET AN PAG .

i a a u i n Mat lda Jane , g y yo ng th ng of twe ty

fi ve i i i . u i , was fl rt ng w th John Daw, the j n or u u i i sher, who was abo t e ghteen, and came w th o u t any salary ; and mu ttered u nder her breath a threat o f awful pun ishments she wou ld inflict it u pon Matilda Jane if there was any tru th in .

She was a vixenish little woman ; and she and

Aun t Harriet g o t on as pleasantly together as a

ul i gho and a vamp re . ” i m i “ ’ Law, mamma, sa d A el a, there s no

’ hi in it il u . She t ng . Mat da Jane s steady eno gh i ” th nks Mr . Daw a mere boy .

’ ’ o r n o t i Boy , she d better m nd what she s

’ ”

u . abo t . I ll have no nonsense

’ ” i u i u i I certa nly wo ldn t, sa d A nt Harr et,

i u u i ii w th her s al am ab l ty .

o u i i Well , y know, mamma, sa d Amel a, who possibly had some slight sympathy with her i “ i ’ s ster, Mat lda Jane s of age . She can do as

’ ” i S o w n i she l kes . he s her m stress . i ? ” Is she, ndeed almost screamed Mrs . Sad il ’ i m ’ e . No t n u let brook wh e she s y ho se, I ll

. if i the her know She may go away she l kes,

u b ut if in u an d h ssy she stays my ho se, talks - ME E THE N . 41 . PAG BOTA IST

’ ’ ’ hn — u to that Jo Daw, I ll well , yo ll see what I ll

’ ’ ’ u s o i in do . Yo d better tell her t ll be a warn g

’ ou im i to her . And don t y be pert nent to me .

’ ’ i i o r u o u t u u M ss Amel a, yo ll find yo re not yo r

” o wn i u u ou ar e ir o ld. m ss s , tho gh y th ty years “ ” i i I am very sorry, mamma, really, sa d M ss

S adb r o o ke .

’ i h i n o w Oh ! yes . That s the way w t g rls a- sa i i u i days . They y someth ng mp dent to the r

’ betters , and then say they re sorry, and expect hi i everyt ng to be forg ven and forgotten . Why,

’ u dur stn t when I was yo r age, I have opened my i in u l ps s ch a way . “ l ’ i We l, mamma, I ve apolog zed ; what more

’ c an I do ? Y o u needn t go on all the after noon .

’ “ Y o u i hear that, M ss Langton . She s apolo

’ ize d o n i i g , and I needn t go . No , M ss Amel a,

’ ou u u i o u y needn t tro ble yo rself to apolog ze, as y

’ it i o u call , any more . I ll not forg ve y , depend u it Y ou il tw o pon . and I w l have a word or

’ together when we get home . I don t allow

i ul u ou i myself to be ns ted, I ass re y , M ss Har i ” r et . E E E SWE T ANN PAG .

i ou ui i i i I th nk y are q te r ght, sa d M ss Lang t n i i S adb r o oke i o , wh le Amel a , who had r sen

i u in . Fe w from her cha r, had t rned to the w dow p eople would have cared to hear the squ abble

u b u t u i between mother and da ghter, A nt Harr et

u hl it i hi u s thoro g y enjoyed , and m sc evo sly p lated on the pains and penalties awaiting th e

in u i i i del q ent . It was not w th any spec al anx i i i di ety for m t gat on that, as the la es went to

hi adb r o oke dress, she w spered to Mrs . S

’ ” do n i Don t be too har poor Amel a .

” n o i in Oh, , repl ed that lady, a tone and with a compression of th e lips that spoke

u vol mes .

“ ’ She ll in i keep Master Stephen order, sa d

un i n A t Harr et to herself whe they were gone .

n hil e i i i n o ill in Mea w he, ant c pat ng , was the

iu o f ui u i Elys m a tranq l s mmer garden, tell ng

i n n dreamy stor es to Sweet A e Page . CHAPTER III .

THE BRANSCOMBE AT E K S S BR A FA T .

LD - i Mr . Langton drove a fast trott ng mare ,

which did the eight miles from I dl e ch est er to Kin g sle at in fewer minu tes than any other

in un ul it Bu t horse the co ty co d have done .

’ S adb r o oke s i o n b Mrs . establ shment was a y

u i o u t road, abo t a m le and a half of the way .

i o Kin sl a fir The tanner dec ded to g to g e t st, wishin g to catch the Squire before he left home .

di i u m i It was a v ne s mmer orn ng, and the freshening mist had not yet been blown fr om the

i u i w de meadows . Stephen , as he mo nted nto

’ his i - i i grandfather s h gh wheeled g g , was consc o us f i him u o two faces watch ng . At the parlo r

i o f hi u i i w n dow s home was A nt Harr et, look ng at himwith malignant delight ; while in the 44 E E E SWE T ANN PAG . balcony o f the first floor opposite stood his

i i u hi fa ry pr ncess, her c rly head scarce so gh as

ii kl s se d him the ra l ng, and her hand to between

t h e th e the bars . As mare trotted swiftly along

u i ul i Kin sle at it bea t f road from the c ty to g , seemed to Stephen as if o n his left hand a row o f him i e fiends peered at above the hedges, wh l o n his right a line o f lovely cherubim smiled u him i pon w th tender brown eyes .

Kin sle at i u r e g , at that t me a boro gh town

u in t o i t rn g two members Parl ament, had one long

u n steep street, crossed abo t halfway dow by a

u i o f q a nt old archway . At the bottom the street was the sea at it s very t o p a large hou se o f red

i hi u br ck, w ch Mr . Ralph Branscombe had j st

u i i i th e taken f rn shed . H gh above lay, am d

il ui - u h ls, the vast r ned manor ho se of Bran sc o mb e f i i , where the am ly had dwelt from t me i i . o f mmemor al Once lords the manor, holders o f Kin sleat the all g , and no small segment of

i e n o w i cathedral c ty, they w re comparat vely

r m . o ld u B an sc o b es poor A good ho se, the De — a hou se that had given England warriors and

‘ I dle che st er - b ut i d t o o prelates too w ld of bloo , THE BRAN SOOMBES E K AT BR A FAST . 45

u in ui i fierce and restless , to s cceed q et t mes .

o f i The present head the fam ly, who was com mo n l i o ut y known as Dev l Branscombe, had

all his r u n done predecessors . He had away with

u u ui women, and fo ght fatal d els , and acq red as thorou ghly bad a repu tation as any gentleman o f u i good blood co ld des re . Commonly he lived in o r in it s u u London, rather s b rbs, at a plea

i o n hi i sant v lla the Thames , w ch he had craft ly for tified against bailiffs ; b ut he had j u st reap

e ar e d Kin sle at u p at g , after an absence of abo t

in i i himhis s o n an d his twenty years , br g ng w th

u u i da ghter, Raphael and Cla d a .

Lan gton the tanner was o n e o f th e few ten

had ants he left he had mortgaged the tanyard , b u t it in his i u u not sold ; and r oto s yo th, when

Kin g sle at and I dle c h e st er had rung with his wi oi u ld expl ts, Langton, tho gh a good many

his i years older, had been constant assoc ate .

ui i So , when he heard that the Sq re was at K ngs i him leat, the tanner dec ded to pay an early visit ; and his mare brou ght himand his gran d son t o the hou se ju st as the Br an s c o mb e s were i i s tt ng down to breakfast . 46 SWEE NNE E T A PAG .

u They were a remarkable gro p . Ralph Bran sc o mb e six hi i ab un d was more than feet gh, w th

i i - i wi b ance of cr sp ron grey ha r, and a flo ng eard

u f u His and mighty mo stache o the same colo r .

- his e i eyes were dark and deep set, nos l ke a

’ s his i o f hawk beak, complex on bronzed by years

u i u o tdoor exerc se . He looked j st what he was,

us hi an awkward c tomer, a man who knew a t ng o r two .

u u Raphael Branscombe, a yo ng man of abo t

r u s th ee and twenty, was a marvello s contra t to his ui u e u s father . G do co ld scarcely hav done j

i his i u His i i t ce to angel c bea ty . long fa r ha r was parted in the middle his languid dreamy gaze seemed to betoken a poetic nature

’ AS smoo as He e s his un r azor e s th b d lip .

mi i his u He was below the ddle he ght , and fig re

i u i u was exquis tely gracef l . Yet th s yo th was an i i u nequ alled profic ent at athlet c sports . That he could dance delightfully anyone cou ld s e e ; many a girl had thou ght it the most deliciou s moment o f her life when he whirled her wildly in a

his u i waltz . Angelo had among p p ls no eye so

4 WEE NNE E 8 S T A PAG .

hi i u of marble w teness, yet w th a rosy fl sh, of

s i di form mo t perfect . Idal an Aphro te had not

i n o r did u i a fa rer bosom, her cest s enc rcle a

’ i u i sweeter wa st . Cla d a s was that rare com plexion which lets one see the life thr ou gh the i flesh . Her black eyes fr nged by long dense

i ul lashes, var ed endlessly ; they co d be sad, or

o r u wi i f fierce , joyo s , or filled th an nef able long in wi hin li u u g for love . Her be tc g ttle mo th co ld

i ri u o r u i o r u be mpe o s , pers as ve , a tho sand other

i in it i i . th ngs ; repose looked s mply k ssable . She had not yet acquired th e sobriqu et of the Pan ”

hi sh e . ther, by w ch was afterwards known

Thou gh Ralph Branscombe o f that ilk was a

i i in . poor man, he always l ved l ke a pr ce A

’ groom sprang to the head o f Langton s mare a hi i i footman in livery gave madm ss on . ” himin i l i Show here, sa d Ra ph, hear ng who it was ; so the tanner and his grandson en tered the breakfast room .

” ’ ’ i I m u Ha, Langton, sa d Ralph, glad yo ve

dau h not forgotten me . These are my son and g

' ’ i wh en o u a ter, bab es y and I met last . And th t s

u u a son of yo rs, I s ppose . TEE BRAN O MBES E K 4 S O AT BR A FAST . 9

' ui i A grandson, Sq re, sa d the tanner . hi ” taking mto school .

i o u .Mr Let me g ve y some breakfast, . Lang

” i au di ton, sa d Cl a .

’ ’ I don t fancy you ll persu ade my o ld friend

” “ o ur o f i . to eat sort breakfast, sa d Ralph John, f bring a tankard o ale . The tanner might have echoed the song o f the hi o f Par liamemt t rsty member .

Y ou may talk about measur es of ever y sor t ” Th m ur f ll u e best eas e o a is a silver q art .

The foamin g fluid descended into his chasm i i u l ke throat w th marvello s speed .

nl u in I o y j st dropped to pay my respects ,

“ ui i . i o u Sq re, he sa d If I can do anyth ng for y ” I shall be very glad,

o u i i I know y w ll, sa d Ralph, for the sake

’ o f o ld i if hi i t mes . And I want anyt ng I ll r de

s e e o u i u u over and y . We shall be here t ll A g st,

s o n i b ut when my and I are go ng to the moors ,

i u o n I th nk my da ghter will stay .

’ u it ul Won t the yo ng lady find d l, all

” ’ alone ? asked Langton Kin g sle at s a slow place .

VO L . I . 5 “ S EE E E 0 W T ANN PAG .

I s i i S uI r e . It not l vely, sa d the q

’ ’ ” i u she ll get some soc ety at her ncle s .

’ his e i an d as Well, rever nce sn t very gay ;

’ is i i ul for M s W n fred, folks say she s a reg ar i ” sa nt .

’ ” ou i in amu sm ? And y don t th nk sa ts g , eh

“ u the uir n o . la ghed Sq e . Well, more do I ” o u i o f u di ? What do y th nk the prospect , Cla a i I shall manage, papa . Where does th s

i li . ? n ce ttle boy go to school, Mr . Langton At the Grammar School ? ”

“ ’ ’ i i Mr S ad No M ss, to a parson s w dow s, s . ” i o u t f . o . brooke s , a m le and a half town

How char ming ! I shall drive over and s ee him m i . hi e May I have her for a hol day, Mr .

Langton

’ i o u i Oh, yes , M ss, whenever y l ke . I ll tell ”

S adb r o o ke . Mrs .

n his Langto , who had years before followed youn g landlord as faithfu lly as a feu dal re t ain er did n o t u i hi , dream of ref s ng anyt ng to a

u u b e i i da ghter of the ho se . It may mag ned

’ that Au nt Harriet s temper was n o t improved

’ n sh e h ear d whe of the arrangement . MBE EAK 51 THE BRANSCO S AT BR FAST .

ui b o Clau dia had taken q te a fancy to the y .

sit o n i a n d She made him a stool by her s de,

him - u his gave a hot ho se peach, and smoothed

n i hi An d fair hair ge tly w th her soft w te hand .

i his she when he went away w th grandfather,

him i i - i gave a k ss , and Sl pped a half sovere gn i his i him sh e nto wa stcoat pocket, and told

ur s e e him woul d be s e to come and . Here was

i o f someth ng fresh for Stephen to dream . Again the mare started at her long easy trot

’ fo r S adb r o oke s . r o ld Mrs . As he d ove along,

” u i im Langton was m tter ng to h self. Well ,

’ u ui u he tho ght, the Sq re hasn t changed m ch . ll ’ i He looks as we as ever, and he s as w ld as

’ . An d u his i she ever, I bet that da ghter of , sn t

’ u ? in t o o a bea ty What a flash her eye, It ll

man i le r take a , and no m stake, to tame e . And as

’ u i : n t sweet a temper, to look at, as yo d w sh o

i i as i l ke Harr et, now, cross as two st cks, and as

a ur I w o n der i cowardly s a c . whatthat M ss Brans

’ combe would say to anybody who told her he d give her a tanning !” Here the old man broke

i u u i i nto a lo d la gh, rather aston sh ng both the

“ an d his . As o r mare grandson for that boy,

E 2 2 T NNE E 5 SWEE A PAG .

’ ’ u man a himo u t k . yo ng , I can t m e He don t

’ o i as l ok l ke a Branscombe . He s handsome as a; i i i u “ g rl . By J ngo he excla med alo d, I

’ ’ ie u it is i in bel ve I ve g essed . He a g rl man s

’ l s uir u c othe , and the Sq e s p to some

' An d struck by the magnitu de o f his su pposed

i the i i d scovery, old man relapsed nto s lent

u tho ght .

i n o f Mr s Soon the g g e tered the gates . Sad

’ e i I OW brooke s stabl shment . It was a long

u i u ho se , pleasantly s t ate among meadows .

r Or u e u Th ee fo r boys, early comers, w re lo ng in g about the playgrou nd not having as yet su mmoned energy enou gh to find themselves

u i his any occ pat on . Mr . Langton and grand s o n i iff u u were shown nto a st parlo r, thoro ghly

i in it s i scholast c arrangements, where the w dow and her three dau ghters sat in silk dresses and i i with smiling faces to rece ve them . L ttle Ste

’ if v o f phen, he had e er read an ogre s den,

u i wo ld have recogn sed the ogresses at once .

Bu t wh o u i i ii o f e xt e , nder that lav sh am ab l ty

’ i ul u i r or, wo d have g essed at the w dow s threats to her eldest offspring ? Who would have MBES E K S 5 THE BRANSCO AT BR A FA T . 3

u i i tho ght that Amel a, and Arabella, and Mat lda

Jane were all in mortal terror o f their mother ?

The thr ee sisters were very mu ch alike b u t

i o n e u Arabella, the m ddle , was the ro ndest .

un s et u u u She had a ro d head, pon a ro nd b st, which again surmounted a roun d mass o f petti

Ho w u i i i u coat . m ch of th s spher c ty was nat ral,

u i i b u t o wn and how m ch art fic al , none her mily knew .

i u u i The greet ngs over, and the fort nate p p l i u i u in ntrod ced, cake and w ne were bro ght and

- hi Vellell . Mr. y sent for Seed cake and a w tey brown fluid representin g sherry were hardly t o

’ s o Mr . Langton s taste , he remarked that he generally drank ale . i Oh, we have some excellent ale, sa d Ma il i i o f i t da Jane, the l vel est the fam ly, and forth

i u u it w th j mped p to fetch herself.

The unl u cky tanner took a good drau ght o f it i u u i i w tho t m ch cons derat on, and then made

i inl his i a face wh ch pla y expressed feel ngs .

S adb r o o ke i i i Good day, Mrs . , he sa d, r s ng

’ his i u from cha r at once . I m very b sy, and

’ ’ r d e him can t stay to see M . What y call . Oh, ‘ 54 SWEE NNE E T A PAG . b if i Kin sle at y the way, M ss Branscombe of g wants Steve for a holiday she’ s to have him

” sh e i —min whenever l kes d that .

He was gone before the ladies cou ld remon strate against a requ est so su bversive o f disci

li dr his p ne . He ove mare at her fastest trot

i I dle c h est er stra ght to the Half Moon at , where he drank thr ee o r four tu mblers o f h o t brandy an d i water at a rap d rate, to save myself f i i ” rom be ng po soned, as he told the landlord,

in W slow . “ I thou ght that wash had given me the cho ” did in lera ; I , deed .

. Vellell i t o o s e e When Mr y arr ved, late to the i u u o ld S adb r o o ke mpet o s tanner, Mrs . was

u him down pon pretty sharply .

“ Vellell i o u mi Really, Mr . y, I th nk y ght be ready to see the parents o f pu pils when they

is u ou call . It a part of the d ty that I pay y ” for . i i hi i Perhaps he stopped to t t vate mself, g g i gled Mat lda Jane .

il i i n . That w l do , m ss, sa d her mother ster ly

Vellell a i un n n Now, Mr. y, t ke th s yo g ge tlema

E 56 SWEET ANNE PAG .

’

u hn she i n u . H sh, Jo , sa d do t talk lo d

’ If mamma shoul d find it o ut I don t know

u what wo ld happen .

i i in e ne M ss Mat lda Jane, her ager ss to meet

i u Mr . John Daw, had forgotten a certa n apert re

“ in u . was wi b ut the ho se It not a ndow, a

u i i i u sq are w red open ng nto a pantry, half nder

un i u i i u o f i had gro d . Amel a, s sp c o s her s ster,

in i u s e e concealed herself th s pantry, and co ld

i ii i s at and hear the lovers w th fac l ty . Hav ng isfi e d she ui i u i herself, q etly sl pped ro nd nto the

u in orchard, and ca ght them a tender moment .

s a in Mr . Daw, I regret to y, ran away stantly .

u i i is i b e Well, pon my word, m ss, th s n ce

i ur hav o . And after I told ma there was n o thing in it and ma slapped me fo r taking you r l part . Wel , I shall go and tell her at once

’ i i it b ut i i o f t Amel a d dn t mean , the nst nct y

n was t in et ra ny s rong her, and she wanted to g

i un u her s ster der her th mb .

“ ’ ’ Me el “ Oh, don t, y, was the reply . I d do

’ u ou as m ch for y any day . Now, don t be ” u cr el .

“ ’ l hin u a stu id hi ca Wel , I t k yo re p t ng to re BRANSCOMBES E K THE AT BR A FAST . 57

u Bu t ou abo t that Daw . y go and mend all the

i i if ou o f stock ngs d rectly, and y do plenty work

’ Y o u I mayn t tell ma at present . know what ’ if ” you ll get I do .

’ I ll r u n il away from home, I declare I w l i “ sobbed the u nhappy Mat lda Jane . I won t

stay at home and do all your work becau se o f

’ ” in i u be g afra d yo ll tell .

Run o u i u six away, y great goose, w tho t a

n u ! Y o u pe ce , I s ppose go and do what I tell

’ o u I ll y , or else I declare call ma at once .

Whereupon the lu ckless young lady wiped her eyes and betook herself to a long day’ s i di stock ng men ng.

When the tanner and his grandson had left

’ Br an s c o mb e s the breakfast room, the Seraph i li i gave a s gh of re ef, and sa d

’ i o ld u Upon my l fe, that gentleman s lo d i is i ui . u i i h o ok vo ce fat g ng L o s , br ng me some

’ ” mi it s i and seltzer, and nd ced .

’ ’ He s o ld i ui a fine boy, sa d the sq re I ve

u his u u fo nd strong arms sef l before now.

” ’ Y e s i his in , sa d Raphael, he d make way

. Bu t u di ou b a row , Cla a, what do y mean y EE E 58 SW T ANNE PAG . getting up a flir tation with that blu e- eyed child?

’ ” u u o u He s m ch too yo ng for y .

“ ’ ” ’ i sh e i I l ke that boy s face , sa d . He s a i i him dreamy poet c ch ld . I shall pet , when I

fin d it u o n d ll here . And now, Raphael, go ” with you r breakfast ; you seem t o o lazy to eat .

“ I am . I shall smoke . Leave me alone ,

’ ’ u di i u Cla a, that s a good g rl . I can t stand yo r i ” oppress ve endearments .

Fo r di hi his i she was stan ng be nd cha r, and i pass ng throu gh his hair her fair white hands .

Bu t sh e i i him i in it l ghted a c gar for , g v g a

iff o f i u i i wh herself by way ntrod ct on, and sa d

“ ’ ” u There . That s a bea ty, Raphael .

At this point there entered tw o other mem mi bers of the fa ly, the Rev. Walter Branscombe,

Rector o f Kin g sleat and Canon o f I dle ch est er

his u Winifi e d. Cathedral, and da ghter

Th e o f i in o f Kin sle at advowson the l v g g ,

u un i abo t eleven h dred a year, was st ll Ralph

’ Br an sc o mb e s property . He wanted Raphael to

in i u his un b ut take orders, and t me s cceed cle,

lin the Seraph dec ed .

” ’ sir i “ n e No , , he sa d, U cle Walter s xample MBES E K THE BRANSOO AT BR A FAST . 59

’ ’ uf fo r i u s fices me . I m not a sa nt, and I co ldn t — ’ ’ be a hypocrite and I m sur e I don t know

’ hi is i u ili écar té w ch he . I can t g ve p b l ards and ,

o n o r hi o u An d and e two other t ngs y know of. i I hate work, and talk ng, and poor people, and

’ i ul dn it s ck people, and old women . Co t do , ” sir i i , for an archb shopr c .

But . did it the Rev Walter Branscombe well .

His prebend brou ght hima cou ple o f thou sand

i i in had a i a year bes des the l v g, and he fa r for

u i his i s o in i i t ne w th w fe, he was cap tal cond i i l t on . He l ved as we l as a canon and rector ou ght ; he gave liberally to the poor ; and he always had money to spare when his broth er

n un o r f wa ted a h dred two . The head o the

Br an sc omb es him ivi it gave the l ng, and was his u t o o f Br an sc omb es d ty help the head the .

u b u t i u ff He was a most eloq ent, ent rely na ected i preacher ; had a noble vo ce, and read the i ur ik i u b ut l t gy l e a Kemble ; was H gh Ch rch, n o t i i ul us i r d c o ly h gh . He was a tall, dark,

u ul - i i slender, tho ghtf look ng man, w th very

i i u An d in black ha r and nscr table eyes . be g a

i ui r emar r ia e able w dower of q te a g age, he was E E E 60 SWE T ANN PAG . n atur ally in favour with the ladies of Kin g sleat

an d I dl ech est er .

The Seraph had nicknamed his cou sin Wl m

” ‘ “ i w as v er r ett i fred the Sa nt . She a y p y g rl

’ i in i ndeed, look g a great deal more l ke Raphael s i u in s ster than Cla dia did. She had been a

i u u ik it i H gh Ch rch n nnery, and l ed ; had l ved o n u bread and water, and scr bbed stone floors,

o t u i n hl and g p to s ng anthems at u eart y hours ,

h er i e hi i and worn sackcloth next del cat w te sk n,

’ an d i u u i l cked the d st at the lady s per or s feet, an d i u s e o f i i i - made l beral a dsc pl ne . She had

b - - b o f i hi i e dreams, y and y, establ s ng a s st rhood — mu ch more rigorou s than . any existing with w staler bread and flatter ater for food, and more

u wi u n d a floors to scr b th older br shes, a nthem i in un r i u u s ng g at ea thl er ho rs , and ro gher sack

mi i i u i fo r cloth che ses, and d rt er d st to l ck, and

' u wi in i sco rges th more knots the wh pcord .

i t h e h r in e , his M anwh le, as rector wanted e

is e u u he par h, she stayed at home ; and v ry sef l s

in i i i - m . l was the par sh Nobody ever d str ct e ted, o r - me etin e d o r u - i Dorcas g , S nday schooled w th s u e u i n ev er flin chin e ch nd r ng, c g energ y . Sh THE BRANSOOMB ES AT B EAK R FAST . 61

? aI Wa s i i n u n b ut e y dressed a l ttle l ke a , the styl

ui s o e c e sh e did it o n s ted her, Rapha l de lar d pur pose to be admired .

F u n o w ather and da ghter entered together .

ml i n They were war y rece ved . The Bra s combes were o n e of those fine O ld families that

u i s always st ck together . Between Dev l Bran combe and the saintly rector there might seem few points of contact ; b ut theirs was real

' Ra h ael un der brotherhood nevertheless . And p , his u i in so ucian c e u di i c a lang d , Cla a, am d her

r ic io u s u i ini i p coq etr es , W fred, w th all her paro hi i i c al and eccles ast cal cares, had all one first

u — - i Br an s c omb e s tho ght the well be ng of the .

“ ini r o u i n un o u Ah, W f ed, y l ttle , have y got ? ” i “ any tracts for me sa d the Seraph . Come, give me a cou sin ly kiss ; I know y o u thin k it

’ i b u t u ik it w cked, yo ll l e all the better . What

’ a pity you ve got High Chur ch notions abou t cou sins n o t marrying ! Providence evidently

” u n e intended y o and me for o another .

“ ’ ” s o i his i . Don t tease , Raphael , sa d s ster

’ hi i Ou Oh, the c ld l kes to be teased, don t y ,

~ i o n his W nny And he drew her knee, and 2 E 6 SWEET ANNE PAG .

u i h began ntying her bonnet str ngs . Only s e always thin ks it necessary to go home and do a

o u i ir lot of penance after . Do y wear a ha r sh t ” o u i i i ? now, y s lly l ttle sa nt By this time he had removed her bonnet and

u o n dem re cloak, and placed the table a b asket i she carr ed.

’ i b o x u ou ir I ve a great m nd to yo r ears, y t e ” sh e i some boy, sa d

i i He Try, my ch ld, sa d the Seraph . held

i i in his i her two wr sts eas ly left hand, and w th his right bent down her pretty head u ntil her

i his mi i ur an . d l ps met It was a char ng p ct e, Ralph Branscombe said

’ What a pity you can t afford to marry you r

u i ! co s n, Raphael

’ u n sir i She wo ld t have me, , he sa d .

i i his i Reta n ng pretty pr soner, he began to

ur i o u t u ransack her basket, t n ng pon the table

t r ifl e s i u di mi a host of , wh ch Cla a exa ned and

u lau ghed at . At last they came to a strat m of letters .

i u e- Now, W nny, I shall read yo r lov letters,

u u la ghed Cla dia .

64 SWEE NNE E T A PAG .

u his u i ai And he ca ght co s n by the w st, and

i i z u forced her nto a w ld walt ro nd the room . ” i e sh e i Do g ve me my l tters , Raphael , sa d, it when was over .

Did ou i i nin y rece ve them all th s mor g, ” young lady ?

Y e s did , I .

Why, there are seven of them . What a correspondence fo r a little girl like you Do

o u u r w h o i o u y tell yo r fathe confessor wr tes to y , ” and what abou t ? “ ’ i Now, Raphael , don t be w cked .

’ i o u u Come , confess to me . I ll g ve y absol i ’ S ” t on, and the penance shan t be too evere .

t o him b ut did And he forced her kneel to ,

u i An d not get m ch confess on from her . at last sh e got her letters back .

When they were gone, and Ralph had left

’ i his is for a r de, Raphael came over to s ter s

i u i u chair and looked nto her bea t f l black eyes .

’ ” u i u i i Yo ve got very n ce eyes, Cla d a, he sa d,

’ ” b ut y o u don t see well . What don’ t I see ?” l That sly ittle sain t has got a sweetheart . THE R MBES REAK B ANSOO AT B FAST . 65

’ Didn t yo u notice what a state sh e was in abou t

? un i her letters And my cle, w se old gentle

’ it . ar e man, doesn t know What fools men ” when gir ls choose to deceive them !

Y o u hi o u seem to t nk y see pretty clearly,

i u di sa d Cla a .

“ n ou b e r e I mea to look after y , my pet, i pl ed .

VOL . . I CHAPTER IV .

E HEN H ST P AT SC OOL .

ROM what we have the pleasu re o f know

in S adb r o oke it u g of Mrs . , may be s pposed that she kept her departed hu sband in excellent

. was order Now that he departed, however, he formed a fine imaginary court o f appeal ; his

Opinion was qu oted o n su bjects o n which in his

’ lifetime it certainl y wo uldn t have been asked and when Amelia or Arabella or Matilda Jane

“ ” i u i wi was part c larly aggravat ng, and the dow had n o t su ffi cient energy to take more violent

ur s i u r e meas e , she always told the del nq ent to member her poor dear father . That reverend gentleman had been a very

di u obe ent h sband and a very bad schoolmaster .

u i - i He had q a nt old fangled not ons . He read HE H STEP N AT SC OOL . 67

i n in i long Lat n prayers mor g and even ng, and made the boys repeat in turn long Latin graces i before and after meals . He knew noth ng, and

u i Velle ll in au ta ght noth ng . Mr . y, hav g less

’ thOr it w as o f ur y, co se rather worse . The boys hi o f u i b u t . food was good q al ty, scanty One t ck

u o f u o n e c u o f mil ro nd bread and b tter, and p k and water for breakfast and tea ; din n er of meat

u i i u din and p dd ng, w th the nderstan g that there w as no pu dding for the boy who had two plates o f meat a little b it of bread and cheese fo r su p

u i o f per . On Sat rdays bread and cheese nstead

i o meat for d nner . The b ys were not starved, b u t certainl y u nder- fed ; and I fancy this is the case with a very large nu mber o f middle class

O ur i i i schools . m ddle class edu cat on is n a semi

u barbaro s state, even now .

’ it i his u ri Stephen, notw hstand ng A nt Har et s kin d intentions towards him did not get into

u m o tro ble . He had a g od emory, and learned his i ul lessons eas ly . He was pop ar among the

di his - i boys , for they soon scovered tale tell ng

u u i mi fac lty, and he sp n them nter nable yarns

“ in - r hl i the bed room . He was averse f om at et c

F 2 E 68 SWEET ANNE PAG .

u u u in sports, and sed to wander abo t the co ntry i i dr eary lonel ness . The boys were not kept w th

in un b ut mi bo ds, ght wander where they pleas

e d if u u , they were p nct al at school and meals .

‘ u i Some of the elder ones, strong b col c lads of

’ i u u s xteen or seventeen, sed to follow the D ke s

u in u in i ho nds the h nt g season, carry ng poles to

Bu t i leap the hedges and brooks . Stephen l ved

i u fu n his apart from all the r rob st , and dreamed i dreams, and saw we rd phantoms, and told

strange tales when th e moonlight poured

h u e as emen t s u i i t ro gh the pon the r l ttle beds .

’ ad r One reason why he escaped Mrs . S b o o ke s

i sh e u not ce was, perhaps , that was dreadf lly

i u i Fo r worr ed abo t Mat lda Jane and John Daw.

u n u e that yo g lady had been ca ght, mor than

u u i di ni i once, and had been s bjected to s ch n g t es

ul i b u t as her mamma co d nvent and apply, all

ur i u f to no p pose . The w dow tho ght o sendin g

her u sher away ; b ut then he was very cheap ;

i o f u bes des, he was the son her b tcher, who was

mi in o f di very a able matters cre t, and whom she

did n o t i ff i i w sh to o end . So an mpart al hist o r

’ ian mI I st record that Matilda Jan e s delinqu en EP HEN H ST AT SC OOL. 69

’ wi Mr s adb r o o ke s u cies interfered th . S d ty t o

a is the rest of her est bl hment, and that several

young gentlemen escaped fl o g gin g s which they

woul d inevitably have had if her mind had

w as r il b een at peace . It a rema kably m d half year .

’ O ur i ri u n an d poor l ttle f end s t r came at last,

hn it . w as I mu st s ay he deserved . Mr Jo Daw not popul ar with the boys an u sher j us t o u t o f

is i ! boyhood never . Now Mr . Daw, be ng ena

ur i u u i mo ed of Mat lda Jane , gave p m ch t me to his i u im ns u ii o f ~ to let, and sed me e q ant t es poma

’ tum. e in ae us Stephen s class were r ad g Ph dr , and they came u pon the fable o f Gracul us

” “ ” u un S perbu s The Vain Jackdaw. The p was irresistible ; Stephen wrote Graculu s S u

” er b u s i c fix it p on a p e e of paper, and af ed to

’ ur s r b o Mr . Daw s coat . Of co e the awkwa d y w as u u his ca ght, and the angry sher boxed ears

i u i did i him w th f ry . Th s , however, not sat sfy b u t he did not venture to excite general lau gh

i V ell ell s o ter by a compla nt to Mr . y ; , when i i i Stephen was wr t ng a copy that morn ng, he

hi him his b passed be nd and jogged el ow. A 70 S WEE NNE E T A PAG .

u u h ge blot was the res lt . Stephen was sent up

. Vellell his to Mr y, and came back to place with

u in his the dreadf l words ears,

Y o u i i ev emn w ll stay down th s g .

i u i is Now flogg ng, as p bl c schoolboys know, a i it mi e mere noth ng, whatever once ght hav

' been and the pleasant au thor o f E tomana tells his stories abou t it as if it were qu ite agreeable

— i i Bu t i dl s ch o o lmas as arem n scence . m d e class ters have been in the habit o f u sing the rod with

i Vellell o n e extreme feroc ty . y, however, was not i di i of the severer operators . Notw thstan ng, l ttle

i i i u Stephen Langton, sens t ve and t moro s, fan c ie d something far more dr eadful than the casti

atio n s o f Au i u in g nt Harr et, tho gh that lady was i my bel ef worse than the schoolmaster . More

an air u it vic over, there was of awe abo t . The — tims and there were abou t half a dozen most — days remain e d below after prayers when the

u i i rest went to bed . The p n shment was adm n ist er e d with pomp and ceremony in the pre s o f u - e ence the whole ho sehold, a man s rvant taking the part which at Eton is performed by

his t w o collegers . Stephen had heard school

E NNE E 72 SWE T A PAG .

’ i I v e b e Oh, sa d Stephen, got to flogged

’ ” i i i . th s even ng, and I m afra d

“ o u i e is Bah, y l ttl blockhead, what there to

’ ’ i ? i u u be afra d of It s rather n ce, when yo re sed

’ i u it b ut t . to By Jove, I d forgotten all abo t , I i ’ i i bel eve I ve got to be flogged th s even ng, and

’ u Vellell y ou se e how m ch I care . Old y can t ” hit hard .

And away went youn g Thu rston with a flying

n u i his leap over the earest hedge, do bl ng legs

u him is well nder , as the wont of a born leaper .

Bu t u u u his n Stephen, nconsoled, p rs ed way alo g i hi the lane, and emerged nto the gh road, and

fo r I dleche st er his made at fastest walk . He had

u u i i traversed abo t fo r m les , and was walk ng

i i u i along w th eyes bl nd to all o tward s ghts, and

u i h e ears deaf to all o tward no ses, when w as

r su ddenly arrested by a hand o n his shoulde .

’ w as n It Mr . Page s . That ge tleman was tak in ui i hi g a q et stroll, w th a keen eye for anyt ng

i in that grew w ld the hedgerows, when he saw his young acqu aintance coming headlong to

I dl ec he st er wards . ” n o w ? i . Why, Stephen, where he sa d E HEN H ST P AT SC OOL . 73

Oh, Mr . Page .

“ i r i l ou Come, my l ttle f end, tel me where y i ” are go ng .

’ r un awa Oh, Mr . Page, I ve y. ” o u i ? i in Have y ndeed he sa d, tak g the

’ i i o u exc ted ch ld s hand . And why have y away

’ u - i i Beca se I m to be flogged to n ght, sa d ’ i it ” Stephen, and I don t l ke .

Mr i i in n . Page took the boy nto a ways de

i u wh ch they had j st reached, called for a glass o f u i it fl o m water, and po red nto a few drops a

i hi fl o his stoppered ph al w ch he took m pocket . i ” i Dr nk that, Stephen, he sa d .

it w as Stephen drank , and refreshed . Mr .

him in o f b u x Page then sent away, the care a o m i u t o ma den who had bro ght the water, wash his u fl his face . When he ret rned, cool and esh, benefactor said

“ ’ ou fl o Well, Stephen, y don t want to be g it ” ged, seems .

sir No , , not at all .

li ur it i Most ttle boys have to end e sa d Mr .

’ . i u s o c an Page It sn t very npleasant, far as I 4 SWEE NNE E 7 T A PAG .

But did o u remember . y ever hear of the fish

’ i i i i u o ut o f that d dn t l ke be ng fr ed, and j mped ” the fl yin g - pan into the fire ? “ i ” i I th nk I have , sa d Stephen .

’ it s our Well, my boy, appear to me that s y

’ o u i if u case . Don t y th nk that y o go home to you r au nt y o u will very likely get two whip

” pings instead of o n e ? i Poor little . Stephen was appalled at th s view o f u n o t c o n the s bject . He had for a moment sider e d the kind o f reception with which he was i l kely to meet . He remembered the hard and

’ stinging qu alities o f the palm of Au nt Harriet s

i r o d hand, and wondered whether the b rchen l i u ul . u b oth! co d be more pa nf And then, to end re ” Y o u u ui i i u m st go q etly back aga n, cont n ed

“ . i an u i o u Mr Page , w th am sed sm le And y

u u u i i i m st bear yo r p n shment l ke a l ttle hero .

’ An d o f u I ll walk part the way with y o .

S o i i n i i dn un , w th nfi te k n ess , he led the yo g

un i him r away back aga n, and took leave of at

u i the t rn ng towards the school .

’ ” Y o u u it sir i ou ? won t tell Anne abo t , , w ll y i sa d poor Stephen . N H STEPHE AT SC OOL . 75

o u I shall tell her I met y , and we had a pleasant walk together ; b u t I shall not tell her

o u i fl o r y ran away for fear of be ng ogged, else

’ sh e i hi k ou ou m ght t n y a coward . And y won t ” il o u ? be a coward, w l y , my boy ” sir i u No , , sa d the yo ngster bravely, and

i in walked towards the school , where he arr ved good time for his bread and bu tter and milk i and water, and ate with excellent appet te .

An d b - - b i i it s y and y came event de, w th calm promise o f r efl eshin g rest ; and the bread and cheese for supper ; and the long u nintelligible

i in di - i Lat n prayers the mly l ghted schoolroom .

And then the boys who had no pu nishment to endure went o ff to bed - and Stephen was left

in o n e o f u his e beh d, fo r, to meet fate . The scen

’ u e o f i wo ld have b en worthy Rembrandt s penc l,

“ fo r it s ff o f i e ect l ght and shade . The school

i i u room, a later add t on to the ho se , had many windows o n thr ee sides and the bright moon i so u it s l ght resol tely forced entrance , that the few tall ow- candles were almost u seless ; and

o f u the forms the schoolmaster and sher, the

i u schoolm stress and her da ghters and servants , ! EE NE E 76 SW T AN PAG .

dim i i i . Bo were , shapeless, nd st nct y after boy c u u i u u r ame p for p n shment ; H gh Th rston fi st,

i it o f u i tak ng as a matter co rse, and gather ng himself u p with an easy bu oyancy Of manner

it o f when was over . Last all came Stephen, i who walked in a dr eam to the place o f sacr fice .

i in i i i He felt h mself placed pos t on, kneel ng on a

i win form, and lean ng over a desk towards the dow at the head of the schoolroom . He felt

Tom, the man who blacked the boots and cleaned th e i di him i his a kn ves, vest of that port on of p

i n He parel which interfered with the operat o .

’ — — Mr Vellell s felt thou gh he cou ld n o t see . y

ir u him arm rising throu gh the a to descend pon .

' — But at that instant h e saw s aw throu gh that moonlit window o n which his eyes were fi xe d a u i i o f dreadf l appar t on a drowned man, naked,

i i i in covered with r ver sl me . And he shr eked, a strange wild voice

’ I Mr S adbr ooke s host see . g i i The effect was terr ble . The w dow and her

’ i Vellell s dau ghters screamed and fa nted . Mr . y i hi i i birch did not descend accord ng to s ntent on .

u i u Stephen got to bed ncast gated, and H gh E HEN H ST P AT SC OOL . 77

u i ul u o f att ed himo n Th rston, ncred o s spectres, p i the back, and excla med,

That was a clever dodge .

’ But i his i Stephen, w th m nd s eye, had seen

his u that ghastly spectre, as fl shed face and

ini i in stra ng gaze bore w tness ; and when, the li long narrow moon t chamber, he told what he

u ur u had seen, even brave H gh Th ston sh ddered hi o n s bed . The widow did not get over her shock un til a hearty su pper of cold roast pork had been fo l

in lowed by some g and water, hot, sweet, and

hr u di lo c ke d strong. The t ee yo ng la es with longing eyes o n this potent and enticing b ut forbidden mix tur e : a glass o f it was offered to

Vellell b ut u Mr . y, that excellent yo ng person

i it u is u i decl ned . And there was m ch d c ss on

u Mr r . s S adb o oke abo t Stephen between them . was o f opinion that the boy had seen some i i i i th ng . Amel a rem nded her mother that M ss

’ Langton had warned them o f Stephen s awful

i fl i ht en e d w ckedness . Arabella, fat and g , agreed

i i i u w th the w dow. Mat lda Jane tho ght Stephen

it uni m had done to escape p sh ent, and declared EE E 78 SW T ANNE PAG . he was a dear clever boy to think of su ch a

i Vellell i il th ng . Mr . y agreed w th Mat da Jane o n fir i i the st po nt, and adv sed that Stephen shoul d be well flogged the first thing the next

i u morn ng, when he co ld not very well pretend

s e e Fi to any ghosts . nally, the matter was left u nsettled .

And the next morning brou ght another ele

i i u i in o f ment nto the d sc ss on, the shape a letter

u i t o s a sh e ul from A nt Harr et, y that sho d come

t o s e e S adb r o oke in over that day Mrs . , and

’ ui i q re concern ng her nephew s progress . She wou ld be at the school at abou t fou r in the after noon .

“ ” u ! s ad i How very l cky the w dow. She

i u in i c an i w ll be j st t me for tea, and we dec de ” i i u what shall be done w th th s na ghty boy .

” “ This nau ghty boy had been remembered

o n e u i by other lady . Cla d a Branscombe, de s er te d by her father and brother, had managed

i Kin sleat to ex st at g . Not a day passed with o u t i o n o r in o her be ng seen, horseback her p ny

i i in i i o r carr age , mov ng some d rect on other .

t I dle ch est er i She was pre ty Often at , shopp ng

SWEE NNE E 80 T A PAG .

n an d t i in dow first to the Rectory, r ed to

u i i i b ut i d ce W n fred to go w th her, that sa ntly

t o i u little personage was far o t moro s . So away

i il i u i n she tooled by herself, w th only a L l p t a groom behind ; and took the chestnu ts throu gh the High Street in gallant style : and dr ove o n to where the Bishop ’ s Palace stands greenly

i o f i niched in a s lvan bend the r ver Idle . Old

in o n Langton, the tanner, stand g the steps of

- i the Half Moon, sa d to the landlord

’ u There, yo d know that was a Branscombe .

ul u i She p led p at the palace port co . Her

’ - she boy groom went to the leader s head, and i ’ Sprang to the gravel . The B shop s wife came

i o ut ui o f hi fly ng to see the new eq page, w ch

u there had been m ch talk already . ili ” i i “ I Now, Cec a, sa d M ss Branscombe, am

’ ‘ in ou i i n o go g to take y back to d ne w th me . It s

u : r un good to ref se and get ready . ” What will the Bishop s ay ? i i ’ him Never m nd the B shop . We ll take by ” An d sh e u i . B th es eau storm . h rr ed Mrs y pstair s

- hi to dress w ch done, they both descended to

sa cti sanctume isco oi the n p l . S E HEN H 1 T P AT SC OOL . 8

’ i ou di The B shop, a thor gh la es prelate, de lig ht e dly welcomed his wife and her beau tiful i ii ’ compan on . He paternally patted Cec l a s cheek, and pressed a paternal kis s ( he was obliged

’ to stand o n tiptoe to do it) o n Clau dia s calm

hi u i w te forehead . He had j st been horr bly pestered by a Low Chur ch vicar who wan ted him to prosecu te Ar chdeacon Coningsby for

i i u i . heresy . The contrast was a prod g o s rel ef

i i i u The B shop pos t vely p rred .

i ili i n I am go ng to take Cec a home to d n er,

’ i u i i ni sa d Cla d a ; very l kely she ll stay the ght .

? ui s a e s May she go Be q ck and y y , my dear i i i ” B shop , my pon es are gett ng restless .

“ Y i i i e u ish ou th B o . are spo lt ch ldren, sa d p “ I’ ve been telling Cissy I shall send her to

’ i : u school aga n she can t keep her acco nts , and is really good for nothing bu t to be looked at ;

ou i i i hi and y are always lead ng her nto m sc ef, Miss Branscom

’ a o f hi i I ll take the greatest c re her t s t me , and bring her home to- morrow in capital con di i ” t on . I ’m Well, take her away . the most power

V O L . I . G 2 E 8 SWEET ANNE PAG .

o f : less prelates I can never say no to a lady .

- Ci i —I i Good bye , ssy ; be a good ch ld w sh I

u w i o u co ld go th y .

i i th e i Come , my lord, ncog . , sa d dar ng

’ u di i ui u in i i u Cla a, d sg se yo rself cr nol ne , yo ve

‘ ” got an apron already .

- u u i i i The good h mo red B shop d sm ssed them ,

u I l h r and away they drove thro gh d e c e st e .

il o n - Langton st l stood the Half Moon steps , and

Clau dia thou ght rather remorsefully o f little h Step en .

“ i i u s i He shall come and d ne w th , she sa d t o herself.

b o i is i What a good y the b shop , she sa d

’ i u alou d to her compan on . He s j st the sort of

” ul i hu sband I sho d l ke .

’ u i i i He s m ch too good for me, sa d C ssy, w th

Si ams o i a half gh , I s lly ; and he never scolds,

’ thou gh sometimes I feel that it s his positive

x o r i f i u b o o . d ty to my ears, someth ng the k nd

Y o u u di u know, Cla a, I have always been s ch a if hi c i . o w n h ld Perhaps I had c ldren of my , I

’ ” u u i u sho ldn t be q te s ch a baby .

“ ’ Cis . i s Don t be melancholy, Everybody l ke HE H 3 STEP N AT SC OOL . 8

’ i o u you as you are . I m go ng to take y to the

’ u — a very q eerest place school , where there s a

’ nice little boy that I m going to take home to

in d ner .

’ A little before four o clock Aun t Harriet dr ove

’ i Mr s S adb r o o ke s in hi i n nto . gates a gh g g , draw

- by an animal o f the cart horse character . The o ld tanner tru sted nobody else with his fast

in di trott g mare . She was cor ally welcomed ;

u di in u i i W the fo r la es, all r stl ng black s lk, ere ready to receive her ; and over many cu ps oftea

u they talked abo t Stephen .

u i hi i A nt Harr et was shocked at s w ckedn ess .

u i w as Of co rse see ng a ghost all nonsense, and

i w as sl — i l the l ttle rascal y w cked y sly . She had

u him i b u t i bro ght a n ce cake, he certa nly l ’ u it . sh e as sho dn t have And proposed that,

w as ul fo r soon as tea over, he sho d be sent , and should then and there receive at her hands

u i i a m ch severer cast gat on than he had escaped . — The proposition gave general satisfaction es

e c iall i p y to Mat lda Jane , to whom John Daw

i u i had confided the ns lt he had rece ved .

’ T u it six u h s happened that at o clock, j st as

G 2 EE E E 8 4 SW T ANN PAG .

i i li Stephen was , w th the rest, go ng to sten to a

L i r e cu r s o r his e long at n grace, p q to br ad and

u i b tter, the amiable Mat lda Jane came as a

i in his messenger to the schoolroom, and h ssed ear,

’ “ o u u di Come along, y brat ; yo re wanted r ec tl y .

e i u H followed her obed ently, and was shered i u his u u nto the parlo r, where redo btable A nt

Harr iet was added to the scolding and torturin g i him power of the establ shment . She glared at

i i o f di him w th a k nd fien sh glee, and welcomed with the exclamation

Oh ! yo u nau ghty wicked boy i Stephen stood s lent .

“ ou i ou - i i i S o y tr ed, y story tell ng l ttle th ng, to escape pun ishment by sayin g y o u saw poor

’

S adb r o o ke . ! o f dear Mr . Oh I m ashamed

’ y o u ! I don t believe yo u can be a nephew o f

’ i b u t o u t o ff i I m ne y won get so eas ly, can tell ” o u hi i u y . Come here t s m n te .

' u e n o u h an d Stephen approached , rel ctantly g ,

’ was relentlessly clu tched by Aun t Harriet s bony

ll nu an d i fingers, a kn obs at the k ckles d re H STEPHEN AT SC OOL . 8 5 events woul d as sur edl y have happened b ut fo r

’ the fact that Miss Br an sc o mb e s chestnu t ponies at that very moment t urned in thr ou gh the

i dau h gates , and that the w dow and her three g

in i ters all ran to the w dow to watch the arr val .

Two sin gu larly handsome women in a singu lar ly stylish equipage had never been seen in

i o u r - i u i that local ty before ; black ha red Cla d a,

i i i i u in - u br ll ant and mper o s , dressed a navy bl e paletot that showed the volu ptu ou s cu rve o f her

li i u us in —hi in de c o s b t, and hold g a parasol w p

- u i — w as her amber ga ntleted r ght hand, an appa rition almost as startling to the S adb r o o ke family as the S adb r o o ke spectre to poor little

’ w as Stephen . The groom at the leader s head ; o ur little friend Hu gh Thur ston had gone to the

u i i o u t u wheelers and Cla d a , stepp ng j st oppo i i i s te the w ndow, revealed to the watch ng eyes

S adb r o o ke i - ui of the fam ly, as well b lt, well

i - ini stock nged, and well booted a fem ne leg as

’ u o n u sh e yo ll see anywhere . When the gro nd,

’ u i held p both her hands to the B shop s lady,

in o wn i who took them her , and sprang eas ly

- from the dog cart . EE E 8 6 SW T ANNE PAG .

’ that i i u It s M ss Branscombe, sa d A nt Har

i u i . r et, who had j st reached the w ndow And

u i in then she half regretted the ejac lat on, know g

Br an s c o mb es that her father held by the . “ ” i i “ if it Well, I do declare , sa d the w dow,

’ ’ th e i i is n t B shop s w fe . What can they want here ? ”

’ fl o m u i As to Stephen, released A nt Harr et s

ri his wi in bony g p , he opened eyes dely wonder .

i in The lad es were shown , and everybody

’ u i i stood p to rece ve them . The w dow s three dau ghters were perfectly appalled at finding themselves in close contact with these two w o n der ful i dr u dow di strangers . The r own eadf l n ess became apparent t o them ; and there was

u ii i fo r i h m l at on even Mat lda Jane, who firmly

i Bu t o h ! i o bel eved herself pretty . the l ght f

’ u i Br an sc o mb e s o f Cla d a eyes, the glory her i i i i ha r , the del cate wh teness Of her d amonded

i fl om i ! r ght hand, wh ch she had taken the glove

‘ S adb r o o ke b eh ev e i u di Mrs . , I sa d Cla a .

n i o u e I eed not deta n y a moment . I call d to take little Stephen Langton home with me ; his i i ” grandfather sa d he m ght come .

WEE NNE E 88 S T A PAG .

The latter lady w as abou t t o remonstrate — O nce Sn ore b ut then she was afl aid o f her

’

. di n ik it father She d t l e at all . Here was i i Stephen snatched from her cast gat ng hands, and taken away for a holiday withou t e ven the

i hi u i form of ask ng leave, by t s pro d g rl, who did n o t i i seem to recogn ze her ex stence . As

fo r . S adb r o oke i u if un Mrs , she w sely tho ght A t

i did i . Harr et not nterfere, she need not In a

i u i m n te Stephen was back aga n, ready to start .

u i r l i i i Cla d a d ew on her g ove , sa d , w th a sl ght ” in S adb r o oke bow, Good morn g, Mrs . , and

' i B th es ea in was help ng Mrs . y to the tandem cart cart before Au nt Harriet had time to recover herself.

“ u u hi i J mp p be nd, Stephen, she sa d, and

’ mi o u o n nd y hold . Who s that handsome boy

’ F ? u ? that held lora s head Master Th rston Here,

’ u ou ti fl o m Master Th rston, y won t object to a p

’ ” i i o u ? a fr end of Stephen s, w ll y

u n i i Away went the chestn ts, Stephe cl ng ng o n i o f i by the s de the groom, wh le all Mrs . Sad

’ u il i dl brooke s p p s looked after them del ghte y .

“ ’ ” i i u ur She s a br ck, excla med H gh Th ston, E HEN H ST P AT SC OOL . 8 9

n o mi u di x i and stake . Cla a, e travagant m nx,

’ im i i sh e had given h a sovere gn . And a n t a

i ? Si is hi pretty g rl Why, Polly mcox not ng to her !

No w Polly Simcox was a red- faced lass who

u i i o f came ro nd tw ce a week w th a basket tarts, and whose ru ddy rotu ndity the b oys g reatly

i u i u adm red . SO Cla d a o ght to have been fl at d t er e .

Well i u i , sa d A nt Harr et, when they were

“ ’ hi un im er ti gone, I t nk that yo g woman s p n en c e is i perfectly abom nable . I never was so ” in i treated my l fe .

u i u it I sho ld compla n abo t to Mr . Langton, ” if o u u i I were y , dear, s ggested Amel a .

’ Bu t this was j u st what Aunt Harriet didn t

ui s e e she u ul q te , for felt s re that her father wo d sa i i y M ss Branscombe was r ght . At the same

i n o t di i t me, she was sposed to confess her pos

i r k mi il t on t o the S adb o o e fa ly . She was happ y relieved from her difficulty by the volatile i Mat lda Jane .

” Do y o u think that Miss Branscombe pretty? ” P r ett ! i if y excla med Arabella, as there E 90 SWEET ANNE PAG . could not be the slightest dou bt that Clau dia

i u was intensely h deo s .

’

x i . She s e tremely forward, sa d Mrs Sad

“ ’ o f i i she brooke If we d been a set g ps es ,

’ u u s co ldn t have treated worse .

’ ” i u i She ll come to no good, sa d A nt Harr et .

’ i i sh e As for the B shop s w fe, I wonder can

”

u i u fli ht i i i . go abo t w th s ch a g y p ece, sa d Amel a What carroty hair that Bishop’ s wife has

” o t ! i i in u u c r iti g sa d Mat lda Jane , contempt o s c ism o f tresses whose profuse beau ty would

—Raffaellit e i have maddened a pre pa nter .

Bu t u i ri i i tb e u , nh ndered by c t c sm, chestn ts brou ght Clau dia and her companions to Kings

in i i fo r leat good t me for d nner . And then, the

i in his i i first t me l fe, Stephen d ned . At the

Br an s c o mb e s there was never any deficiency in

u o r in u u s pply style . The so p , the t rbot, and

u i lobster sa ce , the roast saddle , the b rds , the

i i i u Amont llado and ced Cl cq ot, were all as good and as well served as if Devil Branscombe had i i if been there h mself. I w ll not say, as the ’ i i S eraph had been there, for the Seraph s cr t cal

n as power was know and dreaded, at home well E HEN H 1 ST P AT SC OOL . 9

His u i u as abroad . a dac ty and acc racy were beyond his years ; he woul d have Shu t u p To d

u i o f Heatly on a q est on claret, or Colenso on a

u f q estion o heresy . i Stephen, who possessed the apprehens ve for — g etiv e faculty an dthe facul ty mu st be appr e — hen siv e before it is forgetive pr o fi t e d by what

u u u he saw and heard . Tho gh bro ght p among

i ul il ur people nnately v gar, the ch d had a nat al

Al l i u hi i refinement . the nfl ences w ch at th s

ur u him o f i him moment s ro nded were serv ce to . i i He was very s lent , very observant . He l sten

li o f i s ed to the spark ng converse the two lad e ,

i u it and tr ed hard to nderstand . He asked no

u i b u t his u i ui q est ons, formed own concl s ons q et l i his ic ff in r it s y . He s pped y e ervescent w e f om shallow glass as if both wine and glass were

ui i him q te customary th ngs to .

B — - b i - y and y they went to the draw ng room,

f u di ui i and co fee was served, and Cla a, an exq s te

u i i n i m s c an , sat dow to the p ano , and played and sang rather for herself than her hearers .

Oh ! how the royal mu sic sobbed thr ou gh that i i fl sweet wh te throat of hers, wh le her agrant 2 WEE NNE E 9 S T A PAG .

its i bosom swelled to flood of pass on, and her great black fathomless eyes flashed mar vellous ly !

u u At s ch a moment, had Phoeb s Apollo beheld

ul u u her, wo d he not have ca ght her s ddenly

un i i h u aro d her l ssom wa st, and s owered pon her eyes and cheeks and lips the kisses of the god ?

i o n th e She ceased . After a wh le a clock marble mantelpiece stru ck ten with silver

his strokes . She came and sat by Stephen on

u his i sofa, and passed her fingers thro gh ha r . ” o w Cis i o u i u s e N , , she sa d, y g ve som ” u i m s c . ’ i i d i i ’ i I m too t red, ch l , sa d the B shop s w fe

’ it s r i i o u and no good playing o s ng ng after y .

’ ’ Don t y o u think it s nearly time o ur little friend ” went to bed ?

“ n o t u I Oh, no ; he need get p early, and

him w u want to talk to . Who was that onderf l o ld - lady, Stephen, who looked so cross to day

’ S adb r o o ke s at Mrs .

u i That was A nt Harr et .

! sh e if she Indeed Why, looked as had c o n u t o ou ome over p rpose torment y . ” hin sh e i I t k had , sa d Stephen , gravely . STEPHEN AT SCHOOL . 93

i is Cis ! sh e What a funny l ttle fellow he ,

i ou in o u sa d . What are y go g to be when y

? i u are a man, Stephen A tanner, l ke yo r grandfather

“ i i i . N he sa d, dec s vely . A poet

u Both ladies la ghed .

” “ h “ Do o u i B t e s ea. A poet ! sa d Mrs . y y know ” what a poet is ?

“ ” i i . Yes , sa d Stephen . M lton was a poet ” u n o t s e e He saw what other people co ld . ” u i An d can you do that ? asked Cla d a .

” ’ Y e s i . S adb r o oke s , he sa d . I saw Mr i ghost the other n ght .

’ Wh at an o dd chil d ! exclaimed the Bishop s

’ wi in u s u i fe . I hope he won t be wak g p n the ” i i his n ght w th ghosts .

n o t i i I am at all afra d of ghosts , sa d Ste

“ in o f u phen, a matter fact way . I am sed to

’ them . They don t do any harm .

The ladies were rather pu zzled how t o deal

i hi u a - u i w th t s yo ng pr eter nat ral st, so they pro

t o posed go to bed .

“ We mu st find a bed for this child some ” u di where , remarked Cla a . E E 4 SWEET ANN PAG .

u i i u u i It was a q a nt spac o s ho se, w th rooms i i open ng nto each other, and Stephen was snu gly ensconced in a small room between two

in i i larger ones , wh ch slept M ss Branscombe

i u flien d. and her And, be ng ndressed, he had to pu t o n a wondrou sly fl ille d night- gown o f

’

u i i his . Cla d a s, wh ch went down far below feet

u i Th s robed, he sank nto the softest of beds,

il is u i and lay dr eam y awake . And C and Cla d a chatted a little ; and then they began t o dis robe ; and

By deg r ees

e r r c a r e c r e r us n t o e r n ees Th i i h tti pt tli g th i k ,

it u di dis as Mr . Keats has ; and then Cla a felt i i posed for a romp , and began to t ckle her fa r

i wh o i fr end, screamed, and g ggled, and at last ran away to her o w n room and then Cis came i i back aga n for another chat, and wh spered to

’ u di i i i Cla a , I do bel eve that ch ld sn t asleep and then they talked fo r half an hou r o r so

u I dlec h e st er Kin sle at abo t the people , and g i people, and who was go ng to marry whom ;

’ and then the Bishop s wife grew mischievou sly i i u i i ncl ned, and gave Cla d a a sharp p nch, and

E 6 SWEET ANNE PAG . n otice of everything in his pleasant lofty cham

i - u ni in ber, for n ght lamps were b r ng the rooms — diffu sing a mellow light and wishing it were possible that he could forget the existence of

i Mr s adb r o o ke . un . S A t Harr et, and , and Mr

V ellell i w i i i y, and l ve always th people l ke M ss

n B th e s e a i . Bra scombe, and Mrs . y , and k nd Mr

i . Page, and, above all, w th sweet Anne Page

u o f his i i And as he tho ght fa ry pr ncess , he fell asleep . And very late was it when he awoke and to his sensitive nature and thirst fo r enjoyment there was delight in the fair water o f the ample

e - in - u i spong bath, the well s ppl ed breakfast

in i i o f u u table , all the l ttle deta ls nacc stomed

u u i u l x ry wh ch at every moment he enco ntered .

But all pleasure mu st have an end ; and so poor

Stephen in the afternoon fou n d himself once

in ul u hi more dropped the hatef playgro nd, w le th e chestnu ts carried rapidly away their mis

s ri i tres and her f end . Very d sconsolate he looked at this moment and merry Hu gh Thu r

i u him i ston, com ng p to , excla med

’ o u as if o ul Why, Langton, y look y u co dn t H 7 STEPHEN AT SC OOL . 9

” it ou u h id ? help . How have y enjoyed yo r ol ay ”

i u i n. Oh, del ghtf lly, s ghed Stephe

’ i o u We ve had a great lark s nce y went ,

i u ul u i sa d H gh . Grac s and Mat lda Jane ran

w i o f it a ay to get marr ed , and old Daw heard ,

’ and went after them in his bu tcher s cart, and

u o u t - ds u ca ght them at the cross roa , j st beyond

I dle ch est er u in , and bro ght them back the cart u i u o f i i j st l ke a co ple sheep , t ed w th the same

’ di i u ropes and all . Oh, dn t they look n ce j st — ’ when he handed them o u t and didn t we h o o

/ ? S adb r o oke ray, rather And he told Mother

’ if sh e that wanted to keep a school, she d better i ’ r o u t i . Cr ik sh e send her g ls to serv ce y, wasn t wil d

The story thu s emphatically narrated w as

ui u i i u u q te tr e, and the nc dent was an nl cky

o n e fo r . S adb r o o ke Mrs . Not only did the most

i i o f u u i b u t s o did obl g ng b tchers q arrel w th her, the parents and gu ardians of too many o f her i u . did sh e ul . p p ls She all co d, poor woman

She sent away all three o f her dau ghters ; sh e engaged a remarkably correct youn g man in the o f ul u Bu t place Grac u s S u perb s . she never

V O L . I . H EE NNE E 98 SW T A PAG .

flourished aft e rwards ; the school gradu ally

i u dw ndled away, and she and her da ghters sent somewhere u nnoticed in the great ocean i i of l fe . The only one Stephen ever saw aga n

i u was Mat lda Jane, who had become nder

e i - I dlech est r chamb rma d at the Half Moon at e .

1 WEE NNE E 00 S T A PAG .

The mo ments flash by like bu bbles on a mill race ; the very delight o f life makes u s mour n

’ i fl e etn ess a u l fe s . Ah, th t we co ld have learnt the valu e of time when we had more o f it t o spend !

Fi s d i ve years pa se , and Stephen was s xteen .

He had spent most o f his school- days at the

ishm O f i establ ent a certa n Dr . Wood, who got

his . o w as degree at Erlangen Wo d a tall man,

i u him! w th a black mane, that ca sed to look

i i - i u i alarm ngly l on l ke . He was nr valled as an

i . t advertiser and a cast gator, and had by hose two arts contrived t o get together abou t a hu n

u i s As dred and twenty p p l . he was a perfectly u u i ned cated man, and not g ven to expend

ishl in u r i i s it is money lav y t to al salar e , not to be su pposed that his alu mni were over well

u But u fl Ou r ish e d ta ght . S mmer Vale , and the b u s e i i if oys were compelled to the r memor es ,

o f i hi u i none the r gher fac lt es , and Stephen

u i i learnt the Ch rch Catech sm, the Eton Lat n

six o f Eu i s o Grammar, and the first books cl d,

u i u u i thoro ghly by rote, w tho t nderstand ng a

ei h e i . word of ther, that never forgot them aga n 1 1 A LUSTRUM . 0

In cour se o f years the meanin g o f certain parts

f u l i i him o them grad al y d scovered tself to , and he always associated his du ty towards his neigh bou r with a severe flogging he got o n Monday morning for not being able to remember the catechetic details o f the said du ty o n S unday i even ng.

i b i Was u s i Wood, be ng a g man, of co r e marr ed

i vi i Mr s to a sharp l ttle xen o f a w fe . . Wood altogether transcended both Au nt Harriet and

Mr s S adb r o oke : hini b u t . hers was no w ng scold,

u i o f i i a short, sharp obj rgat on far more terr fy ng

fl e u en tl i a li moment, q y followed by the rap d pp cation o f a very vigorou s hand The way in

hi sh e ul r e fl ac t or u w ch wo d collar a y yo ngster,

him i s reverse over anyth ng handy, and natch in o ff his li it i g s pper, apply v olently to the ten

der e st him w as l us . part of , really marve lo

ui in i in c in i Mr s . ! ck s ght, spee h, mot on, Wood was the rulin g genius o f the school ; she per

it in fo r vaded She kept everybody order, not

i us in w as gett ng her h band. He, fact, merely

i bi u i i a negat ve man, g , st p d, strong, and w sely

di his i obe ent to w fe . E E 1 02 S WEET ANN PAG .

in Stephen, beyond the elements of learn g we

’ i i u hin have ment oned, p cked p not g at Wood s .

Bu t u i hi to know E cl d, and the Catec sm, and the

is hi Eton Grammar by heart somet ng, at any

’ uri VVo o d s rate . The favo te game at was foot

o n i u i ball , played a w de common abo t a m le

: i from the school Stephen, who was grow ng

i i u u s win u is r d c lo ly fast, had not d eno gh for th

i u i Bu t u ui glor o s exerc se . the boy, tho gh q et,

n o t u u His a i - i was npop lar . nc ent story tell ng talent was not lost ; it was his wont to begin a

i O f tale on the first n ght the half year, and to

u contin e it right away to the end . Schoolboys i i i wi i love these nterm nable stor es , th ep sode wi i i i i i i o n e th n ep sode , l ke Ch nese balls w th n

r o ur un another . Mo eover, yo g hero had taken

mi - i to rhy ng, and wrote love letters, acrost c and

his s - o r elegant, for chool fellows, and once twice obtained half- holidays fo r a cleverish copy

o n of verses . So he got among the boys c o m fo r tab l u his y eno gh, and rather enjoyed school

u days . It was c stomary t o end each term at

Su mmer Vale with pu blic recitations ; and when

Stephen w as deemed old enou gh to play Mar lo

E 1 04 SWEET ANNE PAG .

hi i u an d had s hol days, lessons were s spended, the two you ng peo ple renewed their garden

s o r u ramble , strolled thro gh the cathedral close,

i hil his and by the r ver marge, w e Stephen told

u stories as fl ently as ever .

Bu t there were others to whom this lu strum

u had bro ght a change . Old Langton was a

i vi s at tr fle hea er than before, and longer and

di His drank more after nner . sons were altered ; his grandsons were learning to be tan

o f u his i i ners , Stephen co rse excepted ; w fe st ll sat by the parlou r-window and u ttered oracular sentences ; and his dau ghter Harriet was per

i in c o n s e haps rather more m stress than ever,

u n i i i q e c e o f h s growing ndolence . L ttle Mary

Langton was still the sweetes t- tempered and

’ m i o f i i un ost obed ent g rls , and st ll A t Harriet s i i i pat ent v ct m . Her father and mother seemed to have given her up to the strong- willed vir

in t i g , who was too craf y to tyrann ze over Mary

’ in the old man s presence .

Br an s c o mb es I dlec h e st er in Of the , and K gs

i u di leat knew l ttle . Cla a had long rejoined h er n d in h e father a brother London . S was A LUSTRUM . 1 05

the qu een o f that fast world in which Devil

i u Branscombe l ved . Her rare bea ty and wil d

wit r u o f b o ght crowds adorers to her feet .

illi i u W ng to fl rt to the tmost , She never went i i beyond fl rtat on . Many a foolis h boy l o st his — heart to the Panther as some coiner o f nick — names had call ed her and his money to her

father at the variou s games which occupied the

ni hi i u i ghts at s v lla . Cla d a was the gayest

u in : creat re town , apparently nobody dressed

s o u o r s o i o r u s perbly, rode dar ngly, drove s ch

ni u po es as the Panther . Nobody had s ch a

il Wi hin w d, tc g, reckless way . Her career was

iu Bu t all tr mph . there were moments, I know,

’ when Clau dia s dark eyes filled with tears as — she thou ght o f what might have been as sh e

u all i looked back pon wasted years , ga ety and

fliv olit i u u o f y, w tho t one to ch love .

The Rev. Walter Branscombe was as placid — and popul ar as ever a model Rector o f

Kin sle at o f g , and a model Canon the Cathedral .

Winifl e d a d i And grew more n more sa ntly .

People fancied a halo o r rainbow arou nd that ill i pretty head ofhers . She was st a l ttle too 1 6 WEE NNE E 0 S T A PAG . e xtreme in her high- chu rchism fo r the Rector

u l - i There was a yo ng c ergyman, good look ng an d u o f i fl ent, and possessed a l ttle money, who had started drowsy I dle che st er by attempt in i i u i g to establ sh monaster es and n nner es, and by walking the streets in a costume between

o f - i u - b o that a ballet g rl and a bl e coat y . He

i F i iu him called h mself ather Rem g s, and to

i Win ifl e d Sa nt was wont to confess . Almost

i u u i i ri s m ltaneo sly, a new d ssent ng sect had a sen in th e city : a little vivaciou s garrul ou s man dr opped su ddenly fl o msome u nknown part o f i i Amer ca , and called h mself The Angel of the ” u in I dl e c h est er i his c u l Ch rch , and establ shed

in u u i His tus an nocc p ed loft . energy soon

u him i i l bro ght fem n ne fo lowers, and among

un i them was A t Harr et .

Su ch was the position o f some o f o ur ao qu ain t an c es when Stephen a lanky lad o f six

his i u i teen, came home for m ds mmer hol days .

’ un i i ik his i A t Harr et d dn t l e arr val at all . He

u had got beyond her, npleasantly . He had grown so tall that she coul d n o t reach to b o x his sh e e u ears , and had grav do bts whether he

1 S EE NNE E 08 W T A PAG .

’ I t s Oh, always the same, sobbed the poor

’ i i u ch ld . She g ves me s ch long lessons I can t

u o f i learn them , and s ch a lot sew ng to do I

’ i u it can t poss bly get thro gh , and then she beats

fo r i i me not do ng t .

“ ’ sh e alwa s o u i Why, doesn t y beat y , sa d ” Stephen ; does sh e ? ” i “ ’ Very nearly, sa d Mary . I ve got all

’ these tasks to learn by twelve o clock, and

’ h i if is s e says she ll wh p me I make a m take, and

Bu t did e fo r u i Mary not proc ed, A nt Herr ot

w as di had entered the room , and regar ng her i i w th a terr ble look .

” S o i sh e i o u u , M ss , excla med, y dare tell s ch — 9 ) dreadful stories yo u dare

And s h e ru shed towards her poor u nresis ting

i i i i i u i Bu t S t e v ct m, to nfl ct cond gn p n shment .

in c e i i phen ter pted her ra sed r ght arm, catch in g it by the wrist ; and not being ready with a s i i peech appropr ate to the great occas on, ex

C laimed

’ ” Why don t y ou hit one of your own size ?

Never before had Aunt Harriet s uffere d su ch A LUSTRUM . 1 09

i i ni i an nd g ty . She was speechless w th rage .

The su dden shock o f Open rebellion made her

i sh e u hyster cal , and at length gave tterance to a shrill shr iek that w as heard thr ou ghout the

us u in ho e . Old Mr . Langton, who was j st com g o u t o f ur i u i the parlo , walked heav ly psta rs to

s e e w as . i what the matter Enter ng the room, he looked with considerable ast o n ishmmt at his

ri u his in u hyste cal da ghter, sobb g grandda ghter,

i l his and espec al y at grandson, who , commonly

ui i the q etest of boys , seemed now dar ng and de

fi an t .

’ ” i u ? Now then , he sa d, what s p

’ ” I t s u i i A nt Harr et, sa d Stephen, promptly . ’ i hi i i She s always p tc ng nto poor l ttle Polly,

” and I went and stopped her .

u his The tanner swore a sonoro s oath, after manner when annoyed .

Y o u ever lay your fin ger o n little Polly

” ’ i i his u aga n, he sa d to da ghter, and I ll break

’ I n ur i u every bone yo sk n . Stephen , yo re a good

’ - - a w fo r o u . u lad ; here s half cro n y Cheer p, Polly,

’ come along with me : I m going down to the

o u i i . farm, and y shall r de w th me E NNE E 1 1 0 SWE T A PAG .

u un i i in L ckless A t Harr et was left sol tary the ,

c u . s hoolroom , thoro ghly defeated

Of cour se this incident in nowise sweetened

o n e ni her temper towards Stephen . So eve ng, not very dissimilar in its events fr om that in i ’ wh ch the boy s fate had, five years before, been

i sh e i dec ded, called aga n her two brothers i u i i him? nto co nc l . What was to be done w th

i o f u i Ne ther them had any s ggest on to make .

“ ’ ” ui u sh e He s been at school q te long eno gh, i ’ i i hi ” sa d . It s t me he was earn ng somet ng .

“ ’ ” i i b ut He s a l kely lad, sa d Uncle Tom

’ o t u u we ve g boys eno gh abo t the place . Better i him ’ apprent ce to some trade . There s Stokes

’ u i i the dr gg st wants a prent ce . “ i “ I That costs money, sa d Uncle Charles .

’ ’ haven t got any to spare ; I don t know if you ” have .

’ if in I wonder he d do for teacher a school, i i sa d Aunt Harr et .

And she produ ced a copy o f a certain month l i i E van elic al Ma azine y per od cal called the g g , wherein sh e had noticed an advertisement to the ff R e ect that the ev . Edward Hooper wanted a

E 1 12 SWEET ANNE PAG .

u u o n . a Sat rday, and wo ld call Mr Ch rles Lang ton .

o n e th e He kept his appointment . He was of

i i o f hi dis in k ndest and s mplest men, t s sent g

i i w as n o t it m n ster . He clever, and he knew ; b ut u did n o t he was thoro ghly good, and he

n it i u i — k ow . He rece ved half a dozen p p ls all he had room fo r and thou gh they did not learn

r u i i ve y m ch, they led a very happy l fe , hav ng

' i u sub plenty to eat, and not be ng perpet ally

i ur e j ec t e d to phys cal tort e . He saw Steph n

u him u i — b u t and tho ght yo ng , certa nly that was

u d a fau lt that wo ld men every day .

” “ i u i in e I w sh I was as yo ng, he sa d, a pl a sant tone that was not intellig ible to sou r Uncle

i un i Charles and acr d A t Harr et . ” “ his i is . e . He tall for age , sa d Mr Hoop r

is o n e s as o ld There only of the boy , and he

' wi i ou i ll go away at Chr stmas . My y ng fr end

” h o w o ld is need not tell anybody he .

So S t eph en ' w as engaged for the end of the h li u i o days ; and A nt Harr et, after seeing the ’ in i - u u m ster s good tempered face, felt do btf l

sh e in h r whether had obta ed e end . She wanted A LUSTRUM . 1 1 3

i un t her object onable nephew to be comfor able, and had pictured to herself a sordid e stablish

’

i . S adb r o o ke s ment l ke Mrs .

i wi is Stephen h mself, not kno ng prec ely what

u ink o f his i ul he o ght to th dest ny, cons ted Mr .

n Page . That gentleman gave himkind e c o u r a emen g t .

o f i i I have heard th s Mr . Hooper, he sa d .

uml Indeed L ey the bookseller, whom I deal

’ i b o his u l w th, has a y at school . Yo l be very

. u dif ul u comfortable there Yo r g reat fic ty, yo ng

ou ill i i u i as y are , w be to ma nta n a thor ty ; and that diffi culty you can only conqu er by exp e

o u ill f ence . And as y w have plenty o f time and o

sur e that ou u i books be y st dy ; work at Lat n , and

i u u Greek, and Mathemat cs try to ed cate yo r

: - u i is if ul b ut it is self self ed cat on d fic t, the best

” o f u i sort ed cat on .

So when Au gus t came Stephen got u pon the box o f the Eastford coach at the ' Half- Moon

in i i i um Hotel excellent sp r ts . L ttle L ley, the

’ s o n d w i him bookseller s , went o n w th . Old

u u B rro ghs , the coachman, was a character ; he told the most incredible stories abou t the places

V L O . I . S E NNE E 1 14 W ET A PAG .

u hi i air e thro gh w ch they passed, w th an of grav tru thfulness he was a skilful birdcatcher ; and as

u i they drove thro gh m les of woodland, he kept up a perpetu al conversation with the feathered

in N0 u i dwellers the trees . man co ld w le a n ightingale so well as B u rrou ghs so he always had two or three of those deliciou s birds at his

u i ho se at Eastford, and a whole college ofcanar es

i i u i hard at work learn ng to mock the r m s c . The

in i u u trade these canar es , bo ght at abo t a

i i ui ui e sh ll ng each and sold at half a g nea , was q t

ff i o ld u u a profitable a a r for B rro ghs . Need I say that o n e of his best performers was very soon singing away for the benefit of sweet An ne Page

’ mi i o f his i tw o Mr . Hooper s fa ly cons sted w fe,

t w o i . boys , and g rls The boys were lazy good

i i u tempered l ttle rascals ; the elder g rl , abo t Ste

’ h e n s I dl e ch est er p own age , was at school at .

u i Stephen, who now fo nd h mself promoted to

. u his Mr Langton, was soon very m ch at home ; natu ral quickness of intellect cau sed his pu pils

e his u in i to forg t yo th ; and, hav g cons derable talen t for mathematics,wherein the worthy min

ANNE E 1 1 6 SWE ET PAG .

hi alw a s h is i i i s pretty c ld was y v s onary pr nces ,

i u i - cau sing himto wr te many p er le verses, some o f which found their way to the I dlechester

m n i Chr on ic le in his dev elo e t . , was, tardy p L ke

’ ii in u e Ph l p Hewson, Clo gh s po m, he took a long time t o u nderstand the . relation o f iman to w o

i u him ui man . M ss Mary Ann Hooper fo nd q te

o ul n o t e o u t a lod . He co d mak what she i i wanted . It was excess vely provok ng . There

fin e- in un i i in he was, a look g yo g fellow, l v ng t e u wi u n o t h same ho se th her, and she co ld make

i i o n ‘ him did o t b e the least mpress on . She n i ur c o n l eve he knew the colo of her eyes . She t r iv e d inn u merable opportun ities fo r flir t atio n

him in u i got to help her her st d es, to mend her

i i i — u pens, to l sten to her s ng ng all to no p rpose .

If Stephen had been a statu e he cou ld not have i i been less mpress ble .

u u i i At last a wonderf l Opport n ty arr ved . The

i n o t u v llage of Eastford had many am sements, ff i i i i so any that o ered were se zed w th av d ty .

It was ann ou nced by placards an d the sonorou s

— Mr i i u . tterance of the bellman that a V ll ers ,

i n o o f his n ul w th end letters after ame, wo d 1 1 7 A LUSTRUM .

’ i ni s i u i o f g ve, at the Mecha cs In t t te, a ser es lec

u o n i t res mesmer sm . Mr . Hooper went and all

his ishm u di i establ ent. The a ence were del ght

Mr il i u u if ed . . V l ers was marvello sly fl ent, and

’ dr h s ? he opped a good many , what matter He — brou ght with hima cou ple o f subjec ts a b ig

u i a o f u i man to do the end r ng p rt the b s ness , a i lli bi small boy to do the nte gent parts . The g

i u i him iff man had p ns st ck nto , and sn ed strong

li uor ammo nia his u q , and kept legs o tstretched

while two or thr ee heavy people s at u pon them

the small boy read with the bac k o f his head and

his u di i the soles of feet, and told yo ng la es the r

i i i i i o f Chr st an names, and descr bed the nter ors

’ u i i in people s ho ses . Then Mr . V ll ers went for i phrenology, and gravely advocated the mport

’ ance of ascertainin g what childr en s heads c o n

t ain e d u ti Ed before ed ca ng them . The Rev.

i u ward Hooper was del ghted, and bro ght the

u u lect rer home to s pper .

After su pper the man o f science be came most

r i his h o t in ag eeable, and fa rly earned g and

. i o n e o r o f water He mesmer sed two the boys, wh o had been allowed to sit up o n this great 1 1 SWEE NNE E 8 T A PAG .

’ i e i i occas on, and p rformed remarkable tr cks w th

s i them . He me mer sed Mary Ann Hooper, and that youn g lady made two o r three creditable

l i i e in attempts at c a rvoyance wh l the trance .

i i b u t him He tr ed to mesmer se Stephen , gave up with the remark that his was the mesme isi ul r ng temperament, and that he wo d make a

u did k good operator . And so fl ently he tal abou t the valu e o f phrenology as a guide to

u o f r i ed cators, and mesme sm as a remedy for di i i u sease , that the worthy m n ster bo ght a

u o u t man al , and a mapped head, and resolved

’ his i i to analyse boys ntellects , and to mesmer se

i o f his n i all the s ck people co gregat on .

S o mesmerism and phr enology became the

i hi u u i o f fash on ; and Stephen, mself ns scept ble

s i i u u n u the me mer c nfl ence, fo d that he co ld

m i b hi u mes er se almost any ody . The t ng p zzled him u it o u t o f a good deal . He co ld not get his head that all these people who went into

did ni i hi hi eu trances, and , asto sh ng t ngs w le

i i Bu t in . tranced, were real ty shamm ng why should su ch a nu mber of people join in the im posture ? An d some of them were highly r e

1 2 NNE E 0 SWEET A PAG .

ul uil i i it s e rectang ar b d ng of red br ck, and rath r — pictu resqu e grave- yards a capital prospect for a professed ghost- seer like Stephen ; b u t his de v elo pin g animalism had tended to lessen his

i wi n u h e connex on th the preter at ral world, and

n o t i T e had seen a ghost for a long t me . her i came a tap at the nner door of the schoolroom, i and M ss Hooper entered . ” ! t i i in Oh Mr . Lang on, she sa d, speak ng

’ i i ho e di u \ u u di b ut tal cs, I p I don t st rb yo r st es,

’ o t such a o u I ve g a bad he dache, and I want y to

i if o u c an ur it mesmer se me, and see y c e .

Stephen professed strong doubts as to his

ii b ut i ui ab l ty to operate, M ss Hooper was q te

u ul u s re that he wo d s cceed . So she placed her

in i v an d self a cha r, and he stood o er her ma

ul a n ip t e d. Always provided that a man is not weak in t e in i in nic e i h back or the eyes, mesmer s g a g rl

u n din o e is r ath er a pleasant am sement . Be g v r

hOldin d in u ou a e in her, g her han s yo rs , y g z to

an d f a n her eyes , her r grant breath asce ds to

ou e n was e in “ the wards y . St phe rather w ak

n s his ui t b ut his e e back, tha k to q ck grow h ; y s A LUSTRUM . 1 21 w i u his i ere all r ght, whence do btless mesmer c

u s o i s ccess . And , after he had looked nto Mary

’ Ann mi u o r Hooper s eyes for a n te two , those

i i u orbs filled w th tears , and the l ds grad ally

u d w as mes closed over them, and the yo ng la y meris ed .

i in i When Stephen saw her ly ng back her cha r,

i il it ur him sat sfactor y entranced, occ red to that

‘ ‘ he shoul d like very mu c h t o kn o w whether she

i o r i Ho w was really mesmer sed only shamm ng . shoul d he ascertain ? He began by puttin g h er

’ hr u in din il i t o gh her fac gs , accor g to Mr . V l er s

ul u o f i form a . He to ched her organ combat ve

sh e i his u ness, and tr ed to box ears of t ne ,

sh e o f i ni i sh e and sang ; ph loproge t veness , and

u i i o f i h gged an mag nary baby ; venerat on, and she dr opped u pon her knees and said her pray

o f i n ers amat ve ess, and I am sorry to say she

him c o matize d embraced . He her arm, and then i it did ’ p nched rather sharply, and she n t scream .

w s i u But She a the most doc le of s bjects . was she really in the mystical trance of Mesmer ?

his u T was what perplexed Stephen, and he co ld not hit u n in i i po any way oftest g her s ncer ty . He S EE NNE E 1 22 W T A PAG .

u in i n walked p and down the room, try g to nve t

i i i . u s a dec s ve exper ment At last, tho gh a ba h ful un u u m yo gster nat rally, he tho ght of so e thing which it seemed to himmu st su rely solve

him i t o the problem . It took some t me make

u his i do i . p m nd to so dar ng a deed However, rememberin g that it was all in the cau se of

i um in his i sc ence , and s mon g to s de that royal

i Hem: soit al mal en se— h e i i aphor sm, g yp pos t vely

’ took o ff o ne o f Miss Mary Ann s garters ! She

‘ did i u o f i not fl nch, and the tr th mesmer sm was i e stabl shed .

—u h It, shall I say o ght to ave been . Ste

i u c i u it phen, hav ng beg n to be s ept cal, fo nd diffi ul u his u u c t to conq er do bts . And he arg ed

u i i th s : M ss Hooper pretends to be mesmer sed .

is i sh e u i If she shamm ng, wo ld not l ke to be

i o f i o ff conv cted shamm ng . Now, when I took

if sh e her garter, had allowed her modesty to

in im u u term ate the post re, her character for tr th f ul u b . But n o w ness wo ld have een lost , when

' ' o r o f she wakes, pretends to wake , she may cour se wonder what has become of the article in

u io q est n .

EE E SW T ANNE PAG .

So o ff the you ng lady went and when Ste

‘ h n saw i ' ni e p e her n the eve ng, he m rely hoped that her headache was better . There was no

i i o u t o f him i fl rtat on to be got , ev dently, even

aid i with the potent of mesmer sm .

0 : e w u t u N Stephen, ven hen the l s r m had

i his tw ce passed over head, was a mere boy

i His i st ll . growth was slow, both phys cal and

du e i ' h e o f mental . In t me came age legally ; b ut of age individu ally he was not un til events

u u o u t his s ddenly bro ght latent powers, and

u his i aro sed dormant energ es . CHAPTER VI .

or AGE .

Y u i a garden fo nt wh ch we have seen before ,

o n u u i a t rfen mo nd beneath an acac a, are

An two whom we know . Sweet ne Page leaned idl i in y aga nst the tree, her broad straw hat her

u i u i u i o f hand, her bea t f l ha r to ched by the t nts sunlight that dropped thr ou gh the long light i leaves . Stephen looked down nto her calm

— ui brown eyes tranq l eyes, beneath eyebrows o f i a perfect arch, and a fa r smooth forehead and said

o u ? Do y love me, Anne

It was a grave qu estion to ask this charmin g child at the threshold o f her seventeenth year b ut u i h er ir did no bl sh t nged fa cheek, nor the

i as r e l ds drop over those tender eyes , she i pl ed, E NE E 1 26 SWE T AN PAG .

Y o u o u . know I love y , Stephen

his i Then he stooped, and pressed l ps to hers .

i u i He had never asked her th s q est on before, b u t i him , as she sa d, he knew she loved . And

l it i He her father a so knew , and was sat sfied .

i in i i had fa th Stephen Langton, as well as l k ng fo r him in b o . So , these halcyon days , the y

i i - th e and g rl enjoyed the r love dream . It was

o f u u honeymoon the heart Stephen was tr stf l, i ff and ne ably content . Anne was sweet, sweet,

u u i sweet . No coq etry abo t her, no teas ng ten

e i u i fo r den y, no des re to q arrel w th her lover

i ul u o f i it u a i the del ghtf pleas re mak ng p ga n .

No i i i u , Anne Page real zed the del c o s old word,

s weethear t. . She was all love , to the very core

o u w ? u i Yet, do y kno I do bt whether e ther

o r she Stephen had yet learnt what love meant .

As they strolled in the shade from o n e gar

un i den pleasa ce to another, they were jo ned by

Mr . Page .

i “ ou i Stephen , he sa d, I want y to dr ve

t o Kin sleat i over the g L brary, and ask Mr .

Lonsdale if he has a work whose name I have

r i . is b ut hi it w tten down It very rare , I t nk

2 SWEE NNE E 1 8 T A PAG .

u i i i u u i s ch a l the l ssom leap ng bea ty, s ch a per l o u s u i o f i i u i charm, s ch a mag c del c o s dar ng, of defiant tamelessness .

i in diflic ulties Dev l Branscombe was , nobody

’ n w id k ew exactly here, and he d n t mean that

ul e anybody sho d . The Seraph was at Bagn res

u i i de L chon , mak ng love to a pr ncess, or some

f n h n thing o the sort . He had a p e c a t for prin

u di i i cesses . So Cla a had nv ted herself to Idle

— sh e chester and here was . ” ou ui i i ! sh e i Oh, y q et l ttle darl ng excla med

nn u to A e Page, as that yo ng lady showed her

for “ the arrangements made her comfort . Why, yo u have grown quite a pretty girl And y o u — ’ ar e so delightfully you ng you ve all the fun to

No w ou u come . , y sly p ss , tell me, has anybody ” ventur ed to fall in love with y o u yet ?

It did n ot take Clau dia lo ng to find o ut her

’ u i - co s n s love secret .

i r efl e c tiv el Stephen Langton, she sa d y,

’

sh e i i . when had el c ted the name Why, that s the nice little boy I took a fancy t o when he

Kin sle at was at school somewhere near g . A

u - i - i i u e bl e eyed, l ght ha red l ttle fellow, who s d or AGE . 1 29

h o ld u in ? to see ghosts . Is e eno gh to fall love ” Dear me, why, he was a mere baby .

is s o u i He ever m ch older than I am , sa d

’ in di i Anne, rather gnant at her lover s be ng f i talked o as a ch ld .

? o ld u I Is he really Then how m st be,

i u Cou s n Anne ? Tell me that . Old eno gh to m u n i o n e . be yo r ma a early, l ttle And where ” is ? Mr. Stephen Langton now

’ ’ Kin sle at fo r u He s gon e to g papa . Yo ll s him e e at dinner .

“ An d s e e i ? Bu t does he ghosts st ll there , I

’ ” o u she i i i won t tease y , Anne, sa d, k ss ng her .

i in u u He only sees bab es yo r eyes, I s ppose, as ” o ld some poet says .

” h o u W at do y mean ? asked Anne .

’ Wh o u ? i y, don t y know Look nto my eyes ,

’ o u s e e i i dear . There , don t y a pretty l ttle g rl ” in each ?

s e e o wn r efl e xio n I my .

’ ’ Bu t u s e e Well, that s what I mean . yo ll it ’ a great deal better in Mr . Stephen Langton s bright blu e eyes than in those black ones o f ”

i ur . m ne . Be s e y o u try when he comes back

V L . K O . I 1 SWEE NNE E 30 T A PAG .

Kin sleat i i The g l brary, to wh ch Stephen was

i i i u i . i i gone , was an anc ent nst t t on Its L brar an,

a i u Mr . Lonsd le, rece ved two h ndred a year and

i — a u i i 1n de e d a res dence very q a nt res dence , the principal sitting- room being over an arch way which crossed the steep street o f the little

’ un i i i n town . By the fo der s w ll, the L brar a was of necessity a gradu ate o f Oxford and the ap

i in po ntment was vested three persons, the Rec

o f Kin sle at o f Kin sleat tor g , the Mayor g , and

o f Kin sle at the Head Master g Grammar School . i i ’ i After the L brar an s salary was pa d, all the

ur u u ur o o f s pl s f nds went to the p chase of b oks, i i i i i wh ch the cho ce lay w th the L brar an alone , the statu tes directing him to make a complete

i o f is i u collect on the best Engl h l terat re . The i o n e b ut l brary was a remarkably good , very little u sed ; only a few o f th e more thou ghtful inhabitants of Kin g sle at ever sat in its quiet

i i o n rooms , whose w de w ndows opened a plea sant garden . Not long before there had been

ur u t f hi an attempt to t n Mr . Lonsdale o o s

i u i i i s t at on as L brar an, and made by no less a f i personage than the Duke o Axmin ster . K ngs

1 32 SWEE NNE E T A PAG .

Kin sle at i u u ff g , wh ch the D ke m ch a ected . And a u hi ha nch, than w ch

Fin er or fatter

N ever r an ed in a or est or smo e on a a er g f , k d pl tt ,

’ came not seldom fr om th e Duke s deer- park t o

o the Rectory . S the Reverend Walter w as n o t slow to choose between the great potentate and

’ i i u his the L brar an, and ass red grac e s agent of his i i uni o w ll ngness to p sh Mr . L nsdale for ventu rin g t o have political opinions contrary to

o f u those the D ke . wi Mr . Drax had kno ngly left the hardest part i i i i of the negot at on t ll the last . Dr . W nter

” i his u i ll him the severe W nter, as p p ls ca ed w as wh o i hi a man chose to th nk for mself. He

’

. n i r o f was a St Joh s College man, th rd w angler his i e o f year, and a most elegant wr t r Greek i i d his u i i u amb cs . Un er resol te and br ll ant r le

Kin g sle at Grammar School had beaten in u n i versity honours the larger establishment in the i i cathedral c ty . He was a determ ned opponent of the modern sloppy system which teaches a little o f everything ; he held by his classics and mathematics with an obstinacy which lacerated or AGE . 1 33

o f u i the hearts the tr stees, who were terr bly

i o f him afra d . When he preached before the

“ u i i i r ul n vers ty he chose as a top c, the I reg ar

” in h u i Element the C rch, and horr fied the ortho dc x by maintaining that the Apostle Paul w as

o f dis s i the first the senter . He had wr tten a book whose theologic teachin g w as popularly believed to be abominably heretical ; b u t lu ckily it in i i s o u i was class cal Lat n , and the er d te

ll r r editors o f the R ecor d and i or n ing Adve tise

u i i is it u i co ld not cr t c e . He had p bl shed a

u in il i o n e pamphlet, s bject g to merc ess analys s

’ o f Bishop Bythes e a s charges ; and had pro

’ du c e d a dr eadful Greek epigram o n the Dean s

i His i u u marr age . keen log c, dry h mo r, and soun d scholarship made himmore than a match for any opponent he was likely to encoun ter in

i I l h este r the narrow arena o f the d ocese o f d e c .

bi - i The great lawyer was tall, g headed, wh te

i ul a wa stcoated, corp ent . The doctor was

i - i u i m ddle s zed man, nervo s and act ve, always in i i i r i o f cap tal cond t on, f om be ng a lover long

- walks . Mr. Drax called at the grammar school

u in j st as the morn g walk was over. In came ANNE E 1 34 S WEET PAG .

i in W nter cap and gown, the former battered,

o f it s i the latter a mere fragment ntegral form .

u i u The solicitor opened the case very ca t o sly . ” i n Pardon me, Mr . Drax, sa d the doctor, whe

u fe w e b u t hi is he had ttered a s ntences, t s a s i us u i er o matter If I nderstand ar ght, the

Duke of Axminster has some complaint to make

’ i u i i . aga nst Mr . Lonsdale s cond ct as L brar an

Any su ch complaint mu st come to me directly

u i i from the D ke h mself. I cannot l sten to law ” yer s o r agents in su ch a matter .

Mr fDr ax fl u was baf ed, and the D ke was ex

ml u tr e e Bu t did i it . y angry . he not g ve p There happened a few weeks later to be some

i i i I dle ch es t er u eccles ast c fest val at . The D ke

n his u u atte ded, contrary to c stom , and m ch to

li i his i the de ght of the B shop , sole object be ng

u im to meet the doctor . He tho ght that the mense honou r of being cour teou sly addressed

i hi u by so great a pr nce as mself, wo ld completely

' sub u at e this j g schoolmaster . There was a cold i collat on at the Palace . As the great man sat, with ru bicu nd expressionless face and glassy uni i nterested eyes, at the r ght hand of the

1 36 SWEE NNE E T A PAG .

Y ou and sweetness . might almost have thou ght the you nger lady in love with the

i - Wi i m ddle aged s choolmaster . Dr . nter l ked

u him e claret, and the D ke gave a bottle whos

’ u u i i o f An ac r e o n s bo q et was l ke a lyr c . The

his in u u doctor enjoyed w e, and was m ch am sed, fo r n w i he k e well what was com ng .

m u u o f i It ca e . Of co rse , the D ke Axm nster,

i i i u in a cab net m n ster , acc stomed to perorate

i in u o f u t stately per ods the Ho se Lords, p the

u i i u i ii Bu t Win q est on w th lofty pla s b l ty . Dr .

w as t o o fo r him u him ter keen . He soon bro ght i ’ i to adm t that Mr . Lonsdale s sole cr me was

’ i i u in vot ng aga nst the D ke s nom ee .

n o t his u If Mr . Lonsdale had done d ty,

i r in i sa d the docto , I hope that I , common w th

u u di it the other tr stees , sho ld have scovered

’ u i i But withou t yo r Grace s k nd nterference . I really think it wou ld be hard to find so able and ” i i u i i c onsc ent o s a L brar an .

uk il u . Win So the D e was fo ed tterly As Dr .

i his he i ter was tak ng leave sa d,

“ u u Yo r Grace was at Eton nder Keate, I t hink ? ” or AGE . 1 37

uk i f r i i i i The D e repl ed a fi mat vely, l ttle th nk ng that he was furnishing material for a biting epi

hi u i him gram, w ch sho ld descr be as too great a

’ ul u i i i u b ly for even Keate s nt r ng b rch to c re .

u his i did S ch was fate, however ; and W nter not conceal the cajoleries to which he had been subjected in order to indu ce him to persecu te

f ir did o f Mr . Lonsdale and the a fa a good deal

u i u i harm to the d cal nfl ence . M ghty magnates like the Duke o f Axminster ou ght n o t to r un

i o f i u the r sk be ng la ghed at .

Kin sle at i i At the g L brary, wh ther he often

. u i went for Mr Page, Stephen had made acq a nt

i u his o w n Hum ance w th a yo th nearly age,

’ h r e Mo r fill i p y , a nephew of Dr . W nter s . The

i o f his o wn doctor, who had no ch ldren , had made a scholar and mathematician o f this young

’ i his un man, who was now at Cambr dge, at cle s

Mo r fill u o f am college . was born f ll talent and

i i u u his mi b t o , and had already made p nd to go i to the bar, and to enter Parl ament, and to

u hi i i u o f i occ py a gh pos t on . He was f ll fa th in

i o f di i in iur h mself, sbel ef fa l e . He and Stephen

u b ut took to one another, nat rally, Stephen 1 38 SWEE NNE E T A PAG . coul d n ot help envying those trained an d pr ac tise d faculties which enabled his friend to do exactly what he wanted to do . Lord Stanley on ce talked o f men who are described as having

o f u n it great command lang age, whe probably wou ld be more tru e t o say that langu age had a — great command o f them becau se they have abou t as mu ch command over it as a man has

un over a r away horse . Now there are men

( Lord Stanley is o n e) who have perfect com man d o f their o wn facu lties : while there ar e others whose faculties are sometimes t o o strong

u i for them, and who , p rpos ng to do a cer i i i i ta n th ng, are constra ned to do someth ng else,

hi hi . Ro w ch may perhaps be a better t ng . Mr b i bert Lytton, etter known as Owen Mered th, pu t this fairly in the line Geniu s does what ” mu u t it it st b can . , talent does what As, how i ever, he seems to have borrowed everyth ng he

i u l ever sa d, I s ppose the remark rea ly belongs

ll u Mo r fill to somebody else . We , H mphrey

his o wn u knew powers acc rately, and always did i what he attempted to do , wh le Stephen

i i ur in di Langton, mak ng va n endeavo s every

1 4 S E NE E 0 WE T AN PAG .

’ ? u parson s at Eastford asked H mphrey .

“ ’ : i fo r Yes there s noth ng else me to do . I

’ su ppose you ll write to me from Cambridge now and then ? ” — I believe you and send you all manner of

’ u i i n vers ty news, from St . John s College pro

’ l m a= u ad~ b e s . downwards By the way, here s q i i ratio my beloved u ncle gave me th s morn n g . ” o u i t i I know y l ke hose th ngs . And he handed to Stephen a scrap of paper

’ i in i u in whereon was wr tten, Dr . W nter s q a t M S . 2 ”4 2 — —é-— w 25 + t/ 36 fi ( w ) a:

’

u it s i . I s ppose only a catch, sa d Stephen

u i u u or u They are j st l ke con ndr ms reb ses, these i ” th ngs.

’ u b u t u i u z Tr e, they re am s ng, and rather p ” z lin g .

“ Fo r i i e n u u . g rls, sa d Steph n, co tempt o sly

’ s e e i in i I don t care to mathemat cs play g tr cks .

’ e u i t o How ver, I ll solve the eq at on, please ” o u y .

“ ’ ” ou o f i ou I bet y a tankard b tter, y don t, or AGE . 1 41

’ u l n o w la ghed Humphrey . And we l stop at

o u fo r in the Half Moon, and y shall pay the ale i i i ” ant c pat on .

u o f In the cool bar parlo r the old Half Moon, they were served with their amar i aligniel by i ’ mi Jack W nslow . Jack s real name was E ly ; and she w as the only dau ghter and spoilt child o f the rotund o ld landlord ; and sh e was a fine

fli i un i i i i b u t rt ng br ette, g ven to w ld sh tr cks ,

u o f in witho t a morsel harm her . Her father was the principal owner o f the mail coaches o n

u i the Eastford road, and She sed occas onally to dr i n i ve the first stage dow , and come back w th

u u di u the p coach, very m ch to the sg st of sober

’ i i But o ld i ul n and t m d passengers . W nslow co d t

u i be pers aded to nterfere .

“ ’ i u s a I ve g ven her her head, he sed to y,

’ and I ain t strong enou gh in the arm to pull

in her .

i u r o u Well, Jack, sa d H mph ey, how j olly y look ! it cools one to come in here and s e e y o u

” i ilin th s bro g weather .

’ u Mor fill she u . Yo re always cool eno gh, Mr , S E NE E WE T AN PAG .

’ ‘ an d ? o u Well, what s the news, Jack Have y u pset the coach yet

’ I m not quite su ch a duffer as y o u are to

” “ i i u ou dr ve, she sa d . Why, I tho ght y were

’ going t o let the Doctor s old pon y r u n away

i o u o u u w th y the other day . I hope y do yo r

Latin and Greek better than you handle the

’ ” i o r u u r bbons, yo ll be pl cked, safe as eggs .

’ ” u r it s n o i Come, H mph ey, good, sa d Ste “ i t o o u fo r o u . phen, Jack carr es many g ns y

is i i if ou What the news , M ss W nslow, y happen to know any ? ”

’ Fo r I dlec h e st er s hi i Jack was c ef goss p , and

i u f i i p cked p all the fragments o ntell gence .

’ i i ou The only th ng I know sn t news to y , I

’ Mi u di expect, Master Stephen . ss Cla a s come

’ n saw to tow , and gone to Mr . Page s . I her ” in the come by coach .

‘ ” i ? u How was she look ng asked H mphrey . Very old ? ”

! i did. Old No , prett er than ever she I — never saw su ch eyes or su ch hair or su ch a

f o u u fo r . is u i fig re, that matter She a bea ty, y i ” l ke .

1 44 WEE NNE E S T A PAG .

un So the yo g men departed, and Stephen, de positing his friend at the door o f the b o o ksel

’ ’ in i e ler s H gh Stre t, went on to Mr. Page s . It

i i u di was approach ng the d nner ho r . The la es

u i in were lo ng ng the garden , where an occa sio n al breeze freshened the drowsy su ltr y at mo s h er e i his p . Stephen del vered message to

in o f Mr . Page, and went search them .

He foun d t hem in the very nook where he an d his sweetheart had talked of love that

i . u i i n th e morn ng Cla d a, lean ng back agai st a i u in i o f cac a , ca ght the plac d darkness her eyes

u u a light from the nclo ded heaven . Sweet Anne

w as i if in a u Page gaz ng at her, as m rvel at s ch s u i u i rpass ng bea ty . So s lent were they, that

wh o m Stephen, came towards the across the

u n o t u l o f t rf, heard a so nd save the p ash the

un in an d c o o o f i fo ta , the low a brown r ngdove

i u on an acac a bo gh .

u di him u it Cla a greeted pleasantly, tho gh was hard for her to recognize in this tall you th the i sh e l ttle boy whom had petted years before, and for whom her night- dress had been a world

t l u id i too long . Both remembered he c ent d s or AGE. 145 tin ctly enou gh : to Stephen indeed that snatch o f holiday came like an oasis in the desert o f

o un i l ng happy schooldays After a wh le, the conversation grew fr eer and more flu ent ; and

Clau dia be gan to talk in that sparkling style which only women who have seen society can

w as zi u o f command . It ama ng to Stephen, j st an age to cour t that diflic ult learning which is called knowledge of the world : whil e to the in nocent babyhood o f sweet Anne Page it was all

u t u i i i very wonderful b very n ntell g ble .

u o f i To a yo th the poet c temperament, who has once o r twice plunged in the ocean o f

u b u t i i o n tho ght, who stands sh ver ng the verge o f o f i is n o d in the ocean l fe, there evelop g power

i o f u i u illi l ke that a bea t f l and br ant woman ,

’ i in older than h mself, learned the world s ways .

i - i u hi o n e ‘ l The br ght w nged b tterfly, w ch we l might deem a mere caprice of beau ty amid su m

’ it s u 11 1 mer s pageant; has ses the world, and bears fertility to man an un n otice d flower which y s

i ui otherw se would never grow to fr t . Even

u i o f u di ili so , the b tterfly fanc es Cla a fert zed the restless imagin ation o f Stephen Langton . He

V L . O I . E E 146 SWEET ANN PAG . learnt from her something of the brilliant life o f

i i He the su preme society n a g reat cap tal . heard from her piqu ant lips sketches of me n

n o s e and women of re own, men and w men who

I h r fame w as u nknown in stagnant dl e c e st e .

he w i th e S knew the great poet, had chatted th

a i te d i m u s great st tesman, had fl r w th the fa o

’ i s h in i s ph lo op er, had been the dar g heres arch

in his partner the Lancers . To Stephen all t

an o ur it was apocalypse . To sweet Anne Page

‘ w as an enigma as uns olvable as the epitaph

n ZEl a i r is is o ia L el a C p .

An d just at this time it happened that An ne

i t o u fo r Mr had scanty t me try and nderstand, .

i — h s Page had another vis tor i mother . The old

i in lady res ded the North, and was averse from

b u t sh e u se e travel, had taken a s dden fancy to

i ri I dle c h e st er i her grandch ld, and ar ved at w th in a o f u i very few days Cla d a Branscombe .

’ ' Anne s grandmamma monopolized her whence it happen ed that Mis s Branscombe and Stephen

u were thrown very m ch together . Both enjoy

it u di i i u it ed . Cla a l ked the nnocent, nspo l

’ freshn ess of the boy s poetic min d ; while Ste

1 4 S ANNE PAGE 8 WEET . for the per ilous fi uit of the tree of kn owle dg e ' o f i good and ev l .

I am afr aid he almost forgot sweet Ann e — Page pretty little plump inn ocent ignorant

An in u i u ff i ne, d t f l and a ect onate attendance on i u i her dot ng old grandmamma . He and Cla d a

‘ r i b ad lo n his we e nseparable . It g been wont to

’ n l s his w u i spe d a mo t hole day at Mr . Page s d r ng the vacation S o he u sed to come across to

f an d f i break ast, a ter breakfast to stroll w th

Clau dia in the beau tiful gardens or beneath the

’ gre at cathedral s ic y shadow ; and after lun ch

’ r in t o dr ive he on some pleasan t road Mr . Page s

uie diff hi t q t phaeton, very erent ve cle from hat fast tandem- cart to which h e had clu ng in his b o yh o o d ; an d after din ner again to loiter wi he r h u dim n a th t ro gh the g arde lleys, odor o u us and cool . Of co rse there were days when

‘ is i i us mo n o t c i u u th del c o my was nterr pte d. Cla dia din e an d e nin i had to go to n rs ev g part es, an d e u i i B to k ep up her acq a ntance w th Mrs . y thes e a and e i ri b ut en oth r fa r f ends ; Steph had, o n le a us uil i dur the who , very joyo tranq t me in t s ul r s umm d an d its su g ho e s t y er ays, re lt or AGE . 149

ul i upon himwas wonderf . Morally and ntel le c tu ally he came of aye. Years after the remembrance of that halcyon i him it in t me was dear to , and he celebrated

u i u sonoro s Spenser an stanzas, whereof I q ote the last only

oul ar r est sw t me u on his fl C d I if Ti p ig ht, An d fr omhis seat dr ag down the Char ioteer

Never et wear is same o en l y y, th g ld ight

ou a wa s r oo on woo an wo an d mer e Sh ld l y b d dl d, ld Always this per fect climax of th e year Should fill po etic br east s with endl ess mirth

Always th e white sky shoul d b e tempest. c lear

And ik e a sea on w c n o s o r ms ave r t , l hi h t h bi h ,

ummer s ou alwa s s ee u on th s r f a S h ld y l p p e ho es o e rth .

u I dlech est r o f ini Now, altho gh all e was Op on

a th t Stephen Langton was a mere boy, and a

’ il i i i b o it ul n o t very s ly ns gn ficant y, co d pass by withou t remarking his intimacy with Miss

u di in i o n e Branscombe . Cla a herself, hav g d ned

i in day at the palace, when the b shop was Lon do n di u i i atten ng the Ho se, rece ved a sl ght lec

’

u Mr s B th e s e a o n u . i t re from . y the s bject B shops wives o f necessity grow grave and decorou s mor e rapidly than other women ; and I verily NE E 1 50 SWEET AN PAG .

’ i i u i i u bel eve, w th all Cla d a s dar ng, she wo ld not now have ventured to throw her friend

’ i But o u po n a bed and t ckle her . she wasn t g

in ur i . g to stand lect ng, at any rate ” Cis 1 in flir ta Look here, , she sa d reply,

i i to tion s my profess on . When I c ome down this d ull place I j u st flir t with a good- looking

’ in it u him boy to keep my hand ; doesn t h rt , it I i and pleases me . What do , who have l ved in fo r London, care the empty scandal of a wretched little cou ntry place like I dl e ch est er

Bu t really, my dear

Bu t i u u di really, my dear, nterr pted Cla a

i i u u o u n w th mpet o s mockery, y have grow

’ ui u in old Y o u i into q te a lect r g woman . a n t

u flm o u 1 half s ch as y were ten years ago .

’ us i Cis if o u shall do j t as I l ke, , and y don t

’ e u i ou if o u both r I won t q arrel w th y ; and y do , I declare I ’ ll make love to the Bishop when he

’ o u ul i comes back, and y know he co dn t res st

’ u ur o u t i me, and yo d cry yo eyes w th jea

” us lo y .

B thes ea nl Mrs . y was the o y person who dared

' sa a u ia b u t hafl e y word to Cla d , Stephen got c d

1 52 S EE NNE E W T A PAG .

Y ’ o u s e . look avag , Stephen What s the matter ? ”

’ ! t — u Oh I don know people are s ch fools .

That absu rd aun t of mine has j u st been abu sing

u di - i — u b e Cla a M ss Branscombe, I mean j st

’ cau se she doesn t find my company very stu id ” p .

i Mo r fill h ou Well, sa d , from all I ear y

’ an d hi u she are pretty t ck . I don t s ppose

’ you ll fall in love with a woman old enou gh to

’ b e— I o u b u t u u t won t say y r mother, yo r a n thou gh she is deu cedly pretty ; still when two ’ i people are inseparab le there s sure to be goss p .

An d if o u u di , I may ask, do y call her Cla a when

’ ” you re talking to her ?

” i ai wi I bel eve I do , s d Stephen th some

i i Bu t r u hes tat on . the e are s ch a lot of conso ” n in is B ants M s ran scombe .

“ ’ ’ ! . Egad that s good Come, let s have a drop i ’ ’ of seltzer and brandy at W nslow s . It s atro

i u l ir c o s y th sty weather. I don’ t think Stephen had been at the Half

i n hi u i Moon s nce the day o w ch Cla dia arr ved . Jack Winslow received him with a very low or AGE . 1 53

u i d him c rtsey ndee , and asked when the mar

o r iag e was to come ff.

o u u hr s i There, y see, H mp ey, he a d, v a el g y.

’ u l i diflic ul Take care, Jack, or yo l get nto

’ ties with this young gentleman ; h e s fierce this

in morn g .

“ ’ b u t i if Well, , sa d she, I m not to blame people talk when they see a fine c ou ple prepar ” in u i t o u k . g for the parson . I m st l s en, y now

J s i Mo r fill Go and get the seltzer, ac a d ,

’ ’ i i Win or there ll be m sch ef done . Oh here s

dl u o f u slow . I say, lan ord, that da ghter yo rs

’ is getting sau cy ; y ou don t keep th e whip hand ” of her. — The Hebe of the Half Mo o n r e e ntered with

ic a the y nect r .

“ ’ a r S o u I don t me n any ha m, Mr . tephen, y kn i sh e - u dl ow, sa d , good nat re y .

’ ! e s kn h b ut i o f u Oh y , I ow t at ; I m t red s ch

’ ” o f it i ai u There s plenty go ng, s d H mphrey ;

ou o n why, Jack, I heard that y were sweet i ’ ” dr u i i . l ttle Tranter, the gg s t s apprent ce 1 54 WEE NNE E S T A PAG .

i his ri As Stephen, hav ng parted from f end i strolled homeward alone , he b tterly reflected on th e immense mas s of vul garity and stu pidity

in . i i t u the world Sens t ve and dreamy na res, e i i ar e i as ly exc ted, eas ly depressed . In Mr.

’ ’ i i u i lo w Page s Elys an gardens , w th Cla d a s

’ i in his fix vo ce ears , or Anne s brown eyes ed u his i i pon own, Stephen exper enced del ght

’ effable ; b u t the empty folly of this afternoon s

i i u him goss p proport onately tort red . He loved i hi — i Anne Page, he sa d to mself yes , certa nly h e loved An ne Page ; and he was charmed by the wisdom and wit of Clau dia Branscombe ; b ut what w as either the one or the other to his

u i u i u i im u st p d co s ns, to A nt Harr et, to that p dent Jack Winslow ?

An d u it u e n d ? then he tho ght, how soon m st

in To go back a week or t e n days to Mr.

’ s s d his u s Hooper , at Ea tfor , and old monotono

’ i hi u di s timu gr nd . Was he to do t s, after Cla a s lant convers e ? Was he to tu rn away from the

o f d hi she great movement the worl , of w ch had

i n him i i li s es su si i g ve br ll ant g mp , and b de nto

t eachin g a little o bs cur e diss enting sc hool ?

SWEE NNE E 1 56 T A PAG .

i un l u B m sfort es, was whol y ndreamt of. ut the n ext morning brou ght the news

Mr . Page was dead . CHAPTER VII .

’ E W MR . PAG S ILL .

L GERNON PAGE die d o f disease of the i heart , a malady for whose fatal end ng he had long been prepare d His loss w as felt at

I ec h es t er i un dl . Of mmense advantage to co try

is i n e of me n o f ul u towns the res de c c t re , who stand aside from the main grooves o f ambitiou s i i i l fe, and steadfastly and s lently follow the r

u i ur ui i ithi r e favo r te p s ts . T me was , w n the memb r an c e o f many o f u s that certain cities — n otably York and Bath had certain famou s

n i u names con ected w th them . As a conseq ence, su ch cities had a society devoid of that p r ovin c ialism i e u wh ch Mr . Math w Arnold deno nces ; and those whom necessity compelled to r e Side

e there, were greatly benefited by the refin d and

i u class cal atmosphere of the u pper social strat m . 1 SWEE AN NE E 58 T PAG .

But n ow i i c an , scarcely a great wr ter or art st

is o r be named who not a Londoner, a dweller

u s o ao in a home co nty, that London may be cessible to him; whence the society in coun try towns sin ks t o the level o f those residents whom

i i u occupat on keeps there . Even Ed nb rgh feels

i i i r the central z ng power, the centr petal fo ce an Me ssr s Blackw o o d ui d . have settled q etly down i next door to Messrs . Longman , and the ch ef

i i i fi om E din bur h R eview ' Scott sh per od cals, the g to

’ m r J r n u i in ha b s s ou al . C e , are p bl shed London

’ hi in e In t s way, Mr . Page s loss was felt Idl

i un i chester . Of good b rth and easy fort e, w th

' i i i his i r ve h gh sc ent fic rank, soc al rese had not prevented him from exercising mu ch quiet in

’ fl u en c e in his o wn i i e . Great men spec al l n

his u i i His i were freq ent v s tors . ncomparable i gardens attracted others , who knew noth ng of

i i b u t u i sc ent fic botany, co ld apprec ate floral

u i u in bea ty . Perfectly ndependent, above d cal sult o r episcopal patronage o r decano- capital i i u e ntr g e, he set a rare and profitable exampl o f an u nostentatiou s yet liberal an d tho u ghtful

E E 1 60 SWE T ANNE PAG .

sand poun ds each wen t to the three tru stees ;

and if Anne died unmarried before the age of

- - hi o f twenty one, two t rds the property went to

o f ui Ralph Branscombe, Branscombe, esq re, and the remainder to the Reverend Walter Bran s

u i combe . The whole amo nt d sposed of by the

i u u u w ll was abo t fo r tho sand a year .

I su ppose Stephen Langton was more sur

i at his un pr sed than anybody else good fort e .

He knew that his benefactor was willing to

i himhis u b ut did g ve da ghter, he not know that in his thou ghtful kindness he woul d also give him i i ndependence . It was the very g ft he n him i o f s o r eeded . It saved from the necess ty did i him wi to l, and strengthened to act th

u u ui i is co rage when co rage was req s te . It very

i u b u t contempt ble, do btless, poverty too often

i l u s makes soc a cowards of the best of . Stephen c oul d now isolate himself from the we ary vu l

ar ities his i g of relat ons . There are always qu aint corners of a Cathedral town where the

u i u u i peacef l and pct resq e m ngle . Stephen fou nd old- fangled apartments in a dark po lyg o nal o ld h o u se in a qu eer trapezium c alled Little ’ W 1 1 PAGE s . 6 MR . ILL

u his in College Green . There he took p abode

ui o f h all o n u . a s te t ree rooms , the gro nd floor

r o n w as The f ont room looked the green, and long and narrow ; the two back rooms occu pied

in as fi ' o n t the same space , length, the , and gave o n a garden su ch as o n e sees in e c clesi

astic al w . to ns , and nowhere else A garden where the scandent plants have stems as thick

’ iv is o f v e as a man s leg, and the y a monster g etatio n ; and there are two o r thr ee apple i i trees, mossy, gnarled, decrep t, bear ng few

ui b ut o f u u i fr t, s ch q al ty as Covent Garden

di it s i never knows, notwithstan ng monast c

i fi sh name . Stephen had bes des a dark deep

i o r u in it pond, w th two three enormo s carp

him u u that came to for bread cr mbs . He sed o n e o f these back rooms as a bed- room ; the

i nl u - other, access ble o y thro gh the bed room , w as his his i Fo r devoted to books and c gars . these bachelor qu arters he paid half a gu inea a week : which was thou ght rather a high price in I dl e ch est er in i , those days before ra lways .

He could not at this time s e e mu ch o f Anne

u i Page, who had nat rally fallen nto the hands

VOL M . I . 1 2 E E E 6 SWE T ANN PAG .

o f i u i i if her relat ons, Cla d a, and W n red, and i i ’ i W n fred s father . So he wrote a l ttle, and

u i i u o f dis st d ed a l ttle, and dreamt m ch that tant wondr ou s world whose existence Clau dia him Branscombe had revealed to .

i c ommunic a Meanwh le Mr . Drax had made a i c t on to the Rev . Walter Brans ombe, and that excellent clergyman desired to pass it on to his

But h o w ? u di i brother . Cla a had no dea i did where her father was . Dev l Branscombe

i i ul not bel eve that g rls co d keep secrets , so he

his o w n i b u t kept . Raphael m ght know ; where was Raphael ? But her father had told her

if sh e u ni i him that, wanted to comm cate w th

hi i sh e on anyt ng mportant , was to send to the

Times this advertisement

” Good mo r n in P a a ! g, p It was some time before she recollected this di rection ; when she thou ght o f it sh e did it at

o r tw o . u once , and a day bro ght her a letter i him from her father, tell ng her to address , L .

”

. f u sh e M N Post O fice , G ernsey . So wrote, enclosing a note from her u ncle ; and the c o n sequ ence was that the brothers arranged a

NNE E 1 64 SWEET A PAG .

— Langt on is engaged to his dau ghter a — mere baby onl y sixteen ; we c an do anything w i th her .

Wh at do y o u propose to do i L sten a moment . Drax Here the

Rector dropped his voice in volu ntarily

Drax has told me the contents o f that sealed

i i in i cod c l . It leaves the whole property th s way : If Langton and the little girl are mar f i o f it is o n o . r ed, half settled each them The same thing is to take place if sh e declines to

him Bu t if i marry . , he decl nes to marry her, ” she gets the whole property .

i i i o u i ? Is the cod c l val d, do y th nk

if n o t it is u s u it Well, , no good for to pset , as o f cou rse the child wou ld then g e t everything ” un di i l con t ona ly .

“ ’ s e e i i I don t anyth ng to be done, sa d Ralph i i . Branscombe, med tat vely “ ” i I do , sa d the Rector . That boy showed

o f i i u i symptoms be ng taken w th Cla d a . What

” if sh e were to marry him?

Wh at good wou ld that be ? It would leave i i i the l ttle g rl ndependent . ’ mi E W . 1 65 . PAG S ILL

But su ppo se Raphael were to marry her ? I shoul d thin k he woul d have no diffic ulty

’ By Jove ! I shoul dn t have thou ght of that ? ” m We hat o u me arrange ent . l do y want to do

' W i to u ia t e stil s ee r te Cla d ; or, be t r l , her,

n has and tell her t o marry youn g La g ton. She

” f s i him a fan c v . a c nated alre dy, I

’ M au i t o o u u y Cl d a s good for the yo ng lo t,

“ i i r an s e Bu t it ms sa d Dev l B comb . see a fine

i i u s e e ain it comb nat on. I o ght to her to expl — — ’ to l o u a it t o me her . I te l y what le ve I ll

” I dl e ch e t e r come to s .

” I s it s ? as o afe ked the Rec t r.

’ ’ h fun it it w as u No t at s the of . If , I wo ldn t

’ ”

. ffai come I ll manage the a r .

a s an is as n t A few d y later th th , old La g on

n in u s o f i w as in the ta ner, the d k even ng, look g

un d a al ro d the tanyar , he bec me aware of a t l

si f a man on the other de o the brook. R ther to

tr a an d i u him sai shallow s e m, com ng p to , d,

l an n o u Wel , L g to , how are y E E 1 66 SWE T ANNE PAG .

’ A m o ld i i i y , y fr end, here I am, sa d Dev l

i o u Branscombe . And now, w ll y do me a

u ? ui i u u good t rn Get me q etly nto yo r ho se ,

u o f i i and let me sleep there a co ple n ghts , w th

’ ” o u t i i o u ? a word sa d to anybody . W ll y I shall have to tell one o f the woman folk

’ ui —m u i u Sq re y da ghter Harr et . She s so c rsed

’ ’ u fi n d it o u t b u t sharp , she d be s re to she won t

’ i - i spl t . And there s the spare bed room look ng o u t on the street you might be there a twelve

an d b i month no ody know . None of the ma ds i ” go there ; only Harr et .

“ ’ il i i . That w l do cap tally, sa d Ralph I ll

u dau ht ei u i . tr st any g of yo rs , my old fr end ” But how shall I get in ?

“ ’ That s j u st what I mu st get Harriet to man i age, sa d the tanner .

r i m it e And Har et anaged xtremely well . ” i The best bedroom, an mmense chamber on

u in i the first floor, occ py g half the w dth of the

u n i in ho se , had not been te anted w th the me

e i Bu t u i mory of this gen rat on . to have sed t fo r any other pu rpose wou ld have been sacri

’ i un i lege . It was the pr de of A t Harr et s heart .

E 1 68 SWEE T ANNE PAG . v e r en d W his i u u i i alter and p o s da ghter, W n

u b - - b fred, enter the ho se ; and y and y he saw i i i i i the Rector go away aga n, W n fred rema n ng .

u i o u t u i u He saw Cla d a come for a stroll , bea t f l

in ir i i as ever her sable att e , and l ttle dream ng

’ that her father s eyes were u pon her . He saw

o f i i i scores faces that he knew, and cr t c sed the

i u changes t me had bro ght them . And, so

u his i i i i am sed was he at wh ms cal pos t on, that he wrote a long letter to Raphael ( who was at

u i i i . f Ven ce) descr b ng all that he saw, and lly

’ l u xp ain in g the Rector s s btle schemes .

i a Not till the second day did he dec de to ct .

Then he requ ested Au nt Harriet to communi cate cau tiou sly to Miss Branscombe that she wanted to speak to her .

“ ’ s a u i Don t y a word to her abo t me . Br ng

’ u i her p here at once . Won t she be aston shed !

’ But if fo r she screams, by the Lord Harry, I ll

i u fe t a ten po nd note .

Miss Harriet Langton acted o n her instru o

i u i id u i t ons, and Cla d a, cons erably s rpr sed, walk

wn i ed across the street, and was sho nto the — parlou r a room little altered since we first ’ W E S . 1 MR . PAG ILL 69

it i - knew , except that there was no br ght eyed

i o n e i u o ld boy dream ng at w ndow, no orac lar i i lady kn tt ng at the other . Old Mrs . Langton

in u i u di was dead . Be g asked to walk p sta rs , Cla a coul d sc arcely do less than comply ; and sh e certainly was rather amazed to find her father comfortably sittin g in one of those vast bed- room

- h i hi i o ur u easy c a rs w ch arr ded ancestors . A nt i Harr et left them alone .

L o ok u di i the doors , Cla a, sa d Ralph Brans

Y o u u i combe . look s rpr sed to see me . I came over from Gu ernsey o n purpose to have a talk ” ou to y .

“ ’ o u sh e i I m very glad to see y , papa, sa d,

i i him Y o u seat ng herself oppos te to . are

i un look ng commonly well . “ ’ dl ’ Yes , I don t wear ba y, and I ve been very

ui But u l o f u in q et lately . we m st ta k b s ess , child : I think yo u c an do a good thin g fo r u s ” all .

i “ b u t I am ready to try, she sa d ; I hope it ’ i i é é ’ i doesn t nvolve play ng cart , for that s a th ng ” ul I never co d do properly .

ou un I want y to marry that yo g Langton . 1 70 WEE NNE E S T A PAG .

” ’ What ! i “ she sa d, why, he s a mere boy, ” papa .

S o u i Bu t m ch the eas er to manage . come, what difference is there between yo u ? seven or

i is t r ifl e— e ght years , perhaps . It a mere and

’ ou y don t look above twenty, really .

Y u o . Bu t flatter, Mr Branscombe . what good

’ shou ld I do by marryin g him? He s only got five

” u h ndr ed a year .

’ n o t in i That s the po t . We have d scovered

’ th e u o f a e nat re that sealed p p r of Page s . If

i ur i u sin h ar e . Langton marr es yo l ttle co , t ey to have all the property ; and if she shou ld refuse him is b u t if lin , each to have half ; he dec es to ” have her, she gets the whole .

’ ” Well, I don t see .

if o u u Why, y get hold of yo ng Langton, i ” Raphael can marry the g rl . ’ — i . it s i i i e Oh, ndeed Well, a br ll ant dea Uncl

’ u i — if Walter s, I g ess . Let me th nk I marry

u h u Stephen, we shall have abo t seven ndred a i i ’ ’ u s u . year between , wh ch sn t m ch Then he s a : in him mere boy why, I remember sav g from hi bein g whipped when he was a c ld at school .

E NE E 1 72 SWE T AN PAG . quietly again ? Y o u mu st be dreadfully weary f hi i ” o t s h de and seek .

’ n i . We ll try. what can be do e , he repl ed ” in u I th k my wild oats o ght to be nearly sown .

u i him Cla d a left , and he watched her cross the

’ t o i u street Mr . Page s . He stood look ng tho ght

u ou t o f i i b f lly the w ndow for some t me, and y and- b y noticed a stou t seedy man pass slowly u th e i i si n ifi p pavement, g v ng what seemed a g

at i u u cant glance the oppos te ho se . He was j st

o f o n e i i i the sort man assoc ates w th wr ts , and i Devil Branscombe felt an u neasy sensat on . The man was followed at some distance by two other men ; one o f these looked like an Essex or Salis bu ry- street lawy er ; the other Ralph Branscombe

u knew too well . He was a shrewd and resol te officer who had been in pu rsuit of himfo r a year o r two . “ i hi By Jove, he sa d to mself, those beggars

Ho w u have traced me somehow. the de ce have

’ they managed it ? Lu ckily they don t seem to

’ ’ u u i g ess I m here . I m glad Cla d a was safe across

ul s e e before they co d her .

fo r his At that moment he started ; door, ’

E WI L . 1 73 MR . PAG S L

i lo oke d u di su d wh ch he had not after Cla a , was denl b u t r y opened, the person who ente ed was

nl o ld o y Langton . i h i u e . There are sharks abroad, Sq re, sa d

’ ’ u u i if f I ve j st seen La r e , the Sher f s o ficer, look

’ in g very knowingly at Page s hou se ; and tw o him other fellows followed , and they went away i together . I was stand ng at the gate, and s aw them . The others are London chaps , I

u g ess .

s aw I them , Langton, and know who they a ? ’ are . How shall I get way They ll watch all ” the coaches .

’ ’ i uir i I ve got an dea, Sq e . There s a n ght mail that passes the cross roads a way towards

u in in Eastford abo t two the morn g . It goes

’ i i u u r ght over the Downs to Sal sb ry . It s fo rteen

’ i u ll it in ur m les , abo t ; my mare do easy an ho

u i ou and a q arter . Shall I dr ve y over to night

in li . The very th g, he rep ed We can start

’ t u af er yo r people are in bed . It won t do to go

i - u from the H gh street, tho gh . ” c i u o f . N , sa d Langton, I tho ght that We E E 1 74 SWEET AN N PAG .

n in th e e c a have the trap down back lan , and ” walk across the tanyard .

“ But how will y o u get th e mare rou nd there ?

’ ” And who ll be in charge of her till we come ?

” ’ i u . Ah, repl ed the tanner, that s a p zzler

’ I t u i i s can t r st her w th everybody, and bes de , i ’ ” any g ddy boy won t do .

u u After a pa se, he res med .

i a e I th nk I see wh t to do . The mar and

in s u i trap are the Half Moon stable , l ck ly ; I left them there when I drove in with a commercial

’ it ui r the other day . I ll manage , Sq re , neve ” fear . Away went the loyal old tanner to the Half

in Moon, and called for ale . Jack W slow served him i i u , look ng as p q ant as ever .

” ’ i u n o t i Jack, he sa d, yo re t morsome , I

o u a o u t know . I want y to t ke my mare and

t o - i u s i trap n ght at a q arter pa t twelve, and dr ve w i do n to Lane End, and wa t for me and a

i Y ou u it u fr end . m st do all yo rself, and not

’ I t s s a o o r . y a w rd to anybody, before after

’ o f i u a matter l fe and death, almost Yo re not afraid ? ”

1 76 SWE ET ANNE PAGE the two men advanced along a path so strewn

i i n o u w th soft tan that the r footsteps gave so nd,

Langton became su ddenly aware o f a light

i fo r moving in front of them . He stood st ll a mo

i . ment . It was ev dently a lantern

“ I verily believe those villains are prowling

u ui h t abo t here , Sq re . W at can they be af er at ” this time o f night ?

Perhaps they want t o find some place to i ” hi h de and keep watch, w spered Ralph.

’ “ if it o ut Bu t I ll be hanged I can make .

ui ro w come along q etly, and be ready for a . We

’ i in o u r shall have to meet them , they re r ght way . The lantern which the approaching party carried carefully in front o f them served to ex pose them to Ralph and the tanner . There

u o u t were two men only, who t rned to be the

f u i lawyer and the London o ficer . La r e, the local

n o t i u in u man, was nterested eno gh the capt re

u n i i i to dertake m dn ght reconno ssances . They

i i i lo w carr ed the r l ght , and stooped as they

o u t did walked to make the path, and not no tice anyone approaching till the tanner collared ’ E W MR . PAG S ILL . 1 77

o f i his i one them w th strong r ght hand, and ex

i in cla m g,

Thieves by Jingo swung the unl u cky in t r u der irit o tan - it the nearest p . The lantern w as smashed ; the other man w as s o affrighted by his perplexing position that he went down on his in hands and knees, grop g for the path ; and

n i in him o u t Langton and Bra scombe , k ck g of

u hi the way, p shed forward down the ll, crossed the brook, and were soon at Lane End . “ o i ’ That p or dev l won t be drowned, I hope , i sa d Ralph .

’ n i Drow ed, no sa d Langton . He ll be

’ u i u uff in tanned, tho gh . There sn t m ch st that

’ it b ut u if l o u t i i p , I do bt he l get t ll the morn ng, u nl ess the other rascal has sense enou gh to help

’ i afi aid . I exp ect he ll be to move, sa d Ralph

’ I t s a deu ced awkward trap to be cau ght in .

You r men will probably fin d them bo th there in i the morn ng .

hi ur Y o u W ch t ned o u t to be the case . have

- i it . probably never fallen nto a tan p , reader I

u e ou it is n o t ni . w as have, and I ass r y ce It

VO L . I . N E 1 78 SWEET ANNE PAG .

o t in an d un the lawyer who g , there he was fo d

- - u six u his i in . at abo t half past , p to arm p ts tan

iiff u The ba l , more fort nate, had scrambled to the

i i o f i slop ng s de a bark stack, where he l ad slept, b u t he had not strength enou gh to get his c o m

i o ut had i i pan on , and so they to wa t t ll the men

t o i u came work. Everybody roared w th la ghter

’ at the professional ge ntleman s plight ; b ut th e o l a himit ul him su b d t nner told wo d do good, stitu tin g a healthier smell fo r the bad odou r

in lo w observable attorneys . He had a great mi i i i u nd, he sa d, to g ve them nto c stody for

i an d u i i . trespass ng, on s sp c on of theft

Ralph and his guide fou nd the trap standing

n o w i i at Lane End, the mare and then g v ng an

i o f — i impat ent stamp her fore foot . Jack W ns

u o u t it s o low j mped , and was not dark that

De vil Brans combe cou ld not recognize a petti coat . i h ’ By Jove, Langton, he sa d, why, w o s this

’ Y o u u S ui it s know her well eno gh, q re ; ” J i s ack W n low.

“ ” “ he i o u ar e u Eg ad, excla med, y a tr mp ,

1 WEET NNE E 80 S A PAG .

’ t o said They won t want see another, Ralph,

u i u u i la gh ng . What a thoro gh tr mp that l ttle

’ i i is ! i s b u t e W nslow g rl I gave her a k s , I d hav

’ given her a handful o f guineas if I d thou ght

’ ” S e h d take them .

’ u ff sai th e Yo d have mortally o ended her, d

’ i u s fe tanner . Send her some tr fle when yo re a

—a b it u i in k o r u of yo r ha r a loc et, some s ch

’ ” u an d s l i tr ck, he l be del ghted .

” w il ai B s — did I l, s d ran combe and he .

A night drive in fine weather is always plea .

an d is u i hil i o u sant , pec l arly ex arat ng when y have j u st su cceeded in elu ding some imminent evil—when y o u feel safe and free after long su s

n in pense . So Branscombe and La gton were high glee when they reached the cross roads .

’ The mare had gone like the wind ; it wasn t

- i o n e . half past , and the ma l came by at two

n u dl o f i in n They k ocked p the lan ord the l ttle ,

i u i and the k tchen fire was res sc tated, and some thing h o t and strong prepared Ralph Bran s f hi i i ! combe o r s r de over the great pla n . Oh

o u n i wi i u th se old co try nns, th the r genero s

i i me- i k tchens , the r strong ho brewed ale , the r ’

E W . 1 1 MR. PAG S ILL 8 great flitc h es always ready to be sliced and i i i bro led the r fresh eggs , the r wholesome, neat handed waitresses ! Steam has annihilated them ; and I am o n e of those who find no c o n solation in the gaudy c offee- rooms o f the Mag n ifi c e n t imi Hotel ( L ted).

But f i i there are the lamps o the Sal sbury ma l . E CHAPT R VIII .

’ THE AN THE woorNG P R S .

LAUDIA had un dert aken a task o f

diffi c ult —diffi c ult fo r S dif ul fo r y tephen, fic t h s f r s sh e r un - sti er el . Pe hap rathe der e mated

th e iffi u s o far S e w as o e n . d c lty, as teph n c nc r ed

He sh e u b o m was a boy, tho ght, and oys are seld tr ue t o their first love fancy ; and su rely sh e was far more b ewitching than that little Anne

But sh e o o o wn if ul f i Page . l ked her d fic ty a rly in the face ; sh e was old enou gh to kn ow her

e sh e r ui as o ld La n own n ed ; eq red, ngto had s i t o imse f t en e b fo man t o u a d h l y ars e re, a r le her ; sh e w as well aware that a mis erable life awaited her if sh e marr ie d a per son her inferior in o f wi in f e o f strength ll , orc character . She shoul d have her o wn way in su ch a case ; b u t

284 WEE NNE E S T A PAG .

ui - - i blamed . It was q te a boy and g rl engagement i between her and Stephen . What ch ld of six teen can be expected to know her o w n mind ?

And Stephen was away sh e never saw him; She

i him fo r o f dared not rece ve a letter from , fear

u i sh e i Hum her cou sin Cla d a . So l stened to

hr e i u i o n i p y, who sk lf lly carr ed the campa gn ,

’ i o f u i notwithstand ng the keenness Cla d a s eyes .

i u i But Clau d a was b sy w th her baronet .

In mid- Janu ary Hu mphrey left his little

i — u u w fe as he already styled her, nreb ked ,

’ and Miss Marsden and Mangnall s ! uestions r e u Sir u i t rned . And Arth r W llesden went to

w i o f i to n, leav ng the Panther plenty t me to look after Anne . And, when the year had advanced

i u u di o n e i a l ttle f rther, Cla a day rece ved a let

in sh e ter a hand had not seen for an age .

Thu s it ran

r r Cla g es St eet.

E - I u u D AR CLAUDIA, have j st ret rned to

i h o ld England, after a few days w t the gentle

has u is i u man, who got the go t, and del ghtf lly

’

. do in fierce I ve a deal to town, and I want a HE W E 2 ANOT R OO R . 8 5 long talk to yo u abou t the position of affairs ; s o

u us come p and let converse . Start at once ’ i that s a good g rl .

HAE RAP L .

Clau dia always obeyed her brother ; besides at this period sh e desired the diversion o f a trip

in i hi to London . So hav g rece ved t s letter at

u sh e n un the breakfast ho r, at once an o ced that

u sh e in Raphael had ret rned, and that was go g

him u to London to meet , and that , no do bt, he

ul i u wo d come back w th her . Her ncle and

us i i co n were del ghted at the news , and Anne

Page opened her ears .

Y o u il i ur u i w l l ke yo Co s n Raphael , Anne, i i u di . i sa d Cla a, condescend ngly He l kes pretty ” i ir l ttle g ls . Miss Page by no means admired Miss Bran

’ mb e s i s c o condescens on . The Panther was to start early the next morning ; that night sh e and Winifi e d had a

o f hi — talk, part w ch Anne Page overheard for i a ” hi l ttle pitchers have long e rs . T s was the part 1 6 SWEE NNE E 8 T A PAG .

it b e u hi il i n What , may asked, co ld t s br l a t crea

u i o f b o i un t re, a soc al expert, learn a y l ke yo g

t ? u Lang on M ch . A poet of the day has de sc i un wh o i i r bed a yo g lady , be ng chr stened

L ui i r e o sa, and be ng rather fast, has been “ ” i i i in chr stened Unl m ted Loo , rhymes

: these, so far as I can remember them

’ Loo s a voic e most delic ious to c ar ol ’ n n n Mr . Te yson s so g s t o the har p ; She c an man ag e a light double - bar r el ; She c an an gle for tr out or for car p

S o W se sh e a s a ou sc en c e ! i ly t lk b t i , ’ Y ou d think h er a r egular blue She sets every r ule at defi an c e

And w h r n mi L oo e style e U li ted .

“ She c an ul a s r o e- oar on the r ver p l t k i ,

L e a musc u ar er o Tom r own ik th t l h , B ’ She c an r e and at en c es on u ver id , f d t q i Wher e many a hunt er g o es down ; ’ e s uc b ut vas mor e easant Sh pl ky, tly pl Than most of th e n urs ery c r ew ;

She c an s oo r ess and c ar ve a c oc easan h t, d , k pl t, ” his ful nl mi e L oo T wil U i t d .

’ Now Clau dia had all Miss Loo s accomplish

ui u i i b u t ments, and was q te as nl m ted ; there was one thin g whereof Clau dia had a ladylike

’ i n n an d h i u n o g ora ce, t at was l terat re . I do t f

1 WEE E 8 8 S T ANNE PAG . b ut he tasted au thors as diverse as Aristo

e n i e i phan s , Anacreo , He ne, B ranger, w th most a e i i ppr c at ve palate .

’ Now Clau dia Br an sc omb e s policy was trans i tive from the brilliant soc ial mood to the Pla

ni c i to c and psy holog cal . And here , as I have s i w as s o as i — al a d, Stephen apt to aston sh her i most to alarm her . She became rather afra d

’ o f i i the boy s progress be ng too rap d . Learned in - w as r lec tu the love lore of the poets , he fi st i i i rer and then mprov sator. The noble l brary

u i un i s f rn shed ab dant mater al . Plea ant morn ings o f au tu mn vanis hed b u t too swiftly in its e asy chair s or o u t beneath the leafage of the

e u t o n e u i . gardens . Let me sk tch b s ch morn ng

Humphr y Mo r fill had brou ght Anne Page to that seat beneath the acacia where Stephe n had

i s he r and w as hin he r declared h m elf lover, teac g chess . It was a most barefaced pretext . Anne

’ ’ u ul co ldn t learn the moves , and wo dn t try ; her pretty white hands played with the white ivory ; her sweet cheek flu shed as sh e listened

’ u us i i i to H mphrey s gay joyo sp r ted talk. A cap

u hr u a i ur o r tal talker, H mp ey ; never d ll or t c t n ’ THE N HE W N 1 PA T R S OOI G . 89

i i melancholy, l ke Stephen ; always ready w th

e i in it easy converse that had p rhaps very l ttle , b u t n i i ff s ik was e l ven ng and e erve cent, l e the

o f a in foam ch mpag ne . So they were pretend g

u w as i to play chess, and H mphrey chatter ng,

is i i i dl and Anne was l ten ng dream ly, del ghte y . Where were the other twain ?

There w as a cool shady s eat u nder the tent like g reenery o f a su perb plane- tree : su ch i ” mi i tents the patr archs loved . On a m c lake,

ui u i i o f un tranq l and pell c d, swam a very flot lla

u u l — r m: av in t r r u a es e is . s a water fowl , The mo nd

i e t o hi on wh ch ros the plane sloped t s lakelet .

u i sat u ur u i Cla d a pon the t f, a vol me w de Open o n i i her lap . Stephen looked over the fa r wh te i i page, and w th eager finger po nted to the lines

! et o eau i e a a - an Ah y d th b ty, l k di l h d, Steal fr omhis fi gur e an d n o pac e per c eived

So our swee hu e whic me h n s s l o s an y t , h t i k ti l d th t d Hath motion an d min e eye may b e dec eived

For ear of w c ear s ou a e un r e ? f hi h , h thi , th g b d ’ Er u w r r n w u summr e yo e e bo as bea ty s e dead .

” V i ai u i b u t ery poet c flattery, s d Cla d a

even Shakespeare w as too weak for time . The 1 90 E NNE E SWE T A PAG .

fai f e . w as sh e n r ace fad d Who , I wo der ?

” is imm in his She ortal verse, at any rate,

“ ’ s i But i u a d Stephen . nobody bel eves that bea ty s ” s u mmer is dead.

It is melancholy to think that what poor beau ty one may have is stealing away every moment j u st as certainly as the shadow moves ” n o the dial .

Heraclitus remarked that yo u n ever twice cross the same stream o r twice look o n the same

” o n — i 1 face. Yet, went Stephen dar ng boy

“ y ou seem to me the very same vision o f beauty that dawn ed u pon me at that sordid school .

’ it i ur i Don t talk of , she nterposed, h r edly .

e e i u in Why, th r have been ten Apr l perf mes ten hot Jun es bur ned since then ! I cou ld al~

i e u most cry, Stephen, when I th nk how dr adf lly o ld i — an d ou ou ar e u I am grow ng y , why y j st

” e i i i b g nn ng to l ve .

The re ce rtainly was a misty moistu re in those

r wondrou s blac k eyes of he s . “ ” i Y o u ar e . not altered, sa d Stephen I — — could fan cy I do sometimes fancy that the

EE NNE E 1 92 SW T A PAG .

u parted, expectant . She stooped, and her ab n him dant black tresses showered over , and she

i his u i pressed her l ps to . She co ld not res st the

i u it i m i . u mp lse ; was mag c, agnet c He ca ght

sh e u i i her before co ld r se aga n, and gave her

i i in i his u k ss for k ss . Spr g ng to feet, he la ghed i i merr ly, and excla med,

en c ome ss me swee - an d- wen Th ki , t t ty. — He cou ld s e e Clau dia blu sh a rosy red sh e

u in An d u i u who bl shed seldom deed . Cla d a co ld feel the warm blu sh tingle and r edden throu gh i ? her every l mb . What had She done She was

i i i o f play ng w th edged tools . She was afra d this b o y whom hitherto She had regarded with

i o f tolerant contempt . She was afra d herself him and of .

- — i o u m sh e i Sweet and th rty, y ean, sa d .

No w o u u do i o r , y m st not that aga n , Stephen,

” Y o u u b o I shall be very angry . are a na ghty y .

u tw o in He stooped over her, ca ght her hands his i i , and looked r ght nto those great black

u changef l eyes . There was a strange expres

in — an i u i sion them almost p teo s express on .

” “ u i i is n Why, Cla d a, he sa d, there no eed ’ N HE W N THE PA T R S OOI G . 1 98

a to be angry . We went b ck a few years , that

is i i all . I was a poor l ttle schoolboy aga n , and

y o u were the kin d and beau tiful vision that

’ nl i o n e u came su dde y to g ve me day s pleas re .

o u i o f u o w n i And y gave me a k ss yo r free w ll ,

” u i y o mu st admt .

Y o u u sh e i i are cr el, sa d look ng away from

’ him ir i hi Let me go . I am t ed of th s c ld s

play .

i i u as She rose to her feet, mper o s and angry

i i u k u the v rg n goddess, that day the l c less h nts

man beheld her white- skin ned beau ty in the

G ar a hian u i g p waters . If Cla d a had been at this moment a goddess I don’ t know what might

Y o u s e e i have chanced to Stephen . , be ng very

wi sh e ur n ir e angry th herself, nat ally ve ted her u him pon .

Y o u shou ld go back to school again if I had ” h s e i . my way, sa d, and learn better manners ” u i i I wonder at yo r mpert nence .

“ ” is u i i i My dear M s Cla d a, sa d Stephen, w ll y o u listen for a minu te ? Y o u are un reasonably angry with yourself for being so generou s as t o

ll i i in i ou reca old t mes by g v g me a k ss , and so y

O L . V O . I . S E E 1 94 WEET ANN PAG .

“ e W pretend to b ang ry with me . Now hat harm in the world have yo u done or have I done ? In

i o u i i i po nt of fact y were only k ss ng a l ttle boy , ” u i - in one of yo r own n ght gowns .

u h e s S . Clau dia thou ght it be t to la gh . knew it was ridicul ou s to qu arrel with Stephen for her own mistake .

’ ki o u i sir I ll never ss y aga n, , never, she i sa d .

’ mi s i S te Don t make rash pro se , repl ed

i in t o phen . I really th nk that order console

in o u u me for the scold g I have had, y o ght to — give me one more kiss o r at least let me take

’ shan t b e i o u i one I able to bel eve y forg ve me , else .

I thin k I may leave the reader to gu ess how

i r ur i th s ove t e was rece ved .

Clau dia cou ld not for a long time decide whe ther Stephen had an ytou ch o f feeling towards

His i “ her . manner perplexed her . W th Anne

u i Page he ass med the r ghts of betrothal, and

a i his u u i i i t c tly, treated her as f t re w fe , g v ng

i i u an d i su e s her ndeed sl ght lect res, mak ng g g

i as n u i t ons to her co d ct, all wh ch Anne took

1 WEE NNE E 96 S T A PAG .

s un u that cene der the plane tree, they wo ld

e i iu r have f lt certa n of her tr mph . The Panthe

su i felt no ch certa nty .

sh e t o o When they parted, went her r om , and

i o n i k o u t kneel ng a stool at the w ndow, loo ed u w as il u pon the garden . There st l pon her ch e c ks o f u s i the remnant that angry bl h, l ke the rosy streaks in the wes t that mark where

su n in u b it the went down splendo r . She her beau tiful nether lip ; she clenched o n o n e an o ther her small white hands ; her bos om panted beneath her bodice her great black eyes had a u i i in l r d l ght them .

i him sh e i ui Shall I ga n sol loq sed . I

’ is i don t know . He a strange boy, w th some

i u him u th ng abo t that I cannot nderstand . He

i him u i u made me k ss j st now . I bel eve he co ld

it in i u himfo r do aga , th s moment, tho gh I hate it h m i i . hate i . him Yes, I somet mes I l ke a little now and then b u t he shall n o t have su ch

u i i power over me . Why, I co ld have cr ed w th

i ! if i u . Sp te . Oh he was only the l ttle p ny boy him ’ hi him he was when I knew first, I d w p to

— I u u death almost declare I wo ld . Hatef l crea ’ W N 1 THE PANTHE R S OOI G. 97 ture ! When I marry him he shall pay for all

’ i him . Can I i th s . I ll make my slave I w ll

- l hi k I mu st ; he shall su bmit to my wi l . To t n that this mere boy shoul d be able to make me

hims o Cis u s a if hate . I wonder what wo ld y, I told her ! ”

’ ’ The idea o f the Bishop s lady s probable

u w amazement made o ur Panther la gh . She gre

ir in less moody . She bathed her fa cheeks fra

x i grant water, and cooled away the e c tement which had so thrilled every nerve o f her body .

She looked o u t u pon the garden ; Stephen and

Humphrey and Anne Page were grou ped to gether by the fountain : Hu mphr ey was throw in i i g pebbles nto the water ; Stephen, hold ng

’ his in his w as i sweetheart s hand , say ng some

in i i th g to wh ch she eagerly l stened . ” 0 sh e l him i N ; sha l not have , sa d the Pan

“ i b e ther to herself. I w ll not defied by two

i is n . ch ldren . They cannot k ow what love

So throu gh the pleasant au tu mn weather sh e did u him her tmost to charm . She wasted u pon him a myriad times the ar t which had been triumphant with admirers o f far greate r 1 9 WE E AN NE E 8 S T PAG .

n i prete s on . It was a strange game they

— i u un o i u s played she consc o s, Stephen c nsc o .

i fu Day after day passed del ght lly, yet the Pan

u ur o f His ther co ld not be s e her prey . very — innoc ence foiled her his b o yish love fdr swe e t

— his i i Anne Page reverent adm rat on for herself,

u as e u reverent, tho gh, we have seen, ch q ered

i i i i s w th rreverent nc dent . And the great term

im o f i id Hum t e Cambr dge came rap ly on, when

hr e Mo r fill u b e p y wo ld away, and her work

’ W u m o ld be retarded by Anne Page s co pany .

o e i i She resolved soon t make som dec s ve move .

’ i o a It was most mp rtant, for her father s s ke, to win i i t oo th s game ; and, bes des, she was now

i u it excited in the pur suit to rel nq ish .

VVh en c e it e e u r efl ec happ ned that, aft r m ch

i fix u ni u . t on, she ed pon an eve ng for that p rpose

in h r is she Eager e enterpr e, was yet cool and ” c i hi i f ons derate . T s boy, she sa d to hersel ,

i him as c annot bel eve that I really love , I want himto b elieve ; he thinks me beyond him;

u him He i I m st prove to that I am not so . w ll

i he fall at my feet and worsh p me, when once ”

i his fo un . et is afr i perce ves good rt e As y he a d .

E 200 SWEET ANNE PAG .

u i i i C nn ng as Eve her progen tr x, mother and i i m stress of many tr cks, she knew well that the

u u his you ng scribbler co ld not ref se her rhymes , whens oever she desir ed them ; and so she de

hi s i . sired them t s very even ng And so , when

Hu mphrey had taken Anne away to their che

M b e i i i his S . m stry, Stephen arr ved w th , and gan with more flu ency than felicity

Buddy R oses ! n ot the blossoms Whose sweet bosoms Mor nin g wet s with crystal dew ;

But - r oses lip , Wher e r eposes ” L ove an d musm r em es hr ou ! , t bl t gh

’ And o f cour se the Panther s lu strou s eyes bright ened with admiration and o f course he read

his i u — more of polyglott sms, all abo t love leave

fo r Bu t b — - u i the boy alone that . y and b y Cla d a interrupted the readings with

”” is nn i Stephen, how old A e Page ” i In her seventeenth year, he sa d .

“ ” And when are you going to marry her i ” i o n u That, he repl ed, depends her g ar di i u u ans . If Mr . Page had l ved, he wo ld do bt i less have w shed her to wait a few years . ’ THE N HE W N PA T R S OOI G . 201

An d you are in no hur ry ? “2 ul b e ; o u Why sho d I We are b th very yo ng .

ur is It woul d be wr ong to h ry her . She scarcely ” o u n o wn i ld eno gh to k ow her m nd .

ou u i i em ha Are y asked Cla d a, w th some p

W ll i i i his e , he sa d, r s ng from seat and

i u in . walk ng p and down the room, I th k I am

Y o u kn ow I have been in love with her fo r ten ”

i u i i u . years at least, he cont n ed, w th a l ght la gh

“ sh e i i in fl e c Stephen, sa d, w th a very low

i u i i t on of her most m s cal vo ce, Stephen, do

n o t mi in hi make a stake t s matter . Do not

i idis u m stake a mere ch l h fancy for tr e love .

Y o u young poets rhyme abo u t tru e love with

o ut r in o f it s u ! it d eam g marvello s power . Oh is something so delicious that the delight is o n

o f is di i the very verge agony . It too v ne ,

u s it ul is it s for to enjoy f ly, and that why

ur co se can never r un smooth . The gods envy ”

ul . those who love . Be caref , Stephen

“ ” u di i i Why, Cla a, he sa d, aston shed at her

ou n u vehemence, have y ever know tr e love,

“ ” then i EE NNE E SW T A PAG .

o u n ? Shall I tell y a great secret, Stephe

0 i u u i fin N , she sa d, playf lly p tt ng her pretty

li o u u . ger to her p , no , y cannot be tr sted No,

’ ” o u I won t tell y . “ “ l Yo u u i . u may tr st me, he sa d I Sho d very mu ch like to know that there is anyone ” u in i whom yo th k worth lov ng .

“ ” “ ! is i is Oh there , she sa d ; there .

a u Sh e i There was pa se . At length sa d

’

n . n Come here, Stephen . Kneel dow I do t want yo u to look at me while I tell yo u my secret .

an d ui his in He knelt at her feet, b r ed face

if i i She her lap , as they were play ng forfe ts . ran her delicate fin gers throu gh his bright crisp

c u i i . sh e rly ha r . He was very pat ent At last i sa d,

’ m f i n o u n ? a . u I a ra d Ca t y g ess, Stephe

“ I can only gu ess that he is a very happy ” h e n i i e his man, a swered, try ng to ra s head h m an d e But ul i . look at her fac . she wo d not let ” He is i un . too happy, she sa d, too fort ate

n hin ! t He cares ot g for me . Oh I cannot ell

ou e y , Steph n .

2 4 WEE NNE E 0 S T A PAG .

u tho gh I know yo u can never love me . Per

ou wil dl haps y some day l love as ma y, and then yo u will kn ow h o w vain it is to strive to

u ! repress s ch love . Oh Stephen, Stephen, my

in i darl g, p ty me

u him u She threw herself pon . She fl ng her

un him i dl u t o him li arms aro d w l y, and cl ng , p , i i i him breast, and l ssom l mb . She k ssed as

Cleopatra might have kissed broad- fronted

u ul n o t ur Caesar in her yo th . He co d help ret n

ur i in g the press e of that irresist ble embrace .

Fo r - i u it in a half m n te, may be, locked each

’ u di or other s arms, Stephen and Cla a forgot,

t hi b u t seemed to forget, every ng love . So Hero and Leander may have clu ng together er e the bold swimmer sprang into Hellespont on his r e

u t rn .

Bu t the Panther felt that sh e had not t ri u mi ul mphed. She had scalc ated her power

him u i over . And she was not s rpr sed, when

nt him that veheme embrace was over, to hear say,

u di i is i i o u Cla a, th s very terr ble . I p ty y .

hi u ili i nl Yes, t s was her h m at on o y too well ’ HE N HE W N T PA T R S OOI G . 205

inl v sh e . u deser ed, felt She had va y exha sted all u hi her reso rces , even those w ch no woman

u us e ff sho ld stoop to . She had o ered herself to

i b o w as . th s y , and rejected Even the secret might not be kept he and Anne Page perhaps woul d talk o f her with a pitying smile as poor

” u di u Cla a . Her ha ghty temper chafed at the nu mberless probabilities which crowded her i i i ul o f it ! mag nat on . If Raphael sho d hear

Raphael woul d believe Stephen to blame wou ld call him to accou nt and what wou ld he s a ? S h e r un u h y to her Oh, that had never s c

i ! she a r sk Oh, that had never taken a fancy to this contemptu ou s boy years before

” i u o u u di I w sh I co ld love y , Cla a, he went

“ o n in i o w e o u , break g the s lence I y a great

i u debt of grat t de . i Th s was worse than all . Every word he u u i i fil i ttered tho gh ntended k ndly, led her w th

i ir e hit li deeper shame, w th hotter . She her p till it bled ; she clenched her beau tiful hands

il i in i t l the na ls dented the r soft palms . She wou ld have given half her life at that moment

u ! u to be revenged pon Stephen . Oh to tort re 206 SWEE NNE E T A PAG .

him with some intense ingenuity of torture

something beyond all that the Inquisition ever invented !

’ Humphrey Mo r fill s knock was heard at the

front door . — hi Tell them I have a headache anyt ng,

i in i she sa d, and was gone an nstant .

So Stephen told them he had called in to

ir un u i hear the acco t of the lect re, and that M ss

Branscombe had a bad headache ; and Anne

Page ran away t o see if sh e could do anything

for her cou sin ; and Hu mphrey criticised the

’ u i u awk lect rer s theor es, and la ghed at the

War dn ess o f his i exper ments , and was learned — — u pon isomeric substances and b y and b y Anne

retu r ned to say that Clau dia was coming pre

s en tl u u i y, and they m st stop to s pper, wh ch

they did ; and Humprey Mo r fill annou n ced his intention o f performing a chemical e xp er i

u i u ment s per or to any at the lect re, and accord in l in u i wi g y, be g f rn shed th a lobster and some

anchovies and olives and capers and lettu ce

i ri u n i u and end ve and va o s co d ments , made s ch

E E E 208 SW ET ANN PAG .

iu ou i u Potass m, y mean, sa d H mphrey .

“ i i u s Well, that exper ment ll strates the weaknes i i i o f what s called chem cal sc ence . ” Ho w s o ? asked the Panther .

Why, look here . Two elements, oxygen

dr in hi — and hy ogen, are close partners p closer

i u than man and w fe a great deal . The res lt i i — r t o f u s . we call water, and d nk some Now why should there be a third malignant element that takes delight in separating these two at t ac h e d lovers ? Potassiu m is the rascal ; h e o r s a it is ui perhaps I had better y she , for q te a — ladylike bu siness has so strong a passion fo r

i u oxygen , that She forc bly extracts her tr e love

s o i t o s et from the water, and v olently as both

n i the hydrogen and herself o fire . Whence th s mad passion ? Chemists only s ay Oh p o t as

’ iu f n i fo r To s m has a great a fi ty oxygen . me it almost seems like the jealou s work of a living

ur u if i - i creat e, j st as Rosal ne , the scarlet l pped beau ty whom that rascal Romeo deserted fo r

u i him in i J l et, had followed w ld anger, and killed both Juliet and herself. ” is i iumis it ? i That the act on of potass , sa d ’ W N 2 9 THE PANTHE R S OOI G . 0

u mi o f u w o Cla dia . The che cal type a jealo s

uri u u did man . C o s Anne, the lect rer not

o u hi did ? tell y all t s , he

’ Mo r fill s i it is o f . No , some Mr fantast c

u i is o f o dd i . i spec lat on . He fond not ons I th nk he would have been an alchemist o r an astr olo

” i in i ger if he had l ved old t mes . i i ” in i . I bel eve both sc ences , sa d Stephen

i i is i i um t . I bel eve gett ng late, sa d H phrey ” i i o f u s Come, the lad es are t red .

u di o o r tu They rose to go . Cla a took an pp n it to hi in his y approach Stephen, and w spered ear with singu lar distinctness

“ I u m r hate o S te hen . Yo u shall n ever ar y , p y

A nn e P age.

ul He gave her a sorrowf look, and then went

i his ri But as away w th f end . not home , yet ; it i o f i u nli was a n ght glor o s moo ght, and they i paced the cathedral close , solac ng themselves i w th the enchanted weed .

V OL . I . I X CHAPTER .

I N ND A GO OLA .

E is somewhat daring who ventu res to make

i his Ven ce a scene of romance . Has not

Shakespeare the myriad-minded been there — twice once with his wondrou s comedy and

i i i i Jew ess peerless Port a, and that d v ne l ttle

Je ssic a

I n suc h a night

Did r e Jess c a e a e shr ew p tty i lik littl ,

an er h er ove an d he or ave h er Sl d l , f g it once with that tear- compelling tragedy of the i doom of Desdemona, w th

at whi er s n of er s an sn o w Th t ki h th , ” And smooth as monumental alabaster ?

Nor Shakespeare only b u t men ofsmaller moul d

n in hi i tha he, to whom yet we t s day seem p g mi ’ ’ . i e in an d hi es Volta r s k gs, Sc ller s masked

EE E E 2 12 SW T ANN PAG .

b u t o f Last, how far from least, the greatest i i ” l v ng poets has been In a Gondola , and has su ng

O w c wer e est t o r oamor r es hi h b , t ’ ’ Th e lan d s lap or the water s br east To Sleep o n yellow millet - sheaves

O r swimin uc s a ows ust l id h ll , j

E udin wa er - eaves l g t lily l , ’ An n c r omDea s ac fi n er s r ust i h f th bl k g , th

To look o u w omr e ease h e mus y , h l t ” Whic h life wer e best o n summer eves ?

e u i Ah, can I v nt re on the charmed Venet an water after these ? Can I write in my gondola

’ i i i o r u after Shelley s d v ne lyr cs, look p eager ly for a flu shed face at a balcony for an em brace o f her whom Browning beheld stretching i i to rega n her lost loory, t ll

u c th e r oun smo o c or o f o ! i k d th d g ld ,

The c o e a r on her ea unr o e il d h i h d, ll d, Fell do wn her like a g or g eous sn ake

Th e R oman r s wer e won of old gi l t , ’ W en R ome er e was for c oo n ess sa e h th , l k , ’ ” To let lie c ur ling o er their bosoms

Pshaw ! Au thors mu st not be cowards in these days : faint heart never w o n fair lady : and there is one fair lady whomI fain wo uld win to

is read th Story . I N N A GO DOLA . 2 1 3

Raphael Branscombe was in the silent city ; not

u i in i F in beca se, l ke Contar lem g, he was drawn

i i i u b u t i b e th ther by some mag c mp lse, s mply au i it u i c se he rather l ked . And tho gh, aga n u i i i i nl ke Contar n , the Seraph had no spec al pre

i i i c o n s ir ac e s u d spos t on for p , he had a wonderf l

iu u in i gen s for advent re . He was the m dst of

’ o n e now o r perhaps twere better to s ay it had

it s w as ettin a i reached acme, and Raphael g g l ttle i o f i t red t .

The Seraph was singul arly u naltered sin ce

m Kin sl at w as saw hi e s o . we at g , long ago He

i u i u as o f boy sh and bea t f l ever . No trace beard o r whisker marred the feminine cur ves o f cheek

i Y o u mi u and ch n . ght have tho ght that he

ix i u in his drank the el r of yo th . He lay back

i di his o ld u cha r at breakfast, accor ng to c stom and Louis su pplied himabu ndantly with comes tib les and he gazed languidly throu gh an open window towards a palace o n the opposite side o f the narrow canal . i di In that palace dwelt two Engl sh la es , the

Cou ntess o f Shottesbrooke and Lady JEmilia

i u u Hast ngs, her yo ngest da ghter . The elder ET NNE E 2 14 SWE A PAG .

u un lea lady was an average co ntess dowager, p san tl u ZEmilia— I y hard p . As for Lady am tempted again to qu ote a famou s poet

Was a a suc a a c ee s so r oun an d s so r ed l dy h l dy, h k d lip ,

O n her n ec the sma ac e uo an i e a e -fl ower on its k ll f b y t, l k b ll b d e ,

’ ’ O er the br east s super b abun dan c e wher e a man might ” as his ea b e h d .

“ : ! mi i u u Yes E l a was very m ch s ch a lady .

’ i ni i She rem nded me often of Brow ng s Ott ma, or

’ o f Byron s Du du

e n somew a ar e and an uis n and az B i g h t l g l g hi g l y, ” Y t f u ul r z e o a bea ty that wo d dr ive you c a y.

She had driven a good many people crazy in her time and was at present occu pied in doing

i fo r u u i the same k nd act a yo ng Mr . Bo ver e

u i i i o f H dson, a m ll ona re five and twenty, whose father was generally believed to have been a

i a i ta lor, and whose pr enomen, accord ng to some

i wit i him u w cked , had been g ven beca se he

in u i - e u lodged Bo ver e stre t . H dson was a very

r ff i un ag eeable a able nnocent yo g fellow, who

’ fEmilia s u was maddened by Lady sleepy bea ty .

The Cou ntess encou raged him he woul d be a

2 1 WEE NNE E 6 S T A PAG .

u un an a tocrat . So the Co tess of Shottesbrooke

u i u and Mr . Bo ver e H dson started together, the

hi u t you ng gentleman looking anyt ng b happy . Their gondola had scarcely left the steps

Z when Lady r Emilia so far exerted herself as to

i i o f r se from her seat, and fasten to the bl nd the

u balcony a morsel of rosy ribbon . Then she act

u i ally went and dressed herself, and, ret rn ng to

sat hi i the saloon, watc ng by the w ndow .

“ ” Confou nd the girl ! mu rmu red Raphael to

i s aw i i ui h mself, as he that s lken s gnal . Lo s ,

” the gondola .

t o o u t u in i u He prepared go , tho gh le s rely i i i i fash on . Hav ng l ghted a c gar, he also fast

i o f i - i ened a str p r bbon to the bl nd . When

ZEmilia it u i i u saw , She sprang p w th a prompt t de , and tripped down the marble stairs with an

ii i o u u n o t i in in ag l ty, wh ch y wo ld have mag ed her . Raphael’ s gondola shot rapidly across from

e on palace portal to the other . When the Lady

ZEmilia had entered it; away it floated throu gh these labyrinthine canals— what matter whi ther 2 1 7 I N A GONDOLA .

A su nny atmosphere o f delight seemed to sur

u ZEmilia as sh e o n u i ro nd lay back the c sh ons, i alone with Raphael . They were s lent for a long i in i his i t me . At last Raphael , hav g fin shed c gar,

his u half rose from seat, and looked pon the ’ i i i lady s face, and k ssed her droop ng eyel ds .

u is in o u i il ? So H dson teas g y st ll, my ch d i he sa d .

Y e s u him ull , and Mamma enco rages dreadf y .

s o i it i Oh, I am t red of all . I w sh I had never

” o u seen y , Raphael .

“ o u i i i i Why, y s lly l ttle th ng, he excla med

what next ? Y o u know that an hou r with me o n these quiet waters is worth a year o f you r

i u o u slow lazy l fe . What have I ta ght y , come

Y o u u o u have ta ght me to love y , Raphael . i it And I w sh I had not learnt . And I never

o u o r know whether y love me, not .

That is a qu estion o n which no youn g lady

u u sho ld permit herself to have a do bt .

“ ” D o ou ? y love me, Raphael She asked, eagerly .

Ho w i o u many t mes have y asked me that, 21 8 SWEE T ANNE PAGE

JEmilia ? And how many times have I told you

’ that I don t care very mu ch for anybody b ut

? i o u myself When w ll y learn to know me, child ? ”

’ i ou o u in i I don t l ke y when y jest th s way,

“ ’ S h e i . o u o u sa d If y don t love me, why do y

0 ” kiss me -why do y o u 2 ” B u i it i Y o u eca se I l ke , he repl ed . are very

i — o u i is n ce and y love me , I know, wh ch very — pleas ant and I like to float in a gondola with

u u i u in my arm ro nd yo r wa st, and yo r charm g

u if i head on my sho lder . And I am sat sfied, ” ul o u ? why sho d not y be, my pet

“ ’ Bu t i o n i in th s can t go for ever, she sa d, \ speech far more rapid than his ; for S h e w as

Y o u n eager, and he was cool and calm . k ow it can’ t what am I to do

“ “ Fo r i i i ever, sa d Raphael , med tat vely . No , zn d i it i dee . Perhaps an etern ty of m ght get

u b u t n o t u monotono s , I am yet very m ch

i u ! if u in fat g ed . Oh I co ld only stay one place

i u i e o u u w tho t be ng bor d, and y co ld always be

u i u u it u b e bea t f l and yo ng, wo ld very tolerable

in here Venice .

22 WEE NNE E 0 S T A PAG .

EEmilia i s f was half sm les, half tear . So ool ishly sh e loved this man that sh e cou ld not be

i him his u angry w th . She was slave . She co ld

u have thrown herself on the gro nd at a word, fo r himt o u i u tread pon her . I bel eve She wo ld i if have cast herself headlong nto the canal ,

i n o w i Raphael had b dden her . And , wh le he

i i i i sh e u him talked w th th s cool cyn c sm, cl ng to i il w th serv e love .

u u If I co ld marry, res med the Seraph, after

hi u o u ZEmilia— a w le, I wo ld marry y , and that i s more than I ever said to any woman before .

i ou o r u If e ther y I had a clear tho sand a year,

’ u o u u I wo ld marry y . I don t know that I sho ld i if be happy ; I th nk not I know myself at all,

u o u in u six Bu t I sho ld desert y abo t months . — you would be happy fo r a week o r two

b um — h e i i And he med had a cap tal tenor vo ce, — ’ Raphael a stanza o f Mu rger s song

“ Y es er a see n th e swa lows w r t d y i g l hi l ,

’ ummer s ues s in a a er c me S g t h ppi li , I thought onc e mor e of th e dar lin g gir l Who used t o lo ve me when Sh e had time — When sh e h ad time ! ” i E ii i i Ah sa d Lady m l a, w th a s gh, after I N N A GO DOLA . 221

u u s a if another pa se, what wo ld my brother y he knew ? ”

ir i o u in My dear g l, sa d Raphael , y are a

i u hi i i fanc f l state t s morn ng . Be calm . I l ke

o u u ur repose . If y worry yo rself yo eyes will

i i ur i lose the r br ghtness , and yo cheeks the r

u u u it s di i ur — colo r, and yo r b st v ne c ve and then

’ yo u won t catch me in a gondola with y o u again in ur u is as a h ry . Yo r brother the Earl gallant

i — an difh e kn ew wh I su o s e a boy as ever l ved , y , pp

’ ’ kill it u he d me, for wo ldn t be gentlemanly for

’ ki him o u — u me to ll , y know and I really sho ldn t s o mu ch care if I felt sure there w as a Venice in x ZEmilia the ne t world, and a pretty ready

Bu t u to love me . the parsons , who o ght to

’ u i u i know, I s ppose don t g ve one any s ch deas ,

’ m a I sorry to s y .

- dis i li li The well c p ned gondo er, who knew the

u o f i u val e t me, had bro ght them back to where

fEmilia Lady dwelt . Raphael gave her a fare i well k ss .

- i i Good bye , ch ld, he sa d . Go and tell

ik u i ul u o u hin mamma , l e a d t f da ghter, that y t k

’ ’ u l u if yo l marry H dson, he ll make a good settle E NNE E 222 SWE T A PAG .

’ o u o u di ment on y . I ll make y a wed ng present . ” un R away .

i u i his She ascended the sta rs . He, ret rn ng to

u in i palace , fo nd that the post had the nterval

i in his arr ved, and that there was a letter

’ ” - “ father s well known hand . Better say fist,

’ perhaps ; Devil Branscombe wrote a most

i i u i character st c and nm stakeable fist, and sealed his i letters w th a vast shapeless splash of wax, whereon a mu zzled mastiff ‘ and the motto

” u i i Cave I seemed eq ally character st c .

’ ” What s the row n o w ? said Raphael break in g the seal . The letter was dated from Idle “ ” i hi chester . By Jove, sa d Raphael to mself, ” u the old gentleman has taken a q eer fancy.

Thu s ran the epis tle

E H E D AR RAP A L,

Y o u remember old Lan gton the — tanner b ig old fellow with a strong smell of

. in his u in leather Well, here I am ho se the

i - u u in r H gh street, comfortably sh t p a f ont

- hi bed room, and watc ng all that goes on at

’ r i u i poo Page s oppos te . Am s ng rather. No

WEE NNE E 224 S T A PAG .

i ou in u —b ut ten . I shall wa t for y G ernsey be

’ ui o u i o f i as q ck as y can, for I m t red the nfernal ” hole .

’ ” u is it o ld ? That s yo r game , , gentleman

“ i i u sa d Raphael . Under the c rc mstances, per

’ ’ u Y o u haps I d better not h rry myself. can t

u in u spend m ch money G ernsey, at any rate .

’ u t o o u However, I m st go to talk y , that s cer — tain and it will be a fine opportu nity o f drop

’ i i in i i p ng that l ttle Hast gs . She s gett ng t re

hi As some, poor c ld . to Anne Page , why, She

u u m st be a mere baby yet . So m ch the better

in u perhaps , some respects . Her money wo ld

” u s i make all r ght . The nex t morning Raphael signalled early to his i i u i i fa r ne ghbo r oppos te, and sat smok ng in i i i i i prox m ty to the w ndow, awa t ng a reply .

r u i a None came all th o gh the long br ght d y .

“ ” “ u . E ii is Strange , he tho ght m l a gene

in u o f u u rally a de ce a h rry . I s ppose the old

o o u t S woman has made her g omewhere .

Bu t when o n the next day the same thing

i his happened, Raphael sa d to valet, 22 I N A GONDOLA . 5

uis o u t o o u t ui Lo , I want y find q etly what i ” Lady Shottesbrooke is do ng .

hi n i sir i ui Her ladys p has left Ve ce , , sa d Lo s , ” u it promptly . I have j st heard .

ui l Lo s was a mode valet, always knew what his b u t master wanted to know, never entered hi ’ i o n a su bject except by s master s des re . “ ” i “ ! i u . Left, eh sol loq zed Raphael I wonder

” if uis i his there has been a row . Lo , he sa d to

“ valet, I shall leave too . I shall go to Rome

o r hi o f i for a day two , and then I t nk cross ng

’ ” t o i hi ni Cors ca . We ll start t s eve ng .

ha ZEmilia There d been a row . We left slowly ascending the palace stairs . When she reached i the saloon, to her amazement she was rece ved by her mother .

ZEmilia i Well, Lady Hast ngs, pray where have y o u been ? I thou ght you were too indo ” lent to move .

’ u i I s ppose one may change one s m nd, ” mamma .

! o f ur i u e Oh co se . At the same t me I pres m

i ui ou in I may nq re where y have been, and ” whose company .

V L O . I . 226 WEE NNE E S T A PAG .

Whom do I know here asked Lady E ili W ‘ m a . hat do yo u mean by I n whose coinp any

“ i un “ I mean , sa d the Co tess, that for a young lady o f you r rank to be alone in a gon dola with a man whose character is so bad as

’ Mr Br an sc o mb e s is su fli i n . Raphael c e t to r uin ” u i her rep tat on .

ir su i u The g l was taken by rpr se . Tho gh the

is i hi o f i i no eless labyr nt ne canals Ven ce, w th

i i u n u the r myster o s gondolas, are the at ral home o f i i u i ntr g e, yet the secrets of the Venet an i i waters are not always kept . Goss p ex sts

i i n i there, espec ally among the res dent E gl sh and the Cou ntess had that very morning en cou ntered another dowager who knew more

’ s o f u s than her elf her da ghter s movement . So he i ur in S had hast ly ret ned, find g some pretext fo r i o f i an d i in the alterat on her des gn, d smiss g

u i di - i Mr . H dson t ll nner t me .

If Mr . Branscombe has so bad a character,

“ i E ii ou him sa d Lady m l a, why do y let come ” here ?

is im i i un It poss ble, sa d the Co tess , to ex

228 WEE AN NE E S T PAG .

i Poor g rl, she was awakened from her in dolen t

n u i la g or now. She loved th s man, who was u u i u e tterly nworthy of her, w th the most absol t

An d if i fo r love . she sacr ficed herself to a man hi it whom she cared not ng, was to save Raphael

’ from her brother s vengeance .

” “ i i u i No w Mamma, she sa d, fa ntly, I s bm t .

in leave me alone , please . She sank back her

ul chair and wept as if her heart wo d break .

’ u s o f u The Co ntes , heedless her da ghter s tears ,

mili u went away s ng at her own s ccess .

a u i Th t day the happy H dson, after a charm ng

in i u hi d ner, rece ved from the Co ntess a nt that

i firan kl he m ght speak . And he spoke, y and

i lik fi n e li u fa rly, e a foo sh yo ng fellow as he was ; and Lady E milia intoxicated himwith an indo

Y s But hi sh e u lent e . ah, poor c ld, sh ddered at his i n i del ght, and shra k from the l ps that tou ch

An d ed her own . , before they started for Eng

a n Wi land, she wrote ote to Raphael , h ch came to him u i S he n thro gh a gondol er, after was go e . It i n was a very l ttle ote .

E E HAE —I o u D AR CRU L RAP L, have obeyed y .

ul d n o t u b ut I Sho have had co rage, Mamma O N I N A G DOLA . 229

u ou t ou i Ed fo nd that I love y , and I was afra d

’ i o u what sh ward woul d k ll y . I don t know e

“ ” F lease. XEMI L I A . knows . orget me, p

” i u ! t u Poor l ttle rog e ho ght Raphael, when

’ ”

it . he read . That s all over i e i He went, as he ntend d, to Rome ; hav ng written to his father to s ay that he was o n his

u i way to G ernsey . Rome had not at that t me become quite su ch a suburb o f London as it now is n o t . People had begu n to write

JeM a was cr oss and os m um r e a , I l t y b ll , h f i ” That day at t e to mb o Caec il a Metella.

u Aldo b r an din i There was no croq et at the . Story and Weld had not written their dreary

n o r i Mr s et u books, had my fr end . Locker p as

u o f i La reat the eternal c ty . Raphael only stay

a o r o f u ed day two ; there was, co rse, nobody

i e there ; and he took w ng to Naples , to look onc more u pon its volu ptu ou s bay and the pale cone o f u iu u i u Ves v s . Raphael , a thoro gh Ep c rean, i his ntensely enjoyed fine scenery . All tastes

ui i i were exq s te . If he had possessed any k nd o f i ul eth cs, he wo d have been a very good sort o f fellow . E X CHAPT R .

ON AN N ISLA D .

DO n ot kn ow what drew Raphael Brans i i i combe to Cors ca . I am d sposed to th nk it i man i in ex was dest ny . When a does a th ng

i e n o t n t o th e b u t hi pl cabl o ly world to mself, he is perhaps drawn in to one o f those c ur r en ts of life which seem often to interfere with its main

i v t dal mo ement . If any one had asked Raphael why he w as going to th e mysteriou s island of

u i u n ot revenge and of conq est, he certa nly co ld

e i u him hav told . The dea had only occ rred to when he heard that ! Emilia had left Venic e ; b ut he e u his i i u mad p m nd nstantly, altho gh he knew that his father was anxiou sly awaiting himin ui i for q te another sland, eager to start some place where he cou ld get r id of that u m lu u n un cky tho sa d po ds .

E NNE E 232 SWE T A PAG .

Th e s bir r i were after him; he had fled to the ma hia i t o maechia ec . He who once fl es the , the

i o f i is wild mounta ns and forests Cors ca, a ban i i d t for l fe .

Raphael was rather amu sed than alarmed by

i u i u this om no s recept on . After some tro ble he

o t i i g nto a locanda where, by the smoky l ght

ill- i o il- u W of an tr mmed lamp , he s pped on heaten bread and cheese of ewe’ s milk and fiery Corsi

i o t i i . can w ne . He g sl ght rest that n ght In

in the early morn g he strolled down to the beach,

di in i in his and pped the d v e wave, and feasted sight with the islets o f Capr aja and Elba and

— u i r i romance emp rpled Monte Cr sto, afa am d the i haze . Then , an exper enced traveller, he went to the fi sh- market to look for breakfast ; and

u was recommended to try the m rena, the best i of all fish, wh ch resembles a serpent of por phyr y ; and gazed with delight o n the innu mer ab le i i i p sc ne forms of the Cors can waters .

Thence to the fruit- market o n the Piazza Fava i i len , where the peaches, apr cots, green almonds,

u pomegranates, M scat grapes from Cape Corso,

i in figs, magn ficent melons, were crowded pro AN ND ON ISLA . 233 f u u u i u u i in se ab ndance . Bea t f l yo ng g rls br g

in o n i u them baskets the r heads, whose ab ndant

hi i u u mandile tresses are dden by the p ct resq e , a

- uin head dress older than the Tarq s . hi Raphael thorou ghl y enjoyed all t s . He had

i himb ut o n e u i o f w th book, a favo r te comrade

u ni Od sse it travel, a Ta ch tz y y ; he read by the

m in s e a in i u i i . Cors ca, and tho ght h self Ogyg a i Do not fear, reader, that I am go ng to follow

im F i his h step by step . orgett ng eager father,

F i n i u he went to ab a , the bookseller, and bo ght

’ o f him Mar mo c c hi s topographic work o n Cor i i m u i s ca . He cl mbed the green o nta n Cardo ,

n u di and looked dow pon the Me terranean, whose hu e id is co lo r del or ien tal za ir o , as Dante sa , j , and c ru shed o ut as he climbed the odou r o f those myriad flowers and herbs which cau sed Napo

ul leon to say at St . Helena, I sho d know Cor ” i i u it s s ca w th my eyes sh t, by fragrance . Then r i en f om Bast a he traversed Cape Corso , and t er e d u i u i o f the bea t f l stalact te cavern Brando,

’ in u i i and rested L r s enchanted valley, tast ng it s u i wondro s w ne, and crossed the Serra to

i o n i u i P no the L g r an Sea, and ascended to the 2 4 WEET NNE E 3 S A PAG .

i an d/ o etast er Tower of Seneca , where the Sto c p

’ i his i i u b i i exp ated amb t o s love y e ght years ex le , exclaiming

Hic so a aec duo sunt exsul et exsilium l h , ,

u ni i Ves ovat o and ret r ng, sa led the coast to ,

u i in whence M rat, a great kn ght and a small ” his r his tellect, made last attempt to recove

in i r u u lost k gdom, and cl mbed th o gh the chestn t groves and festooned clematis t o lofty Oreto

or os u b ut ( ), where he fo nd no locanda, frank

i i . in n hosp tal ty A peasant, brow smock and

i him u o f Phryg an cap, gave so p vegetables,

’ au goat s flesh, and peaches , the pretty d ghter

i i i th e . wa t ng at table, and wonder ng at stranger

u u di After s pper he went to the ch rch, stan ng o n o f is an the verge a steep rock, whence there incomparable view over chestnu t- covered moun tains and an island- dotted sea ; and there meet in u é i i u o f in g the C r , enjoyed a del c o s glass w e

i him u th w th , and a pleasant talk abo t e two

i u a o n e Paol s, Pasq le and Clement, the states

an d i i man leader, the other sold er and fanat c .

Then he retur ned and chatted t o the playf ul

iuli i i did n o t G a, a merry ma den of s xteen, who

236 SWEE NNE E T A PAG .

i o f - reached the mag c shore the Lotos eaters .

As yo u enter the town there rises a fou ntain in

is u i an open space, where a b st of Paol , who built the place u nder a fi r e from Genoese g un

hi i o n e o f boats . C ldren were play ng there ;

u i u u i o ld these , a bea t f l boy abo t e ght years ,

i ff - u showed him the way to a l ttle co ee ho se .

un ii Here a merry yo g landlady, Ch l na Benve

u him un u o f fi sh n ta, made an ab dant s pper and

ui him fr t, and gave pleasant songs to the guitar as he sipped his wine o n a marble bench

u i in un o n . o ts de, gaz g at s set the sea

” u i him By the ghost of Odysse s, he sa d to

“ i i u self, here w ll I stay awh le, tho gh I eat

i u an dmulb er r ies u noth ng save m renas , and tho gh the head o f the hou se o f Branscombe never reach ” Baden .

i o n He stayed . He sa led those charmed — waters in a boat called the Fantasia a poetic n i o n iff o n ame ; he lo tered the three red cl s, and the snow white sands streaked with sanguin e

u i un in coral d st, and along by the l ttle n nery a i garden by the sea, where dwell the S sters of

nn i h e ao the Mado a alle Graz e . And made the L AN 2 ON AN IS D . 37

u i o ld i in i q a ntance of a fine Cors can, k gly as Alc

us his i un no , who dwelt among ol ve gro ds and vineyards and mulber ry garden s in Homeric

im i i i u as s pl c ty, w th only a grandda ghter com

i Mo n talti i pan on . Angelo made the Engl shman

u himb r occ io wondro sly welcome, and gave cake,

’ u ill - m and tro t from the h strea s , and goat s flesh

h is ow n ui his dressed by hands , and fr t from

ul i u i u b u t m t t d no s trees , and the frag rant too

in o f his o wn i hil fiery w e v neyards, w e sweet young Fio r dilis a Mo n talti stood and served the

u in ima hi g est pr eval fas on .

Fio r dilis a il o f w as , the l y Isola Rossa, slender

’ ul i h ur sim and shapely, and f l of ma den ood s p e

lic it u p y . She looked pon Raphael as Nausic aa o n u o f that famo s wanderer the elder world . She woul d have delighted an Italian painter

’ i i l u u w th her ha r of Apo lo s a b rn, and her eyes f ’ o u u fl e xil e . Athene s colo r, and her fl ent form

A child ; no more ; b u t how beau tiful a child !

Those bare roun d warm white arms ; those

‘ i br oc cio i ui hands , snowy as the del cate that l q d li i hi i Ita an vo ce, w ch at event de rang sweetly in the wild plaintive vocer i; that dain ty rosebu d of E E 238 SWE T ANNE PAG . a u - i mo th, honey sweet for the k sses that are to

— u i me Raphael fo nd them only too attract ve . And Raphael always coveted the b eauty which he saw.

- a It was an o ut door life at Isol Rossa. On the sea- shore or in the sea itself th e children o f

i in . i the v llage played happy crowds At n ght,

i u i i i somet mes o ts de the l ttle locanda, somet mes

’ in Mo n t altis a great green orchard of Angelo , full of grey olives and Old gnarled mulberry — i li i trees there was dyl c song, somet mes play

ful i u i i in . , somet mes to ched w th d v e melancholy

The you ng girls and boys would improvise

u in Fr a L i o L i i co plets, as pp pp

’ ower o the r oom Fl b ,

a e awa ove an d our ear is a tom . T k y l , th b

’ ower o the u nc e Fl q i , ’ ” let L sa o and w a oo s in e s nc e ? I i g , h t g d lif i

’ ower o th e r ose Fl , ” I f ave een merr w a ma er who nows ? I h b y, h t tt k

’ ower o the c ove Fl l ,

h L n c n ru i m All t e ati I o st e s a o I love .

’ ower o th e or n Fl th , Joy of the midnight is sor r ow at mor n

Or sometimes

24 WEE NNE E 0 S T A PAG .

I f I were obliged to remain here I shoul d

i u want to be away . I enjoy be ng here, beca se ” u I o ght to be somewhere else .

hilin u i in i C a la ghed merr ly, show g the wh test

in teeth the world .

Y o u u d i are as bad as my h sban , she sa d ;

is i ri is he always want ng to go to Pa s . What

Paris like ? Is it mu ch larger than C orsica ? ” Is England in Paris ?

Raphael had often to reply to qu estions su ch

f i i u i as these . A ter g v ng s ch explanat on as he

’ u lit i Mo n taltis co ld, he a c gar and started for ,

i lo it er m a i laz ly g along the s nds, and gaz ng where birds innu merable hau nted the blood-red

— Angelo Mo n talti was abou t seventy a fine

i o ld i ull o f i i . i athlet c patr arch, f sp r t The h story o f i o f i Cors ca, the noble career Paol , the mar

n iu o f his ur i vello s tr mphs Napoleon, were favo te

u i s bjects of converse w th the stranger . Raphael f u him i his i i o nd am d Ol ve and orange trees, w th

Fio r dilis a his i , fresh as the dewy dawn, by s de .

And he also this morning said :

“ i n us i n Why not rema n amo g , S g or Raf 241 ON AN ISLAND. faelle ? Camill o Saliceti is dead : his hou se is to — be sold the white hou se with the green blinds u nder the great chestnu t trees where the little ” river O str ic o ni enters the sea .

! ul c in i i Ah that wo d be harm g, sa d the L ly

i Y o u i ill o u ? with del ght . w ll stay, w y not i “ i li I w ll stay, he answered, t ll I am ob ged

u ha to go . It m st be soon, I fear . And I am p ”

i w as o r i . p er than I ever , shall be aga n

” “ o u in ? i And y fly from happ ess sa d Angelo .

u s o o u Th s all men do , I cannot wonder at y .

Bu t i o u il o u stay wh le y w l, and when y abandon

” u s o u we Shall regret y .

I wish I had the magic pencil o f Millais to paint that Old grey hou se with its orchards by

s ea u i u the , and the aged Angelo , and the bea t f l hil din u c d, and Raphael stan g nder the golden

fiu it e d u - s e e it and p rple berried leafage . I can

’ Fio r dilisa s i all I can hear low sweet vo ce,

u i o f b u t more m s cal than the coo a dove ,

o u s e e . reader, I want y also to and hear

“ il hi n i in Fan tasia I want to sa t s mor ng the ,

i i o u Fio r dilisa ? sa d Raphael . W ll y come,

i o u n ? W ll y come , A gelo

V L O . I . 242 S E AN NE E WE T PAG .

l i Mo n t alti G O o u Fio r di isa . y , , sa d I have i ” many th ngs to do .

S O away tripped the beau tiful girl for her fal

v whi detta, and she and Raphael went O er the te

- — coral veined sands to where th e lateen sailed boat had been pu shed out by a cou ple of fi sh er men and soon they were ou tside the ru ddy i i u o f slands, whence the long pen ns la Cape i i Corso , and the l ttle town, and the three magn

u i hi it i a cent mo nta ns be nd , Santa Ang ola, Sant

u u F i i i S sanna, and r gged el ceto , w th v llages

i i i i u i u cl ng ng to the r steep s des , made p a glor o s

a : Fior dilis a i . ( landscape R phael steered tra led

n in i ur u her fi gers the sparkl ng sea, and m m red a low song . i i i “ S ng, L sa, he sa d, so that I may hear

ou i ff i Y o u After y , S gnor Ra aelle, she sa d . ” first .

in u i u his So he sang, that l sc o s tenor of

ome t o the ar en Minn a m swee ! C g d , , y t Foamless an d c almis th e violet sea h 0 t y dainty lips and t hy fi ng er tips

a b e s a ne w t the r u t of the mu er r r Sh ll t i d i h f i lb y t ee .

244 SWEE NNE E T A PAG .

Why do I love the shadowy vall eys ’ Cooled by the icy br ooklet s fl ow I S it for Shade and Sweetn ess N o !

s oul ove the o c ean - ur r ows Ah , h d I l f ’ P ur ple and gr een in sunset s glow

’ shou ove the W n s susur r u s Ah , ld I l i d Wher e on th e hills gr ay o lives gr ow I i I wer e ther e without him N o

Very poorly have I translated the easy sim

li it o f u i T i p c y the fl ent Ital an . hese Cors can maidens have the art o f the Improvisatrice

i is u i the r song spontaneo s . How ga ly the arch

” and piqu ant N o came with exquisite iteration

’ i i i a i i and re terat on from F or dilis s charm ng l ps .

u i Raphael co ld res st no longer. He drew the

u i u u hi i bea t f l creat re to mself, and k ssed her i i i w th pass onate k sses .

” Wi o u i i ? i ll y be my w fe, L sa he sa d .

Fio lisa u his r di sank pon breast . She was

w o n i au sic aa o f i . , th s N Cors ca She gave her

’ him i u i i i self to w th tter love , w th a ch ld s fa th, in i i i ur i o f u the s mpl c ty and p ty her nat re . And,

Fan tasia i as he steered the shorewards, w th the

i i in his L ly of Isola Rossa ly ng arms, and gaz in i his i u g nto dreamy nscr table eyes , Raphael N AN N O ISLA D . 245 thou ght there might be a worse fate than to dwell u pon

“ Some uns uspected isle in far -off seas

i s o i i Fio r dilis a w th a creatu re d v ne as . Love

ul i i in had breathed a so nto her, as nto Und e She was no longer the childish little Corsican

il i b u t i o f i v lage g rl, a ma den romance fit br de for the knightliest wooer ; and Raphael knew

i his u that am d all many amo rs, he loved never

ul s o hi SO tr y, never wort ly .

Fan ta i if He ran the s a ashore . He l ted the little beau ty over the shallow water to the l sands . They wa ked together, slowly and

’ M n t al i in o t s . i i u lov gly, to old It was a del c o s afternoon in that land

m r n n I n whic h it see ed always afte oo . i They entered the gray gateway, and the patr archal Corsican advanced towards them u nder i the fantast c trees . As he approached, the

Lily ran forward and threw her arms arou nd

m sh it him i hi . e , and k ssed Then ran away for

di i inn . was nearly nner t me, and d er was her care

i Mo n t alti u r an ddau h S gnor , I love yo r g g ”

i . ter, sa d Raphael 24 S E NNE E 6 WE T A PAG .

u i Old Angelo looked s rpr sed . ” is hi i She a c ld, he sa d . i ” How Old s she ? asked Raphael .

is i it is t o o She s xteen . Well, perhaps not

u i i Bu t yo ng . Her mother marr ed at s xteen . ,

il o u u s i ff w l y stay among , S gnor Ra aelle

i o u i I w ll stay among y , sa d Raphael . i i it i Then I say noth ng aga nst , sa d Angelo .

” She loves y ou ? ” She does .

is Y o u ar e i It well . w ser than we, and

i w die o u i wealth er, and hen I , y may des re to

i Bu t n o t o ld u o f leave Cors ca . do sell the ho se

M n taltis the o .

n o t Do fear, answered Raphael . I belong myself to too o ld a race not to respect o ld me i mor es .

i u Raphael Branscombe, a complete Ep c rean, with whom indolence was a passion and ener

i i i i u n get c act on only an occas onal mp lse, aba

u i i do ed h mself wholly to the del ght of love . di How pleasantly they ned that day, the two men u u an d Fior dilisa ii at table, as s al, wa t ng — u pon them an island princess of the primaeval

248 WEE NNE E S T A PAG .

Tr ovata o r tr ium And, when the day came, a phal arch of greenery and flowers arose oppo

i Mo n talti Fio r dilis a u s te the Casa . And , mo nted o n - hi il i o a snow w te pony, ga y capar s ned, passed u nder this archway amid a joyou s procession t o

i i i o f the l ttle town . And g rls from the balcon es

Isola Rossa strewed flowers and gr ains o f wheat

i u as the br de passed and g ns were fired, and the mandoline and cornamu sa played as they went to

u i the ch rch . And, after the venerable pr est had i performed the ceremony, there was a gay fest

’ at Mo n taltis u in val ho se ; and a baby, swad dlin i um i g clothes, w th n berless r bbons and

’ in Fio r dilisa s n flowers, was placed ha ds, and they sang

Dio vi dia uon a or un a b f t , ’ Tr e di masc hi e femmin una

in i u Raphael , whom the dramat c fac lty was

i i i u strong, entered nto all th s w th cons mmate i i fel c ty . When the revel was over, and the sweet night o f au tu mn fell with it s veiling mist u pon

l Mo n talti i t o his s on - in Isola Rossa, Ange o sa d

o u u n law, y sho ld have been bor a i ” Cors can . N AN N 24 O ISLA D . 9

Bu t Fio r dilisa— hi as w te , slender, fragrant,

in — is the snowy hyac th gone to her chamber, l and the Silence of Sleep fal s o n Isola Rossa .

i u his i his Prev o s to br dal , Raphael had sent

i u u i fa thf l attendant Lo s to England for money , tellin g him also to go to Gu ernsey and make the best excu ses he coul d to Ralph Branscombe

’ his ui w as for son s delay . Lo s despatched before anything was known in the vill age o f his mas

’ i i w as i i ter s marry ng des gn, and d rected to wa t

in i Fo r u for orders Par s . the ast te Raphael, withou t contemplating bigamy or anyt hing of

i u it i the k nd, tho ght adv sable, at least for the k his i u n . present, to keep marr age n now He did not send any su ch notice to the Times as

1 9 o f On the th September, at Isola Rossa , i i Cors ca , by the Abbate Malasp na, Raphael, nl s o n o f o y of Ralph Branscombe, Branscombe,

Fio r dilis a u h o f n to , grandda g ter A gelo Mon i” talt .

Bu t u l r o u t u i s e e he act a ly w ote s ch a not ce, to h o w it u til as u looked, and la ghed hear y he tho ght o f i it u u in i the sensat on wo ld ca se soc ety . What 250 WEE NNE E S T A PAG .

u his his un u di wo ld father say, and cle , and Cla a,

lEmilia u and Lady , and a tho sand others who knew him? And who did not know the Seraph — ? ’ who , at least, that was anybody Satan s ru de remark to I thur iel and Z ephon was strictly i appl cable here .

’ SO away went Louis on his master s affairs

t o . i his England And, hav ng done London

u i u his u b s ness , he fo nd way to G ernsey, and told Devil Branscombe a long story o f his own

’ invention abou t his master s being taken ill in

i i i s o i u u Sard n a, and be ng anx o s abo t the delay

’ that h e insisted o n his valet s leaving him to

i it i hi o ld expla n to h s father . W ch the gentle

’ i in w a i man bel ev g, only s ore l ttle at Raphael s s tu idit in i u o ut p y go ng to s ch of the way places, and told Louis to make haste back t o his mas

i u him i in ter, and ntr sted w th the follow g char ac t er is tic note

DEAR RAP HAEL

i ou ill What the dev l do y fall for,

u ? i j st now Look al ve and get better, and make

e an d i i hast home marry that l ttle g rl . I shall

2 52 WEE NNE E S T A PAG .

e ui i i him fe t, exq s te . She worsh pped ; he had hi i been wors pped before, and by h ghborn Eng lish maidens b u t the royal dignity and primae val simplicity o f this dau ghter o f romance de i him l ghted far more . Born far beyond the

o f i flir i i weary world fash on and tat on, the L ly o f u o f i Isola Rossa was a creat re poetry, poet c,

sh e i even when m lked the goats, and made the

i o f - ur i wh te balls cheese c d, and came w th bare rou nd arms to serve her grandfather and hu s A i i i band at the table . y, a s mple myth cal Ion an

u u sh e i poetry s rro nded her, as came somet mes throu gh the breezy Shadows o f the orange

i i ui r orchard w th a basket Of Hesper an fr t, o a red jar of clear water fi o m th e fou ntain u pon

u ul her s nny head . Raphael wo d meet her at

i i s a the portal, and k ss her wh te brow, and y

o w Li o u u N , sa, y have done eno gh work . Let ” u s i o n in n t i sa l the bay the Fa as a. Raphael was popul ar in the little Corsican

His u h e town remarkable personal bea ty, t

u o f s o n i bea ty the of C nyras, was strange and attractive to th e artistic perceptions o f the

- i : u in town s folk . He was l beral for tho gh poor O N AN ISLAND. 253

u him u in London, Raphael fo nd self op lent Isola

i i i i O f Rossa, and l beral ty was a character st c the

Br an s mb e ri o f c o s . He made f ends everybody,

o ut in i and went fish g w th the fishermen, and astonished them by the skill with which his i u iff- i r fle bro ght down the cl p geons , by the dar

ut in g with which he swam far o to se a. He brou ght Fio r dilis a down o n moonlit evenin gs to

’ join in the merry mu sic ou tside Chilin a s coffee

u o f i ho se . And when the Old shoemaker Calv

i his ix - i c eter a came over w th S teen str nged , the same which G r eg or o viu s heard in his wander i i i u s r n t i ngs, and mprov sed a wondero s e e a a wh ch told how

“ A str an g er to Isola Rossa

H as c ome in a or un a e our f t t h , An d he sees the sweet maid of Montalti

I n the s a e O f the mu err ower h d lb y b , And h e woos th e fair dar lin g whose tr esses All g olden fall down in a S hower O n h er Shoul der s of r osy white mar ble ” O ur Fior dilisa th fl w r , e o e then Raphael gladdened the Old man’ s heart with a gift su ch as a chieftain o f the Odyssey

i o n u m ght have bestowed Demodoc s . — SO Raphael was popular in Isola Rossa and S EE NE E 254 W T AN PAG . — old Angelo Mo n t alti was happy and sweet Pi o r dilisa was happy with that transcendant hap

in s s i i b u t i p e wh ch no pen can descr be, wh ch the girl ’ s heart feels when Eros has entered the

hi O f hi warm w te nest her bosom, w ch heaves to

hi i i u the flu tter of s w ngs . She drank per lo s

o f drau ghts o f the vintage love . There was no prophetic trou badou r to sing to her

A uench ee thir s er e th e momen has flown y, q thy d p t, t ’ But on c e in the lifetime of mortals tis kn o wn

But on c e—and old ar e an nfl ex e c ur C , i ibl h l , ’ ” W l ar n th a f th r r i l d ke e d ys o e p ettiest g i l .

w u u And so the cha ed ho rs flew by j oyo sly,

u i o n i i u and all was tranq l that del c o s coast . It

i ! n o t i u was an dyl alas I am Theocr t s .

’ Raphael s letters reached him safely ; with them the thou ghtful Louis had sent files o f pa

i su pers from London and Par s, and an ample p

o f o f i i i ply the novels both c t es . Some cho ce comestibles and liqu eur s were also forwarded

i u u for the Ep c rean, m ch as he enjoyed the fish

‘ i o f i mi hi u u i u s . and fr t Cors ca, ssed Old l x r es

Fior dilisa i And a few chaste gems for , wh ch an

’ aesthetic crony o f Raphael s had been requ ested

25 WEE NNE E 6 S T A PAG .

And Fior dilisa and Chilina were waiting on the

u Fan tasia as s ea sands where the sa cy , good a

’ i in S ec r et boat as my Old fr end Harry War g s , came flashing rou nd the red tongu e o f land o n

A sh e in u the left . S ran pon the sands , the eager girl Sprang into the Shallow water to wards Raphael .

” “ “ ! i i h o w My God he sa d to h mself, the child loves me

T to i i hey went home d nner, Marc Anton o

i i u i br ng ng p the packages, wh ch Raphael had i not opened . And when the pleasant S mple

w as i meal over, he sa d,

“ No w i ou s e e , L sa , y shall what they have

” sent me .

u th e i She knelt pon floor, open ng package

hi o ld after package , w le Angelo and Raphael

i i i a i s pped the r w ne, and M rc Anton o , who had u u u i i j st bro ght p the last, stood w th wonder ng eyes . “ ! ” i Books she excla med . Oh, what a

u ! o u n mber Why, y cannot read all these, my

u ? ! Raphael . What are these sq are boxes Oh — what hun dreds o f cigars And this case help AN D 2 ON AN ISL . 5 7

i it . . me to Open , Marc Anton o Bottles , I declare

in in Why, have we no w e Isola Rossa She

h u asked, reproac f lly

is i i o u t That not w ne, he sa d, and took a

“ t ” o f Cur No w le u s t r i . bottle acao , , Angelo , y th s

o ld n ni The gentleman and Marc A to o , i i i dr nkers by hab t of a fiery w ne, took to the liqu eur naturally

is i i i u It good, sa d they both, w th S m ltane

i u o us sentent o sness .

is il ui ou i Ra Here what w l s t y better, sa d

hael Fio r dilis a s r in kin i F p to , p g her w th the ran

i an ni f Fi g p O esse .

Oh, how sweet

u u And then She fo nd a s perb Cashmere Shawl , which sh e threw gracefully over her shoulders

n d l a then Raphael opened the casket Of jewe ry , and fastened rou nd her beau tiful thr oat a neck

O f i hi as lace Or ent pearls , almost as w te her i sk n .

’ Y o u il i Rafl aelle i o ld w l make her va n, , sa d

Mo n t alti , gravely .

S h e i “ He has done that already, sa d he h ” as loved me .

V O L . I . 258 WEE NNE E S T A PAG .

u A brooch of emerald , the very colo r of the

edi i i s et in M terranean ; a br ll ant dead gold, to w i i i sparkle on her h te finger a t ny watch, w th

i i fo r heavy gold cha n, that seemed too mass ve her delicate neck : these were some o f the beau tifu l gifts which Raphael lavished u pon her in

i u i i lov ng prof s on . Marc Anton o went home and told his light- hearted little wife o f these u nprecedented splendou rs and Isola Rossa that evening and all the next day had a most de lightful theme for gossip and fo r marvel

i is i i The Engl shman a great pr nce , sa d

i i air o f u i Marc Anton o , w th an profo nd bel ef.

” is i ii o ur i . He a hero , and fr end, sa d Ch l na

Pleasantly passed the flying hou rs for Ra

hael his u i u ri But p and bea t f l b de . at last there

i i o f i u arr ved from Par s more despatches , var o s i i k nds ; and, when he had read them, he sa d to

Fi r i a o dil s ,

F u o u i . My lower, I m st leave y for a wh le ff Oh, why, Ra aelle

is ill i an d u My father at Par s , wants m ch to

i his i o u u see me . I cannot d sobey des re y wo ld not wish me to ? ”

2 60 WEE E S T ANNE PAG .

? Malo, and cross by the Jersey steamboat

“ n i i . An excelle t dea , sa d Raphael

Be fore he went to bed he wrote a long and

i Fio r dilisa lov ng letter to . it i i When was fin shed and sealed, he sa d,

Poor little rogu e ! I wonder if I Shall ever i ” see her aga n . X I CHAPTER .

A N O T H E R WO O E R .

HO RTLY mi l u Re v . after the che cal ect re , the

i ur Walter Branscombe, hav ng to ret n to

m u i o f Kin sle at his i hi . g , took ward w th Cla d a

ur ni him co se accompa ed , and they settled down

i in i at the Rectory . Th s step was contravent on

’

i b u t . of Mr . Page s w ll ; the Rector and Mr

Drax were both o f Opinion that thou gh Miss

Page was directed to reside in the hou se at

I dl e c h e st er it ui l , was q te al owable for her occa sio n all i i i u i y to v s t her relat ons . The s ggest on

’ ’ was Clau dia s she recommended Anne s being as mu ch as possible separated from Stephen

Langton .

u i u i dir I tho ght, sa d her ncle, n ectly refer ring to the plot which he had su ggested to his E N E E 2 62 SWE T A N PAG .

“ ou i i him u brother, that y m ght l ke to see yo r i ” n o w u . self and then, Cla d a

i i i i u I desp se the boy, she sa d, v c o sly em

i : u phat c whence the Rector, whose ac men was

i u i cons derable , at once g essed that she had tr ed il and fa ed .

! S h e Ah, that poor Panther how vexed her

u ff i ! self, tort red herself, over the a a r To have

O ff —sh e i ered herself , whom so many had va nly

— b o u wooed to a mere y, and to be ref sed

She w ept tears o f rage in the solitu de o f her

o n chamber . She vowed to be revenged Ste

W u phen Langton . hatever happened, he Sho ld n o t u hl marry Anne Page , She was thoro g y de t er min e d Bu t sh e himin . felt powerless to do

u i i i i u j ry, and all her nd gnat on reco led pon her

i i i u i self, ntens fy ng her p n shment .

The Rectory was a very qu iet hou sehold .

The Rector did his du ty in his Old regu lar fash io n i i as i r a W n fred was paroch al as ever, and ther more ceremonial Anne Page continu ed her stu dies with her governess and Clau dia con

’ u s n n u r di i u j gated e ye . She was pro g o sly bored at

Kin sle at o S he o u t g . . S long as had a plot to carry ,

2 64 WEE NNE E S T A PAG .

i i hi o f u Really, W n fred, the scratc ng yo r pen is i i i in wi very rr tat ng . Who the world ll read ” a letter o f su ch prodigiou s length ?

”

it i i i . Oh w ll be read, answered W n fred

Now do tell me to whom y o u are writing at i I ’ su ch u nconsc onable length . won t say a word ” to Uncle Walter .

“ My father is quite welcome to know all ” i i u it she i . ou abo t , repl ed, nd gnantly As y

i u i i i i i F i are so nq s t ve , I am wr t ng to ather Rem

iu ‘ is g s . He my confessor, and when I am at

” Kin sleat him g I confess to by letter .

The Panther burst into a Silvery peal o f lau gh

ui i in o f ter . It was q te a rel ef the monotony

Kin g sle at to have anything so ridiculou s to

u la gh at .

i n u m My goodness She excla med, what a ber o f Sins y o u mu st have committed to fill all those Sheets ! I had no idea y o u were su ch a

u i i it dreadf lly w cked g rl . Do let me read ,

i u it wi u i n W nny, I am s re ll be more am s ng tha

u u is fu n u Pa l de Kock, tho gh he great abo t

” a o rzs c teg .

“ o f o u udi i I am ashamed y , Cla a, sa d the HE W E ANOT R OO R . 265

i u n o t o u s e e it fo r Sa nt . I wo ld let y the world .

l is hi u cale o ns in it We l, there anyt ng abo t g

At this in teresting point o f the coll oqu y the

u Sir door opened, and a servant anno nced Ar

ur il th W lesden .

“ Sir Ar u x i Dear me, th r, e cla med the Pan i i i him “ ther, r s ng from her cha r to meet , how

s e e o u ! Y o u in glad I am to y are welcome,

” i hi is u i i i th s desert . T s my co s n W n fred .

Sir Ar u fin e un ul th r was a yo g fellow, an awf

i r u n swell , whose bra ns and morals had all to

i us u wh skers and mo tache . He was j st Mr .

’ “ ” il ur i ul Tenn yson s o ed and c led Assyr an b l .

i in his i He had been very w ld t me , and had kept

u i u i racehorses , and other bea t f l an mals , and had

é é i i in played cart w th Dev l Branscombe , that villa by the Thames where the Panther presided

i u in at the l ttle s ppers , and now he was the i hands of the Hebrews . He had come to K ngs

i u i o n u s e his leat ent rely to see Cla d a, whom, to o wn i “ — aw — elegant Engl sh, he was Spoons , ” i i his i rather, and had been va nly rack ng bra n all thr ou gh the jou rney to invent some osten SWEE NNE E 266 T A PAG .

i mi But S h e s ble reason for co ng . was so pleased to see an o ld acqu aintance o f the nobler sex that sh e him u i asked no q est ons .

’ ‘ —aw —a ul i It s d l place th s, rather, I fancy, i he sa d .

“ i u i u i ui i D smally d ll , sa d Cla d a, s c dally

u Wi i u i d ll . n fred and I were j st draw ng lots wh o u i u u o u in sho ld dr nk la dan m first, when y

’ t er r u t e d u s i p weren t we , W nny i The Sa nt looked aghast . — — It wou ld be shocking aw for two su ch ” — — i ui i aw divine creatures t o comm t s c de . ” ou Sir u i . Thank y , Arth r, sa d the Panther

Thank y o u for Winny too nobody ever

’ - tells her She s divine except her father confessor .

’ No w u o u u t o u yo re here , y m st stay l ncheon, ” ir u S Arth r.

— aw i o i u Very happy , sa d he . N part c lar fun—aw— i u in hi in walk ng abo t t s fernal snow .

’ i i th w aw— i Horr d bad w ne at M tre , where I m i ” stopp ng .

Y o u o f in shall have a good glass w e here ,

i o u sa d the Panther, and then y shall tell me all the news Of the town . Papa and Raphael

2 WEE NNE E 68 S T A PAG .

’ — aw— u fo r hi Don t h nt at Melton not ng, he

a ’ i remarked . Th t s the place to learn to dr nk ” port .

u u h e r i The yo ng baronet, tho gh ode s xteen

fi r st- fli ht in the i stone, was a g man Sh res, and

u hin never f nked anyt g . He was a cool head, li b u t his o f un ke Raphael, was the coolness

u i i conq erable stol d ty . The Panther, to keep

’ Anne Page in the backgrou nd till the Seraph s

i i u arr val, had orda ned that that yo ng lady

ul di i sho d ne at m dday, and only appear at dessert : she had also p u t her back into short

hi u in frocks and lled trowsers, very m ch to her i i i d gnat on . These alterat ons had been made o n Kin sle at the removal to g . Sweet Anne Page was very indignant abou t it ; she thou ght her

ui a i self q te woman, be ng nearly seventeen, and engaged to be married ; b u t Clau dia was reso u i l te, and her w ll, as we know, was pretty strong . So Anne, who was very fresh and

etite u in i i p , really looked abo t twelve her nfant le

u i i - cost me . When she entered the d n ng room,

u o n n i S ir Shy and bashf l, the prese t occas on,

u i Arth r excla med, N H W E 2 6 A OT ER OO R . 9

Aw— i ir ! what a pretty l ttle g l Come here ,

— aw— i me i my dear and g ve a k ss . He was i i u u s tt ng near the door, and had act ally p lled her on his knee and kissed her before sh e was

his i i hi u aware of ntent on . The poor c ld b rst i nto tears . ’ i i u di . Don t be s lly, Anne, sa d Cla a

o u o u y cry, y shall be sent to bed .

ul b u t The Panther co d not get at Stephen , she could persecu te his poor little sweetheart

his sh e did s o i for sake, and merc lessly . If Ste

ul it sh e ul phen co d have known , wo d have been i del ghted .

Sir Arthu r Willesden stayed at the Mitre for

’ i u i i dl . a long t me, m ch to the lan ord s sat sfact on

He carried o n a continu ou s flirtation with Clau dia u i o r i i . He was always l nch ng d n ng at the

b u t as th e i i Rectory ; , Rector kep t eccles ast c

ur u su i u mid ho s, he sed to p at the M tre abo t i il i i n ght , and play b l ards w th whomsoever he

u . enco ntered . He seldom lost Raphael, the

u in him best amate r England, had made pay for his skill in the game ; and now the baronet made s ad havoc with the fast young fellows of 270 SWEET ANNE PAGE

in l at But i t o K g s e . then they were del ghted — lose money to a baronet and so distin gu ished

Sir u i . his a baronet as Arth r W llesden Why,

’ ’ name Was in B ell s L ife every week ! Hadn t

w o n u wi he the Two Tho sand th Isosceles, and r un second for the Derby ? And he actu ally condescended to win their provin cial u n ar ist o cratic half- crowns at pool

i u Meanwh le, Stephen was melancholy eno gh l i in his I d e ch e st er lodg ngs . The Rector had courteou sly informed him that he considered

Anne Page too you ng to be regarded as actu

him in u ally engaged to ; that, fact, her ed ca i it t on had been greatly neglected, and was requisite that She Shou ld pass her time in the school- room ; and that correspondence was not

u o f u i t o be tho ght of. Stephen was co rse obl ged

ui an d i in his i i to acq esce, to have fa th fa ry pr n

u i it him cess . S ch fa th he had ; and c onsoled pretty well ; and he purs u ed his stu dies after his

u hi u des ltory fas on . It was desperately d ll work .

n dan t u Mo r fill He wanted a c o fi e. H mphrey

i s s u was away ; and bes de , he had alway shr nk i hi from talk ng of s engagement to Humphrey .

2 WEE NNE E 27 S T A PAG .

i him i “ ! b u t him ha l w th Well, Steve deemed

u u i i too m ch a boy for a s sta ned conversat on .

Bu t i in u i W as th s morn g b s ness slack, and the

- u i i bar parlo r empty, and the fa r barma d had

i u i le s re to goss p .

ul i u i I sho d wr te to the yo ng lady, she sa d, ” “ if o u I were y . hi i it i Mr . Branscombe pro b ts , he repl ed .

What right has he o r anybody to come b e

o u i tween y and M ss Page, when her poor dead

i o u ? would i father w shed her to marry y I wr te,

ou I tell y .

Bu t u then, rged Stephen, they probably

i u i exam ne the letters, and I sho ld get her nto ” u tro ble .

’ “ u i Bu t o u Ah, that wo ld be a p ty . I ll tell y

’ what : I m going over to Kin g sleat to s e e my

un Y o u i a t one day next week . wr te a letter, and I ’ ll see if I can ’ t get her to have it so that ” no one Shall know . i i Th s project del ghted Stephen, who had the

r in i letter eady good t me . Wednesday was

Kin sle at i market day at g , and was the day M ss

in fo r i i To u W slow chose her v s t . her hono r be HE W E 2 ANOT R OO R . 73

’ it i sh e ff i sa d, that allowed Stephen s a a rs to

o f i i in take precedence her own . Before v s t g her au nt sh e took a walk thr ou gh the crowded

i w as i An n H gh Street, and rewarded by see ng e

and her governess retu rning homewards after a

i i u morn ng stroll . At th s moment occ rred to

sh e u o f— Jack what before had not tho ght that,

u sh e k i nn tho gh new Anne by S ght, A e probably

did hi xi not know her . T s was perple ng . How

i u ni ever, She dec ded to watch for an Opport ty .

Kin sl at is g e street very steep . Very Slowly

did u it Anne and the governess walk p , Jack

i l i B - —b i W nslow fo low ng . y and y M ss Marsden

’ looked in to a booksell er s shop at some new

i hi i : i pr nt there ex b ted and Jack, w th great

i u n u prompt t de, gave An e a gentle to ch, and i it showed her the letter . Inst nct told her came

: it r e from Stephen She took , and her hand tu rned with it to her muff : and the kind- hearted messenger was gone before the governess turned

in from the w dow.

Bu t Kin sle at is alack, g street narrow as well

ill un u dia w as ' n as steep . By fort e, Cla desce d in i e g on the other s de, and her keen glanc took

V O L . I . T 2 4 WEE NNE E 7 S T A PAG .

i in the whole transact on . She crossed the street i and addressed M ss Marsden .

” o u n o t i i il o u o If y are t red, she sa d, w l y g

’ in him i i to Old Mason s East Street, and tell W n

’ ’ fred can t come to s e e him to- day ? I ll take charge of Anne .

u i i The governess obeyed . Cla d a had prom sed the Saint to call for her on this o ld bed- ridden

ien S h e u i i cl t of hers , whom s ppl ed w th broth and

th e sermons . The other two walked Slowly to

Rectory .

“ u m i Come p to my roo , dear, sa d the Pan

in o u ther, the hall, I want to speak to y .

u i i u s i i Anne followed her co s n, devo d ofs p c on,

anxiou s in the poss ession o f a lette r

i S h e i wh ch eagerly des red to read.

” Sit hi s i u i down, c ld, a d Cla d a, and take

” o ff u i o u yo r hat, I have someth ng to say to y .

did S h e bid u i Anne as was , p tt ng on a table that stood in the ce nt re o f the room her mu ff

it i us in it u i w h the prec o letter . Cla d a also dis

i u uff robed ; and, hav ng done so , took p the m ,

i sh e e in O ut wh ch h ld carelessly her hand . fell i i u di t u . the letter . Cla a p cked p

2 6 SWE E NNE E 7 T A PAG .

i is i the wr ter . It a most mproper letter . Poor little Anne !

But t u di ; af er all , was not Cla a most to be pitied ? Every word Of that loving letter had i gone keen to her pass onate heart, a barbed

’ i l n o t w i o w u . arr , wh ch wo d be thdrawn She i was ath rst for revenge . — Sweet is r eveng e espec ially to women

’ di t o i uv en al accor ng Byron s vers on of J .

u o f o u S he I am very m ch ashamed y , Anne,

“ i u u i i o u . cont n ed, after a pa se, a mere ch ld l ke y

I coul d n o t have believed yo u were so sly and cunning as to carry o n a clan destine correspond

” ence .

i t o Anne was S lent . She was too prostrated

u o r defend herself from s ch a charge, to plead

’ her father s au thority for her engagement to

’ i u i i o f Stephen . I th nk Cla d a s feel ngs revenge ou ght by this time t o have been satisfied; b ut

it is i i i . i a pass on nsat able And, by ev l hap , the

’ Panther s eye cau ght among the ladylike tr ifl es u i -fl asks pon her centre table, among smell ng

i n - bonbonnier es and nksta ds and gem cases and , HE W E AN OT R OO R . 277

- l i i i . it u a small jewe led r d ng wh p She took p .

” “ i u o wn Come w th me to yo r room, Anne,

S he i s uni ou o u i sa d . I hall p sh y , and y w ll go to bed .

Poor little Ann e ! Have yo u ever seen a wasp

fli ? as catch es , reader Sweet Anne Pag e was powerless in the hands o f the Panther as a fly

’ in u o f hi u i the cl tches a wasp . I don t t nk Cla d a

u r u b u t u ili i to o h rt her ve y m ch, the h m at on was

u Wh u n cr el . at yo ng lady, e gaged to be mar i ul i hi r ed, wo d l ke to be w pt and sent to bed even if She de served it ? And really o ur poo r i i it l ttle hero ne did not deserve .

Clau dia felt a good deal better on her return

u t in to her o wn room . She p the letter an it envelope and sent back to Stephen . And She told what had occurred to her Uncle Walter and i i ildl W n fred, who m y approved . And when, at

“ Sir u i dessert that day, Arth r m ssed that pretty i i ch ld, She sa d,

! sh e u - Sir Oh has been na ghty to day,

u h as . Arth r . She been sent to bed

It was an ineffable lu xury t o Clau dia to

u ili u u h m ate , to persec te, to s bject to mental and WEE NNE E 2 78 S T A PAG .

i i physical pa n, the g rl for whom she had been r ejected by Stephen Langton .

About the middl e of the mon th Hu mphrey

o n i Mor fill appeared the scene from Cambr dge . i AS the Rector and Dr . W nter were on good — terms and as Clau dia had encour aged Hum ’ — phr ey s visits at I dl e c h e s ter it wou ld have been difficu lt to prevent his having some inter

u i An n Bu t co rse w th e Page . the Panther had

u i i i i no s ch ntent on . She w sely cons dered that the great thing to be done was to efface from

’ u i i f n her co s n s m nd the memory o Stephe .

u sh e u n o t u H mphrey, tho ght, was dangero s ; and Humphr ey cou ld occu py Anne with a little

’ harml ess semi- flir t atio n till Raphael s mu ch

’ i din des red advent . Accor gly, Anne s School i i room mpr sonment was relaxed, and the gover ness went away to spend her Christmas with

i n — is if her relat o s that , governesses have rela tions ; and Humphrey Mo r fil l u sed to look in

r t u n o t ui p etty Of en at the Rectory, tho gh q te

ir u so often as S Arth r .

u did Humphrey was ambitiou s and ast te . He

n u i o r not k ow that any engagement, a thor sed

NNE E 28 0 SWEE T A PAG . and Sir Arthu r were all present he awaited his

u i . in opport n ty . It soon came The Sa t had parochial bu siness which took her away. The Baronet wanted to skate— had heard Of a pond half a mile o u t o f town where the ic e was capi — ’ pital wou ld Clau dia come ? Wou ldn t sh e ?

u The Panther skated s perbly ; and by good hap , i w i her ma d, Marg ot , remembered here a pa r of

i u u u her Skates m ght be fo nd . H mphrey fo nd himself left alone with sweet Anne Page— which

u n was j st what he wa ted . They soon became

— - con fidential : and b y and b y Hu mphr ey ventured

ask o f i i u to the reason her nfant le cost me .

’ ” i hin ! u . Oh I don t know, sa d Anne bl s g

u i o u t su Cla d a wants to make me a baby . I p

’ ’ i u u pose t s beca se She s not very yo ng herself.

” u i u sh e I have no do bt, sa d H mphrey, wou ld very mu ch like to be as you ng and as

o u Bu t o u pretty as y are . y need not care

u it Y o u i i i abo t . look a very charm ng l ttle g rl only yo u know o n e fancies yo u are n o t t o o o ld

’ ” o n i to be taken one s knee and k ssed .

— i Sir u i sden Yes , that horr d Arth r W lle

’ i i did it da us pos t vely one y at dessert . It s j t N HE W E 2 1 A OT R OO R . 8

li u di fli i i u ke Cla a, rt ng w th that man, all beca se

’ ” h e s a baronet .

’ Y o u ur u i don t seem very fond of yo co s n, ” i ? i Mo r fil l M ss Page sa d . — Fond Of her ! If y o u knew b u t oh ! I l ’ ” u o u . co dn t tell y I detest her .

‘ ’ i i o u ? ul What, sn t She k nd to y NO one co d

u ou u . be cr el to y , s rely

’ o u u u I don t know what y wo ld call cr el,

i u u sa d the y o ng lady . I only know I Sho ld

v i sh e did ery mu ch l ke to do to her what to me .

” “ What w as it ? asked Humphrey in the kind

e st . o u . tone . Tell me Let me try to help y

” 0 o n u u u N e o ght to be cr el to yo .

This sort o f thing w as su ccessful at last and

i u u hin i i Anne w th m ch bl s g hes tat on , confided to

Hu mphrey the fact that Clau dia had actu ally

i b u t u u wh pped her She wo ld not tell the ca se,

u i it An d tho gh he tr ed very hard to get at . he advised her never again to submit to any su ch i i i b u t i if nd gn ty, to r ng the bell for the servants ,

u di hr hi i Cla a t eatened her . W ch she prom sed to

u h i i i u do , tho g w th a conv ct on that her co rage

’ ul i in wo d fa l the Panther s presence . E SWEET ANNE PAG .

! i Mo r fill i By Jove sa d to h mself, as he

“ is walked towards the Grammar School, that i ’ a verdant l ttle party. I don t wonder at her

i un i u knock ng der to M ss Branscombe, tho gh ;

’ she s enou gh to terrify anybody at all weak

’ i o u S ir —h e m nded . I ll tell y what, was talk

’ in i i o f his i k g to h mself, a hab t I th n I ll i ’ marry that ch ld . She doesn t care for Stephen .

’ ’ t o o hi i i fo r He s p losoph c and poet c her . She ll

’ marry anybody who ll pu t her in long frocks mi i ’ i and pro se not to wh p her . She s a pass ve ,

i i o f i — recept ve , reflect ve sort g rl takes her

’ u r i colo n from the last man that s w th her .

’ I d rather have a girl with a character ; b u t ’ i it then her money s worth hav ng . If I get , I can make myself Lord Chancellor . By Jove,

’ ” I ll marry her .

Hu mphr ey Mo r fill adhered to the policy

hi out fo r i w ch he had marked h mself. He de

all his i voted spare t me to Anne Page . He won h er u confidence, and consoled her nder her per s e c u tio n s sh e u . Not that was very m ch per

“ s e c ut ed : Clau dia was too fu lly occu pied to trouble herself abou t her ; b ut she was still

284 WEE NNE E S T A PAG .

u i - —i blamed . It was q te a boy and g rl engagement

i o f ix between her and Stephen . What ch ld s teen can be expected t o know her o wn mind ?

And Stephen was away sh e never s aw him she

i him fo r dared not rece ve a letter from , fear of

i u di i Hum her cou s n Cla a . SO she l stened to

hr e i u i o n i p y, who sk lf lly carr ed the campa gn,

’ f u notwithstanding the keenness o Cla dia s eyes .

u i But Clau dia was b sy w th her baronet .

In mid- Janu ary Hu mphrey left his little

i — u u w fe as he already styled her, nreb ked ,

’ and Miss Marsden and Mangnall s ! uestions r e u Sir u i t o t rned . And Arth r W llesden went

i o f i town , leav ng the Panther plenty t me to look after Anne . And, when the year had advanced

i u u di o n e i a l ttle f rther, Cla a day rece ved a let

in sh e ter a hand had not seen for an age . Thu s it ran

r Cla g es Str eet .

E —I u u D AR CLAUDIA , have j st ret rned to i England, after a few days w th the Old gentle

u is i u man, who has got the go t, and del ghtf lly

’ in t fierce . I ve a deal to do town , and I wan a N HE W E 2 A OT R OO R . 8 5

long talk to yo u abou t the position of affairs ; SO

u u s . come p and let converse Start at once, ’ i that s a good g rl .

H E RAP A L .

Clau dia always obeyed her brother ; besides at this period sh e desired the diversion o f a trip i i hi to London . SO hav ng rece ved t s letter at

u she un the breakfast ho r, at once anno ced that

u i Raphael had ret rned, and that She was go ng

him u to London to meet , and that, no do bt, he

u wi u wo ld come back th her . Her ncle and

u i i co s n were del ghted at the news , and Anne

Page opened her ears .

Y o u i i ur u i w ll l ke yo Co s n Raphael, Anne,

i u i i i sa d Cla d a, condescend ngly . He l kes pretty i i ” l ttle g rls . Miss Page by no means admired Miss Bran

’ mb e s i s c o condescens on . The Panther was to start early the next morning ; that night sh e and Win ifi e d had a

o f hi — talk, part w ch Anne Page overheard for i i a ” hi l ttle p tchers have long e rs . T s was the part SWEE NNE E 28 6 T A PAG .

i i i Look after Anne , W n fred, sa d the Pan

’ Y ou ther . She s very sly . remember when

” I cau ght her corresponding with Stephen ?

’ u u o u t in hi i Yo ve not fo nd her anyt ng s nce, have yo u

i u i u i i i N sa d Cla d a, la gh ng . I th nk th s little instru ment Anne cou ld gu ess what she took up gave her a lesson in the subject that

’ Bu t i she hasn t forgotten yet . perhaps she w ll begin playing her tricks again when my back is

” u t rned .

DO yo u think Raphael will like her well ” u ? i i eno gh to marry her asked W n fred . ’ ” i I don t see why not, sa d the Panther .

’ ’ o u u i u it s She s pretty, y m st adm t, tho gh a

’ is i i b - very baby h prett ness . She ll mprove y and

’ in if by . Won t he keep her order he does marry her

’ sh e him u Perhaps won t have , s ggested i i W n fred .

Pshaw ! she ll fall in love with himdir ec tlya ” is i i i sh e i i The dear fellow rres st ble, sa d, w th a

’ u . i if S h e u la gh Bes des was tro blesome, I d mak him e her have .

2 WEE NNE E 8 8 S T A PAG . p er ien c e d and su ccessfu l practitioner in lovemak

’ ’ in u g . If he get s down there, yo re done, Mr .

’ ’ Mo r fill i u u , that s obv o s . And, as yo ve got no

’ ’ ui u money, I don t q te see what yo re to do .

u i u i S ppose we have a p pe together, and r m nate

The resul t o f his rumination was that he

I dle c h e st er started that very day for , and rather astonished Stephen Langton by looking himu p in i L ttle College Green . X I I CHAPTER .

’ PHAEL his i A acted on valet s adv ce, crossed

an d di as i i from St Malo , , spen ng l ttle t me

i in il - fo r as poss ble Jersey, took the ma steamer

i i . as u the s ster sland And , he walked p the

i u o f fi steps of the p er at G ernsey, one the first g

’ u res that cau ght his eye w as his father s tall l and port y form . Ralph Branscombe was enj o y in his u u i g c stomary mat t ne stroll . ” sir i i u him Well , , sa d Raphael , walk ng p to , ”

o u s e e . here I am at last, y

“ ” his in his Ah, responded father, look g at s o n fi ' o m as if i head to foot, to ascerta n whether

’

i . n o he was really the r ght person Well , I m t

’ ’ o u Y o u sorry to see y . don t look as if you d been quite as ill as that rascal o f you rs pre

” tended .

VO L . 1 . 290 WEE ANNE E S T PAG .

’ i i i ’ He s a cap tal l ar, sa d Raphael . I don t think I have had even a headache since I had

” u i o u the pleas re of see ng y last .

“ And may o n e inquir e h o w yo u have been

” u i u ? i am s ng yo rself asked Dev l Branscombe .

” u sh i I fo nd some rather y game , he repl ed .

u u o u Bu t Oh, I have been am sed, I ass re y . ,

’ i u i i o w th yo r perm ss on, I ll g and have some

’ ” : u u breakfast I m as h ngry as a h nter .

Ralph Branscombe took his son to his rooms i on the Esplanade . At first he l ved at Mar ’ — shall s Royal Yacht Club Hotel in those days

i u l i a pretent o s gloomy p ace, where, w th the u u ui - o u s al fat ty Of hotel keepers , y were charged six shillings a bottle for wine that y o u could

’ b u G r e e n slade s u i i y at , j st oppos te , at e ghteen hil i i s l ngs a dozen . When he had dec ded to

i his s o n in i i wa t for th s happy sland, beyond the i di reach of temptat on and cre tors , Ralph Bran

mb e s c o took apartments . They were kept by

i wi i u o f u an ad pose dow w th a co ple da ghters , one of whom was so excessively handsome that the old gentleman w as almost tempted to make love to her .

E NNE E 2 92 SWE T A PAG . thr ee o f th e members have satisfactor y ideas

u - 10 0 n hin abo t van john and . I have bee teac g them poker, lately .

’ ” Y o u i o u t su ? don t d ne , I ppose

The aborigines have not yet reached that

o f i ili i F h e a stage c v zat on rom w at I h r, they i t nvite p e o ple o tea .

F i u b i ! i e r ghtf l arbar sm sa d Rapha l . Well — abou t this mar rying scheme o f you rs o r the

’ s a i Rector rather . Th t l ttle Page is a du mpy

’ ” i i sh e u o u t th e u ch ld, sn t , j st of n rsery .

’ ” s i his u i She pretty, sa d father ; Cla d a hin k i u u t s her charm ng . And fo r tho sand a year i i ” s worth hav ng .

’ ’

u . an d s e e if Tr e I ll go over her, and She s

ma i u not very bad style, I y marry her . W ll Cla dia marry that you ng Langton ?

“ Sh e ag reed to the arrangement . ’ i it ’ I don t halfl ke . She s too good for that

’

o f . u it sort fellow However, I ll see all abo t ” when I go down there .

’ u o r tw o u Yo ll stay here a day , I s ppose,

’ said Ralph “ It s a lu xu ry to get some o n e to

t o talk . E AIAI . 293

” Is there nobody here that y o u know ?

Most o f the English people are getting o ut

i i s of the way of the r cred tors , and prefer Jer ey, which is a fre e and easy sort of place . By the

’ o u way, there s a man lately come that y may

u u ds i S is know, perhaps , yo ng H on ; he marr ed a

’ ” r o ke s ter of Sh o tt e sb o .

” “ “ i in By Jove, excla med Raphael , what br gs

” himhere ? Has he got his wife with him?

i i u a I bel eve he has . They are lodg ng p at

l u DO ou place ca led the New Gro nd . y know ” mu ch of him?

him u n Never spoke to . I sed to k ow Lady

ZEmilia i , sl ghtly .

That evening the Br an sc o mb e s went down to

u u the cl b, and very shortly Mr . H dson was

fi i i u i for the rst t me ntrod ced . A very negat ve

’ youn g fellow was Lady E milia s hus band : b u t — gold glorified him deifi e d him in the eyes o f

i in hi some people . He had a very great bel ef m

u l o f di en self, and always fo nd p enty toa es to

ur i Hrs mo r din at e ni co age that bel ef. va ty thr ove o n the flattery o f men who dined with him him and borrowed money of . 2 4 WEE NNE E 9 S T A PAG .

There was not any very lively play this even — in g some O ld fogies had s ettled down t o whist ;

i s ir i hi Dev l Branscombe, de pa ng of anyt ng faster,

in i had j oined a party . Raphael was smok g pat e u i ntly . At last H dson excla med

u it hi is u Confo nd , t s ncommonly slow. Is

” there a billiard- room anywhere ?

’ ” li dOn t i Upon my fe, I know, sa d Raphael ,

nl od u I o y came here t ay, and nless I see some im i s a o ff a amt o - provement, I th nk I h ll be g mor ” row .

must il i - i Well, there be a b l ard room , sa d

“ ’ u un H dson . Let s go ro d to the hotel and as i ” certa n .

“ i u i i Ra I have no part c lar Object on, sa d

a l o u ph e . Are y a good player “ i Not a very bad one, I think, he repl ed .

u in They went away together, and s cceeded

fin ding a billiard- room down a steep flight o f

’

in i u . stone steps, wh ch St . Peter s Port abo nds

’ ” u t i i We ll p a sovere gn on the game , sa d

“ u if o u i H dson, y l ke

u o u s n J st as y plea e , a swered Raphael, care lessly .

WEE NNE E 296 S T A PAG .

u u of these, a corner ho se, Mr . H dson had taken

F th e i apartments . rom w ndows there was a

i i i . fine v ew over the sea, a m le d stant He and

Raphael toiled u p Smith- street and the Candie

is Road, and at length reached th elevated part

u u o f the s b rbs . When they entered the draw in - o n e u i g room there was no there, altho gh l ghts

u n i were b r ng .

’ “ ’ i u Can t be gone to bed yet, sa d H dson . I ll ” o g and fetch her .

’ di u E ii u Don t st rb Lady m l a on my acco nt, u i e i diff rged Raphael, w th gr at n erence

’

u u his his i . Mr . H dson fo nd way to w fe s room

“ I regret to say the lady in qu estion was in a ” temper . She had not been many months married ; sh e knew no o n e in the island ; and sh e had been sitting in solitary weariness while

u his i i i her h sband lost sovere gns at b ll ards .

Bou verie Hu dson w as a good deal afraid o f

u i t his wife . She was a thoro gh ar s ocrat ; S he was divinely beau tiful she was aristocratically

his in si nifi c an c e in indolent . He felt g her pre

i u u o f sence . He was part c larly pro d her, feel in g that he had pu rchased one of the finest w o AI E AI . 297 — men in the market a London Circassian o f i i Bu t i u h gh pr ce . he was not part c larly fond

‘ - - o f a téte atete with her .

“ u o u i i lEmilia I have bro ght y a v s tor, , he i sa d . Have you ? How kind ! Some vulgar youn g ”

u u . islander, I s ppose , who wants some s pper

“ u b u t Why, no . He may want some s pper,

’ ’ u I t s he s neither vul gar nor yo ng . a gentleman i ” y o u know sl ghtly .

“ ! l he is m Indeed Wel , I hope rather ore

u i o u is am s ng than y are . Tell me who he , that

I may j u dge whether he is worth the trouble of i i i ” go ng down sta rs aga n .

“ is i u i It Mr . Raphael Branscombe, sa d Bo ver e .

S he did not reply for a moment : the news i i u . u had been s dden Then She sa d, lang dly, ill ll Ah, he w be a change . We , go down ” in him ill i and enterta . I w come presently . Th s

in i i i u sh e u ttered her most laz ly mper o s tone .

Bu t us sh e o , when her h band had left her, lo k

o n ed the door, threw herself her knees at the

o f i foot the bed, and excla med

G o d o u i Oh, my , why have y let th s man E NNE E 298 SWE T A PAG . come here ? What have I done to be SO tortu red ?

h o w o u Oh, Raphael, Raphael , I love y and yet how I hate yo u ! What shall I do ? What shall I do ?” At last she arose and cooled her e yes and f hr orehead, and t ew a lace shawl over those

i u i wh te marble sho lders , and descended, look ng like a qu een ; and very calm and ste ady was the voice in which She said

t o o u i I am glad see y aga n, Mr . Branscombe .

u o f S pper was served, and over a good bottle claret the Seraph and Hu dson got on amicably e u no gh . “ i “ i ’ By the way, sa d Raphael , sn t there an — island called Sark o n e ou ght to see a place

” i iff o f i ? w th cl s and caverns, and that sort th ng

“ ” e s i ZEmilia u Oh, y , sa d Lady . S ppose

’ o - if it s ur fa we g across to morrow, fine . Yo ” i i u s s a ther w ll jo n , I dare y, Mr . Branscombe . ” - is t o o i Hu d To morrow rather sharp , sa d “ i ’ son . We shall have to take provis ons ; there s

” n hin i ut i ot g on the sland b lobsters and rabb ts .

“ Very well ; su ppose we fix it for early the ” n i i “ ui ext morn ng, sa d Raphael . My man, Lo s,

SWEE NNE E 300 T A PAG .

i ni i r e the sea and a flood of gl ste ng s lver, and

fl ec t e hi i i u d on s pos t on . It was rather an am s in g one .

B - - b — h e an d y and y heard a tap at the door,

“ ” ’ i in ! — i sa d, Come entered the w dow s pret tiest u i da ghter . She wanted to know what t me

ul i he wo d l ke to breakfast .

“ ’ ” u i ? What s yo r name , ch ld asked the Seraph . ” sir Ellen, .

An d is i Ah . pray, M s Nelly, what t me does my respected father generally breakfast ? ”

” u sir Abo t twelve, . Amazing Old gentleman ! And what time do

” o u l ? y breakfast, Ne ly ” i sir At e ght, .

o u i u c u Good . Then y may br ng me p a p o f ff o u i o u co ee when y breakfast , and m nd y

’ it i i o u make strong, that s a good g rl , and m nd y

’ i it u w u br ng yo rself, for I kno yo ll look SO con fou n de dl in i y fresh and pretty the morn ng,

’ u i i yo ll g ve me an appet te .

u i i Ellen bl shed . She was only n neteen, th s i i u u l ttle g rl , tho gh her fine development ca sed

’ her to look several years older . There s a good I E AIA . 301

fli i in i deal Of rtat on those slands , and she was i ’ not wholly gnorant of the art . And the Seraph s u i u u o f i n q e bea ty person fasc nated her . ” i Come here, Nelly, he sa d . She appro ached him , and he gave her what he called a fraternal i i i i ’ k ss . There, good n ght, l ttle g rl . Don t ff ” forget the co ee .

His i in i father, who had let h mself w th a latch

u o f i i key, had been an am sed Spectator th s br ef scene .

Y o u . get on fast, Raphael , he remarked I

’

o u i . o ff fear y don t mprove Now, Ellen, be to

’ o r u o f ur n au hti bed, I ll tell yo r mamma yo g ” ness .

“ The Hu dsons and I are goin g to Sark the

“ - i i day after to morrow, sa d the Seraph . W ll ” y o u come ? How can we get a boat ?

I can find y o u a clipping little cu tter-yacht

il u s e e b u t that w l j st do . I want to Sark, cer

’ tain ly Shoul dn t have made any great effort in i i ” that d rect on . The following day the necessary arrangements were made : and the party was increased by two

Wu k persons . These were a Mr . and Mrs . g , E 302 SWEE T ANNE PAG .

i di i u who , notw thstan ng the r q eer name, were to l r a l i Wu k u i i e b y Engl sh . g was a m s c an of

F mi b u t in — a le sh descent, born England man o f niu b u t un u real ge s as a composer, tterably

Wu k i o f u lazy . Mrs . g was a nat ve G ernsey, and o n e o f the most charming of the island

’ u i Wu k s bea t es . Ralph Branscombe had made g acqu aintance at the clu b ; and encou ntering him in i him fo r i He the Market, enl sted the tr p .

c i i i was a ap tal comrade, know ng the sland well — and of cou rse Lady E milia woul d be glad o f i i i a fem n ne compan on .

S O in du e i t me they started, a pleasant party ;

in i and were landed Sark, an sland where land — in g is diffi c ult S O difficu lt indeed that the Lords

Of the Admiralty are said to have come there o n

u i i a to r of nspect on, and to have gone away again withou t discovering where the harbou r

is i di u lay . The legend not ncre ble ; the t nnel by which y o u mu st approach the interior is quite i i i s e a i nv s ble from the . I have always fanc ed

’ that Circe s mystical island mu st have been very i Bu t i in l ke Sark . there were no pa nters water

’ u in has colo rs Homer s days , whereas Sark been

304 and produ ced a marvellou s variety of capital i i d shes from these mater als only .

One day they started to see the Bou tiqu es ' b u t i u O f all Dev l Branscombe , who had a to ch

u m i in Y o u go t, and was s ok ng bed . go along a broad green terrace above the sea ; the steep grassy slope beneath grows steeper as it de

i iff i is u scends t o the br nk of the cl . Th s on yo r

‘ right ; presently y o u pass an Opening o n you r

i i o u i i thr ou h left, wh ch g ves y a v ew r ght g the i i s a d sland . A l ttle farther the path narrow n grows steeper ; and then y o u have to descend and reascend in a way which Alpine clu bmen

u i i b u t i wo ld th nk a tr fle , wh ch perplexes weak

u E ii in ad nerves . H dson and Lady m l a were

Wu k his i vance ; then g and w fe finally Raphael .

u u S ddenly there was a pa se .

’ ” ’ i i u I can t stand th s, sa d H dson . I m get

’ ” in i u u ZEmilia g g ddy . Yo d better t rn back, .

i th in Indeed I shall do noth ng of e k d . I

m o ut s e e n ca e to the caves, and I mea to see

o u i and i them . If y are g ddy, go back wa t ; Mr .

Wu k i an d . n m g w ll take care of me , Mr Bra sco be o f Wu Mrs . g I E 5 A AI . 30

Hu dson acceded to this arrangement : b u t pre

’ Mr s Wu k s u i s o Ra s e n tl . y g co rage also fa led, ph ael brou ght her back and left her with Hu d

s o n .

’ ZEmilia u Lady can t come to m ch harm now,

“ i r i o f u s sa d the Se aph, as there w ll be two to

o f take care her .

i i u The tr o made the r way thro gh the caverns ,

di u - r stan ng at last pon a great ocean th eshold,

f i w as with a gateway o g ants above . It a strangely beau tiful way to approach that vast

o f i i o ff— a s ea stretch hyal ne . A sa l or two , far

o r — i o f mew two , nearer at hand no other S gn

i u i u im l fe . The golden s nl ght slept pon an me asu r eable f u waste o bl e .

To return w as fou nd rather harder work than

i o n entry had been . They were gett ng very ! E ii i well , however, when Lady m l a felt fa nt ,

un i and was able to proceed . After some l ttle

i us i i d sc s on, Raphael sa d

“ ’ Y o u s e e i o n u , she s afra d to go . We m st

’ ’ u s ee it if u get a boat ro nd . I ll go and to , yo ll ” i ZEmilia stay w th Lady .

‘ ” NO sh e i . Wu k o , no , sa d . Let Mr g g

V O L . I . X WEE NNE E 306 S T A PAG .

i — h e i u i he knows the sland better w ll be q cker .

Wu k i i And g , see ng no object on to the ar rangement, went .

” u sh e is i Well , tho ght Raphael, determ ned

‘ tét e—a—e i to have a t te w th me . I deserve a scold in u u sh e i g , no do bt, and I s ppose means to g ve me one .

He fou nd her a confort able seat o f the ever i i i i last ng gran te , and then l ghted a c garette .

” “ did o u ? sh e Why y come here , Raphael asked i after a t me .

“ No t s e e o u i . i u i to y , ch ld I had fil al d t es to i perform . Hav ng performed them , I mean to

” o ff be .

i o u i in I w sh y were drown ng that water,

u li o u i i Raphael . I Sho ld ke to watch y S nk ng, ” ul o u if i and know that I co d save y I l ked .

it o f u i i ! And not do , co rse, am able g rl Tell

j ” o u ? me now, what harm have I done y

Did not y o u make me love yo u ? Is that no

o u in harm, when y cared noth g for me , when I had to marry another man ? ”

’ o u u Well , y don t seem to have m ch love for

is an d o u me now ; and as that the case, as y

308 WEE NNE E S T A PAG .

i hi b u t i words . He sa d not ng, w shed the boat

u u u it did wo ld come ro nd ; and by good l ck, so ,

i i i u w th n five m n tes .

i himit is u i w i If I k ll yo r do ng, She h spered, as they advanced towards the boat.

i o f i in u u i T red wa t g sho ted H dson , cheer ly .

” Catch me going to s e e caverns again !

in i o t Next day the w d sh fted , and they g back

u u i to G ernsey, no m rder hav ng as yet been i comm tted . And the day after, Raphael took the

i u i t o ma l steamer to So thampton , resolv ng leave

fEmilia o wn i Lady to her dev ces . And, as we

u i him Clar es have seen , Cla d a heard of from g street .

EN F T R E D O HE FI ST VOLUM .

L ND N P RI NTE D BY MA DO NAL D AND G WELL BLE NE HO U E. O O : C TU , I M S