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 The Virginia HeiHess. 
 
 Bt 
 
 MAY AO-NES PLEMINa, 
 
 ilOTBOB Vf 
 
 "OUT EAitLsooTzard wira;" "lost fob a woman,* 
 
 ''A^LkDMABBIAOIB,'* "▲ WONDEBFUL WOMAN/' im 
 
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 SMITH, PtthlM«iM» 
 
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 •Mordinff to Aot of OoBgTMs, in tha yMT un,- 
 Br Strket a Smith, 
 
 o« tbe I4b«Mi»n of OongMM, I* WMhiagtoB, a a 
 
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 N. 
 
 THE VIBGINIA HSJIBESa 
 
 /- 
 
 
 / 
 
 »!*.i-d' 
 
 CHAPTER L 
 
 X SrOIL^Sl CHILD. 
 
 tong lines of red and orange were paling slowly in the w^t- 
 eni sky, sfilSWing where the August sun hafl dropped behind tfae 
 blue Virginian hills, as Sybilla , Tresylian stepped through the 
 open Frertch window into the grassy laWn. Singing as Ae 
 n|tn^ Jiolding a book in one hand, and swinging her hat in the 
 ^t^pr»% its rosy ribbons^ followed by two or three wooly poo- 
 d^pretematural ugliness, and a yelping m^e tan terrier, 
 young lady floated across the Iawn-^ye% floated, I say it 
 visedly ; it was not walking that airy, graceful, swimming 
 ofion, that scarcely seemed to bend the clipped grass on 
 Iwhich she trod She floated over the velvet sward, her white 
 muslin dnMs fluttering in the faint breeze and pink ribbons 
 blowing about her, to where, under some giant beeches skirt- 
 
 iles 
 
 '*^ 
 
 1- 1 < f 
 
 4-- 
 
 
 "■m 
 
 about, and an arbor of green vines and wild sweet roses. And 
 here. stiU^singing /*Zao darm," ^billa TresyHan flitted her 
 
 f w^,. 
 
■.# 
 
 1^- 
 
 I 
 
 to 
 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 tiry skirts over a rustic ann-chair, and settled herself to read- 
 tbat is to say, to look at the'rosjr sunset, to play with her dogs, 
 to throw crumbs to her swans, to ^ng litUe bits of operatic airs,' 
 and to read between whiles. Her book was "Lalla Rookh," 
 and it was just the hour and just the scene for a pretty, send- 
 mental girl to dream and re^ poetiy. 
 
 For Miss Tresylian. granddaughter avd sole heiress^ to the 
 richest man in Virginia, was sentimental, and willful, and way- 
 ward, and a little sill^ sometimes. She raved about George 
 Gordoh. Lord Byron, and his dear, delightliil, wicked "Cor- 
 sair." and "Giaour,'^ and "Childe Harold," and she doted 
 on Shelley, and Owen Meredith, and Tennyson, and had read 
 more novels in her seventeen years of life than would stock a 
 dicalating library. She was petted and spoiled, as it is in the 
 liature of heiresses to be, and she was capricious and exacting, 
 » and held firmly to the opinion that among aU the R F. V/i 
 there fiever was anything like the "bitter, bad Treaylians." 
 She was proud of her old name, of her^uistocratic English de- 
 Mht; bf her native State, of her stately gnindpapa,.of hey 
 beautifiiloldJiome;lind she would not have been anybody 
 butSybUlaTre^lian, of Tresylian, Va., fgraUihcwctfld. . .- 
 Look at her as she sits' there uiider the bMcbe% ^th the 
 ttemulousshadowsof the rose leaves fluttering about h^, ai^d 
 the gleaming orange light in the low sl^ making aa Mu«ole 
 ^bund her. She is very pnttty, is she not, with those ma^^i 
 ^^^citt"{eitaTes,Hi08c large, shining gay ^les, that grqiiJiat» 
 Wttout^cfarthatM of ripping chwnl Jiair?.. She.ii 
 
 
y- *. 
 
 rm 
 
 ■V ''":" 
 
 THB VIRGINIA HBIRSSS. 
 
 f to read—, ij 
 I her dpgs, |1 
 )eiatic aire,. ''l\ 
 a Rookh," 
 ettjr, senti- 
 
 ress to the 
 , and way- 
 bt Geoige 
 :ed "Cor- 
 she doted 
 I had read 
 Id stock a 
 it is in the 
 exacting, 
 F«F. V.'s 
 nssfliaoa. 
 Qglishde- 
 
 H of h^ 
 
 anjrbodf 
 
 If 
 
 petite, but proportioned as daintily as a feiiy, and the little head 
 can poise iteelf with queenly grace on that arching, slender 
 throat ^5he is very pretty; and very charming, and very rich, 
 and yet poorer than other girls, for she has neither fethernor 
 mother. She knows she is a bewitching little fairy, for has'she 
 not been told it since she was a wee. toddling thing; and she 
 is coquettish, and fickle, and vain, and sUly. She is alT this, 
 but ren^ember, she never had a mother. If. by and by. you 
 come to despise her, and think veiy badly of her for sins and 
 misdoings, remember this. She never had a mother; she has 
 been an orphan since babyhood. If she does wrong, it is be- 
 cause she has ne^ver been taught to do right ; she has been al- 
 most taught to l?9lievethiit she cannot sin ; that she is a beauti- 
 ful and perfect being; that life is one long summer holiday, and 
 that she is todance along her shining life pathway, gatheri^ in 
 roses without tfronw. StiflTering and sorrow, and sin and! thame 
 there may bein this big world, but they are to be oMneaA- 
 ihgless words to iliss Tresyliaii, of Tresylian Ha^L' A doting 
 gnmd&ther; an idfeliiing nurte, admiriig servant^ and toady- 
 ing teachers have only praised, and flattered, and caressed; no 
 whims are to be contradicted, no fcncy thwarted. 
 - "Let her crown hereelf with roses before they fide," is to be 
 Ai^otto of all *rho approach her; . * 
 
 ^ So SybiHaTre^liMi sits in the green gloOm of the ariw <m 
 het^ seventeenth birthday, and watches the August sun go down 
 
 amt^rcrouds," and chattera pretty 
 
 ircanopjr<if-i 
 
 ,,1; ' . "w.« |«SV«»^ 
 
 ttoasense to her dbg*, i^nd whistles to the stately swans, and 
 
 \ . '. .1,. ■ i 
 
 'A' 
 
 •1 
 
 
r 
 
 
 
 
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 IM 
 
 raw nxGJiirA m/tMss. 
 ^ little bit, of „dody fK„» "Ulla <lookl,» ar«,dbr 
 
 her chair to read in earnest 
 
 _ Tie low ,.ll„« ,igh. p„„ ^,„ „j j^,^^ ._^ ^^ ^^^^ 
 
 Ar. «,d Ae b.g;, white Aug»,. moon sails s«e„ely „p behind 
 Jd.. m^ hilK Theevening b«e». all .cent«l wii .^ ^d 
 p.gnonett.„d heliotrope, lifl, a,e bright.e«,b .t iu«prir« 
 «II. .»ngb.rf ,„ U,e pine woods trills sweefly its vesper chant. 
 
 a«agh 4. g^ i„„ entanceisate^ and rides up ft. ,on/ 
 
 kooft & I on tarfy sward. »d she hea» him not She is thon- 
 «nds of «.1« .w,y--.in u>at deligbtfiU region of the sun." 
 
 « » h^ b«hda,. „d ftat there is to be a party, «.d «^ she 
 h« to dress, and 4a, «,n,ebody, in whom she oagh. to be (nore 
 mte^sM U.n e.n ta M.^nna. is to art™ ftis tn^^ "a" 
 fo^ts evening but Tom Moo-e's enchanting mas^iec. 
 
 nlveiy moon sails up to the zenith. . ana tne. 
 
 Suddenly two hand, «e clasped over heroes, and some on. 
 tieope down and kisses her cheek. 
 
 "Eleanor?" Sybilla said at a ventnia ^ ..:■■■■-■■' 
 
 • No, not Eleanor. Gnosagain." 
 
 Sybilla .un«l up with » .rv. fer k. .^' ^„x ^ . 
 
 le voice or o «-« *_ _.- - •»rau5c, 
 
 «ii^ .^' f^ "^ — —^-^ i ^ J 'Y^i ^ cTOi B B was st ra nge, ted^ 
 
 «..™c..f,„,„. A.d..conlh,a,«lhi»br«thlJrty,Ar 
 
 :. »l h i*l1> > % «l 
 
 'Vm>^i*4^ u4 
 
 l^-^ni¥r'^^;#- 
 
 
c\ 
 
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 ''i^. 
 
 i eveiylhing in 
 I settles back in. 
 
 in the western 
 nely up behind 
 with roses arid 
 It its capricious 
 s vesper chant, 
 comes slowly 
 s up the long, 
 but his horse's 
 She is thou- 
 of the sun," 
 id forgets that 
 and that she 
 ht to be inore 
 evening. She 
 masterpiece, 
 >wer, and the. 
 
 ad seme one . 
 
 I 
 
 stranger^ftRi 
 thiessly, she 
 
 rdf 
 
 ''.m 
 
 VIRGINIA HEIRESS, 
 
 >3 
 
 uttered another ezclaBiation, and held out both hai^ds with a 
 radiant &ce. . 
 
 "Eustace I Oh, dear me I how glad I am to see you 1 You 
 scared me nearly to deathi When did you come ?" 
 
 The young man laughed good-na,turedly aA the torrent of 
 words. He was a tall young man, of five or six-and-twenty, 
 sallow, and plain, and intelligent, and gentlemaaly of air and 
 bearing, with a profusion of lig^t whiskers 9f^A mustache, and 
 close-cropped light hair. ' ' 
 
 '^'l^hen did I come? About fifteen minutes ago. I shook 
 hands "with the governor and Mrs. Waldron ; leasned from Miss 
 Eleanor Waldron that I should probably find you here, and so 
 I — I came, X saw, I conquered. As fond of reading and poo- 
 dle dogs as ever, Sybilla?" 
 
 
 
 Sybilla nodded and laughed, and looked at hhn as though 
 taking his measure for a suit of clothed The young man took 
 off his tall hat and stood bareheaded before her for inspection. 
 They were distant cousins, Sybilla and Eustace Tresylian. 
 They had grown up tofl|^i> and they had not met for five 
 years.. ^ W • .S 
 
 i "Well, Sybilla, will I do?" ^ 
 
 /'Not for v!X3 husband," said Sybilla Tresylian, with a frank, 
 innocent laugh. "Grandpapa told me the other day that he 
 destined you for that honor; but it won't do, Eustace." 
 
 " Why Yiot, Sybilla?" 
 Lt oo k out h i rdgar c a w aa he gp^ ju^tMydk ^c^> I Jy ^ 
 
 "Mayin. \ „ ' \ 
 
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"Oh, tobe#^^eI I'm* used *« ;♦ " 
 
 •"daylong. Smot..o-.«« "if »«et 
 
 ,' 
 
 '"A 
 with a 
 I imp: 
 
 Come 
 
 Thousand thanks I And while I Zj ^' ' ^ 
 
 yon so, do you?" ^"^^^you don't mind me teUin„ ^°°'' 
 
 "% no means " tafrf nr r. ^ I ^^^ 
 
 -"ter o, yo,r mindf „i. r^^r ' °'«!" '"^ «-« 
 •ome chmci; but as it » •- ^' ^?" '»'e'« stand 
 
 Ittia Trao-Iian shook her aub„„. ■ , ' 
 
 « "'"T; girhsh. thought,:^ w™ ""*'"' ""• '"^'■«<«-*ch 
 
 *»«", I II remedy alj that rii ^ . 
 ^ d^. acd ru rLJ::^ Zvlt ■""" ''^'»-' 
 *»» Au»t CJbloe, th. 6bok J I '^'^ "^ """Bon, 
 
 "But then, fbpr „™,,, . , * 
 »d.our^e,'Jen„rr:r,:^' ^T' ^°" ^^^ »A 
 
 ^ ^»^>»'e««»ndpap.arver„?r No,.i,,ft,^( 
 ««• Tre^Iian-such !Z^JZ * ""'' "* ""^ ^ 
 
 ' y^^ perceive I can't ' 
 
 '.^f 
 
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 beof tl 
 
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 dpapahas-hiimeet 
 
 >ke, mylair'couain. 
 1" ^ ^ 
 
 lad^, coquettUh]^.\ 
 t mind me telling 
 
 'ian, taking a seat 
 SybilIa,^ou Jiave 
 « a splendid hus- 
 5 only skin deep." 
 ^rpu had liack 
 cjan nose, and a 
 J'?^ might stand 
 
 1 feughed— such 
 
 ^ttle of patent 
 se to mention, 
 on, our s^tefy 
 
 * 
 
 ou khow it la^ 
 '% in the waj 
 ^o, sir, it. won't 
 : be Mrs. Eq^ 
 
 r/« VIRCmU HRtRESS. 
 
 H 
 
 ' "Alasl that nly cruel de^ffiy should send me into the world 
 with a snub nos<^; hut don't da anything rash, Miss Tresylian. 
 I imfwove vastly on acquaintance — upon my wor4 I do!" > ' ~ 
 ^SybmpI Sybilla I'^- called a voice. "Where is the child? 
 Come into the house andjir^" * 
 
 andp^r 
 
 I can't* 
 
 / 
 
 Sybilla started up. 
 
 •'.There, don't you hear Miss Waldron calling? ^Cwoe, Eus- 
 tace." . 
 
 The pretty coquette pushed her hand through his arm aiid 
 started wiflj him toward the house. The young man shot a" 
 piercing, sidelong look a^the lady, as if he would read ^khat/ 
 lay under that sparlclingf silly ^urface. But she was off ata 
 new tangent, telling him all about the slowness of life, and iht 
 stupidity of things in general )tt. Tresylian Hall. She was an., 
 irj^eterate chatter-box, and had been ever sinoe the days when >^ 
 sh^ gossiped to hfrdoUsT)y the hour. . - y 
 
 , "Well, Sybilla," EUstace satd, when she paused, br«nhless, 
 
 "all this shall be remedied. When we get married I " 
 
 ^ " But we won'/ get married, " cried Sybilla, shrilly. "I never, 
 could bear feir men, with wishy-washy ^mplexions and ftir 
 eyes." ' ^ 
 
 -"SybUU, don't be ihexorable?" I shall break my heart 1" ' 
 "Of course, you will ! i should be shocked and disappoint- 
 ed i f you did not I B ut don't you an d gra ndiapa go talking to^ 
 '16 mv%ie meljSto an engagement, hecause it will nS^ 
 ute:' i\et grandpapa go-«n' before jrou ckme— * 
 
 r: 
 
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 ••*^-.><v^^ 
 
 16 
 
 THE VlRGmu ffEinESS. 
 
 J 
 
 matter at once, I suppose grand nana will h« ^- • 
 
 *t^ J Id t r"""" *' "'"="' ""•>■"« "- >-* - d 
 
 al ~'"* "' "'* "* ""^-^ '"iaing .,« to hi, 
 
 "Nothing of the sort. Because vour nam- k 
 
 ""», my dear Sybilh-jost uke dm. and ij^^^^. 
 
 They were ascending the steps of the house hv thi- r 
 •"«*"" ""•di-nbin* row tniltog over it ""*»"* 
 
 'ThiitH 
 
 !«.«. ,:**!^^''' SJ"-"!,." Ea«.« T«r,i„ «id, fli™. 
 
 J 
 
 *'^>: ^&p^^-r---CXr-i!i:z:r' 
 
 
 V " t y* 
 
 \t^^ .* 'V'/ 
 
^^fw 
 
 go on about you, b( 
 ched you Up and im 
 »d straightened you 
 puts an end to the 
 t)e disappointed, and 
 It it can't be helped 
 ^'ou for, Cousin Eus- 
 ing her hands round 
 shining eyes in his 
 
 l^t .y,.. -,.^^x*,r ^ 
 
 ^^♦*»-,- 
 
 ow in the nniveree 
 
 «ne happens to, be 
 I name to keep to- 
 
 M»; "how can yon 
 s so dreadfully reso- 
 draw me ou^ and 
 bxget all about my 
 the happiest pair 
 
 « by this time, a 
 undred years old 
 the building; with 
 
 
 T/I£ VIRGINIA HEIRESS, 
 
 It 
 
 
 heart, and all that sort of thing, and dorit be so frightfully Jn- 
 flexible." 
 
 ' ' It's of no use, " Miss Tresylian replied, seriously. * ' Think- 
 ing of your blighted hopes, your broken heart, and all that 
 sort of thing," mimicking hi&tone, "won't improve those feat- 
 ures of yours, nor make you one bit like Edgar Ravenswood, 
 or Zanoni, or the Corsair. Uj^uld like to have married Jhe 
 Corsair, 1 think, or Count iHra, or Claude Duval— aiiything 
 but a lawyer with cropped hair and yellow whiskers." 
 
 She ran into the hall as she spoke and flew up stairs. Mr. 
 Tresylian, lingering on the piazza, heard her singing clearly and 
 
 sweetly as she went : 
 
 '< Tell me not of your soft sighing lover. 
 Such things may be had by.tfae KxaOp. 
 I'd rather be bride to a rover, ^ 
 
 And polish the rifle he bore." ';. 
 
 > '^1 
 
 , t'\ 
 
 - i: 
 
 i 
 
 ''i^i I 
 
 sylian said, fling- 
 op«V my broken 
 
 A^- -\....i,.^ J^i''^ .-;'(..•»» - ^V*.. 
 
 ■' -V'i^ 
 
 
[, 
 
 
 .• ! 
 
 X8 
 
 TffE fVJiG/J)^Ai £r£/Jl£sS. 
 
 CHAPTER 11 
 
 MK. EUSTACE TRESTLLIW. 
 
 Mr at fte crysul moon. He ^ Tj ' '"'"^ *■»«'"- 
 Which he and hi, «,«„ had irb^^Tl* '^' ""**«« "f 
 
 maniagewa, r^Ur a matter of vi^„ " '■"*''™' *» 
 
 husband of Mi« Tr^,^^ .heh^^ X^" -^ "'■»• .^e 
 order of being fiom the araffitor^f""""" *«■«■« 
 
 '.^^;r;i:s:---«^.hem.nor. 
 
 "«h'. idol. na. sonX^^':;-'* " """"^"^ 
 wife of the daughter of theTnT ! *" '°°' " '"■^^ 
 whose fortune swelled the al^dvYlf ""'^ ^•'Si^hciT«^ 
 
 fimilv T„» already, liill coffeis of th, t ,. 
 
 "miiy. Two jwus after her marriam. .1, Tnaylian 
 
 *«« 7«« later her h^bandZT ??°""* '* *«'• V^ 
 four-,..r,M daughter u.h^au^^'^ ''^ leaving hi. „;«. 
 f"" bec^ne a.e da,^ cf^!" ^^ ^"» «»' hour U.. 
 
 "« «mo8t jdoJatioaa irowhip Of 
 
 -&" 
 
 rtiff£rf:iS('w.'St,^;yJ 
 
 •:''if'«<^':%€fe 
 
.• t 
 
 s. 
 
 y«an lit a second 
 looked thought- 
 ' that marriage of 
 • lightly as he 
 ennination, this 
 e to him. The 
 
 quite a different 
 er, drudging in 
 
 of the manor, 
 onlysott^his 
 t to himself a 
 rinia heiress— 
 the Tresyiian ' 
 wfe died, and 
 'ng his liiue 
 that hour the 
 
 ■ f' 
 
 'w/iian'g lii^ 
 8 woiship of 
 
 THE VIRCmiA HEIRESS, <V 
 
 [thafr little flaxen-haired child. He could hardly let her oui of 
 his sight She sat with him in snowy pinafores in a high seat 
 at table, and sailed her shoes in the soup, and washed her hands 
 in hock and Moselle unhindered. She was his companion in 
 all his walks, and rides, and drives; her will was law, and the 
 little toddling danfsel, in short frocks and pantalettes, ruled the 
 household as with a rod of iron. 
 
 Years went by. Miss Tiesylian was growing tall, and mas- 
 ters and governesses began flocking to the hall. The mastery 
 it WW a noticeable feet, were all old and ugly, and married 
 men; and the governesses, the hardest and grimmest of old 
 maids. Still, the young lady's education was very spasmodic 
 arid imperfect, for she was perpetually quarreling with these pre- 
 ceptors, and getting them dismissed,, and commencing over 
 again under new ones. She could leap a five-barred gate on an 
 Arab steed much better than she could play triplfets and arp^- 
 gios and cinque-paced passages on the grand piaHo, and she 
 was much more interested in the adventures of Jack Shepherd 
 and Claude Duval than in those of Telemachus and Mentor. 
 She rode, and walked^ and played billiards with grandpapa, and 
 practiced her music, and played with her pet dogs, and birds^ 
 and rabbits, and read novels week in and week out, and grew 
 up— smd was seventeen years of age. Mr. Tresylian did not 
 approve of all those highly-spiced romances, too strong for his 
 ind, but the golden-hai red 
 
 littiegirl'! 
 
 tyrant 
 
 ■<■ il 
 
 dedsively in the matter, laBwl would not be interfered witfi. OF 
 OQVxae^ with all these novels, and the poems of Measn. Shelley, 
 
 ^ 
 
 ■4''^^-i 
 
 ■, .i;Mi:"^;-s 
 
 
 m 
 
I 
 
 - />{ 
 
 ■i>-. 
 
 ! ! 
 
 *» raCE VlgcmiA HMlKBfs. 
 
 eou,^^ and „a^ ,„d ^.d h„ f„,„e Z^ ^1 
 
 n««i „a.,.r.>f-^. Cousin Eu»u.«. d,e nJ; Y„fk lawy " 
 
 ^ In. m.nd .he should be carried. He «,s „„^ „„„ ^y 
 
 ZeTLtL"'""''"""^' -««'««q-« proper. H^ 
 ft her had been a ve,y ren«.te ki„s„,an of Mr. T^uVn's and 
 
 ^ t '"'"» "' "^ " '*"^» ^" of ^ Pe-»i«e« and 
 
 n.t r K """""* '*''• " "' "■"«• -' -». of be- 
 «own.g upon h,n..hi. greatest earthly tteasu™. For ^i, .he 
 
 ^ «... h^ many ^„, Fi„, hi, name was T«sylian. 
 
 «d ., «. of „tal moment to pe^^tuate that name. J^^ 
 
 «pthe,r ancient race ; «condly. married to Eustace, hi. darUng 
 
 «ed ne«r lea,e him. She might many».me fo«ign gand«> 
 
 . » true bnt then .he would be lost to him fo,«er!!^b!"t; 
 
 ^ ""'^' '»"■"' ^ -^ %H ye. it «», Wool ««. 
 blood IS thicker than water. "^^t ^« 
 
 f ^^f^'^^J^SybillaV.emci; w«i .cat to a,Iu«w. 
 •ndpaduatedthew with high honor.. He had «orc thjfti 
 
 . \- •«'s 
 

 the young lady wa 
 > the grand subjects oi 
 ure liusband picturec 
 letimes a tender anc 
 ed, like Ernest Mai- 
 leful, and irresistible, 
 daring, splendid, like 
 verj'thing, but snub- 
 ^cvf York lawyer, 
 grandpapa had made 
 was ausm more by 
 s quite proper. His 
 Mr. Tresylian's, and, 
 of age penniless and 
 Id adopted an4edu- 
 ned out well, of be- 
 sure. For this the 
 ame was Tresylian, 
 >at name, and keep 
 Eustace, his darling 
 ne foreign grandee, 
 
 forever-rbome off 
 lirdly, although the 
 iiiwtu blood, 4nd 
 
 
 73K» mROmiA HRtRBSS. 
 
 at 
 
 ,y*"' 
 
 •ent to CoIumbJ*, 
 tuul more than fol* 
 
 ■A'S^I 
 
 filled all his benefiwtor's expectations ; he had been a model of 
 exemplary conduct all his life; he was clever, and tolerably 
 well-looking. What more could any girl desire? On more 
 than one occasion Mr. Tresyliin had dropped a hint to SybUla 
 that she was to look upon Eustace as'her future husband, and 
 Mistress SybUla had pureed up her rosy lips, and set her head 
 on one side like a defiant canaiy, and made up her mind to do 
 as she liked about it .^'' 
 
 Eustace Tresylian, working away at his profession in New 
 York, underetood all this perfectly, and appreciated it fully; tut 
 he waited for Mr. Tresylian to take the initiative. Two weeks 
 previous to his arrival at the hall, he had received the following 
 
 communication i . Trr-^s^^ 
 
 TaistLiAN, Aug. 5, i&— . 
 My Dear Boy— You must be nearly worked to death in that 
 stifiing city, and badly in want of a little firesh air- Come *nd 
 see uS if your clients will permit you. The twenty;;seventh u 
 my granddaughter's seventeenth birthday (how time flies!), and 
 we shaU be delighted to have you with us on tha^ happy amu- 
 veraaiy, c 
 
 There was very little in this note to the general -reader, but it 
 bore a marked significance to Eustace. The time had come at 
 last; the little heiress was dawning into womanhood, and it was 
 time for the siege to begia Others would be there to contest 
 tiie pri«6-4e was to be first in the field. He had not teen Mi« 
 ^"Trl br upwa r d s of fi v e ye ars, b u t he r e m e mber e d ^ veiy well t h r. 
 latt time he had looked up<^ her. He and Mr. Treajrlian were 
 
 *;"&w 
 
 Vr. -> t <i* • Vf tj.^ *'"' "*■»«=* i^.*-*' !^ Uvi 
 
 'i^Sriii 
 
 i^^_^Vi.-*^^JS.' 
 
- '1 
 
 /•» 
 
 29 
 
 TJfS yiRCmiA SEZRESS. 
 
 ^ 
 
 on the piam, and she was seated on the feassr la™ h./ 
 pantaletted angel in white and azure ^ ^"^' * 
 
 naa said, with his hand on his shoulder "nnH 
 ^ »n a very few veara w,ll k« *aouiaer, and 
 
 7 *cw years, will be your reward " 
 
 He pointed to the little irirl with fK«fl« , 
 
 tace repressed a strong desire to wh.-,.u t °T' ^""^ ^"'- »8: rou 
 
 ♦o«- . i^'wic aogs on the Rrass and l?.,o- 
 
 ace repressed a strong desi,« .o whistle. It nev^a " 
 entered the old man's h«rt .k,. i,- moment 
 
 ^^^...dman^sa^l-an^r-r^r- 
 
 HetdZ/:;r:ir;:^:' "" '- ^'''■" "" "^"^ 
 
 "hen he «„, al aid ''*"«:'-°°'^ » «'" ".M .ban 
 mtle for all tr IL ' ' " '"^'"«- «' "^ v«T 
 
 "«„ld be as her affianced husband ^""'•"* T'''^""" 
 
 lining against the vihe-wreathed Dinar rf,i„ ■ 
 the twinkling sta« cam. out. the 1^7 "^ ** "^^ FM« 
 
 eado^ 
 id th 
 imbra 
 ingyli 
 
 AttI 
 
 Id ma 
 osty, 
 
 "I 
 
 ud, " 
 
 indersi 
 
 East 
 ,nd th< 
 brief 
 s imp 
 
 "W 
 ength, 
 
 "Oi 
 )y the 
 n her. 
 hat, si 
 
 "Y( 
 
 "Ui 
 
 "Y 
 ^iieKi 
 
>• 
 
 iSS. 
 
 drassjr lawn below, a 
 
 rim vTRGimA heiress. 
 
 n 
 
 •een a boy, Eustace," 
 ' his shoulder, "and 
 •d." 
 
 en curls playing with 
 the grass, and Eus- 
 
 never for a moment 
 f could be anything 
 stace had no obje(»- 
 marked, the heirei 
 aspeakably accepti 
 pretty, and he had 
 his gratitude most 
 
 5 claim his bride, 
 a toller child than 
 ?• He cared very 
 :k of good looks, 
 Eustace Xresylian 
 »» themselves, and 
 lertoke. Let her 
 he left Tresylian 
 
 Ae 
 
 piazza, while 
 
 im ok e d hi a^ 
 
 eadows, the rich fields, the dark woods, the stately old house, 
 id thought how much better all this was, even with the in- 
 imbrance of a silly little wife, than plodding on forever in that 
 ingy law-office, among troublesome clients and more trouble- 
 )m^ creditors. 
 
 At that moment a hand dropped on his shoulder, and, look- 
 ig round, Eustace saw Mr. Tre^lian — a tall, spare, ifrtiite-haired 
 Id man, who looked like a French marquis of the old regime-^ 
 osty, but kindly. - y^^~^ Q 
 
 "I want to have a talk with you, Eustoce," Mr. Tresylian 
 lid, "before our guests arrive. We may as well come to an 
 inderstanding at once." - S 
 
 Eustoce threw away his cigar, linked his arm in the oldjman's, 
 nd the two paced slowly up and down the piazza. There was 
 brief silence. Mr. Tresylian looked slightly at a loss, Eustoce 
 s impenetrable as if his hot were a waxen mask. / 
 
 "What do you think of Sybilla?" Mr. Tresylian asked at 
 ength, very abruptly. "Do you find her greatly changedl?" 
 
 "On, the contrary," replied the young man, "I was struck 
 )y the slightness of the alterations the last five years have made 
 n her. She is toller, and even prettier, I think ; but, beyond- 
 hat, she is the same artless Sybilla of five years a^o." 
 
 "You think her pretty, then?" / 
 
 "Undoubtedly, as every one must" / / 
 
 " YouTused to be fond of her as a bq^" said Mr. Tresylian, 
 
 on the swelling 
 
 damsels of 
 
 SfelSsTy ; "how B It now? Have^^he dashiag .- - 
 
 New York driven your little cousin's Image fixwa your mind ?" 
 
 
 V 
 
 ' /^ *-*■'' ' ^ '\- 
 
.■<■ 
 
 '1' ■■» 
 
 i 
 
 M I, 
 
 K" 
 
 'If*' 
 
 «4, 
 
 3%^ riRCmiA ttElRESS. 
 
 An almost imperceptible smile dawned and feded on the Ac, 
 of Eustace. - ^'. 
 
 ' By no means, sir. The dashing damsels of New York an 
 ^g to me, nor I to them, and I am as fond of my pretti 
 little cousin, AS ever I was." ' * 
 
 " Fond enough to many her ?" 
 
 Mr. Eustace Tresylian looked at his benefector with an ex 
 pression of surprise that was veiy well got up indeed. 
 
 "My dear sir! Marry Sybillal Do I understand you 
 aright?" 
 
 " To be sure you do I" testily. " Is there anything so veiy 
 preposterous in the idea, that you stand there the pictuit of as- 
 tonishment?" . , 
 
 "No," said Ristace, slowly and thoughtfully. "No, Mr 
 Tresylian ; it is only the suddenness and unekpectedness of—" 
 
 " Unexpectedness I What the duse is the fellow talking 
 about? Didn't I tell you five yea« ago to be as exemplary a 
 man as you were a boy, and sJi^ should be your reward ? Stuff 
 and nonsense! Don't pretend you have foigottenl I won't 
 believe it" 
 
 "Ihave not foigotten,"said Eustace, quietly; "butlsup- 
 posed you had. Believe me, Mr. Tresylian, I am fuUy sensi- 
 ble of a/7 your great kindness-this last and greatest particu- 
 larly. At the same time " 
 
 '/You beg to decline. Is that it?" interrupted Mr. Tresyl- 
 .ABt haughtily^ steppingrg ho r t "Ou t^wotrit 
 
 ' Yes, ar I" said Eustace, firmly, " unless my Cousin Sybilla 
 
 y^i&gjLj^ 
 
 ,,< w-i 
 
 Suh^i 
 
V 
 
 ESS. 
 
 1 and fiuled on the &ct 
 
 isels of Ne\«r York ar 
 as fond of my prett) 
 
 )ene&ctor with an ex 
 
 up indeed. 
 
 I understand you 
 
 lere anything so very 
 ere the picture of as- 
 
 :htfully. "No, Mr. 
 ekpectedness of — -" 
 i the fellow talking 
 teas ezemplaiy a 
 your reward ? Stuflf 
 foigotten I I won't 
 
 uietly; "butlsup- 
 n, lam fully sensi- 
 ad greatest particu- 
 
 ■rupted Mr. Tre^I- 
 
 Tt^—- — --— 7"^^ 
 I my Cousin Sybilla 
 
 TffE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 »5 
 
 
 herself is ijerfectly willing. Understand me, my' best friend, 
 Sybilla is, as she has always been, very dear to me, and nothing 
 would make me so happy as to call her wife— my whole life 
 would be devoted to her. But without her free and full con- 
 sent, I cannot, I will not, marry her 1" \ 
 Mr. Tresylian grasped the young man's hand cordially. 
 .♦•My dear boy, you speak nobly , your sentiments are worthy 
 of you. I know Sybilla will be happy with you. I know you 
 will devote your whole life to making her happy. If 1 thought 
 Otherwise, I would see her in her grave sooner than wedded to 
 you 1 She shall consent" 
 •' But without coercion, sir ?" 
 
 «' Of course. I love my darling too well to force her to any- 
 thing, even for her own good." 
 There was a brief silence. Then — 
 "You are certain her affections are disengaged ?" 
 "Quite certain^ How could it be otherwise ? She has been, 
 reared up here in Eastern seclusion, going no where scarcely, 
 and receiving no visitors. Except the heroes of her pet novels, 
 Miss Tresylian is in love with no one." ' ' 
 
 Eustace smiled, but grew grave again almost instantly. 
 "I hardly know how to thank you. My obligations to you 
 are so many and so heavy, that any thanks I could oflFer would 
 be totally inadequate. I know how many fer more worthy 
 ^on ldJ ) e j onl y,J b« u ;ha to hMrjQff^ .Je iWW of Tresylian 
 
 
 HalL' 
 
 "PrtcMy/saidMr. Tresylian, dxyly; "the Aarwo/Jh^ 
 
 -#* 
 
 •'^^P 
 
 *l!" 
 *. 
 
 t-- 
 
 .V, 
 
 Si 
 'J'- 
 
 t . 
 
 
 

 li 
 
 
 
 s6 
 
 to 
 
 ,.1 
 
 ..^' 
 
 r/K VIRGINTA HEIRE^. 
 
 sy/ixn Baa will have no lack of suitora; but I don't- choose to 
 have her fell a prey to some designing fortune-hunter with a 
 Grecian nose and empty pociet It is because shfe is heiress of 
 Tresylian Hall that I want you to be first in the field-it is for 
 that I sent for you this time. She is veiy young yet-only sev- 
 enteen-but quite old enough to form an engagement that will 
 keep others at bay. As soon as you please, after the comple- 
 tion of her eighteenth birthday, she shall be yow wife." 
 
 Eustacft tresylian grasped the old man's hand, really agi- 
 tated. , ' / -« 
 
 "You overpower me. I .a«««/ thank you. As Heaven 
 heais me, I shall never give you occasion to repent your confi- 
 dence." ^ 
 
 " I believe you. my boy. And now our friends are begin- 
 ning to arrive, and r must leave you. The reSt is in your own 
 , hands. SybiUa's heart is free, and you are a clever fellow, and 
 have a lawyer's tongue. And you know what Shakespeare 
 
 " TTie man that hath a tongue, I say fa no m«a, 
 If with that tongue he cannot win a woman." 
 
 Two ca^ages rolled up the tiee-shaded avenue in the misty 
 moonlight, and dropping the young^man's arm, with a signifi- 
 cant smile, the lord of Tresylian Hall walked courteoiisly for- 
 ward IP wecome his gu^ls. ' „ 
 
 rhcV.^ 
 liant 
 ere \« 
 prel 
 / hac 
 ting 
 .rklin 
 ber J 
 yspr 
 Itlio 
 iles^ 
 
 Mr. ] 
 tehee 
 tterfl; 
 ;k to 
 itime 
 
 wai 
 the ' 
 
 '^^^■* 
 
 
 »» kt^* 
 
 ■ ilfflrrff-t- 
 
"a»< 
 
 /-'» 
 
 w^^>fm-i\ 
 
 t^a. 
 
 but I don't- choose to 
 fortune-hunter with a 
 cause shfe is heiress of 
 in the field—it is for 
 young yet— only sev- 
 engagement that will 
 we, after the comple- 
 •eyoi^wife." 
 a's hand, really agi- 
 
 
 riA HEIJiESS. 
 
 r 
 
 »7 
 
 >< 
 
 t you. As Heaven 
 to repent your confi- 
 
 ir friends ^ begin- 
 e rcit is in your own 
 a clever felloe, and 
 r what Shakespeare 
 
 DO man, j 
 
 roman." 
 
 avenne in the misty 
 
 arm, with a signifi- 
 
 :ed courteOpslyibr- 
 
 CHAPTER IIL 
 
 THB COURSE OF TRUE LOVE. 
 
 I» 
 
 ^ 
 
 ■# 
 
 >f-H 
 
 t 
 
 • '!3..»^"'j't<t.s*iiV5i, li^!^^ 1 iK,?\(5ii.i^& 
 
 •-;/ 
 
 rheVlong drawing-room at Tresylian, usually so quiet, wa« 
 liant that evening with wax lights, flowers; and pretty girls, 
 ere were about a score of young ladies present, all more or 
 pretty, but not one prettier than the little heiress whose/* 
 y had cw^e to celebrate. Dressed in pale pink, filmy and 
 .ting like\a rosy cloud, with ribbons fluttering and jewels 
 rkling about her, and all her bright, pretty curls dropping in 
 ber glory to her waist, Miss tresylian was charming as some 
 y sprite. Here, there, and everywhere that slenji«r pink figure, 
 i tBose long, light ringletslhishedr^ the rosy fece radiant with 
 iles* and flushed with excitement— 
 
 " Queen-rose pf the rosebud-garden of girls." ' 
 Mr. Eustace Tresylian leaned against a marble coin An, and 
 tched her tripping hither and thither like some l?right-winged 
 ttei^y, and thought,, after all, it would not be much of a draw- 
 :k to take the estate with this incumbrance. He was not a 
 itimental. nor even a susceptible, young man by any meaiis, 
 d^srasveiylikely to pasTThrough life with bat a \axf 
 the "grande passion." He was not the least bit ^dazzled, nw 
 
 #- 
 
 \ 
 
 "■% 
 
■;v= 
 
 -T?**?- 
 
 'm 
 
 •m 
 
 K.\'^f-''^r:M'Wi: 
 
 "\r^ ^^-.^a 
 
 .f 
 
 n 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 the slightest degree in love with his bewitching little cousin i\ 
 he was very well satisfied to marry her, and be a good 
 ful, and even affectioiiat^, husband, as husbands gp. J 
 train her u[) to his- own, standard of «'hata^.«Q^ 
 should be. which was not very high; fur ^55|iB^esyliaah 
 no idea of female intellect, and shrugged his shoui'dersatlit 
 ary ladies as unnatural and monstrous creatures, to be avoid 
 and put down by lordly man. .She was silly and sentiment 
 but he would smooth all that out of her presently with ih .. 
 moral flat-irt)n called common sense; and she would give , 
 Dickens and Tennvisnn fnr Bh.rt-K.,f»;, .- j . .; « '^*'" 
 
 Dickens and Tennyson for shirt-button sewing and attending^ 
 ^e ^a^itjpf her lord and master: 
 
 Ei^^ Tresylian had the honor of the firsts dance with tl 
 heiress, to the disappointment of half a dozen competitors. 
 was the only quadrille she danced with him, but she favore 
 him with a waltz. She wasa charming waltzer, and passioi 
 ately fond of it. and when it was over and she was fanning he 
 self, with Eustace playing the devpted, Mr. Tresylian approache 
 th,em. • ^ ^ 
 
 "Eustace." he said, "I ^^^^m would ask Eleanor to dano 
 -Bh« i^o^ther neglected. HfflMthere intk^^csi^ 
 
 ■window." 
 
 Eustace departed, and sTbiilT looked up at her gnuul&th 
 with sparkling eyes. 
 
 'Oh, grandpapa, how nice this is I How I do love picas 
 twi^niy " " 
 
 <«< 
 
 ly came everfiiight I" 
 
 — "Foolish chUd I by and by you will wis^i|,^Bly oamt one 
 
 
 :«**:/' *:*,*• 
 
 x 
 
 ^.OSV ' 
 
 ■,■ -(,1^ 
 
 ny « 
 
 rov 
 (( 
 
 ing. 
 
 wal 
 
 1 
 
 at a 
 
 ott 
 
 wit 
 
 no] 
 
 Kei 
 
 wii 
 
 sel 
 
 to 
 W 
 in 
 
 S 
 
r" . 
 
 
 ^ 'i 
 
 7 
 
 •3L 
 
 >■ %• 
 
 > "". 
 
 / 
 
 ivifcliing little cousin i,, 
 , and be a good 
 hysbands go. / 
 what^a^M-Qi^ 
 
 "•■ ^«S^^^csylian, 
 ged his shpurdersatiiti 
 I creatures, to be avoid 
 •as silly and sentiment; 
 f her pr«ently with l\ 
 ; and she would give , 
 I sewing and attending 
 
 Tff£ VIRCmiA HEIRESS. 
 
 •9 
 
 " the firstdante with tl 
 a dozen competitors, 
 th him, but she iavon 
 ng waltzer, and passior 
 md she was fanning he 
 4r. Tresylian approache 
 
 lid ask Eleanor todanc 
 there ini||MM:es^oflh 
 
 d up at her grand&th 
 
 How I do love jdcas 
 ightr ^— — ) 
 
 wi8^%OBl7 ount one 
 
 
 itpe yeara; it is always th? way with ladi«». But, 'Sy- 
 
 •-Yes, grandpapa.' 
 . - 1 want you to d^me a favor. Don't waltz or polka with . 
 ny of these young men. except. Whaps. Eustace. I don't ap- 
 
 iroveofit— it isn't modest" ^ 
 .. It's modest with Eustax^, I 'suppose I" said SybUla, pg^ 
 
 "^'« With Eustace it is quite another thing ; waltz with hiim^ if' 
 
 roudhoose, but with no other." ,, v'. ,* 
 
 -Very well, thdn," said Miss Tresylian, spiritedly, "I sha^t 
 
 walteatall." -^ ►™i*. 
 
 The young lady kept her word. She not only did hot waits 
 atall but she declined dancing with Eustace for the remainder 
 ot the evening. She was engaged for every dance, she told him, / 
 with a willful little pout ; she could not allow herself to be in^ 
 nopolized by him; she, the belle of the 1^11. and so many^K'^r 
 gentlemen, a thousand times handsomer than he. dying townee 
 with her. She wished he would let her alone and devote him- 
 self to some one els^Miss Eleanor Waldron, for ins^nce. ^ • 
 Cousin Eustance obeye^ very quietly, and did deyote hipself 
 to Miss Waldron with con§ideiable mprtssmmt. w1u(* M«. 
 W. estimated at its proper worth. She -- ^ f ' ^'«^;^^- 
 ing girl, three years older |han SybiUa, witl.a fi,edl/-pale fece, 
 ^;.ldly^righ. bU. eyes, an^bra yd dar^ ^ 
 
 Dtiynt. coiuiy'»"g"'^> --I^-^: ' _ i,^ ^.u XXms. 
 
 =^=^lfi;^ter of Mr. Tresyian^ ncm8ekerpcx.^4I*^. 
 
 fclhcr l«id been the Episcopal minister of Taunton, the nearest 
 
 
 5 •* ^ X J 
 
I 
 
 N^eJ 
 
3© 
 
 THE VIRQINIA HEIRSSS. 
 
 mtei 
 reg 
 
 village and intimate friend of Ae 'squire. At his death hi, wid 
 ow gladly accepted the post of housekeeper at Tresj-lian an< ' "^ 
 ever smce, some eight years, with her daughter Eleanor! ha< '»«)' 
 «s,ded« the hall, treated more as an ionored guest than „ ' ' 
 dependent ~ 
 
 Eleanor Waldron and Sybilla Tresylian were not very good ^' <^1 
 fnends. Sybilla could not pour inta the ear of a marble statue »« ° 
 fter gushing raptures over the compositions of Shelley and Owen ^^te. 
 Meredith. Miss Waldron never wasted her time reading novels °""« 
 or poeto' ; she improved her mind. Sybilla's master, and gov- 
 ernesses were also hers, and thewotds of vvisdom that went in 
 one of the little ears of the foolish, heire^ and came out of the 
 other were carefully treasured up by the little housekeeper's 
 daughter. She practiced her music for hours daily, until she 
 became a brilliant pianist ; she spoke French as fluently as En- 
 ghsh, while Sybilla just knew enough of that language to read 
 romances she had better left unread. She was perfect in bot- 
 any, and astrorjomy, and geblogy, and rhetoric, and had the 
 historyof every nation under heaven at her finger erids. since 
 the da,s of t^e flood. M.^Tresylian knew a trifle of history. 
 She could tell you about Sir William Wallace, and Robert BrucT 
 and J ,f A^ ,„, c,^,^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^.^.^,,^,^, G,^,; 
 and Mane Antoinette, and Anne Boleyn, and Nell Gywnne ani 
 
 chattering litt l e dunc e , and bit t erly 
 
 ««^ and hated her for being what she was, an h^:;; Miss 
 Tr.^l«n, on »h. other hand, held Mis, Waldron in profound 
 
 ime. 
 ich 1 
 ame, 
 lidn 
 
 for 
 aany 
 Tctiv 
 ou ^ 
 he \ 
 loum 
 his t 
 
 To 
 lUth 
 :han] 
 Elf^tio 
 ble. j 
 
 robec 
 with 
 

 
 '^£SS. 
 
 THB VIRGINIA HEIHESS. 
 
 Si 
 
 !. At his death his w*d ^^^^^^P* ^'^'" ^®'" Prosaic soul, that never soared^ to the enchant* 
 Jeper at Tresylian a ^ regions of poetry and romance, and returned her hatred cor- 
 daughter Eleanor' hac '*^^^ ^^^ ^^"^ ^"^^^' ^'"P^^^^^^® selfishness and cold ingrati- 
 lonored guest than as j '*^®- "^^^^ ^^^ quarreled as children, and Miss Tresylian, on 
 
 lore than one occasion, I am sorry to say, had partially scalped 
 ian were not veiy good ^' opPonent by tearing out several fistfuls of hair ; but latterly 
 ear of a marble statue "* "aode of warfare had ceased, and a sort of armed neutralitj^ 
 ns of Shelley and Owen "^*®^- They were elaborately civil to each other, these two 
 lertime reading novels °""8; ladies, and went on heartily detesting each other the 
 (ilia's masters and gov-^""®' ^^ Waldron's ambition in this life was to capture a 
 
 \^-isdom that went m 
 s and came out of the 
 e little housekeeper's 
 bours daily, until she 
 rich as fluently as En- 
 that language to read 
 be was perfect in bot- 
 betoric, and had the 
 er finger erids, since 
 ew a trifle of history, 
 e, and Robert Bruce, 
 Napoleon the Great, 
 
 ich husband — old or young, handsome or ugly,, it was all the 
 ame, so that he had the dimes. Like Eustace Tresylian, love 
 lid not enter into he^ calculation at all— she wanted to marry 
 
 fortune, that wassail. She was like him in a good 
 any other ways, and ' she was frightfully sensible and se- 
 retive, and, in short, a model of young womanhood every way 
 rou viewed her. The nearest approach to the tender passion 
 he had ever felt had been for Eustace, for his cleverness and 
 lound sense ; but no word, or look, or action had ever betrayed 
 his to living mortal. 
 
 To this young lady Eustace Tresylian paid marked attention 
 \\ the remainder of the evening. lAhe and Sybilla could have 
 
 ch." MissWaldron 
 ^ duncc, a n d b itt er ly 
 s, an heiress. Miss 
 Caldron in profound 
 
 Id Nell Gywnne, and ^^^^^^^ Peaces, it would have been the greatest possible satis- 
 
 ft(&tion to the young lawyer, for stately, and learned, and sensi- 
 uch jmqre to his fiste than that poor little HMnt* 
 robed sentimental child. But t couldn't be. Yet he danced 
 with her, and talked to her^ an led her into supper, and list- 
 
 / J 
 
 
 -4.iiiJiiti> 1 
 
«M 
 
 I;- 
 
 a] 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 ♦ 
 
 ,^ned while she played Mendelssohn's masterpieces, and wo: 
 ^ered, if matches were made in Heaven, why this tall girl w; 
 not an heiress and his future wife; 
 
 T»»«««ydawnofanothermomingwasglimmeringinth<?east ball 
 before the carriage of the first departing guest rolled away from th .ek« 
 
 gatesofTresylianHall. It bad been a brilliant success, this birth lei 
 
 night /./.-eveiy one had enjoyed himself or h«|^f to the ut ■« y 
 
 m^t-but, like all other pleasures of th^ajife,|t was short ji 
 
 hved, and -the lights were fled, the garlands dead, and th< ^', 
 
 banquet-hall deserted. » Sybilla's /./. was over, and Sybilla wa, ,e \ 
 
 sleeping on her little white bed, her flushed cheek pillowed oXe, 
 
 her arm, and a smile lingering on her lips still. W , 
 
 After fhia^brilliant night, of course the dullness of Ti«syliai£ntl 
 
 Hall became doubly dull from contrast. Sybilla might havlYei 
 
 gone melancholy mad had it not been for Cousin Eustace whol k 
 
 turned out to be the most delightful of cousins and enterta'ining 
 
 ofcompanipns. Grandpapa resigned in his &vor at once. He 
 
 escorted Mibs Tresylian in all her woodland rambles • he was 
 
 cavalier wheii she mounted her Arab pony for a breery canter 
 
 over the "sacred soil ;" he lay on the grass at her feet while 
 
 ^e did little bits of &ncy work, and read her fevorite poets and! 
 
 novelists by the hour. He improved h,.r billiard playipg, taughtiust, 
 
 her euchre, trained her dpgs to perform all manner of^iittie dog-fisco 
 
 gish tricks ; sang comic songs for her, and was altogether tooLw 
 
 charming to describe. ! He visited Richmond once a week forLr 
 
 riwea t p r e CT y- . . . w: 
 
 lere 
 lind 
 
 S3n 
 
 r I 
 leir 
 
 ^^ ° "i: — "««^ «.»i.umona once a week for 
 
 theespjess-purpweofljuyinghernewbook^a^^^ 
 unwholesome Fre^h Candies, and ..drove her about in a light 
 
 •-■ >.- 
 
 iSjf'ke , 
 
 (i 
 
 in^l 
 
....... -r-r'- 
 
 IRESS, 
 
 TSE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 33 
 
 I masterpieces, and wonlon to the four points of the compass. He vn& never a^borc, 
 en, why this tall girl w J although he talked perpetually, he was always entertain- 
 > .He told her of New York life, of its theaters, its operas, 
 
 IS glimmering in th? east balls, its matinees, its Broadway promenade, until Sybilla's 
 ruest rolled away from th eks glowed with longing, eager desire to see those wonders 
 rilliantsut^^ess, this birth i enjoy those febulous delights. 
 
 self or h<|^f totheut .Veiy well, Sybilla," Mr. Tresylian used to say, "so y9U^ 
 ^ th^S Jif^, jt was short \\^ my dear, when you are my wife." 
 garlands dead, and th< gj August and September passed, and Paul and Virginia never 
 
 ras over, and Sybilla wa^ fg half so inseparable as Eustace and Sybilla. But the end of 
 shed cheek pillowed oXtember brought a letter from New York, requiring the youfig 
 Ps still. W,^ immediate return to that city, and the last day of the 
 
 le dullness of TresyliaiXnth he started for the Empire City, and Sybilla was alone. 
 il. Sybilla might hav Jyes, al(me—o\i 1 dreary word. There was grandpapa, whom 
 )r Jpousin Eustace, wholg loved very dearly, but grandpapa, as a companion, was no- 
 ousins and entertainingEere after brilliant Eustace. There was Mrs. Waldron, whose 
 his fevor at once. Heiind ran in a circle that only comprised cookery and her daugh- 
 iland rambles ; he was r. There was Eleanor, about as cordial as a statue of ice, and 
 
 •ony for a breezy cantei 
 grass at her feet while 
 
 I her favorite poets and 
 billiard playing, taught 
 
 II manner offlittle dog- 
 ind was altogether too 
 nond once a week for 
 
 hook^ and poynds of 
 
 I sympathetic. There were her dogs, her flowers, her novels, 
 er piano, her fancy work-very good and pleasant things in 
 leir way, but vanity ^d vexation of spirit, now that Cousin 
 ;ustace was gone. The heiress of all the Tresylians wandered 
 isconsolately about the big rambling old mansion, while the 
 low hours dragged themselves away, and wondered how she had 
 >ver endured this sort of Ufe before Eustace came. 
 
 "ImustbeinlovewUh him," thought Miss Tresylisn;^ 
 
 \^ 
 
 
 'i 
 
 
 '*J 
 
 '""*••*"« H"v"«» "« I "1 must DC m lovc wiiu miu«, vuv-e"- •'-•— j— • * 
 
 her about in a light line to blush at the idea, and fiuling. "This is the way all the 
 
 \ 1 * 
 
 ■|1 
 
 . cjt^ 
 
 »Y*».-v;,^ 
 
 ^ 
 
.\ . 
 
 \ 
 \ 
 \ 
 
 n.,^ 
 
 34 
 
 TffS VIRGINTA HEIRESS. 
 
 heroines of my novels felt when their lovers left them. I 
 see why I shouldn't many Eustace, after all. He isn't ha 
 some, poor fellow; but then there was Mr. Rochester, andl 
 .how fond Jane Eyre was of him ! He is delightful to talk] 
 and he will take me traveling all over the world— to Paris, 
 Italy, and Germany, and all those charming, romantic plj 
 I have been reading of so long. Then, when we (^me back i 
 live in New York, I shall go into society, and L to ball? : 
 the opera, in ruby velvet and diamonds, and oh/goodness, 
 cious roe j perhaps I shall get acquainted wit J poets, and 
 thors, and artists, and sculptors— and won't W/ be delightful 
 Sybilla Tresylian pondered over this matte/a good deal dl 
 ing her cousin's absence, and quite made up hL mind "that J 
 way duty lay." Grandpapa saw it all. and ihuckled inwar] 
 at the success of his plans, and wrote t<iEu^ce, sub rasa, to 
 turn at once. 
 
 " She's yours, my boy." wrote the old g^tleman ; "so str 
 While the iron's hot Come back at Lee and 'claim vc 
 bride." ' ' ■ 
 
 A week after the receipt of this letter, /feustace Tresylian 
 back at the old hall, laden with presents L Sybilla-all mam. 
 of new and enchanUng things. Brown bctober was glowing 
 self out in the woods, and the mornin J after his arrival he aJ 
 Sybilla set off for a ramble among its liafy arcades. • ] 
 
 How pretty she looked that sunny (October morning, her bl 
 
 T^^w^iRrgoldercOTls^rtfering in lHFrresTi,"^eet breez« tj 
 rose-flush on her cheek, and that sparkling, happy, hope; 
 
 'A; 
 
HEIRESS. 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 35 
 
 It in her eyes. Poor little Sybilla ! it came back to him so 
 n afterward with a pang of nameless pain. He had grown 
 y fond of her, in a tender, brotherly sort of way, and he 
 ant to be very good to her when she was lys wife ; but for 
 t love— deep, undying, and self-sacrificing — that makes mar- 
 charming, romantic ph ^^ ^^^'^ *'-^' "^'^^^' "^^ '^^ ^^""^ -"^^^^''^ ""^ '*' 
 
 ItroUing about in those green woodland aisles, with the birds 
 
 ing in the branches, the squirrels hopping around thenT, 
 
 solemn hush of country, peace everywhere, Eustace Tresyl- 
 
 asked her to marry hitn. Not lightly and jocosely this time, 
 
 >n her birthday, but earnestly, and pleading quite as roman- 
 
 Uy as Ernest Maltraveis could have done. He did not feel 
 
 le expressed, to be sure, but how was Sybilla to know that, 
 
 he listened complacently, feeling she was to be a heroine at 
 
 ? And, when he had finished, she fluttered out "yes," po»- 
 
 herself like Juliet in the garden, and went home through 
 
 October sunshine pledged to become his wife, . . - 
 
 jrandpapa was ecstatic* All his visions were realized ; he 
 
 the happiest of men and grandparents. Before he let Sy- 
 
 a go that night, he had coaxed fi-om her a promise that she 
 
 uld become Mrs. Eustace Tresylian on her eighteenth blrth- 
 
 ir lovers left them. I d 
 i, after all. He isn't hi 
 vas Mr. Rochester, and 
 He is delightful to talk 
 er the world— to Paris, ; 
 charming, romantic pi 
 en, when we <^ome back 
 society, and ^o to balls i 
 !ids, and ohy goodness, { 
 ainted witly poets^ and 
 dwon'tW/bedelightfu 
 ^is mattey a good deal d 
 adeuphfermind "that 
 11, and /chuckled inwan 
 t^ Eustace, sub rosa, to 
 
 Old gentleman ; "so stri 
 at once and claim yo 
 
 ter, /Eustace Tresylian ^» 
 Its for Sybilla — all manr 
 Ti /Uctober was glowing 
 ig after his arrival he aiB 
 l)eafy arcades. 
 October morning, her bl 
 
 le fresh, sweet breeze, tl 
 iparkling, happy, hope] 
 
 ^billa was a heroine, and enjoyed the situation unspeakably, 
 s. Waldron kissed and congratulated her, and Eleanor 
 ched her cheek with her' icy lips, and hoped frigidly she 
 
 old 
 
 ^;^8he swept from the room she^fe^ 
 
 bridegroom-elect with a lightning glance of scorn Srom her 
 
 "<s 
 
 
 
 .»■ I»1fc ij 
 
tJTE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 turquois"l>ft[e eyes< She understood him and his motives, 
 he actuali^r q^tailed before the passionately-contemptucfus gla 
 of the hoiisekeeper's daughter. 
 
 Mr. Tresylian was determined the betrothal should be no 
 cret — it must be celebrated by ?. ball that would eclipse 
 birthday fete altogether. Invitations went out fiir and wit 
 the large, unused banqdeting-hall was to be fitted up for d; 
 cing, and the military band from Richmond engaged. The i 
 Wednesday in November was to be the auspicious night, a 
 half the State was to be oresent 
 
 ^ 
 
 ■v.-^ 
 
 iffjr 
 
 ,ai 
 
 a i 
 
 wa 
 
 si 
 
 :ai 
 
 ioi 
 
 wh 
 
 )r 
 
 Ie£ 
 
 pr 
 
 fd 
 
 »g 
 
 nis 
 
 St, 
 
 the 
 he 
 
 ■h 
 
 ,-x. 
 
i; 
 
 miRESS. 
 
 I him and his motives, 
 lately-contemptucfus gl 
 
 
 betrothal should be no 
 )all that would eclipse 
 s went out &r and wi( 
 iras to be fitted up for di 
 hmond engaged. The f 
 
 the auspicious night, a 
 
 TME VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 Z7 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 ■R. WAYLANS. 
 
 I 
 
 4». 
 
 isy days were those at Tresylian Hall Upholsterers were 
 refitting and refurnishing, carpenters hammered all day 
 and up stafrs two dressmikers sewed away as if life depead- 
 tt it Mr. Tresylian was occupied in superintending, Eus- 
 was busy riding to and from Richmond on all sorts of er- 
 s for him and Sybilla, Mrs. Waldron was bus)-, and the 
 and her satellites trebly busy, and Miss Tresylian, in her 
 loir with the dressmakers, was hurried to death. The only 
 who moved serene in the disturbed household was Miss El- 
 )r Waldron, and she pursued the even tenor of her way re- 
 less of the "confusion worse confounded" on every side, 
 practiced her five hours every day on the grand piano in the 
 f drawing-room, undistracted by all the hammering and cl^- 
 ig about her; she pursued her German, and Italian, and 
 aish studies as quietly as ever; for slje wais a wonderfiil Un- 
 it, and she sallied forth efveiy Afternoon, armed with pencils 
 pQrtfnlin, to s jtetchgom nature in the grand old pinegogd^ 
 
 "fjS: 
 
 ihet Med in the grand object of her life— a wealthy marriage 
 he might find it necessary, one of these days, to go out as 
 
 ^^^Y 'S'-W: 
 
 
 
 )» J^ '*'Si.iJ 
 
 ^<ht. 'j 
 
 
h-j?^ 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRES^, 
 
 governess, and all these manifold accomplishments would b ded 
 invaluable stock in trade 
 
 So November— ominous month-^dark, cold, and melanch \ 
 came and brought round the eventful night The long row 
 pines and beeches around the old mansion twinkled with p ^i^ 
 colored lamps, until all out-doors was like feiry-land. 
 night was auspicious, clear and frosty, with numberless 
 ' cleaving keen and bright through the blue arch, and a cres 
 moon rising pale and luminous over the misty hill-tops, 
 riage afte^ carriage rolled up the long avenue, and the ill 
 nated rooms were filling fast Mr. and Miss Tresylian stooc 
 ceiving their g«ests, he more like a marquis of the old re^ 
 than ever, and she— oh 1 how lovely she was in that rich w 
 silk, with pearls and emeralds gleaming about her, and the b< 
 tiful ringlets dropping in a sunny shower to her taper w; « ^^ 
 There was a rose-flush on her delicate cheek, a streaming fir 
 her lai:gc .yes, and a smile for jail who came near her that ni|wa 
 her irresistible. There were far more stately beauties am 
 these fair daughters of Virginia, but not one half so i&scinat 
 Of course Eustace was by her side, and of course eveiyb 
 understood exactly how matters were, and shook hands with 
 congratulated him to his heart's content How he wis env 
 
 by at least a. score ojf yo^ng men, none but these young n j^g 
 
 ^ knew, as they followed, with admiring' eyes, the feiry figure 
 the bewitchingiittle heiress. 
 
 Wl 
 lo( 
 ist: 
 Wl 
 
 le : 
 as 
 No 
 >n. 
 
 e \ 
 s, 
 
 ion 
 
 r. 
 as 
 
 etc 
 
 UU! 
 
 Among the latest arrivals there was a certain Judge Har .g^ 
 and his £imily, and in their train came a gentleman who co \gy 
 
 1'- 
 
 .I>-rT, 
 
HEIRESS. 
 complishments would b 
 
 , 
 
 al night The long rov 
 lansion twinkled with 
 } was like &iiy-land. 
 3Sty, with numberless 
 lie blue arch, and a ores 
 ;r the misty hill-tops. 
 3ng avenue, and the ilh 
 ind Miss Tresylian stooc 
 I marquis of the old re^ 
 7 she was in that rich w 
 ng ahout her, and the b( 
 shower to her taper w< 
 te cheek, a streaming fir 
 10 came near her that m 
 ore stately beauties am 
 
 rffE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 59 
 
 ded the attention of the room. He was a straipger to all— 
 
 1. distinguished-looking Tt.an of thirty or more, with a 
 
 -dark, cold, and melanch j^ massive face and head tiut cbuldnot fail to attract at- 
 
 on. Sybilla, leaning on her cousin's arm, gazed at him 
 hlessly. 
 
 What a splendid face that man has, Eustace,'1 she cried ; 
 looks grand enough for a king. Who can h« fee?* 
 
 istace raised his glass. ; •< 
 
 Where, petite />" 
 
 le next instant he dropptd it with an expression of the ut- 
 astonishment 
 
 Now what the duse brings him to Virginia? — the very last 
 m. Sybilla, my dear, excuse me a moment, won't you?" 
 e was gone as he spoke — an instant later he was shaking 
 s, with the greatest empressement, with the stranger. 
 Wayland, my dear old fellow 1 how delighted lam to see 
 Where in the, worid did you drop from? I should 
 not one half so fiiscinati )on have expected to see the man in the moon here to- 
 B, and of course everyb 
 
 and shook hands with : r. Wayland smiled. His nobl^ &ce lit up with rare bright- 
 tent Howhewiasenv as he did so./ .| 
 one but these young n Nevertheless, there is nothii^ very extraordinaiy in it I 
 
 e to Richmond on a little matter of business, two days ago, 
 n w i th Ju dge-Harper, and accepted hia inritetion to spend 
 
 Qg' eyes, the fiiiry figure 
 
 ne a gentleman who co 
 
 'a. 
 
 as a certain Judge Har ,^^ q, ^wo at his place. He insisted on my coming with 
 
 to-night, and, when I found out I was to meet you, I agreed 
 
 
 -.Va^; ■ 
 
 - t. 
 
 <r>?<.MWi 
 
f'.'cf- I V- 1^^ : FJ .'^: I -H •;■*!*■ 
 
 
 T.BB VTRGIN^A ^RESS, 
 
 at on*. What a^Iucky fello; you are, Tresylian. I congrJ 
 late you with all my Aeart Where /g she ?" 
 "Who?" did Eustace, laughing, "Sybilla?" 
 -'Ah 1 Sybilla 1-^ chanmng^ame. I want to have a 
 at her." .\«. 
 
 "There^he is, then-taUt^,^ to Maiy Harper " 
 Mr. Wayland took a pr<^Io^ged survey. Presently he>ur 
 to Eustace, and lethis hand fSll o^his shoulder, looking 
 smilmgly in the fece, without speaking. 
 
 *' Well," Eustace said, "what dd you think o^lfer?" 
 "What a lucky fellow you are, Tresylian," reputed Mr. 
 land. "She imperfect rosebud I Present me." 
 
 He pa?sed hiSarm^ through that of Eustace, and the two I 
 proached the young ladies. - 
 
 Miss Tresylian made a graceful courtesy, and wished . 
 Wayland would ask her to dance,- but. as Mr. Wayland ne 
 danced, she was destined to be disappointed. He stood by , 
 side talking, however, until Eustace led her away for a wa 
 and how he c<mld talk. Somehow very commonplace thi( 
 souiided like blank verse from his lips. He had a deep me 
 dious voice that matched his fece, and in ten minutes he 
 read Sybilla's sentimental little heart to the very bottom. 
 
 "Well, Sybilla, and how ^ you like my friend Waylanq 
 Eustace asked as, when the waltz concluded, they saunte] 
 out of the warm ball-room. 
 
 „ ^^^ a pferfecfTove, Eustace ; with such a magnificent fal^' 
 you know, he ought to be an emperor or something. " l'^" 
 
 ( 
 
 ^,^'.'!(_ll|*«t4t'%?',«'*i»» Kt'-,t\.'-a -.^JsA^.V ^.itv 
 
'm 
 
 V\ '' 
 
 -% 
 
 
 ;* ^E/jfjzss. 
 
 JHS VIRGINIA HEIItMSS, 
 
 ju are, Treaylian^ I congr; 
 
 ere )» she ?" 
 
 ig, "Sybilla?" 
 
 lame. I want to have a 
 
 41 
 
 ^ell never get his deserts, then, I'm afiaid ; but he's a re- 
 ^ .ably clever fellow. Do you remember that book I read 
 I, The Story of Pauline, and which you liked so much ?" 
 ['Yes, ofcouree." 
 
 Wen Wayland wrote te Yo. remember I told :^ „ 
 
 time I knew the author." 
 
 'billa's eyes opened to their widest extent ^' ■ • 
 
 Oh, Eustace I you don't mean to say he is an author?" 
 
 Yes. I do; he contributes to half a dozen joumalsand mag.: 
 
 les-stories, poetiy, biographical sketches, etc But this is 
 
 ^xXyentre nous. Rewrites overall sorts of signatures, and 
 
 ....... .„. -f«-t"owofh^lfteraryprocliviUe8i«,, in talking to him . 
 
 : of Eustace, and the two|l*""i^e to it"^ ^ ™'' 
 
 But^ good gracious me,. Eustace I only to think-^ ««. 
 / ' Oh, do tell me all about him 1" 
 
 Eustace laughred at her enthusiasm. 
 
 Thereis very litUe to tell, my dear, and tiiat litUe the r^ 
 ^ofromanUa Wayland is the only son of a wealthy Boston 
 ^hant, js a lawyer by profession, and, as I said before, a r^ 
 ^Wycle^r fellow. There's his whole history for you in ar. 
 shell, and dont you ask any more questions abput him 
 emoiselle, or I shall 1>e jealous. Come and dance the 
 fwa with me." 
 
 iss Tresylian found no opportunify to improve her ac- 
 [Ptance with Mi; Wayland d uringJtbe hours thaHbll 
 
 Mary Harper." 
 survey. Presently he>H 
 op. his shoulder, looking 
 ling. 
 
 Id you think oflfer?" 
 rresylian."rep<kted Mr. 
 Present me. 
 
 I courtesy, and wished 
 but, as Mr. Wayland n 
 ippointed. He stood ^y 
 :e led her away for a wal 
 n very comitionplace thi 
 lips. He had a deep, m 
 and in ten minutes he 
 t to the very bottom. 
 I like my friend Waylan^ 
 concluded, they sauntei 
 
 'ith such a magnificent fal 
 •or or something." 
 
 ( 
 
 ■^^n A* 
 
 m engaged for almost every dance-there never was such 
 ntinng danoer-and Mr. Wayland was not even in the ball- 
 
 ^ <"! 
 
 -S 
 
 J-,^.. 
 
A..:„ 
 
 4f 
 
 THE ITRGmJA mAMSSS. 
 
 tt>om half the time. Once she ^caught sight of him standi] 
 talking 40 Eustace, Itnd l^ooking at her with a half amused, 
 admiring smile. Eustace was retailing, no doubt, all the fbJ 
 " f* ish things she hr.d said of hira, and how silly he mu^ think 'h^ 
 •Her partner led her off, however, to take her place in the qud 
 rille, aqd in |li^ excitement of the dance she forgot all about | 
 She only spdke to him again when, in the cold gray dawn 
 thie November momioT, he approached to take his leave. 
 
 "I shajl have tli.^ p'nsufe of peeing you to-morrow, 
 Tresylian," he said, with that rare smile of his. "I have sor 
 thing to tell you that, perhaps, will interest you." 
 
 Sybil la's eyes flew open ; but, before she could speak, he 
 gone. Others were flocking around to say good-by to 
 pretty little hostess, and when it was all over, and she was up| 
 her room, she was too tired even to think. 
 
 Rosa, her bright quadroon maid, disrobed her and bmsl: 
 out her pretty blonde curls, and then she was buried among 
 • s downy pillows of her litde bed, tir ftway in the lovely land I 
 
 < 
 
 dreams. 
 
 About the middle of the following afternoon, Mr. Wayla 
 
 and Mr. Frederick Harper, a dashing young Virginian, ^^| 
 
 had been mightily impressed the night before with the faj 
 
 • heiress, arrived. Miss Tresylian, beautifully dressed, and 
 
 - white rosebuds in her hair, sat at the piano, looking like a 
 
 ture. The slanting sun rays, sinking westward, seemed c\ 
 
 centrated round her sunny head, like the yellow aurrole arou 
 the head of ia pictured saint Miss Waldron vras her only coj 
 
 .1 
 
 
VSi^: 
 
 *f '- ' ■ fV:% 
 
 \t' 
 
 "V. 
 
 nKff VUtQINiA HMutMas. 
 
 43 
 
 and Miss Waldron sat in the shadow, stately and (^old^ 
 her crochet, and scarcely deigning the visitors a glance, 
 [should she? They had not come to see her, at that silly ' 
 of seventeen, with the big gray eyes and ,?old-colored \ 
 
 I '1 
 
 Fred Harper nionopol>v !^ybilla at once, and Mr. Way- 
 |took a seat beside Miss W-.*aron, and flattered that young' 
 in her only weak point, by tsllking to her as sensibly as if 
 liad been a man. But ever and anon l<is eyes wandered 
 to the pirno, where Miss Tresylian and Mr. Harper were 
 ling and talking animatedly, while she played lively little 
 ing tunes. He was n. sensible man, and he was talking to 
 Lsible young lady, but, for all that, it was very evident the 
 I of the lit^e enchantress had &llen upon him too. Pres- 
 
 Mr. Tresylian and Eustace entered, and Mr. Waylanci 
 
 ed himself of that opportunity to secure a seat beside Sy- 
 
 His greeting was a brilliant smile — for her intertit in 
 
 jwas &r more profound than in young Fred Harper. He 
 
 luite patriarchal in her eyes, this grave man of thirty, and 
 
 leart, fluttered a little as she realized she was Uk-u-UU at last 
 
 I a live author. 
 
 |I trust yott are not &tigued after last nigh^" Mr. Wayland 
 
 " You danced a great deal." 
 [Tired?" exclaimed Sybilla, with a gay little laugh ; " I don't 
 
 the meaning of the word. I am ready for a ball to-night. 
 
 ^ 
 
 [a party to-morrow night, wjd another the night after. Oh," 
 Miss Tresylian, rapturously, ''I could dance forever !" - 
 
 -s/ 
 
 ;./■ 
 
*x 
 
 V 
 
■Ih 
 
 t^ir 
 
 -'%k. 
 
 ■m 
 
 "^ 
 
 44 
 
 ,r//E VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 II 
 
 That'! 
 
 like 
 
 t's very like sweet seventeen— eh, Mr. Wayland ?" said 
 grandpapa, coming up and chucking her dimpled chin ; "whfn 
 she's ten years older she'll begin to have sense, and look on these 
 things in a very different light" 
 
 "I shall never have sense," said Sybilla, pouting; "I don't 
 want to have it There's Eleanor Waldron, sA/s sensible, and I 
 ^wouldn't be like her for a kingdom." 
 
 "You are only a spoiled baby. Miss Tre^lian. I wish you 
 were like Eleanor. But I suppose it's of no use wishing." 
 
 "Not a bit, grandpapa. Nobody expects anything from a 
 little thing like me but to look pretty and be silly. " She laughed 
 merrily as she said it "And now, Mr. Wayland, do tell me 
 what you meant last nigat" 
 
 " Only this, that 1 know a friend of yours at the North who 
 would be very glad to see you." 
 
 ^'Who can it be? Ishouldliketogo North; but I don't 
 know who you can mean." 
 
 " I mean a lady who was your governess two years ago." 
 
 Sybilla clasped h^j, hands. "Oh, Mr. Wayland I not Miss 
 Venning?" 
 
 "Yes, Miss Venning," smiling. 
 
 " Oh t how much I should like to see her. She was the only 
 governess I ever had that I liked ; and just because I liked her, 
 And wanted her to stay, she went and left. Dear, dear Miss 
 Vcnhii^ I I would give anything to see her." ■" ' 
 
 "Oh, tl 
 
 Sybilla t 
 
 "Don't 
 ly. "Yoi 
 spend Nev 
 
 Sybilla's 
 
 "Ishou 
 
 togoNort 
 
 "Thed 
 come and 
 in a Nortl 
 
 ^* Go North, then. But her name is not Miss Venning now ; 
 she is married." 
 
 coax Mr. 1 
 
 m\ "Here' 
 
 /J ' 
 
 i-s>- 
 
 
 t:. 
 
 
'" . V 
 
 ^■T 
 
 [and?" said 
 in; "when 
 ok on these 
 
 ; "I don't 
 sible, and I 
 
 [ wish you 
 hing." 
 hg from a 
 he laughed 
 io tell me 
 
 North ^ho 
 
 ttt I don't 
 
 ago. 
 
 1 not Miss 
 
 IS the only 
 liked her, ) 
 dear Miss 
 
 \ 
 
 k •»• - V*i-» 1 ■ » » 
 
 THE VIRGTNIA HEIRESS, 
 
 1 
 
 45 
 
 
 " Married I I never knew it That's the way evay one goes 
 ■rirr gets married. What is her name ?" — ^ 
 
 '•Mrs. Wayland.* V' 
 "What?" 
 
 " B ow astounded you look I" said he, laughing. *• She is npt 
 my wiftf— she is only my mother." '" 
 
 " Youl- mother I — why she's ever so much ** 
 
 "Younger than I am. Very true; nevertheless she is my 
 Cither's wife ■• * 
 
 *'.How odd," said Sybilla, languidly. "Is your &ther a veir 
 old man ?" ; 
 
 "About fifty-three." 
 
 " Oh, thaTs dreadful old 1 How could she-^— ** 
 
 Sybilla stopped confused. 
 
 "Don't mind me, "said Mf. Wayland, smiling good-natnred- 
 ly. "You must ask her when you go North. Cbme and 
 spend New Year's with ns ; she will be delighted. " 
 
 Sybilla's eyes sparkled. 
 
 " I should like that, if grandpapa will let me. I should love 
 to go North. Where is it?" 
 
 "The city of Boston. I shall speak to yoar grand&tlier to 
 come and fetch yon with him ; and yon shall see what winter 
 in a Northern ci^ is. Eustace will com^ toa Yoa ma«( 
 
 nmg now; 
 
 coax Mr. Tresylian, if he hesitates] 
 
 . you. 
 
 \ " 
 
 Here lie is," cried Sybilla. 
 
 not be able to lesist 
 
 idpapa, come here. 
 
 f'l 
 
 - * 
 
 H 
 
 ''m 
 
 ,.«•.' 
 
 
 •iff^Hglk.'t'f^ -V 
 
 -• * i^^'k « I.* ; 1^ I * , 
 
 «.« ^ 
 
^^ ;/ T'T 
 
 
 '•''^^ >» rf t 
 
 Mr. W,yland h» . peat fevor to ask of you. and I want you 
 to savves beforehand." ^ -v 
 
 ■ Mr. Tresylian looked into the eager, sparkling 6ce w.th an 
 
 ""tt;::tro«hand, Highly chanctenstie or MisaSyhUla 
 Tresvli'a. Wl«t is it? ^^nything la reason 1 shall be happy 
 to obliue you and Mr. V/r.jhuid by granting." 
 
 ; WdLthi. i, estre-nelyreasonable/said Mr. Wayland.^ "I 
 ,„ urging Mis. Tresylian to useher inSuenceover you tobrrng 
 Z 'Zl this winter. He, Ut. governess. M>s, Vennmg ^ 
 ly other's wife. ^ ««1 be more than delighted to see her «fd 
 ;'pn. Con-e. Mr. Tresylian, make u. all happy b, «y.ng 
 yes. Here is Eustace to second my request 
 
 .. Of coune." said Eustace, sauntering up. "What »,.t? 
 Mr. Wayland informed him. 
 
 ..A capital idea. My de.r sir, say y« by all means, l^k 
 „ Sybilla's imploring (ace. It may be some Ume before an op- 
 
 - r;nTr;:uwil,. Mr.Wayland,mygr,nddaugh. 
 ter and I'wdl a«il ourselves of your kind invitaUon. There. 
 «;vhilla mv dear, don't choke me." 
 
 '!: yI L old darling l" cried Mis. TresyHan. in . ^xysm 
 of kissing. .. I knew yo« would. H. never refused mcany- 
 t'7 ^^r. WavUpd. and h.". ju.' th. best old g.andli>.her 
 
 that devo 
 
 threatenin 
 
 irom him 
 
 Three 
 
 New Yorl 
 
 and his | 
 
 week of I 
 
 The w« 
 
 Wayland 
 
 ful antici 
 
 •'Let 
 
 cember,' 
 
 pared, ai 
 
 tie Sybil: 
 
 approacV 
 
 so glad I 
 
 tr)' and | 
 
 in winte 
 
 Of CO 
 
 hand. 
 
 ing, ska 
 
 dozen : 
 
 piles ai 
 
 about t 
 
 M\ss 
 
 iirom ti 
 
 "l„Tso":^L.a«nt was given to that ioumey. who.e «sulu 
 ^ l^lor th. whol. future Ufc.of SybiUa Tre^U-u Could ^ 
 
 ^.i•iAf 
 
 ■y'ii)Kfi^£i.iiC'"J' 
 
 i«Sfti &iii{J»'»feS;^4il^3i^i&;' , / 
 

 tHB virginU heiress. 
 
 47 
 
 i 
 
 want you 
 
 :e with an 
 
 [issSyJjilla 
 i be happy 
 
 ^land. "I 
 ou to bring 
 ^Tenningi-is 
 see her ofd 
 J by saying 
 
 hat U. it?" 
 
 lans. Loolc 
 (cfore an op- 
 
 granddaugh- 
 lon. There, 
 
 n a pafcoxysm 
 iised me any- 
 d grandfather 
 
 whose results 
 ylian. Could i 
 
 that devoted erandfather have6een, but for a moment, the 
 threatening future, surely nothing earthly could have wrung 
 trom him Uiat consent . T 
 
 Three days after Mr. Wayland and Eustace departed forj 
 New York. It was settled before they left that Mr. Tresylian' 
 and his granddaughter should arrive in Boston the second ^ 
 week of Decern'- -', where the t^^o young men woul' meet them. 
 
 Theweekfollo'-ngtheir departure brought ale... from Mt«. - 
 Wayland to Sybilla--a long, affectionate letter, fuh of delight- 
 ful anticipations of their commg meeting. 
 
 -Let nothing prevent yoi^r arrival the second week of De- 
 cember," wrote Mrs. Wayland. "Your room is already pre- 
 pared and I am coui^ting the days until I shall see my dear lit- 
 tle Sybilla again. I congratulate you with all my heart otr your 
 approaching marriage. I know of no one to whom I should be 
 so glad to se. you united as to your Cousin Eustace. We will 
 trj' and give you a gUmpse of what life is in our Northern ciUes 
 in winter. I am certain you will be delighted." 
 
 Of course she would be delighted. Sybilla knew that before-1 
 hand. The theater, the opera, balls, parties, shopping, s e,gh- \ 
 ing, skating-oh 1 it would be a foretaste of paradise. Half a , 
 dozen seamstress^ were at ^oik as hard as theX could sew- 
 piles and piles of dresses wete being made, and Sybilla flew 
 about the house, in a sort of gleeful rapture, all day long. 
 
 M\ss Waldron looked with lofty disdain out of her turquols 
 t lue W ^ ^ ^^^^ " ^ pr oceeding., and he ld.hegelf^ 
 ' _. _i.j 4u^ knna* IMA ta be 
 
 ■\ 
 
 from the dressmaking din. She was glad the house wa. f be 
 
 
 
 H\ 
 
 ■ '''1 
 
 
 , «i*.i-*tf'» 
 
't^;:?>?: 
 
 4« 
 
 THE VIRGINJA HEIRESS. 
 
 rid of Sybilla for a couple of months at least, and she „ 
 than glad to know she was so soon going away for g^, Xn 
 though she was going as the wife of Eustace Tresylian. ' f 
 So the short, dark, melancholy days of November Wore aJa^ 
 The dead leaves lay in yellow drifts on the avenues, and fluttered 
 mournfully about in the sighing wind. Change and gloom 
 were eveiywhere without ; but the wailing ^i^d and dying flow- 
 ers had no voices to speak of the deejfer change and gloom that 
 were threatening th<^'e within. No ominous foreboding of that 
 approaching journey troubled parent or child as the prepaiations 
 progressed, and cold, snow-clad December came in. 
 
f '^ 
 
 
 ,t^ * 
 
 T"' 
 i ^ 
 
 ! 
 [ she 
 
 or good, e^n 
 lylian. 
 >er wore away. 
 , and fluttered 
 e and gloom 
 id dying flow- 
 »d gloom that 
 'odingof that 
 » preparations 
 a.' 
 
 rim y//tGj4*^.. nfEixMss. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 ^ <K)nrO NORTH. 
 
 "The best laid schemes p' mice and men gang aft a-gley." 
 The second week of December came, but Mr. and Miss Tresyl- 
 ian did not start for Boston, for Mr. Tresylian was down with a 
 severe attack of gout 
 
 To say that Sybilla was disappointed, would be doing no sort 
 of justice to her ffselings on that occasion. She flung herself 
 upon her bed, and went off into a hysterical passion of childish 
 weeping worthy a ^tter causa Oh I why need grandpapa h^ve 
 the gout at all ? Or, having it, why could he not postpone tht 
 attack for one little week more? It was too bad-^ bad. 
 With three big trunks full of loves of dresses-dinner^resses, 
 ball-dresses, street-dresses, morning-dresses, and all elaborately 
 trimmed and flounced, and each more of a love than the other. 
 And now grandpapa was down for six weeks, or two months at 
 the shortest, and the winter would be gone, and she must mope 
 hereelf to death in the drea^splitude of Tresylian Hall, and 
 „*^.^_g^l°jy*<^<^"»«y^tet h ft i r t ^ 
 
 1 
 
 
 > 
 
 4/| 
 
 .!■ 
 
 
 J 
 
 it was a harrowing case. 'SybiUa wept, and would not b« 
 «Mntorted. Shewasv«i7Klfiih and veiy silly, 1 know, bat th« 
 
 ,,T' 
 
 .^bI*!*"' 
 
 .*«)iAj 
 
 ii , r.t" ttf 
 
 A 
 
 ,"■'«♦''* 
 
 .t. 
 
 
 I 
 
VTS.* .- * 
 
 ! ■ ! 
 
 'o EO a,va,„d ieaveh„alo« „h„ir ""' '*^'°°""^' 
 ."■"■'•onhw. ,'■'?»' SWdW^ came ih to 
 
 -^^^ «3 no help f„ i.-k,. ^"°' '\ """"•' 
 
 - ^". .0M,s.l.Wa„a„d, .olXt^; ':'"«'-"-«. «i. 
 F«brai,y.,,e„^ ' ^ ""'»'"« '".•postponed until 
 
 ■ «.*<», b„. c^ e J7n :1 "27'«' •-'' I iuven-t do„. 
 i»«a..oo„ „ e^ h. ,: .We" ; m'"'".'""- "" '»" '" ^« 
 l« Ixfor. the n,.ddle of Februa^. \ t'a^"'. «°'"«' '^' """'t 
 
 S^bi... ^ ^th b„ J^a^^f f ?:: ";j' »- '» - Oim. 
 
 H-Pe. CucCr :ttrbin""^'"'»-'- ^^^ 
 ^\r^ "'"« .y« out about 'm"'.^'^ '°'^°7u« 
 
 '-*,»Jv< . 
 
 
 
V 
 
 1 t ^ ' ^ ^v^* " 
 
 » " ' 
 
 ' -Sijva 
 
 atjoucauld hardly 
 'er pretty eyes were 
 Idron, passionately. 
 »od lady came in to 
 
 ffot the agopies of 
 t She could not 
 '^\ Not Eustace, 
 >fe spared. 
 
 ive sentforth her 
 blistered with salt 
 'postponed until 
 
 Tresyhan, in a 
 ition marks, "I 
 ' ^ haven't done 
 
 *o bad too but 
 ' and that won't 
 
 Je third dayaf- 
 'er to see him. 
 Ige noticed at 
 
 quired Judge 
 • been ciying 
 
 ^r~^ — 
 
 .. THE V^ROlNtA HEIRESS, 51 
 
 •• Oh I that's all, is it ?" said the judge ; " that's easily rem- 
 edied. I am going North myself in a day or two, so cheer up, 
 pussy— care killed a.cat— and come with me." 
 
 Sybilla's face flushed jvith delight "Oh, grandpapa f' she 
 cried. 
 
 " But are you going to Boston r inquired grandpapa, doubt- 
 fully. \ ^ 
 
 "My business is in New York ; but I can take a step fiirther, 
 of course, and deposit mademoiselle in Boston. There now' 
 my dear, you needn't thank me; don't you suppose I shall like 
 to have a pretty little girl for company ?" 
 
 Of course, Mr. Tresylian could find no objection to Judge 
 Harper, festidious as he was. Sybilla's face shone like a sunset 
 sky with new hope, and the sick man had not the heart to cloud 
 it His illness was by no means serious or unusual, so that 
 need not detain her, and Judge Harper departed with the un- 
 derstandin'g that^iss Tresylian was to start for the North with 
 him m two days. - 
 
 Nothing occurred this time; the two' days passed in packing 
 and unpacking, and the morning of departive came. A dull 
 ^ darki December day, with a raw wind and a threatening sky- 
 But the heart makes, its own sunshine, and SybiUa's eyes were 
 dancmg in her head as she flew up stairs to kiss grandpapa 
 good-by. ^ V ' *^ 
 
 " You'll come for me just as soon as ever you can ; won't you 
 fl ^a adpap a i* And oh 1 inake them attep^l^llo, and Jun;^ 
 and Sylphide" (h«r dogs), "and, above aU, Starlight" (hei 
 
 
 ■■ ■' '1 
 :.■ "ft: 
 
 -If 
 
 ^1 * 
 
 :'^-,<,:.'4m 
 
1 n ' "^ -~-^ 
 
 5« 
 
 ^^ r/2Pff/Ay^ ^^/vpW. 
 
 hoise). "AndAgrandpapa, if you're nr>.»M 
 
 be lonesome withLt me »„n^ ''°° """"o « 
 
 •«>"» if .o» doAsM W r*^ " ^' '"'"' ^o" ^"O". 
 
 ne,„,wpr::r.r:rrr™^" 
 
 hiatus with kisses. \ ' °^ ^^^^^ "P the 
 
 "Good-by, my darline- " Mr t ?. 
 
 "Enjo, ,„„^f^ mtt af' 2 ,"■■''' """ ' '^"^ 
 
 Youll write eve^ week in ' '"" "''" """" "^ 
 
 itat make haste andl weKd I """ ^""^ ^^"^ '^ 
 
 \^Joy m^,f While roTalLt- °" ''°""' "' ' *'Y' "--^ ■ 
 
 v^gTandr^enf,;:^ '° 'T"^ '««>"»bekis^ „^. ,,^ 
 
 The jonmey was delightful • <^w,]u . - 
 
 Au-ing, and .hough. JL^ 7™' ""^ "P""- o™, . 
 
 P4^.ead,-,oin/o,d ^llSX-^rrh "'."^^ 
 
 =».. ^onngficewiU.ahalf am^ LTf It, "«''^"'^"- 
 
 "- vL audible ecsuaies reached 3 ^ ^^T »"""•»» 
 
 «ni4..NewYork,ho,.verMissl?? ,^''*"™"h., 
 
 • «f . W.«.. although she site T"""^ "^ 
 
 ti«««l-ier rosea were is brighf 717^° "^ ""«' ^■ 
 '■»^««\th.h> g.,,„. ^ ''^'■'." M'^of » long d.,-. 
 
 "^dfc 
 
 jii^w-' 
 
 ''««e-'^~orU».d.Ji„N«,y„A,^^ 
 
 .1^ 
 
 
 ¥«, 
 
 . "-^ iV '?!•* ., ^t^A . ^i^/rt^.* 
 
i..v 
 
 
 to answer my let- 
 A.nd you mustn't 
 orse, you know, 
 for going away," 
 md filled up the 
 
 i, with a* sigh. 
 2ver mind me. 
 you, Sybilla?" 
 o> I dare say. 
 ^rry about me, 
 r I sha'ij't half 
 
 *at All*the 
 issed that de- 
 
 raptures over 
 of paradise. 
 
 •right, enthu- 
 
 ng smile, as 
 
 »e time they 
 
 busiasm had 
 
 ning. Her 
 
 'as never 6- . 
 long day's 
 
 ^ork, toat- 
 
 ,. i#-,%-^^i; . 
 
 
 THE VJRCmiA HEIRESS, 
 
 53. 
 
 ^nd to the business which had brotlght him, and to show Miss 
 Tresylian the wonders of the Empire City. Everything exdted 
 her wonder and delight — the crowded streets, the brilliantly- 
 lighted shops, the rows of palace-like dW^Uing-honses, the Park,; 
 the horse-cars, in which she delighted to ride; the theaters, and 
 everyihing, in fact On the last night of their stay; the jud^e** 
 took hfer to the Academy of Music to see "Lucrezia Borgia," 
 and words are powerless to express Sybilla's raptures on that oc- 
 casion. Oh ! to live in New York 1 Better, a thousand times 
 better, be street-sweeper m that city of enchantment than an 
 heiress anywhere else. %, 
 
 Before she went to bed that night, Sybilla wrote a long letter 
 
 to grandpapa, full of glowing but slightly ungrammatical acr> 
 
 counts of all her happiness, and next morning they took the 
 
 train for Boston. t 
 
 It was a sunshiny December day, and the young Virginia 
 
 ' heiress spent it watching the ever-shifting panorama fly by. The 
 morning passed, the afternoon wore pn, thejrellpw wintry sun 
 w^ low in the western sky, and they were close upon the lasT ■ 
 stoppiqg-place betwe«»-til6mand Boston. Half the people in 
 the cars were asleep, Judge Harper among them, when sudden- 
 ly there was a conimotion— a horrible, loud-grating sound — a . 
 shock ! — screams, uproar, and a deafenipg noise. . Sybilla just < 
 rsmemben;^ this, and no more— all was darkness an4 oblivion. 
 When she opened her eyes again she was out in the open air, 
 
 "die darkening evening sky overhead, the cold^ wind btowing^liiT^ 
 her fiK», and some <Hie holding her head. She lifted her duU 
 
 \ 
 
 1^ 
 
 ^ 1 
 
 
 15! 
 
 'i 
 
 
 
 
I ! 
 
 54 
 
 TWE VIRGINIA HEIHESS, 
 
 eyes and saw a strange &ce--a man's fece-but an awful sefls^ 
 • of pain benumbed eveiy faculty. She saw dimly the pale face 
 of Judge Harper bending over her as he talked to another man. 
 " Her left arm is broken in two places, and the shoulder dis- 
 located," said this other man, briskly. "She had better be re- 
 moved to the nearest house at once." 
 
 ^"She can come to our house," said the subdued voice of the 
 person who supported her head. " My mother is an excellent 
 nurse. " 
 
 "So she is. Dick." said the fi,^t speaker; "a capital idea 
 my boy. Here, you lads, go for a door or shutter, and get a 
 mattress from Mrs. Nagle. Tell her we've got a patient for 
 ner. 
 
 All this Sybilla heard faintly and ,&r off, like one in a dream 
 Then they were lifting her, ve^^. ve,y gently, but with a low 
 moanmg cry of agony she ikinted at the first touch. 
 
 It -was a merciful unconsciousness that wrapped her. until 
 they laid her little bruised form in the snowiest and plumpest of 
 beds, in the prettiest of cottage-parlors, for the bed was one of 
 the parlor ornaments^ and the pride of Mrs. Nagle's heart, 
 ^ Ml.. Nagle herself, a pale, gentl^ifttle woman, in-widow's 
 weeds bent above the cold figure of the Virginia heiress, with 
 tears falling from her motherly eyes. 
 
 "Poor dear 1 poor dear ! sb young and so pretty. There's 
 no . She isn't very badly hurt, is she, doctor ?" 
 
 ^ wiT^ ^^^^'^^ -eplied, With pro. 
 
 =fi«©a^tesknesi. -We'll hm^erafl right again in a^^fc 
 
 w 
 
 
 •^■"'^\ . . 
 
 -P^J 
 
 tJy<i 
 
but an awful sense 
 dimly the pale face 
 e<l to another man, 
 id the shoulder dis- 
 e had better be re- 
 
 bdued voice of the 
 ler is an excellent 
 
 ; "a capital idea, 
 ihutter, and get a 
 got a patient for 
 
 2 one in a dream. 
 
 but with a low, 
 Duch. 
 ^pped her, until 
 
 and plumpest of 
 ! bed was one of 
 agle s heart, 
 •man, in- widow's 
 nia heiress, with 
 
 pretijr. There's 
 >r?" 
 
 eplied, with pro- 
 
 agaia in a week 
 
 rjfjg VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 55 
 
 or two. Bessie, my dear, just you g^t us some warm water 
 and strong linen bandages— will you ?" 
 
 Bessie Nagle, a tall, buxom, red-cheeked, dark-haired dam- 
 sel, hurried out of the room, followed by her brother and the 
 others who had helped Jo convey the wounded girl to the cot- 
 tage. Only the doctor, Mrs. Nagle, and Judge Harper re- 
 mained. ^-' 
 The merciful unconsciousrt<Jss that hield her lasted while they 
 set the H'slocated shoulder and broken arm. Then restoratives 
 were Implied by the doctor himseltf 
 
 "We must take great care of her, Mrs. Nagle," the doctor 
 said, chafing the cold hands, "and not let fever superveiie, if 
 we can help it That might be dangerous, you know. You'll 
 just follow my directions predsely, and with the help of Provi- 
 dence, and Bessie there, and this pretty little lady's youth, we'll 
 send her home sounder than ever, before the moon wanes. 
 May we ask what is her nj.me, sir?" This last to Judge Har- 
 per, looking on pale and ^nidous. "She is not your daugh- 
 ter, you say ?" 
 
 "No ; she is Miss Sybilla Tresylian, of Tresylian Hall, Vir-, 
 ginia, on a visit North, and any trouble or expense she may 
 put you to will be liberally rewarded. Do everything >ou can 
 for her, and, when your bill is presented to Mr. Tre^lian, I 
 assure you it will not be disputed." 
 
 The judge made this little speech with a certain aif of pom- 
 posity thatmight^iiave impressed any nwn bofca Ne* England- 
 doctor. That gentleman listened with a shrewdly-attentive look. 
 
 1 
 
 .1 
 
 i W 
 
 
 ?-/■ 
 
 ■;--c,i.'3-K-(.t-s--,; 
 
 '-' h.' 
 
I / 
 
 
 n- 
 
 V 
 
 /' 
 
 5B 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 II ' 
 
 7"- *•" "«V'"' 8!«"*«V Well, we'll do what we can 
 ^P«^^^„„.M,^,M.N..le,Al.,^eo ": 
 
 Jr^."^ «.,.,„ opened a„d looked ^^i^ 
 Judge Harper bent over her. 
 "My dear," he said, "how do you feel ?" 
 
 ae^lzed him/and then her eyes wandered around thi 
 onfinlihar room and unfamiliar feces. i 
 
 "Whereaml?"shefeintiyiked. 
 "Among friends, my dear, who'll be very kind to L v 
 
 flurt, and the doctor won't allow it " 
 
 W a.^,:?'"' *■" ■« *■- -<• "<>■'•' -'" a». -„ . 
 _^yl.m.«steoWB.toUlk. Shedn.ka,edn.agh, submi^H"" 
 
 ->*e H«per «,d fe do«or left 4e «,„„, a,. latter linger- 
 tog .moment u, give some parting directions to Mrs. Nagle 
 
 a there a hotel in this place," tiie judge asked, "to which T * "'' 
 •""""'"' '. .brdenii 
 
 ^mes. 
 TheV 
 ttleafte 
 
 I/>. _! T — — ;— s'=~»ea, ••.townreh 
 
 IZ^.'Pr^'T'^ «- Tres^lianisoutof 
 He aslted the qu^tion of Jie 
 
 ,lJdjPw'il,s oai^ 
 
 Young 
 lergood 
 
 r^ 
 
 stood! 
 
 ^^st^e poixOylookiAg up at the cold, oystal- 
 
 bund Be 
 upper. 
 
 
 -JS*. 
 
/'V 
 
 -: 'T* 
 
 "y % .7 ■"•■''JK 
 
 X 
 
 ESS. 
 
 \ 
 
 Magnificent fellows, 1 
 
 s'll do what we can ifo 
 
 Ah ! she opens |iei 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 57 
 
 looked vacaiitly from 
 
 wandered i^round the 
 
 y kind to j^^ You 
 alk ; you have been 
 
 g him a glass full of 
 I'ttalk anymore to 
 
 he draught submis- 
 autes, she dropped 
 
 n, the latter linger- 
 s to Mrs. Nagle. 
 ; asked, ",to which 
 Tresylian is out of 
 
 »r December moon, and smoking a clay pipe. The young 
 an took out his pipe, and answered, respectfully : 
 
 ' Yes, sir ; the hotel is not a quarter of a mile from tMs. l 
 11 walk there with you, if you like." 
 
 ' Thank you, my lad— come on. Veiy unhappy i^x:ident 
 is." 
 
 They were walking briskly over the road, hard as iron iwit^ 
 ack frost, and their footsteps echoed sharply in the night-si- 
 nee. 
 
 Yes, sir," the young man said; "it is a great pity; but, 
 ler all, it mi^t have been worse. The young lady is in no 
 inger?" 
 
 I believe not, unless fever sets in. I must remain here ir 
 iw days to see." 
 
 "Her friends will be very anxious, of course." 
 "We won't tell her friends, my lad. Where's the use? If 
 he gets we41 shortly, as the doctor says, it will be only worry for 
 lothing. If she doesn't, why trouble's soon enough when it 
 Dmes. Poor little Sybilla !" '/;' 
 
 The Virginia judge and the New England fimner said very 
 ttle after this, until their destination was reached,, The hotel 
 a big, white, wooden building, with green gutters, and a 
 rden in front " ' .^s^ ==^ ^.^ 
 
 Young Nagle did not go in. At the door he bade Judge Har- 
 er good-night, and returned home. EntCMg the he 
 
 *^t 
 
 u Richard Nag;le y ,*?;- j. 
 
 \i th(B cold, crvstol- f "^^^^ B«sie, with her slj^iives rdfled up, busthng about getting 
 ^pper. The kitchen stove glowed red-hot, and a savoijr oddr 
 
 '^! 
 
 - -ifl! 
 
 
 ,«.V' 
 
 ■J 
 
 4 
 
 
 ^^ 
 
 !•* ^ 4.^* 
 
 ■ ^&-^ 
 
 
 ^ .\,i«. S '^ ^A^^ 
 
■ 1 ■■>' 
 
 
 
 -^ 
 
 ■#!>■ 
 
 'tj,''.-' 
 
 ■y, '.."•■■^ 
 
^^ 
 
' I 
 
 - ,-!^~ y-,— jT, '^^ss^c'sr* ■'n»Ty.-'s»',f,i^'^ 
 
 58 
 
 nss VIRGINIA HRIRBSk 
 
 f' 
 
 > 
 
 of hot tea and newly-baked cake fil' i the apartment lie yel- 
 low painted' floor shone with cleanLness, and the rows of tins 
 along the wall made you wink again. The tabje was Set with 
 the snowiest of cloths and a tempting array of warm biscuit, 
 steaming gingerbread, golden pumpkin pies, and "apple sass." 
 " Your'e about stafved, Dick ; ain't you ?" demanded Bessie. 
 "It's eight o'clock, and the ^cake'9 baked as black as yourl 
 boots, and the tea's been boiling for the last hour. Don't you 
 smell :.?" 
 
 "Where's mother?" asked Dick, seating himself in mother's 
 cushioned rocking-chair, 
 
 " Why, with &e young lady, of course— poor thing I -TTow 
 pretty she is, Difck, with all that golden-colored hair ; and her 
 dress— ojj^rck, she must be awfully rich to wear such clothes 
 as thWl'f, 
 
 '"iSf course, she is. Hurry up, Bessie, and let's have some 
 su^pei. What's this the gentleman called her? 
 ^ "Miss Sybilla Tresylian, of Tresylian Hall I Doesn't that 
 sound grand, Dick ? How nice it must be to be her— so prettj 
 and so rich, and able to afford such splendid ear-rings and fin- 
 ger-rings as that ?" 
 
 " Veiy nice, I dare say," responded Mr. Nagle, with a touch 
 of philosophy, sitting over to his supper; "but don't you go 
 breaking the commandments, and coveting your ne 
 goods, Bessie, because 
 
 you 
 
 1 8 no use. I don't know thati 
 
 TcouTd feel much better satisfied if I was ever so rich, than l| 
 do now. Is Fnmk Shield coiaing hq:^ to-|iJglUf 
 
 ( 
 
^^K^-r '^*^^r /^tV^m' '■Hr;>^^ 
 
 
 
 ^ \ *■ 
 
 -f,S \ \ 
 
 partment The yd 
 ind the rows of tin 
 e table was set with 
 ay of warm biscuit, 
 s, and " apple sass." 
 '" demanded Bessie 
 I as black as your 
 t hour. Don't you 
 
 himself in mother's 
 
 poor thing I -TTow 
 >red hair; and her 
 wear such clothes 
 
 tiTE VIRGINIA HtlRBSS. 
 
 59 
 
 "I don't know whetKer he is or not," said Bessie, blushing 
 brightly, "and I don't care. Are you going to see Fanny?" 
 
 Dick Nagle laughed as he rose up from the table. 
 
 "Are you going to sit up to-night with the young lady, Bess ?" 
 
 "Of course." 
 
 "Then I'll step over and fetch Fanny to keep you companjr; 
 There's Frank's step at the door now." 
 
 The roses on Bessie Nagle' s cheeks turned to scarlet redness 
 as a tall, good-looking, &rmer-like young man entered. Dick 
 took hiSt hat, and turned to go. 
 
 "One good turn deserves another," he said. "You keep 
 my sister company, Frank, and I'll just step over and look after 
 yours.** 
 
 ind let's h^ve some 
 
 er?" 
 
 [all I Doesn't that 
 
 be her — so prettj 
 
 1 ear-rings and fin- 
 
 lagle, with a touch 
 ' but don't you gel 
 J your neighbor's! 
 I don't know that! 
 iwr so rich, thap l| 
 
 cttr 
 
 
 - V V i 
 
 M. 
 
 ■fc? 
 m.. 
 
! -■ 
 
 ■--<.■ ^':*'- 
 
 60 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS, 
 
 f 
 
 /^ , CHAPTER VI, 
 
 - A SLOW RECOVIRT. 
 
 Miss Tresjrlian's accident did not seem likely, after all, to turn 
 out seriously. Before the end of a week all danger of a fever 
 was over, and she was slowly but surely progressing toward 
 health. It Was partly owing to her own strong young vitality, 
 and partly to the unceasing care that had been taken of her, 
 Mrs. Nagle and her daughter were the most untiring of nurses. 
 All day and all night one or other was by her bedside, antici- 
 pating, with motherly and sisterly care, her every wish. " *S- 
 la, lying pale and weak among her pillows, liked to iook in 
 Widow Nagle's kind, serene fece, and listen to her low, sooth- 
 ing voice. She was from the South, and when she had married, 
 twenty-eight years before, she and her husband had gone to 
 Frankfoiit, Ky., to reside. There her son Richard an^ her 
 daughter Bessie had been bom and reared, and there three young- 
 er children slept their last, long sleep. Bat at the death of her 
 husband, seven years ago, poverty had overtaken them, and 
 Dick had come North to try in busy New England to better 
 the!r condition. •' 
 
 *' He was only sixteen years old then," his mother said, "and 
 no one knows how my poor boy toiled and Itbofed for the poof 
 
 A.. 
 

 
 
 
 & 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS, 
 
 6s 
 
 ily, after all, to turn 
 11 danger of a fever 
 progresfiing toward 
 3ng young vitality, 
 been taken of her. 
 untiring of nurses, 
 ler bedside, antici- 
 sveiywish. " *i> 
 s, liked to iook in 
 to her low, sooth- 
 1 she had married, 
 )and had gone to 
 Richard anid her 
 there three yoang>* 
 tt the death of her 
 rtaken them, and 
 England to better 
 
 nothersaid, '*and 
 >ored for the poor 
 
 him. God prospered 
 
 mother and sister dependent 
 he always does dutiful children, and in four years he was able to 
 rent this £irm, and send for us to come North. I was sorry to 
 . leave Kentucky and my kind friends there, for the South is &r 
 dearer to me than New England can ever be. Still, I have 
 passed three peaceful, happy years here, and here, if it be the 
 wilU^Hptven, I ani ready to'die." 
 
 jHSiistened dr^mily to this simple little narrative, and" 
 Mrs. Nagle's son became magnified into a hero all at once. 
 Perhaps his good looks had something to do with it, and he was 
 ffery good-looking. If he had been the amiable owner of sandy ' 
 hair and a freckled complexion, Miss Tresylian would not have 
 considered his filial cond&ct worthy of a second thought But 
 the "Corsair" never possessed blacker eyes or hajr, darker 
 complexion, whiter teeth, or more Grecian nose than Widow 
 Nagle's only son. 
 
 The Virginia heiress had only seen him once or twice, bat, 
 ailing as she was, that was quite often enough to photograph his . 
 handsome &ce on her romantic mind. Seeing that a Creciai;i 
 nose and raven locks are sufficient in themselves, without any 
 additional virtues, it is not suiprising that Mr. Nagle mounted 
 a pinnacle in Miss Tresylian'g estimation that young man neve; 
 dreamed o£ 
 
 Judge Harper was a daily visitor at die cottage, as solicitous 
 almost about her as her grandfather could have been. Nog^^ 
 
 however, that all danger was over, he be^gan to think of the 
 bm«« wluch M broi^ . „ .. «£ 
 
 
 ^: -i 
 
 ^j 
 
 • ■ "^ ■< f < " 
 
 
'' 
 
 r- 
 
 a Ix 
 
 '*^'~''m> 
 
 W 
 
 t 
 
 r 
 
 »" - . • «- ' ■ 
 
 r 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 »^v ,'^ ■ 
 
 '^'^ 
 
 0* 
 
 T^^ yiRGINJA HEIRMSS. 
 
 "You are getting better so fest, my dear," said he, t'that mj- 
 presence here is no tonger requisite, and my business reallv 
 must be seen to without; delay. Will you mind much if I leave 
 you here with these good people, and take a run up to New 
 York?" . 
 
 ~ " Of course not," said Sybilla. " Mrs. ^^le takes as good 
 care of me as anybody could take, and t-i- aoctor says I will be 
 able to sit up next week. Don't delay'your business on my ac- 
 count" t 
 
 " Thank ycu. my dear. And now about grandpapa-shall I 
 yixxx.^ and telMiim. or shaU I wait until you get better, and let 
 you t^U him yourself?" \. 
 
 "It will distress grandpapa dreadfully if he knows it no«r,*' 
 said Sybilla, anxiously, "because you know, Judge Harper, he 
 cannot come to see me. You had better wait I will write to 
 him myself next week. It s so lucky it is my left and not my 
 ^ght arm that wai; brokea. Oh, to think of what might have 
 happened J" ^ ; . >^ 
 
 Of CO 
 ytx aros 
 
 "Yoi 
 ler han 
 iny tim 
 
 Sybill 
 
 "Th( 
 Eustace 
 Be sure 
 
 Judge 
 tained h 
 ranged, 
 
 It was 
 toow la] 
 Ught^-t] 
 ing. A 
 of all, it 
 
 . " Doh't thinfe about it-there's a good girl. Well, 111 start Irappe'd s 
 to-morroii? for Ne>v York, and, when my affairs are settled. I J .. ^ 
 will co^je back and see you before going South. By the way, Iji^ j, 
 will you write to your friends ii^ Boston?" J 
 
 . ^No,"skid Sybilla,-with a willfj,) little pout "I doni want! "^'^ 
 to see any of them until my arm is better. They are not ex- 1 ^^® ° 
 pccting me, and will not be anxious, and Eustace never writes '^'"^'^ *^' 
 
 ^./to granajapa^y aripng mte^vali I am veiy comfortable I ^^*°* 
 ^ here, and here I mean to stay unUl I am quite well" , " • Ipretty, s 
 
 ;*^- 
 
 terward 
 
 7^^- 
 
 my- 
 
 \* 
 
 '-% 
 
■•^'■X#^*?;t^^^.^j' " 
 
 ~;.^^fi " 2i '"J^.jJjL 
 
 > pwr5*f|>«e?r^ , 
 
 'S. 
 
 " said he^<' that my 
 
 my business really 
 
 lind much if I leave 
 
 e a run up to New 
 
 J^le takes as good 
 ioctor says I will be 
 business on my ac- 
 
 grandpapa— shall I 
 get better, and let 
 
 le knows it now, 
 , Judge Harper, he 
 lit I will write to 
 yy leA and not my 
 >f what mi^^ have 
 
 rl. Well. Ill start 
 ffairs are settled, I 
 luth. By the way, 
 
 t "I don't want 
 
 They are not ex- 
 
 istace never writes 
 
 TffE jiCmiA HSIltMSS. 0) 
 
 Of coorsa it mast be Ss Miss Tresylian pleased, so Judge Har* 
 it arose and biade her good-by. ' 
 
 You are sure you will not feel lonely?" he said, holding . 
 ' If yott do, -you know you can send for Etistaoe ' . 
 
 f 
 
 f > 
 
 ler hand. 
 
 iny time." ;» \ , 
 
 Sybilla drew away her hand t^ith an impatient gesture. , 
 
 "There is not the slightest danger of my being lonely for 
 Eustace, nor of my sending for him. Good-by, Judge Harper. 
 Be sure to come and see me before you go South." .. "^ ' 
 
 Judge Harper promised, and departed. His business de- 
 tained him over a week in New York, and, as, soon as it wasar> 
 ranged, he returned |o Massachusetts. <^.' - t 
 
 It was a cold, bright night, alinost the last of December. The 
 Snow lay white and glittering, and frdzen hard ip the moon- 
 lights— tlie stars were numberless — the wind keen and invigocat- 
 ing. A bright light shone irom the cottage-window— J)righ test 
 of all, it seemed to him from the window of Sybilla's room. He 
 rapped at the door, and was admitted by bright-&ced Bessie. 
 
 '^ dlKxi-evening, Miss Kagle. I have returned, you see. 
 Ho^ is Miss Tres>-lian ?" 
 
 '^ Nicely, sir. Walk in."^ 
 
 She opened the'dobr of the little prirlof, ithicli had been Sy- 
 billa's chamber from the first, and Judge Harper paused on the 
 
 '•x 
 
 * . 
 
 threshold taconteinpl^te the picture^i^a picture very brigh^^ 
 pretty, and veiy suggestive, and one to be remembered long af- 
 terward in the troubled days that were to follow. 
 
 ■I 
 
 4' 
 
 % 
 
 ¥ 
 
 
 ~m 
 
 very comfortable 
 ewelL" " 
 
 !»" .* 
 
 
 
 >fe0<-,:i. 
 
 fr' 
 
Ui 
 
 .^ , ^ ^i'"- *• ,i-%*f:^ f^. V ' -.#?*• "^^ -i, 
 
 -^' ;. 
 
 A* 
 
 €4 
 
 TBS VIRGINIA BEIRESS. 
 
 "Ye 
 
 hope 
 
 A roaring fire of henilock logs blazed on the hearth, red « 
 Bessie Nagle's ownchwks. Its gplden blaze rendered quife^u 
 pcrfliious the lamp burriingcnthe table. It flashed on the old 
 feshioned mirror, it shone on the snowy bed, on the home-mad- 
 carpet, and splint-seated chairs, and, brightest of all, on the 
 heiress of the Tresylians, pretty Sybilla. * 
 
 She lay on the crimson morocco lounge, dressed in pale 
 blue, an exquiate negligee, with fluttering ribbons. A little pa- 
 ler, a'little dinner, but very lovely, with her feir curls flowing, 
 and her lai^ eyes soft and dreamy with hidden light 
 
 Seated at the table in his mother's comfortable cushioned 
 rocking^hair, sat Mr. Dick Nagle, reading aloud. -Handsoni- 
 er even than Sybilla, and arrayed in his Sunday best, the wid-, 
 ow's son looked rather a dangerous companion for the senti- "*^''' 
 mental, beauty-worshiping young lady. He was reading, as if * '"^^^ 
 
 The' 
 ibsence 
 ooked 
 "Wh 
 "To- 
 "Nej 
 ravel b) 
 "Ah I 
 Sybil!) 
 ight 
 
 "Yol] 
 way." 
 
 to make matters worse, the Lady of Lyons, and Judee Harper, 
 glancing from one to the other, compressed his lips with any- 
 
 tac 
 Loi 
 
 thing but a satisfied expression. 
 
 Dick Nagle looked up from his book, Sybilla glanced over 
 her shoulder at the opening of the door. The young man 
 arose, in nowise disturbed by the sudden apparition, but the 
 young lady uttered a feint feminine exclamation, and her fece, 
 pale a moment before, flushed all over carnation. 
 
 " I need not ask if Miss Tresylian is better," said the judge, 
 faking a seat "I see she is." ' 
 
 nee IS < 
 
 lot trave 
 
 "Not 
 
 "Will 
 
 "Of c 
 
 lave it re 
 ".Byn 
 
 icddentj 
 "I thii 
 
 rount bo 
 
 Something in his tone deepened the rosy light in Miss Tre- 
 sylian's&ce, and her glance fell ^nftisedly. I»ere?" ^ 
 
 4. 
 
 

 ?*, ^ • 
 
 n the hearth, red 
 ze rendered quite ^u 
 [t flashed oh the old 
 I, on the home-mad 
 titest of an, on th 
 
 TOE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 H 
 
 ige, dressed in palej 
 bbons. A little pa 
 r &ir curls flowing, 
 icn light 
 
 tfortable cushioned 
 aloud. -Handsort- 
 
 r 
 
 nday best, the wid- 
 aion for the senti 
 5 was reading, as \{ 
 
 "Yes," she said, fiiintl^ "I am much better, thank you. 
 hope you had a pleasant journey." \ i 
 
 The widow's^son had arisen and left them together, and his 
 ibsence seem,e(l to relieve Sybilla of her embarrassment. She 
 ooked up with a more assured air. ■ \. 
 
 ' ' When are you going South ?" she asked. ^ • > ■ < 
 
 "To-morrow. When are you going to Boston ?" 
 • * Next week, I believe. The doctor thinks I will be -able to 
 vel by that time. You dpn't know how I dread it*' 
 "Ah ! Are you so.fescinated with this place, then ?" 
 Sybilla looked up, her gray eyes filling with rather an angry 
 ight 
 
 You know what I meap, I dread the thoughts of the rail- 
 
 ind Judge Harper, 
 his lips with any- 
 
 'billa glanced over 
 The young man 
 pparition. but the 
 ion, and her &ce, 
 ion. 
 '" said the judge, 
 
 igfatin Miss Tie- 
 
 nray. 
 
 "Then why not be driven to your destination? The dis- 
 
 ance is only twenty miles. If you write to Eustace, you need 
 
 lot travel by rail Have y(^u written y^t?" 
 "Not yet I wanted to surprise them." 
 " Will you send a letter with me to your grandfether ?" 
 "Of course. If you call to-morrow before you leave, I will 
 
 lave it ready. If that is too much trouble, I can send it" 
 ".By no means—I will call Am I to say nothing of your 
 
 icddent?" ^ , \^ 
 
 "I think you had better not I will send him a detailetl ao- 
 ro nnt from B osto n. He would worry so, you know.' 
 
 Ye^" (a pause), "and how do you like these good people 
 lere?" ^ •'>:,■■ ' ' '^ " 
 
 f 
 
 1^ 
 
 Si" 
 
 m 
 
 M 
 
 »»*««i 
 i 
 
 ",*> 
 
 ;r 
 
 i?' 
 
i-^' 
 
 e$ 
 
 T'fE WHMQUfU 
 
 r4E& 
 
 "Verjr much." \ • 
 "They ar^very kind to you?'* 
 "Very." ^ 
 
 A certain air of restraint with/which she spoke warned tht 
 juige that the subject was not agreeable. That only confirmed 
 his suspicion, and he hazarded another question. 
 
 "Very thoughtful of that yoi^ng man to read to you ; is h« 
 in the habit of^ doing it?" 
 
 Na 
 Ipap 
 3essi( 
 
 er all 
 
 Deas 
 
 not' 
 
 trtlei 
 
 one 
 
 i, • ' w one 
 
 Sjfbilla looked suddenly upJthe a«[gry blood of the Tiesyllpe yc 
 
 : 
 
 ^)ians flashing in her eyes, and glowingin her cheeks. 
 
 " He reads to toe when I aik him to do so. I shall proba- 
 bly keep on asking him while/l remain her* 1" * 
 Of course that ended the mWr. 
 The judge, arose 
 
 3ughl 
 "You will have your letter ready when I call {n th« mom- Jut it 
 
 ingr 
 
 "Yes. Grandpapa's qu^tions will be rather embarmstinff; 
 but you are a lawyer, Judgi Harper, and will b« able to evad< 
 him." 
 
 She held out her hand Vrith a brilliant smil^ her (asdnatins 
 little self again. 
 
 The old judge sighed as he took it 
 
 " I will try to, my ch^ld. Take care of younelf when I am 
 gone." / 
 
 Be^ie let him out, a^d came into tlie parlor. 
 
 vill w 
 itiltt 
 
 "la 
 
 stra 
 nt w 
 
 No, ; 
 
 : gra 
 
 S 
 
 St 
 
 Perhi 
 riousl 
 
 "I'n 
 
 peete 
 ly an 
 ancei 
 
 "^Dick wants to~kaiQw if you wish him to read any more to- 
 
 - / 
 
 V-- 
 
 pep/f-i 
 
 S-l 1 »J*«>. 
 
 &/■ ," ^ 
 
 _ ,,. v**- »,»^«1^ I 
 

 i-p?: 
 
 
 tM& 
 
 That only confirmed 
 uesUon. 
 to read to you ; is he 
 
 VIRGINIA HEIRSSS. 
 
 \ 
 
 •/ 
 
 No. Wheel np that table^ Bessie, and give ine pen, ink, 
 1 paper. I must write a letter." 
 
 Bessie obeyed, and quitted the room. Sybilla mused a long 
 she spoke warned th« ^^^^^^^ she i^gj^ to write; but the note was verybrie^ 
 
 erall: * . ^ 
 
 Dear Grandpapa — ^You miist not be ang^ with yodr Sybilla 
 not writing before, \Xid you ;nust not be offended no\V at a : 
 rt letter. I am well d»id happy. .Is not that enough ? Ev- 
 one is good tome, and the time goes by like magic. 1 
 
 : 
 
 r blood of the Tresyl-Ipe you are better again, apd will soon be able to come NortH^ 
 
 vill write, in a week or so, a long, loi^ letter full of news, 
 itil ther, dnarest grandpapa, I remain 
 ~/l Your devoted / ' 
 
 / , SYBItLA. 
 
 her cheeks. 
 
 do 80. I shall proba 
 
 ertl" u 
 
 rather embarrusing^ 
 will b« able to evad 
 
 >f yourMlf when I am 
 
 tarlor. 
 
 to read any more to" 
 
 1 ^ -t ' 
 
 ' I anf afiraid grandpapa will think this very unsatisfactory,'' 
 3ught Miss Tresylian, pondering over her own composition ; 
 n I call in th* mom-f'ut it's impossible to help it I know he would be for corn- 
 straight here, well or ill, if he knew of my accident, and I 
 nt want that" 
 
 No, Miss Tr^lian did not wane that She did not want to 
 grandpapa, or Eustace, or Mrs. Wayland, or any one just 
 smiley her lasclnating t She did not want to leave the c*ttage — why, she knew 
 
 St 
 
 . - \ \ 
 
 Perhaps Judge Harper knew, too, for he was thinking rather 
 
 riously of his young charge just before he fell asleep^ 
 
 "I'm afraid this accident riray turn out rather worse .than I 
 
 p ecte d," he thought -J-II might have f o r e seen— a nd she ao- 
 
 ly and sentimental, too. Confound the whole tribe of ro- 
 ancers and poetasters 1 They turn the brain of every woman 
 
 \ 
 
 
 
\ . " ^■ 
 
 / 
 
 08 
 
 ■■. -/ 
 
 TJTB VlRGimA miRBSS. 
 
 in t^e nation. I hope I won't get^nto a scrapi; and I wi ce tl 
 with all my heart, Eustafce Tresylian Were here to\look after 
 promised wife." ' \ 
 
 Judge Hatper called at the cottage veiy 6arly neit momi 
 between seven and eight, and received MissXTr^Iian's let 
 
 He held her hand a moment at parting, and iWed eamei , u., 
 j«»«K-..„_ sybil 
 
 cm 
 *res< 
 
 'Id 
 
 Ihai 
 
 Ha 
 
 into her eyes. y 
 
 "And you will be sure to write to your friends in Best „ti. 
 next week, Sybilla?" . . 
 
 "Of course," Sybilla answered, rather pettishly. **'I sh 
 not remain here after I am able to leave." 
 
 Perhaps the young lady made the promise fn good feith ; b 
 if so, she certainly did hot keep it That week passed, and 
 nex^ and the third came, and still the Virginia heiress linge 
 in the New England cottage. 
 
 It was the middle of January, and the snow lay piled wh 
 and high everywhere. The wild winds of mid-winter shriek 
 around the house, tore through the gaunt, black trees, rattl 
 the windows, and whirled the red sparks in fiery showers up t 
 wide chimney. 
 
 • Miss Tresylian was quite well again — even her sling was d 
 pensed with. Why, then, was she still here? Ah I ask h 
 that, as she sits on the hearth-rug before the parlor-fire, loo 
 ing dreamily into the glowing coals, and listening, as on t 
 
 ni ght when Judge Harper returned, to Djck NagJa wfl4H 
 
 aloud a highly-spiced romance. Sybilla is blind, and deaf, ai ' Wi 
 in a dream. She does not hear a word— she only listens to t < No 
 
 .-•'^A^k' 
 

 ussss. 
 
 very 6arly neit momi 
 d MissXTrraylian's leti 
 
 your firiends in Bost 
 
 her pettishly. 
 
 «( 
 
 I sfa 
 
 
 ♦■.-/;,.?;' -f'',^-"'. 
 
 ►• '> 
 
 THE VIROmiA HEIRJ^SS, 
 
 69 
 
 ito a scrap^; and I wi ce that is deep and musical enough, and $ee8 the picture^ ih 
 vere here to\look after M crimson coala / '^ 
 
 Presently the young man lays down his book. 
 
 'I don't believe you beg« a word, Miss Tresylian," he says. 
 
 > _h a laugh. ' 
 
 ng, and looked eamei <. . .,1 i 1 j .-j*u . l 
 
 ^ ^ybilla looked up with a start 
 
 ' Have you finished ? Were you speaking ?" 
 ' I knew it I said you did not hear a word. Here I have 
 n reading this Buctaneer of the Bosphorus for the last hour, 
 1 I'm certain you haven't heard two nv}rds 1" 
 'No— I have been thinking." 
 ' Thinking of what ? _Our sleigh-ride to-night ?" 
 or be it known Mis6 Tresylian's health demanded moon- 
 it sleigh-rides, with Mr. Richard Nagle for charioteer. 
 'No — thinking I must go away to-moirow." 
 "To-morrow 1 Oh, not so soon, surely 1% 
 "Yes, I must, Pick. I have staid too long already. But 
 emain in Boston for four or five weeks, and eveiy week I shall 
 ne out here to visit — your mother." i 
 
 'Ah I you think so now. You will forget all about us poor 
 :s when you leave." - — 
 
 Sybilla's gray eyes met his with a sudden luminous flush. 
 
 ' You "know better than ^at Will you drive me to the dtjr 
 
 )miserngood&ith;b 
 iiat week passed, and 
 Virginia heiress lingei 
 
 he snow lay piled wh 
 I of mid-winter shriek 
 lunt. black trees, rattl 
 s in fiery showers up t 
 
 -even her sling was d 
 ill here? Ah I ask h 
 >re the parlor-fire, loo 
 nd listening, as on 
 
 to Dick Na^^^teada ' no rrow. Dicki'l 
 
 I is blind, and deaf, ai 
 —she only listens to t 
 
 * ** '^:"?.' 
 
 r^K^ 
 
 ' Will I /> Are you not going in the train ?" ■ 
 
 ' No ; I hate»the cars. But come," starting up, " it is time 
 
 ill 
 
 ■ -s.* , / 
 
 If-- 
 
 *Wl! 
 
I'TfPf .J""',-- to,. 
 
 ; 
 
 /o 
 
 rsar Virginia hsixess. 
 
 for our drive, and the night is lovelW Huny and fetch roi 
 the sleigh ; we can talk all about this/ on the way," 
 
 The young man hastened off, ai/d in ten minutes had 
 light sleigh and active horse at the /door. Sybilla, all mu, 
 up in shawls and furs, got in beside/ him, and, with the m 
 jingle of bells, they dashed off in the silvery moonlight 
 
 " Handsoi»e couple, ain't they, /Frank?" Bessie Nagle ask 
 watching them out of sight, with itx beau in the porch. 
 
 She's rich, " responded Fran|i, sagaciously. " She is a ( 
 above Dick. They'll never maki a couple, Bessie. 
 
 "Above Dick 1" exclaimed. Mks Nagle, her black eyes flaa 
 Ing. " There's not a lady MJMasa^pJmpetts too good for Di< 
 I've been in Boston, and l^^i^intIemen--lQt8 of 'em~l 
 I never saw any handsomer l^y^r Dick»>^ 
 
 "I guess Miss Tresyiian l^^to," Frank said, laii 
 Ing. "There's your mother LlKngpir Bess. ^^^ 
 It was late when the^jghmg party ^^^^^ 
 o'clock. Bessie stqod aU in thp moonlit porch, wrapU 
 a shawl, Frank had gone hfon^p, and Mrs. Nagle had gone 
 bed. Jpst as she was g^etUiig impatient, the sleigh flew up. 
 >' How late you j^e," B^ie ciied. " Have yt)u had a £oi 
 -iime, Dick?" \ ' .1-. * ' 
 
 "Ask Miss Tresyiian. "/said her brother, laughing. 
 But Miss Tresyiian^ With "chee'ks like the i^ses red " 
 gone: ' ' 
 
 In t 
 
 nuar 
 
 rick s 
 
 aited, 
 
 lont ! 
 
 he ke 
 
 ito bi| 
 
 'X da 
 
 trsab 
 
 lenan 
 
 lin a 
 
 le pill 
 
 Her 
 
 ised t 
 
 "Is 
 
 "Ye 
 
 hat n 
 
 i^ 
 mt re 
 lone w 
 
 
r-^ ™^iy-^ ^.^ggpi^ "^T*^ 
 
 {''W"' 
 
 ""■■': ii 
 
 UXESS. 
 
 Huny and fetch ro 
 on the way. " 
 
 in ten minutes bad 
 oor. Sybilla, all mu 
 lim, and, with the m 
 ilveiy moonlight 
 ik?" Bessie Nagle ask 
 iatt in the porch, 
 aciously. " She is a 
 iple, Bessie." 
 Ifle, her black eyes flai 
 i^tts too good for Di< 
 lemen — Ipts of 'em 
 ick^^ 
 feb," Frank said, lau 
 
 fe'le^."'" "' 
 
 irty i-etumed— past 
 onlit porch, wrap; 
 Irs. Nagle had gone 
 
 the sleigh flew up. 
 * Have you had a go 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 71 
 
 »-'' 
 
 VII. 
 
 IK SOCIETT. 
 
 In the wintiy twilight of a January day— nearly the last of 
 inuary— Sybilla Tresylian tripped up the steps of an imposing 
 rick structure in Beacon street, and rung the bell. While she 
 aited, she Wfti^hed the peqple hurrying homeward along Tre- 
 lont street? stild'downthe'^ Cc 
 
 rt, laughing. 
 
 k« the roses red," 
 
 Common, no# white with snow, 
 he keen evening wind had blown the pink bloom of her cheeks 
 ito big, round roses, and fluttered the tusseled ringlets under 
 X dainty little hat She looked a bright littlgdk^st-feiiy, in 
 ;r sable furs, and rose-lined mantle, and rose-hl^Rbbons, and 
 en and women passing rapidly along the street paused to glance 
 lin at the bright, pretty, girlish &ce and trim little figure on 
 le pillared door-step. 
 
 Her ring was answered by a woman-servant, who looked sur- 
 ised to see a strange young lady call at this late hour. 
 "Is Mrs. Wayland at home ?" Sybilla asked. 
 "Yes, Mrs. Wayland is at home. Please step in this way. 
 hat name ?" 
 
 seating h^r<tf>lf i n *\ \n alm, 
 
 ovauu|c AiCAa g t i r m -WC— CA P* 
 
 nt reception-room, and thinking her governess mHBf'iiave 
 lone worse than marry an old man, after all 
 
 
 p 
 
 < ) 
 
 4^1 
 
h^ 
 
 ■^ 
 
 <^ 
 
 <^:^iy 
 
\ 
 
 I !■ 
 
 ! i 
 
 i I' 
 
 ; 
 
 71 
 
 
 7J 
 
 rj/£ VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 
 the V 
 Th 
 
 Five minutes, ten, fifteen passes. Bells rang, servants curse, 
 and recursed the bell, doors opened and shut, and footste; 
 ran up and down stairs. 
 Twenty minutes f 
 
 Sybillawas getting impatient, when there was a rustling ol "^tic 
 silk, and a taU, youthful-looking lady, pale and stately, swept in Mi 
 
 "I fear I have detained you," she said, in a peculiarly gentl< 
 voice, " but I was engaged. Why, Sybilh r 
 
 Sybilla laughed, and then there was a pause, in which noth 
 Ing was done but kissing. 
 
 " You darling child I how glad I am to see you ! And how 
 you have grovyn I Stand up, and let me look at you. Why, 
 you are a young lady." 
 
 "Ofcourse," said Sybilla. "What would you have of a per- 
 son in her eighteenth year?" 
 
 "Are you that ?^ You don't look sixteen. But where is youi 
 grandpapaf ' 
 
 ' ' In^irginia. I came here alon^. " 
 
 "Alone 1" repeated Mrs. Wayland, looking unutterably 
 shocked. ^ 
 
 " Yes ; but it's such a long story. Miss Venning Oh ! 
 
 T K.„ -jardon-Mrs. Wayland-but the other sounds 
 
 f 
 
 ural 
 
 # 
 
 Mis. Wayland laughed good- 
 
 i|turedly. 
 
 ^^'y^-^^^J^^S^^Xm ] ^]^^, when G e oi^e t« ^M yoa 
 waarifcried?" • , 
 
 smile: 
 "I 
 be m 
 don't 
 «< Y 
 and c< 
 "B 
 twenty 
 it all. 
 JUt, if 
 "D 
 "Y( 
 no do 
 only y^ 
 "It 
 "II 
 Sybil 
 ler che 
 "Su( 
 kug] 
 Mre. 
 
 "■%. 
 
 &m:^^£ikiM0 
 
 ':i'm- 
 
~^ i^K *■*■-»•.. 
 
 ESS. 
 
 Is rang, servants curse( 
 id shut, and footstep 
 
 
 here was a rustUng o 
 
 e and stately, swept in 
 
 in a peculiarly gentle 
 
 pause, in which noth 
 
 T/IE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 73 
 By 
 
 "George?! Oh! Mr. Wayland. Yes, I was, rather, 
 the way, I sujUse he and Cousin Eustace are here now?' 
 
 There was in\her manner a slight hesitancy, which her friend 
 noticed. \ j 
 
 Mrs. Wayland Wed down in the &ir youn^fecft.with a 
 smile, half tender, half sad, ^ 
 
 "My little Syl?illL-a child the other day, and ehgaged to 
 be married! I ough\ to congratulate you, I suppose, but I 
 don't feel like it" 
 
 see yiu I Aid hovj " "''"'.'"" '." ^'"""" V' ""«'"■'« » ^"^ =°°«^io"» "^ugh. 
 1.^^!. * «r. <^olonng vividly. \ 
 
 "Because you are too i>^ung. They ought to let you reach 
 
 .Idyouhaveofapert l^tnS'Tt'^^^^^ T"' '^^^ "° '"'''^ 
 t~ It all. I don t like it. It is Vone of my business, I suppose ; 
 
 but, if you were mine, you sho^d wait three years yet. " 
 
 "Don't you like Eustace?" \ v 
 
 " Yes ; it is not that I like ^ustace extremely, and I have 
 no doubt he will make you an\ excellent husband. It is 
 only y6ur youth I complain of Ge^,ge is of my opinion, too. " 
 
 " It is grandpapa's wish, you know. Mis. Wayland ?" 
 
 "I know. Sybilla, do you love your cousin ?" 
 SybiUa bent over her glove, trying desperately to nn&sten it, 
 ler cheeks aflame. „ >,. 
 
 "Such a very embarrassing question, Mre. Wayland," tn^ng 
 laugh. "-HoweABrymf^ 
 
 I. But where is youi 
 
 looking unutterably 
 
 Venning . Oh ! 
 
 ther sounds so ftat- 
 
 j,-.t 
 
 Mis. Wayland took the busy little hands, and held theln 
 
 iif^pf'' 
 
 ..'•T- 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^ - 
 
 -X 
 
 it 
 
 \-^i!JiHii^'MJry:ad':j^r.wJti,iki^ 
 
! 
 
 ill 
 
 1 1, 
 111 
 
 74 
 
 TH^ VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 "Answer your old governess, Sybilla." - 
 
 For answer Sybilla dropped her head suddenly on Mrs. W^j? 
 land's shoulder, and burst into a hysterical passion of weeing. 
 Very much shocked, Mis. Wayland sat and looked on 
 
 "My dear Sybilla ! my dear child I I beg ^our ^rdon— J^ng 
 had no idea — Sybilla, what is the matter?" 
 
 "Oh, don't ask me!---don't mind me^ lam onlyasillj ^t wi 
 girl, you know, and I have been sick. Please ilet me alone fo s tall 
 a little while, and I. will be better again." 
 
 Mrs. Wayland led her up stairs to a pretty clWiber, kissing \ « 
 snd soothing her as though she were, indeed, a, child. Ii :-roc 
 seei^ed only yesterday since she had kissed and soothed hei ers, 
 
 W 
 
 "'I 
 
 re i 
 
 Mr. 
 
 ostj 
 iss, a 
 "H( 
 
 just like this, when the heiress of many Tresylians criea hei 
 pretty little eyes half out over the death of a pet kitten. 
 
 " Where are your trunks?" Mrs. Wayland asked. "The dm 
 ner bell will ring presently. " 
 
 "They won't be here until to-morrow. Oh ! I foi^got— yoi »•*< 
 
 don't know." 
 
 So Sybilla sat down and told Mrs. Wayland, in brief, th< 
 story of her mishap.. 
 
 "You poor child I how dismal it must have been, mope( V^^ 
 up in that old ferm-house. You should have sent for us. 
 - "I was very comfortable there," Sybilla said, soRly} "thej 
 
 were the nicest people 1 I promised? to go see them every week 
 ■whillJ st a y . 
 
 SI 
 "Si 
 non 
 
 'P 
 "W 
 the 
 
 ^rs 
 
 The dinner bell raagas she spoke, and Mrs, Wayland led he*ill! 
 down. \ 
 
 JiiSSSi#aS''i4«j6. -/i »r 'J.dii;i 
 
'ESS. 
 
 luddehly on Mrs. Way?- 
 al passion of weeing, 
 md looked on 
 
 jet 
 
 -y^-f'. 
 
 t- 
 
 TJIE yummiA HEIRESS. 
 
 75 
 
 Mr. Wayland was alreadf there— a hale old gentleman, 
 osty but kindly," seen through a lonf vista of silver, and eut 
 
 iss, and flaming gas-lighu . » 
 
 'Hovr could Miss Venning," thought Miss Tresylian, "so 
 I beg trour/^tdon— ling and so pretty? He is a very nice old gentlen^m, I dare^ 
 
 r 
 
 nel, 
 Please 
 
 pretty c 
 indeed. 
 
 ; but how could she many him ?' 
 
 am only a silltt wfs rather dull at dinner., where Mr. Wayland did most of 
 
 me alone fo : talking, and kept asking her,^eations about the South, and 
 
 grandpapa, and the accident, and the people she stopped 
 
 ber, kissinAh, until her head ached. It wju dull, too, in the long draw- 
 
 ;.room after dinner, with Mr. Wayland in the library writing 
 
 child. I 
 
 ly Tresylians criea hei 
 
 of a pet kitten. 
 
 land asked. "The dm 
 
 Wayland, in brief, the 
 
 go see them every week 
 
 issed and sdpthed hei ers, and Mrs. Wayland playing the piano for her. 
 
 "Won't you play ?" Mrs. Wayland jaked. " I want to hear 
 
 you have improved since I left* Virginia." 
 "I can't play; my arm is not strong ei^ugh yet. And I 
 re improved backwards since you left. I never pracUce. 
 
 IV. Oh! I forgot— yoi anor Waldron does enough of *hat for both of us." 
 
 ' She was always studious. I have no doubt*she plays well." 
 "Splendidly. She knows lots of things— botany, and as- 
 nomy, and chemistry, and mathematics, aftid half a dozen 
 
 iust have been, mopec guages. She's dreadfully learned, and I hate her !" 
 
 "Oh, Sybilla!" 
 
 ilia said, softly j "thej " Well, I do— so where's the use of playing hypdfcrite ? Of 
 
 the selfish, unfeeling, disagreeable — 
 Mrs. Wayland put her hand over the 
 
 le detractor's mouth. 
 
 dMrs Wayhmd led heiiila laagHed 
 
 You didn't like her yourself, you know. 
 
 
 4 
 
 '1^ 
 
 % 
 
 
in 
 
 ii 
 
 f 
 
 
 V • 
 
 76 
 
 TTfE KIRQINJA JiEIRESS. 
 hav 
 
 
 lylai 
 tet( 
 
 »Jexl 
 
 " Th^n I must have been unjust, for she certainly was a ino( 
 pupil — not a bit like you, flighty little thing 1" 
 
 "Still, ^ou liked me best" . 
 
 '" How do you know I did ?" 
 
 " " Oh, I know I It is etey to tell when we are liked. P 
 Mrs. Wayland,'«ing that song you used to sing for me long 2 
 — Sbil and Low! Breathe my Passion." . 
 
 "And you will think of Eustace, I stii)pOse, while I si 
 
 You sentimental little Sybilla 1 Do you read as many noveli 
 
 — . ■ , . . ,.. . ■-, , 
 
 • 1 ■ ■ ■ ■ , .1 , 
 
 "About the; same." 
 
 "And Byron, and Shelley, and Tennyson, and the rest 
 them ?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 . ^ 
 
 "And isn't your head tamed ?" 
 
 " Only a little. Dosing." 
 
 Mrs. Wayland sang the song in a low, sweet vdce. Sybi 
 sitting on a stool, with her head in the lady's lap, listene(| 
 her eyes full of misty dreaminess, and thoughts foil of^ 
 Eustace Tresylian. 
 
 " Tluit is so pret^," she said, vdth a flattering sig^ 'i 
 stop— sing more." 
 
 So Mis. Wayland sang half the evening. Then Mr. Wayl 
 came, and the music ceased, and it was dull again, and a'^flase,' 
 look came over Sybilla'a &ce. ^le leened her head agauMt^ she 
 
 iadv 
 sylii 
 
 !o y 
 e, y( 
 ton 
 he < 
 1.0 
 pel 
 
 rs. 
 
 to 
 first 
 cou: 
 utift 
 m la 
 ped 
 hen 
 trie 
 h < 
 
 !(■«■. 
 
 azure velvet ba£k of her chair, pale and stUl. 
 
 "We shall have no more such stupid evenings as thi^,'' 
 
 we< 
 [surp 
 
 sK<««aini»r«*ni 
 
 

 :/JiESS. 
 
 she certainly was a ino( 
 ; thing 1'' 
 
 ;''*# 
 
 kt 
 
 v^*?? 
 
 •'^V-i <". 
 
 ■s^ .fSti 
 
 ■.Zi. 
 
 \ . 
 
 I fl**; '"'■■•/ 
 
 tffE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 77 
 
 ) f 
 
 hen we are liked. Y) 
 d tP sing for me long z 
 
 tnnyson, and the rest 
 
 lyland said, just before they parted for the night "'"I shall 
 te to Geoige to-morrow, and he and yo» cousin will return. ^ 
 n't look homesick so soon, my dear; you will like Boston 
 
 *Iext morning a Idtig letter— a ladys letters-crossed and re- 
 
 ssed, and containing a detailed history of Miss Tresyliati's 
 
 ,., , . adventure, went off to New York. Another was posted for 
 I suppose, while I sii i •:. tr n . • ■ ... 
 
 \ ■ »yhan Hall, contammg a similar account, and cohcludinjr : 
 
 ou read as many noveh 
 
 k) you see, grandpapa dearest, as I have only just arrived 
 e, you must let me stay the longer. I have seen nothing of 
 5ton yet, and Mrs. Wayland says I must positively remain un- 
 the epd of March. You will let me, won't you, grandpapa? 
 1, oh I pl«ase come on here just as soon as ever your health 
 p^hnit . , 
 
 Irs. Wiyland; in the absence of anything masculine, under- 
 
 to do the honors of the " modem Athens" herself 
 I first day was spent ^n di-^^ through the city and suburhSf 
 
 >w, sweet voice. Sybi| 
 i lady's lap, listened 
 ad thoughts full of^ 
 
 fluttering sig^ 
 
 *( 
 
 Icourse, Mount Auburn was the first place visited, and very 
 lutifiil that "city of the dead" loo^, although 'the winter 
 Iw lay piled white and high, the i^ dead, and |fe|^ trees 
 
 Then Sybilla climbed to the top of Bunker Hill Monument, 
 tried to feel patriotic on that dizzy elevation, but was too 
 :h out of breath. She performed a like feat at the State 
 Inse, and returned home at dusk in such a state of fotigue 
 
 ting. ThenMr.WayU 
 as dull again, and a'^j 
 ^°^ j^' ^*^ agaiastfc sly was not aMe to sti^ a» nert day. 
 
 dstai. , iLweek passed. No lettet camfe from New York, rather to 
 
 ^ '^*'^"^'"*^" ^surprise of Mra.Wayland._Sybma didnotcar^; shewent^ 
 
 t ' 
 
 & 
 
 
 ' if 
 
 sis 
 
 ( 
 
 f 
 
 « **-i^-. ■. ',..*^'.iv•t■ ' .^5^ 
 
 ■ z ■.'■%^.m>4 
 
 ^^,:U^i..^.-"t':j"' 
 
altout t 
 
 to a thr^^r for the fiist 
 
 If had beel 
 •h^i^^tSTlhe 'i^ston— to 
 ta-Booth play Hamlet She ha^ been to a dinner-partj 
 t;Mr. and Mrs. Wayland, .looking lovely in fhite silk ar 
 uls— a very Princess Ful^a.' And she had been very mu< 
 ''''^mired, oiF course, this t)r9^.1ittle Virginia girl, heiress of fej 
 ulous thousands, and with t^est blood of the Old Dominic 
 in^her veins. She had shoppX anTtaade calls, and gone to I 
 matinee, and, in short, had cr<!^ded as much, enjoyment inj 
 fiv« days as it was possiblejfor fi\4'days to contain. When Suj 
 dtiy came she went to a fephiona^le church with Mrs. Waylar_ 
 fn grand tenue, and listefned to a feshionable preacher, wJ 
 whiskors and a snowy surfplice, reading an elegant sermon, ai 
 it yiraS all noVel, and at seventeen novelty is deligh^ 
 
 But, through all this dissipation, it seemed Miss Tre^lil 
 could remember gratituide, for ego. Monday morning she 
 nounced hej- intention ot going to see herlWends in Ae coi 
 try. ■ ■ - " • ;. , -j v \ . . 1 - •' - ' 
 Mrs. Waylknd expostulated a little, but Miss Tresylian 
 
 firm. 
 . "I'll come back to-^norro 
 promised; and j(ou know, 
 |flk^a promise, 
 
 ik'Uflr ' ^ SybiJla '^ent, with 
 cars. / On Tuesday even 
 fcnly caught in a yo 
 "You runaway !" he cri© 
 
 le said. I ^'I pust go. 
 f, the T^esylians never brej 
 
 • "/I 
 servants /to see her saf^dn 
 
 itne bad^, and in the hail 
 
 .rm8.~~ 
 
 tre yon have kept mjC sir 
 
 '■V 
 
 
' u. y-*^ jw 1 
 
 **'/-^| 
 
 J THE VlRcmiA HEIRESS* . .„ 
 
 fc. nigh, in a sute of unendurable suspense. I was jus. g,i„g ' 
 J^s^rch of you. You li.„e witch I how well you are look 
 
 Sybilla had come in rosy with the frosty air, but "now, as sh^- 
 ^m h-lffromEusta^, her cheeks had grown white. 
 
 When did you come f she asked, &intly ' 
 ■'^t „^ht I started U.e n,on,e„t I hear^ you w.„ here." 
 
 HasMr. Waylandcome, too?" . ^- 
 
 •• Ves; he is up stairs in the diawinfe-room. Come " 
 
 Of couiv,, life was gayer than m*. now that the young gen 
 
 lemen had re&med. No, ,hat the young lady of sevlfeen 
 
 fought Mr. peo.;ge Wayland young. Thirty was a ve„e.ble 
 
 S. to her, and then there was something about him that awed 
 
 d ,mpr«sed her. She liked him, W she was a little af™d 
 
 ler. practiced wrth .mpunit)- on others, Med out of sight when 
 ecamen^r ,nd Sybill^ ,^„,,^ « - 
 
 Ind, "tried to be goody, and ttik sense." ' • ' 
 
 A few days after their anival there was a biM ., «,. Wayhuid 
 ansjo. Sybi!*.'s,r«.&ll, What an even. U», was'lt 
 okherlKomf„„,oyock..,^gh„odress; b„t,whenshe« 
 
 bmedown the result fclly justiBed„the e^diture of .im.. 
 
 k^phgh.^ hustod look*la»h.r«if hejiad sMntTfer ' 
 
 fea".y. W»,Udd,.wear,. ^owc».I,teU?.Sh.wr.U . 
 
 » ,, » '^ • ~—*. <T(|« till 
 
 , ^ irvi r u ^^'«»»«^^ilmrla«.nhfilifieb6kedlikcir 
 
 .f have kept mp sif "^ ^^ ^^ ^"^^ «' » N»iad Queen, or an Undine, <»r Venw 
 
 
 ■'■ H 
 
 ' 1 
 
 ,i: 
 
 V.°;,.;kA^.-fkl-^: J-y((4'-kU?:,,/ ,'*\^ ■.v;'^^-,-- V"'. *■ 
 
 C\ , 
 
 .1' 
 
 /: 
 

 86 
 
 r^£; VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 fi^h from thf white sea fc^m. There were hI„«K 
 
 ne tack all Uie pretty ch«tn»t cork Y«, she was lovely ». 
 
 rifrr.!^ ■"'"'"'""''■«• She danced, she J 
 - ^ ifte ^ned on the arm 6f Mr. Wayland, Jr., and talked L ,h, 
 ,g».en^.ith a» the g.vit, she couH must^ wLt f 
 
 e « '^/-n.eun.« .gh and look after th^ my lUtle b„.L 
 »l«i There were dozens of sensible ^„ng ladles present li, 
 
 / Z^tZ"' "1? r^ "'*-"^" *« -~t 
 
 ■ teve 2 ^ 7 ?'" """■«■" "■•• ^'^' ^>^'-« would 
 „ h«ve 4e „gh, for ftem. B«. no; people will never do as 
 
 ^-''■^-or.als.oulde.pect in jhese matte., and Z^J, 
 M,„ TVesrlan had left Um to walt^he waltzed with even- 
 
 -"Grandpapa-, not he«, and I will doS^s I please l' I'm no. 
 
 »amed>^,.Mr.Tres,lianl Vo^ go and ™lu wi«. ev ;ir 
 M T' 'I»""'P'''^r»-i'»«/»'«'.'fi.it«fe,e."- 
 M.SS Wn seemed bent on "doing as. hT pleased,'* 
 
 ■nOKTOys tlianwaltzinji. When,.. - ■ f «i, « 
 
 ;lothes 
 lim. 
 
 "Yo 
 imestl 
 
 "Of 
 
 p^Some 
 iQsee h 
 
 "Yo 
 
 T«fain, she informed them she 
 
 i»Bra week aA e Mheiri 
 was going back, to the country to j 
 
 ^•Yes 
 

 I "•^•''^'•e .^y ■«.- i\ 
 
 
 
 were blush roses an 
 J, and a diamond nee 
 d a tiara of gems clasp 
 is, she was lovely, ^ti 
 and she turned abo 
 She danced, she sang] 
 ttle coquettes do, an 
 fr., and talked to tha 
 , muster. When sh 
 
 little sigh, jnd stob 
 and reverend seign 
 fse silly liftle butter 
 ig ladies present, lit- 
 the romance-writing 
 oi^e Wayland would 
 lie will never do as 
 tters, and your great 
 le common herd, 
 waltzed with every 
 
 the willful beaut} 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 8l 
 
 end a couple of days, Eustace again attempted to « interfere, 
 y biila's eyes hashed, and her color rose. 
 
 ''Eustace Tresylian, be so good as to let me alone. I tell 
 »u I Tvill go. " 
 
 "But; Sybilla— -" ' 
 
 "I will go to-morrow !" said Sybilla, sweeping out of the 
 
 .m. 
 
 And go she did, and remained two days. Eustace, fiftding 
 he would go, had volunteered to escort her. * 
 
 "I don't want you 1" returned the youug lady; "I prefef go-^ 
 ig alone 1" ~~ -~_ y 
 
 Eustace was at the Worcester depot when the train came in,- 
 le second evening. Sybilla came out among the rest, with a, 
 ill, dirk, and remarkably handsome young man. He was well 
 Iressed, but there was a certain countryfied air both about his 
 
 >; 
 
 :lothes and manners. Eustace approached, but neither saw 
 lim. ^ j 
 
 "You will be sure to come? ' he heard the young noan say, 
 imesitly.**< ' / * 
 
 "Of course," Sybilla answered ; "have I ever MlecJ yet?" 
 [i^ome one t<^hed her on the arm. She turned hJ^«ltily round 
 tQ see her c^sy ^ •-"'■■ "'' ■ 
 
 " You hl^Eustace I" she exclaimed, coolly. "Were yoo 
 
 liting for me?" 
 
 ''Yes;''ffi6r co\^7~**T^c^''Mm—xht carriage Is twiit^^ - 
 f ng. i wii^lieve you, rir, of yout task." ' 
 
 \ 
 
 
 ft*' 
 
 
,-_'-^. . 
 
 ■im^y 
 
 kL 
 
 '"''W- 
 
 82 
 
 r/f£ VIRGINIA Ih 
 
 'sA^ 
 
 ss. 
 
 The y0j 
 
 ^ 
 
 le a iifimne^bat confused bow, and retn 
 ed. Eustace l^d he/*straight to the carriage without speakin 
 
 "Who is that fellow?" he asked, when they were shut in, 
 ''What fellow?" angrily. 
 "That fellow who was with you just Jhow." 
 " I am not in the habit of going with fellows. That g 
 man was a friend of mine. " 
 
 " Thzt genlkman, with country clod written alPover him, 
 singular friena for Miss Tresylian to pi d^ up. Who is ,|ji£ ?" 
 
 "I shall not tell you 1". ^ ; 
 
 */»Sybilla!" ■' ' - " - 
 
 •'I will not !" cri^^ Sybilla, passionately ; "and I tpll yj 
 Eustace Tresylian, if you don't let me al^^e I'll break off 
 you le^-mwrow I I rvm't be ordered — I zvon'/ be dictated t| 
 Mipd your oifn business, and let me alone 1" 
 
 Tnis was i settler. Eustace relapsed into sulky silence. 
 
 Miss Tresylian sat with eyefs that fished and cheeks that bum 
 
 il they rattM down ^IpCon street, and were at hcmie. 
 
 There wsw aletter%6m Virgiak^awafting 'hery-a long leti 
 
 froni grai^pa^JlF^fife was deeply sb^^ed at her accident, u 
 
 ^ speakayifcankful tUat it was no woi^, and rejoiced to he 
 
 ^ ^e wa^^poytH; life so much. As for himself, he was but 
 
 tie bette^^ the probabilities wei« that it would be March befo 
 
 he was fit to travel. Meantime, she was to go on enj nying hi 
 
 sel^ and writing long letters, and the w«eks would soon go I 
 - She was to give his love to Eustace aitd Mrs. Wayland. M 
 
■fi 
 
 il. 
 
 'SS. 
 
 rriage without speaking 
 
 len they were shut jn. 
 
 tliow." 
 
 th fellows. That g 
 
 written alPover him, 
 up. Who is .^p ?" 
 
 ••,'WJ- 
 
 •V 
 
 TVZff VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 83 
 
 lonfused bow. and retre S^al^ron. Eleanor, and the servants sent their best regards to 
 
 ler ; and he w*s her 
 
 Ixjving grandfather, " 
 
 George P. Tresylian. 
 There was a bank-check for a large amount in this, which 
 Sybilla put hastily away, and read ^d re-read the letter. 
 
 "Dear, dear grandpapa!" she thought, with tears in her eyes, ' 
 how good he is good to me, and I — oh 1 what a wicked, un- 
 ' ' grateful wretch I am ! I wish I could be good— I wish I could 
 please him— J wish I could be fond of Eustace ; but I am only 
 a willful, selfih creature, and I can't/" , 
 The ignging of the dinner-bell aroused Sybilla, lying with her 
 id oil the table crying softly. She must go down, so she 
 bSl^ei^her red eyes, and shook out her crumpled robes, and 
 descoBd, and was on her good behavior all the evening. She 
 went and sat down beside Eustace, and talked to him, and tried 
 her best, poor child, to be sensible, and womanly, and agree- 
 able, aind she played and sang all his favorite songs. It rather 
 perplexed Mr. Eiistace Tresylian, this docile goodne^jSS.He 
 
 iat?ly ; "and I tpU 
 al^e I'll break off 
 —I won't be dictated t| 
 done 1" 
 
 d into sulky silence, 
 1 and cheeks that bumq 
 and were at h<Hne. 
 
 afting:1ie>^long letl «^ever was subject to spasmbdic fits of repentance an 
 
 ,- '-'■^ u: xc .sr.A AkAn't niiit-A iinHprssfand them in Other tX 
 
 
 ^ed af^her accident, u 
 rse, and rejoiced to he 
 tr himself, he was but 1 
 it would be March befo 
 as to go on enjtyingJK 
 
 himself, and didn't quite understand them in other pee»pte. 
 
 February drew to an end, and March came in "like a lion," 
 roaringlike Bottom the weaver, "so that it would do any man's 
 heart g&d to hear him." The snow fluttered wildly in white 
 drifts past the windows, and the sleighing was sublime. Sybilla 
 
 was taking grandpapaTaavTce, ana~enj(^iHg^ fiefselt^ It ww 
 balls» and parties, and the, theater, and dressing, and driving 
 
 :M 
 
 weeks would soon go \ 
 fd Mn. Wayland. M 
 
 ■w 
 
 ;aEs»s*a«g?w?i 
 
u 
 
 ■ \ ': *:K-Tiiff**55=;y>? 
 
 U 
 
 M 
 
 m^ 
 
 f^m- 
 
 tim viRGrmA heiress 
 
 84 
 
 and skatijg all the time. She was quite a belle among thi 
 belles of ^oston ; but young men who fell in love discovered 
 she was enjgaged to her cousin, and fell out again. She rathel 
 snubbed ^ustace than otherwise-her fit of penitence, like your, 
 and mme( and other people's, evaporated in next day's sun 
 8h.ne-anld she was bad, and self-willed, and imperious, and ob 
 stmate. a|d anything else that is disagreeable and wicked tj 
 her prom^ed husband. She had her own way in everything^ 
 .^. ^tzed |much as she pleased, and with whom sh^ pj 
 ,^ She^yent tosee her country friends as often as she ch\,se anJ 
 sometime staid there days at a time. She flirted des^r^telyj 
 and, ,n the most decided way. declined being monopolized b;. 
 her cousin. She was wild with the excitement of her L life 
 and bent on crowding all the dissipation possible into th^e few 
 weeks. 
 
 The middle of March came. The letten to and from Vir-I 
 g.n« we„ „g„tar a. clock-work. Gmndpapa was getting bel- 
 ter, and would be in Boston by the fim of April .0 take her 
 home. Eustace had written an account of Miss/s goings on 
 and gm„dp.pa was getting alarmed. He would remain but a 
 week, he wrote, so she was to be all ready when he arri«d 
 M.SS T,«ylian was ve^- silent and thoughtful the evening af- 
 
 n«« dayfor the county-. She remained until the following 
 .venrng, «d returned even m6re silent and thoughtful than 
 When she left. 
 
 ^^arffitti^ore away; and she'^h^^ -ore. Day 
 
 IT 
 
 . t»o.'^' 
 
 -4 
 
J'' 
 
 
 
 I, . It*- 
 
 4: i\ 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. ' 85 
 
 day the last fortnight passed. April c^me, and the fourth of 
 bat month brought grandpapa. 
 
 Sybilla flew into his arms ia a sort of rapture. A little pale 
 nd thin from his recent illness, but stately and han&me in 
 fis upright old-age still, and indescribably glad to hold his iitUe 
 |rl in his arms once more. 
 
 ' You have lost your roses since you left home, my darling," 
 eold man said, fondly, "and you have grown thin. Whit 
 it?" 
 
 Sybilla hid her face in his bosom, feeling a hysterical choking 
 •i her throat. 
 
 "Nothing, grandpapa, only I have been so dissipated, I sup- 
 ose. Oh, grandpapa 1 did you miss me very much?" 
 "Very, very much, my darling. So much that I think I will 
 ever let you out of my sight again. What ! ciying, Sybilla? 
 jodlish child," with tears in his own eyes; "come, lift that 
 Illy little head, and tell me how is Eustace." - 
 
 Mrs. Wayland and her husband did their utmost to prevail 
 bon Mr. Tresylian to remain over the week, but in vain. H^, 
 las resolute to go, and Sybilla made no effort to change his d<jr ,' 
 Irmination. The day before that appointed for leaving, she' 
 \V\ him she must go to the cfiuntiy to see and bid her friends - 
 3od-by. "S£%h ' • 
 
 She was standing by the%^^ gazing out as she spoke, an^" !| 
 IcvGr turned her face. " ' 
 
 ' I 
 
 •4 • 
 
 I 
 
 eif once more. Day I ""^?^^^^^e. oTcouree, " Mr. Tresylian said, cordially ;«neii. 
 
 forget your friends, my dear. Who is to go with you?" 
 
 7 . 1 "I 
 
 4 
 
 ■>. ■^i,J^ 
 
 ■m 
 
.1^ 
 
 1 lii 
 
 • :i I 
 
 »6 
 
 / 
 
 r 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 - "No one, grandpapa; I always go^ there alone. They 'a 
 poor people, you know, and don't care ^r visitore. I will b 
 back this evening. " ■ 
 
 Miss Tresylian went. In the mild twilight of the April d 
 she returned, and, months afterward, all retaembered ho 
 white and ghost-like she had gttded in among them, soulilik 
 
 herself that even then they wondered, All that evening, ^al 
 
 The 
 
 ay c 
 >und 
 hue. 
 '■'De 
 
 and silent, she sit at grandpapa's feet on a little stool; with 
 Shadow on her face never seen |here before.^ There wa5 a din 
 ner-party at the house, and late 'in the evening, when Mrs. Way l"Ip 
 land played, there Was dancing. EustS^je came up to t^ke Sy 
 billa out for a walt^, but she shrank from his extended ||an 
 
 "^o, no !" she said ; " I can't dance to-night I ajn 
 and my head aches. " , ^ ' "^ a 
 
 There was sympath> and a fui directly, but Miss IWknLr ol( 
 only wanted rest and quiet, she said. So she wenf up ^jk \.^ ig 
 chamber, not f^ing up^irs singing like a skylark, as ^Sl^bs 
 wont, but slowly and ^dffi(iy, as if worrioilt. \stx\i 
 
 Late that night, befS^ retiring hferself, Mrs. Wayland 'stofclLg c 
 into her room to see if she slept Tfaegas burned low, bXcal 
 bnghtly enough for her to see. Yes, she ^ppt, 1»erhead pillge 
 lowed on her arm. her fiir hair a|| disordered, he* pillpW andlh k 
 eyelashes wet with tears. " * A -^ 
 
 "Poor child !" Mrs. Wayl^nd thcigtt, kissing her softlvlyb'S 
 "she is is 60 sensitive, and she feels tfcis parflngso much^h jone 
 
 cri^ Irerself tO'STeep " 
 
 \\: 
 
 
 
 %.tf 
 
 br( 
 
 ' "«v ' 
 
r i , 
 
 
 
 'ening, when Mrs. Way 
 K^ came up to t^ke Sy 
 m his extended liani 
 ■ to-night I a^n 
 
 I 
 tty, but Miss 
 
 So she wenf up 
 te a skylark, as was 
 oiit 
 
 TffJS VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 8; 
 
 *f 
 
 vS. 
 
 fRESS.. 
 
 there alone. They/a 
 e ^r Visitors. I will b 
 
 wijight of the April da 
 
 all retnembered ho 
 
 among them, sa unlik 
 
 All that eyenihg, ^al 
 
 on a little stool; with 
 
 fore.i There was a dinjrhe "sacred soil " was green with teijder new grass, and the 
 
 e. spring flowers were all in bloom ground Tresylian Hall, 
 ay calm in the warm April sunlight, W^th its stately old trees* 
 und it, as Mr. and Miss Tresylian ditove up the long, shady 
 hue,;'! .,^. ' , *^ 
 
 '"'Dear old home I" Sybilla said, her eyos sparkling, "and 
 br old Virginia ! It is very fine up thf ie at the North, but 
 
 CHAPTEIi' VII 
 
 AT HOME. 
 
 Te is no place like home. " I 
 
 |Mh. Waldron, in rustling black silt, Stood in the hall to r^- 
 ve4hem. Miss Waldron did not take the trouble. She M^k 
 ill, Mrs. Wayland stokling over an embroidery frame when' the^jjjlntered, and arose 
 e gas burned low, butih calnj politeness to. welcome the maata» :^nd mistress of the 
 he slppt, liefhead pilluse. Mr. Eustace she acknowledged Jby b cold bo#, and 
 >rdered, he* pillp># aji()§h rttreated to her seat inthe wind<W^recei8, and went on 
 
 , ojtirtg hfix stitched a^ placicHy a^ ever. ' { 
 nt, kissing her spftl^.Jj^bina was out amopg the servants, ^Jjiiking hands, and kiss- 
 parflng so muchj AlM oncor two, and telling^ them bf thft h^ty of pre^^ents shm 
 
 4. 
 
 n 
 
 brought thenji^ iVom Boston. The^'«|)e had to visit her 
 9^^ and ber pet dogs^'and'her rabbits, and pigfo^, for %]^% 
 
 ^''■1 '1 
 
 
 .^*; 
 
 
 *. P 
 
 .■nyt 
 
 »-*■ 
 
 %•, 
 
 
-\1 
 
 I '. 
 
 1 1 
 
 I I 
 
 ; t 
 
 r 
 
 I 
 
 88 
 
 TlfE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. < 
 
 had pets of all sorts, and then, tired and breathless, she was 
 in her room getting dressed. 
 
 Eustace Tresylian remained only a week at the hall. He 
 going to New York, there to remain until the dose of Ju 
 when he would return, to stay by his bride until the weddi 
 day in August, and then part no more forever. 
 
 Miss Waldron, silent and still, and quietly observant- 
 your silent and still people areU-noticed that he and Miss '1 
 sylian were remarkably unlover-like for two so soon to be unit 
 To Miss Waldron there was an undefinable change in the v( 
 tile JIttle heiress since her letiam from the North, and one 
 of this change was her persistent avoidlnce of her affianced h 
 band. It was quite diplomatic the way she dodged him wi 
 
 . out seeming to do it The walks, the rides, the drives,- wh 
 ^ he was wont to play cavalier, were no more ; grandpapa, or 
 (Miss Waldron), made invariably a third party. Sybiila 1 
 
 ' contracted a sudden friendship, it seemed, for the housekeep 
 daughter, and insisted on her accompanying them whengrai 
 papa was absent or engaged. Jt puzzled and perplexed E 
 tace, who could not quite comprehend whether it was the wo 
 of chance or design. Sybiila seemed to have slipped like 
 
 ' shadow or a dream from his hands, how or wherefore.|ie cou 
 not tell. It might be the giri's natural coquettishness, k ipi 
 Jbe maiden coyness, ft might be woman's spirit ot contrariei 
 but Eleahor did ndt think sp. To her mind some deeper m 
 
 \\x\\ 
 Isi 
 
 CUli 
 
 le HI 
 
 Yoi 
 
 Be ( 
 
 \ 
 
 ear 
 
 e w 
 
 If,; 
 
 _.sta 
 
 M 
 
 r. 
 
 tsi 
 bi 
 
 ;ha] 
 
 ^o. 
 
 re, 
 
 ^es. 
 
 Vill 
 
 m( 
 
 do 
 
 ph. 
 
 CO 
 
 an 
 
 eMfaem 
 tti^^fcsl 
 
 fen 
 
 live lay at tHeliottom, vEIcE^oa 
 The evening before his departdi^ 
 
 saw. 
 itace sought out i 
 
 h© 
 
^E/RESS. . 
 
 an(l breathless, she was 
 
 5e 
 
 I week at the hall. He 
 in until the close of Ju 
 s bride until the weddi 
 re forever. 
 
 and quietly observant 
 iced that he and Miss '1 
 >r two so soon to be unit 
 finable change in the v( 
 \ the North, and one 
 d^nce of her affianced h 
 way she dodged him w 
 he rides, the drives,- wh 
 I more ; grandpapa, or 
 third party. Sybil la 1 
 med, for the housekeep 
 anying them when grai 
 izzled and perplexed E 
 id whether it was the wo 
 ed to have slipped like 
 low or wherefore 4ie cou 
 il coquettishness, it ipi 
 nan's spirit ol contrariel 
 ermind some deeper m 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 / 
 
 89 
 
 ii>, and found her in the library alone. She started up in 
 iusk at sight of him. 
 
 Js it you, Eustace ? Have you seen Eleanor ? I want her 
 culafly." vV ■ ^ . • 
 
 le wa^ gliding past him, but he caught her fast 
 You always want her, or somebody else, when /want ybu. 
 dispi^hse with Miss Waldron for the next ten minutes, 
 ear — I l^ave something to say to you." 
 e was fairly cornered. With an impatient jerk she freed 
 If, and sat^ down again in her chair, 
 istace leaned against the chimney-piece, and looked down 
 The gliB^mering twilight showed him her fitir hair and 
 t silk dress, ipd the snowy gleaming of het hkre arips and 
 
 but not the «(xpression of her lace, avertedfrom the win- 
 
 \ 
 
 % 
 K* 
 
 J 
 
 (hall we have lights? It is getting dark. 
 ^o," said Sybilla, sharply and shortly. 
 
 re you aware, Sybilla, I go to-morrow^" 
 ^es." ^ ' /\ . . ■ V _ 
 
 Vill you have the goodness to tell mej before I leave, what 
 
 meaning of your^hanjjfed conduct?" ' ^■ 
 
 don't understand 'you,\' pettishly.' 
 )h, yes, you do, my dea\l You have not been over and 
 
 cordial since our meeting in Boston, but you hav6 been 
 an cordial Since we came here./ What have I done ?*' ' 
 
 
 V*- 
 
 Tv] 
 
 /)' 
 
 ) on' <i b e ab sw d 1 No ti ii ngr^'-^^ 
 'hen why are you so changed?" 
 
 ■ • i 
 
 era saw. 
 stace sought out 
 
 ««"«-j* 
 
 h 
 
 '.4- 
 
 I * ti 
 
 t 
 
 ■ '*' ', 
 
, ^"^ -'I'fi^ 
 
 !Mn 
 
 !]>- 
 
 i 
 
 4 : 
 
 Ml ! 
 
 ^- 
 
 90 
 
 * THE VIRCmiA HEfRBSS. 
 
 " I am not changed I I don't fancy billing and cooing, tli 
 is all. I don't fdel like playing the role of turtle-dove, and| 
 won't J Don't make yourself ridiculous, Eustace 1" 
 
 Eustace Tresylian's fece flushed angiy red, but he paused 
 a moment to control himselL 
 
 " I Was not aware I was making myself ridiculous. In AJ 
 gust you are to be my wife, and I think it is only naturall 
 should kno>y the meaning of this steady avoidance" 
 
 Sybilla started to her feet, and he could sefe the«|>assidna 
 flashing of her angry eyes even in the twilight 
 ii " Cousin liustace,^ she cried, vehemently, '• uviUyim let 
 ^one ?. Ever since that wretched engagement took place, yd 
 ha^' been dictating to me, and interfering with me, and ma 
 ing ypurself hateful unjil I cangt bear the sight of you I I 
 ^u i won't have it I" stamping her foot; "and I wam.you, 
 ^e last time, to let me alone. Yo^ have no anthorf^ 0^ 
 i&e, and, wfiat is more, you never tvi/l/'* * ' 
 
 .She was gone like a flash. 
 
 An hour after, Eustace Tresylian came out of the jibr 
 very J)a'le and stem, and sought the drawing-room. Only 
 Waldron was there--^billa was in her roopa, her grandfet 
 ^ atnent, and Mrs. Waldron was bu^ looking over her houij 
 keeping accounts. ^ „ ' ^ . ly 
 
 ■ EustaCrleti at dftybpik n«ct morning, before any^ the -faj 
 
 !■ H 
 
 1 ,. ' i 
 
 
 ^ wCTe stinfiig, and ate^u ^tr^Ufittt wtB a iji^B^^rowl 
 
 dismid ftoUtudo; ? 
 
 - .■>' ' "•, ' ■ , 
 
 .V 
 
 
,- •--..- ^ 
 
 t.:. 
 
 1 '■If c -u -tsWiJFriW^g^s 
 
 ■'Ji H 
 
 ' .■<?■■ 
 
 7Z^^ VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 9« 
 
 It was Sybilla's turn ^ow. Tlie spoiled heiress could do as 
 she liked ; but wait un/il she was fairly his wife— aw/?/ 
 
 Eustace gone, life at Tresylian Hall flowed back into it§ o|d 
 monotonous channe/ One would have thought ^hat Sybi^Ji, 
 wont to complain o/ the dullness of exi3tenM|before she knefv. 
 any other, would have found it doubly dlS now, after hir 
 Northern experieiice. Butev^ts never do turn out iij this world of 
 contrarieties as reasonable mortals like you and I might expeat,. 
 Svbiila made no complaints of the monotohy,"and accepted her 
 Iife.w4thoui a murmur. The change Eleinor Waldron had np- 
 'ticed in her was more marked than ever/ She was no longer 
 the disturbing element of the hbuse, flying brefezily up and down 
 stairs: banging door^ and singing like a skylark from morning 
 till night. ■ V ■ 
 
 No, Miss Waldronlwr^f wa? not more staid and quiet than 
 the little heiress now. Her horse and. her dogs wer^, no longer 
 the delight of her heart— even her boolcs failed in their. attrat- 
 tion. She had fallen into^a habit df day-dreaming, and would 
 lie for hours amolig the pillows of a lounge, with Her hands 
 dasp^over herli^ad, her eyes fixed on, the opposite wall, list-*^ 
 eniiig t^^Eteaaor play, 
 
 Miss Waldron, sitting quietly at'the piano, would have 'gi^en, 
 a good deal to know the tehor 6f these dreams; but Sybilla, 
 I open as the day^efofe/ could keep her own secret in this mat- 
 jjer, it seemed, for Eleanor corild leari i nothing 
 
 Others noticed the alteration in her,, too. Granapapa con- 
 Igratulated himself that,h|i4i{tle girl w* becoming a we>nuui a| 
 
 * \ 
 
 • *., 
 
 .-'•"^ 
 
 i 
 
 lr# 
 
 t 
 
 L 
 
 •i 
 
 ' 1 j 
 
 •* 
 
 s:.'..^ % 
 
 '>'f-'-:*f^ 
 
 ■' 
 
 
 
 
 
 V. 
 
 ■ ,•:.#': 
 
 
 » 
 
 ■ 1 
 
 
 
 
 ?. 
 
 >>f:,^ 
 
 .» -r^, 
 
 <j', 
 
 -5 
 
■.■J^\ 
 
 , « 
 
 9* 
 
 111. 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRS SS. 
 
 last, and yet-it was veiy inconsistent-he missed -the little 
 ivrhirlwind that us§d to stir up their stagnant fife. He missed 
 the chattering tongue; the resUess feet, the shrill scraps of songs 
 the busy interest in horses, dogs, a^ darkey babies, although he 
 tned to. persuade himself he was better pleased with the silent 
 dreamer he had in her pfece. 
 
 One thing was unchanged-the old willfulness. Miss Tre-, 
 syhan would not write to her cousin. In vain notes by the 
 dozen came from Eustace, in vain grandpapa expostulated. The 
 young lady was inexorable. .- 
 
 "What's the use, grandpapa?" she would ciy out, imj^tient- 
 ly ; "I have nothing to say to him, and I hate letter writing t| 
 You can tell him, when j.^ write, that I am well, and that is 
 enough !" , 
 
 Miss Tresylian might hate letter writing, but she cemLly 
 
 wrote to some one, and very long lettere, at that Miss Wal- 
 
 dron it was who discovered jhis feet Late into the night Sy- 
 
 billa's lamp burned, and Eleanor, passing her door so% had 
 
 distinctly heard the scratching of a pen. I don't know whether 
 
 It was eavesdropping or not. but it w«^ something like it Once 
 
 .she had been nearly caught, when Sybilla. opening her door 
 
 hastily, ran down %\m% for something she had forgotten. Miss 
 
 Waldron just saved feeraelf by retreating behind a cabinet It 
 
 WM late at night, aM had retired, but lamps burned the night 
 
 grough intheyrridors of <he old mangJoa. Miss Waldmn 
 
 /lippod into Ort^ uiiauiber wm the rapidi^of Hghtning; ^ 
 
 BMde aa aj^Iii% 4Moi^ 
 
JJ55-.T i^^jt |- 
 
 
 «- 
 
 JBfW. 
 
 
 r/^^ VlRGn^IA HEIRESS. 
 
 9? 
 
 ■// 
 
 The loose sheets of a long, long letter lay scattered over tl)« 
 
 able. Her eye, lighted on the 'first^^ " ' ,« /. 
 
 >, ^ ■ ' / ' 
 
 )eaREST, DeaI^EST RiCHAILP,: .^ . / 
 
 r received your letter yesteffday, and you cannot possibly long 
 lo see me .more than I long to see yo«. But 1 dare nott^^ — 
 
 That was all she had time to read. ^ / - 
 
 Quick). light footsteps were pattering over the marble of the 
 lower halj[^ and she flitted out and hid behind the cabinet as 
 bybilla ran up again and disappeared in her own room. 
 
 Miss Waldron did not sleep a wink that night What was 
 [his mystery? Who was "dearest, dearest Richard?" I^as 
 not very hard to fethora. Miss Tresylian was false to .her 
 blighted vows— she had formed an underhand attachment at,^he ^ . 
 ^orth, and here was the secret of all her changed conduct 
 'Richard" was some brainless dandy, some scented fop. whose 
 brains lay in his heels, and who had danced himself into her af- . 
 ieccions. 
 
 "Some /dainty, elegant cres^t^re," thought Miss W^dron, 
 with a |:urling lip; "some perfumed dry-goods clerk, velyT^ 
 fikely. After all, she may not marry Eustace Tresylian." 
 The blood rushed into her cold, still &ce at the tho^rfit As 
 luch as it was in her »elfish, secretive, passionate nature to care 
 or any one, she cared for this map. 
 
 " He likes me a thoasand times better than he does her," she 
 [thought, ' ' jmd who knows what may come of it ? Mr. T»esyi^ 
 
 ) 
 
 Of lightaing, sod ^n will celt^tBly remember Wm handsomely in his will, mrf, 
 although i^e is only a poor lawyer, it will ke much better tfaam ; 
 
 >' -v 
 
 'I; ;•■ 
 
 h ■» di* ': 
 
 j.^rlj* ,^ , t*«€t^ ., .' 
 
y. 
 
 I 
 
 H,| 1, 
 
 
 li ! 
 
 I 
 
 94 
 
 'J nr£ VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 Che drudgeo^ of t«»ching. If ^ny^ing happens. I may writ! 
 my nameTresylian, yet" ' 1 
 
 She sat down by the window and looked out at thestarlJ 
 %. 8U11 musing. How had Sybilla received a letter yesterday! 
 None had come to the house for her. All of a sudden she re 
 membered that Miss Tr^ylian had walked over to TaunioJ 
 yesterday affemoon. Could it be that her letters from Richardl 
 were directed to the post-officeP She was in the habit of walk- 
 ing ^to. Taunton pretty frequently since Tier ret«m from the 
 . North. Now here was the motiv^. 
 
 "Iwill watch her tomorrow," mused Miss Waldron • "she| 
 will be porting this precious document. 01^, mv pretty, fasd- 
 natmg httle Sybilla, my time may come at las»f 
 
 The housekeeper s daughter kept a furtive but ceaseles^ watch 
 upon Miss Tresylian all day. That young lady spent the morn- 
 ing dawdling from room to room in a lost, languid sort of way 
 and lay on the lounge and asked^ Elean6r to >lay for her I't 
 was a rainy, windy day. the closed Ap^l, with mud, and dreari- 
 ^nesB, and discomfort everywhere out of doors. ^ 
 
 I "Shewill send Lucy, her maid." thought Eleanor; -she 
 will never walk to Taunton such weather as thi/. " 
 
 ■ Miss Waldron was mistaken. Young ladie/in love are capa- 
 ble of all sorts of aots of self-abnegation, /immediately Ifter 
 lundheon. whjm- Mr. Tresj-lian was writii,/ in his sttidy. a«d 
 Mr& Wddron islt^p in her easy-chair. Syfeilla flitted down the, 
 Qum sicp^ hi he, plainest dress arid boniiet. with a thick brdl^ | 
 vwl, ft*8hawl of her maid's, and an umbrella. 
 
 * . • 
 
 ■^ 
 
;:'\ 
 
 1 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 ippens, I may writ) 
 
 t Eleanor; 'fshe 
 
 ith a thictbrdihil 
 
 ^5 
 
 Eleanor started up, dressed rapidly, seized another umbrella, 
 md set off in pursuit The umbrellas were capital shields. 
 Sybilla never saw her. Keeping at a safe distance, Eleanor 
 tratched Miss Tresylian, wet, weary, and muddyi^^ter the post- 
 )ffice. . , 
 
 That was aU she Wanted, or dared venture. She turned to 
 the right about,, and was hom^, fifteen minutes before Sybilla* 
 
 Miss Waldroi^ said nothing of her discovery. She was wise 
 [in her generation, this young lady, and had no wish to hasten 
 Ian expfanation. Besides, her secretive nature rejoiced in some- , 
 thing to keep. She sai(J nothing, but set herself quietly and 
 Iceaselesslj/ to watch the unsuspecting little culprit 
 
 Poor, Wrong-doing Sybilla ! Neverffl^ an imprudent mouse 
 I more incessantly watched by a sleek" mduser than she, by the 
 I bnusekseper|s stately daughter. „ . • 
 
 Pati«n:e is its own reward. Miss Waldron, for her pains, 
 found oat that Miss Tresylian received letters weekly at the 
 post-oflice, and sent lengthy epistles ift. return. She could not, 
 with all her watching, see to whom these letters were directed— 
 " Richaid" was a myth still. His epistles were neither so \^ell 
 written laor so well spelled as they mi^d)! b^ She discove|;ed 
 'hat by catching sight of the envelope, ot3 it confirilied her sus-' 
 .picrons *hat he was of the canaille. To Miss Waldfon the hour 
 of Miss Sybillia Tresylian's downfall was near at hand, and she 
 
 ...*,»'.■ 
 
 t^ixultatioa ^ 
 
 So April and May passed 
 came In, and the waving treeS 
 
 .'V*, 
 
 to^unve.. 
 
 ose-crpwned and radiattt, 
 Tresyliaii Hall cast invit' 
 
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 96 
 
 7»» VIRGINIA HEtRESS, 
 
 itig Shadows on the velvet sward. Still Miss Waldron. it, her 
 ' new character of amateur detective, got no further into the Heart i 
 ofthe mystery, and still Mr. Tresylian and Mre. Waldron were 
 ^conveniently obtuse. 
 
 The visits to Taunton continued with clock-work regularity 
 and more than once Sybilla was dogged. The.post-office was 
 always the place visited, but the letters received there were nevpr 
 seen by cortal eyes, save the bright|mFeyes for which they were 
 written. * V ' 
 
 Mr. T.^sylian and Eustace kept up a brisk correspondence 
 and, as June drew to a dose, the last letter of that gentleman 
 amved. He would follow it himself in a week, all his arrange- 
 ments were made, he would quit Vii^nia no more until after 
 the wedding. 
 
 Mr. Tresylian read this letter aloud to the femily at break- 
 fest and, looked across the table at his granddaughter. Miss 
 Waldron looked, too; but, except that the heiress was very 
 pale, and kept her eyes immovably fixed on her plate, there was 
 no change. She did not even speak, but sat crumpling her 
 moffin in stony stillness. 
 
 "You hear, Sybilla, "Mr. Tresylian said, rather gravely ■ "in 
 a week EusUcewill be home; in six weeks your wedding-day 
 W.I1 have arrtved. Will you be reasonable at last, and begin ,0 
 prepare?" - 
 
 ^MnTre^ian was as ^ery nearly ^xed wjth his granddaugh- 
 "^^^^^ ^sfBle WHfa 10 b^ with that idoHzed dariinT' 
 In June, by all the rules of propriety, the preparations7or the 
 
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 THE VlkCINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 ^ — ^^ 
 
 97 
 
 wedding shou/d have commenced, but the self-willed bride-elect 
 Tiouid not hear of if. 
 
 
 "Who wants the house overrun with dressmakers and milli- 
 ners," she said, petulantly, Mand all the fuss of fitting, and re- 
 titting, and trying on, and giving directions so soon ? / don't, 
 and, that's more, I won't/ July will be tme enoygh ; I sh'a'nt 
 have all the dry-goods in New\York made up, and I don't want 
 the bother to begin while it can be put oflf." 
 
 Of course this decision, lik^ all Miss Tresylian's decisions, 
 were as the laws of the Medes and the Persians. But the time 
 had come when the "putting off" process must end. Here it 
 was the close of June, the bridegroom coming, and the wed- 
 ding-day drawing rapidly near. \ 
 
 "Very well, grandpapa," Sybilla said, glancing up, "just as 
 you please." * \ 
 
 Grandpapa looked as nearly exaiJperated as possiWe, Mrs. 
 Waldron astonished. \ . 
 
 "WhatMjthe matter with you, Sybilla?" he criec^i "What 
 is the meaning of all this indifference;?/ I fancied you would 
 not b^ble to sleep for two months beforehand for thinking of 
 your wedding-dresses, and here you don^teven care whether you 
 have any or not. What is the matter ?" \ * 
 
 Sybilla's pale face flushed faint carnation all over, and then 
 grew white even to the lips. She rose abruptly from th« table, 
 and ran out of the room. 
 
 Mr7 Tresylian looted at Mrs-^WaldronTn a state ofblant stu- 
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 98 
 
 rjIE VIRCmiA ffklRESSi 
 
 " W%^ is it ?" he asked, bewildered. 
 
 Mrs. Waldron shrugged her broad shouldera 
 
 "I'm sure /don't k«ow, sir; there is no "accounting for a 
 
 gtrl's whims. The matter in my mind is that Sybilla reads too 
 
 many novels." 
 
 This was rather meager, but no better solution oflFering, grand, 
 papa was forced to accept it 
 
 " She hasn't been like herself 'since she came from the North " 
 he said, discontentedly. •' If it wasn't that I knew to the con- 
 traiy, I should thtak this marriage was distasteful to her." 
 
 Sybilla did not make her appearajice for th^ next two hours 
 Miss. Waldron, going softly by her room, heard the sciatch. 
 scratch, scratch of that busy pen. 
 
 " Writing again," thought the housekeeper's daughter "an- 
 other letter to ^am/ i?^^ar^. She will be going to Taunton. 
 I'll watch and^see." 
 
 She took her station, with a book at the dining-room window, 
 and in half an hour saw what she waited for. Miss Tresylian' 
 dressed for a walk, and wearing her vail down, hurried through 
 the avenue, and out of the gate. ^ 
 
 " Matters are drawing to a climax," mused Eleanor. "Aug- 
 ust is veor near ; but there is many a slip I I don't believe we 
 will have a wedding at Tre^lian Hall quite so soon as we 
 u»ink." 
 
 '. , % ' 
 
 

 . THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 99 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 EXTRIMELT MYSTERIOUS. 
 
 Late in the afternoon of the first day of July, Mr. Etistace 
 Tresylian arrived at the hall. He had been detailed by btui- 
 ness longer than he had anticipated, but everything was arranged 
 now, -and he would leave Virginia no more, until he left it in 
 August with his bride to start on his wedding-tour. 
 
 It had been an intensely warm day, this day of his am'vs^ 
 The sun had glared with a yellow, brassy hue since early morn- 
 ing, and had sunk at last with an ominous, lurid glow. All the 
 windows and doors were thrown wide open in the old mansion 
 but no breath of air fluttered in. The trees stood lifeless, the '^ 
 flowera drooped, the grass was scorched, the dogs on the veran- * ' 
 da lolled their great tongues between their wide jaws, and pant- 
 ed in the fiery heat The servants were out on the grass, the 
 family seated in the wide entrance hall. Thus Eustace, all 
 dusty and travel-stained, found them on this evening of his re- 
 turn, w' .*■ 
 
 With one exception— Sybilla was not there. Hot as it was, 
 she had started, mere^tlainwo^^ura beforerfeTi i^ll, ind""^ 
 had not yet returned. 
 
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 r/f£ VIROmiA HEIRESS, 
 
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 It had been almost too warm before to think abbut anything, 
 butnow. lookingupatthechangingsky, Mr. Tresylian felt the firel 
 symptoms of uneasiness. 
 
 It was darkening rapidly, black clouds hurried wildly to and 
 fro, and the West was all a blood-red glow. A storm was ris- 
 ing—a storm of rain and lightning, and she was afiaid of light- 
 ning. Oh ! where was Sybilla ? ' 
 ' Mr. Tresylian^tarled to his feet in a tremor. ' 
 
 "Where can that child be? There is a storm at hand, and 
 she may hecaught in it Do you know where my granddaughter 
 irent. Mis. Waldron?" ' 
 
 Mrs. Waldron did not 
 
 Mr. Tresyliap grew more agitated. He wm easily alarmed 
 when that dariing granddaughter of bia was dfcrhttl, and the 
 first great drop of rain had plashed oh the vJRK liiss Wal-' 
 dron looked up from the book she was »9ading-4:uSse on 
 geology, by the way. ^ ./ 
 
 ' ' ' I think it is probable Miss TVesylian went to Taunton. "Sh^ 
 is in th^ JialTit of going there of late." 
 
 "To Taunton!" repeated Eustace. "What takeg Sybilla 
 there?" 
 
 "I am not in Miss Tresylian's confidence," Miss Waldron 
 answered, coldly. " I only know that she goes." 
 
 It was growing dark with alarming rapidity. > The lurid red 
 
 ,^»^ ^Mgntirely pot, an d theaky wa6 iniy ^laefc. FasHmd 
 
 fester fell the plashing rain-drops, and a vivid flash of lightning 
 
 ^f^^^r V.V--^-^: 
 
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Taunton. Sh^ 
 
 '^:<"' 
 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 lOI 
 
 Mr. Tresylian was like a 
 
 ■■'■ i ■ i 
 
 leaped out like a two-edged sword. 
 . man frantic. 
 
 " For God's sake ! Eustace, get your coat and hat and come ' 
 vv.th me. Mrs. Waldron, arouse the servants, and send then 
 ". evety direction with umbrellas. The child will get her 
 death!" < 
 
 Everything was confusion directly-running, and ordering, 
 and preparing for the search. ' 
 
 Miss Waldron folded her hands on her placid lap~it was too 
 dark to read-and never moved. The rain fell now in torrents, 
 the lightning blazed ceaselessly, and the thunder broke in deaf- 
 ening peals. Eleanor Waldron sat alone in the hall, and 
 watched the storm through, the ^pen dooi^sat thinking of Sy- ■ 
 billa with a smile t)n her fec<}. ., /• 
 
 "I know ^where she has gone," she thought; '/4iy lady is. 
 nicely caught for once." ,. / - 
 
 Miss Waldron was mistaken. She did not know where Sy^ 
 billa had gone. If she had, she wouM probably have thought 
 it the gEieatest mare's nest she had ever found. 
 
 The searching party trooped out Into the hall, with Mt. Tre- ' 
 sylian and Eustace at their head. Just at the same moment a 
 little figure emerged from among the trees and flew up the ave- 
 nue., All paused aghast Another instant and Sybilla, 
 drenched through and through, pale and scared, stood before 
 them. 
 
 »Iy darling I thf old ma n rl^^«w^ t'T »h»rji. I l *' i,. % 
 
 You have terrified us nearly to death." * 
 
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 r^E VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
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 Sybilla stood, her wet gannents clinging arou)id her, her fair 
 hair blown wildly about, her eyes wandering from &ce to face, 
 resting at last on Eustace. 
 
 **jrou here !" she said, in no very rapturous tone. "When 
 did you arrive ?" "•■■%'' 
 
 . "An hour ago. Won't you shake hands ?" 
 
 She held out her han4^ but it lay cold and lifeless in h!s« 
 
 "Where have you been, Sybilla?" her grand&ther repeated. 
 
 "Out for a walk," Sybilla answered, rather impatiently, "and 
 got caught in the storm. I can't stan^ here talking in my wet 
 clothes, and, when I take them off, I am going to bed " 
 
 I'he young lady's hearers knew her too well to attempt ex- 
 postulation, and she had swept off with the Wet clothes trailing 
 about her while the words were yet on hen lips. There was 
 only one person who doubted the truth of what she had said — 
 that person was Miss Waldron. , \ 
 
 "I don't believe she was out for a walk," thought Eleanor. 
 "She is not so fond of walking as to start out this burning af- 
 ternoon for that alone. She has been to Taunton to post or re- 
 ceive another letter." yL. . \ 
 
 It was rather a dull evening. This little episode tl^rew a damp 
 over the bridegroom's return. Mrs. Waldron bent ovei^intermina- 
 ble plain sewing. Miss Waldron, at Mr. Tresjiian^ request, 
 sat down at the piano. Eustace lay on a so& and llsteiled, but 
 the masterpieces of Beethoven, 'Mozart, and Mendelssohn were 
 entirely thrown away upon him . He lay listen ing to the rush 
 of the pouring rain, and thinking of Sybilla with a gloomy 
 
 ^,/\^ 
 

 lone. **When 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 *03 
 
 iP 
 
 brow. Was everything going wrong, aRer all, just as he thought 
 •^^ going right? Was he to lose a magnificent, fortune foragirl's 
 whim, just as it was within his grasp? Was the power of his 
 strong man's mind t^be as chaff in the wind before the coquet- 
 ries of this little I^y (>price? Was she going to jilt him at 
 ^heveiy^ moment f Eustace spent as restless a night:<is if 
 he had becir the moft adoring and despairing lover in christen- 
 dom. He\Uy tossing on his bed, and listening to the still ftll- 
 ing rain, and wondering what new display of self-will to-morrow 
 would bring-ftrtl^ 
 
 "If Eleanor Waldro\ had half her fortune, "he thought, ''Sy. 
 billa Tresylian might go to Joppa for me. All the gold fn her 
 grandfether's coffers wiU. j^r^ compensate for such an incum- 
 brance. Let her wait untif she is once my wife, though, and if 
 I dcn't take the nonsense out of her, the blood of tl»e 'bitter^ 
 bad ' Tresylians does not flow in my veins." '^ 
 
 Sybilla did^ot make her appearance next morning until the 
 family were seated at breakfest Then she entered, looking 
 very charming in a white muslin robe, her cheeks 'ffusRed, and 
 her curls Rowing. Never was the wind half so changeful as 
 these girls I The pretty Uttle €irt was all smiles, and held gut 
 her hand to Eustace with something of the frank brightness of 
 «ther days. 
 
 " I was too cross and too wet to say 'how do you do ' last' 
 • >ight, Eustace. A saint couldn't keep her temper iii a aown- 
 
 pour of rain, and I am not a saint 
 "No," thought Eustace, "veiy &r from it 
 
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 THE VlRCmiA JfEI 
 
 ^y 
 
 v^ 
 
 Miiss Tn^Iiian's tongia6 nevier c6asedli altlbr^^ tiVne, and 
 iier stream of girlish tittle-tattle tnade grand^pa's &ce radiant 
 It was tweeter than the music of the smiereft to him, all this 
 pret^ feminine small-talk, and His darling^ bmiling &ce £ih^r 
 than the VeiiaS de Medicii , 
 
 As they rose from the table, Sybilla pnshed her arm through 
 thit of Eleanor; / 
 
 ^ " Come, Nell,** she siid, " I ttant you to tgiich tne the>^ 
 df that d^i^t \% ift of such a fiy-atvay character that I never csfn 
 learn it alone. All the more like myself for that, eh ?" • ' • 
 
 Nobody in ib& wortd would eveiP have thought of calling Miss 
 Waldron Nell, save Sybilla Tfesylian, and she only in one-of 
 her most fitful moods. Eustace looked round ^iU> an implor- 
 ing expression. \ . ; 
 
 ^"1 thought you would ta^ke a >va^ Fith me Uiis, n^orning, 
 §fbiUa." ' 
 
 .^ . ".Couldn't possibly — must improve my mind, * How doth 
 the little busy bee,' you know, and I'm awfully backward m 
 triplets and things, ^d Eleanor knows more about music than 
 the man that composed it, and shje's going to teach me. Yon 
 can come and listeii it us, if you like, bnly you tnittiiaVtead 
 the paper, for nobody can play runs and shakes with ft' fidgety 
 >xwhg iiftaul tuniing . 
 
 Miss Waldron alloWed herseif W^led oat W ^« ^^h^ 
 tetace ibll6w«d, stiUioolcing !^)pejtl!iig^ 3^:«.;i;ox a^^I \ 
 "■ - ^'Aitw t he d! tet ,-tii ett"-yott-^<» ^^^end^ d t fe MF faote tiioii^ 
 
 owxthoL" 
 
 
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WA,-, 
 
 her arm through 
 
 e U)|8. n^Qi^mng, 
 
 oi i'iBi f<it:fi"i'5'{s 
 
 '»-?. 
 
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 ^BE VJUQiNfA mmESS. ,©5 
 
 "Can't we? You doA't know what we cap do when we're 
 driven to it After the duet I have a npvel to finish-:-the loveT' 
 liest sioiy,e,^th jft» old. hard-hefcrted hypocon-what-you-may. 
 G^llrit, uncle?-and a niece dftadfuUy in love with a popr 
 young man I It. will take me until after luncheon to finish 
 
 Eustace turned away abruptly. It was quite evident. '^nder 
 all this talk, lay a steady purpose to avoid him. He mpunted 
 his Jiorsp and rode ofi; and. the mpment he was out of ?ight, 
 Syb^ sprang tti^ ex>m the piano. 
 
 "Fra sick of that duet, « lewt for the present. Perhaps HI 
 have another p»ctii» thi« afternoon," 
 
 ^•Penelope's web," thought Eleanor, "a shield to ward off 
 suitors. When Eustace returns It will be resumed." , 
 Luncheon passed— afternoon came. 
 
 Sybilla was lying idly on a lounge, her eyes dosed, and her 
 hands clasped above her head, ken Eustace sauntered ipto her 
 boudoin ' '" ' • '" " ■.:■:. \:'r ->(w ■ 
 
 /'l^e afierniion a iovely^^ out fti a ws*."'' 
 
 Sypm kept her eyes closed, and made no sign. • 
 
 j*^ybmr^,^ •-;^.:'...,:-,.:^;,'"\" ?"■'■ '^' '^'":''^> 
 
 "GQ^^Mi^rsaid^^ igg^ ppenin^her eyes and shu^ 
 ^th^ ««ai^;.''%'tyo^ ^^,Jt'^ «ae^r" ': . i^"' 
 "I see you are <tet«jrn|jn^tp,,l)^ provoking/' replipdjiu^^ 
 
 eyes and talk to mes." "^ 
 
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 TJ^E VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
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 " I prefer talking to you with my eyes shut ; but I think you 
 might go away when you know you're not wanted." 
 
 " I am never wanted, it seems," bitterly. " Will you come 
 
 out for a walk ?" • 
 
 •'Too, warm !" said Sybilla, taking a lazier position on the 
 
 ic/unge. . . . ^ ^ 
 
 / A fresh, cool breeze after the rain was sweeping through the 
 
 apartment at the same moment Eustace echded her, in sui^ 
 
 prise: 
 
 "Too warm V and she was out in the fieiy heat of yesterday. 
 
 'Say you don't feel inclined, at once." , 
 
 "I don't feel inclined, then." 
 
 The tone in which this was said left Eustace but one digni- 
 fied alternative. He arose, and walked silently out of the 
 
 room. 
 That was but the beginning— Miss Tresylian's conduct did 
 
 not improve. 
 
 The cleverest statesman could not have shbwn more diplo- 
 macy in gaining his point than did she. Eustace had to stand 
 off at arm's length, and submit to being most unmercifully 
 
 snubbed. 
 Grandpapa saw it, and expostulated ; but grandpapa's mouth 
 
 was closed with kisses. 
 
 "Eustace is such a tease, grandpapa— don't you mind him. 
 I told him before I didn't like billing and cooing, and I don't 
 I Ws^veiy well Q^ only he. doe sn ' t^knoadt " 
 
 But all this time the preparations for Ihe wedding we» gping 
 
 
 ■>.v. 
 
 on in ret 
 whose m 
 and lace 
 But the 
 theni bu) 
 fitted an( 
 to aire v« 
 She ha( 
 one way i 
 changes ii 
 the most ] 
 trimming 
 weddingHc 
 <*She it 
 thought s 
 day comes 
 The visi 
 mth even 
 lespbt in ] 
 md alone, 
 nounted < 
 oars, retu 
 )resumed ( 
 akeasudd 
 rhey held 
 
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s^r 
 
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 ■'m^ 
 
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 }ut I think you 
 
 d." 
 
 Will you come 
 
 x>sition on the 
 
 Dg through the 
 ied her, in sur- 
 
 lat of' yesterday. 
 
 but one digni- 
 itly out of the 
 
 d's conduct did 
 
 im more dipk>- 
 ice had to stand 
 «t unmercifully 
 
 ndpapa's mouUi 
 
 you mind him. 
 ng, and I don't 
 
 ding were going 
 
 77W VIRHlNIA HEIitESS. 107 
 
 on in real earnest. There were two seamstresses in the house, 
 whose needles flew from early morning till dewy eve, aAd silks, 
 and laces, and moires lay heaped on tables in rich confusion! 
 But the bride-elect took surprisingly little interest. She let 
 them buy for her what they pleased, and she submitted to be 
 fitted and " tried on » with lamh-like docility, but she seemed. 
 to care very little, after all. ^^'^ 
 
 She had no orders to give—make them any way they liked— ^ 
 one way was much the same as the other, after all. Of the' 
 change in her, no change was more surprising than this-ghe, 
 the most particular of mortals about the cut of a sleeve, or tb^* 
 trimming of a skirt, so^ shockingly indiffeient concerning her 
 wedding-clothes. 
 
 ^♦She is indifferent because she never means to wear them, ~ 
 thought shaip-sighted Eleaiior Waldron. '^Whfen the bridal 
 day comes there will be no bride." 
 
 The visits to Taunton continued, since the arrival of Eustace^ 
 wth even more frequency than before. Miss Tresylian, little 
 iespot in petticoats *J^t she was, we lA came, unquestioned^ 
 md alone. Almost every day, sometimes on fb^f sometime 
 nounted on Starlight, always unattended, she was gone kx : 
 loais, returning often when the 3tara were in the sky. No one 
 )resumed to question her, not even grandpapa, lest she should 
 ake a sudden tantrum, and renounce the maniage altogether, 
 rhey held her by a hair only, that might snap at any moment, 
 n d l< M ve t h em u tte ri y, di seQ^fitedr 
 
 ~—r; 
 
 So; July wore on—its third week )iad come. 
 
 
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 108 
 
 ■V 
 
 ra» VntGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 The wedding-dre^esJiung in splendid array in the wardrobe 
 up stairs ; the arrangements preparatory to starting for, Europe 
 were being made. ^ . ' • h. 
 
 . Mrs. Waldronand her daughter were- to keep the house whil 
 they were gone, and superintend its refurnishing and rejuyena 
 tion before they cam^ back. 
 
 Matters were coming to a focus. In three ^ks the weddinf 
 would take place, and^till the bride kept the bridegfroom aloot^ 
 still she maiiltained her listless apathy <m the su^'ect of dies 
 
 and ornaments, and still the daily absences grew longer am '"Ron hei 
 
 longer. 
 
 El^anoi 
 
 !i. 1- 
 
 trees. It 
 
 ::ast aftem 
 
 iky. A E 
 
 lolemn soi 
 
 ler of con* 
 
 The hoi 
 
 ace, so wj 
 
 lichmond. 
 
 he servants 
 
 alking auc 
 
 lush of th( 
 
 seamstresses 
 
 3r lost time 
 
 Five struc 
 
 deep rever 
 
 liere for t¥ 
 
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 rff£ visGiNiA heiress: 
 
 109 
 
 N 
 
 J 
 
 x:- 
 
 GHAPTE^Jt. 
 
 HIGHLY -SBKSATlfNAI. 
 
 El<vmor Waldron sat at her chamber windoir, her chin rest- 
 
 y in the wardrobe 
 arting for, Eurqx 
 
 ;p th^ house whil 
 ing and rejuyena 
 
 ^ks the wedding 
 bridegroom aloot 
 
 ' ""^^^ <*<" ^«» , ■ ^ r j«ucr winaow^, ner chin rest- 
 
 grew longer am •"» o*^ her hand, her thoughtfiU ey«s looking out at the4Q»ing 
 trees. I^ was theiiftemoon of the fim of August-a ^ark -^ve^ 
 ^t aftemooo. with the promise of pming rain in the I'eadeii , 
 .ky. A moaning, complaining wind. worried the trees, and a 
 lolemn sound echoed from the pine woods, alvlys the forerun 
 ler of conmig storm. J ' 
 
 The house U veiy still. Sybilla was absei;,t,"so was ^u,. 
 ace «> was Ufr. Trasylian. -who had gone' that morning to 
 Richmond. Mrs. Waldfon was taking her beforeKlinner nap '^ 
 he servants were away out of hiring, and only a murmur of 
 alk.ng and laughing, from a room across the hall, broke the 
 msh of the hot afternoon. It was the room where the two 
 eamstresses and SybiHa's maid were busy at wbrk. makij,g up 
 or lost time. . * ^t> ^v 
 
 Five struck soniewhere down stairs, and Eie-nor woke out of 
 deep reverie, surprised to find it so la^e. She had been sitting 
 ^■^ for^jwo hpura. j^ in ^edita^on with Miss Treylia«^ 
 
 'rX'- 
 
 \\: 
 
 s« 
 
 itabc 
 lain 
 
 Jsdaingsforhersubleit TT.e^^ .^ 
 
 V. ^ ^. : , *d no sign as yet of |he denou^^senf: This waiting was getting ^ 
 ■ '.. -.I / ■ • -^ 
 
 ^,..^^f^f" 
 

 r\ 
 
 \ ' 
 
 no 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 a little tiresome — she wished the mysteries would open, and the 
 coup de theater come. 
 
 As the clock striick she arose. 3he had to go to the village 
 to execute some commission for her mother, and should have 
 surted an hour ago.^ It would be dark, now, before she could 
 come back, and with the night would fell the rain also. In five 
 minutes her bonnet and shawl were on, and she was walking 
 rapidly dowfi the avenue and toward the village. 
 
 It was some two miles off, and nearly an hour before Eleanor 
 ^ot there, then another passed in fulfilling her errands, and sev- 
 en was striking by the village church ere she turned to retrace 
 her steps. " t , 
 
 The storm threatening all the afternoon had not feUen yet, 
 but was drawing near. It was darker than it should have been 
 at eight, and a thin drizzle filled the air. She would" be over- 
 tsrken by the storm and the darkness to a dead ceitainty, and 
 the road was a lonely one. 
 . "I mifht take the short cut througtt the fields and the pine 
 woods," she thought, "but it is so dreary; and they say there 
 are runaway negroes in the woods. I had better risk the storm 
 |uid go roupd." 
 
 X, "Miss Waldron," said a voice at her elbow. 
 ,-;. She turned round and saw Eustace. 
 
 "Your hurry must be pressing, Miss Waldron, when jou 
 to spjMiX to your friejid s . " ^, 
 
 
 . <^I did not see you," said Eleanor, very much relieved at th< 
 sight of him. "Are you going home ?" 
 
 :^^\ 
 
 -Jft^.^l'i^^-t.ii-iym - . ., 
 
 ^4,i..i..,..:.^.: 
 
 _.'_^^ ^-«^*4i 
 
 ■'■'^t'-ii^-i^L-'^ 
 
rl 
 
 >*?*«. 
 
 '■^ -f"! f •<>' 
 
 
 3;i 
 
 lid open, and the 
 
 I go to the village 
 and should have 
 before she could 
 un also. In five 
 she was walking 
 
 ir before Eleanor 
 errands, and sev- 
 tumed to retrace 
 
 d not fiillenyet, 
 ihould have been 
 B would' be over- 
 id ceirtainty, and 
 
 ilds and the pine 
 id they say there 
 er risk the storm 
 
 dron, when yon 
 
 r/a. VIRGIMIA HEIRESS. 
 
 ' Yes, if I may have the pleasure of 
 
 III 
 
 there. 
 
 escorting j 
 .Take my arm. We will have to step out, or stand a ducking." 
 
 "I am inclin^ to think we are in for the ducking in any 
 case," said Eleanor. "Had we not better take the short cut 
 through the woods ?" 
 
 " Of course ; we may outstrip the rain yet " 
 
 He drew her arm within his, and they luiiried on. It was no 
 use denying it, he liked to be with EleanoSmd much preferred 
 having her on his arm to his bride-elect 
 
 They were walking too rapidly to talk muCh. They left the 
 village behind presently, and struck into a number of foriom- 
 looking fields. 
 
 •' Was Sybilla at home before you left ?" Eustace asked once. 
 
 ** No, " replied Eleanor. " I fency she may have got belated 
 aswell asmysilf." 
 
 Eustace made no answer, but hurried her over the dismal 
 fields. 
 
 The pine woods loomed up black a^d grim before them, but 
 Eleanor, with Eustace by her side, felt no fear. It shortened 
 the distance by half a mile, this woodland path— very pleasant 
 on a sunny summer noon, but ghastly and weird now. 
 
 The rain was beginning to Ml as they entered, but the shelt- 
 ering trees kept them safe. No living thing was visible, and 
 no sound was to be heard but the solemn suiging of the great 
 pines. ^ ^ 
 
 - -^fheyiiair Hurried along for nearly a ^luuter of a «|^ WSeo 
 a sudden angle In the forest-path brought theto in sight of two 
 
 ' •!>, 
 
 ■''\i^ 
 
 
 
 :h relieye4 at the 
 
 ^ 
 
 I'H*.*' ' 
 
 "^♦■"l- 
 
 il'*-*' 
 
 
II 
 
 i 
 
 'if' 
 
 i--» 
 
 
 r-'. 
 
 iia 
 
 TffE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 figures flitting along ahead — the figures of a tnan and a woihan. 
 Eleanor Waldron uttered a fiiint exclamation. .; 
 
 ' ^^t looks like SybiHa," she said. 
 
 •• it is Sybilla I" said Eustace, in a surpressed voice. ' ' I know 
 that hat and feather." ^ ^ 
 
 "Who can the man be ?" exclaimed Eleanor, her heart b6- 
 
 ginning to throb fiist 
 
 Eustace nAde no reply, but kept his eyes fixed on the pair 
 
 - if' ■>.■-■" ■ • • ■ 
 
 before them, 
 
 Sybilla— ah 1 there could be no mistaking that gracefiillittl« 
 figure, or that Coquettish hat and plume. She huig on the 
 stranger's arm as she had never hung on that of her cousin. 
 They fijllowed them, their footsteps making no echo on the 
 turfy path — ^never speaUng, and too far oflF to hear even the 
 voices Of those they pursued. . Suddenly Eleanor stopped lind 
 d];ew Eustace back. 
 
 ** Hush I" she whispered. *' Don't go on. they ate stop- 
 ping - 
 
 Eustace drew back with her into the black shadows of the 
 
 trees. 
 ^(B pair, in fiict, stopped. They were on the outskirts of the 
 ..wood, and it was only a short distance across two or three fields 
 
 to "rrasyliaii HalL 
 * it was too ^rk there in Uiat gloomy woodland aisle. By this 
 time, to see more thap the n^ere outline of their figures. El- 
 ffiJK ^dix>n»latandiByijylFa a ^ 
 ire; the black wood shuttjnjfj; tjicm m, (he deefy ^^^^^^^ 
 
 surging 
 ures ahea 
 it Itv^ 
 Tresylian 
 
 Theyp 
 tace Tresi 
 but Eleac 
 
 "Wait 
 ing back. 
 
 He obe 
 
 Themj 
 ling a tun 
 remained 
 stnnge sc 
 hem. E 
 or his g! 
 lown, tha 
 Vgain Et 
 irm hand 
 
 "No," 
 or pity's a 
 
 Theycs 
 £venin tl 
 Dfti^eyou 
 
 «( 
 
 Inei 
 
 do not bel 
 
 J. i-^- 
 
 «:-iv, ■ 
 
 

 n and a woihan. 
 
 roice. "I know 
 
 >r, her heart bfe- 
 
 xe4 on the pair 
 
 lat gradefnl little 
 he huiig on the 
 of her cousin, 
 lo echo on the 
 » hear even the 
 aor stopped tind 
 
 *rhejr are stop- 
 shadows of tiie 
 
 ; outskirts of the 
 TO or three fields 
 
 nd aisfo, By this 
 leir figures. El- 
 leyef . foigoi jthat 
 
 'i^ -f^\-.-h:¥i^ 
 
 **■ 
 
 rff£\ VIRGINIA HEIRES&. 
 
 113 
 
 surging of the trees, thd mysterious gloom, the two spectral fig-^^ 
 ures ahead, and the sound of the &lling rain. She never foigot 
 it It was always dark. With the plash of the rain, and Sybilla 
 Tresylian looking shadow and ghost-like. 
 
 They parted at last The man stooped and kissed her. Eus- 
 tace Tresylian took a step forward, with a deep oath on his lips, 
 but Eleanor still restrained him. ' 
 
 " Wait !" she whispered, "wait! he will pass this way com- 
 ing back, and we will se« him." 
 
 He obeyed her. 
 
 The man was advancing toward them with long strides, whist- - 
 ling a tune. Even that old Scotch air, Comin' Thro' the Rye, 
 remained in Eleanor's memory years after, as part of that night's 
 stonge scene. He came close ; he passed them, never seeing 
 hem. He was tall, and that was about all they could define, ' 
 or his great-coat was so pulled up, and his hat so slouched 
 lown, that in the darkness nothing of his features was visible, 
 ^gain Eustace was starting forward, and again Eleanor's coldi ' 
 irm hand held him back. ^ '^ 
 
 "No, "she cried; "let him go'; don't make a scfetfe here, 
 orpity'^sake. You can settle this matter another way. '* 
 
 They came out of their shelter as she said it, and walked on. " 
 
 rven in the darkness, Eleanor could see the deathly whiteness 
 of ti^e young man's &ce. . 
 ** Dp yptt know hiya ?" he asked^ in a deep, intense vgace' "' ' 
 
 "■ \ 
 
 r! ^ 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 1 J 
 
 i 
 
 t 
 » 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 t 
 
 t 
 
 ' 1 
 
 ■ 
 
 ^ 1 
 
 
 1"! 
 
 
 m 
 
 
 til 
 
 
 ^ 1 
 
 I 
 
 K- S 
 
 r\\ 
 
 he deei^ sotema 
 
 .^c; :tvi ..> 
 
 ^, never «aw1bim 6efo{re, C^7certiun.^ Whoever he i |^ 
 do not believe he belongs here. "" ^ 
 
 v'wt.'** 
 
 * s' 
 
 'i^.ii'. 
 
 *^* Jb>lb, 
 
 t^iftin 
 
i 
 
 I ' l'Vl l fcU 
 
 i I 
 
 i . I 
 
 .,;fc 
 
 ri 
 
 \ ' 
 
 "4 
 
 TffE VIRCmjA HEIRESS. 
 
 "No I" looking at her in Surprisie ; " where then ?" 
 "To the North— to Boston. I am confident of it 1 knov 
 that Sybilla has been corresponding clandestinely with some' one 
 ever since her return. She posted the letters and received the 
 answers at the post-office in Taunton. I say rectioed, for I feel 
 sure the correspondence is at an end. I know the man is here, 
 and that is he." 
 
 All the venom in her nature came out with the words. She 
 almost hissed them. She had kept her secret so long that i 
 was a double delight to tell it now. Eustace listened in dead 
 silence. 
 
 " Can you think of no one ?" she asked. 
 
 "No one. Why have you kept this a secret so long?" h 
 asked, coldly. 
 
 "It was no business of mine, and Miss Tresylian is not one 
 to be interfered with." ^ 
 
 "No," he said, between his closed teeth ; "no; but we will 
 interfere with her to some purpose now ! Here is the secret of 
 those long absences from home ever since my return. I think 
 this night will put a stop to my lady's capere for a while." 
 
 Eleanor Waldron smiled a cold, exultant smile. It was not 
 80 easy putting a stop to anything Sybilla Treaylian took into 
 her head, as she well knew. 
 
 No more was said. 
 
 crt)88ing^i 
 
 -poor <rf laiH. Xeii mmmes brouf^t them to tihe house. Oal 
 the threshold of the front door Eustace hettf ter a mbmint 
 
 
 'p&^^^^'^ii v' - I "- lj» <• -•:.» - 
 
 V 
 
 \ 
 
 o. tJ)its,sSi!:^&<iif, 
 
ri 
 
 • / 
 
 
 . »- 
 
 rff£ VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 Til 
 
 ?! 
 
 e then ?" 
 ent of it 1 knov 
 lely with some' one 
 sand received the 
 r received, for I fee 
 w the man is here. 
 
 1 the words. She 
 ret so long that i 
 J listened in dead 
 
 :ret so long?" h 
 
 esylian is not one 
 
 ' no ; but we will 
 vis the secret of 
 return. I think 
 ar a while." 
 aile. It was not 
 esylian took into 
 
 ield s in a down- j 
 the house. Onl 
 ir a moment 
 
 "Say nothing of what you have seen to-night, Eleanor, and 
 neither will I. I must thinkyoyer what is best to do. If I seek 
 out Sybilla and accuse her, she will &11 into one of her vehe- 
 ment passions and defy me. Her grandfether is so infetuated where 
 she is concerned, that she can wind him round her little finger. 
 Wait until to-morrow." 
 
 He opened the door without waiting for a reply, and they 
 entered. '" 
 
 Eleanor went up stairs at once to her room, and, on the up- 
 per landing, encountered Sybilla's maid. 
 
 "Is Miss Tre^lian at home ?" she asked. 
 
 "Yes, miss, jest come, and soakin' through with wet." 
 
 Eleanor asked no more, but hurried into her room. She 
 was wet herself, and had to remove her dripping garments, 
 and dress for dinner. She was ready when the bell rang, and 
 went down stairs. All were there, except Sybill^ who was never 
 punctual. They were feirly seated at table before that youqg 
 lady came in. 
 
 "Always late," cried grandpapa, chucking her under the 
 chin, "always late." 
 
 "lam here now, "said Sybilla; "that is all that is neces^ 
 saiy, I suppose." » 
 
 "Have you been out?" Eustace inquired, in a tone so nat- 
 urally careless as to> surprise Eleanor. 
 
 " Yes," answered 3ybilla, without looking up. 
 
 ron took a. disagreeable aftomoon for it; 
 Was yonr business so pressing?'' 
 
 you not? 
 
 
 ■\'h---' 
 
 J*MCi 
 
 Cj' '^itii'S.iSlk'i >'^ii 
 
 i«wi;..^if\v-'>Jv:dj--- 
 
 j^^a^;" 
 
 ^. 
 
 , j»k ■;>.;,: ;-.S.;s%f&S 
 
 •I 
 
il 
 
 i 
 
 im 
 
 1 i 
 
 f^t"^^-^'^ ■ 
 
 "0 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. . 
 
 " Very I Would you like to know what it was T replied Sy- 
 bijla, audaciously. 
 
 "Not particularly," said Eustace, coldly; "it is impolite to 
 
 pry into other people's affairs; besides, I may be better informed 
 
 , thah you imagine." "''■■' 
 
 Sybilla looked at him suddenly, her face flushing. Mrs^ 
 Waldron seemed bewildered— Miss Waldron stonily quiet 
 Grandpapa saw fit to interpose. » 
 
 "Are you two quarreling? I won't have it I Eustace, what 
 did Harcourt say ^about that mortgage ?" 
 
 Eustace began an account of the errand that had taken hiift 
 to Taunton that afternoon. 
 
 «The rest sat quiet Sybilla had grown rather pale, and ate 
 nothix^j, and, when they arose from tbe table, she went away to 
 her room, and was seen no more. 
 
 Next morning, after breakfest, Eustace set himself to watch 
 Sybilla. He had made up I|is mind what course to pursue 
 Eleanor saw that in his set fece, though he said nothing to her. 
 She asked no questions— she yn& satisfied to wait for the couisfc 
 of events. , _ , , ! 
 
 The day was intensely hot Sybillj^ in a white muslin wrap- 
 per, lay on a sofiLall morning, with a volume of poems in her 
 han^. She declined luncheon when luncheon hour came— it 
 wa8;too warm to eat All jthib afternoon she, spent in her cbam- 
 ber. 
 
 ;"-ti:2-!n -jsU ':;n' 
 
 'M 
 
 I'sd '^ti:' vy-fz -yboc 
 
 j(j'"--j-i 
 
 2i^#^^-*:;: 
 
 As the 
 she came 
 of blue ba 
 her hat ol 
 
 Eustace 
 ing put ol 
 
 She to< 
 step. Eu 
 him. H( 
 was hot n 
 
 She ent 
 only for a 
 She was c 
 ing night 
 His back 
 broad Pai 
 good tim* 
 
 "ilieySi 
 the trees. 
 When th< 
 arated, af 
 hunting 
 retracing 
 
 Eustao 
 treoi and 
 woodj^oj 
 
 
 at the window. 
 
 I • ., , ri , 1 
 
 »;' 
 
 
 .^^3/ • 
 
 '■'! 
 
 ,'j.i»^ I i««'^*4.i«U^«i^^^ 
 
 '^i- 
 
■^- ^: 
 
 .^x 
 
 sr/replied Sy- 
 
 tis impolite to 
 better informed 
 
 ushing. Mis. 
 stonily .qttiet 
 
 Eusta^; what 
 had taken hii|i 
 
 r pale, and ate 
 e went away to 
 
 mself to watch 
 irse to pursu^ 
 lothing to her. 
 ; for the course 
 
 e muslin wrap- 
 poems in her 
 hour came — it 
 It in her cham- 
 
 
 
 1. 
 
 r^iE VIRGhriA HEIRESS. 
 
 
 As the evening drew on, however, and a cool breeze a^ose, 
 she came down the front steps, her white dress changed for one 
 of blue barege, a black-silk scarf thrown over hcE Moulders, and 
 her hat on her head. 
 
 Eustace saw her trip away, and composedly followed her, keep- "^•' 
 ing put of sight . ,j> 
 
 She took the high-road, walking rapidly with a light, elastioi , 
 step. Eustace never lost sight of her, and never let her,see , 
 him. He felt sure her destination was the pine woods, ari4>tfj^ © 
 was not mistaken. ^^ ^^ 
 
 She entered the solitary pafti, and was l<»t among tlie trees— ^ 
 only for a few moments — then he came in sight of her again. 
 She was no longer alone. The tall young man of the preced- 
 ing night wais with her. They were walking on, arm m arm. 
 His back was toward Eustace, and his &ce in the shadow of a 
 broad Panama hat He made no attempt to see him. "All in 
 good tinie," thought Eustace. ^. 
 
 iliey sauntered slowly on, he still following, keeping among; 
 the trees, and of course out of hearing, as well as out of sight 
 When they reached the end of the path near the hall, they sep- 
 arated, after a very affectionate embrace, Sybilla, the perfidious;, 
 hurrving across the fields homevird, and the conquering hero 
 retracing his steps back through thd woods. 
 
 Eustace follOwe^i him. fife cotiic^\^t see his fiice yet, for the 
 trea wd 1^ai \ndi^^ hat lie followed him out of the 
 
 h-road. 
 
 
 \ 
 
 wQoda. o ver the fields, and iato &e hig l 
 %% Atigast kn waft 'seftitig in a gloiy ^ c^insOh and golo, 
 
 ^ .1 
 
 ri 
 
 *•'/ 
 
 / . 
 
 i-f 
 
 
 
 -A\ 
 
 
 '/-a 
 
 iSfu-uI. *,^**.^^«o-i ;v^ sK, 
 
 ■ iun 
 
 
 
 ., *i^ 
 
;-»*": 
 
 fsmm 
 
 
 . '1 . 
 
 ^llU-^^ 
 
 rj/£ VIRCmiA HETRESS. 
 
 ' t 
 
 I i 
 
 i'."v 
 
 as they entered the village, and people wefe hunying homfe^ to 
 supper. 
 
 The young man in the Panama hat paused about halfway up 
 the village, opened a garden gate, and entered a pretty little 
 cottage with the air of one who is at home. As he turned to 
 close the gate before entering, Eustace had caught a fleeting 
 glimpse of a pair of dark eyes, a handsome nose, and a black 
 mustache. Only a glimpse, but enough to show that his suc- 
 cessful j^val was eminently handsom'e. „ But Eustace had taken 
 that for granted all along, knowing Sybilla as well as he did. 
 
 He had found out all he wanted, and turned back. An old 
 man was approaching, leaning on a stick. Eustace knew him, 
 and stopped. 
 
 "Good-evening, Barton. Do you see that house there.?" 
 pointing out the cottage. *' 
 
 "Ay, ay, Mr, Eustace," the old man answered, touching 
 his hat, "I see it" . 'si 
 
 "Who lives there?" * 
 
 "One Peter Lantham, a blacksmith. He's from the North 
 somewhere, they tell me. Old Daddy Kenly liyed there afoce 
 him. Peter Lantham's only been in it three year." 
 "Hasheafemily?" 
 <• Two little girls, sir, and his wife." 
 " No more ? Is there no young man living there ?" 
 "Oh f now you name It^yeS, there isj" said the old man ; 
 -"» youny Mow=6tfiar-the'Norib; aowff oB W^fSfF"" W <ame 
 
 ^ii'^^-.iU'iJAtfr: v' .J/' 
 
 ■^_ 
 
 . f- »i*i- A'«iMJi»"i 
 
5"S«^ 
 
 ^^■"^Wt^ 
 
 hunying homi^ to 
 
 about halfway up 
 ■ed a pretty little 
 As he turned to 
 caught a fleeting 
 lose, and a black 
 how that his suc- 
 lustace had taken 
 i^ell as he did. 
 d back. An old 
 istace knew him, 
 
 t house there.'" 
 
 ^ered, touching 
 
 from the North 
 liyed there afoce 
 aiv" . , 
 
 
 J t 
 
 '1'^' V <jf"\n '=>;-'*,? 
 
 TME riRGlNIA HEIRESS. 
 
 l|F9 
 
 here?" 
 
 id the old man ; 
 
 ri^;""HcMcame 
 
 abou^the same time you did yourself Mr. Eugtace. vAn ujn- 
 comdon smart young fellow, too. and his name—what'a tl^is 
 his name is ?" V 
 
 " Yes, " said'Eustace, " tiy and think of his name. " | 
 
 "I have it, sir— Nagle'6 the name. Dick Nagle they call 
 him, and he's from Boston. Do you know him, Mr. Eus- 
 
 "Yes, Eustace knew him. Like lightning it flashed on him. 
 This was the young man he had seen with Sybilla at the Wor- 
 cester depot, and Nagle was the name of the femiJy who had 
 taken care ofher after iier accident ..- 
 
 W. was all as clear as the golden sunset illumining the western 
 sky. \ -. _, . ■ ; - r , 
 
 "Thank you, Barton-good-evenii|g,'* he said, abruptly, 
 turning on his heeL " That is ajl I walpt to_ know. " 
 
 He strode away, leaving the old man ga2ingJ^ after him. He 
 went straight home, never looking to the right or left, lost in 
 thought .*"' 
 
 When dinner was over, Eustace entered the dining-room. Sy- 
 billa lay on a Bofe, languid and sleepy, as 6he had lain all mom^ 
 ing, and Eleanor at the piano was playing softly and sweetly in 
 
 the summer twilight , 
 
 ' ' -'/ 
 
 No one else was there, and both looked again at his pale, 
 fixed fece. ..,.:. .,-.■ .-U^.-,, ' . ■■ .... . '. -".■:: •' 
 
 Eleanor understood, Sybilla suspected— dreaded, pethap»— 
 
 1E| |B¥]tuirn^ away >srow»^ 
 
 
 I *1 k 
 
 .*«S*»i*»Jgfl 
 
 

 ' ' ^-. 
 
 I 
 
 lao 
 
 7W£ VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 did not speak, only remained a moment, and then went out on 
 the la!wn to smoke. He lingered there, walking up and down, 
 and smoking cigar after cigar, until the stars s\i^ung in the 
 blue-black concav^ and a pale round moon smiled up to the 
 xenith. 
 
 t? 
 
 I iill 
 
 iK 
 
 ^i *"*['_,- 3' >'* fV - ' 
 
 
 vC: 'lis '7ro:u »'?*;--■!•','! r 
 
 3:;; 'i^n 
 
 e"'.;- 
 
 y 
 
 i:':-:: 
 
 .1 -i 
 
 'it.--' ■ 
 
 •"^'^■^^:Ii 
 
 Nothing 
 'ening in 
 >e storm. 
 Eustac^ 
 e. Elear 
 ' i Jar her pi 
 lasting Si 
 e iirall. 
 "No,"8l 
 >d hot" 
 It was' V) 
 underboli 
 Perhaps 
 n i'.':luch in he 
 
 
 ■-rc «'in,'> ,^-' 
 
 .2£ H-srn* 3^«: ..rroii;-!^^-^ -iwCTijcJ:! ^fi^uCMi^ i;^/.?> ■w3*' I U ' 
 
 « 1 
 ove, and \ 
 
 "Iflwei 
 
 "^"afiS^fi'^TSiJrpg^^rs^iu .ajujk i" ^^.^^^v syw tnojMbi? isdemcwr 
 
 .V \t» 
 
 
 
^x. 
 
 pf^l^^ 
 
 ....^■n 
 
 »■•-'. 
 
 then went out on 
 Qg up and down, 
 rs sv^ung in the 
 smiled up to the 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEUtSSS 
 
 •,r 
 
 ■'. ■■'M> 
 
 ,;;:..(; 
 
 
 1 ■ 
 
 - 1 ; t . 
 
 '^-i' 
 
 <r 
 
 n^' 
 
 
 -\v.\, 
 
 « 
 
 V 
 
 " CHAPTER XL 
 
 THK GRAND*" CLIMAX 
 
 l» 
 
 .. ^■ 
 
 
 Nothing farther happened th»t i,igl,t I, w„ ^ .^^ ^, 
 
 :::z:" ° ''■'«^-'«'"'-«» <"»»- >.»^ Jt'p„ced« 
 
 Eusace, when he came in « h«, pU^ ^.^ ^.^ „, „^, 
 e. Eleanor never quoted the pi.no. Mr. Tresylian liked to 
 ^rherphyofan e«.fing. M™. Waldron ben.-„,er her ev- 
 to««g sewing «rf SyWlta la^„nher «,h, with her&ceto 
 e wall. Was. she asleej^? 
 
 ,d r^I** an.w«ed, when gnmBpapa^kM 4 "onJy^ , 
 
 Itwas^^yqnH b«d« .<om.;<a„„d,were gathering-Uie' 
 
 underbolt was tenibl/ near. ' ^ -e •««. 
 
 Perhap. Mis, Waldron ne«radmimi E«««» TWita, ^^ 
 
 «ch m her life „ sh. did that night He sal so Xv .eU- 
 
 *«W, playing te inWcate game, ne«r making » fcte 
 
 » — -— gwwaw^ a««WC 
 
 ;. rSn . ... Dve, and aU the interests of his life at stake; 
 
 :;i5V;if 
 
 
 fvsgm? xcoiMt 
 
 
 
 ♦ 
 
 i u. n if *■*.■' »'■ -> j^ 
 
 '^.h\- 
 
 5v -^''i 
 
 * V 
 
 >« 
 
 1l 
 
 'I 
 
 I 
 
 HI 
 
 ll ,\- 
 
 41 
 
 " J 
 
 •t 
 
 
 r 
 
H:. 
 
 -■i 
 
 \ 
 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HElkESS. 
 
 Immediately after breakfiist, next morning, Eustace made t 
 firet move in a, very different game. He took his hat and 1 
 the house, turning in the direction of Taunton. Sybilia watcl 
 him from the window, her lips set, herfece pale, her ^eL- 
 tering. fileanor watched her, and read that look. It said: 
 
 • ' You have found me out, but I dare and defy you yet " 
 
 Eustace walked rapidly to the village, and approached t 
 cottage where iSybilla's lover fiSd entered the preceding evenini 
 He had not to go in, the young man in the Panama hat 
 leaning over the garden gate, smoking with the morning su 
 light full in his fiw^and the morning breeze lifting his da 
 hair. . ^^^'' 
 
 Eustace, seeing him.plainry now, saw how very handsome 
 was, and his lip curled scornfully. • 
 
 "For that country clod's black mustache and straight no' 
 Sybilia Tresylian throws me over, and disgraces herself. W 
 does it matter if the \L<saA is an idiot's, so that those well-sha 
 features are outsid^ of it ? Good-morning. " ' ^ 
 
 He stopped short before the* young ^an with this abn 
 salutation. -^ - ^^^^^-^ 
 
 Dick Nagle tpoK^is cigar out of MjMMPjtMrf^ ey( 
 coolly.'' - '^*'^^ 
 
 > "Good-morning, sir." 
 ii '^ Your name is Nagle?" imperiously. 
 
 4>JMfe^^*#OTir Masadjusearf^^ 
 
 Sir'' * ' 
 
 *ii«w»"." f'^^%.^£^^^ ^^ T- 
 
n very handsome 
 
 7,*'' '/, 
 
 \. 
 
 If 
 
 "^ 
 
 / 
 
 % 
 
 f( 
 
 saxAx&&ig}''y 
 
 *i jM rffE VIRGMFA HEIRESS. \%l 
 
 feA[0bjcct in coming hens is to make love to Miss 
 «l^#resj%^n I" " . ; 
 
 »id the young man, coloring Violently. 
 H^rk you. Mr. Dick Nagle.of Massachusetts I" said, Eus- 
 tace, white with suppressed passion, "I know you and your 
 object in coming to this place. You liave been playing a^des- 
 perate game, sir ; but that game is about played out 1 Pp yoir 
 know who I am?" ' *" * 
 
 "Not »t presc^it,*^ said Mr. Dick Nagle; "but I should 
 liket6."V Vv , . , ^ : 
 
 For a tountryclod certainly he took things remarkably cool- -. 
 ly. If all the blood of all the Tresylians flowed in his vein^ 
 he could not have been more perfectly or unaffectedly non- 
 chalant. 
 
 " I am Eustace tresylian, of Tresylian Hall, ' said that gen- 
 tleman, more enraged by this clod's effrontery than even by '. 
 his crime; "and Miss Tresylian is my cousin and affianced 
 wife!" 
 
 Mr. Nagle was by no means so overpowered by this magnifi- 
 ^tent^ainouncement as he had a right tp be, and returned Mr. 
 Tresyliail's gaze unflinchingly. 
 
 "I thought you were,"he said, coolly; "but, as to theothei 
 affair, I reckon you're mistoken. I didn't come here to make 
 love to Miss Tresylian, and, for the mattw of that, haven't sees 
 any such person since she left Boston." 
 
 k 
 
 A. 
 
 ■i 
 
 was so peiAetly #imfeaAdcd at thia glaring falsehood 
 that he stood for a moment q^eecfaless. I 
 
 *' 
 
 I 
 
 \i-? 
 
:.} 
 
 ^€^^' 
 
 .'Tf . 
 
 « I 
 
 t "4 
 
 TJIB VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 I 
 
 
 'I ' 
 
 ill 
 
 x\tm 
 
 
 "You Ijring scoundrel !" he almost gasped, in his passion, 
 "how dare you tell me such an infamous &lsehood ?" 
 
 "Look here, Mr. Treaylian,'* said Dick Nagle, "don't you 
 call such hard names, or I may lose my temper. I am not 
 ~ afraid of you, or of any other man, and I'm not easily made 
 mad ; but, by gracious, if you come it a little /^ rough, what's 
 la fellow to do ? That about not seeing Miss Tresylian 's a true 
 bill, and no mistake." 
 
 Eustace paused for a moment, and strove to recover his tem- 
 per? ' ' IHf was seldom he lost it, and he felt he was gaining noth- 
 ingby itnow. 
 
 "If you repeat that bare&ced lie again," he said, steadily, 
 "I mil knock you down I I saw you with her twice my- 
 selfl" 
 
 A «nile flickered for a moment over the aggravating rustk^s 
 handsome &ce. 
 
 ^.^^JThere must bo a hitch somewhere, 'squire ; I haven't 
 W|l|ted With Miss Tr^lian this time, I vow 1 As to knocking 
 mi^.,d<3fwn, ^jKell that wouldn't be liealthy pastime for you, no- 
 
 £ustac%^ felt it instinctively. „ . 
 
 l^ere was a look of power about this tall, well-made young 
 fitrmer tiiat spoke volumea of his prowess. Besides, Eustace, be 
 it known, never had a taste for that sort of thinsr. 
 
 n**l^'y , ^^ *^J g!^ IggLj''^l.^JJ* 8t»»r<Hig to go.; V yo^t 
 
 ditUl. never, see Miss TrewliaQ again !' 
 
 ** Don't expect to, boss I" said Mr. Nagl^, provokingly, 
 
 "And 
 
 by the r 
 
 "Go 
 more to 
 
 "Ren 
 owAjred 
 my intei 
 IS my ns 
 
 He ws 
 
 "Goo 
 Where' 
 
 To tell 
 m extra i 
 lylian's b 
 
 He lai 
 vhich Im 
 
 "Won 
 idh't qu 
 \fiss Trts 
 lard t9 st 
 ow, on h 
 
 Eustace 
 'resjrlian, 
 nd wouk 
 ttiSt-*re! 
 ^inhei 
 
 «wV.!«a?*i%^.4'^'A», vv^j.-'Ti* v-<»*rjj,ji vi, ,^ ; .t"j 
 
vJ.S'j^t'k;''''' ■;S^'*«? . 
 
 H^y- 
 
 ff^^^^ 
 
 :^% 
 
 ,s.Vl=^'l 
 
 i, in his passion, 
 
 shood?" 
 
 agle, "don't you 
 
 nper. I am not 
 
 I not easily made 
 
 >*«?> rough, what's 
 
 Tresylian 's a true 
 
 D recover his tem- 
 was gaining noth* 
 
 he said, steadily, 
 th her twice my- 
 
 EgravatiAg rustic^? 
 
 [uire ; I haven't 
 
 As to knocking 
 
 time for you, no- 
 
 well-made young 
 sides, Eustace, be 
 
 ;.i:;:>'V 
 
 ig. 
 
 pg togp.rVyo^ 
 
 >rovokiiigly, 
 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. ijr 
 
 "And, if you attempt it, I will have you tarred and feathered 
 >y the nejjroes on her grandfather's estate ^ 
 " Go it I" said Mr. Nagle, sententiously. ."Got anythiiig 
 ore to say? Let it all out, or you'll be apt to bust 1" 
 "Remember I" Eustace said, with a malignant scowl, "you ^ 
 low-bred, ruffian, you shall be watched ; and, if you attei^t ' 
 my intercourse with Mis^ Tresylian, I'll keep my word, as Sure" 
 « my name's Tresylian 1" ' '^^ 
 
 He walked away. ' *"'1 
 
 "Good-day,.'8quire," celled the exasperating Dick "after him., ^ 
 "Where's your manfters?" ' 
 
 To tell the truth, Dick had bte&^>ather putting i^on, tddii^ 
 m extra touch of the raw New Englander for Mr. Eustace Tn»- 
 
 lylian's benefit ~fe« 
 
 \^ ' ;■-■:.!■ 
 
 He bughed when he was otft of sight, and le-Ik hi$ dgir, 
 vhich bad gone out -,. ^; ^aLi 
 
 "Won't'there be a row at home?" mused Mr. Nagle.^ ^'"He 
 lidh't quite get the hang of what I meant aboot not 's^efiig 
 Miss Truylhn since she left Boston, but he will shortly; It%a*- 
 ■lardtp stand all that abuse; but I didn't want- to kick vt^^ 
 ow, on i4«r account "1 :x'.;M:tl!\ T 
 
 Eustace wem directttr hbm& His next move was to see »fc ^ 
 >esyiian. Hire he wis ba^ed; ^x. Tresylian had left hdi^\ 
 nd would not bt bacjc until evening. 
 lisR-treayKan. HereLhewiw^iwflfed «jpiin. "m^i^ 
 
 r 
 
 ^rt 
 
 m 
 
 His third was to ^4 
 
 ^1; 
 
 
 ras in her room, and did norididi to see any ont, Thert iu 
 
 ^•ii^^ ■'••■•--'; --i-f'* ly. <- 'I ' ■ ':'/::;5 ; ,- " '" 
 
 
 I 
 
 '; 
 
 'US 
 
 «-** 
 

 trp 
 
 liii 
 
 iii' 
 
 136 
 
 THE ViMtflNIA ffEIRESS, 
 
 I'l 
 
 I 
 
 mm 
 
 * 
 
 nothing for it but to wait until evening, and watch, in thel 
 meantime, that Sybilta did not leave the house. 
 
 She made no attempt to leave it ; she staid in her chambeil 
 all day. 
 
 Before Eustace's return in the morning, she had dispatchec 
 a note, with her maid Lucy, to the cottage in Taunton. TK(| 
 girl was a bright, intelligent mulatto, ready to do anythi|igt fd 
 her mistress. 
 
 "Go and cpme through the woods, Lucy," her mistress saidj 
 "and don't let any one in this house see you. Bring me bad 
 an answer, and you may have that pink silk of mine you adj 
 mired so much." 
 
 Lucy went off delighted. 
 
 She just escaped meeting Eustace on his return by dodging 
 behind a tree. Sybilla waited in a fever of impatience for thel 
 girl's return. It was near noon when she came in, breathlessi 
 and panting, and bearing an answer. Sybilla &irly snatched it| 
 from her. 
 
 " Who gave you this?" she demanded, tearing it open. 
 "A young gentleman, miss, and so good looking. I got out 
 and ill without nobody seeing." 
 
 • Veiy well, Luqr, that will da Go, now; and, if you sa) 
 nothing of thi^ yoa shall have that blue spotted muslin, too." 
 
 Mfss Tresjiisn never left her room all day. Lucy brojigfa '^'^ 'h^'- 
 -iq> lunch e on, aacU Sybilla remain e d ahw: in, wi th hef 
 
 \She sto< 
 ixed on tl 
 
 locked. 
 
 •■m 
 
 iw^'fc^'i 
 
 
M^-S^ -«. -^,^yi-^■^>v^'v^'' 
 
 J 
 
 THE vTrgINIA heiress. 
 
 "7 
 
 The house was sUll as a tomb, as if thj shadow 6i coming 
 evil hung over it 
 
 Half an hour before dinner Mr. Tr&ylian returned Eus- 
 tace made use of the first moment, followed him into his studv 
 band broached the momentous topic. 
 
 An hour passed. Eustace came out, and the study-bell mng 
 I It chanced to be Lucy who answered it 
 
 •• Is Miss Sybilla in ?" Mr. Tre^lian demanded. 
 
 "Yes, sir— up in her room." 
 
 " Tdl her to come down, then, I wish to see her particularly " 
 
 Lucy departed, but returned again alone in a few minutes. 
 Miss Sybilla had a bad headache-would grandpapa kindly ex- 
 |cuse her? 
 
 "No," said Mr. Tresylian. with a sternness very unusual; 
 • tell her to come at once. I must see her. " ' ' 
 
 Against this there could be na appeal. 
 
 Sybilla, very pale, and with glittering eyes, presented herself 
 She knew that the worst had come, and she must meet it ; but 
 Ishe came of a daring race, this little Sybilla, 
 
 Mr. Tresylian was pacing up and down the study, white and 
 Istem. 
 
 ' Shut the door, Sybilla, and come in, " he said, with an ab- 
 upt Sternness absolutely without precedent in his intercounie ' 
 «rithher. "What is this I hear? What is thip Eustace has 
 ee a t c lli u g j n e?. ^ What ^ Kw e yea btt^n d^^f^^^-^ " 
 
 She stood silent, grasping the back of her arm-chair, her eyes 
 ed on the carpet i_ - 
 
 'V' 
 
 m^ 
 
 
 
 
BMNHHi 
 
 n 
 
 I! ill 
 
 I ! 
 
 Mi i 
 
 !l li 
 
 'I' 
 
 IS 
 
 ill 
 
 f'-n; 
 
 
 TffE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 " Sybilla 1" the old man cried out, in a tone c^ sharp anguish, 
 ^ll/or.God's sake^ spei^, and tell me you are not guil^I Don't 
 jt^ there like a stone']" _ ,.■>:■ < j , 
 
 ^.S^l^jytla looked up proudly. 
 
 * * Guilty of what ? — of what does Eustace accuse me ^" : , : 
 ...fj'',I ^|i't know — of folly— of madness. Who is this man 
 jWihoin you meet ckmdestinely, at improper times and places? 
 ^0,1$ her ,,-■; - , ■- ,.:-,.,-■•: , ■ •. ;. --•. .>r^:. 
 
 ^[fllie red blood flushed aU over Sybilla's &ce, but she did not 
 H>eak. .; if ■ ■ .^iv 
 
 .cjHeitgnuidfiither stood looking at her, his &ce workings 
 
 "She does not speak — she does not deny it! It is true, 
 then. She has deceived us all, and di^^raced herself! She is 
 
 .^,J|e staggered against the wall, and stood looking at her in a 
 sort of horror. 
 
 f ! %bi)la fell down on her knees beftM-e him, and held up her 
 ^P^ h^nds. 
 
 "Oh ! grandpapa I don't look at me so— don't speak to me 
 li)^ that, or you'll break my- heart! Oh, dear, dear grandpapa I 
 I myeiy fi3oli8h and wicke(^ I know, but I am not so bad as 
 yoiithinkr -^ 
 
 She broke down in a storm of wild, hysterical weq>ing. At 
 ^htfif her tean, the old naan foigot eveiythingbut that she 
 life^ 
 
 Ms arms, and hid the tear-stained hot agaipst his brea«t. .1 
 _ "My darling! my darling!" he saidi soothingly, stroking 
 
 rt^iiLMl^"^^^ 
 
 . •;^fehiijS!i..iAsA5ij.?i'i':^ 
 
THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. ,,9 
 
 the silken hair, " don't cry so I You know I would not mike 
 you unhappy for the world f Sybilla I Sybilla I iri> pet <" - 
 But still she sobbed passionately, unrestrainedly; until ^she 
 could sob no more. The hysterics did hergood; she Iay'#^k 
 and pantmg in his arms, quiet at last; only now aid theih the 
 slight figure shook with a shivering sob. - 
 
 "My darling girl r the old man said, with infinite Wndei- 
 ness m his voice and face, "my darling' girl knows r love liCr 
 dearer than life. She knows I would not willfully give her 0^^ 
 moment's pain for all the wealth of the world. Bat. Sybilla, 
 this is something serious-we must speak of this. Much aS^ I 
 love my child, I could ^better bear to see her dea* than dis- 
 graced I" . P 
 
 The hysterics began again. rJ? 1 
 
 "Oh I not that dreadful word, grandpapa-! am not so vert; 
 veryh^ as that I know I am wicked, and selfish, and diso- 
 bedient ; but, oh 1 not. «o/so awful as that 1" ^^ ^vm 
 
 "My dean dear child !-my foolish, mistaken little gTri 1 
 Tell your grandpapa all about it, then. Who is this yotrri^ - 
 man ?— what is he to you ?" . . > .1.. • 
 
 "Oh, not to-nightl Oh, grandpapa, Hot to-ni^tf 1 iM V 
 tired and sick, and my head aches. Wait until to-niorrdw! ^ 
 grandpapa-dearest, best grandpapa that ever was in th» WdiM, ^ 
 —-"'♦ you shall know alll" . . ■ .l ^cid ad^. 
 
 
 m 
 
 
 At —and 
 
 "Aa you please, inyown dariifig; t would ndt distil 
 
 .^■"tj " v,'*"; 
 
 the^ridr-To-motio* will doTBWeir' ^rt Im, S^gffi 
 
 before yba go, «r it all tiue? 
 
 ;eisi 
 
 4>#«*' 
 
 — '^. 
 
 'i^-i 
 
 ■M 
 
 :;f* 
 
 I I 
 
 i ■ 
 

 
 
 13* 
 
 r/ffi VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 I ' 
 
 11111 
 
 He spoke eagerly, as if with some lingering hope she would 
 
 'deny yetl and he had always known her to be truthful. But she 
 
 did not—her . only answer was a sob. He put her from him 
 
 with % heavy sigh, and arose. 
 
 "To-morrow, then, Sybilla, to-morrow you will tell me all. 
 ^Good-night, my dearest child, and God bless you 1' 
 
 She- broke down again, crying wildly, and clinging about his I 
 neck, and calling herself a wretch— a wicked, wicked girl, until j 
 he grew alarmed. 
 
 "You must stop, Sybilla— you must not cry so, or you will 
 make yourself ill. Go to your room, now, and say yo,ur prayers 
 like a good girl, and go to bed." 
 
 "And you wiH forgive me?, grandpapa— you will forgive your| 
 Sybilla to-morrow, even if she has been bad ?" 
 
 t'My darling, what is there I would not foipve you?| 
 There— there— go to ^our room, and try and compbse your- 
 self" ' ' . 
 And so they parted — to meet no more for a weary time. 
 Mrs. Waldron, Miss Waldron, and Eustace dined together. 
 Mr. Tresylian sent an excuse. Miss Tr"fesylian sent none. 
 Eustoce lingered all evening in the hall, anxiously waiting Mr. 
 Tresylian's appearance from the study. It was late when he I 
 came/6ut, looking pale and haggard.\ 
 
 "I can tell you nothing ••-night, Eustace," he said ; "waiti 
 until to-morrow, and let us hope all will be well yet " 
 ffj^^ j^j^o pg^ 1^ ^g^^fj «" he w gnt wlowl y u p s tairs tol 
 
 pass a sleepless night; but there was nothing in his heart buti 
 
 
 
 

 
 u will foi]give youri 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS, ,3, 
 
 k and foiKiveness, and love for that cherished granddaughter. 
 U might overthrow the hopes and plans of a life-time, but he 
 j)uld never say to her one harsh word. I think if she had 
 Immitted a murder, he would have pardoned her, and taken 
 Ir to his heart five minutes after. 
 JTo-morrow came-a dull, overcast day. The femily met at 
 
 akfast, but tardy Sybilla did not appear. Mr. Tresylian rang 
 
 her maid. 
 
 "Go up stairs and tell your young lady we are waiting, 
 J»cy." .^f ,1 , ' 
 
 iLucy obeyed, and was back presently. 
 
 'Please, massa. Miss Sybilla got her door locked, and won't 
 f me in." 
 
 'Well, well— we can wait Pour out the coffee, Mrs. Wal- 
 bn." 
 
 breakfest was over-ten o'clock, eleven, twelve came, and 
 
 ill Sybilla appeared not 
 
 jMr. T^ylian got alarmed, and went up to her room him- 
 
 IC He^pped; there was no answer. He tried the door; 
 
 'vasfastv 
 
 I' ' Sybilla 1" he called. There was no reply. " Sybilla I" he 
 -ated, knocking louder. Eustace was by his side now 
 ^rce the door I" Mr. Tr«sylian said, hoarsely, his &ce white 
 ashes. 
 
 It was done. In five minutes they were in. the room. It was 
 „The „bed.Thad never i«en^aleprinr^ lueses, shiw]^^''^ 
 •nicies of all sorts, lay scattered in confusiea about The 
 
 
 .A f 
 
 
 ,M*«*' 
 
 I 
 
 \ ->' . ^ >i| 
 
'I'll 
 
 III i! 
 
 iiriHI i< 
 111 '' 
 
 i !■' 
 
 Jil ii- 
 
 »-■ ' v 
 
 I' 
 
 ■-,,. ._,-v.i,_,^- w^-^««'j- '■%-^^if!^-^ ■"^'^^^ I'A.' 
 
 13a 
 
 T^£ VIRGINIA HBIlfESS. 
 
 window stood wide open — it .opened on the veranda— and a Id 
 ter lay conspicuously on the dressitfg-table, directed to Mr. Ta 
 sjrliain. 
 
 "She has fled I" cried Eustace, with colorless lips. ''' 
 letter is for you, sir." 
 
 But Mr. Tresjrlian j(|id not take it He reeled backwarj 
 and would have fidlen if Eustace had not caught him in 
 
 arma. 
 
 ^5lT •''■ 
 
 (•■ .11 
 
 fH" 
 
 fhi 
 
 • O < ^V.■ 
 
 '.\-;- -A) 
 
 ii- 
 
 
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 :*-Jk 
 
 .'idi 
 
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 fi'.'J'i 
 
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 ! .'•.'^r,-;fi f. ".' ; Tj 
 
 CilHr. '■ I 
 
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 ■VH, 
 
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 '>.r 
 
 
 aai^!H-(.t'. a?i\ 
 
 ■n^ ? I ' . t i' J AiMi!.! t,^ .-^— r-i'<- ' j i ni »' . ■. '■ .^ir[ ' ■' « '■'■ '; ?y 
 
 smd 
 
 
 Jii; ,{,o;i-; 
 
 1 » 
 
 ¥#|Ct'. *^1c 
 
 

 
 
 V- 
 
 veranda— and a I^ 
 directe(ttoMr. TJ 
 
 orless lips. **' 
 
 [e reeled backward 
 : caught him in 
 
 \r- ';> ^.M- --in" 
 
 Uillu 
 
 rff£ VIRGMIA HEIRESS, 
 
 •/.. 
 
 • 
 
 CHAPTER Xtl. 
 
 MRS. RICHAKD NAGUt; 
 
 ■:<-■■-■.-' :h'i r'ji 
 
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 J i.'-X- .,,-' 
 
 
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 ^«,i*^i^>#iH 
 
 The graj afternoon of that sunless day streamed into Mr. Tre- 
 Hian-8 chamber. He lay on his bed, a broken old man, with 
 i)ustace beside him. 
 
 He was calm at last-^ calm as it was possible for him to be 
 
 nder such a blow. Eustace held the letter in his hand, still 
 
 [nopened. 
 
 "Are you better, sif ?" he asked. "Are you able to read it 
 
 low?" 
 
 "lam't read," Mr. Tresylian replied, his voice trembling; 
 ' read it for me, Eustace. " 
 
 Eustace, himself veiy pale, but quite collected, broke the 
 al. It was blotted, and tear-stained, and smeared, and inco- 
 erent, and shockingly written, but the lawyer managed to make 
 lout: - 
 
 ►ear. Dear, Darlino Grandpapa ; 
 
 ^ — > -" - ■-— " «*». I * ciui MAKKiso I un, darlinir 
 
 te^rt^'^Jr'^; T" yo« think of toe^ nowW^ 
 
 Jamed. the day before I left Boston, to Richard Nairle ^ 
 
 use I couldn't many Eustace, ^md because iTved^dJS 
 
 
f"F,.r< >*.■»» 
 
 mmmmmm 
 
 '~3^ v^ V y ' 1 '"^ 
 
 I I 
 
 
 134 
 
 ra& VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 "Youi 
 
 id opulei 
 Jr. The 
 
 so much. And now I dare not stay here ai>y longer, and I am 
 going away with him to-night Oh, dearest, dearest grandps^ ! 
 don't, , don't be angry with me, for I love you best of all in the 
 world, except my husband. Oh, pray do lorgiveMUiC as you 
 ,have forgiven me so often before I I will write^ tptyou again 
 from my new home in Massachusetts, and I sh^ll^ miserable irown hei 
 until you write, and say you [Kirdon me. Go^l^, darling -vulgar, i 
 grandpapa ; you will soon hear again from /» > 
 
 Your own "•'§ybilla. 
 
 I Eustace read this hysterical epistle very slowly, and withoi 
 emotion of any sort, but Mr. Tresylian wept like a woman. 
 
 " My poor child ! My poor little foolish Sybilla I Eustace 
 what shall we da? I can't live with(^;her. Shall we pursue 
 and fetch them back?" " ,, , » 
 
 "No," said Eustace, emphatically; "what will you do wit 
 that low-bred clown of a Nagle? No ; let them go." , 
 
 *^But, Eustace, I can't live without Sybilla I" 
 
 " She can live without ^(W, it seems 1" said Eustace, bitterl) 
 "you had better try and exist without her for awhile ; it wi| 
 not be for long I fancy." 
 
 " Why ?" looking bewildered. 
 
 " Because she will come back of her own accord — come ba( 
 alone." 
 
 •' How ? She is married — I don't understand. " 
 
 "It is very easy, I fency, for one who knows your gran At , 
 
 daughter to understand. She is as capricious, as fickle, ^ i| u 
 
 constant as the wind. She married this fellow on the impnll . , 
 
 _ ^ _ ^ J, don t q 
 
 ofthe m bmeht She will be^eartily sicS of her Mi^n in thW ^ , 
 
 months." 
 
 p*'?Ai/.>. 
 
 
' longer, and I am 
 
 learest grandp^a ! 
 
 best of all in the 
 
 orgiveMixC ^ yov 
 
 »rite^ to* you again 
 
 ihj^ll^ miserabl 
 
 Go^l^y, darlini 
 
 A r ■ 
 •"''§YBILLA. 
 
 lowly, and witho 
 like a woman 
 
 Sybilla 1 Eustaci 
 Shall we pursu 
 
 Lt will you do wit 
 tern go, 
 il" 
 
 1 Eustace, bitterl; 
 for awhile ; it wi 
 
 Lccord— come bac 
 
 and." 
 
 << 
 
 «( 
 
 ■. ■■ ^^ > 
 
 w» yiRcmiA Me/xess. ,„ 
 
 Yc™ dU«k sor cn/d Mr. Tresylian, his e,« sparkli^. 
 
 d op^e„c« f„, po.,„, and priva.,o„s-pri«,„„, „ ,eaa, Z 
 mte. Kf.you a^ain "' ^ "^'O' of this fellow's bea„,y, f„r Vhich she h.. 
 
 stL °?"^'" ^,^. When she descends fZ 
 . .o Mev-woolseys, and dan,s A. Nagle's stockings and 
 
 ts h,J dmner a few weeks, tte Iove,ill be about at an end 
 J he. to he,»„ and ^„„ wii, ha, he, back b/chHs^^at 
 .dde'jd w.er,on.an. .Oppose hi. and shewil, beasfirm 
 
 ^•TT>ere is something in that." Mr. Ttesylian «Ud, thought- 
 
 Yo« can't have the fellow here.>„,snedEnstace. "todi,. ' 
 e and mortify yon. Let her alone for awhile, and she will 
 ™ wthout him. Then ,on e^„ p,oc„.e a divo^t I 
 »d of .ncompafbiliv of temper, and all may be well yet" 
 
 Whatahead yon have 1" exclaimed the old man, Tclw 
 
 iim admiringly. - ,, ' loosing 
 
 'he lawyer smiled. 
 Lnows yourgranAr, 
 
 as,asfiokle,asiI , ,,"'^~"^'"'^"-*»"3all. Keep up yo„r spirit^ 
 
 0, on the irnpntT, ' """ "^ ""^ ^°» ™« "o^. When she \^ 
 
 »^^-mmedia.ely,giv^1,erTiae to awaken.^ 
 from her delu-sinn • tK» .-.. , . *L •*«'«»Ken a 
 
 ler 
 
 im m 
 
 W 
 
 !'■ . 
 
 ^ill- 
 
 f^. I 
 
 F :'■'•' 
 
 ft , , rf J o"'^ «i-* ume lo awaken n 
 
 rrom her delusion; then write to her'fi™,y but kinly; 
 
 ,>.^.J-4feH&^^ 
 
 ''■"Jiii. - . « « 1 f » n 
 

 . ./-^. 
 
 ,j, T^ VKBtirif KBIRSSS. 
 
 .ell U« you forgiv. her, U en n.v.r «. h« wa "f^J to sa« 
 „a>aim with that man. If she gro*. Urfed of him "^ **|<<^ . « 
 ,0 gi« him up forever, the? W her come baok-Ae "",'* jNeir Yo 
 Jed with open «^ Send her no money , Id; her M whl„..„-._ 
 it i. to want it ■ When poverty comes in at the door, love fl, 
 outatthe window.'" '^ 
 
 - 1 will do whatev^:3?6« say, Eustacb ; I am sure the ecu 
 
 you propose b best" ; 
 
 M You will find it so, sir. A few weeks after you wnte. I 
 call and see her.,, SbewiU be sick to death of it all by t 
 time^ter husband included. His lack of educaUon. his 
 parity will be all ihe more striking and disgusting by coni 
 Iwill talk to her. I wUl persuade her to return. Iwill 
 
 her of your grief and loneliness^f all she has given up fo|cident ... 
 fellow not fit to be her servant-and. beUcve me. the.«|B„j^^^ 
 
 .ment £hat would be worse thaA useless now, will succeed thp„ . 
 
 Sybilla will be back, and that befote long." ^ 
 Eustace dtmed everything before him. ^ And^««/V how 
 
 took it ?t TresyUan Hall. 
 
 A ■ * ♦ * • . -* 
 
 Mealtime Mr: and 1^ Richard Nagle were fer on 
 
 journey Norfli. .. . , .^ , v 
 
 It was quite ^ue Sybilla had been mamed before she 
 
 Boston, but how? By a magistrate I 
 
 •resentin 
 
 And, II 
 
 io the Ee 
 
 ow this 
 
 In the 
 
 for his^ pr 
 
 tn ill-asso 
 
 e was a 
 
 *on have 
 
 r"in h 
 
 it 
 
 But Sybilla was not satisfied with this. She was warrw , ^^^^^^^^ 
 tEe W of ^ the land,^d coul d rua^ uway wi t k Dick N a gl t^ im^eTher 
 
 time, without causing public scandal, but th» was not en 
 
 ■y . 
 
 fe^'i45*J^^&& 
 
 'fe 
 
 mm^'J^mmM 
 
 palpab 
 
 1, and p 
 ipect, thei 
 lion of wl 
 
 as blind 
 ss.v, who, 
 10 can bi 
 iso prett 
 
 }oung n 
 
 '1 of the e 
 
.: V ^«f .... 
 
 
 f-.^iT-^ti^-*; 
 
 r * •*•• ] 
 
 t the door, love flw 
 
 am sore the coui 
 
 ifter you write, I ' 
 
 ter ag^ while; shJ ^^ g^^j^^ j^^^ conscience or hJ, •.-.k ' r 
 
 >f him. and Wishf^^ ^ ^^ . ^ ^"^*' *^' ^« cither^for, strange to say, he 
 
 ^k-she will be r iNe/yrranrH: ^'' '™^^ ^'^* '^"^ «^°"'d «»op in 
 ,; let her feel whtl^^^lse^ -ragain, byade^an, hire 
 
 r, -■P'f "''"^^'f"'^^^^^ ^o deeply-shocked Mamma Nagle. 
 
 And whUe the.. resonant steam^gle'' whirls t^^ 
 o th Empre Qty, let „s just take a backward gl^c, and^ 
 low this marriage came about , K^ce.andsie 
 
 In the fi«t place, if you have been blaming Richard Narie 
 
 ■ edncaUon. hi» vJ,^ _, ^ „ .. ' 'T "* *"'«'<' N»«te was not to blame; 
 
 , return. 1 -Ul Ir " in holT^ ? * ^^ *" "°" """«'" l^^-^^ 
 ^h.givenupfCJ.^n,:™.;"'"''' ^''^"'^ "''- *™wn ". 
 
 Npable, gave Mr. Nagle .„ „„<,.^„^ ^ ^^ 
 
 - bi nd a, ba« .bbu. these things-it w,s..bitio». Sister 
 -. «ho. wuh womanly quickness, saw how the land h, 
 
 ■» pretty, so fascinating, and so lady-lite. It half u.med 
 
 She was «... ,:r:.ry:',::^rH^; -;: '"^ :='■ <'«p'- --^^^^^^^ 
 
 ith Dick NaH'^ ^ . . "° "^'^' "C didn't c are f.-.r hgr wpaifh - 
 
 It this was not en 
 
 Aad^Mafs how 
 
 jle were fiir on t 
 larried before she 
 
 
 llof the enchanttess without a struggle. T^hat i. bJu ^ 
 
 ..in 
 
 
 !f^nfc-,-^ 
 
p 
 
 • .'« > .V' 
 
 <3.-^' 
 
 -^- 
 
n 
 
 I I 
 
 /I 
 
 I 
 
 h * 
 
 •38 
 
 TffE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 To be sure he proposed the secret marriage— he was afraid ol "o* be 
 losing her-but she consented almost without a demur. She i|veiy day 
 very wicked, very bold, and unmaidenly, this unfortunate herclPuttrng 
 ineof mine, is she not? But how am I to help (t? IhaN»^eland 
 searched for perfection, and foiled to find it— even you and 
 as near it, I im sure, as it is possible to be, make side-slii 
 sometimes. And, besides, if she had been perfect, instead 
 * the feulty creature you find her, I could never have written tl 
 story, you know. 
 
 Bessy Nagle and Frank Shield were the two witaesses of 
 
 marriage. 
 
 Mrs. Nagle knew nothing about it; she had not even se 
 what was as clear ag noonday, the love-p*5sages, and when, 
 ter Dick's trip to the South, the secret was told, the good lac 
 only feeling for a while was one of unmixed constem^tic 
 She^^ not ambitious, she was oftly an humble Christian 
 trbn, longing rather to see her children virtuous than amc 
 the great ones of the earth. She was shocked, she was grie\ 
 she was full of apprehensions for the fiiture. 
 
 " God grant it may be all for the best," sighed poor 
 Nagle ; "but I'm afiaid of it I woul^ rather he had mar 
 Fanny Shield." 
 
 Dick wrote home the day after his arrival in New York, 
 marriage had been performed a second time, on this 
 -—by a dergyman, who hadj aa deJ b e bffltjla tod^te 
 
 ingit 
 
 They were stopping at the St. Nicholas Hotel, and 
 
 ■ ,iii-Ju4il;»;.:.i 
 
 rife 
 
fir, ' ^^ 1 ^ / , • J / 
 
 ' THE ViRdiNIA HEIRESS, ,3^ 
 
 ;e— he was afraid ol not be home for a fortnight qvK.iu 
 
 u M saved rztrzcr "" "■'^^^' 
 
 hi allowance of pocket m„„ . grandpapa's Kb- 
 
 h it With a r«iCtr "" '""^" '" ''«■«'- 
 
 he .«d 0,1, ^nT^tot^Tair ", *'' ""'^"'^ 
 V-wiU. he, therefor thJanroT '""'"'^ '™»^ '»" 
 
 applied. ° ""^ wardrobe must be 
 
 Dick, too, must be anaved in all a. 
 
 ' Which „a.^„<, ^ pe::!:;r;ert::i """r 
 
 ^eaters must all be visited in a 7 themselves. The . 
 -^ci.e.e.a;Cr:hr-„^--veal. 
 
 F". D ck Narfe wenf ♦>,««» . ™ornmg'. In short, 
 
 r «. i^agie went the paee so fast the first w«»k fK,» u 
 
 fe hotel bill was paid thev ^.a .u ^*' ^^*^" 
 
 Led. ^ '^' *^''™*^'^^ ^'* » veiy ill grac^ 
 
 While the five hundi^ lasted, all had been" well wh. -. 
 M gone, she reali«yi f^r »k. «_. .. . ^" ^e"~when it 
 
 ' gone, she reali«>H ^ ^^.1^' ^" ^ ^° well^^he.^ 
 ^^-^. ^i^J^J^t^^tiweshe^ad^^maiTiedapcior: 
 
 Ft was worse than that with Dick. When Svhni ' 
 
 waen iybUla's sammong 
 
 ij..! 
 
 '■fv^Si*:.., 
 
 
§ 'f-^-^rv 
 
 
 140 
 
 TiaS VIRGimA HEIRESS, 
 
 i ;l ' 
 1 1 ' 
 
 
 to come to Vii^nia at once reached him, Dick had no Aind^ 
 for the journey. It was irom hand to mouth with them at the 
 €irm, and highly creditable to him that matters were so well] 
 What was he to do ? — for go he must Borrow 1 There; 
 Frank Shield saving up for the^iast two years to many blacl 
 eyed Bessie — he would lend it Frank gave him his whole lit 
 tie fortune of one hundred dollars right willingly, and Dicl 
 bought a new suit of clothes, a few fixings for the cottage, anj 
 started. 
 
 Thai was all gone, Sybilla's was gone, and they must 
 home. The bride's pret^ &ce looked decidedly sulky all tl 
 way during that long day's ride in the cars. It was a rainy daj 
 and the windows were steamed, and the landscape wet andNHif 
 maL 
 
 It was almost dark when they reached the village, still raij 
 ing, and no conveyance there to meet them. They were 
 expected for another week, and, of course, must walk hot 
 through the pouring rain. Of course, this litde promenade < 
 not tend to improve Mrs. Nagle's temper. Her jaun^ hat aj 
 willow plame, and trim traveling-dress, and buttoned gait^ 
 were ruined with wet and mud, and Mr. Nagle's silk bat 
 roperfine broadcloth were deplorable to look at ; but they reach 
 'tome at las^ to find only Mrs. Nagle, Sen., in. 
 
 Bessie had gone np to Shield's to spend the afternoon. 
 . Th^ were not expected, and nothing was prepared. 
 
 •..■"-■5;' < 
 
 fri* «■-- 
 
 iie mw out on the kitchen hearth, and the parlor was at sil 
 Hid wvciia^ painti being cleaned, ceilings whitewashed. £vd 
 
 u • ^ jiiuKj>>i>Aia. ft \^&^ .,/ t.-'l^.pC^p* **4i t'.^ft Aik^i<i, 
 
'.^-.'i.'^^^^^f^WH^^^^ 
 
 -■H4, 
 
 Dick had no fiinds 
 th with them at the 
 latters were so wellj 
 orrow 1 Thera 
 sars to mairy blacl 
 him his whole lit 
 willingly, and Die! 
 for the cottage, an^ 
 
 and they must 
 
 idedly sulky all tl 
 
 It was a rainy daj 
 
 idscape wet and^u 
 
 he village, still raij 
 ;m. They were 
 i, must walk hor 
 little promenade i 
 Her jaunty hat a j 
 id buttoned gait^ 
 Ragle's silk bat 
 at; but they reach 
 , in. 
 
 the afternoon. 
 wu prepared. 
 
 tit 
 
 ''^ ^JiGINTA HEIRSSS, 
 [thing was cold, and dreary and rn«,#u-*i 
 lof in that tidy household' ^"^"^ *" * ^^« ^^^^^ 
 
 -onthe..a.bu^t^l::^ 
 And ^wa. the bride's return honw/ T 
 
 I \K 
 
 V\< 
 
 V 
 
 -i 
 
 '• < 
 
 
 
 r-'Jl%k 
 
^4. 
 
 
 ! I 
 
 ua 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 CHAPTER Xnt 
 
 AWAKENIXa 
 
 lilll i I 
 
 I 1 I 
 
 Sybilla lay awake for hours that night, fcr the first tim« thir 
 ing seriously of what she had done. At last she was beginnij 
 to realize that the step she had taken was of a grave, nay, 
 awful nature, and involved not a month, nor a year,, but 
 whole future life. 
 
 She had gratified her whim, as she had gratified a hundj 
 others — rashly, impetuously — and now she must abide the c^ 
 sequences to her dying day. She had given up wealth, luxi 
 devoted friends, a happy home — for what? For a pair of haj 
 some dark eyes, and a well-shaped nose. 
 
 Well, she had got then^ and ought to be satisfied. . She 
 not bargained for education, refinement, gentlemanly mann^ 
 high principles, or anything of the sort, and, if the^ were la 
 ing, ^hat right , had she to complain ? She knew beforehJ 
 what she had to expect ; but she had ^hut her eyes, and \ 
 the &tal plunge head foremost, and what was there tQ cry abc 
 But she did cry— <miet, miserable teaiS of repentance. 
 
 spoiled child was sick of its gratified whims, tked of its newj 
 and wanted to go home again. 
 
 
"' ^- ^ ^T>-*iS'? 
 
 T^; 
 
 SS. 
 
 >-«f -tjfi; 
 
 r the first tim« thi 
 
 St she was beginni 
 
 ! of a grave, nay, 
 
 nor a year,, but 
 
 [ gratified a hundf 
 must abide the ci 
 
 n up wealth, luxi 
 For a pair of haj 
 
 le satisfied. She 
 sntlemanly mann^ 
 id, if the^ were la 
 >he knew beforehd 
 t her eyes, and t\ 
 IS there t^ciyabo 
 af repentance. ^ 
 1^ tked of its new! 
 
 is 
 
 "^ffS yiRGtNIA HEIRESS. .^^ 
 
 Impelling; a^d tZr""™^ "^'""^ -«-'*'». -- 
 
 »n p«kee.ha,dki„:hie£ """"^ »« """f"" to hem her 
 
 ^he™, never 4„ .<, i.„ ^ ^ ^ r. . ^ 
 
 |he ball-room • ne J! ' ' ""^'^ ^'«" ^"««" ^^ 
 
 UneZ;:~^^"^"^°^^"^«--'^ Never 
 
 .^^r''^'""''"^^"^*^"^-hereT^nnyso^ 
 
 d scSl? r "'"'^ "'' "'^ *^ *^-^- -ver came "^^ 
 'd sold her birthright fo. a mess of pottage. 
 It was mariy in haste, with a vengeance «n^ 
 ire, vengeance, and repent at lei- 
 
 Poor little Sybilla ? ^ ^ 
 
 cod dimlv f«, k siumoer. Perhaps he under- 
 
 ooa flimly, for he was not obtuse thiQ imUf*^ a 
 
 hd when quK-n . '*'*'* °"'«"ered young man ; 
 
 n nth K " ^^^^^^ o^^Hmn^^r-^Jet her alone, there 
 nothmg th. matter." he desisted at ohce. She h d no" 
 
 uch respectforher husband, whom little shock-heade^,:; 
 
 fi! afv .•> ' <("& A .*, i„ «; ^^^^Jj^yl .' 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 ^rl' 
 
 
 ■ill ^ 
 
nil! 
 
 ;iii!| I 
 
 
 . f 
 
 
 sc-yf 
 
 K. ..... 
 
 -A^ 
 
 j^4 * ' TffE VIRGINIA HEIRkSS.^ 
 
 \nd girls, playing in the streets/liailed as "Hallo, Dick 
 ghe who had once dreamed of wedding a CorSair. a Count Lara, 
 a grand, unapproachable being, with ferocious whiskers, and 
 clmeter at his side I , * 
 
 • The 'family met at breakfest Mrs. Richard received Bessie' 
 greetings with a degree of coldness that gave that young lad 
 mortal offense. She noted, too, the sullen silence she.maii 
 tained, her averted looks. , Dick's overcast fece, and saw at 
 glance how matters stood. Miss Nagle compressed her lip 
 and paid no more attention to her high-born sUter-in-law fioi 
 that hour forth<^ ' 
 
 After breakfest, Dick woul^ have Kked to go to wprk, 
 was the busy harvest-time, and his presence was badly need 
 
 K-among the hired men in the fields. But his lady had issu( 
 her sovereign commands— he was to' take her driving. So Dii 
 had the newly-painted gig brought round, and took his seat 
 side her, and drove off. 
 Bessie and her mother looked after them with a very dissa 
 
 fiedair. 
 
 It wai 
 
 si?'s tera 
 
 (ing from 
 
 over am 
 
 Still-^it 
 
 tell a wc 
 
 in her se 
 
 She ws 
 
 and he n 
 
 ' It was 
 
 walk to tl 
 
 secutfve \ 
 
 In fom 
 
 could fine 
 
 pathies?— 
 
 Thackerti] 
 
 and paintJ 
 
 lights to 
 
 Eustace, s 
 " Dick ought to know better," said Bessie. " He ought ^y. 
 be in the harvest-fields instead of riding like a king round 
 
 country." 
 
 . « 'It isn't Dick's ftnlt," said her mother, gently ; "and, 
 for her, poor thing 1 why, she doesn't know any better." 
 ALS b e'U tow to J»ip K^tb en/! tetorM JBct^ I V jhe <ap'' 
 
 my Lady Hiflr Hopca any; IdBg^^aftd »hc jdJ^r as w^. find ^ve been 
 
 -^ 
 
 jicikifcflsbit.' 
 
 You see 
 us class c 
 ose them, 
 leserts;. T 
 
 !he never 
 
 
 A:ft>^6Ji^.. 
 
^x 
 
 ^ -..r 
 
 9 "Hallo, Dick 
 isair, a Count Lara 
 )us whiskers, and 
 
 rd received Bessie 
 ^ethat young lad 
 silence she.maii 
 foce, and saw at 
 )mpressed her lip 
 n sister-in-law fi 01 
 
 to p> towQrk. 
 ;e was badly need 
 his lady had issu( 
 ;r driving. So Di 
 
 with a very dissai 
 
 Le a kii^ round 
 
 :0^. 
 
 S«!Jt 
 
 TffS VlRGmu HEIRMSS, 
 
 '45 
 
 It was two o.clock when they returned, and^dtoner and Bes- 
 
 si^s temper were neither of them improved by waiting. Judg- 
 
 ftngfrom the 6ce.of the happy pair, the drive i^ not been 
 
 over and above delightful, and Dick scarcely ate a mouthlul. 
 
 St. l-,it might have been from a spirit of perversity, for who can 
 
 tell a woman's motives ?-Sybilla was detertained to keep^iim 
 in her service. 
 
 She wanted, in the afternoon, to start on a woodland ramble 
 and he must be her escort * 
 
 '> It was a sultry. August afternoon, and they had a nice dusty 
 walk to the woods, during which ^biUa did npt speak ten con- 
 secutive words. ' 
 
 In former days she had found ei^ough to say to him, now she 
 could find nothing. What did he know of her tastes and sym- 
 
 ^. VK- ., P''^''''-^^^°»'»«d Shelley, and Dickens, and Bulwer. and 
 ndtookh^sseatl Thackeray, and .'L E. I. r ^t did he know of pc^^T ' 
 and painting, and feir foreign lands, and all the themes she del 
 lights to chatter of to Eustace?^ Ah J if she had' married 
 i. "He ought ^^^^'^'^^"^—^^^^-b.en at a loss for something to 
 
 You see. tins unfortunate SybJUa was one of the very numeiv 
 .us class of mortals who never Value their blessings umU they 
 ose them, and then they ass^ime a ^lue trebly beyohd thi 
 
 X, gently; "and 
 ^ any better, 
 
 j|iay «s w#. fi^d 
 
 ►mngteililnthowxaticfiHJippwW 
 been a $6od girl, and maxried bor'c 
 
 might 
 
 
 lie nether would havt beeii ashuned of km 
 
 I 
 
 -^i^y 
 
 n- 
 
 
 r. • 1 , 
 
 :.i- :■ 'i 
 
 ■I. 
 
 jl 
 
 ./.l.j 
 
 
 
 i^alJl' 
 
 hit onttagii^ 
 
 " -■*<~''-c'T'^^.#iit 
 
 - -'t 
 
 >y 
 

 146 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 grammar would never have made her wince ; he would not have 
 been awkward, and countrified, and silent, or had lai^e, sun- 
 burned hands. He was not handsome, to be sure ; but what 
 did it matter about a man's looks? 
 
 She felt herself degraded — she had made a "low marriage," 
 and lost caste forever I 
 
 She felt herself as for above these New England rustics as the 
 skyi^bove the earth—rand here ihe was one of them 1 She had 
 made a horrible, irreparable mistake I 
 
 The love that tinged all things hitherto'with couleur de rose j 
 had evaporated, like morning mist in sunshine, and she was left 
 a miserable, lost creature I 
 
 Were not all the heroines of her novels and poems unsp^ka- 
 bly unhappy young women ? Had not Gulnare, and Medora, I 
 and Jane Eyre, and Edith Dombey supped sorrpw in spoon- 
 fuls? 
 
 To be haughty, and handsome, and wretched. Miss Tr^l- 
 
 ian had considered the height of earthly ambition — but Mrs. 
 
 Nagle looked on these things with a very ^^rent eye. She 
 
 was as wretched as heart could wish ; but where was the ro-j 
 
 .mance? 
 
 To have married an old millionaire, and hated him, and! 
 been in love with a poet, and lived in splendid misery, withl 
 diamonds, and velvet, and point-lace for eveiy-day wear— /4a/ 
 would have been delghtfiil But in this unbappiness there wa 
 
 all the prose, and none of the poetry of life— in this misery,] 
 f Kere the men dressed for . dinner by taking off their coats and 
 
 S^hfls-ji'' 
 
 ^y «^^^- 
 
 . '/-i** . >f , »,> 
 
my 
 
 * 
 
 •^ 
 
 "low marriage," 
 
 , rj/E VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 ■\ 
 
 M7 
 
 hi 
 
 dining in their shirt-sleeves, and the women scrubbed their own 
 floors. Wh<y could endure degradation like this ? 
 
 SoSybilla, having obtained the desire of her heart, was very, 
 very unhappy. ^ 
 
 "Give a woman her own way, arid it will kill her,"say»^n 
 old adage, an^Nlfear there is a good deal of truth in it, although, 
 .being a woman \yself, I hate tp own it. . - '^ '^ 
 
 The miserable days dragged on until nearly a fortnight had 
 passed away, and Mrs. Rjchard Nagle managed to make herself 
 and everybody around her exquisitely uncomfortable. Did she 
 hate her husband ? By no means. But she had he^n a spoiled 
 child, arid she was never satisfied. She must have been very un- 
 reasonable to find any cause of dislike to him, for certainly he 
 was a model to all married men. 
 
 Let her be ever so petulant, ever so exacting, ever so queru- 
 lous, he bore with every whim in silence, jie obeyed every com- 
 ,mand— h? went with her or staid at home, just as she de- 
 sired. • 
 
 He talked or was silent, read aloud or did not, drove her, 
 walked with her, or staid at hemeHtsTTpleased her capricious 
 will. He wore his best clothes every day, and played the gen- 
 tleman of leisure to meet her approbation.. But he ipver 
 
 met it -> ^ 
 
 All be got for his pains were cold, averted lo^, bitter, re^ 
 gretful words, and torrents of despairing tears — very hard 
 
 to^ borii^ BuTHe Bore it, and Begsie's ey«; flasheJ^as^she 
 sawalL 
 
 r:r 
 
 I 
 
 \ 
 
 
 »»t* ^A-i. >ft.5cAfc _-i?^C- *. 
 

 r t 
 
 ■tyii^:- 
 
 148 
 
 TffE VIRGINIA. HEIRESS. 
 
 "You are more like a spaniel dpg than her husband," said 
 said she to him, with passionate scorn, "licking the hand that 
 strikes you I No wonder she despises you I I should despise 
 you, in her place 1 What has come ov^r you? You used to 
 have spirit enough, but you would disgust any one now !" 
 
 They were standing together in the kitchen, the brother and 
 sister, alone.% He had just entered, moody and downcast, after 
 seeing his wife citing as if her heart were breaking, and Bessie's 
 words were the last drop in the full cup. 
 
 "Let me alone I" he cried, starting up. vehemently. "Let I 
 
 me alone, or I shall go mad between you I I tiy to keep down 
 
 the devil that rises within me. and here you must come and 
 
 arouse it again. Listen tome. Bessie Nagle." he caught her| 
 
 arm in a fierce, hard grip ; " when I married her. and thought 
 
 of all she gave up for me. I swore inymrdly that, if she ever re- 
 
 gn^tted her maj-riage, it would not be my fault, and I'll keep 
 
 that V0W. I don't care what she does, or what you say I'll 
 
 keep iifhat promise." \ 
 
 B^ie shrunk back, frightened at the outburst 
 
 ♦/She would think more of you if yoa did «.keep it" she 
 
 xf-' 
 
 "Perhaps so; but that makes no difference. Whatever hap- 
 pens, she shall never sajr it was my iault" 
 He |eft the house abruptly. " 
 Bessie interfered no more. She siw now why be had grown 
 
 hat thai i^tf TOmprejBton of liis 
 finn lips meant 
 
 if^^^^kitt^ ^h^Sfdf^^^m^^}-ik^^ 
 
 ^i?*, 
 
:,^.V.|rf|:^,B ii^Y^Y-- 
 
 
 •••',* '^hJW 
 
 ' vi'&P:"^^ *' '**i^'i*^^ 
 
 nt& VTRGtmA HEIRESS. 14 j 
 
 She wondered if he cared for her still, in spite of all ; but. 
 I with all her tact, she could not find that out 
 
 "She despises him," thought Bessie. " for his want of spirit 
 m puttmg up with her. and. if / were in his place, I should 
 [hate hw. 
 
 Miss Nagl<j came pretty near it as it was. and took no pains 
 I to„ conceal her dislike. p ^ . 
 
 SybiUa looked down on her withcontempt, and fiesde x%- 
 I ^"™«^ " w'th he^y, undisguised dislike. - 
 
 Sybilla wept anj sulked, aiid was taunting and cruel to her 
 husband, and he bore it with a fortitude that would have been 
 heroic in a wealthy man. Perhaps it was heroic in hijn-^Sy- '^ 
 b.Ila thought so afterward, but the beginning -of September 
 brought her a dreadful shock. Bessie was the primary cause. 
 D,ck was lying under a tree, in the afternoon sunshine, i«idint 
 aloud to his wife, who might jpst as well have read to hcnelC 
 when Bessie approached with a very determined look. 
 
 " Dick," she began, without troubling heraelf to make an et- 
 cuse, "Peter Lyman has cut himself, and there's another inan " 
 wanted to mow in the East field. I think you have played 
 fine gentleman about long enough, and had better take Peter*. 
 [place." _ __ - , 
 
 Dick looked up at his wife. The angiy blood had rushed ta 
 I her fece, but she sat silent 
 "ShalUgo?"heaskeA ^ 
 
 - % 
 
 "J»8t as you ldeas(^"iepried;;Syl,iHa, shortly; *^iti»i^ 
 ing to me." 
 
 
 .M-.S^X^V^. ■„ 
 
 •i 
 
III! 
 
 Hi 
 
 !1M 
 
 '^'^j:\:-T^^U 
 
 150 
 
 TJ/£ VtRGimA HEIRgSS. 
 
 'J 
 
 It may be something if he does no^gy said Bessie, stunj 
 o he qu.,k '.When a man o^^ a hukd dollar/and 3, 
 not worth a hund^ cents, ^t is time he,4s up and doing 
 Your husband, only a former, M« Nagle, not a gentleman 
 , as you seem to think." 8'^""eman,| 
 
 " ^ "^^^ ^'^o^^ht so I" said Sybilla, bitterly. 
 
 < ^^'-r^^on flamed in her crimson cheek, but her brothJ 
 
 grasped her arm m a vise-like clutch. f 
 
 "Silence!" he <,ied, in a voice that made his sister quail J 
 "not one woid I" ^ •' 
 
 Sybilla looked a. him «onished. I. ^ « new revelation ,o| 
 fcer, but she forgot it in a moment. * 
 
 She sat where the, had left her all the afternoon, and Dick 
 Nagle doffed his fine feathe. and went out into tile fields 
 
 l^din'g ""' '"™°°" "' ■"" "^ ''"« "■■» "'-"-ed I 
 
 At snpper-Ume Sybilla «w him. He came in Bashed -lot I 
 
 .hi?!'""'"''""'''""" *^«'»<'*«>n.? Wasitfo, 
 *"*e gave ,p grandjop.. and home, and fi.tn,e, and fti«.d, 
 «dallth .lnT„ ri ^ nfliW I. ,.u. too m uch. 8 he ran o«( o I 
 
 tho W»^K^» J "^"^ '*" out Of 
 
 fte kHchen and up stairs, and flung hen«lf on her bed, and 
 
 .-■I*', s^.' 
 
 -* 
 
 h >1 V»1Yi 
 
i' 'fl'^j^vvi^-'ir.;:/ 
 
 
 said Bessie, stunj 
 €d dollars, and isl 
 is up and doing.l 
 not a gentleman,! 
 
 :. but her brother) 
 bis sister quail ; 
 
 T r 
 
 new revelation to 
 
 T^J^ymCINIA HEIRB&S. 151 
 
 wept such tears-such passionate, rebellious, burning teara- 
 as she had never shed before in her life. 
 
 "Oh, Iwish-I wish I had never been boml" she sobbed 
 aloud, in her despair. "I wish I had died before I ever came 
 to this 1 Oh, grandpapa I grandpapa 1 if I were only home 
 again I" 
 
 They had missed her in the kitchen, and Dick had come up 
 m search of her, with a lighter heart than he had had for many 
 a day. Came up just in time to hear these pleasant words, and 
 to witness these anguished sobs. He turned ^d walked down 
 stairs ^gain without a word. . , 
 
 V^ff! 
 
 
 '" 1' 
 
 «- 
 
 noon, and Dick 
 ^to the fields, to 
 ice his ill-starred I 
 
 in flushed,"|iot, I 
 heard them call j 
 Jll him he «>«/</ 1 
 
 ssylian, of Tre- 
 
 e? Was it for 
 
 e, and friends, 
 
 She fan out of 
 
 her bed, and 
 
 '' \^^^ . 
 
 ,W7 
 
 } ■ i 
 
 W: 
 
 •h' 
 
 hi 
 
 f^'^" 
 
 ^^ 
 
^ 
 
 -#^ 
 
'■^^ 
 
•► *. 
 
 a; 
 
 M^. 
 
 .■^*€^iS¥rf^ 
 
 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HMUtMSS. 
 
 ,3 <■'' 
 
 1 1 
 
 CHAPTEkXIV. 
 
 okandpapa's uetter. 
 
 • ^Golden September came, bringing- long days of amber sun-l 
 shi;ie. and breezes scented with new-mown hay. Trailing vines 
 -hops and honeysuckle-overran the cottage-front, darkening 
 the wmdows with curtains ^ Nature's owp festooning. Roses 
 and heart:s-ease bloom^ in^'the garden, and any sentimental or 
 moralizing stiangerwi^hanced to pass might-have exclaimed 
 m fte language c^fToin Moore— 
 
 "If tb 
 Ah 
 
 *h5?^ *° 5? ^°'^<J in the world, 
 that u humble might hope f orit here." 
 
 Pleasant alliferation of h's io that I 
 
 Perhaps if was that the hearts' were not humble, but puffed 
 up with ^godlyj>ride, that pe«:e was not to be found there. 
 Once iti.ad been Ae abode of peace and hospitality, and all 
 other agteeable things; but that was before Mr. Dick Nagle 
 had the honor of marrying an heiress. Since the auspicious 
 day on which Mistress Dick came home, gloom and discontent 
 naa ruled supreme. i , 
 
 ^ck I%le had gone back t o his old life, and slaved as ngy.r 
 
 ~ _-— ''•r^_ '"*> """ amvcu as never 
 
 ^w^nffie ne^oes on Grandpapa Tresylian's estate. He 
 ym. up and out, morning after morning, while •tl»e-.gtai& that 
 
 4.i • 
 •1 
 
 j(^«ji?«i .«• 1 1,1^ )rk yZ'' u; -e " ^'■" - ''f i- |tu!, ' <, . , «£ 
 
 "' ,' , ay.tWf'Sjiv't^j^N 
 
>'t"i- f-y* 
 
 h 
 
 ■* r « V V /■■»*'< 
 
 rSS VIRGmtA HEIRESS. 
 
 «53 
 
 |kee> Ae latest liouis yet winked in the sky. He toiled as he 
 Jhad never toiled before, hearing the day's burden and heat, and 
 pe iate-rising moon found him at it still. His wife was seldom 
 jmade wretched by his society, and he kept himself and his 
 Ihomespun clothes, and imperfect grammar, as much out of her 
 [way asvpossible. 
 
 He donned purple and fine linen no more to please her. 
 [Where was the use, since the man was the same inside? He 
 khangedfrom the lightest-hearted, gayest young fellow in the 
 Iplace, XQ a silent, grav?,, thoughtful man. I had almoit said 
 Igloomy man, but the word would not fit He was neither 
 I gloomy nor morose, only silent and dispirited, as he well might 
 [be, poor fellow I 
 
 But he accepted his fatyvith a brave patience that was gnmd 
 
 land heroic if Sybilla could onljr have known it--»«r* heroic^ 
 
 perhaps, than the deeds of that pet gentleman of hers, who' 
 
 " Left A Corsair's name to other times, ^ "" 
 
 Linked with one virtue and a thousand crimes." " 
 
 He never complained ; he worked like a giant, and grew thin 
 [and sallow, and lost half his beauty. 
 
 As for Sybilla— wicked, guilty little girl, whpm I am afraid 
 I you will learn to hate — she was just as miserable as her worst 
 I enemy could wish. . j. 
 
 She had made a wretched marriage, andi of all the mttfor- 
 lOC this earthly ^ « », 1 thi ttk a» mp)rttinfrctir wirpM r^ 
 Itbat . - ""> ^ r . 
 
 She wiibed di6 had never been bom ; abe wished the ^Mtf 
 
 " \ 
 
 m 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 M 
 
 .««;.*S 
 
 <H ■.,•.;- 
 
 
 <" 51^. 
 
':^'i/.?^'^*^trf 
 
 «54 
 
 TlfE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 dead; she wished she had married Eustace; she wished al 
 . manner of things rebellious and sinful, but she never got ani 
 . of them. All she had valued so little while in her^ossessio 
 assumed a value now absurdly out of reason. Oh 1 to be , 
 free and happy girl once more, riding among the lovely Vir- 
 ginia woods, with servants at her beck and call, and all the lux. 
 uryandpoetiyof life around her, the envied, courted hei^ej 
 She had given the world for love, and thought it well lost an, 
 now even the Jove that she had fended, in her romantic ign, 
 ranee, would gild their poverty, seemed to have died a natu 
 death. 
 
 What did she care for this low-bom New England fenner, 
 unworthy to unloose the latchet of her imperial shoes-this un'i 
 educated young man, who thought Dickens stupid, not to Sa; 
 silly, and could never make head or tail of the Revolt of Islam 
 How could any one care for a husband who preferred Lev 
 to Thackeray? And yet I am- not sure SybiUa did not care 
 little, after all, for a pang sometimes smote that cruel selfis 
 little heart at sight 6f his altered fece, and the brave sileiice witl 
 which he bore some cruel taunt Sometimes when he sat lat. 
 into the night in the moon-lit porch, his head leaning dejected- 
 ly against its vin^clak posts, her better angel whispered to herl 
 to go down and comfArt him with one kmd word. 
 ^ "It is not his feuli^ Sybilla," that pitying spirit would say. 
 '' and he is your husbahd, after all. Zfe go 1" 
 
 "He had no biWQess to many me I" pride said bitterly, a« 
 
 reryiunju 
 'U never 
 So the 
 impassabl 
 In a w< 
 Sybilla sp 
 unhapf^, 
 writing bi 
 find a ne^ 
 wild flow< 
 jmentaiy n 
 Septeml 
 at an end. 
 Eveiybo 
 his wife wei 
 envied him 
 might not 
 an heiress. 
 People p 
 her, they s 
 looked at t 
 turned up 
 had she to 
 were now. 
 and paint fl 
 she hadn't 
 French? 
 
 **. 
 
6<st (..-"pf-f. I'-fA"*' 
 
 s* 
 
 ■'-5, 
 
 / 
 
 ; ■: 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS 
 
 />55 
 leiy,^njustly; "he might halve known I would be m^rable. 
 rU never stoop to one so for beneath me as he is !" / ' 
 
 So the gulf widened and wi(|[ened, until! it grew at last quite 
 ^mpassable. , ' / 
 
 In a week, perhaps, they did not exchange a dozen words. 
 ISybilla spent her time rambling about the country, listless and 
 junhapRy, readi^gtt| books when she could get them; and 
 jwriting bad ve||Pi^ she couldn't Sometimes she would 
 jfind a new novel laid on her chamber-table, or a bouquet of 
 Iwild flowers, or a bunch of grapes, and she would feel a mo- 
 Imentary return of that pang of remorse. 
 
 September cam^ to a close, and pick Nagle's honey-moon was 
 I at an end. 
 
 Everybody in the village knew how matters were, and he and 
 Ihis wife were the current gossip of the place. Young men who had 
 jenvied him, and wondered at his good luck, began to think it 
 Imight not be such a desirable thing, after all, this carrying off 
 [an heiressi • ^ '^^ ] " 
 
 People pitied him, and abused her unmercifully. The airs of 
 I her, they said— the women, of course— were sickening. She 
 looked at them as if they were the very mud under her feet, and 
 turned up her nose when they spoke to her. What business 
 had she to be so high-stepping ?— she was no better than they 
 were now. If she could play the "planner," and talk Frepch, 
 pgd paint flowere on p a ^ c bo ar d, wh e re was th e g oo d o f it-wfceg 
 she hadn't a "planner," and nobody Could undeistaad 
 French? l« 
 
 '■T 
 
 
' 
 
 • ■ r 
 
 r 
 
 iy« 
 
 '■ -"wSSfJ®^ 
 
 «9B «»«»«« ;j2r«^*j. 
 
 They hoped she would bebroortf ^ 
 
 ""eiriifein .he »»e ho„,e w'^her '"^ ""^ '^'"'^^1 
 
 In all this time there came no letter from V • • 1 
 
 ■ friends might have been all dead and LI r V^ "" 
 to the contrary. Dav afer T T ' ' '" "'« ^"'4 
 
 oust to the J^ffi^':^ ,;L T """"' "''' ""J 
 
 ^--ha.at..„,thin;itr.:::?~"'h ^-^i 
 
 •» Ret punctually, and which »,y ZlTl^"'^ "r.' "H 
 «"... she nearly gave up in blank dZ^ h! "" '*' 
 , b^n too ,rea._g„„dp,p, -„„„ '^^ "« cnme had 
 
 ^ her in V „„„ , 3,^ ^^^ Jl^J^^ ^e. never wri,. 
 
 fcope to get a glimpse aga,n of .he bright wol TiT """ ' 
 
 ^S'.e«,d.„ki„gs„chmise.blehot::l'.tL ''" 
 afternoon early in October. She sat a. Z . ' °"° "'"' ' 
 
 « <he leaden sky, the sodden ^L .d"' '°°'"''* ""' 
 »i», eying w4hed, silent Jrs It 'h h J '"^' '*'^'"'"' 
 to raiture out "ail dav and .T '^" '°° "« f"' ""e' 
 
 Pito-fork, With the ^int;tvnt:;°" ""'"*°' '' ■• "^^^ 
 ^^^^.up „d«nttoU.ebe«, Of the stairs. „d c^ledim- 
 
 ae alw.„ „a,^ ^^,f . ^^^ ^^ . _ 
 
 J!*" gyj-P yilfa-ao ncl8rin«L..w. -^ J-" ^ I ^i:'?^ 
 
 S^. 
 
 
 
 came to 
 
 i'JU'* rf * 
 
 ■»«wiia?6&^ 
 
f. 
 
 
 
 TMB VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 U 
 
 ^. 
 
 «57 
 
 "^ ret And; asj 
 how they endurcdl 
 
 in.Virg^fnla. Her 
 for aM she knew [ 
 •hrough heat and] 
 Jg heah, and day] 
 ntment. VVe^llI 
 sr which we«aptj 
 When October] 
 Her crime had 
 her, never write 
 here, and never 
 she had left I 
 these, one rain)> 
 ow, looking out 
 'ting, persistent 
 too wet for her 
 • of its clearing 
 o* if it rained 
 
 >nd called im- 
 
 It is too wet to be out" 
 
 h 1 
 
 i.1 ■' 
 
 "What is it?" she asked. 
 
 "Is Dick in?" 
 
 "Yes— he is in the kitchen 
 
 "Tell him I want him." 
 
 Dick came up stairs obediently. * 
 
 "I want you to go to the post-office, "said Sybjlla, withofit 
 ,waste of words- "itistoo rainy for me. There waybealet- 
 ter." 
 
 Dick descended the stairs again to the kitchen, and put on. 
 his hat and jacket without a word. Bessie paused in her wash- 
 ing to look at him.* ' 
 
 " Where are you going, Dick ?" r 
 
 "To the, post-office." ' ' ' ' • 
 
 "In this downiiour?' I would;i't go a step I If pepple' are 
 so worried about letters, " said Bessie, raising her vofce for Sy- 
 billa's benefit, "let 'em go themselves J They ain't sugar nor/ 
 salt, Igyess." , . ' '. 
 
 " Hush 1 Bessie," said her mother, gently. . '• ., 
 
 It was a very frequent admonition from tie good woman's 
 lips of late, and sl^ sighed as she said it, arid looked anxiously : 
 after her son walking in the rain. • . "* 
 
 ,"Popr boy 1" she thought, and fora;noment there waa an 
 angry, rebellious feeling in her heart for the capricious- beauty 
 up stairs; but she was a true Christian, and it waa but mbmwi. i 
 
 ^^. . y -. .:.:...: -■ / • ' ' '"". ■'. 
 
 %billa waite4 with characteristic impatience. How doi ho • jj^ .^> 
 was 1 Sh<j could be there and back in half the time.' ' " 
 
 ■;f'ti^-^ 
 
 
 a 
 
 
"K 
 
 
 'M, 
 
 '58 
 
 TffE VlRGimA HEUiESS. 
 
 But at length he came, wet and 
 
 him. 
 
 weaiy, and she flew to mee 
 
 ^^ . *' Have you go^ it ?" breathlessly. ' / 
 
 ^J Yes I" he pulled a letter out of his pocket, and handed it tol 
 
 She glanced at the writing, and, with a scream of ioy A 
 npstai,.. Itwasinhergxand&ther'shand,andpost-Z;rked 
 Taunton. She kissed it, in a sort of .pture, a hunted ^ 
 then torejt open, and devoured its contents • 
 ' Mt CiAR Chiu) • * Tk«sAian HAli, Sept. j8. 
 
 I will not sixik of ,k?M ' . !" """"ght It advisable to wiit 
 have eS3L^^ You LorhoXT""^' "'."^ ^«-^^\ 
 all. I am neitlier ,4Sd to he^T S """ "^ r^S*"' '' 
 loss, and yet I can „eve°S you fntu'vou co'ISIo ™ ""r ^°"' 
 own accord, alter breaking the tmCeMhaTtod ™ °^''"' I 
 
 3Xi?£rr.s.iit\sfi'si!s?^i^^fr„f^^ 
 
 .^gu^Come back to me, mv darling- I am^£^i»i^44Sri^ 
 imr Come back to your deS5^nd&S. ^^* 
 
 , • . Gkorgb p. Twsiuan. 
 
 L¥ 
 
 B»>5W*As»&3|g^^ 
 
and handed it tol 
 
 
 
 TiKS VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 *59 
 
 . CHAPTER XY. 
 
 • '*0H, MY COUSIN, SHALLOW-HBARTKDI" 
 
 Mrs. Nagle wept for iiilly two hours over this epistle of grand- 
 papa, and yet it was a great comfort to her, too. She wiped 
 away her tears, presently, an4 fell into a reverie, the most agree- 
 able she had indulged in for some time, ' She let her &ncy 
 [''drift away to what might be if she willed it. Home in dear old 
 Virginia — home, and grandpapa, and the pleasant life gone by 
 awaited her again. She had only to say the word^ and ajl she 
 had forsaken would be restored. She had an instinctive coa- 
 viction that the man she had married would not oppose her — 
 that he would bear this as he had borne so (much already, and 
 make no sign. . • ' ' * 
 
 And if he did, what mattered it? — ^whatwas A« against the 
 Tresylians? She had very vague ideas of husbandly authority,- 
 and gingied that the chain that galled her could be broken as 
 easily as she could draw oflF her wedding-ring. \A8 for any moral 
 obligation to cleave to her husbandt Sybilla never thought of 
 /^/ at all. \ \ 
 
 She would have opened her big gtay #ed in wide wonder, if 
 you had told her she could not desert him without grievous sin. 
 
 \ 
 
 '^i-^^^^»Mf*i'i^ki»!i^^^^Si<^^Mk 
 
 
 •'1 
 
 \ ; 1* 
 
 i«.i »f»- 
 
*f"7^^1^''*'^ ^7^ •*''^^?f!^?" 
 
 
 too 
 
 .\ 
 
 ■ .4 
 
 -., J. '■ ■ 
 
 r/r£ VTAGmiA HBIRBSS' 
 
 She wasveiy ifi:nonint and foolish, poor child-drifting about 
 on the sea of life, without rudder or compass, whither her own 
 capricious will bore her. ^ 
 * So she sat while the October i^n beat against the glass and 
 the evening darkened ^wn, and thought of what might be. 
 She miglit Jcave this Axkty life, and go back to Tresylian any 
 moment now. / 
 
 - She thoaght, nntil she could see the waving trees, the late- 
 blooming Viiginia ro^es, the femiliar black feces smiling 
 "young missus" welcc^e back, and darling grandpapa, stately 
 and kingly, with his white hair and loving smile, holding her 
 in his arms. ' " 7 
 
 AH might be as of old again, and yet-^ I Sybilla, why is it 
 jrou pause, and look down with that regretful fece at your shi- 
 ning wedding-ring ' Is there-so deep in your wayward heart 
 that you cannot see.it-the old love, st^ngest of all on earth 
 lingering still? ^ i . 
 
 She sits there, twirling that golden circlet round and round, 
 whije the daylight darkens, and the picture of Tresylian Hall 
 grows dim. By^n4 by she rises, and, leaning over the banis- 
 tei; calls: 
 
 "Dick!" r 
 
 ^ ^ller husband came to*the foot of the itain. 
 ;;*' Will you please bring me a^mp?'' 
 Her tone was ferless arbitrary than ustal, but perhaps he did ' 
 JioUiflflceitln^J c w m in u tes h e w « m herc hamb^FWfhl 
 ligbtedlamiK - . . 
 
 'V' 
 
 ^ 
 

 r, !■ a- 
 
 ■>'/"? ':u'.'*"', 
 
 \ THE riRQmiA aMIRESS, ^ ,l6l 
 
 •VWouId you like to know what grandpapa says, Dick?" Sy^ 
 billa'asked carelessly, but not unkindly. 
 
 " No, not particularly — unless you wish it" 
 
 "Oh, /don't wish it," said Sybilla; "but I thought you 
 might He wimts me to go home again." 
 
 She looked at\him as she said i^ expecting some demonsti^ 
 tion, perhaps. * (i 
 
 If he had lost his power over her, she had no idea of losing 
 hers over him. He was to be still her slave— her adoring lover, 
 fit to go pad at the bare idea of losing, her. 
 
 No sUcb demonstration came— he heard her, grave, and pale, 
 and silent 
 ' "You will do as you please." . " ^ 
 
 "Which means, I suppose,*^ was the angry retort, "that,>vii 
 don't care.** 
 
 "It would not matter much, if I did," said Dick Nagli^ 
 calmly. ' ' You are your own mistress. You shall do a/you like. " 
 
 He walked out of the room as he q>oker SybiU^ was thor 
 oughly provoked. • I 
 
 " I have a good mind to wjite and say I will go on the spo^*^ 
 she thought, angrily ; " ^ doesn't care. "( , V 
 
 But she didn't ^ , . 
 
 She began a long^ passionate letter, lull of compound adjisc: 
 tives of endearment, notes of admiration, and innumerable er- 
 rors in orthography and grammar. She^Panted time — ^would 
 
 ■ ■-■''si'Si'. ,'- 
 
 ] ■.': 
 
 darlmg grandppa^^^^r a Uttle while longer to ibmsidcrT 
 Supper cut her short 
 
 -■f:. *' 
 
 
 ■:^;i' 
 
 
 ■:-S^^^S0^lA>:^i:kA:f^^,^:;^i •^'^' fe 'J^^^':'- 
 
 
 
■ • -I ^ V .t 
 
 163 
 
 /V, 
 
 T«B VlRGmiA HSIRESSi 
 
 Frank Shield and his sister Fanny were, there when she went I 
 down, and the kitchen looked clean and bright Mrs. Richard 
 Nagle never noticed these low people, and for Miss Shield who 
 was tall and handsome, she had a paruWlar antipathy. ' She 
 was jealous of her without knowing it, aid never opened her 
 lips all supper-time, except twice, to say, fiigidly, -no more 
 thank you." ' 
 
 The moment it was over she letumed to her loom and her 
 letter, which she did not finish until ten o'clock. 
 
 After that, Sybilla's life was considerably more •nduiable 
 She could put up with the dreariness of existence here; know^ 
 mg she. could leave it forever at any moment Why did she 
 not go at once?_you ask. I cannot tell_no more could she 
 I only know she didn't <- 
 
 Sh^Iingered, and lingered, and made the lives of those around 
 her a misery to them, and tormented that unfortunate husband 
 of hers, and felt a sort of pleasure in doing it She knew he 
 loved her still, and ther^ is a spark in the breast of almost all 
 womankind that makes them take a delight in torturing those 
 who love them best Perhaps it is to feel their power, know- 
 J wrA one penitent word th<y can more than atone, per- 
 
 but never mind, reader, take &ct8 as you find th«m 
 ^October passed, then November, and Sybilla began to growse- 
 nouslyuneasyatgrand&ther's prolonged silence. Hehadnever 
 ^nswer^ her letter, or jather letter^ for shebad writte^abo^l^ 
 dozen, and here was the winter coming on. The thought of 
 
 ■*f' 
 
 '-I * JW-J ' 
 
 \ •« 
 
 
„ ■^ r^ r 
 
 when she went j 
 Mrs. Richard 
 [iss Shield, who 
 antipathy. She 
 w opened her 
 ly# "no more, 
 
 room and her 
 
 >re tndurable. 
 e here; know- 
 Why did she 
 are coiUd she. 
 
 !* those around 
 nate husband 
 She knew he 
 of almost all 
 •rturing those 
 K)wer, know- 
 atone, per- 
 
 «m. 
 
 n to grow se- 
 
 le had never 
 
 tte nabou t^»= 
 
 TffE VTRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 163 
 
 the winter frijghtened her— the long, long, desolate winter in 
 this gloomy cottage among the hills and sandy plains of Massa- 
 chusetts. 
 
 What if he had changed hjs mind, and withdrawn the offer 
 she would not accept at once? Sybilla was frightened, and 
 troubled in her mind. Matters between herself and her bus* 
 band were rather worse, if possible, and she bad cause to draui 
 the wild, long winter so very near. 
 
 One desolate November afternoon,^ Sybilla Nagle stood think- 
 ing of all this with a gloomy face. She Stood leaning against 
 the paiSture-bars, her hood thrown back, and showing her &ce 
 pale, and thin, and fretted. Her shawl flutteied^in the long, 
 cold blast, and her "hestnut curls were blown about under her 
 hood. That anxious, worried look seemed to take away half 
 her beauty— the rose-bloom had feded, the bright hair was diy 
 and dim. 
 
 She stood there, a lovely figure against a gray background of 
 sky. Brown, bleak fields spread aw% on every hand, over which 
 the long, lamentable blasts swept «ghing, and the low, dark 
 sky closefl over the landscape like a pall. It was all desolation, 
 like her life, a ruined blank, and she shivered miserably, and 
 drew her shawl closer around her. Cold and dreaiy as it was, 
 it was preferable to her lonely room, and soshe lingered while 
 the, dull afternoon grew darker, and a few featheiy flakes of 
 snow whirled through the opaque air. " H# - u* ' 
 
 
 
 
 thought of 
 
 RSsestly "the Tigufie of a man, stndlhg across tiie bar^ broWn 
 fields, caught her eye. • I 
 
 ji2<' 
 
 I 
 
 
 
■^.M-'^tfS»m 
 
 .K ■'■f... 
 
 
 
 164 
 
 t* 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 WT^at was there familiar in the figure and walk ? What wa, 
 It that as he drew nearer, set her, heart. phii^ging sowildl.J 
 
 ired""*" """ '^'"* '^^' ^^ ^^^ ^^^ o^t:' 
 "SybillaJ" 
 
 tmt, she leaned against Uw ban for support ' "^ ° ' 
 
 -•And «,™ „«, ^i„,„t. ^,^ «iH.holdf4' her lands, 
 «.d lookmg at h.r altered fac^ .. oh, SybiUa I Sj^billa f ' 
 ^^. cove^d her lace at that reproachfnl c^, and bum ta.„ 
 
 V "^^f^""""" »"; "I •«« done wrotw; bu, to^ ^ 
 l!.U8ta<»-I have suffered as well as you I" *. - ■. , ' 
 ^_ "I see ,ou have," he said, looking at h^fei^^^^s 
 
 pwrwithmel" ' » ^SST 
 
 "Hush 1 hush I" with an imploring gesture. -Mn^ of 
 
 h™, of grandpapa. Have you come from yi,glai.> .; 
 "Yes, direct" , " 
 
 .^ '-And grandpapa-Why did he not answer my letteiB ?-why 
 aid he not write?" . " :/, - ^ 
 
 "To tell the truth. I ^ Um «ot'ta i told; him no 
 good could cone of it ; to wait and l,i me see you. I blow 
 you Will return with me, Sybilla." ' " 
 
 a». sigha -bi .. e.ly. , ud luu ted with d«a.y ye. ov«r the 
 
 oarkemng prospect ' ^.' : .. - ,' ^ - T 
 
 
 "• .'"'.d'-r-*' 
 
^T(^£-im 
 
 '^ 
 
 i^v 
 
 ' *' 
 
 -r^ 
 
 ^ .->^ 
 
 rjfS FJXGIMA SEIJIESS. 
 
 ■•>' 
 
 ^.f 
 
 qtjt? Oh, Sy- 
 kd iialiuci nation 
 tion of the life 
 afresh ; c^j^ we 
 
 165" 
 
 *^I dofc't know iprhat to do I I want to go^'home, and 
 yet-—-:'. ' " 
 
 "Anctyet— -' Can you have anj 
 billa I surely you have awakened 
 long ere this ? How can you bear" 
 you lead ? But, 'fcomtj ; it is beginni 
 not talk within doors?" 
 
 " Will you come in ?" asked Sybiila, shrinking a iitUe at the 
 
 thought-'/' ,/ ". 
 
 . , " ■ '■ , ' 
 
 "Certai%" said Eustace, coolly; "why not?- These kind 
 of people have no feelin|^ at Icast'not like ouisl It is imjios' 
 sible to talk here, and iit to you i wiM/." 
 
 The spow was begfiiaiiigto fin thick *nd fiut now, and they 
 hurried across the fields in the teeth of the bhwt 
 ^ "Ugh I" said Eustace,, \^th a shiver^ "these horrible New 
 EngJand winters I Why, Sybilla; if you sfirvive the nlhr|i|ll - 
 torn, the cold alone would kill you.^- ^V 
 
 They were at the cottage while he tros speaking, and Sybilla 
 openett the door and entered," followed by her cousin. She led 
 the way into the little parlor, which looked humbler apd barer 
 than ever before, and she blushed with mortification as she 
 thought of the super!? drawing-room at Tresylian Hall. A* 
 bright fire was burning, and before it sat Sybillas hii^ljan^, JQ 
 \iXiu>orkingchihes. t ''• ^ 
 
 res ov«r the"! J^oorsf biira T tfi^^contiatt was a croel one. She aliddst hated 
 the man she had married, at that moment She^uld sf* tbp 
 
 '^■: 
 
 
 ■>■• 
 
 f 
 
 
 
 »*— ' 
 
 gi'*? 
 
 .,»xV> • 
 
'\ c^ 
 
 <^. 
 
a<iiii> "iTTiniiiifiii 
 
 
 V?'^ 
 
 160 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRJ^SS, ' 
 
 . contempt in her cousin's eye, the sneer on his lip, and feer bit- 
 tfer mortification was complete. ■ 
 
 Thertwo men looked, at each other. Mr. Tresylian bowed 
 stiffly. Mr. Nagle madfe no bow at all. 
 
 "This is my cousin," Sybilla said, and, instead of the con- 
 ventional "very happy," &c., Mr. Nagle replied, sternly : 
 
 "I know it!" 
 
 Eustace, se^nely contemptuous, took a seat, Sybilla took an- 
 other, and both looked at Mr. Nagle, as much as to say. "Be 
 good enough to leave the room." Perhaps Dick Nagle under- 
 stood it, for his fece settled into a look of dogged determina- 
 tion, and he kept his seat. 
 
 If his wife and her cousin, once almost her husband, had any- 
 thing to say, they must say it before him, or not at all. Sybil- 
 la's eyes were flashing, and her ch^ks aflame, but she dared 
 ndtmake a scene before her cousin. She could not veiy well 
 take him up to her chamber, and there was no other apartment 
 save the kitchen and Bessie's sleeping-room, in th# house. ^ 
 she sat, humbled to th^very dust, and inwardly raging at the 
 clod she had marrie^ who knew.no better, when his wife had 
 company, than to sit persistently in the same room!" 
 
 Of course confidential conversation, in this state of aflFaiis, was 
 cut of t,||^ question. ** 
 
 Eustace sat about fifteen minutes, the snow-storm was in- 
 cpeasin|,night was drawing on. He arose to take his leave 
 w itha cold nod to Dick. Sybilla followed him to the p orch! 
 -^teremeyiifllfe^ talking in a low,^onfiderifel tone ib? teT 
 
 ■,;y,.-,;,; 
 
 
 '.«<^ 
 
 .. JjSi-i 
 
> *^«f* f^'t 
 
 
 
 'i 
 
 p, and her bit- 
 
 Fesylian bowed 
 
 d of the con- 
 sternly ; 
 
 'bilk took an- 
 s to say, "Be 
 Nagle under- 
 2d determiria- 
 
 •and, had any- 
 it all. Sybil- 
 >ut she dared 
 not very well 
 jr apartment, 
 chouse. So 
 aging at the 
 his wife had 
 
 )CaffairSj 
 
 I, was 
 
 onn was in' 
 ^e his leave, 
 >the 
 
 rff£ yiJtGiAriA^^/jij^^ 
 
 :one for ten lum. 
 
 I minutes, then he walked away and S^rh.n '^1 
 
 [lor, where her husband sUIlT; ' ^"""^^ ^^ ** ^' 
 
 Then the storm buret 
 
 SyMiahadato„g„e,„d«sedit She paced „„,„. . » 
 
 k lowest ^ Wf r rpI^»lr''•r""'^*•' 
 l " It was ve^ hard she could .ot^T f"" 
 
 pie was pas. be.ie£ She would no. JT^I^^T ^ 
 
 K » "-"fon .0 asociale with civijized V " "'°°'<' 
 
 nigh, have known be.Id " """' "" "^"^ ^^e 
 
 ^3^anda,wa.r;L:3rr:rt "'^■ 
 
 t. Of .he .<»„. and .o„ up!ui/.otn. ht^l"' "" """^ 
 Jeteare. .. ^"^ ^®^ anger m passion- 
 
 The snow-storm Hid not am mm* ♦ 
 
 '/. sunshine diasiitedi. Ill '"""'' **" »"-»«' 
 
 Sybilla was confined to bed all rt,. r 
 
 -ache; bu, when he. coll^ ^s:" ,? ' '°""' 
 
 Bgre ^ ir -fec e to t h e 
 
 ^ and answered v,^ coldly. He did 
 
 tiused^ 
 
 •<^ 
 
 not 
 
 J. 
 
 , *.• iiiffc. 
 
 V 
 
 
 w. 
 
 I ■' 
 
 
 -Pi 
 
 
llTinrtfTilfliKlliMW 
 
 81 I 
 
 II', • 
 i 
 
 ■NM&. 
 
 '* !M^, 
 
 
 W 
 
 i68 
 
 Tir£ VIRGINIA HEIRESS. * 
 
 He was busy abodt the &rm until after four o'clock, and then 
 he flung himself down upbn a projecting rock in the East field, 
 among the yellow stubble and broom-stalks. He lay looking 
 at the low yellow light in the Western sky, and thinking of the 
 picture he had just seen — his wife and her cousin walking to- 
 gether over the distant road. 
 
 He lay for upward of an hour, then footsteps and voites 
 sounded in the still evening air— femiliar voices, and the rustle 
 of a silken skirt ., 
 
 Sybilla and Eustace were drawing near. They sat down ton 
 the veiy rock under which he lay, without ever seeing him. \ 
 
 He did not get up. He lay still as a statue, with his ha 
 drawn over his eyes, and heard them. 
 
 Eustace was urging his cousin to depart with him for Virginia 
 liie following week. 
 
 "Why do you hesitate?" he demanded, impatiently; "what 
 under heaven can detain you here? I cannot be that you still 
 care for that man ?" . 
 
 ** It isn't that," said Sybilla, passionately. " I don't care 
 
 for him— sometimes I think I almost hate him 1 1 don't 
 know what it is — I want to go, but something seems to hold me 
 back." 
 
 "Then bring him witb^ you, "said artful Eustace; *'if yon 
 can bear the humiliation, we can. These are your grand&theii 
 _E9^^ ,If you accept , I rema i n unt il _next jrggk; Jf yoa refus el 
 
 newed. 
 for Euro 
 '•Iwi] 
 withered 
 go I I ai 
 thing,-an{ 
 have said, 
 alone i" 
 
 She aroj 
 
 part togeth 
 
 But he (j 
 
 stars came 
 
 kvemberwin 
 
 [sH^L 
 
 When he 
 I the fiice th< 
 ■ dead man. 
 
 or hesitate, I leave to-morrow, and the oflTer will never be r^l v' 
 
 
 Q 
 
 
 
'% 
 
 
 J» 
 
 u. 
 
 # 169 
 
 have said If heaccemc u. k- ^'" ^®" ^™ what you 
 
 aloner '^''' ''^ ''" ^°™«''^^e refuses, I will go 
 
 She arose as she spoke, and the mute Kift.„.,K . 
 part together. ***^"*'' ^ea«l them de- 
 
 deadmaa ** *" ^^^ « the |ice of a 
 
 -h"- 
 
 
 
 i»;»-.f'» 
 
 never be r^| v 
 
 Bi^iss#« 
 
 e- 
 
 .,.1 
 
 'V 
 
 -A-*^ 
 
B* '■•*.' 
 
 t: ~' ■ J*. In ;r-.V -\»i<^ 
 
 -^ 
 
 170 
 
 7W£ VlkGINIA HEIRESS. ' 
 
 I 
 
 r 
 
 *!>,' 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 FRKB. 
 
 Supper was over long before Dick Nagle reached Kome, bui 
 Bessie had his hot under the kitchen-stove> She alone was in 
 the kitchen— his mother had gone to see a sick friend. - As sht 
 pqured out his tea, his sister said : ^ 
 
 /"She" (Bessie always referred to Mrs. Richard Nagle as an 
 indefinite personal pronoun), "j^i^left orders that she wanted 
 you up stairs as soon as you came in." 
 
 Djck drank his tea and arose, -. , 
 
 "Why!" Bessie exclaimed, "what's the matter with you 
 Are you sick, that you can't eat your supper? I thought yo 
 looked kind of pale." 
 
 "I am well enough," Dick answered, slowly going out of th 
 kitchen and up stairs. 
 
 He found his wife pacing up and down the floor in a hi, 
 state of excitement, her cheeks rosy flame, her eyes starry brigh 
 A half-written letter lay in loose sheets on the table. 
 
 "I have been writing to grandpapa," began Mre. Nagle, wi 
 sta rtl ing abruptness, pointing to the scattered sheets j^/^ 
 
 He 
 
 it, l6o] 
 
 "Ic 
 
 ateiy; 
 
 I shall I 
 
 Still 1 
 
 "Gra 
 
 writing \ 
 
 "WhJ 
 
 ShestJ 
 
 "Don 
 
 or not ?" 
 
 "Doy 
 
 "That 
 
 "I want t 
 
 'ng or aot. 
 
 "Tell ) 
 
 me. No," 
 
 sudden and 
 
 I do not th 
 
 fit— I shall 
 
 V Theywer 
 
 saw him I 
 
 Oh, had s 
 
 He desce] 
 
 going home 1" 
 
 •lathung in 
 night was fro 
 
 A ■' 
 
 %-':!t 
 
vu 
 
 J^' 
 
 ^^ 
 
 : "•>-'■■ 
 
 ' - « 
 
 ached Some, but 
 She alone was in 
 : friend. >- As she 
 
 lard Nagle.as ani 
 that she wanted! 
 
 4tter with you I 
 I thought yod 
 
 going out of thj 
 
 floor in a hig 
 ^ Stany brigliti 
 ible. 
 ire. Nagle, witl 
 
 Hj 
 
 '^"^ nsamtA mtJtsss. ' ' 
 
 "Grandpapa says y^ can com^ if „ » 
 
 Whatever you please." 
 She stamped her foot with passional. • 
 -Don't answer me like t,,7rT '"T""' 
 or not?" ■ ' *'' ^'" ""^ ^l^ether you will go 
 
 "I)oyoua;a»/inetogo?" • 
 
 ing or Rot. " ° *'" grandpapa you ara com- 
 
 " Tell your grandfather whatever vn..v.ri, • 
 -- NV'hesaid, noising his^^''":"^^"°^^'»^ to 
 
 ;";^enandi.pe.tive Jshetlr'.:^^^^^^^ 
 
 I do not think I can bear any mor* I r ^#t"^ '° "*^- 
 
 fit-I shall not interfere." ^ ^^taflS you think 
 
 . They were the Ia«t words he snoke • .-. . 
 
 saw him I ^** ; " ^ the la«t time sh« 
 
 Oh, had she known whaf tK,» -^- 
 Hedescend.. .k. l''.' ''*^ ^"^"^ ^^^ ' 
 
 iended the stairs tt,Kl left tfa^Kouse w ^ 
 
 hat hung in the porch; he nut f^.J / "^^ •»** 
 "%ht waa fiosty an^ stalil * " " '' "^'^'- ^- 
 
 "'^iit The young mai» wtflked np. 
 
 ■4 
 
 ^ 
 
 ; w I 
 
 rri 
 
 «:^ 
 
 .ii ■.; i 
 
 ■i; 
 
 I 1 
 
 > ■4'" 
 
 / 4- 
 
 
 .-g 
 
■ V.' ' 
 
 "f 
 
 ^'X 
 
 
 
 hi ,4 
 
 I'l * 
 
 V 
 
 kM 
 
 ,♦ Sybil 
 
 
 I'^S^^^'^''^'''"'"''"'""''^*'^'""^' '" 
 
 
 ..li • 
 
 1% W soon le^ th^lihkKn^ts q{ Ae vai|<l»fer W " *" 
 
 •J»*. •*««!* ""ft"". She wa,^a*diiSlf*;:i4' ., wt 
 
 iSkfH^BIiHH^^F'' f ''■ Olj Salt I ■■ ' "^ • • \ »■ J 1 ■* V ^^'f'^i " ^^'•^ ■ ' B"-^^ j^v 
 
 iS^jJil^^gat up ui^,late, aiic^, addl^ *Jfijwj^ line?^' I "^ '' B« 
 
 lently ej 
 tbat has 
 him?. \ 
 
 "Notl 
 
 ing home 
 
 Bessie 
 
 "Oh, J 
 
 come, too 
 
 know hofl 
 
 what you'v 
 
 ago I Id, 
 
 come to hi 
 
 She bun 
 
 f^^f^^lwe n^momirig. Breakfest wafiver when she 
 
 
 Do y<Hi know where Dick is ?" Mre. Nagle as%| • "he has 
 
 M 
 
 m in to breakfast". 
 yp>^ : •' T -"'"said Sybilla; "he was out all night" 
 
 M-% '^^ '"^^^'^ *»d dJMighter looked at each other, Eat neither 
 iiji'^Sp- 'spoke. ." ^- ■' 
 
 Ir .;>' Sybilla finished her ^r^kfest. and went up staire aglm 
 
 • i- About ten o'clock she saw Eudtace walking in front of the cot- 
 
 )., ^ ta^. and went to m^t him. They sauntenKl away together, - o„e ou 
 
 : ' and ,t was late in the afternoon before Sj-billa returned. She I trembling. 
 
 ^^ , had announced her departure for thV second day after, and mn I Oh, what 
 
 . upsta,«tol^gin packing up. She had been busy for nearly I That nigl 
 
 an hour, and the short November ^ay was darkening down, lofthelostn 
 
 V when the door was unceremoniously flung open,^^d Bessie | Fmn^ Sh 
 
 burst m. *fV ■ 
 
 Sybilla turned around angrily, but the rirl's whi 
 her. g|^ 
 
 <*'4iWptwi see Dictf^-Be^ie 
 
 rv»/'S.V,;i''ti;-\:-fe. \*- 
 
 *ere,on the j 
 itartled | excitement; 
 In the cott 
 I, Brea&- f *as not mil^] 
 
 
' t^ 
 
 
 ^^^ r/^cr/A7^ iSK/iPi?^^ 
 
 '73 
 
 fiver when she 
 
 % ■ 
 
 sfeed- "he has 
 
 ■k, .. ■ 
 
 er, lat neither 
 
 ■J 
 
 ' stairs again. 
 >nt of the cot- 
 iway together, 
 sturn%d. She 
 after," and ran 
 lisy for nearly 
 kening down, 
 h «^d Bessie 
 
 r^'d.vouandhequan-elV . 
 
 •en..ye,c..e<,. '■H^Z'^'^ '"r '" ^'^ B^-e. vio- 
 
 *« <>« been .e,„ „ heardc fo^ ,"' wl"' '"" ''"" '^ 
 o™ ' Wta. did ,„„ «, .„ „,„ ;••"' «">« ".1 you .a„r „f 
 
 " Nothing, •■ faltered Sybilla fri^h, 1°"' ""'""^k-owr 
 ■■"Sho^e. lasked him .newt ' "°'"^*»'I™,^ 
 
 ^ "°''- ^-'« .oi„, hce^^"^ tt '* ^ 
 ">■»«. too? Vou wanted him ,„ ^°" ™°'«' "» to 
 
 "- ".0. .ou wan^edl yo^ T ^°" ' O"- V«. I 
 "-ha. you've done ; and J „„,„ JZLT"^ '"'" ""^ ' '^>'"» 
 ;«<>' IXon'tlncwbathas^:;^'^'"" r^o-" W 
 ~".e to him, ri,_i.„ ^.^^^'"i ""^ f anyhann has,, 
 
 She burst out-nf ^k ' 
 
 trembling. "" "'"" "^^i"' '«'"»g g^bill. „«« ^. ; 
 
 oHhe ,o« mr^-"f^'t'^ ^^ ■■'^'"-'«' -o - 
 Frank Shield, and half a do».n^ '^^^ ^ 
 
 »-^on thesearch. The place ^ ''""1 "^'" °' *« village, . 
 ;---; -thin,.!. 1 ::-;-- Of „„p^,,„^ . \, 
 
 ! ^° the cottage the m^^h.^ wgE n # J ' -^^^ 
 
 Was not mj&h 
 
 <««»; ib ,h w" "' ^' 
 
 -f,' 
 
 ,»v 
 
 ^* 
 
 -I 
 
 •' 4( I ffl 
 '.M' Jlfl 
 
 1 1 i 
 
 , «,»* 
 
 .. . ; ■■/■ >' : - •■<,■-. /■.,'!. / . 
 
 rf 
 
 <? 
 
 ^ fe,i 
 
 I'm 
 
 ii 
 
>^ 
 
 
 7»ff vjRGfffiA Heiress. 
 
 ,.,...^-- / 
 
 ' 6f terror) ^^i^, and rem^e as is i&describable. Oh 1 w^at, 
 
 vihat ha4 she\done ? 
 
 The third davoKissed, tfaie fourth, and the fifth brought tbem 
 a letter. It was i^his well-known handwriting, addressed to 
 Mrs. Nagle. \\ 
 
 Eustace brought it to Sybilla from the office, and sbfe tore it 
 open; but il^was not for her. , It began "dear mother." Still 
 she read it in an Ecstasy of thankfulness. He was not dead, 
 after all. Her most terril^l^fear was removed. 
 
 New York, Nov. 17. 
 
 Mt Dear Mother; 
 
 I am sony to have given you so much anxiety on my ac- 
 count as I know you halve felt ; but I could not help it. I 
 think I should have gone mad, or did something dreadful, if I 
 staid any longer. The night I left home I walked t^\ Boston, 
 and took the cars for I^ew Yort next momihg. ^^I wen*^ to the 
 docks; a steamer for San Francisco sailed next dajig'^ The steam- 
 er is the Qolden Star. Before you get this, I shall be hiindreds 
 of miles ^way. You must not think hard of me — it might be 
 •worse if ^^ staid. The devil flis so strong in me, sometnnes, 
 that I think I m«st have killm myself, or some one elst, \i I* 
 did not leave.' Pray for me, ind it will be all for the best Gi 
 my love to Bessie and the Shields. , Tell Frank, if I live t will 
 pay him what I dwe him, in six months. I don't know when I 
 will come back— flaever, perhaps — but always pray for your af- 
 fectionate son, RicHAfU) NaguS, 
 
 V ' ' '' '\ \ 
 
 l^ot one word of her, the cause o^all — his wretched, guilty wifel 
 
 ^ Sybilla flung down the letter with a despairing ay that rai^ 
 wildly through the house. */ n - ,' \[ 
 
 " Ob 1 what have I done ? ulrhat have I done? ' Oh, Eft^ven] 
 
 above 1 what have I done?" 
 
 \ ' 
 
 They 
 
 tace rea( 
 
 terrible \ 
 
 Mrs. 1 
 
 «Gon 
 
 Even 
 
 and trie( 
 
 cally. • 
 
 , "Gol 
 
 you out 1 
 
 hypocrite, 
 
 —my bro 
 
 away," SCI 
 
 before ^^ t< 
 
 another h 
 
 She mi{ 
 
 and torn 1 
 
 Somehow- 
 
 and< walkii 
 
 dazed ; sh( 
 
 dewiair brc 
 
 Iddi^e?"h 
 
 all ch; 
 
 Eusta) 
 
 interest ] 
 owyretemb 
 
 ^4* '('I^Aii'/' '*' »^ "? *'''*-' jf'^ -■• > ' 
 
 .'-': I&ti 
 
■^^^wr'^^r''p^^; 
 
 ^v,#^ 
 
 rjIE VlRGmiA HEIRESS. ,75 
 
 They were in th6,room, the mother and daughter, and Eus- 
 tace read them the letter. Sybilla's wild, hysterical sobi wer, 
 terrible to hear.. 
 
 Mrs. Nagle dropped into a seat pale and stunned.s 
 
 « Gone 1" she said, faintly, ' ' gone 1" 
 
 Even Eustace was touched with that look of hopeless woe 
 aird tned to comfort her, but Bessie flung him off fianu' 
 cally. f* ° •"" 
 
 " ^° '" '^' ^"^' ^"^^3^; "go ' both of you, or I shall drive 
 you out 1 Listen to her," pointing to SybiUa, "the cheat the 
 hypocnte. the wicked, deceitful creature I She broke his heart- 
 -my brother, who was worth a thousand like her !^.Take her 
 away," screamed the girl, in a sort of frenzy, "take her away 
 before itear her eyes out ! I hate her, and I won't have her 
 another hour under this roof I" 
 
 She mighl^have kept her word in her momentary madnew, 
 and torn her eyes out, if Eustace had not come between them. 
 Somehow-SybiUa never knew how-she was out of the hou'se 
 and. walking with Eustace to his hotel. She seemed stumied- 
 lazed ; she let 1^ do with her as he would. Sometimes her 
 d^ir brokfi forth in that wild, terrified cry, " Oh 1 what have 
 
 !lf X^"' ™''''^ -' ^' ''^ ' "^"""^ "^^ ""^^^ ''^^^ "^ 
 Eusta)(;e took h^j^ip^ 
 
 tWjoumejrdJTiSrro^rw^^^^ 
 
 Never 
 
 • ^ 
 
 interest 
 
 ^ took her home-a something that bore ft shad- 
 owy resemblfti^ce jj^e bright, gleeful girl they had loit He 
 
 r 
 
 k^ 
 
 A 
 
 .«:i: 
 
 » 
 
 1^' 
 
 •"I 
 
 

 
 ^^ 
 
 w 
 
 171S 
 
 UHESS. 
 
 ^ 
 
 4 
 
 P 
 
 ^* took her home— a haggard, hollow-eyed woman, with sunken 
 ^;^^wheeks, and a heart full of untold remorse 1 
 
 So Sybilla had the desire of her heart once more-^she was 
 l^free, and at home. 
 
 The old faces looked on her with tender pity and love ; the 
 iold luxury surrounded her ; all things hateful and low were shut 
 
 ■V. 
 
 outr^he was free 1 / 4| 
 
 Oh, no, no I More hollqpr than the apples/ of the Dead^Sea 
 was kil she had pined for. She had lost hini, and tji^ld love 
 retunied with tenfold forge. She had lost^^iim, and he was 
 deare^ than 'iall the world beside, now. At last she could see 
 hiia as hf was — noble, and brave, an^ heroic, and great-heart- 
 ed, generous, and self^crificing. At last -she could Stt her 
 own guilt— the scalttr hS &llen, Sl^ had loved him once for ^ 
 his beauty^^e lov^ him'^^now forsomjpthing fiir beyond ill the 
 beauty of J^l^lo."'^ ' ^\. . 
 
 ' But it was' too late I / , '^ , ^ 
 
 Do you tl|j^N|is changefj^ess unre^nd unnatural ? If 
 so, you know i^thing about iti^\yqBu1iave hearing <|:othat 
 never was the wind.,half so ch^g||fetj;as woman, an^m mosT 
 6ases, it is gospel truth,^^|». - 1- ' - '% - 
 
 , > Mr. Tresyljan's joy a]HR>v^ng his granddaughter was ton- 
 ^ ;5, fflderably modified by thlphange in her— thjs settled sorrow and 
 remorse. ' , 
 
 H% dare not broach the anbject of "the divorce yet He 
 
 waited; he could ifFord to, now. Time would work won- 
 
 dew 
 
 1- ^.- ' V 
 
 I «s.\ „...-« 
 
 •s- 
 

 "i^hft; 
 
 with sunken 
 
 ore— ^she was 
 
 ' THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 177 
 
 Six weeks passed away, and the old year was dying in sapping 
 
 ^ rain and erffifvating misL Sybilla sat alone i^ the gloaming, 
 
 •W dismal December day, staring blankly into the red embers 
 
 in the grate, and shivering even in their warmth. Eustace came 
 
 in hastily, his fece pale, a newjspape^n his hand. ,: "^ 
 
 ;jSybilla," l^e s^id, his voice unsteady, "I have news for you." 
 
 Slfe looked up in* a sort of dull apathy. Nothing interested 
 
 her now. .» 
 
 What is it ?'^ she listlessly asked. ' 
 
 I fear U may be^ shock to ypu, my dear Sybilla ; but pre- 
 ^ ^ourself. You know what wild, windy weather we have 
 te. It*has been worse on the coast, worse at sea ; there 
 have Ipl^many disasters." 
 
 She starte^ ift wild affright, and looked at him. He put 
 the i»per in Mia^d, pointed out a Column, and hastened fiom 
 the room. Thire was light enough in the glowing coals for her 
 to read. 
 
 • 'Disaster at sea I Frightful loss of life 1 Wreck of the Cal 
 ifomia steamer Golden Star 1" 
 
 She read on, with eyes that seemed starting from their sock 
 et8--a heart that seem«d to have ceased beating. It was a de- 
 tailed accounj of horrors, with lists of the saved and the loftt 
 Conspicuous among the latter was the name of "Richard Nagll* 
 
 Fifteen minutes passed, twenty, half an hour, Eustace grew 
 alarmed, and re-enteted the room. She had slipped from her 
 i:haic ' ' 
 
 w ith on t fi iy or groan, and-4 ; gy^ be f fiK»oittfae xgrpet, 
 
 cold and lifeless as a stone I 
 
 I 
 
 W' 
 
 ***^Ai4^-^^;&fcfe*5^4^' ^: *HAf.- 
 
 -1 » -ill,- V .-sAJliil" 
 
■a aumim- ^ 
 
 
 
 1/8 
 
 ^«l*^- 
 
 rj» VIXGINU MEJRMSS, , 
 
 II i 
 
 t - 
 
 CHAPTER XVa 
 
 AFTER THREE 'ykaHS. 
 
 At the window of a house in Beacon street <. .« , . 
 
 looking out at the crowd ebbin.rndflo ^"^ '^^^ «^» 
 
 -n. It was a bright, .par J/nTI^^^^^^^^^ ^'^«^- 
 
 "beau^-spot on the ug„^ce ofBos n Ja^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 joung lady who watches IS Sybilla and thrle f ^' 
 
 away. ^ ' ^^^ ^^^^« X*?*" have passed 
 
 Three years / 
 
 i"c woman of twenty-one Sh#. >,«„ 
 and Jess fragile • her fnrr« • *^ ^""^^ *»"«*• 
 
 lights the roundtd cheek • „„ , ■ ' ""«' "' "'" 
 
 coil carelmlv at .h. h. T/u " '^'^ '" » fining 
 
 4^ !^^r^ r ' "'°" •'■«'" i"^ ' «<'''» 
 
 ^^^^L^ -"^ " "to «ift. g .im«. „f 
 
 thwit, down^ to tte wmt-^ young nwi^ 
 
 I, S.^ ^tf 
 
^''V,,f,'^"'/^'V"' 
 
 
 ^oung lady sat 
 5ng the Com- 
 loon, an# that 
 1 filled/ the 
 J have passed 
 
 unchanged ? 
 irl of eight- 
 jTown taller 
 §r and more 
 ige of color 
 r bare white 
 n a shining 
 hree shades 
 
 it, a sadder 
 roiltlesBof 
 onn^ atta 
 
 could h«dlybe mo« .„«e«.' Bot ,h. i. v.^. My-mor. 
 thoughtless girlhood. " sparicilng 
 
 course, but by gnu>dpapa's earnest desire." She has vielded 
 •6a,nst her wi„, but she has leamed tp .(.crifice her ol^f^ 
 .ha. of o.he„, a. last. The humble name of N^e Hr^o ! 
 prec-ous to her now U«n the patHcian one of hert^^: 
 o please grandpapa she has consented, and is ^1 T^,^' 
 once more. **'»/imui 
 
 Very few ever knew of that short-lived marria« • *«, r • ^ 
 ^u* had tahen it for^n.«, She had beeTTnTs^: r^ 
 M^ WayUnd; and. though there were suspicions afloat Z 
 d«d away, aftera time. Some plausible reason was ^i *^' 
 
 'y^is^Tt rrr" ""^ »" ""^ ^-^ -« 
 
 Z. f [ ""^ ""' "^ ™ known. The Way- 
 
 tods, of cou«, knew all about it. butno one besides: uZi 
 
 ^ kept wonderfaUy ,„iet and her old friends 2JL h 
 as^Miss TVc^lian .. „.^ „, „,, ,„„^^^^ ^^ -^^^ a„ 
 
 beauty and. henes, was Miss Tresylian still. ThevfounTK 
 
 unabtountably changed and set i. h„™ . ^ ''" 
 
 loveaftir PeZ/ ' ^J" """ ""fortuaate 
 
 love anair. People were wont to sm. oCfli, „„» " v« .k • 
 
 y«y hand»me. of cou«e, but ;^ WMl^lZ^t " 
 who has seen trouble." *% J?7 ;°<"» "*« » P««»n 
 
 «« Mra lew tad Mowed the shock «f h,, kashttd-. ■ 
 
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 fi 
 
 THE VIRGINIA^HEIRESS. 
 
 ■^'u 
 
 death, and when, after hovering for weeks and we^eks between 
 life and death, she recovered, but only to fall into hopeless mel- 
 -ancholy, her physicians looked grave, and recommended imme. 
 diate and prolonged change; so that her devoted gi^dparent 
 had taken his darling to the fair foreign lands shi! had so 
 often longed to see. They wandered togetfier through Italy, 
 and Germany, and Switzerland, and Greece, an^i the yeara , 
 had gone by and Sybilla's reason and life were saved ; but the 
 ^ old light-heartedness never came back. Never came, and never 
 would^for in all these distant lands, under 'the stars of Athens 
 and the moonlight, of Venice, in the crowded ballroom :and 
 thronged street, the reproachful ghost that ever haunted her 
 'arose from the stormy sea, and stood looking at her with fixed 
 dead eyes 1 ' " 
 
 ^. She had caused a feIlow-creature:s death— the death of the - 
 
 man who4iad loved her to his own destruction, whose memory 
 < was dearer to her now than*«ll4he wo^d besidek All her life 
 , wJenied a dream, save that short timnier marriage! The past 
 ws Unreal, the present a weary blM. These three .months 
 afene stood out vivid and clear in the retrospect Oh ! if that- 
 brief time could come over again, if Richard Na^le c6uld; iis« ' 
 from the, dead, how different it" all mi^ht be.. S^e w^ld love v 
 hirt'so dearly, she would make him so h^py, njie wbuld be so 
 .unselfish, so tender, so true. Fut it was tc^o late, ah<! the pain 
 and^remorse that sometimes drove her half wild/ mtet Ijat'tn^ 
 they wrapped her in/h er w inding-she et » 
 
 She nx, this November afternoon, thiiJci^ v^^ sadly of all 
 
V 
 
 r \ 
 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS, 
 
 ^i^&f^ 
 
 this. It was the anniversary of^'that mournful da^ when she had 
 driven him from liis home to hiS death, and her heart lay like 
 
 , lead in ho- bosom. She was alone , in the house. Mrs. Way- 
 land vfbs out, ^nd grandpapa— ah, grandpapa !— was far away 
 
 . in deaf old Virginia, fighting for his'^therland. v^' 
 
 For the "great rebellion" had broken out, and its first echo 
 
 . had reached them in Germany. They had hurried home— Mr. 
 
 . Tresylian burning with a younger man's desire to mix in the 
 fray. , ' ' 
 
 . He was a "rebel " to. the backbone— nay/ backbone Ind all 
 — a^d^was Sybilla, but fo; all that he had' left her with th? 
 [^ 3fe'a?<Js. f ^ ^ere ju^t'the other way.^r In New York he had 
 I • m^ Eustace^ whi^m, he took it for granted, woul^ bum with his " 
 j^^vra fire, afld* liasten to strike fbr "God and liis native lan^l." 
 J^|do,. m. Eustace Tresyliah held a captaiAcy in the » th 
 w^rftftk, Mid calmly declined. It was iibsurd* in "t^ ' South, 
 Eustace said, to suppose that they could ultimately witv wUt « 
 they were fighting for ;'th6 North must gain ; j^aa inevit*ble, 
 and te and Jeffereori Davis & Co. would all ^o the dogs to^ 
 gether. It was for his interest ta keep on the sjde of the strong, 
 and he la^nt to keep on <he safe side. A terrible quarrel-. 
 had^9sa^,^tween Uife two, and -they parted enemres for 
 
 ^. Waldrpn and Eleanor had com« ^orth to avoid, the 
 horroTS of war, and were rPniHmj ;». ]m^^. Vi^rymtij r cot af uui 
 
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 bly, dn alitUe fortune jpre^ntedt^m by the gener(^ Vkmiua 
 
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 182 
 
 r/or VIRGINIA HBrnasl 
 
 So Sybilla was all alone, and very, very sad this bright No. 
 vember afternoon. Her thoughts were all of the past, of her 
 brief wedded life, and the trouble she had caused in that hum- 
 \Ak home. 
 
 Were they thinking of him in the cottage~the mother and 
 sister who had been so proud of him. whose hearts she had 
 wrung ? 
 
 Suddenly she started up. 
 
 " I will go and see, " she thought ; " I will gi> and ask Mra 
 Nagle to foigive me-yes. on my knees. She is a good woman 
 —she may be able to forgive me now. " 
 
 She left the room, threw on he^ bonnet and cloak, and in five 
 minutes was ready. 
 
 The Western train left at half-past five ; there was just time 
 to catch it She sent a servant for a hack, and. whilp waiting 
 she dashed off a note to Mrs. Wkyland, telling her where she 
 was going, and when to expect her home. 
 
 The November sun had gone down in red and gold long be- 
 fore she reached the village, and the ^Tz.y gloomy night was 
 coming on. 
 
 Ohl these femiliar streets and house^the post-office, the 
 meeting-house, the church. ■-' 
 
 She drew her vail over her &ce to hide the gathering tears. 
 These three years, that had made'her feel as though she were 
 forty, had passed herer and left scarce a trace of their passing. 
 -^Ivg B Jhe-Acfia B he kn e w, and the old timetami^Auyigii Uici, 
 
 M if it were but yesterday. Once when Fanny SWdl^tall and 
 
■',■ ■•%■!"*}!•'"■' 
 
 / 
 
 TffE VTRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 >ak, and in five 
 
 >ost-office, the 
 
 183 
 
 handsome as she remembered her, passed, looking^at her vailed 
 &ce curiously, a great heart-pang smote her. If he had married 
 her, he might be ali^fe and happy yet. She reached the cottage. 
 The round, white moon, cold and. clear, was rising over the 
 dark tree-tops, and the stars were spangling the sky. A broad, 
 red light streamed out from the parlor window far into the road. 
 All, all as she remembered it ! She leaned against the garden- 
 gate, her heart beating so fest that, she seemed choking, her 
 courage all ebbing away. A sound of footsteps coming Jlong 
 the road startled her. She hastily opened the gate, and walked 
 up the graveled path. 
 
 There was no curtain down over the parlor window, and the 
 .5udd^ g(ow tempted her to pause and '00k in. ^^ Th| picture 
 that niet her gaze rooted her 10 the spot. All thirtgp were un- 
 changed, the chairs, the lounge, the bed, the fire. Iil,»he rocker 
 sat old Mrs. Nagle, the fire-light falling dimly on her black 
 dress and yidow's cap, and sad, kindly face, paler *an tHree 
 years ago./ . ^ ^ ^ 
 
 In th^ comer, smoking, Frank ShieU-sfat, with the air of a 
 man ipf the bosom of his family, and kneeling before ^im, hold- 
 ing lip a crowing baby, wjis B^sie. Her laughing face was 
 flushed, her black hair tumbling about her. but looking oh ! so 
 i^iihiiitely content i. * 
 
 They were all happy, and he was foiigotten ; they did not even 
 remember what day this was. Sybilla tiirn«>H 
 
 ^wiffl, and walk e d 
 
 resolutely to ihe hotel to remain for the night Next lay she 
 went bftclF to Boston, 
 
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 184 
 
 raZ VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 Sybillawent back— back to the old life— the miserably, >yeary, 
 tread-mill existence. Went back to the endless routine of shop- 
 ping, and dressing, and^calling, and party-going that was vapid 
 as dust and ashes, and that left her heart-sick, tired to death of^ 
 herself and every one around her. She was blase, and there was 
 "nothing new, and nothing true, and it doesn't signify." 
 
 But Sybilla had some pleasant and some profitable hours. 
 When her grandfather's letters came — a^d they did come with 
 tolerable regularity, considering all things, and were filled with 
 glowii^g accounts of heroic deeds— her heart burned, and the 
 spirit of the old Tresylians lighted her fece. Oh, to be a man, 
 and fight with him side by side in his glorious cause of free- 
 dom I * : • 
 
 Sometimes the old romantic spirit filled her, and she felt half 
 tempted to gird on the sword, and %oen garcon to fkir Virgiiya. 
 But she was too much of a woman for that, and so she cdntent- 
 ed herself with pray^g for theni^ at home„ and improvirig her 
 mmd. • ,-?■• 
 
 Yes, she was improving her mind at last, and you know how 
 sadly it needed improving. Jt was Mrs. Wayland's good-na- 
 tured suggestion. ' ■ .4 
 
 " My love," that lady had said, "yoir know I never interfere . 
 in politics, but the South may lose, and, if it does, I tear rj^ur 
 grandfether will lose everything with it You hayi nothing to 
 do, why not'improve yourself in music, and Frencli, and draty- 
 
 "»??-- .You naay find these accomplishments of great leivice to 
 you heraaften' 
 
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 terably, weary, 
 utine of shopn 
 that was vapid 
 ;d to death of^ 
 and there was 
 signify. " 
 fitable hours. 
 K/ come with 
 ere filled with 
 med, and the 
 to be a man. 
 cause of free- 
 
 d she felt half 
 
 fiir Virgii\^ia. 
 
 > she cdntent- 
 
 nprovirig her^ 
 
 DU know how 
 id's good^na- 
 
 ever interfere 
 i, I fear.j^ur 
 li nothing to 
 ■h, and dra<y- 
 
 'v^. 
 
 TffE VIRGINIA HEIRESS, 
 
 185 
 
 Sybilla to^k her at her word, and had masters once moi«, 
 and practice!;! her three hours a day as zealously as Ellen Wal- 
 dron herself,|and made rapid progress. And so the weeks 
 strung themselves into months, and the months into years, and 
 the fourth and! last year of that long struggle came. Sybilla was 
 five-and-twenty, and "an old maid," budding belles said; ^j^t, 
 for all that, shejwas as handsome as ever, ^ as much admired. 
 
 There was no telling how many offers she might have; had, if 
 5he had not invariably looked so coldly on all suitors outof Jier 
 deej^dark eyes. . » ' ■ 
 
 pne only had ever got beyond silent admiration, and ^twa?^ 
 Geoi^ge Wayland. How much it pained Sybilla to refiise, only 
 Sybilla knew. , t 
 
 "You honor me by thinking me worthy to be your wife," 
 she said, falteringly. "I esteenfi a«iresp«ct you more-jian 
 any other jnan on the earth ; but I wiuhever many. What I 
 am now I will go to my gfeve, faithful vq th^ husband to whom 
 I was so bnfaithfbl in life, whose memory is dearer to me now 
 than any living nian can ever be." , 
 
 So it ended, ^^nd they parted, esteeming each other more than 
 ever. • "X'-^'-V. ' t * ■ ' " •--,•. 
 
 He saw how fixed her resolution was, and made no, attempt 
 to change it . , - • ' r) \ 
 
 That fourth year was destined to bring Sybilla a terrible shock. 
 There came to her one- day a lettei-* sealed and border*! with. 
 
 J 
 
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 eat tervice to 
 
 .**ik 
 
 Evandykd, 
 
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 TWff VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 The name was femiliar to her. He was a colonej, next in 
 command under her grandfether. General Tresylian. He had. 
 entered tne ranks a private, and risen by his deedf/ of daring. 
 Haifa year before, he had saved his general's Jife/t the risk of 
 his own, and for the brave deed won a captaincy/ '|Je was co^ 
 pnel now, and her grandfether-s dearest ^end. His letters had 
 been full of the young man's praises, i^til hfe name had be- 
 come familiar as a household word to iiis granddaughter. She, 
 loving all whom grandpapa loved, had sent sisterly messages in 
 her answers to this modem Coeur de Lion, who had a double 
 claim on h€Jr gratitude for saving that beloved life. 
 
 The letter from Colonel Evandyke was a very sad one. It 
 announcecl the death of Colpnel Tresylian, fighting like a hero 
 at the head of his men. 
 
 " He seejned to have a presentiment of his impending fete," 
 wrote the Southern colonel, "for the night before the battle he 
 called me ti him, and told me if anything happened I was to 
 write to you.: Dp not grieve for him— he died a soldier's death, 
 and sleeps iri a hero's grave. I have taken the liberty of^tain- 
 ilig: your pic^rc, as a souvenir of him and of you. With your 
 kind permission, I will keep it My loss is fer less than youra. 
 but I mour^ one of the bravest amf best men I ever knew." 
 
 Ah I what a blow that was. 
 
 She sat there in tearless aagoidi fer houra after, feeling as 
 though her heart was dead wicfam her. But this, too, pined, 
 aa all the blnwy ^f ^hiR wenn^ earth rtnuak, ilUi ^itia mmi, a^ 
 
 <Mitwaidl;rtherc4aauttlediani4 Soai^Mrt paler, toaiairiMt 
 
 ^ 
 
 .'%•, . - 
 
 / 
 
i/al; the risk of 
 
 'sad one. It 
 ng like a hero 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. ' i«; 
 
 thinner, somewhat sadder and quieter, bai to the casual ob- 
 server, much the same. '- 
 
 The mourning she wore outwardly tpld little of the deeper 
 Uwi/.of t^e heart— that must be hers whil^jtife remained. 
 
 *'Oh/\she sighed,, wearily, " how I live, 4»d live, with noth- 
 ing to live for — all desolate in 'the wide .world! Othere 
 would be happier— they would suffer and die— I only suffer 
 land live!" ^ ' ' 
 
 It was wrong, of codrse, but I am afraid it was natural. 
 I Those rebellious cries wiU ascend from the best of us, some^ 
 
 timec 
 
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 „ ■*" &4.. J* -^^^ 
 
 '•is. 
 
m 
 
 ■/ 
 
 THE VIRGINIA NSIXMSS, 
 
 \ 
 
 4 
 
 CHAPTER XVIIL 
 
 •>^ 
 
 THE BATT.LB OF HIFK. 
 
 \ 
 
 M 
 
 ' The last sun of January had set;, ^nd its latest red ray lin- 
 gered around the feir hair of Sybilla, as she sat in a low rocker 
 in her rooD^ at Mrs. Wayland's. i^^ 
 
 She looked anxious and care-worn, with dark circles around 
 her sunken eyes that told of "tears at kight instead of slum- 
 ber." \ 
 \ 
 As the light aded out of the sky, and t|ie darkness came in, 
 
 some one camertjnning fleetfy up stairs. There was a swish of 
 silk skirts, a breatfi of perfUme, and Mr?. Way land came breath- 
 lessly in. ^ 
 
 " I have run up, without ever stopping, to tell j^," she be- 
 galr^, panting. " I know what an impatient thing you 4re. It 
 is all right — you are to have the situation." 
 
 Sybil|a's fece flushed, and then gr^w very pale. " 
 
 "I aii» very gl*d,"8he said, slowly; "yes," in a mdre as- 
 sured tone, ■ " I am very glad. " 
 
 "Ofcbur^e you are," cried Mrs. Wayland, impatiently, "al- 
 ways glad to have your own wiMftt^way. I don't see any sense 
 ^^4ii4t»y«eli:--g^>iai^^4ftttly^ a govemess,-wfaeirtfaerr irnDt 
 the slightest neoeniQr for it" 
 
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 in a mdre as- 
 
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 it?" 
 
 THE VIRCmiA nkntEss. / X89 
 
 My dear Mrs. Wayland I Not thV sligh/est necessity f^r 
 
 a Uiere ut nor 
 
 "No !" pettishly, " net the slightest. SuUosipg this ho^rrid 
 war has swallowed up your fortune— suppose/y^u are poor, aU*. 
 so on— still there is no necessity.' 
 
 "What am i to, do, then '" asked. Sybilla/smiliri^; "sit with 
 my hands folded, and liVe on the charity o^my friends ?" 
 
 "No," replied her friend,, bluntly ;, ftake George Way- 
 land at his word. Marry him 1 You'|i never get a better 
 man I" ^ 
 
 A shadow J)assed over Sybilla's pale, ^ face. 
 
 "No, ' she said, "better drudge, all X life thin that He 
 is a_ thousand times too good for me ; but I don't li^^m, and 
 I can't; and marriage does not enter into the scS^o^ my ' 
 life at all. It js the only atonement 1 cJij make tp |ie dead. "' -^ 
 ^^ " Fiddlestick 1 I don't 4nter into yUx Utopian notions at 
 all. What good will it do to the dead, Lur slaving a»d mat-: 
 ing yourself miserable; when you might be as happ/as ihe day ) 
 is long) You have done wrong, and repented, and that is all any 
 ofuscando. Think better of it, Sybill^" / \ 
 
 " It is of no use-I am deeply gratefuj, but-there, j0n*t.l«st ' 
 us talk of it You distress me-tell me, instead, of Csitua- 
 tion." * \ ■ i 
 
 "Headstrong, obstinate child I Well,, then. Mrs. Simon, 
 has a sister in New Vor fe who want 
 
 wrote an ticcoant of you— your profideflcy iri 
 sic^ and french, and her sister wrote bock td 
 
 / 1 
 
 
 :i%-^\^^h 
 

 
 
 ^90 
 
 r/ffi VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 terms suited. The tertns are two hundred dollare a year-not 
 very magnificent-and there are three pupils, all girls, What 
 do you say?" 
 
 "That I am very much obliged to Mrs. Simons, and will go 
 
 at once. Yes, at once— don't say a word, my best friend. I 
 
 have been a drone too long in the busy hiye of life-it is timi 
 
 ' I was up and doing. Work will do me good. I will start to- 
 
 morrow." ' " 
 
 "Oh, Sybilla! not to-morrow. " 
 
 «'t ? Better begin at once. Since it must be done, 
 one quickly— I shall go to-morrow." 
 : course, if you will, you will-it is of no use talk- 
 ilways would gang your ain gait And now I be- 
 ^ lieye I must go down — won't you come ?" 
 
 "No, I must pack up. I shall leave by the express in^he 
 moi'ning. What is the name of my employer?" 
 
 "Mre. Plummer— her husband is a well-to-do stock broker, 
 and they will sympathize with your Southern proclivities. Mr.' 
 Plummer is a Tennesseean, and was a friend of the South all 
 the time, subrosa." 
 
 She left the roomas she spoke, and Sybilla arose at once and 
 commenced her packing. 
 
 She did not want to think— on the eve of her new life there 
 must be no feltering, no tears, no repining. It had come to 
 this— Sybilla Tre^lian was^oing ouj as a governes s I In los ing 
 
 -hergmnamtHerrsE^ehad Tost everything-fortune, home, all wa« 
 swept away 1 
 
 I 
 
 ^'■rfl? V 
 
I will start to- 
 
 TUM rUtQJNIA HM1RSS£. 
 
 191 
 
 t at once and 
 
 Yet, she need not have gone. Mn. Wayland \wmW>a.com- 
 panion~«he pressed her to stay— George Wayland camMobly 
 forward mOa a renewal of that offer before rejected, to JPlject- 
 ed again. 
 
 Perhaps Sybilla was willful still— a governess among stran- 
 gers she would be, and nothing else, 
 
 While busily packing, the door opened again, and Mre. Way- 
 land looked in. 
 
 *'I forgot to tell you such a piece of news I You won't 
 feint?" -, , • ** 
 
 - c 
 
 " Not if I can help it—is it anything very dreadful ?" 
 
 "Very! Eustace Tresylian is married. " 
 
 "Oh, is that all? To whom?'' . 
 
 "Eleanor Waldron I Don't you want a glass of ice-wa- 
 ter I" 
 
 ^'No, thank you," said SybUla, smiling. "Where are 
 they?" • 
 
 "hoarding in New York— veiy likely you'll meet them there. 
 But I'm afraid she'll cut your^quaintance. Sha'n't I send Jen- 
 nie to help you ?" / 
 
 The evening was like all last evenings, a little sad. Early 
 next morning Sybilla departed to begin the battle of life for the 
 first time on her own account She read persistently all the 
 way, determined not to think. 
 
 It was la,te, long afler dark, when they reached the noisy New 
 York terminus. 
 
 •* 
 
 Sybilla took a hack, and drove to Mrs. Plommer's addrew, 
 
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 «9t . ^ » T^ VIRCmiA HEIRESS.^ 
 
 •divert Twenty-ie^hthia^^e^K 
 wa^admitted her. fl|Ml n^erec^liij^^^^ ^()«0Bie |>irl<|^ 
 await the coming ofther future mistreta Sybilla, all robed % 
 ttbit% aad ve^ pal< «i|«9»i^.t^|Jg|t i»^rpw^iJ!tl|*||||ir' 
 
 MJeaift^lUUBiUatioii,;;^^,]),^ ■^■fVtf: .,;,;^^^^^^ 
 
 Bella rang, people crossed the hall^ and w«ttt up attd doim 
 
 ali^ an^. Wfe JialC^^ ^J!H!i^ J^^l^fl ^1!.^% 
 
 ' maitaion entered. ■--.- '■•'';"(.-;■;;:•:*•-■' "^ .--;-..:*••-.■- .-'■■; J? 
 
 Sybilla arose, aad.W i^ iiiat|;ra, fiOi; fii^ and fiwty, richly 
 
 dressed, and with in evident soise of her own importance. Sie 
 
 looked at Sjrtiila from head to foot, yet not unkindly^ 
 
 "YonarellisiTresylian, the govemwg, from _ 
 "Yc% madam." .^' .■■. ■ •--■ •'^•^-^^r*S<^5>^3ilAw 
 
 H^ hdW^^ so &st she ootid haidlyij^;^ 
 
 hfer (C^ fen under that-'ptolonged stares^?^'^-^ ^-^^sa' ^sfsEisfislK 
 
 '*hxt y«a sickly?' ""l^look veiy pa^"^ '■■-■^?:?;;V!^ei^'«^ 
 
 "lam fiuigned alfe my journey, that isatf^^ ^'^^^-^^^^^ 
 
 ;^"iiy sister^ksaks <>fyo«r«c^^ ^ 
 
 has told me you have lost a fortune by the wan I s^pafhiM^ 
 
 ^Ayjm deeply. We will endeav* to make yoilaa hapjiy 
 
 among nsas^'poeslbk'* ■■■-.'■■■■.^^^.i-v ^--r^ ;, i^::^xi: , -■ ^by:". :vir^:. 
 
 f«¥o«a»^kiiid,''sildpoor%billa, fidtetfn^ - 
 «*Aad awi I iwn lit y(W|;o to yow^ rooot/There & a dia^ 
 «»f1Sitt!r «fr Aih li«iitip «o^,.io^XwJM jnot have thne t» introit 
 dttoe you to your pnpil^ but you will see them at^nakfintto 
 ,rjiheaaiigthft<i^.aodA^a^ wttmMJA^imx iA. ^ 
 
 ♦r* 
 
. . f -^ 
 
 ^^i^i^'^imX 
 
 t*Jit <^^>&#3ll(|y; 
 
 
 
 . «;j|^$ 
 
 
 '*«th:. 
 
 Mfa^te 'iM^ii^ ftbe mmiiil ' Oood-nighi; MUisftayli^ 
 
 iSjfftfflilfbirdtMsd the snoirtTotillg-ivoAiatt irptlinfi t<|||lj||hn 
 of Maira, and into a neat little bedroom, vtvy oomfbrtaUe;^ but 
 
 . vaf-QnUkft tiiything sbe was nMd Wu-^a; j^ i ii-^^q .;^;*^ ^' "^ 
 ?!^^]ktliei« i^i}rUiin^ I dbn fetch ydi, mfss rafted Suni^ akrii^ 
 n^ tlie-new governess ciuiooslj. ii.^iU'j''.^ .^o^cuaj 
 
 CT^ of teal, if you please—nothing inow.*^"'*^- -^^'M^^- 
 broqgHt the tea and departed, and Sybilhi was alcne! 
 She ^ed np the gas, took off her bonnet and shawl, and 
 walk«l to ie window; '': ' ^^ " ' " ^ ^' ' 
 
 ^^><?»# *» '^^ »ky pporWing with frosQr 8ta|R^ «^ 'j|M|a- 
 merable chimneys and hoa8e<tops, an4 spires, and bfu:^y:|r^: 
 The ooises of the city ^tune ftr and fidnt— up in li(^ lol^ room 
 no sound of life from below coulii reach |»eis , ? 
 
 ^{ibe Ism^ he«?^ against the window, MiyJ^!^ 
 
 ♦*Twenty-6w,'' she said, *• and but beginning life; Ch^. 
 twen^-fivtt I Oh, me 1 I fed as though I ^ece BAy," ^ 
 
 SybUla sl^pt litda that night, and she aiose fevedsb and jmra- 
 fesihed at daybrei^ Her head adisd and hnm*^ ^, she 
 Umwiip thvwiiidofri «tii(l let the oold February wmd laraep 
 oveiriMrfece. 
 
 ■d^ihe unpacked hef trunks, and •nmnged her dresset iii th# 
 wardrobe. Then she took » book and read until lunik 
 
 i- 
 
 -'f.^i 
 
< 
 
 •^ 
 
 WB VIRGU^U HEIRESS. 
 
 At thtt hour ihe iwg, and Suaan, with a sleepy mtmCxxA 
 Ab^ appeared. , **' 
 
 "WiU you be kind enough to show me to the breakfest- 
 room?'^she8ai4 , 
 
 Yes'm/'/^sponded Susan, leading the way down stairs, and 
 into a^ elegf^nt apartment where an oval table was set with china 
 and silver, and the morning sunlight danced fandangoes amid 
 8parklinfigg:las8. The room was quite empty. "They aren't 
 down yet," said Susan ; "I guess they'll be here sooa" ' 
 
 Sybilla took a seat and waited, but it was nearly ten before 
 the door opened. 
 
 Then Mis. Hummer, mrui^de matin, sailed in, with ribbons 
 fluttering. • <; ' 
 
 - "Go^-moming, Miss Tresylian^||» late; but then wel 
 were up late last night also. The^.|Prill be heie directly. 
 How did you sleep?" ■ .i , .^ 
 
 ^ Before Sybilla could re^ly the A^r opened agj^fn, and a slen-| 
 der damsel of seventeen^^in white cashmere and flowing rimr- 
 * lets, entered. 
 
 Mrs. Plummer presented -her at once. 
 
 "My eldest daughtei^ Miss Tresylian. Gertrude, i^yviove. I 
 yourgovemesa.'^^ **•>'' 
 
 Miss Rumm^ bowed, smiled, and inspected her new gove^ 
 ness, and sat down to table. \ 
 
 *'Gan't we have breakfast, mamnia?I-I am fiimished. Fori 
 whom are we waiting--papa ?" 
 
 j *' Yes, my dear. Ah, here he jsl " 
 
 s. 
 
 

 -^ -^ ■ •■■ * ' *u ' 
 
 in^with ribbons 
 
 Tm VIRGINIA MEtRESS. 195 
 
 Enter Mr. Plummer. ^ short, plain, bald-headed, good-hu- 
 mored looking man. ^ Miss Tresylian. the goveme«, was intro- 
 daced. , 
 
 "How do you find yourself, my dear?" said Mr. Plummer 
 with a paternal shake-hands. "^ little fagged after your jgur^ 
 ney? You belong down East, don't you ?" 
 "No. sir," said SybiHa, smiling, "down South." 
 "My love," aid Mrs. Plummer, reproachfully, "don't you 
 remember Miss Tresylian is fi-om Viiginia?" 
 
 "Ah, from the Old Dominion ! AH the more welcome iSr 
 that--all the more welcome. Sad times there lately. Any re- 
 lation to the late General fresyKan, may I ask r 
 
 Before SybiUa could answer this unexpected question. Miss 
 Gertrude Plummer cut in, plaintively: 
 
 " Pi, I do wish you would cotee to breakfesL You don't 
 know how hungiy I am. Ma. it is of no use waiting for Alice 
 and Adeline; and I am sure kiss Tresylian must be almost 
 
 starved. 1 know I am." 
 
 — ^ ' ' . 
 
 "That's right," said her fether, taki»g his seat at table; "I 
 like to see little girls hungiy. It isn't feshjonabie. I belkve 
 but it's sensible, and I think I'm hungry myself Maiy, my 
 dear, I'll take a cup of coffee. Come here, Miss Tresylian, and 
 don't look so pale and forlorn, child." 
 
 There were tears in Sybilla's eyes as she took her place near 
 .-him. , - J...-- -_ .,.. ,..■■■ 
 
 He might have noticed them, but at that instant the do6r 
 
 1- ■» 
 
 }\ 
 
 waa 
 
 ;^, . 
 
 J I 
 
 W 
 
 HI 
 
 H'«- 
 
 T 
 
 '.a>^:4S,i,%-..yi.t: 
 
'%^ 
 
 
 n: 
 
 X-. 
 
 A- 
 
 -**r 
 
 1 
 
 ■[■f'-'s^s^Wimm'^^^m^^^WR^?^ 
 
 ''-^J^ 
 
 1^6 
 
 TffE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 ^K^ 
 
 ^ flung wide, and two young misses, of the respective ages of fif- 
 teen ind twelve, burst noisily in; 
 
 " Here they come 1" cried papa. " two whirlwinds in petti- 
 coats. Miss Tresylian, have you a laige stock of patience la^d 
 in? You'll need it; lean tell you, with these young limbs. 
 Here, girls, this is your governess ; mind you don't giv6 her too 
 much trouble, (*/'// take you in hand. Now sit down. 'For 
 what we ar« about to receive,' etc Miss Tresylian, |et me give 
 you some of this omelette." '-* 
 
 SybiUa held her tongue, and used her eare during breakfest 
 The talk was desultoiy, but chiefly ran on the dinner-party 
 last night, the guests, and a certain Miss Jocyln, who appeared 
 to be a great belle. 
 
 -"Ton have no chance, Gertie^" said Alice; "the colonel 
 won^ look at you beside that tall, black-eyed, splendid crea- 
 ture.» I heard Clara Somers say yesterday they were engaged. " 
 "Hear her," cried her fether, "fifteen years old, and talk- 
 teg of engagements, when she isn't out of her horn-book. Miss 
 Tresylian, you see what's in store for you." 
 Alice pouted. ^<^ 
 
 " I don't see why I haven't as Ifiuch right to talk of engage- 
 ments as Gertie \^ot thinking of being engaged. She's only 
 two years older than I am, and I'm as tall as she is, and a great 
 deftl better looking^ Colonel Evandyke said so." 
 
 The sudden start Sybilla gave, at mention of that name, es- 
 caped notice in the laugh Mi ss Alices last remark rrp.r4 
 which, h6wever,Ter eldest sister did not join. 
 
 -■llii^'tl 
 
 ';..«fe:&^?|;^^^^^i|^5^<^3^9*$is^ 
 
 

 %' 
 
 ective ages of fif- 
 
 THE VIHGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 197 
 
 "Oh, Alice I he never 1" cried Adeline. 
 
 "He did. too I" persisted Alice, stoutly ; "it was last week 
 Alice Jocyln and Clara Somers were in th^ parlor, and I was 
 there ; and they were arguing whether Gertie or I was hand- 
 somest Mi^ Jocyln said Gertie was-she admired blondes- 
 and Clara said /W*, and Colonel Evandyke came in, and they 
 left it to him." 
 
 "And what did the Colonel say. Miss Vanity ?" asked her 
 &ther. 
 
 " He said Gertie was Very pretty, and that he admifed blondes- 
 so you need not look sour. Sis ; bu|tkt I was the handsomest 
 ofthetwo, flfe«ar</^." '' <, 
 
 Sybilla sat veiy still and thoughtful, ligfening. So Colonel ^^ 
 Evandyke was a friend and visitor of the femily-he to whom 
 she had written so often, who kept her picture, Whi^ had been 
 her beloved grand&ther's best friend, who had savid his life 
 and been with him in his latest hours. She might) see him,' 
 sp?ak to him, this young hero of whom she ha<^ heaid so 
 much. ' , 
 
 Her heart throbbed &st at the thought Of all the men in 
 the wide world, there was not bne she desired to see as she de- 
 sired to see him. 
 
 Breakfest over. Sybilla's duties commenced at once. Mrs. 
 Hummer and her daughters led herto a large, airy room on 
 the third floor, which was to be the school-room, and whew 
 SIX hours each day must be spent 
 
 •1-pea she was co^ucted to the drawing-room, and the grand 
 
 .'iMiBft 
 
 '.^.d- 
 
 
 
 .--^ 
 
 
 
 ,* 
 
 
 
 
 \ 5««i':i'S|':: 
 
 ^^■" 
 
 
 ??S©3I 
 
 i^H? 
 
 
 :i 
 
 
 
'•r^r\: 
 
 1^ 
 
 S'<^, 
 
 ys-j.'^r* 
 
 198 
 
 "%ȣ VHtGlNU HMJRMSS. 
 
 piano opened. Her white, handi .wept over the key. in . 
 .torm of melody, and Viri. Hummer was more than ^t- 
 lified. ' 
 
 -You play remarkably well," she said. " I want you to pay 
 
 particular attention to my girls' music Po you sing. Miss Tr^ 
 syhan? 
 
 Sybilla sang a plaintive song from Lucia, and again her em- 
 ployerwas charmed. She had gotamfisical treasure, and could 
 appreciate her. 
 
 So Sybilla>n?w life began, and went on, day after day, with 
 tread-mill reg^IaWtj^. "^' "* 
 
 Outwardly she was a pale, quiet, passionless automaton iro- 
 mg through her daily drudgeiy with feultless precision, and win- 
 nmg golden opinions from parents and pupils. Inwardly there 
 was neither quiet nor peace-there were mutiny and rebellion 
 enough to drive her wild. 
 
 She hated it all. this horrible routine of piano-playing, and 
 French verbs, and Bristol board, and crayons-this never-end- 
 ing teach, teach, teach. 
 
 But her fece never showed it, except for its unspeakably weary 
 look. She was^ patient and gentle always^ and never shirked a 
 duty, however disagreeable. 
 
 Long ago, in those romantic days of hers, she had thought it 
 k!^ *7,'° ^ * «^^«™^ Was not Jane ^^ .nd Ruth 
 Pinch, and half of her heroines, governesses? But, like all her 
 d««ns, the realiation was not half w charming as die had im- 
 agincd 
 
 ^^' 
 
 S«i,it«iv V '"am ■.^** ' ■« -n"-.' « "S^ ; 
 
 ^. ' 
 
 
 She 
 
 Her en 
 
 erably , 
 
 It is tri 
 
 Waldro 
 
 Mrs. 
 
 was a d( 
 
 there w; 
 
 and sin^ 
 
 forlifre, 
 
 and^mal 
 
 erness, a 
 
 place, a 
 
 self. 
 
 Ofcoi 
 ing to an 
 bellion w 
 ness, to I 
 aton. 
 
 She wa 
 
 so little ii 
 
 might, h\ 
 
 miles awa 
 
 Poor S> 
 
 Three \ 
 
 dyke was { 
 
 been at th( 
 
■■»-*-- 
 i^ 
 
 ^-■•.* 
 
 7 after day, with 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. ,5^ 
 
 She was not snubbed, nor insulted, nor ill-used in an ' 
 Her e^yerB treated her like a^Iady, and her pupils were"! 
 erablygoo^ andobedient What right had she to JpL 
 ^>s true, her position was ve^ different fro. that of Elea or 
 
 M,^ Plummer was kind, bat that made .he governess feel she 
 ™ a dependent No du>,co„,d be sh.Aed wUh CX ^ ■ 
 
 ^:z^T'' "' '"'"""^ ^-^ '^^' "> --^-n 
 
 r«r*f^ Plumme, ,0 darn I,er glov«, and mend her e„m ,ace 
 an^«,ake he.elf nseful gerie.l„. I„ ,h„„, ,,, „^ ^^^ J^^ 
 ernes, and expec^d „o. .o give herself airs, b„. .o keepZ 
 Pi^e, and do as her mis.^ chose, no. as she chose he" 
 
 Of course, all U.is was very galling, a„d t^„„_ ^^ ^ 
 .ng.oan undisciplined mind like Sybilla's. Bul-.|, Zlt 
 ben-on w,. inward-I am happ, .o sa, she was a „o^ , «:;„ 
 n^ to observng e,es, on., a ii.tle ^ much of the a!Z 
 
 She was « mechanical, Mrs. Hummer complained • she t«k 
 so ...tie interest; she performed her duties we I, asamt^c 
 ..gH^ni. - ,ui.e eviden, ^U. .houghts thou^; 
 PoorSybillal « / 
 
 Three weeks passed. S.billa's desire to see Colonel E«n. • 
 _4^e^M,ongas eve, bu...^ was uag raaiied. ^^ 
 b«n a. d.e house the da, after her arrival, but she had „^ s^ 
 
 1^ 
 
 y\K ^fr^jft- .■'Ji^f-jK* jr..~[»,v Nj. ,41 
 
 
 ^-::c;j^ii 
 
A 
 
 I 
 
 ■ • 
 
 ;■%. 
 
 200 
 
 , TffJS VIRGINIA HEIRES^. 
 
 him and he had left New York ve.y soon after.' Neither had she 
 met Eustace or Eleanor. They were not on the Plummer visit- 
 "»g-list, and she w^m out v<^ rarely. Her whole day was fully 
 occupied, and she was too weary and wretched when evening 
 came to care for anything but to lie down in her darkened room 
 and be at rest , , « 
 
 > Or^ day, toward the close of the third week. Gertrude burst 
 into the class-room in a high state of excitement 
 
 -Oh, Miss Tresylian l"shecried. •'! have such newsfor you - 
 Next Wednesday is my birthday, and mamma is going to give a 
 grand party. Won't it be lovely ?" 
 
 Miss Tresylian. just glancing up from Alice's drawing, said 
 she had no doubt -it wouU be lovely, and resumed her work 
 "And I am to learn that duet from Linda, Miss Tresylian 
 and sing it with you. and two or three more besides; so you see 
 you must come down, too." / 
 
 The governess knit her brows, but ra,de no reply, as she went 
 on with her work. 
 
 Alice looked up suddenly. 
 
 Has Colonel Evandyke come back ?" 
 "Yes," said her sister. 
 
 '"Ah. I thought so I" said shrewd Alice. « He'H be here of, 
 course. Miss Tresylian, don't you want to see the gentleman 
 Gertie is dead in love with? Oh 1 you needn't blush so~it's 
 nothmg to be ashamed of Half the young ladies that come 
 here, from Missjocyln down, are in the same state." 
 :====^itte SQ haodsome, then ?" asked the govem^r^rerMsTy, | sair. 
 
 "Am 
 
 "Oh, 
 
 that he i 
 
 even hej 
 
 wonder i 
 
 — but-pe 
 
 thing in i 
 
 thropical 
 
 ed, as fei 
 
 have used 
 
 thai." 
 
 "Is he 
 
 
 ■"•■Wa,? t ^(V*A^ *^ ■S&5*>'-§^»- * 
 
 fMt S '*i*l 
 
^HE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. , ,o, 
 
 or someehing of U«. so„-u« J7 d, A H "J """"' ' 
 
 -Mcho,. as . he ^ . ^„; ::„: tt^"" otr 
 
 magnificent]" » /"" ^tijow. Ub,\hes 
 
 Sybilla could hardly forbear laughing. ^ " " \ 
 
 "I'm afiaid j^hat Alice says is tmi. r^ a 
 love I" ^ ™*^' Gertrude-you're in \ 
 
 ' ' Oh, pshaw I he takes no notice of m^ f , . > 
 
 mat« hta ..ore tot^Ung U»„ an,U,iX' 
 "A mysteiy—what is it?" • ' 
 
 "Oh, I don't know. Some folks say he's a wM« 
 
 ^i'-;! 
 
 f( 
 
 > 
 
 ..•-''• 
 
 .^x 
 
 
 \.t • 
 
r ~ 
 
 ■^. 
 
 
 J i- 
 
 io» 
 
 ^* 
 
 THE VIRCmiA HEIRESS. 
 
 " Oh, no-about t^W I should think.. But you'll see him 
 ^ yo„..,f Weanesda^igh, «d ,„„ „„, ^, ZsZ^ 
 Handsomest man j^ou ever laid eyes on." " \ 
 
 , The old leaven of romance being by no means dead in^the 
 
 bmhday mght almost » eagerly a, Gertipde hj>,.eli: She ever, 
 we».. on one o«a«on, so &r „ ^ ,„„<,„ ^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ 
 
 "But, bah r she said to he.«If,-direo,|y after, ''.,hat a dm- 
 pleton I an. . As if he. or any one else, will ever look at the 
 governess-or as if I wanted to thmst myself on his notice." 
 
 So M,ss Tresylian drove the matter resolutely from her mind 
 «.d walked up and down her tread-mill as steadily as any other 
 nnfortunate j«l.bird, «.d waited for the eventful Wedn^J 
 come. . * '^"csaay to 
 
 \ 
 
 ^^. 
 
 Itc 
 
 billa u, 
 
 down, 
 
 Whatb 
 
 an dyke 
 
 did tfot 
 
 better tl 
 
 She was 
 
 him moi 
 
 She sa 
 
 day for d; 
 
 rings in h 
 
 of her left 
 
 sad dream 
 
 symbol, w 
 
 it was e 
 
 Sounds 
 
 distracted ] 
 
 3fieh^a^ 
 
 '/ 
 
 ♦■ / 
 
 Jilktf -»^. -Aiv' 
 
s. 
 
 I 
 
 But you'll see him 
 say hfe is the very 
 
 means dead in. the 
 1 her interest in the 
 
 'ard to the eventful 
 h/erself She even 
 ■ what she should 
 
 fter, "whatasim- 
 1 ever look at the 
 on his notice. " 
 y frona^ her mind, 
 idily as any other 
 ^1 Wednesday to 
 
 
 ■io^ 
 
 N 
 
 > ■ 
 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 A SHADOW FROM THE DEAD. ^ , , '^ ' 
 
 did aot want to think „f i.- f^'Pf^")' '" her mmd > She- 
 ^•ter things to do and t' "J^"-^^"' '■"■■r-she had 
 She was ifi! „g, J;^ L 'r t "5 »' '■ ^-■7 other ho„. 
 Km „orc. / '""^'^ ^""^ "^^ ™'/ -^ h« think of 
 
 -" it;:rn r;::^:r r t-^ - ' 
 
 "* in her ea.. and a p,ai„ c Lie." f u"' "'"' ^" "'- 
 Of her ,eft hand-her weidi;:? lift": "' '"'"' '"'''' 
 -" drean,, b„. the great evenfoft ^"- 1/ f IT ' ™^"'' 
 symbol, was a reality • *" ""^ "'"='' *« «M the ^ 
 
 II was eleven o'clock. 
 
 phe had Wn .,„_^t: ~ . , "^ 
 
 / 
 
 «^Wb„s^he,pi^.Gertr„de,a^.„,;„^,,. 
 
 
 •f:- 
 
 
 ;«jii£al3^'si^.v"f :?'i-i "■»■ 'w^i 
 
 >jfei.t<t4ail'- i- tiftfr.tVjjiili' i"-.tin>\' 
 
'ft'-- Al 'J 
 
 ao4 
 
 7ME VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 Her own toilet did not occupy fifteen^ min- 
 
 eline to dress. 
 
 tltCS. A 
 
 She had sat listening to the arrivals and the sounds from below, 
 and thinking of the gay scenes and birthday fetes of which she 
 had been queen, until her grandfether rose from the grave, and 
 stood beside her. 
 
 She tried in vain to fix ^er attention on her book ; she laid it 
 down in despair, and, as ste did so, her dqor opened unceremo- 
 niously, and Adeline rushed in. 
 
 "You are to go down stairs, Miss Tresylian ; Gertie is going 
 to sing the dii^t" 
 
 Sybilla rose in considerable trepidation, and followed Adeline 
 down stairs. 
 
 The long drawing-room was so filled with people, standing, 
 and walking, and sitting, that she managed tp cross to the piano 
 almost unobserved. 
 if>,« Gertrude was on the watch, and came up. 
 
 "lam going to sing pretty soon, " she said; "and, mean- 
 time, I want you to play that charming Scottish waltz I like so 
 much. I heard Colonel Evandyke whistling it a little ^hile 
 'ago." 
 
 " Where is Colonel Evandyke ?" 
 
 " Oh, surely 1 — ^you haven't seen him. Look— standing there 
 
 with papa and all these gentlemen. You can't see him very 
 
 well, though." 
 
 - — ~SyWlla looked, and wiwa taH, dark, lathw distinguishcd- 
 
 looking man, with jetty hair, beard, and mustache. She could 
 
 

 I -'. .' 
 
 / ■ i' ' ' ■ ■ ' ■ 
 
 py fifteen min- 
 
 nds from below, 
 ter of which she 
 i the grave, and 
 
 ook ; she laid it 
 ened unceremo- 
 
 Gertie is going 
 
 6IIow|d Adeline 
 
 eople, standing, 
 OSS to the piano 
 
 ; "and, mean- 
 h waltz I like so 
 it a little While 
 
 —standing there 
 in't see him very 
 
 r^distinguisted- 
 che. She could 
 
 TffE VlftcmrA HEIRESS. 205 
 
 only see his fece in profile— what the mustache and beard did 
 not cove5~but that was enough to show he was eminently hand- 
 some. 
 
 She turned away, send sat down at the piano. 
 
 "I want to waltz," saM Gertrude, "and I can waltz in better 
 time to that tune than anything else. I expect it's a favorite of 
 Colonel Evandyke's,' too." ^k 
 
 Sybilla sighed as she* began to play. 
 
 It was a sweet, mburnful Scotch melody she had often 
 played for her grandfether _ often sung for her husband, 
 and her heart was with them both as her fingers floated over 
 the keys. 
 
 Gertrude Plummer, and two or three 4ore couples, were 
 waltzing as if inspired, and people began to look at the player,^ 
 and wonder who the slender, black-robed girl, with the pale,' 
 beautiful lace and fair hair, might be. 
 
 "That was charming. I never saw you waltz so well," said 
 
 a voice close beside her to Gertrude. 
 
 Sybilla's hands fell from the keys. She barely repressed a 
 cry. 
 
 That voice I 
 
 She looked around wildly, but it was only Colonel Evandyke 
 speaking to Miss Plummer, with a laughing fece. Only Colo- ' 
 nel Evandyke, and for one moment she had thought it a voice 
 hushed forev er in t he stormy sea ! 
 
 „ ■_ — - .- J - _- 
 
 She laid her hand on her throbbing beat, white to ghasUi- 
 ness I ■ 
 
 '.:: 
 
 
 '1 
 
 
i. 
 
 V. I 
 
 HI 
 
 I I 
 
 3o6 
 
 ri/£ VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 "The lady is feinting !" said the same voice, and then every' 
 thing was swimming before Sybilla in a misL 
 But she did not faint 
 
 Gertrude held a glass of ice-water to her lips, and the diizi- 
 ness passed away. 
 
 " Dear me I what was it?" asked Mrs. Plummer, coming up. 
 "The heat?' 
 
 Sybilla lifted her eyes, and met the searching glance of a pair 
 —the darkest, the brightest, it seemed, she had eVer seen— be- 
 longing to that startling Southern officer. 
 
 He bowed. 
 
 "Miss Tresylian, my daughter's governess. Colonel Evan- 
 dyke," said Mrs. Plummer, a little stiffly. "Gertrude, my love, 
 I thought you were going to sing?" 
 
 Sybilla's hands were on the keys again, and she was trying to 
 sing second in that fly-away duet ; but for once her touch was 
 uncertain, her voice fiiltering, and the duet was a melancholy 
 fiiilure. 
 
 Miss Plummer looked amazed — daggers — at the governess, 
 never dreaming that the stately colonel standing calmly near was I 
 the cause of it all. As she moved off in displeasure, and Sybilla 
 was about to escape, that officer came coolly up and cut oft" her 
 retreat 
 
 you. I know you are the original of the portrait you have kind- 1 
 ly permitted me to retain, and the granddaughter of my la- 
 
-r '. 
 
 '» 
 
 '■?3t9^ 
 
 7W2 VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 107 
 
 s, and the dizzi- 
 
 mer, coming up. 
 
 mented friend and general. I take it for granted we are 
 friends." J 
 
 He held out his hand with a smile, but SybiUa did not touch 
 it. She was staring at him like one who had lost her senses. 
 Was she going mad ? / 
 
 That voice, that smile, thpse^ dark, magnetic eyes ! Could 
 <wo men on earth be so mutih alike, or was it only the ghost of 
 Richard Nagle! ,^ r 
 
 ' ' Won't you shake hands with me ?" said he. ' ' Have I fright- 
 ened you, or what is it ?" 
 
 He might well ask. She put her hand to her head, in a 
 lost, bewildered sort of way. Oh 1 she was mad, to think such 
 things I 
 
 "Yes," she said, tremulously, "you 'frightened me. You 
 —you look so much like— like " 
 
 She broke down, and with a sort of gushing, hysterical cry, 
 ran out of the room. 
 
 Half a dozen wondering eyes looked on in amazement, too 
 far off to heari but near enough to see, Mrs. Plummer among 
 them. 
 
 " What does it mean ?" she asked him, wonderingly. 
 
 The Southern colonel was very grave, and very, very pafe— 
 all saw that 
 
 " I knew her grandfather, and he is dead ; J spoke of him^ 
 
 -■ ^~ — ■ — :- ~ ---- z, --:^ — ~ z \ ' ^ * . ** *. * * f j t . 
 
 arid, Tsupjxise, too abruptly- perhaps you had better send and 
 see a^ her." 
 
 1 
 •i 
 
 i 
 
 >N 
 
 jt 
 
 *, 
 
 
 
 
 /. \ 
 
 j^dMC 
 
 % 
 
 
 
 
 ' i.T. 
 
 ...^-"- fe 
 
 r* '■'* 
 
 
 
 • 
 
 \ . . 
 
 _^ ,.\ .». . fpti'- ^/ 1 
 
 .^ *- « » J 
 
 •i ,t'LA» 
 
 <e.i '^ 
 
 -.» iS" >d&>. 
 
\" 
 
 / 
 
 3o8 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 "Her grandfether!" echoed two or three curious voices. 
 "Who was he?" 
 
 " General George Tresylian, of Virginia, and my command- 
 ing officer." ,j, 
 
 There was a httle volley of astonished ejaculations all round. 
 
 "General Tresylian her grandfether 1" cried Mr. Plummer, 
 coming up. " Impossible, colonel. She has often heard us 
 speak of him, and never told us he was any relation." 
 
 "Not at all impossible, nevertheless. I happen to be cer- 
 tain of the fact And, if you ask the young lady the question, 
 you will find the answer yes. Of course, her fortune has been 
 swept away, and so you have her for governess. " 
 
 He walked off as he spoke, with a look on his face that said 
 the matter was ended, and had nothing further to say on the 
 subject that night 
 
 But it did not end there. His revelation had created a sen- 
 sation not easily subdued, and the guests were anxious for an- 
 other^gliuice at the pale patrician face that shone among them 
 and was gone. 
 
 Mrs. Plummer lay awake that night for iiiUy an hour after 
 her lord was asleep and snoring, thinking with vexatioii of the 
 discoveiy she had made. If Mrs. Plummer had not bad a 
 marriageable daughter, she would have ^been deciidedly proud .| 
 of it, but having a maniageable daught^, i^d the dearest ,de- 
 ofherliwirtiseing uotonri XvandprtTallbft-ttt-law, ifis 
 was thoroughly vexed. Miss T^esyrlian in the character of 
 
 ■^ 
 
 ,.■•-<■ 
 
r '. 
 
 cunous voices. 
 
 I my command- 
 
 tions all round. 
 Mr. Plummer, 
 often heard us 
 tion." 
 
 ppen to be cer- 
 \y the question, 
 rtune has been 
 
 is face that said 
 r to say on the 
 
 d created a sen- 
 mxious for aa- 
 le among them 
 
 1 an hour after 
 vezatioii of the 
 bad not had a 
 ledidedly proud >| 
 the dearest ,de- 
 s6ii-fh-raw, sM 
 le character of 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS, 
 
 209 
 
 governess, wJis all that could be desired — Miss Tresylian in 
 the character of Gertrude's, rival, was not desirable at all. 
 
 "I'll get rid of her," thought Mrs. Plummer, "or the colo- 
 nel will never look twice at Gertie. I thought, from the firsV 
 she was a great deal too good looking. " 
 
 Mrs. Plummer might have found it a harder matter to get rid 
 of the governess than at first appears, for xMr. Plummer "de- 
 lighted to honor" the granddaughter of so distinguished a man 
 as General Tresylian, and he was emphatically master in his 
 own house. But the fetles stepped in and declared in fevor 
 of his spouse. Miss Tresylian was no longer eligible as a gov- 
 erness. J 
 
 From that night a startling and unaccountable change passed 
 over her— her health and spirits foiled all at once— she seemed 
 no longer the same being. The mechanical power of teaching 
 had left her all in a moment, and she moved about like a being . 
 in a trance, with an indescribable look of vague horrof in her 
 eyes. 
 
 She lost the power to sleep^or eat— in a week she was gone to 
 a shadow, and Mrs. Plttmmer lost patience with her altogether. 
 
 "Whatw the matter with you, Miss Tresylian ?" she cried^ 
 impatiently. "Are you sick, or losing your senses? Since 
 the night of the party, you have been like one beside your- 
 selfJ" I 
 
 Syfag^ jooked at her with a Jong, dreamy shiver, and thgi fcr 
 away into vacancy without speaking. ^ It natuiaUy provoked 
 Mn. Flummer. 
 
 m 
 
 II 
 
 ''If ) 
 if 
 
 ■■••f 
 J 
 
 ! 
 
 / 
 
 ni 
 
 f'i:':\ 
 
 
 hj\ 
 
-■;*■■■'■ 
 
 aio 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 'i V- 
 
 \ 1 
 
 "Are you aware," she said, sharply, "that you haVe not 
 given my daughters a lesson fit to l^e called a lesson for a week ? 
 Pray, rouse yourself, Miss Tresylian, or send for a doctor. This 
 state of things, you must be aware, will not do. " 
 
 She sailed away in majestic displeasure, yet wondering and 
 uneasy at the unaccountable change. Her fears of the gover- 
 ness as a rival were considerably set at rest by this time. In 
 the first place. Miss Tresylian was rapidly losing her good loo\s, 
 and fading away to a mere skeleton ; in the second place, Colo- 
 nel Evandyke showed little or no interest in her. He had asked 
 for her* health once or twice in his calls in an indifferent i«^y, 
 but beyond that betrayed no solicitude about her. If the gov- 
 erness would only rouse herself from the abnormal and uncom- 
 fortable state into which she had fallen, she might retain her sit- 
 uation yet. 
 
 The beginning of the second week brought a visitor for Sy- 
 billa — Mrs. Wayland. 
 
 That lady started back at sight of her, as if she had seen a 
 ghost 
 
 "For Heaven's sake ! you unfortunate child, what have you 
 been doing to yourself? But I knew all along how it would be 
 The idea oi your becoming a governess ! Why not take a dosk 
 of strychnine at once, and close matters by less lingering suicide? 
 You shall come home with me this very day, back to Boston, 
 whether you like it or not You shall not stay here another 
 
 i '''' 
 
 - 
 
 ....,._, , . 
 
 — hOttff*— — — - — — - 
 Energetic Mrs. Wayland was as good as her word. Sybilla 
 
 ,1 
 
 J 
 
 

 : ■"^/^•■ 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 .visitor for Sy- 
 
 she had seen a 
 
 311 
 
 seemed to have no life left to remonstrate or explain, and Mrs. 
 Wayland, ail in the dark, took Mrs. Plumraer rather sharply to 
 task. ■ ' 
 
 "I don't pretend to understand Mira Tresylian or her ill- 
 ness," retorted Mrs. Plummer, With some asperity. "Shemakes 
 no confidantes in this house, and has more whims than any gov- 
 erness /ever came across.. She has been treated well, madam ;; 
 it is no feult of ours. She has not been like thesame persoil 
 since the night she met Colonel Evandyke." -^^^^ 
 
 "Colonel E^ndykel" exclaimed Mrs. Wayland, surprised. 
 " The Southem'colonel ?" 
 
 *• The same," stiffly ; " I see you know him." 
 
 " My ^ep-son is his lawyer— he has been at our house. Pray 
 
 what has Colonel Evandyke to do with this marked change in 
 
 Miss Tresylian?" 
 
 "That I am unable to inform you, madam, unless it be his 
 knowledge of her antecedents, and his abrupt mention of her 
 grandfether." 
 
 '' Knowledge of her anUcedefftsf repeated Mrs. Wayland, 
 frowning and coloring. " How does Colonel Evandyke come ' 
 to know anything of her?" 
 
 Mrs. PluBuner got up impatiently. 
 
 "I cannot tell you—i canned understand Miss Tresylian. It 
 you wish her to return with you, I will pay her what is due, and 
 fr ee h e r fi'o m^hCT^ngi^mente 
 
 word. SybillaJ The twoladies parted the reverae of ^icably. Sybilla,^^the 
 
 ' i 
 
 VS|^8i#<^fea^'|J^.^J,.VAj|ijli«'lW»-^,#;' K -- I i"tM. 
 
 1_ ■^S*** !■* 
 

 2\t 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 last, ttjed fiiintly to remonstrate, but her friend 'would not listen 
 to a w6rd. 
 
 " You shall go !" she exclaimed, peremptorily. •• You have 
 had your own M^y long eno&gh, and much good it has done 
 you. I go by the „night-train, Sybilla Tresylian, and you go 
 with me !" 
 
 For once, Sybilla was passive as a child. She bade Mre. Plum- 
 mer and her daughters good-by, and followed Mrs. Wayland to 
 het carriage. 
 
 A visitor was coming up the steps as the fix)nt door opened 
 
 a gentleman wrap|)ed in a cloak. It was Colonel Evandyke, 
 and it was the only time he and Sybilla had met since the party. 
 He lifted his hat, and held out his hand with a surprised smile 
 to Mrs. Wayland. ? 
 
 " You here, madam 1 This is an unlooked-fon pleasure. I 
 was with Mr. Wayland just now, and he did not mention it Do 
 you remiiin long ?" 
 
 •'About three hours. I came to see how Miss Tresylian got 
 on, and, finding her at death's door, am carrying her oflF, as you 
 see." 
 
 Colonel Evandyke turned the light of his handsome black 
 eyes on the governess. 
 
 A sort of bluish pallor had overspread her fiice, and her eyes 
 were full of wild affright 
 
 "You do look ill," he said, gravely; "very ill Mrs. Plum- 
 jaey^ga ve me te^nderstaadryoa were quite weH ^Hra< 
 
 V 
 
 f^p^ 
 
 . 1 
 
 -I 
 
 Her 
 
 
 came ft 
 
 
 She 
 
 
 hand t( 
 
 
 were ic 
 
 *- 
 
 fricrht 
 
 serious, I hope, Miss Tresylian ?' 
 
 Waylan 
 
 acted I 
 
 "Ye; 
 
 a sort o 
 
 Mrs. 
 
 "Foi 
 
 "Wh 
 
 its dead 
 
 "Syb 
 
 "Yes 
 
 night I i 
 
 Richard 
 
 " WA 
 
 "Tha 
 
 same eyi 
 
 same vc 
 
 saw him 
 
 dead I" 
 
 billawcE 
 
 1-' 
 

 ould not listen 
 
 "You have 
 od it has done 
 n, and you go 
 
 de Mre, Plum- 
 rs. Wayland to 
 
 ioor opened — 
 lel Evandyke, 
 ince the parly, 
 (urprised smile 
 
 •r pleasure. I 
 lention it Do 
 
 I Tresylian got 
 her off, as you 
 
 indsome black 
 
 , and her eyes 
 
 Mrs. Plum- 
 It is nothi 
 
 ../ 
 
 tURyiRGINlA HglRESS. 
 
 »t3 
 
 Her lips parted as if to speak, Mt only an inaudible murmur 
 came forth. / 
 
 She made a hurria^ motion forward, and he held out his 
 hand to help her into the carriage. The fingers she gave him 
 were icy cold, and her eyes nfevter lost the stare of frozen af- 
 . fright 
 
 ^ "For goodness' sake, Sybilla, what ails you?" cried Mrs."^ 
 Wayland, in wonder and alarm. " How you looked J how you 
 acted 1 Are you going mad ?" 
 
 "Yes I" answered Sybilla, with sudden vehemence— with 
 a sort of hysterical cry. " Yes— that is it— I am going mad I" 
 
 Mrs. Wayland turned pile with horror. 
 
 "For God's sake I Sybilla, what do you mean ?" 
 
 " What I say ! Either I am mad, or the grave has given up 
 its dead !" she answered, wildly. 
 
 " Sybilla r . 
 
 "Yes— yes— yes I I know it— I feel it I Ever since that 
 night I have felt I was going insane, when I first thought he was 
 Richard Nagle risen from the dead I" 
 
 " Whoi^' :■-■-. ..z . 
 
 "That man I Colonel Evandyke I Don't you see it? The 
 same eyes, the same hairi the same features, the same^ smile, the 
 same voice!— all, aU the same ! Oh, I forget— you n«ver 
 saw him. Am I mad, or is it my husband risen from the -% 
 deadl" • . . 
 
 Wayland was never so^^ttuch scared in h» life; & Sy- — 
 
 T 
 
 billa went off into violent hystefics then and there. But thqy 
 
 -[^f*'/'^*^ 
 
 ru M^\ j'W *«?%»»«' -v^i -V . 
 
 ,\SJm.- 
 
 ^4 
 

 f " - 
 
 314 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 I 
 
 reached the hdtel, where her steprson awaited her, and they 
 , managed to get the unfortunate girl up to a chamber and into 
 bed. J ~ 
 
 .MrsrWayland, applying restoratives, gave Mr, Wayland a re- 
 sume of the alarming conversation in the carriage. 
 
 "The effect of this hallucination may be very serious," Mr. 
 Wayland said. "She must have been in a morbid state of 
 mind fpr some time. Colonel Evandyke probably bears spme 
 resemblance to Richard Nagle, on whose unhappy^'^te she is 
 p#etually brooding. I only hope brain fever may not be the 
 result" ^ t. 
 
 " Will you mention this unfortunate affair to the colonel ?" 
 "Most certainly not," said her step-son, in grave surprise. 
 "I could not do so without revealing Sybilla's past his- 
 tory." '• Y 
 
 ^ "He may know that already," said Mr&'^t^llland, thought- 
 fully. "He was the intimate friend of her grand&ther, you 
 yoiir- 
 
 " I don't think so. However intimate they may have been, 
 Mr. Tresylian would never reveal the story of his child's dis- 
 grace to an utter stranger. Poor girl 1, she is atoning bitterly 
 ' for tha^nad marriage." 
 
 Sybilla escaped brain fever— tenderest q»B prevented th&t^ 
 . and in a week she was able to travel. Eve'iy day the South- 
 em colonel presenifd himself at Mr. Wayland's office to j 
 
 i \1 
 
 toquit* for IKfe daughter of his fnend. On one oc^pn Ens- 
 
the colonel ?" 
 
 ; 
 
 "' ■* ' ''"".*^'"". 
 
 riTE mg/K/A HEIRESS. , 
 
 by no mean, in .h. habi, of searing a. „«„ aUangc. 
 bvandyke had gone. . - 
 
 ttow«£ Why? You stared uncomforta'bly •• 
 
 ' ' Di* Nagle, tlie cliap Aat Sybilla married I" 
 
 did*!;!:::^ "" ^'"*'''^='' -«^'-«'-^« -. ^ 
 
 ;;Sotl,ey resemble one another?" he asked, carelessly. 
 Thg'miJh.betaltenfor.win-brotl.ers. Barring th'ewhis- 
 N and the ^lished manner., and the ;ealth, CoiL E™". 
 
 too? SK-lf '"*""°'"'' -^k' '"« Kkfnesscompl^e. I hope 
 lost? "" *" ''*®' '^' °' *'■" "'^' ■"■» f" 
 
 lav""'^" r,x "^' '"' ^^-^'-W'^'^-'i «' 'o« in k maze all 
 lay. '^'^^"'■teness'afreak of nature, Srwasi. Richard Nagle 
 
 'ealth. the wh-skers. and the polished manne,^ Had the„ 
 72 '^^';\^ ■»!-'' »" ™ he not lost with the 'r^t 
 
 1 , K ' °°'''" ""' ^"^l- *ini!S did happen \ 
 
 m.t.meOM.>fteneri»*o«.^Al,h.™^Mfr^Mv^|;=. 
 " «« .mpo,.ibIe. RichaM Naglc was drowned. „f. Uugh, 
 
 \> 
 
 ; vsi 
 
 I, 
 
 .-I 
 
 1 1 1 11 
 
 f 
 
 
 ^«X. *.fe%^ ^ -^ ^^j-.^^'^j^ i^.^l:s.^m 
 

 ^i 
 
 ii6 
 
 .THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 '% 
 
 •^m^^ 
 
 and the likeness was one of those coincidences that startle peo- 
 ple every day. The age of miracles was past — Colonel E 
 dyke had never in his life heard the rtame of Richard Nagl 
 
 Mr. Wayland dfove the matter from his mindL ^n|^^ very 
 busy all day. But in the evening, weiiding hi&m^^o his 
 boarding-house, he called at the St Nicholas and iniquired f6r 
 Colonel Evandyke. He had made up his mind, by a few judicious 
 inquineis, to discover whether he had ever heard of the New En- 
 gland farmer lost in the Golden Star. 
 
 3ut the inquiries were destined not to be made. Colonel Ev- 
 andyke had left New York, the waiter said, aijd told him (the 
 waiter) to Wji^ M"^- Wayland so if he called. He had n6t 
 said where TSe was going, or when he would be back. ' ' . 
 
 "It matters very little," thought George Wayland, pursuing 
 his homeward way ; " he would know nothing,, of course. This 
 resemblance is one pf nature's freaks — nothing more. That poor 
 girl, though ! In tbe present state of her nervous system, Heaven 
 only knows what tfie consequences may be." I'll run down to 
 B<^ton, in a we^k x>r twq, and see how/ she gets on." 
 
 4# 
 
 rf^« 
 
 #"^ 
 
 

 V 
 
 ■m 
 
 that startle peo- 
 -Colonel Ei 
 chard NaglC 
 
 1(1 ^^^^^^^y 
 
 nd inquired fdr 
 y a few judicious 
 of the New Eri- 
 
 B. Colonel Ev- 
 d told him (the 
 I. He had n6t 
 back. ' * , 
 yland, pursuing 
 of course. . This 
 lore. That poor 
 systeni, Heaven 
 '11 run down to 
 
 on. 
 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS, 
 
 ai7 
 
 .u, 
 
 U-.... 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 COIONEL KVANDYKK MAKES A REVE^TION. 
 
 ^ 
 
 ,<>■* 
 
 Three weeks passed before Geoi^e Wayland found time to- 
 
 V that "run do^y^ to Boston." Business flowed in upon the 
 
 bung lawyer; but one day, toward the close of March, he gave 
 
 business the slip, and fled on the wings of steam to the nhub 
 
 |f the universe." ^ , 
 
 "How is SybiHa?" was his first question. b 
 
 Sybilla stood on the threshold to answer for heiself-a wan, 
 >lIow-eyed shadow. Out of the lovely eyes the light had died ^ 
 out of the &ir hair the tinsel luster had &ded— out of the 
 ireet, beautiful lips, the rosy glow had gone. Her dress hung 
 ose around her wasted form. The hand she gave him was al- 
 ost transparent in its thinness. The sii^le that came and 
 ent Ml welcome was cold as moohliglii on snow. 
 "What can I dowiUi her ?» ask^Mra Wayland, in despair. * 
 I see her dying by inches before my eyes, and cannot help 
 >r. She absolutely refuses to see a physician-they cahnot 
 mister to a mind diseased, she says-they casL do hi^r nn 
 
 oa. SBeneiaer eats nor sleeps, andlamhalf distracted look- 
 at her. That unfortunate liaUucination about Colonel Ev, 
 
 **H<'-.'! 
 
 feS., 
 
 
 w', ■''• 
 
 ■111! 
 
 .. \i 
 
 if 
 1 1 
 
 '.-ii 
 
 
 '% 
 
fmmf<mi*iwm 
 
 
 ^. 
 
 Jl. 
 
 wWiW 
 
 3l8 
 
 TJIE VIRGINIA, HEIRES^. 
 
 andyke is stronger than ever, and takes firmer hold of her mind | 
 eveiy time she sees him." 
 
 "Every time she sees him — what do you mean? Is Evan- 
 dyke in Boston ?" 
 
 "Of course. Did you not know it? He has been here twol 
 or three times, and we have met Him at parties and the theater.] 
 He seems to fascinate Sybilla ; she sitS'^zing at him breath-i 
 lessly, like one in a trance. People see it, and wonder, and! 
 make remarks. I would think she was hopelessly in love withj 
 him, if I did not know the unlucky resemblance to hei husband 
 was the cause of if all. " 
 
 "And Evandyke — how does he take it?" 
 
 "H^ does not appear to notice; in fiict, beyond 'how do 
 you do?' he rarely addresses her at all. His indifference pro-l 
 vokes me. I "wish hTwOiilcl ilall in love with her and marry hej 
 — then she might forget the dead man in his living image." 
 
 Mr. Waylaiijd rose abruptly, ahd walked to the window ; ther^ 
 was a brieflilence, 
 
 "She wants constant change and cheerful society," he said 
 at laatt, turning around; "she is too much alone, and ha 
 grown morbid. This state of mind may end in melancholj 
 osadnessj if not averted. I will remain*, at home for the nei 
 fortnight, and do my best to amuse her." 
 
 Mr. Wayland was as good as his word. For the next t\ 
 
 weeks he gave himself up to cheering that poor, melancholl 
 
 -girt, ardevotedlf as if he had been her accepted k>ver/Pop« colonel "1 
 
 lar rumor set him down for that, b^ond possibility of doublaie Iboking 
 
 a;;? 
 
 ik 
 
 ■MMhi^^'i^'<i 
 

 7 HE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. aij 
 
 hold Of her mindlwas he not constantly with her-at the theater, at concerts at 
 Parties, nding, walking, driving? He was her shadow and 
 :ould anything warrant such attention but prospective matri- 
 
 mony ? 
 
 Sybilla seemed to have changed her nature-she was docile 
 mough now-she had done with objecting and willfulrigs, it 
 leemed, forever. ■ 
 
 Aniong the many who had heard and believed in Mr. Way- 
 and's engagement and speedy marriage, was Colonel Evandyke 
 \t saw them repeatedly together, when they did not see him 
 tnd watched them with grave eyes. His visits to the Wayland 
 
 , beyond 'how df '""^ ^"^'^ '"^ h, presented himself one morning and 
 
 . ^.«. inquired for Mrs. Wayland. 
 
 i indiflference pro-F 
 
 mean? Is Evan 
 
 has been here two 
 s and the theater, 
 Qg at him breath 
 and wonder, and 
 lessly in love with 
 ice to hej husband 
 
 "Mrs. Wayland was out,"- the servant said; Mr. Wayland 
 .0, when he asked next for ^im. There was no one at home 
 lut Miss Tresylian. ^ 
 
 Colonel Evandyke paused for a moment, his eyes fixed on 
 society," he saidf^ ^°°^' ^^^ ^rows knit Suddenly and abruptly he lifted his 
 
 her and many he 
 iving image." 
 the window; then 
 
 h alone, and ha 
 nd in melanchol 
 lome for the nei 
 
 For the next tw 
 
 mbility of dottbl 
 
 "Tell Miss 
 
 ead, like one who has come to a determination, 
 resylian I wish to see her. " 
 
 The servant ushered him into the dra'wing-room, and took 
 is card up staii;s to the young lady. 
 
 She ^me down at once, all white and trembling, as she in- 
 poor, melanchol iriably was, even at the sound of that man's name. 
 
 ''^^^' P^lcSMd E^mf ke i?^^^ she en ter«d; strangd^palTand" 
 ^e Iboking. 
 
 '"A 
 
 ■\l 
 
 '! 
 
 nil 
 
 A il it\ AaS- 
 

 
 220 
 
 TffE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 "kneel 
 sun ever 
 
 No iiiile of greeting met her, no polite conventionality — he 
 looked cold, and hard, and unsmiling as stone. 
 
 "I would not have disturbed you, Miss Tresylian," he be- 
 gan, abruptly, and with a metallic ring in his voice, ' ' if Mrs. 
 or Mr. Wayland had been at home. However, as what I have 
 to say relates most to you, perhaps it is best, after all,^id to 
 yon. Pardon a seemingly very impertinent qufttipn-JNMe you 
 not about to be married?" ^^ v-*:.«'% 
 
 She sat looking at him, her eyes dilating, her lips apart, won 
 der, terror, recognition in her blanched fece. He arose, and 
 Stood sternly before her, 
 
 "I see you know me. Seven years have changed me, butl>' ^or you 
 not past recognition. I saw you knew me from the first yes,P^^s a div( 
 Miss Tresylian, I am Richard Nagle !" 
 
 She did not fiiint, she did not scream — she sat looking at hi 
 as if turned to stone. ' 
 
 "lam Richard Nagle," he went on, pitilessly, unmoved b; 
 that wild look. "The sea spared me when it swallowed m 
 comrades. Fortune smiled on me in a foreign land — ^&me h: 
 been mine in this. I am Richard Nagle, the man you ma 
 ried, whose life you so nearly ruined, and that I am alive ani 
 speaking to you now, no thanks are due to you." 
 
 She slid from her chair on her knees, and held up her clas; 
 hands. 
 
 " Pardon— pardon," the white lips tried to say, but no wor§^ found, 1 
 w ould comei ..^- .. . 
 
 "Rise« madam," he said, with cold sternness, laisiB; herf <^">uiff/' 
 
 me. Tl 
 othing, 
 
 ion — ^ar< 
 Still n( 
 Had I 
 
 ingle w< 
 
 "rozen I 
 "I asl 
 
 'age,"pu 
 
 iage will 
 
 ity this o 
 
 leves my c 
 
 he world 
 
 at world 
 
 oomed tc 
 
 en; but 
 
 ethod of 
 
 any and 
 
 eforehand 
 
 ayland. 
 
 iBff hei 
 
 
r • * 
 
 '~:'f^^^'■"l 
 
 jnventionality — he 
 
 le. 
 
 Tresylian," he be- 
 is voice, ' ' if Mrs. 
 'er, as what I have 
 t, after all,<«aid to 
 ^ufttipn-JNNB you 
 
 er lips apart, Von- 
 i. He arose, and 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. „, 
 
 k.eelnottome. You have been one of the worst wives the 
 
 un ever shone on, but kneel and ^k pardon of God, not of 
 
 Ime The past is past-I am your equal at last-I owe you 
 
 othing, and ask nothing. Allow n,e to repeat my fi^t ques- 
 
 ,on-are you going to be married to Geoige Wayland?" 
 
 Still no reply. 
 
 Had her life depended on it. she could not have uuered a 
 ™gle word 1 Every puke of her hear, seemed stilled and 
 frozen I 
 
 "I ask, through no wish to interfere.'or prevent the mar- 
 •age. pursued Richard Nagle, in the same hard tone, "mere- 
 changed me, butly for your sake. Supposing me dead, of course there never 
 ,m the first. Yes,ivas a divorce. Unfortunately I am not dead, and your mar 
 ^.age will not be legal until that divorce is obtained. It is a 
 sat lookingat hinf >ty this obstacle stands in the way of your happiness but it re 
 
 . Jr "^;r'"" '° ''" '°" ' '^-'^ ^°" ^° ''' - >^- please, 
 ssly, unmoved bjrhe world knowame as Evandyke; do not fear I will ever let 
 
 I it swallowed m^at world know you once feU so low as to marry me I seem 
 
 -n land-feme haJoomed to be a bar and stumbling-block in your way now as 
 
 he man you mar hen; but Mr. Wayland will understand the easiest and briefest 
 
 It I am alive ani method of obtaining the divorce. Then you will be free to 
 
 uny and be happy. Pennit me to offer my congratulations 
 Jldupherclaspe 'f^-^^ Any woma;i might be happy as the wife of Geome 
 
 Wayland. Should he wish to communicate with me, I am To 
 say, but nowor|e found, for the jiext week, at the. Revere. Pardon me for 
 
 \'i 
 
 ness, nisi 
 
 iiBff hei 
 
 
 ^._^ J. ' — •"*- "v-vcjc. jraraon me tor 
 
 "^^^agi^eeabte inteiyiew, afid permit me to wish yotT^oodT 
 her wmmft" ^"^ 
 
 ■2 
 
 5 
 
 I 
 
 FTI 
 
 

 23a 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 w 
 
 ff 
 
 He was gone ! 
 
 She had not uttered a word — the menial paralysis held her 
 speechless I 
 
 Not dead — her living husband, Richard Nagle I She realized 
 it now for the first time. His blood was not on her head — the 
 husband she loved with her whole heart, lived ! With a gasp- 
 ing cry she fell forward, all life and feeling gone ! 
 
 Half an hour after, when Mrs, Wayland and her step-son en- 
 tered the drawii^g-room, they made the alarming discovery that 
 Miss Tresylian was lying on the carpet in a dead feint. In a mo 
 ment all was confusion, the bell was rung violently, and the ser 
 vants questioned. 
 
 The servants knew nothing about the matter. Miss Tresyl 
 ian had come down to see the gentleman, as he wished, and 
 that was the last they knew of her. The gentleman had left half 
 an hour before, and Miss Tresylian had not come out of the 
 drawing-room. . *. 
 
 "What gentleman?" asked Mrs. Wayland. 
 
 "Mr. Evandyke, ma'am. He asked for you and Mr. Way- 
 land, and then for Miss Tresylian. He only stai^ ibont fifteen 
 mmutes." . ^ / 
 
 The servants were dispatched. Sybilla came out of her swoon 
 after a long time. The great deep eyes fixed themselves on he 
 friend's fece. 
 
 " He lives 1" she whispered, almost inaudibly, "he lives ! he 
 ilv e s^L X)h, than k Ged^tfbaak-God^ l"^ — 
 
 " W^ /• cried Mrs. Wayland, "for pity's sake 1" 
 
 7* 
 
 '4 
 
 '■Ax. 
 
 &i^tei,i£«ttMj:«.^M&U'L 
 
i.\ -i^ ^' -Sg*-? ^^ ^f*"--; -w T^ j,j,Y 
 
 paralysis held her 
 
 :le 1 She realized 
 on her head — the 
 d ! With a gasp 
 le! 
 
 1 her step-son en 
 ing discovery that^ 
 d faint. In a mo 
 ;ntly, and the ser- 
 in Miss Tresyl 
 s he wished, and^ 
 man had left hal 
 come out of the 
 
 u and Mr. Way- 
 
 taicj abont fifteen 
 
 out of her swooni 
 
 r 
 
 h(^n)iSfilves on her 
 y," he lives! he 
 
 'JHJi V-IRGMIA HEIRESS. 
 
 223 
 
 " My husband 1" Sybilla exclaimed. '• I knew it^I felt it I 
 Oh, Mrs. Wayland, Colonel Evandyke is my husband, Richard 
 ^agle I" 
 
 % 
 
 ".] 
 
 m 
 
 % 
 
 I 
 
 ke I"^ . 
 
 '4 
 
 \ _^_ V ,^ _ 
 
 
 ^ *^^J.^1lekAi■Ji*4^ 
 
.fill 
 
 324 
 
 
 THJS VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 'T ~:*SV. ■ 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 HARD AS IRON. 
 
 Colonel Evaiidyke — Richard Nagle— whichever you like, sa 
 at the window ©f his hotel, enjoying the morning sunshine anc 
 afiagrant cigar. H® s^t looking thoughtftrily at the ceaselesi 
 crowd below him, and waiting for a visitor he felt sure wouh 
 soon come 
 
 The inward prescience did not deceive him; a little befon 
 eleven a servant entered and announced Mr. Wayland. 
 
 "Show him up," said Colonel Evandyke. 
 
 Mr. Wayland entered. Colonel Evandyke took out his cigar, 
 / and rose up to receive him 
 
 / "Good-morning, Wayland !" he^Said, smiling; "I 'felt sur 
 you would come 
 
 yr. Wayland took his extended hand, and held it while h 
 looked searchingly in his eyes. 
 
 "/j it true ?" he ffemanded ; " I can't believe it ; I can't re 
 alize it ; it's too romantic altogether 
 
 "My little masquerade, do y ou me an ? ^t is true as preacli 
 
 "And 
 "Veril 
 truth is si 
 Nagle." 
 
 "Ther 
 
 dropped ) 
 
 "Evan 
 
 tain that ( 
 
 Besides, tl 
 
 no wish tc 
 
 There v 
 
 loss. Eva 
 
 "lam 
 
 Ht?" 
 
 George 
 
 *\toi m, 
 
 "No? 
 
 Miss Tresy 
 
 He spok 
 
 itranger, lij 
 
 "No,"r< 
 
 10 fault oi 
 
 efused me 
 
 Colonel '. 
 
 "Praygi 
 
 ing— truer ^than a great deal of preaching. I have been sailin 
 uoder felse colors for the last four years. Take a seat." 
 
 thelatte'i 
 eing drowi 
 
 *'w. ':• 
 
 ,<!fe%to|^{^;.^B^'| 
 
 •:^^S^u-^ih'(i^ 
 
m\ i-'^iy'r'^' 
 
 ^^ ~^ «-■*— -^fcft— .*-i^«ili^»',«r^iii*'" 
 
 7ff£ VIRGINtA HEIRESS. 
 
 aa5 
 
 7 
 
 "And you are indeed Richard Nagle?" 
 "Verily and indeed I Astonishing, isn't it ? But you know 
 truth is stranger, etc. ? I am, or was seven years ago, Richard 
 
 Nagle." 
 
 "Then what am I to call you. pray, now that you have 
 dropped your mask ?" 
 
 V 
 
 "Evandyke, 'an' thou lovest me.' I have promised tore- 
 tain that cognomen, and it is prettier than Nagle, on the whole. 
 Besides, the change would involve endless inquiry, which I have 
 no wish to excite." , 
 
 There was a brief pause. Mr. Wayland looked rather at a 
 loss. Evandyke laid his hand kindly on his shoulder. 
 "I am sorry, for your sake, Wayland, but how could I help 
 
 lit?" ^ 
 
 George Wayland colored. 
 *\tox my sake ? I do not understand I" 
 " No ? That is odd ! Are you not about to be married to 
 ^liss Tresylian ?" 
 
 He spoke h^r name as coolly as if she had been an utter 
 itranger, lighting another cigar, 
 i held it while h| "No,"replied the lawyer, emphatically, "I am not-through 
 10 fault of mine, though-Miss Tresylian-nay, Mrs. Kagic, 
 efused me twice I" ' \ 
 
 Colonel Evandyke made an impatient motion of his hand. 
 " ^'Yg^^^'i^^ ^''""^^ ^'^'^ Jlj^gt^ has stnUny right 
 
 lever you like, sa 
 ling sunshine anc 
 y ^i the ceaseles 
 le felt sure woul 
 
 n; a little befon 
 Vayland. 
 
 ook out his cigarj 
 
 ing; "I felt su 
 
 !ve it ; I can't re 
 
 is true as preach 
 have been sailin 
 
 :e a seat. 
 
 It 
 
 thelattS, is all owing to that unfortunate mistake about my 
 )eing drowned. A divorce would have set all right long ago.? 
 
 
 ^^^ *,t^ *i^ . 
 
 -.<• j*«t I,?'- A. ••.'•H>J*M* 
 
 f '1, 
 
 =Tff- 
 
 il 
 
 -i ■»■ :i ' Mi 
 
226 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRES'5. 
 
 " I believe you are mistaken. I believe Sybilla never woulc 
 have consented to any step of the kind. No'one could possiblj 
 regret the past more than she did. The shock of your death 
 aifected her so, that for a time her life, her reason was despaired 
 of. She realized, from the moment you had left her, the injus 
 tice she had done you, and the silent heroism with which yoii 
 bore it. Believing herself free, she yet refused numbers of highit 
 eligible offers— she had determined to remain true to your memj 
 ory until death, as some slight atonement. That she does n( 
 still bear your name is no fault of hers— she assumed her maideii 
 appellation to please her grandfather. Believe me, no truer oj 
 more feithful wife ever lived than Sybilla will be to you now.*' 
 
 Evandyke gazed at him with piercing eyes, 
 
 "Mr. Wayland,"hesaid, "you told me Miss Tresylian re 
 fused you twice. Is it impertinent to ask if you /<we her ?" 
 
 Again the blood mounted to George Wayland's face. 
 
 " I do not know, " he said, after a pause, " that you have anj 
 right to ask that question ; but I will answer it I did love he 
 as I think I shall never love any one again. " 
 
 "Then ho^is it you are so ready to give her up?" 
 
 " Give her up 1 What possible claim can I have on her- 
 married woman ?" 
 
 "You forget the law of divorce. I resign most readily i| 
 your favor,"- 
 
 George Wayland's brows contracted sternly. 
 
 LJcnoi^Col onel £vandyj e e , wha t msumer <rf^ ms 
 
 ^ou take me for ; but, believe me, a thousand divorces woul 
 
 V 
 
 ,^%1^*,i -twi. 
 
ybilla never wou 
 one could possibi 
 ock of your deatl 
 ison was despairei 
 left her, the inju 
 11 with which yoi 
 numbers of highl; 
 true to your mem 
 That she does n 
 iumed her maidei 
 e me, no truer oi 
 je to you now, 
 
 rj/£ VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 »»7 
 
 [iss Tresylian n 
 3U /ove her ?" 
 tid's face. 
 :hat you have anj 
 I I did love h( 
 
 erup?" 
 
 I have on her- 
 
 i most readily ij 
 
 manner of ms 
 
 I divorces woul 
 
 '^y through life a„^ T T '^''^ ™" «° h" °™ 
 
 tL r k '"^' ""' ""' 8° "i-^- Yo„ don't know half .he 
 
 t»an tor three days, then we were picked no Th. k- 
 '"■Ki to Brazil, as it chanced .h» rT '^'"''"P'^ 
 fiose life I save^ „■ T ^ " """"" P'^"* "f *= »» 
 
 Lined fr*^ ^^ ^/^ "^ "-'*^- ^^ *='' -o- I 
 K illiterate 1^^ °"""° ""■"' ^°" ^> » ■"» "Ot 
 
 f-«.>l. Then, w.th wealth and education, came a longing to 
 
 C^tn;",'*'"'-'™^*"- The Soud> was m, . 
 
 n,e from homAhas never left me. I ..y ,o forgive 
 
 tl 
 
 
 li 
 
 II 
 
 ■if 
 
 -.n 
 
 Vtf^ Vj ^'t^Wv.'^Wt -^, 
 
 p,^.. < 
 
EVSi 
 
 
 
 \. 
 
 
 ' THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. - ' 
 
 •■>S^''VT^ 
 
 aaS 
 
 her— I hope I have done so — buyo take her back, to t/ust hej 
 once more — no, Wayland, I nfeyer will 1" 
 
 His eyes flashed, and his hand involuRtajWy clenched. Onl 
 for a moment ; then he was calm agaip^ ,; 
 
 "You can tell her what you 6lease-^l I have said or no^ 
 
 just as you like. Only, if she intertamis any idea that I wil Evan^ke, 
 
 "Heii 
 
 hard I" 
 Yes, it 
 
 her punisi 
 Next da 
 
 take her back — that I will put my neck under her heel again 
 undeceive her. * I wish her well ; but I care not if I never se 
 
 her more I" Xj 
 
 George Waylartd took his hat, without a word, and tumcj^ t 
 go. On the threshold he^^sed. 
 
 ' ' I have no more to urgS, "' he said. " You are a brave jna 
 but you are not generous. She has sinned, but she has liki 
 wise suffered and repented. Believe me, s^e will not press h 
 claims upon one so merciless and unforgiving." 
 
 He left the house, and walked slowly homeward. When 
 reached the house he found Sybilla awaiting him in the drawin 
 
 ft 
 
 room. She was pacing up and down, a fever-fire in her ?yes, 
 fever-flush on her cheeks. She paused as she saw him, and 
 his clouded face she read her doom. 
 
 He will not forgive 1" she said, clasping her hands in d 
 
 pair. 
 
 Hope nothing from him," said Mr. Wayland, kindly; 
 
 nd it was 
 He gave 
 espairing 
 "Shewi 
 lope goes 
 But she ( 
 tter and s 
 These w 
 pjiat might 
 He was £ 
 ought tha 
 be had desi 
 illyeamed, 
 e desolate 
 at he~lived 
 So, whilej 
 iunder, " th( 
 
 neither forgives nor forgets. I had hoped to bring you bet n summer 
 
 news, but he is harder than iron. " 
 =^.^hesank4atoa.seaty hfirJac e drp pt 
 
 fell thick and fast 
 
 
 
 rength to S 
 
 .'V JStSV,^ ' '■>' - * -■ ' ■"• ftS";"!;--.' |Si-1<'-*5^3«4».-; ■ "rX'** >^'»* Ki'v' '■ '•■■ 
 
■■•»5^ 
 
 i. 't?>rr; 
 
 back, to tmst he] 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 \ , 
 
 M9 
 
 f clenched. Onljj 
 
 have said or nc 
 ny idea that I wid 
 r her heel again- 
 not if I never se 
 
 >rd, aiid tumei^ tj 
 
 u are a brave jnar 
 
 Yes. it was hard-loving him as she loved him now. Surely 
 |her punishment was greater than her sin. 
 Next day brought Mr. Wayland a note. It was from Colonel 
 •^^t^ke. saying ferewell ; he had left Boston for the South 
 ind It was uncertain when he would return. 
 Jle gave the nbte to Sybilla, who read it through a lain of 
 lespairing tears. " . 
 
 t. she h.u.i.ra:::ix ^"^-^'-^-^'--^-'cand,,. 
 
 wiU not pre. h| Thee „ a. such enigmas, >„„ know, never doing 
 
 M m,ght be expected ; but yoa need hardly be suT,ri,ed 
 He was alive-his blood lay not on her head-thai was the 
 io„ght.b.tb„oy«lherup. He was lost to her forever ; well 
 be had de«rv«l tha^ and could bear it-i, was her punishmen't 
 .nream«l. She had lost him, and henceforth her life n,ust 
 e desolate; bu, she could endure her pain, and thank God' 
 lat he lived. 
 
 So whiW "they stood apart like rocks that have been L. 
 
 u ■ -u i "' 'f^'"* '"°°""' '™"«' "<' ««■" by, and the Dleas 
 > bnng you be. „ sun.n,er erne once nrore I. brought Lw hl'a^ 
 
 ra. wayiaad, aTBtberfonnidaWe ^p. — ~~ 
 
 eward. When 
 im in the drawin 
 r-fire in her <?yes, 
 e saw him, and 
 
 her hands in di 
 land, kindly; " 
 
 
 ■^' I 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 '!!( 
 
 -|i( 
 
 
 i!ii;?*fii;3!A^VN ^ i^. V : -y:?. 
 
■v •.■;.■-?,-;!»; 
 
 -:T ■t;*';"*''A^'"'.-s '^^.^■ 
 
 
 1^- 
 
 
 ajo 
 
 ■i 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. , 
 
 SATING OOOD-BY. 
 
 - Late in the aflemoon of a rainy June day, Sybilla wended hei 
 way slowly along the sloppy pavements and muddy streets.! 
 Poising an umbrella in one ungloved hand, and daintily hold- 
 ing up her skirts with the other, she tripped down BeacOnstreei 
 There was a fltish in her cheek, a sparkle in her eye, an els 
 ticity in her step alL'unusual, and that told of returning mem 
 and bodily health. | She was learning resignation — learning, 
 we all must learn, to bear the inevitable She was guiltless o| 
 the death of the husband she loved. Ah 1 that was the blessi 
 thought that never left her night oiuday. Oceans might divi( 
 them — they might pever meet this side of eternity — but he wi 
 hers still — she was his wife, and nothing but death could 8ev( 
 that holy tie 1 " 
 
 In the years' to come he might learn to forgive her, and whi 
 time rolled away, and eternity opened, they might be reunit( 
 once more. 
 
 So Sybilla roused herself from sinful sorrow and repininj 
 and &ced her life with new courage. Calm followed — alm( 
 =^eac&-Heuid just at this moment ^e^is^^appyiu she riagfs^i 
 
 Mrs. \ 
 
 ! and hat, 
 
 relief, int 
 
 slie was r 
 
 "Whe 
 
 [rain?"' 
 
 "Yes,' 
 "Onw 
 "Busin 
 |you; but 
 
 She wen 
 
 [feet, and t' 
 
 '^Whys 
 
 |have you b 
 
 "Someti 
 
 She took 
 
 |to an advej 
 
 5ovemess p 
 
 object to trj 
 
 "Well,", 
 
 iawning up 
 
 "Everyth 
 
 usie, and 
 
 on." 
 
 "You I 
 
 ot goj :^ 
 
 silver door-bell of the Wayland mansion. 
 
 "Yes, I V 
 
"W 
 
 
 1HB VISGItflA HEKESS. ' ,,, 
 
 ad ha., SybUla entoed and flung herself, wich a long breath of 
 
 i:ri:rn~- «"-""-^— --^-o: 
 
 ^JWhere have;,ou b«.. r Ae «k«!, languid,,,.. out in .he 
 
 "Yes. "answered Sybilh, .'o„t 6n business.- 
 " On wha. r opening her ej^es. 
 
 |you , bu. first you must promise not to be angn, » 
 
 feet, and twmed her arms coadngly about her waist. 
 
 "Whyshonld I beango.rasked Mrs. Wayland; .-what 
 nave you been doing?", 
 
 "Something veo- chicking 1 Lookherel" s 
 
 She took out of her pocket a paper, a week old. ajipoint*. 
 ^ an adver.,«ment It was from a clergyman who wald a 
 
 ,^™^^roa<«n.inmusioandKrenoh,and..whowouldno. 
 
 "WelVsaid M.» Wayland, sharply, a suspicion of the tnttb 
 twnmg upon her, "what has this to do withlt." 
 
 "Eveo-thing I-m the governess proficient in French and 
 ^^usK, and „,.h no objection to ,«ve|. I have go. the sit^ 
 
 You I Oh, you wretched, Jeceitfal child I Ypu shall 
 
 3tgB4 
 
 "Yes, 1 wall It is better I 
 
 should. This idle, aimless 
 
 -f 
 
 ' f 
 
 
 \^ 
 
 1 
 
 1. 
 
 ■f 
 
 f 
 
 V 
 
 il 
 
 ■ 
 
 , ,! 
 
 ^•i. 
 
 ^ 
 
 1 
 
 11 
 
 ''I 
 
i 
 
 •^ 
 
 <:x^' 
 
 ^■•h 
 
-TTf.'i - 
 
 ''-^P' 
 
 232 
 
 THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 worthless life won't do any longer. I hav? youth and strength] 
 and duty ordains I should work for my living, like other folks] 
 Dear Mrs. Wayland, my best friend, don't think me nngratefulj 
 But it is right for me to go. I should lose my self-respect if 
 remained dependent any longer. I knew you would not heal 
 of it — that is why I have been acting sub rosa. Now it is tod 
 late to draw back if I would — I am signed, sealed, and, in threj 
 days, will be delivered.' 
 
 "And where, pray, may you be going, Miss Tresyliaa?— t 
 Kamtschatka?" 
 „ Sybilla laughed. 
 •' Not quite so bad — only to New Zealand I'' 
 " New— zt;>5<7// Good Heaven, child I areyoucnuy?" 
 " I hope not ; else the Rev. Mr. Parks will have made a 
 bargain 1 No, but I really ain tired of Boston. I want to 
 away, and forget the wretched past in hard work. Oh, doi 
 oppose me, my dear, kind friend — help me against myself Yc 
 don't know what a struggle it has cost me to do this. OH 
 help roe to be strong and brave — tell me to go 1" v j 
 
 *' You shall go if you desire it, but I know how it will be 
 a repetition of life at Mrs, Plummer's. In three weeks you 
 be skin and bone." ' ' ^ --, : i J 
 
 **No," said Sybilla, earnestly; "no, indeed. The cat< 
 that wore me to a shadow ip New York can never come agaij 
 I am innocent of the crime I thought I was guilty of, iwd, wl 
 
 .#--: 
 
 Tmistbok there for a haunting apparition, is my living husbanj 
 Oh, believe me« I shall be better and happier &r Irom here a| 
 
 -.SS" . J 
 
 '' niJi kiE^^.«lki0^fe''<3 S;* " '£^ts<Sii-<iJMiA^Ss^ 
 
 .,.,.p.y^.^^,.:...;.;^.,;^^v:. 
 
 ills' 
 ft- 
 
mf' 
 
 
 i^ 
 
 a Trwylian?— t 
 
 TXnS irtRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 m 
 
 bts„associations, ^nd if I should die there, what should it mat- 
 ter ? There I" pointing upward, 'Ms the only true countiy 1" 
 ' Mrs. Wayland sighed. 
 
 "Ever willful. I know it is no use tqcontend. Do as ^ 
 "Till, my darling Sybilla, and God b^ss you wherever you go." 
 
 Sybilla kissed her, and silently left the room. 
 
 At dinner Mrs. Wayland broke the news to her husband and 
 on. 
 
 The former protested loudly against any such step ; the latter 
 aid veiy little, but was thoughtful, and a little sad. As they 
 |ir<Me from the table, he said to Sybilla, iix a low voice ; 
 " Whom do you think is in Boston ?" 
 
 She lifted her eyes with a quick, searching glance, and a sud, 
 pen paling. 
 
 Ah, she knew 1 v 
 
 "Yes, he is here," said the lawyer, ans^vering that look, "at 
 
 he Revere. He leaves again at the end of the week, to take 
 
 Ip his permanent residence at the South. • Would you not like 
 
 *) say good-by P—yoa may never meet again, " 
 "Yes," said Sybilla, drawing a long, hard breath, "yes." 
 "If you will write a. line to-night, I will deliver it to-morrow. 
 
 Be asked how you were." 
 
 He strode away abrupUy, and Sybilla went slowly up to he« 
 
 )om...,.,-,.i„...... ■■^..j...r,,Z^.. ' 
 
 Ah I how rebelliously her heart bea^ and she had thought 
 he wag resigned. 
 
 She sat for houn at her tobies the wbi|e sheet spread open bo. 
 
 ^' 
 
 -\ 
 
 
 M 
 
 r^f 
 
 
^-, - 'i"- T«!^^-> ff^flfg^'J -y f«n^-n 
 
 ■^-'x'' 
 
 »34 
 
 7K& VTRGlmA HBTRESS. 
 
 I 
 
 fore her, not knowing what to say. At last, in very desperation, 
 she dashed off a few abrupt lines : 
 
 I leave this country in two days, in all likelihood never to re-, 
 turn. I do not deserve it, I know; but, oh I if you would 
 send me away happy, bV coming to say farewell, I should never 
 forget it to my dying day I I have no right even to address you, 
 much less right to ask you to forgive me; but I will npver cease 
 to pray that some day— «ome day— you may learn to do it 
 - Vou know all my sin and folly, but you do not know how bit- 
 terly I have repented and suffered. If you will not come, send 
 me one little line of adieu, and even /4a/ will make me happy 
 
 Sybilla. 
 Had Sybilla's jheart been less full, she might have been ablel 
 to write much more. She cried until her eyes and heart achet 
 alike over this epistolary composition, and only went to bee 
 when the new day was red in the sky. 
 
 Mr. Waylpnd delivered the note next morning, and Sybillal 
 sat in a fever of expectation at home. Oh 1 would he cornel 
 or would he even send her one poor line in ^rewell? 
 
 She grew sick with anxiety as the day wore on, and threw her 
 self in a sort of despair on the lounge. 
 
 "He will not come! He will not comel I might hav«j 
 known it, and yet— oh J he migh^ he might, if he knew hov 
 miserable I am." 
 
 Just then the door-bell rang. She sprang up, flushed anci 
 trembling, and a minute later the housekeeper ushered in Cok 
 nel Evandyke. 
 
 He was little changed — somewhat thinner and paler, per] 
 hap»^but bearded p an d grave , and sta t ftly, and h a nH«nni« > n iH>v^ 
 
t.^"; 
 
 >r 
 
 t^-"" 
 
 J^^" 
 
 (*'-'»'"«?w- 
 
 veiy desperation,] 
 
 t have been ablel 
 
 r/f£ VIRGINIA HEIRESS. ,35 
 
 [and &r beyond the power of speech. The gentleman was per- 
 •fectly self-possessed— outwardly, at least 
 
 "I am happy to see you again," he said, bowing gravely 
 ind just touching her hand, "and looking better than when \ 
 lleft." 
 
 He sat down. 
 
 Sybilla followed his example, and tried to speak. 
 "It was vety good of you to come." she said, felteringly. 
 " You received my note ?" 
 
 jFrom Wayland? Yea You ar. going away-may I ask 
 
 "To New Zealand." 
 
 Colonel Evandyke opened Ws eyes in surprise. 
 
 "To New Zealand I So&rl What can possibly-but I be« 
 ^our pardon, I have no right to ask." 
 
 "Yes," said Sybilla, sadly, "you have. I am going as gov, 
 ^rness, I may never come back ; that is why-" She stopped, 
 lalf choked. ' ^ ' 
 
 "J^us hope for better things/'he said, kindly; "letushope 
 ^ou may^et return. I should have deeply regretted it, had 
 ^ou left wj^hout my seeing you-without a chance to say good. 
 
 The te^rs were coming ; it was veiy ha^l to keep them back. 
 >ut she <|id it, somehow. 
 
 She d^red not loo k at him-ehe knew the dark, penetiatlnir 
 
 '69 M^t?^ firerf n ii h >y fej%a — — ->— -^ -- ^ ' 
 
 ted inriier fecfe^ 
 
 «.! 
 
 hm tsked me to foigive yo^-^lAhrgin you. freely. 
 
 ;t! 
 
 - .4 
 
 - ;i| jl 
 
 ■■•»• 
 
 
 
 1' J 
 
 i 
 
 liiii 
 
 ■■ >-.J4 
 
 
 
 fj 
 
 4 
 
 
 jM 
 
 vmB 
 
 !li| 
 
 '■■'11 
 
 
 I 
 
1.-^ 
 
 -<. 
 
 :•''•).• 
 
 lL': 
 
 as* TME VIRGINIA BEIRESS. 
 
 It ib more than I could have said a few months ago, but peri 
 haps I was too hard, too bitter. A true friend of yours has bee 
 talking to me since, and brought me to look on things gone b 
 In a more Christian light" r 
 
 "Who?"shefel4red. 
 
 "My motherl" 
 
 The tears came now. That poor, wronged, heart-brokei 
 mother I 
 
 She laid her face on the arm of her chair, and the tears fel 
 like rain. . * / * 
 
 "Since we mhst part, let us part friends," he said, rising, a 
 holding out his hand. "I forgive you, with all my heart Goo 
 by, my friend, and God bless you I" 
 
 She gave him her hand without looking up ; the convulsi 
 sobs shook her from head to foot Oh I it was hard— it was b 
 ter— itwas cruel as death, this parting I Her very heart Spem 
 breaking 1 
 
 He pressed her hand, dropped it, and walked to the doo 
 There he paused. Those anguished, tortured sobs moved hi 
 hard as he had resol^^d to be, and he loved her in.spite of al 
 he knew it; now. ' ^ 
 
 He turned, hesitated irresolutely; there ^wta a momen 
 struggle, and then the noble nature conquered. He advance 
 she heard him ; his ttms were around her, his voice, loving a 
 foigiving, in hereatl 
 
 •Sybillarhesaid, "mya^/' ,T 
 
 It was ^ 
 •ubt, to 1 
 id bettere< 
 Sybilla W: 
 few Zealai 
 [agle was t( 
 id Mrs. P£ 
 The^ parti 
 spend Ch 
 Mrs. Nafe 
 
 •«< 
 
 f*U-=' v -i, " ' .■"*.,•- "'>?* '■ ■ 
 
 Lftsijiflli., 
 
 
 Ivandyke. 
 "Itwas 1 
 but I thin 
 'en if they i 
 So the haj 
 Don't ask 
 [nglish lan{ 
 owfrom^j 
 3u to know 
 
 St in the ra 
 
 —-a 
 
f.^ 1»"^ 
 
 
 rza VJRGmiA HEIRESS,- 
 
 *n 
 
 ' \ 
 
 ' 111' 
 
 CHAPTER XXIIL 
 
 AT PEACE. 
 
 It was ^ great disappointment to the Rev. Mr. Pirks, ho 
 3ubt, to lose his governess ; but, as the governess had gope 
 bd bettered herself, what could he do? 
 I Sybilla was to leave Boston on the day appointed, but not for 
 
 jew Zealand. It jvas the sunny South, this time, and Dick 
 
 laglewas to be her traveling companion, and not the Rev. Mr. 
 
 Tid Mrs. P&rks, and the five little Parkas. 
 [The^parting with the Waylands is over; itiey have promised 
 I spend Christmas with Mrs. Nagle in her^i^thern home. It 
 Mrs. Nafele again, for tiie ex-colonel has propped the title of 
 
 |vandyke. ' 
 
 "It was the name of my benefactor and friend. "he said; 
 I but I think, on the whole, I prefec sailing under true colors, 
 ren if they ^ less aristocratic" 
 I So the happy pair are off and away* 
 
 Don't ask me to tell you how happy they were, because the 
 Inglish language is inadequate to the task, and, if you don t 
 
 QV feonL exp e rien ce ^^ou«ay..goiae dttyr— Jt-is eiTongh^tor 
 M to know they were happy, and forgot all the da»kn|ess of th^ 
 8t in the radiance of the present, 
 
 
 M 
 
 ;, 
 
 ^r^ 
 
 ; 
 
 
 % 
 
 ill 
 
 ' fi ' 4 1 
 
 
 Si 
 
 
 
. ■>-!. 
 
 rt. 
 
 338 
 
 TffM VIRGINIA HEIRESS, 
 
 Sybilla never asked where fhey^ere goingi. It. might be 
 Florida, Virginia, or the moon. What did it ruitter, since 
 was with her ? — and Mr. Nagle diid no. -.lighten her. 
 spoke of ''home" vaguely; it was somewhere in ^iigini^ 
 and gave her to understand his mother was there awaiting ther 
 
 They reached Richmond. A handsome carriage met th« 
 at the depot as they arrived, and Mr! and Mrs. Nagle entere(| 
 and were whirled off. 
 
 Sybilla sat very silent, her husband's hand , clasped in hen 
 looking dieapily out at the ^miliar landscape, and thinking 
 with tender sadness, of poor grandpapa. Ah I if only* he wc^ 
 alive t9 see this hap^y day I , " • ' . 
 
 Her husband watched her, half smiling. 
 
 "You recognize these ^miliar landiAarks, Sybilla, I hopej 
 '' "Oh, yes," languidly. "Where are we going?" 
 
 " Home, of course." 
 
 "Is it near?" 
 
 "Very near, my darling." 
 
 They entered an inn-gateway, and rattled up a long avenij 
 as be spoke. Sybilla started up with a ciy — 
 
 " Why, Dick, this is Aww//' 
 
 "Of course, my dear; that is what I have been telling yd 
 all along." 
 
 " But it is my home, only the house is new, and— oh, Diclj 
 do jw own Tresylian now ?" ^ / 
 
 — HisTOiite washei answer, and Sybilla, far a Taptnreri mpel 
 ously ki well never mind. 
 
 * • 4 
 
THE VIRGINIA HEIRESS. 
 
 «39 
 
 She sprang out, and ran up the steps of the handsome new 
 
 pansion, and into the hall. , There old Mrs. Nagle, with a smila 
 
 If welcome, caught her to her breast, and Bessie;^ with her babjr^ 
 
 her arms, stood shyly in the background. And Sybilla was 
 
 )ring, and kissing everybody, and asking them to'foigive her, i 
 
 ad so happy she hardly knew what to do with herself 
 
 * * * * * * 41 * 
 
 And so — that's all 1 
 
 That's the whole story of the Virginia Heiress, and it is time 
 [)r me to put on my bonnet and go. I can't deny that she be- 
 
 ived badly, and you must ha\e felt indignant with her ; but, 
 
 Mr. Dick Nagle has forgiven her, I don't see why you 
 liouldn't I know she has been a model from that day to this, 
 nd in all broad America there is not a happier couple than 
 tichard Nagle and his pretty wifftj ~ 
 
 Mamma Nagle lives with them, serenely happy in her old 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Shield are at hom;6 on the New England / 
 
 up a long avcnM™' ^^'^ thriving, of course 
 
 / 
 
 Dustace and Eleanor flourish' in New York, and live veiy(. 
 [)htentedly together. ' / \ 
 
 George Wayland is in that city, also, a bachelor still, and / 
 jkely to remain in that blessed st^te , ^ 
 
 So we leave Sybilla, a -model housekeeper and, Virginia ma- 
 ron. "All we have to say is, in the language of the iaiiy tales, 
 
 laptprerimpe ty* ^ ^ ^^^^ happy fo iev e rafter^ 
 
 N 
 
 THE ENO. 
 
 
 PI 
 
 rW-il: 
 
 •! 
 
 
 »■-.« 
 
 VfttOftSjiW > <\ S^ 
 
I ;♦ 
 
 t-i,.. 
 
 W' 
 
 ••THE RHINI 
 THE ALPS, 
 And the BATTLEFIELD LINEl 
 
 The Famous 
 
 . . fkSTFDnmviiiGnui 
 
 BAS wo BQVAIi BKTWBBN 
 
 OINOINNATI AND NEW YOlfeKl 
 
 TIa Washington, Baltimore, ui4 PliURdelplila/ 
 
 Veatibtded, Steam Heated, and Eleotrio lighted Tbrongbont. 
 ffHBOUOS DXNIKO OAB and OOttPLSTB FUIXKAN 8ESVZ0 j 
 THBOUOH 8LEEFEB9 TO AKD FBOM 
 ,: 8T* LOtriSr CH ICAaqAND LOWI^y ILLB!. 
 
 ■nie most Interartlng Ustorlcaasoeiatl^^ and tlie moat ttarflUnranilMMitL 
 aoen^ry in tbe United BUtas are linked to(g<ether bjr the C. A O. Syatem, yrVUOk tnvei^ 
 Vligmia, tbe flist Ibotlioldof BnglMi aeitten in America, wliere mg RevtrintlOoa 
 War was bMun and ended, and where tlie great battles of the Civil war were ftogi 
 noans tba Bio* Itidge and Alleghany Mountains and the (tamods ShnModoab Vallf 
 nacres tbe odebR^ Bprtngs region of the VlrRlnia8L4Md.UeB thntdf^ a*m 
 New Bl?«r. where the scenery is grand beyond descrlpdou. It fitUows tb<r bi 
 the Kanawna aiid Ohio lttr«*s,-aiid-penatwites tba ftunou Blaa aiaaa region of Kl 
 toOky, noted (br producing tbejneatest race-bones of tbe world. 
 Vvotmam, IMdei%:;dcsMflM»> pamphlets, eta, aimly to Fennaylvanla Ba&r 
 ^t^oacMUi NewlrortE, FhlladeQAla, and BalUm<5«, (be prtnoipal tioket oSB 
 lluoui^uMit the coontiy, or any of the^jB^lowing C. dk O. agendeat 
 
 HEW TOBK-«M and 1SS8 B*>^wa]r. 
 3 v-.- -ITABECINOTQH-rglS and im x'ennsylTania ayemUb 
 "'"'" OUfCIHirATr— Corner Fifth aud WalaatatrMta. - it. t »^ "s 
 
 LOUI8Vn«LB— 888 Foortb avenue. , . .' 
 
 . LOUIB— Comer Broadway and Cheatnnt gtreeli • a . - 
 
 T0A«K>-4tt Olaxk itRielr- 
 OL 9» BTAir, Aagtot aat Generid Yifitticiff Mtni, OtaMliinatt, a 
 
 ~ W*WUJn^ OenenlFMcebgor A^BOIk WMlilaBtoiwIX( 
 
 Jut- . 
 
 y*- 
 
 !(l^i»ilM^ ^ei iim&^^i^^^^^:f«^^2i,^J^'^li^fy^^K .-*&^<.I^4^.i.^^<l^ 
 
 
-<-r 
 
 |MriS80URI,» 
 
 id KAN8A8p 
 
 INDIAN TERRITORY, 
 |TBXA8, 
 
 MEXICO^!? 
 
 CALIFORIilA. 
 
 jSM Bixzumro chaib cabs (xa kul trains. 
 
 WKom THB katmBiJkrx' T^Axmm to THm 
 
 M 
 
 \ 
 
 \h 
 
 i 
 
 For further information call on or addras your nearest "7 ,, 
 
 Ticket Agent, or : ^ ' '. "'• \\\ 
 
 ' ii 
 
/I 
 
 Vji "^5^ "^^ 
 
 I .' 
 
 
 Munmer 
 
 . I^OKlslittl* need ofemphwidng the FACT that dw 
 
 Maine Central 
 Railroad -^ 
 
 Hm »eea the developer of Ba« Hamo«, .nd h« «d« thto lacompu«ble 
 
 home the 
 
 Crown of the Atlantic Coaat. 
 
 The Netund Wondew of the White Mountjdne, 
 
 The Wierd Grandeur of the Dixville Notch, 
 
 The Qjuint W«ys and Scenes of Qjiebec, 
 
 The Multifarious Attractions of Montreal, 
 
 The Elegance of Poland Springs, 
 
 The Inexhaustible Fishing of Rangeley. 
 
 The Unique Scenery of Moosehead, ^ 
 
 The Remarkable Healthfuhiess of St. Andrews. 
 
 Are all within contact of the ever-lenffthenlnff arms 
 of the Maine Central Railroad. 
 
 The Renowned Vacation Line. 
 
 Or, to thoM who enjoy Ocean Sailing, the statement is made that the plo- 
 Beer line along the coast of Maine, making numerous landings at pictuiesaue 
 points, almost encircling the Island of Mt. Desert b the •■ — i 
 
 Portland, Mt. DWbERT and 
 Maohias Steamboat Co. 
 
 The New, Large and Luxurious Steamer, "Frank Joiies," makea, during the 
 summer season, two round trips per wtek between Portland, Roeklandi Ba/Har. 
 bor and Machiasport, 
 
 pllcaSlrto**^ **"*""**' *''***^ «^*™»P°rt«««fln. •"«! other Information upon ap- 
 
 -F. 6. BOOTHBTT 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^ * ^^ , GEO. FrEYANS, 
 
 GP.andT.Agt. 2«u M$r. 
 
 POHTLAND, Mb< ' , 
 
 M. 
 
 4. 
 
 .-Si.i 
 
"■v" '/r;-^ ■ 
 
 '^1^ t-i™ 
 
 
 iparable wmmer 
 
 HE n 
 
 iflfiULBOW 
 
 ft Wqfnih Cincinnati, and LoristlHd Riilmail. 
 
 'Natorel GasBodB.' ne Fiplar M LhKi 
 
 reorto, BIoominttoB, Chleago, St. Louis, Springfield, Lalliv«tt% 
 
 Flmkfort, Mandey Portland, Lima, Flndlay, Fostoriay 
 
 Fremont Sfindnsky, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Pem^ 
 
 ^Boehester, Pljmonth, liaPorte, H^hlgwi 
 
 ^ atft It. Wayne, Hartford, BltalRon, 
 
 ■ GonhorsTllle^ and C9noinnatl, maklnf 
 
 llriGt ConneGtIons for an Pdhls East, West, North aad Sontib 
 
 I 
 
 THE OHLY UHE TRAVERSIHQ 
 THE 8REAT NATURAL 8Aft AND OIL HELDS 
 
 Ohio and Inditfna, giving ihejpattons of this Popular Bonte Ml 
 [>portiuii^to\ritiieaB tiie gnma qight fiom the train aa they paai 
 irongh. Great itelda covered with tanks, in which are stored millionf 
 f gaUons of oil. Natural Oas wells shooting their flames high in the 
 r, and the most beaiitifnloitiO% fairly aliTe with glass andall Uads 
 ! factories. 
 
 We famish oar patrons with Elegant Bedining Ohatr Oar Seati 
 ^ree, on day trains, and L. E. dc W. Balaoe Sleeping tuid Bulov Oan^ 
 t)D night trams, at veiy reasonable rates. 
 Direct connections to and from Olereland, BcfMio. New Toi^ 
 DBton, Jehiladetehia, Baltimore^^ittaborg, Washiugton, Kansas^i^ty, 
 niTer, Omaha, Portland, San Fraodsco, vat tik points in the Unttodi 
 fttes and Canada, I, 
 
 This la the popolar xoato with ihe ladies^ on aoooant of its ooaxteoogf 
 laopommodating toain olHdals, and with the commeidal traTelsr 
 1 ifntau pnbUolor its oomforta, qojek time and sore connections. 
 
 ^fnmjrfiniherpaiiicMiars cait on cr aSat^anyXtcketA^^ 
 M. O. PARKER, \ : CHA8. F. DALY, 
 
 ;--ita^fci2g^^a4Mb^'^^li*tfg'.*fL-tV' 
 
 ■J»?V, 
 
 v2^' 
 
 i 
 
 /m 
 
 
i 
 
 ■ 1^ J^l^fpwl'yt *' ■' 
 
 ,, f -- ^--r^'^n 
 
 
 J-S-r- ^.- ■. ;;■:, 
 
 \ -^^'^ 
 
 ■*« ?y 
 
 'i^*-- 
 
 AND 
 
 HDDSdif 
 
 
 Th 
 
 
 i« 
 
 Vrji^sflJ 
 
 ONLY DIRBGT ROUTE TO THE GREAT 
 
 5.1 
 
 MOUNTAINS 
 
 XoantiaM. flu»tfl«iH S^iSl IMta, flfcu<m BMlilgi^ T 
 Ooopentown, How*** OitTa^ ana tfa« OelebnrtiMt 
 Chravlty Bailio«4 lat^nnn. OMrboada]* 
 ." . and HomiwwlaH Pa., stoMUt th* 
 
 ClxMiast Onmhtnatiott of Bealili utd SImmu* TTawiif ia 
 
 • THE DIRECT LINE TO THE SUPERB SUittMER IjOTEL 
 
 ? OF THE North, ^ ^ ,. -^^ 
 
 ••THE HOTEL CHAMPLAm/* ^}. 
 
 CDxnt IfilM Sooth of ftattBbTngb. on Lake Ohanaplain.) 
 
 1HE SHORTEST JUID HOST COMFORTABLE ROOTEI 
 BETWEEN NEW YORK AND MONTREAL.. 
 
 b Oomwetfam ivia» tba Brio Bathrar* tha a«oat FIstaMoaM 
 1 and Ji&wmi lu g Bonta batj^ean Ohtoago and Boatotu^ 
 ^Dia anl^r thxooflrh PnlliDan l^iiaa* 
 
 ilv. 
 
 rMMCM 
 
 Th 
 
 ill 8fUB|M for ilkiiinliNl i|ii||i fi 
 H.0.YOUNa— ^ -^1^1*^^ 
 
 J. W. BURI 
 
 
 ■ .fe>; 
 
isriD 
 
 ;: f*. 
 
 B GREAT 
 
 TAINS 
 
 ebralMl 
 ■to 
 
 NlEW 
 
 Tr«v^en 
 Should always ask te tkloli via 
 
 osToafe 
 
 II 
 
 .V^' 
 
 :\^ 
 
 «v, 
 
 AIR une'' Miitird ^AiN, 
 
 day* only, due destinat&m, 6.00 Pi IL 
 
 '■I 
 
 mm ISMOKER, PARLOR tm. AMI 
 
 f i 
 
 ibvteia 
 lE^lfOTEL 
 
 .* 
 
 iun; 
 
 Shampbdn.) 
 
 IBLE ROUTE 
 ITWAk 
 
 lOiMteli 
 URDICK. 
 
 turn 
 Pakk 
 
 COAOH^ 
 
 ^'!f^ 
 
 .1 
 
 ivi At aifii' IUavb 
 
 AKB StAHON, BoSTOli 
 
 Sfr,. 
 
 ttt^mt nmammJ^ ^^ ^^^ Houae, PmHe Square StmUoa, Boatof 
 
 The Norwich Line, 
 
 iWH^] irrt'ji 
 
 *# 
 
 INSIDE ROUTE. 
 
 4n. NortI) River, ^6w Ywk, 1 80 P. M. wefk days 
 GonMKtni^ at New Londdn with Stealnboat Expresa. 
 diM Woreestar, 8^0 A. M; Boston, JN^Qjiiyii f 
 
 : RETURNING. X, ■ ^ 
 
 TMna LemikiAtoii^Oi P. ML^ Worcester 8.00 rM^Mek days only. 
 
 Connecting at New London with Steamm^ of ilw 
 * '-• " Uie dud New York 7.W A. ■. "- 
 
 HoiMUi tUmiiifns leave and anhre Kneeland St Station (Plyroouth Oiv> 
 Y^ N. Yi, >i. H. & H. Rd.), Boston. 
 
 Tldttfay Statciooins on Steamers, i)nd M Infomtattaii at offloea, 
 Pier 40, NortlrRiverj^ -r--."4JBW YORK. '*" ^ 
 "^*^^ fOU State House,- -^ .-^i'- .■ -i^ t-:- _ ,.. ;v^ 
 T T ICll<}eland St Station (Plymouth A BOSTOH 
 
 j-UMStaie House, ,^i . -:.■ t 
 IbMieland St Station (Plymouth J 1 
 
 W»R»9/UiCQGK» General Passenger Agent* Bostoiw 
 
 
 _w -f^ 
 
 •< 
 
 -S^i 
 
 
% 
 
 ' ^ 
 
,^ 
 

 '-','',''»«••'*"'' ''■• hp-'^' v-l'iis jf !<-% 
 
 ! . '^ 
 
 -SPI KED DOWN 
 
 The iNTERcduTNiAL Railway 
 
 \ HALIFAX, ST. JOHM, . .'^ 
 
 ;, 8YONBY ANO QUEBEO 
 
 IS THE ^OLAR ROUTE FOR SUMMER TRAVEL 
 
 Vftp^mLLED FOR MAGNIFICENT SCENERY. 
 
 ^..^^Ji Oy^BE'C It skirts for TWO HUNDRED MILES th« 
 LAKE.iWOUNTAIN and VALLEY r^n of the : ' 
 
 METAPEDIA AND RESTICDUC'HE RIVERS 
 
 an(fontotheWOJlLD.RENOWNED BRASD'OR LAKES in Cape Breton 
 , Connecting at Point du Chene, N. B., and Picton N S^ for PRrwrR 
 ||JDWARD ISLAND, "THE GARDEN OF THE GULF.^' ^°'^^^^ 
 
 i.v«,?!**.»^fi?^*y '" America presents to PLEASURE SEEKERS. 
 [INVALIDS and SPORTSIVIEN so many unrivaHed attractiorts. 
 
 The ONLY ALL RAIL ROUTE between HALIFAX and ST. JOHN. 
 
 OIO. W. ROBINSON, • • • • . Eistem FrBteht and PaaKngn- Agent. 
 
 WMtern Frctf ht aii4 PMMngcr A«n^ 
 
 N. WCATNEIISTON. 
 
 ^M 
 
 93 T^ Street, Rossln Houm Block, Toronto, 
 mbdOaUr 
 
 D.ParTIN<»R, JNO. M.LYONS, 
 
 WO'KnWN.N. Bi, CANADA, r w,r^ 
 
 
{: 
 
 ■'«'':f5fc'»^Ki^ 
 
 Ni 
 
 A Romance of the Cloak and Swoi^ 
 
 r / 
 
 A* Origtuat 
 
 By AMEDEE achard. 
 
 iUomfrom th9 FmuAt and for tht #Vr«( 3Vnm 
 'Don* into Bnglith, 
 
 SOME PRESS OOMME, 
 
 ilL*J"*?^ !P 1^^ <>^"P ^ dialoyae, audlntenaely 
 ^Mk&n^S^ " ' goodrqulok .toiy iSS^ 
 
 )( the Cloak and Sword.* 
 olorfaL *• * * >BaUe* 
 17 obanDB for tbe fair.** 
 
 me Aobacd as aaperlor 
 
 tUe fldelfty of man. the saoredneu of MmaBhlp!ld^^wiotthT^^ 
 
 "^^^"yS*'° ""°""^ *****" *^* ■**»'' » '"oin^on for the wid^S 
 
 ":ae Cham that to always to be found In thft worksWf the beat Trenab 
 
 orSI?.Si1«««»^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 TS'et^^JSiSn'S.^^i^^^^l^j^^^^^ to make love. 
 
 i'^VXVi^S'A'L^^B. P?^^_ J«?loj'?y •?« rei^nge. the, bnfltot. 
 
 and rewVrda of warrwitb iMhea^fSSSTo?^^^^ 
 that make the whole world kln."-ir«ia^Aih£a»? 
 
 puches of nature 
 
 iu>toiof*2Shut]3K*fo' *«**<»" there are „. 
 aoter of an histoflbal romance, and when one 
 
 preoiated. 
 
 few which partake of the ohai>< 
 
 a --— — .-.^.•uwvt aHiu wucu one to found that dOMi it: ia un. 
 
 a^n'arrto'»Ji%«e»w'?r^^^^ 
 
 .irect;»f?S5Vb'S>ffiS'4»: "ft lt'S^r/S?»e'SSd"'wJS*lSS 
 
 T 
 
 BILLE-ROM to No. 9 of "Parto flema," far aato by an BbokieUera oi 
 NewMleaten, orient poati»ald to any addi«M on raoelpt of price. 95 oent« 
 b7tlwpiiUlalwn.RBni MMMTpm U^ Im» Hm^ VtwfMk.; 
 
 t 
 
 ,;.ri' 
 
 I I 
 
 f 
 
 III 
 !! 
 
 i 
 
 

 BY CLEMENT R MAilLEY. 
 
 PI2ICSS O-ptNXOVTH, 
 
 *"Btollard Forreat, Bachelor.* by Clement R KmleyT'k » JMght and/ 
 pleMing Btory. The love story of the old bachelor, whoim heart wa« 8o( 
 ong steeled to woman's charms, biit who snoonmbs at last to the girl «hq 
 attempts to take the life of bis best friend because she Imagines be wranged 
 her yoQng andbeaotUal sister, is preUlly told."— .^twton Timet. 
 
 - 'Blohard Forrest, Baohelur.' is a story whose narration Is simple a^d 
 dlreot,bat it has auo a freshness and vivacity which add greatly to lu 
 charms. The characters are well drawn.— ilTeiooril; il<lt)erf(Mr. 
 
 "An antertidnln^ story, telling of the oaptuie of the heart of mi old 
 baohelor.**— JVeto yoHkiVvca 
 
 **A story at most anoonventlon^l type. The theme Is good, and It is 
 well told. It is SIl Vary natural and true to Ufe^'and when all Is said and 
 done it lingers In tb^ mind as a pleasant memory.**<>-/r(nAviUS Amertean. 
 
 - 'Blohard Forrest. Bachelor,' is a very i^easlng love Btoty, inoet entef» 
 tatnlngly totd.**-Jnir( ITortA (taselM, 
 
 "The author tc^s a very nuoonvsntional story la ^RMnutd Wotnik, 
 Bachelor,* and It ls|TeryenterU!ning.'*—iKroofe{yi» Avis. ' v - 
 
 *'In 'Blobard ^errsst, Baobelor,' the author gives aveiy ptetty story. 
 There are strong r«llgidns senttibents, and the author puts fatVb. some weQ* 
 defljied IdefM oa the social relattons eC men and woBBea.'^-^fiWarfslpfciia 
 Catt. *T 
 
 •'A Boysi of more fhaa usual Interest Is 'Btekaid Forrest, Baobeleiii* It 
 desoribSs [{oenesana Inoldents tbat maybeseevand azperleneedtqraBy 
 on»ln stmtlar eireumstaaces. There Is mtioli tbat Is strange and stfarrlag in 
 the story, yet nflltore ts not departed from either In the iDQldentcoiTi^ar 
 aoters introdiieed<— BrooMyn CUiam. 
 I. -^mji^^;^^^^^ tgiQ ^ sustained Interest and dramatle ebaraoter."- 
 
 ~: ^'l^eaatWtdlstlMstiwy^aB old twohsloi's love. ibf^^ 
 
 ^in nfe'lATBlttittable to OiTpld's <1hk, and then be detects tbe woman e# frts 
 
 iwart^ Mislee-ta aa attempt npon the life of his )>osem friend, faavcate an 
 
 insigtBsrft^af. ttl^vei^ytrnetolite.— AtfaiitoJ'eitrMi.l 
 
 '"■■■ '-- •'^olu^ VOrr«s« Baekelor/ Is after tiie style of *9lr. BttMs e^ll^ 
 
 Toric, bat Is ratliw better wdtte6.''--^&<ir(^bftianiMt, ... pi v 
 
 BIOSASD VOSBSST, BACRBLOB, is Vo.M or*KJrlterfon BerleS,** 
 lor SMS by all Booksellen or Newsdaalers, or seat postpaid to aay a<Ui«si' 
 

 fo STORY OF SHERIDAN'S GREAT RIDE. 
 
 BY 
 
 JT^P. 
 
 t ;:, 
 
 -r tl 
 
 -4 
 
 'i4!i 
 
 ttoliBia 9^miit, 
 
 to ehuaoter.**- 
 
 "' PBBSS OPiNlONa 
 
 titte. and raty aooorate hlstorioaUy. "•"•wnw ana aaven- 
 
 r 2W»un«.* Bright and intereatlng In plot. 
 ^o«4anl-rh*)n.* "Shenandoah" is a antpffMi faia ...« ♦!.-. 
 
 exMjlntonnatton la^l^lfof thSfthl^^^^ aplrited et/Ie and mnSL 
 
 of WInoheater iSd cUltt tt&* * Shenandoah oampaign an<f of the hattlea 
 
 hlatory and romance are flnS/^^^T^JghJr! ^SfilSSglt?"'"* '^^ 
 
 2E«C£|.t?i«r.^ - wg: 
 
 rSSrSSegt^th^dSTtl^ln'^^^^^^^^ ^. P. 
 
 djUghtfal Uttie gaspB of exoltemont, and the «S 3 W 
 ttwt towoven to fe gWnes like delioate^to «to£2 
 
 h; 
 
 •B xeoelpt of prioe. Moenta, J»y (be poUlahera, ^ "»«»«^ 
 
 fnxm * MQ^SIL 864,1 JloM MNtt^ y«,r T«k. 
 
 4* S( 
 
 rtl 
 
-r) :" 
 
 9T 
 
 t » 
 
 a WALDO BROWNE. 
 
 PBESB OPINION& 
 BrtHOnn MadUf A ttMh love «tory. 
 B^tonJ^nuO: A thrlllUig auntlTe fojinded on Flokatt'i Uwt charge at 
 
 Mnv 7orir Aaearder; ▲ tab of tbe moat dramaUo event of the war. WeU 
 worth rtodlng. . , •"•'^ "■»• """ 
 
 Saturday Mailt A faeolnatlng atory. 
 
 Avokfyn iSXandanl-nition.* A stirring noreL 
 
 huHmapUtM »m»nel: PleMflntrjui^ng to thoae Interested in the OTenta 
 ot war times, which are faithf ally depleted. "•wwwToaw 
 
 apokMOtr, Stationer, d^ Stwdealer: "A Daoghter of Maryland" la m. 
 ■Wf. *<» qntoken tte blood and awaken the pity of aU who read it IS 
 TMdlyportraya the disbreni in families, some ol whom espoused the oaiue 
 of the North and some the South. *r— «i~ m^ ooumi 
 
 Amertean TclvmUtr: Very Interesting; A reallstlo narratlTe. 
 ^«otaO% Jmimat: •• A Daughter of Maryland," iUostrated, Is entertain- 
 
 fftw Tork World: "A Daughter of Maryland "Is a war novel orowdad 
 with incident and adventure, and the ouuSm WstortwUIyaSSSSt^ 
 
 * i«^ P*^^*®' ^ M««yl*nd " is a dharmlng love story, 
 tdUiigJMiJdoes^th a thrilling interest anS at tlmS^ 
 tender pathos, a tale of itroe love whose rongh and rugired 
 oonrse was so often tamed by the vicissitudes of war, wid 
 "moving aooidaatsj^ flood and field." The read^ wiU 
 S?J®fwS^?X?**L*^®'P*^°*P«»<» o' this romantic 
 SJ?*Sf^S^ S S®*'^*^'^ f°^ «^«^y ^J"" the sorrows 
 ffd^^2L*? ^v ^**^ ^^ ""^ «"d women, whoaa 
 love was tried by the fire of war. 
 
 , - ~ A« vt.XN» Is ■»<»: W^ 
 
 "OloT«r Series.** for sale by all Booksellers and iTewsdealers, or sant^post- 
 pa«V to My address, on receipt of price, as ceints, by the pnbUshert, 
 
 
 »■'.; 
 
 '"£' 
 
 ii.:»t. 
 
 7 
 

 in the erents 
 
 , it entertebh 
 
 i; 1 
 
 VIOTORIEN SAllDOU. 
 
 A Kovelization of the Celebrated ftoy, 
 
 A. D. Han l«« tow ,Kto Wa^T^rTSSte^ 
 
 «»rflon<f Oreaonten* A rtory that hol^a the tatereit. .' 
 "OlSSSdlir?^RjfS?v4 ^2v2rt'S'£S5!»«"« ««»«flVngly well depleted. 
 
 ■BH^lireiM/ Avli^dwidpowerftilatoiry. ' 
 
 - — — - ^ 
 
 [doneb7irr.A.D. 
 
 ^-x 
 
 w*!?*^*!^^? '^ ' -?S« •mpMfloatloii into the noTel le l 
 meJS'lrtSS!' '^•"^' ^^« Ito >lt»»tlon. are dr«nat!e, It l« by >• 
 
 .Br»itoHlV««rf«r* Itha«l)a«toft>r«tttttli»terMfc - '^ 
 
 f 
 
 |**doubu_ 
 are well 
 
 MOada.**—. _ „_ ^—.^T-TT Trr mMinn Tti n«i 
 
 - « 
 
 i<i 
 
 1 ";i|. 
 
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 g^wS ^i^- ^"JStT* ' I" ' ***'*• * •' "Dnwna 8arle«»'* fto Mb br «■ 
 
■* '? 
 
 
 ''^^ '^\-''4^^}^i^~'^; 
 
 
 '■'^"■■■«^ 
 
 The AdTHOR OF Dr: Jack. 
 
 These novels are copyrighted ai}d can be jiad only in 
 the Criterion Series. Paper, 50 cents. 
 
 2. Dr. Jackl 
 
 . _ BY ST. GEORGE RATHBORME. 
 
 3. Dr. Jack's Wife. I 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR OP DR. JACK. • 
 
 4. Miss Pauline of New York* 
 
 ^Y THE AUTHOR OF DR. JACK. 
 
 5. Captain Tom. 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR OP DR. )ACK. 
 
 6. Miss Caprice. 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR OP DR. JAClX. 
 
 7. Baron Sam. 
 
 BYTHB AUTHOR OP DR. JACK.. ' ^ 
 
 9. Monsieur Bob {Mnttrnm- ^^ 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR OP DR. JACK. V . *. 
 
 9. The Colonel by Brevet (M^wnum^ 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR OP DR. JACK. 
 
 . • . ■ ' > '.i 
 
 10. Mi^or Matterson of Kentucky 
 
 BY TUB AUTHOR OP DR. JACK. (jmw 
 
 13. The Nabob of Singapo«re i^m^ 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR Op DR. JACK 
 
 i04 
 
 ToTs^ byaii Booksellers andnewSdealers, or sent 
 postage free on receipt of price, by the publishers. 
 
 ■<^ 
 
 •r-T* 
 
 
 
 <«-«;j^|fef^^^^ 
 
', ''. iff "i'",3^Sil« 
 
 •^ II 
 
 rs, or sent 
 
 Mptm OP BBBTHA M. CLAY*S NOVELS A£m SOLD THANi 
 
 
 iertha IVLCtoy's Novels 
 
 ' The majority of these novels are copyrighted and can 
 be had onlydn the Clover Series. Paper, 25 cents. 
 
 For a Woman's Honor (new). 
 A Heart's Bittemesa 
 A Heart's Idol. " ^ 
 The Gipsy's Daughter. 
 In Love's Cracible. 
 Maijorle Deane. 
 Gladys Greye. 
 
 Another Woman's Hnsband. 
 Violet Lisle, 
 Fair, bnt Faithles& 
 Another Man's Wife. 
 Between Two Hearts. 
 'Twiiit Love and Hate. 
 A Woman's Tem|>ta;tioii. 
 Beyond Pardon 
 PutAttmder.. J'v 
 Betwceii'TwoljOvea "^ 
 Undoir » Shadow. ,, 
 
 The Earl's Atonement 
 
 Bepented at Leisifire. ' ' 
 
 Weaker than a Woman. 
 
 Dora Thome. 
 
 A Golden Heart > 
 
 A Mad Love. 
 
 The Duke's Secret. 
 
 T^ife in Name Only. 
 
 A Fiery OrdeaL 
 
 The Shadow of a Sin. 
 
 A Woman's War. 
 
 GlaribelsfboveStoiy. , 
 
 An Ideal Love (new). 
 
 From Out tiie Glooia^ ' 
 
 Thomis and Orange Blossonu. 
 
 Thrown On the World. , 
 
 Lord Lynne's Choice. 
 
 Siinshijie and Bosee^ , 
 
 For sale by aS[ bookselieK and newsdealers, or sent 
 (lOStage free on receipt of pricey tlie publishers. 
 
 "S^- 
 
 
 StpET& SMITO ] " 
 
 \^ ajLto ji Rose Street, New York. 
 
 -'HL 
 
 
 
 <^ (I 
 
OVER ONB^MiiucfN OP jHiis^ a^o/koB stmiLi!^i¥sf 
 
 NOVELS HAVE BEEN SOUX 
 
 Mrs. Georgie Sheldon's 
 
 Novels. 
 
 These novels are copyrighted and can be had only in 
 the Clover Series. Paper, 25 cents. Cloth, one dollar. 
 
 1— Lost, a Pearle. By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 
 
 2— Stella Ro8e'<^elt By Mrs, Georgie Sheldon. 
 
 8— Sibyl's Influence. By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 
 
 Arr^Prixy, By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 
 
 6— A True Aristocrat. By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 
 
 ^Max. By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. " 
 
 7— Two Keys. By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. ■■ ^^ 
 
 S—Thrice Wedded. By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 
 
 9— Witch Hazel By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 
 lO-Virgie's Inheritance. By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 
 11— Audrey's Recompense (new). By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 
 12— Buby's Reward. ^By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 
 13— Edrie's Legacy. By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 
 14— Tina. By Jlrs. GjBorgie Sheldon. 
 16— That Dowdy. By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 
 16— Geolfrey's.1^ctory. By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 
 18— Wedded by Fate (new). By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon.' 
 55— Mona (new). By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 
 80— His Heart's Queen (new). By Mrs. Georgie Sheldon. 
 
 For sale by all bpoksellers and newsdealers, or sent 
 postage free on receipt of price, by the^ublishers. ^ 
 
 STREET & SMITH, 
 
 a5 to 31 Rose Street, New York. 
 
 
 .'.»■**, 
 
 ~lf^)ln 
 
 iSi-Jf ■ 
 
r;- ,f' X, , > 
 
 ^^, W*V^ TPms mmom) THOUSAND dp JUUA 
 BDWA»^Sf JmVBLS HAVB »BBN SOUK 
 
 on's I Julia Edwards' Novels: 
 
 A poor girl with the dangerous heritage of beauty 
 must needs possess a heart as true as steel to escape the 
 traps set to ensnare her by designuig men. No Kvinff 
 writer is the equal of Julia EdwardUn the vivid portray^ 
 of the struggles and triumphs of the brave daughters of 
 the people^the working girlsof our great cities. 
 
 St 
 
 These novels are copyrighted and can be had' bnly in 
 th<rClover Series. Paper, 23 cents. Cloth, one dollar. 
 
 41— Prettiest of AIL By JuUa Edwurda 
 
 42-.TheLi^le Widow. By JnUa Edwarda. 
 
 43— BeautifW but Poor. By Julia Edwarda. 
 
 44r-Sadia tlie Eoaebud. By Jnlia Edwards. "■ ■ 
 
 40— I«ora Brayton. By Julia Edwards. 
 
 46-Stella Sterling. By Jnlia Edwarda. 
 
 47-HeLoveBMe,HeLoveaMeNot By JnHa Edwards. 
 
 JuUa Edwards' heroines are all taken from real life - 
 and^ the spirited action of the story holds the attention 
 and mterest of the reader without intermission from 
 cover to cover. , _ 
 
 For sale by all booksellers and newsdealers, or sent > 
 postage free 00 receipt of mce. by the publkhi^r,. 
 
 . STREI^i SA41TH, ™''. ' ''''^ 
 
 4 V V - 25 to 31 Rose Street, i>^ew York. 
 
 - » 
 
 
 - i 
 V 
 
 iS.iVi 
 
 »'r 
 
 ««>«-*"' 
 
 .**'! 
 
 ;>J<aii*' *■'■-"«-.: 
 
 
■"■ \ <ii 
 
 
 >tti' 
 
 
 
 It is a spirited Tomanoe of to^ and 
 eoTintry, ai^d a faithful reprodnotion of 
 the drama, with the same nniqae ohar- 
 aotera, the same gnphio soeaes, but with 
 the nanatiYe more artistically rotmded 
 and oompfbtdd than was possible in the 
 brief limitff of a dramatio representation. 
 This tonohing story effebtively demon- 
 strates that it is possible to prodaoe » 
 novel which is at pnoe wholesome and 
 interesting in every part, vithont the 
 introduction of an impure thought or 
 suggestion. Bead the. following s. , 
 
 opinic5ns of the press: ' 
 
 S!K^'S.S*T2'""S?"»*2'»«Wttta« popular. iW 
 an impnn Xbao^x or miggMtton. "JS«S>Sf.^^ ^^^ wltbont Oia Introduction o^ 
 
 ffiaBfat A fil^lHi fi&VA faHntt#l firfn«A r%m^^^^-^ «■_«_•• .» .. 
 
 thedi^|fW.K.!ri'^iS^5^-:;,,^Vo?S2^ 
 
 •onow, an^ipni neneik-^tm JVanc*MBaii&. ^ <tf dooMBtlo Bfc, joy, ii^^ 
 
 «e«tSSSSSS!S;»J^ 
 
 ItJs ftmi^ed on Oie popular play of the same name. In which yttia —- _I_ «. J^ 
 
 fbe. aatbor ofttw rtiwy. h»* achtevcd^ SSEMaSSJio^^^ 
 
 
 SesytiL: 
 
 ■^ 
 
 -^ — — to Ito* T of ''Drama 8«ri«a.''A>*'c 
 
 '^A^J^VlS^l^^^^J*'''!^^^'^^ •' »"«•• « cents. *6rt£> 
 
 - '^^(ft'^fej 
 
91'$ OLD HOIESmp. 
 
 8T1IEET * SVITK'Sl OBAKl SERIES Ho. 0. 
 
 •■•t J 
 
 ■Vr. 
 
 iPrlos. iXS Oent«. 
 
 ../- 
 
 X 
 
 Some Opinions of the Preai^ k-;^^ 
 
 "Ai flm t>RMI>Ultle8 an ramoto of the pkur Tbt Old ^OmartHul' beli^Mn An*. 
 
 bogjH y«t It to no more veAoM ttian neb a story flhoold be. mS ItSveS iSne ioSd 
 pk^mpf tbe aoenes and people wbo Ibr a year «t njora ba^e^teen aeI?b2S> t£S£ 
 jmd, nWhOy. UnjOe Joah, Aunt TUdy, Old h, PrtaSTKeuben. &?MjSa^ ^^ 
 tiie AuM M>d all Oe o^her obanusten ue bmCbeBtde aomenewonS: It la toS 
 bopedtbattbebpokwmmakeal«n*le,ooto^on Ite ^t^t ttwt <^wl£]S 
 owDOT mayfcel enoouased to lef theirworka^feadbytSenuS^ttoaSSS^ 
 cannot b^iw to see tbem on the ataco."»JK r. Memo, Svat^ttT ^^ ^"''"' *■* 
 
 -.m'^°5?" Thompawrt The Old Homeetead* to* stoiy of doods and aandifiM«Miih 
 natfnv qvm a venweated bomet of a grand old man. boneat andMnnt. v^o^StmS^ 
 
 dmloiatdeoondnct^a wKTwud aon; a stoiy of ooontnr ute, love and^a^^ «aS 
 2«^iSlf"iS*52S?*'*' "l^" tbeWhlthy'flavor of tie fliiito to weiyoSS&r^ 
 to^o^ on seninaa Thcn^n'i dnuna of TbeOld n<meateSf^^K^^ 
 
 boo;^»5^*of^^<8S^SS2L^^ 
 
 SSiSl.^'Sf *'^?*^?*U*£r*"?W of tbe ptJUtobeis In gtying tbe dnma tBUaoM^^^ 
 n«(ionftnIn.'^-JO^JrornirvJbMnla<,JllneSd. — •»"««««u»uuepeiiaaneni 
 
 day Vf/Tbe Old Homestead,' bas enooonT^ 
 '-»-, to publish a goodSsed novel ^m 
 .thenma ^aiaetert and mon too. 
 
 23l?^°^<^'>^™'>*<!>' fbrtheiday to tibe simple ioodlisto~andm^lIhTK^^^ 
 f -KU-. u ^ — — J*. imbltob^Sn Btwet *|SXJ!Ll tov ta^^^ 
 
 I trtlksh H to WHUwn. xm vuDimera ai« Boeet A wmiti i, uu 
 I iiBwivlnobeappi9a]axIi)rai.»--JK 7. OnvNe, Utrtk 
 
 [ «.-«'^5?S5!? Thotnpaon's p&y, "Tlfc Old Homestead,' to flunlltor. at iMst bv mimte. 
 
 Uy And sensadon, and «• ranakkaUy Iteiata^l^ ~ 
 
 ^>Oenmaaniom] 
 hy8tnetdi«mltti. 
 
 mat poonlailty of the play. 
 
 >)3»n'i|0UHpmestead' Jias been pot toto stoiy^ftum and to ta 
 
 tosoed 
 
 th* 
 
 ■"•*"* *''~-^oClt»tiiieandayii»>*i>><«M<«*<>no>"» /v#— l~_r ".H2~*.?™P**«^«y' 
 dl-tioanl 
 
 t tbeater In New York, and *'''-\riimmnmmimui^7r* r 
 Beetle touches of natoiS: AllM^taSSSSSSSh 
 
 
 
 >S5:\ 
 
 •>-5i£l 
 
ir. 
 
 ■ 1. 
 
 ' \ 
 
 ■ I 
 
 I 
 
 t »• "■ - 5- \"* -.^'^'f '^.V'^ST^p 
 
 i-' 
 
 fo;fsv;!''' 
 
 Wver ^dl^/oii, 2SCenta.s.4!im BtUUoa, One DoUar. 
 
 This series contains tlje best works of our ^ost en- 
 tertaining writers. We head the list with the best stories 
 by the ever-popular. . • ^ 
 
 MRS. QCORQ(C iHCLbON. 
 
 Over eight hundred thousand of Mrs. Ceorgie Shel- 
 oon s novels have been sold. ^ 
 
 Ho. U Lost, a Pearle. 
 
 N(>^ 2. Stella Rosevelt. 
 
 No. 3. Sibyl's Influence. 
 
 No.^. Trixy. p 
 
 No. $. A True ArisjtQcrat 
 
 No. 6; Max. / ' , \^ 
 
 No. 8. Thrice Wi#^^' 
 No. 9. Witch Hiuet 
 No. 10. Virsi^*s Inheritance. 
 No. 11. Audr#*s Recompense. 
 No. 12. Ruby's Reward. 
 
 For sale by aU booksellers aiid newsd^lei^ #^ 
 pottage free on receipt of price, bjr the publishere/ 
 
 ^i 
 
 ^ 
 
 EM 
 
 srmwT^e-smm, 
 
 m 
 
 ^5 to ji Rose Street, New Yorlc 
 
 .* t 
 
 ^AftXjj,*' ' >" 
 
 J-i^ ^^rf,t\*w(ti 
 
 - -,f *x'^ 
 
on, One Dollar, 
 
 s. <jeorgie Shel- 
 
 «t, New York, 
 
 tThrShfeld Series. 
 
 Price, Paper BdMoa, 23 Cents, 
 
 Devoted to tales of the detection of crime, by thos^ 
 jrave ^nights of the shk||-the tireless sleuths of th4 
 letec%e force. • ,;J^H^. . ^ 
 
 1— 0«i|ight in the IiI^mKbj Nick Carter. 
 
 9^The Old Petect MMp P By Nick Carter. 
 
 3— A Wall Street H^x^^^Hek Carter. 
 
 4-The Crime of a Oop^a By Nick Carter. 
 
 5— A Titled Counterfeiter. By Nick Carter. 
 
 6— A Woman's Hand. By Nick Carter. 
 
 7— Fighting Against Millions. By Nick Carter. 
 
 8— The Piano Box Mystery.- By Nick Carter. 
 
 9--A Stolen Identity. By Nick Carter. 
 
 10— The Greaf Enigma. By Nick Carter. 
 
 ll~The,(^j>lers' Syn^ate. By Nick Carter. 
 
 12— PhiyfteaBo^dGfe^e. ByNickCj^r. 
 
 18— the An^rioaa Marqnis. By Nick Carter. " 
 
 14-^TnMjked Across the Atlantic (new). By Nick Carter. 
 
 16— The Mysterious Mail Rol)bery (new). By Nick Carter. 
 
 l^—Brant, Adams, the Emperor of Detectives. By Old 
 Slenth. 
 
 i7— 6nice Angelo, the City Detectiva ^j^jf Sleuth. ^ 
 18— Van, the €k>yemmen« Detective. ByOT^leuth. • 
 Id— Old Stonewall, the Colorado Detective. By Judson B. 
 
 20— The Masked Detective. By Judson R. Taylor. 
 21— The Chosen Man. By Judson R. Taylor. 
 22r-Tpm and Jeny. By Judson R. Taylor. ^ 
 
 For sale by all booksellers and newsdealers, or sent 
 [ postage free on receipt of price, by the publisher. 
 
 ■ ^'^^V «:i; 
 
 STREET & SMITH, 
 
 aj^to ii Rose Street, New York. 
 
 "f ■ 
 
 
 i!) 
 
 *'t 
 
 • mU. 
 
 %S^ 
 
<'y 
 
 ^^ 
 
 
-^.- I 
 
 
 THE CRITERION SERIES* 
 
 ^IS&v 
 
 ,J 
 
 ^ V- 
 
 
 f\ 
 
 5) 
 
 5 « ^ \. 
 
 , Inpresenting this serifjs of hfgh<<Ias$ novels tp tht , 
 ^blic we take pride in announcing that every; numbe. 
 will be of the highest merit, printed in the best style or ; 
 Ihe first quality of papen This series will be our 4)est, | 
 ^ as regards coi^^iy^pe^rar^..^. ^ ; :;, | 
 
 >0f No, I • Mr« Lake of Chicaf|»o^ «^-^ ^ 
 
 
 By Harry DuBcIs Ntlinan. 
 
 B No. 2* O^ ilack; 
 
 
 ^iF J ,;■ 
 
 :m 
 
 No. dl Pr. Jack's Wife. 
 
 j-^^ '■: '^■ 
 
 9y St. Geors^ RathlyonHf^ h-iv.^- 
 
 f No. 4^ Mlbs Paunm^fm^^ 
 
 ^i^^,\ 'r By the Author** |>r^j^l(i^.o?]'>^&> 
 
 ..ir.4^;?>^:;v^-.^n<«^y.the Author arDftaaolu 'Jv^j-^^!^- i:i^ 
 
 ^^ No. 6* Miss Caprice. " < ? ^ t^ * -^r^i 
 
 j.':*' By tha Author of Di^ JaclU 
 
 if i*fc f*j Baron S 
 
 *'^. V By*th* Author of DrwOadlk 
 
 <M For sale by all boolsellers and newsdealeri, or 
 flQftige fttti on tecdpt'of ^riee» \>y t|)^ piiblishen. 
 
 **ii 
 
 •^ 
 
 , . .85 tp nJtbse Street Ni^ 
 
 Q' 
 
iERIES 
 
 fl 
 
 ,1 
 
 .» j,t. 
 
 ^ta novels t9 tl^t 
 that . evtryi nufnbe. 
 n the best style or 
 J will be our best , 
 
 an. 
 
 ^»'. ' ' : !i'f . 
 
 cM^ ' '' 
 
 ewsdealem, or;^ 
 
 piibiishen. 
 
 ! Streets Mew Vort 
 
 
 ■'J 
 
 »*» 
 
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 ^ 
 
 Kfi 
 
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 <t'- 
 
 V 
 
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 ^1 
 
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