vl|N M M g H N M: Nj.M M xn^\ THE IRON COUSIN; OR, MUTUAL INFLUENCE BY MARY COWDKN CLARKE. o me oiui.noon or RITAKKSPKABB'S IIKROINBR." "TUB COXCOKDANCK,' 1 ETC., XTO. " For, not* thon, Cynthb, How Iron bath pow'r to rivet, and to weld Into itself Its kin: while, at the flint'* Appeal, its nature, cold and stern, kindles To brilliancy and beat; its stubborn boing, too, Subdn'd obedient to the magnet's law. 80, from opposed strength*, by mutual force, Best dov'ntl properties are born. By Love's Own might of subtlety, what's Rood and true, Is brought to highest truth, and crown'd |>crfectioii." A'tto Ptay NEW YORK: D. APPLETON ANM ( OMPANY, 1, 8, AND 8 BOND 8TKi:i I 1882. TO MK8. VINCENT NOVELLO, THE MOTHER, V H i > H i: JD8TLT POTENT " INFLUENCE UA.8 NEVER BEEN EXERTED rtirr POR THE TRUEST ADVANTAOB OF HER HAPPY CHILDREN, Cjits Sook is 33t&iratt&, ;:; I>KRP oit\TiTUDE AND FERVENT AFFECTION, DY H1!R D A UO TI T K R, THE AUTHOR. THE IRON COUSIN. CHAPTER I. " A. BABY that has got no mother, ma'am, God help it ! " The woman who held the child, and uttered these words, was a homely, middle-aged person, decently dressed, so far as an ex- treme cleanness could render tidy clothes that were in the last of darned decay. The infant she had in her arms was also scrupulously neat, for all its coarse mean wrappings. The face wore a wistful, deprecating expression, as she curt- and let fall these words in reply to a half-inquiring look, which she fancied she read in the countenance of one of the pass- ers-by, a lady in a rich silk pelisse, carrying a thickly gilt book in her hand, as she passed up the street, glancing at the woman and baby who stood close in her way. The woman, as she spoke, li.-nl rvrn advanced a step, as if somewhat to bar the passage, and claim attention to the appeal she made; but the lady swept on uiihut'dinjrly, after her own passing glance, as though she had not : tin- words by which it was responded to. " I must speak up louder and bolder next time," muttered the woman. " Beggings a trade I never learned; and it seems it wants an ajipreiitirfsliip, like any other calling. But for thet', 6 THE IRON COUSIN. poppet," she added, leaning over the sleeping babe, " I must try and get the hard lesson off, though it's bad beginning at my time of life." The wind moaned by in piercing, sudden gusts from the river, forming little sharp eddies in the wide thoroughfare that led up from the bridge. A fierce current of air drew round the thinly-clad woman and her burden, as she stood shivering and de- fenceless in the open way one of those steep, hilly streets that abound in the good old town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Heavy- laden carts staggered up the ascent, the horses straining and tug- ging and laboring with stretched harness and quivering shafts, as they tacked sideways along, their iron-shod hoofs slipping and striking sparks from beneath their shaggy fetlocks each time they vainly strove to plant a firm step ; great wains tottered top- heavy, swaying to and fro, as they made their perilous descent, creaking and groaning, and leaving a broad, shiny track on one side behind them, marking the safely-impeding reluctancy of the dropped drag ; foot-passengers bent forward, breasting the cold wind and the toil of the up-hill progress, ever and anon stopping to whisk round and avoid the clouds of dust that whirled in their faces, peppering their clothes, dredging against their cheeks and foreheads, and sifting into their eyes. The heavy sails of the colliers and other craft lying moored in the river, flapped with unwieldy abruptness : while the little pennons that fluttered from the mast-heads, seemed giddy with their ceaseless, rapid motion. Straws were whirled into open entries, and shop-doors banged to with startling suddenness. There was a black sullen look in the air, partly the effect of the keen, savage-cutting wind partly the effect of the dense coal-smoke atmosphere, perpetually hovering in a murky cloud, indispersible even by such a blast as then blew straight from the northeast. All was chill and gloomy ; even the grocers and confectionery shops with which the place abounds for tea and sugar-plums seem to form the chief nutriment of miners, to judge by the large japan canisters, and the piles of colored chalk and sugar, by courtesy called sweetmeats, that lie wedged and heaped in almost every other shop-window in New- THE IRON COUSIN. 7 castle could not enliven the general dreariness of the aspect of tho spot on that harsh, cheerless day. Yet still the woman lingered in the open street, and still she made an occasional courageous attempt to call the attention of the passers-by to the orphan charge she held in her arms. Presently, a figure approached that fixed all her attention. It was a horseman ; and came straight across the bridge, along the narrow street that led through the suburb of Gateshead from the open country beyond. lie was dressed after the fashion of a gentleman but unmistakably a country gentleman ; for the scarlet coat, and white corduroys that he wore, looked like worsted apparel ; he was carefully booted and spurred, and bore a heavy silver mounted hunting-whip of antiquated make. He . -fined a youngish man, and sat his horse like one accustomed to the saddle and to the pursuit of field sports. He held his head bent forward, with his hat over his eyes, to avoid the dust and driving wind, so that his face was concealed as he came onward ; but there was something in his general appearance that from the tirst attracted the woman's notice, and kept it riveted upon him. As he approached, she drew nearer to the curb-stone, and stood there gazing intently. At almost the same moment he had caught sight of her, and she had recognized him ; each exclaiming, simultaneously, Martha!" The young 'Squire!" " Tell me, Martha, tell me," he began impatiently, but seemed unable to proceed ; only leaning from his horse, and looking eagerly into the woman's face. She shook her head, appearing as little able as himself to speak. At length she said, "Best dismount, Mr. Harry, sir ; and then you can step aside out of the throng with me, and and I can tfll you all quietly, gently." Hi- still kept looking wistfully at her in silence, but did a? she suggested, mechanically throwing himself off his horse, and giving its rein into the hand of a lad who was hovering near io the hope of such a chance, with charge to lead it round to a ccr tain inn ho narm-d. \vli> i - ho was staying. 8 THE IKON COUSIN. He was scarcely on the pavement beside her, before he grasped the woman by the arm, drew her a little apart from the crowd of passers, and said, hoarsely, " Now tell me of Hetty. Where is she ? Take me at once to her." " Be patient, Mr. Harry, sir ; take courage bear up, sir ; I have but poor news to tell." " I feared as much. I knew she must have suffered have gone through terrible scenes so high-hearted, so proud of spirit as my poor Hetty ! so unused to the world so unequal to its struggles so young, so inexperienced ! But you, my good Mar- tha, you did not leave her ; you stayed by her you helped her through all her troubles, I know you did, did you not ? You never forsook her at the worst ; and now you shall take her com- fort you shall bring her brother to her. Come, lead me where she is. I'm prepared for a poor place ; but she shall soon ex- change it for a better. I have come to fetch her home, home, Martha. We'll all set out for the old Hall, as soon as she can bear the journey." He had talked himself into a hopeful strain ; and by the time he spoke of home, and a return to it with her whom he came to seek, he looked with an attempted cheerful glance into Martha's face ; but seeing its unchanged, mournful expression, he had add- ed falteringly the words, " as soon as she can bear the journey;" and now, still farther added : " for I fear she is very ill re- duced weak, perhaps dangerously ill. For God's sake speak, Martha ! Your manner makes me dread I know not what ! " " Look here, sir ! " said the poor woman, at a loss how best to break to her young master the fatal truth she had to tell him. " Look here, Mr. Harry, sir ; lift up the corner of my shawl, and eee what I have in my arms." He stared at her bewilderedly for one instant ; then hastily put back the shawl. A baby's face lay nestled beneath ; ita eyes were closed ; its breathing quick, but regular ; its color rosy and healthful : all showed it to be in a deep, sweet sleep. " Miss Hetty's child," the woman said, softly and sadly ; then added, " Lord forgive me for saying so ! when she had as THE IRON COUSIN. 9 good a right to be a mother, as the honestest woman and best lady of them all. Mrs. Captain Ireton, I should have said, to be sure ; but my poor young mistress seemed always the same to me ; a girl a child the young thing I had nursed from her long-clothes. I managed to call her by her right name, her mar- ried name, to the folks here ; but seeing you, Mr. Harry, sir, made ' Miss Hetty ' come quite natural. My darling child ! My sweet creature ! My dear young mistress ! " The tears that had been so long restrained, now poured down the cheeks of the faithful nurse ; and she burst into lamentations that left no doubt of the fatal truth. The 'Squire had till then striven to hide from himself the extent of his fears ; he could believe his sister ill, in want, starving, dying, any thing but ac- tually dead ; now, the words that fell from Martha in her pas- sion of grief, destroyed the last delusive hope. He understood, at length, in its bare, naked horror, the fact that his beloved Id tty his young sister the companion of his boyhood the joy of his youth the pride of his manly years, was past all comfort, all help that he had come too late that she was no longer in beintr. " It's too true, Mr. Harry, sir ! Her bold, brave spirit bore her up against the old 'Squire's pitiless usage for a long time ; but she gave, way at last. When her young husband fell sick, and died suddenly, her courage had its first blow. Then came pover- ty ; and she^ needing at that time more than ever, the comforts and luxuries she'd been used to all her young days ! Getting no an- swer to that last letter she wrote to old master, brought her lower and lower, and at length broke her heart. She moped and pined, though she'd never own how she cared one bit for all that had conic about ; and when we got poorer and poorer, and were oblig- ed t'< leave the cottage out yonder, for a cheaper lodging in the town, she made believe she didn't feel the change, but she did. I saw her faeo t, \sliere they had stood, into a narrow passage that opened from the street in which they were. It ascended by steps, and wound up through the houses on either side, a sort of out-of-door stair- Almost every step was thickly occupied with boots and shoes of all dimensions, ranged side by side, evidently for sale ; for the houses which flanked the steps had low-browed, dinjry hliojis, in the windows of which heaps more of the same articles were just discernible through the dusty, darkened atmosphere. Tin .-(.; boots and shoes presented every diversity of cobbled, patch. ed and pit-cod decrepitude; every varied make of hob-nailed, iron- heeled, list, leather, and wooden ; there was the child's ankle-- strapped shoe, the boy's tongued and thick-soled school-boot, n-itb 12 THE IRON COUSIN. its lace of leather, and its leathern binding ; the youth's clouted brogue ; the ploughman's stout high-low ; the townsman's " new- footed calf Wellington ; " women's clogs and pattens ; and wood en shoes innumerable, such as are rife in French fishing-towns, clumsy, rough-hewn things some entirely of wood, some with upper leathers nearly as inflexible as wood, and fastenings of rude metal clasps. These wooden shoes were of all sizes, from such a a seemed fit only for the stunted dimensions of a Chinese lady's foot, but were in reality intended for the soft, small, plump foot of baby- hood, up to the full-grown wagoner's or miner's wear, looking like moderate-sized hip or slipper baths. Making his way through all this myriad cordwainery, though little heeding its precise nature, the 'Squire, as he followed the nurse on her upward way, was yet conscious of the suffocating at- mosphere generated by all these agglomerated boots and shoes, and he felt the close-pent, overhanging aspect of the place, in op- pressive keeping with the effect upon his senses. As he instinc- tively looked up towards the sky, for a glimpse of space, and a breath of fresh air, he saw the massive stone walls of the castle or jail, frowning and beetling above the summit of the steep winding chare ; and it seemed only a crowning circumstance in the images of confined, breathless, hopeless imprisonment, that surrounded him on all sides. As they entered the one of these shop-dens, above which was the chamber they sought, there was superadded to the other odours of the spot, a strong whiff of beef-steak and onions, upon a steam- ing dish of which, the owner of the dwelling was about to regale, in company with his wife and family ; and the 'Squire saw the nurse suddenly stagger, gasp and turn pale, as she was about to say a few words, before she passed on up stairs. She reeled, and would have fallen, had not the woman of the house started forward to her assistance, with feminine instinct, first catching the baby from her arms. " It's my opinion, it's the smell of the victuals, sir," said the master of the shop, turning to the 'Squire in explanation. " To the best of my belief, she ain't touched solid food for days ; nor THE IRON COUSIN. . 13 nothing at all, but what ray good woman has forced upon her on der the pretence of a neighbourly cup o' tea. She plied her with the bread and butter, making believe she didn't see how bad she wanted it ; for .she was high, and besides she know'd we was poor ourselves, and so she always put a good face on her own starving, while she worked her fingers to the bone to prevent her young missus's. I beg pardon, sir; but if you're a friend, I'm glad you've come, for they're in a sad strait. The poor young body couldn't hold out no longer, but died, sir; and as for. this one, it speaks for itself, that things must be at a hard pass with her, when the smell of meat is so scarce that it upsets her." The 'Squire, in a few words, explained who he was ; and com- mending the faithful nurse to the best care of the good people of the house, proceeded up stairs, alone, to the chamber where his young sister lay dead in her early prime. CHAPTER II. OLD 'Squire Heathcote, of Heathcote Hall, was a man remarkable for two things, excessive obstinacy and excessive precision. A dictum of his, once pronounced, was irrevocable, and to be abided by at all events. If he had by any unfortunate chance happened to have said : " I'll be shot if it isn't," relative to a certain mat- ter that turned out contrary to what he had asserted, he might have been capable of ordering himself out into the court-yard, with liis iramekecpers drawn up in array to shoot him on the spot. His wife was, happily, the most uncontradictious and submis- sive of women. She had meekly married him, and after meekly bearing him two children, had meekly lived some few years, and then meekly died. As is common with people of his character, 'Squire Heathcote was a man of small mind. His obstinacy and preciseuess were 14 THE IKON COUSIN. conjoined with a limited range of thoughts and sentiments. He was stubbornly bigoted, and stiff-neckedly opinionated. He had cer- tain fixed ideas if ideas they may be called which were rathel notions ; vague in their scope, but immutable in their decision, [I is faculties were not powerful but headstrong ; his understanding not forcible but pertinacious. He had a sort of tautology of mind ; his narrow sphere of intelligence producing veriest repetition of the same images. He had his son christened Henry, which was his own name, and when he had a daughter born to him, he had called her Henrietta from sheer lack of intellectual energy, and disinclination towards any fresh exercise of the imagination. His favourite oath was, " By the Lord Harry ! " and his usual denun- ciation, " Go to old Harry ! " He converted pleasures into penal- ties, by the monotonous style of their appointed recurrence. He would always have a certain kind of party on a certain date, a ball on such a day, a dinner-party on such another, with exactly the same several sets of guests invited to each. He would have considered it almost an act of moral delin- quency to omit having roast leg of mutton at his table on a par- ticular day in each week ; though it sometimes involved a ser- vant's galloping over to the next town in a pelting rain the distress of a horse the distraction of the butcher, whose usual supply of meat had failed and the agitation and anxiety of his meek wife lest his lordly will should be inevitably thwarted. He would have deemed it a breach of religious duty to have any thing but roast beef and plum pudding on Christmas day ; ho made it a scruple of conscience that pancakes should be served on Shrove Tuesday ; and would have considered it little less than a crime not to eat salt fish on Ash Wednesday. He kept all the clocks in the house regular to a second with his own hand ; although he made no use of his time, or frittered it away, as if it were the least valuable of his possessions ; as perhaps it was. He was highly incensed if the post did not come in, and the letter bag were not placed on the breakfast-table punctually to a moment ; though he had no correspondence he cared about, and Tin: IKON COUSIN. 15 invariably put off reading his newspapers till evening. Thi* he contrived to make another periodical pest ; for, like many despotic readers of newspapers, he always read them aloud. Not satisfied with the amusement he derived from their perusal, he insisted on making hearers of whatever luckless persons chancea to be by, however otherwise their attention might be engaged. Ho liked to have an audience. He chose to have an interest taken in his "extraordinary growth of turnips," and " strawber- ries o*f prodigious size." If his wife were anxious to slip away and give some forgotten order to the housekeeper, upon which sho knew depended the important question of dinner (and conse- quent peace) for the next day, she must sit still and listen to a long political debate, of which she understood not one word; or if his young daughter were deep in the calculation of knotting stitches, she must "lose count," to mark the particulars of a melancholy accident," or attend to the details of " a grand boxing match," for neither of which she cared one jot. He turned luxuries into inflictions by his method of dispens- ing, withholding or controlling them. He invested them with so many petty restrictions, so many stiff observances, so many troublesome punctilios which were by no means to be infringed that people gave up availing themselves of the indulgences in sheer despair at the concomitant annoyances. Although no reader, he prided himself on a fine library, a choice collection of that he possessed. It had been the cherished acquisition nf a: ancestor of his, who had had taste and judgment sufficient fur its selection, as well as its enjoyment. Not only as a family heir-loom was it a source of gratification to our 'Squire, but as affording him exercise for his love of precision. lie regularly ordered new publications from town, adding them carefully and chronologically to the rest. He was very nice in their biii'liiiir; and would send a book back to London to be rebound, if its style were not accurately to his fancy. He would spend whole mornings in his library, arranging the volumes; not reading them. He was very particular about their matching, and rang- ing exactly and evenly on the shelves. He hated to see gups; 16 TELE IRON COUSIN. worried while one existed ; would search for the missing tome and if he discovered that it had been fetched away for perusal, would be restless during its absence, and fidget about the person who happened to be reading it. If it were his meek wife, she soon discovered the object of his uneasiness, and dutifully put a period to it, by silently and immediately restoring the stray to its place. If it were his light-hearted daughter, she played with his fidgetiness, pretended not to see its aim, taking neither hint nor innuendo ; and when she could no longer feign ignorance of his meaning, she would affect to be weary of the book herself, and, half yawning, half laughing, carry it back to the study, and pop it up on the shelf carelessly as might be. As for his son, having originally no bent for literature, he came to hate the sight of books, as perpetually associated with some objection, or admonition, or teasing interposing of author ity on the part of his father, and accordingly gave them up as a hopeless pursuit, and gave himself up to the more congenial pro- secution of his favourite field sports. In his personal conforma- tion, he was strong and athletic. In his mental constitution he was somewhat supine. In him were modified the characteristics he inherited from both parents. His mother's meek spirit in him became mere passive acquiescence with his father's will ; while this latter's precision and obstinacy took the shape of habitual compliance and dogged obedience. He had a rooted dislike to opposition, and was, both by temperature and circum- stance, mild and yielding. Young 'Squire Heathcote, or Mr. Harry, as he was most frequently styled, was a general favourite with household, tenantry, and neighbourhood. Towards his son and heir the formal old 'Squire entertained a mixed feeling. He took a certain sort of pride in him as the future representative of himself, the inheritor of his estate, his family greatness, his county honours and consequence, his entire possessions ; but he had at the same time a kind of little jealousy of him, a paltry eagerness to display his present authority over him, a ceaseless desire to maintain a continuance of his powr and a fretful besetting mistrust of the period when the young man would be emancipated from both. THE IRON COUSIN. 17 Of all living beings 'Squire Heathcote best loved his daughter Henrietta, or Hetty, as she was familiarly called. After his wife died, his affection for the young girl took a more demon- strative shape than any he had ever exhibited. He would almost brook something less than implicit submission from her. He tolerated her sprightly insubordination, and connived at her lively freedoms. She would gaily disregard all indirect sugges- tions of his ; and if an absolute command threatened, she would laugh it off. Her father humoured her more than any one in the world ; and to prevent this indulgence from interfering with his law of irreversible decree, he evaded as much as possible pronouncing any in her case, and rarely issued a mandate that regarded her till he was pretty sure it stood no chance of being disobeyed. She, like most spoilt people, was not slow to per- ceive her power over him ; and she was both fond and proud of its exercise ; but her mode was ever so pleasant and sportive, that, far from resenting the ascendency, he but doted the move on his subducr. Besides, there was a kind of will in submitting to hers ; he willed to bo swayed by his pretty daughter, his favourite child. There was only one occasion when he had a suspicion that she had succeeded in pursuing her own way rather than his, to an extent that he would never have permitted, had he known the exact circumstances in time. There was a Mr. Morton Worth- ington, son and heir to a neighbouring country gentleman, of good birth and ancient descent, who possessed the finest estate in tho county. There existed a distant relationship between the two families of Worthington and Heathcote, which the 'Squire hoped to see brought into still nearer alliance by a marriage between Morton and his own daughter Henrietta. But Mr. Morton Worthington was a young man of reserved manners, grave, stately, self-concentrated ; and though he betrayed unmistak- ilili- evidence of his being irresistibly captivated by the sparkling Hetty, yet he never gave sufficiently-declared tokens of his at- tachment to warrant his being looked upon as her suitor. Squira llcatheotr. hoping all must eventually tnke place as he had pre 18 THE IRON COSSIN. ordained in bis own mind, left things to time ; but suddenly, and without his being able to account for the abrupt secession, Mr, Morton Worthington left home, and returned again in a few weeks, accompanied by a bride, as opposed in every particular of feature, person, and disposition, to the lively blooming Hetty, as could possibly be conceived. 'Squire Heathcote could never verify his surmise, but he had his own misgivings that this match had been actually within the power of his daughter, and that she, in her gay heedlessness or wilfulness, had chosen to let it escape her. He fancied that Mr. Morton Worthington had been surprised into an accidental avowal of his feelings, and that Hetty had on the spot rejected him ; but it was then too late to inquire into the facts, and his pride would not allow him to own, even to himself, that he was disappointed. Nevertheless it rankled long within him, and it was doubtless this secret vexation at the defeat of his original views for her dis- posal, which added a sting to the virulence of his anger, when he discovered that at a county ball, given by some officers who were quartered in the neighbourhood, one of them had dared to fall in love with his daughter, and intended to make proposals for her. Hie ire knew no bounds ; he raged, he stormed, he vowed the rascally beggarly scoundrel should never come near his house ; that no pitiful half-pay captain should have his child ; that he would lock her up, to starve on bread and water, if she so much as thought of encouraging the vagabond, &c., &c. Hetty at first smiled and coaxed, and tried to win her father into better humour ; then she pouted, and in youthful pettishuess declared she could not, and she would not live without the lover of her choice, threatening to die and leave her old father, purely to vex and shame him for having been so hard with her. But soon she found it was no jesting matter. The 'Squire was seized with one of his obstinate fits, and swore by the Lord Harry she should never have Captain Ireton by his consent. Hetty, pre- suming :>n her influence with her father, and trusting that \vlien once she was a wife, he would not refuse his forgiveness, in an vil hour resolved to forego this consent, and to marry Captain THE IRON COUSIN. 19 Ircton without it. She had no difficulty in persuading her at tached nurse to accompany her in her elopement ; Matty could deny her beloved Miss Hetty nothing; and accordingly one fine June night they made their escape from an open window, hurried across the old park, found Captain Ireton waiting for them with a post-chaise and four, which soon conveyed the runaway daugh- ter away from Heathcote Hall for ever. The 'Squire's wrath on the discovery was fearful. He tcok a solepm oath that he would never pardon, never see his daughter more. He called his Maker to witness that he would never for- give any one of his family who should hold intercourse with her. He menaced, not only with disinheritance, but with an eternal curse, his only son, should he ever communicate with her who had made herself an outcast from among them. Harry Heathcote partly from habitual submission, partly from believing that his sister would ultimately succeed in winning her way back to her old place in her father's heart, and knowing that her own unaided influence had always had more effect than when seconded by the interference of others, which seemed rather to provoke and con firm resistance yielded to the fiat. But months crept on, and still her brother heard nothing of Hetty. Her name was interdicted at Heathcote Hall, therefore he dared not ask his father tidings, lest he should but exasperate him more against her. He knew that letters occasionally reached his father, addressed in her handwriting, but he learned nothing of their contents, until one fatal day, in a burst of passion at some neglect or omission of his steward's, the old 'Squire had an apoplectic fit, which, bringing him to his death-bed, he had called his son to him, and in an agony of tardily-awakened remorse, had shown him Hetty's letters, and desired him, with as articulate an injunction as his paralyzed utterance would permit, to hasten in search of his sister, and bear her her father's dying forgiveness. This was an expiring effort of natural feeling to assert its supre- macy over inveterate obstinacy a struggle the old man dil mil long survive, for he had scarcely given the charge to his sou be fore he breathed his last. 20 THE IRON COUSIN. The young 'Squire lost no time in fulfilling the behest. His first step was to endeavour to trace out from her letters the latest retreat of poor Hetty, for they bore evidence of her having been compelled, from increasing distress and penury, frequently to change it. He found that the last-received letter bore the post- mark of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and that inside it contained men- tion of her lodging being situated in its vicinity ; but this was vaguely stated, as if the writer's thoughts were far more intently fixed upon the old, well-loved home, of which she raved in fond imploring terms, and to which she distractedly besought leave to return. He had set forth on horseback, with this slender clue, to seek his sister. On reaching the neighbourhood of the great coal-city, he had been induced, by its name, to try first the Ouse Burn, knowing his sister's predilection for rural quiet, and fancying the title of this suburb indicated the kind of spot she would proba- bly choose for her lodging. But he had hardly entered its pre- cincts before he felt that the promise of its name was utterly mis- leading. This was the only remnant of whatever former beauty the place might have possessed. The sole trace now existing of the burn or brook which had originally streamed through it, was a dirty mud-ditch, foul and noisome, trickling its sluggish ooze between rows of straggling low houses, or huts. The way was strewn with refuse of all sorts ; iron hoops, tub-staves, broken palings, cinders, old shoes with gaping sides the upper leathers wrenched apart, and the soles curled up ; a bit of a thin and ragged petticoat ; a rusty pot-lid bent nearly double ; a few yards farther on, the saucepan itself, full of holes, and a piece of a, cracked yellow delf plate, with a crinkly edge. Quitting thia region of squalor, he had proceeded as far, in the same direction, as the pretty, secluded, green dell of Jesmond Dean. Here he had succeeded in gaining something like an indication of the ob- ject of his pursuit. He found that a young lady calling herself Mrs. Ireton, dressed in widow's weeds, and accompanied by a middle-aged woman, had tenanted a couple of apartments in one of the neat cottages skirting the embowered cleft. But, unable THE IRON COUSIN. 2) 16 pay even the moderate weekly sum demanded for rent, she had left, very reluctantly it seemed, both on the part of housekeeper und tenant, for other lodgings, more within the compass of her scanty means. The good woman of the house spoke kindly and regretfully of the poor young widow lady and her faithful com- panion ; saying that they were quiet, uncomplaining bodies, and that the latter especially was a helpful, sonsy, weel-behaved, canny sort of a person, who thought nothing too good or too choice for her young mistress, whilst she herself was content with any thing she could get. After this, the 'Squire wandered on day after day, now on the prrcat North Koad, now on the Western Road, now on the old London Road, inquiring at all the cottages, and asking at all the poorest houses that seemed in any way likely to have accommo- dated lodgers. Frequently he heard the boll of the fine old church of St. Nicholas chime a late evening hour, as he returned, toil-worn of body, and far more weary of spirit, to his sleeping- quarters at the Inn in the town. His horse seemed to wonder why his master preferred the steep streets of Newcastle, varied only by a monotonous, slow perambulation about the outlets leading from the town, to the former free gallops along the dewy pwanl of the park, or the animated course after the hounds. But the 'Squire was too spiritless and sad, even to address his wonted word of sympathy or kindness to his horse. In silence, and in growing hopelessness, the brother pursued his search; until one forenoon, by some caprice of intention, for which be could scarce have accounted, had it been questioned, he turned his horse's head from the direction of the London Road, whither he had first been proceeding, and came straight back through Gateshead, across the Tyne bridge, into the town ; where, the tii -t object he encountered, was Martha, with Hetty's new-boru child in her arms. 22 THE IRON COUSIN. CHAPTER III. WHEN the nurse returned to her recollection, after the deep swoon into which exhaustion of body and mind had combined to throw her, she would have scarcely been persuaded to remain and recover herself fully, ere she sought her young master, had she not remembered that his grief would probably prefer solitude and unwitnessed vent in its first burst of natural emotion. But when a considerable space elapsed, and she heard no token of his leaving the chamber, she crept up to the door, and tapping gently, went in. She found him sitting by the bedside, his head buried in one arm, which was resting upon the pillow that supported the mar- ble face of his young sister, that face which he had never be- held otherwise than blooming in health, and smiles, and circles;- heart-ease. It was now still and serene ; but it was worn and sunken, and deeply lined with the traces of premature age that age forced upon youth by a harsh acquaintance with want, anxiety, and bitter experiences. It was the countenance of a young crea- ture under twenty, made to wear the indent of cares, and faded illusions, and extinct hopes, which should only furrow the cheeks of fourscore, when it has learned a higher and more peaceful hope, to supply the fond bright visions, which are the rightful portion of youth. It was a face stricken suddenly old, by rigor and relentless will ; a girlish face sent to the grave with the mark of years upon it, dug there by the inflexibility of a parent's re eentment. The impress of the cruel truth he read in that sweet sad face, sank deeply and ineffaceably into the heart of the brother ; and as the faithful nurse laid her hand upon his shoulder, with few .simple words bidding him take comfort from the thought that he liad the child of Ii3r they looked upon, to protect and live for, he vowed within himself sacredly and solemnly that his sister's in THE IRON COUSIN. 21 fant girl should never know a harsh word, or unkind deed, from him, her adopted father. He resolved that severity should never inflict upon her the tortures it had wrought her mother ; and de- termined that from whatever source unhappiness might hereafter be destined to reach her, it should not, at all events, owe its ori- gin to austere treatment. He took the babe gently in his arms. while, with his eyes fixed upon that mournful dead face, he raised the rosy living one to his own, and touched it with his lips, as ho registered the vow within his own soul. The 'Squire was a quiet-mannered, undemonstrative man ; and, to judge from his demeanour, on his return home, few would have guessed the deep sorrow that had been his during that in- terval of absence. He fell into his old habits ; pursued his hunt ing and sporting with the same apparent zest and relish as be* fore; was the same even-tempered, cheerful-spirited, simply- behaved, and simply-spoken being as ever. He took delight in renewing his companionship with his old associates, and in wel- coming them heartily to a house of which he was now sole, un- disputed, and uncontrolled master. His hospitality was genial, frank, and easy. He was never better pleased, than after a hard day's run, to see assembled round his board the sharers of his toils and his glories in the field. Like most of his race, he was a stanch devotee to the pleasures of the table. He ate with the proverbial appetite of a hunter ; and drank with proportionate vigour " a cup of ale," " a cool tankard," <: a draught of good old October," " a bumper of claret," or " a tumbler of rich, warm, fruity wine, nicely mulled and spiced, just the last thing to send us all snug and comfortable to bed," were among the tempting titles by which the 'Squire was never at a loss to press upon his guests and himself a seasonable glass. The complacency with which they would quaff huge goblets of foaming March beer, as accompaniments to vast slices of cold beef, for breakfast, on a flhiirjt i'ro>ty inoruinjr, at dullest and earliest day-dawn, was some- thing wonderfully invigorating. The boisterous alacrity with winch they sat down to table, and fell to at the fish, flesh, and fowl, pic and pasty, joints of roast and boiled, with high-heapod 24 THE IRON COUSIN. piles of smoking vegetables, flanked by port and sherry, strong ale, small beer, and crowning bowls of punch, proclaimed their giant capacities for the enjoyment of the good cheer, with a force that would have inspired sympathetic relish in one who had just dined. The only period in the twenty-four hours during which the 'Squire's even temper was ever known to discover something of an abated patience, was the expectant half-hour that precedes the serving of dinner. He would walk about his large drawing-room, half restless, half listless, with the air of a man who could settle to nothing, and knew not what to do with himself. He would lounge in the deep window-seat, drumming his fingers against the panes and looking vacantly out across the park, come back to the hearth rug, stand with his legs wide-stretched, and his back to- wards the fire, with balancing toes and heels, and upturned coat- tails, bite his nails, play with the bell-pull, stir the fire, or twirl the old-fashioned India screen round and round between his finger and thumb, then fling himself into an arm-chair, with a yawn like one of his own hounds gaping. Once, in his ruffled abstraction, he chanced to ring the bell, with some scarce-formed intention of desiring them to see if dinner could not be hurried, or if the clocks were not slow, or if the cook had not fallen asleep, when, instead of the expected servant who usually answered the summons, in walked Matty with her little charge in her armK. The 'Squire, with a bachelor's instinctive diffidence of his powers as a nurse, had hitherto seen but little of his baby niece. He shared the feeling of most unmarried men with regard to chil- dren of that age. He fancied its neck looked insecure, and as if its head would roll off, were he to attempt to dandle it. He had a momentary dread of its slipping out of his arms, and entertain- ed a secret perpetual fear that at an unexpected instant it might begin to scream. He had, therefore, appointed a set of airy apart- ments, rather remote from his own than otherwise, as its nursery, installing Martha as head-nurse, and investing her with full pow- er to order any and everything needful for the accommodation r-u: IRON COUSIN. 25 of baby Kate ; but, contenting himself with these provisions for her welfare, he had uuietly made up his mind to put off till a more seasonable opportunity any personal communication with herself But nurse Matty did not entirely approve of such an arrange- ment Although it left all things to her judgment and experience, and although it involved no neglect of baby's essential advantage, yet it betokened a default of interest in the little one's growth tnd appearance, and increase of intelligence, that could not be re- conciled with what a doting nurse conceived to be its due. She wanted its uncle to see how well it throve ; to see its pretty ways ; to be charmed by its winning innocence; to learn to love it, and prize it, and fondle it, as so perfect a darling deserved. And to gay truth, it was a lovely little creature, very beautiful in shape, in face and in movement. Its well-rounded, flexible limbs ; its regular features, dimpled cheeks, and waxen complexion; its bright, curly hair; with a sprightly, alert grace in its every look and gesture, denoted that a few months had insensibly changed it from new-born helplessness and passiveness into the individuality and attractiveness of an interesting child. It- appearance, bome by Matty, was the signal for a general view-halloo from the assembled sportsmen, loud, sharp, and ring- ing enough to have startled an ordinary child into a roar of dis- may: but baby Kate crowed and danced, and leaped in the nurse's arms, as though she enjoyed the noise and delighted in the bril- liant rod coats tliat surrounded her. The shout of welcome waa nepcated again and airain, while the gentlemen gathered about the prcttv child, asking laughing questions about her of their host, and each making advances to take her from the nurse. "Gently, ir-'iitly. gentlemen," said the latter; "you'll fright- en her, inayhaj.s, if you crowd round her so, and take her suddenly away from me she's used to." But the little line seemed nowise alarmed; only huL"_ p m;r rath- ur closer t<> Matty, while she continued to eye the scarlet-coaled huntsmen into smiles of evident approval. k> Why. where in the name of all that's dainty, did yr.u pickup this bri-rht-eved chick, 'Squire? Whcrcdid you find her? Where 26 THE IRON COUSIN. have you hidden her all this time ? How comes it that weVa never heard of this pretty moppet of yours ? For I suppose sha is yours, you sly dog you," said one of them. " She's mine, my niece ; my sister Hetty's child, mine now,'' said the 'Squire, in his quiet way. But there was that in his tone, which made the loud voices round him hush upon the instant, and there was a momentary pause of respect and sympathy throughout the room. Presently the former speaker resumed : " By Jove, she's a beauty ! It's a sin never to have let us see her before ! What a pair of eyes she has ! What execution they'll do by and by, eh?" He would have pinched the child's cheek, as he concluded, but she drew away from the approaching finger and thumb, with a lit- tle air, as if disdaining the familiarity. The gentleman laughed, and turned on his heel, saying, " Coy already, by Jove ! " There was a spice of mortification in his tone, but it wore off, and his laugh became more genuine as he observed that another gentleman, who stood next him, and attempted to take hold of the plump little baby hand, was repulsed in a similar manner. Sev- eral of the huntsmen now, in succession, trying to establish a farther intimacy between themselves and the child, were treated in the same style ; and they were mightily amused to see how steadily she thus kept them all at a distance, although she pre- served her smiling looks of approbation and admiration, which were clearly directed to their bright-coloured dresses, not to themselves. " Try you, 'Squire I " at length one of them exclaimed. " See if you have better luck than we ! Try whether she'll come to you ! " The 'Squire, advancing with a sort of shy smile, and hesita- tingly confident manner, held out his arms towards her, saying, " Will ye come to your uncle, Katey ? " The bright-eyed child looked wistfully into his face for a mo- ment ; then leaned forward to be taken. THE IRON CCOSIN. 27 The 'Squire grasped her to him in silence, sat down upon the nearest chair, nestled her head against his breast, and pressed his lijis upon her hair with closed eyes and quivering mouth. After that day, little Kate Ireton was regularly brought down during the half-hour before dinner, to visit her uncle and his guests. fr was not only for the sake of beguiling that wearisome interval by her presence, that she was appointed to make her appearance then, instead of the more usual period of dessert, but it was from some instinct that her pure bright innocence better assorted with the former calm and temperate time, than with the heated rinous atmosphere of feasting, and lights, and uproarious conviviality that followed dinner, which caused the 'Squire to have his little niece brought to him previously. She became a general favourite with the boisterous but good- hearted country gentlemen who formed the 'Squire's usual com- pany. They admired the beautiful child, and played with her, as they would have done with a toy. They were always highly amused with the little airs of consequence she gave herself; the wayward dignity, the disdainful caprices, the pettishnesses, the scorns, the pouting angers, the smiling snatches, the frowning flings, authoritative nods and head-tossings, were alternately curious and entertaining. She was most frequently placed on a table in the midst of them, with her uncle's arm passed round her ; and here she would sit, as on a throne, dispensing petulant favours and whimsical displeasures. She would throw flowers at one, push away another, nod at a third, frown at a fourth, make a dart at the hair of a fifth, and smack the cheek of a sixth, when it approached too near to her little ladyship's, in an attempt to gain a kiss. This was a complaisance she never accorded. She would never give a kiss to any one but her uncle. If by strata- gem or superior strength one were snatched from her, she vio- lently resented it ; her little hand clenched, her bit of a mouth contracted, and her eye flashed haughtily and wrathfully; and when this was received with peals of laughter, she only looked the more gravely angry. Sometimes, when she was in high good humour, she would 28 THE IRON COUSIN. sign to be seated on her uncle's knee the only knee she ever consented to occupy and would place her little white, fat, spread hand, palm downwards, on the table. This they knew was a sig- nal for a bout at a childish game a favourite pastime of hers and it was pretty to see all those giant-grown hands clasping one after the other, a mounting heap, over the baby one which they lightly buried beneath them ; and then to see the little one steal out, whip smartly up, and triumphantly place itself on the top of the mound of hands, then gradually become whelmed and lost among the ever-rising tide of great palms, till it would shyly dart out, before its time, and unfairly striving for supremacy against all order, would bring on the final scramble of dashing, pawing, foining, intermingling hands, that caused the crowning laugh of excitement and glee which crowned the whole. She was made much of, and doted on by them all ; a perfect child-queen, surrounded by grown subjects, each one devoted to her will. She ruled with despotic sway ; her humours their sole guide. They vied with each other who should most pet and in- dulge her. The one who was oftenest the object of her ill-usage deemed himself best distinguished. " I never met with such a spirited little devil in the whole course of my life ! " exclaimed one of the gentlemen enthusiasti- cally, as he held his handkerchief to his lip, which had just been scratched, in a struggle for a caress he had perseveringly teased to obtain. " Confound me if I ever did ! never ! She's worth her weight in gold, that she is, the delicious little termagant ! " Praised on all hands, yielded to by every one, ministered to by the servants, cherished by her uncle, idolized by her nurse, she was the centre of attention and deference from all around her. It is dangerous for a child to be the object of exclusive care and fondness to one person ; but to be that of several grown persons is almost infallibly detrimental. The little creature gains an un- due notion of its own consequence ; it learns to consider itself and its welfare, its wants and its wishes, of paramount impor- tance ; it insensibly becomes wilful and dictatorial well if not selfish and exacting. THE IRON COT-SIN 29 Kate Ireton, before she could speak, learned bow to enforce obedience and became accustomed to see it follow her commands ; !>eforc she could walk, gained the knowledge that a stamp of her foot carried authority with it. and that her every step was wor- shipped; before she mastered her letters, could read in the faces of all around her that she had'tbc power of controlling their wills. and of making them subservient to her own. Hazardous convic- tions for a little girl scarce beyond babyhood to have acquired , They rendered her not exactly domineering, but something ex- tremely akin to it ; not precisely imperious, but very nearly so ; neither hard nor unfeeling, but simply inraindful of others. She habituated to behold herself the sole consideration to those about her, that she insensibly learned to look upon herself in the same light as the principal person to be considered. She never intentionally wounded them, or hurt their self-love, or demanded unconscionably of them ; she was merely heedless, disregardful, minuting of themselves their feelings, their condition of mind or body. She would neither have mortified nor have over-fatigued nit willingly, by any undue or excessive service required of them ; but she often thoughtlessly risked doing both, by the implicit way in which fealty was tendered on their part, and ac- cepted on hers. CHAPTER IV. Tin: park and demesnes of Heathcote Hall were not extensive, but were very beautiful. The ground was broken and varied ; there were oak and beech coppices, where the birds sang and built, undisturbed ; hawthorn brakes, in which trout streams pvklftd ; and fern covers, amid which pheasants lurked, and where rabbits might h seen popping forth from their burr eventide, or scampering and bundling back to them, on the least sound of approach. 30 THE IRON COUSIN. It was a favourite recreation of little Kate Ireton's, to maka her nurse take her out in the park, that they might wander the live-long day among its most leafy nooks, and explore its deepest embowered recesses. When the child first learned to use its feet, Matty would try and induce her to walk upon the 'soft greensward, by her side. But the little one soon discovered that walking was more tiring than being borne in Matty's arms ; accordingly at every ten paces she would stop, saying, :i I want to be carried ; take me up, Nursey ! " If Nursey just suggested that " walking was so pretty ; and that Katey had better walk on a little way," Kaicy would retort flatly that "walking was ugly; that she did'nt like walking; and that she wouldn't walk." Whereupon Matty might perhaps go so far as to hint that she " had a bone in her arm ; that poor Nursey was tired ; oh, so tired ! " Then Katey would rejoin, clinging round Matty's skirts, " And I'm so tired ; oh, so tired ! Do take me up, Nursey ! " This plea, and the coaxing, implor- ing emphasis on the " do," always carried the point; and Matty would go on till she was ready to drop before she ventured to set her burden down again. Once the good 'Squire chanced to meet them in one of their rambles ; and observing how heated and wearied the nurse looked, he said, " Katey grows too big to be carried now ; you should let her walk, Martha. It will do her good." " I don't like walking," said Katey. " And my Nursey likes to carry me, don't ye, Nursey?" " That I do, darling, for a bit ; but sometimes my old bones ache sooner than I'd have 'em. More shame for 'em, when you want to be carried, my own ducky ! " The 'Squire took his little niece in his arms, saying, as he did so, " Here, I'll carry Katey for you ! She grows such a fine, Btout lass now, that, bless me, she's no slight weight." The next morning, when Matty and her charge were about to set forth for their morning stroll, they found a little pony brought round to the Hall door, with Ben Dimble, one of the lads who belpcd in the stables, standing beside it. THE IKON COUSIN. 31 " Master said as bow Shetland Bobby was to be for young Missy's riding, and as how I was to tend her, and sec as she didn't fall off ; and teach her to keep on, and walk by her side till she knowed how to sit him of herself." Ben uttered this speech all in a breath, and with a grin of intense delight at being promoted to the office of Miss Kate's master of the horse. For some time the pony occasioned a considerable relief to the tax upon Matty's strength ; but after a while Kate found out that the rambles might be extended by the aid of Shetland Bobby's legs. She took a fancy to seeing new places, and to going farther and farther without noticing that these long walks caused nurse involuntarily to pant and loiter behind, unable to keep up with the pace of the pony and groom. But happily, chance brought about a resource that not only produced an extra pleasure to Matty's young charge, but afforded herself an opportunity for rest which she would never else have liked to ask or take. In one of the pony rides the party had gone beyond the park and precincts of Heathcote Hall, and had entered those of the adjoining estate, Worthington Court. It was a fine old place the finest in the county but it was now untenanted ; its present owner being abroad, living frugally, in order that he might repair the extravagances committed by his predecessor. The old mansion had a desolate air ; the shut- ters closed, the terraces and gardens overgrown with weeds, not a living creature to be seen save a large house-dog and the old man and woman in charge. The child seemed much struck and interested with the spot ; tnd Matty, lifting her out of the saddle, bade Ben lead Shetland Bobby into the shade, while she took her young mistress into one of the cool rooms, to eat the lunch she had brought with them for her. While little Kate sat enjoying the fruit and bread, she a.kcd all kinds of questions about the curious old house, and about the people who formerly lived in it, all of which her nurso eemcd to be perfectly acquainted with. " Ye.s, many and niany's the time I've been here before, dar- 82 THE IRON cousm. ling," said Matty, with a sigh, as she looked around the roam in which they were. " This was old Madam "Worthington's morning* parlour, as it was called ; and here it was that she used to sit, when my own darling Miss Hetty came to visit her attended by me. The old 'Squire was mighty careful that his daughter should come over often to pay her respects to Madam Worthington ; but I knew fast enough who it was that he was anxious she should see, and that should see her." And Matty nodded knowingly, speaking aloud, but as if to herself. " And tell me about that curious black cabinet over there, Nur- Eey! Do you Igiow what's in it? I should like to peep-! Lift me up " It's locked, my darling ! " answered Matty, after trying the door, in habittfal compliance with an expressed wish of her charge's. " I knew it must be locked ; it always used to be kept locked in the old times." " And look at those odd pictures, worked with stitches ! A dickey-bird, with a couple of cherries hanging from his crooked beak. And those letters all of a row, in different colours very faint colours with little trees, three-cornered trees, dotted about among them. And that basket of plums, with a drop of rain and a bee on one of them. And there's a painting of a fish, lying on some wet grass. And who is that little girl, over the chimney- piece, with a blue sash on, and red shoes ?" " That's a picture of Fermor Worthington, the daughter of young Mr. Morton Worthington, after he chose to marry, and bring home a wife like himself, stiff, and high, and haughty, and cold. He was always a grand, grave young gentleman but ho didn't always like grave young ladies ; however, that's neither here nor there." " But the little girl what did you say her name was ? tell me more about her ; " said Kate, her eyes still fixed upon the full- length portrait of a child no older than herself, which hung im- mediately opposite to where she was sitting. " Fermor Worthington," repeated the nurse. " It's an odd name especially for a little girl; but it was a family name, as THE IRON COUSIN. 33 'vc heard ; and when Mr. Morton had a child born to him, he pave it tn her. She was one of the sweetest children I ever came near. She was not exactly what you might call beautiful though she Lad a heavenly sort of look in her face, too ; but she had such a taking countenance, so good, so innocent; and such an angel's temper ! I never saw her put out in my life, much less wrangle or cry. Pretty, gentle Miss Fermor ! I wonder what's become of her ! I suppose they took her abroad with 'em, and made a Frenchified young miss of her. And yet, it'd take a deal to Frenchi- fy such a modest, sweet young thing as she was ! " After this first visit to Worthington Court, Kate frequently made her nurse bring her thither. She would trot all over the old deserted house ; peer into the china closets ; lift up the anti- quated chair-covers; look behind the moth-eaten bed-hangings; start at the sudden reflection of herself in the tall, dim mirrors ; pore over the pictures, clouded by mildewing neglect; and watch the shadows of the climbing plant trained against the library win- dow, as they flickered and trembled upon the polished oaken floor. But what of all other things most riveted her attention, was the portrait of the little girl over the parlour chimney-piece. She used to sit, musingly, opposite to it, lost in thought, her gaze fixed upon the gentle countenance; but whenever her pre-occupation was noticed, she broke it off, and spoke of something else, lightly and almost jceringly, as if ashamed of her own emotion. She would even use hard, disdainful words, depreciating the beauty of the face, and scoffing at the child's recorded goodness ; declar- ing that, fir ] K r part, she didn't fancy she should have liked her at all, ami wouldn't wish to have known her; abused her name as a prim i pattern one; and was quite glad she was gone away. While her heart was full of admiration, and loving interest, and 1 feeling, her speech perversely affected indifference and dis- She felt a sort of anger at the empire the picture had over her a resentment at the effect its soft beauty, and the tale of the chill's virtue, had upon her own feelings; but, in her in- most sel; she involuntarily yielded up her spirit to the gentle as- sendency they c ver her fancy. 54 THE IRON COUSIN. While little Kate sat thus, her eyes fastened upon the picture Matty would murmur on, half to herself, half recounting to her young companion, her by-gone remembrances and associations with the old place. She would speak of old Madam "Worthington, sit- ting so starched and so upright in her arm-chair, near the fire ; of young Mr. Morton, how stately and how stern he was, yet chang- ing colour when Miss Hetty came in ; of her sprightly answers ; of his lofty speeches and proud looks, while his voice trembled and his lip quivered, in spite of himself, when his eye encountered hers; of how, for all his gravity and dignity, a word from the young girl would move him past concealment ; and how, after all, she would show that she neither saw nor cared what was passing in his mind. She was but a young thing then a hoyden a light-hearted, romping girl," muttered Matty ; " what was she to care for his grandsire looks, I trow ? She made believe she didn't see 'em ; or else made game of 'em ! " And then Kate would give a short, triumphant laugh, as if, child as she was, she understood and enjoyed her mother's treat- ment of the august marble man. " He was an excellent young gentleman, to be sure ; very good, and righteous, and strict in all that was fit to do," continued the nurse. " Every body said he had the best of principles he pri- ded himself on his principle he used to tell my Miss Hetty, he did everything on principle ; (and then she, naughty thing ! used to giggle ; though I can't wonder at it, neither, she so young and all !) and so he did ; for he stuck to his principles of doing what he ought, instead of what he liked, when the old gentleman died, and it was found out that he had spent more money than he should. Well, what did Mr. Morton do, but break up the establishment ; and, that he might save enough to pay oft 7 his father's debts, left the old place he was so fond of, and went away to stint and scrimp in foreign parts. Yes, he was a principled man, if you please ! Pity he had such a stony way with him 1 " " Was Fermor a principled girl ? " asked little Kate. " Well yes ; I suppose she was," answered Matty, with a hesitating, considering air. " That is, she was always good and pretty-behaved." THE IRON COT SIN. 35 " Had she a stony way with her? " said Kate. " Oh, dear, no 1 When she was doing just what she was bid, Bhe always looked pleasant and cheerful, as if she liked best to doit." " Had she a silly way?" vas the next question. ' Silly ! Oh, la, no ! The sensiblest little dear you ever eaine near ; and such a one at her book ! Why, she knew all her A 13 C right down to Z and-pussy-and, straight on, or dodging about, before she was two year old ! " Kate swung the two little legs that dangled from the old-fash- ioned couch pn which she sat, with considerable energy, for a long time in silence, as she continued to gaze up at the picture of her of whom they were speaking. At length she said : " Nurse, I should like you to teach me my letters when we go home." " That I will, my darling ! and then you'll be clever, like sweet, pretty, gentle Miss Fermor," added the nurse. ' : I don't want to be like pretty Miss Fermor!" exclaimed Kate. u I dare say she was a stupid little frump. She looks as prim and as sleek as our old Minny, when her kitten's having a game of play, and she pretends not to want to join in it. Sb* how she sits upon that bank, just as if she was afraid of soiling that white frock, lest she should be chid for it." ''I think it's a pretty picture ; and it's so like oh, so like the i child herself! " said Matty. " I could just fancy I see her, with her mild blue eyes, the very colour of her sash, only with such a beautiful look in them; pure and clear, like the sky of ilc;iven." The little socks and shoes swung to and fro as before, while Kate; said, in a softened voice: "Very like her, do you say?" " Very." And the nurso looked silently at it for some time, as did her young companion. But presently Matty added : " She was, indeed, a dear, pretty creature ! not so pretty as my own darling, to be sure ; but I couldn't wish my own darling to be a better or a sweeter child than she was and I'm certain she'll al- irays try and be as nice behaved." " What, I ? " said Kate, " I won't try and be any such thiug, 36 THE IRON COUSIN. It must be absurd to be always as well-behaved as she fpaa ! SLo has such a good-child look ! Come, let's go home. Where's Shet- land Bobby?" CHAPTER V. THE 'Squire had an aunt, a sister of his father, who came to pay him a visit of some length. It was a periodical custom from time immemorial, and, of course, in the old 'Squire's time, had always taken place at the same season of the year, and had endured a precisely similar length, commencing on one particular date, and terminating on another ; and the observance prevailed still. Mrs. Mustley was a lady of assured presence and assertive speech. Her sentences generally contained some impressive sug- gestion or counsel ; prefaced, it is true, with a certain deprecato- ry formula, but which was uttered in a tone calculated rather to enforce attention to the subsequent advice than to palliate itp oracular effect. Although she might introduce her decree with a flourish of conventional deference, it could yet be no otherwise received than as a decree. Her hearers felt bound to accept aa an inevitable ordination what she pronounced with so solemn and final an air. There was only one exception to those with whom Mrs. Mustley's edicts were law;, this exception was Mrs. Must- ley's husband for she had a husband, although his individual ex istence seemed merged in her more important person who had a quiet way with him of listening, as if acquiescent, but acting in total opposition to her fiat. He was a little, placid, shy, absent man, generally taking a seat in some corner of the room, and rare- ly speaking unless spoken to. He generally read at meals, and iFas buried in a book at most times. He always dressed in black and wore powder. " Nephew," said Mrs. Mustley to the 'Squire, as they eat at breakfast, the second morning after her arrival, " you'll excuse me, but really you should observe more circumspection in your THI; IROM COUSIN. 37 mode of treating that little girl you have adopted Kate, 1 think you call her." " Yes ; Hetty's child," said the 'Squire " Well, far be it from me to dictate, but I must say, it is high time you thought of some better tuition for her than she has at t. That good woman Martha, I think you call her is all very well; trustworthy, probably, and attached, and so forth; but an ignorant person of that class is no fit instructress for youth.'' " It is early days with Kate yet ; she's a mere baby still," pleaded the 'Squire. " Permit me to observe, nephew, that it is never too early for the inculcation of ideas, and the instilling of moral tcuets ; there is no knowing how soon vulgar notions may be acquired, vulgar sayings adopted, or vulgar habits contracted. I would not be thought to interfere, still less to prescribe ; nevertheless, you ab- solutely ought to take into consideration the necessity for pro- viding a proper person to superintend that child's education." " I will think of it, aunt," said the 'Sjuin-, uith a resigned fligh ; " I have never considered little Kate but as my pet, my play- thing, my pretty prattler too very a child to be taught anything : ' Forgive me, if I make the remark, nephew, that that is a very short-sighted view of the case ; very short-sighted, very weak and very wrong. That child is not always to remain a mere play thing it will become a woman, if it live. By the bye, allow mt Mr. .M'istley, that you take too much butter; you will b ill, if you venture to cat so much." " Yes, my dear," replied Mr. Mustley, proceeding to spread upon his dry toast the broad slab of butter he had just helped himself to. " Hut to resume," said Mrs. Mustley. " That child will not be always a child ; you cannot gainsay that fact, nephew, however unwilling I may be to press my argument farther than may be H^rrralilf. The child will grow up. ami then how i* it to perform its part in the world, as a reasonable, as a well-infi run d being, if it have always ln-c-n h-t't to herd with servants and low-bred people ? " 38 THE IRON COUSIN. She paused, as if for a reply to her question ; but feeling it to bo unanswerable, and judging from her nephew's silence, who only broke the crown of his egg with a smart tap of the spoon, that he felt it to be so too, she went on. " You will believe that nothing is farther from my wish than to be officious, nephew, when I suggest that something should positively be resolved upon, and that at once, with regard to commencing a proper course of study for this child. I will myself take her in hand, while I remain here, and see what can be done. I will question her upon what she already knows, and discover what will be best for her to pros- ecute in future." " I am afraid you will find she knows little or nc thing as yet, my dear aunt," said the 'Squire. " Your intention is doubtless very kind, but I doubt whether " " Say no more, nephew ; leave all to me : a little difficulty shall not discourage me," said Mrs. Mustley, conclusively. Then, addressing her husband, she said : " Far be it from me to dictate, Mr. Mustley, but" " Certainly, my dear," assented he. " But you really should not miss this fine morning toi a walk. The book can keep cool till you come back ; and the park looks quite tempting this bright, sunny day." li Yes, my dear," replied he, drawing an easy-chair near to the window, ensconcing himself within, adjusting his spectacles, leisurely crossing his legs, and proceeding to open his volume at the page where he last left off." " And I will go seek my young neophyte," said Mrs. Must- ley, sweeping away with the air of general complacency and state- liness, with which she usually covered any point-blank discrepan- 3y of the like kind between her husband's words and his deeds, consequent upon one of her proposals. It was never exactly known what passed at these interviews between Mrs. Mustley and little Kate ; but they took place daily, and, after them, the child's eyes were red, and her cheeks flushed, and she looked indignant, and swelling with a sense of past strug- gle. She wag of too high a spirit to complain ; besides, she felt THE IKON COUSIN. 39 hat she had borne her full share in the word-contest which had evidently taken place between her and her new monitress, so that there was something of triumph; as well aa of indignation, in her heightened color. The 'Squire was perplexed ; he was of too passive a temper to adopt the active measure of prohibiting his formidable aunt from lecturing Kate , he had a vague idea that children required discipline, and believed that a woman of Mrs. Mustley's expe- rience must know how to exercise it ; he, therefore, thought the )>fst way he could do to neutralize the effect of the disagreeable process, was to increase his own indulgence towards the child during this necessary ordeal, and to make her feel as happy as she could the rest of the day, in order to console her for that hour of indispensable endurance. But that which chiefly swayed him to permit the arrangement to go on for the present un- checked, was the knowledge that it would not be of very long continuance. What a blowzed condition you are in, child I " exclaimed Mrs. Mustley, as Kate came running in, one morning, to tell her uncle, with great glee, that she had spied a blackbird's nest in the old thorn-tree on the lawn, low enough for her, when Matty lifted her up, to peep in and see three young ones huddling to Aether in the nest, to keep each other warm. " Take me on your knee while I tell you all about it," said she to her uncle. He raised her to her favourite seat, while she continued eagerly to relate the wonders of the half-fledged family, the old birds feeding them, the gasping beaks, the panting sides, the huge-looking eyes, protruding from the scanty down sprinkled on their bare skulls and skinny backs. " Did you hear me speak to you, child ? " resounded from the portentous voice of Mrs. Mustley ; " I remarked what a blowicd condition you were in." " Yes, I heard you," said little Kate, looking over her shoul- der for an instant with a nod, and then turning her head round *gain to rcsuiiK! her eager talk. 10 THE IRON COUSIN. " Then why don't you attend to me if you heard me ? " per slated Mrs. Mustley. " Because I'm busy telling uncle about the nest," replied Kate. " But I am accustomed to be attended to when I speak," ob- served Mrs. Mustley, loftily. " Are you ? " said Kate. K Yes ; and I desire that you will attend to me, Miss Pert." " Well, what do you want to say ? " said Kate. " I observed that you were in a shameful condition for a young lady, all blowzy, and dirty, and heated ; see what a state your frock is in, rumpled and splashed with mud ! And there's a pair of hands ! as though you had been digging potatoes ! Why, where have you been, to muck and muddle yourself this fashion ? " " I've been feeding the ducks, and watching the hen with the ducklings. Oh, uncle ! old Specklebreast was in such a taking, when she saw her little yellow children plunge into the water and swim across the pond ! She ran about on the bank like a mad thing, and I after her, trying to make her understand that her children were in no danger." " And a pretty pickle you have made of yourself, scrambling about the muddy bank, and paddling in and out the pond ! There's a pair of shoes to rub against your uncle's legs ! " " I don't mind the mud, thank you, aunt," said the 'Squire, quietly drawing the grimy little socks and shoes away from the vicinity of his well-cleaned boot, and placing them upon the snow- white corded covering of his knee. " No matter for a little mud, bless her ! " he added, hugging Kate closer against him. " You'll excuse me, nephew, but you'll live to repent spoiling that child as you do. You make an absolute fool of her." " No, he only makes much of me don't you, uncle ? " said she, putting up her mouth to be kissed. " That I do, my Kate. And I can hardly make too much of thee, for my own liking," he said, fondly. " But for your own comfort, for your own peace hereafter THE IRON COUSIW. 41 You'll acquit me of any wish to be pointed, if I say that you not only make a fool of her, but of yourself, nephew, to pet the child in that absurd way." " I'll risk my own comfort ; I'm very comfortable petting Kat<>," said the 'Squire, with a smile. " We're both very comfortable, thank you, ma'am, petting each other," said the child, caressingly stroking her uncle's 1-ln.H'k, and reflecting his smile, with a saucy one of her own. " You encourage her to be impertinent, nephew, by your ridiculous over-indulgence. You'll make her an odious child, and a detestable woman. You'll make her loathed by every one that comes near her." " On the contrary, uncle has always indulged me, and every body loves me, except you," said Kate. ' If I don't love you, child, I would do you a benefit," re turned Mrs. Mu>tlry; " I would save you from becoming that had ful thing, a spoiled brat. You know not your true friend." " Yes I do," answered Kate, nestling nearer to the 'Squire. " Uncle never does any thing else but try and make me happy ; you never do any thing else but try to torment me." " I torment you as you call it for your good, you poor little ignorant child, you! " said Mrs. Mustley. " If I take the pains to reclaim you from your state of moral darkness, it is M I think it my duty not to omit stretching forth a helping hand to one who so sorely needs enlightened aid. You have no mother to direct what should be done, and it behoves me, as a woman, to have pity for your unfortunate condition, and point out what I deem essential for its rectifying." " My aunt means you very kindly, Katcy ; we must be thank- ful and grateful, not pert and saucy, must we ? " Eaid the 'Squire. " Turn to Mrs. Mustley, and tell her so in your own pretty way, and say, ' Thank you, ma'am.' " " Thank you ma'aoi, for meaning kindly," said Kate; " but if you mean to be kind, why can't you seem kind ? :) Mrs. Mu.-tli-y did not immediately answer ; but j.rc'.-fiitly she said, " Come, it's your lesson time ; let's go upstairs, child, and 12 THE IRON COUSIN. commence the morning's studies." Seeing that Kate hesitated she reiterated, u Come, child, come ; I'm waiting." " Do you wish me to go with her ? " said Kate to her uncle. " Of course he does of course my nephew wishes you not to keep me waiting. Come ! " Kate lingered yet another instant ; but finding that the 'Squire relaxed his hold of her a little, in mechanical obedience to his aunt's words, the child slid down from his arms, and walked re- solutely out of the room with Mrs. Mustley. The 'Squire, as he generally did, when this juncture arrived, walked, with his quiet sigh of resignation, to the window; and stood there, drumming idly with his fingers upon the pane. " My good nephew," began a shy, hesitating voice, from the corner near him. The 'Squire, in his reverie, had not perceived the small retir- ing figure of Mr. Mustley ensconced in an arm-chair just with- in the recess of the deep embayed window where he was stand- ing. " My excellent nephew," went on the voice, after a bashful cough and pause, " I wish I could be of any assistance to you in your perplexity. Education has been a difficult problem from the very beginning of the world, and has occupied the hearts and heads of the tenderest and the wisest. Don't be downcast, because you cannot at once hit upon the best plan for your little missy's training." " If I should be the means of rendering her an odious child, a detestable woman, after all ! I, who would have her loved by all the world as I love her ! " said the 'Squire, thoughtfully and mournfully. " She will not become odious or detestable, take my word for it," said Mr. Mustley. " There is the making of a very unc crea- ture in that young thing, or I'm much mistaken. I should like nothing better than to have the forming of her mind. What a Greek scholar I'd make her ! " " No, no," said the 'Squire ; ' : a little music, a little drawing, perhaps some knowledge of dancing, would be quite as much THE IRON COUSIN. 43 as the poor child need try to manage. I suppose she must learn something ; but by and bye, and by degrees, by degrees." " I have some smattering of the two first accomplishments you name," said Mr. Mustley, hesitatingly ; " I know something of the rudiments of drawing and perspective, and have made the theory of music my occasional study ; if you would let me try my skill in imparting some little portion of what I have acquired in these arts to your young niece, I should be both proud and pleased to have her for my pupil during the remainder of our stay." The 'Squire grasped the shy spoken little old man by his shrinking, retiring hand, in hearty thanks; and then he added, <: Do you think I spoil Kate ? " Mr. Mustley only gave his bashful cough, pushed his spec- tacles nervously upon his bald, powdery forehead, and brushed the snuff from his shirt-frill. " If you do, I can't help it ; I can't help indulging that child. She's the very apple of my eye, the delight of my heart, and I can't help showing it Upon my life, I can't help it" " It certainly is impossible to help loving her, and I don't know why it need be helped. She's a most fascinating little creature, with those dark eyes of hers, and that white, ample forehead. I've no doubt she has a fine memory. What a head she'd have for Greek roots ! " But seeing the same frightened expression cross the 'Squire's face as before, upon the same hint, Mr. Mustley added, " Don't be afraid ; I promise to teach her nothing but music and drawing, till you give me leave." " But, perhaps all things considered even those might bo <>o much for her to begin now, in addition to her lessons from my ;umt," stammered the 'Squire. " Never fear ; my tutelage shall supersede that of Mrs. Must- -aid the placid-spoken little old man. l>ut will she may not she do you think sho will give up her pupil?" gasped the 'Squire, with an impressive recollection of his aunt's mode of carrying a point upon which sho h:iJ re so 1vol. 44 THE IRON COUSIN. " Leave all that to me, leave all that to me," replied Mr. Mustlej, aa he quietly prepared to re-inter himself in the pages of his book. Next day, when Mrs. Mustley was about to stalk off with Kate, announcing that it was lesson-time, her husband rose from his seat, took the child's hand in his to lead her away, and said, " Just so, my dear. Kate takes her lessons with me to- day." " With you, Mr. Mustley ? Why, you must be dreaming ! you can teach her nothing but a parcel of humdrum old trash ; philosophy and science, and musty, bygone things, that could be of no use to a modern young lady, or any young lady. v " Exactly, my dear ; " and he moved to the door. " If you want us, you'll find Kate and me in the library, my good nephew," he added, as he quietly turned the handle of the lock. " Reluctant as I may be to withdraw my guidance where I sec it so needful," said Mrs. Mustley, drawing herself up to her full height, " I must positively and at once declare that I renounce all future interference in that child's welfare." " Quite right, my dear," said Mr. Mustley, as he passed out, hand-in-hand with little Kate. CHAPTER VI. THE change from her late instructress to her present bland old preceptor, was a salutary as well as delightful relief to the child. The one lesson-time had been a constant series of bickering and wrangling ; stern commands on the part of Mrs. Mustley, flippant replies on that of Kate. Nothing could be more pernicious for a child of Kate Ireton's disposition than this ceaseless word-war ; it excited all her worst qualities, strengthening her tendency to wilfulness, and fostering her spirit of imperiousness. She gained THE IRON C(>: 45 jonfidence in her power of disputation, and learned to use her tongue in retort, with self-applause and self-reliance. The other !cr the .iirss; and if there's will in the lips, will is that which may be turned to highest good as to deepest evil." " But I don't choose ray looks and my face to be talked about." 1 paid Kate. Ah, ha! the haughtiness of a beauty who is scarcely ten Id ! Why, child, if your face fulfil its present promise, it is like enough to be talked about, and fought about, by and Kate, in high displeasure at the lawyer's banter, turned away, and addressed herself exclusively to her uncle, who bade her go : hrr lial.it, and ri-le over as far as the next village, upon lomer i which 1 c pretended wanted executing, knowing 52 THE IRON COUSIN. that she cared not to ride out without him, unless for some ex- press purpose of his. After dinner, as the gentlemen were sitting together over their wine, the lawyer said : " You're very fond of that dark-eyed child, aren't you ? " " I love her better than anything in the world better than the world itself," was the 'Squire's answer. " Humph ! I thought as much," said his friend. After a few minutes' silence, during which the 'Squire had looked thoughtfully, but happily, into space, revolving in how many ways Kate was dear to him, the lawyer added abruptly : "Did you ever make your will?" " Eh ? No, never," said the 'Squire, in answer to his friend's question, as if awaking from a reverie. " No ; I like life so well, I never thought of making preparations for death." " The way with many people who prize life think they're never to part with it ! " said the lawyer. " Nevertheless, a time comes when they're forced to give it up, regret it how they may. So best put affairs in such order as not to be taken by surprisS when called upon to quit them. You should make your will." " It's too much trouble," said the 'Squire, laughing, " You know I hate trouble business trouble." " And so leave all the trouble to those who come after you ; business trouble for those who have to arrange your affairs, money trouble or rather, want of money trouble, for those who ought to inherit. It is every man's duty to take upon himself the little present trouble of making a will, in order that he may spare to his survivors the great after trouble of finding no will." "Well, well, I'll see about it," said the 'Squire. " I mean to live on many a long year yet. Time enough ! time enough ! There's long life in the family ! A good, sound constitution of my own ! comfortable prospect, eh ? " " Did you ever insure your life ? " inquired the lawyer, drily and suddenly. " Eh ? No. Wish I could, though, eh ? " returned he, laugh- ing, "since I tell you I've every reason to love it. I lead it in THE IRON COUSIN. 53 Ibe way I love best; I have my horses and dogs, my comfortable house, my snug room, my fine old trees, my bottle of wine, good hearty friends, Jack Weldon for my friend of friends ; nobody to say me nay in aught I have a mind to say or do; out all day long, if I think fit ; up all night, if I please ; jolly fellows for compan- ions; -faithful servants to take care of me ; and, to crown all, my darling little Kate, whom I love as if she were my own as, in- deed, she is, every inch of her any own flesh and blood; my niece dear to me as a daughter 1 " ' For her sake you should insure your life," said the lawyer, "For her sake you should make your will. If I remember right- ly, you have only a life-interest here ; the estate, in default of di- -no, going to some distant claimant over in Canada, or Lord knows where 1 On all accounts, it would be advisable to make a will. It would secure personals; and, moreover, the very act of making testamentary arrangements would bring you to look into your affairs a little, which would be very advisable." " And very worrying," said the 'Squire, shifting uneasily in his chair, and then letting himself drop gently back into it. " You live in an expensive style, for all its seeming simpli- city," pursued his friend ; " you keep up the old place as it has ever been ; you maintain your pack and your stud ; you keep much laud unprofitably fallow ; you don't look into your receipts rtain whether they keep pace with your outlay. A man's a blockhead who, under such circumstances, don't make his will and insure his life that is, if be have any one he cares about, to come after him." " But, after all, insuring my life won't make me live one hour the longer or the surer, and you know it," said the 'Squire, with a playfully conclusive air ; " lawyer though you be, you won't attempt to prove that, I suppose ; and as long as I do live, Kate has a home with me." " And when you die ? " sharply retorted the lawyer. " You don't seem to me to comprehend the plainest form of question." " Yet you put it tolerably plainly, too, Jack," said the Squire, with his look of quiet humour. " Coiue, r continued he, 54 THE IRON COUSIN. " cion't let's talk, or think, of unpleasant things, but take another glass of this bright old Burgundy, worth all the dull wills, and insurances, and musty parchment deeds, that ever were devised by you lawyers to torment mankind with." They fell into other talk, and no more was said on the same subject between the 'Squire and his friend, until the last evening before the lawyer left. Just as they were parting for the night, the 'Squire was recounting some circumstance relative to his late father, when it struck him that his companion was lost in thought, and not attending to what he was saying ; but, upon his making some remark to this effect, the lawyer replied briskly : " I beg your pardon; I perfectly follow what you say;" and he repeated his precise last words. After the space of a minute, however, he said : " You will remember what I said of the prudence of insur- ing your life ? " " I'll remember," said the 'Squire. " And you'll think of what I told you about making your will?" " I'll be sure to think of it," said the 'Squire. " Don't fail, there's a good fellow ! " said the lawyer. " I won't," said the 'Squire, as he grasped his friend heartily and affectionately by the hand. CHAPTER VII. AND thus was Kate Ireton. Naturally spirited, quick, and in- telligent; but in all acquirement, utterly deficient. She was never taught, never checked ; but let to run wild as a little colt. Her comings and goings weir as free as those of a bird ; it vraa only her native tendency towards all that was refined and in good taste, which prevented her becoming coarse. She was unpolished, but she was graceful ; she was unconventional, but she was not awkward. There was nothing rustic or rough about her, though he was perfectly easy and unconstrained. No one could have THE IRON COUSIN. 55 mistaken her for anything but a little lady, by birth and habit. She had delicate features, a blooming complexion, a shape re- markable for its beautiful proportions, and a carriage instinct with simple natural dignity. She possessed perfect command of limb, owing to the free out-of-door life of exercise and open air which she had always led, and to the single accomplishment she possessed, that of sitting a horse well the only thing she had ever learned to do. Her frame, as her disposition, was self- reliant ; and the untutored mode of her bringing up had tended to foster, rather than to abate, this original bent. Absence of cultivation had not weakened her natural powers, it only threw them upon their own strength to develope for themselves their resources. She was never at a loss for a prompt action or a ready answer. Moreover, from her having lived exclusively among grown people, Kate's mode of expressing herself was not only expertly forward, but forward for her age. Her phrase- ology often had a turn not usual at her years. One fine afternoon in latter summer she had found her way down to a favourite seat of hers. It was a stile, leading from some corn-fields of her uncle's, to a shady lane that skirted them, and wound away towards one of the park-lodges. Upon this stile she would sit, watcbiog the minnows as they darted like smallest shadows of fish, hi and out the weedy shallows of the brook, which ran bcnoj>.',h the thick, green hedge. Sometimes she would see the sleek body of a water-rat dive noiselessly, its track marked only by the air bubbles that rose from among the soft mud and ooze of the bank. Above her head hung bowery nut-trees, with ripening clusters coyly peeping from among the leaves. She was reaching up for the one that seemed nearest; km t ling on the topmost rail of the stile, trying to balance her- self, and vainly leaning over into the hedge, endeavouring to pull towards her one bough aft IT another until she should drag down die one on which grew the tempting bunch, when she heard a voice near hor say, " You'll never manage it that way ! " She looked hastily round, and saw a young boy, a few year* Ider than herself, seated on pony back, in the lane, watching her. 66 THE IRON COUSIN. He wore an ample, tasselled cap, that shaded the very hand' Borne eyes which looked up at her ; his dress was a dark riding suit, of rathei unusual fashion, upon which fell a broad lace collar, displaying the throat, and contrasting with the thick locks of chestnut hair which appeared beneath the cap. His whole appearance bespoke rank, and a certain natural, manly dignity, notwithstanding the youthful style of his apparel. After the first surprise of seeing a stranger there, and when she had looked for some moments earnestly at him, Kate re- plied, " I'm determined not to be baffled, I shall try till I suc- ceed." She renewed her efforts, but with as little effect as before ; the nuts were beyond her reach. The boy sat still, watching her ; and Kate, as she caught a glimpse of his composed figure, and of the expression which she fancied she detected on his face, felt provoked at the smiling superiority with which he seemed to remain there. " I'll hook it down for you with my riding whip," he said, as he moved his pony forward till it stood close beside her. " Let it alone ! " she exclaimed ; " I'm determined to get id for myself." " You're right to persevere," he answered. " Here, let me help you. Stand quite upright ; step on to the top of the stile ; give me your hand, I'll hold you steady while you reach up for it." " How you order ! " she said. " Do this, and do that ; step up there, and give me your hand here, What right have you to dictate to me so ? " " Dictate ! I suggest, for your own good." " Ah ! that's what you dictating people always call it, ad- vising or suggesting for our good. Still, I want the cluster of nuts, and I'll do as you propose. Not that I care for them, for we have finer in the orchard filberts ; but I don't choose to bo disappointed when once I've set my heart on obtaining a thing." " Best not set your heart, then, on anything too difficult to THE IRON COUSIN. 5? obtain, and then you'll run no chance of disappointment," re turned he. " ' Best not,' ' best not ! ' It may be wiser, perhaps but not best. The best is to succeed ; and the more difficult the better the success/' she replied. " In a thing worth trying for yes," said the boy. " Mere gutting your own way for getting your way's sake, is little ; but to conquer in a right matter is worth any amount of striving." " What a preacher you are ! " she exclaimed. " Who are you ? " " No matter, just now. Do you wish to get the nuts ? That's the first thing to consider. We can talk about who I am afterwards," he said, with that quiet smile of his which irritated her by its composure a composure looking so like gravity, that she folt as if she could not tell whether he were really smiling or not. " More of your ordering and dictating ! " she said. " You settle what's to be done first, and done last, just as if you were master. However, I'll secure the nuts'." She climbed up and stood at her full height, he holding her firmly by the hand ; and she gathered three or four of the bunches. She tossed down half of them to him ; and he sat, cracking his share, opposite, on pony-back, looking up at her; while she ate hers, standing on the step of the stile, and leaning over its top rail. ' Well, you haven't told me who you are, yet," she said, glancing curiously at his handsome face. " You arc the most amusing girl I ever met with," he ex- claimed, laughing ; " you have the oddest, bluntest manner, such a whimsical way of speaking your mind. Most girls I have seen have had some timidity, some softness about them ; but you " He hesitated. " I have nothing soft about me, I suppose ? " she rejoined. 4 If I am blunt, you are rude. All boys are rude, but you are the rudest I ever knew." 58 THE IRON COUSIN. " I don't mean to be rude, I beg your pardon if I have been rude, I only meant to speak the truth." " As if anything could be more rude than to tell me it is true I am a blunt, plain girl, with no softness about me ! " " Stop ! stop ! now you are not speaking truly in repeat- ing my words. I said nothing about 'plain.' You are not plain," he said, laughing, and looking straight at her beautiful face. " Pooh ! you know what I mean, plain-spoken." " Well, plain-spoken, granted," he returned ; " but certainly \ot plain, not at all plain." And assuredly she was not. Kate Ireton, as she stood lean- ing over the stile, her white arms carelessly crossed on the ledge, ,uer chin resting on them, her dark blue eyes flashing down at his, her full red lips pouting in childish petulance, her transparent complexion heightened and glowing, her bonnet hanging loosely back from her head, the strings only just keeping it round her throat, her bright brown hair blown in curly disorder about her face by the summer air, formed a strikingly beautiful picture. " You think to please me by saying I am not plain," she said disdainfully ; " on the contrary, it is a piece of impertinence in you a boy a stranger to make any remark at all upou me, or niy looks; upon my manners, or my face." " You spoil the one by the other," he said ; " you spoil your sweet looks by your tart words. It's a pity." *' And I tell you you are very impertinent to give any opinion in the matter. If I am plain-spoken, you are un- mannerly." " And why, if you choose to be the one, shouldn't I have equal right to be the other?" he asked, in a playful tone. " Oh, now, there you are with your preaching again, right and justice, and all that kind of thing." " Can you deny it ? " he said. She did not answer, but kept looking at him thoughtfully Suddenly she said, " After all, you have never told me who you are. What is your name ? " THE IRON COUSIN. 59 " A point-blank question," he replied, laughisg. " Like yourself, plain-spoken, quite to the purpose. I'll answer you an straightforwardly. Fermor Worthington." " Fermor Worthington ! " she echoed, in a tone of amaze ment. ' Whv. Former Worthington is a girl. You are no girl ! " No, assuredly," he answered, gaily. Then a deep shade came across the boy's open, handsome face, as he said sadly " You have heard of one who is now dead. Had she lived, 1 should have had a sister ; and I should have loved to have had a sister. The first Fermor Worthington died a child ; and when I was afterwards born to my parents, they called me by her name. It is a family one, and has been used in ours for both boys and girls." " And so you are Fermor Worthington ! " said Kate, with a deep-drawn breath, as she kept gazing upon him with a compli- cation of feelings, among which were tender memories, vague fancies, softened thoughts, together with that odd kind of vexed consciousness which so often mingled with her emotions when looking upon the picture at Worthington Court. Its breathing representative was there before her ; the living brother, instead of the dead sister, whose childish image had stirred her heart with so strange an interest. " I have seen a painting a portrait " she began. " Yes of her," Fermor said, in his grave, sweet, low-toned r oice. u You know Worthington Court, then ? you have been there ? " " Often, with my nurse, Matty." " You must come again often ; my father and I have just returned home from abroad." " * Must ! ' " repeated Kate ; " must come ! ' How fond seem of commanding." " And how afraid you seem of being commanded," he said, (iniling. " But you have not told me who you are ; I have told fou my name it is but fair you should tell me yours." " ' Fair ! ' " she echoed. " You make everything an order, 50 THE IRON COUSIN. your right, your due. But I don't mind telling you my name it is Kate Ireton. I am the niece of 'Squire Heathcote." " I thought so ! I guessed who you must be ! " he exclaimed " I know your uncle very well by what my father has told me about him. They were very intimate once before my father went to live abroad. They were not only neighbours, but there is a kind of relationship cousinship between the families, 1 believe. I fancy you and I may claim kindred, if we please." " And do you ' claim ' it ? " she said, with a slight emphasis on the word. He noticed it, and answered with his quiet smile, " Nay, I would rather you ' pleased ' to claim it." She could not withstand his manner ; and with a look reflect- ing his own, replied, " Since it is the first thing you have left to me, without any of your favourite ordering and dictating, I agree to be cousins with you. And as I find you so fond of sticking up for might and mastery, and likely to use your relationship by ruling me with a rod of iron, under pretence of right, and justice, and truth, and so forth, I shall give you a name that will suit you ; I think I shall call you my Iron Cousin." " Do so, if you will," he returned ; " and I shall use my right to call you not plain cousin Kate, but cousin Kate, plainly, without any ceremonious ' Miss ' before the Christian name, as sc plain-spoken and unceremonious a girl deserves. And now, you will promise to come soon to Worthington Court ? you will ask your uncle to bring you ? My father's health is not strong ; he goes out but seldom. I shall hope, therefore, that your good uncle will excuse form, and frequently come over and see him, as I fear he will not often be able to reach so far as Heathcote Hall." " But cannot you come there yourself, now ? " she said ; " if you will, I'll take you to my uncle. I am sure he will be glad to see you." " Nothing I should like so well ! " he exclaimed ; " I have always wished extremely to know the kind-natured, hearty 'Squire my father talked of." THE "RON COUSIN. 61 The yoiuL got off his pony, as he spoke ; leading him by the bridle, and walking by the side of Kate, as they chatted on to gather, proceeding through the lane, and up the park avenue, tc the front entrance of the old mansion. During their conversa- tion, Kate learned that Fermor had been brought up at a college on the continent, in the neighbourhood of the spot fixed upon by Mr. Morton Worthington as his. residence, until he should have the power of returning to his patrimonial English home. This English home had been the secret object of pining wishes to both father and son. Fermor had lost his mother when very young. She was a cold, staid woman ; but there was one subject on which she was enthusiastic. This was Worthington Court ; she had fondly dwelt upon its beauties to her son, until she had in- spired as strong an affection towards the old place in him as she felt herself. Mr. Morton Worthington, a man at once proud and sensitive, strict in principle, austere in practice, and stern in be- haviour, yet profoundly susceptible; formed and maintained a resolution never to revisit Worthington Court, until he returned to it as his own free and unencumbered possession. But his wife obtained leave, shortly before her death, to take her boy to England with her for a month ; and the mother and child spent that period together in the old beloved spot. It was ever after associated in Fcnnor's mind with the happiest time he had ever tipcat ; the only time he had seen his mother unbend into tender- ness, and warmth, and affectionate unreserve. It became to him an image of peaceful seclusion, of homo enjoyments, of loving in- tercourse ; and his intcusest desire was directed towards the time when he and his father were to return thither for ever. Eng- land and Worthington Court had long been the centre of Fer- mor's dearest hopes and wishes. Something of all this, Kate gained from what ho said ; for Fermor Worthington was a singular union of frankness and quietude. He was perfectly candid, and had, at the same time, a firm, collected mien, a self-possessed strength in his demeanour, arising from steadfast convictions and innate rectitude, which gave him the peculiar air that had prompted Kate Ircton to call 62 THE IRON COUSIN. him her " Iron Cousin." These characteristics were perceptibla in Fermor Worthington as a boy ; they were confirmed, as he grew into manhood. When Kate Ireton made her appearance before her uncle bringing with her her new-found relation, the 'Squire received them in his own hearty manner ; giving Fermor a cordial wel- come at once, and a warm invitation to come, whenever he pleased, to Heathcote Hall. He himself promised to ride over to Wor- thington Court without delay, that the old acquaintance between himself and his good friend Morton might be renewed ; rejoiced that the long exile self-imposed by filial duty and manly pro- bity being now over, permitted his exceLfcnt friend Morton and himself once again to be the good neighbours they were formerly ; entered with glee into the rightful establishment of the cousin- ship ; and congratulated the young people and himself upon this pleasant family re-union. " Tell my good friend, your father, my dear young sir, that Kate and I will ride over the first thing after breakfast to-morrow to see him. Give him my best regards, and tell him so from me. my dear young Mr. Fermor." " Do you treat me so formally, sir ? Are we not all cousins ? " said Fermor Worthington. " True, true, my good young gentleman cousin, I should say. But remember, we of the old school are apt to be a little formal, till we know people well. I feel that you and I shall soon know each other well quite well and then we'll be as fa- miliar as you please," said the 'Squire, putting his hand upon the lad's shoulder. " The more familiarly you treat me, the better I shall think of myself, sir," said Fermor, as he looked his sense of the 'Squire's kindly manner. " It will teach me to hope I may de- serve your friendship. Friendship is a voluntary thing, you know ; relationship is settled for us. Nevertheless, I am obliged to Fate for having made me a relative of yours, and of my cousin Kate." " That's a very civil speech, for the unmannerly iron cousin!" aid she. "Pity he's not always so complaisant." THE IRON COCSIN. 61 " I am never complaisant at the expense of truth," he said * Civil speeches should come from feeling, or they are but flat- tery." " People may be decently polite, without flattery," returned she. " Sincerity between relations is even better than politeness," said Fermor. " There's no need to be a bear, because one's a cousin," she retorted. " Certainly ; cousins arc human beings, not brutes," replied he. " We shall never be brutal to each other, I hope." " I was not speaking of behaviour between us ; I was speak- ing of yours to me," said Kate. " Which I trust was not brutal only honest," he replied. ' I told you honestly what I thought of you ; and I believe you were quite as frank with me." " I've no objection to honesty ; be as honest, as frank as you please ; you can't be too much so, to please me. What I find fault with is your perpetual ordering and commanding ; as if you were always right, and others were always wrong. You not only told me what you thought of me, but what I ought to be what I ought to do." " It is part of my honesty, I suppose," he answered. " When I see what I wish to be, and what I think should be, and might hf, I am apt to say so, openly." '' Yes, you are for trying everything and everybody by your st.ict notions; and ruling them according to your sovereign will and pleasure a true iron cousin." " Well, I lay my sovereign commands on you now, not to for- get your promise to be with us to-morrow by an early hour," he said, as he rose to take leave. My uncle's promise, not mine," she replied. " As his I en- gage to perform my share of it." " Not unwillingly, I hope?" he said, smiling. " Oh, no ! I want very much to see your father Mr. Morton Worth in trton. I have often heard him described; and I'm curi- jus to sc<- whether my nurse Matty i- a good portrait-painter." 64 THE IRON C017S3T. u What kind of picture did she draw ! " asked Fermor. " That of a stately, stilted gentleman ; standing high on hil goodness, and holding his head up on his principle," she re- plied ; "in short, just what the iron cousin's father would be like- ly to be." " He has good right to stand erect, who never stooped to an unworthy thought, word, or deed," said the son, earnestly. " When you see him, you will find that the likeness is faithful, and under- stand how it is so. My father's air is dignified, because his char acter is noble." CHAPTER VIII. NEXT day, the morning was farther advanced than the good 'Squire could have wished, when he and his niece drew bridle at Wor- thington Court. From some inexplicable whim of perverseuess, Kate had contrived, by one frivolous pretext or other, to delay the time of setting out, from hour to hour, until far beyond that intended by her uncle ; so that, when they reached the old man- sion, they were informed by the servant who took their horses, that Mr. Worthington was receiving some guests who had arrived that morning, and that the whole party were assembled at lunch, in the dining-room. As his niece and himself were being ushered thither, the 'Squire learned that these guests were no other than the Whites, of Eggham Park ; and on entering the apartment, there was a pale shadowy -looking lady, seated on one side of the table ; next to her a younger duplicate of herself, with the addition of long flaxen curls ; and opposite to them, an ultra-florid little gen- tleman. But the 'Squire saw no one, for the moment, but his old friend, Morton Worthington, whom he had always revered as a being infinitely superior, in every moral and mental endowment, to himself. His modest self-estimation made him think the in timacy which, had subsisted between them, a generous condescen eion on the part of so wise, so good a young man as Morton Wor THE IRON COUSIN. 65 thington ; and his regard for him was heightened by a sort of venerating gratitude, that he should permit the equality of friend ship between them. The truth was, there had been a mutual es teem and liking, but little real confidence. Mr. Morton was ha bitually reserved ; and the 'Squire was simple-hearted and simple minded. Harry Heathcote had not the slightest idea that a large portion of Morton's liking for the brother, arose from the secret overwhelming passion he cherished, in spite of his own will, foi his sister. No suspicion that the cold-seeming, scholarly Mr Worthington thought of Hetty otherwise than as a gay, thoaght less girl pretty, but too childish to interest so wise and clever a young gentleman ever crossed the mind of the unobservant 'Squire. He knew that Morton admired her ; and fancied that he tolerated her light trifling, in consideration of her youth and blooming looks ; but be dreamed not that these caprices made the misery of the proud student's life ; that this youthful bloom en- thralled him beyond the power of his stern resistance. Morton Worthington's existence had been one continued haughty contest with inclination and circumstance. He had been rejected by the young girl whom he passionately loved, against his better reason and judgment; and in order to conceal the anguish of mortifica tion, as well as to punish himself for the weakness which he dis- daincil, and resented having yielded to, he hastily married a wo- man for whom he had no affection, but whom he knew to possesr prudence, steady principle, and a formed character exactly those qualities lacking in Henrietta Heathcote. But the wound was only scared over ; it never healed. To this secret torture was added the gall and bitterness of discovering, on his father's death, that decay of fortune, and heavy debt, and threatened loss of his patrimonial state, stared him in the face. His pride of resolution, however, enabled him to preserve a show of stoic indifference to the world : and ho repaired abroad, silently and privately to con- tend with his disappointments as he best might, and to look for ward with the single hope of returning, at some future day, to re eovered wealth and case, if not happiness. While the 'Squire hurried forward, in his own cordial, heart j B6 THE IRON COTJSUM. manner, to greet his old friend, and interchange a hundred ques tions and replies in a breath, Kate had plenty of time to make her own observations on the appearance of Mr. Morton Wonth- ington ; but not until she had perceived, with a feeling of vexed surprise, that nis son, Fermor, was not there Presently, her uncle turned to her, as he said to his friend : " But I have not shown you my Kate yet. Come hither, Kate ! I want my good friend to see what a treasure I have bachelor as I am. You, Morton, have your son, Fermor a fine boy, a noble, well-spoken lad a fine fellow, indeed ! But I have my pride and joy, too my Kate, my niece, bless her ! Where are you, Kate ? Come hither ! " Kate came forward, at her uncle's bidding, and stood beside him ; while he, eagerly taking off the broad beaver hat she wore, which somewhat shaded her features, said : " Hetty's daugh- ter ! " As the young head stood revealed fully to his view, the mar- ble face of Mr. Morton "Worthington moved not a jot ; but he turned to the table, poured himself out a tumbler of water, and drank it, ere he said, with a forced smile : " You are indeed fortunate, 'Squire, in possessing so fair a young lady, to be to you as a child." " Do you find her like her mother ? I see a strong resem- blance myself; but I am curious to know what you think, who knew Hetty," said the good 'Squire. Mr. Morton Worthington sat down. He had risen from his chair to receive the 'Squire, when the latter entered, and had since remained standing, answering the various hurried ejacula- tions and inquiries poured forth by his warm-hearted friend. As he resumed his seat, he attempted some muttered allusion to his having grown infirm since they last met ; but the words died off unspoken, and there was a pause. The 'Squire thought he waa about to reply to his last question, and waited patiently, turning Kate's beaver hat round and round in his hand, with his eyes alternately fixed upon her face and Mr. Worthington's. But when that gentleman next spoke, it was to address Mrs. THE IRON COUSIN. . 67 White, offering her some of the sweets upon the table, begging her to resume her luncheon, and offering some to the newly- arrived visitors : at the same time introducing all his guests to each other. The conversation became general, or rather, Mrs. White be- pm a long interlocution with the 'Squire, in which she explained to him that Mrs. Mustley having been advised by her medical man to pay a visit to the sea-side, the old lady had left Eggham Park for Weymouth last week ; which gave Mr. White and her- self the opportunity they were most eager for, of coming to wit-nine their excellent friend, Mr. Worthington, on his return from abroad ; then she branched off into a by-dissertation on the equal connection that existed between themselves, the Whites, and the two families of Heathcote and Worthington ; then ensued an episodical narration of the virtues and accomplishments which distinguished her dear daughter, Alicia, who was though she said it, that shouldn't say it the very dearest and most exem- plary girl that ever breathed ; that she considered herself the most fortunate of mothers, and Mr. White the most fortunate of fathers, to be blessed with such a child. Miss White was preparing melon for Mr. Morton Worthing- ton; requesting to know precisely what quantity of sugar he liked sprinkled over it, entreating he would tell her whether he preferred popper with it, or whether he choose it quite simply; and, while ministering to his palate, engaging him with small- talk with the most amiably insinuating manner conceivable. Mr. White was immersed in the occult dressing, and subsc- ijm -nt inirlutition, of a lobster, the colour of which was shamed by the flaming scarlet of his face, up to the very roots of his hair ; while his eyes emulated those of the shell-fish, by their startling blaok protrusion. Kate drew a chair to her uncle's side, and under the shelter of iiin conversation with Mrs. White, sat silently eating her ehieken and jelly, wondering within herself what could have be- come of Fennor Worthington, and how it was ho did not make kia appearance. " Why shouldn't I ask for him, and inquire how 68 THE IRON COUSIN. it is he's not here ? " at length she thought. No sooner had sde asked this question, than she said aloud : " Where is your son, Mr. Worthington ? "We expected to see him this morning. He begged my uncle to come over, and to bring me with him : it is strange he is not here to receive us. Is he not at home ? M Her voice, fearless and unabashed, but full and musical in its tone, rang clear above those of the other speakers, as she ad- dressed this question to the master of the house, sitting at the Head of his table. He perceptibly started ; but he answered composedly, with- out looking towards her : " Fermor is gone out, young lady. I Bent him over to Dingleton, upon a commission which could not ve delayed." " Yes, my Alicia left her parasol at the inn where the post- jrses baited, and our kind host gallantly insisted that his own ion should go in search of it, instead of a servant. It is not jvery youth who would be so assiduous, but young Mr. Fermor is one of a thousand, we all know ! " prosed Mrs. White. " Fermor does as I tell him, madam," said Mr. Morton Well- ington. " Very proper, of course," said Mrs. White. " All joung peo- ple should learn to do as they are told." " Is it ' very proper ' to tell a boy to ride twenty miles for a parasol ? Is it ' very proper ' to let him do so, when a girl has oeen so forgetful as to leave something behind her that she de- serves to lose for her pains ? " said Kate. " Hey-dey, young lady ! I'm afraid our good friend, the 'Squire, has spoiled you not a little, to reason with your elders and betters, in that smart fashion," said Mr. White, looking up. for the first time, from jis plate. " Are elders always betters ? " returned Kate. " Why shouldn't they be asked plain questions as well as any one else ? " " It isn't becoming in young ladies to question and argue," said Mrs. White. " I'm sure my Alicia knows better than to think of such a thing." " How long has your son been gone, sir ? " said Kate, again TI1E IRON COUSIN. 69 directing her words to Mr. Wortbington; " do you think he will be back soon ? " " Very probably he may," answered Mr. Worthington, still looking away from her as he spoke. He kept his eyes steadily averted from the young girl's face. He had only once permitted himself to glance towards her, after the first sight of her counte- nance ; it was while she was occupied in eating her lunch; he had then, for one instant, looked at her keenly, intently, though steal- thily ; but from that time he preserved his fixed avoidance. " I say, 'Squire," said Mr. White, filling himself out a bumper of wine, " allow me to drink your very good health, and, at the same time, to ask you how you think it right to encourage your niece to be so bold and up-spoken in company ? It isn't the fash ion for young ladies now-a-days, to do anything else than sit still and say nothing, until they're spoken to, and then answer discreetly and modestly. If you go on spoiling her, as you seem to have done, she'll never do you any credit never be a pattern young lady ! You'll excuse my freedom ; but we're all friends ; and I really feel anxious that your adopted daughter should do you credit, for her own sake as well as for yours." " My excellent Mr. White, pray make no apology for speaking out freely ; I take it kind of you, on the contrary, to tell us your mind, for our good, as you think it," said the 'Squire. " But, io the first place, I don't know that I care much to see my Kate a pattern young lady it would be too much trouble for her and for me ; and as long as she is not insolent, and hurts no one's feelings, what does it signify that she should speak up boldly, and without any mock modesty, her thoughts and her wishes ? As for spoiling her " and here the 'Squire fidgeted a little on his chair, but soon sank back into it quietly and passively " as for spoiling her, why, perhaps I do, a little; but, you must know, I have my reasons 1 have my reasons." " Reasons, my dear sir 1 " began Mrs. White. " My love, allow me," interrupted Mr. White. " Reasons, 'Squire'" he exclaimed, turning to him again; "can reason be pleaded in so unreasonable a proceeding as spoiling a young cre- lure entrusted to our care ?" 7C TRE IRON COUSIN. "My worthy Mr. "White my good sir," said the 'Squire ; " if you knew all, you might perhaps allow that I have very sufficient reason for a little over-indulgence in the case of my niece, Kate." His voice changed from the placid equanimity it had hitherto ob- served, as he added: " Her mother was killed by severity killed ; and I took a vow by her dead face that her child should mver know a harsh word or look from me. I have kept my oath ; and perhaps this may account for my Katey being not quite so prim and orderly as she should be. But all in good time all in good time. She's young yet, thank God ! " Mr. Morton Worthington, for all the infirmity of which he complained, had got up and walked to the window, where he stood, with his arms folded upon his chest, his back towards those pres- ent, his face looking out upon the terrace, with a blank regard. ' Dear, dear ! we were not aware we heard there was a sad story, but the particulars were not known to us," commenced Mrs. White. " My love, allow me," interposed Mr. White. "Under such peculiar circumstances as you have hinted at, my good sir, and for which we are, of course, too delicate to press farther, great allow- ance is to be made; of course, great allowance." " Yes, great allowance should be made for Katey v " said the 'Squire. " By and bye we'll think about proprieties, and knick- knacks, and reading and writing, and stitchery, and such like things, that girls must be taught, one time or other, I suppose," Baid the 'Squire, with a sigh. " Why, surely, my dear sir, you don't mean to say that " Mrs. White began. " Permit me, my love," said Mr. White. " My good 'Squire, you will understand me to speak solely as a friend and connection of yours, and therefore with pardonable freedom, if I observe that your country-gentleman experience, and old world breeding, scarce- ly fits you to be a competent judge of what is expected now-a-days from a young lady of your niece's years. If, as I deduce from what you let drop just now, Miss Kate is actually uninstructcd in given the very earliest branches of education, I assure you, you ar* THE IRON COI 71 wrong in omitting to provide her immediately with means of reme- dying this defect. If she be permitted to grow up, thus neglected, when she reaches an nee to understand her deficiencies, take my word for it, she herself will be the very first to reproach you for your irreparable omis.sion, your fatal over-indulgence." " How littk- you know me ! " exclaimed Kate indignantly. " I reproach uncle ! Not if he had done me the greatest of injuries, instead of making all my life happy. I should be the most un- grateful of girls, so much as to think a reproach towards uncle." .My dear young miss," replied Mr. White, with a supercil- ious smile, " I see that you totally misconceive me, though that is scarcely to be wondered at; but what I would say is, that even were you hereafter to upbraid your uncle with his having failed to provide you proper instruction, the reproach, far from deserving the name of ingratitude, would be only just and due." ' Impossible!" ejaculated Kate. " I repeat," resumed Mr. White, after a slight wave of the hand, as deprecating her interruption, " that such a reproach would be but just and due, a merely proper resentment of his irretrieva- ble wrongs towards her." " Wrongs ! ridiculous ! " burst from Kate. My _' iod young miss, you are wholly incapable of estimat- ing the force of my meaning. I cannot wonder at it, ignorant as you, alas ! are ; but one day, when too late, you will remember my words, and comprehend their truth." " Never ! " exclaimed Kate. " I shall never find out that it's right to blame uncle." " Deaf to rational argument ! blind to the most lucid demon- stration, poor child ! " said Mr. White, in a pitying tone, and making a motion with his hands, as though ho gave up the hope- less task of parleying with one utterly unable to appreciate his powerful oratory. ' You think I ought to have Kate taught; that I should some one to give her lessons; to see that she Icarus something," said the 'Squire, hesitatingly ; " perhaps you're right, my good Mr. White. Between us, I fear. K at and I have 72 THE IRON COUSIN. made the mistake of thinking .only how to enjoy life together instead of recollecting that there must be some trouble, and some worrying, with books and such things, to live as we ought to do, I suppose." " Assuredly, my good sir, undoubtedly," said Mr. White, briskly renewing his discourse. " You should engage a good governess. My wife will, I am sure, have the greatest pleasure in writing to some one of her large circle of acquaintance in town, desiring them to secure for you, without delay, a fashion- able finishing governess, who will make up for lost time with our young friend here, and render her shortly an accomplished, well- mannered, presentable young lady, who will do credit to you and to herself.' 1 " You are very good, very obliging, my worthy, excellent Mr. White," faltered the 'Squire ; " but, but there's no hurry we'll see about it I'll think, I'll consider of it, before you give your good lady the trouble to write for a governess for my Kate. I'll think of it, I'll think of it, thank you." Just then, the grave deep voice of Mr. Worthington was heard to say, " Here's Fermor ! " and presently Fermor appeared at the foot of the terrace, giving his horse to a servant ; and then came rapidly up the flight of steps leading to the level space upon which the dining-room windows opened. " If you were to unfasten that window near you, sir," said Kate, in her clear, penetrating tone, " he could come in at once, instead of going round." Mr. Worthington again gave the slight involuntary start which the sound of that ringing, silver-pure voice (the very echo of one that had never ceased to haunt his memory), distinctly addressing him, had before produced, but he gave no other token of having heard her speak. Kate Ireton stepped forward, stood close beside him, and herself undid the fastening of the folding- window. " We are here ! my uncle is here I " said she. Fermor advanced eagerly. As he approached the window, he observed his father ; raising his hat, and entering the room. THE IRON COUSIN. 73 he addressed his first words to him : " I have recovered the lost parasol, sir ; it was left at the previous stage to Dingleton ; so I rode on there at once, and brought it away with me." " Very well," said his father. Mrs. White pressed forward to overwhelm Fermor with thanks and apologies, while Alicia dropped a curtsey that would have done her dancing-master's heart good to see, as she received the parasol from his hands. " Is ' very well ' all that you have to say to your son when he has done what you desire, sir?" asked Kate of Mr. Worthing- ton, as she remained near to him. " What should I say more ? " replied he. " Don't you think he deserves praise for obeying you, for doing even more than you desired ?" said Kate, earnestly. <: He rode on in the dust and heat to the stage beyond Dingleton, when no found that what you hud sent him for was not there. Doesn't that deserve something more than ' very well ? ' ' " lie knew my object in sending him ; he knew that I should lie displeased if he returned without effecting it," said Mr. Wnrthington. " And he did effect it," returned Kate. " Were you not pleased ? " " I was satisfied," replied Mr. Worthingtou. He spoke as if with effort. While Kate was close to him, he seemed op- -'d, constrained, unable to look, move, or breathe freely. Ferraor had exchanged cordial greetings with the 'Squire, and now came towards Kate, saying, " Will you come and pay :i visit to your old favourite, the picture ? You made ac- ([iiaijitance with it before you knew any of us; and it is bufc fair that your new friends should not make you forget your old ones." <; No fear of their doing that, good iron cousin. All the new friends ami new relations in the world would never put my uncle or nurse. Matty out of my head," she replied, with a spice of the contrariety which always took possession of her in connection with that portrait ;' and \\\i\f\\, indeed, was too apt, generally. '* 4 74 THE IRON COUSIN. actuate her conduct and speech. Boundless indulgence, unbal anced by wise admonition, generates a wayward impulse to say ungracious and unwelcome, rather than agreeable or compliment ary things ; and Kate had, moreover, an innate horror of any thing like flattery or affectation, which frequently caused her to err on the side of bluntness, from sheer dread of seeming false. She often bordered on the verge of incivility, not from any wish to be rude, but from an instinctive avoidance of any shadow of simulation. " What is that you say about a picture, Mr. Fermor ?" said Mrs. White. " My Alicia, for so young a girl, is a wonderful judge of painting ; but no wonder, either, for she paints more than tolerably herself already, I assure you. The cat she did upon velvet, the other day, for a footstool for Mrs. Mustley, and the basket of flowers she coloured in poonah, for an urn-rug as a present to her godmother, Lady Niggle, were, I assure you, quite beautiful. I hope, if you are going to look at any family pictures, my Alicia may accompany you and Miss Ireton ; she will be delighted to see them with you. Go, Alicia, my dear." And the three young people left the room together. CHAPTER IX. >VHEM they entered the morning parlour so well remembered by Kate Ireton, she was going straight to her wonted corner, the old- fashioned chintz settee in the recess, opposite to which the pic- ture hung, when she suddenly drew back, and gave place to Alicia White, who advanced in front of the painting, and fell into ecsta- cies about the dear lovely face, the sweet pretty attitude, the darling white frock, the exquisite portrait altogether. She ex- patiated to Fermor on the extraordinary likeness between him self and his sister ; uttered sentimental speeches of regret at his shocking loss, but supposed that as it had h'appcnedbefore ho TIIK IKON COUSIN. 73 was born, he had not felt it very deeply ; and in short, talked a great deal of fluent propriety and prettincss, during which, Kate [reton stood aloof, looking at the worked parrot with the twin rherries hanging from his beak, the embroidered sampler, and the gaping, new-caught fish. As Miss White stooped to examine one of the two groups of family-miniatures that hung on each side of the fire-place, be- neath the other picture, Ferinor Worthington came over to where Kate was still standing, and said : " I wanted you to have looked at that picture with me, by ourselves ; but another day, perhaps, we shall have a better opportunity. I could not refuse Mrs. White to let Alicia come with us." " You were quite right. Besides, I know the picture by heart ; no need for me to look at it." She turned away as she spoke, and went towards a door that led into the adjoining apart- ment, which was the library. '' Do you like that room ? It is my favourite room, in the whole house," said Fermor, following her. ' ; I don't know that it's my favourite ; but I used to like to come here, and watch the shadows of the leaves, as they danced and fluttered upon the shining oak floor," said Kate. " I used to sit and ponder all sorts of fairy fancies, while I saw those twinklcrs running in and out, skipping to and fro, crossing, and crowding, and huddling together." " Did you love those leaves ? I could tell you some odd whims of my own about those same leaves," said Fermor, smiling. " But not now," he added ; " here comes Miss White. Another tini.-." - No matter," said Kate. "What a noble, spacious room! how finely proportioned! What an admirable music-room it would make ! What a grand i-nllrctiiin of books!" said Alicia White, as she entered the library. Mi-- White had a slight approach to a drawl, in her way <>t sju-aking, together with a habit of half closing her eyes, and holding her head on one side languishingly ; but she talkfd enthusiasm, ami strung raptures. " What a charming copy of 76 THE IRON COUSIN. Ta&bO this is, Mr. Ferraor ! " said she, taking down one of the volumes, and opening it. " My kind papa gave me a beauty on my last birthday; but it is not so fine a one as yours." " It is my father's, not mine," said Fermor. " What have you there, Miss Ireton ? " continued Miss White, addressing Kate, who was turning over the leaves of a richly illustrated book. " I don't know ; I was only looking at the pictures," said Kate, without hesitation, but colouring as she spoke. " I should say its name ? What is the work ? Look at the top of the page, or turn to the title," persisted Miss White. " It's of no use if I did," replied Kate. " Of no use ? " repeated Miss White, innocently. " No ; I can't read it." "You are not a German scholar yet?'' said Fermor, as he stepped to her side, and glanced at the book. " It is Goethe'^ ' Hermann and Dorothea,' Miss White." " I mean, I can't read ; I can't read at all anything Ger- man or English," said Kate, with a crimson cheek, but firmly. " Not read ! " gasped Alicia White. " No ; I thought you heard my uncle say that I could neither read nor write, when he was speaking to your father, about my never having been regularly taught, in the drawing-room just now, before before Mr. Fermor returned." " I thought we had agreed to give up the formal Miss and Mr. between us, Kate," said he. " I did not know but that you might be unwilling to own for a cousin, one who is found out to be a dunce," said Kate. ' I don't wish to hold you to your relationship against your will." " Wait till I tell you I desire to give it up, before you offer to release me," replied Fermor. " I shall wait for no such thing," said Kate, impetuously ; " if I had so much as a notion you thought it a disgrace to be related to such an ignoramus as I have been shown to be and M I am J should not tamely wait for you to tell me so, T THE IRON COUS1H. If should insist at once upon our calling each other cousins no longer. 1 ' " But I do not think it a disgrace. You have never been taught, you say ; therefore it is no shame to you to be ignorant It is a defect you can remedy; a defect you will remedy, by learning of your own accord, now that you have discovered your deficiency. No person of sense and I think you have sense, Kate will voluntarily continue without that, which lies in their own power to acquire. You will think it your duty to set about gaining knowledge immediately for yourself, since you have found out you need it ; and if you do that energetically and earnestly, you are a cousin to be proud of one to whom it would be rather an honour than a disgrace to be related. You must ask your uncle to give you a good instructress, without delay." " ' Must' That is so like the iron cousin," said Kate. " Are you and Mr. Fermor Worthington so nearly related, Mi Ireton?" said Alicia White; " I did not know you were cousins." " There is cousinship of some sort between the families ; and he is willing to own it, for the sake of the opportunity it gives him to exercise his love of authority," replied Kate. " All boys are fond of commanding, and showing their superiority ; and my iron cousin is especially given to point out what he deems proper, expecting to see it observed, and himself obeyed." " Which, of course, is a pleasure to you," simpered Miss White. " I wish I had a brother, or a cousin, to direct my ac- tions ; I should take such delight in showing my ready obedience to one who had the right to demand it as, of course, male rela- tions have." " I agree to no such right," said Kate. ' Oh dear ! " replied Alicia ; " I know you're not saying what you think, now." " I always say what I think," returned Kate. " I am sure you are too well-bred, not to allow that a lady- like submission best becomes us girls in such cases." continued Alicia. 78 THE IRON COUSIN. " I'm afraid I can't be very well-bred, since 1 don't kno\i how to read ; and I seldom think of what is becoming," said Kate. " But you have begun now to think it unbecoming not to be able to read and write, Kate, haven't you ? " said Fermor, with his quiet smile. " You will surely not think it wise or right to go on in your ignorance ? You will lose no time in trying to make up for that which has already been lost ? You will promise the iron cousin thus much ? " " I don't like promising," said Kate. " You don't like being bound ? " smiled Fermor. " No," she said, in the same manner ; " nor do I like to break my word, which makes me careful of giving a promise." " Then you shall not promise me ; but you shall do what I ask," replied Fermor. " There's the iron cousin ! insisting on his will " laughed Kate. He echoed her laugh ; and they returned to the dining- room. As Kate and her uncle rode homewards, they both fell into deep thought. At length, the good 'Squire said, looking away from her, stooping down, and fidgetily patting his horse's neck : " My dear, should you like to have a governess ? " " Very much, uncle," answered Kate, with a bright, sudden up-glance, as if his words had pleasantly and unexpectedly chimed in with the subject of her own pre-occupation. " No, really, should you? should you, indeed, my dear child? " replied the 'Squire, eagerly, in a tone of great relief. " I was afraid that, perhaps I thought that, very likely, you might have that, probably, my own bad example, and my neglecting to have you taught, might have caused you to think with dread of learning and lessons, and the rest of it. I fear that worthy Mr. White was very near the truth when he hinted that I bad been culpably neglectful of your education, my dear ; we must try and repair our error, and think less of amusing ourselves with our rides and our rambles, and more of tormenting ourselves with stopping iu-doors, to try and become something like what THE IRON COUSIW. 79 Christians and gentlefolks should be. I never was much of a scholar myself; I never had any taste, nor any head, for bookish- ud study ; but I am not such an oaf as to pretend to de- uiiowledge because I can't master it ; I can understand that it'.- :i very noble thing for those who can master it, and that it's what every one should try to master, if their brains will let them. I ought, before now, to have given your young brains a chance ; but vre were so happy in our idleness, Kate weren't we ? that I kept putting off and putting off the troublesome duty from day to 'lay. However, I'm glad to find that my rcmissness hasn't HI unwilling to learn, but that you're ready to help me to mend my fault. I once hoped I should never have committed a fault where you were concerned, child," said the 'Squire, with a sigh. " But the best of us are but mistaken creatures in some one thing or other ; and I, Heaven help me ! am far indeed from the best, God knows." " Dear uncle," said Kate, gaily, u I won't have you reproach yourself; I can't bear to hear you talk of faults and neglect. There have been none but what can well be made up for by dili- gence now. If you'll get me a governess, I'll work hard, and do my b\=t to l^arn, so that no time shall have been lost." " Thank you, Kate, my dear ! I see your resolve to save me from blame my own, which would be worse than all ; you'll strive to become a clever girl for my sake that no fault may at- tach to me. But you must mind and not overdo it either, Kate ; take all gently take all gently. We shall have you a first-rate scholar quite time enough. I mustn't have my little girl over- work herself." " Never fear, uncle ! " cried Kate, cheerfully. " But tell me," added she, presently, " have you thought of whom you shall have to teach me to be my governess ? " Well, Kate, my dear, I've turned it over in my mind a 'Iral. since that excellent Mr. "White spoke so openly and so about tin- matter, this morning. But I think we won't go so far as to let his good lady scMid to town for the sort of go vi !!. .-.< he talks of. I think .-In- would be would be per- 30 THE IRON COUSIN. haps too much for us ; eh. my dear, at first ? Suppose we go a little quietly to work, just at present, and begin with not quite such a finisher finishing-governess, I mean ; a little less fashion- able and finishing might, perhaps, suit us better at any rate, ai first. Eh, my dear ? What do you think ? " " I think with you, uncle," said Kate. " Well, then, I'll tell you what has struck me, Kate, my dear You must know, the last time I drank tea with our worthy vicat and his good wife, I met a friend of theirs, a young widow lady poor thing ! whom they had had to stay with them for a time, while she looked about her (they told me this when she left the room, in the course of the evening, to carry one of the children up to bed, who wouldn't be satisfied without she did) for a means of earning her livelihood, which the sudden death of her young husband, leaving her unprovided for, had rendered necessary. It seems she thought of trying to obtain a situation as a gover- ness ; and I remember thinking, while I noticed how she attended to the little one that sat next to her at tea, leaning down to listen to his prattle, spreading some sugar on his bread-and- butter, when he whispered her for some, and afterwards humour- ing the young rogue, when he couldn't be persuaded to unclasp his arms from about her neck, but insisted that she should go up stairs with him, and put him to bed herself; I remember think- ing to myself that she was the very woman to make a good gover- ness, and that she couldn't fail to get engaged as one, very soon. What do you think, Kate, my dear ? " " I think so, too, uncle ; and did she get an engagement ? " said Kate. " That is what I don't know, but what I think of ascertain- ing this very evening, by going over to the vicarage, and inquir- ing of our good Dr. Meadows whether his young friend has met with a situation that suits her ; and, if not, whether he thinks Bhe would like to come to us, and be good enough to help me in my difficulty, by undertaking the charge of my little girl. What do you say to this, my dear ? " " I say it is a capital idea, uncle ; and that you can't do bet- ter than put it in practice." said Kate. THE IKON COUSIN. 81 Fortunately for the 'Squire's project, the young widow wae found to be still disengaged. Both she and her friends at the vicarage gladly accepted the prospect of a home for her at Heathcotc Hall ; and gentle Mrs. Lindon was speedily installed there as the governess of its young mistress. Blessed with a sweetness and evenness of temper, which her early acquaintance with sorrow had enhanced, rather than injured, chastened into resignation of spirit, and subdued into a mild se- renity of demeanour, Mrs. Lindon was one of the meekest and tendcrest of women. She shrank from uttering an opinion that sounded like opposition, a word approaching to thwarting, or a syllable that might be construed into disapprobation. Sensitive herself, she had a terror of inflicting pain by speech or look ; and so careful was she of wounding others' feelings, that she kept constant guard upon her own, lest their heedless expression should chance to hurt by a seeming complaint or reproach. With a timid, self-doubting child, such a natured woman would have been the very person, of all others, for its charge ; but with a high-spirited, dauntless girl, like Kate, this extreme softness and yieldingness rendered Mrs. Lindon far from best titled for the task she had undertaken. A judicious firmness, with dispassionate reasoning a power to win her esteem, and command her respect, as well as to gain her affection would have been the means just then of moulding Kate's character to its true capability, and of developing and perfecting those qualities in her nature which lay at present obscured beneath the less :it ones that had grown out of her position, and bad been <1 by ceaseless and universal spoiling. A governess, whose cliann-tcr should have combined moral courage with loving-kind- :i woman who possessed a wise strength of nature with an aflV; -tionate heart, and who could have been capable of exercising salutary control, at the same time that she manifested how purely it was regard for its object's welfare which called it forth, would have wrought the effect upon Kate's disposition, which was all it wanted, to display it in its outward working, as it in- trinsically existed. But. falling into the hands of the easy, pas 82 THE IRON COUSIN. siv^ negatively-kind Mrs. Lindon, was only a continuance of the ame course of uniform indulgence which had hitherto been Kate's moral and mental atmosphere ; and no wonder that she remained, as she had ever been, sole directress of her own thoughts, words, and actions, which too often took a perverse shape and wayward expression. There was, with all this, so true an indication of uer really fine nature constantly shining through Kate Ireton's least gracious ways, that few could resist the charm of her beauty. She was not merely uncommonly handsome in face and person, but she had that radiant expression of a noble, unmean soul, which looked forth from her eyes, in clear, unmistakeable light, imparting a loveliness supreme and incomparable. In her most petulant speeches, in her frankest out-speakings, in her liveliest and most careless sallies, there was an absence of ill-temper or malice, that while it disarmed them of their sting, carried with it an irresisti- ble conviction of true-hearted warmth and earnestness, seeming but another discovered grace. Mrs. Lindon grew to love her beautiful, wilful pupil, with the same fond idolatry felt towards her by all the household. The governess's sense of right was often pained by the consciousness that the young girl profited too little by the instructions she was so able and so willing to impart ; but she lacked the energy to enforce their necessity, and let the moments slip by for their reg- ular inculcation. Kate's life-long course of unrestriction, made set lessons insupportably irksome to her ; and she was never at a loss for some excuse to avoid going into the study of a morning at the appointed hour. Mrs. Lindon's habitual compliance, and dislike of opposition, joined to her personal kindness for Kate, made her continually yield to these pretexts, at the very time she felt the weakness of allowing them to prevail. This awakened a remorse that she was failing in her duty, both to the 'Squire and to his adopted daughter, in the small progress made by the latter ; and then she would devise means of coaxing her pupil into more punctual study. But finding that the very sight of an arrayed ta- ttle, with books and writing materials prepared, at a particulai THE IRON COUSIN. 83 time, only served to excite Kate's disinclination to set to work, Mrs. Liudon at length fell into the way of teaching, however and whenever she could, instead of at fixed periods. She would allow the nominal hour of studying to be eluded, and the walk or tin: ride to be substituted : while she contrived, during their strolls in the park, or their gardening, or their fishing, to instil as much instructive precept, and to impress as many intellectual ideas, as might be. in the course of their conversation. Sometimes Kate would detect her gentle governess's device, and provokingly try to frustrate it, by a thousand tricks of pre- tended negligence and inattention; by frolicsome idleness, or by pertinacious stupidity ; 'by darting off to something else, with a jray exclamation, or by a look of impenetrable dulness : but Mrs. Limlon's patience, though often severely tried, never forsook her, and she was rewarded by a certain amount of success. Kate had naturally quick faculties, a comprehensive under- standing, and innate good taste. She, therefore, insensibly im- bilied a larger share of knowledge from these desultory lessons with her really well-informed instructress, than many girls acquire during a long course of schooling. She learned to think justly upon many points; she gained a largo stock of ideas; she acquir- ed a reverence for art, and an estimation of the value of literature. . Lindon had a passionate love of art, and she inspired her pu- pil with some of her own feeling. When first married, Mrs. Lin- don had travelled in Italy with her husband, a young artist, whose insatiable desire to behold the glories of the great masters of Rome and Florence had conquered even the feebleness of disease, and had enabled him to hold at bay for a season the insidious ap- proaches of decline. It had been the period of her happiness- transient, but most bright; and Mrs Lindon reverted with tender enthusiasm to all that belonged to that journey. Love, painting, sculpture, music, poetry, and beautiful above all beautiful coun- tries Italy, were consociatcd in her mind, forming one blended image of delight and perfection. The only time that the gentle Mrs. Lindon lost her serenity of patience, was once when Kate forgot herself so far as to reply with a light, scoffing air, to some t$4 THE IRON COUSIN. words of loving memory which the young widow allowed to escape her, relative to that cherished subject. The wound her feelings had received, showed itself in a few bitter, irrepressible tears, which, when Kate saw, she at first strove to harden herself against, walking disregardfuUy away, and taking no notice of them. But presently, when her 'better nature had had time to assert itself, she returned, saying : " 5Tou know I could not mean to hurt you by what I said. How can you take it so seriously ? " " True, dear Kate, I was wrong," said gentle Mrs. Lindon . 4< I should have remembered that you were young and thoughtless ; it was my fault, to feel a heedless word like a cruel one." Mrs. Lindon was ever readier to believe that she herself might err, than to rebuke her pupil. CHAPTER X. No one so often abetted Kate's want of application to her studies as her uncle. The good 'Squire would constantly be throwing out hints of the folly of mewing a young girl up in-doors, of letting her sit stooping, and poring, and puzzling over lessons, spoiling her shape, hurting her eyes, getting ill for want of pure fresh air and wholesome exercise, instead of sending her out for a good gallop on horseback, that would bring her back with cheeks like a rose. Mrs. Lindon had some difficulty in reconciling these inuendoea with the instructions she had received when she first came to Heathcote Hall ; which latter were, to mind and take pains with Katey's learning, and to make her a first-rate scholar in no time, that she might have done with troubling herself about globes, and maps, and slates, and copy-books, and school-books, and all the rest of the tribe of books, ever after. At first, in accordance with his expressed wishes, she turned a deaf ear to his hinted ones ; but finding tint they were only urged the more strongly and open- THE IEON COUSIN. 8/> Iy, she took the course of obeying the present desire, whatever that might be. One morning, just before the ostensible hour for Kate's lessons, the 'Squire had been wilfully dawdling over his breakfast, putting off as long as possible the moment for her to leave him, making one or two side remarks on the fineness of the day, and the sin it was to stay under a roof in such weather, &c. ; when Mrs. Lin don, in the hope of evading the expected direct proposal for a morning's holiday, made her escape from the room, observing that she was going to the study, and that Kate would find her there, whenever she liked to come. " Stay a moment, my dear ; no hurry, no hurry ; no need to hurry ; the study won't run away, nor the_books either more's the pity, I was going to say. But what do you think of a brisk canter over to Worthington Court this morning ? I hear my poor friend Morton has not been well; feverish, languid, I fancy. His health is not what it used to be, poor fellow ; though he bears up bravely and without a murmur, as he always did, through his worst trial when he had to leave the old place, and struggle abroad on a pittance." " Bearing bravely is scarcely a virtue in such a man as Mr. Worthington !" said Kate. " He looks as if nothing could make any impression upon him as if nothing touched him, nothing moved him." " He's a staunch, noble fellow, indeed ! " returned the 'Squire thinking he was confirming her words. " But come, what say you to having the horses round, and going over to see him ? It will be but kind; and it's a charming day for a ride, eh, Kate ?" " It is indeed," replied she, looking with longing eyes across the park, where all looked so sunny, and green, and bright. " Then come, Kate ; hang the lessons." She laughed, in concert with her uncle's hearty good-humour- ed laugh ; atiJ they felt that the compact was made between them when who should appear, coming up the avenue, but Fermot Worthington. He entered, saying earnestly: "I am come to fetch you: g6 THE IRON COUSIN. you will not refuse me, I know. You will ride over with me to Worthington, and spend the morning with my father. He is nol looking well, though he does not complain ; but I know your visit will do him good." " What visit ? " said Kate, archly. "The visit your uncle and you arc going to pay him tlnh morning," replied Fermor. " I know of iione such," said Kate. " I heard you settle one, and take for granted that it was about to be ; but I don't sec win- that should decide the matter." " It will decide you," he said. " I am not so sure of that as you seem to be," she answered. " I fancied Kate had already decided, and that we had agreed to go," said the 'Squire ; " but it seems I was mistaken. She shall do as she pleases. I thought, my dear, you felt inclined." " So I did so I do but " she stopped. " Then you will go," said Fermor. " I didn't say so," she returned. " If you feel inclined, why not go ? Your uncle wishes it ; I wish it," said Fermor. " You will ride with us." " What a peremptory way yoM have with you ! " said Kate. " How do you know I will ride ? On the contrary, I ought to stay at home ; you yourself would be the first to say I ought." " Tell me why you think you ought, and. I will tell you whe- ther I think so too," replied Fermor. " And your opinion is to guide mine ? " she said. K Not to guide it, but to confirm it," he answered. " You Raid I should be the first to say you ought to stay at home, did I know your reason ; let me hear your reason, that I may judge." " Judge for me whether I shall go or stay ? " said she. " Judge with you, whether you ought to stay at home, and give up your ride with us," he said, quietly and firnily. " Give up my ride ? How do you know it will be any sacri ficc ? Perhaps I prefer remaining at home." said Kate. THE IRON COUSIN. 87 " No ; you owned you ' felt inclined ' to go," he returned. " Very true ; I should like to ride, I confess," said Kate. " And your uncle and I wish to have you with us. It should therefore be some very sufficient reason, which induces you tc deny yourself and us the pleasure," he rejoined. " You will allow it to be most sufficient, when I tell you that it is because Mrs. Lindon is at this very instant expecting me in the study, to begin my morning lessons," said Kate, with a little air of triumph ; " you know, you yourself urged me to work hard at them ; and now you would have me put them off, to ride jaunt- ing out with you and uncle." " You are quite right ; I withdraw my suit. You should let nothing interfere with your regular hour for lessons. I sec ; you must give up the ride," answered Fermor. " But I see no such thing," said the 'Squire. " Why shouldn't my little girl and I enjoy ourselves, once in a way ? I thought you were on my side, Fermor, my dear fellow ! " " I was, till I knew the obstacle to our wishes, sir," returned But Kate says truly ; she mustn't neglect her lessons; she must give up the ride." N';iy, /said nothing of the kind ; it was you who said the ride ' must ' be given up," she retorted, with her saucy smile. ' And you will give it up ; you will, of course, stay at home," he returned " Why ' of course ? ' " she replied. " Because you ought," he said, quietly. " That does not follow," she said. " It should. You yourself said that you ' ought ' to stay at home ; therefore, you will." I don't think I shall." " No ? " - N'o." Fermor looked grave. There was a pause, which was broken oy the 'Squire, who said : " But, after all, why should Kate give up a plrasant morning, and disappoint us all three, merely to do a di'-.-iL'p eablo ' 88 1E IKON COUSIN. " Because she has allowed that the task should be done ; hef own good sense has told her so, and she will not act against her own good sense," replied Fermor. " Kate has excellent sense excellent sense ! " said the 'Squire ; " but," added he, with a sigh, " what a pity it is there are so many disagreeable things in the world for our good sense to tell us should be done ! " * " There is one redeeming point in disagreeables," said Fer- mor. " If they are done against inclination, at the prompting of good sense, and to fulfil what is right, they are converted into if not gratifications at least, sources of gratification. Distaste- ful things done for conscience' sake, become remembered plea- sures." " If so, it may not be unwise to lay up a store of them," said the 'Squire ; " but it's a troublesome provision, after all, and, in the process, a great worry. Well," added he, " so we must be content to give up my little girl's company this morning ; yet I should have so liked to have had her with us, in our ride over to Worthington Court." " And so you shall, uncle ; I mean to go," said Kate, without looking at Fermor. " I will not be two minutes putting on my habit, if you will wait for me." " And welcome, my darling ! Don't hurry plenty of time ; I'm only too glad to wait for you ; and there are the horses to bring round. While you get ready, I'll ring and order them to the door. Away with you, Kate ! " There was a consciousness, a hurry, almost a trepidation, in the way in which Kate hastened from the room, still without looking towards Fermor Worthington. But when she returned, equipped for her ride, the sparkle in her eyes, and her slightly heightened colour, showed that she had resumed all her vivacity of spirit. The feeling that she was acting, as it were, in defiance af his words, and in opposition to what she knew to be right, wade her, after the first moment, more than usually daring and eareless. The 'Squire, as they rode along, chatted happily with th THE IRON COUSIN. 89 two young people, evidently enjoying his ride with them through the pleasant park glades, and green lanes, with the air blowing i'rerly around, and the sun shining brightly among the trees, which yielded sufficient shade to screen off the noontide heat. Tin; talk chanced to fall upon the beauties of Worthington Court; and Fertnor, encouraged by the sympathy of the friendly 'Squire, gave full veut to the feelings that swelled his heart towards the old place. " I have been told that you Worthingtons were a proud race," said Kate. " Your attachment to the dwelling of your fore fathers is an instance of the family pride. To hear you enlarge upon its merits, one might believe that there was not such another estate in all the broad lands of merry England." " I really think there is scarcely its match," he said, laugh- ing. " I own my weakness in favour of the dear old place." " The iron cousin owns to a weakness ! He has, then, some vulnerable points 1 " " Who has not ? " he returned. " I should like to find them out," she said ; " there would be a wicked pleasure in worrying them." " And there would be a folly in not trying to conceal them, to foil your wicked pleasure, since it is thus owned," replied Fcrmor. " It shall be ray care, in future, to guard any others I may have from discovery ; but as this one foible is known to you, and it is vain to deny it if I would, you must be allowed to tease it as much as you will." i: Teasing a weakness is doing it a kindness," said she ; " it puts it out of countenance, teaches it to be ashamed of itself, and to make way for strength, which manfully comes forward, and takes its place." " True," he said ; " but I have a strong love for Worthington Court ; it will take a mighty power to uproot it. I should not !iav<- called my regard for the old place a weakness; 'tis a strength the strength of affection." " And the strength of prejudice, " she n'j'>iiu>d. " Why, you would fain have us believe that everything at Worthington Court, 90 THE JION COUSIX as well as "Worthington Court itself, is superlative. I dare say, you are ready to prove that the honeysuckles which grow round the library window at Worthington are finer than those which hang so profusely, and in such rich clusters, round yonder porch, 71 she said, pointing to a cottage they were approaching. " Goody Johnson is a tenant of my father's, and her honey- suckle happens to have been a slip from the original plant that runs up one side of our old mansion," said Fermor, smiling. " 1 told you, you know, Kate, I had whims of my own about that woodbine, the very leafy shadows of which won your childish fancy. I confess to a predilection prejudice, if you will in favour of the peculiar merits of the Worthington honeysuckles. Leaning on my mother's lap, I learned to see a beauty in them, that no other flowers have since possessed for me. When we were abroad, I remember, no scent of orange grove, or { spiced Italian air,' ever seemed to me laden with half the welcome fra- grance that lurks so richly, yet so revivingly, in those simple honeysuckle blossoms. Coming suddenly upon a plant of those flowers, in ever so alien a scene, was sure to fill me with associa- tions of home and its pleasant images. A whole atmosphere of content and refreshment lies in the scent of honeysuckle to my sense, at least ! " Kate was almost startled at this burst of enthusiasm so un- usual in the tranquil-spoken, quiet-mannered Fermor and about a flower, too ;'but she was just going to break the silence which followed his speech, when an old woman in a red cloak, and a black silk hat tied under her chin, came out of the cottage, and, seeing Fermor Worthington, dropped him a curtsey, and asked how his honour's father was. Fermor answered her inquiry kindly, adding : " We have been admiring your woodbine, Goody. The plant thrives finely with you ; but I can't allow that it rivals ours yet." " Lauk, no ! Surely not ! But it do come on main well too. See, it be clambered up right over the porch. I can scarce reach ap to the blossoms now, they be got up so high." " I wish you would try and gather me a few, though, Goody Johnson ; they are beautiful," said Kate Ireton. THE IRON COUSIN. 91 " That I will, my bonny young lady," said the old woman ; " I'll go get a chair in-doors, to stand upon ; for I tried last night to hook down some, while I was on the ground, and couldn't auigh reach l em." " No matter, Goody," said Fermor : " I will give Miss Ireton some at Worthington Court ; we are going there now." " And, of course, the Worthington honeysuckles I am to think better worth having," said Kate. " For my part, I cannot see that everything belonging to Worthington Court has a pecu- liar charm. What hinders these cottage beauties from blooming quite as finely as your aristocratic flowers ? I shall encourage no such proud fancies. Thank you, Goody," she said, raising her voice, " I shall be glad if you will get the chair, and gather me some of your lovely flowers." The old woman pottered away for the chair, brought it forth into the porch, and stood upon it ; but it was no use ; the spray& hung just above her finger-tips. l ' I'll set the chair round there, outside," said Goody John- son. " It blossoms lower down, yonder, by the stem." " I will gather you as many as you please from the study- window," said Fermor Worthington, in his low, earnest voice ; " I would rather you had some of those I wish you to have Home, of those." " But if I have a fancy for some of these ? " she replied, with her eyes perversely fixed upon the old woman's efforts ; while Fcrmor looked down in silence, and sat smoothing his horse's mane, abstractedly, with the head of his riding-whip. At length, Goody Johnson succeeded in getting a few sprays, ami brought them with many curtseys to Kate ; who, receiving them with a gracious nod and a smile of thanks, rode on, accom- jianied by her uncle and Fcrraor. They found Mr. Worthington sitting out upon the terrace, under a spreading sycamore tree, which grew at one end of it, ami tinned ;i .*liady canopy to a garden-scat placed there. lie seemed feeble, but still' in reserve, as ever; his frame bunt nd languid, lii.s sjiirit rigid ; his physical energies yielding to 92 THE IRON COUSIN. depression, but his moral determination inflexible ; with that same pale, cold, austere face. After the first greetings between himself and his warm-heart- ed friend the 'Squire, and a sort of distant half bow, with averted look and compressed lips, in reply to Kate's salutation, submit- ting his hand to be shaken by her rather than shaking hands with her, Mr. Worthington turned to his son, and said " Fermor, how came you to neglect speaking to Williams this morning about those exotics, as I bade you ? " " I am very sorry, father ; I quite forgot to see him before I rode over to the Hall ; I was so eager to ask 'Squire Heathcotc to come and see you, and spend the morning with us, that your orders to Williams totally slipped out of my head till this mo- ment." " I'll thank you to observe my express instructions better in future ; go and seek Williams now ; he is somewhere about the grounds. If you do not readily find him, step on to the garden- er's house, and desire his wife, or some of them, to send him up this afternoon ; I'll speak to him myself." ** I assure you I really am very sorry, sir," began Fermor, again ; but his father interrupted him with, " There no matter, go at once. You are only creating farther delay by waiting to express sorrow for what a little more thought at the right time might have prevented from occurring. Go, when I bid you." As Fermor withdrew, the 'Squire said, " It's a pity you thought it necessary to send him away from us, Morton ; your gardener's house is a good step from here, if I recollect ; it lies down near the clump of maples, by the south entrance, doesn't it ? Why, we sha'n't have Fermor back with us much before we return ; and he's too good a young fellow for me not to wish him here while we stay." " It will be his own loss ; so much the worse for him if ha be not back in time to enjoy your visit ; but he deserves to lose i gratification, since he has been guilty of a fault," replied Mr, Worthington. " Guilty ! ' ' Fault ! ' " exclaimed Kate. " You treat for THE IRON COUSIH. 'J3 gctfulness as guilt omission as a misdeed ? Errors are crimes, then, with you, sir ? " she said, with a bright, indignant light in her eyes. Mr. Worthiugton felt, rather than saw, this glance ; for he never let his look meet hers. " Young lady, I think that error, too leniently passed over, is liable to grow into crime ; therefore I tear up the evil weed in its butl. It has been said, ' better a little chiding than a great deal of heart-break.' I reprove my son on that principle." " And you are not sorry to inflict upon him a little penalty, or to let one fall to his share. as well as to give him a reproof? If he miss a pleasure, he may take it for his pains, the whole- some pains, you think, he ought to endure. Smart justice ! Sharp teaching ! " " Scarce so smart or so sharp as your speech, young lady ; my good friend's leniency towards your glib tongue may prove its mis- chief hereafter. What is now tolerated as the pretty liveliness of a forward young girl will be resented as offensive and unbear- able in the woman. But 'tis none of my affair, thank heaven ! " Kate was silent for a moment or two ; during which, she stood earnestly regarding Mr. Worthington's face, as it remained fixed and colourless, turned from her, with the gaze directed out beyond the terrace. ' Why do you never look at me when you speak to me ? " she sai'l. suddenly. Mr. Morton Worthington shrank as if a wounded nerve had been touched ; but his countenance continued unmoved, and his voice was unshaken as he answered, " I am not accustomed to be ;ioned." " Does it offend you ? " she asked. " It is of too little consequence to offend me," he answered; ' nevertheless " " If it does not offend you, I may surely ask you the truth. VVliy do you never look at me? You look at uncle, you look at Fennor, when you address them ; but you never let your eye* iji.m mo for an instant. Do you dislike me? " 94 THE IRON COUSIN. There was a tremulous tone in the young girl's voice as she uttered the last words, so different from its usual clear, firm sound, that it went straight to the innermost depths uf Mr. Worthing- ton's heart, with a force beyond his power to resist. It had been the work of years with him, to strive to repress every outward to- ken of an inward susceptibility which he resented in himself as the one defect of his nature. He had subjected his feelings to so strict a forbiddance from outward betrayal, that, joined to his natural marble exterior, he had succeeded in preserving a frozen incrustation of superficial impenetrability ; but there still lurked a hidden fire, which, spite of all his efforts, burned with intense, consuming glow, and in moments of sudden surprisal, asserted its fierce prerogative. Such a moment was the one in which the daughter of her who had been the object of his boyish idolatry who was his first and only love asked him in her girlish, falter- ing voice, if he disliked her her, Hetty's child, Hetty's living image. For one instant only he let his glance wander passionately over hair, eyes, cheeks, lips, all so faithfully repi'cturing those mirrored in his heart, that face which lived &o indelibly and immortally there, though dead upon earth; for one brief instant he permitted his soul to identify and acknowledge the perfect re- semblance, as he had once and but once suffered himself to do before. But soon his long habit of self-control prevailed. It enabled him sternly to fold his arms upon bis breast, and with a glassy eye and frigid aspect, to say, " ' Dislike you ? ' Ah, no ! But I dislike questioning ; I object to it, I disapprove of it, as wholly unbecoming in young people. Wait till you are of my age, young lady, before you allow yourself to question too closely those around you." And then, turning to the 'Squire, and pointedly addressing him, he seemed to close the colloquy between himself and Kate THE IRON COUSIN. 95 CHAPTER XI. KA rn lit ETON, finding that her uncle and Mr. Worthington were soon engaged in a discussion of some county affairs that mutually interested them, walked away to the end of the terrace by her- self. She stood there some little time, looking thoughtfully upon the ground ; and then she rambled into the morning parlour and seated herself in the old nook, on the chintz settee, opposite to tlie picture of the seraph faced child, with its soft, blue eyes, and gentle smile, the first Fermor Worthington. Vague shadows of thoughts chased each other through her mind as she sat there, with her eyes dreamily fixed upon the painting. Her half-play- ful, half-wilful contention with Fermor, respecting the choice between the pleasure-ride and the duty of staying-at-home ; her perverse decision to come in defiance of him and of her own better promptings ; her captiousness during the ride the natural result of her previous act ; her sallies with Fermor's father ; her pouderings why he should think it requisite to be so sternly un- demonstrative, since she felt a secret persuasion arising from she knew not what instinctive source, that he was not so totally unsusceptible in reality as he chose to appear ; all these, by turns, limited through her mind. Upon the latter topic she dwelt for a time, revolving Mr. Wortbington's strange ansterity, his resolutely repulsive manner, his cold averted eye, his rigid, mar- ble countenance. Something of what her nurse had hinted, in past times, of still other past times, came dimly into her memory, as furnishing a curious clue to the mystery. Could it be that that haughty, reserved man shrank from encountering her look because .'led to him that of ln-r mother? Did lie hate her because sin reminded him of one who had slighted him 'i Or did he but avoid looking upon her laeo because it resembled the only one whieh had had power to .-hake him from his pride of impenetra- bility V As this la.-t idea struek her, the \< >'iii'_' girl ut : yfl THE IRON COUSIN low, short laugh, of involuntary triumph ; which, nowever, gra- dually subsided into a murmured tune, as she continued to gaze upon the sweet, mild face of the child in the 'picture. Insensibly, even her soft under-song became hushed, and tears gathered in her eyes as they remained fixed upon that fair, innocent counte- nance, from which the spirit of goodness and purity shone out. It seemed to shed a benign influence upon her feelings, chasten- ing them of their least good tendencies, developing their better impulses, and inspiring them with higher, wiser, and nobler reso- lutions. But the deeper this influence, the more sensitively did it seek to shroud itself from acknowledgment or observation. It seemed like something sacred ; too hallowed, and too solemn, to be analysed even by herself. With a start of angry shyness, therefore, Kate Ireton sprang to her feet on hearing an ap- proaching footstep, while still immersed in rapt contemplation of the picture. It was Fermor Worthington, who, finding her no longer on the terrace with his father and the 'Squire, had come in search of her. " You are here ! I thought I should find you here ! " he ex- claimed, with his full, sweet voice, which had a peculiar depth and fervour in its inflexion, when he felt deeply the only point varying from the quiet self-possession and tranquil firmness that characterized the Iron Cousin's whole being. " I knew you would be here ! " he said, as he glanced at her moistened eyes, and then at the painting. "How should you possibly 'know' it? 5> she said, with an ungracious emphasis on the word, and turning abruptly away. " I was sure I felt sure," he replied. " You make sure of everything you suppose. Why should you feel so sure that I should be here ? " she said. " Your own eyes show me that I was right in the belief which taught me to be so sure," said Fermor. " Pshaw ! " she exclaimed, hastily drying her eyes with her handkerchief; "you think I have been crying ! Well, I scorn to deny it. Yes ; I was fool enough to shed tears over my own THE IttON COUSIN. 97 absurd fancies ; but I could laugh now, heartily, at my own folly, in having indulged them." And Kate, in the midst of her attempted show of mirth, wept for a few moments, irrepressibly, from mingled mortification, generous disdain of telling a false- hood to conceal that which she would fain have hidden, sudden reaction of her late silent emotion, and a vexed sense of exposure and self-betrayal. " Why should you be ashamed of feelings that do you honour, rather than* lower you, in the sight of one who is not, I hope, without feeling himself?" said Fermor. *' I care not for my feelings to honour me in the sight of any one ; I would have them kept out of sight from the sight of the Iron Cousin, above all," she said hurriedly. " Why so ? " he said, with surprise. He humours my folly ; he excuses my absurd crying; he affects to sympathize with it, that I mayn't see he is laughing at it." " You do me injustice ; you misunderstand me ; I am inca- pable of laughing at genuine emotion. There is nothing I so truly respect nothing more fervently admire." " It is not a thing for admiration ; it should not be seen," *hc returned, vehemently. They had passed through the glass door, leading from the morning-parlour on to the terrace ; and, stepping on a few paces, in the eagerness of talk, had paused just beneath the library- windows. Kate, in the irritability of her contending feelings, now stood cutting and switching the straggling blossoms near her, with her riding-whip, as she spoke. 1'Vrmor Worthington bore it for some time, though wincing involuntarily each time a flower was stricken off. At length he said : " I cannot bear to see you do that I wish you would r00 THE IRON cousnr. talmy breath, and passing his hand gently and caressingly be ceath each blossom, as it yielded its treasure of beauty and per fume to his enjoyment. Suddenly Mr. Worthington's voice was heard, calling to his son, from the other end of the terrace. Fermor let go the branch, and hurried away to his father. As he disappeared round the angle of the building, Kate stood watching the vibrat- ing spray, still in slight motion from the impetus it had received when it left his hand. Acting upon some instantaneous but irresistible impulse, she stepped forward, plucked the spray, and hastily substkuted it for the one she had already ; while she tossed the latter over the parapet of the terrace, as she ran onward in obedience to her uncle's summons, which at that moment reached her ear. She found Mr. Worthington and the 'Squire in the same spot where she had left them, on the terrace in front of the house, be- neath the sycamore. Some discussion seemed to be taking place, as to whether Fermor should accompany them back to Heathcote Hall, an arrangement which the 'Squire eagerly urged. Mr. Worthington said, " Fermor may decide for himself; he knows best whether he should go or not. I say nothing of my own wishes ; I have scarcely any on the subject ; I am accus- tomed to be alone, without feeling dull. But he shall judge whether it be quite civil to absent himself, when our neighbour, Sir Dullarton Ditchley, talked of calling to see us this after- noon." " I am quite ready to stay at home, father," said Fermor. M Thank you, 'Squire, another day I will ride over to Heathcote Hall," added he ; " perhaps to-morrow I may be able ; I trust so." " Do, my dear young fellow," he returned. " But I could have wished you to come now ; the ride back together would have been so pleasant." " It would," said Fermor, as he accompanied the 'Squire and Kate to the foot of the terrace steps, where their horses stood; THE IRON COUSIN. 101 " but my father would, I know, prefer my remaining, therefore I Bhall remain." <; You know best, my dear fellow ; but for once, surely stay, Kate," said the 'Squire, interrupting himself, as he lifted his niece to Jier saddle, and observed that in mounting her, he had disengaged the flowers from her bosom; "you mustn't lose your honeysuckles ; you made the old woman get them for you, and brought them all this way so carefully, that I suppose you set some store by them ; it would be a pity for you to leave them behind you. after all." And as he picked up the dropped honey- suckles, he' turned, laughing, to Feriuor Worthington, and said, "Upon my life, I think Kate was quite right; and that Goody Wliat'.s-her name's woodbine is the finest ever seen. Why, it's as fresh as thougli it had just been gathered." Fermor looked at the umvithered flowers, and then glanced at Kate Ircton's face ; it was turned slightly away, and the droop- ing feather of her riding-hat partly concealed it; but the portion of her cheek revealed was crimson. " They are not worth stooping for, uncle," she said ; " let them lie ; I do not want them." " Nay, my dear, they are not a bit faded," said the 'Squire ; "you'd best have them; they're as good as ever. I can hardly believe they were gathered more than two hours ago." " They were not," said Kate, who, with all her faults, would not have told an untruth to save herself from the bitterest morti- Ik-ation. " How do you mean, my dear ? " said the 'Squire. " No matter ; throw them away, and let us be gone. Indeed I do not care for them now," she said. " Well, my dear, as you please ; but I really thought you seemed anxious to have them at first" " Ay, at lirst, perhaps, but not now; I've had enough of them ; fliiiL' them down, and let's away at once, dear uncle." She nodded a hasty farewell t< Fermor, as she put her horse into a brisk can- ter; and the 'Squire, setting font in the stirrups, bade his young fliend good bye, and galloped after her. 102 THE IRON cousra. As Kate and her uncle rode out of sight, Fermor Worthing- ton took up the discarded honeysuckles, and wandered on thought- fully along the smooth velvet turf from which the broad stone ter race rose that surrounded the mansion on all sides. As he held the flowers, smelling to them, and looking wistful- ly at them, while he strolled on, in a sort of reverie, his foot touched something that lay upon the grass. It was a small bunch of the same blossoms as those he had in his hand, but faded and drooping. As Fermor leaned down to examine it more nearly, a bright smile passed over his face, and he grasped the flowers he held still closer; then he turned away quickly, and ran up the nearest flight of steps leading on to the terrace, crossed it, and entering the house by one of the glass-doors, went straight up stairs to his own room, where he poured out a glass of water, and carefully placing the stems of the honeysuckles within, he went down to the terrace again, and joined his father. " So you did not return with your friends, Fermor ? " said Mr. Worthington, as his son approached. " You left the choice to me, sir," replied Fermor, " and I chose to remain." " But you wished to go with them, perhaps ? " " I did, sir ; but I preferred staying, when I found that you would have to receive that prosy Sir Dullarton by yourself. You have not been quite well, this warm weather makes you languid ; and to have to enterta : n him alone, would not have helped to im- prove your health, or to raise your spirits." " There is nothing amiss with my spirits, I hope I am not subject to the weakness of variable spirits," said Mr. Worthington, haughtily. " That a man should sufier himself to be depressed or elated by a cloud or two more or less in the sky, seems to me absurd, an unworthy folly. If, however, I unconsciously am af- fected by atmospheric influences, and, in fact, become dull and spiritless without being aware of it, I should be sorry to have you hold yourself filially bound to so melancholy a companionship. Pray, therefore, make no scruple in seeking associates more con- genial to your age or taste. That you should be attracted by the E IRON COUSIN. 103 cordiality and simplicity which characterize the worthy 'Squire, I do not wonder ; but that a lad of your discernment should see anything airn cable in that malapert girl, that niece of his, passes my comprehension." " Kate is unusually frank-spoken and fearless," said Fermor ; ' but it appears to me that she is as free from intending offence, is she seems unaccustomed to guard or consider her words." " Want of consideration is a part of want of feeling ; and an unfeeling girl is an odious creature," replied Mr. Worthington. Kate is not unfeeling," said Fermor, as he recollected the expression 'of her face and her brimming eyes, when he found her alone in the morning-parlour, opposite the picture of his dead sister. May be so," replied Mr. Worth ington. " She may not be totally without feeling ; but she has a negligent ease in the pres- ence of her elders, a certain tfnquailingness of eye, and unscrupu- lousness of tongue, that argue little for her delicacy or sensitive- ness of feeling." " She strikes me as being self-possessed, because she sees no cause of embarrassment ; and open in look and in speech, because she has nothing to conceal," said Fermor. " Her unbashfulness appears to be rather that of an artless, open nature, unconscious of any reason for reserve, rather than the effect of immodesty, or a wish to wound or insult. It is sometimes a little startling, for it is unusual ; but once believe it to spring from neither boldness nor rudeness, and it ceases to be offensive or disagreeable. Nay, to me, there is something quaint and attractive in her manner ; it interests me ; it is original; unlike the ordinary demeanour of girls of her age ; peculiar to Kate, but not unpleasant." ' 1 fowever you may soften her defects, boy, because you find her an amusing companion just now," said Mr. Worthington, " she certainly has one radical imperfection. She lacks the principle of respect in her character ; a terrible deficiency in any one, but par- ticularly in a woman. She respects nobody. All those among whom slu- lias lived, have been so situated with regard to her, as to inspire affection, but not respect Iler nurse, Martha ; her 104 THE IRON COUSIN. governess, Mrs. Lindon; even her uncle, she loves rather than respects. They have all humoured her, instead of leading her to look up to them ; and have been contented to win her fondness, without having taught her reverence and esteem." " Does not this prove that her position, rather than herself, is to be blamed for the defect you speak of, father ? " said Fermor. " Perhaps so," returned Mr. Worthington ; " but the defect exists, and whoever lives to see it, will find that this want of def- erence and suavity, which in one so young is deemed not only excusable, but rather adding to, than detracting from, her pleas- ant qualities, is an unfeminine, unloveable characteristic. It will then be felt to be a moral blemish, which all the charms of person and mind she may possess, can hardly outweigh ; and which unless some mighty motive operate to cure, will remain inveterate to her life's close. However, to recur to the present ; I can con- ceive that to you, her equal in age, this want of respect is no det- riment ; her liveliness amuses you, her pertness is an exercise for your temper and forbearance, her sauciness and flippancy a trial of your power in retort; a boy-and-girl war of words, naturally enough possessing some charms for those engaged in it. As I said before, I have no wish to prevent your prosecuting an acquaintance which promises to provide you with entertainment, when my so- ciety proves irksome or monotonous. Use your own pleasure in the matter." " Your society can never be otherwise than most precious to me, father," said Fermor Worthicgtan ; " my greatest pride is when you desire to have me with you my greatest happiness, when I can hope to contribute to yours. My pleasure is your will. Let me know it, that I may fulfil both." " You spoke of riding over to Heathcote Hall to-morrow ; do you still intend to go ?" inquired his father. " Not, if you prefer that I should remain at home," replied Fermor. I speak of your preference, not of mine," said Mr. Worthing. ton, as he rose from his seat, and left the terrace to go to the li- brary ; " I give you an option ; use it." THE IRON COUSIN 105 "I will remain with you, then, father," said Fermor; "lean upon my arm ; your step is feeble ; the afternoon is sultry. I will draw the couch over to the open windows ; it is cool and sha iy there. The sun has gained here " CHAPTER XII. 1 1 w;is many days before Fermor Worthington felt that he could, with a perfectly free inclination and spontaneous resolve, go over to llcathcote Hall- He said the simple truth, when he avouched that his father's will was his own pleasure. He had no stronger de.-ire than to satisfy his father's' every wish, and to promote his comfort and happiness, by all the means in his power. He would have made any sacrifice to insure his father's gratification ; but he was not always able to ascertain what would best insure it. He was often obliged to guess at it, and to follow that course which lie thought most likely to bring about its fulfilment. Mr. Morton Worthington's jealousy of his own susceptibility encased him in a panoply of haughty reserve very difficult to penetrate. Hi' hud always bitterly re-ented in himself the only touch of soft- i liis nature looking upon that which was, in truth, its re deeming quality, as its worst defect ; and had, in consequence, striv- en perpetually to crush it into concealment, since he failed to eradi- entirely. Feeling that he could not succeed in banishing affection and passion from his heart, he resolved to keep them pent then-, apart from the suspicion of any human being from that of their objects, above all. He lied from Henrietta llcathcote, and married another woman, that it might not be suspected how pro- found and ineurnUe \va- the passion that had met with no return ; and he lived with his son, in cold, untemler distance, that Fermor might not pen-rive with hoy deep an affection lie was beloved. Mr. Morton Worthingtoii's was a curious pride of stoicism, engen dering a perpetual living martyrdom needless, as it was fruit 106 THE IRON COUSIN. .ess There was no end in it. but a senseless barren ambition to be superior, as it is called, to all weakness of feeling. He com mitted the mistake of not perceiving that out of some of human ity's weaknesses spring its best strengths. Hardness, inflexibili- ty, cruelty, grow from unnaturally smothered weaknesses; while fortitude, forbearance, endurance, are the issue of their wise fos- tering. A tenderness spurned as unmanly folly, may duly cher- ished be turned to truest manliness. " My dear fellow ! I began to fancy we were never to see you here again ! " was the exclamation with which 'Squire Heathcote received Fermor. " Why, we have been dull as a morass, with- out you. all this time. Here have I been longing to show you a new trolling-tackle I've had down from town. Fine weather for the pike ; yet not a soul to enjoy a day's fishing with ! I counted upon you, knowing you enjoyed the sport. But I guess how it is ; like a good son, you've been unwilling to leave home while your father was unwell. And how is my good friend, Morton ? Better, I trust ? " " My father is looking stronger and more cheerful this morn- \ng than I have seen him for some time past," answered Fermor. " He bade me, of his own accord, ride over and ask news of you." " Hearty, thank ye ! but plaguy moped. Out in the air all day, a man has no right to feel amiss ; but, somehow, it makes the fresh air itself fresher and welcomer when we have a pleasant companion. There's my little girl, Kate, is the best companion in the world ; I'd not exchange her against the cleverest talker that ever drew breath no, not against the Speaker of the House of Parliament himself when I can get her with me ; but, egad ! ihe's not always to be had, now. Those confounded studies ! They were invented for the torment of sensible people, I do Ihink. Since last I saw you, I don't believe we've had one ra- tional morning together. Instead of spending the best hours out of doors, feeling the pure wind of Heaven upon us, Kate has been Btiving in that rotten, old stupifying study, day after day, till I wonder she has any brains left to say nothing of cheok-roses THE IRON COUSIN. 107 Certainly, books are the pests of mankind ! This last week, Kate has been like a crazy girl for sticking to her lessons. I can't think what's come to her. She's gone out of her wits, I think ! But, I suppose, I ought to find it very wise, and very praisewor- thy, instead of vexing at it," concluded the 'Squire, with his little sigh of resignation. " Of course, you'll think this, my dear fel- low, who spoke up so rightly and so properly about letting no- thing interfere with lesson-hours, and the rest of it, when you were last here ; but since then, there's no good to be got out of my little girl ; she keeps so deuced hard at it ! " Not particularly 'since then,' uncle," said Kate; <; besides, I'm going to break myself of such bad habits ; I mean to give up ri'gular hours, and regular lessons, and learn by fits and starts, by odd freaks and snatches, just when the humour seizes me. You're right. Application is absurdity, and study is folly, are the bane of the world. No wonder, when such a heap of 'em (as Mrs. Liudon was telling me yesterday) was oiicc found .ullerted together, they took to lighting fires with 'em. Heating batlis was a better deed than heating minds. Inflammable paper is useful ; inflammatory matter harmful ! For my part, I think the burning of the Alexandrian Library is one of the brightest acts history has to boast. It's a flaming record among their other glorious exploits of what soldiers achieve for the benefit of their race ! " At this moment Mrs. Lindon entered, to say that she was quite ready, when Kate liked to come and take her sketching- lesson. " We are not going into tin study this morning; you and I are going to drive over to the village," said Kate. " You said I should want a new set of crayons; we'll go and see if Chalkby h;i< any of the kind you like ; if not, we can tell him to send to London for some." ' This afternoon will do for our drive as well, will it not ? There is a fine broad light, now, upon the old thorn tree we think of sketching in. Why not come at once ? The paper is .- ed ready on the drawing-board, the pencils are cut and 108 THE IEON COUSIN. pointed ; the colours are prepared on the pallette. Come, dear and look at them ; you'll feel tempted to begin, if you do." " Then, I won't trust myself within temptation, but wil) uiake my escape at once," said Kate, flying away for her bonnet. Mrs. Linden silently followed her, and put on her own ; wliilo the 'Squire laughed, and said to Fermor "Worthington : " Come, my dear fellow ! let you and me away to the stream. Or, stay ; we'll give up our trolling for to-day, and we'll ride with Mrs. Lindon and Kate to the village. Thus, I secure two days' holiday ; for you shall come over soon, and we'll have a good long morning with the pike, while, to-day, we'll have a canter through the park. Or, what say you to giving your nag a rest, as he has already brought you from Worthington, and go with the womankind in the pony-chaise ? I shall be close beside it ; and we can have a pleasant chat all together. It'll be quite a gay party ; much more sociable than those hugger-mugger les- sons. Quite -a brilliant idea of Kate's, I think." The 'Squire was in high spirits, talking and laughing inces santly, in his good-humoured, hearty fashion, as the little caval cade rode on, in the order he had proposed. But they had no proceeded far, when one of his old friends and brother sportsineii accosted him, saying he was come to fetch him over to his own place, to meet a party of choice spirits, who had suddenly pro- mised to give him their company to dinner. The 'Squire could not resist this ; but, making the remark, that the only drawback he knew to pleasure was, that it was so apt to happen all at once, he took leave of them, and galloped off with his friend. " I almost regret that you should have missed this fine fore- noon for your drawing, Kate, love, so earnest as you seemed }es- terday to begin the sketch," said Mrs. Lindon, as they drove on t " but I think I guess now why you insisted on coming out instead. I remember I owned I had a headache the first thing this morn ing, when you asked me what was the matter with me ; and you resolved to try what a drive through the fresh air might do foi mo. Thank you, dear ; but you should not have foregone youi lesson for my sake." THE IRON COUSIN. 109 " You give me credit for too much consideration," replied Kate. " I'm afraid I only thought of my own liking, when I determined to drive out, instead of staying at home to sketch." " Candidly owning to a selfish motive, rather than take credit for an imputed better one, which you are conscious of not deserv- ing, is almost better than original desert," said Mrs. Lindon. II And I can well forgive your forgetting that I had a headache, since I have one so frequently, that I hardly know myself when it begins and when it ends ; whether it is another, or the same ; whether it has come on to-day, or whether it is part of yester- day's. That is one advantage of a constant headache ; you be- come accustomed to its presence." " J>ut not inured to the pain, surely ? That must always bo ;i renewed discomfort," said Fermor. " It is wonderful how it becomes endurable, by dint of per- petuity," smiled Mrs. Lindon ; " it teaches you to bear it pa- tiently, and to do nearly as well with it as without it. You learn, under daily, hourly headache, to move, think, speak, bear m>i~r, listen to practising, understand questions, return intelligi- ble answers, and do all kinds of things, with a certain dulled .-ense of suffering, inconceivable to those who have a mere passing acquaintance with headache temporary headache headacliu now and then." " At any rate, yours is the philosophy of headache," said Fer- mor. " Do you never try any remedy for it ? " ho added. " Sometimes a little Eau do Cologne, applied to the temples, or smelling to pungent salts, relieves me for a short time," said Mrs. Lindon. " But I have left my smelling-bottle at home." " Here it is," said Kate, producing it from her pocket. ' And yet you would have me believe you had no thought of in y lieadache, in proposing this drive,' said Mrs. Lindou, affec- tionately. " I saw it lying on the toilet-table, and happened to put in my pocket, that's all,'' .n. " My deal I 1 THE IRON COUSIN. Miild, your making lightly of your attention, cannot make uie the ness sensible of it. The whole thing is just like you, Kate ; you are ever proving yourself kindlier-natured by your actions than by your words. To judge you merely by what you say and by what you leave to be inferred of yourself, in what you say would be doing you grievous injustice. I know you better than to take you on your representation. You make too modest an estimate." " Should you not rather say, too unfair an estimate ? "Why should Kate be unfair to herself? She is guilty of an injustice against her own good qualities, when she lets her words show them less truly than her actions," said Fermor Worthington. " I cannot smooth my words, to please any Iron Cousin in the world," she replied. " You should make them accord with your gentler impulses, for the sake of your own consistency," he returned. " Perhaps these gentler impulses only exist in your fancy," said Kate. " Do you deny them ? " " I neither deny, nor admit them ; I simply choose to speak according to my nature," she replied. " And I ask no other than that you should," answered Fer- mor. " Why should I make a parade of doing or feeling what is only commonly right ? " said she. " Without parading it, you might do it the justice of not hid- ing it, as if it were a thing to be ashamed of," he replied. "NoUo hide it, is to let it be seen; letting it be seen, is to show it ; I like no such exhibitions," said Kate. When they reached the village, they went at once to a shop of rather important pretensions, considering its obscure situation. It claimed affinity with the Fine Arts, qn the strength of certain Bheete of paper displayed in the window, bearing gaudily-coloured groups of flowers, intersected with minute cross-lines ; a gilt frame or two ; a small mirror, divided off into several minuter mirrors, which reflected twenty little likenesses of yourself in perplexing multiplicity, when you looked into it ; a few skeins of Berlin THE IRON COUSIN. 1 1 1 wools, in shades; gome purse-silks; bunches of gilt and steel beads, with odds and ends of rings and tassels ; and a seal or two, stitched upon a remarkably dingy card, engraved with several of the commonest Christian names. Among these well-known arti- cles, which had lent their graces to adorn the shop-window for many P. successive season, the party were surprised, as they ap- proached, to see lying among them a very unusual addition, in the ehape of a landscape-painting of considerable merit. It was a scene in Tuscany one glow of rich colouring ; the deep blue sky, the purple mountains, the vivid green of orange and vine, the sharp, well-defined outline of an arched bridge, that spanned a torrent in the distance, and of a rude stone water-mill, that stood on the right, in the foreground. An abrupt ejaculation from Mrs. Lindon, made Kate turn towards her. Her features were work- in-: in strong emotion; the lips quivered and the eyes were full. .Vftcr a few moments, she recovered herself a little ; and in a voice that she tried to steady : " Let us go in, and choose the crayons." " While Kute was looking over the drawer which the master of the shop handed to her, she heard Mrs. Lindon ask him, where he had obtained that picture in the window ; and whether it were for sale. The man answered in the affirmative ; and that he had taken it in part payment of a debt, when he was lately up in town, of a picture dealer who owed him money. That, under these circum- stances, he should not mind parting with it cheap, if the lady It-it disposed to become a purchaser. " What is the price you would consent to take for it ? " falter- ed Mrs. Lindoo. " Twenty guineas, madam." " Twenty guineas ! " was echoed in a faint, hopeless tone. " If you are any judge of painting, ma'am which I cannot doubt, since you have distinguished, with an artist's eye, tin of the picture at once you must perceive that I have named an extremely low sum a mere song, in fact, for such a work of art as that. IVrhnps \ ined it you have not ro 112 THE IRON COUSIN. marked what a masterly hand, what a true artistic feeling, is per- ceptible in this composition. It is worthy of one of our first mas- ters ; and had I told you it was a Stanfield, you might have be- lieved me, without any compromise of your judgment. Allow me to take it out of the window for you, madam, that you may see ii more closely in a better light." " No, no; I thank you; no, no; I have seen it perfectly ; it is not the " " I assure you, madam, the sum I have named is a mere nomi- nal price for such a gem of art as that," interrupted the voluble shopman. " Twenty guineas is an absolute ' bagg-o-tell,' for such a picture." " I know it; it is not that I think the price high far from it : but that is a sum beyond my means. Thank you ; pray attend to Miss Ireton. Kate, love, have you all that you require ? Let me see what you have chosen." CHAPTER XIII. WHEN the selection was completed, and they had left the shop, Mrs. Lindon leaned back quietly in one corner of the carriage, very silent, and very pale but that she generally was. Kate looked thoughtfully out of one of the windows, in deep pro-occupation; while Fermor Worthington said: "You have not your salts, Mrs. Lindon, and I think your headache is trouble some. Where are they ? " v " I must have left them behind me, on the 'counter, at Mr. Chalkby's. How could I be so forgetful ? A bad example for my pupil 1 " she said with her gentle smile. " I will go back for them," said Fernior, as he unfastened the carriage-door, and sprang out. " Drive on slowly, Martin," said he to the coachman, " and I will overtake you." As Fermor Worthington disappeared, Kate turned abruptly THE IRON COUSIN. 113 to Mrs. Lindon, and said : " You were interested in that picture ? What is it? Whose was it? Was it your husband's painting ? " " It was one of William's last pictures, he painted it just be- fore he " and Mrs. Linden's words were checked by a low sob she could not restrain. " I guessed, I thought so ; it is a scene in Italy, is it not ? " said Kate. Yes, a spot near Florence, a view from our window, tho ' campa>, to have you calling her to come and take a walk with you, onct! atrain. Ah well, well, it 'minds mo of old times, when we us. (1 to go streaming about, through the copses and dingles, a blackberrying, or a Maying, or a nutting, or avi'let hunting, you and mo together ; you in my arms, and me on my legs very happy, wasn't wo ? And what a dear little rogue you was, with your ' Carry me, curry mo 1 ' for ever. You knew, fust enough lays you, currying was easier than walking for them as is car- 124 THE IRON COUSIN. ried, leastways and nothing 'd serve you, bless you, but carried you must be. A sad rumbustical tyrant you was, surely ; bless- ings on you ! " said the nurse, fondly. "And I am going to be just as tyrannical -as ever this even- ing, Mattykin, just to make it seem to you exactly like the happy old times together. I'm going to make you tell me all the old tales you can think of; as you used to do, you know, when we rambled out together," said Kate. " Sure, Miss Kate, my darling ! What shall it be ? Puss in Boots, Jack and the Bean-stalk, the White Cat, or Cin- derella ? " " No, none of those, Mattykin," replied Kate, laughing; "but some of your old-world stories, that I like so well to hear. Of the proud, cold Worthingtons ; of the stately lady-mother ; of the gay, hard father ; of the haughty, reserved, scholarly son ; of his sudden marriage ; of the blue-eyed little girl, the first Fermor Worthington ; and of but no, you knew nothing of him ; ho was born abroad, and when he was brought to England by his mother, and stayed a month at Worthington, you were away, with mine." " Ah, you're talking of the present Ferinor the boy the heir," said Matty. " He's a fine young gentleman, I hear ; I Bee little of him, and I knew nothing of him, when he was a baby. I can tell you nothing about his younger days ; they were all spent in foreign parts, more's the pity." " Not all," replied Kate. " He spent a month in his Eng- lish home ; and that little month seems to have made more im- pression upon him in some things in tastes, and likings, and home fancies and feelings and attachments than all the rest of his life. I rarely hear him mention anything that happened, or any place that he stayed at, abroad ; but of his childish visit to Worthington Court, he always talks with delight. It is the only thing that moves him to speak warmly, and out of his usual quiet, grave way. Fermor Worthington is thoroughly English in his manners and likings ; and though he had still his foreign dress, when he first came over here, yet he is now as complete an Eng- THE IRON COUSIN. 128 liah lad in his appearance, as in everything else. I shouldn't have let him claim the relationship between us, if he hadn't been true English in heart, in look, in speech as he is by descent. The Worthingtons arc a fine old English family, and he is worthy of being their representative. He looks an Englishman, every inch of him ; and therefore he's welcome to call me cousin, and I don't mind calling him so. But Matty," said Kate, suddenly interrupting herself, " stop a moment ; I mustn't forget to give uncle's old favourite what I brought for it." She stepped, as she spoke, to the gate of a paddock, in which grazed a bay mare, that had once been a magnificent hunter ; now past service, and permitted to enjoy its old age in luxury and ease. It was cropping its evening meal of clover ; but at the sound of Kate's voice, it came neighing and sidling up, to receive the morsel of sugar, or some such delicacy, from her hand. As she patted its sleek, intelligent head, she turned to Matty, and said : <: I have often intended to ask you you who know all the secrets and legends of our house how it comes that this creature, of all uncle's horses, has no name. I have never heard it called anything but ' the bay mare;' while all the rest have their especial titles. Once, when uncle was caressing it, I was going to ask him to tell me ; but there was something in his face that made me break off, when I had just put my question. I thought, perhaps, it had been called after my mother." " No, not after Miss Hetty ( but after . You asked me for an old talc just now, Miss Kate, my darling. This is one, There is an old story about this bay mare." ' : I thought so ! Tell it me," said Kate, eagerly. " You must know," began Matty, setting her back against Ihe bole of one of the nearest trees, while her young mistress stood fondling the old horse, " you must know that once upon a tiiiii-, this mare was the finest animal in all master's stud. Its coat was bright and shining as a looking-glass, its eyes were clear AS crystal, it was fleet as an arrow, yet as easy as a boat on a lake. It w:i3 a birthday present from his mother to Mr. Harry, 126 THE IRON COUSIN. and very proud and fond of it be was, to be sure. Well, he had only just had it, and was casting about for a name for it for he'd given his mother's name a'ready to another of his hunters when there came into this part of the country a family of the name of Darner very high, but very poor as the story went. It was said that they were related to Dukes ; or that they had an Earl or a Marquis in the family, or perhaps even a barrow- knight, for aught I know* Certain it is, however, that there was very high blood in the family, and they held their heads very high, according ; and moreover, their only daughter was called the honourable Miss Darner the honourable Laura as many named her. A pretty, clever, dashing young creature she was, to be sure ! Such a figure for horseback, or for an archery- meeting, or an assize ball, or the harp, which she played like any King David, so beautiful, she did ! Well, our Mr. Harry met Miss Darner at a many of these places ; and then he called his bay mare ' the honourable Laura,' and we servants could all guess how it was with Mr. Harry's heart. He was joked a deal about it, by his young friends and neighbours the young gen- tlemen that rode out hunting and shooting with him. But he used to laugh it off, and say she was too good for him, too high for him, too clever for him ; for our Mr. Harry was always modest ; and the honourable Laura, besides being a nobility lady, born and bred, was such a one at her books, and her drawing, and her music ! Well, one day Mr. Harry had been all night, over-night, with Miss Darner, at our county ball ; and Betty Blowze, the barmaid at the Star Inn at Dingleton, where the large assembly-room is, and where the county balls was always held, told me that our young 'Squire was the honourable Laura's partner best part of the time what should I notice but master (my young master, as he then was) dressed out very nice and neat the first thing in the morning, no boots and spurs, no hunt- ing-coat, but a dark suit fit for an evening, and standing in the hall, humming a tune, with his riding-whip in his hand, waiting for his horse to be brought round. I noticed, too, that he'd got a flower not common flower, but one of the 'azoticks' out of THE IRON COUSIN. 127 Missus's 'caservatry' in the buttonhole of his coat; and hit eyes were bright and dancing, and his mouth very pleasant-look- ing; and when I dropped him a curtsey, he smiled and nodded at me, and said : ' Is that you, Martha ?' quite in a joyful tone, as if he was glad to see me though there was nothing to be glad at, but his own thoughts. Well, I asked him, if the old 'Squire, hia father, or Madam, his mother, enquired for him, where I was to say he was gone ; but he made as if he didn't hear me, and turned away, and went on humming his tune, and winding the lash of his whip round and round his fingers. 1 stood loitering about till the horses were brought to the hall- door, that I might hear if anything was said that should let me know farther, for I began to be curious." " You often are curious, Mattykin," said Kate, laughing u it's a failing of yours, isn't it ? " " To be sure, Miss Kate, my darling ; how should I have picked up so many odd stories to amuse you with, if I hadn't made it my business to find out all about 'era, and learn the rights of 'em ? " " True; go on with your present one," laughed Kate. " Well, there stood Dick Dimble that was Ben's father, you know, Miss Kate, he was groom then with the saddle-horses, one of which was this very bay marc, the honourable Laura, 'Have a care how you urge her too hard this morning, Mr. Harry, sir, Bays Dick; ' she's full of corn, and is rather apirity, and up to all manner of tricks, to-day.' ' Never mind, Dick,' says master 1 a little spirit's not amiss I She's a beautiful creature ! Faint heart never won fair lady ! ' And he leaned down and patted the creature's neck, and spoke whispering words, and hummed his tune again. Well, they rode away, and I saw no more of master or grnnm, till the evening; when, as I was crossing the court-yard, on my way to the laundry, who should I see but Dick Dimblc leaning against the door-post of the stable?, rubbing up his har- nesa, and whistling, and whish-whish-whishing between whiles. 1 went up to him. and fell into talk with him. 'I s'pose V"l\ 1-'.) Mrs. Martha luckily, there was shade, or the honourable Laura (the marc, I mean) might ha' kicked at standing so long in the heat two mortal hours! At last, out come master. But such a changed man ! you'd hardly have known him, Mrs. Martha, had you set eyes on him at that moment. He was as white as any ghost, and walked as bent as an old man, and as unsteady as a drunken one. He said no word ; but went straight up to his horse, made two attempts to put his foot in the stirrup, before he could hit it such a horseman as he is ! flung himself into the saddle and rode off. He kept up a pace like the wind, all the way home: and when we came to the Hall, tossed me the rein, threw himself off his horse, and went straight in-doors, without so much as a word, or a look, towards me or the mare ; him, too, that always has a kind speech, or a nod, or a slap on the shoulder, either for me or the horses. Don't tell me, Mrs. Martha ; I'd take you any bet, the honourable Laura (I mean Miss Darner) has played him a jade's trick. As sure as you're alive, Mr. Harry has been clean pitched over what d'ye call it refused.'" " I think Dick was right," resumed Matty, after the pause of a moment; " for, for some time after, Mr. Harry was quite un- like himself. He would fold his arms, and stand looking out of the window, by the quarter of an hour together; he took no thought about his food; answered his father and mother, as if ho didn't know what they were saying to him ; cared nothing for his usual sports, his hunting, and fishing, and shooting ; stopped idling in-doors; never rode out at all; was always asking what o'clock it \v:is, and wondering it was still so early ; seemed glad when bed-time came ; got up late, yet looked tired the first thing in the morning ; neglected his dress, and let his hair hang loose al>' mi his ears. Once, I remember, I happened to be dusting in die library one of the house-maids asked me to do it for her while she stepped down to tho lodge to see her mother for half an nour who was sick of an ague when I saw Mr. Harry come softly in, :ind clone the door behind him, as if he didn't wish to be seen. To humour him, I staid where I was, behind the screen, that he mightn't think he was being watrhrd or observed." 130 THE IRON COUSIN. " To save him from knowing it, you did it ? " said Kate. " Yes," said Matty, " I didn't want him to be teased, bj finding that some one was there, when he fancied himself alone. Well, he walked up to the great map, that hangs on one side of the room, against the wall, and stood looking at it for some time, with his hands in his pockets, and his mouth looking as if he were whistling, without sound, to himself. At last he gave a deep sigh, and turned away. Then he stood, for a bit, in the bow-window, where the two big globes stand ; and these he spun round, one after the other, looking dizzily at them, as they twirled and twirled beneath his right forefinger, while with his left he pulled his nether lip, till it left his teeth as bare as the globes themselves. ' I can't make end nor side of them,' I heard him mutter ; ' I shall continue a blockhead all the days of my life.' And then he gave another sigh, and turned away. He remained opposite one of the book-shelves for several minutes, and stared at the backs of the books, as if he was making out what was wrote on 'em ; but I don't think he was reading, either ; nor yet, when he took down one, and turned over its leaves, let- ting them spring from his thumb so fast, that it wasn't likely he could make out the lines and letters, though he was looking at them all the time. I heard him say, between his teeth : ' And these cursed books, that she's so fond of ! How shall I ever get auy one of 'em into my head much less all ! I shall never be other than the dolt I have been all my life ! I couldn't be wor- thy of her try as I might ! No wonder she despises me ! No wonder she has made her choice elsewhere.' He flung the book away, and clasped both hands before his face, and stood so, quite silent, for a long time ; at least, it seemed a very long time, I know, to me, for I was afraid to stir or breathe, lest he might see or hear me, so still the place was, and so still he remained. You might have heard a pin drop. At last, there was a knock, and the handle of the door was gently turned. Mr. Harry started. ' Who's there ? ' he cried, gruffly enough. ' It's I, 'Squire,' said Dick Dimble, putting his shock head softly into the room. ' I've seen your honour prowling about this place lately, more than is THE IKON COUMW. 131 good for you. No good comes of haunting and burrowing in lilu-'ies and studies, when it isn't nat'ral to a man; if he's born and bred a book-worm, well and good he can't help his natur', no more than a ferret, or a rat, or a mole, or any other vermin can ; but when it's the natur' of him to be abroad, and scouring >vcr the country like a stag, or a dog, or a horse, or such kind o 1 noble animal, that knows what life is, why then he oughtn't to skulk in holes and corners, but he should come out, and enjoy what God gave him to enjoy, and taught him to enjoy, and made him fit to enjoy. You must come out and ride, Mr. Harry, sir; 'sense my saying so, but you must,' says Dick. ' I can't ride,' says master, in a broken voice, ' I shall never care to ride again.' ' Don't say so, Mr. Harry, sir,' says Dick. ' Take heart, sir, and try what a good gallop 'cross country'll do for you. It'll make a man of you once more. Do be persuaded ; I've brought round the horses. Mr. Harry, sir; do come and have a good brisk ride.' Tin- 'Sijnire turned away, and began spinning one of the globes igain ; and then he said not looking at Dick while he spoke ' What horse have you brought for me, Dick ? ' ' The bay marc sir,' says Dick, very firm and steady like. The 'Squire glanced up ijuite sudden, and looked straight in Dick's face. Then he walkrd up to him, put one hand on his shoulder, and with the other gave Dick's a hearty grip, while he passed on out of the study, say in" ; I'll go I will ride.' And ever since that time." concluded Matty, stepping forward, and patting the old hunter's neck, " it has always been called ' the bay mare.' >; " And what became of its namesake, the honourable Laura Damcr ':* " asked Kate. ' Soon after that, the family went up to town ; and we heard at'tcrwanls, that the young lady had married a Colonel Lascelles, md had gone out with him to India," answered Matty. " But Mr. Harry had taken to his riding and hunting, and they made him his own man again, as Dick Dimhlc said they would." /32 THE IRON COUSIN. CHAPTER XV. 4 AND so, master and you have made out the cousiuship between you and the folks at Worthington Court ? " said Matty, as she and her young mistress rambled on again. There was always a good deal of neighbourliness, and kith-and-kin feeling, between our people and theirs in the old times. My Madam Heathcote and Madam Worthington called one another by their Christian names ; and there was always relation meeting and greeting be- tween the two families at Christmas time, and on birth-days, and wedding-days, and such like. What do you think of the present folks, Miss Kate, my darling ? What sort seems Mr. Morton Worthington, now he's come to be head of the house ? And what like's his son, besides being English to the backbone which I'm glad to hear ? '' " Well, in some things they are like father, like son," said Kate ; " they come of the same proud race they're made of the same stern stuff which, it seems, is the Worthington character- istic. For the son, my iron cousin, as I call him, he might by a miraculous chance be softened, or melted, bent or moulded, wrought upon by some means or other ; but of the marble father, there's no hope ; under all conceivable changes, he would remain a hard, impenetrable, unalterable block of primitive granite. Nothing but hewing him piecemeal, or cutting at the very heart of him, would produce any effect upon marble Mr. Morton Wor- thington. As my mother proved, if all be true," she added, in a little exultant under-tone. " Ay, that she did, as I, and none so well as I, know for a certainty,'' said Matty. " I once happened to see how unstony Mr. Morton Worthington could look! Never but once that once did I see him carry himself like anything else but the cold, marble piece o' goods he seemed more like a statter, or a bust on legs, than a man. THE IRON COUSIN. 133 " And that once ? " said Kate. ' : Yes, that once, sure enough, he did show he was flesh and blood ; a man with a heart in his bosom, and with firo iu his heart in his eyes in his words." " And you happened to see it ? " pursued Kate, with her eyes Qxed upon the nurse. " Yes, I chanced to be hiding that is, I chanced to be where I could see could overhear him and my Miss Hetty together when they little thought any one was by and when he told her plain out he loved her, and that he begged her to have pity on him, and have him, for be couldn't live without her. And it was when she told him as plain, that she didn't and couldn't love hin? in return, that Mr. Morton showed he wasn't stone to the heart. 1 .shall never forget his look though he never knew I saw it nor she neither, for I never mentioned that I'd chanced to to " " You were right," said Kate. " Best speak of it no more.' r After this evening ramble and conversation with her nurse Matty, whenever Kate went over to Worthington Court with her uncle, she felt more and more interested to watch the conduct and speech, and to observe every slight gesture and look of the cold, hauirhty master of the house. The interest his character possessed for her was not that of liking, or sympathy ; but a sort of resistless attraction, which led her to speculate upon his inward thoughts and sentiments, as opposed to his outwardly expressed actions and words. She was continually drawn to contrast his external manner with what she had learned of his soul's history; and while she noted the chill, unmoved demeanour, would recall to herself that one fiery point in his life, of which she knew. The feeling of Mr. Worthington towards her, partook of some- what t' nature. He could not withstand the impression her imaire produced upon him. He felt it, even while he did not permit himself to look at her. He had a perpetual sense of ll.-t- tv's livini: impersonation being there, m-ar him, before him; only naecT he would not allow hii: :ly to regard it This Y. I ujion him ; a more posi J34 THE IRON COUSIN. tive one, was the uneasiness which he felt at her perfect ease The fearlessness of tone, the unembarrassed look, the unhesitating speech, all combined to discompose and annoy him. Her pres- ence had too great an involuntary influence upon him, to be wel- come or pleasant; and yet there was something in the beautiful, spirited girl, that could create neither aversion nor displeasure. There was a kind of mutual interest between the two, at once re- pellent and attractive, which would let them neither like nor dis- like each other. Kate could not look upon him with indifference, when she remembered how passionately he had loved her mother ; yet she could not helpl resenting his self-imposed stoicism of cold- ness and reserve ; while Mr. Worthington felt constrained and conscious when she was present, and relieved when she was gone, without actually experiencing disapproval, or expressing objection. He would sometimes speak slightingly and depreciatingly of her to his son ; but he never went beyond such remarks as he had once before made; generally treating her when absent, as when present, with a cold avoidance, as if she were a subject and a person too insignificant to be noticed, of too little consequence to be disparaged. Kate, on her side, was not quite so forbearing. She did not scruple to show that she thought Mr. Worthington did not use her well ; and that if not actively unkind towards her, at least he was unwarrantably disdainful and disregardful. This was one of tho most frequent topics of disagreement be- tween herself and Fermor Worthington. She, ever hovering on the verge of something petulant and insolent in her allusions ; he, never tolerating the slightest approach to disrespect or want of deference towards his father. She, perpetually trying how much he would bear ; he, ever watchful to prevent and repress her say- ing anything which he felt bound not to allow. The more Kate Ircton felt Fermor Worthington's influence upon herself, the more did she strive to exercise one upon him ; but so long as there was the least tincture of wrong in what she sought to sway him to, she could not flatter herself she produced the slightest ef- fect THE IRON COt'SIV. 135 Upon Kate'* blunt mode of speech, her governess would some- times gently attempt to remonstrate with her. " Indeed, my flear child," she would say, "you will never be loved, if you per sist in that abrupt, disregardful manner." " I don't want to be loved," Kate would answer, with a scorn- ful laugh. " If people can't like me as I am natural, out spo ken, truth-tolling they may let it alone." " You may be quite as truthful, with less roughness. It makes you appear unamiable. To hear you answer so bluffly, start li^ people from loving you as you deserve." " I care not for such easily-startled liking. I don't seek their Inve ; I want none of it." All human beings want love; it is humanity's first great necessity. If you do not wish for love, it is because you have knmvn its want. There will come a time when you will de- sire it, when you will need it.'' " And till then, I'll manage to do without it," said Kate. " Well for you to talk of doing without it, who possess it at present in such abundance, my dear child," said Mrs. Lindon, with a sigh and a smile. " All I would warn you against is, not recklessly to risk its loss or abatement. It is too priceless a bless- ing to be lightly thrown away, or even neglected. Treasure that you have ; and disdain not fresh store. Impossible to be too cov- etous in its acquisition, or to hoard it too dearly and nearly. Affection is the only wealth of which you cannot be too great u miser." It is probable that had Mrs. Lindon's mild words, together with the example of her gentle, unselfish disposition, continued, they might imperceptibly have wrought, in the course of the next few ycarp, that chastening effect upon her pupil's character which would have softened it into perfection. But the young widow's health gave way ; and just as the medical attendant had pronoun ced that a southern climate could alone save her, a small annuity bequeathed to her by a distant relation, enabled her to repair to her beloved Italy to starvt>, as the 'Squire said, to luxuriate, aj she thought upon fifty pounds a vo.-ir. 136 THE IKON COUSIN. For some time, there was a talk of supplying Mrs Lindon 1 ? place with another instructress ; but time slipped by, and none was engaged. Kate insensibly fell into her old desultory habit.* was constantly on horseback with her uncle ; took no though* of lessons, and pursued only his and her own pleasant devices for out-of-door enjoyment. Mr. Morton Worthington's precarious health and increasing exactions, caused his son to be less and less master of his own time ; so that Heathcote Hall and its inmates saw little or nothing of Fermor Worthington. Months succeed- ed one another, and years crept by, leaving little to mark their rapid progress. As Kate approached womanhood, she began to feel a certain monotony, a want of resource and interest in her existence, the inevitable result of insufficient mental culture. She had the vigour of strong natural powers, which enabled her to express herself even as a child with remarkable capacity; but now that she had attained an age when girlish pursuits could no longer suffice to satisfy her tastes, or occupy her faculties ade- quately, refinement, enlightenment, fresh ideas, became absolute necessities, which were each day more and more keenly felt. Once, she and the 'Squire had been taking a smart canter across the Oakleigh Downs, in order to counteract the depressing influ- ence of the morning, a chill, misty, drizzly day in early autumn. As they rode homewards, the hedges looked dank and soppy ; the park trees behung with a grey veil of haze and moisture ; the skj leaden and uniform ; the roads muddy ; the leaves dripping ; all seemed cheerless and blank. " Uncle," said Kate, suddenly, " I wish you would take me to Italy. The blue skies, the glowing sunshine, the glorious starlight and moonlight, that they talk of, as perpetually reigning' there in cloudless beauty, make me long to exchange this dreary prospect of a long, long autumn and winter, for a season there. Think of the paradise of such a climate, compared with this ! Ugh ! " and she shuddered ; " to think of the many dull hopeless weeks and months we shall have to wade through, of this kind of weather, before spring comes to cheer us." " You forget Christmas, Kate, with its yule logs, its holly THE IRON COUSIN. 137 boughs, its rousing fires, its good fare, its jolly cheer, its merry dances, its songs, its games, its holiday dresses, its bright look, jiinl frolic time. You forget we have that to look forward to, and to look back upon, between this and spring. You forgot our good old English Christmas ! " " No, I remember it quite well I remember it too well I know it by heart ; I have seen so many English Christmases, that I should like to spend one Christmas away from England, just to know how one feels without beef and pudding being brought to table like a doom, on a particular day. Oh. that in- evitable turkey and chine ! Those relentless mince pies ! I should excessively like to have a fete, instead of a fate, in my way of spending Christmas-day, if it were but for change of MIC." " Like to have what, my dear ? " said the 'Squire, simply. " Only a worthless play upon a word, uncle ; which was more- over an unworthy affectation for I have no right to use French \y>nls. knowing so few; and besides,' it should have been proper- ly festa, not fete ; for it is an Italian holiday I am longing for" " And you shall have one, Kate, my dear," said her uncle. " It would be hard if you should long in vain for any thing that I can L'ivo you. So, hey for Italy ! when shall we go ? " " The sooner the better to-morrow the day after when you will, uncle 1 " she exclaimed, gleefully. " I'll brush up what little French and Italian dear patient Mrs. Lindon ever managed ty her all at OHOO iaeli. as she- turned Iier sawy, wide-mouthed glance up at person who spoke. [50 THE IRON COUSIN. It was a young English gentleman on horseback near, calling to her in her own tongue, with an authoritative, but not unpluy- ful way, to cease from her unwelcome attentions to his country- man. She answered with some broad allusion to his own face, as affording a more attractive shrine at which to tender her floral oblation, if he would accept it. His reply was a frank laugh, and a word or two of lively re- tort; after which, he turned to the 'Squire, and raising his hat, made a smiling apology for his interference, on the ground that ne perceived how benevolence prevented his rescuing himself from a civility that amounted to a torment. " I am glad you think so ; I'm heartily glad you think so, and find it so ; and I'm particularly obliged to you. my dear young sir, for stepping forward to my assistance. You managed it in a trice^ ah, there's the benefit of being able to speak tho language ! It must be owned, learning has its conveniences as well as its inconveniences." " Can there be any inconvenience in learning, sir ?" smiled the young Englishman, surprised. " Dear me ! yes, to be sure great inconvenience ; the great- est trouble and inconvenience. Learning is one of the most troublesome things I know of; that is, to come by. Landing a wary old trout, after he's led you a wearisome dance up stream and down stream for an hour, is nothing to it ! Learning and knowledge save trouble when once you've got them, it's true ; but they're mighty troublesome to get. Once secured, they're worth anything; but to secure 'em, they're the deuce's own toil and worry. I never could face it myself, for I own I like peace and comfort, and prefer hard riding to hard reading. It's done well enough for my time ; but, mind, I don't tell you youngsters it ought to do for ^ou. You are quite right to study, and become fine scholars, and win college honours, and acquire a host of tilings that I can admire in others, though I've not head enough for them myself. Excuse my freedom, my dear young sir ; but there's something in the sound of your English tongue, and and in the tone of your voice, I think, that opened my heart Let me THE IRON COUSIN. 151 thank you very cordially for your kindly coming to the aid of my foolish embarrassment." The young gentleman made suitable answer ; and, as he turn- ed away and took leave, to evade the acknowledgments which the hearty 'Squire continued to pour forth, the light of the setting sun fell full upon his countenance, which had before been only partially seen by the latter. There was something in what he then beheld which struck the 'Squire into a thoughtful silence. This lasted all the while the music proceeded ; and at its close, when Kate awoke out of the trance of attention in which it had held her, to ask him whether they should take one turn along the wooded enclosure which extends some distance farther round, forming the extremity of the " Cascine, : ' her uncle did not hear her at first. When he did, he led to the road she proposed, now, by the drawing on of evening, freed from most of its gay frequent- ers. He paced slowly on, still in a reverie : while Kate, seeing him inclined to be silent, gave herself quietly up to the pleasure of the shadowy, secluded spot, with its over-arching trees ; its glimpses of the river between, the glassy surface of which reflect- ed the fast-paling light from the west, its stillness, its partial view of the blue canopy above, gradually deepening into softer and so- berer tints, as the glare of day subsided into night. It was late when they arrived at Valletta, and the 'Squire had long before recovered from the unwonted fit of abstraction into which he had fallen, so that he was quite ready to respond with his usual cheer- fulness to the little bustle of glad welcome with which their return home was always hailed. Once, in the course of the evening, Kate perceived him re- lapse into his thoughtful mood. She was in the habit upon the liirhts (-(lining in (when the curious antique brass lamp, with its ctMitral reservoir of oil, surrounded by dangling implements for snuffing and trimming the wick, which is still in common use thereabouts, made its appearance) of reading Italian with Mrs. Lindnn, wlin had kindly proposed it to her; and, while thus era- plnye'l. .-In- - i-.v licr undc, aft or taking up o ::>u< -h struck with its attractions; since I found the ladf J56 THE IRON COUSIN. of the house could not receive me, expecting, as she did, visitors from England. I have no doubt you are these very expected friends, of whom I heard, before I saw you." " To be sure ! And you are the very young Englishman, of whom we were told, as having been inhospitably refused entrance, lest we should be incommoded," returned the 'Squire. " But 1 assure you. there's no want of space ; and I think the least we can do, is to make room for you, and intercede with Mrs. Lindon tc admit you, after all. What say you, Kate ? " <: I say with you, uncle ; it is the least we can do. And 1 undertake to do more. I will promise to make Mrs. Lindon agree to this pleasant arrangement. She lets .me ' make ' her do whatever I fancy ; and I have no doubt that, in this instance, she'll require no ' making,' but be as pleased as ourselves." " You are very good very kind," said Cecil, looking his de- light to both uncle and niece ; " the arrangement cannot be so pleasant to you as to me ; but I thank you, nevertheless, for let- ting me feel it will not be unwelcome. Tell Mrs. Lindon, with my kind regards, that I shall be very impatient till she can send me word I may come and take up my abode with you all at Valletta." u I think I can answer that we shall bring you the intelli- gence no later than to-morrow," answered the 'Squire. " And now, what say you to a turn or two round the ' Cascine,' before we wend homewards ? " " With all my heart, sir ; I shall always like the place the better, agreeable as it is in itself, for having first met you there," returned Cecil. CHAPTER XVIII. DAYS melted into weeks, and weeks into months, so pleasantly did the time pass with the little circle at Valletta ; and yet there x&a no talk of Cecil's leaving Florence to continue his route. Indeed, he had received letters from Mrs. Lascelles, bidding hin< THE IRON COUS1IT. 157 to bo in no baste to quit Italy, until he should have satisfied his roaming curiosity ; for that she was spending the winter with her old maiden aunt, Lady Diana Freseley, at Cheltenham ; and she could not have the heart to inflict upon a young man the te- dious humdrum of dowager society, and nightly whist-plaving, when he could pass his time so much more pleasantly and profit- ably abroad, while she watched his interests, and advanced hii prospects for him in England. Therefore Cecil, only too rejoiced to have his mother's permission square with his own inclination, lingered where he was, deferring his visit to Lombardy and Ve- nice until later. He and his new friends liked each other better and better, upon further knowledge. Between persons^ so well suited in tem- per the 'Squire, simple, honest-hearted, straightforward ; Kate, plain .-spoken, and unreserved ; Cecil, frank and open the inti- macy and freedom of daily intercourse and daily consociation neces- sarily produced mutual good-will and liking. They were sooii on the familiar footing of a family-party ; and seemed as if they had hardly ever been any thing else, but had dwelt together all their lives. The winter was gone, and Kate Ireton had had her wish of witnessing how Christmas was spent out of England. She had had her hope amply fulfilled of passing through those long months of wonted gloom and dreary weather, with scarcely any absence of the sun. Even the cold winds which sometimes prevail in Florence, were sparing that season. Spring was bursting forth, and found Kate still with unabated, unsatiated relish of the beauties of Italy, of its climate, its scenery, its abounding charms of Art and of Nature. The 'Squire, indeed, was not 80 untired of his foreign sojourn ; but he took care to conceal his own secret pinings after home, so long as he perceived Kate show no symptoms of desiring to return thither. About this time, he received a letter from Fermor Worthing- ton who had written several times, at no long intervals, to hi friends, ami they to him stating that his father's gradual decay had at length terminated in the foreseen close; that In: had died in hi.H amis, blessing him for his filial duty and attachment, and 158 THE IRON COUSIN. showing more warmth and strength of affection during those ex- piring moments, than he had ever -before indulged himself with giving utterance to. Fermor went on to say, the discovery of how dearly and deeply his father had loved him beneath that calm, undemonstrative exterior, had profoundly affected and pene- trated him ; and that, he now more than ever felt grateful to think he had never allowed himself to be tempted into leaving him ; for not only should he have been deprived of the consolation of knowing his presence was a solace to his father, but he should have lost the supreme comfort and happiness of learning the ex- tent of that father's love for him. The letter ended by saying, he should even now have come over to them ; but that he had affairs to settle, which required personal investigation, and which had been left to his especial care by him whom he had just lost ; that therefore, however unwillingly, he was compelled to give up the hope he had cherished, of being able to join them in time to accompany them back to England. " Just like Fermor ! Ever upright ! Ever conscientious ! Ever preferring duty to inclination ; and thinking of justice to others, before indulgence to himself. A thorough fine fellow is Fermor Worthiugton. By mercy ! I hold it an honour to be akin to him." " Who is this excellent relation of yours, 'Squire ? He must be a capital good fellow, from your mode of speaking of him," said Cecil Lascelles. " He is a young cousin of ours a true-bred, true-hearted young Englishman, whom I shall one day hope to make known to you, when you come to Heathcote, Cecil," returned the Squire. Cecil Lascelles expressed his hearty concurrence in this hope ; and then turned to Kate, and asked her whether she had nothing to say, that should heighten the desire to know this estimable kinsman of theirs, which the 'Squire's words had awakened. " I have only to say that the Iron Cousin's letter is of a piece with the Iron Cousin himself; riveted in right, firm-set in princi- ple, welded immovably and integrally in integrity," she said, Tin 1 . RON cousra. 15ft laughing. " Come, are we not to ride into Florence this morn ing ? Shall we not be late for our Fiesole expedition, if it take place; to-day ? There are the horses waiting for us." They had hardly entered the Piazza, when, as they approached the post-office, the "Squire uttered an exclamation of surprise and pleasure, at seeing a gentleman' whom he recognized at once as an old hunting associate of his, loitering near, about to apply foi letters. He rode up to him, leaned from his horse, gave him a hearty slap on the shoulders, and shouted in his ear a fox-hunting view- halloo, which rang sharp, and loud, and strange, all over the broad I'ia/.za. The gentleman turned, in measureless astonishment, to behold his old friend, 'Squire Heathcote, in the heart of Florence. After making vices of their hands, and nearly dislocating each other's arms, and all but wrenching them from their sockets, they seemed to have arrived at a satisfactory attempt to convey some faint idea of their over-boiling content at this unexpected meeting ; and then the 'Squire begged his friend to come to the hotel immediately, and lunch, and dine, and spend the day with him, and chat over all they had to say to each other. This was the more necessary, as the friend was obliged to leave Florence that same afternoon. Finding such to be the case, the 'Squire tiirin-1 to Kate and Cecil, and told them he should not detain them from the proposed excursion for that day; bade his niece not think of giving it up on his account ; and smilingly told her that he should do very well without her for these few hours, and that she must try and dc without him for the like short time, just for once in a way. There had been a riding-jaunt and pic-nic planned to Fiesole and its neighbourhood ; Kate and her uncle having promised Cecil to be of the party, to which they had been invited, and which had been made up for him by some young friends of his in Florence to whom he had brought letters of introduction on liis first arrival. There were ladies among them, sisters of his male acquaintances, so that 'Squire Hoathcotc had no hesitation 160 THE IRON COUSIN. in sending his niece, although he could not go with her, tolling Cecil he confided her to his care, and saying that they were to return straight to Valletta, instead of coming back through Florence, as he should probably be home long before them, the 'Squire went away with his old companion, in high spirits and glee. The equestrian portion of the cavalcade consisted of some fashionable young people, residing there for the season ; whose parents, having been formerly acquainted with the Darner family, Cecil Lascelles was received with much cordiality among them, when he tendered his mother's credentials of presentation. The elders went in carriages ; and altogether, the party formed a con siderable assemblage. The spot where they were to dine, was on one of the umbrageous lawns in the gardens of Pratolino. The ride thither was very entertaining to Kate Ire ton. There was sprightly conversation going on between Cecil Lascelles and his acquaintances, to which she listened with the amusement and in- terest of one who had seldom associated with young people of her own age. It was curious to her, who had seen no specimen of the genus, fashionable young lady, save Alicia White, this opportunity of watching some of their appearance and beha viour. There was a dashing girl, named Constantia Sniythe, sister to a young cavalry officer, who looked like her brother's counter- part, rather exaggerated ; for while he lisped and used essence on his pocket-handkerchief, and wore extremely shiny boots, which he seemed sadly afraid would get covered with dust, and had an eye-glass screwed into his eye to inspect the accurate fit- ting of his lemon-coloured kid gloves, she talked in a loud, abrupt voice, stuck her handkerchief into the breast of her habit, cared nothing for displaying her boots, dusty or not dusty, in mounting and dismounting, stared straight at every thing, and boldly at every body ; drew up her riding gauntlets with the tug of a dragoon, and slashed the skirt of her habit with her whip, as a man slaps his knee, to give emphasis to her speech. There was a die away girl, who languished and simpered, and protested THE IRON COUSIN. 16l he was sinking with fatigue, and fainting with the heat, and swooning with exhaustion and excitement. There was a sketch ing girl, who was always begging them to stop, even if they could not wuit while she took some " charming bit," or some " point of view," or some " chiaro-scuro effect." There was a sentimen- tal girl ; a poetical girl ; and a scientific girl ; who each worked hard to impress upon the bystanders the peculiar characteristic! which she chose to adopt as her becoming individuality. No professional young woman could have been more assiduous and diligent at her calling than these amateur young ladies at their trade of self-exhibition ; yet each of them could, upon occasion, inveigh against actresses, sneer at singers, and scorn artists of all kinds. It was edifying to hear them expatiate upon the vanity, the public display, the mercenariness, the indelicacy, the degra- dation of person and talent, in such people ; but conceit, show* oil', calculations of rent-rolls, submitting to court and be courted without one spark of preference, seeking matches with shameless eagerness, and making a mart of accomplishments, with wealthy wedlock in view, instead of exerting themselves with independent livelihood as an object, were quite different matters. ' Why, Lascelles ! " shouted Miss Constantia Smythe to Ce- cil (.she invariably addressed men by their surnames, without any superfluous prefatory ' Mr.'), and glancing at Kate Ireton as she spoke, " what a silent addition to the party, your companion Miss What's her-name, is 1 Is she too timid to speak ? Tell her not to be afraid of us. We sha'n't eat her up at a mouthful." " I'm not at all timid ; and I'm sure I have nothing to fear from any of you," replied Kate, answering for herself, and with a roguish smile in her eyes. " You, none of you, I think would be able to gobble me up, even if I were dainty enough to tempt you.' 1 " But you might be afraid of another kind of snapping up, more terrible than being munched and eaten. I mean i|uizzing, child. You might be afraid, if you entered into talk, wo might be tempted to cut you up, though we mightn't eat you, you know." " I don't know what quizzing i.s, woman," said Kate, laughing " Woman ! " echoed Miss Smythe, indignantly. 162 THE IRON COUSIN. " Child 1 " returned Kate, in the same tone, but still laughing tt If I am young enough to be called ' child,' you are, perhaps womanly enough to be called ' woman.' " There was a smile on Cecil Lascelles' lips, and on that of one or two other young men who rode nearest to the speakers, at this palpable hit of Kate's at Miss Constantia's manly style. Miss Smythe caught the expression of their faces, and looked, for a moment, nettled. The next instant, she burst into a loud laugh, and exclaimed, with that peculiar slash of her whip before mentioned, " Corpo di Bacco ! as they say here, that's not bad ! I've a notion that it's some or other of us who'll have to be afraid, not you. For a young lady innocent, who don't know what quiz- zing means, it's a tolerable beginning." " I'm happy to take a hint of fashionable practices, from one who seems so accomplished in them," said Kate. " A hint to avoid, or a hint to acquire ? " asked Miss Smythe. " I leave you to judge which would become me best," answer- ed Kate. " Ah, you're a sly puss, I can see, with' all your quiet ways. Once rouse you from your sleek silence, and you can show your teeth, and claws too, with the best of us. But I like you none the worse for it ; I like you none the worse for it. I admire a girl of spirit." " I might retort the ' sly puss ' with ' you're a jolly dog,' or ' well done, my buck ! ' But you might take such names as too complimentary ; others might say, ' I like you the worse for them ; I like you the worse for them.'" " Here, Lascelles, Byng, Maberley, one of you creatures, come and take this gentle damsel off my hands ! She's too much for me, I own," said Miss Constantia, pushing back her hat from her forehead, and looking round her with a laugh. " You can't have too much of a good thing, surely," smirked Ensign. Byng, as he moved his horse towards Kate ; " and Mis.^ Ireton has been saying nothing but good things for the last ten minutes." " Pert things can't be called good things, can they ?" replied THE IRON COUSIN. 168 bf u Bad things, rather ; and bad things are apt to be offen- sive things. Let rae assure Miss Smythe that they were not meant offensively, though they might be spoken a little flippantly, for the sake of answering her own smart jesting." Miss Constantia Smythe burst into her horse-laugh, assuring 4vate that she was a good soul, and she heartily forgave her for any rudeness, and would have liked her better if she hadn't shown the white feather at last by apologizing. " There's nothing craven in apology, when you know yourself to blame : if I hadn't felt that I really was perhaps rude in speaking as I did to a perfect stranger, I should never have dreamed of offering a single word that seemed like owning I was wrong," said Kate. " It'th a deuthed baw, that owning one 'th wrong," lisped the young officer, Constantia' s brother ; " I don't know a thing at all, that'th a maw deuthed and dethided baw, than athking pardon, and forgiveueth, and tho-fawth. A brathe of pithtolth, and fawty patheth, are thicthty timeth better, any day." " Even if you have, through mistake, hurt a person's feelings, do you think it would be better to risk killing him, or to give him a chance of blowing your at least of shooting you through the head, than to say you're sorry?" said Kate. " Oh, thpare me, pray, Mith Ireton ! " drawled Mr. Henry Wne; "I'm not equal to a wit You're a wit, you know! Now, I never pretended to be a wit, and never thall be a wit, and haven't the leatht dethire to be a wit." You are better than a wit ; you are a wise man," she said. ' You have self-knowledge, and are above setting your heart upon hopeless and unattainable objects. They say, a contented mind is a perpetual feast; what an epicurean life you must bad < i:il ! Talking of feathting, and epicureth and tho-fawth," h<- returned, with more energy of manner than he had yet shown, " I'm curthed hungry, I can tell you that ! I wonder when w shall ever arrive at thith dcuthed what-ye-call-'em plathe Pr tolino:" 1 164 THE IRON COUSIN. " It's not far off now," said young Maberley. " And a good thing too ! Then we shall have a glass of champagne all round, which'll do us good. It's confounded slow, this pic-nic-mg busi- ness all but the eating and drinking part of the concern." " Oh, you Goth ! " exclaimed the sentimental young lady , which he, taking as a flattering token that she wished to have little flirtation, rode round to her side, and indulged her by listening to the silly nothings, and sickly platitudes, she com- menced levelling at his heir ship to three thousand a-year. When they arrived at Pratolino, there was a general descent from the carriages, and dismounting from horseback, that the whole party might stroll through the lovely grounds. " Lascelles, my good fellow ! come and give me your shoulder ! " cried Miss Constantia Smythe ; " though I can get off my horse myself, yet I don't scorn the help of a man, when I can get it! " And she laughed long and loud. " One moment, and I am at your service. Miss Smythe," returned Cecil, as he stayed by Kate, to assist her from her saddle. " Oh, there's Byng will attend to your young lady friend ! I see he's waiting to dismount her," returned Miss Smythe. " Come here, when I bid you." " Pardon me," answered Cecil Lascelles, without stirring ; " Miss Ireton's uncle gave her into my especial charge. I will but fulfil my duty, and then I'm at your disposal." " I'll take care of Miss Ireton. Miss Ireton, permit me," said Ensign Byng, gallantly advancing. " Excuse me," persisted Cecil, quietly ; {1 I was entrusted to attend upon Miss Ireton, and I cannot let another perform my office." " I would not have detained you so long, Cecil, but that the lash of my whip got entangled in the horse's net," said Kate " Now I am ready." Cecil lifted her down, and then drew her arm within his, as bo moved in the direction of Miss Smythe. " Give me leave one instant, Kate," he said, as he quitted THE IKON CODSIN. 105 her, to step forward, and yield the required aid to Miss Constan- tia ; but she leaped off before be could reach her side, crying with her usual horse-laugh : " You'll be a little quicker next time I ask you to lend me a hand, sir squire of dames! I can't wait all day, while you're dawdling and dangling after fifty other women before you come to me. Here, Byng ! give me your arm, there's a good fellow, for a ramble through the park. I'll pro- mise not to make too strong love to you ! You needn't be afraid to trust yourself with me." The party broke up into walking detachments, of two and two, or three and four together, according to the inclination of the moment, with the general understanding that they were all to meet at a particular spot, half an hour hence, for dinner. Kate and Cecil walked on, arm-in-arm, content to enjoy the beauty of the place in silence, and glad of a little peace and quiet, amid so much chatter, and criticism, and rapturizing that was pmiir on around them; but they were not long left undisturbed, since Miss Constantia Smythe took a fancy to lounge by Cecil's side, while Ensign Byng loitered near to Kate Ireton, entertain- ing her with a dissertation upon the last new opera produced at Florence, although she told him she had heard the music and knew it well. The repast went off, as such kind of repasts usually do ; that is to say, there was a great deal of needless profusion, each mem- ber of the party having been anxious not to be outdone in osten- tatious contribution by the others ; or, dreading to seem mean, had been foolishly extravagant ; and then, when all was over, no one choosing to reclaim their overplus, or have it collectively frathercd, it was wasted and left; grooms, horseboys, and people at the lodge, battening upon heaps of Strasburg pies, cold fowls, tongues in jelly, pates de-foie-gras, rich cakes, and floods of chain pagne. At loiiL'th, tli<> party re assembled, and the cavalcade was ro forn.cil to return to Florence, taking Fiesole in their way. 166 THE IRON COUSIN. CHAPTER XIX. " THO ! " exclaimed the young cavalry officer, as he fitted his glass into his eye, and held it there by a dexterous pinch of his brow and cheek, and looked around : " Tho ! thith ith the fnmouth thpot where the old chap thpyed at the Heaventh till he found out that the Earth didn't thtand thtock thtill, but thpun round ! " "Ay, this is indeed the 'top of Fiesole!' You remember, of course, Milton's splendid lines ? " said the poetical young lady. And as every body remembered them, she proceeded to mouth out the well-known passage, in a forced, unnatural strain, which if anything could destroy its beauty, would effectually have done so. It is a curious thing, that people rarely trust poetry to its own music, by uttering it in a natural tone, but must distort it into meaningless rant and bellow, on the plea of giving it due effect. The scientific young lady entered upon a discussion of the motion of the terrestrial globe, which went to prove that the Flo- rentine astronomer, so far from deserving any credit for his dis- covery, was all but a dolt, for not having earlier hit upon so self- evident a theory. The sentimental young lady declared that she " perfectly idol- ized that dear old Galileo ! and that he was a brave darling to speak his mind in the very teeth of the Inquisition." " But they brought him upon his marrow-bones, and made him eat his words, and threatened him with the infernal regions, if he found out any more such bewildering facts," said Ensign Byng ; " however this didn't seem to have the proper effect upon the sturdy old star-gazer, since he profanely muttered, as he rose from his knees, ' For all that, it moves ! ' " " In short, they told him he'd be d d if he insisted it did move, and he said he'd be d d if it didn't," observed young Maberley. " Upon my soul, this is all confounded slow. I'll tell you what, I can't stand it any longer. I vote, we're off to Flo THE IRON COUSIN. 167 rence, and leave this confounded, dull, stupid old bill, and ita eonceited old big-wig discoverer, and all his old humbug twaddle." " Oh, you abominable Vandal ! You vilest vile of wretches ! ' screamed the sentimental young lady, all the while looking unut- terable eiifourairemcnt at him. " I think you'll enjoy Fiesole better, some other day, when your uncle and you and I come here by ourselves, Kate, sha'n't you ? " said Cecil Lascelles, as he led his companion down tho short declivity, at the foot of which the party had been obliged to leave the horses and carriages, that they might walk up to the summit and brow of the hill only to be reached on foot Kate Ireton gave a smiling nod in return, and then added :i Vt-t I'm glad, too, that I've seen it as I have done; otherwise, I could hardly imagine how the charm of such a scene should be so marred by triviality, or how it should fail of inspiring a rath- er soberer frame of mind a little more of the silence of respect and good feeling. I can scarcely understand idle chattering in a scene like this, filled as it is, too, with such sublime associations ! " She stopped, as she spoke, to gaze. The flood of warm, gol- den, afternoon-light poured in a rich stream upon the grand ex- tent of valley which the spot on which they stood commanded. In the middle distance lay the green luxuriance of vines, corn- fields, and orange-groves, covering the plain for miles with ita fer- tile, verdurous beauty ; studded with white villas, and broken into varied, picturesque compartments of farm, orchard, and agricultu- ral enclosure. In the farther distance might be seen, glistening brightly amid tho universal sunny effusion, the towers and domes of tin- lively city, " Firenze la bella," truly named, rearing their proud crests with stately majesty, upon the brink of Arno, that sm>U-lies its silver line away on either side, straight across the fair valley. In the extreme distance beyond, lay the undulating, gently-rising eminence, which skirts and encloses the scene with its f!M].ii!-] 1--<1 horizon, forming a magnificent back-ground to the picture Kate beheld. Slu- dn-w :i l>re;itli >f BO j- She lay '.ooking nut UJH.M the lovely Italian lainlseajn-, AH if 182 THE IRON COUSIN. she would enamel it upon her memory, in all its glow of burning colour. There was a hush in the closely-screened room, that contrast- ed harmoniously with the noontide fervour outside, falling tran- quilly and most gratefully upon the spirits of Kate Ireton. Tho silent chess-players ; Mrs. Lindon quietly sewing ; she herself ab- sorbed in gazing. " Kate looks as though she could be content to live in Italy for ever," said Mrs. Lindon's mild voice, at length, " God forbid ! " ejaculated the 'Squire. Then, recollecting himself, he added, " that is, I mean, of course, no offence to your favourite Italy, Mrs. Lindon. And, of course, so long as Kate's content, I am, we all are, of course." In spite of himself, the 'Squire ended with a little sigh. But he bent his eyes on the chess-board, returned to his game, and to the consideration of his next move. The sigh did not escape Kate's ear. That, and his involun- tary exclamation, delivered in the energy of his first feeling, open- ed her eyes to a secret. She saw that to please her, he tarried abroad ; whilst, in fact, his heart was at home at his own coun- try hall, at his own favourite Heathcote among all his old asso- ciates, and familiar pursuits. She wondered at her own blindness. She reproached herself with thoughtlessness selfishness. That evening, as they drove home by starlight, she said, " Uncle, I thank you for my long, delightful, Italian holiday. When shall we return to England ? " " Whenever you please, darling," said her uncle, with a glad promptitude, which told Kate how truly she had divined his real feelings. " Then next Monday, uncle, if you think fit, we will set forth." And thus it was settled. Cecil Lascelles accompanied them as far on their journey north- wards as Genoa. There the friends parted company; he proceed- ing to Milan, the 'Squire and Kate to Nice, on their road home, with the mutual understanding that they were all to meet again that summer at Heathcote. TILE IKON COUSIN. 183 CHAPTER XXI. UNCLK and niece were once more at Heathcote Hall. The 'Squire sat at his own hearth ; his legs luxuriously stretched forth upon a thick, soft rug ; his person basking in the full warmth of a blaz- ing coal fire, that, sparkling and lambent, cast its cheerful, ruddy glow upon the bright fire-irons and polished steel fender, giving two-fold heat and brilliancy, thus mirrored and reflected. It was an evening of the season called spring in England so called as elsewhere. That is to say, the month was May. The evening was one of those, that seem .as if winter had forgotten something, and had come back to look for it: in the process, freez- ing everybody into blankness and trembling, with the severe glance of his hard, cold, cruel eye; nipping all into frost and bit- ter restraint, by his icy breath, and sharp, rude touch. It was one of those evenings, raw, and chill, and piercing; with the sleet of February, the winds of March, the rains of April, making them- i-elvcs felt in the air of early May. It neither snowed, blew, nor mined, actually; and yet there was an effect in the atmosphere, :i* of all three visitations. Kate Ireton sat at the window; she had been loitering at one or other of the windows all day, in a kind of listless restlessness, us i! she could not settle to anything, and as if she expected some- thing that would not let her settle, in spite of her wish to do so, looking out into the park, and watching the trees of the avonm- ; noting how their budding leaves seemed chidden, afraid to conn forth ; and how their half-naked branches seemed to shiver in the keen air; and how watery and bleared the sky appeared, with it- thin, grev, ragged clouds, scattered in disorder athwart its drear; expanse. " This is comfort, indeed ! True, cheerful, thorough, genuine Knirli^h comfort!" exclaimed the 'S-juire, as ho put down the newspaper to ^:i7.> into th<- fin-: th- twilight having deepened too much to admit of hi - r 184 THE IRON COUSIN. Her uncle's words sounded to Kate like irony ; butshegfanced towards him, and understood how it was. " Dear old England I dear old Heathcote! the true place for comfort and happiness, after all ! I confess I'm a thorough Eng- lishman hi loving my home, and thinking there's no place like it. An't you glad we're come home, Kate ? " " Most glad," she replied, with so sincerely earnest a tone as to satisfy even his ear ; for she was looking at him in his full con- tent, and feeling how well that compensated. " It's such a comfort to be able to haye a fire, however late the season, without being thought a madman for ordering one," con- tinued the 'Squire, leaning forward, and gently toasting the palms of his hands. Kate's thought in reply was, " Ay, in a climate where one is needed ; " but she kept it to herself, and looked musingly out into the dim, shrouded avenue again. Presently she saw somewhat there, gradually shaping itself into the form of an advancing figure. She started up, then sat down again in the window-seat, and tried to master an odd choking sensation that came into her throat, amidst the thick beating of her heart. Then she heard her uncle's voice saying, through a sort of cloud that seemed to muffle her ears, " Come here, Kate, and try if you can make out the same thing that I do in the red-hot coal. 1 can exactly fancy I see the leaning towei at Pisa, as we saw it clear against the bright blue sky that morning. Do you remember ? " She moved towards his easy-chair, and knelt down upon a low hassock beside it, leaning against the arm, and was busily engaged trying to see, precisely in the midst of the fire, the shapes her uncle was describing, when the door opened, and Fur- nor Worthington came into the room. He hurried towards them : " Dear 'Squire ! Dear Kate ! Jear, dear friends 1 " he said, in his deep, full tones, as he grasped a hand of each, and held them locked in his. The meeting was perfectly English ; there were few words uttered on either side ; but there was that silent, earnest emo- THE IRON COUSIN. 185 tion, visible in all three faces, BO well understood by those whc tstecm each other, to speak all that need be said. Tlic 'Squire, in his cordial, good-hearted way, was least una- ble to express his joy ; but even his usual flow of words when pleased, failed him now, and he was contented to shake Former's hand over and over, as he repeated his one sentence : " My deal boy ! my dear Fermor ! I am glad to see you ! I am glad tc see you ! " Kate spoke no syllable ; but she left her hand in the Iron Cousin's grasp, and forgot to say anything about its vice-like pinch. " I would not let Robert announce me," said Fermor, after they had re-covered from the first pause of meeting; " I knew I might come quietly in, and find you here together, and take my place between you, just as I used to be allowed to do in old times. And now that I am here, it seems, indeed, but yester- day, although so many weary months have passed since then ! " He had taken a seat by the 'Squire's side, Kate retaining her cushioned one on the rug, merely moving a little to make room for him ; and while the 'Squire gently spoke of the loss Fermor had sustained, and affectionately consoled him with recalling how unselfishly and thoroughly he had performed his filial duty, Kate bent her eyes upon the fire, their expression betokening the sympa- thy she felt. A - Fermor listened to those kindly words, and looked upon the silent, but not unspeaking face before him, he thought he had never seen Kate look so beautiful, as now that her counte- nance was touched with a soft, sweet sadness ; forgetting how of- ten he had thought the same, when it was lighted up with anima- tion, and sparkling with arch vivacity. But Kate had, in fact, become handsomer. Her lineaments had acquired that fini>hed proportion, that softness and refine- ment of outline, which the features of early youth and girlhood t-ometimes lack, during their growth to fiiui perfection. Her com- plexion had attained a delicacy and puri*y, which detracted nothing from it- brilliancy and bloom. Her figure had gained in height, and dignity of carriage, and fully-moulded shapeliness, without losing (86 THE IRON COUSIN. its grace of ease, freedom of movement, and slender lightness Her look had still its clear, transparent candour, with an added finer intelligence, and higher apprehension. As the beautiful face continued its thoughtful gaze into the red embers, Fermor had full opportunity of noting its ripened perfections : she, sitting at their feet, while her uncle and cousin talked on, mournfully at first, gravely then, and, at length, trust- fully, hopefully, cheerfully. " And you have not told me your news, 'Squire," he said, as the conversation paused ; " you have not told me how you liked your wanderings abroad ; how you bore your absence from old England ; how you tolerated foreign habits, relished foreign cook- ery, and found the foreigners themselves. As for Kate, I need not ask whether she enjoyed travelling. It is evident that her own prediction is fulfilled, and that she has brought back embel- lishment, without injury to the native gold. Italy has been rightly called a land of beauty, and seems to yield a crop that may be gathered and imported." " While we have been rubbing off rusticity abroad, you seem to have been so fearful of rusticating at home, that you have em- ployed your time in reviving your recollections of foreign com- pliment, to receive us suitably on our return," said Kate, glanc- ing up at him ; " and, pray, how does your eagerness to hear un- cle's news sort with your coming here so late ? We arrived yes- terday. Is it possible 'Squire Heathcote's return caused so little sensation in the neighbourhood that you did not hear of his ar- rival for more than four-and-twenty hours after? " " I heard it last night, and should have ridden over the first thing this morning, but that I had business to do which would not bear delay," he replied. " Ah-ha ! The Iron Cousin ! ' Je te rcconnais bien la, mon cher,' Monsieur le Fer!" she exclaimed, laughing. " ' He s;i\.- his name is Master Fer,' indeed, in that one little sentence, at truly as though he had uttered a dozen ! " " How you are running on, Kate ! What do you mean ? What arc you talking about ? " said her uncle, who was some' THE IRON COUSIN". 187 times puzzled by her sudden mad-cap flights of allusion and illustration. " Nothing, uncle; I am only amused to see how the bar to his coming, rang true metal upon proof. I guessed it was some such iron impediment that kept the Iron Cousin from coming to welcome us home, as as he ought to have done." " As he wished to have done as he would have done had not a less pleasant duty called for his first care. It was serious, it was of importance, or I should assuredly not have let it inter- fere with my strongest wish. But I have always found that I can enjoy the accomplishment of my wishes best when I have left nothing to reproach myself with, in their pursuit; and I could not have come to Heathcote to see you both, this morning, knowing I had neglected that which would have been neglected irretrievably, by my doing so. I could not have looked you both in the face, I could not have grasped hands, I could not have ex- changed greetings with the free, unshackled soul, which such happiness should be tasted with, if But no matter for the cause ; suffice it, it was impossible my coming this morning, as I desired." " My dear fellow ! you are only too good to give us this ex- planation," said the 'Squire. " I have no doubt your motive was a good one, and that you were quite right. All I have to Bay is, come when you will and can, you are always welcome here." " ' Right ! ' " echoed Kate ; " of course he was. Who ever questioned the Iron Cousin's being quite ' right ' in all he does , or, who ever questioned his ' right, 1 his perfect ' right,' to do as he thinks fit ? Whatever he resolves upon, is sure to bo ' wisest, virtunusest, discreetest, best ; ' and he has undoubted title to per- form it after his own supremely wise, virtuous, discreet, and best |..^ililf fashion." " If the Iron Cousin is unchanged, plain-spoken, sari Kate is no Uss so," remarked I'Yrmor Worthington, in liis own smilinir tone. " Would you have her clian^'.-.l ''. " uhc replied. 188 THE IRON COUSIN. we're both admirably well as we are ; true to our respective qualities. You, a lump of impenetrable ore sterling enough, perhaps, in its grim, sober, respectable way; I, blunt, odd, and, possibly, unpolished and rough too, in my way ; just sufficient to prove my being of kin to the iron substance." " Ah, Fermor ! how glad I am to be at home again ! " said the 'Squire. " It was but a moment before you came in that I was saying to Kate, there's no place, after all, like dear old England ! " " For delectable weather none, certainly," said Kate, going towards the window, and looking out upon the dark, starless night. " The wind is rising. Hark ! how it is whistling you to come forth and enjoy the zephyrs this fine May evening. The ride home to Worthington will be passing pleasant. Somewhat chill and moist, perhaps ; the reverse of balmy. Nevertheless, a touch of distastefulness will but recommend it to the Iron Cousin. His nerves are braced against disagreeables : his pre- ference lies that way." " Fermor, you won't think of returning to Worthington to-night ? You will take a bed here, of course," said the 'Squire. " I wish I could," returned Fermor ; " but the fact is, the affair which rendered my presence necessary this morning, will require it again the first thing to-morrow, in order to complete what I want to achieve. I don't know why I should make a mys- tery of it nor do I wish to affect one only In short, there is a poor fellow whose trial is pending at the assize-town yonder, for poaching ; and as I have every reason to believe him hardly dealt by, if not absolutely innocent of the charge brought against him by an oppressor and persevering enemy of his, I am deter- mined to lose no chance of bringing him off, if, by my attendance in court, by my countenance and support there, and by aiding him in his defence, I can effect what I hope his honourable ucquittal." " My dear fellow ! " said the Squire, u I'm heartily glad to find that you are beginning your career of country gentleman an THE IRON COUSIN. 189 you onght ; helping your poor neighbours, and taking an active part in looking into their grievances, and seeing em righted. Only be sure that they are in their rights." " Oh, in a question of ' rights ' and ' righting,' you may safely trust the Iron Cousin, uncle," said Kate. " Yes, yes ; I know," rejoined the 'Squire ; " all I mean is, don't be led away by any romantic notions about poachers, Fer- aior, my boy 1 Depend on it, they're a bad lot a very bad lot. Perhaps this fellow is only imposing on you, with a plausible story of his innocence. I always make it a ru.e to suspect a poacher of lying, or any enormity. If a chap will break into your preserves, and steal a bird, why not rob your house, or cut your throat ? If he'll springe a hare, why shouldn't he commit any other baseness cheat, thieve, pilfer, or tell you a whining, pitiful tale of starving, and oppression, and persecution, and I know not what, which these fellows can always get up ? " " My dear 'Squire," said Fermor, with his grave smile, " I don't know that I'm prepared to go quite so far as you do, even supposing a man were convicted of being a poacher ; but the one I speak of I firmly believe never committed this most heinous of offences in a sportsman's eye ; although circumstances and pre- sumptive evidence are so strongly against him, that it behoves me to try all in my power to have him cleared. I shall not rest till 1 do." " You have my best wishes for a speedy rest, good cousin," nail Kate. " Meantime I will retire to mine, while you ride forth into the bleak delights of this May night" " And be sure you let us have the earliest news of what ver- dict you obtain," said the 'Squire. " We shall expect you over iit 1 1 . .ithcotc the first moment you can come. In all probability you will find an addition to our party. While we were abroad, I heard the news of aunt Mustley's death. I find she has left tin- bulk of her property, which was large, to our mutual connections, the Whites of Kj^liam 1'ark. The old lady hud a perfect right to do as she liked with her own, of course. Hut as it wa al- \jiceteiJ-.-l don't know how it mi taken thus for 190 THE IRON COUSIN. grtinted that the old gentlewoman would leave her money to mo as her nephew, and nearest relation. I only know it was generally talked of among them as an understood thing however, as this was always expected, upon finding that we were all mistaken, I thought it would be only right, and kind, and friendly, just to show that I felt no grudge or jealousy against the Whites, poor things ! who were of course not to blame, if my aunt would leave them her fortune instead of me, to invite them here for a visit on our return to England. We found a letter waiting for us on our arrival, to say that Mr. and Mrs. White were unable to leave home just at present, but that their daughter would be delighted to spend some time with us at Heathcote ; and that we might ex- pect her on the fifth, which is the day after to-morrow. Being about Kate's age, she'll make a nice companion for her ; .so I'm glad she's coming." CHAPTER XXII. Miss WHITE, attended by her maid, Dawson, reached the Hall on the day appointed. She brought another very amiable letter from her mamma, Mrs. White, repeating how much pleased she was that her daughter should have this opportunity of prosecut- ing an acquaintance with Miss Ireton, to whom Alicia, she said, had taken quite a fancy, when they met formerly. This, as Mrs. White knew it would, went straight to the heart of the 'Squire, The letter went on to say, that it was well to encourage friend- ships between young girls where the attachment was likely to be BO mutually advantageous. This she thought extremely conde- scending, and would seem both candid and generous. Farther, the letter stated that, especially where ties of family connection bound the two parties, it was advisable that these intimacies should be fostered ; and that for her part she approved of pro moting good understanding amongst kindred. There was one thing which the letter did not say. which was, that Mrs. Whitg THE IKON COUSIN. 191 was particularly glad that her daughter should be in the neigh bourhood, and have frequent opportunities of meeting Feimor Worthington, Esq., of Worthington Court, whom she had long had in her eye as an eligible match. But this there was no need of mentioning. The letter was seconded by an affable message from Mr. White ; while both letter and message were delivered with a pretty little speech from herself, by Miss White. She had a recommendatory, ingratiatory way with her when she spoke, as if solicitous of favour, and seeking good opinion, at each word, look, or gesture. She was always dressed with ex- tremest care, and had the air of being perpetually on her best be- haviour. She was moderately pretty and passed for very pretty, by dint of letting it be understood that she was considered so, and by making her style of adornment proclaim her pretensions, answer to the assumed point, and aid as much as possible to rendering it a fact. ' My clear Miss Ireton," she began, the first time she and Kate were alone. " Call me Kate," interrupted the latter ; " the formality of sur- name is awkward among those who live in a house together." " True, quite true ; besides, it is so much more agreeable be- tween friends : and I hope you and I shall become friends quite friends bosom friends dear Kate. And you must call me Ali- cia. Well, but I was going to say, what a delight it will be to me to see all your beautiful things that you've brought from 1. You must show me all your lovely foreign fashions ; and instruct my poor English ignorance in what it is proper to vrear." " I'm afraid I am a very bad authority in dress," said Kate. u You should be the adept, for your toilette looks to me as far as I'm a judge the perfection of good taste and elegance." " Do you think so ? You arc very kind,'' replied Miss White, looking delighted. " Well, perhaps, so far, I am likely to be well dressed ; for papa allows me unlimited expense in that article ; and mamma deals with a London milliner, who visits Paria regu- larly every season '' 192 THE IRON COUSIN. " Then how could you talk of your ' Eaglish ignorance ? ' " said Kate. Miss White looked a little disconcerted at this blunt question ; but, as a less difficulty than finding a reply to it, she returned to another clause of the subject. " Well, but you must not forget to show me all your bcauti- knick-knacks." " What beautiful knick-knacks ? " said Kate. " Why, your cameos, mosaics, or carved corals. You know what I mean ; those thousand charming elegancies of curious jew- ellery, that every body brings with them from abroad, from It- aly, where I hear you've been." " No, I really have none of these things you mention ; not a single brooch or bracelet. My uncle more than once would have treated me to trinkets ; but I knew that the holiday journey he was indulging me with must cost a great deal of money, so I would not let him buy me one bauble." " You have great influence with your uncle, haven't you ? r asked Alicia White, musingly. " He is very good ; he lets me do just as I like with him Why do you ask ? " answered Kate. " Oh, nothing ; I only meant you use your power different- ly from what some girls would," replied Miss White. " Many would only think of getting the ornaments ; you prevented their purchase. I admire your forbearance." " There's nothing to admire," said Kate. " I don't care much for ornaments ; and if I did, I should have thought it wrong to obtain them from uncle, when I knew they led him to spend more than he could perhaps well afford." " That's an excellent way of thinking; and I feel quite proud that I may hope to form a friendship with one who has such charming principles," said Miss White, in her tone of blandish- ment. " I believe I ought to say thank you, for making me such a pretty speech," said Kate, laughing. " But I fear I'm almost as ungrateful for pretty speeches, as I'm indifferent about trin- kets. You must not waste them upon me, Alicia." THE IRON COUSIN. 193 Miss White dealt in " pretty speeches ;" she had quite a fcnae.k at making them, and delighted in receiving them ; she would introduce them in the most ingenious way ; devising little plots and plans for opportunities to bring them in herself, and laying little traps to obtain, if possible, a return in kind. She liked " pretty speeches ;" they looked pretty in her, and sounded prettily from others. She had always a neat and appropriate stock of them on hand ; and expected her associates to be equally well provided. She felt grateful and winning while she uttered them ; gracious and gratified when they were responded to. She thought they wonderfully became her own small mouth ; and were particularly pleasing from manlier ones ; they eat smoothly on her lips, and sweetly tickled her car. She fancied she looked especially well and amiable, so soft, so engaging, while mincing out her own " pretty speeches ;" and was conscious of looking her best when languishingly listening and smiling to those in reply. She liked " pretty speeches'' most with gentlemen; but she did not neglect them with women. She lavished them quite as frequently upon her own sex ; feeling that they gave her a grace with the other. She considered a " a pretty speech '' never thrown away ; it either brought her ready payment, or gained her credit. She had either immediate interest for her outlay, or me interesting on the strength of it. These favourite "pretty speeches" of Miss White, so far frnin finding favour with Kate Ireton, were peculiarly distasteful to her. Instead of charming, they always had the effect of irri- tating her. Instead of appearing winning and attractive, they .irtrd repulsively. They seemed somehow to detract from Ali- cia's power of gaining upon her regard, rather than aid it in inspiring more. She felt as if they grated, inexplicably and in- expressibly, upon her wish to try and like the companion her uncle had chosen, sufficiently well for a friend. Whenever Alicia White made one of those "pretty speeches ' Kate Treton ielt involuntarily repelled ; and whenever she seomod to expect one from her, Kate was seized with a sudden incapability of uUerini: anything else than the most untoward reply, or an uu possibility to get out a single word of any sort. 9 194 THE IRON COUSIN. Breakfast was hardly over, the morning after Miss White's arrival at Heathcote Hall, when, as she was standing by the 'Squire's chair, expatiating on the beauties of his park, and cast ing her eyes towards it while she spoke, she suddenly exclaimed : " Ah, here's young Mr. Worth ington coming up the avenu* I shall be so pleased to see him again. What a very superior young man he is ! " " ' Superior !' To what ? To whom 'i To all other young men, do you mean ? " said Kate. " Well, perhaps I do," said Miss White, looking down and playing with the tassels of her morning-dress. " At any rate, he's greatly superior to the common run of young men. But you mustn't tell him I say so." " Certainly not," said Kate, quietly. Miss White looked rather blank, as if this were not exactly the reply she had expected. When Fermor entered the room, Kate was struck with hia appearance. She saw that he was a good deal altered ; that he looked thin and worn. What she had not noticed, by the uncer- tain glimmer of the fire-lit room, in the first excitement of meet- ing, she perceived now that she beheld him fully, in broad day- light. The sight of his black coat, too, moved her ; and after bidding him good morning, while her uncle presented him and Miss White to one another, she went over to the window-seat, and stood looking out. Presently, she was joined by Alicia White ; Fermor remain- ing to talk with the 'Squire about the issue of the supposed poacher's trial, which had ended in undoubted proof of his innocence. " How interesting young Mr. Worthington looks in his mourn- ing for his father ! " said Miss White, in a lowered but suffi- ciently distinct tone, in which she was given to talk of people in their presence, half aside. " ' Interesting ! ' That's an epithet for a young lady ! I should never have dreamed of applying it to the Iron Cousin ! " returned Kate THE IRON COUSIN. 195 u And how pale he looks ! Quite wan and wasted," conti- nued Miss White. " He really should have advice. He has nr one to take care of him, now; no mother, no parent. I declare. I .jiiite pity him. Don't you ? " " N'o ; pity is not for the Iron Cousin." What makes you call young Mr. Worthington at least, I shouldn't say ' young' Mr. Worthington any longer ; he's Mr. Worthington now, poor fellow ! since he's lost his father, but what makes you call him by that odd name, Kate? So harsh ; so ugly ; so unfit." " It's precisely because I think it so fit, that I call him by it," replied she. " Nay, Kate, now you're joking. Surely, you can't think that gruff, plain, uncouth, ill-favoured title, a suitable one for him; a young man so handsome, so distinguished-looking; with such a noble air, such a " " You forget he's not deaf, in addition to his other personal advantages ; and you're rather freely discussing them," inter- rupted Kate. " You'll offend him, or put him to the blush ; and then you'll have to ask his pardon, which I should think would not be pleasant." Miss White was silenced, for the moment. Presently she said : " Kate, dear, where's your work-basket, or work-box, 01 whatever you use for your drawing-room work ? " " I have no drawing room work," she answered. SometimtM I help Matty with her disagreeable useful work, as I call it, work that must be done, just the actual necessary house noi die- work, making and mending, and so forth ; or now and then, 1 knit a stout comforter for uncle's throat, or a pair of cuffs. But I dn it at odd times, only when I'm obliged; and I have uo set work-table, or box, or basket " " Oh, I can't do without my little bit of fancy work, I own," paid M : --- White. " It employs one's hands s lv. There- for.-, I l;r..ii'_'ht my box with me, that \v> might I"' '1'iite notable and .. tM. . I'll ring, and desire them to tell Dawson to bring it for me. it' you'll allow inc." 196 THE IRON COUSIN. u By all means," said Kate. When the work-box was brought, it proved to be quite an elegant casket ; of mother-o'-pearl, and silver inlaying, and ornamented finish. It was of fairy proportions ; and had dainty little trays, filled with orderly rows of needles, of various kinds. and sizes, and degrees of slenderness and length, for knitting and netting crotchet not being then in vogue. Smooth littio ivory shuttles for tatting, curious little machines and devices for knotting, followed next. Star-shaped winders, with silks of every colour in the rainbow were there ; and singularly enough, all quite full -not a thread displaced, not an end disturbed, not one begun. Supplies of new skeins were also there ; equally un- broached, in their original integrity. Underneath the whole, lay a little morsel of cambric, tacked upon an elaborate pattern of close French embroidery which was begun, and only begun ; from month to month, whoever had had the curiosity to inspect Miss White's box, that cambric worked collar would have been found precisely in the same stage of advancement. With the cambric work, lay a commenced purse, that is to say, a few rows, with a few beads upon them, and a winder of silk, strung with more, ready for use. This, Miss White took out ; and began knitting, with her white hands and slender fingers, in a proper attitude for showing them to the best advantage ; just as Fcrmor Worthington, having finished his chat with the 'Squire, approached the table in the window-seat, where she and Kate Ireton were. " Let me see what kind of a purse you have> Kate, dear," she said. " I dare say it is something very exquisite ; some Parisian novelty or other. Let me look at it." " Nay, it is only this grum, dingy, brown thing," said Kate laughing, as she produced an old-fashioned plain purse, that had evidently seen service " It was one of Matty's knitting, to take abroad, as a keepsake from her. It went all my travels with me, therefore I've had rather an affection for it, and kept it disgrace- fully long in use on that account ; but it really is worn out ; and as my good nurse this morning replaced it by another, I must e'en THE IRON COUSIN. 197 throw it away, not to shame her." And Kate emptied the content* into the new one, which she took from her pocket, throwing th other into a shred-basket that stood upon the table. ' I was going to offer to knit you one, Kate, dear ; but I must not -nfMTSfilt Matty," said Miss White. "I think, Mr. Worth- iiiirt'in, you must let me finish this purse for you," she added, turning with a captivating smile to Fermor. "It will give me an objsrt for working hard to get it done." ' You are very good," he said, with his grave smile; "but I fear those bright colours and gay beads will be too smart for my wear. The matter; take your needle and thread, when I bid you, and sew it up in the best way you can." Alter two words of your phrase, and I'll see what I can do," she returned. " Say silk, for ' thread ; ' and ask, for ' bid.' You men have no notion of anything but needle and thread, when stitchery is in question ; and I've no notion of being bidden." " The old dread of being ordered ! " laughed Fermor. " The old love of command ! " retorted she, in the same tone. ' Will you take needle and silk, and do as I ask you?" hi said, holding it towards her, and looking steadily and smilingly in her face. 'He is more absolute in his asking than his bidding," said Kate, as she took the purse from his hand, and turned to search tor what she required ; "just as ironly bent upon getting his own ray, and no less determined not to be gainsaid." Mnro undeniable and irresistible, because more persuasive,' said Miss White. 198 THE IRON COUSIN. " At any rate, he has made his demand in the prescribed words, and I must e'en abide by mine," said Kate, as she drew the holes together, and made the " grum brown " strong and whole if not very neat or sightly. Just as this was achieved, an exclamation of surprise and pleasure from the 'Squire, caused them all to look up; and they saw, approaching the house, a gentleman on horseback, a stran- ger to Fermor Worthington and to Alicia White, but evidently none to Kate and her uncle, who both gave animated tokens of gratification. The 'Squire, followed by Kate, hurried out to receive the new comer in the hall, and meet him on his entrance. " Is it possible ? Here so soon ! We did not expect you for at least a fortnight or three weeks ! Can you have so soon tired of Venice ? Arrived in England already ! " Such were the exclamations which reached the ears of those in the parlour, from uncle and niece at once ; as they warmly wel- comed the guest, who leaped from his horse with equal eagerness to greet them. " Yes; I had a summons from my mother, which quickened my return. I am on my way to her now ; but having received letters* again since, saying there was no immediate hurry, and as Heath- cote Hall lay in my road to Cheltenham, I could not resist the temptation of calling to shake hands with my ' co-mates in exile,' and learn how they had reached their own land." "Well; quite well !" returned the 'Squire. "And now, let me introduce you to some friends of ours who are here. One of them you already know something of, by hearsay. The other is a fair lady, also related to us ; so you will find yourself quite at home." As Cecil Lascelles entered the parlour between the 'Squire and Kate, his frank, handsome face, and pleasant bearing, won prepossessingly and instantaneously upon those who were already there. Miss White rose, and graciously bent her head ; while Fermor Worthiugton came forward, and in his quiet, but earnest, cordial manner, spoke a few courteous words to Cecil, that showed he was known to him through their mutual friend the 'Squire's THE IRON COUSIN. 199 rcttcrs. Cecil was not slow to respond to his advance, in his own open, unaffected way; and as the 'Squire named the two young men to each other, adding : " My dear young friend and esteemed kinsman, Fermor Worthington," Cecil Lascelles turned with a gay look to Kate, and said : " Ah ! the Iron Cousin ? " She replied with a smiling nod, and then introduced him to Alicia White, adding : " We are a family party, in short ; and you will find yourself no less familiarly among us, than when we were all so snugly domesticated at Valetta beautiful Valetta ! We have, alas ! no vines, no Val d'Arno, no Florence here ; no sun, no blue sky, to offer you yet, but the latter may come in good time, when May shall have recollected itself, and remembered what it owes to its own reputation, and what, in every sense, ia fairly to be expected." " If we have no vines, we have stout English oaks to show you, Cecil, my boy ; ay, and stout English hearts to welcome you with to them ; and to all else that old England merry England may boast," said the 'Squire. "Ay, and the oaks at Heathcote Hall, together with its master's heart, are among the best oaks and hearts in the county, nay, in broad England," said Miss White. " You are very good, my dear," said the 'Squire, laughing; " we can show our young friend, too, that the county possesses its beauties, its toasts, its fair celebrities, as well as its fine trees, can't we ? Eggham Park is within the same shire as Heathcote, I think." Miss White's cherry mouth assumed an innocent simper, and said : " Oh ! the trees in papa's park arc very fine, I own ; but the oaks at Heathcote, and the beeches at Worthington, are allowed by every one to surpass them." " I shall hope to show you what attractions Worthington Court, as one of our antique country scats, may afford, worthy your notice," said Fermor to Cecil. " It is old-fashioned, and quaint ; but, j.< -rliaj.s, those form its not least interesting features. Some of the trees are reputed to have been denizens of the soil Vofore the Normans set foot upon it. Wo are famous for ovt 200 THE IRON COUSIN. trees hereabouts, and cherish not a little pride respecting them but you must tell us of your glorious giant palms, plantains mangos, banyan-trees, and other Indian forest-kings, until you lower our island sylvan complacency to its due level and limit." " Do not speak as if I were an alien," said Cecil laughing. " Though I am Indian born, I am English bred and nurtured. I am English in all my predilections in all my prides and my prejudices, if you will." " I will answer for it, you are a genuine Englishman, my dear boy!" said the 'Squire. "Nobody but an Englishman could have entered so thoroughly into my repugnance towards that impudent, grinning Florentine flower-wench, the first time you and I encountered each other. To this day, I feel thankful to you, for stepping forward to my relief. The hussey never molested me again. You stopped her effectually." Cecil Lascelles laughed at the recollection which the 'Squire's words recalled. He saw again the perplexed look ; the conflict between annoyance, and dislike of giving pain by rough repulse, all plainly legible in the good 'Squire's air. " By the bye, I think you and I did not make acquaintance that first evening, Kate, did we ?" said he. There was something smote oddly upon Fermor Worthington on hearing Cecil Lascelles address Kate Ireton thus, by her Christian name ; and still more strangely, on hearing her reply easily : " No, Cecil ; it was at the Pitti gallery, where you gave me up the chair you had inadvertently taken, not knowing it to be mine by right of daily possession and liking. I did not notice you that first evening ; I was too deeply engaged listening, to perceive anything." A moment's reflection told Fermor how this familiarity of appellation bad grown out of their familiar position. Inmates under one roof, constantly associating together, it would have been stiff almost absurd, to have preserved the distant " Mr." and " Miss," in addressing each other ; they had naturally fallen into the more intimate title, as one better suited to their relative situation ; and yet it grated upon his ear each time she used it THE IRON COUSIN. !20l Kate never called even himself by his Christian nainu, although related to her ; she always used the word " cousin," whenever she used any, in speaking to him. But most frequently she gave him no name at all. lie taxed himself with folly and unreasonableness, and smiled at his own susceptibility to have noticed such a circumstance ; nevertheless, it was some time before he could become habituated to its recurrence. At first, too, when he beheld Cecil Lascelles so entirely at home with uncle and niece ; they, in turn, so at ease with him ; all three talking so animatedly and happily of things, persons, ami scenes they had known in common ; it struck a little uncom- fortably upon Former's heart. But his was too noble a nature to feel envy or resentment. lie only felt regret that he could not have been abroad then with his friends, to share their pleas- ures and enjoyments, to partake their gratifications, and now to be able to understand their allusions, and sympathize with their remi- niscences. A feeling of mutual dislike between the two young men might have arisen out of these instinctive sensations existing on t! of one of them ; but Cecil was too frank-hearted, and Fermor toe generous and high-minded, to entertain anything else than rrcip iii, each possessing so many good qualities to rfni nieml him to the other's regard CHAPTER XXIII. " Tin- weather seems to promise propitiously," Baid Cecil ; " and I am anxious to make acquaintance with the woods of Heuthcote. What say you, 'Squire? Will you indulge me? And do you ih ink you can persuade the young ladies to accompany us in a ride through them, this April-faced May afternoon ? ; ' A capital idea, Cecil. The way to put its doubtful d i into good-humour, and bring out all its M -t it And 202 THE IRON COUSIN. we will. Come, girls ; on with your habits ! Kate, bid them sad die Black Talbot for Alicia. Or, stay; perhaps Spanish Jenny will be better. You and I will take White Bess and Chestnut Phillis, as usual ; while Fermor and Cecil will have their own nags." " Dear 'Squire, pray let me have a quiet steed ! " said Alicia White ; " you know what a poor horsewoman I am. Black Tal- bot sounds formidably ; and I hope Spinning Jenny I think you called it has no tricks, for I'm a terribly timid rider, you know. 5 ' " The mare has no claim to the giddy title you give her, Ali- cia," said Kate laughing. " Spanish Jenny, not Spinning Jenny : she's a pretty little Spanish jennet my uncle took a fancy to ; and Ben Dimble hearing her called so, thought it her name with a difference. She has been known among us, in consequence, as Spanish Jenny ever since. A more gentle, docile creature can- not be. Ambling Lambkin might be her appropriate title." " Then she would not suit you, Kate," observed Cecil. " I know your style of riding of old. The feat, coming back from Fiesole, to wit ! More like a knight of Rodenstein the black huntsman, who rides the air, with his skeleton train by night, through German forests than a sober, mortal young gentlewo- man." " Let my sins rest ; they had their due share and more than their due share of chiding, at the time," she said, with a height- ened colour. " By the way, Cecil, don't let me forget to show you my slip of the Valletta vine, which we brought safely to Eng- land with us, thanks to Mrs. Lindon's excellent contrivance in packing. It is planted in the green-house, and looks thrivingly, I assure you." " My dear 'Squire ! I depend upon you and Mr. Worthing- ton to take care of me on horseback, or I can never venture," said Miss White; " I almost tremble at the thought already." " We'll take good care of you, never fear ! " said the 'Squire. ' Before you leave Heathcote, we shall have made you as fear loss a horsewoman as my Kate." ''Oh! I never expect to reach Kate's perfection," said Miss THE IRON COUSIN. 203 White ; -< though, if anything could inspire me with hope, it would be such tuition as yours ; or give me courage, it would bo such cure as yours and Mr. Worthington's." Miss White's pretty tremors and timidity contrived admira- bly to enlist the attention of her two chosen cavaliers during the ride. She appealed to them for protection ; she turned to them constantly for fresh directions; she made such incessant littlo claims upon their interest and their assistance ; she placed her- self so confidingly and so implicitly under their guidance, that they could do no other than afford it to her interesting helplessness. By this means Kate was chiefly left to do the honours of her uncle's park to their guest. But the 'Squire's hearty eagerness and hospitality leading him frequently to join in the discussion of Heathcote's beauties, suggesting its finest points, and drawing Cecil's attention to its best views, caused him to lose sight of his duties as riding-master; so that the self-elected pupil fell almost wholly to the share of his coadjutor. Fermor's courtesy would not allow of his neglecting the charge, which thus devolved upon him ; but he, in his own firm tranquil manner, ordered it so, that the conversation and conso- ciation of the party were kept as general as possible. He es- chewed all endeavours at special little by-talk, and eluded various small attempts at lingering behind the others. Someway, the adroit management found itself quietly counteracted and set aside, it hardly knew how, by the calm, maniy will. Alicia White began to understand, in the course of that ride, why it was that Kate Ireton called Fermor .Worthington her " Iron Cousin." Upon one of these occasions, when, by his tacit arrangement, he found herself riding abreast with their companions all to- gether, down one of the broad, grassy glades, and while under the influence of a slight feeling of peevishness at the imperturba- bility and self-possessed composure by which she felt herself un- accountably baffled and controlled, Alicia White turned from him, and said to Kate, " Why, my said Kate. " Perhaps something might be alleged, as the 'Squire says, 1 on both sides,' " laughed Cecil. " And yet, when we remember the glorious azure serene that reigns there perpetually, and think of what we have to bring against it, the task of saying any- thing in favour of our own 'grey vault' seems hopeless." " Hopeless, indeed ! " cried Kate. " What ! compare this f.alc, dim, speckled canopy scarcely to be called blue, and no* worthy the name of sky, still less, of heaven with that grand deep colour, that glow of sunlight, that constant cloudless expanse, in which everything looks doubly clear and trebly fair ? " ' Tt is that very constancy of blue clearness, which, if I may venture to say so, makes rather against it with me," said the 'S'|uiro. " Day after day to see no rain, no cloud, no shadow, no hint df change or varying weather, becomes, I own, a little tiro- H>mc t<> me, after a time." " True British taste, dear uncle ! " she exclaimed. " I used to say. that when there was such a thing, by a wondrous chance, iny day in Florence, we were sure to see all the English people out of doors, umbrella in hand, walking happily about, then truly enjoying themselves, and the weather. They felt at homo really comfortable." " But you know, my dear, I am a Briton, a true Briton ; I'u'iitly British in my tastes. And I'm afraid no, not afrui.l l.pt, I think. I -hall never be anything else," replied the 're. " Why should you, my dear sir ? " said Fermor Worth ington. 4 Tho taste which can find Hunctliing, nay, much, 'to admin SOS THE IRON COUSIN. in our island sky, is not a taste to regret. Is there nothing in % dappled dawn, flecked with light touches of rose and gold ? Is there nothing in a fresh dewy day-spring, with fleecy clouds ten- derly veiling the coy smiling eyes of morn ? Is there nothing of beauty in a breezy, bracing forenoon, with its winds tossing and bowing the heads of old trees, and its gentler kiss touching the tops of grass meadows and corn-fields, transmuting them into waves of earth ; while mottled, swift-gliding clouds sweep athwart the uplands, with passing gloom, to make all seem brighter and cheerfuller the next moment ? Surely, there is something to be said ' on both sides,' 'Squire ; and let us be quite certain ours is the worst side, ere we give it up too lightly, or too un- gratefully." " Thank you, my dear boy, for finding out what there is to say on our side, so much better than I could have done," returned the 'Squire. " Well, Kate, what think you now ? English sky is not so utterly despicable, after all, you see ! Is there not some justice in what Fermor says ? " " There is always justice in what the Iron Cousin says," she replied, laughing. " He deals in justice ; he abounds in justice. Justice is his strength, his stronghold. If he had only a grail? more just and reasonable allowance of justice, he might set up for a Justice of the Peace." " ! think there's not only a great deal of justice in what Mr Worthington has just said " " Or justly said," interrupted Kate. " Has just now said, I mean," continued Miss "White ; " not only much justice, but much beauty of description, and much truth." " Truth is another of the Iron Cousin's commodities. He can supply you with any amount," said Kate. " That savours of manufactured stuff, forthcoming on de- mand," smiled Fermor. " Nay, no one will suspect you of anything but the plain, genuine, unadulterated article," she returned. " Pure, taste- less Truth, straight from the bottom of its own profound well." THE IRON COU8IV 20$ " Tasteless, but not distasteful, I hope," he rejoined. " ; Tasteless ' was my word ; and tasteless may mean unsa roury, insipid, unpalatable, mawkish, flavourless, disrelishing and distasteful, or, limpid, clear, transparently devoid of all objectionable and offensive matter, whichever sense you please to affix to it," she replied. " Rather, which sense it is your pleasure to affix, Kate," he answered. " You must give the meaning to your owi word." " I am not a glossary," laughed she. " You must know your own meaning, then," said Permor. " That I do, strange to say, although I am a woman," she returned. " But knowing it, and giving it, are two ; and I am not aware that I am bound to do either for all your stringent ' must ' no less absolute and peremptory than Coriolanus's ' shrill.' " Mr. Worthington is very forbearing, to suffer you to treat him in that unceremonious style, Kate," said Alicia White. " Oh, we made a compact when we first met, as boy and girl, to banish all ceremony between us," replied Kate. "And as for 4 suffering ' me to treat him as I please, what suffering can there be to an Iron Cousin ? Cuffs and thumps would make no im- pression. How should words have any effect ? " ' Words sometimes penetrate and wound, where blows fail," smiled Fermor. " A box of the ear from fair lady's hand, might be received as flattery and favour, while a sharp speech from her tongue shall pierce like barbed arrow, or adder's fork." " To deal a gentleman a box on the ear, or to make him a I>eech, seems almost equally unfitted for feminine usage, I think," said Alicia White. " One befits her hand, the other the mouth, there's all the diffiT .id Kate. Are they befitting cither, or befitting at all ?" asked Fei* mor. 44 Perhaps not," she replied, laughing. " Hut they seem mar- 210 THE IRON COUSIN. vellously pat to each, when provocation occurs. All I bava therefore to do is, to pray heartily against temptation. I should be sorely grieved to find myself betrayed into such a position as to need either, in good earnest, and for self-defence. Attack ia another matter. To carry rout and confusion into your adversa- ry's camp, when he's least dreaming of assault, is glorious. It leads to a skirmish, a trial of arms, a skill-encounter nothing more." " A mock-fight, in short ; no real enmity, eh, Kate ? " said Fermor. " Exactly so," she replied. " Well," said Cecil Lascelles, as the party drew bridle in front of the old Hall, on their return, " Miss White's eulogium upon your Heathcote trees, 'Squire, led me to expect some glo- rious specimens of English Dryad divinity ; but this first intro- duction into their haunts, makes me think her praise cold, and only such as could be the result of mortal jealousy. I shall not care how long I stay here, to prove her wanting in due pane- gyric upon her sister beauties of the woods." " To-morrow, we will take you a still finer and longer ride, over to Oakleigh Hill, my boy," returned the 'Squire. " From the high ground there, we have a glorious view of the country, for miles in extent." CHAPTER XXIV. BUT to-morrow ushered in other plans, and other thoughts. The post-bag always appearing during the morning meal at Heathcote Hall from time immemorial, opened then, and its con- tents distributed among those seated around the breakfast-table, by the hand of the master of the house himself, brought a let- ter to Cecil Lascelles from his mother. It announced that Lady Diana Frcseley had died quite sud- THE IRON COUSIN. 211 denly That, contrary to all expectation, her ladyship, after wonderfully rallying since a recent attack of illness, had had a relapse, which carried her off in a few hours. That the shock had left Mrs. Lascelles so overwhelmed, she felt, for the moment, incapable of thinking or acting, and begged her son would hasten to her without delay. Cecil lost no time in repairing to Cheltenham ; but he found his mother already much restored to her usual self, and full of fresh plans. Her whole soul was wrapped in her son, Cecil ; her darling desire was to promote his welfare, that is, his prosperity, his fortunes, his position in the world. Her life was devoted to this one aim ; all her .faculties were knit to its accomplishment. Her thoughts, night and day, occupied themselves with this single idea, to the exclusion of every other ; so that the very concentra- tion and intensity of her solicitude defeated its own object, ren- dering her unobservant of much that might have assisted her in her design. She saw nothing that militated against her hopes, she perceived nothing that interfered with her projects. She did not even see clearly the end itself; for in believing that she se- t-tin urs, and all the hundred-hued materials, that seem so insignifi- cant to others, so invaluable to the artist. Among the old pictures that had so long mouldered in dusty disgrace and obscurity here, she chose out a few that she found something to like in ; and these she huiiL' up, 1 1 Aether with some of her own favourite sketches, reminiscences of those pictures in Italy she had best ad- mired, and of which ever so faint and distant a trace was some- thing to possess. She would have liked to have brought h< other chattel of hers, but there was no room for it Thij was an old harpsicord, which she had discovered in some out-of-the-way corner of the house, and which, upon her return from abroad, she* bad bcirged her nude to have put in order and tuned for her. H<,\v, ild not, by any contrivance, get pace I'T it in IKT ! .1 it carried into her own <1 214 THE IRON COUSIN. room, which chanced to be in a thick-walled angle of the old house from whence no sound could be distinguished, and where she felt she could thrum and warble away without a soul being the wiser. In one or other of these three secluded nooks, Kate would en- sconce herself, whenever she felt secure of her uncle's absence, for the best part of a day. But she never indulged in their absorbing delights, so long as there was a chance of his requiring her com- panionship. Once or twice that he had found her in the library, Jost in some favourite volume, he had pished and pshawed, mut- tered an angry " Those confounded books ! " or looked so involun- tarily chagrined and disconcerted, while he strove to repress the tokens of his disappointment, that she resolved never to risk let- ting them interfere with his comforts, his pleasure in her society. She took care so to time her pursuits, that she was always ready to ride, or walk, or sit with him ; and only prosecuted her happy self-teaching when perfectly sure that he was engaged elsewhere, and could not need her. This unselfish proceeding, like all un- selfishness, brought its own reward. She enjoyed her liberty none the less for having earned it by generosity and self-denial; while its rarity, and snatched joy, enhanced its sweetness and relish. One morning that her uncle had ridden over to see a neighbour at some few miles distance, she was comfortably shut in her den , and giving herself up to the thorough anticipation of an unbroken forenoon, had become engrossed with a copy she was attempting of Correggio's Mother and Child in the Florence Tribune, by the help of an engraving and her own memory of the original. As she worked on, the colours seemed to glow upon the print, so viv- idly did she recall them ; so perfectly did she behold that gentle rapturous face, that bending form, those playful, loving hands. clapping a soft merriment for the gladding of the up-turned baby eyes. She was so immersed in her recollections, and so intent upon the endeavour to transfer them upon the canvas, that she did not hear a quick firm step which approached through the range of deserted rooms. It was only the opening of the door which caus- ed her to look up and behold Fermor "Worthington. She started, and coloured with mingled surprise and vexa- tion. THE IRON COUSIN. 215 " How came you hither ? How came they to let you find your way here? My uncle is out, they have orders to show visitors into the sitting-room," she said, rising precipitately. " But I am not a visitor, Kate," smiled Fermor. " I have long been accustomed to the privilege of dispensing with the cere- mony of being announced ; and find my way about the house, wherever you and the 'Squire may chance to be." " Not here, not here no one comes here," she said hastily. " Why not here ? It is not a Blue Beard chamber, is it ? " said Fermor, looking round. " No one comes here without my knowledge, without my per- mission," she returned, biting her lip. " Then give me your permission now," he said. " And why, pray ? Why should I make an exception in your favour ? I allow no one to come here not even Matty. Nobody ventures to invade my den." " But since I have dared its terrors, and sought you in it, will you not grant me the reward of my courage ? " he asked. " Courage of impudence of audacity of " " Of boldness," he said. " I boldly made my way to your retreat, and deserve right of entrance for my pains." " Or rather, exclusion in return for intrusion," she replied. " ' Intrusion,' Kate ! But you are not serious ? " " I don't know that ; I am quite serious in disliking to be bro- ken in upon when I mean to be alone. Uncle is gone out, and I had fully intended to indulge in a quiet morning by myself," she returned. " A tolerably broad hint for a visitor," laughed Fermor ; " but I have claimed to be none, therefore I must brook the freedom which is reserved for intimates. I suppose I ought to take that as a plain, straightforward dismissal ; but if you have made up your mind for a quiet morning at home by yourself, I have equal* ly made up mine for a pleasant morning at Ileathcotc; and it ia now merely a question whether you or I are to give up our wish." " Oh, of course, the Iron Cousin's will is to carry tin- day ; it a 10 TUB IRON COUSIN. always does prevail, it always is to prevail ; all other things are bound to submit to its domination, now, and henceforth." " May you be a true prophetess, Kate, so long as it shall not be unreasonable or unjust in its domination." " So long as its domination does not exceed reason, you mean : agreed," she replied. " And now tell me why you deem it reasonable or needful, to guard your den, as you call it, so jealously," said Fermor. ''One would think it were a witch's cave, a wizard's cell, some dire scene for ' a deed without a name,' instead of a pleasant, cheerful little snuggery. You looked as though you had been caught in some unholy act, some unlawful pursuit; whereas I can see nothing more fatal than a few sketches, crayons, and colours no very deadly implements." " You forget that a snuggery implies peace, seclusion, retire- ment ; not liability to to intrusion," she said. " ' Intrusion ' again, Kate ! Tell me frankly, and in so many words, that I indeed intrude, and I am gone." " Tell me first your candid interpretation of the word ' snug- gery,' " she answered. " A snuggery is a good place for one who wants to sulk in com- fort; but a better for two, who wish to be happily sociable," re- turned Fermor. " Come, your definition shall procure you what your pleaded boldness could not," said Kate. "Right of entrance; that was what I claimed as the recom- pense of my courage in seeking you out, and invading your quiet territory. Let me share it with you, and enjoy some of its tran- quil beauties. What a grand view it commands ! The win- dows below have nothing comparable with this ! " He stood gazing out for a few minutes, in mute enjoyment of the fine natural picture, and then he turned to the one upon the easel. " Ah, when you think of the original, how cold, how poor it seems ! How presumptuous the bare attempt to retrace it in the same materials ! Almost better to content oneself with the iin- run IRON COUSIN. 217 prcssion that is painted on the memory! " said Kate, as she saw his eyes fall upon the Correggio sketch. Never had her efforts appeared to her so bald, so wretchedly short-coming. - No attempt deserves the name of presumption that is made in the spirit of loving admiration, and modest faithful endeavour," said Fermor ; " it is only one form and perhaps the most fer- vent form of homage. It is a voluntary submission to the chance of failure, for the sake of proving to our utmost the sincerity of the worship that is in us." " The disgrace of failure is certainly one of the cruellest mor- tifications our humility could devise aa its test," she rejoined. " It is scarce disgrace to fail in such high-reaching endeavours ; better to fail in a noble ambition than triumph in a paltry aim," he said. " Better to fail copying Correggio, you mean, than succeed in rendering correctly a miserable daub ? " said Kate, as she looked ruefully at her morning's work. " I do," he returned. " In the one, there may be imperfec- tion, insufficient power, inadequate performance ; but there is, through all, recognizable the wish to reproduce excellence, the to represent what the soul acknowledges to be beauty : in the other, there is nothing but sorry mediocrity throughout." " What else, alas ! but imperfection, insufficient power, inad- (ju:ite performance is there in all here? "said Kate, with the same expression in her eye, as she glanced at all the sketches ly- ing about, and hung around ; " after all, it is woful loss of time ; but it is pleasant, too," she added, half sadly, half laughingly. " To be sure it is pleasant ; and no loss of time, if it be but to essay our patience and fortitude in bearing the discovery that our skill is less than our poetry of imagination mod conception. But you say, what is there here other than imperfection, insuffi- ciency, inadequacy ? I sec much of industry ; vigorous, hearty endeavour, and" true feeling : rough, unequal they may be pro- mises of future improvement, perhaps, rather than actually good performances but still worth something, as proof of mcritoriou*. honourable, strenuous attempt." 10 218 THE IRON COUSIX. He had taken up one of the sketches that lay there, and held it in his hand as he spoke, and surveyed the rest between whiles. " ' Worth something as trials of temper, and evidences of diligence ; a kind of moral lesson in daubery," she said, laughing a little bitterly. " Very praiseworthy painting ; highly laudable limning. This is a most consoling view of Artolatry. Quite an iron-cousin view of the subject." " What so enhances the delight of intellectual enjoyments as associating a moral purpose with their pursuit ? " he returned. " If, while correcting and improving our draughtsmanship, we can at the same time correct and improve our dispositions, is it not a double gain ? If, while learning to estimate, and endeavouring to imitate, the choice execution and rare artistic beauty of a picture, we also elevate our natures, with the contemplation and compre- hension of still nobler and higher things to be discerned in the compositions of the great masters, are we not wisely uniting spir- itual with intelligential culture ? In the attempt to put down and trace out our own ideas, too, there may be scope for feeling and sentiment, no less than mere thought of lines and colours, or the testing our powers of original invention. In this little sketch, for instance slight and hasty as it is there is evidence of fan- cy, and taste, with a keen eye for nature and truth, guided as much by likiug as perception." " What have you there ? " she said, looking over his shoulder at the sketch he held, and examined with much interest. " It contains an admirable likeness of your uncle, notwith- standing the figure is so lightly dashed in ; it is a spirited draw- ing altogether, though so mere a sketch," replied Fermor, contin- uing to gaze upon it. ".Ah, I remember ! " she said, as she stood beside him, lost in thought, her eyes fixed upon the picture. It was a small chalk drawing, with a few touches of colour ; but the whole effect was vivid and graphic. The 'Squire's figure was as Fermor Worthington said most strikingly rendered. The grey head ; the florid, healthful cheek ; the simple, good- THE IRON COUSIN. 219 hearted expression ; the hardy and vigorous, yet gentlemanly- because perfectly easy and natural bearing of the whole frame, were precisely given. Opposite to him sat Cecil Lascelles hi& frank, open countenance hardly less unmistakeably depicted than the 'Squire's ; while both were represented engaged in a game of Near to them sat a female figure, in whose placid look, and tranijuil attitude, bending over some needle-work, Fermor had no difficulty in recognizing Mrs. Lindon. Immediately behind her uncle was Kate herself, half reclined upon a couch, her face turn- ed towards a raised sunblind, which gave a glimpse of a glowing outdoor landscape. Now, as she stood there, looking upon the miniature transcript of a scene so well remembered, Kate Ireton gave herself up to the luxurious memories it awakened ; her imagination busily em- ploying itself in re-tracing every particular of that enchanting spot. Again she saw the clustering vines, with the golden light stream- ing through them ; the brilliant green of the rich-tufted orange- trees ; the mellow silvery hue of olives ; the glorious over-arch- ing blue of the sky, embracing all with its celestial span. As Fermor and she hung over the drawing, close together, his breath almost felt among the hair that veiled her cheek, Kate yielded to a sense of deep unaccountable pleasure that stole over her ; an emotion of gentle, happy, inward delight, such as she had never before experienced. It seemed to pervade her entire being, and hold her there entranced. Unconsciously she submitted to the spell for some moments, then she suddenly drew away, saying in a soft undertone: "Beau- tiful, beautiful Italy." She stood at the window, looking out; when Fermor Worth- in.L't.m said : ' You have a very fond feeling towards Italy. Kate." " Very ! " she exclaimed, with fervour. " Come and road me this Italian picture," he said. ' Cannot you read it V ' she returned. " I understand its characters I must be dull, indeed, not to distin-'uish those at once: but I should like to know their mean* o ing tho history they make." 220 T11E IRON COUSIN. " A picture is worth nothing if it do not tell its own story,' she replied. " Come, we have had enough of pictorial studies, let us take a ride this fine morning. 'Tis an affront to English May to slight her rare smiles of warmth and sunshine. Where shall we go ? " " Wherever you please. But, first, let me make out all I can of the drawing that most pleases me here," he said, still looking earnestly at it. " It is really a beautiful sketch. It tells its own tale clearly enough ; I know not' why I should ask further expla- nation." Yet still he lingered. " Kate, come and tell me what you intended by this," pres- ently he said. "Not I," she replied. " If you are willing to ride with me, well; if not, I leave you to the undisturbed enjoyment of the den." " Nay, I have no such exclusive fancy for it," said Fermor, following her at once from the room ; " it is you, Kate, who have a churlish taste for having it all to yourself." " And this is my reward for letting you stay here so long," she returned. " But have a care ho\r you trespass again. Since reproach is all I gain by my foolish sufferance I shall bolt the Iron Cousin out next time he attempts to invade my snuggery, and be rock to his entreaties." " Iron shall prevail against stone or flint," smiled Fermor. u Adamant is harder than iron," retorted Kate. "Beware I do not answer, in words I have met with some- where or other : 'You draw me, you hard-hearted adamant, but yet you draw not iron,' " said Fermor, laughing. " The Iron Cousin may determine to resist the attraction, and stay away from the den and its adamantine occupant altogether." " That would be just what I desire," she replied; " and thus E obtain my wish of keeping all intruders away. But now, once more, which way shall we go ? " "Let the horses decide," said Fermor; " we will leave it tc their discrimination to guide us ; they can scarcely lead amiss, where all is so choicely beautiful." THE IKON COUSIN. 221 " 1 asked you to select our ride ; don't show yourself less ca- pable of decision than a horse, lest I think you lest you prove yourself an inferior animal," said Kate. " An ass ? " laughed Fermor. " Nay, I give you the whole range of inferior creation to ap- point your own class from among ; and meanwhile repeat my re- quest that you will determine the course of our ride." " Then, if TOU have no objection, we will let it be towards the village," he replied. " Sir Dullarton Ditchley begged me, the first time I should be passing in that neighbourhood, to call and pay his subscription to the National School-house, which has lately been established there ; and I shall be glad of the oppor tunity to accomplish my commission." " And, pray, why does the lord of Ditchley manor depute you to perform his errands ? " said Kate, somewhat haughtily. " The master of "Worthington Court should needs be too proud to execute any man's behests when they can be done as well by himself." " But this is not the case," said Fermor. " He cannot leave his own house. He is laid up with the gout, and all but bed- ridden ; therefore, I have undertaken to see his charitable desire carried out for him. Poor man ! He has few pleasant thoughta to keep him company in his illness ; his squandered life has left him scarce any. I am glad to help him to a wholesome pleasure -or two; and the notion that he may lay out some of his super- fluous pounds in the forwarding a good cause, has proved a for- tunate suggestion. He is as pleased as a child, with his new fancy for playing the patron and benefactor. Better that than playing the fool betting, jockeying, ducking-and-draking hi money on the turf or at the gaming-table." " And you are accepting the part of Mentor to this venerable Ti I'Miiaclins ? Forming his youth or reforming his age," re- mtirkfil Kate. " Helping an old friend of my father's to a few wise and use- ful deeds, which may replace for him his uncomfortable rcflectioni on past, less fruitful ones," said Fermor. 222 THE IRON COUSIN. Kate knew by experience that when Ferraor Worthington used his father's name, it was no time for her to persist in a light, far less, a disrespectful tone. She forebore, therefore, and held her peace ; and they rode on for some time in silence. " AND a you are actually taking me to school, after having so long beei in the habit of schooling me yourself?" said Kate, as they approached a small plain building, lately erected at the entrance of the village. " It looks like a Methodist meeting, quite ugly enough to suit those who think beauty an offence to Heaven." " It has been built at the very least cost consistent with actual usefulness and solidity," replied Fermor. " The object wan to have a weather-proof room, capable of holding as many of the poor children hereabouts, as had parents anxious to give them that education which they themselves could not afford to provide. It is suited to its purpose ; convenient, sufficiently spacious, airy, and clean." " Do you call this place airy, clean, convenient, sufficiently spacious ? " whispered Kate to Fermor, as they found themselves , in the closely-packed school-room, thronging with ranges of up- turned faces that curiously scanned the visitors, and ringing with the hum of voices conning or repeating lessons ; " I should have thought it a stifling, noisy, bewildering hole full of the reek of many breaths, the effluvia of stuff frocks, the aroma of checked aprons, coarse linen caps and tippets, book-bags, dinner-bags, straw bonnets, leather shoes, and woollen mittens ! In short, that delectable, conglomerated perfume, known expressively as 4 a poor smell.' " Kate involuntarily put her handkerchief to her mouth, to escape inhaling the atmosphere which struck her senses so op pressivcly, coming from the pure outer air. THE IRON COUSIN. 223 " Do not hurt their feelings, Kate. Control your disgust, while you stay ; it will not be long," said Fermor, ns they waited until the head-mistress, or monitress, as she was called, should be ready to attend him. This monitress was a sour-looking, unrelentingly-orderly sort of woman, who seemed as if determined to show her independence of the gentlefolks, and to make their leisure attend upon her duty. She seemed intent upon making a parade of her duty ; of showing how paramount it was with her to every other consideration. She seemed to take a pleasure in keeping them standing there, in the entrance, waiting, until she should have fully despatched the task she had in hand. " What an odious, lemon-faced woman that is ! " said Kate. " Her aspect is enough to curdle what milk lingers on the lips of these youngest chits, who seem scarce more than babies, some of them, poor little wretches ! I suppose this is an Infant School, as well as National School ? " " They refuse none here, however young, whose mothers can neither keep nursemaids, nor afford to play nursemaid them- selves," replied Fermor Worthington. " If that woman's look be tart enough to turn a whole tribe of little whey-faces, yonder meek girl is so sweet-looking as to sugar the most acid draught of rebuke, and soften the bitterest task, the other could inflict or impose." " You call her sweet-looking ! " exclaimed Kate, still in the lowered tone in which the whole colloquy between the cousins had proceeded ; though the busy hum that prevailed sufficiently drowned what they said. " Why, she is as pale as a ghost ; she has dark rings round her eyes ; she stoops, and one shoulder is higher than the other." " I am speaking of the expression of her face," replied Fer- mor. " It is positively beautiful. So mild, so gentle, BO touch- innly and truly good." 11 1 see nothing beautiful in her," retorted Kate, putting up her .ip. ' If I spoke the honest truth which I generally do I should say sho is more than plain ; ugly, absolutely ugly is all but deformed ; and her face has that sickly, drawn look, 224 THE IRON COUSIN. which spoils the best set of features, were her's ever &o fine, which they are not." " No, the features the complexion are, as you say, faulty ; but I maintain, that the expression is one of the very loveliest I ever saw," said Fermor, looking earnestly at the young girl, who was leaning over one of the children that stood at her knee and patiently trying to make it understand something she was explaining ; " it has the soft, absorbed gaze, the tender sweetness and devotion, with self-abnegation and self-unconsciousness of one of Raffaelle's Saints, or Virgin-mothers." " I can see nothing beyond a quiet, common-place-looking English girl, for my part," said Kate. " Who is she ? " " The sub-monitress, I believe," answered Fermor. " She seems as admirably suited to her office, as that harsh, morose- looking ' lemon-face' is unfit. When will she condescend to come and receive the amount I have to pay over to her, I won- der ? " added he, as he took out his purse. " Go, my dear," he continued, to one of the nearest children ; " go and tell your schoolmistress that there is a gentleman who wishes to speak to her, and pay some money into her hands." " So you have actually adopted the ' grum brown,' " said Kate, laughing, as she chanced to observe the purse Fermor held. " That is carrying pertinacity to a pitch of which I did not think even the Iron Cousin capable ! Because, forsooth, you insisted upon having it, and making me stitch it up for you, you go about with a shabby old purse, fit for no gentleman's wear." " I do not use it upon ordinary occasions ; I have a decent, proper one new and handsome for every-day wear. But I put what gold I want for especial purposes into this one," laughed Fermor. " I have faith in your lucky star, Kate. I look upon you as a spoiled child of Fate, a favourite of Fortune ; and there- tore, any sums I want to bring a blessing, or good-luck, I always keep in the 'grum brown.' I call it ray lucky purse." " Lucky ! " she echoed. " Can the Iron Cousin give way to superstitious fancies ? " THE IRON COT SIN. 225 " Every one has a secret corner of superstition," smiied Fer- mor. " The wisest, the strongest-minded, the most sensible among us all, would we but confess it, are conscious of some point on which we are superstitious. Not a human being but has his or her pet superstition, depend upon it, Kate." " Unless they have neither imagination nor candour," she re- turned ; " yet without the latter, the superstition may exist, lurking cherished, for all it be unowned. I believe you are right. But here comes Mistress Verjuice Lemon face; I leave you to settle accounts with her, and take my own leave to make my escape into the fresh air. I'll wait in the porch, until you join me. This stifling place, and that countenance close to me both at once, would be too much for my powers of endurance." As Kate stood outside, patting White Bess, and feeding it with handfuls of grass, until Fermor Wortbington should come, Ben Dimble who had been promoted since his boyhood, from the post of attendance upon Shetland Bobby, and its girl-mis* tress, to that of his young lady's groom advanced a pace or two, and touching his hat, with a shy, bashful glance, which was lost upon Kate, said : " Oh, if you please, Miss Kate, you didn't see nobody, did you ? That is, nobody in particular ? " Kate Ireton's ear caught the hesitating tone, though her cyo had failed to note the look. " What do you mean, Ben ? " " I mean, Miss, you didn't see anybody, did you? n " Oh yes ; I saw a great many bodies, of various siies," she rrjilk'd ; " there were a number of big girls, and little girls, and middle-sized girls, and tiny, child-girls almost baby-girls, Ben. I suppose you know that is the new school-house, Ben ? " " YLS, Mi-s, I know that," said Ben; who, being an old re- tainer, though a young serving-man, was treated with kindly familiarity ami privilege by the 'Squire and his niece. " Well then, besides this number of small bodies, I saw a b<>dy. and an elderly body " " Oh. you saw her, did ye, Miss ?" said Ben. 10" 226 THE IRON COUSIN. " Yes, I saw her ; and a furiously cross-grained, ill-grained, sour-looking body she is ! " replied Kate. " Oh, you mean her, Miss ? " " Yes ; don't you, Ben ? " " No, Miss. But it don't matter ; I don't mean anybody, now, thank ye, Miss Kate." " Nobody, Ben. ? " " Nobody, Miss ; that is nobody in partic'lar," said Ben. " Perhaps you mean the ' young body ' I mentioned, Ben ? " said his mistress. " Well, perhaps I do, Miss," he stammered out. " Oh, you do, Ben ! Then I must say, she's neither cross- grained, nor ill-conditioned, nor sour-faced. She has a very nice, kind, mild face, though it looks paler than it should do, with the close air and confinement, I suppose, poor thing ! " " It's to my notion, -what an angel's must look like ! " Ben Dimble blurted out. " So, so ! Somebody thinks this ' nobody ' a beauty, besides some one else ! " was Kate's thought within herself. " You'd say the same, Miss Kate, if you'd seen that face as I've seen it," said Ben. " It was once rosy as an angel's, into the bargain. " That time's past," he added, with a break in his voice ; " but now the rosiness is gone, the angel look is more than ever." Mr. Worthington appearing, Ben fell back into his place ; while Fermor lifted Kate to her horse, and they once more pro- ceeded with their ride. " I made Lemon-face tell me all about her ! " said Feruior. " About ' her ! ' About whom ? '' said Kate. " About the little sub-monitress ; the pale, quiet young girl we noticed. " We noticed ! You noticed, you mean ! I should not have been likely to observe such a mopish, insignificant pale-face, which you were pleased to liken to a saint, a Raffaelle head, and I know not what ! It was you pointed her out to me ; not I tc vou." THE IRON COt:?IX. 227 " But you couid not fail to remark her ! your quick, artistic sye, Kate, could not have missed the placid beauty of that head all the more touching and interesting, for its look of sickness and sadness. And yet there is more of resignation than mourn- fulncss in her face. She looks like one who meets sorrow with a patient, cheerful courage in the fulfilment of her duties the best of all valour against care and trouble." " She has known care and trouble, then 1 " inquired Kate. " Much ; and confronted it bravely. Her father died sud- denly. She was left with an ailing mother to support. She has contrived to keep a roof over her infirm parent's head and her own, by her unaided labour ; by frugal management, by unflinch- ing industry, she was able to retain the cottage, in which they live together, adjoining the school-house. It seems that she was once as bright-cheeked as she is now pale and was a sort of vil- lage belle. But an accident a severe fall and a long illness, just before her father's death, deprived her of her colour and good looks, leaving her also lame and slightly deformed. Her case gained her friends ; and when the school-house was estab- li\vn influence," sa: mor. " And what will uot men do, to carry a point wherein power and influence are concerned ! " cried Kate. " Were the Iron 228 THE IRON TOUS1N. Cousin one of these School-house Directors, I have no doubt lit would not bate an inch of his prerogative ; but would keep Lemon- face in her situation, in spite of the whole board ! " " I shall see what I can do to become one of this board," re- plied Fermor ; " and, once a director, I'll try my best to dis- lodge Lemon-face, and get a fitter woman appointed in her stead. It is not right that children's tempers should be soured, and their daily lives embittered, by being under the control of such a teacher." " Bravo ! If not for, against, the iron hand will essay its strength. Anything, as a trial of force, is welcome to the iron nature." " And you allow no weight to the desire of prevailing in a right cause ? You think I would just as lief contest for an evil principle as a good one, Kate ? " " Nay, I give full weight due weight iron weight to such a desire. I have always acknowledged your dominant predilec- tion for right and justice. A bad cause is a weak cause ; and what has the Iron Cousin to do with weakness ? He will al- ways eschew wrong and evil, if it be but to avoid being worsted. But here is Mr. Chalkby's shop. Will you wait for me a mo- ment, while I go in and choose some mill-board that I want ? " " I will come in with you," said Fermor. There was a carriage at the door, and, when they entered, they found its lady-mistress seated at the counter, making some purchases of wools and embroidery silks. She was a Mrs. Hunt- ley, the wife of one of 'Squire Heathcote's associates, and known slightly to Kate Ireton, as a purse-proud, arrogant woman, who thought herself the grand personage and chief lady of the neigh- bourhood. Presently Fermor came to the end of the shop where Kate was being attended to by Mr. Chalkby's daughter, and whis- pered : " There is Mrs. Huntley waiting to catch your eye Kate." " Is she ? " replied Kate, drily, going on with what she was about. THE IKOiN COUSIN. 229 " She id waiting to bow to you," he said. " Let her wait," rejoined Kate. " Why need you note hei expcctings ? Or, if you choose to note them, do so ; only n need to report them to me. I care nething for them ; they do not concern me." " On the contrary, they have you for their object," he an- swered. " Xo matter ; if they are very urgent to compass their object, they will make themselves known to it, all in good time." Presently Mrs. Huntley came up, all smiles and condescen- sion. " My dear Miss Ireton, how are you ? Delighted to meet you, I'm sure. How is your worthy uncle ? If it were hunting- season, I should know he'd be out with the hounds and Mr. Huntley, as usual, eh ? " '* He is fond of a day with the dogs, madam, certainly ; but I did not know you included your lord and husband among the pack, and even made him the last on your list. Ranger, Ring- wood, Echo, Sweetlips, Mr. Huntley ! That's hardly a fit cli- max hardly fit courtesy towards one of the first gentlemen in the county." " Oh, ay, I see ! I used a mere fashion of speech, and you very properly joke me upon it, my dear Miss Ireton. Fortu- nately, Mr. Huntley's position will allow of a little trip in naming it with due respect. But tell me, my dear, how is your excel- lent uncle ? " " My uncle is in perfect hunting-health, madam, I thank you, although the season is out of his favour for giving proof of his being in that robust state. Miss Chalkby, don't hold those heavy boards all this time ; rest them here, until I can finish my selec- tion ; I will not detain you long. Can I deliver any message to my uncle for you, madam ? " she added, again addressing Mrs. Huntley. " None, I thank you, my dear Miss Ireton : oh, yes ! now I think of it, you may tell him, if you please, that I mean to call upon him some morning soon, and ask him for a cutting of hil Italian vine. I hoar he has one of a particularly fine sort." 230 THE IRON COUSIN. " I have no doubt he will have great pleasure in giving you the slip you desire ; and I shall have much gratification in giving Dim one for the purpose, madam ; since he always calls the plant mine," said Kate. " My dear Miss Ireton, you're very good, I'm sure ; I shall be delighted to have it your joint gift. Expect to see me at Heathcote as soon as possible. Good-bye ! Good morning to you, sir ! " and with a bow to Fermor, whom she knew by sight, Mrs. Huntley swept out of the shop, aud into her carriage, and drove off. " I did not know you could be so disdainful, Kate," said Fermor, as they rode on again, having finished the commission. " No ? That is not the only bad point you have still to dis- cover in me," she replied. " She is a woman more than double your age, Kate," he con- tinued, gravely. " That is not to be disputed ; it is a fact an indubitable, legibly-written fact a fact on the face of it," laughed she. " She's the wife of one of your uncle's oldest and best-liked friends." he went on. " Quite true ; Mr. Huntley is as unaffected and good-humour- ed as his wife is haughty and insolent." " Haughty ! Insolent ! She was even more than polite to you, Kate. She stayed for your notice, she bore with your jest- ing ; both condescensions scarce seemly for you to subject a woman of her age to the rendering," said Fermor Worthiugton. " So far from showing haughtiness or insolence, she was only too courteous, too deferential." " Ay, to me that is what I resent in her ; she can be civil enough too civil to me, Miss Ireton, 'Squire Heathcote of Heathcote Hall's niece ; but you should see her behaviour, as I have, to her inferiors, or those she thinks her inferiors to her waiting-maid, her footmen, her coachman. Even her husband yet if he submit to her arrogance, e'en let him bear it for his folly. You should have seen her, as I did, the other day, to that t, inoffensive, blushing little creature, Lucy Chalkby. She THE IRON COUSIN. 23 J treated her like a mat, or a footstool ; something to be put in order, and set in its place, with the toe. Talk of my disdain j You should have seen hers ! And to one who had neither pro- voked nor deserved it." Suddenly Kate's face changed from the scorn and indignation that coloured it high, as she caught sight of a distant object A smile of unmixed joy beamed in her eyes, on her lips, irradia- ting her whole countenance, as she exclaimed ; " See ! there is ray uncle coming to meet us ! Let us gallop on towards him ! " " And what kind of a day has my Kate spent ? " inquired the 'Squire, as they proceeded all three together towards the old Hall. " An edifying ride ; a quite properly- spent day altogether, uncle," cried Kate, gaily. " I have been instructed how I may turn drawing and painting into a moral lesson ; have learned that they are to be regarded rather as forming a code of rules in ethi- cal philosophy, than as mere fine arts. Then I have been taken to school, and shown how naughty it is to show any qualmishness or squeamishness at unsavoury smells, when they arise from a wholesome educational source ; and made to perceive how virtuous it is to earn your own bread, and support your old mother both of which any stork, or goose, may know, and does know, by instinct. Then, moreover, I've been read a lecture on the wickedness of disrespect to my elders, and disdain to my superiors ; which latter, I beg to differ from, until I shall have quite made up my own mind on the infallible superiority of all elders, and the exact guage and estimate of so-called superiors." " What does this rattle-pate girl mean, Fermor ? " asked the 'Squire, with a fond smile, as Kate's tongue scampered on with the glib rapidity which always inspired it, when she joined her uncle after any short absence. Glad tone, and voluble utterance, seemed equally to attest the lightness of heart with which she found herself again by his side. " It means she is glad to be released from the grim tutelage ^f the Iron Cousin's sage remarks and admonitions, that she may sport in tli" free license of the silver-haired uncle's indulgence," wiled 1'Ynuor 232 THE IRON COUSIN. " The truest thing out cf the many true truths, and sobei solemn verities, and unquestionable truisms, with which you havi favoured me in the course of to-day, cousin mine ! " exclaimed Kate. " Thank you for wasting so many of them upon my worthless self." " No waste, if you turn them to profit," he returned. " Not worthless, since you are well worth any pains." " Gramercy for your pains, bestowed upon my graceless self, then." " By no means graceless, being most graceful ; only a little ungracious, Kate." " Graciousness was never my forte," she replied. " Why not make it so ? " " I leave all strong attempts to the Iron Cousin. 'Tis his vocation, his ' forte ; ' he is strength itself." CHAPTER XXVI. AFTER a quiet period by 110 means unpleasant to Kate Ireton, Miss White returned to Heathcote Hall. One evening that Fcr- mor Worthington had come over, as was his frequent wont, to spend it with his friends, the conversation turned upon a sudden stroke of good fortune that had happened to an inhabitant of Din- gleton, who had obtained a large prize in the lottery. " Now his wife will be able to make that show in the world which has so long been her ambition," said Fermor. " Hitherto it has been the show of show ; now it will be show itself. How- ever her children might lack full meals, they never wanted for smart clothes ; she always kept up appearances. Now she will have it in her power to appear no richer than she really is a priceless blessing." " To keep up appearances, in the midst of actual distress, is most respectable, don't you think so, Mr. Worthington ? " said Alicia White. THE IKON COUSIN. 233 " Very respectable," he answered. " Mrs. Semble waa a perfectly respectable woman." " Yet she was a woman I could never respect," said Kate. '' She was not exactly a liar, or even an equivocator. Yet she li;ul a way of what she called putting things in an advantageous li^lit ; of making matters tell ; of giving words a colouring such as .-In- wished them to assume, when she repeated any fact. I never liked Mrs. Semble. I'm glad she has got a fortune, and is gone to spend it elsewhere." " But do you not approve of making the most you can of bad matter;', Kate ? " said Alicia. " No ; the least made of them the better. Leave bad alone, or you make it worse," replied she. " Unless you mend it altogether, honestly, and diligently, and truly, and so convert it into good," said Fennor. " I mean, don't you think it is wise and right to make misfortunes pass off as well as you can? To make circum- stances appear as creditably as possible ? " pursued Alicia White. " I think it perhaps the most worldly wise, but certainly not the most worthily wise," answered Kate. " If you wear a shabby coat, the world will probably hold you to be a poor shabby fellow, and treat you accordingly ; but if you know you can't afford to dress better, and are conscious that it is neither poverty of spirit nor shabbiness of soul that occasions it, wear your shabby coat still, and try if you can't make the world know you for what you are, and treat you properly, in spite of your appearance." " But it is a positive duty to do our utmost to put a good face on disagreeables and difficulties, however desperate," said Mi White. " And why not set things iu their best and most advantageous light ? " 'Why not let them appear as they are?" replied Kate. ' Kv.n it" th.-y tliance to stand in their own light a little by doing o, yet that's better than making them stand out too falsely JTO- luinriit. JJetter they should keep iu the shade, than be shows np by artificial glare." 234 THE IRON COUSIN. " You have not kept in the shade since you have been awaj from us, Alicia, my dear," said the 'Squire ; " a little bird whis- pered me that you have been shining very brilliantly at some musical parties lately ; and that at one, where my little bird was present, you enchanted the whole room, and were unanimously declared the best pianoforte-player ever heard. He said that, for his part, he liked your finger better than e'er a dementi or a Kalkbrenner of them all." " ' He ! ' who ? who, my dear 'Squire, could have told you this ? " said Alicia White. " Ah, you Eve's own daughter ! " laughed the 'Squire. " So you are curious to know where ihe little bird roosts. But I shall leave you to guess. It will be a pretty riddle for you. I shall only tell you that the poor fellow was well nigh distraught to hear you again. He raved like a madman about your playing, for he's passionately fond of music." " And are you, 'Squire ? " asked Miss White. " I am very fond of some music," he said ; " but it must be my own particular sort of music. However, I never hear any ; so I make myself content without it." " I wish I could try if my music is the sort of music you like, 'Squire," said Miss White ; " what a pity that you have no in- strument here. It is the only thing Heathcote Hall lacks to render it perfect." " The roc's egg ! " smiled Fermor. " There is an old instrument somewhere ; a harpsichord, a spinnct, I hardly know what ; but my Kate got me to have it put in order for her when we first came home, and perhaps that might do to let us hear you upon. Kate, my darling, where is it ? You routed it out of some remote corner, and stowed it away in one of your own. Where is it now ? " " It is an old-fashioned thing, Alicia ; it has not sufficient compass for you to play upon. You are doubtless accustomed to the good modern instruments. to a pianoforte ; this is only a harpsichord," said Kate. " No matter ; I will make it do, to try and please the 'Squire THE IRON COUSIN. 235 with," said Alicia. ' Let me see it, Kate, dear. In which room is it ? Let us go there." u Lead the way. Kate ; I am anxious to hear Alicia. It is lon^ .since I have had anything like a treat of music," said the 'Squire. Kate rose at her uncle's words, lighted a taper, and ushered them upstairs into the little room occupying the odd walled-in angle of the building. "Another den, Kate?" whispered Fermor Worthington, as Miss White sat down to the instrument, and played a brilliant prelude. The nod with which Kate Ireton replied, served to clear off the shade of vexation with which she had perceived her- self compelled to bring them hither ; and the pleasure with which she was soon listening to Alicia White's really fine execu- tion, left her speaking face with no other expression than that of pure delight upon it. At the first pause in the music, there was a sincere burst of admiration from the assembled party. " My dear Alicia ! how much we have lost by not hearing you before ! " said the 'Squire. " But you must indulge me often in this way, now that I know you have this rare talent. By mercy ! that's something like playing ! I hate your mere one, two, three, four in-a-bar style of young lady strumming ; mere banging, to measure. But such meaning, such beauty, such expression as that, is worth hearing indeed ! Is it asking you too much, my dear, to play me another piece?" M As many as you please ; as long as you like ; I am never tired, dear sir. Only tell me you wish me to play, and it will bo a delight to me to do so, whenever you feel inclined." " You are very good, my dear. Then I am ready iiow." Alic-ui White next played a movement full of fire and anima- tion ; then followed a charming andante, in which she accim-d to make the tones glide into one another, so even wos her tom-h, > admirably smooth a legato could she deliver, by tin- prrfri-tly i-qnalizcd power of her fingers. Her listeners again repaid her with unfeigned applause. " You are a delightful audience," ih* 236 THE IRON COUSIN. said ; " so still, so attentive, so aware of the merits of the compo sition, so lenient to the defects of the performer." " So enjoying her faultless excellence, you mean," said Kate. " You are too good a musician, Alicia, not to be aware that you play admirably. Your style is quite masterly." " You are very, very kind, Kate," said Alicia. " I never praise from kindness. Whenever I praise, it is be- cause I feel it because I can't help it," replied Kate. " It would amount to a downright falsehood, to hold one's tongue about such playing as that." ' From this instrument being in one of your dens, Kate, I couclude you play yourself," said Fermor, as Miss White turned once more to the harpsichord and ran her fingers over the keys, as if trying to remember something else. " Hush ! Alicia is going to give us another piece," she replied. " She is but preluding. Tell me, is it not so ? You play yourself, Kate ? " " Be quiet : I want to listen, not talk." " You don't want to listen to that ; it is merely preparative." " It is better worth hearing than a tormenting iron clangour, a peal of iron pertinacity : be still, I beg, and leave me in peace." Fermor Worthington moved away. But he went to the 'Squire's side ; and when Alicia had finished a very beautiful sonata, he said : " Kate plays, of course, 'Squire ? " " Does she ? " was the reply. " But as you say, of course she must ; or how comes the instrument here, in her own little dress- ing-room ? Kate, my dear, come hither." "Yes, uncle." " I want to hear how my Kate can play herself. But tolera- bly, I dare say. We can't expect you to be a first-rate performer like Alicia. But still I should like to hear you." "Should you, uncle?" "Yes, my Kate." " Then I'll do my best for you, uncle." She went to the instrument with a burning cheek, but a nrm, THE inoN COUSIN. 237 resolved air. She had nerved herself by that one thought, against the acute pain it cost her to sit down and play for the first time in her life before any other than her teacher. No human ear, save Mrs. Lindon's and her own, had ever till now hearkened to her ; and it caused her a pang of trepidation known only to those who indulge a solitary study of music for their own delight purely, to feel that she had listeners. She played a short plaintive air, one that lived in her memory for its ineffable sweetness and tenderness, its voluptuous melan- choly, its profound and passionate, yet simple pathos. When it was ended, not a soul uttered a word for some mo- ments. Alicia White was the first who spoke. " To use your own j>hrase, Kate dear, it would be absolute fibbing, to withhold praise f nn n such music as that!" she said. " Aud yet silence is its only fit meed," said Fermor, in a low voice. " It is lovely ! Absolute perfection ! Where did you hear it? Where did you learn it? Where is it to be got?" contin- ued Alicia. " I heard it in an opera, abroad ; it took my fancy, and I tried tn remember it. It is a tenor air, I believe," answered Kate. u All I know of music consists in a few airs I have picked up by chance by car; I never could learn a set piece. Poor Mrs. Lin- tlon jrave up hoping to make anything of me as a performer." " IMay me another of your picked-up airs, Kate ; I like them," Baid the 'Squire, whose honest eyes were full. She played again ; and again the most genuine of comments an unspoken one, followed. " Kate, dear, you have perfect expression, perfect feeling, in your playing," said Miss White. "I feel what I play, certainly; I could not play it at all, else. Unless an air strikes me with some peculiar sense of beauty, 1 cannot master it; and I never attempt it." " Both the airs you have played, Kate, are song$" said Fer mor Worthington. 238 THE IRON COUSIN. " Well, and what then ? " " Then it is probable that you sing, as well as play." She made no answer; but turned away, and put her fingers upon a chord, mutely, merely pressing the keys, without sounding them. " Can you sing, Kate ? " said the 'Squire. " I wish you would not ask me, uncle." " Why, child ? " " Because I must answer you ; and if I answer must speak the truth." " I think we are answered, 'Squire," smiled Fermor. " I think we are," returned he. " If she could not sing, she would have said so at once." "There was no question of 'we' being answered; I said I must answer you, uncle ; and you have not insisted upon a reply. You do not press me upon points that you feel are disagreeable to me." " I hate to ' insist ' upon anything with you, you rogue, and you know it," said the 'Squire. " You have no natural disposition to tease, and torment, and persist, and carry a point, uncle mine," she said. " You can be contented without perpetually testing your power." "Because the 'Squire knows full well his power, its existence, its extent," said Fermor Worthington. " If he were doubtful of it, he might be more anxious to ascer- tain its force, you mean ? " she said, with a brighter light in her eyes ; but which, being cast down, revealed no glance of the look playing there ; " there is something in that ; uncle ought to know and feel his limitless power by this time, so that a hint of his will suffices perfectly." " And you know what his wish is now, though it hat not been expressed as his will," replied Fermor. "Indirectly, if not directly; through another, if not by him self, the Iron Cousin contrives to compass his l will,' " she return ed. " That is evident enough." " Kate, dear, I really do wish you would let us hear you sing,'' laid Miss White. THE IRON COUSIN. 239 " Alicia has earned a right to ask for whatever she likes, in return for her having so readily obliged us," said the 'Squire. "Sing, my Kate, as well as you can; it will be sure to please your old undo." Kate instajitly turned to the instrument ; and, accompanying herself with a few simple chords, poured forth the rich volume of a full, pure, weighty voice. It had no great compass; very little flexibility; scarcely any power of execution; but it was instinct with natural sentiment ; it was full of genuine, unrestrained, un tutored impulse ; it gave unchecked expression to the emotions ot heart and soul. The air was one which needed little force of skill ; but it de- manded true feeling, and that the singer gave in perfection. There was a pausq at the close. Then the 'Squire rose, and going up to where Kate sat, took her head in both his hands, and held it against his breast silently for some moments. Then he stooped over her, pressed his lips upon her hair, and softly shut- ting down the instrument, drew her arm within his, and led the way down stairs. Very often, after that, the 'Squire made her sing and play. He would get both Kate and Alicia to go with him to the little ig-room, and have an hour or two's thorough revel in music ; this quiet, but plenary enjoyment of his own favourite pieces, his own chosen airs, his free indulgence in whatever repetitions, or caprices, or freaks of selection he gave way to at the moment, be- ing just what he liked. Frequently, when Fermor "Worthington came of an evening, ho found that they had spent whole mornings in the little music- den ; or had just come down from a long afternoon spell of sing- ing and playing there. " Alicia played me to-day one of the most beautiful pieces I ev-r heard even from her," said the 'Squire, enthusiastically. ' When I asked what it was, she gave me one of your musician answers, that's as good or rather as bad as Greek to me ; some 240 TIIE IRON COUSIN. German man's name, in some key or other. ' Somebody, in some- thing sharp, minor or major,' she called it ; but seeing me look aa wise as ever, she added that it was sometimes called ' the moon- light concerto.' Didn't you, my dear ? " " Very nearly right, dear 'Squire," replied Alicia White ; ' ' the moonlight sonata,' you mean." " Concerto, or sonata they all seem to me pretty nearly the same kind of names ; but the things themselves I know quite well, one from another. Don't I, Kate ? Oh, she's not here ; she's gone to see White Bess, who hurt her foot yesterday. But don't I, Alicia?" " That you do, my dear 'Squire. You are becoming quite a cognoscente a fanatico ; with discrimination in your knowledge, and judgment in your fanaticism." " I wish I had an opportunity of forming my taste and judg- ment in so good a school," said Fermor Worthington. " If there were an instrument here in the sitting-room, I might have a chance of profiting by Miss White's playing, to cultivate them. And such skill should have a better medium for doing itself jus- tice, than the poor old harpsichord. 'Squire, I am going to ask your permission to present my cousin Kate with a pianoforte on her coming birthday, that we may have an opportunity of hear- ing her friend's brilliant finger in its proper perfection." " A pianoforte, my dear fellow ? I fear we should never get Kate to accept so costly a gift as that. She might object she might feel that it was too much for a birthday present, which should be some trifle, some pretty tasteful toy, that does well enough to show regard, but is of no great price. Kate has very odd particular notions in some things ; she won't let me give her anything too costly ; she forbids me to buy whatever shall ex- ceed a certain sum ; and I'm afraid she'll expect you to observe the same conditions, or she'll perhaps refuse to receive it alto- gether; and that'd be a pity a disappointment." " When she sees a horizontal grand pianoforte, with extra jompass and additional keys one fit for instrumental perform- ance one adapted to exhibit the merits of her friend's playing, THE IRON COUSIN. 241 fihe will consent to accept it, for the sake of hearing what we all BO much admire," urged Fermor. ' My dear boy, I speak principally on your account ; I should not like to see you mortified ; and I fear lest Kate should not like should say in short, Kate is apt to express herself pretty freely when she is displeased ; and she might, you know, if your birthday offering were more than she thought it should be." " If you do not forbid me, I'll run the risk of a sharp word or two. You know, cousin Kate and I are used to sparring ; I would not mind some hazard, to ensure the object in view." Mi>s White, who had looked much fluttered and pleased all along, very nearly bowed in reply to these concluding words of Fermor Worthington. But she restrained herself just in time from this palpable token of taking his compliment to herself; and said instead : " }>y the way, 'Squire, you never told me who was the little bird that carried you the news of my playing. A little toll-tale tit ! I should like to I don't know what I couldn't find in my heart to do to it." " Not wring its neck, I hope ? It deserves caresses for its ])lc:is;int tidings, I think," said Fermor. " It was the means of introducing a great pleasure to us all." " Oh no oh dear, no ! Not wring its neck 1 I wouldn't be so cruel, upon any account," said Miss White, simpering and reddening. " Then of course you'll prepare to grant the caresses, and i:ivu one of your prettiest and sweetest kisses to my friend, W ill Huntley, the next time he conies here," said the 'Squire. " He kfl little bird; and being a safe old married man into the baririiiu, YOU may venture to bestow on him the dainty reward, my dear, and tell him how much obliged to him we all are." Alicia White reddened still more ; but looked as if it arose from rather a different feeling now. However, she rallied; and said with her smile of amiability : " You may command me in anything, my dear 'Squire. Even my salutes are at your disposal; secure that you will never desire mo to bestow them otherwiM than properly.' 1 11 242 THE IRON COUSIN. " The 'Squire will very likely require you to confer some of them upon himself, if you empower him thus far," said Ferinor Worthington. " He's too discreet, and too honest, to appropriate what is entrusted to him," said Kate, who had entered during the latter part of the conversation ; " besides, there is an old rule, which excludes certain people from participation in personal questions ' Present company,' you know, ' are always excepted.' >; " Thank you, Kate dear, for coming to my assistance," said Miss White. CHAPTER XXVII. MIDSUMMER, with its wealth of bloom and foliage, had scarcely arrived, when with it appeared the joyous countenance, frank laugh, and pleasant-spirited readiness to be pleased, of Cecil Lascelles. He had slipped away from the tedious grandeurs, and stilted hospitalities, and lofty amenities, of Castle Wrexham, to the ease and happiness of Heathcote Hall, ripe for a gay. free, boyish holiday with the friends he had learned to like so well. He felt far more at home, far more fully and entirely on terms of familiarity and intimacy with them, than he did with his own uncle George Darner, Earl of Wrexham, and Baron of Ludleigh. The cold, distant, formal lord, superbly patronizing his nephew, and seigneurially encouraging his sister, was not the personage to win Cecil Lascelles' regard. Feeling that he could not show more than a cool, stiff deference in return for the cool, stiff kindness that was accorded him, he was not slow in trying to obtain his mother's consent that he should return for a time to Heathcote, until she could learn for him his uncle's final de- cision respecting the future career he would advise him to pursue. This consent was at length yielded, on the understanding that he was to hold himself ready at any time to attend her summons ; she feeling, perhaps, that while her plans were in operation, the T1IR IRnN C'orSIV. 243 object of them was quite as well absent as present, since he neither understood their scope nor could aid in their furtherance. He only generally knew that his mother was anxious to obtain her brother's counsel in the choice of a profession for him, and il.'sirous of interesting him on his behalf; and that until this oracular kinsman had pronounced his sanctional fiat, nothing could be settled or undertaken. Cecil Lascolles was of a buoyant, ligt t-hearted temperament, little given to care or forethought. He enjoyed the present, lived in the present, and left the future to provide for itself. He had hitherto found the future prove a very pleasant time when it arrived, leaving him nothing to do but to turn it into an agree- able present. He had no regrets in the past, no solicitudes for the future ; and the present was quite to his taste, especially now, when it consisted in the exchange of the frigid atmosphere of Castlo Wrexham for the warm, congenial temperature of Heath cote Hall. The welcome with which he was met there, showed that his advent was no less welcome to those who received him, than his coming among them again was a delight to himself. And now for our postponed excursion ! A good scamper across the Oakleigh Downs, over to Oakleigh Hill ! " exclaimed the 'Squire. " And the ride to Bcanfield Grange, uncle, and the one to Tliorncroft Hollow, and to the Copse Mill, and to Asho Common. We'll show you, Cecil, that our county can boast more varied and beautiful rides than any in the three United Kingdoms," said Kite. " And then I shall put in my claim to your promise that you will come and see the old grey gables of Worthington, and its an- tique terrace, and the venerable greenness of its time-honoured >nid Fennor. " That should be reserved to the last, as being the most 1 liful spot of them all," said Miss White. " You see, the Iron Cousin proposed it so, knowing that the pre eminence of climax belonged of right to Worthington Couit JJ44 THE IRON COUSIN. None are more keenly alive to the proud, surpassing beauty of the place' than its proud owners themselves. They have openly gloried in it, from time immemorial. Their pride of demesne has been the rooted growth of successive generations." " That bespeaks it to be a very old family, and it consequent- ly cherishes a very natural pride," said Cecil. " Few prides are more pardonable I had almost said laudable than the pride which springs from being a member of an old county family, hon- oured and distinguished for centuries." " Then, of course, you, Cecil, own to some self-glorification in the fact of being a descendant from a family which can number earls, barons, honourables, and right honourables among its soi ons ? " said Kate. ' : I believe those said barons and earls,' answered Cecil, " had yet to be created, when the Worthingtons were already ages ex- isting. Our patrician honourables and right honourables still rank- ed among plebeians when the owners of Worthington Court had been gentry from grandsire and great-grandsire. Counted by reverence of antiquity, ours is the aristocracy of a mushroom, com- pared with that of an oak." "And that sprang from an acorn! " laughed Kate. " The origin, after all, is no great affair." " Yet less ignoble than mushroom-spawn, you'll allow, Kate ? " said Cecil. " True," she answered. ' : You have made out your case in favour of the hog- food over the human dainty. Swine batten and fatten upon forest mast, while the lords of the creation make epi- curean morsels of broiled mushrooms. Still, I presume, you are victor in the argument. Be it so. I leave you master of the field." The morning appointed for the visit to Worthington Court proved fair in the extreme. The summer had attained its full glow of seasonal warmth and beauty. The sky was without a cloud ; of a clear, perfect blue. The woods lay bathed in the golden rays of the sun their massive and lofty amplitude of boughs exuberant in full-leaved greenness, their dark embrowned THE IRON COUSIN. 245 boles showing richly in harmonious contrast ; the emerald turf which carpeted the inward-leading glades, softening and molting into dim distance beneath the shadow of the over-arching trees ; the verdant slopes of the more open uplands, blending into neu- tral tints, and deep-lilac suffusion, as they swelled afar into mea- dow, copse, corn-field, or hill-side. ' Tis a land, indeed, to be proud of!" exclaimed Cecil Lascelles, as the party stood on the old stone terrace of Worth- inirtnn Court, which commanded a broad extent of prospect. " Who can wonder that we English entertain a strong love of country ? It is no slight privilege to call any portion of this glorious spot of earth our own 1 It might well make a man envious were a fellow worthy the name of man who could stoop to envy towards the possessor of such an estate as Heathcotc or Worthington. You country gentlemen have a right to the emotion of pride, if any one in the whole world has ! To call such acres his own, might well stir an anchorite to a sense of self importance." " It is, indeed, a perfect Paradise of a place," murmured Hki White. " There is one thing that always mars its perfection, to iny idea," said Kate Ireton. " Why, on earth, good cousin, do you allow yonder hideous block of building to remain stuck there, in the midst of that fine sweep of lawn ? " " I have often thought to ask you the same thing, Fcrrnor, my boy ; " said her uncle. " It really hurts the eye. If I were you, I would have it pulled down at once." " On no account," Fermor said, briefly. What can you want with it there ? It's of no use, is it ? ' *;ii we have such a perfect day as this, such a perfect open-air meal, such perfect association, in such a perfect scene. I allow, when you do attain English perfection, there is not its equal. But when, alas ! do you meet with it ? Once in a century." " The more precious and choice, being so rare ! Let us make the most of its aloe-like bloom and beatitude," said Cecil, true to his propensity for enjoying the present in all its bright- ness, undulled and undisturbed by one shadowing thought of past or future. The conversation flowed on gaily, good-humouredly, in spright- ly, careless ease, each one feeling the force of Cecil's pleasant philosophy. At length they rose from table, the 'Squire proposing that Fermor should show Cecil Lascelles the interior of the fine old house ; its spacious drawing-room, its noble library, suites of wainscoted apartments, its lofty hall, its corridors, galleries, and staircase of polished oak. " And you must not forget to show Mr. Lascelles that inter- esting picture which hangs in the ' lady's morning-room,' as it used to be called. I have a perfect recollection of that sweet painting, and of the room itself," said Miss White. " I quite dote upon that room ; it is so charmingly old-fashioned, BO quaintly furnished, so altogether nice ! " " An odd corollary ! a singularly forceful, expressive cli- max ! " said Kate Ireton. " What a strange word you hav found to sum up your admiration of that room, Alicia." THI-: IKON COUSIN. 249 11 Don't you think it nice, Kate ? " asked she. " Not at all ; I think those were nice strawberries and cream nice nectarines, nice iced plum-pudding, nice jellies, we had just now ; but that room I should as soon think of calling nice, as of savin;: that Westminster Abbey was a nice cathedral ; or the Alp* were nice mountains ; or that Bacon was a nice sweet writer.'' " Must salt and savory, rather ! " laughed Cecil. " But let us go and see this favourite room of Miss White's, and we'll try and find out the true epithet for it, amongst us." " And you must see the picture, quite a lovely portrait, and so like the brother," whispered Alicia White, in her articulate aside. Kate Ireton, while the rest gathered round the painting, sat quietly down, a little apart, with her eyes fixed absently upon the object opposite to her, which chanced to be the old inlaid cabinet, that had so often attracted her childish speculation as to the wonders it probably contained. " What is it engages your attention, Kate, dear, and prevent* your coming to see that exquisite picture ? " said Miss White, advancing towards her. " Oh, I see ! that handsome cabinet. It is magnificently wrought ; and I've no doubt contains some valuable curiosities. I dare say you will grant us a peep into its treasures, Mr. Worthington, amongst the rest of the beauti- ful things you have been showing us to-day in your castle of en- chantment." " Willingly," replied Fermor, taking a small bunch of keys from his pocket, and applying one of them to the lock. It has been in the family since no one can tell when ; and has been a re- pository of all sorts of odds and ends in its time. There are a *ew coins and medals worth looking at, in one of the drawers ; and in two or three of the others, some good sheila." On opening the outer doors of the cabinet, they revealed within, a double range of side drawers; between which there was a recess fitted up in pigeon-holes for papers ; and along the base, there ran a shallow drawer, which occupied the whol* length of the enclosure. 250 THE IKON COUSIN. With exemplary patience Ferraor Worthington gratified Miss White's eagerness to peep into one after the other of these vari- ous receptacles, pulling out drawer after drawer for her, answer- ing her numerous inquiries, and satisfying her minute inquisi- tions relative to their contents. But there was one which she per- ceived he invariably passed over, evading all hints, and parrying all attempts to have it opened for her inspection. This was tho long shallow drawer beneath the rest. At first she thought his not following her lead was accidental ; that he either did not notice, or did not understand her hints ; but when she became aware that his declining to open this drawer was intentional, her curiosity became excited, and rose to an almost unbearable pitch, from the stimulus of finding itself perpetually frustrated. At length she made a dash at procuring her own relief ; but just as she was going to draw it forth herself, in an easy, takc- for-granted way, Fermor Worthington laid his hand on hers, say- ing : " Pardon me ; there is nothing there that will interest you nothing to see." " Fermor, Cecil and I are going to the stable, to have a peep at your stud," said the 'Squire. " I'll go with you," replied Fermor. " Miss White, I fancy, has seen all that there is to be seen in this nest of curiosities, and can dispense with their showman." " Thank you ; oh, yes ! Yet stay, I want to look at that fine specimen of Nautilus again. But don't let me detain you. I can examine it quite well by myself." He drew forth the drawer of shells containing the one she mentioned, and went away with the 'Squire and Cecil. Kate Ireton had gone to the old nook in the window-seat, and was lounging peaceably there, looking up at the picture, when she heard Alicia say, " Nothing to see, indeed ! it's all but empty ! " " Why, you surely have not opened that drawer, Alicia, which you found he did not show you himself ! " " Why not ? He didn't forbid me to open it. And after all, there's no reason why he should. There is literally nothing to THE IRON COUSIN. 251 ee in it Nothing whatever, excepting an old riding-whip," said Alicia White, as she closed the drawer again. " He could not have cared whether I opened it or no ; but he had begun by not opening it, and therefore persisted, merely for persisting sake. I begin to think you are quite right, Kate, in calling him ' tht Iron Cousin.' He's monstrous impenetrable ; but somehow he's only the more charming and manly for it. Many men have that way with them. They think it dignified. But with a little pa- tience, a woman knows how to win her way through all that, to humour him, and get him to be not so dignified and impenetrable towards her ; and that's all she need care about. And I : m sure he's so very handsome, and so gentlemanly, and so altogether altogether nice (you'll laugh at me, Kate, dear, but I don't mind that, from you), that he's worth any woman's trying to please." Miss White might have run on to any length ; for, since the words ' an old riding-whip,' Kate had not heard one syllable of what she was saying. Her thoughts were involuntarily busying themselves with the question whether this could be the whip she had believed thrown away ; but which was thus locked apart, and kept from indifferent eyes. " Don't you think so, Kate ? Why, what a brown study you're in." Kate started. " Don't I think what ? " she said, rousing her- self from her fit of abstraction. " Don't you think Mr. Worthington is worth a woman's try- ing to please ? " "It depends upon the woman," answered Kate. " But any woman, I mean. He's so very handsome, and dis- tinguished-looking, he might be a nobleman, from his air, that any woman might feel proud to endeavour to find out his tastes, and to accommodate herself to them, and to please him, in short, in every way she could." " Some women would bo too proud to do anything of the kind," said Kate. " You think it moan to try to please, Kate. Now, I think it 252 THE IRON COUSIN. only a woman's duty ; it is so right, so proper, so becoming, in us women to render ourselves as agreeable as we possibly can, to those who are our natural protectors." " It may be very wise, very prudent, and even extremely be- coming, Alicia ; you have a talent for looking, speaking, and act ing becomingly I have not. I can only be natural ; and I believe my nature is rather the reverse of right or proper, wise or prudent." " You don't do yourself justice, you don't indeed, Kato, dear," said Alicia White. " But here are the gentlemen return- ing. Let us go and meet them." CHAPTER XXVIII. '' AND how did my darling sleep, through all the roar of thunder last night ? " said Matty, coming into her young lady's room, according to custom, the first thing in the morning ; for Kate Ireton, knowing how it would pain the faithful creature's heart to see herself displaced by a younger attendant, had never taken a waiting-maid, but remained contented with Matty's dressing. " Did the lightning waken you ? It was very strong. Ben tell? me it has struck more than one tree in the park ; and he did hea? that it has knocked down a good few at Worthington Court, be sides the old ice-house ; and that it hit one of the lodge-gates. It's lucky you and master, and the rest, was returned home afore the storm come on." " The lightning has done mischief at Worthington ? " ex claimed Kate, rapidly. " Not up at the house, deary ; only about the place ; and no great mischief there. That old ramshackle ice-house was of no consequence ; it was as well down as up, or better, every body always said it was quite in the way, stuck where it was ; and as THE IKON COUSIN. 253 for the lodge, it was only the gate, not the lodge itself, whcr* the keeper and his wife and child live." " And now, Mattykin, dress me in no time, for I want tr know how uncle rested." " And how am I to dress you as you ought to be dressed, pray, this day of all days in the year, if I'm to do it in no time?" taul Matty. " Why, what day is this, that it should have me grace it with extra care in my hair brushing, and collar-pinning ? Oh, ay, true, my birthday ! You would remember it, Mattykin, wouldn't you, if all the rest of the world, like myself, forgot it ? " " To be sure I should, darling. Quite a different day it was the birthday itself, I mean the day you were born. Black, and bleak, and sullen, and cold, for all it was summer-time. But then it was up in the North, you know." " Now, Matty, give me my cuffs, and now, one last pin, and then one kiss or half-a dozen, if you will and then let me run down to breakfast, there's a dear Mattykin ; and I promise you to find some half-hour in the day to come up and listen to all the particulars you please to tell me, about my baby self on my first of birthdays." She found all the party assembled in the breakfast-room, in- cluding Fermor Worthington, who had ridden over to inquire how his guests of the preceding day had reached home, and whether they were housed before the storm began. " This is your glorious English weather ! your ' English per- fection,' Cecil ! " said she. " Well might you say, enjoy it while we may. A few hours have sufficed to change the warmth and sunshine into damp and discomfort ; dripping trees, muddy roads, and lowering sky." " I found the morning by no means unpleasant," said Fcr- mor; "the rain had cooled the air; the thunder and lightning had cleared off all sultry oppression. The drops sparkling on the boughs were pleasant to the eye, and the leaves looked natu rated with the welcome refreshment. My how and I quite en joyed our early ride." 254 THE IRON COUSIN. " Fawn-foot has probably imbibed some of his master's strange taste for disagreeables," laughed Kate, " or he would not like plodding through sludge and mire to pay a duty visit at seven o'clock in the morning." " The early hour shows it to be no mere ceremonial call ; moreover, it has a double pleasure instead of a simple duty for its object. The one I have already had, in learning that you all got home well; and the other I now take, in wishing many happy returns of her birthday to Kate, and to those who love her." " Is this your birthday, Kate, dear ? Let me wish you joy 1 '' said Alicia White. " Of what ? Of being a year nearer to being old and ugly ? " laughed she. " But I thank you for your kind wish, Alicia. though I dare say it involves my reaching that dire condition." " Which is remote enough from your present one, to let you contemplate it with a very comfortable degree of indifference for a long while to come," said Cecil, in the same tone. " The age of eighteen can afford to look steadily at the prospect of wrinkles and white hairs. Distance wonderfully softens its ter- rors." " That was a very fair craft-bait, Cecil, to fish out niy age. I give you credit for your artifice, but it shall not succeed." <( Kate giving credit to anything that has a hint of artifice in it ! " said Fermor. u She is plainness and straightforwardness itself." " I merely admit its ingenuity ; while I show my disapproval, by not suffering it to gain its end," she said. " And what if I ask the question in blunt, downright form ? " smiled Cecil. " You would be likely to get a blunt, downright negative in return," she answered. " And there would you be, as far as ever from attaining your object, after having committed the rudeness of putting a question, which in no form is reckoned dis- treet." " Discretion may venture an enquiry, where Sincerity risks THE IRON COUSIN. 255 nothing in satisfying it," replied Cecil, gaily. ' Ten years hence, Discretion might hesitate, feeling that he put Sincerity to the trst, and tempted it to belie its nature, by playing false to its sister Truth, and having recourse to some distant kinsfolk, and poor relations, called White Lies ; but now that Sincerity can answer honestly with perfect safety, Discretion asks questions, fearless of being bid to add the prefix of I N to his name, for his pains." " But Discretion can count on his fingers, or reckon in his wise head ; and when the ten years are over, he will have added up a sum to Sincerity's discredit. No ; there is nothing for Dis- cretion, if he wish to preserve his character, but to hold his peace, lay his finger on his lips, bid his tongue keep still, and his curiosity be quiet." ' Discretion is silenced, if not convinced," said Cecil. The post-bag being here brought in, and found to contain letters for the 'Squire, Cecil, and Alicia, they were left in peace to peruse them ; Kate sauntering over to the window-seat, whither Ferinor soon after followed her. " No riding, such a dank, dismal morning as this ! " she said, looking ruefully out upon the steaming earth and moist grass ; with the sun veiled and misty, threatening every moment to with- draw his countenance, and yield the day to the dominion of rain ami shower. " Then we must try and spend a cheerful, pleasant one in- doors ; no great difficulty, with such materials at hand. Three or four people assembled together, who like each other, who have tastes and opinions in common, yet who are sufficiently dissimi- lar in character to differ amicably, and contend playfully, can al- ways contrive to pass their time in happy independence of tirm-, place, or weather," said Fernior. " Yet weather is a serious drawback to perfect enjoyment.'' replied Kate. " Even when comfortably and snugly housed, the looking out upon a bright, sunshiny day, is a very different affair tV<>ni 1'Hikiiiir l'"rth upon dreary, pouring wet. The one is an in- lv dtTiLflitt'iil < nliaiiccinrnt of holiday feeling; the other is a ihmjt in it. ; 256 THE IRON COUSIN. " That is because you have a lively imagination, a sensitivi temperament, and are of an impressionable nature," replied Fer- mor Worthington. " There's one of the advantages of being of an iron constitu- tion," she rejoined. " Such natures are impervious to effects of weather, exempt from climatal and atmospheric influences, in- sensible to seasonal changes, unsubject to ascendancy of earth, sea, or sky. Yet sometimes the elements compel even these stubborn impenetrables to yield, and submit to their decrees, and confess that the powers of the air transcend their small mighty power of will. I hear that last night's lightning struck the old ice-house, and levelled it with the ground. No human power was to avail, in overthrowing it ; but even iron wills must be con- tent to give way, when Tempests exert theirs, and enforce it with a thunder-bolt." " It was struck, but not thrown down ; scathed, but not de stroyed," said Fermor, quietly. " What damage was done, ib this morning being repaired ; workmen are now employed restor- ing the roof, which was the only portion injured." " Why, this is very midsummer madness ! A fit of strange iron delirium. A kind of disease for which we shall have to in- vent a cure a feropathy ; or we must discover and prescribe some medicinal waters the very reverse of chalybeate. Truly, cousin mine, I fear for your sanity." " Can you not understand that there is some grave reason be- neath this apparent caprice of obstinacy ? Kate, hear me seri- ously, while I explain to you the truth." " Not I, indeed ; I am in no Lumour for serious talk to-day ; let us give the rein to nonsense, let's indulge in nothing but ab- surdity ; since you have begun the morning by what appears to me to be the height of both. It well suits the present occasion your whimsical cousin Kate's birthday. Come, good people," she added, turning to the bthers ; " if you have finished reading your letters, what say you to passing into the next room, where we shall find the last new packet of books and magazines from town ? " THE IRON COUSIN. 25? " And where we shall find something else, I fancy," whispered the 'Squire to Ferraor Worthington, as they followed Kate, Alicia, and Cecil, into the oak-parlour, as it was called ; a largo, handsome apartment, which formed their principal sitting-room '* I heard the men bringing it in, the first thing this morning, be- fore we were up. I wonder how she'll take it ? " added he, with a little doubting laugh, that betrayed some anxiety. " Let us see," said Fermor, smiling, and advancing with a firm, quick stop. Kat(! had scarcely entered the room, ere she perceived the important addition to its furniture. " A piano-forte ! " she ex- chimed. " The roc's egg ! The very thing which, if I had al- lowed myself to indulge in princessly sighingsfor impossible pos- sessions, I should have desired ! The very thing of all others which, if any fairy godmother had given me my choice, I should have picked out to ask for ! " As she ran her fingers over the keys, bringing out its fine tone, and attesting its first-rate excellence, she said : " And yet, ah, you naughty uncle ! Instead of letting you see my de- light, I ought, I believe, to scold you, for laying out your money upon so expensive a purchase for your Kate's birthday present." " 'Tis none of mine, Kate," said her uncle. "No!" she exclaimed, looking up in extreme surprise, rhich covered her face with a sudden blush, vivid, and very beautiful. " No," replied he ; " it was Former's thought ; it is his gift." The glow of colour still in her checks, and her eyes beaming with its bright effect, Kate went forward, and put her hand into , Diving: ' It is none the less welcome. I say the tiling I can, in saying that. I shall prize it quite as much as if it had been uncle's present." Ilrr iiKiim.T, her \\.inls, had something of the simplicity and earnestness of a child. As a young girl, Kate had seemed older than she was, by her ability in expressing herself ; and now, *n a 258 THE IRON COUSOT. grown woman, a certain straightforward, child-like way, thai characterized her, often made her petulance and perverse- ness pass off more gracefully than they otherwise would have done. Fermor Worthington held the given hand in both his, as ho said : " Thank you, Kate ! Thank you, Kate ! If it bring you but half the pleasure your frank acceptance has given me, the roc's egg will have kept truer promise than its original." " And I suppose you expect me to play, with these cramped fingers ? " she said, laughing, as she withdrew her hand. " How came I to venture them within the Iron Cousin's grip, knowing it of old ? He lames you, and then thinks you qualified to do justice to his gift. Reasonable dealing, truly ! But I'll do my best to pleasure him, for once, in spite of his iron treatment, since he has so greatly pleased me." She sat down, and accompanied herself in the air she knew he best liked ; and then rising, she begged Alicia to give them his favourite sonata, which she named. " My dear child, I am glad that you took Former's gift so kindly," said her uncle to her afterwards, as she was hanging over the instrument, and letting her fingers wander caressingly and lingeringly up and down its ivory smoothness, as if its very touch were pleasant to her ; " do you know, I was half afraid you mightn't approve, when you found it wasn't mine, but Fermor's." " Why not ? " said she quickly. " Because, you know, my dear, a piano-forte costs a great deal of money ; and as you've often found fault with me, when I lay out what you think too much on a present for you, I didn't know but you might object to Fermor's doing the same thing." " Oh, I've no mercy on his pocket," laughed she ; " he's mad< of gold for all he's the iron cousin." " He has a heart of gold," said the 'Squire. " Being made of gold, the heart's included, of course, 1 ' she said. " Put, you know, uncle, witli regard to the costliness of the gift had it been a piece of music that came but to a shilling or two, THE IRON COUSIN. 259 I should have accepted it ; why not this ? The pleasure of a gift is not in its cost ; why should the difference of price occasion any hesitation in the acceptanct ? " " Quite true, my Kate/' said her uncle. " Feeling too, that if I had a mind to give my cousin some- thing I knew he liked, I should not think of the price, were it within my means. I had no difficulty in taking his present, be- lieving that he felt just the same thing." " Once more thank you, thank you, Kate," said the low, ear- nest voice of Fermor Worthington, near to her. " I did not know you were within hearing," she said. " But there is the comfort of always speaking as one thinks, after the fa.shiou of your plain-spoken cousin Kate ; no need to fear being overheard. Contrary to the usual fate of listeners, you have learned something that does not displease you, it seems." " That pleases me more than I can express," said Fermor. " It has proved to me that my cousin Kate has the right-mind. i'il simplicity in h<;r way of thinking about money-matters, which K!I<' always had ; and that she does the iron cousin some justice, tli ough she so often seems inclined to be hard upon him." " Oh, the stickler for justice I " she exclaimed. "And pray, with whom should I be hard, if not with the iron cousin, my own iron cousin ? Nothing will make an impression on some substances, but their own cqui-hardness. It is diamond cut dia- mond between us two." CHAPTER XXIX. 'I'm: [>i:uiu forte in tin- oak-parlour brought l-irg' :iMition to tlir plca-uro of the circle at Heathcoto Hall. Alicia White wn untiring in her readiness to oblige her friends with as much of ner really admiral)!.' playing as they deired ; and they were not sparing in their dcmaii.l*. It was a touree of genuine delight to them all, with one exception. This was Cecil Lascelles, who 260 THE IRON COUSIN. cared little for instrumental music. He had great enjoyment in vocal music, and was no contemptible singer himself. He had a sweet-toned, manly, tenor voice ; sang well in tune, and with good taste and expression. He was especially fond of the Italian school, both in opera and church music. While the 'Squire and Fermor Worthington got Kate to sing one of the divine airs of Handel or Mozart, and incited her to master more of them for their gratification, Cecil would lure her back to some of their old Pergola favourites, reminding her of the Prima Donna's sccna in such a piece, or that bit of soft chorus in another, or that perfect trio in a third. When Miss White played were it the finest concerto in her collection he would sit it out merely, resigning himself to its continuance, but evidently without one spark of enjoyment. On the contrary, when Kate stumbled out, ever so imperfectly, her reminiscences of opera music, to please him, he would listen with interested attention and thorough pleasure. She would sometimes, laughingly, bid him remember that she was avowedly no musician, and that she found it impossible to repeat all the numberless beauties he went on recalling to her memory ; but he persevered, and insisted that she, " of coirrsc, could recollect them, if she would but try." " I recollect them, yes ; but to play them, or sing them altra cosa ! " she said. One evening he ran tip to his room, and returned with an armful of piano-forte scores, of different operas, which he had had sent down from town, on purpose, as he said, that she might now have no excuse, since Miss White would be so kind as to play the accompaniment for them, while they could pick out what they liked, to sing. They went on for some evenings thus, much to Cecil's de- light, turning over leaves, humming bits here and there, skipping the bravuras, leaving out the bass songs and duets, eschewing the too great difficulties, and pouncing on all the melodious passages, and favourite scraps. This heterogeneous medley was all very entertaining and charming, no doubt, to themselves, who could supply from memory and imagination the gaps that were left, THE IRON COUSIN. 201 and the hiatuses that they ruthlessly made, but was much less amusing to their hearers. Miss White found means to escape from her post of accoinpanyist, which did not at all suit her to fill, and loft thorn to potter out for themselves, as well as they could. But this did not a whit disturb them ; they were now too far entered upon the dear delight of looking through music fuiui- liar to them through pleasant remembrance ; and every one who has experienced this, can understand their enjoyment. The 'Squire as usual, when any gratification of Kate's was in question soon learned to accommodate himself to the change ; and gave up hearing the sort of music he liked, for the sake of peeing her interested and pleased. At first, he much missed the nightly game of chess, which Cecil used to play with him ; but this was supplied by Fermor Worthiugton, who, finding his old friend sitting beside the chess-table one evening with the pieces ready ranged, and vainly awaiting the advent of Cecil, then deeply ciifrn.ire.d with Kate at the piano, volunteered to become the 'Squire's antagonist. Alicia White established herself and her mother-o'-pearl work- box close beside them, with the avowed purpose of watching the game, and endeavouring to learn the moves; and thus evening after evening passed away, more satisfactorily to two of the party than to the others. " 1'ermor, my boy, if I did not think you rather allowed me to take a few pieces just now, I should triumph in that glorious cheek-mate I have given you 1 " said the 'Squire, on one occasion. " I suppose it's too late to begin another game; and yet those two have not finished their batch of music. What cormorants your amateurs are! Never tired of their favourite morsels ! But let them go on. She enjoys it; that's enough ! ' " Are we never to have any more of Miss White's delightful playing, 'Squire ?" said Fermor. "She is grown chary of indulg- ing us now." ' Not in the least, I assure you. I am at all times most wil- ling to play as much as you and the dear 'Squire like. Mr. Worth- ington. But " and she looked expressively towards the iustru ment. 262 THE IRON COUSIN. There came a pause in the music, soon after ; and then For- mer "Worthington went up to Kate, and said : " Miss White is kind enough to promise us a sonata this evening." " I would not for the world disturb you, Kate, dear ! " added Alicia, as she followed to the piano ; " but as Mr. Worthington asked me to play, I cannot refuse." " Certainly not; I have been very thoughtless very forget- ful," said Kate, earnestly. " We have monopolized the instrument shamefully, Cecil, in our attempts to recall bygone pleasures, and have thus neglected an actual one. We are punished for our pains, Deing ourselves the greatest losers ; otherwise, I should apologize to you, Alicia, for my apparent rudeness." There was something in this speech which spoiled Fermor's pleasure upon hearing Kate speak with so much sincere courtesy. He did not analyse what this something was ; he did not know that it was the sound of the two little words " we " and <( our " which coupled herself and Cecil in a mutual delinquency. He only felt the impression, without asking himself its source ; and he was soon occupied in attending to Alicia's playing. " I have not forgotten, my dear, that the little bird is to have his share of the pleasure he has procured us," said the 'Squire, when Alicia came to the close. " Will Huntley is passionately fond of music, as I told you ; so I have asked him and Mrs. Huntley to dine with us, and spend the evening here, to-morrow, to hear you play ; and I am sure you will gratify him and us with all your favourite pieces." "With the greatest pleasure, dear 'Squire!" replied Alicia White. Mr. Huntley was a regular country 'squire and sportsman ; the only thing upon earth he really cared for, besides hunting, was music. That, he was excessively partial to, and possessed native good taste in his preference for the best of its kind. During din- ner, he appeared merely the good-hearted, easy, gossiping neigh- bour he was ; but, when evening came, and with it music, he was awakened into intelligence and enthusiasm. THE IRON rousfN. His conversation was chiefly county chit-chat with his old friend Heathcotc, and an occasional good-humoured joke with the young people ; whilst Mrs. Huntley was superbly affable, in pur- ple satin and pink topazes. " Young Braddcley is now Sir James," said Mr. Huntley. "The old Baronet's dead, and left the young 'uu a mint o' money." " I've often heard you speak of the Braddeleys, Will, but never happened to meet either father or son," said the 'Squire. "He's a wild young chap, they say; but I've nothing to do with his morals, not being his godfather, you know; and as his dad and I were school-fellows, why, he has always been welcome, whenever he has chosen to come over and stay with us. Talking of dying rich there's one, we know, will cut up for something hand- some ; I shouldn't wonder, a good round sum. Old Scrimpum, I mean ; he must be a warm old codger ; he's always been so cursed close and hugger-mugger ; and he's made a pretty penny in his time, I'll be bound. What should you think he's worth ? " " Not a single sixpence, I should say," said Kate. " My dear Miss Ireton I Why, he has sixteen thousand pounds in the Dinglcton Bank alone, to my certain knowledge I" said .Mr. Huntley. "Oh! hc'.s rich enough ; but you ask what he's worth. Now, if you'll take my valuation not sixpence; at least, I wouldn't give sixpence for him, the miserable animal ! He refused a pound to a charitable subscription for a poor widow woman, that Dr. Meadows and uncle both asked him to contribute to," said Kate ; " giving as his reason, that he didn't choose to encourage begging impostors. As if women became widows expressly to excite com- passion, and impose on goodnature." .Mrs. Huutley beguiled the todious period in the drawing-room wliih- they were taking coffee, and expecting the gentlemen from their wine, by a magnificent account of the approaching grand pub- lic ball, of which she was to be patroness, in conjunction with fivu other loading county ladies. " It will be quite a superior and elect affair," she said. "Wo intend to be very j>arti<'iilur and VJ64 THE IRON COUSIN. exclusive in the issuing of tickets. We shall only grant them to applicants giving the most respectable and unexceptionable refer ences." " Meaning those who can pay for their tickets, dress credita- bly, and not trudge there on foot, I presume," said Kate. " I mean, that tradespeople, and other ineligible persons, will, of course, be refused cards," said Mrs. Huntley. " Those who can't dance, or can't enjoy society, for instance," observed Kate. " All ill-looking, lame, or crippled folks, rank among the ineligibles, of course. No hump-backed, crooked, or deformed candidates need apply. No entrance given to sprained ankles. Persons in spectacles not admitted. r " Why not ? " said Alicia White. " I am sure I have known some most respectable people wear spectacles. Doctors, clergy- men, scientific gentlemen, blue ladies, professors of all sorts of ologies and ometries, often wear glasses ; which, I think, add to respectability of appearance, instead of diminishing it." " A pretty list of eligibles for a ball-room you have named, Alicia ! " laughed Kate Ireton. " Mrs. Huntley would disdain having such a crew of old fogies at her ball." " Ay, but I've seen very young doctors and curates, and quite juvenile blue-stockings, wear spectacles," persisted Alicia. "That must be because they're short-sighted," said Kate ; " and short-sighted people have no business in a ball-room. They only blunder about, and confuse the rest, and spoil the general pleasure the general pleasure being Mrs. Huntley's great object." " You do me no more than justice, my dear Miss Ireton ; our chief aim is to secure the greatest possible comfort and con- venience, with brilliant entertainment." " And exclusiveness," said Kate. " Exactly so ; there is positively no enjoyment in too mixed an assembly. The only way is, to keep it very genteel and select." '' By way of ensuring the largest amount of general enjoy- ment. The secret of disseminating pleasure is curious. No THE IRON CO! 265 wonder that it takes six lady-patronesses to organize a county- ball, so that it shall produce the best effect, and give universal satisfaction." At night, when the Huntleys were gone, Alicia White re- curred to the topic, launching forth on the delights of dancing, and the charms of a gay, well-conducted ball. " I never was at a ball in my life," said Kate. " It must be a curious scene ; most amusing, for once or so." " How coolly and philosophically you talk of it, Kate, dear I That shows you have never been to one, or you would not be so indifferent," said Alicia. " Is it so very delightful, then ? " " Oh, the delightfullest thing upon earth !. I think a ball the most chariniug way of spending an evening ever invented. Concerts, plays, operas, dinner-parties, are all nice very nice indeed ; but a ball is the nicest of the nice among amusements." Next day, Cecil Lascelles came into the oak-parlour, saying he had been over to pay his respects to Mrs. Huutley, and to inquire how she had reached home. " And on the strength of my relationship to an elderly gen- tleman who writes himself peer of England, and wears a coronet, the lady-patroness vouchsafed to consider me qualified to make myself possessor of these," he said, taking four cards from his pocket, and laying them before Kate Ireton. " You will, I hope, allow your uncle and myself to be your cavaliers, and give Mis* White her favourite pleasure ' the nicest of the nice among uinu-cinents.' " " Tickets for the county ball ! " exclaimed Kate, with spark- ling eyes. " That will be a treat ! how much I shall enjoy it f My first ball ! and all the odd amusing people we shall meet. How new, how entertaining it will be 1 " ' Alia ! our philosophercss is beginning to show her young- pirl nature at the mention of her maiden ball. Miss White ! " wai II 266 THE IRON COUSIN. Cecil's gay exclamation. " Instinct is truer than reason. The dance in abstract, and the dance in actual prospect, have two very different effects." " You mean, that the promised ball, like the mouse peeping from the wainscot in the fable, brings to light the real kitten propensity," laughed Kate. " Precisely so," returned Cecil. " We shall have you play- ing tricks before a looking-glass, and running after your ball, like the vainest and giddiest young puss that ever called forth reprehension from tabby demureness." " To be sure, Kate, dear ; we all in our hearts love a ball ; and for my part, I don't mind owning my folly, if it be folly, to enjoy dancing^ and gay company, and a brilliant scene. And talking of that, we must not forget to order our ball-dresses. I shall write to town to Madame Colifichet, by to-day's post, and desire her to send me something distinguished and elegant ; I shall merely mention colour and material, and leave the rest to her taste for she has perfect taste, I must own. You'd better let me order you a dress of her at the same time, Kate, dear. You may safely trust it to her ; she'll be sure to choose some- thing very lovely and new ; she has the last fashions from Paris, and her own style is excellent. 'Squire, you'll give me carte- blanche for a ball-dress for Kate, won't you ? " " By no means," said Kate, quickly. " Uncle, I'll never forgive you, if you interfere with my dress. I've made up my own mind what I shall wear ; and I promise you it shall be as handsome and tasteful as any ball-dress there. It shall not dis- grace you ; it shall be worthy of 'Squire Heathcote of Heathcoto Hall's niece. Thank you very much, Alicia, for your offer ; but I have a ball-dress in my eye, that shall all but rival yours. Tako care it does not eclipse it." " I have no fear of that, Kate, dear," said Miss White, with a sweet smile, serenely confident in the skill, taste, and style of Madame Colifichet. ' But, at any rate, your uncle must let me order you a wreath ; French flowers are really the only one fit to put on." THE IRON COUSIN. 26? " Not a spray, not a bud,' said Kate, authoritatively. " Un cle, I insist upon it, that you leave me and my toilette alone , if you dare to meddle with so much as a single hair-pin, I shall know that you're afraid of trusting my word, and your Kate' taste."- " After that, my dear, I've no more to say," said her uncle. " You promise UIQ ? " she said. <; Why, you unconscionable hussy 1 you expect me to trust your word, and it seems, won't trust me." " I know you, uncle, and your tricks, of old. If I did not bind you down by a solemn contract, you'd disobey, and get Alicia to write after all, for a dress from town for me." Her uncle smiled, and shook his head at her. " Come, come, promise ! " she said. " Well, I do," he answered. " But mind, I shall be really an<2ry if you're not properly dressed. I shall choose my Kate to look her best, at her first ball," he said. " I promise, in my turn," she replied. " You yourself shall own that Kate's dress is what it ought to be ; and I know how high that pledge is, knowing your uncle partiality." The following morning, while Dawson was dressing her young lady mistress, she said: "I've found it out for you, Miss; I've discovered what Miss Ireton's dress is to be. I got it out of Mistress Martha, who was as proud as a pea-hen, because she'i to have a hand in it. A pretty one she is, truly, to make up anything fit to be seen. An old-fashioned body like that, whose notions of dress must be about as novel and tasty as the Queen of Sheba's mantuatnaker's 'prentice." " Is Martha to make up Miss Ireton's dress? "asked Alicia White. " To make it up, and to get it up, Miss. She showed me whole bundle big enough to fill a wash tub of old lace, that the 'Squirt; lia.l givi-n his niece ever so long ago. It was his mo 268 THE IRON COUSIN. ther's, it seems ; and I leave you to judge. Miss, what sort of fig ure a young lady dizened out in a parcel of dingy old yellow lace will cut. Why, she'll look like my gran'mother, of course ; itV her gran'ma's lace, and a pretty granny she'll make of herself." " But if Martha is to get it up, it won't be yellow or dingv any longer; and I know that old Mra. Heathcote was celebrated for the fineness and beauty of her laces," said Miss White. " I've heard mamma say she was noted for wearing the most delicate and valuable lace in the county ; no duchess could own richei Mechlin and Brussels, If, after all, her dress should be so very handsome- and becoming!" muttered Miss White, musingly. " She seemed to make sure of it." " No fear, Miss," answered the ready Dawson. " Think of the way it'll be put together. No taste, no style, no nothing. Take my word for it, Miss, it'll look like a morning wrapper, all heavy and dead, like. Not a bit airy and lightsome, and what a ball dress should be. Think of your own sky-blue crape, Miss, with the bookies of snow-drops, and the wreath to match ; and then, just picter to yourself the difference. Why, you'll look as if you'd just stepped out of last month's Mode-book^the very pink of elegance and fashion ; while Miss Ireton, poor thing ! will look for all the world like a ghost in a white sheet." " I should be fcorry for that, Dawson," said her mistress. " You don't suppose I wish to outshine Miss Ireton, or would take pleasure in seeing her appear to disadvantage ? " " Certainly not, Miss," said the acquiescent tire-woman. " Only, whether you wish it or no, you will outshine her. and all of 'era, as sure as my name's Eliza Dawson. See if you don't, that's all. I only wish I could be there to see it too, and to see how a certain gentleman, who owns a park nearer here than Hyde Park, will show he thinks so, even if he don't say so ; though it's my opinion he will. Full dress often brings on a declaration, that every day dress has kept fluttering and shilly-shallying upon a man's lips for weeks and weeks. Silks and muslins may win hearts ; but commend me to blonde, gauze, and crape, for bring- ing matters to a crisis. Walking-dresses and dinner-dresses d* THE IRON COUSIN. 269 very well for falling in love with ; but a ball-dress for popping the question." " Why, you silly Dawson ! what is your head running upon ? ' said her mistress. . " Never mind, Miss ; what I know, I know. All I say is, if a gentleman has any eyes in his head, or heart in his bosom, much less any mind to a particular lady, he won't be able to resist the sky-blue and snow-drops, mark my words." CHAPTER XXX. " WHERE have you been this age past, Mr. Worthington ? " said Alicia White, as Feruior made his appearance at Ilcathcotc Hall one afternoon, within a day or two of that on which the ball waa to take place. " We have missed you dreadfully in all our prep- arations." " And what may those be ? Is the 'Squire going to have another musical party, or give a gala in the grounds, or a ball ? " You burn, as the children say," laughed Kate. " There is a ball in view, but not at Heathcote. The county ball. Haven't you heard of it ? " A public ball! you are not going, Kate ? " " Indeed I am, cousin of the iron-grave countenance. Cecil brought us each tickets ; and we are going in a pleasant party uncle and all." " Unless my confounded rheumatism takes it into ita bead to prevent me," said the 'Squire. " I've had a touch of it lately. I felt a twinge or two this morning. But I trust it won't be so as to tie me by the leg on the night of the ball, for I've si-t my lunrt upon seeing my little girl shine out in all her finery, unr "i"--- i" a way." Do y.m think I should require pressing and persuasion, 72 THE IRON COUSIN. if I could comply, my dear 'Squire?" said Fermor Worth ington. " Ask yourself, if my sable habit be a fit costume for a nail-room." " Many people in mourning go to balls, and dance too," said Alicia White. " I do not blame them ; they have a perfect right to do so, if no sentiment or feeling prompt them to stay away. But for my part, a person in deep mourning in a ball-room, always strikes me as an anomaly a mockery a heartless inconsistency a shock to that respect and sacredness belonging to the memento of a sorrow common to us all. Besides, not to dwell too seriously upon what are, after all, only my own peculiar whims of feeling upon the subject, there is another impediment to my forming one of your party at this ball ; it takes place the day after to-morrow, which is Thursday." " And do the Iron Cousin's freaks of superstition set a bar upon poor Thursday, in the same way that popular superstition repudiates Friday ? " asked Kate. " No," he replied. " I thought you knew, Kate, that my Thursdays are always engaged." " Oh, you mean that, in your usual self-addiction to disagree- ables, you have made a point of dedicating each Thursday to the hilarity of Ditchley Manor ; to the lively task of playing back- gammon through a whole evening with Sir Dullarton the wearisomest of mortal men a very slough and bog of tedious humanity." " Sir Dullarton proved himself a kind and zealous friend of my father's, in a strait, when he had not a soul else to aid him ; he once, by a curious chance, saved his life in a street-brawl at Palermo. My father never forgot the debt nor will his son. He forgave him his constitutional slowness and dullness, for the sake of his proved active goodness. My father found that, by granting him his own society, he could best gratify his friend, and return the obligation he owed him ; and when himself waa taken away, he left me to supply his place with the poor re- sourceless knight. I would not fail in this for any consideration. I look upon him in the light of a direct bequest." THI: IRON COUSIN. 272 :i remarkably unpleasant legacy ho is!" said Kate. Like many :i legacy brings more trouble and fuss than heV worth ; more of a tie and a burden, than benefit or advan- tage." " That is less generously said, than Kate's usual words," ob- served Fcnnor. " She docs not ordinarily show gain to be her sole consideration, in the view she takes of a circumstance. II she consult her own natural feeling, she will comprehend that nei- ther benefit nor advantage to myself, are my object in appropri- ating Thursdays to Sir Dullarton and Ditchley Manor." " But, Mr. Worthington, you have not, after all, told us what was the pursuit which detained you so long away from us at Ileathcote, where you have been greatly missed," said the smooth voice of Alic'ia. White, gliding in upon the somewhat awkward pause that followed Fermor's last speech. " You must show us that it was something very amusing, or very engrossing, which de- prived us of the pleasure of your company, if you would have us forgive you." " Nothing more amusing than trying to gain a voice in a hum (Irani Committee, and obtain a seat among a dry board of Direc- tors," smiled Fermor. " Am I not right in saying that the Iron Cousin has a special passion for disagreeables ? " laughed Kate. " Who but himsflt' would have found out such a mode of spending his time, by way of aiuusi-ment ; and setting his heart upon such things, by way of delights ? To be sure, there is the zest of trying to conquer difficulties, master impracticabilities, and obtain impossibility's, a charm in itself to an iron disposition. And of course you have carried your point?" " On the contrary, have been utterly foiled," replied he. i:\viva!" she exclaimed. " Tell us the particulars. This is indeed something worth hearing ! The Iron Cousin defeated ! Enchanting 1 " ''Kate, Kat.- ! " said Miss White, in a soft, deprecating tone ; then turning to Fermor, she added : " Yes, Mr. Wnrthington, HI.V do Irll us all about it, \vc dull nil sympathize with joui 11" 274 THE IRON COUSIN. mortification, though this naughty, cruel creature pretends to re joice." " No great mortification; neither my pride, nor my vanity nor my dignity, were interested in the matter," said Fermor " I was merely anxious to secure this Directorship, that I might endeavour to remove a person from an office she is unfit to fill. You remember ' Lemon-face,' Kate ? " " Quite well," she answered. " Was it the School-Committee you were trying to gain a place in ? " " Yes ; the vacancy occurred among the Directors, and I ap- plied to become one. But this morning the election was decided against me ; and I came here to console myself for my disappoint- ment." " And instead of consolation, met with mockery and wicked ridicule. Fie, Kate ! I'm shocked at your wildness of raillery, which spares nobody ; you witty, wilful thing, you ! " said Alicia White, sweetly. " Kate deals sharp words as other ladies give taps of the fan," laughed Cecil. " She hits you a blow with her tongue, as they bestow raps o' the knuckles. Some women wound with unkind looks, some with sly, back-biting hints, and malicious whispered inuendoes; but Kate gives honest, overt, broad-sword cuts, in broad daylight. How runs the passage ? 'She gives the bastinado with her tongue, Our ears are cudgel'd ; not a word of hers, But buffets better than a fist of might ; We are bethump'd with words ' perhaps, yet we have an open, handsome enemy, who makes no pre- tence of soft hitting." " Thanks, good ally," said Kate. " You are a staunch cham- pion and bold defender. As for my broad-sword exercise my rapier play, it moves the Iron Cousin no jot : ' On him, when pertness is satiric, He takes ?t for a panegyric.' " THE IRON COUSIN 275 " It would require Conceit itself to discern panegyric in Kate's sarcasm," replied Fermor. " Dull iron, conscious of no other claim to distinction than solidity and firmness a certain sober virtue and value of its own, in usefulness and reliability, cannot hope to find anything very flattering to its self-love, beneath the gay taunts that are perpetually flung at its grim heaviness." " You show how perfectly equal it is to rebuff the light attacks of steel," she answered. " Highly-polished and well-tempered as that steel is," he re- turned, "were it less bright, or less fine of temper, it would be hardly bearable." " If it were not true steel good in temper, it would snap, cousin mine ; and you could not endure snappishness ? Tell me, whenever my speech shall degenerate into anything so contempti- ble," she said. " And now, Alicia, give us one of your most de- licious adagios, to take the taste of all this out of our mouths." The day of the ball arrived. But with it came a sharpened attack of the 'Squire's enemy, rheumatism ; and when he made his appearance in the breakfast-room, supported by his old servant, Robert, he was compelled to confess that he must give up all hope of accompanying them that evening. Miss White could not conceal her chagrin; Cecil looked dis- concerted ; while Kate hastened to arrange her uncle's arm-chair comfortably for him, and place a soft hassock beneath his feet. ' .My dear girls you shall not be disappointed; I have thought of an excellent plan for your proper escort. Kate, my dear, get pen and ink, and write a note for me to Mrt. Huntley. I mean her to call here in her carriage for you and Alicia, and Cecil. There will be plenty of room, for I know Will ITuntley intend? going over in the phaeton, early ; and as the Hall lies in her way, I shall not put his wife to any inconvenience in requesting In r in f.'t.-li you. All for the best, you see, girls 1 You'll h:r plory of making your entry, under the wing of the principal Lady- Patroness." 276 THE IRON COUSIN. The note was written and despatched ; and then Alicia White called upon Kate to take it in turn to entertain the 'Squire witi as much music as he pleased, in requital for his kind arrangement. The morning passed thus, contentedly and pleasantly ; and imme- diately after the earlier dinner, which the 'Squire had ordered purposely to give them plenty of time to beautify, as he said, he despatched them both to their dressing-rooms, bidding them come and let him have the pleasure of seeing them in their full blaze of adornment, before Mrs. Huntley's carriage should arrive.^ " And as the process of Adonizing and Narcissusizing does not require so much time as that of Venusizing and Hebeizing," said Cecil, " your uncle and I will have a game of chess together, Kate, while you ladies take an hour or two's start of me." "Here's a secure Hippomenes for you!" she cried. "He yields his first vantage-step to his pair of Atalantas, secure in his own golden apples of conquering array, when once he shall have donned it." "Remember, Hippomenes won the race!" said Cecil, looking after Kate, as she left the room ; and when the door closed upon the beautiful vanishing form, he muttered : " And succeeded in winning Atalanta from her vow never to love, or listen to lover.' " Cecil, you are playing carelessly," said the 'Squire ; " your thoughts are not upon the game; they are upon pumps and silk stockings, the sit of your coat, or the fit of your waistcoat. Why is not Kate here to help me to tease you about your anxiety to look killing to-night ? " " Pardon me ; I'm all attention. I see, your queen's in dan- ger. You don't perceive how my bold knight is advancing towards her." " Ay, but here's a trusty 'squire, in the shape of a sturdy lit- tle pawn, at hand to rescue her, and keep her safe. I can't part with my queen. I lose all in losing her." There was something in his old friend's words that threw Ce- cil into another fit of musing. His absence of mind became at length so evident, that the 'Squire, sweeping his hand over the board, and bursting into a laugh, said : " There ! Away with you nn: IRON COUSIN. 277 I see you're dying to be off to your room and get ready. Very natural ! It isn't so long ago, but I can remember bow a young fellow feels within an bour or two of a pleasant dance. I used to be all impatience myself, and tbougbt dressing brought the time nearer. Boyish enough, perhaps ; but some of our boy feelings are not the least pleasant ones to look back upon. Off with you, Ce.c-il ! I'll put by the chess-men." The 'Squire, as he dropped the pieces into their box, said, smilingly, to himself: "Odd enough 1 " And then he turned round, and sat looking into the fire, dreaming of a time when he dressed to go to just such a ball, at the same assembly-room, with his head and heart full of meeting this young fellow's mother, then a blooming girl, and himself no older than her son was now. Ho w;is still lost in quiet reverie, when the door opened, and a white vision stole in. It came forward, on noiseless foot, radiant and beaming, and stood before him, smiling in his face, while in- nocent pleasure and glad consciousness sparkled from the eyes, and played round the lips. " .My Kate ! My dear, beautiful girl ! " exclaimed the 'Squire, in a sort of irrepressible transport. She did, indeed, look rery beautiful. Her own artistic eye and native taste had devised a robe, more graceful than any mere fashionable dross-maker's conventionality would have produced ; and yet it sufficiently adhered to the mode then worn to prescrre it from affectation of originality or singularity. The richness and delicacy of the material was exhibited to the best advantage ; the soft lace hung cloudily and transparently around her, assorting admirably with the brilliancy and bloom of her complexion, and I h.- graceful lightness of her figure. Amongst her luxuriant hair were arranged some blossoms of a choice heath, which had lately ent by Fermor from the Worthington conservatory to the 'Squire ; the pure, waxen flowers, blending perfectly with the SD >wy Vxture of her dress. At her unele.'s wonls Kate threw herself into his arms and gave him a hearty, laughing hug; and then knelt upon Mii tu.-hiun at his tout, that lie might look at her at his case. 278 THE IRON COUSIN. " Do you know that you are paying my good looks a poor compliment, in allowing that full-dress makes me beautiful ? " she said. " You never called me so in my morning-frocks, or my riding-habit, and, therefore, I must needs believe that it is only the gown which turns me into a beauty." " If I haven't spoken my thought before, it is not because it wasn't in my mind," said the 'Squire. " I have often called you my own beautiful Kate to myself; but the sight of you in that pretty dancing-dress, showing your white throat and white arms of a still more fair white than your dress, for they have life, and health, and glow in them forced the word from my lips. I know it's thought very foolish and very wrong to praise young girls to their face, or to let them know they're beauties ; but still I have no fear, somehow, of making you vain, my Kate." " In short, in your eyes, I'm perfect, morally and bodily, dear uncle ! I know that ; but it isn't unpleasant to hear it said out. too by you}' 1 " Ay, but you'll have to bear its being said by others, also," said the 'Squire, with a little sigh. " It isn't to be supposed but what all those young fellows at the ball to-night will see that which is plain enough to an old fellow like me that you really are very handsome, my Kate. I wish I were going with you, to see how you'll be admired ; and yet I don't know that I should altogether like to see it, either." He sighed again, as he stroked back her hair from her fair young brow, and leaned forward, and kissed it softly and fondly. Then he took her in his arms, and folded her to his breast, as he said : " I love you toe truly, too deeply, Kate, to care whether you are admired or no. This is very selfish, I know, but I can't help it." " It is exactly my own feeling, uncle ; so that I have your love, what do I want with admiration ?" " Nevertheless, you will have it you can't help that," said the 'Squire. " No one will look upon you to-night but will ac- knowledge But I am forgetting, and spoiling all Matty's sareful handiwork, and ruffling your smooth, glossy curls, and THE IRON COUSIN. 279 rumpling your pretty dress," he added, drawing back in some dismay, at perceiving that his caresses were certainly deranging the order of her attire. " No matter ; ruffle and rumple as you will, uncle mine ! 1 dressed for you. It is all yours to admire and do as you please with. Have I not kept my promise ? Is it not a ball-dress for a queen nay, even for your niece, your Kate ? I had a pride in its consisting of that exquisite lace you gave me of grand- mamma's, and in its being all your own girl's planning, and Matty's making, under my careful superintendence. Have we not been skilful milliners?" " I'm no great judge of millinery, my dear ; but to me it seems perfect. However, we'll ask Cecil and Alicia. She really is a judge of these things." " I'm quite contented with your judgment, uncle ; if you are Katisficd, I am completely." " But now get up, my dear, and put yourself to rights in the glass a little. I must have you quite neat and ready against Mrs. Huntley comes for you." " Plenty of time, uncle ! Don't drive me away ; I'm very happy here." " Drive you away, my Kate ! I only wish I could keep you by me till I sent you from me. You'd stand a' chance of having no ball no dancing to-night, I fear." Kate clapped her hands. " The very thing I wanted you to say, uncle ! I mean to stay with you ; and I know you'll neither tend me from you, nor drive me away, when I tell you I wish to remain." " Remain at home ! Give up the ball your first ball ! No, my Kate ; that shall not be. You must not make me utterly selfish. I know you wish to stay at home on my account : that is treating me like a spoiled child a baby one who cannot bear to see himself deprived of a pleasure." " On the contrary, uncle, I ask you "to grant me a pleasure, nd you have never refused me one yet. It is you who have spoiled me you know ; ami you are not going to begin now to bt 280 THE IRON COUSIN. harsh, and unkind, and severe, and refuse me my way, and un rpoil me, are you ? ; ' " You coaxing little villain ! this is how you always get th< better of me ! " said the 'Squire, pinching her cheek, as she leaned upon his lap, and looked into his face. " What is Kate, as usual, beguiling you out of 'Squire ? " said Cecil, as he entered. " She succeeds in overcoming all your sternest decrees, subduing all your strictest resolves, knocking down all your most fixed measures. How is it that, sovereign man as you are, you do not better know how to quell such a rebel traitress as that ? She lies at your foot ; you have nothing to do but spurn her from you nothing sooner done ; nothing more easy. Try." " You would't say it's so easy, were you in my place, Cecil. It's just the very thing I can't do. I feel I ought to insist, and yet I have no more heart to do it than than than you would have. Once that hussy asks me to grant her anything, and it's all over with my power to refuse." " Be a man, 'Squire ! Exercise your masculine prerogative ; say ' No,' boldly, to that confident, smiling, upturned face, look- ing so assured in its insolent sense of power ; trample on that pleading, kneeling grace, which assumes a lowly attitude only the better to manifest its haughty consciousness of triumph ! Call up all your manliness ! She lies prone before you, temptingly ready ; strike, and vanquish ! What mercy does an arch-insur- gent like that deserve ? Does she not look smilingly, mischiev- ously secure? The sight is enough to drive a man out of his senses with with impatience. No wonder you are out of patience, 'Squire, at her defiant witchery her irresistible wiles." " I know I ought to resist her,- when she wants to coax me into letting her remain with me," said the 'Squire ; " but, some- how, I always give way, however I may mean to stick to mj point, with Kate." " Of course you do, like a good, dutiful uncle. You consent and I stay at home this evening." THB IRON COUSIN. 28 i " Stay at borne ! " exclaimed Cecil, a blank look suddenly faking place of his former vivacity and excitements " Yes," said Kate, quietly. " Then so will I," said Cecil, hastily. " That you will not, Cecil," said Kate. " You would not be so rude to Miss White." " Hang Miss White ! I beg her pardon ; but I do not care for dancing with her, and I do care for dancing with you, Kate. I had set my heart upon I had made up my mind to " " And now you must make up your mind to oblige me, Cecil," she said. " I am sure you will not refuse, when I tell you it will really oblige me if you go, and seriously disoblige me if you He bit his lip ; turned away, and beat his fingers vexedly upon the table. " You now see what I said is true, that it's not so eaay to deny this little baggage anything, when she chooses to ask," laughed the 'Squire. " There's no resisting her. I've long felt it ; and you're beginning to find it out, too." " I am, indeed," muttered Cecil. Miss White now made her appearance, looking precisely as her maid had predicted she would just as if she had stepped out of a fashion-bi>i)k, point-device from top to toe. When the blue crape and snowdrops had received their due meed of admiration, Alk-ia exclaimed : " But, my goodness ! Kate, dear, how are you muddling your dress upon that hearth rug. Those beautiful flounces ! What magnificent wide lace 1 Like a cobweb, BO delicately fine. But you are positively ruining them, couching down there. They'll be so crushed not fit to be seen when you reach the ball-room." " Then, I'd better not go there at all ; and that's exactly what I mean to do," said Kate. " Not go 1 give up the ball ! " exclaimed Miss White. " Bat why did you dress, then ? " " For a whim of my own," laughed Kate. " And you stay at homo for a whim, too ? Kcally you are 282 TIIE IRON COUSOT. most whimsical creature, altogether, Kate, dear. I can't half understand you." " Most likely not," she said ; " and yet there's nothing very abstruse about me; I'm as plain to be read as A, B, C." " The most unlearned of scholars could make out that fair text ; its lines are legible enough, though only a dunce would call them plain," said Cecil. " Don't waste your smart speeches before your time, Cecil/' laughed Kate. " Keep compliments for the ball-room ; your gallantry will have need of as many of them as you can muster. They'll be quite in place there, and expected from you ; but here, they're thrown away." " Hark ! there's the carriage ! " cried Miss White. " Think better of it, Kate, and go with us." And she ran to the win- dow. " Do, Kate," said Cecil, leaning down to her, and speaking the words low and earnestly. " Am I to oblige you, or you me ? " she said, playfully. " I prefer your wishes even to my own," he said, in a tone, the meaning inflection of which was lost upon her. " Be it as you will, Kate." " I knew you would not deny me, Cecil. You have always been obliging and kind, ever since we have known each other," and she laid her hand upon his, in a simple, affectionate manner, as a child, a sister. might have done, to a good-natured bro- ther who humoured her girlish wishes. " And now go and per- form your duty of cavalier to Miss White ; put on her shawl for her, and lead her down to the carriage." Cecil started from his chair, and again ground something between his teeth, in which Miss White's name was audible, with a word of one syllable before it inarticulate, but which did not sound as if it invoked precisely a blessing upon her head. rm: IRON COUSIN. 283 CHAPTER XXXI. * AND now, uncle, tell mo a story, while I wind this skein of sewing-silk to mend my riding-gloves with. I spied a very dis reputable hole or two in them when I was last out with you," aid Kate. " How am I to tell you a story, who have read so few ? " said the 'Squire. " The very reason, uncle. Your best story-tellers are those who look upon life, instead of into books. There's Matty, who I fancy has never looked into more than one book in the whole course of her existence ; she's a capital teller of a long tale.. I often get her to amuse me with some of hers." " But I've little observation, and no invention," said the 'Squire. " I may have seen life, but I can hardly be said to have made much out of it, or drawn much from it. I'm nothing of a critic or a judge, I take things pretty much as they come to me, and I've always found them turn out very pleasantly ; per- haps more so than if I'd spied and spied into their causes, their reasons, or their natures, and asked myself a dozen troublesome questions as to why I liked them, and whether I liked them at all. I've had a very quiet peaceful life, thank God ! and a very happy one, thanks to the little girl He has given me. It's a curious point of time in a man's life, by-tbe-bye, when ho first Cuds himself talking of it in the past tense aa a thing passed tltnnioh, spent, gone; instead of the eager, forward look bo gives to it, so long as he can speak of it as something to come, to be turned to profit, to be improved, and worthily enjoyed. Yet thoiiirh a touch of sadness accompanies this first viewing life in r.-trospect, it is not without its satisfaction, if self-reproach bo not there. That embitters all, indeed ! No source of jrratitmla d.-q.-T than to have Wn sj.arrd that fearful pang. All may b nutter borne, and better remedial.'' THE IRON COUSIN. " Few men can have more cause for that gratitude than you, my uncle," said Kate. " I may not have been among the most erring," said the "Squire ; " but I have had few temptations, few difficulties, few trials ; therefore what might be virtue in one sorely tried and sorely tempted, is in me bare negative guiltlessness. Still, to have been suffered to be guiltless, while so many helpless crea- tures have been led into sin by misfortunes and misery, by evil teaching, and by want of teaching, by example, and by tempera- ment, is a never-ceasing occasion for fervent, humble, happy thanks, offered within my own heart to Him who appointed my lot, and made me what I am." Kate bent her face upon the hand resting on her uncle's knee, and reverently kissed its veined and wrinkled surface. " This is but grave talk for my Kate on what should have been her first gay ball-night," said the 'Squire, cheerfully, though his tone had been placidly cheerful all along. " And do you think I am not greatly happier thus ? " she said. " Gaiety is pleasant, but happiness is better still." At this moment the room-door opened, and Fcrmor Wor- thiugton entered. " Fermor ! " exclaimed the 'Squire. " You ! " exclaimed Kate. " Nay, ' you, Kate ! you here ! " he returned, in the same voice of surprise. " I thought this was the night of the county ball." " And so it is ; yet I am here, you see," she replied. " Though I see, I can scarcely believe," he said, standing close beside her, as she "knelt there, still couched upon the rug, at her uncle's feet. " That dress, too ! How comes it that you are not already gone ? " " Don't you see I'm seized with a notable fit," she said, hold ing up the card upon which she was winding the silk. " Here, hold the skein, and make yourself useful, too. Is not this much wiser, and safer, and gooder, now, than going to an idle, silly, wicked ball, losing one's time, and risking one's what is it 7 THE IRON COUSIN. h, I remember one's 'delicacy.' Now, why do you fttnile? You should look grave, and pretty- behaved, and proper, as I do, and as you generally do." " Why, this is the poor ball-ticket, degraded into a silk- winder ! " he said. " Yes, it was discarded, no longer a card available for its original naughty, foolish purpose ; so I made it serve my whim for turning everything to useful profit, and wisdom, and sobriety, this evening." " And this is a very sober dress you have chosen to play so- brictv and usefulness in. It is fitted rather to rout sober thoughts, and to substitute I know not what idle ones. Is it quite wise to wear it ? " " Do you wish me to change it to put on a soberer one ? * she a.ked. He was not attending to what she said. " Is it quite in your professed spirit of wisdom and propriety, to wear such a dress to sit at home and work in, to sit upon the floor in, to play the Cinderella in ? Will not the white drew be sullied, or the purer and fairer white be scorched ? " he added. " Docs the fire scorch your neck, your arms, my Kato ? " said tin- 'Squire. " If you think they run any risk, uncle, I'll send for a shawl, 1 ' sin- sniil. " I think it would be a pity to cover up that pretty dross, my r, don't you, Fcrmor ? " What do yew think, uncle 1 Your opinion suffices me." " I think you can just as well draw back a little from the it of the fire, if you find it too much for you," said the 'Squire. " It is not every one, like myself, that can bear a firo nearly all the year round." Kate withdrew, as he suggested, seating herself upon a low tool by the side of his arm-chair, and just within its shadow. " The Iron Cousin has not told us how it chances that we arc favoured with his unexpected apparition at Heathcote this Thur5l:iy cvuiiiii^,'' sin- said. THE IRON COUSIN. " Sir Dullarton sent over word that he should not expect me to-night, having an appointment with a gentleman from town on business ; and as I happened to learn that another rheumatic em- bargo had been laid on your liberty, 'Squire, in consequence of which you would be unable to leave the house, I came over to play a game of chess with you." " Thank you kindly, my dear fellow, for your thought of me. What a fortunate petted old chap I am, to have two such hearts to spoil me ! Here's Kate, stayed at home to take care of me, and make me comfortable, and amuse me, dressing all the same, that I might see how she would have looked ; and here are you, Fermor, come to see after me, and keep me company, lest I should be lonely." " Kate gave up the ball for your sake ! I knew there was some such motive beneath her pretended whim," exclaimed Fer- mor, in his ardent voice. " So you can't give me credit for even a passing fit of nota- bility, or prudence, or wisdom, or any one thing decent," smiled Kate. The voice lowered into still deeper ardour, with a tremulous breath that increased rather than abated its earnestness, as Fer- mor said, " I would fain give you credit for I could almost be- lieve, that yet another reason had its share in inducing you to stay away from this dance, this public ball, Kate. Am I hoping too much ? you thought of me of my words ? " That tone, as usual, went straight to her heart ; and as usual, the strength of appeal roused her spirit of resistance against the emotion, as well as her perversenes? towards him who caused it. " You deem it too incredible a hope that I should be swayed by anything approaching to right or reason," she answered lightly. " You are wise ; never presume too much upon your cousin Kate's listening to either, for a longer space than it takes to think of a wilful rejoinder. And so you dreamed that your wor- ship's iron opinions, backed by one in posthumous marble weighed with me." THE IRON COUSIN. 287 " Kate," said Fermor "Worthington, almost sternly, " as many taunts as you please, to myself; but I will not suffer so much as the hint of one towards him who is gone. When he was alive, I would never permit him to be the object of your vivacity of speech ; now that he is dead, be assured I will still less endure it/' " And you believe that granite influence is to hold its primi- tive force unchanged, over others as well as yourself? If you, as a dutiful son, think it necessary to allow this cold, dark shadow to exercise its ascendancy over your actions, why should any one else think themselves bound to the same observance ? Especially, so mercurial and flighty a creature as myself. Do not believe it, cousin mine ; I hold myself fairly and freely excused." Fermor turned away ; and in his calm, self-contained man- ner, asked 'Squire Ueathcote if lie would let him set the chess- board. "Kir? What, my dear fellow? Keally, I believe I was almost dozing off into a nap, while you've been helping Kate to wind her skein ; but since it's finished, we'll have a battle. Let's see, whose was the last game between us ? Mine, I think." When Alicia White and Cecil Lascelles came back from the ball, they found the party thus quietly seated ; the 'Squire and Fermor still deep in chess, Kate engaged with a book. Miss White, in high spirits with her evening during which she had shone as an undoubted county belle, attired in a style to show her father's riches and consequence, and her own supremely fashionable taste was wakeful, talkative, gay, and coquettish She seemed inclined to indulge still the vein inspired by the scene of the last few hours ; and Fermor Worthington became the subject of all her engaging attacks, and winning blandishment* of sweet words, soft looks, and pretty speech, under cover of toll- ing the 'Squire all the particulars of the delightful dance. " Not tliat 1 should have fdt so reluctant to leave it, and 288 THE IRON COUSIN. comply with Mr. Lascelles' broad bints that he was ready tc come away whenever I pleased, and his scarcely polite eagerness to show how willing he was to return, had I known who waa here," she said, with a significant glance. " But I thought that there was no chance of our seeing you at Heathcote this evening." Fermor quietly explained the reason of his not being at Ditchley Manor ; and then added : " Your cavalier was less at- tentive than his fair partner had a right to expect, then ? " " Nay, I expect nothing, I exact nothing from Mr. Las- celles ; his courtesies are perfectly indifferent to ine," said Miss White. " But common gallantry required that he should pay suffic- ing attention to the lady whose escort he was, for the evening," smiled Fermor. " Cecil Lascelles is generally not wanting in such observances. No one more prompt in fulfilling the ordi- nary matter-of-course politenesses of society than he. I cannot think what could possess him to fail on such an occasion as this, when his assiduities were especially demanded. No wonder you complain. Shall I call him to account for his remissness ? ?l " You are laughing at me, Mr. Worthington ; but I assure you I neither looked for his attentions, nor felt hurt at not hav- ing them ; still less ( complained ' of him. I only wondered at his caring so little for the charming ball. It really was a charm- ing ball ; and would have been perfect, if if one other partnei had been there." " Ay, the poor 'Squire's attack was vexatiously timed, to prevent him from enjoying the dance he had looked forward to," said Fermor. " But he and I have passed anything but a dull evening together, thanks to the interest of a game that has held whole nations breathless while a match was pending." " And only think of Kate's giving up her first ball for a fancy to stay at home and finish a book she was absorbed in. Dressed and all ! Yet at the last moment she would not go, because she remembered an exciting third volume she had to read. I couldn't make out the whim she talked of, then ; but now I understand It w;is doubtless that book." THE IKON CO I 289 As Miss White looked towards Kate, she thought she now also understood why Cecil Lascclles had been so indifferent about the ball, and so eager to leave it. With his elbow touching the back of Kate's chair, he was leaning over the book she held, and talking to her in a low voice of what she was reading. " Kate might strike a stranger as capricious and whimsical, and odd-tempered, and a little wilful ; she might seem so to those who know her less intimately than we do," continued Alicia White, speaking pityingly and considerately ; " but by UB, who are aware how immensely she has been spoiled, how invari- ably our dear old friend the 'Squire has indulged her, and given way to her, it is hardly to be wondered at we can make allow- ance. She is a dear, sprightly, delightful creature, with all her faults ! " " All her faults ! " exclaimed Fermor. Her one fault, I should say; which is quite to be forgiven, considering how it has arisen. In spite of it, Kate is really a very nice girl ! " " She's " Whatever Fermor Worthington might have been about to say, he checked himself suddenly ; and picking up a jrlove Miss White had dropped, presented it to her. As she drew it on, one of her numerous bracelets came un- clasped ; and after an ineffectual attempt to re-snap it herself, she held forth her arm to Fermor, saying: " Will you be kind enough to fasten this troublesome clasp for me ? I cannot sue- 93 " Is the headache better ? " she said, as she filled up tho cup lie held towards her. " It was never bad. I did not sleep well, which may have >ned the ill-looks that Miss White was so kind as to inter- pret into illness for me." I5ut you were paler than usual : she was right there," said Kate. " Did you notice how I did you see me ? I thought yon were looking another way when I came in ; that you were at- tending to your uncle, Kate," he said, with more of hurry in his voice than it usually had. " Yes, I was," she answered ; " but don't you know that women have the faculty of looking one way and seeing another ? They're like flies, with eyes, or sight, all round their head. There's your dootress, now, for instance, with her eyes fixed upon the urn before her ; but she's looking sharp out to see that you don't transgress orders. You're under regimen, you know; don't exceed bounds. Go back to your place, where you can be within proper medical care." " But I don't own myself ill," said Fermor. " Sick people are always unruly, and unwilling to do what they're ordered," she re'turned. " Do you assume the responsibility of ordering me, and en- suring uiy cure ? " he said. " Not I ; I know too well the odium that attaches to inter- fering with another person's professional case," said Kate. Koturu to your original physician, as in duty bound." " Mr. Worthington, when the breakfast-cloth is removed, I want you to lift me down that fine book of engravings the views of our British Cathedrals," said Miss White. " It is in the next room only ; shall we all adjourn there ? " They wont into the oak parlour. Miss White, by question, comment, appeal, manoeuvre, contriving to keep Fermor iu at- tendance upon her and the book of prints: until he resolutely broke away, and jmnet together abroad. 294 THE IRON COUSIN. " Kate, shall I read you the new poem I told you was just come out ? " said Fermor. " I see it is among the last book parcel from town." " No ; don't iet us take you away from what you are about," she replied. " I am about nothing ; I am an idle man ; I want you to give me employment," he replied. " Your late employer is wondering why you quit her service ; she has not done with you yet. Go ; Alicia will find you occu- pation. I've none for you," said Kate. " Let me read aloud ; you said, the other day, you could copy music and listen at the same time." " But don't you see I'm listening already to talk ? and good talk is worth good reading, any time. Books are excellent companionship, but conversation is even more sociable than books." " Then let me partake of what I will allow to be yet plea- santer than what I proposed," he said, drawing a chair near her. "What was your subject ? " " This glorious composition ; it is full of fire, and vigour, and dramatic effect. You should have heard La Rosa in it, us \vc have ; and seen her play it too ; her acting is as great as her singing and that is saying much," said Cecil. " It is a great performance," returned Fermor. " She played the part here in England last season, and I made a point of going each night she played while I was in London." " Were you in London this winter ? Then you could leave vour leave home though not come abroad," said Kate, quickly. " We went to town for a short period together. I was anx- ious to have the best medical advice upon the case that could be procured ; and my father consented to oblige me by going up to London, and consulting several of our most eminent physicians. The opera was among the few amusements he cared for, and wo frequently went." ' : My dear 'Squire," said Alicia White, ' ; the morning is sunny, and beautifully warm ; a little gentle turn in the rose THE IRON COUSIN. 295 walk will do you good. You shall lean upon my arm. Let me have the pleasure of attending you. And here is your cane, nnd here is your garden-hat." " La Rosa herself couldn't act the part of a perfectly charm- ing young lady to greater perfection!" smiled Cecil Lascellcs, as Miss White led away the 'Squire, with a great parade and display 6f sweet behaviour, and pretty attentions, and becoming ministry to age. " Played to a nicety ! No one can say the lovely Alicia is not an accomplished actress, although she is lost to the stage and the public at large ! 'Tis a thousand pities so much talent should be confined to so limited a sphere. However, she herself is evidently too modest to think so ; and is as lavish of her art-powers in her own private circle of friends as she could be, were a theatre her field of action." " We treat her with scarcely more respect than it is the custom to observe in discussing the merits of a public favourite. Her back is scarcely turned, ere we make her our theme," said Fermor Worth ington, with his grave smile. " I ought to apologize for treating a friend of yours with so little ceremony," said Cecil, frankly, to Fermor and Kate. " I forgot that she was related to you both ; and indeed, her being a guest here xmght alone to have secured her from my freedom of remark. But I don't know how it is those sugar words, that honey look, and that soft creep-mouse manner of hers, disturb me beyond any tartness and bluffness I ever encountered. There's something perfectly exasperating to my peculiar nature about such uniform sweetness. But, forgive me; I'm transgressing again ;" and he laughed at his own vehemence. " You ought to direct your apology chiefly to her kinsman," said Kate. " His was the rebuke. No wonder; she's a young ; fter his own heart. Such a pattern of perfection as Alicia White so perfect in propriety, so perfect in amiability, so per- fect in lady-like or ladyish conduct, so completely the model of what the Iron Cousin would have a woman to be -she must b -juito to his taste." :,c is neither to my taste, nor is she by any mean* what 1 would have a woman U>1 Fcrmor. 296 THE IRON COUSIN. Kate's brightest and most beaming look flashed across he! face ; but she kept it stedfastly bent over what she was about. " No ! What fault can you possibly have to find with her ?' exclaimed Cecil. " Nay ; I have no better reason for my want of taste," said Fernior, with his peculiar grave smile lurking in his eyes, " than that she is neither more nor less than Miss White of Egg ham." Again the bright flash crossed Kate's cheek and brow ; but still she neither moved nor spoke. " ' By no means what you would have a woman to be ! ' " pur- sued Cecil, reverting to Fermor's- words ; "why, what would you have in a woman, if it be not the qualities that characterizes the fair Alicia ? I thought it was only my own luckless, truant disposition, that found anything to dislike in such feminine per- fection. I thought you, like most men, admired sweetness and gentleness, and mild consideration, and a soft voice, and an as- senting speech, with sympathy and interest in look, manner, and tone?" " I do," said Fermor, composedly, though increasing in fer- vour as he went on. " But insipidity is not sweetness ; silliness is not gentleness ; indifference is not consideration ; a silky murmur is not a soft voice ; a perpetual agreeing is not assent _ a vacant, meaningless, vapid lanquish is not warmth of interest or sympathy. Alicia White is an incontestably faultless young lady, but she does not fulfil my idea of that glorious and, per haps, most perfect of God's creatures a womanly woman." There was a pause ; the pause that frequently ensues in con versation, where one of the talkers has spoken in the unmistake able tone of deep and powerful feeling more especially when he chances to be of grave temperament, and habitually calm manners. " Come, let us have a particular description of your beau- ideal of womanhood," said Cecil, at last, lightly, in reply. " Excuse me ; I hold it too sacred a theme to be approached with a mocking lip," said Fermor, in a manner which he made is correspondingly playful with Cecil's as might be. THE IRON CO I 297 " If the Iron Cousin speaks, no fear but thfc lip shall be sombre enough, in all conscience," said Kate. " Pray let us dave his sombre, sober sentiments upon what a woman should be Ilr'll supply what he deems the proper degree of reverential gravity, while we'll engage to receive it with due mirth." " Scoffers arc not fit audience for a devotee proclaiming hi" S'll.-iun faith," answered Fermor. " Solemn, indeed ! " laughed she. When the 'Squire returned from his garden walk, Kate that he looked heated and fatigued. She left her copy- in.-. ;ind went towards him, insisting that he should loungo in his arm-chair, and rest; adding, that if a little nap crept ovrr him, he was not to be unkind and repulse it, and pretend that ho didn't want it, and bid it keep its distance, under a notion of being very virtuous and nonsomnolent. She ordered it so that the conversation should continue, yet in such a tone as ought not interrupt the sleeper. Her own subdued roice set the example to the others; and this quiet, equable murmur had, as she intended, rather the effect of lulling than of disturbing him. 1 !< was much refreshed when he woke up, and chatted away with all his usual cheerfulness and good-humoured heartiness. You have often bid me choose some ornament as a keepsake, uncle mine," she said, playfully, as she leaned over him, and fondled his grey hair, admiring its thickness, and softness, and fihvry sheen, as the light fell upon it from the nearest window. ' You shall give me some of these looks for a bracelet." Some of my hair, child! why, I'm as grey as a badger! There might have been a time when Harry Ileathcote's brown locks were worthy to figure on the arm of a fair damsel who should have done him the honour to wear them ; but now, what should you do with :i bracelet of this grizzk-d, fros' ,sted silver, uncle ; I like it, that's enough. It" 208 THE IRON COUSIN, " Pooh, pooh, you jade ! you're joking ? " " I'm so far from joking, that you shall find me in very serious, angry earnest, if you persist in refusing me. You have over and over pressed me to have a parcel of trinkets I don't care t straw for ; and now I've found out something I should realty prize, you wo'n't let ine have.it.' 1 " Give me a kiss, you baggage! and have it as you will." " The old termination to all our differences, uncle ! You'd far better begin there, knowing you will always have to end there. It would save us both a vast deal of trouble, and you'd get your payment in advance, a kiss at first, instead of at last. Cash on demand ; ready-money business ; a prompt caress, instead of book- ing it against me, and being brought to book yourself. It would be but asking and having then, for you as well as me." " And what shall the clasp be ? " said Cecil. " How say you to rubies, 'Squire ? Would they not contrast well, both with the hair of the bracelet, and the arm it is to embellish ; or pearls, for harmony's sake ? " " No, no ; nothing so showy as the one, or so washy as the other," said Kate. " Diamonds would shame the homeliness of tho rest, I sup- pose," said the 'Squire. " Certainly, uncle ; the glitter of brilliants would ill assort with the home thoughts and home happiness that will be woven into my bracelet." " Why not let the clasp be of plain gold ? " said Fermor ; " what could so well typify the donor's solid sterling qualities ? " " I am already represented in my grey locks," said the 'Squire. " I'll tell you what, uncle, I think I'll have an iron clasp. It will make a good guard. It will be strong, stern, grim, unrelent- ing ; no fear of the fastening giving way and coming loose; it will be odd, uncouth, ugly ; no fear of any one being tempted to steal my bracelet. Yes, I'll decide upon having an iron clasp to it. I think I have seen such curiously wrought ; I'll spare no pains to get one, or to havo one made for me." " I think it would look very well ; it will be in good keeping with the iron-grey hair," laughed the 'Squire. THE IRON COUSIN. 299 u And form a rich dark relief against the lily whiteness it ia to set off," said Cecil. " I rather think it is adopted with an eye to some such effect, is it not, Kate?" Fermor said. " Its grave sobriety is intended as a heightener to the silver hair and the snowy skin, serving to enhance their pure simplicity of beauty, by its own admitted lack of attraction." " Ay, it is chosen as a foil : a staid, dull, lustreless, unsightly, but useful and worthy object, well fitted for its purpose of keep- ing all firm and fast. Virtue, and morality, and propriety, and decorum, and stern duty, and all the cold, uncomfortable, hard, austere goodnesses, are embodied in an iron clasp. Iron it shall be." As Kate concluded, she oast one glance at Fermor. He had iimvt :<1 away, and was looking down in silence, with his lips set firm, as IK; drew a book of prints towards him, and began to turn over the leaves. CHAPTER XXXIII. A MORNING or two after this, Kate came flying into the room where her uncle sat with Fermor Worthington, who was reading the newspaper to him. Fermor had been staying the last few days at the Hall; and talked of returning home that afternoon. u Now, uncle, listen to me," she said, eagerly. " First, there's your kiss for having granted my request; and secondly, I'll tell you what the request is." " Well, what now, hussy ?" " Uncle, Matty tells me Ben is in disgrace. That he baa been "guilty of some neglect or forgetfulness ; that he omitted to obey some order you gave about Chesnut Phillis's mash. Is it so ?" " Yes ; that lad is very careless of late. I don't know what'a ouine to him." said the 'Squire, with a displeased look clouding 300 THE IRON COUSUJ. his face. " He used to be the most punctual, orderly young fel? low that one could wish to have about the horses. But he has for some time past been so dull, and stupid, and forgetful, that I've determined to read him a lesson. I was obliged to speak very sharply to him this morning when I visited the stable, and threatened that the next time I heard complaints of him, he should go." " Go ! what, Ben Dimble ! the boy who used to lead Shetland Bobby your Kate's little pony, uncle ? " " If he don't behave better if he's guilty of any more such blunders yes," said the 'Squire, stoutly. " The lad's .very unhappy, uncle; Matty tells me he's fit to hang himself, to think he's offended you. Your angry words, and threat of dismissal, have almost broken his heart. I want to take him some kind message from you; to tell him you've forgiven him, and will overlook his remissness this time, on condition of better care in future. Let me take the poor lad some comfort, uncle.' " No, no ; he don't deserve it. Let him smart a little. It will do him good," said the 'Squire. " Uncle, look at me," said Kate. She took his face between both her hands, and held it close to hers, while she gazed straight into his eyes, and then gave him three or four hearty kisses. " You monkey ! how dare you get the better of me thus ? " smiled the 'Squire. " Because it is the better, uncle. Good for you, better for me, best for poor Ben." And away she flew, laughing, on her errand of grace. " The lad hardly deserves to be let off so easily, though," said the 'Squire, the shade of displeasure crossing his face again aa he thought of Ben's delinquency ; " he ought by rights to have been left to feel the sting of my just reprimand for a few hours longer. It would have taught him that I don't choose to be tri- fled with." " Then why did you yield to Kate's pleading ? " said Fermor ' It was a piece of kind-hearted sympathy on her part, no doubt THK IRON COUSIN. 301 but if you felt that it was undeserved, you who know the merit* of the case while she could not judge them correctly why did you not withstand her entreaties ? Besides, forgive me, my dear old friend, but indeed you do wrong to give way so entirely and uniformly to Kate's wishes, whatever they may. be. It feeds her wilfulncss, her love of power. It makes her arbitrary, exacting. It fosters the single point of imperfection in her character. Yon should know when to deny her, for her own sake ; and from the depth of my soul I affirm, I speak but for her sake." " Ah, my dear fellow, it's easy for yon to say this " "Easy!" was echoed within Fermor Worthington's heart; though by no uttered word did he interrupt the 'Squire. " But you'd find it as difficult as I do to resist her, were she to plead to you as she does to me." " Difficult, but not impossible," was Fennors reply. "Nay, impossible," returned the 'Squire, " as you'd allow were you tried as I am. Were you to feel those soft bright curls drooping over your face to see those clear eyes looking into yours to have that fresh rosy mouth within an inch of your own, pour- ing out its gentle yet earnest, playful yet pressing entreaties, you'd own, as I do, that there's no answering her in any other way than as she wishes." Ft rinor drew a deep inward breath ; and then he said, in a low voice: " I should find strength, courage, by thinking of her- self, instead of her beauty." Ay, but her beauty is so much part of herself, that I can't separate them, for the life of me," said the 'Squire. " You, m) dear fellow, are, as she truly calls you, the Iron Cousin, and have all the requisite firmness, and self-command, and rectitude of judgment to distinguish accurately, and to act consistently ; bat I. alas ! can only love her, and therefore indulge her." " Love her and therefore restrain her, in all tenderness, in all affection, you should say, dear 'Squire," said Fermor. " I illicit s.iv it. l.ut 1 fear I should not do it 1 the S.niire. Miss White now crime in, proposing to take the 'Squire a tura 302 THE IKON COUSIN. in the garden, as the sun shone full and warm upon the rose-walk she said. But just as she had brought him his stick, his gloves, his hat, and all the other etceteras she judged fit to equip him with, Kate returned ; and finding her uncle about to repeat the expedition which she thought had before over-fatigued him taken just at noontide, interfered with the arrangement very perempto- rily; and, in her eagerness, used some not particularly ceremo- nious or polite expressions to Alicia White for proposing it. " As you please, Kate, deaf," replied she, with an air of meek- ness and injured innocence ; " but the dear 'Squire will bear me witness that he said he enjoyed his walk the other day, or I should not have thought of asking him to repeat it. I imagined you were engaged, too ; that you wanted to stay and hear Mr. Wor- thington read, and would be glad of some one to attend your uncle in your stead." " I can fancy nothing that could make me glad to be away from uncle, or pleased to see any one else supply my place near him," said Kate, haughtily. " No need to put yourself in a pet, Kate, dear, or to speak with such a princess air," returned Miss White. " Poor little I only wished to offer my services, in case they could be made useful or agreeable." " When they are either to me, I'll ask you for them," replied she. " Kate ! " exclaimed Fermor, in a voice that made her start. " A spark of anger from your eyes ! " she said. " Struck out of them by your hard, improper speech, Kate," he returned. " By my flint against your iron, good cousin ! " she replied, with a laugh. " Oh, pray don't let me be the cause of getting poor, dear Kate into disgrace ! " said Miss White. " I can quite forgive her any little fit of temper. She don't mean it; it's only her way, To give her time to recover, I'll go and take a turn in the garden >y myself." A silence followed Miss White's departure. At length tho THE IRON COUSIN. 303 "Squire said : " My Kate, what made you so bluff to poor Miss White ? What had she done to affront you ? " " She did uot affront me she never means to affront any one hhc's only too civil, too fearful of giving offence. It is that which provokes me in her." " But you really should not let your feeling provoked make you behave uncourteously, my dear. Remember you are in your own house, my Kate, and should never forget what is due to a guest. 1 ' " Anywhere to any one Kate should forbear from other be- haviour than becomes her as a lady as a woman," Fernior said in a (juiet tone. " Then, you mean to say my treatment of Miss White wis un- becoming either lady or woman ? But no wonder you reprove any one who dares to speak less than obsequionsly to Alicia White." " I am not thinking of Alicia White; I am thinking of you, K.-itr." -.till Fcrmor, gravely. " And what of me, pray ? Say out your thought, by all in- ans." " That, for Kate's own sake, I would beseech her to set a guard upon her freedom of tongue ; to bear in mind how ill it be- fits one like herself to be thus ungracious; to reflect, in time, that a woman who speaks thus trenchantly, thus iutcmperately who can be so rude, so imperious, so careless of wounding the feelings of those with whom she is in constant intercourse weakens the 1 of her friends, and instead of their feeling it a privilege to know her, she becomes not pleasant to live with." " And what is the saying such harsh things as these but rude * " she returned. "Not rude; candid." - Hair-splitting!" " Not so ; I can clearly define the line between rudeness and candour. The former is merely a vent to spleen an entirely self ish feeling a total disregard of those of others, in the relief to our own ; but candour ha.* for tin- aim of its frank speeches the welfare and amelioration of those with whom it deals." 304 THE IRON COCSIN. u Preaching ! " There was a pause. " I cannot oear to see my Kate vexed ; I cannot have hef roughly chidden," said the 'Squire. " I have hardly the right ; I own I seem, even to myself, scarcely warranted in taking this tone of admonishment ; but on the strength of our relationship, and, still more, out of the sin- cerity and warmth of my esteem for Kate's finer qualities, togeth- er with my conviction that the force of her character is such, that it could effect its own cure of its single defect, if it chose serious- ly to undertake the task, I venture to speak out thus plainly." " And why should she undertake anything half so trouble- sorne ? " said the 'Squire ; " when she's very delightful as she is. notwithstanding her one defect, as you call it. In spite of Kate's pccasional freaks of wilfulness like my chestnut mare she's thorough bred." " It is because she is thorough bred a noble creature that we would fain see her without a single blemish," returned Fcr mor. " You want perfection ! which is rarely seen in man or horse, still less in woman or mare," laughed the 'Squire. " The rarer, the more precious when it is attained," said Fcrmor. " And Kate could attain this perfection, you mean to say ? " pursued the 'Squire. " I do. Kate might be anything she wishes to be." " He says I have force of character sufficient to achieve great things, you hear, uncle ; but it is clear he believes it to be a Her- culean task of remove, from my present state, to perfection," said Kate. " He thinks me far enough from it now." There was no reply ; and Kate sat with a swelling heart, and a choking sensation in her throat, that in most women would have brought tears. " You are too hard upon my little girl," said the 'Squire, re- proachfully, to Feruior. " Come hither, Kate ! " She went and leaned over his chair, while the old man drew her cheek against his. THE IRON COUSIN. 30;" " Do not ask him to be gentler to me and my faults than hii conscience will let him," said Kate. " The Iron Cousin sacrific injr truth to flattery, would be worse than all. It would be un just to himself hateful to me ! " " The respect he feels for her higher and better nature, will not suffer him to be false and uncandid towards its less worth j points," replied Fermor. " It is the very strength and depth of his admiration for her excellences which will not now let him bo blind or silent to her faults, and which will most assuredly pro vent his ever flattering them." " Why, Kate ! " said Cecil Lascelles, as he entered the room at this moment, " what has detained you so long ? I have been expecting you to come and walk in the shrubberies for the last hour. Did you not say you would join me there, when I asked you to come and sec how well the young bay-trees are thriving in their new place ? " " Yes ; I had forgotten I I could not come ; I could not let uncle walk in the heat ; it did not agree with him the last time he went out in the middle of the day. But he is get- tin;: the better of his rheumatism ; aud, I trust, very shortly, ho will be able to resume his rides, and walks with us all, ai usual." "Will you try over this duet, Kate? I think the 'Squire will like to hear us sing it," said Cecil, going to the piauo-forte, ami placing the piece he spoke of upon the desk. " With pleasure," she said. " Few things could have offered more opportunely, more welcomely, just now. Nothing serves so well to take the bitter flavour out of one's spirits, after a dose of moral physic, as sweet music." They went on as usual, with piece after piece, until Alicia White came in, and challenged the 'Squire to give her a promised in ehess ; and, after a time, Kate heard the voice of Fer- mor Worthington taking leave of her uncle, and Baying that he meant to walk home instead of riding, as he felt inclined for a quiet stroll through the woods ou foot, in preference to the dusty lanes on horseback. Then canie a few more words of farewell tc 306 THE IRON COUSIN. Miss White, and then his step crossed the room in her own direction. He shook hands with Cecil, and, a moment after, Kate found her own wifhin his. " Good bye. Kate . " " Good bye ! " she said, at the end of her breath, while her heart stood still, as with a sullen weight, which she took to be indignation, resentment, anger. " Mr. Lascelles, pray come here and settle this knotty point for us," said Alicia White, from the chess-table. " This dear, modest 'Squire, will not allow that he can decide it; he wishes the question to be referred to you, as his master, and highest authority." While Cecil obeyed, Fermor Worthington drew the hand he Btill held within his arm, and said : " Kate, you will not refuse to accompany me as far as the lawn ? " For an instant she drew back ; the next she replied, with a forced air : " If you wish it, of course." They passed in silence through the glass-door, into the flower- garden ; the rose-walk, as it was called, running close to that side of the old house, and ending in the shrubberies which led on to the open space or lawn forming the boundary of the home- grounds where they joined the park-woods. The short distance they walked together without speaking, Kate Ireton employed in summoning all the spirit of opposition and resistance, and reckless daring, within her; in stifling rebel- lious emotion, in whispering to herself the causes she believed she had to feel offended ; in preparing to meet what she thought his 3old, stoical composure, with coolness and indifference ; in forti- fying herself against what she had sometimes found rise traitor- ously within her, in favour of one who evidently saw her errors too distinctly to entertain aught but a low opinion of a wayward, petulant, spoiled girl, that was to be kindly guided and won into better behaviour. The more she found herself inwardly admit- ting arguments and thoughts on his side, the more vehemently did she resist their impression. That tone of right which he al THE IRON COB SOT. 307 ways took with her while secretly owning its justice, made her only the more sturdily resist its influence. Ik gave him that air of superiority to which she was unaccustomed from any one but himself ; and which superiority, the more she internally felt and acknowledged, the less she was willing outwardly to succumb to, or own to. It was this which so frequently gave to her manner the contradictiousness, and even avcrseness, towards himself, which peculiarly hurt Fermor. He, who could have no idea of the source of her being more perverse to him than to any one else only saw and felt the wounding result. During the little space of time it took to reach the garden, where Kate had been hurriedly giving way to pride and heated feeling, Fermor had boon collecting patience and forbearance, and temperate firmness, with resolution to make one last attempt to arouse her better self. " Kate," he said, " let me take with me the belief that you will perform what is due to your own truth and uprightness of character. You will promise me to make honourable atonement to Miss White for your discourtesy of to-day ? " " Why should I promise to offer an apology where I cannot tVd that any is needed ? I shall not promise, since that will be to own I am to blame which I do not perceive." " Then promise nothing, but act rightly." " I will not be thus dictated to. I am no longer a child." " But a grown woman ; and, therefore " " And, therefore, by no means, of course, a reasonable being. You ought to know since such is the received opinion it docs not follow that, because a woman attains unto the ago of reason, she necessarily becomes either a reasonable creature, or willing to listen to reason." " You will not plead such foolish fallacies in your c*e, sun-ly, K:iti. You know better ; you know that you are iicith.-r waul in- in MUM nor sense of right. Come, you intend you will make this apoli^y, will you not ? " Sin- f.-lt hiT.si-ir jrivin.ir way at his change of voice, a* it drop pt-d int.. his Mrn< dq.th of tour, and, tlurctoro, nerved herself SOS THE IRON OOUSIN. to say : " I am aware of no such intention. Besides, I know not by what right you insist thus upon forcing me into doing that which I've no mind to." " Have I not the right to entreat you to be true to yourself? Does not my privilege of relationship alone warrant my freedom of speech ? Have not you yourself, Kate, owned the claim of cousinhood between us, as a title to speak our minds openly and without reserve to each other ? " " A right so urged, so enforced, becomes a tyranny," she ex- claimed impetuously. " Kate ! " She would not see the look that accompanied this single word ; she would not suffer herself to listen to the tone of appeal in which it was uttered. With a passionate longing in her heart to speak the words which should ask pardon for her pcrverseness towards himself, and confess the yearning she had to act gener- ously and rightly by another as he suggested, and to give free way to all her better emotions, she yet yielded to the idea upper- most in her mind an impression of his merely desiring to carry his point, to influence her actions, and to prove his power, irre- spective of any feeling which should warrant that one which she vaguely began to recognize within herself. It was in a sort of desperation and terror at this half-discerned self-surprisal, that she forced herself to add : " I acknowledge no authority but uncle's ; his claim alone I admit to guide my conduct, to sway my actions. All other rights and claims I look upon as imper- tinence, and I repeat a would-be tyranny." " Do not fear ; neither impertinence nor tyranny shall you know from me, Kate." " And as yonder is the lawn, perhaps the Iron Cousin will consider I have complied with his wish of accompanying him through the grounds far enough. Whereupon. I will bid him good evening, and return to the house;" and with a slight curt- sey, she turned on her heel, as if afraid of her own resolution, walking back at a rapid pace, and shutting her ears to the " Fare- well, Kate ! " which sounded with something of mournful re proach and recall. THE ICON coosnr. 309 CHAPTER XXXIV FEUMOR WOUTHINGTON continued to pace up and down the thickly-screened shrubbery-walk, after Kate Ireton left him. " Why endeavour to recall her?" he thought. "To what end seek to bring her back, or detain her with me ? What should I say, that could avail, after that bitter, bitter word of hers 'i ' Tyranny 1 ' Does she indeed feel my remonstrances oppressive a burden a tyranny ? When, if I know my own heart, they spring from the very tenderness of my regard for her excellence, from my desire to see it perfect, consummate, worthy that supremacy of beauty which is hers ; that graciousncss and L r >i 'ili icss of aspect which bespeak a nature capable of all virtue, all noble feeling. Yet, tyranny ! Tyranny ! " The word seemed to hauut him in its cruellest force of mean- ing, as indicating her impression of his conduct towards her. The playful temper in which she had hitherto borne bus most candid speeches, and strongest remonstrances, even when she bad spiritedly retorted upon them, showed that she had never really resented them. But now, to treat them as tyranny, as se- verity, as an unwelcome strain of authority on his part, cut him to the quick. Her sharpest and most petulant behaviour came upon him just then with new force, with a painful and most re- pulsive effect. He involuntarily recollected the words his father had o! in speaking of her, that hereafter, her want of gentleness and deference would be felt to be an unloveable, un- feminine characteristic, a moral defect, for which no beauty of face or intellect could compensate. He tried to palliate the re- membrance of her acrimony, by a recollection of its being chiefly manner ; and by recalling instances in which he had found her better than her words, possessed of more generosity, more sen- timent, than they seemed to denote ; and how often, while Jir outward demeanour was wayward and perverse, she had in fart 310 THE IRON COUSIN. been full of right feeling. But then recurred the impression of that demeanour in its most ungracious, most unwinning aspect how disregardful, how ungentle, it too frequently made her ap- pear. Instances of its startling abrupt turns ; of its captious- ness, its imperiousness, its wirful pertinacity, its apparent care- lessness of wounding, presented themselves unbidden, with over- whelming effect ; and never had they struck him as so intolerable. Till now, he was at liberty openly to animadvert upon them, to express his little liking for them, to meet them with freedom of expostulation. But now, that he was unexpectedly forbidden from either playfully admonishing them, or earnestly appealing against them, and in his unwilling self-avowal that they were dis- tasteful to him, they became suddenly magnified and multiplied into unbearable bulk and amount. So long as they might be parried by retort, and opposed by candour of their own kind, they had seemed but sportive humours, light, inconsequent ca- prices, that would mellow into gentler sprightliness, as her bet- ter sense had time to assert its sway, and permitted her to yield to its influence. But now that such candour was prohibited, now that entire frankness was to be "banished from between them, and resented as a tyrannical exercise of the power which his position with her gave him, he felt there was an end to the hope he had always unconsciously cherished, that he should eventually suc- ceed in winning her to an outward gentleness more in consonance with that which he believed to be her real disposition. With inexpressible bitterness of soul, he owned to himself, that if com- pelled to relinquish this hope, the chief charm of Kate's charac- ter would be lost. Were he once convinced that she indeed wanted that tenderness of feeling which he had ever believed she possessed, in spite of her exterior captiousness and unmindful- ness, his whole delight in her would be poisoned. Then the blunt speech, the lively rejoinder, the sarcastic, taunting repar- tee, instead of seeming but marks of a youthful animation and heart-ease, which as yet had never known reverse, would assume the serious colour of hardness, indifference, heartlessness. The pang with which Fermor Worthington asked himself whether THE IRON COUSIN. 311 these were in reality the source of Kate Ireton's conduct to him, opened his eves to the extent of his regard to her, and to the true nature of that regard. lie covered his face with his hands, and, in anguish of heart, asked himself whether, with such a doubt of her genuine charac- ter, he really did and could love her. Whether he could wMi a woman of such blunt manners, and ungracious speech and de- meanour, to become his wife. And then, innumerable instances of her peculiar perverseness and roughness of retort towards him- self, pressed upon his remembrance ; and he vainly tried to recall one in which she had shown distinctive partiality or liking, still less preference or tenderness. His very anxiety of desire to find such, made him exaggerate, distort, and misconstrue their unpro- pitious meaning ; his very thirst to recollect anything that could be interpreted into loving regard, misled him as to their signifi- cance. 80 far from being able to discover one trace of what he sought, all seemed to indicate even less inclination, less kindli- ness, less affection, than she had shown towards others. And then arose within him the strong, invincible feeling, that unless he could have Kate's love in pure, undoubted, perfect gift, as he himself could have given her his, no weaker liking would content him. Could he have hoped to inspire her with any such passionate regard as the one he now felt within his own heart towards her, he might have yielded himself up to the full torrent of its empire, and besought her to accept his faith, his trust, his exclusive reliance upon her to become all she could become, and all he believed she would become, when love should prompt her nature to be true to its own beautiful best self. But since 110 such hope existed, he felt even proudly thankful to believe himself yet capable of struggling against his own pm- sion. Jin trird to rejoice that he had discovered it in time to pre- vent its ucijuiring irresistible force; in time to preserve himself from wreck of peace, of courage, and of endeavour to effect his own cure. He sternly determined on the spot, to subject himself to the ordeal of absence, as the only means of effectual self-redemp- tion from the turture, the abject moral condition, the wasted 312 THE IRON COUSIN. gies, the lost life, consequent upon yielding to a hopeless passion. Love, gentlest regard and affection, ineffable tenderness, he knew he must .always feel for Kate Ireton. But the miseries of una- vailing desire to see her his, he resolved to spare himself, by at once quenching such thoughts from out his heart. When Fermor Worthington came to such conclusions as these within himself, he did not fail to act up to their spirit, firmly, unflinchingly, with honest effort, and truth of intention. He had just closed his mental conflict, and succeeded in as- suming the outward calm which decision upon a future course usually brings, when the light, rapid step of Cecil Lascelles sound- ed near, and in another moment he entered the shrubbery-path, where Fermor had been pacing to and fro. " Still lingering in this pleasant spot ! " he said, as he approach- ed. " I don't wonder at that. It is just the place for an after- noon saunter. I slipped away from the oak-parlour, to enjoy one myself. I left that cloying sweetmeat, Miss White, to play out her game of ' pretty ' with the good 'Squire. Upon my life, Fer- mor, that girl's worse than a whole dinner of Gruava jelly, with strawberry-jam for breakfast, tea and supper. She's an insuffera- ble, suffocating spoonful of treacle, administered day after day, and hour after hour. She looks like a walking sugar-loaf, with its silly, small, white head, perking out from the blue paper cover." " Did you meet " Fermor had thought himself strong, but the first utterance of her name was, for the moment, too much for him. " Kate, you mean ? I came out with the express hope of finding her still in the garden. But I missed her somehow. Per- haps it is all for the best," said Cecil, with a sudden alteration of voice, which he tried to carry off with a constrained laugh. " Had I found her here, I might not have been able to maintain my to keep my resolution not to speak to her till Worthington," he broke out, in yet another tone, " I must relieve my heart by pour- ing it out to you. You are her nearest relation, after her uncle, and who so fit to be frankly spoken to ? I'm glad I found you here , I'm glad you were not gone. I want to have your good wishes." THE IRON COP SIM. 313 Fermor tried to speak, but found no words ; he felt what was coming. He turned, and plucked a sprig of bay from one of the nearest trees. Your beautiful, glorious cousin, admirable, charming, en- chanting Kate ! I love her, Worthington, beyond words to tell, yet it is a joy in itself to put the rapturous feeling into words poor as they are to express it. And to such a good fellow aa yourself, too, who have known her from a child, and know how dear, how delightful a creature she is, and therefore will bear my raptures patiently, and listen to my hopes kindly and encourag- ingly, and will not smile or marvel at the former, although you may deem the latter wild, rash, too far presuming upon the friend- ly favour, the sweet familiarity she has treated me with. Yet, ah, Worthington ! could you have seen her as I have, gentle to me, when curt to others ; could you have known what it is to per- ceive her agreeing with me when differing and dissenting from others; consenting to my wishes and proposals, while opposing those of Miss White, or even yourself, her cousin her Iron Cous- in, as she playfully styles you you would hardly wonder that I : ired to believe this portended a feeling a regard a pref- erence that I would give up half the years of my life to obtain. I have told myself over and over, that I have no right to hope such distinction so proud and surpassing a happiness can be mine, aa to have won such a woman as Kate Ireton to look upon me with liking. (By heaven, Worthington, I would rather have her bare liking, than any other woman's fondest love!) Still, had you be- held her as I did, the other night, looking with artless, innocent L'aii ty into my face, and laying her sweet hand upon mine in af leetionate womanly appeal though the action had a purity and grace of intimacy right modest and simple you would understand that I could scarce refrain from indulging maddest hopes, and beseeching her at once to confirm them." The bay-leaves were crushed within the palm of Fermor Worthington ; but he bent his head as if to smell them, while b c-orapelled himself t> s-ay, You have said nothing of this, then, to her! " 1 > 814 THE IRON COUSIN. " No word, as yet. I determined to wait until my prospecta were decided, and I knew what position I had to offer her. I hare written to urge my mother upon this point, and am now impatient- ly expecting the answer, which shall enable me to lay my heart open to Kate, and learn from her whether all has been vain chi- mera, and daring, presumptuous folly. When I think of her, my own hopes seem little less than this ; when I think of myself, of the love I bear her, of the fond worship, the adoring admiration T feel within my heart for her, I cannot help gathering courage No deferred time, no length of absence would dismay me, if " Cecil walked a step or two, in eager, rapid, thought. Then he said, " Worthington, if, as I sometimes believe, my future path lies at a distance, wherein I am to achieve the fortune and station which are to be Kate's, if she accept my love, I shall not dare to ask her to share my fate at once, and quit the uncle-father who loves her so dearly, and to whom she is so tenderly attached. Neither should I think it right to subject her to the fatigues and anxieties of such a career as mine will probably be for the next few years. But if she will consent to listen to me if I find that I have not been too sanguine in believing what my wishes prompt me to hope, I shall ask her to abide in England until I can return to her with such rank and wealth as may be won by straining every nerve, and devoting every power of mind and body, every thought, every energy, to that end. This interval she will pass in the home where she has always lived happily, indulged and cherished ; and it will be my comfort to know that she is thus, with her two esteemed and beloved kinsmen to protect and guard her. You will say, I am indulging in strange blissful day-dreams, Worthington ; but should the issue crown my hopes with their fulfil- ment, I shall confide her to your care and affection with the same happy faith and trust as if you were her brother. For all she torments and rallies you so unmercifully, Fermor, I am convinced she regards you no less warmly and honouringly than if you were in truth her brother. But I am wearying you with my lover's talk ; only your own patience would have borne with it so long. Any one's stock of that commodity but the Iron Cousin's would THE illON COUSIN. 315 have ben exhausted ere this. You are pale, and look tired. For give me my egotistical discourse, though you will excuse it for the sake of her who has called it forth for Kate's sake." With all Fermor's self-command, he could not control the death-like hue that spread over his countenance, and blanched his very lips. It attracted, at length, even the notice of his unobser- vant companion, engrossed as he was with his subject, absorbed as he was in his own thoughts and hopes. " You are ill, Worthington, or, can it be, that, " And Cecil suddenly stopped, as if struck motionless. Then he said, in his open, straightforward way, " Fermor, tell me, have you ever have you any thoughts yourself, of Kate, as a wife ? " With the most perfect truth could he answer in the negatire, which he did, in few words, low, but firm ; quiet, but decisive. In one swift reflection-flash (though its spirit had actuated him throughout in listening to Cecil), he felt that he had himself re- nounced her as a lover ; and in honour, in conscience, in the very depth aiid strength of his disinterested affection for her, he was bound to interfere no jot with that love which another man bore her so unmisgivingly, and so unreservedly. Cecil Lascelles grasped his hand cordially, as he said, with a frank smile, " Nay, I know not what could possess me, to suppose it for an instant ; I must have been a fool ; but, you know, lovers are famed for folly, and imagine every one as far gone in their own peculiar infatuation as themaclves. But are you really not feel- ing well, Worthington ? " " It is nothing it will pass off; the air will do me good. I shall walk slowly on ; and by the time I reach home, shall be quite If." And Fermor turned to cross the lawn, while Cecil went back to the Hall. That ni-rht, after Dawson had undressed her young lady-mis- treas and n-tirel, there carno a knock At Alicia White's room door. 316 THE IRON COUSIN. " Come in," said she. Kate Ireton entered and walked straight towards her. " Alicia, I am sorry for my rudeness to-day. Will you accept my apology ? " " La ! Kate, dear ! of course. I'm sure I quite pardoned you at the time. I'ts only our duty to forgive, you know. But what a strange girl you are, coming here in your long white dressing- gown, looking like a spectre, or as if you had seen one, your eyes are so unsettled, and your cheeks so flushed. What's the matter with you ? " " Nothing ; I was restless ; I shall be better now." " What a curious creature you are, Kate, dear. I can't make you out ; you're all crabbed and cross-grained with one, for no earthly reason, at one time ; and at another, take it into your head to come and ask pardon like a good little girl. But it's very amiable and right-minded in you ; and I'm sure I give you credit for your meekness, which is far more becoming and lady- like, depend upon it, than all the pettish airs you can put on." " I never put on any airs, whether of pettishness or meek- ness ; I give way to the one, because it is my way ; and I came and offered an apology, because because I could not rest until I had done so." " Only think of you, Kate, you, being anxious to make an apology ! Why, I should as soon have dreamed of an empress desiring to apologize for sending somebody to Siberia. Well, you really are an odd girl ! " " I was anxious to make this apology, because I felt I should not sleep if I didn't, that's all. Thank you for telling me you accept it. Alicia. Good night." CHAPTER XXXV. ALTHOUGH Kate Ireton slept that night, it was the sort of sleep that brings little refreshment. Her eyes felt as if they had not closed ; she dressed like one in a dream ; and there was some- THE IKON COUSIN. 3P thing rankling at her heart which she thought wrath, jot which smote every now and then upon, her with a senso-of dread, of dis- couragement, of vague but deep fear. She bravely strove against it, and kept it at bay ; but still it wns there, close at hand, like some haunting shadow of impend- ing e.vil. She rallied all her spirit, and descended to the breakfast- room, looking only the more bright and animated, for the strug- gle within her, which brought a heightened colour to her cheek, :i more lustrous sparkle to her eye. With cheerful words to her uncle, a gay jest with Cecil, and :i sprightly good morning to Alicia, she seated herself at the table, and began to pour out the 'Squire's coffee, to butter his dry toast, and place it ready at his elbow, for him to eat while he looked into the newspaper, which he generally did the first thing. But the deep dull pain seized her again, as she caught sight of the letter-bag lying there. She knew her uncle often left the examination of his letters until he had finished his paper ; and now, he went on reading paragraph after paragraph, and com- menting on the news to Cecil, who seemed himself pre occupied and uneasy, as he cast occasional glances towards the post-bag, though apparently unwilling to express his eagerness and inter- rupt the 'Squire. K rite's feet and hands became deadly cold, while her heart throbbed, and her temples burned. She saw as through a mist, and sat in a kind of impatient patience, while her uncle com- posedly scanned his paper from column to column, and skimmed and hummed the scraps of intelligence in a way that distracted her. Each time she dared to glance towards the letters that lay in tin 1 bag near him, she felt a sickening, feverish shiver creep over her. She wondered he could delay so long, y t dreaded the moment when he should touch them. It came ; and as the 'Squire sorted them out, passing to each person theirs, she saw one directed to himself as she had felt he should in Pcrmor Worthington's hand-writing. 818 THE IRON COUSIN. The blood flew to her heart, while a faint, ice-cold cloud caiu over her face. -By a resolute effort, she held off the overpower- ing sensation, and recovered herself. Then she heard (with that curious power of hearing which gives to us the echo and meaning of words already uttered, but which, at the moment of their ut- terance fail to convey sound or sense to absence of mind) that her uncle had been saying, " Alicia, my dear, there's a dainty taper note for you ; and Cecil, my boy, there's a thick packet for you quite a volume ; and here's let me see who can this be from ? Not come by post, but by hand. Oh, : your affection- ate friend and kinsman, Fermor Worthington.' What can he have to write about, I wonder ? " Cecil Lascelles went over to the window-recess with his voluminous letter, in the contents of which he was soon buried ; while Alicia exclaimed, " Mamma writes me word that my kind godmother, Lady Niggle, is going to spend the autumn at Baden- Baden, and has invited me to accompany her. Wo'n't that be a delightiul trip, Kate, dear ? " " Very," answered Kate, mechanically, with her eyes fixed upon her uncle's face. " So, so ! he's off suddenly ; but he's perhaps right," said the 'Squire. " I hate farewells and leave-takings, they're only pain and discomfort ; and he bade us good-bye yesterday. He writes word so, here, saying that he has for some time intended this journey, which is to see after some property of his father's on the continent ; and that circumstances have determined him to go there without delay. He leaves Worthington Court this morning for London, on his way to Ostend, and so by the Rhine, to the south of Q-errnany." " That's charming ! " cried Alicia White. " We may pro- bably meet Mr. Worthington in the course of our travels. Kate, dear," she added, calling after Kate Ireton who was crossing the room with guardedly unwavering step, and making towards the door by strained control over nerve and limb, " if you are going to the housekeeper's room, will you send word to Dawson to pack up immediately ? Mamma wishes me to return homo TIIE IRON COUSIN. 313 without delay. My dear 'Squire, I am shocked to run away sc unceremoniously, but you see how the case stands, and I " The door closed behind Kate Ireton, in the midst of Mis* White's speech. Once outside the room, Kate paused, ami allowed herself to take breath. It came in gasps, in sobs, with shudders over all her frame, and sharp inward throes, that shook her from head to foot. After this one moment's pause, she en deavourcd to walk stedfastly on ; but the strong effort had been relaxed, the strict tension had been withdrawn though for so short a space and she felt that she should totter if she attempted to move. Nevertheless, she was desperately going to stumble onward, when she saw Matty come into the hall. She beckoned to her, caught her arm, and motioned to be led up stairs. The nurse poured out question upon question as to what could ail her darling. " Hush ! Don't speak don't talk to me ! Get mo to my own ruom,' ! Kate contrived to say, in a yoice that sounded to luTM-lf hoarse, and strange, and unlike her own. *' Set the window open wide open ; and go ! " My darling Miss Kate, my " began the bewildered Matty. " Be still ; be quiet ! Go, once more ! Go away 1 " The nurse left her, but went no farther than the landing, where she stood close to the door, crying silently, and listening for any sound or token by which she could tell how her young mi> tress was. Kate sat like a statue, and almost as pale ; her eyes fixed on her hands firmly clenched, her teeth set fast Suddenly, a hot rush of crimson darted over her white face, and sho exclaimed, passionately : " It cannot be that I it cannot, shall not be ! ' Then she got up, walked to the washing stand, poured herself out a tumbler of water, and drank it at a draught ; plunged her hands int.. a cold brimming basin, and plentcously laved h. I throat. Next, she went to the toilette-table, looked straight into the glass, an-1 smm.th.'.l ln-r hair with care and exoctnew* ; and. after that, she walked steadily to the door, and opened it to go down stairs. 520 THE IRON COUSIN. " Why, Matty, what do you do here ? I told you to leave me. Why arc you still loitering near ? I don't choose to be disobeyed. When I tell you to do a thing, I expect you to do it." u My darling Miss Kate, you're not yourself this morning, or you could't speak so shortly to your poor old Mattykin." " Matty, I won't be watched ; when I say I want to be alone, I mean you to leave me to myself, and not to stay hanging about, noticing me, and attending to me, whether I will or no. Do you mind ? I shall be really angry if this happen again." " It sha'n't, my darling ; it sha'n't, indeed," cried Matty. On her return to the breakfast room, Kate was received by her uncle's exclamation : " Here is news, indeed, Kate ! Cecil's letter summons him from us immediately. He is going back to India." " To India ! " she exclaimed. " But not immediately ? " she said, going up to Cecil Lascelles, with tears springing in her eyes tears which deeper emotion had not forced from her, but which the suddenness of the tidings, joined to her previous repressed excitement, called forth. " We are not to lose you directly ? You are surely not obliged to quit England, at once ? " " I fear I must," said Cecil, looking deeply distressed, and in agitation which he scarcely attempted to conceal. " My mother's letter is urgent ; the one she encloses from my uncle takes for granted that I will use no delay. I have sent down to the vil- lage to take my place by to-night's mail which passes through, for the north." He spoke as if signing his own death-warrant as if sub- scribing to a fatal necessity, from which he felt there was no escape. " I have for some time foreseen this must come," he said, with as smiling an air as he could assume ; " but I have a knack of putting off the pain of disagreeables until they actually arrive, and the pain must be borne. This, perhaps, increases its acute- ness , but I am spared its lingering infliction. ]Jy never antici- pating inevitable future miseries, I avoid their embittering present THE IRON COUSIN. 321 pleasures, although I may be only adding venom to the sting when it comes. However, every one to his own peculiar philoso- phy, and deferring unhappiness to the last possible moment is mine. So, what say you, Kate, to a ride or a walk this fine morning ? " " If uncle be inclined, with all my heart," answered she; " though, I fear, he is hardly yet equal to going out, either on foot, or on horseback, for a day or two yet What do you think, uncle ? How do you feel ? What says the rheumatism ? " Why, really, for the pake of a gallop with Cecil for the last time, I think I must try my best," said the 'Squire. " I'll order the horses, and we can accompany Alicia a mile or two on her way. Her father has sent the carriage for her, and she is now gone to put on her bonnet and travelling gear." She came in, soon after, all smiles and pretty speeches; full of lively regrets at leaving, and amiable acknowledgments of the agreeable time she had spent with the dear 'Squire, and dear . at dear, delightful Heathcotc Hall. " And if I should meet Mr. Worthington abroad, Kate, dear, I'll be sure to give him your love, and tell him " " Do no such thing, if you please," said Kate, hotly ; " I'll have no sweet messages taken to the Iron Cousin ; who de- s none, for his abrupt departure from us." " I'll tell him you're affronted with his unceremonious beba viour, then, shall I?" " Tell him nothing from me. I'm quite equal to telling him my own bluffnesses," said Kate, with her short laugh. " That you are, indeed, Kate, dear. Take my advice, and treat him a little better when he comes back You really are too rough with him sometimes. Be advised by me, Kate, dear." ' I am not fond of being advised by any one," she answered. ' I halt' advice. It shows that those who give it think tbem- elves wiser and better than the simpleton, or ill-behaved mba, hey arc favouring with their unasked remarks." Oli. I'm Mire, Kate, dear, I could never dream for a mo- 14* 522 THE IRON COUSIN. ment of considering myself wiser and better than you -or than any one ! " said Miss White. " I hope I know better what be- longs to proper modesty and humility." " ' Than any one ! ' You think it proper, then, to hold your self less wise than a fool less good than a thief or a murderer ?" was the answer. " Now, really, Kate, dear, if you're going to turn upon mo with any of your sharp repartees, I mast run away ; tor my poor little head has no chance of finding a clever one in return." " Let me help you to make good your retreat, Miss White ; Buffer me to lead you to the carriage," said Cecil Lascellcs. The ride was rather a sad one, in spite of the three friends endeavour to enjoy it cheerfully and pleasantly. They felt it was the last day of an intercourse and consociation which had been a very happy one to them all. The good 'Squire tried to speak encouragingly and hopefully of the new life Cecil was about to commence. He, in his turn, endeavoured to express the same trust and energetic expectancy in looking forward to its active .duties ; declaring that he had long felt he ought to have a profession to follow, and was well contented one should be at length appointed for him, in which he might work, and win his way to honourable distinction. He smilingly owned that his natural disposition to make the most of the present, instead of considering how to make the most and the best of the future, would probably have kept him still an idle do nothing, had he not been thus forced into more befitting exertion ; and that, therefore, he ought to rejoice instead of re- pine, at the opening now afforded. And then Cecil sighed, and seemed about to add something more ; but, true to his instinct of avoiding unwelcome subjects, he turned his speech to loving admiration of Heathcote woods and park, and to affectionate as- surance of how often their cool, green beauty would be present to his imagination, as one of his happiest remembrances, amid the burning scenes of India. THE IRON COUSIN. 323 " And each time uncle and I come out to enjoy their refresh- ment, we shall wish we could convey some of it to you by a breath ; or waft you hither, Cecil, to partake of it with us," said Kate. " Every breath of Kate's brings balm and comfort," said Ce- cil, with a passionate vehemence he seemed unable to restrain; " kindness, and affectionate goodness, and gentle consolation, breathe in her every word. She knows well how to make even parting less painful to her friends." " The first time my words have ever had so healing a quality attributed to them," laughed she ; " they have generally been sup- posed to contain nothing but venomous goading point, and fanged malice." " The hardest judge would acquit her of malice," rejoined he. " Playful retort, sportive reprisal like harmless summer light- ning, which but serves to illumine our path with its brightness and beauty." " It is almost a pity Alicia is not here, Cecil, to make you a pretty speech in return for yours. It deserves requital in kind, and, alas ! I've none such in all my vocabulary." i'erhaps, ' almost a pity,' but not quite," said the 'Squire. " I think we do very well without her. She's a very excellent, good girl, of course; and being related to us, though distantly, \vi >< bound to show her all the kindness and attention we can. Still, I dare say, Cecil will be content to forego her pretty speeches, for the sake of enjoying this day quietly to ourselves, as we did so many in Italy together." .More than content, most delighted ! " said Cecil " Tho addition of that lump of sugar would have spoiled all. Thank H'-aven, it's melted away, vanished, dissolved, disappeared ! " " None left ! All gone ! as nurse Matty used to say to me, when I was a naughty child, and would cry for more," said Kate-. " It will be our piteous phrase to-morrow, Kate, when we arc left alum; together. All our friends swept off at once ! Katlur hard upon u.-, isn't it? We shall find it difficult t boar. '' 324 THE IRON COUSIN. " We'll console each other, uncle. You shall talk as cheer fully as you can, to me ; and I'll sing, if I can, to ytu." The afternoon seemed to creep heavily by, and yet the hours to fly. Cecil sat with Kate and her uncle in the oak parlour, try- ing to converse, but lapsing into frequent silence ; endeavouring to maintain an equable strain, but perpetually faltering off into absent reverie and thoughtfulncss. The 'Squire, tired with his morning's exertion, drowsily reclin ed in his arm-chair, with his eyes closed. " Uncle mine, don't go to sleep in that draught of air." " Don't you torment me, you jade." " I torment you, because I want to have you quite comfort- able," said she. " That's mostly the reason why women torment men/' " A wifely kind of plea ! You are worse than a wife to me, Kate." " That I have long been. And mean to continue your rib- thorn to the end of our days ! " she said, as she arranged a cam- bric handkerchief round his head, and drew down the window at his back, and tenderly kissed him, as she bent over him, and watched him fall into quiet slumber. " Kate ! " said the voice of Cecil Lascellea. She looked up. " Kate, will you come into the rose-walk with me ? It is near enough for us to see, should the 'Squire wake and need you." They stepped through the glass-door leading into the garden, and closed it noiselessly behind them. This rose-walk was a beautiful spot. It was clustered thick with bushes of the flower which had given it its name. White rose, yellow rose, glowing damask, queenly pink, delicate China and Provence, rich moss, and luxuriant ever-beautiful, though homely cabbage-rose, were all here in their delicious per THE IRON COUSIN. tftt fumed piofu.)ion. filling the air with loveliness of shape, colour and scent. Cecil and Kate lingered up and down, amid the soft, westerly liirlit and warmth, that shed its evening blandness upon the sweet place. At each turn, she. gazed in through the glass-door, to satisfy her eyes with the sight of that placid, sleeping figure; while, according loan old habit of theirs, she and her companion remained enjoying, in perfect silence, the scene in which they were. After a time, she softly made playful allusion to this way they had, of contentedly making a dual solitude by means of a dumb sympathy. " A solitude of two, peoples their spot of earth with the joys of Paradise ! " said Cecil. " Why cannot such an hour as this endure for ever ? Kate, I could be content that it should be the last of my life, unless you will share that life, and make all its coming years as full of joy as this one evening hour. The knowledge that I possess your love, as you possess mine, would bear me through any period of absence make any toil t.-a>y." " Cecil ! " exclaimed Kate in breathless amazement " Kate, is it possible you have not seen how dearly, how madly I worship you ? Is it possible you have not guessed mj love, read it in my eyes, in my every word, though they maj never have dared to express it in direct terms? I forced myself it is true, to refrain from speech, until I could speak all I wished . but it cannot be, Kate, that you have never perceived how pas- sionately you are beloved? " No hint, no dream of suspicion, ever crossed my mind of this most unhappy truth," she said sorrowfully. " I believed that you loved me, as I love you, simply, affectionately, truly ; out as friends, not " her voice faltered ; she could not finish the sentence. " ' Unhappy truth ! ' '' echoed Cecil. " Does it grieve you, then, to fiud i luvV \. i. K Deepl loving me as you say yo love ; 326 THE IRON COUSIN. foi I feel that such love it is not in my power to give you in re turn. And you should not love in vain, Cecil." " Kate, you wound me most, even while you speak most gently. Oh, why did you show me so much gentleness, why, when you were rough with others, wejre you kind and yielding to me ? It was that which lured me on to hope." " Was I gentler to you than to others, Cecil ? :) said Kate, with a deep flush mounting into her face ; " that was because I > She stopped suddenly. " Because you cared for me less, you would iay ; because you did not care for me sufficiently to cross and oppose me. You could be gentle and affectionate to me, because your love for me was gentle and kindly; had it been more had it been love, love itself, the passionate feeling that is burning here at my heart for you, Kate, you would have shown me less favour. Your very tenderness would have taught you to hide its sweet strength beneath pretended indifference. Ah, why was I, oil my part, so slow to read the ' unhappy truth ? ' He paused, in great agitation; while she stood by his side, quite still, but trembling excessively. " Kate," he said, at length, " I understand now why you treated me with such gentle, open affection ; you loved me as a friend a brother. I see now why you cannot give me the love I ask ; it is because it is already ' ' " Hush ! " said Kate, laying her hand upon his arm, while the flush heightened to vivid scarlet ; " do not speak it, Cecil ! Do not say you see it ! I will not see it, own it, to myself. It is not so. It cannot be. Dear Cecil, do not think it ! " As Kate fixed her pleading eyes upon his, and poured forth her eager, imploring entreaty, Cecil, in his profound concern for her, almost lost the present sense of his own grief. He thought of Fermor's calm denial of entertaining any thoughts of Kate Ireton as a wife ; and he even writhed to think of such a woman's love being given to one by whom it was neither sought noi returned. THI: IRON COUSIN. 3^7 " Kate,' he said, " if you have not bestowed your love, grant me your liking, and it shall suffice ; give me but such gentle, womanly regard, as you have shown all along, and it will content me. I would rather have your affectionate friendship, than the most passionate devotion from another. Kate, tell me you will be but the same to me you have hitherto been, with the hope of one day calling you mine, and I will think no time too long to wait ; no probation too severe. I do not ask you to leave your home to forsake your uncle. Remain here ; be to him still a daughter. But promise to be my wife, when I return with wealth to share with you both, in one future house and home together ever after." " You wring my heart, Cecil. I cannot; I cannot." " Then you do " he was bursting forth impetuously ; when Kate clasped her hands with pathetic earnestness, and again her eyes fastened upon his face their beseeching look. He could not resist this mute appeal, and forbore. " Cecil," she said, " it is out of the very purity and truth of my regard for you, that I will not make you this promise. Lov- ing you as I do, affectionately, sincerely, as iny dear friend and brother, I will not promise to become your wife, knowing I can never bring you the free, full love, a wife should bring ; above all, to one whose own love is so generous and devoted. Such faith as yours, Cecil, demands unreserved return. Such a heart, so lavishly, so trustingly given, should have the heart it coveta, undividedly and exclusively yielded, as alone worthy to requite so rich a treasure. Esteeming you, valuing you, as I do, Cecil, I will never consent that your genuine, earnest, true love, shall have other than love itself to meet it. Neither you nor I, Cecil, could be contented with less than perfect mutual love in marriage. Between us two, let there be perfect love of ita kind." " Did I not say truly, that Kate knows how to make pain it n.-lf loM Painful to those she regards? " said Cecil, with a smile half sail, half tcii.icr. " That she does regard me with \vn ;oMit!r a :i"l tin- |.n>ii.) 328 THE IRON COUSIN consciousness of this shall console me for being forbidden to hop* it ever can be more than liking. Kate, in addition to all you? benign, womanly treatment of me this last memorable evening grant me do not refuse me " He held her hand against his cheek, to his lips, to his eyes, and strained it upon his heart. " A friend, a sister, will not be content with less than an eni- Drace, in bidding farewell to one she holds so dear," said Kate, in her own simple, ingenuous way, that had the confiding affection- ateness of a child, with the graceful dignity of womanhood. Cecil Lascelles folded her in his arms, with a fervent, deer> breathed " God for ever bless you, Kate ! " and the next instant hurried from her. CHAPTER XXXVI. IT was touching to see how zealously, how sedulously, Kate Ire- ton dedicated herself to her uncle's amusement, that he should not feel dull and spiritless on the departure of those whose presence had so lately made Heathcote Hall cheerly and gay. Her ingenu- ity in devising means of preventing his perceiving the lack of so- ciety, her assiduous watchfulness to keep him from feeling at a loss for conversation, her lively endeavour, by her own alacrity and sprightliness, to supply the place of more numerous talkers, was very beautifnl to behold in its unselfishness, and instinct of loving attachment. It was the more so, from her having her own secret load of heart-oppression to bear, at the very time she made this effort at extra cheerfulness and animation. But (while still sternly refus- ing in her maidenly pride and innate reticence of modesty to admit the belief that she could have bestowed her love unsought) she set a strict guard upon her own feelings, that they should deny themselves the indulgence of brooding over one particular subject, not only for self-respect's sake, in the sincere intention of regain- THE IRON COUSIN. 329 ing serenity of spirit ; but from a resolve that nothing should be Buffered to interfere with her entire devotion to her uncle's com' fort and happiness. She succeeded so well, that never had she been more full of vivacity, more full of playfulness, and fanciful whimsies in beha- viour and speech. For him, she seemed to combine, at once, her glad ease and freedom with Cecil, her banter and retort with Fer mor, her spirited turns upon Miss White. For him, she seemed to become a girlish rattler again ; a human butterfly or airy bird, or frolicsome midge in a sunbeam a thing of light and life, and radiant, buoyant motion. Only to look at her was joy to the old man's eyes ; only to hear her brought gladness to his ears. Her very footstep was a plea- sure ; her voice a delight. She studied his tastes; she forestalled his wishes; she tempt* ed his appetite; she ministered to his ease. No time or thought bestowed on him was too much ; no trifle too minute to be consid- ered, in which ho was concerned. " Uncle of uncles, let me fill your glass," she said, while at- tending to him at dinner. " You are neglecting your wine not taking your usual quantity ; and I will not have you pay your wo- mankind so bad a compliment as to let her suppose you don't con- nider her a worthy boon companion. For all the men-folk are no lon- ger here to pledge you glass, for glass, and drink with you foot to foot, yet I intend you shall look upon my gingle glass as the fair r> I'rrsentative of a dozen masculine bumpers. Come, your toast ! What shall it be?" " A pleasant journey to Alicia, a prosperous voyage to Cecil, ind a speedy home-return to Fermor Worthington 1 " said the 'Squire. " Aha, Kate! is that your vaunted toper prowess? Have you no more steadiness of hand than that comes to ? Why, if it fihakc with the weight of a barely-filled glass, how will you ever achieve the feat of dropping a guinea's worth of silver into a brim- HUM! one, without spilling a single drop?" Kate l;mghcl; then she said: "You him 11 perform :i still pleasautt-r achievement in my eyes. Let me see how steadily a 330 THE IRON COUSIN. hand more than double the age of mine can carry a full glass tc the lips. Come, uncle, another glass ! We'll have a wagei upon it." " But one more glass, then, my Kate. I don't think I care for wine as I used to do ; it has somehow lost part of its relish.'' " Not a whit, uncle mine ! That's one of your fancies. Now, listen to me, and I'll prove to you that you like it just as well as ever. With soup, you would fain have me believe you do not care much to drink ; yet a glass of Madeira comes not unwelcomely after gravy, or ox-tail, surely ? With fish well no great mat- ter; still, a glass of golden sherry following turbot or salmon, methinks, smacks palateably. You don't dislike wine, perhaps, with hot meat, but with cold, you can do without it ; yet, a slice of cold roast beef, or a dainty sliver of ham, is admirably washed down with a glass of generous vintage. Game ushers in Burgun- dy, mighty well ; some of your tawny, racy old port your ' bottled velvet,' uncle comes far from amiss after Cheshire or Stilton. Bright, delicate Lisbon you wouldn't refuse with tart or pudding ; and I'd be sorry to be a jug of cold claret in your way at dessert. I should be reduced to emptiness and nothingness in a twink- ling ! " In whatever shape you might present yourself to me, my Kate, I believe, I should never do away with you," smiled he. " In other words, knowing you can't have your cake and eat your cake, you'd rather starve than munch it up. Much obliged to you for your inference of the cakeliness of my composition ! " said Kate. " But you'll think me a tipsy cake if I let my tongue run on at this giddy rate. I shall retreat to the oak-parlour, beg- ging you to remark that my pace is perfectly sober, and that I expect you soon to join me there in a like state of sobriety and satiety alias, properly dull satisfaction." " I think this is the hour we miss them most, Kate," said the 'Squire, as he sat lounging in his arm-chair during twilight. Al- THE IEON COUSIN. 331 though the summer was scarcely gone, the evenings began to be chilly, and Kate had had a fire lighted, knowing her ancle liked its warmth and cheerful blaze, while putting off the coming in of candles as long as possible. " I miss Cecil's gay, good-humoured laiurh ; I miss Fermor's constant kindness, and thoughtful, atten- tive ways quietly preventing one's wishes, while ho seemed moat calm and unobservant. They're excellent, good fellows I I love them both dearly. Each, in their way, delightful companions* Cecil, perhaps, is the more sparkling and lively ; but Fermor has sound sense, true feeling, and noble ways of thinking. Which of them setting aside relationship, of course which of the two do you like best, Kate?" " It is difficult to say," she returned, after a moment, stooping over a vase of flowers upon the table by her ; " I might as well try to tell you which I prefer of these two flowers this forget-me- not, or this heart's-ease ; one's blue, and the other's purple; each, as you say, good in their way, but quite different shades of charac- ter and colour." ' Well, the heart's-ease shall represent Cecil, and the other, Fermor. I think the blithe, light-hearted freshness of the one is not badly symboled ; it brightens and enlivens our season. Bat the steady forget-me-not, with its kindly remembrance, its earnest eyes of faith and loving constancy, precisely emblems our young kinsman. I could imagine Cecil ceasing to bear us in memory after a time. He is a creature of the present He exists in the present. But, in sunshine or in shade, in health or in sickness, in prosperity or in reverse, present or absent, for months or for years, for life and for death, now and ever, I feel I could rely upoi mor Worthington." An impulse she could not resist made Kate imprint a kiss upon her uncle's hand, as it lay on the arm of his chair, near her. " You will smile at my partiality for our own kith and kin, but, independently of that, he is a thorough fine I Not that Tm ashamed of my leaning in favour of my own relation tli.-n-'s an old saying that blood's stronger than water, and " KM .iully iron blood, eh, uuclc?" id Kate, rallying hei to reply. 132 THE IRON COUSIN. "Sauce-box ! I only wish the Iron Cousin were here to an- swer for himself, as you ought to be answered." In the silence that followed, Kate perceived that her uncle was dozing off, according to his frequent wont after dinner, for a twenty minutes' nap or so. She sat perfectly still, gazing into the fire-light. After a time, she turned, and drew forth the tuft of forget-me-nots from the vase, and held them in her hand, caress- ingly, tenderly. She recalled her uncle's late words, in murmur- ed repetition over them, almost touching them with her lips, while her eyes were dreamily bent upon the fire. Suddenly she started, " What am I doing ? " she asked her^ self. " Am I not forgetting all my resolves, breaking through my own restrictions; indulging in worse than idle, fruitless thoughts ? " She made a motion as if to throw the forget-me-nots into the fire, but drew back her hand. " I may surely keep these. They are but a few flowers. ' But a few flowers ! ' yet how as- sociated ? Be true to the spirit of your own meaning, Kate ! Be an honest girl with yourself ! I cannot throw them away ; but I will put them away, and look at them no more." She deliberately went and reached down a book, laid the for- get-me-nots between the leaves, and replaced the volume. As she returned to her seat, her uncle woke up, and she pro- posed a game of chess, vowing to beat him unmercifully. " And the beauty of beating your antagonist at chess, is, that you leave his self-love no loophole for complacent consolation. He knows, if he lose, it is through his own want of skill, since there is no particle of chance in the game, but all is sheer, hard, fore- thought and head-work. Look about you, uncle ; for I mean to rout your forces front and rear, right and left, van and vanguard ; upset 'em root and branch ; defeat 'em utterly, wholly, and hope- lessly ! " " You barbarous little villain, you ! Take care / don't con- quer ! " " Conquer away, uncle ! Do your worst 1 " TIII-: LRON coi 333 Although Kate thus preserved her mastery over herself, and carried all off with unabated vivacity during the day, at night, when away from her uncle, when the hours of darkness shrouded her from every human eye even, as it were, from her own her tone of mind relaxed, her heart drooped, her very soul felt sad- dened and sick. She lay sleepless, motionless, and worn out; or sho tossed wearily and restlessly to and fro, unable to get repose. She fought against this rebellion of the spirit, never once tamely yielding to its depressing influence, still less, wilfully giving way to its ascendancy, or allowing it insensibly to creep and increase upon her. All that lay in her own power she did, to resist its dangerous empire. She arose at her usual hour nay, earlier, and devoted the space before her uncle descended to the breakfast room in pursuing her ordinary avocations; in reading, drawing, and studying music alternately. Her hardest effort was to com- mand her voice to sing; but even this she accomplished by dint of strenuous, honest endeavour. " My darling, I wish you wouldn't think it necessary to get up at such labourers' hours," said Matty to her, one morning " If you were going out to field-work, to toil at weeding, or hay- making, at reaping, or harvesting, or gleaning, you couldn't do more than you do now, a young lady born and bred, who needn't to move a finger or stir a peg, if she don't choose. And here are you, up by dawn, drudging away as soon as it's daylight, at all those jigamarees of music, and painting, and reading, and drawing, like any negro governess, just as if you had to slave for your livelihood." " Perhaps I might find it hard, if I did it for a livelihood; but as I do it by choice, of my own accord, of my own free will, to please myself, there's a charm in it, you see, Mattykin." " Ay, but you might take it a little more easy," returned Matty. " You needn't do it quite so fixed like, so duty like. You might set about it not quite so methodical, somehow, aa if you must do it. You might make it not so plodding, you know j more like a pleasure, instead of a task, or a business." " You're a nice distinguishes upon my word. Muttvkin. But 334 THE IRON COUSIN. I need hardly remind you (who are a diligent reader yourself, of one book), that there is such a sentence as ' Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might ; ' and upon this prin- ciple it is, that I work at my amusements." " Ay, but what I most mean is, that you shouldn't wear your- self out by setting to work so early. It's my opinion, you don't sleep over well ; and you should lie an hour or two later, to make up lost time." " An odd way of saving it ! Slug-a-beds are among the worst spendthrifts and wasters of time. But what makes you think I don't sleep well ? Stuff and nonsense ! I sleep as soundly as ever that is, when " " Yes, yes ; when you do sleep. But I don't think you get to sleep much o'nights, now-a-days." " Folly ! absurd ! what makes you take such ridiculous notions into your head, Matty ? " " Not so foolish, neither ; I can see before my nose, and I can see that your eyes look heavy, and dim, and stiff, when I come to you first of a morning ; and I can hear you toss and tumble ay, and sigh, too, late at night, when you ought to be fast as a church. Don't tell me that you sleep as you ought, Misa Kate, darling." " Matty, you must have been listening at my room-door, for you to have discovered this ; and I wo'n't have you do it, and I wo'n't have you watch my looks, and make out all sorts of pre- posterous fancies about me, that have no foundation but your own silly anxiety." " None so silly ! I'm not blind or deaf, and I know when anything's going wrong, 'specially with my own darling. Ah, this love ! this love ! But it's only what wo must all come to, I suppose, sooner or later." Kate was speechless from surprise, fiom anger, from agita- tion. " I'm not so blind but I can see, that ever since that day, a change has come over you, Miss Kate, my darling. I'm not so blind but I can see for all you carry it off so spirity thai THE IRON COt 335 you've never been quite yourself, really and truly, from that time. Pin none so blind, but I could see you walking in the rose-walk that evening, after the news of his going away to India; and though I couldn't make out much of what you both satrf, yet it wasn't because I was deaf; and I could see you, fast enough, both of you." "So. then, you have been watching me again ! For all I told you I wouldn't have it done for all I warned you. Matty, I don't choose to have a spy about me. I'll have no eaves-drop- pin': busy-body near me. Matty, you shall never dress me again." Miss Kate !" exclaimed the nurse. "What, I, that held you in my arms when you first drew breath ; that nursed your own mother living and dying ; that starved for her and with her ; that begged in the streets for her new-born baby." " Matty, you make a merit of your services ; you reproach me with your past good deeds ; you boast of them, and think they give you a right to treat me as you will ; to meddle with me, watch me, play the spy and the eaves-dropper ; and I think no such thing. For all that you have been to me, I am grateful I can never forget it ; but neither can I forget what you have ilonr :incc : and after I warned you too! Matty, I will never have you about me again ; you shall never more dress me, or wait upon me." i Kate Ireton walked straight out of the room. The next morning, on awaking, she missed the kindly voice, and j)cttinr ministry of the faithful old nurse; bot she kept to her resolution not to ring for her, or send for her, or accept her personal services any more. In the course of the day, remembering some needle-work she had intended to finish, she said to one of the servants, who chanced to pass her in the hall, ' Oh, Robert! tell Mrs. Martha to send me down my " 335 THE IKON COUSIN. " Mrs. Martha's gone away, Miss Kate." " (rone away !" " (rone away, Miss. She left the Hall last night. She's gone down to live at the village. She means to take a lodging there, I heard Dorothy say, on account of some words as passed between her and you, Miss Kate, which she told Dorothy she couldn't stomach nohow. And as you had said she shouldn't dress you in future, she wouldn't be wanted, and wouldn't stay. Leastways, that's how Dorothy repeated it to me ; but I can't think Mrs. Martha, who's lived in the family I don't know how long, and loved our Miss Kate like the apple of her eye, could speak so huffish as this. However, she's gone." " She pleases herself," said Kate. " When she has had her sulk out, she will return. She knows we shall always be glad to see her up at the Hall ; and as soon as she's tired of her banish ment, she'll come back." Early one morning, Kate in her self-imposed task of checking heart-thought, by activity of mind and diligence of fingers, was playing through a sonata that required all her attention to mas- ter its difficulties, when the room door was softly opened, and her uncle's old servant, Robert, said in an agitated, awe-stricken whisper, " Miss Kate, I wish you would come to master. I don't know what to make of him but I don't like his looks he don't seem quite right, somehow." Kate's life-current seemed to stand still within her. But she put a strong constraint upon herself; roused all her fortitude and energy, and said in a firm calm way, that an instant ago she could not have believed possible, " Tell me how you mean, Rob- ert ; tell me as we go." She went with swift but steady foot towards her uncle's room, while Robert poured forth his incoherent account. " I got the 'Squire up, Miss Kate ; he seemed pretty well then. But while I was handing him his things to dress, he THE .RON COUSIN. 337 turned very still and helpless, all of a sudden. He seemed as if he couldn't lift his arms, or make any use of 'em. Ho sat all lifeless and lumpish, someway. He is sitting so now ; and his eyes look fixed, and he don't seem able to speak, I think." And the good old serving-man burst into a passion of tears and sobs. " Don't Robert ; be as quiet, as collected, as you can. Dear, good Robert, for your master's sake, contain yourself." And Kate entered her uncle's room. At sight of her, the rigid features relaxed, there came a soft- ening over the poor stricken face ; and he tried to hold oat his hand towards her, but it would not be. She took it into her own, she held him in her arms, and drew his head upon her bosom, whispering gentle, cheering, tender words. Then she said in a low, distinct voice to the weeping servant, " Robert, bid Ben Dimble ride off immediately to Dingleton for Doctor Burton." An effort at speech from the 'Squire made Kate bend all her faculties to comprehend what he endeavoured to form into words. " Send for Jack Jack Weldon write," were the scarce ar- ticulate words. " While they saddle the horse, I will get ready the letter. llobert ; lose no time." With rapid pen, Kate wrote the note to summon her uncle's old friend ; and before another five minutes were over, she heard the rapid gallop of the horse, as the messenger sped away. Then came the terrible period of waiting ; the feeling that she could do nothing ; that she must sit and watch a condition that d to be in no pain; but the ab- II 338 THE IRON COUSIN. Bence of all sensation had a frightful ill-omened look of blank and void, that was almost worse to behold than suffering. The one would at least have afforded some indication of a medium to convey relief, or suggested some mode of administering ease and even an attempt to assuage or soothe, would have been a cer- tain comfort to her. But in this negative state, this fearful, quiescent, passive nothingness, no assistance, no help could she offer The whole seemed some appalling dream, as she sat there, watching by that, motionless figure, herself scarcely less smitten into stillness. The garish sunlight that streamed through the nearest win dow, was like a cruel mockery ; the starry blossoms of the jessa- mine that clustered thickly there, and sent in its delicious per- fume upon the fresh morning air, struck her almost as an offence, a hateful, oppressive, inopportune greeting of gentleness and beauty, jarring against this so deep misery and affliction. But gradually the unfailing sustainment and holy influence of Nature shod its gracious balm upon her ; and, as she gazed up into the blue serene of heaven, her heart softened and melted, and those divine words mirrored themselves in her soul : " 0, my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me : never- theless, not as I will, but as thou wilt." There was a slight movement ; the chest heaved ; the face changed ; a peace, beautiful to look upon, crept over the fea- tures ; the lips gently trembled ; and Kate could see that his heart was engaged in fervent, hopeful prayer. " Kate, my child ! " " I am here, uncle." " Kate, my Kate ! God Almighty bless, comfort, pro- tect " The voice died away inwardly, the quivering lips were still, and the eyes closed. There was a dread pause. The lips never moved again. The eyes never more unclosed THE IRON COUSIW. 339 CHAPTER XXXVII. GOOD Dr. Burton the kind, prompt, active country doctor came running up stairs, two steps at a time, pulling off his glovei as he mounted, flung his hat into one corner of tho room, his cane into another, and drew his lancet out as he entered the room, and strode towards the recumbent figure. But a second sufficed to his practised eye ; he SAW that no help could avail that all was over. " Good God ! What's that ? " he said, as his foot encoun- tered somewhat he had not observed before, on the floor, close beside the couch. It was Kate Ireton, who, when she witnessed that last ex piring sigh, and saw that it was death, had sunk in a heap upon the ground, senseless. The good Doctor raised her in his arms, and carried her into her own room, and laid her on the bed. " Poor child ! " he said ; " this is a cruel blow for her. Here, some of you, my good people," he added, turning to the sorrow- ful group of servants, who had gathered tremblingly around, " send her own woman to take care of your young mistress ; she's in a deep swoon, poor thing ! and ought to have some one about her, near, to watch her when she comes to herself." " Her own woman, her nurse, Mistress Martha, sir ; she'i not here, if you please, sir that is, Doctor." " No matter ; send any one of the women servants." " Old Dorothy, the housemaid, sir Doctor, I mean ; she'll Ay, ay, she'll do as well as another. All women arc more or less nurses by nature. They take to it kindly ; it comes as pat to them as it comes awkwardly to us. Bid her make haste." Yes, sir ; but she's old. We're all of us old. The 'Squire 340 THE IRON COUSIN. would turn none of us away, because we grew old. We shall never have such a master again ! " When Kate Ireton at length returned to a consciousness of existence from her death-like swoon, evening was closing in. She. at first, neither knew where she was, nor what had happened. But soon, remembrance stabbed sharp and piercingly to her heart, and she uttered a heavy moan. Old Dorothy stood by her, and attempted some homely, well- meant consolation ; matter-of-course words, that grate upon the ear with their impotence to carry sense or soothing to the soul- stricken mourner. Kate lay looking at her with lustreless, vacant eye ; neither weeping nor sobbing, but breathing profound sighs, with now and then those deep, dull, inward moans. This dumb, tearless grief perplexed the good woman, who felt wholly unable to deal with it. She could only stand there, crying bitterly, and begging her young mistress to " try some tea." " It'll do ye good, Miss Kate ; I'm sure it would. A cup o' tea always does me good in the worst o' troubles. Do'ee now, Miss Kate ; only try it." And old Dorothy hobbled away ; in her zealous desire to prevail with her young mistress to essay this favourite remed}', she went in search of some for her. She was no sooner alone, than Kate feebly struggled to rise ; but her eyes swam, her head reeled ; and, on attempting to set foot to the ground, she fell prone. When Dorothy returned with the steaming cup of tea, she found her in another strong fainting-fit. It was dead of night when she again revived ; but her senses wandered, and she spoke rapidly and incoherently. " I must go ! Do not hold me ! I must go, I tell you 1 I must see him again ! " THE IRON COUSIN. 341 " Hush 1 Miss Kate ; don't'ec take on so. Hush, then !" " Why do you bid me hush ? Who bid you restrain ine nd chide me ? I cannot be silent I must go ! He will be t:ikrn away before I can reach him before I can see him again." She broke from thojold woman's arms, and threw herself out of bed, staggering wildly and blindly forward. But again she dropped senseless. Lu the morning, when Dr. Burton came to enquire after her, he found her in this dangerous state, having had repeated faint- ing-fits, and scarcely recovering from one ere falling into another. He declared that all depended upon Kate's being kept quiet. " Her very life," he said, to Dorothy, " depends upon it ; you must keep her quiet." ' Ay, it's all very well for doctors to give orders," grum- bled the poor old creature ; ' but I'll be whipped if their orders can always be attended to. Here's our Miss Kate, who's never been said nay to all her life, and don't know what it is to obey, or do what she's told, is to be kept quiet, whether she will or no. Not an archangel from Heaven could make her keep quiet, if she hasn't a mind to it ! " But Kate seemed to have no mind for anything else now. She sunk into utter passiveness. She lay, incapable of stirring, iif taking note of anything, of moving, or seeing, or speaking. The second day, Dorothy came to her bed-side, and said : " The gentleman wants to see you, if you please, Miss Kate.' 1 Kate gave a convulsive stai t. " Gentleman ! What gentle- man :' " she faintly exclaimed. ; ' The lawyer gentleman, Miss. Him as come down last iii^ht. lie's been sitting in the library, a-ferreting among mas- ter's papers, I hear. But Robert says it's all right ; for that he \vas sent for by master himself." " True," said Kate, putting hc-r hand to her head, and strir- hii: to think sanely and steadily. And he's just sent to say he wants to sec you, Miw Kate, if you'll step down to him in the library, h- Kate made an effort to sit up to got up. She leaned upon 312 THE IRON COUSIN. Dorothy's arm ; but no sooner did she attempt to walk, than she tottered, trembled from head to foot, and sank back upon the bed. " You see I cannot. Tell him so." As Dorothy assisted her young mistress to lie down again, she muttered : " I don't know whether it a'n't worse more heart- breaking like to see her try and do as she's told, than to see her following her own head. She don't seem like herself nat'ral, somehow when she's this way." And Dorothy pottered down stairs to the library, where she put her head in at the door, and said : " My young lady can't come, sir ! " " Humph ! A tolerably cool message," was the dry reply. " I remember, of old, she was a mighty peremptory, wilful little personage ; but Hal loved her, and Harkee, Mrs. Abigail ! Tell your young lady that I am obliged to return to town, now ; but that I shall make a point of returning to pay the last respect to my dear old friend, her uncle ; and shall then expect, to see her. Tell her my exact words, if you please, my good old lady ; that is, as nearly as you can," he added to himself. ' : Your tribe are not famed for bearing messages faithfully, or repeating accurately. We should have less trouble than we have with blundering witnesses were it otherwise." The few followings days wore away in the same outward apa- thy with Kate. But, internally, she was devoting every effort to gain strength for carrying out her purpose of once more visit- ing her uncle's room, to take a last farewell look of that beloved face, to breathe a last farewell kiss upon those lips which had received and bestowed so many warm, living, happy caresses ; to utter one last farewell prayer beside him who had been the ob- ject of her daily prayers ever since she knew what prayer meant. For him had been her first-lisped, childish " God bless dear ancle ! " for him had been poured forth her fondest, tenderest THE IRON COUSIN. 343 aspirations ; for him bad been ber earliest tbought on waking . for him, ber last supplication ere sbe slept ; in bim bad concen- tred ber profoundest feelings of grateful adoration poured forth to the Almighty Father who bad bestowed this earthly parent upon her orphaned existence. He it was who drew forth, in ceaseless flow, her most fervent, her most pious rapture of thanks- giving. As the time drew near when she knew he would be borne away, never more to be beholden by ber in this world, ber eager- ness grew to intensity ; but sbe sought to still it, that sbe might gain power of frame and limb, out of composure of spirit. Her late struggle with her own heart, previously to this last crowning blow, had been more severe than Kate imagined. The sustained effort to appear at ease, when secretly her feelings were in ferment ; the perpetual strain upon them to control and stifle their natural working, and quell their agitation ; the endeavour not only to suppress any outward token of them, but to forbid herself any actual encouragement of them not only to prevent their seeing the light, but to strangle them in their very birth had wrought a powerful effect upon her. But when, in addition to this, came the overwhelming shock of her bereavement, sho sunk, stunned and prostrate. Wearied out with suffering, she had, at length, fallen into a heavy slumber. It lasted some hours. When she awoke, the lamp was burning low, and the room was in silence, save for the contented snoring of poor old Dorothy, who, seeing her young mistress at rest and asleep, had gradually yielded to the welcome example. Kate raised her head from the pillow, leaned upon her elbow, and sought to learn whether she had indeed gathered the strength 10 desired so eagerly wooed. She felt that she was stronger really stronger strong enough to get up, stand up, to support herself, and walk. Sho t.mk' the lamp in hrr hand, and wi-nt vf'tly forth. The air in he outer gallery farther revived her ; and as she took the pas- sage lea ling to her uncle's room, she was conscious of being 844 THE IRON COUSIN. bodily equal to the farewell her soul had vowed to take. This consciousness fortified her yet more, and she passed on, grateful for the vouchsafed power. " One instant's pause at the chamber-door ; and, the next, she entered. Pale as the corpse that lay stretched there, yet upborne by pious courage and faithful, reverent affection, Kate approach- ed, and looked upon that beloved face. The deep peace, the tranquil, consummate content, still dwelt upon the features, and she sank upon her knees, blessing God for that signal of Earth's final thought, of Heaven's opening promise. Pouring forth her heart, long she knelt. Then arose, filled with a serenity and trust she could not have believed, a few hours since, would ever be hers again to feel. And so, with one last kiss impressed upon those cold, dear lips, she withdrew, returned to her own chamber, threw herself upon her bed, and slept once more the sleep of youth, of saner health, and calmer mind. " Deary me ! but you're looking a deal better, though, this morning, Miss Kate. A'most quite yourself, as a body may say," remarked old Dorothy, as she saw the expression of Kate's countenance, and noticed the less deathly hue it wore, when she woke late next day. " Ah, most folks gets better, so soon as the funeral's once over," she added to herself. " Nothing like open- ed shutters, and the body taken away and buried, for bringing people round. It brightens everything up again ; mourners and all, somehow." " Did you not deliver some message, when you called me, Dorothy ? I did not rightly understand. Some one enquiring for me in the library, I think you said. Surely not." " Yes, Miss Kate ; but there is. It's that lawyering gentle- man. He joined the train, and took the lead, and settled every filing, and ordered about, and managed how all should be. And when the gentry went home in their carriages, after it was over Le marched hisself into the library again, as grand as you please, aid sent me to fetch you, Miss Kate." Tin: IRON coosui. 345 " I nm ready," said Kate. " It is Mr. Weldon. He has a right here. He was asked here. I will go down to him at once." The broad glare of daylight struck upon her senses, dazzling her sight, and oppressing her darkened heart, as she descended the stair-case, and crossed the large old hall. But she summon- ed firmness, and proceeded. She turned the handle of the library-door, and went in. The lawyer was seated at the table, looking over papers ; but on seeing Kate enter, he rose, with the instinctive respect in- spired by the presence of a great and sincere sorrow, placed a rhair for her, and then quietly resumed his own. Kate did not take the offered seat ; but walked to the fire- place, and leaned against the mantel-piece, with her hand sup- porting her forehead, as she stood looking at him who occupied the place where her uncle used to sit. " I sent for you, young lady, to hear some business details with which it is necessary you should be made acquainted. I could have wished to have consulted you, before I took any active steps ; but it seems you could not attend to me then, hadn't leisure, or inclination, as I inferred from your curt roes sage. I, having so much leisure, and so very much inclination to dance attendance upon young ladies, was, of course, to wait your pleasure. But this I was not able to do ; having to return to town, to my own affairs. Between whiles, however, I found time to look into those that I saw had little chance of set- tlement if I didn't take them in hand ; and which, accordingly, I felt entitled, nay, called upon, to do. I'm glad therefore, young lady, that you've thought fit to see me this time, instead of send- ing me any such second message." What was the first ? " said Kate. " That you couldn't come." " I literally could not. I made the attempt. But I couldn't I dropped down. Didn't they tell you ? " The lawyer tm.k a pinch of snuff, and turned to the table, and routed among the papers, and muttered to himself 15" 346 THE IRON COUSIN. tetchy, peppery old ass ! I forgot she must be in grief, in much grief. She looks pale, ill. Won't you sit down, young lady ? ' he added aloud ; " I have much to tell you, that you must listen to." " I can stand ; I an? quite able to stand. Go on ; I am lis- tening." " When I was summoned hither, I found, as I expected, knowing human nature, and my friend Hal's in particular, HC will, no insurance effected, affairs in confusion, nothing but disor der, improvidence, want of forethought and foresight, careless ness, recklessness, and debt." " How dare you ! How dare you to speak so, of, of, of him! " And Kate Ireton broke into the first tears she had shed since her loss. The lawyer looked at her in grave astonishment. Then he took snuff again, turned to the table, and began writing ; partly to give her time to recover, partly in ire at her vehemence. He disliked to see women cry, it was foolish, irrational, useless, and very unpleasant to witness ; particularly when the woman was so young and so very beautiful. As Kate stood, her face buried in her handkerchief, giving way to the long-pent flood, Mr. John Wcldon eyed her askance, feeling exceedingly uncomfortable, fidgetty, and angry. Then he took another pinch of snuff, as if to gather patience beneath this inevitable, but perhaps salutary evil. He felt it might relieve her, ease her heart ; and therefore he had no right to check it, but must submit to the infliction of beholding it, so long as she chose to weep on. But Kate Ireton seldom wept ; and never gave way to weep- ing. She dried her eyes, after this one paroxysm of irrepressi- ble emotion ; looked up, and said : " Say what you have to say, if you please. I am attending. I will not interrupt you again." " Long ago,' began Mr. Weldon; but he was obliged to clear his voice before he went on : " long ago, when you were a little creature, and I saw how entirely my old friend's heart was bound up in you, I tried to persuade him to do two all important thinga THE IfiON COUSIN. 347 insure his life, and make his will. He did neither. He pro- mised me to do both ; but he did neither. I ought to have known better than to have trusted a promise of that sort. I ought to have seen that he did it. I ought to have made him do it as- certained that it was done, knowing how essential it was to the securing of his own wishes with regard to you, in whom his hap- piness was centred. I take blame to myself for this, loving him as I did, yet being aware of his foible, his peculiarities. I need not tell you that your uncle hated trouble j that he was too care- less a fellow to look much into expenditure, too good a fellow to be fond of money, and too unworldly a fellow to have the manage- ment of it. He let his own come in, he regarded not how, so that it sufficed for your and his wants ; he let it go, he heeded not how, so that it supplied just what was necessary for the support of the estate, and the support of you two. It has held out till now ; but the crisis must have come soon, and perhaps he is best spared the pain of witnessing it The estate devolves to the heir- at-law ; while the personal property, when realized, will coverall debts, so that his honour will be saved. I think I read you well enough, young lady, to know that this thought will outweigh with you the regret of seeing Ucathoote pass into other hands. When the personals are sold, and all is paid off, I fear there will remain but little. Perhaps a euui sufficient to yield you somewhere about thirty or forty pounds yearly ; and that, though a poor pit- is yet better than some hapless souls can call their own. It shall be placed iu the Diugletou bank for you ; and will be ready there, for you to draw monthly, quarterly, or half-yemrlj, as may suit your convenience." Kate bowed her head. ' It is a maxim of mine, that when disagreeable things har to be done, they're better done at once ; I have therefore arrang ed that the sale shall take place without delay. The people will be duwn here to put things in train to-morrow. Now, as I think it will be a pain to you to see strangers coming hither, bringing and confusion with them, into all your haunts of accuatom- ud privacy, young lady, and to .sec the old Hall disturbed and 348 THE IRON COUSIN. dismantled, you will do well to leave the place before these gen try arrive." " You are right, I shall go, immediately." " You have friends, probably, in the neighbourhood, with whom you can stay for the present ? " said the lawyer, in a tone of in- terest. " I have friends." said Kate. " I'm glad to hear it," said Mr. John Weldon. " Make tho most of them. They don't grow on every bush. They're by no means common as blackberries, nor for every season, like gorsc- blossom. Their golden bloom is apt to become blighted, or frost- nipt, nay, to wither quite away, when adverse weather sets in. Gather as much of it as you can, and while you can ; make your harvest while the sun shines. You have connections, I think, in the county? If I mistake not, there are the Whites, of Egg- ham Park, and the family at Worthington Court, between whom and my old friend some kind of relationship existed. They'll not see his niece want for anything, for their own credit's sake." " She would rather starve than " Kate was beginning passionately ; but she checked herself, and added, in a sedater tone : " I meant, I have two kind friends in Dr. and Mrs. Mea- dows, our good vicar and his wife." " Humph ! A country parson, with a wife and ten children, isn't much of a patron, compared with a rich relation. The good man can't do any great things for you, however willing he may be. Now the rich relation though he may think his poor one a bore and an incumbrance, yet his own pride will prevent his let- ting her want bread." " So long as she can earn a crust for herself, she need never trouble a soul," said Kate. " I have my own plans for future independence, and I trust to be able to carry them out." The lawyer smiled and shook his head, as if touched with that emotion which experience feels, when it hears youth speak thus. " My good young lady, you have two awkward points for a girl to begin the world with, by herself beautv and pride. The THE IRON COUSIN. 34 former will lay you open to insults, which the latter will make doubly hard to bear. Beauty will tempt attack, while pride, in stead of being a protection, will only serve to provoke a desire to lower it. You can't abate your beauty and perhaps wouldn't if you could women are generally content to run all risks rather than be without that too often fatal possession ; but you can give up some of your pride, and I advise you to dispose of the whole stock of that worthless commodity at the very earliest opportu- nity." " I have never been apt in taking advice ; I am not accus- tomed not proficient at it," said Kate, with something of her old tone. <; Then make a trial now. A lawyer seldom gives feeless ad- vice. Accept it when it offers. It'll be something for you to begin the world with." " I hope to begin the world, and to go through the world, with absolute independence." 11 'Tis a pretty vision but there is no such reality in life. No one can be absolutely independent ; not a throned monarch himself, can be entirely independent of his fellow-mortals. But without compromising your independence, young lady, you can receive the wholesome counsel of an old fellow who has looked upon the world for nearly threescore years. And he advise* you, in all kindness of spirit towards one whom his old friend llarry Ileathcote dearly loved, to try and root out pride as vile, rank, spurious growth a rotten, miserable, broken reed, tliat will prove a treacherous support, and desert you in your ut- most need, if you unwisely trust it." Kate went straight up to the old lawyer, and offered him her hand. " I hope you will forgive me my ungracious speech my un- gracious behaviour, Mr. Weldon," she said. " Had it not been that my heart was very sore, and made me view all things sorely, I should hardly have remained so 1-mg unmoved by your patience V d forbearance." " I believe we have both sometl x'ive each other 350 THE IRON COUSIN. replied. " I have been testy and inconsiderate. In my ungais bachelor way little accustomed to deal with girlish feelings or womanish ways I must have hurt you, without knowing it, far less wishing it." " Let me thank you for the voluntary trouble you have taken, the valuable time you have generously bestowed upon upon your friend's affairs. And for having secured something from the wreck for his Kate's maintenance. Your best thanks will be the thought that in so doing you have done what would most truly content him." " My dear young lady, say no more. We understand each other," said the lawyer, shaking her hand warmly between his own white, shrivelled, gentlemanly ones ; " and as I must now away to London I see the postchaise is waiting at the hall-door I wish you would let me take you with me, and set you down in my way, at your friend the vicar's house." " You forget that a carriage does not suit with my altered fortunes. I shall walk down to the village. And if ever my plans of independence achieve independent fortune, and I come to ride in a carriage of my own, be assured one of my first visits shall be to Mr. Weldon." " Well, well," he returned; "if, meantime, you find that in dependence might be the better for a little help, don't fail to ap- ply to me for it. I shall take it as a sign that you have adopted my advice, and sent pride to the right-about ; and that will be a gratification to my own pride, you know. Farewell, my dear young lady. Remember John Weldon, if you need any aid that ae can give you." CHAPTER XXXVIII. FULL of the revived and strengthened spirit which this interview with her uncle's old friend, the lawyer, had imparted, Kate at once began her task of leave-taking, determined to adopt, his kindly hint of quitting the old place forthwith. THE IBON CO! ^51 She felt even now reconciled to the thought of abandoning Heatlicote, since he was no longer there who had made it home to her. How could she have borne to live on there without him? Yet when she came to bid adieu to all those wonted spot scenes of so much past happiness, she found it difficult to part from them, knowing she should never dwell among them again. She took a sad leave of the room her uncle's owu room in which she had last beheld him alive, had last of all beheld him dead. She gathered some of the clusters of jessamine from the window, and placed them tenderly in her bosom, as she remem- bered that with their rich incense-like perfume had come the first softening of feeling which enabled her to seek peace from its truest source. She bade a regretful adieu to her own cosy elegant room, fitted up with all her fond uncle's care for her comfort, with all her own neat and graceful regard to tasteful appointment. She lingered in the little dressing-room her music-den and hung fondly over the old harpsichord, remembering the many quiet hours of improving practice she had passed there, and that one memorable evening, when she had first played and sung to other oars than her own. She visited the little sketching-den at the top of the house, looking 1'mg and wistfully at the magnificent park view which ita window commanded, while she reviewed in thought a c morning, when its solitude had been invaded and shared. But he would not allow herself too long reflection upon this theme ; and with a resolute self constraint, she was leaving the room, when she hastily returned, selected one sketch from among th and hurried away with it From the library, and from other rooms, she collected all ln-r own especial books keepsakes and presents at various times f rum her uncle and friends books that she could indisputably and cou icientiously call her own. For Kate had made a ucruplo to hor- lelf of l.-:.vitiL' the whole of the personal property ontire and in- -ut of an impression that the more there could be U: more sure it *U to r< nlize .sufficient to clear her uncle > from any imputation of not liavinir satMie.l all claim*. 852 THE IRON COUSIN. In her innocent anxiety for this, she had left all her own drawings, and drawing materials, in the sketching-den, thinking they might perhaps fetch something, among the rest of the odds and ends up there ; and that in all probability she should not be able to pursue so mere an accomplishment, in the life of humble labour to which she looked forward as her probable future one. Something of the same motives swayed her, in resolving to leave behind her all her music. Her last-visited room was the oak parlour, where her happiest hours had been spent, and where also stood her own piano-forte Fermor Worthington's birthday gift. Partly to restrict her thoughts from dwelling upon its do- nor, partly that she might consecrate its last-heard tones to those thoughts which she felt should alone fill her heart at this moment, she sat down and played such airs as might form a kind of dirge for her loss of him who was both parents in one, her loss of home, of all. She played the grand and solemn movements of the Burial Service, where Croft and Purcell put the might of their English fervent hearts into those sublime chords, accompanying those sim- ply sublime words. Some of these words she could not help breath- ing forth into murmured self consolation : " He that believeth in me shall never die." " Of whom may we seek succour but of thee, Lord ? " " Thou kuowest the secret of our hearts ; shut not thy merciful ears unto our prayers." "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord ; they rest from their labour." From Mozart's divine requiem strain of the " Recordare," she drew strength with sweetness ; courage with gentlest, tenderest beauty. As a lofty soul sustaining close, she played Handel's elevated and elevating hymn of hope and sacred trust : " Then round about the Starry Throne ; " ending with that glorying phrase, so glori- ously expressed and rendered into sound, " And triumph over Death and thee, Time ! " Kate Ireton was no usual indulger in tears ; but perhaps the more for their rare indulgence, did they, when yielded to, bring relief and benefit. As she played, the music worked its own be THE IRON COUSIN. 3PJ nign potency of influence, and tears fell into her bosom like soft rain refreshing dew shedding peace upon her heart, and infu- ing confidence and reliance into her spirit. Her next farewell was to the old servants, her uncle's tried aiKU'aitliful dependants, most of whom had grown grey in his ser- vice, and who repaid his bounteous kindness with true attachment When Kate saw poor old Robert's genuine grief how it had stricken and changed the man into feebleness and sudden age, and almost visible decay her heart smote her witu something like remorse, lest in the selfishness of her own sorrow she had been forgetful of his, and neglectful of himself. But the old serving-man spoke affectionately to her, and cheer- ingly ; bidding her be of good heart in her trouble, and tolling her knowing, he said, it would please Miss Kate's kind heart that Mr. Weldon had behaved very thoughtful and kind ; that he had spoken to the gentlefolks, master's friends, that morning, when they had assembled to follow the 'Squire to the grave, and had tried to interest them in procuring places for all the old servants. " Cook and Dorothy are to be up at High-chase House ; Jo- seph is to go to Crofthurst ; Martin coachman is going there too ; Ben Dimble's got a place at 'Squire Huntley's; and 'Squire Acrcmead has taken me. So you see, Miss Kate, no need to fret about us. We're well provided for, you sec. All you've got to do now, is to think about getting on well yourself; and keep up, for the sake of dear old master, who'd have broke hia heart to know you'd pine." " I shall bear up bravely, depend on it, dear good Robert. God bless you all, and good-bye." Kate's last visit was to the stable, to take an unwitnessed leave of the horse she had so long ridden upon which she had enjoyed so many happy rambles with her uncle and of the one which had been his own favourite. White Bess and Chestnut Phillis were hardly less objects of liking than had th-y been of her own race. She had an almost human and individual afi for these two animals. She whispered fondling words to them, as she fed them for the last time from her hand, and pattc ' 554 THE IRON COUSIN. glossy throats, aud stroked their sleek and shining flanks. The gentle creatures seemed to understand her mournful petting sen- tences, and to respond, in their own dumb fashion, by turning their heads round to hers, as she leaned against their shoulder and at last fairly flung her arms about the neck of each, in turn. When at last she came forth from the stable-door, she saw Ben Dimble. " I knerc you'd come to see the horses the last thing afore you went, Miss Kate," said he, in a husky voice, and keeping his eyes fixed upon the ground, lest he should see by hers that she was crying. " I knew you'd come here, so I waited." " To bid me good-bye ? Thank you, Ben. And I was in hopes I should see you, Ben, before I went, to ask you to do something for me." " Oh, Miss Kate, that is kind 1 That is kind of you to think of ! " And Ben, in his sudden joy, looked up, and saw that his young mistress was not crying, which relieved him unspeakably " Ben, I want you to bring me down my trunk to the village. It is all ready packed ; but I should like you, better than any body, to bring it away for me." " Thank you, kindly, Miss Kate thank you kindly. And where shall I find you, Miss Kate ? " " Why, I am going to try and learn whereabouts my Matty has taken lodgings. I'm afraid I didn't behave altoge- ther " " I know where she lodges ! " burst in Ben, unable to contain himself. She lodges with Ruth Field. When Ruth Field's mother died, it chanced to be at the very time Mistress Martha left us. And just as Ruth thought she must give up her cottage, as she couldn't afford to keep it all herself, Mistress Martha offered to come to her, and very glad they both were." " And who may Ruth Field be ? And whereabouts does she live ? ! ' said Kate. " Not know Ruth Field ? " said Ben, reddening to scarlet ' You saw her at the school-house that morning, Miss Kate ; and THI: IKON CM; 353 f ou spoke to mo about her when you caino out ; don't you re- member ? " " I remember," said Kate. "She's the under-tcacher, sub-monitress, they call hr. The head-monitress was discharged last week for harsh conduct, I hear ; and they're going to elect a new one. I hope she'll be better than the lust, for for Ruth's sake." " You seem much interested in this Ruth, Ben," smiled Kate. " You seem to know all about her movements, as well as all those that affect her." lien looked down. " I knew her from that high, Miss Kato," he .said at length, twisting his hat in his hand, and then holding it a foot or two from the ground. "And I've always known lur good ; good, when she was strong and fresh-coloured, and straight ; good, when she grew weak and white, and bent" " And this good, mild Ruth Field lives in the cottage ad- joining the school-house ? And my Matty lodges with her, you say, Ben?" " Yes, Miss Kate ; and I think Ruth takes to her all the more kindly and likingly, because she's bed-rid ; it 'minds her of her own mother, who lost the use of her limbs, and kept her bed for the last year and more of her life." " Bed-ridden ! what do you mean, Ben ? " said Kate. " Vou surely don't mean Matty is bed-ridden." " But I do, though, Miss Kate. She took the rheumatics very bad, after leaving the old Hall, where she had all that heart could wish, and lived well, and lay warm, like any lady of th land. Whether it was the sudden change from our fine old house t.. a cottape, I can't rightly say; but bed-rid she's been ever since, poor soul ! " - My poor Mattykiu ! This, then, was the reason but Hill M !,,r n.ys.lt. "Ben, I may rely upon you to oome to th< eoitapt tomorrow with the trunk?" - It >| i:i ll l,r th.-n- to-ni-ht, Miss Kate," said Ben. Kate, befow ym go, I know you'll bo glad to hear I'm to be at Huutley Lodge. 'Squire Huntley promised me, to-day. 356 THE IRON COUSIN. " I heard so, Ben ; I rejoice to find you'll have so good a place." "Ay, Miss Kate; but it's not that. Good place or bad place, I wouldn't have gone to it, if I hadn't known that 'Squire Huntley is to buy all master's horses. Wherever they went, I meant to go, if it was in the power of mortal man to do it. Whatever became of White Bess and Chestnut Phillis, I must ha' followed 'em, and tried to ha 1 been groom to 'em still." " I'm truly glad to think that they have both fallen to one master, who is also to be yours, Ben. I needn't say, take care of them, Ben. I know you love them both, as dearly as I do." " Nobody can love 'em better, Miss Kate. I'd give up my own dinner, any day, to be sure that they had theirs, poor beasts." And as Kate Ireton turned to go, Ben went into the stable. CHAPTER XXXIX. KATE did not proceed by the avenue, but struck across the park lawns. The avenue was the approach from the carriage-road to the village ; while the one she took was a foot-path little fre- quented, that led by some fields a shorter and pleasanter way. The dusty road, the steep hilly descent, the public thoroughfare, were instinctively avoided ; while the grassy park glades, the sloping meadows, the quiet river-side walk, where there was little chance of encountering any oue, afforded attractive ex- change. Kate Ireton involuntarily lingered in the precincts that had BO long been home-ground to her. The afternoon had melted into one of those delicious balmy evenings, when a dewy fresh- ness mingles with the soft golden light that rests upon turf and tree, blending all into one shining haze of beauty and repose. THE IRON CObSm. 357 The deer lifted their graceful heads from amid the fern, to note tlu: passing figure; watching her. shyly with their largo lustrous eyes, yet scarcely pausing in their laxy ruminant chcwings. There was stillness in the air, unbroken, save by the lowing of the distant herds, or the querulous fold-ward note of the flocks, or the liquid whistle of a blackbird that sang his flute-like hymn of farewell to parting day, from a neighbouring copse. All things were blandly lapped in a peaceful calm, a tranquil rest ined the fitting close to her past existence her life of prosperous enjoyment, of undisturbed content, of unalloyed hap- piness. She turned to look for the last time upon the old Hall, its picturesque gables, and oddly-angled roof; its clock-house, offices and stables ; its glittering vane and white dove-cot : ita green clustered door-ways, and trelliscd walls, shone roseate- touched and gilded ; while its many windows one for each day in the year, after the fashion of some old English mansions sparkled resplendent in the reflected glory of the western light. Tin- sun shed its full departing radiance upon the scene of her departed joys. With a swelling heart, Kate resumed her way. As she came to the sheltered lane, forming the boundary enclosure on that side of the demesne, she paused, and leaned upon the stile be- neath the nut boughs. A half-sad, half-tender expression came into her face, as she remembered how she had onco leaned upon this stile when she was compelled to stand upon its step, to ret her arms upon the top and how she had looked down into the lane, where sat a boy on horseback, with handsome eyes and irruvf smile, and penetrating voice, and striking foreign drew, and still more striking figure and noble air, looking up at her, and talking to her in that strain of quiet, involuntary, conscious superiority, which her spirit had never since been able to deny, ever since engaged in attempting to resist. Against the which the eyes, the smile, the voice, the air, made to her tenses and imagination, Kate even yet resolutely and stedfaatly set herself to withstand ; and she murmured, <: It shall not he- it i Kit net be ; now, less than ever 1 " 358 THE IRON COtJSm. But against the influence of that inwardly acknowledged superiority, her heart, her mind, her sense, her better feeling- better feeling born of suffering and sorrow did not now endea- vour to steel themselves. In this sacredly-still moment when alone with her own soul, and standing, as it were, on the confines of a past period, and on the brink of a future one Kate Iroton allowed her spirit to admit the full superiority of him she singled out from the rest of mankind. She permitted herself to dwell upon that noble rectitude, that constancy of honour, that un- swerving, unflinching, invincible regard for truth, and justice, and right, at which she had always outwardly scoffed, while most in secret revering. As she mused on all that had passed between herself and the Iron Cousin, since they had first met as children at that very spot, some of the Iron Cousin's right strength of character seemed to pass into her own, fortifying and invigorat- ing its best points, curbing and controlling its waywardness and impetuosity, steadying and rendering consistent its worthiest im- pulses. Her eye chancing to fall on the iron clasp of the brace- let, which never quitted her arm, she thought of all Fermor's fre- quent patience with her, his untiring forbearance, his unfailing temper. She remembered how (at the very time she chose that clasp when by petulant speech, and fleering taunt, and harsh, galling, insolent-sounding words, she had sought to conceal the sentiment which prompted the choice of its material) he had borne with her ungraciousness, had silently, patiently, and unre- proachfully submitted to it, even while showing by the firm-set lip, and grave shade of countenance, how deeply it hurt him. There was always something in the quiet dignity of Fermor'e tacit reproof which impressed and haunted Kate, long after she had succeeded in apparently throwing off its effect. Then came into her mind what he had subsequently said, when her rudeness and bluffness to her guest had forced re- buke from him ; yet, even then, as it seemed, chiefly impelled by regard for her character, and regret to see her behave unworthily. " Yet' not pleasant to live with ! ' 'Twas bitter ! " THE IRON COUSIN. 359 She buried her face in her hands, as if to bide tbe hot blushes that burnt upon her cheek, while recalling those words ; and as if she would shut out the look, the tone, which accompanied them serious, yet deeply grieved ; severe, but more profoundly pained. " He must despise me utterly disapprove and disregard me," she thought, in her bitterness of heart " Did he not leave us ? Did he not withdraw from the society of one whose quali- ties he could not like, and would not vainly try to amend ? But, be it so ; since this reverse of fortune has chanced, I am content it should be thus. If this place my home, this fair spot the same as mine own I would not have had him dream I held other thoughts than those I seemed to entertain, still less now shall he guess that ever " Even in self-communion she would not let the secret take shape and substance, but went rapidly on to another idea. " What was it else he said ? That ' Kate might be anything she wills to be.' If I were to set that sentence before me, as my guiding-star henceforth if I were to make its import my rule, its purpose my aim it were a noble ambition ! One worthy the Iron Cousin's worthless cousin ! Yet, once he said she was ' not worthless ; ' nay, ' was well worth any pains.' '' And one of her old smiles gleamed in Kate's eyes as she found herself recalling so many of his words, and perceived how vividly they dwelt in her memory, especially where the words stt incd to betoken regard. Yet as she smiled, she coloured. This craving to possess Fermor's esteem and liking, yet sensi- tively shrinking from its evidence, was one of Kate's peculiar characteristics. " Let me remember one more of the Iron Cousin's sentences," pursued she, " which shall help me to put in force the other. ' Distasteful things done for conscience sake become remembered pleasures/ I am unwilling to leave this spot ; I am reluctant to break up this train of thought ; but I am conscious that I ought to do both, bravely and resolutely, if Kate would commence her 1 willing to be what she ought to be.' No more lingering, fore ; no more musing. Life must be a sturdy, active, onwH 360 THE IRON COUSIN. progress with me now. Let me take my way at once ; this stile, my first obstacle overcome ; the bowery lane, my first limit crossed ; that footpath, my appointed course ; the shining river yonder, a bright guiding line ; and my village home with dear old Mattykin, a goal and refuge." Kate Ireton entered the cottage porch, and lifted the latch ; the door, like those of many country dwellings, usually standing open, or, if closed, unfastened. She found no one in the little par- lour, which was plain in the extreme, but neat and clean to precision. The house was in perfect silence ; no one seemed within. Kate went to the latticed casement at the side of the room, which looked on the stony yard or play-ground of the adjoining school-house, and she could hear the hum of children's busy voices through the open windows opposite. There was but one other room on the ground-floor of the cottage a kitchen, clean and neat as the parlour, with a kettle singing on the hob, and tea-things ready laid on the snow-white dresser. A small stair- case, so steep and narrow as to be like that of a ship's cabin led to the bed-rooms above. Kate went softly up, and found Matty propped amid pillows, diligently knitting. " Mattykin ! " " My darling Miss Kate ! My own dear, darling child ! Come her own sweet self to see her poor old nurse, since she can't crawl to her ! " " My poor Mattykin, I have only just learned your state ; and here have I been accusing you in my heart of unkindness, and unrelentingness, and I know not what cruel, unjust things, for not coming to see your naughty, spoiled child, and forgiving her in her trouble, and all the while you could not move ! But this is not the only injustice I have to ask pardon for ; I was harsh, imperious, and shamefully ungrateful to you, in forgetting, at the moment you vexed me, all you had done for me, and had been .THE IRON COUSIN. 361 to me, and suffering you to go away without kissing, and mat ing it up,' as we used, when I was a fractious, wilful child. However, dear Matty, I cannot better prove my sincere repent- ance, and my sense of your greater goodness and indulgence, than by coming to you in my sorrow and poverty. I am come to ask you for a home, Matty ; I am come to ask you to be a mother to your poor orphan girl ; I am come to be a dutiful, loving child to you, if you will let me if you will have me." My dear, dear Miss Kate ! my own generous-hearted dar- ling ! Just one of your kind, clever thoughts, how you might best please your old Mattykin." Then they fell into softer, graver talk, while they spoke of Iiim they had lost the kind master the loving uncle: and then, after a pause, Kate made Matty tell her of Ruth Field, of her goodness, her gentleness, her simple, quiet, virtuous ways. " In short, she's as pious and still as a quakeress, yet as active and useful as a penny-postman or a milk-maid," said Matty, in conclusion. "Hark! I hear the latch. That must be she. School's over by this time, and then Ruth comes home to tea ; and a pleasant, cheerful, cosy meal she makes of it, for us two." " For us three, I hope, now ! " said Kate. " I'll go down and meet her, and ask her to let me be one of your snug little Innisi-liold in future." " A strange lady ! " exclaimed Ruth, in her subdued but earnest voice, as she saw the vision of beautiful Kate Ireton descending the staircase, and coming straight into the bright. rural kitchen. " A stranger to you, Ruth ; but you are no stranger to me. I have heard so many delightful things of you, that I seem to know you quite well, quite intimately. I hope you will let me bo much more intimate, that you will let me live with you ; that vou will take me into this pleasant cottage of yours, and let me chare your home and your kindness with my Matty." "You arc Miss Ireton!" said Ruth, with a look full of 1 , irrepressible dnuif*tion 362 THE IRON COUSIN. " Yes ; that is I am Kate Ireton to you, as you are Ruth Field to me. Shall it not be so ? " The two young girls clasped hands with a silent warmth that spoke their several sincere, direct, ingenuous natures. " And now, dear Ruth, to show me that I may at once con- sider myself at home, let me untie your bonnet, and take your shawl, and see you sit down in that chair, \vhile I make tea, and get all ready to carry up to Matty, as I hear you so kindly do every day. What a tea-party she will have this evening ! " " But I cannot let you do all this," said Ruth, as Kate with housewifely alacrity, bustled to and fro in her preparations for the meal, after placing Ruth comfortably in a seat, and chatting cheerfully the while, about the neatness and order of her pretty cottage-kitchen. " Why not ? Do you know, I'm terribly accustomed to do as I like ; and I like to see you resting there after your long day's toil among that rabble of school-children, which, I'm sure, must be enough to weary out the stoutest spirits. And I like to wait upon you, and feel that I can make myself useful ; you don't know what a luxury that is to one who has led an idle young-lady life. And I like immensely to find myself once more doing something to please my Mattykin, in return for all her goodness and devotion to me. And now, I'm sure you would not wish to thwart me in all these likings of mine, would you, Ruth?" Ruth smiled her own soft, quiet smile. She, like all the rest, was beginning to feel the influence of Kate Ireton's fasci- nation. While Kate, as she looked at Ruth, found herself thinking : " He was right ; the expression of her face is ' positively beau- tiful.' And now, if you approve, we'll join Matty," she added aloud. " Here, Ruth, you carry the loaf and the butter, and I'll sarry the tea-tray." " Carry it end-ways, or you'll not manage to get it up the eiaircase,"' answered Ruth's mild voice. " Now Matty, you are going to do the honours of the table, THE I ROM COTJfclW. 303 while I pour out the tea. and cut the bread and butter ; and Ruth is to sit there and be qoiet, while we talk and amuse her ; she must be content to give up playing the mistress of the house, or mistress at all, after school-hours; quiet and rest are better than dignity, when all day's been spent ruling an unruly herd." " Ruth says they're not so very unruly, poor things ! Chil- dren will be children, after all," said Matty. " To be sure, .she makes the best of everything ; even noisy little torments she makes out to be not so bad, if they're reasoned with, and talked to." " The most troublesome child may be made more docile by patience," said Ruth ; " the most giddy, the most mischievous, the most sulky, the most obstinate may be taught better, if you have but sufficient patience. The only thing with children, is never to lose your patience or your temper." " Very difficult to preserve either, in dealing with them, when they are really troublesome," said Kate. " Not so much so as you might imagine, perhaps," said Ruth. " The thought that they are ignorant, that they err more from this than from wilful misbehaviour, that you have to forgive them seven times in a day, if seven times in a day they repent, and to forgive them, chiefly, for that they know not what they do, will be a sufficient guard upon yourself; and once children find you i .-apulile of self control, they insensibly learn to curb themselves." " The most formidable things you must have to contend with, Ruth, are the perpetual din and clamour of tongues, the close con- finement, and the want of fresh air," said Kate. " It is curious how you may become accustomed to the mot unpleasant things, by patience, by habit, and by comparing them with still worse,' answered Ruth. "The recollection that the )f a factory, the buzz of wheels and machinery, is worte than the hum of young voices : the thought that many innocent persons have been pent in narrow dungeons for years ; the re- nifiuliruM-e that hundreds of people of their own will, undergo a lightly stifling in the foul, noisome air of a gas-lighted theatre, or crowded assembh ' 1' '"esc few hourt a day hu 364 THE IRON COUSIN. up in a school-room. Besides, I am only too glad to have them I wished for the situation particularly, as one I could fill, and one which would give me the means of earning an honest livelihood." A thought darted into the mind of Kate Iretou. " I have heard a report that the office of uionitress is vacant. Is it so ? " " Yes ; it has been unfilled these last ten days ; I have dis- charged the duties as well as I can, meantime ; but I hear there will be some difficulty in supplying Mrs. Burgess's place, although she did not satisfy the majority of the Directors. Dr. Meadows was at the head of those who objected to her, and was eventually the means of her being discharged." " Then Dr. Meadows is one of the board of Directors ? " " Yes, the chief, the most actively influential among them." " It would be an admirable means of carrying out my project of independence ! " was Kate's inward reflection. " Yet, the noise, the constraint, the toilsome work, above all, that ' poor smell ! ' Hateful points knowingly to encounter. But then, are not 'dis- tasteful things, undertaken for conscience sake, remembered plea- sures ? ' And would it not be a pleasure to me, to secure this in- dependent course, wherein to ' will' Kate into being something better than she has been ? " " You know Dr. Meadows, do you not ? " lluth said. " Yes, he is one of my best, my kindest, friends; I am going to call upon him the first thing to-morrow morning, to consult with him upon my future plans." " By the bye," said Matty, suddenly, " how will you manage, Miss Kate, my darling, for want of proper dress ? Mourning, I know, requires little change still you must have " " I shall do very well, dear, thoughtful Mattykiu ; my ward- robe, such as it is for I mean to be a mirror of economy is to be here to night. That good fellow, Ben Dimble, promised to bring it for me. He it was, who told me so many things of you, that made me know and love you, Ruth," she added looking at her as she spoke. She saw the pale face change colour. She saw a tint like a THE IKON COUSIN. 365 blush-rose steal over the mild, pensive features. The bent head, the gentle expression, the soft hue, brought to her mind the thought ' Yes. he was right ; it is like one of Kaffaclle's sainted heads.' A moment after Kate heard the latch lifted, and a man's step upon the threshold. Exclaiming : " That's Ben ! " she ran down stairs to receive him, and thank him. After he had brought in the trunk, and had placed it for her in a little nook she pointed out to him, where it might not be in tho way, Kate saw Ben sast a wistful, lingering look around, whilo preparing to go. " Do not be in a hurry, Ben ; I dare say Ruth will be down in a moment." " I don't think she will, Miss Kate," answered he, with a sort of sigh, as he turned his hat round and round in his hands. " No so long as I'm here. I never see her but chance-wise. She never conies where I am, knowingly ; it hurts her kind heart, to see one that she can't feel towards, as he feels to her. I'm used to it now. But perhaps, Miss Kate," and he bright- ened, " you'll like to hear how White Bess and Chestnut Phillis sre going on, from time to time ; and then I might happen to " " Yes, Ben, yes ; I shall very much wish to have news of them. Therefore mind you bring me word, the first time you can get away, and come over here." " Thank ye kindly, kindly, Miss Kate." And Ben was gone. CHAPTEK XL. morning, Kate Ircton was up with the lark. She menced hor new existence with an energy and impulse nntnral to her character, enhanced by her present purpose, and encouraged as a heln to sustain the weight that sat at her heart for her un- 366 THE IRON COUSIN. clc's loss. It lay there, heavy, and dull, and sad ; but deep aud sacred a regret apart not to be allowed to rise and overwhelm hopefuller thoughts and aims, which might render her worthy on day to rejoin him. She had always been an early riser ; and now she rejoiced in a habit which gave her so main an advantage in her future life of diligence and self-dependence. She felt an almost childlike glee in finding herself so much beforehand with Ruth Field, who had not yet come down, al- though it was the hour for breakfast. But when time still went on, and Kate knew that school-hour would arrive in another forty minutes, she resolved to go into Ruth's room and call her. She tapped softly, and went in. The young girl lay buried in a profound sleep. The lameness, and defective figure, were hidden by the recumbent attitude : only the fair head with its light brown hair escaped from the muslin cap, and the cheek slightly flushed with slumber was visible ; and again Kate Ire- ton was struck with the soft, resigned, llafiaellesque expression. For the sake of him who had said this, Kate could not refrain from bending down, and gently kissing the delicate check, Kate had never had any companion- friend of her own sex and age ; and her heart warmed to this good, gentle girl, whose sim- ple worth, and sincerity of character and manner, peculiarly at- tracted her. At the caressing touch, Ruth awoke. " I was dreaming of mother," she said ; " I thought she was near me, and kissed me." Then recollecting herself, as her eyes fell upon Kate Ireton, she started up, saying : " I have overslept myself; I fear it is very late. You have been unhelped, unat- tended to. How could I have so missed the hour. But I could not get to sleep last night, in the excitement of seeing you, of your coming; and this morning, when I should have been up, I Forgive me, pray. I cannot forgive myself." " But you must forgive yourself, or I shall not forgive you , and there is really nothing to be forgiven," said Kate, playfully. THE IRON COUSIN. 36? '* Do you know, I am delighted to have had this few hours' gain apon you ; it makes me feel o virtuous, to have been earlier up than the school-monitress herself ! Let me fasten this button for you. And now, come down as soon as yon please ; you will find breakfast quite ready for us two below. Matty has had hers, a quarter of an hour since." AV hen Ruth entered the little parlour, Kate's eyes sparkled to see the look of admiring surprise she threw around. " Why, you have tranformed the place into a fairy-queen's bower ! How can you have done all this? In so short a time, too ! It is like magic ! Aladdin's palace ! You must have had invisible hands to help you. How could you manage it ? " " By getting up at dawn, and, as you say, by having elvish aid. The little good-folk, the fays, the fairies, have been here. That arch-sprite, Puck, for once, did no mischief; instead of skimming the milk of its cream, he put it in the jug for me, and filled the kettle with fresh water from the well, and lighted the fire, and set the tea-cups and saucers, and in short, made good his title to his other name, of Robin Goodfellow, doing all the scullionry in the kitchen, while Titania and I decked the par- lour. Obcron, on this occasion, gave up his forester-sport with the ' morning's love,' Cephalus, and brought in boughs for us, you see." The cottage-parlour was indeed turned into an elegant room. The latticed casement was snowily draped with a long white mus- lin scarf, fastened in the centre, and drawn on either side. Green branches, from the few shrubs and trees that skirted the stony play ground, were placed on the mantel shelf, drooping gracefully from the three or four glasses which the cottage afforded ; while other* were arranged, with shorter stalks, in a couple of deep plat.--, upon the white breakfast-cloth. On the small deal side- table was spread an Indian-patterned shawl-kerchief as a eim-r ; and on this were ran.ir-l Kite's books, rich in morocco covert, ;.lt-.i l.in.lii.-, and all the iimninc-enee of ornament that af- iWtum h.ves to lavish upon gift-volumes. Among these, lay Uw Fl'.reutine i\ M- riding whip ; and over all, was hung tfco Italian sketch. 368 THE IRON COUSIN. Ruth's eyes could not cease from drinking in all those objects which seemed to convert the cottage room into a home-templa They brought a light, an atmosphere of taste, and artistic grace, and elevating refinement into the dwelling, yet without marring its own neat and simple charm. " Beautiful ! beautiful ! " was all Ruth Field could repeat. " Dear Ruth, if you could only know the ecstacy it gives mo to see your innocent pleasure, you would understand how de- lightfully you fulfil the promise my imagination made me while I was busied with this. But we must not forget how time flies, while we are enjoying ourselves. Look here ! " And she smil- ingly held her watch before Ruth's eyes. " School-hour ! And no breakfast-table cleared ; and no din- ner prepared ! Nothing done, nothing thought of ! " And Ruth clasped her hands, in desperate self-blame. " It shall be attended to. You go to your school duties. Leave all to me. Remember I am housekeeper now. Self- elected ; and, therefore, despotic, irresponsible, not to be ap- pealed from." " But I cannot have you do all this this drudgery," said Ruth, as Kate alertly set about carrying the breakfast things from the room, and began to wash them up, in the little kitchen. " My dear Ruth, don't be a ceremonious simpleton, but be- gone to your teaching, and leave me to do as I like. You for- get that this is all play-work to me, like doll's house-keeping, or acting a comedy of housewifery. It has all the charm of novelty and holiday sport, with the dear delight of fancying myself use- ful." " But it will be so strange so unaccustomed you will not know what to do." " Don't make me out quite such an awkward ignoramus. Be- sides, if I should be at a loss, haven't I Matty to apply to ? She'll tell me all about marketing, all about cookery. Go, go ! and when you come back, you shall find dinner ready, with some ' savoury mess ' prepared, that only ' the neat-handed Phillis,' or your new housekeeper, Kate Ireton, could possibly havn achieved." THK IKON COUSIN. 369 When Kate's household duties were all performed, she rat up and bade Matty goodbye for an hour or two, that she might pay her visit to the vicarage. She found good Dr. Meadows in his study, preparing hia next Sunday's discourse. But he put away his writing, and gave her his clear thought and undivided attention. She entreated his assistance in her plan of future industry and self-reliance ; and mentioned the situation of monitress as one which afforded precisely the opportunity she sought of earn- ing a competence for herself and Matty. " The salary, added to the sum I may reckon upon through Mr. Weldon's kind provision, will amply suffice for our joint wants," she said ; " and I shall then have the hope that our living with Ruth Field will be a mutual advantage. I hear that in you, dear sir, lies the chief power to bestow this situation. You will not refuse to give me your support, and induce the other gentlemen to confirm your nomination ! " My dear girl, if it rested with me, be assured you should imt have long to plead. Both for the school-children's sake, and in furtherance of your own worthy project, I could not hesitate a moment I could not wish better. But there are many things to be considered. A canvass is indispensable. There will be the expense of cards, the fatigue the disagreeable of personal application, of suing for votes, and for influence. Not only have the whole Board of Directors to be applied to, but the suffrages of the parishioners have to be obtained. I greatly fear I do imt think, that " " The necessary expenses can be defrayed by disposing of my wat-li, if requisite," interrupted Kate, eagerly ; "and as for fe tiL'u-- and disagreeable, I am prepared to encounter those." Nay, nay," smiled the vicar ; " for the watch, you must nm pnrt with that ; you will find it too useful, too necessary, in your '.-life. The" cards shall be my care ; they shall be n tribution to your encU-av.mr. But the other point offers a far more formidable obsta !. Vou have the name forgive n dear !- of being n young lady of some some in short, of baring 370 THE IRON COUSIN. a high spirit of your own. And that is not exactly the thing to go canvassing with." " Why not ? Where's the use of high spirit but to carry us through difficulties ? It will enable me to face them ; it will bo a spur, a stimulus, a support to me." " Ay, a spur, a stimulus ; but, I fear, not a support. A spur serves to urge you on ; a stimulus excites, but does not strength- en. Beware of trusting to such false forces. You may com- mence with good courage ; but it may droop ; when you find you have to encounter cold looks, cool treatment, lukewarm words ; it may fail you, beneath delay, disappointment, heart-weariness. My poor child ! it wants something more than high spirit to carry through a project of this kind, however well it may do to begin with." " But this, well borne in mind, shall keep my spirit up firm and faithful, strong and constant. Never fear, dear sir ; with these timely hints from you, I shall win through with my purpose. I thank you truly for them ; and I shall hope to ask you for congratulation upon the success which will be greatly owing to them." " Well, I know not why I should farther seek to damp your enthusiasm of energy. Only beware, my dear girl ; do not lose courage when you lose ground ; do not think the case hopeless when it seems past hope ; but, above all do not be cast down and despondent, should you at last fail." " No ; then I will gather fresh courage for another attempt," said Kate. ' : It will be only beginning anew ; trying for something else, instead of for this. But, meantime, dear doctor, give me the necessary paper the testimonial whatever form of written application I ought to be furnished with." Smiling at the young girl's characteristic impetuosity, the good vicar drew up the requisite document, and said, as he placed it in her hands : " You may call at Chalkby's, in your way, it you please, and tell him I will call round myself this afternoon, and speak to him about the cards he will have to print. He is one of the voters, and will furnish you with a list of the rest, and THE IRON COUSIK. 371 the names of the Directors ; so you can commence business at once. But, before jou go, you must see Mrs. Meadows. Yon will find her up stairs, giving the chicks their early dinner." Kate felt that she would have preferred losing no time in set- ting about the matter which occupied her whole thoughts ; but she checked herself, remembering, with an inward smile, that hero was an occasion for taking her first lesson in self-control and men- tal discipline, by compelling herself to chat and laugh with the children, and listen to them, and enter into all their important sayings and doings, while her mind was full of something else. Kate Ireton's way of lending herself to the interest and eager- ness of the little Meadows tribe, had made her a great favourite ; and when she opened the door where they now were, there was a simultaneous rush from the dinner-table, as they all thronged roud her, shouting, " Kaytighton ! Kaytighton ! " that being her nursery-name among them. Little Harry Meadows, the 'Squire's godson, at once estab- lished himself on her knee ; and, while his mother talked to her, perpetually essayed to draw her attention exclusively to himself, by pulling her face down, with extremely sticky, pudding-immers- ed fingers applied to her chin, and insinuating themselves round her throat. " Kaytighton ! I say, Kaytighton ! I want you to listen t Do have some of this nice pudding ; it is to be our last red cur- rant pudding this year ; and see what a nice thick crust it has ! The walls of Troy we call it. Look, this is the flaming-red city , and here arc all the crushed and smothered Trojans, poor wretches ! " 1 low cruelly your spoon plays the battering ram among them ! nml what a ruthless Achilles you are yourself, Harry ! But where's the great wooden horse? I don't see him anyw answered Kate. " Oh, he's burnt up ! Gone ! Not even his mane, or hi* tail, or a hoof of him left ! " Kate Ireton threw herself so entirely into little u uiak ' nnd children arc never more enchanted than 3*72 THE IRON COUSIN. when grown people will help them to make a romance or a drama out of ordinary facts and realities that he could hardly bear to let her gOj when, at length, she talked of taking leave. " I haven't had such a happy time, Kaytighton. since last that kind, good-natured Mr. Worthington was here. When he set mo on his knee, dud made me repeat my name ' Harry Heathcote Meadows ; ' and lent me his pencil his grand, gold pencil-case and let me have it in my.own hands to write dogs and horses, and Greeks and Trojans, with. But I like Kaytighton hetter even than him." " Then you're a silly goose ! " said Kate, stooping her face amid the boy's curly locks ; " for he's much better than Kaytigh- ton he has a gold pencil-case to lend you, and she has none." " Ah, but for all that, I love Kaytighton the best. She lets me look at her watch inside, all those curious works if I take care not to breathe into it ; and to see the little steel bar wagging backwards and forwards oh ! so quick ! And to hear it say its little ticking time-count ; and to see it spring open at the back though she won't let me find out how she does it. But some daj if I'm very good to day oh ! to-day, Kaytighton ! won't you?" " No, not to-day ; for I mustn't stay longer. But next time I come, I'll show you how to make the watch-back fly open, your own self, Harry." " Oh ! you dear darling Kaytighton ! .But mind you come verj soon, then very soon ! " " Very, very soon, Harry. I'll be sure to remember. " Had all Kate Ireton's canvassing been as little irksome as it was at Mr. Chalkby's, she would have had no cause to complain He was civil and respectful as ever nay, perhaps more so show- ing, by a certain shy and hesitating kindliness, that he sympa- thized wita her altered fortunes, yet feared to express the feeling lest he might seem to remind her of them. Modest Lucy Chalk THE IRON COUSIN. 373 by stood by, blushing and trembling, and scarcely daring to look at Kate through brimming eyes, from dread that she should ap- pear curious, or impertinent, or intrusive or anything most ira possible for her to be. But with others, the case was far different. In going the round of the parishioners, to solicit their votes, how often was she reminded of Coriolanus. " The people must have their voices ; neither will they bate one jot of ceremony." They seemed to take a pleasure in forcing her to go through all the form and mi- nutiae of asking, as if repeating to themselves, " She's to make ' her ' requests by particulars, wherein every one of us has a single hon- our, in giving ' her ' our own voices with our own tongues." How often, on presenting herself, was she tempted briefly to say with the haughty Roman patrician, " You know the cause, sir, of my standing here." How often, when some low-lived vulgarian, de- lighting to parade his power, dallied with her impatience, and kept her in suspense as to his decision, did she long to put an end to the deliberation, by " I will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no farther." Once, she had nearly startled a dirty publican and a smudgy blacksmith, with uttering aloud what she muttered to herself, " Bid them wash their faces, and keep their teeth clean." Sometimes, in thorough vexation of heart, sho. would be ready to exclaim, " Rather than fool it so, let the high office and the honour go ; " but then her pledge to Dr. Meadows, and her own spirit of determination, made her recall the thought and she would conclude with a smile at herself, " I am half through ; the one part suffcr'd, the rest will I do." She had read the scene over, partly with a touch of mockery and self-tormenting ; partly in the idea of nerving her- self to go on with her task to the end, by the aid of poetry, and fancy, and uucommonplace, brought amidst the common-places she had to encounter. With the view of confronting the major difficulty first, she had made it her curliest duty to call upon the Director from whom she expic-t. d the most strenuous opposition. It wa tin patron and upholder of <: Lemon-face." 374 THE IRON COUSIN. Mrs. Burgess bad been his housekeeper ; and he, getting tired of her crabbed, domineering ways, had hit upon this method of pensioning her off, by obtaining the situation of monitress in the village school for her. He was a low-bred man, immensely rich, and an inveterate miser ; the same Mr. Scrjmpum against whom Kate Ireton en- tertained an old grudge, for having refused to contribute to a charitable project of her uncle and Dr. Meadows. She had never seen him ; but what she had heard, made her particularly dread going. However, there was no help for it, and she went. She was shown into a parlour, dark and grimy, notwithstand- ing its fine carpet, fine curtains, large mirrors, and massive ma- hogany furniture. As she entered, a voice called out, " Rub your shoes on the mat, young 'oman, afore you come out o' the ball. No need to bring cakes o' mud and dust into the parlour, soiling the Brussels carpet." She saw a snub-nosed little old man, seated in a low-backed, shiny, comfortless-looking horse-hair chair, glaring at her through a pair of green spectacles. " There, sit down, sit down, young 'oman ; you may sit down. It's as cheap sittin' as standin', the sayin' is. Now, come, let's hear what you've got to say. The old story. I 'spose. A beggin' letter, or a beggin' somethin', o' course. A man can't be said to be worth a bit o' money, but what he's sure to be a mark for all the beggars twenty miles round." " I am no beggar ; I merely came to request " began Kate. " 0' course you did, I know'd you did. What's request- in' but askin' ; what's askin' but beggin', I should like to know ? " " To request," Kate went on firmly, " that you will give " " To be sure give ; that's it, o' course. The way with 'em ill ! the way with 'em all ! " " Will give your name and sanction to my proposal of THE IKON COCSIN. 370 becoming head inonitress at the National Village School," said Kate. "Hang me if I do!" exclaimed the old man, irritably. " They marched off my 'onian from the allocation, without so much as with your leave, or by your leave ; and hang me if their 'oman their candidate shall succeed in her room ! I'll give 'em trouble enough, I promise 'em ; hang me if I won't ! " " I trust you will come to no such premature Tyburn fate, sir," said Kate Ireton ; " yet I hope, nevertheless, you will re- voke your sentence on my behalf. I will promise never to be the means of putting a cord round your neck, on the clause that affects you, if you will consent to think better of the part that concerns me." " Upon my credit, you're a strange young 'oman, you are 1 Is that the way you think to come round a man ? I'll tell you what I'll do with you. If you'll pass me your word that, when- ever Betsy Burgess can get up her character agin, and by hook or by crook, contrive to come back to the sitooation, you'll give it up to her by jingo ! I don't mind if I promise to let you have it in the meantime." " I cannot accept your promise on such a condition ; it would not be right. I cannot pass my word to give up in favour of one wliLf is obnoxious who is proved unfit for the office you would have her fill." " No, no, says you ; you'll not do anything I ask you, but I must grant whatever you choose to request of me. By jingo ! that's a nice way of reckoning, that is ! " " Ask me anything I can do, and I will do it ; but that which I feel and know to be wrong, I cannot, will not do," answered Kate. " Oh, I dare say ! Now, I warrant me, you'd make me be- .ievc that you'd clip off them 'ere fine locks o' yourn, if I was to ask you." Kate Ireton had very magnificent hair, which she wore in a profusion of rk-h. thick, shining curls, that fell on cither K tier beautiful t' 876 THE IRON COUSIN. " Send for a pair of scissors, and I will soon show you that anything which depends on myself no sacrifice of principle, but a mere personal sacrifice I will do to oblige you, and gain the situation I so much desire." The old man rang the bell, and when the scissors were brought, he grinned as he saw her take them, and deliberately prepare to cut off the luxuriant treasure. " Let 'em alone ! " he suddenly cried out. " Let 'em be, I tell you ! I won't have one on 'em touched. They're much too good to be sheared away like a sheep's fleece. But tuck 'em away ; tuck 'em behind your ears, my good girl. Just you take my word for it ; if you wear them fine flopperty curls when you're a school-missus, you'll get into disfavour with the Inspec- tresses and Lady Directresses. Such ringlets as them looks too free and independent. They look as though you knowed your- self to be a lady, and had a right to dress your hair like one. Depend on't, they'll bring you ill-will from the women, and may- hap too much good-will from the men ; and that'll double the ill- will. Matrons and spouses, and mothers o' families let alono young misses and sweethearts '11 think it their bounden duty to set their faces agin such curls' in a village teacher. Tuck 'em up ! tuck 'em up, I say ! " Kate laughingly did as the old man bade her, while he goggled through his green spectacles, and grinned through his great yellow teeth at her, with ogreish satisfaction the while. " Glad to see one 'oman, at least, knows how to mind what's said to her. You mark my words ; if you mean to be a school- missus, keep them curls o' yourn out o' sight." " Very well ; I do mean to be a school-mistress, and you mean me to be one the one, evidently, Mr. Scrimpum. Here's the paper. Be so kind as to sign your name to it." " Ah, yes ; that's the way you come round me. But some- how, it isn't altogether unpleasant to be come round by you. Some women have a knack of gettin' the bet.tcr of a man, without his much mindin' on it. Well, give us hold o' your paper. At any rate, it ain't a beggin' letter. No money wanted ; only scratch o' the pen." THE IRON COUSIN. 377 CHAPTER XLL THE rest of those who formed the Board of Directors proved to be gentlemen ; sensible, urbane, and considerate. Many of them were friends and hunting-associates of her uncle ; and expressed themselves as feeling only too fortunate in securing the services of one who, from her superior education and advantages, was so more than competent to fulfil the office in question. Some of the county ladies, with Mrs. Huntley at their head, who had in former times occasionally smarted from Kate Ire- ton's little conciliatory manner, yet endured it for the sake of her rank and station, now took their revenge by obligingly compas- sionate remarks upon her fallen condition, and gossiping comments upon her present undertaking. " Those vastly proud young ladies have the strangest notions of what is proper and decorous ! " observed Mrs. Iluntley, to one of her morning visitors. "It is scarcely delicate, indeed, hard- ly decent, to settle down in so mean a capacity, in the very neighbourhood where she has been known in respectability and lux- ury, and an honourable position. Bat really, these high-spirited, independent damsels don't seem to understand what delicacy and decency mean, still less, true dignity ! I think, the least she could have done, was to have taken herself and her poverty and disgrace out of the way of those who had formerly been acquaint- ed with her, when she was a person one might bow to, and bo on visiting terms with. I shouldn't wonder if she were to have the effrontery still to bow, if we were to meet ; but I should take care to put her in her proper place at once. Nothing like deciding these uncomfortable kind of altered positions at first. It saves a deal of after-disagreeable." " Oh, as to bowing, I don't think she'll do that," answered the visitor. " I passed her yesterday, in my carriage, and she had tin; assurance to cut me, absolutely to cut mo ; tliou-..' haps, I might have nodded kindly to her, if she had given me t!w 878 THE IIiON COUSlft. opportunity. But it's best as it is ; she may be quite certain, I shall never take the slightest notice of her in future." Unconscious of these and similar animadversions, Kate Ireton pursued her own self-appointed course. She was duly elected, and regularly established as head monitress of the village school, and she set herself assiduously to work in the discharge of its du- ties. Neither did she slacken in her active superintendence of the cottage household ; enhancing its comforts, and bringing grace and refinement, in addition to its primitive simplicity. She made it a happy home to Matty and Ruth. To the latter, her advent was a benignant chance, a blest occurrence of fortune ; as though some good genius had alighted within the sphere of her daily ex- istence. Kate's presence acted as a spell to draw her from her depression; it cheered and gladdened her ; some of the reflected brightness and spirit of Kate's character shone upon and enliven- ed the gentle diffidence and touching passiveness of Ruth Field. Her face became less wan, her step less feeble, her air less list- less and sad. It was Kate's delight to watch these symptoms of returning physical and moral health; and she pleased herself with fostering and promoting them. She spared Ruth all the fa tigue she could. She made her quit school early, and lie late ; frequently insisting that she should take her breakfast before she left her room, bringing it up herself, with so irresistible an af- fectionate ministry, that Ruth was compelled to yield, however inclined to remonstrate. " I cannot bear to see you waiting upon me thus ; you, so in- dulged, so refinedly brought up, so accustomed to be attended upon yourself ! " she would say. " Do you not see, that 'tis but another kind of indulgence, Ruthy ? Indulging myself by indulging another, instead of others indulging me ? Depend on't, there's a subtle pleasure in this voluntary giving pleasure, instead of tame receiving pleasure, peculiarly suited to my self-willed ladyship. I give you the minor share, in making you the recipient, and myself the confer- rer. Therefore you see you are, in fact, obliging me, by submit ting to be obliged and waited upon ; iudulging me, by letting yourself be indulged." THE IRON COUSIN. 379 This reversal of her own former spoiling, gave Kate exquisite gratification. She took singular pains to humour and pet her old nurse ; encouraging her in all sorts of whimsies ; letting her treat her imperiously, and speak to her authoritatively. She had an especial amusement in giving way to her frequent peevishness, and querulous complaints ; would address herself to their patient hearing, and to the serious adjustment of their multifarious branches of grievance. With the school-children, she soon became immensely popu- lar. She accommodated herself to their dispositions, studied their tempers, watched their faults, learned their good qualities. She never thwarted ; but she enforced obedience. She made herself beloved ; but she acquired their respect. She encouraged and praised ; but she had perfect command. The mere lifting of her finger sufficed, not more from acknowledged right of sway than from personal attachment. They one and all loved their new school mistress, as well as revered her. Kate Ireton possessed many characteristics that are peculiar- ly winning to children. She was sprightly, sweet-tempered, playful-mannered, with a most musical speaking-voice, and an extremely handsome face and person. Children are more im- pressed by beauty, than is sometimes believed. Their fresh imaginations, their susceptible senses, are keenly alive to the allurement of personal attraction. An infant will more readily go to a stranger who is good-looking, than to one who is plain. A child will sooner make friends with a person possessing a comely set of features, than au ugly countenance, unless there be some charm of expression that countervails the effect of home- ly lineaments. There was , that they might walk on together; but Kate, instinctively dreading such danger- ous contact, where an unguarded motion, or treacherous, involun- tary tremor, might at any moment betray her, eluded it, by lean- ing her back against a tree, and remaining thus, as if to listen to what he might have to say. Heart-smitten by the cold avoidance of her manner, by such a reception, such a meeting, together with the thought of her bereavement, brought forcibly to his mind by her mourning- habit and altered mien Fermor could only stand silently regard- ing her. As he gazed upon the motionless figure, with its drooped head, and face hidden from him by the straight straw bonnet the coarseness of her garb suddenly struck him ; for Kate, in consonance witn her system of frugality and self-restriction, had adopted the commonest and cheapest kind of clothing. This slight circumstance struck Fermor with a strange sense of ad- ditional discomfort and distress, irking and fretting him with its palpable present token of her impoverished fortunes, her changed existence. He made some hasty, irrepressible allusion to it. THE IKON COUSIN. 387 " la it possible such trivialities can engage the attention of the Iron Cousin for an instant ? " said Kate, with a curling lip. " I have no superfluous money to throw away upon dress ; nor, were I ever so rich, should I do so, especially now. To my thinking, there is a species of irreverence in fine mourning. The solemn fopperies of crape and broad hems, of jet and bugles, the ceremonial formalities of black trappings, the appointed grade* in bombazine woe, appear to me little better than insult to the sincerity of that grief which muffles the beating heart in unseen sables, and shrouds it in weeds of deepest and darkest hue. The mourning suit signifies little ; the simpler and humbler it is, the better." " But surely, there is no need of this ultra-homeliness of ap- parel," said Ferraor. " Suppose I choose to be extravagant in what I deem due plainness ? " returned she. " It is more than due plainness ; such coarse garments u these are not fit for your wear, Kate. These clumsy shoes, this common stuff gown, this rough poke bonnet, are not fit " Was it for this you came back ? Did you retrace your steps, for the purpose of discussing my mode of dress ? Besides, tne Iron Cousin's just sense of propriety might tell him that thin plain style precisely befits a village school-mistress." " It was for that I returned for that I chiefly came to seek you ; to dissuade you, Kate, from pursuing that unworthy course of life." " What is there unworthy in honest work ? w she said. " Do not misconstrue me, Kate. I mean, unworthy of you of your previous habits, of your refinement, your education. I should perhaps have said uncongenial life, rather than unworthy." " Whatever advantages I may have had formerly, will hut l.cl|. mo ih hotter in my present life," she said. " Cultivati-m nud education will avail, where ignorance might ha?c failed, ond I am not fond of failure." i Jut why need you stoop to so humble a career to so low Ij & condition ? " 588 THE IRON COUSIN. " Oh ! it is the degraded station, which onr proud Worthing- ton fears, is it ? The master of Worthington Court dreads what may be said, if a relation of his earns her bread as a poor teacher." " Once more, Kate, I say, do not misinterpret me." Fermor said in his grave, full voice. " You know it is no thought of the sort which prompts me. But I cannot have you pursue this course. It hurts me to think of your being obliged to toil for daily subsistence. I cannot have you do it" x ' You ' cannot have ! ' And why so, pray ? What, after all, has your sufferance to do with the point ? " she said impetu- ously. " Kate, hear me," he answered. " I am now your natural guardian and protector your nearest male relative well nigh the sole one you have upon earth. I stand in the position of a brother to you, now, Kate ; let me fulfil the part of one ; let me have the proud joy of feeling that you look upon me in the light of one and that as such, you become my care." " Even a sister might hesitate might disdain to accept provision from a brother, when she could maintain herself with- out becoming a burden upon him. Do you not think I may have my own proud feelings to consult as well as yours, good cousin ? " she replied. " You have them but too surely, too strongly, Kate," he re- turned. " You have too much pride, alas ! Better forego some of it, in favour of kindliness and kinship. Remember your own noble, simple words as a gin when you said that, did you re- quire money, you would not refuse to take it from me, since you would willingly give me some of yours ; that relations need not be nice upon such points, or care which helped the other. Think of your right-minded, honest sentiment, when years had but con- firmed your clear and just-seeing views, and you declared that the amount of a gift did not constitute its value, and therefore amount should not cause hesitation in acceptance. Wh}' persist in declining a proposal made but in consonance with your own upright, true, ingenuous admission ? Why not act in conformity THE IRON COUSIN. 389 with your o\vu childish candour of opinion that coiuinfl need not care which helps the other ? You would do no leas for ue, were it my strait, instead of yours, Kate ; why not believe that I have equal earnestness of wish to serve you, since it is my chance to h the richer ; and suffer me to help you as you would help me, were our cases reversed ? " " A La.sty youthful speech is not to bind nie now, that I have learned to think differently from what I did, when I had the power to bestow as well as to receive," said Kate. " I have neither the one nor the other now. My loss deprives me of the ability to give ; my poverty denies me the righWtho pleasure to accept." " Kate, if not for your own sake, yet for mine, consent to do as I would have you," urged Fermor. " How do you believe I can, with any comfort, lie softly, eat luxuriantly, live idly, yonder at Worthington Court, knowing that my owu kins- woman is lodging humbly, faring hardly, drudging unduly, the while ? " " You have nothing to do but to sleep upon the boards, feed upou bread and water, and work like a horse, if the contrary dis- you. There will be something in the way of life that will have its charms for the Iron Cousin, who has a passion for self- denial, austerity, rigour of abnegation. A thousand pities he did not live in his own age of iron, or in the time of hair shirts, fa.^t.s, disciplines, and penances. What a right glorious and fer- ruginous saint he would have made ! lie might have worn a girdle like St. Somebody, to eat into his flesh, only bo would have worn a rusty chain in lieu of a well-rope. He might retired to the top of a pillar for his forty years' abode, like St. Something, only he would have added a sharp spike to the beati- tudes of his resting place." " Kate ! Kate ! I am in earnest in deep, vital earnest,' said Fermor, " and you will jest." " Best let me jest while I am in the humour," she replied ; ' if I take to earnest, I may say something that may dieplcaM you worse than m\ 890 THE IRON COUSIN. " Nothing can be less welcome to me than your treating as a jest what I would have you consider earnestly, seriously, Kate," he said. " Then take my serious answer," she replied, in as grave and firm a tone as his own. " I have considered this question ; con- sidered it carefully, finally. I have made up my mind that I will never be beholden to any one for a livelihood relation, or no re- lation while I can earn a living for myself by my own exertions. I am young, strong, healthful, with faculties of average capacity. Many better, worthier by far than myself have to work for their bread. I may have still another motive ; but why need I state it ? Yet I will once for all that you may understand me thoroughly, decidedly, and that the question may be hence- forth at rest between us. I may have a certain end of my own in this determination. I may propose it to myself as a probation, a test, a trial, a task. I may have a secret incentive to support me in my intention to labour patiently, sincerely, perseveringly, in a humble, honest, self-dependent path. I may have such a view, I say, and I ask you, my kinsman, my friend, not to oeek to move me from my purpose. Crow-bars should not do it; the Iron Cousin shall not will not if I beg him to desist." There was a glow of resolve, a tone of high-set determination in Kate's manner, as she said this, which impressed Fermor Worthington with the idea that this motive, this secret, power- ful incentive she spoke of, was no other than her attachment to Cecil Lascelles ; and that her view in thus choosing to work dili- gently and self-helpingly, was to preserve her independence for his sake. There was much of heightened admiration, mingled with bitterness, unspeakable bitterness, in the thought. In the gall of the latter feeling, he hurriedly said, " The Iron Cousin should not suffer himself to yield beneath entreaty ; he should know how to refuse an unreasonable request, to deny unfit demand." " It is not to be doubted that the Iron Cousin can steel him pelf against aught that interferes with his own sublime will and THE IRON COUSIN. 391 pleasure, his own high and mighty sovereign iron mill," said Kate, at once relapsing into her wonted light scoffing tone and haughty speech, upon his resistance to her appeal. " But there shall be no question of his yielding to supplication. He shall have no trial of his power to withstand entreaty. I do not now ' beg ' him to desist ; I desire him to do so ; and merely request him to understand that I do not require his sanction or his coun- sel, his permission or his approval. I abide neither refusal nor denial. I acknowledge no right of his to grant or to withhold to consent or to forbid. His version of guardianship is dictator- ship ; his signification of protection is authority to control, right to prescribe. If to recognize guardian and protector in my sole relative on earth, be to relinquish liberty of judgment over 017 own actions, then I renounce kindred altogether, and will strive to suffice to myself in my passage through the world." Kate felt herself to blame ; but with her characteristic im petuosity and natural wilfulness, joined to her old special per- versity of feeling, where Fermor Worthington was concerned she could not help persisting. She felt that this was not the way to commence her proposed task of moral amelioration and self-chastening ; she knew that she should arraign herself, and suffer severely from remorse and reproach of conscience, on a subsequent reviewal of her conduct ; but still she could not sub- due her impulse at the moment to yield to the excited and variously-compounded tumult of emotions that surged within her. " You speak harshly, Kate," Fermor said, after a pause, dur- ing which he had been gathering calmness to reply, without showing how deeply her words hurt him. " I speak openly ; as you know I always do. That is one roason, had I no other, which would determine me never to be- mine dependent on a relation for bread. I should ohooae to n serve freedom of speech and behaviour ; and that could hard be, were I to sacrifice independence, and deliver myself uj. = bondswoman, a stipendiary, a pensioner on another's bouutf. You know I have always used liberty of retort with the 1 392 THE IRON COUSIN. Cousin ; and I intend to maintain my right to do so, wheuevo r it pleases me, if it do not affront him." " It cannot affront or offend me ; but " he stopped " If he do not object to it, disapprove of it " Fermor Worthington was silent. " Pray let there be explicit answer," she said. " You know, Kate, I have never spared you, nor flattered you I, I regard you too truly, to allow me to do either ; and I can- not tell an untruth, even to please you. I may not say I approve your cutting speech 'your wounding manner ; for they are, I too keenly feel, the one point that mars all else in you. Kate," ho added, with an attempt to speak smilingly, " till he can inure him- self to bear more philosophically as he should do, since they deal but according to their nature these diamond-pointed thrusts, the Iron Cousin will abstain from exposing himself to their assaults. Sir Dullarton has asked me to go for him to Scotland, and settle the title deeds of a small estate a shooting-box he has in the Highlands. I ask but one thing of you, Kate. If you should desire a kinsman's aid, a brother's counsel, a friend's help, do not omit to write to me, to, to your Iron Cousin." It was well that Kate Ireton was still leaning against the young oak-tree ; it enabled her to sustain her limbs ; to conceal their trembling and the throbbing of her heart ; and gave her time to command her faltering voice, ere she replied. She nerved her self to utter the simple form of " Good bye ! " to receive and re turn the quiet shake of the hand ; to see him turn away, and van ish slowly from her sight. She walked straight home. Her step was even ; her eyes dry ; her face stedfast. But her hands were icy cold ; her lips were col- ourless ; there was a stringent contraction of the brow ; and within her bosom, her heart felt like a leaden-bound burning spot, where, spite of all, lay the consciousness that were it to go through again, she should act precisely as she had done. Altered as she was unchanged as he was, she felt that she must still treat him thus, in order to keep from him and from herself the secret thirst to treat him differently. THE IRON COUSIN. 393 The last thing at night, Matty said to Kate suddenly : " I for got to show you what that gopd, thoughtful Mr. Fermor gnTe me to buy physic and the best medical 'tendance that could be got, when I was telling him about iny rheumatics. He's different from ;i most young gentlemen, is Mr. Fermor; he's thoughtful, and considerate, and hears one out patiently, while one's speaking of one's worrits and miseries. He don't interrupt, ite lets one talk on in peace and that's a comfort See hero 1 " she said, aa she put a bank-note into Kate's hands. ' He's a generous, good- hearted gentleman, for all he's like his father before him, just a bit cold and distant, and marbly-like. But it's more manner, than reality. He must have some feeling, to think of making me such a handsome present to get doctoring with." " You did not tell me what he gave you," said Kate, absently. Why, you're looking at it, Miss Kate, my darling." She was looking at it ; but did not seo it, as money. Sum and amount were invisible to her; she beheld only something that lie had touched ; something that he had given, kindly, thought fully, generously. She kept it folded, just as it was, enclosed lift ween her palms, with a sense of treasured content; while she answered Matty by some playful rejoinder, saying she would take of it for her. " So do, darling. Not but what I can take care of it myself. I a'n't nowise careless. I could always be trusted with money of other people's ; and I dare say, I shouldn't be less trustwor- thy with my own. But I like you to take charge of it for mo. I'll tell you what I've been thinking of, Miss Kate. I mean to knit Mr. Fermor one of my best purses, in return for his kind present. I noticed he had the shabbiest old purse of his own, poor young gentleman ; he is but a bachelor, and hasn't nobody to look after him a bit, and seo that he has things handsome and proper about him ; and so I shall knit him one of my rery hand- st." " Oh the pride of the clcrer knitter ! " exclaimed Kttc. ' Oh, the Bkill conceit of you ' spinsters and knitters in the sun 1 ' " 17* 394 THE IRON COUSIN. " Well, perhaps I do think myself a tolerable knitter ; but a for t'other, no need to twit me with being a spinster. There's no call to cast that up to me There's worse titles for us women than ' old maid.' It a'n't every woman's fortune to get married ; not but what I might ha' been, over and over again, if I'd chose; but no matter for that ! " * " Of course you might, Mattykin ! When these kind old eyes were bright with twenty summers' sunshine, I'll be bound they could count their murderous deeds by scores. And they're still sharp enough, a'n't they ? sharp as your own knitting-nee- dles. Their sight don't fail them a jot. I shouldn't wonder if they noticed even the colour of that old shabby purse you were talking of." " That they did ; my eyes haven't lost their quickness, though mayhap their brightness is gone. I a'n't blind, thank Heaven ! Although my old eyes mayn't be, to look at, what they were when that saucy Dick Dimble Ben's father, Miss Kate used to call 'em sparklers ; yet they can see pretty nigh as plain as ever. And to prove it to you, my darling, I'll just tell you that I took notice Mr. Fermor's old purse was a dark brown ; for all the world like that strong stout one I made you for a travelling- purse, when you went abroad to foreign parts last year. But I'll make him a beautiful new one ; fit for such a gentleman as he is to wear." Still folded in four, smooth, and delicate, and welcome to the touch dear and hallowed to fancy the cherished note lay beneath Kate Ireton's pillow that night. In many things she was yet a very child, and a very woman too. CHAPTER XLIII. THE tedium and void of her present existence seemed redoubled to Kate, after the brief re-appearanca of Fermor Worthington. It was like the chilling withdrawal of the sun after a burst of THE IRON COUSIN. 36 spring warmth and brightness. Deepened shade coining upon passing shine ; disappointment shutting out a glimpse of promise. But it was the result of her own deed, and she told herself that she was content. She pursued her solitary rambles after her daily toil, as the 8urcst means of rest, for both frame and spirit. Exercise and open air, acted restoratively for cramped limbs, and afforded re- freshment for jaded, weary, stifled oppression ; while free mo- tion, free breathing, free feeling, served best to rouse from stag- nant or one-currented thought. Once, as she extended her walk farther than hitherto, allured by the beauty of the evening, and the retired quiet of her path, Kate found herself near to the wooded enclosures of Heathcote. She turned abruptly from the stile beneath the hazlcs, not choos- ing to linger there ; but walking on a little farther, she stood leaning against a small wicket-gate, and looked over into the park glades. There was not a leaf stirring, not a sound to be heard. Soli- tude the most perfect, peace the most complete, reigned around her. While congratulating herself upon the seclusion and privacy of the spot, the recollection crossed her mind of the time when her boyish cousin had said that it was not well for her, a young lady, unattended, unprotected, to go out alone ; and she smiled to think how securely now, the humble school-teacher could walk whither she would, unnoticed as unaccompanied. The thought had hardly passed, when she heard a horse's footstep approaching, along the lane. She maintained her posi- tion, without moving, or looking round. Presently she heard a strange voice say : " Can you tell me the nearest way to Dingleton, my girl ? " There was something in tho tone that grated unpleasant I \ upon her ear ; and she glanced over her shoulder to see how the appearance assorted with the speaking-voice. She saw a well- dri-sed man on horseback; whose look and air as much belied the gentlemanly apparel, as it confirmed the impression conveyed by his tone :nnl manner. 896 THE IRON COUSIN. Kate relapsed into her former attitude. " By Jove 1 what a beautiful face ! " exclaimed the man to nimself. Then he added, aloud : " Do you hear, child ? "\Vlij don't you answer ? " " I hear ; but I am not bound to answer, or direct you. I am no finger-post. There is one farther on, at the end of the lane. Gro on, and you'll find it." '' But I don't care to go on just now, since I've fallen in with something better than a post. I'd rather you would guide me. Pr'ythee tell me nay, why won't you be civil, my beauty, and turn round, and attend, when you're spoken to ? " " When you address me properly, I may attend." " And how, pray, are you to be addressed, pretty one ? " " By none of the titles you have used." " How then ? " " I am not in the habit of giving my address to strangers, es- pecially those with no letters of recommendation in speech or look." " No ? Then till I find out your address, I'll try and con- tent myself with finding you away from home." The man precipitately dismounted, and came towards her. Kate turned like a startled fawn, terror-stricken, but stand- ing at bay. The man pressed close, and looked under her bonnet with in- solent scrutiny. " Keep back ! I am not accustomed to such rude approach ! ' she said, breathlessly. " Suppose I teach you, my haughty village fair one my queen of cottage-maidens." Kate's heart beat thick. She looked round desperately for help. At the moment she felt the ruffian touch upon her shoul- der, the bold rude breath against her very face, she espied Ben Dimble crossing the lane. Crying rapturously " Ben ! Ben ! " she wrenched herself away, flew swiftly after him, clung to his arm, and hurried onwards. " Oho ! a rustic sweetheart ! But I'll not lose sight of tlio THE IRON COUSIN. 397 pencil. I shall find means to meet her again. JJv Jove ' ebe'i as handsome as au angel, though proud as the princo of fallen ones Lucifer himself." " What has frighted you, Miss Kate ? Who has harmed you ? Some one has insulted you. If I thought that let me go back and thrash the fellow, whoever he may be." " No, no ; go with me home. No matter for the man. Leave him alone ; since I've made my escape, let us think no more of him." " If he's the chap I have half a notion he must be, from the glimpse I caught of him," muttered Ben, beneath his clenched teeth, and expressively doubling his clenched fist, " I'd return, and not leave him till I'd sent every tooth he has down his throat, and mashed every bone he has in his skin to a jelly." " Why, who do you suspect him to be, Ben ? He seemed to aie a stranger hereabouts. I have never seen his face before. II. > no one of the neighbourhood, I think." " If it's the man I mean, it's Sir James Baddeley, the young baronet." And Ben ground something between his teeth that sounded like a deep bitter curse. " Sir James Baddeley ! I think I have heard Mr. Huntley mention him." " Yes ; he's staying up at our place now. lie has often visited at Huntley Lodge more's the pity before now. But I'll keep an eye on him and if it be he " Ben's tongue left his speech unfinished ; but his look concluded it fiercely and ex pressively. " Ben, you must not think of resenting this man's outrage. It may cost you your place. Think of White Bcsa and Chestnut rhillis. Care uot for the insult to me; I care no more for it myself, I.OW it is past." .May be not altogether for your sake, I owe him a grudge Miss Kate : but no matter," said Ben. " Give up revenge, for your own, Ben," said Kate Iretwi. " Tis for more than my own," muttered Ji- ' h ddcd something in a, clearer tone about tin: liyrscs ; tolling Kate that they were sleek, and well, and well off. S98 THE IRON COUSIN. " And I trust you, Ben, are well off too. I hope you lik your place." " It's as good as it can be," he answered ; " since I'm with Bess and Phillis, and since I can't be at the old Hall, I'm as well placed as I could wish. Why, there's " He broke off suddenly, as, at a turn of the path, Ruth Field came in sight. The slight limp, the stoop, the frail slender fig- ure, announced her at once. " Why, Ruthy, you have ventured far ; you know I don't ap- prove of your over-walking yourself; and I fear you have come this distance on my account." " I grew anxious ; it became so late, and you did not return,' answered Ruth. " Ben, give her your arm. She must be fatigued, I am sure." But though Kate Ireton dropped her hold, in token that he should give all his care and support to Ruth, Ben did not offer them. " I shall do very well," said Ruth Field. " I am getting much stronger, much better able to walk than I used. You have made me a new creature, I think," she said, looking up at Kate, with her soft smile. " Ben, you will come as far as the village with us ; you will come and see Matty. Ruth and I invite you in her name." Ben glanced at Ruth ; but as she kept quietly looking down, while she moved on, and said no word in fartherance of Kate's proposal, he stammered out, " Thank you, Miss Kate ; I thank ye kindly ; but I I think I can't stay longer. I'd best return. And now you're within safe distance of home. So so I leave you, Miss Kate." " As you please, Ben ; only mind, I shall hope soon to hear more news of Bess and Phillis." After Ben had left them, Kate made Ruth lean upon her, Baying playfully, " Come, since you've driven abler support away, you must content yourself with mine." " Driven away ! " said Ruth. " Yes ; what was your cool non-seconding of my invitation, THE IRON COUSIN. 399 but driving the poor fellow away ? " said Kate. " Ben ia mo dest, and wants a little kindly encouragement. He is the least forward or presuming, of any young man I ever saw. He is as humble and diffident as though he possessed no tithe of the good qualities he really possesses. He is faithful, constant, and firm in his attachment. He is warm in feeling, sterling in principle, and high in honour, though no higher in grade than a simple stable-lad." " No one knows Ben Dimble's excellent qualities bettet than I do," said Ruth Field, quietly, but earnestly. Her man- ner was chiefly remarkable for extreme quietness with extreme earnestness. " Then why did you not show a little more graciouemess, when there was a question of his coming with us ? " ' l You had asked him ; if he had chosen to come, that might have sufficed. There was surely no need of my adding weight to your request. But who arc those girls he spoke of ? Fellow- servants ? " " What girls, Ruth ? " " Bess and Phillis ; I thought he mentioned two by those names. Or you did, to him. And I imagined they might be fellow-servants of his formerly, at Heathcote, in whom he in whom you took an interest." Kate threw a quick bright glance at Ruth. Then she answer- ed smiling, " Fellow-servants of his, did you say ? Well, yes ; fellow-servants.'' " What kind of young women are they ? " said Ruth, pre- icntly. " Not young women at all," said Kate. What kind of girls, then?" " Not girls, either," answered Kate. "Not girls! what then ?" " Mares," replied Kate, drily. " White Bess was my favour ite saddle-horse ; and Chestnut Phillis was my dear uncle Ruth ! many a happy gallop have we had on those two beautiful matures : 'And !' toawertft \- 410 THE IRON COUSIN. prior claim, let us improve our first short knowledge of each other." " It was all-sufficing," answered Kate. " No need to renew it. I desire nothing better than that we remain strangers." " That cannot be ; after learning so much of you as I did, in that one interview," he returned. " All I then saw made me only long to learn more." " And all I then learned made me only anxious to learn no farther," she said. " Pass on your way, sir, if you please, and do not molest one who offers you no disturbance." " No disturbance, my scornful beauty ! What do you call this crossing my path, this dogging my steps, this filling my thoughts by day with your beauty, this haunting my dreams by night with your image ? I think this is disturbing me with a vengeance ! And I do not mean to let it pass without vengeance in return. I shall fine you heavily, my pretty haughty one, and mulct those lips for the payment." And he rode close up to her. Kate had stood by, in a sort of recess of the plantation-paling, to let him pass onward ; so that by his movement he had her at formidable disadvantage. " How say you, my village-princess ? Hadn't you better sur- render at discretion? You can't escape, you see." " Sir, since I cannot force you to ride on, my bare request should suffice. When there is no power to compel, entreaty ought to have weight, if you possess one spark of that manliness which teaches to forbear striking a male foe when down, or insulting a woman without resource. Her very inability to cope with you, should be her best protection. I am defenceless ; and, therefore, have a claim upon one professing himself a gentleman." " By Jupiter ! your speech of defence arms you ail-sufficiently. Do you know you are only the more redoubtable for having no weapons but those flashing eyes, that scornful lip, that haughty ruicn, those disdainful words ? They provoke me to assault ; they incite me to defeat you, my rural amazon. Once more, will you raise the siege, and yield voluntary submission ? Or must I storm the rosy fortress, and take the fair governor herself captive ? " " Cowardly ! unmanly . " burst from Kate's lips. niE IRON COUSIN. 411 " You are only urging your fate, and exhausting the mercy of your conqueror," he said ; " I would fain have you, for your own sake, capitulate and make truce. I would rather owe my tribute* money to your own concession, than to my force of arm. Beware how you tempt it." Kate wrung her hands, in utter despair of finding one plea that could avail to touch such a man as he before her. M By Heaven ! your pretty distress only makes you doubly be- witching. Come, confess, if you will not own what I would have you yet confess what I know is raging in your heart. Confess that you wish me at the deviL" " I cannot wish you lower than you are ! " exclaimed Kate, irrepressibly. These words brought to its acme the libertine excitement of mingled provocation and allurement with which she had inspired him all along. He leaned forward to seize his prey; while Kate uttered a piercing scream. The next instant she heard a voice that vibrated to her heart's core, calling loudly and authoritatively upon her persecutor to forbear. " Do you not see your attentions to that lady are unwelcome ? w was presently added, in Fermor Worthington's sternest and moat calmly contemptuous tone. " Lady ! " " Ay, ' lady ; ' for all you may not be able to recogniie one beneath a stuff gown, and straw bonnet; nevertheless, it is as clear, to any true sight, as that a ' gentleman ' is not always to be found in a fashionable coat, kid gloves, and a perfectly polished bat" " I'll tell you what, fellow " " Do not class me so low. Whatever your rank. I rate above y<>ur fellow," answered Fermor. " By what right do you interfere between me and that rady?" " By the right of common manhood, and by the one of being uer nearest relation. I am that lady's cousin." " Her ' cousin?' Ob, I see; " sneered he. 112 THE IRON COUSIN. " No, you do not see. On the contrary, you are stone-blind to all that is honest and true. Show that you are willing to regain your sight, by offering my cousin an apology." There was a sudden setting of the teeth, and an almost imper- ceptible raising of the whip ; when Fermor deliberately stepped forward, and twisted it from his hand, snapped it in two, and flung the fragments into the ditch. " If you want indemnity for your broken whip, I shall be hap- py to give you a new one either horsewhip or cane, at your own choice. I am to be found at Worthington Court." " Some hireling gamekeeper, groom, or footman there I pre- sume ? " " It's master," answered Fermor, quietly. " You shall hear from me." " And welcome; though the news be of one so little worth hearing from." Then turning to her who had stood a breathless witness of the scene, he said : " Come, Kate, let me see you home. Lean on me. You tremble still. The Iron Cousin's kinswoman should have firmer nerves." They walked on for some way in silence. At length Kate said : " You will not meet that bold, bad man, Fer , cousin? " " Tush ! fear not, Kate. We shall hear no more of him, de- pend on't. Dastard and poltroon may be read in his eye. A man of courage would neither have borne what he did from me, nor offered what he did to you," She relapsed into silence, striving to regain composure. The agitation of finding him so near, when she had believed him so distant, the dread lest his spirited conduct should subject him to risk, combined to keep her mind in conflict ; but beneath all, lay the deep joy of owing to him her recent deliverance : and still she walked on, wrapped in her own thoughts. Her speechless, passive mood, seemed coldness, constraint, averseness to him who accompanied her. As he looked upon the ailent figure beside him, the head hidden under the close poke bon- net, Fermor felt inexpressibly baffled and tantalized. He bade himself draw patience from the belief that she was recovering her TIIK IRON CO! 418 spirits from their late alarm; and that, her home once rcachod, he should behold her bare-headed, without the hateful bonnet ; should obtain full view of that face dearer to him than aught living, and satisfy his yearning to look upon it, and gather from its mien and expression how she had fared since last he had seen it fully, in *he height and bloom of youth, and health and prosperous exist* once. It was the haunting thought of that face which had caused him abruptly to return from his Highland sojourn. It was the ef- fect of all involved in the remembrance of that face, which impel- led him to come back. It was the ever-present idea, embodied in the single image of that beauteous and most beloved face all the more tenderly beloved, for the profound desire to beholdats owner entirely worthy of its sweet perfection, which had irresistibly impelled Fermor to make all other considerations yield to the one imperative necessity again to look upon it, to tender it his secret devotion, to dedicate himself to cherishing, shielding, and guard- ing it, as much as in him lay, from care and sorrow. Kate's influence upon the Iron Cousin h ad never been more po* tent than now, when he resolved to abjure all feeling of self, in the disinterested attachment he vowed henceforth to her. It prompt- ed him to return and brave all, rather than absence. It gave him strength to place all his hope in that of being useful to her, by being near her; and although unpermitted, unaccepted, his vicini- ty might avail her as a protection. Even though his presence should be undesired, and his care unrequired yet so long an neither were expressly rejected, but merely negatively or tacitly declined, he would be at hand to let them operate in her favour, should occasion permit. And now, as Fermor Worthington thought of what his chance arrival had just rescued her from, he blessed the impulse to which he had yielded, that had brought him to her Bide once more. With- in his soul, he re-vowed to abide near her at all event*, at all ; to smother his own regrets and di-sircs, that ho might tx r tbc calm, helpful friend, the watchful, protecting kia man. 114 THE IRON COUSIN. CHAPTER XLV. THIS is my cottage home. Let me bid you welcome to it," said Kate, as they entered the porch together ; and she turned and gave him her hand, with a smile of gentleness, in which gratitude for his late assistance, and pleasure to see him here, mingled in simple but speaking expression. " You see it is neither miser- able nor squalid nor even so plain and humule, as your exagger- ated anxiety for my comfort led you to picture to yourself. You see the village school-mistress lodges pleasantly ; and none the worse, for her having learned formerly to value tasteful, refining environments." And Kate glanced round with allowable pride, at the pretty cottage-parlour, in its careful arrangement and adorn- ment. Fermor's eye followed hers ; and then he quoted with a play- fulness which served to cover a profounder feeling : "Happy is your grace, That can translate the stubbornness of fortune Into so quiet and so sweet a style." The next moment Ruth Field came hastening down stairs, to receive Kate ; who presented her to her cousin, Mr. Worthing- ton, briefly mentioning an unpleasant encounter from which he had been the timely means of delivering her. " Let me take your bonnet; yau look pale, wearied, disorder- ed ; no wonder. Let me place you a chair here ; and sit quietly, while I wait upon you. It is my turn to wait now for once upon the head-monitress," said Ruth with her placid smile. " And Ruthy, play your part of mistress of our cottage, and give my cousin and myself some tea. We will show Mr. Wor- thington that village school-teachers know how to make tea, with any lady of the land ; they should, for it is their darling luxury THE IRON COUSIN. 415 of refreshment. Both he and myself will bo right glad of the fuming liquor that at once gratifies scent and taste,' that ' cheen but not inebriates,' that brings exhilaration to both frame and spirits. The Iron Cousin will not, I think, disdain the puny in- vigoration that lies in creamy tea, with home-made bread and butter, after his knightly exploit with a Sansloy, Sansfoy, and Sansjoy, united in one." " If the knights of old could have commanded tea and bread and butter such as this, after their achievements, their prowess would have been no matter of marvel," smiled Fermor. " They would have reaped more force of arm from one cup and one slice than from all the enchanted goblets that ever dispensed invinci bility." As the pleasant cottage meal proceeded, amidst light, cheerful talk, Fermor had full opportunity to note the change that had been wrought in Kate Ireton's appearance. Like many men of imperturbed demeanour and exterior calm, with apparently unimpressionable natures, Fermor Worthington was really capable of powerful impression ; and was even keenly susceptible upon points of comparatively slight moment. He was singularly alive to refinement in dress, as a part of the refinement ho recognized in personal beauty. For one so outwardly dispas- sionate the effect produced by the single memorable occasion when he had seen Kate's loveliness of person to best advantage, by the aid of full dress the ball dress was strangely strong. It had required all his force of self-command to repress the admiring words that sprang to his lips, from the passionate senae of her beauty with which his heart and imagination were filled ; while her own repellent behaviour at the time had helped to chill and calm him. But on ordinary occasions his taste had been gratified by Kate's tasteful simplicity in drew. There wa one point, in which, with the pardonable vanity of her age, she had 1 allowed herself a somewhat extravagant niceuess; she wa always fulid- iuu.sly and daintily shod. She wore the most delicate silk shoe* and stockings, the neatest satin or kid alippera in-doors : and the very trimmest of riding-boots, or walking-shoe*, abroad. 416 THE IRON COUSIN. Now, therefore, when Fermor saw her wearing stout, thick- soled leather shoes, such as no woman but a nun, or a milk- woman, would choose to wear, he felt more pained than could have been supposed, by those who know not how actually trifles affect the gravest-seeming people. Another circumstance also hurt Fermor's sensitive delight in Kate's beauty. She had remarkably fine abundant hair ; which had formerly been suffered to fall in thick, rich curls on either side her face, and lie at their shining length upon her bosom. But now, partly in pursuance of Mr. Scrinipum's hint, partly from feeling that they would be more out of her way, in her present daily toil and attention to children, Kate had smoothed Dack all her luxuriant tresses, and wore them plainly braided round her head. But that which, far more than all the rest, struck him in her appearance, and filled him with regret unutterable, was to per- ceive the inroads which sorrow for her uncle, anxiety, thought, continuous exertion, and incessant confinement, had made upon her brilliancy of complexion, that clear, bright, transparent colour of cheek and lips, which had once been unparalleled in its lustre of youthful health, happiness, and heart-ease. As Fermor Worthington detected its loss, he felt he could have bought it back at the expense of seeing her once more her old spoiled, wilful, haughty self; and yet his truer sense per- ceived a higher beauty still, in the softened tone, the gentler grace of goodness, and patience, and virtuous endurance, that now lent an inexpressible charm to Kate's air. If she less moved his admiration, she only the more forcibly attracted and riveted his love. All the while this secret comment had been proceeding with in Fermor's heart, he had maintained his share in the careless running talk that had been going on aloud. In the course of it, he could not help alluding to the undue confinement, and want of exercise and open air, to which Kate's occupation subjected her. " How shall I hope to content the Iron Cousin ? " she said THE IRON CO' 417 laughing. " Once ho reproved me for not enduring tho ' poof emell ' patiently for five minutes ; and now that 1 bear it uiiiuur muringly all day long, and one day after another, he is n< pleased! There's no satisfying him. He's insatiable. He must always object, and want Cousin Kate to be doing something contrary to that which she is disposed to do, whatsoever that may !><. If he had succeeded in becoming one of the Directors, lie would as surely have opposed her election, and prevented her succeeding ' Lemon-face,' as he would have turned out Lrmon face ' herself. I've reason to be thankful he was not one of the board of Directors, when I canvassed for the situation." Fermor fervently echoed in spirit the thanksgiving, as he thought what he had been spared. " The unreasonable objective personage objected to ' Lemon- and he objects to me. He deemed her too crabbed for the office, and he thinks me too something or other. He didn't like ' Lrmon-face,' and he don't approve of me. He didn't admiru the old hcad-monitress, and he isn't pleased with the new. I don't kuw what he would have, for my part !" Fermor smiled, for all reply. Nay, but what would you have, you most contradictious aud oppugnant of beings ? " insisted she. Well, perhaps I would have for the monitrcss something between the two. If I thought ' Lemon-face ' too bad for tin; place, I thiuk my Cousin Kate too good. If I didn't want tlio poor children to have a sour hag over them, neither do I think they need have a " He broke off; turned away ; and absently took up one of the :>uoks that lay upon the little side-table. It chanced to b ],. in on tho subject of Italy, enriched with illustrative engrav- ings after eminent artists. In the blank loaf before the titlr- page, there was inscribed : " Kate Ireton, from Cecil Lascelle*.' As Ferraor's glance fell upon the written words, a hot 1 came into Kate'? face ; and as he raised his eyes tho next instant* they beheld it there. *Kati- Ireton could never think of Cecil -still lew bear allu- 18* 418 THE IRON cousm. sion to him, without betraying a painful consciousness. Sh ^ould not but remember what had passed between them ; it was the only time she had witnessed anything of the passion of love, and it moved her deeply. She was not like a hackneyed, sea- soned young lady, who has had her half dozen love-affairs, during successive London winters. She had no notion of flirting, or co- quetting. Her ideas of love were all earnest, profound, serious ; the ideas of a fresh, true, unpractised heart. That blush was like a burning stab to Fermor "Worthington ; and he hastily turned over the leaves of the book, to conceal his emotion. Amid them, he saw a cluster of dried forget-me-nots ; ai.d feeling as if he had trespassed upon hallowed ground ground sanctified by tokens of interchanged affection, and blissful mu- tual attachment ground that should be sacred from alien intru sion, and from others' eyes he abruptly closed the book. Had he dared to look at Kate's face, he would have seen a still more vivid tell-tale colour upon her cheek, at sight of those forget-me-nots beneath his observation in his very hands. But he steadily averted his glance ; and looking up at the Italian sketch, he added something, in a level tone, of her un- fading admiration for her favourite land. He had not failed to observe that this was the only drawing she had brought away with her from her old home ; and although the circumstance of its containing her uncle's portrait might sufficiently account for her desire to preserve it, yet Fermor could not help believing that another likeness it contained might have had a share in in- ducing the desire to have it always with her. He had from the first felt a vague reluctance in recognizing the fond recollection she entertained for her Italian sojourn, as a period in which lie himself had formed no part of her existence ; but of late he had come to shrink from it, believing that it was tenderly associated in her mind as the scene of her first acquaintance and intercourse with Cecil Lascelles. Kate replied in a like manner with his own ; and after a few more casual sentences, Fermor rose to go. " And since the Iron Cousin has been permitted to invade THE IRON COUSiN. 419 your cottage retreat, as formerly your study-dens, Kate, ho will hope to find no exclusion for the future," he said. " He nuu expect admission, Kate? " " He may expect he will find welcome," she answered. The whole of next day passed in a torture of suspense to Kate ireton. She went through her school duties mechanically ; she pursued her avocations with the methodical precision, yet mind- less un-guidance of a sleep-walker. Her eole spontaneous effort was to preserve her patience unabated, her temper unclouded, while engaged directly with the children ; she felt that she had no right to make them suffer for her secret uneasiness; and she succeeded so far, as to preserve her superintendence of them free from :i hint of crossness or sharpness. But her attention flagged, IHT thoughts wandered, her vigilance drowzed. Her whole soul was engrossed with the thought of how Fermor Worth ington's encounter with Sir James Baddeley would terminate ; whether it would end in the coward baronet's letting the matter rest where it was, or whether it would result in his sending a chal- lenge, and seeking to obliterate his dishonourable conduct and dishonouring treatment in bloodshed and farther outrage. With the cessation of school-hours, her longing for some pe- riod to her solicitude arose to an almost intolerable pitch. She was going restlessly forth, without any definite purpose, when she met Ben Diinble, at the very entrance of the river-side walk. She turned back with him, and paced to and fro, listening to what lie came to tell her. " You needn't to fear being troubled by him any more, Miss Kut. -," said Ben. " You can walk out in peace now. And knowing you'd be glad to hear this, I came off as soon as I oould get away, to bring you word. He, and another young t\ quality as is visiting up at our place, arc off together on a trip to Swisscrland, quite sudden; so we're quit of him for ooewbiU. thank God ! ' 420 THE IRON COUSIN. Kate Ireton echoed the ejaculation earnestly, fervently. By a few fierce-muttered words which Ben added, Kate per ceived on whose account it chiefly was that he owed this man sc deep a hatred, and rejoiced so heartily he was gone. " Ben," she said, " I sincerely thank you for coming to tell me this. You know not the load it has taken from my muni. It has relieved me of fearful apprehensions. For Ruth's sake, too for yours I rejoice that this man has left us for ever." Ben sighed. " Do you think it wo'n't wo'n't fret her, Miss Kate, to know that he is gone? " he said timidly. " No ; I am sure that it will not. Ruth has too just, too noble a sense of what is truly good, to retain any regret for so bad a man as he." " Do you think so, Miss Kate do you truly think so ? " "I do ; and moreover, I think, Ben, that when she has over- come the sense of shame that besets her now, for having once loved so unworthily, she will come to perceive where she might love more wisely, more worthily." " Shame ! " exclaimed Ben, hotly. " How is she shamed ? " " She feels herself degraded by the bestowal of her affection upon one who slighted it ; and would think she wronged your heart by giving it one which had thrown itself away before. But you, Ben, love her, and think none the worse of her for an innocent error the mistake of a young, generous, inexperienced girl." " Should I love her less, because she's been too believing T Should I love her less, because she's been hard used ? I should surely love her all the better, and I do. Am I to think worse of her because she's been bad treated ? She's not shamed ! The shame's his ! " said Ben. " Yet she feels herself lowered," said Kate. " She must always be much above me ! " sighed Ben. " But, feeling as she does, Ben, you must give her time ; you must give her time," said Kate. " I am not without hope for you ; you must not be hopeless for yourself. I noticed a look in her face, when I first mentioned you to her, and a curious little THE IRON COOMM. TJl question about our Bess and Phillis, Ben, and one or two otbci slight things in my friend Rutby's manner, whenever you have been in question between us, that give me very good hope, Ben; and I dcsiro you'll keep good hope, too, Ben- do you " Ay, Miss Kate : I mind that you're kindly willing to en- courage a poor lad. And even that shall serve to keep him it good heart. God bless you, Miss Kate ! " And Ben turned to go back to Huntley Lodge ; while Kate sped back home, her heart lightened of its great fear. CHAPTER XLVI. 1 T was not long ere Fermor Worthington availed himself of tho granted permission to return to the school-house cottage. Ho was full of a project he had, for inducing Kate to take exercise on horseback, as a means of regaining health and bloom. " You must not deny me," he said, earnestly. " I will como and fetch you after school-hours, or half-holidays when you will. You shall appoint your own times for riding, only do noi refuse." " I have no horse." " I will bring you a horse ; nay, you shall have White Best herself, if you will but consent." " If I had a horse, I could not ride I have no habit" " You had one ; what is become of it ? " " I have it no longer ; I " she interrupted herself with laugh. " What could a poor school-teacher want with a riding- nabit ? It was of no use to mo ; I gave it away." " To whom ? " A blunt question ! Why do you ask " Because I can't think of any one about here to whow riding-habit would be of any use." 422 THE IRON COUSIN. " But a riding-habit is made of good cloth, and good cloth is useful for many things. I ripped up the breadths, and they made excellent " She stopped, then went on, still laugh- ing, " I really don't know why I answer all your cross-question- ing, excepting that I have a bad habit of obeying the Iron Cousin." " Of obeying him, Kate ? " smiled Ferrnor. " Of attending to him," she said ; " of noticing him and his inquiries, of following his lead, and responding to his demands." " Nay, I cannot allow so far as that," he rejoined; " the ut- most I can admit is, that you certainly never fail to answer him." " And that is no slight concession, where the questions are im " she smiled, as she checked herself. " Impertinent ? " " Importunate ; where they amount to a cross-examination." " Well, then, to return to the point of cross-examination your riding-habit." '* Suffice it, that I didn't want the habit, and I knew some one to whom the cloth would be useful." " Matty, I suppose ? " " No, not Matty." " Ruth Field, then ? " " No, nor Ruth Field," said Kate. " What are you saying about me, monitress ? " said Ruth's quiet tone, as she came into the room just then. " That you have not had a cloak out of the cloth from my riding-habit, Ruth. You will bear me witness, I speak nothing but the simple truth in that, won't you ? Here's my good cousin, Mr. Worthington, very hard to convince that I have no riding-habit, because he wants me to ride. A pretty figure, truly, either you or I, Ruthy, humble school-teachers as we are, should sut, mounted on horseback ! Preposterous 1 " Ruth returned Kate's smile, with her own calm and gentl THE IRON COUSIN. 42] ne Then she said, No ; the cloth was turned to better pur- pose than either cloak or habit." " Never mind that," replied Kate, quickly. " Enough, that the riding-habit is no longer in existence; and if it were, I should not think of riding. The Iron Cousin himself, with hi knowledge of what is right and what is fitting, and with his strict adherence to what is right and fitting, even when it chances to be the reverse of pleasant, will be the first to agree that riding on horseback is not to be thought of for me now. So, that point settled, I am away to the children. Good bye, cousin ; school- hour has struck." " Stay, Ruth one moment," said Fermor Worthington, M Ruth Field was preparing to follow Kate. " Will you tell me what really became of that habit ? " " Miss Ireton had heard Mrs. Meadows say, the younger children wanted winter pelisses, but that new ones couldn't be afforded this season ; so she cut up her habit into warm little- coats, glad to find she had something, she said, which could be made acceptable to one who bad been so kind a friend to her. It was very pleasant work the cutting them out, and making them up, after school-hours, of an evening; for Miss Ircton kindly told me I could help her very much, though I know she K.I id so, that I might fancy myself of use to ber, and to 1 share her pleasure. When the pelisses were finished, she felt some trepidation in carrying them up to the Vicarage, lest, after all, it should be looked upon as a liberty ; but kind, good Mrs. M( ;ulows took the gift so amiably, and seemed so pleased in try ing them on. and remarking how smart and cosy they made her little ones look, that Miss Iroton declared, as we walked home together afterwards, she never could hare thought even that riding-habit would have given her so much pleasure. ' Yet I wJ very happy when I wore it, Ruth,' she added with a look often der sadness coming into her eyes; and I could see she wa* think inir of her uncle." The look Ruth spoke of, might have been seen reflected in .hose of Frrmnr Worthinirtnn, as he turned away, after low- 124 THE IRON COUSIN. spoken but cordial thanks to the sub-inonitrcss for her answei to his question, and mounted his horse, and rode slowly home. By several means did Fermor Worthington seek to rendei Kate's straitened circumstances less felt. He endeavoured imperceptibly to supply some of those luxuries to which she had been habituated, and of which he could not bear to see her de- prived. But her sincere intention to preserve her independence ; her vigilant jealousy as to their peculiar relative position he, the owner of Worthington Court, she, a poor teacher ; and her straightforward way of preventing his purposes, by direct pre- vious refusal, before they were actually put in practice, made hi? task a difficult one, and generally defeated its end, when it pro- posed a too generous arrangement for her benefit. One of his wishes was to prevail with her to accept of a piano- forte for her cottage-parlour. In vain he promised that it should be of the simplest form and dimensions, of the least ornate make, of the most unpretentious kind ; in vain he pleaded that he him- self longed for some music, and urged that it was unfair to deny him, even if she denied herself refined entertainment. She per- sisted in affirming that it was unfit, incongruous, absurd, outra- geous ; and that if he persevered, and sent it in, she should not receive it she would return it. " Why insist on rejecting so trifling a contribution to your daily pleasure, Kate 1 An instrument to one who can sing and play, is a necessity a bare necessary of life." " Necessaries of life that usually come under the category of elegant indulgences, and include rosewood piano-fortes among their items, are not for such housekeepers as Ruthy and I," she gaid. " We are better housewives and domestic economists than to suffer such articles of furniture to darken our doors." " It shall not be rosewood ; it shall be plainest mahogany," nrged Fermor. tl Mahogany would shame our deal tables and we will not THE IRON COUSIN. 425 have even our chairs and tables put out of countenance. We'll all maintain our simple, honest, unshameful plainness ; won't wn, lltithv ? " "We must all be plain, before we can lay claim to any pre- tensions, even of plainness," answered Ruth Field, with a quietly arch jrlancc at Kate's handsome countenance. " You agree with me, Ruth, that there need be no scruple in accepting the little cottage-piano ? " said Fermor, eagerly. " I think there need bo no scruple ; but as it is a matter of taste and feeling, rather than of principle, I think Miss Irctou should act as she feels inclined." " Thank you, Ruthy. It would have been too traitorly had you, my co-monitress in school, iny co-mistress at home, sided with my opponent." " Do not treat me as an opponent, Kate," said Fermor. " Have not the Iron Cousin and I always been opponents ? " jhe answered, gaily. " But in sober seriousness, I cannot accept BO costly a present as you kindly propose to make me. It would be unpleasant unwelcome and you would not wish to force either an unpleasant or an unwelcome gift upon me." " Once you did not object to receive just such a gift from me ; and even generously allowed that its cost made no difference in your readiness to receive it, Kate," said Fermor, in a low voice. " Times arc altered since then," she replied, in the sam tone. " Why make the change more bitter, by refusing a toy that would serve to revive some of the pleasantcst hours of those old past times ? " he said. " It is no toy no trifle that you would hare me accept,' she returned. " Can you not understand 'that a gift, which Mem- ed to me then but a part of my indulged prosperous existence, and as such, might cost a few shillings or many guineas with C(|ual indifference to me, iu my careless spoiled-child way of re- ceiving proffered pleasures, assun. ct * nir now, when pounds, shilling, and jHMioe are matters of dmilj bread consideration ''. " 426 THE IRON COUSIN. " It is .his very compelled change which most pains me,' said Fermor. " I cannot bear that you should have to consider the questions of money and money's worth, of necessaries and luxuries, of bread and cheese, and art-pleasures, so nearly, so closely, Kate." " Why not 1 " she replied. " It does me good ; it roots out a little of the old spoiled-child leaven, the old cry-baby pap of pampered indulgence, the old humoursome, humoured humours, that clung to me formerly. The Iron Cousin will surely applaud and aid the process, if it tend to purify and correct his. incorri- gible Cousin Kate." " Not incorrigible save in obduracy ; in that she is inflex ible, indomitable, invincible." " The fitter to be her iron kinsman's kinswoman, cousin mine," returned Kate. " Then suffer him to claim his natural share of iron will, and let it prevail this once over hers," said Fermor. " Consent to receive this gift merely in memory of bygone times." " You know that in bygone times I always had my own way in the matter of presents. I dictated their limit of price ; I appointed their range of purpose. You would not now restrict my limit, my range, my scope of despotism, would you ? That would surely be an ill mode of recalling those former times, when unbounded freedom, and liberty to do as I pleased, was mine." " Kate, Kate ; well might he we both loved say, ' You always end by having your Own way.' " " And should I not, when it is a right one ? " she re- plied. " I cannot see the ' right ' you make out in this matter. Ruth says it is no point of scruple, of principle. Kate, oblige me by conceding a point of mere sentiment. 1 She hesitated. " Kate, will you not gratify me by yielding on this one occasion, where no compromise of right and wrong is at issue, but a simple case of mooted will between us." " You shall meet me half way, and I will give up mine," said Kate THE IRON COUSIN. 427 " Agreed," said Ferraor, joyfully. " Well, then, you shall make your proposed present of the piano forte to our school-room, that I may carry out a wish I have some time had, of teaching the children to sing ; and in return, I promise you as much music after school-hours as your Cousin Kate's poor ability can supply, whenever yon choose to come and claim it," she rejoined. " Kate, when she does concede a favour, knows how to grant it graciously, generously, freely, fully," said Fermor. " Pity she does not confer it more promptly, and more fre- quently, you would say, cousin mine ? " " I would say nothing that should seem to detract from the perfectuess of my pleasure in receiving it," said Fermor. M A hint of reproach, when grace is accorded, is as unjust and unwise, as it is ungrateful. And now tell me your plan for the children." " I should like them to learn to take part in the service ; I know it would please our good Dr. Meadows, who has an honest pride in our village church ; I should wish them to sing psalms without that abominable nasal twang, or that meaningless blare, which choir-children usually indulge in, to the infinite torture of their hearers. I should like also, to teach them to get up a few simple choruses, as a reward and a recreation, among themselves. And I feel sure, from Ruthy's expression of face, that she has a beautiful singing voice, and I mean to secure her for my first pu- pil, and eventually as iny assistant instructress." It was a genuine delight to Fermor Worthington to see the animated interest Kate took in her vocal scheme; it furnished her with a fruitful source of pleased thought, and supplied her with a means of relaxation, and relief from duller pursuit* 1 1 e also took occasion to minister to her minor comforts iu vari- ous ways ; by degrees ordering it so that she could scarcely avoid their acceptance, without positive refusal, and actual ungracious sending' thrm back. It was now a basket of hot-house fruit, or wine, or poultry, or game, for Matty's consumption ; or ul kind of jelly or cake, that the housekeeper at \V. r 428 THE IRON COUSIN. thington knew how to make better than any one in the county and which he wished Ruth's opinion upon ; or else some plant just in bloom, or fresh cut flowers from the conservatory, for Kate herself, that were constantly arriving at the school-cottage. And when she would attempt to remonstrate, Fermor had always some playful, incontrovertible argument, or unanswerable reason, why it was needful they should be retained. Insensibly, this delicate care for her welfare, this affectionate, unobtrusive solicitude for her enjoyment and happiness, wrought its best effect upon Kate Ireton. She felt grateful ineffably grateful. It transfused a serene joy and blissful content into her being. It filled her with a sense of guardian kindness and pro- tection, and gentlest, tenderest watch, at hand, to shelter and preserve. It supplied precisely the element in her existence of which it had been so suddenly and grievously deprived ; and she learned to dwell in spirit upon the thought of Fermor Worthing- ton's friendship and brotherly attachment, with something of the same kind of placid reliance, and glad, all-sufficing trust, with which she had formerly regarded her uncle's love for her. The belief in the Iron Cousin's absence of particular preference to wards her, gradually mellowed her own preference into a tranquil ler feeling towards him, keeping all warmer and more passionate emotion deep within the recesses of her heart, and enabling her to meet him in their ordinary intercourse, with the old cousinly free- dom and ease of familiarity. It was different with Fermor. His strength of principle, his honourable integrity, his scrupulous respect to the mutual attach- ment he believed subsisting between Cecil and Kate, his natural self-command, and power of self-control, with reticence of char- acter, all enabled him to preserve the same exterior calm and staid equanimity he had maintained throughout ; but his inward struggles were severe. The beholding her day by day, in the exercise of her volun- tary system of self-dependence, and toil, and frugal simplicity, raised her in his esteem, and heightened his enthusiasm and n> gard for her moral worth. It confirmed all he had hoped and be- THE IRON COUSIH. 420 lieved her capable of, in rectitude and strength of purpose. Th observing her gentler speech, and milder manner, touched him with added tenderness, as he thought how adversity had taught, inspired, and softened. While the constant witnessing her ex- quisite beauty, enhanced and sublimated as it now wan, by the light of soul and heart culture, as formerly by that of intellectual improvement supervening upon native mental and personal en- dowments, served to increase his affection into the intensity of exclusive, passionate, all-absorbing love. His was in fact the life of self-denial ; of strictest, rigidest, most difficult self-denial. Yet he had a secret satisfaction in feel- ing this, and submitting to it, for the sake of her who practised the self-denial imposed by circumstance. He took a stern pride in knowing that, while he seemed to be leading a life of ease and luxury, he was enduring an inward martyrdom that out-matched the privations he saw her compelled to suffer. If she had her evils to support, he knew that he in truth had far crueller ones to contend with. But the very keenness of his perception that such was the case, gave him courage to bear them bravely ; that her peace, her comfort, her happiness might bo secured. And still time went on ; and still Kate Ireton worked hard, and Fermor Worthington strove hard, each intent upon their own moral and mental chastening for the sake of each other. Apart, yet together; severally, yet mutually; singly, yet collectively and conjoinedly ; distinctly and individually, yet in concert and combination, did they unconsciously pursue their respective course*. Unknowingly to themselves, both were linked in one common aim ; they were united in a loving bond of hopeful, elevating, strenuous endeavour. CIIAl'TKK XL VII. NKAHLY a twelvemonth had elated sinco Kate Ireton's low. She had 1....-U unwilling to leave off IHT bhu-k garb, which seemedbert i fallen upon her life; but, feeling 430 THE IRON COUSIN. that at some period or other, it must be given up, she had fixed her own birthday as the one when she would resume colours. On the eve, Fermor Worthington had been over to hear tlm school-children sing a beautiful simple choral strain, which Kate Ireton had taken great pains to make them execute with taste and precision. The little concert went off to the entire satisfaction of all con- cerned. The two monitresses looked beaming with innocent pride at the success of their young choristers ; the young performers were ruddy with mingled bashfulness and triumph, as their single auditor a host in himself expressed his high- admiration of their excellent achievement, and dispensed various toys and picture- books among them, as prizes ; while, to crown all, he had provided a feast of cakes and fruit, which was served on the school-tables, after the conclusion of the concert. He presided, with immense popularity ; while the two moni- tresses waited upon the little troop ; for once laying aside their mistress-dignity and teacher-authority. Nothing could exceed the glee, the hilarity, the shrill enjoyment of the young revellers. While the unrestrained din was at its height for noise forms a large portion of childish delight, and the liberty to indulge it un- checked is no slight addition to their festal pleasure Kate called towards her a little dark-eyed, quiet, shy-glancing child, and said, "Peggy, you once told me you should like to hear this gentleman's voice again. Do you remember it ? " " Quite well ; I have been remembering it, as I first heard it, all the time I have been listening to it this afternoon." " And so you have taken a fancy to my speaking-voice, my little maid ? " said Fermor. " Do you know I have taken as strong a liking to your singing-voice. I remarked it, among the rest, while you and your school-fellows were chanting the chorale. Will you let me hear it by itself?" The child reddened, and looked at Kate. " Shall you mind singing that little song I taught yo-a, Peggy, to this gentleman ? " said Kate. " He will not press you, if you do not wish to sing ; and I know you are not fond of singing fee THE IRON CO' 431 fore strangers. But he would like to hoar jou ; and I should like you to show him that you are willing to oblige him." " He's not a stranger, I remember him so well," said the child simply. " And besides, I should like to try and please him, be* cause " " Because what, my dear ? " said Fermor, gently, seeing that she hesitated, stooping down, and taking her hand. " Because you please me," she said, innocently, fixing her large dark pensive eyes upon his strikingly fine countenance. Fermor Worthington's cheek manly as it was took a similar hue with Peggy's blushing one, .at this direct childish compliment. " You are a kind-hearted, grateful little girl, to desire to gratify those who give you pleasure," he said ; " and I dare say you will also like to please your good mistress, by showing how well she has taught you to sing. Now let us hear the sonp." Kate had intended that this school concert should hare taken place on her birthday ; but at Fermor's request, she had fixed it for the eve, reserving the day itself for a quiet evening at home- in the cottage-parlour. He had stipulated that he should be in- viti-il to tea, and that he should be allowed to come early in the afternoon, it being a half-holiday, and that they should make it a gay party and gala entertainment in honour of the occasion. " And in order to endure it with proper observance and effect, your two hostesses will treat their sole guest with extra attt-nti.ni and honouring ceremony. Ruth and I will hare everything in ;ip].lc-pie order, and behave with even mince-pie respect, that w may receive the master of Worthington Court with fitting rever- ence," she answered. " The Queen of the day will bo entitled to take precedence of all others," he said. "By special deuire, and for that occasion only," fhe turued. And Kate '' Fennor tried to preserve the sportive 432 THE IRON COUSIN. they had been using, but insensibly his voice trembled into deeper feeling. " Kate, I wish, for the sake of giving all due grace to the occasion, you would put your hair in the same way that you used to arrange it ; not in that quaker guise, that straight puritan closeness and formality." " The Iron Cousin notice such insignificant things care for such idle vanities ! " she exclaimed, laughing. " You are surely not in earnest ! " " I am indeed ; as a part of old Heathcote times, I shall be glad to see the bright long curls once more." " They shall make their appearance," she said, still laughing, " like the rest of the birthday regal style and state, for that nigh* only." " For that afternoon only," he rejoined. " Remember, I am to be with you early." But early he did not come. Kate had despatched the morn- ing lessons with alacrity, and had since been employed, with Ruth, in setting their cottage in trimmest and neatest order. But still Fermor Worthington came not ; and Kate began to have a sore sense of vexation and irritable impatience settle about her heart, very much akin to some of her old perverse provoked moods of mind. However, she suppressed the rising rankle, by chatting cheerily with Ruth Field, and by bustling about actively in their household decoration. Presently, an importantly-aiding item arrived, in the shape of a huge basket of greenhouse flowers, and rare exotics, brought by a servant from Worthington Court. As Kate proceeded to arrange them about the room, dispos- ing them in their best abundant advantage, she found herself thinking how far more welcome a single blossom brought by his own hand would have been. But she checked the feeling, as in- jurious and unkind ; accusing herself of petulance, and querulous waywardness, thus to prejudge and accuse him, when in all pro- bability he was detained by some rational and sufficient motive. THE IRON COUSIN. 433 She had scarcely done Fermor Worthington this inward ja tice, when she saw him approaching. Ho had in his band some epray.s of j s.vnuine, which she knew he must have been round to the old Hall expressly to gather for her, as there happened to be no plant of that kind anywhere near, save at Heathootc. He was aware how intimately these flowers were associated in her mind with her uncle's memory; and he had doubtless brought them as the dearest-prized birth-day token she could have. Possessed with this feeling, she sprang forward to meet htm; and as she took them from his hand, she clasped both her own round it, with a look of full-hearted thanks that thrilled Fermor from head to foot. Never had ehe looked more beautiful. Although her dress ted of nothing but a simple cotton print, yet being of a pale lilac self-colour, it had as fresh and delicate an effect, as though of silk. Her magnificent hair fell in its full luxuriance of wary brightness, lending perfect feminine adornment to the perfectly lovely face. Fermor Worthington had disciplined himself to bear the pow- erful appeal which he felt would be made to his sense of beauty, and he bore it sturdily, manfully. He knew what he voluntarily encountered, when he had asked her to arrange her hair as in for- mer happy days ; and he had told himself that he would calmly endure the effect upon his courage, for the sake of the delight of once again beholding her her own fair bright self. True to his inward-pledged word, he betrayed no jot of the im- u her appearance produced upon him ; but fell into easy, sprightly talk, suited to the occasion of their present pleasant meeting. We have very kind neighbours in worthy Mr. Chalkby mod liia pretty daughter Lucy," Kate was saying; " they are truly con- siderate, and think of a thousand attentions by which they may conduce to our pleasure. Lucy brings Ruth the newspaper every day, knowing that Ruthy dearly loves to spell over the column*, and see what's going on in the world, though we lire sneh hermit lives ourselves; and Mr. Chalkby sends me over all bis new print 19 484 THE IRON COUSIN. publications, whenever be thinks there are any among them likely to interest and please me. It is really most kind. He senda very valuable engravings to us sometimes. To-day, for instance, he sent in a book of charming views in the East, that we will look through together, if you will, after tea, while Ruth enjoys her paper. As side by side they turned over the prints, a strong self-com- mand alone enabled Fermor to preserve his usual collected tone and staid demeanour. Her proximity unnerved him ; and by a cold, steady guard upon himself, he could but just contrive to an- swer quietly and firmly, whenever she addressed him. There was something in this constraint, that at length struck Kate almost like avoidance. It acted as a shock ; and she pre- sently moved away. Then she reproved herself for a foolish sus- ceptibility ; and feared lest she might be giving way to some of her old captiousness, and fanciful resentment, and ungracious con- duct. Therefore, when Fermor Worthington, taxing himself with weakness, and want of steadfastness and self-possession, won her to return, she came back, and stood near to him, looking over his shoulder, as he went on examining the engravings. Never had the Iron Cousin stronger claim to the title. Kate Ireton remained there, one hand resting on the table near him, the loose sleeve thrown partly back, discovering the white arm, encircled by the bracelet of grey hair, with the iron clasp, not many inches from his lips. Her face was invisible to him, being screened by the long drooping hair, which all but touched his ; while the rich, voluptuous scent of the jessamine in her bosom, added yet another spell to the dangerously-potent impression as- Bailing him ever more insidiously and forcibly. Fermor could have wished the charm of that time to last for ever ; yet with each moment he felt a wild impulse growing upon liim. to end it by madly touching the fair arm. He mastered himself by so strong an effort of resolute withdrawal, that it seem- ed like repulse ; and this time, Kate thought she could not b mistaken, he did not like to have her so near him. TIII: IRON COUSIN. 435 As she drew back, Ruth exclaimed : " News from India! Son* udden promotions and changes. You have friends there, I think and will be interested to see this account," added she to Kate. Fermor ventured but one glance at the glowing face, as she moved towards the reader. He discerned in it a hope, a joy, that seemed to blacken all his own. Presently, Ruth, chancing to raise her eyes from the paper, said : " You are not well, Mr. Worthington. You are looking very white. This room is close and small, after your large apait- ments. The tea making has added to the heat I will take away " As she rose to take away the tea things, Fermor said, laugh- in;: faintly : " The evening is sultry ; but I should by rights havo more of an iron constitution than to change colour at a little heat." He walked to the open window as he spoke. Kate followed him, and laying her hand on his arm, said in a soft, womanly tone : "Are you ill? Are you indeed ill, Fer- mor? " The last word trembled forth, as if involuntarily. It was the first time she had ever called him by his Christian name. ;< For God's sake, do not ! you must not call me so I can- not bear it I cannot have it " He spoke hurriedly, huskily, and it soemed to Kato with ex- treun! annoyance. Something of her old spirit arose within h-r, at his evident dislike that she should address him thus. It was on her lip to make haughty allusion to their altered situation, to hi.s wealth and her poverty, to his rank and her lowly position. But she repressed the unworthy impulse; and after a moment'* stmgirlo with herself, rejoined, in a frank, clear tone : > ar* ri!/ht. It is not fit. But you must forgive me the freedom. I [linking of your health; and forgot for a moment -topped ; then went on, with a smiling earnestness : 1 must not t-ic Iron Cousin pn-.Mimo too imu-h upon his *tren;_'tli. In- ue l.M.k.n- ],:ile, not well; you must M mo preach -ed fc 136 THE IRON COUSIN. bear some preaching from you. not very well, T own ; I was any- thing but a docile disciple, still I endured it; and now. it in your turn to hear my sermon." " "What is your text ? " he contrived to utter. " Your health ; and my homily that you should not neglect it. Promise me that you will profit by my doctrine." " I promise at least to remember it," he said. " Spoken like the Iron Cousin ! " she said. " He listens to counsel, with the virtuous determination to observe it, and lay it to heart ; whilst I used wickedly to resist and scorn good advice. But he was ever wise and good, in contrast with my thoughtless, heedless, disregardful self." Fermor imagined she said this in the old bitter, scoffing mood. But she spoke in all the sincere and deep humility of better self-knowledge ; and in her heart she was thinking of the benefit she had in fact reaped from the effect of that very preach- ing she had appeared to deride and resent. " You do well to say ' used,' Kate," he answered gently. " However you may once have chosen to show a gay contempt of what seemed to you dull and prosy moralizing, you are no con- temner of wholesome influences now. Witness your partiality for the simple, right-minded, excellent Ruth Field." " You think, then, that I am less wayward, le&s perverse, that my character has, that, in short, I have not suffered in vain, and that I am less removed from what the Iron Cousin thinks a woman should be ? " Kate (with her whole soul full of her uncle, and of what she might now have been to him more worthy) said this with so child-like an earnestness, with such singleness of thought, with so much touching car.dour and innocence, merely hoping for Fermor's better opinion, he, who was to her the standard and judge of all excellence, that she looked rather the young girl awaiting her preceptor's sentence, than the grown woman address- ing her equal. Could this be Kate Ireton ? The fiery, haughty tempered, uncontrollable, wilful Kate Ireton ? This appealing, up-looking, gentle creature, with her soul sitting in her eyes full of timid hope, and soft reliance ? THE IRON COUSIN. 43? " I think, I think you " The Iron Cousin bad turned towards her, and seizing both her hands, as she stood looking up into his face, which had looked into hers while she spoke, forget* ting all that the universe contained, save that single countenance upon which he gazed ; and as she concluded, was stammering forth : " I think you I think you " when in came lluth Field, and took op the newspaper again, proceeding quietly with the remainder of the Indian news. Just then there was a low, distant mutter of thunder ; and in the air there was that stirless hush, which is like the awe with which earth awaits a dreadful visitation. A storm seemed threatening ; but as yet the sky was clear, and the evening fair. Fcrmor Worthington took his hat, as if to go. " This is Thursday, I know ; but must you indeed ride so far as Ditchley Manor this evening? It threatens to bo bad weather ; I fear you will scarcely reach there, before the storm will overtake you. Is it really needful that you should go ? " said Kate Ireton. " I unfortunately promised ; and " ' And the Iron Cousin will abide by a promise, I know," she said. " The time is gone by when I wished to actuate him to wrongdoing; I will not, therefore, seek to make him break a promise." She left him free to go ; yet Fermor seemed irresolute, un- able to stir. He lingered ; still remaining near the little case- ment window, where they had stood together. " Be sure you let Fawnfoot take hia best speed ; remember the iron nature is ill fitted to encounter lightning, should it come on. I shall hope that the good horse will bear you to shelter quickly ; and that you'll be safely housed before tue storm breaks. Give- me your word to ride at a swift pace. Since you must go, do not loiter." She seemed eager to have him gone; and Fcrmor, with a bare word or two, took leave. Kate wati-hi-d him unfasten his horse from the paling, in UK adjoining stony playground, where Fawnfoot uauaHy abided dur 438 THE IRON COUSIW. ing his master's visits to the school-cottage ; she watched him mount, and ride away, waving him a smiling good-bye, in reply to the look he cast towards the window, to see if she were yet there. And there she stood, long after he was gone, still watching, watching the storm gradually come on. She saw the grey black- ness gathering over the sky ; she saw the heavy piles of cloud change from purple to copper-coloured, from copper-coloured to swart dense masses, with sharp glittering edges, dazzling and cutting against the murk back-ground ; she saw the evening close in, with a darkness more sombre than that of nightfall, while still there was that unpeaceful silence that menacing quiet that unreposeful lull throughout the air, as if Nature were ex- pecting some fearful summons, to be uttered in uproar and tempest. Amid the deep suspenseful pause, there was one image which fastened itself upon Kate Ireton's idea, with a distinctness and pertinacity that took place of all else. It was that look of Fermor's, while he held her hands within his own, and gazed into her face. It had none of the avoidance which she generally read in his eye, and which constantly inspired her with a sense of dis- approval in its expression. There was scrutiny, eagerness she knew not what. There was something in that fixed look with which he had regarded her, strange, inexplicable wholly un- like anything that she had ever seen in the Iron Cousin be- fore. He was generally calm, grave, self-concentrated, dis- passionately ready for judgment and decision ; at that moment, he had seemed all unguarded, agitated, quite another than himself. That look of his stood clear, vivid, intense, before her brain's sight ; when suddenly a sharp flash of lightning struck it out, and filled her mind with the sole thought of Fermor's possible danger. She knew his road lay among trees ; that the hed ire- rows of the lanes through which he had to pass were thickly planted with young oaks; and that, for the most part, copse woods and plantations skirted his path on either side. THE IROX COUSIN. 439 The quiet motion of Ruth Field, near to her, awoke Kate from her trance of reverie. Ruth had advanced to shut the window; and with some remark upon the strengthening storm, and an expression of trust that Mr. Worthington had r. shelter ere this, she fastened the casement, closed the shutter*, and made secure the cottage door, Kate Ireton and she bidding each other good night and good rest. CHAPTER XLVIII Tin: window of Kate Ireton's little hcd-room looked forth upon the village street ; and here she stationed herself, unable to sleep or to rest, and wholly possessed with a desire, or rather with inability to do otherwise, than still to wateh the storm. The lightning-flashes increased in strength and frequency, while the rain poured down in torrents, the wind hurled wildly in short vehement gusts, and the thunder rolled incessant peali of stern, sovereign decree. Kach time the brilliant coruscation for a moment illuminated the spot, Kate could see that the village street was wholly de- serted ; Louses were fast closed, and the inhabitants seemed all refuged within from the raging of the tempest. There was an occasional light from a window to be seen, as if the inmates were retiring to rest ; but after a time these were withdrawn, and when the lightning was not present, all was in total darkness. Some stir, some sound would have been welcome ; it would have seemed like assurance, it would have conveyed the ii f activity, of living in energy, of assistance in ease of need ; it would have imparted a sense of human sympathy, of human ige and endeavour at hand, should peril occur. In tlii* ii. a 1 interval, while each succeeding instant seemed fraught with iiicnacc and vague terror, it would have been a kind of encourage* .ucnt i see or hear tokens of animate resource. But ftill, 440 THE IRON COUSIN. the sheeted rain, the saturated stones of the village street, the etreainitig walls of its cottage-houses, the glistening rapid current of the swollen gutter-channels, the vacant path and road-way leading out into the open country, were all that met her eye, when the lightning revealed what lay there ; while the driving rush of the electrical wind, and the mighty ponderous issue of the thunder-mandate, were the only sounds that broke the dark silence. Kate knew what it was, that night, to exist wholly in another's being. She seemed to liye, to draw breath, but through Fermor's life and breathing. Her spirit so intimately and presently dwelt with his, that it had, as it were, quitted her own frame, and flown to inhabit his. She felt the awe and influence of the storm, but as it affected him. She was impressed by the dread, tho sublime terror of the night-tempest, but as it might harm him. She shrank from the scathing flash, and trembled with the vast tremble of the thunder-roll, but in the thought of the bane with which they might be charged for him. Her body was standing within the retreat of her own cottage-roof, but its spiritual self was wandering abroad in the drenching rain, the beating wind, the alternate blinding glare and blinding obscurity of the storm- blast ; subject to imminent peril amid near trees, or soaked to the skin, and exposed to the risk of wider peril in the open plains; or perchance housed securely at Ditchley Manor ; or wherever by possibility Fermor might at that moment of time chance to be. In his identity hers was merged. It was then in that night of storm and stormy suspense, of tempest and tempestuous solicitude that Kate Ireton acknow- ledged to her own soul that she loved. In the honesty and sin- cerity with which truth the most wilfully self-negatived, at such supreme hours make themselves recognized and admitted, the fact that it was love she felt towards Fermor Worlhington, stood clearly and irrefragably confessed to her own heart. She learn- ed she knew that only one feeling could so have blended her indiyiduality with his, as this night's anxiety had shown her thai aers was with Fermor Worthington's For but one being in the THK ICON COU8UJ. .{ U universe could she have experienced this intimate union of spirit and identity of existence the being she loved as herself bettet than herself beyond all living creatures. And then recurred that look his look the look with which he had regarded her, as she stood before him meeting hi> with hers. There was something pulsing at her heart, that prompted a belief it could be no other than the expression of nn emotion, which, if it existed, would indeed warrant her own. But to this came the chill confutation why, were it so, need he refrain from avowing it ? What cause was there for concealing his preference, if preference he felt? Wherefore should he to, when nothing prevented him from declaring his thought ? If it were love that sat in his heart and spoke from his eyes in that look, if it were passion that faltered in his tongue, and trembled in liis accents, as he held her hands enclosed in his, and < as if he gazed what be could not epeak, how should there be any i for his withholding the secret feeling? No, it must be, that the feeling did not, in fact, exist; that she had mistaken a i>;is-ing expression for an indication which was contradict. ! \>\ all his ordinary demeanour ; that she had idly imagined token* of a sentiment, which the whole course of his behaviour had de- monstrated to be nothing warmer than an affectionate friendship, strengthened by relationship and old intimacy, and companion- ship into the regard of a brother. " And what sister would not be proudly content to own such a brother ? " she thought " As a brother, I will revere and worship him. As a brother, I will take pride in his superiority to myself. As a brother, I will strive to make myself won his society, of his friendship, of his kindliness. As a brother, I will feel grateful that he tenders me ; and rejoice in our firm mutual regard; and lock within my own heart the secret spring of affection which adds forco to mine towards him, bidding BM gladly give him love in return for his liking." The storm without had abated ; and with these tranquil lr thoughts within hei heart, while hopefuller belief in Farmer's safety had accompanied the clearing of the night, Kate Irto 442 THE IRON COUSIN. was at length about to retire to rest, when a sound struck upon her ear, that roused afresh all her throbbing anxiety. It came nearer and nearer ; and as her eye remained riveted upon the outer darkness, a sudden flash disclosed to view a horse tearing by at full gallop riderless. The sight flung Kate Ireton on her knees upon the floor. Prayer soul outpouring prayer prayer such as is sobbed aloud by the anguished spirit in such extremities, alone kept her from insanely rushing forth into the night, with fruitless essay to search to help to do somewhat that might seem like trying to carry succour, and assuage her own terrors by certainty at least. Prayer alone could have steadied her mind so far as to let her see how vain would be any such a.ttempt, and have steadied her frame sufficiently to prevent its straying involuntarily and help- lessly away. As it was, she remained kneeling, buried in humble, earnest, heartfelt supplication ; and thus, heavily, imploringly, xvore away the night. The pallid face and haggard sleepless aspect of Kate Ireton, next morning, could not fail of attracting the attention of lluth Field and old Matty. They would fain have had her lie down again, and give up school attendance for that one day; but Kate would not hear of it, knowing that activity and employment were the only resources for inquietude such as hers. " Do be persuaded, dear monitress ; " said Ruth Field. " Last night's storm has made you really unwell, besides keeping you awake. Although you' will not own it, I am sure you are indis- posed. Stormy weather has a strong effect upon some persons, giving them a violent headache ; and I am convinced you have one this morning." " Yes, I have a bad headache, but I think it will not be the worse for going through my school-work. Let me try, at least.' , THE IRON COUSIN. 443 " You won't be able to prevail with her, when once she^ set npou a thing ; observed Matty. " She waa always a wilsome shild and now she's a wilful woman; and 'a wilfu' woman,' as the X <>r tli people say, ' maun hae her ain way.' Ay, you was alwayn a \vil.souie child, true enough; but as winsome as wilsomc, bless your heart ! All the more pretty for having a will of your own, it was so prettily shown, and somehow it came so natural to you to have your own way ; it was just yourself, Miss Kate. m\ darling!" " And now I am going to ask you to give me my way and then it will be your gift, and not my own will, Matt vkin," said Kate ; " you and Ruthy prevent my insisting upon doing as I like, by letting me do as I like as soon as I express a wish. And I really wish to attend school to-day." Kate's desire to fulfil her duties, as the best means of afford inj: wholesome and effectual counterpoise to her secret anxiety found its reward, in gaining her intelligence upon the point that absorbed all her thought. The children, before lessons began, were interchanging village news, and the events of last night's storm were under discussion. Kate heard one of them tell another, that in the hamlet where she lived, a gentleman had been thrown from his horse, and badly hurt That he was found in the road, lying stunned ; that he was taken into the nearest cottage. That he was not recognised at first ; but that afterwards he was known to be 'Squirr Worthington of \Vortliington Court. That a doctor had been sent for, who said that he was on no account to be removed at present, as brain-fcrer might come on. That the old woman who owned the cottage had undertaken to nurse him ; and that he was to remain under her tai' . until he should be pronounced fit to be carried home. i -n these tidings were something to Kate Ireton. HIT im- agination had pictured so many fatal possibilities, that to msec*- tain what .had actually happened, seemed at first nl But soon th< n-ality tnrtiin-.l her with its painful fact*, wit!. to h-am more particulars, with thirst to know, above all, I :w ht now farfd. 444 THE IRON COUSIN. As the day waned, and evening set in, the thought of auothei long long night of suspense seemed almost more than Kate could bear. The idea of any amount of difficulty or fatigue, was wel- come, in preference to that weary passive waiting doing nothing fearing everything. She made up her mind ; at all risks, she would obtain soim- thing of certainty. The last thing at night, before she went into her own room, she repaired to Matty's, and sat with her, talking and chatting, until the old nurse fell into a sound sleep. Then Kate Ireton softly opened a drawer, and took thence the red cloak and black silk hat which belonged to Matty, but which, since the rheuma- tism, had been laid by in lavender. These Kate carried away with her to her own room ; and when there, equipped herself in them, tying the black silk hat closely down over a thick muslin cap beneath which her hair was carefully put back and hidden, and muffling herself in the folds of the cloak. Thus habited, she thought she should have the best chance of making her way unnoticed, as some ordinary rural body, some industrious village market-woman, whose business took hei abroad late, to be ready for early market next day. She stole down stairs, and let herself noiselessly out. The night was as calm and beautiful as the previous one had been tempestuous. The stars shone brightly and peacefully, and lighted her way over field and meadow, through woodland aud coppice, by lane and hedgerow, with mild benignant ray. The air smelt fresh and pure, as it came freely and gratefully upon her burning cheek ; there was a sense of liberty liberty of breathing liberty of purpose liberty of action in this volun- tary setting forth to gain for herself the tidings she craved, through the solitary night scene. She looked up into the starlit sky, thankful for this at least that she was able to come forth unwatched, unnoted, and to proceed unobserved. She met no one ; at that still hour, in that quiet neighbourhood, nr soul save herself was stirring. After a full hour's walking, she reached the hamlet. It con- THE IRON COUSIN. 440 listed of a few straggling cottages, on the borders of it patch of common, where the golden furze lay thick, intersected by irregu- lar sheep-paths, and slender winding tracks. Kate knew the hamlet well, having passed it in many of her former rides, often (-marking its picturesque beauty, and secluded situation. . She had taken care to ascertain the precise cottage to which Kt'rmor Worthington had been carried ; and now went straight i Awards it, knocking with her closed hand against the rode door, dis- tinctly, but with a certain restraint, lest she should disturb him who lay within. Presently an old woman's head appeared at the lattice - Who be there ? What dost want ? " " Dame Grayfield ? " Ay, I be she ; what d'ee want ? " " Come here, please ; I want to speak with you, dame." " Well, what is it ? " said Dame Grayfield, appearing at the door. " This be a strange time o' night, it be, to disturb Christ'n folks, and I that ha' got a gentry to nuss, too ! " ' : I will not keep you two minutes ; I would not have come at this late hour, but that I have none other when I can get away," said Kate. " That sick gentleman you have to nurse f him I would ask ; he has been a good friend to me, and I want to know how he is." - He's bad as bad can be ; that's what he is," answered Dame ( ; ra\ tield. " Doctor says he must be kept main quiet ; and main quiet I keep him." Might I see him? Do you think you could let me Bet him r If I were to creep in softly, and not breathe to disturb him would you let me look upon him ? " said Kate. Well, I don't know; doctor says he's to be kept main quiet, and to -see no one," said the dame. He will not see me-rl will keep out of sight; but let ma :im." urged Kate. " What makes you so set on't ? " was the reply. He has been very kind to me been my beat friend help- td mo in my distress served me beyond common help," falter*! Kate, as she thought how trul\ .-lie .spoke. 1 46 THE IRON COUSIN. " Ay, I hear he's done a world o' good, one way or t'other,' said the dame. " All the poor have a good word for 'Squir Worthington. He's sparing to his tenants, thoughtful to them as needs help ; and does many a kindness unknownst, they tell me. When a man's down, one hears the good of him, if there ia any to be spoken and surely all the bad, if there's bad can be said about him. Mayhaps he's behaved kind by you, my woman, and nobody's none the wiser, eh ? Mayhap he's helped you with a guinea or two, at odd times, when times were hard ! " " With more than guineas," 'said Kate. " Well to be sure ! Pound-notes, perhaps ? But come you're a grateful body, and won't do him no hurt, by looking at him, and satisfying your own eyes how he's gettin' on ; so como with me. Tread soft, and speak low." She led the way into the little sleeping-chamber. Upon the low pallet-bed lay Fermor Worthington. His eyes were closed ; his face colourless : his arm bandaged, the surgeon having bled him profusely his breathing nearly extinct, and his whole ap- pearance bearing as near a resemblance to death as to life. Kate leaned against the door-way, with her eyes fixed upon him, and her face blanched to a hue hardly different to his ; while the old woman whispered : " Poor gentleman ! He won't see you no need to fear he won't know as any one's nigh. He don't notice me ; he ha'n't opened his eyes, scarce, since here he's been. It's thought his horse was scared by the lightning, and throwed him ; and that his head was hurted in the fall ; for doctor says, fever's come on, and if he ben't kept quiet, it'll go hard with him, for all he's young and strong. Poor soul ! it's :it such times as these, that the young and the strong, the old and the weak, the rich man and the working man, the gentry and the labourer, fare and fare alike, and bide. their time to thrive or to fall, to recover or to die, as God wills. He don't look much different from any other sick body, now do he ? He might be a poor mason as had fell from a house-top, or he might be Squire Worthington of Worthington Court, whichever, and nobody guess the odds, as he lies there at this minute, bid'n* his THE IRON cm 447 time to live or die, mightn't he ? That's one comfort for us poor folks. Gentries don't look much different from us, when they're laid on their sick beds ; nor they don't stand a better chance to win through with it, and get well again, than we do." " But he will win through it he will get well ? " asked K:it i, eagerly. " The doctor thinks he will recover, does he not ? " " Oh ay, doctors always thinks folks '11 recover, if there's no reason why their friends should be frighted, and made to think 'cm worse than they are," answered Dame Grayfield. " Doctor na'id he'd likely do well enough if he was taken care on, and kept ijuiet, and well nussed ; and I'll nuss him well, I promise you. Doctor says I shall be handsomely paid for my trouble, and my houscroom ; and more nor that, I'd nuss him well, and try to bring him round, if 'twas only for the sake of what I hear he's oeen to the poor when he was up and about. It won't do, to have such a good friend to us, lost for want of a little good missing." How Kate Ircton longed that she herself could have stayed to nurse Ferinor Worthington I How, at that instant, she wished he had been indeed her brother, that she might have remained to tend him with a sister's care ! She half resolved she would brave all assert her cousin's right to stay and watch her kinsman, and remain by his side to attend him, to minister to him, and think for him, to wait upon him, to perform the thousand services which affection prompts for the better alleviation and restoring of tbo beloved patient. She felt as if she better than any one, could on- ilerst;nnl how to render offices which should serve to mitigate pain and suffering, to foster recovery, and win back health and strength. Yet then Kate's self-doubt returned, and suggested the quo \\liv should she believe herself beat fitted to yield these services; why assume that she could perform the part of a nurse better than one in whose hands the doctor had been content to leave the of- fice ; why seek to appropriate a charge which had already been eoufiilfil to another, 'inpctent Kate Ireton, in her pe- riod of niMi-al ilis.-i|.! : eutl in " Why will you not believe it is the same thing ? " he said. '' Why will you never let me have the pleasure of helping you, in what money may help ? " " Come," she replied, smilingly, "you shall not say I nerei do. Give me this five pound note. I aak it in Peggy's name ; to effect good for one who in her genuine, innocent, childish Tvav has a most loving liking for you." " Kate, you have given me great happiness," said Fermor, i-i his deep, expressive voice. He took forth his pocket book as he spoke. Kate wa> conscious of a certain disappointed feeling upon seeing it ; bat the next moment her feeling changed to an inexpressible sema- tion of content, as he drew from one of the folds the old " gran 170 THE IRON COUSIW. brown " purse, tattered, and too worn for use, but still wrapped round money set apart for beneficent purposes. " You know this is your own, Kate," he said ; " only use it as such, if you would make it yield me pleasure." " I may one day make so large a demand upon it as shall startle you, cousin mine," she returned. " I have a project float- ing in niy brain, which would take some few hundreds to effect. It is still in the clouds as yet ; but if my hope be crowned by the event it has for its object the dowering so excellent a girl, that I know you would think the sum well bestowed, though it be a large one to give." " I will not say, the larger the better ; I will only say, what- ever the sum be it much or little which will secure the fulfil- ment of any wish of yours, Kate, it shall be gladly forthcoming whenever you claim it. Make me your banker-cousin." " Make a goodly iron safe of my Iron Cousin, and draw from it whatever hoards I may require for use. Truly, this is treat- ing him with scant ceremony." " Ceremony would be all that needed to mar our intercourse, Kate, and render it wholly unlike what it has ever been. The absence of ceremony is what has always served to palliate its roughness, the licence of familiarity making up for freedom of usage. Without ceremony, therefore without scruple apply to your banker-cousin for any sums you need. Your notes of hand shall not only be duly honoured, but will be received and esteemed as honours, all honouringly. He engages to honour your cheques, if you promise to honour him with them." " Proffered with so frank and cordial a generosity, the con- tents of my iron safe cannot but be accepted. I shall certainly have recourse to it, whenever I feel that the objects I have in view are such as would have your wish as well as mine for their prosperous issue." " But all your demands have tlie wants of others for their ob- ject. If you would really gratify me, Kate, ask something for yourself; something that you would like." " I like what I have already asked money of you for. I es- THE IKON COi 47| pecially enjoy the idea of Peggy's being established happily , and I should even still more rejoice in the accomplishment of my oth- er view." "But what I mean is, that I should like you to tell .m ,,f something which should procure you some peculiar gratifiV something which should interest, please yon, you, your owi just with such ingenuous freedom as you would have told your be- loved uncle of anything his Kate desired. Give me graut me this delight; I cannot say what delight it would be to me, to feel that you treated your cousin with no less confidence and unreserve of request, than you did him you loved as your true and disin- terested friend, your dearest friend upon earth." " Well, then, shall I tell you something in which I am indeed most interested upon which my heart is set ? " she returned. " Tell me, Kate," were the three words for which Fermor found voice. " I do not think you are looking well your fever has left you thin and pale." Kate found herself faltering; and she rallied into a lighter tone. " The boon I have to ask at your hands, as mi especial favour to myself is, that you would seek health in change of air. I cannot have my best, my kindest friend, remain ill. I think if you were to try a month at the sea-aide, you would greatly benefit by it. It would brace you strengthen you help you to throw off that lingering weakness and depression, which ait unnaturally upon the iron frame." " You are anxious for my health ? " ' As a Christian should be," smiled Kate. " I don't like to see a fellow-creature drooping for want of fresh air, and not advise him to go seek it." " 'A fellow-creature ! ' But I thought, Kate, you did no' vlvk-c yourself?" " Oh, I'm no rule for anybody, following no rule rayaelf. But the Iron Cousin is always guided by right and reason, there* fore " Therefore he must go to the sea-side, whether be will or no! Wln-tlirr In.- \\i>h it or no?" 472 THE IRON COUSIN. " To be sure. Most things right and reasonable are contrary to will and inclination. Do what you ought; and go, cousin mine." " ' Do what I ought, and go ! ' " mused Fermor Worthington, as he rode homeward. " Yes, I ought, and must. Less than ever can I master my own feelings ; less than ever can I see her, and control my rebellious emotions, repress my unconquerable yearn ing that it were not forbidden me to wish, to hope. She herseli begins to perceive that I ought to leave her, and sends me from her ; gently, playfully, delicately, that I may not be hurt or of- fended. But still, decisively, that I may understand the necessi- ty there is for ceasing to remain near her. Yes, go I ought and must ; since there is no staying, without wreck of faith and hon- our." In deep unhappiness, with a sense of misery more profound than any he had yet experienced, with even a despairing feeling, Fermor prepared to quit his home, and repair whither Kate had suggested. He little dreamed it was that she herself might also gather strength and bracing from the temporary separation. That she might gain fresh fortitude and composure, to bear his presence without self-betrayal; and that while he drew health of frame from the sea breezes, she might derive vigour of moral courage from absence, restraint, and denial. To fast from expecting or beholding him ; to starve her senses from their delight in seeing and hearing him ; to teach herself patience, and discipline herself into dispassionate coolness, was her aim, in proposing this separa- tion, no less than anxiety for his complete recovery. She believed that when she should see him restored from that languor of illness which involuntarily made so powerful an appeal to her tenderness, she would be better able to maintain her indifference of beha- viour, as well as guard her feelings from a too fond interest in hi a looks and air. She was extremely desirous that a period should elapse, which might allow her to recover from the effect of having seen him as she had fevered, unconscious, scarcely living. She feared lest some inadvertent word, some casual expression, might betray her having then beheld him ; and, upon all accounts, she TIII: IRON cousm. 47S believed she Lad reason to rejoice that Permor was gone away for a time. But her old tedium and blank of existence returned upon her Again she felt the dreariness, and aching sense of loss, and lone- ness, and forlorn lack of sympathy. She bore np nobly against it ; she roused all the spirited energy of her nature, to prevent its overwhelming her ; but there were times when it beset her severely, and threatened to destroy courage, comfort, happiness. From her active zeal in the discharge of her school duties, from her unfailing attention to her household occupations, from her kindly care of her old nurse, from her warmth of friendship :ii;.l i steem for Ruth Field, from the interest she took in Ben's modest faithful attachment, from her concern for timid Lucy Chalkby, from all her unselfish sources of thought and employment, Kate Ireton derived best support. These supplied her with whole- some invigoration, when, had she supinely yielded to egotistical reflections, and indulged in morbid brooding, she might hare sunk into useless apathy and feeble misery. She many times congratu- lated herself, that fate had necessitated occupation for her, which, with its stringent daily summons, imposed salutary exertion, and demanded healthy effort; and soon after an incident oc< which roused both interest and solicitude.' One Sunday evening Ruth Field had taken little Jessy Bligfa out for a ramble to the river-side walk. It was a pretty tree-em- bowcred spot, with a wooded slope on one side of the path, shelv- ing down to the brink of the stream, while on the other, a turf bank, covered with wild flowers, brambles, and nut-boughs, formed a pleasant seat for those who chose to sit and rest. Although on a week-day this place was very sequestered, yet on Sundays and holidays it was a favu.iritc resort of the village la.N and lasses. In spring, it afforded cowslips, violets and prim- roses; in Mackl.crry and nutting season, it yielded abundant f ruit. Hen- Until could .sit and enjoy her book, while her restless, active young companion might play about to her heart's content 174 THE IKON COUSIN. The child Lad collected a lap-full of rose-campious, and stow of fox-gloves, white and purple, with which she was coaxing Ruth to make Floral crown, sceptre, and regalia, for her little queen- ship's wear. " String the ragged-robbins into a necklace for me, Buthy ! And twist me a garland of the purple fox-gloves ; and this lily- white long one shall be my fairy-queen wand," she said. " Oh ! do lay by that tiresome book, and attend to me ! " Ruth gave way to the young exacter, put away the volume, and began weaving the desired paraphernalia. When she had finish- ed, and was decking Jessy out in the various ornaments, sorno fancied intention that she was going to take them off again, caused the child to spring away from beneath "her hands, and scamper off at full speed. In sudden alarm Ruth started up, calling to her to stop. "Jes- sy ! Jessy ! the river ! Not that way ! if you run on that way, you'll come to the edge and tumble in ! Keep the path ! keep the path 1 But the heedless little creature held on its mad-cap course, only hearing in Ruth's call a desire to check flight, and to over- take it. A moment more, and there was a splash, a fall, and the child was out of sight. It had dropped headlong into the stream. Ruth shrieked wildly for help, as she flew to the river's brink. Some one dashed past her, and plunged in. The next thing Ruth Field saw, was Ben Dimble struggling in the water, endeavouring to sustain the child with one arm, while with the other he seized an over-hanging bough that depended from the bank into the stream. fl Ruth," he said, " you can save her, if you seize her firmly. Lean cautiously over, keeping hold of the strongest part of the branch. Balance yourself well, and don't let go for your life. Then grasp her skirts, close, close 1 " " But you ! you ! " she exclaimed, with her eyes fixed upon Ben, as she remembered that he could not swim, and that her weight might break the bough which was his only stay. TI1K IRjON COUSIN. 475 " No matter for you, for your sake it is no matter. Seize the child firmly, and save hcrl " Ruth's extended hand trembled with desire to give its aid to him she seemed to see sinking before her eyes' but muttering, " It is my duty. She was confided to my care," she clutched at Jessy's dress, and with what remaining strength she had, dragged her to the brink. Then there came a crash, a confusion, and hur- ry ; a mist and darkness swam before her eyes ; a noise, as of many waters, rushed through her ears; her limbs failed ; her senses reeled, forsook her ; and she fell back upon the bank, exhausted. By this time, many people had hurried to the spot, when, as the branch snapped beneath the effect of the heavy lading from which it was abruptly released, and Ben was sinking rapidly, a young man darted from the crowd, leaped in, and dragged him to The wheelwright, Ilk-hard Bligb, now came up, and hearing what had chanced, caught his child in his arms, where she soon returned to life and consciousness: but Ruth Field still remained in a strong swoon. The neighbours crowded busily round, proffering help ; some of them attending to Ben, and seeking to restore animation ; while others were shaking hands with Miles Oatland, and congratula- ting him on having saved a man's life ; and yet others were ex- claiming with looks of pity, " The poor lame body has fainted ! ' " It's the school-teacher ; the sub-monitress," said one. " Bear a hand, and let us carry her home," said another. They bore her gently to the cottage, where Kate Ircton, with grief and dismay, received the senseless form of Ruth Field into her arras, after having parted with her but an hour ago in health and life." Long she watched by her side, with no answering token of cniiseiousness; and when at length llutli njien livreves.it w with a vacant look. She spoke wandcringly, and clutelied m r vou>lv with her hand the while. "I have her fast fast. But him! him! He is sinking I Oh, for another hand ! If I mi-lit but help him ! For mo for 176 THE IRON COUSIN. me, be is lost ! I am his murderer ! I was always bis bane, hit misery ! I made him unhappy, now I cause his death 1 " She shuddered, and a strong convulsion shook her frame. Then her feet sharply quivered, while the rest of her body lay stiff and motionless. Kate bent over her, whispering quiet, sooth- ing words. " He is saved, dear Ruth ! He is safe, quite safe ! " " Safe ? " she exclaimed. " It cannot be ! I saw him disap- pear when the bough broke. I saw the waters close above his head. That was the last thing I saw, as I dropped." The sharp, quivering shudder passed over her again, from head to foot. " He sank, but he was rescued," whispered Kate. " Brave Miles Oatland, the good swimmer, the strong manly arm and heart, dashed in to his succour, and saved him. Ben is safe well ! Be well too, dear Ruth, for his sake for mine. Comfort your heart with the thought that he is safe ; and keep still, and at peace, while you get strength and safety yourself." And Ruth Field could now keep still, and feel at peace, with this thought to muse upon. For very long she lay wrapped in a content so profound, that she semed to sleep. But her spirit was awake to the full joy of finding that her faithful lover had not fallen a sacrifice to his honest generous devotion ; and she was employing her whole soul in devout thanks for his preservation. CHAPTER LTII. NEXT day, Ruth Field was so well recovered as to be able to ful- fill her school duties during the morning. In the afternoon, how- ever, she asked Kate Ireton if she thought she could manage to let her absent herself during the rest of the lessons, and dispense her assistance. " I would not ask this, monitrcss," she said in her usual THE IRON COUSIN. 477 sedate, simple way, ' but that I have a duty to perform, which I think should not be deferred." " And if it be the duty that I guess," said Kate, amilinglj, '* all I have to ask of you, Ruthy, is not to make it too much of a dry duty, but make it a pleasant one as pleasant as you can do you hear ? Let it be performed as satisfactorily and as thoroughly as it ought to be. Do you mind, do you understand, Ruthy ?" she added, with a smiling bat affectionate earnestness, as she looked straight into Ruth Field's soft brown eyes, which were lowered at first, but afterwards were lifted towards hen wit ii as open an expression as her own, fall of a sweet and b entle moaning. " Yes, I understand," said Ruth ; " and I thank you for sig- nifying how completely you understand me, in your own delicate, kindly wa Ruth Field took the path across the meadows, leading in the direction of Huntley Lodge. She had gone more than half the distance, when she was met by Ben Dimble, " This is too far for yon to walk, Ruth," be said, as he eager- ly advanced towards her. ' You most be tired ? You look flush* ed. Rest on this seat. He assisted her to the low step of a stile near, and stood by her. What could bring you out so far alone, too no one to give you an arm ? " " I was coming to you, Ben," she said. " To me 1 " " To you ; I could not rest until I thanked you for risking your life to save my little Jessy. She is a dear pretty creature, for all her unruliness ; and I never should hav forgiven myself, had any harm happened to her. She was committed to my care. I cannot think you too heartily or too gratefully, Ben dr Ben." " You thank me a thousand times more than I deserve, in that one word, Ruth," he said. " What I did don't ought to have thanks by rights, since I couldn't help doing it If I'd had the hap to .r a happiness I never thought would be mine." " You were indeed hard to lead into belief," she said. " I had to speak very plainly, Ben, before I could make you under- stand that my own eyes were opened to the truth of what I fult for you." "You'd so plain told me before, that you had no lore to giro me, Ruth. Nothing but your own words now, could do away what they'd made me believe then. I feared it was true that you did not, and that you never could love me." " I knew it not myself, that I should ever so thoroughly loam to look back upon what I then felt, as a mistake ; and to compre- hend that what I have since felt, was, in truth, love, love found- ed upon esteem, respect, and gratitude." " ' Gratitude,' Ruth ? That's out o' the question," said Ben. " Gratitude," repeated Ruth. " What should so truly awaken gratitude, as constancy, patience, forbearance, and unshaken affection through all. Did you not love me constantly, through loss of health, loss of good looks, loss of self-respect 9 Did you not patiently give me time to recall my wandering fancy, to repair my false judgment, to redeem my wasted preference ? Did you not deal forbearingly by my erring inclinations, and wait with faith and hope until they should revert to ray own power, for fresh bestowal, and justcr dedication ? Assuredly, Ben, if t-vcr woman had cause for deep gratitude towards generous lover, it is your Ruth. I know not how I may ever sufficiently prove that I fed the gratitude I cannot express." " Shall I tell you how you may do both, ttle word, Ruth ? Call me again ' d-ar ' Ben, as you did j the human heart. It is its vital atmosphere, its nutriment, its most imperative need. To love, and to be loved, form the highest privilege, as the first demand, of existence. So pressing a want are they, that even to love without being loved in return, is better than lack of either. Kate felt this, as she thought of her affection for Per- nior Worthington. Keenly as she shrank from the belief that he regarded her with nothing of the sentiment she entertained to- him, she still knew she would rather harbour this j.;- ence than be without it. It was a source of strange, hoarded joy, through all its bitt.-r ness. It exalted while it humbled her. It was a possession, ever while it made her sensible of her own insufficiency and imperfec- tion. It afforded her a point of proud comfort, in the midst of her deprivation. She could take pleasure in the thought of his excellence, while she deplored her own deficiencies. She had secret glory in thinking of his merit, at the moment she admitted her own inadequacy to equal his, or to inspire him with answer* ing regard. It was something to treasure within her heart so noble a being as its admitted master. She would rather love unloved, than live without lore at all. It was still love. tin natural element of the heart's life. K:it was passing the vicarage, when she remembered that h would go and see her little friend, Harry Meadows; who, fro 484 THE IRON COUSIN. being her uncle's godson, no less than from his own affectionate fondness for herself, was an especial favourite with her. The child soon established himself on her knee, and assern bled all his treasures to show her. He had a box in which lie kept his most prized possessions, and these were now exhibited to his dear " Kaytighton." She took up a pencil-case that lay there among the rest ; and little Harry seeing it in her hands, exclaimed : " Ah ! yes j would you believe it, Kaytighton ? that's mine ! mine for always 1 And I owe it to you. you darlingest Kaytighton." " To me, Harry ! " " Yes, to you. I'll tell you all about it ; the whole history how it happened Mr. Worthington came one day, and I was plaguing him to lend me his pencil, and to make me seals, with the seal at the top ; and he made me ever so many oh ! ever so many. I've got 'em all in this box. See here ! Lots and lots of jf. SiJ.'s I And I asked him to let me make one for myself; and he told me I should burn my fingers ; but that he'd make as many for me as I liked. And then I told him he was so kind, I loved him better than any body in the world, except one person. ' Mamma ? ' he asked. ' Oh ! of course, mamma and papa ; 1 love them first of all ; but best, best. There is one person I love best in the whole world ! ' ' And who may that be ? ' he said. ' Kaytighton ! ' I answered ; ' I love her even better than you. SVhat makes you get so red ? Are you angry ? ' ' No : far from it,' he said. Then, after he had stopped a little, he weLt on : ' Harry, should you like to have this pencil for your own ? ' ' What ! for my very own to keep always ? Oh, Mr. Worthington, it would be too, too delightful ! ' I really could hardly believe he meant it; but he did. He said it was for the sake of my favourite Kaytighton ; and he . gave it to me." Little Harry paused to take breath, after the immensity of this communication, and then, finding that Kate Ireton did not speak, he continued : " Well, I felt rather curious to know why, so I asked. ' But v what made you get so red, sir ? ' And he THI: IRON COUSIN. 485 answered : ' Pleasure pleasure that you know how to distinguish those who best deserve to be best loved. Kay tighten, as you call her, deserves to be better loved thau I ; she is better than I than most.' ' I thought you were very good, sir,' I answered. ' Papa tells us you are a very good gentleman an example, he says. He said once, he'd be quite content if his sons grew up to be such good men as young Mr. Worthington.' ' But Kaytighton is :i fur higher example,' he then said. ' I am, perhaps, not a bad man, because I've had few things to cross and grieve me ; .she has been a good woman through great trial ; she has become even more good by her own care to make herself so. You can't have a nobler example, Harry, than your friend Kaytighton.' But what makes you red, now, Kaytighton ? ' Pleasure, ' too ? " "Yes; pleasure to think my little Harry has so good a friend as Mr. Worthington to teach him to think wisely and worthily ; and pleasure to think that you got this nice pencil through Kaytighton." " The only thing he made me promise was, that I'd not at- tempt to make seals with it myself; he said I might amuse my- self by drawing with it as much as I liked, but I was not to make Hc-al.s without some careful person to help me, otherwise I should burn my fingers, and get him into a scrape with papa and mamma for having given me & dangerous toy. He said he'd believe my word, if I gave it him, that I wouldn't try to make seal/ pyselt" " And you passed your word ? " " Yes." '- And have kept it, of course ? " " Yes." " Then ask papa for a stick of sealing-wax, and I'll help yo to make as many impressions as you wish." And so Kaytighton and little Harry sat very happily, mak- ing seals together, seriously and carefully, trying not to make " kisses," and blotches, and blurs, and failures but nice, round, even, neat imprenions. And then he displayed more content* 486 THE IRON COUSIN. of his treasure-box ; among other things, some sheets of paper on which Mr. Worthington had set him some writing-copies; and Kate Ireton could not help noticing that there was a great pre valence of capital K's among the examples. Little Harry Meadows pointed out this circumstance to her, saying that Mr. Worthington had said it was fit he should know how to make correctly the initial of his friend Kaytighton'a name. The sight of that well-cut letter flowingly, freely, yet firmly shaped, in his hand-writing printed itself upon Kate Ireton's imagination. It kept her company through her dark way home ; it illumined her path, it shed brightness upon her spirits ; it hung, a star-like point, among the white dimity curtains of her cottage-bed, and formed a vivid constellation, in combination with two other initial letters, upon which her eyes had d\velt during the evening. Kate Ireton's sleep that night was very sweet. CHAPTER LIV. LISTLESSLY, in pure indifference to any other course, Fermor Worthington lingered at the sea-side. He used to wander on the beach for hours together, endeavouring, by ceaseless exer- cise, and by constantly remaining in the open air, to throw off a portion of the languor and oppression that clung to him. He tried, by bodily exertion, to overcome the moral and mental weariness that he felt ; to combat the indisposition and inability to sleep which beset him, by a course of hardy, vigorous activity, and by- personal effort, to conquer uneasiness of spirit. One day, after a long ramble, he was seated at the foot of some rugged cliffs, holding a book in his hand, but with his eyes fixed upon the undulating billows, which rolled in never-ending succession, one over the other, and broke into perpetual same THE IEON COU81H. 487 ness, and vague aimlcssness, like his own surging thought*, when, round a point at a little distance, he saw a gay party of ladie* and gentlemen, on donkey-back, laughing, chattering, and trifling as they advanced along the sands, in his direction. Fermor took no notice of them, in hope that they would past on, doing the same by him ; but as they came near, a shrill, high- pitched, but languishing voice, exclaimed : <: Dear mamma, how fortunate ! There is Mr. Worthington." The next instant he was surrounded by the party, who proved to be Mr. and Mrs. White, their daughter Alicia, with another lady and gentleman, whom they introduced as Mr. Henry Smythc, and his sister, Miss Constautia Smythe, whose acquaintance Miss "\\ liito had made at Baden-Baden, when staying there with her god-mother, Lady Niggle. " We were just looking out for a nice place to stop at, and enjoy our lunch," said Miss White. " You, Mr. Worthington, have determined our choice. The spot you have selected must be most delightful ; and we shall have the pleasure of your com- pany, in addition to the picturesque beauty of this nook." Fermor had nothing for it, but to bow and^resign himself. While the servants who attended the party spread the repast, Mr. Henry Smythe, by way of conversation, addressed Fermor w ith " Inecprethibly thoothing thight, thir, the thea, ithn ; at the same time pointing to tho object alluded to, with a little cane he held, and fixing his glass into his eye. " Inexpressibly so, certainly, sir," replied Fermor. " It alwayth mak'th me think of Thtoracc'th thwect thtrain, ' Peatheful thluinbering on the ocean,' " pursued he. " You speak of the sea in one of its aspects as we behold it on a calm day like this, sir," said Fermor. "Egthactly! Oh, when it'th bluthtcring, and bounthing, and kicking up a dutht, in boithtcrouth weather, then we're re- minded of our old Homer thchool dayth, ch, thir ? ' Poluph thluithboio Thahththeth,' you know ! Tlu-n, ifth not but unthpcakably thubliine, of courthc ! ' " Unspeakably so, indued, >ir," replied Kormor. 488 THE IRON COUSIN. " But even the sea can't be alwayth up to boiling-point, you thee, thir. ' Non themper tendit arcum Apollo,' ath -we uthed to thay at that deuthed boring old Eaton. Thometimeth the thteam goeth down with the thea, as with uth all. For my part, I like motht thingth betht when they're thoft, and thill, and thweet. They're unutterably nithetht then, to my tathte." " Unutterably, without doubt," assented Fermor. " My dear Mitheth White," said the young officer, moving away from Fermor Worthington, and round to where Mrs. White sat, " I can make nothing at all of your friend. I tried to draw him out, but it wouldn't do. There'th no getting any convertha- tion out of thome perthonth. Do what you will, you can get only monothyllableth out of 'em. I thuppothe, he'th one of your thuperior people your thoughtful people. They're al- wayth mere thtockth and thoneth abtholute dummieth either thtupid or thullen." " Oh, dear, he's not stupid ! He's one of the richest landed proprietors in our county ! " said Mrs. White. " Ith he though ? Ah, then, it mutht be that he'th in the thulkth about thojuething or other. Perhapth he'th thtudying how he may get into Parliment ; and that maketh him dull, and croth-grained, and cantankerouth, in prothpect." " But Alicia is now speaking to him ; and if any one can mollify his thoughtful mood, she will," replied Mrs. White. " Unquethtionably ; her thweetneth would thoften a polar bear ! " returned Mr. Henry Smythe. " What a sad break-up that was at Heathcote ! " Alicia White was saying to Fermor. " The poor, dear old 'Squire ! And poor, dear Kate ! I really pitied her, poor thing ! To such a fiery temper as hers, it must have been a terrible blow, her loss of rank and station." " To say nothing of the loss of her uncle," said Fermor drily. " To be sure ! The way in which he humoured her whims was perfectly absurd, you know ; she must have missed such doting indulgence as his, wretchedly. And then, to one of her proud disposition, it must have been gall and wormwood, to give THi; IRON COUSIN. np Reathcote Hall, and to exchange its luxury and case for * poor cottage, the drudgery of teaching, and pinched means. I quite pitied her, poor creature ! " " You were always compassionate," said Formor. " Oh ! I've no notion of being otherwise. I think it's very hard and unfeeling to refuse pity towards any one who has fallen into reverses. They can't help it, you know. It's no fault of theirs. Still she might have been a little more humble in her altered condition. Mamma wrote her a very kind, condoling letter at the time, full of commiseration ; telling her that she inidit always depend on her countenance and patronage, in case she thought of attempting to obtain a situation as governess, or anything of that kiud ; but, would you believe it ? she wrote back 60 grandly, holding herself so high and mighty, that we took no more notice of her after that." " Of course you did not," said Fcrnior. " I never quite liked her, even when she was at her beat, at Hi-athcote Hall," said Miss White. " She had an oddity about her a caprice and wilfulness of temper, quite disagreeable. She would be all arrogance and loftiness, one time and all courtesy, another. What do you think of her coming to me, and making me an apology, of her own accord, after affronting me in that shamefully bluff, rude way, which you witnessed, the morn- ing before you left ? " " She made you" an apology on that occasion ? " Yes oh, yes ; came to my room, the last thing at night said she couldn't sleep or rest till she'd begged my pardon and I don't know what. The strangest girl, Kate always WM ! I iii-ver could make her out, for my part. Hers was a character I could never understand." " I don't wonder at that," observed Fennor. " No ; mine is so precisely the reverse. If there is a thing [ pique myself upon, it is my absence of caprice and whimsicality. I'm always the same. What I am one day, I am an -: V mirror of uniformity, :m unruffled lake, a wavelew , perpetually smiling ocean," said Fermor, mechanically, while hb 490 THE IRON COUSIN. thoughts were employed with the image of Kate's face, and picturing to himself how it looked while she was speaking her apology that apology which she had refused to his urgency at the time, but had subsequently offered. Miss White's statement of her own character, and Fermora reply, had reached the ears of the rest of the company ; and Miss Constantia Smythe rejoined, with her horse-laugh, " To some tastes, a bit of a tempest is more tolerable than adead calm." " Mith White thtriketh me ath more like a dairy-pan of milk thet for thkimming," said Constantia's brother. " Thuch a creamy thkin ! thuch an innothent curdth-and-whey look about her. She theemth ath if she couldn't even drown a fly." " But you should have seen Kate the morning after you left," resumed Miss White. " She gave herself fine airs ; was in a perfect flurry and fluster, and left the room absolutely pale with anger, because the 'Squire read out your letter announcing your departure for the continent, which she chose to consider abrupt and unceremonious. She scarcely deigned to notice my interest- ing news of being about to visit Germany ; and did not even stop to heai the tidings of poor Mr. Lascelles receiving his mother's summons to return to India. She was in too great a passion to attend to anything but her own pettishness and proud vagaries." Matty's account of that morning flashed into Fermor's mind. He remembered how she had described Kate's agitation, her almost fainting condition, as the nurse encountered her, leaving the breakfast-room on that occasion. With as indifferent an air as he could command, he made a slight remark, which brought a rejoinder from Miss White, making it clear beyond a doubt, that the news of Cecil's approaching departure for India, became known to Kate after her return to the breakfast-room that morn- ing. While Fermor was lost in musing upon this, the conversa- tion proceeded. The name of Cecil Lascelles having chanced to meet the ears of Miss Constantia Srnythe, she exclaimed, "La! do you know Cecil Lascelles, Alicia ? He's an old flame of mine." " Is he, Constantia ? Yes, I met him at Heathcote Hall some time since I did not know he was an acquaintance of yours." THE IRON CO' 49] 'Oh, lord, ay; I was deeply smitten with lain at one time But I'm not going to wear the willow for him, thank you, nor for any man, I can tell you that." Wli.it, did he prove a false swain, then, Constant!*? Did he leave you to go to India ? " " I can't accuse him of deluding me," said Miss Smythc with ner loud laugh. " He never professed much teudre ' for me. But I liked him ; he was an agreeable rattlepate, and I had a fan- cy for him. But it hasn't broken my heart. I could hear of hi* marriage, t'other day, without hanging myself in my own gar- ters." " Fie, Constantia ! " said Miss White. " How can you men- tion such horrid things ? " " Hanging or garters, do you mean ? " roared Miss Smythe. " Hush ! For shame ! " simpered Miss White. " But, married, did you say ? Mr. Lascelles married ! I always thought be liked but is he really married ? " " Yes ; I heard it from the best authority. It'll be in the Lewspapers soon. I suppose tbo old lady, his mother, will be fu- rious about it. She had a scheme for marrying him to some gov- ernor's daughter or other, over there. Instead of which, my young gentleman must needs fall in love on ship board long royages are just the thing for falling in love plenty of idle time, nothing better to think of and so, soon after they landed, the wedding took place. The news has just reached England by pri- vate letter, and it'll shortly be known through the journals.'' " And who was the young lady ? " asked Alicia. " The captain of the vessel's only daughter," answered Mias Smythc. " No great match, mcthinks, for a scion of the Wrex- hams But I'll be bound she was some chit with a pretty face that took Master Cecil's fancy. He was always in a flame for somebody. At Florence, he was over head and ears, for thai what s-her-name girl, who went with us one day to Fiesole. Don't you remember, Hei>; " Oh, you mean that thlap-dash riding girl, with a dcuthed thtinging tongue of her own. A curthed thmart, thlithing wit she had, which thparrd nobody. Ireton, I think her name wath." 492 THE IRON COUSIN. " To be sure, Ireton ; that's she." " Curious ! Did you meet Kate Ireton at Florence? " said Alicia White. " Tell me what you saw of her." " Oh, well, she was the sort of established beauty of the party, that day. The men all took it into their heads to make a goddess of her. Lascelles stuck to her like her shadow ; Byng was pro- digiously struck too. But she was stone-blind to all their advan- ces; stone-deaf to all their compliments, or took 'em as matters of course, not worth notice. She treated Lascelles as coolly as though he had been a three-year old husband. He was mightily taken with her ; but I could see she didn't care one straw for him. Being rather smitten with him myself at that time, I should have been lynx-eyed if she'd shown him the least encouragement. But she didn't ; she thought no more of him than of an old stirrup." " Talking of thtirrupth, do you recollect the helter-thkelter headlong leap that girl took that thame day, Conthtantia ? " said Mr. Henry Smythe. " To be sure I do ! And all for an old riding-whip ! I nev- er saw such break-neck work in my life ! " returned Miss Constan- tia. " Just like her ! " said Alicia White. " She cared for noth ing, when one of her whims was in question. And so she took a headlong leap after a whip, did she ? Had she lost it ? " " Yes ; it sprang out of her hand, and pitched down a preci- pice, and nothing would suit her, but she must dash pell-mell after it," replied Miss Smythe. " Precisely Kate ! " exclaimed Miss White. " No matter what trifle, if she had set her heart on it, have it back she would, at whatever risk." " Did you chance to observe what kind of whip this was, Miss Smythe ? " asked Fermor, in a low voice. rt A foreign one, was it not ? An elegant trifle, with an ivory handle ? " " Lord, no ! An old-fashioned clumsy article, as ever you set eyes on," she answered. " A great silver-mounted thing regu- lar English you might swear to it, a heavy, ugly concern, more like a man's riding- whip than a lady's. Yet this was what oui THE tKO.X COUSIN. 4QS perverse damsel must needs all but break her neck to regain. 8b had a regular spirit of her own. Fine girl, bat plaguy haughty and bluff Splendid horsewoman, but deuced headstrong and wil- ful.'' " She has had plenty to take down her spirit since," raid Ali- i-ia White. " You don't thay tho ? " said Mr. Henry Smythe, adjusting his glass in his eye, and looking curiously at Alicia. " Quite true; she lost her doting old relation, and with him fortune, station, everything. From being mistress of a fine man- sion and park, she suddenly dropped to nothing glad to hide her head in a cottage, and take a situation in a national school. Sad fall, wasn't it, for one of her temper ? " said Alicia White. " Therve her right ! teach her to rein in her intholent wit 1 " exclaimed Mr. Smythe. " She could curb her thtecd, but not her tongue. Now she'll have to give up horthe-riding and her unbri- dled thpeecheth altho. Ton my thoul ! I should thay, itth quite a providenthe I " " Well, one might think it would have tamed her, but not at all. She's just as haughty, and full of her high notions as ever. She wrote a letter to mamma I'm sure, from its tone, so fret and independent (quite insolent, you know, from one in her situa tion changed as it was), you'd have thought nothing had happen ed to take down her pride and her airs. Whereas, any one elso would have been taught proper meekness, by such a reverse." " And proper or what is sometimes thought, proper aerril- ity," said Fermor, in his quiet emphatic way. " A certain degree of submission is surely becoming, in alter- ed fortunes," said Alicia. " People should learn to know their place, and behave conformably, when fate has adjudged them lower condition. For my part, knowing Kate's defect, I rejoiced, when I heard of her loss, in hopes it would be the means of curing her intolerable pride; I really did." " You did ? " said Fermor. Yes; although she never treated me well was always inso- lent and disdainful, which I chose to bear with, for the take f 494 THE IRON COUSIN. her position then, there being a kind of relationship between us yet I took sufficient interest in her, to be glad of her misfortune, out of a charitable wish that it should cure her faults." " Out of your charity, and not out of your bad heart, you are sure ? " said Fermor. " ' Bad heart ! ' What do you mean, Mr. Worthington ? " gasped Alicia White. " You are quite sure it was out of no malevolence, no ma- lignant desire to see her humbled ? Out of no spiteful exultation at seeing one abased, who had mortified your consequence ? As you say, the position which then induced you to endure her con- tempt, ceased ; and you held yourself absolved from treating her with any farther forbearance. The relationship which then exist- ed, of course existed no longer, when the wealthy young lady be- came the penniless school teacher, and you felt fully justified in treating her thenceforth as the nobody she had dwindled into. How should you, in your charitable disposition, see anything but cause for rejoicing, at this most providential ordering of events ? I can quite understand your conduct throughout ; it is worthy of you." " I dou't understand you, Mr. Worthington." " Possibly not. I will speak more plainly. Relationship is a strange bond. I cannot think poverty, wreck of fortune, loss of prosperity, ought to dissolve it. Much rather could I believe an abject subserviency, and cringing desire to ingratiate ourselves with those who might serve us, a cause for disclaiming affinity. Still more, do I feel malice, hardness of heart, and want of feel- iug, cloaked by soft protestations, silky words, and sugared pro- fessions, a reason for breaking through ties of kin, where there is no kindred sentiment. For my own part, I shall henceforth be content to acknowledge no relationship between myself and the heiress of Egghain Park ; while one of my proudest boasts, my most honourable privileges, is, that I may claim to be the kins- man of the village school-mistress, the noble woman who prefer- red working, and earning her own bread, to a mean and sordid dependence. Permit me to take my leave of affluent charitable- THE IRON CO heartedness, since it knows not how to appreciate my cousin,- noble, admirable Kate Ireton.. Good day to you!" And, slightly raising his hat to the assembled party, Permot Worthington turned on his heel, and left them. CHAPTER LV. No sooner was he alone, than all that he had by BO singular chaucc heard, recurred to Fermor in vivid, forcible reflection. His heart melted within him at the thought of Kate's having made an apology that night to Alicia White. It so entirely sat- isfied bis faith in the true excellence of her nature; it so com- pletely confirmed tbs belief he had of her sense of right; it so thoroughly gratified the glory he took in her liner qualities of character. While he could not doubt that this act sprang from the effect of his own influence upon her, and while exultantly per- ceiving it, he at the same time accused himself of precipitancy, of insufficient patience with her, of too peremptory dealing towards one of her high spirit, and quick, sensitive temper. He arraign- ed his own cursory judgment, his own hasty conclusions, his own want of temperate consideration, and quiet abiding, which had prompted his abrupt withdrawal at that juncture. He told him* self that he ought to have had firmer credence in her worth, and have waited more trustingly the developement of that true good* ness which lay beneath the superficial perverseness and wayward- ness of her behaviour, and of which he had had many involuntary testimonies. He told himself that he ought to bare known her genuine rectitude, and tolerated the temporary wilfulness lenient- ly, considerately, since ho bad had opportunities of observing her make herself appear less excellent than she really waft. He remembered how the proud, susceptible spirit shrank from . and was ever ready mther to disparage itself, than to pot forth it* cliiuis to just applaunc. He now found that at the 496 THE IRON COUSIN. time she persevered in refusing to admit her intention of acting rightly, and while petulantly accusing him of tyranny in suggesting the course to her, she had really resolved upon doing what she felt and knew to be due, and had actually put it in practice before she slept. This peculiar characteristic of hers, was farther corroborated by the circumstance of the riding-whip. She had, in fact, risked her life, for what she allowed him to think she had disregarded and lost, without one thought of its donor. However Fermor might be unable to account for the subsequent casualty of its dropping into the river Arno, he at all events could not but un- derstand that she had cared for it sufficiently to imperil her own existence to regain it, when on one occasion it had been nearly lost ; that it had accompanied her abroad, that she had carried it with her, had used it, and had held its donor sufficiently in mem- ory to prize and cherish it. " She had some tenderness for the Iron Cousin, at one time, I must believe it ! " was his passionate thought. " Ah, why did I not stay and learn the truth ? Why did I rashly conclude her light speech betokened lightness of feeling ? Why did I un- justly deem her capable of no profounder sentiment than indiffer- ence and disregard, because she was gay, and playful, and careless, in the mere brightness of an unshadowed youth ? I might then have discovered that the Iron Cousin was distinguished, instead of stigmatized, by her pointed taunts; that they implied anything but scorn, nay, a higher liking, a certain exclusive preference, which might have ripened into dearest regard. But I by my own ill-judged haste, neglected to discern aright, decided in all re- spects amiss, and left another to win that affection, which perchance might have been mine, my glory and my happiness, had I duly and truly understood her in her innocent subterfuge of captious behaviour, and sweet reserve of playful, wayward will. Her agi- tation, her perturbed emotion, that morning ! It was not occa- sioned by the announcement of his departure, it seems, but by mine ! dear, most beloved Kate ! by the obtuse, inapprehensive Iron Cousin's ! Most cruelly is he punished. For, if you felt THE IKON COUSIN. 497 this concern at learning his withdrawal, did it not leave you to b won into feeling still keener regret at parting with one who had thus the opportunity to secure you to himself?" Neither of the accounts which Permor had heard of that period'* occurrences, afforded him any clue to the fact, that Cecil's quit, ting Heathcote immediately followed his own. His imagination pictured an interval, during which Cecil had doubtless had tiiuo to urge his suit, to plead his glowing attachment, to win his way to Kate Ireton's love; to address her uninterruptedly and unre- servedly ; to profit by the advantageous contrast he presented, as an ardent, warmly-devoted, eagerly assiduous wooer, with one who had coldly and blindly neglected to pursue the preferable im- pression which, from early liking and affectionate intimacy, possi- bly existed. And then the pang was renewed with which Fennor had heard Matty's relation of Cecil's leave-taking. Again he writhed in anguish to think of Kate clasped in other arms than his own, pressed to another's heart, exchanging vows of faith and love with any other than himself. And then, above all, came the recollection of the tidings he had heard. Could it be, that the man who was Kate Iretoo'v accepted lover, was false to his own pledge of constancy, to her plighted (roth ? Could it indeed be, that Cecil Lascclles w married ? In the thought of what her grief would be, bis own became merged He felt that he could better bear his own dis- appointment than endure the thought of hers. In his burning indignation on her behalf, Fermor felt as though he could bvn set forth on a pilgrimage to India, to demand account of CechV hrhavioiir to Kate. In resentment for his cousin's outraged affection, Fermor Worthington forgot that the woman he loved was released from the bond which affianced her to another. In his generous wrath, he lost sight of what more immediately touched himself. For her be felt, for her be grieved. The sum of his reflections was an irresistible desire to return. ! .aid not remain away from her; whatever resulted, near M tor ho must be. If he could not avert the blow, he coold yet be 498 THE IRON COUSIN. by her side, to break its force ; if he could not preserve her from its misery, he might nevertheless be at hand to sustain and console. Animated by this thought, he left immediately ; he journeyed night and day, in order that he might, if possible, anticipate the chance of the intelligence reaching her suddenly, through a pub- lic channel. In the strength of his devotion to her, he resolved himself to be the medium of communicating it to her ; gathering courage for the task, out of a hope to spare her, by a softened and gradual relation of the tidings. It demanded all delicacy, all fortitude ; but the Iron Cousin felt he should be inspired with both, thinking upon hers, which were to be guarded from this shock. He arrived at Worthington Court late in the evening; too late to go then over to the village ; and he was glad to think she would have one more calm night's rest. Upon his breakfast-table next morning, there lay a heap of letters and papers, that had accumulated during his absence. He seized them and tore them open, with a secret misgiving. One of the first things he read was a paragraph announcing Cecil Lascelles' marriage, among the latest news from India. The words swam before his eyes ; and, for one instant, he paused. The next, collecting all his energy, he rose, rang the bell, and ordered his horse to be saddled without delay. The interim he employed in endeavouring to arrange hia thoughts and compose his manner. The whole period of his ride was dedicated to the same endeavour, and in trying to shape what be had to say in the least startling and least painful terms. The image presented itself of that unconscious face, in its serene beauty, which it was his appointed duty to cover with affliction, to bathe in tears, to plunge into distress and profoundest uuhap- piness ; and he could even now have shrunk from the office ho had imposed on himself, had not the motives which first induced him to undertake it still prevailed. Swayed by these, he persevered, and kept on his way, at each step studying how he might best Bteady his own agitation and calm hers. Then a dread arose, lest THE IRON COUSIN. 499 all his care should prove fruitless, and that the tidings might al- ready have n-uched her. la that case, ho felt how worse than v:iin would be nil his efforts to tranquillize her; that then all he could do would be to let time work its own nalutary effect, and leave her to its silent influence. He approached the cottage as quietly aa might be. The first sight he beheld, on looking through the screen of limes which ran round the small fore-court, and divided it from tho village street ' in front, held him motionless. He saw Kate Ireton seated be- side her old nurse in the cottage porch Matty, as usual, im- mersed in her knitting, while Kate sat, her hands clasped to- gether in her lap, her brimming eyes fixed on space, a fallen newspaper lying at her feet, and her whole air betokening that tlu- fatal news had just been read. Fermor recoiled. " She knows it ! She knows it already ! was his thought. He could not stay to look upon her grief. Ho could not encounter the agony of witnessing her emotion. He rode on slowly, wrapt in profound sympathy with her affliction; torn by ineffectual desire to mitigate its torture, to alleviate its anguish. He wandered on, unable to quit her vicinity, yet incapable i,i' intruding upon the sacredness of her sorrow in its first poignancy. Ho was roused from his trance of thought by a young voice ing him. " Ah, Mr. Worthiugtou, I'm so glad to see you ! horseback, too ! Now you can perform your promise of girtng mo a ride. Take me up before you, will you ? and we can go homo together. Papa and mamma will bo so giad to see you as glad as I am." Fermor Wurthington saw that it was bis li Meadows, and remembering tho promise be had once made him, leaned down and raUed him to the saddle, although at Ull , mc iit he could have well dispensed with the child ,-.} and prattle. 500 THE rnoN COUSIN. " You keep your promises ! " said the boy, delightedly. ' Sc does Kaytighton. She kept her promise about showing me how she made the watch-spring open at the back.. For a long time it was a wonder to me oh, such a wonder ! I didn't notice her thumb that sly little thumb where it pressed. It was so strange to me to see the back fly up, whenever I said certain names." " < Certain names ? ' " " Yes; she made a sort of play of it, and used to make me say, ' Open Sesame for mamma ! ' ' Open Sesame for papa ! ' At those, it always sprang up. Then, ' Open Sesame,' for the brothers and sisters ; ' for Polly,' ' for Bella,' ' for John,' ' for Lyddy,' ' for Charley,' sometimes. ' For Harry ' now and then ; ' for Kaytighton ' very seldom. But, aha ! I noticed that it always flew up at once when I said, ' Open Sesame for Mr. Worthington.' Do you know, I think Kaytighton likes you very much." " Harry, should you like to have a watch of your own ? A real watch that you could wind up yourself, and tell the time by ? " " Should I like it ? Oh, beyond anything everything ! " " Well, I mean to bring you one, the first time papa tells me you have worked very hard at your Latin grammar." " Oh, I'll work I'll work ! I'll fag at it, but I'll earn the dear little watch. And if you do bring me one, then I'll play with Kaytighton in my turn, and make her say, ' Open Sesame for Mr. Worthington ! ' But here we are at home, Let me run in and tell them what you promised me. And you must come in too. I want to show you my new batch of seals. Kaytighton made me dozens and dozens f. '$., 1#. as many as ever I liked. And she only asked one for her pains ; and not even one of the new ones, but contented herself with one of the old ones out of the box one of those you made for me." " I dare say, you wouldn't grudge me one of the new ones, would you, Harry?" said Fermor Worthington. " That I wouldn't ! Have as many as you like." THE mow COUSIN. 501 "No; one will do." ' ; Ah ! I know why you want it; you want to make a broad* seal from it, as you've given me the stamp." As Fermor rode homeward, looking upon the seal she had made, thinking of the one she had asked for of his making, the child's words rang in his ears ; " I think Kaytighton likes you very much." " Likes me," he mused. " Ay, I do believe she has liking for me ; I do believe she has regard, esteem, old liking for the Iron Cousin. Beneath all in spite of all I feel that she has a kindly preference, a gentle, friendly affection for me. Did I ever think to be content with ' liking,' with affection, esteem, re- gard ? From her, too ! Above, all, did I ever believe I could have been satisfied with srconil love ? Yet, to be the object of Kate Ire ton's preference on any terms, seems now to me worth all beside. Yes ; strangely impossible as it seemed to me, when he once said it I have come to feel that her bare liking would suffice me, would be dearer to me than aught the world contains. Might I but hope to win her loving preference, even now, after all that has passed, I should prize it beyond all blest posessions. Might I but hope shr cherished for mo but a faint shadow of what I feel towards her, I would welcome it as earth 's choicest treas- ure ; I would foster it into answering warmth by mine own fer- vour until it satisfied my craving for responsive, mutual passion. I would never rest until the iron nature, by revealing the latent ardour which glows beneath its cold exterior, awoke some degrt* of returning fire. And to have Kate's love 1 To have that gen erous, noble heart mine ! To have it beat with but one of the thousand impassioned yearnings that now fill mine at the thought cf her ! " As Fermor's spirit yielded itself to these lover's fantasies of fond day dreaming, he saw before him, just in bis path, but * omc little distance, the figure of a woman in a red ' 502 THE IRON COUSIN. She trudged on ploddingly, keeping the foot-way by the side of the lane, along which his horse was proceeding. It was not fat from the entrance to his own park, the lodge-gate being almost in view. He was already on his own land, and a few of the cotta- ges belonging to some of his tenantry, skirted the road. At the gate of one of them, the woman in the red cloak stop- ped ; and on turning round, at the sound of the approaching horse's foot, she discovered the face of Goody Johnson. Fermor Worthington accosted her, made a few kindly enqui- ries after her own health, and then thanked her for having brought him some flowers during his illness, when he was lying sick of the fever at the hamlet hard by. " Flowers, your honour ! I heard of your accident, and heard you were not to be disturbed on no account. But I should never ha' done such a fool's trick as brought you flowers. If I'd had anything to bring, or if I could ha' got anything to bring, it should ha' been wholesome physic, not unwholesome flowers. There'd ha' been some sense in roobub, or magneeshy, or any- thing o' that sort ; but flowers ! No, no ! Every fool knows that flowers in a sick-room is as bad as a draught o' cold water, or a draught o' cold air, when folks ought to be kept wrapped up and warm. Pd as soon ha' thought o' troubling your honour with a present of a bucket o' water as a nosegay o' flowers ! Why, it's the most unhealthiest thing as is in a sick-room." " Then, since you think so, Goody, thank you for not bring ing it to me," said Fermor. " Oh, you're quite welcome, your honour ! " said Goody John- son, dropping a curtsey, and retreating into her cottage with much complacency. Returned to his own home, Fermor Worthington could not rest. He wandered from room to room, absent, sighing, and un- occupied. He could not settle to any employment; he could not remain in any fixed place. lie went into the library ; but could not read. He went intu THE IRON COUSIN. 503 the morning-parlour ; but stood, lost in thought, opposite to the picture of his namesake sister the painting which had so fre- quently engrossed the attention of her who absorbed his every "l-:i. He looked at the cabinet containing the ridinc-whip which had been exchanged in playful, affectionate token of r. brance with her for one that, he now found, she had risked her lit'.- to retain. He tried to write, or study, in his own private sitting-room ; but there, he could do nothing but gaze upon the drawings her drawings that hung there, and think of the single sketch she had selected from among them, and ponder upon what motive had principally influenced her when she did so. Smiling at his own wandering, uncontrollable mood of mind, his uncertain, purposeless condition, his inquietude, his gnawing anxiety, his frequent sighs, Fermor asked himself if this could be the Iron Cousin ? This irresolute, wavering, restless being, with trembling hands, and still more trembling heart ? Starting up, he left the room, and strolled forth upon the terrace. The afternoon sun was pouring its golden beams full upon the tranquil scene. He thought upon the face he had be- held that morning sad, mournful, unhappy. He thought of her attitude sunk in sorrow, drooping, dejected. He reproached himself with selfishness, in having shrunk from enduring to look upon her regret, when ho should hare stifled his own, and made an attempt to assuage and dissipate hers. He accused himself of remissness, of nnkindoen, of want of courage, of want of consideration, of failure in all that he should have done. Suddenly, ho decided. Hastily gathering a handful of beau- tiful moss-roses that grew in profusion on a bush near, and adding ono spray from the clustering woodbine, Fermor took his way down the ti mice-steps, and struck straight aw )ss the park, in the direction of the village. 504 THE IRON COUSIN. CHAPTER LVI. ARRIVED at the cottage, Fermor Worthington raised the latch an'd went in. He found Ruth Field seated, reading. It was just the close of the midsummer holidays, and there was no school to interfere with the enjoyment of leisure. In her quiet way, the sub-monitress rose to receive him, mentioning that his cousin had lain down for an hour, but that she was perfectly well, and would doubtless soon appear. " It was I who persuaded her to lie down," said Ruth. " She learned some news this morning that agitated her news both welcome and painful. The former was of a friend's marriage in India, she told me; and the latter, the sudden death of Mr. Weldon, the celebrated lawyer. He was an old and valued, friend of her uncle's, and most kind to her in the crisis of her distress." While Fermor's very soul drank in the import of what she had spoken, he contrived to utter something in an ordinary tone, commending Ruth for inducing Kate to rest, saying he would not have her disturbed, and should wait. Then Ruth made gentle inquiry concerning his own health, and of the benefit she hoped he had derived from his sojourn at the sea-side. After a short conversation, in which Fermor Wor- thington bore his share by that mechanical power which enables speech while the mind is wholly occupied with other thoughts, he turned to the little table and absently took up the ivory-handled Florentine riding-whip. " It is a most elegant piece of workmanship, is it not ? " said Ruth Field. " Miss Ireton greatly prizes that whip for the sake of her uncle. It was his gift, she told me, to replace one she much valued, which was lost by accident in the river Arno. She mentioned it as an instance of his constant eagerness to gratify her ; for having hastily flung away the whip she liked, because it had nearly perilled her life on one occasion, he got a friend, on THE IEON COUSIN. .',03 whose taste he could rely, to choose a new one for him to gin her in its stead. It is a beautiful toy; but no wonder she tees a beauty in it beyond its own, reminding her as it does of the loving parent who made it his perpetual study to please her." In the midst of the profound gratification that stirred Per- mor's heart, he could not help thinking, with an inward smilr, " How little that mild quiet Ruth dreams the content her few simple sentences, since my entrance, have conveyed." While, perhaps, " quiet Ruth," in her heart, guessed more than he thought of what was passing in his ; and perhaps by an instinct which pertains to very quiet people, who are at once observant and delicate she had long surmised a great deal more than he imagined, of what was passing there. Be this as it may, she presently left him, and went up-stairs, in her own quiet fashion, to see whether Kate Ireton was stir- ring. She found her risen, and smoothing her hair, after the slight disorder occasioned by the pillow ; and " quiet Ruth" noticed that she was brushing it out into its long shining curls. Kate spoke cheerfully and alertly, saying she felt much re- freshed by her hour's rest, and thanking Ruth for having recom- mended it. " Your cousin, Mr. Worthington, is below," said " quiet Ruth." " I thought I heard a voice below ; I thought I heard tome one talking with you, Ruthy. I will go to him immediately," answered Kate. " * A voice ! ' ' some one ! ' " repeated "quiet Ruth," smilingly, to herself. And then, smiling still, in her own quiet way, " quiet Ruth Field " passed into Matty's room, leaving Kate to go down iUiri by herself. Irrepressible joy to sec him again, mantled in her played in dimples round her mouth, and sat lustrou* IB her eyt 506 THE IRON COUSIN. as Kate descended into the room, and advanced to meet FermoT Worthington. She looked even radiantly blooming. No mortal save the one beloved, ever beholds a human face at its culminating point of beauty. Love, in the rapturous inten- sity of the passion, reveals a countenance at its zenith of perfec- tion a revelation reserved for one sole witness upon earth. Fermor could not speak, but went forward, grasped her hand in his, and offered the fresh-gathered roses. As Kate took them, she said playfully, " This is the way, then, you pass off your Worthington honey-suckle, among my favourite roses. True Worthington pride ! The queen of flow- ers is to be but ancillary, forsooth, to the introduction of youj lordly chosen blossom." " You recognize it. Kate ! " he exclaimed. She did not reply, but turned away, and began to arrange the flowers in a glass upon the mantel-shelf. There was something in her attitude, in the raised hands, in their whiteness among the glowing-coloured blossoms, that recalled the vision of his ill- ness. " In my fever, when my delirium was at its height, I dreamed that an angel, a gentle spirit, in the form of an old woman in a red cloak, brought me some of my favourite flowers, a heap of woodbine from the study-window at my own Worthington," said Fermor, in a low voice. Kate kept her position, without turning or stirring. Her back was towards him ; but he could see so much of her white throat as was visible, become suddenly crimson. Fermor's heart leaped to his lips at the sight. He moved towards her ; and, in the tone which always went nome to Kate's inmost heart, he said, " The dream, the figure, was not less palpable than yours at this instant." She attempted to rally against the overpowering effect of voice, words, and manner, by replying, in her old sprightly way, ' What if it were no dream, no other than the very figure itself mine ? " " Were it indeed so, my delirious fancies then, would be noth- THE mow cousm. -.0? ing to the mad visions I should indulge now, on finding that to be no dream, but a substantial beautiful reality. No wild thought* of those moments could equal the rapturous waking truth which I am daring to picture to myself at this present one." " And what may be the pleasant fact which your wandering! in sound health and sanity, and in broad daylight, are pleased to fashion out of the simple one of your cousin Kate choosing to come and ascertain for herself how the feycr was taking effect upon the iron constitution." " Shall I tell you, in so many words, Kate, what that 'pleas ant fact,' as you call it, is ? " " As you will," she said. " I have often told you I had nt curiosity. In my faultiest days, I was without that defect." " And can you not guess ? " he answered. " Can yon not guesa , that if I found it was indeed Kate herself who came to my sick room to learn whether the iron frame kept death at bay, I should conclude that she felt more interest in that stubborn material than she had ever been willing to acknowledge; that she cared for it, that she secretly prized it, that she tendered it no leas dearly than, in the depths of its seeming cold, hard, stern nature, it tender* her. That she unconsciously cherished it, loved it, as, in all the strength, and fervour, and enduring constancy of its inoerntort core, it loves her." As he concluded, he drew her to his heart; where hers gath- ered stillness from agitation, measureless content from passionate emotion. At length, as she raised her eyes, they fell upon the figure ol her uncle, in the little crayon sketch. "He would have joyed to behold us thus," she said, softly. " It is my happy pride to believe he would," returned Pcnnor. 1I;> likeness was my chief comfort in seeing thai picture her*. Had it not been for its containing his portrait,! should have been l.lc to resist the jealous fancies and fcara that bt*et BM when cv.:r I looked at it You would wonder at my weakness, my were you to know the hundred and one vague dreads my heart ,onjured up to torment me with, lest yonr lore for Italy, TOBI 508 THE IRON COUSIN. associations with its past scenes, your predilection, your regret, your I know not what might have had the principal share in your bringing away that particular sketch from your old home." " While we are making confession of follies and fancies," she said, " suppose I tell you why I brought that sketch of all others, from dear Heathcote. Do you remember the morning you found me out in my den ? " " Do I remember it, Kate ? You ask me that ? " " Well, then, partly for the sake of my dear uncle's likeness, partly for the sake of one who that morning seemed to take a strange fancy to this bit of drawing-paper, I brought it with me. All the while you were there, in the den, you you held it in your hand." The reply to this not spoken, but expressed with an eloquence of its own made Kate say, in a tone of archness that scarcely veiled its tender feeling : " Do you remember, too, that moraine:, our standing together, looking at this sketch, side by side ? So close, that I found a tumult in my heart which taught me to make good my retreat in time, lest it should, by some mysterious means, reach your knowledge, and betray to you more than its own mistress well understood at the time. How comes it, that an instinct prompted me to withdraw then, and that I now so recklessly remain ? How comes it, that I used to complain of the Iron Cousin's vice-grip of the hand, and now I trust myself so contentedly locked within the more formidable one of his arm ? " " Do you know, Kate, whenever you call me by that title in future, I intend to take my revenge od those lips for the many pangs their honied stings made me at one time endure from its repetition, with sundry fleers appended, which made me wince, and doubt that any liking could lurk beneath. Mind, I tell you this openly and fairly, that you may know the penalty you incur, whenever you name me thus again." " But what shall I call you ? " " Call me Fermor let me have the delicious sound of my name from that mouth. I dared not allow myself the transport of hearing it, a short time since, when I dreaded my own courage THE IEON COUSIN. 0.' to reaist the terribly potent^entle effect it bad to shake my heart from its vowed faith and honour to what I believed existed between yourself and Cecil." " Cecil ! " was the only word for which Kate's astonishment had voice. " Cecil Cecil Lascelles. I fancied that he was the powerful incentive to the self-reform and self-perfectioning which I beheld. I could perceive that some all-sufficing cause, some imperative mw tive, existed to work the change I witnessed. I could see that some softening influence had sprung up in that heart, to teach it its best wisdom, its truest strength, its natural greatness. How could I doubt that this influence must be love ? And, from every thing by which I could judge, how could I doubt that this lore which the Iron Cousin would have perished to gain was for Ce- cil ? All that was left for me, was to turn the force and hardness of character imputed to me, into a strength of endurance which should enable me to sustain the perpetual struggle between uiy passion and my sense of right. Perhaps even your belief in the iron quality of my nature might be enhanced, could you know the trial it* fortitude sustained, in beholding you constantly; in re- cognising more fully on each occasion the genuine beauty of your character, developed in its truth of nobleness and gentleness by adversity and trial ; in perceiving how unerringly I had always distinguished its real charm beneath the early petulance of youth and spoiling ; in feeling this charm each day more subtly steal upon my heart, undermine its courage, vanquish its powers of re- M~t;mce, and subdue it wholly to one single and over-nattering desire of possessing this matchless piece of tender womanhood for my own my love my wife. Could yon hare guessed an iota of the emotions that were perpetually warring within me, and assail- ing ' this poor citadel of man,' yon might indeed have had SOBM cause to call me the Iron Cousin." " And how should I have guessed that he could be open to sach attacks ? I thought his heart made of sterner stuff invulnera- ble, uninvadable, impregnable, invincible; above all, by any im- -; wayward, perverse, ungracious eowin Kate could 510 THE IRON COUSIN. produce. I thought he knew her faults, contemned them, and well-nigh despised and disliked herself for their sake." " He loved her but too well for his own peace, when she was most perverse and ungracious most unlike her present gentle, womanly self, my Kate," he replied. " But how could he help adoringher, when he beheld her shine forth in her own natural grace and per- fection self-redeemed, self-perfected ? " " If it indeed be so, Fermor," she said, turning her eyes full upon him, beaming with affection and confidence, and grateful emotion ; " if it indeed be that I am reclaimed from my own for- mer unworthiness, it is, as you have said, that there was a power- ful influence at work ; the influence of " She hesitated ; with a crimson cheek. " I said it was the influence of love. You will not deny it, Kate mine ? " he whispered. " The influence of love," she repeated softly, yet firmly. " Love as strong as it was long unconscious. Love for, not Cecil Las- celles, but for Fermor Worthington. Throughout my life, ever since the moment I first beheld him, that life has been swayed slowly but surely, gradually but effectually, to its best happiness by the influence of the Iron Cousin." " I gave you fair warning, Kate. Take the consequence ! " And here this story fitly ends : since the reader's imagination will hardly have failed to suggest how Miss Alicia White consoled herself for Mr. Worthington-of-Worthington-Court's closing ex- plicit speech, by lending ear to the lisped " pretty speeches " of the gallant young officer ; and by suffering them to win her con- sent that she would, all in good time, exchange her White of Egg hamship for the style and title (in his own parlance), of " Mith- eth Henry Thmythe." Or how Ben Dimble received as a wife, " quiet Kuth Field," with a marriage-portion from the "grum brown purse ; " and how they lived in the pleasant school-cottage together, Ruth having been appointed head-monitress. THE IRON COCSW. 511 Or how Miles Oatland swam into the good graces of Mr. Cbalkby, on the tide of public opinion; and how pretty Lucy wai permitted to marry the man of her heart, as " a young fellow con- sidered to be a very superior person." Neither will the reader's discernment have been at a loss to comprehend how Cecil Lascellcs did but act in character with his constitutional susceptibility to present impressions, when he allow- cd his memory of Kato Ireton to become merged in the image of the fair young creature who chanced to bo his fellow-voyager during the passage out. The constant companionship of shipboard, the familiarity and intimacy it promoted, with one whoso vivacity, beauty, and undisguised partiality for his society, insensibly drew him towards her, combined to generate an attachment which con- soled him for the hopelessness of that he had lately cherished. Ho had seen how irrevocably although unavowedly, even to herself Kate's love was given to Fermor Worthington ; and Cecil learn* ed to rejoice at having met with a woman whose fresh, ingenuous affections were his, almost before he had made an attempt to win them. He wrote a letter to Kate, not long after his marriage, tolling her that the friendship she had proffered him would, he knew, take generous delight in his present happiness ; at the same time deli- cately expressing a trust that she herself might yet be enabled to send him like intelligence of her own. By one of the earliest vessels that sailed from England, he received a warm reply, joyfully apprising him of his friend 1 ! mu- tual, full, and wedded content, signed" Kate Wortb^on." '* When I agreed to have Fermor for a husband, I expected him to be ray 'lord and Iron master,' as a matter of course, Cecil," she wrote, in one part of her letter, " but even in abjuring mastery, he contrives to have his own way. He has inrented a method of making me dearly remember it, if ever I indulge in the old tspithet ; so that I dare not now for my life my lipa, I hint at calling him 'THE Inox THE END. SHAKESPEARE'S WORKS. Mary Cowden Clarke's Edition. With a scrupulous revision of the Text. 50 Illustration*. Royal 8vo. Half calf, extra, $12.00; mor. antique, $15.00. Two Volumes 8vo Edition, Ilulf calf, extra, $18.00 ; morocco antique, $25.00. Four Volumes 8vo Edition. Cloth, $12.00; half morocco, or half calf, extra, $20.00; fall morocco antique, $25.00. One Volume 8vo Edition. 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