THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES THE LITTLE BEAUTY. BY MRS GREY, AUTHOR OP THE gambler's WIFE," " COUSIN HARRY,' &c. &c. " AVhat is beauty f Not the show Of shapely limbs and features. No, These are but flowers, That have their dated hours, ' To breathe their momentary sweets, then go. 'T is the stainless soul fl-ithin That outshines the fairest skin." IN THREE VOLUMES. y o L.' I. LONDON : HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS, SUCCESSORS TO HENRY COLBURN, ^13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 1860. Tlie right of Translation it restned. riT JOHN CIIILDS AND SOX. nUNTERS. THE LITTLE BEAUTY. CHAPTER I. " So oiu' blacksmitli's fine lady has brought him a girl ! " said a village gossip to her neighbour, an elderly matron, who was in the act of passing through the little garden which led to her adjoining cottage. "Yes, Mrs Higgins," the woman conse- quentially rephed, "and a more beautifuUer babby I never dressed." " And how fares that set-up thing, Mis- tress Miller ? Did she bear up pretty bravely, or did she suppose that the hke of her ought to be spared all labom- and sorrow?" Mrs Higgins continued, with a malicious grin. VOL. I. f f" i'-' ^■i^^ J" ,r^ RESERVl 2 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. " She fared much the same as all Eve's daughters," returned the village midwife with increased pomposity ; " and I makes it a law, you know, neighhour, never to tell tales out of school about my patients." " No one wants you to tell tales, Mother Jenks ; but, like a good woman, just tell me what does Frank Miller say to his daughter? I have heard that he was all for a lad." " Oh, lack-a-day ! " the good w^oman ex- claimed, really too uncomfortably brimful of the subject to be able to resist a little information oozing out, " Frank Miller Avas indeed in a pretty way when he heard it was a girl. ' A girl ! ' he shouted, with — lor me ! such an oatli, ' a troublesome bag- gage, just come into the world to be made into a lazy, useless piece of trumpery ; no good will ever come of a girl to me — a boy might have been made something of — a girl never!' He did not even look at the pretty babby, but strode away, much as he was wanted, foi- his wife has been pre- cious bad since, I can tell you, and he did not come back for hours." "Precious bad, was she?" eagerly in- THE LITTLE BEAUTY. quired Mrs Higgins. "What was the matter? Now there's a good woman, tell us all about it?" But Mrs Jenks's momentary epanchement was over. She pursed up her mouth, and in a dignified manner said : " I have nothing more to tell, neigh- bour, so good-night. I have had a good long time of it, that I can tell you, and am dead beat ; so a cup of tea and to bed." " Yes, and a drop of something in it," mut- tered Mrs Higgins, as she reentered her kitchen, not at all satisfied with the result of her late gossip. " Stupid old sold ! " she exclaimed ; " but I'll step in again after the black bottle has done its work; her tongue always runs the freer after a good pull at it, and if I can- not get anything out of her, I'll be in at the Millers', and see all about it myself be- fore night; that is to say, if I can get this plaguy ironing done. Heigho ! it's a queer business, this stupid marriage of handsome Erank Miller's with that grand nurse, who always looked as much a lady as the Mar- chioness herself, and far more proud like. Poor Prank ! and do not I pity him? No 4 THE LITTLK BKAUTY. wonder he was vexed it was a girl, poor fellow ! lie was thinkinp^, I warrant, of the bad barf^ain he had made in the niotlicr, who certainly is fit for nothing but to sit in the fine inirsery at the Court, and to be waited upon by understrappers of all kinds and sorts ; dressing up young lords and ladies in purple and fine liiuni, as the Bible says. Well, I must just bustle on and get finished; I am wild to sec this young lady black- smith, decked out in all the fid-fads and cast-off finery of the top nobs of yonder grand house." Frank Miller Avas, as we \\a\c heard, in reality the village blacksmith, although he did not nominally work at the forge ; a good thriving trade it had always been at Brook- lands, the forge standing close to one of the gates of Lyle Court, with its stables fidl of horses of every description. Miller had been head groom to the Marquis of Glenmoi'e for many years, and had saved a good sum of money. People wondered at his going into l)usiness of such a sort, but Frank's father had been a thriving ])lacksmitli before him ; he had been bred up in the forge, had ab\ ays a fancy for THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 5 the craft, and having a firm will of his own, in spite of the entreaties, and even tears and threats of his affianced bride, he determined to secure the business as soon as an oppor- tunity offered. His intended wife was then head nurse of the Lyle family, having worked her way to the top of the tree, from being at first only a nm'sery girl, by fortunate and unforeseen cir- cumstances. The young heir had been dan- gerously ill with scarlet fever ; his nurse took the complaint ; the contagion spread through the nursery; only Ellen, the under-nursery- maid, escaped it, and into her young hands did the task devolve of nm^sing the precious little lord, then the only child. Well did she per- form this office, and when it was all over, and the child restored to health, the doctor gave the fullest meed of praise to Ellen for her skill and tender care. Such attention and judicious management he had never before seen equalled, " Indeed, my Lady," he added, "you need not go further to find a nm^se ; far and A^dde, it would be impossible to meet with a better or cleverer than this young woman." So Nelly Rose, at a wonderfully early age 6 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. for such an important post, ])ccanic head and chief of tlie Lylc nursery. And soon more charges were added to swell her dignity and responsibihty. Three httle ladies successively made their appearance, and then another son was born ; the importance of the head nurse increasing with every addition to the nm-sery party. Who so great a personage in the house as Mrs Rose ? Certainly, not the Marchioness — a gentle, unpretending woman, dehcatc in health, and unostentatious in habits — dotingly fond of her children, and only too glad to over- whelm with hidulgence and kindness one who certainl}' devoted herself to the well- being of her little darlings. So Mrs Rose was spoilt to her heart's con- tent. Rut notwithstanding the dailv incrcas- ing pride and self-conceit of this woman, she remained constant to her first love, and no doubt would have continued so, even had she not been "quite aware that he was also work- ing up his way, knowing well Avhat he was about, aiul making a heavy purse against the day when he shoukl be enabled to set up in business as a blacksmith (that was the extent THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 7 of his ambition), and marry his love, the pretty Ellen Rose. Frank iMiller had always been considered a miracle of perfection by the female sen- ants at the Court ; and there was really much in his face and figure desen'- ing admiration ; a handsomer man was rarely to be seen. There is \^^thout doubt "a tide in the affairs of men." Tom Giles, the blacksmith, at last died ; Frank Miller bought the concern, house, garden, and all ; and, as a matter of course, claimed the hand of his long promised wife. The Marquis of Glenmore, after a very long illness in London, was brought down to Lyle Court, to be buried in the tomb of his an- cestors, his successor being then quite a youth, and a complete break-up at the Court ensued. The Marchioness, truly mourning for her lord, could not endure the idea of remaining at a place where she had lived so many years of happiness with one whom she truly loved, and therefore removed with all her family to another place, in a county not far distant from London. The whole establishment left the Court, which was shut up ; the housekeeper, and 8 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. attendants sufficient to keep it in order, alone remaining, and tliere appeared little probability of the old ])lace being occupied again for many a long day. It was really a very hard struggle to Mrs Rose to make up her mind to give up her place ; to leave the beautiful youngest child, and all the luxury and indulgences which habit had made second nature to her. But Frank ]\Iiller was peremptory ; indeed he hint- ed that if she made any further hesitation, he was ready to be off the bargain at once. If she Avould not have him, he knew who would. And the ^'^sion of a much younger, and in every way more suitable, partner for this lover of hers — of whom she had for some time felt many a sickly qualm of jealousy — arose before her jaundiced eye ; yes, she must make no more ado, she saw plainly ; the deed must be done ; so, with many tears, and the sincerest son-ow, she was obliged to resign her bc(nitiful nursling to a new attendant, towards whom she felt many a jealous grudge, and then she married Frank Milk;r. Poor Frank ! far bet- ter for you had it been Anne Coles, the second housemaid, that hard-working, industrious girl, THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 9 who would indeed have been a suitable helpmate for yon — considering her fate as your wife indeed a prize in Hfe's lottery — and have looked upon the forge as a scene of glory, not a dis- grace, an eye-sore ! The folloT^dng is a sketch of the conversa- tion which, however, brought the matter to a final conclusion : — " With all the money you have saved, and my few pounds in the bank, to say nothing of the fifty pounds a year I am to have till the day of my death, — an annuity from the late Marquis, — I am sure, Frank, we could go into sop-ie more genteel line than that dread- fid blacksmith's business ; and, oh dear ! to live here after they have all gone, will be enough to break my heart. How I do hate the thoughts of seeing you always with a black face and dirty hands from morning till night, I, who have been used to such difierent thins-s." Frank's eyes scanned with a peculiar ex- pression the person of his affianced bride, now no longer in her '''' 2^Temihre jeimesse," but just at the ripe age of forty, her still very pretty, though faded, face spoilt by a cross, supercihous expression, and her dress so like that of a lady, her hands looking as if they 10 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. had never done anything approaching to a day's Avork; in sliort, a degree of refinement pervaded her wliole appearance, wln'cli sent a feehng of dismay to his mind. And then, unfortnnately, the recollection of bnxom Anne Coles flai^hed across his fancy, with her fresh complexion, her twenty -five snnnners, her smiling good-hnmoured, thongh not handsome, face, and her strength and will to clean a house down in no time. " Why, yes, Nelly," he replied, with grave determination, " perhaps you had better think well of it before you take the leap, for although it will not be necessary for me to have a black face and hands from morning till night, after all, may be, I am not the best man for you ; it will be rather another thing for you, indeed, to be the wife, as you say, of such as I — Frank Miller, the smith — to what you have been used to up yonder — and so i)efore you give up your place, tiu'u it w ell over in your mind, and do not think I shall owe you a grudge for it." Mrs Nellv, at these words, burst into a vioUnt fit of weeping. "And is this what it has come to, after eighteen long years of patient waiting? — owe THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 11 me a grudge for it ? — no, you would tliank me instead. Oh, Frank ! and is it really come to this ? But I know how it is ; you are a faithless, hard-hearted monster ; don't think I'm blind or deaf; I've seen and heard plenty ; yes," she continued, her sobs and tears increasins;, to the dismav of her listener, who really was very soft-hearted at the sight of a woman's tears ; " yes, sir, go and marry that coarse-looking, vulgar Anne Coles, and break the heart of one who has been always true to you." Trank had loved the pretty XeUy very sin- cerelv, and it was onlv of late that he had begun to think she had grown above him, and that his good plain sense had pointed out that a wife of less pretension was more fitted for his grade of life. Perhaps he thought with Ovid, that " if you want to marry suit- ably, marry your equal." Still he had no intention of playing false to his old love, and now her tears and genuine grief soft- ened his heart aijain toAvards her, and not a little flattered his self-love. Nothing a man loves so dearly, let him be wise or let him be simple, as feeling him- self the object of a Avoman's entire devotion. 12 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. and liow few can withstand the tears whicli are slied alone for him ! Much is said about the vanity of the weaker sex ; in our o})in- ion it is quite equalled by that of man — ])articularly wliere women are concerned. I'he strongest become weak in their liands, if the light chord is only judiciously touched. Do we not daily hear and see instances of those we had imagined Samsons in strength of mind, succumbing without the slightest resistance to the ^\iles of a Delilah ? and our Samson was vanquished, strong man as he was ; whether for weal or woe, he uuist abide by his love, and only think of her as the Nelly of old, not as the stately Mrs Hose, who had hardly vouchsafed a look his way, latterly, if she chanced to meet him whilst surromided by gi'and company ; little imagining, when stung to the qidck by her api)arent coldness, that, with all her airs and graces, he always held the warmest place in her vain heart. Never for a moment had she really wavered. Though many were the high-flown visions of licr married life, of genteel competency and ease, some occupation not materially interfer- ing with her acquired ideas of what was the right thing, under every circumstance Frank THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 13 Miller's wife she was to be, and to give him up, even red hot from the forge, oh, that would never do ! So no more insinuations against his -pro- fession, for thus she qualified the rough trade of her intended ; at any rate, she could write to her absent friends, and designate her hus- band a veterinary surgeon; and perhaps it might come to that at last. CHAPTER II. The wedding was to take place before the family left the Court. The future abode of the bride was well plenished by the jMarchioness, who tliouglit she could not do enough for a nurse who had seiTcd her so long and faithfully. Well woidd it have been for the future, if the amiable lady had been loss lavish, or more judicious, in the choice of her mnnerous gifts, which, Ion- be it spoken, our Frank designated as " useless trumpery." " AVell, I su})pose it cannot be helped," he mentally ejaculated with a groan-like sigh, a few days before the wedding, when he looked THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 15 around him, after the departure of his Nelly, who had been spending some hours at the cottage, unpacking the numerous boxes which had been brought from the Court — hoards of years — such a heterogeneous collection of treasures ! " But don't I feel, for all the world, like a bull in a china shop ? " he continued, as he moved, as cautiously as he could, his brawny figiu'e across the small room, so scattered wdth brittle articles. " What in the world can be the use of this, I wonder ? " as he picked up from the floor, and held disdainfully between his fi.ngers, a scented sachet, a present from some pretty lady to the favoui^ed nurse. "Faugh ! how it smells ; worse than a pole cat ! A pretty present for a blacksmith's wife ; far better a gridiron, or a good bottle spit, which, by the by, I must just go and buy. Heigho ! I wonder whether she ^^-ill know how to use it when it is here? Precious bad dinners I expect I shall have ! " The marriage, however, came off at last, and a gay concern it was. The young Marquis gave away the bride, and the little ladies officiated as bridesmaids. Fi'ank Mifler hated the parade of the business, and looked sulky and out of his element ; but 10 TJIK LITTLE BEAUTY. he could not liclp liinisulf, and tliaidvcd his stars tliis would be the lust of all such folly and nonsense. The bride and bridegroom went off for a week's holiday, and also that Frank Miller might do a little necessary business at a neighbouring town ; when they returned, the Com-t was deserted, and the hitherto pleasant home of the Glcnmore family no longer re- sounded with the chee]-ful sound of a large establishment. Marriage is a desperate thing. The frogs in Esop's foble were extremely wise. They had a gi-eat mind to some water, but they would not leap into the well, because they could not leap out again. AVell for Frank Miller had he studied this wholesome adacje. Never was therc so complete a case of " paired, not matched." A good and kind husband Frank Miller might have; made from the very first, had he married a wife in any way suitable to him ; but he found out, as he had before suspected, that he had made a dii-eful blunder. And Mrs Miller! what thought she of the change from the Court to the smithy ? THE LITTLE BEATTY. 17 She was, poor Avoinan, imfeignedly miser- able ; years of luxury, of unbounded ease and indulgence, had completely incapacitated her for anything like Avork or common fare. The nursery dinners and suppers had ever created more ado than any of the other various tables in the establishment of Lyle Court. " That worrying Mvs Rose is so particular and fussy ; mind, Eliza, that SAveet pastry and some of that vol ate vent are kept for the nursery. My Lady told me this morning that Mrs Rose had been complaining that her meals are sent up shockingly neglected ; she makes more row about her eating than even the governesses in the school-room ; and that's saying a good deal." Thus spoke the housekeeper. " Susan, for gracious sake ! take care how you iron those collars and sleeves ; a fine fuss that set-up Madam in the nursery made last week about her finerv. She declares her beautiful Walanciennes was all torn. I wonder how it will be after the first getting up in the back kitchen of the blacksmith's cottasre ? " Thus spoke the head laundry-maid, and such- like exclamations Avere resounding constantly through the Avhole establishment. VOL. I. 2 18 THK LITTLE BKAUTV. Madam Nurse lorded it over all. No one ever dared to dispute her ascendancy. This is no uncouinion case. No servant ever gains such coni})lete sway over the mind of her employer as the nurse — and no wonder ! Has she not in her hands the care, the welfare, nay, often the lives of our treasures— our dearest ones for the time being wholly in her keeping ? And the nurse, with a degree of self- devotion and cheerfulness which has always in us excited no small sm-pnse as well as admir- ation, gives up her whole time, her health, and strength to her nurslings — regardless of sleepless nights and days of never-ceasing fatigue— self-sacrificing indeed is the devotion of a really good nurse— wonderful to witness. Then is it not excusable that we load these valuable creatures with indulgences? Could we refrain from doing likewise? Nevertheless, that the perfect nurse of a nobleman's family could ever be likely to make a perfect wife to a blacksmith, is equally anomalous. Although Venus wedded with Vulcan, that is no precedent for a happy marriage. It was not the best-assorted union ; and though our Vulcan's bride did not err in the same manner as the beautiful heathen goddess— she was THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 19 quite as unequally yoked to her stalwart mate. It is easy to imagine the consequences of this mesalliance. Mrs IMiller was wholly unfit for the plain, humble life her husband woidd fain have had her lead. After miserable wrangling and utter discomfort, a woman of the village was hired to do the work of the cottage, and Mrs Miller, growing thinner and paler every day, had no comfort left but to sit alone in her smart parlour w^hen her husband was out of the way, to arrange and rearrange the pretty things on the round table, gaze with blinding tears upon many little pictures and sketches of her dear children, as she called them, particularly upon one — the portrait of her darling pet, the little Lord Victor. . " And to have left them all — and for what ? " she would sob forth ; " to marry a man who would like me to be a drudge, who cares not a straw for me ; perhaps," she would add despondingly, " no wonder ; I am not fit for him ; he had better have married Anne Coles." Her vocation was ended, and she could turn to no other. And so time passed heavily away ; but there came a change. There was the prospect of an event which at once brightened '10 THE LITTLr BEAUTY. the aspect of nil tilings to the ci-devant head nurse. She was about to become a mother. Oh, what joy ! another baby to nurse, and her very own ! And then she thou<»;lit, could she ever love a child better than those she liad left ? She scarcely imagined that possible. However, for the first time since she had left tlie Court, she felt some interest in life. It would be a pleasant anniscnient and occupa- tion to prepare for the arrival of the expected babe — and many were tlie splendid hoards she had laid up for such an emergency. Better had they been consigned to the flames than to Ellen Rose's boxes ! Those costly cand)rics, laces, and embroid- eries, hardly a day the worse for wearing, what had they to do in a blacksmith's cottage? And the smart ha^sinetU, with its muslin draperies, how unfit a couch for honest, rough Frank Miller's child ! Would not all this vanity and false pretension be laying the foundation-stone to a bringing-up of folly which could not possibly lead to good ? With many a groan the blacksmith watched the oj)erations of his wife. Poor man ! the idea of becominfr a father was mhifi;led with THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 21 many troubled feelings. He did not want for sound good sense, and lie had already learnt a hard lesson dunng the period of his manied life. His wife was essentially a very sillv woman, there was no mistake in that ; her Hfe of luxury liad implanted faults in her character AAhich in a rougher life might not have sprung up. " How would she bring up his child?" This was the question. " Well," he sohloquized, " if it is a lad, it will do, I'll see after him ; but the Lord pre- serxe us from a a;irl." "A^liere is vour missus?" Frank ano-rily inquired of the servant -girl one evening on coming into the house, tired and hungry, and finding the fire low, and no signs of supper. " Oh, missus is in the parlour, and told me not to come in there plaguing her ; she is about her babby-clothes," the girl added, significantly, " and such httle loves they be !" Frank ]\ tiller pushed open the door, and stood darkly contemplating the scene. His wife sat at a little table, upon which the most conspicuous object was a tiny infant's cap, thickly trinnned with lace, while i\lrs ]\Iiller was ruthlessly snipping up yards of narrow •22 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. rib])on into lengths of about two inclics long. Most useless and destructive did this operation appear to the uninitiated eyes of the disgusted blacksmith. His ire waxed hot, he had been put out with sonietliinu; which had gone wrong at the forge, and was all ready for an ex- plosion. " AA'hat the devil are you about, missus, sit- ting there losing your time, and making all that Avaste with that tnnn])ery? Have you nothing bettcn- to do with your fingers than that there cutting up of goods?" " You are only showing your ignorance, Mr Miller. I am not wasting trum})ery, as you call it ; those bits of ribbon are to trim this cap." " That cap, and pray who is that tomlbolery meant for ? Not for my child, Nelly Miller ; no cliild of mine shall be made such a Merry Andrew of. No," he continued, his wrath ])ecominir more and more vehement as he cautrht sifjht of the i)rettv bassinette, with its pink-lined curtains, pi'eping from beneath the cover which had been tiirown over it — " I'll just tell voii what. 1 shall go to-morrow and buy a wicker cradle, and ask Mrs Evans at the Court for a suit of baby-clothes such as are given to the people hereabouts ; and then, if THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 23 you do not choose to make them, I'll find some one who will ; I must put an end to all this cursed folly and nonsense." And with his large hands, Frank Miller gathered up all the deHcate little articles scat- tered around upon the tables and chairs, and recklessly threw them all into the — fortunately — fireless grate. Oh, the commotion Avhich ensued ! Poor Frank, it had been better for you to have been blind to every folly ! That day you forged for yourself, by this impatient outbreak, a chain which fettered vou for life. ]\Irs Miller fell into violent hysterics ; shriek after shriek might have been heard issuing from the black- smith's house ; nothing could check the violence of the attack. Frank ]\Iiller was filled with repentant hor- ror. What had he done ? — perhaps killed his wife. He sent in all directions for assistance, and the cottaije was soon filled with the neigh- boming matrons. " It will be a mercy if she gets over it," croaked one. " And the poor baby — that will be lost for sure !" whined another. " Ah ! yes, the poor, unborn, innocent little :24 THK little beauty. cretiir!" was the chonis; niul looks of anger and dis^nst were directed towards Frank, w lio, nearly distracted, now sobl)ed tbrtli : " Oh, Nellv, Ncllv, what a born brnte I have been! Only l)e qniet and dont [;-o on in that way, and I pledge my word to yon that for the time to come I will never tliwart yon by deed or word ; von shall do as von like — dress the child as a puppet if you choose — do any- thing." But j\Irs Miller Avas in reality, thongh dreadfully upset and hysterical, far from losing the faculty of hearing or seeing, and her (juiek eye soon perceived, even in the midst of the storm, the advantage she was on the ])oint of gainhig. This was the moment for victory. Now or never. So she kicked and screamed on, and was at length carried to bed by her compas- sionate neighbcnu's in a most alarming state of mind and body. And Frank was then almost beside himself with horror. Mrs ^liller was in tiiitli far too good a j)olitieian to allow her- self to be well immediately. By the slowest degrees the most violent svmptoms were sub- dued, and before night she Avas comparatively calm, but feeling verv ill indeed. THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 25 " Yes, Frank," she murmured in an awful tone of voice, which filled the poor man's heart with the utmost contrition, " I am indeed very had, hut if the worst comes to the worst — and I feel as if I could not get over it — I forgive vou. " But, Nellv, I shall never for2;ive mvself, not if I lived a thousand years ; get well, do, old girl, and see if Frank Miller wont be the kindest husband that ever stepped. You shall never be thwarted ; all I ask, I say, is that a'ou will get well." The hattle ivas won, Frank Miller's reign was over from that moment. Mrs Miller was dl for manv davs after this business. She really suffered from the agitation caused by the commotion, and was sufficiently wide awake to manage her convalescence with skilful tact and generalship. It would not do to get well all of a sudden ; it must be kept up to the very last. Frank nnist not think his behavioiu- a mere trifle ; it must ever be a rod to be resei-ved to hold over his head in terrorem, in case of his chancing to forget what had happened. At length, after many days of seclusion and pefife sante, ]\Irs Miller emerged from the seclusion •2C) THE LITTLE BEAUTY. <)t" her own room, a tar luorc important woman tlin!i before she had entered it on that moment- ous evenin;::. Tn short, to use a metaj)hor in the true bhicksmith styk', — " The {, was he allowed llir liberty to enjoy with an\ thing like comfort his little child. The ])oor father! his love for that child became stronger, as day liy day some new pciicction dawned in the little person of his daughter. THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 35 What exquisite delight thrilled through his whole being when lirst he saw her smile, and her sweet face beamed with intelhgence ! It was a marvel in his eyes, a regular phe- nomenon of nature. And then, when she began to notice objects, and the tiny hand was stretched forth to grasp what was held be- fore her, his admiration and exultation knew no bounds. " No baby was ever like his baby." It was truly wonderful to see Frank Miller tamed. " And while an infant smiles in sleep. Keeps guard lest it should wail and weep : On tip-toe glides along the floor, In dread to ope or close the door." Our blacksmith became a totally altered man. There are few human beings who have not one soft, weak point in their natures, which, when once discovered, lu'ought forth, warmed and matured, will probably influence their whole future bearing, nay, even their destiny. The roughest specimens of mankind have their tender chord in hearts seemingly cast in stone. The chord may never have been touched, but there it is. The bump of philoprogenitiveness must have been the leading characteristic in Frank Miller's phrenological development, 36 Till' T.ITTLK BEAUTY. for it scciiicd to preponderate now, even over combat iveness ; at least, in one sense of the word, tliat of combating against the wliims and will of his wife. Mrs Miller ruled supreme ; not a word did he dare to say when things went wrong, which they constantly did. If he ventured to com- plain, poor man ! in a moment his mouth was stopi)cd by, " The child, oh Frank, the child ! remend)er, if vou vex me and make me ill, what will become of the ])oor darling ?" " Well, I suppose 1 must wait a bit," he thought. Yes, Frank Miller, you will have to wait, and that — for ever ! The only point to which he would not give way was the name. He would not call the child bv that outlandish one — so he designat- ed the romantic a])i)ellation of " Violetta," — the ^lissus might, if she pleased ; nothing would make him do so ; the baby should be " Rose." " And like a rose sure she is, my own little ])ink-cheeked Rosy," and Rosy she always was to him. " We nuist really settle about the christen- ing, Frank," said Mrs Miller to her husband, a few weeks after the birth of the child. THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 37 " I thoTiglit it was done," answered the blacksmith. ''' Done I no snch thing, the baby was only baptized — not christened." " So much the better ; then we can change her name, I snppose?" " How very ignorant you are," indignantly his wife responded ; " the child was named, and nothing whatever can alter it." "So much the worse. Well, I suppose next Sunday will do." " That quite depends upon circumstances. I am not going to allow my child to be mixed up at the font with a swarm of little clod- hoppers — labourers' children ; no, I shall watch my opportunity. I must say I think it is rather ridiculous of jNIr Vernon not choosins; to open the church for a christening any day but Sunday." " I think he is all riirht there," returned Frank ; " and pray what harm can it do our cliild to be made a Christian of along with many another honest child?" " Well, Mr Miller,"— she always thus de- signated her mate when she wished to put the finishing stroke to any of her final decrees, — " that is ?)!?/ opinion, and my determination, so 38 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. do not irritate nic hv aro-ufvin"; ; it is vorv bad tor me. I am anvtliiiij]!; but strou":, and this dear baby," &c. &c. So Mrs Miller again had her own way, and she did watch her opportunity, and at length, one Saturday afternoon, informed her husband " tliat Violetta was to be christened next day." " T have ascertained," she added, " that only ■Mrs Hope's baby is to be christened to-morrow. I have not the slightest objection to my sweet darhng standing side by side ^vith her sickly baby, poor body! " " I think not, indeed," (pioth Frank Miller, " but I say, ^lissus, are we not to have a joUi- tication afterwards?" " No, Frank, certainly not ; 1 am not strong enough for any such vulgar doings ; all I shall do, will be to give some cake and wine to a favoured few ; that, I can assure you, is the only way to do the thing genteelly." " Genteelly, and be hanged !" muttered Frank, as he banged out of the liouse. " Fll go to the Glenmore Arms and give a supper, to (liink her health. I'll have nothing to do with the Missus's cake and wine." CHAPTER lY. That same evening, in a small, very plainly and scantily furnislied parlour belonging to a farm-house witliin a short distance of the village of Brooklands, a pale-faced young woman was seated, dressed in that saddest of ah garbs, a widow's weeds. She rocked with her foot a wicker cradle, whilst her hands were busied in putting in order an unostentatious baby's robe. The poor young mother sighed often and hea\ily whilst she pursued this occupation. The babe for whom it was intended was evidently fatherless, and careworn and sorrow- -10 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. liii was till' fat'c of tlic widow. Slic workeil on, and wliilst so doin^, tears tell iVoni her meek eves. " Mv i)ooi' little child, ' she iiiiir- mured, " what a melaiiclioly chnsteniiii»; for yoii — no one to pray for, or to care for you ; no one but God — and your poor mother" — " Don't say that, motlicr, })ray don't say that ; there is some one besides vou w ho will care for her, who will love her, and pray for her, and do everythin<^- for her — oh, never, never say that again, mother ! " And two little arms were thrown round her neck, and a little fair head nestled upon her bosom. "My darling boy, my own Julian," the mother said soothingly ;"yes, I know you will care for her, and love her, and yon will always be a kind brother to your little sister. It is my only condort to remend)er this ; so do not cry, my precious child ; I wish you had not heard uiy idle words ; I did not even kncnv you were in the room ; at the moment 1 foi-got myself. T was thinking of your father, Julian, and the dav before you were christened, darlinn;, when we were so ])roud, so happy, and when this little dress was new, brought home as a surprise to me by my huslmnd." THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 41 And bitter tears again rained down from tlie mourner's eyes. " Poor dear father!" was the httle boy's mur- nmred ejacnlation. " Oh, motlier, I don't wonder that you cry when you think of him ; but I will indeed be a comfort to you ; some o-f these days vou will see what a useful bov I shall be to you, and what a good brother to this little darlino;." And the bov knelt down by the side of the cradle, and kissed the face of its little occupant so fervently, that the little infant was awak- ened. " What a little pet she is ! " said the brother, as he hung over the baby, as it lay upon the mother's knee. " She is a poor delicate little creature," Mrs Hope replied, " not like you, my Julian, at her age — you were such a fine stout baby." " Oh, but I was a boy ; I ought to have been larger," he said proudly. Mrs Hope sighed and thought : " Yes, and you were born under very differ- ent circumstances. All around was health and joy, our hearts brim-full of hope ; it was before our trials really began. Julian," she continued, after a melancholy pause, " I have been think- 42 THR LTTTLK BEAUTY. iiig that you shall naiin' the bain' in chureli ; you are the only one left to care for lior." The boy gave an exclamation of dcliglit. "Oh, mamma, 1 am so ghul," he said; "little darling I have you fixed upon her name? " " Yes, Julian, it shall he Mary ; he loved that name, he wished it to be so, and I love it so ; it sounded so sweetly from his lips, ' My Mary ! ' and they were his last words." The history of Mrs Hope is one of no un- common nature, and can be related verv brielh. She had been the humble relative of a proud lady, brought up in a gr(>at house, as a soil of j)layfellow to the children of the family. The poor girl possessed that unfortunate gift to the dependent — much personal beauty. The edu- cation she had received was first-rate, she havinu; alwavs made one of the school-room party, and it was decided that Mary Ellis was to study, in ortler to 4ualily herself tor being a governess. But Tjhmnmo propose, Dicu dispose. Tiie youngest son, during a long Oxford vacation, fell in love witli pretty Mary Ellis. He was intended for the church, but long before he was ordained, he actually married this girl, to the horror and dismav of his aristocratic THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 43 family. It was an act never to be forgiven, a blot in the escutcheon never to be effaced. Two thousand pounds were forwarded to hmi by Mrs Hope's solicitor, the only provision to which he could bv rio;ht of settlement lav claim : and he was given to understand that it was the last and only remittance he would ever receive from his mother. And so it was the last ! She died soon after this unfortunate mar- riage. Juhan's name did not appear in her will, and . his brother and sisters, attributing the prematm-e death of a mother they all much respected to the shock she had received when the news of her son's marriage was conveyed to her, continued to consider the unfortunate young man a complete alien from his race ; his name was never mentioned ; his verv re- membrance they endeavoured to blot out from their minds. And bitterly did ]\Iary Ellis repent the course she had pursued ; not on her own account, poor girl ! but soon, too soon, did she discover how utterly she had been the means of de- stroying her husband's prospects for ever. His man-iage with her had taken him out of his position in hfe, entailing upon him an existence 44 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. V\t\\c ill ;i('('oi-(laiiri' witli liis l)irth, cMliicatioii, or previous liahits. Julian Mope was only twenty-one wlicn lie married, consetpiently, two years nnist ela})se l)eforc he could enter into holv orders ; and when lie was ordained, it was w^ith some diiticulty that he obtained a ineap;re curacy. Inexjjcricnced in inattei-s of expenditure as they both Averc, it is not won- deriul that they were obliged to dij) largely into their small fund, and soon began, with reason, to look foi-ward to the future with sickening dread. It was with penitent sub- mission that Julian Hope now looked his fate steadily in the face ; he felt that he had bixmght all its evils upon himself, and with Christian meekness he took up the cross he himself had created. As a clergyman, he was ncwr-failin"- in his duties, working hard and with unrelax- ing zeal, although increasing delicacy of health, combined with restricted means, rendered his lal)()urs oftentimes most depressing. Their boy was the joy and solace of their lives, the bright spot in their weary pilgrimage. A child he was indeed to ])rize. The parents' whole care and attention had been devoted to him. And so unsellish a nature, so affectionate and true a heart, even at so early an age, rarely THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 45 beat ill human breast, as in that of their httle son. About a tAvelvemonth before the time when this story commences, Juhan Hope had succeed- ed to the curacy of Brooklands. The emolument Avas rather Larger than he had hitherto received, therefore, he deemed himself most fortunate. Poor young man, it was with revived hope that he looked forward to the change, although the expense attending the move to that far-distant county he knew^ would be considerable and most inconvenient ; and the long journey, taken in the midst of an inclement winter, and a damp cold lodging in which they were at first located, laid the seeds of disease which terminated at last fatally, — an inflammatory attack on the chest, bringing on a cough which induced ra- pid consumption and death, leaving his young widow, with already a boy to provide for, the prospect of another child soon to be born, and only the scanty sum of the interest of the remaining money of his small portion. Dreary indeed was the prospect opening be- fore the forlorn young woman and her child, with not a friend on earth to whom she could turn for comfort or assistance. As she gazed upon that face in death— so changed with the •irj TH1-; LITTLK HKAITY. lilies of ("ii'c and sorrow, as well as sickness — she tlioiii;lit iij)uii iiis inutlier, who once so loved tliis son. C'ouhl she have 1ool-:{>d upon him now, ini<);ht slie not have exclaimed : " Oh, grief has changed thee since I saw thee last, And careful hours, with time's deformed Ifind, Have written strange defections in thy face." Mrs Hope well knew the deep, never-ceasing wretchedness lier hushand had endured at the idea ot" his mother, whom he really so tenderly loved, having left this world without forgiving him, and lier death having been attributed to his misconduct. These terrible thouG;hts had haiuited the unfortunate vouiiu" man on his ])ed of death; and now that he was gone, nothing left to sus- tain her, she felt, and perhaps with truth, that siie had been the cause of all the ills of her husbands sad career. " Leave thy fatherless childien, I will j)i'e- sen^e them alive, and let thv children trust in me. These words she murmured over and over again, as she lay powerless for many weeks aftiT her husband's death ; and by the time her poor feeble little girl came into this world of sorrow, THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 47 she had gained years in strength of mind and pm-pose. She had vowed to God to consecrate her hfe to the Avell-being of her husband's chil- dren. If she ever rose from the bed of sickness, it would be with her loins girded to fulfil her duty by them in every sense of the word ; and by degrees these heaven-directed thoughts brought peace to her soul. In this rough world, with all its irregularities, its coldness, and oftentimes total indifference to the wants, the sorrows of others, our hearts are warmed and cheered by finding some traces of the Master's footsteps. Good Samaritans are to be met with even in this selfish genera- tion, and poor Mrs Hope, in her extremity of affliction, found the kindliest, the most delicate consolation and assistance from the benevolence and sympathy of some good honest neighbours. Farmer Giles, a brother of the ci-devant black- smith of Brooklands, had become well known to poor Julian Hope. A daughter had lately died of lingering illness, and her last days had been made peaceful and happy by the constant and never-failing attentions of the young curate. His own declining health and strength never kept him away from the sick-bed of the dying young woman ; and she at length departed. 48 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. blessing God that she liiitl imlccil learnt from hiiu that " To die is gain." Nothhig eould exceed the attention of the fai-nior's family during Mr Hope's last illness; and before he died, the good man promised the })oor young clergyman — whose anxiety for his wife was rendering more than usually bitter the parting hour — that she and her children shoidd have a shelter beneath his roof — a home as long us they should require it. This assurance soothed the pangs of death ; and to Woodleigh Farm was Mrs Hope and her boy conveyed, as soon as her husband's remains had been consio-ned to the tond). Tt was truly a sight which touch(;d the most cal- lous by-stander, to watch the hundde procession. The chief mourner, the little son — that fair, gentle boy — his face so prenuUurely broken- hearted in its expression, sobbing so piteously as he leant his head against the arm of the kind I'arnier, whilst standing by the side of the grave rapidly filling, and shutting out for ever every remaining earthly vestige of a father he had loved so tenderly. And poor Mrs Hope at length in sorrow and weakness gave birth to a little girl ; a babe so small and delicate that but slender hopes were entertained of its being THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 49 reared. But both mother and child were tended with the most devoted care by Mrs Giles and her daughter. And soon the interest of a mother towards her new-born babe, which even in ordinary cases fills a woman's heart — and how much more in such a one as this ! — absorbed all feelings of selfish consideration, and gave a new impulse to her every action. VOL I. CHAPTER V. It was a beautiful autumn afternoon, the Sunday on which the christening of the two little girls we have ushered into tlie world was to take ])lace. In the blacksmith's cottage the note of preparation was going busily forward. Such a grand ])araphernalia was laid out on the bed, in which to deck the blacksmith's most lovely little daughter. Poor infant ! it might indeiMl, by a fanciful imagin- ation, have been suggested that a fairy god- m,other had been there, blinking with her as her present the gift of [)erfect beauty, a gift so full of peril, and at best " a doubtful good." THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 51 Nothing could exceed the loveliness of this infant ; one might with truth have said whilst gazing at her : " She looks as clear As morning roses newly washed with dew." She had the fairest of skins, with already a peach blossom tint upon her round cheek, and then those wonderful larije lustrous blue eyes, and every other feature giving promise of future beauty. "Yes, you are indeed my beautiful daugh- ter," ejacidated the proud mother, as she dressed with artistic skill her splendid baby in its handsome robe, and placed upon the little head a cap heavily trimmed with lace and ribbon. " She is indeed a bonnv bird," murmured the proud father, when permitted to hold the sleeping child on his knee, whilst " the missus," after putting the final stroke to her daughter's toilette, was equipping herself in a suit worthy of the mother of the smart baby she ha^i^just attired, namely, a Ught silk dress, which could " stand by itself," a bonnet and shawl to match — a costume altoo:ether suitable, in Mrs Miller's opinion, to the ci-devant head-nurse of the Glen more family. :")2 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. And soon the cliristeiiiiijjj corU'ijc bcp;;in to asseiiiblc, licadcd by Mrs Jciiks, who was to personate tlu; mirse for the occasiou, and eariT tlie ehihl. It Avas to be done all en nu/lj\ according to tlie christenings Mrs Milh-r had been accustomed to attend. Mrs Evans, tlie liousekeeper at the Court, and the steward, A\ere to stand proxy for Ladv Violet Lvle and the young Marcpiis, who had offered to i)e god-f{ither to the nurse's (huighter. A chosen few completed the party ; not one of Frank Miller's chums was allowed to be in- cluded, and he dai'ed not insist upon his claim to invite a guest. Poor man ! he was b(\ginning to knock under in all ways, with- out venturing a word of remonstrance. Cake and wine, and an elegant tea, were laid out for the guests on their return from church ; everything was arningcd after Mrs Millers most approved rules of gentility ; and it was with no small degree of ])r()ud exultation that she bustled out of her house, looking rather red and hot, and grown much more portly since she had gloried in the name of " mother ; " her silk rustling, and iier veil flying — endeavour- uig with all her miu;ht and main to look the THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 53 jVIarchioness ; — Mrs Jenks following witli the baby in its long white mantle, trying to play her part, but if the truth were told, with a supercilious grin on her face, shrewdly enter- ing mto the absurdity of the pageant, although it was her interest to enact her character with due decorum. Mrs Miller, according to what she con- sidered proper etiquette, condescended to lean upon her husband's arm during the short walk to the church ; and honest Frank, dressed in his very best, his extremely handsome face beaming with the happy feehngs of parental tenderness, with which his heart wa-^ that day brimful, Avas no despicable support, even to the hauo;htiness of the would-be great ladv. A different scene was enactino- at the Wood- leighParm. It was a house of mourning, not of feastino;. "Now, dear lady, do try to take heart,'" were the kind Avords of the o-ood farmer's wife, whilst she was taking upon herself the office of equipping the poor sickly-look- ing little infant for its christening. The mother was really unequal to perform this office for it that morning. 54 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. It u as a piteous sight to look upon the poor yoimg widow, as she sat niotioiikss, in tear- less abstraction. .Mrs (Jiles was doin<; her best, but her ex])erience in adorniiijj; a babe was very limited ; it was nianv a dav since she had handled so young an infant, and her present attempt was rather awkward. Julian stood by, divided between the })leasant teeHng which swelled at his heart, at the idea of the important part he was about to take m that (lav's event, and sorrow at witnessinjic the deep misery of his mother. Hut all is now completed, and the farmer announces that the light covered cart is ready ; the melancholy l)arty are soon at the church door, where they encounter the gay cavalcade from the cottage. Farmer (iiles lifts the slender foiiii of Mrs Hope from the vehicle, her long crape veil cover- ing her 'ix\{^\', and is followed by his Avife and daughter, the former bearinc: in her arms the little infant. Last of all came the child Jnlian ; his deep suit of moiuning rendering the? ])ak'ness of his face only the more conspicnous. lie hastened immediately to his mother's side, taking her hand between both of his, which he tenderly pressed, look- THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 55 ing up at the same time in lier face with an expression which melted the hearts of all who observed it. " AMiat a dismal-looking set ! " remarked jNIrs Miller to Mrs Jenks, " quite a damper, I declare, to us ! I v.onder what the baby is like, that Mrs Giles is smothering up under that great shawl ; upon' my word, considering they are in the genteel line, I never saw a more shabby turn out." " No, certainly, Madame Miller, rather different from the grand flare-up we are mak- ing," remarked Mrs Jenks, perhaps a little ironically; and then, as Mrs Miller moved away to speak to some one, she whispered to one of the by-standers : " No, not so grand, indeed, and yet one, after ail, is real, and the other false. Look at that poor dear boy ; is he not a gentleman every inch of him, and with as good blood in his veins as any in the land ? And his mother is a real lady in all her ways, poor lady ! and," she continued, as she looked contemptu- ously at the blacksmith's wife, "with all her fine clothes, ivJtaf, I should like to know, is she ? " We have alwavs noticed that there is a clear perception in the minds of the lower ;■)(> TIIK T.TTTLE BF.AUTY. orders ^vitll rc'u;anl to the real iiiid eoiuiterfeit claims of (litFcreut classes to their considera- tion, and that they feel an inherent respect for gentle hirth and pjentle ]>recding, sehlom giving place to any other adventitious circumstance. 'Pile two christening: paiiics were now as- sembled round the lont ; the church was crowded with spectators, who had remained after the evening senice in order to witness the ceremony. Juhan still ke])t close to his mother's side, hohhng tight by her dress. He was beginning to lose all his courage, pool- boy, seeing hoAV her agitation increased, how she trend)led, and what heavy tears fell from her eyes. The fanner, his Avife, and daughter, were to be sponsors for the baby. I\Ir Ycrnon, the rector, had only lately succeeded to the living of Brooklands, and this was almost the first christening at which he had otHciated in the parish, lie was a tall, [)ale man, of abont thirty-five years old, with a peculiarly benign ex- pression of countenance. IVforc commencing the sei-vice his eye made a survey of the group, and irresistibly his gaze was attracted, and lii^ heart touched, by the a])pearance of the Avidow and her son, forming, as they did, so strong a conti'ast to the opposite assend)lage. THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 57 Every eve had been attracted towards the bov, and the general attention seemed to fasten alone on him as the service proceeded, for in- deed it was a beautiful and wonderful sight to look upon the countenance of that young child, as he knelt in his black dress with clasp- ed hands and up-turned face — his light locks falling back from his forehead, his lips follow- ing with such heartfelt devotion every word spoken by the clergyman. An artist might indeed have gloried in such a study for an in- fant Samuel, and we have seen a statue of that saintly child which reminds us greatly of the countenance and attitude of Julian Hope, as he knelt that day in the little church of Brook - lands, although no mar])lc statuary could ever convey an adecpiate idea of the expression of his face at that moment. And now the service had arrived at that part when Mr Vernon takes the infant into his arms and says, " Name this child." Then Julian steps ea2;erly forward, but suddenly his look of inspiration seems to vanish, his cheek grows paler than ever, his voice trembles, his tongue refuses to speak. Again the clergy- man says, " Name this child," and Julian falters forth : 58 TIIK LITTLK HKAirY. " Mary." A throng ol' rt'iuciiilji-aiu'cs luslicd into his l)al)y mind as he prououncccl the name, — his lather's dying accents — his mother's agony — his own great sorrow, — and bursting into a violent tit of weejiing, lie threw himself into liis mother's arms. .M(jst contagious was the emotion throuu;h- out this large assembly ; tears were shed by not a few of the spectators, and Mr Vernon was obliged to pause and clear his voice se- veral times before he could proceed witii the service. Even the sturdy blacksmith was seen to pass his hand several times across his eyes, and not till admonished by tin impressive nudge from his wife, accompanied by a frown- ing glance, was he roused, from contem])lating the boy, to the ])roj)er degree of interest it was expected of him to evince as the clergyman proceeded in his administration of the rite whicli was to confirm his own child as a Chris- tian. DiffercTit, indeed, was the lovely, healthy, well-dressed infant which was now placed in his arms, to the poor, feeble, wailing babe he had just relincpiished. Mr Vernon could scarcely believe that it coidd be the village blacksmith's progeny, thus THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 59 decked in all the pomp of chiistening finery, and whom he was about to endow with the ro- mantic names of " Violetta Rose." ^Ir Vernon possessed a natural love for young children, and, moreover, could not fail to be struck by the wonderful beauty of this little one, who, when the Avater was thrown into her face, instead of the usual crv \vhich o-ener- ally follows after that process, only opened wide a pair of magnificent blue eyes and smiled. There is, we beheve, a superstitious idea connected with the circumstance of a child not crying when it is christened ; old nurses con- sider it. so unlucky if they remain passive when the water is splashed upon the face, that we have heard tell of their infiictino; sOme triflino; bodily pain to elicit the desired ebullition. " And what will be the future fate of those two childi'en ? " might have been the suggestive idea of some inquiring spectator. Peace and prosperity were the present characteristics of the blooming little Violetta ; sickness, sorrow, and misery, those of the widow's unpromising Mary. But these beautiful words of consola- tion and hope might also be the thought of some ffood Christians, as thev watched the mother press the poor infant tenderly to her (')•') THK LITTLE BEAUTY. heart, iind turn her meek eyes uj)\vards, to in- vite a blessin{^ from tlic Fntlier of the fntlier- less upon lier siVkly chiUl : "God tempers the wind to the shorn humh." " Young sir, if you })k^asc, my missus is agreeable that your mother slioukl come to *.-* t.' our liousc and have a [j,iass of wine; it is close by, and I'm sure, poor soul, she stands in need of it." These kind words were spoken, and a friendly hand was laid upon little Julian's shoulder, as he was followinix his mother out of the church, just after the christening cere- monv was concluded. Mrs ]\liller — seeinu; at once that jMrs Hope had created a sensation, and that, notwith- standing her un])r( tending exterior, she was certainly not a nobody, iuid whose heart besides, with all its folly, was not without its softness, and was particulaily vulnerable when children were concerned — without hesitation seconded her husband's earnest recpiest that the party from the farm might be invited to their house before they returned home. The invitation was gently declined; A[rs Hope said she Avas anxious to return home on the bal)y's accomit. ami Mrs Miller, with real good-will, then offer- THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 61 ed to be of use, could her advice and experience be of any service to Mrs Hope in the manage- ment of her aihng infant. In fact, the clever nurse longed to take in hand and exercise her skill upon the child, seeing at one glance that it simply wanted such good tending as only herself could achieve. ^Irs Hope gratefully accepted the offer, too glad of assistance in a science in which she felt she was deficient, that of rearing so tender a plant as a delicate babe. ]\lrs Miller ])romised to call at the farm the next day, and thus commenced an acquaintance between the two famihes. ]\Irs ^filler really proved of the greatest use to the poor young widow, enlarg- ing her limited knowledge of nursery manage- ment . The clever, experienced practitioner soon wrought wonders upon the health and appear- ance of little Mary, and though she could, neither in beauty nor size, ever bear any com- parison with the beautiful Violet, she grew plump and calm, and her small pale face lost the expression of pain which she seemed to have brought into the world with her. And Julian was proud and happy, dividing his love between the two babies. He was often at the forge, having established a wonderfully good ()2 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. understanding ])ct\vecn liinisclf and Frank Miller, whose admiration for the boy was some- thing marvellous ; and indeed Mrs Miller, who seldom sympathized in her husband's tastes, fully entered into this. Julian was in eveiy way " genteel." Comme il faut, she would have liked to have said, but could not quite venture. 7 But inde})endent of her knowledge that the boy's father and connections were in a supe- rior grade of life, she was naturally fond of children ; that was her one redeeming point ; and Jidian's sweet dis])osition and winning ways soon won her heart, particularly when the little Violet began to know him, and to hold out her arms to him, never being known to weep so bitterly as when he was obliged to leave her. Frank Miller was a man of cjood capacity, and by no means vulgar mind. ile was getting on in the world ; made the su])erintendent of the Glenmore stables, with a lar";e salarv, where a noble stud was always ke])t ; not that the young Marquis cared for horses, — his tastes were studious and sedentarv, but he considered it his dutv to keep up what aj)peared an heir-loom, and left the arrangements of the large concern en- THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 63 tirely to Frank ^Miller, in whom he placed the most imphcit confidence. The business of the forge thrived well under his management, and he was also much employed in the neighbourhood as a horse doctor, so that his pecuniary affairs were most flourishing, and even ]\lrs jMillcr was beginning to be rather proud of her handsome spouse, when she saAv him dressed in trim attire, riding off on a right good nag, on veterinary business intent ; and so several years passed away. * -s *- * * " A letter for Mistress Miller ! " the post- man was heard to say, as he delivered one at the blacksmith's door one summer's morning, — and joyful were its contents, " Dear nurse," wrote Lady Violet, " I am sure you will be glad to hear that we are to spend the summer at the Court. In a fortnight we are to be at our dear old home, and there you must be to meet us. How deUghted we shall be to see you, dear Rose, and my little god-daughter, no words can describe ! " And joyful indeed was Mrs Miller, when, with all a mother's pride, she adorned her beautiful daughter to meet her noble patrons. No wonder the vain woman exulted in the 64 THE LITTLK BEAUTY. sui^ifissing lovi'liness of the child— loveliness which, ill fact, could scarcely be surpassed, if equalled. Mrs Miller Avas at her post, waiting in the hall of the Couit to receive the family the day of their arrival, little Violet by her side, dressed to perfection. She was not disappointed with the meed of praise which was so enthusiastically bestowed upon the little creature, and sincerely happy was the mirse, her heart warming towards all her be- loved nurslings, particularly towards the young Lord Victor, her last petted charge ; and the boy, a fine dark-haired child, seemed at once to take to his former friend, and delighted her bv his entire admiration of her child. Indeed, Violet seemed to stand a good chance of being pulled to ])ieces by her new friends, but she bore it well, and most condescendingly dis- tributed her smiles and kisses, and accepted with wonderful ease of manner the presents which were showered upon her. Nurse Rose was atrain in her clement. CHAPTER VI, Happy times were these, when the young ladies were for ever running in and out of the cottage, and Lord Victor was never happy but when either there liimself, or he had httle Violet at the Court. " And who is that boy I met in the garden, leading by the hand a pale little girl ? " asked Lady Violet of Mrs Miller one morning, during one of her visits. " I have several times seen him, and been struck by his appearance ; there is something so very peculiar about him." " Oh, I suppose you mean young Julian Hope," replied Mrs Miller. " Yes, now I remember Mr Vernon talking VOL. I. 5 06 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. of the Hopes ; tell me sonietlung more about tlicin, dear Rose; that boy has interested me more than T can describe." " Well, he is a good boy, that I must con- fess," answered ^Irs Miller ; " and, my dear, do you know, he is a gentleman all over." And then she proceeded to tell the story of the family, of course brinijino; herself forward as the most impoi-tant performer in the last years of the narrative; saying how she had saved the puny girl's life by her wonderful management ; how she had assisted the poor miserable mother, and put her into the way of getting on. " "ion know, my dear, she is above the connnon line, has had a good education, ])ut, poor thing ! a more ignorant creature in the ways of the world never did I see ; and as tor liaudling a baby, such bungling work! it was cruel to behold tlic [)oor child left to her tender mercy ; it made my blot)d boil." " Rut, dear Rose," interposed Lady Violet, anuised at the nurse's vehemence in the cause of her vocation, " you ought to have remember- t^d that vou stood alone as the (piecii of all nurses — no one was ever like you ; 1 dare say poor Mrs Hope did her best." " Well, yes, poor body, I suppose she did ; THE LITTLE BEAUTY. G7 and it was the first time slie had had to nurse a baby all by herself." "Are they very poor ? " inquired Lady Violet. " Why, as to that, I believe they have little enough, but J\Irs Hope brings up that boy very well, keeps him aloof from every one in the village but ourselves ; and as for ]\Ir Vernon," she added, with a slight toss of her head, " he makes fuss enough, and to spare, about the boy ; I wonder it does not turn his head. I believe he would keep him from us if he could — no- thing good enough for him but his own spoilt child ; but, no, Julian loves my darling as much,if not more, than he does that little white- faced sister of his. As for Frank, he is as great a fool as any one about the boy, and makes as much ado about him as if he were one of mv Lady's own sons. He teaches him to ride, and is never so happy as when they are doing some- thinor too;ether." " I like to hear that, nurse," exclaimed the young lady with great feeling ; " I am so glad to find you have such a kind, good husband." " Yes, kind enough, I will say, but I can assure you. Lady Violet" — and Mrs Miller pursed up her mouth, and put on a consequen- tial air — " he has required a good deal of school- 6S THE LITTLE BEAUTY. ing ; you little know Avlint T have had to go through — so uiiserable 1 was wlieu 1 first married." "Were you, iudeed?" said Lady Violet, af- fectionately embracing her nurse as she pre- ])ared to take her departure. " I am sorry to hear that, but I am sure you are happy enough now, dear Rose : I think you are much to be envied with such a good husband, such a sweet child, and such a pretty cottage as this." That evening at the Coui-t, during dinner, Julian Hope was the subject of conversation. The Manpiis was a young man of a serious turn of mind, fond of grave literary pursuits, amiable and kindly disposed, though reserved ill his deportment towards strangers, and retiring in his habits. He had that morning called upon the rector, and had been shown into the study. Mr Vernon was not in the room, but Lord Glenmore found it occuj)ied by a boy reading at a table covered with lesson books, who rose inunediately on his entrance, and was about to leave the room, when the young lord, attracted by that indescribable expression in his face which seemed to draw everv one towaixls him, laid his hand upon his shoulder and asked him THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 09 what he was studying ? It was a Greek author. Lord Glenmore continued to converse with him, pleased and sm-prised by his sensible re- plies given in so gentleman-like a manner, until Mr A-'ernon entered, and Julian took up his books and left the room. "What a de- hojhtfid bov that is of vours, ]\Ir Yernon!" was Lord Glenmore's exclamation when thev were alone. " I wish indeed he was mine," said Mr Vernon ; " he is a boy any father might be proud of. Poor fellow, and his fate is a most sad and apparently unjust one ; could you believe that this boy's uncle is the rich and influential Mr Hope of Lilford Towers, and yet that he is left for support and education to the sole care of his mother, who has not more than a pittance to maintain him and his little sister? " " I know something of ]\Ir Hope of Lilford Towers," replied the Marquis ; " he is a neigh- bour of ours in — shire ; he makes himself very conspicuous in the political world ; our views do not agree, and I cannot say I am prepos- sessed in his favour. He certainly looks a hard man, but I have heard that he has do- mestic afflictions, which may account for his 70 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. gloomy appciiraiife : one son a confiriucd crip- ple ; the otlitT hopelessly wild." " A hard man he must assuredly be," re- joined Mr Vernon, " dead to all good feelings, to allow his brother's children to be brought up in ])overty, when he is overwhelmed with wealth." The Marquis, as he left the rectory, again encountered Julian, who was helping the cler- gyman's little daughter in some gardening employment. He renew(Ml his kindly notice of the bov, asking; him to the Court the en- suing day, to join the young i)arty who dined at luncheon time, and to which little Sylvia Vernon, who was a gi-eat pet of the Ladies Lvle, had been invited. A delightful time, indeed, this was to the children, not only of the ('ourt, but those surrounding it. A universal holiday seemed to be held, nothing but pleasure the order of the day. The Marchioness, a most indidgent mother, held the reins of government with the gentlest hand ; and with no father to interpose prudence, order, and those necessary restraints which a man's clear judgment at once sees necessary and enforces, the younc; family had their own way as much as it was possible. They THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 71 were, however, an amiable party, tlie three girls promismg well ; the eldest nearly reaching the age of womanhood, in all ways " lovelv, and of good report ;" the young ]\Iarqnis truly ex- cellent in all essential points, only wanting more confidence in himself — more ability to play the part assigned to him in the great drama of life, — a conspicuous part, for which he did not seem quite fitted ; a quiet sphere — a life of contemplation and study appearing bet- ter adapted to him. But it was ordered other- wise, and he was willino; and desirous to fulfil his destiny well and conscientiously. Lord Victor was so vouno; that it would, I/O perhaps, have been premature to judge of his future character at that period. Certainly, all that coidd then be said might be summed up in the remark that he was a most beautifid boy, labouring under the disadvantage of being the youngest child of a widowed mother, and most perniciously indulged from his earhest years. All the family seemed spell-bound by the little despot, and vied with each other in succumbing to his tyrannical and, too often, most unamiable Avill. Sylvia Vernon was another juvenile dramatis persona, whom, as a futm-e character of in- 72 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. terest in \h\ii story, we must here present to our readers. The liigli-s])iritcd, vivacious little daut;liter of the rector drank her fill of en- joynient, grew wilder, more excital)le every hour under the influence of the never-failiuij anmsement which prevailed, much to the horror of a most strait-laced governess her father had provided for her; fondly hoping, good man, that her strict views and careful management might, in a measure, counteract the indulgence he felt he was pouring with too unsparing a hand unon his child. CHAPTEE VII. From this time might be dated a new era in the existence of Jiihan and his mother. The ^Marchioness and her daii<2;hters \dsited Mrs Hope, and were at once attracted by the superior bearing of the ^^ddow, and dehglited with her young son. How soothingly their attentions fell upon the heart of the forlorn yomig woman can only be uuaoined h\ those who have suffered, as she had done, the loneliness of bereavement and desertion. Julian, as well as his mother and little sister, were now very often at the Court ; Lady Glenmore thought that Jidian's society would be advantageous to the over-indulged 74 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. Lord Victor, and fain would li(\ l)oth from respect and gratitude towards those wlio were so good to liini, and the natural att'cctionate (juidity of his heart, have attached liiniself to and endeavoured to conciliate the unrulv bov. But, strange to say, thougli so beloved and admired ))y all the other members of the family, Lord Victor seemed from the fii-st to conceive a dislike to him. Tt was, doubtless, in its com- mencement a feeling (jf chihlish envy and jealousy at hearing Julian's praises, perha])s a little injudiciously, poured into his ears by his sisters, who, wearied out sometimes by the tyrannical exigeancc of the spoilt child, would hold up the other boy as an object for his imitation. Human nature unaided by fixed principle can rarely bear rivalry. Rochefoucauld says : " The truest mark of being born with great (|ualities is to be born without envy;" and this dark spot, which showed itself so early, and in so conspicuous a manner, in the character of the boy, was no earnest of future excellence. Lord Victor had, from the moment he first ])eheld her, taken a violent fancy to the little Violet, and until Julian's introduction to the THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 75 Court, had reigned supreme in her baby-smiles and caresses ; she was his complete plaything. But now she had become a bone of contention. He never coidd forget that the little girl, however happy she might have been before his arrival, immediately on Jidian's entrance rushed from him into Julian's arms, the proud httle Lord becoming from that moment quite a secondary object to the small beauty. " I hate and detest that Julian Hope," he said one day whilst ricHng on his pony with a young groom, his special escort on those occasions, and a great favourite with the boy. "Do you, my Lord ? I shoidd not think that worth your while ; what is such a one as him to you; that poor-looking, paled-faced lad?" was the rejoinder only to l^e expected from such a confidant. " Yes, but it is not pleasant to hear my sisters from morning till night saying how good he is, so much better than I am ; even mamma says so, and tells me to be like him ; she never spoke so before. And that baby Violet, too, does she not push me away, and behave quite rudely if I try to make her come to me when he is near ? " The groom grinned. 76 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. " Never mind, my Lord, stop a 1)it ; she won't do tliat a few years honee ; wait till yon are both men, and tlien see whicli she will like best ; whether she will not snap her fingers at that beggarly lad." " I wish that time was come then ; Avonld not I like to vex and plague him? Don't you hate people who are thought better than you, Tom? I dor " Why, as to the matter of that, Lord Victor, I am so used to that there. I never was thoui>-ht much of a good 'un, so it is nothing; to me to be abused whilst others are praised. If I were vou, I shouldn't care about the spooney fellow ; you'll soon be a rare 'un my little Lord." And this was the companion the little Lord most delighted in ; one of the most ill-condition- ed lads in the Marquis's stable department ; but clever and sharpwitted, he had made him- self a great favourite with the bov, beirinnino; by running by the side of his dimiiuitive Shet- land pony, and entering into all his out-door amusements, thus recommending himself to tlie Marchioness, who extended her favonr to all those who added to the enjoyment of her s])oilt dailing. THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 77 How little do mothers estimate tlie direful effects, the pernicious consequences of the early association of their sons with low minds and persons of vicious habits ; it is poison to the mental health, which is seldom ever eradicated. We know that the impressions of early youth are ever the most indelible, either for good or for ill ; the seeds of evil once sown will spring up some time or other, unless de- stroyed by means superhuman. Tom, the groom, had his own reasons for his spite against Julian Hope, and for widening the breach between him and the young Lord Victor. Frank Miller had taken gi"eat pains to make Julian a fearless rider. Lord Glen- more sent all his horses to Brooklands that they might be broke under the auspices of the experienced ex-head groom. Frank had free liberty to use any of the ^Marquis's stud, and he used to mount Julian at an earh^ age con- stantly upon horses which had been sent down to be trained for the special use of the young ladies. Tom Jones never forgave the boy Jidian for being able to sit a mare which had thrown him over her head several times, and for hav- ing, by his hght hand and good seat, made 78 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. the animal so inaiiagcabk', that it j>roved a safe and ])lc'asant liorse for Lady Violet. Frank j\lilicr was apt to boast a little too loudly of his favourite's feats in that line, hringhig upon Julian the jealousy and spite of many a youth- ful stable menial. Nothing ottends so keenly the self-love of men, particularly in early youth, as any supe- ri(jrity in others, on such })()ints as touch upon their personal pro\vess. Learning, nay, even any degree of perfection in the cardinal virtues obsei-ved in others, weighs lightly in the bal- ance, in conij)arison with jthose superficial ad- vantages which touch upon the pride of man- hood. How generally, in oin- great schools, is the hero of the day, not the scholar — the bov distinguished by conduct worthy of a Christian — but the one who has pi-oved himself the mightiest in the fight — in the cricket field ; who can beat all in the race, and every athletic sport ; whose escapades have filled the masters' hearts with indignation and dismay, and his coni|)ani()ns with a morbid species of intense ad- miration. And in the case of our vouui? Julian, — no one in the Glenmore stables would have gru(lg(Ml tile pale, unj)retending boy his good- ness, his knowledge, and his manifest supe- THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 79 riority of biitli and education, bnt when his sHght form was seen placed triumphantly by Frank ]\Iiller on horses Tom Jones's rough hands could never guide ; when Frank Miller, who was considered infallible, — as the most knowing man in that line in England, — was always singing his praises, telling every stranger that he could showthem a sight — a boy who looked as dehcate as a vouna; ladv, but who had the heart of a lion — such pluck — such courage — such a hand — such a seat — coidd sit an}1:hing, manage the most vicious, the most unbroken animal, then chd the stable-men, like their young lord, " hate Jidian Hope." " I have thought of a plan for Julian Hope," said Lord Glenmore, at breakfast one morning. " Our uncle. Lord Littledale, is one of the Governors of Burleigh House ; I shall write and ask him, as a special favour, either to give or procm-e for me a nomination for the boy." This idea was received with much applause by the assembled party ; and Lord Glenmore \^Tote to his uncle by that day's post. Before the family again deserted the Comt, at the end of summer, the request was granted, and Lord Littledale informed his nephew that a noniin- 80 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. ation was at his disposal for the ensuing spring. Mrs Hope received the intelhgence from Lord Glenmore's own- Ups, and her gratitude was in proportion to the boon that was con- ferred. The Marquis further promised that he, as well as his mother, should continue to watch over the welfare of her son when in London ; and proposed that he should go to his house in the first instance, so that he might himself be enabled to accompany him to Bur- leigh House. On taking leave of the widow, Avho was already overwhelmed by his kindness, the considerate young man, in the most delicate manner, begged her acceptance of a note of some value. " My dear Mrs Hope," he said, " I consider Julian henceforth quite my charge ; therefore I must request you will accept this gift for his sake ; you will have some extra expenses on his accoimt before he leaves you ; and believe me, that I rejoice to be able in any way to lighten vour cares." Kind, good man ! the bread cast upon the waters will return to you — it will be yoiu- com- fort in after days, should sickness or sorrow be your lot, to remember how you befriended the THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 81 fatherless and the widow. It was a melan- choly time at Brooklands, those few months which preceded Juhan's departure,'^ and, as the day drew near, many hearts besides the mother's were very heavy. The boy had en- deared himself to all who knew him well. Mr Vernon had redoubled his exertions in forward- ing his studies, in order that he might at once take a high place in the school, and he felt that his departure would create a void in his exist- ence not easy to endure. And Mr Vernon's little daughter Sylvia en- tered most warmly into her father's feelings of regret at the idea of parting with one who had for so long been her friend and play-fellow — always kind and ready to do the bidding of the indulo:ed onlv child of the Avidowed rector. " What shall I do without Julian ?" she said in a mournful tone of voice to her governess, as she walked in the pretty garden surround- ing the rectory, a few days previous to his de- parture. " AVlio will help me this spring to sow allmy seeds? — and so much we were going to do — such improvements ! Now I shall never care for mv garden a^ain. I shall tell old Rolierts he mav do what he likes with it. I'll VOL. I. 6 82 TiiK j.iTTLK iu:autv. not dig or water it any more. Oh, that horrid Burlt'igh House ! I wish there was no such phice in tlie worhl." " I am very sorry to liear you talk so fool- ishly, Miss Vernon," replied her grave-looking instructress ; " it is no proof of your regard for Julian ll()i)e, wishing to deprive him of so valuable a boon as a good education ; had he been vour brother, vou Avould still have had to part \\ ith him in order that he nught go to some school or collco:e." " Brother ! I like Julian Hope better than twenty brothers !" exclaimed the impetuous little lady. " I don't think brothers, in general, are half so kind to their sisters as ho has been to me. Look at Lord Victor, that nauo'htv bov, how he fic-hts Avith his sisters : how little he cares whether they are pleased oi- not, so that he has it all his OAvn way : and the boys at Ashton Hall, when they are at home for the holidavs, I am sure thev are rude and rou2;li enough to the jMiss Somenilles, who are all glad when they go off to school again. How different from Jvdian I" " I quite agree with you, my dear, that he is a Acry superior boy, and for that veiy reason THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 83 you ought more than ever to rejoice that he is about to receive a good education, which may assist his career through hfe. Poor boy, I fear his case is a very forlorn one." "Well, I am sm^e," now sobbed forth the httle girl, " I hope this hoiTid school may do him good, but I know it will make me very unhappy to lose him, and so it will Mrs Hope and little Mary." " Yes, I can feel for his mother, whose only comfort he has been ; but I am quite ashamed of you, Miss Vernon, for giving way in this most childish manner upon a subject which ought to be of such minor importance to you." "Ashamed of me. Miss Wilkinson?" the httle lady exclaimed, indignant sparks now flashing from her before tearful eyes ; " you are very cruel, you ought to be very sorry for me when you see how miserable I am. I shall go to papa — he will pity me." And the impulsive child rushed off, and never slackened her pace until she had reached the study. There she paused, for she heard voices within ; one she distinguished as Julian's. She opened the door, then entered so gently. 84 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. that at first she was not perceived. The boy was kneehng before Mr Vernon, his liead bent down upon the rector's knees -, he was evidently weeping, and ]Mr A'^ernon's countenance bore traces of emotion, but he was now saying with attempted cheerfulness, "Come, you must cheer lip, dear boy ; we nmst not look sad when your mother and little j\larv arrive to dimier, and voii know we have a ijreat deal to do this even- ing. Sylvia has a grand plan of amusement in store for us." " But Sylvia does not care for anything now, she never will be happy again !" she exclaimed ; and once more her tears burst forth as she ran forward and threw her arms round her dear playmate's neck, and wept upon his bosom. Poor Sylvia, it makes one tremble for her future fate, to see her so excitable in her feel- ings at her age ! What a promise does it give of a life of exags;erated trouble and unrest ! ' " Life is a sea where storms must rise, 'Tib folly talks of cloudless skies." She will, no doubt, have nuich to encomiter, but we must lK)])e that she possesses within her the genus of counteracting f[ualities ; that amidst the keen susceptibility of her nature THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 85 she has been blessed with reason sufficient to control her feelings, and when more matured in age and experience, will be able to view more calmly the path of life appointed for her, and say, when her passion strives for mastery, " Thus far shalt thou go, and no further." CHAPTER YIII. Julian left Brooklands in company with Mrs ^liller and licr little daughter, who had also been invited to spend a few weeks with the Glemnore family at Whitehall Gar- dens. This was a most kind arrangement, and very much softened the pain of separation to the boy. It was, however, a melancholy party that stood on the railway platfomi, watching the departure of the train : none, however, so demonstrative in their grief as Sylvia Vernon, who made no endeavour to conceal her impatient sorrow. " Oh ! Julian, Julian, what shall I do with- out you ? " were the last words he heard, as THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 87 he was Imrriecl into the carriage, and his young heart responded warmly to all the affectionate regret evinced on his account ; tnily sorrowing for his mother, who, he well knew, must miss his society so bitterly. Por had he not been everythino; to her for so long ? We neyer could agree with Juliet — " That parting is such siveet sorrow;" rather substitute the word hitter ! All was change and novelty to the uninitiated Julian. They were travelling in great comfort, accordino; to the directions received from Lord Glenmore, in a first-class carriage, Madam Miller as grand as a Duchess, " I always make it a rule," she said, " to d^ess well on a journey ; it is wonderful how it raises people ; none of your scrub dresses fo" me on such occasions ; and a pair of new g.oves is quite indispensable." Violet also sported the most becoming of trivelling costumes. The good woman had forgotten nothing that c(uld administer to the comfort of herself and tie children ; a basket, a dear friend of former jaimeys, was filled with the most tempting sfndwiches, cakes, and fiTiits, ready to be pro- 88 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. chiced at tlic first approach of liuiigcr. Julian's tears, whicli fell at first in abundance, were soon kissed away by the pretty Violet, who had iunnediately established herself on his knee — her favourite seat. She had also shed a few tears on leaving Frank Miller's arms, when he placed her in the carriage, for she was a loving little soid, and doted on her father. The poor man was very loath to part with his little darling, but she would soon retuni. His sorrow at Jidian's departure was his great- est troid)le just then. " I fear he will never be the same to me; they will make a fine gentleman of him, and I love him as my own. Yes, Madam," lie said, addressing himself to ]\Irs Hope, after brushing his hand hastily across his eyes, "I pity you to have lost such a lad; but I sup- pose it's all right, and best for him, so try 1o bear up." And the poor mother did try 1o bear up, as she walked back to her desola:c lionie ; hers had always been a life of tryirg " to bear up." i The travellers sped on cheerily enough. At first they had the carriage to themselves, bit soon other passengers got in. Mrs Milhr THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 89 was in lier glory ; she felt that she had re- turned to her original element — the most im- portant person in the travelling suite of the Marchioness of Glenmore. At this moment, however, she was herself the great ladv in her owi\ right. Violet soon fell fast asleep in Juhan's arms; her hat removed, her splendid hair fallinsr in such beautiful rindets over her face and neck, her cheeks flushed with the brightest peach-blossom tint, she certainly looked the perfection of beauty. Proudly swelled the mother's heart as she listened to all the rapturous admiration bestowed on the lovely child by her fellow-passengers. How surprised would the fine ladies have been, who travelled with them for a short distance, had thev kno\Mi the real circumstances of the fairy beauty whose aristocratic featiu-es, finely moulded limbs, and general beaiing stamped her in their consideration as a child of condi- tion, something quite above the common line, travelling, as they supposed, with her brother and nursery governess ; for, notwithstanding her silk dress, handsome shawl, and floating veil, to say nothing of a pair of bright lilac gloves draAMi tightly over her plump hands, Mrs Miller did not look unmistakably a lady. DO THE LITTLE BEAITV. And, for the consolutiou oi' those hidies whose servants dress far smarter than themselves, we would remark that thonorh " Eine feathers make fine birds," they rarely disguise the real j)()sition of the wearer. A lady seldom looks anything hut a lady, even in a dress of the shabbiest description ; A\hereas, ape her betters as she may, heap on iiowers and ribbons, liounres and furbeloAvs, there is alwavs a certain indescribable some- thing which draws a decided line of demarca- tion between the two classes, which, we should say, rarely fails to note their distinctive posi- tions. How wonder-struck would have been Violet's fellow-passengers, — great ladies, who got out at Slough and entered a royal carriage which was in attendance for them — ladies in waiting to her Majesty, we suppose, — if some little bird had Avhispered in their ear that the sleeping beauty Avas a " village blacksmith's daughter ! " Tliere was another passenger in the railway carriage whose gaze seemed to be attracted, not to the contcm])lation of the charms of the little girl, but to the countenance of the boy, on whose bosom she reclined in so pic- turesque an attitude. THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 91 He was an elderly man, upon whose stern features were impressed the Imes of grave thought and care ; care which had not softened, but rather hardened, his natural character. Julian was far too engrossed with his darling little charge to remark the fartive glances the stranger cast ever and anon upon him ; and w^hose brow darkened and contracted from the influence of some inward feeling, either of displeasure or pain, whilst he gazed upon him ; and who then turned away with a groan-like sigh, and busied himself again mth his book, as if provoked with himself for dwelling upon some idea which might have crossed his brain, Avith a seeming determination not to look again, but Avho soon, as if forgetting this resolve, ap;ain fixed his eves unconsciouslv, as it were, upon the boy. Mrs Miller, however, who Avas wide awake to what passed, saw it all. At first she thought it was her beautiful child who had attracted the gentleman's notice, and, flattered as she always was by such demonstrations, with a simper addressed him, mincing her words, as was her custom when wishing particularly to play the lady. "A pretty child, is she not, sir?" she said. 9:2 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. The stranger looked round upon her with a sort of amazed disdain. It seemed that he considered tliat a sufHcient answer, but the simper continuing, awaiting his reply, he said, in the shortest manner possible, " No doubt. Madam I " and turned his eyes resolutely upon his book, and his back upon her. " A nide unmannerly brute ! " was the in- ward ejaculation oi" the outraged mother. " I suppose it was Julian, then, that he was staring at in that fierce manner ; well, I wonder what he thought of him; he certainly looks very Avell to-day, with his cheeks so flushed and dressed so nicely, and I should like to know who is to be thanked for that ; a pretty figure his mother would have sent him off", if I had not gone twice with him to the tailor's and given directions about his clothes, and seen them tried on. After all, there is no- thing particular to stare at in the boy ; he is a good child and looks pleasant, that's all." At this moment Violet awoke, and Julian gladly consigned her to her mother. He had been for some time hmging to go to the other window, from whence he had been told that he could obtain a passing glini})se of Windsor Castle ; and no sooner was he released THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 93 from his burden, than he darted head-long towards it, unmindful of the gentleman's legs, over which he nearly tumbled. AVith a " beg yom- pardon, sir," and a smiling glance at the stem face, he fearlessly took his seat opposite to him, looking anxiously out of the window, saying, "Please, Mrs Miller, tell me exactly w^hen I ought to look out for it." After a few minutes had elapsed, Julian, whose head had continued pertinaciously lean- ing out of the window, was almost startled by a deep voice close to him, which said : " What do you want to see ? " " Windsor Castle, sir," the boy replied. " Then there it is." Far too swiftly for Julian sped the train, giving him but a transient view of the proud old pile so full of storied and poetical interest, rearing its irregular walls and massive towers like a mural crown round the brow of a lofty ridge, and waving its royal banner in the air upon the surrounding world. The boy was breathless, speechless, from the intensity of his feelings ; he remained silent for a few minutes, and then said : " I am so glad I have seen it ; how I have longed to do so ! " 94 THE LITTLE BEAUTY, " And you are not disappointed in your ex- pectations ? " the gentlenuni inquired. " Oh, 110, not at all ; it is tine, it is beautiful, just what I had pictured to niyseli" from what I have read, and seen in prints. But, sir, have you ever been there ? " " Frequently." " Inside tlie Castle ? " " Yes, very often." " And vou have seen the Queen and Roval family ? " " I have." Julian's eves seemed to o;i-o\v larger and larger as his wonder and curiosity increased. The stranger's covmtenance almost relaxed into something resembling a smile, as he watched the genuine simplicity and freshness of the hoy's incpiiring mind. "Oh, sir," Julian 'persisted, " do tell me some- thing about them. I do so wish to see the Queen, and the Princes and Princesses." " You seem to be a very loyal subject, youiig gentleman," the stranger remarked. " Yes, that I am, enthusiastically so," he re- plied. " I cannot tell you how I love the Queen, which is perhaps extraordinary, as I never saw her; but I hear of her, and all that I hear THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 95 makes me love and admire her more and more every day. I do so long to serve lier in some way or another ; bnt what can I do ? Mr Ver- non says the time may come." The gentleman smiled again, but now Avith a sarcastic expression. "Are we not near London?" exclaimed Juhan, a new interest chasing the last, and he pidled out with some degree of ostentation a little watch with which his mother had that day presented hhn. It had been his father's. " Five o'clock ! we shall soon be there," he said joyfully. He did not look at his opposite neighbonr, so engaged was he with his pleasant thonghts and the readjustment of his newly-acquired treasm-e, or he might ha^' e been struck, nay, even startled, by the singular manner with which the stranger fixed his eyes upon the little, rather shabby, watch, one which had been presented to his father on going first to school, when he was about the age of Julian. It was not, how- ever, of a common description, but rather peculiar from being evidently of foreign manu- facture, curiouslv chased on the outside, and a small chain and two little seals were suspended 96 Tin: litti-k beauty. from it. At that inomcnt Violet, who had seen some object wliicli attracted her wonder, called out in a loud voice : " Julian, Julian, come here!" and the Ijoy quickly obeyed. And noAV the train has reached the Pad- dington Station, and all is bustle and deliu;lit- i'ld confusion to the children. Julian does not bestow another glance upon the un])re])Ossess- ing stranger, who, nevertheless, watches him with, one might almost say, an anxious and pertm'bed expression. A tall, ])owdered foot- man speedily puts his head into the carriage. Mrs Miller says, " Yes, here we are, Thomas ! " the door is opened, and they find themselves on the platform, jostled about in a manner which makes Violet cling to her 3'oung com- l)anion with rather a frightened air. However, soon, with Thomas's assistance, Mrs ]\Iiller hnds her boxes, which are all put into a cab, and the exiiMiu^ ci-dcvcmt head-nurse, swelling with importance, is handed with her young com])anions into a carriage, upon whose panels is emblazoned a ^larquis's coronet. " All riirht ! " cries Thomas, and awav they whirl. The strange gentleman stands and watches THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 97 all this. " Wonderful ! " lie ejaculated, as he also entered his carriage, which Avas in waiting for him ; and, to judge by his countenance, he seemed to carry away "with him an additional " thorn in the flesh." TOL. I. CHAPTER IX. It was indeed a Aveek of eniovmcnt to Jidiaii, tlio one he spent in Whitehall Gardens ; and tliis period over, Lord Glcnmore took upon himself the office of introducing; his young 2yrotcgc to the new life which was before him. It was not a very bright day, in any sense of the word, that on which Julian first entered Burleigh House, but the excitement of driving through th(! bustling streets of tlie city in some degree dispelled his sorrow at parting from his kind friends ; the sun, too, began to biighten the hitherto gloomy day, and his spirits revived with the usual elasticity of his age. But again his heart sank as the gates THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 99 opened, and, passing the porter's lodge, he looked for the first time on the gloomy pile ; whilst, as the carriage drew up before the masters' house, he saw numbers of boys who were loitering about and staring at the new " gown boy " wth scrutinizing, and perhaps supercilious, glances, for school boys have an inherent inclination to quiz all fresh comers. He was courteously received by the head- master, and the short examination which was necessary soon ended in a most satis- factory manner ; for so pleased was the Doctor with Julian's proficiency, that he said he should be placed at once in the second form — a great triumph for one just entering the school. " You have been well prepared, young gen- tleman. At what school have you been edu- cated ? " " I never was at school," Julian answered, tears rising in his eyes when he thought of the kind friend who had done so much for him. " Well," continued the Doctor, "whoever has taught you deserves the greatest credit." And Julian went forth with a lightened heart and brightened eye. 100 THE LITTLE BEAITV. How many have reason to bless the iiiinii- ficcnt foniukM", wliosc recumbent effi2cy, tliongh })laced in a dark corner, is the principal object of attraction in tlie cliajiel of l^nrk'iii;li House ! Jidian's interest and curiosity rose to the highest pitch the further he explored the wonders of the old place. After examining for a lengthened period every object of inter- est, Lord Glenmore, who had fully entered into all his pleasure in inspecting the ancient structure, was forced to remind him that the moment of ])arting was at hand. They had, however, one other introduction to go through ; to the goAvn boys' matron, into whose hands Julian was finally to be delivered. Those were the days when Mother K. — so she was generally and allowedly designated by the boys — held her genial sway over this por- tion of the establishment. And a mother truly might the good woman have been called, for maternal was she in her never-failing care towards every boy who was so fortunate as to be the object of her unwearying attention. Lord Glenmore and -lulian were nshered into a snug low room, not particularly bright- looking, with its only ];)rospect from the THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 101 windows, the burial ground of the pensioners, but which soon Uglited up into cheerfuhiess beneath the cheery influence of its occupant. There sat the worthy woman, surrounded by heaps of worsted stockings, looking almost as round and soft as the balls of lambs-wool from which she was mending fractures innumer- able. "Well, my dear boy, so you are come at last ! — we have been expecting you this week past," was the cordial greeting given in a voice so truly kind that Julian's heart felt imme- diately cheered. " Now you must keep up yoiu* spirits," she continued to say, as with experienced eye she soon read the expression of the l)oy's counte- nance. " It will be a little strange and rough at first, but take my word for it, and I think I ought to know, you'll be as merry as any of them this day fortnight ; and if you are, as yom^ kind friend there tells me, a good and studious boy, why, you'll get on, and your life will he pleasant enough, I promise you." But even these kind words did not avail to check the tears Avhich would start from Jidian's eyes as he bade farewell to the kind yomig Marquis. 102 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. It was, indeed, a very novel position for a boy never before separated from his home, and left witli strangers ; therefore we must excuse what the present insouciant race of scliool- boys might deem a s})ooney proceeding. Lord Glenmore promised an early visit, and left his young friend, whom he really loved, with sincere regret. " You shall drink tea with me this evening, dear boy," Mrs K. said, " but now be off with Loftus, that tall man who has just put his head in at the door (this was meant for a small gown boy, who had half entered the room) ; he will take you about a little, he is a sharp one, I know ; and then come ])ack, and we will have a cozy cup of tea together." And soon Julian found himself in the midst of his future companions, enduring, as hero- ically as he might, the curious, and often im- pertinent, modes of reception to which a new boy is always subjected. He did not, however, meet with anything peculiarly offensive to his feelings ; there Avas something in his countenance and manners which disarmed the most ready to sting the sensitive heart of the uninitiated, and Julian returned to Mrs K. with brightened THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 103 spirits, and sat ([o\va to tea Avitli good appetite. Dear good woman ! how many there must be who remember her with immixed feehngs of gratitude and affection, whom her kindness has solaced, not only in sickness, but in sori'ow and heaviness of heart ; how many a mother just parted from a beloved child has been comforted by the idea of her watchful care; she was, indeed, the friend of all — ■ masters, boys, all succumbed to her strong sense and clear views of everything ; all were strengthened to walk in the way they should go by the judicious advice of Mother K. She _had a soothing word for all — for the wayward boy, for the irritated master ; a hard rule was made gentler by her milder suggestion, and a hard heart softened by her persuasion. The epitaph which is to be found on an unos- tentatious tablet, erected by the scholars in the chapel of Burleigh House, is sunply and beautifidlv illustrative of her character, when it says : "She gave constant proof of the power which motherly kindness, combined with prudence, and directed by Christian principle, possesses, to wia the love and respect of the young, and to prepare them to give ear to affectionate warning and earnest advice. Uji TIIK LITTLE BEAUTY. This tal)lct is erected, As well in grateful rciiicnibrance Of benefits conferred and kindness shown To all luuler her care. As for tlic sake of perpetuating The name of In the place which she most loved, And in which she did so much good." We think tliis genuine tribute of respect and affection to the memory of departed worth does credit to the hearts of those who dictated it. Just a few words more, and we shall have done with Burleigh House for the ])resent. Julian's eyes, in wandering round the strange apartment, were attracted by a clock, of rather an unusual form, which stood on the chinuiey piece. " Oh, you are looking at that ! " Mrs K. exclaimed ; " do you know it is one of the great- est treasm-es I possess, — shall T tell }()U why?" Julian was aU attention. " Well, once upon a time — many years ago — there was a boy here of the name of G. He was good and clever, and a universal favourite ; but he was not strong, and this j)lace was rather trying to him, for it was harder than it is now, when everything is what I call upon THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 105 cotton wool, in comparison. He was often very ill, poor boy, and very sorry, for he wanted to get on with his learning, and these fits of sickness kept him back sadly. " I must say I loved G. dearly, he was a noble-hearted fellow ; but to cut a long story short — and I could go on for ever tfilking about him — he had a long illness just before he left Bmieigh House, and I nursed him, as I am in duty bound to do (and that you will see, if you require it, young gentleman). Poor fellow, how he suffered, and how near death he was ! and, my dear boy, I can truly say, how fit he was to die. However, it was not so to be ; God willed that he shoidd be spared. He recovered, and shortly after left us. When we parted, he said : " ' Mother K., I shall remember you to the last hour of my life.' " But many years passed, and we saw and heard very little of him. " One day, it was a very foggy one, I re- member, in December, I was sitting, as usual, in the midst of my stockings, thinking that there was scarcely light enough to see even those great big holes which you young gentlemen are so good as to make, in order to lOG THE LITTLE BEAL'TY. keep mc in full work fmin Monday till Satur- day, when there was a loud knoek at the door. "Who can this be? thought I, and I stirred the fire, to throw a little light upon the subject. I soon heard a (piick step, and the door opened, and there stood two persons, one a tall young man, anil the other a young lady, so beautiful, it struck me she was like a ray of sunshine on tliat dark, gloomy day. The'gentleman came straight up to me. " ' Mother K.,' he exclaimed, ' have you for- gotten me ? ' " I stared, all confused at the handsome face which looked so anxiously and in(|uir- ingly into mine. " ' Bless us, and save us ! ' I soon cried, ' is it not G. ?' And then followed such a greet- ing ; had he been my own son he could not have been more affectionate ; I can never forget how glad I was to see the dear boy once more, who had twined himself round my heart in so imaccountable a manner. " And then he turned to the lady, and taking her hand, said : " ' And, mother K., you nuist let me intro- duce you to my wife.' THE LITTLE BEAL'TY. lO? " ' Your wife ! ' I said, and I laughed ; it seemed so strange to hear the lad, for as such I had always thought of him, talking of his wife. " * Yes, my wife!' he said, as he put his arm lovingly round the young creature, ' and a good one she is, I can assure you.' " ' And a very pretty one, that I can see,' said I. We soon got into most pleasant chat, and I began to think the wife was even worthy of her husband — the best praise I could give her ! " And then G. got up and went out of the room, and returned, carrying rather a heavy case, which he put upon the table, and said to his wife : " ' Now, darling, show Mother K. what you have brought for her.' " They opened the box between them, and placed that very clock upon the mantel-piece, from whence it has never been removed ; nor ever will be, until I am dead. " ' This is to remind you, dear Mother K., of the many hours you watched so patiently, so tenderly, by my side, when, had it not been for yom' great goodness, I should have been forlorn as well as suffering. Believe me when 108 THE LITTI.K UKAUTV. I tell you, that the ivuu'iiihrance of all you have done for iiu; has ncvei' (luiltcd mv mind. I have thought of it on many a sick bed, when I have had no one with me, in distant lands, and have longed for the kind hand and cheering voice which had so often strengthened and refreshed me in the midst of pain.' " He said a great dciil more ; and so did his sweet young wife; but it would seem like glorifying myself if I repeated any [more, al- though 1 have not forgotten one word , and God knows that anything I was able to do. for the dear young man was not only my duty to perform," added Mrs K. wiping her eyes, " but the greatest ])leasure I ever had in all my work here. And it is so pleasant to be able to tell of this one proof of his grateful heart. Seldom, my dear, in this world do people remember kindnesses when they a;re done aiul over. It is all^very well at the time, but the ih;iukful feeling lasts only as long as the hoar frost under the influence of the sun — soon gone, and no trace left ; but that ought to make no difference to us. We nuist never' wciuy in our work, however little encourage- ment we find; and if, as in the story I have just told you, the bread cast upon the waters THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 109 does once perhaps in a life-time retnrn to us, we oiiglit only with grateful hearts to become the more diligent in om' path of duty, how- ever hard and troublesome it may sometimes be."* * This story is not fiction. CHAPTER X. The Marchioness of Glenmore seldom inter- fered in any of the amusements or fancies of her chihken; tlierefore it Mas fortunate that the Ladies Lylc were all naturally ij;ood and gentle, or with such miclipi)ed wings there is no say- ing what flights they might have taken. The present rage with them was little Violet. Her extreme beauty inspired the young ladies with sucli unbnundrd admiration, that they were never weary of loading lier, not only with caresses, but dress of every description, and their great delight was showing her off in every possible manner. Every day she was efpii])ped in some fanciful costmnc, to be displayed in THE LITTLE BEAUTY. Ill the Park, Kensington Gardens, or some public resort. No little princess could be more splen- didly got up in all these fine clothes, so artist- ically arranged upon the beautiful little person by the hands of her scientific mother, every curl of that golden hair hanging just where it ought. These were halcyon days to jMrs Miller; yes, halcyon days then, but oh, memory, what a stinging evil art thou too often ! Yes, the memory not only of Avhat we have done, but what we might at one time so easily have avoided, the memory of all the sorrow into which our own selfish folly has plunged another 1 This poor foolish mother — how gladly, proudly, she lent her assistance, by folly and vanity, to mar the happiness of a young life. " Now, my pet," she would say, " my beautiful darling," when the finishing stroke had just been put to some elaborate toilette, "re- member you behave yourself like a young lady." " But I'm not a young lady," the child would pettishly exclaim, wearied by having to endure what was irksome to her — the long operation which her mother made of her dress- ing; " I'd much rather be with father at home." " You are a very naughty girl, and I have a 112 THE LITTLK BKAUTY. good mind to whij) you," cxcliiiiuud the irritated Mrs Miller ; " father, indeed ! how vulgar that word sounds from } ou, with that lovely hat, that beautiful frock : never sav that word ajTjain whilst you are in this house." And then, seeing- tliat the child was begin- ning to cry, Violet was })etted and flattered, and coaxed into composure, and finally de- livered over into the hands of her admiring young friends, who received her as if she were a beautiful doll, only created for their present amusement ; and the poor little thing drank in, from all quarters, draughts of praise and adu- lation, which, for a Avonder, made little im- pression upon her innocent mind. Lord Victor returned from Brighton, looking so well, and in such good humour — no one to interfere with him now. He was most de- lighted to see Mrs ]\Iiller aiul Violet, who Avas ordered in the most ])erem])tory manner by her mother never, on pain of a whipping, to men- tion Julian's name. The Marchioness had con- fided to Ihe niu'se the horror with which Victor remembered the boy, and thus connncnced one of the first lessons of dissinnilation which the mother thought fit to endeavour to teach her daughter. THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 113 " Now, darling, mind, you are to say you hate Jidian, if Lord Victor asks you the question." "But I love him very much, Mimmie," was the tearful reply. "You provoldng child!" was the answer. " Well, suppose you do, you need not say so." " But I should tell a story, and father says that is wicked," persisted Violet. " What can he know about it, I should hke to know ? I can teU you this, you naughty little thing, that if you vex Lord Victor I'll shut you up in a dark closet all night ; — now don't you begin to cry and make a noise ; be a good girl and do what I desire you, and aU will be right." Poor little wretched Violet ! this is a speci- men of the training she will have. " Pray, young ladies," said Lord Glenmore one day to his sisters, after having been for some time silently watching Violet, who, di-essed out with sashes and flounces, and every possi- ble decoration, was giving herself the pretty little airs and graces of an embryo duchess, ^ looking certayily most beautiful and refined — anything but like a blacksmith's daughter, *'pray tell me, does it ever strike you that VOL. I, S 114 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. yoii are acting very unwisely by that poor little child?" " What do you mean?" asked Lady Violet, colouring sliglitly. " Don't you think that it is very injudicious to bring her so completely out of her sphere, to dress her in this manner, and thus fill her head brim full with vanity? " " That is so like you, Glenmore," said Lady Sophia, the second sister; " what an old-fashion- ed young man you are ! Just as if it coidd hurt a child like that to have a pretty frock and sash — poor little thing, her fun will soon be over." " The sooner the better, I think," replied the Marquis, seriously ; " and I hope, for her sake, it will never be renewed. I have a great regard for Rose, and can never forget what I owe her for her attention to me when I was an ailing boy ; but, dear woman, I don't think nuieh of her sense, in any matters but those connected with the nursery department." The young man had to undergo a regular attack frf)tn his three fair sisters, who were all up in arms to defend their favourite nurse, and to advocate the expediency of spoiling the child. As for Lord Victor, he had promised over and THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 115 over again to marry the pretty Violet as soon as lie was a man ; and she, with some reluct- ance, had 2;iven her consent. This was onlv done in terror of her mother's threat of the dark closet ; for the httle beauty never fancied the handsome boy lord, although he over- whelmed her with presents and attentions, and was her devoted slave. It was many days before the child could re- concile] herself to Julian's departure. She was really an affectionate little creature, loving with all her heart where she placed her affections. Upon her father she doted, and Julian shared equally in this love. Poor little girl, how Sony we are for her ! Would, indeed, that she had been a rough l^oy, the good, honest blacksmith's son, and .not this fairy-like crea- ture, this fatally beautifid daughter, whose story we have engaged to relate ! AVe may well imagine that Mrs Miller's journey homcAvards was not as triumphant as that which brought her on her holiday trip. She was in a very bad humour when Frank met her at the station to convey her home. He had done his best, poor man, to make eveiything comfortable for the " missus " on her retm-n, but he and the maid had to bear not 116 THE LITTLK BEAUTY. a few ebullitions of ill temper, until time, which generally does its work, came to their relief, and she began to subside into her usual state of uncertain equanimity. CHAPTER XI. Mrs Hope felt more inclined to despond than slie had done for years at the present moment ; all seemed so dull and void without Julian. Little Mary was a delicate child, quiet and undemonstrative in comparison with her viva- cious brother, and not of an age to be much of a companion to her mother. " This will never do ! '^ mentally exclaimed Mrs Hope one morning, when, listless and pre- occupied, she endeavom^ed in vain to busy herself with her usual associations. " Come, Mary, let us go out; we shall both be the lis TIIK LITTLE BKAUTY. l)etter for a long wulk this morning ; it will do you good, my pale darling." But as she spoke the door burst open, and Sylvia rushed into the room, impatiently throw- ing herself into Mrs Hope's arms, sobbing and crying with veheuient agitation. " What is the matter, my dear child ? " was the alarmed cpiestion. " Oh I am so miserable, Mrs Hope, I could not l)ear it any longer ; so when Miss Wilkin- son, who is so cross and unfeeUng, left the room just now, I ran off, and never stopped till I found myself here ; I could not help it, I am so unhappy, I should like to die." " My dear Sylvia, don't say such naughty things ! " Mrs Hope exclaimed, but in a sooth- ing tone of voice, as affectionately she encircled the panting, weeping girl with her arm, and made her sit by her side ; " we arc all very sorry to part Avitli Julian, but you know it is for his good, dear child, and if we love him, we nnist try to rejoice i-ather than lament." " Rejoice ! don't talk so, Mrs Hope, I never could rejoice at losing Julian. Before he v.'cnt, when I W71S in that didl school-room w ith that disagreeable Miss ^^'ilkinson,wdlom nothing can THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 119 ever make me like, I used to think — Avell, soon I shall hear his step on the gravel walk, and I sat listening with my book on my knee, quite happy ; but now, no step, no voice," and here her tears bm-st forth again ; " and papa looks so dull, and you, too, Mrs Hope, and even Httle Mary ; oh, what are we to do ? " Mrs Hope would fain have mingled her tears Avith those of her little girl ; she could well have echoed those words, " What are we to do?" — but she endeavoured to subdue her emotion ; and to comfort Sylvia she spoke of the future. Oh, A\ hat should we do without the hope of the future ? so true are those hacknied words : " Mau never is, but always to be blest." Sylvia's future was bright with youth and undimmed hopes ; so, soon the distant scene of happiness, pictm-ed in so alluring a manner by her friend, dawned upon her imagination, the tears came less heavily from her eyes, whilst Mrs Hope talked of August, that blessed month when they might expect to see their dear boy again ; and Sylvia lifted up her head, which had been laid so wearily on her kind friend's knee, and now, with smiles instead of tears, she was telling of plans for many a 120 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. scheme of enjoyment for the holidays, when again the door opened, and Miss Wilkinson appeared. " Oh, you are here. Miss Vernon ; it was what I expected ; however, yon will return with me immediately," were the words she uttered, in a voice of great sternness. Sylvia threw her arms again round Mrs Hope, exclaiming : "Oh, don't send me away, dear Mrs Hope ; let me only remain this one day, and I mil try to be good." But Mrs Hope saw by Miss Wilkinson's countenance that there was nothing to be done but to obey. She would have been too glad to have kept the little girl until she had soothed her irritable feelinu; into a frame more calcu- lated to enabh; her to bear the rule of her governess, which, Mrs Hope was quite aw^are, was not the most judicious for a child of Sylvia's peculiar temperament. After much painful altercation, the rector's little daughter was taken away, and good Mrs Hope left to ponder with much concern over Sylvia's disposition ; vsomcthing she ])lainly saw must be done for the child at this tiu'ning point of her character. She really loved her THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 121 dearly, this warm-hearted, impressible little creatm^e ! There was so much in her that was endearing, so much also.to cause deep anxiety for the future ; yet well pleased she felt, and half amused, when she thought of Sylvia's de- votion to the boy Julian. So do we often smile at the first appearance of some event, " no bigger than a man's hand, rising from the sea," and in this manner do we welcome circimistances trivial in appearance, but which are soon found to carry tempest in their hands. Mr Vernon appeared at the farm the next morning with a troubled brow. Miss Wil- kinson had given up her situation ; Sylvia had been most unmanageable and naughty, and nothing would induce the governess to continue in a situation of which she declared she had long been weary, seeing plainly that she could be of no use to Miss Vernon. What was now to be done ? Long was the conference held in Mrs Hope's sitting-room ; little Mary had been sent out to take a long walk with the maid, and Mr Ver- non requested that she might be left at the rectory to dine with Sylvia ; so they were un- disturbed. l'2'2 TilK LITTLE BEAUTY. When at length the rector departed, and the fanner's dangliter stepped into the room to ask some questions, she found its usually calm occupant looking very much flushed, and evidently agitated ; and little Mary, entering at the same time, was greeted Avith even more than usual tenderness by her mother, who, bending over her, whilst she drew the child upon her knee, endeavoured to conceal the tears which she evidently could not control. *' I wonder what is the matter with Mrs Hope," said Lucy Giles to her mother, when she rejoined her in the kitchen ; " she looks so queer and sad." " Oh, I suppose they have been talking over Master Julian ; the rector is as soft about him as his mother, I think," returned Mrs Giles. No wonder that Mrs Hope looked flushed and agitated, after the starthng disclosure that had been made to her of the Ions-standing attachment of Mr Vernon, and the oflcr of his hand and heart. " It is some years since I became aware of my love for }ou, dear Mrs Hope, but I have not dared to tell you this before," were the words with which Mr Vernon commenced the connnunication. " I knew well that the wounds THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 123 of your heart were long in healing, and I loved you the better for your constancy to the me- nioiy of the departed ; but now that years have gone by, I venture to ask you to look around, and see how many you will benefit by becoming my wife. As for myself, I need not dwell upon my feehngs of rejoicing ; indeed, they would be too great for expression. But our childi-en ; would they not all be the hap- pier if we made one family ? — you, the mother of my little daughter, and I, the father of your dear children — of Julian, whom already I love so truly ; yes, dear Mrs Hope, only say you w^ll make my home a blessed nest of peace and love, and how grateful I shall feel." Poor Mrs Hope ! how could she answer this appeal ? It was so wholly unexpected ; never for a moment had she contemplated the pos- sibility of such an event as a second marriage. She, the hmnble widow, despised, and utterly rejected by the relations of her first husband ; esteeming herself so lowly, never thinking to raise her eyes but wdth feehngs of gratitude and respectful admiration towards one she deemed so superior. And then again, the me- mory of her husl)and ! was it not as vivid as ever upon her heart ? Man's nature is so dif- 124 TIIK LITTLE BEAUTY. ferent to Avomaii's ; his feelings lead him forth to the battle and struggle of the world ; and though he may sorrow for a time, sm- cerely, painfully, yet still he is an active being; he can dissipate his thoughts by business and amusement ; he can shift the scene at will, and thus blunt the edge of grief. But woman, she nurses her sorrow, considers it profanation not to keep alive its remembrance. Mrs Hope's first impulse was to reject the idea with re- pugnance. " Oh, dear sir, you don't really mean what you say ! " she exclaimed, pale and agitated. "You forget how far I am beneath you in every way ; that I have already brought dis- grace and misery into one family ; that — " But she was interrupted by ]\Ir Vernon : " I repeat what I have before said, dear Mrs Hope, that I shall feel proud, as well as bless- ed beyond expression, if you will accept me as your husband. You have formed a very false estimate of your merits, if you consider your- self beneath me, or any one in this world ; you little know with what admiration your conduct is viewed bv cverv one — how vou are loved and respected by all who know you." Mrs Hope was silently shedding the tears THE LITTLE BEAI'TT. 125 she could not restrain ; she saw before her this excellent man, this friend, who, in her bitterest days of adversity, had been her consolation, her support, whom she so truly revered and loved as her enlightened pastor, the kind strengthener of her sinking faith, in the dark hour of mental and bodily prostration ; and then, what had he not done for Julian, her darling boy ? Oh ! with what gratitude this thought filled her heart. " And now he asks me to be his wife — asks it, too, as a favour from me — oh, what can T do ?" She sat leaning her head on her hand in agonizing deliberation. " If Julian were here he would plead my cause, I am sure," j\Ir Vernon said with gentle, persuasive earnestness. These words seemed to vibrate upon the right chord. "Would he?" she exclaimed, and looked up through her tears. " I am quite sm-e he would." Still no answer from Mrs Hope, who again covered her face Avith her hands, and sat in the most desponding attitude. Mr Vernon looked at her anxiously for a few moments, and then spoke : 126 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. "I do not wisli to hurry you, my dear lady ; I know -well what is passing in your mind, and I onlv the more admire and rever- ence you for the feehngs wliich are struggling there; but I have something to propose. I know you have ever made Julian your friend, your counsellor ; -vmte to him, tell him all, and see \vhat he says, before you give me a decisive answer." " Oh, ever kind and good ! " exclaimed Mrs Hope, gratefidly. " Will you do this, my beloved Mrs Hope ? " was the rector's earnest demand. And the promise was given. The next day she would write to Julian ; and after a sleepless night of deliberation, she penned these few lines : " Woodlcigh Farm, " April, — ^'My own dear boy, " Mr Vernon has asked me to be his wife ; he Avishcs me to be a mother to Sylvia, and himself to become a father to you and little Mary. I could not give him an answer till I had heard from vou. You have ever been Ji friend to me, dear Julian, as avcU as an affectionate son ; I can rely upon yom' good sense and discretion. THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 127 Tell me exactly what you think and feel upon this all-import ant sub j ect . Your b elo ve d father, Julian, his memory is as fresh and dear to me as ever ! The idea of a second marriage has agitated me dreadfidly, though I am quite aware of the goodness of our most kind friend, Mr Vernon, and feel overwhelmed with grati- tude for this last proof of his consideration for me. AVrite immediately, and believe me " Your most affectionate mother, " Maky Hope." It was, fortunately, a half-holiday, and Julian received this letter by the second delivery, or his studies might have been but imperfectly performed. Brightly flashed his eyes, and he seemed treading upon air as he rushed across the court-vard to seat himself at his desk to write his reply. It ran as follows : " Dearest, darling mother, " I am so very happy — what a fortunate boy I am ! Everything turns out for my good, and now my only sorrow will be gone, that of thinking of you forlorn and alone. Mr Vernon my second father ! I cannot beUeve in such 128 THK LITTLE HKAUTY. liapi)iness ! You ask iiic what 1 think and feel upon the subject ; 1 w ill tell you at once. I am sure if my own dear father could send } ou a message from heaven, he would say, 'My darling i\Iary, marry that good man ; I rejoice that you should have such a iViend and pro- tector to assist you in all Aom* troubles, and to hel[) you to take care of my children.' There is not such another man in the world as Mr Vernon. Tell him that I will be his most dutiful and affectionate son, and do you also tell him, darling mother, that you will be his most dutiful and affectionate wdfe. Excuse this scrawl and all mistakes ; I am wild with joy, I hardly know how to contain myself. How delightful ! Sylvia my sister ! tell her that we will betcin the new flower-garden as soon as I come home ; oh, we shall be so happy ! "From, darling mother, " Your aftectionate son, "Julian Hope." " Papa \\ants to know if you have heard from Julian to-day, Mrs Hope," said Sylvia, as she flew into the room the morning this letter had arrived at the farm. Mrs Hope, looking very pale and grave, im- THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 129 mediately put the letter into an envelope, wliicli, having sealed, she handed to Miss Wilkinson to deliver to Mr Vernon. Her answer was thus given in Julian's words. VOL. I. 9 CHAPTER XII. A SPLENDID (Iniiinin is tliat of Lilford Towers. The mansion is a true specimen of tlie Elizabethan style, — grand and gloomy ; the projection in the centre forming at once porch and tower, and the two wings, supported l)y pillars, giving great decision of effect to its ap])earance. There is a fine entrance hall and splendid hljrary, extending nearly the whole length of one wing, commanding views of the gardens, Avhich arc veiy beautiful. Altogether, it is a most interesting old pile; the hand of wealth presen'ing every part in right good keejnng, the exterior corresponding beautifiillv with the interior. THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 131 Lilford Towers "was, in fact, a real speci- men of one of the lordly homes of England, telling of a long line of ancestry, and abnnd- ance of means to maintain the family honours. And yet the possessor of this truly baronial mansion was but a private individual of no rank, save that of gentleman. It had been whispered that had he been on the nght side of politics, a peerage woidd long since have been offered him : and then ao;ain it was said that the proud owner of Lilford Towers had declared that on no consideration would he ever accept a seat in the House of Lords. It is on a beautiful summer's day that we take a survey of the interior, of one of the finest Hbraries in England. In the embrasure of one of the oriel windows a young man is extended upon a peculiarly constructed sofa. His countenance indicates settled ill health, and a ray of bright sunshine falling upon his figure plainly reveals the person of a defonned cripple. He has a low table by his side, on which are placed books, papers, and writing materials. At this moment he has a Times newspaper in his hands. " Father ! " a low voice exclaimed, address- 132 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. ing a gentleman who was writing in a distant part of tlie next room, " who can this be, I wonder? can it be the widow of my uncle Julian ? " The ijrentleman tluis addressed raised a stern countenance at the speech, and said : " To what do you allude, Jerrold ? " " I will read it to you," was the answer. " 'On the 12thinst. at Brooklands, — shire, * the Rev. Arthur Vernon, rector of Brooklands, to Mary, relict of the late Ucv. Julian Hope.'" " I had no idea till lately tliat my uncle's widow was alive ; are there anv children, and why, my dear sir, have you so completely lost sight of the family ? " the young man persisted. Mr Hope evidently winced at these in- quiiies, and his face became still more gloomy in its expression. lie did not im- mediately reply. A young, fair face, the living image of a brother, not only dead, but who he felt had been most severely treated, had come liaimtingly before his vision, and left a troubled impression on his mind, which he had in vain tried to shake off. " Yes," he nmsed, " tlicre can l)e no doubt that boy must have been Julian's." THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 133 This lie liacl thouglit and wondered over veiy often. " But the boy looked so well to do, so care- fully dressed, so free and gentleman-like in his bearing; no sign of poverty or neglect about him." Perhaps this might have been a relief to the conscience of this hard man, or to his family pride ; and then that coroneted carriage in which he took his seat, certainly as no servile intruder, but with the perfect ease of a well-born, well-bred vouth. Oh, human nature, how ignoble are thy innate tendencies ; how generally do we see even the ^^ise, the exalted, influenced in their feelings by the pride of circumstances, the trappings of exterior adornment, the omni- potence of good looks — yes, how heavily do they weigh on the balance of opinion 1 Had that proud man seen his nephew issue from a third-class carriage, with coarse ill" made clothes ; accompanied by vulgar associ- ates, taking his place in an omnibus, instead of entering that aristocratic conveyance — what place in his micle's memory would the poor boy have obtained ? " You have not answered my question," re- 13 t Tin: LITTLE BEAUTY. peated the cripple, ratlier fiiierulously. " Do you lliink tliis is my uiiclc Julian's widow, and how iiiaiiv childron did lie leave? " " I believe there was a boy and a posthum- ous child," Mr ITope answered, with evident reluctance in his tone ; " but perhaps you arc not aware of the circumstances of the case, and what a painful subject the whole affair has been to the family?" " Oh ! yes, I know all about it, but my imcle is dead, and there is an end of him and his sins. What have his children to do with them ? Certainly they are visited u})on them with a vengeance in this case, if what I lieard is true." "And may I ask what you have heard?" his father fearlessly replied. " It is this — that my uncle married beneath him certainly, but his wife was a most lovely, accomplished person : this strikes me as scarcely a sufficient crime to authorize the family cast- ing him off for ever, and leaving him to die in poverty." ** Jerrold, you are speaking in a most im- proper manner to your father," ]\Ir Hope answered, but Mith far less sternness than he would liave assumed in speaking to THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 135 any one else, for liis crippled son was the only being who had ever touched a chord of softness in his heart. " Perhaps you do not know that your uncle's conduct broke my mother's heart." " My poor uncle, how I pity him ! " was Jerrold's answer. "What he must have suffered, and his wife, who I hear was so gentle and o;ood. j\Iv o-randmother had been ill for years, I know, Avith a heart complaint ; surely it is more than cruel to lay all the blame of her death upon her unfortunate son." " Pray, where have you gained all this in- formation, which seems so greatl}" to have excited your interest?" Mr Hope inquired, Jerrold Hope was silent, but on his father repeating the question, he said : " Well, the truth is, you know I am amus- ing myself, now this picture cleaner is here, by looking over all the pictures and portraits stowed away in different parts of the house. I made them wheel my chair into the north turret, where I heard there was a room full of various portraits, and spent a whole morning looking over its contents. jMartha was with me, and assisted me much by telling me the names of the different subjects." " And she, I suppose, was yoiu" informant 130 TTIK TJTTTJ'. BK.VUTY. concerning the family history, .wliicli woiikl have been as well allowed to rest for ever." " Pardon nic, sir," exclaimed the youiip; man, indimiantlv, " I think voii are wronpj in saving this." The father's hau";litv brow contracted Avitli a still sterner frown ; he was abont to speak, Init controlled himself; his eyes fell npon the form of his son, the only creatnre he had ever lo\cd, and he checked the bitter words which had risen to his lips. " Shall I a;o on, and tell von how I came to feel all this interest abont mv uncle?" Jerrold inquired. " Oh ! yes, say on ! " was his Other's answer, in a cold, constrained tone of voice. And Jerrold proceeded : " Well, amongst the })ictnrcs there were two at the very extremity of the large room, placed seemingly (piite out of the way, with their faces turned acrainst the Avail. T had looked at all the others, and was just about to be wheeled out, when my eye fell u])on them ; I desired the ser\'ant to brine; one of them to me. The evening sun was streaming ])righlly into the apartment, and it was with a sensation T can- not describe that I looked upon a face I could THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 137 never forget, although it was years since I had last seen it, and then I must have been quite a child. A beam from the setting sun lighted up the whole countenance, and a smile so serene, so heavenly, greeted my sight ; I felt the tears start to my eyes whilst I looked upon it, and my emotion seemed contagious, for soon I heard a sob, and turning round, I saw that Martha was weeping bitterly. " ' Poor dear Mr Jidian 1 ' she said. ' Yes, I remember well when that was painted, just before he went to college for the first time, and so pleased and happy he was ; so determined to do well and distinguish himself. I recollect his every word, dear boy, the morning he left this house for Oxford, whilst he was packing up his clothes ; so hopefully he spoke — such bright and happy prospects in view — so loved and petted — ancj then in so short a time so completely cut off and forgotten.' " We were both silent for some moments, mournfully gazing upon this interesting picture; the face so speaking in its expression, one might have imagined that it said : ' Weep not for me, I am happy now, far beyond the reach of human sorrow.' The other — " " I have had enough of this, Jerrold," his 138 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. i'atlicr said, at the same time vising to leave the room; "you arc (jiiite aware that I allow more from you than any other living creature, but even you can strain a ]H)int too far; remember, let me hear no more iij)on the subject — I de- SU'C. CHAPTER XIII. "So I hear the Marquis is at the Court," said Mrs Higgins, who had bustled into Mrs Miller's parlour to communicate the news, with which she was brim-full. " Mrs Evans is in a pretty fuss ; she only knew by this morning's post my Lord was to be there in a few hours. He onlv stays a dav or two, I hear." "Oh," said Mrs Miller, looking offended, " it is a strano;e thino; they did not let me know. Violet, come here, let me do yoiu' hair. JWhat a figure you look ! His Lordship is sure to come here before any other place." But Mrs Miller was disappointed. Lord Glenmore, she soon heard, by means of her 140 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. maid-scrvaiit, liad gone to the rectory, and there he seemed to remain, for nothing more was lieard of him that day. Mrs jNliller was in a terrible state of fume and fuss. " Very odd ! " she cogitated, " no message, no present from the young ladies. Lady Violet never for- gets me ; and she had half promised to send me a new sunnner dress, and the light silk she had worn so little, and which woidd cut up so well for Violet; and no little present from Lord Victor for the child ! Things are coming to a pretty pass!" she at length ejaculated, " if any of the family are to come here without remem- bering 7ne, and after all I have done for the children, early and late, up and down," &c. &c. This was not to be borne — she must go to the Court and see how matters stood — whethei" there was any parcel for her in his Lordship's portmanteau, and that she might cross-ques- tion the valet ; but no valet had accompanied his Lordship. Lord Glenmore had absolutely come down alone, with a single carpet-bag containing shirts, indicating the shortest possi- sible stay. Something surely nuist be in the wind — but wliat ? Poor Mrs Miller, what a day she spent ! With Violet dressed in her best, she salUed THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 141 forth and skirted the rectory, hoping, at least, to see something of j\liss Syhda ; bnt no Sylvia was in sight. She thought she would try the farm ; but there she heard that Mrs Hope was particularly engaged, and could see no one that day. ]\lrs Giles and her daughter, she was quite sure, had a sort of queer look upon theu' countenances when they talked to her. " Just as if anybody could hmnbug me ! " she murmured. " Well," at last she thought, " I dare say Jidian has got into some scrape, and mv Lord has come down to tell his mother;" and quite relieved in mind, Mrs Miller trudged homewards. Not that she wished anv harm to the bov — and yet^the human mind is such a queer piece of mechanism, that often do we obseiTC a cer- tain degree of morbid satisfaction in people — which nothing would, however, tempt them to confess — on hearing of some astounding mis- fortune having happened to their friend or neighbour. This does not always arise out of hard-heartechiess or want of sympathy ; the kindest and most compassionate are alike subject to this contradictory feeling ; and we can only ascribe it to that craving for excite- 142 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. ment which is, more or less, iiilR'rciit in all oiu* natures. "Well, this is a pretty business a])0ut Juhan ! " Mrs Miller said to lier husband when he came Iionie to his tea. "What's the matter?" Frank asked. " Oh, of course, he is cither ill, or has got into some hobble. You kno^v the ]\[arquis has arrived, and been closeted with the rector all day; the Gileses look dumb-founded, and it can be nothing but that. I am really very sorry ; however, I supjjose Julian is just like all ])oys, not such a saint after all." Frank Miller looked very grave. " Well, I hope it's not that, missus ; I tnist he is not ill ; as for getting into a scrape, he will never do anything to disgrace himself, that ril warrant." " Yes, I know you are very wise ; your ex- perience of the world in general is so nuich greater than mine," remarked ^Mrs Miller, sneeringly. "^^'e^I, at any rate, I knoAv that Master Julian is every inch a gentleman ; and no one need be afraid of his doing anything to forfeit that character." And honest Frank, feeling he was waxing THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 143 wrotli, and would have to bear a volley of provo- cations, drank up his tea, and left the house. The blacksmith's family were assembled at breakfast the next morning ; Mrs Miller still not in the best of tempers — this visit of the Marquis rankling in her mind — when they were startled by the unexpected sound of the church-bells ringing out a merry peal. " What's all this ? " was the exclamation of Mrs Miller; "who's married, I wonder? Upon my word they make uproar enough ; do step out, Frank, and inquire ; or, Susan, do you go," to the servant girl. But they were saved all further suspense ; two women burst into the house, one, our favomite gossip, Mrs Higgins. " Well, Mrs Miller, and who do you think is married ? " they exclaimed, breathless ^vitli excitement. " How should I know ? " Well, guess ; the most miaccountable thing in the world." " What, the ]\larquis, is it ? " ' " No, guess again." " I can't, so don't be so aggravating, but tell at once," exclaimed Mrs Miller. 144 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. " AVliat do you tbiuk of its l)eiiig our rector and Mrs Hope ? " Mrs jNlillcr sat' down, and really turned so white she looked as if she were going to faint. " Well, wliat do you think of this news? " the women incpiired. Mrs Miller could not speak, the surprise had rcallv aofitated her ; but Frank Miller ex- claimed, " Hurrah ! I have not heard a bit of news that has pleased me so much for many a day ; Mrs Hope is a good lady, and the rector will be a hap})y man. This is why the Mar- quis came down, not to tell them any ill of Master Julian." And Frank jMiller hastily made his exit to hear more of the news. " Well," said Mrs ^liller, as soon as she could connuand herself to speak, " I think this beats anything I ever heard ; if there ever was a sly proceeding, here it is ; never to tell me a word about it — I who have been like a mother, or rather a sister, to that senseless thing. A pretty rise for her indeed ! and line airs she'll give herself. I have seen a change coming on for the last year or two, a sort of condescending mannei-, as if she was nnich better than I, forsooth ! " THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 145 " Well, Mrs Miller, she was always a lady, you know, tliougli a poor one ; her first hus- band was a clergyman, and his family mighty grand, I hear." " Mrs Higgins," said the ci-devant nurse with offended dignity, " you will allow me, if you please, to know what constitutes a lady. I, who have Hved mth ladies all my life — never associated with any other." " Well, you'll never make out, notwithstand- ing, that Mrs Hope, or rather Mrs Vernon, is not a lady ; at least, she has always behaved as sick ; and manners make the woman as well as the man." And Mrs Higgins was about to depart in dudgeon, when Mrs jMiller, having not half sa- tisfied her curiosity, said, changing her voice into a friendly tone : " Come, nelghbom-, though it is so early, we may as well drink the health of the new mar- ried couple." Then a tempting-looking bottle was brought forth, and Violet having been ordered to go in- to the garden, the two gossip-loving souls sat down comfortably to enjoy the delights of an unrestrained chat whilst discussing something good. VOL. I. 10 140 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. "Well now, Mrs lliggiiis, tell nic all about tliis singular affair." " The \yi\y I came to know about it was this," coninicnced the narrative. " My husband, com- ing home to lireakfast rather earlier than usual, it was not later than lialf-past seven, met the Marquis ; my Lord stopped and spoke a few words to him, giving him a message concerning some plants the ladies had told him to send. He seemed in a hurry, and soon walked on. My luisband followed him at a distance, his Avay being the same as that my Lord was taking. When he got to the church, there the IMarcpiis stopped, and opened the gate and walked straight in. My husband, good, simple soul that he is, says he should not have thought much of that, had he not at the same time seen om' rector issue from the church holding Miss Sylvia, dressed as pretty as possible, by the hand. Joe began to think things looked queer, and, instead of Avalking on, stopped a bit, looking over the churchyard wall, hidden from sight by the big yew tree. AVell, there was a great deal of shaking of hands ; the rector looking very smiling and pleased, and Miss Sylvia juui})ing about and laugliing so merrily. They all walked up and down the path lead- THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 147 ing to the gate, several times, looking out anxiously as if they were expecting something. Mv old man beo;an to feel all in a flutter — 'some- lio\Y as vou would have been, Sallv, had vou been in my place,' he said, grinning from ear to ear. " ' No wonder,' says I. " Well, presently he saw a carriage coming. It was a fly from A — . It stopped at the chm'ch gate. The Marquis opened the door at once, before Panner Giles, who was on the box, coidd assist him, and handed out a lady. " At first Joe did not know who it was, never having seen ^Irs Hope dressed in any- thing but black ; but he guessed it was she, as little Miss Mary was lifted out, and then came Mrs Giles and her daughter. The Marquis took ]\Irs Hope under his arm, Miss Sylvia ran up to j\Iiss Mary and led her by the hand, first ha\dng kissed her very lovingly, and the whole party walked to the church, into which Mr Vernon had before gone, followed by ]\Ir Smith, the curate. " AVell, now, I always says it, and will say it to the end of my life, Joe Higgins is the best and kindest husband that ever stepped. I was just a-boiling the coffee when in he rushed. 148 THE T-ITTLE BEAUTY. " ' Sally ! ' says he, ' coiiio along and sec a sight Avhifh Avill make yonr eyes start out of yonr head ; come qnick, or you Avill lose it.' " ' Are you out of your mind, Joe? ' says I. " ' Come along,' he cried, and he pulls me out, and drags me along, till we reaches the wall of the churchyard. " ' What in the world is all this ? ' I said. " * Stop a bit and you will see,' he answered ; and sure enough I did see. " First came i\Ir Vernon's carriage, driving up to the gate with post-horses, all ready packed for a journey. Thomas all gaitered and great-coated, as if it was the depth of winter. " ' AA^ell, Joe, what next ? ' says I. " ' Wait a hit,' was again his answer. " And I had not long to wait. Out of the cluu'ch soon came oiu* rector, Mrs Hope leaning on his arm, followed hy my Lord, leading by each hand Miss Sylvia and Miss Mary ; then Mrs Giles and hvv daughter, then ^Ir Giles and the curate." " AVell, and how did ]\[rs Hope look, and what A\as her dress ? " ]\Irs ]\Iiller, with much inquisitive interest, inquired. " I can hardly tell } ou ; 1 was so taken all THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 149 of a heap ; but she looked the lady all over, in her grey silk, and straw bonnet. She was not at all fine, but just as a lady ought to be when she is going a journey. When they came to the gate, IMrs Vernon crying sadly, I heard her say to Mrs Giles, ' You will take care of Mary till I return ; ' and ]\Irs Giles cried too, and so did her daughter, silly bodies ! — but Miss Sylvia tripped about like a little bird, and kissing her new mother, said, ' I shall soon see you again, dear, dear mamma ! ' and the Marquis smiled, and looked so pleased. " In no time Mrs Vernon was helped into the carriage, the rector jumped in jifter her, and they were off; and at that moment the church clock struck eight o'clock. I call this doing things snug, don't you, Mrs Miller ? " " I call it a sly, shamefaced proceeding," remarked ]\Irs iMiller, indignantly. " No one knew a Avord about it," continued Mrs Higgins, " not even the clerk, till just as he was going to bed last night, and then he only heard that there was to be a wedding at half-past seven the next morning. I hear Miss Sylvia and her maid are to go off with my Lord to London by the twelve o'clock train, and Mr and Mrs Vernon meet them there ii; 1 .')0 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. a week, wlieii tluy are to go to visit tlic Mar- cliioness." Poor Mrs ]\liller ! slic really was an object of pity that day ; she was suffering from that painful sensation of uneasiness, that most gnaw- ino; of diseases, envv ! Before long, however, the ruffled feathers were smoothed, hy a visit from Lord Glenmore, bringing with him a hurried note from Lady Violet ; in which she said her brother had set off so suddenlv for the Court, that she had not time to send what she intended to her dear nurse, but that a l)ox would soon arrive for her. Thus mollified, j\Irs Miller softened the frigidity of the manner she had assmned on first seeing the young Marquis, who, perfectly un- derstanding how matters stood, began good-na- turedly to explain the state of the case, and to say how anxious Mrs Hope had been that her mar- ria";e should not be talked about in the villaore. " You may imagine, Rose, how completely it has been kept a secret from every one, when I tell you that even my sisters were not informed of it till after I left London. Only to my mother was it conuuunicated. Wc arc all much pleased; ^Ir Vernon will have a delightful wife, and an excellent mother for that madcap Sylvia." THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 151 " A grand tiling, certainly, for her! " was Mrs MiUer's rather scornful answer. But again a soother arrived in the shape of a large piece of wedding-cake, accompanied by a letter from Mrs Hope, in which she expressed herself most kindiv, savino; that she should never forget all the friendly attention she and her children had received from Mrs Miller, and begging her acceptance of a pretty brooch, in which was a lock of Julian's and j\Iarv's hair. " She certainly is a lady, and no mistake, and I am glad the rector has married her," was noAv the burden of the nurse's song. What trifles serve to heal some self-inflicted wounds ! A judicious word, a kind look, a little forethouo;ht and trouble, will often disarm even envy of its most painful sting ! Afa. ilt .Ili ^ Jii Julian's letter to his mother had decided her to accept Mr Vernon's most flattering proposal. She saw, plainly, the life of happi- ness and usefidness opened before her ; still, had it not been for those words in her boy's letter, she thought she could scarcely have made up her mind to a step which appeared so formidable ; she, who had been accustomed to years of seclusion, how coidd she take her 152 THK LITTLE BEAUTY. place as tlic wife of Mr Vernon, and fultil the duties of the station of life in which he moved? But, as we have said, Juhan's letter decided her. " If my own dear father could send you a message from Heaven, lie would say, 'My darling -Mary, marry that good man ; I rejoice that you should have such a friend, such a protector to assist you in all your troubles, and to help to take care of my children.' " It "was courage that she lacked to encounter so new a position, and her son strengthened and determined her by the view he had taken of the case. Mr Vernon quite entered into her wishes that the affair should be kept perfectly seci'et, and every preparation was made in the most private manner ; Lady Glenmore, to whom the event wns confided, assisting most kindly in choosing a suitable Irousseau for the bride elect. Mr Vernon was a man of good family and fortune, independent in every way, w'ith no one to consult as to tlu; ex])ediency of any of his proceedings. Mrs llo})c, the Avidow^ of a man of \\\;, or anv of the com- moner, but more necessary, duties for a girl of her grade. Julian gazed upon this beautiful little creature with a degree of Jidmiration quite nev\' to him. This child, w tioiii lie had played with as a toy, as long almost as he could re- member, had suddenly changed entirely in her aspect towards him ; no longer was she the little Molet of Ibrmer days, but a girl — almost a woman — and, oh, how lovely ! " lier eyes, her lij)s, her cheeks, her shape, her features, seem to be drawn bv Love's own hand, ])y Love himself in love." Our readers perhaps imagine we are de- scril)in<>; a sort of ideal imase — some faultless THE LITTLE BEAUTY, :235 mortal wlio never could have existed — but it is not so. Once or twice perhaps in the course of a long life we have been startled by beauty such as oiu' eves had never dreamt of behold- ing, and probably never will behold again. In our opinion, there is not in these times as many wonders in the way of beauty, as in the days when a lovely duchess or countess attracted the attention of crowds of admiring spectators, who accounted it a boon to catch but a transient glance of her beautiful face as she passed quickly through the streets, or to her carriage. ^Moderate good looks are perhaps more common than formerly ; the dress of the present day is generally more becoming, — young ladies with but a moderate share of prettiness pass muster uncommonly well, — and that is quite sufficient, we think, for every pur- " pose ; indeed, extreme beauty may perhaps be reckoned a misfortmie. Even in the highest ranks it is, as the poet says : • " but a vain and doubtful good, A shining gloss that fadeth suddenly, A flower that dies when first it 'gins to bud, A brittle glass that 's broken presently : A doubtful good, a glass, a flower. Lost, broken, faded, dead within an hour." And if it prove a snare to those who by edu- 236 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. cation and position arc fenced aronnd Avith every safeguard, what must it be to the less favoiu"cd — to a ])()or girl like Violet, with such a mother as she was so unfortunate as to possess ? Julian leant against a tree, lost in contem- plation of the fair minstrel as she warbled forth lier sono; — Marv, standinG; bv her brother's side, listening with the pleased attention Violet's beautiful voice alwavs elicited. When she ceased sin''in"; thcv both turned to look for Sylvia, but neither she nor Lion were to be seen. "Where is Svlvia?" Julian exclaimed, in some consternation and much annoyance ; " how tiresome she is ! Avliat can liave become of her again, I wonder?" " I don't think Miss Vernon is quite well to-day," Violet interj)osed. "Why, what's the matrer?" Julian in- quired quickly. " She said," replied Violet, looking rather mystified, " that she had an evil spirit upon her like Saul, and she Ijioudit me here to charm it out of her, as David did out of the wicked king." Julian and Mary laughed. THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 237 " And," she continued, "just now, when I was talking to her, she looked so odd, sud- denly, and — " But just then, remembering what she had been saying at that moment, she stopped abruptly, and blushed so painfully, that Mary said : " I hope you did not vex Sylvia, Violet." " Indeed, I said nothing to vex her, ]\Iiss Mary," she replied, eagerly. " I only said — " But again she stopped, covered with con- fusion. " Never mind, pretty one ! what you said," Julian interposed, hastily; "I suppose we must go off in search of this runaway ; let me carry away the guitar ; " and they all wended their wav homewards. Sylvia had, unobserved by the brother and sister, left the wood. They had stood rather turned from her, but still she could plainly perceive every expression of their countenances. She saw they were wholly absorbed by Violet, and in Julian's face admiration was unmistake- ably depicted. With one of those ungovernable impulses which she had never yet learned totally to re- press, she had started up and fled rapidly down the hill leading from the wood, accom- 238 Tin: little beauty. j)iinied by licr faitliful coni})aiH()n, Lion, and scarcely slackotiecl her pace until she reached the gates of the rectory. "Ah, dear Ijion," she said, as, stopping for a moment to recover breath, she patted the head of tlie animal who kept so pertinaciously by her side, " ]iou never desert me, nor care for any one so well as your mistress ; " and tears fell from her eyes. "But what will mauuua say?" Sylvia con- tinued to muse, as she now slowly ascended the slight acclivity which led to the house. " How foolish of mc to leave the wood ! I dare say they will all be angry, or rather vexed, with me, but I coidd not helj) it ; oh, that I were more patient, more gentle ! What will Julian think of me ? " Aiul full of compunction for her intemperate ebullition, she, with a hesitating hand, opened the glass door leading into the hall, and there at once encountered I\Irs Vernon, who had just returned from seeing Mrs Martha comfortably seated at tea in the housekeeper's roouL She well knew that her old friend woidd enjoy this sacred meal — ])rizc(l by nurses, we believe, be- yond all others — nuich more without the ghne of drawing-room society, and with those be- THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 239 fore wliom she might ha^ e her cup Mecl and re-filled to her heart's content. " Why, Sylvia, you are sooner home than I expected; where are Julian and Mary?" were Mrs Vernon's words on perceiving her. Sylvia could not speak ; she only coloured and looked confused. "Is anything the matter?" asked Mrs Vernon, quite alarmed. " No, mamma, nothing, but — " and she threw her arms round Mrs Vernon's neck. " Oh I I have been so foolish, so chikUsh, I know you will be very angry, and despise me for beino; so weak and violent." " Pray don't agitate yourself in this manner, Sylvia; come with me into my sitting-room, and tell me what has happened." And Mrs Vernon led her weeping daughter to her own little sanctum, and seated by her side on the sofa, Sylvia sobbed forth her humiliating record of the last hom% leaning confidingly her head upon the shoulder of her gentle mother. She told how she had been in the first in- stance hurt by Mrs IMartha's words, "She does not belong to you ! " and the cold manner in Avhich they were spoken. " Veiy absurd, mamma, I know you will think it, for 240 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. no doubt the old woiniin did not mean to of- fend nie, but I cannot bear to think I do not (|uitc belong to you all; that I am so different, with my dark eyes and hair, .standing alone in the family, showing so plainly that I am not your child — even little Arthur, my father's own l)ov, seeming to scorn to show he is my brother by his blue eyes and light curls. Ah, I see you are laughing at me, niannna ; in your heart how sorry you must be that you have such a foolish daugliter ! And you have not heard the worst part of my stoiy." " I hope I have, dear Sylvia. I quite agree with you that what you have already told me is a foolish, imamiable idea of yours ; but, at the same time, I must confess that the love it expresses for me is something so flattering to my heart, that, though I am forced to con- denm the feeling, and to implore you to get rid of it as a weakness unworthy of so sensible a girl, yet I nnist forgive it, my darling Sylvia; " and Mrs Vernon tenderly kissed her. "Oh, but, mamma, dearest mamma, you know not all. Now you really will be thoroughly vexed with me, for I will tell you everything — my thoughts even, and then — " THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 241 Slie paused, and sighed heavily, " I am ahnost too much ashamed to tell you," she went on at length, turning aAvay her head, "but I suppose it must be done. AVell ! — I saw that Julian and Marv were so occupied with the old nurse, that they took no heed of me, so I set off as fast as I could with Lion towards the wood. Whilst passing the cottage, I saw Violet, as usual, sitting in the porch twanging her guitar. I believe she never does anvthino; else from morning till night. I thought I would take her with me, so Avent in for her, and that tiresome mother allowed her to go, although she wanted me to Avait — whilst she did out her hair, as she calls it — what a horrid woman she is, mamma ! " " There again, Sylvia, always in extremes, exaggerated even in your epithets," interposed Mrs Venion. " Well, but you know she is horrid, mamma. I only wonder Alolet is not more sillv than she is ; however, I took her ofip, and we went to the drawing-room in the wood, and I made her sing to me ; but first of all she must make a wreath of wild flowers for her straw hat, conceited little creature ! But how beautiful, certainly, she is ! " VOL. I. 16 242 Tin: MTTi.r, bkaitv. And Sylviii sighed disicoiisolatcly. " That mother of hers hud dressed her in a new costume, a sort of Swiss peasant's dress, which became her mightily. Seated as she was, surrounded by those flowers, on a mossy seat in tliat beautiful place, the sun shining through the trees so brightly upon her, really I could not help being struck by her wonderful loveliness ; at last the wreath was finished, and the lial put jauntily on, on one side, but not l)efore she had talked a great deal of nonsense, I can assure you ; and then she began to sing, and oh ! mamma, what a voice she has ! " " It is, indeed, a beautiful little pipe ; poor child ! I sometimes think, in mv blindness no doubt, that she would be better without a gift which will, I fear, prove only an additional incentive to vanitv." "Yes, so I think," said Sylvia, nuich ex- cited ; " what good can it do to a black- smith's daughter to be so beautiful, or so highly gifted with nuisical talents ? " " ]-iut, Sylvia, we must recollect who made her both in mind and body ; no talent or gift is bcstoM'cd witliout a purpose." " No, cei-tainly, I sn])posc not," continued Sylvia, with a sigh. " ^^^ell, mannna, whilst she THE LITTLE BEAUTY. r243 Avas in the middle of a song, Julian with Mary- appeared. He scarcely noticed me, except to say that I had led them a dance ; he seemed struck with Violet, just as if he had seen her for the first time. He was so kind and affec- tionate to her — called her " pretty Violet," and all sorts of pet names — made her sing, and stood leaning against a tree, wdth his eyes fixed immovably upon her. Oh, mamma, I cannot describe the sensation which shot into my heart ; it was, I fear, something very dreadful, a mixture of anger, hatred, and despair. I scarcely know why, for, poor Violet ! can she help being so lovely, and how is it possible for Julian or any one else not to admire her ? " Whilst Sylvia thus rapidly spoke, had she looked into Mrs Vernon's face, she would have seen that it grew pale, and that an anxious ex- pression usui-^^ed the generally placid character of her countenance. A weight had indeed fallen on her heart in the form of a care for the future, which had never before suggested itself. Oh, it is a blissful time wdien our sons and daughters are children, a period of peace- fid enjoyment which, whilst it lasts, we seldom estimate to its full extent. The scene changes 244 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. •when cliildhood departs ; to tlie tender cares of infancy succeed anxieties- ol" a lieavier nature. It was an awakening to the mother, the dis- agreeable thoughts with wliich Sylvia's words had shaken her imagination — the first glimpse of coming days, which caused a spasm of pain to strike throuiih licr heart as Svlvia related this little scene, and she contemplated her darling son exposed to all the dangers of his age, in a world into Avliich he was about to launch, so inexperienced, so pure-minded. She had never thought of him hitherto l)ut as the solace and comfort of her life ; had never be- fore had the idea that he was human, tliat he would be a man indeed, Avith all the passions of a man. But Mrs Vernon's was a faithful, trusting heart. She repressed her rising a])])rehensi()ns, and talked long to her dearly loved yomig daughter, endeavouring to impress upon her mind how greatly it would increase her happi- ness if she acquired more self-command, telling her plainly that she felt certain that, although Julian loved her already most sincerely, she would gain more influence over his affection if .she were more calm and equable in her ways. " Men, in general," Mrs Vernon continued. THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 245 and we must now begin to consider our Julian in the light of a young man, " are most inclined to admire all that is gentle and soft in woman ; gentleness ought to be the personification of our sex. Theii' presence ought to inspire a feeling of peace and repose, not wrath ; and remember, Sylvia, you are now almost a woman." When Julian and Mary returned to the rectory, heated and discomfited by this wild- goose search after her, they found Sylvia quietly seated close to Mrs Martha, who was installed in an arm-chair in the drawing-room, little Arthur on her knee. She seemed to be making herself very agreeable to the old nurse, who, though she stroked with much tenderness the fair head of the little ])oy, yet looked with admiration upon the dark flowing locks and brilliant eyes of the handsome daughter of the good man she had already learnt to revere. CHAPTEr. XXII. Nurse Martha spent the next day most linppily. The affectionate attentions slie re- ceived from every member of the family were truly gratifying to her. Mrs Vernon drove her out in her little pony carriage into the grounds of Lyle Court., and on their way tliither, on passing the cottage, they saw Violet leaning, as she too -often did, against the garden gate, idly looking out upon the road. " I nuist show you our village beauty," said Mrs Vernon, as she stopped and called Violet to her side, and presently Mrs Miller, who was in the garden, bustled up also, simpering and mincuin: out her salutations. Mrs Martha's* THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 247 gaze fixed itself upon the beautiful foce of Violet, and after tliey drove on slie said : " Indeed, my dear lady, my eyes never light- ed upon anything so lovely ; only one face have I ever seen like it, and that is one I often look at, in a picture which Mr Jerrold has in his room; it is of an angel, painted by, I think he told me, Raphael. I am quite learned in pictures now ; poor Mr Jerrold thinks and talks so much about them, they being his only anmsement. The one I mean is certainly strikingly like that young girl — just the same golden hair, the same perfect features, those parted lips and that beautifully formed mouth and hea^^enly eyes, as hers looked when she turned them up towards your face ; she is truly a sweet- looking creature, and seems innocent and good." " And so she is, poor child, at present ! " Mrs Vernon answered, with a sigh. " Yes," continued the old woman, " I know why you sigh ; that beauty will be a hard trial to her, and I don't much like the looks of the mother — God forgive me for my bad thoughts.'" " Indeed, I fear she is a very foolish woman ; her father is an excellent, honest man, but I believe has little influence over his household." ^ y^ y^ ^ 248 Tin; J,1TT1,K IJEAL'TV, Tliat cvcuinp; Julian had a little walk alone with his father's nurse; lie led her into the churehyard to look ii))on a uiave with a hand- some niarl)le slab, surrouniled hy raihngs, Avhich had been substituted for the Innnble ccravestone that had before marked the resting'- plaee of the last Julian Hope. This had been done l)y Mr Vernon, his step-son related to ^Ii's ^laitha, as one of the many acts of kindness and consideration which he never wearied in bestowing upon them idl. Nurse Martha, before she left Ib'ooklands the next dav, had the satisfaction of seeins; this ex- cellent friend to those in whom she felt so teudei' an int(M"est; Mr Vernon arrived by an eailv train, and the welcome he received from the whole taiiiily was a token of" how nuich he was heloved. Mr Vernon was a tall, slight man of about fifty years old. From him il was j)laiidy visible that Sylvia had derived her dark hair and eves; indeed, she rescanbled Ucv fathei' creatlv in features, but {hv expi'ession was vei'v different. There was a peculiarly calm and gentle air pei'\ a(liu|j: his countenance, a con- trast to the \ivacious sparkle of his young daughter's face. But time may have changed THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 249' him, and a life devoted to the duties of his caUiiig has softened the tire of those dark eyes which never now fell but with the mild- est radiance on any one. He was tridy be- loved by his flock ; of him justly they might say: "We venerate the mau whose heart is warm, Whose hands are pure, whose doctrine and whose life, Coincident, exhibit lucid proof That he is honest in the sacred cause." " Yes, Mr Jerrold," said the old nurse, as she sat beside the invalid relating every little incident of her dehghtful expedition, " it has, indeed, been new life to me, these three last days — something bright to think of for the re- mainder of my old life. I sometimes fancy it cannot all be true, but a beautiful dream, a fairy story ! that pretty place, and such a par- sonao-e I never before beheld. But I believe Mr Vernon, Avho is well to do, has added a room here and there, as it was required, so it is quite a large house — rather irregular-looking — but you, sir, would call it picturesque, with its gable ends painted black and white, like the cottages in the village, and the garden so pretty; and then those children, Mr Jerrold, those happy, beautiful children ! " *' It is indeed pleasant, jMartha, to hear all 250 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. this, but go on, you have not told mc half that I want to hear." "Oh, for that matter, 1 might go on for ever," continued the nurse. " As for Julian, he is exactly like his father, ])ut stronger-looking in all Avays, has a firm look, more decision in his eye, in the lines of his mouth ! — you see at once that his has been a wholesome briuijin": up, less soft than his dear lather's, no weak indulgence or luxury to unfit him for strug- gling through life and its temptations. No, there is something in the expression (jf his countenance that tehs the beholder that he has that within him Avhich will enable him to fight the good fight, and manfully con([uer even the deceitfulness of his own heart. Yes, those Avho live to see it will, I know, have cause to be proud of that youth." "And the girl, good Martha, what of her?" " She is a dear little girl, mild inul gentle as a dove; she has been delicate from her birth, poor child ; — born, some months after her fa- ther's death, in misery and sorrow ; but they say she gains strength every year ; she will be l)retty, I think, some of these days, when less pale and thin. Ihit, j\Ir Jerrold, ]\Iiss Sylvia, what a spleiulid creature she is !" THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 251 " Mr Vernon's daugliter ?" said Jerrold, witli less eagerness. "Yes, that dear, good man's daughter!" contmiied IMartha with great enthusiasm; " that man who has been a friend, a father to your cousins and their mother, when all their blood- relations forsook them; ^vho has been the means, A^dth God's blessing, of making them what they are now, good and happy : how they all love and venerate him, and no wonder ! And that Sylvia, to see her adoration of her step-mother, it is something wonderfid. She is a droll young lady," and Martha laughed ; "do you know, she is so tenacious of being thought not to be quite one of them, and was quite offended even with me when I said, on first meeting the young party, something about her not be- ing a Hope. How could I think her one, with those dark locks and eyes ? such eyes ! — why, they sparkle hke the stars on a frosty night. She is a pretty creatm-e, with her tall stature, and graceful little head ; and she forgave me, dear child, for my speech very soon, and was as loving and kind to me as any one of them." "And my aunt, how does she look?" in- quired Jerrold. 252 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. "Miss Mary? I beg her pardon, ]\Irs Ver- non — I never saw any one less altered by time ; fair-coin])lcxione(l people look young longer than those who are darker skinned, and after all she is only thirty-seven ; poor V01U12; creature ! — she was barelv seventeen when she took that imprudent step — eloped with Mr -lulian ! Since her second uiarriao-e she has led so calm and hap})y a life, that she nuist have recovered her health and spirits. Mr Vernon SL-ems to dote upon her, loving her children (pnte as dearly as his own, and doing everything kind and generous by them ; oh, he is a man at whose feet I could have almost fallen, to thank him foi- Avliat he has done for those so dear to my lost darling!" " I (|uite enter into your feelings, dear Martha, and I also feel the deepest gratitude towards ]\Ir Vernon, and long to tell him so," replied Jerrold. It was now the great object of Jerrold's life to see his cousins, to have them, as it were, domesticated at Lillord Towers, and inmie- diately on his father's return honu^ he com- menced the subject. fie told him, fearlessly, what he had done ; how he had sent Nurse Martha to reconnoitre. THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 253 and bring back some account of the family, and then related all she had told him, and the impression his uncle Julian's children had made upon her. Mr Hope listened attentively to his son's recital, and Jerrold ^vas surprised at tlie man- ner in wliich his father received a communi- cation so hkelv, he imas-ined, to offend him. His grave, stern countenance assumed no darker looks ; he was silent for some time, and then said, " This, certainly, is an extraordinary step for you to have taken, Jerrold ; one that I should not have sanctioned had I been consulted ; how- ever, as it has been done, I shall say no more about it." " Oh, my dear father 1" exclaimed the poor invalid, with extreme excitement, " I trust you will say a great deal more about it ; oh, say that you will allow me to see my cousins, to have the only happiness I expect in this world. For years now this has been the sole pleasm'e I have had in anticipation ; my cousins require nothing from }"ou — the excellent man my uncle's widow mamed has taken your place, and provides nobly for the boy, who, in all probability, must be your heir — the future owner of this property." 254 Tin; LITTLE HE AIT V. Mr Hope evidently winced at these words; and a spasm, as of })ain, crossed his coun- tenance. "Yes, to a stranger's generosity a Hope owes evervthin"-, whilst his uncle disowns him," Jerrold rnntinued, becominp: much agi- tated. "Oh, father, I beseech you, if you have any regard for your unfortunate son, grant his prayer; send for that boy, let me see some- thing I can love, can be proud of, before I die ; some one who is worthy to perpetuate our name. Dear ftither, you have always been kind and indidgent to your poor crippled son, so hear me now, I implore you,'' and Jerrold clasped his thin white hands in earnest entreaty. A very few days after this conversation between Jerrold Hope and his father, the post brought a letter to Mrs Vernon, the contents of which seemed to disturb her greatly. Mr Vernon, busily employed in reading his own desi)atches, did not observe his wife's agitated countenance, nor did he make any remark when she rose and left the breakfiist- table. "My motlicr has had some bad news, I fear," said Julian, addressing his step- father. Sylvia started up with the intention of fly- THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 255 ing to Mrs Vernon; but her father inter- posed. " No, Sylvia, I will go to her," he said, and immediately went to seek his wife. He found her in her sitting-room, weeping bitterly; much alarmed, he inquired into the cause of this distress. " You will think me very weak and foolish to be thus affected by the contents of this letter, but I cannot help it," she said, placing it in his hands. It ran as follows : " Lilford Towers, " May 1st, — " Dear Madam, " I wish in all sincerity to become ac- quainted with your son, my nephew, Julian Hope, and shall feel obliged by your allowing him to visit me as soon as possible. His cousin Jerrold is most anxious to make his acquaintance. I must also request to be allowed to fulfil all those pecuniary duties henceforth for him, which have hitherto been so generously performed by your husband, Mr Vernon. I understand Julian is at Oxford. Every expense of his education in future I o 56 Till-. laTTLK BEAUTY must be permitted to defray. It is iny earnest wish that tlie past slioiikl ])C l)uncd in ob- livion. " I remain, dear Madam, " Very faithfully yours, " Alexander Hope." " I know I ought rather to rejoice," con- tinued Mrs Vernon, whilst her husband was perusing tlie letter ; " I ought to be thankful that so great a load is taken from you; but I cannot forget the past. At this moment, the remend)rance of all that cruel man's cold un- kindness to Julian's father tills my heart with such bitter feelings that, God forgive me when I say it, I cannot endure the ideaof my son re- ceiving anything from his hands. Tt has been so delightful to owe all to you, my generous, kind, and beloved husl)and ! " But Mr Vernon spoke, and his soothing words, as they ever did, soon calmed the tempest at her heart, and convinced her better judgment on the subject. The next day a letter was despatched to Lilford Towers from Mr Vernon. It ran as follows : THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 257 " Brooklands Rectory, " May 12tli, — " Sir, " I am deputed by Mrs Vernon to in- form you that her son Julian Hope will Avait upon you on Monday, the 26tli instant, should that day suit you to receive him. " With regard to the pecuniary arrangement to which you allude, I beg to say the dis- cussion of the subject need not yet be defi- nitely decided upon. I can only say that for many years it has been one of the greatest sources of satisfaction to me, the power I have had of promoting the advantage of my much- beloved step-son. " I do not, however, hesitate to allow that from your near relationship your claims to assist your nephew are very great ; but I en- treat you to understand that I am still quite ready to go on to the end with the labour of love I have so long and so joyfully undertaken. " I remain, Sir, " Your obedient servant, "Arthur Vernon." And so it was to be ; in a fortnight Juhan was to depart for Lilford Towers. VOL. I. 17 258 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. He was rather startled at first wlieii he heard of the arrangement, but soon, with the fresh and hopefid feehngs of early youth, looked forward with ])leasnre to the novelty and complete change of scene which was pro- mised him. But to the other inmates of the rectory, the news of Julian's speedy departure was a terrible blow : just at this time also, when they were so happy and so free — • Mademoiselle Hoffmann gone for her holiday — and the Glenmore family all coming to the Court. Poor Sylvia, it required all her lately detennined self-control to support her under this trying disappointment. However, duiing the time which intervened, everything was done to amuse the young people, and soon the Glenmore party arrived at the Court. CHAPTER XXIII, The Glenmores had not been at Lyle Court for some time ; Lady Violet was mariied, and the j\Iarquis on the continent, so the party was reduced in number. Lord Victor, however, accompanied his mother. He had left Eton, under not very favom-able auspices ; indeed, his friends had been recommended to remove him at once, to prevent the most unpleasant consequences ; and from Oxford he was all but expelled. We regret to say that both at school and at college a repellent vice seemed to be habitual to his natui-e, fortunately not at all usual in the 2GU TIIK T.ITTLE BEAUTY. present day in the character of a scion of nobiHty, which made it necessary that he shonld be removed from the university. Lord Victor was a most precocious youth in every respect. His frame promised to be gigantic in its proportions ; his face, with his dark eyes and hair, pecuharly striking, from its beauty of feature and colourinp:. AVlien tirst the eye 1)chekl liini, uncpiahfied admiration was tlie impression of every one ; but the charm soon vanished when more in- timate acquaintance ^vith the countenance, and its impleasant varying expressions, showed forth indications of a spirit within which it made the beholder quail to think of. How would it be with him Avhcn time went on, and the boy became the man, with all those passions, now so forcibly delineated, matured by years into their full intensity ? Lady Glenmore, the most indulgent, and, we arc obliged to confess, the weakest of mothers, was conq)letely led captive by her love for this her youngest child. On his ex- pulsion from Oxford, she detennincd, until Lord Glenmore's return, to keep him at home THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 261 under tlie charge of a tutor, and she was not fortunate in her choice of one. The Rev. Mr Fanshaw was a gentleman by birth and education, but his small means ob- liged him to work in some way. His tastes were naturally luxurious and refined, and, as he was obliged to be a tutor, his great aim was to obtain a post of as little trouble as possible, in an establishment where he could live the life of a gentleman, and with the hope of the position leading to future prefennent. It mattered Httle to him what became of his pupil, so that he could persuade him to accomplish, each day, a very moderate amount of study ; and he w^as lucky, he thought, in obtaining a situation in which his views on these points were so completely realized. Victor Lyle wanted not quickness of parts, and he was only too glad to strike a bargain with his tutor, that if he studied two houi's every morning, he woidd not bother him fui'- ther dming the day. So everything went on very smoothly with the supine Mr Fanshaw and his independent pupil. Lady Glenmore considered that it was her most prudent course to leave London, and fix herself at Lyle Coui't, hoping that, in that 262 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. comparatively secluded liouie, her wild darling would be secure from every temptation. Every icmptation ! pooi* mistaken mother ! she never remembered that it is the state of the heart which determines the moral character. " Make the tree good, and the fruit will be good also." In vain could Lady Glenmore liope to preseiTC her son from vice, whether in the busy world, surrounded by all its allurements to sin, or amidst the tranf[uil glories of the country, unless she sought to cleanse and pu- rify the fount from whence proceeds all evil. He delighted in Lyle Court, where amuse- ments of every kind abounded — such capital fishing and shooting wheii the season com- menced, and he could kec]) his hand well in till Scptcnd)er, by destroying the ral)bits. Then the stud, which was always kept under the surveillance of Frank Miller, what a choice of horses he should have, both for diiving and for riding ! " I shall have some fellows down, and make them tolerably jolly, I think," he said to his trusty confidant, Tom Jones, the morning after his arrival. " Oh, yes, you'll have rare fun, I am sure, my Lord ; but Mr b'anshaw, your tutor, won't he be THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 263 always poking liis nose about, and interfering in every tiling ? " " Not he ; do you think I am such a fool as not to be able to manage him, Tom?" was the indignant ansAver. " We have come to an understanding, and after twelve o'clock he is never to cross my path." " You are a first-rate clever young 'mi,'* Tom admiringly remarked. " But, my Lord," he added, " I should like to know, is ^Mr Juhan Hope still to have the nm of our stables, and ride and drive what horses he pleases ? Already he has at the rectory the finest hack ever broke in these stables, just such a one as you would have liked — a present from the Marquis ; but still he comes in and out, picks and chooses, and rides anything he pleases, and thinks no- thing of having the trap whenever it suits hnn to drive to Selbourne. Lord Victor crimsoned, and a very savage look gleamed from his eyes. " No ! — catch him at such work whilst I am here." " But his Lordship left positive orders that Mr Jidian was to have what he pleased — do what he liked in our stables ; and Mr Miller would give him the skin off his back, if he 264 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. asked for it, and Mr Millci- is master here, I can tell vou." ** We'll see ; Miller master here, Avhen I am at Lyle Com-t? I'll soon teach him who is master," and the young lord ended this speech with an oath we should \)c sorry to record. " I wish that fellow, whom I hate like poison, was not here ; it takes away all my pleasure in being at the Court," Victor continued, waxing more and more indignant. " Have you seen him since you came down ? " " Oh yes, I saw him yesterday, leaning over the cottage gate, talking to pretty Miss Violet. Lawk ! how handsome she is grown ! " was Tom's reply. " He was, was he, talking to Violet?" and Victor's eyes actually blazed. Even Tom Jones rather quailed at the expression Avhich he had striven to produce. The demon he had done his best to conjure up was more terrific even than he was prepared for, and rather appalled him by its fierceness. " But you need not mind ; I hear this won- derful piece of perfection — this Paragon, I bc- heve they calls it, — I know we once had a mare by that name — is going off in a fortnight." "lam glad to hear it," the youth replied THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 265 between his clenched teeth, " for perhaps I may be able to keep my hands off him for that time ; but as sure as I stand here, if I catch him poaching in my concerns, whether in the stables or elsewhere, I'll break every bone in his skin." " Better not dirty your fingers by touching him, my Lord; and to tell you the truth, it would be dangerous work meddling with him, for though he has a pale face, and looks so tall and slight-like, I have heard that he has plenty of pluck in him, for all he looks so mild. What a cricketer he seems to be ! In short, a clever hand at everything," Tom added, looking sideways at Lord A'ictor. " By the by, my Lord, arn't we to have some matches ?" "Not till that fellow is gone," was the sulky answer. "And, my Lord, have you heard how he has lit upon his legs?" "What do you mean?" " Wliy, do you see — Mrs Vernon's maid, who is a crony of Mrs Evans's it seems, picked up at the rectory that Mr Julian had been sent for by his uncle, who lives at that great place, Lilford Towers ; and an old nurse that was here told them he was to be the heir 266 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. of that great fortune ; the still-room maid, who is a swcctheai't of mine, overheard Mrs Thompson telling of this to our housekeeper, and in course told me." " That fellow has the devil's own luck ; I don't remember the time when I did not hate him, and now I suppose he will be a greater demi-god than ever, witli every one." " He'll never beat you, my Lord, depend upon that, and if I were you I would not pick a quarrel with him ; let him be off in peace — it will only make a row — a fortnight will soon be over, and then you reign supreme, as they say. And, there, I sees the very party in question, with the young ladies, coming this way ; I say, Lord Victor," nudging familiarly the young Lord, " isn't that Miss Vernon a clipper ? " " Then I shall be off," said Lord Victor ; " I could not meet him at this moment with- out knocking him down. I hate that girl too." " Now, remembci" what 1 told you, my Lord, ' two can play at that game ; ' depend upon it, he's dangerous, has the courage of a lion and the science of a j^^^^- ^ ^^^^^ heard a story or two of him fi-oui a chum of mine in London, who was something or other about the THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 2G7 school he was at ; even there he was famous for everythmg he had a mind to do." Victor Lyle slunk away. That youth, so highly gifted by nature and position, was ready to exclaim, " Yet all this availeth me nothing, as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate." CHAPTER XXIV. "Now, Violet, listen to what I say," said Mrs Miller to her (laughter; "none of your affected airs and graces, if you please, when Lord Victor comes. Remember you ought to be proud of his notice, so kind as he is, and to think of all the beautiful presents he gives you!" " I don't care for his presents," Violet said, in a very dejected tone of voice ; " and I am too old to be kissed by him, father says." " I never heard such rubbish in the whole course of my life ; a brat like you to talk so, u})()ii my word. I don't know what the world will come to at last ! " exclaimed the incensed mother. THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 269 " But Mr Julian never kisses me, never gives me any fine presents, yet I am fonder of a flower from him than " — " Hold your tongue, you bad child, talking in that manner about young gentlemen — Mr Julian, indeed! I wonder what they would say at the rectory if they were to hear you ; they, who are a prouder set by far than the Court people ; and Miss Sylvia, would she not scratch yom* eyes out?" Poor Violet began to cry most piteously. "What are you crying about?" said Mrs Miller, longing in her heart to give Violet a good shaking ; but with an effort restraining her hands and her temper, she added, coax- ingly, wiping away the tears that were streaming down her cheeks, "you silly little beauty, I did not mean to scold you." "Don't call me 'beauty,' I hate the name; — oh, I wish I were not beautiful!" Violet ex- claimed, petulantly. " I wish from my heart I was ugly, and then " — " What then ? " asked her mother. " That odious boy would never speak to me again." Mrs Miller was thunder-struck. What was she to do? Any moment Lord Victor 270 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. iiiiii;]it l)c there, and to lind her in that mood ! " ]Mv darlhiu', mv ])i'ecious chikl ! " she said, beseechingly, " I beg and entreat you not to talk in this manner ; you know how kind Lady Glcnmore and all the family have been to me. What should I have done without them, and what would her Ladyship say if you were to be rude to her darling boy, and my darling boy, whom I mused in these arms from the mo- ment of his birth, whom I love as my own child, he who ought to be considered by you quite in the light of a dear brother ? " And here Mrs Miller began whimpering. " You cut me to the heart, my pet, to hear you talk of him in this Avay ; he Avho will, I dare say, soon be here, so liap])y at the thoughts of seeing us all again ; and to meet with a cold reception from you, to whom he has always been so generous ! " — " But my father says " — " Don't tell me the nonsense your fiither says," angrily broke in Mrs Miller, "just as if I didn't know the world much better than he does ; what does he understand about the ways of the nobility ? I only tell you this, Violet," and Mrs Miller waxed exceeding wroth, "that if THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 271 you don't behave yourself, it will be tlie vrorse for both you and your precious father, the silly, ignorant man! Now go up-stairs, and wash your eyes ; — a pretty figui'e you look, after all my pains in dressing you so nicely ! There, go now, my own dearest, darling, sweetest pet," the mother continued, changing her harsh tone of displeasm-e into the most wheedling whine, " my treasure and delight, who would not, I know, vex her poor jMimmie. " And Violet, with slow, heavy steps, ascend- ed the stairs which led to her little bed-room, her young heart very unasually oppressed, while Mrs Miller sat do^vn deep in medi- tation. " Yes," she thought, " I have trouble enough before me, I plainly see ; that gM will require management ; Trank must have dust thrown in his eyes by some means or other, or he will be an eternal spoke in the wheel ; he, poor grovel- ling creatm-e with no ambition, would gladly see his beautifid daughter married to a coarse famier, or forsooth, perhaps, to the son of the A butcher, so that he was a ivortliy man ! I look for better things for my child than a Avorthy man ; — what else coidd be the good of possessing a beautifid daughter? Have there 272 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. not boon duclicsscs and countesses and mar- chionesses elevated to the peerage far beneath her in all ways? No, I have made; up my niiiid, and when once that's done I gener- allv gain my point. It ought to be so easy, but I have such a set of fools to deal with. AVhat a lovely creature that child is, so nnicli improved since he last saw her ! I know one \\ ho thinks so too ; one not so despicable either ; but, no, the peerage for me, and I can do anything I Hke with him, the dear boy ! I know the length of his foot, as they say, handsome fel- low ! But here he comes ; I A\onder whether that stupid girl has made herself decent." A hasty step was heard on the gravel walk, the door burst open, and Victor stood before his nurse, who, clasping him in her arms, com- menced a volley of endearing and flattering ejaculations. " You are not ohended with your old nurse for receiving you with open arms, yon darling of all darlings: but, oh! when I look upon yon and see what a fine creature you have become, I fear your Lordship will think I am taking a great liberty : a man, indeed, you are," she continued, surveying the youth from head to foot, with a countenance in which ecstatic admiration was expressed ; THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 273 " and sucli a man, the handsomest and finest my eyes ever beheld." " A\liere's Violet?" asked the youth, with- out heedino; the honeved words of Mrs Miller. " Oh, she is up-stairs : Violet 1 " she called, going to the door, " Lord Victor is here, make haste down ! " " Well, Rose, and what's the news ? what have you been about lately ? how is Violet looking ?" " Well, pretty well, I think ; and as to what we have been about, not much ; we always go on in the same jog-trot style ; Violet gets on wonderfully ^^^tll her music, and as for her voice, I think that will make her fortune." "And she plays upon this, does she not ?" he asked, taking up the guitar, and passing his finger over the strings. " But why does she not come ? " " I'll go and see," Mrs Miller said, and bustled up-stairs. "Violet ! " she said in an undertone, as she entered the girl's little chamber, with a look upon her countenance very diflbrent to the didcet one she wore down-stairs, " come down this moment." Violet had no choice but to obey. ' VOL. I. IS 274 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. " You'll hcliave properly, do you hear ?" the mother said, in that sinister voice her daughter well understood ; and after giving a few touches to her dress and hair, Mrs Miller de- sired the unwilling girl to follow her dowTi- stairs. CHAPTER XXY. Lady Helena and Lady Sophia Lyle were the most unsophisticated, amiable girls, prizing the comitry and its enjoyments far beygnd the amusements and excitement of fashionable hfe. Lyle Court had ever been their terrestrial paradise, and they always hailed their return there with unqualified delight. They loved ]\Irs Vernon sincerely, and were very fond of both Sylvia and Mary ; but JuHan had always been their especial favourite, and the constant intercourse thev had had "v^dth him dming his school days in London made them look upon him with the affection of sisters. 270 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. They were perfectly aware of Victor's dislike to Julian Hope, and much of the pleasure they anticipated in their stay at the Court was spoil- ed by this idea. The young l)arty, whom Lord Victor had avoided, were on their way to the Court to ask Lady Glenmore, with her son and daughters, to dine with tliem that day at the rectory. Mr Fanshaw had not yet arrived, but was ex- pected that evening. The invitation was gladly accepted by the j\Iarchioness and the young ladies. " Victor, I am sure, will be most happy also, tell ]\lrs Vernon, my dear Sylvia," Lady Glenmore said as they were departing. But she had reckoned "without her host. " Catch me going ! " was the young loi-d's reply, Avhen he came in to luncheon. " Tell jb'roissart," turning to the butler, " to have dinner for me and Mr Fanshaw at six o'clock, no later, for I wish to so out earl v." " Indeed, Victor, you really nuist go ; I have accepted the invitation for you, and it will be so very rude," j)k>adcd his mother. " I cannot help that, and 1 must beg, Lady Glenmore, that in future you will never accept invitations for me without my sanction." THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 277 Tlie sisters looked at each other, and shriio-o-ed ' CO their shoulders. "Well, but just this time, my dear boy, Mrs Vernon will think it so strano-e." " Hang Mrs Vernon ! " was the reply. " Really, Victor, this will never do," said the discomposed lady ; " I trust, at least, Mr Pan- shaw will improve your manners, for they are past enduring." Victor went on eating his luncheon in dogged silence. " And we were to have spent such a pleasant evening, — to have the pony carriages after dinner, and drink tea in the wood." "Oh, mamma, we can do very well without him !" exclaimed Lady Helena, " and so, I dare say, can Mrs Vernon. Victor only sneered. " Sylvia and I are going to the Cottage ; have you any message, mamma ? " " You can tell Mrs Miller to come up and see me ; and Syhda and Mary talk so much about Violet's singing, and playing on the guitar, that perhaps we had better take her with us to the wood this evening to play to us." The young ladies departed, too glad to escape from the presence of their young brother, 278 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. •vvliosc disagreeable ways had rendered him anything but an object of pleasure to them. Lady Glenmore was left alone with her hopeful son, he still lingering over his luncheon ; but he now vouchsafed to raise his eyes from his plate, and to say in a less morose tone of voice : " You may tell those rectory people that I will join them in the wood, and bring Fanshaw ; I can endure that, with })lenty of elbow room to set out of the wav of bores." As Lady Helena had said, the Vernon party were perfectly able to dispense with the society of Lord Victor, who was certainly no favourite with any one. As children, he and Sylvia had ever been at war, and she could not forget, nor I fear forgive, the manner in which he Avould fain have treated and spoken of Julian. As for Julian, he really despised the young lord most thorou2;hlv, and thouo;ht of him with no other feeling but indifference or con- tempt ; but for the sake of those he loved so well — Lady Glenmore, and the friend for whom he felt so strong an attachment, the kind Mar- quis — he made a firm resolve to bear to the very extent of endurance the petty taunts and un- gentlemanly bearing of Lord Victor towards him. THE LITTLE BEA.UTY. 279 " You need not fear, dear mother," he said to Mrs Vernon ; " I know that young scamp thoroughly, and as I care as little for his words as for the idle winds that blow, I shall turn a deaf ear, as far as it is possible. I am not very irritable, you know ; but of course I cannot let him go too far." " And I have been talking to Sylvia," Mrs Vernon rejoined, " and begging her not to be too demonstrative in showing her dishke to him ; her I cannot trust quite so well as I can you, my son." " No, I should think not," answered Julian, laughing ; "I wonder when she will learn to keep her feelings to herself." " Sylvia is certainly open as the day," answered Mrs Vernon, " perhaps too much so for the world she lives in. The interests of society often render it expedient to repress the utterance of the whole truth; but I must confess that I think the most natural and at- tractive beauty is honesty and moral truth; to me her thoroughly ingenuous character is de- licious; all her faults are on the surface, and even they are interesting to me, springing, as they do, from over much feeling." " How fond you are of Sylvia, mother ' I 2 so THE LITTLE BEAUTY. sometimes feel inclined to be jealous, both for myself and iMaiy," Julian responded. " But are you not also very fond of her?" inquired Mrs Venion. "Oh, yes, mother, very fond; I love her quite as much as if she were my own sister." " And don't vou think her verv handsome ? " I.' nj " AVell, I suppose she is, but In-others never sufficiently appreciate their sisters' looks, I fancy." ]\Irs Vernon's heart sunk. " Why, mother, you look quite unhappy. I really do think Sylvia very handsome; her figure is, or will be, I suppose, very fine." Mrs Vernon still did not look satisfied. " Do you wish me to admire her so very much ? " Julian asked, laughinp;ly. " Yes, Julian, it is the dearest ?v/sh of my heart" was the camest answer. Julian looked surprised, and turned his eyes upon his mother's face inquiringly. There was something in the expression there that startled him; he paused a moment, as if in thought, and then the crimson blood that flew to his temples showed at once that for the first time a new idea had darted throuirh his brain. THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 281 At tliis moment a servant, entering to deliver some message, broke off tlie conversation, and Julian walked out of the open window on to the \a\ni, and from thence into a httle sequest- ered walk, where he paced up and down for some time, meditating more gravely than he had ever done before. CHAPTER XXYI. It was a pleasant, cheerful little diiuicr-party at the rectory. Lady Glcnniorc probably en- joyed herself much more without the presence of her wayward son, whose uncertain moods always gave her some uneasiness ; keeping her always on the watch, lest by word or deed he should say or do something offensive to one of the company. *' I think Julian is changed," said Lady Helena to her particular friend Sylvia, as they walked together in the garden after dinner, whilst waitino; for the carria":es which were to convey some of the party to the wood. THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 283 " How do you mean ? " inquired Sylvia, quickly. " He looks so grave and abstracted, as if lie had something on his mind," returned Lady Helena ; " perhaps he does not en- joy the thoughts of his visit to his imcle; and I am sure I do not wonder at it, for he is a most formidalDle-looking man ; he was once pointed out to me at a dinner-party in London." " Julian has not expressed any dislike to the idea of going," Sylvia replied, " but I did remark that he looked much graver than usual at dinner ; " and Sylvia became herself ab- stracted whilst ponderino; on Julian. She now remembered that she had met him coming into the house when the dressing bell rang, and that on making some usual remark, instead of waiting to speak a few words to her, he had answered shortly, and ran up-stairs : and again, during dinner, several times when she had looked at him, she found that his eyes were fixed upon her in quite a strange manner ; and once she saw that when he met her glance he coloured deeply. What could it mean — what was the matter? That morning they 284 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. liad been tlie best of friends — how conld she have ofi'ended hiin ? All her pleasure now vanished ; she longed to fly to her mother, to consult with her as to the cause of this strange conduct in Julian, but that was impossible. Should she ask him ? She saw him coming out of the house, but her mind misgave her ; there was something in the looks which she had detected Julian fixing upon her during dinner, so different from the careless, cheerful significance of his usual aspect towards her, which disturbed her woman's heart ; they were looks of deep and thoufi;litful scrutiny — at one moment an expression of severity on his countenance, as if he were condemning her — at another one gentler, more affectionate — and once, oh ! it was folly in her, conceit, to allow such an idea to enter her mind, and the girl l)lus]ied at the presumptuous idea — she thought he looked as if — he was admiring her ! Perhaps he thought, " Sylvia looks better than usual this evening in that new muslin dress, and with her hair in braids instead of those childish ringlets." Well, however it miujht be, one thing is certain, tliat Mrs Venion, wittingly or un- THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 285 wittingly, by those few words to her son had destroyed for ever the brotherly and sisterly intercourse which had before subsisted be- tween Julian and Sylvia. For the first time, perhaps, in his life, he had been made to realize the idea that no tie of blood united them, that she was only his sister by name. And his mother's words — what could they mean ? Was it possible — the light which now began to break upon his mind, and which his fancy rejected ? " Yes, I love her as a dear sister, but no more !" he ejaculated, his boyish taste reverting at that moment to the very different beauty of another — one so perfect in budding loveliness, that it would have been next to im- possible that, at his susceptible age, he could wholly have escaped the fascination of her beauty. Mrs Vernon, with the quick instinct of a woman, had soon seen into the transparent heart of her son. She did not fear ultimately for him, but she felt the time was come to em- ploy some counteracting spell to occupy his thoughts, and carry them on to the future. She could even now rejoice that his visit to Lilford Towers would remove him for a time from Brooklands. The fact was, as it generally 286 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. lia])i)nis wlicii people are taken out of their sphere, tliey become at some time or other a matter of inconvenience, or often annoyance, to those \\iio either thou^i-litlesslv, or self- ishly, or even with no other motive than good-nature, have thus elevated them. Violet, from her great beauty and a certain clinging, affectionate manner, had always ])een a favourite with every one. And then she was so much to be pitied, with such a mother! so cruel to the child one moment ; so coaxing and flattering the next ; bringing her u}) in such vanity and folly, w^hile yet she retained so Avonderfully her simplicity and guileless- ness. ]\Ir and Mrs Venion had not the heart to make a change, and order that Violet should no longer be the constant companion of their daughters, her wonderful voice mak- ino; her more than ever interesting and agree- able as an associate. And the Glenmore familv, who had done so nmch towards spoiling the mother, now they were come to make matters worse. A'iolet would be more than ever en evidence, and the two youths. Lord Victor and Julian, both ad- miring the little beauty, and with anything but kindlv feelings towards each other. THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 287 " Oh, it is a great blessing that JiiHan is going away ! " was the feehng of the mother's heart as these reflections filled her mind. And besides all this, she saw plainly that poor little Violet, in time also, might love Julian with all the intensity of her young and grateful heart. And then again, her darling Sylvia, did she not see that she was changed ? — no longer the high-spiiited, impetuous creature, whose joy- fid lauo;h was ever to be heard — whose voice, so clear and sweet in its tone, made the house ring w^ith its cheerfid music ; — she had be- come much graver and quieter. She was certainlv now no lono;er a child, but almost a vouno; woman ; still the chan2:e had been so sudden, that the parents missed her childish fi'olics, and would in their hearts have pre- ferred the governess's complaints of the play- fid escapades of her pupil to the opinion she now delivered, " that jNIademoiselle Syhda had become most wonderfully studious et si sage." Sylvia was really a beautiful girl, and this day, for the first time, the Erench maid, who had been sent to London to brush up her knowledge of hair-dressing, which had lain rather dormant lately, changed the infantine manner in which 2SS THE LITTLE BEAUTY. Sylvia's liair had always appeared hitherto, to the present becoming style of a young lady's coiffure. She wore a pretty muslin dress, with cherry-coloured bows ; and, assuredly, Mrs Vernon could not have chosen a more opportune moment for whispering those few niao;ic words into her son's ears, for Svlvia did look beautiful, and as Jidian gazed at her, his mind, full of the new ideas just forced upon him, began to waver and to change. She was not like the Sylvia of old ; — those bright, restless eyes, how nuich softer w^ere they now in their expression ! She smiles, and very sweetly, but does not laugh as she used to do, he thinks ; no, certainly, for some time he has remarked that she has been orraver and quieter; but now^ again she does laugh at something Lady Sophia has said to her, and Julian thinks he rather likes to see those pretty pearly teeth — that mouth was formed, after all, to laugh — not to wear'a solemn expression. " I wonder wdiether I have been quite as affectionate to Sylvia since I retm-ned home as I used to be," he mused ; and then some thoughts darted across his mind, which made the coloiu- rush into his face. The remem- brance of a face of exquisite beauty appeared THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 289 before liim, and it was with anger against himself that he felt a discomfort, an unrest in the idea, which he knew was not -as it should he. " I am glad I am going away," was his con- cluding thought, as he rose to go to the stable, to see if his mother's pony carriage was being made ready. Some of the party intended to walk ; indeed, all the young party preferred so doing but Mary, who was not so strong as the others. "By the by," said Lady Helena, "we must call at the Cottage for Violet ; we promised to take her and her guitar with us. What a beautiful creature she is ! don't you think so, Julian ? " " Of com'se I do," he replied. Sylvia, who had her eyes fixed upon him, saw that the colour mounted to his face. " Do you see a great deal of her ? " Lady Helena continued, addressing Sylvia. " Yes, we do, and we are very fond of her," Sylvia answered, her voice sounding a httle un- steady ; " but mamma has told me lately that she fears it is not for Violet's happiness, bring- ing her so completely out of her Hue of hfe ; it is, however, difficult to make any change towards VOL. I. 19 290 THE LITTLK nEAlTY. one we have known so intimately fi'oni infancy, and slie is such a sweet Httle creature." Julian was looking stedfastly upon Sylvia whilst she thus spoke, although she saw not the direction of his Gjaze. It did her no iuiurv in his eyes, the manner she spoke of Violet. " Yes," said Lady Sophia, " it was my sister Violet's fault in the first instance, and we have all followed her example in dressing up and pampering that pretty child. Glcnmore always preached against it. I fear the mis- chief is done, and cannot be remedied. What would Nurse Rose say, if we were to present her with broAvn stuff and cotton frocks for her beautiful daughter, instead of our cast-off silks and finery ? I quite agree that we have made a mistake, but it cannot be helped now." Thev had reached the Cottao-e, from Avliieh Violet issued, radiant with smiles, looking fresh and lovely as the rose — her triLest eml)lem. Nothing could exceed the simple elegance of her dress. She had evidently just escaped from the hands of her mother, who accom- panied her to the gate. " AVell, you will take care of my darling treasure, dear ladies, I am sure. Oh, ^liss Vernon, how well you are looking, a great im- THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 291 provement, indeed, yoiu^ change of hair dress- ing ! Mamselle has learnt something, I see, by going to London ; I must coax her to give me a fe^v lessons." " Oh, ho^Y I do dislike that woman ! " said Sylvia to Lady Helena, as they walked on, Violet in advance. " Oh, fie, don't abuse dear Nm-se." *'WeU, Helena, I beg yom* pardon, but I cannot like her."' CHAPTER XXYII. What a G;lonous smniiier evening it was! all nature rejuieiiig in the tranquil air, so soft, yet so refreshing, which wafted its fragrant breath around, laden with the scent of blossoms and shrubs, which were tiowering in such pro- fusion round the sylvan recc})tion-rooni. The young people were glad to rest them- selves on the mossy turf; the ascent through the wood was fatiguing, and the day had been sultry. They formed a very pictures(|ue group as they thus appeared, their large hats removed, their youthful faces and graceful forms unre- strained by formality, all taking, unconciously, those unstudied attitudes no art c;ni command ; THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 293 tlie large dog, reposing at his mistress's feet, adding to the effect of the scene. Lady Glenmore and Mr and Mrs Vernon sat on rustic seats, looking Avitli much pleasm*e and admiration on the pleasant sight before them. " How delicious this is, so calm and peace- ful ! " Lady Glenmore exclaimed ; " I never see anything so beautiful as this spot ; and it brings me back to years gone by, when I was young, free from care, and one with, me who would gladly have averted a feather's weight of trouble from resting upon me ; " and Lady Glenmore's eyes tiUed with tears. " Yes," she continued, " how little we estimate present blessings, especially those which are generally the portion of our early mariied years ; when with a kind husband by one's side, our children at that happy, careless age wanting only those pleasant cares which to a mother it is so sweet to bestow, we ought only to have pom'ed out the song of thankfulness. Yes, I often tell my Violet when she comes to me with her trifling griefs and annoyances, ' My child, these are your halcyon days ; your largest sorrow now will appear but a speck in the horizon to 2 9 J) THE LITTLi: BEAUTY. the real sorrows wliich it is the fate of every mortal to encounter, and which will amve in due time.' Iiuleed, dear friends, I have much to say to you on the subject of my present troubles. Dear Victor, he is such an anxious care to me, and I know not what to do for the best. I luu'c written to implore Glenmore to return to England, for I really cannot en- comiter the responsibility imaided." As she thus spoke the odour of a cigar be- came i)lainly perceptible, and Lion, whose quick ear had detected the sound of footsteps, started up and rushed towards the spot from whence it proceeded. In another moment Lord Victor's voice was heard in harsh and angry tones, saying : "Down, you brute, or I shall knock you on the head." " Lion, Lion, come back this instant !" cried Sylvia, who was on her feet in an instant, hei- eyes flashing, her cheeks crimsoning. Lion instantly obeyed his mistress's com- mand, and bounded back to her side, looking, however, not well pleased, for he was perfectly accpiaintetl with the habits and heavy horse- whip of the young lord, who now emerged THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 295 from amongst the trees, followed by a clapper little man, whom we recognise as the Reverend Edwin Fanshaw. The yonth, who looked flushed and heated — probably from wine — scanned the company with a careless, supercilious glance, shook hands with Mr and Mrs Vemon ungraciously, and then swaggered, with his hands in his pockets, towards the young people. Julian came forward at once and held out his hand, which was scarcely touched by Lord Victor, who approached Sylvia, staring at her with his usual ill-breeding. " Well, Sylvia," he said, " you haven't taught vour dog better manners ; he had better take care what he is about, when I have my stick in my hand with lead at the top ! " Sylvia's blood was boiling over, and she was on the point of answering him as he deserved, when chancing to look at Julian's face, she saw an expression upon it which at once told her that there must be no recrimination which might bring forth more insidting words from the ill-conditioned youth ; so, with an effort over herself, great, indeed, to one with her ex- citable nature, she checked her incensed feel- ings, and endeavoming to smile, said calmly : 200 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. "I feel sure you would not hurt liiui, Lord Victor; and you know lie never does any liarni ; liis bark is worse tlian his ])ite." Victor, wdio liad expected to be ])ai(l off in his own coin, well knowing how small a s])ark it re(|uired to kindle a blaze in the excitable mind of Sylvia, whom he had quarrelled with ever since he could remember, was quite thrown back by her present diMueanour. Her (piiet lady-like manner and gentle speech at once acted as a s})ell, and whilst he continued to stare at her, he was thinking, " What a devilish handsome creature she has become ! " " Well, Mr Lion," he said, more coiuieously, " for your mistress's sake I'll spare you ; but, Sylvia, what have von been doini>: with vour- self? — you have grown amazingly handsome; nothing like lirooklands for bringing forth beauties. Where's my pretty Violet hiding herself?" and he turned to the girl, who had in part concealed herself behind one of the Lady Lyles. Svlvia's heart beat indic;nantlv. That odious boy, for so she still considered him, presuming to p;iy her those coarse compliments ! She longed to give vent to her irritated feelings, and tell him how she despised him ; but she looked THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 297 at Julian, who was talking to Mr Fansliaw, and fancied the glance of his eye, and the expression of his countenance, marked ap- proval of her conduct, so she was detemiined to bear all — everything, so that peace might be preserved betAveen those two hostile parties. The servants now began to prepare the table for tea, which was supplied from the Cottage kitchen. " Come and sit by me, little beauty," Victor said to Violet, who still kept very close to Lady Sophia, " ' and eat sweet strawberries, sugar, and cream.' I remember your mother singing something about that, and ' curly locks, curly locks, wilt thou be mine ? ' So now come along, and he mine, or rather my neigh- bour at the tea-table, ' and eat sweet strawber- ries, sugar, and cream ' with me this evening." So saying, he took her hand and dragged her to the table, and during the repast entirely 'devoted himself to her, taking no notice of any one else, scarcely deigning to answer any re- mark his mother addressed to him — Violet seeming anything but happy or flattered by these assiduities, becoming very much flushed, and scarcely raising her eyes, except to cast furtive glances occasionally around her. 298 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. Mr Fansliaw ])cc'anic immediately at home, endeavouring; to make himself agreeable to the youuiz; ladies, and assiduous in his polite atten- tions to Lady Uleimiorc and Mrs Vernon. His presence was rather a relief than otherwise, for he was a well-bred man, and had nnich small talk at his command. Of his pu])il he took little heed; this was not the hour to assume the tutor ; he threw off that character at twelve o'clock each day, to(5 happy to forget, if possible, that he was obliged to enact that rule at any season. He was rapturous in his admiration of the rustic drawing-room and splendid view beyond, which certainly never ai)peared to more ad- vantage than on this calm summer's evening, the bright sunset illumining the horizon, and casting a rose-coloured light on every object. "A Paradise, indeed!" he exclaimed senti- mcntall} , addressing himself to Mrs Vemon, after having duly discussed the iced strawberries and their attendant delicacies. " After the glare and heat of London, the beauty, freshness, and trancpiillity of this favoured spot, strikes, proba- bly, upon my senses more vividly than on those of persons living constantly under its channs, everything around is so lovely and in character. THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 299 AVhat a perfect little Hebe that is to whose channs Lord Victor is always doing such hom- age, and that stately young beauty ! " looking towards Sylvia. "My daughter," Mrs Vernon interrupted, rather stiffly. " Oh, I beg pardon," Mr Fanshaw added apologetically ; and then continued in a soft tone, which savoured not a little of a straining after effect, " here one might imagine nothing could exist but happiness and peace, that no feelings, save those of purity and love, could possibly find place in the hearts of those con- gregated in a spot so preeminently favoured both by art, nature, and its genial air, the — " But Mrs Vernon at this part of the harangue fell into so deep a reverie that she heard no more, was only aw^are, perhaps, of a gentle mumiuring which lasted for some time longer, for she was looking abstractedly at the counte- nances of those assembled round that luxurious tea-table, laden with every dehcacy which the refinement of our luxurious age could invent. The surrounding scene was certainly ex- quisitely lovely, and health, beauty, and pros- perity, were truly the characteristics of the young group before her. But even into the SOO TlIK LITTLE BEAUTY. garden of Eden tlio serpent insinuated its baneful way, and its trail is still to be found in the fairest spots, in the most sequestered and pL'aceful ix'treats. The curse rests still upon every child of Eve. That splendid-looking creature, Victor Lyle, how fearful the expression of his countenance ! — so young, and yet with vice so prematurely develo})e(l in the very lines of that finely- formed but proudly-sarcastic mouth, something so repellent to the feelings ! — and Mrs Vernon's heart recoiled wdien she saw him leanino; with so rude a stare of his brilliant eyes over poor little Violet, who, she perceived, was shrinking and tr('nd)linQ; like a friG:htened bird about to be pounced upon by some nuu'derous hawk. And then her own dear children, her Julian ! There was no peace or pleasure beaming from that usually benevolent countenance. Its ex- pression was flushed and anxious. Whilst he endeavoured to exert himself as usual, aiul to ])e attentive and agreeable to all around, his mother detected ever and anon a spark flash- ing from his eyes, as he looked towards Lord Victor — denoting a look of intense impatience and disgust — which lie had the greatest diffi- culty to restrain from breaking forth into THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 301 words and actions. And Svlvia, where was her bright smile and nmsical hnigh, her rest- less spirits the first to suggest fun and ad- venturous froHc, the first to be called to order for her child-like exul)erant glee ? She seemed to have changed at once into an anxious woman, her eves constantlv scekina; Julian, her whole care and attention concentrated on liiuL She saw at once that he was annoyed, how- ever imperfectly guessing the real state of his mind, and was aware how antagonistic the feelings of the two youths were towards each other. She must avert anything like colli- sion, keep that odious Victor in good humour, if possible, so she busied herself in endeavour- ing to amuse the party — proposed to sing one of the trios in which Violet took the sojwano part. And beautifully the three young voices blended. Both Mary and Sylvia sang well; their German governess was a first-rate mu- sician, and they, too, had profited by the itinerant Italian's instructions, and le'arnt to play on the guitar, upon which Violet now was made to perform, warbling also to its ac- companiment some of her sweetest songs. 302 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. Liuly Glcnniore and Ikt (lauf!;litors were de- lighted, and the raptures of tlie enthusiastic Mr Fanshaw luibounded. " Yes, did you ever hear or see anything like her?" asked Lord Victor of his- tutor ; " is she not a perfect love ? " " Indeed she is ; may I ask who the young lady may be ? " "What the devil does that simiifv?" was the reply, and he turned rudely on his heels. And Julian, where Avas he ? He leant against a tree, his countenance grave and thoughtful, his eyes, too, often lifted upon the fair song- stress ; and his mother thought, as she looked upon him, " I never imagined that the time would come when I should rejoice that my boy was so soon to leave me." There was indeed nuich for both mothers to ponder on this evening. Lady (ilenmore, for the first time, looked upon the poor little girl they had helped to diag out of her sphere, as one who might be- come but too dangerous from her singiJar attractions. She saw Victor's undisfruised looks of admiration, his never-ceasing assi- duities, and they v;ere displeasing to the mother's eyes. A^ hen the party broke up, it THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 303 was on his arm Violet was made to lean, Lord Victor dragging lier off in advance of tlie rest of the party, and when the others passed the Cottage they saw that he was still there, and heard again the sound of poor Violet's guitar. He had made her sing again, that young tyrant ! — and she was powerless to resist the orders of her mother. Tired and weary, she had to sit up whilst the young lord partook of a dainty little supper prepared by Mrs Miller, who well knew all the favomite dishes of her " darling boy," as she continued to call him. "When poor Violet was permitted at last to retire to her bed, bitter were the tears which bedewed, her pillow ; she had been so harassed and bewildered by the unwelcome attentions of Victor Lyle. " And Mr Julian, not one word did he speak to me ! " This idea was the crowning distress of all. CHAPTER XXVIII. Lady Glenmore returned home with lier heart very ill at case. She felt terrified lest, after all, her bringing Victor to Lyle Court Avould not answer. Where, indeed, could he be out of temptation ? But what was she to do ? The poor lady passed a sleepless night, sadly ])erplexed ; but with the post-bag came some comfort. Lord Glenmore wrote to tell his mother to despatch Lord Victor aiul his tutor inuue- diately to a town he indicated in Italy, where he would await them, and then proceed for a more lengthened tour, lie thought it would THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 305 be better for liis brother to be under his own surveillance^ and was desirous of sparing Lady Glenmore so difficult a charge. Lord Glen- more desired that Lord Victor and Mr Fan- shaw should start at once for London, and set off for Italy as soon as passports, etc., had been procured. This plan was indeed a relief to the mother's mind. She always felt that Victor was safe when in his brother's hands ; she could now look forward with more hope to the future, and had no idea but that the plan would be hailed with pleasm^e by her young son. But this was far from being the case : the youth was furious ; he resolutely declared he Avould not go. He was very well where he was, and did not choose to go and be bullied by Glenmore, and watched as if he were a baby in leading-strings. Lady Glenmore was in despair, and his sisters aghast. They had been delighted at the idea of getting rid of their troublesome brother, who was a constant annoyance to themselves and their mother. Go he must, and after much trouble and alter-' cation, Mr Vernon being sent for to assist in settling the point, Victor, chafing and fuming, abusing his brother and every one else, was VOL. I. 20 30G THE LITTLE BEAUTY. obliged to consent to depart two days after. Thev were to take Avith tlunu a foreign valet ; Lord Cilenniore particularly desired this, and not Tom -Jones. No abuse did Lord Victor spare to liurl a2;ainst his kind brother, who thus burthened himself to become bear-leader to the most un- gracious and unsatisfactory of youths. My Fanshaw did not citliei- at all a})prove of the change. He thought he should be extremely comfortable at Lyle Court. The cui- sine was first-rate, the young ladies most agree- able, little or nothing had he had to do ; but under the eye of the grave and rather learned Marquis he would be obliged to exert himself; and he did not at all relish travelling, even in the best of styles. He groaned in spirit w4ien he looked round and noted the elegance and beauty of everything, and thought of the pleasant, tranquil, idle smnmer he had in- tended to spend — a summer holiday indeed he felt his situation under such circumstances would have been; and ho rather won his pu[)irs heart, by entering fully into his feel- ings upon the subject ; and lii^ ally and con- fidant, Tom -Jones, grumbled dolefully. " So I am not to go with you, my Lord ! " he THE LITTLE BEAUTY, 307 said sulkily. " What's all this about ? I thought I was alwavs to be about voui' person ; so my Lady said." "Yes, but neither my Lady nor any one else, it seems, has any voice in the matter, but that meddlesome brute, Glenmore ! and to think that I am wholly in his power till I am of age. Oh, that the time were come, and that I could snap my fingers in his face — a formal prig, an odious busybody ! I hate going, and feel almost determined to say that I will not stir — only I suppose it would end in my being obhged to do so, my mother makes such a fuss. I'm as down in the mouth as possible ; and to leave that pretty Violet ! Do you know, Tom, I'm more than ever head and ears over in love with her." "Are you, my Lord? what will Frank MiUer say ? " " Say ! — why what should he say ? " "Why, you see, he's mighty particular about his beautiful daughter. I hears a good deal through my sweetheaj't at the Court, who gossips with Mrs Miller's maid, who has good ears of her own, and makes good use of them ; and pretty rows there often are, but the missus always gets the best of it. How queer 303 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. it is : Frank Miller, the boldest and strongest man going, wlio nilos all in those stables with a rod of iron — even the most rampageous of horses, why he's soon made as meek as a mouse by that scolding Avoman ; but about his daughter he'd stand no nonsense, I'm quite certain sure." " AVell, why should he ? he ought to be only too proud ; for to tell you the truth, Tom — I know you can keep a secret — as sure as that I stand here, I shall many that girl. Oh, you may grin and look as if you did not believe me, — but I have always determined u])on that ; long, long ago, when I Avas quite a child, T had made up my mind, and see if I shall not keep to it." ^ " Lawk-a-deary me ! and won't that be a pretty kettle of fish? I should like to know what the Marquis would say, and my Lady, and all the grand folk, your relations." " And what care I for them ? T hate grand folks; I think (hem a stu])id, stiff set, with their airs and graces ; I was never intended for the aristocracy ; I am nuich more at my case out of their society ; and the girls of what are called the higher classes are such formal misses — nuistn't do this or that, no fun about THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 309 them. I only hope my pretty Violet won't be spoilt amongst them, and made into a fine lady. I don't think she's quite as jolly and free as she used to be." " Well, the rectory people do their best to spoil her, I believe," answered Tom ; " at least they teach her, and take great notice of her, and, in course, she'll imitate their ways. Mr Julian, I suppose, tells her what is genteel — " "I'll tell you what, Tom," interrupted Victor, foaming with rage, " I beg you will keep an eye on that Hope ; and if you don't tell me exactly hoAv he goes on with Violet, I'll just send you at once to the dogs ; I'll have nothing more to say to you." " Oh, I'll look sharp, my Lord, depend on me," said Tom, suppressing a broad grin at the expense of the young lord, whose present ebulhtion he only regarded as one of the child- ish fancies for which he had always been famous. Even this low-minded groom thought the idea of his young lord marrying the black- smith's daughter, just as likely, as that he him- self should think of Avedding one of the Ladies Lyle; it amused this vulgar friend to make the youth " flare up " about his love, but as for anything more serious than a boy's folly, that 310 THE LTTTT.F, BEAUTY. never entered liis calculations. He hated Ju- lian, and had the same ravage pleasure in setting; the two youths at loggerheads, as he would have felt in witnessing a fight between the young ladies' two pet Scotch terriers. " Will you swear, Tom, that you'll write and tell me all that happens here — that you'll Avatch Violet ? " " Yes, mv Lord, as a cat would watch a mouse ; ' sharp ' will })e my word. I'll call and ask Mrs Miller now and then whether she has heard from you, and then I shall have a look at pretty Violet. Lawk ! that is a dainty sight, which makes my mouth water ; you need not look so glum, my Lord, ' a cat may look at a king,' you know — and all that I can ever do is to look — she'll never look in return, that you may be sure ; she who is so accustomed to better things ! " Victor talked with his contidant some time longer, and then walked towards the Cottage ; and when his back was turned, Tom was able to indulge freely in the mirth which his young lord had excited in him. " That is a queer yoimg chap, surely, and alwavs has been, but 1 dare sav he'll be channred Avhen he comes from foreign parts." CHAPTER XXIX. t Julian liad spent anything but a liappy evening, liis mind was filled with strange, new, and counteracting ideas. The more he pon- dered over his mother's words, the more he became aware of their significance. He had looked upon Sylvia hi quite a new light, and certainly never had he seen her under such favom^able auspices. Her conduct towards Lord Victor had been perfect, so different from that wdiich he would have expected from her impulsive self; so dignified and lady -like, so self-possessed, none of the usual bursts of in- dignant feelino;, which had been ever wont to ignite at the least approach of provocation, 312 TllK LITTLE BEAUTY. slio seemed, in lact, as if l)y some spell of magic, changed ! And even her looks, she was not like the Sylvia of old, so woman-like now in her appear- ance, and really for the first time in her life he thonght so " very handsome." But, again he thought, and sighed. " What a beauty is that poor little Violet ! " and then his brow contracted, and an expression cloud- ed his brow, very different from that which it usurdlv wore. " I could not bear," he then continued to muse, " to see that unprincipled Lyie behave as he did to her last uight ; it was with the greatest difficulty I restrained myself from taking her away from him, she looked so miser- able. I know him well, and young as he is, the account I heard of him from an Eton fellow is dreadful. I really think I must speak to Prank Miller about it ; as for the mother, I fear she only encourages Lylc." This Avas the substance of the thoughts which gave Julian a most un- usually restless night, and Mr and Mrs Vernon were also not without their anxious moments, niid iiuich and anxiously did they talk over the events of the previous evening. The next niorniniir's breakfast was not so THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 313 cheerful a one as usual. Mary alone spoke freely of the last night's party ; the rest had each a thoughtful look upon then- counte- nances. "' IMamma," said Mary, " I think Victor Lyle is more disagreeable than ever; how he tor- mented poor Violet ! I don't think she liked it at all. Why did you not help her, Jidian ? I saAY her so often looking at you, as if she wanted you to say or do something that would keep that tiresome boy in order." Juhan turned verv red, and then said with flashing eyes : " I should have liked verv much to have punished him as he deserves, I can assure you, Mary ; and perhaps if Lady Glenmore and his sisters had not been there, I might not have been able to resist." "What, Julian, would not the presence of your own mother and sisters have restrained you ? " said Mr Vernon. " Oh, of course — but, my dear father, I am sure you quite understand what I mean ; and I am confident you felt equally disgusted — though in a different spirit, I am aware — with Victor Lyle's conduct towards that defenceless • 1 " gn-1. 314 THE JJTTLH BEAUTY. " And I (juitc agree with Julian," exclaimed Sylvia, with great cmjyrcsscmenl. " I just felt the same. I couhl not enjoy anytliing. I was so full of indignation and disgust towards Victor, that I had to control mvself, I can assure you, mamma, from going up to Violet and tell- ing her to come and sit between me and Lady Helena ; it Avas quite shocking to see that dread- ful countenance." Mrs Vernon onlysaid, "I am rejoiced that you took no part in the business, Sylvia," and then changed a subject she shuddered to hear discussed in the presence of Sylvia and Mary, nnich more that they should mix themselves up in its details ; and soon a note was delivered to the Rector from Lady Sophia, rccpiesting that he would come to the Court as soon as })ossible, to talk over some important business Avith Ladv Glenmore. Mrs Vernon then asked Julian if he Avouhl ride over to Asliton Park with a note of invitation to the fiimily there, requesting that he Avould go early, as she wished for an answer. On passing the Cottage gate, Julian stopped his horse, as usual, to say a few passing words to Violet, who was always either flitting about the garden, or ready to fly out at the sound of THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 315 liis voice. To-day the Cottage door \Yas closed, — a very unusual circumstance — and no one visible. He waited some moments, and then called " Violet ! '■' and after a little more delay Mrs Miller appeared, shutting the door after her, and trying to put on her usual simper, but looking evidently ruffled and confused. " Good morning, Mr Julian," she said, "you are taking an early ride." " Yes ; I shall pass through A., can I do anything for you ? " "No thank you, sir, Frank will be coming from thence to-dav : he has been there on business ever since Monday." " He is a very busy man now-a-days I think, Mrs Miller ; but where is Violet ? I called to ask if she was tired after her exertions yesterday." " Why, I really think she is, but I sent her out to take a little walk, I thought it would do her good." " Wliich Y'ay did she go ? " inquired Julian. " Well, I don't know ; perhaps she Avent down to the villao;e, or somewhere in that direction." " Oh ! well, perhaps I shall meet her." 310 THi: LITTLE BLAUTY. " Good iiioniing, Mrs ^Miller/' and he trotted off. " You'll he precious clever if you do," mut- tered the woman, and she returned into the liouse. Violet was in her own little room. Her quick ear had immediately caught the sound of elulian's horse's feet, and then his clear voice ])i'onouncing her name. She sprang to the door, l)ut her progress was impeded. " I'll have none of this ! " Mrs Miller ex- claimed, grasping the girl by the arm, and dragging her back, " standing at the gate by young gentlemen's horses is very improper conduct; go to your room ihis moment; a pretty i)iece of work there would be if Lord Victor came u|) at the same moment. I couldn't answer for the consequences ; they'll quarrel as sure as I'm alive ; I shall go and say to j\Ir Julian that you are out." " Oh, Miumiie, Minmiie, don't, pray don't, just let me go to-day, this once, pray do." "I'll do no such thing; now go up-stairs this moment, or you had better take care." With a menacing look, and ])ushing the girl towards the stairs, she forc(!d her to ascend them, and following her closely, made all sure THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 317 by locking Violet into her own little apartment, and then she proceeded to meet JuHan with this deliberate lie on her tongue. The fact was, Victor Lyle had inveighed in no measured terms against Julian to Mrs Miller the evening before, vowing eternal hatred to him, and complaining bitterly of his having superseded him in Violet's affections. " I know this to be a fact," the vouth exclaim- ed, " she is not the girl she was ; I am certain she cares for that fellow." In vain Mrs Miller tried to persuade him to the contrary, and witli honied words endeavour- ed to destroy the idea. " No, I have seen her, and that is quite suffi- cient ; and he, do I not knoAv what he is about? " And the hopeful young lord worked himself into a paroxysm of rage that alarmed the woman. By dint of a private word of stern import, Violet had been frightened into behaving tolerably the evening before, and Victor had left the Cottage in good hmnour, promising to be there again early the next morning. What if he should arrive whilst Julian was at the gate, Violet by his side ? Mrs Miller found it Avas no sinecure having a " beautiful daughter." 318 TIIK LITTLK BKAUTV. " Those boys will drive me iiuul," she said, as she retiinied to the house. " I wish Lord Victor was a httle ohler, and I shoukl make short work of that business, but Frank will be soon at home, and we must mind our Ps and Qs. I'm glad Mr Julian will soon be off, — I shall be rid of one trouble at least. And now I must get this plaguy girl right again. But, goodness gracious, here he comes full tilt, like a whirlwind ; he looks in a precious temper." " Well, Mrs Miller, so that fellow has been here again ! " " lie only stopped a moment with a message from Mrs Vernon to me." " Where's Violet ? " " Oh ! ])oor child, she's not at all well, she caught cold last night, I think ; she is lying down. I was quite alarmed, her eyes looked so red and heavy." " Oh ! then, she did not see him? " " See him 1 why bless you, she's hardly lit to see any one, she is so poorly ; but I dare say if you call in the afternoon she will be much better ; I gave her a little hot wine and water, which is sure to do her good." Victor sat in moody abstraction. " Well, Rose, I'm in a pretty scrape," he at length said. THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 319 " What is it, my dear ? " slie iuqiiired, alarmed. " That precious brother of mine has sent for me to join him Avithout an hour's delay at Naples, and I'm to be oif to-morrow." " To-morrovv' ! and what shall we do ? how miserable we shall be ! " and ejaculation after ejaculation of dismay and distress Avere duly intoned by Mrs Miller, ending by her pocket- handkerchief being applied to her eyes, to wipe away her well-enacted tears. Victor looked very much inclined to follow her example, and give way to a hearty cry upon her compassionate' bosom, as in days of yore, when he came to her for refuge and assistance under any youthful calamity ; and, really if there was a person he cared for in the world but himself, it was his ci-devant nurse, who had always possessed the art, or rather tact, of managing the boy when every one else totally failed. " Well, my darling, never mind," she said at last, in very pathetic tones, " it is for the best after all ; the time will soon pass away, and a few months will make you quite a man, and then no one will presume, or have any right, to control your Avill, whatever that may be." 3:20 TIIF. LITTLE BEAUTY. " But I iiiteii(U'(l to be so lia])})}' here ; and Violet, liDW shall 1 live wilhoiit seeing lier ? I tell you wiuit, Rose, why should I not marry her now — at once ? " " Why, niv dear hov, vou are both so young, oh, it would never do I " " There, now you are against me ! — 1 tell you what, I shall just go and drown or shoot mvself, for I am the most miserable of human beings." And he walked about the small apartment gesticulating and vowing vengeance against every one. Mrs Miller acted her part well ; she knew the ways of lier patient perfectly, and ad- ministered accordingly. She was quite aware that the spoilt child's ebullition wonld soon pass away, and she was not s})aring of tlie cor- dials, hope and flattery, to soothe his ruffled feehngs. " And Violet," she added, " won't she be as beautiful a2;ain in a year's time? — I shall keep her iu cotton for you, my Lord; but perhaps by that time you will have forgotten the poor little beauty." " i'orgotten her ! that's not very likely ; — have I ever liad her out of my head from the time I could tell what was beautiful?" THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 321 " But, my dear Lord, you must remember that it will not be all plain sailing ; I fear there will be many a cross in your true love. What would the Marquis say, and my Lady, to your marrying my daughter? — and Frank, why he'd be as much against it as any one." " You will drive me mad, Rose, if you go on talking in that manner. I care not for mothers, fathers, or brothers, I have told you a thousand times ; marry that girl I will, come what may ; by fair means or foul, she shall be my wife. Do you think I shall ask any one's leave? I hope I know a little better the ways of the world than that." " Well, my dear, you must keep all this snug, for if Frank gets an inkling of it, I beheve he'd marry her off at once to one of the ' worthy, honest ' men he talks about." " Oh, never fear me ; I never make a con- fidant; I don't trust any one on earth but you, Rose ; and now, mind you keep that fellow Hope from ever presuming to touch even the hem of her garment. It is fortunate we did not meet this morning ; I feel in such a state of irritation, what with one thing and the other, that if I had caught him at the gate, and VOL. 1. 21 '322 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. she hail been there too, 1 cannot answer foi' what I might have done. AVell, as I cannot see my beauty this morning, I will come again after hiiiclicon, — I have loads to do and to settle in the staV)les about my poor horses with Tom." * im nn * * Mrs Miller felt in no small degree relieved. " Thank gracious goodness he is going too ! 1 am not at all ready for the business ! the longer it is put off the better, the nearer to his being of age ; and, upon my word, if he had staid here he would never have waited, such a self-willed impetuous creature as he is ; it will be a pretty job whenever it does happen, enough to make the top of one's head fly oti", to think of it, l)ut when once over, what a thing it will be for Violet ! ' Lady Victor Lyle !' and, if the Marquis does not marry, ' The Marchioness of (jHciiniorc ! ' (juite worth all I shall have to go through. And to think that the worst person of all to manage will ])e her own father ! Won't he stand in the way of his own child, with his grovelling, vulgar, old-fashioned ideas of right and wrong? and that girl, she'll be another hindrance. However, I'll conijuer her, and THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 323 that's the main point. But I must go and look after my captive beauty. Oh, dear, it is a rehef to think that this boy is going to-morrow, and the other next week. I shall have breath- ing time, at least." CHAPTER XXX. Victor took liis {lc})artiire tlie next day. The youth was really most sclfishlv wretched at having to relinquish everything which to him constituted enjoyment, for what he deemed a puiiance and a bore. Travelling, seeing new countries, tine scenery, what cared lie for such ])lagues ? and then to be under coercion, to have that " fellow Glenniore," more like another tutor than a companion — for how could he enter into Ins dull scientific pursuits ! — always at his heels, doiru'ing his steps; and then what he should leave behind! It was really })itiable to belujld the crest-fallen litute of the proud \ outh. THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 325 His mother was miserable ; and now the time had come that she must part with him, her indulgent nature made her forget all the pain and trouble he was hourly giving her, and she would fain have kept him with her. But Glenmore's orders were not to be dis- obeyed. As the carriage passed the Cottage door he stopped it, and springing out, rushed into the house. " Violet ! " he exclaimed, clasping her in his arms, whilst lona fide tears rained from his eyes, "when I come back will you love me, — will you be my wife ? " The girl was very pale, her weak young heart was softened at the sight of his real dis- tress. What could she say seeing the proud, hard Victor thus humbled to tears ? tears, too, shed for her. No tears ever did their work more effectually, for they won for Victor at least a sentiment of transient })ity in her breast, and we all know how softening is that emotion. And then he was going — going for a long time, so she would not struggle from his warm embrace, as she certainly must have done at any other time. She would constrain herself to be passive, and then the relief of :i:2(> Tiir. i.ittlk beaitv. tliiiikiiif; that in a i'rw momciits \\v would be ijjoiR', not to return I'oi- at least a year ! — her mood was therefore unusually eompliant. " But answer me, Violet, send me awav at least with comfort at my heart. Do you love me ? Will you be my wife ? " "Of course, I outrht to love vou, Lord A'ictor; how kind you have always been to me ! " was the evasive answer. A servant knocked at the door. " If you please, my Lord, Mr ianshaw says you'll be late for the train." " Violet, will you be my wife when I return ? I'll not stir till you tell me." " Yes, yes," she cried, impatiently ; any thing better than that he should stay. Again he ])ressed her passionately to his heart, and then — the picture of grief which he cared not to conceal — he rushed into the car- riage. And Violet, her neiTcs quite unstrung by till' hariii^siiig t I'oubles of the hist days, and now excited and overcome by the })arting in- ter\iew, flew to her little room, and throwing iierself upon Ik r bed, and burying her face in the jjillow, wept unrest lainedly ; but they were tears partaking of relief not of sorrow THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 3.27 Mrs Vernon, acting upon the principle that " A little fire is quickly trodden out ; Which, being sufFer'd, rivers cannot quench," spoke a few Avords to her son that evening. They were but few, they were quite enough. His mother's words and wishes had been always sacred to Julian. She now spoke to him as a friend, as well as a mother, love and confidence glowing in every syllable she uttered. But she was firm and decided. Juhan, deeply distressed, at first listened to her with averted countenance, but turned at last his clear open face upon her, and eyes from which truth and honour seemed actually to emanate. How that look rejoiced his mother's heart, and how fervently she afterw^ards thanked God upon her kness, for this blessing of blessings comprised in such a son ! " Mother, you need say no more. I see it all, and agree in every word you have said," he munnured hurriedly, and then em- bracing her with the most affectionate warmth, and receiving from his beloved mother the most tender and fen'ent return to these caresses. 32S THE LITTLE BEAUTY. Julian left licr, and Mrs Vernon felt a load lifted from licr heart. All anxiety on that ae- eount being over, Mrs Vernon eon.sidered it would be an expedient moment to endeavour gently and gradu.ally to break off, or rather to alter, the character of the intimacv sub.sisting between her daughters and Violet ; and the family at the Court, having seen with dis- may the threatening evil consequences of tliis false position of the nurse's daughtei-, quite entered into all Mrs Vernon's opinions upon the subject. But the mischief had been done. IIow dif- ficult to repair the damage which had com- menced from the hour of the poor girl's birth ! Violet was quite s})oilt for any other society than that in which she had hitherto mixed — for any other life but that of relinement. Allien she came to the Rectoiy for her music lesson, which the German governess for her own n;ratifiration continued to ffive her, she was not so often asked to remain. In the riding or walking excursions she was now seldom included. She began to perceive the dif- ference, and it smote her to the heart. All was done in the kindest and most con- THE LITTLE BEAUTY. 329 siderate manner possible ; but she who had tasted of the cup of hfe so sweetened, how coukl she turn to the common routine of the existence wliich one in her grade must lead, and without a pursuit but music and fancy- work ? Mrs ]\Iiller soon began to perceive how matters stood, and at first it was a sharp pang to her pride and self esteem. " However, after all it could not be well helped, and it does not much signify ! " were next her cogitations. " I have him secure, I am pretty well certain ; and being put down by those stuck-up Rectory people will bring Violet to her senses. I know how it is, just as well as if I heard them say it ; they see that their Julian is in love with my beauty, and I believe tliev have an inklinsr at the Court of how matters stand with that dear Ijoy, Victor. No wonder, poor fellow, wdien the tears were running down his face w^hen he left the Cottage, and the servants all staring at him. AMien he comes back I shall have no further trouble with my young lady ; she'll be too glad to take her good fortune, when it is offered ; and it is much better that she should 330 THE LITTLE BEAUTY. not have absurd things put into her head at the Rectory — Mrs Vernon talking good to her about duties and rehgion — all very well in their way, but quite unnecessary to be stuffed into Violet's head at her time of life ; she, too, who thinks all they say gospel, they 'd soon make her as pnm as an old maid ; she is always quite different after a lecture from the rector's lady." Mrs Miller was fidl of thought as she sat at work in her parlour window. She had much to ponder uj)on. " This picture of Violet, which that dear boy says he must have, and which he will pay any price for — how is it to be ever done ? I think I must contrive to get up to London somehow or other, perhaps ask my Lady to let me go to Whitehall Gardens for a week or two, and take A^iolet with me. I can humbug Frank, by saying the girl wants a little change, and really so she does, the poor thing looks so pale and sad. Oh, won't I like to spite them all some of these days ! And my Lady, for- sootli, even she is rather cool and odd, but I'll warrant when the deed is done, and can't be undone she'll soon relent : and if she doesn't THE LITTLE BEAUTY. SSI wlio cares ? He is independent of tlieni all : that fine property, Cranlev Abbey, his own when he conies of age — the Marquis, too, thinking more of books and studies than of ever taking a wife " — " The ^larcliioness of Glenniore ! " "That is what I want to live to see niv beautiful daughter." END OF VOL. 1. JOKJi CHILDS AND SOX. PSINTEKS, I UNIVERSITY' OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. ^TERLIBRARY LOANS FonnL9-10m-3,' I- f \7:>2n) 144 THE IJPRAFcY UNIW.USITY or CALlFORNLi TOS ANC.ELES PR Grey - 1x728 The little G66h 1 beauty. v,l f^ JnterlibrWjl OAUS PR U728 G66U 1 v.l i!:::^ii^::!:;i^'';i!i!!^j^ifi^l!!i!il;ii'i^:^^^