Venetia

aise drove up to the hall, whence issued a short and stout woman with a rubicund coun

d slender, with long curling black hair and large black eyes, which occasionally, by their transient flashes, agreeably relieved a face the general express

t, my love, make your bow! Have not I always told you to make a bow when you enter a room, especially where there

xpressed herself so kindly to him that his features relaxed a little, though he wa

there were no roads at all. Cherbury a delightful place, very unlike the abbey; dreadfully lonesome I assure you I find it, Lady

rpeth,’ sa

always told you that you are to hate nothing? It is very wicked. The trouble it costs me, Lady Annabel, to educate this dear child!’ continued Mrs. Cadurcis, turni

the very back of the deep chair and swung his fee

durcis always behaves w

Hear what Lady Annabel Herbert says; she is sure you always behave

lip, and half turned hi

rs. Cadurcis; ‘but I had gone over for the day to Southport, buying furniture. What a busi

y troublesome,’ s

surveying the pretty apartment. ‘What a difference between

red Lady Annabel; ‘and, some two years ago, I ev

y son to reside there. Besides, it was a great offer to a widow; if poor Mr. Cadurcis had been alive it would have been different. I hardly know what I shall do there, particularly in winter

abbey comfortable to you. Besides, it is but a short w

now. Plantagenet, my dear, speak. Have not I always told you, when you pay a visit, that you should open your mouth now

me,’ said Lord Cadur

ve!’ said his mothe

er, what do

e, you know you prom

hat have

Annabel, interfering, ‘do y

e lord, in a more courteous to

yet, Lady Annabel, you must not judge him by what you see. I do

d the little lord

at a little tea party,’ said Mrs. Cadurcis, ‘he

’t,’ said L

solemn tone, ‘have I not always told you

indulged in a

uite delightfully. Now you would not think that, from the way he sits upon that ch

Lord Cadurcis, very q

and it is so provoking, because I know that he can behave as properly as possible if he likes. He does it to provoke me. You know you do it to provoke me, you little brat; now, sit properly, sir; I do desire you to sit properl

you, Mrs. Cadurcis,’

rcis by you. Don’t answer me, sir; I desire you not to answer me. I have half a mind to get up and give you a good shake, that I have. O Lady Annabel

that Lord Cadurcis has no other wish but to p

aid Lord Cadurcis, in a softer tone, b

dreadfully. ‘He knows my weak heart; he knows nobody in the wo

ray take luncheon after your long drive; and L

lass of Mountain, if you please, I would just take the liberty of tasting, for the weather

the palate of her spoiled child should be gratified, some reasonable maternal anxiety that after so long and fatiguing a drive he in fact needed some refreshment, and the agonising consciousness that all her own physical pleasure at the moment was destroyed by the mental sufferings she endured at having quarrelled with her son, and that he was depriving himself of what was so agreeable only to pique her, quite overwhelmed the ill-regulated mind

ucking his head, the book flew on, and dashed through a pane of glass; Mrs. Cadurcis made a desperate charge, and her son, a little frightened at her almost maniacal passion, saved himself by suddenly seizing Lady Annabel’s work-table, and whirling it before her; Mrs. Cadurcis fell over the leg of the table, and went into hysterics; while the bloodhound, who had long started f

tia. She really looked like an angel of peace sent from heaven on a mission of con

Venetia, in th

Lady Annabel, ‘this

me? But was there ever such an unfortunate mother? and I have not a thought in the world but for that boy. I have devoted my life to him, and never would have buried mys

in a soothing tone, ‘you will be very happy y

ild?’ inquired Mrs. Ca

etia. Come hither, Venetia,

said Venetia. ‘I am so glad you

ame tone? And he can, if he likes; he can, indeed. It was his silence that so mortified me; it was his silence that led to a

e corner, and gently stroked his dark ch

ather fierce, but it instantly relaxed. ‘What is

net

ia,’ said the boy.

ith my

but not so much as you.

ny! to like

,’ said Cadurcis, ‘we shou

, little boy?’

he said, but not in an unki

is you

y call me by my Christian

our Christ

ntag

!’ said Venetia. ‘Tell me then

ich I am sorry now has happened here, for I like this pl

! do you quarrel

ft

you are not

tle lord, with a sigh. ‘It is not my fault. Bu

give her

t is not

, and whispered to Lady Annabel that Plantagenet wanted her. Her mother came forward and inv

e distinguished by remarkable acuteness; and though he could not, and indeed did not even attempt to vindicate his conduct, he incidentally introduced much that might be urged in its extenuation. There was indeed in this, his milder moment, something very winning in his demeanour, and Lady Annabel deeply regretted that a nature of so much promise and capacity should, by the injudicious treatment of a parent, at once fond and violent

you, and he has asked my kind offices to effect a perfect reconciliation between a chi

rcis bega

what has occurred; mine was the fault. I

lived? Oh! if he would only always speak so, I am sure I should be the happiest woman that ever breathed! He puts me in mind quite of his poor dear father, who was an angel upon earth; he was indeed, when he was not vexed. O my d

an, there was at least one bond of sympathy between her and the tapestry of her hostess. Then they all took a stroll in the park; and as Mrs. Cadurcis was not able to walk for any length of time, the children were permitted to stroll about together, attended by Mistress Pauncefort, while Mrs. Cadurcis, chatting without ceasing, detailed to Lady Annabel all the history of her life, all the details of her various complaints and her economical arrangements, and all the secrets of her husband’s treatment of her, that favourite

abel with all the warm expressions of a heart naturally kind and generous; and Plantagenet embraced Venetia, and promised that t