Vixen
rning in the hall, giving the home-comers cheery welcome. There was an antique silver spirit stand with its accompaniments on one little table for the Squi
d servants at the Abbey House, servants who knew their master's and m
th a contented sigh. "Pauline
rgotten my soda-water,
y, which he was pouring into th
k, and was praised for her thoughtfulness ab
g out; and with the Squire, as with Mr. Squeers, the leg-stretching proc
nner-party, and arrived - with perfect good natur
y glasses were empty half the time. That's always the way when you've a woman at
ed bored. How did you like my dress, Edward? I think it's rather
dress, Pam, but you were the
Tempest, with a pleased look, "when the
Lips too thin; waist too slim; too
itself; quite an ethereal creature. If
y such fine-drawn misses. Lady Mabel
ith her," suggested Mrs. Tempest
he red light shining on those mail-clad effigies in the corners, lighting up helm and hauberk, gl
igure with cloudy hair; a small pale face, and two dark eyes shining with excite
, and those little slippers descend fro
body!" cried the Sq
sh laughter was
ix
hall to perch, light as a bird, upon her father's knee. "Did I really frighten you? Did you think the good old Abbey House was goin
aggered. Your little white figure looked like something uncanny a
!" exclai
you to come downstairs at such an hour?" e
ngly. "Do you think I could sleep a wink on the night of Rorie's
. Tempest, "for there were no joy-be
ouder. Ding-dong, ding-dong, dell, Rorie's come of age; ding-dong, dell, Rorie's twenty-one. Then I thought o
e only one that w
peaking? I think the Swiss sunshine has rather over-co
a young fellow as you n
contented with herself to be seriously vexed about anything, "do you
other, and he stands in the place of one to her. Is
ck, her face hidden against the Squire's coat-collar. He could not see
, papa. But I'm very fond of Rorie - when he's nice, an
n he sta
the slender figure trembled faintly as she spoke. "But tell me all a
serious to be answered lightly. "There was a cream-coloured silk, with silver bullion fringe, that was very stri
Ashbourne's dress?"
- the very palest blue, all puff
ouds have no puff
ct - a sort of shadowiness which
thoughtfully; "you seem to a
admires her
is a duke's o
remely elegant, and most accomplished. S
she play
opi
ty her. Yes, even if she were my w
music don't mind difficu
cause I shirk my practice. But I should be very fo
ill you be like Lad
utly hope," sa
is daughter a hug whic
wide mouth. Secondly, I can never be elegant - much less ethereal - because it isn't in me. Thirdly, I shall never be accom
talking in that hor
," said the fond father. "I won
. The Squire was all that is dear and good as husb
mamma. Did Rorie seem to
his cousin all the evening. I beli
attitude upon her father's shoulder, and looking intently
rs. Tempest. "It will be
nto its old place upon the Squire's sho
his is really too dreadful. Come, Violet
e Squire, finishing his
py. She yawned dolefully, and kissed her mother and father at the end of the galle
e Squire; "she grows prettier
ly a little smaller,"
I ever saw upon woman -
while the fond fath
self face downwards on the carpet, and
had been a queen in her own mind; and her kingdom had been Rorie, her subjects had begun and ended in Rorie. All was over. He belonged to some one e
r any such foresight or calculation. She had only thought that he was in somewise her property, and would be so till the end of both their lives. He was hers, and he was ve
play, whose name Vixen could never remember - chariot and horses and all. He belonged henceforth to Lady Mabel Ash
very beginning; and he never said a word; and he let me think he rather liked me - or at least tolerated me. And how could he like t
like a young fury. The light chestnut tresses should have been Medusa's snakes to have harmonised with that set white face. God had given Violet Tempest a heart