The Last of the Mortimers

citors for a great many generations. He knew all our secrets that we knew ourselves. It is only about twenty years since he succeeded his father in the business, and m

tune to his daughter; yet the covetous old fox has actually a fancy in his mind—I could see it when he was last here—that if Sara only played her cards well she might be heiress of the Park, and succeed Sarah and me. An attorney’s daughter! Not that I mean to put a slight upon Sara, who is our godchild, and a very sweet, pretty girl. But to fancy that old Cresswell could take up such an idea

o be spared to bring into the world. From that time till now Sara has been a pet at the Park, and always free to come to us when she wished, or when her father thought it would do her good. This was how she was coming to-day. Perhaps it might be imagined by some people rather

three families in the village comfortably warmed—and we keep no lackeys to lounge about there, and be in the way. A good respectable family servant, like Ellis, with plenty of maids, is much more to my taste than those great saucy fellows, who have not the heart of a mouse. But this is quite apart from what I was saying. Sarah had come down just the same as ever, except that she had her brown gown on,—she wears a different gown every day in the week,—an

aid I. “You’ll take her for company,

riage!” said Sarah in her whisper; “be

; he’s very well-to-do, indeed,” said I. “I thin

difference,” said Sarah in her sharp

und of that “horse,” though I wouldn’t for the world say any harm of my sister, drew out all the hoarseness and un

was holding open, the dear child herself came rushing upon me, fairly driving me a few steps back, and taking away my breath. “You’re not to come into the draught, godmamma. It’s so cold, oh, it’s so cold! I thought my nose would be off

We were all supposed to have complexions when I was young,” sa

ly. “What’s the good of our complexions? We can’t do anything with them that I eve

in, and see your godmamma,” said I. “How ever do you manage that girl, Mr

putting down his hat with a sigh. Dear, dear! the poor man certainly had his troubles with that little

ut my sister’s curls out of order with kissing her. If any one else had dared to do it! But Sara, who never since she was a baby

r puss in velvet. Go, and come down smooth and nice as your godmamma loves to see you. Dinner will be ready p

’s happened!” cried Sara, and frisked off ou

secrets were not such great matters to me. When she was gone we did not say a syllable about Sara; but her good father began to pull about the things on one of

nd even the family solicitor had nothing to do with it, though, I dare say if the truth were known, he kne

smile, a nod of his head, and a shrug of his shoulde

undertone: “you ladies, for one good thing, do think on when we’ve

forgotten all about it—tha

laughed out at himself, not without a little redness in his face. To speak of a blush in a man of his years would be simply absurd, you know. Such a piece of presumption!{19} I do believe Bob Cre