Beauchamp's Career -- Volume 5

rd face crepusculine yet clear in every combe, every dotting copse and furze-bush, every wavy fall, and the rip

f dusky feature as you see on the indentations of a shield of tarnished silver. The mounting of the sun behind threw an obscurer gloom, and gradually a black

for him, but of the life in swiftness. He had known them when the great bird of the downs was not a mere tradition, and though he owned conscientiously to never having beheld the bird, a cer

uman nature to the pitch. In fact, unless each of them was reluctant, they could hardly return unbetrothed. Cecilia's consent was foreshadowed by her submission in going: Mr. Romfrey had noticed her fright at the suggestive formalities he cast round the expedition, and felt sure of her. Taking Nevil for a man who could smell the perfume of a ripe affirmative on the sweetest of lips, he was pretty well sure of him likewise. And th

od it is for us to bow to despotic authority, if only we will bring ours

n. Some little hope of a dissension between the pair, arising from the natural antagonism of her strong sense to Nevil's extravagance, had buoyed him until it was evident that they must have alighted at an inn to eat, which signified that they had overleaped the world and its hurdles, a

een slopes and channels and half-circle hollows were b

nconsciously expressing his perplexed mind in the kennels and through the covers during the day

ehog that had furnished a repast, not without succulence, to some shepherd of the downs. Such a case might have recurred; it was more likely to cause an upset at a walk than at a gallop: or perhaps

pinions expressed in it. I submit. It's no use resisting. I treat my daughter as a woman capable of judging for herself. I repeat, I submit. I haven't a word against Nevil excep

old coat. Cissy will drive him in strings. "My wife!" I hear him.' Mr. Romfrey laughed qui

es on abou

ink much of him

d, Romfrey. I object to

sickness, and Shrapn

. It seems to me young fellows

processes by which they are relieved of brain-flig

sound of hoofs canterin

front of

tes to eight. Say a quarter-past

turning from the stables

day?' said

tell you of it after di

he remarked: 'Breakfast and luncheon have been omitted in this day's fare,' which appeared to t

ughter's door in goi

nted herself

?' sa

ered. 'I have a headache. B

ews f

ad no

r. The colonel stepped o

into tears. Rosamund felt that it must be something grave in

ia responded to one or two subdued inquirie

heard of him?'

e been

m?' Rosamund was cons

he matter from the poin

l's wish,' s

to proceed, gladdened at hearing her speak of Nevil

emaining on horseback she had seen the poor man reclining in his garden chair. Mr. Lydiard was with him, and also his ward Miss Denham, who had been summoned by telegraph by one of the servants from Switzerland. And Cecilia had heard Nevil speak of his uncle to her, and too humbly, she hinted. Nor had the expression of Miss Denham's countenance in listening to him pleased her; but it was true that a heavily burdened heart cannot be expected to look pleasing. On the way home Cecilia had been compelled in some degree to defend Mr. Romfrey. Blushing through her tears at the remembrance of a past emotion that had b

htest evasion. He thinks Dr. Shrapnel may die, and the honour of the family-what is it he says of it?' Cecilia raised her eyes to the ceiling, while Rosamund blinked in im

ett?' she said; for it might be the want of fo

she had ridden for an

must not hear of t

nted to the ride to Dr. Shrapnel, should she not, to be consistent, have dismounted there? O half heart! A whole one, though it be an erring, like that of the French lady, does at least live, and has a history, and makes music: but the faint and uncertain is jarred in action, jarred in memory, ever behind the day and in the shadow of it! Cecilia reviewed herself: jealous, disappointed, vexed, ashamed, she had been all day a graceless companion, a bad actress: and at the day's close she was loving Nevil the better for what had dissatisfied, distressed, and wounded her. She was loving him in emulation of his devotedness to another person: and that other was a revolutionary common people's doctor! an infidel, a traitor to his country's dearest interests! But Nevil l

exclaimed, but reported that no loud

of it he frowned, questioned Cecilia as to whether she had set foot on that man's grounds, then said: 'Ah! well, we leave to-morrow: I must go, I have business at hom

o drink the tea Mrs. Culling had made for her, and then go to bed and sleep, he went down to

Still to persist in loving would be noble, and but for this humiliation of utter helplessness an enviable power. Her thoughts ran thus in shame and yearning and regret, dimly discerning where her heart failed in the strength which was Nevil's, though it was a full heart, faithful and not void of courage. But he never brooded, he never blushed from insufficiency-the faintness of a desire, the callow passion that cannot fly and feed itself: he never tottered; he walked straight to his mark. She set up his image and Renee's, and c