Evan Harrington -- Volume 1

e of the Major sat dropping tears into one another's laps, in expectation of their sister the Countess. Mr. Andrew Cogglesby had not yet

s wife understand, and requested her to perceive, quite out of the question. So he dressed himself carefully, and though peremptory with his wife concerning his linen, and requiring natural services from her in the button department, and a casual expression of contentment as to hi

Royal Marines. Some might have thought that those fair large blue eyes of hers wandered now and then in pleasant unambitious walks behind the curtain, and toyed with little flowers of palest memory. Utterly tasteless, totally wanting in discernment, not to say gratitude, the Major could not presume her to be; and yet his wits perceived that her answers and the conduct she shaped in accordance with his repeated protests and long- reaching apprehensions of what he called danger, betrayed acquiescent obedience more than the connubial sympathy due to him. Danger on the field the Major knew not of; he did not scruple to name

soul for the wife of his bosom. Possessing, or possessed by her, the good brewer was perfectly happy. She, it might be thought, under these circumstances, would not have minded much his hearing what he might hear. It happened, however, that she was as jealous of the winds of Lymport as the Major himself; as vigilant in debarring them from access to the brewery as now the Countess could have been. We are not dissecting human nature suffice it, therefore, from a mere glance at the surface, to say, that just as moneyed men are careful of their coin, women who have all the advantages in

ine, the elder sister, who had not since marriage grown in so free an air, excused herself humbly

arents had long ago been wiped out. And the Count was by nature inquisitive: and if he once cherished a suspicion he was restless; he was pointed in his inquiries: he was pertinacious in following out a clue: there never would be peac

Countess pathetically as

wish it,' sobb

the Major, drying her cheeks. Perhaps it was no

generous! so lordly! When the rain of tears would subside for a moment, one would re

exclaimed the Countess, and immediately requested Harriet to tell her

may talk as much as they like-they

ed upon to respect it, without demanding a reason for the restriction. In other days Caroline and Louisa had a little looked down on Harriet's alliance with a dumpy man-

her was making his way to the house. As he knocked at the door he heard his nam

re you? Quite a foreigner

two or three steps to re

u do, sir?

our fist in Portugal, eh? I'll "sir" you. Wait till I'm Sir Andrew, and t

himself. Suddenly he stopped, blinked queerly at Ev

's arm, murmured a 'hush!' and trod g

stairs. The women are upset about something. Harriet-' Mr. Andrew

nquiry was in Mr. Andrew's aspect, an

d little chap! a rare little chap! a we can't help th

interrogated Ev

is dead,'

ake sure that none listened overhead. 'My parliamentary duties will soon

wn to-nig

uried to-morro

. Tom's quite well-same as ever. I'll,' he rang the bell, 'have my chop in here with you. You must try and eat a bit, Van. Here we are, an

ed to the footma

-past six, as usual, s

e floor, and rubbed hi

rld!' was

face to sigh: 'I 'm

cried Mr. Andrew,

ion coo

f the stalwart marine. 'Major-a-Strike! of the Royal Marines! returned from China! covered with glory!-a hero, Van! We can't expect him t

y mother is well

d Mr. Andrew. 'Do

clapped Evan kin

rom the ladies, requiri

d after so

ing?' asked Mr. Andrew. And, not

down to the fu

, as he replied: 'Th

Harri

going-she

Louisa's upstairs,

ave the Count-

roline can go. She-he-

objects. Sh

compromise for a loud anathema. But the compromise was va

y boy!-not while I brew good beer! They don't think worse of me in the House for

, and murmured, 'Po

wife; for presently he

go. What's t

evelling influence was in Evan's mind

e likes. I'm accustomed to-hem! what she does is best, after all. Sh

or me, I should be very willing-only too happy-to go down and pay all the respect I could.' He became confused, and shot his head from side to side, looking anywhere but at Evan. 'Happy now a

ortuguese for this and that, and make Anglican efforts to repeat it, and laugh at his failures. He would not see that there was a father

g that his present foreign apparel, being black, would be suitable, and would serve almost as disguise, to the inhabitants at large; and as Evan had no English wear, and there was no time to procure any for him, that was well. They arranged exactly how long he should stay at L

has yet come in?"-"Nay, M. le Comte," I replied, "this is diplomacy. Inquire of me, or better, give me an opinion on the new glace silk from Paris."-"Madame," said he, bowing, "I hope Paris may send me aught so good, or that I shall grace half so well." I smiled, "You shall not be single in your hopes, M. le Comte. The gift would be base that you did not embellish." He lifted his hands, French-fashion: "Madame, it is that I have received the gift."-"Indeed! M. le Comte."-"Even now from the Count de Saldar, your husband." I looked most innocently, "From my husband, M. le Comte?"-"From him, Madame. A portrait. An Ambassador without his coat! The portrait was a finished performance." I said: "And may one beg the permission to inspect it?"-"Mais," said he, laughing: "were

erior officer), and tried with a few smothered words to induce her to accompany him: but she only shook her fair locks and moaned afresh. Mr. Andrew, in the farewell squeeze of the hand at the street-door, asked him if he wanted anything. He negatived the requirement of anything whatever, with an air of careless decision, though he was aware that his purse barely contained more than

ndrew has supplie

ed, informed her what h

ey!' was her scornful exclamation. 'Evan would walk-he

shrink in his

were doomed to sit and

to be behindhand

red for him, was in close alliance with time and tide, and being under the same rigid laws, could not possibly have wait

of the office, crowing and questioning from his throat

with the clerks of the office, and eventually the volunteer mimic conducted him to certain livery stables, where Evan, like one accusto