Rhoda Fleming -- Volume 1

aken root with the fortunes of the country- are honourable as England's name, solid as

This was after the elastic Algernon had, on the paternal intimation of his colonel, relinquished his cornetcy and military service. Sir William received the hopeful young fellow much in the spirit with which he listened to the tales of his brother's comments on his own line of conduct; that is to say, as homage to his intellectual superiority. Mr. Algernon was installed in the Bank, and sat down for a long career of groaning at the desk, with more complacency than was expected from him. Sir William forwarded excellent accounts to his brother of the behaviour of the heir to his estates. It was his way of rebuking the squire, and in return for it the squire, though somewhat comforted, despised his clerkly son, and lived to learn how very unjustly he did so. Adolescents, who have the taste for running into excesses, enjoy

the two imagined that Algernon was, or would become, his evil genius. In reality, Edward was the perilous companion. He was composed of better stuff. Algernon was but an airy animal nature, the soul within him being an effervescence lightly let loose. Edward had a fatally serious spirit, and one of some strength. What he gave himself up to, he could believe to be correct, in the teeth of an opposing world,

torney-General is always in the fray, and fights commonly on the winning side,-a point that renders his position attractive to sagacious youth. Algernon had other views. Civilization had tried him, and found him wanting; so he condemned it. Moreover, sitting now all day at a desk, he was civilization's drud

y and terrible young wife. He perished on the field, critically admiring the stroke to which he owed his death. A week after Harry's burial his widow was asked in marriage by his colonel. Captains, and a giddy subaltern likewise, disputed claims to possess her. She, however, decided to arrest further bloodshed by quitting the regiment. She always said that sh

all, of a nervous build, supple and proud in motion, a brilliant horsewoman, and a most distinguished sitter in an easy drawing-room chair, which is, let me impress upon you, no mean quality. After riding out for hours with a sweet comrade, who has thrown the mantle of dignity

lovers cannot talk in that style after they have broken apart. It is possible that Margaret and Edward conveyed to one another as sharp a sting as envenomed lovers attempt. Gossip had once betrothed them, but was now at fault. The lady had a small jointure, and lived partly with her uncle, Lord Elling, partly with Squire Blancove, her aunt's husband, and a little by herself, which was when she counted money in her purse, and chose to assert her independence. She had a name in the world. There is a fate attached to some women, from Helen of Troy downward, that blood is to be sh

ou like your blonde with limpid blue eyes, or prefer an endowment of sunny hazel? Finally, are you taken by an air of artistic innocence winding serpentine about your heart's fibres; or is blushing simplicity sweeter to you? Mrs. Lovell's eyebrows were the faintly-marked trace of a perfect arch. The other young person's were thickish, more level; a full brown colour. She looked as if she had not yet attained to any sense of her being a pr

s. The room was large and they had a tolerable space for the work, when the breakfast-table had been drawn a little on one side. You saw at a glance which was the likelier man of the two, when they stood opposed. Algernon's rounded features, full lips and falling chin, were not a match, though he was quick o

usin in good style, "now's the time for that unwh

lied Edward, meeting him with t

aris and learn the savate, Ned. It must be a new sensation to

to your

your fists wouldn

alk to

et puffy half s

countr

were going o

nged m

room shook under Algernon's boundings to right and left till a blow sent him back on the breakfast-tab

country disagreeable to you, Ned? Come! a bout of quiet scientific boxing, and none of these beastly rushes, as if you w

m that the loss laid him open to punishment, he prudently recovered it, sparred, danced about, and contrived to shake the room in a manner that caused Edward

't get it. I could take a thrashing rather than not on with the gloves to begin the day. Look at those boats! Fancy my having to go down to the

s with a proph

f he didn't see the house open to the minute. They say that old boy's got a pretty niece; but he don't bring her to the office now. Reward of merit!-Mr. Anthony Hackbut is going to receive ten pounds a year extra. That's for his honesty. I wonder whether I could earn a reputation for the sake o

who had thrown on a boating-coat and

t. "It don't do her justice. She's got more life, more ch

ing for town,

that?" Algernon s

ot having fished for a holiday this week. How did

e of the young ge

"Ha! I see there can be some

version." Edward gave a two-edged response.

or her. She belongs to old Hackbut of the Bank-the old porter, you know. If it wasn't that there's always somet

rth an invective a

to you-what have they

't help doing it. You don't ask a gilt weathercock to keep faith with anything but the wind, do you? It's an ass that trusts a fair woman at

sion doesn't soon approach--why don't you keep a French cook

to. It's philosophy-your French cook! I wish I had it, or him

muzzled-a leetle-a dawg! I wish I hadn't had to leave the service. It was a vile conspiracy against me there, Ned. Hang all tradesmen! I sit on a

gloves again?" was Ed

plied that he knew him. Edwa

red his glove just over the waiter's head, and Edward put the ease to the man's conscience; after which they sat and ate, talking little. The difference b

" said Algernon. "We'll walk to

looks upon his cousin. "You'r

uce, I'

vell, whom it's your pleasure to call Peggy,

e of the portraits, and said, "Who is that girl up there? Te

you about Mrs. Lovell." Edward kept his penetrative eyes

listen in my shirt-sleeves, w

t cry out. She's dashing, and as near being a devil as any woman I ever met. Do you know why we broke? I'll tell you. Plainly, because

ellow?" interposed Alger

. Mrs. Lovell will play you as she played me. I acknowledge her power, and I keep out of her way. I don't bet;

e. So," said Algernon, "I

lose, mark

y year's senior conc

done," Edwa

oke in it. That'll give you assurance I'm n

sts," said Edward, relentless in his insight; "and, consequently, gives

o the fire. "I'm hanged if I don't think you have the con

s lips. "I don't think yo

an extremity of disgust. "Don't I know what game you're following

ectly clear. There's my hand. I don't blame you. She's a clever woman, and like many of the sort, shrewd at guessing the worst. Come, take my hand. I tell

lgernon roared in p

to friendliness by l

shook

very well for you to preach virtue to a poor devi

ed; "I wish I were entitled to

There, good-bye, ol

-night, if you like; come and dine wit

Edward's Club, dressed himself with care, borrowed a sov

s brain upon

letter was delivered to him by one of the Inn porters. Edward read the superscription

re the c

dward, do make allowance for me. Write kindly to me. Say you forgive me. I feel like a ghost to-day. My life seems quite behind me somewhere, and I hardly feel anything I touch. I declare to you, dearest one, I had no idea my sister was here. I was surprised when I heard her name mentioned by my landlady, and looked on the bed; suddenly my strength was gone, and it changed all that I was thinking. I never knew before that women were so weak, but now I see they are, and I only know I am at my Edward's mercy, and am stupid! Oh, so wretched and stupid. I shall not touch food till I hear from you. Oh, if, you are angry, write so; but do write. My suspense would make you

ieve

, loving, br

hli

s a post

ill go to

iflingly at one or two expressions contained in it; forcible, perhaps,

write to her," he said; and replied in a kind and magna

ide by side, and set their merits contesting, and reflect on the contest, and to what advantages, personal, or of the artist's, the winner owes the victory. Dahlia had been admi