The Moorland Cottage

e and sad. Mrs. Buxton h

ady to receive them all

s thoughts of her by muc

ully toward the door. Er

d, in order, if possible

r from Woodchester for a

sly, a great assistance

alk. His mother felt pro

r more conspicuously of

o be. After dinner, whe

e, Edward launched out s

his knowledge of the wor

his power to repel one

rldly success was his st

tify the means; if a m

his conduct too closely.

ith a certain cleverness

y contemptible. Frank ha

himself: not so much as

code which makes and sh

the ways in which the le

With some anger against

because it was degraded

it as what might be enno

h and pure-minded men, h

ro

ver the drawing-room fir

e felt, about his mother

tone. Erminia went to

ch airs. Frank was gloom

music his mood was soft

ged by the slightest sha

d him. The one appeared

of graceful nature. W

land home from which sh

ines of Wordsworth seeme

i

shall lea

a secr

s dance their

born of mur

ss into

g-room, was really getti

They were like tricks a

ng heap, all confused to

ated his case, so that th

; but through some conj

d a graphic way of relat

is designation of the o

t the defendant or the

ng knave," or a "miserly

umph over him gained b

last he became so deeply

consult him about some c

ches

e twenty-one cottages, a

out of that I have to

selling them? They are

rhood,

prompt reply. "But if y

doubt I could find a pu

obliged to you," said M

you meet with a purcha

hat you drew out the dee

e beginning of business

ing you g

o this; and when they le

hat he was a step neare

consciousness on Mr. Bux

a deserving and remar

me, Maggie had gradually

ent and her untiring uns

had some respect for, an

affection that she felt

ind of feeling, compare

took in Edward. When he

face was radiant with h

caressing than he approve

would have stroked his

heart for some of these

she meekly sank back into

ment slighted and her wi

now beginning to disappro

f manner jarred against

lled out by his evide

ever," or "slow and dull,

tle as he thought it, he

d to perceive the beaut

e goo

e great friends. Erminia

top to the practice; as s

convenient, for the hon

on's, about which she

evered in calling at t

some days to Maggie, an

so many preparations, an

that she was positively i

e must henceforward den

guest, as her mother cou

hings in the same abund

omed at home; whereas, a

know if she was eatin

common delf or the best

e. Spring went, and summ

and Combehurst, drawn by

h he did not care to exa

and he, pleased with t

nder of which was to be p

is son came over so freq

e young attorney

as day could be, Maggie h

sultry that she would n

selves much. She had gon

rself, to the spring fo

tinkling music, she sa

e heard the distant wood

murmuring busily among t

pathy with these low sou

some of Erminia's airs.

; but her voice was very

et it go into music. Jus

ank's sudden appearanc

me cause or other, her

vivid scarlet. They wer

murmuring some words of

tc

aid he, putting his hand

e was effected, he forgot

om Cambridge to see you.

patient for certainty of

rder to feel myself on m

re a bit earlier to-day

mbling! Have I frighten

ery thoughtless to come

s of his coming; it was

with the feelings calle

down on the ground as b

with drooping, averted

w sought to

speak?" Her lips moved,

ran through him that, per

you?" he asked again, qu

ut it would not; so she

in that one glance. And,

they were, could tell, he

flashing blushes, and

s, and dimple

e pitcher unheeded. At la

fted up the jug, and wou

edly took i

"I have a right to carr

nd with the other carryin

. Near the top she wa

e it. Mamma will th

Nancy carrying it up t

trange if a man did not

your mother of my right

may come in to dinner as

agg

or she longed to be alo

ssion of her mother's fe

herself. "

eproachfully. "You are

I will leave you now. Le

He does not know I am h

'clock. Oh, I know you d

is at two. I will tak

lease. I must tell mamma

em so like a drea

. But I don't feel as if

ed heaven so lo

ncy was awaiting Ma

bairn! what a time it h

pring dry with

ll dinner-time she hea

ion about something. Sh

asserting that she thou

turned sour by thunder.

articular as you, Maggie

r breakfast, when you we

drowned fly in it; and

t mind that, just as if

by the heat. I declare

as soon as ever

ggie thought she had no

be here before her mothe

ut her happiness; it see

h would spoi

te. Just sit down in you

mamma." She took a stool

to turn the wedding-rin

speaking, till the la

t to say, child? Do mak

sta

rk of resolutio

xton has asked m

other's lap for an instan

ght of happiness as is t

n's ra

o," said her mother, hal

dge, and it's not post

other, when I was down a

ou; and he asked if he m

lk all gone sour? We sh

t persuaded me agains

n will mind it much," sa

onsciously, how little h

g but h

for you!" said Mrs. Bro

d-ache. "Everybody said

ure you made no mistake,

making fine speeches; and

omething. I once knew a

mother a present of a s

ng her an offer. Tel

ither would not or could

ai

you're sure. I wonder h

d Erminia have been pla

ned there after your fath

t it. I fancied they wer

t of mo

gie. She had never thoug

ond of the other; still

or them. Her mother's s

too: it had become so n

she belonged to him. But

wne began again,

have four thousand a-ye

d still that bad propert

But he will have four t

ll! I hope Mr. Buxton has

with the settlements.

d to E

subjects all the aftern

ly wandered off to spe

rospects would be adva

e house in Combehurst:

ear, but we'll not reck

ning upon her fingers in

rched), "we'll call them

xton's stories about t

here's Newbridge, tha

re had I got

e down for a little; you

e, so

view her betrothal wi

pressed her more than s

of the morning was havi

olitude under the thorn-

iet, thoughtf

ce glasses and spoons

d servant broke one of t

, who usually visited a

rtion of

said Mrs. Browne. "It

be married, and we mus

ng-di

ildered; at last a light

and knowingly back at M

qui

xt pitcher to the well my

Miss Maggie this morning

this time at that confou

to myself at times--it s

hought I'd go help her;

I take a guess a

r! Nancy;" said Mrs.

a warm, kind heart--and

poor--aye, aye, I know

in turkey-red cotton. Wel

but mine's rathe

came up to Maggie, and pu

ew her arms round her ne

ered

said Nancy, solemnly. I

recesses of Maggie's hea

en behind the muslin win

afternoon breezes. She he

h one glimpse of his face

think that the hours wh

en serene to him a

or, his face was glad an

Mrs. Browne; who was e

ther as Maggie's betrot

n of her ac

he, "we are all very muc

have done

xed as to the nature of

ng it; but as the light

way, which was yet full

er-i

ly grateful for the hon

e m

a she was dressed in her

ver been worn out of ch

r

d Maggie if she would

the Fell-Lane and went

nd boundless

her?" asked Maggie; a d

ar

d not go on; and she fea

Mr. Buxton had recei

ay?" at length

new idea to him that I w

idea speedily. He has h

to make a match of it; b

e should never have falle

ther human being in the w

ays she does not wonder

on't hang your head so d

our

r does not like it," s

ve him time to get recon

run; he has too much go

t like

tell even Maggie how vio

gagement. He was surpris

ather was possessed with

at she, at any rate, was

ward her; but after he h

nd that she was as ignor

; and almost as glad a

rate

oorland cottage on the f

e. She had left her hors

e heights, and came runn

o meet her, with just a

ould possibly be true; a

d have remained indiffer

, and they sat down tog

at hill; and Jem is holdi

n, Maggie, at once, and

ng fellow? Oh! I am so gl

urself; but tell me a gr

dy that was in love, tha

ould, I came off here. F

k with my uncle, since h

afraid he has not

wonder at his not thin

an

ld be to find any one h

n of a

ou were, dear

at, has he? I suppose we

ia, laughing. "But I can

lemayne, the Duke of Wig

ncle had ever seen (he o

s, and never spoke a word

ank, my uncle would stil

Victoria was unmarried;

mained. But Maggie," sai

it would have made you l

tears out of your eyes,

day. He will have it th

o he watched me and watc

n a whole nest-full of e

rang the bell and asked

that it was for me, an

n a most melancholy man

ot been there, and looki

hould have

iserable?" said M

are for anything but th

ok unhappy?" p

appy, dear Mousey; but i

you. You know you alway

u and my aunt Buxton are

that

s any trouble to be

him a world of good. Thi

e got at Eton! his pic

idge just the same way

in a few years, if he

sse

Erminia, how c

. He happens to have ve

ll is not either disagr

essed by a wrong wish, a

e would be. Depend upon

him. As dear sweet Aunt

in it;' and as Aunt Bux

in where angels fear to

Master Frank patie

d you help"--and t

ow could I help falling

serve enough for me. I sh

ness around him; someth

s, think what clashing

short-sighted in his p

the fitness of our cha

of our f

o one cares less for m

daughter-in-law elect!

for money; not in the le

for Frank. I have observ

iety to make the most of

I don't think he is awar

I have noticed, I shoul

in his old age.

athy with the father, wh

his son, and that son,

a, that money could no

ld not at the inst

fortune! I should so lik

lly! I never heard you w

o I shall take this opp

't either, for you look

must go, or Jem will be

n-law, I shall come ver

ll give you m