The Three Brides

ing

her husband, who had been really concerned to have to inflict an expostulation; and he was doubly kind, almost deferential, giving

i glasses. Then, when I have moved out the piano, I shall put the sofa in

noyed. "Have you spoken

never goe

it will be her first change, and I should

, to let the piano stand against the

aymond, kindly. "Here you know is your ow

all those things. I had kept the choicest for the drawin

g to cross her again, so he said, "I will ask whethe

morn

sturb her sooner; but you shall

ll bred to grumble, and she had her great work to

me till she has had her will of the furniture. I think she will find that moving out the piano betrays the fading of the rest of t

eir seniors. She expected the acclamations of her contemporaries; but it happened that the first of them to cross the room was Julius, on his way to his mother's room after luncheon, and he, having on a

r brothers made an outcry. "What has come to th

e are the

s's birds, that he brought h

ill Bowater dressing them up for men-of-war's men? Mother could not bring herse

lamented Frank. "I say, Cecil, do you like your

l's mortification. "In an unprejudiced eye the room looks infinitely better, quite revivi

vour us with your

ieds to set your teeth on edge, from the non-commissioned officers' wives; and the awfullest banner-screen you ever saw, worked by the drum-major's own hands, with Her Majesty's a

ise, though it was not the artistic appreciation they deserved. Indeed, Cecil yielded to the general vote for the restoration of the humming-b

ve qui peut. Cecil represented that Rosamond ought to stay and receive her bridal visits; but she was unpersuadable. "Oh no! I leave all that for you!

e. "If Julius means to drive

going to drive Julius!-Come a

ary and indifferent to retreat, and Frank, who had

," said Lady Tyrrell, entering with her sister, and shaking hands

lied Cecil. "He found so much county business w

with you," returned Lady Tyrrell, "before the meeting to-m

ne here to-nigh

prepared with our propo

ivian with a large book, saying, "These

h photograph in turn, but could only elicit a cold languid "Thank you." To Anne's untrained eye these triumphs of architecture were only so many dull representations

mber's wife; and there should be an innermost committee, of no

" said Cecil. "I

an opportunity!" as the bell pealed. "The Bowaters, very likely; I saw their Noah's ark as I p

ly meant insu

a daughter?"

ular, though, by the bye,

ted Cecil, as there wer

ll soon learn that I am a sort

ur persons; but then none were small-Mrs. Bowater was a harsh matron, Mr. Bowater a big comely squire, the daughters both tall, one with an ho

ed hands, receiving a warm kiss. At the same time Mr. Bowater despatched Frank to see whether his mother could admit a visitor; and Lady Tyrrell observed, "Ah! I was

inarticulate that might be regarded as a polite form of 'fudge,' which made Ceci

d not break into it, and with almost visible reluctance began to talk to the younger sister, who on her side was desirous of joining in the bazaar discussion, which had been started a

unlocked hearts, and Anne was soon speaking without her fence of repellant stiffness and reserve. Certainly Miles was loved by his mother and brothers more than he could be by an old playfellow and sisterly friend, and yet there was something in Joanna's tone that gave Anne a sense of fellow-feeling, as if she had met a country

tly; "though it must be strange coming on

aid Anne

r yet. And Lady Rosamo

you se

-feast, where they had the regimental children as well as the town ones. A poor little boy went off in an epileptic fit, and Julius found her holding hi

with a startled glance, and in an unde

r called to her, "Jenny, do you remember the dimensions of those cottages in Queckett's Lane?" and she had t

hat his first sermon had not yet been heard; and when his voice was complimented, she hoped Julius would spare it-too much exertion could not be good for so young a man, and th

N

really seem

n telling me she is

rebuilding of St. Nicholas, and to be making great friends with your new daughter. You

ainly

o fond of poor Emily, kept up a correspondence with her to the last. It was the first time she had met the little one since they came back. Not that she i

sh warm-hearted creatu

e, I hope she will come. Poor

f she is not better in a day or two,

enny will cheer her if any one can, and we shall have a nice lively

, "she seems to have been strictly brought up, and to think our ways rather shock

s. By the bye, I hope Julius does not object to Herbert's dancing-not at a public ball, you know, but at home-

think he could," said t

the rest for a dance in the evening; but if Julius did think it unclerical-Jenny says he won't, and papa laughs, and says, 'Poh! poh! Juli

accommodation for her in his lodgings. She could not be spared till after the entertainment on the 3rd, nor till a visit from her married sister was over; but afterwards, her mo

bs! when will people understand that it is the spirit of the thing, the pursuit, not the individual c

ou think o

sn't get his healthful play somehow, he wi

Christian on

ithout setting up bad habits, or scandalizing the parish and Bindon-who is young the other way, and has no toleration. We had this morning's service in a state of siege from all the dogs. Herbert

ice on fire, and Mr. Bindon glared at him, and he missed his verse in the Psalm; for there was the bull t

ut it, Julius?" asked

tself. All dogs learn t

drop in, and were told of t

arlie, "can brothers and si

d. "Some one, for pity's sake, play a waltz!-Come along Charlie!

her into the hall. Julius stood by the mantelpiece, with the first shadow on his brow his mother had seen since

ally," said

Lady Rathforlane is a truly careful mother. Of course some thin

what yo

ems like rat

gaieté d

elf. You see it is hard, after such a life of change

ere?" said Rosamond, tr

th a pink-eyed parson, and a hum-drum life,

we give it up altogether and stay at home like good children? I believe that is what would suit the to

e our oldest friends. But, Rosie, as you are a cle

sit still, or be elbowed about in the square dances. You never told me

solution, "you only gratified Fran

brothers-in-law! How very ridiculous

t I mean," he

m figuring away by scores? Did we ever have a reg

f!" said Julius, as Anne's quiet

stand the merits of the case, and while she doubted whether her eldest son had love enough, s