Venetia

ord Cadurcis in his resolution of instantly urging his suit, than the reverse. He ran forward to greet his friends with a smile, an

fashion, and a dress as simple and as sylvan, both showing to admirabl

mounted for the first time with her mother, and entered that series of small and ill-furnished rooms in which Mrs. Cadurcis had principally resided, and which had undergone no change. The old pictures were examined; these, all agreed, never must move; and the new furniture, it was settled, m

? But what hangings shall we have? We must keep the old chairs, I think. Do you approve of the old chairs, Venetia? And what shall we cover them with? Shall it be damask? What do you think, Venetia? Do you

rmation. Marvels were to be effected in the old gallery, and many

hall be done at once, I shall give orders for them to begin instantly. Whom do you recommend, Lady Annabel? Do you thi

time. We could not do much in those days, but still she loved this garden. I must depend upon you entirely to arrange my garden, Venetia. This spot is sacred to you. You have no

n care of it when

uired Lord Cadu

We came at first when you left Cadurcis, but at last i

' exclaimed

o orders from strange masters, and they were pe

abourer, no right to interfere! Why all is yours! F

or incident of childhood. Every moment Lord Cadurcis exclaimed, 'Venetia! do you remember this?' 'Venetia! have you forgotten that?' and every

ut of my senses! but still she always loved you. No one can deny that. Cherbury was a magic name with her. She loved Lady Annabel, and s

this end of the park. I cannot conceive anything more effecti

tainly we must build a lodge.

nt,' replied Venetia; 'but you must take care

Lord Cadurcis; 'it shall be built direct

and declared there was nothing she liked better, Lord Cadurcis would not be satisfied unless he immediately commenced nutting, and each moment he bore to Venetia the produce of his sport, till in time she could scarcely sustain the rich and increasing burden. At length they bent

to eat, and formality appears quite banished. Game of all kinds, teal from the lake, and piles of beautiful fruit, made the table alike tempting and picturesque. Then there were stray bottles of rare wine disinterred from venerable cellars; and, more inspiriting even than the choice wine, a host under

e arch hilarity of the subject, Plantagenet for a moment believed that he beheld the little Venetia of his youth, that sunny child so full o

as a day on which nothing was to be refused to their friend. Happy Cadurcis! The child had a holiday, and it fancied itself a man enjoying a triumph. In compliance, therefore, with his wish, it was settled that they should all walk back to the hall; eve