Ayala's Angel

were done for her, as to presents and comforts. Young as she was, she had money given to her, which was not without attraction; and though she was, of course, in the depth of her mourning, s

rly days she began to entertain a dislike to Tringle magnificence. There had been a good deal of luxury at the bijou, but always with a feeling that it ought not to be there — that more money was being spent than prudence authorised — which had certainly added a savour to the luxuries. A lovely bonnet, is it not more lovely because the destined wearer knows that there is some wickedness in achieving it? All the bonnets, all the clare

rew much of the recreation of their lives. Sir Thomas had his way of enjoying this amusement, but it was a way that did not specially come beneath Ayala’s notice. When she heard that Break-at-last, the Huddersfield manufacturer, had to sell his pictures, and that all Shoddy and Stuffgoods’ grand doings for the last two years had only been a fla

made them, but still were not quite to his taste. In a general way he gave instructions that Ayala should be treated exactly as a daughter, and he informed his wife that he intended to add a codicil to his will on her behalf. “Is that necessary?” asked Lady Tringle, who began to feel something li

, and Ayala as well, had understood something of this; and therefore Ayala had promised to be obedient to her aunt. “And to Uncle Thomas,” Lucy had demanded, with an imploring embrace. “Oh, yes,” said Ayala, dreading her uncle at that time. She soon learned that no obedience whatsoever was exacted from Sir Thomas. She had to kiss him morning and even

er as from a younger! And if she were not bound to serve Lucy then certainly not Augusta. But Augusta liked to be served. On one occasion she sent Ayala upstairs, and on another she sent Ayala downstairs. Ayala went, but determined to be equal with her cousin. On the morning following, in the presence of Aunt Emmeline and of Gertrude, in the presence also of two other ladies who were visiting at the house, she asked Augusta if she would mind running upstairs and fetching her scrap-book! She

rbial. They were a family who ran up and down with the greatest alacrity. “Oh, papa, my basket is out on the seat’ — for there had been a seat in the two-foot garden behind the house. Papa would go down in two jumps and come up with three skips, and there was the basket, only because his girl liked him to do something for her. But for him Ayala would run about as though she were a tricksy Ariel. Had the important matrimonial news been conveyed t

to go upstairs,” said Aunt Emmeli

n’t know,”

she had sent you you were to send h

ink that she would fight her battle if told

Augusta is engaged to be married to the Honourable Mr Septimus Tr

d was one against which she need not rouse herself to the fight. Aunt Emmeline had, in t

blic life, and Augusta’s mind is naturally much occupied. He

be made to go upstairs to fetch a scrap-book. But she had her doubts about Augusta’s mind. Nevertheless, if the forth

he sadness which had fallen upon the Dormer family. Ayala accepted this as an excuse, and nothing further was said as to the iniquity of her re

a lover ought to be. She had thought that Isadore Hamel would be a very nice lover — for her sister. Hamel was young, handsome, with a great deal to say on such a general subject as art, but too bashful to talk easily to the girl he admired. Ayala had thought that all that was jus

e with hard work and late hours. He was not particularly ugly, nor was he absurd in appearance. But he looked to be a disciple of business, not of pleasure, nor of art. “To sit out on the bank of a stream and have him beside one would not be particularly nice,” thought Ayala to herself. Mr Traffick no doub

Now that the great secret was told, her cousin no doubt would recognise her

ever

u have not attende

ve. What ar

t of in the House of Commons on

O

orious study which

s. I don’t think it

g been no more, and then at Ayala’s ignorance in supposing that the House of Commons could have

been yet?”

t y

that I like that better than anything else.” Then the wall has been jumped, and the thing can go smoothly. But at forty-five there is supposed to be so much of youth left that the difference of age may possibly be tided over and not made to appear abnormal. Augusta Tringle had determined to tide it over in this way. The forty-five had been gradually reduced to “less than forty’

tell Septimus that he should not push himself forward too quickly. But I don’t think

s ingratitude. The houseless, penniless orphan had been taken in, and had done nothing but make herself disagreeable. Young! No doubt she was young. But had she been as old as Methuselah she could not h

er which Ayala’s mind had conceived; but he was by no means a lout, or an oaf, or an idiot, as Ayala in her letters to her sister had described him. He had been first at Eton and then at Oxford, and having spent a great deal of money recklessly, and done but little towards his education, had been withdrawn and put into the office. His father declared of him now that he would do fairly well in the world. He had a taste for dress, and kept four or five hunters which he got but little credit by riding. He made a fuss about his shooting, but did not shoot much. He was stout and awkward looking — very like his father, but with

lly be in love — honestly in love with her. But such was the case. Then she became afraid lest others should see it — afraid, though she often told herself that she would appe

r in scorn. “Ayala,” she said,

of feeling which, according to Ayala’s theory of life, there should be on such a matter between two sisters, two cousins, or two friends! Encourage him!

so, because I do no

o me that I think I shall have to go to my aunt. But you are worse. Oh!” exclaimed Ayala, sh

er as though there would be a world of time before she would see him again. They were to go to Rome, and he would not be at Rome till January. Before that he might have forgotten his folly. Bu