Ayala's Angel

her cousin Augusta. Ayala was a trouble to her — Lady Tringle — who was altogether perplexed with the feeling that she had burdened herself with an inmate in her house who was d

the house, and at the same time to carry herself as though she were more gifted than the daughters of the house. She was less obedient even than a daughter. All this Aunt Emmeline could not endure with a placid bosom. She was herself kind of heart. She acknowledged

n a boy. But now here was a genuine love-letter — a letter in which her son had made a distinct proposition to marry the orphan. She did not stop to consider why Ayala had brought the letter to her, but entertained at once an idea that the two young peopl

lenbogie, and now he is d

y be put an end to i

gnant at the injustice. “Of course there must be put an end to it

ou have enco

ld have been thought possible that she should have “encouraged” such a lover. It was the outrage to her taste rather than to her conduct which afflicted her. “He is a lou

are very i

a stop to it I come to you, and you tell me th

een in that matter, or however guilty Tom, such words from a niece to her aunt — from a dependent to her superior — were unpardonable. The extreme you

he bridled up, and tried to look big and knit her brows. At that moment she could not think what must be t

ay I encourage him! I never encouraged him. I despise him too much. I did not think my own aunt could have

tter leave that letter with me.” Ayala considered the matter for a moment, and then handed the letter a second time to her aunt. It could b

d the parents of rich children do not, as a rule, approve of marriages with those which are poor. Although Ayala had been so violent, Lady Tringle could not rid herself of the idea that her darling boy was going to throw himself away. Then her cheeks became red with anger as she remembered that her Tom had been called a lout — a stupid lout. There was an ingratitude in the use of such language which was not alleviated

, even in her maternal bosom, a feeling that Tom was open to the criticism expressed on him. Tom had been a hobble de hoy, one of those overgrown lads who come late to their manhood, and who are regarded by young ladies as louts. Though he had spent his money only too freely when away, his sisters had sometimes said that he could not say “bo to a goose” at home. But now — now Tom was quite an altered young man. When his own letter was shown to him he simply said that he meant to stick to it. When it w

ask her aunt’s pardon. But Ayala was of opinion that her aunt ought to ask her pardon, and could not be beaten from it. “Why did she say that I encouraged him?” she demanded indignantly of Gertrude. “I don’t think she did encourage him,” said

natural tone in the world, that he intended to marry her daughter. She had not known what to say. It was Sir Thomas who managed all matters of money. She had an idea that Mr Houston was very poor. But then so also had been Mr Traffick, who had been received into the family with open arms. But then Mr Traffick had a ca

not till Aunt Emmeline had spoken out in her third letter that he seemed to recognise the possibility of getting rid of Ayala altogether. And this he did in answer to a suggestion which had been made to him. “If she likes to change with her sister Lucy, and you like it, I shall not object,” said Sir Thomas. Then there came an order to Tom that he should return to Lombard Street at once; but t

h at advantage, and would carry on his suit in spite of any abuse which she might lavish upon him. It was quite in vai

I shall think a

w much I love you

u wouldn’t go on after I have told you so often. It is not manly of you. You have

said nothing insolent. Aunt Emmeline was still averse to her niece, but she abstained from crimination. They knew each as enemies, but recognised the wisdom

at, my dear. Of course, it must be unpleasant

ill go on bothering me like that. It ma

Ayala in Lady Tringle’s estimation. Sir Thomas had only laughed when Augusta had been requested to go upstairs for the scrap-book. Sir Thomas had been profuse with his presents even when Ayala had been most persistent in her misbehaviour. And then all that affair

arrang

pose that I wish

at arra

unately we have not all of u

is always angry with me. And you — y

nothing about

had already made them tired of her by her petulance and independence. Young as she was she could see that, and comprehend the material injury she had done herself by her folly. She had been very wrong in telling Augusta to go upstairs. She had been wrong in the triumph of her exclusive

all that which she was to lose. She was to be banished from Merle Park, from Queen’s Gate, and from Glenbogie. For her there were to be no more carriages, and horses, and pretty trinkets — none of that abandon of the luxury of money among which

not wish to do less than we at first intended. But as you are

y here,” said

if you were to ch

than ever bound to assent. If the home from which she was to be banished was good, then would that good fall upon Lucy. Lucy would have the c

derstood the girl altogether. As the words were coming from her lips — “I should be very glad, indeed,” — Ayala’s heart was sinking with tenderness as s

can be arranged,”

sett may say. Perhaps they

to stand in her wa

Aunt Margaret, will consent, I will go whenever

ested, in the first place, that all the facts which would follow the exchange should be explained to Ayala; but he was obliged after a while to acknowledge that this would be inexpedient. The

hat matter for that. Everyone knew that Septimus Traffick had no income. Papa had income enough for them all. Mr Houston was a gentleman. Till this moment no one had known