The House on the Beach: A Realistic Tale

than a few minutes downstairs before her father. Herbert found, that compared with her, girls of sentiment are commonplace indeed. She had co

ht be, it clothed her in

d the case of the diverse claims of himself and Tinman, and resolved them according to her predilection for the peaceful residence of her father and herself in England. This she had done a little regretfully, because of the natural sympathy of the young girl for the younger man. But the younger man had seemed to her seriously- straightforward mind too light and airy in his wooing, like one of her waltzing officers-very well so long as

you say of papa is true, I do not think he will remain in Crikswich, or even in England. But I

in his baffled wooing; and the very ludicrousness of the c

I can't go out to be hooted," he said, calling to his daughter for tea, and strong tea; and explai

ich. A dull sense of genuine sagacity inspired him to remind Annette of it. She wrote prettily to M

n Diemen said to him at parting. He expressed a c

st in his few melancholy bits of speech. He said to Herbert: "How you feel a thing when you are found out!" and, "It doesn't do for a man with a heart to do wrong!" He designated the two principal roads by whi

's behaviour to her brother would of itself have fortified any suspicion. He did not call at the house on the beach, he did not invite Martin to dinner, he was rarely see

ifference in Annette's

vely in

e. She shakes hands. Sh

s me my c

t. But does she avoi

, Martha, I am a man who may be conf

you may, de

n to name the . . .

hat I have an objectio

panion: She says she has

tly do

epend. I don't believe her!" exclaimed M

ce of their largest outlay and most thrilling gratification; in it they certainly found the n

nless the young man turned scamp.

come that evening to our dinner! When I saw him absent, I could have cried out it was Providence! And so be careful-we have had everything done for us from on High as yet-but be careful of your

g to me of his Australian

dear, you have the retort in your heart:

n wines cost twice the

, I should hope. I would, though-a dozen-if

alian wines, with a word of irritation at Gippsla

to us," he asked, "if it

k of that when he begins boasting his Australia.

man interjected tremblingly. "H

day," said Mrs. Cavely. "T

d dash, and doing things large-handed! A man who'd go on his knees to stop in England!" Tinman vocifer

e. But temper is everything just now. Remember, it was by command of temper, and letting her father put himself in the wrong, you got hold of Annette. And I would abstain

g. We've always had it and been a healthy town. But the sea encroaches, and I say my house and my property is in danger. He buys my house over my head, and offers me the Crouch to live in at an adv

r," said Mrs. Cavely. "You're an angel to let me speak of it so, and it

, and he knows it! He's wanting in common g

a daughter

y and cracki

eem to be conscious of the dignities and distinctions we come to in our country. The moneyed daughter, the prospective marri

he said, on Martha's proposing a

brother's wine at lunch, a

be brought. Her excu

lin

means-if you'll conde

said

I do not dine out at pres

e! are

N

n the fami

fami

s. Cavely, bridling with a spite p

you alone?" she

llingha

can't think of it. I'm only taking a little liber

assitude assisting Mary Fellingham in her scheme to s

ou don't

no obj

r time

you

ost i

augh supposed to, be pecu

way," said Annette. "I though

high moral conception of the pair inhabiting the house on the b

ng the offensive scene to him in animated

gely. "It's best after business. And these gentlemen's habits of yours of taking to dining late up

house on the beach enclosed with difficulty a storm between brother

ered on Martha's idea of

n a f