A Crooked Path. Mrs. Alexander

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СКАЧАТЬ with a sweet caressing smile to the eldest of the Burnett boys, who himself brought her some pigeon pie; and from that moment she devoted herself to her new acquaintance, utterly regardless of the hitherto tenderly cultivated Colonel.

      Kirby, a newly arrived Indian magistrate, was not given to conversation, but he was assiduous in attending to his fair neighbor's wants, and seemed to like listening to her lively remarks.

      Colonel Ormonde glanced at them from time to time; he was amazed and indignant that Mrs. Liddell could attend to any one save himself. He was rather unfortunately placed between Miss Burnett, whose attention was taken up by Sir Ralph Brereton, a marriageable baronet, who sat on her other side, and Lady Alice Mordaunt, a timid, colorless, but graceful girl, still in the school-room, who scarcely spoke at all, and if she did, always to her right-hand neighbor, a stately-looking man with grave dark eyes, which saved him from being plain, and a clear colorless brown complexion. He said very little, but his voice, though rather cold, was pleasant and refined, conveying the impression that he was accustomed to be heard with attention. He too was very attentive to Lady Alice, but in a kind, fatherly way, as if she were a helpless creature under his care.

      "I believe we are quite an Indian party," said Mrs. Burnett, looking down the table. "Of course my children are Indian by inheritance; then there are Mr. Kirby and Mr. Errington"—nodding to the dark man next Lady Alice—"and Colonel Ormonde."

      "I am not Indian, you know; I was only quartered in India for a few years," returned Ormonde, contradictiously.

      "And I was only a visitor for one season's tiger-shooting," said Brereton.

      "And I do not want to go," cried Tom Burnett; "I want to be an attache."

      "Oh yes; you speak so many languages!" said his younger sister.

      "I certainly do not consider myself an old Indian," said the man addressed as Errington, "though I have visited it more than once."

      "You an Indian!" cried Ormonde. "Why, you have just started as an English country gentleman. We are to have Errington for a comrade on the bench and in the field down in Clayshire. His father has bought Garston Hall—quite close to Melford, Lady Alice. But I suppose you know all about it."

      "Yes," said Lady Alice, in a tone which might be affirmation or interrogation. "There are such pretty walks in Garston Woods!"

      "Errington was born with a silver spoon in his mouth," returned Ormonde. "Garston dwarfs Castleford, I can tell you. It was a good deal out of repair—the Hall I mean?"

      "It is. We do not expect to get it into thorough repair till winter. Then I hope, Mrs. Burnett, you will honor us by a visit," said Errington.

      "With the greatest pleasure," exclaimed the hostess.

      "And oh, Mr. Errington, do give a ball!" cried Fanny, the second daughter.

      "I fear that is beyond my powers. I do not think I ever danced in my life."

      "Are you to be of the party on board Lord Melford's yacht?" asked Ormonde, speaking to Lady Alice.

      "Oh no. I am to stay with Aunt Harriet at the Rectory all the summer."

      "Ah, that is too bad. You'd like sailing about, I dare say?"

      "Oh, yachting must be the most delightful thing in the world," cried Mrs. Liddell, from her place opposite. "If I were you I should coax my father to let me go."

      "Papa knows best. I am very fond of the Rectory," said Lady Alice, blushing at being so publicly addressed.

      "And you understand the beauty of obedience," said Errington, with grave approval.

      "Now, if you intend to see the whole 'fun of the fair,'" said Mrs. Burnett, "you had better be going, young people. The carriage is to come back for us after setting you down at the theatre. Who are going? My girls, Lady Alice, and Mrs. Liddell? Who is to be their escort? Colonel Ormonde?"

      He glanced across the table. Mrs. Liddell sent no glance in his direction; she again devoted her attention to Kirby.

      "No, thank you. To be intensely amused from two to six is more than I can stand; besides, I hope to meet you at Lady Maclean's this afternoon."

      "I have an engagement, a business engagement at three," said Errington; "but I shall be happy to call for these ladies and see them home."

      "You need not take that trouble," said Mrs. Burnett. "My son will be in the theatre later, and take charge of them; but there is still a place in the box. Will you go, Mr. Kirby?"

      "Oh, pray do!" cried Mrs. Liddell. "You will be sure to be amused; a matinee of this kind is great fun. There is singing and dancing and acting and recitations of all kinds." She spoke in her liveliest manner and her sweetest tones.

      "You are very good. I have not been in a theatre since I arrived; so if you really have a place for me, I shall be most happy to accompany you."

      "That's settled. Go and put on your hats, my dears," said Mrs. Burnett; and her daughters, with Lady Alice, left the room.

      "Well, Mrs. Liddell, have you persuaded your handsome sister-in-law to join our party on Thursday?" asked Ormonde.

      "I have really had no time to speak much to her. An old uncle of hers, as rich as a Jew and a perfect miser, sent his lawyer for her this morning. I suppose he is going to make her his heiress. I hope they will give a share to my poor little boys. I am going to take them to ask a blessing from their aged relative, I assure you."

      "Oh yes, by George! you try and hold on to him. The little fellows ought to have the biggest share, of course, as the nephew's children. Why, it would change your position altogether if your boys had ten or fifteen thou. between them."

      "Or apiece," said Mrs. Liddell, carelessly. She was immensely amused by the Colonel's tone of deep interest. "You may be very sure I shall do my best. I know the value of money."

      "May I ask where this Mr. Liddell resides?" asked Mr. Errington, joining them, with a bow to the young widow.

      "I really do not know, though he is my uncle-in-law. Pray do you know him?"

      "No; I know of him, but we are not personally acquainted."

      "And is he not supposed to be very rich?"

      "That I cannot say; but I have an idea that he is well off."

      With another bow Errington retreated to say good-morning to his hostess.

      "Well, whether your sister-in-law comes or not, I hope we are sure of your charming self?" said Ormonde.

      "Unless I am obliged to parade my boys for their grand-uncle's inspection, I am sure to honor you."

      "Of course everything must give away to that. I shall come and inquire what news soon, if I may?"

      "Oh yes; come when you like."

      "They are all ready, Mrs. Liddell," remarked her hostess.

      Mr. Kirby offered his arm, which was accepted with a smile, and the little widow sailed away with the sense of riding on the crest of СКАЧАТЬ