A Heart-Song of To-day (Disturbed by Fire from the 'Unruly Member'). Annie G. Savigny

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СКАЧАТЬ what we know them to be, dear, full of energy and active life; sleeping never, I do believe, or if so, with eyes open."

      "So full of mercury that it tires one even to think of them," said

       Vaura lazily.

      "A great people though, Miss Vernon; strongly imbued with the spirit of the age, Progress," said Sir Tilton, who, from his corner, had never withdrawn his gaze from Vaura's face since the exit of the other ladies.

      "True; but what a spirit of unrest is Progress, always flying, only resting on the wing to scatter to the winds a something new, to take the place of the old," said Vaura, thoughtfully.

      "But, Vaura, dear," said Lady Esmondet, "it is astonishing how comfortably we en masse keep pace with your flying spirit, eager to pick up its novelties."

      "True, ladies, and elbow each other in the race," said Sir Tilton.

      "I know I am old-fashioned," remarked the Colonel, a little sadly; "but our life of to-day does not come up to my ideal, as when a soldier on furlough I used to return to my dear old home; there, if anywhere on this lower sphere, peace and happiness reigned."

      "You may well say so, Eric, with your noble father, sainted mother, and Vaura's mother, my dear friend, your sweet sister, Ethel, as inmates;" and in that instant their eyes met, full of sympathy. And be it what it may, an electric spark, the true speech of heart to heart, or what; the knowledge came to him for the first time of what he had lost, and a nervous tremor ran through him such as he had never felt at Delhi or Inkerman under shell or rifle fire. And the woman who had been too proud to show her love unasked, did not know whether she was glad or sorry that he had at last tasted of the tree of knowledge.

      Mason here threw open the door for her mistress and Miss Tompkins, who enter, both having made elaborate toilets, the former in a gown of rose pink brocade, the latter wearing sky-blue silk, each lavish in their display of jewels.

      "Dressed before you, after all, Miss Vernon," cried Mrs. Haughton, with latent malice. Even small Sir Tilton raised his eyebrows; for one moment Vaura was non-plussed; "underbred poor uncle," was her thought as she said quietly: "I have dined in salons at Brighton in this gown, Mrs. Haughton; I have listened to Patti robed as you see me."

      "How mean of step-momma," thought Blanche.

      "Never saw anyone to compare with her," thought the little baronet.

      "Is it possible, Miss Vernon? You must excuse me, but I really thought it your travelling dress."

      Waiters were now busy with the dining table at the end of the room, partially separated by folding doors; tempting entrees, steaming dishes, with delicious dainties, are now arranged.

      "Surely, we dine at the table d'hote," said Mrs. Haughton, hastily; "you should have seen to it, Colonel; you know I prefer it."

      "Pardon, Kate; I was unaware of this arrangement, dear."

      "I am the culprit, Mrs. Haughton," said Lady Esmondet. "I thought we should all be warmer here; the air is chilly this evening."

      "Oh, certainly, as you wish it; only when I take the trouble to dress for the table d'hote, I like to be seen," she answered, stiffly; "but we go to the theatre afterwards; and now, Sir Tilton, your arm." And clearing her brow, she seats herself at table, her husband opposite, with his friend on his right.

      "You have no hotels at London to compare with ours of New York city,

       Lady Esmondet," she said.

      "You have, Mrs. Haughton, I believe, the verdict of the majority of the travelling public with you; though I have found the Langham, and others among our leading hotels, most comfortable."

      "The difference between our system and theirs," said the Colonel, "is that ours savor of the British home, in the being chary of whom we admit, and a trifle pompous; while the French and Americans, as a people, are better adapted to make hotel life a pleasant success."

      "Because you are too awfully too, and we are free and easy; that's what's the matter," said Blanche.

      "Also," said Vaura, "the hotel and American are both of to-day."

      "You havn't given us the newest London scandal, Sir Tilton," said Mrs.

       Haughton, thinking of her plot.

      "Political or social?" he asked, somewhat guardedly.

      "Social, of course; I don't care a fig for the country."

      "Well, to lead off with, the pretty Miss Fitz-Clayton, who was to have married Lord Menton, instead fell in love with her pater's tallest footman; and on her fortune they have been cooing all summer at the Cap de Juan; next," he hurriedly said, "Capt. Trevalyon's hidden wife is on; last, two separations and a new beauty."

      There was a moment's pause, each thinking of Trevalyon, when Vaura said carelessly, to cover her quickened heart-beats:

      "Here he comes, with his mouth full of news."

      "This story about Trevalyon is a lie direct, Everly," said the

       Colonel, hastily.

      "Dare say, Haughton."

      "The prettiest bit of your news, Sir Tilton, is Cap de Juan," said Vaura, apparently absorbed in the delicacies on her plate; but thinking, "can it be true of the ideal knight of my childhood."

      "Poor Lionel, how disgusted he will be," said Lady Esmondet, wearily.

      "Still, men do do such things; why not he?" said Mrs. Haughton, daringly; "and after all, as none of us are going to marry him, we need not care."

      "One feels for one's friends when maligned, that is all," said Vaura, carelessly.

      "Well, supposing it be false," continued Mrs. Haughton, with morbid curiosity, watching the beautiful, expressive face of her rival—"which I don't believe, how could he clear himself?"

      "I cannot say, Mrs. Haughton; it would be easier to name an antidote for the sting of the snake than for the tongue of Dame Rumour."

      "All I can say is, I believe it," said Mrs. Haughton, aggressively; "he is handsome enough to have induced more than one woman to make a clandestine marriage with him."

      "I regret to hear you say so, Kate," said her husband, gravely.

      "Mrs. Haughton is to be excused, Eric; she does not know Lionel as we do."

      "The animal man is the same everywhere," continued Madame, recklessly.

      "The serious trouble I see in it for Capt. Trevalyon," said Lady Esmondet, "is, that did he contemplate matrimony, this scandal afloat would be a barrier to his union."

      "If he were not so careless, he could stamp it out at once," said the Colonel, impatiently. But he is careless, and Mrs. Haughton exults as she remembers it, and at the success of her plot; for does not Lady Esmondet admit it would be a bar to his union; she feels a morbid pleasure in noting critically the varied charms of her rival, as an innate feeling tells her Miss Vernon might become; and she thinks: "For you he scorned СКАЧАТЬ