Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-11-10
MONTPELIER, VERMONT, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1859.

feeling herself superseded there, came and
placed herself beside Caterina.
" | hear you are the most beautiful singer"
was of course the opening remark. 6" All ltal
ians sing so beautifully. l Travelled in Italy
with Sir John when we were first married, and
we went te Venice, where they go about in gon-
dolas, you know. You don't wear powder,
see No more will Beatrice though many peo-
pie think her curls would look all the better for
powder. She has so much hair, hasn't she
Our last maid dressed it much better than this;
but, do you know, she wore Beatrice stockings
before they went to the wash, and we couldn't
keep her after that could wei?
Caterina, accepting the question as a mere bit
of rhetorical effect, thought it superAuous to
reply, till Lady ASHER repeated, F" Could we,
now?" as if Tina 8 sanction were essential to
her repose of mind. After a faint "No," she
went on.
" Maids are so very troublesome, and Beat
rice is so very particular, you can't imagine. I
often say to her. My dear, you can't have
perfection That very gown she has Onto be
sure, it fits her beautifully now-but it has been
unmade and made up again twice, But she is
like poor Sir Johnnie was SO very particular
about his own things, was Sir John Is Lady
Cheverel particular ?"
Rather. But Mrs. Sharp has been her
maid for twenty years.
" wish there was any chance of our keep
ing Griffin twenty years. But am afraid we
shall have to part with her because her health
is so delicate and she is so obstinate, she will
not take bitters as want her. You look deli
cate now. Let me recommend you to take
camomile tea in the morning, fasting. Beatrice
is so strong and healthy she never takes any
medicine but if had had twenty girls. and
they had been delicate, should have given them
all camomile tea. 1t strengthens the constitu-
tion beyond anything. Now will you promise
me to take camomile tea?"
" Thank you, I'm not at all i'll" said Cate
rina. I've always been pale and thin
Lady Assher was sure camomie tea would
make all the difference in the world-Caterina
must see if it wouldn t-and then went dribbl-
ing on like leaky shower bath, until the ear
ly entrance Of the gentlemen created diver
sion, and she fastened on Sir Christopher who
probably began to think that, for poetical pur-
poses, it would be better not to meet one first
love again, after a lapse of forty years.
Captain Wybrow, Of course, joined his aunt
and Miss ASHER, and Mr.. Gifl tried to relieve
Caterna from the awkwardness Of sitting aloof
and dumb, by telling her how friend of his
iisd broken his arm and staked his horse that
morning, not at all appearing to heed that she
hardly listened, and was looking towards the
other side of the room. One of the tortures of
jealousy is, that it can never turn away its eyes
from the thing that pains it.
By'and-by every one felt the need of relief
from chit-chat-Sir Christopher perhaps the
most Of all-and it was he who made the ac-
ceptable proposition.
" Come, Tina, are we to have no music TO-
night, before We sit down to cards? Your lady
ship plays cards, think?" he added recollect-
ing himself, and turning to Lady ASHER.
so, yes Poor dear Sir John would have a
whist-table every night"
Caterina sat down to the harpschord at once,
and had no sooner began to sing than she per-
ceived with delight that Captain Wybrow was
gliding towards the harpsichord and soon stand
ing in the old place. This consciousness gave
fresh strength to her voice; and when she no.
ticed thae Miss ASHER presently followed him,
with that air of ostentatious admiration which
belongs to the absence of real enjoyment, her
closing brauura was none the worse for being
animated by IL little triumphant contempt.
"Why, you are in better voice than ever,
Catrina," said Captain Wybrow. when she had
ended. "Tbis is rather different from Miss
Hibberts small piping that we used to be glad
of at Farleigh, is it not, Beatrice?"
" Indeed it is. You are most envable crea-
ture, Miss Sarti-Catcrina- not call you
Caterina for have heard Anthony speak Of you
50 often, | seem to know you quite well. You
will let me call you Catrina!
"Oh, yes, every body calls me Catrina, only
when they call me Tina
Come, come, more singing. more singing,
little monkey" Sir Christopher called out from
the other side of the room "We have not had
halt enough yet"
Catrina was ready enough to obey, for while
she was singing she was queen of the room, and
Miss ASHER was reduced to grimacing admira-
ton. Alas you see what jealousy was doing
in this poor young soul. Catrina, who had
passed her life as little unobtrusive singing
bird, nesting so fondly under the wings that
were outstretched for her, her heart beating only
to the peaceful rhythm of love, or Auttering
with some easily y-stided fear, had begun to know
the fierce palpitations Of triumph and hatred.
When the singing was over, Sir Christopher
uhu latu1 Su''NClol odV upNh w Wulnb WIFI
Lady ASHER and Mr. Gifl, and Caterina plac
cd herself at tho baronets elbow, as if to watch
the game that she might not appear to thrust
herself on the pair of lovers. At first she was
glowing with her little triumph, and felt the
strength of pride; but her eye ,could steal to
the opposite side of the fireplace where Captain
Wybrow had seated himself close to Miss AS
sher, and was leaning with his arm over the
back of her chair, in the most lover like
position Caterina began to feel n choking
sensation. She could see, almost without look
ing, that he was taking up her arm to examine
her bracelet; their heads were bending close
together, her curls touching his chceh-now he
was putting his lips to her hand. Caterina felt
her cheeks burn--she could sit no longer. She