Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-11-24

)cult position. He dreaded that Sir Christopher
should surmise or discover tho true state of
Caterina s feelings, and yet he was obliged to
make those feelings the ground of his reply
"My dear sir, he at last said with some eff
fort, you will not suppose that am not
grateful for your fatherly interest in my happi-
ness but | fear that Caterina's feelings to-
wards ME are not such as to warrant the hope
that she would accept proposal of marriage
from me"
Have you asked her.?
mo, sir. But we often know these things
too well without asking"
pooh, pooh The little monkey must love
you. Why, you were her first playfellow and
remember she used to cry if you cut your fin
ger. Besides, she has always silently admitted
that you were her lover. You know have al
ways spoken of you to her in that light |
| took it for granted 20 had settled the business
between yourselves; so did Anthony. Anthony
thinks she's in love with you and he has young
eyes, which are apt enough to see clearly in
these matters. He was talking to me about it
this morning, and he pleased me very much by
the friendly interest he showed in you and
Tina"
The blood-more than was wanted-rushed
Q back to Mr.. Cliffs face he set his teeth and
, clencned his hands in the effort to repress a
burst OF indignation Sir Christopher noticed
the flush, but thought it indicated the fnctua-
r ton of hope and fear about Caterina, He
= went on -
3 "You're too modest by half, Maynard A
fellow who can take fve-barred gate as you
Z can, ought not to be SO faint-hearted, If you
can speak to her yourself, leave me to talk to
t her
e "Sir Christopher" said poor Maynard earn
estly, I shall really feel 1t the greatest kind
f ness you can possibly show me, not to mention
g this subject at present. think such propo.
sal, made prematurely, might only ALLEVIATE her
1t from me-"
e Sir Christopher was getting alittle displeased
% at this contradiction. His tone became little
If sharper as he said, Have you any grounds to
re state for this opinion beyond your general notion
N that Tina is not enough in love with you?"
te 81 can state none beyond my own very strong
ID impression that she does not love me well
enough to marry me-
l. G. Then l think that ground is worth nothing
ct at all. am tolerably correct in my judgment
o. of people and if am not very much deceiv-
he cd in Tina, she looks forward to nothing else
le but to your being her husband. Leave me to
at manage the matter as think best You may
rely on me that | shall do 40 harm to your
ne cause, Maynard. y
r Mr.. Gilfl, afraid to say more, yet wretched
t. in the prospect of what might result from Sir
at Christophers determination, quilted the libra
e. ry in state of mingled indignation against
We Captain Wybrow, and distress for himself and
l. Caterina What would she think of him ?
ID She might suppose that he had nstigated or
he sanctioned Sir Christopher's proceeding. He
Id should perhaps not have an opportunity Of
rd speaking to her on the subject in time he
he would write her a note, and carry it up to her
ly room after the dressng-bell had rung. No.
ed that would agtate her, and unfit her for ap
r. pearing at dinner and passing the evening calm.
h. ly. lie. would defer it till bed time. After
prayers, he contrved to lead her back to the
drawing room, and to put letter in her hand
Us She carried itup to her own room, wondering
gu and there read,-
le- "DEAR CATERNA,-Do not suspect for mo
ment that Sir Christopher may say to yor
ut about our marriage has been prompted by me
| have done all dare to do to dssuade hin
nix from urging the subject, and have only beer
II. prevented from speaking more strongly by tn,
ny dread of provoking questions which could no
ng answer without causing you fresh misery.
in write this, both to prepare you for any thiny
lly Sir Christopher may say, and to assure you
an aut hope hou already believe it-that you
feelings are sacred to me. would rather par
with the dearest hope of my life than be tn
di- means of adding to your trouble
IN at is Captain Wybrow who has prompte
a Sir Christopher to take up the subject at thi
1t moment. tell you this, to save you iron
M hearing it suddenly when you are with 81
Christopher. You see now what sort of stu
rn- that dastard's heart is made Of Trust in m
en- always, dearest Caterina, as-whatever ma
ing come-your faithful friend and brother,
ina "MAYNARD GILFIL."
ri, Caterina was at first too terribly stung b
1t the words about Captain Wybrow to think G
ma, the difficulty which threatened her-to thin
ith either of what Sir Christopher would say
er- her, Or of what she could say in reply. Bite
ade sense of injury fierce resentment, left no ROOF
ly for fear. With the poisoned garment upo
fl, him, the victim writhes under the torture-h
has no thought of the coming death.
Anthony could do this !-Of this there coul
as be no explanation but the coolest contempt fo
Ind her feelings the basest sacrifice of all the cor
ted sideration and tenderness he owed her to til
mt ease of his position with Miss ASHER. No.
be- was worse than that it was deliberate gratui
GUS cruelty. He wanted to show her how
lse, desLised her he wanted to make her feel h,
low folly in having ever believed that he loved he
sly The last crystal drops of trust and tenderness
she thought were dried mp; all was parche
ou, fiery hatred. Now she need no longer chez
at her resentment by the fear of doing him an il
justice he had trihed with her, as Maynal
now had said; he had been reckless of her; ar
my now he was base and cruel. She had eau
me enough for her bitterness and anger; they We
ess- not so wicked as they had seemed to her
be As these thoughts were hurrying after ea'
rvs other like so many sharn throhs Of fevered pal