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

am sure you would be grieved to injure poor
Caterina-to bring down my uncle anger up
on her. Consider what poor little dependent
thing she is.
:" 1t is very adroit of you to nuke these Eva
sions, but do not suppose that they deceive me.
Miss Sarti would not dare to behave to you as
she does, if you had not firted with her, or
made love to her. I suppose she considers your
engagement to me breach of faith to her. l
am much obliged to you, certainly, for making
me Miss Sarti's rival. You have told me a
falseheod, Captain Wybrow."
" Beatrice, J solemnly declare to you that
Caterina is nothing more to me than girl l
naturally feel kindly to--as a favorite of my
uncle's, and nice little thing enough l
should be glad to see her married to Gilfl TO-
morrow; that's good proof that Tn not in
love with her, l should think. As to the past,
| may have shown her little attentions, which
she has exaggerated and misnterpreted. What
man is not liable to that sort of thing?"
q" But what can she found her behaviour on
What had she been saying to you this morning
to made her tremble and turn pale in that
way?"
go, | don't know. just said something
about her behaviour peevishly. With that Ital-
ian blood of hers, there's no knowing how she
may take what one says She is fierce little
thing, though she seems SO quiet generally
" But she ought to be made to know how
unbecoming and indelicate her conduct is. For
my part, wonder Lady Cheverel has not no.
ticed her short answers and the airs she puts
on"
" Let me beg of you, Beatrice, not to hint
anything of the kind to Lady Cheverel You
must have observed how strict my aunt is. 1t
never enters her head that girl can be in love
with man who has not made her an oher.'
Well, shall let Miss Sarti know myself
that have observed her conduct 1t will be
only charity to her."
"Nay, dear, that will be doing nothing but
harm. Caterina's temper is peculiar. The
best thing you can do will be to leave her tc
herself as much as possible. 1t will all wear of
I've no doubt she II be married to Gilfl before
long Girls fancies are easily diverted from
one object to another. By Jove, what ratt
my heart is galloping at. These confoundet
palpitations get worse instead of better"
Thus ended the conversation, so far as it con
cerned Caterina, not without leaving distinc
resolution in Captain Wybrow's 5 mind-a reso
luton carried into effect the next day, when h
was in the library with Sir Christopher for th
purpose of discussing some arrangements abou
the approaching marriage"
6" BY the by he said carelessly, when tn
business came to pause, and he was saunter
ing round the room with his hands in his coat
pockets, surveying the backs of the books tina
lined tho walls, when is that wedding be
tween Gllfl and Caterina to come off, sir? Nv
a fellow-feeling for poor devil 50 many faith
oms deep in love as Maynard. Why" sale
Sir Christopher, 81 did think of letting tn
thing be until old Grizzly died ; he can't hol
out very long, poor fellow; and then Maynar
might have entered into matrimony and tn
rectory both at once. But, after all, that real
is no good reason for waiting. There is no nee
for them to leave the Manor when they are maj
ried. The little monkey is quite old enough
1t would be pretty to see her a matron, with
baby about the size of kitten in her arms"
81 think that system of waiting is alway
bad. And if can further any settlement 20
would like to make on Caterina, shall be dt
lighted to carry out your wishes"
"My dear boy, that's very good of you bu
Maynard will have enough and from what
know of him-and know him well-I thin
he would rather provide for Caterina himself
However, now you have put that idea into m
head, begin to blame myself Tor not havin
thought of it before I've been SO wrapt up
Beatrice and you, you rascal, that l had real
forgotten poor Maynard. And he's older tina
you-it's high time he was settled in life as
family man."
Sir Christopher paused, took snuff in a med
tatve manner, and presently said, more to hin
self than to Anthony, who was humming
tune at the far end of the room, " Yes, yes.
will be capital plan to finish off all our fan
lily business at once.'
Riding out with Miss ASHER that same NOR
ing Captain Wybrow mentioned to her incide
tally, that Sir Christopher was anxious to bril-
about the wedding between Gil6l and Cateril
as soon as possible, and that he, for his par
should do all he could to further the affair.
would be the best thing in the world for Tin
in whose welfare he was really interested. Wi
Sir Christopher there was never any long inte
: val between purpose and execution. He ma
Il up his mind promptly, and he acted prompt
On rising from luncheon, he said to Mr.. Gill
"Come with me into the library, Maynard.
r want to have a word with you"
y Maynard my boy he began, as soon
q they were seated, tapping his snuff box, al
looking radiant at the idea of the unexpect
t pleasure he WAS about to give, why shonldr
% we have two happy couples instead of one, |
~ fore the autumn is over, eh ="
"Eh ?" he repeated, after moments pau
y lengthening out the monosyllable, taking slo
# pinch, and a looking up at Maynard with
/. smile.
- 81 am not quite sure that understand yc
'r sir, answered Mr.. Gilfl, who felt annoyed
RS the consciousness that he was turning pale.
J. Not understand me, you rogue ? You kn
If very well whose happiness lies nearest to
% heart after Anthony's. You know you let
y into the secrets long ago, so there's no conft
d ion to make. Tina's quite old enough to b
D. grave little wife now; and though the rector