National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1867-01-25

ed to honor. Miss Haversham felt
this in New York, where he bloom
ed, SO to speak, as an exotic. She
felt it yet more at Newport, where
his family had been propriet0rs since
the place was fishing village. His
atten tiOns conferred honor, like a
patent of nobility and she began
unconsciOusly to set a higher value
on herself when she found that she
was singled out as their recipient.
He did not make love to her at all.
For lOve-making, as it is generally
understood, he was quite too cool
and too dignified. But he sought
no other wOman's side-he drove
and rode with her-and, crOwning
glory, his mother and sisters called
o n her, and showed themselves
ready to make her welcome at the
cottage where the Reveres, of BOs
ton, had held summer holiday fOl
50 many vanished years. Mrs. Re
we're and her daughters were moi
handsome. There had been some.
thing very charming in the mothers
face, long ago, when she was Fanny
Lowell, but marriage and maternity,
and the Revere dignity to support,
had gradually worn it away, aud she
was as lifeless and proper now as a
lay figure hung with 'cachemires,
and glittering at proper hours with
diamonds. Miss Revere and Miss
Margaret were like their brother
like him in pride and in dignity, as
well as in the naughty Roman fea-
lures.
Tley were not of Lu Haversham's
kind. She felt chilled when she sat
with them in their orderly, elegant
rooms, or drove with them, at sober
pace, in their faultlessly well-ap
pointed family carriage. But, if the
undertaking of conforming to theil
ways and keeping up to their mark
was arduous, the honor of being in
vited to do so was prOportiOnally
great. So she accepted their prof
fered courtesies, and conformed her
self as we'll as she could to Their
standard. To say that her uncle
and aunt were gratified, would be te
put it very mildly indeed. They had
social tact enough not to display any
undue exhiliaration but theirniece
if no one else, understood perfectly
their secret but exulting satistac
ton.
' Has it occurred to you, my dear,
said Mrs. Haversham, one day, at
tempting extreme dignity, "that
Mr.. Revere's attentions are very
marked, and that you are likely soOr
to be obliged to answer him the
most important question Of your
life 2"
I" The Importance Of the question
depends, suppose on my reply,
Miss Haversham answered, per
versely. "a woman's rejected suit
ors are not usually of any esspecia
consequence to her future"
Rejected y Mrs. Haversham
put up both hands, as if to ward of
a blow, and look of blank horror
crossed her face. lave you been
flirting with Mr.. Revere Z"
Hardly. l think the affair has
been rather too cool and stately or
both sides to be called \ Irritation
Mr.. Revere is not gwen to senti
ment."
i" Mr.. Revere's attentions are al
hOnor-an honor you will do we'll t
estimate at it's full value. How many
such opportunities do you think arr
likely to offer themselves in the lift
of one girl-nOt an heiress, and no
a great beauty either"
A CLINT like hue came into Ii
Haversham's eyes, tut she CONTROL
ed her temper perfectly, as she an
swered, I" You have been SO kind
Aunt Haversham, ysu and my TN
Gle that you have made me forget
that was poor. But do burden
you enough to make you in hurry
to marry me Off, without regard tt
whether Hove the man or hate him 2
Mrs. Haversham was kind-heart
} ed, and a feeling of penitence tool
, possession of her, when she saw
LUIS white face. She got up ant
, kissed her.
You are our daughter" she said
. .s our own daughter. You will new
r er be a burden, if you stay with II
: forever. But you cannot wOnde
;, that we want to see you do as well a
4 possible for yourself"
l Lu returned the kiss.
1 81 will not disappoint you if
r can help it," she said, in low
tremulous voice and then she wer
Q out of the room.
= 1t was the 29th of Septembe
|. and old memories were haunting hi
s like ghosts. just one year ago thu
o day she had walked with Max Pen
e broke at Seaview, and he had gait
d cred golden rod for her hair. II
IS had promised to gather it again fl
}. her this year, if che were unmarr
/. ed still. Then she thought bitterl
t. what wastes of waters rolled b
It tween thcm--what other tide, bi
IS terer and yet more painless, swel
6 them apart.
That afternoon she drove upo
% the beach with Mr.. Revere, and b
q asked her to he his wife. His word
It were admiring and respectful, rati
,e er than fervent. IL they had com
a Yesterday she would have said yes
1t most likely, without further consld
Ia arot;on fnr in this offer the YER