The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1875-05-27
MRS. BEAUCHAMP'S LITTLE
PLANS.
A TALE OF SOCIAL TACTICS.

CONCLUDED FROM LAST wEEK.)
On the following afternoon the
Beauchamp party made their appear
ance in due time at Hirst Castle, and
found a small party assembled on
the lawn, sitting under the trees. Sir
Richard Immediately carried Major
Beauchamp efffor long walk, and
Lady Gascoigne was obliged to do
vote herself to her uncongenial neigh
Dor, the task being alleviated, how
ever, by the gratitude she felt for the
kindness shown to her brother during
his illness. In spite Of Sir John
Tremlett's presence, Marianne vas
speedily tussling with Mr.. Jenkins on
some knotty point, far out Of both
their depths, but none the less enjoy
able for that. A game of croquet
was presently arranged, and Mr..
Greville's ankle quite preventing him
from standing about to play, he sat
on rustic seat, hard by, and good
naturedly gave Isabella the advice
which she very much required, as she
had rarely INDUCED in the pastime
before. This circumstance afforded
Mrs. Beauchamp unbounded delight,
and she could not help limiting her
satisfaction to Lady Gascoigne with
her own special good taste. ut seems
so strange" she began, her broad face
beaming with infinite exultation,
"that MI. Greville should have been
thrown, as one may say, at our very
door? Things are brought strangely
about in this world. Lady Gascoigne.
I declare this reminds me of the Ma-
jor and myself in those happy days
before we were married; the sight Of
young peoples happiness brings back
ones own, and 1 have no doubt the
same thoughts have been occurring to
you OF late, Lady Gascoigne."
("What an intolerable woman p
thought her ladyship, who did not in
the least comprehend the drift of these
remarks.) II am quite ashamed,
Mrs. Beauchamp," she exclaimed
aloud, "that I have not offered you
any tea all this time,-do come and
have some."
The tea-table stood under a spread
ing pear-tree, and by it were seated
Marianne and Mr.. Jenkins, in such
close conversation that Mrs. Beau
champ thought it behooved her to
look after Sir John Tremlett's inter-
ests, and said, with dignity, to her
niece aside, "Marianne, my dear,
don't bring that young man out Of
his place,-remember he is only the
tutor p But Marianne owed no alle-
glance to her aunt, so merely tossed her
head and went on as she listed.
The Hiltonbury carriage drove up
about this time, and Miss Ponsonby's
sharp eyes darted over the lawn in an
instant.
"Would you believe it?" cried she
as she took in everything at a glance,
"there is that whole set of people
from Thurston, and Frederick play.
ing croquet with his crimson beauty
Upon my word, Fanny is An idiot.
could scarcely have believed this even
! of her"
| The afternoon went on, but some
how Mr.. Greville did not enjoy il
much. He was detained by Lore
Wilmington long after the time fo1
dressing for dinner, and rushing int,
his sisters room on his way to hi
own, he found her ready to 60 dow1
stairs.
"Now then, Fanny" said he, 20
course you have arranged everything
rightly about the going down to din
ner?" (There was now no reserv
on certain subject between them.)
"That is rather difficult matter,
replied she, "and I have been consid
ering it. What am I to do with thes
girls? Mr.. Jenkins can take on<
and I thought you would take tn
other, for, you know, you can easil
contrive to sit next violet,-and
really don't like to make Sir Edwar
a scapegoat. These girls appear
me to- have no manners at all, and
would be too much of. a penance
inaict one on a comparative stranl
er."
ooh! confound it, Fanny, tn,
won't do. Why, if I have stoo
them both for = month, surely Ha
; rington may put up with one ofthe
for a couple of hours! No, no, ye
must let me take Violet,-thoul
she would scarcely speak to me th
afternoon" he added, dejectedly.
am afraid Harrington has been ma
: ing good use Of my absence"
!, "You conce;ted fellowr said /
sister, laughing. "Well, if your a
r sence has done miachief vour mr.