The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-06-23
cal speech! But SybI entrance prevent
ed the pettish retort she Was meditating.

SYPHILIS quiet grace had made her rather
a favorite with Sir John; and he conversed
with her for few minutes with more afa-
bility than he had testified to her father.
But he soon referred to the purpo-t Of his
visit. EFaS
ri have been telling Miss Lindsly that
she is not looking well. a few weeks by
the sea will do her; good. Lady Lefroye
has written to oengage apartments at hotel
at St. Leonard's, and is only waiting for
Miss Lindsly to join her to fix the day for
taking possession of them.'
Sybil cast an nffectionate glance at her
friend. "Sir John is right, dear Violet; you
look as if you required change"
POSSIBLY do" she replied, with quiet
decision. "And shall be very happy to
accompany Lady Lefroye toa watering place
but not till after next week."
Sir John frowned. With the best heart
in the world, he did not like to be thwarted,
and was quick to resent it "This week you
mean, my dear; Lady Lefroye will expect
you to return with me-"
ri am sorry to disappoint her ladyship,
but am not ready to go with you, Sir
John," said Violet, politely, but firmly. ri
told you so in the note despatched to you
last evening"
"Ready? Oh, I understand! Like an
other young ladies, you have an immense
amount Of packing to do. But Miss Der.
went will attend to that for you, I'm
sure"
"sybil will have her own packing to do
if she is going abroad, and prefer to at
tend to my own,' said Violet, still mora
positively.
"But you have maid. I thought that
ladies kept maids to manage all these trou.
blesome affairs for them," cried Sir John
Sha 1as as determined as his ward.
Sne was silent; but her pouting lip evinc-
ed that she was not subdued into yielding
her wishes to his.
"My DEAR" he said, after little pause
LADY Lefroye's arrangements are oil
made; her tradespeople paid; carpets taken
up; pictures covered; and servants put on
board wages. It will really inconvenience
her very much to stay in town for another
week"
"I should be sorry to be the cause Of
any inconvenience to Lady Lefroye. Will
you tell her so, with my compliments, and
assurances that will join her at st Leon
ards"
sybil touched violet's arm. "Why not
accede to Sir Johns request, and 60 at
once? Your maid and your trunks can
follow; and the pain Of parting will be as
great if delayed for few days as now"
Instead of replying to her friends re-
monstrance, Violet turned to Sir john
"Mr. Aubrey has been with you this morn
ing, has he not? 1t is something you heard
from him that has brought you here in such
haste ?"
The Baronet looked rather embarrassed,
but acknowledged that she had guessed
correctly. An angry flush overspread her
face. To know that her friends had been
Mathematician she was to be hurried from
Derwent Lodgefor fear she should give her
hand to it's owner-only made her more
resolute to remain.
"You have heard, Sir john" she said,
chow unselfshly Miss Derwent bids me go;
and her father has already advised me to
obey YOU. But when my dear papa named
YOU as one of my guardians, he did not in
tend you to treat me as if were child;
or force me to behave eungenerously to those
for whose kindness I can never be sufti-
ciently grateful"
Sir John drew himself up.
81 am not aware Of having overstepped
the authority over you that the law and
Major Lindsly's will has given me-"
ri do not intend that you shall do 80,
sirv' she cried, with an i1nperious gesture.
"I have invited myself to remain at the
LODGE o. little longer; and unless Mr.. Der
went absolutely turns me out from under
it's hospitable roof, mean to stay with Sy-
bill until the day named in my letter for
joining Lady Lefroye."
Sir John looked very red, and somewhat
puzzled. He could not give her q hearty
shaking, as he felt very much inclined to
do: neither had he the tact to propose
COMPROMISE, or even to retreat gracefully.
"You are very obstinate and provoking
Young lady. I must have.a little talk to
you by yourself, if Mr.. and Miss Derwent
will be 30 obliging as to leave u.s.
But Violet-who was secretly half afraid
of him, and she knew that she should not
have the courage to persevere if he became
very eremptory-refused to let Sybil quit
the room."
"I don't want to be argued with. dare
say I am very obstinate, as you have just
called me- But my wish is such simple
one, that think it ought to be granted
without all this fuss. When Sybil leaves
England, will 90 to st. Leonards You
might be satisfied with this, Sir john"
Sir John began to draw on his glove,
SLOWLY and methodically. This gave him
time for consideration. Mr.. Derwent, who
had again retreated to the window, had not
spoken or moved during this discussion, al
though his con- nressed lips and restless eyes
evinced the deep interest he was takin init.
A bright thought had flashed into the
Baronets mind and rising, he confronted
his fellow-guardian.
GAS it appears to be of no use talking to
Miss Lindsly, must have a few words
with you, Mr.. Derwent. l am anxious to
remove our ward from your house, princi-
pally because rumor has got abroad that
you'll beg your pardon for my plain speak
ing, but this young lady's obstinacy COM
pels me to it."
"Pray proceed, Sir John. I can bear with
any amount of candor," said Mr.. Derwent,
smiling slightly, and lifting his eyebrows
as he looked across to Violet.
"Well, sir, it is rumored that you are
trying to inveigle Miss Llndsly into an un-
equal and disgraceful marriage. Now you
know this, I'm sure you will concur with me
in saying that she ought to be placed under
the care of Lady Lefroye Immediately. That
step, and that alone, will effectually silence
such reports.
"But, on the other hand, my dear Sir
John," said Mr.. Derwent, very politely, ''it
is rrlmored that your eagerness to get Miss
Lindslyinto your handsarises from scheme
TO unite her to o kinsman, whose circum-
stances and fame would reap great adVan.
tage from il" .,
The Baronet was now purple with anger.
care you trying to insult me, sir, that
you say this?"
"Be tranquil, Sir John. Is it worse for
YOU to hear that you have turned match.
of seeking Miss Lindsly's hand from the
basest motives p
"But the one rumor is correct, cir, and
the other is not"
(Which is the correct one2 You will
say yours, and might retort that it Is
mine" Mr.. Derwent replied, with the same
quiet good-humor he had testified all along.
s'But this is child's play, Sir John, and un-
LII, of -, Won cea II ia driving