The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-09-02

| albeit had sooner he did not ourt that Papls
: wepch"
They were interrupted at this moment b!
the entrance OF Mistress Townsheud aud he
daughter, decked out in q costume worthy o
the Worcester Miohaelmas fair, where all thu
| county folks were wont to congregate. The
dresses were years behind the fashions of tn,
| Court, savonriDg OF Sir Peter Lely's pictures
| style which set off Dora's dark hair anC
| brown eyes to wonderful advantage.
Her ladyship, who had not seen the girl fol
some time, WAS astonished at her beauty, and
wondered how it was that Gervase had moi
fallen ia love with ber. Despite O certain rus
tic awEwardness about her curtesy aud some
slight want of ease in her manner, she II
lady like and graceful damssl, who in ak
months might we'll be lacqnered with the var-
nish OF the Court
After some general conversatio, on rural
topics and such like common places, Dame Dor
orthy observed:
=" have just been telling Mr.. Townshend
that yonr kinsman Gervase Sacheverill is my
guest and that came to act the part of peace
maker between you"
Mrs Townshend looked nghast, and turned
in amazenent toward her husband, whose face
somewhat reassured her.
Dorothy colored and bent down her eyes.
Is Cousin Gervase well 7" she asked in a
low voice.
snid Lady Pakington, watching the crimson
blush Doras cheek, and wishing that it
were in her power to spare her the disappoint-
ment which she telt certain that her announce
ment must osuss.
30 Lady Pakington, 1 am sure - she
commenced in E bashful strain.
Nay, chit, thou Deedst not flAtter tbyself
he cares for thee" quoCh the squire.
81 am sure, father, 1 know not Why you
speak thus, for l never dreamt he did,
swered the girl in an injured tone.
To think that he should have fooled awsy
his heart to Clara Fnch!' continued the JUS
tice.
"Clara Finch, the Papist p cried the mother,
"l guessed as much. L was sure it was
sweetheart folly that dragged him into their
tolls. Poor boy, | would to God he could be
saved from these devices of the Evil Ono"
Dora was silent, bnt when her ladyship OBJ
served her look she felt convinced that, not
withstandnG the disappointment which her
announcement had caused, she would prove
her best friend in the negotiation.
" Yes" she said, ~ have never seen the dam
eel, bnt declare wonder at his taste in re-
naming faithful to old love when he met
this lovely cousin, for methinks she might well
turn the hearts of all the shire. Ills very sad
that he should have CHANGED to fall in with
that Papist girl before he encountered Mis-
tress Dora. For my part l can never forgive
him now have seen you, Miss Townshend!'
- should not caro- for any Papist," an
swered Dora.
"Did Gervase broach his Popery to you 7"
asked Lady Pakiugton.
He said some things that staggered me, she
replied, but if it was this fancy for Mistress
Finch that made him talk thus, can under
stand his being beguiled."
" That was, fcrsootb, the only cause of his
leanings to recusancy," rejoined Dame Doror.
thy. "But provided he can marry Clara
Finch he careth nothing for her creed and will,
III warrant him, be staunch to the Protestant
Church"
Will she consent to wed Protestant ?" en-
quired Dora.
" That remains to be seen. He cannot marry
her on other terms; of tnis he is, methiuks,
we'll persuaded,' returned her ladyship "but
If she should refuse him he need not despair,
while he hath 20 sweet cousin in her spin
sterhood. For my part, so far from pitying
him, should deem him the happiest man on
earth"
"Dora muttered some reply. which Lady
DOROTHY either heard not, or feigued not to
hear.
"I am come to a favor of Mistress
rownshend she pursued, :" and likewise of
you, my pretty damsel. l want to take you |
back with me to Westwood. You will meet
your cousin and "a batch of cavaliers young
gen tlemeu whO when they see those eyes will |
ose their hearts. Pll vouch for it."
The discourse was interrupted by the en-
rance of domestic who approached his mis-.
'ress in CONSERVATION, to notify some mishap |
" hich had befsllen the preparations for the |
unexpected entertainment of their guest. Mrs.
iownshend abruptly rose and quilted the
apartment after hasty apology, and did not
return until the culinary arrRnpements we're
inally completed to her satisfsction.
Cakes and wine were duly served, but il was
not until Dora and her father had exhi ibited |
'he indoor and outdoor appurtenanoes of the
picturesque black and white manor-holse,
hat Dame Ann reformed to inform them that
Inner was awaiting them in the hall. She
1ad done her best to supply with ldcune in
heir usual homely rtpast, albeit fortunately
heir guest was easily pleased; and such were
Ter powers of conversation, and the grace of
Ter ready wit, that her hosts were enraptured
With her aud, sho left, even tde Justice
himself had veil nigh forgotten all his preju-
lices touching her repnted prelatical and
High Church tendencies. They all agreed
hat their kinsman had fallen into good
lands, and readily credited her account OF his
q settlement in the eetahIised religi
II was finally agreed that Dora should re-
nrn with Dame Dorothy P4kington to West
wood, and the girls heart beat with delight at
he thought of This unexpected break in her
sualIy monotonous existence.
CHAPTER XIV
Tie Lirersions at WestroOa
In the absence of their hostess, Sir Johns
nests had spent the morning with the falcons
o Weetwood chase, and bapqueted iu the hall,
here tie afternoon was consumed in festivi-
es.
Among tho gnests was Mr.. Glare, son of
he late Sir Ralph Glare of Cald we ell, a staunch
Id cavalier who bad been constant and bit
ar oppoHent of Richard Baxter, on account of
is strong puritauical leanings. There were
lso Mr.. William Bromley of Holt Castle,
ged twenty-one, and young Mr.. Vernon, q
of ha 4 tSEn nar sails in ha |