Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-01-24
"There is a cousin, also, is there not?' ask

"There is q cousin, also, is there not ?" ask
ed Victor.
"A cousin-no. My aunt's son is by a
former marriage. There is no blood relation
ship between u.s."
"Is that all? But for yourself, Mademois-
ellie, putting aside all feeling in regard to
their anxiety or indifference for your return,
have you no choice in the matter? Are you
at liberty to decide whether you will 60 or
stay?"
"As to that" said Helen, reAectively, "I
have never thought about it, because l really
don't know how far my uncle's authority
over me may extend. He is not legally my
guardian, believe; yet, as my fathers half
brother, presume I would be expected to
yield to his guidance as long as I am under
age
"Has he not virtually forfeited all right to
control your actions, by refusing you his pro-
lection on your fathers death, and leaving
you, since that time, to the care of others !"
at may be so. But, Monsieur, why do
you ask these questions ?"
"Do they displease you, Mademoiselle :"
"Certainly not. I merely wish to know
their object"
"They are the natural result of my interest
in you, Mademoiselle, and of q desire to know,
in case you are left to follow your own incli'
nation, in what direction that inclination will
lead you."
"Well," said Helen, "if I am left to follow
nv own inclination, certainly shall not 90
to America, to visit people who refused to
take care of me, when I most needed their
care. You cannot suppose that [ feel any
very tender regard for them. As to this un.
known aunt, I can fancy her being q worldly,
dashing, selfish sort of person, horribly afraid
of any one obtaining any influence over my
uncle but herself; not person with whom
I should care to become intimate"
"And the son-what of him ?"
"The son-Oh know nothing of him, at
all," replied Helen, indiferently. 81 don't
even recollect his Names something beginning
with B, I believe; no, L., let me see
Lambeth-Lambert-yes, that is Tiny
aunt was the widow Lambert when uncle
Eastwood married her"
II think know something of hin" said
Victor, slowly.
"You do? How? Where did you ever
see him ?" asked Helen, in surprise.
I'm Paris, some four or five yeau ago. His
mother was there also, Mrs. Dashwood, very
stylish, very dashy, though quite gray; a
passss beauty, I should judge. They we're
from New Orleans. His name was Allan
Lambert. 1 think there could be no mis-
take"
"You surprise me very much," said Helen.
"Was my uncle there also p
II think not. Indeed am sure he could
not have been, for she transacted her own
business entirely, not even entrusting it to
her SOD. They were in Paris about three
months. They came on to see about some
property to which it seems they had short
| time OeIOre UecOIue euGiIleu
ut seems odd that I should never have
known of this" observed Helen. in musing
tone. "And yet-of course these people, my
aunt and her son, never though of my being
so near; probably did not not even recollect
my existence. Had my uncle been with them,
1 suppose he would have come to see me-"
"Could he. not at least have sent you some
message-some through their hands p
suggested Victor. Their journey out here
certainly afforded him an excellent opportu.
nifty of communicating with you"
1T is but an additional proof of his total
indifference to me, that he should have neglect
ed to do go" rejoned Helen. "Mais gu i'm
porte ?" she added lightly. II do not need
nor desire his affection-I have been too hap.
py and too kindly cared for in my adopted
home to vex myself because my American
relatives choose to ignore me"
care you, indeed, so happy here?" ex-
claimed Victor, with kindling eyes.
81 am, of course. Your aunt is goodness
itself, as you we'll know, and I have many
friends" replied Helen, in more guarded
tone.
"May your sentiments on this subject new
er change, Mademoiselle! But fear, fear
something may yet occur to make you alter
your mind p said Victor. II am perpetually
haunted by the idea that events will fall out
in such manner as to necessitate, or at least
induce, you to return to America. 1 regard
it almost as presentiment."
"They say the wish is parent to the
thought" said Helen, rather provokingly.
"Take care, Monsieur, that do not accuse
you of wishing for my departure, since the
likelihood of it seems to be so strongly i'm.
pressed on your mind"
"You do but jest, Mademoiselle," replied
Victor, in a grave tone. "You well know
that such an event would be the greatest mis-
fortune, almost, that could befall me.
"That almost is we'll added" said Helen,
laughingly; "for am persuaded that there
are many other things which would be much
greater misfortunes to you than my leaving
France"
II know of one other" rejoined Victor, in
a suppressed tone. He looked eagerly at her,
as if about to say something more, checked
himself with an effort, and rising from his
chair, walked somewhat hastily to the win
dow, where he stood for a moment or two in
silence, looking out. Helen, somewhat en-
barrassed, took up her embroidery again,
drawing her needle through with fingers that
mo-a l;ttla narunns in their mnYamenta