The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-11-25
CHAPTER v.
CROsBY's CONFIDANTE.

There was something electric in the
atmosphere of Sir George Monkton's
household that evening. A storm was
brewing, Crosby perceived, if it had not
already begun. Sir George himself was
silent and sulky; Letitia was sulky, too.
and miserable; Mrs. Bushe was in state
of distress, casting anxious, imploring
looks from one to the other. Crosby
talked, and she did her best to answer
him, though feeby and absently. Lett
tia would not look up or speak.
After dinner Sir George had nothing
to say; but he leaned back in a chair by
the fire and closed his eyes, wonderful
proceeding for any one so upright and
lively. Crosby presently went into the
drawng-room, and found Mrs. Bushe
there alone. She glanced up rather ner-
vously when he came in, and went on
with her knitting. ....
"Sir George is not sociable this even
ing" he said, presently, $50 | left him to
his thoughts"
"Ah-yes--so I see," said Mrs. Bushe.
A silence of several minutes. Then
Crosby, who was standing by the Chin
ney-piece, bent towards his companion
with sudden gravity and earnestness of
manner.
"Mw. Bushe, may I confde in your
II think you had better not, indeed,
Captain Crosby" Florinda colored, and
answered hastily. But something in the
young mans face seemed to appeal to her
better feelings, and she went on: "For
Heavens sake oblige me by avoiding
these subjects! Sty nothing. You can
only make us all the more unhappy than
we are"
"That would grieve me, indeed. / do
not quite agree with you; but | will be
silent as. to myself, if you wish it, for the
present. Pll only ask you-what is tall
aboutW
20, you know very WE'LL" said Mrs.
Bushe. .
"Was young Barrett here this after
noonT
Mrs. Bushe nodded.
Sir George told me this morning that
he was coming And Miss Monkton
You are too kind to keep me in state
of uncertainty"
~ really don't know, Captain Crosby.
However, if Sir George told you SO much
well, poor Letitia is not in good spirits,
as you s,w at dinner. She can not bring
herself to agree with her father in this
affair. She is not 40 submissive, poor
dear girl, as-Sir George is inclined to
be angry with her. l am most deeply
grieyed. can't think that he will in.
sist."
"No, he will never do anything quite
SO barbarous; it is impossible" said Cros-
by. "Now, entreat you, listen to me-
You understand my detestation of young
Barrett. Do you think Sir Georges opin.
ion of me is good enough to let me also
come forward-to let his daughter choose
between usT
Mrs. Bushe lifted her eyes slowly
looked at him, smiled, and shook hel
head. Poor, dear Letitia, the choice
would be only too easily madeI Crosby
b with every movement full of grace and
distinction, with his handsome face full
of eager, generous excitement, his eyes
bright with the true spirit of lover Of
elden times, reidy to 60 throp.s. any
danger for his lady's sake, 20 fight single
handed with thoasand men. Florinda
was very Sentimental, and of course he
had all her feelings on his side.
3 'I know quite well" she said, chow
highly Sir George thinks of you. If il
was only personal! But you see there
are 50 many things to be considered"
~To be sure" said Crosby. "But 70,