The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-11-19

lIcI idtIleF kiSSeQ HtIi encu ueiu hoh
hands and looked at her for moment
"You have been roasting your face:
A bad thing, especially in cold weather"
"You have had a very cold drive,
papaw
Nothing worth complaining Of" said
Sir George. !
He sat down, declining the armchair
that Letitia pushed forward, and taking
high one by the table. Since he had
come in, the night somehow seemed
much colder; yet they both knew that
it was only manner, and that Sir George
was really the best man in the world.
He talked politics, and told them what
he had been doing in London.
"Dinner is waiting, think," said Mrs.
Bushe presently. 81 thought you would
like to have it as soon as you came in"
"Thank you. Quite unnecessary.
dined in town three hours ago. But
pray don't let me keep you from your
dinner" said Sir George, getting up and
walking towards the door.
20, no, Sir George. I daresay it is
not ready; and in fact Letitia and have
dined. We want nothing more" said
Mrs. Bushe, rising too in futter,
"thank you. If You will excuse me, I'll
speak to the servants"
She glided out, full of natural feeling
for the cook, who had been doing her
very best to welcome the hungry traveller.
Last time he had arrived unexpectedly,
and dinner had to be cooked in hurry
at s o'clock at night. Sir John was one
of those men, now and then to be met
with, who make no fuss about themselves,
and yet give the greatest trouble to
everybody.
"Florinda seems rather nervous this
evening" said Sir George, looking ap-
provingly at his daughter, who was
quietly embroidering workbag, and did
not seem at all disturbed by household
cares. "She looks thin. How do you
agree%
every we'll indeed, papa. We never
quarrel"
"You ol'ey, do you? Submit to rules?
believe many young women OF your
age think themselves independent"
$50 / am-tolerably independent. /
do whatever please"
"Whatever you please! You are more
fortunate than most people, then," said
Sir George, smiling for the first time,
and you wish for no changer You told
me in a letter last year that this place in
winter was living sepulchre."
ibid l? / forget; but | must have
been in bad temper that day." said Lett
tia. "The place is not gay, Of course;
but no, ! wish for no change, papa, thank
you. Unless"
"Wellp ...I .
"Unless l could go about with you"
"That has been impossible. Now that
we have peace, may take you to Paris
next summer" .,..... III
20, delightful" said Letitia, clapping
her hands. .,.
"But there is an "unless" in the case
there too"
"What can that be, papar'
II shall not explain myself at present.
Do you see much Of your neighbors at
the Castle7'
,"We see them occasionally" said Lett
i tia. "But cousin Florinda does not care
much for their society-neither do l."
That is prejudice" said Sir George
decisively. "lhey are. excellent people,
an Old and wealthy family, nothing to
be said against them"
II have nothing to say, except that
they are countrified and dull. / assure
you, papa, Mrs. Barrett and her. daugh-
ters think of nothing but making jam
and knitting stockings. Mr.. Barrett
81, cps in hi, chair all day long, and
yourg Mr.. Barrett shoots rabbits"
"Prejudice," s4id Sir George again.
"They are most worthy people,"
Don't you think that worthy and
stupid IRE often only two words for the
same thing, papa? said Miss Monkton,
with mischievous glance of her bright
eyes.
Sir George moved from one stiff atti-
titude to another and then frowned.
4 ;"Where did you get these ideas?
Florinda Bushe is not fit person to
have charge Of YOU"
"She is always being shocked, and
scolding me. am very sorry; but l see
most of the Barretts over the top Of the
pew in church, and that makes one feel
ill-tempered, you know. They wear such
ugly bonnets; but daresay they may be
good. Aud young Mr.. Barrett stares,
rather" "..
| The Generals face softened.
81 have not much acquaintance. with
the ladies of the family" he said, "but
Humphrey Barrett is all excellent fellow.
saw him in town last week; he came
very civilly to call upon me. You are
quite mistaken, if you think his soul is
in rabbits Aud, by the by, he hopes
to have the honor of dancing with you
next Wednesday night"
"At their ball?' said Letitia.
Exactly. Are you fond of dancing?'
80 papa, amazingly"
i "You told Humphrey Barrett SO one
day, when we walked down the road
from church with you and Florinda."
81 believe l did"
"Then this will at least show you that
he is good-natured fellow. This ball is
given in consequence OF that remark of
| .,n,,~, c. lo% ,,,a hoor ~ ,,ora ,,orro