The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-11-29

I NAS' iiAS uauSutCtJ Du1 Mle ulu uOb SttHl
to see this, and went quietly out of the
room after her cousin. Sir Georgervery
much pleased, sat down to finish his port
1t was evident that he, at least, knew
how to manage refractory young wo
man. e.
Presently Mrs. Bushe opened the dool
softly, came in, and sat down near him Q
little way from the table. Sir George
looked up, and wondered what was the
matter with her. He did not quite see
why Florinda should choose to put on
such solemn face when everything was
going well, when Letitia had made up her
mind to submit, and had lifted such a
load of anxiety off her friends shoulders.
"You don't look well, Florinda," said
Sir George, amiably. "You took moth
ing at dinner. Let me give you glass
of port"
Florinda thanked him, and declined
this decidedly.
II am obliged to you," she said; "I am
perfectly WE'LL"
"Ah, glad to hear it." said Sir George.
"Well, is it some clever management of
yours that has brought Lefty to her
senses? Igive you great credit. / am
most agreeably surprised"
20, l don't want YOU to deceive your
self" said Mrs. Bushe, her voice tren-
bling. II am in great alarm about Lett
tia. She saw the white satin gown, and
| was obliged to break it to her suddenly
l never say anything so extraordinary as
her manner. She is not submissive, Sir
George She is in despair"
"Despairl absurdity! Does it look
like despair, begging me to ask Barrett
to dinner? You are too sensitive and
fanciful, Florinda, to understand a girl
OF Letty's character. She has a great
power Of accommodating herself to cir
cumstances, of making up her mind
strongly on any one point She inherits
it from me. A power Of self-conquest,
in which you may, perhaps, be rather
deficient. No reproach to you. 1t be-
longs to the natural character. Letitia
is only behaving as l confidently expect
ed her to behave. She has been too
much indulged. As soon as she finds
that am seriously in earnest, she sub
mits with good grace. Despair! you have
been reading too many novels"
Florinda had dim idea that she could
not trust her own senses, and therefore
she quietly accepted Sir Georges contra
dictions. First he was agreeably SUI
prised; then it was what he had con
fdently expected. After all, it did not
matter much what his feelings were. She
sighed and got up. lf r ..
81 can only tell you my Impressions"
she said. "Letitia's manner Is to me a
a new thing. She is reserved, cold, alb
rupt She sits buried in thought, or
talks in strained, unnatural way. She
is not herself. l believe that if by any
means she can escape this marriage, she
will. And | must say, Sir George, at the
risk of offending you, that in my opinion,
by forcing her into it, you are doing
great cruelty to your only child"
"My esteem for you is very great"
Sir George replied gravely. "But on
this subject we differ, and must continue
to do SO. am satisfied with my ar
for Letitia, and with her ac-
ceptance of them. At present I desire
to look no further" a....,
He held his hand on the handle Of the
door, ready to open it. s
IL wonder where Captain Crosby is"
said Mrs Buahe.
"Why should you vex me by mention
ng his nameT ..a-
"I do not believe a word of that story
about his birth" "
"He may not be tailor's son." said Sir |
George, "but he is an adventurer of some
Iind, Of course. Otherwise he would |
lave made no mystery about his family |
Can not you understand, Florinda, what
explained to you the other day-that it
$ specially to save Letitia from any con-
equences of an absurd fancy for him,
hat have hastened on this marriage
\ year or two hence you will do me Jus
ice. You will not talk Of my cruelty,
'ut Of my wisdom" !"
Sir George bowed his cousin out of the
DOM and went back to his port, very
much satisfied with himself. He was
lad he had kept his temper with poor
provoking as she might be; of
curse all she said was dictated by sincere
ffection for Letitia and himself. Still
he role Of Cassandra was very tire
ONE one, and he wondered she had not
he tact and good sense to avoid it.