Sword and shield., 1885-02-28
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
Breakfast was over; and the two young
people. Dolly and Culverton. stood at the
side door watching the Stanhope phacton
containing the Squire and the Mistress
until it disappeared round the Yicarage
corner.
"Let us go into the boudoir." said Gull
verton. But Dolly did not move from the
position she had taken up against the
doorway.
"The bourdoirQ" she repeated Doubt
fully.
"Yes,' he returned; 1--WE shall not be
interrupted there. No tiresome servants.
you know, whisking in and out
II believe" she said demurely. tracing
absurd patterns in the dust with her foot.
''that the boudoir is being swept ont this
morning"
Bother! Well. we can take possession
Of the Squire's study. Come" he said
persuasively, trying to take her hand.
"Are you going to scold me e asked
Dolly at last i'll desperation, finding her
small strength giving way against his
because, if you are. won't come"
If Culverton had really intended to DO
so, he could not have resisted the tempta-
tion to burst out laughing at her; and lie
laughed until Dolly forgot her fears and
joined in his mirth.
''Is that the way you are going to look
at me when we are marriedl" he asked.
"When we are married2" repeated Dolly,
all the laughter dying out Of her eyes
'Oh, don't know how l shall look when
we are married."
She turned and walked along the tagged
pathway beside him back to the house !;
then led the way to the untidy little room
her father was pleased to term his study,a
room with two windows overlooking a tiny
garden enclosed within high walls man
tied to the very top with ivy. There was
smooth lawn with "a single fower-bed in
Z. center, just then bright with radiant
blossoms. There was also a narrow
gravel walk. which ran entirely round
the garden, between the lawn and ivied
walls.
1t was not exactly cheerful prospect,
but the Squire did not care to have any,
thing altered; for one of his ancestresses,
Mistress Adela Nugent, having heard
that her husband had met with sudden
and tragical death in foreign land, made
3 vow that she would never mix with the
world again; so she made the study-it
had likewise been her husbands Sahcsub1
her sitting room, and had the high walls
built, so that she could take the air in
her own little garden without fear of on
lockers.
Her husband made his appearance again,
after having been i'll durance vile some
two years; and it was said that Mistress
Adela had some fear lest her vow might
remain in force, though the cause of it
had returned after all; but the husband
never allowed the little room and garden
to be altered. nor would his descendant.
Squire Nugent.
CulveriOn closed the door after Dolly
had passed into the room. and followed
her to the window-seat, sitting down be-
side her and drawing her head upon his
shoulder.
81 don't think you are well. darling he
said presently, finding her quite silent
and resting her head wearily against him.
After all, winter abroad will be the best
thing possible for you. am convinced Of
It. Why, Dolly, you are not crying! NY
darling. what is il I"
- cannot helpit" cried Dolly passion
ately, and breaking into floods of tears /
4 know you will lie angry, but cannot 7
help it. | am SO afraid of her! | know
hat she has come to take you away from
ne. feel it is So"
.Do you mean Miss Fox? My darling,
don't even like her. | couldn't fall IN
owe with her if l tried, or however much
he tried to fascinate me. Why. my sweet
st, she has been trying her best for the
ast three years.
II hate her!" said Dolly, shutting her
eeth with an angry click
II wouldn't take the trouble if were
'ou," he said, with laugh, as he dried
er tearS-very awkwardly he did it too.
But, as for being afraid Of her. why,
lolly, it's absurd! In the first place she
J black beauty"
"But she is beauty" said Dolly tlag-
ally"
"A regular stunner!' laughed Culver
ons with which Dolly caught her breath
18th a great sob. but then, you know,
~ darling, / think the Venus de- Medici
/ beautiful; but can't say that l should
are to marry her"
"What-the Venus de- Medici or Miss
OK n asked Dolly.
Neither of them," he returned emphat-
ally, though, for preference. give me
he Venus-she is white"
Il do not know why l should feel this
wful foreboding," said Dolly forlolnly;
but do. tried to shake it off last night
nd go to sleep; but could not. Eever
ept the whole night"
my poor little darling" he cried com
"Shall ask the Squire to
I US be married at once-say next weekl
could be managed, you know, quite ca
ly"
mo, no." she said. "They would all
ugh at me; and / could not tell any one
It you that am afraid of her."
"Then will tell you what l will do; /
e you will never rest if this goes on for
couple of months. If Miss Cave-Fox
axes you uneasy, or makes eyes at me,
u just go away and stop until the end of
,ptember."
mo, mol" cried Dolly once more
Where will you gol"
mot where there are any ladies to wor-
you,' he answered, with a smile. 'sIll
} to the Lodge. where there are no gen
. folk within fifteen iniles,and only few