Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-06-04
CHAPTER II.
"HoNoR YOUR PARENT" AND "sERvE YOUR
SELF"

HONOR YOUR PARENT" AND SERVE YOUR
SELF"
Mrs. Barbara Temple was in her glory.
For a less complicated or a more Immediately
hopeful undertaking she would scarcely have
cared. Sophia, she well knew, was not an
easy woman to turn, and still less was she
easy to beguile. Percival Brent had really
taken the girls fancy. He was more pre-
possessing, with his youth and his generous
ways, than this grave, serious stranger, verg-
ing on middle life. And the mother had
found by experience that affection with
Sophia was not mere whim or fancy, much
less self-interest or passion. Its roots struck
deep. For Mrs. Temples present purpose the
mere vulgar brides of wealth and ease were
not enough; all kinds of motives must be en-
gagged, auxiliaries from innumerable quarters
must be united; the campaign must be care
fully planned, the advance made neither too
early nor too late, just at the moment of
fate; and then the kingdom Of Sophia's heart
would be won. But all this only kindled
Mrs. Barbara Temple into excitement. Mar
rying Car and Sibyl had been child's play;
here was a game for a mistress. She felt the
same exultation which a chess player feels
who, long used to engage with adversaries to
whom he can give a castle and win easily,
sits at last facing an enemy who would win
if he got a pawn or a move.
Everything must be done at the right
time" she said. Everything must be done
in the right way. Whom can 1 trust for
that! Whom3 Nobody except myself"
First of all she talked to Prendergast her
self. Mingling a certain Difference for his
n,;n,a.. ,,s%L $780,. 49, IL
she told him that for the present he had bet
ter not make any advances to Sophia.
Rather the opposite" she said. "Seem to
retreat. Sophia has already noticed your
liking for her. Now, if you withdraw for a
while, you will puzzle her. She will say,
Did he admire me after all, Or not? Has he,
on coming to know me better, found me less
attractive! You will excite her curiosity,
which, let me tell you, is a great thing for a
lover to do. Besides, although Sophia may
not care for you, having once secured your
admiration, she will not like to lose it. No
woman wishes that a man who once admired
her should cease to admire her. She may
not care for him-she may even have an
aversion to him-but she likes him to care
for her. And, l say, if Sophia finds that yoh
grow cooler, she will wonder, question with
herself, feel a little piqued; and then, if
you turn round again and confess her power
-wel-well-she will be rather more dis
posed to give you some slight encouragement
Am l letting you into too many of our
secrets, Mr.. Prendergast?"
with your knowledge Of the heart" he
answered, Il could have vanquished Cleo
patra."
IShe bowed, but scarcely took time to taste
the flavor of the compliment. Nosooner was
luncheon over than, making some excuse for
dropping Sophia at a friends house at one end
Of the town, she drove out to see Sybil, the first
ally whose cooperation she meant to secure.
Sibyl was alone in her drawing room, and
certainly all around were abundant signs Of
the magnitude Of the price she had fetched
In the matrimonial exchange. She looked
very handsome, quite superb, Mrs. Temple
thought, as she rose to meet her mother. But
there was discomfort in her face.
"Sibyl, dear, the mother said, your taste
is nothing short of perfect. This drawing
room grows ~lovelier every day. Where did
you pick up that little picture~
In Bond street" she answered, l~istlessly.
you paid a price for it, / can guessF
VI know nothing about prices" Sibyl an
swered% haughtily.
And never need" replied her mother,
quickly. Happy girl"
Sibyl made no answer.
II have come, dear" her mother now said,
ITO ask your assistance in a very delicate
matter. Prendergast wants to marry So
phia."
Sophia will not marry at present" Sibyl
remarked.
mot unless We are very judicious. But
with management she will. Prendergast is a
man after her own heart, just the sort of
man she would have fallen in love with il
this ridiculous affair with Mr.. Brent's son did
not stop the way. Now Sophia must not pass
this offer by. 1 am determined she shall
not. Prendergast is very rich, and he is will
ing to settle down here"
Sand what of thatG' Sibyl asked.
"What Of thatl Why, here you three