The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-08
GEORGE MEREDITH,
GREATEST OF ENGLISH NOVBLISTO,
Sends to The Sun this Original View
of English Life.
A WITTYAND INTERESTING STORY.
THE CASE OF GEN. oPLE AND LADY CAMPER.
CHAPTER ".

Elizabeth came riding home to breakfast
from gallon round the park, and. passing
Lady Campers gates. received the Bautatlon
OF her paraso. Lady Camper talked with her
through the bars There was not sign to tell
Of change or twist in her neighborly affabil-
ity. She remarked, simply enough that 1t was
her nephew's habit to take carly Rallops, and
possibly. Elizabeth might have seen him. for
his quarters wore proximate; but she did not
demand an answer Sho had passed q rather
restless night she said. "lIow is the General ?"
Papa must have slept soundly. for he usu-
ally calls to me through his door when he hears
am up." said Elizabeth
Lady Camper nodded kindly and walked on.
At7iu tho morning Gen. Ople was ready for
BATTLE His forces were, the anticipation OF
victory. a carefully arranged toilet. anu an I'M
accustomed spirit OF enterprise In the realms
OF speech: for he was no longer in such awe OF
Lady Camper.
"Yon have silent we'll p she inquired.
"Excellcntly. my lady"
Yes your daughter tells me she hoard you.
ss she went By your door In the morning for a
ride to meet my nephew. You are. shall as
sumo. prepared for business"
Elizabeth 1-to moot Gen. Ople's i'm
presslon OF anything extraneous to his ono
ton was feebls and passed instantly. Pre-
paredl Oh certainly and he struck in COM
plment on hor ladyshIp fresh morning bloom.
1T can hardly DO visible" she responded;
II have not painted yet"
Does your ladyship proceed to your paint
ing In the very early morning"
Rouge. l rouge"
Dear mel should not have supposed It."
"You have speculated on it very openly.
General. I remember your trying to see
freckle through the rouge: but the truth Is,
am OF supernatural paleness II l do not rouge.
80 do. You understand, therefore. have
false complexion. Now to business"
IF your ladyship insists on calling 1t busi-
ness. l have little to offer-myself"
You have a Rentlemanly residence"
1T Is. my lady, it is. 1t is bbou."
"Ah" Lady Camperlsghed dejectedly
ut Is a perfect biJou !"
r"ObliGe mo- General. by not pronouncing
tho French word as II YOU were swearing by
something In English. like trooper"
Gen. Ople started, admitted that the word
was French and apooGzed for his pronuncia-
ton. Her variability was now visible over q
corner of the battlefield like a thundercloud.
Tho business We have to discuss concerns
the young people. General"
Yes" frightened by this. he assented.
Yes. dear Lady Camper, it is a part OF the
business-it Is q secondary part. 1t has to be
discussed. l say l subscribe beforehand. l
may say that honorlng, esteeming you as do,
and hoping ardenty for your consent"
They must have homo and an income.
General"
IL presume. dearest lady, that Elizabeth will
be welcome In your home. l certainly shall
never chase Reginald out ofimine."
Lady Camper threw back her head. Then
you are not yet awake. or you practise the art
OF sleeping with open eyes. Now listen to me.
rouge have told you. l like color and do
not like to see wrinkles or have them seen.
Therefore | rouge do not expect to deceive
tho world so fagrantly as to my age. and you
would not deceive for moment. am TO-"
The effect of this noble frankness on the
General was to raise him from his chair in q
sitting posture as if he had been blown up.
Her countenanco was ineIorably imperturb
able under his alternate blinking and gazing.
that drew her close and shot her distant, like
mysterious toy
But" said she. II am an artist: dislike
the look of extreme age, 80 conceal It rs well
ss can. You are very kind 10 fall in with tho
deception: an innocent and. think. proper
one. before the world. though not to the gem
tleman who does mo the honor to propose to
me for my hand. You desire to settle our
business first Y GU esteem me. l suppose you
moan as much as young people mean when
they say they love. Do you? Let us come to
an understanding.
Il can" the melancholy General gasped. Il
say / CAM cannot-I cannot credit your
ladyshps-"
You are at liberty to call me Angela"
"Ange-' he tried 1t. and In shame re-
lRpsed. Madam, yes. thanks"
All" cried Lady Camper. do not use these
vulgar contractions OF decent speech In my
presence. abhor the word thanks 1t Is ut
for fribbles."
Dear me. have used 1t all my liie." groaned
the General.
Then for the remainder. be 1t understood
that you renounoe it. To continue my age
is"
"Oh. impossible impossible" the General
almost walled. There was really crack in his
voice.
Advancing to 10. But like you. am happy
to say have not malady. l bring no invalid
franc to an union that necessitates the leav-
ing OF the front door open day and night to tho
doctor. My belief Is. could follow my hus-
band still ON a campaign, II he were war; Tor
instead Of a pensioner."
Gen. Ople WINGED.
He was about to say humby. 7" As General
OF Brigade -"
Yes. yes. you want q commanding officer
and that have seen. and that has caused me
to mediate on your proposal" she Interrupted
him while he, studying her co untenance hard.
with the painful aspect OF youth who lashes
. donkey memory in an examination by word
OF mouth attempted to marshal her signs OF
younger years against her awful confession OF
the extremely ancient. tho whitening ancient |
But for the manifest rouge manifest In spite
OF her declaration that she had not yet that
morning proceeded to her paint brush, he |
would have thrown down his glove TO challenge |
hSr on the subject Of her age. She had actually |
charma lieT mouth had a charm; her ewes |
were nteiI her figure mature YOU like. was
~ Toast lull and good she stood upright; she |
had Sneenly seat. His mental EJACULATION
was; What q wonderful constitution"
~ lapse Of poiteness he rspeate It to him |
sell pail aloud lie was shOckingy nervous.
Yes | have ,Anor health than m6ny a |
younger woman, she said. An ordinary cal |
culation would give me twenty good years to |
come am widow. as YOU know, And Nv |
the way. you have u leaning Tor widows. Have |
you not | Thought had heard OF Widow |
BRrcop In this parish. DO not protest. | as |
sure you am stranger to jealousy. My In |
come
The General raised his hands.
well, then. said tho cool and self-contalned |
lady. "belore | go further may ask you. |
knowing what you have forced me to confess. |