The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-03-11

Tor his tardy appearance. adding that as
he was unable TO go 10 her, perhaps she
would come TO him. But this latter part
or his message so scandaliZed Peggy, that
he was obliged to suppress it.
Mrs. Wynne was taking her after-lunch-
con nap when he strolled langnidly into
the drawlngroom, but her niece was there
also. and started up to meet him.
In her simple white morning dress she
looked very winsome; and the flowers she
was painting, the book she had been read
ing, were evidences that even In this Sc
cluded spot she cOntriYed 10 cultivate her
talents.
But where was Miss EnsmOre? AL
though it was awfully nice TO De the re-
cipient of Carla's sympathetic chances and
softly murmured regrets stern necessity
compelled him to remember his errand.
when can l see Miss Ensmore ?" he
inquired. docs she keep her room? If
so, will you kindly ask her when she will
receive me? l should like to get back to
town as soon as l can"
"Are you in such haste 2" queried Carla,
timidly. 1T is your first visit here. Why
not prolong il till you have seen our beau
tiful country under a fairer aspect? Our
vicar. The Rev. Henry Rodwell, who lives
close by, is very learned man and anti
quarian. Nothing would please him more
than 10 be your cicerone to all that Is in
teresting in the neighbor hood"
1T would be very pleasant if / had
mind at ease," answered Darcy; but"
"Ihen you are in troubled! exclaimed
his nearer. I'VE feared as much when
Peggy told us how mournfully you sighed
In your sleep. If there is anything my
aunt l should say-can do, we shall be so
glad. | myself have lain under so many
obligations 10 my dear, good Miss Ems
more Did you know that she adopted me
at my mothers death? That have often
m nan nf q
gratitude?"
1t was an invitation TO speak frankly
Uninterrupted as 1t was with the tender To-
terest her eyes and voice betrayed-proved
irresistible, and Darcy, little TO his own
surprise when he recalled it afterward.
found himself pouring the whole of his
faculties into Carla's shell-like ears.
Before Mrs. Wynne awoke the young
people had become quite friends. for she
found his "reminiscences of foreign travel
well worth hearing, and he was battered
by the intelligence and evident pleasure of
his pretty listener. 1t may have been the
ringing OF the dinner-bell that reused Mrs.
Wynne from her siumbers and made Carla
start up. blushing and embarrassed
II had forgotten to tell you that the in
terview you ask for will have to be de-
ferred till Tomorrow"
Darcy looked disappointed.
My time Is precious, and / am most
anxious to hear Miss Ensmore's decision
at once. Ii she says no to my request"
She will not" interposed CarIa. "Haye
no fear OF that II you will accent as
much at her hands she will place to your
account three or four times the amount
you have named. But for her belief that
your fathers wealth far exceeded hers
and would all be bestowed on his son. she
would have willed at least half her income
to you; L am sure of it,
But here Mrs. Wynne's sbrill tones
made themselves heard.
Look you, Carla. you'll never be
dressed in time for. dinner and the vicar
coming by your invitation; and cook
always cross as two sticks if the fish is
Kept waiting. Not but what he's a very
pretty young man.; yes, and indeed. and
pleasant to talk to."
Away flew the embarrassed Carla. leav-
Ing Darcy in doubt whether he or the vicar
was the person referred to. But the Rev.
Henry Rodwell, arriving soon after.
proved TO be hale. elderly gentleman. de.
ngnted to meet with a young fellow from
London who had received a collegiate edu-
cation, and visited many parts of the
world only known to the cleric through
his books.
Miss Ensmore did not appear at dinner
and Darcy began to feel ANNOYED as well
as perplexed. Was she so eccentric that her
irienus were obliged to confine her to her
apaI th1en Is, or was she con firmed inva-
10! CARA had spoken OF her in the most
affectionate terms, and she must he cana
Die OF ruling her household. for when
Mrs. WyDne asked the page w ho waited
at the table why he had not brought UT
the light french wine she generally drank.
ne answered through her ear-trum pet In at
MISS Eusmore told him to set the best