CHAPTER VI. DISAPPOINTED LOVE.

I know thee well, thy songs and sighs, A wicked god thou art; And yet, most pleasing to the eyes, And witching to the heart. W. MACKWORTH PRAED.

The house was dull when Aurelia was gone. Her father was ill at ease and therefore testy, Betty too sore at heart to endure as cheerfully as usual his unwonted ill-humour. Harriet was petulant, and Eugene troublesome, and the two were constantly jarring against one another, since the one missed her companion, the other his playmate; and they were all more sensible than ever how precious and charming an element was lost to the family circle.

On the next ensuing Sunday, Eugene had made himself extremely obnoxious to Harriet, by persisting in kicking up the dust, and Betty, who had gone on before with her father, was availing herself of the shelter of the great pew to brush with a sharp hand the dust from the little legs, when, even in the depths of their seclusion, the whole party were conscious of a sort of breathless sound of surprise and admiration, a sweep of bows and curtsies, and the measured tread of boots and clank of sword and spurs coming nearer--yes, to the very chancel. Their very door was opened by the old clerk with the most obsequious of reverences, and there entered a gorgeous vision of scarlet and gold, bowing gracefully with a wave of a cocked and plumed hat!

The Major started, and was moving out of his corner--the seat of honour--but the stranger forbade this by another gesture, and took his place, after standing for a moment with his face hidden in his hat. Then he took an anxious survey, not without an almost imperceptible elevation of eyebrow and shoulder, as if disappointed, and accepted the Prayer-book, which the Major offered him.

Answer this series of questions:

1. Who bickered with each other While Aurelia was gone?
2. What was Harriet's relationship to Aurelia?
3. What was Eugene's relationship with her?
4. Was Aurelia missed?
5. On what day was Eugene exceptionally obnoxious?
6. To who?
7. What was he doing?
8. Who was dusting?
9. What was she dusting?
10. What did they hear coming?
11. Who opened their door?
12. What colors was he wearing?
13. Was he wearing a hat?
14. What did he do with it?
15. What was the house like when Aurelia was gone?
16. Where was the seat of honor located?
17. Did the stranger allow it?
18. Where did he hide his face?
19. Was he pleased?

Numbered answers:
1. Harriet and Eugene
2. her companion
3. playmate
4. yes
5. Sunday
6. Harriet,
7. kicking up the dust,
8. Betty,
9. the dust from the little legs
10. the tread of boots and clank of sword and spurs
11. the old clerk
12. scarlet and gold
13. yes
14. waved it
15. dull
16. in the corner where major was sitting
17. no
18. in his hat.
19. no