Year: 1859

CHAPETR v.


The inexorable ticking Of the clock is like the
throb of pain, to sensations made keen by
sickening fear, And so it is with the great
clock-work of nature. Daisies and buttercups
give way to the brown waving grasses, tlnged
with the warm red sorre the waving grasses
are swept away, and the meadows lie like
emeralds set in the bushy hedgerows the tawny-
tipped corn begins to bow with the weight OF
the full ear the reapers are bending amongst
Il and it soon stands in sheaves; then, present.
". the patches of yellow stubble lie side by side
with streak of dark red earth, which the plough
is turning up in preparation for the new thrash
ed seed. And this passage from beauty to
beauty, which to the happy is like the flow OF
melody, measures for many a human heart the
approach Of foreseen anguish, seems hurrylng
on the moment when the shadow of dread will
be followed up by the reality of despair.


How cruelty hasty that summer of l7oo seemed
to Caterina Surely the roses vanished earlier,
and the berries on the mountain-ash were more
impatient to redden, and bring on the autumn
when she would be face to face with her misery,
and witness Anthony giving all his gentle tones,
tender words, and soft looks, to another.


Before the end of July, Captain Wybrow had
written word that Lady ASHER and her daughter
were about to fly from the heat and galety OF
Bath to the shady quiet of their place at Far
leigh, and that he was invited to join the party
there. His letters implied that he was on an
excellent footing with both the ladies, and gave
no hint of rival SO that Sir Christopher was
more than usually bright and cheerful after
reading them. At length, towards the close OF
August, came the announcement that Captain
Wybrow was an accepted lover, and after much
complimentary and congratulatory correspond
between the two families, it was understood
that in September Lady ASHER and her daugh-
ter would pay visit to Cheverel Manor, when
Beatrice would make the acquaintance OF her
future relatives, and all needful arrangements
could be discussed. Captain Wybrow would
remain at Farleigh till then, and accompany
the ladies in their journey.


In the interval, every one at Cheverel Manor
had something to do by way of preparing tor
the visitors. Sir Christopher was occupied IN
consultations with his steward and lawyer, and
in giving orders to every one else, especially IN
spurring on Francetco to finish the saloon. Mr.
Gilfl had the responsibility of procuring a
lady's horse, Miss ASHER being great rider;
Lady Cheverel had unwonted calls to make and
invitations to deliver Mr.. Bates's turf, and
gravel, and fower-beds were always at such
point of neatness and finish that nothing extra
ordinary could be done in the garden, except
little extraordinary scolding of the under garden
er, and this addition Mr., Bates did not neglect


Happily for Caterina, she too had her task to
fill up the long dreary daytime it was to finish
chair cushion which would complete the eel
of embroidered covers for the drawing-room
Lady Cheyerels year-long work, and the only
noteworthy bic of furniture in the Manor. Over
this embroidery she sat with cold lips and
palpitating heart, thankful that this miserable
sensation throughout the daytime seemed to
counteract the tendency to tears which returned
with night and solitude She was most fright
ened when Sir Christopher approached her
The baronet's eye was brighter and his steE
more elastic than ever, and it seemed to him
that only the most leaden or churlsh souls
could be otherwise than brisk and exultng in a
world where everything went SO well. Dear old
gentleman he had gone through life little
flushed with the power of his WILL and now hit
latest plan was succeeding, and Cheverel Manor
would be inherited by a granddaughter, whom
ne might even yet live TO zee fine young fellow
with at least the down on his chin. Why not
one is still young at sixty.


Sir Christopher had always something play
ful to say to Caterina.


" Now, little monkey, you must be in your
best voice; you're the minstrel of the Manor
you know, and bc sure you have II pretty gown
and new ribbon. You must not be dressed in
russell, though you are singing bird, O,
perhaps, 1t is your turn to be courted noxt
Tina But don't you learn any naughty nrouf
airs. must have Maynard let off easlly''