Year: 1869




CHAPTER I.


Edward Hornby and Lionel Horton
were cousins. Edward was large,
loud, fierce man, very vicious, very
handsome, a terrible bully, a splendid
rider, a fine shot, as brave as a lion,
ard as treacberous as a leopard. Lionel
was csst in gentler and more feminine
mould to all appearance; not quite so
tall, perhaps even more handsome, and
of pleasing genial manners. Somewhat
idle even in the few things he had to
do, but most amiable and excellent
young fellow, disguised with his life,
and knowing himself fit for higher
things.


They had third and mutual consiD,
slightly younger, young lady. Her
family was as poor as were either of
theirs, but she was rich. She was dow
ed with beauty so wonderful that peo-
pie in the world began to speak Of it
even now, before she was out; and to
this beauty her father and mother look
ed, in part, to restore the fallen fortunes
of their house, for they were heirless,
and she was the last of the long old
line.


She had been seen by few, but had
been very much in the company of her
cousins. Inevitably, but with singular
infelicity, those two unhappy young
men fell deeply in love with her, and
more unfortunately still, she returned
the love of the more gentle Lionel.


1t was in the Autumn, at one of their
dilapidated old country houses, that
this took, place. Edward broke the
fsrcest horses for her amusement, swan
the broad cold river in November
because she was on the other side and
that he might have the happiness of
walking home beside her IN his drip
ping clothes in the biting wind. But
she did not care for him; she was far
too refined a creature to be won by
mere exhibitions of brute strength
which any prize-fghter could surpass.
When he did not frighten her ne
displeased her; she disliked him, and
he saw it.


Lionel was a perfect gentleman, and
Though not a close scholar, had read
somewhat. And he had a gentle, play
full manner, too, and a pleasant quiet
way of sayi6g humorous things, and
altogether was such very charming
person that she gave him the preference
from the first aud grew to love him
deeply before she had any idea of that
such was the case. He was only her
cousin.


1he was at first very careful in her
behavior to the two to show no marked
preference for either. But each Of
them before fong saw perfectly well
how the matter stood.


i The old people of course guessed
nothing of it; if they had, it would
have given them only a temporary
uneasiness. Her father was so inexora-
bly, certain of her destiny that nothing
could have disturbed his certainty; the
car of JuggerDaut is not to be turned
aside by a stick. And the poor young
lady was we'll aware of what awaited
her, and but for this appearance Of
Lionel in these Autumn days, would
have looked forward with extreme
pleasure to that destiny.


Lionel wat reused from his lethargy
of life by this newly found love, and
he formed a scheme, foolish lovers
scheme.


"If she will consent for a year or
two, I will win a position for her
There is at all events India"


Alas, poor youth he should have
known that he would get ne nearer to
the moon by going to India than he
would to his cousin Alice.


As the Autumn drew to a close, she
began to relax little in the extreme
care with which she had kept the bal
ance between them and somewhat to
unbend toward Lionel. Edward hat
ing with deep and deadly hatred,
watched them closely, and saw the
growing hope in Lioneps eyes.


The fool will not be long before he
speaks


Lionel was I o. long before he spoke.
One day she was distant and cold to
him and in asking an explanation of
this coldne8s he determined to say the
great word to her, to lay his life at her
feet, to pray her to wait.


He found her alone. Had he not
been nervous, had he but looked a lit
tie more at her face, be would have
seen that she was very angry and would |
not have spoken. To his great aston
ishment she had repelled him with ex-
treme anger Before there was any |
time to ask for an explanation, the
father and mother entered, the father
lived with rage.


"Then my watching Is rewarded"
said the old gentleman, Il was not de-
ceiyed. Wretched Lionel; how have
you abused my confidence and violated
my hospitality Lionel, you have ira !