Year: 1875


occasiOn)


OF course we did everything in our
power to make the visit agreeable. He and
Estelle rode, sang, played billiards, attend
ed the opera-in short, were almost con-
stantly in each others society, and matters
seemed to be progressing finely, when
what should | discover one morning, on
entering the library, but Walter and Nina
sitting side by side on the sofa. She had
been sweeping, l suppose, and he had
come in and found her there. | did not
think it possible she would venture to ad-
dress or engage in conversation with a
guest in the house like that. | never al
lowed her to sit at table or meet socially
with our visitors, all of whom doubtless
had the impression she was one of the do
mcstics.


think I stared at her full moment in
mute amazement She quailed visibly un-
der my gaze Nina,' said I, stcrnly,
"you may go upstairs and look after the
children"


She left the room without word |
wished, afterward, | had concealed my
vexation, at least before Ransom; for i'm
mcdlately after breakfast Che had been un-
usually silent during the meaD he an
nounced his intention to depart on the next
train, and nothing could dissuade him from
his purpose.


l Thought it extremely impolite in him
to leave SO unccrcmoniously, considering
all the trouble we had taken to entertain
him, his attentions to Estcllc and know
ing, as he did, that we had sent out invi-
tations to dance for that very evening
an entertainment got up especially on his
account


Estelle, poor child, was almost incon-
sOlable, and as for myself / could only
give vent to my feelings by taking Nina
to task. l rcprimandcd her sharply.
What was my surprise when at last she
remarked:


"Why, Aunt Charlotte, l didn't think
there could be any harm in speaking to
him. We used to be ncighbors in Havre-
vile. His fathers house was next to
ours. We used to play together. We
went to the same school"


couldn't find a word to say. How
should [ know that Ransom had ever
lived in Havrevillc?


Well, in few days there came a letter
addressed in masculine hand to Nina. l
thought best to examine its contents before
delivering it to her. l thought best to
find out for myself what sort of person
this might be writing to Miss Nina.


1t was from Ransom! 1t began with
Dearest Nina!" alluded to her unhap-
py situation and the ''trials she was
obliged to undergow Ghe ungratcful girl!
what falsehoods she must have told him y
and ended with proposal to correspond.


Correspond, indeed and with Nina-a
girl so vastly his inferior in every respect.
How edifying, to be sure!


Miss Nina never enjoyed a perusal of
that interesting communication. l threw
it into the fire l considered | was doing
a kindness in preventing a promising
young man from wasting his sympathy
and ink in that foolish fashion. And, be-
sides, 1 still had hopes that, if the case
were carefully handled, I might yet bring
about a more satisfactory understanding
between him and Estelle.


As for Nina, was so out of patience
with her l should certainly, then and
there, have hidden her take her depart
~,
or other (she might teach, perhaps, in a
primary school, thought; might do any
thing, didn't care what, if only she got
herself out of the way), but the younger
children were just then coming down with
the measles, and | could not well dispense
with her services.


Some weeks later, the little ones having
entirely recovered, Now" said | to my
self, ait is time to speak" l was rcvolv-
ing the matter in my mind one afternoon,
as I took short cut through the park on
nv way home from call had been max
ing. l caught sight of Nina through the
shrubbery as | passed along. She had the
baby out in his carriage for an airing. A
man was walking beside her. l ap-
preached. "This girl, thought |, must
be watched as long as she remains with
me-"


The man was Ransom! He saluted me
in the most courteous manner possible.
Nina" said l, speaking in the mildest
tones l could command, "I think the
little darling has been out long enough.
Hadn't you better be going home?"


Ransom hastened to relieve her of her
charge, turning the carriage toward the
park entrance and pushing it himself.
No sooner had we reached the house
door than, pausing, he took Nina's hand
in his. 1t was right there on the street, in
broad daylight! l could not but wonder
at his audacity. Well, don't recall his
exact words. l know he made a very
smooth little speech, the substance of
which was: he wanted my consent to their
marriage!


Marriage! For two minutes-longer,
perhaps was unable to utter syllable,
so great was my astonishment At last
managed to say:


sMr. Ransom, ii is a matter of perfect
indifference to me in what manner this
young woman may choose to dispose of
herself. I only know that l close my
doors to her-noo and torereri'
And with that l lifted baby from his
carriage and passed in.


suppose they went straitway to cler-
gyman for their marriage notice appeared
in the next mornings papers.
And that is the last have heard or care
to hear of either Of them. A precious
voir indnedi