Зображення сторінки
PDF
ePub
[graphic][merged small][merged small][subsumed]

LONDON SOCIETY.

MAY, 1874.

OPEN! SESAME!

BY FLORENCE MARRYAT (MRS. Ross-CHURCH), AUTHOR OF 'LOVE'S CONFLICT,' 'NO INTENTIONS,' ETC., ETC.

IT

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

T is a fortnight before the day on which Miss West-Norman will come of age. Mrs. West is sitting in the drawing-room of Norman House, busily employed on an elaborate pattern of pointlace, a work in which she excels and without which she is seldom seen; at her feet plays little Arthur, a handsome, dark-eyed, Spanish-looking child of the Paul Delaroche type; and at a davenport, some little distance from the widow, sits Miss Strong, unsociably writing letters.

When to them enters Mr. Mildmay, unusually red and flurried, and all in a mild perspiration from the soft May temperature and his own palpable annoyance.

'Mrs. West-Miss Strong- .I have just met her out riding with Captain Staunton again. This must be put a stop to.'

The widow looks up from her employment with an excellentlyacted air of surprise.

'What must be put a stop to, Mr. Mildmay?'

But he takes no notice of this question, crossing at once to the davenport and occupying a seat on the ottoman beside it.

VOL. XXV.-NO. CXLIX.

'Have you spoken to Everil on the subject, Miss Strong?'

'I have not, Mr. Mildmay. You must excuse me; I knew you wished it, but I do not feel myself justified in doing so. It is such a very delicate matter, you see; and though Miss West-Norman is kindness and amiability itself, I am sure she would resent any interference with it.'

'Is there no one, then, who has courage to point out to the girl the misery she is storing up for herself and others? Mrs. West, you are her cousin, and the Earl's interests must be dear to yousurely you will help us!'

Help you, my dear Mr. Mildmay! Of course I will in any way in my power. But what is all this about? You are talking Greek to me. Has dear Everil done anything naughty? She is terribly wild I know.'

The rector leaves his seat beside the apparently unsympathetic Miss Strong and takes one next to the widow, whose soft eyes are filled with concern for his unknown anxiety.

'Have you not perceived it?the attentions, I mean, of Captain 2 c

« НазадПродовжити »