LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 450, 23 November 1875, Page 3

LITERATURE.

FINE WEATHER AND FAIR WOMEN,

(From the Argosy)

Continued

At about three o’clock that afternoon the whole party assembled on the beautiful lawn, level as a billiard table, green as an emerald, to consult about the placing and arrangements of the different sets. And certainly a prettier scene was never shone upon by summer sun, even in merzy England. The house, a modern antique, built by the present Squire’s father to replace one on a lower site, was a happy mixture of the picturesqueness of a former age and the convenience of the present. It stood out bold and striking, with its terraces and flowergardens, from a back-ground of fine trees, and commanded a magnificent view of the surrounding country, the glorious sweep of park stretching far and wide, till it melted into the genei’al landscape, dotted with hamlets and village spires, and enlivened by occasional glimpses of a winding river. Nor were the living forms unworthy of such accessories, the handsome girls and stately matrons, in light summer dresses, walked hither and thither, or foi-med into gay groups, round the croquet-hoops, while the pretty children, in their dainty costume of lac 3 and muslin, flitted like butterflies among them. As the guests began to arrive, they did not detract from the general effect, There were—which it must be owned, is rare in our dear country—very few hideous toilets with combinations of colour painful to the eye ; for it must be admitted by the most determined Anglomaniac that Englishwomen seldom have an eye for either form or colour, in connection with their own persons. As long as a dress is striking and showy, and, as they fondly hope, fashionable, no matter how incongiuous it may be, or how unsuited to the appearance of the wearer, they are satisfied, and go about perfectly happy, after having made themselves look as ugly as nature, which made most of them so fair, will permit them to be. And now the company dispersed, and the games began. Some played, some, unskilful or indifferent, sauntered about, engaged in sweet, or sometimes in z’ather bitter converse; and all those groups of lovely ladies, but slightly shaded by the darker garments of the unlovely sex, flitted about, and chatted, and played, and drank tea out of the most delicate porcelain cups. The sun shone brightly, and laughter pealed around. An uninitiated spectator might have supposed that there were spots in the universe like glimpses of a brighter sphere, and have been tempted to forget for a moment that sordid misery, with all its concomitants, abounded in the world.

ButJTamnot going to be philosophical, but tell my story, which is a true one. The enjoyment was at its height, when a servant came out to announce to Mrs Leighton that Mr Smith had arrived, and was waiting in the drawing-room. Surely never did that distinguished patronymic cause such a sensation. ‘Oh ! let him come out here at once.’ ‘Mamma, go and fetch him. ‘ Which set is he to play in?’ ‘Oh, in ours, we haven’t a single man.’ ‘No, in ours. Caroline is playing two balls.’ ‘But only suppose he can’t play, or does not like croquet!’ suggested a juvenile, less interested in the matter than those <#der. The idea was scouted, and in the midst of the confusion of voices, Mrs Leighton came through one of the open windows, followed by a tall and singularly handsome young man. He was well, though rather showily dressed ; wore jewellery, but not too much, and a certain air of assurance of self, possession sat not ungracefully on one in the position lie occupied, of course not quite unconsciously, of a sultan who had but to throw the handkerchief, and make the loveliest maid his own. He was presented formally to all the ladies of the family, further introduction being deemed unnecessary. And certainly none of the other ladies considered themselves particularly agrieved by being omitted in the ceremony. AMr Smith was too insignificant an individual to cause any excitement among those not prepared by announcement in the bills for the denouement of the drama.

But among the home party, how many hearts beat high with hope and expectation ? At least a dozen, counting the three mothers, and the two poor cousins, who, as bearing the name of Leighton, might be supposed to have the privilege of entering for the prize.

There is no doubt that the good mien of the hero made some difference in the feelings of the younger ladies ; but as for the elder ones, the parent birds, I do verily believe that, if instead of being, as he really was, as handsome as Apollo, he had proved as ugly as Cyclops, it would have been all the same. They looked, with far-seeing eyes, beyond the present hour, with its pleasures and flirtations ; through a long prospective of coming years, replete with wealth and comfort—country houses and town houses, carriages and servants, pleasant society, easilypaid bills, families well provided for, and consequent good temper and peace. And who shall say they were not wise in their generation ? I, having long passed the age of love making, am very much inclined to think they were, or at all events, to think there is much to be said on both sides of the question ; but I hesitate to put forward so unpopular an opinion. Among the competitors, I should be very much inclined to bet upon the twins. They had the great advantage of playing into each other’s hands ; for such is the force of nature, these two otherwise worldly girls loved each other with an affection that was quite touching in its strength. They were as one soul in two bodies. The pleasure of one was the happiness of the other. A tear in the dark eyes of Flo was immediately mirrored in those of Fred, and a sigh from one bosom found an echo in that of the other. In short, they were a human duet, sung sweetly in tnne, and as such there was interest about them which might otherwise have been wanting. They wished, on the present occasion, that one of them should succeed, but they really did not care which ; and Flo would have assisted Fred with the wealthy suitor, as willingly as Fred would have helped her sister to the prize. A lover was looked upon as quite secondary to a sister, and, with the idea of marriage, always came the thought, ‘Of course no one could separate us. ’ If one was to be a bride, the other must be a perpetual bridesmaid. Mabel Heathcote, with her golden hair, was certainly more beautiful; and many thought the second Miss Leighton a prettier girl; while the grace and vivacity of the elder sister gained her a host of admirers and followers wherever she went. But still I would bet upon the twins for the reasons above stated.

Of course the poor cousins were entirely out of the running. They had been sent to play with a vulgar curate, and * those two dreadful Miss What’stheirnames, who must be invited, ’ on the very.worst piece of ground in the place —so much on the slope that their balls were always running down the hill, and keeping them in hot water among themselves and with their more fortunate neighbours on the level ground below—and so they were disposed of. Mr Smith was duly introduced to all the other members of the family, and if he noticed the flutterings and blushes, and charming embarrassment displayed by some of the young ladies, and guessed the cause, he had, at all events, the modesty and good manners to ‘ bear his honours meekly. ’ Except the set on the slope in the corner, croquet came to a standstill. On pretence of arranging how to bring the new-comer into the game, the question really was who should appropriate him. In vain, he pleaded little knowledge and less skill, natural enough in one who had been so long abroad ; offers of tuition were made on all sides, and he was soon the centre of a perfect rainbow of gay and gorgeous garments. The handsome twins in pale pink dresses, made exactly alike, one looking like the reflection of the other in a mirror, gazed upon him with dark, admiring eyes. Miss Heathcote, in the brilliant blue, which she knew contrasted so well with her golden tresses, was foremost with offers of advice and assistance, enforced by glances from eyes of the brightest sapphire; while the lovely Leightons, all robed in white, like so many fair brides, were close at hand biding their time, which soon came by the skilful generalship of their mamma : who, playfully assuming some authority as mistress of the house, decided that as ‘ Caroline was playing two balls,’ he should fill up the vacant* place in that set for the present. The others were obliged, however unwillingly to submit, but without, as may be believed, loosing sight of their object, on account of their temporary check. Of course, from the family circle, tie poor cousins in washed-out [piques were excluded by the family in their actions. They continued, however, to amuse themselves as well as the nature of the ground to which they were exiled would allow; did not quarrel more than is usual at croquet; had even merry little jokes among themselves when the balls rattled away in the direction of the lake, and showed great activity and pretty ankles in pursuit of them. But what were pretty ankles and pleasant smiles when displayed by girls who were so badly dressed, were known to be miserably poor, and to inhabit some vulgar suburb of London. Girls, it was even whispered, who gave lessons in music when they could get pupils, rather than be too much beholden to their kind uncle, who certainly, had he known it, would have prevented their submitting to such drudgery. One of them was even suspected —oh horror !—of being engaged to some man who was an usher, or tutor, or clerk of some kind—or at all events to some one” who, like Horatio, had ‘ nothing but his good spirits to feed and clothe him.’ Could anything be more utterly depraved ? In the meantime, the groups on the lawn were very gay and animated. The set that possessed the heir were of course in the highest spirits; while the others, looking forward to his joining them later, watched all that went on, envious yet hopeful. He conducted himself discreetly, taking all the homage as his due, and returning it in complements and polite attentions. He certainly did not distinguish himself in the game ; but what of that ?—croquet was for a time a more pretence for loitering about, and giving each fair candidate an opportunity of displaying her pet airs and graces. To be continued.