LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 451, 24 November 1875, Page 3

LITERATURE.

I FINE WEATHER AND FAIR WOMEN. (From the Argosy) Continued. Thus far, then, he had no chance of showing any preference, and exciting jealous and angry feelings, and the guests in general agreed that never had a nicer party been given at the house, and never had the young ladies of the family been so charming and so agreeable. In the midst of all this excitement, an incident occurred which pointedly exhibited the modern idea of hospitality, in the diffe. rent welcome accorded to fortune's favourites and those less honoured with her smiles. A second time a servant came out to tell Mrs Leighton that a gentleman had arrived, and was waiting in the library, having walked up from the station. Mrs Leighton exchanged a few words with Mrs Heathcote, and disappeared, returning shortly with a quiet-looking young man, whose appearance was not improved by the dust of the high road, which covered his unpretending costume. Various signals were made among the ladies as she came out, and passed among the different groups, and slightly saying that she found this gentleman was a croquetplayer, and the set on the bank was less full, she led him at once to the party of the poor cousins, and there left him to make his way as best he could. What better fate could a lawyer's clerk expect ? and, after all, it was not such a bad fate either. Those amiable girls, feeling for the slight he had suffered, immediately did all they could to make up to him for it. One of the ladies of the party having complained of fatigue, they decided on beginning a new game, with the stranger to replace her, while she reposed ; and neither sister showed that she thought herself degraded by being for an hour the partner of a lawyer's clerk, and a very dusty one into the bargain. He apologised for his deshabille, saying he was not aware there was a party ; and the ladies were shortly rewarded for their condescension, if condescension it was, for not only it appeared that the new comer was a first-rate piayer, soon turning the scale of victory on his side, but better still, on hearing his partner, Miss Ann Leighton, called by the rather vulgar, yet not common, name of Nancy, he exclaimed, ' Nancy ! Nancy Leighton ! I suspect I have heard a great deal of you; do you know William Foster ?' The smiles of one sister and the blushes of the other owned the soft impeachment. *Ah ! I see you do; then you must know he is my best and dearest friend.'

Had an angel suddenly spread his wings before them he could not have inspired more respect or given more pleasure. William Foster was the name of the betrothed of the younger sister, the despised usher or tutor, who, though in holy orders, had so little chance of a living, as to support himself by imparting to others the learning he had already acquired; but who, notwithstanding his small means and humble occupation, was adored by this simple family. They were like acquaintance of old standing immediately. The stranger had so much to say. He had heard so much of them, and apparently all in their favour, from his friend, who seemed to be endowed with all the garrulity of a lover expatiating on the charms of his mistress, and to have included the whole family in his conversation. Many an anecdote was repeated and laughed over. So they played, and ohatted, and grew intimate and friendly, and of all the groups on that extensive lawn, perhaps the merriest was that despised one on the slope, composed of the pariahs of the party, but whose only trouble seemed to be that the balls would sometimes escape, and glide swiftly towards the water.

A much more serious cause of anxiety occupied the others. The ball at their feet, the great matrimonial prize, seemed likely to escape them, or, at all events, to become the prey of the least considered of their number.

For some time Mr Smith was pleasant and complimentary to all, and, as it seemed, to all alike. They grew desperate ; fair cheeks flushed, white hands, gloved in the freshest Paris kid, trembled with emotion ; and only the convenances of good society restrained them from displaying openly the feelings of jealous rivalry of each other, and admiration of the handsome and charming, but too undemonstrative swain, which filled their hearts.

By and bye, however, the fair one, the youngest Miss Leighton, a pretty debutante, only just out, and new to the world and its proprieties, seemed likely to overstep the bounds of prudery at least, and show openly by looks, and even words, her admiration of his beauty and pleasure in his society. What was worse, he seemed conscious of her undisguised preference, and inclined to return it by devoting himself to her; so at least it seemed to the jealous eyes that watched the scene, and the words, * forward minx,' and even ' disgraceful conduct,' might be heard borne in angry whispers on the afternoon breeze.

The mammas took an eager if comparatively passive part in all this. Mrs Leighton was calmly triumphant, while Lady Marchmont and Mrs Heathcote looked daggers at their half-sisters.

And so time wore on, the shadows lengthened, matrons and prudent chaperons began to talk of the rising dews of evening, to press shawls and wraps upon the juvenile players, and to call for their carriages. The ladies of the family took hurried and careless farewells of their friends. They were too entirely engrossed in the game—not of croquet, but rather of ecarte, for to score the king of hearts was the object of all, and none could yet proclaim the fact. Caroline seemed to be the favourite ; but none as yet despaired, or gave up the prize as lost. At seven o'clock all the guests had departed, and the home party gathered together near the house. Even the isolated game on the slope broke np, and joined the rest. Mrs Heathcote began to look at her watch and speculate upon the time of her husband's arrival, when old Mr Leighton, who had carefully avoided the scene of gaity, appeared among them, followed by the missing spouse. To be continued.