LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 590, 10 May 1876, Page 3

LITERATURE.

LORD MEEVYN; OR, NOT IN THE PEERAGE.

( Concluded ) ‘ The explanation is simple. At Beacliam I misread you. I had no suspicion that your nature was so allied to mine as it is, I mistook the burlesque for the original, so delicate was your treatment of the character you were playing. In my dream, however you appeared to me as I had known you then, not as 1 know you now.’ She was satisfied. No other query came from her lips. The intensity of her astonishment at hearing me give utterance to the opinions I had expressed within the last hour —so diametrically opposed to her previous conception of my character —held her in thrall. At the distant sound of a gong announcing one o’clock she rose to go. * Shall you come out this afternoon ?’ I asked. ‘ Yes.’ We parted. I felt now that she was certainly a woman I cared to win, not merely for my own sake,

b it for hers ; because I saw clearly that h r nature was of such an uncom non type 1h it few would ever properly understand her. Now, though it differed in many respects from mine, it yet attracted me immonselvj in this, that it seemed more at variance witn others. It was a strange combination, and illustrated forcibly the effeet which a mistaken system of education—one, at all e. ents, unfitted to her —had exercised u] on nature. It was reserved for some studci t of human nature to discover beneath the coating of society varnish the precious material of originality. I had discovered it by a strange and bitter experience; though, in rescuing it from the clouds of formality with which it had beon so carefullw enveloped, I found a task difficult indeed. I felt, however, inclined to persevere, rejoicing more and more at every new indication of the freshness andinnoccnce whichl was convinced lay behind. When I met her in the afternoon, mine was a part hard to play. This, I knew, was to be the crisis of our acquaintance. I was on trial; she on hers. We were both bent on probing each other’s character to the core. One false step on the part of either would be fatal. I could scarcely resist expressing the most honest admiration of her wondrous beauty. I had to do it nevertheless. The nature I had to deal with so little sympathised with the direct expression of feeling on such a subject ■ —had been, moreover, so satiated with flattery, though the reception of it was so unwelcome, that its greatest comfort was to meet with one who would utterly ingor for the time the physical perfection which contained it. ‘ What used you to do at Beacham after I left.’ She said this so frankly that I could not help looking at her in astonishment. She was decidedly in earnest, evidently quite unconscious that her words might appear heartless or extraordinary. If I had misinterpreted her meaning and had chance to give the conversation a wrong turn, there would have been another misunderstanding. As it was, I said : * I used to amuse myself by watching a ridiculously romantic couple making love in the old castle. ’ * Really ?’ she said. ‘ Most certainly. The lady was tall, darkeyed, and thirty.’ ‘ The gentleman, short, red-haired, and twenty, in all probability.’ ‘ Near enough. They passed their time in a variety of ways. On one occasion I noticed that they kissed each other deliberately seventeen times in a quarter of an hour. ’ She laughed a little silvery laugh ; and at this moment a page brought her a telegram. * No answer,’ she said dismissing the boy. ‘ From mamma. We do not leave till Monday. lam so glad.’ ‘ Indeed ! I thought you did not like this place ?’ ‘ Nor do I ; but I like to meet a fellowfeeler, whose society is congenial.’ ‘ And have I the privilege of being that fellow -feeler ?’ * I have mistaken you very much,’ she said. * But that is all over. I also was in error, hut stand corrected. Why should we lose each other’s society ? Will you marry me ■?’ £ Yes.’ There was no romance about it of the ordinary and approved kind. I knew she was true ; that she liked me for myself, and I wished heartily that I had not to confess that I was not what I seemed. Suddenly she said ; ‘ How glad I am you are not a lord !’ 4 How do you know' ?’ I exclaimed. ‘There is no “Lord Mervyn.” I looked in the Peerage this morning. I am not angry with you for doubting me. I also have deceived you.’ * You ! In what way ?’ ‘Asto my name. It is not Clara Vesey, but Beryl Vernford !’ * Beryl Yen fold !’ ‘ Yes ! Have you heard it before ?’ ‘ Many times. Know, fair cousin, that Mervyn Lord is mm de guerre. I am no other than ’ ‘ Cousin Geoffrey? she cried, amazed. ‘ Cousin Geoffrey,’ I replied. ■* * * * * * The Hospital for the Relief of Indigent Astronomers has not been built.