LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 679, 23 August 1876, Page 3

LITERATURE.

WHY ARE YOU WANDERING- HERE, I PRAY ? ( Concluded.) It did not rain. Never was morning more glorious than that which flattered the treetops with sovereign eye, and broke into Georgie’s room as she lay, watching its advance, too anxious and happy to sleep, on the auspicious day on which she was to meet her cousin. ‘At any rate, it won’t rain before ten, with such a sunrise; and after that ’ After that! Farther her thought did not follow. Let come what come might, if it kept fair till she had seen Philip, she would have had her day. Earth and air were again vocal as she went out, herself fresh as the blushing morning, all the lovely light of happiness in her eyes. Diamond dewdrops were on every leaf and spray, gossamer webs hanging on the trees; birds were chirping on all sides for that worm which the lark had long since devoured, before he was up and away with the dew on his breast to that never-ending song of his. The ponies were nibbling all about, and swishing their long tails to keep off the forest flies, busy even at that early hour. Early! early! What could Philip have meant by early? Seven, half-past, eight, and he had not come. Georgie’s heavenborn happiness was giving place to black despair. Could it possibly be raining at Beechlands and not at the Lodge? * Georgie, I thought I saw you the other side of the fir plantation.’ And George Arnold’s self stood before her.

Embarrassment, surprise at seeing him (what had induced him to take to morning walks?) blank disappointment at not seeing Philip, rendered her absolutely dumb for a second or two.

4 Uncle George ! ’ she faltered then. * Has anything happened ? what is it ? ’ he asked anxiously, his thoughts recurring to Mattie’s gipsy fears. * Nothing—nothing has happened ; only I am surprised. You come so suddenly. I didn’t expect you.’ In confusion. 4 Apparently not; nor did I you.’ And a shadow crossed his face. He was not sarcastic, but grave and troubled-looking, and her confusion was fast becoming painful, when suddenly, from out of the shadow of the trees, striding rapidly along, like one who is making up for lost time, came a tall imposing figure—Philip himself, gorgeous in scarlet and gold, his sword clinking most martially, his face almost hidden under his bearskin, all in regulation order. Just for the moment Georgie didn’t recognise him. ‘My dear Georgie,’ he exclaimed, as he jumped over the stile, ' I’m grieved at being so late; but my miscreant of a fellow—■’

His apologies came to - a sudden stop when, instead of Miss Versohoyle alone—brilliant, expectant, blushiug through her radiant smiles of welcome—he found her covered with confusion, looking as if an earthquake would be a welcome diversion; and George Arnold, with an aspect of executioner-like severity, 4 Confound him ! why isn’t he bigger ? He’s so small that a fellow can’t see him,’ thought Colonel Verschoyle, from his magnificent height of nearly six feet. 4 I’ve put my foot in it, and no mistake, this time,’ he went on mentally ; 4 convicted her out of my own mouth of having come to meet me. Well, there’s nothing for it but to go boldly on.’ So on he went— i.e, with a glance at Georgie, half encouraging, half playful, he drew himself up, and, undeterred by his gravity, gave George Arnold a military salute. Miss Vershoyle’s face was already rivalling her cousin’s coat in its hue. She stood rooted to the spot with astonishment at his audacity, and yet with a convulsive desire to laugh at the absnrd contrast between the two men, and the utter ludicrousness of the scene : Philip, in full regimentals, big stately, nevertheless carrying it all off with that airy grace —her uncle looking smaller, more terrier-like, than ever. To her infinite surprise he returned Philip’s salute with a similar one—like, yet how unlike, she thought. Then the corners of his mouth going up, he turned to her : 4 A case of poppies and nightingales again, I see, Georgie. Well, child, well.’ And shaking his head, he was about to leave them, when she siezed his arm. 4 Uncle George, uncle George, don’t go ! Don’t, don’t be angry ! This is Philip Verschoyle, my cousin.’ 4 1 divined as much,’ casting a contemptuous glance over that warrior’s stalwart proportions. 4 You told me you were looking for poppies ; this sort is rare, I own, and I won’t suggest a doubt as to whether they are worth gathering. I have already warned you to beware of the songs of such nightingales as you go to hear.’ 4 Mr Arnold, you are strong, be merciful,’ said Philip, coming forward and holding out his hand, with a genial respect and grace which won the old man in spite of his prejudices. 4 Appearances are very much against us, I own ; but— ’ 4 No, Philip,’interrupted Georgie, a world of girlish dignity in her vo ; ce and manner, 4 there is nothing against us, nothing wrong at all, nothing to apologise for. As I couldn’t go to the ball, I wanted to see you in your uniform, and you good-naturedly said you would come here this morning in it if I could meet you; and I came. There’s nothing wrong in that.; Qui s’excuse, s’accuse. , thought Philip, feeling nonplussed, He had meant to defend her, to take the whole blame on himself, but this adorable candour, as he considered it, put the matter at once on another footing. 4 And I regret that I kept you waiting,’ be said in an almost reverential tone. 4 My servant made a mistake. ’

‘ I made a mistake too,’ said Mr Arnold, ‘in appearing so inopportunely. It is one easily remedied, however, by my withdrawing ; you can then inspect your cousin at your leisure, Georgie ; and when you have satisfied yourself, perhaps you will bring him to breakfast, if he will come. ’ ‘ 0 uncle George, uncle George, you are good ! ’ embracing him with effusion. ‘Y on will come, Philip; and then Mattie and Nellie can see you.’

‘ You will be as good as a travelling show in this retired part of the country,' remarked George, turning dryly to Philip. ‘ You might stand him on the horseblock, Georgie, for the better display of his proportions. ’

‘ Is he like my father, uncle George ? ’ she asked in a low voice. ‘Do tell me,’

He looked at the young man steadily, and there was more augury for her future happiness than she at all understood in his

answer, though it disappointed her for the moment. * Ho, child, I don’t see much likeness. Your father was a less powerful man in everyway.’ , , , , Despite the sweeping moustaches and heavy bearskin, which all but hid the face, the old man descried the intellectual refinement in the countenance of the younger one, and his heart was won, ‘He will care for something more than riding after a fox and firing off a gun,’ he said to himself as he was walking home ; 4 and if she is to have a toy, perhaps she couldn’t have a better one. She will be happy now, shewing him off to Mattie; and. after all, what do they dress soldiers np for ? ’ * # ♦ * * * Colonel Yerschoyle was sitting writing, already dressed for dinner, in Julia Aylmer s boudoir, when the door opened and Georgie Vorschoyle, looking somewhat shy in her unaccustomed finery, came hesitatingly into the room. She wore an evening dress of cloudy|white material, trimmed with delicate scarlet ribbons and flowers ; a small bunch of scarlet geraniums was in her hair, a similar one in front of her dress, Philip rose, shyly too. He had not seen her before in review order, and was abashed at her exceeding loveliness. * I didn’t know any one was here,’ she said, hesitating, ‘Nor is there, except me, he returned, standing in a deferential attitude. *Do you know me in this fine gown ?’ she said, laughing. ‘ I don’t know myself.’ ‘I should know you anywhere,’ tender admiration in his face as he went forward to shut the door. ‘Your dress is beautiful,’ he continued, standing before her to gaze. ‘Oh, I’m glad you like it! Out of compliment to you, sir,’ pointing to the red ribbons and flowers. ‘ I see and appreciate, believe me, and feel more honoured than I can say. How did you manage it all so well ? ’ ‘ I told Julia my idea, and she advised me what to get.’ ‘ Have you seen my mother lately—since you were dressed, I mean ? * 1 No; why ?’ ‘ Nothing. I hardly know why I asked. But he did know. She taunted him with throwing himself away on this penniless forest flower. Had she seen Georgie now she must at least h ave acknowledged her loveliness. ‘You. have heard the news?’ he asked after a pause. * Julia’s engagement to Mr Chalmers ? Yes; she told me herself. You won’t want my help with your mother and Edith now. What do they say?’ ‘ I don’t know ; I don’t care, Georgie,’ quickly, a sudden excitement in his tone, 1 you say I won’t want your help. I want it now and always,’ putting his arm round her. *You told your uncle you would never throw him over, and you needn’t. I won’t ask you ; but you can let me be a son to him as you are a daughter—will you ? Her violet eyes went up to his face. * You know, Philip, I would do anything for you; but your mother wishes you to marry money, and I have none,’ shaking her head. ‘My mother’s wishes do not weigh one straw with me,’ he made answer disrespectfully. ‘She will say you have picked up a wild flower in the forest,’ giving him her hand, or rather letting him take it. * She may say what she pleases;’ his dark face going down to meet her fair one. * # * * * * ‘ And so, Philip, you have actually engaged yourself to this girl, without knowledge of the world, without a farthing, and with nothing but a moderately pretty face to recommend her,’ said Mrs Yerschoyle to her offspring on the following morning. She was a (tall, stately dame, and gifted with the power of steeping her slightest words in gall. ‘ I have, mother ; so the less said about it the better. I told you I could never marry for money.’ ‘ You might at least have married some one who had a little knowledge of the world.’ ‘ Intercourse with you, madam, will speedily correct that defect in my niece’s character,’ said George Arnold sarcastically, as he suddenly joined the pair. He and Georgie were staying at Beechlands. ‘Nor need you apprehend that she will be a portionless bride. She has chosen your son.—l have nothing to say against the choice,’ holding out his hand to Philip. ‘ Here, Georgie,’ calling to the young lady, who was walking on the terrace outside, ‘ come and tell this lady that the day you marry Philip you -will have thirty thousand pounds down; further I will not bind myself.’ ‘ Uncle George ! ’ cried the girl, throwing her arms round him, while Colonel Verschoyle twirled his moustache nervously; * Mr Arnold, believe me, I had no idea of this.’ ‘And the antagonism between you and money ? ’ said Georgie, peeping at him out of her long lashes. ‘ls at an end, Miss Yerschoyle, when the money comes in such a charming shape.’ Mrs Yerschoyle senior was never weary of singing the praises of her daughter-in-law.