LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 799, 13 January 1877, Page 3

LITERATURE.

ANNE. (Continued.) ' I'm sure he's rich enough without it ; he does not want more money,' grumbled Fanny. 'lf the old lady would leave a little to those who need it, she might do some good.' ' She'd have to be made of gold and diamonds if she left some to all who need it,' sighed Miss Dinah. 'Mr AngerstyncS deserves to be so rich, he is so liberal with his money. Many a costly dainty he caused us to send up to that poor siok Captain Bristow, letting him think it was all in the regular boarding fare.' ' But I think it was fearfully sly of him never to tell us why he went so much to Malvern—only you must always put in a good word for everybody, Miss Dinah. I asked him one day what his attraction was, that he should be perpetually running over there, and he gravely answered me that he liked the Malvern air. 5 # * * *

Just for a few days Dr Lewis seemed to get a little better. Mrs Lewis's fascinations had returned to) her, and she in a degree kept him alive. It might have been from goodness of heart, or it might have been that she did not like to neglect him before people just yet, but she was ever devising plans for his amusement ■- which of course included that of herself and of her daughters. Mr Angerstyne had not been more lavish of money in coach hire than was Mrs Lewis. Carriages for the country and flies for the town—that was the order of the day. Anne was rarely invited to make one of the party ; for her there was never room. What of thafc? At home she had the society of Mr Angerstyne. While they were driving everywhere, or taking their pleasure in the town, shopping and exhibiting their finery, of which they seemed to display a new [stock perpetually, Anne was left at liberty to enjoy her dangerous happiness. Dangerous, if it should not come to anything: and he had not spoken yet. They would sit together over their German, Anne trying to beat it into him, and laughing with him at his mistakes. If she went out to walk, she presently found herself overtaken by Mr Angerstein : and ; they would linger in the mellow light of the 'soft autumn days, or in the early twi--1 ght. Whatever might come of it, there could be no question that for the time she was living in the most intense happiness. And about a fortnight of this went on. Then Dr Lewis began to droop. One day when he was out he had another of those attacks in the carriage. It was very slight, Mrs Lewis said when they got back ; he did not lose consciousness for more than three or four minutes. But he continued to be so weak and ill afterwards that a physician was called in—Dr Maiden. What he said was known only to the patient and his wife, for nobody else was admitted to the conference.

' I want to go hoine,' the dootor said to Anne the next morning, speaking in his usual querulous faint tone and as if his mind were half gone. ' I'm sure I did not smell any paint the last time ; it must have been her fancy. I want to go there to be quiet.' •Well, papa, why don't you say so.' ' But it's of no use my saying so : she won't listen. I can't stand the racket here, child; the perpetual driving out: the wheels of the carriages shake my head. And look at the expense ! It frightens me.' Anne scarcely knew what to answer. She herself was powerless ; and, so far as she believed, her father was; utterly so. PoAverless in the hands of his new wife. Dr Lewis glanced round the room as if to make sure there were no eavesdroppers, and went on in a whisper. ' I'm terrified, Anne. I am being ruined. All my ready money's gone ; she has had it all; she made me draw it out of the bank. And there, in that drawer, are two rolls of bills ; she brought them to me yesterday, and there's nothing to pay them with.' Anne's heart fluttered. Was he only fancying these things in his decaying mind ? Or, were they true ?' ' September has now come in, papa, and your quarter's dividends will soon be due, you know. Do not worry yourself.' ' They have been forestalled,' he whispered. ' She owed a lot of things before her marriage, and the people would have sued me had I Jnot paid them. I wish we were back in France, child I I wish we had nevdr

left it!' And, but for one thing, Anns would have wished it, too.

One afternoon, when it was getting late, Anne went into High street to buy some pink ribbon for her hair. Mrs Lewis and her party had gone over to Croome, somebody haVing given her an order to see the gardens there. Thfi house was as bus3 r as it conld be, some fresh inmates of consequence being expected that evening; Anne had been helping Miss Dinah, and it was only at the last minute she could run out. In coming back, the ribbon bought, just abreast of the college gates, she heard steps behind her, and found her arm touched. It was by Mr Angerstyne. For the past two days—nearly three—he had been absent at Malvern. The sight of him was to her as if the sun had shone.

'Oh!—is it you?—are you back?' she cried, with as much quiet indifference as she could put on. ' I have just got back. My aunt in better. And how are you, Anne ?' ' Very well, thank you.' Need you go in yet ? Let us take a short stroll. The afternoon is delightful. He called it afternoon, but it was getting on fast evening : and he turned in at the college gates as he spoke. So they wound round St Michael's churchyard and passed on to the Dark Alley, and so down the long flight of steps that leads from it, and on to the banks of the Severn.

' How are you all going on at Lake's ?' hi asked presently, breaking the silence. ' Just as usual. To-day is a grand field day,' Anne added gaily: 'at leaat, this evening is to be one, and we are not to dine till seven o'clock.' ' Seven ?' So mueh the better. But why?'

' Some people of importance are coming

Mr Angerstyne's laugh interrupted her. She laughed also. 'lt is what Miss Dinah said : ' people of importance.' They will arrive late, so the dinner-hour is put off.' ' Take care, Anne '.'

A horse, towing a barge, was overtaking them. Mr Angerstyne drew Anne out of the way, and the dinner and the new guests were forgotten. It was almost dusk when they returned. The figures on the college tower were darkened, as they came through the largo gateway at the boat-house ; the old elmtrees yonder, filled with their crawing rooks, looked weird in the dim twilight. Mr Angerstyne did not turn to the Dark Valley again, but went straight on to the Green. He was talking of his estate in Essex. It was a topic often chosen by him; and Anne seemed to know the place quite well by this time.

' You would like the little stream that runs through the grounds,'he was observing. ' It is not, of course, like the grand river we have just left, but it is pleasant to wander by, for it winds in and out in the most picturesque manner possible, and the banks are overshadowed by trees. Yes, Anne, you would like that.'

' Are you going through the cloisters ?—is it not too late ?' she interrupted, quite at a loss for something to say; not caring to answer that she should like to wander by the stream.

"For he was crossing towards the little south cloister door: though onwards through the Green would have been their more direct road.

• Too late ? No. Why should it be ? You are not afraid of ghosts, are you ? ' Anne laughed. But, lest she should be afraid of ghosts, he put her hand within his arm as they passed through the dark narrow passage beyond the postern ; and so they marched arm-in-arm through the cloisters. 'To sit by that winding stream on a summer's day listening to its murmurs, to the singing of the birds, the sweet sighing of the trees ; or holding low converse with a cherished companion—yes, Anne, you would like that. It would just suit you, for you are of a silent and dreamy nature.' There might not be much actual meaning in the words if you sat down to analyse them : but, to the inexperienced mind of Anne they sounded very like plain speaking. At any rate, she took them to be an earnest that she should sometime sit by that stream with him—his wife. The dusky cloisters seemed to have suddenly filled themselves with refulgent light; the gravestones on which she was treading felt soft as the mossy glades of fairy-land. Heaven was above her, and heaven beneath: there was no longer any prosaic earth for Anne Lewis. ' Good night, gentlefolks.'

The salutation came from the cloister porter ; who, coming in fco close the gates, met them as they were nearing the west door. Not another word had passed until now : Mr Angerstyne had fallen into silence; Anne could not have spoken to gain the world. ' Good night to you, my man.'

Lake's was in a bustle when they reached it. The luggage of the new people, who had just been shown to chambers, was being taken in ; the carriage containing Dr and Mrs Lewis was then just driving up. Anne felt alarmed as she caught sight of her father, he looked so very ill. Mr Angerstyne in 'his ready kindly way, waited to help him down and to give him his arm along the passage ; he then ran up to his room, remarking that he had letters to write.

The people assembled for dinner in full fig, ont of deference to the new comers : who proved to be a Lady Knight, and a Mrs and Miss Colter. Anne wore her pretty grey bridesmaid's dress, and the pink ribbon just bought in her hair. At the very last moment, Mr Angerstyne came down; his hands full of the letters he had been writing.

' Why, are you here ¥ exclaimed Lady Knight: who seemed to be a chatty, voluble woman. 'I am surprised.' Mr Angerstyne, putting his letters on the side table, tmtil he could take them to the post, turned round at the address. _ A moment's stare, half doubt, half astonishment, and he went forward to shake Lady Knight's hand. < What brings you here ?' she asked.

' I have been here some little time. Old Miss Gibson is at Malvern, so I can't go far away.'

There was no opportunity for more; dinner was waiting. Mr Angerstyne and Aane sat side by side that evening; Lady Knight was opposite. Miss Diana presided as usual, her best yellow cap penned on the top of her curje.

(To be conthtued.)