LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1030, 13 October 1877, Page 3

LITERATURE.

CROSS PURPOSES. In Two Chatters —Chatter 1. ( Continued ,) Major Blake, falling into line, finds himself presently situated somewhat low down, with Mrs Fairfax on one side of him, and Grace Elton, a cm in of missy’s on the other. If it were not tnat his thoughts are altogether centred on Miss Mordannt, he might have considered himself in luck, as he is undoubtedly in very good quarters. Grace Elton is as unaffected as she is charming, and extremely pretty into the bargain. But the major will neither acknowledge nor see anything beyond the tip of Cissy’s nose, as it shows itself provokingly every now and then from behind the epergue. On a line with Sir Thomas, and the third from him, sits Mrs Leyton, the lud'an widow, in a ravishing costume of pearl and blue that speaks alone of worth. She is looking -wonderfully handsome to night, and has a bright adorable spot on each cheek that is not bom of rouge. She is keeping her hand in by trying a little mild flirtation with the vicar, who occupies her right, and is making very pretty play; while his daughter who is almost too young for society—watching them from the opposite side, finds her mind much exercised, and wonders in her heart if Mrs Leyton is really very fond of papa. Surely she must be ; else why does she rai«e her large soft dark eyes so tenderly to his once in every three minutes precisely by the marble clock on the chimney-piece ? Aunt Isabel, at the head of the table, is radiant as usual, and dispenses the roast turkey and smiles with equal alacrity. She is carving with even more than her customary vigour and well-know p/oficiency, while at the same time she is listening to and adding a word here and there to every topic under discussion. She is, however, particularly attentive to Miss Lobin, who sits beside her, and who is ns deaf as a post; though no trouble to any one except herself, poor lady, as she seeks not for conversation, and as long as she gets a bit of everything mentioned in the menu, is perfectly content. There are two or three stray men from the neighboring barracks scattered up and down ; and these, with the three Misses Brighton-who being evidently not cutout by mother Nature for the civil service, have been considered suitable to ask to meet them —make up the party. 4 Well, Ciss, you had a pleasant day, I hope?’ says Uncle Charlie, presently addressing his favorite niece. 4 A delicious day, dear uncle; only we wound up with a misfortune. I was stupid enough to hurt Captain Ualkett’s horse on ray way home through the Park ; though indeed I scarcely think it was my fault However, as it was to happen, wo were lucky in having it occur at the end, instead of the beginning of our day, as we had our ride in spite of it.’ As she makes this little speech, she never once glances at Halkett (indeed she has

taken no notice of him since the commencement of dinner), and purposely treats the whole thing as unworthy of regret. Halkett, contrasting her pretty contrition of the morning with this off band dismisssal of the matter, is, manlike, thoroughly mystified. ‘ I am sorry to hear of an accident,’ says I’ncle Charlie, who holds all good animals dear to his heart ' Nothing seiious, I hope, Frank ’ ‘ A mere scratch,’ returns Halkett, carelessly. ‘ That is right. It could not have happened through any great desire on the rider’s part to reach her home, as she delayed her return so long we all imagined an elopement had taken place, But there was no such excitement in store for us—l do think, as yov* guardian and uncle, CLs, I have every right to know what you and the major were talking of all that time,’ ‘Politics,’ says the major lightly; 'we never talk anything but politics. Do we, Miss Mordaunt ?’ Here Blake dodges to one side of the epergne, that he may the more surely get a full view of Miss Mordaunt’s face. ‘ Never,’ replies Cissi emphatically, dodging the epergne in her turn ; and then they both laugh. Here Halkett mutters something under his breath that is so far audible as to rouse the silly young lady by his side into s me kind of life. She sighs and uplifts her head. ‘ Were y u speaking to me ?’ she asks in a somewhat startled tone. * No—yes—was 1?’ stammers FTalkett, rather shocked. ‘ I ought to have been, of course ; but I have fallen so low as to allow <I inner to engross all my attention. Pray, forgive me. It comes entirely of going down to dinner with a middle-aged gour met.’ ‘ Dear me —I fancied you quite young,’ responds his companion with a simper; and lapses again into silence after the effort. ‘ Politics !’ says Uncle Charlie, going back to the subject, after he has desired the butler to take several different dishes to. Miss Lobin. ‘ How you must have enjoyed yourself especially Cissy. I never met any woman with such keen and comprehensive view’s on all matters connected with the State. It was only yesterday I asked her opinion of G adstone, and she told me she always thought he was’ ‘ ISow—Uncle Charlie,’ interrupts Miss Mordaunt with such indignation, that the old gentleman, though chuckling to himself, audibly refuses all further information, ‘ May we not hear your opinion ot Gladstone ?’ demands Sir Thomas, who is an old beau, and much addicted to Miss Mordaunt. * Certainly not. And remember I distinctly forbid you to ask Uncle Charlie any questions when my back is turned ; as he is capable of saying anything once my eye is off him.’

‘ Your will is my law,’says the old beau with a bow that would have reflected credit on a Chesterfield ; and shortly afterwards, at a signal from Aunt Isabel, the ladies rising, leave the gentlemen to their own devices.

On entering the drawing-room, Mrs Leyton walking with the undulating graceful motion that belongs to her, and that cannot be acquired, goes straight to the fireplace, where she sinks into a lounging chair, leaving the opposite one for Aunt Isabel, who almost instantly falls into a gentle doze. Little Miss Miller, the vicar’s daughter, losing sight of her shyness in her desire to obtain her object, seeks a resting-place that will enable her still to keep a fascinated watch over Mrs Leyton, the widow having .ast a glamour over the timid country maiden. The Misses Brighton and Grace Elton keep up a continual chatter, and are evidently enjoying themselves immensely; while Miss I obin taking the cosy corner of the sofa, emulates her hostess, and letting her face lengthen until it reaches a state of utter imbecility, sweetly snoozes. Cis=y is standing in one of the windows, somewhat apart; she gazes out upon the stilly night, and softly cogitates. v he cannot quite make up her mind whether she has been most sinued against or sinning; she cannot wholly approve her conduct at dinner and finds it impossible to divest herself entirely of the idea that Halkett was looking miserable the entire time. But all men make a point of appearing injured when placed in the wrong position, and of course he had not liked her cross-examination of the morning. Yet again, why should he not receive presents from women ? \V hat right had she to question act or word of his ? No matter what, thoughts and hopes she may have encouraged in the secret recesses of her heart, she feels now she has no certain data to go upon to prove that Halkett cares for her beyond all others. Some'ody—who ■was it ? - had said he was a flirt. V' ell, one thing was positive he should not flirt with her. Here Aunt Isabel, slowly rousing, sneezes, and hems audibly, to let her friends know she has not been sleeping. ‘ Gissy, child,’ she says, ‘ you will be perished over there. Come to the fire and warm yourself.’ 4 I am warm, thank you, and quite comfortable.’ 4 My love, I don’t believe it ’ (with extreme mildness); 4 it is freezing as hard as it can, and there is always a draught near a window. Come here, when I desiie you.’ (To ho continued.')