LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1048, 6 November 1877, Page 3

LITERATURE.

THE FAIR FA°E IN THE YELLOW CHARIOT. A Park Romance of the Last London SIiASON. (Continued.) ‘His name was Lord Feathers tone 1 ‘ That wroteh!’ instantly cried Miss Parker, an old maid, prim and precise in her appearan :e and in all her ways, yet not disinclined to listen to at least half the scandalous gossip in circulation through the world. 4 Do you know him, aunt Parker?’ ‘ Who does not ? He is a not riously wicked man —’ She stopped short, feeling that the epithet could ouly be substantiated by details which it was better Keziah should not hear.

‘I thought him very nice.’ Keziah spoke defiantly and very firmly in defence of her new friend. ‘Of course you did. He can be most agreeable. 1 have heard that of him ov< r and over again. That’s the danger of him.’ ‘He was so kind and obliging. He told me who everybody was in the Park ‘ Can it be possible that you were so mad as to go into the Park with him in the afternoon, when it was crowded, when hundreds must have seen you together ?’ ‘Of course we came through the Park together ; it was the shortest way home. I cannot see any great harm in that ’ ‘ It’s not likely; you are so young and inexperienced; you can see no harm in anything. But he knew the mischief he was doing, only too well. The wretch, the wretch !’ Mild Miss Parker would have been glad to see wild horses tear him limb from limb. ‘ However,’ after a pause, * you must promise me faithfully that you will never speak to him again.’ ‘ He said he would call just to inquire how I was,’ Keziah said, in a low voice, which might easily have meant that she hop d he would not be told peremptorily to go away. ‘ 1 will see him if he comes,’ aunt n aiker finally replied. ‘lt is not fitting he should pursue his acquaintance with you, b gun as it was under such questionable auspices ’ And in this decision Keziah was forced to acquiesce When, therefore, after some delay and. demur, Lord Featherstone was admitted to aunt Parker, her manner was perfectly arctic. She sat bolt upright, with a stony look in her eyes and only frigid monosyllables on her lips. ‘ I called,’ said his lordship, with much aplomb, ‘to see Miss Legh.’ ‘Yes?’ aunt Parker said, much as though I ord Featherstone was the bootmaker’s man, or had come to take orders for a sewingmachine. ‘My name is Lord Featherstone.’ ‘lsit ?’ He might have been in the habit of assuming a dozen aliases every twentyfour hours, so utterly indifferent and incredulous was aunt Parker’s tone. ‘ It was my good fortune to be able to do Miss Legh a slight service yesterday,’ ha went on still unabashed. ‘ A service!’ Miss Parker waxed indignant at once. ‘I call it an injury —a shameful, mischievous, unkind act; for which Lord Featherstone, although I apprehend it is not much in his line, should blush for very shame ’ ‘ Really, madam,’ —he hardly knew whether to be annoyed or amused -‘I think you have been misinformed. Probably, but for me, Miss Legh’s neck would have been broken.’ ‘ I know that, I know thac, and I almost wish it had, sooner t'>an that she should have so far forgotten herself.’ Miss Parker looked up suddenly and sharply, saying with much emphasis, ‘ 0 Lord Featherstone, ask yourself-you are, or ought to be, a gentleman, at least you know the world by heart —was it right of you to take such an advan’age? Did you think what incalculable harm this foolish thoughtless mistake—which is certain to be magnified by malicious tongues -may work against an innocent, guiless child ?’ * I know I was greatly to blame. I ought to have known better. But it was Miss Legh’s own wish to go through the Park, and I gave way.’ ‘How noble of you to shift the burden on to her shoulders ! But we will not, if you please, try to apportion the blame. The mischief is done, and there is no more to be said, except to ask you to make us the only reparation in your power ?’ ‘ And that is ?’ he looked at her in surprise. She did not surely mean to forestall him, and demand that which he came to offer of his own accord ? ‘To leave the house, and to spare us henceforth the high honour of your acquaintance. ’ * That I promise if you still insist after you have heard what lam going to say. i came to make Miss Legh—and if she and you, as lie < guardian, will deign to accept of it—an offer of my hand.’ Little Miss Parker’s face was an amusing study. Her lower lip dropped, her eyes opened till they looked like the round marbles on a solitaire-board.’ ‘ Lord Featherstone, you !’ * I trust you will not consider me ineligible ; that you have no objection to me personally, beyond a natural annoyance at this silly escapade.’ ‘ It is so sudden, so unexpected—so—so,’ Poor Miss Parker was too bewildered to find words, a thousand thoughts agitated her. This was a splendid offer, a princely offer. Match-maker by instinct, as is every woman in the world, she could not fail to perceive what dazzling prospects it opened up for her niece. But, then, could any happiness follow from such a hastily concluded match? These latter and better thoughts prevailed. ‘ Lord Featherstone, it is out of the question, or at least you must wait. Say a month or two, or till the end of the season.’ ‘ The engagement ought to be announced immediately to benefit Mias Legh.’ ‘ And that is your real reason for proposing ? Lord Featherstone, I retract my harsh words; you shall not outdo us in generosity. We cannot accept your offer, although we appreciate the spirit in which it is made ’

* I assure you, Miss Parker, I esteem Miss Legh most highly. I like hsr immensely ; I am most anxious to marry her. ’ The bare possibility that he might be refused—ho of all men in the world—gave a stronger insistence to his words. Mihs Parker shook her head. ‘ No good could come of such a marriage ; you hardly know each other. You say you bke her, perhaps so ; bub cau you tell me whether she likes you ?’ ‘At least let me ask her ? Do not deny me that. I will abide by her answer ’ There was no resisting such pleading as this. ‘ I may prepare her for what she is to expect?’ asked aunt Parker, as she moved towards the door. ‘ No, no; please do not. Let me speak my own way, ’ He did not distrust the old lady, but she might indoctrinate Keziah with her views, and prejudice her against him It was becoming a point of honour with him to succeed, and he thought he could. He w.a no novice in these matters; era now he had oft a held the victory in 10 i-»ue tro e difficult than this in his grasp, and all ha wanted now was a fair field ana no favour. {To he continued.')