LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1061, 21 November 1877, Page 3

LITERATURE.

THE TWO SIBYLS.

(f lontimied.)

CiiAI'TKR II

Before Rose had opened her eyes next morning, Lily had spied the big Ben looking in at her with his night-cay on, and she sprang to the window to greet him She hastened to dress, and went out on the lawn to admire the view.

The house was built on a rooky promontory jutting into the lake ; the lawn in front was surrounded on three sides by water, and the steep bank was closely planted with line shrubs, through which a path was carefully cut, leading to the water. As far as the eye could reach, not a house was visible ; which to Lily was a great charm, and she thought she never could weary of such grandeur and beauty. She did not hear Mr Cameron cross the lawn, and he stood for a minute or two looking, not at the scenery, but at the beautiful face before him, more beautiful than he had seen it from its expression of rapt admiration.

Ay he wished her good-morning she turned with a sigh, as if she must give some expression, to her feeling, and tears stood in the gray dove-like eyes that were turned to him. Their eyes met, and each seemed to catch a glimpse of the other’s heart, and a better understanding was established between them than is often effected in the intercourse of years. Nothing could exceed the happiness of the girls as they wandered over the hilis, or fished in the line treating stream that crawled in the little glen at tbs side of the house, or greatest pleasure of all—rowed on the loch.

Although Mr Cameron never doubled Rose's identity, his mother had very early a suspicion of the truth, but entering into the whim she resolved not to spoil their sport even by showing that she knew tluir secret, besides that, she had her own reason s for nob enlightening Nerval, Her great wish was to see mi.u married before she, iii'Mid as .--lie was, should he taken away, and she saw that he was becoming every day more attachcd to Rose, than whom she could not wish a better wife. Yet, had he a suspicion that she was Sibyl Montgomery, he would cm-di the affection that was filling his bean rathe than expose hirnseT to the imputation . f marrying his ward from interested nmtiv* s. Mr Cameron was more frank with IJorjo than with l ily ; as Iris ward she was treated aa a child of the house, and, like a spoil on child, tyrannised over all around her with

their full consent. Still, Pose was not long in Discovering that she did not hold the first place in Mr Cameron’s affection, and she began to think that an addition to I heir society might he agreeable. She was therefore quite pleased when one afternoon the minister of the parish called.

In other circumstances she would hardly have hailed the Hev. Mr M’Larty as au acquisition, but at least he was better than nobody ; what was the use of her heiressship if she was not to be admired for it ? Mr M‘Party’s appearance was not pi-e----posnessing ; his hair was long and lanky, while between it and his coat an uncomfortable piece of neck was visible ; his shoulders low and sloping, bis back long and hollow ; in fact, no one could exactly tell why, but his back was the most disagreeable thing about him except his perfect self-compla-cency and assurance. But still, as Rose said, ho was better than nobody, and she set herself to captivate him.

After taking a glass of wine, and handing Rose his glass to put on the table, he agreed to accompany Mr Cameron and the girls on au expedition among the hills. Pose and Lily started on their mountain ponies, as the distance was too great for them to go on foot Norval walked besides Lily, while Mr M‘Party was so delighted at having the lovely and wealthy Miss Montgomery committed to his care, that ho almost forgot to be frightened when she asked him to lead the pony. She did not waste her time, and when they reached the height of that day’s ambition he had lost both head and heart.

But however willing the spirit, the flesh is often weak, and poor Mr M‘Party, unaccustomed to hill-work, began to show evident signs of distress on the way home. Prompted as much, we fear, by the love of mischief as by compassion, Pose dismounted, and declaring that she had something important to say to Mr Cameron, she insisted that the minister should mount and accompany Lily. Poor Mr M‘Party got red and white by turns. He had never bean on horseback in his life, and to mount for the first time with Pose as a spectator was not to be thought of. ‘ I could not ride, Miss Montgomery, and let you walk ; besides ’ (a gleam of hope), ‘ this is a side-saddle.’

‘That is easily remedied,’ said Pose, taking out the movable head. The perspiration stood like beads on the minister’s brow.

‘ But,’ he gasped, ‘ I can’t ride.’ ‘ Oh, yes, you can ; you told me a little while ago it was a delightful exercise. ’ So he baxl, and he felt now that he could tear out his tongue for uttering the falsehood.

Norval and Lily were some distance behind, and with no one to help him the poor man was obliged to give in. But how was he to mount ? he could never spring from the ground on to the animal’s back. Fearing that the others might come to the rescue, Pose led the pony to a large stone, and holding the bridle, she directed her gallant knight to put his foot in the stirrup and spring into the saddle. So he did, but, alas, he put the wrong foot, and when he reached his seat he found himself looking, not at Rose, but over the pony’s tail, at Norval and Lily, with a face of the most blank amazement.

Lily instantly touched her pony with the whip, ami bounded out of sight and hearing of the luckless divine. A feeling of anger at Rose for putting Mr M'Larty in such a position helped Norval to master himself, and he hastened forward to his aid, while Rose stood at the pony’s head nearly choked with suppressed laughter. Rot being blessed (or cursed) with a very keen sense of the ludicrous, or a very sensitive organisation, Mr M'Larty’s equanimity was restored when he found himself in a more normal position on the pony’s back, and he trotted off to join Lily. Norval turned to remonstrate with Rose, hut his eye following hers rested on the rider, who, with his feet dangling near the ground, and holding the bridle in both hands, was jogging along in a most undignified manner, and the point of Rose’s rebuke was considerably blunted by the hearty laugh in which they indulged. Mr M Larty went home that night with a bounding heart. He was at this very time on matrimonial thoughts intent, and his eyes and his attentions alike had been directed to a farmer’s buxom daughter, whom he thought of raising to the proud position of his wife But here was a fairer face and a larger fortune, and Miss Montgomery evidently admired him. Well, he would' think about it, but he should not be surprised if he married her. Meanwhile Rose was entertaining Mrs Cameron with a graphic account of his i ide. Chapter 111. The day following the expedition described in the last chapter was very wet, and despite piano and books, time had passed very slowly in the drawing-room at Clenach when Norval entered with a look of pleasure on his face. * I have just met Sir Percy Lowther, mother, and as the rain seemed to weigh heavily on his spirits I asked him to dine with us.’ 4 .1 am very glad, Norval ; but what brings him here at this season V ’ ‘ He says he was bored to death in London, and came down for a breath of fresh air. You know,’ he added, laughing, ‘heis decidedly eligiclo, and perhaps he received too much attention.’ Rose’s curiosity was excited, and sitting on a stool at Mrs Cameron’s feet, she said coaxiugly, ‘ Now, dear Mrs Cameron, 1 wish to know all about Sir Percy Lowther.’ ‘ Well, my dear. 1 can satisfy you in a few words. He is au English baronet, verynice, very rich, very tall, very good-looking, an excellent snot, and a most delightful companion. He has rented a shooting in this neighbourhood for a year or two, and lias heard apparently of your charms, and come down, at this unusual season to admire thorn. Mu Mi at ease,' said Pose, M had better go and malm t'-e most of thorn, as the gong has sounded.' Rose was not easily pleased that evening ; her scanty stock of evening dresses was turned over rather discontentedly; but when she was ready at last, she looked lovely in her thin white dress aud bright ribbon, with tea rose buds tastefully arranged in her hair and dreso. Two prettier .girls arc seldom s-cn I ban the two Sibyls, aud each acted as a Mil to the other. They were very simply dressed, having made lew additions to their school

outfit, and they had not yet bound up their hair. P"se was slender, and rather under the middle height, her dark hair curled in heavy masses on her neck ; she had dark lustrous eyes, now dashing with excitement, now sparkling with fun ; while dimples showed themselves round her mouth on the smallest provocation, and her little white teeth were visible when she laughed. Lily was much taller, with neck and arms beautifully rounded and white as snow; long soft grey eyes, that with the least emotion deepened to black ; her hair was sunny brown, and so soft and line that the lightest breeze lifted it from her cheek ; tiny hands and feet, and a cheek tinged with the colour of the blush-rose she wore. Rose looked at herself in the mirror. ‘ I wonder if Sir Percy will think me pretty. I daresay he would if you were not in the room, Lil. There is one comfort for me : Sibyl Montgomery is a very important person, independently of her personal appearance ;sV she added, laughing, ‘you poor insignificant Miss Dewsbury, please keep in the background, and do not interfere with me.’ Sir Percy was in the drawing-room when the girls entered it, and Mrs Cameron was very much amused at the slight iucl-nation of Pose’s head in answer to Sir Percy’s greeting as she passed to a seat without raising her eyes to look at him, although she was longing intensely to do so. Lily was much more affable, and it was to her that he addressed himself, thus giving Pose time to study his appearance. She thought that Mrs Cameron’s description of his appearance fell far short of the reality, that he had fulfilled all the requirements she had pictured of her hero, in the meantime he was rather more taken up with Lily than was agreeable. So Miss Pose was forced in self-defence to begin a flirtation with Norval, who liked the tete-a-tete of the other two as little as she did. At dinner Rose and Norval found themselves placed more to their liking, and the former found Sir Percy quite as charming as he looked. The admiration seemed mutual, and they vied with each other in sparkling vivacity and quickness of repartee. They discovered in the course of the evening that they had much sympathy in their musical tastes, and Sir Percy said he was sure their voices would go well together, if Mrs Cameron would allow him to bring one or tw r o duets some morning. She, dear hospitable old lady, gave him a cordial invitation for all times and seasons, and expressed herself glad that the girls should find something to relieve the dullness of Olenach. Pose and Lily declared that they had never been so happy in their lives, and they looked as if they spoke the truth. The evening was a very happy one to all, and Pose retired to her room with her young heart swelling with the pride of conquest—elated at having received so much attention and so many compliments from a man like Sir Percy. \ She threw up the -window to cool' her burning cheeks, and while she stood enjoying the fresh evening breeze, she: heard Sir Percy and Norval walking along the terrace. Before she could pull it down they were under it, and she heard Sir Percy’s voice. ‘I have not seen two such lovely girls this season, so perfectly fresh and natural, and not in the least jealous of one another.’ ‘You seem very impartial in your praises,’ said Norval rather crossly. ‘Have both made au equal impression on your susceptible heart ? ’ ‘ Keep your temper, my friend ; I am too old a hand to spot another man’s bird, and I leave the lovely Lily to the attentions of one who can so -well appreciate her. But I feel most grateful to you for leaving the beautiful and piquant Rose for me to gather ; and,’ he added, laughing, ‘ although you despise money, she will be none the less precious because she is surrounded by golden leaves.’

I Rose’s checks were not much cooled by her stand at the window. With a cry of pain and anger she threw herself on the bed, and her wounded pride found relief in hot tears. Lily, who had been in another part of the | room, tried to soothe her and to learn the f cause of her distress. Rose repeated the | conversation, and Lily’s cheeks got rosy on f her own account at the implication that > Norval cared for her, but she would not | believe that the words were spoken in •j earnest. c ‘ They were only joking, Rosy dear, an | you were a little while ago when you said that Sir Percy was a darling. It was a poor I joke, but you know he did not intend you | to hear him, any more than you intended he s should hear you.’ I Rose raised her head proudly. ‘ I will be revenged, Lil. I shall do all I can to lead him to love me ; then I shall | tell him that I despise him, and that if 1 had | all the money he thinks I have, I should throw it into the sea rather than let him ! touch a penny of it.’ ! ‘ Rut, Rosy, if he wishes to marry you for 1 your money, he will be glad to get off when ! he finds you have none ’ * But I shall make him love me ; and when he thinks to pluck his Hose—his Rose indeed ! —he will find that it has thorns that will wound his hands, and that it will not let itself be plucked.’ Rose soon fell asleep, with the argry tears on her cheek. The conversation with Mr Cameron, in which he had tried to mask the feeling of real admiration with which Rose had inspired him, soon passed from Sir Percy’s memory, lie seemed to be more and more satisfied that Rose’s and his voices suited each other, for he very frequently made his appearance at Cleuach early m the forenoon to practise. Then, after taking up Miss Montgomery’s time in the morning, ho would not let the girls go out alone in the afternoon, and remained to accompany them in ease Norval should not be able to do so. At length it became an understood thing that Sir Percy should spend every day at Oleuach, and the arrangement was too conducive to t!io happiness of all to tie disputed. Rose still insisted with herself, and with Lily when she could be got to dispute the point, that any attention Sir Percy paid her was for her, or rathe for Lily’s property, and that she was therefore entitled to encourage him, that she might be revenged for the insult oli’eml her. It was a pretty fiction, and justified iu the young lady's eyes a great deal of coquetry and flirtation, that she would of course have eonsidered unjustifiable other, wise. It proved too Hie liuth oi the adage, ‘ Revenge in sweet,’ for she seemed to find it a very pleasant occupation. (To be continued.)