LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1758, 8 October 1879, Page 3

LITERATURE.

A STORY OF AN INDIAN RACEMES!. ( Continued .) ‘ But would Alice take the trouble ?’ asked Mrs Campbell dubiously, * And you yourself ? I am such a poor hand at anything diplomatic, and Alice is fond of her own way.’ ‘Ah, Emily, yon misjudge poor Alice,’ answered Mrs Bioart deprecatingly. ‘She is devoted to dear Cissy, and I am sure it would be very little return on our part for all your kindness to us.’ ‘O, pray do not speak of that.’ replied Mrs Campbell languidly. * I will leave the matter quite in your hands, then ; don’t forget to remind me at the right time.’ ‘That I will not,’ responded Mrs Bicarb emphatically. * Ah, here cornea Captain Lambert.’ Captain Lambert sauntered up to [Mrs Campbell’s side. ‘Miss Cissy has been busy dancing, I see,’ he remarked ; ‘ but here she comes.’ * Yes ; the next set is the Lancers. Are you going to dance ?’ ‘ No, I am not engaged for it.’ * And you, Cissy dear ?’ she asked, as the girl sat down by her side. * I was ; but Mr Stevenson has not come : his wife says“he was lazy,’ replied Cissy. ‘ Then do sit down and rest, and don’t fag yourself at the very beginning of the evening. There is room for you too, Captain Lambert; pray sit down.’ Mis Bicart had moved away to meet her daughter. Graham Burton came up. ‘Mr Stevenson deputed me to ask this dance of yon Mias Campbell. May I have the pleasure ?’he asked. * Cissy is not going to dance this time ; she and Captain Lambert Intend to have a rest,’ said Mrs Campbell quietly and decidedly. ‘O, I am sorry for that,’ said Burton coldly, and the tears rose in Cissy’s eyes as he drew himself up and walked away. ‘O, I say, Lambert,’ called oat a gentle* man a few minutes later, ‘ do just take a partner for this set of Lanoers ; we only need one couple to complete the set, and I can get no one. Do, there’s a good fellow !’ ‘ Miss Campbell, would you not break your resolution ?’ simpered the captain. ‘ O, do oblige us 1’ urged the stranger. * No, thank you, Captain Lambert; I have just refused Mr Burton.’ ‘ Refused Mr Burton ! What does that ma'ter?’ said Mrs Campbell. ‘Dear me. Cissy, how very silly you are to make such a fuss, and keep people waiting. If you are so particular, can you not explain it again ? Go at once, don’t make yourself conspicuous. Cissy’s face flushed. ‘I can explain it afterwards at our waltz,’ she thought; and in the expediency of the moment she hesitated, faltered, and moved away. Graham Burton stood near watching. He did not hear the words, but the result sufficed him. Indignation swelled in his heart against her, as he saw Cissy gliding through the dance ; and he determined not to go near her till the waltz came round which she had promised him, and then to let her explain her conduct or not as it pleased her. The dances slipped on one by one, and Cissy was ever on her feet. The gay throng swarmed about, and the snowy figure of the girl, with her calm still face and downcast eyes, passed in and out among the eddying, gliding, whirling crowd. Her heart was not at rest; she was longing for the fourth waltz, that she might explain all to Graham Burton, and that he might not glance so disdainfully and haughtily at her, but at length it drew near, and her heart beat fast as she was led to her seat for the last time before it. ‘Cissy darling,’a voice murmured at her elbow, as she was nearing a seat. She started nervously, and glanced round. * Yes, aunt,’ she answered, a strange dread at her heart. * Your mamma la not at all well, dear ; she is wanting you. Mr Moreton, would yon be so kind as to take Miss Campbell oat to the verandah, she will find her mother there, I will come immediately; but Alice has torn her dress, and wants me. Stay; are you engaged for this dance I’ ‘Yes, to Mr Burton ;* would you kindly tell him V ‘Oh, I don’t suppose it matters much about him, does it ? But I will, if I meet him ; go, dear, now,’ With sinking heart Cissy went out to the verandah, where she found her mother re dining on a couch and fanning herself. * What is it, mamma dear ? Are you ill V she asked, struggling between filial duty and her desire to see Graham Burton, and explain all to him. ‘ I am a little better now,’ answered her mother, but she kept her by her side to fan her gently, and sprinkle eau-de-cologne on her face ; and the girl’s heart misgave her as the music began again, and Graham Barton did not appear to claim her or see if he could be of any use. Meanwhile Mrs Bioart joined Alice, and looking round the room they saw him, apparently looking for Cissy. They approached him. ‘ Do you know where Captain Lambert Is ?’ asked Mrs Bioart, as if in passing. ‘ I saw him but a minute ago ; can [I call him for you ?’ ‘ Oh, no, It does not matter; hut Miss Campbell wanted him ’ ‘ Miss Campbell—where is sho'then ? ‘Out in the verandah, ’ answered Mrs Bioart composedly. ‘ She is unfortunately engaged to some one who she does not wish to dance with, and asked me to send him, if she was not engaged, as a consolation. Everyone knows they are great friends, you know,’ she added, simpering, as aha tapped her fingers lightly with her fan, ‘ I daresay I shall find him.’ ‘I was engaged to Captain Lambert for this dance, though, ’ said Alice sweetly; ‘ but tell him not to mind me, mamma, dear ; I know he would prefer her.’ ‘Ah, but that is awkward,’| replied Mrs Bioart, with an amazed look ; ‘ the Captain is so polite he will not think of deserting you, though I know you would not mind it, Mr Barton, are you engaged for this waltz V ‘ I ? No; at least my partner has not ap. peared.’ ‘ Then would it bo a great stretch of etiquette to ask yon to take Alice for a round—just one turn, you know—that I may tell Captain Lambert not to mind about her ?’ ‘ I shall be most happy,’ Burton answered with a chilly smile, ‘ Miss Bioart, may I have the pleasure ?’ ‘Too bad to force me on yon like this,’ Alice said, with a deprecating smile. ‘ I am sure mamma did not think of what she was (doing. I am really ashamed of _ her coldness. It is so kind of you to take it so meekly.’ Graham only answered with another quiet smile, and offering her his arm, led her into the ball room, where they were soon whirling round among the rest, Alice looking up into his face sweetly, telling him what a nice waltzer he was, whispering insipid nothings, as she smiled at the success of her mother’s strategy, and wondered coolly how much money he had; passionlessly reviewing the advantages of being able to dress as one liked, and go to all the gaieties one had a mind for. She did not care that she was hurting her cousin; all she thought of was that she was determined to win ; and, if the truth were told, the difficulties in her way rather lent a zest to the undertaking. And In the heart so near her own a cold stern anger had sunk; he heeded not the bright face that strove to attract him; Alice’s merry words were scarce understood, he

hardly realised the weight of hia disappointment yet, but looking np after awhile, ho saw Cissy and Captain Lambert joining the waltzers, and the last spark of his faith in her died out, leaving nothing but angry and disappointed love—for the love he could not quench—in his heart towards her. With quiet exultation Mrs Ricart had seen her daughter and her partner move away, and then spying Captain Lambert had approached him. * Captain Lambert, may I ask a favor of you ?’ she asked. * Certainly,’ was the reply. ‘ Miss Campbell is in the verandah with her mother, who is ill. Would you be so very kind as to bring a little champagne ?’ * Withjpleasure ; but I am engaged to Miss Ricart for this dance, and cannot find her. Would you be so kind as to explain ?’ _ * Oh, certainly ; I told her I was going to ask yon to get.me something, and that she was to dance with some one else. See, she is dancing already.’ ‘ Ah, that is right; I will be with you immediately and the Captain moved to the refreshment room as Mrs Ricart went out to the verandah. 1 1 saw Burton,’ she said lightly to Cissy, * and told him yon had to come out; but he did not seem to mind, hut said it would be easy dancing with yon again, and asked Alice to dance. What you can see in him to admire I can’t tell, Cissy ; but if a young man presumed to speak so lightly and confidently of me, I should not be too well ploasod. Captain Lambert, on the contrary, was most polite and anxious, and has gone for champagne for your mamma. Ah, hero he comes. Emily dear, I hope yon are better ;’ and Mrs Ricart took the fan from Cissy’s hand and leant affectionately over her sister. ‘ Much better, thank yon. Ah, Captain Lambert, how good of yon 1 This champagne will quite revive me. Now I know you want Cissy for this dance, and my sister will stay with me ; so please, Cissy dear, do not think of waiting.’ ‘ Captain Lambert and I are not engaged for this dance ; bnt perhaps he has a partner elsewhere, and will take me back to the drawing room,’ said Cissy wearily, * You are mistaken, Emily,’ Mrs Ricart cooed 'softly. * Captain Lambert was engaged to Alice, and Cissy to Mr Burton; but the missing partners have consoled themselves with one another, and I do not see that either of those remaining should lose their dance.’ ‘ No, indeed. Miss Campbell, let ns have this waltz, do,’ He laid his hand on her arm, and Cissy shook it off; but her annt whispered on the other side, * Yes, do. Cissy, and pay young Burton off for his rudenessand her wounded feelings getting the better of her, she allowed herself to be led off, snd once more entered the ballroom and danced with the Captain. Calmly Cissy moved round in the waltz, hiding with quiet smile and joyless eyes the pain that would be ready to overwhelm her when once left to herself, and Burton watched her with a sneer, ‘ Selling herself, by Jove 1 What a beastly place India must be for women 1’ he thought. * Yonr cousin is surely much changed,’ Miss Ricart,’ he remarked, as they stood resting. *Do you think so too ?’ said Alice, feigning surprise. * Well, to tell the truth,’ she continued confidentially, ‘ I think so too. Cissy used to be such a romantic, disinterested kind of girl; I think she has been quite spoiled with admiration, and got rather afraid of her. India is not a nice place for women, filling them with snch love of wealth and admiration. I used to be thought very cool and calculating; bnt really I see so much about me I have been thoroughly disgusted. I confess Cissy surprises me most of all: although Captain Lambert Is infatuated with her, I am afraid she would soon throw him over, in spite of her encouragement of him, for any one wealthier. Now and again she seems more like herself; bnt what I call her good fits come seldomer now. ’ Graham and Cissy spoke no more to each other that evening, and in the ensuing days of the meet, though each longed sadly for the old intimancy and gladness in each other’s presence, no opportunity of reconciliation offered itself, and Mrs Bicart and Alice saw their stratagem succeed even beyond their anticipation. A cold calm bow was all that passed between the two ; and whilst Graham imagined ehe had slighted him intentionally. Cissy feared that Alice (by whose side he constantly was, by the contrivance of mother and daughter) had won his heart. She bad not even the power of indulging her grief In the never ceasing string of gaieties of an Indian race meet. In the morning they drove to the races, where she would sit listlessly in an open barouche below the stand, with Captain Lambert at her elbow; whilst Alice, In riding skirt and coquettish little hat, was np and about among the gay throng on the stand, the liveliest of the elegant light-hearted ladies there, constituting Graham Barton her favored slave. He must 'go and bring her coffee and cakes, it was so cold ; or perhaps run down and see why the horses were so long in coming out, or tell her the name of each horse and rider as they passed to the starting place. Then, as the gallant beasts came streaming, striding along, she would cling to his arm in childish excitement, to unfasten her small hands with a little apologetic smile and blush as the race was over,..to look up with tender glistening eyes as the result was known and the music between the races swelled out again. Or they would comment —he with listlessness, she with animated face—on the people about them that they knew, she surprising him sometimes into a laugh at her wit as they gazed on the picturesque crowds balow, on the dusky eager faces clustering all round the race course, with gorgeously clad wealthier natives interspersed among them ; and not seldom Alice’s tongue would find something to comment upon that drew his attention to the calm white face below, a face from which Its very look might have told him Alice’s words were false, as its owner sat talking quietly, indifferently to the captain. Cissy was too true-hearted to flirt with one man because another had wounded her; she was longing for rest and XJeace ; but her mother forced her into all the gaieties of the time. IE there were no races, a hunt or paper chases would perhaps be organised, leaving the ladles no more than time to dress for breakfast, and the callers who streamed in after, or for calls that had to be made. | |The callers were received In the semians j and hero Cissy sat wearily receiving them, day after day. Burton among the rest. Cricket, tiffins, and Badminton tournaments alternated in the afternoon ; after which all resorted to the course, where the band played, and gossip and flirtation throve. It was dark ere the ladies returned, and even then Cissy could not rest, for Alice shared her room, and they had to dress still for the dinner party, often for the ball, which dragged the day into the small hours of the morning. Cissy’s pale face became weary and sad looking, and deep blue lines Settled as the days crept on, beneath the patient joyless eyes, (To be continued.)