LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2426, 14 January 1882, Page 4

LITERATURE.

LOVE IN A CASTLE, ( Continued .) When Lord Xom •was an undergraduate at Oxford he had fallen in love with the Honorable Miss Caroline Cadogsn, the daughter of Viscount Oholsea. The family bad attended sn Encomia to witness the scholastic triumphs of a member of the family who was at Brasenose College with Lord Tom Lord Tom thought Mias Caroline an angel; she bad then just budded into womanhood, and was indeed very pretty and graceful, with her flaxen hair, clear complexion, light blue eyes with long lashes, the smallest foot in the world, and a sylph-like figure. He was but a boy, and the reputation he had already attained at the University for his pranks and wild escapades did not make him very popular with tho elder members of the Chelsea family. Miss Caroline, however, felt kindly toward him ; but how could so young a girl know her own mind ? She was forbidden to encourage him ; but Tom Beaumont persisted, and used to hide himself behind trees in the park surrounding the Viscount’s country seat, and take walks with his beloved. Ho wan then informed that ha would not be permitted to enter the house in future ; but Lord Tom would scale the walls and get in at the windows. Ultimately Mias Caroline was sent to school again ; so lord Tom went abroad, as he could not see her without creating a scandal. There was nothing to bo said against Lord Tom except that ho was frolicsome and unconventional, and dearly loved a practical jake. As a rule, the young people liked him ; the older ones spoke of Lord Tom Beaumont as a depraved young man, who was not a creditable scion of aristocracy. Depravity was not so much of a crime as being unconventional. Lord Tom returned, and, in the natural conrse of things, met Miss Cadogsn very frequently during the season in London. Although the Chelsea mansion was not open to him, there was no flinty-hearted parent to prevent his going on the Bow ; and, by a curious concatenation of circumstances. Lord Tom saw Miss Oadogan there very often. She was a quiet and reserved young lady, and was not desperately In love with Lord Tom ; but the constant opposition of her parents and friends to his suit strengthened her regard. She at last began to think that he had been very badly treated, and felt that it was little short of persecution to keep tho young man away from her. She pitied him. Pity is akin to love; and when the Duchess of Westminster, the Mistress of the Bobes, announced to her that the Queen had been pleased to appoint the Honorable Caroline Cadogan one of her Maids of Honor, she absalutely loved Lord Tom. She knew why It had been done, yet she was too dutiful a daughter to disobey her father's mandate; besides it was a much coveted distinction, although it practically shut her out from society, as the Queen lived a recluse’s life. Had she bean in tho household of the Princess of Wales it

would hare been a different matter, for she might then have had some enjoyment. She knew that as long as she remained under her Majesty’s roof she would not be likely to see Lord Tom.

This, then, was the position of matters when Lord Tom Beaumont came to Windsor Caatle. He had resolved to see Miss Cador gan by hook or by crook, and hoped to catoh her alone when tho Queen went out for her u mal drive ; but tho very hot day upset the idea entirely. The rain now began to fall, and the thunder and lightning were incessant. ‘ The poor darling,’ said Lord Tom ; ‘ I know she’s dreadfully frightened of thunder storms, we are under the same roof, yet I must not go and comfort her. Too bad, by Jove!’

A salvo of loud thunder peals greeted Mr Honoage on his rejoining Lord Tom. * I suppose yon can’t leave In this storm,’ he remarked in a tentative tone.

‘ I should think not,’ Lord Tom replied ; ‘ You wouldn’t turn a cat out in anoh weather, and I’m not a cat. No; I am going to honor you with my company to dinner, and as it will probably bo too wet for me to call and see Legge, I shall get you to provide me with a shake-down of some kind for to-night,’ To speak of a shake down, when Windsor Castle abounded in elegant beds, was indeed the height of humor. Mr Heneago, could scarcely help laughing. * I suppose you must have your way; but to speak frankly, it is against the rales, and—

' I h, hang the rules!’ interrupted Lord Tom; ‘ what's the use of a man being chnmmy with the Queen unless ho can do as he pleases. Have yon seen Miss Cadogan ?’ 4 Yes, I saw her ’ —he said nothing abont the note; 1 she’s in tho White Drawingroom with the Queen. Prince Leopold Is there too. He is rather attentive in that quarter. Lord Tom was jealous, horribly jealous. He sat for some time in a moody silence. ‘The storm seems to depress yon, Beaumont,’ said Mr Heneage. ‘WeTI dine by ourselves in the sitting room.’ He said this in a mure pleasant tone. Lord Tom was going to stay there, and he had better make the best af It. The meal was served, and the magnificent creature waited on the two friends. Lord Tom was quiet at first, but a glass or two of burgundy caused his spirits to return, and he talked on various topios and made Mr Heneage smile and look grave by tarns. The storm had now expended its force, and the night promised to be a fine one. The moon had| already shown herself, and the soft, dreamy light through the still damp and misty atmosphere gave the Castle walls and towers the appearance of silver. They strolled out on the East Terrace and lit their cigars, for Mr Heneage, straight laced as he was, smoked sometimes. Eton College, which from one side was plainly seen by the light of the moon, recalled to Lord Tom many of his boyhood’s days, if not altogether happy ones, at least full of action and variety. There were sounds of voices and footsteps near the window known aa Queen Elizabeth’s. There was an old lady, stately in carriage, but with by no means a pleating expreision. It was not a (ace that one would be likely to associate with generosity or deep sympathy. She wore widow’s weeds, was attired in deep mourning, and had a black China shawl oyer her shoulders. She was engaged in talking to a florid complexloned man of about forty years of age, with a full face and blond beard. His face was sensual, but not absolutely unintelligent. These persons were her. Majesty Victoria, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, and Empress of India, and his Royal High ness Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, Duke of Saxony, Cornwall and Rothesay, Earl of Dahlia, &a, Behind them, at a short distance, was a eickly-iooking, priggish young man, who somewhat resembled in features the older man who was in earnest conversation with tho widow, A young lady with fair hair was the companion of the younger man, end ’ he seemed to be doing his utmost to render himself agreeable to her. ‘ We had better leave the Terrace, and •walk in the Flower garden,’ whispered Heneage to Lord Tom ; don’t you see who are in front of us ?’ * No } who is in front of us ?’ ‘ Why, Prince Leopold and Mias Cadeg#n.’ • . Lord Tom's heart beat fast. Ho instantly made up his mind to speak to Mias Ladogan at all hazards that evening. He oared not for Kings, Queens or Princes, He knew Prince Leopold, although not sufficiently well to justify him in calling upon him without invitation. Still, was he not talking to the only woman he had ever loved—a woman that the Prince could by no possibility marry, according to royal etiquette ? What right had this scion of royalty to interfere with him. Lord Tom, in any way by engaging the attention of Miss Ondagan, for whom he had suffered so much T It was monstrous—it was unmanly, 8o this was the royal personage the young lady referred to in her reply to his letter as “a bore.’’ Lord Tom turned round quietly with Mr Heneage, and walked back along the Terrace. Ho oonolnded not to tell this gentleman that he was going to speak to Miss Cadogan, as he might never have such another opportunity, for Mr Heneage would surely have been overcome with mortal terror at the idea of such an outrage, and have hurried Lord Tom away instantly. He resolved not to rnn such a risk as that, which might create a disturbance ; and yet there was no time to be lost, because the Queen would hot be likely to stay out on the Terrace until a late hour. Ho mast first in some way get rid of Mr Heneage, at least for a short period, and then he would manage the matter in a comparatively easy manner:

* What a lovely night it is after the terrible day,’ he said, entirely ignoring the existence of the royal group, who were in the shade at the other end of the Terraco.

•Yes, beautiful; but don’t you think we’d better go in ? ’ ‘No, not on any account ; but I left my cigarettes on tho table- in your room. Can’t you send for thorn ? I don’t feel equal to another cigar.’ ‘ I’ll go myself,’ said Heneage. He was, with all hxa prejudices and peculiar ties, a very good-natured fellow. ‘Now is my time,’murmured Lord Tom to himself, and he walked quickly on tip-toe to the angle of the North and East Terraces The Queen and the Prince of Wales stood there, and he could not pass them ; they were just at that moment joined by the Princess Beatrice. Why wouldn’t they move on ? There seemed to be high words in the family, and the voice of the Prince of Woles rose above those of the others.

‘I tell you, mother, it is a disgrace that you should allow me to be in this position. You know perfectly well that my income is not largo enough for the dignity I have to support.’ ‘lt Is quite large enough, Bertie,’ retorted tho Queen, with a slight lisping sneer ; ' it is all owing to your disreputable conduct and abominable extravagance.’ * What do you do with all your money ? ’ inquired the Prince angrily. * I'm sure you don’t spend it. Alexandra is os economical as possible ; and she thinks that you ought to pay my debts, and—’ * I think you ought to, mamma—Lord Beaconsfield said so,’ Interrupted Princess Beatrice.

‘ You children worry my life out. I wish you, Beatrice, and Bertie, and Lord Beaconsfield would mind their own business. If your poor father had been alive I should have had none of this trouble,’ and her Majesty drew a handkerchief from her pocket and began to cry. ‘ These conversations always end in this way,’said the Prince of Wales; ‘however, we’ll drop the subject for the present,’ and tho royal party walked on. At this moment Prince Leopold and Miss Caroline Cadogan turned the angle onco more, and passed Lord Tom, who, during the conversation just reported, was concealed behind tho large piece of Chinese ordinance.

‘I cannot permit yon, sir, to talk to me in that way,’ said. Misa Catogan. ‘Sweet Miss Cadogan,’ Prince Leopold pleaded ; ‘ I have long wished to tell yon of the state of my feelings toward yon. If yon did but know how I loved yon!’ This was indeed too much for Lord Tom. His mind was made up in an instant. He went np behind the couple and cried out—‘Hallo! Henoage, what a long time you’ve been,’ at the same time slapping Prince Leopold on the shoulder. * I beg your Royal Highness’ pardon. I’m sure I thought you

were Mr Haneage. who wu here jaat now,' said Lord Tom, apologetically, * the moonlight deceived me.’ ‘Lord Thomas Beaumont, 1 believe,’said the Prince, loftily and affectedly. Lord Tom bowed, and Miss Cadogan smiled. Turning to her, he remarked, conventionally— (To he continued.')