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New Zealand Mail, Issue 26, 22 July 1871, Page 16

A Yaneeeism Swokn To.—America ia looked upon as the go-ahead of the world, but a remarkable instance of quick despatch which happened lately at Mansfield speaks well for Victoria's progress in a similar direction. The " Gruardian" mentions that a defendant in the police court stated on oath that he had gone from Doon to Mansfield, a distance of at least thirty miles, consulted the doctor, got married, had his horse shod, and returned to his work, all .within four hours. " Smart boy that!" This is " hurrying up the cakes" with a vengeance. Feminine Repabtee.—From " Punch :" French gentleman, taking leave of English l a( jy:—"Well, inadame, adieu! As to the conduct of England towards us, I fear we shall retain—pardon me—the belief we have long had, that you are a nation of shopkeepers." —English lady: " Very well, Mistakes will always be made. We long had a belief that you were a nation of soldiers."

wouldn't have it, and then she turned against me, and has been so ever since—of course, in a polite way.' Conway wondered at the discrepancy of the two versions, but he knew enough of the world to see that both could be sincere and genuine. ' But we shall meet to-morrow at dinner like ladies. You shall see at least she will carry that farce out. I don't profess to be an actress. She can come to eat with us.'

' I think/ said he, coldly, ' you will find there is some reason for this. She is compelled by her father.' ' You are quite turning her champion,' said she, looking at him excitedly.

' I believe she is sincere and true in whatever she takes up. But of course I am quite outside the politics, as we may call them, of this place. But now, Miss Panton it seems hard, does it not, for these poor rustics ?' • Oh yes 1 you are quite on her side !' ' Such a pretty bridge, too —an ornament to your place and to the district.' ' I don't care,' she said, ' every bit of it shall be pulled to pieces next week. I shall look on at the operation, and I shall invite my friends to come. My dear old school fellow, I shall take care to have her. I am told she swears by you all about the town, says, I suppose, that you are the type of chivalry. Of course in a place like this, where the walls have ears and tongues, it is very probable that these praises will come to your ears. But,' she added, with a curious, questioning look * what do you think of her ? You must know us all by this time pretty well. She, of course, being a parson's daughter, had great opportunities of picking up from the curates that pedantic sort of thing that makes a show. Of course you think me wretchedly ignorant ?' ' I attempt to pronounce on you !' he said. • But Miss Jessica champions me ! That should prejudice me.' A worried fretful iook came into the heiress's face. 'Yes,' she repeated mechanically, ' we are going to pull down the ! bridge. Within a week, the man tell us, there will not be a vestige of it.' As he followed her light figure, that seemed to float across the bridge named after her, a very different feeling rose in his mind to what she imagined sras there. She was sure she had left some deep and romantic image of herself, and was not discomfited to think that she had shown a certain jealousy, as of a rival. This nice epicure in such matters was, alas ! pondering over the agreeable discovery made to him. He was delighted to think that he had conquered the parson's daughter, that nature so proud and independent, and that would not bend to any one. He was intensely flattered by this conquest. And for the first time it occurred to him suddenly, what if he, once for all, cast anchor there, laid up his little metaphorical vessel, and settled down, as it is called, in a new life, with a new mind beside his ! Was he not weary of wandering ? Was not here something that he might search the fashionable world over and over, and never find—something that would add a power and lustre to his rank, and great fortune, such as could not be drawn from the files of poor souled colorless creatures of his own order, who had been submitted to his choice. Lord Blamk, now so powerful in the Upper House, had made just such an alliance ; so had the Marquis of Blank. Thus strengthened, had those eminent peers forced their way to the lead. Wealth he did not want. It seemed to him a noble scheme, and he would wait and watch, and see how it would be worked out. CHAPTEB XI.—A STATE DINNEE AT THE CASTLE. < Within a day or two, the scouts of the little town, walking as if by accident past the gate of the castle, saw the dining procession sweeping up the avenue. Some, by special favor of Mrs Silvertop, were more advantageously posted. The various figures were identified. Doctor Bailey, sitting up in his open carriage, his daughter beside him. (Mrs Bailey of course was not there, the doctor having disposed of the matter thus: ' Pooh ! what an exhibition you'd make of yourself up there I No. Stay at home!') The fascinating Conway, with his fine reflective dark eyes, excited a just admiration ; while, lastly, in a poor sort of fly, came the Rev. Mr and Mrs Mason. ' Only my curate and his wife,' said the rector, contemptuously. The handsome drawing room of the castle ran along the ground floor, while a file of long tall windows, seven or eight in number, were all lit up, making a sort of vast lantern. Mr Conway was deeply interested to see the two girls greeting each other with the common forms of social politeness, the courtesies of fencers before attack. Only a nice observer, such as he was, would have noticed a change in their manner to each other, brought about of late by some new cause. Miss Panton's hostility had always been a more pettish peevish dislike, conveying the idea of some one that was crossed in a whim. Jessica's seemed a calm contempt, supported by a basis of duty. But this new element had the effect of an almost chemical change in

these bodies. Both became intensified ; ; one taking the shape of jealous and bitter anger, the other that of scorn as bitter, with a sense of an immense superiority. And on this evening this seemed to have suddenly taken place, and the new combination, by the infusion of the Conway charm, was to work itself into a strong developement. Conway was in spirits, for strange plans were floating in his head. He could not shut out the image of the parson's daughter. He had an instinct that the night might prove momentous for his fate. Just before he started, he met Dudley in his usual moody humor. This seemed to have grown on him lately, and Conway never liking this ' ill conditioned' manner of men, who were always certain to bring more trouble than pleasure with them, had determined to keep him at a distance. 'You are going out-to this place,' said Dudley. ' You go very often there ?' ' Yes ; they are very hospitable, and most kind to a stranger.' 'No doubt. But I'M tell you what surprises me, Conway. That you, who are what is called an {esthetic man should endure a place where there are no aesthetics. We all know you have too high a soul for vulgar money.' ' I am proud of your good opinion,' said the other laughing. • Now that man Bailey's daughter is exactly in your line. They all say she is madly in love with you too. In fact, you are rather compromising, her.' 'My dear Dudley, you and I are not the people to discuss such subjects. I would not dare to speak to you on such matters.'

' Oh it's merely a friendly caution, that's all. Everything is known and gossiped over in this place, even to the pairs of gloves you buy, or the linen you send to the wash. You wonld not like to be set down as a fortune hunter, Conway, as the ill natnred do. We'll all be watching you to-night. Don't look so wicked at me.'

On that he walked away, leaving Conway half indignant, half amused. 'I understand this poor moody hypochondriac's meaning,' he thought. ' Very, very clumsily done, Master^Dudley.' The dinner was on the usual grand Pantonian scale, many powered heads nodding over the ,guests, Mrs Silvertop later giving details to select friends, not without contempt for those who could show interest in such things, but which was overpowered by a pride and complacency in her office. She had before officiated at some great nobleman's house, and when the name of any famous peer was mentioned, it was always with a ' many's the time I've 'anded him a cup of tea at Highbury 'Ouse,' an attention probable enough, but based more on conjecture than on recollection. The Panton plate was all out, the columns and pediments with which the table was covered making it seem like a fashionable graveyard, ratherovercrowded with silver monuments, new and not ancestral ; while the dining table, fringed with its two rows of happy feasting men and women, had the usual festive and magnificent effects produced by gold and silver, soft lights and flowers. The pleasant chatter of voices rose above the chink of silver and steel upon china. Doctor Bailey's was heard loudest and noisest of all.

' Quite proper, Sir Charles. Of course you have the right. Monstrous ! What a man gives he can take away.' All looked at Jessica.

' Surely not, papa, if it be only what you ought to give. I know what you are speaking of—the people's bridge.' ' Oh, that is only some of those childish refinements you are so fond of—l can't go into them. Sir Charles can't do what he pleases with his own bridge, as he can with his own horse : sell, lend, give, or take away. Absurd !' It became a regular little discussion for the table.

' I declare,' said Sir Charles, good humoredly, ' I would sooner have an election on my hands. The two young ladies battle the thing out like candidates, and I must say both have a great deal to say worth listening to. Miss Bailey really champions the people's rights with great spirit.' Jessica, coloring, spoke out. ' Some think this a trifle, whilst I take it up with an enthusiasm that may seem foolish. I know what concerns the lower classes — canaille they are called —their amusements, sorrows, seems Quixotic in. these times. Besides,' she added, smiling, ' who introduced my clients here at this inappropriate place ? It was not I who did so.' ' But you take up the cause of these low people in everything,' said the heiress, excitedly. 'Your sympathy is with them in all their ways and manners. Why should you not be on their side in this ?'

> Jessica, naturally of a retiring disposition, became like so many of her sex when the cricis demanded, bold, and brave, and aggressive. « Then it is an open question ? Now we can deal with it as quite public. Well, I am on the side of the poor and their cheap pleasures.' ' That we should give them money and charities is all of course for eachconscience, as the doctor will tell us at church next

Sunday,' said Sir Charles. 'I declare, Dr Bailey, the next time we have * exhausted funds' of any sort, we shall pass you over.' ' Yes,' said the heiress, pertly, « Miss Bailey would give us a sermon. And I can see Mr Conway thinksf so too. He is much amused, I see.'

Conway was listening with some entertainment to this little skirmish.

* Ah, yes, let us hear Conway,' said her father ; 'he is a judge of these things, and I will be guided by his authority.' ' Surely,' said Jessica, scornfully,' there is no need of authority or of judicial decision in such a matter. These little poor priviliges of walking on grass, and lookingatandsmellingflowers, of breathing fresh air and sitting on a bank and looking at the bright river winding by—surely none of U 3 would take credit for making such presents as these. We need appeal to no one to tell us that !'

Conway's arbitration being thus disparaged, though indirectly, it was necessary he should say something. This he did with ever so little of a wounded tone.

' But still these common blessings involved somehow the rights of property. Perhaps we might share our houses also as well as our grounds. Shelter in the drawing room would cost nothing ! The smooth green carpet, the looking at oneself in the mirrors, is a cheap blessing also.' 'Ah! That's the way to put it, as Mr Conway does,' the doctor said obstreperously. 'Jessica, child, leave political economy and that sort of thing alone. It's not in keeping, you know—l say not at all. What have you to do with the poor and that sort of thing ?' Her answer was a look at Conway, one of surprise and full of scorn. 'When we have gone upstairs, and Mr Conway is discussing this with the gentlemen, I know that will not be his argument. Or if he were in the House of Commons he would not urge such sophistical reasoning.'

" Then you must explain why he does it here,' said Sir Charles, laughing. ' She means it as a compliment to us, papa,' said the heiress, with a certain spite which the presence of her guests did not restrain.

A rough and impatient voice broke in. ' This is too good. After all, how does this concern any one but the real owners ? I tell you what I would do, Sir Charles. Fix a day, invite all these wretched bumpkins who dare to presume on your indulgence, and in their presence set men to work to pull the whole thing to pieces. When the last rod was flung into the river, I would turn round and say, * There, get away, you ragamuffins—let me catch one of you trespassing and I'll set the dogs at you.' Forsooth, a young lady can't have her flowers without having all the roughs going to steel them too.' ' Hallo ! Dudley, this is strong language.' ' That is the only strength about it,' said Jessica, with a quivering lip. ' Such doctrines make the real barrier between rich and poor.' ' Oh; we know Dudley is a violent partizan of Laura's, and it distorts his views.' ' Ah, that explains it,' said Conway contemptuously ; ' but in presence of one who reads the common heart, like Miss Bailey, what can one do ? I hold no opinions at all. I give them up. You must not let them touch the bridge, Sir Charles; rather build them a dozen new ones. Again, the look Jessica gave him, translated, seemed to say, 'How poor, how unworthy of you.'

For the rest of that ' state' meal, he found himself looking over at her, with a strange attraction, and even trouble. A surprising girl, he thought. The pleasant dinner, with all its courses, rolled on like a stately procession. Then the ladies rose, suffering that polite writ of ejectment which our civilisation exacts. The gentlemen going through a well acted farce of resignation at the stern edict they themselves enforce, resumed their drinking, that 'circulation of the blood' discovered by some benefactor, we know not who.

In that council the great bridge question come up in a different shape. * You know,' said the host, confidentially, ' one is awkwardly placed with the people; but still it is ray girl's whim. She has taken it into her head. But otherwise I really go with your daughter, doctor. I'd have given anything if she had opened out on you, Conway; for when she takes a thing up with spirit, you would find it hard to hold your own against her. She astonishes me sometimes.' The doctor did not seem to enjoy these compliments. 'Oh, she talks two much. I tell her she had better leave these things to the men. It's quite absurd. You have a perfect right to keep your grounds to yourself. A pretty state of things if every one was to be over run by the scum of the town.'

There was present a bluff, good natured doctor named Hobson, clever in his profession, who was half friend of the family, half a sort of watchful medical guardian over the health of the young heiress. He was always ' running down' once or twice in the week to pay them a visit and the fiction was carried out that it was to see

his old friend Sir Charles. Looking at Dr Bailey with some distrust, he said : ' Scum, Dr Bailey?—the honest mechanics we see in the grounds behaving like ladies and gentleman ?' ' Eelatively, sir, of course,' said the doctor, blowing hard. 'My meaning is very intelligible. And you see my friend Conway quite agrees with me.' This was a favorite shape of the doctor's logic. ' Pardon me,' said Conway, impatiently. ' We were not discussing the matter seriously. I must own that I was only trying to provoke Miss Jessica into an argument that we might admire her cleverness and spirit. It is absurd making the thing too serious.'

{To be continued.)