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CHA PTER LIII.

Violet was fondly folded in the arms of Edna. Dame Magery stood looking on with lifted hands, as if calling down a benediction on the happy scene. Kate dropped herself in a heap on the floor, clasped her hands round her knees, and incontinently burst into tears. This seemed to serve as a signal to the rosr, and the four delivered themsolves over heartily to the feminine occupation of weeping. Finally, relieved trom a menial strain which had lasted for four day?, Edna re covered herself and tenderly caressing Violet'? pretty head, askod : " Oh, my Httle darling, why did you do it?" "I was so unhappy," whispered Violet, hiding her face by putting Edna's soft, whito hand over it. " I thought no one loved me, and—and that you had deceived mo —about the name—and all." "I see my error. I own I waa very wrong, I did not mean to be," paid Edna. " I longed to help you. I have an old sisterly kindness for your husband, and I want him to be a good, happy man, and I saw you, one day last summer, asleep in a hammock, and I fell in love with you at first sight, as they say I cannot tell you how dear you are to me, and as you had taken a prejudice against me, in my name as Ambrosn, and would not moet me, I wanted to win your love in a name that has been made my own, and then teU you the truth, and be your sister and triend all your lifelong. Say you forgive me and will be my friend, Violet." "There h nothing to forgive, and my friendship is now less than ever worth having. Edna, you see what I have done. I have run away like a foolish or wicked woman, and now every one will condemn me, and I shall be ashamed to show my face anywhere, for evermore."

** My dear, you are all mistaken. No pereons, not even your aunts, knew you. bad run away. Lord Leigh asserted that you had gone to the Towers for a few days' rest. Even Kate did not know diffeiently until I told her last night. We have kept all from Lady Burton, for fear of retarding her recovery. Only your hueband, Adam and Lord Keith, and I know it. Do not let that thought worry, you." " And - what did they say - or do?" fal* tered Violet. " They resdvod to look quietly for you, for a week. They were in terrible distress for you, but I left a note saying to ceaae search— all was well." "You and— Kenneth are very good to me, Edna." j Edna was startled at something in the child's tone. She put her hand under the round chin, and turned Violet's face to look into her eyes. " Do you think there is anything particular between Lord Keith and me, Violet ?" "I think," burst out Violet, passionately, " that you are both the best people in all the world and I wish, yes, IJo wish, you might love each other, and be married, and ! be happy for ever." " Poor child ; this is self- conquest, " said j Edna, as »he bent down and kiesed her ; " but Kenneth has told me all. He has buried bis heart and his love, since God wills it so. But as for me, Violet, Keith will only be to me a brother, and I to him a sister. I think I am otherwise attracted, dear !" " Don't you just despise me for a weak creature ?" sobbed Violet. "I don't wondor Norman can't love me." " Oh, my dear, he does love you !" Kate and Dame Magory having finished their crying, had amicably united in preparing a breakfast. Magery was cooking dainty dishes in a little kitchen, and Kate was setting the table in the latge room, making various errands out to the dame, while Mjbs Ambrose and Violet talked. One of Kate's conferences with Magery was longer than the others, and she rushed back from it with a face full of importance and radiant with joy. " Ob, my dear little mistress, to think it should ever be !" cried Kate, seizing Violet's hands and covering them with kisses " You're made now, my dearie, and all will go well with you, and my lord won't know how to do enough fnr you when we have a fine little earl to show tor ourselves." "What!" cried Edna. "Oh, Violet, ib this true ?" " Yes !" said Violet, again having recourse to her usual refug< , tears; "and now I'm frightened to death for fear Leigh will be angry, and won't let me come back — and that my foolishdees will be the shame and ruin of my little child." " Oh, nonsense, my dear ; what are you saying ? Why, Keith shall come here himself and bring you back as lovingly as can be." "Never, never !" murmured Violet. " He will, tor ho must," eaid Edna, decisively. " Come now, if you pbase, Miss Haviland," said Kate, assuming airs and bustling about, "my lady is not to be excited. She has had over much of it. I must get her dressed for her breakfast, poor dear lady, she must have on her own things. Not that I'm quarrelling with Dame Roeers for what she'n put upon her, for love her ever I shall for what she has done for my lady in her trouble. But now this portmanteau is unpacked, Misa Haviland, if you will please walk in the garden a bit so I can get my lady dreesed quiet, for true aa true, i can't do her hair or fasten up her clothe*, and ahe catching you by the neck and hiding her faco in your shoulder every blessed minuto, and you hugging her like she wag the play of the * Babes in the Wood.'" In fact, the good Kate was jusc a little jealouH, and wanted her idolised mistress all to herself for a season. Edna, with a laugh and a fond kiae to Violet, went not to the garden, but to the kitchen, where sue put on a big Holland's apron of Dame Rogers's, and made a salad, and picked over a plate of strawberries, in a style that eiicted hearty applause from the dame. " To think, my dear," said Ko.te, aa she began to arrange the lady's toilet, " that you should run away from me — from Kate, aa loved you since you were a wee girl. How could do it, ray blessed angel, when you know I'd wade the Atlantic Ocean its length and breadth for you, Lady Leigh ?" " Oh, Kate ! If you are saying Lady Leigh, I shall know you are crosa. You always say Miss Violet," "That I won't ever again," asserted Kate. "I leave it to the whole English nation, if to call you Miss Violet, from now out, wouldn't be improper, indeed, and you a peer's wife, and all !" 11 May I come in ?" called the musical voice of Edna, alter a little ; and she entered, bringing a dish of crimson beiries in one hand, and a plate of delicate bleached salad in the other. "Why, Violet, my love, >ou look yourself again." Violet was standing, the finished work of Kate's hands. Her hair was in gloa?y braids and ring? ; her white pique morning dress had coquettish knots of pink ribbon ; her little feet were in pink silk stockings, and pink kid slippers— a Violet good to look at Violet held out her hand to her friend. " Edna, let me bless and thank you for coming to me. I will always love you, and take your advice, and nover, never, believe a word against you again." " Who was it spoke against me, and told you I was Miss Ambrose?" asked Kdna, looking afc her closely. "It was—H-slon liope. She is governed 3 at my aunt's." "I am Borry to hoar it," said Edna. "I do not like to spsak against anyone especially one working for daily bread. But Helen Hope ia not; fit company for you, or fit; guido for your aunt children's, or safe friend for hoi* daughters." "If ever I get home, I will try and do good, and not do evil. Norman warned mo against Helen tiopo. Oh, Edna, I promised Lady Bui ten that I would live for truth and honour, and see how I have come out!" " Come to breakfast, my deirie, and henceforth you will make bettor work of it, living for your husband and your child." When breakfast wag over, Violet lay back in the big chair by the window, and Edna came and eat by her. " Violet, I am going to return to London by the one o'clock train, I shall eea your husband, and he will come here for you, and take you home. Do not look so alai mcd. He will cooie in kindness and good faith, and you will return with him, and no one will over know of fchia little truant expedition. He will be here on Monday. Until then you will be safe and happy, and picking up strength here, with Kate and our good dame." " Oh. Edna ! I dislike to lose eight of you for one minute." " It will only be for a little, my dear." " But you will be worn out ! You travelled all last night, and you will go off without rest." " Happiness rests me-— the happiness of: finding you. I never get worn out when

1 1 am doing things for my friends," laughed ■Edna. And so the one o'clock train from Belper - carried Edna Haviland back to London,

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TAN18870226.2.57.2

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 130, 26 February 1887, Page 6

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,601

CHAPTER LIII. Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 130, 26 February 1887, Page 6

CHAPTER LIII. Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 130, 26 February 1887, Page 6

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