CHAPTER XV.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 353, 23 March 1889, Page 3

CHAPTER XV.

A FAVOURABLE lAU'EESSION. At the first sound of wheels Mrs Shepperton rushed out to welcome her lost sheep, whose continued absence had tilled her maternal heart with considerable anxiety ; buo that sensation gave way to one of satisfaction when she perceived the truant seated in a faultlessly appointed vehicle next to a stylish-looking man, whose face, somehow, was not altogether unfamiliar to her. The milk of human kindness began suddenly to bubble up in her motherly bosom. She had read in novels of young ladies meeting charming younggentlemen through mysterous accidents, and might not her Dulcie have chanced upon a similar piece of good fortune ? ' Why, child,' she exclaimed, ' where on earth have you been all this time?' ' Miss Shepperton,' explained Mr Denver, whose temper was now completely restored, { has been trood enough to pay me a visit at Brabazon Hall. She met with an accident and got rather wet, so I persuaded her to come to my place and get a change of clothes.' As she listened to this short explanation, a bland and unctuous smile invaded Mrs Shepperton's countenance. 'Mr Denver?' she exclaimed, interrogatively. 'I thought the voice and face were familiar to me, though it is a good many years now since last we met. Time,' she went on, with insincere flattery, ' appears in your case to have stood still altogether,

for really you do not look a day older than you did when'— she was going to say ' when you first married,' but on reflection substituted ' when you were a boy. 5 ' Ah, Mrs Shepperton, you are too kind ; but allow me to abate that 1, on my part, retain the liveliest recollection of your ( beauty, talent, and amiability ; and hope to have the pleasure of becoming more intimately acquainted with yourself and your charming daughters, one of whom,' turning towards Dulcie, 'I have already boen fortunate enough to meet.' Mrs Shepperton was completely charmed by this specious address. She did not know the reason of those wales on poor May's sides, or what had caused tho crim&on-stained foam which flew from hor mouth as she strained against the tight bearing-rein. But Dulcie did, and Dulcie listened with ill-concealed scorn and impatienco to this interchange of civilities. Mr "Denver's eve? now turned to Ethel, who, arrayed in a pale blue irock, witli her jet-black hair twisted into massive coils at tho back of her head, tripped downstairs perfectly calm and collected, pretending ictal ignorance of the visitor's arrival, though she had witnessed it a minute or two previously with her own two eyes, and rushed upstairs in order to pas 3 a powder-puff over her beautiiul but impassive countenance. ' Will you not come in and parfcake of some refreshment, Mr Denver?' urged Mrs Shepperton! with a persuasive hospitality seldom conferred on poor Mrs Smith, the Rector's wife, or old Mi-ss Iladdon, the elderly maiden lady who lived in the village. ' You have been standing out in the cold all this time. ' ' Thanks, no,' lie replied, preparing to remount into tho phaMon. 'It is getting late, and, now that I have seen Mi.-s Dulcie safely restored to the bosom of her delighted family, 1 must make the best of my way home ; though, unfortunately, t shall no longer have a charming little companion to ; enliven the road. However, with your permission, Mrs Shepperton, I will take an early opportunity of paying you a formal call, and of improving an acquaintance pleasantly recommenced under such favourable circumstances. ' It Hashed across his mind as he spoke that many occasions might rise, upon which he was bored to death by business details connected with the estate, when it might prove a congenial relaxation drivingover to Milnacot Lodge, and spending an hour or two, in the company of Mrs Shepperton's pretty daughteis. ' Perhaps you will come to lunch ?' suggested Mrs Shepperton, ' you have only 10 name your own day, for any one will suit us.' { Thanks very much,' he replied. ' But just at present I am too busy to fix any particular time, and therefore must take ray chance of finding you at home. Goodbye, Miss DulGie,' turning to the girl, who still stood near. So saying, he entered the photon, flicked up Bryant and May in a manner which made them start violently forwards, and — firmly impressed with the idea that he had created a lwghly kivourable impression — waved Mrs Shepperton and her daughters a final adieu. ' As he bowled out at tho lodge-gate he met Bob Morninglon, mounted on old Blunderbuss, leading Butterfly alongside. The young man gave a friendly little nod of recognition, and called out in passing, 1 How's Dulcie? I& she all light '!' Mr "Denver vouchsafed nothing but a frown and a monosyllabic reply. Was it possible that Bob's fresh, honest, smiling face inspired him with envy, and a secret longing once more to feel innocent and good-tempered ? That evening, instead of carrying on the usual desultory conversation over high Lea, the Shepperton iatnily amu&ed it^elt by discussing Dunnis Denver — and. in connection with Dennis Denver, Brabazon Hall - from every conceivable and inconcehablc standpoint. But, while a perfect chorus 1 of praise was going on all around her, Dnlcie alone sat silent and dissentient. The sight of that cross and ill-tempered face recurred to hei mind as it had looked when its owner struck poor May. Instinctively she distrusted this man, and her quick feininine perceptions leapt at the conclusion that, for all the veneer of bonhomie and civility overlaying his manners, it was but a thin coating, through which an ungovernable temper, uncontrolled passions, and innate selfishness, peered forth on the smallest provocation. Women's inductions are swift, subtle, and oftentimes unieasoning, yet they are prone unerringly to discern the truth : and Dulcie, when she lay her stiffening bones on her bed that night, in reviewing the occurrences of this eventful dny, told herself that the difference between Bob Mornington and Dennis Denver was as great as between morning and evening, sunshine and shade. The one inspired her with perfect repose and happiness, the other with positive aversion. And it was Bob's face, Bob's voice, she saw and heard in her troubled dreams, not those of the man who had probably been instrumental in saving her life.