CHAPTER II.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 427, 11 December 1889, Page 6

CHAPTER 11.

LOVE AT FIR^T SIOIIT. Her sweet song died, and a vague unrest And a nameless longing filled her breast. Win r her. The sisters had nob seen their young landlord since he was a lad of ten year 3 of age, at which epoch he had been sent to Europe to receive his education. He had bub recently been recalled home by his widowed mother, for the purpose ot entering upon his estate, and celebrating his majority in his patrimonial mansion by giving a dinner and ball in the house to all his kindred and friends, and a feast and dance in the barn to all bis tenants and labourers. It was said that his lad,y mother and his two young lady sister 3, haughty and repellent women that they were, had objected to entertaining his dependents, but the young gentleman was resolved that they also should enjoy themselves. And he had his way. Nora had no recollection whatever of Herman Brudenell, who had been taken to Europe while she wa3 still a baby ; so now, her curiosity being stimulated, she plied Hannah with a score of tiresome que&tions about him. 'Is he tall, Hannah, dear? 13 he very handsome ?' ' How can I tell ? I have nob seen him since he was ten years old.' ' Bub what is his compelxion — is he fair or dark ? and what is the colour of his hair and eyes ? Surely you can tell that at least.' ' Yes ; his complexion, as well as I can lecollect it, vya* freckled, and his hair sandy, and his eyes green.' ' Oh-h ! the horrid fright ' a man to scare bad children into good behaviour ! >But then that was when he was bub ten years old ; he is twen by-one to-day ; perhaps he is much improved.' 'Nora, our sheep have passed through here, and left some of fchoir wool on bhe bushes. Look at that libble bird, it has found a flake and is bearing it off in triumph to line its little ncsb,' said Hannah, to change the subject. ' Oh, I don't care about the bird ; I wish you bo bell me about the young gentleman i' paid >'ora, petulantly, adding the question ; ' I wonder who he'll marry V ' Nob you, my dear ; so you had better not occupy your mind with him,' Hannah replied, very gravely. Nora laughed outright : ' Oh, I'm quite aware of that ; and as for me, I would not marry a prince, if he had tod hair and a freckled face; but still one cannot help thinking of one's landlord, when one is going to attend the celebration of his birthday.' They had now reached bhe bop of the hill, and come upon a full view of the house and grounds. The house, as I said, was a very elegant edifice of white freestone; it was two storeys in height, and had airy piazzas running the whole length of the front, both above and below ; a stately portico occupied the centre of the lower piazza, having on each side of it the tall windows of the drawing-rooms. This portico, and all these windows, were now wide open, mutely proclaiming welcome to all comers. The beaubifully laid out grounds were studded here and there with tents pitched under the shade trees, for the accommodation of the out-door guests, who were now assembling rapidly. Bub bhe morehonoured guests of the house had nob yet begun bo arrive. And none of £he family were as yet vieible. On reaching the premises, bhe sisters were really embarrassed, not knowing where to go, and finding no one to direct them.

Ab length a strange figure appeared upon the seene — a dwarfish mulatto, with a large head, bushy hair, and having the broad forehead and high nose of the European, with the thick lips and heavy jaws of the African ; with" an ashen grey com plexion, and a penetrating, keen and sly expression of the eyes. With this sti'ange combination of features, he had also the European intellect with the African utterance. He was a very gifted original, whose singularities of genius and character will reveal themselves in the course of this history, and he wns also one of those favoured old family domestics, whose power in the house was second only to thatof the master, and whoso will was law to all his fellow- servants ; ho had just completed his fiftieth year, and his name was Jovial. And he now approached the sisters, saying : ' Mornin', Miss Hannah — mornin', Miss Nora. Como to see do show ? De young heir hab a fool for his master for de fust time to-day.' c We have come to the birthday celebration ; brtt we do not know wheie we ought to go— whether to the house or the tents,' said Hannah. The man tucked his tongue into his cheek and squinted ab the sisters, muttering to himself : * I should like to see de mKb'ess' face, ef you two was to present yourselves at de house !' Then, speaking aloud, he said : ' De houso be for de quality, an' de tents for de coloured gemmen and ladies ; an' de barn for de laborin' classes ob de white". ! Shall I hab de honour to denounce you to de barn ?' ' I thank you, yes, since it is there we are expected to go,' said Hannah. Jovial led tho way to an immense barn that had been cleaned out and decorated for the occasion. The \ast room was adorned with festoons of overgroens and paper flowois. At the upper end w\b hung the arms ot the Brudenells. Benchos weto placed along bhewaUs for the accommodation of those who might wish to sit. The floor was chalked for the dancers. ' Dere, young women, dere you is,' said Jovial, lotbily, as he introduced the sisters into this room, and retired. Thero were some thhty-five or forty persons present, including? men, women and children, hut not ono that was known to the sisters. They therefore took scats in a retired corner, from which thoy watched the company. ' How many people thero are ! Where could they all have come from ?' inquired Nora. 'I do not know. .From a distance, I suppose. People will come a long way bo a feast like this. And you know that not only were the tenants and labourers invited, but they were asked to biin'g all their friends and relations as well!' said Hannah. ' And they seem to have improved the opportunity,' added Nora. ' Hush, tny dear ; I do believe here come Mr Brudenell and the ladies.' said'JQTannah. ' And even as she spoko the great doors of the barn were thrown open, and the young landlord and his family entered. First came Mr Brudenell, a young gentle--man of medium height, and elegantly rather than strongly built ; his features were regular and delicate ; hi-s complexion fair and clear : his hair of a pale, soft, golden tint ; and in contia&t to all this, his eyes wero of a deep, dark, burning brown, full of fire, passion and fascination. There was no clonht, about io — liy was beautiful ' I know'thajb is a strange term to apply to a man, but it ig the only true and comprehensive one to characteri-e the personal ap1 pearance of Herman Brudenell. He was attired in a r a a,t black dress suit, without even a breastpin or a watch chain. Upon, his arm leaned his mother, a ball, fair woman with light hair, light blue eyes, high aquiline features, and a haughty air. She wore a rich grey moire antique, and a fine lace cap. Behind them came the two young lady sister?, so li,ke their mother that no ono could have mistaken them. They wore white muslin dreaecs, sa°hes of blue ribbon, and wreaths of blue harebells. They ad- ' vanced wish smiles intended to be gracious, but which were only condescending. The eyes of all the people in the barn were fixed upon this party, except those of Nora Worth, which were riveted upon the young heir. And this was destiny ! There was nothing unmaidenly in her regard. She looked upon him as a peasant girl might look upon a passing prince — as something grand, glorious, sunlike, and immeasurably above her sphere ; but not as a human being, not as a young man procisely like other young men. While thus, with fresh lips glowing apart, and blushing cheeks, and eyes full of innocent admiration, she gazed upon him, he suddenly turned around, and their eyes mot full. He smiled sweetly, bowed lowly, and turned slowly away. And she, with childlike delight, seized her sister's arm, and exclaimed : c Oh,' Hannah, the young heir bowed to me, he did indeed !' ' He could do no less, since you looked at him so hard,' replied the sister, gravely. * But to me, Hannah, to me — just think of it ! No one ever bowed to me before, nob even the negroes ! and to think of him — Mr Brudenell — bowing to me — me '' ' I tell you he could do no less ; he caught you looking ab him ; to havo continued staring you in the face would have been rude ; to have turned abruptly away would have been equally so ; gentlemen are never guilty of rudeness, and Mr Brudenell is a gentleman ; therefore he bowed to you, as I believe he would ha\e bowed to a coloured girl oven.' ' Oh, but ho smiled ! he smiled so warm'y and brightly, just> for all the world like the sun shining out, and as if, as if — ' 1 As it what, you little goose ?' 4 Well, then, as if he was pleased.' 'Tt was because he wae amused ; he was laughing ab you, you silly child !' 'Do you think so ?' asked iNoia, with a sudden change of tone fiom gay to grave. ' I am quite sure of it, dear,' replied the elder sister, speaking her real opinion. ' Laughing at me,' repeated Nora to herself, and .she fell into thought. Meanwhile, with a nod to one, a smile to another, and a word to a third, the young heir and his party passed down the whok> length of the room and retired through an upper door. As soon as they were gone, the negro fiddlers, six in number, led by Jovial, entered, took their seats, tuned their instruments, and struck up a lively reel. There was an immediate stir : the rustic beaux sought their belles, and sets were quickly formed. A long, lanky, stooping young man, with a pale, careworn face and greyish hair, and dressed in a homespun jacket and trousers, came up to the sisters. ' Dance, Hannah ?' ho inquired. 'No, thank you, Reuben ; take Nora out — sho would like to.' ' Dance, Nora V said Rouben Gray, turning obediently to the younger sister. ' Set you up with it, after asking Hannah first, right before my very eyes ! I'm not a-going to take anybody's cast-offs, Mr Reuben !' ' I hope you are not angry with me tor that, Nora ? It waa natural I should prefer

to dance with your sister. I belong to- her like, you know. Don't be mad with me, eaid Reuben, meekly. . _. 1 Nonsense, Rue ' you know I was jolting. Make Hannah dance"; ib will do her good ; she mopes too much,' laughed Nora. ' Do, Hannah, do, dear ; you know 1 can't enjoy myself otherways,' said the, docile fellow. ' And ifc is little enjoyment you have in this world, poor soul,' said Hannah Worth as sho rose and placed her hand in his. ' Ah, but I have a great deal, Hannah, dear, when I'm along o' you,' he whispered gallantly, as he led her off to join the dancers. ' - • , And they were soon seen britbing, whirling, heying and selling with the best of them — forgetting, in the contagious merriment of music and motion, all their cares. Nora was besieged with admirers, who solicited her hand for the dance. But to one and all she returned a negative. v She was tired with her long walk, and would not dance, at least nob this set ;, she preferred to sit still and w atch the others. So at. last she was left to her chosen occupation. She had sat thus but a few momenta, her eyes lovingly following the flying forms of Reuben and Hannah, through the mazes of the dance, her heart 're]oi<#Hg initfheir joy, when a sott voice murmured at her ear, 'Sitting quite alone, Nora? How is that? The young men have not lost their wits, I hope V | She started, looked -up, and, with a vivid blush, recognised holvyoung land^ lork. He was bending over her with the same sweet ingenuous smile that had greeted her when their eyos»*first met that morning. She drooped the long, datk lashes over her eye?, until thoy swept her carmino cheeks, bub she did not answer. 'I have just deposited ray -mother and sisters in their drawing-room," and I have returned to look at the dancers. May 1 take this seat left vacant by your sister?' he asked. 4 Certainly you may, bir,' she faltered forth, trembling with a vaguo delight. 'How much they enjoy themselves — do they not ?' he asked, as he took- the seat and looked upon the dancers with a- benevolent delight that irradiated his fair, youthful countenance. ' Oh, indeed they do, sir,' said Nora, unconsciously, speaking moro from her own personal experience of present happiness, than from her observation of others. ' I wish I could arrive at my majority every few weeks, or else have some other good excuse for giving a great feast. I do so love to see peoplo happy. Ib is the greatest pleasure I have in the world.' ' Yefc you must have a great many other pleasures, sir ; all wealthy people must,' said Nora, gaining courage .bo converse with one so amiable as she found her young landlord. ' Ye 3, I have many others ; but the great est of all is the happiness of making others happy. But why are you not among these dancers, Nora ?' 'I was tiled with my long walk up and down hill and dale. So X would not join them this set. ' ' Are you engaged for the next?' 'No, sir.' ' Then be my partner for it, will you ?' 'Oh, sir!' And the girl's truthful face flushed with surprise and delight Will you dance' with nle, then, for tho next set?' " ' - V,' ' Yes, sir, please.'- !'; 4 Thank you, Nora. But now -fcell me, did you recolleGb trie .as -\\r^l as I remembered you ?' ' Nq, sir.' f 'But that is strange £ .for I knew you again the instant I saw you.' 'But, &ir, you know I. was but a baby when you went away ?' ' That is true.' ' But how, then, did you know me again?' she wonderingly inquired. 4 Easily enough. Though you have grown up into such a line young woman, your face has not changed its character, Nora. You have the same broad, fair forehead and arched brows ; the same dark eyes and long lashes ; the same delicate nose and budding mouth ; and the same peculiar way of smiling only with your eyes ; in a word — but pardon me, Nora, I forgot myself in speaking to you so plainly. Here is a new set forming already. Your sister and her partner are going to dance together ; shall we join them ?' he suddenly inquired, upon seeing that his direct praise, in which he had spoken in ingenuous frankness, had brought the blushes again to Nora's cheeks. She arose and gavo him her hand, and he led her forth to the-ho^d of the set that was now forming, where^she stood with downcast and blushing"" face, admired by all the men, and envied by all the women that were present. This was not the only time ho danced with her. He was cordial to all his guests, but he devoted himself to Nora. ' This exclusivo attention of the young heir to the poor maiden gave anxiety to her sister and oflence to all the other women. ' No good will come of it,' said one. ' No good ever does come of a rich young man paying attention to a poor girl,' added another. ' Ho is making a perfect fool of himself,' said a third, indignantly. ' He is making a perfect idol of her, you had better say,' amended a fourth, more malignant then the rest. ' Hannah, I don't like it ! I'm a sort of elder brother-in-law to her, you know, and I don't like it. Just see how he looks at her, Hannah ! Why, if I was to melt down my heart and pour it all into my face, I couldn't look at you thab-a-way, Hannah, true as I love you. Why, he's just eatintj of her up with his eyes, and as foe her, she looks as if ib was pleasant to be swallowed by him !' paid honest Reuben Gf£as, as he % watched the ill-matched young pair^as they sat absorbed in each other's society in a remote corner of the barn. 'Nor do Ilikeib, Reuben,' sighed Hannah. Tvo a great mind to interfere! I've a right to ! I'm her brother-in-law to be.' 1 No, do not, Reuben ; ib would do more harm than good ; it would make her and everybody else think more seriously of these attentions than they deserve. It is only for to-night, you know. After this, they will scarcely over meet to speak to oach other again.' 'As you please, Hannah, you are wiser than I am ; but still, dear, I must say that a great deal of harm may be clone in a day. Remember, dear, that (though I don't call it harm, but the greatest blessing of my life) it was at a corn-shucking, where we met for the fust time, that you and I fell in love long of each other, and have we ever fell out of it yeb ? No, Hannah, nor never will. But as you and I are both poor, and faithful, and patient, and broken in like bo bear things cheerful, no harm has come of our falling in love at that corn -shucking. Bub now, s'pose them there children fall in love long of each other by looking into each other's prebty eyes— who's bo hinder it ? And what will be the end^ of ib ? He can't marry her ; bhab's impossible ; a man of his rank and a girl of hers ! his mobher and sisters would never let him ! and if they would, his own pride wouldn't ! And so he'd go away and try to forgot her, and and she'd stop home and break her heart ! Hannah, love is like fire, easy to pub oub in the beginning, unpossible at bhe end, You

.jusb better lebmego and heave a bucket of water on to thab there love "while it; is a - kindling and before the blaze breaks out.' 'Go,, then, good Reuben, and tell Nora that I am going home and wish her to come to me at once.' .Reuben arose to obey, but was interrupted by the appearance of a negro footman from the house, who came up to him and said : IMr Reuben, de mistress say will you say to de young uiarster how de gemmen an' ladies is all arrive, an' de dinner will be esarve in ten minutes, an' how she 'sires his presence at de house immediate.' 'Certainly, John ! This -is better, Hannah, than my interference would have been,' said Reuben Gray, as he hurried off to execute his mission. So completely absorbed in each other's conversation were the young pair that they did not observe Reuben's approach until he stood before them, and, touching his forehead, said respectfully : 1 Sir, Madam Brudenell has sent word as the vis'rers be all arrived at the house, and tho dinner will be ready in ton minutes, so phe wishes you, if you please, to come directly.' ' So late !' exclaimed the young man, looking at his watch, and 1 starting up, ' how time flies in some society ! Nora, I will conduct you to your sister, and then go and welcome our guests at the house ; although I had a great deal rather etay where I am,' die added, in a whisper. 'If you please, sir, I can take her to Hannah,' suggested Reuben. But without) paying any attention to the this friendly offer, the young man gave his hand to the maiden, and led her down the whole length of the barn, followed by Reuben, and also by the envious eyes of all the assembly. 4 Here she is, Hannah. I have brought her back to you quite safe, not even weary with dancing. 1 hope I have helped her to enjoy herself,' said the young heir, gayly, as he deposited the rustic beauty by the side of her sister. ' You aro very kind, sir,' said Hannah, coldly. ' Ah, you there, Reuben ! Be sure you take good care of this little girl, and see that she has plenty of pleasant partners,' said the young gentleman, on seeing Gray behind. IBe sure I shall take care of her, sir, as if she was my sister, as I hope some day she may be.' replied the man. 4 And be careful that she gets a good place at the supper-table — there will be a rush, you know.' 'I shall see to that, sir.' 'Good-evening, Hannah; good-evening, Nora,' said the young heir, smiling and bowing as he withdrew from tho sisters. Nora sighed ; it might have been from fatigue. Several country beaux approached, oagerly contending, now that the coast was clear, for tho honour of the beauty's hand in the dance. But Nora refused one and all. She should dance no more this evening, she said. Supper came on, and Eteuben, with one sister on each arm, led them out to the great tent, where it was spread. There was a rush. Tho loom was full and the table was crowded ; but Reubon made good places for the sisters, and stood behind their chairs to wait on them. Hannah, I like a happy, working, practical young woman, in good health, who had earned an appetite, did ample justice to the luxuries placed before them. Nora ate next to nothing. In vain Hannah and Reuben offered everything to her in turn ; she would take nothing. She was not hungry she said ; sho was tired and wanted to go home. 'But wouldn't you rather stay and see the fireworks, Nora ?' inquired Reuben Gray, as they arose from tho table to give place to some one else. 4 1 don't know. Will—will Mr — I mean Mrs Brudenell and the young ladies come out to see thorn, do you think ?' ' No, certainly, they will not, these delicate creatures would never stand outside in tli'©, night air for that purpose.' '"I— l don't think I care about stopping to see the fire works, Reuben,' said Nora. 1 But I tell you what, John said how tho young heir, the old madam, the young ladies, and the quality folks were all a going to see the fireworks from the upper piazza. Th9y have got all the redcushioned settees and arm-chairs put out there for them to sit on.' ' Reuben, I—lI — 1 think I will stop and see the fireworks ; that is, if Hannah is willing,' said Nora, musingly. And so it was settled. The rustics, after having demolished the wholo of a plentiful supper, leaving scarcely a bone or a crust behind them, rushed out in a body, all the worse for a cask of old rye whisky that had been broached, and began to search for eligible stands from which to witness the exhibition 'of the evening. Reuben conducted the sisters to a high knoll at some distance from the disorderly crowd, bnt from which they could command a fine view of the fireworks, which were to be let oIF in the lawn that lay below their stand-point and between them and the fronb of the dwelling house. Here they sat as the evening closed in. As soon as ib was quite dark, the whole front of the mansion-house suddenly blazed forth in a blinding illumination. There were stars, wheels, festoons and leaves all in fire. In the centre burned a rich transparency, exhibiting the arms of the Brudenells. During this illumination none of the family appeared in front, as their forms must have obscured a portion of the lights. Ie lasted some ten or fifteen minutes, and then suddenly went out, and everything was again .dark as midnight. Suddenly from the centre of the lawn streamed up a rocket, lighting up with a lurid fire all the seene — the man&ion-house with the family and their more honoured guests now seated upon the upper piazza, the crowds of men, women and children, white, black and mixed, that stood with upturned faces in the lawn, the distant knoll on which were grouped the sisters and their protector, the more distant forests and the tops of remote hills, which all glowed by night in this red glare. This seeming conflagration lasted a minute, and then all was darkness again. This rocket was but the signal for the commencement of the fireworks on the lawn. Another and another, each more brilliant than the las* 1 , succeeded. There were stars, wheels, serpents, griffins, dragons, all flashing forth from the darkness in living fire, filling the rustic spectators with admiration, wonder and terror, and then as suddenly disappearing as if swallowed up in the night from which they had sprung. One instant the whole scene was lighted up by a general conflagration, the next it was hidden in darkness* deep as midnight. The sisters, no more than their fellow-rustics, had never witnessed the marvels of fireworks, so they gazed from their distant stand-point on the knoll with interest bordering upon consternation. 'Don't you think they're dangerous, Reuben ?' inquired Hannah. • No, dear ; else such a lamed gentleman as Mr Brudenell; aud such a prudent lady as the old madam, would never allow them,' at*9w ered Gray. Nora did not apeak; she was absorbed not only by the fireworkß themselves, bufe

by the group on the balcony .that each illumination revealed ; or, to be exact, by one face in that group— the face of Herman Brudenell. At length the exhibition closed with one grand tableau in many-coloured fire, displaying tho family group of Brudenell, surmounfced by their crest, arms and supporters, all encircled by wreaths of flowers. This pplendid transparency illumined the whole scene with dazzling light. It was welcomed by deafening huzzas from the crowd. When the noise had somewhat subsided, Reuben Gray, gazing with the sisters from their knoll upon all this glory, touched Nora upon the shoulder, and said : • Look !' ' I am looking,' she said. 1 What do you see ?' ' Tho fireworks, of course.' ' And what beyond them ?' ' Tho great house — Brudenell Hall.' •And there?' ' The party on the upper piazza.' ' With Mr Brudenell in the midst V 'Yes.' •Now, then, observe ' You see him, but it is across tho glare of the fireworks ! There is fire between you and him, girl — a gulf of fire ! See that you do not dream > either he or you can pass it ! For either to do so would be to sink one, and that is yourself, in burning fire — in consuming shame ! O, Nora, beware !' He had spoken thus ! he, the poor, unlettered man who had scarcely ever opened his mouth before without a grievous assault upon ,good English ! he had breathed these words ot eloquent warning, as if by direct inspiration, as though his lips, like those of the prophet of old, had been touched by tho living coal from Heaven. His solemn words awed Hannah, who understood them by sympathy,, and frightened Nora, who did not understand them at all. The last rays of the finale were dying out, and with their expiring light the party on the upper piazza were seen to bow to the rustic assembly on the lawn, and then to withdraw into the house. And thus ended the fete day of the young heir of Brudenell Hall. The guests began rapidly to dispetpe. Reuben Gray escorted the sisters home, talking with Hannah all the way, not upon the .splendours of the festival — a topic he seemed willing to have forgotten, ~bub upon crops, stock, wages, and the price of- tea and sugar. This did not prevent Nora from dieaming on the interdicted subject; on the contrary, it left her all the more opportunity to do so, until they all three reached the door of the hill hut, where Reuben Gray bade them good-night. (To be continued.)