CHAPTER XXXI.—Continued

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2176, 19 June 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XXXl.— Continued

•Very,' said George. 'He has—howmany thousands a year, Miss Clayton By Jove ! I wish I was a worthy man too.' • Don't be satirical, Mr Manners,' said Miss Clayton ; and I must tell you that this worthy man is contemplating n fate, or something to that effect, and if you are ao disagreeable I shall tell him not to invite you —though already your name figures on his list.' • Ho is very good I am sure.' •He is,' laughed Laura, lightly, and then she added— 'but you must really go. The children are to be asked, and Miss Williams, and we are to have no end of good things, and dancing, and I know not what.' • Well, when is this wonderful affair to come off. then ?' •In a week. Mr Peel will have every, thing so smart, he declares it will take that time to get ready. He is going to nsk the Colonel of the new regiment for their band, so we will have plenty of military to enliven us, as I suppose the officers will go.' •That will be charming.' 'Of course,' answered Laura, coquettishly. • And Mi«s Clayton will be the belle also, of course,' said George, in the same tone. « MisH Clayton doe* not aspsre to that distinction,' she replied more gravely. No Mr Manners, a few years ago it might have been different ; now I hope lam a wiser, if not a better woman.' • Ha 1 * Limra told you our news ': ' said Mra Momnsey, approaching him. 'Mr Peel is going to give ;i fete this day week in his lovely grounds at Newforth, Isn't it delightful? And we are to have the new regiment, and— oh, Mm Man. ners, there is ono thine I've been just thinking of— conldn't you a*k any friend ? I am sure Mr Peel would be glad to see any friend of yours. Sup* pose you iurito your cousin tiir Hugh Manners to stay with you, and bring him r' • I am not even asked myself,' replied Gedrjre, evasively. 4 Oh, but you are. Here is Mr Peel. Mr Peel, I've been telling our friend Mr Manners about your delightful intentions, and saying I run sure you will be glad also to see his cousin Hugh ?' Mr Peel gave a bow, with his stifflycut, White head, and said— 'Mr Manners, it will give me great pleasure and honour to tee Sir Hugh I Manners at my humble abode. I, as you know, sir, was not always in the position I am now ; but I say, rise to your fortune—that's my motto ; and all I can say is, if Sir Hugh Manners, a baronet of ancient birth and distinguished family, will become my guest, I shall be very happy and proud to see him.' ' I do not even know that my cousin is in Northumberland, said George ; but if he is I will convey your invitation to him.' 'Oh, yes, he is, Mr Manners, said Laura Clayton, who was also not without her small ambition. 'You know,' she continued, with a little nod, who told me.' ' I will hear, at all events,' answered George, 'when I go down.' 'And Mrs Mounsey,' continued Mr Peel, 'I trust you will permit that pretty and interesting young lady, who I think has the charge of your young people at present, to accompany your party to Newforth Hall on the day of my fete? I have been much struck with her modest and pleasing appearance this evening.' •We will see— we will see, Mr Peel,' answered Mrs Mounsey. 'Wo must not fill your rooms all with one party.' •I think there is not much fear of that,' he replied, with considerable pride in his tone. 'My dining-room, madam, is sixty feet in length and thirty wide, and my drawing-room to correspond ; to say nothing of the inner room — the boudoir, my arc. itect called it. No we can accommodate you all, Mrs Mounsey, and I shall trust to see Miss Williams.' ' Oh, yes, Louisa,' said Laura Clayton,

and though rather displeased at the idea, Mrs Mounsey yielded. •Come, let us have another dance,' she said. Where is Miss Williams? I want her to pJay. I don't see her. She certaiuly has not left the room, has she ?' She had not— she was only leaning behind the curtains against one of the windows, looking out into the wet, dark street, and Mr Peel, in his slow way, pointed her out. 1 1 saw the young lady in the end window as I passed a few minutes ago,' he said. ' Shall Igo and ask her to play ?' • Yes, do,' replied Mrs Mounsey ; and she added, significantly, in a low tone to her sister, as the old gentleman turned away, ' you had better look to your conquest, Laura.' For a moment Laura glanced after him, and then, with a smile, she said to George Manners — • Your little friend is turning all the gentlemen's heads, Mr Manners.' i In the meanwhile Mr Feel was returning with Miss Williams on his arm, and was himself giving her an invitation to his fC-te. 1 I trust I shall have the pleasure of seeing you on the 20th, Miss Williams,' he was saying, 'at a little party I propose giving ob that day in my grounds at Newforth Hall ? •I am sure you are very good,' replied the governess. • I consider it is you ladies who are i good to come,' auswered Mr Peel, gal- 1 Fantly ; and he added, a* they came up to the group at the piano, ' this young lady has also been kind enough to promise to honour me on the 29th,' for, though he was rather a pompous old gentleman, he had a good heart, and he was beginning perhaps to sec a little through all Mrs Mounseys charming ways. • I am going to Narbrongh at the end of the week,' said George to Amy Williams, as he stood beside her a moment before he left, 'audl will probably see Hugh Manners.' •Yes,' she answered, without embarrassment, looking in his face. •She has been speaking the truth,' thought George Manners. 'I believe she has been speaking the truth.' • Shall I tell my mother you will come down during the holidays, then? 1 he added. ' I should like to do so very much — like to see them all again.' • Very well,' said George, holding out his hand to her, ' I will tell my mother. Good night, Miss Williams.'