Mrs. Falkland was a good-looking matron of middle age. She was devoted to her children, and so carefully managed her small household affairs, that they scarcely felt the change in their position. All were unusually silent this evening, with the exception of Rose, who, though extremely fond of her brother, and of course sorry to lose him, enjoyed the excitement caused by the preparations for his departure, and was fully impressed with the idea that he would return in the course of six months covered with military honours, and having performed prodigies of valour, like the heroes of the Crusades, whose histories Walter had been so fond of relating to his little sister during the long winter evenings, while Agnes and her mother worked. Happy days, gone perhaps never to return! This evening, though a sad one, passed only too quickly. The following morning, Walter, having previously heard Mass in company with his mother and sister, departed on his journey. We will not attempt to describe the parting scene. It was very distressing to Mrs. Falkland to lose her only son; but her maternal pride was gratified at the thought that he left her only to fight in the cause of our holy religion. Agnes, though broken-hearted when the time for parting arrived, soon recovered her accustomed spirits, and even now found consolation in anticipating her brother's safe return from the perilous expedition on which he was bound. CHAPTER II. CAPTAIN AND LIEUTENANT. "And ne'er did Grecian chisel trace A nymph, a naiad, or a grace, SCOTT. IN a tastefully-arranged boudoir in Ferncliffe Hall, before a pretty cottage-piano, sat a graceful girl of about eighteen years of age. She was tall, strikingly handsome, and every action, every look, revealed that Edith Percival was of gentle blood. Her complexion was brilliant, her eyes of the deepest violet, and her nose slightly aquiline; her mouth was beautifully formed, and when she smiled exhibited a faultless set of teeth; the broad high forehead and straight eyebrows bespoke great intellectual power and strength of character; and her hair, "Whose glossy black to shame might bring was drawn straight back from her brow, and coiled in heavy plaits at the back of her head. A piece of music lay open before her, but it was neglected; while, with her elbow on the keys, and her head resting on her hand, she devoured the contents of a book which lay on her knees. So entirely absorbed was she, that she did not hear a gentle tap at the door, nor notice the entrance of a visitor till she was startled by a light hand being laid on her shoulder. She quickly raised her head, not very well pleased at this unceremonious interruption; but all expression of annoyance vanished, as she said, with a bright smile, "Agnes dear, you can never be unwelcome; had it been anyone else, I must confess that I should have been somewhat vexed at having to lay aside this delightful poem. Have you ever read Childe Harold?" "No, Edith, you know that I have but little time for reading; and I am afraid," said Agnes, looking archly at the neglected piano, "that your beloved books monopolise the time that should be devoted to your music." 66 "O, had I your talent, Agnes, I should be more diligent; but, as it is, it seems to be waste of time to practise more than an hour a day-that is the utmost that my patience will admit of. Mamma is desirous that I should cultivate my voice; and I am happy to tell you that I shall renew my lessons in the spring, when I trust my cough will be quite gone. I look at my songs with longing eyes; but Dr. Melton shakes his wise old head, and says, 'Not yet;' and I tell him that he must answer for the privation endured by my friends, and for the detriment to mamma's health; my noisy pieces are too much for her, but she never gets tired of hearing me sing. You remember, Agnes, what pleasure she took even in listening to my lessons, as she lay on the sofa there by the open window last summer. I know that it raises her spirits, and makes her forget her sufferings; and anything that is in my power to alleviate them is as great a pleasure to me as it can be to her. And Herbert's visits to my little boudoir are shorter than when we used to sing duets together. "How is Mrs. Percival to-day?" asked Agnes. "She is much the same as usual, thank you; but this weather does not suit her very well; I think it would be much better if she spent the winter months in the South. The season that we passed in Rome, she was surprisingly well for her; and I am sure papa thinks as I do; but she dreads the exertion of travelling." "If your little time-piece is right, Edith," said Agnes, "it is already a quarter-past eleven, and our lesson should have begun at the hour." So saying, Agnes placed the music-book on the stand, and they commenced their task. As the clock struck twelve, Edith closed the piano, saying, "I will not detain you longer, Agnes; my last lesson extended beyond the hour. I almost forgot to tell you that I am going to the annual ball at M-to-night, and I have a favour to ask my maid has the toothache, and will be unable to attend my toilet; so will you be kind enough to come and assist me, as mamma's maid is not very expert, if Mrs. Falkland can spare you for a few hours? I will send a servant for you at seven o'clock; and as on our way to M- we shall pass the cottage, we can leave you there. What do you say?" "I shall be quite at liberty," replied Agnes, "and very happy to come and assist you; but you must let me go now, for I am almost due at Mrs. Wilson's. Good-bye: I shall not fail to come." "Good-bye. Give my love to Mrs. Falkland." Agnes then left the room, ran quickly down the stairs, and in a few minutes was on her way, walking in an opposite direction from that which led to her home. She followed the direct path for about a quarter of a mile, then turned to the left, and soon arrived at a large stylish residence. Her ring was instantly answered by a servant in livery, who ushered her into a spacious and handsomely-furnished drawing-room. The style at Hawthorn Lodge was totally different from what it was at Ferncliffe Hall; the furniture, though costly, was not exactly in good taste, being very showy, and there was an absence of that air of refinement which pervaded all the apartments at the Hall. After Agnes had waited at least twenty minutes, a young lady, equipped for riding, entered the room. She was of middle height, and "O, Miss Falkland!" she exclaimed, when she saw Agnes; "I forgot to let you know that I cannot take my lesson to-day. You see it is such a fine day, and we have had such dreadful weather lately, that I have been moped to death with staying in the house; besides 1 have not sung a note since my last lesson. You can come at half-past twelve to-morrow, if you extremely pretty. 66 |