"He might be good," said Margaret; "I only say I never could have liked him." "But you would, my dear-I tell you, you would he was a real hero-he jumped into the sea, to save a man's life. What did it matter that his name was Jacob, then?" As Margaret held stedfastly to her opinion, the argument might have been prolonged for some hours, if she had not been called away to attend to some household affairs. CHAPTER VI. Who with herself, or others, from her birth, Superiors, death and equals, what a curse!— POPE. "Stir the fire, Letitia-sweep up the embers-there's a cinder on the hearth-carpetpick it up. That will do. Now come and smooth my frill, and lay the shawl properly over my feet. Do you know, child, who I am expecting to-night?" "Yes, ma'am; Mrs. Bennett said you were expecting visitors." "Not visitors, child. Relations. What o'clock is it?" 66 66 Half-past six, ma'am.” They should be here by this time. I am expecting relations, Letitia-two young men whom I never saw before. But, as they are my nephews, I have no doubt that they are well-bred and discreet young men; and I beg, child, that you will behave yourself while they are here." "Yes, ma'am." "It is very easy to say, yes, maʼam; but do you know what I mean by behaving yourself?" The poor girl gave a frightened look at her mistress. “I mean, that you are not to speak unless you are spoken to; you are not to put yourself forward; if I am engaged in conversation with my nephews, you are to retire, with a book, to the other end of the room; and, above all, child, don't stare in the young men's faces; if you have to speak to them, fix your eyes upon the ground." "Yes, ma'am." 66 Well, child, come and read to me to pass the time away. Get Horace Walpole's Letters. What o'clock is it?" "Twenty-five minutes to seven, ma'am." "They should be here by this time. Go to the door, Letitia, and listen." "I think I hear the sound of a carriage, ma'am," said the girl, returning. "Hark!" said her mistress. " Yes," as the door-bell rung violently; "now for it, they are come!"" 66 Why don't Richard answer the bell?— Ring, child, ring!-how my heart beats! and I thought it had long left off beating. Now they come. Go away, child, and don't speak unless you are spoken to." The door opened, and a young man came hastily across the room, then stopped, as if uncertain how to greet his unknown relation. She fixed her eyes upon him, with an earnest, scrutinizing gaze, which appeared to him to last for some minutes. "Who are you?" at last she said. "I am Henry Bruce," said the young man, and still stood rather nervously before her. Welcome, then, Henry Bruce, to my house and to my love!" and she held out her hand to him. He took it, then let it fall in silence. "You are welcome, most welcome; but where.... yet stay, sit down. Letitia Williams, come forward, and bring a chair for Mr. Henry Bruce." "Thank you, thank you," said Henry, hastily preventing the girl from moving and drawing a chair to the sofa on which his aunt was lying. "Where is Claude Hastings?" she said, fixing the same inquiring gaze upon him. "He is in London. He desired me to say that he was very sorry to be unable to obey your summons." "And why was he unable to obey my summons? I am displeased, Henry Bruce." "I think he had business," said Henry; "he did not tell me to say so; but I fancy that he had business which he could not neglect." "No business should have stood in the way of my summons-the summons of his nearest relation. I am displeased with him. But I thank you, Henry Bruce, for your early obedience. You are welcome!" And again she held out her hand. "We will now separate till dinner time; my nerves are shaken, I require some repose. Letitia, ring the bell." |