Ll- ^<^//i^-/ice., %^ R^Kd .^y '!in.fcPv?t,. X I B R, A FLY OF THE UN IVER.SITY or ILLINOIS 823 f585w V.I Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2009 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/whoshallbeheir01pick WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? BY MISS ELLEN PICKERING, AUTHOR OF THE PRINCE AND THE PEDLAR," " NAN DARRELL," " THE FRIGHT," " THE QUIET HUSBAND," &c. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON : r. & W. BOONE, 29, NEW BOND STREET. 1840. T. C. Newby, Printer, Angel Hill, Bury. WHO SHALL BE HEIR? CHAPTER I. " What can you and mamma be talking of, • looking, for all the world, as grave as two ^ rooks debatiniz; wlicre to fix their nest, or ^ discussing some tale of scandal in the rook- ery ?" exclaimed Rosalind Trevor, as she threw - licrself on the green at her father^s feet, push- J ing back the long glossy curls that had fallen ^ over her brow, and glancing up with bewitch- ' ing archness. VOL. I. K 2 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? " Our talking concerns your impertinent self/' replied Captain Trevor^ smiling on the animated questioner. " Impertinent quotha ! as they say in the old books ; I pray you, papa, to be a little more precise and correct in your language, since some people consider precision and cor- rectness synonymous with elegance ; and I can- not abide vulgarity/' cried the laughing girl, drawing herself up with the pretence of offended dignity. " Am I to conclude that you have an equal dislike to gravity and wisdom, and never in- tend to engict the woman. Miss Trevor ?" ^^ Fie upon you, papa ! to hint such a wicked, unnatural scandal of your own sweet child ; the very image of you in every thing, as poor old nurse used to declare, save in eyes, nose, hair, complexion, merry mood, and some few other minor particuldrs. Gravity indeed 1 Did not I entertain old Doctor Burns, the learned Grecian, a whole half hour not a week ago. WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 3 never laughing but once and then at a Greek joke that I did not understand V^ " Indemnifying yourself for the penance by mimicking his slowness and pomposity after his departure/' remarked her father ; but Rosalind, taking no notice of his comment, proceeded. " Then for wisdom ! — have not I just used the long word synonymous ? Sy-non-y-mous/' counting on her fingers. " Four whole sylla- bles I declare ! I see I must use words of six or eight before you will think me wise.'' " I desire you will do no such thing, Rosa- lind ; I hate hard words and studied phrases. You may be grave and dignified without using terms fit only for L.L.D.'s." "And A.S.Ses," added his daughter laughing. " Dignity is all very proper in some persons, and on fitting occasions ; but 1 am better suited for comedy than tragedy, as Mr. Rollins dis- covered when seeking amateur actors for his baby theati;^." B 3 4 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? '' How has this folly ended ? I understand that RoUins hopes to obtain my permission for your joining his company as he calls it." ^' 1 have saved you the trouble of saying no^ jjapa ; and the weariness of listening to what he would call arguments, by uttering that un- civil monosyllable myself. I may, in the spirit of fun and frolic, talk nonsense enough to compose three modern comedies ; — nay, when the merry mood is on me, I may consent to dress up like ^ a mime, a mome, a moppet ; or even a malthorse,' but then it is only from the impulse of the moment, and among friends or relatives. I am not going to study speeches and attitudes that I may be talked of, stared at, and criticised by strangers ; and this. I told Mr. Rollins, so you see, papa, I can behave with dignity and decorum on fitting occasions.'^ " Astonishing dignity I have no doubt. Suppose you exhibit some at the present mo- ment, in listening to what I have to tell you, instead of tying flowers into old Bruno's ears,'' WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 5 replied her father, vainly endeavouring to look grave as he marked the good tempered old setter blinking under the operation in most ludicrous perplexity. " Wait one minute, dear papa, and I will be as grave as all the twelve judges in all their twelve wigs ; but I must have a chase after that butterfly first/' exclaimed the merry Rosalind, springing up from the turf, and bounding away after the beautiful insect, now skimming over the velvet sward with the fleet step of a fawn, then pausing to mark the course of the object of her pursuit, as it soared above her reach, with the net extended in her hand; one eager foot scarce resting on the ground, the classically shaped head thrown gracefully back, and her long raven curls wav- ing gently on the breeze. It was impossible for fond, we will not say doting parents, to look upon her without pride. Rosalind might be in the opinion of others a little inconsiderate — a little too rash and inde- 6 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? pendent — a little too lively in the demonstra- tion of her feelings to suit the code of fashion ; but they knew her uprightness and warmth of heart — the depth and delicacy of those feelings — the generosity of her spirit ; and as for the graceful quietude of fashion, who, gazing on her at that moment, with the sun glading so picturesquely through the trembling boughs^ could have wished her other than she was, so lovely was the face — so strikingly graceful the attitude. The sculptor would have wished her turned to stone as she stood there so full of life and grace : — the painter would have longed to transfer her to his canvass bathed in that flood of golden light: — the poet would have ceased for a time to dream of an ideal beauty, and then thrown his pen aside in disgust from the consciousness that no description could do her justice. And he would have done wisely in so doing. She was no fitting subject for pen and ink ; hers was a loveliness to be felt and not described. To rave of a symmetrical WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 7 form or lovely face was not to depict llosalind Trevor as she appeared to those who knew her. Other forms might be as light and rounded — other features far more perfect ; but it was the varied grace of her movements, and the constant play of those features that were so enchanting : — the natural grace — the natural play ; for there was nothing studied, nothing artificial about Rosalind Trevor. Hers was the gaiety of a light heart that as yet had known no sor- row — the grace of a child that never imagined itself the object of observation. The father looked at the mother — the mother looked at the father — and then both looked again at the graceful girl, as she bounded after the gaudy butterfly, followed by the fat old setter, panting and puffing as he endeavoured to keep pace with his young mistress. ^^ I hope we do not love her too much," re- marked Captain Trevor at length. *' We cannot do that ; she deserves all our 8 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? affection/' replied his wife, the fond pride of the mother shown in herearnest tones. " She does indeed ; but we must not make her an idol/' replied her husband; yet the father's eye followed his lovely child with an admiration that scarcely answered to his words. ^^ Now, ^ most reverend, grave, and potent signors,' please to enlighten me as to the sub- ject matter of your wise deliberations,'^ cried Rosalind some moments after, as she again threw herself on the ground at their feet, glowing and panting from her chase; whilst the puffing, wheezing old setter stretched him- self out beside her. ^^ Do you deserve to have your curiosity gratified, after whisking off in that fashion like a mad cow stung by a gad fly ?" " Ah, papa ! if all had their deservings : — but there 1 will say nothing about that, having pity for tender consciences. And as for caUing me a mad cow, I really thought I was only a WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? 9 silly calf at the worst ; and at the best, a very, very good child ; at least, I am sure dear old Mr. Handley will call me so. Do you know I have captured for him the very moral of the butterfly, as old nurse would have said, that we were pursuing for three long miles the other and that her singing must appear to great disadvantage after Maria's ; but thus urged she thought it would seem like affectation or ill nature to refuse. '^ You shall have your wish, and my com- pliance "wilL prove the truth of my assertion that it requires a finer voice to do it justice. I never tried it but once a long time since, and shall prove an admirable foil to Miss Weston.'^ Mrs. Weston asserted her conviction that Miss Trevor would sing exquisitely, and do full justice to the composer ; and whilst Maria was looking about for a missing leaf, Rosalind had 114 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? the annoyance of hearing Edred Cottrell assure Mrs. Denham and others that she possessed one of the most powerful and highly cultivated voices he had ever heard ; and the still greater vexation of marking, as she believed, a mocking smile on the lip of Rupert Wyvill. "^ Exquisite ! divine ! enchanting ! Not Malibran herself could have outdone that ! I can now understand the Italian ykror for sweet sounds, being half transformed into a./anatico myself by your delicious strains. Do give us one more song in the same style }'* exclaimed the enraptured Cottrell, attempting to detain her at the piano. " Hush ! hush ! cousin Edred, before you have proved yourself utterly deficient in judg- ment. Your eyes," glancing at those around, " if not your ears, should tell you that my at- tempt was a failure — an utter failure," replied his cousin, leaving the instrument notwith- standing his efforts to detain her. ^^ A failure, Rosalind ! How can you say WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 115 SO I I have seldom heard any thing more exqui- site. Have you Wyvill ?" he added appeahng to Rupert. " I do not boast of my taste in music as you do, Cottrell/' he began, looking up from a print over which he was bending. " Thank you, Mr. Wyvill, for not paying me a compliment at the expence of your sincerity,^^ said Rosalind quickly. " You cut off my sentence in the middle. Miss Trevor, or its termination might have given a different character to my words.'^ '^ That was not polite of my cousin Rosalind, but really you spoke so slow, Wyvill, that no wonder a quick-witted person should grow impatient, and interrupt you. What is come to you, man ? You want some quicksilver,'' rattled on Edred Cottrell, laying hold of Ru- pert's shoulder to turn him round to the light. " I never was a will-o'-the-wisp — a dancing meteor ; and my long confinement to the house with that horrid fever has left me dull and weak." 116 WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? " Oh, yes the fever ! — I remember now. You tumbled into a river or some such thing. Did not they shave your head ? Do you wear a wig ? You are looking monstrous sallow quite interesting ! the ladies like sallow men, only your hair ought to be jet black, instead of which it is only dark brown. ^' " La, Mr. Cottrell, how funny you are go- ing on y cried Miss Bailey tittering. ^■' Do you object to my being funny }" '■' Oh ! dear no— I like it." ^^ Do you deny that ladies prefer sallow men ? Now take care how you answer.'^ " 1 declare I do not know what you mean : I am sure I don^t think you sallow/^ repUed the silly, simpering girl. *' Yet still you like me. Miss Bailey ?" " I did not say so— did I ? You are so droll Mr. Cottrell.^^ '^ If you did not say so, you thought so, for which receive my unbounded gratitude,'^ said Jidredj making a most profound bow, at which WHO SHALL BK HEIR? 117 the young lady simpered still more, and might have again expressed her wonder at his drollery had she not been called on to perform a duet with her sister. ^^ What a beautiful creature 1 I never saw any one so lovely ;" observed Rosalind Trevar to Edredj as he again sauntered towards her, Mrs. Denhani, with whom he had before been conversing, having left him to speak to Mr, Ad nam. '^ Whom do you mean ?" " Are you blind as well as deaf this evening? Whom can I mean but Maria Weston ? Fea- tures, figure, and complexion all so perfect^ and so dazzHng ; with such bright golden hair, and so much style.^' '^ And so much expression — will you not add that too?" asked Edred looking at Maria through his glass. " Not much ; but what there is is pleasing and amiable. I am sure she has a very good temper, notwithstanding her mother's attempts to spoil her.'' 118 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? " A fig for the good temper, which is the result of indolence and want of feeling ! Give me mind in a woman." " That is if her mind can always be the same as yours ; otherwise I doubt if we ladies are considered more attractive for having minds.'^ ^^ YeSj, you are Rosalind ; that is a libel on our sex. Give me a quick wit, a warm heart, and a countenance that changes its expression every moment, like a summer sunset. Rosa- lind Trevor is worth ten Maria Westons." " More beautiful ?^' questioned Rosalind archly, looking up in his face. '^ A thousand times more so in my eyes," "^ A richer, and more powerful voice?'' " Far richer, and far more thrilling to my taste," '^ Get thee behind me, evil spirit ! thou w^ouldst league thyself with my natural vanity against me,'* replied Rosalind, making a motion with her hand as if to put him away, whilst a slight frown came on her brow. WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 119 " I am no evil spirit, Rosalind ; my words are the words of truth." " Rather of guile and falsehood." '' 1 protest !" " Protest not ! for I will believe no such protestations. Must I repeat that I prefer sincerity, though amounting to bluntness, to the silver tones of flattery ?" she rephed, wounded at his pertinacity ; and the more so as Rupert Wyvill was within hearing, and again she fancied with a mocking curl upon his lip. " This is but your enchanting modesty, Rosalind, which lends a fresh charm to your beauty.'^ "Now hush, cousin Edred, if you would ever, have me believe you again. Do you suppose that I have neither eyes nor ears ? I know that 1 am neither a gorgon, nor a sea-gull ; but as for comparing my face or voice to Miss Weston's, no one b ut an idiot could do it in sincerity — no one but a knave would do it in 120 WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? insincerity. So there are two horns of a dilemma — on which will you be tossed ? Shall I count you knave or idiot ? or will you for- swear flattery, and let me still believe you honest and reasonable ?" " I will think anything — say anything which you command, so that you will but hold me in high favor," "Is this to prove you honest or reasonable ? However it will be no hard task master; so do but keep clear of flattery, and we will be good friends ; for as Miss Bailey says, you are very droll and amusing." " My admiration shall not be expressed in words since you desire silence ; but my thoughts — '^ " 1 fear not the flattery of your thoughts/' she observed interrupting him. " Only pray get rid of this sentimental air which does not at all become you, and reach me that large book, for I have a fancy to look at its con- tents." WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 121 Turning to point out the book, she saw that Mrs, Denham was standing near, and she fancied watching her ; whilst Mrs. Sewell was saying something to her in an earnest tone. *^ Do come and sing me one of my favorite ballads, my dear," said Mrs. Sewell ap- proaching. ^^ Not one more note to-night, though you have been persuading Mrs. Denham that I sing ballads exquisitely.^' " I only — " began Mrs. Sewell, confounded by Rosalind's accusation. ^' You only did, my dear Mrs. Sewell, just w^hat you engaged not to do — namely praised me-— I guess it all,'' said Rosalind reproachfully. " Nay but, Rosa dear ; I only said that you were very good-natured to sing that song." *^ Then you said, pardon my freedom, the thhig which was not. It was not at all good- natured ; — I did it out of pure wilfulness, and VOL. 1. 6 122 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? had there been any person present whom I wished to charm^ I should not have under- taken what I knew I could not perform.'^ " Well but, Rosa dear, now do sing ? Don*t be wayward/* " Ah ! Mrs. Sewell, so the truth will out ; and I am wayward, am I, despite all your praises ? Ay, and I will be wayward too, so look you to it. It is a singular coincidence that 1 am always particularly wilful, just when you w ish me to be particularly amiable." " Now, Rosa, how can you be so provoking ? Mrs. Denham wishes you to sing some English song." ^^ Now if I find you out in a fib, Minny, you shall be put in the corner, and have your finger burnt in the candle to show what story tellers will have to endure hereafter,^^ cried Rosalind with glee, " Mrs. Denham, do you wish me to sing an English song ?'* she added turning to that lady with sudden gravity. WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 123 *^ Yes/' answered Mrs. Denham, in her usual quiet tone. *^ Caught ! caught ! fairly caught !'* ex- claimed Mr. Adnam. ^' There I told you so/' cried Mrs. Sewell, triumphantly. ^•' Yes indeed, caught in my own toils/* said Rosalind, vexed with herself for having made the appeal ; and vexed with her hostess for having answered as she had done. " But Mrs. Denham only said yes to save you, Mrs. Sewell, from being put in the corner for telling fibs." '^ I answered your question truly. Miss Trevor/* observed Mrs. Denham, with a gravity that ill accorded with the playful con- versation carried on by those around her. '^ There, Rosalind, now you must sing/* cried Mrs. Sewell in still greater glee. '^ Certainly ; it would be rude to refuse after having asked the question ; I shall be more G 3 J 24 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? prudent in future, and you may depend on my paying you off, Minny/' added Rosalind, hold- ing up her finger in merry menace. ^^ There was a song your mother used to sing in former days, that was a great favorite of mine," said Mr, Adnam. " Did you know my mother then ?" asked Rosalind with interest. ^^ Yes, and admired, ay, and loved her too, as all who knew her did ; and I am rejoiced to meet her daughter under this roof, where we have passed so many happy hours together." ^' I did not know that you were a friend of my mother's ; it is delightful to meet those who love her,'' said Rosalind with feeling. " What is the name of your favorite song ? If I know it, you shall have it, though it should suit my voice no better than the Ranz des Vaches." '^ I have not heard such kindly tones for a long time, young lady ; old as I am, I shall be W;iO SHALL BE HEIR? 125 more in love with you than I was with your mother." " Please not, Mr. Adnam, people are so stupid when they are in love. What is the name of the song ?'* '* I think the first line runs thus :— * Deceit may dwell in winning smile,' Do you know it Y* " I would rather not sing it/' answered Rosalind quickly, with an involuntary glance at Mrs. Denham. " Nay but you said I should choose, and I will have no other." " Very well then, since it must be so," replied Rosalind, taking her seat at the piano without further comment. 126 WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? SONG. Deceit may dwell in winning smile. And fraud in beaming glance ; Mean hearts may stoop to practise guile. Or weak ones bend to chance ; And all beside grow false and cold — All fail in love and truth : Not so the friend I lov'd of old — The friend of early youth. Oqr young feet stray'd beside the brook. That murmur'd sweetly by ; On wood and wave we bent our look. Then sought each other's eye. Our hopes, our joys had but one will — Both wept when sorrow came ; Through chance and change— through good and ill Our love shall be the same. " Beautiful ! just as your mother used to sing it^ only perhaps with a little more energy — a little more passion, if I may be allowed the expression/' exclaimed Mr. Adnam at the conclusion of the song, breaking the silence which had been maintained by all. " It is a pretty, simple air, and suits Miss WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 127 Trevor's voice/' observed Mrs. Weston Avith a polite and patronising manner. Mrs. Denham turned away without speaking, whilst Mrs. Sewell, forgetful of her promise, began praising her young favorite and her performance to Mrs. Bailey, who would have preferred some other subject, for, though a good-natured woman, she did not wish to have her own consciousness of Rosalind's superiority over her daughters confirmed by the opinion of another. " I never heard that song before, though I thought I knew all your stock,'' observed Edred to his cousin* " I never sing it to strangers — my mother would not like it." " Strangers, Rosalind ! Do you count me a stranger ?" " I count you a very merry, amusing person, and good-natured in the main, though a little mischievous sometimes." ^^ In plain prose, an unfeeUng rattle. 1 128 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? thank you. Miss Trevor \" he replied piqued at her words. ^' That is your interpretation not mine. Do you proclaim yourself sentimental, and wish me to affix my signature to the proclamation ?" " No, Momus defend me from the sentimen- tals ! But I am not unfeeling." *^ I never said you were. You have the prose, but not the poetry of feeling ; that is scarcely in man^s nature — it requires the quick- ness, the delicacy of woman's tact to perceive the many shades, the softer tints of suffering or affection/^ ^' Ah, yes ; that is all too poetical and senti- mental for me ; I am for the lights of life, and leave the shades to others. But what change has come over you since your arrival here ? I never heard you talk book before. For which of your present audience is this intended ? Not for Mrs. Denham, or Rupert Wyvill it is to be hoped ; for they seem quite insensible to your eloquence, the former having walked WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 129 away— the latter being absorbed in study. And I fear the rest of the company have not profited much by your oratory. I must yetort your advice to me not an hour since, sweet coz. Get rid of the sentimental, fot it does not suit you. Vive la bagatelle ! — let that be our motto.--Do play me a merry, jig. Miss Bailey, lest Miss Trevor's sentimental singing and sentimental face should infect me with the blue&." " AVhy there is no pleasing you, weather- cock as you are. Scarcely five minutes back you were blaming Miss Trevor for not thinking you the very extract of feeling ; and now you are quarrelling with her for not being as rattle-^ brained as yourself," observed Mr. Adnam displeased with what seemed a censure on hi& favorite song.. ^'To be sure, Mr. Adnam. Do you suj)pose in the present state of loconaotion that one is to remain longer in the same mind, than in the ^.ame place ? Let who will be a railway G 5 130 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? Station never moving — let me be a railway carriage, whisking through the air — the wonder of the timid and commonplace.^^ " Leaving nothing but smoke behind/^ re- marked Mr, Adnam drily, " Illuminating the country as I pass along, and bearing millions in my train. You must get rid of your old fashioned notions ; my steam is up, and I shall carry the day. You will be one of my company, Miss Trevor, will you not ?*' " Do not think of it ; his company is below par," said Mr. Adnam, *^ Do you mean the present company ? Send him to Coventry, ladies and gentlemen for the insult,^' repHed Edred glancing gaily round on his hearers. " Ha ! ha ! Mr. Adnam you would blow me up, if you could; — but you can^t;— I can bear a pressure of sixty pounds on the square inch without exploding. Now Miss Bailey for the jig." ** Ah, yes ! that young fellow is too quick WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 131 for me, I am getting old and stupid/' said Mr. Adnam with a good-humoured shake of the head. "He will carry all before him." " I thought he boasted of dragging all behind him/' observed Rupert Wyvill looking up from his book. " There is the rub ! those steam carriages can go either way ; and so can he : rash on till you think him lost by his rashness, when — lo ! he suddenly backs out of the difficulty, and runs over you, so that there is no knowing where to have him. I wish you would enter the field agiinst him, Wyvill.^^ "Thank you, sir, but I am much more in- clined at present to take my ease than to enact the warlike." " Indolence should be left to us worn-out old fellows, who can only point a moral, not adorn a tale. You should be active and daring — ready for any thing. Do stir him up. Miss Trevor; you have energy enough to inspire and animate all around you." 132 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? *' In plain prose, as Mr. Cottrell says, I am a romp and a vixen — Is that what you mean, Mr. Adnam ?" questioned Rosalind archly, yet with a slight touch of vexation in the tone. " No such thing, Miss Trevor ; I am sure you are neither. Come, Wyvill, do say some- thing pretty for me — play the courtier, if you will not play the hero." *^ I am afraid I should prove as unskilful in one as the other ; and Miss Trevor professes a dislike to pretty speeches.** *^ Psha, man ! Do you believe all a young lady's professions ? If so lack-a-day for your wisdom.'* *^- At present I am just in the mood to be- lieve whatever will entail least trouble." " Out upon your indolence ! You want a good shaking or a good scolding. Do assist me, Miss Trevor, in inflicting the latter.'^ ^^ What do you take me for a scold, as well as a romp and a vixen ? that is supposing me WHO SHALL RE HEIIl? 13S endavved with a superabundance of energy indeed.'^ '' No^ no ! I do nothing but get into scrapes to-night. But there is Rupert Wyvill, a clever, well informed young man.'^ " Is he," observed Rosalind quietly. " Ay, that he is ; and can be very pleasant.^' '* Can he/' repeated Rosalind in the same> dry tone, which could not be called assenting. " To be sure he can, though he will not give himself the trouble to attempt it half his time Now do persuade him to make himself agree- able.'^ " I am still a very simple body in some things, Mr. Adnam ; but I gave up attempt- ing impossibilities some fifteen years ago, whea I found I could not induce my doll to talk." *• There Wy vilL ! won't that pique you into playing the pleasant ?" " 1 am never piqued into playing any thing.'' 134 WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? " For the honor of my penetration at least do prove that you can be agreeable." " Excuse me : I cannot undertake to prove the truth of all my friends' assertions. If they will draw rash conclusions I cannot help it." " It is not a rash conclusion ; you know you can be exceedingly agreeable," exclaimed Mr. Adnam pettishly, vexed at his ill success. " I have known you entertain j^our hearers, ay, absolutely enchain their attention for hours together. And this I must beg yon to believe, Miss Trevor, whatever he may choose to say to the contrary," " Miss Trevor is not given to credulity," ob- served Rupert with a smile, which, though slight, had something of mischief in it. " It is a fact," said Mr. Adnam resolutely. '' That settles the point ; I never believe a fact," said Rosalind laughing. " Theories may be true or false; but facts are never to be trusted ; they are like props, brought forward to support a falling superstructure," WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 135 " It is very tiresome of you both,'^ cried the old gentleman still more petulantly. " I would have vouched for your being reasonable. Miss Trevor." " Vouch for Mr.WyvilPs being agreeable if you please, that is your concern, or his ; but never I warn you vouch for my being reason- able/' interposed Rosalind before he could finish the sentence.. "You are out of luck to-night, Mt. Adnam," said Rupert with more animation than he had hitherto shown. "You pull the wires, but your puppets refuse to dance.'* " Am I to understand that you designate me as a puppet ?^' questioned Rosalind a little haughtily. " That is right ! At him Miss Trevor — he deserves it," cried Mr. Adnam rubbing his hands with glee ; " you are in for it now, Wyvill ; for she has a sharp wit.*' " Has she," said Rupert in precisely the same tone employed by Rosalind a short time before, when told of his being a pleasant, well informed young man. " Yes that she has : she ean make you succumb if she will." " Can she," said Rupert in the same tone. *' Yes, that she can ! cut him up. Miss Trevor ! show what you can do when piqued.'^ " I am never piqued into doing anything," answered Rosalind, following Rupert's lead and using his former words and tone. " Oh ! don't let him off in that way. Attack bim, and he will rouse himself to the encounter- Do not believe that his indifference is real." *^ I am in a mood to believe an^y thing that will cause me least trouble,^' said Rosalind,, turning away to join Mrs. Sewell, after one glance at Rupert to see how he bore her words. She felt rather piqued at the discussion — was be the like ? J f so he did not show it ; and she fancied she could perceive the same scarcely perceptible smile of conscious power, which bad BO much annoyed her some yeara before.. WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 137 Fatigued with her journey she retired to rest almost immediately, whilst Mr. Adnam betook himself to scolding Wyvill for his indolence, regretting that he had not been able to get up a fight, as he called it^ between him and Rosa-' lind. 138 WHO SlIALL BE HEIR? CHAPTER V. " Do come and join us instead of sitting out here with a book, looking so learned and un- sociable?" began Mrs. Sewell, approaching Rosalind, who was seated in an inner apart- ment, too much delighted with the work she was perusing to speculate on what opinions might be formed on her keeping apart from the other guests. " But I am so happy, dear Minny ; and being neither German wool, needle, nor can* vass, the ladies can do very well without me." WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? 139 " But Mrs. Denham may think it odd, my dear/^ " What's Hecuba ta me, or I to Hecuba ?" exclaimed Rosalind Trevor in, a mock heroic tone. ^^ Depend upon it she is thinking of her next rent-day— not of me.'^ •' It is very wrong of you, Rosalind, to speak in this way of your hostess ; for your mother's, sake, you should try to please her. Remem- ber what friends they were in their youth.'* " What then ? Whose fault is it, that they are not friends now ? But we discussed that point yesterday ; and you have not kept your ^ engagement. You know you have been prais- ing me contrary to our agreement, therefore I am not bound to be more than civil to Mrs., Denham ; that is all which she has a right to. expect from me, so say no more about it.'^ " You are in a wilful mood again, I can see that," said Mrs. Sewell in vexation. Rosalind laughed, and looked playfully malicious. 140 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? " But do put away your book, Rose ; and come to the work table : I want you to amuse me." *' You want me to amuse you ? Don't tell fibs, dear Minny, as I warned you last night, or you will be in the corner in no time. You can amuse yourself very well w ithout me ; but I see how it is : the gentlemen having departed for the fair, either to buy horses or to sell them — to cheat or to be cheated, I do not remember •which — the ladies need some entertainment, so have sent you to engage me for the purpose. Is there no monkey, or boy with mice and a hurdy-gurdy that would do as well ; then I might be allowed to read in peace ?'^ '^ Nonsense, Rosahnd ! you do fancy such odd things. The truth is every one is remark- ing that you keep aloof from your cousins, so they are setting you down as proud and dis- agreeable ; and this vexes me. You have scarcely spoke to any of them since your arrival.*^ WHO SHALL IJE HEIR? 141 ^^ Which said arrival took place yesterday about five o^clock ; and I chattered as fast as I could till I went to bed, and continued to talk in my sleep. Will you have the goodness to hold a committee, Mrs. Denham chairwo- man, and decide how many words it is needful I should utter in one day : — that determined, I will get my task over as early as possible in the morning ; and then perhaps I may be allowed my evenings to myself.^' " You are in such an odd humour, Rosalind, that I do not know whether you arc in jest or earnest," said Mrs. Sewell, really bewildered by her young favorite's gravity. " Leave the problem unsolved, dear Minny," answered Rosalind with a smile. " The earth will twirl round on its axis just the same whether I play sage or pule Inella" '^ Very likely, my dear child, but you are too young to set the opinion of the world at defiance ; besides it does not do for a woman at any time." 142 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? " No, it is not one of our very few privileges certainly; and there is the hardship. Now a man may go hop, skip, and jump through the world with one side of his face like a harlequin, and the other like a judge ; and provided he can give his friends good dinners, Havannah cigars, and a battu, he is considered not only amusing^ but estimable and clever ; whilst we poor women alas ! must walk through life as if we had been drilled, with a stately step and sober dignity, eschewing all feeling and romance — working ottomans — keeping the house — scolding the servants — and obeying one's husband." *^ Well, Rosalind, is not that all right — and a womans' duty ?" '^ Oh, yes ! all right ! and a woman's duty ! — at least so the menfolks say." " Well, and they are wiser than we are." '' Umph 1 they take degrees at Oxford and Cambridge if that is to be counted as proof.'* " You are in a very droll way this morning. WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 143 Rosa: I never thought you at all masculine before. Surely you do not want to give good dinners, battus, and Havannah cigars/' " My good fairy defend me !" cried Rosalind bursting into a fit of laughter at the bewilder- ment of the matter of fact Mrs. Sewell. " I have no taste for entremets or cigars ; and have always kept at a respectful distance from a gun, since Michael shot off my favorite curl ; but I am in a merry mood this morning, and should like the privilege of a hop, skip, and a jump sometimes. I shall never be drilled into a proper, sober, womanly nonentity, like my beautiful cousin Maria Weston, so it is of no use to attempt it. Like those cows in the distance, when bitten by the gad-fly mischief, I must have my way, and frisk hither and thither at pleasure ; ay, and laugh and cry too when touched or amused." '^ I do not wish to drill you into silence, Rosalind, your spirits are so delightful ; only do come and sit with your cousins, for I can- 244 WFIO SHALL BE HEIR ? not bear to hear every body talking of your being proud and unsociable, and giving your- self airs. As I said before, a woman should not brave the opinion of the veorld." " She must be a brave woman indeed who would do so. Every body — and the world. What grand, high sounding words ! Collective nouns, or collective pronouns, or some such things. Quite terrific ! Bugbears to alarm the grown up children of this earth. The world generally means three old gossips — male or female, as the chance may be — a dandy, and a flirt. Now is it wise to heed the criticism of five such judges ?" " You are all in the wrong, Rosalind ; it was a very clever person who said it, and a great favorite of yours.^^ " Did Mr. Wyvill say so ?^' questioned Rosa- lind with great animation. *^ No, my dear ; I did not know that he was a favorite of yours.'^ *^ Certainly not ;" replied Rosalind colour- WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? 145 ing. '^ I alluded to the first part of your remark/^ " Oh ! to his being clever. Why people say so ; but he does not talk much, and never looks atj or thinks of you/^ A shght pouting of her ruby lip was Rosa- lind's only comment on this assertion. *^ Who may this very clever person be then, who honors me with his remarks T' "• Edred Cottrell, my dear." " Edred Cottrell !" repeated Miss Trevor in great surprise, and some indignation. ^' Yes, Edred Cottrell ; and I hope you will heed what he says, as he is such a great friend of yours.^^ " 1 must know all and about it first, so sit down here and tell me," said Rosalind after a moment's thought. *^ Ay, now you are growing reasonable,*' observed Mrs. Sewell, delighted at the pros- pect of carrying her point. '^ No, Minny dear, I am not reasonable ; but VOL. I. H 146 WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? I am very impatient, so pray tell me at once. What did Mr. Cottrell say ? and when did he say it ? and to whom did he say it ?" «^ Why we, that is the Baileys and Westons/' said Mrs. Sewell, correcting herself, " were talking about you this morning in the breakfast room after you had strolled out on the lawn ; and Mrs. Bailey remarked that you seemed a niceish young woman, only rather difficult to make acquaintance with." " A niceish young woman !" muttered Rosa- lind with a half satirical, half comical smile ; but Mrs. Sewell did not hear her and continued. " ^ Yes, said Mrs. Weston, she does appear very unsociable ; I will not be uncharitable and say that she gives herself airs, but hope her seeming pride is merely the effect of her country education and limited knowlege of the world — the awkwardness of one brought up in seclusion. Ease and elegance are only to be acquired by mixing from childhood in the Iiighest circles, she added with an approving WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 147 glance at her eldest daughter, who is a dull piece of still life to mj mind. ' She sets up for a wit and a clever woman, and has no re- pose of manner, and no taste in dress/ observed Terry Weston, arranging his hair at the glass. I could have boxed the puppy^s ears. — ^ She is a monstrous fine girl with some dash, some go in her,' remarked his brother Richard, flicking his whip, or Tommy as he calls it, at his sister. ^ She does not condescend to speak to any one but Mr. Cottrell — what does he say of her ? You all saw how silent she was at breakfast between papa and Mr. Wyvill,' observed Miss Bailey pertly. As if you could have talked to her papa indeed, who knows nothing of any- thing but stocks and funds. — ^ I agree with Richard Weston, Miss Bailey : Miss Trevor is a monstrous fine girl with some dash — some go in her, or, to use more elegant and appropriate language, she is a beautiful, talented, high spirited girl.' — ^ Oh ! she is such a favorite of yours, of course you will say so. And I sup- H 3 148 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? pose you will not allow her to be proud and unsociable/ sneered Miss Bailey. I could have boxed her ears too.'^ ^^ You must have a very large organ of combativeness, my dear Mrs. Sewell/^ observed Rosalind laughing. ^^ 1 shall have to stand bail for you for a breach of the peace in my behalf. But what did cousin Edred say to this r' '^ Oh ! he took your part of course, saying — ' You are mistaken. Miss Bailey ; Miss Trevor is not proud — she is ever kind to the poor and humble ; but you must not expect a girl with her beauty and talents to find pleasure in gene- ral, commonplace society. She would not pur- posely be rude, but, being very clever herself, she is only interested in those who resemble her ; and therefore sometimes gives offence to strangers unintentionally, by showing her pre- ference for a book, or her own thoughts. I wish for her own sake she would always make herself as delightful as 1 have seen her at times. WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 149 I daresay you will find her very agreeable when she comes to know more of you ; bnt she seldom takes to new acquaintances unless she thinks them remarkably clever and spiritueL' — ' So she considers us all stupid, silly and common- place ; and therefore will not take to us/ ex- claimed Miss Bailey in a huif. — ^ She never told me this, so you must not repeat what I have said, it may be only my fancy ,^ replied Mr. Cottrell, vexed at having let out so much. — * I shall certainly not force myself upon her, and think in so young a person a little humility would be desirable. As her especial friend, Mr« Cottrell, you should advise her to show more respect and regard for her relatives. Were my girls to exhibit so much hauteur, which I am sure they will not, 1 should be very much an- noyed. Do not you agree with me, Mrs. Den- ham, that it shows a defect in disposition or education when a girl gives herself airs?' re- marked Mrs. Weston.'' 150 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? " Did not you long to box her ears too ?" asked Rosalind archly. " That I did, as you may suppose^ particu- larly when Mrs. Denham said yes." " Was that all she said ?" " Yes, all ; you know she never says much ; but she did not look best pleased, and 1 am sure wishes you to talk more to your cousins." " Did Mr. Cottrell say anything further ?" ^^ Not a great deal, for the horses were an- nounced almost immediately. He said you were too talented to be judged by common rules; and that when you took a fancy to a person you were perfectly bewitching, but otherwise you were generally considered re- served and unsociable. He would try and per- suade you to be more accessible, but feared he had not much influence. And that was all I think. Oh, no ! I remember some one, Terry Weston I believe, said he was sure you were satirical ; but Mr. Cottrell would not allow this WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 151 at all, declaring, on the contrary, that you al- ways laughed at every body in a good-natured way." ^^ And this was really all that passed ?" asked Rosalind anxiously. " Yes ; that is the sense of all that passed, and, as far as I can remember, the words." ^^ And did Mrs. Sewell say nothing in de- fence of her pet ?" " You know, Rosalind, you insisted yester- day that I should not speak of you at all," re- plied Mrs. Sewell looking away. " And 3-0U heard me abused yet kept silence ?" Mys, S^weU made no reply. "• Ab> naughty Minny 1 you would tell a fib if you dared, and did not think I should find you out." " Well then I did speak, if you must know. It was not in flesh and blood to hold my peace when they accused you of giving yourself airs, which you never did in all your life, though 152 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? you may be a little wilful and vexatious some- times.'^ " I hope you had the candour to admit that in the midst of all your eulogiums." " No, to be sure I did not. But there are you laughing at what I have told you, when I am all in a passion/' " That is very wrong, my dear Mrs. Sewell, and comes of your country education." " You may jest as you please, Rosalind ; but it is no jesting matter," observed the old lady pettishly, though unable to resist a smile at Rosalind's merry face. " I think a great deal of what I have told you," *^ So do I ; but J cannot help laughing at your being in such a rage with these good people for abusing your pet." ^^ You might be better employed. Miss Trevor, than in laughing at your mother's old friend who loves you as well as that mother herself," ^ Much better employed, dear Minny ; and WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 153 that is in thanking you for all your kindness/' said the affectionate girl, kissing her cheek. " Ay, that is the way you get over me/^ re- plied Mrs. Sewell, returning the caress, and looking as if she thought there was no one on earth like her young favorite — so good — so fair — so clever. " But 1 wish you would think seriously of what I have been saying." '* I do think very seriously of it," answered Rosahnd, with a look of thought that delighted Mrs. Sewell. **' Then you will come into your cousins." *' This instant, and talk to them all. I will convince Mrs. Bailey that I. am not a niceish girl — assure Mrs. Weston that I w ill give my- self as many airs as I please ; and tell Miss Bailey that r>he is the dullest of the dull — the most commonplace of the commonplace.'^ *' My dear Rosalind, you will never think of such a thing 1 You cannot be in earnest,^' ex- claimed Mrs. Sewell, catching hold of her arm to detain her. II 5 154 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? " Not in earnest^ my dear Mrs. Sewell. Why should you think me otherwise ?" " Now, Rose, now do consider/' pleaded poor Mrs. Sewell in an agony. " Mrs. Denham is there — what will she think ?*' ^^ That I know how to defend myself from false accusations." " Oh ! Rose, I entreat you to consider : I ought never to have told you what was said." " No, that is the thing, Mrs. Sewell ; it was a great breach of confidence in you —a most unwise disclosure,'^ cried the laughing Rosa- lind. " You should not never asked me.'' " Oh ! Mrs. Sewell, you are like the rest of the world, doing wrong and then trying to lay the blame on another." '' Well, Rose, I know I was in fault,'^ said Mrs. Sewell humbly. 'Mt is a singular coin- cidence that where you are concerned I am always doing wrong, and it was just the same when I tried to serve your mother/' WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 155 " A very singular coincidence indeed," ob- served Rosalind, trying to look grave. " But you will not take advantage of my folly, and get me into a scrape, Rose," said Mrs. Sewell coaxingly. " You know it was all iny affection for you that led me into this error, so you must not let out that I have repeated what was said. Promise me that." " And keep the promise as well as you kept yours not to praise me ?" asked Rosalind archly. " I could not be silent then ; but do promise to be prudent." " Prudent indeed ! Am I not always pru- dent ? Come along and see with what con- summate wisdom I can act." ^^ Then you will not say anything, Rosa dear ?" she urged holding her back. " Not say anything ! 1 intend to say a great deal," replied the merry Rosalind, looking so mischievous that poor Mrs. Sewell was in an 156 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? absolute fright. " Come along," she continued, drawing her towards the door. ^' But, Rose my dear, do think ! — Mrs. Den- ham there too ! Do pray consider !" ^^ Oh, yes I am a person of great considera- tion," said Rosalind^ bursting from her hold and flinging back as she reached the door a look of merry malice that completed Mrs. SewelFs embarrassment. Rosalind forgot that others could see as well as her old friend, and as she turned again towards the drawing room her eye encountered Mrs. Denham^s steady gaze. Colouring slight- ly, but without making any remark she passed on direct to the work table round which most of the guests were assembled. '^ Do give me a seat by you. Miss Weston, and shield me from cruel Mrs. SewelPs tyranny ?" she began, taking a chair beside her beautiful, but inanimate cousin. " Me cruel V^ stammered poor Mrs. Sewell, giving herself up for lost, ^^ I am sure — " WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 15/ " And I am sure too, Mrs. Sewell, that you have been causing me to endure the torments of Tantalus/^ interposed Rosalind with another mischievous glance. " You place a fascinating book in my hands, and as soon as every faculty is enchained by its beauties, you insist on my leaving it, telling me that I am rude and unsociable to sit reading alone, instead of working German wools in company. I appeal to you. Miss Weston, whether this is not being very cruel.'^ " One cannot read all day,^^ replied the lovely Maria, who had no turn for study.^ " No, to be sure not,^^ said Mrs. Sewell^ catching at her words. " Reading long together makes one round shouldered and stupid." " Do not say a word, Mrs. Sewell, or I will have my revenge, and tell — you know what. Then what must I do, my beautiful cousin ?" ** Come and work with us.^^ " But suppose I cannot. Suppose I should 158 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? prick my fingers and make my violets reil_, carnations blue/^ " You would soon learn better," replied Maria, taking her au pied de la lettre. " Shall I teach you ?" " Will you also give me patience to learn r'^ " DonH heed what she says ; she can work very well/^ said Mrs. Sewell, with au imploring gesture, meant to intimate that Mrs. Denham was displeased. " Do not provoke me/^ cried Rosalinda holding up her finger. ^' If you do — I will — " ^' What ?" asked Mrs. Weston. " Work her in the centre of an ottoman with a gentleman on his knees before her — she blush- ing celestial, rosy red.^^ " You may do that if you like," said Mrs. Sewell greatly relieved. " You are ambitious, I perceive — desirous of being immortalised by my needle. What a beautiful group of flow^ers, Mrs. Weston, nearly WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 159 as perfect as your daughter's. And very pretty birds^ Mrs. Bailey," continued Rosalind, going the round of the work table, and bestowing praise on the labours of each, a praise richly deserved. " You have not examined and lauded my work,^^ remarked Mrs. Denham, '^ come and say how you like it." Thus summoned, Rosalind was compelled to look and comment, praise she could not in sincerity, for the pattern w-as frightful. " Do not you think it very pretty ?" asked Mrs. Denham with more animation than usual, looking up in her face as she spoke. ^^ It is very nicely worked," answered Rosa- hnd. '^ But the pattern ? Don^t you like the pattern ?" " You will acquit me of rudeness, I hope, if 1 admit that the pattern is not to my taste : I should have preferred blue to green in that 160 WHO SHALL IJE HEIR? part/' said Rosalind politely, but with no show of a wish to win her favor. *^ 1 am working for an old friend who pre- fers this pattern to all others.'^ " That is more than sufficient : affection hallow^s all it touches/' answered Rosalind warmly. " I am surprised at your not liking it, Miss Trevor/' observed Mrs. Weston, before Mrs. Denham could reply. '^ Maria and I think it so particularly pretty ; but there, tastes differs, and I suppose it is all the better that it should be so. I have always remarked that the opinions of those brought up in town differ entirely from those brought up in the country. Taste seems to require cultivation as much as manner/' added the speaker in what she considered a philosophical tone, fitted for such a philosophical remark. " Or carrots and onions/' observed Rosalind with an assumption of gravity that set most of WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? 161 her hearers laughing, much to Mrs. Weston's annoyance. *' Manners should be formed on the most perfect models, which are only to he found in the highest society/' again observed Mrs. Weston with some hauteur, a shght acquaint- ance with an old baroness, and a new countess, constituting her, in her own estimation, an unerring judge of elegance. " Manners should be highly polished.^' " Like the best drawing-room fire irons, rubbed, scrubbed, and oiled, till all is smooth and slippery,^' added Miss Trevor. '' You have very original similes,'^ remarked Mrs. Weston, uncertain whether Rosalind were laughing at her or not. ** So I flatter myself,^' replied Miss Trevor carelessly, taking up a piece of canvass that lay before Anne Weston, a sickly looking girl about sixteen years of age. " Not one stitch ! How idle ! Perhaps you can come and play with me then." 162 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? '' I am waiting till mamma or Maria can begin it for me/' replied the timid girl, who, being very shy, and no favorite with her mother, rarely spoke but when spoken to. '^ Like the boy in the child^s tale, as every body else is busy I conclude I must be busy too. Suppose I arrange the pattern for you," said Rosalind good-naturedly. " 1 should be so much obliged to you." '^ Now then for pricking my fingers,^' cried Rosalind, seating herself on a stool at the shy girl's feet. The pattern was soon arranged and began. Miss Trevor talking so gaily the while to those around her, that they looked in surprise at each other, wondering why they had fancied that she gave herself airs. "Now I must have a walk for a reward. Who will join me ?" asked Rosalind after work- ing diligently for some time. "Oh. I— I — I,^' cried all the young ladies, WHO SHALL BE HEIil ? 163 covering up their slippers and ottomans, and then leaving the room to equip themselves for the expedition. *^ You are a good girl," said Mrs. Sewell, encountering Rosalind on the stairs, as she was descending with bonnet and scarf. " You have been making yourself very agreeable ; and even Mrs. Weston^ who is certainly jealous of you, is obliged to admit that you are more amiable than she at first imagi- ned." '^ And all because I praised her work, and showed some little skill in tentstitch, and talk- ing lively common-place." " Well, my dear, I hope you will be as good- natured again." <^ I was not at all good-natured, except to poor Anne, whom her mother snubs. There was mischief in my mind all the time, and as for liking my cousins better — do not suppose it. I wonder how Mrs. Denham can find pleasure in the society of those so inferior to her in 164 WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? elegance and intellect. I was indifferent to them before ; and now I despise them — at least some of them. Won by praise of cross-stitch and embroidery ! Don't suppose that I can sit morning after morning counting six here and eight there, putting in my needle and pulling it out again ; I shall require an enormous deal of rubbing, scrubbing, and oiling, before I shall be polished enough to please Mrs. Weston." " No, Rosalind, no: you require no scrubbing and rubbing ; your manners were always con- sidered elegant ; and you will soon tame down a little, and then you will become a general favorite.'^ *^ I have no fancy to become a general favo- rite ; and as for taming down — who or \^ hat is to tame me ?'' " Oh ! love, my dear. When you fall in love, you will be quite a different creature.'^ " Fall in love to tame me down !" cried Rosalind laughing. " That would be like WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 165 setting the house on fire to cure a smoky ehimney. No no : — " Bound to none my fortunes be, This or that man's fall I fear not ; Her I love that loveth me ; And for the rest— a pin I care not." " Ah Captain Right has not come yet/* observed Mrs. Sewell, who never sought originaUty in her remarks. " He must be a General at the least with a "whole army at his back to conquer and tame me/^ cried the merry Rosalind. The day was fine — the grounds picturesque — the heat not oppressive — and Rosalind chatted so gaily with her young cousins that they pro- nounced her to be a very amusing person, though Mrs. Weston and Miss Bailey added in their own minds, not so beautiful, and not such a fine singer as Edred Cottrell tried to make people believe. As the party were still some distance from the 16G WHO SHALL BE HEIR? house they were espied by the gentlemen returning from the fair^ who galloping across the parkland throwing the reins to their grooms^ with the exception of Mr. Bailey, proposed themselves as escorts to the young ladies. '^You looked very, striking and graceful seen through the trees/' said Rupert Wyvill with animation. " Do you mean to say that we looked other- wise on a nearer approach, when no longer screened from keen inspection by intervening branches ?'^ asked Rosalind gaily. " We cannot gaze on the sun save through some dulling medium — its radiance is too great for our weak vision," answered Rupert gallantly, shading his eyes as if dazzled by a blaze of light. " There, Miss Trevor ! you challenged a compliment, and you have it. I told you Wyvill could fence well, and that was very prettily said," observed Mr. Adnam rubbing his hands — a constant habit when pleased. WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 167 " Very prettily said ! and so perfectly original ?' replied Rosalind with a blush, and a slight curling of her beautifully chisselled lip. " There is nothing new under the sun ! Who shall gainsay Solomon ?'^ answered Rupert a little hurt as she fancied at her remark. " Heigh ho ! so it seems we ladies are to be compared to the sun, the moon, and all the stars from this time forth for evermore : old compliments, like old clothes are only fit to be thrown aside, or sold to the Jews: — I am weary of them/^ ^^ Capricious as well as weary I fear, Miss Trevor. Do you quarrel with being compared to one of the heavenly bodies ?" asked Rupert. " It is all very well for galls to say so ; but we know that you all like compliments if possi- ble better than fine clothes and rich husbands," observed Richard Weston, who was by no means as recherche in language or ideas as his 168 WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? mamma desired — others called him rude, roughs and rather coarse. " The galls will of course allow you to be a competent judge on such points/^ said Rosahnd, pronouncing girls as Richard always pro- nounced it. " Well^ the galls do like flattery — don't they Wyvill?'^ " Doubtless when administered by Mr. Richard Weston.'^ ^* You mean to laugh at me because I am not much given to such things ; but I don't mind that, nor the galls either. They do not care from whom the flummery comes — so that it comes." ^* Flummery is very melting/' observed Edred Cottrell. " Well, I am sure I do not like flattery and compliment/' said Miss Bailey. " Not when administered by Mr. Richard Weston ?" WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 169 " No, that I am sure I don*t ; for he never thinks of any thing but his horses.'^ « And himself/' added Edred. " Well, to be sure/'— ** Of my father's children I'm the best, (So I'll guard myself — nor heed the rest." " That is the way to get on in this world, Miss Trevor, you may depend upon it." '^ And in the next too }" asked Rosalind gravely, disgusted with his selfishness ; for it was not said in jest, but acted on in earnest. " Oh ! that is a great way off; and no one has ever returned to tell us anything about it/' " Heaven forefend ! I have no wish to see a ghost," said Mr. Adnam, ^' I should like to question one from the unknown world if it could be," remarked Ru- pert Wyvill. " Should not you, Miss Trevor ?" ^^ Not if the spirit could only tell me where to have my soiled dress dyed and cleaned as in the famous tale of Drelincoui-t.^' VOL. I 1 170 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? '^ Perhaps you are contented with the pre- sent.'^ " The present company of course," observed Edred Cottrell. " I will say nothing on that point, not pos- sessing Mr. Richard Weston's talent for com- pliment," answered Rosalind with a playful shrug of the shoulders. ^' Then to say that you were contented with the present company you would consider flattery," said Rupert. '^ You say so for me.'' ^' Nay, Miss Trevor, you said, or insinuated as much yourself.'^ '^ Did I ? And you are inclined to run a tilt in defiance of my opinion. So be it then. Do you vouch for the perfection of the whole party, or only for yourself?'* '^ I only maintain the perfection of Miss Trevor.** *^ The lady must first accept you as her knight/* answered Rosalind a little loftily, for WHO SHALL BE HEIR? I'jl she liked not his tone of gallantry, and smile of conscious power, as in her prejudice, she al- ways interpreted it. " You are hard hearted, Miss Trevor, and deserve to be overthrown in person, or by proxy," observed Mr. Adnam. '^ Never heed her, Wyvill ! wear her colours, whether she bestow them or not; and compel her to be grateful. I will be your esquire." " Let me be your champion," said Edred. " Oh ! certainly, and maintain the superiority of Miss Weston." '^ Nay, if it is a matter of rivalship between ladies, I intermeddle not," replied Edred laughing. ^^ Very wisely resolved : — •' He who 'twixt dames will interpose, The length of woman's nails soon knows," exclaimed Richard Weston with a rude laugh. " You must succumb, fair coz; for you will I 3 172 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? obtain no champion on these terms," said Edred. " What say you. Miss Weston, to our join- ing forces and defying all recreant knights ? I should have no hope were we rivals, so let us be friends," said Rosalind, and so good na- turedlj too, that the petted beauty forgot every former feeling of jealousy as she expressed her acquiescence in the arrangement. ^' We need not be alarmed ; such alliances never last long, and we shall be called on to play umpires within the week,'' observed Edred. " Have you brought me the fairing you promised ?" asked Miss Bailey, tired of a con- versation, which inferred the superiority of others. " Yes : here is a gingerbread husband," re- plied Edred, producing one as he spoke. ^^ I do not know what you mean by this impertinence ; I am sure I am not so anxious for a husband,^' cried the affronted Miss Bailey* " Impertinence ! Is this all your gratitude WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? 173 for the trouble I took in procuring you such a nice husband. You do not deserve him, and I will give him to somebody else/' said Edred laughing at her offended air. ^^ You shall have it, Jemima," offering it to her sister. " No indeed ; I am not going to take Eliza- beth's leavings ; — I am quite as particular as she is." " Poor fellow ! what is to be done for him ? This is the way we miserable men are rejected by you fair damsels." " Give him to me," said Rosalind, " I know one ready to accept him." '^ Thank you, sweet coz ; I shall come to you when I need a wife, since you ai'e so kind hearted in these matters.'' " And expect the same fate," answered Rosa- Und laughing, as she gave part of the ginger- bread to a fine newfoundland puppy that had been watching it with eager eyes. " Given to the dogs ! — and serves you right for trusting any gall," exclaimed Richard Wes- 174 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? ton, who was more than usually bitter against the sex, having been cut by a fair flirt not two hours since in the presence of a richer beau. " 1 am sure he deserves it, he is so very grateful/* said Rosalind, amused at the manner with which the dog received it from her hands. " I did not know you had such a handsome favorite, Mr. Cottrell." " It is not mine but WyvilPs, who no doubt feels highly flattered by your caressing his pet. ' Love me love my dog.^ " " I beg your pardon, Mr. Wy vill ; I did not know that the puppy was yours." " Or you would not have fed him," observed Rupert in a tone between question and asser- tion. " Oh, no !" replied Rosalind quickly, vexed with herself for this quickness the moment after. " There, Wyvill ! you are out of favor," ex- claimed Edred with a laugh. <^ I was never in." WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 175 " And do not deserve to be^ bringing no fairings for the ladies, and thinking only of selling horses. Whilst I shall be the pet of the evening — the lord of the ascendant. Shall I not, fair Rosalind ?" he questioned, offering her some very delicious looking gingerbread. " You know of old that I cannot resist such a temptation," answered his cousin, helping herself as she spoke. " You shall not carry all before you, Cottrell, I am resolved. Here Wyvill, do you open a rival shop," cried Mr. Adnam, giving him some bon-bons to offer to Rosalind. " Thank you, sir ; but you had better pre- sent them yourself; they will be more accept- able from you,^^ said Rupert drawing back. *^ Psha, man ! never heed a rebuff, only try again. You won't ? — well then I will. Taste my bon-bons. Miss Trevor, and admit their superiority over CottrelPs trumpery ginger- bread. Real French bon-bons !" " Good old English gingerbread !" cried 176 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? Edred in emulation. ^^ As a patriot, you must give me the preference/* " As a liberal minded person ready to admire perfection wherever found you will decide in my favor/^ said Mr. Adnam. " Gingerbread nuts or sugar plums — which are you for ?'^ asked Rupert. ^^ I am too fond of both, to give a preference to either/^ said Rosalind ; " so there shall be two favorites for to-night instead of one.'* " You seem very merry/' remarked Mrs* Sewell, as the walkers joined the other ladies on the lawn. " Yes, very merry indeed. There has been a sharp encounter of tongues between Miss Trevor and Wyvill ; and when my cousin Rosalind quarrels or jests she is equally enchanting. I only wish she were always in the fancy to be amusing.'' ^^ What scandal are you reporting of me, cousin Edred ?" asked Rosalind advancing. " No scandal, I was only asserting that you WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 177 had been very amusing for the last half hour ; and regretting that you were not always in the ' mood to be equally bewitching.*^ " By which you mean to hint that I am capricious, and given to fancies and conceits. What call you that but scandal ?^^ " Nay, cousin Rosa, if you put me on my defence, I must maintain that it is no scandal, unless truth is a scandal. This morning you were in a gloomy temper, silent and unsociable — now you are gay, conversible, and friendly.'^ " To follow out a late comparison — does the sun always shine as at mid-day V " That is exactly what I would say ; you are not always in full splendour ; — sometimes rising — sometimes setting.^^ " You forget that this is a mere fufon de parler ; and that the sun remains the same, its difference of appearance depending on the difference in position of those who gaze upon it." " That just bears out my assertion, that I 5 178 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? your gaiety depends on your position. If you fancy those around^ you are the most delightful, fascinating being in exister ce/^ '^ You are reasoning on false grounds, cousin Edred. The sun is the same let who will behold it — the fault of a wrong judgment rests with the beholder. The sun does not shine from caprice or partiaUty." "Nor does Rosalind Trevor — is that what you would say ? Does she mean that she looks on all alike ? that she loves none better than others ? I did not think so poorly of her. — She who loves all — loves none.^^ " This is an erroneous interpretation of my words," began Rosalind. '^ I am very sorry, my dear cousin, if my interpretation does not meet your wishes ; but I never was clever at definitions, so must pray you to excuse me. 1 merely intended to say that I liked you merry better than dull ; and that I was glad you had abandoned your unsociable mood of the morning, and approved WHO SHALL BE HEIR? l79 of your companions sufficiently to be agree- able/' " Rosalind has been very agreeable all the morning," said Mrs. Sewell triumphantly ; " working and talking with the best of us." " I am delighted to hear it ; — this is just as it should be — ^just as I would have it. You know I maintained this morning that my cousin could be agreeable if she chose it. Do try some of my gingerbread, Mrs. Sewell ; the young ladies proclaim it excellent. And you too, Mrs. Denham, will you not try it ? And you Mrs. Bailey, I shall be quite affronted if you do not all take a piece ; and then I will tell you Mrs. Sewell what I saw at the fair. First there were wild beasts, and wilder look- ing keepers-^men that grinned with a horse collar— and women that grinned without — a cat with six legs, and a women with none : — A pony that told you every thing — and a fortune-teller that told you nothing. Giants and dwarfs — tumblers and dancers — and the 180 WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? greatest wonder of all — a silent woman ! Bless me ! there is the dressing bell ; and my hair is out of curl— ^ so fare ye well my ladies gay- — or I shall not have time to make myself an Adonis by dinner." " Did you sell your horse ?" asked the good- natured Mrs. Bailey as he was flying off. ^^ No ; cruel creature to remind a man of his misfortunes \ I was too honest — I told that it had been lame, so no one would buy it, whilst Wyvill sold his at once for a good price — more than he gave for it." " Remember that I bought it some years ago out of condition : the readiness with which it was purchased proved that the price was not exorbitant," answered Rupert gravely. " That is a matter of judgment, or want of judgment ; I would not have given it, for I am sure it has been, or will be lame." " Certainly not whilst in my possession though most probably it will be before its death. The grapes are sour; — you wanted it at a lower price." WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? 181 " 1 did not want it at that price undoubted- ly. But if such a perfect animal, as you report^ why part with it at all ?" " Because I find keeping two horses suffici- ently expensive." " Two horses expensive to a man of your fortune ! Why you are turning miser, Wyvill. But there, if saving is your taste I have no- thing to say against it, only you sold the horse uncommonly well — that is all. Some people are always in luck !'* and so saying, away went Edred Cottrell to dress for dinner. 182 WHO SHALL BE HEIK? CHAPTER VI. " I have been seeking you every where^ Rosa- lind, to say how vexed I was at being parted from you at dinner/* said Edred Cottrell^ joining his cousin as she was sauntering along a shady walk, now stopping to listen to the singing of the birds — now turning to note the effect of the sun beams glading through the overhanging branches. " 1 thought I should find you apart from the vulgar herd, indulging in one of your delightful, pensive moods — ravelling in your own high thoughts : — one can- WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 183 not support the commonplace all day. I sus- pect you found Wyvill heavy as a neighbour.'* " One of my delightful^ pensive moods — I thought you lauded me for being merry not long ago.^' " You are enchanting in all moods, sweet Rosalind ; it is the variety — the originality of your character, that lends you your greatest charm." ^^ How many glasses of claret have you taken, cousin Edred ?'^ '^ What — are you latin scholar enough to understand that in vino Veritas ?" *^ I have heard it quoted sufficiently often to guess its meaning ; but cannot see the applica- tion to my question." " Then you are duller of comprehension than 1 ever knew you. Wine has inspired me with the spirit of truth." ^' Rather, I fear, with the spirit of false- hood." ** I spoke the simple truth; but modesty 184 WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? knows not its own worth. Let us sit down beneath this spreading beech, and admire those majestic birds, gliding with such a stately motion over the glassy lake.'* '' They are floating double — swan and shadow/' replied Rosalind with emphasis. " Yes, see ! the shadow is a perfect resem- blance of the substance ; so are my words of my thoughts." " Are they ?" observed Rosalind incre- dulously. " On my honor ! — you cannot doubt me?" '^ You think with Mr. Richard Weston, that girls like flunimery and compliment." " I feel that I cannot flatter Rosalind Trevor ; the wildest burst of enthusiasm could not outspeak her worth .*^ " Do you expect me to believe all this ?^' asked Rosalind looking him steadily in the face. " Why not, when I speak the truth ?^' " When you speak the truth I may believe you." WHO SHALL BE IIEIll? 185 " I speak it now/^ " Psha ! cousin Edred ; I am not such a vain old crow as to believe that 1 sing divinely because a fox may tell me so. It would answer your purpose better if you gentlemen would be a little less lavish of your compli- ments ; we should prize them all the more ; at least, I have heard too many to heed them any longer, though yours are rather poetically turned, I must allow/^ " I concluded you to be in a poetical mood from finding you here.'* " Then for once you are mistaken — I am not in a poetical mood/' " A cynical one it appears/' " Exactly so/^ " But wherefore ?'* ^^ Ask yourself?" *^ My dear Rosalind, how could I help not sitting next you at dinner ? You know I was called away at the moment, and Mr. Adnam made Wyvill take the place. I tried in vain to 186 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? talk to you across the table — you would not keep up a conversation.^' " Do not suppose that I am in a cynical mood because Mr. Cottrell was not beside me." " Then I can imagine no other cause ; for- give my presumption for fixing upon that." ^^ No cause ? — think again.'* ^^ No ; no cause — you must enlighten me. If I have offended you, name my offence, and it shall be repaired." " Fairly promised," " The promise shall be fairly kept. What is all this ?• * he demanded in a changed tone. ^^ We were such good friends at Ivy Cottage ; entering into a league offensive and defensive.'* " Precisely ; you act on the offensive, and I am thus compelled to adopt the defensive." " I act on the offensive ! — and to you Rosa- lind ! How ? where ? and when ? You are more obscure than the Delphic Oracle.*' " There shall be no obscurity — I will speak plainly ; deal with me as I deal with you. WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 187 Recall to your mind all tliat has passed since my arrival. When have we conversed together in the presence of others that you have not managed, by word or look, to twist my expres- sions into something displeasing to Mrs. Den- ham or her guests ? And this not merely once, or twice, or thrice. No protestations, cousin Edred ; but hear me to the end. To use for once the elegant phraseology of Mr. Richard Weston, I have not entered for the Denham stakes, nor do I intend to do so, unless provo- ked thereto by a spirit of mischief or revenge : — your crossing and jostling me in my quiet course therefore is not only unkind but impol- itic. — There, now I have had my say ; and you may have yours.'' " What can you mean ?" said Edred, fixing his falcon gaze upon her. *' Just what I say ; — no more, and no less," answered Rosahnd, meeting that falcon gaze without shrinking. " You cannot be uncon- scious of the impression conveyed by your 188 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? words ; and therefore I ask you are we to be friends — or foes ? I hate hollow truces and will have none of them.^^ " Friends^ or foes, Rosalind ? — what a ques- tion ! Friends to be sure ! How can you pain me by such a doubt ! Earth boasts no gaud that could tempt me to — '* " Do not play sentimental, Mr. Cottrell ; I am not in the humour for it now,^^ rephed Rosalind impatiently. ^^ You are no simpleton to use words without meaning ; and no blind craftsman not to mark the working of those words. On your future conduct depends the terms on which we stand.^^ " I comprehend you now ; but you do not — you cannot suppose that those words were intended to do mischief? You cannot beheve that I would purposely prejudice any one against you ! You know my unhappy faculty of saying just what I should not. Do not blame me so severely for a natural defect.^' " A natural defect ! — repeated Rosalind almost unconsciously. WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 189 '^ You judge me harshly, cousin ; you think 1 ought to have corrected this fault ; and so I ought/^ he added looking down for an instant. " I could have bitten oflf my tongue with vexa- tion the other evening, w-hen Mrs. Denham came up so inopportunely, for I saw that she was vexed.'^ *^ That was not the only occasion, where your tongue has done me harm with her and others ; but I have no wish to enumerate instances. Your own observation should convince you that I am not likely to cross your views ; and there- fore it is but waste of time and talent to make my visit here unpleasant by persuading my cousins young and old that I am any thing , but the merry, heedless girl you know me to be. No denials — nor pretty speeches — no flowery sentiments —are we to be friends ? Give me a simple answer — yes — or no.'^ " Yes, most assuredly ! I would say more than friends, but that I fear your wilful humour might take offence. You have con- 190 WHO SHALL BE HEIR.'' demned me on suspicion — my future conduct shall prove those suspicions to have been un- founded.^' " I hope so." *' You may be certain that it shall be so," he replied, gazing with admiration on her beauty, heightened by the excitement of her late conversation ; and the air of graceful, womanly command which so well became her. "Suppose we return to the house, or join Mrs. Bailey and her daughters, who are stroll- ing to the right," observed Rosalind abruptly as if to avoid the possibility of further discourse on a subject pleasing to neither. "'^ Nay, grant me a few minutes tete a tete ; we shall have the Baileys the whole evening. How will you endure their folly, and the insipidity of Maria Weston for two months ?" " I do not know,^' answered RosaUnd in a doleful tone, for she was already heartily wearv of her cousins. " But Michael will be WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 191 here in a week, and in the mean time you must be very amusing.^^ '^ I will do my best ; and you must fill up the intervals by quarrelling with Wyvill, in which I will second you." '^ Two to one ! no that would not be generous. You shall make love to Maria ; I should like to ascertain what changes feeling could effect in the expression of those perfect features." " I would as soon make love to an iceberg." " Nay, she is not cold, only cool ; — not freezing, only inaminate; moreover she is gentle and good tempered, and far happier I doubt not than if she had quicker feelings.^' '^Very philosophically argued. Does Rosa- lind Trevor wish to resemble her ?^' " No, she would rather be that bird flitting so lightly through the air. It must be very delightful to fly." " You have flights of fancy already in which I would fain be your companion. But here come the Baileys; so adieu to poetry and 192 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? common sense. We have been waiting for you. Miss Bailey; here is plenty of room on this bench for all." " Oh, dear no, Mr. Cottrell ; I would not disturb a ttle a tete on any account.'^ " Perhaps you prefer enjoying one," he replied glancing at Richard Weston, who was by her side, initiating her into the mysteries of slang. ^^ You will take a seat, Mrs. Bailey, I am sure; for you look tired. Do stop a minute to admire the swans, as Miss Trevor has been doing.'' " Not now, thank you ; it is getting late." It was getting late, and the whole party returned to the house falling in with most of the other guests on their way back. " How well the old house looks at the ter- mination of this vista,'' remarked Rupert Wyvill. ^^ Yes ; I wonder how it would look worked in German wool," replied Maria Weston. " Admirable ! persuade Mr. Wyvill to draw WaO SHALL BE HEIR? 193 the pattern/' said Rosalind^ trying to look grave, whilst Edred laughed outright. '' Will you work it if I do V '^ No ; but Miss Weston will ; and she can put you and herself in the foreground sorting the wools." "A capital idea! And we will have an engraving of the piece," cried Edred. *^ I will turn it over to you who are such a famous hand at forming designs, and putting them into practice/' said Wyvill. " I have a design at present on the tea and bread and butter, if that is what you mean, and challenge you to outdo me.^' ^^ I have no hope of outdoing you in any design,^* answered Rupert pointedly, ^^ I admire your humility," observed Edred, walking away ; but returning again in a few minutes bringing a nosegay '^ Accept of this as a gage d^amitie,^' he said presenting it to Rosalind, who smiled her assent. Edred Cottrell kept his word. He rattled VOL. I. K 194 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? on as before — he got Wyvill and others into scrapes by his wild talk, but never once was Rosalind compromised by word or look : — on the contrary, he did all he could to raise her in Mrs. Denham's estimation, pointing out her talents, graces and virtues to that lady, not in his former extravagant style^ but in the man- ner most likely to create a favorable impression on his hearer, whilst Rosalind on her part smiled at his salUes, and allowed him to engross the greater part of her conversation ; so much so indeed that those who piqued themselves on their penetration began to hint at a wedding. Mrs. Denham we have already said was a dull hostess : — ^she neither talked herself nor set others talking ; and but for Edred and Rosa- lind this family party would have been even more stupid than family parties generally are. To sit all day at tentstitch was beyond Rosa- lind's patience, but she usually spent some part of the morning in the same room with the other guests, filling up some sketches made of WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 195 Denham Park ; and Edred was often at her side^, laughing, praising, or criticising as the humour chanced. Rosahnd sang and played good naturedly when ever asked; but Mrs. Denham appeared to notice neither her gaiety, nor her gravity — her singing nor her drawing — generally absent- ing herself, according to custom, from break- fast till luncheon, and often till dinner. All things went on in their usual routine. Mrs. Weston brought forward her eldest daughter's superior beauty and elegance when- ever she could — Mrs. Bailey praised wdth her usual liberality—Mrs. Sewell found singular coincidences in the commonest every day occur- rences — Rupert Wyvill, still languid from his late illness, read and thought more than he talked— Terry Weston arranged his stock, whiskers and curls more carefully than ever, some thought with the view of exciting Rosa- lind's admiration — whilst his younger brother, in spite of his mother's lectures, instructed all K 3 196 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? who chose to listen in the dehcacies of slang and stable language. As the young people were all cousins in a sort of a way (we are not going to make out whether fourth, fifth, or sixth — there were none nearer than second once removed) the freedom of relationship soon grew up among them, and the formal Mr. and Miss were discarded, save with regard to Rosalind and Rupert, who never addressed each other by their christian names, indeed rarely spoke but to engage in a sharp encounter of wits, in which sometimes one had the advantage, sometimes the other. Rosalind and Edred were the life of the house, and all being satisfied from her conduct towards Mrs. Denham that the former had no idea of propi- tiating their hostess, in the hope of becoming her heiress, intead of being regarded with envy or aversion, as at first, she stood some chance of finally becoming, what she had protested against, a general favorite. Not that Rosalind sought popularity ; but being very lively and WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 197 always willing to oblige^ she could not fail to please when seen with unprejudiced eyes. " I am going to C. this morning to make some purchases ; and as you only stayed there about ten minutes in your way hither, perhaps, Miss Trevor^ you would like to accompany me, and see something of the town," said Mrs. Denham one morning at breakfast — she never called her Rosalind. " It is very kind of you to remember my taste for seeing every thing ; but you will not I hope think me ungrateful if I decline availing my- self of your offer," answered Rosalind after a moment's silence, caused by surprise. " 1 ex- pect my brother at twelve, and as I have not seen dear Michael for nearly a year, I should not like to delay our meeting even one single instant." " That is nonsense, Rose ; it cannot matter your seeing him an hour or two later,^' said Mrs. Sewell, fussing, fidgeting, and making 193 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? signs to her favorite that she ought to go, which provoked Rosalind, and did not escape the observation of Mrs. Denham. '' A delay of two or three hours in meeting an only brother after so long a parting not matter, Mrs. Sewell ! How can you say so ?" exclaimed RosaUnd warmly, heedless of the frowns and signs of her old friend. ^' Why 1 think every minute an age till I see him > and he might feel my absence an unkind- ness.'' " I fear we brothers are not quite as roman- tic in our regard as you may imagine; but then few have such a sister/' observed Edred gazing wdth admiration on the animated speaker, every feature lit with the glow of affection. " This is so girlish : you will grow wiser as you grow older," remarked Mrs. Sewell pettishly. " If you mean^ my dear Mrs. Sewell that I WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 199 shall grow cold in my age, and cease to love those I love now, I hope I shall never grow old; — I would rather die young.'* "You are a very affectionate sister," observed Mrs. Bailey, " I wish mine were as affectionate ; they would not care if they never saw me again^ or weep if I went to the dogs," grumbled Richard Weston. '^ I am sure you have no right to say so ; Maria has a most affectionate heart, but brothers always think it fashionable to abuse their sisters," said his mother. " My eldest daughter, my dear Mrs. Denham, will be de- lighted to accompany you ; she was talking this morning of one or two purchases she wish- ed to make.^^ " Then she had better put on her bonnet at once, for I expect the carriage round imme- diately," replied Mrs. Denham, not the ex- pression of a feature, not the variation of a 200 WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? tone, showing whether she was pleased or displeased at this change of companion. Rupert Wyvill had said nothing, but his eye had been fixed on Rosalind's face as she spoke, though she had not observed it. " My dear Rosalind, how could you refuse to accompany Mrs. Denham to C. ?" said Mrs. Sewell reproachfully, following her favorite from the room. ^^ My dear Mrs. Sewell, how could you think of frowning and making signs ? — it is so vulgar," replied Rosalind laughing. " My dear Rose, will you never consider ? Denham Park is a fine place." " Yes that it is ; I am beginning to feel an affection for it." "Well then do endeavour to please my old friend, and be as agreeable to her as you are to others." *' There is no well then in the case, dear Minny ; and depend upon it, 1 should not WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 201 laugh and jest so lightly if I entertained the deep design of becoming an heiress ; and so every one else perceives but you, and hence their politeness. If I started for the prize, I should reawaken all the envy, hatred, and malice, that greeted me on my first arrival ; and perhaps awaken them in myself too. No, no ; I will keep a light heart, unwrung by the torment of legacy hunting. It i& of no use to shake your head and prepare notes for a lecture, I won't be scolded this morning. I am expect- ing Mike— dear Mike ! — and will keep my mood all sunshine to welcome him as he should be welcomed." " You are so wild, Rosalind,'^ said Mrs. Sewxll, cheated out of half her vexation by her favorite's smiles. " Yes, yes, dear Minny ; not tamed down by love yet — and not likely to be,^^ cried the merry girl giving her old friend a kiss. " Whither are you going in such haste, you madcap ?" K 5 202 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? '' To find out from which window I can see farthest up the road, and there to station my- self/^ answered Rosalind, springing up the old oak staircase all the quicker, and with a more glowing cheek, from discovering that Rupert Wyvill was observing her, and might have been so doing for some moments. The window of Mrs. Weston^s room chanced to command the most extended view, so there did Rosalind take her station a full three quarters of an hour before the appointed time, refusing to let Mrs. Sewell share her watch, on the plea that she was too restless and impatient to prove an agreeable companion. To read was impossible— so she employed herself in making a wool housewife, as she called it, for Anne, who slighted and snubbed by her family from being sickly, shy, and awkward, was most grateful for the considerate kindness shown her by Rosalind. But even this was laid aside when the deep toned clock above the entrance chimed the third quarter after WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 203 eleven ; and her eyes became more constantly fixed on the road that led up to the house ; yet not so constantly but that she observed the movemeats of a horseman, standing on an eminence on the other side of the park. " No, he is not coming yet/^ she murmured, after looking steadfastly for some minutes towards the lodge ; then turning her attention to that solitary horseman her speculations took for a time another direction. " Surely that is Mr. Wyvill/' she thought, shading her eyes with her hand, that she might see the more distinctly. ^^ What can he be doing? And he has been there these ten minutes or more — yet he scarcely stirs. He cannot be taking a sketch on horseback. And now he comes towards the house at full speed, leaping flakes, and ha ha — everything that comes in his way. Has there been any acci- dent?" was her last thought, as, without slacken- ing his speed, he made directly for the window from which she was now leaning anxiously out* 204 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? " Your brother is coming — I see his stanhope on the hill above the park," cried Rupert Wyvill, reining up his horse immediately beneath. " And you have been watching for me ? How kind, how very kind \" said Rosalind w ith a look of gratitude that would have repaid a watch and gallop of double length. " How far off is he ? How soon will he be here ?" she questioned eagerly. " He will be here in about ten minutes I judge, from his present rate of speed." " I think I see him there, through the trees," said Rosalind leaning forth from the casement towards the lodge. But not towards the lodge was Rupert's look directed — his gaze was fixed on a white rose that loosened from her belt by her sudden movement fell on his upturned brow. "May I keep this as my guerdon ?" he questioned. WHO SHALL BE HEIII? 205 ^^ Oh ! that is faded : — you shall have a fresher and prettier one — one of those that I picked for Michael/' she replied^ flinging down a beautiful bud but half unfolded. He caught it as it fell — pressed it to his lips with an animation he rarely exhibited ; and then placed it in his bosom. Rosalind blushed; but the stanhope was now clearly in si-^ht, and she was too eager to meet her brother to com- ment on this gallantry. She lingered at the casement till Michael was near enough to recognise and return the waving of her hand, then, bounding down the stairs she stood in the hall ready to receive him, too intent on her purpose to note that Edred Cottrell and Rupert Wyvill were already there. The door stood open ; and before the portly butler could reach it to receive the visitor, he had sprung from the stanhope, and catching Rosalind in his arms given her more than one brotherly kiss. The old man looked a little amazed at such an unceremonious greeting in 206 woo SHALL BE HEIR? his sober misstress's hall — such a scene not having been enacted before in his memory, and then applied himself to the performance of his duties, declaring afterward in the house-keeper^s room that it was one of the prettiest sights he had ever seen. " Are you quite well, dear Michael ? But I need not ask with that bright colour. And you are so handsome \" said Rosalind, gazing with mingled love and pride on the young officer. " Am I to say the sam.e to you, dear Rose ? You certainly are looking very lovely just at present." " Oh ! never mind how I look ; as long as you are well, and happy, and as affectionate as ever, I shall be happy too.'^ "Did you fancy that I should be less affectionate then ?" " No, I did not fancy it, but some people have been talking nonsense about the change wrought by the world in young men, particu- WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 207 larly young men in the army, where brothers are laughed out of their affection for their sisters/' " And did you beheve this. Rose ?^' " No : not a word, dear Mike. You did not think I should?^ " I trust not indeed, dear Rose ; I should be a brute not to love you very dearly ; — you who would, I know, make any sacrifice to ensure my happiness." " That I would Mike ; and count it no sacri- fice at all." " How are you, Trevor ? I am very glad to see you/' said Edred advancing to shake hands with his newly arrived cousin. " Ah, Cottrell ! how are you ? But where is Mrs. Denham ? I suppose I should go to her at once.^' " She is at C. now and will not return till dinner time.' " Have all the rest of our cousins accom- 208 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? panied her, leaving you and Cottrell to keep house ?" " Oh ! no^ here is another cousin — Mr. Wyvill — whom you must help me thank. He gave me the first notice of your being in sight/' said Rosalind^ presenting her brother with all a sister's pride and affection. " The rest of the family party are in the drawing room, at least the greater portion of them. Shall 1 marshal the way, and play master of the ceremonies/' said Edred Cottrell. " Yes do. Is it a dull family party ?" asked young Trevor. " It would be but for your sister and myself; we do all we can to enliven it." " I have no doubt you do, and Rose could make a prison cheerful : I never have the blues when she is present." " You would deserve to be marched through Coventrv with Falstalf 's rajrsed reo-iment at WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 209 your heels if you did. But come along, and I will introduce you.'* The new comer was too handsome, gentle- manly, and good tempered, to be received un- courteously, though as a fresh candidate for the heirship he might otherwise have been frowned on ; whilst Mrs. Sewell declared her- self delighted at his arrival, wondering over and over again at the singular coincidence of their being together at Denham. If Rosalind had looked proud of her brother whilst presenting him to Wyvill, she did not look less so whilst presenting him to Mrs. Denham, whose manner of receiving him was considered unusually gracious. His appeai'ance was exceedingly prepossessing ; and if he was deficient, as some said, in firmness and moral energy, it required a very acute observer to discover it on his first introduction ; for there was no dulness in his speech, no languor in his movements. 210 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? Maria Weston seemed particularly struck with him, (more so than her mother desired, he having nothing but his pay) and gave herself a great deal of trouble in teaching him to sing duets with her, as he occasionally did with his sister. " You are the very picture of happiness this evening, Miss Trevor ; absolutely radiant with delight,^' said Mr. Adnam, approaching Rosa- lind as she was watching Michael take his first singing lesson from Maria. " I cannot look more happy than I feel," answered Rosalind, who was a great favorite of that gentleman's, " Ah ! well ; I like affection, and affection shown too. They are polishing, and polishing away in the present day till there is no nature left ; or people are ashamed of showing it." '^ Oh, fie ! Mr. Adnam. If you praise me and abuse polish in the same breath, I must suppose that you think me an uncouth savage ; and if you talk of the wonderful superiority of WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 211 former days, 1 must set you down as an old man. People never grumble as long as they are young and can enjoy ; but when the power of enjoyment is dulled they take to abusing the present which no longer delights, and prais- ing the superiority of the past when the sense of pleasure was more acute. For me, I intend to be young all my days, and declare that the world is fairer, wiser, better than in my child- hood.'^ " How very good tempered happiness makes us,'' said Mr. Adnam smiling. " I was going to ask you to quarrel with Wyvill, for you alone can rouse him from the indolence that is creeping over him. There has he been with that book in his hand for the last half hour, speaking to no one ; — but he is sauntering towards us now. You are come in right time, Wyvill ; I have been persuading Miss Trevor to quarrel with you just to rouse you — indolent creature that you are V 212 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? " And has Miss Trevor consented ?" asked Rupert, turning an eagle glance upon her. '- No/' said Rosalind, blushing at his eager manner. '^ 1 will not quarrel with you for three whole days. It was so very kind of you to watch for Michael." " Hey day ! What is this ? Do you two mean to be particular friends ? Because if so Wyvill will become as dreamy and inert as a dormouse." " Oh, no ! not particular friends — that can never be ; Mr. Wyvill does not like a romp, and I do not like a smile and tone that say — I know my power; — but we will proclaim a truce for three days." ^^ No longer ?'' asked Rupert earnestly. " That depends," repUed Rosalind looking down. " How smart you are with that rose in your button hole ; I have not seen you so dandified since your arrival," remarked Mr. Ad nam before Rupert could answer. WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 213 Rosalind raised her eyes. There was the rose which she had bestowed in the morning. " Wyvill playing the puppy with bouquets, and what not V exclaimed Edred, joining the group. " You will be sporting favoris and moustache next. Take my advice, and let them alone; Miss High worth admires your dignified bearing and republican manner, so give up all idea of enacting the courtier." '^ Miss Highworth does me much honor," said Rupert with one of those smiles against which Rosalind had just protested ; but whether the smile was intended for the lady or Cottrell she could not determine. ^^ Is that all you say to a lady's approba- tion ?" exclaimed Mr. Adnam. '' Go and make love to her, man,'' he added, glancing at Miss Highworth, who was talking with Miss Bailey. '^ She has forty thousand pounds at her own disposal ; and really is not ill looking. There go now — go." " It is too much trouble ; and I am so very 224 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? happy where I am/' replied Rupert, taking a seat by Rosalind. *' You will think it too much trouble to eat soon, I do believe/* observed Mr. Adnam pettishly. " You used to be a fine, active youth.'' " Ay, in days gone by ; but I am growing old now." ^^ Just four and twenty ! Quite a grey beard certainly ! Do read him a homily against indolence, Miss Trevor." " You forget our truce, Mr. Adnam ; and would never again say a word of his indolence had you seen how he galloped across the park this morning, leaping all impediments, to tell me that Michael was in sight." " Is this true ?" asked Mr. Adnam in sur- prise, whilst Edred Cottrell looked his amaze- ment. " The Cid and I were in a frisky mood, so indulged ourselves in a gallop," replied Rupert colouring slightly. WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 215 " I wish you were oftener in a frisky- mood." " Mrs. Denhara will not echo that wish having been the sufferer from my friskiness, when, taking a leap without having previously acquainted myself with the locale, I plumped through a glass frame into a flower pit, un- happily crushing some favorite plants in my descent.'^ ^' And receiving some cuts in the adventure ; I think you had the worst of the accident/* remarked Mrs. Denham. ^^ Capital ! oh, that I had been there to see 1" cried Edred, laughing at the bare idea. *^ The dignified — the republican Rupert WyVill, as Miss Highworth calls you, taking a fancy leap into a flower frame ! What could induce you to perform such a feat ?'^ ^^ I was not aware of the risk, and acted in ignorance ; or from a sudden burst of spirits I suppose.^' *^ From a feeling of kindness rather," obser- 216 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? ved Mrs. Sewell, who always told what good she knew of every body. " He was chasing a little bird belonging to Miss Eastlake, who was crying bitterly for the loss/^ ^^ I never heard this before/' observed Mrs. Denham. " Was Miss Eastlake pretty ?" asked Edred wickedly. " Very pretty,'' replied Mrs. Sewell simply. Edred laughed. ^^ Was she very grateful ?'' ^^ Yes^ very grateful. I heard her speaking of it only two months since ; and she always calls him her dear Mr. Wyvill." " Wyvill is a lucky fellow ; but you should not tell tales — see how he is blushing/' obser- ved Edred mischievously. '^ Not blushing at the simple words of a girl of nine 1 conclude; if so, he must be most exceedingly given to blushing." " Is Miss Eastlake only nine ? How un- fortunate ! I had set my heart on a love tale, ending with a wedding." WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 217 *' You made no such excuse at the time,'^ remarked Mrs. Denham. ^^ Fearful of being scolded for her careless- ness in losing the bird, she requested me not to tell ; and you can all bear witness that I kept her secret/^ " Did you catch the bird at last ?" questi- oned Rosalind with considerable interest. '^ Yes, after some little trouble.*^ '' After some great trouble you should say. Besides tumbling into the flower frame, you had to climb two trees, and wade through a stream,^* said Mrs. Sewell. ^' What a kind, good natured soul you must be,^^ observed Mrs. Bailey. Edred and others laughed at the oddity of the remark ; and even Rupert himself could not forbear a smile. '^ You are quite a Quixote, Wyvill, succour- ing distressed damsels. A perfect hero ! But hush ! Maria and Trevor are going to sing,^^ VOL. 1. L 21& WHO SHALL BE HEIR? said Edred Cottrell thus stopping the conver- sation. " Put on your bonnet, Rosalind; 1 am going to drive you over to C. You lost a sight of its wonders for my sake I hear, so I am bound to make amends/^ said Michael to his sister on the following morning, immediately after break- fast. " Thank you, dear Michael ; but I shall be equally happy with you here ; and I know you detest country towns.'* ^^ Put on your bonnet at once, and never dispute my wiiy replied her brother, trying to look the despot. " Ah, me ! There it is !— " If a brother you have he's the plague of your life, And will make you his slave quite as much as a wife," sang the laughing Rosalind, as she left the room to equip herself. " Now, Rose, I will tell you why I insisted on taking you to C. this morning," observed WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 219 her brother^ as they drove along. " I am going to buy you a new gown/' ^' Buy me a new gown^ Mike ! thank you for the kind intention, but I really do not want one ; and having brought me a brooch, and a chmn, you cannot feel yourself called on to make me another present/' " You know nothing about it, Rosa ; you do want a new dress, or rather new dresses. I overheard the Baileys, Mrs. Weston, and some other lady criticising your gown last night, and saying that you were a bad dresser.'* " How rude of them, Michael ; now I think I dress very well." " They did not mean that you dressed in bad taste, but so plainly. They said you had not a handsome gown belonging to you." *^ Not an expensive one certainly. Our income is too small to admit of my spending much money in finery, even if I desired it, which I do not." L 3 220 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? " Never mind the income, I will give you the handsomest dress to be found in CJ* ^^ You shall do no such thing.** " Yes I will ; I have no idea of Mrs. Weston's sneering at your plain muslin frock, as she called it/* " What harm will their sneering at my plain muslin frock do me ? It is very rude in you not to think me beautiful in any dress,'* said llosalind, hoping to turn him from his purpose. '^ So I do, Rosa ; you are the prettiest girl I know." " Oh yes ! Maria Weston is quite a fright to me," observed Rosalind archly. " I do not say that, Rosa ; but you are so different that a man may admire both." *^ And love both ? and marry both ?" — she added still more archly. " In good truth, brother, I do not think your morals improved by your sojourn with the gallant 230th." " Leave my morals to take care of themselves, Rosalind.** V^nO SHALL BE HEIR ? 221 " Leave my dress to do the like." " No, you must have the new gown ; you dress too plainly as the Baileys say. Besides, I wish you to look particularly well when we dine at the Pearsons, for Ridgeway, will be there.^' " What then ? Am I to lose my heart to this said Mr. Ridgeway ?" *^ Captain Ridgeway if you please, Rosahnd. He is one of ours ; and I want him to see you look your best." ^* So I am to be trotted out for his inspec- tion — paraded for his pleasure. I have no inten- tion of enlisting in yours (I believe that is the proper phrase) and will have no dress. Now don't be vexed, dear Michael ; muslin will do very well for me. You have little besides your pay and much to buy with that little. You shall not run in debt to trick me out in finery.'* " Oh ! for the matter of debts, in for a penny, in for a pound.** 222 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? " What do you mean, Michael ? Surely you have not run in debt, after all my father's cautions and — ?'^ she paused, not hking to add — former payment. " I owe for my last suit of regimentals/^ he replied with assumed indifference. ^^ Oh ! if only that, it does not signify." " Signify ! — to be sure not ; you must have the gown, or I shall feel hurt.'' Rosalind pleaded and argued but it would not do. Leaving her at the inn on the plea of business with the saddler, he purchased the dress, a very elegant figured white satin, and brought it back in triumph. Since the mis- chief was done, Rosalind, rather than vex him received his present with thanks. *^ Remember we must be back by half past five to give us time to dress for dinner," said Rosalind, as they were sauntering about the town. " Oh ! the old lady can wait a little, or sit down without us," WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 223 " Neither will please her ; she thinks a great deal of punctuality, and as you were not ready for breakfast this morning, you should make a point of being ready for dinner/' '^ I suppose I must, or the fat will be in the fire, and neither you nor I become possessor of Denham. By the way, how stands your chance ? Are the odds in your favor ?" " I am out of the question ; — so all feel, and hence their good-nature.'* « Why so ?" " For two reasons ; I am too independent to seek her favor, and offended her on my first arrival." " Then I shall try my chance, since it will not interfere with 3/ou ; and play up to the old lady, who is not so old after all being little more than sixty ; and so strong and healthy that she may live to a hundred. She does not seem a very loveable sort of a person — too cold and formal for that. If I should coax her to 224 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? make me her heir you should be handsomely provided for — depend upon that." " I will thank you at once for the intention, Mike, lest you should never have the opportu- nity of fulfilling it ; and need not add that I ■will do all I may to promote your wishes." *^ Who is her favorite at present ?*' " Edred Cottrell I should say : most people like their contrast in temper, though not in tastes ; but she shows no decided preferencfi for any one." " I must endeavour to inspire her with one for me." These last words were not merely jest, for all that evening, and for several succeeding days did Michael Trevor play the pretty and polite to his hostess, not exactly complimenting her, but praising what she praised, and blaming what she blamed. Mrs. Denham listened to, and answered his re- marks with her usual cold politeness, but never •ought his society ; nay, occasionally, Rosalind WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 225 fancied, seemed a little weary of his conversa- tion, which even in his fond sister's judgment was not remarkably intellectual. He was not a goose ; but he had no talent, and was no reader ; and had not Rosalind been blinded by affection she must have seen that a handsome person, gentlemanly manners, and much good humour were his greatest attractions. She was devoted to him — she doub.ed not his re- gard for her, and on this point she was not de- ceived: he loved his sister better than he loved any body but himself. There was no glaring selfishness in his conduct ; — he would not have devoured a tureen of turtle or a dish of fjrogs without offering some to his neighbours,, but he was incapable of making a great sacrifice for the good of others :. — he was generous, but not self denying— a good-natured indulgence to himself and all his friends was his principal characteristic. Succeeding days passed away as those which 226 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? had preceeded them ; and the young people walked, talked, rode, and sang together. Rosalind was engaged in taking a likeness of Maria, and Michael and Edred if possible attended the morning sitting, criticising the work as it progressed, or laughing with the artist and her subject. Rupert would often join the party ; but when he did so said little, indeed Edred talked so much that he rarely allowed him the opportunity. Terry Weston might be seen there occasionally, arranging his stock and curls before the large mirror, or peering through his glass at the miniature, and more than hinting a very striking resemblance be- tween himself and his very lovely sister. Richard and the Misses Bailey rarely made their appearance in the studio, as they called it in derision, preferring other localities for their follies and flirtations. WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 22/ CHAPTER VlII, " The day after to-morrow will be Marians birth-day. Could not we give her a sort of fete — or a serenade — or something ? She would be so delighted/^ said Michael to his sister early one morning. *' Do you intend to. do- every thing that would delight Maria ?'^ asked Rosalind archly. "No — not exactly all. Miss Rose, so you need not look so impertinent ; but I think her an exceedingly beautiful girl.*^ " And very sensible, and conversable :'^ again 228 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? questioned Rosalind, anxiety mingling with her archness, for she had no wish that her cousin should be converted into her sister. " Quite sensible enough ; and I do not like talking women." " Nothing personal I hope, Mike,'' said his sister with a smile. " Not even the hint of a fault in you, Rosalind; if that is what you intend. You are most de- lightful as a sister." " Which means that you do not think I should prove as dehghtful for a wife." " Yes, quite as delightful to such a person as Edred Cottrell, who has wits as quick as your own ; but I suspect you would hold the rule over a husband like myself; and I do not fancy a female's ruling a husband, though she has well ruled a state ere now, and will I doubt not again." " Nor I either; I would rather be ruled than rule ; through affection I admit, for I fear I should rebel against harsh, open tyranny. No, WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 229 no ; if I ever marry it shall be one whom I can reverence as well as iove.'^ " Take care. Rose ; girls who profess to be very particular as to worth and talent generally wed fools or knaves, which is a fate I do not desire for my sister, who is a noble, high- minded, fascinating creature ; a little too high spirited perhaps, but tamed by a look or word of affection. There now, that is a very pretty speech for a brother, and deserves a kiss." " A dozen I should think," said Rosalind laughing, " fraternal flattery being so rare.^' *' Now for this serenade, or whatever it is to be.'^ " Ah, Mike ! I hope that eulogium was not intended as a bribe," said Rosalind with a playful shake of the head. "But I will not search too deeply into this matter : — ' Where ignorance is bliss 'tis folly to be wise. > How can we give a fete being only visitors ? And how would Mrs. Denham like being dis- 230 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? turbed by a serenade^ to say nothing of her dislike to having the doors and windows open, after nine o'clock? We must have matins instead of vespers, and not too early either, or the sluggish lie-a-beds will vote us bores. Let our joyous strain greet her on her first waking.** " Ah, yes ! that will be better. What shall we sing?" ^^ You must compose something original of course.'^ " Now, Rosalind, you know I am no ballad monger ; and never made four lines of poetry in my life.^^ ^^ But inspired by such beauty ;'^ — said his sister a little mischievously. '' Even her beauty will never transform me into a poet,'^ replied Michael looking blank. " And yet you would play the minstrel." *^ Could not you write a song, Rosalind ?" " I write a song ! — WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? 231 " I had rather be a kitten, and cry mew ! — Than one of these same metre -ballad-mongers." " Then we must swear in Cottrell as one of our privy council ; nothing can be done with- out him, I know you think. What will young Lennard say to this?^^ observed her brother, trying to look as arch and mischievous as she had looked before ; but not succeeding well, his features having little of that mobility of expression which was one of her greatest charms. '' Mr. Lennard may say what he pleases — I care not," repUed Rosalind coldly. *^ But Edred does not sing ; and three voices would sound better in a chorus," observed Michael thoughtfully. " No ; he has no voice — more is the pity ! — but he can beat the drum, or the tambourine, or some such thing." " The drum, or the tambourine, Rosalind ! — I am not going to have the thing turned into a burlesque. Mrs. Denham^s birthday is in the 232 WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? winter, or we might make her the subject of our minstrelsy." " You might if you would ; but I should not join your band." " Why not, Rose ? Don't you think she would be pleased." " Most probably ; and thence my reason for declining. She suspected me of legacy hunting before I had been an hour beneath her roof — she shall learn to know me better." " Psha ! Rosalind, that is one of your ro- mantic, high flown notions. I wondered why you were so barely polite, never seeking to please her as you do most other elderly ladies, indeed never voluntarily addressing her." " You know the reason now then." " I know, but I do not approve. Would you have me pursue the same course ?" " She has shown no suspicion of you, and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see you her favorite." " I believe you, my high-minded, generous WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 233 sister ; and that without any idea of sharing in my good fortune. If you had to name her heir you would name any one but yourself. Alas ! I am more selfish — know more of the value of money, and hope to grow in her esteem, flattering myself that I have won some favor in her eyes already. But the song — who is to write it ? and where are we to find another singer ?" ^^ Will you allow me to join your band?" said Wyvill advancing from a distant window, where he had been sitting so quiet and silent that both brother and sister had forgotten his presence. " Can you sing?" asked Rosalind in sur- prise. " You never give me credit for doing any thing, Miss Trevor/* replied Rupert evidently piqued. " I beg your pardon,^* said Rosalind colour- ing. " Remember I never heard you sing." *' Remember you never asked me, and my 234 WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? late illness has left me little inclination for ex- ertion ; but, faute de miettx, perhaps my voice may assist you.'^ '^ Oh, thank you ! we will not be critical. This is very good-natured," observed Michael, never considering that his acceptance of the offer was not conveyed in flattering terms. " Perhaps you will write the song too," said Rosalind a little mischievously. '^ Faute de mieux, I will attempt it." " Will you indeed ? Well you are a capital fellow ! A friend in need is a friend indeed ! I never dreamt of your being a poet — did you Rosalind ?" *• Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air." answered his sister gaily, or as her new ally considered, mockingly. " Poet is too high sounding a name ; I may string some lines together with Miss Trevor's assistance, which may serve your purpose ; — that is all to which I pretend." WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 235 " I can give you little assistance, being too merry to be poetical." " Then you think to be poetical you must be melancholy." ^* Perhaps not exactly melancholy; but thoughtful — lofty — dreamy : — I do not know- how to explain it precisely." *^ Never mind telling Wyvill what you think of him now, but set about the words and the tune/' interposed Michael impatiently. '^ Pray do not stop Miss Trevor's descrip- tion ; I should hke to know what she thinks of me." " You are a bold person" said RosaHnd blushing, yet smiling too. '' There are few whom I should venture to ask for my character viva voce" " You mean to intimate that 1 should hear nothing pleasing." " It is a breach of privilege to ask a woman for her meaning — she means anything — or no- thing — just as she chooses. Only this I say, 236 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? you shall not be my interpreter when I talk with the Chickasaws^ 'since you do not confine yourself to explaining what is said, but guess at what is not said. I was describing a poet in a woman*s indescribable sort of a way, and you take the description to yourself; I thought you only proposed writing verses Jaute de mieux." " Exactly so ; — my — ' eyes are not in a fine frenzy rolling.' — If you desire sublime poetry you had better employ Cottrell." " Gh, no ! that would never do : he is cle- ver, but not sentimental enough." ^■^ Do you think me sentimental?" " Oh, no !'' " And yet your words conveyed this idea." " Then it was a very original idea ; and ori- ginal ideas are sa scarce in these degenerate days that I deserve a bay wreath at the least." *^ It is impossible to comprehend you, Miss Trevor.^' " Do not waste time in attempting it, Mr. WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 237 Wy vill ; I cannot comprehend myself, so insist on your thinking me sublime, being incompre- hensible.'^ *^ YoQ sublime, Rosalind, with those merry, laughing eyes dancing in light, and glistening like diamonds ; and that mischievous smile ! Wyvill has much more of the sublime about him— he is stately and picturesque/' " Stately and picturesque ! — what an admi- rable description !" exclaimed Rosalind, shak- ing back her long glossy curls and looking up at Rupert with eyes that as her brother said glistened like diamonds. Her attitude was strikingly graceful; the head thrown a little back showed to greater advantage her swan -like throat, whose snowy whiteness was strongly contrasted by the raven curls that clustered round, whilst the merry mischief lurking in her large dark eyes gave a spell-like power to her beauty. There was no smile of conscious power on Rupert Wyvill's 238 WHO SHALL HE HEIR ? lip ; — his cheek was flushed, and his admiring gaze fixed on the beautiful being before him. " Thank goodness I am your brother, Rosa ! I would not undertake an encounter of wits with you to obtain my captaincy." " Then you admit that my wit, as you term it, is never pointed at you, dear Michael.^^ " Readily ; and I suspect Wyvill is wishing that you were his sister to secure the same ex- emption.^^ " Is he ?" asked Rosalind looking down with a deepening blush. " To be sure he is ; but I thought you had promised to be friends for the future.'^ " Our truce was only for three days : and as he never sought its extension, we are at war again." " Then I pity him.'^ ^^ Keep your pity for those who need and deserve it, Michael. Methinks you might say prettier things of your only sister ; — but w hen was woman's affection ever returned as it WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 239 merited? It is getting on^ and none of our do-re-mi arranged/^ ^* But here com«s Cottrell, so we will set to work directly, for there is no time to lose/' answered her brother. ^^ Since Edred cannot squall in unison with us, he shall bear a gorgeous nosegay on a long pole to present to Maria, as our arms could not reach her casement, and to let down a string, or pull it up with the tongs, would be rather nonsentimental," added his sister. ^^ Now mind, Rosa, I am not going to have it made ridiculous,'^ observed Michael a little anxiously. '^ Bless the man ! he is afraid of being laughed at. The 230th are never laughed at — it would not do for one of ours," — said Rosalind, trying to look and speak like her brother. " Rose, Rose, I am half afraid of you." *^ Afraid ! — 1 thought the 230th were never afraid." " This is too bad," said her brother colouring. 240 "WHO SHALL BE HEIR? " Don^t be vexed^ dear Mike," said his sister, laying her hand on his shoulder and looking coaxingly into his face. " Not here — no one shall laugh at you here through my folly ; and no one shall laugh at you any where else, but me ; — and you don^t mind my laughing at you — do you ?'^ The silver tones so soft, so rich— the affec- tionate look were irresistible. " You are a tormenting, bewitching gipsy, there is no withstanding you/' cried her brother, catching her in his arms, and giving her a hearty kiss. " Fie ! fie I Mike and before company ! I am quite ashamed,^' said RosaUnd releasing her- self with a crimson cheek, half laughing and half frowning. ^^ Are we to play follow the leader ?" asked Edred springing in at the window. " I am a relative too." Rosalind stepped back with a mien so proud and commanding that it was difficult to re- WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 241 cognise the playful girl of the moment before. '^ I beg your pardon/' said Edred, involun- tarily awed by her sudden dignity. Her answering bow was the bow of an empress ; and it was some moments ere the crimson spot of resentment passed from her cheek. At first Edred entered with spirit into the project, but when its details came to be more fully discussed he seemed more inclined to oppose all that Wyvill suggested^ than to pro pose or carry anything into effect himself; and so apparent did this at last become, though his perverseness was clothed in a merry guise, that even Michael perceived it, setting it down to jealously of Rupert^s singing, and Rosalind was obliged to use a decided tone to keep him from utterly spoiling the scheme by his folly and obstinacy. He did not like this tune and he did not like VOL. I. M 2^2 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? that, though as he could not sing it was a subject on which he should not have interfered. One tune was too merrj — another too senti- mental — a third like the dead march in Saul. Then he was sure he should not like Wyvill's words— they would be too solemn for the occasion; — they had better sing — " Wake Maid of Lorn \" or something else that ifyej knew. Rupert said little ; but Michael began to grow hot and impatient, yet even this had no effect, till Rosalind, openly expressing her displeasure, threatened to have nothing to do with him, when he suddenly grew more docile, promising to perform whatever part should be assigned him to the best of his abilities, pro- posing as Rosalind would not believe that he knew D from E— to ride over to C. to procure blue ribbons for the guitar and nosegay, a proposition readily agreed to. On further consultation Wyvill showed such a complete knowledge of music, with such d WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 243 correct taste and poetical imagination that Rosalind was led to repeat her wonder at finding talents which she had not suspected. " As I said before. Miss Trevor, you never think I can do any thing.^^ '^ From this moment, I will think you can do every thing," said Rosalind in a tone that banished all feeling of pique, and amply repaid him for any former vexation. Edred returned in a more amiable temper ; and the secret preparations for the good-natured plot went merrily on. The morning dawned as a birth-day morning should dawn, clear, bright, and refreshing. The dew was still hanging like diamond drops on the shrubs and flowers when Rosalind pro- ceeded towards the garden, accompanied by her three coadjutors, to make up the nosegay. All were in spirits ; Edred more gay than any, and a splendid bouquet was soon collected, and gracefully arranged. Michael looked a little anxiously at Edred, fearing a return of his M 3 244 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? former bantering, and non-complying mood, or at least an endeavour to throw ridicule on the scheme and its promoters, from the love of mischief, if not of contradiction; but as his only pranks were attempts to insinuate a piece of rue and a nettle into the nosegay, which were immediately detected and expelled he became gradually reassured ; and pleased himself by anticipating triumphant success. The first part of their task was completed ; and the singers, preceded by Edred bearing the nosegay, took their station beneath the window of her whom they had assembled to honor just as the clock told eight. As Rosalind struck a few chords on the guitar, more than one night-cap appeared at the row of casements above to the great amuse- ment of the young men below, and the con- fusion of the wearers, who had no suspicion of who the minstrels were ; but when Maria, having arranged her hair and dressing gown becomingly, a second time appeared at her WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 245 window, the song was commenced by Rosalind, then taken up by Rupert and Michael, each singing in turn, and all joining in the chorus save Edred : — The joyous morn is waking now With blush of rosy dye ; The mist still veils the mountain's brow, The lark is in the sky ; And gemm'd with dew like diamond spray Hang leafy bough and flow'r ; Unheard as yet the rush of day — So soft — so still the hour ! CHORUS. Come forth ! Come forth ! Come forth ! Trip o'er the dewy green — Come forth ! Come forth I Come forth \ And be our maiden queen. The summer sun is thron'd on high Amid his realm of cloud ; Sweeps by the breeze like maiden's sigh, As bweet, and scarce more loud ; The gladsome earth looks fi-esh and fair, Murmurs the busy throng ; — Rich odours float through all the air — The woods are fiU'd with song. 246 WHO SHALL. BE HEIJI? Come forth ! Come forth ! Come forth ! Trip o'er the sunny green ; Come forth ! Come forth ! Come forth ! And be our Mayday queen. The gentle moon is beaming bright From out her starry hall ; And floods of soft and silv'ry light Across the greensward fall. The hush'd wave sleeps beneath her ray, The fire flies glance and gleam : Through woven boughs the moonbeams play On glade and rippling stream. Come forth I Come forth ! Come forth ! Trip o'er the moon-lit green : Come forth I Come forth ! Come forth I And be our fairy queen. Before the conclusion of the strain many listeners were looking from the casements above, whilst Mrs. Denham was standing at the window of her study below, she being always an early riser. As for good-natured Mrs. Bailey she quite forgot her night-cap, and stood leaning out to catch the words more WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? 247 distinctly with the neatly plaited frill setting close round her face ; whilst Mr. Adnam in his shirt sleeves hurrahed, and encored between every verse. The flattering strain had concluded — the beauty had graciously accepted the bouquet and the homage, rendering her thanks in words to all, but in looks to Michael alone ; and the company were complimenting the minstrels, and not without reason, when three fantasti- cally dressed little sweeps, preceded by one of a larger size, and bearing a long pole decorated at the top with a bunch of carrots, turnips, and onions, burst forth from among the shrubs, and began dancing and shuffling on the terrace with all theii' might to the discordant music of their own brushes and dust pans, aided by a penny trumpet blown by the pole bearer. Minstrels, listeners, and flattered beauty, all turned their eyes in wonder on the new comers; and then shouts of laughter burst 248 WHO SHALL BE HLIU ? from the gazers^ so thoroughly ludicrous were the dress and movements of the sweeps. Even RosaUnd's soft, yet joyous laugh might be distinguished amid the merry chorus, for though a little annoyed at the burlesque, she could not maintain her gravity ; and Rupert, after one flashing glance at Edred that told his suspicion, watched with a quiet mirth the antics of the sweeps as they capered, and shuffled, and clashed their dust pans, grinning to show their white teeth; then pausing a moment to gather breath, broke forth into the following parody:— Michael Trevor alone laugh- ed not. The chimney tops are peering red From out the murky fog ; Unheard as yet the milkman's tread — Sad howls the watchful dog ; And sulky maid with frowning brow Wakes at the sweeper's call ; Muttering in tones nor soft, nor low, Why (loth the fellow bawl ? WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 249 CHOllUS. Come forth ! Come forth ! Come forth ! And take thy walk below ; Come forth ! Come forth I Come forth ! And cry — Soot ho I Soot ho ! '^ Capital ! capital ! encore ! encore \" shouted Richard Weslon, who was delighted at the exhibitix)n. *' Go it my fine fellows ! Let us have that shuffle over again. The other com- pany has not a chance with you." Encorrraged by this commendation and the, laughter occasioned by their gambols^ particu- larly in the Misses Bailey^ who were glad of the ridicule thrown on the homage paid to Maria, the sweeps set to again v\ith re- doubled vigour ; and again were some of the party convulsed with merriment. Even Mrs. Sewell, though annoyed at the burlesque on account of the Trevors, could not continue grave -, and poor Mr. Adnam from his fear of vexing his favorites Rupert and Rosalind, exhi- bited a ludicrous struggle between glee and. gravity. M 5 250 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? " Get away you young rascals ! What do you mean by shuffling there ? Shuffle off di- rectly !'* cried Michael Trevor, provoked be- yond endurance. " Oh ! let them shuffle Mike ; they perform nearly as well as we did/* said his laughing sister. " I am ashamed of you, Rosalind. This is too bad ! Because it is CottrelPs trick, you applaud it, and care nothing for the ridicule attached to your brother. Remember, Miss Trevor, you share in that ridicule.^' '^ I will bear it all, dear Mike, if that will satisfy you. Don^t be vexed at my laughing," she added affectionately. " I really cannot help it, their dancing and costumes are so irresistibly droll, and 1 know nothing of the planner of the travestie I assure you.'' *^ You can guess though. And you, Wyvill, take it as coolly as Rosalind — I cannot think what you are made of." WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 251 ^ Of less combustible materials than a squib, to be fired by boyish impertinence/' " Less combustible materials indeed ! As Mr. Adnam says, there is no rousing you. Not even boyish impertinence will da that/^ ex- cl^med Michael, unappeased by his answer, and glancing angrily at Edred. " But those fellows shall not stay there ! grinning to please their employer and Mr. Richard Weston. Be off, you young scamps ! Make yourselves scarce, if you do not desire a good beating.^' " Let them finish their dance, Trevor : they are promising pupils and deserve reward. You must pay them handsomely, Cottrell," said Wyvill, looking at Edred,who deigned no reply but returned gaze for gaze. " Not I indeed ; they shall not stay here. Be off! we have had more than enough of this mummery ,^^ cried Michael Trevor with increas • ing passion, as the laughter and plaudits of Richard Weston grew louder and louder caus- ing the sweeps to shuffle more furiously, " You 2S2 WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? won't be off — won't you? We will soon see that," he added snatching the pole from Edred, and rushing towards the dancers with a mena- cing gesture. There was no mistaking his purpose, for there was wrath in the gleaming of his pale blue eye. Away scampered the sweeps in all directions, tumbling over and into the flower beds ; and away scampered Michael in pursuit to the great amusement of the spectators. " Holla ! you young monkeys, do not tread down Mrs. Denham's flowers," shouted Edred — the only words he had spoken since the appearance of the sweeps. The pursued and the pursuer were soon lost to view among the shrubs ; but the latter returned in a few minutes, the chase having been terminated by his catching the smalleet sootie, and ascertaining from him, what he had before suspected, that the band had been hired by Edred Cottrell.. WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 253 '^ What have you done with the rival show- men ? I hope you have not demoUshed them/^ cried Richard Weston, when Michael re- ap- peared panting and flushed. " I have not harmed a hair of their heads — it is from their employer that I look for satisfac- tion/' replied Michael fiercely, fronting Edred. " It w^as only a jest — a merry jest," said Rosa- lind soothingly, placing her hand on her brother's arm, whilst she cast a deprecating glance on Cottrell, and a pleading, but more timid one on Rupert. Her laughter had been hushed from the moment that Michael had rushed forward to disperse the sweeps ; till then she had hoped that, by taking it calmly like Rupert, he would rob the mischief of its sting ; but that act, by proving him vulnerable to ridicule, fixed ridi- cule upon him, whilst the fierceness of his anger alarmed her. Generally good-tempered, she had never seen him in a rage before. 254 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? " It is no jest^ Rosalind^ though you would fain persuade me so to shield a favorite. It is an insult; and shall be apologised for — or avenged/' answered Michael, the crimson blood rushing up to the roots of his hair. " It is too silly a trifle to be th( , ht of, Trevor, Merely a merry farce after a b iful opera; for I flatter myself our singing was much admired/' interposed Rupert Wyvill, hoping to calm him by making light of the matter. " It may turn out a tragedy instead of a farce/' answered Michael moodily, paying little heed to his sister's soothing remarks. " I count it an insult, and warn Mr. Ccttrell that I shall not let it pass as a jest." " Pooh ! pooh ! Trevor, a little merry mis- chief—think nothing of it. Wyvill cares no more for such folly than a stately swan for the spray from an oar. A shake flings it off, and it leaves no trace/' said Mr. Adnam, good- WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? 255 naturedly^ anxious to promote peace^ especially for Rosalindas sake whose cheek was blanched by fear. " Wyvill may do as he pleases ; I am formed of other materials, and Mr. Cottrell having heard my opinion of his conduct can pursue what course he pleases/* " You did not mean this ; you did not in- tend it as an insult,^^ said Rosalind in a low but firm voice, looking steadily at her cousin. Her tone struck Rupert as singular ; it was not pleading — it was not coaxing — neither was it commanding ; but it conveyed the idea that the speaker was merely naming a fact, or re- calling one already known to remembrance ; and Edred too seemed struck with that tone to judge from an almost imperceptible start. He appeared to struggle for some moments against vindictive feelings awakened by Michael's words ; then his look cleared — the frown that had contracted his brow passed away ; and 256 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? he answered with a pleasing frankness, though making no attempt to conceal his vexation, " I might ask, Trevor, on what grounds you charged me/^ he began. " On the confession of one of your own hired mummers/^ said Michael interrupting him. •* Wrung from him by the dread of a drub- bing, I suppose ; and therefore no trustworthy evidence I might argue if inclined to put you on full proof of my delinquency ; but I am not so inclined. You used rather high words just now, which caused me to remain silent longer than I should otherwise have done, for, hke you, I am made of other materials than Wy vill, and try as I may shall never be cold and calcu- lating. Your manner provoked me, but Rosa- lindas pleading looks and pallid cheeks have restored me to a saner mood. Chancing to en- counter the sweeps on my way to C. just after we had been discussing our birth-day pageant, I was led by that will o' the wisp mischief WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 257 finding them merry, clever fellows, to engage them to close our performance with a laughable entertainment. Had I anticipated your anger I would not have done it. It was fun — not insult ; and I am ready to pay the penalty in the way of confession or apology. I thought to win a laugh from you as well as others, and am very sorry for the turn, which the affair has taken. I offer no further defence for my folly, but leave my case as it is in your hands. Can I say more, Trevor ? Am I forgiven ?'' " To be sure, Cottrell," said Michael, holding out his hand, appeased at once by his frank confession. " I am sorry I used such high words, but I was vexed at being made ridicu- lous ; the fault was partly mine for not being better tempered, so we will say no more about it.^* " No, no, Trevor ; the fault was mine alone. I hope to learn wisdom in time ; as it is, I am always annoying my best friends by my boyish folly, never thinking of anything but 258 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? present amusement, you are a good fellow to accept my apology so readily. And you too, Rosalind, will you forgive me V " I have no right to feel offended since I laughed as much as any one at first/' answered his cousin carelessly, " And you, Wyvill — will you pardon me for having rendered you ridiculous ?" '* You never rendered me ridiculous ; you failed in that,'' replied Wyvill with quiet dignity. " Thank ! thanks ! you are all very kind and forgiving ; and I must be a better boy for the future." *' Yqu ought to apologise to Miss Weston," said Mr. Adnam. "Nonsense about apologies, it was capital fun," cried Richard. " And if there is not Mrs. Bailey in her night-cap ! I wish I could draw caricatures," he added, bursting into fresh fits of laughter. " I never thought of my cap," said poor WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 259 Mrs. Bailey^ drawing in her head in some confusion. " My foolery has given more eclat to your birth-day, Maria, so I shall count on your favor/* said Edred, bowing to the gratified beauty ere he quitted the terrace with the other performers. Had Mrs. Denham seen and heard from her study window all that had passed ? And if so, what had she thought thereon ? That she had seen and heard all was certain — what she had thought thereon was uncertain. When Rosa- lind glanced towards her the features wore their wonted calm and almost stolid expression. It was a merrier breakfast than usual, for Michael's good humour was so completely re- stored that none checked their comments on the song and succeeding dance for fear of paining him. He even laughed at his own anger, and admitted that the sweeps were inimitable shufflers ; whilst Edred's conduct was admirable — just what it should have been ; 260 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? a subdued gaiety with marked attentions to Rosalind and her brother, and admissions of his own folly, with endeavours to turn the con- versation to other subjects, till, finding that Trevor no longer shrank from the discussion, he entertained the party with a most amusing account of his engaging and drilUng the sweeps ; and the difficulty of equipping and perfecting them in so short a time. It was impossible not to be diverted by his humorous description; and the breakfast room rang with as merry laughter as had greeted the exploits of the sweeps themselves. *^ Your pretty surprise went off beautifully this morning," said Mrs. Sew^ell, entering the little room appropriated to drawing, as Rosa- lind was putting aw^ay her brushes preparatory to following the other young people, who were gone to get ready for a walk. ^^ The sweeps dance and all ?" asked Rosa- lind archly. " That was a very stupid trick of Edred's, WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 261 and he should have shown more censideration for your feeUngs/' '^ My feelings, Minny ! What feeHngs ?" " Oh ! I can see, Rose, though you never think that I see any thing/^ replied the old lady nodding significantly. '^ I should not have thought that he would have tried to make any thing ridiculous in which you were en- gaged/' " Should not you," said Rosalind in a tone that puzzled her hearer. " No, I should not ; but perhaps he never thought of vexing you and Michael, only Ru- pert Wyvill, for they do not seem very good friends sometimes." " You do see a great deal indeed.^' ^^ To be sure I do, Rosalind, though 1 am not sure that you think so now. You look and speak so oddly sometimes that I don't know whether you are in jest or earnest." " Heigh ho! nor I either; so you know as much as I do.'* 262 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? " You are a very strange girl, Rosalind." " Am I ? then you do see extraordinary things indeed. Marvellous things !" said Rosa- lind looking up with a mischievous expression. " Don't you like odd girls ?" " You know that I like you, and presume on the knowledge." ^' Oh ! fie, Mrs. Sewell ; to think of accusing your old pet of presumption,'^ said Rosalind, holding up her finger in rebuke. " 1 will run away — I won't stay to be scolded.'' ^^ Stop a minute," cried Mrs. Sewell catch- ing her by the sleeve, ^^ I want to talk to you of the song. Mrs. Throgmorton, who, you know, is a very fine musician and constantly at the opera, was delighted ; and says it was quite a treat ; your voices harmonised so beau- tifully, and the tune was so admirably adapted to the words. Her praise is something 1 can tell you ; and she talks of having you at her concerts in town." '' I am obliged to her, but I am not going to WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 263 town ; and certainly not going to sing in public at a private concert. Besides, all the praise is due to Mr. Wyvill, who wrote the words and adapted them to an old tune picked up somewhere abroad." ^' I am sure you helped him. Rose." ^' Very, very little." ^^ Well, 1 had no idea he could have doiie such a thing ; and in so Ihort a time too ; — he seems so studious, and do-nothing like. How- ever your singing was very much admired, particularly by Mrs. Denham." " Did she make any remarks on it then ?** " To be sure ; you never believe that she says anything." " Not much certainly. But what did she say ?" " Why, when Mrs. Throgmorton remarked what a sweet voice you had, so clear, so rich, and asked Mrs. Denham if she did not think you sang with a great deal of feeling, she answered, ^ yes ;' and when I remarked how 264 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? good-natured it was of you to sing on the birthday of such a vaunted beauty, and that it was a proof of your being free from envy, Mrs. Denham observed that she did not believe you entertained any jealousy of Maria Weston.'^ " Was that all that Mrs. Denham said ?" " All ! was not that enough ?" " To bear me out in the assertion that she says as little as she can help.'^ '^ You are never satisfied with anything I tell youj" observed the old lady discontentedly. ^^ Do not be vexed, Minny ; but according to you, Mrs. Denham thinks Michael and my- self perfection — some rare species of animal never before discovered ; yet you can bring no proof of this from her words ; and I see no proof in her acts." " Proofs, Rosalind ! you are always wanting proofs just like a man, or a prying lawyer, asking — where did you hear it ? and when did you hear it ? and from whom did you hear it ? You should not be so particular — it does not WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 265 become young girls. You will never get mar- ried if you want proofs of every thing ; but there^ it is of no \ise talking to you about marrying. I see/' she added pettishly, as Rosa- lind laughed outright. " I tell you Mrs. Den- ham was very much pleased with the song and the singers." ^'' But how do you know this, Minny dear, if she did not say so ?" " There you are wanting proofs again, just as I said ; I won't tell you any thing more.^' ** A very prudent resolution because then I cannot ask troublesome questions. But was not she more pleased with the dancers ? To my mind the sweeps were the best performers, and excited the greatest sensation.'^ " Nonsense, Rosalind ; it was very tiresome, and ill-judged of Edred Cottrell. It is a singu- lar coincidence, but I remember once when I was young, and Mr. Sewell came to serenade me beneath my window, just as he got to the most pathetic part of the song — something VOL. I N 266 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? about Delia, 1 forget what exactly, but it was out of Elegant Extracts — the cats set up such a squalling that he could not hear whether he sang out of tune or not ; and I could not dis- tinguish a word. It was very provoking ; and my father, who was a hale, merry man of his years, called it a catastrophe ever after. I never understood exactly why ; but I believe it was Greek or Hebrew, and that accounts for it. And what was a still more singular coincidence Mrs. Denham, who was quite a girl then, was staying in the house at the time; indeed she generally spent seven months out of the twelve with us, my father being her guardian. But what are you laughing at, Rosalind ? Do you suppose that no one ever had their praises sung but Maria Weston ? 1 was young then ; and I may say it without vanity now — pretty." ^^ I am sure you must have been, dear Minny ; but don^t be vexed — you know I laugh at every thing, and nothing,^^ soid Rosalind unwilling to annoy her old friend by admitting WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 267 that she was laughing at the singular coinci- dences, " Did you remind Mrs. Denham of the catastrophe T' " Yes, and she agreed with me that it was a very singular coincidence ; but it is of no use to talk of coincidences to you, for you never understand them/' " No ; matrimony and coincidences are above my comprehension.^' " There are some things that you won't com- prehend, or I am sure you could. Now you won't understand the advantage, nay, even necessity of being more attentive to Mrs. Den- ham.^' " Oh ! is that it ? the old story :— I thought you were coming to something in a round about way, from your being so fussy, touching my wish for proofs. H she is so very much pleased with me as you assert without my being attentive, attention would be thrown away." '^ I did not say that she was so much pleased with you, Rosalind." N 3 268 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? '^ Oh, fie, naughty Minny ! you did say so, only you are vexed with me now, and therefore deny it. You know that is the truth." " I do not know any such thing, Rosalind. She said the other day that you were very high spirited ; but I do not pretend to know whether she meant that for praise or blame.^* " Did she say that ? then I will thread her needle, scold her bailiff, and nurse her old spaniel for the next week at least. I feared that she thought me mean-spirited." " There is no telling what to be at with you, Rosalind, you seem now so delighted for nothing ; but I do hope you will be more civil to her than you have been for Michael's sake, who I think stands a very good chance of being her heir ; for I heard her tell Mrs. Throgmorton, without my asking her mind, that he was very handsome, and had very gentlemanly manners.^* " I am very glad to hear it ; — Mrs. Denham always seems to use the word very when speaking of us, which is very complimentary." WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 269 "Then you will not mar his prospects by rudeness or caprice ?'^ " Rudeness or caprice^ Mrs. Sewell ! I scorn your words," cried the laughing Rosalind, assuming an offended air. " When was I ever rude or capricious ?" " Well, well, dear ; I did not mean that ex- actly, only it is a singular coincidence. — " '^ Oh ! good bye if you return to the coinci- dences. You know 1 never understand them/* cried Rosalind, extricating her sleeve from her friend^s detaining fingers and gallopading to the door, flinging back a kiss of the hand just before she closed it behind her^ " It is of no use forme to make out a liking on Mrs. Denham*s part, for she will not be atten- tive to her all I can do. She is so wild — but then she is so merry, and grateful, and affec- tionate that one cannot help loving her better than any one beside," thought Mrs. Sewell, looking after her favorite. ^' And there are others love her too. I suppose she will have 270 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? Edred Cottrell one of these days, after she has led him a dance ; at least he would have it thought so. Yet it will be nothing of a match for her, unless he should get Denham ; and then Michael could not have it. Well I don't know how it is to be — and there is no mana- ging Rosalind, or my old friend, so they must both have their own way I conclude. It is a singular coincidence, that I never yet tried to guide any one as I wished, but what they went the contrary way directly .'' WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 271 CHAPTER IX Hastily arranging bonnet and scarf, Rosalind descended to the hall, expecting to find her brother and Maria waiting for her to proceed on a walk, but the hall was empty ; and voices sounding from the vestibule leading into the drawing-room, she turned towards it just in time to hear Edred say — " Oh ! 1 dare not do it/* " Then I will. So here goes ! I am not afraid of any body, or any thing," rejoined 2J2 WHO SHALL BS HEIR? Miss Bailey, taking a laurel wreath from the table. Rosalind did not understand to what these words alluded, but mechanically followed the party, consisting of Edred^ the Misses Bailey, and some others into the drawing-room, where nearly all the rest of the visitors as well as Mrs. Denham were assembled. Rupert Wyvill was seated at a distant table engaged in writing, and towards him Miss Bailey directed her steps, treading on tip toe, so that he remained unconscious of her approach till she placed the laurel wreath on his head, saying as she did so, in a mock pompous tone — ^^ I am deputed by this honourable company who w^ere so much charmed by your morning's effusion, to crown you Poet Laureate." "The company have chosen a worthy deputy. Miss Bailey," he observed after a minute's pause from surprise, and a hurried glance round the circle, his eyes fixing for an instant, as in the morning, on Edred, whose brow became 273 sKghtly contracted as their gaze encountered, "but my modesty will not permit me to retain an honor so far above my merit. Bear it back to Mr. Cottrell — to him I yield the crown as due to the author of the sweep^s ode.'* There was a quiet dignity in his manner that checked even Miss Bailey's impertinent titter- ing ; and a something so commanding that involuntarily she was on the point of obeying his injunction, when Mr. Adnam took the "vsreath from her hand. *^ No, no, Wy vill ; you have fairly won it ; but it must be given by the hands of beauty. Miss Weston and Miss Trevor I call on. you to. crown your minstrel." '' 1 can no longer refuse so high an honor, though quite unworthy to receive it,*' exclaimed Rupert with amination, playfully bending his knee before Maria and Rosalind as they placed; the crown on his head, " You must make a speech on giving it, ladies," said Mr. Adnam, rubbing his hands N 5 274 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? with glee^ accordixig to his wont when pleased. " What must I say ?" asked Maria. *^ You must be inspired to say something fitting the occasion/^ repUed Mr. Adnam. " Do you speak; RosaUnd ; I never can say any thing," whispered Maria. " Come, come — the sp^ ech/' cried Mr. Adnam impatiently. "Oh, yes! the beauties should make a speech/^ exclaimed Miss Bailey spitefully. " Do speak for me, Uosalind/^ again whis- pered the silent Maria, stepping back. There was a moment's pause — and then Rosalind spoke with a flushed cheek and glanc- ing eye. ** The poet's mastery we own, And round thy brow ve bind this crown. May visions brighJ, thy slumbers bless ! Earth be to thee all loveliness ! And every leaf a spell to scare, Far from thy onward path each care.'' ^* Very good ! very good !^* cried Mr. Adnam who had a taste for doggrel. " Now Wyvill, WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 275 be on your metal, man. Give a speech in re- turn,^' he added as the blushing Rosalind drew back with eyes bent on the ground not ventur- ing to meet the gaze of the kneeling Rupert. '' We are waiting/' They did not wait long ; and his flashing eye and impassioned tone gave him the sem- blance of poetical inspiration. " Speech hath no words my thanks to pay — Hope at thy bidding lights my way. This brow no more shall ache with care-^ Lo ! at thy voice flies doubt — despair. Earth wears for me a second spring, And mounts my soul on joyous wing.'' " Very good ! very good indeed ! You are both capital hands at improvising^'^ cried Mr. Adnam rubbing his hands more fiercely than ever, as Rupert concluded. "There, now. Miss Trevor, to finish it in proper style you must hold out your hand to raise him, which he must kiss with knightly devotion, swearing to keep tlie wreath till his dying day." With mingled smiles and blushes, Rosalind 276 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? permitted Rupert to take her hand ; and those blushes grew none the paler as she caught the few low, earnest words that none beside could hear. " That is right, Wyvill : that is something like. You are up to the thing. Why are you not always thus alive?'* exclaimed Mr. Adnam, ^^ You could not have done it better if you had been practising.** *^ Perhaps they have/* observed Miss Bailey with an ill natured titter. " How could that be when you gave the wreath, though little expecting how it would be received, as 1 guess,'* replied Mr. Adnam rebukingly, seeing that Rosalind was annoyed at the sneer. " No, I did not expect Rosalind to speak ; I thought the beauty of the day was to make the harangue ; and so it should liave been ta my mind,** retorted Miss Bailey colouring with vexation. ^^ I begged Rosalind to speak for me," said WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 277 Maria^ who was really good-nafeured, despite all her mother's petting, when no rivalship ruffled her mood, and RosaUnd's ready admis- sion of her superiority in beauty and voice had banished every feeling of jealousy. " I am sure I could not have said anything half as pretty." '^ Are we to set off on our walk to-day?^' asked Edred Cottrell. " To be sure, Mr. Cottrell ; but have a Httle patience ; you are always fidgeting if you do not make the fun yourself,^' replied Mr. Ad- nam. " Come along, Wy vill ; you are bound in gallantry to attend the lady of the wreath. And do not go to sleep again, now that you have been once rouscd.^^ ^* I am too happy waking ever willingly to skimber again ; and am proud indeed to be Miss Trevor's escort. Let rae place my wreath in safety, and then I shall be ready." Rupert might be ready, but the fates were against his being Rosalind's cavalier. As the party were crossing the hall a letter was pult 278 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? into his hand by his servant, with the intima- tion that the bearer waited for an answer. Glancing hastily at the superscription, not as some imagined without a change of colour, he announced the necessity of his remaining to send back a repl}-, requesting that the walk might not be delayed on his account. ''You can follow us,'' said Michael, offering his arm to Maria. " Oh ! when a lady's in the case AIJ other things of course give place." observed Edred gaily, but not so loud as to reach Rupert's ears. '^ Who told you that there was a lady in the case," asked Mr. Adnam rather sharply. " It was a lady's hand all the world over ; there is no mistaking their ups, and downs, and alongs." " You must have very quick eyes to have seen the ups, and downs, and alongs ; besides, I do not agree w ith you : I have seen some men write just like women." WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 279 ^^ Have you ? — Mollys — women's men I sup- pose; and I am sure Wyvill would never cor- respond with such. But think it a male cor- respondent if you please, 1 never purposely make mischief, though I may do so sometimes inadvertently." '^ You forget the sweeps this morning/' ob- served Mr. Adnam in a vexed tone. ^^ Pooh ! I only meant that for fun, not mischief, and you should not remind a man of his troubles, particularly when Rosalind and her party forgave me so generously. You are out of humour about something, Mr. Adnam. What is the matter?" ^' No such thing ; I am not out of humour,'* replied Mr. Adnam pettishly. '' Miss Trevor will you accept of me as Wyvill's substitute till his arrival? I am sure he will follow directly." ^^ Allow me to offer another arm," said Edred. *' I must not say as they do on the turnpike boards, two donkies make one horse, or Mr. 280 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? Adnam might be offended ; but perhaps you will consider us two for a time equivalent to Petrarch crowned by your hands." " You may call yourself a donkey if you please ; I shall not quarrel with you for that ; but ten such as us two would not be equivalent to Wyvill when in health/^ muttered Mr. Adnam still more petulantly. " I beg your pardon, sir ; 1 had not the slightest intention of affronting you/' said Edred good-humouredly. ^^ You need not beg my pardon — I am not affronted — I am not at all vexed — I never care for nonsense/' replied Mr. Adnam, looking exceedingly cross all the time. " I am glad to hear you say so/' said Edred politely, w-hilst Rosalind changed the conversa- tion by praising some flowers ia a bed to the right. Mr. Adnam soon recovered his usual good- humour, and Edred made himself particularly agreeable. Maria was very gracious towards WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 281 Michael, whilst the Misses Bailey and Miss Highworth smiled on their respective beaux, the two Westons, and a friend of Richard's, so that the woods were gay with the merry jests and merry laughs of some of the walking party. Miss Highworth's money made her a dangerous rival to Rosalind in Mr. Terry Weston's estimation. " Cannot we return by some other path ? I hate going back the same way I came/' obser- ved Miss Bailey, when a high fence barred all further progress forward. " To be sure, I will be your guide," cried Richard. '^ It is a wild path, but you will not mind that." " And a very pretty one,'' added Edred. So novelty carried the day, and all submitted to Richard's guidance, Mr. Adnam not choos- ing to say anything of the difficulty of finding them should Wyvill attempt to follow. " What a romantic little dell, and picturesque cottage !" said Rosalind, pausing to admire the 282 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? view, ere she descended the steep with the rest of the party into the vale below. " Monstrous cold that cottage in winter ! Why there is a crack as broad as my hand down the side. I should not like to pass the honeymoon there — should you ?'^ questioned Richard appealing to Miss Bailey. ^^ No — to be sure not ; I should prefer Brighton ; but cracks in the wall keep the poor people healthy, letting in air — their rooms are generally so hot and stivy that there is no breathing in them." " There is little over heat in them in winter ; 1 wonder how the poor live through a hard season," remarked Rosalind feelingly. " Oh, pooh ! they are well enough off ; I have no idea of setting people above themselves with societies for this, and societies for that. Day labourers will be wanting drawing rooms like ours very soon, with stoves and cigars,'* observed Richard Weston. " They may want them long enough. Their WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 283 scanty wages will scarcely furnish the coarsest food, so you may still hope to keep all the cigars to yourself." " I do not know that, Rosalind ; for I saw a butcher's boy smoking one the other day." " The only persons who should do so in my opinion." ^' Oh, pooh ! I remember you play fine^ and profess to dislike cigars. I tell you what, my wife must have no such fancies.'^ " Thank you for the warning," said Rosalind laughing. " I must no longer aspire to the honor of your hand." " You had better not, for I would rather go without a wife than a cigar. But look ! look, there is fun ! the child^s pitcher has fallen into the stream, and she can't get it out." '^ Poor little thing 1" said Rosalind. " Let us go and help her.'* " No need for that, there is your minstrel, the poet laureate, coming down the dell ; he can fish up the pitcher— it will be quite poet- 284 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? ical. Let us stand behind these bushes, and see what he will do/^ he added pulling Rosa- lind back, till she also was screened behind some hawthorns. They were not kept long in suspense as to what Rupert would do. He came down the dell with a quick, bounding step, but stopped abruptly as he reached the girl, who was cry- ing bitterly. The distance was too great for the party screened by the bushes to hear what he said, but they saw him cut a hooked stick from a black thorn near — fish up the pitcher — fill it with water ; and finding that the child staggered beneath its weight, carry it for her towards the cottage, entering, as it seemed, at her request. *' That is just like Wyvill ; he was always a spooney — no dash — no go about him. He should have pitched in the child after the pitcher; — that would have been such fun!" cried Richard. WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 285 " I hope you are only in jest/' observed Rosalind very gravely. '^ Not I indeed, my pretty coz ; I am always for fun. Let us go and see what Wyvill is at in the cottage ; twirling a distaff I should not wonder.'^ Away hurried the whole party down the rugged path, Richard leading the van, closely followed by Rosalind. The cottage door w^as closed, but a little window allowed a view of the interior, and at this window Richard Weston took his station, making a sign for silence to those behind ; and at his back stood Rosalind, Edred, and Mr. Adnam, peeping under and over his head as they best could. It was a small, a very small room, with mud walls — a clay floor ; and a large open chimney, with two bricks for dogs. A chair, a stool, and a table, with a broken tea cup or two, a plate, and a kettle, appeared to be all the furniture^ save a small bed without curtains in the corner on which lay an aged women with the hue of 286 WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? death, and a look of squalid, hopeless misery. Her eyes were turned towards the fire with a longing, hungry gaze, though there was nothing there but a few live embers — no food^ — no hiss- ing kettle. Rupert was crouching down arranging the wood put on by the child, and trying to fan and blow the embers into a blaze. After some minutes he succeeded ; a flame shot up through the crackling wood ; and the old woman chuck- led with glee at the sight. Then her harsh tones were heard chiding her grand-daughter for not bringing her food, as if a momentary blaze could be sufficient for the scantiest cook- ing, and utterly forgetful that there was no food on the fire, scarcely any in the house. *^ Stop a minute, granny ; and you shall have some," answered the child timidly, frightened at her vehemence. " Give me anything — give me something to drink. Would you let your granny starve — and you living in plenty ?" questioned the old WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 287 crone passionately, her hollow voice shocking those who heard her. The poor child, who was in rags and wore a cowed and famished look, tried to pour some water out of the pitcher into the cracked cup; but her hand shook so much that Rupert rose from his crouching position to assist her. The lip of the pitcher was broken, and the young man, unused to such a task, spilled the water over himself and the poor girl too. " I am less skilful than willing it appears," observed Rupert with a kindly smile, whilst the child looked down in fear as if expecting a scolding, though the awkwardness was none of hers. " Can you give her nothing to eat ?— she seems half starved." " Starving — starving — not tasted a morsel since yesterday ; and now they are giving me only water to drink, and keeping the good things for themselves,^^ croaked the old woman angrily. 288 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? *• Indeed, indeed, there is nothing better," sobbed the poor, timid child, terrified at her grandmother's violence. *^ Have you no food ?" again asked Rupert. *' We have no money," faltered the little girl. " Have you nothing at all in the house ?" '^ Give me something to eat ! I am starving," cried the old woman more sharply. '^ If you won't tell — ^'said the little girl creep- ing close up to Wyvill, and looking half plead- ingiv, half confidingly into his face — that face so full of kindness and sympathy — then pull- ing something out from under the bed. " Potatoes ! Where did you get them ?" asked Rupert struck by her manner. " Don't beat me ! Pray don't beat me !" cried the trembling girl, clasping her hands, and letting the potatoes fall to the ground. " I could not let granny starve — and I am so hungry myself ! I had only a turnip to eat all yesterday.'' WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 289 <^ Poor child ! Poor child !" said Rupert softly, patting her head to reassure her. " You shall have money — you shall have food/* •^ Food ! food y repeated the old woman sharply — it was the sharpness of gnawing hunger^ joined to the growing imbecility of age. Rupert thrust the potatoes into the fire so hurriedly, and so heedlessly, that he burnt his fingers in the attempt ; and the wringing of his hands with the pain appeared so ludicrous in Richard Weston^s eyes, that he could no longer restrain his mirth. Wyvill turned towards the window at the sound of his boisterous laugh, and reddened on finding he had been watched — and by whom. '^You bear a charmed life, encountering perils by water, and perils by fire," exclaimed Richard Weston bursting into the cottage. " What a capital caricature this would make — you crouching down to blow the fire. There might be a series — the fishing up the pitcher VOL. I. o 290 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? — fanning the wet wood — throwing over the water — and burning your fingers. I wish Cruikshanks had been present.'* " What are you fine ladies and gentlemen all come here for ? To mock at a starving old woman ?'' questioned the crone, starting up in her bed, and shaking her shrivelled hand at the unwelcome guests. " You would have hanged my boy, but he is gone out of your way —out of your way !" she added, nodding her palsied head. *^ We are come to assist you,'' said RosaUnd soothingly, taking her shrivelled hand in hers. ** We will give you food.'* ^' Food ! food !" repeated the old woman with a wolfish eagerness in her dimmed eyes. " But I won't tell you where he is," she added, setting her teeth, or rather her toothless gums. *^ We do not ask you to tell us any thing," answered RosaUnd gently. ^^ No, no ; I won't tell you ; — but you said 1 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 291 should have something to eat, and I am hungry — yery hungry. You grand folks don't know what hunger is." ^'^Is there any house near, where you can buy a loaf or something to eat ?" asked Rosa- lind, addressing the girl, who seemed bewildered by the presence of so many strangers. *^ Granny has no money, ma'am," answered the child with a courtesy. " Here is money,'^ said Rosalind drawing out her purse. " Is there any cottage near ?" " Yes, yes ; I can get bread — I am very hungry, and granny too,^* cried the half famish- ed child with gleaming eyes. " Poor thing ?" said Rosalind, her own eyes filling with tears. " Bring back some bread as fast as you can for your grandmother, and take some yourself." Snatching the money, the child dashed out of the cottage without staying to offer thanks, to the great amusement of Richard Weston, who declared the whole scene to be very rio'.i. o 3 292 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? " How can you take that ugly old woman^s hand ? I should be afraid of catching a fever,'* observed Miss Bailey, keeping with her sister outside the door, and using her vinaigrette. '^ Yes, indeed ; you had better be careful — she looks so wild. We can send the servants to her when we go home," chimed in Maria also keeping aloof. '^ The poor woman has no fever — she is only hungry — starving,^' said Rosalind, keeping her former station. •^^ Starving ! yes starving ! That is it !" — repeated the woman, catching at the last word. " You look kind. Will you give me something to eat?" she added looking pleadingly into Rosalind's face. " I have sent for food ; and it will be here directly," answered Rosalind cheeringly, tears falling on the shrivelled hand she held. " Do, Michael dear, go after the girl — you can run quicker than she can.'^ ''^You ai'e a good, kind soul," said her WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? 293 brother, leaving the hut, for it scarcely deserved the name of cottage, to execute her commission. " How goes on your cookery, Wyvill ? Let me give the potatoes a stir,'^ cried Richard, trying to poke them with the light cane he carried. " Leave them alone ! This is no time or place for folly. Look at that wretched half starved woman, sinking beneath age and poverty, and humble yourself in gratitude that your lot is not as hers," answered Rupert sternly, the jesting tone of the heartless young man awaken- ing his disgust. ^^ Nonsense ! poor people always grow old,^ muttered Richard Weston, as he turned away, abashed but not repentant. " Here is a potatoe, which I think might be eaten," said Rupert taking the smallest out of the fire, and placing it without a thought for his fingers, which were burnt in the operation, on a broken plate that stood on the table. *' Pread would be better for her," observed 294 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? Rosalind, but as the girl was not in sight, and the old woman still murmured the word food, and appeared faint from long fasting, it was decided that the bread should not be waited for. With the aid of an old knife, Rupert peeled the potatoe ; and it was fearful to see the eager- ness with which the starving woman clutched it with her long, thin fingers, and thrust it into her mouth. " Poor thing ! Poor thing !'^ said Mr. Adnam turning away to conceal a tear. " Poor thing indeed !" repeated Edred Cottrell, who had hitherto continued silent, watching Rosalind. Rupert said nothing ; but he stood by Rosa- lind's side ready to take the plate, and when she turned to give it him, she saw that there were tears in his eyes, and her own fell the faster. *^ More to eat ! more to eat !'^ murmured the the old crone, holding out her hands in entreaty. WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 295 Rupert turned again to the fire, whilst Edred went to the door to look for Michael and the little girl. The rest of the party were all standing on the outside, Terry Weston and Miss Highworth never having ventured within a foot of the threshold. ^^ Here is some bread ?' cried Edred entering with a loaf, which he had taken from Michael. " Bread ! bread !" clamoured the old woman in an eager tone, her appetite having been little appeased by the potatoe, stretching out her trembling hands to snatch it. " And milk, and butter V* exclaimed the child in a shrill excited tone of joy, that showed how rare such luxuries had been of late. " Milk and butter 1 Milk and butter V' repeated the crone, nodding her palsied head in imbecile delight. The bread was crumbled into some milk ; and the woman's wolfish look grew more human and gentle as her craving appetite was satisfied, whilst Rupert helped the child, who had only 296 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? eaten a little piece of bread as she ran along-, to the same mess. A neighbour entering soon after, the granny and her grandchild were consigned to her care for the present, Edred Cottrell, who chanced to be best provided with silver, leaving money to procure the food and raiment needful for both. On enquiry it appeared that the girl's father was a notorious poacher, against whom warrants were out, and who was supposed to be still lurking in the neighbourhood though his old mother could not or would not give any account of his haunts. The party returned home pretty much in the same order in which it set out, except that Rosalind had Wyvill for her supporter on the right, whilst Mr. Adnam was jockeyed out of his station on her left by a manceuvre of Edred's, which said manoeuvre ruffled the old gentleman's usual good temper. Rupert walk- ed by Rosalind's side and her hand rested on his arm, but little conversation passed between WHO SITALL BE HEIR? 29? them, for Edred was in one of his merriest moods, so droll, so entertaining that it was im- possible not to listen and be amused, and almost as impossible to answer or check the current of his speech, his words flowed on so' uninterruptedly^ " Where have you been walking to V^ asked Mrs. Sewell of Richard Weston, who was the first to enter the drawing room. He hesitated an instant whether to mention the old woman, then, fancying that WyviU might proclaim his levity, he thought it best to tell the tale himself, and give his own versioil of the story. '* We wandered about through the shrub- bery and wood, and came home by the Haw- thorn Dell, where we had a capital scene ! — WyviU carrying water for a ragged girl, and roasting potatoes for her grandmother, an old witch.'' *^ Candying water — and roasting potatoes !'^ exclaimed Mrs. Sewell in surprise. o 5 298 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? " Yes, all ! And a capital scene was not it ?'* said Richard appealing to Miss Bailey. " Yes, very good indeed ! — the poet laureate roasting potatoes 1 You cannot think how funny he looked crouching down before the fire. And then Rosalind crammed the old woman/' " Is this true, Mr. Wyvill }*' asked Mrs. Sewell. *^ Something like it/^ repHed Rupert in his usual quiet manner. ** But how came it all about ? Did you do it for a bet ?" " It is a long story, and not worth telling.'^ " I should like to hear it nevertheless," said Mrs. Denham. '^ I will tell you then, my dear madam, since Wyvill seems little inclined to speak, from modesty I suppose he being the hero of the tale,^' answered Edred Cottrell. " To begin at the beginning then— I know you like a relation to be circumstantial — as we were crossing the WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 299 hall a letter was placed in WyvilPs hand with the intimation that the bearer waited for an answer. It was directed in a pretty feminine hand — of course such missives must be attended to — I spare his blushes and say no more. ^' He said he would follow, and we asked no questions. On we rambled here and there, hither and thither, backwards and forwards, through your beautiful woods, till we alllonged to be transformed into Dryads and Ilamadry- ads, shepherds and shepherdesses ; and all sorts of ruralities. At last, just as we reached the edge of the steep above Hawthorn Dell, what should we see but a little girl blubbering for the loss of her pitcher, which had fallen into the stream. Some persons troubled with a superfluity of cleanliness might have thought it no great harm had she fallen in herself, and thus endured an involuntary w^ashing — not so a poetical person — dirt and rags are undoubtedly picturesque. Well, whilst this picturesque child was blubbering over the lost pitcher, who 300 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? should come bounding down the glen but Wy- vill, in the very contrary direction to that in which we had come, now I think of it — I sup- pose he meant to follow the Irish fashion and overtake us by meeting us. What will the poet laureate do ? was the general speculation ; so we watched his movements from behind some bushes. He stopped and listened to the child's tale of romantic misery. Had it been an older and fairer damsel he would doubtless have plunged into the stream at once, but, being only a ragged girl with a pinched mouth and turn up nose, he set to work more philo- sophically, and cut a stick with a crook at the end wherewith he fished up the pitcher without dimming the lustre of his new coat. Here a common-place person might have ended the adventure — but Rupert Wyvill is an uncommon-place person — so finding that the girl tottered beneath the weight of the pitcher, which he had filled for her, he even played Aquarius himself, performing the office WHO SHALL. BE HEIR? 301 with that elegant dot and go one motion, with the other arm stuck out for a balance, so in- variably exhibited by water carriers — as thus :'* — here Edred performed the dot and go one motion he had described, with the projecting arm on the opposite side so inimitably, that even Mrs. Denham was lured into a something beyond a smile; and most of her guests laughed outright. " Thus on he trudged, the ragged child trotting close by his side, looking for all the world like the hero of a moral fairy tale, till he reached a hovel moulded out of mud, romantic from its rudeness and ugliness quite a poetical concern. The ^ Open Sesame* was said — the door unclosed — then closed again, shutting Aquarius and his attendant merchild from our view. ' La curiosite est la source de toutes les connoisances^ as the copy has it ; so on rushed the party down the steep descent like a herd of buffaloes towards the cottage, at the window of which as many as could find standing room stationed themselves, to witness 302 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? the conclusion of the sorceries, which had al- ready transformed the dignified Rupert Wyvill, the poet laureate of the morning, into a pitcher bearer; and most poetical and picturesque was the scene that met our view — quite like a de- scription in a novel. There were rugged walls, and rugged floor — a rude table with two legs and a half — a stool a la tripod — part of a plate — three quarters of a cup, and, in a dark comer, an original shaped couch, called by the vulgar a bed — not French — not English — but after a fashion of its own — from Fairy- land no doubt ; and on it an aged crone, blear-eyed, and pallid, according to the proper novel receipt, who moaned and muttered, and waving her shrivel- led hands, poured forth questions and lamenta- tions in a melodramatic manner. Besides all this, which was very romantic, there was a broad open fire-place with two bricks to stand for dogs ; and some ashes with wet sticks above to stand for a fire ; and before these ashes and wet sticks was Rupert Wyvill, the stately, WHO SHALL BE HEIRr' S03 philosophical Rupert Wyvill^ crouching down puffing away like the bellows in a forge, with cheeks distended like a trumpeting cherub in a country churchy striving to create a tiara C;, which he found a more difficult task in wet wood, than in gentle woman, the latter being by far the most inflammable material of the two. I wish you could have seen him, Mrs. Denham^ it was better than a christmas pan- tomime. Dov.n went his head to the right to bring his breath to bear on a promising ember. Puff! Puff! Puff! The wood did not blaze, but the ashes flew up into his mouth, nose, and eyes. Then came a sputtering and sneezing, and coughing, and making of faces, and rub- bing of eyes," continued Edred, acting all he described with admirable exactness and hu- mour. ^^ A less persevering spirit would have been discouraged; but Rupert Wyvill never yields to circumstances, so down went the head on the left side. Puff! Puff! Puff! Then came the same sputtering, and rubbing ; and 304 WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? then down went his head just in the middle. Puff! Puff! Puff! And the artistes skill was revvarded, for a tiny flame, like a serpent's tongue, shot up through the hissing, crackling sticks. Here the old crone began to call for something to drink, and faute de mieux, the little girl prepared to give her grandmother — it has always been a grandmother in these sort of adventures, from Little Red Riding Hood downwards — a draught of water from the spring. Wyvill had rescued an empty pitcher caiTied a full one — and puffed and puffed till he had raised a blaze ; and these feats would have contented an unambitious person — but Wyvill was desirous of proving himself an Admirable Crichton, capable of doing all things; so, seeing that the child's hands shook, he took the heavy pitcher under his own command. Down poured the water slap-dash, not into the child's cup, but into Wyvill's boot, w^ho was startled by the unexpected shower bath into performing two or three WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? 305 entrechats. Some doctors maintain that you cannot feel hunger and thirst at the same time ; but this old crone is evidence against them. No sooner had she drunk than she wanted to eat — she was hungry — starving — had touched nothing but three turnips for the last week ; and the girl^ like a dutiful grand-daughter, confirmed granny^s assertion. The old woman looked wolfish — the girl looked famished —and Wyvill the very model of sympathy. Had they nothing in the house ? The girl dragged out some potatoes — stolen she admitted — and Wyvill poked them into the embers. Whether she tempted him to overlook the guilt of theft, and become an accessary after the act, by ofFer- him a share of the plunder, 1 cannot say ; but certain it is that he uttered none of those moral aphorisms on the occasion for which he is so justly celebrated^ but, on the contrary, in such haste was he to rule the roast that he burnt his fingers in the attempt, and capered about in such a ludicrous style, wringing his 306 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? hands, and making wry faces that Richard burst into a boisterous laugh, and thus, by be- traying our proximity, put an end to the in- teresting scene." " Yes it was an interesting scene ! a capital scene ! and you have hit him off to the life !" cried Richard, indulging in a second hearty laugh at Edred's admirable representation of a person capering about under the torture of burnt fingers. Nor was his laugh the only laugh ; it was echoed by most of the party ; even Rosalind, though highly provoked, could not quite subdue a smile, and Wyvill himself joined in the general mirth. Mr. Adnam was the only person who maintained a determined gravity. " This is too bad !" he exclaimed indignant- ly. " Turning humanity into ridicule. Stop this foolery, Wyvill ! You should have interfer- ed before." " Let him have his run, my dear sir ; Cottrell is such an accomplished story teller that it WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 30/ would be cruel to check him in a display of his talent.'* " Have I said anything but the truth }" questioned Edred with unusual sharpness, ill pleased, as it seemed, with the remark, though the speaker's tone was very calm. " A mere outline is scarcely worth looking at — all know that it is the colouring — the lights and shadows thrown over that outline which give it force, rendering it pleasing or displeasing. You are a skilful artist — colour highly ; and I have no doubt will become very popular,'^ answered Rupert in the same quiet tone. *^ Rather a wretched caricaturist ! a vile dauber, only suited to low tastes !" exclaimed Mr. Adnam fretfully. " I do not think any- thing could put you in a passion, Wyvill, since you bear this folly, and worse than folly — malice, so placidly .'' " If folly, it is not worthy of provoking passion." SOS WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? " But if malice ?" questioned Mr. Adnam looking angrily at Edred. " I defy and despise it/* replied Rupert loftily. " Psha, Wyvill ! that is one of your high notions. A wasp, mean as it is, can sting." ** And may be crushed — trod under foot/' said Wyvill with a falcon glance at Edred, but yet no heat of tone. A gust of passion swept across Cottrell's features ; — it was gone, and had left no trace ; — no eyes had marked it but Rosalind's and Rupert's. *^ I hope you do not mean to call me a wasp, Mr. Adnam — a troublesome, busy, stinging insect,'* said Edred with a good-humoured smile. " Yes, I do," replied Mr. Adnam doggedly. '^ Your tongue is like a wasp's sting — you can always get a laugh on your side ; and you would jest on your grandnjother to do that." ^' I never heard of a wasp's getting a laugh WUO SHALL BE HEIR ? 309 on his side, and jesting on his grandmother ; and as for the sting of my tongue — Wyvill did not quarrel with what I said, therefore why should you ?" (« Wyvill is growing as indolent as an East Indian Octogenarian/' said Mr. Adnam pet- tishly. " I beg your pardon, Wyvill, for getting you rebuked," observed Edred gaily. " Never show any delicacy on that point, but follow out your own plans without think- ing of me," replied Wyvill rather signifi- cantly. *^ That is another of your lofty notions. You will allow yourself to be crossed in all your hopes, and learn wisdom when too late," cried Mr. Adnam in vexation. ^' Why not check impertinence at once ?'' " Impertinence, Mr. Adnam ! I hope you do not mean to say that I showed impertinence to Wyvill in my relation ; I thought I had painted his heroism and humanity in glowing 310 / WHO SHALL BE HEIR? colours, and if you had not stopped me I should have told how he roasted the potatoCvS, and peeled the potatoes, and helped cram the old woman and child." " What do you call that but impertinence ?' asked Mr. Adnam, the more provoked, as he saw that the good-tempered gaiety of his adver- sary won him favor with all his hearers. ** People run after a laugh as hens after a cackle." " Do you mean to call mine a cock and bull story ? Laughing is wholesome : laugh and grow fat they say. Now the ladies pronounce me too thin, so I laugh upon principle, or vanity — which you choose.'^ ""^ad the woman nothing but Mr. Wyvill's roasted potatoes to eat ?" asked Mrs. Denham ; not to judge from her monotonous tone that she took an interest in the question, but simply because, being weary of Mr. Adnam^s fretful- ness, she sought to turn the conversation. " Oh, yes ! Rosalind Uke a ministering WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 311 angel^ gave the child money to buy bread ; and my pockets boasting most silver, I deposited a further supply with a neighbour for their use. I wish you could have seen Rosalind, Mrs. Denham, with her tearful eyes, and silver tones so full of pity, soothing that wretched old woman into hope and patience ; and then giv- ing her the food which her forethought had provided, wdth such touching gentleness — such anxious attention. Were I poet or painter I would depict the scene, and bequeath it to pos- terity as a reaUty more beautiful than the most beautiful of fictions.^^ All looked amazed at this change of tone, this sudden burst of feeling and admiration ; and none more so than Rosalind herself and Mr. Adnam, who muttered between his teeth — ^' Then the fellow can feel." ^^ What is the old woman's name ?" asked Mrs. Denham, making no remark on his praise of Rosalind. 312 tVHO SHALL BE HEIR? " Hester Darley, I think her neighbour said.*' " Her son is reported to be one of the worst cliaracters in the county ; and the mother is supposed to uphold him in his wickedness. There is a warrant out against him now for stealing my wood; and he has more of my game than I have/^ remarked Mrs. Denham. " Indeed ! I would not have left her any money if I had known that/' cried Edred quickly. " I will repay you," observed Rosalind with equal quickness. " I am sure you would not encourage any one that has behaved ill to Mrs. Denham," said Mrs. Sewell, with a warning frown to llosalind, which warning frown was, as usual, unheeded by her for whose guidance it was intended. " And I am sure that had Mrs. Denham been present she would have forgotten the woman's guilt — thought only of her hunger, and left WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 313 money as we did/* answered Rosalind warm- " I always make many enquiries before I judge or give/' observed Mrs. Denham with more than her wonted coldness. " So much for Mrs. Denham's warm heart !" thought Rosalind, looking as indignant as she felt, though she merely said, " I could not stay to judge a starving woman .^* " Ah ! my dear, you are young and hot- headed, but your heart is in the right place ; you always mean well, and will learn more prudence in time/^ observed Mrs. Sewell in a grand fuss at Rosalind's defiance, as she termed it, of Mrs. Denham, who made no reply to her last remark, but turning to Miss High worth, ex- pressed a hope that she had enjoyed her w^alk. " 1 could not do otherwise/' answered that young lady. " The grounds are very beautiful, and I longed for a horse that I might see more of them, not being a very good walker.'^ " There is a lady's horse in the stable, and VOL. I. p 314 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? plenty of beaux to attend you/' said Mrs. Denham, turning to the young men. '^ I shall have great pleasure in attending Miss High worth/' observed Terry Weston, arranging his favorite curl as he spoke. ^' By the bye, talking of horses, Wyvill, I have bad news for you/' remarked his brother Richard. " You will have that bay you sold the other day returned on your hands — it is dead lame. Cottrell told you at the time that it was not sound." " I do not always take for granted what Cottrell says, but judge for myself/' replied Wyvill carelessly. " Richard's information comes from Todd's man, which is pretty good authority," remarked Edred colouring. " Very good authority as to his master's dishonorable intentions ; but not as to the previous unsoundness of the horse.'* " Oh, I cry your pardon ! that is only my OM'n opinion. But it is a pity you warranted WHO SHALL BE HEIR? 315 the horse, for since it has unluckily fallen lame the day after the sale, malicious people, and I am sorry to say that there are such in the world, may make ill-natured remarks.'^ " They may do as they please, I am aware that there are malicious people who delight in slander, but my character stands too high to be touched by the surmises or remarks of such/' " I congratulate you on having such a charac- ter ; I would not subject myself to what may be surmised for something." " Possibly not — Edred Cottrell and Rupert Wyvill are not the same/' Edred's eyes flashed fire, but his words showed no token of anger, " Oh, no, thank goodness ! you are too stately for me ; one of the Ionic order, accor- ding to rule ; whereas I am of the whimsy order, fancy bred. I should hush up the matter if I were you, and take back the horse. I daresay with a little firing and blistering it will sell for half price, or do for a common 316 WHO SHALL BE HEIR? hacic. It is not pleasant to have one's honor called in question in a case of warranty." " Certainly not, but to hush up the matter and take back the animal would be an admis- sion that I had warranted as sound, what was in truth unsound. Young Todd got tipsy the night of the fair, and lamed his horse by taking a desperate leap, which he would never have attempted if sober ; and now has the impudence to ask me to take it back, and return him the money. Had I known his character he should never have had the poor creature — I was assured that he made a good master.'^ " You will have to prove this in a court of justice, for he declares the case shall come on at the ensuing assizes, unless you compromise the matter before." " 1 will make no compromise — he has had his answer.^^ " Of course it must be as you please, Wyvill ; I only advise you for your own good." " I appreciate your advice as it deserves. WHO SHALL BE HEIR ? 317 My servant and others can prove the previous soundness; and there was a witness of the leap/' " As you please, I have a dread of law— its tediousness — its uncertainty — its expense/' said Edred shrugging his shoulders. ^^ Rosalind shall I pick you a nosegay }'' " Thank you, I have one,'^ answered his cousin. END OF VOL. I. Printed by T, C. Newby, Angel Hill, Bury. ■M 'Mi> *..'^5^i ^X ^ '•''•9* ^ .■•'X, ^ ,i..', l/'* :-* ;";S',:o^'u.No«.uSI! 3 0112 08421 7n^Q