"'Sire,' I replied, 'joys prove cloudlets,

Men are the merest Ixions.'

Here the King whistled aloud, 'Let's,

Heigho, go look at our lions!'

Such are the sorrowful chances

If you talk fine to King Francis."--R. BROWNING.

The day after Rachel's adventure with Don a card came into the

drawing-room, and therewith a message that the gentleman had availed

himself of Mrs. Curtis's kind permission, and was sketching the

Spinster's Needles, two sharp points of red rock that stood out in the

sea at the end of the peninsula, and were specially appropriated by

Rachel and Grace.

The card was written, not engraved, the name "Rd. R. H. C. L.

Mauleverer;" and a discussion ensued whether the first letters stood

for Richard or for Reverend, and if he could be unconscionable enough

to have five initials. The sisters had some business to transact at

Villars's, the Avonmouth deposit of literature and stationery, which was

in the hands of a somewhat aspiring genius, who edited the weekly

paper, and respected Miss Rachel Curtis in proportion to the number of

periodicals she took in, and the abstruseness of the publications she

inquired after. The paper in its Saturday's dampness lay fresh on

the counter, and glancing at the new arrivals, Grace had the desired

opportunity of pointing to Mr. Mauleverer's name, and asking when he had

come. About a week since, said the obliging Mr. Villars, he appeared to

be a gentleman of highly literary and artistic tastes, a philanthropist;

indeed, Mr. Villars understood him to be a clerical gentlemen who had

opinions-"Oh, Rachel, I am very sorry," said Grace.

"Sorry, what for?"

"Why, you and mamma seemed quite inclined to like him."

"Well, and what have we heard?"

"Not much that is rational, certainly," said Grace, smiling; "but we

know what was meant."

"Granting that we do, what is proved against him? No, I will not

say proved, but alleged. He is one of the many who have thought for

themselves upon the perplexing problems of faith and practice, and has

been sincere, uncompromising, self-sacrificing, in avowing that his mind

is still in that state of solution in which all earnest and original

minds must be ere the crystallizing process sets in. Observe, Grace, I

am not saying for an instant that he is in the right. All I do say is,

that when depth of thought and candour have brought misfortune upon

a man, it is ungenerous, therefore, to treat him as if he had the

leprosy."

"Indeed, Rachel, I think you have made more out of his opinions than I

did."

"I was only arguing on your construction of his opinions."

"Take care--!" For they were at this moment reaching a gate of

Myrtlewood, and the sound of hoofs came close behind them. They were

those of the very handsome chestnut, ridden by Alexander Keith, who

jumped off his horse with more alacrity than usual as they were opening

the gate for him, and holding out his hand, eagerly said-"Then I conclude there is nothing the matter?"




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024