a I E) RAR.Y OF THE U N IVERSITY or ILLINOIS P775v/ Ml Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2009 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/violetosborne01pons /A/i6 ^cc^ ] y/^ I A:/ u VIOLET OSBORNE VOL. I. YIOLET OSBORNE. BY THE LADY EMILY PONSONBY, AUTHOE OF THE DISCIPLINE OF LIFE, " MARY LYNDSAY," &c., &c. " .... All worldly joys go less To the one joy of doing kindnesses." George Herbekt. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. L LONDON: HUEST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS, SUCCESSORS TO HENRY COLBURN, l:J, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 1865. The right of Translation is reserved. LONDON : PRINTED BY MACDONALD AND TUGWELL, BLENHEIM HOUSE, BLENHEIM STREET, OXFORD STREET. r^3 VIOLET OSBORNE, CHAPTER I. " Even at that age she rxiled, a sovereign queen Over her comrades." The Excursion. " Which of all those charming girls is your daughter, Mrs. Osborne T^ inquired a gentle- man of a lady, in whose house a small party was assembled. ^^ But no, do not tell me ; I like to make people out for myself.'^ '^ Thank you," replied Mrs. Osborne, who was a little deaf, and of all this speech, having only heard the word charming, applied it to her party. VOL. I. B 2 VIOLET OSBORNE. The gentleman smiled, and, aware of her infirmity, raised his voice. ^^ I am trying to make out Miss Osborne. It amuses me to guess people's situations from their actions, and their characters from their looks. It is Miss Osborne's birthday to-day, is it not?" " Yes. Violet begins her life to-day. God grant it may be a happy one ! " There was something touching in the warmth of this speech, contrasting as it did with the calm and inanimate repose deafness had given to Mrs. Osborne's manner. ^' We will at any rate anticipate it for her," replied her companion kindly ; " she is good, I am sure, and, unless for some special purpose it is otherwise ordained, happiness comes to the good." " She is good, certainly," said Mrs. Osborne, VIOLET OSBORXE. 3 with the same eagerness of speech ; " she lives only to make others happy." ^' I have found Miss Osborne !" cried the gentleman, a few moments afterwards. '^ Is she not the young lady with red roses in her hair r ^' Yes, that is Violet. How did you make her out r '' Because of what you told me. I saw somebody — I had remarked her for some time — thinking first of others and last of number one. I congratulate you on your daughter, Mrs. Osborne ; she is charming. Beautiful, and still more good than beautiful." " You are very kind to say so," said Mrs. Osborne, much gratified. At this moment, Violet rushed up to her mother. " We are not going to dance, mamma. I find the Lovels think their mother might not B 2 4 VIOLET OSBORNE. like them to dance so soon after their grand- mother's death, and it would be a pity for them to have to sit down.'' ^^ But you will be disappointed, dear." ^^ Oh no, mamma ; it does not matter. I was thinking of what we could do. Albert wishes to act charades. I suppose, mamma, you have no objection?" It was evidently Yiolet who made arrange- ments, for she hardly waited for a reply before she kissed her mother's brow, and was hurry- ing away, when Mrs. Osborne detained her, to introduce her to Mr. Woodrowffe. ^^ An old friend of mine, Violet, though he has not been in England of late." Violet did not bow, but frankly gave him her hand. <^ A charming girl indeed !" exclaimed Mr. Woodrowffe as she left them ; for he was of that age when a little show of gratification in VIOLET OSBORNE. 5 making his acquaintance — from the young and beautiful at least — pleases a man. " I am glad you will see her act," said Mrs. Osborne, who, by this appreciation of her daughter, was won to be confidential. " Violet acts very well.'^ " So I should guess. There is life, intelli- gence, and confidence in her face. She does not look as if she could be afraid ; and she is right. Why should she ? Who is that tall youth beside her ? Is that Albert ? " " Yes, he is my nephew. He is an orphan, poor boy, and his only sister, who is married, is lately gone to India. We have him con- stantly with us. He comes, indeed, whenever he pleases.'^ " He has a pleasant countenance, but not a great deal in it ; not like Miss Violet. She has a whole history in those dark blue eyes and that brilliant smile. Your daughter's 6 VIOLET OSBORNE. beauty would drive an Italian painter mad, Mrs. Osborne. What a skin, and what per- fect auburn hair ! The very tint the old painters liked, only with a touch more of gold than red." Of this rhapsody upon her daughter Mrs. Osborne heard little, but she saw by the direction of his eyes that he was commenting on Violet. She therefore smiled and thanked him. " I am afraid," she added, '* that I have been rather unjustifiably praising my own child, but the truth is she is our only one, and we have very few thoughts that are not con- nected with her." " No praise so valuable as a mother's !" said her companion, kindly ; '' for who can know a child as well ?" " True," said Mrs. Osborne, with a slight smile, " but I believe a wise mother should VIOLET OSBORNE. 7 leave her child^s virtues to be discovered. See, they have arranged a charade ! I hope Violet will act/' she added, forgetting her late sage observation. '^ We think she acts so well." Violet did not act in any of the scenes of the charade. It was well done, but, to Mrs. Osborne and her friend, it was tedious, be- cause the individual they wished to see did not appear. '^ Did you like it, mamma?" Violet in- quired, rushing up to her mother when it was concluded. " Yes, dear, it was very nice ; but we wished, that is, I hoped you would act. You must next time." *^ I don't know, mamma. There are a great many good actors here to-night, and I am at home, you know. Perhaps, by-and-by, but don't expect it." And again kissing her mother's brow, an 8 VIOLET OSBORNE. action which seemed so habitual as to be un- consciously done, she hastened back to her companions. Two more charades were performed, and in the last Violet did appear ; but it was in the character of a decrepid old woman, and though the acting was certainly excellent, the dis- guise was too complete to satisfy her mother or Mr. Woodrowffe. When the party, with the exception of this old friend and Albert, had dispersed, Mrs. Osborne complained, with some warmth, of her disappointment. " But, mamma, it could not be helped," said her daughter. " I was at home. You would not have had me take the best parts ?" "Your mamma would have you please yourself, sometimes, darling, instead of always pleasing others !" was her father's fond obser- vation. VIOLET OSBORNE. 9 "As to that, papa, I please myself best in my own way. How well Margaret Lovel looked as Queen, didn't she ?" "Yes,'' said Albert. "And," he added, with a boyish wink, " I know somebody who thought she did." "Who?" cried Violet, eagerly, expecting some revelation of interest. " Miss Margaret Lovel," was his reply, very dryly given. " If young ladies could but know how I see them through and through, they would either leave off deceiving, or practise a little harder to learn how to deceive." " Margaret Lovel does not deceive in the least," said Violet, quickly, " and you are un- just to say so, Albert. If she thinks she is handsome, how can she help it ? She can see as well as others." " Oh ! very well, then, I suppose I am all 10 VIOLET OSBORNE. wrong, /thought the modest thing was for young ladies not to know they were handsome. / thought they were to hang their heads like a humble violet ; but that's evidently all trash. Come now, Violet, what do you think of your- .self? Are you handsome or not? Come, speak, I will have an answer.'' " It is a very unfair question, Albert," she said, angrily; ^^ and before a stranger, too; but I don't mean to tell any stories about it. I don't think I am wonderfully handsome, but I know I am not ugly.'' "Well, to be sure, the vanity of girls !" " And their truth," observed Mr. Wood- rowffe. " Miss Osborne, I congratulate you on being courageous enough to tell the truth, without regard to consequences." " You are very kind to take it in that way," said Violet, blushing ; " of course I knew to what I exposed myself ; but I think a story VIOLET OSBORNE. 11 is a story, and I never mean to tell one for anything or anybody." " A wise resolve, Miss Osborne, and a brave one. But I fear I am keeping you all up. Good night." He made some kind speeches to Mrs. Osborne, and took his departure. " I will walk with you," cried Albert, fol- lowing him ; '' I've a good way to go, and I like company." " What a fascinating girl your cousin is," observed Mr. Woodrowffe, with energy, as they walked along. " Yes," he replied, carelessly ; " she's a very good girl, but she's terribly spoiled. That father and mother of hers let her govern the house exactly as she pleases." *^ Perhaps because she is the fittest person to govern it. If you observe, government usually falls into the hands of the most fit." 12 VIOLET OSBORNE. ^^ Does it ? I am not at all sure of that. Certainly neither my uncle nor aunt will ever die of over-exertion of the intellectual powers ; but for all that I think it a great pity that Violet should be ruined. '^ " She will not be ruined. You may make your mind quite easy on that point. Good natures are never ruined by freedom, and no one can look in her face and fail to see that she is good." ^^ Oh ! yes, she's a good girl, but she's terribly wilful. But where do you live? This is my way. I'm going to Lincoln's Inn." " I will go a little farther with you. Are you a barrister ?" " Not yet. I am only studying for the bar at present. I live down there to be in the way, not being fond of early rising." " Your studies are dry enough, are they not ? How do you like them ?" VIOLET OSBORNE. 13 ^' Not very much ; but they wish me to be a lawyer, and it's all one to me." " Who are they V " My uncle. Because he's a rich banker, he thinks I shall get on at the bar, though what connection the things have together has always passed my comprehension. However, as I said before, it's all one to me. I make myself agreeable to anything." " But.it will not be all one if you don't get on. There's a future to be considered." " To tell you the truth, I don't intend to be a slave all my life. In a few years I shall marry, and have done with it." ^* An heiress, of course ?" " Yes, of course." " Your cousin. Miss Osborne ?" " Oh ! dear no, no one in particular. You don't suppose Violet would ever marry me ? She's one of the fastidious ones. Does not 14 VIOLET OSBORNE. mean to marry unless she finds every perfec- tion under the sun. 1 shall find her a husband one of these days, but not for three or four years. I think it's a bad plan for girls to marry too early ; besides, it's much better fun to have her at home.'* *^ True. I suppose Miss Osborne is so far fortunate that she need not consider fortune a necessary perfection." " So far from it, that one of her great per- fections is poverty ; but then you know Violet has plenty of money, and I must say she likes to have the upper hand." ^' Most women do, they say in the old ballad." '^ Then if most like it in a degree, Violet likes it four times over that degree. I suppose you have a right to know all the family affairs?" he asked, suddenly. ^* Well," said his companion, smiling, " I VIOLET OSBORNE. 15 don't know that I have any right, and perhaps I ought to beg your pardon for my inquisitive- ness. It is a quality that is always excited when I take a fancy to a person, as I did to your cousin to-night. However, you may be quite easy. All your secrets shall go back with me to India, and there be buried.'' ^' Thank you ; not that I have said anything I would not say to their faces ; but it's not pleasant to have remarks on one's relations repeated back again." '^ I quite agree with you. And now good night, and my best wishes regarding the heiress you mentioned." ^^ That will not be for some years to come ; but I am very much obliged to you all the same. Good night." And they went on their separate ways. ^^ A good-natured old soul, with a yellow face !" was Albert's soliloquy as he sauntered 16 VIOLET OSBORNE. along. " In love with Violet, evidently — all old men are !" ^^A well-meaning boy, with an empty head/' was Mr. Woodrowffe's. " He'll never do at the bar." I 17 CHAPTER 11. " A mind by nature indisposed to ought So placid, so inactive as content." The Excursion. ^' I HEARD you say you were going to tlie Exhibition of the Royal Academy to-morrow afternoon, Violet/' said Albert to his cousin one evening, two years after the date of the last chapter. ^' May I go with you ?" " Certainly. We shall like it, shall we not, mamma ? Be here at four o'clock, and we will take you. But this is a new fancy, Albert ? I never knew you to care about pictures before." ^^ One need not care because one wants to VOL. I. 18 VIOLET OSBORNE. go. Everybody is going. Besides, I suppose one may sometimes fancy a new thing. People don't always run in the same track. They would be nice ignoramusses if they did.'' " You have no reason, then, for wishing to go ?" Violet persisted, looking as if she was convinced he had. " None in particular. Leicester went the other day, and talked about the pictures, and so I thought I should like to go." Violet laughed and nodded ; but Albert, not observing her, went on — '' He says there is a little picture there that nobody seems to notice, which is worth all the others put together." " And who made Mr. Leicester a supreme judge of pictures ?" Violet asked, ironically. " His own good taste, I suppose. I cannot tell why it is, Violet, but you seem to have no VIOLET OSBORNE. 19 pleasure so great as cutting up Leicester, I see no fun in it at all." '^ ^fr. Leicester does provoke me, I own. Always forming strange opinions, and setting up his opinion against the world." " Leicester setting himself up against the world !" exclaimed Albert, in surprise and in- dignation. " What extraordinary fancies you do have ! Leicester, who is too shy, poor fellow, to express his opinions at all, and only neglected because he is too humble and diffi- dent to allow his merit to be seen." ^^ Mr. Leicester shy and diffident ! My dear Albert, I am quite tired of hearing all the strange things he says." " He talks to me because I like to hear him ; but he talks to very few besides, because most people are too full of themselves to draw him out. He never says strange things, and if I tire you, it is my fault, not his. He never c2 20 VIOLET OSBORNE. tired anybody, poor fellow ; and since you are so unjust, Violet, I will never mention him — though he is my best friend — any more/' He spoke with so much warmth, that Violet's interest was excited. *' Why do you say neglected, Albert ?" she asked. " Mr. Leicester is a lawyer, is he not ? 1 suppose he will get on in his turn as others do." ^' He is neglected because he is too shy to put himself forward. I don't suppose there is such a modest, retiring man in Europe ; but it's only for a time. He's too clever to be overlooked, and some day, poor fellow, he will be appreciated as he ought to be." During Albert's last two speeches a very singular change took place in Violet's mind. She had hitherto — without knowing Mr. Lei- cester — indulged in an antipathy to him, sim- ply because her cousin appeared to look up to VIOLET OSBORNE. 21 him. ■ Slie had set him down in her vivid imagination as a young, intolerable prig ; and as such, a proper object for her dislike and sarcasm. But there was that in her nature which ever stood up for the oppressed, and stooped down to the neglected. Observers, who were very desirous to discover the flaws in human virtue, would have said this disposition sprang from the love of patronizing and of power ; and undoubtedly this was Yiolet^s temptation. But the fault had wound about the virtue after it had grown up ; the root was in her own generous and kindly nature. Al- bert's few words regarding the fortunes of his friend, dispelled him from her fancy in his first priggish form, and a new vision of a young retiring genius springing up in its place, all her sympathies became enlisted in his favour. In less than a minute the transformation from dislike to interest was effected, and she began 22 VIOLET OSBORNE. to plan kindnesses to encourage modest merit. '^ Do you think Mr. Leicester would go with us to the Exhibition to-morrow, Albert ?*' she inquired, after a short silence. ^' We could take him as well as you, and it would be a means of making acquaintance. I feel sorry for him after what you have said." ^' I am sure he would," said Albert, de- lighted. '^ I think I can answer for that. He knows you all too well from my description to be shy about it ; or if he is, I can soon per- suade him. All he wants, poor fellow, is for people to come forward to meet him. Do you know, Violet, I have so often wished you would notice him." '^ Then why did you never say so ?" she asked with quickness. '^ Because I did not choose. He is a great deal too good to force upon anybody. If you did not like to know him, I did not wish you VIOLET OSBORNE. 23 to know bim. But I am very much obliged to you now." ^^ Mamma," cried Violet, approacbing ber motber and kissing her, " you will not mind our taking Albert's friend with us to-morrow, shall you ? I have told bim you will." The question was asked with Violet's accus- tomed dutiful attention to ber mother ; but it was a mere form. Mrs. Osborne bad no will but her daughter's. The two years that had passed had brought its natural changes to both Violet and Albert. The manners of both had lost their first marked freshness, and been toned into the softer manners of common life. With Albert the change ended here. He was in mind still a boy ; careless and wayward, yet with good dispositions, and some shrewd perceptions into men and things. He had lately been called to the bar, and he dawdled away a large por- 24 VIOLET OSBORNE. tion of his time among laAvyers and law books ; attending trials and propounding questions ; snatching up, with instinctive quickness, many pieces of valuable information, but eschewing all the profounder parts of the profession on which he had entered. With Violet the changes had gone deeper. At seventeen she had been a lively, sweet- tempered, wilful girl — a spoilt child, unsjmit; at nineteen she was a woman, with a woman's thought and feeling ; lively, sweet-tempered, and wilful still, but thinking much, and ques- tioning her thoughts. She had passed through the severe ordeal of two seasons as a reigning beauty ; rich, lovely, and inviting in manner ; sought, flattered, and loved. But the spoiled beauty was like the spoiled child, unspoilt I She did not think little of herself ; she knew she was very charming ; thought so, and re- joiced in the thought; but the knowledge VIOLET OSBORNE. 25 exercised no influence on her mind and manners. She was as simple and honest as when a child ; as careless of herself, as thought- ful for others, as earnestly desirous to do what she considered right, and to be all that she ought to be. If her standard was not high, it was true, and truth is the best of founda- tions. Violet expected, with some interest, the arrival of Albert and his friend. She was at the age when fancy is busy, and of the tempera- ment when it is vivid ; and fancy gives to the simplest events of life an importance of its own. With a disappointment, therefore, most disproportioned to the real importance of the circumstance, she saw Albert arrive alone. *^ Well, Albert, and where is Mr. Leicester?" she said eagerly. Albert, not having given to the invitation 26 YIOLET OSBORNE. as much thought as Violet had, answered, in- differently : " Oh ! he was very sorry, Violet, but he could not come." Violet coloured. '^ Of all things I hate," she said, with warmth, "it is for people to break their en- gagements !'^ " It was no engagement, Violet ; that is, it was none of his. He was very sorry, and very much obliged, and would have liked it, but he was particularly busy to-day, and could not help himself. You must ask him another time." The vision of the modest youth and bashful genius faded from Violet's fancy, and the in- tolerable prig resumed his place. "I see Mr. Leicester is just what I thought he was !" she observed, quickly; "gives him- self airs to make his importance felt. I am TIOLfcl OSBORNE. 27 very glad he did not come, for I know I should hate him/' " Leicester give himself airs! Poor fellow! What extraordinary fancies you do have ! I say, Violet, I think you are the oddest mix- ture I ever knew ! There is nobody more good-natured than you can be, but, at the same time, I know nobody so ill-natured, or so easily vexed, if people don't receive your kind- nesses just as they are meant. You should learn to be more calm, and not flurry about trifles." Violet's truthful conscience told her he was right. She could not bear the shadow of in- gratitude, and was certainly prone to expect large returns for her kindnesses. She coloured angrily, but refrained from the sharp words she would willingly have returned to this plain- spoken admonition. Without being a connoisseur, Violet was 28 VIOLET OSBORNE. fond of painting, and had an instinctive ap- preciation of what was good. She and her mother — the eyes of the latter instructed bj her daughter — went slowly through the rooms of the Exhibition, leisurely examining such good things as were to be seen. Albert lounged about by himself, discovering what was good and what was bad, without one rule of art to guide him. " Come here !'' he exclaimed, suddenly coming up to Violet in the second room. ^' I have found the thing Leicester likes, and I want you to look at it. It's a very good thing, and you will like it too." Assuring him she should not like it, Violet followed him. The picture was called in the catalogue, " Euth's First-born Son ;" and the subject was treated with a grave simplicity and pathos, Avhich, while it glaringly attracted no attention, riveted attention when once it VIOLET OSBORNE. 29 was cauglit. The position of Naomi, bearing away the child as her own ; the glad thank- fulness in the eyes of the young mother ; and something of awe and prophecy in those of Boaz as they followed it — were depicted with a master's hand ; yet such a master's hand as seemed unconscious of the effect he produced ; homely and harmonious, without effort or caprice. Violet looked, and was touched. She had expected some eccentricity of genius, some strange thing which the young prig had chosen to patronise. She could not conceal her surprise. " Yes," she replied, in answer to Albert's inquiry, ^^ it is very pretty, but I don't under- stand why Mr. Leicester likes it. It is not at all the sort of thing I should have expected a young man to choose." ^* A young man, my dear Violet, has quite 30 VIOLET OSBORXE. as good taste as a young woman, I can assure you/' said Albert, with dignity. '^ I mean that I wonder at the subject in- teresting him. It is all so simple, and all about a baby." " But there may be particular thoughts about the baby, and there are. I can see that myself. The baby was something or some body, I am pretty sure ; and they seem all to be thinking about it.'' " Yes — so he was," said Violet, thought- fully, ^^ the grandfather of David, and there- fore .... yes — I see what you mean. Still I am surprised. It is not at all what I should have expected Mr. Leicester to like. And I am very sorry, too," she added, laughing, ^^ because I agree with him in liking it best, and that is very disagreeable to me." ^^ Why ? — I don't see why," said stupid Albert. VIOLET OSBORNE. 31 " Because I hate him, and 1 don't want to agree with people I hate. But come with us now to the miniatures ; we have not much more time, and we must look at them before we go.'' In the miniature room another surprise awaited her, regarding the individual who seemed suddenly destined to engage her thoughts. '^ Who is that, Albert ?" she exclaimed, pointing to a crayon head above the rows of miniatures ; ^^ I think it must be somebody, and I like it." It was the head of a man ; not an intellec- tual abstraction, not a poetical study, but a man, seeming to live and breathe on the canvas. The features of the face were marked and strong, yet the expression of countenance was very soft, and there was something in the grave sweetness of the dark eyes which 32 VIOLET OSBORNE. arrested tlie spectator with a force he could not withstand. << Why, it's Leicester ! — it must be V^ cried Albert, seizing the catalogue. ^'Yes — sure enough — ^ John Leicester, Esq.' Well, this is the most extraordinary thing I ever knew!" " That Mr. Leicester ?" exclaimed Violet, almost stupefied with her surprise. "Yes, and a capital likeness — the very man! But what I can't understand is, how it comes to be here. I should have thought he was the last man in the world who would have made an exhibition of himself." " That is true," said a voice behind them, proceeding from a pale, clever-looking young man ; " but Mr. Leicester never refuses a boon to a person in distress. I asked him to sit to me, and he consented ; and having suc- ceeded beyond my hopes, he allowed me to make of my study such use as I could." VIOLET OSBORNE. 33 Violet was startled at this sudden explana- tion ; but Albert, who, with the exception of this picture's appearance, was never surprised at anything, quietly replied, " Thank you ; that is just like him. I hope it has been of use to you." " It has already in some degree ; and as, since its appearance here, it has been approved by very competent judges, I have good hope that it will be still more so. But do not let me interrupt you," and bowing, the young man disappeared. ^^ We ought to be careful how we speak in a crowd," said Albert, composedly. '' So I have been quite wrong !" said Violet. " I thought Mr. Leicester was a young man." " Young ! — why, so he is. Do you call two- and-thirty old ?" ^' I call it a very good age ; not the least VOL. I. D 34 VIOLET OSBOKNE. bit of a hoy,''^ and there Avas contempt in the emphasis. ^' But, Albert, what puzzles me is this : if Mr. Leicester is, as he seems to be, such a very supeiior person, how does he come to be your friend ?" ^^Ah! Violet," said Albert, nodding his head, ^^you are quite in the wrong box. It is not your clever people who appreciate superior characters — they are too full of themselves to care. I may not be very clever, but I know what is worth liking better than clever ones do." '^ I believe you mean to give me a hint," said Violet, laughing. '^ I daresay I am a ^reat deal too full of myself, and think myself much cleverer than I am ; but if you suppose I do not appreciate superior people, you are wrong. Goodness and worth is what I look for, as a jeweller hunts for diamonds ; and when I find a grain of goodness, I feel as elated as ii\ VIOLET OSBORNE. 35 the jeweller does. So now I want to make ac- quaintance with Mr. Leicester, and you must bring him to us." ^^ I will manage it," replied Albert, with dignity. " But you must remember he is shy, and not be surprised if you find him dull at first." ^^ He will not be shy with me. No one is. So, Albert, it is a settled thing, and don't let me be disappointed. But, dear mamma !" she suddenly exclaimed, ^^ how I have been talking, and how tired of standing you must be ! " " Not at all, dear. I like to look about me, and that," pointing to the crayon head which had occupied so much of the conversa- tion of her companions, ^^ is a very pleasing countenance. Look in the catalogue and see whose picture it is." Albert, who never could become accustomed D 2 36 VIOLET OSBORNE. to his aunt's infirmity, stared at this request ; but Violet obeyed, and gave the information she desired. 37 CHAPTEE III. " 'Tis a common tale, A tale of silent suffering, hardly clothed In bodily form." The Excursion. Mr. Leicester, at Violet's request, was invited to dine with Mr. Osborne a few days after- wards. Having heedlessly put himself into Albert^s hands for the occasion, and Albert rarely attaining to the virtue of punctuality, the company had sat down to dinner before he arrived. Violet was much vexed at this contretemps; but punctuality was a point dear to Mr. Osborne; his time and tide, though forced, he said, occasionally to wait for a woman, waited for no man. 38 YIOLET OSBORNE. With cordial kindness, however, on Lei- cester's entrance, he went to meet the stranger, and set him, as he hoped, at ease, by direct- ing him to a vacant seat ; but the vacant seat was far from Yiolet, and as, except in her mind, no particular interest was felt regarding the stranger, he remained silent during the principal part of dinner. When he first appeared, observing his tall and dignified figure, and the countenance on which, though remarkably handsome, the seal of middle age was lightly set, she blushed as she thought of her destined purposes of kindly encouragement ; but before dinner was over, they had been formed anew — the very same purposes, only with much more interest and much more zeal. And this because his diffi- dence even during that hour had become ap- parent to her eyes. When addressed by her father from a distance, which happened twice TIOLET OSBORNE. 39 in the course of dinner, she had seen him colour, as a young girl in his circumstances might have done ; and though his answers were given with great composure, he sank back with an appearance of relief when allowed to relapse into obscurity again. All the guests except Leicester were at home in the house ; and w^hen they appeared in the drawing-room, disposed of themselves with easy unconcern. But he was a stranger, and alone, and with the perversity common to shy strangers, he placed himself on a seat whose inaccessible position cut him off from notice. There is in Miss Edgeworth's novel of ^^ Patronage '' a description of what is there called mauvaise honte. She says of one of her characters : " He was subject to that nightmare of the soul who sits herself upon the human breast^ 40 VIOLET OSBORNE. oppresses the heart, palsies the will, and raises spectres of dismay, which the sufferer combats in vain ; that cruel enchantress, who hurls her spell even upon childhood, and when she makes the youth her victim, pronounces — " ' Henceforward you shall never appear in your natural character; innocent, you shall look guilty — wise, you shall look silly. That which you wish to say, you shall not say ; that which you wish to do, you shall not do ; you shall appear reserved, when you are enthu- siastic — insensible, when your heart sinks in melting tenderness,'" &c., &c. The passage speaks of an extreme case, and is highly coloured ; yet in its general features it as truly as forcibly describes the common trials of a shy man. John Leicester was one of this unhappy race. With talents above the average, with personal advantages which alone would have brought most men into VIOLET OSBOPNE. 41 notice, an unaccountable diffidence had laid its frozen hand upon his soul. The world in general is too busy to observe those who with- draw themselves from notice ; but even among those who did observe, Leicester was misunder- stood. Hehadjby the exertion of common sense and by natural strength of character, so far con- quered his shyness as to subdue some of its outward signs. He had learnt not to stand waving his tall body, as many shy men do, when a seat would set him at ease ; he taught himself to go through the common forms of society, and to speak common forms of speech with a grave composure which concealed his inward trepidation ; but the very conquest of outward weaknesses made him but the more liable to be misunderstood ; and, while it dis- placed pity, brought criticism in its stead. He was called proud, when often .he would have been thankful for a child's notice ; cold 42 YIOLET OSBORNE. and indifferent, when his heart was beating with sympathy; dull and apathetic, when, had he dared to speak, his words would have won golden opinions from men. He knew his infirmity, and owned his weakness ; but know- ledge brought neither strength nor comfort ; he felt his bonds, but could not burst them. Thus it was that in general, as Albert had said, he was neglected and overlooked. He could not put himself forward, and no kindly feeling went forward to drag him out ; and thus too it was that, neglect acting and re- acting upon his character, he withdrew f mother and further from notice, into the solitude of his own soul. Whether shyness proceeds from pride or humility is a question often asked ; and since it probably proceeds from both, will be often disputed. It is a very true humility that causes a poor soul to doubt of its powers to VIOLET OSBORNE. 43 please ; that causes it — comparing itself with other more gifted beings — sadly to feel that the charm of attraction is wanting. But it is pride that makes it acquiesce in this want of attraction ; and, rather than seem to court a notice not freely given, to hide for ever the gifts it is conscious it does possess. The dif- ferent ingredients are variously blended in different characters ; in some, pride prevails ; in some, humility ; but probably both are necessary to produce shyness in any aggra- vated form. In Leicester, the humility was very genuine. The talents that were over- looked by others, he overlooked himself ; and in the power to attract, he Avas but too pain- fully conscious of a deficiency. But though thus genuinely humble, it was also true that pride was slumbering in no small proportion within. After waiting in the vain hope and expec- 44 VIOLET OSBORNE. tation that he would approach her during the evening, Violet at length summoned Albert, and said : ''' I cannot bear to see Mr. Leicester sit there by himself. I must go to him — or you, Albert, must bring him to me. Which shall itbe?'^ " I will bring him to you," replied Albert, discreetly. " It was my being so late that put him out to-night. If we had been in time he would have made acquaintance, and all would have been easy before now." ^' It shall soon be easy," said Violet, confi- dently. " But what a strange thing it is to see such a man so shy ! It surpasses my understanding." " Come, along Leicester," exclaimed Albert, approaching his friend, " my cousin wishes to make your acquaintance, so lay aside that newspaper, and follow me." VIOLET OSBORNE. 45 He arose at once, very thankful, in truth, for the notice that brought him out of his self-chosen, yet awkward position. '^ There," continued Albert, pushing him with easy familiarity into a chair, ^^ now be comfortable, do ! I was telling Violet that you were very much ashamed and put out by being so late ; but what can't be helped is best forgotten. It is of no importance now." " It was not a very civil way, on our side, I mean, of beginning an acquaintance," said Violet, laughing ; " but we shall be all the better friends for beginning uncivilly." ■a The ease and friendliness of her manner thawed Leicester's frost-bound powers, and he became himself. After a little conversation, Albert, over- hearing a discussion between his uncle and another gentleman, regarding a disputed will, 46 VIOLET OSBORNE. walked off to give his attention to, and his opinion on, the subject, leaving Leicester and Violet to themselves. " I am so glad to have seen you, Mr. Leicester," she began, with a manner that, in some, might have been over-forward, but in her was only characteristic ; '^ for you must know that you have been my enemy for some months !" '' How so ?" he asked, with a smiling sur- prise. " Only from perversity, I believe. Albert chose to look up to you, and to quote your opinions, and, in consequence, I pictured to myself a very disagreeable image of what his friend must be ; a very different one, in short, to the reality.'' " Ellis and I are great friends," he observed, quietly. '^ Where did you make acquaintance with VIOLET OSBORNE. 47 Albert T^ she asked, suddenly. '^ I have never heard." He was silent for a moment, then replied : " Ellis is so much younger than I am that there can be nothing strange in my telling you that our acquaintance arose out of a piece of advice I one night gave him ; which he — in- stead of resenting, as many Avould have done at his age — accepted as it was intended. We have been great friends ever since." " Great friends, I am sure, from Albert's account ; but it surprises me still ; in fact, I cannot understand it. You must be so diffe- rent." '' Friendships spring much more from cir- cumstances than rules," he said, smiling. '^ You must have hard work if you try to account for all the fancies and intimacies of all your friends." " Never so hard work as now," Violet did 48 VIOLET OSBORNE. not say, but thought to herself ; for she could see no possible ground of union between the grave, thoughtful man, and the good-natured, shallow boy. " Do you go out much, Mr. Leicester ?" she presently inquired. ^^ Never for my own pleasure — sometimes as chaperon." " As chaperon!" and Yiolet almost screamed in her surprise. ^^ Well, I daresay I look like an awk^vard chaperon," he observed, with a smile ; ^^ but a man must do what falls to his lot, neverthe- less." ^' Indeed, that was not what surprised me ; I am only surprised at your being so different to the fancy I had formed of Albert's friend. But who do you take under your chaperon- age?" " My sisters. Two accept of me when they VIOLET OSBORNE. 49 can get no better — one is kind enough to say- that she prefers me to others." '^ Albert never told me you had sisters." '^ I have five ; but only three go out into the world." " And what do you do as chaperon ?" Violet asked, laughingly. " I do the best I can," he said, with a kind of quiet humour. " I lean my back against the wall when I am not wanted ; I move when I am desired ; sometimes I walk down to supper and up again ; and once I extricated my sister from a dilemma respecting a dis- agreeable partner — but this, she said, was so awkwardly done, that I have since been spared any active business." ^^ And does it bore you very much ?" " No, indeed, I am never bored." " It would amuse me beyond anything to have a girl to take care of," said Violet, VOL, I. E 50 VIOLET OSBORNE. laughing. " I think, when I am old enough, I shall advertise myself as a chaperon. The only fear would be that I should wish too much, and plan too much." "Yes, that is the danger/' he remarked gravely. " An unoccupied observer — for I am an inactive chaperon — sees many plots passing under his eyes." " Does he ?" she asked eagerly. " I wish I was an observer ; but I am too busy myself to see much of what others do. What do you see?" " Some things that please me, some that I had jather not see — but I only observe. It would not do for an observer to be a reporter." '' I should like to meet you out in the world," said Violet, frankly. The eager speech, the implied expression .of pleasure in his society, so natural to her to VIOLET OSBORNE. 51 speak, so uncommon for his eai^ to hear, affected him in a way she could never have imagined possible. It gave him inwardly indeed a strange thrill of pleasure, but its outward effect was to make him nervously draw back into himself. It also caused something to slip from his hands and fall at her feet. She stooped and picked it up. She had observed that while he conversed with her, his fingers were engaged in fidgeting with a piece of paper ; the result of the fidgeting, as she raised it from the ground, drew from her an exclamation of wonder ; " Mr. Leicester, did you really make this ?" It was the minute form of a little monkey, pinched and twisted into the most perfect pro- portions. " Yes, I believe I did,'' he replied, colour- ing deeply. ^* I hope I have destroyed E 2 52 YIOLET OSBORNE. nothing — I really Tvas not aware what I was doing." Too full of curiosity and pleasure to remem- ber how much he might dislike to be brought into notice, Violet called to her father to admire. ^^A perfect little monkey/' Mr. Osborne observed, examining the small creature through his glasses, as a naturalist examines a plant. " And five minutes ago the little thing was an old letter," said Violet. '^ I call it won- derful, Mr. Leicester." . Her exclamations drew the rest of the com- pany to the spot, and, as is customary, the expressions of admiration were beyond what the occasion required, especially from the female part of the assembly. Leicester looked as if he had been found guilty of some crime. For the truth was, the production of the little creature was a weakness, and he knew VIOLET OSBORNE. 53 it. It was the effect of a nervous tempera- ment, which laid hold on any employment which drew him from himself. Again and again he had resolved to be guilty of the weak- ness no more ; but in vain. In shy moments no piece of paper ever came in his way with- out bearing the traces of his hands. That his productions were full of genius, that other men would have used them to win attention and admiration, was nothing to him. In his eyes they were memorials of his weakness, and nothing more. ^' Put the thing down — do, Violet," whis- pered Albert, angrily, in her ear ; '' can't you see how you bore him ?" Violet glanced her eyes towards Leicester, and saw it. " Tea is ready," she remarked with quick- ness. ^^ Give me my treasure, and let ug go." 54 VIOLET OSBORNE. And taking it from some hand, she opened a drawer, and tossed it in. ^^ I make tea myself in an old-fashioned way/' she said to Leicester as she passed, anxious to put him at his ease ; " I hope you will have some." He followed with Albert. But it was not at Violet's tea-table that he or such as he could ever shine. It was famed for its agreea- bleness by the habitual guests of the house ; and the party, from the spirit and vivacity that reigned around it, was sometimes pro- longed to a late hour in the evening. Courted and admired by all, Violet had no shyness ; and while her own liveliness and playfulness gave the spring to conversation, the kindliness with which she drew others out, and made much of what others said, set all at ease, and made most men happy. But that which is inspiriting to some is de- VIOLET OSBORNE. 55 pressing to others ; that which gives wings to some, even laggard tongues, lays leaden chains on those of others. Leicester had rarely felt so intensely wretched, so densely dull as during this hour. He knew that Albert wished him to make the best of himself ; he saw — it needed no keen perception to see — that Violet was anxious to make him at home and happy ; but, though touched by her kind- ness, gratitude was powerless to untie the fetter that bound him down. He remained speechless ; a burden to himself, and to others. Violet was vexed, but she had never felt so great an interest in any agreeable member of society as she now did in this shy man. Her love of protecting, perhaps, came strongly into play, but it was united with interest of a totally different kind. When the party broke up, Albert lingered 5Q YIOLET OSBORNE. behind to make some arrangements with his uncle. He desired Leicester to wait for him, and the latter did so, placing himself once again in the most impracticable seat he could find, and this, notwithstanding an earnest desire to behave rationally, and to remove the impression his silence might have caused. But Violet was not to be daunted ; and, moving from one chair to another, she ad- dressed him. '' I forgot to tell you, Mr. Leicester, how much we liked your picture. I mean the picture in the Exhibition, which Albert says is your favourite." ^^ I am glad you did," he replied, rising at once, and approaching her with a look of pleasure ; ^^ then I suppose I was right in the opinion I gave." ^' Not because I admire it, for I am no judge, that is, no good judge of what is good. VIOLET OSBORNE. 57 But you are right, because the thing is pretty, and your opinion needs no confirmation." ^^ It is at all events pleasant to be agreed with." " Sometimes ; but it is also pleasant to be disagreed with. I like a good fight." " Agreement is more to my taste," he said, smiling ; ^^ when the world goes against me, I am apt to mistrust my strongest opinions." '^ And yet in your profession I should have thought convincing was the greatest of pleasures." " Ah ! yes — convincing ! I was not think- ing of that. To convince is a rare pleasure, and worth a good fight, certainly." " And I never thought of defeat," replied Violet, laughing ; "it is a thing whose exist- ence I deny." *' Then you are a great fool, Violet," said Albert, joining them, " for one side must be 58 VIOLET OSBORNE. defeated. Come, Leicester, if you arc ready, I am.'' " I hope we shall soon have the pleasure of seeing you again, Mr. Leicester," said Mr. Osborne ; while Leicester stood silent, feeling he ought to make some acknowledgment for the kindness which had prompted his invita- tion. " Thank you — good night," was, however, all he said, and they departed. ^^I asked Mr. Leicester to come again, Violet, because I saw in your face that you wished me to do so," said her father ; " but I confess Albert's friend appears to have but little to say for himself." '' He will say more when we know him better, papa. I like him very much." " Then I will like him, too," said the fond father; " outward manners are often deceiving. He may be clever enough within." VIOLET OSBORNE. 59 Meanwhile Albert strolled homewards with his friend. " Well, Leicester/' he exclaimed, after waiting a very short time for an opinion to be expressed, ^^how did you like Violet?'' " You are too hasty, Ellis," was the reply ; ■ ^ I have not had time to think." " How I do hate people who give a correct reply," said Albert ; "to be sure, it takes a world of thought to see whether a woman is pretty or not." " Oh ! as to beauty, I can answer at once ; a child could see she was beautiful." " And not conscious of it — is she ? Know it of course she does, but she does not seem to think about it." " Not in the least." " Then you do like her, I think." " I must give you another correct reply," he said, smiling ; "to tell you the truth, I 60 VIOLET OSBORNE. admired your cousin too much to feel satisfied to say I liked her, when you asked the ques- tion. That answer does for a common, good- tempered girl. Miss Osborne is much more than that. Even now, if you repeat the ques- tion, I cannot say yes." a Very well ; be as roundabout as ever you please. I see you like her, and I am quite satisfied. I know what she thought of you — I mean I saw,'' he added, discreetly. " If she thought at all," he said, with sad- ness, '' she must have wondered why so dull a soul ever burdened society with his presence." *^ No, she did not ; she is too clear-sighted for that. But, I must say, Leicester, you did not do your best. You looked as if you were going to be hanged. I can excuse it when people are careless and neglectful, but when everybody was bent on making you comfort- able '' VIOLET OSBORNE. 61 " Yerj true/' he interrupted, quickly, "but it is not worth discussing. Here we are at No. ; it is too late to ask you to come in. Good night." And opening the door of a house in Clarges Street, Leicester entered, and Albert went on his way. 62 CHAPTER IV. "... Selfishness May not come near him, nor the little throng Of flitting pleasures tempt him from his path." The Prelude. But when Albert was out of sight, Leicester reissued from the door, and walked up and down in the bright moonlight, almost till the break of day. He was in a mood of mind which sometimes attacked him ; a 'mood at once of excitement and depression ; of depres- sion because excited ; a mood of mind in which his lifers prospects pressed heavily, and when the icy chain which severed him from his kind hung round him like a fetter of lead. There had been a time — it was in Leices- YIOLET OSBORNE. 63 ter's early youth — when his shyness had found relief in society beneath him, and when the dangers which attend that relief had appeared to be closing around him, leading, or rather dragging him into temptation. But these perils were dissipated, and the chain of evil habits and lowering associations, broken at once and for ever by the death of his father, when he was twenty-four years old. At his death he found himself left as sole guardian to five sisters, all younger than himself ; and the responsibility imposed upon him bound him for ever. Mr. Leicester, the father, had held a legal office, which allowed him to bring up his family in comfort and even in affluence. His death was sudden, and cut him off while yet only on the borders of age ; but though sudden, his cares for his children had provided for a change, and the arrangements he had made 64 VIOLET OSBORNE. were such as a father's foresight had deemed the best. His daughters were motherless, and at the age most needing careful guardian- ship. His only son was, as has been said, in- volved in dangers which might lead to a loss of character and respectability. Had he taken advice, the wisest counsellor might have said, " appoint another and safer guardian for your motherless children." But Mr. Leicester had looked with keen discrimination into his son's character. He trusted him while his steps were wandering from the right way. He left to him all he possessed, with the simple request that he would be a father to his sisters, and provide for and watch over them as their father would have done. It was a heavy responsibility for so young a man. Young married men grow with the growth of their family, and every year is a school of experience for the year that is to VIOLET OSBORNE. 65 follow ; but on Leicester the burden of a full- grown family was suddenly laid. He felt the burden, and with natural diffidence felt also his inability to perform the task ; but not the less he set himself to it, shaking himself free from old temptations, putting aside other hopes and cares ; gravely and sadly, but nobly and honourably, and with all his heart. His father had rightly judged of him. A house in Clarges Street, and eight hun- dred a year ; this was what his father had left to him, in charge for his sisters ; to educate the younger, to give comforts and pleasures to the elder, to lay by for future portions, or sudden emergencies ; to shield them all, as far as in him lay, from the disappointments and cares which their reduced income and change of life must naturally bring. These had been his ceaseless thoughts for eight long years ; thoughts so engrossing that his own seltisli VOL. L F 6Q VIOLET OSBORNE. existence had seem to pass out of sight, that hope or joy in life — except as connected with their welfare — had vanished, or seemed to vanish from his imagination, and from theirs also. One separate existence alone he had, and this was in his legal studies, vigorously pursued for their benefit and his own, but, so far as yet appeared, pursued without end or hope. Beneath these cares and studies life had flowed by him with a heavy step ; slight tints of grey were visible in his dark hair, and furrows lightly streaked his broad high brow ; while an expression of melancholy, not oppress- ive, but gentle and subdued, seemed the ex- pression natural to his countenance. In some respects the charge that had been laid upon him operated disadvantageously on his character. His natural gravity increased; thought drew him further and further from VIOLET OSBORNE. 67 the animating scenes of life, and habit set its fatal seal on a diffidence that once might have been overcome. The absence of selfish hopes and fears in some degree dulled the outward man, depriving him of those qualities which the w^orld sees and hears of, which win and attract the many, and which are twice blessed ; blessing those who have, and those who see them. But, though he suffered under this disadvantage, there was compensation, and far more than compensation within ; as much more as the gifts of the moral nature are above the graces of the outward man. He had that within that passed show ; a mind in which every evil thought or desire was con- quered through the desire to be worthy of his trust ; a mind refined and purified even as he wished to guard his sisters innocent and pure; a mind from which man's strongest enemy — self-love — was, through the love of others, as F 2 68 VIOLET OSBORNE. nearly banished as perhaps in human nature it is possible to be. And, as years passed on, silently and almost unconsciously a diviner principle was growing up. He felt his weak- ness to be and do all that a father might and should — that picture of a father which he had set before himself, sublimated, perhaps, beyond any human model, so watchful, so far-seeing, so tender in sympathy, so long-suffering with infirmity — and as man, frail and infirm, must do when once fully conscious of his weakness, he began to seek and find his strength above. There is said to be a peculiar character attendant upon a widow's son ; in such a cha- racter the guardian brother shares. But man is man, nevertheless, and cannot at all times live in the same exaltation of spirit. There were moments when Leicester's heart sank under that want of selfish hope which his position seemed to him to foi'bid. VIOLET OSBORNE. 69 He had early convinced himself that that which had been left as trust for his sisters, might not (so long, at least, as they remained unmarried or poor) furnish forth the means to make a happy home for his later years. It was but seldom that this fact presented itself with anything of pain to his mind ; for the most part his love went hand-in-hand with his duty to his sisters, and he was content to be theirs alone ; but there were moments when he was less strong ; moments when his heart yearned for the rising up of those hopes which bless most men in their dreams. It was one of these fits of excitement and depression which visited him on the night of which we speak ; a fit so violent and so prolonged that he walked on and on in the stillness of the night before the enemy was conquered. Wherefore on this night ? Who can tell ? Many varied thoughts sweep over the brain. 70 VIOLET OSBORNE. and some among them, though but light thoughts, have a strange exciting power ; many sights pass before the eye, and some, without our knowledge, impress the memory, leaving a trace never to be effaced again. It might have been the sight of a happy home, a father's fond love, or a daughter's devotion; it might have been the sight of a fair face, or the sound of a sweet voice, or the laugh of one who knew no care. It might have been the attraction of one being towards another by inexplicable, magical attraction ; who can tell ? There is no questioning of the inner springs of thought and feeling. All that man can do is to master such disturbances of the inward man which reason or conscience forbids him to indulge. And so, before he slept, Lei- cester set himself to master the giant Self, who had suddenly taken possession of his soul. VIOLET OSBORNE. 71 And now, ^if it be asked whether his sisters were worthy of his devotion, whether the home they made for him was as happy as his affection had demanded, it must be owned in answer that they were even unusually com- passed about with human infirmities ; infirmi- ties very various in their kinds, but all con- spiring to mar that peace and sympathy which, had it been more perfect, might have satisfied all his affections. Marian, the eldest, was at this time twenty- nine, three years younger than her brother. At the period of her father's death, she had been a weak-minded, frivolous girl, with thoughts dwelling exclusively on balls and parties, dress, partners, and love. Her brother endeavoured to impress her mind with the necessity for care and thought in the arrangement of their now limited income, and for this purpose consulted her seriously, not 72 VIOLET OSBORNE. only on matters of housekeeping, but on the needful sums to be allotted to the different departments of dress, pleasure, and education. He succeeded in interesting her not only beyond his hopes, but beyond his wishes. The love of usefulness, the love of power, the love of management, laid firm hold on her mind ; and, with the exclusiveness of weak minds, shut out all other loves. Henceforth, balls, parties, dress, and lovers were abjured ; she became a tolerable housekeeper, and a tiresome woman. Henrietta, the second sister, had a family likeness to Marian's original character. She was also frivolous and sentimental ; but with a more varied disposition, and a greater charm of manner, she could never have been what her sister was. Jessie, the fourth, was again a reproduction of the same character, under slightly varying features — more silly than VIOLET OSBORNE. 73 Marian, and with less cliarni than Henrietta. All three were pretty, for there was great beauty in the family ; and none had any very serious faults or evil tempers. But all their minds were small ; they were immersed in small cares, small joys, and still smaller jealousies. Leicester did not find much sym- pathy of soul with them. The other two were formed in a different mould. Eachel, the third sister, was like her brother in person, and like him, also, in mind. Her face was beautiful ; her mind, thoug-htful and diffident in a degree even beyond his. This diffidence was increased by circumstances. She was lame ; not sufficiently so to cause her much personal inconvenience, but enough to cause awkwardness in her movements, and to make her bashful and retiring from observa- tion. This diffidence prevented that union with her brother and comfort in his society 74 YIOLET OSBORNE. which might have been hers. All the sisters were jealous of his affection ; all would willingly have supposed themselves his first object. Rachel had not the moral courage, even for his sake, to brave the pain these jealousies might cause, and to go forward to give and receive the confidence that might have existed, the sympathy that did exist be- tween them. She was a failure, and she knew it. Perhaps the one from whom he derived the greatest pleasure and comfort, was his youngest sister, Margaret, now just eighteen. Though she had grown up beneath his fatherly care, she stood less in awe of him than any of her sisters ; and though less capable of under- standing him, and unable to be so real a friend as Eachel, the freedom and confidence with which she treated him made her society the greatest refreshment he knew. She helped YIOLET OSBORNE. 75 him in other ways also. Since she had grown to reasonable and observant years, she had stood forth in his defence against the exac- tions of her elder sisters — exactions thought- lessly enforced by them, and patiently and kindly submitted to by him, but whose perti- nacity tended to reduce Jiim to slavery. This was the sister of whom he had spoken to Violet as preferring his chaperonage to that of all others. She was a pretty, straight- forward, good-humoured girl, Avho, with no superiority of character, was an example of the comfort such practical qualities as good sense, good temper, and self-reliance can give. ^^ You were very late last night, John," ob- served Marian, as the whole party sat at breakfast on the following morning ; " I did not hear your door shut until after three o'clock. What was the cause ?" 76 VIOLET OSBORNE. ^^ Don't answer unless you please," said Margaret, who sat by liis side. ^^I have no objection to answer," he replied, smiling ; ^' it was a bright moonlight night, and I walked about till I was quite tired." "Where did you dine last night?" said Henrietta. " Oh ! I Remember ! — it was Mr. Osborne's, was it not ?" " Yes— Albert Ellis's uncle." " Has he a fine house ?" asked Marian ; " what sort of establishment does he keep ?" " Nothing you will care to hear about, my dear Marian ; everything very grand. I have brought away no hints for you." " But he has a daughter. We should like to hear about her. I know people call her a beauty ; is she a beauty ? What is she like ? Does she dress very fine ?" These and other like questions were asked by Henrietta and Jessie between them. VIOLET OSBORNE. 77 '^ She is not like any of us,'' was the reply. " She has blue eyes and auburn hair. As to her dress, T cannot give you any particulars. It was pretty, I think, but whether fine or not I don't know." ^^Were there many young people there ? Has Miss Osborne a great many people who admire her ? Did you like her, John ?" con- tinued the two inquirers. " Don't answer, John," said Margaret, lifting up her hand ; ^^ I don't choose that John should be pestered with questions. Let him tell us what he likes, but don't let us worry him to death." " You are needlessly officious, Margaret," said Marian ; " John is able to decide whether he pleases to answer or not, without your help." " Not quite ; John is too good-natured." ^* But, John, do answer us," said Jessie. 78 ' VIOLET OSBORNE. *^ Is Miss Osborne a nice girl ? is she very- fascinating ? Did you get on with her, and do you think you could fall in love with her?" " There is Jessie's rapid imagination," he said, smiling, though the ten curious eyes that looked into his face succeeded in bringing a faint, very faint colour there ; ^' Jessie asks that question every time I make a new acquaintance." '^ But you have not answered me to-day," said Jessie ; ^^ in general, he says no — does he not, Henrietta ? But to-day he will not say no. Now, John . . . ." '' I will not have John pestered," cried Margaret, peremptorily; ^^ leave him and Miss Osborne alone." " My dear Margaret," he said, with quick- ness, ^^ they do not pester me in the least. I will answer anything you please, Jessie — what is it you want to know ?" VIOLET OSBORNE. 79 " Whether you think you could fall in love with Miss Osborne," said both Jessie and Hen- rietta, eagerly. '^ And that is rather a difficult question to answer," he replied, playfully ; " if I say no, that is not very civil to a young lady, is it ? and if I say yes, it is not very decorous. But why this extraordinary interest in Miss Osborne ? What do you know of her to excite it ?" ^^ As to that, I feel it too," said Margaret ; ^' I suppose it is because we know Mr. Ellis a little. I like Mr. Ellis, and so I fancy his cousin." ^' Besides, she is a beauty," said Henrietta; '^ and though you may think me frivolous to say so, a beauty always interests me more than a common girl." ^^ So far from thinking you frivolous, Hen- rietta," said Leicester, smiling, ^^ I am of the 80 VIOLET OSBORNE. same mind myself ; but I am afraid we must leave all frivolous things for the present. Marian, you look as if the house books were waiting. Do you want me before I go out ?" She acquiesced, and they went away to- gether. Marian was the only one who ever saw her brother alone. If any other had attempted a private interview, a storm of curiosity and jealousy would have been ex- cited in the house. Of her opportunities, Marian made no use, so far as acquaintance with his tastes and wishes went. Her inter- views were solely confined to complaints of servants and tradespeople, taxes, and prices. These things weighed heavily on her mind, and she poured them out into his kind and patient ears on every occasion, heedless how she wearied him, and regardless whether or not he had any worries or troubles to confide in return. VIOLET OSBOUNE. 81 The remaining sisters conversed on Avhat had passed. ** I think John is going to be in love with Miss Osborne," said Henrietta ; ^' you may not believe me, but before anything was said, when he first came in this morning, I saw something unusual in his face." ^' So did I," said Jessie; which fact, how- ever, was doubtful, for Jessie's thoughts had but seldom an independent being. '^ Then why did you ask so many ques- tions?" said Rachel, speaking for the first time, and then with a rising colour ; '^ don't you wish him to be in love, and to marry ?" ^^ To marry !" cried Margaret, startled and aghast ; "no, indeed, I don't wish him to marry!" "No, indeed!" echoed the two others. " Marry ! I never thought of such a thing ! John must not marry !" VOL. I. G 82 VIOLET OSBORNE. ^^ It is the thing I long for/' continued Eachel, her colour deepening in the earnest- ness of her ' manner ; " he has been long enough devoted to us ; it is time he had some hope of his own." ^^ But good gracious !" cried Henrietta, '' what would happen to us if he married ? Think of the house without a man in it." '' We must all marry too, that is certain," said Margaret ; '' I could no more live in the house without John than I could live with the fishes in the sea. But, happily, there is no need to think about it. Rachel's thoughts have flown as fast as Jessie's. John has no thoughts of marrying, I am very sure." ^^ I did not think he had ; I only uish he had." '^ Then pray don't wish, my dear Rachel," .