The Soldier's Wife — page 137: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

118 week, that Lady Burton was taken somewhat indisposed, and kept her chamber, Adela, who, as we have already said, was devotedly attach- ed to her mother, passed the greater portion of the day with her; and thus Gerald was thrown upon his own resources, He had an hour’s walk with Adela in the afternoon: but in the evening he had nothing to do; and not liking what he ealled “the slow work” of sitting with his father, mother, and Aunt Jane in the drawing- room, he bethought himself of paying a visit to the bailiffs cottage. Lighting his cigar, he bent his way between eight and nine o'clock to Mr. Davis's dwelling, and on knocking at the door ‘was immediately admitted by the woman-ser- vant. He Jearnt that Mr. Davis was not at home, but that Mrs. Davis was. He according- ly entered the parlor, and found the mistress of the cottage seated alone, reading a new novel from a bateh of volumes which the carrier had brought her a day or two previously from the circulating library at Middleton, She received Captain Redburn with a marked and studied coldness, barely giving him ber hand, and in- stantaneously withdrawing it again, “Why, what on earth is the matter?’ he ex- claimed: “ how have I offended you “Oh, not offended !” said Mrs. Davis with a toss «f the head which made all her ringlets shake like a weeping willow in a hurricane. “ I am too independent to be cffended, Captain Redburn !’ “Then what zs the rnatter?”? demanded Ge- rald; “for I see there is something wrong.” “Matter? Oh, nothing! I suppose | have got my proper pride, like other tadies ?’—and again she tossed her head and gave a look of mingled significancy and vexation. “Well but what does itall mean? I suppose the fact is, you think I have behaved rude in not calling for a whole week.” “Oh! you are your own master: and of course you can do just as you like. There are ladies staying at the Manor, and they deserve ‘our first consideration. Pray go back to them. They will miss you greatly—particularly the young one with whom you walk about. I dare say she will want you to turu over her music for her at the piano—or hold a skein of silk— or something of that kind: so pray go!” “Jeally, Kitty, this is very stupid on your part i “Kitty! pray whom do you call Kitty, sir? Jt was all very well three or four years back when I was a single girl: but now, Ca;:tain Redburn, that [ am a married woman, I beg to be called Mrs, Davis.” “Oh, very well. But the other evening,” con- tinued Gerald, “when I dropped in according to the permission I had received, Laddressed you as Kitty and you were not offended.” “ Perhaps I was not—because | took you for a friend: but now that more than a week has elapsed since you condescended to honor this humble abode with your presence, I can only think that you drop in here, as you call it, when vou have nothing better todo: and in plain terms, Captain Redburn, I don't mean to be treated in this way, or let the cottage be made a convenience of” THE SOLDIER’S WIFE. “Every evening I have been endeavoring te get away,” resumed the Captain, “and pay my respects to you: but I have been detained at home. Surely this apology ought to suffice ft” “Ah! if I thought you had really wished ta come, it would perhaps be different ?’—and the lady showed that she suffered herself to be moved, | “Well, you may feel assured of it—and 1] promise that my visits shall be oftener paid in future. Come, give me your hand and let ua make it up” For a few moments Mrs Davis thought it re- quisite to pout and look sullen: but she soon yielded, as she all along intended to do, and gave her hand to Gerald, who conveyed it to hig lips. “ Dear me, Captain Redburn, you are gallant this evening !’—and Kitty affected to turn away her countenance as if to hide her blushes. “T cannot be too gallant towards a pretty woman, such as you:’—and Gerald fixed his eyes with impudent meaning upon her, “Now what will you take?’ she exclaimed, laughing merrily and arechly : then hastening to the side-board, she brought forth wile, and cakes, and fruit, which she placed on the table. “Where is Davis this evening ?” asked Red- burn, as he took a chair close by the one in which the lady had now seated herself. “Oh! down at the publ.c-house, as usual,” she replied. But perhaps he is better there than here.” “Did he know that I came the other evening and stayed so late ?” “So late! Why, it was only eleven o'clock when you went away, and he did not come back till past twelve—very tipsy, as usual.” “And what did you say to him ? inguired Gerald: “did you give him your mind ?” “Yo tell you the truth,” returned Mrs, Davis, “T did not on that particular occasion :’—then, after a few moments’ pause, she added in a sim- pering tone, “I myself had passed the evening so pleasantly, that so far from being angry at his absence, I was glad of it.” “Oh, but you should always show your spirit,” said Gerald, “no matter what you may really feel in. your heart: for if Davis onee thinks that you are yielding, he will play the tyrant with a vengeance—and you will be come pletely subdued.” “There is a great deal of truth in what you say, Captain Redburn.” “ Cull me Gerald: I like it better—and then I shall call you Kitty.” “ Well then, Gerald,” resumed the lady, again laughing ; “ 1 think you have spoken very judi- clously,” “But if you were to call me dear Gerald,” sald the Captain, looking amorously upon her, “it would be more agreeable still.” “Oh! what would you think if I did? mur mured Mrs. Davis, now simpering again and pretending to be very much confused, “JT should think if you said so, that you meant it,” he replied, “Ah! but I must not mean it,” she continued — ” “it would be very improper indeed “ Novsense! between you and me, who have (e(0) ,OO mire <S (ele)