The Soldier's Wife — page 49: what you’re looking at

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

A jo withered: she was obedient and docile in her deportment and speech, but no longer affec- tionate and endearing in her ways, And as for the sunny sweetness of her smiles—that had fled, as if for ever! One morning, at the expiration of this interval of a month, Davis was walking through the fields, when he met Gerald Redburn, who was also on foot, accompanied by a couple of favor- ite dogs. This was precisely such an opportu- nity as the bailiff sought; and he resolved to tmnake the best of it. With the accustomed touch of his hat, he passed the ordinary com- iments of the day for the purpose of engaging his young master in conversation; and Gerald stopped accordingly. “So I understand, Mr. Redburn,” said the bailiff, after the exchange of a few indifferent remarks, “that you are going into the Army ~” “Yes,” rephed the youth, with a languid aifectation of manner: “the governor has lodged the money with Cox and Greenwood, the army-agents, and in a few weeks’ time I shall have my commission.” “That will be just about the time you come of aze—won't it, sir?” added Davis, who had his own reasons for the imquiry, as the reader ig at no loss to understand. “Yes, precisely so. The governor wanted to celebrate the day with a féte for the tenants —a dance, a supper, 2 roasted ox, and all that sort of thing: but Pve managed to persuade him out of it. I don’t like such nonsense.” “Quite right, Mr. Redburn—quite right,” ob- served Davis. “Well, I think I am, and my mother thinks s0 too. Between you and me, Davis, it would be precious slow work, my having to open a dance on the lawn with some village-lass, smell- ing of onions, perhaps.” “Oh! certainly, sir; it couldn’t be expected. But you don’t happen to know, sir, into what regiment you are going?” “No; that can’t be known till ['m gazetted. But this much is sure, that it’s to be an infantry regiment, and one that’s.not likely to be ordered abroad.” “Scarlet uniform, of course,” observed the bailiff. “Oh, yes. I can’t bear the blue!” “Well, Mr. Redburn, you will look uncom- monly well in scarlet,” said Davis, pretending to survey the sickly youth with an “air of ad- miration. “All the ladies will be dying for oh aad | “Think so, Davis?” observed Gerald, with conceited self-complacency “Well, I rather think I should not disgrace the uniform, at all events. Down, Neptune, down! Deuced hot day—isn’t it, Davis! “Very, sir. ut by the bye, if I remember right, you are fond of cider,” said the bailiff; “and P hand to have some very excellent just at present. Will you do me the honour to walk in and take a glass #” Gerald was about to decline; but recollect- ing that the bailiff had a very pretty daughter, he accépted the proposal, and accompanied Mr. Davis to the picturesque little cottuye. The deor stood open 60 they walked in at once to THE SOLDIER’S WIFE the parlour, where Lucy was at the time ocew pied with her needle: but upon perceiving the visitor, she immediately rose, and with a res- pecttul salutation was about to quit the room, “Pray do not let me disturb you,” said Ger- ald politely: for he could be the accomplished gentleman enough when he chose. “ No—you needn’t leave us, Lucy,” immedi- ately added Davis. “On the contrary, you must remain to show our master’s son tLat he is fully welcome here.” Still Lucy hesitated; and something like a flush of indiynation flitted across her counten- ance, as the idea struck her that this visit wag not altogether accidental, but that it had been brought about purposely by her father, whose ainbitious views in respect to herself she had not forgotten. “Jf you retire, Miss Davis,” said Gerald, “I shall at once conceive that I am really disturb- ing you, and in that case shall take my depar ture.” Lucey had now no alternative but to resume her seat, if she did not wish to appear actually rude. Gerald sat down near her; while the father left the room, as he said, to fetch the ¢i- der. The young gentleman had rah thought Lucy Davis to be a very pretty girl: but ne had seldom spoken to her since his return from Ox- ford; because she herself, disliking him exces- sively, had carefully avoided encountering him to the utmost of her power. He had therefore seen but little of her since his return; and he was now struck, on beholding her close, with her extraordinary beauty. He had not before thought that she was so lovely as she at present appeared to him; and for a few moments he vazed upon her with an admiration which ha could not conceal. Nor indeed did he attempt to conceal it. She observed that his eyes were thus fixed upon her; and again did that tran- sient flush of indignation pass over her coun- tenance. ‘To escape from the intentness of his regards, she rose from her seat on the pretext of drawing up the window-blind. “Tam certain that I have disturbed, you,” said Gerald. ‘And yet you could scarcely be unprepared for any visitor. for your little place is so neat, and pretty, and comfortable-looking, that it does you infinite credit. Ah! there’s nothing like a female hand to make things neat. It’s a long time since I was inside your door last. I was a boy then; and you were a girl, How time has slipped away! But you seem to go out very little, Miss Davis: for I seldom or ever catch a glimpse of you. Howe ever, now that I have onée been invited hera, I shall sometimes take the tiberty of lcoking in and asking you how you do that is, during the short time I shall remain at home.” “ Are you going to leave, sir?” inquired Luey, experiencing a sense of relief at the announce ment: but she spoke in a cold, almost glacial tone. “Yes—in a little while. I am going into the Army, you know.” Lucy had heard something of the kind—but she had forgotten it: and now she started as she still remained standing at the window, and with difliculty repressed a sigh, for Gerald mnicgbooks (E(©) Cc (Elo)