The Soldier's Wife — page 54: what you’re looking at

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THE SOLDIER'S WIFE. 41 I am not too bold, I should be infinitely ob-|renew a topic which is alike most disagreeable ligea if you would take the opportunity of giv-|and improper for my ears. _1f my poor mother ing her your advice on this subject. Knowing|were alive, you would not dare entertain such her as you have from childhood, and being my |ideas:”—and Lucy began to weep. employer's son } “A truce to this nonsense!” cried Davis, “Well, all this doesseem to constitute aright|sternly. “If your mother were alive, ske to tender one’s counsel,” observed Gerald, into|would assist me in procuring for you the most whose head the cider had assuredly got; and/eligible match: and by heaven! I will not be ali the while he was speaking, he meditated|thwarted. I can tell you that I was nearl with increasing raptures upon the image of the}mad with rage at the way you treated Gerald beautiful maiden. “I shall drop in to-morrow/;Redburn just now.” or next day, and have a chat with Miss Lucy.”| “Father!” ejaculated Lucy, starting up. is “Do so,” rejoined Davis; “and I will furnish |it possible that you can address me in these you an opportunity to give her a little of your|terms?’—and her cheeks were now crimsoned excellent advice. But when I think of it,” he|with indignation. ‘That msolent young man added; suddenly assuming a serious look, “Sir|spoke to me in a way which I could not tole- Archibald and her ladyship might not bejrate, and never will put up with; and you, pleased at your coming to my humble abode.” |father, instead of resenting the insult which “Who the deuce cares?” ejaculated, Gerald.|your daughter experienced, now make her own “But I forgot: you might—and of course ||propriety a subject of reproach to her.” wouldn’t do anything in the world to injure ou. Well, in future, J will come in the even- ing just about dusk; and so the old people up onder needn’t know anything about it. Lucy is a splendid creature indeed; and we mustn’t see her throw herself away, Davis.” ) ~ “7 can assure you, Mr. Redburn, that I re- eelve your assurances with the most unfeigned gratitude. It is the father who thanks you, sir :”——and the bailiff pretended to be somewhat affected. | “Oh, don’t mention it, Davis. Your daugh- ter is charming—and I’m proud to be taken into your confidence in respect to your views.” Gerald now rose from his seat; and on tak- ing his leave, actually shook hands with the bailiff—a circumstance which if any one had prophesied it in his hearing a couple of hours previously would have been repudiated by him with scorn and contempt. When Gerald Redburn was gone, Mr. Davis, on finding himself once more alone, rubbed his hands gleefully together, muttering, “It is as good as done! He has swallowed the bait! He 1s already deeply in love with Lucy. How well I managed it! Nothing could be more elever Step by step I led him on; and he eould not possibly see my ulterior motive. Upon my word, Peter Davis, you are an astute fellow :’—and as the bailiff thus flatteringly apoztrophized himself, he gazed with infinite satisfaction upon his reflection in the mirror. He then issued forth again to his duties in the fields. When he returned, an hour or two later, to his dinner, he found Lucy looking pale and thoughtful. Thoughtful she had indeed generally been since Lonsdale’s departure; but now she was deeply so—almost as much as within the first week or two after their separa- tion. The father knew full well what was passing in her mind: but he was sternly re- solved .o break her spirit and compel her to fall into his views. He however said nothing a splendid creature, “Fool! do understand me!” exclaimed Da- vis, with concentrated rage in his voice. “If you listened to the dishonorable proposals of any man, were he the proudest noble in the ‘and, I would kill you: but what you have to expect from Gerald Redburn, is an offer of marriage—and beware how you conduct your- self towards him in a way that shall prevent him from making you such a proposal! When a father speaks thus to his daughter, he is only studying her welfare ; and again I tell you that if your mother was alive she would approve of my conduct.” “She would not, father!—and it is a blas- phemy against her name to say that she would!” exclaimed Lucy, with passionate vehe- mence. “ Well, we will put an end to this conversa- tion,” interjected Davis, abruptly. “ But first understand me well: for my mind is made up. If you do not give such proper encouragement to Gerald Redburn as a young damsel may, I will render the house unbearable to you; and if my views fail through your cursed stubborn- ness, I will turn you out of doors—lI will dis- eard you—I will throw you off—by the eternal heaven I will!—and what is more, I will be stow my curse upon you, and on my death-bed that curse shall be repeated more witheringly still!” Having thus spoken, the brutal father left the room abruptly, banging the door with vio- . lence behind him; and Lucy sank down in a chair, annihilated as it were by the awful words: which had thus been thundered foith against her. CHAPTER XL THE DEPOT. Tue depot of Frederick Lonsdale’s regiment was commanded by a captain,—the regiment till dinner was over; and then, as Lucy wasj|itself being at Malta, but expected home to about to quit the room, he desired her to re- sume her seat. England in about three or four months. Cap- tain Courtenay was a gentleman about thirty- “You know what I told you some little time|two years of age, and was considered to be back?” he said, abruptly. “I hope, father, that you are not about to ver an handsome. He was tall, finely formed, certainly possessed a trily military ep mn COMMICOOOKSsE@)