Page:010 Once a week Volume X Dec 1863 to Jun 64.pdf/52

 pretty imperiousness had given place to a shy submissiveness, but she seemed to me to try to see as little of him as she could. At this juncture there was a ball at Ashwick; Mr. Winton's house; to which the Newtons and ourselves, and indeed all the county, were going. The excitement seemed to act beneficially upon Mrs. Newton. She looked bewitchingly pretty; all her natural playfulness came back, and she appeared especially desirous of making up to Norman for her previous coldness. Whether he would, in any case, have asked her to dance, I do not know; but she almost forced him to do it, by saying that she felt it would be inconsistent with her position to waltz, and she supposed "swells" like me and Norman did not care for anything else.

I was only equal to the minimum of exertion that evening, for I was suffering from a splitting headache, and could only keep myself going at all by occasional turns in the cool air. I was on the point of setting out for one of these when the quadrille in which Norman had danced with Mrs. Newton came to an end. I heard him say to her, "There are a few words I must say to you. Walk aside with me for five minutes."

in those

at last.

soft eyes

and reproach. "I Annie," said Norman. a oold-blooded man, you know, and

"F<

•

me." with forced calmness, but I could 9 surging tell that pfl strong within. She had withdrawn her hand from hi

They stood now looking at she seemed no longer able to resist the fascination, and trembled. He took her hand so -willing to be made a lie

cm

neas

fire

[uent in love

at

ball

indeed

.

saw the

I

•

there was a

going.

to

spoke.

each other

till

—

—

and covered it with kisses. prisoner " Shall I go ?" he asked again.

The small white fingers nestled lovingly amidst the cils of his heavy black moustache.

Her other hand was

laid

upon

lightly

his

arm. I

was only equal

minimum

to the

from a yself

in

the cool

air.

ing out for one of

which

da heard him

Norman had

I an end. e a few words le with me for to

b..

That

of exer-

tig

and that touch snapped the chain

kiss

of his self-restraint. " I " heard him whisper as he darling drew her to his breast ; " once more, then, He kissed her passionately and long. Annie."

My

"

We

!

must go back now," he

from

spring

but yielded. I felt anything at the moment, .

I

ami up enewhat restored me.

-

i

the

terrace

was passing the its open windows, Newton was

I h

I

.

wrl

tho sole occupants «e I ought to have with-

should have

I

far

left

more dangerous his

motive for

think had weight, I the true

rci.

.

such

a

of

reserve

We

a child.

had stood as if spell-bound, seeing all and now I wished to Heaven I had been I was too confused a thousand miles away. to thiuk, but as I entered the ball-room, and my eyes fell on honest-hearted and unsuspicious Frank Newton, I felt I could not let this go on. I was only consicous of oik wish not to be alone with Norman till I had I

this,

— my mind. One thing well — that might as well urge on a hungry

are not angry with

y,

me dow,

are

yon

m

M

an,

little

hand thai lay on

his

tiger, as

when

it

knew

I

John him and his

the moral law on

stood between

'

arm.

was now very

and

late,

for

tl

S

of to

screen

hall

]

ould

Newton

.Mrs.

fron

He sen him I

ion.

i

any won: do But what should I

'

on our an

mind,

not—

I

I

till

full

pliilan;

hear!

l

It

preseure of the

conscious

—

She was quite passive, and went with him like

I

you have been

last,

back."

made up

as

at

must go back now we have been away too long. Come, dearest, let me get you some water, and I will tak <c

strength,

almost

said

looking down on her flushed and frightened face with that calm smile that seem-

the