Page:Bianca, or, The Young Spanish Maiden (Toru Dutt).djvu/16

282 heavy for you." Said Lord Moore. “No,thank you. It might awake him.” Answered Bianca. She entered the drawing room, unclasped the little arms from her neck, and as she did so sang or rather murmured unconsciously to herself, (Bianca was passionately fond of poetry) some fragments of a’ song of which only these words were audible.

Then she kissed the rounded cheek of her favorite and laid him gently on a couch and covered him carefully with a shawl. This done, she went out into the lawn, said good night to my lady and turned to Maggie, who kissed her warmly; "Good night, Bianca, will you come to-morrow?“ Bianca shook her head with a smile; "I cannot leave father alone every evening." "Then day after to-morrow?" "I won't promise, I dare say I shall not be able to come." She turned then to Lord Moore. "I am going with you." He said. "There is no need; there is moonlight to night." "And it is not so far off, Colin." "It is one good mile and more mother, and the village lads are rough and unmannerly." Bianca smiled; "Do you think I am not able to take care of myself, Lord Moore." She had put on a long cloak over her dross; from a pocket in the lining she took out a small miniature pistol! "Look here!" "What do you carry fire arms!" Cried Maggie aghast. The lads hereabouts are rough as my lord says; so father ordered this for me some months ago. Ho told me to have it always about me." And she put back the pistol in its hiding place. "Well,I must have my own way," said Lord Moore smiling, "the night is very fine, and a little walk would be very pleasant." So the to went forth. They were silent for some time; presently Lord Mare broke the silence. "You are very fond of children, Miss Garcia." "Not of all; indeed, not of any, except Will. Children do not seem to like me very much; I have lived so lonely with only my father for a companion, that I do not know how to make children love me. Little Will seemed