Page:Bianca, or, The Young Spanish Maiden (Toru Dutt).djvu/21

Rh to Bianca. "I suppose she has extracted a promise from you?" He did not reply. "You can break off with her,—if you have imprudently committed yourself." "Mother,”he said turning round, "you weary me; I love her. Is not that enough? You always loved me; try to love her a little for my sake. You desire my happiness. I cannot be happy without her." My lady did not reply, but with a cold good night quitted the room.

More than a week after, Bianca was sitting in the garden, under a large laburnum; she was reading intently from a book on her knee; approaching footsteps made her look up; and a happy smile parted her lips as she greeted Lord Moore. Little Willie accompanied him. and ran up to Bianca, but suddenly stopped all crimson with pleasure and bashfulness; Bianca smoothed her lap in a most tempting manner; the boy laughed, "I wont go," and darted back to his brother. "Is your father in ?", Asked Lord Moore. "Yes,you will find him in his study." "Now stay here Will; I shall soon be back." And he entered the house. "Come to me, Will." Said Bianca. "Neve'," said Willie, laughing and catching hold of the servant’s (for he had his valet) hand. "Go to Miss Garcia;" said John. Bianca knew the child thoroughly. She did not call him again, but pretended to be deeply buried in her book. The boy glanced s11iy at her; she continued reading; ho advanced a few steps, then ran back to John. She did not even raise her eyes; he came slowly and very quietly within her reach, and stood with his back turned towards her; she suddenly put her arms round him, and then he dropped, pat! into her lap; laughing and struggling. These little manuvres had happened over and over again to Will’s never-ending deght. "Now do be a little quiet, Will." "I want those f’owe’s, Bianca." She rose and held him up in her arms; he plucked the golden bunches of laburnums with his sturdy little fingers; then laughing, he thrust them in her hair; she laughed, and gaining new ardour he plucked more and more of the "dropping gold" and thrust them within her raven looks;