Page:Bianca, or, The Young Spanish Maiden (Toru Dutt).djvu/22

288 his two little hands were vigorously at work; when lo! the comb dropped off and the jot-black wavy looks foil all loose on her shoulders and down to her girdle. "Oh how much hai'," said Willie in ecstasy. "O Will, whatever have you done!" "Neve'mind, dear, papa wont be ang'y.". She kissed him laughing, and was putting him down, when her father and Lord Moore emerged from the drawingroom. "Why Bianca," cried Mr. Garcia, "how wild you look! All your hair is loose and all decked with flowers too, I declare!" Lord Moore had bout down and was looking over the book which Bianca had boon reading. "Will, did it father, unintentionally." Said she penitently. "Go and bind it up then." She was going away meekly. There was a harshness in Mr. Garcia's tone which hurt her, and almost brought tears of wounded pride to her eyes; she knew what was passing in her father’s mind; she know that he thought that she was playing a little of the coquette before Lord Moore. Moore's voice arrested her. "Stop one moment, Miss Garcia, I should like to ask you something about this book." She looked at her father. He nodded assent, and with a "Goodday." to Lord Moore re-entered the house. "Come here, Miss Garcia." Said Lord Moore. She went to him and sat down by his side as he indicated. John came up. "My lud; it’s near four and Master William’s dinner hour." "Take him home then; I shall be at home in an hour." He kissed little Will, who kissed Bianca furtively and then disappeared in John's muscular arixs. "It is a long time since you called, Miss Garcia." I could not go. What did you want to ask me about?" "Oh, ay, the book; "Lee Chatiments" by Hugo; is the poetry good?" "Some parts are exceedingly good." "Show them to me, if you please. You are not in a hurry to go, are you?" Bianca had a slight qualm of conscience; wou1d her father like to see her thus talking all alone for any length of time with Lord Moore; she knew that Mr. Garcia trusted her and had not the slightest fear to leave her alone in the wildest company, (she was brave) but he was afraid of people thinking him a husband-hunting father; he was mightily afraid of this;—but Lord Moore’s manner was so