Page:Bianca, or, The Young Spanish Maiden (Toru Dutt).djvu/32

328 not; she kept it close; but I saw through her artifices." "Oh there's Henry! I must go and ask him." "Why," she added, "he is gone straight to the stables." My lady looked out of the window. "He hasn't succeeded after all; 'perhaps he means to leave the country. I shall never forgive her if he does." She added, between her teeth. Maggie had run downstairs. She found her brother busy in. helping the groom to saddle the 'Emperor' his favorite horse. "Henry," she said tripping up to him, "what did Bianca say?" He turned round; she was frightened by his set, pale face. "O Henry! What is the. matter ?" "She is dying Maggie." “Who? Bianca? Oh has there been an accident?“ Her brother was already on the saddle; he gave an impatient cut with his whip on the horse’s shouldier; the spirited animal reared, his forefeet poised high up in the air; he had never received a touch of the whip; another sharp out across the shoulder, and they darted away at full gallop. Maggie turned to the groom; "What is the matter, Sykes?" "Dunno,miss; he came here not five minutes ago, and hordered the Hemperor to be saddled." Maggie went upstairs to her mother. "Mamma, Bianca is very ill; oh mamma! she is dying perhaps, and we were talking lightly about her, not five minutes ago!" And the tears stood in Maggie’s blue eyes. "I must go," she said, going out to bring her hat and cloak. "No,you shall not, Margaret; stay where you are." The girl came obediently and sat down near her mother. A servant brought a card; "It's Mr. Owen; shew him upstairs, John; Maggie, wipe your eyes and compose yourself' Maggie had composed herself already. She was a great favorite of Mr. Owen, and she was proud of that honour. He sat down near her, and began to talk with her mother, now and then, addressing a few words to her in a low confidential voice. He was a man of about thirtyeight or forty. Of the middle height; black hair, on which he prided himself a good deal, brushed away carefully and yet with a show of negligence from the tow brow; a nose rather snubby and fiat; thick sensual lips covered by a black moustache; and grey wicked eyes. He was esteemed very rich; and had recently come in—Shire with his