Page:Bianca, or, The Young Spanish Maiden (Toru Dutt).djvu/43

378 but he was disappointed. Then he only said, "No. I should like to know them very much. But is that Miss Garcia, with the dark-brown eyes and the low forehead?" "Yes." "What is her name? Has she no sister or brother?" "No. Bianca is her name." Mr. Owen gave a little start, and looked up at Lord Moore, but he had his eyes fixed beyond, on the yellow fields of corn which looked beautiful under the moon's pale beams, like a rippling sea of gold. "And a very pretty name it is." Then he sighed. "I am afraid your mother will hardly approve of your choice though, when she hears of it." "She knows about it already." "And has given her consent?" with an air of surprised pleasure. "Not yet; and she may be so long in giving it, that I think I shall do without it. I can't wait." "Ah! youth! youth! youth! ever impetuous, never patient." And Mr. Owen sighed again. "Shall we go upstairs Mr. Owen?" "With all my heart." They went into the drawing-room. Maggie was at the piano trilling a merry ditty in her sweet voice. My lady was near the window; she was embroidering. Another lady was sitting beside her on the ottoman. This lady was younger, about thirty years old; her brown, thin, silky hair was brushed away from the broad white forehead, her small mouth with its mobile lips denoted a soft, yielding nature; her dark grey eyes, large, sweet, patient had something sad in them. This was Mrs. Owen. Mr. Owen went to the piano and stood behind Maggie's stool, turning the leaves for her. Lord Moore went and sat beside Mrs. Owen. "I hope little Helen and the baby are quite well, Mrs. Owen?" He asked in his kind manly voice. Mrs. Owen looked up at him gratefully; "Yes, thank you; Helen is very fond of your brother; she is always asking about little Willie." There was a pause. "I suppose Willie is gone to bed?" Asked Mrs. Owen. "Yes; he must be fast asleep long ere now." A second pause. Lord Moore broke the silence. "Do you know the Garcias Mrs. Owen?" He asked carelessly. "Yes—no—yes—at least I used to know them. But we never meet them now.” Stammered Mrs. Owen. She had a nervous way of clasping and unclasping her fingers when excited. Lord Moore saw