Page:Littell's Living Age - Volume 129.djvu/627

Rh in one hand, a chair in the other, and his pen in his mouth, was seeking about for a little corner out of hearing of the music within.

"I wonder whether Captain Somers is taking the baths himself, Rhoda," said the younger of the two girls, putting up her parasol.

"No; it is his friend that takes them. I hear from the bath-woman that he takes two baths a day and six glasses of that lukewarm water which I hate so much."

"Don't be ungrateful, Rhoda; it has done you a great deal of good."

"But I can't help thinking that you look a little pale, Annie," said Rhoda Langdon affectionately. "I hope you do not feel the heat too much."

"Oh no! I delight in the place, and am very sorry that we have only two days left. Where are you going? Shall we not sit under one of these trees a little while? This is the hottest hour in all the twenty-four."

"I must go and see if the English papers have come. I am getting very anxious about the state of affairs at home."

"Rhoda! you do not mean it? you have not said so before; you do not mean that there will be"

"Yes, I do. I expect a dissolution before the end of the session."

"What shall I do?"

"Leave it to me and do not fuss yourself. We shall be home in plenty of time."

"But I have not looked at a paper since we have been here. I have no more idea what has been going on than Pauline has."

"These things are soon got up. I will help you when the time comes."

"I wish I could get out of it," said Annie, piteously.

Miss Langdon turned round and put her hand on her cousin's shoulder. "You know it is too late for that—you know you are pledged."

"Women have always been privileged to change their minds."

"Annie! don't talk like a child. Not since their emancipation! not since they took their proper station in society, and came to the front in all parts of the world!"

"Oh, hush! Rhodie. I am sure he will hear you; and please don't walk so fast; I cannot keep up with you."

"But why should he not hear me? I make no secret of my opinions."

"But, Rhoda—please, please"

"You are a foolish child, Annie, and quite unfit for the position to which you are destined."

"Yes, I know I am quite unfit; I shall never be able to do it."

"Nonsense; do, for goodness' sake, remember that when a person has pledged his or her word, they cannot withdraw except for some very urgent reason—failing health or"

"I am not very strong," murmured Annie.

"I never saw you look better in your life, my dear; and as for making a secret with Captain Somers, I cannot see the use of it."

"Not make a secret of it! only say nothing—he knows nothing of your—I mean of our opinions."

"Good-morning, Miss Langdon—good-morning, Miss Annie."

"Good morning, Captain Somers; I hope your friend is better to-day."

Somers' handsome face clouded over as he answered, "Thanks, I wish I could say that he was; but he caught a chill yesterday morning, and has been in great pain all day; he has just gone to his bath, so I am left to my own resources."

"What a pity; but I suppose one must expect ups and downs."

"I am afraid he suffers a great deal," said Annie, gently.

"Yes; at times the neuralgia is almost more than he can bear; he is wonderfully patient, poor old fellow."

"What should you do under similar circumstances, Captain Somers?"

"I am very much afraid, Miss Langdon, that I should swear; but you know men are proverbially less patient under pain than women; my friend is an exception to every rule."

"For good?"

"For all that is excellent. Are you on your way to see the news? I suppose I ought to be more anxious than I am, for this dissolution is hanging like the sword of Damocles over my devoted head."

"What? do you mean that you are going to stand?"

"I am indeed; my father's interest is sure to get me in, so I shall not have much trouble, and shall not hasten back, unless I hear of a strenuous opposition started. I should be sorry to leave Burnley before his time is up."

"But I believe every seat, will be contested this time. This last government has lasted so long, and has so amply proved the efficiency of female legislators, that I am persuaded a great many more