Page:Precaution; a novel by Cooper, James Fenimore.djvu/426

414 "What do you say to my condition?"

"Well, then, if you wish," replied Grace, without the look of gayety her hopes had first inspired, "I will not go if it rain."

John ordered his phaeton, and his wife went to her room to prepare for the trip, and to regret her own resolution.

In the recess of a window, in which bloomed a profusion of exotics, stood the figure of Lady Marian Denbigh, playing with a half-blown rose of the richest colors; and before her, leaning against the angle of the wall, stood her kinsman, the Duke of Derwent.

"You heard the plan at the breakfast table," said his Grace, "to visit the little falls in the hills. But I suppose you have seen them too often to undergo the fatigue?"

"Oh, no! I love that ride dearly, and should wish to accompany the countess in her first visit to it. I had half a mind to ask George to take mo in his phaeton."

"My curricle would be honored by the presence of Lady Marian Denbigh," cried the duke with animation, "if she would accept me for her knight on the occasion."

Marian bowed an assent, in evident satisfaction, as the duke proceeded,—

"But if you take me as your knight, I should wear your ladyship's colors;" and he held out his hand towards the budding rose. Lady Marian hesitated a moment, looked out at the prospect, up at the wall—turned, and wondered where her brother was; and still finding the hand of the duke extended, while his eye rested on her in admiration, she gave him the boon with a cheek that vied with the richest tints of the flower. They separated to prepare, and it was on their return from the falls that the duke seemed uncommonly gay and amusing, and the lady silent with her tongue, though her eyes danced in every direction but towards her cousin.

"Really, my dear Lady Moseley," said tho dowager, as, seated by the side of her companion, her eyes roved over the magnificence within, and widely extended domains