Page:Traits and Trials.pdf/133

Rh embrace, and Mabel shrunk back with a feeling of surprise, if not of fear.

Mrs. Harcourt proceeded towards the dining-room, where her father was sitting, unable to move with the gout, followed, in the quietest manner possible, by her daughters. She approached Mr. Dacre, regretted that there should be such a draw-back, as the gout, to the happiness of their meeting, observed he looked well in the face, and requested permission to present the young ladies. Each severally stepped up to their grandfather, said they were glad to see him, and presented their cheek to be kissed; princesses could not have done it with more courtesy or more coldness. Mrs. Harcourt then asked for her niece, and Mabel, for the first time in her life, felt reluctant to be noticed; she was kissed by her aunt, afterwards by her cousins; and each young lady then took a chair, where they sat upright and silent, as if they had been images of good behaviour.

"As the night is so very cold, you may come a little nearer the fire," said their mother.

The four moved their chairs forward at once, and then resumed their silence and stillness. Mabel, almost unconsciously, pushed back her stool which