Toru Dutt

“ Sometimes Bianca felt a pang when she saw her father pass his hand on his eldest daughter’s shoulder; or, but this was very rarely, for M. Garcia was not a demonstrative man, kiss her on the cheek. “After all, he loves Inez best,” Bianca would think awake in her bed; “and is not that right? Inez wants to be looked after; she is so loving; no wonder he loves her best. I should not be jealous; I am strong; I can take care of myself.” During Inez’s illness no mother could have been a better nurse than young Bianca was. ”

“ Lady Moore and Maggie were in the drawingroom, chatting, and busy with embroidery. "It's near eight o'clock and Henry hasn't come back yet from Mr. Garcia's, what can be the matter with him?" "He is in love, my dear." Said Lady Moore coldly. "Henry in love! And with whom, mamma?" "With that Spanish girl." "With Bianca! Oh! how nice to have Bianca for a sister!" "I don't agree with you, Margaret; I should not like to have her as a daughter-in-law." "Why, mamma! I thought you liked Bianca" "One can like a girl without wishing to have her as a daughter-in-law. ”

“ My lady smiled. Such a venomous and wicked little smile it was! "So, she has been making you her confidant,—the sly gipsy." "Ingram told me about the affair, not she." He returned quietly. There was a painful silence of some minutes. "You have nothing more to say, mother?" "No, Colin." "Then good night, mother." He took a candle and went out of the room. Lady Moore set her teeth and walked about the room in an agitated manner. "The girl is nice in her way; but a Spanish gipsy! For I dare say she is nothing more, to marry my Colin! She isn’t handsome, not at all. How can Colin love her. ”

“ When her father came in, she turned to him with a frank yet bashful smile; "Lord Moore has told me all, my father." And she pressed Garcia’s hand in her own, She bade her take her breakfast, and was only half-pleased as she only drank a single cup of tea, and sent away the tray. "What!" he cried, "is that what you call, a breakfast!" "Indeed,father, I cannot eat any more to-day; you know that when one is excited, solid food seems to stick in one’s throat" "Nonsense !Then you must not be excited. Rest and proper nourishment are the only things to set you up again!" ”

“ And he smiled pleasantly. "Colin you are jesting; I am speaking in earnest. I do want you to marry and settle down." "Whom shall I marry, mother?" Lady Moore glanced quickly up at her son's face. He was looking out on the scene beyond, all shimmering in moonlight. His brow was contracted, his eye thoughtful. She read nothing in his face. "There is Miss De Wilton." She said. "Too old, mother, she must be twenty-five herself or more." She is rich; she will bring you fifty thousand pounds as dowry." "I do not want money. She should marry a poor man, the curate." "She is very beautiful." ”

“ She was not beautiful; of the middle height; her slight figure was very graceful; her face was not quite oval; her fore-head was low; her lips wore full, sensitive and mobile; her colour was dark; have you ever soon an Italian peasant girl? When she blushed or was excited, the color mounted warm and deep to her pale olive cheek; she was beautiful then; her dark brown eyes, 'just like Keeper’s' (the dog’s) her father would say, smiling,—were large and full; in fact this pair of eyes and her long, black curls were her only points of beauty.
Martha brought her a cup of tea, she took it ”

“ She is just the wife for you." "Isn't that Miss Moore?" "Yes! why! you know her already!" "Yes I met her once or twice. I know her brother a little."
Miss Moore came running to her friend. "Now Bianca," said she, kissing her in her warm girlish way, I have a bone to pick with you. You haven't come to see us for a long time." Then seeing Mr. Ingram, she gave him her hand, then turning again to her friend. "When will you come? You know Colin is away in London; and the house is so dull without him. Mamma keeps me at lessons. Will you come tomorrow Bianca. Say, yes" "Yes Maggie." ”

“ Bianca’s were. Presently with a smile; "I am getting sentimental; I mustn’t say that "young and tall and very handsome," and think of him. Pooh! It can never be. Why do I think of him? It does me no good; on the contrary it does me harm. Ho is a bra of Burleigh. Now-a-days lords do not come to woo village maidens; and besides I am no village maiden; neither am I pretty. So be off,—all dreams never to be fulfilled,"—and half jestingly yet with rather a sad smile she went to bed. ”

“ She shrank away so timidly at her father’s words, that Lord Moore, only smiled gravely to encourage her. He had her hand in his and he looked at the white thin fingers sadly, as they lay against his own strong ones. "You must be quick and get well, Bianca," said her father, "look Henry is regarding with sorrow your thin little hands; you must pick up flesh, and get strong again." "Yes,father." Then after a pause. "Do you like my lord, now father?" She asked anxiously, "Not a bit, Bianca;" said Garcia, as he placed his hand on Lord Moore's shoulder ”

“ She rose up suddenly, and a rather sad smile parted her lips. "We must be going father, it is late." They both went in; as she was going to bed she said; "Father, Maggie ask me to go and see her to-morrow; I may go?" "Yes,by all moans. But stop—the old lady may think you want to hook her son as a husband." She laughed, and her father smiled too. “He isn't here now, he is in London, father." "Well, then you can go. When are you going?" "Oh tomorrow; any time will do. Shall you want me tomorrow?" "The article I am going to write should be looked at. I should like to have your opinion Bianca. ”

“ His hand clasped hers in a strung tender clasp. Presently he broke the silence. "Bianca" (how sweet her name sounded pronounced by his lips) "you must get well very fast: I am anxious to take my bride home to my father's house." He added, smiling. Her heart sank a little. "And my father, my lord,"—said she with an unsteady voice. "He will live with us Bianca." She shook her head sadly. "He will never live with Lady Moore." "But it's not to the old house we are going; my mother and Maggie will live there; we are going to "Montague House" in Wales; your father will stay there with us ”

“ Marry a Spanish gipsy; an adventurer's daughter; she might have been a zingara for aught we know!" He rose and to went the door. He was going out. "Colin!" She called. "Well?" "I wont say anything more against her, but listen to what I saw yesterday." He leaned with his back against the door, expectant. "She was speaking with Mr. Ingram, yesterday. He was saying something which moved him so much that he sat down on the ground, weeping, and she took his hands in hers and stroked and fondled in a way"——my lady stopped, casting a sidelong glance at her son. ”

“ Bianca may be a Spanish gipsy, for aught I know." "But you used to praise her graceful ways and manner." "I always said she was a wild girl." "Yes, but you said there was a natural grace in her that was quiet charming." "I have changed my opinion now. She is not at all like what an English young lady ought to be." "No! I suppose not! Fancy a Miss De Wilton with a pair of pistols under her outdoor jacket." And Maggie laughed at the idea. "But mamma, if Henry marries her, we can polish her up in a few days, and make her little more English!" "Try it! ”

“ Garcia looked up at the entrace of Lord Moore; he had been sitting quite thoughtful after his daughter had gone out. "Would the girl be really unhappy if he did not permit her to marry Lord Moore? She had been a very good child to him; never gave him a moment's trouble or anxiety all these eighteen years. She used to make light of marriage and love before; why the other day even, she was laughing about Ingram’s offer to her. I thought I understood her thoroughly, but I find I am wrong; women are hard enigmas ”

“ Bianca kissed the smooth round cheek, that was pressed close against her’s. "I wish Colin was he'e;" said the boy. "Your wish is fulfilled then, Willie, for there is Colin coming; it can’t be but him Said Maggie Lady Moore turned her eagle eye towards the gate. "It is Colin. We did not expect him to-day." A tall form was striding quickly towards the group; Maggie ran forward; “O Colin this is kind! What a good brother you are!" And she hung caressingly on his arm; he kissed her on the forehead with a grave smile ”

“ And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another."
"We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ”

“ This done, she went out into the lawn, said good night to my lady and turned to Maggie, who kissed her warmly; "Good night, Bianca, will you come to-morrow?“ Bianca shook her head with a smile; "I cannot leave father alone every evening." "Then day after to-morrow?" "I won't promise, I dare say I shall not be able to come." She turned then to Lord Moore. "I am going with you." He said. "There is no need; there is moonlight to night." "And it is not so far off, Colin." "It is one good mile and more mother, and the village lads are rough and unmannerly." Bianca smiled ”

“ She glanced at him and seeing he was jesting, made him sit beside her and took his hand in hers. "Father; you are very good." And the tears came into her eyes. "Now don't cry;. or you'll be ill again; I shall go and bring you your breakfast. Henry shall keep you company, till I return; and mind no tears or excitement," and with that he went out. She followed him fondly with her eyes, till he shut the door after him, then she looked at Lord Moore. "Father is very good, my lord." She said simply. "Yes,Bianca. ”

“ Garcia, when I love her, and I love Bianca (his voice fell a little as he uttered the loved name) fondly, passionately, with the love of a man!" He spoke impetuously, but he cheek was pale. "Oh have pity on me!" He cried, his arms placed on the table and his face buried in his hand. Garcia relented a little at this. "Let them be happy;" he thought, and sighed; "life is too short and too full of trouble. Why should I put an obstacle to their happiness." He paused;—presently;—" od help me do the right;" he said. Ho glanced at the figure of Lord Moore ”

“ Asked Garcia angrily. "It's I Martha; there's a letter from the Hall, sir." He rose and went to the door. "The servants mustn't see you thus distressed; what will they think" muttered he to his daughter. He opened the door, took in the letter and barred the door. "I suppose it is an offer of marriage" said he, tearing open the envelope. He read it, then throw it to Bianca. "Read that; what am I to do! The world is full of troubles! The sooner one is out of it, the better." Bianca wiped her eyes and took the letter. A feeling of a momentary pleasure sent the blood tingling to her cheeks ”

“ No; against Bianca! Bianca’s allurements, all her loving phrases were lost upon him; "you a’e weak; you cannot carry me; go away." "You are strong Willie, aren’t you?" "Yes." "Wellg ive me a slap on my palm." "It will hu't." "I don't beleve it. Try." The boy gave a slap with all his little might; Bianca winced with well-feigned pain; "Oh you hurt me." And she wrung her hand. "Did not I tell you so!" Said Willie triumphnt1y. "Well, I shall want a strong arm to lean upon, will you lend me your's." Willie very proudly took in his little hand that of Miss Garcia ”

“ Cried Maggie aghast. The lads hereabouts are rough as my lord says; so father ordered this for me some months ago. Ho told me to have it always about me." And she put back the pistol in its hiding place. "Well,I must have my own way," said Lord Moore smiling, "the night is very fine, and a little walk would be very pleasant." So the to went forth. They were silent for some time; presently Lord Mare broke the silence. "You are very fond of children, Miss Garcia." "Not of all; indeed, not of any, except Will. Children do not seem to like me very much ”

“ Owen and Margaret. Bianca stopped; all her merriment died out of her face. Mr. Owen had lighted on the ground and was helping the ladies to dismount. He turned towards Bianca, and bowed with a polite smile on his lips; "I have the pleasure to speak with Miss Garcia, I believe." Bianca turned her eyes towards him, a scornful smile parted her lips. "We broke off all connection with you Mr. Owen, long ago, I do not wish to renew it," And she walked away. She had barely reached the end of the avenue, when Lord Moore joined her. "Why are you so angry? ”