Mrs. Osborne

“ Osborne spoke up in her quick way, and said, ‘Don’t deceive yourself so comfortably, my dear Flossy. I know positively that Ruth has had several [Pg 80] offers that you and I would have jumped at.’ And then she turned away and laughed and laughed, although I didn’t see anything so very funny in what she said, and neither did Mrs. Herrick.
“I do think Mrs. Osborne is the loveliest person I know. She is my ideal young married woman. She always has a smile and a pretty word for every one, and young men like her better than they do the buds. Why, your face is as red as fire. ”

“ And now turning to the girl: "Patricia, I didn't know you could be so interesting...."
The maid gasped with relief as she left the room in obedience to a dismissing wave of her mistress' hand.
"Well, why don't the rest of you come in?" Challoner growled, fastening his eyes on the woman.
Letty Love opened her blue eyes wide—eyes that could look the innocence of a child or the wisdom of the ages—and feigned not to understand. And then as if his meaning had dawned upon her, she said with a good-natured smile:—
"Oh—why, I'm alone!"
"It's a good thing you are," he told her pointedly. ”

“ I'm a marrying woman," declared the girl, "and I dread the thought of being an old maid."
Miriam laughed.
"And yet they say that they're the happiest women...."
"Oh, but a real woman is one who has a husband and children—" Shirley stretched forth her arms, as though to grasp all life within them,—"children to bring up; to wipe their noses and dress them for school, and to hear them say their prayers at night. That's life! It isn't pride with me; it's instinct." Miriam thought a moment. Finally she ventured:—
"But you've had chances. There was Murgatroyd...." ”

“ I know Lord Osborne has great influence with him, and for the sake of your family, and his own character and respectability, he might perhaps be persuaded by him to do so; but with a man of such a character, my sister's chance of happiness would be small, and I cannot wish for their marriage, even to save myself from what I so greatly dread. I feel I am wrong and selfish in shrinking from an exertion which I suppose is my duty, and perhaps after all, when there are so many troubles in life, one difficulty more or less ought not to disturb me so much. ”

“ And besides, Osborne was as steady as a rock. No; it couldn't be a spree. What, then, had cut him up so dreadfully? He looked all right yesterday, or nearly so. No matter how wild a man had been for one day, he would not be so cut up. Evidently something was wrong between this incomparable girl and him. What could it be? Had he been suddenly seized with illness, or were there traces of insanity in his family? A man must be mad to quarrel with such loveliness. 'What's the matter, Kate?' whispered Marie, as soon as the former had returned to her old place close to the couch. 'I don't know, dear. ”

“ He tried once more to secure further orders from Miss Osborne; but she would not look round again, and he was forced to console himself by wandering over the reception rooms, and enquiring of every acquaintance if they could tell him where "Osborne" was, as he was sent by Miss Osborne to find him.
"How I detest that chattering magpie of a man," cried Miss Osborne as soon as he was out of hearing, "I hope he is no friend of yours, Miss Watson?" appealing to Emma, "I have been told that some women admire him prodigiously." ”

“ She had asked for a sign that he could turn the gray into gold, and for reply she got the assurance that she might put her mind at rest with the thought of what Mr. and Mrs. Osborne were to each other! She knew that for that moment she only saw the ludicrous side of it, and that a very real and solid truth was firm below it, but somehow it was not what she wanted. She wanted ... she hardly knew what, but something of the spirit of romance that triumphantly refuses to acquiesce in the literal facts of life, and see all things through the many-coloured blaze of its own light. ”

“ If I understand rightly, the other is to marry a wealthy brewer at Croydon—a very good match for her, but not a desirable connection for Osborne; Emma would either grow ashamed of her own family and their station, or she would be pained by being obliged to neglect them in some degree. But she will never accept Osborne!"
"I cannot wish the temptation thrown in her way—I should be by no means sure of the result," said Lady Gordon.
"You cannot prevent it however," replied Sir William, "if Osborne has any such thoughts in his head—he is his own master, and cannot be kept away from her. ”

“ Each at the moment breathed the low, anxious, and tender timidity of love, in it purest character. The souls of both vibrated to each other, and felt depressed with that sweetest emotion which derives all its power from the consciousness that its participation is mutual. Osborne spoke low, and his voice trembled; the girl was silent, but her bosom panted, and her frame shook from head to foot. At length, Osborne spoke.
“I sometimes sit here alone, and amuse myself with my flute; but of late—of late—I can hear no music that is not melancholy.” ”

“ The girl spoke angrily,—
"All these years he has not known a mother's love. What if he asks you why you robbed him of that? Even if she was poor, she would have held him to her, shielded him, loved him."
"She deserted him," Lady Osborne sneered.
"All the more reason for us women to love him; he is noble and good. Did he not win your heart as a little, soft baby? ”

“ It was too much. She could not—could not suffer this man for a moment, even with the release of swiftly hastening death before her eyes. She struggled to her feet, groping about, turning, and, with a stifled scream, she sought to fly; but her strength refused her even this service.
In an instant, he was up and beside her; his hand had roughly grasped her shoulder, half tearing away the cyclas; his little eyes blazed with vindictive fury; his nostrils dilated; his coarse lips writhed in hungry passion.
"Ah, slave! You would escape? Where? where? In this house? Ah, fool! ”

“ Occupied with these thoughts she scarcely noticed the grandeur of the Hall, the magnificent staircase, the elegance of the ante-rooms as they approached, and was only roused from her reverie by the overpowering blaze of light in the drawing-room. Lady Osborne was alone in the room, seated on a sofa from which she did not rise to receive them, but graciously extended her thin and richly jewelled hand to Mrs. Willis, and bowed courteously to her companions. ”

“ Lady Osborne rose in great state, and giving her hand to Mr. Howard, proceeded to the dining room, through a long range of ante-rooms, where large glasses were so arranged as to exhibit before her, her stately figure, and glance back the lustre of her diamond ornaments. As Elizabeth and Emma followed Miss Osborne and her friend, they could not help wondering at the self-admiration which made it agreeable thus to see nothing but self.
"How dingy we look compared to her ladyship and Miss Carr," whispered Elizabeth to her sister. "I really feel quite ashamed of myself." ”

“ She answered only by an incredulous look.
"Here comes Lord Osborne into the room," continued he, "looking as if he were going to be hanged. Just turn your eyes this way, Miss Watson."
"Thank you," replied Emma, without complying; "but I will not add to Lord Osborne's modest confusion by looking at him."
"His modest confusion—what a good idea. Why he is the most impudent man in Great Britain. What bribe do you suppose his mother had to offer him, to induce him to come into the music saloon to-day?"
"It is difficult for me to guess. Agreeable company and excellent music no doubt." ”

“ Osborne warmly seconded his sister's wish, and extended a polite invitation to the uncle of his friend.
"I see no reason why you should leave us at all to-night, my dear Miss Osborne," said Hutchinson.
"Why Grace would think me a lunatic if I should propose to her to live one night without her father's kiss and blessing" said Lucretia.
"And not far from right, my mad-capped niece," replied he, playfully touching her shoulder. "However, as you both will; you know your lovely friend is always welcome twenty-four hours in a day." ”

“ Scores of guests, utterly unknown to their hosts, crowded the rooms, and for them all, known and unknown alike, Mrs. Osborne had the same genial and genuine cordiality of welcome. It was sufficient for her that they had crossed her threshold and would drink Mr. O.’s champagne and{223} eat her capons; she was glad to see them all. She had a shocking memory for faces, but that made no difference, since nothing could exceed the geniality of her greeting to those whom she had never set eyes on before. ”

“ Up jumped Miss Osborne in great dismay and tribulation, and poured forth the most vague apologies, her brother being far too shocked to speak at all. Emma begged her not to be concerned, it really was so entirely an accident that there could be no blame attached to any one. Nothing could exceed the good-humour with which she bore the injury to her dress, or her desire to restore Lord Osborne to his former equanimity. ”

“ Challoner went over to the photograph, picked it up and wheeling round said threateningly:—
"Did you put him in that frame?"
"I did," she answered sweetly. "I'm very domestic, you know," and she smiled one of her most bewildering smiles; "I always arrange these little things myself."
"And what did you do with mine?"
Letty looked dubious. She touched a button, and to the maid who entered asked with mock anxiety:—
"Patricia, what did you do with the half-tone of this gentleman that I gave you?"
The maid regarded first one and then the other somewhat curiously. ”

“ The tears started to Miss Osborne's eyes, and forgetting that her remark would imply a keen reproof to her thoughtless friend, she said, "What have I done, that you should accuse me of being deficient in the delicacy which should ever characterize a lady?"
"Who would think of defending herself from a charge that has no foundation?" rejoined Lucretia, putting her arms round her neck, with girlish affection.
"What is the matter, young ladies?" inquired Henry Osborne, who entered the library at that moment.
"Nothing,---only I have offended Grace, as I often do the Graces," answered Lucretia ”

“ He's a man...."
"Perhaps you're right, Shirley—you seem to be always right. Yes, I suppose he ought to know." Gently Miriam shook him, rocked him to and fro upon the sofa, as some fond mother might wake a drowsy, growing boy on a lazy summer morn.
"Lawrence," she cried softly in his ear, "wake up! Wake up, dear, wake up!"
For an instant Challoner stirred. Presently there came in guttural tones:—
"Yes, yes, that's all right...." But he slept, and kept on sleeping.
"I can hardly realise that Laurie is back," murmured Miriam, happily. ”

“ Lord Osborne's visit was certainly meant for Emma, for he placed himself near her, and sat some minutes with his eyes fixed on her countenance, until she began to think he meant to preserve the same conduct in her father's house, as he had done at the ball.
At length, however, he spoke:
"It's a beautiful morning; ain't you going to walk to-day?"
"No, my Lord," replied she quietly, raising her eyes from her work, "I think it is too dirty!"
"You should wear boots," said he, "nankeen with block tops, look very nice, when a woman has a pretty ankle." ”

“ Shirley went over to her and caught her in her arms, whispering while she affectionately rested her head on Miriam's shoulder:—
"Don't, dear, don't! We can't help it, don't you see? There's no other way out of it but to let the men come in."
"Of course we can't help it," after a moment Miriam said resignedly, and proceeded to pull the chairs and tables away that she had so vigorously piled up. "Yes, yes, let them in," and wearily fell into a chair.
Stevens unlocked the door, and Mixley entered the room, McGrath following soon after.
"There's no help for it, ma'am," they spoke as one man. ”

“ The table was laid in the shade, on the grass, and the feasters sat about on rugs and shawls. As Osborne took his place along with Mrs. Carpenter's niece, he noticed that Miss Congreve had not yet reappeared. He called his companion's attention to the circumstance, and she mentioned it to her aunt, who said that the young girl had last been seen in company with Mr. Stone—a person unknown to Osborne—and that she would, doubtless, soon turn up.
"I suppose she's quite safe," said Philip's neighbor—innocently or wittily, he hardly knew which; "she's with a clergyman." ”

“ At the sight of them Miriam rushed back to her husband and shook him slightly, speaking his name softly. Then she turned plaintively to the men:—
"If you would only let him sleep—just a little while longer," she said falteringly.
"You must leave him to us, ma'am," spoke up Mixley; and pointing to the far corner of the room, added: "Will you take that chair, there, please? Don't be afraid, ladies," he went on, glancing at Shirley; "we won't hurt the gentleman, see if we do."
And suddenly, together, the men bodily lifted Challoner from the sofa and as suddenly dropped him back again. ”

“ Around him, beneath him, lay London, hushed in sleep. In no other part of the world was peaceful man so secure as in London. He had but to ring a bell, break a pane of glass, and shout, to summon succour sufficient to overwhelm a hundred assassins. What chilled and terrified Osborne was no dread of violence from without. There was nothing outside this room of which he stood in fear. And yet he trembled and felt cold and tremulously alarmed. No spectre of a wrong done by him rose up before his eyes. ”