Loved and Unloved. A story

Chapter I

" Kitty, what are you dreaming about ? I have told you twice 'tis time to start, and the horses are at the door, yet there you sit pulling the ears of that ugly little Floss, as though there could be no occupation in the world so absorbing as that of nursing a Pug-" " My pretty Floss," said Kitty, rising, however, and placing her on a soft cushion. '•' ' Love me, love my dog !' But will you come at once, Kate ? — we shall be late for luncheon." " How the time passes ! I had not an idea it— " I " You should say but one," said Mabel, laughing, and following her out of the room. The girls were going to spend some time with Lucy Graham, at Cranmore. Their luggage had been sent on the day previous, and they were to ride over, and keep their horses ; they had said good-bye to their mother, and just as they were mounting Mr. Burton came up to the door.

" Why, girls, how late you are !" said their father, looking at his watch. "Good bye, and tell Mr. Graham I must go to the magistrates' meeting to-morrow, so he can please himself: perhaps I'll call as I come back ;" and they rode off down the broad avenue, with a groom behind them. It was a lovely morning early in June ; the trees had lately put on their summer dress* and were gracefully bending to each other in the sunlight, as though offering mutual congratulations on their beauty. The birds were singing, and Hodge, as he drove his glossy brown horses up and down the field, following the plough, stepped merrily over the clods, whistling as he went. A little farther on was his home, where his curly headed, rosy children were at this moment romping round a very old man seated on a wooden bench beside the door.

There were two cottages close together : in one lived old Sam, nearly eighty years of age. He had worked on the Burton estate ever since he was a boy, and his father before him ; he was now one of Mrs. Bur ton's pensioners, and had a hot dinner sent from the Manor House every day, all the year round, besides a barrel of beer kept well filled for him in the corner of his kitchen. Hodge's wife was his niece, and looked after the old man's comforts, and at the harvest supper or Christmas time, he still went up to the House with the rest, and was as jovial as possible in the snug gest corner, comfortably smoking his long pipe, and even singing his favourite song : i — I^oved and Unloved. 4 " May a myrtle tree grow in the midst of the sea, If ever I prove false to the girl that loves me." Everybody knew old Sam's song, and when the house was full of company at Christmas, amid much laughing, the young people used to go and listen to it, de claring it was a very praiseworthy senti ment ; and many a half-crown found its way into his pocket.

John Burton is a good specimen of the English squire — tall, well-made, command ing in appearance, hasty in temper, but kindly in disposition ; a man to be loved and respected. His father dying soon after he came of age, left him sole heir to the fine estate Burton Manor, in one of the Midland counties, beside great wealth in Welsh mines. He married Jane, daughter of Edward Westbury, Esq., of Boxhill Park, Nottinghamshire, then a delicate girl with blue eyes, and a profusion of light hair. When they made their appearance at the village church, after their wedding tour, the curiosity of the old cottagers was unbounded to see "the young Squire's lady," and though the weather was still warm, the bright red cloaks were put on, and many a black poke bonnet had a large bow placed at the top, and clean frills all round inside, to make a decent appearance when they dropped their curtseys to the young bride, as she came out of the low porch, leaning on her hus band's arm.

" Oh, but she bain't to be compared to the old Squire's lady, when she was young," said old Betty Clarke. " She was a bonnie one and kind. Heaven rest her soul." But as years rolled on, and the distribu tion of beef and blankets was kept up, children clothed, schools built, and poor widows provided for, they blessed the young wife too. Mrs. Burton was young no longer, and her failing health caused her husband and children a good deal of anxiety. Beside Mabel and Kitty, she had one son, Arnold, in the army. The 175th, Captain Burton's regiment, was now quar tered at the county town of W— — . Cranmore had been in the ancient and loyal family of the Grahams upwards of two hundred years. The first Graham of Cranmore came to England in the suite of the sixth Scottish James, on his accession to the throne of England, after the death of Elizabeth ; and during all the misfor tunes that afterwards befell the unfortunate Stuarts, the Grahams remained true to their royal masters, and ready to shed their best blood in their defence.

The spacious man sion was built in the Elizabethan style, with quaint terraces, grassy slopes, and fine gar dens. Among the noble old trees of the park the dappled deer browsed, and a clump of dark-green cedars stood on a slight emi nence alone, like aliens in a foreign land. Mr. and Mrs. Graham were never more happy than when their hospitable house was filled with visitors ; and James and Lucy were of the same opinion. They had also two young children, Sophie and Gus, Miss Silvester's pupils. The Burtons and Grahams had always been intimate, and there was a good deal of visiting going on just now. Frank Leslie was staying there, Mr. Graham's nephew, and son of his only sister, Mrs. Leslie, now a widow ; she had married an eminent Scotch lawyer. Frank followed his father's profession, and had been recently called to the Bar.

He was con sidered extremely clever, and was a fine looking man, but proud and reserved, with a sallow complexion, black hair, and eyes dark-blue and piercing ; his thin but per fectly-shaped lips capable of wearing the most seductive smile, though seldom adorned with it — the general expression being rather satirical. Arnold Burton and Lieutenant Charles Hamilton, who was engaged to Kitty Burton, were often at Cranmore, generally accompanied by some of their brother-officers. Burton's handsome sisters were not altogether unknown to them, and they found the kind welcome and agreeable society they met there a pleasant change from the dull routine of the barracks, so that seldom a morning passed without an addition to the party before luncheon. These were happy days for Charles and Kitty, when there was only a rumour of the coming war.

Some of the gentlemen remarked that Leslie in his quiet way admired Miss Burton, but that was no reason why they should not admire her too, and accordingly Mabel was the centre of attraction. Frank Leslie's admiration was fast becoming real love, only he had such a queer way of showing it. Yet Mabel knew quite well, " for quickly comes such knowledge," and his influence was greater over her than that of any one else, though she would not have owned it for the world. Frank Leslie was remarkable for his in tense nationality. He loved his country, her people, her music, and her literature ; and he loved Mabel the more because she was such an enthusiastic admirer of Scot land. She called it the land of romance, immortalised by the immortal Sir Walter ; and when she sang those sweet Scotch ballads, rendered more thrilling by the deep pathos of her voice, Frank almost worshipped her, but he said little ; and she did not see the tender light in his blue eyes that made them look almost black, and felt a rising anger against him.

"How exquisitely you sing, Miss Burton," said Lieutenant Horton, who heard her for the first time. " You might be a Scotch lassie.' " But I am not, Mr. Horton ; and I don't think there is such a pretty word in our language — one instantly sees the heather-bells of bonnie Scotland." Still Frank made no remark ; he never complimented her, though he was even then thinking how he should like to transplant the sweet English rose amongst those heather-bells, and how pale they would look beside her. At that moment little Sophie Graham came into the music-room, saying, " Mabel, they want you. Mr. Grey is come, with Mary and Fanny, and they can't decide whether to have a carpet-dance or a cha rade ; and mamma says we may sit up. Please do come, and you, Cousin Frank." Folding-doors led into the small draw ing-room, where high discussion was going on.

" Frank," said Lucy Graham, " you will just do — we want you to take the part of Frank Osbaldiston." " With you for Di Vernon, my dear Lucy ?" he asked. " No, Mabel must be Di." " Oh, I don't know," said he. " I think I " " Perhaps Mr. Leslie would prefer a game at billiards, or at any rate the part of a spectator," rejoined Mabel. " Charley, you will do nicely." " I'll make the most devoted of lovers if you'll only try me, Mabel," said Charles Hamilton, coming from the corner where he and Kitty had been sitting together. " He has practice enough, Miss Grey, hasn't he ?" said James Graham, in a low voice. She laughed and nodded ; but the charade fell through, and a dance was de cided on, the furniture pushed aside. First one played the piano, and then another ; but Frank and Mabel did not dance to gether.

" Now go and say good-night, Gus and Sophie; it's quite time." " Oh, Miss Silvester, do let us stay a little longer ; I am not at all tired." " But you look very tired, Sophie. I'll go upstairs with you, and get Ruth to fetch a jelly for you both — won't that be nice ?" " Oh yes !" said Gus; "come on, Sophie." As they were leaving the room, Arnold Burton and James were going in. Gus clung round his big brother's legs, saying, " Isn't it too bad, Jemmy ? they will make us go to bed." " Quite right too, you little monkey, you ought to have been in bed hours ago ;" and he swung the laughing boy on his shoulder, and running upstairs, landed him at the top with a kiss. " And is my little partner going to run away ?" said Arnold, holding out his hand to Sophie. Then, added lower, "Miss Silvester, you are not deserting us ?"

" I am coming back soon," and she raised her pretty shy eyes for a moment to his face ; he gave her one bright look that would have told tales, had it been noted by any but Bertha Silvester. As it was, it retold a tale she had heard before. Sophie said, " Good-night, Captain Bur ton ; and now I'm going to bed you may dance with Birdie." " Oh, thank you for the permission, Sophie ; but what will Ber — Miss Silvester say r " Oh, she won't mind," said a sleepy little voice, half way up the stairs. And James thought when he passed the gover ness, he had never seen her looking so pretty. Bertha Silvester was an orphan, and " Birdie" was the pet name given her by her mother, who died long ago — the chil dren had learned it from old Nancy at the lodge, who for many years had been Mrs. Silvester's faithful servant, and almost a second mother to the one little daughter of her dead mistress.

Not long before the new governess came from London, the clergyman of a neighbouring parish had recommended Nancy to Mr. Graham, as a fit person for the lodge-gate, and the old woman was delighted that chance had once more brought her within reach of her " Birdie," as she still loved to call her ; and Birdie smoothed her hair that needed no smoothing, smiled a glad smile at herself in the glass, kissed the children, and went down and danced with the Captain. About this time the society of Downton received an addition : Major Cleveland, who had been visiting in the south, returned, and was at once attracted by Mabel Burton, and she, partly for amusement, and partly to vex Frank Leslie, flirted more than ever. Like most pretty women she was fond of admiration, and Frank had a way of looking that annoyed her ; he was enough to provoke a saint with his coldness.

Mabel, handsomer than ever, was the star round which the pleasures and amusements at Cranmore centred ; they called her Queen Mab, and she received as a right the homage of the surrounding beaux. But Frank was never among the crowd of wor shippers ; he calmly took a book, or had letters to write, and would take a hand at whist to pleasure his uncle Graham. He said to himself that he liked whist, but I am not sure that he did not sometimes lose a trick ; and once when he heard Mabel's laughing voice, and thought of the prox imity of Major Cleveland, he was engaged in " saying swear " under his breath, and trumped his partner's ace, to the unbounded astonishment of the dons he was playing with. " Why, what's the matter with you, Frank ?" said his uncle, when he had re covered from his surprise a little.

" Have a glass of brandy and water ; you don't look well." This was a panacea Mr. Graham had resort to oftener than was good for him, and he thought it would be beneficial to his nephew at this crisis. Frank pulled him self together, begged pardon, and said he was all right. Couldn't account for his stupidity, etc., etc. They went on with the game, and he tried to shut out the pro voking sounds that made him make such a fool of himself, and succeeded pretty well. Mabel was not much satisfied with her own proceedings, and after the good-nights that took so long in saying, as the girls lingered chatting in each other's rooms, were said, and her door was really shut for the night, the light faded from her face, as she thought she would rather have a smile from Frank than the adulation of the whole world.

Chapter II

The Hunt Ball promised to be more brilliant than usual this year, and Mrs. Graham's dressing-room was the scene of discussion as to what was to be worn, but as that was rather a difficult matter to decide, we will keep the door closed, and leave them to talk it over in private. One morning, about a week before the ball, the gentlemen at Cranmore were breakfasting alone. None of the ladies had yet made their appearance; they had been at Sir Richard Hargreaves the night before, and were probably asleep. Frank Leslie was about to start for Edinburgh for a few days. " You'll be back in time for the 20th, shan't you, Frank ?" said James. " Yes, I quite intend to do so ; I hope we shall get through that case in time. I shall go straight to W. and dress at the Queen's Hotel ; perhaps I may be late, but I shall be sure to come."

" You had better bring your mother back with you, Frank ; I don't know when we have passed a Christmas without seeing each other." " I will try, uncle, but the weather is so severe, I think she will scarcely venture at present." " Now, James, are you ready ?" said Mr. Graham, who had risen from the breakfast table, and standing at the side-board was helping himself to a dose of brandy before going out shooting. "I'm coming, father — good-bye, Frank." "Good-bye, I shall start in half an hour," said Frank, going upstairs as his uncle and cousin went from the hall-door with their dogs and keeper. In the corridor he met Harrison, Mrs. Graham's maid. " Are any of the ladies stirring, M rs. Harrison ?" said he. " No, sir, I think not." Frank looked at his watch, he had no time to spare, but he sadly wanted to see Mabel ; he was not quite satisfied with him self or her last night, but there was no help for it now, so he said : " Give my kind regards to the ladies, and say I am sorry I can't stop to bid them good-bye."

" Yes, sir ;" and in a few minutes the dog-cart was at the door, and Frank, with a glance at Mabel's still closed windows, drove off. About noon Mrs. Graham and her young friends met at breakfast. As the gentle men were engaged, she proposed they should drive to W. for a little shopping. " If you will excuse me, Mrs. Graham," 2 — said Mabel, " I would rather stay at home ; I have a headache, and Kitty will get all I want." " But, my dear, a drive will do you good this fine morning, and I don't like going without you." " And perhaps we shall see Major Cleve land," said Lucy. " What do you say to that, Mabel ?" " I don't want to see him ; and pray don't think of me, my dear Mrs. Graham, I shall be better at home ; I could not bear the noise and confusion of town this morning. " I should be glad to stay with you if I could do you any good," said Lucy.

" No, thank you, dear." And as the carriage rattled away over the frosty ground, Mabel turned into the library. There was a nice fire, and drawing up a comfortable chair, she placed her feet on the fender, and leaned back. Mabel was unhappy. Her first thoughts were, " Frank was really offended last night — I could see it quite plainly, and I believe I showed him I was offended too. He did not like my talking with Major Cleveland so much. Well, Frank's stupid, and I like the Major — he is the most fascinating man I know. How amusing he was, and how well he dances. I don't think he is as noble as Frank, nor as good, nor as clever, perhaps ; but then Frank will rule, there would be everlasting contention between Frank and me — not exactly quarrelling, we should never do that ! Then he assumes I love him — that shows his penetration, for I do love him very much ; but I won't have him, and I'll leave off singing for him.

Am I only to be loved because I happen to sing to please him ! I vow I detest him, and I'm glad he is gone ; the Major will be here to-morrow, and the coast clear. Ah, Frank, you won't be here to bind me with that smile you know the power of so well." And so ran the reverie. Mabel's head ached still. She rose and paced the room, now thinking of Frank, and now of Major Cleveland. She heard a door open behind her, she started and turned her head — there stood Frank Leslie. He saw in a moment the haughty expression, as she said, " Mr. Leslie, is it you ? I thought you had left for Edinburgh." " I beg your pardon if I disturb you, Miss Burton, but I understood the ladies had all gone out. I forgot some papers, and was obliged to return for them, and as the next train does not leave until six, I came to the library for an hour or two."

Mabel drew up her fine figure, and Frank thought he had never seen her look so beautiful as she did then, in her simple morning-dress, her hair braided without ornament, and the tips of her jewelled fingers resting on the table. Her face was paler than usual, but her eyes were very bright. "Shall I leave you, Miss Burton? Mabel ! are you very angry with me," he added in a low voice, " that you look so proud and cold ?" " A reflection, Mr. Leslie ; don't you admire it ? You know what your favourite bard says : " ' Oh, wad some pow'r the giftie gie us To see oursels as others see us.' " " But I am not cold to you, Mabel — never. I love you dearer than any living thing, dearer than life itself; and, sweet Mabel, I think you love me — your eyes have told the tale," said he, drawing nearer and gently taking her hand in his.

But Mabel quickly withdrew it, saying, " I do not love you, Mr. Leslie." And though it was so false, she looked at him without the slightest change of expressio c " Mabel," said he, " can this be true ?"— and he turned pale as death. "It is true — I do not love you." And she swept across the room to her seat by the fire. She could not endure that look of agony ; and had he asked but once more, " Mabel, is it true ?" much unhappiness might have been spared ; or if he had only caught a glimpse of her face, all trace of haughtiness, there a moment since, gone, and her eyes full of tears ; but he turned without another word, and left the room. Mabel sat motionless ; she felt a dull, heavy pain at her heart, but the tears that had gathered in her eyes did not fall. She had sealed her own fate. The evening began to close in, and the fire burned low in the grate.

At length she heard the sound of wheels ; she knew it was Frank going away, and she stood up and watched him out of sight in the dim twilight Then with a heavy sigh she went to her own room, and, after bathing her burning brow in cold water, dressed for dinner. Mrs. Graham and the two girls had just come in from their drive, and she heard Lucy's merry laugh as they came upstairs together. She determined not to say a word of what had passed, even to her sister. Frank Leslie went away wretched enough. He had so believed in Mabel's love that the blow almost annihilated him. He seated himself mechanically in the car riage — saw people, and houses, and trees, as in a dream ; he never knew how he got to the end of that journey. He was roused at length by the voice of his mother ; and when he kissed her cheek, and replied to her anxious inquiries if he were ill, he made a violent effort to throw off the numbing sen sations that seemed to stop all vitality.

Mrs. [Leslie watched him anxiously, but said no more. Frank was like his father, he could not bear questioning. So he went to his room, and his clerk came to talk to him about the business in hand, and things went on much the same as usual. His people only thought him a little more taci turn — that was all the visible difference. But still he seemed to see Mabel, as she stood by the table repeating those cruel words ; and then he thought, did she love Major Cleveland ? and he ground his teeth at the very idea ! Yes, he would go to the ball, and watch them — false girl ! But are not all women false ! " Oh, your sweet eyes, your low replies !' Fool that I was to think you loved me. And how had Mabel passed the week ? Outwardly the same as usual, for women have greater command over their feelings than men ; a blessed ordination, seeing that they generally feel ten times as much.

Brighter than ever, she still reigned at Cranmore. Major Cleveland had been there constantly ; and one morning when there was a skating-party, Mabel had nar rowly escaped drowning, by the timely intervention of the Major ; so that a little gratitude, mixed with admiration, and a desire for excitement, conspired to make him agreeable to her just then, and if she had any sad moments, no one knew of them. A day or two before the ball, Mabel and Kitty went away. There was to be a dinner-party at the Manor House, and Mrs. Burton wished her daughters to be at home. Several of the officers were there, the Major of course, though Arnold did not altogether approve of his attentions to Mabel ; but satisfying himself that in a week or two the regiment would leave the neighbourhood, he thought it better not to warn his sister that, despite his fascinating manners and gentlemanly bearing, Major Cleveland was no desirable lover.

Chapter III

When Mabel entered the ball-room, on her brother's arm, she cast a hurried glance round to see if Frank had arrived ; there were the Grahams, Lucy looking really pretty in her Brussels lace and blush roses, but no Frank, and she felt relieved, for although she wished to see him she did not know what she should do when she did. Major Cleveland, who had been standing by the fireplace with several gentlemen, came up to the Burtons, looking very well in his handsome uniform. " How late you are, Burton," said he ■ " you have been keeping your charming sisters away on purpose to torture us poor fellows. Miss Burton, allow me the plea sure of dancing with you first?" As he led her away he whispered, "How beautiful you look ! Half these fellows are dying with envy at my good fortune." Mabel's programme was quickly filled up, and more than once she danced with Major Cleveland ; they had been waltzing together, and he led her to the first vacant seat, and placed himself beside her.

" I don't see any of the Greys," said he. " Are they gone ?" " Yes ; they started on Tuesday, and stay at Paris until the Rector and Harry join them, with Miss Allen ; then they all go on to Rome, where they intend staying the winter." " Is that the rich Miss Allen ?" " Yes ; she is Mr. Grey's ward." She raised her eyes as she spoke, and there, at a little distance, stood Frank Leslie watching them ; he had entered the room a short time before, and instantly perceived Mabel dancing with the Major ; he followed them round the room with his eyes, until they were tired and sat down. " Vain coquette !" he muttered, and felt as though he would like to kill them both ; just at that moment Mabel, as if by some fatality, caught the fierce expression on his countenance. Frank moved away as soon as he saw he was observed, and Mabel turned so pale that Major Cleveland was alarmed, and said, " Are you ill, Miss Bur ton ?

What can I get you ?" " Nothing, thank you ; the room is very warm, and I feel faint, that is all. The other room is less crowded, I should like to go and sit with mamma a little while." He offered her his arm, and they joined Mrs. Burton, who was talking to Lady Hargreaves. " You have been dancing too much, Mabel; you look tired." " Oh no, mother ; the heat made me feel rather faint ; I shall soon be better ;" and refusing all the Major's offers of assistance, she sat down and begged he would not stay ; and he reluctantly left them. As Kitty and Charles came up, looking very gay and happy, Lady Hargreaves remarked to Mrs. Burton, that there were not two nicer girls in the room than her daughters. " They will soon be getting married and leave you," said she, "and then you will be no better off than I am."

" But Kitty is to live at Rose Bank, close at home, and Mabel is not likely to be married at present." " I think her just the girl to marry early. Lucy Graham is pretty-looking, but there is something about her, I scarcely know what, that I don't much like." " She is amiable," said Mrs. Burton, " but her mother has spoiled her very much from a child." Lieutenant Horton came up and claimed Mabel for a quadrille. " I think, my dear," said her mamma, " you had better not dance any more ; you look quite pale." But Mabel said she was very well ; he pleaded his disappointment, so they went. " Where will you dance ?" said Lieute nant Horton ; " there are Miss Graham and Leslie, will that do ?" Mabel smiled assent, she had no excuse for saying no, and found herself vis-a-vis with Frank and his cousin ; the gentlemen shook hands, and as no one suspected any thing unusual, the confusion of the two passed unnoticed.

As Frank touched Ma bel's hand he bowed, that was all ; and she laughed and talked with her partner, and recovered her bright looks, Frank men tally exclaiming, " Ah ! the flirt, they are all alike to her ;" but they were both glad when the quadrille was over. Frank danced the rest of the evening; he was unusually pleasant, and without knowing or caring, won the heart of more than one fair lady, by his polished manners and agree able conversation. " I say, Frank," said Arnold Burton, as they were taking a glass of wine together, " You are doing the amiable extensively this evening, to make up for lost time." " I have had a leaf out of the book of some of you military fellows, I suppose," said Frank. " You'll be as great a flirt as Cleveland before long." Frank winced, but said, " Come, I'm engaged for the next dance, and my fair one will think I have deserted her."