Pique. A novel

Chapter I

** Oh, Mildred ! I have heard the strangest rumor this morn, ing. Is it possible Lord Alresford is expected here to-day ? ” cried Helen Campbell, hastily flinging open tbe door of a small exquisitely furnished boudoir, in which her friend was sitting.

Mildred Effingham’s fair face slightly flushed ; she looked up from her drawing, — a bunch of magnificent geraniums, — and laying down her brush, said, rather coldly, —

“ You may well be surprised, Helen. When I reached home after our walk yesterday afternoon, I found papa in some consternation awaiting me here, with Lord Alresford’ s despatch in his hand, which had just arrived by a special messenger.”

“ And so it is true ? I suppose we must make up our minds soon to lose you, Mildred. How desolate dear old Greysdon will appear ! ” exclaimed Helen with a sigh, divesting herself of her bonnet and cloak, and throwing herself on a low ottoman by Miss Effingham’s side.

“ Helen, that time is not come ! ” hastily rejoined Mildred ; “ do not talk of it ; it makes me so miserable to think of quitting you all. How did you learn Lord Alresford’s expected arrival ? I had just written yonder little note, to beg you to come and spend the morning with me.”

“ Mamma walked to the Rectory early, and Mrs. Northcote told her she understood the park lodge-keepers had received orders from. Lord Elvaston to be upon the lookout, for the Earl was expected to arrive at the Priory about four this afternoon.”

Mildred, who knew very well the gossiping propensities of good Mrs. Campbell, could not refrain from smiling.

“ And was this all the news Mrs. Campbell gleaned?”

Helen felt slightly puzzled.

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“ Mrs. Northcote supposed your marriage would not long be delayed, which you know, dear Mildred, under all circumstances, was a very natural conclusion.”

“ Very ! ” exclaimed Mildred, petulantly ; “ considering that I have not one feeling, one thought, in common with the man who, to use his own words, hastens to claim me as his bride.”

“Is it really so, Mildred ? are these indeed your true sentiments? ” said Helen, in a tone of grave anxiety.

“ Helen, the thought of this marriage makes me utterly wretched. Nay, you must long have known this. During Lord Alresford’s absence in Italy, the danger seemed less imminent ; but his sudden return and arrival here quite overpowers me. Read the cool manner in which he announces I must forthwith hold myself prepared to receive him as my future lord and master.”

Helen opened the letter which Mildred thrust into her hands, and perused it without comment.

“Oh, Mildred, you must be prejudiced. Surely, judging Lord Alresford from this letter, you cannot accuse him of presumption ; it appears to me perfectly respectful both towards yourself and Lord Elvaston,” cried Helen, folding the letter.

“Towards papa, —yes. Papa thinks there never was such a paragon born into the world as Philip Tollemache ! ” exclaimed Mildred, pettishly, though a bright tear dimmed the lustre of her eye. “ But say, my darling grave counsellor,” continued she, throwing her arm lightly round Helen’s graceful neck, “ where is this marvellous respect to myself, when Lord Alresford has not deigned to notify by a single word or line, his approaching arrival at the Priory to me, who certainly am most concerned in it ? ”

“ Unjust ! ” exclaimed Helen, kissing the glowing cheek of her friend, and taking the letter from the table, she read : “In conclusion, dear Lord Elvaston, you will be good enough to present my most respectful regards and homage to Miss Effingham, and express my deep regret that she has not considered my two last letters from Florence worthy of the honor of a reply ”

“ Nay, stop Helen ! ” exclaimed Mildred, now fairly melting into tears ; “ it is this calm superiority of manner which cuts me to the quick. What right has Lord Alresford to administer this covert rebuke in a letter to papa ? He evidently despises, and considers me a child, and treats me accordingly.”

“No, dearest, though I have never seen Lord Alresford, I am sure he must and does render homage to a mind and character such as yours ; but, Mildred, why did you suffer this foolish misunderstanding to arise, by not answering his lordship’s letters? ”

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“ Because I will not submit to be lectured, Helen. Unhappily, I chanced to mention my long ride alone with Colonel Sutherland ty the ruins at Eernly. This meeting, as you know, was purely accidental, and as the Colonel was riding the same way as myself, I certainly could not, with any regard to politeness, dismiss him from my side. Well, the tirade his lordship chose to write on the impropriety of Miss Effingham making herself so notorious, and hinting that such conduct would be perfectly inadmissible when she attained the sublime dignity of Lady Alresford, was perhaps unequalled. There was a great deal more besides, Helen, which 1 forget ; but I did not choose to submit to such tutelage.”

“ But, Mildred, will you not suffer remonstrance from the man with whom you are to spend your future life, and submit to be treated like a reasonable being ? ”

“ Lord Alresford is a great deal too good for me, Helen. I detest these marvels of propriety. Give me instead poor human nature, with all its failings! Would that Lady Catherine Neville, whose transcendent virtue he is always quoting, had been elected for the exalted honor of wearing his coronet and presiding over the surpassing glories of Amesbury Park ! ” cried Mildred, passionately.

“ Lady Catherine Neville ! Lord Alresford’s ward, is she not ? ” asked Helen, inquiringly.

“ Yes ; she is an heiress, and lives at Wardour Court, somewhere near Amesbury. Her father, Lord Willingham, died about a year and a half ago, and made the son of his old friend, the late Lord Alresford, his daughters guardian.”

** I wonder what kind of personage this Lady Catherine is?”

“ Do not trouble yourself, Helen; you will not long be in the dark after his lordship’s arrival. The Earl brought Lady Catherine over from Italy, and established her at Wardour Court ; and, indeed, I should be ungrateful not to acknowledge my full obligations to her ladyship, whose sudden summons, I verily believe, prevented the solemnization of our marriage six months ago.”

“ Hush, Mildred, hush ! it is positively wrong to indulge in this strain. It is a very long time since you saw Lord Alresford ; so perhaps, dearest, you may have formed an erroneous estimate of his character. How long is it ? ”

“ Two years.”

“ Nay, then, Mildred, it is quite possible you may be mistaken. At our age, two years make a vast change in opinions and sentiments.”

Mildred shook her head incredulously.

]o

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“ You know, Helen, I was quite a child when first betrothed to Philip Tollemache, and had no more choice or interest in the matter than yourself ; save, perhaps, a childish feeling of elation on being told I was wife elect to the very handsome young man whom I heard every one around me laud, and who I gazed upon myself with sentiments somewhat akin to awe. His lordship then went abroad for some years, during the which we duly corresponded, and returned to England about two years ago with Lord Willingham and his daughter ; and when he visited the Priory, whether he found the contrast too glaring between the virtues of the Lady Catherine and the faults of his betrothed, certain it is never were couple more unlover-like than ourselves. We did not actually quarrel ; but move, speak, laugh as I would, always that calm, dark eye rested upon me. Often I know my conduct must have appeared giddy and undignified ; but I was very young, and he ought to have made allowance ; besides, I never was born to perform the r6le of a stiff, starched dame, abounding in furbelows, and decorum ! Well, Helen, the upshot of the whole matter was, that Lord Alresford, after remaining our guest for two months, was suddenly called away to the continent on business ; which he took care to state required a very brief term to transact. Nevertheless, from the palazzo of the Willinghams at Florence, he wrote to papa requesting his permission to delay our marriage for another year — and we will see ! ”

“But, Mildred, if it were all along your serious intention to fulfil the engagement contracted for you, how very strange not to employ this period, and the advantage you possessed of learning his lordship’s sentiments and wishes, in moulding your habits and tastes to his — which ever must exercise so essential an influence over your future happiness. I cannot understand it ! ”

“Nay, that was as much his lordship’s province as mine,” exclaimed Mildred, tossing her beautiful head, though tears glistened in her eyes. “ Others, Helen, eagerly proffered that homage which Lord Alresford so studiously withheld ! ”

Helen Campbell raised her clear eyes inquiringly. Miss Effingham’s brow crimsoned.

“ Perhaps you will find ere long that all their flattery has not the value of one simple word of commendat:on spoken by your betrothed, Mildred,” replied she, seriously.

“ Helen, are you also suddenly become a partisan of the Earl? ” exclaimed Mildred, in a tone of pique. “ I tell you, I never can love one who exacts so much for himself. I might just as well attempt to endow with vitality one of the glowing flowers on this paper before me, as to raise myself to his standard.”

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“ Then why marry him, Mildred ? It would be far more honorable and better principled to decline the engagement at once.”

“ Oh, could I think myself at liberty so to do! But, Helen, I will tell you the history of it,” cried Mildred, earnestly, “ and you shall judge. At the time old Lord Elvaston died, which happened when I had attained my tenth year, his title descended to papa, as you know ; but his estates, and amongst them this beautiful old place, reverted to the late Earl of Alresford. Papa and he, (as I think I have before told you, Helen,) were intimate friends, schoolfellows, and fellow-collegians. The Earl was immensely wealthly and most generously proposed to papa to cede his right to the Elvaston estates, provided the miserable little heiress-presumptive of the title was betrothed to his only son — who had then just, or nearly, attained his majority. Upon this solemn contract and agreement, papa has alone for the last ten years held the right over these estates ; and upon its accomplishment, Helen, depends his future tenure. If any objection arises on the part of Lord Alresford, the estates devolve wholly and entirely to papa, in accordance with a deed executed by the late Earl ; and — though I acknowledge his lordship to be noble and generous enough to set me free should I demand it — - yet, did the violation of the contract proceed from me, I know papa would peremptorily insist on yielding up every acre of the property ; and he would be only just, Helen, — for even then we should be deeply indebted to the Earl.”

“ My poor Mildred, is there then no escape ? ” cried Helen, gazing with painful emotion on the flushing cheek of her friend.

“ Surely Lord Elvaston, who loves you so tenderly ”

“No, Helen! Nothing could be done, dearest, unless it were the spontaneous act of Lord Alresford to set me free. Think ! could I by any deed of mine deliberately exile papa from a home he loves so much ? and dear mamma, likewise, who is so proud of this beautiful place ? Could I drive them both forth, in their declining years, to support a peerage on the paltry pittance of a poor commoner ? ”

“ Dear Mildred, do not excite yourself thus ! ” exclaimed Helen, throwing her arm around her friend’s neck, and kissing away the tears on her cheek. “ Every one speaks so well of Lord Alresford, that in time you must learn to love him ; and, perhaps, even when you see him again, you will be amazed at your present prejudice. I know you have no serious attachment ; for I cannot bring myself so to designate your foolish flirtation with Colonel Sutherland.”

“ Sutherland esteems me as I feel I ought to be appreciated,

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Helen. Contrast the warmth of his devotion, short as is the time since we first met, with his lordship’s cold indifference.”

“But surely you would not marry Colonel Sutherland, even were you free to do so, Mildred ! A man who has hut his handsome person, and a most surpassing facility in uttering light flatteries and empty nothings, to boast of.”

“He loves me — which is more than my affianced husband does!” exclaimed Mildred, vehemently. “However, though I cannot insist on my release from this engagement, I will be no hypocrite ; and Lord Alresford shall know full well he is dragging a reluctant bride to the altar ! ”

At this instant a sharp rap at the door made Helen start to her feet. Mildred raised her head from the sofa-cushion, and hastily dried her tears. In a few seconds the boudoir door opened, and a pretty, coquettish-looking damsel stood on the threshold, twirling between her fingers an artificial branch of splendid scarlet japonica.

“ Come in, Aglae ! ” exclaimed Miss Effingham.

“ Pardon, mesdemoiselles,” said Mademoiselle Aglae, advancing trippingly into the apartment ; “ but miledi command me to come and see wesder dese flowers be suited to the head of Mademoiselle Effingham. Miledi order me to prepare your white silk glacee, mademoiselle, for this evening, and you are to wear this wreath also. Heavens ! what a beautiful effect ! ” exclaimed the pretty soubrette, lightly twining the glowing flowers amid Mildred’s jetty curls. “ Ah ! milor will be enchanted, this evening, with the beauty of his fair bride.”

“ That will do, Aglae. Take the flowers away. I will wear anything mamma and you arrange, only I cannot be disturbed just now,” said Mildred, languidly.

“ Ah, Mademoiselle Campbell, what joy is for you to-day.”

“ Where is mamma ? ” interrupted Mildred, impatiently.

“ Lady Elvaston is sitting in de salon writing, and I was to give her ladyship’s kind loove to you, Miss Campbell, and say, she hope to see you dis evening at dinner.” And away Mademoiselle Aglae was bounding, when she suddenly stopped short, and returned. “ Have you any furder command for me, mademoiselle? What shall I say to miledi, Miss Campbell?”

“ Helen dearest, you must positively come this evening,” whispered Mildred, as she saw her friend hesitate. “You may go, Aglae, I will give mamma Miss Campbell’s answer.”

“ I wonder wether his lordship would prefare seeing mademoiselle’s hair-dress in braids, or in ringlets,” murmured Aglae to

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herself, surveying artistically, Mildred’s small head. ‘‘Well, mademoiselle, I shall tell her ladyship ; ” and, with a low courtesy, the soubrette vanished.

“ Helen, I will hear no denial ; come you shall this evening.”

“ But, Mildred, on this first evening of Lord Alresford’s arrival, will it not appear rather intrusive if I accept your mamma’s kind invitation?”

Miss Effingham laughed.

“ Nay, Helen, you make one only among many similar delinquents. We have a dinner party to-night; though, of course, our guests were all invited before we heard of Lord Alresford’s intended arrival. Colonel Sutherland dines here. Dear mamma, when she chose the japonicas for my hair, little dreamed she was selecting the Colonel’s favorite flower,” cried Mildred, perversely tossing her head, as she stooped and picked from the floor a bud which dropped from the wreath during Aglae’s manipulations.

** Mildred, I conjure you be careful what you do. Depend upon it, Colonel Sutherland’s purpose is merely to lure you into an empty flirtation. How unfortunate it so happens he should have been invited to the Priory the very day of Lord Alresford’s arrival.

“If my conduct excites so intolerably his lordship’s disapprobation, he had better set me free at once ; which certainly would be his wisest plan. By-the-bye, Helen, did you observe, when reading the Earl’s letter, that Sir Gerard Baynton accompanies him here on a visit to papa?”

“Yes; I was going to ask about him. Is Sir Gerard a friend of yours, Mildred?”

“No, not exactly a friend; a slight acquaintance only ; but I predict, Helen, you will be smitten with the Baronet. He is young, handsome, rich, and does not consider himself quite such a paragon and model as my noble betrothed. Sir Gerard apparently is all lively animation, though I suspect few possess a keener faculty for reading motives and character than he does. He is a most intimate friend of Lord Alresford’s ; they travelled together a good deal on the continent ; and this, you know, dearest, is a sufficient certificate of kindly nurture. Ah, Helen, how I wish he would fall in love with you ! ”

“ What a vision ! ” replied Helen Campbell, laughing. “ Who would ever dream of Sir Gerard Baynton falling in love with the daughter of the poor curate of Greysdon ? ”

“ Not so impossible,” rejoined Mildred, gazing on Helen’s clear, intellectual face, and finely moulded figure. “ Sir Gerard ”

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“ Mildred ! come down here for a few minutes, dear child. Ashford has just brought in some magnificent plants, and I want you to give directions how you will have them placed in the conservatory,” exclaimed the soft voice of Lady Elvaston, from below.

“In a moment, mamma,” cried Miss Effingham, rising and opening the door. “ Come, Helen, I am sure your advice will be needed. I shall have no heart in arranging these beautiful exotics for Lord Alresford to gaze upon.”

“ For shame, Mildred ! ”

“ Come ! ”

“ Indeed, you must excuse me. I promised papa to be at home by half-past three. I have something to do for him this afternoon.”

“ Well, remember we dine at seven.”

“ Mildred,” whispered Helen, emphatically, as they embraced at the door of the saloon, “ I conjure you to consider that, perhaps, the entire happiness of your future life depends on the events of this evening. If you intend to fulfil this engagement, greet Lord Alresford as one whose affection and good opinion you prize.”

“ Fear not, Helen. I will ponder your counsel,” said Miss Effingham, bounding away.

Helen paused a moment, then crossed the hall, and passing through a glass door at its end, proceeded along a path through the garden, and shrubberies leading to the village. She walked on slowly, for there had been much in her brief interview with Miss Effingham to arouse meditation, both intense and painful. She trembled for her friend’s happiness. She felt that Mildred was on the verge of keen, and it might be severe trial ; for, with all her many admirable and engaging qualities, Helen dreaded the wayward petulance of her character.

Indulged and idolized by her parents and friends, Mildred Effingham had as yet seen everything, and everybody, save her betrothed, bend to her caprice, and all obstacles to her will vanish beneath the sunny influence of her smile. Impatient of censure or the slightest control, her spirit, pure, bright, and joyous, roamed at will, and tasted capriciously of all the varied delights and gifts with which she was surrounded. But, unfortunately for her future peace, this wayward perversity was not the only defect which tarnished a character otherwise noble and lovable — she lacked also, undeviating candor, and openness of disposition. With the purest and most righteous intentions, Miss Effingham, even when con-

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vince d of the justice and necessity of any defined course of action, especially if it wounded her self-love, or infringed in the smallest degree on her self-complacency, suffered this irresolution of character to overpower her better judgment. As yet, her life had been so unclouded as to afford little room for its full development ; but Helen Campbell, her chosen friend and companion, early detected and grieved over many trifling indications of this grave failing, justly apprehending, that as years rolled on and Mildred was called to lay aside her butterfly existence, and act, it might prove a source of much bitter disquietude.

Early taught by the universal applause which everywhere greeted her, to believe her beauty and wit irresistible, and that she was born to carry the world by storm, Mildred found, with feelings of intense pique and resentment, that, of all her friends, her betrothed husband, Lord Alresford, appeared least sensible of, and penetrated with, her numerous attractions. Long she pertinaciously resisted the conviction that he actually presumed to hold up the Lady Catherine Neville as a model in many things worthy of imitation ; but the Earl’s terse, conclusive sentences admitted of no misconstruction. Scorning, then, the task of self-examination, and piqued already at his former refusal of her hand, Mildred, with characteristic perversity, obstinately attributed the Earl’s insensibility to Lady Catherine’s blandishments. Yet, as far as her real knowledge went, this suspicion was reared on very slight foundation. That they had travelled together in Switzerland, and that the Earl spent much of his time in Venice with Lord Willingham, and eulogized Lady Catherine’s devotion to her invalid father, formed in reality the sole basis of her secret misgiving.

Mildred had formed her own estimate of the devotion and deference due to her from her betrothed, and she felt mortified that the reality fell so far short of her expectation. Her self-love was wounded, and her awe of him increased. She had yet to learn that perfect mutual confidence must be the bond of the entire devotion she expected, without any definite design of making a corresponding return. Her letters consequently grew colder and fewer, and those she received from the Earl in return were conned with keen, jealous scrutiny. Lord Alresford, since the period of his father’s decease, held a high diplomatic post abroad, for which his great talents eminently qualified him ; thus unfettered by his restraining presence, Mildred had basked in the sunshine of her home prosperity,' banishing, as far as possible, from her mind the thought that her faith and allegiance were pledged to another. Lord and Lady Elvaston, however, keenly felt the indifference

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their daughter evinced towards the man to whom their own personal and peculiar circumstances had bound her ; but, really proud of her alliance with one so distinguished and sought after as Lord Alresford, they lulled themselves in the hope that, on a more intimate acquaintance with the Earl, her repugnance and awe would vanish ; while her exquisite loveliness of person and cultivated mind, they doubted not, must finally captivate and enchain his affection.

This reasonable hope might have been realized but for one untoward circumstance. While smarting at the contents of a letter from the Earl, not quite so laudatory as she could desire, and containing more reminiscences, past and present, of the Lady Catherine than she deemed needful, Mildred met Colonel Sutherland, the officer in command of the newly-arrived regiment, stationed in the adjoining town of Stanmore, at a grand ball given to celebrate the majority of a baronet, their near neighbor. Fascinated at once by his homage and evident admiration of her beauty and wit, and amused by the ease, and brilliancy of his conversation, and his talent for repartee, which kept her own constantly on the qui vwe, Mildred abandoned herself, without a thought of the consequences, to the daily increasing pleasure she found in his society. Betrayed by her wayward craving for applause, and the entire appreciation of her numerous attractions, which every act of Colonel Sutherland’s soon seemed to bespeak, day after day her sunniest smiles greeted him at the Priory ; while, unhappily, Lady Elvaston’s better judgment, vanquished by her daughter’s pertinacious self-will, offered no obstacle to these frequent interviews. Vainly Helen Campbell remonstrated, for invariably Mildred, laughingly, set aside her scruples ; nor, indeed, had she even suspected, until her late interview, the sway Colonel Sutherland’s flattery had achieved over her friend’s fancy ; for still Helen indignantly rejected the notion that Mildred’s heart could challenge fellowship with that of a man so shallow, and of such little intrinsic worth.

Absorbed in these reflections, and wondering how Mildred’s romance would terminate, Helen wandered on. The walk she had been pursuing was that by which the family at the Priory reached the village church, and the gate at the end of the shrubbery opened into the churchyard. Mr. Campbell inhabited a very pretty rural house, looking down on the church, with a sloping garden, separated from the churchyard by a deep sunk fence. The taste and industry of Mrs. Campbell had converted her dwelling into a bower of sweets, and garlands of bright blossoms clustered round the windows and porch, mingling with vigorous shoots

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of ivy, which at this early season of the year put forth its leaves of most brilliant green.

As Helen entered the garden, Mrs. Campbell, who was sitting in the veranda close to the dining-room window, which opened on the lawn, laid down her work and advanced to meet her. Helen at once perceived, by the pleased, important expression of her face, that her mother was in one of the most felicitous moods, and wondering what fresh news she had heard, hastened forwards ; as the declining afternoon sun warned her she had not much time to devote to her father’s service, before the important process of dressing for the Priory dinner party commenced.

Chapter II

“So, I understand, Helen, Lord Alresford brings his friend Sir Gerard Baynton down with him to day,” exclaimed Mrs. Campbell, when her daughter came within hail.

“ Yes, mamma, both Sir Gerard and the Earl arrive this afternoon,” replied Helen.

“ I accidentally met Mrs. Slater, the housekeeper, two or three hours ago, and stayed to have a chat with her in Mill Lane. She was returning from Farmer Deak’s, and had been to desire him to send four chickens daily up to the Priory until further orders. I heard all the news ; and of course you know there is to be a large party there to-night ; Mrs. Wedderbourne and her niece, the Tennysons, Mr. Northcote, and of all men in the world, Colonel Sutherland ! It does surprise me a man, with Lord Elvaston’s nice sense of honor and propriety, should tolerate the foolish flirtation which has been going on these last six months between the Colonel and his daughter ; and still more, that the former should be invited to meet Lord Alresford,” said Mrs. Campbell, running on with her usual volubility.

“ You forget, mamma, that all these guests were invited before Lord Elvaston knew of the Earl’s arrival.”

“ Possibly. But then he should devise any excuse rather than compel his daughter’s betrothed husband to associate with a man whose conduct has rendered her notorious all over the county. My dear Helen, you really ought to give Mildred a hint upon the 2

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subject ; even that busy Miss Jenks intimated to me this morning that it was rumored throughout the village, Miss Effingham would have been as well pleased had his lordship prolonged his continental tour.”

“Oh, who would listen to an old gossip like Miss Jenks? I am sure Mildred meant nothing dishonorable towards her future caro sposo,” cried Colin Campbell, a fine spirited boy, firing up when he heard his mother’s censure on the conduct of his favorite Mildred. “ Sutherland is a fine, handsome fellow, and deserves a pretty wife. But, Helen, are you not going to the Priory this evening? ”

“ Yes. Lady Elvaston was good enough to ask me, and as I knew of no particular objection, I promised, at Mildred’s request, to go.”

“ Of course ; you did perfectly right, Helen,” said Mrs. Campbell, with a well-pleased expression of countenance. “ I should have wondered much had you not been asked. Mrs. North cote said she supposed you would.”

“Iam very glad to go. Dear Mildred ! I feel extremely anxious to see the man to whom it appears her destiny is soon to be united ; but I do so regret that Colonel Sutherland is to be at the Priory to-night. ’T is, indeed, a very unpropitious commencement of the Earl’s visit,” said Helen, anxiously.

“ If the Colonel could but divine your uneasiness, Helen, and would tumble off his horse, break his neck, or, in fact, do just anything to prevent him taking his seat at the Priory table, I should pronounce him a capital accommodating fellow. But, my dear, darling little Helen, you may spare your anxiety ; for ’t is quite clear to me his dignified lordship may save himself the trouble of posting down# and setting our quiet village in an uproar; Sutherland has already won the prize,” exclaimed Colin Campbell, laughing.

“Nay, Colin, do not jest,” replied Helen, seriously. “I feel convinced, from all I have heard this morning, that Mildred within the next three months will become Lady Alresford.”

“ Then ’t is a monstrous shame, if she does not like the Earl, — that ’s all I have to say on the subject,” exclaimed Colin, indignantly

“ That Colonel Sutherland’s intentions were never serious, I have quite concluded ; and, indeed, Mrs. Northcote did once say, she heard it was reported in the regiment, that he had long been engaged to Miss Conway, Lord Normanton’s sister. Nothing can excuse his marked attention to Mildred, save a knowledge of her