THE BY THE AUTHOR OF "MARGARET AND HER BRIDESMAIDS.” " What shall I do to gain eternal life? Discharge aright Yea, with thy might. Will life be fled, TRANSLATION OF SCHILLER. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. III. LONDON: 1857. 249. X. 28. THE LADY OF GLYNNE. CHAPTER I. “ Time hath, my lord, a wallet on his back, Wherein he puts alms for oblivion.” PERHAPS a minute elapsed. “I know not what arrangement you have made about my boy with his mother, I hardly think she is aware who is her guest.” “ It was yesterday, only yesterday that I discovered it. I thought it better to wait to see you.” “ You judged rightly, kindly. My boy is not a philosopher yet. He will have to rough VOL. III. it in the world ere he takes a sudden parting calmly.” Oh, Glynne, how cuttingly you said that, yet how instantly you saw my position, and helped me out of it ! “I cannot withhold from you, at the risk, though, of being considered impertinent, how grateful I am for the love and care you have bestowed on my boy, and all for his own sake, too, little spoilt animal. I was not aware, of course, to whom I was indebted, but allow me to say this is the first time I ever returned after an absence, that I have not had cause to regret leaving him. He would have mourned terribly, had you left him yesterday. I thank you from my heart." Though every word was as darts of flame scorching me, with ruddy, glancing tongues, though I shrunk and shivered with strange mortification, and feelings I disliked and hated, yet could not define them, or struggle out of the misery they gave me, yet my woman's nature recoiled from showing any more emotion than himself. I said calmlv, “I have been living with Doctor Blaize, an old friend of my father's, for the last two years ; and when he died, I accepted a situation as nursery-governess in the south, preparatory to asking to be restored once more to you came “I believe your re-appearance will cause great joy. I will take upon myself to tell Selina; her health is delicate. She mourned for you.” If I had thought or paused, all my fortitude would have given way. So I continued, — “I used to see your boy on the sands at Brighton : his nurses were not good. We became acquainted, and play-fellows. I know nothing more than that his mother came for me suddenly, and took me away with her. I was the more content to go, and less curious as to her name, because I recognised her, and hoped I had greater chance of meeting with some of you, through her means, than by staying with Mrs. Hall." Glynne bowed his old haughty mocking bow. I drew myself up also, and said, “ I presume I had better go to the Lady,' and say I must leave her.” |