THE COMMONER'S DAUGHTER. By the Author of "A Few out of Thousands." I anticipated a severe lecture at breakfast, but to my relief, for I longed to forget the whole affair, Mr. Castlebrook took not the slightest notice of the events of last night. Probably he was absorbed in his own vexations. His overcast countenance and frequent reference to a small red book, in which I knew bets were registered, bespoke considerable uneasiness. It was a late, or rather early hour that morning, when he returned home; but he was down as usual to a ten o'clock breakfast. He told me as he rose from the table, that I might inform Lady Laura he should be home by four o'clock, to drive her down to Richmond, a party having been made up a week previously to dine there. I sat still some minutes after his departure, wondering if I should dare enter Lady Laura's presence. Then I pursued my own avocations till her hour for rising, when I went to her room, and, knocking at the door, heard in answer a sulky "come in." Lady Laura gave nothing but black looks and short answers. I delivered my father's message, and at four o'clock they started on their pleasure jaunt. When they were gone, as luncheon served for my dinner when there was no party, I had the evening before me to reflect if I pleased, and to form resolutions for the future; but just as I commenced my task of self-examination, Mrs. Martin, putting her head in at the door, told me that Madame Friponne's forewoman had arrived with my court dress, to be tried on. This was somewhat of an event, and might ward off painful thoughts; so up-stairs I went. The dress fitted admirably, and as I gazed in Lady Laura's cheval-glass I scarcely knew the gay vision I saw reflected there. I was just taking off the pink train, and helping the girl to fold it, when Mrs. Martin re-appeared. I was standing, robed in the rich white satin petti coat and bodice, which of itself formed a sufficiently becoming dress. "Oh, Miss Castlebrook, how beautiful you do look! But I must trouble you. Two persons want Mr. Castlebrook, and when I said he was not at home, they insisted on seeing you. I think," lowering her voice, "it is some one for money." Mrs. Martin was not ignorant of some of our household secrets. "You had best come I think, Miss." "But I have to dress, Mrs. Martin." Just throw my lady's opera-shawl over you, Miss Castlebrook. They will think you are dressed to go out, and will go the sooner. One seems quite like a gentleman; but I know they are some of master's creditors by this card." She displayed it as she spoke: "Messrs. Gray and Rugget, jewellers," being inscribed thereon. "I wish," I said, "Messrs. Gray and Rugget had timed their visit better. It is very late to come on business. Shall I not have time to take off this finery, Mrs. Martin ?" "They seem in a terrible hurry, Miss. . Do come!" Thus urged, I did as Mrs. Martin advised, and, throwing one of Lady Laura's cashmeres on my shoulders, I descended to my unwelcome visitors. They are at present in the housekeeper's room, Miss," said Martin, as I went downstairs. "Show them into the library," I said; for I was not ambitious to enter the servants' territories in my splendid costume. "I will wait here till I hear them go in, Mrs. Martin." The housekeeper bustled away, and when I heard the door close I went down, and, entering the library, found myself in the presence of Messrs. Gray and Rugget. They were certainly remarkable-looking men. One was tall, broadly made, with a countenance whose every lineament spoke of coarse sensuality and blustering tyranny. I shuddered as I looked. If my father were really in this man's power! I had entered with little noise, and was not at first observed. As I rapidly surveyed them, the other person (for I knew not which was Mr. Gray or which Mr. Rugget) turned round from a picture which he had been examining, and I mentally exclaimed, "This must be Mrs. Martin's "gentleman." Externally, he was certainly quite what is vulgarly understood by the word "gentleman." Had I not known him to be a trader I should have decided him to be a man of high rank. B There was the commanding manner, bespeaking | form in which I knew how to put my father's habitual superiority, an affable dignity, perfectly self-conscious, yet the reverse of full-blown importance; and, spite of a tendency to be extremely corpulent, a person still remarkable for attractions, though decidedly middle-aged: in short, he was what Mrs. Martin would have called a 66 fine man." To counterbalance these favourable appearances, his face bore unmistakeable evidences of inveterate self-indulgence, and the mouth particularly indicated a degree of selfishness, which must be, I thought, of the hardest cruellest kind. These impressions were of course instantaneous, though they take long to describe. Grave and ceremonious bows from both these persons, recalled me from my com- | mentaries. They seemed as much embarrassed as I was. I waited for them to explain the object of their visit, and my face must have expressed impatience; for, one looking at the other, the "gentleman" said "Rugget, will you explain?" Being thus made competent to distinguish them I addressed the speaker as "Mr. Gray I presume?" and, receiving an assenting bow, I went on: "Mr. Castlebrook is from home, and your urgent message induced me to attend on you; but I am busy-and-in short, will you be so good as to say how I can further your business?" Mr. Rugget prepared to do this in a very loud, coarse voice. "The fact is, Miss Castlebrook-I suppose you are Miss Castlebrook ?"— Very well-then as we (hem!) cannot see your papa, perhaps you will deliver a message. Just say, if you please, that, having heavy accounts to make up, Messrs. Gray and Rugget must insist on some part, if not the whole, of their account being paid, and—’' دو "Gently, gently, Rugget" (from his partner), "Miss Castlebrook turns pale. My good fellow, you are so noisy. Madam, Rugget is an excellent man of business-with men that is--he certainly would alarm any young lady. The truth is, madam, we want money: yes, that is decided truth, is it not? I may positively assert that, eh, Rugget?" "Decidedly. Your-that is, Mr. Gray, money is terribly scarce just now." "I can never recollect its being plentiful," answered his partner, who had gradually edged his chair to within a few inches of mine. "But we are delaying this young lady," he said. "You are going out doubtless; yet, by the-bye, I thought you were not as yet in society"- an extraordinary remark for a creditor. I rose up. "May I ask you to give me your message to Mr. Castlebrook? and at the same time I must tell you that I fear he will have to intreat indulgence for some little time." This was a lesson I knew quite well by heart now, Stereotyped on my brain, it was the only invariable "Tell them to wait, or call again.” "Has not Miss Castlebrook exactly," hastily interrupted my father's creditor, "the same look of angelic innocence as the Guido?" I did not feel disposed to submit to such coolly impertinent criticism. "Pardon me, gentlemen. My likeness to a picture is not the subject now under discussion. I am anxious to know what I am to say to Mr. Castlebrook." "Say?" chimed in Mr. Rugget, "say that Mr. Gray and myself will wait no longer than this day week; and if our claim is not then satisfied, why "Nay, nay, nay, Rugget; I shall permit no such harshness. Say, beautiful Miss Castlebrook, that though Mr. Rugget be peremptory, Mr. Gray is willing to listen to the intercession of so lovely and graceful a pleader." He had, during this speech, brought his chair in such close contact with mine that I rose and pushed my seat back, with no small degree of scorn at such familiarity. To my utter amazement, my hand was seized and fervently pressed. I snatched it haughtily away. "You will please to excuse me, gentlemen. I have I believe heard all there is to say." I rang the bell so vehemently that the servant whose duty it was to answer almost rushed into the room breathless with haste. "Show these [I hesitated at the word] gentle men out." "I have still something more to say," from Mr. Gray. 66 May I request you will say it to Mr. Castlebrook himself on another occasion." Mr. Rugget was about to interpose, when Mr. Gray (after all, however strangely importunate, and with all his offensive flattery, his manners were decidedly those of a man of high breeding) laid his hand on his coadjutor's arm, and, saying in a voice of command, "Enough-silence,' that person instantly restrained his speech. Then Mr. Gray, with a reverential and elaborate but elegant bow, made his exit like a courtier leaving the presence of a queen; Mr. Rugget, following his example in a more uncouth fashion. As they went through the hall I quitted the library, and possessing a most acute sense of hearing, I heard Mr. Gray say to his partner: "By Heavens, lovelier than all report! She'll do, Mac! I must "Hush-and if—" I lost the rest; but what they meant, and the strange conduct of Mr. Gray caused me much meditation for some hours. CHAP. XXII. At breakfast next morning I told my father of the visit and demands of Messrs, Gray and Rugget, omitting only those details which had personally offended myself. His surprise and anger were unbounded, "Hang the fellows!" he said. "Why two months ago I paid them a hundred and fifty pounds, and gave them a bill for the rest of the money at six months. How dare they come here!" "They were very importunate-at least Mr. Rugget was; Mr. Gray was more polite." "I shall call and ask what it means: I can guess, though," muttering to himself "they are just now hand and glove with the- yes, that's it. In that case I shall take no notice of the fellows." He began to whistle as he concluded this side soliloquy-always a sure sign that Mr. Castle brook was in a rage. For my own part, having taken up the newspaper which my father had put down, I became so interested in a piece of news therein, which I found among the names inscribed for promotion, that the memory of Mr. Gray and of his bullying partner faded quite out of my mind. The line which attracted me consisted of but few words. It occurred among the promotions: "Vincent Tarragon, Captain in his Majesty's Life-Guards, Colonel vice Arthur Debenham deceased." And whence, I wondered, the flutter and tremble which that name excited! It was not astonishing that Captain Tarragon had received his promotion: he had confidently expected it. And now I supposed he would shortly join his regiment. In the course of the morning Colonel Tarragon made his appearance in his sister's drawingroom. Lady Laura, who was lounging with a novel, started up, and with as much genuine affection as she was capable of, flung her arms round Vincent's neck, and kissed him, calling him "Mon Colonel! now be grateful; for, after all, there was hard work to get the promotion. You owe it entirely to my importunities." His face flushed, and was averted from hers. "I should think my services," he said, merited that much at least, without the aid of court chicanery!" "Now, Vin, don't be rude. If you will mark yourself as the preux chevalier of wandering princesses errant, in all the club-houses and drawing-rooms in London, you must expect your ridiculous Quixotism will interfere with promotion or notice in a certain quarter-nay, I assure you nothing but the fact of being my brother could have overcome the difficulty made about your advancement !" "Then" (with something so nearly resembling an oath that I looked up reproachfully) "I wish my advancement had been buried in the Red Sea, or any other out-of-the-way place. Can you, Laura, assure me I have no cause to blush rather than exult over it?" She looked at him: was the glance one of truth or falsehood? She slowly rose from her couch, and saying to Colonel Tarragon, who stood earnestly regarding her,, Et tu, Brute!'' she quitted the room. There was an awkward silence for some minutes. Vincent sat down, and running his hand through his hair-a masculine fashion in which, when annoyed, I had observed he frequently indulged-he said, partly to himself, "I am but a monster, truly, after all. Pshaw! so fine a woman as Laura may well love adulation, and to wield the power derived from beauty-but no, I will not credit the slander. Detraction as surely follows in the train of a pretty woman as do lovers. Miss Castlebrook, I have longed to see you, and alone. Am I forgiven for having the other night been the luckless cause of words so insulting to you? For myself, I know my sister loves me, and I am too well accustomed to her temper to care for its violence; only I-that is" (he hesitated), "the truth is, I am ashamed of the whole family who now quarter their arms with yours! We were left, three of us, Miss Castlebrook-Charles, Laura, and myself-without a mother, just when we wanted her most. A wet nurse may supply the place of one, perhaps, as long as we are in our swaddling clothes; but, after that interesting period, there is no substitute for a mother's guiding hand!" He paused an instant, and went on: "I wonder there is anything resembling a heart in the whole family! Fancy flowering plants, intended by Nature to grow up strong, and full of blossoms, and, for want of the gardener's care in training, watering, and weeding, those flowers grow up rank, scentless weeds: it was much the same with us. Left to the care of servants, my sister especially, our father, a spendthrift in his prime, beggared, stern and miserly in old age, took little heed of us in childhood; and now is incensed against us because we are not great and powerful! Laura was not so much to blame for running away, if you knew what a cheerless, wretched home she must have returned to. Even her schooling and dress were paid for by her godmother, who unluckily died without a will just after my sister's marriage. And yet we are reproached with not being at the top of the ladder! To be sure some of us see the way to get there: but we won't climb-no, I hope we won't climb. At present, Miss Castlebrook, we may class ourselves as Vixen, Coxcomb, and Fool! Nay, don't smile; I speak in sober earnest." "I should not patiently hear others speak thus of you all," I said; "although I certainly do wish Lady Laura would treat me a little inore kindly, and try to like me a little." "Did you ever know a woman of fashion like anything but herself? My dear Miss Castlebrook, I abhor women's quarrels, and for the world would not meddle with them; but, while you look as you do, Laura never will like you any better; but at any rate she might remember that, by birth, at least, she is a lady-for her manners, the least said soonest mended: she is my sister, and I have said enough.", Quite," I answered: and indeed, Colonel Tarragon, I did not require you to say so much. I do not wish to complain: and now let me congratulate you on your promotion; may you be a general one day." "And you a duchess!" I bit my lip: "Sir, believe me I could see rank and wealth go by me, content if only I could secure a heart true to itself and me!" "A fine sentiment, only that you who give it utterance"He paused. "Pray go on." "No I will not; for, in iny day-dreams of a 'perfect entire chrysolite,' you, Isabella Castlebrook, have shone with a light I would fain think not a borrowed one, and-" I became irritated: "Colonel Tarragon, among what class of women can your life have been spent, that you believe hypocrisy and want of candour a part of every feminine character ?" Oh, Isabella! if you wish me to define the women of society, of our own rank in life in short, I dare not tell you what I think of them; and-and, so, belle niece, adieu." 66 66 Good-bye; I am very glad you have grace enough to decline the answer." "To-morrow I shall see you at the Drawingroom. I shall go to the Levee to-day; I must go now and dress, and by the Regent's reception I shall judge how deeply I have offended-I fancy almost past forgiveness." He shook hands as he went out. I believed that Colonel Tarragon, however he deprecated the possession of a heart, really had one, for it always seemed in his hand. You would have trusted your life with the man, whose manner of giving our common English salutation expressed so much warmth of feeling. Certainly I was in some trepidation when, next day, I attired myself for the long-talkedof ceremony. Martin dressed Lady Laura, and as the hairdresser was to attend on us both, I was suffered to be in peace. Although I was not dissatisfied with my own appearance, Lady Laura was a blaze of beauty and magnificence. "She need little fear me or anyone else," was my mental observation; and certainly she looked queen-like in her full, radiant charms. Our progress was very slow through the streets, for the carriages thronged the roads and the parks so greatly, that the horses could do little more than walk. We were accompanied by Lady Laura's brothers, and even with their aid were terribly crushed and inconvenienced in our way to the presence-chamber. The carriage of the Princess Charlotte had preceded ours but a few moments, and the mob to view and cheer her had been so dense, that we were detained a long time before we could get up. I trembled as I followed close after Lady Laura, whose commanding figure and magnificent dress created a murmur of admiration around. We were hurried on till, in considerable disorder, we reached the scene of the ceremonial; and, scarce knowing where I was, or what I was doing, I became at last conscious of pressing my lips to a lean and withered hand; and, striving to collect myself, I raised my eyes, which fell on a very plain, aged woman, decked profusely in precious stones, which served only to make her age and ugliness still more conspicuous ―a young lady, frank-faced, and plump in person, about my own age, who stood at the Queen's left hand, and a portly gentleman who occupied the position at her Majesty's right hand, and in whom, as I glanced up, while again performing the customary ceremony, I recognized, unmistakably recognized, Mr. Gray the jeweller! I stifled the exclamation which rose to my lips, and a slight pressure of the fingers betokened the Regent's relief that I did not yield to my impulse. Then I was mar shalled away, and moving on in a circle, we regained our carriage, in which I leaned back, my head aching, my vision swimming, as I strove to recal my wandering thoughts. For a rarity, we had only a family party on this day: Lord Tarragon, his brother, Lady Laura, Mr. Castlebrook, and myself. In the evening we were to attend the opera, and on such an occasion my step-mother could not, with all her malice, exclude me. It is true she had endeavoured to dissuade my father from it, but vainly. When Mr. Castlebrook came home, which he did very late, he brought with him Lord Dornington, who, however, was now so frequently a visitor, that I scarcely regarded him as a stranger. This good-natured, prosy old nobleman generally sought me out, and detailed in my ear his collection of gossip and compli ments, to which I listened as patiently as I could, in consideration for his age and respectability. To day he was in himself an entire Court Calendar-a kind of chronique scandaleuse -certainly diverting, though pitiable enough for a man of sixty. He asked me who I saw at the drawing-room, and if I had answered faithfully, the intelligence might have made a strange page in that diary, which he said he kept to note down curious events. "The Princess of Wales did not go to the drawing-room, and Princess Charlotte did-she was compelled. And, above all, what did I think of the Regent ?" "Mr Gray," I said, absently. eye. Did My dear young lady, I am speaking of the Prince, the cynosure of every female you not admire him? A perfect model of a gentleman. Who then is Mr. Gray?" "Oh, a nobody. Sir," to my father-" do you not think the person who called here the other day (I mean Mr. Gray) was very like his Royal Highness?" The allusion annoyed Mr. Castlebrook, who was disputing with his brother-in-law, the Viscount, about the merits of a certain horse (Lord Tarragon's property), and he answered me waspishly: "You must be mad or very blind. Gray is a little, short, thin man. The Prince is large, and, though not tall, decidedly not a little man." So then I was satisfied that I was not mistaken. The dinner was tediously long-long, even though Vincent Tarragon jested, and told mi raculous histories of all the celebrities whom, owing to what Lady Laura, with much scorn, termed my mauvaise honte, I did not see. "I protest Mr. Castlebrook,” she said; "your daughter made me perfectly ashamed. When His Royal Highness held his hand to be kissed, Miss Castlebrook stared at the Regent, as if she had met with some newly-imported monster!" "I subscribe to the monster!" said Colonel Tarragon; "but methinks he were better exported!" "Vincent, for shame! after the condescension and positive friendliness with which you were received at the Levee." "Nay, my dear Laura, you told me plainly enough it was not for my own merits, but-" "There, none of your sarcasm: there is enough of that amiable quality in this house" with a glance in my direction. "I am sure," pursued her elder-brother, “you, Laura, have no cause to complain-the finest woman among a perfect show of fine women, the one most admired by the Regent !" "Most true," chimed in Lord Dornington, who was absorbed in an entrée. "His Royal Highness was heard to remark that the two styles of beauty, entirely differing, yet most perfectly to his taste, were Lady Laura and Miss Castlebrook !" "His Royal Highness's opinion is no doubt most flattering to the ladies," sneered Colonel Tarragon. "Most delightful to my feelings!" said the old peer. "I know not a better judge of feminine beauty than the Regent, and now Miss Castlebrook's loveliness will henceforth bear the stamp of Royal approbation!" "Miss Castlebrook coloured, and looked considerably astonished at Lord Dornington's speech; and as I pondered over his lordship's words, and marvelled why the Regent's praise should particularly delight him, I encountered Vincent's keen gaze, and its irony, I confess irritated me in no slight degree. A new light seemed breaking in on me, and I began to feel a strange disgust towards my before inoffensive old cavalier. "But no, it is not possible," I said, mentally: "unkind as my father is, he could not doom me to life-long misery!" But I observed, with uneasiness, that when the carriage was announced to take us to the opera Lord Dornington stepped between myself and Colonel Tarragon, who was about to offer his arm, and appropriated me with an air of ownership. I was about to decline his lordship's escort, had not Vincent, with a significant shrug and a bow, given place at once to his elderly rival. Even the splendid sight afforded by the assemblage of the royalty and aristocracy, not only of England, but of many European nations, could scarcely subdue my painful thoughts. As a stream glides on silently, none suspecting its strength, till, meeting with rocks and stony ways, it is forced by these obstacles into a rushing torrent; so the calm current of feelings which hitherto I would not believe to be love, now burst all boundaries, declaring unmistakeably its true nature. There, amidst splendour unparalleled, amidst wealth, fashion, beauty-hearing music I loved interpreted by the ablest musicians and vocalists of the dayseeing for the first time celebrated personages of whom all Europe spoke, and pronounced famous-I say, amidst all this glare and glitter, so confusing to the secluded novice, so bewildering in its very brilliancy, a voice within kept repeating again and again the one fact which, amidst others, I had discovered, came now upon my soul with an overwhelming conviction I could neither deny nor control- I loved, for the first time, with that deep, absorbing passion, which would lay life at the feet of its object and think the sacrifice a tritle! Nor was I so very much appalled at my discovery-though I do not think, even then, my reason fully approved the choice of my heart; but there was the ignominy of loving, before I knew if I were beloved in return or not; yet love at seventeen is hopeful, and I could not help knowing I was not unattractive. What girl is ignorant of her own beauty? She may miscalculate its force, or exaggerate its degree, but ignore it altogether she cannot: and why should she? Rather let women be deeply grateful for so good a gift as beauty, if they use it for good influences only. And I knew one thing distinctly, amidst the confusion of my feelings-that, though unwonted sights and sounds were going on around, though old Lord Dornington kept on gently babbling at my side, though Lady Laura watched me with jealous suspicion, yet I knew he was there, behind my chair, and I was tremblingly alive to those minute, unobtrusive attentions, precious alike to giver and receiver, offered by him whose lightest word my ear distinguished amid the delicious music, the din of voices, hushed, 'tis true, but buzzing around in observation or remark. Oh, exquisitely happy, but painful night, where, now, are all the actors in that scene of brilliant pageantry? Dresses, jewels, wearers, all alike dust, ashes-food for worms! One event nearly marred the splendour and etiquette of the vast assemblage. Though the Princess of Wales was excluded from the Drawing-room, she could not well be banished from her box at the opera. She came, and only the good taste of private individuals prevented an indecorous display of national and party feeling before our Allies, who were already, report said, shrugging their shoulders at the domestic scandals of the British Court. I watched with interest the young Princess, as her royal mother entered a box opposite that of the Regent. She gave a bound forward, and not even the thunder-cloud which came over the Regent's brow, could prevent the Princess Charlotte from openly recognizing her mother's presence, by kissing her hand. There was a slight attempt to applaud this manifestation, so frank and generous, but good sense quelled it, and |