THE COMMONER'S DAUGHTER.

By the Author of "A Few out of Thousands."

CHAP. XXIV.

too much reverence for religion, to bring his faith forward for scoffers to sneer at." It was one of my own worst of grievances, that religious observances of any kind seemed utterly banished from my father's house; and I was obliged to keep a watch over myself, lest I too, should be betrayed into laxity in those duties which at Miss Norman's I had justly been taught were of the highest importance.

In the course of the same day, Colonel Tarragon came again to bid his sister farewell. Lady Laura was dressing to go out, when he came; and being in attendance on her, I asked her to convey my best wishes to her brotherdeceptive I admit, on my part; love teaches deceit, as a first lesson. The want of agitation or emotion with which I heard his message delivered evidently greatly amazed my stepmother. She shot a glance of triumph at me as she left the room. I knew well her thoughtVincent at any rate would be removed out of my sphere. I fear, at that time, Lady Laura, to gratify her vindictive feeling, would have cheer-step-mother at first tried to interfere with this fully parted with half-a-dozen brothers.

I heard that Colonel Tarragon was to leave town that night, en route for his regiment; but Mrs. Martin delivered to me, privately, a small three-cornered note, which contained three lines, whose fervour almost made up for their brevity.

Any girl who has loved will easily credit that I committed these lines immediately to my memory, to be conned over and considered, when afterwards doubts intruded and fears predominated.

Strange thoughts would from time to time intrude even in the first halcyon days of requited love. I began now to tax my memory, for the first time, as to what was Vincent's own belief in higher matters. I could not for my life recollect one observation that ever had reference to his religious opinions, or that gave evidence of his principles being founded on a firmer, surer code,

than that of human honour.

My reason gave me no satisfactory answer, and I strove to silence inquiry by giving my lover credit for not obtruding matters of sanctity in a circle so frivolous as that of Lady Laura's drawing-room. "Doubtless," I said, "he has

I had Sundays, however, generally to myself, at least the evenings for reading and reflection; for Mr. Castlebrook and Lady Laura were always at the select parties held at Carlton House on that day. In the mornings I invariably attended divine service, though my

practice. Yet as I was home in time to attend on her before her four o'clock drive, she gradually ceased opposition, which she knew was unavailing; for, willing enough to concede anything of no moment, I had the merit, or the obstinacy, which ever the reader pleases, of being inflexible in the right, and from my earliest youth I had been accustomed to regard Sunday as a sacred day for rest, prayer, and thought. Indeed I will do my contemporaries the justice to say that those who were disinclined to religious observances contented themselves with neglecting the Sunday without endeavouring (as in the present day) to ignore it as a divine institution. Without desiring the rigour of a Puritan Sabbath, and conceding that the law of Moses is to us perhaps no more binding with regard to the seventh day than many of the burdens of the ceremonial law imposed on the Jewish race; I yet freely state that I should deeply regret to see the laxity of a continental Sunday prevail in England. Besides, it seems to me that in rejecting the fourth commandment we might as reasonably refuse to abide by the divine authority of the other nine, which as a code of duty and moral obligations none will refuse to accept. If therefore we should say the sixth commandment is not binding on Gentiles, what restraint have we against killing or slaying ad libitum ? Christ accepted these laws, and why should we refuse? Heimpressed on the Jews that charity and

P

desire Mr. Castlebrook would go to her dress- blood nearly burst through my finger-nails in ing room immediately.

the efforts I made for self-control.

"My-my-mother is an angel; and you are

-a-a-"

"Go on-go on !" biting her lips and stampher foot. "Do not mince the word, pray : I often hear it"-a glance at her husband. "Devil!-that is your word! Delightful language for the éleve of the pious Miss Norman→ the friend of that saint and martyr Miss Liscombe !"

On our parts a stormy interview was just coming to a close, when Hannah, pale and hurried, made this announcement. My father, incensed beyond control at my firmness, nowing became alarmed; for Lady Laura, whose accouchement was expected in a few months, between her own imprudences and health not really strong was often subject to dangerous attacks of spasms. He left me abruptly, a terrible oath on his lips, and ascended the principal staircase to his wife's room.

I remained mechanically in the library, and was absorbed in painful thought, when a peal from Lady Laura's bell vibrated through the house. Hannah could not have been far off, for she rushed in. "Oh, goodness, miss, forgive me! I didn't mean for to say any harm. I'm sure I didn't know as there was any-and a handsome young gentleman as give me half a sovereign, which the colour of my lady's money I never see yet. Oh, miss, I wouldn't for twenty gold sovereigns have done it; but my lady was so cross, I did it, like, to pacificate

her!"

A

"Oh, woman-if you are woman! cease taunts and threats, madam, pray! How can I have erred so deeply? We can wait." ing from women's tongues, distracting one. "No more of this folly! I'll have no brawlcard of invitation, Miss Castlebrook, has been sent from Carlton House: you will be presented to the Regent as the future wife of Lord Dornington; or you may leave my house, as your detested mother was sent from her father's, to expiate your disobedience and disgrace in poverty and solitude!"

"I will not enter society on these terms !" My anger rose fast, faster than I could check it: an avalanche of passion flooded my scul: I fire. I raised my voice as one with authority: knew not what I said or did. My eyes flashed "My mother was too good for so hard and cruel a man! And the wife you have chosen to My stepmother was sitting in her usual chair; dust from her feet! You are both alike wicked fill her place is not worthy to have kissed the but Mr. Castlebrook was pacing up and down-wicked, I tell you! And-and-oh, my the room, biting the end of a riding-whip which

I hastily passed the girl, and went up-stairs. As I knocked at the door of Lady Laura's apartment, I heard my father's voice loud in stormy anger. "Come in"-and I entered.

he carried in his hand, His hat had been dashed down on the floor. At sight of me his wife burst out into vituperation.

"There is the base, ungrateful creature, Mr. Castlebrook, who has abused my kindness, my confidence, by intriguing with my foolish brother!"

God! my God! save me from them-from my

self!"

Lady Laura was close to me, for she had risen. She stretched forth her hand, and in one instant I was felled to the ground, only for an instant. I was on my feet directly-on my feet, conscious but of one thing-that Mr. Castlebrook, by the application of his riding"So, madam, this precious discovery accounts whip across my shoulders-covered only by a for your refusal of a nobleman, a man of family | thin scarf (high-bodied dresses being then unand fortune sufficient, methinks, for your pre-known), had in a second of time lacerated the tensions!"

She took up the theme.

"After this commend me to your amiable people hypocrites all! turning round so meekly one cheek when the other is smittenand all for purposes of their own!"

"How dare you presume to put me to the expense of that cursed drawing-room? You knew you were introduced as the intended wife of Lord Dornington!"

"And to admit his attentions so palpably!" screamed, rather than said, Lady Laura"while at the same time you were entangling poor dear silly Vincent into an engagement!"

"Madam"-when I could get in a word"Colonel Tarragon, unasked, sought my affection. I am not—” ""

flesh, till blood and a sickening faintness followed: but, stinging as was even the physical pain, the wounds were not so grievous as those inflicted on my soul by this action.

Personal chastisement! and from the hand of a man-that man my father-the being who had given me life, to whom my duty and obedience were due! Personal chastisement! Oh, it is deep, deep degradation to a woman! In that hour of agony I did not believe I could survive it-only, death does not come at our demand; else, how many souls would be left on earth ?"

"Go to your own room, and dare not come from thence till you have made submission!"

I had bruised my temple severely in my fall, and the blood had started from my nostrils; it was necessary, indeed, to seek some refuge--ere I did so I turned to Lady Laura: "I trust, madam, when you yourself become a mother, you will better understand the affection which Oh! if a look could have slain, should II can never forget is due to a parent's memory!" not have been one too at that moment? At that

"You are all that is vile! But what could your father expect?-bad blood-bad blood! Your mother was a murderess!"

She was still quivering with rage, and my cruel, cruel speech, I clasped my hands till the father, after his last speech, had seized his hat,

and, with the whip in his hand with which he had scourged his own child, left the room, and directly after the house.

"Yes, miss: don't know the shop; per bs you'll pull the check-string?"

He mounted the box and drove on, choosing, I entered my own chamber, visited once by as I thought, all the narrow streets he could the penitent Hannah to whom I refused admit- find by way of route. At last, just as we were tance. I washed the traces of blood from my in the purlieus of Leicester-square, the coach face and shoulders, and, maimed in heart and came crash against some obstacle, turned over person, I covered my face with my hands, and on its side, and thereupon my senses—weakrested thus some time. But I could not dis- ened, I suppose, by previous exhaustion and miss the storm of shame and resentment which ¦ loss of blood-deserted me, and I fainted. had been roused in my naturally passionate nature. I rose up presently, and paced up and down my room: "Oh, Vincent, why are you not here to take me from this cruel, cruel house!" Then I thought, had he been near, they would not have dared so to act. "I can never again meet them," I said at last. "My father himself desired I would quit his house! I will, I will! No home-none for me! But I will not crouch meanly for the mere bread I eat, nor sell myself for a slave-nay, worse! Father, farewell! You may yet repent your deed!"

It was easily resolved to go-but whither? and the means? I had no regular allowance of pocket-money: when I was compelled, I asked my father for it, and received a pittance, generally accompanied with such frowns, and often oaths, that I never asked till I could not help it. I now examined my purse-there was exactly a sovereign and a-half in it, and I had few jewels. All I possessed, however, I placed in my pocket, and selecting a plain dark dress, I put on a simple straw hat and veil, with a cloth pelisse, and then watching my opportunity, I glided down-stairs, and opening the hall-door, I was in the street before anyone in the house had observed me. In putting into execution this rash scheme, I had not the slightest notion where to go, or what to do. The thought of Benvolere first occurred to me; and, could I find him, I was sure he would extend shelter to me, and give his advice for the future; but I knew not how to ascertain his abode, or if even he was in London. In those days the state of the Continent was so disturbed, that the return of those who went thither was at best uncertain. I paused, but I was in fear of every moment meeting some one who knew me. At last a thought occurred.

A very short time previously, the Londoners had been excited by the Princess Charlotte's escape from Warwick-house, on an occasion when she deemed her father harsh and tyrannical. I remembered the royal young lady's proceedings, and beckoned a coach from a stand nearly opposite to me. My call was instantly responded to, and in another moment I was safe from observation.

"Where to, miss?" said the man, civilly, touching his hat.

I had not thought of that. What was my aim? There was a shop in Oxford-street where Benvolere's musical compositions were published-they might tell me there where he resided.

"Drive me to Minim's, Oxford-street."

When I came to myself, I was in an apothecary's shop, surrounded by a host of people, and supported by an elderly, decent-looking woman of the lower classes, who was bathing my temples.

My what a bruise!" she said, pointing to the one before inflicted.

"That was on her forehead, before my wehicle upset, said the hackney-coachman,who was waiting to see if I were dead or alive; "I'll take my oath it was.

"Now, good people, clear the shop," said the apothecary, a little fussy man, bringing me a draught, which I found myself forced to swallow, much on the same principle that when you go into an inn you must order refreshment; then a dreadful idea came across me-“ Where is my money?" I felt in my pocket-joy!—the little therein was perfectly safe.

"I have something to pay-the cab fare." But to that observation there arose a strong debate. The honest woman who had charitably taken charge of me when I was dragged out of what my Jehu termed his "wehicle," and the apothecary, both declared I had no right to pay a farthing; and the hackney-coachman, no whit inferior in abuse and imposition to his confrère of 1865, as vehemently declared he had a right to it, and have it he would. I settled the dispute by changing my largest gold coin, and out of the change giving the man half-a-crown, at which, being more than his legal fare, of course he grumbled. Then as the gazers and gapers dispersed, following him as the most clamorous, and therefore the most interesting of the parties concerned, I asked the apothecary, then, what I had to pay him.

"A mere trifle, miss-five shillings-thank

you."

The good woman, who still lingered, raised her hands, either in admiration or deprecation. Five shillings might be a mere trifle; but, for ten minutes shelter and a sal volatile draught, it was a good deal; and just then the sum to me was a material object. What if I could not, after all, find Benvolere? Could I return? Impossible! My flight, no doubt, had been discovered, and that supposition made return out of the question. Besides -no-better anything than live in such splendid misery.

I turned to leave the shop. The woman came after me. I thought she looked for payment, and took my purse out to proffer her some trifle, which she indeed most deserved; but she said: "I begs pardon, miss; you look like a lady, that's certain. Can I put you in the way