SPENCER CARLTON'S LOVE STORY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1060, 25 June 1869, Page 3

SPENCER CARLTON'S LOVE STORY.

,(Ir.om'- London Sodietyi^ft^tMardiiß:: 'IU i

'•■.'---'". . ;--GHAPTEB, I, .•.,._,' '../r r-v.;{ "Mamma, I do think th^tKe t repp.r^ Aunt Julia heard imist-.be true," said Laura Oarlton to her mother, looking up , frotQ'M> long foreign letter she had. for some; jtime . beeh busily engaged in reading.- .. ". w j,i..- rf a" ' <\ "Whatl report/ \my ; "dear".?' k aske.4 hejc- ' ■ mother, Who was equally absorbed jn thai '/ fashionable intelligence " ', contained i$ the- "' Mohiing Post. "... "Your. aunt,", hears- aq> • many reports that I ..never. place muqitijef- ;■ . liance on them. . . . . : . . .•■ ■ '■■■ .; „.-}; > "Of course I mean all she told us abqut; Spencer— that is tlie:.jpnl^: : report 4>f!,the.; • smallest, interest tof'ri^Bi't'replied;'Lajiira, l - rather pro vbked at her mother's indi3Sere«ce. "4^nnie,Traver3 has written to me from Eome, and at the end of her letterjasksme if she is to congratulate me. oti.my new, sister, whose extreme beauty is ; a eonstant s topic of conversation now at Eomie.'' i.V • {' Spencer would certainly have, told us, hiipself if it had been true, my dear," .replied Mrs Oarlton, looking rather perturbed* , " Let me ..hear again all .that Miss, Tracers. says." , . - - :-.■.■ ,-'::■-' Laura obeyed, and Mrs. Carlton 'listened." % attentively.' - •■ ■- - -.;••♦ ' j'lha4 almost. forgotten, Laura, .what your aunt did say-^-that $pencer 'was with alovely American girl> who was >v sup-, posed to be rich, was' it hot? I never gave., it ti thought. Spencer has been so. often^ esris with lovely girls before now." „ , "Yes"/' saidLaufa ; " but he has wßfcteii^ so! seldom, and his letters have been sojun*}" satisfactory, tjyit.l have an instiiiQt that th|s is true; and you will dlldw't^atmy instincts are generally right,, mamma." : ' ( - , '".I really scarcely know what to think^'i. returned her mother. "'lf this girl is both,.

rich and .beautiful, as your aunt says, :it is' probably the best thing dear Spencer coiild" do. I will write at once to your aunt,, and. inquire more, and especially whether she r heard the report from any reliable authority..

Laura stood gazing through the window, long, after her mother left the room; . There ' was -nothing; 'attractive- in thebleak> dreaty. landscape before her, made yet more dreary by the slight sprinkling of snow which, hadaheady covered . the ground, Yet Laura gazed on it that day with an inexpressible .feeling of affection. She loved the widespreading valley,.vthe old trees under which the deer were grouped, the tall elms- near the house in which, from her earliest" in-? r fancy, she had watched the rooks buildibg", their nests ; the terraced garden upon which the windows of the room in which' she lingered had 'been'; made to open 1 ,.. So, 'that in- summer they almost entirely lived' in it. This garden was bpth the pride and , delight of her mother's life; and now shemight perhaps be called upon to part from ! it all ! "It might be passing into the hands of another— one to whom it could not have \ the slightest interest ! She might have to uproot all the bright and pleasant things'* that had gathered round her young life, arid try to plant them, in another homel But woujd. they bear to "be thus transplanted?, woukf they not wither and die in another soil?' No place, she fondly thought, could' ever Jbe compared with this; and, indeed, Etheridge Castle was a beautiful old place, which had been the property of the Carl-, tons for several centuries^

Mrs. Carlton had lost her husband. many years, and had been left with a 'son .and daughter, to whom she entirely devoted herself, and who were the one .comfbrU ab'd' ' support of her widowhood. . Spencer- wxis the eldest, and of him it is enough to say • that he thoroughly fuhllled the .idea of one "who was the only son of his mother^ and she-was a widow.".. He had distinguished himseifajt Cambridge, and hist, early man* hood was 4 full of promise* ;I£e. was tall -and i hahctsome, with that combination" of • strength and- tenderness which is so espe»> cially. attractive^ to women. His mother' ■ was mistaken in saying that Spencer had so frequently "lost his heart ito pretty girls," for beyond an occasional momontaiy fascination, when the advances were fiaore on the lady's side than on his,' no woman had even taken his imagination caj>frive,~" much less his heart. But. this year his ,sojourn at Rome effected a great' change ;' and ■ though he had not as yet confided his secret to any one, there was not a thought of his -• heart or fibre" of his being, that was not given up to the keeping of another. • - -• •

He Imd been at a ball in the house of one of the Italian noblesse, and, having become. rathei\}ve*uy of the aimless life he? - wag leading, whs standing at the doorway speaking to an old friend of his intention to leave Italy rather earlier than usual and', return to England, when a young giilcame : up the wide marble. staircase leaning upon.her mother's arm. Spencer Carlton gazed ; at her with a port, of. wonder* , He hadnever imagined that the earth ;. contained anything so exquisitely beautiful as : that • gin's face. ' .

.."What .is the .matter?" asked the old General to whom he had been speaking, as Spencer Carlton stopped short in the midst of.a sentence. " What do you see ?" -.> .

".Who is that?" he whispered, as the. .lady and her daughter passed them. •'That girl? Her name is Ellerton, I believe. She is the beautiful American.itnat every one is raving about. Surely 'you have, seen her before'?" . . . . — ; 1 ' Never. Who is she ? Do they live in Rome?" • '■/"..'

, "I believe they are only just come. . No . ione seems to know anything about them... Same say the girl is an heiress, others that she has not a sou, and that her mother has. brought her here in the expectation • of hijr making a great marriage. There seems .t0..; be- something rather mysterious .about' them."

"Can you get me an introduction ifi them?" . • . .

' " I -clave say- 1 can. Why, my dear feU : low', you'se'em ' c fitrucic all of a heap,' aa^if ; used to say, and look as. if you were in a dream. Here is La Contessa Callino. . She knows every one. We will ask her to. get you an introduction to these American. I rallies." : .

"Are they, here; alone? Has. she no fatlier or brother?" •

,< ""Which do you mean — in.adame pr nrademoiselle? I really do not know, "1^ will take you to the contessa to make your own inquiries," replied tho General, con* .' siderably surprised at Spencer's mariner: "Come with me," : ' . f ''\ J J . ," Not yet— another time, perhaps^*' .he. said, m a low voice, with a strange mlsgjy- ' ing in his heart, and feeling as ifisome in?' visible power was holding him back .from. ru.shing on to his destiny. ...'"". ... "Why, God bless my soul, Carltpn,' you are suddenly bewitched— mesmerized P I' don't know what has happened to ydu. Are' you dreaming? JffVtfo'u waiit' to ;Be' introduced to. these Americans, it ;.cafr pjsly" fee' done now ; lam not-going to stayhere" for ever, if you are/ -. ■' . ' . "." ';,:."■; r '," J Spencer Carlton made nore^. put' folr ' lowed General Wenlock into the ne'tt^wmij where the Conte,ssa Caltino was.cfca^rinjr*; as only Italian ladies can chatter,, 1 to: p \ group of men that surrounded ner. /'Star received him most graciously, and at'onci^' acceded to his request, though she warned him that Mrs.. Ellerton was very charjrof increasing her.' English. ;' acquaintance; • "Still, for you— — ," she said, with^Wr] Wd a'smile which could have b^t 'oneV;^d : 'that a'most flattering, interpretation,; -';"'[■ '" What is the use of Her liaviiaef/pucb . abeautiful daughter,; if she Only wai#ftb shut her up V' said 1 the General,* \ h\yiMff "and she must like.to HnowE?|^l?3^Po- :- better tba». foreigners*" 4 ir:!^;:^--:.

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A •<" ••■•'."''.' ■ •.'■ v ■ '-"■' ' - -'-A-:' ■■ ' 'M^aSS^faf.^'' -k~. A ..a_ ~*£^h'.- .■ .-;-. '^2>o.y«tf s ikj*eet taf to take that as a compliment F jww*o&4 the Conkossa, laughing. Howwfor, rl wifl fcrgive it, and will show my generosity, by introducing your friend to this [new beauty at once. Here they, are ; going" down to the supper- . tootn,! suppose." She took Spencer Carlton up to Mrs. EUerton, and introduced him. "Blanche is tired, and cannot dance Again/ said Mrs. Elierton, rather stiffly, witn a Vary foreign accent. "This is her first foil, you know;" "Is Mrs. Ellorton a Frenchwoman ?" ho asked/ in surprise,' after they had passed through the roofft and gone down stairs. j "A. Frenph Canadian. She usually talks French^ I belieVe. She always speaks as if Her daughter wore ; oxtremely delicate, but I can see no signS of illness about her." ■ Spencer followed the mother and daughter down Btaifi> find soon learned from the young lady qfl/ihe wanted , to know. She was not espeejdliy shy, but frailk and childlike, and tolct liini how hor mornings were Spent, in ri^fijjf ,in the Cainpagna, and her afternoons m walkiug on the Pincio. ' "So thajtv 3t ; may hope t6 see you every day/ hesditij-ffith a look in his eyes which, though it brought no blush to the girl's face, evidently niffde the mother think it was time to interfere. " Blanched life is scarcely so idle as she .gays," said Mrs. Elierton, gravely. "She is obliged to be out in the air a great deal, But when she is at home I expect her to study." "I may call at your house and see if you have, recovered from your fatigue ?" lie said, looking ; inquiringly at Mrs.-Ellerton, while - h[e put Blanche's cloak carefully over her, shoulders, ..-: 'Mrs. Elierton hesitated; but while ho had been talking to her daughter she had been making inquiries about him, the replies to which were too' satisfactory for her to wish to receive the advances of the handsome young Englishman coldly. f*l will promise not to interrupt her studies, Mrs. Ellorton; so you will, I trust, make me an exception to general rules," he said, gaily. . : ■: : He stood looking after the carnage long after it had. driven away, and then wandered- slowly home* -'to dream of Blanche's lovelyiface, and> to long for the morrow and the chance' of seeing her again. CHAPTER 11. I wish it were possible for mo to describe jßlanohe Elierton as I saw her a few weeks after she had made acquaintance with Spencer Carlton. It was a bright and sunny morning, such as Italian mornings often are, even in the middle of winter. Blanche was sitting on the floor, surrounded by different pieces of coloured silk. Occasionally a strong sunbeam pierced through the outside blinds, which- were carefully closed, and rested on her head, tinging her soft brown hair with a golden hue. Though she was very fair she /tad not the fade look that often beJongs i*-o fa"" people; indeed, her marked eyebrow!*? an( * * on # .eyelashes gave a character to her ace > an( * those wonderful large grey t^ cs > * na^ seemed as if some hidden fire wu' 8 burning behind them, completely took awa' v from lier any appearance of-insipidity. Ev, **& om s P° ke of lie , r eves as wonderful. Pec^, did nofc s ay they were lovely or beautit.'"/ but always wonderful;, and, in truth, }ier e y es lookefl strange and out of keeping * vlth that small childlike face. There was . * nappy smile ©». the [girl's face as she ex* ami »ed oeie bright-coloured silk after anothcTr anci .her mother sat watching her with a lev^ »nxioi»3 expression than usual. "Why, Blanche, your whole Jmot6 Sfiftmsi wrapped up in your dress to-tfo?-You have let the morning slip away so i^w* now you, will have no time for your ride. ' "I am so sorry, mamma ; but Ido car about my drese, as I may choose it myself, and this ball is to be such a good one. It , is given for the [Russian Princess. I should I . like to be very fine," said Blanche, apologetically. 11 So that a Russian Prince may fall in love with you or your gown, and carry you off to St. Petersburgh. You will not like that, Blanche." "Of course not, mamma. I shall never marry." " Did you never see any ono that you thbu&fc* it would bo possible to marry, Blai^ni'f apked her mother, curiously. " CertamW'ilot ; at least I don't think so. ■ Bui nw.rp% care about my gown, and you thmk^hit'^foc-iish, mamma." "No, not ai alii' I '^ish'you to be well dressed, espec'i'any' as/. tse' Frittcipes&a Valerk) has been so'kiritf aM* eiviU- I wonder if this will become' foif/' said' her mother, holding a rich green" silk^ embr-oi--dered in gold, up to the girl's face. They had been too busily engage"^ tto ! hear thedoor open and a visitor announced^ and both mother and daughter started when' a voice said close to them — "Not green ; she must not wear green," and Spencer Carlton stood before them. **Howyou frightened me 1" said Blanche, laughing. " I hoped that you were some one come to take these away. They have sent me half the shop to choose from, you see. "Have you chosen V he asked, looking at her with uudisguised admiration. "I wish you would let me choose." "Wo are so perplexed that it would be a good think for any one to decide for us," sajd[ Mrs. Ellertou. "I shall never get Blanche out to-day. Which do you recommend ?" " Certainly not green. This is the best," he aaid, lifting up a' pale blue silk embroidered in silver. " This is the only one fit for you. The others are too tranchante." "YmTare quite right," said Mrs. Ellertoß, approvingly. "I did not know you we're an authority in ladies' dress." „'* I saw you first in blue," ho said in a JoY; Voice to» Blanche. " I shall never like yiriitp wear any other colour." \"t like this best myself. It is for the fctifttffat'fcWPrmcipessa Valerio is to givo Itftfee; $rissians, Shall you be there ?" r 'Gettrth<ljr,F if it is passible to procure an K fa ntoemess ftf say that Spencer Carlton, dM pftfcirre" atn 1 JtfvltrttJow, a»d that he scarcely )oft Bfenbne's side alttho evening. fie /had" now becbhite" so 1 pttsskynately in love,' with her that he made no* attempt to - conceal it, and Followed her lite a i^dqw^; Ho would walk by the side of hfr po»y^ in the Campagna for hours; ho so^rht':'Mxe brightest and freshest flowers to bring her every morning. If she expressed the slightest wish, it was attended to at one& r ß\ii Blanche seldom did express a wishi apd-ihe difficulty of reading her mind wtis the only thing that cast a shadow over th^staWot intoxicated happiness in which Spencer Carlton was living. He never could tell if his words made any impression <m,)ier, v S|ie. seemed- to take them so completed « Jniatter of course. She received his '\yith a bright smile, but all see&eCon^ thja surface. If a day passed in wl^fr%?y i|.( d , n o fc meet » sne IloVer appeare<i *|oi be "annoyed or even to notice it. J£et"c6sQo- « n .4-* no '-indifference of her j^iw^neajy,drpy,o. him to despair. "If she *ew&Man&yW, -voiced," ho thought; he^id'iiO^reftect that his absorption of her Jfe&uapa all others aloof— " but it is th,eSfi;tsi)g6 -way she receives all I do as a :mati»E off course. I must speak to her in^|^;;Knjay give me the key by which to(,iw^ej^|i|u ydv d her." ■■[.". ... : ftcc^jflfly otie i day ' J hp, \yent to the hotel . ilfitEitho^liM'ess purpose of speaking to

pale.

Mrs. Eifeibn. It was the day after the ball which had been given in honour of the BuMlan Prin«ess, at which Blanche had worn the blue and silver dress which Spencer Carlton had chosen for her, and where she was acknowledged by all to be the belle of the evening. He had hovered round her, following her like a shadow, not in the least heeding how evident his admiration was to the rest of the world, even if it was not to Blanche. Ho had spoken plainly to her that very evening, yet she scarcely seemed to understand. "Blanche is so young," he said to himself. "It is to her mother that I must go." ,v ,• • The next day he wont early to the hotel, and finding Mrs. Elierton alone, asked anxiously for hor daughter, inquiring whether she was ill or over-fatigued with the "I fear so, for she is very unwell to-day," was the reply. " She is subject to violent attacks of tic in her face and head, which, while they last, completely disable hor, and make her almost frantic with the pain. It, is this that obliges me to guard her as carefully as I do, and is mainly the cause of her extreme delicacy." "How terrible for hor!" said Spencer, in a tone of great concern. " Cannot anything be done ?" "I fear uot. It was on account of these attacks that we loft America. I was told that tho Italian climate might cure her, and, ' till now, I fancied sho was better." "And do they last long?" he inquired, anxiously, for he could not bear to think of his idolized Blanche racked with pain when lie could neither comfort her nor alleviate it. "Always two or three days; so I think it would, perhaps, be better if you did not call here till I can tell you that sho is better. Anything that agitates is so bad for her." " But I would not agitato her. Pray do nob keep mo away. Oh ! Mrs. Ellorton, it was to speak to you about hor that I came here to-day. I would give my life^ to keep pain and sorrow away from hor. You must know— you must have seen what she is to me. I would not speak to her without your permission ; but surely she must bo aware how devotedly, how ardently I love her;" and he looked anxiously into Mrs. Ellerton's face for an answer. But he could read nothing there beyond an expression of pain while he was speaking;, and now she seemed struggling to overcome some emotion that kept her silent. At last she, [spoke : " I am glad that you have not said anything to Blanche as yet. She is so young that '■' " But I may speak to her ? You will let me tell her all I feel, and implore her to return my love 2 Mrs. Elierton, I cannot live without her. The one hope of my life is to call her mine." Still Mrs. Elierton hesitated, and remained silent. " You do not think that any one else — — " said Spencer Carlton, turning very pale. "That Blanche has already given her heart to another? Certainly not. She poor child, is heart-whole, I fool sure," said Mrs. Elierton, sadly. "Then you think she will liston to me V he pleaded, anxiously; "for as yet I have not boon ablo to ascertain whether sho understood my feelings." "That I do not know, and you can hardly expect me to be ablo to answer you, Mr. Carlton. But you have my permission to ask her yourself;" and Mrs. Elierton held out her hand to him. He pressed it warmly. " And when may I see her I" he asked, eagerly. "I cannot tell you now," sho replied, sorrowfully. "Indeed, with her extreme delicacy, I hardly know whether I am justified in allowing such a question to be put to her, for some time at all events." " Indeed you are, Mrs. Ellorton. "Who would watch her and tend her as I should ? It will be the happiness of my life to share your responsibility." She turned away, but Spencer Carlton coi lid see that it was to hide her tears. £, 'omo days elapsed before Blanche was well • enough to see him ; but as soon as ho was a/lowed to do so he lost no time in ploadinjt bis cause, feeling that — 2I(. t . ithcr foars his fate too much, Or ,Hi» deserts too small, Who v ty?6 "0* P"t ifc to tho touch To wi'u « l " lose it all. So, in a few earnest words ho told her how anaently he loved her, and asked her if she would trust heA' happiness in his keeping. She had evidently been prepared to expect this, for she showed no surprise, though her murmured reply, "Mamma says you will always be kind to me," was scarcely an expres. tf on of her own feelings j towards him. To A less enraptured lover her reply would not. .have been satisfactory ; j bu* m sfc was, he felb delighted at her child- \ h'fee- mnimer, and clasping her in his arms, , renewed his protestations of affection ; and ] fk>\\i> that clay Blanche Elierton and Spencer" €a<rlton wero .acknowledged and affiancetf lovers. KIIAPTEB 111. As yet Spencer Carlton had never mentioned [Blanche* EHerton's name in his letters to his mothwamdi sister; but now he felt that he must not delay doing so any longer. He sat up* Mo- the same night, telling them that he eeukl nob bear to speak of his happiness till ft was certain. His letter was full of praise*' of Blanche's gentleness and extreme beaw&jr ? saying how ardently ho longed for tho time when ho could bring her home to be- welcomed by them as a daughter and sisteiv It struck both Mrs. Carlton- and! Laura that Spencer's letter was singularly neticent as to Miss Ellerton's family, and that he spoke much more of himself than eS' liier. They had no idea whether she was A penniless lass wi' a liuig pedigree, or the daughter of some rich man who had made his own fortune, and whoso connections were very different to theirs. "So, you see, Annie Travers was right, mamma," said Laura, after reading her letter over twice, attentively. "Dear Spencer!" said Mrs. Carlton, with tears in hor eyes. "How thankful I feel that he is so happy ! But I wish ho had told us a little more." "Well, mamma, I don't know what your letter may say. Mine simply rings the changes on his own happiness and the ; young lady's extraordinary beauty. I, for 1 owj, shall soon tire of that, if, as I suspect, she has no other especial charm," said Laura, a little petulantly. '"My dear Laura," remonstrated her mother, " I thought you had a higher opinion of your brother, than to think that he could be won merely by a pretty face." - " I have the highest possible opinion of him, mamma; only all this has been so strange, and he has behaved in a way so unlike himself in never telling us till it was all settled." " Yes ; I cannot understand it, but ho probably has some good reason. One never knows." " [Never, indeed," thought Laura, as with very mingled feelings sho sat down to congratulate her brother, enclosing a note of welcome to her future sister-in-law. Both met a warm response. Not so Mrs. Carlton 's wish that they should all come over, so that her son might be married in England. This was negatived at once. The marriage took place in Rome in the early spring, and the next few months woro spent in travelling about Italy, so as to visit several of the Italian cities that, as yet, Blanche had notseen. It was arranged that Mrs, Elierton should meet them at

Florence, from whence Spencer and his wife were to proceed to England, while she went in search of some German waters that she fancied were necessary for her health, promising to join them in England before the ensuing 1 winter. "Are yon well, my darling? You look beautiful— so well and bright," said her mother, fondly kissing her, when they mot at Florence. "Quito well, mamma, and so glad to see you. We have had delightful weather, and have seen so many things. Spencer must tell you all we have done." Mrs. Elierton turned to her son-in-law, who was standing, looking silently through the window, apparently not noticing anything that had been said. He looked pale and careworn, and had not at all the joyous expression that characterized his wife's countenance. Mrs. Elierton looked at him anxiously. "You are well, I hope? and have enjoyed yourself as much as Blanche ?" " I am very well, and am glad that you approve Blanche's looks. I have done my best to take care of her," he said, gravely. "Blanche looks quite strong now," she I said, nervously. " Tell me your plans. I am thinking of going to Paris before I go to Homburg, and have taken a house there for six months. I hope you arc both coming with mo." "Oh ! how delightful, mamma 1 I shall like so much to see Paris I" and Blanche clapped her hands with child-like pleasure at the idea. "We must put off that plcasuro for another year," said her husband, decidedly. "I have been much too long away from England. We must go homo at once." He spoke kindly and considerately, but more as if ho were talking to a wayward child than to ono whom he looked upon as a friend and counsellor. Blanche pouted a little ; but the vexation soon passed, and Mrs. Ellertou asked Spencer to describe Ethoridore Castle, which he did con amove. "But 1 think it must bo dull," said Blanche, " and that I should like better to live in London." " Possibly, " returned her husband, drily ; "only as I cannot live in London, and must live at Etheridge, you had better not set your heart upon it." Their sojourn at Florence was cut short by some business which had to be arranged immediately ; and in consequence Spencer Carl ton obeyed his lawyer's urgentsummons, and took his wife at once to London, where his mother and sister still were. It was a lovely evening, quite the beginning of June, that Spencer Carl ton and his bride arrived at tho family house in Hanover square. His mother flew down to meet him, and threw herself into his arms, exclaiming, "My son! my precious Spencer! how glad lam to see you!" Then, with a sudden self-reproach, she turned to the beautiful girl by his side, and clasped her to her heart. Blanche received these demonstrations very quietly. She did not seem either shy or touched by them, but only stood by her husband's side answering any question that was addressed to her, with a quiet smile. Mrs. Carlton was so entirely occupied with her son, that oven his young bride had but little share of her attention. Laura, however, watched her attentively, and talked to her of foreign life. She tried topic after topic, without eliciting any other result than smiling acquiescence. Perhaps she showed rather more interest on the subject of dress than any other. Spencer's grave and careworn expression of countenance had struck both his mother and sister with equal surprise. " Well, mamma," said Laura, as she followed her mother into her bedroom that evening. " What do you think ?" "That it is most delightful to have dear Spencer homo again. And is not Blanche beautiful?" "Perfectly lovely — the most faultless face I ever saw, if I could read anything in it. But why does Spencer look so changed —so ill?" '" You forget how young Blanche is, my dear Laura; and as to Spencer's being ill, I only see that he looks harassed. The law suit that has brought him home is likely to prove a \<.-;y troublosomo business." Laura was silent. She saw her mother was determined to see everything en couleur de rose, while to her eyes life assumed a ■very great aspect. The next day she thought that perhaps she had been fanciful, for Blanche's gontloness and extreme beauty won upon her, .and the anxious care with which Spencer seemed to watch over her showed how very dear she was to him. Still it was very evident that, considerate and kind as he was to--vvards her, no companionship existed bo:twcen them. Blanche seemed perfectly happy with Xauni, delighted to shop, to walk, or drivo, -and, above all, delighted with anything in the shape of gaiety, especially a ball. That ;year the season was unusually late, and London still continued very full. One thing Spencer especially insisted on was, that Blanche should never go out without [him. When, as frequently happened, he •came homo late from his lawyer, and finding dinner nearly over, and his mother, [Laura, and Blanche en grand tenue, expecting him to accompany them to some party, ho would not hear of their going without him, but, at any inconvenience or fatigue to himself, would hurry over his •dinner, so as to dress and be at his wife's side all the evening. The jealous guard that Spencer kept over her was a source of constant wonder to Laura, who, seeing no -disposition in Blanche to flirt with other men, or even to notice the admiration that .always awaited her, could not at all understand it. Occasionally she fancied that ■•some ovent, of which she was ignorant, .must have occurred to work so great a •■change iv her brother's bright and trusting mature. "It will all bo different at homo," she thought; "thero will be no question of .gaiety there, and mamma has promised to .live at Etheridge for another year. Blanche i will bo delighted that wo should do so, for [ her one dread seems to bo the idea that she :may possibly be dull." i Laura could not imagine dulness at | '.Etheridge with Spencer for a companion, j -and marvelled at the different way in which j people are constituted. But her hopes as ! to the change which a country life would ! .effect iv hor brother proved utterly without j foundation, for though they all went to : [Etheridge for the autumn, Spencer would ; :not make up his mind to remain through j; the winter, but went to join Mrs. Elierton j .at Paris. This kind of life continued for • more than two years, varied only by occaj sional visits to London, and still rarer ones ! to Etheridge, where Spencer seemed always more than commonly anxious about his •wife. Every one marvelled at the change [his marriage had made in him. Humours :reachod Mrs. Carlton and her daughter that »Spencer was mad with jealousy, though no one ever said that his beautiful wife gave 3iim the slightest cause for it, and it soon became an established fact that she led a most miserable lifo on account of her husband's unparalleled jealousy. It was said that ho would carry her away in the middle of a ball for no- reason, and that ho usod to shut her up for days together, and would not allow any one to approach her. People pitied her, and shrugged their shoulders when Spencer's name was mentioned ; and while both Laura and her mother knew that appearances justified these remarks, they were, Tut the end of 'two years, wholly at a loss to account fgr it.