Chapter I.

Otago Witness, Issue 1148, 29 November 1873, Page 25

Chapter I.

My dear, in these days we must be prudent, and above all, cosmopolitan. In short, we must take what we can get — English or Scotch, if possible ; if not, Irish, American, African, Hindoo. A great friend of mine, Laura M'Dermott, married a converted Parsee, and was really very happy. He was enormously wealthy, and luxurious to a fault." The speaker is a certain Lady Rockington, administering a little advice to her niece and ward, Ellen Stacey, a young lady of singular beauty and grace, who, in reply, does but indulge in a half-sup-pressed sigh. Her aunt's worldliness seems to be surcharged with the logic of fact, but not with the more persuasive rhetoric of fancy.

"Yes, child; you may sigh, and look very ill-used. Howevei', some day you will thank your aunt for "

"I'm sure I'm not complaining," interrupts Ellen drearily.

" Complaining ! I should think not, indeed. Why, there was my poor sister, your mother. What did the silly thing do ? She married a wretched lieutenant — very handsome man ; your father, my dear ; large blue eyes, like yours, regular teeth, big browa moustache, and that sort of thing. Well, then, what happened 1 All kinds of horrors — baukruptcy, occasional fits of intemperance — Edward Stacey had no self-control — degradation. Then the worry brought on fever, and she died, and he went out of his mind ; and altogether, my dear " "I mustn't do the same," says Ellen with a half-yawn.

" You shan't, if I can holp it," rejoins the elder lady sternly. "Do you imagine, my dear, that, because my sight is not all that it used to be, I haven't eyes 1 I've seen already too much of the encouragement you have given to that impertinent school-boy, Edward Capel. "

" He's not a school-boy ; and I've not — I've not perceived anything — anything over-attentive in his manner to me. Indeed, I haven't, aunt. People are so much more free-and-easy than they were formerly, that, that " Miss Ellen is lather tremulous, for she is conscious that Lady Rockington is watching her tell-tale countenance like a cat a mouse.

" My dear, I assure you I am not at all disposed to be censorious. Only for your own sake, as you never could marry such a person as young Capel, I should wish that you would reserve your heart intact for the first really eligible offer. I don't want to flatter, Ellen, but you are decidedly attractive ; and in India you will have offers. That, of course, mostly from men of middle age, high up in the service, or perhaps from men of mature years, who "

" I suppose I may say yea or no ?" ejaculated the fair girl, her colour rising, "Of course, Ellen, of course. Ib is quite easy for a girl to make very much her own selection ; for it follows that if you don't give a man a certain amount of encouragement, he won't be able to screw up his nerves to the proposing point. Now, your dear uncle, Sir Charles, although lieutenant governor, and a man of the greatest distinction, was so retiring, so nervous, so embarrassed that really, when we were left together in the draw-ing-room on purpose to bring matters to an issue, he talked about the weather till I was so irritated that — there, I could have proposed myself on the spot." " That would have been, ar* assertion of woman's rights," remarked Ellen slily. "Fortunately, a butterfly from the conservatory happening at the right moment to eettje on my wrist, ho was

enabled to seize my hand in order to catch the creature. I needn't add, my dear, that I held so tight by his fingers that he was obliged to declare himself. In short, I believe I owe my position, as Lady Rockington, to that butterfly — an emperor my dear ; Sir Charles pulled it all to pieces in his stupid agitation." "But, aunt, you must make allowance for poor Sir Charles. He was so old, you know." "Not the least old, Ellen— only fifty."

"Only?" ' ' Fifty, child, is a very good age for a sensible man to marry at. I was eighteen — young, impulsive, with some pretensions to looks, though not, I woxild own, as attractive as your poor mother. But I fell then as I feel now, that an income is everything in this world — simply everything. I had nothing — well — except myself, so I took the common-sense view of the matter, and expressed myself very grateful to Sir Charles. Your poor mother was indignant, and talked about a sacrifice to Mammon, and all that kind of romantic rubbish ; but just look at the contrast. Here am lat forty, alive, well, in an excellent position, provided for in case of accidents, envied by nine out of every ten women of my acquaintance ; whereas, your poor mother ■" "Is at rest," interrupts Ellen, rising, with a hurt expression of countenance.

They are occupying apartments in an hotel at Southampton, previous to sailing for India. Sir Charles has been at home for two years on furlough, and during that time Ellen Stacey has been under the dominion of her aunt, for whom she does not entertain any very great affection.

Lady Rockington is too cold and too dictatorial to amalgamate with a freshhearbed, imaginative girl. It is not improbable that Lady Rockington's unfeeling reflections on the misfortunes of her dead sister, might cause a disagreement of a very unpleasant character between herself and her niece.

Fortunately, however, at the critical moment, a quick rap at the door is followed at once by the entrance of a young man of very prepossessing appearance, whose frank manners and bright ways would seem likely to entrance the hearts of all who knew him.

" Oh, Mr. Capel !" cries Lady Rockington, looking anything but delighted.

Ellen Stacey's lips move, and the colour comes and goes in her fair face ; but her eyes alone greet the intruder. "How do, Lady Rockington? — How do, Miss Stacey ?" he says in an oft -band fashion. "I've come all the way from London, partly to tell you a bit of news you'll be glad to hear, partly to wish you good-bye." " Sir Charles will be pleased to see you, Mr. Capel," replied Lady Rockington in the chilliest fashion.

" What is your news 1" inquires Ellen in her softest tone.

" Simply this, Miss Stacey ; that I have now every hope of remaining as secretary to Sir Charles. The Government would not permit him to appoint as his secretary a man in neither branch of the service ; but, in consideration of Sir Charles's strong recommendation, and my college testimonials, they have offered me a cavalry cadetship."

One word of explanation about Mr. Capel. He is an under-graduate of a university, who has been acting as private secretary to Sir Charles during his residence in England. The old Indian official had been so gratified by the intelligence and diligence of the young man, that he has desired to retain his services in India, and was disappointed at his request to the Government having been refused. " But," says Lady Rockington coldly, 1 ' you forget, Mr. Capel, that this cavalry cadetship will not necessarily place you at Foozakabad."

Foozakabad is the seat of Government where Sir Charles presides.

Mr. Capel looks grave for a moment. Then he replies —

"I don't know; but — but surely they would not have given me the appointment, if they had not intended me to be secretary to Sir Charles."

"Nat at all," rejoins Lady Rockington; " you will be most likely sent to Madras, or some other part of India. You forget that there is more than one Presidency." " Anyhow," he answered cheerily, " I hope I may have the pleasure of being stationed not very far from you."

Lady Rockington looks as if such an event would be anything but a pleasure. "We are civilians," she says, "and we don't a3 a rule see much of the other branch of the service. " This very loftily.

This snub is so direct that he takes it as a hint that he is de trop. Accordingly, he accepts the tips of Lady Rock-ington's fingers, and, as he grasps the hand of Ellen Stacey with ajl the fervency of a lover, he adds—: *' I shall follow you in the next steamer; I have but to pass my examination, and procure my outfit, and then " Perhaps he would say more ; but he perceives such an expression of pain in the countenance of the girl whom he loves

that he can but release her hand, and de^ part towards the P. and 0. steamer, in search of Sir Charles.

The old veteran is standing thoughtfully on the quay. Perhaps he is wondering whether, jat his great age, he may reasonably expect to return to his native shore. His eyes are fixed steadfastly on the long dark outline of the P. and 0. steamship Ibis, which, on the morrow is to convey him eastwards, to add to an already ample fortune, or to find a grave among those for whose welfare he has devoted honourably a long life.

From this reverie he is awakened abruptly by the advance of a well-known footstep. In a trice he has warmly grasped the- hand of young Capel, who tells his tale in the fewest words, adding modestly how grateful he should feel if Sir Charles continued his patronage.

" Why, boy," cries the old man, "what can you be thinking about ? The Government have given you a commission in order to provide me with a secretary."

" Lady Rockington thought not. She suggested that I should be sent to Madras — or somewhere."

" Lady Rockington ? Fudge ! Hum ! That is to say, Capel, you will dine with us. No excuses. You are on duty. In India you will be my military aide-de-camp, and your most onerous duty will be to order dinner ; so, for goodness sake, have a few lessons off Francatelli before you come out ; and mind, boy, no dawdling. You must pass at once, and follow — "

"By the next mail, Sir Charles. I only wish that I could repeat Sir Colin's words, and say, "to-morrow."

We shall now skip over some few months. The Rockingtons and Miss Stacey have been occupying Government House for some time. Edward Capel has been duly installed in his comfortable berth in the lieutenant-governor's suite, and inasmuch as his duties compel him to meet Ellen Stacey twice every day, it is not much to be wondered at that both the young people began to understand each other, although not one word had passed which could be called of a binding character. They are lovers, but have not declared themselves to each other, still less to the world, which, however, being abnormally perceptive, has its suspicions.

The beauty and worth of Ellen Stacey have been fully recognised by the station. Lady Rockington, ever generous in matters of display, has brought out with her a cargo of Parisian goods. Hence her niece is the leader of the Foozakabad fashions, and held in reverence accordingly.

Among a countless host of admirers, one Mr. M'Duncan, a young AngloIndian of forty-nine, suffers much by an absorbing passion for Ellen Stacey. His income is about four thousand pounds annually, and he has saved. On his pretensions Lady Rockington casts a favourable eye. On his physique, and somewhat ancient manners, Miss Stacey looks askance. Nevertheless, Mr. M 'Dim can is not abashed. He believes that he has but to ask and have. Hence perhaps the conversation following :—: —

Mr. M'Duncan : " You heave brought over with you, Sir Charles, a great addition to our station society."

Sir Charles, who doesn't xinderstand compliments, or anything short of bald British : " Hey 1 what ? You mean my aide-de-camp, Capel. Hey?"

Mr. M'Duncan, diffidently : " I— ah — alluded to Miss — ah — Stacey — Stacey "—" — this with emphasis — "and in fact, Si? Charles, I feel so decidedly attracted—^attracted — that E — ah " here b,& pauses, perhaps from a deficiency o4 breath.

Sir Charles, elevating his eyebrows and twitching the corners of Iris mouth : "You're in love, Mr. M 'Duncan — hey ? Well, go in and win. Look at me. Lady Rockington is now tolerably well-pre-served. Twenty-two years ago, sir, I Stood in your shoes. I was in love. What did Ida ? By Jove, Mr. M'Dunoan, I acted like a man ! Without any beating about the bush, philandering and nonsense, I said to Lady Roekington, "Tell me my fate. Yes or no. I don't want any " ask papa's," or delays. Give me sudden life or sudden death.' Those were my words. The result was that I was accepted, sir — married, sir — and here Aye are. "

Sir Charles had evidently forgotten the episode of the butterfly, or else Lady Rockington has been guilty of; invention. Mr. M'Duncan, slowly: "I have been thinking of asking your permission, Sir Charles, to pay my addresses to the young lady, but before 1 make such request I should like to be informed whether her affections are already engaged ?" | Sir Charles : "Howl what? hey? I |don,'t understand. Engaged* Certainly I not. Ellen Stacey's heart, sir, is virgin — ■ ' like — hum t — snow.." j' Mr. M 'Duncan, dubioxisly ; " You are quite sure ?" ', Sir Charles; "Hey? Of course. Why Snot? Explain."

Mr. M 'Duncan : "One ought not to pay attention to gossip, Sir Charles—gos-

sip—but I have heard Mr. Capel's name coupled with that of Miss Stacey."

Without one word the plethoric and irritable lieutenant-governor dashes off to Lady Rockington, who at once confirms Mr. M'Duncan's assertion. Infuriated, he sends for his aide-de-camp. Edward Capel attends the summons promptly, and, as he stands face to face with his patron, you might have supposed such a splendid specimen of intelligent manhood and gentlemanly bearing would have been regarded with more favour, as suitor for a bright girl's hand, than the sere and yellow M'Duncan.

" I charge you," cries the lieutenantgovernor, "with having basely attempted to purloin the affections of my niece, an act on your part as mean as it is ungrateful. You have misused, sir, your position of confidence in this household — shamefully. You have acted in a manner unworthy of an officer and a gentleman. You — hum ! deserve to be cashiered. You— ha ! — are unfit for the service. Why don't you answer me, sir ? Hey ?"

Not that ill-starred Capel has much chance of reply, for the words have kept pouring forth from the angry old man's mouth like a veritable storm.

Thus brought to bay, Cornet Capel draws himself to his full height, as he answers —

" I might, Sir Charles, take refuge in a, paltry subterfuge, and tell you that nothing had passed between Miss Stacey and myself. It is a fact ; and I could take my stand upon it. But I will not. I confess that I am deeply attached to Miss Stacey. She is the love of my life. 1 have believed also— nay, more, I still believe, that she is not indifferent towards me. I cannot be insensible to her kindness of manner. In short, there is a sort of free-masonry which tells a man when he is loved, and "

" You impudent scoundrel!" roars Sir Charles giving signs of incipient apoplexy.

"Hear me but for a second," cries Edward Capel. ' ' I admit that I — we have been guilty of a foolish romance. Suffer me to apply the lancet to the wound incisively. Sir Charles, I request that you will permit me at once to resign my office of aide-de-camp, and to join my regiment, which, being stationed some four hundred miles away, will be sufficiently remote from Miss Staeey. With your consent I will leave this place within an hour."

" Good," replies the lieutenant-gover-nor, " you may go.' 3