AN ENGLISH NOVEL.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1024, 16 January 1879, Page 3

AN ENGLISH NOVEL.

BY AN AMERICAN AUTHOR. [From the San JWoisuow 'News Letter'] Chapter I. The Earl of Thames sstwaiting for his breakfast m the sumptuous diniug room of his elegant mansion, situate on Hyde's Park, one of the most aristocratic suburban neighborhoods for the dwellings of tha wealthy to be'^und m the City of London. Ife wore a dark gray business suit, and was intently immersed m the columns of the ' Times/ The only other occupant of the apartment, his only daughter, Lady Genevieve— or Evy, as she was" called by everybody — a slight, stylish maiden of sixteen, was busily engaged m dusting and tidying the room. Evy was indeed a lovely creature. Above the middle height, with bright blue eyes and golden hair that fell m rippling strands around her classic shoulders, she looked, as she was, the child of wealthy and aristocratic parents. She was attired m a perfect-fitting princess dress of pale lavender satin, trimmed with the finest point lace —one of the famous Worth's latest masterpieces. Her sole ornaments were a diamond necklace and solitaire earrings, which flashed m divided unison with her irradescent eyes and the gems that sparkled on her fingers, as she gracefully moved her feather-duster from picture to picture, and book to book. Just graduated at a fashionable academy for young ladies, she was to make her debut m society during the coming winter season m London, and, if report predicted truly, would make a sensation hitherto unknown m the London social world ; for, added to every grace and charm of person that can adorn womanhood, and possessed of accomplishments too numerous to mention, h°r father, who had, by close and unremitting attention, amassed a stupendous fortune, had promised her a cheque for a cool million upon her bridal morn — with but oue condition, however, that she should marry to please him, and with his full consent. In short, she was the idol of her parents, and beloved by all who knew her. Her mother, the Countess — the Lady of Thames— -had not yet descended. The morning meal was, on the present occasion, comparitively earlier than customary ; besides, she had been up rather late at the theatre the night before. But the Earl hud some important matters to attend to, an d — worst of all claims on the time and attention, of worried mankind -it was collection day. The ormolu timepiece on the muntel had just chimed the hour of seven. ' Evy, ray dear, 1 said the Earl, laying down his paper and looking at his watch, elegantly set with a crown and monogram m brilliants, ' Evy, my dear, there's no use m waiting for the Countess any longer. I go ess we'd better have- m the breakfast. That clock is tpn minutes slow, ni)d I shall be late at the store. I dou't want anything m particular \ a plale of hot cakes and a cup of coflee will answer.' 1 I'm agreeable,* replied Miss Tunnies, as she opened the door leading into tbe kitchen and called " Breakfast, Bridget." The domestic so addressed forthwith obeyed, and soon the table fairly groaned with every delicacy the market afforded. The Earl did ample justice to the viands spread before him, and, despite his avowal of indifference, shad, hominy, pork, arid beans divided the honors fairly with his favorite buckwheats, Evy contented her? elf with a bright green gerkin and a goblet of ice water. * I tell you what it is, Bridget,' said the Earl, reaching for the pitcher of maple syrup, as Bridget placed before him. a dish of sounds and tongues, * mother's a prime caterer, and no mistake. Wonder Avhat. keeps her 60 long abed. ( Sick, I guess/ remarked Lady Genevieve, pensively, ' What's the matter with you, any how '•' asked the Earl. i You don't seem to have no appetite, daughter. Eat something substantial ; look at me/ and he cut a large slice of Boston brown bread for himself. ' This suics me, father,' answered Miss Evy, nibbling slowly at her pickle. At that moment the doorbell rang vialently. ' Go see who it is, Lady Genevieve,' said the Earl. Miss Evy rose, but sat down immediately. * I hear mother's step m the hall,' she said. ' She will go." But Miss Evy was "wrong. It was not Mrs Thames' foot she had heard. It was Bridget's, who now appeared with a card between her finger and thumb. Lady Genevieve took the card and reading aloud: 'Sir John Brown, Kt., Queen's messenger,' threw it over to her father. * It's for you, pa j I thought it was for me/ ' Show him in,' shouted the Earl Before the conjinand could be cxc cuted, or M^s>Eyy beat the hast 3 retreat she' had contemplated, th< door waa pushed open, and m walkec Sir Brown. * Excuse my following my card s< abruptly, Earl,' said he, as he strod< m, and stumbled over a spittooi near the door. ' D— n that thing Excuse me, Miss Evy j didn't notia you before ; nice morning, Miss hope you rested well last night, tapping his top boots with his whip ' Yes, sir,' said Evy. < Well, Earl,' he went on, ' I'n pressed for time, and can't waste anj on ceremony — that's what's tlu {Ofttta'* I j« st kap-peoed, iv to giv<

you tbis invite from the Queen to take some dinner with her to-day/ * Your most obedient, my Lord, said the Earl, bowing low, as Sir Brown handed him a large card, with a gold crown on it. 'A swallow-tail affair?' enquired the Earl. 'Oh, no; nothing formal; only the family dinner. I brought it myself for that reason, 1 answered Mr Brown. • Besides, I thought you might give me a seat down town m your buggy.' 'Sorrylcan'fc do that,' said the Earl. ' I'm going to ride down m tbe hoTse-cars. Will be happy to offer you a seat there,' he added with a smile. ' But can an Earl and a Knight do such a thing- as ride m a horse-car V asksd Sir Brown, doubtfully. * Peers cau do as they chose,' said the Earl, with a stately air. • 'True,' answered the Knight, straightening himself np, ' I forgot that.' Sir Brown's patent of nobility was of later date than the Earl's Verb. sap. 'Have a cigar?' said the Earl, as he lit one and handed another to Mr Brown. 'Can't smoke and chew at the same time,' said Brown, expectorating into the nearest spittoon. ' But I'll take it to smoke after dinner. Let's go/ As they moved towards the door, it openod and the Counteas of Thames, dressed m scarlet velvet trimmed with ermine, the diamonds m her coronet flashing with star-like brilliancy, swept into the room. For one moment she stood glancing haughtily from Sir Brown to the debris on the table. r ** * I aint had no breakfast,' said Sir Brown, ' What's the matter of you, old woman ? ' The EarL didn't deign to make reply, but taking tbe Knight by his button-hole, led him from the room. 4 Say ! ' screamed the Countess, ' are you coming home to dinner, Mr Thames ?' ' Guess not,' shouted the Earl back from the hall, where he was brushing his hat and helping Sir .Brown on with his duster. * Guess not ; I aint positive, however. 1 ' Got to go to the Lodge, I reckon,' retorted the Countess, with a sneer. 1 Not mnch,' said the Earl, coming back- ' Fact is, our Queen has extended a card of invitation to me to take dinner with her, at the Tower of London, to-day, and I'll go, if I get through m time. Dont't sit up for me.' 'Don't believe you're asked, screamed Mrs Thames, walking the floor. 'There's the invite,' said the Earl, holding the card before his wife's astonished eyes. ' What do you say to that, Elizabeth ?' The Countess of Thames snatched the card from his hand, and read : 'Towor of London. V. R. Queen Victoria will be pleased to h ye your company to a social dinaer this afternoon, at 6 p.m. To your Grace, The Earl Thames, E.S.V.P.' •Without me!' exclaimed the Countess. ' Why, certainly,' replied the Earl, 'you haven't called.' ' But you shan't go- thai shan't —one foot without me.' The slamming of the hall door, however, but too plainly told Mrs Thames that her husband had already gone. 'He wouldn't have treated me that way,' sobbed the Countess to Lady Genevipve, who tried to comfort her, ' he wouldn't have treated me that way, when we was first married and was poor. Money always has its drawbacks, my dear — always.' [To be continued ~\