Part 49 (1/2)

”Are those your sisters, Edward?” said the king.

”They are, your majesty.”

The king rose in his stirrups, and made a low obeisance to the window where they were standing.

”We shall have some court beauties, Beverley,” said the king, looking at him over his shoulder.

As soon as the ceremonies were over, and they could escape from their personal attentions, Edward and his two friends went to the house in which resided the Ladies Conynghame and his sisters.

We pa.s.s over the joy of this meeting after so many years' absence, and the pleasure which it gave to Edward to find his sisters grown such accomplished and elegant young women. That his two friends, who were, as the reader will recollect, old acquaintances of Alice and Edith, were warmly received, we hardly need say.

”Now, Edward, who do you think was here to-day-the reigning belle, and the toast of all the gentlemen?”

”Indeed! I must be careful of my heart. Dear Edith, who is she?”

”No less than one with whom you were formerly well acquainted, Edward-Patience Heatherstone.”

”Patience Heatherstone,” cried Edward, ”the toast of all London!”

”Yes; and deservedly so, I can a.s.sure you; but she is as good as she is handsome, and, moreover, treats all the gay gallants with perfect indifference. She is staying with her uncle, Sir Ashley Cooper; and her father is also in town, for he called here with her to-day.”

”When did you hear from Humphrey, Edith?”

”A few days back. He has left the cottage now, altogether.”

”Indeed? Where does he reside then?”

”At Arnwood. The house has been rebuilt, and I understand is a very princely mansion. Humphrey has charge of it until it is ascertained to whom it is to belong.”

”It belongs to Mr. Heatherstone, does it not?” replied Edward.

”How can you say so, Edward! You received Humphrey's letters a long while ago.”

”Yes, I did; but let us not talk about it any more, my dear Edith. I am in great perplexity.”

”Nay, dear brother, let us talk about it,” said Alice, who had come up and overheard the latter portion of the conversation. ”What is your perplexity?”

”Well,” replied Edward, ”since it is to be so, let us sit down and talk over the matter. I acknowledge the kindness of Mr. Heatherstone, and feel that all he a.s.serted to Humphrey is true: still I do not like that I should be indebted to him for a property which is mine, and that he has no right to give. I acknowledge his generosity, but I do not acknowledge his right of possession. Nay, much as I admire, and I may say, fond as I am (for time has not effaced the feeling) of his daughter, it still appears to me that, although not said, it is expected that she is to be included in the transfer; and I will accept no wife on such conditions.”

”That is to say, because all you wish for, your property and a woman you love, are offered you in one lot, you will not accept them; they must be divided, and handed over to you in two!” said Alice, smiling.

”You mistake, dearest; I am not so foolish; but I have a certain pride, which you can not blame. Accepting the property from Mr. Heatherstone is receiving a favor were it given as a marriage portion with his daughter. Now, why should I accept as a favor what I can claim as a right! It is my intention of appealing to the king and demanding the restoration of my property. He can not refuse it.”

”Put not your trust in princes, brother,” replied Alice. ”I doubt if the king, or his council, will consider it advisable to make so many discontented as to restore property which has been so long held by others, and by so doing create a host of enemies. Recollect also that Mr. Heatherstone, and his brother-in-law, Sir Ashley Cooper, have done the king much more service than you ever have or can do. They have been most important agents in his restoration, and the king's obligations to them are much greater than they are to you. Besides, merely for what may be called a point of honor, for it is no more, in what an unpleasant situation will you put his majesty! At all events, Edward, recollect you do not know what are the intentions of Mr. Heatherstone; wait and see what he proffers first.”

”But, my dear sister, it appears to me that his intentions are evident. Why has he rebuilt Arnwood? He is not going to surrender my property and make me a present of the house.”

”The reason for rebuilding the mansion was good. You were at the wars; it was possible that you might, or might not return. He said this to Humphrey, who has all along been acting as his factotum in the business; and recollect, at the time that Mr. Heatherstone commenced the rebuilding of the mansion, what prospect was there of the restoration of the king, or of your ever being in a position to apply for the restoration of your property! I believe, however, that Humphrey knows more of Mr. Heatherstone's intentions than he has made known to us; and I therefore say again, my dear Edward, make no application till you ascertain what Mr. Heatherstone's intentions may be.”

”Your advice is good, my dear Alice, and I will be guided by it,” replied Edward.