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Seated on the vine-embowered porch of the cottage, with the pleasant airs of evening blowing from the flowers their rich fragrant perfume, the inmates of Roseland and their guests passed the time in very pleasant converse. From time to time Hoffland and Miss Lucy exchanged confidential smiles, and on these occasions Mr. Jack Denis, whose love-sharpened eyes lost nothing, felt very unhappy.
"I am glad you liked me from the first then," he said. "I am sure I cannot explain my sudden liking for yourself." "But I can," said Hoffland, laughing; "we were congenial, my dear fellow chips of the same block companions of similar tastes. You liked what was graceful and elegant, which, of course you found in me.
You will never after this evening doubt my unhappiness, or charge me with error." "Probably not," said Hoffland, turning away his head; "I will make your error plain to you but promise to speak of it no more." "What do you mean by 'make my error plain to me'?" "You will see."
"That is too general." "It is useless to particularize." And Mowbray's head drooped. As the pleasant May breeze raised the locks of his dark hair, his face looked very pale and sad. "The subject of our discourse in the fields some days since?" asked Hoffland in a low tone. "Yes," said Mowbray calmly. A long silence followed this reply. Then Hoffland said: "Why should that still annoy you?
And remember this too, Ernest," Hoffland went on sadly; for one of the strange peculiarities of this young man was his habit of abrupt transition from merriment to sadness, from smiles to sighs; "remember, Ernest, that your determination to see her no more has probably inflicted on this young girl's heart a cruel pang: you cannot know that she is not now shedding bitter tears at the result of her trial of your feelings!
"This is the place, is it not?" asked Mowbray. Hoffland hesitated for a moment, and then replied with an embarrassed tone: "Yes but let us go on." "No," Mowbray said, "I am very obstinate; and as Lucy will not expect me now until tea-time, I am determined to devote half an hour to spying out your land. Come, lead the way!"
Come, Charles, another time!" And Mowbray descended, followed by the triumphant Hoffland, who, whatever his motive might be, seemed to rejoice in the accident, or the success of his ruse, whichever the reader pleases. "Come! I am just going to see Warner Lewis a moment," said Mowbray, "and then I shall return to the 'Raleigh Tavern, get my horse, and go to Roseland " "Roseland!
When any one comes to me and says, 'I am weak and inexperienced, you are in a position to aid and assist me; be my friend; how can I refuse?" "And Hoffland " "Has done so? Yes." "Humph!" "Besides this, he is a mere boy; and to speak frankly, is so affectionate and winning in his demeanor toward me, that I really have not the courage to repel his advances.
"Minors make wills," said Mowbray; "and I advise you, if you are determined to encounter Mr. Denis, to make your will, and put in writing whatever you wish done." "But what have I to leave to any one?" said Hoffland, affecting annoyance. "Ah, yes!" he added, "I am richer than I supposed.
"I'd like to know how I can, without the money to buy them," said Hoffland; "you are very unreasonable, Mr. Mowbray!" Mowbray smiled. "Have you none?" he said. "Not a penny at the moment. My supplies have not reached my new address." And Hoffland laughed. "Let me lend you some. How much will you have? We are friends, you know, Charles, and you can have no feelings of delicacy in borrowing from me.
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