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But tell me how your unhappy sister became acquainted with this man? 'He was a violinist, replied Miss Whichello, 'a public violinist, and played most beautifully. Annie heard him and saw him, and lost her head over his looks and genius. He called himself Amaru, but his real name was Pharaoh Bosvile. 'A strange name, Miss Whichello. 'It is a gipsy name, bishop. Bosvile was a gipsy.
To be sure, he was talking of public wars, and not of domestic or social battles; but he should have been more explicit. Women are born fighters with their tongues; and an illustration of this truth was given in Beorminster when Miss Whichello threw down the gage to Mrs Pansey.
'I don't want to hear about Job, interrupted Miss Whichello, crossly. 'He is the greatest bore of all the patriarchs. 'Job, dear lady, was not a patriarch. 'Nevertheless, he is a bore, Mr Cargrim. What is your good news? 'Captain Pendle is coming to Beorminster this week, Miss Whichello. 'Oh, said the little old lady, with a satirical smile, 'you are a day after the fair, Mr Cargrim.
Mrs Pansey, anticipating an easy victory, shook out her skirts, and was up in arms at once. 'I know for a fact that your sister Ann did not marry the man she eloped with, cried Mrs Pansey, shaking her head viciously. 'Who told you this fact? demanded Miss Whichello, indignantly. 'I I can't remember at present, but that's no matter it's true.
He's attractive in his own way from his very wickedness. But I'm sure, finished Bell, with a vigorous nod, 'that he's a black-hearted Nero. He has done a deal of damage in his time both to men and women; I'm as sure of that as I sit here, though I can give no reason for saying so. Miss Whichello listened to this graphic description in silence.
Miss Whichello let fall her cup with a crash, and turned pale. 'How does she know that? was her sharp question. 'She saw you, repeated the chaplain; 'and in spite of your veil she recognised you by your cloak and bonnet. 'I am greatly obliged to Mrs Pansey for the interest she takes in my business, said Miss Whichello, in her most stately manner. 'I did visit the Beorminster dead-house.
She thought that the bishop had suddenly gone out of his mind. Nor was she reassured when he stood up and looked at her with a face, down which the tears were streaming. Never had Miss Whichello seen a man weeping before, and the sight terrified her much more than an outburst of anger would have done.
'Quite so! assented the bishop, with a nod. 'I have always understood such to be the case. But er Mr Arden? 'Mr Arden! faltered the old lady, turning her face from the company, that its pallor and anxiety might not be seen. 'Her father! is he alive? 'No! cried Miss Whichello, shaking her head. 'He died long, long ago. 'Who was he? 'A a a gentleman! a gentleman of independent fortune.
Everybody hates you; some people are fools enough to fear you, but I don't, cried Miss Whichello, erecting her crest; 'no, not a bit. One word against me, or against Mab, and I'll have you up for defamation of character, as sure as my name's Selina Whichello. 'I I I don't want to say a word, mumbled Mrs Pansey, beginning to give way, after the manner of bullies when bravely faced.
But Mother Jael went away in a happy moment, so Miss Whichello explained to her niece and George that the name of the former was not 'Arden' but 'Bosvile. 'It is necessary that I should tell you this, dear, on account of the marriage, said the little old lady; 'your parents, my dearest Mab, are dead and gone; but your father was alive when I took you to live with me, and I called you by another name so that he might not claim you.
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